10 favourite scrapping things of 2008.......

As today is New Years Eve and people have a tendency to look back at the past year it got me thinking of what 10 things have I loved within the scrapping world in 2008...these aren't necessarily new this year, but were new to me and I have loved them..........in no particular order:

1. Stampin Up Scallop Edge punch ~ how have we lived without this, fab tool and more versatile than i thought.
   
2. Pink & Black Big Shot ~ my first dabble into die cuts and i've loved it. (also it's pink & black which is fab ~ have now added accessories to my craft room wish list!)
3. Magnolia Tilda with Cowberry muffin ....have used lots!


4. My Minds Eye " Merry" Papers.....these made my christmas!



5. Tis-the-season-to-be-jolly-abella!.....she is lovely and a great 'girly' treat at christmas.


6. Sassafraslass Papers....I would never have bought these but they came in a kit subscription and I have loved them and have bought more from the range since.


7. New York Skyline stamp....on discovering Etsy I then discovered this stamp, which with my love of New York has been very versatile, ive used on cards & layouts.


8. The fantastic Taylored Expressions Double edged Polka Dot ribbon, scrummy colour range & fantastic quality.


9. The Love Elsie Noel Range...mmmm very yummy & not only for Christmas.


10. Kiss the Cook Stamps ...loved these ..I wonder why?

what would your's be?................

Cupcake House.....

Popping in to say Hi.....it seems that the credit crunch is yet to hit Oxford street, it is still bedlam getting to & from work......this week makes people think what the new year will bring, last year I started my A-Z Cupcake challenge which I have yet to finish, so i'm determined to finish that in the 1st half of the year. I'm also thinking of this Project 2009 ...

My "Books to Eat" is back.. i've managed 2 books on the train since boxing day (can you tell that I've had a few delays!) which is great considering i got a few books for christmas. Last weeks book read was Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella which I'd been putting off in my book pile, but one page in I was hooked, really fab(looking forward to her Shopaholic book coming out on film soon)and this weeks is The Secret Shoppers Revenge which is very funny and every retailers nightmare!

This year i hosted a Christmas cupcake swap on Uks which was lovely, if not a little stressful at times, I have finally finished by book to store them in. I have been saving these papers from the lovely 'Love Elsie' range. i am so disappointed that she is not designing anymore so i will covert the papers that i have and use on special things!

Dear Santa........i've been a good girl!

Well the presents were wrapped and the cupcakes baked...so here's a little note that I left for Santa...

"Twas the night before Christmas,

I'm glued to the tree.

I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.

Could it be cardstock or chipboard or lace?

Or a Circuit, I said, with a smile on my face.

And that's when I heard him,

"Hi Santa, " I said

"You know....good little girls should be in their beds."

"I know I should Santa,

and now I've got caught.

But I was just so excited

To see what you brought."

"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work.

He shook his head quickly,

And left with a jerk.

I heard him exclaim

as he put it in gear.

"You've got enough stuff,

'll see you next year! "

I hope that Santa bought you everything that you wished for....Christmas was was a quiet day at home for me, I got lots of stocking's this year, and as I was home alone I opened them gradually over the day...here is a flavour!:

i think that father christmas has found out my love of cupcakes & Kitsch!......here are some of my stocking fillers.....lots of lovely Cath Kidston and the very kitsch & yummy Nigella's christmas..along with 2 new aprons one for christmas courtesy of CK and a scrummy cupcake one or everyday!...thankyou to all for my treats...hope everyone has had a lovely boxing day. Tx

Christmas Wishes & Cupcake kisses xxx

Just a very quick post from me today...just popped in to say a very Merry Christmas to you all that pop in to my blog..... I hope that today is special to you all and that you spend it with those that you love .... Love, Hugs & Cupcakes Teresa x

ps...how fab is my christmas pudding cake stand!!!

caught this advert late last night and fell in love with it...how cute is tatty teddy....now brought to life! ... merry christmas from me to you x

Twas the Night before Christmas.....

Well there is wrapping paper on presents!...i am so not ready this year....last night i finally got to wrap some presents, had to really as I had to leave some in the 'present porch' of my house this morning and the present elf had to deliver some to people this morning before she came to work! which meant leaving home at 5.30am! ...she will be continuing her rounds when she finishes work tonight. All I can say is that i'm glad i'm home alone tomorrow, which means I can eat & sleep when i like! ....... Here is are some goodies all wrapped up .... every year i choose a colour scheme or theme ... this year it's 'tiffany' blue & red....accompanied with candy canes... I still have some more to wrap, but i'm pleased with them, considering how pressed for time i've been...... i hope everyone else is wrapped & ready!

Santa Paws is coming to town!

2 days to go.....and i can show a few more bits & bobs today, as recipients won't read my blog until after christmas! Here are a few treats that I have made for my friend and her dogs! ..the "Woof" book is for her and the bauble is for the tree. The treat tin is for Archie & Roxie her 2 staffies...who are very cute.(can you tell she doesn't have children!) i've filled it with doggie treats for under the tree.(Papers used are from Cloud 9) I have also dropped into her stocking a candle which i've stamped with a Magnolia stamp....this morning we exchanged pressies on the train coming into work.... i'm sure our fellow commuters were very envious! so happy christmas my dear mad friend xx ...................also featured is some christmas tipple for another friend Cheers & enjoy!

Tis the Season to be Jolly....tra la la la la

well it's nearly here...and boy do i know it!!....Oxford street today is absolutely jammed pack, with very little christmas cheer! ... the store is heaving, particularly around the beauty hall, filled with men walking round aimlessly who have no idea what to buy! The plus side of half the population now having finished for the holiday period is that I get a seat on the train & tube in the morning! Yeah ...for those that have never experienced the London morning commute its a joy to behold us all!... it's secret santa in the office tomorrow and I got my boss who doesn't 'do christmas' so here is his little parcel from the christmas fairy!

'Tis the Season to Shop!'

Tis the season to shop!....i so loved this bella when I saw it as it summed up my 'girly' friends .. this year we all missed going to New York and i'm determined to get their again next year - credit crunch permitting! Many people ask why do I go when I work in one of the best department stores in the world ...but as much as I love London you cannot beat New York!

As you can see I really caught the candle bug this year, so apologies as most people will get one of these in their stocking this year. I also used the lovely My Minds Eye papers again, I said that i liked it lots. I still haven't put any decorations up, so I think that my candle ( as i had to make one for myself!) will be token christmas decoration. I'm still a little stressed and very disorganised for christmas. I start out with all good intentions, but it all goes a little pear-shaped near the end! I have food so at least I can cook my dinner, but presents still don't have wrapping paper on them!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

It's that most wonderful time of the year......saturday i worked for a couple of hours and then popped over to Somerset House to watch the skating and drink Mulled wine! ..why this rink when we have 5 to choose from in London..well because it's sponsored by Tiffany! .. the setting is lovely & the cupcake treats are fab! Christmas is very quiet for me this year so this was my one indulgent treat. Talking of indulgent treats ...last week i gorged on christmas cookery programmes .. Nigella and Jamie's christmas in particular....some very scrummy recipes on both ... one thinks that i may get one of their books in my stocking!

A few more things for christmas!

I've been a little bit more industrious for christmas.... I can't post everything i've made as some recipients read my blog!!.... i'm a little behind in my preparations and the rate everything's going it will be the easter bunny delivering gifts instead of the christmas fairy!..... a few weeks ago my boiler went to 'boiler heaven' so things have been a little chilly at home!.... i'm not sure when it will be replaced so everything is taking twice as long coz i'm cold!.... i can't believe it's 10 days to go..i haven't wrote a card or wrapped a present yet!

This year 'My Minds Eye' released a fab Christmas paper range Be Merry which i have fallen in love with......here it is ...and here are a few bits & bobs made with this scrummy paper.... one of my other favs is the love Christmas shopping Bella, how lovely is she? .... last night I had to watch the re-run of the last episode of Spooks, how fantastic has this series been. I was extremely cautious when i knew that the lovely Rupert Penry Jones was going out in episode 1, but the gorgeous Richard Armitage has made a lovely replacement!... I did indulge the other night during a spate of insomnia and watched 4 hours of North & South, he's so yummy in that... mmmmmm..he's going on my christmas list!

A few things for Christmas........

Last year I had all good intentions of making things for christmas...as i'm similar to most people sometimes those good intentions slip and suddenly christmas is upon us and i'm still looking at a pile of papers and nothing made!.....this year i've started!!....i'm not very far through my list but thought that I would share with you some of the bits & pieces........

Here is some goodies made with the very traditional Melissa Frances papers; Noel & Rudolph. Stamps used are from the Magnolia christmas collections. I have also made some more 'funkier' bits using the Doodlebug range & Heidi Grace: As of yet i'm undecided on what i'm going to put in the pails, it will probably be sweets & treats.

I still have lots of my list !............not many days to go....aaah......

90 birthday wishes

Today is my grandads 90th birthday.....he is the only one of his 8 siblings that has reached the grand old age!...on saturday we had a birthday tea for him, which was lovely. He was joined by his only surviving brother and a number of his nephews along with grandchildren & great-grandchildren. I can't comprehend being 90 and looking back the world is such a very different place to what it was 90 years ago.... I wonder what it would be like in another 90?........ Happy Birthday Gramps....you are an complete treasure and i'm honoured to have you as my grandad.

love & hugs xxx

thinking of you......

4 years ago today i lost one of the most influential & special people in my life....my nan. She never wanted any posh titles she was just nannie...i absolutely adored her. She was a typical lady of her generation and the complete matriarch of the family!....she is missed everyday by me....this week we also celebrate Gramps's 90th birthday with an afternoon tea for 80 on saturday!....as you can imagine i'm a little busy for that, which will keep me occupied today....

A Cinderella moment................

This week i had some cookies to make for a little girl's party bags... she will be 11 and her fav colour is blue... so out came the shoe, handbag & dress cookie cutters!.... the only problem i had was that my boiler is broken so heating is non-existent in the cookie house... so i was icing them in fingerless gloves!!!...... i hope that she likes them...it also gave me a lovely excuse to get my cinderella plate out!...... it was nice to think about something other than christmas!.....how's everyone's christmas arrangements coming on?....I can't believe that it's less than 4 weeks to go ...i am so not organised this year.

Fa la la la .....

I've made another!.....i'm liking these, can you tell! ..... Recipe: Stamps from magnolia & taylored expressions. It's RED & GREEN challenge on CCT .I'm beginning to think about christmas....6 weeks to go and i'm nowhere near where I normally am at this time. I love the run upto Christmas.....5 Things I love about this time of year:

• Coca Cola advert...the holidays are coming!


• Red cups at Starbucks...Peppermint Mocha or Egg Nog Latte


• M&S advert ~ Take That wrapped with a bow


• being able to play Last Christmas by Wham without looking too stupid!


• Wrapping...i love wrapping!

where would we be without You Tube!!..hope that you enjoyed a flavour of christmas!

"a glowing christmas wish"

i've been experimenting! ...this is my first attempt at stamping on candles! I'm using my Santa stamp which i'm really liking. Think these will be in a few stockings at christmas!

Had a chilled weekend at my friends which was a welcome relief after a mental week. Came home to my boiler being broken which is headache i can do without but never mind. The boys Jack (5) & Harry (3) started Rugby this morning which I went to watch with 'mummy'...it was very drizzly but the boys loved it...so my friend can now kiss goodbye to any semblance of a peaceful sunday morning....however the coaches thighs were very pleasing on the eye!...maybe aunty teresa will be volunteering to take them! this week I really need to seriously think about Christmas, Gramps's 90th birthday and a craft fair that i have a stall at!.....Mmmmm i'm so glad i suffer with insomnia!

clean & simple

Magnolia & Stampavie's challenge this week was to use no more than 3 colours...think that i've met the challenge!. can you tell that i had a bit of a red & green theme at the weekend,

I managed to scrap and catch up on the new series of Spooks!...I {heart}spooks!... was very distraught to see the lovely Rupert leave...but Richard Armitage makes a lovely replacement.

a spoonful of sugar

this weeks challenge on a spoonful of sugar is to make a child's card......here's one that I made at the weekend for christmas!

i've used the new Santa from magnolia...he's lovely!...the little tag has santa Claus is coming to town stamped on it!

Recipe: Stamps Magnolia, papers american Crafts & Heidi Grace. Ribbon from ribbon cupboard!

it's beginning to feel a lot like christmas!

I'm not sure where the time is going at the moment...or whether i'm coming or going . i've finally started to think about christmas!...we unveiled our windows at work last week and they are fab...i think that they are the best christmas windows for ages!...it's very christmassy!......lots of father christmas....one window is him hanging his calvins on the line!.......oxford street turn the lights on tomorrow night...6 weeks to go!...

cupcake challenge

taylors cupcake challenge this week was lovely...i haven't done challenges for a while...but i've combined them with making christmas cards this week....here's mine...

Recipe: Gingerbread house Taylors expression, Magnolia,Papers & ribbon from stash mountain.

Cupcakes for Change

I have sat for most of the night with my grandad watching the american states submit their votes for the next american president wishing that I was out in New York.(accompanied by patriotic cupcakes!).....america in my belief made the right decision yesterday. John McCain made an amazing speech congratulating Barak Obama, I only hope that some of his far left Republicans respect his views and follow suit. He was gracious in defeat and I genuinely like the guy, however he couldn't dissociate himself from the Bush administration and Sarah Palin is a scary thought in any leadership role!...Election fever hasn't hit this level of global interest since JFK and I can understand why, it isn't about, colour or race its about the need for change and how much influence the american president can have on the rest of the world. If only our politics was as exciting or inspiring!

TRICK OR TREAT!

had a fun filled weekend of trick & treats.....spent the weekend at my friends house with her family where we had a Halloween party...the children had two ...one in the afternoon which was a Halloween craft party in the village hall and then a party in the evening which was mad!...here are some goodies that i made to take with me.I have now come home for a rest........

you are invited....

why does something simple always take the longest?......this year i was asked to make some invitations for a friends wedding....no problem i thought!...this job has taken me hours and when you look you wonder where & how the time disappeared. Simple card wrapped with vellum & ribbon! however each invite is accompanied with a Wedding guide & an rsvp card & envelope....when you've got 100 to make it can take a while i have learnt!!...fortunately the save the dates went out early in the year so these are just the etiquette side of things!....the feature colour of the wedding is Teal which sounds strange but really works with the whole style of the wedding.....here they are...the reason for me being MIA!

OAP....

Tomorrow is my aunts 60th birthday...so she officially enters the world of the OAP!..here are her card and cake that i made her....she had a little bash on saturday which was lovely, it great to catch up with some friends & family that I hadn't seen for a while....happy birthday auntie! xx

cupcakes & stuff...

wow another weekend...not sure where the time is going at the moment....got all my recipe cards packed up and sent out...swap was great...so ladies thankyou... .here's mine....this weeks been busy at work, what with all the financial problems in the world it's been a juggle, however i need to say that their is no sign of a credit crunch on oxford street, we have still been as busy as ever....this weeks train read was The Little Lady Agency & the Prince....3rd book in the The Little Lady series....pure froth & fun...loved it...my pile of books is now dwindling so i'm going to send Santa a wish list as i've been forbidden from buying any more!....Talking of santa i'm loving the cupcake treats in the Next catalogue!....how cute are they...i did catch the fab 'greatest cities in the world' series that was on this week...24 hours in New York, was very envious watching it, now is the best time to be in New york!..hope everyone has a fab sunday..Tx