Sugar Nellie

Sunday Showcase.

2012-01-29T09:00:00.001Z

Good Morning Sugar Lovers!

I really enjoyed last Sunday's post...dedicated to the gorgeous Bella Bunting. She is my all time favourite Sassy stamp. This week on the Sugar Nellie group on Facebook, Maria requested a post dedicated to another Sassy stamp...Little Light Of Mine.
So I had a nosey around to see what I could find...

Maria created a beautiful tag which made a Christmas gift so much more special :)

Dena created this card for a spotlight on the Simply Sassy blog. I adore these colours and Dena's colouring is always awesome.

This fabulous Christmas card was made by Fiona. I love these non traditional colours.

Another beautiful card made for a spotlight on the Sassy blog, this time by Katja.

I love this card from Sweetie Kiki, these colours are my idea of heaven, beautiful blues and browns.

And a gorgeous Christmas card from Sweetie and DT girly Pat.

Do you have an absolute favourite Sugar Nellie stamp? I know, I know..that's just too much of me to ask you to pick a favourite :)
If you want to make a suggestion for a showcase - for a stamp, or a blogger, or just a suggestion in general for my Sunday posts - just leave it in a comment.
I aim to please :)

Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xx

Online Magazine

2012-01-28T15:03:00.000Z

Hello blog readers and sugar addicts.

We here at the House of Sugar are playing with the idea of an online magazine, one that you can just flick over the pages and see a few new ideas and samples. Now I am no magazine editor but I am sure that together we can do it.

What do you want to see in this free magazine?

Anyone have any idea's for an article or Q & A page, how about Dear John letters.

I would like it to be more than just cards, I know I know you love your sweet stamps, but once a crafter
you can turn you hand to almost anything if you have the time.

I look forward to hearing you ideas, reading your comments and possibly seeing your hands in the air offering to help?

Karen

An invitation

2012-01-28T10:09:00.000Z

You are invited to attend afternoon tea

at the HOUSE OF SUGAR

on March 3rd

To celebrate the first demonstration day of 2012

with Karen MacIver

Kate Mellis

Erika Gunter

Jenny Trueman

and many more talented crafters.

There will be cake, crafting and lots of chuckles.

One great day out to be had

come along and enjoy the fun.

Beautiful in store displays

to bring Easter and spring

into your home.

New product and special offers

Jewellery demonstration

New line "sew easy"

Craft fare table for those that love handmade things.

Waiting .....

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000Z

Goodmorning everyone, it has been a while since I (Astrid) posted, but there was of course a release of the absolutely gorgeous Puppy Love stamps, I must say .... they are stunning !!

Okay, on my card I used the lovely Cassie's Contemplation, you can find here at Funkykits :)

I love the way how she is sitting on the Weathered wood clock of Tim Holtz :)

The papers I've used are from Maja Designs, absolutely one of my favorites, love the colours !!

The image is for a change coloured with my Prisma Pencils, I am a huge fan of Copics, but this time I thought, well ... give it a try Astrid :)

I didn't use a sentiment yet, I left it empty, so I can use this card for anything :) The sentiment can be stamped on the little card in de left corner :)

For now I only can say .... thanks for stopping by, enjoy your weekend and happy crafting !!

hugs Astrid xxx

I'm In Pieces...For Paper Piecing!

2012-01-26T09:00:00.000Z

Good Morning!

You must all really love the newest release of stamps, Puppy Love, judging by all the amazing cards I've seen in blogland. Our customers and fellow Sugar Addicts really are the best :)

Today sees a new challenge on the Sugar Bowl, with a sketch and an optional theme to follow if you so wish.

Paper piecing is something else I really love...it's nice and easy to do and always looks fab. I am looking forward to seeing all the entries into this challenge.

Sugar Mama Gayle has used a stamp from the newest release, Babies Delight. I love the lilac with the bright yellow, very eye catching, and just look at that cute spotty bunny! A perfect card for a sweet little girls birthday.

Lilian has had a little break from the Sugar Bowl, but I'm very pleased to report that she is back in action again...I've missed you Lils...and your awesome colouring!
Lilian has brought the yummy Let Them Eat Cake image to life with her perfect colouring and fab paper piecing.

Cathy has inked up an older image, this is the Manga stamp Dress Up Games. I always love to see the older stamps being shown some love...brilliant paper piecing and beautiful colours.

I think paper piecing really helps to tie a card together perfectly. It also uses up scraps of paper and it reduces the amount of colouring which is great if you are short on time.

So get your entries in and maybe your name will be picked at random to win some Sugar :)

Thanks for looking

Love Elaine xx

Craft Parties

2012-01-25T10:17:00.000Z

We are so full of great idea in the House of Sugar,

sometimes too many idea's and not enough time!

But a customers request for a private party at the HOS has started a few conversations and it's something Kate thinks would be a good service to offer, especially the customers who don't live so local

and make a less frequent visit to get their sugar high.

There is often a car of ladies from Aberdeen shire,Perth shire or even further afield,

make it a day out with a stop at Papercrafts for all fine things.

So we are still in the planning stages, the longer we think about it the better put together it becomes.

Then I came across this article.

Who would have thought that I Kate was thinking like Martha! LOL

So if you are a crafter with a passion for sweet stamps, ask about our Cake and Craft afternoon.

You will need to get 6 crafty friends together to book a date but we can manage up to 10 max.

A two hour class any week day will cost from£10 a head for 3 card projects but we are open to requests.

We have so many wonderful samples in the store that if we can we will accommodate any requests to

"show us how you did that"

and send you all home with something of equal Sweetness :)

Give Kate a phone at the store 01343 548864 between 10-5 to book your

Cake and Craft Afternoon.

Karen

A TRIP TO THE PARK WITH FIFI..........!

2012-01-23T09:00:00.003Z

Morning all.....!

Oooh why does the weekend go far to quickly??...feels like I have just blinked and it disappeared..lol...!

Anyway....it's Vicky here today...and I have one of the new stamps from the "Puppy Love Collection" to showcase. So this is wee Fifi...and she is having a "Trip To The Park" with her delightful doggies...

and here she is...

I have teamed Fifi with some lovely Nitwit papers... the flourish is from the Fancy Tag collection from Spellbinders...and the giant flower is from Prima..

I have coloured her with Spectrum Noirs, Flexmarkers, Chalks & Prisma Pencils for shading...

And a Side View...

the sentiment is from Pink Petticoat and the bull dog clip is from Tim Holtz..and I have followed the fabulous sketch over at The Sugar Bowl too...by the lovely Erika...

So don't forget to check out the new collection...it's sooooo darn cute...!

So that's all from me...thank you so much for looking...and for more details please pop over to my blog here..

have a lovely day...and happy crafting...!

big hugs Vicky xx

Indulge Me A Little...

2012-01-22T09:00:00.001Z

Good Morning Sugar Addicts!

Today I feel like a bit of self indulgence...and what better way to indulge myself than with a Sugar overdose :)

I have a huge pile of Sugar Nellie stamps and I love them all equally but there are some that really tug at my heartstrings and demand more of my love, attention and ink.

I'm sure by now everyone knows how much I adore Pippi Longsocks but did you know I also luvs Bella Bunting?

It gives ME enormous pleasure to introduce to you a whole host of lovely Bella's (in reverse alphabetical order this time) that I've pinched from the Sugar Bowl, the Sassy Blog and facebook.

This card has been made by Susie and is her entry into the Sugar Bowl challenge and the Facebook challenge.

This one is from Sweetie and DT girlie Pat.

I have this card on display in my craft room, some happy mail I received from Sweetie Maria Therese.

This card is from Sweetie Kiki.

Kathrin from the Simply Sassy blog created this card.

This one is from my Sugar Mama (and whip cracker) Gayle.

Another Sweetie creation..this time Fiona.

And a card from Sweetie Erika.

And finally, this is from Cass, made for the facebook challenge.

These are all beautiful creations.

Aaaahhhhhhh.....I feel so much better now, thank you ladies :)

Hugs Elaine xx

Purrfect Playmates

2012-01-21T09:00:00.002Z

Hi there sugar friends, today it`s me (Marianne) that have something to show you.

The image I have used for my card today is one of my all times favorites, “Purrfect Playmates”. I remember Funky Kits showed this image in the Home Grown logo a long time before it was available in rubber. At least it felt as a long time for me:) Well, if you don`t have this beautiful stamp, you don`t have to wait at all. You can find it right here at Funky Kits.

To color the image I have once again used my Pirsma Colors, but this time I haven’t used white paper or craft cardstock, but a crème colored cardstock from Bazzill that is smooth on both sides. It was so much fun to work on this cardstock, why don`t you give it a try?

All the papers I have used are from Pion Design, the frame is made with MS punches, and the swirls and butterfly are dies from Cherry Lynn. The big flower I have crocheted my selves, and if you want to make flowers like this, just take a look here.

Here is a close up of this sweet girl and her playmates.

And this is how my card looks on the inside.

I wish you all a great weekend.

Hugs, Marianne:)

Candy Winners!!!

2012-01-20T20:00:00.002Z

Here I am, back again, taking all the fun jobs!

Yes, it’s time to announce the candy winners from last weeks blog hop!

Many thanks to all who left comments…..we are here because of you and so your feedback is very important to us!

We have such a talented Design Team here, and sometimes we forget to tell them that…so it’s nice to see that you all do it for us!

Well, as I always say over on The Sugar Bowl…there can be only one winner…..except, this time there are 16!!!!

Kimberly

Eulanda

arjette

Jayne Hayward

Irene

angelwhispers

Pami

Leny Hempen

Vipera

Karyn S

Lou Mac

craftyb

Welmoed

Kreativa Kakan

Julye

LaJanette

Please email me (put 'candy winner' in the subject line) with your full name and address’ ladies and your sweet rubber candy will be on it’s way to you very soon!

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Sherbet Pip!

2012-01-20T09:00:00.001Z

It is friday again, and this time my (Tiets) turn to post something. It is difficult to keep up now my back is hurting(read about it on my blog) but I managed to make something.
The box I've made last year for a demo with the MC Gill flower punches for the scrap store here, and I found it back in my closet and thought it would be nicer if there was some cutie on it...and the pip's are still one of my favorites so I colored Candy Pip with prisma pencils and put her between the flowers...A ticket with Happy day, so when there is a birthday coming up, I'm ready!!

It is almost weekend, so I wish you all lots of stamping fun!

Hugs Tiets xx

A Challenge...Or Two?

2012-01-19T09:00:00.001Z

I have been snooping around blogland and you do love the new Puppy Love stamps as much as I do. I have seen them adorn many gorgeous cards...and you are so quick at inking up new rubber!

Ali's fabulous card uses the stamp Fifi Goes Shopping. Ali knows I love her CAS style, never cluttered and always very striking.

This beautiful card made with the image Trip To The Park is from someone very new to blogging...Karen... (No, not THE Karen but another Karen!) and this is the first card on her blog. Karen obviously has excellent taste in rubber :) If you have a minute to spare please go and visit her and say hi.

As much as I get excited to see new rubber being used, I still love to see the older images being shown some ink and this next card is the perfect example...

This is Fiona C's pretty card using the image Woodland Fairy.

So...what do all these fab cards have in common? They are all entries into the Sugar Bowl challenge. There is almost a week left to get your entry in and maybe you could be picked at random to win some free Sugar Nellie rubber.

But not only that..also they are all entries into the Facebook challenge, where there is a colour theme of blue/green/white. This is a weekly challenge and there is also free rubber to be won!

What are you waiting for??

Thanks for looking.

Love Elaine xx

Babies Delight

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000Z

Good Morning Sugar Addicts! I (Jane) hope you are having a good week so far, did you enjoy the hop at the weekend? It was fab wasn't it! I cannot stop playing with the new stamps and the 'Babies delight' image I have used for my Projects today is one of my favourites from the new release, she is simply adorable!

I stamped the image onto white cardstock and coloured her in with Promarkers to match the stunning My Mind's eye Love Me papers. I layered all the papers for my card onto pale blue card and then stitched around the edges with pale pink thread. The image was added to a scalloped square cut with a Nestabilities die. The sentiment I used is a rub on by Melissa Frances. I layered up all the elements of my card after I had wrapped the base layer with gingham bias binding and then added a bow topped with a cute heart button from my stash. I finished with lots of lovely flowers in gorgeous pastel colours. I had been saving a lovely pink box we got from the Waitrose pastry counter and decided to decorate it to make a matching gift box.

