Long time, old friends and new

Funny how the years pass and time just passes you by! The strict lockdown here in Wales certainly has provided the impetus to restart hobbies. 

After years of infertility, my hands are most definately full with 2 little ones under 7 our little miracles. My advice to others would be do not seek answers to the unknown, try to adapt and make new life changes whilst holding dearly to your faith that what will be you will embrace with courage uncertainty and hope in your heart 💕💟💞

  

Sadly at Easter our beautiful big friendly giant (The BFG) Buster the standard labradoodle lost his battle, fought bravely but kindness must always repay loyalty x Buster passed on to rainbow bridge, even now our hearts are still tinged with sadness and especially so this coming Christmas without him. 

But Buster had other plans for us it seems, fate has brought to our door another hound seeking a good forever home. After a quick enquiry email to a responsible reputable breeder, I receive a random call asking whether I would consider rehoming a nervous, inquisitive, rebel - a grey 18 month standard poodle. Of course, we said yes! We have always said we take them as we find them and set them on the right path using positive reward based training methods. So Louie, the standard poodle is the new kid on the block, is coming along and has settled in quite nicely to family life becoming my shadow 😊

And so as i have a little more time on my hands whilst away at school my mojo is returning. Sad in many ways blogging has fallen by the wayside as it's such a pleasure reading how someone has created a card step by step to inspire creativity in others. So I intend to keep this blog journal going in protest to social media platforms lol 

Luckily ink pads are still moist (although a handful did not quite have longevity assumed - chalk inks), stamps have been rediscovered and await their first reinking rekindling my old passion for stamping.  Although after much deliberation and relief, i've decided to retain my extensive collection of house mouse and penny blacks as they were such an investment and timeless treasures especially now my old supplier The Glitterpot and Windrush Cards are no longer in business.  Now to using up all those beautiful cherished patterned papers which by now are probably classed as vintage so don't expect to see anything current i'm afraid.

Until my next post old friends and new,

Daffodil Nellie & Friends 

New Life In The Country, Welcome 2012

After a brief period of unemployment after being made redundant, I have found a new job and officially a 9-5 girl working in a local civil service department! : )  2012 has started on a lot of positives and I hope the remainder of 2012 is just as abundant with good fortune. Commuting is a thing of the past, 5 minute drive or by public transport to work, no more traffic queues just scenic country lanes! What a change from the hussle and bussle of London. I am officially a 9-5 girl which leaves me more time for crafting.

We shall soon be moving to our new home, here in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park in the coming weeks! Lots of lovely walks at the lakes and countryside to draw inspiration from for crafting, an inglenook fireplace to keep warm and and a whole room in the house dedicated to crafting and wave goodbye to my craft storage boxes.

Here is a sneak peek of the view from the bedroom. I feel very blessed and fortunate to be waking up to this view each morning:

Redundancy Looms... A New Start into the Unknown

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately, there have been some rapid changes and announcements affecting my employment. The likelihood is redundancy is looming or stay and weather the storm by accepting a 30% pay cut and fewer benefits.

Today, its really hit home this offers a potential new start into the unknown. Whether to continue with working in the charitable sector or to disembark by accepting redundancy, starting my own voyage of self-discovery and follow our dreams. Redundancy will be a welcome change after the long consultation period, uncertainty and upheaval. Afterall, every cloud must have a silver lining! x x x

Valentine: Love Is All Around

This my quick Valentine's Day card to the most patient and wonderful husband in the world! He is a very good tea maker and always takes the dog for a walk at the weekends so I can enjoy a nice lie-in lol. Sometimes its the simple little things in life which mean the world, and its nice to acknowledge and appreciate all the little things people do 364 days a year.

Here is a Valentines Day Card I made recently:

The sentiment is a stamp by Penny Black inked up with Papermania Pigment Ink followed by a liberal scattering of Personal Impressions Clear Embossing Powder before heat gunning. The paperstock and cardstock used has been embossed in a Cuttlebug machine.

