Mum and Dads christmas Card/Quick girly Card

Just made a quick card to put in with my blog candy parcel to Tasha, used a ready coloured image and some of the scraps from the DCWV All dressed up stack left over from my previous card. Love the colours on these papers, as you know pink and black are my favourite colours.

Thought i would also show you a card that i made over christmas for my in laws. I used an image of this adorable bear, the papers are from the DCWV Speciality papers. I used a punch for the icicles with gems from the Yellow Moon mail order. The letters are die cuts of the Quickutz Merry and Bright set. Sentiment from Anna-Marie designs.

Hope to have something else to show you in a day or two.

Tuesday i am going to Capture the magic with my friend Katie. I am looking forward to seeing what wonderful goodies they might have on sale. Must keep control of my spending though, have already been tempted by the various sales going on right now!!!

Am thinking about running a swap in January, thought maybe i could put together a list of bloggers wanting particular stamped images and what they could offer in return either stamped images or maybe something else like papers , ribbons or anything else that they have to spare. This way we could cut down on our spending in January, as it is generally a month where finances are a bit tight. If anyone would be interested in this, perhaps you could drop me an email. My email address is littlepopits@aol.com . If there is enough interest i will start setting things up at the beginning of January.

Speak again soon.

Hugs Linda x

BLOG CANDY WINNER/CRAFTY PAD CHALLENGE WK 2

Well i trust everyone has had a fabulous christmas. I can hardly believe its all over already. I hope santa was kind to each and every one of you.

So the blog candy is finally over and drawn, the lucky number was 15, which is Debbie well done Debbie, please can you email me your address and i will get the package off to you on tuesday morning. I hope you will be pleased with it.

I have also drawn number 68 as second prize. I will be sending you a surprise package. The winner of this was Tasha.

Thank you to everyone that entered and im only sorry there couldn't have been more winners.

Well back to normal here is my card for this weeks Crafty Pad Challenge Wk 2 entitled bling. I hope you will all join us, as there are going to be weekly prizes on offer. The stamps by Debbie are stunning, go take a look for yourself.

I have paper pieced this image using papers for the DCWV All Dressed Up stack, which i adore, ribbon is from dovecraft and the gems from stash.

These papers and ribbons are whats on offer to one lucky entrant into this weeks challenge.

Havn't had much chance to craft in the past few weeks, im so looking forward to getting back to it as im sure so many of you are.

I have also missed my lovely blogging friends, i will get round to visiting you all over the next couple of days, sorry for having neglected you over the last few weeks.

Well enjoy the rest of your weekend, and speak very soon, hugs to you all Linda x

B-day X-mas Weekly Challenge

So are you already for the big day? i hope so as time is running out ladies! i have come to the decision that what i havn't got or done is too bad now! apart from the grocery shopping that i plan to tackle Tuesday evening, im not doing anymore shopping!



I feel mentally and physically exhausted just now, as im sure so many of you do too.



I would like to thank everyone who has already entered my blog candy, i hope no one will mind but i have decided to leave it to run until Christmas Sunday. The reason being it will be too late to post before christmas now, and the post office will not be open till the Monday after christmas. I will get everything packaged up and ready to ship for that Monday. I am adding a few extra little goodies and i am planning to do a much smaller runners up prize. I will be drawing names from hats or at least my daughter will on sunday at mid day. I have tried to leave everyone a message on their blog, i apologise if i have missed you out.



Not had much time to craft at all, can't wait to get back to some serious card making. I have made only one card in 4 days and thats the one for this weeks challenge. I have used an image from spiral whispers and coloured with my pro markers. The papers are from the doodlebug collection and sentiment from craftwork cards. Hopefully after christmas ill have some more impressive cards to show you.



I am not sure whether ill be online again before christmas, so if im not i would like to wish each and every one of you the best ever christmas, hope santa brings you something that your little hearts desire. Some nice papers, a little bit of ribbon, or some nice new rubber!! (i can wish, but hubby refuses to buy me crafting goodies!) So enjoy the big day and look forward to catching up with you all after christmas.



