Moving Along With the Times Challenge. . . . . . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. Hope you are all well and no more falls or bumps and bruises.

My forearm is still sore but the ibruprofen is keeping things manageable (just, lol!!!) for work. Sorry this has meant I am slow around the blogs but I have had lots of DT commenting to do as well, which is not good when typing one handed lol!

Will make sure I get round to everyone today after I get home from work.

Now, today we have another challenge at MAWTT and the theme as chosen by our very own Wendy (alias the Panda) is Pink/lilac and or butterflies. Hope you can pop over to see what the rest of my design team colleagues have done and to enter yourself, perhaps. 

This is my interpretation. The iddybiddy butterflies are the waste from cutting the largest of the SB Butterfly Circles (a few times, thankfully before my arm problem lol!!!). Each butterfly was scored down the middle and glued into the recess of my square frame.

Ingredients

White card

Pink PMD card

SB Butterfly Circles

Sissix Square dies (to cut and to just emboss)

Dovecraft sentiment

Memento Rose Bud ink

Pink bling

Ah well, 48 butterflies later and that was that. hope you like.

Would be lovely to see some of you enter the challenge. . . . . . who doesn't love a butterfly (or 48? Hahaha!!!)

As some of you may know, Wendy is on a mission to use all of her dies. I decided to have a count of mine and had to sit down with some smelling salts. I currently have 87 sets! I dared not count the actual number of dies as some sets have 10 dies.

I'm guessing there are some you with even more (Patricia, step forward lol! We won't tell John) but I hadn't a clue I had that many. If anyone had asked, I would have guessed at 50.

Must start using different ones ti get my pennies worth.

Before I forget, Lesley the 8x8 box frames are £2.99 in store but they are not available on the website. . . . . . . Sorry chuck.

Till next time.

TTFN

Ang x

Ps. . . . .still trying to upload Mr D's pressie pic (I'm not up on these tifs and gifs but will get it sorted).

On Your Wedding Day. . . . . . .

Good morning, one and all. Hope this finds you well. A bit chillier in these here parts and for the Scottish Posse, I bet its nippy round the Trossachs! (have to say, my Trossachs need an extra layer at this time of year lol!!!).

Hopefully, Blogger behaves and this post goes live when it should today.

A warm welcome to the Pond to Margaret. Nice to have you come paddle with us. Also, hello to some new names on the comments. Thank you for stopping by and hope you can visit again soon.

Glad you all liked my first Christmas card (sorry Janice, it is the one and only at the moment) and my bow experiment.

Now, today's card is one I mad for Nesta to give to her niece for wedding part two at the end of October. As always with her niece, the colour scheme was purple and gold, so I ran with this.

Ingredients

Cream card 

PMD purple card

Gold mirror card

The Striplet

Sissix Squares

Hobbycraft heart punch

Versamark

Gold mica powder

Pearls

I used The Striplet around the edge, only cutting half which is a little tricksy, especially going round corners but worth it, I think. My, did I have to cut some small foam pads to raise it above the gold layer.

The card was, apparently, well received so you can't ask for more.

I have been eyeing Sue's new Striplets but I have actually bought 3 of the new Spellbinders Borders that operate like a Striplet. Soon as I get 5 minutes (New shifts again!!!) to play, I shall.

I haven't forgotten about the choccy peanut recipe. I will check if it's available on line to refer you by link (its a Nigella so I don't want to get sued for putting it on here)

For any of you who live near the NEC you may be interested to know about the World Duty Free Airport Sale in December. They have it every year and you can get some corking bargains on perfumes, handbags, cosmetics etc. Just visit the NEC website, register and print off your tickets. Its free to get in and so is the parking. To give you an idea of the savings, I've bought Radley handbags for £30 and perfume sets with RRPs of £90 for £25.

Anyhoo, that's me for today. Til next time, be good.

TTFN

Ang x

Happy Diwali 2014. . . . . . . . . . .

Good morning my blogging chums. Hope all is well with you.

I shall be winging my way to the NEC this morning, hopefully, as I've been suffering from the mother of all colds. Christine Harrop is coming up and The Scottish Posse are flying down (I hope I don't give em a little extra something to take home with them or they won't be best pleased with me. . . . . . . .still, I like to share, even germs lol!!!

