Kipper Craft

FYI TGF CHA

2010-01-31T12:21:00.005Z

Do you love The Greetings Farm images as much as I do? Yes? Well then you must have participated in the TGF relaylast week and got some of the free digi images they were giving away? No?! Well, there are a couple on the blog still available I think, so head over there if you didn't get them. They were giving a free image every day if you uploaded a card made with the previous image but the turnaround was ever so quick, especially for those working and they were inundate with entries, so unfortunately had to end the relay early. Such a shame :( Anyhoo, the above were my first 3 entries.

For the top card, I followed last weeks Sunday Sketch and Stamp. I'm not very happy with the last one at all, the colours are all wrong and it looks so unfinished, but I'm happy with the other 2. The other thing I am not so thrilled with, is that I can't seem to be able to use my Copics with the digis I print off, however long I leave them to dry. Boooo! I seem to remember that heat setting them first might work? If anybody has any tips at all, I'd be ever so grateful :)

Challenges and criteria

Sunday Sketch & Stamp #20

Recipe
Stamps - All images TGF, sentiments MFt, High hopes & Elzybells

Colouring - Prismas & Sansodor

DPs - Basic Grey, Doodlebug & DCWV

Embellies - Nesties, Leone Em punch and all others from stash

Easy like Sunday morning...

2010-01-17T13:46:00.004Z

I just love these yummy papers from Craftwork Cards. I've bought them at a craft show about a year ago and have been loathe to slice into them - painful! Lol! However,it's such a yummy combo, I just had to and now it's all assembled, I'm glad I did :) This pretty voile ribbon is also a favourite, must buy a reel or 2 of that...

Challenges & Criteria

Double Dutch #34 - Sketch
Allsorts #35 - Pink & Brown

ABC - L is for Layering

Recipe
Stamps - Elzybells
Colouring - Prismas & Sansodor
DPs - Craftwork Cards
Embellies - Nesties, Sizzix, Papermania gems, ribbon from Abakhan Frabrics

Long time no blog

2009-12-30T12:00:00.008Z

Well, I'm back! There are several reasons for my dropping off the planet since my last post, but the main reason was my touch of OCD to the apps on Facebook. If you've got a farm, a cafe, island or zoo etc you'll know where I'm coming from! However, I am going to try and wean myself off them and get back to my cardmaking and the rest of my life :) Or at least use them in moderation....!

The good things is, that the 'gap' has made this all feel like new again. I did carry on buying the odd craft item here and there, so now I have lots more stuff to play with my renewed enthusiasm. Here goes:-

I love this card, I really do. It's gonna be tough to give it away! I had fun fulfilling all the challenges below, but essentially made this as one of my Happy New Year's cards, cos I didn't get round to sending a single christmas card - Oh, the shame!

More under construction, stay tuned ;)

Challenges & Criteria

Just Magnolia #38 - Sketch
Colour Create #34 - Pink, Burgundy & Ivory + Roses

Stamp Something - Holiday Somethings

Daring Cardmakers- New Beginnings

LOTV #43 - New Year's

Cute Card Thursday #92 - Happy New Year

Crafty Creations #48 - Glitter & Bling

Everybody Art #71 - Happy New Year

Stampavie & More #75 - Happy New Year

Creative Card Crew #41 - Anything Goes

Stamp with Fun #39 - Happy New Year

Cupcake Craft #71 - Time for Celebration

Recipe

Stamp - Magnolia from Winter Kit

Colouring - Copics

Papers - Basic Grey

Embellies - Prima Daisies & roses from Joanna Sheen, Leone Em branch punch, diamond stickles and ribbon from stash.

There's a ghost in the house...

2009-10-29T08:00:00.002Z

Do you know, I'm going to miss making Halloween cards after this weekend. It's a chance to get a bit kitsch and camp isn't it? I still have loads of ideas and odds & ends of spooky stuff, but I think I may have to wait until next year before I can use it all... I really should be cracking on with those Xmas cards and also several friends birthdays coming up - blokes birthdays. I find them sooo much tougher to do. But, am thinking I need to face my demons and just get them done!

I flipped the Friday Sketchers sketch to create this card. I don't often do that, but it just worked better for me this way. When he was younger, my son had these glow-in-the-dark shapes on his wardrobes but, when he got too big for them, I carefully peeled them off thinking I could use them on a card one day. Well, it finally paid off and now my card has an extra secret bonus!

Challenges & Criteria
Friday Sketchers #75

Recipe
Stamp - Elzybells
Colouring - Prismas & Sansodor
DPs - Daisy & Dandelion
Embellies - Ribbon & card candy - Craftwork Cards, Bat - from an old earring, ghost from a glow-in-the-dark ceiling set

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

2009-10-28T07:30:00.008Z

I made a couple more Christmas cards and am playing around with some simple-ish designs I can reproduce fairly easily and quickly. I don't like them all to be exactly the same, even if it's only changing the colours, but if I get a fairly straightforward layout I like, it makes the job alot easier.

