Fizz

Hello everyone :o)

I've used one of the older Leanne Ellis stamps for today's card... I have a real soft spot for these sweet little Annie stamps.

This is Fizz and she's one of my favourites, because although she's very cute, she's also great for 'grown up' cards.  You can find her here at Funky Kits.

Thanks for popping in... Hope you have a lovely day :o)

Lisa x

In a While...

Good morning everyone are you all having a good week, its freezing here and I'm beginning to get seriously fed up with winter...I chose bright cheerful colours for my card for today...this beauty is from Sugar Nellie's Leanne Ellis stamps range...shes called In a While and is gorgeous to colour, I used my usual distress inks for colouring and all the details are on my blog as usual...today is the last day to join in with my Mega Candy if you haven't already you can find the link in my sidebar for a chance to win some Leanne Ellis stamps and loads of other goodies too...thanks for stopping by today and whatever your up to today I hope you have fun

Mina xxx

Fifi goes walkies...

Morning all....

 

Vicky here today to share with you my card using one of my adorable Fairy Glen stamps...

and this sweetie is called "Fifi goes Walkies"..

 

I have teamed Fifi up with some lovely LOTV papers...



Coloured her with my Copics....some chalks for her cheeks...and Prisma Pencils for added shading...

 

and the layout was done using my MFT Blueprints dies...

 

for more details please pop over to my blog here...

 

So thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a lovely day too...

 

biggest of crafty hugs Vicky xx



Introducing...

Hi! My name is Pam and I live in Surrey, South East England. I work full time as a PA in London, which is ok but really gets in the way of what I want to be doing which is crafting! I have been crafting for some years. Both my parents were crafty. For as long as I can remember my Mum has always knitted and she also dabbled in some cross stitching. My Dad was great at sketching and drawing, he never really took it far but he was amazing. My crafty journey started in cross stitching which I continue to do when I can find the time! I moved into paper-craft and it completely took over my life! I started my blog nearly 4 years ago and my crafting skills have improved 100%, which is all down to the fabulous inspiration from all the crafters out there!

For my card today I have used the ever so gorgeous Winter Wonders Princess. She is coloured with copics and I have used some very pretty paper from Craftwork Cards. The embellishments are mulberry roses, fancy button and some pearls. I never finish a card without some glamour dust!! I hope you like!

Ocean's Gift

Hello everyone :o)

I have a little mermaid creation to show you today...

Isn't she beautiful?  This is Ocean's Gift, from the Under The Sea collection... If I remember right, this was the very first stamp I coloured as part of the Sugar Nellie DT, back in 2012, which feels like just a few months ago!

More photos and details over on my blog.

Thanks for popping in, hope you all have a lovely day :o)

If Only...

Hi everyone I hope your having a great start to your week...this beautiful stamp is one of my prizes for my mega candy and there's a few other Sugar Nellie stamps too...if you haven't joined in my candy yet just click on the picture in the sidebar theres a load of lush prizes...this beauty is from Sugar Nellies Leanne Ellis range and is called If Only...I coloured her with my usual distress inks and teamed her up with some spring fresh Basic grey papers...all the details are on my blog as always and dont forget to join in my candy...enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by

Mina xxx

Leanne Ellis Blossom....

Morning all...

 

Vicky here today to share with you my card using one of Leanne Ellis's stamps...

and this sweetie is called "Blossom"...

 

I have teamed adorable "Blossom" with some gorgeous papers from LOTV...

Coloured her with my Copics, Chalks for added blush...and Prisma pencils for more shading..

 

and the layout was done using a mix of MFT dies....some pearls and a little sprinkling of Stickles too..

 

for more details pleased pop over to my blog here..

 

So thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day too..

 

biggest of crafty hugs Vicky xx



SOS a baby shower

Hello everyone, how was your week? 

Crazy times here with personal stuff and last night there was a BABy ShoWER at m home. Debbie arrived back in Scotland and promptly held a shower for her oldest friend ( they went to toddlers together). All th gang were back in one place, the first time since Debbie's wedding back in August 2012.

So the girls got busy making things, boy oh boy, pinterest can be blamed for a lot of things!

The nappy/diaper cake was made in neutral duck theme.

Bottle filled with sweeties.

Pop corn in carry out boxes.

Tags printed, die cut and stuck, lots of ribbon and the odd flower to pretty it all up.

