Wishing all my friends and visitors a
Happy Halloween!

And the winner is....

Here are all the beautiful cards which were made to support Breast Cancer Awareness.

Thank you so much to everyone that entered my candy and for taking the cute penguin and giving him a good home on your blog. Most importantly thank you for helping to spread the word about Breast Cancer Awareness. I am sorry if I did not get to visit all your blogs but please know that your support is greatly appreciated and I was overwhelmed with the number of entrants.

My girls picked out of the hat (actually it was a Halloween treat bucket!)...and the winner is.... Valérie



Please contact me with your address details and I will get your prize out to ASAP. nichola.fairbairn@googlemail.com

Sorry for my lack of posts this week but as it's half-term I have been so busy with the girls. I will be back Sunday with my card for the next High Hopes challenge.

Please remember... Squish a boob, Save a life!

Have a great weekend and Boo to you!

Hugs

A Spoon Full of Sugar "Challenge 23" - Sparkle!

This week for our challenge over at A Spoon Full of Sugar we would like to see some sparkle to your creations. I have made a gift bag using one of the new release High Hopes stamps "Santa Portrait" and an older but very useful stamp To: From: Isn't he just one of the cutest Santa's ever!
I would like to thank my friend Jakki for this fabulous idea and you can see her spooky project here. I have added some sparkle to Santa's hat with stickles. Ok.. I know my project isn't too sparkly but do shiny sweet wrappers also count?

Instructions: The bag I used is a 6" x 4" cello. I have used the largest scalloped circle nestability for the plain card stock and the largest circle nestability for the patterned paper. I stuck the pattered circle in the centre of the scalloped circle. I then scored the centre on the plain side and folded in half to make the tab. I punched two holes on the back of the tab to add the ribbon handle. I then added double sided tape to the back of the bag and stuck to back of the tab. I added a velcro fastener to the front of the bag so it can be opened and closed. Finishing touch was to add Santa and the tag.. oh yes and the yummy sweets! The tags were cut using SU Small Tag and Tag punches.

These little gift bags would be ideal to give to your children's teaching assistant's/helpers, maybe an elderly neighbour or your children's little friends. Who wouldn't appreciate a bag of yummy chocolates! If you have time before Friday you could make some Halloween treat bags like Jakki's project. They would even make great party bags!

We have a great prize this week which has very kindly been donated by Lana From Dotty do Crafts

I would like to thank Maddy and Dawn for passing the "I Love Your Blog" award to me. Thank you also Dawn as this is the first award my Sketches blog has received. If you get the time please check out the work on these two wonderful ladies and Maddy has just made the most awesome Fimo brads and has a fabulous tutorial.

Have a great week!

Hugs,

High Hopes Challenge 5 - Sketch by Katharina!

Our new challenge has just started over at the High Hopes blog. This week we have a great sketch for you to follow from the very talented Katharina!

Well what great timing as my yummy new pile of rubber arrived yesterday. Thank you Tina for your generosity! You are the best!

Well with so much rubber to chose from I picked the very cute Huggable Hank! I have stamped just one of the words from the High Hopes sentiment "Hugs and hugs".

Once my card was together I had a small peace of the design left from the Daisy Bucket paper which was perfect for my handmade stamp.

Hope you are having a great Sunday. It is bucketing down here today and doesn't look like it's going to give in just yet.

Don't forget to enter my Pink Blog Candy if you haven't entered yet. More importantly please take the cute penguin image and link from my blog to help spread the word of Breast Cancer Awareness. I want to thank those of you who have already made gorgeous Pink cards... keep them coming!

Hugs,

Card details:
Stamps: High Hopes Huggable Hank and "Hugs and hugs" sentiment
Ink: Memories
Papers: Daisy Bucket Playlist and various SU Card stock
Technique: Prismacolor Premier Pencils with sansodor and Paper Stumps for blending.
Embellishments: Buttons, Fibres and ribbon (thank you Tina!)
Equipment: Wizard, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder Tiny Bubbles

Trick or Treat!

