sugar and spice

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:17:00 +0000

Today saw us do something that we haven't done in a while..... Go out on bikes, no I'm not talking big honking 1250cc motor bikes I'm talking "bicycles" they took a bit of getting used to as there's no brakes on the handlebars, you just peddle backwards and that makes it brake !!! I know!!! I'm still finding it weird LOL. We cycled along the coast road and stopped off at a little pier, where people were fishing, probably getting their morning catch, I looked down and there was a rather large and gorgeous seal, just hanging around probably grabbing the catch before they did LOL !!! He was too quick for me to get my camera out ;)
Now a trip to the states isn't complete without a trip to Walmart, and Jane, if you're reading this I got your cherry lifesavers :) :) oh and while I was there a couple of packs of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups just happened to fall in my trolley, and it would have been so rude to take them out... right ??
We then went on and visited probably the most gorgeous scrapbook store I've ever seen. Small but stunning !!! And I just had to grab myself one of the Amy Tangerine journal books AND I'm definitely going to stock these, they're like a smaller funkier Smash book :)
We finished the evening off by having probably one of the best prime ribs EVER !!! Seriously, it was soooooo good.
While I'm away Nina has been sorting out a fab weekend at Sugar and Spice.... On the 3rd and 4th March we've got Amy Shaw coming to teach you card making, seriously, this is going to be a fun packed day full of techniques and goodies :) :) places are very limited so call the shop on 01268 530933, choose your day and book your place. You won't regret it. I promise !!!
Ooh yeah and while I'm here, don't forget it's the SUPER TABLE TOP SALE on Sunday 29th January, there's nothing over £6.00 some serious bargains to be had. Go treat yourself.
Where will our adventures take us next ???
Hugs
Marion xxx

JUST ANOTHER DAY.....

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:54:00 +0000

In paradise...seriously it's soooooo gorgeous here !!
Today we went to the island of Coronado...wow-eeeee what a beautiful place !!! The sun was shining, the temp was 75 and we sat on the sidewalk in a lovely little cafe enjoying a rather mahoosive banana nut muffin.... Sorry, but we'd devoured it then realised we hadn't taken a photo LOL. !!
Then we took a stroll on the beach, it was a bit crowded ....
Ricky's showing off his camera skills. Eat your heart out Kirsty LOL !!!
Then we done a bit of rock pooling, this took us both back to childhood memories, unfortunately we only found one little, and I emphasise the word little, hermit crab !!! But I did get this shot....hope you appreciate it, it only took about 15mins to get the right wave, poor ruck nearly fell asleep :) :)
Now we know a post from the States isn't complete without another foodie shot, and this one was taken in Phil's B B Q. It was served on a 32" tray...yes I said 32" !!! And filled with ribs, chicken, fries and fresh coleslaw....actually the coleslaw was the best, but don't tell Phil that !!!
It's now T minus 4 days to CHA, so soon I'll stop boring you with landscapes etc and filling these pages with crafting goodness.
Hugs
Marion xxx

DOLPHINS, SEALS AND BRIOCHE...

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:04:00 +0000

well after a very LONG journey we finally arrived in San Diego and ohhhh it's so beautiful !!!
We started off today by having breakfast overlooking the marina... Stunning!!! Then went down to Pacific Beach and took a stroll on the pier and happened to see some dolphins playing in the ocean, I'd like to think Kirsty would be impressed with that shot !!
Then we poodled on down to La Jolla and saw this little scene in one of the coves
Yes it's loads (I couldn't get them all in the shot) of seals just soaking up the sun, and if you wanted to go swim with them you could they just advised you to be careful... You don't say LOL
We spent the rest of the afternoon having a bit of retail therapy.... Now I know a post from the States is not complete without a shot of food.... And what was the first restaurant we visited.... Yep, you got it.... The Cheescake Factory, I'm not that bothered about their cheesecake, but I LOVE their mains, and here is one of my favs. It's a chicken salad sandwich on brioche .... Oh my it's soooooo yummy
I haven't got a clue what the pics are coming out like as blogger doesn't seem to be showing them in order, but I just know you can work out the difference between a sandwich a dolphin and a seal !!!