Products & Materials used:

Sentiment/Greeting: Penny Black Inc "All Around" (W/Mounted 3807C)

Papermania Black Pigment Ink

Personal Impressions Clear Embossing Powder

Papermania Dome Stickers PMA560 Pink Hearts 

Nestabilities: Standard Circles & Lacey Circles

Gems: Eastern Treasures (Clear) & Papermania (Pink)

Cuttlebug Embossing Folders: Swiss Dots & Heart Blocks

Paperstock: Anna Griffin 12x12 Pink Paper (retired)

Cardstock: Paper Cellar Pink Pearlescent Card & Black corrugated card (Stash).

Just a quick and simple card, really liking the pink, kraft, black and touch of green. Somehow it just really comes together and goes some way towards using all my scrap pieces of paper and cardstock.

That's all for now,

Daffodil x x x

Acetate: Recycle & Reuse

One of my many weaknesses is acetate sheets - plain or patterned hand it over and I'll have it. Its just the same with stamps and patterned paper, but embellishments and stickers I'll leave for other crafters!

This plain acetate box was recycled from a christmas gift. I thought it was a waste to thow it out and decided to recycle the box instead as handmade LUSH goody box.

The box is decorated with a base layer of green indian handmade paper. All patterned papers & die cuts are by Fancy Pants. Flowers are by Prima Marketing, featuring dew drop centres. The ribbons are all  off cuts of recycled ribbon, the pink organza ribbon is from a set of PJs from Primark lol.

The image is by Magnolia, called Jam Tilda and has been coloured using Copic Ciao markers but I can't remember the exact colours used (sorry!).

Back soon,

Daffodil x x

Monkey Business

I've managed to squeeze time to make a card in the last fortnight, although I've encountered several mishaps with glues : ( I have given up on Silicone glue, its now officially relegated to Room 101. I'm also a leaf punch short after breaking one trying hopelessly to punch through handmade glitter paper (from experience this is not recommended).

The layout for the card is from Sketch SaturdayChallenge (Week #138)

This is a card I made using all my tiny scraps left over from a sheet of MME 'Bloom & Grow' Collection. The image is from a wood mounted stamp by Whipper Snapper Designs called 'Swinging Monkey' CY905 which I recently bought in the Sir Stampalot January sale and coloured with Copic Ciao pens: E35 Chamois, E33 Sand, E21 Baby Skin Pink & G00 Jade Green for highlighting.

The biscuit coloured card, glitter paperstock & gems are from the craft section of Poundland, mostly the 'Crafty Bits' mixed bags (contents vary) for £1. The self-adhesive gems are sold in packs of 110 in various colours and available at selected Poundland stores. These bags are great value provided you have a die cut machine or punches as most of the contents is the residue from die cut sheets but the paper is mega glittery and I find it doesn't come off on your hands! : ) The biscuit cardstock has been embossed in the Cuttlebug using Swiss Dots folder. Flowers are Prima Marketing.

Until next time!
Daffodil x x

Flu-ed Out!

This post is overdue, the only one in our house without swine flu over the christmas period was the dog! Christmas was a wash out in every sense of the word, with no inclination to eat Turkey & Venison. There is always next Christmas!

In my last post, I referred to a 'green project'. Here it is, a project involving reusing a glass Kenco Coffee Jar to package a Goody box. The jar was decorated and filled with Max Factor goodies as a thank you gift to my lovely Mother in Law Jules. She is the lip gloss, eye shadow & mascara queen!

Main view:

Products used include: Magnolia Tilda Hugging Bunny stamp, Copic Ciao Pens, Spellbinders Nestabilities Large Scalloped Circles, Fiskars border punch, handmade glittered papers (£1 discount store), Fancy Pants (retired, no idea which collection), flowers by Prima Marketing Inc & Mulberry Crafts UK (Dahlias), ribbon (stash), Papermania Gems.

Side view:

Back view:

Hope in these hard times this has inspired you to create your very own gifts!

Until next time,
Daffodil x x x

Mask it & create a scene

Sorry for neglecting the blog yet again!!! Bad blogger...

Here is a card I made earlier this year for my niece which was sent all the way to Finland : ) I thought I would ink up some Magnolia stamps after a long 'dry' stamping spell and creat a little scene. As it was my first attempt at using them to create a background scene I thought I would take photos to help any other stampers out there which are starting out stamping.

