DIY Advent Calender.......

Yay, it's December tomorrow, it's time to put up your advent calendar, even though my girls are 17 & 22, I still love to do them one. We did have a shop bought one with little pockets, until I put it in the washing machine, last week, and it totally fell apart, oops !!!

Anyway, I had all the little presents, wrapped in white tissue paper and no advent calender, but as I was blog hopping the other day, I came across a blog called Silly Old Suitcase and there was a post for advent calender idea's.

I loved the brown bag, lace and button one which I will be doing next year, but as I had already wrapped them up in tissue paper, I went with the washi tape idea.

When I was in Spain, I picked up some numbered pegs, so I added the washi tape to the little parcels and strung them along the fireplace, ( we don't use the fire, so it's safe).

 

If you need some idea's for small advent gifts, I bought chocolate, sweets, jewellery, lip balm and hair clips, anything that's little and girly really.

I have bought myself one too, I saw this by Regia Christmas Calender in House of Fraser, it has a 24 knitting patterns for the Christmas countdown.

I haven't looked through the patterns as I like the surprise element of advent calenders, but going by Day 1, the patterns and photographs are going to be gorgeous.

I can't wait to try some of the patterns out, watch this space. Have a great weekend, and I hope you've all got your advent calenders ready.

xxxxDebxxxx

IBS Challenge #37.....Red, Green and White.

I'm back with this week's challenge from Inspired by Stamping and we are asking you do create a card using red, green and white.
Here's a gorgeous Christmas photo to inspire you.

I used one of the stamps from December 25th Labels, I was spoilt for choice with which one to go for but eventually decided on the one with the snowflakes.
There are some beautiful Poinsettia's on the photo which inspired me to use one of the IBS White Poinsettia Flowers.

Supplies
Stamps- December 25th Labels
Papers- Stampin'Up
Pretties- IBS Red Satin Ribbon, SU Rhinestones

I hope you can join in this week's challenge, we love to look at your creations.One last thing, Joanna is having an Inspired by Stamping 2013 Design Call so if you fancy been part of this wonderful stamp company, read the following on how to apply.

Inspired by Stamping 2013 Design Team Call! 
  

Inspired by Stamping Company is looking for 6 NEW creative designers to join our 

team! 

This call starts today November 29th and will be open until December 29th.   

The new IBS Girls will be chosen and notified by January 2nd. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us before you submit. 

(Information below) 

Requirements: 

o Actively post to your own blog in English 

o Participate in our weekly challenges for six months to be posted on every Thursday of the month. 

o Required to make 1 to 2 cards per release as specify beforehand. 

o Ability to print and work with  our stamp sets, dies, embellishments and templates (supplied by Inspired by Stamping) 

o Comment on participant submissions  

o Link to our challenge blog, Design Team members and post our IBSIC badge and Design Team Badge 

What Inspired by Stamping are searching for: 

o High quality work  

o Ability to photograph your work well and brightly lit 

o Ability to follow the directions in the Design Team Application 

o Fun, creative, happy spirited individuals who love to create with paper and stamps! And who love to share their creations and inspire others! 

Benefits: 

o With each release, you will receive 2 free IBS stamp sets (varying sizes of stamp sets each month), and/or ribbon and embellishments to use and keep with each new release. 

o Fun and creative inspiration with an amazing design team! 

o Links to your blog from our Challenge Blog, Inspired by Stamping Store, Inspired by Stamping Blog and your fellow IBSIC blogs 

o Blog community socialization, friendship, creativity, inspiration  

o A Six-Month Design Team Term beginning on January 15th and running through June 15th (as long as all Design Team requirements are completely fulfilled.  Failure to fulfill any and all of the DT requirements will result in termination from the team)  

o Immediately sent two new stamp sets to work with for our challenge. 

How to Apply: 
1. Email joanna@inspiredbystampin.com with "DT Application" as subject
3. Include the following in your email:
o Full Name
o Blog Address
o Current and previous Design Team experience (current or past DT experience is not required)
o Tell us a bit about yourself and why you would like to join us
o Submit a newly created card and/or project (never before shared on your blog) using the photo below as your inspiration.

o You may submit as many times as you wish.  Only your first application will require for all of the above ... any subsequent applications need only include 'DT Application' in the subject like of your e-mail, your name in the body and a picture of your submission attached to the e-mail.

