I'm still...

...having fun with the Groovi plates.

I just wanted to have a 'play' and see what I came up with.

Using the nesting squares I created a frame and then added the fir bough from the Christmas border plate...

 ...adding some bauble from the same plate. You can tell I've been watching some YouTube videos...

...because I even had a go at perforating and snipping. Think I need to add some shading before I consider adding colour to this one.

I love the Snowflake and Christmas words set of plates.

As shown in a previous post, I've actually completed a card using these plates but wanted to have another 'play' to see what variations I could come up with...

...but at the moment I'm still shading. I've also decided to do some more of the baubles with a view to cutting them out and using them as embellies on some of my Christmas cards. Because they are on parchment paper they are thin and wont add too much bulk to the cards that need to be posted.

I'm finding these plates quite therapeutic - rather like colouring-in. So I'm sure there will be more on the way........................................................................

I'm not very organised...

...this week - not at all.

I have a few things that I need to photograph but I seem to be all behind at the moment. I think a lot of this has to do with the latest fiasco at work but I'm not even going there...

I realised that I hadn't shared the photos of one of Andy Pearson's "Demo" days (Pinnacle Crafts) as it was during the time I was struggling to sort out Windows 10.

So without further ado, here are some pictures of the Christmas goodies that Andy shared with us...

 ...lots of card ideas - some quick & easy and others involving a bit more technique...

...there was a fabulous selection of finished samples - mainly cards but a few 3D pieces as well.

This was one of the pieces that Andy had submitted for his DT project to Creative Expressions shortly before the demo day...

 ...lots of stamping, mica powder and die-cut construction to create this beautiful card.

An Andy demo day would not be complete without some messy play with inks...

 ...Andy was showing the lovely effects created by inks on acetate...

 ...the perfect background for this die of the Three Wise Men. The die-cut had been embossed and then highlighted with gilding wax to really show off the texture.

For those of you who may have tons of peel-offs tucked away in their stash, he showed that they can be used very effectively...

...as is shown here. Some borders & corners were the finishing touch to this card. I know folk either love or hate peel-offs but there are times when they can actually work very well.

That was Andy's last demo for 2015 and he has also finished his year on the Creative Expressions DT - so no more "Boys Wednesday" over at the CE blog as John Lockwood is off presenting on Hochanda and Andy is busy getting the shop Christmas cards sorted before he take a well deserved holiday.

All being well, I'll manage to get those photos taken & posted....................................................

It's Monday morning...

...already - groan.

Just where does the weekend go?

Both days have been foggy but at least on Saturday, the Sun managed to peek through for a little while.

I was too late to get any photos of the beautiful red leaves on the trees by the Noak Bridge roundabout - wind and rain on Friday resulted in the trees being almost completely bare.

However, when the Sun came out I did manage to snap this...

...such a lovely splash of colour amongst the green shrubs.

Sunday was very foggy all day and this made driving a nightmare as you wouldn't believe the number of idiots who seem to think it is okay to drive around with no lights on - luckily, I was able to take Mum shopping, pop over to see my Sister and get home before it started to get dark. There was no way I wanted to be dealing with this as the light was going and the fog became thicker.

One downside to living quite close to the Thames is the fog-horns - not designed to encourage a good night's sleep. So the eyes are rather in need of matchsticks this morning.

Hope you had a good weekend....................................................

Remember last week...

...I showed you these...

...the result of two very sore thumbs LOL. Well this was Joanne's finished "Frosty"...

 ...and what we were aiming to create.

Meet my finished "Frosty"...

 ...all done and dusted and waiting for the 1st December when he (???) can take pride of place with the rest of the Christmas decorations.
I typed "he (???)" because I decided to add a sprig of berries and pine cones to the hat...

 ...does this make "Frosty" a "Mrs Frosty"?
Whether Mr or Mrs, I love my "Frosty"...

...and with it being 1st November and thinking how time has been flying all year, it won't be long before this piece of fun will be welcoming in the holiday season.

As it is 1st November, today is also the first day of the Simply Christmas event over at the Shabby Art Boutique. First up as always are the super free printables to make your very own vintage Christmas planner. I'm off to print out mine - why don't you join in the fun too................................

Still trying...

...to keep things quite flat.

This was made from a mish-mash of old bits of stash so I've no idea of brands.

Still with postage costs in mind, the only raised part of this card is the topper...

...and because it is all paper & CS, it doesn't stick out too much...

...the wreath effect is created by punching loads of MS Fronds in two different greens and just tucking them slightly under the robin topper.

Another card for the pile and a bit more stash used...........................................................

I know I bought...

...one of these.

I know I did but do you think I can find it - I've searched everywhere.

Knowing my luck it will turn up on Boxing Day LOL

Now could I have put it away with the.........................................................................

Coming soon...

...the 6th Annual Simply Christmas.

The lovely Kerryanne English will be holding another Simply Christmas event over on her blog.


A super Christmas planner and other printables will be appearing to help you through the Christmas season - so make a note on the calendar and hop over to Kerryanne's blog to share in the fun.............................................................................................