Melted chocolate inside nappies, yes you heard right, it was absolutely discussing but everyone, had a taste, gag, and guessed correctly. Glad I went out for a meal win friends . When we arrived home it was all over and cleared away.

Well that was the first Baby Shower I had anything to do with, I don't suppose it will be the last.

The girls all had fun, they tidied up after themselves. A little bit stressfull trying to put it all together but then Debbie does get herself in a state sometimes, something's never change! 

Sunday duties call, Monday is the start of it all over again.

Have some rest and relaxation today if you get the chance.

I have an invitation to send DOWN under and lots of links to artist that you have kindly shared with me.

Poor internet at home is slowing me down but I have a lot to do this week as I have something important coming up next weekend.

Karen

Introducing..

Hello my name is Janine, and I live in Middlesbrough with my hubbie Tony. I have one daughter called Heather who lives and works in London as an actress at the London Dungeons. I work part-time as a secretary for a fabrication company and when asked I also teach adults computer, internet and email skills.


I’ve been into arts and crafts all my life especially drawing and painting, and always have a pencil in my hand. I've tried quite a lot of different crafts over the years such as calligraphy, cross stitch, flower arranging, and even face painting. I started card-making 7 years ago after watching a few demos on TV, and from that I was inspired to make my daughter‘s 18th birthday invites; and so it began. From my small stash of one stamp, one black ink pad and some colouring pens, it's now grown into a healthy obsession. I love all aspects of card-making and my style has grown along with my skills. My particular love is stamping and colouring which I do with either my Copics or Prisma Pencils. I'm currently on 3 Design Teams – The Sugar Bowl, Sweet Stampin' and Totally Gorjuss which are all brilliant fun and keeps me on my toes. I also share my cards on my blog, DoCraft Forum, Pinterest and Twitter. I've also run a monthly craft club in my local area called ‘Chit-Chat & Craft’.

Info about my card:


My crafty blog : http://craftingcrackers.blogspot.co.uk

I made this little shaped card using a Sugar Nellie digital stamp 'A Little Bit Of Gossip' from the Return To Fairy Glen Release. I coloured her in with my copics and added a touch of glitter to her wings (a girl needs a bit of sparkle in her life). I teamed up the background paper Dovercraft's 'Garden Party' with some green and pink cardstock which I die cut into circles mats along with the image using my new Tonic layering circle dies. I then cut a small border strip using one of Joanna Sheen's Signature dies and laid my finished image on top. To soften the edge of the paper I used some Worjn Lipstick distressing ink and around the stamp I used some Turquoise pan pastel.

I just love making my own handmade flowers as they always give such a personal touch. These flowers were made using the small and medium Britannia Multi Rose Dies, Marianne Designs Swirl Rose and Tattered Lace Embellishment dies. To finish her off I added a little gem to her hair, some pearls to the flowers and a cute yellow flower button.

I hope you like my first creation for Sugar Nellie and hope to see you over in the Sugar Bowl challenge very soon.

Hugs x Janine x

Annabel

Hello everyone :o)

I've used one of the Vintage Adorable digi stamps for today's card... for some reason I don't often think to print these out, but they're so lovely aren't they?

This is Annabel, and you can find her here at Funky Kits.  Don't the Adorables look gorgeous when they're coloured in?  That bit of added shading is so helpful.

Thanks for popping in... Hope you have a lovely day :o)

Lisa x

Let's work with the box?

Some time ago amoungst the caios that is work. I thought up the idea of a box of delightful bits and bobs which would maybe compliment or expand the supplies you have. Giving you the overt unity to play with new crafts supplies without buying the range. I thought that even if the box was most useful to paper crafters, there would be items which may expand your creative mind. Tempt you to try something out with your comfort zone without getting too carried away with a new hobby.

So here I am planning what promotions we will be running in Febuary. The DT and sweeties know which stamps I would like featured and the reason for this is that one of our artist has a new range of papers and embellishments being launched soon. 

I would like to introduce a trial craft box to include 6" papers, ribbons, buttons, charms, toppers, stamped images. A few more usually things which would work well with the other contents. The reasoning behind this is that as much as both you and I love new ranges, to try a little bit of it without buying a complete packet of everything, makes a lot of sense. 

Our pennies go further, we are not having to work through a complete pad of paper, ribbons and matching embellishments. 

It offers great value for money, a change to be in club environment where you can see what everyone else did with their goodies.

I see a lot of potential with this idea, with only one pair of hands I am not sure if I can do it often but I am willing to try.

