And Finally...

Before I get down to the good bit...

I am sorry for my lack of cards...if it wasn't for the little candy's then I would have nothing to post at all.

Besides being busy trying to prepare for Christmas - trying, as I've still not finished buying gifts, nothings been wrapped yet and there's about 60 cards that still need writing - busy at work as I need to cram 4 weeks worth of work into 3 weeks this month, and on top of that I'm still not feeling too well.

The cold I had weeks ago is still lingering. I do feel much better in myself though I'm still snotty and have a cough, and for the last 2 weeks I've had a terrible pain in my right side ribs. It only hurts when I cough or bend but it's keeping me awake at night. 

I have been advised that I could've cracked a rib...with coughing! So I'm on pain killers and anti-inflammatories to see if they ease the pain and I'm back at the doctors next week. This getting old is no fun I tell ya!

The last of the little candy's...too late for Christmas me thinks!

Whimsy (Sylvia Zett) Let It Snow rubber stamp

Whimsy Winter Notables 1 rubber stamp set

Whimsy Notable 1 die - which coordinates with the above stamps

Whimsy Elegant Notable 1 die - which also coordinates with the stamps.

Memory Box Catalina Wreath Die

As is usual..the candy is open worldwide and is open to my existing followers only.

I want to thank my followers for being there for me, I know too well I haven't been around much in blogland recently but I still get a visit and comments off my lovely followers so my candy's are a way of expressing my thanks to them.

Merry Christmas!

Love Elaine xxx

You've Gotta Be Quick ~ No5

Sheesh...the days are flying by so quickly now! I'm still getting nowhere fast when it comes to Christmas, but I thought I'd better get another little 'un on here quickly before I run out of time!

Today when I was trudging around the shops, feeling cold and wet, all I could think about was Spring...

Whimsy Stamps Sweet Blossom.

Bildmalarna Little Winged Friends - On Walk

Echo Park - A Walk In The Park 6x6 pad

Same rules as always, but I'll leave this one open a couple of extra hours since I'm so late in posting it here and everyone in the UK will be in bed by now!
Merry Christmas!
Love Elaine xxx

You've Gotta Be Quick ~ No4 Winner

Yes..I am late again! The candy ended last night but I was late home from work again today so my first job was to get Mr Random to pick a number...

..and the winner is Karyn..my little candy's have been posted far and wide across the globe but I've never sent anything to Australia before! Karyn if you can please EMAIL ME with your full postal address and I can get your goodies in the mail.
I'll be back soon with another one.
Love Elaine xxx

You've Gotta Be Quick ~ No4

I think Christmas must be coming...I'm rushing around like a blue-ass fly and getting nowhere fast, hence why this post is so late.
This time I have for grabs...

MME Lost and Found Sunshine 6x6 pad.

Simply Sassy Picture Pose unmounted rubber stamp.

Simply Sassy Domestic Goddess unmounted rubber stamp.

Please note...the candy is just the stamp not this stunning card which was made for the Simply Sassy blog by the lovely and very talented DT member Anita. The stamp is all sold out at Funky Kits and so I couldn't find a photo to show you the image so I asked Maria's permission to show you this card instead which is a fantastic way to illustrate how beautiful the image is..thank you kindly Maria and Anita :)

Same rules as before.
Merry Christmas!
Love Elaine xxx

You've Gotta Be Quick ~ No2

Well I'm back with another little 'un.
A little break from the Christmas theme for this one.
Same rules as before.

First Edition Summer Breeze 6 x 6 pad.

Bildmalarna - You and Me unmounted rubber stamp.

Bildmalarna - Your Angel unmounted rubber stamp.

Merry Christmas!
Love Elaine xxx

Maja Design Vintage Winter Blog Candy

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Please indulge me for a few minutes and let me take you back in time a couple of weeks....to the Think Pink blog candy. My thanks go to all who entered, and who posted the candy on their sidebars. We all need to remember to keep checking for lumps, or anything that seems unusual. The sooner any lump is detected, the sooner it can be treated.
Many of you left comments. Positive, reassuring comments, and lots of good wishes for Astrid. I am very grateful for your thoughtfulness but more importantly, Astrid is very grateful and touched by everyones care and concern.

Let me take you back a little further in time to October when I wrote this on a post...

I've also suddenly started to receive "We'll send you one of these free to give away as blog candy" emails. I have refused them all - politely of course. If I was offered something I already use then I would willingly accept the occasional freebie to give away as blog candy. But if I don't use it then it's wrong to pimp it on my blog, in my opinion.


