Still Fizzing
25/06/2009
We finally came down from our sugar rush after the photography shoot. Not sure how many E numbers we consumed but WOW - I know what children go through now!
We have another collection of Summer Fizz goodies from our ribbon challenge # 6 and they are just wicked. The colours, textures and thought that has gone into these projects is enormous.
Amanda was sorry that she was running a little late with her cards, BUT there was a very good reason for the delay. She left a clue on one of her cards!! Congratulations Amanda that is fantastic news, maybe I will do a baby challenge in a while.
We love the butterflies in this collection, it seems Amanda did as well.
Amanda made this little bag, what a cool idea. Sorry you had no flowers in your back ground pictures Amanda, but I forgot to put them in water!!!!
Linda and Cath are a mother and daughter team, this card was made by Cath. Cath thought this was the best colloction of ribbons so far - so out came the embossing powders. Glad you had fun.
Another one from Cath, we loved the way you framed the flower with the pleated cord, really makes it stand out.
Mum Linda sent in this card, the wide ribbon is so easy to use and sets the back ground to the card perfectly.
Margaret sent in this wonderful card displaying "Beach huts in Dorset". Where are these beach huts Margaret? We were walking on the beach just in front of the beach huts at Lyme Regis on Boxing Day last year (it was freezing!!) and I kicked a medium stone by mistake, underneath was a set of padlock keys - we wondered which hut they were for?!
Margaret sent me this ATC, my second one. It matches the card above.
This delightful little card and envelope was also sent in by Margaret. It is amazing how different colours you can match these ribbons with.
We all fell for this set. On the front of the card it says"Friends" and printed inside the card " are the flowers in the garden of life!"
Another stunning pair of cards from Natalie, she even used the ribbon that we tied the parcels up with. "Waste not, want not" as my mum used to say.
We do still have some goodies from Tina to arrive, but she has been very poorly. We wish you well Tina.
This challenge is almost over, so what does that mean?!
Marshmallows
23/06/2009
NEW Marshmallow Dot Ribbon
These new ribbons are scrummy, they have raised puff marshmallow dots in assorted sizes. The ribbon is a 10mm single face satin in four tantalising colours of Lime, Citron, Strawberry and Ice. We have put a special WANT IT ALL pack together of 2mtrs of each colour so you can indulge yourself in a little marshmallow delight.
Oh we had great fun on this photo shoot - we tipped a HUGE bag of marshmallows onto the table, and arranged the ribbons. Any marshmallows that were in the "wrong" place were given a good home!!!! Talk about a massive sugar rush when we got home!
Carnival Photos
22/06/2009
As promised here are a few of the photos we took at the Dorchester Carnvial on Saturday. Thankfully the weather was very kind to us and stayed fine for the whole day.
OK..... Where do we start! We waved our "Crafty Ribbons" wand and the pumpkin (truck) was turned into a carriage fit for a queen! See it in the procession photos below.
Losers of the Four Legged race who won the wooden spoons (same team as before!) and the winners of the race with their ribboned cup.
Sydney waiting for the procession to start, her little hands were filled with coins. It's started I can hear the band.
Here is our float, covered in ribbons, bows and of course the Carnival Queen and her attendants. All smiles and waving as the procession makes it's way around Dorchester.
There was just so much going on, over 50 floats and walking entries took part. It was rather stressfull for the event crew at times, but they were able to spare a few moments for a photo call!
I hope you enjoyed the carnival with us, there were just so many photos, I only selected a few. Although I have just heard that some of my photographs are going to be included in the special section in the local paper this week....... Will I get a "by line"?!
GOLD
21/06/2009
We were awarded GOLD at Dorchester Carnival yesterday.
I think you can tell from my smile that I was really pleased. I have lots of pictures to share with you from the Carnival but I will do that tomorrow.
Tony left early for Santa Pod (a car thing!) with the boys for Daddy's Day, so I have the whole day to myself YIPPEE!!!
Safety First
19/06/2009
I never know what I will find on my desk each morning. Earlier in the week I found a packet of Breton Gallette biscuits - oh nice, so I got stuck in straight away. Thanks Ali but rather dry I spluttered. Dunk them in your coffee she suggested, that's what the french do. Yuck! but gave it a go....... OH! Yummy! Just like a victoria sponge, I like these.
Yesterday morning I found a little parcel with a tag attached saying - "Safety First Miss Mollie"
Ali had made Mollie her own Safety Jacket for the carnival.
It is gorgeous, even Tony went a bit gooey when he saw Mollie wearing it!
Where is the ribbon you ask? Ali used 15mm black satin folded in half to edge the jacket, she said it was a bit of a fiddle around the arms, I have no idea how long it took her, but I think it is amazing. Thanks Ali.
Rachie x
Summer Fizz Challenge
18/06/2009
Summer is here - well some days. But our Summer Fizz Collection of ribbons will always be here!
This delightful banner was sent in by Wilma and we thought it just shouts summer, its is beautiful displayed by Bev and Sydney, although I had to promise Syd that I was not taking her photograph but only the banners! Once again the craftmanship that we have seen from our latest Ribbon Challenge #6 - "Summer Fizz" is second to none, you have really used your imagination to send us some wicked projects and cards, oh and I got my first ATC!
Beryl really got into the swing of things with this Summer Carnival Mask - it is work of art, I would love to tell you, what it has been painted and stamped with - but sorry it is beyond me. The ribbons and feathers work very well together.
Beryl also sent in the two cards above, I love the way she has put silver card behind the ribbon, it has really made the lime and pink designs stand out. The strawberries have (I Think!) been embellished with glossy accents.
This card from Carol made us twitter - "domestically challenged!". The stamp is a "Dolly Mamma"
Also from Carol this card is full of summer sunshine, when you open out the card, it almosts hits you - wicked.