You will need:

• Black ink, if using alcohol markers or using prismas & sansador I would recommend using Memento Tuxedo Black
• White Card, minimum of 220gsm if your using alcohol markers otherwise the colour may bleed through the card
• Post it notes
• Magnolia Background stamps or alternatively images (which you will need to cut out closely and layer as an alternative to masking): Magnolia Swing, Magnolia Butterfly Background, Magnolia Berry Tilda, Magnolia Rufus
• Spellbinders Nestabilities (I've used Labels) which you can use as an aid to create a 'frame' to assess whether the scene is 'coming together'.

Firstly, stamp the Magnolia Swing on to white card, stamp again onto a post it note and cut around either the whole image or just around the rope/swing platform

Second step, place the swing stamped on to the post it note over the image stamped on white card like so:

Thirdly, ink Magnolia Butterfly Background and stamp over the masked Magnolia Swing image. It might help beforehand to stick the Magnolia Butterfly Background stamp onto a Clear CD case to ascertain where to position the stamp before stamping as demonstrated below:

Next, remove the post it note (retain for future usage!) and you will have created your very own background scene for your card!

If you wanted to create a 'flat background' you could also incorporate Magnolia's Berry Tilda & Rufus but I wanted to create dimension with the card so I opted to stamp Tilda seperately so they would 'pop out' and proceeded to use Spellbinders Nestabilities (Labels) to frame the background image:

The end result:

Hope you've found this helpful and hope to find time to post soon!

Daffodil Nellie.

Birthday Boy is 2!

This is a card I made for my nephew who was 2 in late October. I thought instantly of my Magnolia stamps for this card so I opted to ink up Magnolia's 'Summer Edwin' and 'Rufus' who looks very like Buster!.

Outer:
Image stamps are Magnolia - 'Summer Edwin' & 'Rufus', coloured using spectracolor (similar to prismacolor) and Sansador technique. Gold glitter on Edwin's wings is PeeWee.

Sentiment is by Penny Black Inc.

Ceramic Star can be bought in a pack in your local £1/99p stores, 3D Clear gloss used as an adhesive.

Dotty Ribbon is by Papermania.

Patterned Paper by K&Co.

Green cardstock by Cordinations, embossed with Cuttlebug 'Happy Birthday' folder.

Inner:

Images: Magnolia's 'Love Muffin' decorated with assorted gems, gold PeeWee glitter , blue glitter glue & white liquid applique for texture to the icing. Sentiment is by All Night Media from 'Expressions Stamp & Embellishment Kit'.

Handmade green paper/ cardstock from multipack, embossed with Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' folder.

Patterned paper by K&Co.

Nestabilities Scalloped circles & Labels 1 die sets.

That's all for now!

Daffodil & Buster x x x

It's A Boy!

This card was handmade before christmas to celebrate the birth of my BIL's second son.

The stamps are Happy Hoppers by Stampabilities, the main image on the front of the card is called 'Yaaaawn' (HMGR1018) and the inner image is 'Sleepy Head' (HMGR1016). Both images have been coloured in with spectracolor pencils (old version of prismacolor pencils!) and Sansador odourless spirit. 'It's A Boy' sentiment is by Anna Griffin and a stamp I have had for years, so can safely assume it would be retired by now.

Cardstock is a double sided 12x12 sheet by Papermania, Border stamp by Papermania (free in a Goody Bag) and epoxy stickers by Papermania. Gems from Tesco Craft Basics set, sentiment stamped using Hot Off The Press stamp set (2nd hand stamp set from ebay) and all flowers by Prima Marketing.

That's all for now.

Sorry about the lack of postings!

Sorry for the lack of posts, dog ownership is hard work when it comes to training an extra large pup who is a little rebel! I have managed to make a few cards though in between practising the basics.

Buster was less than impressed with some boots he asked to borrow and asked next time to get them in blue:



And just to illustrate necessity of training due to his size, check this doodle out at 12 months of age. Buster says - 'No business like snow business, honey!'




Until next time!
Daffodil x

Thanks for your Kindness

Hello again! Just thought I would post a card that's taken some time to put together to thank someone for remembering my birthday at the end of June. I've finally managed to get my hands on some EZ mount to make use of a second hand sugar nellie stamp purchased from ebay.