There are some new Xmas Elzys about to hit my doormat in the next day or so, so expect to see them on here soon. I have a whole bunch of Elzys from several years ago, but they are the original wood mounted stamps in the larger format size. I much prefer the dinkier ones, so am trying to gradually replace them. They are sooo much easier to store, too :)

Challenges & Criteria

Crazy 4 Challenges #8 - It's All Geometric

Recipe

Stamps - Elzybells, A-Muse

Colouring - Copics

DPs - Papermania

Embellies - Nesties, Stickles, Ribbons from stash

Merry Christ-moose

2009-10-27T21:39:00.003Z

I found a new love in the Rileys from Hanna stamps. So cute! I have a few more winging their way across the Atlantic with my BIL right at this very moment and can't wait to get my sticky mitts on them :)

Recipe
Stamps - Hanna Stamps, A-Muse
Colouring - Prismas & Sansodor
DPs - Papermania
Embellies - Nesties, Stickles

Candy Corn Cravings!

2009-10-25T08:36:00.008Z

I lived in the US until I was 6 (Rochester, NY), and very much miss all the excitement of Halloween. When we came to live in the Uk, I was bitterly disapointed that it was barely acknowledged over here. In particular, that they don't sell Candy Corn. Boo hoo! Luckily, I've had several trips back and still have family there, so have occassionally been able to fulfil my cravings, but it's a bit too heavy to post, so not very often :( Still, as the popularity of Halloween grows over here, I live in hope that one day, Candy Corn will make it too...

Oh, we can, once in a blue moon, get Pumpkin Pie mix too - I find it too messy to do completely from scratch, so will be making a pie for next Saturday. Yummmmmmm :)

Challenges & Criteria
1. Sketch - Just Magnolia #28
2. Stamp with Fun #29 - Halloween
3. Cupcake Craft #61 - Things that go bump in the night!
4. Everybody Art #62 - Halloween
5. Stampavie & More #66 - Halloween
6. Crafty Creations #38 - All Hallows Eve
7. Stampin' for the Weekend #21 - A Haunting Good Time
8. Stamp Something - Halloween somethings
9. OCC - Inspired by your fave holiday movie - The Witches of Eastwick

Recipe
Stamps - Magnolia, Alota, Lockhart (sentiment)
DPs - Bo Bunny
Colouring - Copics
Embellies - MS Punch, ribbon from Offray,

Mani Pedi

2009-10-13T07:00:00.000+01:00

No sketch, no challenges, just me this time and my lovely stash of stuff. I made this card for an old school friend's 14 year old daughter. She had appealed on Facebook for cards to be sent to her daughter and well, how could I refuse? Given that card making is my passion, it would have been rude not to ;) I think my paper piecing worked really well on this. Must try that again...

Recipe

Stamps - MFT

Colouring - Copics

DPs - DCWV

Embellies - Ribbon from stash

For my chocoholic friend

2009-10-11T17:54:00.004+01:00

Well, what a weekend; I'm sure I blinked and it was gone. I never stopped but felt like I achieved pretty much nothing - do you know what I mean?! It could be the bloomin' cold weather we're having and the way we seem to have drifted slap bang into the middle of autumn. I am leaving the house for work in the dark and not returning home until dark too. How depressing? Without wanting to wish my life away, roll on spring!!!!!

Challenges & Criteria

Sketch - Papertake Weekly #25

Colour Create #29 - Red, Yellow, Black, White

Recipe

Stamps - MFT (image & sentiment)

Colouring - Copics

DPs - Sizzix Sizzlits & stash

Embellies - Ribbon from stash

Apricot baby

2009-10-07T18:21:00.005+01:00

I had a bit of a blogging break for a couple of weeks, just because I've been so busy at work and also since my stepdad passed away. It was a hectic few weeks, with relatives coming and going (and many trips to the airport!) but now life is slowly drifting back to 'normality'.

So, I'm back to my card making with some renewed energy and with lots of occassions and events to come, here is today's offering. I've actually cased one of my own cards here! I just love this simple layout and stamp. Thought I'd plump for some apricot shades this time for a change. The crad was made for my pal Pete's new arrival, 'Lydia'.

Challenges & Criteria

Creative Card Crew - It's a Celebration

Recipe

Stamps - Forever Friends, sentiment a-muse

Colouring - Prismas & Sansodor

DPs - DCWV

Embellies - Ribbon from stash, Nesties & blinged up my brads with Stickles!

Surfing the web...

