Spot Prizes

The lovely Lori over on SCS has made some great new banners for us to promote the May Mangas. These are just brilliant, I love them all. Feel free to copy this and post it on your blog because as part of their 3rd birthday celebrations Funkykits are giving away 20 spot prizes to blogs who show off this banner which links back to here.

AND I would love your ideas for future Mangas, yes your imput is important it always has been and always will. Please leave me a comment, I will not be publishing them

because its important market research and top secret *wink*

Karen

Challenge 34

With so much candy being given away this week its a bit of a sugar rush here at the HOS. But for those of you who were not lucky enough, why not try out the Sugar Bowl Challenge, our very own challenge blog with amazing prizes, you could win all six new Manga stamps. This is the sketch, go on challenge yourself!

And for those of you who need more sugar, how about you hold out for the LUCKY BAGs which I am told will be available at Funky Kits as of Saturday 1st, along with new Mangas ;)

Now last year you might remember that these sold out and there were many emails asking for more. Sorry girls "when there gone there gone". Each bag has 4 character stamps and a few accessories, no logic as to what is in the bag, its a surprise! All I can tell you is that all stamps are Sugar Nellie's, there are no seasonal stamps i.e. Christmas or Halloween, you may or may not have one or more of these stamps, how can I tell? But they are at such a great price that no true crafter can deny herself a bargin.

Karen

Goth Girl 6/6

What do you think sugar addicts, is she not a great stamp to finnish with?

That's you seen all SIX new Mangas.

These will be on the Funkykit web site soon.

Come back tomorrow and see if you won any of the six draws.

If not remember to join in the challenge over on the Sugar Bowl and you might win all SIX.

Now that you have seen all SIX, what are your thoughts, which one is your fav?


****WINNER IS NUMBER 125****

congratulations please email info@funkykits.co.uk

subject: Goth Girl candy :)

Tiny Tiddler 5/6

Girls fish too!

A change from a boy fishing

I am thinking "best fishes" for a card.

Last one tomorrow and yes I have kept the best for last :)

****WINNER IS NUMBER 54****

congratulations please email info@funkykits.co.uk

subject: Tiny Tiddler candy :)

Rock Idol 4/6

(Spoken)

You broke my heart,

'Cause I couldn't dance.

You didn't even want me around,

And now I'm back, to let you know,

I can really shake 'em down.

Do you love me?

(I can really move)

Do you love me?

(I'm in the groove)

Ah,Do you love me?

(Do you love me?)

Now that I can dance,

Now that you are all singing along with this great song from Dirty Dancing,

can you think of a older boy who rocks!

This would be a great stamp for him and so much fun to colour.

 

Would you like to win him.............you know the drill.

****WINNER IS NUMBER 9****

congratulations please email info@funkykits.co.uk

subject: Rock Idol candy :)

Goldielocks 3/6

I am spoiling you with all this candy.

I hope you have a good dentist

because this one is super sweet.

All candy will be drawn next Thursday and there will be one winner per draw.

These stamps will be available to win on the Sugar Bowl too :)

****WINNER IS NUMBER 144****

congratulations please email info@funkykits.co.uk

subject: Goldielocks candy :)

Sporty 2/6

Do you think he would work well with the cheerleader?

Sitting on the field beside her?

Do you want to colour him up in your team colours?

You know what to do.........

****WINNER IS NUMBER 179****

congratulations please email info@funkykits.co.uk

subject: Sporty candy :)

New Manga's 1/6

Do you luv her?

Do you want to win her?

You know what you need to do..

****WINNER IS NUMBER 190****

congratulations please email info@funkykits.co.uk

subject: cheerleader candy :)

moving on.....

2009 was the year of Sugar Nellie, becoming a member company on Split Coast Stampers opened a lot of new doors for us, the addition of new named artists including Mary , Leanne and Suzanne increased our range of styles. Mark took over the running of Funkykits full time and with Kate running the store, it left myself to do office work, legal stuff and all the rest of the things that our lovely goverment bestows on small businesses these days.

I am fortunate to work close with the girls at Craft Stamper and with it being the only stamping mag in the UK and having been around for as long as I can remember, its a solid publication with a wide variety of styles covered in it's features. Marlene, Judy, Erika and Sarah have all had amazing features in CS with Sugar Nellie stamps. I have to pinch myself sometimes when I open a mag and see our cute stamps being featured, we realy did start as a "kitchen sink" business, with family and friends all cutting up rubber to help out at busy times.

