chocolate heaven since 1911

So I made my remaining Easter baskets and then some! I made an extra 2 'cos I was on a roll, and I had a stash of chocolate to fill them. If I didn't give it away, it would have made it into my mouth (and from there, onto the hips and butt!)

The woven basket is cute but I'm definitely not giving up my day job to start weaving - too fiddly. I confess to using a bit of glue to keep the woven bits in place. But the end result looks quite good (if I say so myself) only takes 1 sheet of 12x12 and the link to the tutorial is here.

Here's a couple of pics to show you (2 baskets didn't get a chance to have a photoshoot). Instructions for the 'lantern' style baskets here on Leslies blog.

Left to right, top to bottom:

Chick basket (made 2 of these for the kids) - Stampin' Up designer paper from the USA.
Twin bunny basket - for my mum, used up some Sweetwater papers from the stash.
Triplet bunny woven basket (for my DH) - DCWV cardstock.
Stamped sentiment and ribbon by Stampin' Up.

I feel quite virtuous using up those Sweetwater papers that I've had for ages! I haven't got an Easter egg - cue the sad violins - DH forgot, so panic-bought a box of Celebrations. Still, chocolate is chocolate, and I'm sure I'll get to share those Lindt bunnies!
Have a lovely Easter!

always on the last minute

I've still got 2 easter baskets to make this morning. DH and the kids are still in bed so I've got chance to make DH's basket before he gets up. This is the first Whole Easter weekend he's had off in , oh I don't know how long. It's the most gorgeous sunny morning here, and the seagulls are calling to each other before they go fishing. Sounds romantic doesn't it - actually they make a din and kak all over your car and your pegged-out laundry!

Cute is a new crafting direction for me TBH, but I'm enjoying the colouring in 'therapy'!! This image is one of my first 'goes' with the Copics. I now know that Copics and Staz-on ink don't work well together - the eyes have smudged a bit and the face is a bit patchy. History here - determined not to give in to the urge to buy Tilda stamps, I bought ready stamped images from the well-known auction site, yep, you've guessed it, stamped in Staz-on on normal card that doesn't take Copic blending too well. Whaddya mean ' a bad workman blames his/her tools'!! It's fine for watercolour/ prismacolour pencils though, and a good way to try out whether I liked them.

So, after admiring lots of beautifully coloured images on various blogs, and being both weak willed and impulsive, ( a dangerous combination at the best of times) I gave in to buying some Sarah Kay and Tilda stamps (now don't tell me you're surprised). Well, I had to because of the Copics - they wouldn't like it if I stopped using them... I am a marketing man's dream I think.