I coloured the image so it was identical to the card image and used similar papers layered onto blue card to cover all sides of the box. I added a lovely big bow to the front of the box to cover a join in the papers as I was trying to use up the scraps. The flowers I have used come from lots of different shops but if you are looking for similar flowers head over to Wild Orchid Crafts where there is a great selection.
Have a lovely Wednesday!
Jane
x

Love hand made

2012-01-18T07:50:00.000Z

The best gifts are hand made and I am delighted that my crafty friend Erika comes up with something every time. A little cheating went on this year as my birthday approached she was crafty enough to look at the lovely things which I had pinned on PINTEREST and did her take on them. One of my gifts was this beautiful garland,{ I am so in love with garlands/buntings and banners at the moment} and it was done in one of my all time favourite paper collections from ghd which I can not longer get.

Erika knows me so well that she does not mind that I will put this in the store as part of a display,

I have always shown off her pressies because I LOVE HANDMADE.xx

....and the beautiful things we have in PAPERCRAFTS is what makes us stand out

from many other craft shops.

I don't think I have ever came across a shop with as many samples as we have,

we are here after all to

INSPIRE you to CREATE.

Karen

Birthday Princess

2012-01-17T09:00:00.001Z

Good morning everyone...before I tell you about my little bit of sweetness on my card today I want to apologise for the shockingly bad photos, my camera ran out of charge so I had to use an old one to take these and its just not as good as my usual one...this little bit of sugary gorgeousness is from the new Puppy Love release over at Funkykits, did you pick your favourites yet, I keep thinking I have but then I change my mind...this little sweetie is called Birthday Princess and I coloured her as always with distress inks and used some glitter on her balloon, crown and some of her birthday gifts...the lush papers are from a K&Co scrapbook kit...love the muted colours of them don't you...I'm off to take new photos now and I will hopefully exchange them later...all the details of my cards are on my blog...enjoy your day everyone

Mina xxx

Pippi Longsocks and Co.

2012-01-16T09:00:00.003Z

Hello there all you sugar lovers!! Did you get a chance to hop this past weekend? I did...and I can say, I had the best time! The new "Puppy Love" stamps are absolutely adorable...and the Sugar Nellie DT made them come alive in their gorgeous projects!! If you haven't had a chance to place your order for the new stamps...you'll want to pop on over to Funky Kits HERE and do just that!!

Alrighty then...I have a fun new DT card to share with you today! It's another Valentine...albeit a bit non-traditional...since I used pink and blue!

Isn't she so stinkin' cute?! Her name is "Pippi Longsocks"...and she has a sweet little green froggy friend! They both have a bit of attitude, don'tcha think?! Pippi is part of the Fairy Glen collection of Home Grown Sugar Nellie stamps. You can find her at Funky Kits HERE.

I'm dedicating this post to my sweet friend, Elaine, who has a total "thing" for Pippi Longsocks!! hehe! I must admit, Pippi and her friend have stolen my heart too!

The image was colored with Copics...and these gorgeous DPs are actually digital DPs from Bearly Mine Designs (Peach collection). If you'd like more info on this card as well as a peek at a few more photos (including the "surprise" sentiment), please pop on over to my blog HERE.

Have a great, sugar-filled week! Hugs.

Pat

Sunday Showcase.

2012-01-15T09:00:00.001Z

Good Morning Sugar Addicts!

Did you all enjoy the two day hop? Our fabulous DT made the most amazing samples...all of them gorgeous and showcasing these delicious new stamps perfectly.
So...which is your favourite stamp?

Here's a little round up of my favourite cards from the hop, with the DT girlies in alphabetical order...

Astrid has used Lead The Way.

Jane has used Hugs For Fifi.

Jenn has used Trip To The Park.

Marianne has used Fifi Goes Shopping.

Mina has used Best Day Ever.

Pat has used Babies Delight.

Tiets has used Hugs For Fifi.

And Vicky has used Birthday Princess.

Aren't they all fabulous! We do have an awesome DT who work hard to showcase our stamps.

Reading Facebook yesterday, I see that some lucky ladies have already had their stamps delivered from Funkykits...how's that for service! So I look forward to seeing what cards and projects you make with them. Maybe a card to enter into the Sugar Bowl challenge?

Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xx

‘Puppy Love’ Hop–The Sequel!!!

2012-01-14T09:00:00.002Z

Phew……let me catch my breathe!

You kept all of us here at the House Of Sugar, very busy yesterday!

It seems from your comments and from the amount of mail that Mark was taking to the post office yesterday, that you all have fallen in love, just as we did!

So, let’s do it all over again…….shall we?

Hands up then, who actually received yesterday’s purchases today???

Need some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing?

Today we have more delicious creations from our FABULOUS Design Team for you….

Today we start with a fabulously colourful creation from the lovely

Jane

As always, we have some sugary sweet candy to send to people who leave comments along the way!

The delicious rubber babies are still available from Funkykits but, the way they’re leaving the building, they may not be available for too much longer!

Grad them soon to avoid disappointments…..

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Jane – Jenn –Astrid – Marianne – Pat - Vicky - Mina - Tiets

‘Puppy Love’ Launch Day Hop!

2012-01-13T09:00:00.006Z

Happy Friday the 13th everyone!

Well, the way my January is going, I don’t think I’ll risk leaving the house today so…..I have something to keep us all cosy, and safe, indoors instead!

Ooh how exciting is this?

On sale now, over at Funkykits, we have a collection of seven gorgeous rubber girls all just waiting for you to fall in love with them.

A quick reminder that, as always, we have hop candy hidden along the way so please be sure to leave some love for my super talented girls!

Without any further ado I will send you off to see what, may well be, my favourite stamp from this launch….

Hop on over to the lovely

Pat

You’ll find your way around the rest of the hop from there and when you’re done, please come back and let us know what you found….and what you fell in love with!

Now, we do love a good hop here so, please be sure to join us tomorrow for the second half of this one!

Off you go then, hippety hop…..

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Pat – Jane – Mina – Tiets – Jenn – Astrid – Elaine - Marianne

Ooooo...That Was Sneaky!!

2012-01-12T09:00:00.002Z

Good Morning!

There is a new challenge today over on the Sugar Bowl with a fab sketch from Sweetie Erika.

We always have an optional theme too, and this time it's 'Birthdays'. I'm quite sure that everyone needs a constant supply of birthday cards so there really is no excuse to not join in and play along with us. One lucky winner picked at random will win their choice of 4 Sugar Nellie stamps, rising to 6 stamps if there are 100+ entries.

Which images would you pick? Maybe some older stamps to fill a gap in your collection..or how about some brand spanking new and soon to be released rubber like this little lady...

This beautiful card is Gayle's entry into the Sugar Bowl challenge and also today's sneak peak of the new stamp Best Day Ever...available to buy tomorrow at Funky Kits. Isn't this little cutie just the perfect image for a special little girls birthday?

Erika has used the digi image Summer for her Sugar Bowl card...I adore Erika's colouring on Kraft!

And Pat's card uses another of my favourite images Titania. I love all the pretty embellishments Pat adds to her cards.

Please come back and pay us a visit tomorrow...you don't want to miss the blog hop which starts here promptly at 9am. We have a fantastic selection of cards from the DT showcasing all the new stamps and you never know...there may well be some candy along the way?

Thanks for looking

Love Elaine xx

And they called it…..

2012-01-11T09:00:00.002Z

Oh I do love a bit of The Osmonds!

No, really…..I jest not…

Actually my favourite was Paper Roses by Marie Osmond!

(I have NO recollection of this whatsoever, in my defence I was 3, and I asked the DJ at my sisters wedding to play it a thousand times….apparently)

Anyhoo….enough of my talking gibberish!

Are you ready for the first ‘sugar rush’ of 2012?

I know I am, so without any further ado, here’s our ‘poster girl’ for this range….

Fifi Goes Shopping

Isn’t she a beauty, and hasn’t our Vicky done her proud?

You’ll find full details on Vicky’s blog for this glorious creation.

Trust me when I tell you that her ‘sistah’s’ are just as delicious…even the babies!

Oops…..did that just slip out???

Never mind, not long to wait now….

These beauties will be available to buy from Funkykits on Friday

See you tomorrow for another little sneak!!!

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Little Lady Bug

2012-01-10T09:00:00.001Z

Hello everyone, it's Jenn here, and it's my turn to share some sugar! This is the card I made for my 7 year old son to give to his "girlfriend." Tonight at supper he declared his love for her once again : ) They met at daycare, and now even though they go to different elementary schools, their love remains strong, lol!

Anyways, back to the card! I used the super cute Let Them Eat Cake and colored her with Copic markers. I had initally planned to color her dress to look like a lady bug, then at the last minute decided to change the skirt up a little bit and make it colorful too. I added a bunch of sparkle with my Spica glitter pens, although the pictures really didn't pick it up much, sorry! The paper is Echo Park and I added some rhinestones to make the ladybug's paths. Just some ribbon, brads and flowers from my stash to finish it off!

I am also lucky enough to announce sneak peaks for the SOOO CUTE Puppy Love stamps! Trust me, you're going to love them! Sneak peaks start tomorrow right here! We'll see you then, have a great day!

SWEET ANGELICIA.....

2012-01-09T08:30:00.003Z

Morning all.....

It's Vicky here today....and a Happy New Year to you all....!

Today I have the huge pleasure to showcase one of my fave images from The Fairy Glen range...sweet Angelica... which was released last October...and isn't she just beautiful...and loving her wee bunny too :o)

I have teamed her up with some gorgeous lace, ribbon and a die cut tree...and I thought the wee butterflies look so pretty and match perfectly with the image..

A close up.....and you can see I have added some stickles to her wings too...

and a side view...

I have used Spectrum Noirs & Flexmarkers to colour, chalks for her cheeks...and Prisma Pencils for shading and the Papers are from Nitwits...and I really loved making this card...

Thank you for popping by...and have a super day....

big hugs Vicky xx

Revenge Is Sweet....

2012-01-08T09:00:00.000Z

Good Morning Sugar Addicts!

Over on the Sugar Nellie group on Facebook this week was a long thread all about Pippi Longsocks.
I absolutely adore this little lady, she is totally beautiful with a bit of mischievousness thrown in and I luvs her so much.
Imagine my shock and horror when one lady said that she wasn't too keen on Pippi! I mean, who wouldn't love that adorable sweet face?
Of course I understand that we all have different tastes, the world would be so boring if we all liked the same things but "not keen on Pippi"? She must be mad!
Another lady said she was seeing Pippi's in her sleep...Is that a bad thing? No, that would be a sweet dream in my opinion. So what am I to do when faced with such shocking news?

Oh yes...I am a woman, so I will get my sweet revenge :)
I had a nosey around Facebook and just look at what I found....

This beauty was made by our lovely DT lady Astrid.

I love the sepia tones on this fab card from Cass.

Cathy is one of our Sugar Bowl sweeties and this is the first time she's inked up Pippi...only because I told her it was a crime to own this stamp and never have used it (I threatened to report her to the Secret Sugar Police!)

This pretty and pink card was made by one of my lovely Harrogate friends Christine.

Another card from a Sweetie, this one is made by Fiona..I always love Fi's cards.

This striking card is an entry into the Sugar Bowl by Lis..and it was seeing this card that got me on the subject of Pippi.

A gorgeous card from the lovely Pops.

A beautiful Christmas card from Shazza (who loves Pippi almost as much as I do, judging by all the fab cards she's made with this stamp!)

And finally, just to prove that I really do luvs her is a card from me that I made for the Sugar Bowl - sketch No 71. I have made another card with her today using the same colour combo too :)

Ahhhhh...I feel so much better after seeing all this glorious Pippiness!

She really is my mostest favouritest stamp ever, but she does share the top spot with a certain Sassy stamp. I wonder if anyone knows who that might be?

Thanks for looking.

Love Elaine xx

Jelly Pip

2012-01-07T09:00:00.002Z

Hi there, and Happy New Year to all of you. I hope the new year has been good so far.

For the card I will show you today I have used this oh so sweet little girl called Jelly Pip. I fell in love with her right away. You find her and a lot of other sweeties at Funky Kits.

This time I have stamped my image on craft cardstock, and colored it with Prisma colors. I love this way of coloring, and it is really not so hard. We all color in different ways, but this is how I do it:

I start with a very light color where I want the light to reflect. Then I use a really dark color where I want the darkest shadows to be, and I fill in the rest with different shades of the same color. I just work with the colors until I am happy with the result. It you haven’t tried to color on craft you should really give it a try. It is a lot of fun, and the Sugar Nellie stamps are perfect for it!

Here is a close up of lovely Jelly Pip, all dressed up in blue today.

And here is the inside of my card.

I wish you all a great and creativ weekend.

Hugs, Marianne.

MBE omgeeeee

2012-01-06T09:00:00.002Z

I huge congratulation to Dean Penlington on receiving this greatly honourable distinction from the Queen in the New Years Honours.

Mrs Penlington, AKA Helen, has been a long time customers from years gone by, Helen and her lovely Mother Chris ( globe trotter extraordinaire) came to my card making classes many years ago and still craft to this day. Life has got in the way a little as Chris is making full use of her passport and having family all over the world, I am not sure that there is much card making getting done these days!
Helen and Dean moved over to Virgina Beach USA last year and although it was a wrench for them to be parted from their large and very close family, it has been the right choice and by the sounds of it are having a ball. It has been an amazing time for them and their family, moving from Scotland to USA but it has allowed them to have a taste of the American life and they are loving it! These 3 years are flying by.

I was so pleased to hear their news, it is a amazing achievement to be recognised for you work and I am sure that Helen is already dress shopping for her trip to see the Queen where Dean will receive his MBE , oh and there will be a hat I am sure!

lots of love sent to them from a very cold Scotland oxo

Karen

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday!

2012-01-05T09:00:00.001Z

It's my first post of the year, so Happy New Year to you all.

Does anyone make resolutions any more?
I've given up making them myself, as I know darn well that I won't stick to them. Instead, I make a list of goals, things that I would like to achieve throughout the year rather than things I will give up...chocolate, crisps, olives etc. Top of my list this year is one word...TIME.

To make more efficient use of my time.
Time to enjoy life rather than the 'go to work/go back home/do chores/and go to bed' routine which I seem to slip effortlessly into.
Time to catch up with friends.
Time to make more cards and show some love to that large pile of un-inked stamps that keeps taunting me!
Tell me...what plans have you made for this year, any goals?

Over on the Sugar Bowl our Sugar Mama Gayle let the sweeties have a little holiday, so the current challenge will run for 4 weeks rather than the usual 2. There is just a week left to get a card or project made before the new challenge starts next Thursday.

This fabulous card is Shelby's entry using the Sassy stamp Cinderella. I love all the folds on her dress and Shelby's colouring is stunning.

Same image but with a different creator and a totally different colour scheme but with the same stunning colouring this time from Coops. Again, I love the depth within the folds of the dress..fabulous!

You can also buy this little lady before she had her make-over, otherwise known as Cinders.

This is a card made for the Simply Sassy blog by the lovely and extremely talented DT member Anita.
I adore these colours, and I always love Anita's creations.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Karen...though it was actually her birthday yesterday.
I hope you had a fabulous day and were treated like Cinderella and not Cinders!

Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xx

Make a wish!

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000Z

Hello Everyone! Jane here today with my first post for 2012 for Sugar Nellie, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year and managed to fit in a bit of crafting time, I did and have had lots of fun playing with some of my favourite Sugar Nellie images. I also made some crafty resolutions, I am going to try and only buy stash I really need, try to use up some of my papers and not be scared to try something a bit different for my cards in 2012 and step out of my comfort zone.

When I saw the Sketch for the current Sugar Bowl challenge, I just had to give it a go and after taking a few deep breaths... and remembering my resolutions... decided to try to optional theme of no Designer papers! I used a lot of Kraft card on my projects usually but never as the main paper so I thought I would have a go at embossing it to make it a bit more interesting. I used the Cuttlebug 'Floral Fantasy' folder for the largest square, the folder is only C6 size so in order to make the square I embossed two pieces, a larger rectangle and a narrower strip then put them together and hid the join with my ribbon.
I used a Cuttlebug Houndstooth folder (which is available at a great price here) for the smaller rectangle the image is sitting on. I am so glad I took the plunge and had a go at not using Designer papers as I love the way the card turned out.

This adorable image featuring the super sweet Delia is called 'Let them eat cake' and she is perfect for Birthday cards and all sorts of Celebrations. I choose some lovely bright colours to bring her to life, she is coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers using the following blends:

Hair: Gold, Mustard, Tulip Yellow
Dress: Antique Pink, Rose Pink, Baby Pink
Skin: Soft Peach, Oatmeal, Blush and a little Pale pink for her rosy cheek
Shoes and dress pattern: Turquoise, Duck Egg, Aqua
Wings: Duck Egg, Aqua and Pale Aqua Flexmarker

I added some glitter glue to her wings and the ribbon on the cake and then used an old sentiment from my stash which I die cut with a label shape and decorated the card with a bow and some flowers and buttons from my stash and finally some gems as a finishing touch.
The colours I have used for my image are some of my favourite Promarkers blends, do you have any favourite colours you always turn to when colouring? I would love to hear which ones if you would like to share them in a comment on this post and I would also love to hear if you have made any craft resolutions too!
Have a great Wednesday!
Jane
x

not just for Christmas...

2012-01-03T09:00:00.000Z

Hi everyone Mina here and its my pleasure to show something sweet today, don't you love it when you can use a stamp all year round...well this little stunner is the beautiful Wish Upon a Star and all I needed to do is use a few tiny pearls and some glitter to make her for any occasion...I coloured her with Distress inks and teamed her up with these lush BasicGrey Little Black Dress papers (a Christmas present from the lovely Karen)...I added some glittery ribbon and a couple of pins to finish...don't forget when your looking at stamps if one takes your fancy don't be put off by a few snowflakes or holly, just adapt it and add a few things to make it for any occasion you need...Have a wonderful day everyone
Mina xxx

Happy New Year!!

2012-01-02T09:00:00.004Z

Happy 2012, sugar addicts!! Hope you enjoyed your Christmas & New Year's holidays! I'm excited about the new year...because it means...er, can you keep a secret? OK...it means there's more sweet Sugar Nellie rubber coming to you...sooooon! So keep checking back here...and let me just say...you are gonna love, love, LOVE the new stamps!! Now,don't forget, when Karen and Gayle announce them...act surprised!!

Oh...I almost forgot...I have a fun new DT card to share with you! It's a birthday card for a dear friend's one-year-old grandbaby...

Isn't she just the most adorable little girl? I thought she'd be perfect for a 1st b-day card!! This cutie is called "Bubbles" and is part of the Home Grown "Baby"collection of Sugar Nellie stamps. You can find her at Funky Kits HERE.

The image was colored with Copics...and these gorgeous DPs are from Simple Stories' "Baby Steps" collection. I may have gotten a bit carried away with the pearls...but, maybe not!! After all, a little girl needs to learn about the finer things in life, doesn't she? (hehehe) I used "Labels One" Nestabilities and Grand Nestabilities to make this easel card. If you'd like more info on this card as well as a peek at a few more photos, please pop on over to my blog HERE.

A "toast" to joy, peace, and lots of sugar in 2012!

Pat

Candy Winners!

2012-01-01T22:37:00.001Z

Happy New Year to you all….I hope 2012 brings everything you would wish for!

I have two very lucky candy winners to announce tonight….

4. Jane

10. terriavidreader

Please email me your full name and address’ ladies and your sweet rubber candy will be on it’s way to you very soon!

Thanks so much to all of you for taking the time to enter and for your continued support….we couldn’t do it without you!

Need to run now, new stamp releases to organise……

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Hogmanay Candy!

2011-12-31T15:28:00.001Z

Well dear friends, it is almost time for us to kiss goodbye to 2011….

Hogmanay is such a big event here in Scotland and so we will share a little of that excitement with you….

Here’s how it works….

Please grab the banner above and display it on your blog to spread the word.
Enter your details into the ‘Inlinkz Widget’.
Cross your fingers and hope you are lucky!

You have until January 1st 7pm (GMT)

Two lucky winners, chosen at random, will win a little piece of, super sweet, Sugar Nellie candy!

I shall leave you with this to wish you well in 2012…..

As Andy Stewart used to sing in The White Heather Club (yes, I am that old!)

Haste ye back, we love you dearly,

Call again you're welcome here.

May your days be free from sorrow,

And your friends be ever near.

May the paths o'er which you wander,

Be to you a joy each day.

Haste ye back we love you dearly,

Haste ye back on friendship's way.

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000Z

Goodmorning everyone,
I hope you all had a good Christmas with lots of love, family and warmth :)
Of course we had a lot to eat with a nice glass of wine, but now 2011 is going to end, at our place we have a birthday to celebrate, my father is turning 77 years and New Years day starts with the birthday of my husband :) So ..... I still have a lot of things to do :)

Okay ladies, this is my post for today, the last one this year, but I'll be back next year :)

I made this card with the lovely digi stamp Victoria Standing, you can find all these beautiful Simply Adorables at Funkykits !!
The base has been made with the Go Kreate Die XXL Frame Frilly #2
The paper is from Echo Park - Wintertime
The tree is a big Die from Tim Holtz
Sentiment is from Whimpsy Stamps - Winter Letter Seals
I coloured here with my Copics

Unfortunately we didn't have a winter at all, right now it's a stormy weather, a lot of rain, I prefer snow and frost :)

For now I only can say : A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!

Thanks for visiting :)

Love Astrid xxx

Christmas Past.

2011-12-29T09:00:00.001Z

Good Morning Sugar Addicts!

Christmas has been and gone...seemingly in the blink of an eye!
I hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas and I hope you all got lots of lovely gifts...especially crafty stuff :)
We have had a lovely time these last few days, visiting family and catching up with friends, but it's been a bit hectic! I hope to have a couple of days locked away in my craft room before I have to go back to the dreaded job, as I have some new Sugar that urgently needs inking and I would like to make a card for the Sugar Bowl challenge.

Talking of the Sugar Bowl....

This gorgeous card was made for the challenge by Suzi using the image Titania.

This stunning Christmas card was made by Vicky using the stamp Little Apprentice.

And this beautiful card was made for the challenge by Julia using the image Let Them Eat Cake.

I love the fact that all three cards follow the same sketch but they all look so totally different as each creator 'stamps' their own style on them, and they have all followed the optional theme and made their own papers.
You Sugar Addicts are all so talented and creative and I always relish seeing how you bring our Sweet images to life.

I hope you will find a little spare time to get inky and join in with our challenge.

Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xx

Candy Winner!

2011-12-28T21:53:00.001Z

I am so sorry for the delay in posting todays candy winner but, I have a good excuse…

I had a lovely surprise visit from ‘The Boss’ and we had such a great time nattering that it completely slipped my mind!

Even my girls love Karen so much they climb all over her….sorry for the bruises boss!

Anyhoo, I’d better get on with it…..

37. Penni

Please email me your full name and address and your sweet rubber candy will be on it’s way to you very soon!

Thanks to you all for your entries……more chances very soon……

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Come and get it….Christmas Candy!!!!

2011-12-28T07:00:00.000Z

With Christmas now behind us, preparations for Hogmanay are all well under way here at the House Of Sugar, are you prepared to welcome 2012 yet?

It's going to be a BIG year for us here....lot's of delicious new rubber coming!

All of our little helper elves are already at work on the January release of new rubber…

( I have them all lying next to me as I write this, and we really are spoiling you with this next collection!)

Still, I shouldn’t be telling you all this, as Karen will slap my legs!

So, I shall spoil you another way today…..

Here’s how it works….

Please grab the banner above and display it on your blog to spread the word.
Enter your details into the ‘Inlinkz Widget’.
Cross your fingers and hope you are lucky!

This time around I’m giving you a whole 12 hours to enter….

One lucky winner, chosen at random, will win a little piece of, super sweet, Sugar Nellie candy!

Good luck to you all……

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Snowmen Thank You

2011-12-27T09:00:00.001Z

Hello everyone, it's Jenn here today! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday! Mine was a fabulous time with my family, but it went by sooo quickly! Sound familiar? : ) I definately have some "thank you" cards to get together, I want to share one with you today that uses the stamp Christmas Garland.

This one is going to the doctors that I work with so I kept it pretty simple: just some punches, a button with a bow, and a few pearls and I'm done (although looking at the picture I'm thinking Mrs. Snowman could use some glitter on her hat and the boys can just deal with it... what are your thoughts?)

I colored the image with my Copic markers (I might even be getting some more with my Christmas money, yippee!) Thank you for stopping by, again I hope your holiday was great! Here's to a fabulous 2012!

-Jenn

Today’s Candy Winner!

2011-12-26T19:32:00.000Z

Tonight’s lucky candy winner is……

18. Margreet

Please email me your full name and address and your sweet rubber candy will be on it’s way to you very soon!

For those of you who didn’t win, this time, I may return with more very soon….

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

More Christmas Candy…..

2011-12-26T07:00:00.001Z

Happy ‘Boxing Day’ to you all…..

I do hope Santa Claus was very generous to you all, did anyone get any rubber in their stockings?

If not, I shall remedy that for one of you today….

Here’s how it works….

Please grab the banner above and display it on your blog to spread the word.
Enter your details into the ‘Inlinkz Widget’.
Cross your fingers and hope you are lucky!

This time around I’m giving you a whole 12 hours to enter….

One lucky winner, chosen at random, will win a little piece of, super sweet, Sugar Nellie candy!

Good luck to you all……

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Christmas Speech

2011-12-25T08:53:00.018Z

Hello blogging friends

Mother thought it would be a good idea to dip my toe in the water so to speak.

I will have to get used to standing up as the face of Sugar Nellie as we have so much planned for 2012.

First I have to graduate, I have you to thank for being able to spend the last few years in Glasgow studying for my degree. The original concept of Sugar Nellie was to allow me the financial security to go off and get a great education without being a financial burden on my parents ( I am one of four children) we had hoped that SN would be popular enough to pay for my "keep" while away from home. Things turned out better than expected, amazingly so and that's all down to you , our loyal and supportive customers.

Soon the table top stamp company was growing so fast that is was difficult to keep on top of things. My Mum has an eye for art (she would never tell you, but she does have qualifications in this field but has more confidence promoting others and believes that art is something you have to keep working at. And it has been a long time since she stopped creating). In leaving the running of the business in her hands I have watched it grow, helping out when I can and being there when I am needed. I am sure that I could cut up rubber with my eyes closed and pack it while I am in my sleep.
I loved meeting some of you at the Glasgow show and I have since taken a shine to colouring with copics, something I hope to do far more of soon.

I am home as soon as I graduate and I have a wedding to plan! I am sure that Mother will have most of it done by then because as disorganized and laid back as she is sometimes, it all gets done, even if it is last minute.

My husband and I...............will return to USA to start our life together, its so exciting, my heart and mind are just bursting with anticipation of things to come. As scary and tearful as it is to leave my family behind in Scotland, I know that I will be part of a new family who will be a great support to Tom and I as we start this new chapter of our lives.

This also opens up a new chapter for Sugar Nellie. Mother has already said she does not want things to change in the House of Sugar ( Sugar Nellie HQ) but we are going to venture into the USA with a new dispatch centre and hopefully take part in some craft show's on the east side. Our time as a member company on Split Coast Stampers was a huge deal for us and proved too big for such as small company back in 2009. But with better foundation and support, we both believe that it is something we are ready for this time.

There is yet so much to do and I know that on behalf of everyone in the HOS, we thank you all for your amazing support over the last 4 years, our customers are most defiantly the sweetest.
thank you all
Debbie

picture here

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T08:49:00.000Z

Now it is here.

CHRISTMAS.

Where I (Marianne) live, we have some snow outside. Not much, but enough to get the right Christmas spirit. The windows are filled with Christmas lights, in all the gardens there are Christmas trees and Christmas decorations. Our house is filled with Christmas presents, Christmas food and Christmas candies. My children are almost sparkling of Christmas joy, and what we haven`t done of Christmas stuff by now, I am sure we can manage without.

Of course I have a Christmas project to show today. I have made a cute gift bag that I hope you will like. This beautiful little winter angle from Sugar Nellie is called “Wish upon a star”, and you can find her and all her cute friends at Funky Kits. I have colored her with my Copics in cold winter colors, and added a lot of glitter to make her sparkle. The papers, flowers and pearls I have used have the same cold color, and I have used a lot of dies and punches for my gift bag.

Here is the backside, with the same design, and a beautiful Norwegian Christmas text.

The Sugar Nellie team wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas Garland

2011-12-23T09:00:00.003Z

My last post for this year.. it was a difficult one because of my pain in my back and legs, I can't sit very long, but it is finished! I've used Christmas Carland and ofcourse you can buy the stam at funkykits. You can pull the label out so you can write a personal note on it, I've colored them with prisma pencils this time and yes again the beautifull papers of bobunny snowfall.
I've heard on the news no white christmas here in holland, but we;ll make it a beautifull christmas time with friends and family.. My daughter will be celebrating her 23th birthday on the 30th this month, so very busy times for us.
I wish you all a merry christmas and a happy, healthy and creative new year and hopefully with lots of beautifull new stamps from Sugar Nellie.
Karen and the whole team, thanks for everything, it is a pleasure to work for such a great company and lovely people!
Hugs Tiets xx

Sugar Nellie Showcase ~ Part Two

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000Z

Good Morning :)

I'm back with the continuation of what I started on Sunday, which was to showcase my favourite cards/stamps from this year.

For July I picked this ever-so-pretty and pink Christmas card from Mina which uses the stamp Furry Friends.

Astrid's card is the one I chose for August, using Cherry Pip. I do love these colours and again my favourite papers!

September is a card from Jane using these cuddly penguins Warm Winter Wishes and a fab colour scheme.

For October I picked a much older stamp A Little Birdie Told Me which Jane created this bright and beautiful card with.

The Adorable digi Victoria is my choice for November...and was made by none other than Victoria (Vicky).

And finally, for December I have Marianne's very pretty card made with the Country Cousins stamp To and Fro.

Don't forget that the Sugar Bowl challenge is running for 4 weeks this time, so the Sweeties could take a little break. There is still almost 3 weeks left to get your entry in. I know everyone is so busy in the run up to Christmas but you might just find yourself with a little playtime over the festivities when you can join in with the challenge.
I'm not posting here now until next Thursday, so before I go I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and I hope Santa brings you all lovely gifts.

Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xx

Thanking my Lucky Stars!

2011-12-21T08:00:00.001Z

Good Morning Everyone! I (Jane) hope you are having a good week so far. I can't believe it is Christmas Day on Sunday, I am looking forward to the big day! After making my last Christmas card this week I am trying to get organised and make a few Thank You cards and I have used the adorable 'Catch a Falling Star' Leanne Ellis stamp which is available here from Sugar Nellie as it goes so well with a new Hero Arts sentiment in a set I bought recently.
I used one of the star stamps from the set to stamp around the image with distress inks. To do this, I first stamped the image in Memento Ink onto white card and then die cut it into a circle with a Nestabilities die.
After I had done this, I stamped the image onto a Post-it note and then cut it out, you don't need to worry about the string and stick for the star or the boot laces. I then stamped the star randomly overlapping the image using Antique Linen Distress inks and added more distress inks around the edges of the die cut circle.

Here is a close up of the image coloured with Promarkers. When the post-it note is removed the stars look as if they are behind the image which gives a lot of depth to the design. I chose colours to match the Fancy Pants 'Off to School' papers which I matted and layered onto red card adding aqua stitching around the edges. I stamped the sentiment onto paper from the pack and also added an element cut from the paper which I stamped with a star and matted both onto red card and added them overlapping the image.

The star was stamped again onto brown gridded paper and I cut it out before paper piecing it onto the image and adding glitter glue. I added gems, a couple of flowers and a button just below the image as a finishing touch.
I hope you all have a Wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year and thank you for all the lovely comments you have left on my Projects since I joined the Sugar Nellie Design Team this year!
See you again soon in 2012!
Jane
x

Happy Christmas...

2011-12-20T09:00:00.001Z

Good morning everyone its my turn to show you something sweet and its my last post on here before Christmas...so I wanted to take the chance to wish everyone the very best Christmas ever, I have to admit I have a great soft spot for these Simply Adorable digis, this stunning little beauty is Sybil and I just used the head, I love colouring these beautiful images and used Distress inks to colour her, these lush Christmas papers were a freebie with a magazine, I hardly ever buy magazines but cant resist a bargain or freebie...I edged the papers in some mat gold card stock and cut some of the baubles for decorations...all the details are on my blog as always...have a wonderful day everyone and enjoy your Christmas
Mina xxx

Mwah...........

2011-12-19T18:52:00.000Z

I had a long day in the store today, covering for Kate who has holiday due before the end of the year. Its cold, quiet and not much fun at this time of the year. December is our quietest month in the shop, it has been for years now and we need a rest after the manic months of Christmas demo's and classes that have been non stop since the school went back in August.

Today was full of strangers trying to find that must have thing to finish or repair something quiet obscure. I was a good shop assistant and smiled and said "sorry when don't sell anything like that".......

I made a some samples for wedding invites for Debbie to choose from when she comes home this week. Even if she can decide on a format the colours can be changed to match the wedding colours. Fingers crossed she like at least on of them.

So imaging my surprise to receive this absolutely beautiful bouquet of flowers.

I had no idea who had sent them, but was not too surprised to find that it was the lovely Elaine .

Thank you Elaine they are gorgeous.oxo

Did she know that I spend Sunday sewing a new green table cloth for my made over dining room suit

( 8 chairs, extending table and side board for £150 at a antique sale).

Not quiet finished, still a couple of seat pads to re upholster and runners to stitch.

BUT these flowers match and will sit on the side perfectly.

I have never met Elaine, but between the facebook groups and email we have a great banter. I am sure she will forgive me for saying that the size of her ass is often discussed, not that I have ever seen it you know!. BUT one thing for sure, it is no where near as BIG as her heart *insert warm and fuzzy feeling*.

I am sure there are many of you out there that have benefited from the very generous

blog candy she is always giving away.

Elaine is always sending candy to others and I am sure that we love her not for all the sweet treats but because she does it for no other reason than she wants too.

Kind and generous to all.

Karen

Hold onto my heart...

2011-12-19T09:00:00.002Z

Hello my sugar-lovin' darlins! Can you believe it's almost Christmas?! Just a few more days...and then New Years...and THEN...Valentines Day!! hehehe! Sooooo I decided to get started on my Valentine's cards!! And...ta da...here's my first Valentine for 2012!

Isn't this just the sweetest image for a Valentine's Day card?! This stamp is called "Hold on to My Heart" and is part of the Home Grown collection of Sugar Nellie stamps. You can find it at Funky Kits HERE.

The image was colored with Copics and Prismacolor pencils. These gorgeous DPs are from My Mind's Eye "Lost & Found" collection...and I added some lace, brads, crown hat pins, roses, and some fabulous trinkets to give the card a bit of a "romantic" feel. For more info on this card...and to see a few more photos, please pop on over to my blog HERE.

And...that's it for me. Have a beautiful Christmas! Hugs...until next year!

Pat

Sugar Nellie Showcase ~ Part One

2011-12-18T09:00:00.001Z

Good Morning Sugar Addicts!

This is my last Sunday post of the year..I think.

Next Sunday will be Christmas Day and Karen has someone special she wants you to meet.

I don't know who it is either, so I'm looking forward to finding out too!

From a personal point of view, as a stamper, this year has been the best ever for Sugar Nellie.

From Sassy rubber and the start of the Simply Sassy blog at the beginning of the year, to some new Country Cousins stamps at the end of the year. In between we saw Sherbet Pips, Adorables and Fairy Glen ranges of rubber, to name just a few. My shopping basket has been filled many times..stamps just kept jumping in...all by themselves..that's what I tell my hubby anyway!

For todays showcase I have been looking through the blog over this year and picking out some of my favourite cards and stamps.

January saw this very sophisticated card from Judy using the Leanne Ellis image In A While

For February I picked this stunner from Kathrin, I do have such a soft spot for Sassy's and Tammy is so sweet!

March brings Erikas beautiful baby card made with the digital image Bambino.

For April I chose one of Ali's fabulous WoW cards made with the Manga stamp Dress Up Games.

May brought this gorgeous card from Tiets with the Sassy stamp Butterflies and Pigtails (and my favourite papers of the year too).

Pat's awesome creation for June was made with another favourite Sassy stamp Winking Student.

I planned to show a full 12 cards here today, but then I realised just how long the post was going to be!!

So I will be back during the week to show you my final 6 of the year.

Thanks for looking

Love Elaine xx

Christmas Candy Winner!

2011-12-17T20:11:00.000Z

And, tonight’s lucky winner is…….

32. Ruby

Please email me your full name and address and your sweet rubber candy will be on it’s way to you very soon!

For those of you who didn’t win, this time, I’ll be back very soon with some more candy but I’m not telling you when….

Keep checking.....

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

More Christmas Candy……

2011-12-17T07:59:00.001Z

We’re wide awake!
It’s good to know you’re ready and you’re wide awake
So on your marks and get set, go!
It’s Saturday, no school today, so what you gonna do?

Oh memories of the early 1980’s….I’m showing my age again!

Well, what we’re going to do is give you another opportunity to win some lovely free rubber!

Here’s how it works….
Please grab the banner above and display it on your blog to spread the word.
Enter your details into the ‘Inlinkz Widget’.
Cross your fingers and hope you are lucky!

You have a full 12 hours to enter…. entries close at 8pm (GMT) Saturday December 17th. Winners will be displayed shortly afterwards.
One lucky winner, chosen at random, will win a little piece of, super sweet, Sugar Nellie candy!
Good luck to you all……
Luv’n’Hugs
Gayle x

You are an Angel !!

2011-12-16T08:52:00.002Z

Good morning, how is the weather at your place??? Out here it is stormy weather, raining, cold, so perfect to stay at home, nice and warm by the heater :)

Today I will show you a card with the lovely Rosie, I think she is adorable :)
I coloured here with my copics, the papers are from Facypants - Christmas Magic.
I have used a Dutch sentiment, but it means "You are an Angel"
The flowers are from Wild Orchid Craft.

I am looking forward to Christmas, the Christmas Tree is shining and glimmering in the room, in the evening I light up all the candles, it's so nice and cosy :)

I hope you all have a nice weekend, thanks for stopping by !!

See you all next time :)

Love Astrid xx

Making a List, Checking It Twice...

2011-12-15T10:00:00.001Z

...Santa has probably made his list and checked it twice already. Chosen and wrapped all the presents for the good girls and boys (got a stash of coal ready for the naughty ones). Re-painted the sleigh, fed the reindeer and programmed his route into the SatNav.

Unfortunately, I am not quite as organised as Santa this year. I still have cards to write, gifts to buy and wrap and meals to plan.
Thankfully the Sweeties are much better organised and have made their cards for todays Sugar Bowl challenge ( except for one naughty girl who will be getting so much coal in her stocking this year - me!)
We have a fabulous sketch made by the lovely sweetie Maria and the optional theme is 'no designer paper'.

Maria's beautiful card uses the image Hello Little Robin. Maria has made her own paper with stamps and ink, and very pretty and effective it is too.

Fiona's WoW card using the image Fifi Goes Walkies is simply stunning. Fi has used embossing folders to create her textured papers.

Pat has used the stamp Old Saint Nick for her gorgeous festive card, and she's whipped out the embossing folders too.
These are just 3 examples of how you can make a fabulous and beautiful card with no DP at all.
To see the rest of the sweeties cards and for the sketch please visit the Sugar Bowl blog.
Because we have all been such good little Sweeties this year, our Mama Gayle has given us a nice break over the holiday period, so this sketch will be open until the evening of January 11th...which means you have a whole 4 weeks to get inky and enter the challenge.

Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xx

Christmas Candy Winner

2011-12-14T20:37:00.001Z

Once again a huge thank-you to all of our lovely sugar addicts for supporting out little blog and entering into the festive fun!

Now, you can all uncross your fingers as ……

72. Mary Lou

……..is the winner for today!

Please email me your full name and address (within 7 days) and your sweet rubber candy will be on it’s way to you very soon!

For those who weren’t so lucky…..

I’m not done yet!

You’ll have to keep checking back though

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Christmas Candy Alert!

2011-12-13T20:00:00.003Z

‘Tis I….the Christmas Fairy!

(fairy elephant more like)

Bringing you all the joys of the season

And…..

Will your stocking be stuffed with rubber this year?

Here’s how it works….

Please grab the banner above and display it on your blog to spread the word.
Enter your details into the ‘Inlinkz Widget’.
Cross your fingers and hope you are lucky!

You have a full 24 hours to enter…. entries close at 8pm (GMT) Wednesday December 14th. Winners will be displayed shortly afterwards.

One lucky winner, chosen at random, will win a little piece of, super sweet, Sugar Nellie candy!

Good luck to you all……

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

***

Just a note to all who wish for something sweet under their tree this year. I have finished packing all the rubber and Mark has taken his last delivery of Sugar Nellie stamps for this year. If its sold out on FK it will not be back in stock this year.

The weather forecast is bad and you know that one of the first things that effects is post, don't be disappointed this season, with the holidays a time for relaxing and colouring in, make sure you are well stocked with your favourite rubber for those cold winter days when you cant get out. Some of you are lucky to have two weeks holidays!

There are only a few more "dispatched" days until we have our holidays so don't put it off any longer, shop in the comfort of your own home or
why not put on those snow boots and come visit the HOUSE OF SUGAR,
we would be delighted to see you.

take care & stay warm
Karen

Heavenly Angel

2011-12-13T09:00:00.005Z

Hello everybody, it's Jenn here to show a sweet heavenly angel... and I'm not talking about my little girl : ) She turns 2 on Friday! Time flies!....

OK back to the card, sorry! Speaking of time flying... Christmas will be here soon and I'm still working on getting my cards made, let alone sent! Is anyone else in the same boat? I wanted to share the latest card I've finished, and I used another sweet angel, this one you can find here at Funky Kits!

I was going for simple with lots of sparkle, so I decided to use only 1 sheet of patterned paper. I started by stamping the image directly onto the patterned paper. I stamped it a second time on a piece of white cardstock, colored it with Copics and cut out the main portion of the image.

I added sparkle with my Spica glitter pen to the stars, wings, and french horn. The cloud ended up more blue than I had intended (oops) so I added some fluff to the cloud to tone down the color a bit. Does that ever happen to any of you? What tips do you have? That's all for me, I hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Jenn

ADORABLE WINIFRED.......

2011-12-12T09:00:00.003Z

Morning all.............!

It's Vicky here today and brrrrrrr....isn't the weather in the UK so cold at the mo....So I think we should all stay in, be cosy and warm and have a wee play with our crafty stash instead...lol....

Anyway, onto my card and I have the pleasure to showcase the beautiful Winifred from the Simply Adorable Digital range....I have cropped the image for a head shot only.....and I think it works really well..!

and here she is....

I have coloured her with Flexmarkers, Chalks and Prisma Pencils...by blending the pencils with white spirit you can add some depth/shadowing to your colouring...

A close up of her gorgeous face....

and a side view.....

You can see I have used some lovely lace and seam binding....then just added a couple of pins too....very simple but effective and a nestie die shape behind the image for added texture...

So I do hope you likey and for more information about about my card you can visit my blog here..

So I hope you all have lovely day, thanks for popping by and stay warm...

big hugs Vicky xx

Sugar Addicts Showcase Sunday.

2011-12-11T09:00:00.000Z

Good Morning Sugar Addicts.

I'm back to shine the spotlight on another lovely crafter who adores her Sugar. Although this lady has a blog I actually first met her over on the Sugar Nellie Facebook group.
Let me introduce to you Marianne.

I started cardmaking in 2006 and scrapbooking in 2008. I didn't have much idea when I first started and had never heard of blogging or sketches. Gradually I improved and once I discovered stamping and Promarkers my cards improved still further. Sugar Nellie's were some of the first stamps I ever bought. I started my blog two and a half years ago. I was amazed at the talent out there and bloghopping and entering challenges opened up even more opportunities to learn new skills.

I worked as an HR Manager but took redundancy just over a year ago. This year I started selling cards at local craft fairs, something I want to build on next year. I am starting to teach cardmaking at a local craft store in January.

A beautiful way to present a gift is in a decorated bag, using the image Gingerbread, with an accompanying tag using another Manga image, this one is Baubles.

I love Fairy Glen stamps and Let Them Eat Cake is no exception. Pink and brown, fairies and cake...what could be more perfect!

Stardust is such a pretty little girl and perfectly suits the shades of pink with a touch of green.

Blue is my favourite colour and particularly for Christmas cards so this one made with the stamp Snowman Choir is right up my street.

And lastly, a very pretty and girly card using the Sassy image Tiffany. Marianne has made some fabulous flowers to compliment the flower in her hair.

My thanks go to Marianne for allowing me to showcase just a few of her fabulous cards on here today, there are plenty more over on her blog HERE so why not make yourself a cuppa and go pay her a visit...don't forget to leave her a comment so she knows you've popped by :)

Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xx

Christmas Candy Winner!

2011-12-10T20:15:00.000Z

Thanks so much for all of your entries for our sugary surprise!

You sugar addicts never let me down….

As I said yesterday though, one winner only at a time and this time it is…..

SarahS

Please email me your full name and address and your sweet rubber candy will be on it’s way to you very soon!

There will be more candy coming this week….if you weren’t lucky this time around keep checking back!

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Summer in December

2011-12-10T09:00:00.001Z

Hi all sugar friends, I hope you are all doing well, and that you are enjoying the December days.

Guess what, I`m all done with my Christmas cards. It feels good, but since I really love Christmas I probably will sneak in some Christmas projects anyway.

But the card I will show you today is as far from Christmas and winter as you can get, and I had a great time making this taste of summer. The wonderful image I have used is “To and Fro” from Sugar Nellies collection “Country Cousins”. Isn`t she just beautiful? You can buy her and all her cousins at Funky Kits.

I have colored the image with my Copics, and for the lace frame and edge I have used punches from Martha Stewart. The fence is a die from Magnolia, the leaves from Marianne Design, and the butterflies from Cherry Lynn. I have decorated my card with pearls, glitter, roses and a homemade flower.

The flower I have made by cutting five organza circles and carefully smelted the edges with the flame from a candle. You don`t have to make perfect circles, it really doesn`t matter for the result, but don’t cut them too small, they will shrink a lot when you heat the edges. I think my biggest circle was about 6cm. In the end I fasten the circles together with a big pearl.

You are always welcome to visit my blog, and remember to stay with us here at the Sugar Nellie blog for new posts and a lot of inspiration every day.

Hugs, Marianne.

Christmas Candy Alert!

2011-12-09T19:00:00.001Z

I've got that 'Friday Feeling'

So....

I'm here to spread good cheer!

The gift is in the giving!

Here’s how it works….

Please grab the banner above and display it on your blog to spread the word.
Enter your details into the ‘Inlinkz Widget’.
Cross your fingers and hope you are lucky!

This time around I’m giving you a whole 24 hours to enter….

One lucky winner, chosen at random, will win a little piece of, super sweet, Sugar Nellie candy!

Good luck to you all……

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Warm Winter Wishes

2011-12-09T09:05:00.000Z

Are you al finished making X-mas cards and projects??? pfff So little time and so many to do,... so I've made something for under the christmas tree. I little box with the Digi stamp
Warm Winter Wishes...
You can buy him as a digi for a limited time at Funky kits.!!!

And if you read the sentiment you just know for which person I;'ve made this... My dear husband is so helpfull these days, because I'm ill since the last 2 weeks- I have a lot of pain from sciatica so he deserves a present made with love. I've used the holiday lamppost, mini trees and the fence from Tim holtz, and made them look snowy with the white paint dabber. In the box the snow flurrie die with lots of glitter on in and in the envelope with tag a personal text.
Ofcourse I put a little present in it but that is stil a secret.
I hope and wish you good luck with all the things you still have to too until Xmas!

Hugs Tiets xx

100+.....16 days And Counting...

2011-12-08T09:00:00.002Z

I'm starting to get butterflies in my tummy....16 days to Christmas and I'm still not organised!

I had saved one day out of my annual holidays so I could take the hubby Christmas shopping, oh yes, he loves me lots...not! But I did need an extra pair of hands just to tag along and carry the bags :)

So.....where are all your entries into the Sugar Bowl challenge this week?? There are very few entries so far, but I presume that you are all rushing around like headless chickens trying to get prepared for the festivities...just like I am?