Summer of 2009 was highlighted by a trip to CHA in Orlando where we rubbed shoulders with the celebs in this industry, I was surprised when Mr Copic's knew who we were! We met the gang from SCS who were a delight. The girls had a blast and it was a week that we will all remember for every, the stuff that memories are made of, luv you girls, is that wrong?

Scotland does not boast many rubber stamp companies, I can think of only two others. Stamping has changed a lot since I took up cardmaking over 10 years ago with a little craft group at the near by RAF camp. Where will it take us next, the simple answer to that is ...................I do not know!

Karen

Christmas Season 2008

It seams so long ago now but to launch the first Home Grown range back in October 2008 we went to SECC in Glasgow, we met some lovely sugar addicts at the show, including Gayle who went on not only to run the Sugar Bowl Blog but attend CHA in Orlando 2009 with us on our *cough* reserch trip. It was a lot of fun but so much hard work doing a show and I take my hat off to all those business that attend shows all over the UK.

The first Home Grown were Snowmen and Santas, here is as little reminder of why these were so good to colour. But it's no where near Chrismtas so I aint going to say anymore, I am sure it will come around soon enough.

I'd like to see more of you entry the Goldi Oldie post please, dig into your old files and show me some sugar!
I need to give out the prize before we do the new Manga posts;)
Take care

2008 Elisabeth Bell

Next to join the illustators at the House of Sugar was Elisabeth Bell from USA, I can not remember how I found Eliabeth, it was via one of the sites which list 1000's of artist looking for commissions, this in turn led me to her own site where I fell in love with her super cute girls. During 2007/2008 Elisabeth drew 44 super cute  stamp illustrations for Sugar Nellie, many of these you will know well and I am sure there are some sugar addict out there that may have them all?! The rest, as they say is history...........

Remember yesterdays post, £20 voucher for Funkykits is up for grabs to one random entry into the Golden Oldies card comp.

Mark over at FK should be caught up with all the orders by tomorrow, you sure love those new Leanne Ellis stamps, dont you?

Zoe will be back with more new and some candy later on this week, we have many new things to tell you about but sugar is best taken in small amounts.*winks*

Back in 2007

In the begining there were Luca & Nellie illustrated by Eva,

and then we introduced Hamish & Maggie  illustrated by Linda

then we saw Lola & Simon by Rachelle

WOW all that within the first six months of starting our little Scottish stamp company.

There are some of you who have been with us from the start and many of you have become friends and great supporters of all that goes on in the House Of Sugar .

It has been a huge learning curve from the begining and one fault we have is only chatting about whats newest, we have loads of lovely designs from great illustrators and I would love to see some of your "older" stamps being used again. Stamping is very fashion led and some companies are here for the long haul, hopefully Sugar Nellie being one of them, a  great back catalogue and lots of new desings are the foundation that build a good stamp company. We have been lucky to find and launch into the world of stamping some well known names, I am always on the look out for the next hot fashion, its very difficult to move away from cute kids but we do have to look at the bigger picture.

So dig out some oldies and treat them to some TLC, ink them up and love your stamps, after all the first batch came with adoption certificates.............are your rubber kids loved enough?

I am going to spend the rest of the day figuring out how to add a linky thing so you can show the other sugar addict your cards and I will give a Funkykits gift voucher to one random entry.

{you have to be in it to win it}

Karen

Leanne Ellis Candy Winner

Ok, so at the time of me drawing the candy we got to 263 entries - how mad is that!! Clearly there are a LOT of sugar addicts out there loving the new stamps as much as me!! I won't hold you in suspense any longer .... the winner of the brand new Leanne Ellis rubber stamp range is ..... number 238 - I make that out to be Angela D - congratulations sweetie!!! If you can email me with your name and address to ... zoe_stupples@yahoo.co.uk I will make sure that your details are passed on and the stamps are sent out to you as soon as we get them in stock.

{ETA: Yes they are now all in stock. Mark at Funkykits has been busy all day, not only has he new Sugar Nellie rubber but CC Designs new stamps for APRIL & MAY. The Swiss Pixies are running wild here in Scoltand and I have had to take a few of them home to the farm to play with Megan but I have a hard job keeping a 7 year old away from my copics!
Have a great weekend sugar addicts and I hope the sun is shining where ever you are.
Karen}

Sugar Addiction

Hello Sugar Addicts, I have been spending a little time blog hopping again, its so long since I have had the free time to surf , but I do enjoy seeing all your lovely creations and it warms my heart and makes me especially proud to see you use our stamps. Its amazing where in the world these little bits of Scottish rubber turn up.