Shall meet Christine for a cuppa during the show, then we shall meet the girlies (and Nesta is coming too) for a meal in the evening at the local Harvester. So, if you're in Sheldon around 6pm. . . . . . .I would stay well away, hahaha!!!

Thank you to you and my HoC team mates for your lovely comments last time out; it does warm the cockles! (and ones cockles do need lots of warming at this time of year, lol!!!)

Now, today's card is bright, I know but that's what Diwali is all about. This is the card I made for Nesta and once again I went to my First Edition pads (I do have an unhealthy obsession with them and I know Hazel is not far behind lol!!!).

It had to be the Neroli as it really has an indian influence with the mandala style flowers and paisley patterns. I used the 8x8 and 6x6 pads for this one. These particular sheets have a lovely sheen and the red on them is shiny, hence my teaming the layers with red mirror card.

Have been playing with some different style bows lately too, so this is one of my efforts. . . . .

Ingredients

White card base

Red mirror card

SB Classic Diamonds

SB Blossom die (for the centre)

Sissix Squares

First Edition Neroli 8x8 and 6x6 pads

Red satin ribbon

Pearls

I know that it won't be everyone's cup of Darjeeling but I think it was suitable for the occasion and Nesta loved it (mind you, she is easily pleased lol!!!).

Well, wish me luck around the NEC. First stop will be Inkylicious for Silver and Copper Krylon pens to come and live with their Gold friend (sorry, Pamellia, the addiction has taken hold again) and some of their lovely stamps.

Have a great day whatever you are up to and be good.

TTFN 

Ang x

Thanks Ever So Much. . . . . .200, Not Out!

Good morning everyone. I hope, if you have hatches, they are well and truly battened down. The remnants of Hurricane Gonzo (or whatever its called) have certainly battered my poor garden and launched the top of next doors soil pipe onto their kitchen roof!!!

I did take advantage yesterday with a line of washing, that fortunately didn't blow into another postal code, lol !!!

Nesta's niece has her English wedding on Thursday (the Hindu ceremony was in August. . . . . remember the bangle box I made? (click here for a reminder) in a gazebo in the grounds of a hotel. Could well be a gazebo in the River Avon at this rate!!! 

I am so pleased to welcome two new followers to The Pond, Kim and June. So lovely to have your company ladies. 

This has now taken me to 60 lovely followers. I was going to do a little pressie at 50 followers but it seemed to scoot past quite quickly but as this is also my 200th blog post (and they said, or hoped, it wouldn't last lol!!!) I will get Mr Duck to draw a name from the hat, well bowl, and I will send the lucky person a gift to commemorate the momentous occasion.

All you have to do is be a follower and leave a comment on this post before midnight (GMT) on Saturday 25th October. Good luck and thank you all for your support.

Now, back to the card. Its my final card from my CEDT application and possibly my favourite.

There was a happy accident with this card. After I inked the edges of The Striplet layer, I glued it to the layer underneath and decided to run it through the GC to make sure it stuck properly.

I forgot, that the effect that has, is to push the die cut layer into the layer below in a kinda embossing effect. Half way through the GC, it dawned on me and it was a real, what Mr Duck calls, squeaky bum moment until it had gone all the way through.

Well, I was delighted with the effect (seemed to remember John having a similar thing happen with a patchwork card). You can sort of see the effect on this snap. . . . . .

Ingredients

Cream card

Pink card

The Striplet

SB Bitty Blossoms

SB Botanical Swirls and Accents (centre piece stamped with sentiment)

Sissix Squares

CE sentiment stamp

Victorian Velvet and Spun Sugar DI s

Pink satin ribbon

Pearl

Pink bling

I know I've channel set my roses again but I thought it looked pretty.

As the card says, "Thanks ever so much" and that's to all of you who support my little blogging meanderings and for your lovely encouraging comments. As has been said, there's always next year so onwards and upwards.

So remember all, to be in the draw for a thank you pressie, please ensure that you are a follower and you leave a comment by Saturday night. . . . . . . .this is where I hope I don't suddenly get a new follower from the MIR Space Station; imagine the postage lol!!!