2009-09-14T18:43:00.000+01:00

I had longed for a Copic Airbrush for a long time and got it several months ago but have not had chance to play with it. This ended up blotchy, so I definitely need some practice to master it.

I've been hogging this pool paper for years and also this lovely starfish charm. I only had 2 the same, so it was really hard to part with it :)

Criteria & Challenges

Sketch - Allsorts #18 +2 colours - except I used 3 - oops!

Copic Colour Challenge #30 - BG05, R29, Y15

Daring Cardmakers - Down by the Sea

Just Magnolia #22 - Embossing

Crafty Creations #32 - Embossing

Stamp Something - Your fave embellie

Recipe

Stamps - Magnolia, sentiment MFT

Colouring - Copics

DPs - Paper Pizazz

Embellies - Nesties, Stickles, starfish charm from stash, Ink Essentials white gel pen

Striring it

2009-09-14T17:25:00.005+01:00

Sketch Saturday are running a DT call in 2 parts. The first is to follow a sketch and then 12 will be selected to go through to a second stage. This is my attempt at the sketch. Lots of layers, which I love, so I really enjoyed it. Fingers crossed for me!

Challenges & Criteria

Sketch Saturday

Recipe

Stamps - Magnolia, Elzybells sentiment

Colouring - Copics

DPs - DCWV Nana's Kitchen

Embellies - Ribbon from stash

Falling for you...

2009-09-13T14:48:00.002+01:00

Life is still hectic so I'm not making or posting as many cards as I'd like to at the moment, but 'rustled' up this autumnal number this morning :) It reminds me of a lovely memory from when my stepsister and I were young and Mum and Harry took us - and Mandy our dog - to Manor Park in Glossop. We all buried ourselves and each other under the leaves. It was a really happy day...

Challenges & Criteria

Friday Sketchers #69

OCC Happy Fall Y'all

Lily of the Valley #36 Green, Brown & Orange

ABC 'D' is for Die Cuts

Recipe

Stamps - MFT, Sentiment A-Muse

Colouring Medium - Copics

DPs - My Mind's Eye Bloom & Grow

Embellies - Nesties, Martha Stewart Maple Leaf punch

Sunshine on a rainy day

2009-09-06T15:22:00.006+01:00

So, onwards and upwards!

I've actually amassed quite a stash of new stuff over the last few weeks. Things I forget I'd ordered, were turning up every few days. It's been lovely to get some nice snail mail recently. I just now have so many new stamps, I don't know which to use first!

I needed to make something sunny and cheerful, for my lovely SiL Maggie, whose birthday it is on Tuesday. She's always been a great support to me, through good times and bad. Couldn't wish for a nicer SiL :)

Challenges & Criteria

1) Mojo Monday - Sketch #102

2) Daring cardmakers - Sunflowers

3) Stamp Something - Favourite stamp or stamp set

4) ABC - C is for circles

Recipe

Stamps - Elzybells & A-muse

Colouring medium - Copics

DP - Doodlebug

Embellies - Ribbon & sunflowers from stash

AWOL

2009-09-06T14:11:00.003+01:00

I thought I'd write a quick post to explain my blogging absence over the last weeks; My lovely stepdad Harry, who had terminal cancer, passed away 3 weeks ago tomorrow, from unrelated kidney failure. It was actually a blessing, as he did not really suffer and was spared a much longer and more painful deterioration.

Anyway, I don't want to dwell on it too much as it does not make for good blogging reading and I don't want to turn away my small, but rather lovely audience :)

I am posting a card after this. The first I've had chance to make in some weeks. It's nice to get back to normality...

In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty...

2009-08-10T08:00:00.000+01:00

Top o' the morning to you! The slightly Irish theme of this post is due to the fact that one of my sisters is coming over from Florida in a few weeks time, and while she's here, we're taking a brief trip to Dublin. (Flights courtesy of Ryanair, £4 returns all in for the 2 of us - taxes etc too! I did slip up and ended up paying another £20 in debit card charges, but £12 each is a phenomenal price I think!) The reason I mention the trip now, is because I'd like to know if anyone out there knows, if there are any craft shops in Dublin itself? If YOU know, please let ME know! Ta x

So, another one of my new Elzys. Isn't she lovely? I did have to compromise and colour her strawberries pink to fit in with the Copic Colour Challenge, but nonetheless, I'm still happy with my card :)

Challenges & Criteria

Friday Sketchers #64

Copic Colour Challenge - Y06, B12, RV02

ABC - Zero Embellies

Recipe

Stamps - Elzybells

Colouring - Copics

DPs - Picked up from a craft show, now name on them :(

Embellies - none!

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie...