I am going to show off this card from Juls, who is an avid Leanne Ellis fan. This card stands out as especially stunning, such soft and delicate colours. Pop over and see what else has been busy with HERE.

HEADS UP, pay attention bargin hunters, remember when Funkykits did the goodie bags? Well they went down a storm and as its their third birthday in May, Mark is busy putting some nice surprises together for the event. mmmmmmmmmmm


ETA***Funkykits are expecting a UPS delivery of the new Leanne Ellis stamps on Friday, just in time for the weekend. They have asked for a second delivery next week as lots of you have been emailing about them and Mark thinks he has under estimated the demand.

Karen

Sweet Candy!!

Just so the candy post doesn't get lost and buried below this weeks posts i have made this little sticky post to stay up the top - well i hope it is going to stay at the top, i've never done one of these before!! If you would like to enter the candy you can find the post here.

Please scroll down for the newest posts :) x x

Sweet Inspiration from Janiel

I featured some projects made using the soon to be released Leann Ellis designs made by the super talented Sarah recently, so I thought it was only fair to have a post sharing some of the stunning cards made by another of the DT members Janiel. Each of the DT members have their own styles and can create completely different projects. Love it!!!! I have three cards to share with you today that Janiel has created, two using the arty stamps and one using Annie.


I am loving this little cutie in brown and blue, such a fab colour combination, and Janiel has done it beautifully. She has such a fabulous attention to detail - not only has she inked the edge, she has stitched and accented the corner with pearls!! Again with the bow at the top, she didnt leave it as a bow, she added a flower - with leaves and branches too. These little touches really do make for a stunning card!!


I love the brightness of this one. Soft sweet colours for a sweet image. Again this has STUNNING detail on it. I love teh little heart in the middle of the bow :)


Now how sparkly is Annie here!! I LOVE it!! She looks fabulous blinged up!!! Another truly stunning card Janiel. I just can't get enough inspiration looking at our fabulous DT blogs.

Dont forget you have until midnight tonight to enter the fabulous candy to win the whole release!! I made a sticky post at the top of the blog which should direct you straight there. I will be back tomorrow to let you know the winner!!!!

SplitCoast Stampers challenge no3

Soooo ... who wants to win 3 Sugar Nellie stamps of their choice???? I bet you are ALL screaming me me me arent you :p

To try and get things going over on the forum on SplitCoast Stampers we have been have started weekly Sugary Sweet challenges :) Now, the challenges are still going on Sugar Bowl, they will continue to have a bi weekly sketch challenge, things over at SCS are a bit different. The last few challenge has been a bit different to those on all the challenge blogs - lets face it there are TONS of challenge blogs now , we wanna try something a little different!!!

This week on the forum we are challenging you to make a DIAGAONAL DOUBLE POCKET CARD. If you have no idea how to make one, or even what one is dont worry - you can find the tutorial showing you how to make it here :

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/re...e_pocket_card/

I hope you all have a ton of fun making it this time and just remember ... have a go and you can be in with a chance of winning 3 stamps of your choice!! Yeyyyyy!!!!!!

These look like soo much fun to make and just think of the uses of the pocket - you can put tags in there, a bookmark or how about something a little different like little packets of sweets, some hot choccy / lemsip sachets for a getwell soon card - some stamped images? Lets see if you can come up with something a little different!!!

The direct link to the challenge thread is here so do go and check it out. I will make a forum thread along the top of the blog for you all too. The challenge will finish on Sunday and i will announce the winner and post a new challenge next Monday 19th. Soooo, go get crafty and you can be in with a chance of winning 3 sweet stamps of your choice!!! See you there :) - I really look forward to seeing your examples!!

Some sweeeet gift sets!!

Do you remember a few weeks ago i shared some projects made by our fabulous DT member Sarah? She always uses the best templates to create stunning gifts, even making her very own templates up - she is super clever is Sarah!!

I couldn't resist sharing these stunners with you when i spotted them on her blog ....


How cute is this little set - i seriously LOVE that little letter holder and the sweet colours look fabulous with that image!! How cute are those roses againgt the one in the image!! Sooo pretty!!


Another easel card gift set - this time using a picnic basket style box - i told you that Sarah creates the most AWESOME giftsets didn't I!!!! Who wouldn't be thrilled to get this!!!


I have said before and will prob say this many times again - i LOVE purple!! No surprises then as to how much i LOVE this gift set!! Sooooooo pretty again!! They are alll just goooorgeous!!