WHAT'S GOING ON.....

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:51:00 +0000

Well, I've just done the Newsletter for January, with quite a few bits in it, if you didn't get to see it you can check it out HERE
Here's a little sneak of one of the wedding card designs i've done for the QVC show on the the 15th February

We've got so much to show you and it's going to be great to buy all your bulk stash at fab prices !!!
I'm off to the States in a couple of days to see what delights CHA are going to present us with, I've been looking at a few of the sneaks and OH BOY !!!! start saving peeps !!!
Don't forget our Famous Table Top SALE takes place on Sunday 29th January at 10am, you're not going to want to miss this ;)
Anyhoo's just a quickie as I have to pack !!! But I will post pics of lusciousness from CHA
Oooh nearly forgot to say ALL crimbo stash in the shop is at 30% OFF
Hugs
Marion xx

NEW CLASSES

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:56:00 +0000

Nina's been a busy girl.... and she's put in lots of new classes for the up coming months.... Why not take a LOOKSIE. There's a little bit of something for everyone ;)
Hugs
Marion xxx

AND THE WINNERS ARE..............

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:31:00 +0000

Last week we held a "Share and Like" giveaway on our FACEBOOK PAGE and the lucky winners are ...... Linda O'Conner, Alison Waller and Faye Pleydell..... Congrats Ladies.... Here's what they won.. :) :) :)

Why don't you go over and "Like" us you never know when the next giveaway is :) :)
Hugs
Marion xxx

GIVEAWAY....

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:08:00 +0000

As its the start of a new year.... I've decided to do a giveaway...YAY !!!
All you have to do is "Like" our FACEBOOK PAGE...you can find it here...
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sugar-and-Spice-Crafts/162543113808241
But that's not all... If you "SHARE" it on your page then you're in with a second chance of winning...can't be bad !!!
We'll be announcing the winners on Tuesday 10th January ... Keep your fingers crossed
Hugs
Marion xxx

WHAT'S UP !!!

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Well first off, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year... And here we are in 2012.... The years are flying by !!!!
The shop doesn't open till Friday 6th January, but that doesn't mean I've been sitting at home doing nothing... OH NO!!! I was on QVC on the 28th December, that was a full on day... Lots of fun and sell outs... Talking of QVC I'm back on on the 4th January at 1pm for a 2 hour outlet show... There's some great kits and fabbi bargains, so join me if you can....and don't forget to join Amy on Thursday and Kirsty on Friday...Lots more bargains to be had !!!
We're preparing for our MEGA table top sale day on Sunday 29th January at 10am... There's nothing over £6.00, this ones going to be bigger and better than our previous one and that was AMAZING !!!!
So whilst you're rummaging for a bargain I'll be working hard out in the States finding lots more goodies for the shop... So many exciting things ahead !!!
Right, must paint my nails for the show
Hugs
Marion xxx

SNEAKY PEEK ...

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:37:00 +0000

For those of you that don't follow our Facebook Page here's a little looksie of a L/O I've done for the shows on 4th January at 1 & 2pm, for those of you that do follow... SORRY to repeat myself LOL !!!

These yummy papers are in the second half of the show (2pm) and the demo I'm doing is a card, so whether you're a card maker or a scrap booker... there's something for both ... happy days !!!
Hope you all had a wonderful christmas break and I'd like to say that I hope 2012 brings you everything you wish for ... HAPPY NEW YEAR
Hugs
Marion xxx

JUST A QUICKIE....

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:04:00 +0000

To say.... I'm on QVC at 2pm tomorrow 28th (sometimes this posts late) with a Martha Stewart Sale toot toot !!! Can't wait... I love a bit of Martha, I've got some lovely sparkly bits to show you, and then again at 5pm featuring Anna Griffin Sale Products... And in the meantime Kirsty, Amy and Caroline are going to be tempting you with other yummies.
Hope you all had a great christmas :) :) :)
Hugs
Marion xxx

A LITTLE BIT MORE.....

