Macaulay Arts

Designteam Vintage Challenge #34

2012-01-09T21:51:00.002+01:00

Its a new year!!

Full of new opportunities and new starts!

We at the Vintage challenge blogg have a wonderful challenge for you this time,

'Make an altered art project,

in Vintage style'!!

You have until the

22nd of January at 1800 hrs

to hand in your projects.

Sponsering us again is the great swedish rubber stamp producers

Stämpelkällan !

Without further a do here are my projects,

that I hope will inspire you to join in the challenge!

First up an altered basket:

And project nr 2, an altered vintage pictureframe:

Hope the new year is treating you all well.

If you have any questions about my projects please just ask,

I will be happy to answer!

I have had a looong break from blogland over the whole of the festive season,

and am looking forward to coming back soon!

I am entering these projects in for the following challenges:
CES challenge #67 - Anything goes (open til 13/1)
Cards for men - Recycling (my second project! ;O) Open til 15/1)
Nordsaltens Hobbyklubb Challenge #45 - Girlish (open til 13/1)

Wintery hugs from Nina x

Design Team Vintage Challenge # 33

2011-12-02T21:39:00.001+01:00

Join in!

Make a Vintage style hostess gift and enter the competition over at

Vintage challenges

before the 28th of December at 6pm CET

and be in the running for a great prize from this weeks sponser

stämpelkallan.com
We the design team pick the winner and four runners up ourselfs!

Hey folks!

Dosen't time fly when you are having fun?!

I am certainly enjoying myslf working through my 'To Do List' :OD

Over to this project, I made a Christmas hostess gift.

It contains some vintage golden christmas tree candles,

tied with a beautiful peice of ribbon from Dorothea.

The crystal snowflake hair clasp can be removed and clipped onto a jacket lapel or on a handbag etc.

I have made a cone shape with some left over chicken wire I had.

I got this idea from a beautiful project EttenA made *thank u :O)*

Then I lined the cone with some pages of an old book.

I cut the tag using my spellbinders labels 4 ( my all-time favourite :O)

using craft paper and old note paper then added the sweetest lamp

stamped from our sponser this time

www.Stempelkallen.com

I painted it with distress inks.

Lastly I have tied a peice of hemp string to make a hang loop.

I am entering this project into the following challenges:

Simon Says stamp - Anything goes.

(open til 7th Dec.)

Paper Play challenges - Tags and wrappings.

(open til 7th Dec.)

DYSU #48 - Ribbon (or anything you can tie)

(open til 7th Dec.)

Wishing you all a nice weekend,

wherever you are and what ever you have planned I hope you will be smiling :O)

Hugs Nina

Christmas cards one, two and three.

2011-11-29T23:40:00.000+01:00

Its beginning to look alot like christmas, everywhere I go.... hum de dai.

With the exception of snow that is!

Its very mild here for this time of year, a whopping 9 degrees yesterday! Compaired to last years constant minus degrees and the snow had already lain thick for a month by now!

I WANT TO GO SKIING!! So hurry up already and snow!

On to the topic of this post, christmas cards, have I mentioned that

I LOVE CHRISTMAS??!

I have used Mo's digital images on all three cards, and I must say that they are a delight to paint.

I have used my husbands design papers as a background on all of the cards and as you can see I have kept them pretty 'clean and simple'.

Mo has so many sweet images, and the one above here has to be one of my favourites, you can just imagine the trip 'grandpa and grandson' or 'father and son' have been on collecting greenery for decorations, no doubt sent out by 'mother' or 'grandmother' who is at home in the kitchen baking some delish cake to be had with a cup of hot cocoa after their trip to the woods.

Nuts? me? some people talk to their stamps! I like to make up stories about them hehe.

I mentioned that the images were a dream to paint, I used Tim Holts distress ink refill 'Vintage photo' to paint all of them (with the excepition of the heart on the wee girls dress, I sed 'Tattered rose' there).

Get this, I put ONE drop of it onto a peice of acitate and managed to paint 6 images before the ONE drop was used up!! Talk about stretching a long way!

And here are the cards along with a whole other bunch of cards that are all stacked up

ready to go on sale. They are on sale now at

'Hud og Helseklinikken'

in Kolbotn in Norway.

If you want to order one yourself in time for christmas then let me know.

These ones shown in this post cost 60 NOK + postage.

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

Stamptacular Sunday challenge #140 - 'Anything christmas'
(open til 3rd Dec.)

Totally Paper Craft Challenge #94 - 'Christmas'
(open til 1st Dec.)

Creative Card Crew - 'Monochromatic'
(open til 4th Dec.)

Paper Sundaes Challenge #97 - 'Winter wonderland'
(open til 3rd Dec.)

I bet everyone is really busy themselves with christmas looming in the distance,

glue on the table, glitter stuck under your fingernails

and the odd paper snowflake stuck to your bum?!

thats why your comments are so apreciated.

I hope you are enjoying it all at the sametime,

remember its a whole year til next time!

'What gets done gets done, and what doesn't doesn't'

is my philosophy, works for me anyway.

Happy days!

Hugs Nina

Time for tea...

2011-11-14T13:01:00.001+01:00

Just look at this beautiful digital stamp!!

Its so sweet, I fell for it straight away,

she has sooo many beautiful drawings! :O)

I love her what I call 'old fashioned/ Vintage style'

The artist is Tammy Thompson,

her Etsy shop

'A day for daisies' is well worth a visit!!

I have made a teabag box, and this stamp is called

'Tea time fairy'.

I have painted her with distress ink refillers colour Vintage photo.

I love vintage seam binding and here I have used light cream,

and organza dark brown.

The papers are kraft, Tim Holtz - coredinations dark brown,

and Maja Design.

I am entering this into the following challenges,

Paper sundaes - Digital images.

(deadline Nov 19th)

C.R.A.F.T Challenge - Cute.

(deadline Nov 16th.)

Thank you for your comments, they are apreciated :O)

My first apreciation GIVE AWAY will be coming soon so keep an eye out!

Regards Nina xx

2011-11-11T22:29:00.001+01:00

I love listening to this song, I thought I would share it with you... such great lyrics....

So true :O))

Have a good weekend everyone!

Hugs Nina

Christmas in vintage style

2011-11-09T14:17:00.000+01:00

Firstly welcome to my new followers, always nice to see new faces.

I can't belive how many of you there are now!

I was chosen to take part in the Stamp challenge

along with 3 other ladys for this years 5th Edition of Ett Trykk,

a Scandinavian inspirational magazine for cardmakers and scrappers.

I was well chuffed, and enjoyed the challenge!

We were each sent a beautiful photostamp from

'Kreativ Hobby'

and was asked to make 2 projects showcasing it.

I chose to make a CD gift envelope (using my own design) and a notepad.

Here is a detail photo of the notepad below.

I have used my Zutter Bind-it-all to make the spine,

and the text stamp is from Waltzing Mouse.

Here is the CD gift envelope,

I have used amongst others papers designed for me by my husband.

This is the backside.

and a side view.

I had so much fun making these projects!

Thank you Ett Trykk for choosing me to take part.

I am entering these works in for the following challenges:

Anonyme Scrappere - Christmas in vintage style.

(deadline - 22nd Nov.)

Stamping, Scrapping Challenge Central - Christmas/Holidays.

(deadline - 3rd Dec.)

The Cute and Girly November challenge -Christmas Girls.

(deadline - 30th Nov.)

Addicted to stamps challenge - Shabby chic or vintage
(deadline - 12 Nov)

Thank you for all of your comments, I appreciate you taking the time!

Enjoy Autumn before its gone for a whole year!

Regards Nina

DT. Vintage Challenges - Family wall picture.

2011-11-03T22:42:00.000+01:00

Here is my latest design team project I've made for the current challenge over at

Vintage challenges

This time I made a wall hanging, I have used papers supplied by our Sponser.

Riddersholm Design!

They have designed their own papers and have a great webshop selling everything from stamps and papers to embelishments, and lots inbetween

They are based in Denmark but sell their products all over Europe.

(Click on the link above to find out more).

The challenge this time is to make a vintage project (as always) and use Lace.

You have until the 13th of November 1800hrs to post your projects and link up to the

Vintage challenge blog.

I have done alot of ripping, scratching, sanding, used distress inks,

and crackle paint in an effort to age my project.

The sweet wee girl is from a selection paper from Sagen Vintage Design, rub-ons from TPC Studio,
the papers as mentioned are from Ridderholm Design.

I've slipped in some cheese cloth, an empty chocolate foil wrapper

and a bit of real vintage lace from an old dress!

I am entering this project into the following challenges:

Anonyme Scrappere, challenge # 31 - Crackle paint og bølgepapp

Totally Gorjuss Challenge #104 - I remember...

Thankyou so much for the comments you leave,

I really do enjoy reading them :O)

Have a good weekend!!

Hugs Nina xx

Art Journal

2011-10-26T20:17:00.002+02:00

I was so inspired at the Scrap weekend I attended recently by all the tallented artists around me, many of them were making projects with the tecnique I have used here to cover my Art Journal with.

I just had to try it out too!!

This is my second project using this tecnique and not the last i'm sure :O)

Here is the result.

Here is how the project began, I found a book at the local thrift shop,

this one is all about good wine

(so i'll be sure to read up on some of the chapters

before I gesso them and get down and arty! hehe)

Lucky I checked before I started applying the metal tape,

cos the book was not only back to front but it was upside down too!!

I had to carefully lift off the letters etc that I had already glued into place!

I found two challenges that suit this project:

Charisma Card Challenge # 42 - Embossing (dry or wet)

Anything goes challenge blog # 52 - To the letter!

Happy scrapping

Nina xx

Rehab. Stol...

2011-10-25T16:18:00.003+02:00

Checkout my new furniture project, a beautiful stol!

Click into my Furnature Rehab. page

at the top of Macaulay Arts to read more....

Happy Birthday!

2011-10-23T23:56:00.006+02:00

Wow, its been a while since I posted here.

This dosen't mean I havn't been creative,

I have been a very busy bee,

Including spending a fab weekend at a Scrap-meet (Skitreff),

last weekend, with so many tallented lovley ladys all in one building its enough to

BLOW YOUR MIND!!

Always great to meet faces from the Blog world and get to know some new ones too.

I've just not had the time to take photo's and post my projects :O)

So its 'catch-up time' now....

Here is a birthday card I made a while back for a 6 yr old sweetie.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Totally Papercrafts - challenge #89 - Layer upon layer.

Pixie dust studio - challenge # 97 - Happy Birthday

Hope you are all well, and enjoying the cosy Autumn weather :O)

(Hot soup......homemade rolls.....cups of tea...... wood burning stove litt........

grilling sausages in the woods...candles litt....woolly rugs to tuck up in.... not to mention the beautiful colours it brings.....aahhh I love Autumn)

ENJOY!!

Hugs Nina xx

Design Team - Vintage challenge #28 - Anything goes!

2011-09-15T15:29:00.003+02:00

Hi people, and welcome to my newest followers,

I have passed 100! woohoo hehe.

I think that will be calling for my first candy soon me thinks,

I would also like to celebrate my new

furniture page link

showing the before and after shots of projects that I am working on,and a bit of 'eye candy' too

More about all that later, moving on to this project...

I have made a keychain fob (?) and a decorated an old matchbox as a gift box for

Vintage Challenge Blog

who this time has a challenge where 'Anything goes' - as long as it is shabby/vintage style!

The matchbox measures 11 x 6.5 cm.

Firstly I painted the box with 3 (maybe it was 4) layers of Gesso paint,

I used papers from Panduro and a spellbinders labels 4 to decorate it.

I sprayed the metal butterfly, the flowers and the tyll with matt white spraypaint.

The key fob was a thin plywood heart that I have painted a couple of layers with Gesso mixed with a few drops of Distress ink refiler to give a soft blue colour, then I painted a THICK layer of crackle paint on each side. A day or so later when the paint was completely dry I polished it with Fiddes furniture was in 'Rugger brown' colour, this gives a bit of shine, protection and aged colour especially in the distressed cracks.(and it smells pretty wicked too hehe)

I have distressed around the paper edges and 'wiped' the butterfly with sand paper. Inside the box is a rub-on text from aMelissa Frances collection.

Some more photos.....

Inside the box

Details from top of box

Be sure to link up your entry (s) before 28th September 1800hrs!

Vintage udfordring

I am also entering this project into the following challenges:

Anything Goes Challenge #49 - Vintage/shabby chic

Creative Inspirations challenge # 129 - Anything goes

Papertake weekly - Things with wings

Everybody art challenge #159 - Flowers

Pixie dust studio #92 - Recycling is good

Wishing you all a fab week,

be sure to check out my new Furniture Rehab page every now and then! :O))

Hugs Nina

Design Team Vintage Challenge, - Baby girl.

2011-09-02T12:00:00.000+02:00

Hmm This new post composing set up is slightly confusing! 

(I'm sure I'll get used to it with a bit of practice 

but its all new to me now!)

Anyway, moving swiftly on to the subject of this post....

Below is a baby girl card I have made as a
Design team member for

Vintage Challenge blog

The challenge we have for you this week is to use 

metal on a vintage project!!

The deadline to post your project here is 

 13th of september at 6.00 pm.

This months sponser is

Aud Kristens salgsboden!!

You should really check out her shop 

as she has a great array of goodies.

us girls on the design team recived a package each of flowers, lace, diecut frame and metal trinkets to play with.

I have used design papers from 'The girls' paperie' - Vintage whimsey 

( i just love that word 'Whimsey' hehe)

 Rub-ons from Basic Gray, Karen-Marie clip and yellow and white bakers twine.

Everything has had a 'doing-over' with 

Tim Holtz' distress ink pad - 'Old paper'.

Last but not least the letter 'E' 

which in this case stands for 'Emily' 

is cut from a selection from Panduro Hobby.

(Emily is my Australian/swedish cousin's first baby daughter,

so this card went 'down-under' :O)

I am entering this into the following challenges:

The Shabby Tearoom - week #77 - 'Birthstone colours' 

(My birthday was in August hence the soft peridot tones in the back ground and Emily was born in July hence the large ruby coloured flower.)

By the cute and girly -September challenge - 

'All things bright and beautiful'

Nord Salten Hobbyklubb - Challenge # 37 'Metal'

Charisma Cardz Challenge #35 - 'Anything goes'

Stampalot September Challenge - 'Its a frame up'.

The Crazy Challenge #82 - 'New'

So fingers crossed i'm lucky! :O))

Wishing y'all folks a fabby weekend!

Hugs Nina

Lets play BINGO ;OD

2011-08-29T20:16:00.009+02:00

A while back i ordered this cute wee Edwin from
Magnolias mini world.
He has been sitting on my desk
waiting patiently for me to get around to him,
when I saw this weeks challenge over at 'Just Magnolia'
he finaly broke out of his wrapper hehe.
This is a tiny card measuring in at 5.5cm x 9cm,
made with paper scraps...
(and a ribbon scrap to hold the pin in place)

I have painted him with distress ink refils,
the text is a freebe rub-on I got with a scrap mag many moons ago.
The corners are embellished with kaiser gems,
the pin is homemade.
To finish I gave all of the edges a light doing over with
distress ink - Vintage photo.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Just Magnolia - 'Lets play bingo'
(I chose Gems, Distressing and pins).

Cards for men Challenge #18 'G is for...G'day mate!
(inspired by my Aunt visiting all the way from Oz)

Totally Gorjuss - 'As you like it'.

A Spoon Full of Sugar #162 - 'Happy Birthday'

Hope all you are all having a creative happy time.
Hugs Nina

Wedding poem tag book and card

2011-08-27T18:31:00.007+02:00

Here is a wedding card and a poem that I
made for a special friend.
I was to do a reading of the poem during the ceremony
and thought it would be nicer to read from this tag book than a peice
of paper, and I gave it to her as a keepsake after.
They were featured in the magazine 'Ett Trykk'

I have used Spellbinders label 4 to make the tag book
The images are from a collection by Gudrun Loennecken.
and the texts are rub-ons from Basic gray,
everything else is from the sweet wee shop Minnehjørne.

I am entering these into the following challenge:

Nordsaltens hobbyklubb challenge # 36 Vintage

Pixie dust studio - challenge #89 'Tag you're it'

Totally Gorjuss - challenge #95 'As you like it'

My fingers are just itching to get off this p.c and get creative!!

Hugs Nina

Design Team for Vintage Challenges # 26

2011-08-09T12:11:00.005+02:00

This months challenge at the Vintage utfordrings blog
is to make a Vintage layout (LO).
The challenge time is extra long this month, being that some folks are on holiday
so you have until the 28th of August to make, post
and link your project.

The sponser this month is Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker, USA.

A bit about my LO:
Size 30.5 x 30.5
The photograph is of my husband and I on our wedding day,
and what a magical day that was...dream

This is the result of my first ever LO, and certainly not my last!
I found it a challenge thinking and creating in this larger scale.
The project was started on a course with the tallented Trine
at the Ski meet earlier this year.
As you can see there is a bunch of different flowers and papers etc
gathered in a shabby/vintage- eclectic fashion.
I am not planning on listing every detail!
so please ask if you ponder on something.

My furnature rehab projects are calling!
I'll be posting about them soon....

Hugs and smiles all round

Nina

Design Team for Vintage Challenges # 25

2011-07-01T09:00:00.000+02:00

First I just want to say sorry for the crap photos,
They were taken with my iphone as I managed to leave my camera at our cottage!

The challenge this time over at Vintage Udfordring is to use at least 3 different punches.
How easy is that!?
Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Jeg har laget et tags til feks. en vin flaske, inni er det god plass for å skrive beskjeden.
Design papirene heter 'Nostalji' og er Minnehjørnene sine.
Jeg har klipt ut tags formen av en gammel papp eske og malt den med gesso maling,
design arkene har jeg klipt etter samme mal, vettet dem med vann og krøllet dem sammen,
dagen etter var de tørr, da fikk de en gjennom gang med distress inks.
Motivet og text stemplene kommer fra 'Kort og Godt',
motivet har jeg stanset ut malt med distress inks og dekket med klar crackle paint (litt vansklig å se på bildene).
Blomstene har jeg laget av en kjøkken klut klipt i strimler og distressed med ink.
Jeg har brukt Martha Stewarts kant punch, sommerfulg og blad klipt fra en gammel bokside.
Dette tags var lett og gøy å lage :O)

Håper alle har en flotters sommer tid!
Jeg selv har vært en del bortreist og kommer til å være det litt fremover også,
Selvom solen ikke skinner så er det herlig å være på hytta om dagen, og regner det ute så betyr det oppussings vær inne ;OD
Jeg savner å se hva dere kreative damer har laget, men regner med at det er litt stille i blogland over alt om dagen.
Håper dere koser dere uansett hvor dere befinner dere!
Så sender jeg en hilsen til dere fra landet.

Sommer klemmer fra Nina x
(oi shit i see now that I have sneaked in alot of Norwegian here! Thats what happens when you are bi-lingual Lol Is there a translate button anywhere? (apart from in my head!?)

'Postcard' - A wee break...

2011-06-28T21:44:00.005+02:00

A break in the countryside at our family holiday house.

This is the reason for my absence from 'Blog-land'
(and the real world too hehe).

Its all full of big boys toys and farmyard smells,
come night time the only noises to be heard are the occasional
barn owl twooting,
(do the twoot?! They do here anyway ;O)
and maybe, just maybe someone snoring! hehe.

Hope you are all enjoying your summers where ever you may be!

Love from the blissful countryside,
Nina xx

The Party Bag candy winner is......

2011-06-04T09:00:00.000+02:00

Wow what a great result!
23 people entered my PBC through Sketch Saturday with wonderfully creative projects.
Very inspiring, and some great takes on the sketch!

All of your names went in a pot and the name drawn was
*
*
*
*
number 60!
*
*
*
CraftyPagan

Please send your contact details to me at the mail adress in my sidebar
so as I can get your candy sent out to you :O)

Please pop round to her blog and check out her amasing work,
She truly is a tallented lady!! CraftyPagan Designs

Thank you to everyone that made the effort to take part.

Regards Nina

Design Team card for Vintage Udfordring challenge # 23

2011-06-02T23:08:00.006+02:00

Yesterday saw the launch of Vintage Udfordrings first summer challenge # 23

This is my first contribution as a member of their Design Team.
Pretty scary stuff 'cos these ladys are uber-tallented!
Here is my card....

The challenge this time is to make a project (card/layout/altered item etc)
including the image below, and of course remembering an important detail,
It has to be Vintage style!! - Such a great rule :O)

You have until the 13th of June 1800hrs CET.
Our sponser is the Danish Scrapper
Check out their webshop here
to see what goodies they have and indeed gather
inspiration from their tallented Design Team!

I chose to print out the photo in black and white
on watercolour paper.
I then painted it in shabby style with
Distress ink refillers.

The design papers are from 'websters pages'
Stamps are from waltzing mouse
and Prima.
Frame and swirl dies are from 'Marianne Design'.
I used vintage photo and old paper distress stamps,
Gold coloured hobby paint, and alot of
'hand' distressing to get the desired vintage effect.

The rusty little metal butterfly is from Minnehjørnet.
Oh and a vintage book page peaking thorugh the gaps :O)

Wishing you all well.

Thank you for your comments they are very much apreciated!
I am still experiencing problems with Blogger,

so at the moment I can't leave comments anywhere :O(

I hope to come back stronger soon :O)
Hugs Nina xx

Blog Candy at North Star Stamps

2011-06-02T22:30:00.000+02:00

Blog Candy Over at North Star Stamps!!

Feast your eyes on it!

So many new stamps up for grabs.

Click on the image to get to their blog and join in :O)

Good luck!

Hugs Nina xx

Guest Designer-Sketch Saturday #157 Party Bag Candy

2011-05-28T08:38:00.010+02:00

Today marks the 3rd birthday of Sketch Saturday!!

Congratulations!!

To celebrate the design team and I have got some candy going on!!

Very exciting!

the candy is secret and hidden in each of the designers and guest designers (me) creations!
To be elligable for the candy all you have to do is make a project using this weeks sketch (shown below) link up you project as usual to and on Sketch Saturday, then come and leave a comment and link on this post too.
You have until next Friday 8am (UK time) to enter our personal candys
and for the Grand Prize you have until Friday 11.59pm.
The winner of my secret candy will be announced here next saturday

There is also a FAB. prize to be won! Random org will pick a lucky winner of a £50 voucher from Craft Barn!!

Here is my candy bag made following this weeks sketch.....
(turned upside down)

Here is the sketch to follow...

So what are you waiting for?!

Recipe:
Papers from October Afternoon,
Tutorial followed from Splitcoast stampers.
(more info coming later)
I am also entering this bag into the following challenges:

A spoonfull of sugar - Things with wings. (the Owl)

Kort o Mania - 40# - without a stamped image.

Creative card crew - Anything goes.

I would like to thank Sketch saturday and Maya for asking me

and having me as Guest Designer for the month of May,

I really enjoyed myself :O))

Good Saturday all!

Hugs Nina xx

Double napkin fold card.

2011-05-26T14:59:00.006+02:00

Here is a double napkin fold card that I made

with Wenche before she was going to hold her

tutorial in Stavanger.

As you can see there is alot of folding and around the page punching going on!

The back wall of the inside 'napkin' is the space to be used to write or stamp a message.

I have used Martha Stewarts punch - Vintage lace,

and the papers are from 3ndy.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew - Anything goes,

Kort o Mania - Challenge #40 - Card without image stamp,

Anything goes challenge blog - Challenge #41 -Bingo

(Ribbon, flowers and punches)

Papertake weekly - Pale, pretty pastels.

And then the rain came down,

Ill have to 'don' the welly boots to pick up the boys from nursery
or should I wait till hubby gets back with the car...

Nae a bit of rain never hurt no one!

Thank you for your comments they make me :O)

Hugs Nina x

Paper Wallet

2011-05-22T13:40:00.004+02:00

Here is my first wallet card,

it was made to order for a customer,

and it suited because money was to be given away as the gift.

The lovley fresh blue papers are by Maja Design,

I have used stamps from Kort og Godt,

Waltzing Mouse and stempelglede.

Its not that easy to see in the photos but I have embossed

the text stamp on the front and the small swirls inside

with bronze embossing powder.

The flowers are from Storyteller,

brad from Panduro and ribbon from Bikubben

I have gone over all edges with Tim Holtz Distress 'Old Paper'.

The metal star shape(?) is from Kort og Godt.
The tab at the top tucked in with the money

is attached to the card for wiriting the message,

The text stamp has a lovley message,

roughly translated from norwegian it says;

'Go confidently in the direction of your dreams,

Live the life that you have imagined'

A great message for everyone,

especially a 14 year old who has just been confirmed.

It is possible to put something in this pocket, but its a bit tight :OD

I have sewn around some panels with my sewing machine, and have used a magnet hidden in the flip and under the paper to hold it all together.

The customer was very happy with the result,

I myself am a bit dissapointed by the
bad job I did with the sewing machine!!

I am entering this project for the following challenges:

Crafty card makers- Embossing,

A spoonfull of sugar- Anything goes,

Kort o Mania- a project without a picture motiv,

Anything goes challenge blog- Bingo

(Distressing, Flowers and embossing)

Its a rainy inside day here,

the Formula One racing is on the tv,

the males in the house are all glued to the screen

including my 2 yr old!

(that is because he is running a fever and is quite reduced,

otherwize it would have been another story! Lol)

So I made the most of it and got this post out :O))

Onto dinner prep. now.

I hope to do some blog surfing this evening :O)

Hugs Nina xx

Guest Designer - Sketch Saturday nr 3

2011-05-21T08:49:00.006+02:00

Hei hei everybody, and welcome new readers, its Saturday!!

Woop Woop!

The sun is shining and there is another great sketch

challenge going on over at sketch saturday!

Where I am guest designer for the month of May.

A little rash of close-ups...The motiv is from prima, painted with Tim Holtz Distress ink refils.

The lovley papers are from My Minds Eye,

Stella and Rose collection.

Wooden hearts are from Panduro 'Tilda collection'

Text stamp from Hobby Art.

Here is the sketch I followed...

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Anything goes challenge blog - Eyes down its time for Bingo,

(Punches/die cuts, pins/charms, Pearls/gems)

Paper sundaes challenge blog - Birthday.

Creative card crew - Cute and girly.

If you go down to the woods today you'll never believe your eyes,

if you go down to the woods today you're in for a great suprise.

cos' every Macaulay that ever there was is gathered there for certain because,

todays the day the macaulays have their picnic....

Lol

yes its the weekend and Mummy bear, Daddy bear, Kim bear,

Scott bear and Uncle Bibob bear are all going for a lovley walk and picnic in the forest!

what fun and excitment we antisipate for our day! :O))

Have a nice day you too where ever you might be.

Hugs Nina xx

Guest Designer Sketch Saturday 2

2011-05-14T10:05:00.005+02:00

Wow time flys when you have fun!

With all the fantastic weather we have been having,

a lot of time is being spent in the garden

and its starting to come together :O)

Enough of my waffel and on to my

Guest Designer project for this week over at

Sketch Saturday!!

Theres a great sketch to follow this week

nice and easy... and the winner gets a

25$ voucher from Simon says Stamp!!

What are you waiting for get creating ;O)

(The silver baby rattle in this photo was actually played with by my father-in-law

when he was a baby some 85 years ago! I just had to mention it :O)

As you can see I went for a vintage/shabby look again, my favourite style!

I have used spellbinders: circles, scalloped circles and classic hearts.
Versa magic ink - shimmery pink,
Archival ink - coffee,
Stamps Waltzing mouse,
Martha Stewart edge punch - Lace,
Crop a dile and silver eyelet,
String and gray organza ribbon - Minne Hjørne,
Flowers - StoryTeller (sponged with Versa Magic)
Silver Teddy charm - Kort og Godt,
Design papers from...aaahh! erm...Inkido (I think!)
Circle attached with 3D tape,
sewing machine around the edges,
Distressed edges with sissors and Tim Holtz pumice Stone.
and last but not least cream and warm gray cardstock.

Happy weekend all!

Hugs Nina x

Design Team for Vintage Utfordringer

2011-05-10T12:38:00.003+02:00

YooHoo!

Good News for me :O))

(nice to finally be able to tell someone about it too! hehe)

I have been chosen to be on the Design Team!!

An honour to be joining such a tallented group of ladys, with wonderful vintage flare over at

Vintage Udfordring

You still have time to join in on the current challenge of :

make something in the colours
Pink, white and brown,

Hope to see some faces I know entering the challenges :O)

Have a lovley happy day,

Hugs Nina xx

Guest Designer for Sketch Saturday 1

2011-05-07T09:10:00.006+02:00

When I was approched to be Mays Guest Designer for Sketch Saturday by the lovley and tallented Maya, I didn't need to think twice!

Such great sketches they have there, and this weeks sketch by Maya is no acception, I really enjoyed following it.

They have a great sponser this week to boot!

Maya's sketch...

My interpritation of the sketch....

I have used papers that my husband has designed!!

What a tallented chap!

Lasse usually designs gaming graffics
but I managed to twist his arm into making some paper designs,

what to you think??

Lovley flowers from storyteller.

Stamps from waltzing mouse,

The frame is from panduro, I first painted a layer of light green hobby paint.

I used Tim Holtz' crackle paint - Picket fence,

then I used distress ink 'old paper' on a sponge to add to the effect.

The lace is from Minnehjørnet, the brass heart is from 'kort og godt'
and the half pearls are from 'Kaiser'.

Busy busy week and weekend here,

Birthday party celebrations for my big 4 year old

with guests all the way from scotland!

Hope the sun shines all weekend!

Hugs Nina xx

Bryllups Kiss Album

2011-04-16T23:01:00.003+02:00

This mini album is a tribute to all the wonderful kisses

that were cought on camera the day we got married!

The inside is not finished yet so those pictures will

have to come in a later post.

Details of how it was made and what I have used will also follow in a later post.

I am entering this album into the following challenges:

Anonyme scrappere - wants to see roses,

Scrapperiket Challenge # 24 - wants to see metal on the project.

Happy Easter everyone!!

Hugs Nina xx

Thank You - The vintage/shabby way.

2011-04-12T20:09:00.008+02:00

There is so much to do in the garden at the moment,

and since the weather has been sunny and hot

the whole family has been outside all weekend,

be it raking, digging, changing winter tyres,

raking, playing in the sand pit, did I mention raking??

we're almost there!

Today it rained and was a tad chilly again,

so the rake got a rest and my hobby desk is a mess!

heres why...

The card is 10 x 21 cm

~~ A close-up of the details.

I made this Thank You card with a special lady in mind,

a very generous and fun spreading soul,

that I have gotten to know and grown fond of....

'Who is it??' I hear you say!,

'well that would be telling now wouldn't it!!'

(it is a secret for the moment until the owner recives it.)

I have a love for all things old,

I like trying to make my cards look as if they have been

standing around on mantelpeices for centurys,

all yellowed and faded.

(minus the dust mind!)

I am entering this card in for the following challenges;

Waltzing Mouse - Sketch (such a tallented DT its gobsmakking!)

The Shabby Tea Room - Week #57 'Doilies and Lace'

(and a beautiful inspirational photo)

A Spoon Full Of Sugar - #147 - 'All creatures great and small'.

Woopsi Daisy - 'Vintage'

Design paper from K&CO,

Minty-green bazzil. Ink- Archival Coffee.

Doily from Wenche,

text stamp - Stampavie,

bird stamp - Prima,

Martha Stewart Doily Punch,

lace and ribbon - Minnehjørne,

fabric brad - Panduro,

Vintage seam binding and button - stash box.

I have distressed the edges with sissors,

Distress Ink - Old paper then I sewed around the panel with my machine.

Thank You for your lovley comments.

Hugs Nina xx

Guest Designer DYSU.

2011-04-07T23:25:00.005+02:00

YOO HOO!

I won top 3 and was then picked as a guest designer over at 'DYSU'

(do you stack up?)

The challenge this week

(and it was a challenge for me!)

is to make a project using the provided

digital image from Sassy Studios,

using theme

'Yellow'.

My Least favourite colour of choice,

and I was a

'digital image virgin'!

This card Sat deep inside!

(translated from the great Nowgian language),

I'm not too unhappy with the results,

But it is far from my favourite project :O)

Working with this digital stamp has not scared me off them,

I will no doubt be giving them a go again :O)

I made this card using papers from

October Afternoon,

Measuring tape scraps from an

LO course I was on with the tallented Trine,

(thats where I got the idea to roll the tape up too)

Buttons and apple brad from my bits and bobs box.

Alfabet Chipboard from sassafrass.

I have sewn around the circle of vintage green bazzil with my machine

and I used distress reinkers to paint the image.

I have so many projects on the go at the moment that I havn't had time to be posting things here but expect a wave of them soon ;OD

Thank you so much for all of your comments,

I love reading them.

Almost the weekend folks,

Have a good one!

Hugs Nina xx

ps. Can someone help me...

I don't use double spacing when I am writing this post in draft,

yet when I actually post it the spacing is all over the joint!

A little annoying me thinks,

I'm sure it will be a non-brainer quick fix,

but I can't seem to figure it out.... :O(

Sitting on the wire

2011-03-28T15:26:00.004+02:00

Heehoo peeps :O)

I had a shocking pink moment! Lol

It has to be had every now and then!

The motiv is the Gorjuss sugar Nellie stamp -

' A little birdie told me'

She is sitting on a peice of silver wire.

Paperscraps from MME,

ribbon from Riga-Thanks wenche :O)

M.S kant punch- Vintage lace,

flowers - storyteller, half pearls Kaiser and

rub-on's from Basic Gray.

I have sewn round the edge too.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The Sugar Bowl - challenge # 56 - Kikis sketch.

Sukkersött - Challenge # 118- Spring card featuring a bird.

Totally Gorjuss - Challenge # 73 - Spring is sprung.

ABC Challenge Q - Q is for quilting/sewing .

A Spoon full of sugar - Challenge # 144 - Ribbon, pearls/rhinestones and flowers.

Nina xx

Pure Balm of Friendship

2011-03-22T15:58:00.003+01:00

Spring is on it way,

bringing with it new growth and energy.

The sun is shining through the window as I write warming my face and heart,

the snow is melting and I can almost see leaf buds on the trees ;O)

I LOVE IT!!

This colourful card is a result of the inspiration lighter days bring,

but still trying to give a slight vintage feel of spring in the '50's.

I really like the colours of this card, I have used Tim Holtz Distress

Ink pads to age the paper ( Vintage photo and old paper)

~~
A close up of the 'Storyteller' roses, I have used 'star dust' stickles
to give them some shimmer, and attached a pearl to the end of a long pin.
~~

~~
A close up of the bunting I drew and cut out, using 'My Minds Eye'
design papers from the 'Laundry Line' collection.
I have attached the bunting using both glue and 3D tape to give it a bit of depth.
I also used 3D tape to attach the stamp that I have cut out using a spellbinder.

~~
The back ground design paper is from October Afternoons collection; The Thrift shop.
I have been saving it just waiting for the right project to use it, and I am pleased I used it now.
The stamp is from a 'waltzing Mouse' collection.
I have used Archival Ink -Coffee (no thanks i've got a cup of tea ;)
and Distress reinkers to give a touch of colour.
A dress makin pin and a scrap of golden organza ribbon.
I have also used kraft paper and watercolour paper in this project.
~~

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Waltzing Mouse challenge # 39 - The great Sketch.

H.S.S. Challenge # 60 - Blooming Blossoms

The Shabby Tea Room Week #54- 'BINGO' (I chose Dye cuts/flowers and a gem)
(I hope the pearl on the end of the pin counts as a gem?!)

A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge #144 - Ribbon, Pearl/Rhinestone and flowers.

Vintage Udfordring challenge #18 - Springtime
~~

Wishing you a wonderful week :O)
Hugs Nina x

2nd project from 'Skitreffet'

2011-03-09T20:07:00.003+01:00

This is the second project I made at the Ski meet.

Its a corner bookmark.

It works by hanging over the page corner, shown above.

I realised just now that I have forgotten to take a photo

from the back to show how it works.

(It hangs over the page by a folded flap.)

I got the Idea and measurements from

split Coast Stampers

Although I did make some changes to my measurements. :o)

The papers I used are from MME

'Stella and Rose'

(LOVE'EM!)

Kraft card and vanilla bazill.

Martha Stewart boarder punch - Vintage lace.

The stamps are by Magnolia,

Painted with distress inks and attached with 3D tape.

The text stamp is from Woodware craft collection,

Stamped on ribbon from Minne Hjørne with Stazon black ink.

Eyelets and snaps from Memory Keepers.

This is a quick and easy project,

and a great way to use up scrap ribbon and paper.

It really does sit well over the pages too.

I am entering this for the following challenges:

Simon Says - Anthing goes.

The Crafty Pad- challenge #111- Use a ribbon.

C.C.C. - No flowers!

D.Y.S.U challenge #9 -Just green it!

1st result from 'Skitreffet'

2011-03-08T14:01:00.005+01:00

What a fantastic weekend it has been at the weekend meet in Ski.

So many creative, friendly and funny peeps in one large room :OD

A bit of a shock for the system, and

I am looking forward to the October meet already!

I actually managed to be creative this time too! (not just wondering around in awe gauping at all of the tallented peoples creations!) Making 6 different projects!

Including my first ever LO, which I will post soon.

Onto the first project...

Pirate Edwin, Isn't he just great?! I love him :O)

This card is not made for anyone in particular or any special occation

so it dosn't have any message or text,

I will add this at a later date if and when needed.

I just fell head over heals for the 'Stella and Rose' My Minds Eye design papers!!

Beautiful patterns and colours and on both sides of all of them!

( It's heartbreaking, putting glue and tape all over a lovley backside...(hmm?!)

I hadn't seen them before and just had to use them straight away! hehe.
I Painted Pirate Edwin with Distress inks, used bazill card stock, pumice Stone to distress the edges, Crop-a-dile, jump rings, hemp string and a cute anker embelly from 'Kort og Godt'.

I borrowed a stamp called 'little splatt' (Stemple Glede) from my table neighbour Anne Marit, used on either side of Edwin, (takk for det :O).

I'm all hypped up and ready to paint another image!

So see ya'll soon bye for now!

Hugs Nina x

Fan Flower

2011-02-26T12:14:00.005+01:00

Here is a birthday card I have really enjoyed making!

I have followed Mary Fish's great sketch over at

Mojo Monday

and followed the colour challenge of 'Coffee and Cream' over at

Simon Says Stamp.

Front view

A Spoonfull of Sugar

wants to see a 'birthday card' this week.
Anything Goes

wanted 'Distressing' something I almost always do, and love :O)

Close-up of flowers.

*
Behind the distressed flowers from Storyteller are bronze

embellishments from 'Kort og Godt'.

The beautiful background paper is designed by

Melissa Frances called 'Breigh'

Close up of the fan flower.

I made this flower using design paper from Crate paper - Mia collection,

first I cut a strip about 3cm wide,

punched the edge with Martha Stewarts doily edge punch,

Stamped randomly with a floral stamp from Penny Black in brown Archival Ink.

Then I scored every 8mm folded along the scores

like you do when making a fan and glued the end edges together,

then distressed along the top folds with Tim Holtz Distress ink - Vintage photo.
*

This lovley 'happy birthday' stamp is from 'Papir loftet'.

Tuesday Throwdown wanted to see '3D',

I have used 3D tape under the square panel and under the text stamp,

I have also sewn with my machine around the panel edges.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Sukkersött #114

Anything Goes

Mojo Manday

A Spoonfull of sugar #140

The Shabby Tearoom #50

Tuesday Throwdown #37

Simon Says Stamp

Fun at the fair here today, and its now playtime!
I have been berried under a mound of pillows whilst trying to put this post together!!

I'll just have to check it later for mistakes! Lol

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Hugs Nina xx

Shabby star

2011-02-24T10:57:00.004+01:00

Wow! I have really enjoyed making this card!

I love distressing things!

This card just seemed to spring

out of no where,

my hands new what they were doing,

and they obviously had a plan!

I have combined this weeks sketch from

Get Sketchy with the sketch from Waltzing Mouse

Front view.

Sukkersött

has a challenge this week to show

'Lace, pearls and flowers'

(this is my second entry, they have such a great prize!)

Close up view.

Anything Goes Challenge blog wanted to see

'Distressing'

Here you can see the lovley effect of Tim Holtz

clear distress crackle paint,

I then sponged over it with Vintage photo distress inkpad.

The shape comes from spellbinders fancy tags.

Hand Stamped Sentiments has a challenge this week called

'To DIE for'

I have also used a round spellbinder die.

Here you can see the paint effect of the star that I cut with a spellbinder,

the effect was made by ripping layers off the cardboard scrap, dabbing with blue paint,

then painting with Tim Holtz distress paint- Picket fence.

The butterfly was made with Martha Stewarts large punch,

its not very easy to see from this photo but

I have painted it with 3D clear gloss finish to give it more depth.

Close up.

The Shabby Tearoom wanted to see 'Buttons and bows' this week.

Scott has been 'helping me' today,

still home from nursery recovering from Pnemonia.

Its hard work being a helper,

Thank you munchkin!

*

The design papers are from BoBunnys 'a gift of love' collection.

I have used brown Bazzil card for the base.

The flowers are from Gardenia and Storyteller.

The bronze heart charm is from 'Kort og Godt'

I have used a Tim Holtz jump ring to attach it.
The dress making pins, vintage blue ribbon scrap and button are from my 'finds box'

The Pearl swirl is from Prima and the lace is from Minnehjørne.

The lovley text stamp is from 'stempleglede'

translated from Norwegian to English it reads

'You are one of a kind, look after yourself.'

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Sukkersött challenge # 113

Anything Goes Challenge Blog

Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge # 56

The Shabby Tearoom Challenge # 50

Get Sketchy Challenge # 75

Waltzing Mouse Challenge # 35

I am looking forward to finding a new project to start now :O)

Shame it won't be today as I have a PTA meeting this evening :O(

Wishing you all a creative week!

Hugs Nina xx

Its been a while...

2011-02-21T14:45:00.007+01:00

Due to my sons and Ibeing ill (pneumonia),

I've not had much time or energy to be sitting at my desk being creative :(

Things are looking up though (!) and I managed to finish off this notelet set box this afternoon.

What pushed me was not only that it is due to be delivered soon,

But also

Sukkersött

has a challenge (#113) this week to include

Flowers, pearls and lace on a project.

With a fantastic prize for a lucky winner!

2 rubber stamp sets from

'Stempel glede'

Front view of notelet set box.

Close-up of details.

The notelets inside.
*

The backside.
*

The design papers and set of ribbons are from the new collection from Panduro called

'Tilda Summer Blues'

I adore them all, so fresh and spring like!
I bought a whole pile of bazzil card in colours that suit the design papers
and put together this set.

*

On each card I made a spellbinder shape and stamped 'Just a note' from my
'Waltzing mouse' set of sentements and frames,
with 'Versa Magic' ink in Sage which suited all the design paper colours.
I then embossed the text with clear embossing powder
and attached them with 3D pillows.
One of the notelets is made up from scraps from all of the design papers,
I have sewn with my sewing machine on this card and round the panel on the box too.
*

Then I started to think about how these notelets would best be kept together,
and the idea of making the box cover came to life.
I see now that I have forgotten to take a photo showing this, so I will add that soon :O)
The metal embellishments and flowers are from 'Kort og Godt'
(they got a good dose of Glimmer mist -pearl). Here I have used my new round the page punch by Martha Stewart (think its called vintage lace).
*

Each notlet measures 12.5 x 12.5 cm
and the folder measures 14.5 x 14.5 cm
I have tucked a writing pen inside the box too.
*
Hope life is treating you all well :O)

Hugs Nina xx

and the after shot... Daa - naa!

2011-02-08T20:41:00.005+01:00

One table top and chair down,

3 chairs to go...

I know that this style of shabby finish is not everyones taste, but I love it...I think... ;O)

My 3 year old hates it, he was shocked when he saw it and gave me a good telling off

for 'ruining' the table! He said that it was far too horrible to eat dinner from it! and that I should 'fix it and make it white again!' how funny coming from a 3 year old boy, needless to say I ignored him, poor boy obviously has no taste yet! Lol

This is a close up from the back of the chair...

This is a close up from the table top.

I am unsure weather I am actually finished with it, I am wondering weather I should have a clear thin varnish over the top, since meal times with our 2 and 3 year old are usually quite messy (believe it or not, tihi) the wood maybe stained in all sorts of shades of orange food

and felt tip pens!

My husband thinks it would give the table even more character if we just use it as it is, and i agree to some extent,

but I'm not sure... think I might be getting the varnish out before long Lol.

Since my boys and my assistant are choked with the cold and have high temps, and my arms have almost fallen off cos of all that paint scraping, it might be a while before I get to continue with this project and indeed other smaller projects that are waiting.

It maybe a while until my next post :O(

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you are happy and well,

Hugs Nina XX

Before...

2011-02-05T23:48:00.007+01:00

Thought I would let you guys know what I am up to :O)

Its not a paper project this time, (although I do have a few cards finished and almost ready to post).

I am giving our breakfast table and 4 chairs a make over.....

Here is a photo of the before,

Its not easy to see from the photo

But the paint is a very light 'duck egg blue'

I painted them a couple of years ago,

they were an orangey pine colour when I got them (bleh)

I inherited this table and four chairs from my mum about 7 years ago,

who bought them in an auction about 40 years ago.

When she worked at 'The Norwegian Trade Center' in London.

These were the tables and chairs they had in their canteen

at the time

when they decided to refit the interior.

They have lasted so well and the chairs

are the kind that you can sit comfortably in

for ......a long time :O)

Thanks for stopping by, pop back to see the result hopefully tommorow evening.

Regards Nina X

Another first - Paper peircing.

2011-01-25T20:17:00.005+01:00

I am working through my list of 'things to try out'

and this time I chose 'Paper peicing'.

I really enjoyed doing it and am pleased with the result too :O)

Side-on view.

The card is for my sweet wee neice Anna

Who is celebrating her 1st birthday!

Front view.

Inside view.

Close-up of paper peiced dress.

Close up of embellishment.

The layout is a sketch by Kikki over at the Sugar Bowl.

I have used papers from MME,

and Crate paper as well a Bazzil and 200g Watercolour paper.
The embellishment is from 'Kort of Godt'.

Ribbon from Panduro,

Flowers from 'story teller'

The text stamp is from Hobby Art.

I have distressed all of the edges with a mix of Vintage photo and Tattered rose.

I have sewn the pannels with my sewing machine.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The Sugar Bowl - Challenge #51 - Sketch

Paper Sundaes - Challenge #53 - Distressed

Totally Papercrafts - Challenge# 50 - Add a heart

So fingers crossed I'm lucky!

Hope everyone is happy, thanks for stopping by!

Hugs Nina xx

Happy Birthday Eirik.

2011-01-22T20:44:00.006+01:00

Wow, this past week just flew by!

Before we know it the snow will have melted and the

'ittle widdy birds will be out a'tweeting' :OD

I have been painting some motivs that have been waiting for me for quite some time!

I was a bit rusty too, cos it has been a while since I painted any motivs.

Anyway, my next project I am going to show you here is a birthday card I made for

a sweet little friend of Kim, he was celebrating his 3rd birthday,

and had his first 'proper' birthday party today, awww :O)

I have used white, blue and red Bazzil paper, Design papers from Tilda (Panduro)

and the ribbon is from my stash box.

The 'LOTV' motiv is painted with Tim Holtz refills.

My trusty pink cuttlebug was let out for some air too.

I have also decorated the inside of the card in a simple way with design paper pannels.

(However I havn't taken a photo to show this).

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

A spoon full of sugar - Challenge # 135- Blue and green.

Paper Sundaes - Use your favourite challenge from 2010. ( for a child).

Creative card crew - For Men/boys

Hope you are all having a creative weekend!

I'm off to paint some more new motivs :OD

Hugs Nina x

Storage pot and note pad.

2011-01-17T20:20:00.005+01:00

Firstly I must say that I am so chuffed that so many of you loved

my Tea light card in the post before this one!

Here is a wee project I made for myself (!)

To help keep order in my tiny crafting space :O)

A notebook and altered metal food tin.

Close up of note pad.

The sweet and bright coloured paper is from Green Gate,

The ornate chipboard shape is from Heidi Swapp.

( I have distressed the edges with Tim Holtz Distress - Broken China)
*

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Oldie but a goodie - #10 - Bright and cheerful :O)

Paperplay challenges - Cutie patootie

Thanks again for all of your comments, they make me smile.

Hugs Nina xx

My first Tea-light card

2011-01-15T17:35:00.003+01:00

This type of project has been on my 'to try' list for a while now,

and boy was it fun to make when I finally got round to giving it a go!

I am really happy with the result too.

It is a first but definatly not the last :OD

View from the front.

The stamp says

'Congratulations on your Birthday'

View from the side/back.

View from behind.

The stamp says

'Go with confidence in the direction of your dreams,

live the life you have imagined'.

Inside.

Pocket to the left with a message tag,

Pocket to the right to hold 6 tealights

(I chose ones in a light blue colour, with a sent of fresh cotton...Yummy!)
The text stamp inside reads ' Hug to you'.

The spine.

A little detail of a copper heart attached with a copper jump ring.

I am LOVING the thick velvet ribbon with the loop details from Bikubben.
*
The beautiful design Papers are from Maja Design, trinkets from Minne Hjørne,

Text stamps from Stempelglede

(a gift from wenche, and I am so pleased with them! Thanks honey).

I have used pink and blue coloured pencil to colour the details on the stamps.

Cardstock Bazzil Biscuit (?), flowers from Story Teller, edge punch 'doily' from Martha Stewart.

The whole project is distressed along the edges with sandpaper and a nail file,

then Distressed with Tim Holtz - Vintage photo
*

Measurements taken from here

I am entering this project for the following challenges:

Totally Papercrafts - Happy Birthday.
Totally Gorjuss - Hugs.
Scrappekammeret - 4 different flowers.
Cupcake craft challenge - Something new (stamps).
Fairy Fun Fridays - Happy Birthday.
Creative Card Crew - Fancy folds.
Kort O Mania - Metal charms.

Thank you so much for commenting,

I know it takes time and I should be better at it myself....

But all comments are greatly apreciated :O)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Hugs Nina xx

My house or yours?

2011-01-13T23:10:00.009+01:00

Hey Peeps,

Yes I'm still here! and keeping busy in my artistic little world! Lol.

Just hasn't been much time for blogging latley :O)

and here is one i made earlier, a rustic wee bird house....

From the front.

From the back.

This is a great wee project to make,

I'm sure I will make lots more of these!

follow this link to find the template.

The papers, bronze snowflake charm and string are all from

the super sweet shop Minne Hjørne,

stamps are from Panduro, (as is the wooden reindeer, I think...)

and everything is distressed with Tim Holtz vintage Photo.

The house can be filled with anything really, as long as it fits in :OD

This one was filled with chocolates before it was given away,

you can just see them through the window

unfortunatly I forgot

to take a photo with the roof off!

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Kort o Mania challenge # 31 - Use charm/metal on project.

Paperplay challenges - Week 2 - Cutie patootie

C.C.C.C.- 'lets see some fancy folds'

My time to craft challenge blog - #123 - Chocolate

Crafty Hos' challenge blog -Monochromatic challenge

Allsorts - week 85 - Fancy folds

Hope you are all well

Back soon

Nina xx

Yiihoo! No more christmas cards for a long time!

2010-12-28T21:29:00.004+01:00

I am just catching up!

(something I made earlier.. as they always said on 'Blue Peter' Lol)

Here are some of the last christmas cards that I made this year,

and I am so pleased that all 60 of my mix of cards and gift tags were sold!

I must say that i'm glad that the christmas rush of making things is over,

and am now looking forward to a long break

from making all things christmassy!!

Lol
(well I was really good this year and started in september, so it's been a while!)

I hope you are all enjoying your christmas breaks and

are charging your batteries for a great New Years Eve!! :O)

Thank you so much for all of your lovley comments,

I really do appreciate them all :O)

2011

is just around the corner,

and boy what an exciting year it is going to be!!
*

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought tae mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and days of auld lang syne?....

and ther's a hand, my trusty fiere and gies a hand o' thine!

we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet for auld langs syne .......

Skål! Cheers!

Hugs Nina xx

Merry christmas to you...

2010-12-20T22:27:00.004+01:00

I would like to take this opertunity to wish all of you a very

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

2010 has just flewn by and I have decided to really try and make 2011 go by a bit slower!

As I mentioned in a recent post I have taken

some photos around my house

(that is full of love :O)

I love taking photographs

It had been a while since the last time I took time-out to take some,

and since I have a great interest for interiørs and 'nik naks', it's usually that subject I use :O)

Anyway here are some photographs of some items close to my

heart for various reasons....

Here comes a sneak peak into my bedroom....

Seasons greeting ladys

stay wrapped up nice and cosy and warm!

Love Nina xx

Card of the year - StampARTic Challenge

2010-12-11T12:21:00.003+01:00

Over at StampARTic Marianne has come up with a great and difficult challenge.

You have to choose your favourite card you have made yourself this year.

I have chosen this card below:

Just looking at it reminds me of the fantastic short holiday we had in pittenween, staying in an ancient fishermans cottage. Here is the post.

I am also very happy with the style of the card, and the fact that alot of the 'embellies' are actually finds from the holiday, including the sand!

This was a fun challenge, It nice to take a journey through the past year, and remember the projects that have been made :O)
It is to be recomended.

Wishing you all a good weekend!

I myself have 2 sick kids to attend to :O(
So not much time for my hobby this weekend,
but I'm sure we will find something artistic to do with ten small sticky fingers! Lol

Hugs Nina xx

More tea bag cards

2010-12-09T15:20:00.006+01:00

More Tea-bag cards, I love making these! He he.

I had an idea that I wanted to make some that looked very natural

and in a way enviromentaly friendly.

I think I may have mentioned it before ;OD but

Christmas is my favourite time of the year,

but It is also a sad time for me cos I miss my Mom.

It was also her favourite time of the year, and she made it so special for lots of people.

We had open house partys and the atmostfere was always buzzing with christmas cheer.

She would teach others how to make traditional Norwegian decorations etc,

and people still say that they think of her and remember her especially around christmas time,

which warms my heart.

The Cranberries - 'When you're gone'

And the backside...

These teabags smell fantastic!

A blend of Camomile, Rooibos, Lavender, and Cocoa Beans

I hope they will calm any stress the recipient should have

in this notoriously busy time.

This Norwegian stamp says in English:

A christmas hug from me, hope it finds you. Merry Christmas.

Whist taking these photographs today,

I realised how much love there is in and around my house!

So I went on a around taking photos of the love that can be documented.

I look forward to sharing them with you in my next post!

In the meantime love from me to you :O)

Hugs Nina xx

Teabag christmas cards

2010-12-03T20:40:00.005+01:00

Time flys when you are having fun is how the saying goes and boy is it true!

I went to see A-Ha in concert one of their last ever :O(

Fantastic!!

T'was a birthday presant for my husband and it was not easy keeping it a secret!

I have been busy the past couple of weekends showing

and helping other people make paper crafty bits and bobs.

Mostly family and some friends too.

It has been great fun, just seeing how happy and proud they are of the end product.

This teabag card was one of the projects,

I found some measurments on the net, but ended up having to make my own cos I couldn't make it all fit together and work!

I am thinking about making a tutorial with my measurments if anyone is interested?

Without further a do, here are the little sweeties....

They are only 9x9.5cm! So cute!

Inside

Backside

I have used some super-sweet blue snowflake paper from 'Little yellow bicycle'

And some blue spotty paper from inkido.

A little stiching round the panels and a good distressing all over with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo.

I used spellbinders to chomp out bits on the inside sleeve and Marvy snowflake punch.

I am entering these into the following challenges:

The Stampman - Challenge # 11 - Take any 3 colours - Christmas theme.

Stamp Something - Christmas colour combo something.

T.P.C - Challenge # 45 - Xmas punches.

Kort O Mania - Utfordring # 29 - Lag et julekort.

Yeehoo, Hope to find time soon to pop round and do some of my own blog hopping again soon!

I look forward to it :O)

With wishes for a wonderful weekend for you all

Hugs Nina xx

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

2010-11-20T20:49:00.005+01:00

Wooohoooo!

Its all white outside!

Forcast of -25 degrees on its way!

Better get all wraped up then!

I really enjoyed making these tag pockets, all cosy and warm in my cubby-hole.

I set myself a wee challenge to make something without thinking too much!

Just make it and that quickly!

Lol

(the reason being that I usually measure everything twice, spend lots of time pondering over details etc.

The result being that the project takes so much longer than it should do to be finished!)

They look like they are made from squashed toilet rolls,

they are not though, I have used bazzil card.

The images I have used are from Sagen Vintage Design,

the ribbons and pearlstring are from Panduro and Minne Hjørne.

These were so quick and easy I made a bunch of them :)

The tag sits inside the pocket like so...

I have also used:

Chalky transparent paper from Panduro,

Design paper- Nostalgi by Gudrun Loennechan,

Spellbinders Label four and circles,

Marvy snowflake punch medium and small,

Archival Ink Coffee,

Tim Holtz - Vintage photo,

Text stamp - Minne-hjørne,

Martha Stewart Doily punch,

Half Pearls - Kaiser,

Vellum scraps,

Glimmermist - Marshmallow.

I am entering these for the following challenges:

CES Challenge #13 - Lovely Lace

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #110 - Homemade christmas Gifts
Totally Gorjuss challenge #57 - Not so traditional colours. I reckon trad. colours are red/green/silver/gold etc, hope they agree :)

Flutterby Wednesday Challenge #131- Angels (optional sketch, I opted not)

Totally Papercrafts challenge #43 - Snowflakes/snow

CRAFT challenge #77 Using Vellum

A spoonfull of sugar Challenge #130 - Distressing

Phew!! Hope you are all well, I look forward to seeing all your creations soon!

Wishing you all a great weekend

Hugs Nina xxx

Hanging stars

2010-11-19T12:43:00.007+01:00

More sleep has been had yiihooo!

Now for some decorations,

'heres one I made earlier' Teehee,

I made the red one whilst at the Ski meet (ski treffet)

They are really simple and easy but beautiful I think.

First I used my star spellbinder to cut out 3 stars from watercolour paper for each finished star.

I then embossed the star stamp from Waltzing Mouse on each. used my bone folder to score down the middle of each star.

Then I used a round spellbinder to cut all the middles out and my crop-a-dile to cut the small hanging circle on each the slapped them together with glue

then threaded the metal snowflakes in place.

I also distressed a bit around the bronze stars that I actually cut out in thin brown card when I think about it :)

Wahhlaah star decoration :)

I should be doing something else now so must dash, back soon!

oh and I am entering these for the

Christmas blog challenge- They want to see a decoration :)

Hugs Nina xx

Origami Star card and patchwork tree.

2010-11-18T13:55:00.006+01:00

Hey lovley peeps, Hope everyone is enjoying there week so far, its almost the weekend! Lol

Things are quietening down here now after Kim had his ear operation and Scott is almost over the neumonia he had, I almost got a full nights sleep last night!!

Thats almost worth writing down in the book!

Without further a do, onto what this blog is about... the crafty stuff :)

I am working on chirstmas cards at the moment (for a change).

For this first card I folded some nice thin papermania paper into a star shape

OR-I-GA-MI style

The ribbon is from Panduro, and the stamp is from mmmmm my cupboard... no that won't do, my brain seems to be somewhere else today, it must be in shock of having had some sleep!

erm hehe I can't find the stamp now either! I give up, anybody know where its from??!

Next I wanted to try out some patchwork style work again and ended up making this tree card.....

and a close up...

Lol and i've just realised that I have taken a photo of this card before it was finished!

I was feeling that there was something missing but didn't want to loose the simpleness of it,

in the end I embossed the text 'God Jul' in the top righthand corner which helped alot.

These lovley packages are from Magnolia and the crimbo tree is made from papermania scraps :)

Both cards are painted with Tim Holtz distress reinkers.

Back with more soon!

And just before I go I want to say Thank you sooo much for all the lovley comments you ladys give me, I really enjoy reading them :)

Hugs Nina xx

ps. How funny that so many of you thought It was a real pepperkake in my last post, I am flattered that some thought that I could have written that text with icing!! I think I might of been a

'masterchef cake lady'

if I had! hehe :)

May the wonders of winter warm your heart.

2010-11-11T16:13:00.003+01:00

Wow the rest of my evening last night disapeared as I got lost in Blogland!

It was such a wonderful journey through all of your blogs and some new ones too.

You are all so very inspiring! Thank you :O)

Here is more updating of what I have been up to whilst on my wee blog break.

The first is a tag made from a cardboard cup coaster. The text is embossed with seafoam white, and then distressed around the edges with vintage photo from Tim Holtz.

My husband says they look like pepperkaker. hehe

( I've made a bunch of these :O)

Sorry the lighting for photographing this next card was crap!

I've done my best in photoshop, but well anyway you get the gist :O)

I've used a new stamp that I bought from Papirloftet. Isn't it lovley!?

Very victorian age I think, I sew a sig-zag stitch around it and chose some colours I deem to be vintagy/victoriany :O)

The background papers are from Making Memories.

the text stamp from 'kort og godt' says

'Real christmas excitment

is found in the sparkle of childrens eyes'
(and mine too ;O)

Thank you for all of your lovley comments, its great to hear from you again!

More to come soon :O)

Bye for now

Nina xx

I'm dreaming of a white christmas....

2010-11-10T22:11:00.002+01:00

I'm just so into the christmas spirit at the moment! (hope it lasts!)

I have never been so ahead with my christmas related projects as I am this year!

What a wonderful feeling that is!

*** It snowed here last night and the ground is all white and fluffy.***

There is something wrong with our fiber- cable connection at the moment so the Tv is on strike,

My boys and I chose to watch 'postman Pats christmas adventure' on Dvd this evening since the childrens hour was down, (who would have known that Pat is a pro iceskater!!) so they are getting into the christmas swing with me too Lol :O)

Here is another couple of cards I have made, again, they are quite simple with no stash!

( but they are a bit grubby :OD)

The Images are from Panduro and are painted with Tim Holtz refiller inks, using a painting style that i havn't tryed before - shabby painting as I call it! I think it has given the images a bit of an 'old fashioned' look... would you say so? Or should I not give up my day job??! Lol

The snow flakes are punched from Marvy in sizes small and medium.

The music paper is from Panduro and the rest is made from scraps.

Its back to photoshop to fix some more images ready to post soon,

But first i'm coming to visit your blog, on my very own private bloghop :OD

I hope to pop in on you all soon!

Smiles Nina xx

yip-e-de-do-da-yip-e-de-day my oh my what a wonderful day!

2010-11-10T21:47:00.004+01:00

Helloooo!!

Just thought That I would make an apearence here again! After a long blogging break, I feel its time to get back into the swing of things :OD

I have been being creative whilst i've been away though, and have tryed to document all that I have made, and have finally gotten around to doing a bit of fixing in photoshop this evening, so I will be posting over the next few days.

I have a tendens to give all of my cards a grubby vintage look, and I love it, don't get me wrong!

But as I am going to be selling christmas cards I thought that the grubby feel may not appeal to everyone, thus I made some clean and simple winter style cards.... ( and a whole load of grubby ones too! hehe)

I have used beautiful vintage images from 'Sagen Vintage Design'

I must say that these cards actually do look better IRL!

I have used watercolour paper and simply chomped off the corners with my MS Iron Gate punch,

And Threaded a couple of strands of tapestry thread in silver around the images.

I made 15 of these cards mostly with different images in different shapes and sizes but the card size I have kept the same in all of them 13.5 x 13.5.

This is cos I got a fantastic deal on some envelopes that suit this size Lol.

Back soon!

Smiles Nina xx

Raise the bra! Guest Bar Tender.

2010-10-12T14:21:00.004+02:00

Hello peeps,

Wow seems like i havn't been in blog land for AGES,

and i havn't so not so strange it seems that way!

Things have been a bit busy here to say the least, and blogging has been put to the bottom of the list along with a whole load of other things.

I'm not sure what people are doing here at the moment, so i am looking forward to doing a round through all of your blogs to see what you have been upto, unfortunatly that will have to wait a bit longer until Scott gets well again, and in the meantime Kim has developed a nasty cough and the ear specialist has decided he needs another ear operation which is now due in the next couple of weeks, poor wee monkey.

I am just so wornout!

It dosn't help that my illness Lupus is making me even more tired. Oh dear not much happy news coming from me today, sorry about that!

Its not all that bad, i'm sitting here smiling and I do have a wonderful assistant

to help me 3 days a week so I shouldn't complain :O)

On to my card I won a challenge at 'Raise the bar'!! woop woop :o)

My prize was to be Guest Designer for this weeks challenge, the challenge being

"raise the bra"

to make something for

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It was to be pink and include a stamped image of a woman on the front.

(although Unfortunatly I didn't get it delivered to them on time, boob hoob)

Here is my tag card:

I am very aware of breast cancer as my mum died of it, I was thinking about her and reminising the wondersful lady she was whilst making this card.

I have decided to send it to her sister, my Aunt Lisa that lives in Australia :O)

I will have to come back to the recipe at a later date as my time has run out!

Hope you are all well

Hugs Nina x

Nostalgic/Vintage christmas - GDT- Totally Gorjuss

2010-09-25T21:40:00.006+02:00

My 3 month guest designer stint for Totally Gorjuss has sadly come to an end,

Time flys when you're having fun!

This is my last card.

I'm so flattered that they chose me to join them!!

Its been great being part of such a talented team of card designers, they have been so supportive and very inspiring!

I will miss you all :O(

Thank you :O)

This weeks challenge is called 'Christmas in September'

sponsered by 'Cupids clear stamps'!!

and I have gone all nostalgic....

Recipe:

Inks:

Encore - Gold, Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo.

Stamps:

Inkido

Papers:

Gudrun Loennecken, gold paper scraps. Green and brown Bazzil, watercolour paper 200g.

Tools and Equipment:

Marvy snowflake punch -medium & small, Crop-a-dile, Martha Stewart edge punch.

Embellies:

Eyelets - American crafts, hemp string - Minne Hjørne, 3D tape.

The text stamp is in Norwegian and says in English 'Merry Christmas'

I am also entering this card for the following challenges:

Raise the bar - Bundled up.

One stop craft challenge - Snowflakes in September.

Sew many cards challenge blog - Christmas.

Christmas card challenge #42 - Distressed cards.

ABC challenge blog - D is for Distressing.

Karber christmas challenge - make a new christmas card.

A Spoon full of sugar - Anything goes

Charisma Cards - Anything goes.

Phew! Hope everybody has a happy creative week :O)

I will be continuing on my shop order of christmas cards, almost there!

Bye for now

Hugs Nina xx

Totally Gorjuss Challenge #48 GDT.

2010-09-18T22:10:00.004+02:00

Its that time again this week for a new challenge from

Totally Gorjuss,

Our challenge this week is called 'wild thing' and is to include an animal,

the lucky winner will recieve a £10 voucher from

Crafters companion

( such a great place, they have so much to offer!!)

Without further ado here is my effort as Guest Designer:

And I decorated the inside a bit too :O)

An unusual card for me this week, its not really my style I don't think. I mean its ok, but I don't love it!

I hope my Great Aunt and Uncle like it though as I am sending this to them, they have been married for 60 years this October! How NUTS is that?!

I mean its great! But dang, thats along time, and they are so sweet to each other...

it must be love :O)

Recipe: (sorry, not for a long marrige ;O)

Inks:

Versafine-Onyx Black

Catseye-purple (for distressing edges)

Painted with Reinkers - Frayed Burlap, Walnut Stain, Tea Dye, Antique Linen, Bundled Sage, Barn Door, Tattered Rose.

Stamps:

Text stamp - Waltzing Mouse

Hedgehogs - Penny Black

Papers:

Roses are Red - Vibeke Spigseth

Sheet music - The Exclusive

Watercolour Paper 200g

Tools and equipment:

Nice New Pink Cuttlebug ;OD

Spellbinders, Creatables-Marianne Design, Shapeabilities - Fancy Tags

Embellies:

Flowers - Story Teller

Purple Rhinestones - Kaiser

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:

Penny Black at Allsorts September Challenge - Punch away!

Saturday Challenge - Anything goes.

Kreativ Hobby - Card with a coloured motiv.

Pixie Dust Studio Challenge #40 - Fur or feathers, use an Animal on your card.

Thank you for all of your lovley comments, I love reading them :o)

Have a great weekend!

Hugs Nina x

Vintage Autumn

2010-09-16T21:01:00.003+02:00

The week is coming to an end and I am looking forward to spending quality time with my family, I just adore Autumn, all the wonderful colours that nature provides are truly amazing.

I hope to get the stove litt this weekend and we can cuddle round infront of it and pretend its really cold outside, and in the evening I love to light lots of candles oohhhoo I love Autumn and the darker months :OD Sorry, I was getting a bit carried away there. Onto my card...

I just love Vintage design papers these are from October afternoon.

In this first photo the motiv is a bit hard to see because I painted it with crackle rock candy paint and the flash is reflecting on it...

So here's another photo where you can see it a bit better :O)

and the inside, I used some of the leftover papers to make a wee pocket for a tag to write

a message on...( sorry the picture is so crap! but you get the gist of it)

I Don't really feel that this card needs a recipe, there is not much more to it then I already have mentioned, so i'll be hopping over that bit, other than the image is from the very talented Gudrun Loennecken :O)

I am entering this card for the following challenges:

Cuttlebug challenge #101 - be inspired -Nostalgia week.

Creative Card Crew Challenge - Autumn.

A spoon full of sugar challenge # 121 - Fall into Autumn colour.

Stemple Magie challenge # 19 - Autumn colours.

All sorts challenge - week 69 - Colours of Autumn.

There is alot of Autumn going on in blogland, and in my garden too!

I'll be back on Saturday with a new project for the Totally Gorjuss design team, so until then, Happy creating friends!

Hugs Nina xx

Ps. Thank you so much for all of your lovley comments, I really do appreciate them :O)

GDT Totally Gorjuss - Challenge nr 47 - Flowers.

2010-09-11T20:57:00.003+02:00

Yee hoo :O) Another week, another challenge and another wedding card made for an order!
Its been quite a busy time for me on the wedding card front :O)

This weeks challenge over at Totally Gorjuss has the theme 'Flowers' so you have all week to come up with a project to do with flowers or with flowers on it or in a flower shape... the list could go on and the choice is yours :O)

Here is my DT card:

Thanks for looking and to those who take the time to leave comments :O)

Nina x

Thank You for my 2 awards!

2010-09-10T22:22:00.004+02:00

Wow 2 awards at once! I am so chuffed :O) Thank you so much Sarah, I really apreciate them :O)

So heres what I have to do,

1. Thank the person who gave it to you, Thank you again Sarah :O) -ok

2.Copy the award and post it on your blog. - ok

3. List 3 things that you love about yourself (!) -What?! ( I hate questions like that)

erm ok...

A. I love that I am a good mum to my boys.

B. I love that I can laugh at myself ;O)

C. I that my mum passed on her crafting gene to me :OP

4. Post a picture you love, (I couldn't choose between these two photos, so I just loaded up both :O)

Scott, Aww, my two year old heart breaker, generally known as 'Monkey nr 2'

Kim, my blond bomb shell, and he is 'Ma' main Monkaye' hehe :O)

5. Give this award away to 5 people.

I am going to give this away to.... drumroll, a bit of trumpet playing...

Hannemor : For her beautiful cards and amasing tallent for colouring.

Wenche : For her Love of trying new things and her attention to details.

Laila aka 'Pink Lady' : For her lovley creations and her activeness on the heartwarming commenting front! - Thank you :O)

Silvie : For her pure breath taking tallent!

Mary J : For her cute and quirkey style, I love her creations!

Award nr 2.

I have to state why I started blogging.

Well a year ago in January Wenche twisted my arm and I suddenly had my own blog, hehe.

Like Sarah, when I discovered the amount of tallented people that were sharing their caft work, tecniques and tips. I was totally blown away! Its trully inspiring and helps keep you on your toes crafting wize!

I should be choosing 10 people to give this 'bafta' award away to

but since I follow more than 10 blogs and am certainly inspired by more than 10

I decided that I would love for all of my followers to accept this award from me with thanks for all the inspiration and kind comments you leave me,

come on peeps, don't be shy, copy - paste go-go-go ;O)

Wow reciving awards take time! I will be posting my GDT card for Totally Gorjuss' new challenge tommorow ( heads-up, really easy challenge this week).

Hugs all round to those of you that are still with me, if there is anyone... hello? hmm.

Oh well nite nite me :O)

Love Nina x

New Cuttlebug!!

2010-09-07T14:58:00.004+02:00

2nd post of the day! Unheard of from me! Lol,
But I just had to share with you my new Cuttlebug that I picked up whilst I was at home in Scotland this weekend for my best friends wedding :O) I will show photos of the card etc that I made for her soon.
Isn't she lovley, this is a special edition one! I just know we are going to have a great relationship hehe.

Right, shopping to do, dinner to make, kids to collect.... I had better get a move on!

Happy scrapping peeps.

Hugs Nina xx

2010-09-07T14:21:00.003+02:00

I mentioned last week that my boys were monkeys, and am proving it whith this photograph!
We were awoken one morning to shrill shreeks of enjoyment and laughter at 07.15am, to find this mess of 13 pots of embossing powder literally everywhere and a whole mound of DP all bent and dog-eared strewn around the floor of my study!!

And the worst part is that the Embossing powders were all on loan from a friend!!! ( there goes the rest of my birthday money replacing them - boo hoo)

They have never done anything as bad as this before, and needless to say my study gets locked every evening from now on! I should have taken a photo of them too, they were covered, it took a few days to get the glitter out of their ears.

MONKEYS!

GDT Totally Gorjuss - Challenge - 46 sketch

2010-09-06T20:55:00.018+02:00

This week its challenge # 46 at Totally Gorjuss,
we have a sketch challenge for you ......

A nice and easy sketch drawn by Net.
This weeks sponser is Joanna Sheen, she is very kindly giving away a £10 gift voucher to spend in her online shop and craft place!
Free postage aswell so you actually get to pick goodies for £10!

Here is my card as Guest Gorjussette:

Ohh I love this Tilda stamp, and I have really enjoyed myself making this card. I have a love for everything oriental although this dosn't always show through in my work. I just had to order her as soon as I saw her, She arrived last week and here she is already inked up :O)
The text stamp has such a beautiful message, which translated into English from Norwegian roughly says, and I LOVE it.....

"Those who only crave sunshine have never kissed in the rain"

Recipe:
Inks:
Archival Ink - Coffee ( white with 2 sugars please, Ha ha). Painted with Reinkers - Old Paper, Mustard seed, Dried Marigold, Tea Dye, Black Soot, Frayed Burlap, Barn Door, Walnut Stain, Distressed with Vintage Photo ink Pad.
Stamps:
Chinese Tilda, North star Stamps.
Papers:
Papermania, Paper Design, Page from a vintage songbook, Shiney and Vanilla - Bazzil, Watercolour paper 200g.
Tools and Equipment:
MM. Distresser and sandpaper, Die Frame - Marianne Designs, Crop-a-dile, Sewing Machine, Embossing Pistol, Tim Holtz Distress Embossing powder - Vintage Photo.
Embellies:
Retro flower punch Medium and small, Brads from American Art, Old peice of string.

I am entering this card for the following challenges:

Stamp something - Something cute

Wild Flower Wednesday 3o - Fall colours

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #75 - Distress-it.

Stampin' for the weekend #46 - Shabby or Vintage

Creatalicious Challenges # 13 - Vintage

Paperplay Challenges week 35 - In stitches

Simon says stamp and show your layers

All That Scraps Blog - Anything Tilda

Have a good week

Hugs Nina

Walk in the woods

2010-08-29T23:23:00.002+02:00

I thought I would show some snaps I took on our walk at the weekend in our local woods.
I actually took my camera with me and even took it out of the bag this time!

Loads of mushrooms around.

Here's my husband and son Kim, we ventured off the beaten coss-country ski tracks...

We Picked blueberrys and stopped for a needed rest and packed lunch.

Here's 'pappa' and our 2 little monkeys Kim and Scott. ( I call them monkeys and they are! Just wait til I show you a photo of what they had gotten up to early this morning having gone into my forbidden room ( my hobby space/computer room, I will post a snap soon.)

Anyway, I'm off to read my book :o)

Natta, sleep well :O)

Christmas in August GDT Totally Gorjuss, Walk in the woods.

2010-08-29T20:49:00.021+02:00

Christmas in August, is the challenge over at Totally Gorjuss this week I really enjoyed making this christmas card, I thought it would have been harder than it actually was making it when the sun was shining ( actually it was raining but its still August!), but it it went surprisingly smooth :OD (and i've decided to make more and try not to have the usual pressed rush!)
So why not do the same and join in on the chance of winning a set of stamps from

Cupids Clear Stamps!!

So many sweet stamps they have there, well worth a try at being lucky!

On to my card, (click on the photo's if you want to see them larger, or put your glasses on...)

I even decorated the inside of this one!

OOH My new Crop-a-dile, I LOVE IT!!

Lovley lace... It reminded me a bit of icicles.... you with me?!

I have been secretly missing my snowflake punches and enjoyed using them again :OD
(I don't try to hide the fact that I am a tad strange)

Recipe.

Inks: Coloured with Distress inks - Barn Door, Brushed Corduroy, Scattered Straw, Old Paper and Walnut stain.

Stamps: Baby Rudlof - Papirloftet, Text stamps - Ladybug and Friends.

Papers: 3ndy papir, Melissa Frances, Watercolour paper 200g.

Tools & Equipment: Distress Ink embossing powder-Tim Holtz-Vintage Photo, Embossing pistol, Memory Makers edge distresser, Marvy snowflake punch - Medium & small, Crop-a-dile.

Embellies: 3D tape, Stickles - Star Dust, Rhinestones - Kaiser, Ribbon and lace - Bikubben.

Eyelets and brads from American Crafts.

I am entering this card for the emence amount of following challenges!!:

Winter wonderland, with the theme - All I want for Christmas. ( I want snowflakes! Lots of 'em!)

Secret Crafter, - Make a start on Christmas

The Crazy Challenge - Never too early for christmas!

Creative Card Crew - Sparkle and shine.

The creative cottage, # 21 - Christmas

Wild Orchid Flowers - Make it sparkle!

Artful inkables - Bling it on baby!

C.E.S Challenges - Anything goes.

Paper Sundaes Challenge # 33 - Christmas in August.

Life goes on, and its not waiting for me! I must catch up!

Thanks for your comments I really love reciving them, and I promise to be better at leaving comments too! Just have to get my trip to Scotland for my best friends wedding out of the way first, I am really looking forward to that (not just because I pick up my brand new cuttlebug!!)

Good wishes to one and all , TTFN :O)

Nina x

Beautiful Box!

2010-08-26T12:32:00.003+02:00

I have been lost in paperland!! The little spare time I have had the past week has gone to card making and unfinished projects, I still have a few big projects to finish but it is so nice to be a bit ahead of the game as GDT member for Totally Gorjuss. Just have the tweeking and fixing of photos in photoshop left to do :O) That'll have to wait until later cos I am off to the Ear Dr. with Kim this time, I was there yesterday with Scott who is almost better now :O)

BUT Just take a look at this Birthday card box that was handmade and hand delivered to me by Wenche!!

You are such a sweetie, and this box is just so cute, so many details and decorated sides, must have taken ages to make! It has of course taken pole postion on my mantelpeice :O)

Thank you Wenche.

Back soon, enjoy your day!

Hugs Nina x

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 44- GDT - You're a star!

2010-08-20T22:45:00.011+02:00

You're a star! Is the theme challenge over at Totally Gorjuss this week,

Its a great theme and can be used for a whole range of ideas, check out the other fab design team members for inspiration!

I am also entering this card for the following challenges:

Kort o Mania - Favourite stamp. Chosen cos its one of the few boy stamps I have ever used :O)
Papertake weekly - Layout.
Stampin for the weekend - Anything goes
Charisma cardz # 33 - Die cuts.
ABC Challenge - 'B' is for Blue.

Recipie:

Inks: Archival Ink - Coffee (i'll take a Latte thanks) Reinkers - Tea Dye, Walnut Stain, Brushed Corduroy, Wild Honey, Bundled Sage, Broken China, Pumice Stone, Faded jeans.
Stamps:hÄngelar and stÄnglar ( Hannemor Takk :O)
Papers: Bazzil - Middle blue, Dark blue, and Pommagranite red.
Tools and equipment: My new Crop - A - Dile! Thanks Kim and Scott :O) Quick cuts.
Embellies: Ribbon - Bikubben, pussy cat sticker - Accessorize, eyelets - Memory Keepers
Chipboard Star sticker - Sassafras.

Wishing everyone a lovley weekend :O)

My Boys and I are going to the park and to feed some ducks at a local pond today as my husband gets the day off to go and oggle VW cars at a show!

A trip to the beautiful seaside village Son is on the cards for sunday, visiting family, so not much of a crafty weekend ahead, shame cos I can't wait to try out some of my new stamps I got for my birthday this week, but looking forward to it none the less! :O)

Thanks so much to all of you lovley people who are kind enough to leave me comments I really do love reading them :O)

Hugs Nina xx

Tulip Tent card - Sukkersött Challenge #88

2010-08-16T22:44:00.004+02:00

Hey Peeps, hope you are all happy and well :O)

Nursery school has been closed today and is tommorow for teacher planning,

so today we took a trip to the Ear, Nose and Throat Dr with my 2yr old who has yet another ear infection :O( Poor wee monkey, he is such a soilder, he gets them very often because of his drains and luckly dosn't complain much.

With eardrops in bag, one clammy 2yr old hand in right hand and one clammy 3yr old hand in the other we skipped off for a paddle in a nearby waterfountain and icecream followed.

Tommorow a farm visit and trott on a pony is on the cards much to my 3yr olds disapointment as he wants to ride on a wolf, well son, mums name is not Jim!

On that note I turn to my Tulip tent card that is going to be entered into this weeks challenge over at Sukkersött. The challenge this week is to make a card that is not square, and this one is certainly not square :OD

This unuaual card shape was shared with me by my good friend Wenche, who very kindly made a template for me, Thanks sweetie :O)

Recipe:

Inks: Archival Ink - Coffee (thanks but its a bit late in the day), colourbox chalk- white, Painted with Reinkers - Dusty Concord, Shabby Shutters, Frayed Burlap, Old Paper, Tattered Rose and Tea Dye.

Stamps: hÄnglar and stÄnglar (lånt fra Wenche).

Papers: scraps of Maja Design, mouve and green bazzil.

Tools and equipment: MS Monarch Butterfly punch large.

Embellies: Lace from Minnehjørne, Half pearls and diamond bling from Kaiser.

Thats all for now folk's :O) hehe

Hugs Nina xx

hÄnglar and stÄngler kort GDT- Totally Gorjuss

2010-08-14T22:49:00.012+02:00

Having recovered from the Champagne and Prawn party I attended last night, I now get round to posting this card and
Yeehaaa! I have been thinking about and wanting to try out a different kind of folding card for AGES and have finally gotten round to doing something about it!!
What do you think? I found the card was quite heavy so it kept on sliding out at the bottom, so I glued in a peice of paper joining the front and back together that folds neatly away when the card is closed. Is there anyone that has any tips of doing that another way? I can't be the first on to have problems with it sliding open??

This card is made as Guest Designer for the Totally Gorjuss Challenge 43 - Aqua shades.
We are sponsered by Lili of the valley this week!! Such Sweet Stamps so its def. worth having a go! 'Yougottabeinittowinit' Lol
Aqua is one of my fav. colours so I have been looking forward to this theme for a while! Only a shame I can't win that fabby prize :o(
And without further a do... my card...

I am entering it into the following challenges:

Creative Inspirations Wednesdays challenge #73 - Pop- up card.

Secret Crafter Saturday challenge #96 - What are little girls made of.

Sweet Stampin Saturday challenge #39 - Use your favourite stamp or image.

Angies great Blog candy contest - Easel card Brown and red - hope this passes muster...

Recipe:

Inks: Archival ink- Coffee (yes please) Distressed edges with Distress Ink pad - Broken China, Painted with Distress Ink Reinkers - Broken China, Weathered Wood, Pumice Stone, Brushed Corduroy, Tea Dye, Walnut Stain, Tattered Rose, Antique Linen, Rusty Hinge, Bundled Sage.
Stamps: hÄnglar and stÄngler stamp (takk til oh søte Hannemor.) Scroll stamp- Penny Black, Rub-on text - Basic Gray.
Papers: Melissa Frances - Suzanne, MME "thats my boy", White and teal bazzil, Watercolour paper 200g.
Tools and Equipment: Boarder punch Martha Stewart, Spellbinders ( takk for låne av disse Wenche du er en knupp) BossKut - Leaf flourish.
Embellies: Flowers -Scrapbooking Moments, Ribbon from - Bikubben, Brads from Mona the Brad-Queen (Lol) Takk Snuppa du reddet meg der!

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekends be it in the garden like me or hmm doing something else Lol.

Hugs Nina xx

Tilda Friend card - GDT Totally Gorjuss

2010-08-06T21:48:00.007+02:00

Helloooo I'm down here... :OD

Our challenge this week at Totally Gorjuss is a great Sketch sponsered by the lovley

Joanna Sheen The lucky winner will recieve a £10 gift voucher to spend in her shop!

Its been a day in the garden for my family and I, picnic lunch and all.

Hubby cut the overlong grass on our massive lawn ( must make more flowerbeds...) whilst I did a bit of raking and my boys played in the left over rain water from yesterday in a great big muddy puddle at the end of our driveway! They had a ball, and where covered in mud, grass and sand before the day was over! They got a quick wipe down before we went in for spag.bol. for dinner, then they were both orange! The plan of course was bath before bed but the munchkins were so tired out we would have had troubles keeping them awake to do it!

What the heck i'll just have to change their bed clothes and they can have a bath in the morning!

Enough spraff from me and on to my card...

The lovley Tilda stamp and Cuttlebug I borrowed from the very tallented Wenche, so if you havn't seen her work pop over to her blog and be wowed :O)

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Cupcake challenge - Distress

Cute card Thursday - Whatever

Crafty card makers - Spotlight challenges - Punches

Recipe:

Inks: Versafine - onyx Black, Colourbox Chalk - purple, Silver and black. Tilda is painted with Distress Inks Reinkers - Aged Mahogany, Tea Dye, Frayed Burlap, Tattered Rose, Bundled Sage, Pumice Stone and Barn Door.

Stamps: Tilda from Magnolia, and text from the paperloft (?)

Papers: MME - Quite contrary, Tilda papercraft paperstack, Maja Design, Light purple and light gray bazzil, white cardstock and 200g watercolour paper.

Tools and equipment: Bosskut - leaf flourish, spellbinders - Labels one, Circle small and Petite Ovals. MS punch. Gelly Roll pens - silver and white. 3D foam pads.

Embellies: Flowers from Storyteller, half pearls and silver rhinestones from kaiser.

The stamps says translated into English: 'A friend like you is the best a person can have'.

I have made such a mess in my wee hobby room this week! I am going to have to spend the rest of the evening tidying it up before I am able to embark on my next crafty project!!

I hope everyone is (if there is anyone still reading that is!) is having as nice a weekend as I :O)

Hugs Nina xx

Wedding Card Order - GDT

2010-07-30T22:58:00.004+02:00

I am a bit late in getting this card out here, I am a Guest Gorjussette for Totally Gorjuss and the challenge that closes this evening is the theme - Congratulations!

Its been an mad week here, all go. We have been away camping as a family for the first time, the trip went to Sweden. The weather was mixed and my two wee boys LOVED it :o).
We celebrated my youngest sons 2nd birthday whilst away and are having his party with family this weekend. My Eldest son ( 3ys) really enjoyed the holiday but misunderstood when morning was ( I don't call 3 am ish when the sun rises morning!!) So we have something to work on before we go camping again! Lol. Luckly when they first fell asleep they slept like logs cos it wasn't the quietest campsite I've been to, it was the opposite!

Back to the point! The card was ordered for a wedding (..no, you don't say!) it was to have a vintage style and be able to hold a rather aqward shaped gift card.
Without further a do, here is a rash of photographs...

Recipe

Inks: Archival Ink - Coffee, Distressed with ink pad - Vintage Photo, floral stamp tinted with reinkers - vintage photo, Victorian velvet.

Stamps: Scrolling along - Penny Black, Text - Minnehjørne

Image: By Gudrun Loennecken for Minne Hjørne.

Papers: By Paper Design - Hjerter (Hearts) Vanilla and dark brown Bazzil.

Tools/equipment: Spellbinders - Classic circle small, Labels four, Distress crackle paint - Clear rock candy. Martha Stewart rose leaf punch.

Embellies: Lace and rings - Minne Hjørne, Swirls - Say it in Pearls, Flowers - storyteller, Prima, stick pins - JBS #18.

The text stamp inside says "sammen er et godt sted å være" - In English: Together is a good place to be".

By the cute and girly - July challenge - warm summer days.

Ooh baby baby GDT Totally Gorjuss # 41

2010-07-30T22:08:00.013+02:00

Hello friends,
Here is a card I made as Guest Gorjussette for this weeks challenge #41 over at Totally Gorjuss the theme is Baby baby and I used Baby Millie for this project, such a cute image don't you think? Designed by Rachelle Anne Millen for Sugar Nellie.

Recipe

Size: 15 x 15cm.

Ink: Archival Ink - Coffee, Distressed with Ink pad - Vintage Photo, painted with Reinkers - Barn door, Brushed corduroy, Frayed burlap, Weathered wood, Tea dye, Tattered rose, Black soot,

Stamp: Baby Millie, Text stamp - Kreativ Hobby

Paper: My Minds Eye - Be Loved collection, Mat stack Brights, Vanilla bazzil, Watercolour paper 200g

Tools: Spellbinders - Classic squares small, sewing machine Eyelet tool from We Are Memory Keepers.

Embellies: Paper flowers from Storyteller, Vintage buttons, Distress stickles - Scattered straw, ribbon from Bikuben.

I am entering it into:

Skisseboden - challenge #5 - Layout.

Paper Play Challenges - week 40 - Anything goes.

DDCC # 83 - Anything goes.

Simon Says - We are all going dotty ( Hard to see? the back ground papers have faint yellow polkadots )

Thats all for now folks :O)
Hugs Nina xx

Totally Gorjuss challenge #39 - GDT.

2010-07-18T00:39:00.006+02:00

Heeellooo peeps another flat out busy week has just flown by, things aren't stopping at the week end either, its full steam ahead into next week!
This week Totally Gorjuss has a great challenge. 'Thinking of you' is the title, its a great one because it can be used in so many ways, as you will see if you look at all the different styles on the DT cards.
You've got a whole week to make a card a load it up so what are you waiting for!!! :O))
Here's my GDT card:

I have never made a card before using black and gray, so that was a bit of a challenge in itself!

The lovley DP is from maja design, CreaDiem, and its gorjuss don't you agree?!

I used white and gray bazzil paper, flowers from story teller, black colour box chalks on the edges, MS rose petal, MS fern, MS around the page Iron gate punches. Ribbon from Papermania, half pearls from a local craft store.

Last but not least a rub on sentement from Basic Gray, phew! :O)

AAgghh shit its 1am already and my wee boys have taken to waking up at 6am recently!

So I must throw myself in bed at superhero double action speed!! ;O)

Hope you's are all haveing a great weekend where ever you are what ever you are doing.

Summery hugs from Nina

Totally Gorjuss challenge - guest designer.

2010-07-10T22:48:00.006+02:00

Hey peeps,
Damn its been hot today! I spent it on the beach and in the garden with my boys, couldn't have been better :O)

Below are 2 cards I made for the Totally Gorjuss challenge 38 as Guest designer.
The theme this week is Water Water.

If anyone wonders about what papers,stamp etc I have used then please just ask by leaving a comment. I'm a bit worn out after the days activities in the sun, and I am set for an early start in the morning so i's off to kippsville soon.

The second card I am aslo entering for Trykkpressa Juli utfordring, fun photo challenge, hvor jeg lot meg selv bli inspirert av alle de herlige fargene :O)

Wishing everyone a great weekend where ever you are :O)

Hugs Nina x

Yoohoo! Guest Gorjussette for the summer!

2010-07-06T21:54:00.004+02:00

Wow They picked me!

How cool, I'm really looking forward to contributing to the Totally Gorjuss challenge blog.

They have a fun new challenge every saturday with great prizes to be won! Everyone can play, all you need is something gorgeous on your card.

SO why don't you pop over and join in on the fun, I look forward to seeing your entrys.

Hugs Nina xx

Who is stealing my time?!

2010-07-05T21:54:00.004+02:00

I just can't believe how fast these summer days are flying by!
Its almost as if someone is stealing some hours from me here and there! Lol
I have Managed to order a lovley new pink Cuttlebug!! and will find it hard to wait until I travel to Scotland to pick it up in September!!
I am in the midst of transfering data from my Pc to my new laptop which will be my main PC from now on. It means more space on my desk to scrap :O)

Here are some photos of a match box project I made for a friend :O)

Not much, a bit of crackle paint, a frame, some flowers and a stamp.

Some ribbon and brads for the 'drawer' handles.

I think it makes a match box worthy of standing out on a coffee table.

Sorry I have NOT been good at commenting on your beautiful creations of late, I am as you may have understood now a tad bitty busy at the mo. with allsorts goings on, I have been making some cards but as soon as they are finished and photographed they have gone out of the door and it has been onto the next project. (I even forgot to take photos of one of the cards which is a shame but hey these things happen ) so I have a numer of projects waiting to be peppered out soon ;O)

Hope you are all well and enjoying this fantastic summer weather!!

Regards Nina xx

My first Tilda Card.

2010-06-16T13:24:00.004+02:00

This is my first Tilda card! I can't believe I havn't used her before, she is so easy to paint and cut out.
I have followed Mina's great sketch for week 59 over at Just magnolia
Check out the DT cards there, they are so inspiring!!

I spent far too long trying to take photos of this card outside ( bright sunshine is lovley but not great for taking photos in! :O)

to be able to write about this card at the moment, Its all 'go' here today, but I will come back later to finish off :O)

Have a beautiful day one and all!

Hugs Nina

feeling kind'a blue?

2010-06-15T21:50:00.003+02:00

This blue card is made for the challenge over at Totally Gorjuss challenge
# 34 - For the boys.
This card is for a young boy... of some kind, Lol, I havn't decided which boy or what the occation is yet so I havn't included any sentement on it so far :O)

This cute little giraff motiv is from snag'em stamps, I have coloured him with Tim Holtz reinkers, colours; Weathered wood, Tumbled glass and Antique linen.

The DP are from my leftover papers file ( the blue is from Tilda (panduro), I remember that!)

as is the ribbon and the sweet heart brad.

Otherwize I have sewn round the edges with a lovley bold red thread :O)

Have a nice evening one and all. Sofa is calling here! :OD