Very big hugs to you all Linda x

Blog Candy on offer

There is some beautiful blog candy up for offer over at Judes, go check it out.
http://crafts-international.blogspot.com/2008/12/blogg-candy.html
To celebrate her blogging 5,000 hits birthday go take a look at Cheri blog candy. http://thepaperfreak.blogspot.com/2008/12/im-offering-my-first-blog-candy.html

BLOG CANDY UP FOR GRABS

BLOG CAND IN NOW CLOSED THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO ENTERED

Well finally, as promised, some blog candy up for grabs. I hope you will like what im offering. I have listed below exactly what is included. Depending on how much interest is shown in this blog candy i may add on to this candy.

To enter please just leave a comment below and then link me to your blog advertising my blog candy. Thank you.

22 sheets of Fancy Pants Papers

1 sheet of Fancy Pants die cuts

1 sheet of Fancy Pants Valentine toppers

36 sheets of 12 x 12 football papers

12 x 12 Fancy Pants splash mini kits and embelishments

pkt A5 handmade papers

6 x 6 pad of Designer papers by Anna Stemplowska

pkt 10 DCWV A2 cards and envelopes

Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 2

Tilda stamp

Pollycraft Stamps

1. Old Oak

2. Curiosity

3. Cherish
Versa colour ink pad in pink petal

Flower soft in Russet Red

2 reels or ribbon 25m on each in light pink and deep pink

Organza bag of assorted ribbon lengths

To see the fancy pants papers clearer you can to to the poppicrafts website as these are where they come from, its the valentine set, the paper set and the die cuts.

I have decided to run this blog candy till my marker reaches 10,000 hits, i suspect this will be a couple of weeks, once it does hit the 9,000 mark i will be adding some more papers. Good luck to you all. Hugs Linda x

AWARD Thank you

I have been given this award by the lovely ladies below.

Jill - http://jillscards.blogspot.com/

Natalie - http://nattykcards.blogspot.com/

Joey - http://joeysworldofstuff.blogspot.com/

Joanne - http://craftingjoanne.blogspot.com/

Thank you to each and every one of you for thinking of me, i am so happy that you thought of me.

Now i believe i need to pass it on to 5 other ladies, but looking around most of you have it already, so i will leave it here for anyone who doesn't have it to pick it up. I believe each and every one of you deserves it.

I have to also list 5 things im addicted to so here goes

1. My family, i love each and every one of them and feel blessed to have such a wonderful family despite some of the problems they lay at my feet! and all the grey hairs they have given me.

2. My blogging friends, who have been true inspiration to me and some have become very important in my life, you know who you are, thank you for the support you have given me through what has been a very difficult year. I love you loads x

3. My crafting, i don't know what i would do without it, i love to stroke my papers, ribbons and flowers, oh how sad i am??!?!?!

4. My food, i love it, my favourite is of course bad for me, chocolate, nuts (preferably colveered in chocolate), takeaways and cream!!! yummy x

5. This is hard i suppose my home, i love my home, not the house i live in (actually don't like that very much at all) but the place i called home, is my sanctuary, i love being here in it.

So there you have it, not very exciting, but thats me my lovelies.

I am back in a short while with that long promised blog candy. Im going off to take some phtos and get it all together. Big hugs to you all, each and every one of my blogging friends. Linda x

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Its Wednesday already now where has the rest of the week gone already. Just over a week now ladies till the big day. Have you all been good and will santa be visiting you? Well i have taken some more photos of our decorations to share with you.
The first photos is our tree in the conservatory. This year has been a bit stressful and we have not decorated up as much as we would normally do. We only have a tree and snowman in the conservatory this year, but i have big plans for next year!!
To begin with i was not sure about the black and white tree, but when we put it up last year (we had it in the hallway last year) i was thrilled with it. It is my favourite tree. All the decorations came from the Wyevale sale the year before for a real giveaway price, the angels were all 50p each even the large ones, what a bargain!!





This is the tree in the lounge, this is what it looks like in the daylight. I have to say it does really look better in the dark, this tree is nearly 10 years old, but it has a few years of life left in it (according to my dear hubby). I would love a new tree nexst year, but will have to start saving. Last year we decided against this one and brought a smaller tree, but David insisted on the big one this year, and he is the one who is always moaning about christmas. I think secretly he does love it, just likes to moan and make us feel miserable about it, bless him!










This is proof he likes christmas more than he cares to admit. I couldn't be bothered to do the hallway display, as you know i havn't had much enthusiasm for christmas this year, but no hubby insisted and set to work on it himself. I have to admit i was impressd with his efforts. We usually have much more snow, lights and a tree, but the kids are thrilled with it.





