Alicia...

Morning all....

Vicky here today to share with you my card I have made using another one of my Vintage Adorable's...

and this cutie pie is called "Alicia"...

The background and and frame was made using a mix of MFT dies..

She was coloured using Copics, Chalks & SN Pencils....

and the large flower made made using MFT Blueprints dies 3..

For more information please pop over to my blog here...

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

Vicky xx

Kathy Hare

 

 

How many sugar addicts have these stamps from artist Kathy Hare in their collection?

 

These have been inked and loved for a few years now and you may find one or two in the clearance section over at www.funkykits.co.uk

 

Real good artwork is hard to find, these I loved.

I do have my favourties.

What was yours?

 

Take it easy today, school gets out in Scotland, all us Mums need to reserve our energy!

Karen

 

Thursdays thoughts

The sun is shinning again today, what a difference it makes to everything.

I have a day at home, where it will attempt catching up with chores and even some ironing just to clear away the laundry.
I have some old furniture to load onto a wood pile that will turn into a bonfire soon.

Once I get my car back, hubby has taken it to town to a meeting or two, I might make a trip into the re cycling plant for a rake about as craft folks do. I am on the look out for cut glass vases and bowls....mmmmmm . There is yet another project in the planning.

First to answer a couple of questions left by our readers.

Mary, the link to the box frame was before the picture, that's all I got. I think that a score board is a must and a little maths to achieve the size you are aiming for.

Pay pal is working on etsy! And a big that you to our first customers. It's the little thing that make me happy.

You might well be scanners with all my waffling but be patient there is new blood coming on to the DT next week!

Mina has some time off to recover from a visit to the hospital, we all wish her a speedy recovery and hope she's relaxing with a good book, somewhere in the sun shine.

Leaving just two to soldier on, but wait, how's joining in next week?

I expect it's time to do a DT call, I had better start writing up a list of who I am looking for. I will save that for another day.

I am teaching in  Oldmeldrum this weekend, full classes I believe.

 And Sunday bring Mother's Day here in the UK.
I lost my own Mother earlier this year but I am still Mother to four. I wonder what my darling have planned. If it's anything like birthday in this house, it might even pass without a word.

Keep busy and sit a while in the sunshine, recharge your batteries.

A question before you go.......

silicon stamps

I have found a lovely range of stamps but was very suspicious because of the price. There are more and more cheaper than rubber stamps coming on to the market and the lover price is because they are made of silicon not photopolymer.

Have you any experience with this type of stamp?

Do they ink up and produce a sharp image.

Please let me know as it's this issue which is holding me back from bringing them to you all.
The artwork is super cute, you will love them.

Catch you again soon

Karen

Digi stamps on Etsy

What a beautiful morning here in Scotland. Blue skies and sunshine, perfect for little lambs to skip amoungst the green grass of spring.

Today I am sharing with you our small selection of digital stamps over on Etsy.

 I have dipped my toe in the waters over there in order to find out if it will work for us in spreading the word to crafters. 

I have only loaded a few stamps, I can add everything if I choose but let's see how this works. The plan is that a crafter may come across the brand and search deeper to find more. 

I choose digital because of the ease to deliver to the customer. I don't have anything to do, it's all automatic.

Prices are lower on some stamps. I need to maintain their worth as professional licences but have the flexibility of lower overheads on etsy.

It's something we can build on. Our business is going through changes this year, re structuring, pruning and diversifying into new fields. At the end of the day I am looking to achieve something that works within my abilities, gives me pleasure and pays it's way. 

Not much demands there but when retail is battleing against changing shopping habits*, it's one fight many retailers are struggling with.

So back to etsy.

I buy lots of hand made goodies from this site, it's my " go to" when I want something original. I live quiet rural and to have so much things, world wide, available at the touch of a button is great. ( *one changing shopping habit).

I have had some fantastic finds and am very comfortable browsing around and buying via paypal. So that is why I choose etsy.

Sugar Nellie Loves can sell all sort of everything , but for now I will settle for digital stamps and promise to load some unseen art for you next week.