I have always done this because I feel it is wrong to promote something I wouldn't actually use myself just because it's free. I am not saying that I'm right in this matter, just that it wouldn't sit well for me. (hubby regularly tells me that I would cut my nose off to spite my face and that I am the most stubborn person he has ever met) 
But when Astrid and Kees asked me if I would like them to send me a pad of papers to offer as candy I jumped at the chance. This is something I love and something I use so I was delighted at the offer.
(Thank you very much Astrid and Kees, you are so lovely)


Maja Designs make the most gorgeous papers, the only problem I have with Maja papers is actually using them. They are so pretty that it's almost a crime to cut them! The quality of the paper is the best I've ever used, nice and substantial but still easy enough to cut. 
I also love Pion Design papers and Inkido (but I am not allowed to buy any Inkido until after I've opened my Christmas presents!) and you can find a fabulous selection of these papers at Crea Duymelot.


So for my candy I have...

Maja Design Vintage Winter

This is a beautiful pad of 6x6  papers...available to buy Here and it's a nice fat wad of papers too, 48 sheets in total, 2 sheets each of 23 double sided patterned papers and 2 die cut sheets.


And on the theme of Christmas, I also have...

One Memory Box Winterland Tree die, plus my favourite Stickles Stardust glitter glue, and a bottle of fine grade German Glass glitter in clear, which makes the most gorgeous snow.
(Please note that the glass glitter IS glass so handle with care)


Candy is open to my followers, and is open worldwide...though I am not liable for any customs/tax that some countries impose. Posting a picture of the Maya pad on your sidebar would be greatly appreciated. Candy will close on Saturday 3rd December at 6pm GMT.
Please click the blue froggy to enter.
Thanks for looking
Love Elaine xxx

Blog Candy...think PINK!

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I got a lovely parcel in the mail today from my new friends over at Crea Shop Duymelot in Holland.
My addiction to all things papery has been satisfied...for now! I also bought some stamps for gifts and one for a blog candy.
Do you remember me telling you about Magnolia producing a special Tilda stamp, only to be sold HERE?
Magnolia are donating 500 euros to the Swedish Cancer Fund, and for every one of these stamps sold 2 euros is donated to the Pink Ribbon Cancer Fund and so a very good way to raise funds and awareness.
This charity is also very close to Astrid's heart (the owner of the Dutch shop) as she has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer herself and went into hospital last Tuesday for an operation.
There was good news and not so good news. The tumour was small and the surgeons removed it all, and it had not spread. But the bad news is that the biopsy showed this to be the most aggressive type of breast cancer, so Astrid will now have radiation treatment and chemotherapy, as a precaution, to be extra safe.

It was very fortunate that this tumour was caught so early...keep checking your boobies ladies!!

My very best wishes go to Astrid, her husband Kees, and family.

So on that note I have a little candy.

Raining Hearts Tilda

And in keeping with the Pink theme I have added a couple of extra bits and pieces.

A 6x6 pad of MME Love Me papers.

A pack of Prima flowers.

And a Pink mini ribbon kit.

The rules are a little different this time..so please read below.

As usual, candy is for my followers and is open worldwide but I am not liable for any customs/duties that some countries impose.

But this time in order to enter I want you to post the top photo of the Tilda stamp on your sidebar, or in a post and link it back to this post...just to spread the message around again to keep on checking your boobs!

Candy will stay open until Friday November 18th 6pm GMT.

Please click on the blue froggy to enter.

Thanks for looking.

Love Elaine xxx

A Little Bit Of This And A Little Bit Of That!

OK, I know I've been quiet again and I've been off work on holiday! I don't know where the days disappear to.
But I thought I'd pop on here and annoy you all today...I'm good like that.

Question...Is anyone else getting lots of spam comments? Sheesh, I checked my blog one morning and there was a comment awaiting moderation..and 17 spam comments! From folks selling plastic business cards to some that sounded a bit unsavoury. I've had the occasional spam before but not on this scale and they keep on coming. I'm just glad that I chose to moderate my comments so I can weed the buggers out first!

I've also suddenly started to receive "We'll send you one of these free and another to give away as blog candy" emails. I have refused them all - politely of course. If I was offered something I already use then I would willingly accept the occasional freebie to give away as blog candy. But if I don't use it then it's wrong to pimp it on my blog, in my opinion.