The papers are all (apart from silver mirricard) from My Mind's Eye 'Bloom & Grow' collection (6x6 paper pad) which is available to buy from The Glitter Pot (£3.99, great value for money, perfectly scaled for card makers and good quality paper. I used a black dew drop Memento 'Tuxedo Black' ink pad to ink up a Sugar Nellie stamp called 'Bunny with Flowers' and coloured in the image with Ciao Copic pens. Flowers are by Prima, brad centre by Papermania, leaf frame made by placing one fo the Sizzix Sizzlits dies from the 'Flowers, Branches & Leaves 3 Die Medium Set'. Sizzix Sizzlits dies work just as well as Cuttlebug dies in the Cuttlebug, cheaper and designs are larger in size. Orange Organza ribbon is by Chatterbox and image embellished with flat backed pearls secured by using Anita's 3D Clear Gloss Finish as an adhesive. To frame the card, I have hand drawn stitches using a green and orange metallic gel pen.

As you can see, the inside of the card has also been completely decorated as its an extra special card! Inside I have used the remnants from the sheets, cut labels for messages using the 'Nestabilities - Labels 1 die set) and some green Papermania flower and leaf shaped gems for a little bit of sparkle : ) 'Best Wishes' is from a See D stamp set (can't recall the name sorry) and the main message inside is by Penny Black Inc is a wood mounted stamp. Thanks for visiting!

Daffodil & Buster Doodles

x x x

Mother's Day

Here's some cards I made for my mother-in-law and mother for Mother's Day earlier this year, around the time we were arranging moving home.

The first card is made using a Mother's Day kit from Papermania, die cuts, basic pink paper roses and prima flowers.

Papermania die cut letters have been embellished using some old odd gems (round and heart shaped pearls, gems) and glitter using Anita's 3D glossy accents as an adhesive and gloss to give the letters a raised look.

Lime green patterned ribbon is by Chatterbox.

The inside is decorated using the remnant paper strips from the kit.

The second card was made for my mother for Mother's day. Magnolia Tilda stamp used called 'Well Dressed Tilda' and coloured with Ciao Copic pens. Tights pattern accentuated by using white 3d liquid applique and then when dry coated with iridescent glitter glue. Papers by K& Co except pink glitter card which was bought in an independent stationers called 'Lorimers' (sold as single sheets). Card has been embellished using basic pink paper roses, prima flowers, pearl hearts and white Papermania self-adhesive pearls. The sentiment is a die cut from the Papermania Mother's Day kit.

The inside of the card has been decorated using a sheet for green polka dot paper from Craft Creatives Decorative Paper Stack (available from Tesco Superstores - Acid&lignin free!), pink glitter card, remnant strip of K&Co striped paper, white organza ribbon .

Kind regards,

Daffodil & Buster Doodles

x x x

Sincerest Apologies

Firstly I would like to apologise for not posting since moving home. We have been so busy lead training 'the hound', unpacking and fixing up the garden before winter sets in (as I have not intention of weeding frozen ground lol). Buster just keeps getting taller! Here's a picture we took at the beginning of this month, to give you an idea of the gentle giant's size, hence the importance of getting used to the lead so quick otherwise he'll be walking us instead of the other way around : )

Our New Doggy Friend

We are pleased to announce a doggy friend has joined our household. He wanted us to let you all know he is finally happy at his new second home although he is only 5 months old. He wanted to let you all know he's 'Buster' and his loves are: women, children (men I can take or leave), doggy treats, park walks, other nice doggie friends, toilet roll and socks. Buster hates closed or locked doors, telephone, water, hot weather and people who have no manners and ignore him! lol .

MegaSplurge! New Stash

I have been very quiet on the blogging front lately due to my megasplurging on new stash. After resisting for so long, I have failed miserably and can only redeem myself by making use of all my new purchases. I have had 5 parcels this week so the postman must want to strangle me as all week I have been working and his trips have been in vain! Well, here is sneak peek of my latest acquisitions, my favourite item of all is the magnolia stamps (in transit Ali-Craft), welsh greeting stamps (CleverCut) and the penny black 'Egg Cart' stamp (Happy Stampers) which has been on my wish list forever!

Tomorrow is going to be a serious crafting day, so hopefully, I'll have some cards to post here by Sunday night. Happy Crafting!

Life's a Box of Chocolates... Sweet!

This is a card I have been working on lately in between working! The idea came together on Sunday night whilst thinking of chocolate which always remind me of the film 'Forrest Gump'.

