Another chance to win

Hop on over to the Passion for Promarkers and join in their challenge this week as we have sponsored this weeks challenge which is to include a number on your card. EASY!

We dont usually sponsor other challenge blogs as all our candy goes to our own challenges,
 but we made an exception with PfP because...........
 Debbi's loyal supporter of her local stamp company from the begining
We sell loads of Promarkers in the House OF Sugar (10% off this Saturday for demo day)
Letraset have new packaging with Sugar Nellie on the front!
We would like to thank Simon at Letraset for putting our little stamps on the front of craft sets :)

How many set of pens feature a Sugar Nellie stamp?

We dont have any of these sets in stock, Letraset can not keep up with demand for Promarkers and

stock is in short supply. WE will try to bring these back in stock as soon as we can.

Huge Congratulations.........

to Diane for having her characters made into gift lines by DEMDACO.

 Look out for these all over the USA in selected gift stores.

WOW isn't that amazing news!

Do you see the similarity to the stamps, Diane's characters are adorable and its not just me that thinks so :)

Congratulations Diane and lets hope there are many more new things to come.

I hope something nice comes your way today, take care.

Karen

Wrap it up.....

Shhh don't say anything but these are my very own cards, yay I can craft after all!

I used kraft brown card stock,g.c.d. Ella Blue papers, nesting scalloped punches and SU circle stamp. Yummy wide satin ribbon, I am in love with this ribbon and hope to bring it to you

 by the roll some time next week :)

Yes CleanAndSimple is my style .

So pleased with myself, sad I know, but this year I am not running around last minuet getting thank you gifts for teacher at the local school. Cards are made and ladies are getting those yummy Trinkets that we recently got in stock at Funkykits, wrapped up in a pretty box. Men are getting a gift card because its the best idea I can think of. My kids can safely take these gift to school and I don't have to worry about running up to school with bottles of wine because the kids can't be trusted with those on the school bus.

Three bangles for the ladies, oh so hard work making these *wink* so much lovely colours I did not know which to choose. Find them all here

Now I am off to the cash and carry for some candy for the weekend demonstration. I have been hunting the UK for Hershey nuggets and salt watter taffy, but so far its either out of stock or too expensive!

 Asda sold kisses years ago but I have not seen them in a long time.

take care

Karen

Rich pickings

It's very hard to pick cards from our DT to feature on the blog, they are all

so beautiful and inspirational.

Sarah's card it for the Sugar Bowl challenge.

Dena's card if for another challenge but don't you just love those colours?

(have a wonderful holiday in Hawaii Dena)

Donalda has used one of the new dig stamps.

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Yesterday and today I have been making Thank you cards for teachers and helpers, have any of you been

busy with teachers gifts? One more week and school is out for 8 weeks!

Yikes its always hard for the first few weeks until the kids fall into a routine.

Megan's goal this holiday is to learn to ride a bike before she is 8.

James(11) in doing odd jobs in order to save up to buy a hen run and no doubt he will want a few hens to go with it! Omelet's anyone?

Thanks to all my craft buddies for a lovely relaxing day of crafting in the village hall.

*Waves* to the ladies from Yorkshire who visited the HOS this week, we get a lot of out of town

visitors at this time of year, its nice to know we are worth the visit :)

I big shout out to Paper Lane in Dubai as we had one of their local customers in the other week, hope she got home safe and sound.

Where ever you go in the holidays be sure to check out the local crafts shops,

you never know what you will find.

Karen

Digi cards

Good morning girls, hope you are looking forward to taking it easy today. Why not grab yesterdays free digi  before it gets taken down and make a card today.

Above are some cards made using digi images from us, available at Funkykits for an instant sugar fix.

These stunning cards were made by the amazingly talented Janiel.

We are very lucky to have such a great DT and their work is very much appreciated.

Janiels amazing Sugar Nellie gallery is here

Today I am working in our store, the weather is not so bright today and it will give me time to have a

good look at whats on the shop floor, as long as I don't take some of it home!

I have a crafting day on Sunday and nothing inspires me to create than new stash :)

But I still have those flower dies from Tim Holtz on my wish list, does anyone know a store in the UK who has them in stock?

Take care and enjoy your weekend whatever the weather

Karen

A little birdie told me...

....to come along to the House of Sugar on Saturday 3rd of July and enjoy a free demonstration.

Or book your ticket now for a fun day of crafting in Ellon Aberdeen shire

on Sunday 1st August, an all day event. Join the girls from The House of Sugar, for a sweet day of card making inspiration and general good fun. Its been a few year since our last outside event in Aberdeen but we are all looking forward to it and enjoying planning all the crafts for the day.