Other news...I found a fabulous Dutch shop! I am always a little wary when buying from abroad. I do occasionally buy from the USA but gosh I always get stung with import duties!
And in my new found Dutch shop I saw this....

She is a very special little Tilda. Magnolia have made this stamp only to be sold at my Dutch shop. You notice it's now called MY Dutch shop?
Magnolia are donating 500 euros to the Swedish Cancer Fund, and for every one of these stamps sold 2 euros is donated to the Pink Ribbon Cancer Fund. All in all a very worthy cause and you even get a stamp at the end of it!
This charity is also very close to Astrid's heart (the owner of the Dutch shop) as she has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer herself and is going into hospital on Tuesday.
So if you want to do your bit for charity then you can find the stamp HERE. Yes, she is a little more expensive than your average Tilda, but she's a very special Tilda! They are on pre-order at the moment but are due in the shop early next week. I did my bit and bought some for gifts, plus an extra one for a future candy.
I did do a little extra shopping whilst I was there...Maja and Pion papers..it's a terrible addiction you know.
And I blame a certain lady in Indiana for sending me the link to the shop. You know who you are!
I forgot to add this..there are NO import duties to buy from Holland to the UK!
Next topic...if you've not fallen asleep/gone into a coma/died...
Candy.
I much prefer to give away little candy's than big 'uns. If they are smaller then I can do them more often and spread the love around more. All makes sense to me.
So I have a little one :)

Candy consists of:

3 Wishes by Sylvia Zet for SCACD unmounted rubber stamp.

Bildmalarna Mimosa Walk unmounted rubber stamp.

Authentique Uncommon 6x6 paper pad.

It's a quick giveaway and will end later tonight, this way I hope that the people who enter are my followers and the ones who usually bob by rather than those on the look out for a freebie.

I've put a froggy link on, only because it is so much easier and the fairest way for Mr Random to pick a number from those who enter. Usual rules apply..I'm sure my regulars know them already!

Thanks for looking.

Love Elaine xxx

Hubby's Non-Birthday Birthday Candy ~ Winner

Just some bits 'n' bobs of news to share with you today.
Firstly, thank you everyone for all the lovely comments left on my last card. I so love all these images, and yes I have seen them all nah nah nah nah nah!
There are 12 new stamps in the Jingle Bells and Tinkle Bells range and all will be up for sale this Thursday at Funky Kits but there are still 2 more days of sneak peaks to go yet, so don't forget to visit the Sugar Nellie blog.

Next...hubby had a lovely birthday, thank you for all your birthday wishes for him, and Hal got his exam results. Some very good and some he could have done better at!
Maths A, Chemistry A, Physics A, Biology A.
English Language B, English Lit C.
Media - two exam results C & D
Religious Studies E
ICT and Art are BTEC's so not graded as a,b,c etc and Hal got a Pass result in them both.
All in all I was very pleased with the results and his hard work, though I guess he won't be joining the Clergy any time soon!

Lastly, thank you to everyone that entered hubby's birthday candy. Mr Random got jiggy and picked a number....

Congratulations Susan Moffatt, please email me with your full postal address and I'll get your goodies in the mail.
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xxx

Hubby's Non-Birthday Birthday Candy?

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As promised, I'm back with a little blog candy in honour of my lovely hubby's birthday on Thursday. The hardest thing was deciding what to put in the candy.
My first thought was a set of the new Sassy stamps, but I have no idea when the next set is due out..Karen, it's been a while since the last release and I'm getting a little twitchy!
Next thought..Jingle Bells and Tinkle Bells..these images are divine and I can't wait to get my inky mitts on them all myself, but they aren't due out just yet.
I've given myself a headache trying to think of something to offer as candy, so hubby's non-birthday birthday candy is Christmas themed. Does that make sense? No? Well my thinking was that on his birthday (August 25th) it will be exactly 4 months until Christmas and I know there are lots of crafters who are making a start on their festive cards.

This candy is a bit of a mix, a couple of my favourite things from last Christmas mixed with some new goodies released recently for this years celebrations.
Sorry about the quality of the photo, Mr Sun had gone to bed.

So the candy consists of:

Sugar Nellie Stamps:

Simply Sassy Secret Santa

Simply Sassy Christmas Kisses

Snow Buddies

Furry Friends

My Mind's Eye- Lost & Found Christmas 6x6 pad.

Authentique - Wonder 6x6 pad.

LOTV 

Christmas Dance

Toboggan for Two

Ski Jump.