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Thought I'd just quickly share a few more pages with you... I just can't stop !!!!
I've still got bits to do on a couple of the pages, but that's the joy I can do as and when I feel it's right.
Right this is my last blog post before crimbo.... As I must go make my chocolate log
So for the last time this year
Have a gorgeous Christmas everyone
Hugs
Marion xxx

I JUST GOT SMASHED ....

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:20:00 +0000

Finally, finally, finally..... I've just done my first page in my Smash book.... and now I just want to sit here and fill it up...

I'm not doing it on a theme, just random photos of me and my family and our lives.
Sorry .... Just had to share !!!
Happy Christmas EVERYONE
Hugs
Marion xxx

OMG......

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:15:00 +0000

No seriously O.M.G....... Karen Allman you are a STAR !!!!
Let me explain.... some time ago on Facebook I mentioned how much I LOVE POLKA DOTS and Karen Allman mentioned that you can get POLKA DOT TOILET PAPER !!!! Well I'd never seen it... have you ??? I searched locally, but to no avail :( :(
Then the postman arrived this morning with a package addressed to me with a top heading stating "Very Personal", well, I done the usual, I wondered who it was from and what it was, I turned it all around, and shook it, then it dawned on me that I'll know the above answers by actually OPENING IT... why do we do that ?????
Anyhoo's imagine my surprise and utter glee when I took these little babies out....

Now I know they're not craft related.... but I'm seeing polka dot flowers... are you ??? Watch this space !!!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU KAREN
Hugs
Marion xxx

WINTER WONDERLAND.....

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:39:00 +0000

That's what my craft room floor represents... I'm in a completely wonderful glittery mess... And I'm loving it !!!!
I feel so privileged to be doing the Martha hour on the 28th December at 2pm, AND.... it's an outlet day... Woohoo !!!
There's so much gorgeous glitter... I dare you to resist !!!
Anyhoo's back to the prepping
Hugs
Marion xxx

HOW COOL...

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:40:00 +0000

Is this....

This is the gorgeous gift bag (containing gorgeous gift), from one of our lovely customers Ali.
She recently gave birth to Oliver, and to make him part of christmas, he made these gift bags, with the help of his mummy !!
The antlers are his hands and the face is his foot... How cool is that.... I just had to share.
Hope you like it :) :) :)
Hugs
Marion xx

DECEMBER TRENDS...

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:32:00 +0000

Is here.... at LAST !!!
My goodness, I've never dealt with such a bad Company, and although we never saw hind or hair of the November issues, we have received "some" December ones

From the 18 they sent us we only have 2 left in stock !!! So if you want one BE QUICK !!!!
They're not on the website yet, but if you don't live near you can call tomorrow and order one over the phone.
Hugs
Marion xx

QUICK AND SIMPLE ....

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:27:00 +0000

Need a card in a hurry ??
Then just copy this little one...

This is one of my designs for this year... extremely simple... It does the job for me, now all I've got to do is write them all out and get them in the post, oh yeah.... and make a few more LOL !!!
Hope all your plans are coming together.
Hugs
Marion xx

QR CODES..

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:03:00 +0000

Want to jump direct to our Facebook Page, then just make sure you have the QR Reader app on your phone and SCAN....

JUST HAD TO SHARE .....

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:40:00 +0000

We're (Me, Kirsty, Amy, Caroline and Sandy) are all working away like crazy, prepping all the shows for the massive outlet day on the 28th, on QVC, we're even doing each others prep !!
So I thought I'd take a minute or so out to quickly show you this card...

Sorry that the lighting's not great, and I don't even know who's presenting this one but I hope they like it as much as I do, if not I'll have it back LOL !!!!
Anyhoo's back to work, oh and thanks everyone who's taking advantage of the CLEARANCE section on the website... you know you're getting a bargain... he he !!!
Hugs
Marion xx

JUST IN...

