"They're here!"

To quote Carol Anne from Poltergeist, "They're here"! But I'm not talking about poltergeists, I'm talking about my longed-for Distess Markers which I ordered like two months ago. I can't wait to try them out! I also ordered the limited edition of the Distress Ink pads in the autumn colors. And the ribbon - it's the bonus for the long and patient waiting! Hmm. But I'll tell you, I haven't been very patient!!! Tomorrow's schedule is rearranged!!

ATC monochromatic + bling

Yesterday we had our fourth crop and I participated in my third ATC swap. I missed the last crop and the swap since I've been abroad for a month, hence the silence here on my blog as well. The theme this time was monochromatic + bling. I really, really enjoy these swaps! ATC's are so fun to make and so fun to recieve! ATC's was something I never thougth that I would do!

My ATC is the orange one to the left in the top row. The color orange came naturally since I spent the last month in Spain and I've seen so many orange trees. We also spent an awful night in a horrible hotel and the room's name was 'naranja' (orange in spanish). The sentiment "Hem ljuva hem" means "Home sweet home" and even though I love travelling I just love to come home!

In Spain I found a wine with the same name as on a system at my work. It was a given gift to my collegues since they have worked so hard while I've been away. When I came home from the crop I made som tags to go with the bottles. I borrowed the die from a friend and I love it! I have to get one of my own! My collegues were really happy to recieve the gift today!

Vårkänslor!

Började att plantera om alla pelargoner idag. Det är ju en del så det tar några dagar! Jag startade med mina favoriter, som av någon anledning inte blev omplanterade förra året, fragrans-/odoratissimumhybriderna. Bilden visar en av mina absoluta favoriter - 'Nejlika', som doftar precis som kryddnejlika! I bakgrunden sitter katten Curry och inspektarar sitt revir.

Det har varit en helt underbar dag idag. Solen har skinit från en klarblå himmel. Det har droppat från taken och snön har dragit sig bort från gräsmattan mer och mer. Vi åt lunch på inglasade verandan för första gången i år och det var en härlig känsla. Jag tror minsann våren är på väg!

My first ATC swap!

I had such a great day yesterday at the scrap meeting! I can't believe that I've finally found some scrapbookers/card makers/art journalers/crafty people in my small hometown! We were between 20 - 50 years old and some had been rubberstamping since 20 years (me!) and one girl just started last december! And although that difference in age and "experience" we had so much to talk about!! I had a blast! Can't wait until the next meeting!

Yeah, I bought my first three stamps actually 20 years ago! It was in an home decor shop in a small English village and they had some stamps from All Night Media. I bought a cat hanging from a heartshaped balloon (still got it!), a frog (still got it, but damaged) and a worm peeking out from a hole (damaged and thrown away). And a black ink pad!! I wasn't very advanced then!
The next time I came across rubber stamps were many years later in a shop in Rome. I think it was a home decor shop as well. I bought two stamps with roses and a gold ink pad!! Still not very advanced!
I think the first shops that sold rubber stamps came to Sweden around 2003, at least that is when I found them! They weren't scrapbooking shops but shops that sold other tings and had a few shelves with rubber stamps. Two in Gothenburg and two in Stockholm! We have a bit more now! But still no one close to where I live, so everytime we go somewhere I always try to find out if we will pass a scrapbooking shop! And my husband is experienced so he will bring a book so he can sit and read in the car!

Cupcakes!

ProMarkers!

The ATC swap!
(Look at the gorgeous chocolate pastry
made out of FIMO clay! Definitely an
upcoming projekt of mine!)

My first crop!

Today is an exciting day! I'm going to my first crop and I'm going to participate in my first ATC swap! I live in a small town and finally I've found som fellow crafters nearby (thank you Internet!). We are 8 that have started a group on Facebook and 7 will come!! I am so excited!

The theme for the ATC swap was "Me". I've created a pink (♥) ATC with a patterned paper which representate a wallpaper (I love interior design), I've stamped a cat (♥), dog paws (♥) and a pelargonium (♥). Stamped the word Ciao since I love everything about Italy. I've also handwritten the world Ciao since I love writing, calligraphy and fonts. And since I am a medical secretary ATC means something else for me, Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical classification system, so I also wrote down the number of my favourite drug. At least the days I've got a headache! ; )

Dear deer!

Dear deer!

I love these plants too, so stop eating them, please!

I know it's been really cold in Sweden this latest week and we've finally had some snow, too. I guess it's difficult to find food in the woods right now but my hebe, come on!

Please knock on my door the next time and I'll give you some cat food the cats refuses to eat. High on protein, great for outdoors! You're happy, I'm happier and the cats are the happiest!

Thanks!

Scandinavian vintage

A few weeks ago I won a blog candy (Thank you Lilla jag!) and amongst all the lovely things was a stamp from Magnolia. I knew straight away that I wanted the song title by Bruno Mars as the sentiment. My husband has always been the athletic one of the two of us, but last year I started working out and he did absolutely nothing even though he had a membership at the local gym. And he wasn't completely ok with that! So everytime I heard this song I teased him by saying "Oh, I heard this song at the gym!". It was hilarious!

I'm not a huge fan of the Scandinavian vintage style but I decided to have a go at it. I have to admit that it's actually very fun to color the Magnolia stamps. I used Distress Inks and just one color. I tried not to make it too cute as the wall hanging is meant for my husbands home office just as a reminder of this lovely song! ;-)  And that he has got an athletic wife!! ;-)

On the panel I used my favourite stamp from Hero Arts (S5213), clear embossed it and added Distress Inks (Antique Linen & Tea Dye). The three hearts is another Hero Art stamp (A2126) which I embossed with Cloisonné (Blue Moon) and cut out. I think the name of the Magnolia stamp is Chasing Edwin. The doily is a Magnolia die. And I do hope that my husband appreciate this litte gift of mine! 'Cuz I really would catch a grenade for him.