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It will be very interesting to see what you have done with the free digi images. I might ask you next week to

link to them here on the blog :)

How are you all getting along with the Sugar Bowl challenge?

There are some stunning entries, far better than I could do, so glad its not me who has to choose,

 I believe its totally random so every one has a chance to win. :)

take care and I hope you like today's freebie

Karen

Just for EWE

Happy Birthday to EWE

EWE are special to me

I love EWE

Thinking of EWE

Missing EWE......

and the list goes on and on.

Hope EWE can use this one, being that we sheered the sheep on the farm this week,

 I think it's a good one to give away today.

Thank you to all those of you who left nice comments, they are very much appreciated and so polite of you :)

enjoy today's treat, same usage conditions as yesterday apply.

Karen

Free Digi Pony

Here we are girls, our first give away this week.

This cute pony was part of a set drawn for us by Eva last year, we chose not to make it into rubber at that time because we were so busy, last year was manic all round. So rather than have little pony sit in the files, I thought you could play with her.

Right click your mouse over the picture and save picture as.........

You can then print her out as you please but still within our Terms and Conditions.

 (please do not post her picture on your blog as you will spoil it of everyone)

This is a treat to all our regular blog readers, do not give her away, she is a gift just for you, from us

I will remove her tomorrow and put up another if you want?

hope the sun is shining with you today, take care

Karen

New Bashful Blossom's Hop

Our fantastic DT have organised another Tuesday blog hop and I think they are showing off the new Bashful Blossom Digi Images, see all 4 cuties over on Funkykits for an instant sugar fix. I have not seen these made into cards yet so I will also be hoppin about blog land to view what creations the DT have be busy with. I think its safe to start with Janiel and see where it takes you from there.

I spent a busy day in the House of Sugar yesterday and I looked out files of  commissioned images that we have never used, so rather than them sitting doing nothing I have chosen a range which we will turn into digi images and give them away to all you loyal followers later in the week. These are only going to be available for 24 hours each and then I will take them down, its time to give back to you our customers for the support you have given us and a little freebie now and then is a great treat and much easier to share with you than cupcakes!

This is a scheduled post as while you read this I am serving up breakfast to all the visiting sheep shearer here on the farm. Its going to be a busy week with the Royal Highland Show on in Edinburgh, I don't think any of my family will be making it down there this year, too much to do at home.

Karen

Little beauties

Sarah has been busy, she has made a beautiful job of these  cards using the new Kathy Hare stamps. Read more on her blog, link at the side.

How many hours a week do you craft? I must get about  hours and in that time I will start plenty and finish a little! Yes UFO, un finished objects, I have lots of those.

I will be home tomorrow and hope to treat you to some freebies next week,

yes nothing sweeter than FREE :)

Karen

Yummy Yummy

Yummy yummy beads, yes these have been a long time in coming into stock but after seeing them in real life we have already placed our third order before they sell out. This is whats new and exciting in the House of Sugar today, in the style of Pandora bead but far less cost. I have already  have them in my shopping basket and will "make" I use that term loosely, more like assemble them and make pretty boxes for pressies for young girls. Birthday and dare I say it Christmas pressies, these are perfect stock fillers. Now Kate and Katie both have the real thing but I would be happy to give my youngest one of these as a pressie. Beautiful colours and a fantastic price. Look at all these........

When I left the HOS, Mark was loading them on to Funkykits

so if you feel like "making" some pretty bracelets pop over and have a look.here.

The sun is shining this afternoon and I am heading off to Glasgow in an hour, I might not be around for the next few day but I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Karen

{International customers are welcome to buy these from FK

 as each packet weighs the same as a stamp,

10 stamps max for standard international posting.}

please join me.............

Please join me in making a card with any of our sweet Sugar Nellie stamps,
all I ask is you follow this sketch and enter it into the Sugar Bowl Challenge,
I am pulling out all the stops on this one girls, I am looking for your support come on girls you can do it!

I know craft time is precious and you can enter your card to more than one challenge site as long as you meet the spec on each one. There are so many Challenge blogs out there it must be hard to choose, well we have made the choice a little bit easier by always having one of the best prizes out there. So why put the effort into a challenge with the chance to win one stamp when with the same effort and the same chance of winning you can do ours.

Finally, a huge thank you to those who leave me comments, you know who you are, sometimes I feeling like I am talking to myself on this blog, but then again she's a girl after my own heart who understands me like no other and never disagrees with me :) Knock Knock anyone there?