2009-08-09T19:47:00.003+01:00

Well, how chuffed am I? I was completely chuffed to little bits to win a couple of stamp sets over on the Elzybells blog. Elizabeth is holding a prize draw and your name is in for the full month if you leave a comment, so head on over there if you haven't already. I was lucky enough to get pulled out of the proverbial hat on day 2. I had been longing for the 2 clear sets I won too, so fabby news! Expect to see cards with those very soon :D

As it happens, I'd already placed a couple of orders in the last 2 weeks, so am bursting with Elzy stamps to play with and here is card no.1 that I made today (second one will be posted tomorrow). I managed to combine it with a few challenges again too :)

I am struggling to get much done on this computer. After my own died, my lovely (step) nephew, Nathan, gave me his old one. Trouble is, it's even older and slower than mine was, so is not playing ball with me for editing photos etc. Hence the raw deal for now. Still, I'm not complaining, not really. I'm ever so grateful to be back on line at all.

Challenges & Criteria

Mojo Monday #98 - Sketch

Papertake Weekly - 4 Seasons

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Beach Theme

A Spoonful of Sugar #63 - Floral Fantasy

Recipe

Stamps - Elzybells

Colouring - Copics

DPs - Making Memories

Embellies - Ribbon, Nesties, Stickles

Naughty Spaniel!

2009-07-29T17:34:00.010+01:00

So, had a lovely weekend making a card for Just Magnolia #15 with my lovely new Surfer Edwin and the fabby coordinating Sweet Shoppe digi papers, that matched the stamp just beautifully. Hadn't quite stuck all the last bits on the card, as I'd wanted to use 3D glue to raise Edwin up a bit. I left the precious pieces in my bedroom next to my PC. My card's fate was sealed :( My beautiful, naughty spaniel, Kipper (who else?!), decided to have a sniff while I was at work on Monday and thought she could do a better job, so she re-arranged my 'artwork'. When I got home, she was VERY pleased with herself. Now, it's not worth crying about in the grand scheme of things is it? All I could do was laugh as she gleefully wagged her tail while I retrieved the chomped remains of my card. Oh, the joys of owning a doggy! :D

One thing Kipper did do for me though, was to inspire me to dig out my Elzy stamps to create the following for Friday Sketchers #62 and Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #17. I did try and get the eye patch right, but it looks more like a dirty smudge dontcha think?

I also had to upload this at my Mums and I'm writing from work (lunch hour!) as my PC has finally decided to give up completely and is now deaded. An ex-PC aka dead parrot. Deceased. No longer on this mortal coil. Fell off it's perch! I think some serious fund-raising must now ensue to replace my life-line. Give me an interweb connection over a tv any day!

Challenges & Criteria
Friday Sketchers #62/Just Magnolia #15/Stamptacular Sunday #17

Recipe
Stamps - Magnolia, Elzybells
Colouring - Koh-i-Noors/Copics
DPs - DCWV/Sweet Shoppe
Embellies - Ribbon - Amuse

Thinking of you

2009-07-21T18:10:00.002+01:00

I'd wanted to split these posts up, but due to pc problems, here is my second of the day. It's going to be famine or feast with me for a while, I'm afraid! Sorry, my lovely followers and subscribers :(

Challenges & Criteria
1) Sketch Saturday #60

2) Saturday Challenge #41 Spots & Stripes
3) Creative Card Crew #20 Polka Dots
4) Everybody Art #49 Dots & Stripes

5) Dutch Dare #56 Dies or Punches

Recipe
Stamps - Gorjuss Set 2, Sentiment Penny Black

Colouring - Copics

DPs - Doodlebug
Embellies - Petaloo, Papermania, WH Smith & stash

Seeing Spots and Stripes...

2009-07-21T18:06:00.007+01:00

Woe is me! My poor old, tired, over-used pc is making yet another protest. He (for it must be a male!) is on his last legs and now flately refuses to upload any more photos and only reluctantly concedes to start at all if I talk nicely to it for a couple of hours. It's also freezing and crashing constantly when I do actually get in I am therefore naughtily writing posts at work (but not in work hours, honest boss) and am going to miss deadlines for challenges. Will have to try and sell my soul on eBay at some point or do some car boots to raise enough dosh for a new box of tricks very very soon, for I cannot live without surfing and blogging. What did we ever do with our time before the internet came along?!