I do appreciate your support, those who take the time to like, pin or share what we do. It's all about spreading the word. 

Link to etsy on the side bar.

Come on over, it's small but sweet.

Hope the sun is shining on you all today.

Enjoy

Karen

Sophia...

Morning all....

Vicky here today to share with you my card using one of my Vintage Adorable images...

and this cutie pie is called Sophia...

I have created my background using white card stock and one of my new MFT Background plates 

called "Modern Morocco"...

I have coloured her with my Copics, Chalks and Spectrum Noir Pencils..

and the pretty flower, leaves and middle banner was done using a mix of MFT Blueprint dies..

For more details please pop 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

SOS Pillowcase dresses

A good weekend to you all, my weekly look around pinterest has led me to share with you these delightful dresses for little girls.

A simple sewing project that even I will try, just waiting for the time when I have little angels to dress again.

Fabrics are like paper, very collectables. Pretty colours, trends and colour combinations make the difference between a plain project or a stunning one.

Here is another version on the same theme. 

http://cailamade.com/paper-bag-dress-tutorial/

Both are an afternoon project for anyone with a sewing machine. 

Lovely fabrics and ribbons this is defiantly something I will find time to do.

 A lot of these pillowcase dresses are made out of old charity donations for little girls in third world countries. No fancy fabrics and silky ribbons needed as the practical version which will never see a washing machine, if more the thing. 

So that is my share this Sunday.

Hope you have a fun week ahead.

Karen

DIY. Box frame

A midweek wonder around pinterest and I came across this template for a DIY box frame, they even hinged two together with the idea of putting a photo in them.

 But this would work well for an extra special card.

Think of all the things you could do.

Incorporate a picture on one side and a card front on the other, maybe for an Aniversary.

Those heavy layered or embellished cards would be better protected with the buffer of the frame.

I think we will digging put the hoagie board and giving it a try.

Why don't you?

 This is the source http://www.lotsofdiy.com/great-idea-for-photos/

And here is the project.

Don't forget to decorate the out side.

Have fun

Karen

Pirate Monkey

Morning everyone :o)

I've used one of my old favourites today... this one was released in 2008, but he's still fabulous.

This is Pirate Monkey from the Little Cotton Rabbits range and he's great for boys cards - my 6yr old saw him stamped out and loved him, so I think he'll be colouring him too this weekend!

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

Lisa x

Celebrate with me

Are there any celebrations going on in your house this week?

It might be birthday cake day for someone

Or are you so very lucky to be celebrating a new arrival?

This weekend we have two cake days.

James will turn 15 on Saturday and his Dad will be 50 something the following day.

Will there be cake?

I am not sure as I will be at a craft fare in Keith on Saturday

And the men are so very busy with the lambing that they can not leave the farm.

But I had better take the time to make cards, I am sure Megan will want to join in.

I am at home today, getting the boiler serviced and catching up with housework.

I might just have to sit in my craft space and create.

I also have my diary out working in classes and demonstrations for the stores.

But I have to get my thinking cap on and work on promotions for Sugar Nellie as we have some new 

Faces joining us next month.

I wonder if you will recognise them.

Take care

Karen 

Mia....

Morning all.....

Vicky here today to share with you another gorgeous girlie from the Bags of Fashion range....

and this sweetie is called "Mia"...

I have teamed super cute Mia with some lovely LOTV papers..

Coloured with my Copics, Chalks and Spectrum Noir pencils...

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

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

So that's all from me today and I hope you all  have a lovely day too...

biggest of crafty hugs Vicky xx

SOS Rocky loves Rachel

I know that those close to me know all about Rocky loves Rosie

But it's time to tell the world about Rachel's creations.

Almost a year ago my love of Amigurimi was highlighted by Tabby craft Designs over on FB. 

My desire to own one was downed by supply and demand. I had more chance winning the lottery than getting one of Tabbys pretty pastel creations. 

