Old And New.

When my mojo has gone for a wander, or if I'm short of time, I find it really helpful to have a sketch to follow. Over on The Sugar Bowl is a fab sketch and of course there is always a fab prize too for the lucky winner.

Sugar Nellie produces many different ranges of stamps, to suit all tastes, and like lots of other crafters I have stamps from every range from the older ones through to the newest releases. I love them all but I do have my favourites (sshhhh don't tell Karen I said that!)

This is the beautiful card that Carisa made for the challenge, using my absolute favourite - well for now anyway - Sassy image called Fashionista. She is just SO pretty and definitely Sassy.

Pops chose an older image by Kathy Hare called Searching for her gorgeous card. I love the fresh feel of Spring to this one.

To enter the challenge the rules are very simple: Use a Sugar Nellie image, either of the rubber kind or a digital image, and follow the sketch. You can rotate the sketch as Carisa has done. The challenge always has a theme, which you can choose to follow or not and the current theme is 'Think Pink' which both ladies have 

used. If you don't have a blog but want to enter the challenge then you can send your photograph to Sugar Mama Gayle and she will add your entry. All the details can be found at the Sugar Bowl and you have until next Wednesday evening before this challenge closes. So ink up your favourite Sugar Nellie - old or new - and get your entry in.

Thanks for looking

Love Elaine xx

Copics tutorials


Well I am sitting in the HOS at my desk surfing, killing time until the new rep shows up, I am sure his appointment was at 10am. I am also checking out the prices of copic, it would not be the first time I am offered something that sells for less on the Internet than it does wholesale to stores. Crazy I know but I have been caught out before.

But I am impressed with the copic tutorials that Chrissy has done using the Sassy stamp Fashionista. I am sure if you put the kettle on and sit down and watch this with a note pad at the ready to write down numbers you will learn more than you would standing around a desk watching a demo.  So grab a coffee, oh you might as well treat yourself to a cake too, and watch these tutorials.

I hope to come back with some copics news soon but until then...........do you have cake for me?

Karen

Sassy Weekend ahead

Grab this badge if your a Sassy girl, join the team for a great blog hop next weekend.

April already and we did have a break from new Simply Sassy stamps in March but I have three sets waiting in the wings for your inky pleasure. I love Kristas work, she is so original and ..........sassy,

yes I ain't to adventurous when I name things, keep it simple and self explanatory.

*******

Mystery solved, the card came from Sarah, thank you Sarah she is so cute and will find special spot in store to show her off to our local customers. It's funny that Kate said that it looked like your work, amazing that she know the DT so well that she can "name that cardmaker in one" LOL

Candy winners read on...............

Chrissy said...
Well. So far I have achieved 4 cards for challenges, binned 2, I could not get a sketch right no matter how hard I tried..lol..The second bin drop, was a oop's glue set too quick and it was so crooked...But my goal was 4 and thats what I did..2 posted 2 to go tomorrow...
Luv CHRISSYxx
PS always read blogs start to finish..love it..
March 26, 2011 9:45 AM

Diane J said...
I too sometimes need extra hours in the day LOL. This weekend I have had an enjoyable time making Mothers Days cards for my Mum and my MIL; plus extra cards for my children to give to their Nans and Auntie next Sunday. Housework has been abandoned until tomorrow. Diane xx
March 27, 2011 6:45 PM

Congratulations girls, email your address to Mark at info@funkykits.co.uk

 within 7 days to claim your sweet candy.
********

I need to be at work early tomorrow to meet up with a new rep, lets hope I can add the new colour from copic to my collection ;) and find so new and exciting craft product within his catalogues.

Ruth I am still working on getting a small  workshop in Glasgow with Sugar Nellie and Copics together. In the HOS we work with Letraset but I am happy to go with either brand, I just need someone to teach me.

And it would be a great get together of Sugar Addicts, a right good blether, cake coffee oh and some crafting in between the blethering.

take care

Karen

Was it you?

I received this lovely card and tag today, but I have no idea who sent it?

It's not unusual to receive cards and gifts in the HOUSE of SUGAR, we are very lucky that you all think so much of us to send  things, the DT some times send samples for use in the store and we get "thank you" & "just because" cards out of the blue and its lovely to receive them.

 Even home bakes are dropped off for our coffee times :)

But there were no clues as to who sent this card today, own up, who forgot to write inside the card? LOL

Mark would like me to tell you that there has been a hold up with the company making the new Gorjuss stamps and his hands are tied, he can not get them to you any faster. As soon as they are made and packed they will be shipped to Funkykits so that he can fill all pre orders.

 If you wish to cancel your order you may but you will then have to go to the end of the line and there are no guarantees that you will get them in the first delivery.

All packets are labeled and have your other shopping enclosed, he is just waiting (not so patiently) for Gorjuss girls to arrive from the new supplier. :( disapointing I know but what can he do?

*******

What you doing this weekend?

It was an absolute delight to read all your comments, I do feel like I am talking to myself sometimes but I am as equally guilty of reading and running, not leaving a comment. My bad.

Trish, congratulations on your new grand daughter, bless her ten tiny toes.

Elaine I am please to hear that the adorables are working well for you.

Gill I have never tried a bookatix, did you get it finished?

For all those who were feeling poorly or had sick kids, I hope you are recovering well.

Kaos, I love 3D decor and hope to see what you did do on your blog.

For all the crafters who did have cards and challenges (especially Sugar Bowl Challenge) cards

to make this weekend, its great that you found the time as its a common problem with most crafters, finding the time to do what you have planned.

Jodi, I too love to follow a sketch, it speeds things up not having to think about the lay out and if I can save time I have to go down that path........ or sleep less.

Pat, I wish you all good things with your baby clinic, I hope that there are more tears of joy than sadness and that your kind heart is rewarded with many happy memories and the knowledge that you did what you could to help not only the babies but their families at a difficult time in.

Can I come back and list the candy winners tomorrow as I am running out of steam today.....

*******

After Jenny's classes in Papercrafts this Saturday, I gathered ever thing that was left over and took it home to make some quick and easy cards for the Daffodil tea at the school this Thursday. Knowing that these cards will be sold in aid of funds and not at a high value, I kept it clean and simple and did a good few cards with the Fizzy Moon range. I will not send too much up to the school as there are only 30 kids and I don't think there will be a huge crowd of people turning out. BUT the school did receive an award this past Friday, not sure what it was for but for a tiny school it was a huge achievement and the award ceremony with rather grand, as my 8 year old told someone " I will not be available between 6-9pm on Friday as I am going to an award ceremony with FOUR STAR FOOD!", you can tell she's her mothers daughter LOL

*******

I have seen some more sketches for SIMPLY ADORABLE's but we have issues over the sale of toppers on ebay, the artist is not to happy and I have to look at addressing her concerns before we get any more.

Let me tell you that they are, as always, adorable and I do hope that I can bring your these beauties.

take care

Karen

Sugar Addicts Showcase Sunday.

It's Sunday and so time to shine the spotlight on another of those lovely ladies with an addiction to all things Scottish, sweet and rubbery! This weeks lady to showcase is Cathy.

 

Cathy is a busy work-at-home Mum to 2 beautiful girls, Ellie and Beth, and wife to understanding hubby Dave. So understanding he purpose built a craft room especially for her. Cathy started scrap booking after Ellie was born and then moved on to making cards for family and friends.

Cathy's first Sugar Nellie stamp was Hamish with his tractor and since then she has added stamps from every range, most recently being the new Manga images and Sassy's.

Cathy very kindly sent me two cards to show....

This image is from the Simply Adorable range and called Joy, she's a digital image so an instant sugar fix and you can buy her HERE.

This one is a Sassy image from the latest release and called Bedtime Snuggles and available to purchase HERE.

Of course I had a lovely, long look around Cathy's blog and there were so many beautiful cards to choose from. I know Cathy went to the SECC at Glasgow and she was whippety quick showing the cards she made with her new purchases on the Sugar Nellie Facebook group.

This sweet, sweet lass is from the latest Manga release and called Strawberry Patch and available to buy HERE.

And lastly we have another of the new Manga images called Dress Up Games and available to buy HERE.

(Love her pearl necklace!)

A big 'Thank You' to Cathy for letting me wander around her blog and showcase her sweet and beautiful Sugar Nellie cards, and I hope you will pop over to Cathy's blog and leave her some love. 

I do know that Cathy will be posting a little candy on her blog today - and it's the sweet Scottish Sugar-free sort of candy!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and I hope you all get a little crafty time.

Thanks for looking.

Love Elaine xx

What you doing?

Where does the week go, how are you all, busy with all your challenges I hope. It's hard to pull yourself away from the computer and actually do something rather than think about it, bunt since it's the weekend its a good time to relax with your pens and do a little colouring.

It clear to see that I have not been around as much, there are other things taking my time just for now but I thank Elaine for stepping in and doing a few post, thanks babe :).

Gayle and her sweeties do an amazing job with the sugar bowl, we sadly say goodbye to Pat as she is running out of hours in the day to do everything. We all wish her well and hope that she finds the time and enjoys the DT work and challenges she is part of.

Maria and her Sassy Girls DT have a very active and inspirational blog, lots going on over there so don't forget about it and they are having a blog hop at the start of April, check it out!

We did not find time in the day yesterday to do Marks Something for the weekend, we really should schedule that post in the week when we have time.

Jenny is teaching classes in the store today and I am covering for Kate who has a day off, so that's me off to work soon, sorting out beads and buttons all day.

How would you like a little candy, for those who really do read my blog and don't just surf the blogs for freebies (which could be a full time hobby these days), if you have read this far then you are a star and a true sugar addict. Leave me a comment, tell me what to you hope to achieve crafting wise this weekend ? .......
and I will send out a little sugar to keep two lucky addicts sweet.

Karen

Think Pink!

There's a new challenge today over on the Sugar Bowl and this sketch has been set by Kiki.

The theme if you choose to follow it is 'PINK'.

A beautiful card by Kiki using a Sassy stamp from set 4 named Call Me.

A perfect baby card from Erika using a digital image called Bambino.

And a gorgeous card from my Sugar Mama Gayle using an older Sassy image from set 2 called Bella Bunting. 

Bella is in my top 3 favourite Sassys, I loved this girl from the moment I first got my inky mitts on her.

In keeping with the PINK theme the prize is a goodie box filled with scrummy PINK card making goodies.

But you know you've got to be in it to win it, so get a little inky and show some love to your Sweet Sugar Nellie Images and enter the challenge. There are plenty more cards from the other Sweeties over on the Sugar Bowl to inspire you along with all the details on how to enter....just use a Sugar Nellie image and follow the sketch.

Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xx

Get Well Soon

Two cards from Juls, featuring the newer Mary Hall stamps, I especially love the simplicity and clean look of these cards, Juls has used her nesties to make a shaped card which is very popular at the moment.

 The new go kreate dies in store have a few sell outs as more and more crafters are cutting their own shaped cards.

 Once we move up the the Grande Spellbinder only the size on matching envelopes will hold us back! LOL

Birthday boy is away to school as they have a cross country comp today, as our little village school only has 30+ pupils and James in in the P7 class of about 5 children, he is by far the tallest in school, does that mean his legs will be the longest and he will run the fastest? I doubt it but hes got a very good chance. What do you give a 12 year old, none of the things on his list that's for sure!
Money for new trainers and a school trip along with a special treat of a visit to a friends clay pigeon shoot.His Granny is taking him out for tea and that's about as exciting as it gets at 12.
Mini me and I made his birthday cards, both almost the same as she followed me step by step, until it came to glueing on the buttons, I tried to tell her its one or three but no no she had to have all she wanted! Still, it was not bad for an eight year old.

So tomorrow is my "sugar daddy's" birthday, that title is more fitting than you know, just so you realise I am not as old as him!
Because he is real busy on our farm with the lambing and sewing at this time of year we are not having a party until May, but he is stressing out that the invites have not even been  made yet. So does anyone do commissions LOL I don't know if I'm fit to make all those invites.....

take care
Karen

An amazing gift

While at SECC I was busy blethering when \Ali passes me this very pretty box, Andrea had handed this in for us as gift, OH lovely! Last time I got a decorated box from Tina it was full of tablet, but this time there was something super sweet inside......

A Sugar Nellie Calender, wow 12 pages of sweet stamps all themed to the month

I was blown away by the generosity of Andrea, who must have spent hour on this project and freely handed it over to us at the show, {you see the community that we all belong in IS a huge part of Sugar Nellie}.

I had never met Andrea before, but she must have a sweet tooth because there is a good selection of our stamps in her calender. Pop over and say hello to her on her blog

A huge thank you Andy for your extra special gift, its much appreciated and constatly admired in our store.

I also received a beautiful card and necklace from Marlene, sending you some love back very soon babe.xx

And a great selection of sample cards from Erika from the Sassy Blog, oh they are beautiful and I have to admit to claiming one for a special birthday next month.

But this weeks sees two birthday's in my house,my only son, James turns 12 tomorrow

 and hubby hit 50 the next day!

I think there might be cake in my the kitchen this week, if you pop around for a cuppa :)

take care

Karen

Sugar Addicts Showcase Sunday.

Phew - that's a mouthful! Well that's what Sundays are now called here. So as the title suggests, each Sunday I will try and find a Sugar Addict to showcase their talents.

First on parade is Vicky who is a busy working Mum of two - George and Bexx - and wife to Steve. Vicky works as a Senior Theatre Sister in her local hospital, and like lots of other crafters enjoys card making to unwind and de-stress. 

Vicky has a VERY sweet tooth when it comes to the Scottish rubber kind!

So without any further waffling this is the gorgeous card that Vicky sent me:

The image is a Home Grown Country Cousins stamp called Goosey Gander, available to purchase HERE.

And of course I had to have a good wander around Vicky's blog to pick some other cards to show you.

This one is a Leanne Ellis image called 'Tell me Something'.

This image is the beautiful Joy from the Simple Adorable range, available to purchase HERE. And lastly...

....a Home Grown Manga stamp called Tiny Tiddler available to purchase HERE.

There were such a lot of gorgeous cards to choose from on Vicky's blog but if you know me then you'll know exactly why I chose these -  my favourite colours: blues, greens, creams, browns. I can assure you Vicky makes cards in all the colours of the rainbow but since I was picking them my choices won! 

A big 'Thank you' to Vicky for allowing me to to showcase her fabulous and sweet cards

I hope you've enjoyed looking at them as much as I did choosing them and why not pop over HERE and have a browse through Vicky's blog.

Before I leave you all in peace, if you fancy being in the 'Showcase' one Sunday and you are a Sugar Addict then just drop me an EMAIL and include your blog address so I can find you. 

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and thanks for looking.

Love Elaine xx

Tart It Up or Dress It Down?

Good Morning Sugar Babes.
Have you seen the fabulous sketch on the current Sugar Bowl challenge? Erika designed this one and it's a nice and easy sketch too, right up my street. But because it's quite a 'clean' sketch it gives you the perfect opportunity to tart it up or dress it down. To use your own talents and imagination and 'stamp' your own style on your card.
There's nothing I love more than looking through the Sugar Bowl entries and seeing what everyone makes.

Take one sketch and one image.....

This is Jenny's take on the sketch using the very adorable Hope available to buy HERE. Look at all the fabulous detail that Jenny has added to her card! A beautifully coloured image surrounded by perfectly placed embellishments. This definitely has the wow factor! Jenny sure knows how to 'tart' up a card.

But some crafters like to keep things a little simpler....

This stunning card was made by Janette and it's the total opposite to Jenny's card. Janette has gone for a 'cleaner' look and dressed it down. The image has been kept in black and white with no colouring at all and the embellishments are minimal. And it is equally as gorgeous and definitely has the wow factor too.
One sketch, one image, 2 ladies and 2 totally different and beautiful cards, each one unique to the crafter.
So what are you waiting for? Get your own unique cards entered into the Sugar Bowl. The prize is amazing - as always, and the rules of entry are so simple. Make a card or project using a Sugar Nellie image and follow the current sketch, easy peasy.
If you want to play in the Sugar Bowl but don't have a blog then email your entries to the Sugar Mama herself - Gayle - and she will add your entry into the competition. All details can be found on the blog.
Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine

Copic's Creations

I had an email from Lilian over on the Sugar Bowl about a challenge that she is part of. Lilian and all the sweeties put a lot of work into there challenge samples and it is the least that I could do in sponsoring her chosen blog.

When Mary emailed that the challenge was up, I jumped over and had a look at what the DT had done and was very happy to see such a lovely selection of Sugar Nellie stamps and digi images used by the Copics Creations girls.
Take a few minuets and jump over HERE. One of my wishes is that I could attend a copic class and I am ever hopefull that someone will hold a class here in Scotland so that I may learn how to use these pens to the max.
Over on CC those girls are masters at the art of colouring and all the cards are amazing, thank you girls for all your hard work and beautiful cards, its a joy to view them all.

Karen

Manga News

A fantastic selection of new MANGA'S which were launched at Glasgow and have now found themselfs over on Funkykits, all new stock lines are keeping Mark busy and with more boxes arriving every day it's  begining to feel like Christmas.

And it feels like Christmas in our local shop of local people, PAPERCRAFTS, where we have just taken a delivery of a very special new toy, the Spellbinder Grand Calibre no only does it come with a fantastic price tag of £80 but we are also treating those who purchase one to a Spellbinders Master Class with Erika Gunter from Personal Impressions just so you know exactly what to do and how to get the best results with this machine.

Interested? if your local and use the store call Kate on 01343 548864 to order you Grand Calibre and reserve your place in our Master Class. Offer last as long as the stock does as they have only a limited
number to sell at this price.

Me myself cant wait to take these two sets and make this amazing mini book as seen at the trade show.

And while we are on the subject of shows, here is a picture from Glasgow, any ideas who these crafty girls are? Answers on a postcard please :)

take care

KarenManga

Celebrate with some fizz

No rest for the wicked as they say and this weekend was busy busy busy. We had Jenny demoing Fizzy Moon in the store and here are a few pictures of her work, her colouring is great and a lot of customers would like to see more letraset classes.

Jenny will be back on Sat 26th for two classes firstly 10.30am work with FIZZY MOON
and at 1.30pm its Craftwork cards each class is £12 and not only creative but fun.

Mark did not get his post done on Friday so I think he has loaded up all the FIZZY MOON stamps and new GO KREATE dies to his catalogue today. Both offering great value for money and we all like that.

I am busy signing off artwork and generally catching up with things at work, waiting for stock to arrive from the trade show I went to in Birmingham last month so that we can put the new shop departments together
and with lambing in full swing, blizzards and wild kids, there is no rest even at home, round the clock field watch for DH and utter exhaustion mean I had better not ask him to watch the kids on top of everything else.

take care and keep inking

Karen

Candy winners list....

Lynne in NI said...
Ohhh, these are adorable! I love how the fruit is reflected on their clothes!
February 22, 2011 10:31 PM

http://ruby-dooby-dooscraftyspot.blogspot.com/
congratulations Lynne you win  two of the new Mary Hall stamps, apple & lemon tree :)

Debbie said...
So sweet, Lovely stamps, they'd really brighten anyone's day.Fantastic.Hope you're okay.No Birmingham for me I'm afraid, one day perhaps.Take care.Debbie x
February 17, 2011 10:57 AM
http://debscraftytime.blogspot.com/
congratulations Debbie you win Splish Splosh and Ella's Umbrella.

