Harry Potterthon - Day 1 - The Philosophers Stone

Hi Goddesses

After the success of LOSTathon, we're off again, celebrating popular culture, and this time my good friend Kerrie picked 6 friends (one of which was me) to help her do Harry Potter's 7 books in 7 days :)

As you might expect, Beth has LOVED this challenge, and was spouting ideas at me quicker than I could write them down!  She even drew some manis for me, and I'll share them with you as we go along.

So, before we get into the mani, I want to share a fab photo I found on pinterest, featuring Alan Rickman.

There is something about the Harry Potter books that transcends mere fiction.  There is a deep emotional pull within the books, a strong moral code, an "all for one, one for all" mentality and a genuine battle between good and evil.  More than that, they were borne of a writer who knew EXACTLY what she intended to create and who has protected her vision FIERCELY.   Some have mocked JK Rowling, but I love her for 2 reasons:  1, I applaud any artist who sticks to their artisitic guns, and she did.  She knew how it would all end years ago AND she kept the promise she had made with herself to kill off certain characters.   Secondly, how we can we not love and applaud a woman who in these sofa-coma times has driven MILLIONS of children back into the magical world of books?    Every book sold is not a pound in her pocket; it's an investment in the mental well-being of our next generation.

Phew.  So, onto the nails :)  I am not *totally* in love with these, but I do like some of them.  The Philosopher's Stone perhaps has fewer stand out moments, and it's the one that was hardest to get on the nail.

Thumb - of course!  Platform 9 3/4 which was Mark's idea.  Not a lot to say other than that again I love my CG Ink pot.

The index finger is Harry's legendary scar over a base of Nails Inc Porchester Square - not exactly flesh toned, I know, but I do so love any excuse to wear it :)

Middle finger.  Oh.   No, this did NOT work out.  This is supposed to be the magical entrance to Diagon Alley, the moment where Hagrid prods the bricks and they pull apart to reveal a hidden world.  Yeh.  Moving on!

The ring finger.  I am actually proud of this, if for no other reason than it confirms I can now use striping tape lol.  This is the Gryffindor scarf worn by Harry, Hermione and Ron in CG Papaya Punch and SH Flirt.

And finally, the chess board - Mark's idea again, and well, it seemed really simple.  Not particularly imaginative, but still, simple.  And if there is one thing a Crumpet needs her nail art to be ...... simples :)

And that's Day 1.  Don't forget to check out all my fellow geeks, and enjoy xx  :)

Kerrie Black: http://pishposhandpolish.blogspot.co.uk/

Emma Hoop: http://manicurity.blogspot.com/

Bee Justice: http://beepolished.blogspot.com/

Abby: http://scarletnaildiaries.blogspot.com/

Julie: http://ofknitandnails.blogspot.ca

Sam : http://legiolinde.blogspot.co.uk/

The Lazy Sunday w/c 26.05.12

Hi Goddesses

I'm launching something different today.  It's something I've wanted to do for a while, but just not gotten around to, partly because I'm not organised enough and partly because it takes effort!  For that reason, if you've enjoyed this post, I NEED TO KNOW - it's the only thing that will encourage me to keep doing it!

So, this is the equivalent of the Sunday Supplements, all those fab mags and extras you get with the Sunday papers - it's designed to be an easy and lazy way to catch up on my week, and also look forward to what's coming up.

Usually, this will run Sunday to Saturday, but this first post is starting from last Saturday because we launched the Summer Challenge through the Purple Crumpet Fairy FB group (click here if you want to join).

So, what did I get up to ?  Well, first the Torch started it's journey (here)

then we took in the Chelsea Flower Show (here)

I showed you some matted Summer Dots (here)

For Orange Freestyle Day I tried to do a Lynnderella jelly sandwich (here)

and then yesterday, my Favourite Summer Colour was Cult Nails Manipulative (here)

I am doing the Summer Challenge with some amazing ladies.  Here's some of my favourite manis they've done -

Orange gradient from Lucy of Lucy's Stash -

Awesome dots from Fancy Phalanges -

Chelsea Flower Show by Nail Wish -

and by Caitlin's Creative Corner -

Orange fruit slices from A Girl and Her Polish -

A full list of everyone's blogs is at the end of this post.