Those of you who are familiar with our stamps, classes, workshops and stores, know that I always offer great value. For me, my business is more about success than profit. My accountant would not agree but that's what gives me pleasure. New ideas, challenges and ideas, it's what makes my little world.

Feedback, please give me your thoughts, I already purchased all our packaging for this idea years ago. The post office had got it's self into gear and offered a more realistic price for UK parcels which is good news.

I have this new range ordered and just waiting for it to arrive. I hope to have this dispatched mid to end of Febuary or sooner if the stock comes in. 

I will also offer a special deal on the matching rubber for those who are new to Sugar Nellie, which will be sold as an optional extra.

Would this interest you?

What would you think would make this box better?

This is my job for today, it's dark and wet here in Scotland and tomorrow I have a very special visitor coming home for Philadelphia, followed next week my her husband. Lots to do folks, catch you soon.

Karen

sweet as candy...and some candy news...

Good morning everyone its Tuesday so my turn to show a bit of sugary sweetness and this little sweetheart is called Sweet As Candy...shes a digi and a bargain too and like all Home Grown range shes a dream to colour...she seems to go with any paper pad or colour combo as well...all the details are on my blog and if you pop by you can join in with my 600,000 hit candy and have a chance at loads of prizes including some yummy Sugar Nellie rubber too...the link is on my sidebar...thanks for stopping by today and wherever you are I hope your warmer than we are here bbbbbrrrrr

Mina xxx

Golden Nector...

Morning all....

 

Vicky here today to share with you my card I made using one of my Return to Fairy Glen stamps....and this sweetie is called "Golden Nector"..

 

I have teamed her up with some gorgeous LOTV papers...

Coloured her in with my Copics, Chalks for her cheeks....and Prisma Pencil for added shading...

 

and I used a mix of  MFT dies for the layout....some twine to thread the die-cut button..

 pearls and a sprinkling of Stickles too...

 

For more details please pop to my blog here...

 

So thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day too...

 

biggest of crafty hugs Vicky xx

 



Introducing....

Today I would like to introduce you to Fiona, all our facebook group know her as organiser of the FB challenge and she helping out with the sugar bowl challenge too. As a sweetie, Fi makes sweet cards as samples for the monthly challenge www.sugarbowlblog.blogspot.co.uk

A wee bit about me...

Well my name is Fiona and I live in West Lothian with my hubby and 2 kids, Michael and Holly.  

We did also have Pepper our poochy but she sadly passed away on New Years Day. 

 I currently work full time as a Senior HR Co-ordinator for a very large organisation which I love although like everything, it has its moments.

 I have been making cards for about 7 years now and love it although have been really busy with work lately, however back to normal and back on track for card making.  I have always been into some kind of arts and crafts and can turn my hand to most things...especially when the kids were little and I did a lot of knitting.... I am currently on the design teams for The Sugar Bowl and Sweet Stampin which I enjoy muchly.  I have had several guest spots over the past couple of years.  I do think I have a particular style of card and I would say that most of my followers would probably recognise my cards. 

www.fiscardsandcrafts.blogspot.co.uk

 The card was made using the stgamp "Tell me Something" by Leanne Ellis for Sugar Nellie which I coloured with copics, I then did some extra shading with polychromos.  The backing paper is MME - Noteable.  I embossed a panel and doodled around the edges...I do love doodling on my cards...maybe you knew that!!  I always think an embossed panel helps the image to pop out.  The flower has been made with my die-namics layered rose die and fastened with a pearly brad.  I also added a small gem to the finger on the image....hope you likey!

Fi

Bubble & Squeak

Morning everyone, Lisa here with my card for this week...

As we're heading towards Valentine's Day, I thought I'd use this adorable little couple... awww, don't they look sweet!  They're called Bubble & Squeak and you can find them here at Funky Kits.

More photos and details over on my blog.

Thanks for popping in, hope you have a lovely day :o)

Can you draw?

Hello everyone, thanks for reading my babble for today.

Yesterday was spent doing a lot of surfing, the lazy kind.

When SN begun 6 years ago, we soon had to reach out and find new artist. 

I spent several years searching for artist which, not only could draw but had a style that I thought would work well in the stamp world. I met lots of artist, many a delight to work with, no problems, great artwork, on time and clean images.

Some of our artist were more experienced than others, I have a drawer of rejected artwork, a costly mistake for me. 

