sugar and spice

For those of you that don't follow our Facebook Page   here's a little looksie of a L/O I've done for the shows on 4th January at 1 & 2pm, for those of you that do follow... SORRY to repeat myself LOL !!! These yummy papers are in the second half of the show (2pm) and the demo I'm doing is a card, so whether you're a card maker or a scrap booker... there's something for both ... happy days !!! Hope you all had a wonderful christmas break and I'd like to say that I hope 2012 brings you everything you wish for ... HAPPY NEW YEAR Hugs Marion xxx

To say.... I'm on QVC at 2pm tomorrow 28th (sometimes this posts late) with a Martha Stewart Sale toot toot !!! Can't wait... I love a bit of Martha, I've got some lovely sparkly bits to show you, and then again at 5pm featuring Anna Griffin Sale Products... And in the meantime Kirsty, Amy and Caroline are going to be tempting you with other yummies. Hope you all had a great christmas :) :) :) Hugs Marion xxx

Thought I'd just quickly share a few more pages with you... I just can't stop !!!! I've still got bits to do on a couple of the pages, but that's the joy I can do as and when I feel it's right. Right this is my last blog post before crimbo.... As I must go make my chocolate log So for the last time this year Have a gorgeous Christmas everyone Hugs Marion xxx

Finally, finally, finally..... I've just done my first page in my Smash book.... and now I just want to sit here and fill it up... I'm not doing it on a theme, just random photos of me and my family and our lives. Sorry .... Just had to share !!! Happy Christmas EVERYONE Hugs Marion xxx

No seriously O.M.G....... Karen Allman you are a STAR !!!! Let me explain.... some time ago on Facebook I mentioned how much I LOVE POLKA DOTS and Karen Allman mentioned that you can get POLKA DOT TOILET PAPER !!!! Well I'd never seen it... have you ??? I searched locally, but to no avail :( :( Then the postman arrived this morning with a package addressed to me with a top heading stating "Very Personal", well, I done the usual, I wondered who it was from and what it was, I turned it all around, and shook it, then it dawned on me that I'll know the above answers by actually OPENING IT... why do we do that ????? Anyhoo's imagine my surprise and utter glee when I took these little babies out.... Now I know they're not craft related.... but I'm seeing polka dot flowers... are you ??? Watch this space !!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU KAREN Hugs Marion xxx

That's what my craft room floor represents... I'm in a completely wonderful glittery mess... And I'm loving it !!!! I feel so privileged to be doing the Martha hour on the 28th December at 2pm, AND.... it's an outlet day... Woohoo !!! There's so much gorgeous glitter... I dare you to resist !!! Anyhoo's back to the prepping Hugs Marion xxx

Is this.... This is the gorgeous gift bag (containing gorgeous gift), from one of our lovely customers Ali. She recently gave birth to Oliver, and to make him part of christmas, he made these gift bags, with the help of his mummy !! The antlers are his hands and the face is his foot... How cool is that.... I just had to share. Hope you like it :) :) :) Hugs Marion xx

Is here.... at LAST !!! My goodness, I've never dealt with such a bad Company, and although we never saw hind or hair of the November issues, we have received "some" December ones From the 18 they sent us we only have 2 left in stock !!! So if you want one BE QUICK !!!! They're not on the website yet, but if you don't live near you can call tomorrow and order one over the phone. Hugs Marion xx

Need a card in a hurry ?? Then just copy this little one... This is one of my designs for this year... extremely simple... It does the job for me, now all I've got to do is write them all out and get them in the post, oh yeah.... and make a few more LOL !!! Hope all your plans are coming together. Hugs Marion xx

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We're (Me, Kirsty, Amy, Caroline and Sandy) are all working away like crazy, prepping all the shows for the massive outlet day on the 28th, on QVC, we're even doing each others prep !! So I thought I'd take a minute or so out to quickly show you this card... Sorry that the lighting's not great, and I don't even know who's presenting this one but I hope they like it as much as I do, if not I'll have it back LOL !!!! Anyhoo's back to work, oh and thanks everyone who's taking advantage of the CLEARANCE section on the website... you know you're getting a bargain... he he !!! Hugs Marion xx

I'm like a bus, I do do nothing for a week then three posts come along at once !!! But just wanted to quickly tell you that we've just go the latest Creating Keepsakes and it's rather lush Also, I've added loads more to the CLEARANCE  section on the website, including Jillibean Soup Stamps, Staz on Inks, Girls Paperie Ribbons, Spellbinders Impressabilities... Loads and loads more to go on, just need to take a breather and have a flick through my mag !! Hugs Marion xx

Honestly... mention the word CLEARANCE and LOL !!!! Bear with... I'm trying to put more on each day So today I will mostly be..... uploading Happy Days :) :) :) Hugs Marion xx

Seriously, where does the time go, one minute I'm blogging virtually everyday and THEN... I realise it's been over a week ... honestly !!! But.. I have been busy, honest !! I've been adding new CLASSES to the website along with a BRAND NEW CLEARANCE Section, some serious bargains to be had, go take a looksie !! One of the classes is Barb's mini album on Sunday 18th December @ 10am ... It's so cute!! Plus we've put in the dates for the next Scrapbooking for Beginners Course starting in February. I've also sorted out the Christmas opening/closing dates :- CRIMBO OPENING/CLOSING TIMES We are closing at 3pm on Friday 23rd December and we will re-open on Friday 6th January 2012 A well deserved break I think you'll all agree :) :) :)  Right back to the grind Hugs Marion xx

I love PINS... especially hat pins, I've had a bit of a fetish for a couple of years now, they're just the perfect little embellishment !! But... I always loose them, I put them down,  I can't find them, I pick them up, I prick myself.. so I needed a pin cushion, now I've made plenty of pin cushions in the past, from my sewing days, but I knew I wanted something different and one day I was flicking through the pages of one of my favourite trends magazines and saw it, it was perfect, it was a picture frame pin cushion. I LOVED it and needed to make one, but it had to be right. I was halfway there, as a couple of years ago I bought a piece of fabric (I know I'm a hoarder), didn't know what to do with it, I just knew I had to have it, so it's sat on my shelf waiting to be used, then the other day I popped down to our local antiques centre and found the perfect little frame. and look... just £3.00... bargain !!! I didn't like the colour, so quickly gave i...

If you know someone that needs a little lift, this should do it... I've just used a Nestie and embossed it with swiss dots, then stamped the sentiment from this yummy set HERE , made a calico flower and filled it with a pearl and some Frantage (of course) !! popped in on some ribbons and mounted it all on a cream card from Craftwork Cards. For all of you that missed out, the GOOD NEWS is we've got more of the Scrap 365 coming back in, so get on the phone and get us to it a side for you. YAY!!! Hugs Marion xx

Here's a quick Layout from a we while ago, it's of my Nan and her sisters, only problem is no one knows where it was taken, that's why it's so important to put all those little details on your pages.... for the future generations !! It is of course... Minimalist, sorry but that's my style !!! But so simple to do, just one sheet of plain card stock, 1/2 sheet of patterned and a piece of Hambly Screen Print... Mmmmm !!! layer up, make a scruffy flower out of scraps and book print add a bit of lace, hat pins and buttons then finish off with some rather yummy pearls... pearls not your colour ? then use your Pro-Markers as I did, to bring some more green in to match one of the layers of the flower. Hugs Marion xx

Want to take a break from all the hustle and bustle of Crimbo. Why not join me on Saturday 17th December at 10am or alternatively Sunday 18th December at 2pm where we're going to make this gorgeous Desk Top Calendar The class includes over £14.00 worth of product and it's only costing £16.00.... How brill is that !!! Call it our christmas gift to you !!! Spaces are VERY LIMITED so book EARLY !!! The question is will you give it away as a fabbi gift, or keep it for yourself ??? Along with this, I've just updated the website with all the NEW CLASSES - Check out Chilli Barb's Friday Fun, you can see them all  HERE We've just got in the fab Dylusions Stamps.... Love these and they're absolutely perfect for all you Smash addicts.... you know who you are !!! Some great new paper lines and some rather LUSH albums, have just nestled themselves on our shelves, all just in time for Christmas.... Talking of Christmas, did you know it's the Barleylands Christmas S...