But wouldn't you like to win some yummy new rubber..just in time for Christmas?

Just look at the yumminess I found on the Sugar Bowl! Coops has created two gorgeous cards following the sketch using the special limited edition stamp that was free with the last set of Sassy's. I love Coops colouring on Kraft and the different colourways..that red hair is awesome! (I always wanted red hair).

Warm Winter Wishes has been a very popular image, everyone loves these cute and cuddly penguins. This fabulous card is the entry from Eulanda, a highly detailed and totally beautiful card.

I love fairies...and this one is no exception. Wendy's stunning creation uses the image Angelica.

I hope you can all find just a little 'me' time to play...it's a fabulous way to unwind and de-stress!

Thanks for looking

Love Elaine xx

**********
Thank you Elaine, those cards are just wonderful, you have such a good eye for sweet creations.
16 day, oh no, I have done nothing, one pressie purchased some time ago and my sister said take it back and get a bigger size for my nephew......its still in the boot of the car!

As another year end, I tend to look at forward and not back. This year we have had a shuffle around with design team members coming and going, its sad to see them move on but its exciting to get to know the new girls. We have such an amazing pool of talent out there that its more the merrier type of thing. The girls work hard to create for your enjoyment here on the blog, its a huge boost to them to have you comment. I know time is precious but we do appreciate you words of support and for those of you who do genuinely read this blog you will find hidden candy being sent out in secret to a few commenter's this Christmas. (All I do at work at the moment is pack up goodies to give away. )

What will next year bring, we have plans. I do not wish to become BIGGER in the sense, of new premises or more staff, I like it the way it is, I might not have 100% control but I have learnt how to delegate and that has made my job so much easier. New about our plans for 2012 will be in our Christmas day speech, it's not the Queen you'll be hearing from but the news itself is good and "she" is someone I would like you to get to know better.

that's my word count used up again *humf*, I have so much to tell you......
stay safe and keep warm
Karen

T'is the season to make Christmas cards!

2011-12-07T08:00:00.001Z

Good Morning Everyone! Jane here with you today and I am starting to panic as Christmas seems to be approaching very fast now and even though I feel like I have been making Christmas cards since Easter, I am not sure if I will have enough and I haven't even started writing them yet!!! Eeek!
In order to try and fill up my card box I have made another Christmas card using the super cute Festive Friends image which is available here from Funky Kits.

I thought I would use some non traditional colours for my card and die cut a scalloped circle for the base using a Spellbinder grand Nestie and then covered it with some cool aqua stripe paper by Cosmo Cricket. The stripes really remind me of Winter PJs! I die cut scalloped squares and rectangles and layered up My Mind's Eye papers and wrapped the test panel with some vintage seam binding before adding it to the card and layered the coloured image into blue paper leaving a small border before adding it to the scalloped rectangle and popping it on to the card with foam pads. The image was coloured with Promarkers and I added Glamour Dust to Santa's coat, hat and beard to make him twinkle :-)
I added a double bow tied from more seam binding and topped this with one of my favourite craft items at the moment...a wooden snowflake, I am addicted to them! I am sticking them on everything I make at the moment, it's lucky the dog does not stand still too long or I would embellish him with one as well. I finished with some gems and flowers and buttons and a sentiment which is a Whimsy stamps ticket stamp. Am off to go and count my Christmas cards!
Have a great Wednesday!
Jane
x

Its all about the eyes...

2011-12-06T09:00:00.001Z

Good morning fellow sugar lovers, Mina here and today is my turn to show you a bit of lovliness from the House of Sugar and boy do I have a little sweetie to show you, this is the stunning Nathan, now how could anyone resist those eyes, hes one of the Adorables...I think he is one of my favourites although its hard to tell as they are all so stunning...doesn't he make a fantastic Christmas card for any little boy in your life...I colour with distress inks and the paper is from Basicgrey, all the details are on my blog as always...a little hint when your colouring the Adorables, there's a white bit in their eyes and when your adding colour if you leave this uncoloured it really makes their eyes sparkle...whatever your up to today have a brilliant one
Mina xxx

Let them eat cake!

2011-12-05T04:00:00.002Z

Happy Monday! I hope you had a fabulous weekend. There has been so much excitement here at Sugar Nellie lately, hasn't there? You just never know what Karen and her little "elves" have up their sleeves!!

OK...it's my turn once again to show you some sugar! Soooo...today I decided to share a card that is not a Christmas card! What can I say? I just needed to make something pink and girly! hehehe!

This little cutie is called "Let them eat cake" and she's part of the Fairy Glen collection of Sugar Nellie stamps. You can find her at Funky Kits HERE. I gotta tell ya, I love (and own!) this entire collection of fairies and angels!! They are so versatile...and soooooo stinkin' cute!

I used Copics with just a touch of Prismacolor pencils...

E21, 00, 000, 0000 (skin)

R20 (cheeks)

E27, 25, 23, 15, YR20 (hair)

E51 & 50 (cake)

RV34, 32, 10, 00, 000 (pinks)

G24, 21, 20 (greens)

W1, 0, 00 (shadow & ground)

These scrumptious DPs are from DCWV's "French Country" collection...and I added some pearls, lace, seam binding, and sweetheart rose to give the card a bit of a Victorian feel. Perfect for a little princessa's birthday, don'tcha think?!!

For more info on this card...and to see a few more photos, please pop on over to my blog HERE. And that's it for me...

Hugs...until next time...

Pat

Three Weeks And Counting....

2011-12-04T09:00:00.001Z

Sheesh!! How did that happen?
A mere three weeks until Christmas is here!
Don't get me wrong..I LOVE Christmas ( particularly the not-being-in-work until the New year bit of it ) but it has certainly crept up on me this year and wearing soft soled slippers too. Panic is beginning to set in..no gifts bought yet, no cards bought either, for I surely won't have the time to make them.

So in order to get myself in the festive spirit I have rounded up my favourite Christmas cards from the DT.
In alphabetical order:

Astrid used the image Old Saint Nick for her card...I love these rich reds and beautiful embellishments.

Jane used the very cute and cuddly Warm Winter Wishes for her festive card... a fabulous layout and pretty papers.

Jenn used the very sweet Knitted With Love. The delicate colours are perfect for this little cutie pie.

Marianne used my favourite colours, blue and white, for her stunning Christmas card, with the stamp Hello Little Robin.

Mina created her card in tradition Christmas colours of red and green with the beautiful Titania.

Pat used an older image, and a non-Christmas image too, to create her card, which shows perfectly the versatility of rubber stamps..with a little imagination there are no limits to what you can create. This little Manga girl is called Sitting Pretty.

Tiets also used an image not particularly marketed towards Christmas, the digi Victoria, proving she is suitable for many occasions. I always love the way Tiets uses lots of layers and embellishments.

Vicky used the stamp Furry Friends and a non traditional colour combo to create her festive card. Vicky tends to create clean and simple style of cards which really makes the image stand out.

I hope you like my choice of cards, but you can see plenty more by visiting our fantastic DT girls own blogs.

Thanks for looking.
Love Elaine xx

Christmas Candy Winner!

2011-12-03T19:30:00.001Z

Thanks so much for your entries (and lovely comments) it’s nice to be able to spoil you all a little!

As I said yesterday though, one winner only at a time and this time it is…..

Frea

Please email me your full name and address and your sweet rubber candy will be on it’s way to you very soon!

For those of you who didn’t win, this time, I’ll be back very soon with some more candy but I’m not telling you when….

You’ll have to keep checking back to find out!

I’m can be horribly evil sometimes….

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Christmas Candy Alert!

2011-12-02T22:00:00.002Z

Happy December Everyone….

Whilst you run around organising the holidays for everyone else, we plan on spoiling you over this festive season!

So, we will be popping up to offer some yummy candy (of the rubber variety) to some of our loyal followers!

Today is the first and so I shall explain how it’s going to work!

Please grab the banner above and display it on your blog to spread the word.
Enter your details into the ‘Inlinkz Widget’.
Cross your fingers and hope you are lucky!

One lucky winner, chosen at random, will win a little piece of, super sweet, Sugar Nellie candy!

Sounds simple?

It is….

Entries will close at 7pm (GMT) tomorrow and winners will be displayed here shortly after!

Good Luck Everyone!

Luv’n’Hugs

Gayle x

Wish !!!

2011-12-02T09:00:00.002Z

Goodmorning you lovely ladies :)

It's already December, ppfftt ..... time is running fast, don't you think ??

Today it's my (Astrid) turn to show you a card and I have choosen for the lovely Titania :)

I've coloured her with my Copics, paper I've used are from My Mind's Eye - Lost and Found Christmas, flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and the Seam Binding are from the

Ribbon Girls.

I am almost ready with my Christmas cards, I believe I still have to make 10 of them :)

Still a few weeks till it's Christmas time, next week I will get me a Christmas tree, I love the little tiny lamps in it, so we'll have some Christmas shopping to do, but I don't mind :)

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your weekend and see you all next time !!

hugs Astrid

***********

Thank you Astrid for your wonderful card, I love the rich colours you have used.

I have been MIA again, its something you will have to get used to as I have to take time off this month.
But Gayle and the DT have been fantastic in keeping you up to date with creative ideas.
Those of you who have been reading this blog since before my roots went grey, have heard that at this time of year I have support my husband and attend a "posh do", his annual Highland Grain Awards
sponsored by Glenmorangie Whisky.
We had a long way to travel way up north to Tain and 100 + guest enjoyed a meal before the speeches, yawn. But the farmer won again! He's so very pleased with himself and rightly so, this years harvest was dire, global warming is most defiantly having an effect which is not always good.

Now I don't drink much at all, but least of all will you catch me with a dram.
It's defiantly an acquired taste, our affiliation to the Glenmorangie brand is as strong as their whisky. I now have a lovely set of engraved glass wear in my lounge, I hope to add to it over the next years as it is a source of great pride to my hubby. You never know, maybe James will one year, follow in his fathers footsteps?

Hope you all had a wee dram on St Andrews day, Slanj-a-va !
Karen

I'm An Ordinary Angel...

2011-12-01T10:00:00.001Z

Winning tiny victories

And though the ordinary angels fly

Their wings weigh heavily.

I try to be a daily genius

There's no idea beyond my reach

With all the angels and the geniuses

My company I'm gonna keep.

Anyone remember these lyrics? Back in 1988 this was a song released by the pop group Hue and Cry, two brothers from Scotland...all good things come from Scotland, especially rubber! Now I have to admit that the song has nothing whatsoever to do with today's post....I was trying to think of lyrics with "out of the ordinary" in them somewhere but I'm full of a snotty cold and my head feels likes it's stuffed with cotton wool, no brain activity in here at all today! But I do like the Ordinary Angels lyrics..we are all little angels winning our own personal tiny victories :)

On to what I'm really here for...today there is a new challenge over on the Sugar Bowl with a fabby sketch from Cathy and the optional theme of "Out of the ordinary" - see, I really was going somewhere, I was just taking you on the longer scenic route:) This theme can cover a multitude of things, from using a different technique or a different colouring medium, or maybe a different shape of card. The choice is yours.

This is Cathy's take on the challenge using the Home Grown image Young Love.

Erika has chosen to ink up the gorgeous Rosie for her eye catching Christmas card.

And Kiki has used another Christmas image, the fabulous Santa with lantern.

If you visit the Sweeties own blogs then they will each tell you what makes their card "out of the ordinary".

As always there is a prize for one randomly picked winner of 4 Sugar Nellie stamps of the winners choice, or 6 stamps if we get 100+ entries. Now wouldn't that be nice to win some new rubber just before Christmas?

Thanks for looking

Love Elaine xx

2011-11-30T08:59:00.000Z

Hello Sugar Addicts, how are all you festive plans coming along. It's almost the most tinsely time of the year and I see that already the decorations are reduced in the shops, is your tree up? I have a little shift around in the house to do before I put up the tree etc, it will at least give me some room in the spare bedroom come junk room, that's where my craft stash is and it really needs a good tidy up.