Do you want to win........

&

 

You could win a set of Nestabilities ( we have a wide selection) and

SIX sweet Sugar Nellie stamps of your choice.

What do you think, that's some sweet prize that we will be giving away to someone and it could easy be you.

Come back tomorrow and I will tell you all about it.

Today I am busy cutting up rubber to replenish the stock for wholesale and testing out the local deli's selection of cakes and cookies :)

I would show you what's on my desk work day Wednesday" but its too much of a mess!"

Karen

Judy's Boys

Good day sugar addicts, now this is what I was looking for. A feature in Craft Stamper magazine using Mary Hall designs for Sugar Nellie.

Judy always says that I give her all the boy stamps, she might be right as Judy has three gorgeous little boys and not forgetting that hubby is cute too *wink*

It does not stop Judy from doing girly things as you can see from her blog and with  99 blog posts tagged as Sugar Nellie, that's a gallery in itself!

Both the cards above and the more recent cards using a Leanne Ellis stamps are showing off the distressed look which I notice is becoming very popular. Mr Tim Holtz has always had a following but I think here in the NE of Scotland, one of his biggest fans and a very popular local craft celebrity Kath, has introduced his style to many a crafter both is our Elgin store Papercrafts and also in Jacqui's Alford store Simply Create.

I have a  TH distressing tool and also those new sizzix dies, the flowers are on my wish list, maybe the bird cage too.....maybe if I can find someone who has them instock! I also have a few pictures of the Sugar Babes in Orlando at CHA with Mr Holtz, lucky for them the picture are not on this computer, hahaha

We, Jacqui and myself, are very luck as shop keepers to have so much local talent who are all willing to help out at demonstration days and classes, it is an important part of having a store and being able to offer your customers inspirational ideas for them to try. It is such a buzz putting classes and demonstrations together and  the elf's in the HOS are getting prepared to bring a little sweetness to Ellon in Aberdeen shire in August.

Visit your local store and see what going on in your area, the Internet is a great source of everything but shops play an important role in crafting too and there is nothing quite like seeing things in the flesh and being able to appreciate colours and textures is there? Tell me about your local store, does it tick all your boxes, does it stock Sugar Nellie stamps and more importantly how often do you pop in and visit?

 Maybe we should have a little vote for your favourite store and send them some sugar..............now there is an idea :)

have a good day girls and take care

Karen

Mag work and a giggle

I went to look for Judy's work for Craft Stamper using some of the first Mary Hall stamps, but I could not find it on her blog and as the mag is at work on display at the HOS, I choose another collection of cards Judy did for a feature in Craft Stamper using  Diane Duda's  range for Sugar Nellie.


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And a little giggle for those of you who are addicted to all things Cullen/Twilight :)




Karen

To be 18 again

Ok I give up, since this morning I have been trying with no success to load pictures up for today's post. I have no idea why its not working but I give up with this one today.

pop over to Sarah's blog where she has two cool cards for boys using mangas, Rock Star and Sporty, nice and simple these card are a great inspiration for those of you who like CAS. There are more mangas on the drawing table at the HOS and I am sure that after all your great ideas we shall see come happy stampers mid summer.

Rock star................Rock ness, yes it's that time of year again when all young folk head on up to Inverness to camp out for the weekend and get up to no good while at this concert. DD # 2, Katie (18) has set off like a pack mule to camp out miles from where the bus drops them off with no doubt lots of drink, a little food and lots of fashion stuff to look the part, not forgetting the wellies! A weekend in a tent, packed in like sardines and the dreaded porta potties......yuck............maybe being 18 again would not be so much fun?

Lets hope that blogger behaves tomorrow and I can bring you some piccies.
ABERDEENSHIRE girls, head up, we are coming to ELLON on Sunday Ist of August for an all day crafting in The Station Hotel, more details to follow but keep the date free if you want some crafting fun and frolics along with classes, demonstrations and make and takes.

catch you all again soon, take care
Karen

New release Gallery

WOW the FANTASTIC FIVE have outdone themselves with these samples.

 I am sure I have missed one or two but more the reason for you to always take time to visit their blogs

Not only do the DT work with Sugar Nellie stamps but being avid crafters all sweet stamps find there way on to their craft tables.

 Most of these brands are also sold at FUNKYKITS who stock sweet Sugar Nellies. The Greeting Farm,

 C C Designs and Magnolia to name a few. All you favourite brand in one place, saves on postal cost too ;)

Many thanks to our DT again for hard work and creative ideas, you girls are the best!