It was also Stamping Week on The Crumpet, which was a chance for me to clear some semi-fails out of the vault!

So here we have - Taupe Holo Beaded Curtains

Disco Biscuit

Catherine Arley

Zoya Nidhi fruit slices 

and the theme for Adventures In Stamping was The Sky's The Limit

I was also the guest blogger at Northern Nails this week and did a tape mani for Jo -

And then there was also Monkey See Monkey Do Monday, which was my 500th post and paid tribute to one of my nail art loves, Kayla Shevonne -

Phew!  That's a lot of blogging!!  Oh and don't forget the May Mahoooooosive Haul, part 1.

So that was my week - what does this next week hold in store?  Well, tomorrow I get to take part in ANOTHER challenge, Harry Potterthon - 7 girls, 7 books, 7 days.  Should be awesome.

I also have A LOT of planning to do for June, as June is going to be the awesomest month you've ever seen on The Crumpet.  I can't go into too much detail yet, but I have LOTS of special things lined up for you.

So, please tell me your thoughts on this style of post, and whether it works for you, and also anything else you'd like to see in this, or indeed on the blog in general.

Finally, as promised, here are the Summer Challenge Purple Crumpet Fairies - 

Neivys - http://maquiclubgirl.blogspot.com/

Jo @ Northern Nails - http://therockchicksrambles.blogspot.co.uk/

arlene @ http://euzefelus27-nailart.blogspot.com/

Helena - http://nailwish.blogspot.com.es/

Cuti-CLUE-les - http://cuti-clue-les.blogspot.com/

Katee - www.agirlandherpolish.blogspot.com

Alyssa at Fancy Phalanges - http://fancyphalanges.blogspot.com/

Sarah - http://www.ynails.blogspot.co.uk/

bec - http://lacquerdreams.blogspot.com.au/

Misha - www.enigmatic-rambles.blogspot.com

Sharon - http://whatcolorismycoat.blogspot.com/

Melissa - http://www.misadventuresofawannabemartha.com/

Laurie http://dressedupdigits.blogspot.com/

Lucie @ Lucy's Stash www.lucysstash.com

Emma @  http://manicurity.blogspot.com/

Caitlin - www.caitlinscreativecorner.blogspot.com

Jane- http://absolutevarnish.blogspot.com/

Amber www.nevernakednails.blogspot.com

Vic @ Glowstars http://glowstars.net

Jackie- http://memasmanis-jackie.blogspot.com/

Rychelle @ Colorsplash Nails- http://colorsplashnails.blogspot.com/

Stella - http://mywetnails.blogspot.com

Missy @ http://missysmanis.blogspot.co.uk/

Kim @ http://apolishedaddiction.blogspot.com/

Christine @ http://lost-in-my-reverie.blogspot.com

Angie @ http://ourpaintedworld.wordpress.com

Bazzia @  http://polishmymind.blogspot.se/

Missy the Manicured Maniac @ http://melissahenderson95.blogspot.com/

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Adventures in Stamping - National Pet Week

Hi Goddesses

You find me this morning in a blissed out mood.  I am on holiday all week, then there's 2 bank holidays, I've had my DRK-B and 3 Dashicas in the post PLUS 100 new polishes - what's not to love ?  

I'm so glad National Pet Week won this week's challenge, as I've been itching to try paw prints for a while!   I'm not going to go into too much detail about the mechanics of how this mani came together, because I have a plan to cover that later in the week.

This is a base of Cult Nails My Kind Of Cool Aid, sponged with OPI Give Me The Moon, a really sensational grey polish.  It's not a polish I would expect to like, but the shimmer in it is awesome.

I then stamped using Konad black polish and DRK-A for both the patterns.

