Merry Christmas!

I've been crafting and baking so hard I've sweat glitter for the past two days 😁
Here is the result...

First is the card I made for Meg, using a mixture of inkylicious, Hobby Art and Lavinia stamps. It was a bit of an experiment and I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but I am pretty happy with it. The only thing I would change if I did it again would be to not use my largest circle die for the apperture as I had to hand cut the semi circles from  the white card on the front.
Next are two cards using various hobby Art stamps and inspired by the one that Lynne (Creative Lynks) made me.

I used Zig Clean color markers to colour them all and versafine to stamp them. The sentiment on the last one is from Inkylicious.

I just want to say that I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and I will no doubt be in blog land again once Boxing Day is over. Hope Santa is good to you all! I'd offer you a mince pie, but Tescos were all out of mincemeat, so its Spiced apple muffins instead and a drop of Gluwein!

Merry Christmas!

Apologies and some photos

My visits to blog land are very few and far between at the moment. So sorry if I haven't managed to visit your blogs. I still have two days at school to go, and have ticked off 4 panto performances, a Christingle, a nativity, a Christmas party, and an awards assembly.  There is chicken pox, winter vomiting virus and a nasty chesty cold going round so I'm thinking of suggesting a whole class nap lasting both days!
I did a bit of Christmas shopping a couple of weekends ago and popped to Rufford Park where there are a few shops selling nice food, warm hats, gifts and books. When I got there I discovered the shop didn't open until 10.30 so I had nearly an hour to kill. I popped back to the car and grabbed my camera (I tend to take it everywhere with me) and set off towards the lake.

 A group of Mallards came running to greet me but quickly lost interest when I had no food for them.

The reflections in the lake of the winter foliage were beautiful...

and the black-headed gulls seemed to be enjoying a the peace and quiet as much as I was.
As I stood watching them I saw a splash in the water, and then another a few minutes later. I trained my camera on it and zoomed in. Please forgive the awful quality of the photo (I will go back soon with a tripod).... It was a kingfisher!

After a few minutes I was joined by a robin, who may well have fed from my hand if I had taken some food - he was so tame that his feathers brushed my elbow as he hopped by.

I realised the shop had been open for a good 20 minutes by this stage and reluctantly continued on my way. Further round the lake I spotted a Goosander (another poor photo I am afraid)

That hour of solitude in the company of nature left me feeling so much happier than Christmas shopping does! I hope your Christmas shopping is done and you are able to enjoy a few minutes peace doing something you love.
Thanks for looking!

Chalkola Markers

Take a look at these lovelies! They arrived at the weekend. I have been asked to put them through their paces and review these Chalk markers from Chalkola
 The Markers are for use on Non Porous Surfaces like Chalkboards, Whiteboards, Glass, Plastic and Windows. They are also great on glazed ceramics. As a teacher I will be taking these to work and using them in the classroom - great for diagrams and drawings on the whiteboard or blackboard. As a card maker I was eager to find out what they were like on coated card stock and can say I am very impressed by the chalk finish and depth of colour. Here are the Earth tones...

And here are the party colours (neon)

They have been designed to be erasable from non pourous surfaces, and they certainly are, but if you want them to be more permanent, you can heat set them. They are odourless and non-toxic too, so great for crafting with the kids.
I was able to use them like a paint and dilute them with water as well as mixing colours together. The chalk finish was still there with diluted colours. I will continue to experiment!

Please excuse the quality of the photos - I am not home during daylight in the week at the moment.
These pens would also be wonderful for writing up menus in bijou tea shops and cafes ...
Chalkola are being very generous, because if you want to try them for yourself, they would love to offer readers of my blog a 20% flat discount on all Chalkola Products. You can get this by quoting this coupon code - 20OFFSTR
Here are a couple of links to the products
6mm Pens - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chalk-Pens-markers-Whiteboard-Chalkboard/dp/B00VVOWCSC

Earth Colors - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chalk-Pens-Whiteboard-Chalkboard-Blackboard/dp/B01E17WAQO
Thanks for looking!

December at Stamping Sensations

Good Morning! It is the first Sunday of the Month and time for a new Challenge over at Stamping Sensations! This month's theme is...........

********Floral Fancies********

As the title suggests we want to see lots of flowers this month..........

I've chosen roses and started by creating an inky background with distress inks on Silk art card. I then placed a stencil over the top and removed some of the ink with a baby wipe. Once this was dry I stamped the rose image (Inkylicious) in memento back ink.

This card is done in the same way but different colours and a touch of glitter on the tips of the petals.

Please can I remind you we are a stamping challenge so must see a stamped image, sentiment or quote as the focal element of your artwork.Conventional rubber/acrylic stamps and digital images are acceptable, but pre-coloured digital images and toppers are not. And please note: if we do not comment on your entry it will be because it does not follow the theme, qualify under our rules, or because we are asked to sign in or provide additional data to comment. We do not want to be rude but we do want to be fair to those who do follow the rules.

We have a fabulous bundle of Sizzix goodies from one lucky winner this month, but there is more......in the spirit of Christmas our Top 3 will also receive a surprise gift from us.

Sizzix, there's no bigger or better place for craft materials, custom dies and machines that can die-cut, emboss and texturize many materials, including cardstock, paper, construction paper, fabric, faux fur, felt and foil plus much more.

 

 Do pop over to the challenge blog and take a look at all the fantastic creations by my lovely teamies. There is some wonderful inspiration again this month! Hope you get the chance to join in and I'll look forward to seeing all your lovely creations!