 Good luck! We are so excited to see your entries!
Kind Regards,
Joanna, Brad and the IBS Team

Happy Crafting
xxxxDebxxxx

Tuesday's Tallies..........Knitted Owl Wrist Warmers.

Hello there, I hope you had a good weekend, I'm back today but my One a Day is on hold until I've finished all my Christmas presents. My secret project is completely finished which was my largest gift to make.

This week I have made a pair of Owl Wrist Warmers from this month's Mollie Makes.

It was such a quick knit, though it didn't tell you how much yarn you need, so if anybody decides to give it ago, you need 100g of chunky, I used Rowan Cocoon in Mink, instead of using buttons for the eyes, I stitched them on using black yarn and a French knot.

If you hop on over to Carole's blog, you can check out what the other ladies have got on this week.

This week I will be starting another Austen Capelet but this time in a beautiful red merino wool, this is towards my little niece's Christmas present.

Before I go, I'd like to share a few photo's from my weekend, on Friday, Mick and I went to the German Market with some friends.

It was a beautiful winter's day, cold, crisp and the sun was shining, just perfect for wandering around the market, all wrapped up.

We went on the Big Wheel.

I went on the carousel for the first time in years, since my girls have grown up.

 We then wandered around the market, looking at all the beautiful stalls, enjoying  the wonderful smells from the food and drink stands. We stopped at a couple to buy a mug of Gluhwein, just to warm ourselves up, of course.

On Saturday a few of us went to my friend Diane's house, to celebrate her birthday. What a fabulous day, she had a beauty therapist at the house and she treated us all to a treatment. I had the most divine Indian Head massage. We chatted, laughed, had lunch, drank champagne then finished off with Afternoon tea, isn't the tea set, just gorgeous ?

When I got home, Paige had put our Christmas tree up, I know it's fairly early, but we just love Christmas so make the most of it for as long as we can.

Thanks for looking, it was a bit of a long post, so thank you for sticking with it. Have a good week, I'll be back soon.

xxxxDebxxxx

Just a Note.........Handmade Notecards.

Yay, the weekend is here and it's my friends birthday tomorrow, today a few of us are going to her house for a pamper day, we will be having beauty treatments, lunch and champagne afternoon tea. Now, that's what I call a birthday party !!!!!

On the crafting front, I'm back today with an handmade gift idea, amongst all the technology nowadays, I think most of us love to receive a hand written letter or just a little note to say , Hi !!! So, I have made a box of notecards.

I cut out some hearts using Spellbinder dies, stamped "Just a Note" onto them, from IBS Fancy Labels 4, and decorated with lace and pearls, very quick and easy.

I made the the box using a score board, there are lots of tutorials on the web depending on what board you have.

Supplies
Stamps- IBS Small Fancy Labels 4.
Papers- MME, The Girls Paperie.
Pretties- lace, pearls
Tools- Spellbinder Scalloped Heart and Heart die.

Enjoy the weekend.
xxxxDebxxxx

IBSIC #36.....A Sketch.

Hello there, and Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends, have a wonderful weekend. I'm back today with this week's challenge from Inspired by Stamping and this week we have this fab sketch for you.

I'm still on a roll with my Christmas cards and this week I've gone very pink and girly.

I created the tree by punching strips of pattern paper with the Martha Stewart Zig Zag punch, layering and  adhering them to a piece of card and then cut a triangular shape. I added some Stickles along the zig zag edge.
I used the gorgeous Glitter Tape from Inspired by Stamping  to give a bit more sparkle to my card. I love the sentiment "Believe" from Festive Frames, so simple but so meaningful this time of year.

Supplies
Stamps- Festive Frames.
Pretties- IBS Glitter Tape, rhinestones.
Tools- MS Zig Zag Punch, MS Star Punch, Spellbinders Scallop Oval and Oval.

 We have our Guest Designer Call continuing this week. We are looking for a gorgeous card that will make us all swoon.