It was only the generosity of Elaine Livesey which made me mama to an original.❤️

But one day Rachel came into the store to show me what she had made, like my opinion was required! 

 these were super cute and nothing like I had seen before. Once she was satisfied that these were " good enough" she was happy to take it further . I asked Rachel to partake in our pop up shop last summer, giving her the opportunity   to selling her makes to the public. These made a great display but we did not want them played with and I could not take any home for the risk of spoiling our display in store. 

I recieved a lot of support with the pop up store and a few dear customers/ friends came to visit and listened to me tell the story of these crochet creatures. Thank you lovely people .

I passed it forward, and sent one to Elaine, it's hard to find a gift like that for the woman who has a heart of gold, spoils everyone else and had far too much shopaholic tendencies. 

 One also to Kate In the store as a birthday pressie, but I spent so much time spreading the love that they were sold out before I knew it. The order book was growing and there were none left.

Bingo, back to supply and demand. I have now got my name on the waiting list , twice, but it long! 

So emagine  my surprise when a parcel arrive in the House of Sugar with a sweet rabbit from Rocky Loves Rosie.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I'm keeping this one all to myself, call me greedy, my kids do.

Pop over to pinterest or Face book and search for Rocky Loves Rosie. You will love it!

http://www.pinterest.com/pault3231/my-amigurumi-family/

She just happened to hitch a ride to Oldmeldrum yesterday and was very much admired.

Thanks again to Rachel @ Rocky loves Rosie.

Have a peaceful Sunday.

Karen 

Challenge 113

Have you had. Little time to join in the Sugar Bowl Challenge this month.?

I have had a little look at the entries which are stunning, there are so many talented crafters out there!

The winner of our challenges is picked by random number generator so that everyone has the same chance of winning and it saved someone the difficult choice of picking one winner from all those lovely cards.

But I want to make more of an effort to get to know the crafters behind the entries.

I had a little browse this morning and I would like to shine the spot light on this little beauty 

http://crafty-little-bee.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/ribbons-and-bows.html

Cebelica does not tell us much about herself on her blog, but her cards are inspirational.

This one is made with the ever popular Simply Adorable digital stamps, so many of our overseas customers choose an instant sugar fix with a digital download. 

Maybe next time your card will catch my eye, keep the entries coming girls, it's great to see the variety produced world wide.

*****************

Some still don't realise that these are self collect from your shopping account at Funkykits as soon as they have been paid. If you don't collect them within 7 days you loose them.  With yet another spam attach on,our emails, 11000 emails blocking our system it's got to be time to change our email, a ridiculous amount of spam stops me from getting to the real messages.

Another thing with our web shop, digital stamps don't transfer from your wish list, they loose their attachment, might have to remove the wish list as it still happens even with notice about this glitch.

************

I am off to teach today in our store, tomorrow is yet another day which might or might not see me get into my craft space, fingers crossed.

Have a great weekend.

Karen

Blossom

Hello everyone :o)

I've gone clean & simple, with a little thank you card today...

This is Blossom by Leanne Ellis, and I think she's perfect for thank yous... and lots of other occasions too, of course!  You can find Blossom HERE at Funky Kits.

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

Lisa x

Blossoms and blooms

Oh spring is in the air, it's a beautiful day here in Scotland and the gardens are starting to bloom with the spring bulbs peeking through the grass.

Flowers are every where at work, it looks like we at getting ready for another wedding in the back room. The only thing lacking is scent! 

Beautiful silk flowers for our gift department but these will last for ever. I am loving the overy large hydrangea, must take a few home :)

Flowers are an essential part of crafting, turn the clock back to the olden days....

Punches were the answer and boy do I still have some oldies in my craft drawer thanks to Woodware. A quick fix which allows perfect colour co ordination when you use the same papers on the card as you do to make your flowers. I would happily spend hours punching out flowers.

Then along came a company called PRIMA, and oh so cute little jars which looked super pretty all lined up in different colours ways. Don't forget the Jar, still have those too. Just waiting to be altered, one day!

 Prima grew and grew along with the popularity of card making and today they have the most stunning floral embellishments, beautifully packaged, and beautifully priced.