Anyhoooooooo....! I made the above with an image kindly sent to me in a swap from Vicky. Do love these so much :)

Challenges & Criteria
1) Friday Sketchers #61
2) Saturday Challenge #41 Spots & Stripes
3) Creative Card Crew #20 Polka Dots
4) Everybody Art #49 Dots & Stripes
5) Stampavie & More #52 Red & Blue

Recipe
Stamps - Sugar Nellie
Colouring - Copics
DPs - Doodlebug
Embellies - Papermania, WH Smith & stash

Monkeying around

2009-07-14T16:00:00.000+01:00

It's a shame it's such a dull day as this card is alot brighter in real life, but I just couldn't get it to look as it should. Ah well. I really love my Changitos and this is the first outing for one of my new batch. How could you fail to love a card with a stamper on it?! Especially when the card is for a fellow cardmaker! Love the Elzybells sentiment too. How true is that one girls?! I'd hate to actually work out what each of my card has cost me in £s. But hey, the fun is in the making, right?

Challenges & Criteria
1) Truly Scrumptious #11 - Sketch (sorry, I only noticed the colour scheme when it was too late!)

2) Stamp Something - Pink, Green & Yellow

Recipe
Stamps - Stampendous Changito, Elzybells
Colouring - Koh-i-Noors & Sansodor

DPs - K&Co Berry Sweet
Embellies - Prima flowers, Nesties

Happy Birthday, you old goat!

2009-07-12T20:56:00.003+01:00

Not had time to do the inny yet, but that's where I'm putting the sentiment, which I think will read 'Happy Birthday you old goat!' But I may change my mind yet.... ;) My pal Stacey sent me this image a while ago and I just had to use it. It was perfect for the colours at the Copic Challenge blog, where Stacey is on the DT.

Challenges & Criteria
1) Sketch & Stash #14
2) Copic Colour Challenge #21 - YG03, B45, Y28 (I don't have B45, so I used B24)

Recipe

Stamps - High Hopes

Colouring - Copics

DP - K&Co. Sparkly Sweet

Embellies - K&Co. corners, Prima flowers, Papermania brad, Craftwork Cards card candy, ribbon from stash

Sweet 16

2009-07-12T20:18:00.001+01:00

I've gone a bit challenge mad this weekend! I went through all the links on my blog, made a note of the criteria and drew any sketches out roughly. I worked out what cards I needed to make and fitted the images I'd chosen around them. Luckily, everything fitted in :)

This card is for my niece who is approaching her Sweet 16th. It's not an age there is much fuss about in England, but I know you guys in the States do and she lives in Florida, so there you go.

Challenges & Criteria

1) Friday Sketchers #60 - Sketch

2) Creative Card Crew -Ribbons

3) Spoonful of Sugar #59 - Hearts

4) Stampin' for the Weekend - Colour combo, Strawberries dipped in Chocolate/Red Tulips & Nat Brown Earth

5) C.R.A.F.T. #8 - Age/Number

6) Papertake Weekly - Favourite things - LOVE my Anyas, Copics and this ribbon :)

Recipe

Stamps - Miss Anya, The Greetings Farm

Colouring - Copics

DP - Basic Grey June Bug

Lettering - Quickutz Metro

Embellies - Ribbon from stash

4 out of 6 aint bad

2009-07-12T15:39:00.016+01:00

Hi Peeps :) I've had a busy few days. Firstly, I should say my mum is now back at home and on the road to recovery, yay! Secondly, I won a terrific trip from work to York races, so that was on Friday. In a private suite in one of the stands, overlooking the winning post. Non-stop food, champagne and and fine wines (unfortnuately I was driving so couldn't drink). Full access to the course and private parking just outside the door. It was for charity, so we had to pay £20 for some raffle tickets, but other than that, a complete freebie and my oh my, was it marvellous?! We dressed up posh and were treated liked royalty. The senior managers from my co. were also there (who was running the Co-op?!) and I took my best pal Jo as my guest. Jo and I pooled our money and put £2.50 on 2 horses each race to win. Well, we got 4 out of the 6 winners; Woo-Hoo!!! We only made £43.25 back, so only up a few quid, but we were completely thrilled and it was much better than most! A couple of the managers won several hundred, but they were betting big, too of course. Anyhoo, some cards coming shortly!

This is Jo, Alison and me :)

1,2,3,4,5 once I caught a fish alive...

2009-07-05T19:36:00.007+01:00

Q: What do you call a fish with no eyes? A: A fsh Geddit?? I think the heat is getting to me... :-/

I guess us Brits are never happy with the weather; too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer, too rainy in the spring. too windy in the autumn. But, we really are not geared up in our shops, homes and offices for heatwaves! Kipper and I flaked out watching Wimbledon this afternoon. I admit I was rooting for Roddick, but then I do tend to go for the underdog. A great match though.

While walking Kipper this morning, I managed to spectacularly fall flat on my face, so am nursing a rather swollen ankle. Don't think there is any serious damage and luckily was lacking an audience for my buffoonery, so pride intact. However, it gave me a good excuse to put my feet/foot up and finish off this commission card for a work colleague. He and his dad and brother spend alot of time fishing together, so that was the brief.

