At last I can reveal all ! & Day 2 of Cheryl's adventure !

Good Morning Ladies,

Something a little different this Saturday, I hope you don't mind.

Now I know that most of you ladies are fantastic stampers and have no problem getting a perfect image every time, but there are a few of us that despite our very best effort cannot get a perfect image every time we stamp.  Mind you I will add that the Stamps that I bought from Stampin Up do seem to stamp fine (even for me)!!
Anyway there are a few of us that have this.........

On our wish lists, but the huge price tag is a little off putting, particularly as so many of us have so many 'guaranteed to solve' tools in our craft stash, most of the reviews are good though.  

So I have been doing a bit of research into alternative solutions to this problem, I bought this....

But to be honest neither Sue or myself  found it to be successful, maybe we were pressing too hard or not hard enough but boy we tried as it wasn't cheap either, I have the large one and it was over £25 ! 

While searching through the internet I came across a "Copycat" 'Misti' tool, it consists of this 

Hemingsbo opening Picture Frame

It costs £3, yes that's all !! With the addition of a couple of extra inexpensive bits and pieces you have yourself a very useful stamping tool! 

I added 

Perspex 2mm

A sheet of 2mm Perspex in the 'window' of the frame as the piece of thick acetate that comes with the frame is not very strong and moves in the frame, the 2mm perspex is a lot better fit and is much stronger when inking up your stamps. It cost me £1 per sheet (measured to fit).  I also added a thin sheet of tin that Paul cut from a sweet tin for me, but magnetic sheet would work fine, I topped that with a thin sheet of 'funky' foam to make a better surface to stamp clear stamps on.  You can also add a loop of ribbon to the inside of the frame to make it easier to open and close.

There are a few good videos on YouTube about using this frame as a stamping tool.

Our Brenda went and bought one on Wednesday and has made a few modifications to hers, adding perspex 

Brenda's Stamping Frame

Brenda has printed off a Grid sheet from the internet to pop inside the frame, which would help with making sure your stamps are straight.  Brenda used low tack tape to hold her paper down, as it tends to lift with the stamp.

Strong magnets would also work if you have a magnetic sheet behind the funky foam too. (That's what the Misti uses)

Here are a few of my first attempts.......

I stamped the snowflake first then the flourish & Sentiments

I die cut star first THEN Stamped image on

First Stamp (not perfect)

Second stamp perfect image

I then added a flourish !

I was so excited once I started stamping with this new tool, I never have success with stamping, all of these stamped images were made busing clear stamps, it is so reassuring to know that if you don't get a perfect image first time,  you can confidently stamp again, getting a perfect image! As you can see from above even the silhouette stamps (butterfly) even came out perfectly.  

The Kraft card star I die cut first and then was able to accurately add the detail stamp afterwards, how amazing is that ??! (Can you tell how excited I am!!??

So if any of you want to buy one they are from IKEA, the frame is called 'Hemingsbo' and costs £3. 

I am going to order a A4 thin metal sheet and some strong magnets, when I find a good deal I will add the link here.  

Having said that mine is working fine as it is, I would just like to have the base more securely fixed.

It really does work though ladies ! 

Day 2 of Cheryl's Adventure

Cheryl travelled from New York to Philadelphia and then on to Washington DC, 

Here are a few of Cheryl's photos from day 2......

Cheryl's Amazing Hotel

Hotel Entrance

Faith, Hope & Charity Memorial 

I am pretty sure you all know what all of the photographs above are of, Hopefully Cheryl will pop in and tell us all about her day in Washington DC.

Thank you so much Cheryl for sharing your adventure with all of us xxxx

PS...did yoiu buy those Chandeliers??? I could imagine them hanging in your downstairs loo !! Haha

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra

Xxxxxx

This Weeks Crafty Shopping.........

My Birthday/Christmas Present

Little add on

My Other Big purchase

Cheryl's Craft Shopping

Cheryl (2)

Cheryl Felting Kit

Lynda's Craft shopping

Lynda's Embossing Folders

Margaret's New toy

Margaret's dies and Embossing folders

Brenda's Shopping

Good Morning Ladies,

Oh I did have a lovely day yesterday, I got to shop at Ikea and meet with Maria and Ric, which was a huge bonus, we chatted for a good couple of hours, but as we are all aware when we get together there is never any shortage of conversation, I must say though I think that Paul and Ric chatted more than Maria and I !

After meet ups like we had yesterday it always sets me thinking about how amazing it is that two years ago we were all strangers and now its like meeting with up with old friends, we talk about family and all the many interests that we all share, just as though we have been lifelong friends.

I am so grateful that this blog has created such wonderful friendships xxx thank you ladies xxx

Now onto the shopping.......

