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 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