I do particularly like this one though!! The amount of time, detail and effort that Sarah puts into these creations really does pay off!! Her attention to detail is amazing!! I loooove the read with teal it is sooo modern and fresh.

Please do go and check out Sarahs blog, she has tons more pictures of these amazing projects you can go and drool over. Seriously - her blog is fantastic and is packed with sweet inspiration. She has her own templates for sale in her side bar which are definately worth a good look at too!!!!!

How about some sweet candy?

Yippee its Friday!!! As promised I have the last of the new images to share with you buuuuut, I also have the candy to give away!! Woohooo!! What a fab treat - the complete new release!! Before i tempt you with the candy draw though, i just HAVE to share the very last of the new LE images with you. I completely adore the whole release!!! Soo here she is ....

.... soooo pretty :) I am loving these arty images, I wasn't sure when they were first released they were a bit different but now that is exactly why I love them so much. Cute stamps are still my favourite, but there are certain times when you can not use cute stamps and I think when these times arise, these stamps are fabulous!! They have a certain elegance to them don't you think!!

Well, I am sure you have listened to me babbling on for long enough sooo ...... who wants some candy? - You do???? Well ... pop your name here into mr linky and have a go at winning the complete release!! You have got untill midnight GMT on Thursday to get your name in there and I will draw the winner and announce you to the world on Friday.

Here she is girls :)

Ok, ok do i was gonna leave the last of the Annies to preview tomorrow, but I found a stunning sample card from Dena that i just have to share with you all so here she is :)

Now i have no idea what flower that is she is holding - i am not even going to attempt to name it, this stamp shall be forever known to me as Annie with her pretty flower - lets face it it is a stunner LOL!! Wanna know what my favourite detail on this stamp is? - well im gonna tell you anyway!! I LOVE the way the the skirt has the same little detail accross the top as the centre of the flower - sad i know!!


Here she is all pretty in purple - LOVE this sample, not just because purple is my favourite colour either!! I love the softness onf the whole card and the stitching just finishes it off perfectly!

Now i mentioned yesterday that it was the last day of the SugarBowl challenge which means there is a new one today - yay!! Its a scrummy sketch by Gayle and there is a FABULOUS prize up for grabs - pick a mix of 6 stamps of you choice AND ( i know as if 6 stamps isn't enough LOL ) you can win a set of promarkers too to get them coloured in!! Yummy!! Wanna see the sketch?


I think this is a gorgeous sketch - i sometimes get a bit scared by all the layers on a sketch but this one is gab with a nice central focal point for the image just perfect for your favourite sugar nellie stamps!! Do go and check out the new sketch, as always you can get there straight away by clicking on the challenges tab at the top of the blog.

See you tomorrow for the last peek of the LE images and some candy - woohoo!!!

Another sweet sneeky peek !!

Im sooo glad that you are all loving Annie - i have another Annie to share too, but I think i will leave that till last :p - well i have to give you a reason to come back now don't I!! I do have a gooorgeous image to share though, look at this stunner ....


How gorgeous is this little image!! I love how she is looking at the moon and stars, just perfect for thinking of you cards, she looks sooo deep in thought doesn't she. There is just something about the stars, i loooove gazing up at them - they are truely magical!! - Again - check out that little hat, it is soooo cute!

Well, you all loved the sample card I showed you yesterday so i have a good peek through the DT blogs and found this little cutie made my Donalda using the same Annie i showed you yesterday. - I wouldnt let you go that long without a bit of Annie see - I know how much you love her!!

How cute is she in her purple dress!! I love the papers that Donalda has used on this one and the sentiment is fabulous.

Dont forget if you want to have a chance of winning these beauties, you have untill midnight tonight to enter the challenge at the Sugar Bowl. There is no please include option this week, and you can use any sketch you want from previous weeks. A very easy challenge this week for such a fabulous prize!!!

A brand new Annie :)

Ok, I know that lots of you are waiting for me to share one of the new Annie stamp designs with you. She seems to be one super popular lil sweetie!! I was going to be really mean and wait untill the end of the week to share them with you, buuuuut, I have had lots of lovely comments and emails so I thought i would be nice and share one with you today.

Isn't she just the cutest? Bless her pulling along her little wagon full of flowers - such a perfect image for this time of year dont you think :) I have told you many times before how fabulous our design team are haven't I? Well .. just look at this stunner made using the image i showed you yesterday. Super Speedy Sugar Babes we have on our team!!!



