Beads of Courage

Hello friends

Firstly, thank you for liking the December kit and thank you for ordering.

They are on their way to you - I hope the pre-Christmas post doesn't delay 

things - you need your bags to go shopping!

In case you missed the details - pop along to here.

On the website is not just the December kit but all previous kits too.

Hoping to make this a brilliant festive fund raiser for such a good charity.

Also thank you for enquiring about Elliott.  We had a bit of a wobbly day on Monday

as he wasn't feel so good but he has perked up now and back to eating and sitting in front

of his computer - perfect healthy boy signs!

Here he is (well, his hands anyway!) holding beads - but not just any ol' beads -

these are Beads of Courage.

For every treatment Elliott receives he is given a bead, the ones he are holding below represent

each radiotherapy session so far - they glow in the dark (very appropriate!) 

It is a lovely idea and Elliott has embraced it fully.

Here's a very short video that explains a little more.

He is also receiving the wonderful daily gifts from Anne - not missed a single day,

I take them to the hospital and as we walk out of the radiotherapy suite I hand one to him.

Such kindness from so many lovely people.

Other news...oh yes, the water leak!  

I'm pleased to say that after a flurry of calls and emails

some progress has been made.  I am meeting with the Landlord's agents this morning at 

the shop before we drive to the hospital to discuss more (yes, an early start!) 

It will then be a mission to get everything dry - a dehumidifier will go in and heaters.

It is a little torturous for me - I do like things done yesterday!

It looks like I will be going ahead with my class on Sunday, I really want to as

I've got plans to make it so festive :)

I will be back very soon and I will be calling on any knitters out there...

Take care friends.

December Charity Add-On Kit

Hello friends

Yes, I got there eventually!  Here is the December Charity Add-On Kit.

This month I wanted to find something a little special, different and useful so how 

about a shopping bag for all that recipe shopping?  

They are 100% cotton, long handles and measure 420mm x 390mm.

They also happen to feature some pretty flowers and a logo... :)

 Also included in the kit are the components to make a pretty gift tag, stamped kraft tag,

die cuts and festive wooden tag. Perfect for a gift or a wine bottle.

A useful magnetic recipe equivalents guide is included to help out with those 

'cup' measurements sometimes featured in recipes. 

I've popped in a traditional paper bag with a wonderful sentiment - 

just because I thought they were so nice.  

And, not forgetting this month's recipe... 'Last Minute Christmas Cake'.

This recipe gets me out of trouble every year!  It really is speedy.

And, of course, each kit contains a lucky number.

For December, the prize will be a goodie box of dies, papers and stamps!

The price of the kit including Postage and Packing is £10.50 -
a little increase as it is a bigger parcel this month so Mr Postman gets a little more
and PayPal take their percentage too :(
but pleased to say all proceeds go to Ronald McDonald House, Camberwell.

I have placed a PayPal button below but, as always feel free to email:

christine.emberson@blueyonder.co.uk

if you wish to purchase by cheque.  The kit (and all previous kits) are all on the website under 

Kits and Accessories tab, just in case you would like to include any other shopping

and would prefer to use debit/credit cards.

 Kits will be continuing next year - an exciting new project in January.
Also, Elliott and I have decided that next year proceeds will be divided between
Ronald McDonald House, Camberwell and The Royal Marsden, Surrey.

As always, a million thanks to you all - your unwavering kindness and support
helps us Embersons' more than you know.

Christmas Crazy!

Hello friends
Thank you for all your kind comments yesterday regarding my leak!
I hope to get things moving today - a lot of phone calls and organising but I will get there.

First off a shout out for lucky number holder 533, if you purchased a
November Charity Add-On Kit please check to see if this is your number.

As it is now December....I feel like I can nearly go Christmas crazy!  

We tend to wait for the last family birthday to go by and then it marks

the countdown to Christmas. 

Mitchell will be getting the decorations out of the attic and I will

hopefully start to put them up this week.  

So with my festive mood firmly in place, it is time to share a Christmas card.

This one is featured in this month's edition of Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine

using their free metal charms.

It is a simple card using 2013 Heirloom Ornaments, I think these have to be Spellbinders most

contemporary bauble shapes.  The papers are Kaisercraft - Christmas Carol Collection.

The baubles are positioned using 3D Foam Squares - Regular.

In Saturday's post I featured a photo of this card and gift box.

I was asked how I achieved the lacy look.

This is done using Edgeabilities®

 I've placed one of the decorative inserts along the side section of my 

Square Bracket Edge Box lid.  Keep in place with removable tape.

