Not a Christmas card

For the last couple of years I have been giving my friends something other than a card at Christmas. I started with Christmas baubles, then a hangy thingy and this year a decorated heart. All different and they loved them. I think I may have set myself a challenge but hey I can always revert back to cards!

Thanks Gail for the idea. If you need inspiration then her blog is a joy.

Bits and pieces

Hi folks I thought I'd take this opportunity whilst there's nothing on th tv to show you what I've been upto in the craft room. First up is an array of goodies that we made at our winter trip to the cottage. Twice a year a group of very talented crafters meet at "the cottage" to spend 4 glorious days of crafting. We made a wide range of goodies. I made the  Joy configeration box for a friend who is in Australia and I hope she brings it back as I forgot to photograph the inside..doh

 This smaller configeration box was sent to my brother and sister in law in New Zealand to say thanks for a wonderful holiday in September/October.

 I've used alot of goodies from Crafty Individuals

I'm just hoping that it has arrived in on piece,

This pretty little box is another Crafty Individuals project that we made at class with Jean before the Christmas break. The box lid is covered with her latest papers which are so delicate. Inside...well there were some chocolates..... guess what... they're still there!!!!! I know I must be ill.
Ok I'm off to check my camera to see what other things I can share with you. Thanks for dropping by. 

Long time I know but

... I've been on the holiday of a lifetime, 8 weeks visiting, Hong Kong, New Zealand(Rugby World Cup) and San Francisco. You can see what I've been up to by clicking on the Taylors Tours button.

Ok so it's back to crafting and I feel a bit like a new starter. My first venture was a return to the Crafty Individuals workshop, jet lag wasn't going to stop me. Thankfully we made these delightful note pads which didn't tax the brain too much as Jean had done all the designing. They make lovely pressies.

Next a fab day with friends Gail and Jean to do a project. No hint at what we were going to make except I needed co-ordinating ribbon, lace and buttons. Me being me took my entire collection of buttons/ribbons/lace well you can bet your bottom $ if you left one colour that's the one you would want. Anyway after a bit of painting, glueing, sewing I made this

One very pretty Christmas tree (sorry the photo is is a bit out of focus).
I now feel as though I have returned home. My craft room is still a tip. I'm dashing about trying to make samples for classes.
Thanks for popping by see you soon

Little boxes, little boxes

At our last class at Crafty Individuals before the summer break we made these gorgeous configeration boxes.

Boxes were from Tim. I've used his paper tape to cover the sides and edges which I've coloured with Faded Jeans, Distress ink. The background papers are from Webster's pages, Trendsetter.

Stamps are by Crafty Individuals and Creative Expressions.

As usual I didn't finish this is class but I made a concerted effort and I finally finished this during the summer holidays.

Awwwww babies

Friends are hoping to hold a craft stall in December so I made these two cute plaques using LOTV stamps.

Take a step to the side

Here's a a take on the ever popular step cards. I have adapted one of my square cards to have a small step section on the side of the card.

Image is a stamp from LOTV, papers are from MME, Stella Rose,Hazel.

Sorry for such a short post but I'm on holiday in New Zealand.(See link on the side bar)

Travel Log

As you know...what do you mean know what ? I'm off to New Zealand today. Hubby and I are celebrating our Silver Wedding ( actually it was in January) by spending 8 weeks watching Rugby in the land of the long white cloud. As a crafter I thought I had better get myself organised so instead of collecting all those bits and bobs in a plastic carrier bag I have made myself a smart travel journal.

I've used papers by Teresa Collins, Travel Ledger which are perfect for what I had in mind. The inside consists of 30 A6 envelopes. I've made post card sized cards on which I hope to record our daily events.

Now that I have typed this I have committed myself to completing these as I go along.

I'm away for 63 days and if you would like to see what it's like on the other side of the world then feel free to pop over to Taylor's Tour and follow the fun. I've been to New Zealand before 30 years ago as my brother lives there but this time it's the mega tour.