Then finally the fireplace in the lounge, again done by my dear hubby. I have to say maybe i should leave it all to him next year.

Some of you will know that christmas has been slightly overshadowed for me this year due to things that have been going on in my personal life. I usually adore christmas. This year its been one more thing to worry about.

I have been very behind with all the preparations this year, but i do think im nearly there now. I have to say i have had so many kind words from fellow bloggers and that has kept me going so thank you to each and every one of you who has helped to spur me on.

I will be rewarding you all with some blog candy up for grabs. I am putting it together today, and will post it hopefully later this evening. I had planned on getting it out to the winner before christmas, but i feel doubtful about this now. I may actually run it until Christmas Eve and then post it as soon as the post office opens again.

Well today i am hoping to finish my christmas shopping, will speak to you all again very soon.

Have a good day, hugs Linda x

B-day X-mas Weekly Challenge

Good morning , can you believe just over a week to go until Christmas? i wish we had started this challenge much earlier, then maybe i would have been more organized this year! unfortunately,instead, i have been struggling to stay on top of everything, but i do think im finally getting there, thank goodness.



I have made this weeks challenge card using the wonderful Pollycraft elf image. I adore Paulas stamps they are so gorgeous. I have the new stamps but havn't had chance to ink them up yet, thats my plan for the end of the week.



Well, its a busy day for me, so won't be around much, hope you all have a good week, and will speak to you all again soon.



Hugs Linda x

blog candy

Crafty Goings on, have some fabulous blog candy up for grabs, hop over and take a look, its so generous!! See it here.

The Launch of The Crafty Pad Challenge Week 1

I Iwas thrilled to be asked by the wonderful talented Debbie to join her DT for the launch of her fabulous stamps on the Crafty Pad challenge. Please join us weekly you can buy Debbies stamps by clicking the link here. I found Debbies stamps fabulous to work with and hope you like the cards i've made using them.


This card is made using the fabulous Shy Faith stamp and some papers from the doodlebug potpourri range in brown. Isn't it fab and the ribbon is from my local craft shop. The sentiment is a craftworks circle sentiment and the buttons are from my own stash. The image has been coloured in using my favourite pro-markers.



This card was made using papers from the DCWV glittered All Dressed Up stack. I will be making more samples using these papers later this week. Again buttons from stash and craftwork cards sentiment.

This week we have some gorgeous ribbons up for grabs, so please join us.

Hope these cards may inspire you to try these fabulous stamps. Happy stampings Linda x

WHIFF OF JOY CARD AND MORE

Good morning to you and i can hardly believe its Friday again already. I don't feel i've accomplished much this week, and once again im apologizing for the lack of blogging. I have barely been on line this week, maybe an hour or two first thing in the morning (before anyone gets up) but thats it. Sorry if i havn't been to visit you and left a comment, im hoping to be back on track towards the end of next week.

I have finally started the wrapping, and im hating every single minute of it! Hubby says its because i have brought too much, but i have to diagree this year we have cut back, but there are more smaller items which are so fiddly to wrap!

Well I have finally finished every single christmas card, yes horray!!!!!! i will take a short break from them before starting for next year, because i am determined to be more organized in 2009!

These are a few of the last cards i made, i am really a bit of a traditionalist but have enjoyed using these more contemporary colours this year. I adore this particular paper pack, which i have actually used up now.

My latest funky kits stamps arrived yesterday but i havn't had time to play with them, i will stamp up a few images and then put them to the side for next years cards.

Have any of you been tempted by the new Pollycraft stamps? i have to say i gave in yesterday and ordered several, im hoping they will turn up today so i can have a play with them over the weekend. I just adore Paulas gorgeous little elves. How talented she is!


I must take a moment to thank each and every one who has sent me a lovely card this year. There are so many talented ladies out there, im totally overwhelmed by your talent. I have tried to email each and everyone individually but if i have missed you i apologise, and take the time to thank you now.

I have just rememberd one person i havn't emailed yet, and thats Nikki, thank you Nikki for the gorgeous card love the reindeer, and next year im doing the same as you!

Well this is a snap of my main christmas tree. Not so pleased with it this year as couldn't get the decorations balanced. I will post one of the black and white tree in the conservatory on my next post.