From last year:

Whimsy Stamps - Holiday Ticket Sentiments plus the Ticket Die.

Whimsy Stamps - Winter Letter Seals 

Everything is brand new, stamps are unmounted except for the Whimsy ones which come pre-mounted.

Rules of entry:

Candy is my way of saying thank you to my followers and those who kindly leave a comment. Even though I struggle to find time to leave the comments I should, there are still plenty of lovely bloggers who still visit me and leave me some love. So with that in mind, candy is open to my current followers only, and is open worldwide though I am not liable for any duties/customs charges that some countries impose.

Candy will stay open until Monday 29th August 2011 at 6pm BST.

Just click on the blue froggy to enter :)

Love Elaine xxx

Miss Poppy's Birthday Candy.

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At last I have some photos of the birthday girl. These were taken on her actual birthday last week, not at the party, as it appears that the official party photographer had a bad case of camera shake!

Looking at her birthday cards.

The bubble machine was popular.

Very popular !

Go back in time now to the end of June...I did buy stuff for a birthday candy but it's still sitting in the cupboard unphotographed! There's just not enough hours in my day to accomplish everything I should.

So instead, in honour of Miss Poppy's birthday I have a small - but very sweet - candy comprising of...

 Sugar Nellie Simply Sassy Stamps.

The set of 6 brand spanking new unmounted rubber stamps, from the latest release as shown on the Simply Sassy Blog Hop last weekend.

Rules of entry ~ the same as last time:

Just one, this candy is only open to those who already follow me. I have noticed in previous candies that some folks add themselves as a follower only to remove themselves after the candy has finished. I apologise in advance as I know this will offend someone somewhere but it's my blog, my rules and my candy :)
Any new viewers are more than welcome to become a follower but will not be eligible to enter this candy but will be eligible to enter future candies.
Candy is open worldwide but I am not liable to pay any customs/duties that some countries impose. Candy will stay open until Monday 1st August 6pm BST.
Please click on the blue froggy to enter unless he's gone for a little hop about, he will return shortly!
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xxx

Just A Little Candy....

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After a lovely few days off last week I am now back at work and positively drowning in a sea of papers!
No-one covers my work load when I'm off so I have a lot of extra paperwork to catch up on so no crafting time for me this week boohoo :(
I had already bought goodies for a birthday candy, but have had no time to even take a photograph. So without wishing to delay it any longer I have split the candy up into smaller lots and first up is:

3 brand spanking new Sugar Nellie stamps from the latest release as showcased at the Carnival of Colour blog hop last weekend and
3 brand spanking new LOTV stamps from the latest release.

Rules of Entry:
Just one, this candy is only open to those who already follow me. I have noticed in previous candies that some folks add themselves as a follower only to remove themselves after the candy has finished. I want candy to go to those who it's meant for..one of my followers and not a 'candy hunter'. I apologise in advance as I know this will offend someone somewhere but it's my blog, my rules and my candy :)
Any new viewers are more than welcome to become a follower but will not be eligible to enter this candy but will be eligible to enter future candies.
Candy is open worldwide but I am not liable to pay any customs/duties that some countries impose. Candy will stay open until Saturday 16th July 9pm BST.
Please click on the blue froggy to enter unless he's gone for a little hop about, he will return shortly!
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xxx

A Little Mystery Blog Candy!

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As I said in an earlier post, May sort of passed me by without a candy. In truth, I was sick of the sight of Jiffy bags stuffed with Party Bags! I am all candied out and can't think what to offer up this month, in which case I will offer up my mostest favouritest stamps ever in the whole wide world!
Now being as I am a spoiled little bugger I have already seen the soon-to-be-released set of Sassy Stamps- set 8 - from Funky Kits and they are amazing, as always. This set is a little different from what we've had so far but that's all I'm saying, my lips are sealed.
So my candy will be the next set of 6 rubber stamps - set 8 Simply Sassy.

Rules of entry: Simple as always, just like me :)  All I ask is that you are a follower and yes I do check! Candy is open worldwide but I am not liable for any import/customs duties that some countries impose. Please play nicely and only enter once. Candy will stay open until Thursday 16th June 6pm BST.
Please click on my blue froggy to enter.
Love Elaine xxx

ETA Either Mr Blogger or Mr Froggy is being a bit of a devil today! People are entering but it's talking ages to show on my blog although I can see the entries on Inlinkz. If it doesn't show your entry it will turn up eventually!
ETA Again!! I apologise, I've just found out that these new delicious stamps will go on sale on June 18th so I have brought the closing date forward..sorry!