Sarah created this little beauty for us - i am LOVING the skirt on the dress - i told you yesterday it would look fab in colour with all the layers didn't I!!! Dont forget to check back tomorrow to see another brand new design - oooh i can hardly wait to share it!!

Another sweet stamp sneek :)

Im sorry that yesterday some people were leaving comments saying that they couldn't see the image preview!!! I have deleted the image and added it again so hopefully it is working? Im not sure - as it was working and showing up for me before but HOPEFULLY all image problems are fixed in time for me to share the next one with you!!

Another stunner today!! I just adore these new stamps, they are sooo gorgeous!! How amazing is this little cuties dress!! I sooo want one just like that!! Very puffy and just awesome - how much fun is this one going to be to colour in, getting shaddows under each layer of skirt. I have a feeling i am going to see some stunning creations with this one - and i just cant wait to spot them on all of your blogs!!

If you are loving these new images as much as I am, dont forget you have two chances at winning them!!! Karen has kindly given me a set to use as candy on Friday when i preview the last image, but .. . these little babies are also the pize over at the Sugar Bowl!!!! Thats not the best bit either ... its a FREE CHALLENGE - you can pick your own sketch to work with and not be tied down by a please include option either!!!

Time for the first peeek .........

Ok, so i know that i have left you waiting a little today - i wont lie - it is totally because i have been scoffing my face with chocolate all morning!! Come on - its the only day in the whole year you can get away with eating chocolate!!!
I have left you waiting long enough though so ........ here it is .....

I adore this image - look at her with her teeny hat and her huuuuge floating rose!! I loooove these arty images. The little frames she puts around each one just finishes the images off perfectly!!

As i have left you waiting soo long i thought i would share a card made by the fabulous Judy using one of the older arty images we have released.



The sentiment on the card says it all really - BEAUTIFUL!!

Prepare yourself for a week of previews!!!

Yes, you heard - or should i say read right in the title!! Starting tomorrow, I will be sharing some BRAND NEW Leanne Ellis designs with you!! Yippee!! There are 6 new images being released in total, so i will be sharing one each day starting tomorrow, ending on Friday when i will add mr linky and one lucky random winner will get to receive all 6 new stamps!!

We have some cutie Annie stamps being released and some more of the popular 'arty' designs too. A fabulous mix - I know because i have seen them!!! :p

The design team have their images already so be sure to keep your eyes peeled on their blogs, i will try and snatch their cards as soon as they make them to post on here too.

I shall end this post with a little bit of cuteness from my little boy - i dont normally share private bits on the Sugar Nellie blog, i leave that to my own one - but seriously - this is just toooo cute to leave out!! Yesterday, being Good Friday, he came up to me and said ... today is Good Friday mummy, Jesus died today, - now with him being 4 i was pretty impressed he knew/remembered, until.... he followed on to say, yes mummy, Jesus died today on a Hot Cross Bun!!! - Seriously - the things kids say eh? LOL

I shall be back tomorrow to share the very first of the Leanne Ellis previews with you!! - Once i have scoffed a ton of chocolate of course ;)

Another tutorial and a bit of a challenge :)

Today I have a little tutorial from SplitCoast Stampers to share with a bit of a challenge!!! As i have mentioned many times before, i really LOVE cards that are just that little bit different, i LOVED the tutorial Tiets did, and I am a huuuuge fan of easel cards. All you sugar sweeties clearly love them too as we had lots of people participating in the challenge we set over on the forum at SplitCoast Stampers. - What? You didnt know we had a forum on SplitCoast Stampers? - We do!! Karen has payed out for us to have our VERY OWN forum over there - a sweet place for likeminded sugar babes!!! Its a wee bit quiet over there at the moment so I would love it if you could all head over there and get the party started!!!!! Come on - just one little click here and you can go check it all out!!

Ok... so i am beginning to waffle on now LOL Back to the tutorial ......... How do you fancy making a Tri Fold Shutter card? Sounds extremely posh doesnt it!!!!! You can find info on how to make one here, and for those like me who like to be able to actually WATCH one being made there is a fab video tutorial too ...



How cool is that!! I have set a challenge over on the SugarNellie forum here asking you to all have a go at making one and i have put together my very own surprise goody bag as a prize with little bits and pieces i LOVE to use!! While you are over there, some of the Sugar Sweeties are asking about favourite stamps ...... please do go and join in, I have a feeling that the forum is going to be fun fun fun! Who knows what will happen next over there - go sign up quick so you dont miss out on any of the action!!!!!