First off let me show you a quick simple gift bag idea. This time of year I find wrapping (presents that is, not singing) !! a complete pain, so many things don't come in boxes now, that would make it oh so much easier, but no !!! So I often go for the simple gift bag, but sometimes it just needs a little jazz up. It's one of my friends birthday real soon and I know she likes simple things but a bit blingy!!, so I just got a rather inexpensive silver bag (no offence Adrienne) !! Used the back end of a paint brush to etch a design onto it, in this case a heart Then just add bling and some yummy tulle and ribbons !!! Just want to say thank you for all the comments from the last post, all the names were put into a draw ....... AND THE WINNER IS..... Jaki, well done, can you get in touch to give me your details please :) :)  It seems a LOT of you like the simple style, so here's a couple more very quick and simple crimbo cards. This first one is using the lovely Paula Pas...

A few years back I designed this really quick and simple little crimbo card, it still hangs in the shop today, along with another version, and we still get asked how it was made, so here goes... Take a small square card blank, I used Craftwork Cards 4" White (love them) !!! and stamp your sentiment  in the centre about 1" up from the bottom Next, using Glossy Accents, "scribble" a tree direct to the card Then take your favourite Martha Stewart Iridescent Fine Glitter and sprinkle over the "tree" Shake off excess glitter, add a little bling and leave to dry And there you have one of the quickest, simplest little crimbo cards, even the kids can do it... so go on what are you waiting for !!!! If you're a follower of this blog and you would like to receive this gorgeous little card, just leave a comment and a winner will be randomly picked. But REMEMBER you MUST be a FOLLOWER... so sign up NOW !! Hugs Marion xx

I do believe we've broke a record today. We put out for sale the NEW SCRAP 365, just this morning at 10am and by 10.30am they were ALL SOLD !!!! While I'm here, let me give you a quick update :- ALL halloween stash is now 25% OFF, this offer ends Sunday AND if you buy 3 sets of rub-ons you get a FREE rub on eraser We're nice like that !!! ohhh yes and we've got more stock back in of the EK Success Dimensional Punches and the Martha Stewart Punch All Over The Page - delicious !!! Some rather gorgeous Doodlebug cardstock Black and White YUM !!! Anyhoo's back to work  Hugs Marion xx

Just landed on our doorstep, hot off the press, the much awaited SCRAP 365 Ooo nearly forgot to say, 3 large boxes have also just arrived from the States with lots of yumminess in them. Happy days Marion xxx - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Just been chatting to QVC, and I'm really happy to say I'll be back on your screens alongside the lovely Kirsty and Amy, on the following dates :- WEDNESDAY 28TH DECEMBER WEDNESDAY 4TH JANUARY WEDNESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY there's plenty of other dates for your calendar, but I'm off to the States for 3 weeks in between these dates, and alongside crimbo and new year, it's going to be BUSY BUSY BUSY :) :) Yay happy days !!! I know it's been quiet of late on the old craft front, but it always is this time if year, QVC only have so many hours in the day and with so many other shows out there, i.e. christmas gift ideas, etc. craft graciously stepped aside (cause we're nice like that) !!! But..... We're coming back with a bang !!! There's so many great shows planned for you, including some fantastic outlet days, you know you all love a bargain !!! And one in particular that I'm really excited about is a new..... Ooooh don't actually know if I'...

I've done a quick layout using the lovely SIMPLE STORIES HAPPY DAYS. Using Bazzill Kraft card stock, splatter with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, then randomly drop embossing powder on and heat.  Cut a strip of patterned card stock and adhere, mount photo onto patterned card stock, cut out bunting from card stock and cut a couple of strips, adhere to backing and mount bunting on top, glimmer mist some wooden buttons and adhere to bunting, then make a flower from Burlap and place button in center, adhere and voila.... a very SIMPLE layout. Go on give it a try !! Marion xx

How clever is our Barb..... Look at this little guy, hanging on the side of the sleigh, all ready to be filled with christmas treats. Well done all you ladies that got on her Friday Class to make this little treat!! Marion xx

Here's a little sneak of the Flower classes coming up on the 20th November.... Sorry but they are both full, but if there's enough interest I may do it again :) What do you get if you start out with this.... Add a little magic ........ and TA DA !!!! you get this ... Soooo simple. Marion xx

Since we opened our doors some 8 years ago we were graced with the presence of the lovely Linda Pease. I'm so sorry to have to say that she passed away recently, after struggling with so many obstacles. She was a truly inspirational crafter and will be deeply missed by so many. We would like to pass on our deepest condolences to her husband, family and friends. Marion, Nina, Barbie, Barb, Adrienne and Megan xx