Party Bag No 10

I've really run Mr Random ragged this week picking a number for me every night and tonight is no exception.

The ninth party bag goes to....

Entry number 40 - Victoria (angeldrummer)

The hanglar stamp in the tenth party bag is from kit number 11 (Limited Edition) and the link will stay open until 10pm on Friday night.

Thanks for looking and good luck!

Love Elaine xx

Party bag No 9

Sheesh! We're whipping through these little baggies in quick time. I'm more surprised that I've actually remembered to post them every day!
Mr Random has picked another winner and the eight party bag will be going to....

Entry number 7 Pamela.

If you can please EMAIL ME with your full postal address and I will get your parcel in the mail asap. I know Pamela doesn't have her own blog but has been a follower of mine for a long time now, and Pamela is in Canada so these little bags are being dispersed far and wide!
The hanglar stamp in the ninth party bag is from kit 24 (Hugs) and the link will stay open until 10pm on Thursday night.
Before I leave you all in peace, yesterdays winner Debbi also has some gorgeous candy on her blog, lots of goodies from Promarkers to pencils, stamps, ribbon, embossing folder and papers so pop on over HERE and spread the word!
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xx

Party Bag No 8

Well today is the day! My little blog is one year old. I can't believe how fast the year has gone and I'm not sure how I've managed to bluff my way through a whole year?
All the party bags won so far have been posted so hopefully some folk will be getting them plopping on the mat soon, though the Netherlands and Hawaii may take a while longer to reach their destinations.

The winner of the seventh party bag is.....

Entry Number 20 Wiccababe

If you could please EMAIL ME with your full postal address and I will send it out to you asap.
The hanglar stamp in the eighth party bag is from Kit 25 (beach) again. I just stick my hand in the cupboard and pull out a jiffy bag, but I have to say that this is one of my favourite party bags, I love the papers and stuff in this one. The link will stay open until 10pm on Wednesday night.
Thanks for looking and good luck.
Love Elaine xx

Party Bag No 7

This will be another short and sweet one off me tonight. Back at work tomorrow so I plan on an early night.

Mr Random has worked overtime for me this week and again  he has picked a winner, the sixth party bag will be going to.....

Entry number 62 Stempeltiger

If you can please EMAIL ME with your full postal address and I will get your parcel in the mail asap.

The hanglar stamp in the seventh party bag is from kit 26 (Messenger) and the link will stay open until 10pm on Tuesday night.

Thanks for looking and good luck!

Love Elaine xx

Party Bag No 6

Evening all..I hope everyone has had a lovely Easter Sunday.
Mr Random has just done his job and the fifth party bag will be going to....

Entry number 6 Kerry M.

If you could please EMAIL ME with your full postal address and I will get it in the post to you on Tuesday.
The hanglar stamp in the sixth party bag is from kit 25 (Beach) and the link will stay open until 10pm on Monday night.
As always, thanks for looking and good luck!
Love Elaine xx

Party Bag No 5

So, we are half way there with the party bags now and so far one is heading to the Netherlands, one stays in England and another is going to Hawaii, where will the next one be posted to?
The fourth party bag will be going to live with...

Entry number 42...Fiona.


I believe that this bag will be on it's way up to Scotland! If you could please EMAIL ME with your full postal address and I will get the parcel in the post first thing on Tuesday morning.
The hanglar stamp in the fifth party bag is from kit 26 (Messenger) and the link will stay open until 10pm on Sunday night.
Thanks for looking and good luck!
Love Elaine xx

Party Bag No 4

Oh so sorry...we went out for a drink with a friend (You are such a bad boy Scott..he always makes me drink too much hahaha!) but we had a fabby night out and it's good to kick back, relax and enjoy the company, so I know how late this is and I pray it still makes some sense!
Mr Random has done his job and picked a number, so the winner of the third party bag is.....

Entry number 30 Shirley N

If you could please EMAIL ME with your full postal address and I can get the parcel posted first thing on Tuesday morning. 
The hanglar stamp in the fourth party bag is from kit number 25 (Beach) and the link will stay open until 10pm on Saturday night.
Please forgive my absence from blog land this week, I am so far behind with my commenting! I hope to get time to catch up over this weekend. And I so appreciate those who still pop by here and leave me a comment even though they know I've not been around much *mwah*
Thanks for looking and good luck
Love Elaine xx