About Me

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My name's Alison but for reasons too long to go into I'm known as Cockney Blonde or CB for short. I've been rubber stamping for several years but now spend most of my time either knitting or crocheting. However, with the advent of a New Year I have bitten the bullet and am tackling my usually hated pastime of sewing. I've even bought 'Sewing for Dummies' to guide me on my way. I've been with my hubby Dave for 24 years and between us we have 4 kids and 5 grandkids. We also have 2 cats and a dog, the latter features as my 'photo' image. I used to be able to blog daily but these days I struggle to blog weekly. Hopefully now we are settled into our new home in the country, I can get back to a daily (well almost) update from the room I now have to share with hubby. No more personal crafting space for me!!! Thanks to all the blogs and sites I follow for all your brilliant inspiration, and thank you to everyone who finds the time to comment on my blog.

Monday 21 December 2009

Merry Christmas Everyone


Just wanted to wish all my blog followers a very Happy Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2010.
This is a card I made for one of my relies in Oz. On the inside of the card I printed a calendar for 2010 which has saved me a huge amount in postage as I normally send Calendars with UK scenes.
Anyway, this scan is to share with you all.
All being well we are spending Christmas in our caravan in Bruges but given the current weather conditions that is looking doubtful. Whatever we do we shall enjoy and I hope you all enjoy the festive season too.
Until next year.....xxx

Friday 11 December 2009

Another Mirror


You can probably tell that I am completely hooked on making these mirrors, lol. This one I've made for our little Grand-daughter in Scotland for her Christmas stocking. Doing our Santa deliveries this weekend so this is now wrapped and waiting to go.

Fridge Magnet Calendar Cards


This was a little something I was tinkering around with, trying to come up with different ideas for Chrissy Cards.
The card is a tri-fold with the front cut to make a pocket. The insert is an A6 card folded in half and then cut to 8cm. By folding you can hide the magnet inside which I've positioned behind the calendar. The image is by Crafty Individuals. Very easy to make and very effective. Hope you like.

Labels' Card


Had a go at creating a card from labels last week. Getting hooked on this technique. Couldn't upload before as it was for a birthday, didn't want to spoil the surprise. I brayered the labels with Brilliance Aurora and the image is by Rubber Stampede (Dreaming of You).

Friday 4 December 2009

Another busy week in Blonde-Land

Yep, as usual the week has become shorter and I've struggled to cram everything in, although I have managed to now take over most of the house with my 'stuff'!!!
Began the week with news that we are to be Grandparents again, or was that last week's news??? Anyway, either way it is brill and exciting and costly!
Spent a lovely albeit freezing day at AFTH decorating a printer's tray. A fab project but suprisingly me and my partner in crime, aka Diane, didn't read the small print and didn't take photos with us, duh!!! Inspiration meltdown. Had to raid the shop (what a chore, lol) to come up with images and ideas for our now to become ATC holders. Can't cope with that as we're used to Dyan telling us what to do and therefore we left our brain cells at home having a much deserved rest. Anyway, despite that I think we managed a pretty fair effort although there is nothing to upload at the moment as, surprise, surprise, mine isn't finished.
Just to snitch on Diane she was very naughty and used a man's piccy on one of her cards and was coming up with naughty suggestions on whether to use the tapemeasure ribbon!!! I suggested her's was too big and that mine with 1 - 2" on was a fairer assessment, so a swap was done. Don't know who the man was supposed to represent........check her blog to find out http://inkymeanderings.blogspot.com

Monday 30 November 2009



This is one for the boys using Crafty Individual seaside images. I've also added some shells and sand to authenticate it.

I like this feminine one on pine.


This is also quite effective with the peach and aqua on the terracotta red

Palooza Mirrors


Yep, I have been a busy little bee. I've decorated 4 of these IKEA mirrors for Christmas gifts inspired by a workshop given by Neet Hickson.
I really love this one as its very rich in colour with the deep purples and blues on black.
With all of them I have used a combination of mount board coloured and embossed with UTEE, dominoes, fimo figures, friendly plastic melted onto CD pieces, images from various sources and assorted embellishments.

Christmas Tree


I've only had this blank MDF Tree for a year..... I decided I needed to get on and decorate it as we are spending Christmas in our caravan and I wanted this to be our Christmas Tree. I drilled some holes through the tree which now house little Christmas lights powered by battery. Ideal for the caravan.
I painted the tree using Claudine Helmuth paints and then cut the baubles and holly leaves from some Christmas paper.
The blank tree was purchased from Art From The Heart in Harrogate. I have another tree, different design, which I may get done before next Christmas, lol

Folded Card


Can't believe its a week since I last posted. Goodness knows where it has gone. However in my defence I have been busy creating.
I made this card for a friend's birthday. She won't open it until tomorrow but I know she won't be surfing my blog before then, lol
Its my first attempt at one of these folded cards and I was pleased with my effort. It really makes for an effective card and not too difficult to do, once you've mastered the folds and cuts.

Sunday 22 November 2009

New Home Card


Quite pleased with the colour combinations on this New Home card which I have made for some 'old' friends who are moving after over 40 years in the same house!!!
The stamp is one from Stamp Attack by Jozart Designs.

Saturday 21 November 2009


After some encouragement I have been persuaded to share this card with you. I made it as a thank you card for a friend on a local workshop.
There really isn't much stamping on here - just on the slide mount to be precise - so I feel a bit of a cheat - and the sentiment of course. However I think the colour combination is what has appealed.
The image is from one of the Crafty Individual books.

Friday 20 November 2009

Jools Holland


Had a fab evening at St. George's Hall watching Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. We've been going every year for the past 6 or 7 and its always a brill evening with plenty of jazz, blues and boogie woogie. Ruby Turner was guesting and was amazing. Mark's threatening to become a groupie as he'd follow them everywhere and anywhere, lol.

Anyway got home and wanted to make a music inspired card and decided to have a go at the 'labels' technique courtesy of a workshop a couple of weeks ago.

I coloured the labels with distress inks in antique linen and tattered rose. The stamp is by Stamps Happen.

Hope you like it, x

Saturday 14 November 2009

First Post



Hi everyone, this is my first posting on my blog. I altered this mirror last Christmas for a Secret Santa swap I was involved in through KCUK. I used 1" stampbord tiles, colouring, stamping and scratching until I had the desired effect. Then using glossy accents adhered them to the mirror. I was really pleased with the finished result, my first attempt at this. Hope you like it too, x