Earlier in the week I showed a little halloween card I had made. Well I have now made another 18 for the girls to give/send to all their little friends. Not much stamping involved but they still took a couple of hours to do! Popped a picture of them in too with the "Trick or Treat" sentiment. The images were purchased from Marieke's Etsy store.

Halloween isn't a big thing in the UK but my girls just love it and any excuse to dress up and eat more sweets! We have been lucky enough to visit Florida twice in October and also go to the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween event at Disney's Magic Kingdom which was so much fun.

And all the yummy treats to go with the cards!

Thought i'd show you this picture of the girls which was taken back in 2006. Wow, where does the time go and my little baby was only 7 months old in this picture.
and two years later....
Thank you to sweet Lolo for passing the Autumnal - "I love your blog" award to me. Also thank you to my friend Pops for passing these two cheeky chappies my way!

Now I am going to pass these two cheeky Monkey's to lots of Crafty Monkey's. This award is for you Zoe, Hannah and all the children who join in with their challenges. There are too many children to list but you all know who you are so get your Mum's to post it up on your blog. All of your gorgeous creations sure make me smile!

The girls are on half-term next week so I'll be around but probably won't be posting as often. Zoe and I are off to see the new High School Musical 3 film tomorrow which we are both really looking forward too.

Before I go I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you all...... Thank you for taking the cute penguin from my blog and giving him a new home on yours but more importantly thank you for spreading the word and supporting Breast Cancer Awareness.

Have a great weekend and i'll be back Sunday with my card for the next High Hopes Challenge.

Hugs,

Update: As one High Hopes hop ends another begins... Can you find the Diva who has the yummy candy now? Click the links on the right to see if you can find it!

I've been Tagged!

I have been tagged by my friend and fellow High Hopes Diva Ila. I'm really not very interesting but here goes:

Things I love -

1. Hubbie and my two beautiful girls.
2. My sweet cat Gemma. There is nothing more relaxing than stroking my cat. She has such a loud snore and my friend had to nudge her the other night when we was watching a film. I’m cat mad and a sucker for rubber stamps with cats on.
3. US Drama’s – 24, Prison Break, Fringe, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Lost, The Riches
4. Florida.. you know that! One day Hubbie and I would love to own a holiday home in Orlando.
5. Photo’s – I love flicking through IPhoto. The girls will quite often sit at the computer too and spend ages going through old photo’s. I have just bought a 10” Digital photo frame with my birthday money and I love it! It's really cool and plays music so we have "A Catchy Rhythm - The Wonderful World Of Disney Parade" on it.

Things I don't love -

1. Bitchiness/Arguing – Life’s to short
2. Mustard – The smell makes me heave!
3. Listening to my girls screaming at one another.
4. Dog poo! We live on a route to the park and wish owners would clean up after their dogs.
5. Party song favourites – make me cringe.

Songs on your I-pod/playlist

These are my favourite songs at the moment. I wanted to put a music player on my blog but hubbie thinks that my taste of music might put people off visiting! lol

1. Dizzee Rascal – Dance wiv me
2. Madonna – 4 Minutes
3. Flo Rida - Elevator
4. Pink – So What
5. Jay-Z and Linkin Park – Numb/Encore

Favorite Foods/drinks – Yep, lots of healthy foods here!

1. Ben and Jerry’s Cookie dough
2. Chardonnay
3. Barbecue Beef Super Noodles
4. Cadbury’s Chocolate Eclairs
5. Duck Spring Rolls and Hoisin sauce

Now i'm going to Tag:

Heidi
Kelly
Michelle
Karin
Agnes

Pink Candy - 30,000 Hits! NOW CLOSED!

My counter has just hit 30,000 hits and I wanted to do something special to celebrate.