The fishy images are all from a Woodware set and the sentiments Stampendous - the reeds inside are Magnolia. Coloured in with Copics. Doodlebug ribbon. DPs from Provocraft. Fish charm from stash. I followed Sketch Saturday #58. It also fits in with the SCSC #39, which is to use 3 ribbons.

Scorchio!

2009-07-02T22:07:00.002+01:00

Boy oh boy is it bloomin' HOT HOT HOT here at the moment! It's supposedly 30 plus degrees, but I'm sure it's hotter. I miss the cold - really! It's funny, my family in Florida are getting rain and thunderstorms just now. Give us our weather back!!!

So, I've not posted much lately. My Mum came home from hospital for a few days, but is currently in respite care and moving to intermediary tomorrow. It's nothing life threatening, but one way or another I've been running around like the proverbial blue fly and have been too bushwacked to be much creative by the time I get home. Plus poor Kipper must be feeling a bit neglected at the moment. :( I did manage a night 'off' on Saturday evening and went with several pals to see Take That at Old Trafford cricket ground. Well, the heavens opended for a solid hour and we were drowned rats - ha ha. They were fantastic though, as always. It's the 4th or 5th time I've seen them and they never disappoint. Lovely boys....

So, on to my card. Or rather the card I made for my lovely crafty pal Stacey's birthday today. It was pure coincidence that Stacey herself made a card using this image at the weekend, so I guess she likes it?! Check out her fab blog asap. Coloured with Prismas and blinged up with Stickles. Flowers are Petaloo and Prima. Papers Dovecraft. Sentiment Woodware. Doodlebug ribbon. Nesties. Inkessentials white gel pen. The layout is from Just Magnolia #11 for their challenge last week and is therefore my entry.

I am currently stalking my postie as I read on the Magnolia site yesterday that the summer kits are now winging their way - yay!!! Come soon!!!!

80 Years Young

2009-06-21T17:02:00.006+01:00

Hey it's been a while since my last post, but I have a genuine excuse this time. My Mum has been unwell for several weeks and in hospital since last Monday, so have been doing much to-ing and fro-ing one way or another. Busy at work too and have had a few social events, so falling asleep pretty early and soundly of late!

Anyhooooooo, here's a card I made for my pal Jeanette's Mum, as it's her 80th birthday coming up. Maybe it's me, but I find it much harder to make cards for someone you don't know. Am also very self-critical but as I had a deadline, didn't have enough time to dither. To be fair, Jeanette gave me a couple of months notice, but I've been procrastinating, hence the last minute rush.

So, the image stamp is Jolly Nation, coloured with Sansodor and Koh-i-Noors, blinged up with Star Dust Stickles, sentiment from Verve, paper from K&Co, lace from Abakhan Fabrics, flourishes are Quickutz - also given the Stickle treatment, vellum from Papermania.

I followed the layout from Friday Sketchers #57 and the theme from Stamp Something is black & white + 1 colour as is Creative Card Crew #15, the theme from Stamp with Fun #11 is dots, Stampavie & More #48 is numbers and I did squeeze a little 80 in :)

Whiff of Joy release day!

2009-06-14T13:16:00.002+01:00

Go on, you know you want to, go and take a look at Katharina's blog for the chance to win some stamps from today's new Whiff of Joy release. Beautiful stamps for Weddings and Babies.

Monday Monday, looks good to me...

2009-06-08T21:56:00.003+01:00

My lovely crafty pal Stacey kindly stamped me out a bunch of Anyas, but last week I luckily managed to get hold of both sets anyway :D One from Dies To Die For and one from Tabbycrafts. However, they are still virginal and I'm using Stacey's first. Thanks honey!

Given my lack of free time to craft at the moment - I was working half the weekend :( I've gone mad on combining several challenges again. Friday Sketchers #55 for the layout, Stampin' for the Weekend inaugural challenge for the purple and yellow theme, Cute Card Thursday #63 is a Nip and a Punch - I used my Leone Em branch punch from The Glitterpot - and Nesties of course, Secret Crafter Saturday was 'bling' and Dutch Dare #51 was to decroate the inside. Phew! I coloured Anya with Copics, blinged her up with Stickles. The DP is Doodlebug and the sentiment Craftwork Cards. Prima flowers. All other elements from stash.

I was really pleased to have been picked out for the prize at the Creative Card Crew for my Edwin Card below - thanks guys. I know it's the taking part that counts, but it's so lovely to win something too!

Gracie Mae is 1 day old today!

2009-06-02T21:55:00.005+01:00

My friend Kelly had a much longed for, gorgeous little baby girl yesterday called Gracie Mae Amy. I made her this little card to welcome her into the world :) I actually cased this from Michelle's card here - hope you don't mind Michelle? I love my A-Muse stamp and sentiment. Simple but just perfect.

