Wednesday, December 1, 2010

WOYWW, December, Simon Says Challenge....and a give-away!

Festive, chilly, December greetings to everyone! So the big freeze, the month beginning with "D" and the snow flurries have arrived - how seasonal can you get?
To start things off, I have made a tag with a kind of seasonal and wintery feel. I stamped the leaves with my Snow-cap dabber before applying the distress inks - always love how that comes out. Then I carried on building up the layers with more stamping and embellishments, finishing off with a vintage lace edge. I am entering it into the tag challenge over at Simon Says Stamp and Show. I actually started this tag in Paris in a great workshop with Linda Elbourne and finished it off today.
Although I sincerely hope that no one is stranded on the motorway, or stuck at home with off-school kiddies or a bikini-wear model - I  for one am up for the Festive beginnings. I just love all the great things about Christmas time and I plan to savour the whole season (ask me again on Christmas morning when I'm stuffing the mince pies and icing the turkey...)

Sunday I returned from Paris from the Paper and Co show. It was a rather chaotic up and down experience indeed. Didn't expect The Ritz but wasn't quite prepared for Brownie Camp either...mini bunk-beds, being right out in the sticks and lots of snoring. But enough drivel...there were some fabulous teachers, I enjoyed doing both old and new things and it was great to meet new folk from all over the world.

Here is a mini journal I made in Caroline Rondels class. I love how the freestyle stitching, paint splashes and simplicity of the whole book just all work together. I like the combination of wildness and femininity. Also finished the last details off today - being strict with myself and making sure I clear the "works in progress" corner.



Here is a view of the back where I added some extra details and shapes of my own. I still have lots of other things to show, but I need to tweak them and save them for another blog-day.







And the give-away. I received a whole ton of goodies in Paris. I gave lots away there as I was already up to my 20 kilo luggage allowance and I still came back with a haul!

  










 Today I finally mustered up the energy to unpack my case and all my craft supplies. I thought it would be nice to share some with you. So if you fancy a big pack of Festive stamps, some chipboard shapes and a nifty Multi-tool from Fiskars, just become a follower of my blog, leave a comment and I will pick a winner next week. Anyone can join in - I will post abroad.

I have to decide on whether or not I do a marathon Christmas Card session this week - or dare I say it -  buy. Mmmm. This fair damsel must thinketh it over. Looking forward to some free time tomorrow and a good old nosey around your desks - will do as many as I can!

Stay warm, loved and sane,


Sarah xxx

49 comments:

Ohhh Snap said...

Ooooooh beautiful stuff you made, and in Paris. I love Paris and haven't been since... 1979? Around the time Staying Alive came out lol.

I'm still trying to figure out what to do about Christmas cards myself. But I'm starting to feel a bit scroogey and might just say bah humbug :D.

jude said...

Love the creations you made and gladyou had great time in paris.I too love christmas but you made me laugh can just image you icing the turkey!Thanks for chance to win candy have been follower since WOYWW.
have fab day,hugs judex~4

A Hovel to Home said...

Very pretty tag.

Hugs

Kay (#14)

oneoff said...

Glad you enjoyed Paris, despite the mini-bunk beds and snoring! Your makes are beautiful as always - and such an elegant journal.

Bernie #9

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a beautiful tag! Paris sounds like fun, especially to go for crafting cards and such.Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway. WOYWWer #11

Sue said...

Hi ya
sounds like you had a good time, beautiful tag, lovely card,have good day, happy WOYWW, sue,x (23)

Terry said...

I love-love-love the color and composition of your tag! I say start making Christmas cards... one at a time. Good luck!

Terry (24)

Nikki said...

What a pretty tag and I love how you took a pic on a typewriter
hugs Nikki #31

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

WOW! looks like you had a brill time:))
Happy Woywwing
Jennie #5

Minxy said...

Oh how stunning is your tag.. and the card is pretty awesome too...
happy woyww
Minxy #34

Helen said...

Glad you had a great time and the show, if your accommodation left something to be desired! Love what you made though,it was obviously worth it!

Unknown said...

great tag - but I just love the 'just thinking' card - the colours - the randomness of it.

Paula x x x

Annie said...

Gorgeous Parisian creations :-)
A x

Anonymous said...

That tag is so gorgeous! I love it. And placing it on the typewriter to photo is is just genius.

Thanks for sharing.
cheers, rachel #54

Julia Dunnit said...

Ooh your Paris creations are gorgeous, and well done for unpacking - it sure is a job that needs to be done when you;re in the mood!

Lizzybobs said...

Hi Hun I am loving your splodgy arty card Wow we don't have much snow in Liverpool but it is very cold thanks for sharing with us your lovely tidy desk have a great day :o) and keep warm

Zue said...

I love the idea behind the art on your journal front. The tag is beautiful, especially with the antique lace.
Have a great day
Sue xx

Twiglet said...

Beautiful work - I love both projects.

airing cupboard crafts said...