Do this in turn with each flap of the box lid. Once you adhere the corners

you end up with a very pretty lid. If you make the box base a contrast colour 

e.g. white/cream it look extra effective.

Another use for Edgeabilities is using just one section as I have here for the tag. 

It is always good to find more uses for your dies. Don't forget selective cutting!

On the box lid I just wanted one flower so I positioned the Edgeabilities, taped it in place.

I positioned it right on the edge of my base plate so I knew it would only cut the one

pattern I desired. 

Ran it through carefully.

 

End result - just one centred die cut. Oh and some little butterflies too!

A little impromptu tutorial today - hope to bring you many more once I get 

back in the swing of things.

Take care friends - I will be back tomorrow.

Not nice!

Hello friends

If you follow me on Facebook you will already have seen what awaited 

me at the shop/studio on yesterday morning....

I arrived to discover water has been coming through the ceiling from the flat above.

 The main damage so far seems to be in the middle room which is my craft room,

there is some in the corner of the stock room and possibly a little in the main shop too.

Where I haven't been in the studio/shop a great deal due to the hospital trips,

I had not realised it was seeping through but then no mistaking this...

  The source of the leak will need to be found and then everything will need to dry out, not great in Winter!  The landlords were supposed to send an emergency worker out - 

I think he got lost as no sign of him yet!

As you can imagine, very upsetting.

First thing Monday, fingers crossed things will start to get sorted - until then,

back to my dining table and conservatory - nothing should stop craft! 

I am due to hold my Christmas class next Sunday - I will keep you posted with regards to that.

I'm hoping to go ahead but for those of you who have booked, I will be sure to contact you

to confirm.

Website orders and Charity kits will be unaffected by this nastiness.
I refuse to let it get me down!! :)

I'm thinking this water business is a little deja vu....
this is the ceiling in my previous studio following a leak...perhaps leaks follow me!

On a happier note, Elliott is having a nice weekend - he went out shopping 

yesterday and is back glued to his computer.  The hospital have given him a 

huge tub of face/head cream - I told him all male models have a beauty routine! 

Take care friends, 

back tomorrow with a crafty post! 

Tag It!

Hello friends

I recently received some enquiries regarding the little tags that

I tend to use on my cards and projects.

I admit I did not realise how much I used them until I started to browse my

project photos!

They do make a nice little finishing touch with ribbon and twine and useful if you 

have run out of room to stamp a larger sentiment!

The main die set I use to create them is Back to Basics Tags.

When I have managed to bury this die set on my craft desk I often turn to 

Framed Tags One or Charmed I'm Sure.

(The links will take you to them on my website if technology has been kind to me!)

Always feel free to get in touch with questions and I will do my very best to answer them.

Enjoy your weekend dear friends, it is my nephew's 18th Birthday 

so some special celebrating to do!

Take care.

November Charity Kit Winner!

Hello friends

Back today with nice news... announcing the lucky number 

for the November Charity Add-On Kit.

If you ordered a kit it is time to check those numbers :)

The winning ticket is......

If you are the lucky owner it is time to zip over to Waltzing Mouse Stamps 

and select six stamp sets of your choice (just make sure they are in stock).

Once you have chosen your six, pop the details on an email to me

christine.emberson@blueyonder.co.uk

don't forget to include your address and I will ask the very kind Claire at

Waltzing Mouse to send the stamps directly to you.

Claire has been amazingly generous in supporting the Charity Kits,

she has given away stamps three months in a row!

December kits are nearly finished (thank you Mum!) 

Details will be posted here very soon.  The winning ticket prize for December

will be a lovely combo of dies, stamps and pretty paper!

The 'something crafty' today is a project I have shared before...

a French inspired plaque featuring Keepsake Envelopes from Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L™ 

The backing is a piece of cardboard box! Hessian-look paper, tickets, butterflies

and glitter encrusted 3D Foam Hearts.

I was thrilled to discover that Scrapbook Adhesives have used my project on their new packaging!

The envelopes really are useful for holding sentimental objects like tickets,

buttons, photos, babies teeth(!) and more.

By the way if you like my little brass stand, they are available here.

Sorry out of stock now but more on their way! :)

Other news: the radiotherapy is still proceeding well,  Elliott is doing brilliantly

although I think the tiredness is beginning to kick in a little.

I'm rather looking forward to a weekend of not driving around the M25!

Take care friends - enjoy your weekend.

Anyone putting up their Christmas decorations??