Flutterby Butterfly

2009-05-31T18:00:00.003+01:00

Another balmy day in Manchester. The reputation we have of a rainy city is looking very dubious right now :) I actually love rain, but it's amazing how a bit of sunshine can somehow make everything seem better. I think Edwin here is also in the midst of a rather nice day. When I was a child, we lived for a few years near a canal and I often went newting or caught sticklebacks, but I don't ever remember chasing butterflies. Kipper likes to tho'!

This is another DP I must have had for years - no idea of the make or where it came from. Edward is popped up on 3D glue. The sentiment is from the Woodware Garden Greetings set. I followed the Friday Sketchers #54, Just Magnolia #7 wants animals or insects, Daring Cardmakers wanted '5' - I have 5 flowers, Creative Card Crew #12 is to use pretty flowers and last but not least, Cute Card Thursday #62 is Bit o' Bling, so I hope the teeny tiny tiny gems on my flowers count!

Turtle Time!

2009-05-27T19:17:00.002+01:00

At the Dies To Die For blog, Tracy is holding a challenge with a sketch from Dawny P and the main prize is the new Anya's set. Well, not being able to resist a challenge these days, and also dying to get my hands on those babies, i just had to enter, didn't I? As it happens, my Pink Cat Studio, Lily At The Beach set came from the DTDF shop, as did the little blue bubbles.

Ohhhhh, this piece of DP.... I've had this for several years. I think it's my oldest piece of paper. It's the one I've resisted the longest using, cos when it's gone, it's gone Why oh why did I only buy 1 piece of it??? I was younger and more foolish then ;) It's by Paper Adventures, called Turtle Time and was therefore perfect for the image, but ohh, I was sad to hack into it :'( If anybody out there knows where there is some more to be had, purleeeeease tell me!

Dressed to distress

2009-05-25T19:15:00.002+01:00

Another gorgeous summer's day today for Bank Holiday Monday. Walk in the park with Kipper, BBQ at Mum's house. It's just all over far too quick. I think there should be at the very least, TWO bank holidays every month :)

Here is the version of Tilda with Rose that I coloured with distress inks. Back in my comfort zone! More lovely Basic Grey papers from the Sultry pack. The butterfly sentiment is from Craftwork Cards. The sketch is from Stamp with Fun #8.

Oh, what a beautiful mornin'!

2009-05-24T20:23:00.006+01:00

It really was the most glorious morning of the year so far. Today was my idea of a perfect summer day :) I love walking Kipper in any weather, but it's so much nicer in the sunshine.

This is one of my very favourite Tildas. Hmmm, I think I seem to say that alot! I love these gorgeous Basic Grey Sugared DPs. They co-ordinate so beautifully together. The layout was from Double Dutch #18 - I do like lots of layers... and is also my entry for A Spoonful of Sugar #52 for their 1st Birthday theme Celebration. It's also for the OCC Challenge 'Sentiments' as my A-Muse sentiment may be simple, but it's my favourite and I love the font. I popped Tilda up on 3D foam pads and coloured her in with Koh-i-Noors and OMS - except for the skin, for which I nearly always use Staedtler Aquarell G4. Card candy from Craftwork Cards and flowers from stash.

Magnolia Mad?!

2009-05-19T20:13:00.005+01:00

Ok, I admit, I am completely hooked and have gone Magnolia Mad lately; And to think at one point, I reeeeally didn't like them! LOL

Hmmmm... Chucked this card together pretty quickly the other night. I admit, I need a LOT more practice with my Copics and a few more colours to complement the ones I have already so I can shade and tone more subtly (there's some in the post...). I also coloured up this Tilda with distress inks, and I much prefer that version. (Expect it to make an appearance soon!). The thickish nib of my Copics do make me feel pretty clumsy. I am in desperate need to get my prescription filled for a new pair of (reading) glasses. Alas, finances currently permit - and I somewhat ashamedly confess I'd rather buy more crafty stuff first :( Copics are also a bit unforgiving if you make a mistake. It's so obvious where I've gone over the lines and there is no way of hiding that, unless you can give me any tips? I have a seen a Copic 'white out' paint available, but not heard anybody talk about using it. Perhaps it's only me that goes over the lines?!

So, the DPs are from the bargain K&Co pack I picked up in TK Maxx. In fact, the ones you can see here are all from one 12x12" sheet as it was a collage design. A splash of Stickles on her wings and the card is my entry into the Copics Colour Challenge #13, which this week was a sketch and also for Stamp with Fun #7 Shabby/Vintage.

Just in the nick of time!