This is a new Carol - Carol F, welcome to our challenge, she said she loved playing with the ribbons - that's what we like to hear. This box is gorgeous, the designs on this ribbons are just perfect for cutting out.
Carol F sent me my first ATC it is called "Chillin".
Carol F also sent in the two cards above, the Thanks card was for me and the team.
This beautifully made box was from Dorothy (yes, she set last nights puzzle!), I thought the box was lovely on it own, but when I opened it up......
Summer Fizz made Dorothy think of weddings, this is a bridesmaids hair slide, looking good with feathers and pearls to tone in with the ribbons.
Not only did Dorothy think of the Bridesmaids but she also made a ring cushion.
Her theme continued with the stain glass card.
Dorothy also sent in this little ruler, Syd has commented how nice this is!!
Leigh has also got into the swing of things with this card!
I have mentioned that Leigh is in the process of planning her sons wedding, I do like this design very stylish, but I know it's not "the chosen one"!
All the above from Leigh, the one above is my favourite, the ribbon looks as if it is padded, the stamped flowers have glitter centres.
Marjorie's card is very exotic, love the rubber stamping and the happy birthday ribbon.
Marjorie has definately got an "ice cream" theme with these two cards. The one above is of an Ice Cream Van, but her husband Jim just couldn't see it. The ribbon is the pole, the bottom part is the cart. We can see it Jim!!
Rachel is also new to our ribbon challenges - welcome. This little lamb looks so cuddly, great idea to layer onto black card it has really made the lamb stand out.
Rachel also sent in the two above, hope you enjoyed the ribbons.
One of the butterflies is so tired that it is resting on the flower pot, who's idea was this Tracey's or Paul's? These word blooms from Alpha Tags are a perfect match with our ribbons.
Tracey and Paul have certainly brought summer into this card.
Wilma has made me feel so bad, I can not remember the last time I followed a recipe. BUT I am the queen of note books, I have one or two!!!
Wilma's card is full of colour and makes you summery. Great idea with the stamped flowers, the way they are coloured through the aperture but not on the front - clever.
Don't forget the delight that Wilma's summer banner gave us.
Huge thanks for all these wonderful projects, we hope you enjoyed looking, please do leave us some comments, the challengers have done all the hard work.
There are still a few people to send in their goodies, so no worries....... it's just that I have the next challenge planned and as they say -it is burning a hole in my pocket!!!
I have spent enough time in my play room, I think I had better go and make a few more bows with the girls - we are nearly there (until the phone rings)!
Dorothy's Puzzle
17/06/2009
I have photographed all the Summer Fizz cards that we have received, I hope there may be another few that might come in tomorrow, so have held off posting the collection until after tomorrows post. They look fantastic and has given us a lot of pleasure receiving them.
Included in Dorothy's parcel was a little puzzle for us. Thought we would share it with you all.
What ribbon photograph from the website has Dorothy used to create this stunning kalidoscope card?
Any ideas? This is a close up, does it help.....
Have you got it? Nope, well neither did we. Shall I keep you guessing all night or should I give you the answer?
Tony says I am being mean by not telling. You can see the answer here
What a wicked idea Dorothy, we have all had fun!! Thank you.
Email Issues
16/06/2009
It would appear that we are experiencing a few problems with our automated email system. If you have a email address which ends in btinternet.com and yahoo.co.uk and you have signed up for our blog newsletter (lets you know when a new posting has been made), then you may not be getting them.
We are very sorry for this little problem, our web guys have looked into it. It appears that the problem lies with BT/Yahoo (they are using the same mail server for various functions). We have contacted Yahoo and are waiting for a response, we hope it will be sorted soon.
So, if you have not had any emails from us for a while, it's not that we have stopped loving you - they are being sent, but just being returned to us!!
Carnival Week
15/06/2009
There has been a buzz in the air all day, when you walked into the warehouse the girls were all of a chatter (more then normal, said Tony!). Why would that be you ask?
It's Dorchester Carnival week!!
Although we are based in Blandford, some 20 miles away from Dorchester we support the Carnival. We make bows and more bows and even more bows, our warehouse is turned into a bow making machine. Big bows to go on the Carnival Queens float, smaller bows for wooden spoons, if anyone needs a bow then we will make it. The girls donate their time and we donate the ribbon.
We provide and print the sashes for the Carnival Queen and her two attendants, as well as decorating their carriage - which is not a gilded affair BUT a flat bed truck!!
The wooden spoons I mentioned are for the losers of the four legged race. The same team have won the spoons for the last few years, they have them proudly mounted behind the bar!! Rachie has a feeling they enter the race to lose, just for the spoons. They have already asked what colour the spoons will be this year!
The big event of the week is the Carnival Procession that takes place through Dorchester on Saturday evening, if you are in the area then come and have some fun.
For the last 2 years we have been given a Silver award for our work - this year we really want a GOLD. So if we take a little longer to answer the phone this week, then you will know we are knee deep in BOWS and CARNIVAL CLOBBER.
Wish us luck.
Extras - Muddy Paws
14/06/2009
Extra cards for Muddy Paws, Ribbon Challenge # 5
This card was made by Maggie, what a wonderful colourful way to use the ribbons. We have had a few different types of this diamond card, and we still can not work out how it is made!
Maggie also made this one, we love ribbon weaving. Ali has been working on some new kits, maybe she will include ribbon weaving.
Leigh sent in this sweet decoupage doggie. The creation below is also from Leigh, what a wicked idea, we have seen this idea to make albums but never a card.
Thanks for sending your cards Leigh and Maggie.
Lots of parcels arrived on Friday for the new challenge - Summer Fizz, we will get them on the site soon. Hope the weather has been kind to you this weekend and you have had lots of fun.
my basket