Easter Cards Eggstravaganza!

I'm glad I made all those embellishments the other day because they came in handy when I was asked to make a card for a three-year-old girl!

I've still got some left over so I think I'll use them on some more notepads and maybe a clipboard or two!

The Cards and Papercrafts thread over on Folksy featured a lovely array of Easter items yesterday, so I've chosen some of my faves to show here, as that occasion grows ever closer!

 Meezer Meezer Design

Adien Crafts

NOfkants Curios

Aunty Joan

DeesDesigns

HelleBelles Cards

A lovely selection I'm sure you'll agree!  My contribution was my latest Little Chick card:

Enjoy the sunshine everyone!

Cross-eyed and Crusty!

Yesterday I had a good long crafty session, making embellishments all afternoon and evening!

Cupcakes and butterflies!

Owls and Birds!

I was cross-eyed by the end of it but at least I've got lots of little embellies to hand when I want to make things like these notepads:

I've also made a recipe that I quite enjoyed: Roasted vegetable tart with a cous cous crust.  I've never been a big fan of cous cous but it worked well as an alternative to pastry!

Excuse the charred bits, they didn't detract from the flavour!

Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mums! I don't have any children myself but I'm off to visit my mum with a toffee cake, a card:

and this lovely lavender scented sachet from a fellow Folkster, Picocraft's shop:

Talking of Folksy purchases I was recently thrilled to get my hands on this gorgeous summer tote bag from 

Handmade by Edwina - I can't wait to start using it when I'm on holiday!

Have a lovely day everyone!

Creepiness and Craftiness!

I was keen to take my camera on another expedition so today my parents and I visited the derelict Bangour Village Hospital because they hadn't seen it before.  I enjoyed using my camera again but unfortunately the weather was somewhat dull and uninspiring and also a tad chilly.  Even though mum and I had taken a flask of coffee with us it was nice to get into the warmth of a local garden centre and warm ourselves with steaming bowls of lentil soup!

My Dad and I took lots of pics; too many to put on here.  However, we all agreed that this building was particularly atmospheric and creepy, like Mrs Danvers' house in Rebecca:

I like the curvy look to the roof, as if it's buckled in on itself.

It's definitely going to be worth another visit when the sky is brighter!

I hope you'll find my recent creations slightly less creepy!

More tealight sets - lavender this time!

An Easter card:

Someone on Folksy said the bunny looks embarrassed because he's eaten all the chocolate eggs!  I think this is most definitely the case!

And I've revamped my Little Horse card:

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Photography Tour Fun!

Last week I made use of a lovely Christmas present from Himself by booking onto an Edinburgh Photography Tour, which is run by a professional photographer called James Christie. I have long wished to learn how to become a better photographer, but I've always shied away from having my camera with me when I'm out and about because I'm embarrassed by it's bulk and also I don't really know how to use it properly. This is despite the fact that I already have a talented photographer close to hand in the shape of my Dad, who is always happy to share his advice and knowledge of the complexities of  DSLR image-making.  I just needed that one big push in the right direction to give me more confidence in my abilities and I think this was it.

The tour was a great experience, I met some very personable people and along the way learned a lot, including some snippets of historical interest about the landmarks we visited.  Even though I've lived in or around Edinburgh for 37 years, wandering about with my camera I truly felt as if I was seeing it for the first time!

I took too many pics to show here but my favourite part of the tour was when James allowed us free rein to take whatever abstract images we liked in the vicinity of the Scottish parliament buildings.  

These bike stands almost look a bit like a person bending over to pick something up when viewed head on!

I was trying to capture the detail of the bark here.

These are the "think pods" round the back of the building, I think I'd like to have this made into a print.

From now on I plan to have my camera with me a lot more so I can continue to learn!

Now because I haven't mentioned anything crafty, I'll show a card I've made for a friend's birthday:

It's quite busy but I like the colour combo!

Getting Ready

I've been busy today getting organised for various events coming up in the spring; having a rejig of my stock and making some new items.  I'm hoping my tealight gift packs are going to be popular again so I've made a few and there will be more to come!

I need to replenish my tealight supplies first!

I've also made an engagement card for a commission:

I'm just hoping it doesn't look too valentiney!

And for those that haven't seen them, my Easter Bunny and Chick designs have been revamped!

I'm certainly ready for spring now!

Giveaway Winner!

Morning all! And what a lovely one it is too!  I've just performed the official drawing-of-my-giveaway-winner-name, by writing all the names on bits of paper (those of you who mentioned me on FB or your blogs, etc, got extra entries) and placing them in a cute little bowl made by my friend Emma:

I then plunged in my rather unattractive hand...

and withdrew a name!

Which, if you can understand my horrific scrawl (and bad spelling), reads Silverspiral!!

So congrats, Jax, your prize should be winging it's way to you soon!

Thanks to all who entered, look out for my PIF giveaway soon!

Because I'm feeling so springlike, I decided to make some spring-themed owl tags!

These will be in my Folksy shop tomorrow!

Giveaways Galore!

***This entry will remain at the top of my blog until the day of the giveaway! Scroll down for newer blog entries!***

It's all about the Giveaways at the moment - I've joined in with Busy Butterfingers Pay It Forward Giveaway and the plan is if you win that you host your own giveaway! It so happens I'd already decided to host my own competition to celebrate (belatedly!) gaining 100 followers, but if I win the Pay It Forward I'll have another one!!

So, finally, here's a nosy at the prize I have on offer - lots of Crafty Mushroom loveliness!

There's a Little Owls Notepad Clipboard.

A Little Flower Bookmark

A Mini Cupcake Keyring

Four Flower Gift Tags

And a Little Tree fabric bag - I didn't make the bag, but I made the tree out of felt!

Everything would make a cute gift for a friend or to keep as a treat for yourself!

To be in with a chance of winning;

You must already be, or become, a follower of this blog and leave a comment.  It doesn't matter if you don't have your own blog and I will post to anywhere!

I must be able to contact you by email if you are the winner.

I will give you an extra entry if you link back to this giveaway!

I will use the Random Number Generator to pick a winner on FRIDAY 2ND MARCH !

Good luck folks, I hope you will enter!  This post will remain at the top of my blog until the end of the competition.