October is.. Breast Cancer Awareness month and I would like you to think pink! My Nan died of cancer two years ago and it is such a sad fact of life that this disease affects so many of us if not directly maybe the people around us who we love so very dearly. With the new release of the Pink Magnolia's I knew this would be just the perfect candy. For every Magnolia Pink stamp purchased approx. 41p will go directly to Breast Cancer Awareness (donated directly by Magnolia).
My Prize includes: Magnolia Pink Tilda Ice/Ballet Princess Stamp (as used on my card), Magnolia Pink "Faith, Hope, Love" Sentiment (see above), 2 Sheets of Basic Grey Sophie - Sachet Pink, Pink tickets and some girlie charms.
What do you need to do to enter my candy? Quite simply leave a comment on this post and take the cute little penguin icon and post it on your blog to help raise awareness. You could also add a link to your penguin so it takes your visitors directly to the Breast Cancer Awareness website. If you could help me spread the word about my candy that would be great also!

Most importantly.. take a few minutes to just think... smile at the next person you see, tell someone you love them, give your kids a huge hug, send a distant friend an e-card to let them know you care, send a friend an unexpected RAK or maybe you would like to make a pink card too to send to someone special to put a smile on their face! If you do make a pink card please come back and leave a link on this post as I'd love to see it and you will also get an extra entry for your kindness! I would also love to post your pink cards on a slide show for everyone to admire.

You have until Friday 31st 6pm GMT to enter when my girls will pick a name out of the hat. As always I ship my candy internationally and my visitors who don't have blogs please email me your entry so we can include you. nichola.fairbairn@googlemail.com

My card has been made following the sketch created by my dear friend Heidi for this weeks Friday Sketchers challenge.

Love and Hugs,

Card details:
Stamp: Magnolia Pink Tilda Ice/Ballet Princess Stamp
Ink: Memories
Papers: Pink handmade paper, Basic Grey Sugared, various SU Cardstock
Technique: Prismacolor Premier Pencils with Sansodor and Paper Stumps for blending.
Embellishments: little pearls from Heidi, Flowers from Camilla, Handmade heart from Stephanie - Thank you to my dear friends! spacer beads, lace, ribbon, Wire "Girl" word.
Equipment: Wizard and Nestabilities

NOW CLOSED!

A Spoon Full of Sugar "Challenge 22" - Halloween

For our challenge this week at A Spoon Full of Sugar we would like to see your Spooky creations!

We have a fabulous prize this week (see below) of the cute High Hopes stamp "First Ride". This has very kindly been donated by Bryony from Silly Monkey Crafts. Silly Monkey crafts have some great new products in stock including Pink Magnolia stamps.

I couldn't wait to ink up this cute Hanglar witch girl for my card this week. The tick list was sent to me from my dear friend Agnes and went so perfectly with the K&Company Halloween papers.

I have created a sketch for my card this week which you can find over at my sketch blog.

Below is a quick and easy card I have made with no stamping. I have about 15 of these to make for Zoe and Danni's little friends which they will handout/send with some yummy treats. The cute image was from Marieke's Etsy store. I was so happy that these printed out so beautifully and will be going back for more. She has some really adorable Christmas printables too.

I received the below award from Scotspanda. You are so sweet and thank you so much for passing this to me.Have a great week and thank you all for all the wonderful comments that you leave!
Hugs,

Card details:
Stamp: Hanglar Haxa med kvast & Spider and "Boo to You" sentiment - part of the Lizzie Anne Little bits "Spooked" set
Ink: Memories
Papers: K&Company papers from the Whimsy collection
Technique: Prismacolor Premier Pencils with sansodor and Paper Stumps for blending.
Embellishments: Costume Tick list was sent to me with other great Halloween sentiments from Agnes. Lots of buttons, ribbon

Hop Hoppity Hop! & Gorgeous mail

Our High Hopes blog hop continues and another diva now has the yummy candy. Get clickity clicking on the links to the bottom right of this post to find out who has it!

I wanted to share this gorgeous card which I received today from Murielle (Mumur). Thank you so much my dear and I admire your beautiful creations. If you haven't visited her blog before you will be in for a real treat! While your there don't forget to pop over to her 11 year old daughters Lolo's blog and you will not believe the gorgeous works here too. One talented little girl!

High Hopes Challenge 4 - Anything but!

This week over at the High Hopes Challenge blog we would like you to make anything BUT a card!! It can be a box, an altered project, a gift bag, a treat bag, a framed piece, anything your little heart desires.....just NOT a card!!

I have made a gift box using my Scor-Pal. Wow, these are just so easy to make and I will certainly be making more of these. You can find the instructions here.

The two stamps used on my gift tag are part of this months High Hopes offer. For the whole of October you can buy the fabulous set below at 25% off! For further details and more inspiration from my talented designer friend Kimmie click here.


Before you go pop on over to Jeanne's blog. She has a real treat for all High Hopes fans and has a wonderful write up about the owner of High Hopes Rubber Stamps Tina and an interview with the incredibly talented Crissy Armstrong. If you leave a comment on Jeanne's post you will also be in with a chance to win her yummy candy too! There is also more inspiration to be found and she has made two very gorgeous cards.

Don't forget that our Diva candy hop continues and one of our other Diva's also has some sweet stuff. Use the links provided on the right of this post and get hopping!

Have a great Sunday!
Hugs,

Card details:
Stamps: High Hopes Three Pane Santa & "Peeking, Poking, Shaking" Sentiment
Ink: Memories
Papers: K&Company Peppermint Twist & SU Rose Red and Garden Green card stock
Technique: Prismacolor Premier Pencils with Sansodor and Paper Stumps for blending. Stickles
Embellishments: Fibres & Ribbon
Equipment: SU Corner rounder

All SU Products can be ordered through me and sent directly to your home. Sorry but I can only arrange delivery of goods if you are within the United Kingdom.

Awards and Crafty Monkey's

Thank you Mumur, Agnes and Karin for this great new award. I just love Autumn and all the wonderful colours this time of year brings. Also thank you Tina for passing the cute Sylvester award to me.

The rules are that you can pass this award to only 6 blogger friends. This is way too difficult as I would miss so many friends so I am going to pass this to 6 blogs I love which are fairly new to me.

Jill - Jillsscappydaze
Sirpaliina
Pops - Also celebrating her new look blog with some yummy candy!
Catherine - Inksomia
Heidi - Create, Reach for Something more
Linda - Linanna Designs

My daughter Zoe and her friend Hannah's new challenge has just started today at Crafty Monkey's. Their topic this challenge is Halloween and they a fabulous stamp to give away which has been kindly donated by their sponsor Dewdrops Craftz. Their challenge is run every two weeks and is open to all under 16's.

See you Sunday with my card for the High Hopes challenge. Our blog candy hop continue and check out the links to the right of this posting to find the next Diva with the candy.

Have a great weekend,
Hugs,
Nikki x

A Spoon Full of Sugar Chellenge 21 - Sketch by Lim

Our challenge over at "A Spoon Full of Sugar" this week is to follow a sketch by the very talented Lim. We have a yummy prize this week from our new sponsor Roses on Paper. Summer the owner of this shop has very kindly donated gorgeous papers, flowers and a magnolia stamp.

For my card this week I have used High Hopes "Sitting Princess" and "Rock wall". I stamped the wall then masked it to chalk the pale blue sky. The swirls and sentiment are from the Lizzie Anne Design Little bits set "Once upon a Time".

Hope your having a great week. I'm off on a school trip with Zoe today and we're having a sporty day at a local sports centre.

Hugs,

Card details:
Stamps: High Hopes "Sitting Princess" and "Rock wall" & Lizzie Anne Design Little bits set "Once upon a Time"
Ink: Memories
Papers: Basic Grey Euphoria and SU Cardstock
Technique: Prismacolor Premier Pencils with Sansodor and Paper Stumps for blending. SU Stampin' Pastels.
Embellishments: PM Adhesive Pearls, brads, butterfly button
Equipment: Wizard and Nestabilities

All products highlighted in blue can be ordered from Silly Monkey Crafts. The links provided will take you directly to the products.