Crafty Chris said...
I love this range of stamps there little faces are so life like, thanks for the chance to win.
Chris x
February 15, 2011 10:40 PM
http://christinesplace-christine.blogspot.com/
congratulations you win Molly


weewiccababe said...
they are super cute, I just love their wee faces
Debz x
February 16, 2011 11:26 AM
http://wiccababe.blogspot.com/
congratulations you win Oliver

Now I think that is me up to date with candy winners, please email Mark info@funkykits.co.uk
within the next 7 days to claim your candy. Well done girls a little sweetness coming your way.
Karen

I challenge YOU!

Its Thursday again and a new challenge has been set by ERIKA over on the SUGAR BOWL,

 Gayle and her sweeties have made cards to inspire you and a simple sketch you give you a head start, inky up your sweet stamps and give it a go.

The Sugar Nellie community is amongst the strongest out there and when I feel better and am all up to date I am going to think of ways to strengthen and reward our followers, idea's on a postcard please:).

Its good to have Chrissy back and we will be happy to see her create something sweet

 when she feels up to it.

                                                                            **********
LOCAL news, instore demo on Saturday with Jenny, the bead bar will not be open this weekend as stock is slow in arriving from the trade show so that will come a little later along with our Compendium of Curiosities corner, yes those of you who love Tim Holtz will know that is the title of one of his books but we will be putting our own spin on it and have loads of other ideas that fit in with the trend. Here is a little peek

The lovely Kath is going to have so much fun playing with the supplies she will be demoing at PAPERCRAFTS in ELGIN on 7th May.

There will also be classes running on the day especially for those that come long distance so that they can make a day of it.

For those who would like to see some of the faces and picture from the Glasgow show,

 nip over to Ali's blog

where the camera tells lies and these girls are far lovelier in person:)

take care catch you soon

Karen

Sarah has been busy

Sarah has been busy inking up the new stamps, she has a very clean style about her which she has

perfected to a T, I  love her work and it is very classy but simple to achieve. I hope a trip to her blog inspires you to get inking and colour our sweet stamps too.

You will also see many CC Designs used by Sarah on her blog which FUNKYKITS also sell.

Short and sweet today, I have not forgotten I have things to catch up with but have spent the past two days in bed mostly catching up and suffering after all that's been happening these past few weeks. Got a date with a dentist tomorrow first thing to sort out a root abscess which has now effected the left side of my face, got to love dentists!

Need to also go to the HOS and empty the car as some point so the kids can get in it,

but since I will not be going anywhere soon its not that urgent.

you all take care and I will be back later

Karen

News from the show

Hello girls, sorry I am not about much, no Internet connection and will not be back in the office until Tuesday as I am in GLASGOW. It was a beautiful drive down the center of Scotland on Wednesday, blue skies and sunshine and no rain anywhere. Set up the stand on Wednesday night with the help of DD Debbie and spent the rest of the night running around Glasgow searching the DIY shops for giant hooks as the stand was still in bits.
Thursday arrived and I had the lovely Ali help me out, a huge thank you to all the sugar addicts who stopped to say hello and I will need to show you an extra special gift we received, people are so kind and I think that the Sugar Nellie community is second to none, such a great mix of crafters who all share one addiction.
Friday was quieter and tomorrow I get to work with Gayle :) she's bringing cake as the food in the SECC is dire and totally overpriced. I can easy live off cake for a few days, especially if it has fresh cream.

take care and I will catch up with photos as soon as I can

Karen

ews from the show

Karen

Karen

Play time

Juls has used a back ground to make this card stand out.

very pretty card from Fi

and another from Fi using Little Farmer from Mary Hall

 Even Mina found time play and this is her first card as part of the SN DT.

*********

All our girls can be found on the side bar, linking to their blogs, please pay them a visit and leave some sugar so they know you stopped by.

I still have candy to draw from last week but as I take off to Glasgow for the SECC tomorrow, it will have to wait a little longer. For all of you planning to stop and say hello, I will be about for the four days along with Ali, Gayle, Debbie and Hannah.

I had no idea what stamps to take and now the prize is to guess which stamps will sell out. There is no way that we will have enough, there is plenty of room in the car so maybe I will pop some more in just to make sure, but which ones?

take care

Karen