With the family not more adult than child, more teen than toddler, it's sad to say I don't have any toys to buy for Christmas. James is 12 and wants to start his own flock of sheep, (ideas on how to wrap those up please) and Megan has never been a girly girl, no dolly's or pink please, all she want is a pet ! So that's two sheep to wrap LOL

I have a lot of wrapping paper to do but it will not be anything for under my tree :) I have a lot of thank you gifts to send and its difficult to by craft supplies for those who have everything. I do like hand made gift but I need pretty things now and time is always against me. I think a trip to ETSY is the answer.

I will be wrapping a few things for you too, as my thank you for the support you always give me and the encouragement to keep finding you new trends in stamping. We will have to operate a lucky dip draw because there are so many of you. I don't suppose you want a sheep too? LOL I might get a good deal from the farmer if I buy in bulk.

As the end of a year approaches, changes are a happening. We will say goodbye to Maya and Erika from the SN & SS DT. These girls have worked hard to bring fresh ideas and beautiful cards to our table, they have been amazing and will be missed.

But what will the new year bring, to early to tell, for us as a family it is a huge year, our baby girl gets married and there are lots of things to go along side that move that I will tell you about later.
The HOS, we will continue to bring you adorably cute stamps, both in rubber and digital. We are looking at other lines too, so nothing sits still around her. The last craft class of the year is held tonight by Kate. We have a few magazine articles to complete before we can sit back with the mulled wine and mince pies................*sings* it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

take care and stay safe

Karen

Guardian Angel

2011-11-29T09:00:00.000Z

Hello everyone! I hope those of you in the US who celebrated Thanksgiving had a great weekend. After being with family and stuffing my face with great food, I got sick yesterday... boo! I know exactly who the germs came from too, lol. But it was worth it. This Thanksgiving our family had some extra guardian angels, my husband Patrick's grandparents both passed away this fall. I wanted to share with you the card I made his mom, to hopefully be a comfort, which is what our hobby is about, right?

I used the sweet image Guardian Angel (it's on sale at Funky Kits!!) and paper pieced her dress to match the CTMH papers. I attempted to color the image in with Prismacolor pencils although I can never seem to get the shading very well for some reason. I'm sure it's entirely user error, lol!

Whenever I paper piece something, I always go back and add some shading with the gray Copic markers. It just looks more natural to me that way, and the image really seems to pop to me!

Well I think I'll mosey on back to bed... Thanks for stopping by, and stay healthy!

x Jenn

KISS ME QUICK...........!

2011-11-28T09:00:00.004Z

Morning all.........!

It's Vicky here today....and I'm showcasing a gorgeous stamp which was released last year. This sweetie is called Kiss Me Quick...and was part of a lovely collection from The Home Grown Country Cousins range...

And here she is.....

I have teamed her up with some gorgeous Nitwit papers and some Nesties "Ironwork Motifs"

A close up of this gorgeous stamp....and plenty of stickles too...!!

and a side view...

I have coloured her with some Spectrum Noirs, Chalks for her wee cheeks and Prisma Pencils for shading....I use white spirit to blend the pencils using a paper stumps...very simple to use and works so well with all alcohol pens..!

So thank you for popping by....and have a super day and stay warm too...

big hugs Vicky xx

PS just a quick few words from me, Karen.
I cant believe that we are almost at the end of November,
I think the mild weather has effected the season in more ways than one.

So with December just around the corner,
we are taking it a bit easy for the next few weeks,
there is no new rubber until next year!

The Dt have been fantastic and they deserve time off
to spend with their friends and family too.
With a few of us having extra holidays over the festive holidays,
its not a surprise to know that many of you take to the computer
and often treat yours selves to something sweet via the post.

It's time for me to wrap up some sweet treats too.
I will be sharing these with you very soon,
Christmas Candy to be given away here on the blog, starting in December.
Stay tuned and keep reading for a chance at a little sweetness under your trees this year.

take care, stay warm
Karen

Sugar Addicts Showcase Sunday.

2011-11-27T09:00:00.001Z

Good Morning Sugar Addicts!

Thank you for all your lovely comments on last weeks showcase...maybe we can twist Kate's arm just one more time and persuade her to start her own blog?

Today I have another lovely lady to shine the Sugary spotlight on...

Hi there, my name is Marion and I’m happily married to Ruud. We have two adorable cats, two sisters actually.

In daily life I work in a Pharmacy.

I started making scrapcards several years ago and still love this hobby. I prefer cute stamps and love cat stamps on my cards and projects.

You can find cats very often on my cards, I just love to use them on projects.

Marion makes scrapcards, a style which uses lots of layers and embellishments. This one uses the Sassy image Butterfly Girl.

This beautiful card uses another Sassy image, this time Love Letters ( out of stock at the moment )

I love corner bookmarks and this one is fabulous! Made using the image Warm Winter Wishes which is available as a digi but only for a limited period...so you'd better buy it now!

Another of my favourite Sassy images Spread Your Wings in my favourite colours too

And lastly, a very pretty Christmas card using the image Puss in Boots. I love the fancy shaped card too, made I'm sure with a MS border punch.

I see a lot of scrapcards in blogland, and particularly from our Dutch friends. It's a style I always find intriguing because of the amount of layers and embellishments on the cards and projects...though sadly not something I can do! Much too complicated for my simple brain to figure out :)

They are always highly detailed with lots of different elements for the eyes to feast upon.

Thank you Marion for allowing me to showcase your cards and projects here today. Please pop by Marion's blog and leave her some love :)

Thanks for looking

Love Elaine xx

Santa`s little helper

2011-11-26T09:00:00.001Z

Hi there, I hope you are all doing well.

Christmas is only one month away, and if you are not already done with your Christmas cards, I hope to give you some inspiration today.

For my Christmas card I have used one of my old Sugar Nellie stamps, from the Home Grown collection. This beautiful image is called “Santa`s little helper”, and you can find it at Funky Kits.

For coloring I have used my Copics, and I have stamped some snowflakes around the image, to match the paper I have used. To really show the beautiful image, I have kept the rest of my card in really light colors, but I have added a lot of details. Laces, pearls, cheese cloth, flowers, roses, pines and glitter. I have added some white paint to the flowers, to give them a frosty look.

I hope you liked my cold Christmas card, and I wish you all a wonderful and creative weekend.

Hugs from Marianne:)

Christmas with a Sassy Girl

2011-11-25T08:49:00.000Z

Goodmorning everyone on this friday!It is my turn(Tiets) to show you some Sugar Nellie stuff!

Only this one time I may show you a creation I've made with a Sssy Girl. She is called High school Student. It is not a real Christmas stamp, but as you can see, You can use some of them for Christmas too!
I'm having bursitis in my shoulder so I can't do much cardmaking, and this project I allready had finished.
The basic of the project is a paperbag. I folded it twice so you get a purse idea.
The papers(bobunny-father christmas) are traditionel... my kind of christmas colors.

I would love to read which christmas papers are your favorites at this moment?

I've colored her with copics markers and have used several dies from Tim Holtz.
I've put a little tag with a sentiment in the purse, but you can put some candy in it too, or a giftcard!
I hope I inspired you to do some more christmas stamp and card making..

Have fun and enjoy yourself this weekend!

Hugs Tiets xx

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful...

2011-11-24T09:00:00.003Z

...but the fire is so delightful,

And since we've no place to go

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

Actually, the weather is rather mild for the time of year, and I'm not quite ready for snow yet. I do love the fluffy white stuff but only if I can stay indoors and look at it from the comfort of my armchair.

Going out to work in it is a whole different matter!

Although the weather is mild now, I have heard the forecasters predicting a hard winter with plenty of snow, so maybe I should move my butt and get some Christmas gifts bought...after all, it is only 30 days until the jolly fella in a red suit delivers gifts for all the good girls and boys.

He's still making a list and checking it twice...

This fab festive card using the stamp Old Saint Nick is Gabi's entry into the Sugar Bowl challenge.

Coop's pretty and pink Christmas card uses the image Angel Wishes...I love this stamp, so sweet!

In the meadow we can build a snowman :)

This bright and beautiful card by Denise showcases perfectly the image Snow Buddies.

There is almost a week left to get your entries into the Sugar Bowl challenge and maybe win yourself a selection of Scotland's finest rubbery loveliness.

Thanks for looking

Love Elaine

Sheesh!! I'd just finished writing up the above post and scheduling it when I came across a new entry into the Sugar Bowl challenge which I just HAD to show you!

Cor blimey Vicky! You are quick off the mark with this! Her gorgeous card uses the free limited edition stamp which was only available when purchasing the offer kit...and they sold out fast!

Love Elaine (again) xx

Contemplation & Candy

2011-11-23T08:00:00.003Z

Good Morning Everyone, it's my turn (Jane) to share a Sugar Nellie card with you today and I have made a card using the gorgeous Country Cousins Contemplation image which is available here from Sugar Nellie. I am really enjoying playing with the Country Cousins images, they are so lovely to colour in and are a welcome break from Christmas. I feel like I have been making Christmas cards since July!

I chose papers from the Fancy Pants Summer's End pad and layered patterned papers in similar colours onto brown patterned papers to create a simple layout and added stitching around the edges of the papers. The lace which coordinates beautifully with the paper is available here and the matching button is available here.

I coloured my image using Promarkers. I used Turquoise, Duck Egg blue and Aqua for her jeans and the green was blended from Olive, Moss and Pear Green.
I added some flowers from my stash and a sentiment die cut with a label shape and some turquoise pearls as a finishing touch.
Have a lovely Wednesday!
Jane
xxxxxxxxxxxx

Jane uses such bright and cheerful colours in her cards, just beautiful, thank you Jane.

Now who all did the Simply Sassy blog hop this weekend past, WOW our girls are just fantastic, Maria and her SS DT do a wonderful job of showcasing the stamps AND the kit sold out! Great job everyone.

Who stopped by and left comments? Anyone not checked if they have won candy? Best have a look HERE

short and sweet from me today, saving up my quota of words for another day.....
take care
Karen

a purple rendezvous...

2011-11-22T09:00:00.002Z

Good morning everyone its my turn (Mina) to show a bit of sugar today...I'm loving this new release of the Country Cousins aren't you they are so sweet and girly and suit any design and colour...this is the stunning Cassie's Rendezvous coloured with distress inks, isn't she beautiful...the papers I used are actually Halloween papers from the Oct 31 Fancy Pants range...it just goes to show that you should have a good rummage through your papers every now and then and not just use them for what season or occasion they are meant to be for, I love it when I can use papers for more than one reason don't you, it makes you feel like you were justified in buying them in the first places...so go and have a rummage, I bet you will find some stunning papers you would never have imagined to use and see what you can make with them...have a wonderful day everyone

Mina xx

Faraway Thoughts...

2011-11-21T04:00:00.167Z

Hello my lovelies! Welcome to Monday at Sugar Nellie's! Pat here...coming to you from Richmond, VA, U.S.A...with another fun card for all y'all !! Now...for those of you who've never heard that phrase, "all y'all" is the way folks here in the South say "all of you"...or "you guys". I love it!! Now, you're probably wondering, "Where, exactly, is she going with this?"...Well, the answer would be...nowhere in particular! Just a little something for you to bring up at your next cocktail party! Hehehe!! OK...enough with the Southern colloquialisms! Let's get to this week's card....

I decided to move a wee bit out of my comfort zone and try something a little different! I'm taking a little break from making Christmas cards...YAY!...and I decided to ink up a Leanne Ellis stamp that I've had for more than a year! Yikes!!! So...I kind of went with a "dreamy and whimsical" theme...What'cha think?

This little darlin's called "Faraway Thoughts"...and she's available HERE at Funky Kits. I can't believe I haven't colored this cutie before now!! I just love her!! And, seriously, how many women do you know who can really pull off pink hair?! LOL!!

The DPs are from Prima's "Sparkling Spring" collection...the cardstock (Blushing Bride & Bashful Blue) came from Stampin' Up... & the green CS is from the Pastel Cardstock Collection of DCWV. The yummy flower thingie is from my local craft store...and the pearls are from Mikimoto, of course!! (Not really...just checking to see if you're paying attention!)

Here are the Copics & Prismacolor pencils used to color this sweetheart....

