Bubbly Scrumptious

Project Thankful

 
I'm in the midst of exam marking again right now and haven't had a moment to be crafty :(  So I was going to continue my underground inspiration tour and then I remembered that it's Thanksgiving in the USA this week and I thought I'd think about giving thanks as a point of inspiration this week instead. 

There are loads of inspirational 'thanks' related things out there.  Tessa Buys, for example, has had a month long 'Attitude of Gratitude' going on her blog this month and is thinking of things to be thankful about all month and there are lots of pretty things on her blog. 

There's this pretty candle from the coordinations blog by Melissa Oliveira :

(These products would help: Prima Journalling chipboard, rub on alphas and some ribbon)

There's an unusal LO by Larissa Albanez and a lovely 'Thanks' pen set by Ally White on the Crate Paper blog that you could easily make using Caroline's chip daisies, some more ribbon and some chipboard alphas.

And I love this LO by Shirly on the SuzyQ blog: 

 
(Products that you could use: hearts, flourish, flowers, word 'family')

And I bet there are always people you can send a card to. 

There are some great quotes to do with thanks out there but perhaps my favourite is this 'Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.  ~G.B. Stern'.  So this week, why not show your thanks for someone or something and come back here to share it once you're done.  And I'll share where this thought led me with you next week...

A Sketch to kick off the week :)

Monday comes around so quickly doesn't it?!  I have a little sketch for you today.   
I was looking back at some LOs this weekend and this is still one of my favourites that I made last year.  I love how busy the LO is with lots of photos and embellishments so I decided to turn it in to a sketch to share today.  I would love to see what you do with it so please add a link to the comments section.

Is it too early to talk Christmas presents??

Lots of crafty people start their Christmas cards early in the year I know, since they often have a lot to make.  I'm not sure if it's too early to be thinking about Christmas presents but since the pubs, hotels and restaurants are advertising their Christmas party packages and the supermarkets have started the war of the roses (Cadbury's of course!) I thought 'Why the hell not!' :) 

I bet there are some people in your family who you are always stuck for presents for and you resort to the ever faithful gift voucher.  These days these gift vouchers tend to be cards however and actually as a scrapper these are much more craft friendly I find.  Here I've used a Maya Road circle, Maya Road snowflakes painted with acrylic paint and some paper snowflakes that I had kicking around after last year to make a gift card holder that doubles as a Christmas card with the greeting hidden behind the gift card.  Sadly Tescos don't have their Christmas gift cards in yet so it's not terribly Christmasy but you get the idea ;)  I've applied a liberal amount of croco azure to the chipboard circle so that it would crackle nicely- looking all icy.  The snowflakes are attached with staples and glossy accents.

If you refuse to think about Christmas just yet, what about applying the idea to a different
occasion?  A new born baby celebration using the Maya Road baby grow?  Or perhaps a Birthday with flowers replacing the snowflakes on a circle?  Just a thought.  Hope you like it :)

The Day I Met H!m.

Before I go any further ... I must say ... you did ask ... so when I go on and on and on about Tim ... the man that can cross mountains in his lunch hour while designing new products and preparing Chrissy tags for his blog ... Holtz ... you have only got yourselves to blame!

Where shall I start? The beginning seems like a good place!

I fell in love with Tim's Mona stamp ... back in the day ... when I was young and naive ... from there I discovered the book and the DVD ... at this point I just worshiped his crafting and never thought in a million sparkly bits that I would one day meet him!

Then a phone call ... Tim was appearing in London in a craft shop in a few day ... Could I make it? Duh! Yeah!

A holiday request ... two train rides and three tubes later there he was! I think he got a plane actually ... it was me that got the train :0). He sat down and made magic with buff tags and distress inks and blending tools and paint dabbers and stamps ... that is when the Ranger bug bit me ... I couldn't get the stuff in my basket quick enough and I have wondered from that day to this why they don't have trolleys in craft shops!

He was patient and gentle and handsome  and uber talented ... he demoed for about an hour and then invited questions ... I asked him to give me a cheeky grin for my camera and he said ... "Come around we can have a picture together"  *swoon*. 

I do recall telling him I loved him ... he studied the pieces of our art that we showed him ... he signed anything and everything we put in front of him ... he was kind and complimentary ... he sent this tag to my mate that compensated slightly for the rather blurred picture I took of him ... with her ... what? ... I said sorry ... my hands were shaking ... then he left ... and I have been grinning ever since! What a great bloke he is!

So c'mon you guys ... spill ... Who inspires you?

World Cardmaking Day

Today is World Cardmaking Day!!

On the Bubbly Funk Forum today we are having a mini crop with inspiration, projects, techniques and fun for all!  Its a very informal affair and you can pop in and out as you like, anytime.

See you there!