Before I waddle off again, how great to see our John on the box again so soon. I think it was a bit last minute but he has really settled into it and the show with Martyn raised a laugh or two (yes, that was my email that got read out and no I have never met Martyn at the NEC or anywhere, and no, my hair is NOT "reddish" or "strawberry" thank you very much John! lol!)

Right, enough of me. Enjoy the rest of your week and time to behave as our Patricia is back from Drayton Manor.

TTFN

Ang x

Ps. . . . .I,  like others, have been having Blogger issues, mainly a disappearing reading list. So, if I'm late getting to your blog, I humbly apologise. x

Close but no Cigar. . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. Well, hasn't it been weather for ducks this last few days? yuk! I'm convinced I was supposed to be born into a warmer climate lol! (got the Malaysian Mum but I get born in the UK, doh!!!)

Thank you for your comments on John's birthday card and hello to Ros. Hope you can pop by again soon.

Karenlotty, I will take a piccy to show how I did the middle page and pop it on my next post (sorry, didnt have time to do it for this post).

Just to clarify as well, John isn't 63. . . . . . .nor are you 36 Mr L but nice try lol! My lips are sealed now (except for a reasonable sum of cash, hahaha!)

Well, confession time and an explanation of the title of this post.

 I took the plunge and entered the Creative Expressions DT call last month. I got through to the last round but sadly fell at the final hurdle. I suppose it was the crafting equivalent of the X Factor judges houses but without the tropical setting or a hug from Simon Cowell (I'm grateful for small mercies lol!!!)

I'm sooooooooooooo massively disappointed but I haven't lost a limb or a loved one so you just have to put these things in perspective don't you. Maybe next year eh?

Now, with that in mind, I shall be boring the gilding flakes off you with my submissions for the the next few posts. Some were emailed in with specific requested themes and some were posted in as an anything goes.

This one was to specifically showcase stamping and I did use CE stamps. 

Its layer on layer and each is edged, on the outer and inner edges, with the Krylon pen and all the stamping was heat embossed. As archival dries very quickly, I first tapped the stamp  on the Versamark pad, then the archival. This bought me enough time to heat emboss it with clear powder.

Ingredients

Cream base card

Black PMD card

Soft gold card

Sissix Squares dies

SB Labels 9

CE Garden Frame stamp

CE Anemone Planter stamp (borrowed from John)

CE sentiment stamp

Kassies Brocade embossing folder

Krylon Gold Leaf pen

Black Archival ink pad

Versamark ink pad

PI Gold embossing powder

Cosmic Shimmer Clear embossing powder

Black satin ribbon

Pearls

I was going to show one of the others first but apparently, I have inspired our John with this one (yes, he was privvy to what I was doing and kindly loaned me one of his stamps so that I could achieve what I was aiming for) and he wants to show his at the weekend (steady !!!) but not before I had put mine on, bless him, so I was happy to swap for him. (John's version is now live here)

So there you go, hope you lovely folk like it.

Will be back soon with the next one in line. Another GP this weekend but with a sad subdued feel after the sad events of last Sunday at the Japanese GP. Tous avec Jules #17!

Be good.

TTFN

Ang x

Boho Chic Meets The Striplet. . . . . . . .

Good morning everyone. Are we all ready for the weekend? I'm at work today but as its usually busy, the time passes quickly. Luckily, I still get to see a couple of Sue Wilson's shows today, yippee! (and all of tomorrows, double yippee!)

Thank you for your kind comments on my sympathy card. I'll show the other one I photographed  soon. I'm going to use that poor lily die on a happier card as its a shame to keep it just for sad occasions. 

Now, today's card was an overdue play with my lovely Striplet.

A very simple layered up card using cream and black card with a piece of First Edition Boho Chic paper with The Striplet cut out of it.

This paper has a lovely clear embossed effect pattern on it, which you can just see on the next photo.

Ingredients

Cream A5 card base

Black PMD card

Boho Chic 8x8 paper pad 

The Striplet

SB Botanical Swirls and Accents (the leaf die)

Sissix Squares

Hobbycraft sentiment stamp

Lovely pattern, you can just see.