I am sure that you had all guessed that Paul had bought me a Scan and Cut, its the one that was on offer on Create and Craft last week, the first one they bought out, but it updates to the same spec as the cm900, the only difference is it isn't wireless, it won't scan a 24 inch mat and the screen is a little bigger!  All of those things I can live without, so when I have finished reading the manual, I will get busy putting it through its paces!  I bought the universal pen holder while it was on half price too, I thought that I could get write with a versamark pen, add embossing powder and heat, if it works it means that I can emboss names and sentiments etc, watch this space! 

After much pondering and watching pencil reviews I decided to go for the Derwent Coloursoft pencils, they seem fantastic so far! 

Cheryl went to the Craft4Crafters Show at Bath and West Show ground and bought herself some lovely new things, 

Some gorgeous fabric, Lace, Fantastic Habico Stamps (I love them) and Red line tape. 

Some more fabric and a Needle Felting Kit (I think) with all of the wool fibres that you need to do the needle felting, I can't wait to see what you make Cheryl, I have seen some amazing needle felted pieces.  Thank you for sharing your shopping with us xxx

Lynda, you have bought some gorgeous goodies this week I love the Sheena Embossing Folders that you have bought, I have rediscovered Embossing folders recently, they are more versatile than I used to think, Sheena comes up with some fab, inspirational demo's too.  Sue's Tree folder is amazing too, you will love the Fluffy Puffy stuff, don't do what I did and add too much though, I ended with an avalanche of snow on my cottage, Hahaha.  I look forward to seeing the Inkyliscious Silhouette stamp used on a card, I think it will look fantastic with one of your sunset style back grounds Lynda,

thank you so much for sharing xxx

Margaret, Ohh exciting new buy for you, The lovely Gemini machine, I look forward to your review on it, you got a lovely selection of dies and embossing folders too.  I bet Sue is looking forward to playing with it too, I know what will be next on her craft shopping list!  Thank you so much for sharing your new toy with us xxx

Brenda has bought some sheets of Perspex this week for storing her stamps on, an idea that Ali Reeve uses for her stamp storage and a fantastic idea as it is strong enough to stand up in a box yet light enough to take in and out, Its a fantastic organisation Idea that I think I may need to copy, there is another great use for these sheets of Perspex too.  I will reveal that tomorrow. thank you Brenda for a fabulous storage solution xxx

Right ladies I know I said I would reveal all about my Ikea bargain today, but I want to do a full post on it, we didn't get back until after 7pm last night, I was excited to have a go with my new toy and it worked straight out of the packing, but I think it needs a couple of tweeks, so I will be giving it a good try out today and with some of Brenda's input I will do a full post on it tomorrow, explaining all about it.  Hopefully you will find it helpful. Sorry to make you wait my lovelies.

Anne, welcome home my lovely, I hope you had a lovely holiday, we missed you xxxx

Janet, huge hugs winging their way to you too my lovely xxxx

Love and Hugs to all

Sandra

xxxxxx

Two Stunning Christmas Cards From Brenda

Brenda's Christmas Cards

Good Morning Ladies,

We are going on a little adventure today, hopefully we will get to meet up with Maria at the same time.  IKEA is our destination, but instead of going to Bristol as we usually

do we thought we would go to Milton Keynes, that way we get to meet up with Maria too, making the adventure much more fun!  

The 'thing' we are shopping for could save you a fortune, well at least £60, I will reveal all tomorrow on Frugal Friday.

Now onto today's cards, aren't they amazing?! 

I am biased as I love kraft card, I think it gives a modern, almost Scandinavian feel to a card. 

The die that Brenda has used is Desire 'Create a card' die, " Peace on Earth", I love it, its perfect for batch card making too. After die cutting the Kraft card you can just pop a piece of white or coloured card behind the die cut, this highlights every detail of the die cut image. 

So Brenda has die cut a piece of Kraft card, added it to a mat of white card, then attached some gorgeous double sided ribbon top and bottom, tucking it around the back and attaching with tape, this panel is then attached to the front of the Kraft card blank. Brenda has then added a knot to either end of the ribbon and adding a die cut bauble for decoration. The top card has a MDF Dove, that's delivering the "Peace on earth".

Brenda I love both of your cards, I am going to go and have a play with my "Peace on earth" die now. Thank you so very allowing me to share your cards. xxx

Maria, I hope your Injection goes well this morning, see you later xxx

Don't forget your crafty shopping photos ladies!