Main image is by Stampabilities Happy Hoppers 'Hoppy Valentine's'. Bunny has been coloured in with whispers pens using the blender and once dry I have pained on some Anita's 3D Clear Gloss Finish to accentuate bunny's tail, hind legs and ears. The chocolate box has been embellished with pink glitter after pasting with a fine brush some glue and sprinkled with pink glitter.

Hint: Once glued glitter is dry, to avoid the glitter from becoming loose seal the glittered areas with a thin coat of Anita's 3D Clear Gloss Finish. The coating must be thin otherwise when dry there is a danger it will crackle and then you'll have to start again LOL!

The sentiment is part of a two stamp set by Prima Marketing Inc. but the set is nameless! The chocolate paper is part of free set of papers you can dowload from Papercraft Inspirations (you will find a link at the bottom of my blog!). I've used a scrap piece of brown corrugated card, recycled some pink ribbon from a new top I bought and then added a few Prima flowers from my new stash. The rest of the ribbon has been used up on the side of the sentiment label.

I've also started to finish the inside of the card, so this is what the inside looks like!

Hope you like the card, especially as very soon I'm hoping to have some samples sold in some local shops I've selected to help with the house deposit fund! Please let me know whether you think this card is up to scratch! : )

3 Challenges in 1!

Hey, Sorry I haven't been posting in a while but as I work full time finding time to craft during a work audit is nigh impossible. The elements in this card I made gradually when I managed to catch some 'crafting moments' but it really only came to fruition when I was looking at the challenge blogs. This card is for my patient, caring and loving husband who actually encourages me to buy more stash! I've entered this card for 3 Challenges:

• Penny Black Saturday Challenge #35 ~Romance (Although its late!)


• Card Positioning Systems #102 ~ Sketch


• DutchDare ~ Buttons & Bows

The stamps featured are all Penny Black Inc, main is called 'Love Graffiti' and wording from the 'Every Which Way' Critters set. Main image coloured in with Touch, KureColor and Whispers pens. The 'Love' glittered heart has been created by embossing red card using a Cuttlebug embossing folder and cutting it out before layering it and carefully finishing it with a coat of red glitter glue (leave to dry!). White frill border is using up scraps of white card (how many of them do stampers collect LOL), running them through the Cuttlebug with the borders range of embossing folders and cutting it out carefully. Joined both to create a space for a strip of red polka dot paper salvaged from a Christmas card (thrifty don't you think?). Paper is Papermania 'Warm Tones' paper collection.

Well, you either love it or hate the colour combo as my husband hates pink so I was forced to go with a purple and red combo. Please let me know whether you love or hate it LOL!

There's No Business Like Snow Business!

Here in London we are snowed under and there is no transport to get into work (central london)! Just so you have an idea of how much snow we have here in London, I have posted some photographs taken this afternoon.



Me and my husband decided we would make some snow angels, snowmen and snowbears in the common at the end of our road.

We had so much fun, freezing cold but nothing a shot of coffee and a cupcake can't fix! Hope your all having just as much fun in the snow...

Remember there is no business like snow business!

Words Of Comfort

Sometimes, words cannot express what the heart feels. 2009, has started on a sad note, having been informed my favourite aunt on my father's side (his cousin) has sadly lost her battle against vaginal cancer having endured endless chemotherapy treatment cycles. I remember her fondly, especially her support and words of comfort towards our family when my grandmother passed away during my teenage years. Her passing has brought a mixture of feelings; sadness for her family and all who have been privileged to know her through the years and the fleeting feelings of relief she is no longer in pain and suffering. I hope she is now resting in peace.

In UK, I have found difficulty sourcing welsh greeting cards for special occasions so I made this card to send to her family at this difficult time. I used a retired Anna Griffin 'Sloane Roses' paper and die cuts, an off cut of cream smooth/ satin conqueror paper embossed in the cuttlebug to create a frill effect, a strip of black card embossed with the Swiss dots border folder and some pink organza ribbon. As its a sympathy card I decided against using iridescent glitter glue to accent the chrysanthemum flowers. 'Gair o Gysur' translated in English means 'word of comfort' and inside the sentiment 'Gyda Phob Cydymdeimlad' means 'with every sympathy'.

For further information about cancer, go to:http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=341&template=1