56 days remaining! - the Crafty Countdown

All the dogs!!  Christmas starts with landing at my mums with my 3 dogs, and mum and Neils 3 dogs!  It's a complete house full.  At the moment it's all calm - no grumpy dogs (touch wood).  Caz is left holding the fort back in Peterborough - I bet it feels really quiet. I didn't bring loads of craft stuff up with me, so I set about raiding my mums craft stash.  

I found a box making kit that I actually bought my mum a while ago (I think it's Anna Griffin) - she has used some of them, but there's plenty left for me to play with.  I popped out the elements to make my first box.  Things like this are brilliant to trace round to keep as a template for future use.

They are dead easy to put together.  They're pre-scored, and just need a bit of tape to hold them together.  The lid still opens as well, which I like, as they are great for little Christmas treats.

The only part I really hate, are the little paper pips.  They really get on my nerves.  I went around the edges with my red pen to hide them a little bit.

I threaded my ribbon through the top of the ribbon buckle

And then I looped the ribbon and threaded each end back through the buckle.  I kept a large loop which will be used to hang the box on the tree

I glued it in place, making sure there was plenty of glue to hold the ribbon and buckle in place

Urgh, more pips!!

However, round the edge with the green pen, and viola, it looks much better doesn't it :)

This panel was glued to the front of the box, and I drew round the edge with a quickie glue pen, and then added a little glitter - this is handy if you have got any of those stubborn pips to cover 

Next I made a pretty ribbon, using satin, organza and curling ribbon.  I wanted something that made quite an impact

I glued it onto the front of the box, which I think looks really pretty

I then added some flowers from the kit, with some stick on gems in the centre

And also one at the top

I managed to find a little bit of space on mums tree to squeeze the box on.  Don't worry though, I have taken it back off, so it's ready to send out to the winner when I decide how I'm going to give away my Crafty Countdown makes.

Pass the Word.........

Charity Auction - the final fling!!

Saturday running from 9am - 9pm to give everyone a fighting chance.

The auction will be for photographs and card signed by (and of) Dawn Bibby, JJ, myself, Catherine Huntley, Anna Griffin, Amy Shaw, Rosemary and Nigel Merry, Donna Dewberry, Carol Smith, Kirsty Wiseman and last (but absolutely by no means least) our lovely Clare Curd. Phew. Now Rosemary and Nigel did scarper before I managed to grab them to sign the card, but I have got photo's of them (not running out of the building!!).

I will be asking people to place their bid on my blog - so you will be able to see them as they are posted, and know what you are up against! All you need to do is leave a comment in the normal way, with your bid. Keep checking the comments to see if you are winning. Sounds easy - fingers crossed it goes as smooth as it sounds, gulp.

I'll be reminding everyone before the games begin, and don't worry, I will be getting the pictures printed properly, not doing them myself (my blue's not working so everyone would have weird liney heads!).

xxxx

Fab Friday Challenge

Hi folks. Well did anyone tune into Craftday? Anyone buy any treats? There was loads of things I wanted, why is it with crafters, even though my attic is creaking under the weight of my "stuff" there's still another range of papers, or crafty tool I need! I know I'm not alone in this, but there was tonnes of stuff I wanted. Love everything Heidi Grace had, oh and really loved all of Anna Griffin's stuff, and of course the TSV brought to us by Nancy Hill was lovely. I love craftday, loads of nice stuff, and lovely people to chat to as well. Really good fun. I felt so sorry for Nancy, Anna and their team - they were still packing when we were leaving which was at lease 12.30!! What a long day they had, especially after all that travelling. I'll never winge again and the two bags I go into QVC with, or the drive.

Anyhow, it's Friday so you know what that means (me running late again, supposed to be washing my hair at this minute in time). This weeks challenge,
A touch of White
Inspired by my white Staz-on pad which I've had ages and never used. I had a play stamping on both sides of acetate, so you get a mirror image. I really enjoyed this, and the results were quite quick and easy. Had trouble taking pictures of the cards however, so attempted to scan them. Not sure how they will look when they are loaded, so I apologise now if they are abit rubbish.

Very easy to do. Cut down your acetate, choose a lovely stamp (I'm still into my swirls), and stamp using the white staz-on. Allow the first image to dry, turn over and stamp the image again. Viola!! Mirror image. I used rub-ons, and card sentiments to complete my ATCs.




Have fun folks, looking forward to seeing your fantastic creations as ever.
xxxx
Leonie