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra

Xxxxxx

Wonderful wintery cards from Sue & Margaret

Sue's Cute Snowman card

Margaret's Fabulous Festive Card

Good Morning Ladies,

It's a few degrees chillier here today, I was watching a weather man try to explain the reason why we have had milder /drier weather recently, something to do with the Jet stream being disrupted and our weather is being fed in from the East rather than West, apparently had this have happened next month we would have had snow and very cold temperatures!  On the plus side we are still able to get washing on the line in the morning and its dry by mid afternoon, a huge bonus as I hate having it hanging around the house, I know I have said it before but there is nothing like bed sheets etc that have been dried on the line in that crisp autumn air!  I am a sad person that gets excited at the thought of getting into a freshly changed bed, I like Crisp, white bed sheets and pillow cases, I have no idea why, we used to have white when we were growing up or candy striped brushed cotton in winter!  Funny how you remember those funny little things.

Talking of family memories brings me to today's cards, from our blog family Sue and her lovely Mum Margaret.

First of all we have Sue's card, it was to be Sue' Challenge Card but I didn't see it in time to post it.  Now I want you to zoom in and see how realistic those Gingerbread Men look, the Kraft card makes them looked like they are baked to perfection!

They have the cutest faces too, I love all of the detail that's included, including that sweet little Bow Tie, I'm afraid I would struggle to bit his head off, way too cute, I love the red spotty background Sue and that cute little Banner style sentiment, thank you so much for taking part Sue, sorry I didn't see it in time xxxx

Margaret, you sent me this card a couple of weeks ago but I downloaded it and forgot to post it, I absolutely love that pretty red snowflake paper and the clever way you have featured it oin your card, its like a 'faux' aperture, the Kraft card snowflakes work so well with the colours of your card too,  I just know that your family Christmases are full of 'peace, joy and lots of love, thank you so much for allowing me to share your cards Margaret xxxx

Have any of you got any Crafty Buys to feature this week? If see pop me a photo and I will feature it on Friday.

Well I am off to play in my craft room for a couple of hours, I hope that you all have a wonderful Wednesday.

Love and hugsto all,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Another Flourishing Thinlits Card

Good Morning Ladies,

I really love these Flourishing Thinlits dies, they are one of those die sets you just stop reaching for.  There are quite a lot elements in the die set that are all useful too, a mixture of flowers, borders and flourishes. 

So above is my latest card, a navy and cream theme, I used the flourish, the Flowers and the border this time.  I used the flourish in opposite corners and created a border strip with the border strip, I layered the flowers up and arranged 3 of them on the left side of the border.  I added pearls to the berry sprigs and across the border.

I just need to decide on a sentiment now.

Feeling much brighter today, thankfully, I am guessing it was just a bug, I am pleased to say that nobody else seems to have been affected either, I would feel terrible if Paul's parents became sick.  

Fun day today, Pat and Sue are coming over, looking forward to a crafting session, seems like months since we all sat and crafted together.  I may even get them to make a Challenge card!!! Wish me luck !!

I must go and clear my craft room floor before they arrive, I can't even close the door and hide the mess because you have to walk through the craft room to get to the toilet!! 

Have a lovely day ladies,

Love and hugs,

Sandra 

xxxxxx

Monday Sketch Challenge

My Challenge Card

The Sketch

Good Morning Ladies,

What happened to the weekend?? We were preparing for the arrival of my Mum & Dad (in law) one minute, then saying goodbye the next!  I hope that you all had a more relaxed weekend.

Above is this weeks Sketch, I chose this one because I thought it could be used for every style of card, replace the button with a snowflake, festive papers and you have a Christmas card (just one example).  I was going to make this weeks sketch ''Man Cards",  hence my challenge card being quite a neutral colour theme and very few embellishments. But I felt I would be restricting you too much, you can make a 'man card' if you like, but I won't mind if you choose a different theme.  My initial thoughts were to give Lilian some ideas for male cards as she has a box of them to make for her friend.  Maybe I should do it as a mini challenge!!!? 

Anyway, the sketch is there for you and I look forward to seeing your cards.

Val, I hope you have a lovely few days away, I'm sure the sun will be shining for you, can't wait to hear all about it xxx

Janet, fingers, toes, legs & eyes crossed for good news today my lovely, please let us know how you get on.  Sending you buckets of love and hugs xxx

Maria, my daughter got great relief from the steroid injection in her knees, they drained the fluid out first, then injected. She wasnt allowed to weight bear on it for 24 hours, she felt the difference a few days after, so fingers crossed it will help you.