The trial for finding , teaching, launching and promoting individual arts took its tole. I would put my heart into giving them the best start into the craft world but often had them, jump ship in search of bigger things. 

( I was almost tempted to take a restraining order out on one employee at a licensing agency who stalked everything I did and head hunted my finds! The big boys play dirty, real dirty!)

All this left me drained..

I still had  in house art but required more.

I started working with licensing agents that allowed me to cherry pick the art. 

Pay for it and get on with promoting my business. 

No artist involved, no training required. 

No divas to work with, oh yes I had one who turned into such a glory hunter it was unreal, and her art suffered once she stopped drawing for love and defiantly drew for money. Enough said.

Licencing came with the problem of supply and demand. I needed more than the artist was turning out. I would put my request in and wait 6 months before getting art sketches! 

This is why there has been a lack of art.

I have scoured the sites for new character to introduce to you. I have come up empty handed.

So I came up with a new idea.

Is there anyone out there who knows that they can draw. Has been sketching away on the quiet.

But does not know how to take the next step?

Do you know of a blog when you see great illustrations and wish these were available as stamps.?

How about typography, any skilled computer workers out there?

This search is worldwide.

Leave me a link in the comments and share your finds with me. You never know, this small business may plant the seed for something new to grow. You could help cultivate a new stamp artist!

In the mean time, I am off to contact and agency in Canada. Fingers crossed it proves fruitful.

Take care

Karen

Stitch...

Good morning everyone, have you all recovered from the Christmas excesses yet?...I think I might be Christmas carded out now so I went for a light fun card today...how perfect is this fabulously cute Sugar Nellie stamp called Stitch paired with these amazing papers...all the details are on my blog if you would like to pop by...I have mega candy on my blog too including some Sugar Nellie goodies...have a good day everyone and wherever you are I hope your managing to stay warm

Mina xxx

Country Cousins Lei-la....

Morning all....

 

Vicky here today to share with you my card using one of the adorable Country Cousins stamps....

and this sweetie is called "Lei-la"

 

I have teamed her up with some pretty LOTV papers....

Coloured her with my Copics, Chalks for her cheeks....and Prisma Pencils for added shading...

 

The layout was done with a mix of MFT Blueprints dies....and finished the card by adding some pearls too...

 

for more details please pop over to my blog here..

 

So thanks for stopping by and have a lovely day too...

 

biggest of crafty hugs Vicky xx



SOS Birthday Wishes

Thank you all for the birthday wishes, it's very kind of you to take the time to send them.

I am back to the office on Monday and can start working on my list of jobs to do, for the last two weeks I have been very much at home doing nothing. But having everyone at home, three meals a day and visitors coming and going, nothing really means " stuck in the kitchen".

What do I have to share with you today. Well it's usually a pinterest share on a Sunday. I have already covered most of my favourite finds. But today I have reverted back to Sugar Nellie stamps. I found this card and it's perfect for me this weekend.

Designed and made by Debby  http://debby4000.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Sugar%20Nellie

In one of Debby's post she talks about the shading on some digital images. These style of images were a trial by us to see if we could make colouring easier for those who were not so experienced with their pens. Good colouring skills take hours of practice and of some of us, me included, it's not something I have mastered.

With the under lying shading, we wanted to give more depth with maybe only one swipe of colour.

This we found out does not transfer to rubber and sadly, those stamps were never again made in rubber simply because there is only black and white in a rubber stamped image, where as in digital there is grey scale.

Judging by the success of Adorable images, I think these work just as we intended them too.  I see many cards made with these but I understand that if you have mastered your pens, you can shade perfectly well without grey scale.

Something for everyone.

Debby certainly can colour and her many Sugar Nellie cards are beautiful.

Want to see more lovely cards

Here is a link you need to have a peek at

http://www.pinterest.com/search/?q=Sugar+Nellie

DOWN UNDER UPDATE

A big shout out to our friends down under, thank you girls for leaving me a comment and link to your blog, I will have a surf about when I get to work next week and I am defiantly looking for one of you to join in the fun here at Sugar Nellie.

Marianne, your disappointed at the lack of rubber is noted. I might just have some thing hiding in the House Of Sugar that may satisfy your sweet tooth. *wink*

That's All for me, better get back in that kitchen and cook the Sunday roast!

Take care

Karen 

Flash by!

did you see it?
another year FLASHED by thats right I am now another year older
No you dont want to know how old
 Just let say its a bit like the number on the scales, too big and creeping up all the time!
SO with nothing more to say on the matter I share with you a little FLASH
Usual terms apply, this is of you and you only, right click and store it on your computer.