Over on the QVC CRAFT FACEBOOK PAGE  we've been sharing our craft spaces with each other and showing/confessing just how we craft and the neatness/messiness we work in. It's really quite inspiring and quite nosey in a lovely way to be able to take a peek into other peoples lives. You may just pick up a storage tip or two !!! This is my "utter chaos" area... Just look at the floor... disgusting !!! and as for the desk tops... well I know exactly where everything is !! This one's a bit more organised !! And this one's always organised, it's where I do my designing.. serenity comes to mind !! So why don't you pop on over to the QVC Facebook Page and share, or leave a comment here with a link to your little piece of heaven Off to sweep my floor now !! Hugs Marion xx

What a fun morning we've had. The girls have been making a Spoooooky Layout... They're all very shy !! Once Vanessa got hammering... she just couldn't stop.... it all got very noisy !!! And here they are proudly showing off their masterpiece's.... and now for this afternoons class, the first group on the book of me for this month, and it's all about music !! Oooo, I meant to say.... If you know what you want for Christmas, then we have the perfect thing for you... it's the SUGAR AND SPICE WISH LIST, it's the best way of getting just what YOU want, just send your family/loved ones/friends in and let them choose the perfect gift from YOUR list, so come on in and write down your wishes. Hugs Marion xx

How exciting... I've been given permission to give you a sneaky peek of the Martha Stewart TSV, on this Thursday 3rd November at midnight, 12 noon, 3pm and 7pm. So there's surely one you'll be able to catch !! It's a NEW punch with NEW designs that's ONLY available through QVC !! The lovely Alex Peruzzi is demonstrating this fabbi TSV It's a set of 3 punches at an amazing value :) :) With a brand new technique, never before seen in the UK. On top of that there's also an auto delivery option, which means you can be the first to get even more designs in 2012, that you won't be able to get anywhere else.  What a lovely christmas gift to yourself that will be.... Go on on spoil yourself.... you deserve it !! So tune in at midnight, 12 noon, 3pm and 7pm Hugs Marion xx

So excited..... the October Trends Books have just come in.... We've had to up the delivery amount due to all you clever ones that subscribe, at least you know you'll not miss an issue. If you want to subscribe, then just click HERE and don't miss out !! Seriously... these are the best books on the market. Hugs Marion xx P.S. Thanks so much for all your lovely e mails and FB comments about yesterday's show, it really meant a lot :) :) :) 

Tomorrow (25th October, sometimes this posts late) !!! is the first of the NEW Creative Keepsakes Shows on QVC, and to say I'm nervous AND excited is an understatement !!! So much thought has gone into this show and the products in it (all hand picked by myself and Sarah, one of the lovely buyers) It's aimed at Scrapbookers, beginners and advanced, let's face it if we scrap, we like to see anything associated LOL but we're also going to concentrate on Card makers and mini album enthusiasts... didn't want to leave you guys out !! So to get your mojo going I've done a little video tutorial HERE .  Then, next month Amy's doing one on the 25th November (I think that's the right date) So we hope we can encourage and inspire you and we would love your feedback. I sent a newsletter out today to all out newsletter subscribers, I know I know, about time !!! but in usual fashion I completely forgot a very important message... so here goes.... As from 1ST NOVE...

All this month Nina's been doing her book of the month class on a bucket list.... and it got me thinking :) :) I've never been to Harrods... so after my show on Tuesday I got whisked off by the lovely Kirsty Wiseman  and Rubina Latif  to Knightsbridge and we decended on Harrods, first off we went in the Laduree's entrance....OMG... what an amazing place, they sell the most expensive macaroons, but it was worth it (thanks Kirsty) just to take in the decor. WOW !!! It was requested that no photos were to be taken, obviously I respected that, but we did get a couple of snapshots outside... The inside of Harrods was rather lush... I had to go in the Christmas Shop... well it's a must isn't it !!!! and it was there that I bought my lovely mum a pressie (she loves crimbo) !!! And so do these girls.... While I was there I met a guy (shhhh ... don't tell Rick) He was a bit stiff though !!! Then we came back down to the ground floor and found LOLA'S CUPCAKES ....