I think a meet up sounds like an amazing idea, I was going to organise a big one but I know how much Janet wanted to meet everyone too, so I was waiting until she was on the mend before planning a stay-over type break. Would love another mini one though, hugs xxx

Lynda, did you recognise the pad I used above, it was one of the ones that you sent me, they are such fantastic quality, not cheap and flimsy like some pads are, I am sure you will have a few weeks of being prodded and poked on the build up to your operation, make sure you keep us reminded of dates etc, you will be a new woman before you know it, poor Terry won't knoiw what's hit him!! Haha, thank you again for the lovely gift, love and hugs xxx

Margaret, you lucky lady, are you loving your Gemini?? It must be so lovely for you to be able to cut your dies with ease, there will be no stopping you now, you must bring it with you for a crafting session, I would love to see it in action!  Hugs xxx

Karen, your trip to the V&A sounded so much fun, I would love to have seen Val's face if she got to see it too, I could tell it really bought back memories for her.

They have some awesome exhibitions there don't they, it sounded like they pulled out all the stops for this one, thank you for sharing your experience with us, hugs xxx

 Right I must go, I have an exciting new toy to unbox!!!!  Week, Santa's been early, I will tell you all about it later xx

Have a lovely day ladies,

Love and huge hugs to all,

Sandra

Xxxxxx

Your Challenge Cards

My Sketch Challenge card

Karen's Challenge Card

Lilian's Challenge Card

Lynda's Challenge Card

Margaret's Challenge Card

Margaret's Challenge Card

Maria's Challenge Card

Michele's Challenge card

Michele's 2,3 & 4th Challenge Card

 Sonia's Challenge Card

Val's Challenge card

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope that you are all well, unlike me, who spent most of yesterday in my bed with some kind of sick bug :(, why is it that when you need to be on 'top form' something throws a spanner in the works, I have no idea what caused it, I spent the whole night before tossing and turning and unable to sleep, I was also itching like crazy, so whether I was just exhausted I don't know. I managed to drag myself up to cook dinner for everyone though!  So I am hoping to have a relaxed crafting day today, fingers crossed.

It looks as though you enjoyed the different style of challenge this week, with me just giving a couple of guidelines rather than a 'sketch' to follow.

Karen, although your card looks monochrome it is actually a lovelyMaroon and white Christmas card from you this week, Karen has used Spellbinders Classic Squares, Sue Wilson (CE) Snowflake Lattice Embossing folder and that gorgeous sentiment is from 'Ultimate Crafts'.

A fanstastic card karen, thank you so much for taking part xxx

Lilian has made a beautiful christmas card using a Crafters Companion Sentiment, that is still on my 'to buy' list, and a stunning Snowflake embossing folder, what a stunning Christmas card Lilian, I think this weeks challenge proves that 'less can definitlely be more'!  Thank you so much for taking part in this weeks challenge xxx

 Lynda I love the striking embossing folder you have used as your background, each time i look I see something different, either stars or crosses mostly, I also love Sue's (CE) gorgeous 'Season's Greetings' sentiment die, did you use your 'Brusho's to colour your background? 

Thank you so much for taking part this week Lynda, you have been very busy xxx

Margaret, one Sentiment, two very different looks from you this week, one very traditional style Christmas card with a pretty tree, decorated with flat back gems, the other a very 'Clean and Simple' style card, equally as beautiful as each other, I do love that sentiment though, thank you so much for finding the time to make two cards xxx

Maria, please tell me who makes the embossing folder you have used, I really LOVE it, I am also looking for a die that has little pine cones on, I think that Spellbinders have just bought one out, it would work perfectly with this embossing folder.  That Robin stamp you have used is just adorable, Christmas isn't Christmas without a card with Robins on, they are so cute, the little blue Gem in the centre of the bow is the perfect finishing touch.  Thank you so much for taking the time to make this weeks card, good luck with 'weigh in' today, my fingers are crossed for you xxx

Michele, 5 Christmas cards from you this week, That Christmas tree die is just so delicate, its all you need on a card, it has worked so well on both of the cards you have used, I do love the Pyramid one though as they are such an unusual shape, thank you so much for making the time to make them xxx

Sonia, wow, such a stunning card, as I said above, 'less really is more with this challenge', you have used Sue's (CE) Snowflake Swirl Embossing folder and that stunning Crafters Companion Christmas Sentiment die, that is all that is needed, the tiny white snowflakes to embellish the sentiment are the perfect compliment, thank you so much for taking part my lovely, I really do appreciate it xxx

Val, I have included this card of yours as it was the card that inspired me to buy some Christmas embossing folders, which in turn inspired this challenge, so its only right that its shown, The Embossing folder is from Crafters Companion, the sentiment Val has printed herself, the oval dies draw your eye into the sentiment, the christmas roses and poinsettisa are a stunning addition.

thank you Val for your inspiration.

I am off to the craft room to have a play and hopefully come up with a Sketch for Monday, have a lovely Sunday ladies.

Love and Hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx