Extreme Crafting - nearly done!

Hiya

OK the challenges deadline was extended until 8pm tonight so I am still busy trying to enter all categories ...........

Have just finished this altered canvass as part of Challenge 8 - thought my eldest sister may like it. It is 12 x 12" using Crate Papers - I did actually cringe cutting them up ............







Also completed Challenge 6 which was to do an altered notebook and post it pad ............

And ooh Challenge 7 - a Christmas card using beads ............. and a handbag charm ........................

And I do not have time to work out what blogger is doing with these pictures - will just hit publish and see where they end up!!

Back later with final entries

Love Bex

Still Going .............

Well I was last night. Not sure whether I am up to another day of crafting!!
So I did challenge 4 which was to produce 2 gift tags. Not really happy with them but I think as my family rip pressies apart instantly my heart wasn't in it! So another 5 points gained .........

Challenge 5 was a bit of an effort!
To create a Christmas Scrapbook Layout using Red and Green colours. Black and white also allowed.
So after spending a good hour rummaging through photos and taking a trip down memory lane I found a picture from many moons ago!
Here is the page layout - it is sized 12 x 12".
I am a wee bit impressed with myself for doing my first ever hidden journalling. I have pictured the tag sneaking out of the side of the photo.
I think I finally GET this scrapping thing - for me the journalling I could do to go with this pic will mean something to and of my family that read it.
And it will make them laugh!
Basically we MADE my Mum do us stockings every year - right up until I was 21. And every year we would get the same in them - and every year we would laugh and tease Mum into making more of an effort ......... and every year Mum would swear she wouldn't bother next year .........
So my Journalling is a request to Santa listing the contents we would like to receive EVERY year without fail when we are older.

Anyway I am rambling .............. 25 Points gained for that effort so am now up to 60.
I think the next one is an altered notebook .............. Will have to look.
Love and hugs
Bex xxxxxxxx

Extreme Crafting Weekend ..... cont ........

Aha so last night I completed the 3rd challenge - to alter a CD.
I haven't done this before and was a bit stumped to be honest!
So here is my attempt - thought my sister could hang it on the studio door when she is recording, or on the wall, or file it in that special place if need be!!!!

So yey another 10 points in the bag!

Now I am going to have to work hard tonight to catch up - Challenge 4 has been announced - A pair of Gift tags. Should be able to do that hopefully .......

Thanks for popping by if you have - and please say hi!

Love and hugs

Bex xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Extreme Crafting Weekend

Oh yes it is. Over at Carolyns we are being challenged ALL weekend.
And I plan to totally enter every category ........ see how long that lasts eh! Now I am taking this VERY seriously you see. It is of course just for fun and to get us all in the festive spirit and ready for crimbo. But no - for me I am DETERMINED to get loads of points.
Now so you can join in I will explain. Each challenge has a points on completion. And you can do as many as you like. But obv. there are only so many hours in a day - may have to work through the night to do this cos people are also working mega hard ...........

So OK Challenge 1 - Make a Tree decoration. (10 Points)
Done - Mini slide mount. Front and back are both decorated identically. Pic is of my nephew Liam when he was a wee tot!

Challenge 2 - Make a card using ric rac. (5 Points)

Now for those not in the know....... ric rac is silly squiggly ribbon which whilst effective is a total PIG to stick down. Which is probably why I never use it.

But here are my efforts so far.

Now sadly I cannot have the points for the first one as I did this as a demo for the challenge and therefore it was done yesterday. See I told you I am taking this seriously

So points total so far = 20

And Challenge 3 has been announced.

Alter a CD. OK off to find a CD to change into something spectacular.............. ideas welcome.

And OMG tomorrow is my day of "elf duty" at a Santa's Grotto. Why did I volunteer for that eh? Will miss out on most of the day of challenges so will have to work hard tomorrow night!

Love Bex (Woman on a mission!!)

I'm in Heaven .................

Ribbon Heaven that is.

But before I go there - THANKYOU all for the lovely comments and feedback on my Calendar on the previous post. I have had many blushes and smiles reading your comments. xxxxxx
I am currently setting up a website to try to flog some of my gear to the discerning public - so when it goes live I will of course shout you all and plead poverty etc etc etc .....................

Right now back to ribbons.

My very good friend Sue has just come back from Florida. And before she went - OK and whilst she was away as well - I totally hounded her regarding the fact that I MUCHLY like ribbons. Coversation on msn very much like "Ah so you had a great time over at Disney RIBBONS" "Ah so yeah you are chilling by the pool RIBBONS that is nice"
Now I actually think it is VERY unfair that you guys over in the states can buy ribbon at such RIDICULOUS prices ........ But today I love ribbon so will not moan about UK rip off merchants .....

SO OMG look at my new ribbons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Reels and Reels of them!!!!!!!!!!!!! I actually feel guilty for going on and on and on - I only really wanted a few ................... and over here it is buy by the metre - and LOOK these are like REELS with multiple metres on ............. Blimey ..................

So check out my stash. And I have had to move my ribbons to a larger drawer ......... which is quite shocking. Although - to be honest - in the larger drawer there is still space for more - PHEW. Good news eh?













OK well Delbut, James, Neil contingency I would just like to clarify that these ribbons are for CRAFT use OK?
But even so I am off to stroke them and drool and dribble (Crafters will understand and not read into that comment btw)

OH and I have not yet mentioned the 12 x 12 papers and other bits and bobs ..............

SUE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love Bex xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For Rach

Have been a busy bee attempting to make a calendar for my sister - as well tbh I cannot think of things to buy her!
I originally thought of the idea when Carolyn launched a competition on the craft forum. And well I thought it was about time I made the effort to enter something!
So here is my Blue Pete effort for a calendar for her







So there you have it - be gentle with your comments please ..............

Love Bex xxxxxxxxx

Flat Tyre - Pants - And ooh look what I Made!!!!

OMG I sort of panicked the other day.
Went out to car .......... totally flat front tyre.
So Ok I only know 1 family round here and they are in Florida ..... what do I do.
OK I'll change it not a problem.

OK HOW............... I have always had mates that do this stuff. What do I know.
OK not a problem - that is what Google is there for.

So an hour later I have posted a minor panic on my craft forum (AND was surprised that people knew what to do which made me feel even more pants cos i was using being a crafter as top excuse) Ah OK one mate on there lives nearby and offered to come over ......... OMG I cannot have a girlie coming over doing this - I am a girlie!! I should know. OK gonna do this.

Right first stop google - basic tyre changing technique.

So google tells me to check spare tyre is "fit for purpose"
Ah now i think it is cos had to use it a year ago for a couple of days ................ So yep ten minutes later Bex is FILTHY and knackered from lifting the beast out of the boot ........ But yep looks OK to me.

OK Now what Google - come on what is next move ...............

Ah right Jacking up the car.
Fab my car has a kit in it with a Jack = I have one of those - all will end well eh?

Shit I am trying it each and every way and cannot see how on earth this is gonna work.
Back to google........................
Ah right I have a plate at the rear of my front tyre for the jack do I???

DO I FUCK
And why doesn't my Jack look like the ones in the pictures eh???????

AND what is all this crap about can't change a wheel on a hill????? Well hang fire here matey - I live on a hill - can't help that ............ Oh this is not looking good ...................

Google you are not making this easy for me.
In fact I am currently sitting on a kerbside about to cry looking at VERY sad car.

So what do I do? Do I cry? Do I hell
Do I instead go indoors and put on lippy, brush hair, put on nice shoes ....................... and go and stand on the roadside waiting for some poor sod to happen to walk past.

Sorry boys but I did exactly that. Luckily I Live opposite a filling station so I managed to pick someone in a white van who looked OK .......... Poor bloke ...............

And he was ace .......... stopped the traffic (with the help of two others - is a main road here) so I could do a girly 3 point turn (OK 5 point but I had a flat and everyone was watching) and my little car was then in the warm embrace of flat land in a filling station.
Whereby said nice man made me remove wheel etc but guided me in how to do it (OH OK that is how the Jack goes ............ blimey)
SO Now Bex is road worthy again ....................
Karma is good - and that guy deserves a bucket load - cos he was filthy and had to go back to work ..........................
And I now know exactly how to change a wheel ..............................
Two second lipstick update it seems






Kidding

Love Bex
Oh and about to sort out some crafty pics for you - cept blogger is being a wanker so will try to psot them tomorrow morning!

Handmade Birthday Cards!

As received from my friends over at Carolyn's Forum

Thanks guys - they are all lovely

From Helen (H)
From HelenMc

From Jackie (Jake)


From Michelle (Mich)

From NZ Jane











Rhi


RachelB











Sheilagh

Sue F









Yvonne



Love Bex

Oh Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello all

Sorry for my total lack of bloggerdom - I believe it happens on the day you turn 32..................
AKA Bridget Jones Syndrome .......................

So hey young single men shout here OK?

Right back to craft before I get myself in right old serious trouble!
OK I have a Major thing to show you all - but not allowed yet as I am entering it into a comp etc so have to wait til it is revealed before I can post blah blah blah

i also have piccies of loads of handmade cards received by cyber mates to share with you - will get camera out in daylight tomorrow..................

So erm shit this is a crap blog posting eh???
Promises promises promises ................. just pre-empting James ................

And so said the Lord - that is your lot

Back tomorrow with MUCHO goodies ............. well erm maybe if comp is revealed - ooh can still show BD card pics though!!!!!

Love and hugs
Bex xxxxxxxxxxxx

Happy Birthday to .........

ME

Oh yes it is that day of the year when I suddenly become a year older in numbers ..........
I cannot believe I am now 32!!! I feel about 19 still .................... reckon I always will!

Sorry for neglecting you little blog over the weekend - but I was suffering from LAZY weekend syndrome.

I am in the middle of a crafty project and will hopefully have some piccies to put up this evening - so check back!

Love and Hugs
Bex xxxxxx

Random Chit Chat

Tis what I think Friday Nights will become around here......................
Hey I can't be shoving up pics of creations EVERY day of the week!!!!
OK you got me - I have achieved VERY little today. Was a jobs day and a sit and chill day .............
I am sort of waiting for what dares /challenges will be released tonight to get my teeth into over the weekend ........ but then the danger is I have found a fair few sites offering them - so could be busy - or have to be selective - either way tis all good fun!

But even so I think I quite like the idea of random chat ................
So come on then - what shall we talk about? Well for me I am still on total cloud 9. I Love my new house still, feel totally chilled. My family and friends are happy - and hey - life doesn't get much sweeter than that!!

I have joined a local Lions group round here so will be doing voluntary work starting next week which is FAB. I do love doing a good deed - cos you get good vibes from both sides.

I know there is a fair bit of trauma going on in Blogland right now - and sorry if I seem so happy ......... but I have had my fair share of shit and all I can say to anyone going through it is ........... IT WILL Pass........... Honest. It may get very bad - BUT if you stay strong and fight it each day will get a little easier .........

Look at me - almost normal again!!

OK maybe not - who would ever want to be normal!!!!

So HUGE love and hugs to anyone having a total pants time of it - have a bit of my good vibes - I have plenty to share .....................

Love Bex xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Nearly the weekend ............

And not sure what plans I have. Part of me thinks active weekend of catching up with friends .......... the other part of me says "Hey winter is on its way, it is cold out there ......". So I will decide whether I can brave the elements and get out and about!

Had a busy and productive day today. Have done the mundane jobs like banking, food shopping, washing etc.

Ooh my order arrived today from Blonde Moments - DROOL. The Xmas papers are just fab.
I think I know what I am playing with tonight!