And as beautiful as these flowers are, do you ever have the right colour? 

So in true fashion trend, we have come full circle and with the introduction of dies we are back to making our own flowers.

I have a lot of fun playing with papers and making my own flowers, they are getting bigger and bigger. No longer the teeny tiny wee flowers but big embellishment to attach to candles, boxes and anything else a crafter spies with her glittery eye.

Now stamping and punching is another craft drawer all together , I have many Hero Art flower stamps that are lovely when cut out and 3d'd. But my favourite is the stamps which have perfect punches to cut them out, yes you know it, Stamping Up is my choice when it comes to super quick stamp and punch!

Very rare is it that a card is made without a flower, so fill your craft space with blossoms and blooms. 

Bring spring inside! 

Have a lovely day

Karen 

Morgan....

Morning all......

Vicky here today to share with you my wee card using the adorable Morgan from 

the Bags of Fashion range...

I have teamed Morgan with some pretty LOTV papers...

and coloured her with my Copics, Chalks and Spectrum Noir pencils...

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

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

So that's all from me and I hope you all have a lovely day too...

biggest of crafty hugs Vicky xx

SOS - Flash

Good morning sugar addict, I hope your week has gone well and Sunday is a day for crafting.

I thought I would treat you to something sweet this morning, I am sure you were all busy in the kitchen for pancake day this past week! I love me some pancakes, bacon and maple syrup, yummy yummy in my tummy as pooh would say!

So here is a sweet little kitchen fairy from Diane Duda for Sugar Nellie, a great quick to colour digital stamp for your own use. Please do you disrespect my gift to you by sharing or loading anywhere other than on to your home computer. 

Why not join in one of our challenges with this new image, I would love to see what you can do with it.

With so many folks busy in the kitchen making cakes, I blame the "great British bake off", I am sure you can create something yummy in the craft room too.

Have a peaceful day and happy colouring. 

Karen

Jasmine

Hello, Lisa here with a very late post - I'm having computer issues and had to wait for hubby to get home and sort it out!

Here's today's card at last...

I had a bit of an oops with the colouring of this sweet Jasmine stamp - I coloured her legs, then realised the top part should have been leggings... so I had to give her socks lol!  Her wings look a bit odd in this photo too - they're painted over with Wink of Stella and actually look lovely and shimmery in real life.

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

Lisa x

Under the sea

 

Are you a mermaid or a fairy?

 

As this artist is busy with commisions for Sugar Nellie

and we are looking at which images to make into topper.

 

What is your favourite.

Charlotte...

Morning all....

Vicky here today to share with you my card using the adorable Charlotte..

I have teamed Charlotte with some pretty LOTV papers...

Coloured her with my Copics, Chalks and Spectrum Noir pencils...

and the layout was done using my new MFT Blueprint dies 12...Ooh I love this set...!!

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

Challenge time

It's that time again over on the Sugar Bowl.

The SWEETIES have been busy making card to inspire you. 

All beautiful and worthy of a place on the blog. 

Pop over, the link is on the top of the page, join in our challenges, there is a lot on offer.

Something that caught my eye was Janine's creation for the challenge.

Funny enough I am teaching something similar at the end of the month. 

Janine has been kind enough to make up a tutorial for you all.

Now I am sure you have card and a little patterned paper, what about flowers, do you have a stamp or punch for those? Now what sweet Sugar Nellie image will you use?

Maybe this could be your project for tomorrow, do you get any craft time on a Sunday?

Let's hope you do.

UPDATED POST (23/3/14) Here are the instruction on how to make your pop-up box card.  This card when folded flat will fit inside an A5 envelop. Click to open, download and/or save them. 

There are 3 versions:
(1) Pop-up Box Tut - Inches (No Quarter Inch Scoring)
(2) Pop-up Box Tut - Inches
(3) Pop-up Box Tut - Centimetres

Alternatively you can view or download the files directly from the THE OFFICIAL SUGAR NELLIE face book page, come on over and join us.

Have a perfect weekend

Karen