Throwing a curve and stamp storage.....(4 of 4...finally!)

The challenge over at ThisThursday this week is to create something using curves...'Thrown a curve. now you can use that as a title or you can use anything that curves eg arches arcs, circles ovals waves, well even let you use squiggles'...so I'm hoping this altered CD will suffice?
The image was kindly given to me by Tina and the corners were done in my bug. The ribbon is actually a really deep purple and not black as it has photographed. I've stamped, inked and distressed and added a few adhesive pearls for some texture. I think the papers are HOTP but wouldn't swear to it!

And finally...I know its been a whopping 4 posts in one day but I've been really busy unmounting all my wooden backed stamps...and boy have I been cursing to Tina's amusement! I've wanted to do this for a while as they were taking up so much room and to be honest as some were in draws I just forgot about them.

And this is the final result of three days of wanting to throw them all out the window!! All my really large stamps are still mounted and any unwanted were donated to the Belle craft box!
Its much easier to find exactly what I want now but I think my hubby is now sick to the back teeth of laminating card for me!! Big thanks to Mrs T as well for helping me to cut some of the unmounted stamps out. So if any of you have a better way of storing your unmounted stamps....PLEASE DON'T TELL ME AS I MAY CRY AFTER THIS MAMMOTH TASK!!!
So now you know why I've not been around and why I'm cramming a weeks worth of posting into one day. Sorry!
Hugs,
Em.x

Testing out 'Ribbon Rings' (3 of 4)

Hello. Tina and myself were approached by Melissa Bickle who owns ribbonrings.com in the States to test and review her product. As if I was going to say no after my post here! LOL!

In our promotional packs we received ten ribbon tags, five inventory dots (if you have a long length of ribbon and need to cut it to a manageable length, you affix the dot to the corner of the tag to remind you that you have more of that ribbon...ingenious!) and a 1.5" ring.
So this is what my purple and lilac ribbons looked like before.......
And hey presto....order is restored! I managed to put 4 ribbons on most of the tags depending obviously on their width.
This is what it looks like in its full glory and its so easy to see exactly what I have got without rummaging through bags and bags!
Because of my hands I did struggle with threading them to start with but then put the ends of four ribbons into a piece of folded card and threaded them like a needle and it was really easy.
Personally I think they are a fantastic idea and Melissa has informed me that they are working on some wider tags as well which is great news.
So that is finally, hopefully my ribbon storage solution resolved....for now...lol!

Em.x

Lots of thank yous and 'THAT' Santa stamp! (2 of 4)

Yes its 'that' Santa stamp!! Pauline managed to get her hands on some extra ones, then did a draw to see who could buy it off her...and it was me!!! I couldn't stop grinning when I heard as its for another bloggy friend to use....I bet you can guess who! Many thanks Pauline.x

Belle then received this in the post from our friend Sammi in Oz and she hasn't stopped walking round with it. Its now looking slightly battered but she loves it so I'm not complaining! There was also lots of little crafty bits and pieces but unfortunately I cannot show them as Belle got to the envelope before I did...need I say more!?!
Sammi also included this beautiful card for myself which is one of my favourite 'Maggie's'...thanks hun.x
And then these gorgeous images arrived from Donna...perfect as I was running really low on Christmas images.....
and they were inside this stunning card which is so autumnal its gorgeous!
So I'm feeling thoroughly spoilt once again but its such a lovely feeling so thank you to everyone that has sent me cards recently!
Hugs,
Em

A beautiful award....(1 of 4!)

I know I'm notorious for never collecting awards or tags but this one is so beautiful I couldn't leave it.....
So many thanks to Susie, Vikki, Christine, Pauline, and Dawn. Thanks so much girls as it is much appreciated.

I know that most of you have received this award already but I am going to pass it on to Alison, Pandy, Debs and Jane who themselves or a member of their family have something in common with me....but I wish we didn't. (Fibromyalgia if anyone was wondering!)
So if anyone else out there has a chronic illness please accept this award as well with love.
Gentle hugs,
Em.x

Calling 109...your time is up!

Blog candy winner......picked by random.....

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

109 

Timestamp: 2008-10-20 16:07:51 UTC

I apologise now for the delay in holding the draw but had the out-laws staying and to be honest I completely forget...yes I am holding my head in shame!!

A huge thank you to everyone that took the time to enter as it was lovely getting the chance to look at so many fantastic new blogs. There were 124 comments but after duplicates etc there were 120 entries.

So without further ado the winner is 109 which is Jo !

Please send me your address Jo and I will get it posted to you ASAP.

Thats all for now folks.....

Em.x

BG stitching challenge...

Morning. The challenge this week over on the Basic Grey challenge blog is to create something using stitching...either real or hand drawn.
The papers and embellishments are from the 'Sultry' range. Please pop over and have a look at the other DT's work as they are so talented!
Hugs,
Em.x

Oh baby, baby!

Hello. This is the card I have made to celebrate baby Oliver arriving yesterday (see post below). I've made it into a little keepsake book and inside is his very first scan picture and a tag with all of his birth details. There is also a 'Made in Gibraltar' sticker as that is where he was conceived!
It was great fun to make and I will definitely make more. I hope everyone is well and I'll be around this evening to pop over and say hi.
Lots of hugs,
Em.x

Heartwarming news to share.

Morning. Have heard some fantastic lovely news and had to share it. I spent all day yesterday on tender hooks waiting for the phone to ring, hoping and praying that every time it rang it would be the news I wanted to hear.

So....I just want to say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to my best friend Gill on having a gorgeous baby boy! I spoke to her hubby Mark last night and both mum and baby are doing well. Dad is still in happy shock, the kids are over the moon and their Gran is delighted.
Baby Oliver was huge...a whooping 9lb, 10.5oz but is beautiful...just like his mum!

After the last couple of months this is just the best news ever and I cannot tell you how happy I am. I did make a card weeks ago for them....but after the last minute name change I now have to make another one so will show it later tonight!

Well done babe and I can't wait to hold him in a months time!

I hope everyone has a lovely day...we've not stopped grinning since last night!
Hugs.
Em.x

Blogger Label clouds

A few people have asked me where I get my label clouds from. I normally pick templates that already have them incorporated...but this new one didn't so here is a cracking tutorial site to show you how to do one...phydeaux3
I promise that it is easy to do...well I managed it so that says a lot!! LOL!
Hugs
Em.x

Crayon resist tutorial

Hi. On one of the forums I stalk we were asked to share a tip or technique. This was my contribution so thought I would share it on here as well. I have only used very basic colours but you can use any colours you like and it looks great if you mix your Distress Inks.

First of all you will need some white card, a stamp, a white crayon, a Stazon (for this example I am using black but you can use whatever colour you like but please make sure its a Stazon!), a mister and a Distress Ink of your choice.
Stamp your image and then using your crayon highlight the areas you wish to remain white. On this example I highlighted the paler stalks and heads.
Then the fun begins! I soak up some ink on a sponge and rub it all over the image. This is where you can mix colours for more interest if you want to.
Once dry gently wipe over with a wet wipe to remove the ink from the top of the crayon. You can then spray Glimmer Mist or perfect pearls over it at this stage or just use water (as I have) for a more distressed look.
Your image is then ready to be used....
Have fun!
If you have done this technique before please let me know as I would love to see some other examples.
Hugs,
Em.x