Well, enjoy your weekend with Sue Wilson. Haven't broken the news to Mr D as yet but soon as he sees the remote control welded to my chair, he will no doubt roll his eyes and go and mow the lawn lol!!!

Have a great weekend folks.

TTFN

Ang x

Dearest Friend. . . . . . . . .

Good morning my blogging chums. Hope you are all well.

Well, cor blimey me, did I bump my head (would explain a lot lol!!!), lose two months and wake up in Winter? I have had to go from my Summer flip flops to socks and fluffy slippers as my feet were colder than a penguins chuff! Here's hoping for an Indian Summer in September.

Bank holiday Monday was very busy at work and I'm doing extra and altered hours this week to cover some leave so spare a thought for lil' ol' moi having to do two late shifts on the trot, with 20.15 finishes, boo hoo! This means I won't be able to get over to John's this week to nosey at admire his craft space.

Now, that brings me to today's card. I made this card for John as a kinda "welcome back to Blighty" card and gave it to him on our first meet up. I did ask him if he would mind me showing it on my blog at some point and he was very happy for me to do so.

I was a bit worried it may look a bit girlie for him but our John's a modern man and was fine with the pink bows (they are duskier in real life). Some of you eagle eyed folk may have spotted it above his desk in his craft space photos.

It is a pressure making a card for someone who makes them so excellently themselves.

Ingredients

Cream card for base and top

PMD Ruby Red card

First Edition Love Letters 6x6 paper

SB Botanical Swirls and Accents

Sissix Square dies

That Special Touch Elegance mask

Dusky pink satin ribbon

Crafters Companion sentiment stamp

Bundled Sage DI

Done with different layers for dimension and interest.

Jenny, I thought you would be in crafty heaven in Kent with Christine Emberson and Oyster Stamps.

Lydia, the Spa Circuit stopped having part of it as a public road around 2000 but I hope you weren't speeding around there lol!

Jackie and Karen, what a can of worms eh? I too thought it was a silly racing incident but Lewis is really milking this one; even the team are saying he's taken Nico's explanation out of context.

Well, that's it for today folks. Thank you kindly for your comments on my birdcage card. The Hobbycutz laser cuts are very good and very inexpensive and I do enjoy using them.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your week, whatever you are up to.

Be good.

TTFN

Ang x

Bangle Box. . . . . . . .

Good morning my little Duckadees, I do hope this finds you well.

Thank you, as always for your lovely comments, always encouraging and always appreciated.

Nesta did love the gift bag but I think she was more interested in the contents lol!!! For my overseas chums, Cadburys Chocolate Buttons are milk thin chocolate discs, about the size of an average button, that melt very nicely on the tongue.

Whilst we are on a Nesta theme, I thought I would show you the bangle box that I made for Nesta to give her niece for the blessing last weekend.

She had asked a male friend to find an A4 size purple box (as she didn't want to bother me) but he hadn't much sense of urgency and so I was seconded at the last minute.

As part of a Hindu blessing, the bride has to be presented with saris and bangles from various relatives. These were the ones Nesta was handing over.

A beautiful array of colours but the box had to be A4 and sturdy and the lid had to be cut away in areas to show off the bangles.

Fortunately, I had kept some purple cardboard boxes that had housed some card I had ordered from C & C ages ago, so I made a sturdy base for the box (it wasn't big enough to make the entire box from)

I then used some PMD A3 purple card to cover this and make the sides deeper.

I then popped a doubled over piece of the cardboard down the centre to stop the bangles moving in the box.

The lid was also made from purple PMD card out of which I cut rectangles, squares and the wonderful Striplet and backed with acetate. 

It meant that you could see just enough of the bangles  inside.

I also used a Hobbycraft punch around the edge of the lid and backed the aperture with gold card (you can see this on the very top photo)

I apologise for the picture heavy post but I was rather pleased with how this turned out and apparantly, it drew some admiring glances from Nestas family and the blessing guests, some of whom just handed over bangles in clear plastic bags.

One last snap. . . . . . . . . .

That's it now, I promise, before you overdose on bangles and boxes photos lol!!!

The official wedding is in October so I have an order for the wedding card for then.

Charity shop for me today. At least some little cherub won't have gone smooshing a cerise pink pigment ink pad on several paper pads, some wooden stamps and 2 pots of Modge Podge in there. . . . . . . .yes, that was yesterday's delight at work.

