sugar and spice

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