BUBBLYFUN CHALLENGE #5 - FROM YOUR GARDEN

Hello everyone, a big thank you to all of you who have taken up last months cupcake challenge! Hope you have had fun with that one x

So are you ready for July's challenge??????????????  We have all been lucky with the sunshine & have spent time in our gardens.  So July's challenge is...

SOMETHING FROM THE GARDEN

You can use anything you like, take a look around for leaves, twigs, moss, feathers etc.  We hope that you can join us again this month as there is some gorgeous BLOG CANDY  HERE on offer until the first Sunday in August!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Here is the Design Teams take on the challenge...

KAREN-moss

 

RUTH-old birdhouse

  

Kaz - photography

 

Janice - altered post holder

When you have done your challenge please take a look HERE to leave your link/entry for the blog candy!  Have a lovely month of July, Karen XXX

BUBBLY FUN CHALLENGE #4 - CUPCAKES!

Hello again!

Firstly I would like to give a HUGE thanks to all those who took part in last months challenge of 'JEWELLERY'.  We had some gorgeous entries, all different!  Take a look at them -here-.  You can still take part as there is no time limit on any of our challenges....we just want you to have fun!!!!

Now for June's challenge.  This one is so much fun and they are so hugely popular at the moment.  Well...they are in my house hahahahaha

CUPCAKES!

You can make whatever you would like, as you can see the DT have done a variety of things to wet your appetite hehe.  Remember that you don't have to use any of our shop products for these challenges so go on....come and play with us!!!  Here are some lovely examples from the design team:

 Karen

Kaz

Nat

Ruth....yum yum!

Caroline

 

 

DI

If you fancy having a go at Nats gorgeous crochet cupcakes then pop over here for the instructions!!!   Have fun!!!!! Hugs Karen XXX

*Edited to add 22 June 2009:  Please see HERE for details of some fab Challenge Candy, and leave your name and link with Mister Linky to be in with a chance to win!*

The entries have started to roll in now!  Here is the 1st one....

Farmersgirl-card

Paddy-altered jigsaw

 

Leigh - bag

 

GEZZYB - magnet

 

TraceyR - card

BUBBLYFUN CHALLENGE NO 3 - JEWELLERY

Helloooo!!!!!  First of all a HUGE thank you to those who took part in last months challenge of a FELT BIRD!  We had some lovely entries which you can see -here-

This months challenge is to make a piece of JEWELLERY. 

 It can be anything you like and made in any way you like!!!  When you have done can you please leave a comment with a link so that we can post the pic onto this site for everyone to see?

You have until the 6th June for this one, in the meantime here are some examples from the Design Team

Karen's brooch

Kathy's bracelet

  

Kaz' bracelet

  

Kathy's necklace

 Remember that you don't have to use beads so just let your imagination fly!  Have a hunt in your 'bits' drawer and see what you can use!  Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Have fun, Karen XXX

Here are some lovely items that have been made:

Crafthazelnuts

 

Farmersgirl

  

TraceyR

 

Leigh11

  

Sky

THE DAY YOU WERE BORN?????

Hellooooo, its Saturday Girl again.  Where has the week gone, its just whizzing by?  Ahh well....soon be Christmas hahahahahahaha

Have you ever looked at those books and cards which have all those interesting facts about when you were born and then thought they were pricey???  I have and then I thought....what fun to make up your own.  You could be quite naughty with it if its for a friend hehe 

I have found a website where you can find out all sorts of information....some of it great fun.  For instance...I was born on 11th March 1958 and it would seem that if I were a dog I would be 357 yrs old!!!!!!!  Some other facts I found amongst the lists were:

On 11th March:

Levi's started making bell-bottoms....I loved them!

Napoleon got married........mmmm

as did Romeo & Juliet.......ahhhhhhh

David Niven won an Oscar......mmmm

The Hula-Hoop was launced.......never could do that well!

Oh and I share my birthday with John Barrowman.....YES!

 

The website is HERE!!!!

Have fun and if you make a book or card, do let us see!!!  Have a great weekend, hugs, Karen XXX 

Bubbly Fun Challenge no2 - FELT BIRDIES!

Hellooooo on this lovely Sunday morning!!!  Today is the launch of APRILS CHALLENGE.  This month we would love you to make:

 

A FELT BIRD!

 

It can be whatever you want and used in any way as long as it is a bird and its made of felt!!!  Remember that the materials for your project do not have to come from the Bubbly Funk Shop.

When you are done please email KAREN with a pic of your creation and it  will be put on this blog for all to admire.  You have until the 1st Sunday of May to complete your challenge.  Here is the Design Teams take on this challenge:

Karen 

  

Kathy

   

Kaz

   

Nat

   

Caroline

   Ruth

Di

   

A BIG thank you to all of you who took part in March's Challenge.  Each & every entry was special and we hope that you will enjoy this month's as much!

 

Karen XXX

 

The entries for this are coming in now...THANKS!!! 