An interesting fact about the DRK plates.  The engraving is so good, you can sometimes get 2 stamps out of the same plonk.  Voila les paw prints.  The index finger got the fresh stamp, and then I did the ring finger with what was left on the stamper.  Now, they're not identical, but I still think the ring finger is acceptable.

Short and sweet - I have so much playing to go and do :) enjoy xxxx

May MAHOOOOOOOSIVE Haul, Part 1

Hi Goddesses

So, you know how my hauls are a little .... excessive ?   Get ready for a whole new level of crazy!  A level so high, so up in the clouds, that it can only be dealt with via 2 posts.

Now, let me attempt to justify myself first of all.  This post, is a tale of 2 swaps.  And what have I told you about swaps ?  That's right, swaps don't count!  So, no judging.  I said No Judging!  

I'll start with my amazing swap with Sheila from Pointless Cafe.  This was an exceptional swap, not only for the vast amount of polishes that we redistributed, but also for the speed with which we did it.  A lot of swaps take a couple of weeks to put together - this took one Saturday night, and it's frigging awesome!

So, I took a bite out of her swap list and she took a bite out of mine and I am OH.  SO.  HAPPY.  :)

Here's an overhead view of the entire swap.  What you're seeing there?  That's 28 polishes.  Yep.  Better still, polishes That Do Not Count.  Oh and there was lip balm, Reeces, nail files, Reeces, hand cream, Reeces .... oh, and did I mention - some Reeces!

So, first up we have some Butter Londons.  Left to right we have Bluey, Scoundrel, Toff, Snog and Lillibet's Jubilee.

Then we have a couple of awesome Essies, Big Spender and Clambake, Borghese Belissima Rose and CG 108 Degrees.

Then the posh ones!  DL Footloose, NerdLacquer Event Horizon and 2 glorious Cults - Vicious and the awesome Enigmatic.

Then some Barielles - this brand is £8 in the UK and I think $8 in the US - go figure!   Here we have Grape Escape, a backup bottle of Elle's Spell, Berry Blue and Positive Zen-ergy.

Then a whole load of purpley gorgeousness - Zoya Dannii, CG Spontaneous (I have bad luck with this polish.  I have smashed a bottle, spilt a bottle and everytime I use it there's some calamity, so I thought a back up was wise), CG  Gothic Lolita and CG Bogie (not green, surprisingly enough!)

And then she chucked all these in as surprises!!!  Rimmel Purple Rain, Violet Metal and Climax (I nearly did when I was unwrapping all of these, I can tell you), NOPI Hello World, CG Admire, OPI Happy Anniversary and Zoya Venus.

Sheila, I am beyond overwhelmed with this swap - thank you so so sooooooooo much.

Ok, now to Francini's swap.  Or as I like to call it - The Brazilian.  Now this is the opposite swap to Sheila's in almost every way - Francini and I spent almost 2 months planning this one.  We started with a list of 10 polishes each and it grew a little from there.   Again, I would like to stress that this was a swap, which Does Not Count, as no bank balances were hurt in the course of this process :)  Oh, and btw, I'm so saving the best polish til last hahahahaha.

So, first the overhead shot - look, a cute cat notepad!  Look, a cute cat ornament !  Ooooh and hand cream!

First we have what started it all - the HITS Specialite polishes - Afterglow, Moonbow, Borealis and Air Glow.

And if I was having Specialite HITS, it would be wrong not to complete my Olimpo Collection, no ?   So here we have Demeter, Athena and Hera.

Next some Brazilian brands which I haven't tried before, for the most part - Finaflor Mutante, Colorama Rainha Da Bateria, Ludrana Verde Folha green crackle, Finaflor Disfarce.

And then all these extra surprises !!!!!    Ludurana Arco Iris flakie, Big Universo Palladium, L'Apogee Optico Topazio, PanVel Cleopatra, HITS Brisa do Mar.

And, finalement, ladies, goddesses, ladies - I present, oh my god, JADE holo !!!!!!!  In red !!!!!

Wow, how lucky am I??  And how very very happy?   There's 1 more mega swap to come, as well as some purchases and smaller swaps to show you.

Until then, drool, and enjoy xx  :)