Oops sorry you missed it

 DONT share it anywhere on the internet, pin, private groups or by email. If you want your friends to have it , send them here.

Why did I choose this image?
After collecting a repaired tablet from Currys the other day, the cheeky and rather flirty man behind the counter shouted after me as I walked away "happy Easter" , it caught me so un awares that I did in fact LOL, yes, it's going to be here before you know it!

Now it's time for lunch out with my girls before I have to put my glad rags on for dinner tonight.
Have a slice of cake for me today because you know it would be rude not to.
Karen

My New Year review...

Morning everyone... Hope you don't mind another little Sugar Nellie review post, but I loved seeing Mina's earlier in the week and really wanted to do my own :o)

First up is a sweet Christmas fairy - Gift Wrapping

And the lovely Aviator, I do love colouring him.

And of course, there had to be a Pippi in my selection!

I've used this little Princess quite a few times this year, love her.

My favourite Manga Rock Idol...

And the lovely Sassy Luv a Latte...

Had to include this one, just because of her fabulous hair!  This is Tabitha...

 And I thought I'd finish with one of my first cards from last year, using one of the gorgeous Adorables... this one is Annabel... hmm, think I need to colour her again, isn't she fab?!

Well, I hope I haven't sent you to sleep with my long post... that was a lot harder than I thought it would be!

Thanks for popping in, hope you have a lovely day :o)

Lisa x

Down Under

I come from a land down under.....

One of my favourite teen songs.

Australia is a strong market for us, but you girls are so far away. Digital is great for long distance sugar addicts and I love to see you all creating with our sweet designs.

But, with the launch of so many images as digital. I thinks it's time for some guest design team members from far away lands.

If you are far far away from us here in the UK. Let me know if you would like to be our guest.

Usually terms apply, guest spots are monthly, quarterly or just for a new product launch.

Digital stamps will be supplied for your own use.

Just comment with your blog address and I will pop over and see your work.

New addicts are especially welcome to apply, after all it's about spreading the addiction to new sweet toothed crafters.

I have plans to welcome lots of new faces on this blog, let me know if you would like to take part and for thi post....come from a land down under.

Best wishes
Karen

Sketchy goings on

Happy New Year to you all.

I hope this new year brings many good things your way.

At the start of the year we all think about change. 

The things we want to achieve, bad habits we want to loose.

We look forward to the year with new hope that things will be better.

It's the same in business.

Retail is changing and the world is being ruled by the Internet.

For Sugar Nellie , there will be many changes this year.

Last year we costed along, falling behind and maybe taking our eyes off the ball.

2014 will see changes. It's essential to our survival.

New appointments both voluntary and paid.

New alliance with other companies, working together to be stronger.

New partnerships. Both designers and freelance artists.

A new look, everyone needs a make over.

Guests, we will be introducing you to new people all over the globe.

More digital for our customers far from home. 

Things we will not be tackling in 2014, shows, we just don't have the man or woman power to do these. But we can support anyone who wishes to take Sugar Nellie on a day out to their local shows.

One of the first things is our challenges, both The Sugar Bowl and the FaceBook group will under go changes. New blood is needed. A wider audience is required. A partnership with other challenge blogs which are not stamp brand connected would allow you twice as much entries for the one creation. After all, time is everyone's enemy.

Less looking and more doing. If I made a tiny percentage of the things I pin, I would be doing far more than I do now.

If you are connected with any challenges, craft companies, artist.... Who may like to work along side Sugar Nellie in 2014, let me know. I am not looking for spencer ship , more a partnership. There will be announcements as we tackle each new project but I am open to ideas.

I picked up this sketch challenge over on Pinterest. It's so much easier to create when you have some ground work in front of you rather than a blank page.

I would love to see Sugar Nellie cards appearing in other challenges.

Maybe we could mix it up a bit, sketches, themes and colours. 

Working to make your creativity go further.

Encourage you to ink up those Nellies.

Well I am not one to make new years promises. Nothing like setting yourself up to fail.

But these are my work related challenges for the year ahead.

I have no idea how much of it I will achieve, how successful it will be.

But I can only but try. God loves a trier.

Let me know yours thought. Leave me your comments. After all, I have been listening you you all for six years now. Sugar Nellie is about as small as you get and this business is led by customer demand. That's you! 

Happy New Year, best wishes all round.

Karen