Not done a huge amount of craft related things today as the day seems to have just gone too quickly!
I was asked yesterday to make something "blue" for a friends Mum to keep her pens in by the phone

OK Blue paper I have much of ............... things to alter? Well i started out with a set of 4 metal buckets that I got in poundland - and oddly they were 50p............ That should have given me the sign that something was amiss.............
SO they LOOK OK. And I take off the outer fastenings to separate them ready to work magic on.
AND OMG could they have any more sharp bits of metal sticking out of them? Sorry Nic but third cut of fingers they went in the bin.
OK so now what do I have I can make into a pen pot ........... raid the cupboards ........ and find that the tub of Coffeemate looks fit for purpose. So OK it isn't an all singing all dancing 4 pot mega storage solution. But it should hold a few pens ...................

And then as the paper was out anyway I made a little book to go with it so it doesn't look too lonely.

And if you have bothered to read this far then please say Hi!

And there we have it -that is my Thursday.

Right off to play with new papers .....................


Love and Hugs
Bex xx

Creative chaos overload

Is the only phrase I can think of to describe my afternoon of crafting.
I have SO many different projects on the go at the moment.

I have 3 categories still to complete for the Crafts by Carolyn Big Comp. AND I need to finish them by the deadline on Tuesday. Card entered, SB LO in progress, Altered Art in progress (Athough it will not be done in time me thinks - far too big a project!) Beading item -Not got a flippin clue.

I have 3 SB LO's on the go - well you see I keep seeing FAB challenges on the web and then start them ....................

I have an enquiry to respond to from a reader that is VERY exciting - but can't say too much

Some time ago I made a list of things I would like to make as pressies at Christmas - and I guess I need to start those ............................

I need to sort out my paper racks - I think they have become totally chaotic with the move etc and I can't seem to put my hands on what I am looking for at any given moment - trivial - but annoying.

Think I need a cup of tea and ten minutes chill out time with the Prima flower display............ which has multiplied this week somewhat!
Oh and I am hoping the Blonde Moments order arrives tomorrow - as I need those festive papers for yet another project idea.....................


Life as a crafter is tough eh?
Right I am going to go and have a bath and get into PJ's then attempt to complete at least one project tonight.

I'll leave you with a sickly sweet card I did as part of a template challenge ................

Love and hugs
Bex

Friends .................

Well this is a challenge set by the fab Scrapbooking Blogsite "Everyone is Speshal" (see links)
And, well what can I say. I am not a scrapbooker ...... this is only my third attempt - but hey give it a whirl!!!
Some of you may just recognise the culprits in the pic ............. but then hey when talking about friends it is so much easier to talk to the big guys than humans sometimes eh? And for some reason I look at this pic and it says it all - totally comfortable to just be - even if it is for a photoshoot in the back of a camper van! And you can almost feel the trust there too ............

Sorry again for my photography skills - tis dark here and hard to get it clear!

Thanks for all your previous comments xxxxxxxxx
Oh and special thanks to Sue, Elizabeth and Alecia for sending me some ace pics of the Joes Pub gig to start another LO with!
Love Crafty Bex xxxxxx

Crafty Bex!!

Well I have tried to be today anyway!

You know those days when you just push things around the place and generally make a mess but achieve nothing? Well today started a bit like that.

Then I told myself off quite harshly! I mean I have events booked - I need stock - and I need inspiration .....

So I turned my attentions to the FABBY sketches of the very talented Becky Fleck (See blog link in links section). Trust me - if ever you need a bit of help getting started then these sketches are a Godsend. OK so quite a lot of the time the cards end up very different from the original sketch you are playing with - but that is half the fun! The sketches in themselves give me a starting point and focus me to actually make something ........

SO what have I achieved I hear you ask.
Well here goes - Sketch 1


And then the second attempt!



Now I am off to attempt to clear down the decks and see if my table is still under the current mess ............. then I may just have another go!

Hope you are all well
Love and Hugs
Bex xxxxx

Blog Updates ............

OK have been playing with much neglected blog.
Have finally worked out how to do a links section ................ although at the moment have a couple of dodgy ones so beware if you are of a delicate persuasion!!

Right so the news this end?
WELL bloggers - The total relief of being out of St. Aines has resulted in me becoming creative once again! BLIMEY what a shock!!!
So I am planning to use this Blog space as a way of sharing my naff cards and scrapbook layouts and any random objects that may take my fancy to alter............. and before any smart comments come from the James, Neil, Delbut contingency - I use many staples and ribbons!!!!!