Here is one from Janice.  I just had to put all 3 pics in as they are so funny!!!

 

 

 

TraceyR's

 

GezzyB's

  

Sky's

 

HOLIDAY EGGCITEMENT!

Helloooo!  Who stole my week?  I can't believe the week has gone so quickly, it seems 5minutes since I was last here.

With the Easter holidays fast approaching I thought we could start to think about and plan ahead what we can do with the kids to keep them occupied, especailly if its raining and they are stuck indoors hehe

 

Do you make your own Easter eggs?  Fancy peanut butter flavour?????  Take a look HERE for that and some other interesting flavours.  

 

If you fancy just using hard-boiled eggs and turning them into purple cows or other animals look HERE!

 

If cooking isn't on the menu how about some fun & games???  Take a look HERE for some ideas to keep them occupied.  Mind you....I thought some of these looked fun for everyone hehe

 

For the younger ones you can find fun & games over HERE!

 

For the studious, curious or just plain nosey, find out HEREwhy we have decorated eggs at all !

 

oooo and for the serious crafters among us, take a look AT THESE for some serious egg decorating and how to do them.......just need to find an ostrich now hahahaha 

 

I hope that these ideas will be of use.  Please leave a comment...we love them and they let us know what you all think!  Have a good weekend, Karen XXX

BUBBLY FUN CHALLENGES!

NOW DON'T WE ALL JUST LOVE A CHALLENGE???

It gets the old grey matter going and stops us getting stale with our work, whatever kind it is.

 

Soooooo......from today we will be puting up a CHALLENGE once a month for all you lovely people to enjoy!  After this month the challenge will be coming to you on the 1st SUNDAY of every MONTH.  They are open for anyone to join in and will not be just Bubbly Funk orientated.  Which means that you can use whatever stash you have at home in whichever way you choose as long as you fit the criteria of the challenge.   Oh and some months there will be a prize too!!!  How good is that???

When you have finished we would love to see your work, as would others, so could you please leave a link in your comment when you have done so that we can find you and then email me (Karen on merrifieldphilp@hotmail.co.uk) a jpeg of your creation to be entered on this blog before the end of the month?  Thanks muchly XXX

 

 So here goes for the 1st CHALLENGE...

AN ALTERED TIN

Alter a small tin any way you choose!  Get your paints and papers out and have a play!!!!  Just remember this is all about having fun!!!  Looking forward to seeing what you come up with XXX

 

I had never done one of these before and there are several layers of paint on my tin hahahahaha  but here it is to start you all off:

 

Have fun and don't forget.....we want to see what you have done!!

Karen XXX

Here are some beautiful tins that have been made:

Angelnorth's

GezzyB's

  

 

TraceyR's

  

Carol's

  

 

Janice's

  

 

Kathy's tin

 

GRAB A CUPPA!

Hello....it's Karen here with your Saturday snippet! 

Do you enjoy meeting up with your friends for a cuppa and a chat???  Do you enjoy having coffee mornings?  Do you enjoy going to them????

Now is your chance to raise some money for The Meningitis Trust and enjoy all those things in the meantime.  I think everyone has been touched by meningitis in some form or other.  When my daughter was 18 she suffered viral meningitis which, though not as serious as other forms, left her incapacitated for over a year.  She is fully recovered now luckily but others are not so lucky.

There is an easy, fun way to help because March is ..........

COFFEE BREAK MONTH

 

If you would like to help this very worthwhile charity please look HERE!

Please try to find some time for this, incorporate it into a Scrap or a crafty day!!!  Thank you so much for popping by.  Karen XXX

Watch the Birdie!

Hello, its saturday again!!!  Sorry I am a bit late X

Does anyone enjoy their garden?  Do you enjoy the wildlife?  This weekend is the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend.  Its the only survey of its kind and provides the powers that be with an idea of our birdlife and the rise or fall of our own species.  All you have to do is to give an hour of your time.  Its a beautiful day here so I shall be out in the park to do this!  For more info take a look at www.rspb.org.uk Have fun and see how many you spot!

Karen X

12 Days of Christmas - Aussie Style!

Hello, I am Karen and I am your new Saturday girl!  Gosh! makes me sound like I am 14 again hee hee!

For those of us who are still enjoying th festive season I have found a little bit of fun for you.  We all know the song 'Twelve Days of Christmas', or at least most of it. But how about challenging your family to sing the Aussie version with you???  Its a bit of a tongue twister.  I had a go with my sister and we fell about laughing because we just kept using the traditional version!!!  Anyway, just substitute the words.  Here you are:

A kookaburra up a gum tree

Two snakes on skis

Three wet galahs

Four lyrebirds

Five Kangaroos

Six sharks-a-surfing

Seven emus laying

Eight dingos dancing

Nine crocs-a-snooxing

Ten wombats washing

Eleven numbats nagging

Twelve parrots prattling