I love your tag it's stunning!! The card is wonderful too.

Laura (83) x

Ciara said...

You can't buy your Christmas cards! Shame on you missus!

You just need to come up with a simple design then you'll be able to churn out loads.

Cool candy, I've seen Jennifer McGuire using that stamp press & it looks great

Ciara
xx

Angie said...

Love both your creations here.

Debs said...

Great card and tag xx

Cardarian said...

Your creations are lovely! Always fun to read your blog! You make such lovely cards it would really be a shame if you bought them!
Hugs,
Cardarian

Morti said...

I would buy some and make some - save your gorgeous work for the folks that appreciate it! Glad you had a good time in Paris!

Nicky said...

Glad you had a good time in Paris! Lovley tag and book - re christmas cards just make for the special people in life - that way you still have time for fun x ~30

Elizabeth said...

Lovely tag, all that gorgeous stamping and distressing, and the Paris project is beautiful too. Any reason is good for a trip to Paris but a crafting one is even better! Would love the chance to win your goodies. Elizabeth #85

minnie_mac said...

Gorgeous tag and mini journal.

Marilyn

Serendipity Stamping said...

Beautiful tag. I would really like to try a "card camp", but never hear about anything close to me, or even at a distance come to think of it. I always loved the snow until about mid-January then I was ready to let it go for the year. Haven't seen any since 1996, always figure if I get the urge I can travel north. No urge and even less money for travel, lol.

Sherry said...

oooh crafting in Paris, what could be nicer! Love your vintage tag, it's beautiful! (Love how you've displayed it for photographing too!)

Sherry (95)

down_memory_lane said...

That tag is STUNNING! and the cand is just as lovely!!! Awesome work, Ill have to follow so I can see more gems like these :)

donnalouiserodgers said...

BUY BUY? BUY???!!!

washeth your Mouth out'eth with Soap Damsel

Dxx

Spyder said...

lovely creations, Happy WOYWW!!
((Lyn))#46

Pam said...

oOOhh! So many pretties! I love the free floating feeling of the mini journal. I'm gonna have to stalk you more often!
AmberInk got lucky@#1!

karen said...

That tag is so bautiful! Sounds like Paris was great overall (minus the Brownie camp, lol).
And if you want to buy cards, you should! Don't stress yourself more than necessary at the holiday season!
xoxo karen #86

Vicki B in OP NY said...

Love the stitching on the mini journal. And that tag? So elegant. And Paris? If only I could have been the suitcase to see all the lovely stash inside. lol. Vicki #115

voodoo vixen said...

LOL at the mini bunk beds and snoring... who did the snoring?? ;) Love your tag with the lace edging and your mini book is stunning!

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Wonderful tag and mini journal, they are so beautiful!

Warm hugs
Maarit

Scrapcollectr said...

Love the tag, loooove the journal.... I will become a follower of your blog but not for candy (please give it to someone else), but because i can't wait to see more of your art.....yay.
I finally came up with The Card, if you're curious. If I didn't have to mass produce it, I'd love to use your style to make one.....that would be lovely!
Happy day,
#13

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

How do you ice a turkey (grin)? You are so lucky to go to Paris, and to take a workshop with Linda there, too, is really fabulous. Stay warm (#3)

Lynne Forsythe said...

oh the VINTAGE wonderness of your tag. the twine, lace...BEAUTIFUL. And how AMAZING is your mini!! I love the random stitching too!!

thanks bunches for playing along with Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge blog and the design teamies!!

Terry said...

Hiya wowwww your Vintage Tag is absolutely stunning...but your card is amazing too....thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show with your fabulous creation. Hugs Terry xxxx

Anonymous said...

Paper crafting in Paris, sounds so amazing, even if the accommodations weren't quite up to par. Great makes, love the tag and the simplicity of the journal.

Hugs
Brenda 90

Misu said...

great card

Jennifer said...

Sarah,

This is so incredibly sweet of you to share your haul!!! :)

I hear you on the Christmas cards...but with everyone knowing about my passion for (dare I say it? Addiction to!) paper crafts, it would be a wee bit embarrassing to send store bought!

Thanks for sharing & the chance to win,

Jennifer

katemade designs said...

oh what a lovely tag. Love the lace around the edges.

Create With Joy said...

Dear Sarah

Both of your projects are just lovely! How nice that you got to meet and take a class with Linda! Lucky you!

Thanks for the chance to play in your giveaway. I love your work and am signing on to follow you as well!

Hugs
Ramona
http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com

Лилия said...

Dear Sarah,
It was very pleasant to met you in Paris. Now i visit your blog and see that you are real artist!!! Your projects are great!!

peggy aplSEEDS said...

how lovely to be able to go to Paris just like that! and to come home with a ton of goodies?! wow! your project looks great! i'm following you!

SusanLotus said...

Fantastic tools! I´d love to win this challenge! I am a follower already.