E21, 00, 000, 0000 (skin) w/peach & light peach pencils

R20 (cheeks) w/pink pencil

R83, 81, RV10, 000 (hair) w/pink pencil

E23, 21, 51, 50 (boat) w/dark brown pencil

G24, 21, 20 (greens) w/dark green pencil

B91, 00, 000, 0000 (blues) w/light cerulean blue pencil

YR21, 20, 000, 0000 (yellows) w/jasmine pencil

BG0000 (shadow)

If you have a few extra minutes, I'd love for you to pop on over to my blog HERE for a teensy weensy visit!! I do so enjoy entertaining!! Oh...and here's one last view for all y'all (There...ya see? Now you, too, can speak "Southern"...No need to thank me...just one more service I provide! hehehe!!) ....

And...that's it for me! Have a fabulous, fabulous week! Thanks so much for stopping by!! Until next time...

Hugs,

Pat

Sugar Addicts Showcase Sunday.

2011-11-20T09:00:00.001Z

Good Morning Sugar Addicts.

Did you all enjoy yesterdays hop over on the Simply Sassy blog? You know I have a huge soft spot for Sassy's anyway but this set is simply gorgeous! I can't wait for mine to arrive so I can get inky :)

OK, back to what I'm here for...to shine the spotlight on a Sugar Addict, but with a difference this week.

I first saw this ladies cards over on Facebook, and I did have to do a bit of arm twisting to persuade her to let me show her cards here!

It is my pleasure to introduce to you the House of Sugar's very own Kate.

Hi my name is Kate Mellis and I work in a craft shop called Papercraft Boutique in Elgin. Most of you will know that this is the House of Sugar! I have been married to Andrew for 28 years and have two grown up daughters Kim and Ashley and a Grandson Logan who is 6 years old. One Bearded Collie called Murphy who we used to show and has been to Crufts, a rescue cat called Alfie and we've just inherited my daughters cat Mille.
I started working for Karen three years ago when she asked me if I would like a job in the shop. Wow I snapped that up, I mean who wouldn't. I have always been into crafts since I was little, knitting, sewing, crocheting and self taught florist. I started cardmaking about 5 years ago after watching the TV and realized that I could do that and found Karen at her first shop up the street. I entered a competition in the shop and lo and behold I won it, first thing I ever won apart from a raffle.
I never really stamped before apart from embossing but my first Sugar Nellie buy was the Little Cotton Rabbits which I still use and was hooked. I only drooled over everyone else's work and eventually I splashed out and bought Copics which I love, mind you I was given a gift of Prismas from Karen for Christmas and love them too. I wouldn't say that working in the shop is what you would call hard work but it has its moments, I take classes on the Tuesday evening and sometimes on a Saturday which takes a lot of time first of all deciding what to do and then how long it will take. We have a very loyal customer base in Elgin and quite a few come to the classes on a regular basis which makes it easy to teach because most of them know me.
I am very honoured to have been asked to be on the show case for the Sugar Nellie blog and feel a wee bit guilty by not having a blog but there is never enough hours in the day and I know that I spend far too much time drooling over all the beautiful work that is out there. I used to clean my house within a inch of its life but now my time in my craft room is more important, although sometimes its past my bedtime before I know it. I can't say which of the ranges of Sugar Nellie is my favourite because it changes daily but at the minute it is the Jingle bells Festive Garland because it reminds me of when I worked with flowers at Christmas and my friend and I decided to make wreaths at home to sell to family and friends. It got out of hand after a while we had too many orders and were working morning noon and night, but hey it was fun.
Being able to see what stamps are coming out before everyone else is fun because Mark and I get to name them sometimes, not always that they end up with that name!
Anyway that's all from me and by the time this comes out I will be on holiday so no one can take the mick out of me at work. Thanks for looking at my work x

This awesome card uses the image Christmas Garland. The addition of the garland around the image really raises it to another level...so of course I had to ask Kate where she found a stamp that goes so perfectly with the image? And...she drew it herself! Huh! Green? Me? You bet I am!

Then we have this card...

And also this one...

Two fabulous cards both made with the same Sassy image Call Me but in different colour schemes.

Oooo I LOVE this card! Carnival Balloon is one of my most favourite Sassy stamps and the orange/green colour combo is so striking.

A very classy and stylish card using the Kathy Hare stamp Little Bear.

Another stamp I luvs (a lot!) is Pippi Longsocks. She is just the prettiest, cutest fairy I've ever seen, and expertly brought to life by Kate's amazing colouring skills.

I love Kate's cards, her colouring is fabulous and of course she has great taste in her choice of stamps :)

Because she doesn't have a blog - she tells me that Karen keeps her chained up down in the bowels of the Sugar Mines for sooo many hours each day that there's no time left for her to have a blog - so please leave her some love here in the form of a comment.

Thanks for looking

Love Elaine xxx

loads of birthday treats

2011-11-19T08:59:00.001Z

What a weekend end we have in store for all our sugar addicts old and new.

This weekend we have a new release from our range of Simply Sassy stamps, sadly it is our last release in rubber :( but what a selection it is!

Not only do we have 6 new real rubber stamps for you to ink up but if you buy all 6 you only pay for 5 AND that is not all, this weekend those who buy the set get a free and exclusive limited edition stamp just to say thank you for your support over the last year that this range has been available.

Do you want to see what Sassy creations the Simply Sassy Dt have for us today, lets get hopping........

start hoppin over HERE

We also have a second treat in store for you and I know a lot of international addict love our digi range, not only is it quick but its super sweet and a must have for any avid stamper.

One stamp this season has been sold out more times that we can count, Mark has suggested that as its not going to be available in rubber any time soon, that we make it available as a digi?

I had to think about this because our first love is rubber BUT as there are no more this year I have come to a compromise.................for a limited time only

Winter Wishes is available as a digi HERE

here is a reminder as to why this image has been so popular, these amazing and super cute cards were made with Warm Winter Wishes

This is a beautifully coloured image and well matched papers, put together by Fiona

for the SUGAR BOWL CHALLENGE

Enjoy the treats girls and hope you have a lovely weekend,

who can believe the weather is so mild , even up here in Scotland it is t-shirt weather!

Karen

Cheer Up !!!

2011-11-18T09:00:00.002Z

Hi lovely ladies, it's Friday again, so it's my turn to post a card for the Sugar Nellie Blog.

I had to make a "Clean and Simple" card... whell, that's not my kind of thing, it isn't that easy for me :) but I hope you like my card anyway :)

Last week I wasn't that productive in Cards en Blogland, because I had a surgery and had a lot of pain, everyday I'm feeling a bit better, but I have to keep me quiet :(

Used materials :

* Maja Design - Minna Vänner
* Stamp - Sugar Nellie - Manga "Cheerleader"
* Magnolia Die - Swirl
* Marianne Creatable - Leaf
* Seam Binding - Ribbon Girls
* Dew Drops - Ribbon Girls
* Sentiment – self made
* Flowers
* Lace
* Rope

Yeaahhhhh .....tomorrow there will be a Simply Sassy Bloghop, isn't that exciting ??

Come on over and enjoy the bloghop, again there will be a candy hidden if you leave a comment by each of the DT ladies :)

Only this weekend you can order the complete set, you wil get 7 lovely Sassy's for the price of 5 !!! Isn't that awesome ? One stamp is a limited edition !!

So hurry and grab them :)

They are available on Saturday 19th at 8 am at Funky Kits!!

Thanks for your visit, enjoy your weekend and see you all next time :)

Love Astrid xx

Frosty The Snowman...

2011-11-17T10:00:00.001Z

Was a jolly happy soul,

With a corncob pipe and a button nose

And two eyes made out of coal.

Today there is a new challenge over on the Sugar Bowl with a perfect theme of "Ice and Snow"...though I am secretly hoping that we stay snow free for a good while yet! Our lovely Sugar Mama Gayle provided the sketch and this is her beautiful card using an older Sugar Nellie image. Older but still as perfect for the occasion as when it was first released...this cute snowman is called Snow Cozy.

And now a card using a very recently released image...

Cathy's gorgeous card uses the image Hello Little Robin. I love this card Cathy..you've nailed the sketch and the option perfectly.

Maria's fabulous and frosty festive card uses the Sassy image All Spruced Up....I do SO love all the Sassy rubber stamps, and if you love them too then you really don't want to miss this...

Maria and her talented team of ladies - plus a guest *cough* will be hosting a blog hop to showcase set 11 of the Sassy stamps..and these are the Sassiest and most gorgeous stamps ever! You can see sneak peaks of some of these beauties over on the Sassy blog, and this is where the hop will start on Saturday.

I hope you will come along and join in with the fun....and there will be some candy along the hop too!

Thanks for looking

Love Elaine xx

CANDY! CANDY! CANDY!!!

2011-11-16T08:06:00.000Z

I get all the fun jobs around here!!!!

Time to announce the candy winners from Saturdays blog hop….it appears you all love Cassie just as much as we do!

The lucky winners are……

Huge congratulations to all our lucky winners, please email me (within 7 days) to claim your sweet sugar!

Huge thanks to everyone who followed our hop and to all who left comments, your continued support is very much appreciated!

To continue our birthday month, there are more treats coming….(I am such a tease)

Keep your eyes peeled!!!

Luv'n'Hugs

Gayle x

Contemplation

2011-11-15T09:00:00.003Z

Hello everybody, it's Jenn here wishing you a happy Tuesday! Did you enjoy hopping this weekend? There were so many beautiful creations, and the Country Cousins stamps are all available at Funky Kits!

As you can see, I still can't put Cassie down! For this card I used Contemplation, which really seemed to be a favorite of the hop. I color my images with Copic markers, and I always feel I have the most trouble coloring hair. I think that is a reason why I am so in love with these images, the hair is so flowing, there is room to really blend the colors until I'm happy : ) So see honey, I need these stamps, they're helping me better utilize the markers I've already purchased.... lol!

The papers are a mix of Crate Paper and My Mind's Eye. The dotted paper is glittered, it's really pretty! Some twine, flowers, and brads and I'm done!

Thank you again to everyone who hopped with us this weekend, and for all of your comments, I know they totally made my day and I really appreciated them! Have a great one, and we'll see you back here tomorrow!

SWEET VICTORIA............

2011-11-14T09:00:00.001Z

Morning all.......

Hope you all had a lovely weekend....and you all enjoyed the Country Cousins Blog Hop...I love doing them....and so much fun too...!

Anyway....it's Vicky here today and I have the great pleasure to showcase one of the new Simply Adorable Digi's called Victoria...and what a sweetie with a gorgeous name too....!

Victoria ~ Simply Adorable

Close up of Victoria

I have coloured her in with some Spectrum Noirs, Flexmarkers and Prisma Pencils and a little chalk on her cheeks...

The papers are from Nitwits and the pretty lace from my stash....

and a side view....

I have also used a Martha Stewart Punch for the Butterfly and decorated it with some wee pearls and used some hat pins too......I so love this colour combo....So very fresh for this little beauty...

So I hope you likey...and do pop over to Funky Kits to see all the new stash...

have a lovely day....and keep warm....

big hugs Vicky xx

Sugar Addicts Showcase Sunday.

2011-11-13T09:00:00.001Z

Good Morning Sugar lovers!

It's that time of the week again when I have the pleasure of shining the spotlight on a Sugar Addict and today's lovely...and oh so talented lady...is Jenny.

My name is Jenny and I live in Scotland......very close to the House of Sugar!! I love to make cards and papercraft projects and my favourite cardmaking technique is rubber stamping. I am drawn to 'cute' stamps and really enjoy colouring my images with promarkers and prisma pencils. Sugar Nellie stamps are perfect for this :) which is why I have quite a collection now!

I also enjoy blogging and sharing/entering my cards in the many craft challenges in blogland and I have made many crafty friends from all over the world through crafting and blogging.

This fabulous Christmas card uses the image Knitted With Love. I do love the non traditional Christmas colours Jenny has chosen.

Jenny's colouring is awesome...just look at little Delia, beautifully brought to life with perfect colouring and shading.

And how about these cute little penguins (stamp Warm Winter Wishes is out of stock at the moment, more due in soon) on a kriss kross card and coloured in sepia tones. Very subtle and very stylish.

I love these tea light cards, they make such a pretty gift. Jenny has used the Gorgeous Girls image Foxy.

And last, but certainly not least...

Yes..I most certainly did have to show this card. You know I luvs Pippi Longsocks the mostest :)

She is just gorgeous, and shown off perfectly in this pretty purple and green colour combo.

I hope you've enjoyed my choice of cards off Jenny's blog, please go and pay her a visit, we all like to receive some love in the form of a comment.

Thanks for looking.

Love Elaine xx