Karen

FANTASTIC FIVE blog hop

First two cute cards from the Sugar Bowl Challenge entries, top one from Angie and the other from Pops. Pink and black a classic colour combo and both girls have created beautiful cards for the challenge. Its great to see the variety that comes from the one sketch, thank you to all the crafters that join in our challenges,both on the Sugar Bowl and  SCS.

Tuesday blog hop from the FANTASTIC FIVE

our DT have been playing with the new release from Kathy once again.

Start with DENA (alphabetically) and just to brighten up this blog here is Denas pastel masterpiece from Saturday

Enjoy your day girls, its raining in Scotland and an hour until I have to sit in the dentist's chair ;(  But for now I am watching E news, looking for gossip on the Twilight cast at the MTV movie awards last night, yes I still have OCD, obsessive Cullen disorder, but I am holding out on reading the new Bree Tanner book until I hear some reviews.
Have a creative day girls.
Take care
Karen

Monday again

How was your weekend, did you enjoy our little blog hop?
A huge thank you to our DT, your work is always fantastic girls and I could not do it without you!

I will be on the look out for cards made using the new designs on your blogs.

I am only in the HOS for an hour today, other things to do, meetings with layers, solicitors and a little product sourcing to do. That made up for the boring stuff after a weekend of bookwork it was nice to
go shopping for new ideas, pretty things that may or may not lead to a new branch of the House OF Sugar.*wink*

I have a trip to Glasgow this coming week as there are things to do with Debbie before she leaves for the USA, my oldest at 20, studying law at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, she is off to work in the USA for the summer. A fantastic opportunity for anyone and I hope that all goes well in London this week as she collects her working visa.
As a Mother I do worry about her but not as much as her father does, daddy's girl that one! I may have to visit her in NY this summer just to see that she is OK. I already have list of shops to visit in Manhattan, not stamps shops but still within the "craft" concept, just a little different to what we usually do.

Have a great week girls and ink up those stamps when they land at your place. Tomorrow is the dentist first thing, OH happy days.

Karen

Kathy Hare Designs

We are all delighted to welcome Kathy to our team of illustrators, she brings something unique to the world of stamping and has been a dream to work with.  From her wide portfolio we have chosen six designs and our fantastic five have been having a little play.

  Please join us today  as we release our new designs from Kathy Hare Illustrations.

This beautiful card was made by Kate Mellis who  teaches and manages Papercrafts Boutique in Elgin, many of the local customers know Kate well but she has yet to start a blog!?

This card is made with LITTLE BEAR.

Follow this blog hop to Dena

Please leave comments as you visit our team, they do put in an amazing amount of work 

 and a little comment means a lot. :)Sugar Nellie Blog

Come back and tell me which was your favourite, as always Sugar Nellie is a small business which not only listens but is very much influenced by you our customer :)

all six stamps are available here

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Its a beautiful day here in Scotland, I am off to the store to work as Kate has a day off. We will be busy today as Erika Gunter from Personal Impressions is teaching and I had better get a move on as she has a full class this morning and I don't want our ladies waiting at the door.

 I will try to pop back later and hear what you all think of our new range, please leave me some sweet comments as there are no cakes at work today and you know how much
 of a sweet tooth I have ;P

Karen

Little Cotton Rabbits & Big Prize

{Picture of LCR by Julie, card by Rachel and magnet by Kate.}

Once upon a time in blog land, I came across Julie who knitted darling little rabbits and they were much loved by all. But try and buy one and that's when the disappointment set in, you had to be quick and more often than not, quick was still too slow.
Then we had Linda draw some stamps based on LCR and they were so cute :) That was some time ago but the rabbits still make an appearance now and then. The kit was sold out for a long time but we have finally got around to making a few more. AND to make it even sweeter, we have it on special  offer too.here

If you would like to go see what Julie has been up to and many see if your quicker than me and can actually catch a Little Cotton Rabbit when she releases them, good luck to you!

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The Sugar Bowl is back and look.........................we match!
Thanks to Gayle who put the new look together and to the sweeties for taking part in this weeks challenge.
Its a sketch put together by the wonderfully talented Lilian and here it is

and there are a few changes to the rules but one things stays the same...............big prizes.
This challenge has 6 stamps AND 6 distressed inks.........yes you heard right, we are good to you when it comes to giving you the sweet stuff :)  Jump on over to the SUGAR BOWL and see the inspirational samples and join in the fun.
take care
Karen