All SU Products can be ordered through me and sent directly to your home. Sorry but I can only arrange delivery of goods if you are within the United Kingdom.

BLOG CANDY ALERTS!
My friend Kristine is celebrating her blogiversary! Two years now in blogland! Congratulations hun! Hop on over to her blog for more information on how to enter her yummy candy draw.

Another friend and fellow Spoon Full DT member Joanne is also celebrating with some fab blog candy. She is celebrating 3 things - a belated blogiversary, sailing past 10,000 hits and her forthcoming birthday next week. What are you waiting for.. go on hop it!

Everybody-Art-Challenge 9

I was so happy and honored to be asked by Tina to be a Guest Designer for this weeks Everybody-Art-Challenge. Here is my sketch I designed for their challenge which starts today. Don't forget to check out the wonderful cards from the very talented Design Team. I hope you find the time to join in this week.

Don't forget we also have a new challenge today at "A Spoon Full of Sugar" and you can check out the wonderful design team cards here. This week we have a great sketch by the very talented Lim. There is also a yummy prize on offer from our new sponsor "Roses on Paper". I hope to be back soon to show you my card.

Hugs,

Card details:
Stamps: Hanglar from the new fall kit
Ink: Memories
Papers: Bo-Bunny - Beau Jardin Poppy and K&Company Brenda Walton paper
Technique: Prismacolor Premier Pencils with Sansodor and Paper Stumps for blending.
Embellishments: Wooden button sentiment (www.customlaser.co.uk), blooms, decorative brads (www.shopsei.com)
Equipment: Wizard and Nestabilities

and the winner is....

Thank you to everyone who entered my blog candy. My daughters have picked a name from the hat and the winner is....

Clare - Clare's Crafts

Congratulations Clare! Please email me with your address details so I can forward your prize to you.

If you didn't win I have some good news... there is still more yummy High Hopes candy out there to be found. Click away on the links on the right of this post to find the next diva who is giving some away.


Want to hear some exciting High Hopes news? There is a mini-release today of more cute stamps to compliment the recent releases. There are some fabulous little scenes and the most adorable birdie having a bath. One of my favourites has to be the gorgeous Crystal Snowlady. You can find them here.

High Hopes Challenge 3

This week's High Hopes challenge is to SEW on your card! Now you can pull out your real sewing machine, you can use a little craft sewing machine, you can hand stitch on your creation or you can fake it by using the faux stitching technique! It's up to you!!

I had fun with my card this week and thought it was time I had a little play with my Cricut Expression. Santa's house was cut from the Christmas Cheer Cartridge. I have used my sewing machine to stitch some detail on Santa's house and I also did some hand stitching on the sentiment.

While I was saving my photo's I also had a little fun using Photoshop and created a little snow storm!
I have added a slideshow to the right hand side of this post showing all the gorgeous cards I got for my birthday. Thanks again to all my friends for making my day so special. I had a great time with my friend Mandy last night. I really enjoyed the film and she totally spoiled me. As well as a present she bought me balloons and a mini cake and even sung Happy Birthday to me!

Don't forget you have until tomorrow 6pm to enter my candy. See my earlier post here.

Have a great Sunday and Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends!
Hugs,

Card details:
Stamps: High Hopes Woodland Santa & SU Circle of Friendship
Ink: Memories
Papers: K&Company Brenda Walton Peppermint Twist deluxe Paper Pad, SU Cardstock, Glitter card - Hobbycraft
Technique: Prismacolor Premier Pencils with Sansodor and Paper Stumps for blending.
Embellishments: Prima Flowers - flowers, trees and star, SU Rhinestone Brad
Equipment: Cricut Expression, Christmas Cheer Cartridge, Sewing Machine, Kraft Edgers "Bounces" Scissors

All products highlighted in blue can be ordered from Silly Monkey Crafts. The links provided will take you directly to the products.

All SU Products can be ordered through me and sent directly to your home. Sorry but I can only arrange delivery of goods if you are within the United Kingdom.