So i plan to start getting a bit more into Blog Land.
Hopefully some of my crafty friends will come by this way to offer support and many compliments to make me feel loved - and my regular bloggers will stick around to make smart arse comments and make me laugh.
I will try to direct my posting to both camps! Although you are all pretty fab so should not be a problem

Right going to tidy up my craft room (or shed if you believe Del - as if ANYONE on this planet would!)
Tomorrow is a crafty day and I will photograph some of the things I have made today (AND NO - not a picture of me will be shared - I am far too stunning for cyberspace .........................)

Love to all
AND BEHAVE

Love Bex xxxxxx

For Del & James

See not living in a pylon lol

Blimey I cannot believe I am showing pics of my very messy dining room /craft room just to stop you in your tracks!!!!!

OK so pic one is the back wall - very cottage style all wooden etc - think it needs a lick of paint myself................

AND if you look closely can you spot the smallest spaniel in the world??????? TRUST me she is there!

OK And why won't stoopid blogger let me add more pics to this post?????

Gonna swear at it and see if that works...........................

AH OK that helped I think ...................
Second pic is where I am sitting right now - wall between sofa and kitchen lol SO putere area - cept guillotine etc is in the way as been playing tonight!
Third pic is back wall - THIS ROOM IS TINY trust me lol So dining table if peopledid chose to come on over ................
Multi function room is this!!!!

AND it is fab - I love that so much can be in one teeny room ....................................


Bex (Still happy!)

Home Sweet Home xx

Ok so do I have a HUGE sofa / Futon in my dining room - or do I have the worlds smallest King Charles Spaniel????

As well she is happy being the little thing she is!

So me and Maisie have spent a blissful evening chilling out in my Dining room / come craft room / come guest bedroom. Ribbon & Buttons drawers are now sorted - but i won't bore you with pictures of those!
So just a quick hello from me really as i am off to bed - I will post more piccies tomorrow of my "Quaint English Cottage". Gotta tidy it up first though!!!!

Night all from me

Love Bex

Izzy Wizzy ..............

Stop being busy!!!!!

Having a whale of a time this end and realised today that Broadband is now live - YEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Been really busy and fun this end the last week or so. Moving has sort of been fun - it is fab unpacking stuff into somewhere that feels so "homely". Mind you I have been a bit obsessive and washed EVERYTHING - New start - all has to be clean! Won't last mind

I have been inundated with visitors which is SO nice. I used to put people off coming to my last place because china chucked against the walls and kids screaming at 3 am is a bit off putting .............

BUT now the doors are open and it feels GREAT

I have been here 2 weeks on Tuesday and already my Dad and his wife have "popped" over for the day twice.
My eldest sister and her fab hubby Brian and my nephew Liam came up last weekend.
Currently my mate Katie who emmigrates to Oz in a week is tucked up in bed - bless
Next weekend I have a group of mates appearing for a dinner party ................ should be fun

AND tomorrow I am going to a wedding.
I LOVE weddings.
I especially love a PROPER wedding - you know the type - when you go knowing that the couple are totally made for each other and will last the distance. I love that feeling - you are witnessing something really special and intimate and feel priveleged to be there.

Right I will sod off before I venture into soppy romance mode ....................
Will blog again in the next couple of days with piccies of something or someone! - in fact where is the sodding camera .........................

Love to all
Bex xxxxxxxxxxxx (Still happy - in fact my face hurts!!)

Happy

I really am.

Have nearly finished unpacking - only a couple of bags etc to do.
This place is HOME already - in fact it was the very first day.
I can't describe what a difference it has made to the way I feel. Just happy. Constantly.

I am awaiting Broadband which should be here early next week and once that is installed I will be back blogging with piccies.

For now I need to test the functionality of my new craft area - so am snugged in PJ's and am going to play all evening (With craft stuff of course!!)

I hope you are all well
Love and happy hugs
Bexster xxxxxxx