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:53:00 +0000

I'm like a bus, I do do nothing for a week then three posts come along at once !!!
But just wanted to quickly tell you that we've just go the latest Creating Keepsakes and it's rather lush

Also, I've added loads more to the CLEARANCE section on the website, including Jillibean Soup Stamps, Staz on Inks, Girls Paperie Ribbons, Spellbinders Impressabilities... Loads and loads more to go on, just need to take a breather and have a flick through my mag !!

Hugs

Marion xx

WOW...

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:05:00 +0000

Honestly... mention the word CLEARANCE and LOL !!!!
Bear with... I'm trying to put more on each day
So today I will mostly be..... uploading
Happy Days :) :) :)
Hugs
Marion xx

CAN'T BELIEVE IT....

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:43:00 +0000

Seriously, where does the time go, one minute I'm blogging virtually everyday and THEN... I realise it's been over a week ... honestly !!!
But.. I have been busy, honest !! I've been adding new CLASSES to the website along with a BRAND NEW CLEARANCE Section, some serious bargains to be had, go take a looksie !!
One of the classes is Barb's mini album on Sunday 18th December @ 10am ... It's so cute!!
Plus we've put in the dates for the next Scrapbooking for Beginners Course starting in February.

I've also sorted out the Christmas opening/closing dates :-

CRIMBO OPENING/CLOSING TIMES
We are closing at 3pm on Friday 23rd December
and we will re-open on
Friday 6th January 2012

A well deserved break I think you'll all agree :) :) :)

Right back to the grind

Hugs

Marion xx

PERFECT .....

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 07:57:00 +0000

I love PINS... especially hat pins, I've had a bit of a fetish for a couple of years now, they're just the perfect little embellishment !!
But... I always loose them, I put them down, I can't find them, I pick them up, I prick myself.. so I needed a pin cushion, now I've made plenty of pin cushions in the past, from my sewing days, but I knew I wanted something different and one day I was flicking through the pages of one of my favourite trends magazines and saw it, it was perfect, it was a picture frame pin cushion. I LOVED it and needed to make one, but it had to be right.
I was halfway there, as a couple of years ago I bought a piece of fabric (I know I'm a hoarder), didn't know what to do with it, I just knew I had to have it, so it's sat on my shelf waiting to be used, then the other day I popped down to our local antiques centre and found the perfect little frame.

and look... just £3.00... bargain !!! I didn't like the colour, so quickly gave it a lick of paint, grabbed some wadding, no I didn't have any lying around, but I did have an old cushion I no longer loved, so took a bit out of that (all the more reason you shouldn't throw anything away) and proceeded to "stuff" it into the frame.

There was absolutely no sewing involved and all in all it took about 15 mins, and that included the drying time !! It's easy to replace for another piece of gorgeous yummy fabric, when I'm next on my travels, as it's just held in with the backing stand. And now it has pride of place on my work desk and I LOVE IT !!!

PERFECT !!!
Hugs
Marion xx

FEELING UNDER THE WEATHER...

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:31:00 +0000

If you know someone that needs a little lift, this should do it...

I've just used a Nestie and embossed it with swiss dots, then stamped the sentiment from this yummy set HERE, made a calico flower and filled it with a pearl and some Frantage (of course) !! popped in on some ribbons and mounted it all on a cream card from Craftwork Cards.

For all of you that missed out, the GOOD NEWS is we've got more of the Scrap 365 coming back in, so get on the phone and get us to it a side for you. YAY!!!
Hugs
Marion xx

MEMORIES...

noreply@blogger.com (MARION) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:16:00 +0000

Here's a quick Layout from a we while ago, it's of my Nan and her sisters, only problem is no one knows where it was taken, that's why it's so important to put all those little details on your pages.... for the future generations !!

It is of course... Minimalist, sorry but that's my style !!!
But so simple to do, just one sheet of plain card stock, 1/2 sheet of patterned and a piece of Hambly Screen Print... Mmmmm !!! layer up, make a scruffy flower out of scraps and book print add a bit of lace, hat pins and buttons then finish off with some rather yummy pearls... pearls not your colour ? then use your Pro-Markers as I did, to bring some more green in to match one of the layers of the flower.
Hugs
Marion xx