Whatever you're up to this week, enjoy!!!

TTFN

Ang x

Hobbycutz Challenge 60 . . . . . . .Fancy Folds

Good morning my lovely blogging chums. Hope everyone is well.

This mornings creation is my Hobbycutz DT card for Challenge 60 which is fancy folds as chosen by Craftin' Suzie and sponsored by Iva Nova Chest.

Hope you can pop over and have a look at what my fellow teamies have come up with and why not have a go and enter the challenge.

Before I witter on, thank you so much to Pamellia for becoming my 50th follower. Pamellia hasn't been blogging long but creates some beautiful things, including a gorgeous bird house and her blog is here.

Wasn't sure which way to go with this challege so I decided to have a bit of fun with a spring card (I think that's what they are called as it bounces like its on a spring lol!!!) I haven't made one before so out came the Hougie book for destructions.

They are quite good little cards as they fold flat for posting (always a good thing in my book) May try some Christmas (there, I've said it!!!) cards in this style for a bit of fun.

Ingredients

White card 300gsm

Teal, yellow and lime PMD card

Hobbycutz butterfly

SB Delightful Circles

SB Blossoms Three

SB Fancy Tags Two

SB Fancy Tags Three

SB A2 Matting Basics B

Sissix Squares

Forever Friends embossing folder

Papermania flower punch (Don't know the name as it was unpackaged in the bargain bin at work)

Hobbycraft corner punch

Crafters Companion Sentiment

Black archival ink

Teal pigment ink

Clear embossing powder

Dovecraft green bling

Blimey, what a list for such a small card eh?

Would be lovely to see some of you entering the challenge with some of your super creations.

Off to the GBCF at Stoneleigh today to spend lots of money (its inevitable so why fight it lol???) and meet up with Christine and John.

Well, that's me for today but I'll be back again tomorrow, different Bat Time but same Bat Channel. Hope you can pop by for a paddle again.

Be good.

TTFN

Ang x

Nesta's 60th Birthday. . . . . . . . . . .

Good morning all you lovely folk. Hope you are all well. Ita, great to read that you are out of hospital. Hope that you will feel better for being at home.

Its been a busy few days at The Pond. Did some extra hours at work last week as the owner was in for a visit, then out for the day with Nesta on Friday for her 60th, then mine and Mr D's wedding anniversary on Saturday. . . . . . . .its all go!!!

By the way, Gail hope you and hubby had a wonderful day on Saturday celebrating your anniversary too.

As for Pokeytoolgate, I did say to Mr Duck "Would you kindly refrain from putting your cotton buds in my bin". . . . . . . . Well, I forget the exact conversation but I think it was something similar lol! I suppose I should be grateful he hadn't been using my pokey tool to clean his ears. One thing did surprise me, for someone with apparently clean ears, he never hears me (unless its "Do you want some pudding? or "whose is that £5 note?")

Now, I must apologise for the very picture heavy post as its Nesta's card and box in various poses (just be grateful that I've saved the gift bag for another day lol!)

Yes, I was sad enough that pattern on the box lined up with the pattern on the card below.

The card packs flat into the box but then is 3D when standing. . . . . .its about 7"x 7"

The centre portion is suspended with jewellery illusion line and has the same "60" panel on all three sides.

Ingredients

White card

The Striplet

SB Fancy Tags Three

SB Classic Ovals

Sissix Square dies

X Cut Circle die

Card-io Rose stamps

Docrafts Number and sentiment stamps

Inkylicious sentiment stamp

Distress Inks

White embossing powder

Sanctuary Beads satin ribbons

Pink bling

Acetate (for lid of box)

Illusion cord

                                                         The inside base of the box.

Once again, apologies for all the pictures. Nesta loved it and I must admit, I was pleased with the way it turned out. 

Nesta has also asked me to thank you all for your kind birthday wishes. The gal may be 60 but she only looks 40. . . . .its sickening lol!!! Wish I could show a snap but she still wants to be anonymous (to protect the innocent).

Next post will be the matching gift bag housing 60 packets of chocolate buttons!!!

Til then, be good.

TTFN

Ang x