I will be posting again over the weekend as i will be offering some blog candy. Just waiting for the stamps to arrive before i post it. So as they say, watch this space!!

Hope you enjoy your day, i have the school concert tonight and as well as some wrapping i need to pop to the craft shop to add some bits to my blog candy. Catch up with you all later. Hugs Linda x

spiral Whisper Competition/Claires Blog Candy/Ricas candy/Jills birthday blog candy

The wonderful Jill will be celebrating her 40th birthday in a couple of days and to celebrate she has the most gorgeous blog candy up for grabs. Go take a look for yourself ladies.

Do you love the spiral whisper stamps? if you do go over to their blog and enter their competition with the chance to win some of the new stamps due for release very soon. Click here.

Go over to Claires she is celebrating 36,000 hits and has some gorgeous blog candy up for grabs.

The talented Rica also has some gorgeous blog candy up for grabs, to take a look.

Hugs Linda x

Dawnys Birthday blog candy

The gorgeous Dawny has a big birthday coming up soon, don't tell anyone but she will half a century! not that you can tell from her photo. She is looking fabulous! To celebrate she has some gorgeous blog candy up for grabs, go take a look. Hugs Linda x

Please take time to Read this

I was doing my usual blog hopping this morning and came across this poem on Traceys inspirational blog. Please take time to read it at this special time of year. It made me stop and think and pay tribute to all our forces who are not going to be at home for christmas and who do the best job in the world of keeping us all safe here at home. I know some of you have members of family who are doing this very job, and im thinking of you with extra fondness at this moment. Please read and pass on. Hugs Linda x

A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE,
MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY,
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO,
IN THIS HOME, DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES,
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT,
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR,
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED,
AN AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO,
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
,THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS,
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS
,LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE,
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,
A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED,
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;


I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY LAW.

" THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED,
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE,
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR,
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.

" ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."

This poem was written by an AustralianPeacekeeping soldier stationed overseas.
The following is His request.

I think it is reasonable PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favour of Sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will beComing soon and some credit is due to all of the service men And women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we Owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and Dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

Please, do your small part to plant this small seed. Regardless of our political persuasions, regardless of our colour, creed or religion, regardless of our age or our sex, we undoubtedly owe our freedom and safety to our heroes in the forces, I for one spent some quiet time today thinking of those brave men and women in foreign lands, far from home.

GOD BLESS OUR FORCES AND SECURE THEIR SAFE RETURN HOME.

blog candy and Pollycraft

If you love the gorgeous stamps by the clever Paula at Pollycraft then click here for some gorgeous blog candy up for grabs.

Birthday Cards and Last of the christmas cards at last

Good morning ladies, i thought i would post the last of my christmas cards and also two birthday cards that i recently made. The birthday card for my mum was made using the gorgeous stamps from funky kits. I adore this cute rabbit, i don't know where the papers are from im afraid and the lettering was from my Quickutz Merry and Bright cookie dies. It was so nice to make a birthday card for a change. Can not wait for the new year and to start playing with some of the new stamps that are sitting waiting for me.



This was a birhday card for my friends son who was turning 18. Was not particularly happy with it, but i struggle so much with boys cards, especially older boys! decided to keep in basic, hope he liked it.









So these are the remainder of the christmas cards that i have been making. I am still working on 2 for my friends parents and auntie and then im completely done. It seems to have gone on forever, and there is no way im leaving it so late next year. I invite you all to join me in the birthday-day x-mas card weekly challenge in January, so we can get organized!! I already have 2 ladies that i will be nagging each week to join (by there request obviously!!). There will be prizes along the way to tempt you too!

I have recently come across the beautiful papers by My Minds Eye, does anyone else love them as much as me?

My local craft shop stocks about 150 of these gorgeous papers, i will be having a look after christmas and adding to my stash, as i just adore the quality of them. I am also looking forward to the release of the new stamps at Pollycraft. the talented Paula has some to be released shortly and i can barely wait!! I bet her talented DT will produce some gorgeous cards to tempt us all!!!

Well my lovelies, hope all your christmas preparations are coming along, im still struggling on, will probably take a break from blogging next week so i can catch up.

Also i am fast approaching 10,000 hits, i will be posting blog candy shortly and as soon as it hits 10,000 i will pick a winner. I will try and get the candy posted up by the weekend, so watch this space.