This call will stay open until the end of November so there is still time to join. The winner will be announced on December 1st and will win 2 4×6 stamp sets!

Happy Crafting.

xxxxDebxxxx

Tuesday's Tallies .......Sweetheart Wrist Warmers and Secret Project.

Hello there, how are you all, I hope you had a good weekend. I'm feeling a lot better and nearly feel like myself again, thank you for all your kind wishes.
Over the weekend, I caught up on my secret project and have all 18 granny squares finished so will reveal all after Christmas.
This is all that I can show you until then.

If you pop on over to Carole's blog, you can check out how everyone else has got on this week with their One a Day's.
Also, I've joined in with the Project Stash, Show of Hands KAL over on Ravelry, it is organized by Evelyn who always organizes such great KAL's.
This KAL is to knit or crochet some gloves or mittens, I went with the crocheted Sweetheart Wrist Warmers, that was in Mollie Makes issue 10.

I used Knit Picks Heather Lace Yarn, for those in the U.K. you can get Knit Picks yarn from Great British Yarns.
This is what they look like on, I know they are not everyone's cup of tea but I really like them, they are so lightweight, warm and comfy, Paige says they are gross !!!!!
My Mollie Makes magazine has just arrived and has a knitting pattern in there for some owl wrist warmers, I may have a go at them now.

This KAL is running until 30th November so you still have time to join in, there are some fabulous projects going on there.

Thank you for stopping by, have a good week.
xxxxDebxxxx

Addicted to CAS Challenge #1...........A Snowy Christmas Wreath Card.

Hello Guys, I hope you all had a good weekend, I wanted to let you all know that there is a new challenge blog that started up on Saturday, it's called Addicted to CAS and as the name suggests, it's all about clean and simple.
My lovely friend Joanna is the Guest Designer and is also sponsoring this month's challenges, this week you could win a $20 gift card for the Inspired by Stamping Store.

This week's challenge is SNOW. 

I used my new Penny Black stamp that I got from the craft show last week for the bargain price of £1,  that's what I call a bargain !!!!!
I added some mica flakes and glitter to the wreath for the snowy effect, I love to see snow on my wreath that hangs on my front door, not that it snows very often at Christmas in the U.K. I also added some little red gems for the berries.It was really hard to get a photo that showed up the "snow" but I hope you can see it is there, IRL, you can see it better.
I think I might be making more CAS cards now I've found this new challenge site, I created 6 of these cards in the time it would take me to create one of my normal style cards.

Supplies
Stamps- Penny Black, IBS Christmas Greetings.
Pretties- Hobby House rhinestones, MF mica flakes, SU glitter.

Thanks for stopping by.
xxxxDebxxxx

In a Spin CAL...........Week 1.

Good morning, the weekend is here, nothing planned though so will just have a lazy weekend. Jodie has come back for a visit, she hasn't been home since the beginning of September so it's nice to have her back for a couple of days.
I'm back today to share a new Crochet-Along, I've joined on Ravelry,  Shelly from Spinatomy started the group, the first week has started and she will be giving us a pattern each week to make a block.
We will eventually end up with a Sampler Throw but the thing I love about this CAL, is the surprise element. We don't known how many week's we will be doing it, how many squares or how big it will end up.
I love surprises but for those who want to join in and like to know what you are going to be doing, Shelly will tell you if you email her.

For this week only you do have to make two blocks, one 15cm and one 30cm, these are the measuring blocks for all future blocks, that we will be making.
Here are mine.

I'm using Sumblime Cashmere Merino Silk Aran that I've had in my stash for ages and a 5mm hook, the 30cm block looks a bit twisted but will be fine when joined to the other blocks..
I can't wait for Friday now, to see what we'll be doing for week 2, if you want to join in the fun, check out all the details here.

Enjoy the weekend.
xxxxDebxxxx

IBSIC #35......and 50% off the entire store !!!!!

Hi, I'm back today with this week's challenge from Inspired by Stamping, but before I get to that, I've got some great news, if you love Inspired by Stamping products, now is the time to buy. It's Joanna's birthday, so is having a Super Sale Birthday Bash, she is offering 50% off all products in the store today and tomorrow only !!!!

