Hello there.....it's been a while!

Hello there,

Fancy seeing you here!

Well, it has been a while since I last wrote a blog post on Wedgie's Wonderful World....over 7 months in fact! Bet you thought I'd fallen off the face of the earth! The truth is I ran out of time....work got really hectic with lots of travelling around the UK, I was involved in the setting up of a shiny new WI in Farnham and my afternoon tea blog was really busy....I simply didn't have enough time in the day for everything and card making was becoming a chore rather than a pleasure. It was time for a break....

However, we all knew I couldn't stay away from crafts for too long! I miss my lovely Sweet Stampin DT lots, but have been embracing all my creative passions since stepping down from the Sweet Stampin design team, rather than focusing on just papercraft (although I do run a papercraft group for our WI!). I have been sewing a lot more and experimenting with different crafts.

I enjoyed creative April (where I made something different each day) so much that this Christmas I challenged myself to make as many presents I could....yep I had a handmade Christmas (wouldn't Kristie be proud??)

So, what did I make I hear you cry....

Nearly all the Christmas gifts I made (there are a couple missing)

A lot is the answer!

From a sewing machine tidy for my mum....

to Lego superhero cuff links for Jim my brother in law....

I thoroughly enjoyed researching things I could make myself and stretching my skills - Pintrest was my friend! There was a lot of sewing....including cute little felt dog brooches....

Fabric clutch bags.....

And a fancy wash bag for Joe, complete with pockets....

I worked with lots of materials that I hadn't used before, and where possible also made the boxes for my gifts. This included several porcelain necklaces (new material / skill) and their sparkly boxes (yes I learnt to make boxes!).....

It wasn't all fun and sequins though....about half way through I got a bit stuck for ideas, especially for Joe. I found that quite stressful until I was reminded that this was a self-imposed challenge and I didn't actually have to make every present! Silly me! Once I got over that blip it was all systems go again! 

I started quite early, making some of the items in October and the final gifts I made in the morning of Christmas Eve (cutting it a bit fine)! Overall it was a satisfying project that I really enjoyed doing - I didn't miss the usual run around the shops / online browsing but enjoyed researching gifts that I could make. Would I do it again....probably yes....but maybe not next Christmas!

I hope you've enjoyed sharing my handmade Christmas gift project - if you have any questions about any of the makes just let me know!

Thank you for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Hello there,

I hope you're well today and having a great week so far!

Another month has flown by and its time for another fab challenge over at Christmas at Sweet Stampin. This month's sponsor is the fabulous Little Miss Muffet and the DT were given some gorgeous stamps to play with - a big thank you to LMM!

Our theme this month is "winter fun".... and here is my card.....

I love this super cute image so much and thought she went really well with my snowflake backing paper. My image has been coloured using Promarkers. I've cut out more of the snowflakes and added them with 3D sticky pads to my finished card.

As I mentioned above our lovely sponsor is Little Miss Muffet and they have an equally fabulous prize for our lucky winner....

LMMS will award one $6.00 Gift Certificate for the random winner of this challenge. The Gift Certificate can be used towards anything in the LMMS Store, including Digital Stamps, Rubber Stamps and/or Metal Dies.

For more winter fun inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog and take a peek at the gorgeous DT cards that have been created.

We can't wait to see what you've created!

Thank you for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Christmas Animals

Hello there,

Happy Hump Day! I hope you're having a fab week!

So, it's April and we have a fab new Christmas challenge for you over at Christmas at Sweet Stampin. This month we have a really simple theme for you.....animals....so all you need to do to join the fun is create a Christmas card which features an animal and some stamping. Simples!

Our sponsor this month is All Dressed Up and the DT were lucky enough to be given some images to play with. My image is super cute.....

I liked the image so much that I decided to make it the focus of the card and keep the background quite simple. I also like the contrast between the soft Promarker colours I've used on my image and the black sky in the baking paper.

Once I coloured my image, I simply attached it to the backing paper using 3D sticky pads.

For more Christmas animal inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog and take a peek at the gorgeous DT cards that have been created. You can also take a peek at the fab prize on offer from All Dressed Up.

Thank you for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Cute Christmas Greetings!

Hello there,

Happy Wednesday - I hope you're having a fab week.

Today we have a new challenge for you over at Christmas at Sweet Stampin - so if you want to get ahead in your Christmas card stash why not join us! Our challenge theme this month is "cute christmas".....

As well as my super cute image I have tried to experiment with my colours a little, using a fab new Christmas tree paper featuring pink, blue, yellow and green sparkly trees!

My image has been coloured with my Promarkers and I have used a plain red backing paper to frame my patterned paper and image.

For more cute Christmas inspiration, pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog and take a peek at the gorgeous DT cards that have been created this month. While you're there you can find out about our fab prize this month.

Thank you for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Wishing you a cosy Christmas

Hello there,

Happy Wednesday - what's that I see.....yes, we're on the downward slope to the weekend! Woo hoo!

We're back with a new challenge at Christmas at Sweet Stampin - another chance for you to get ahead with your 2016 Christmas cards! Our theme this month is snowflakes.....and I don't know about you, but when I think I snow I tend to think of the cold and want to be wrapped up!

So, I decided to combine snowflakes with a cosy jumper for my card....

I've stamped my cute jumper image and coloured it with my Promarkers, I have then added a little sparkle to my snowman's nose with my Stickles. I realise now why this image looks so odd to me (it's been bugging me all day!) - I've used red to colour his nose, but I usually always default to an orange! Funny how a small change can leave you perplexed!

I've used plain coloured papers, along with the gorgeous snowflakes patterned paper......

For more snowflake inspiration, pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog and take a peek at the gorgeous DT cards that have been created this month. While you're there, take a peek at our fab prize!

Thank you for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Christmas Bows

Hello there,

Welcome back to my crafty blog, I hope you're well today.

Today I am back with the first challenge of the year from Christmas at Sweet Stampin - if you want to get ahead with your Christmas card collection for this year why not join us? All you need to do is follow the theme and of course use a stamp on your creation.

So what's the theme I hear you say....this month it's Bows. We also have a rather fab sponsor this month called Robyn's Fetish, who not only is providing our prize but also some lovely digi images for the DT to play with.

I picked a rather cheerful looking Rudolph image for my card.....

Isn't he a cutie? 

I have no idea why I have gone with a blue theme for this card.....nor why I have featured snowflakes....but the sparkle makes me smile and I am pleased with how the final card looks. 

I have coloured my little Rudolph with my Promarkers. 

Pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog for more inspiration from the fab DT this month. While you're there you can also see the fab prize on offer from Robyn's Fetish.

Thank you for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Merry Christmas!

Hello All,

I hope you are well and have had a great week.

I am pleased to say I am officially finished work for 2015 and I'm in full on Christmas mode now! The house is decorated, my pressies have been bought or made.....the house smells of freshly baked mince pies and I've made all my Christmas cards! I can now relax and enjoy the festive season.

In keeping with the Christmas spirit we have a "Merry Christmas" theme over at Sweet Stampin this week....and the design I used for a batch of my Christmas cards this year was just perfect....

This little cutie was from a set of stamps I bought in the January sales earlier this year.....and promptly forgot about! Whoops!

I rediscovered him a couple of weeks ago and decided to use him in this paper piecing project. The set includes frosty the snowman and several different accessories.

I have stamped my snowman onto white card and stamped the various hats and scarf onto pretty patterned papers. I then cut out snowmen and hats and scarves and created my little characters. I added a little colour to his face with my pens and some sparkly "coal" with my Stickles. Finally I added my sentiment by hand and also a little faux stitching to finish the card.

I ended up with several different snowmen....

For more Christmas inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin Challenge blog and take a peek at the fab DT cards that have been created this week. While you're there you can also read about our lovely sponsor this week....

If you'd like to drool over some sweet Christmas treats as well, why not pop by my afternoon tea blog...

Tea With Me and Friends

Thank you for popping by today.

I hope you and your family enjoy the festive season.

Wedgie xxx

Santa Clause is Coming to Town.....

Helloee,

How are you today? I hope you're having a great week!

I am happy...super happy...as it's nearly time for my Christmas break....yes just six more working days until I "break up" for Christmas! I am aware that I sound completely like a school child...but I love this time of year...the films, the music, the mince pieces...everything is so shiny and bright (apart from the weather maybe!).

Anyway, today we launch the last challenge of 2015 at Christmas at Sweet Stampin - can you believe that?! If you have joined us all year you'll have twelve fab Christmas cards ready to send. As it's December and Father Christmas will be paying all those on his "nice list" a visit later this month it seems like "Father Christmas" is a good theme for our challenge this month.

I've used an oldie but a goodie digi stamp for this challenge.....one that always makes me smile.....

I just love the idea that Father Christmas has enjoyed one too many mince pies and got a little bit stuck in a chimney!

I've used red and green backing papers, along with some patterned paper featuring some of the treats that probably got Father Christmas into this little mess! I have used my Promarkers to colour my image.

Not feeling festive enough yet....pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog and take a peek at all the fab DT cards that have been created. You can also find out all about our fab sponsor this month....

We look forward to seeing your festive creations.

Thanks for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

It's Snow Time!

Hellooeee,

How are you doing? I hope you've had a fab week!

So....did you know it's December....just checking as I can't quite believe we are near the end of 2015 already! What exactly has happened to this manic year, which has flown by in a blink of an eye?? I am currently counting down the working days I have left until I "break up" for Christmas....it's nine just in case you were wondering!

So, this week over at Sweet Stampin we've been having some celebrations.....as it's our Birthday!

The Sweet Stampin DT ladies are the nicest bunch of crafty ladies that I know - all so friendly and supportive. I am so proud to be part of this Design Team and would like to thank our fab leaders Abi, Tracey and Jacky for all the hard work they put into the team.

But enough of that....we have a new challenge for you!

This week's theme is "It's Snow Time"......so we want to see a little snow on your projects this week, and of course some stamping!

We are sponsored this week by the fab All Dressed Up and we were lucky enough to be given some lovely digi stamps to play with.....mine is soooooo cute.....

I'm entirely sure I have done the image justice, despite a healthy dollop of sparkle and shine I am still not happy with the card. Perhaps I should have included a sentiment....or maybe more snowflakes?? I just don't know!

For more snow time inspiration pop by the Sweet Stampin challenge blog and take a peek at all the fab DT cards!

Thanks for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Putting on the Ritz!

Hello there!

Happy Saturday! I hope you've had a fab week!

Sooooooo.....last weekend saw me and my lovely friends make our annual trip to the 1950s....well actually we went to Pontins at Camber Sands where Rhythm Riot was taking place. Three nights of 1950s music, dancing and fabulous clothes! We had a brilliant time - my sister and her hubby showed off their newly learnt jive moves!

With this recent dancing experience in mind.....and the challenge theme of "Let's Dance" this week over at Sweet Stampin I can't blame you for expecting to see a rock n roll or jiving themed card. But no - while looking for inspiration in my paper stash I got side tracked by a stack of 1920s themed paper that I've had for ages and never used.....until now.....

Yes, I left the jiving of the 1950s and zoomed back to the 1920s to do the Charleston! I love this fab digi stamp and have used it on lots of cards before....but for some reason not with this paper! 

For more dancing inspiration pop by the Sweet Stampin challenge blog and take a peek at the gorgeous DT cards. 

I have also managed to miss my blog post for Christmas at Sweet Stampin this month due to technical issues and working away from home too much! So I decided to add the card here.....our challenge over at Christmas at Sweet Stampin this month is.....STARS

For more starry inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog!

I thought I would leave you with a little something from my weekend away....

Thanks for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Christmas Transport

Helloeee! Happy Wednesday!

I hope everyone is keeping well and having a great week. 

I know I love the sunshine and the summer months....but it is also quite nice to see the colder months too....there is something lovely about being comfy and cosy at home. Snug jumpers.....hot chocolate....and of course Christmas is now just around the corner! Yes, I said it....its nearly Christmas time! I have already seen mince pies and Christmas gifts in the shops, before we know the John Lewis advert will be making us all go "aahhhhh" on the TV and we'll be wondering if we made it onto Santa's nice list this year!

Over at Christmas at Sweet Stampin we've been getting ourselves for the festive season all year....making a new card each month and growing our Christmas card stash slowly! This month is no different....and our new theme is Christmas travel or transport.

If you've seen my Christmas cards before you'll probably realise that I am rather partial to adding a penguin or two to my festive cards! Not sure why....they just always look so cute! So I was delighted that I had a travelling penguin within my digi stamps! Here he is.....

The super cute paper in background is from the Papermania range Christmas in the Country, which I treated myself to.....last year! Yes, I have had this gem hidden away in my stash! I'm not sure if they are producing a similar pack this year, but I just loved the patterns which remind me of Christmas jumpers!

I decided to make my jumper patterned paper a feature of this card and compliment it with a red and white border. My image is also mounted on red paper. My image is from Digi Stamp Boutique and I have coloured him with my Promarkers. I have tilted the image as I fixed it to the card to make it look like he is speeding down the hill!

For more Christmas travel/transport inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin Challenge blog and take a peek at all the gorgeous DT cards. While you're there you can read all about our fab sponsor this month...

We're looking forward to seeing your creations this month!

Thanks for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Let's decorate!

Hello there,

Happy hump day! I hope you're week is going well.

So, here I am on a Wednesday...that means one thing....a new challenge from Christmas at Sweet Stampin! This month we want to see your festive decor....your projects can feature any Christmas decorations that you fancy, but there must be some stamping included too.

As you know I love Christmas....its that bright and cheerful time in the middle of winter. A time when you can decorate your house with lights, baubles and tinsel! Therefore this challenge really appealed to me....and I knew I had the perfect stamp to use....

In the end I decided the string of baubles were so pretty on their own that I didn't want to add anything else to the card. I coloured them with my Promarkers and added a little sparkle with my Stickles - perfect!

For more festive decor inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog where you can see the fab DT cards that have been created. While you're there you can also find out about our fab sponsor this month....

We can't wait to see your festive creations!

Thank you for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Let's see your penguins....or polar bears!

Hello there,

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a fabulous week so far!

Today I am back with a new challenge from Christmas at Sweet Stampin....the perfect challenge blog if you want to get a head start on your Christmas cards! This month our challenge is simple....you just need to include a penguin or a polar bear on your creation.

I opted for a cute little penguin....popping by to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

I have used a bold patterned backing paper, which I think makes my image pop from the card even more. My image is coloured with Promarkers and I have highlighted the holly berries in the hat with a little sparkle (aka Stickles).

For more penguin/polar bear inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog and take a peek at the gorgeous DT cards that have been created this month. While you're there take a look at our fab sponsor this month....

Did you know this week in the UK it's Afternoon Tea Week? Yes, you read that correctly....a week dedicated to the art of afternoon tea! Over on Tea With Me and Friends we are celebrating with a week of afternoon tea posts and recipes....take a peek here!

Thank you for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Oh deer!

Hello there,

Happy Hump Day! I hope you are well and having a great week.

I'm back with a new challenge from the lovely ladies at Christmas at Sweet Stampin...this time our theme is "oh deer" - we want to see your Christmas creations featuring a deer or two...and don't forget your stamping!

I am really pleased with this card....although that little deer was a little fiddly to cut out! I thought it was a fab idea when I first stamped him on kraft card and started cutting....but then I got to those antlers! I used really small scissors!

I have gone with a brown and blue colour combo for this non-traditional Christmas card...although the blue and white polka dot paper reminds me of snowy skies. After I cut my reindeer out I fixed him to my card with 3D sticky pads. Finally I finished him off with a red shiny nose!

For more reindeer inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog to take a peek at the gorgeous DT cards that have been created.

While you're there, take a peek at our fab sponsor this month....

Thank you for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Bear With Me

Seriously...you're going to have to bear with me on this one. Yes, I know the summer has bearly started...but when I saw this cute little fellow I knew I couldn't wait until Christmas to use him! Yes, it's 4th July and I have made a Christmas card for this week's (non-Christmas) challenge at Sweet Stampin! I told you that you'd have to bear with me!

So, our theme for the challenge this week is "Bear with me"....see I have a theme here!! And here is the little fellow that I was telling you about....

See...he's super cute isn't he! And the card isn't too Christmasey...despite the Christmas tree...the reindeer and oh the sentiment! Oh dear!

I have coloured my little cutie with my Promakers and used plain brown paper and pretty brown gingham paper (as well as those reindeer) in the background.

For more bear inspiration pop by the Sweet Stampin Challenge blog and take a peek at all the gorgeous DT cards that have been created this week. While you're there...take a peek at our fab sponsor this week...

Thanks for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Let's see your stockings.....

...no I'm not being saucy.....over at Christmas at Sweet Stampin this month we want to see your Christmas stockings!

Welcome back to Wedgie's World....I hope you are well and having a fab week so far!

So, I'm not sure where time is going to...but it's already half way through the year and we have another fab stamping challenge for you at Christmas at Sweet Stampin. We want to see your projects featuring Christmas stockings and don't forget you need to include some stamping!

Here is my card....

I have gone with a twist on the usual Christmas colour combo for this card, adding a splash of pink in with my red and green. I am not entirely happy with my paper choices, but it does look a bit different to the rest of my Christmas cards.

My cute little penguin and his stocking have been coloured with my Promarkers and I have added plenty of sparkle with my Stickles. Finally, I have added a little white faux stitching with a gel pen.

For more stocking inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog where you can see the gorgeous DT cards that have been created for you this month. You can also find out about our sponsor this month....

Any London dwellers who fancy entering a competition to win a lovely tea adventure at Piacha in London should head over to my afternoon tea blog.

Thanks for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Cute Christmas!

Hello there,

Happy Hump Day! I do love Wednesdays!

I'm back today with a fab challenge from Christmas at Sweet Stampin....this month we'd love to see your cute Christmas designs! You can create anything as long as you include some stamping and it must be cute, cute, cute!

I decided to combine a couple of my favourite things.....

Yes, penguins and polka dots!

My cute penguin image has been coloured with my Promakers and I have gone with a simple background of kraft card, plain blue paper and blue and white polka dot paper (which always reminds me of snow!).

For more cute Christmas inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog and take a peek at the super cute cards that the DT have created for you! While you're there you can also take a peek at our fab sponsor this month...

Sweet Pea Stamps

If you are looking for something sweet to read/watch you could also pop by my other blog which is dedicated to our afternoon tea adventures....grab a cuppa and prepare to drool!

Tea With Me and Friends

We also have a lovely YouTube channel full of vlog posts....some tea related some not!

Thank you for popping by today!

Wedgie xxx

Bells or Candles

Hello there,

Happy Hump Day - I do love  a long weekend....mid-week comes around so much quicker! I hope you had a lovely Easter weekend.

Today we have a fab new challenge for you over at Christmas at Sweet Stampin...I do always think its funny writing about Christmas cards when the sun is shining outside! This month's challenge is "bells or candles".....

As you can see I went for bells! 

These are two separate digi images, which I have printed, cut out and coloured, before combining them on a card blank. The colouring has been done with my Promarkers and I have made one of the bells really shine with some gold Stickles.

I have added a digi sentiment and some faux stitching.

I just love this little fellow....

For more inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog to take a peek at the fab DT cards that have been created this month. While you are there take a peek at our fab sponsor too....

Thanks for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Whoops.....better late than never....

Hello there,

So, I was supposed to post this card yesterday, as we have a fab new challenge for you over at Christmas at Sweet Stampin.....but I got a little dis-organised by a weekend of country music at the O2 with the lovely Abi and Sammy from the Sweet Stampin family! I enjoyed the twang and cowboy hats a little bit too much and forgot to get my card organised!

Anyway, as they say....better late than never!

Our challenge this month is a "Blue Christmas" - interpret that however you like, as long as you create a Christmas card and there is some stamping involved! Here is my card....

I love this little cutie!

I've used a blue and white polka do background to mirror the snow in my image, I have then added some more blue and white patterned paper and a little Dollie! I have added a little colour to my card with my Promarkers and then added a little sparkle with some Stickles (you know me....I can't resist a spot of glitter!).

For more blue Christmas inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin Challenge blog....while you're there you can take a peek at our lovely sponsor this week....

As you can see Lorna and I thoroughly got into the spirit of country with our hats and checked shirts....

Thanks for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx

Only Words!

Hello there,

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a fab week!

Today I have a lovely new Christmas challenge for you from the team at Christmas at Sweet Stampin...this month we want to challenge you to put those images away and use words only on your Christmas cards!

You still need a stamp of some kind on your creation....whether its a digi or a traditional stamp....but it must only be words! Now I know if you are like me you will find this somewhat challenging....

Do you know how difficult it was not to slap some digi holly leaves on this card??

I have gone with a very traditional red and green Christmas colour theme, to match my holly inspired sentiment from Digi Stamp Boutique. I have added white faux stitching to the edge and a little sparkle on the sentiment with my red Stickles (well you can't beat a bit of sparkle!).

For more inspiration pop by the Christmas at Sweet Stampin challenge blog and take a peek at the DT cards that have been created this month. While you're there you can find out about our fab sponsor this month...

Sweet Pea Stamps

Thanks for popping by today,

Wedgie xxx