Hugs to you all Linda x

CHRISTMAS CARDS AGAIN

B-day X-mas Weekly Challenge

Good morning everyone, firstly another week has passed, and although it started off well, things kind of drifted and i didn't get round to blogging as much as id intended. i apologise. I hope after christmas i can get back on track and visit your blogs as regularly as i used to. In the meantime, i am sorry.

Well this is my card for this weeks challenge. I am beginning to become very fond of this image, only wish i had her body!

The papers are from the christmas DCWV stack and the snowflakes are a punch. The fur has been stickled, which you will be able to see more clearly if you double click ontot he image.

I hope everyone is getting on top of their christmas preparations, it certainly is taking up most of my time at the moment.

A NEW CHALLENGE BLOG AND DT MEMBER

Well ladies i would love to share a bit of news with you. Yesterday i received an email from the wonderful Debbie, asking me if i would like to join her challenge blog below as a DT member. I have to say im still recovering from the shock. I can not believe she asked me. Of course i have jumped at the chance. Please click on the banner below to take you to the blog. Debbie has been producing some wonderful stamps which i think are so chic, i hope you will love them too, they are available for sale now. The first challenge is this Sunday, and i hope many of you will join us and i will look forward to seeing you there. My fellow DT member is the ever talented Dawn, be sure to check out her blog and see her wonderful work. Hello Dawn, i am looking forward to working with you!


Well ladies i also have some more cards to post but i am going to post them separately. Hugs for now Linda x

Yes- and more Christmas Cards

Good morning to you all its Tuesday 5.30am, im not sleeping too good just now so i thought it was best to just get up and make the most of my time. Have almost finished those cards (yes, i know, ive been saying it for days!!!) but i really think i have this time! but i have to then start the wrapping of presents! i always start off enthusiastic but start losing heart towards the end! So, hows your week going? i hope you are all managing to get things done. So much to do and so little time as always.



This is one of my favourite cards i adore these precious moments characters, i remember them from when i was a little girl, along with the Mabel Lucy Attwell characters, does anyone else remember them?

I have recently acquired some other stamps in this design and can't wait to use them in the New year. I was saddened by the fact that these stamps are no longer in production, so will have to search ebay when finances pick up later in the new year.



Of course these are my favourite Elizabeth bell images, i have to say her work is always first class and im looking forward to using her lates lot of stamps that i havn't yet had chance to ink up.











These Gruffies by stampabilities are also some of my favourite stamps, i do have trouble colouring these images though, so i decided not to bother, i just coloured the scarf and branches, hope it doesn't look too odd! I have to say i adore the large cuttlebug snowflake die i am going to have to try and get my hands on one of those too in the new year.






Finally this is not my normal taste, but i felt not everyone likes the cute look, hard to believe but apparently true, according to my husband! This is obviously not a picture of me in my younger days, but of how David would like me to be!!!! I have to say i have grown to quite like this stamp.

Well thats it for today, my camera needs recharging so i don't think ill be posting anymore for at least a day or so.

Hope you have a good day each and every one of you and remember to keep warm, its freezing!

Hugs Linda x

B-day X-mas Weekly Challenge/Another Award, and more CARDS

B-DAY, X-MAS CARD WEEKLY CHALLENGE
This is my card for this weeks sketch, i hope you will all take part as we have some goodies up for grab over the next few weeks. I made this using some stickers sent to me by the lovely Rhonda. Thank you Rhonda!






These are other more cards i have been making over the weekend. I think there will be two more posts showing the rest and then im done! what a relief!!

Can hardly believe another week has passed me by, its very dull and wet here this morning, and im not looking forward to the school run! Of course if my car wont start, ill have to get my dear son to do it, (that would be such a shame now, wouldn't it?) My car has had trouble starting in the mornings, not unlike its owner i have to say!!!! I am starting to feel tired i am so looking forward to the time when what i havn't done will be loo late to worry about!!! Do you know what i mean?




Hope you all have a nice day, i must get on. Hugs for now Linda x

I was thrilled to receive this award from my lovely friend Joey, thank you honey.

I am supposed to pass it on to 10 bloggers but i am finding it increasingly difficult to find 10 who do not already have this award, and also with so many lovely visitors i have decided to leave it to anyone who doesn't have this award already. Each and every one of you deserve it.