Plus it is only $5 international shipping or free over $75, you need to hurry though, it's while stocks last !!!!!

Also if you've got a Silhouette Cameo, Joannna has uploaded a free file to use with 78 of her stamp sets, so no more fussy cutting, you can find the upload here.

Now back to the challenge, this week we are asking you to use the colours, gold, pink and white, there is a $20 gift card up for grabs for one lucky winner, also don't forget you could become a Guest Designer for the month.

Here's my card.

I also used this week's sketch from Mojo Monday.

Supplies

Stamps- Holiday Expressions.

Papers- Pink Paislee.

Pretties- Ribbon, Rhinestones.

Tools- Spellbinder Snowflake die, Sizzix Embossing Folder, SU Border Punch.

Hope you'll join us this week and don't forget to have a look at the SALE, today and tomorrow only.

Happy Crafting

xxxxDebxxxx

Tuesday's Tallies..........and a Crocheted Cape.

Hello there, it's Tuesday and I'm back with my Tuesday's Tallies, I've only got one square finished this week on my secret project.I haven't been well all week so haven't felt like doing much. Everytime I tried to pick it up I made a mistake so thought it would be best to leave it, hopefully I can catch up this week.

I have managed to crochet this sweet little Austen Capelet, it is so quick and easy to make, I didn't have to concentrate so much on this pattern. It was a very enjoyable little make.

The pattern is from babies to adult size, so might make myself one, I'm waiting for some more yarn to make my little niece one in red.
Thanks for looking, if you hop on over to Carole's blog, you can check out how everyone else has got on this week.

xxxxDebxxxx

A Crochet Moustache for Movember..........

It's that time of year, where men around the world. are growing moustaches for Movember, they are raising money for funds and more awareness of men's health problems, specifically prostate and testicular cancer.

Paige's boyfriend is taking part this year, so for a bit of fun I crocheted him this fab moustache.

and here he is with his new moustache, every time I look at this photo, it makes me giggle, he is such a poser.

The pattern is designed by Tara Murray, it's a free pattern which you can find here. I hope this makes you smile too, have a great weeekend.

xxxxDebxxxx

Inspired by Stamping Inspiration Challenge #34..........A Sketch.

Hello there my lovely blog friends, I'm back today with a sketch for this week's challenge from Inspired by Stamping.

I decided to make a Christmas card to add to my growing stash, it's just over 6 weeks to Christmas now, I know what I'm like, thinking I've got plenty of time, then panicking, last minute. This card is a large 8" X 8", I love to send this size card to my family. 

I've got a thing for button wreaths at the moment, this time, I've used it on a card, sprinkling the buttons with glitter and glass glitter.

I used the large Spellbinder Scallop and Circle die, adding the buttons and making a house for the centre using the Spellbinder Home Sweet Home die set.
I used the December 25th Labels set for the greeting, but just used part of the stamped image by using a scallop punch to cut out the centre, so don't think you have to use the whole stamp, you can just use part of it.

Supplies

Stamps- December 25th Labels, Vintage Postcards Add-On 1.
Papers- Websters Pages, October Afternoon.
Pretties- IBS Crochet Trim, IBS Poinsettia Flowers, SU Glitter, SU Glass Glitter.
Tools- Spellbinder Scallop & Circle die, Spellbinder Home Sweet Home, SU Scallop Punch, Martha Stewart Holly Punch.

Do you want to be a Month-Long Guest Designer with the Inspired by Stamping Girls? 

Here is what you have to do...Play in our challenge the month of November and "Wow" us with your beautiful card or project!

The winner will be chosen at the end of this month and will be our month long guest designer for the month of January! Plus, they will receive two 4x6 stamp sets from the Inspired by Stamping Store to create with during this month! 

I hope you'll join us for this week's challenge, also for the month of November & December, Inspired by Stamping's  International Shipping is only £5 and free on orders over $75.

If you haven't signed up for the Inspired by Stamping Newsletter yet, head on over here, and keep up with all the latest news and offers.

Happy Stamping

xxxxDebxxxx