2009-05-16T23:38:00.004+01:00

Omigosh, there are only a few minutes left to get this posted in time for last Sunday's #15 Colour Create challenge 'Blue & Green'. I made this card earlier this week, but silly me, forgot I hadn't posted it. D'oh!

It WAS a busy week for me with work etc and I had an audition for the National Lottery game show 'Who Dares Wins'. Unfortunately, didn't make it to the next round of eliminations, but it was a fun experience nonetheless. I'd highly recommend applying to a few shows if you're at all tempted. I've had auditions for several different ones and got on one some years ago. You get to meet some interesting people ;)

Anyhoo, enough of that. I coloured my Tilda with Koh-i-Noors (I got mine from the US, now available at Elzybells over here), the gorgeous DP is from Sandylion, sentiment from Cuddly Buddly and all other elements from stash.

1st Birthday

2009-05-12T07:46:00.005+01:00

I need to direct you to one of my favourite shops blogs, where I first started buying lovely digi images. (They are still my favourite). Dottie's World are celebrating their 1st birthday with some amazaing candy and a week long celebration, starting this Sunday. Check it out here.

Happy Birthday Dottie!

Party Animals

2009-05-10T17:03:00.005+01:00

I had another go with my sewing machine today. It's a bit of a pigs ear, but at least I got some stitching done, although I did have to place a button to cover a particularly dodgy bit... 20 to 30 years ago, if you'd looked inside my closets, I'd made around 10% of my clothes. You need to get to know a sewing machine like an oven. It's quirks and foibles and just the 'feel' of it. I need to learn to love my machine. At the moment, I just want to hurl it through an upstairs window!!! :-/

The glamorous location I use outside for my cards, is the top of my wheelie bin. If it's raining, then on top of my cockatiel's cage in the lean-to. Despite it being such a dull day here, they still come out so much better in natural light.

The fifth challenge at Stamp with Fun is to make a 4"x8" card and the 50th one at A Spoonful of Sugar is Touchy Feely. The image is coloured with Copics and are part of a set from Pink Cat Studio, which I got from Tracy at Dies To Die For. The sentiment is Whiff of Joy. DPs are Basic Grey. Ribbon and buttons from stash. Dodgy sewing from me. Hopefully not to be repeated. Picked up the glittery threads in a haberdashery sale for 10p a pack. Aren't bargains grrrrreat?!

I aint no square

2009-05-09T22:25:00.003+01:00

Well I went back to work yesterday and luckily seem to have pretty much got over my flu. Hurrah! You don't really appreciate (relatively) good health until its gone, do you?

I'd been putting it off for a while, but today I finally got my new (to me) sewing machine out. I spent 2 frustrating hours trying to thread the machine, load a new bobbin and get the stitching and tension right, but seemed to get nowhere fast at all. My eyes are so rubbish now, I was having a hard time threading the needle. Rather than sensibly practice on a piece of scrap, I thought I'd get stuck in to some of my few remaining scraps of this lovely Basic Grey Infuse DP. Of course, it just wasn't happpening for me; look at all the lovely holes I put in! In the end, I had to admit defeat for today and compromise with some badly doodled stitches instead.

You don't have to scroll far down, to see that I favour square cards, but it was a nice change to use a rectangle this time. The sketch came from ICS # 15, the scheme from Colour Create and Just Magnolia # 4 wanted the stitching. Tilda is coloured with Copics and the sentiment is A-Muse.

The Princess

2009-05-06T19:39:00.007+01:00

Do you know the story of The Princess & The Pea? They knew she was a real princess, because she slept on 20 mattresses and still felt the pea? Well, I know I'm definitely NOT a princess as I invariably wake up in the morning, to find my glasses, a book, the tv remote etc wedged into me somewhere and have slept blissfully through the discomfort :-/ One of the girls in my office is a princess though, or at least, certainly likes to be treated like one, so this Elzybells image and sentiment was screaming out her name. I coloured her in with distress inks and twinkling H2os and followed the sketch from Papertake Weekly. I'm so glad there are lots of challenges around to have kept me occupied during my illness ;)

Purple Haze

2009-05-05T18:44:00.004+01:00

Thankfully, I seem to now be in the recovery phase of my flu. Still feel like I've been run over by a steamroller, but all the unpleasant symptoms are gradually fading and I feel almost human again :)

So, being off work sick, I had the opportunity to take part in the 3rd Just Magnolia challenge. This Tilda may not be a recent one, but she's brand new to my collection and I just love her. The DP is from a huge pack of K&Co papers I picked up in TK Maxx, which worked out around 6.5p a sheet. Fab! If only they always worked out at that price?! I coloured her in with Tim Holtz distress inks and also distressed the edges of the papers a bit. The charm came from eBay and the little Autumn Leaves Rhonna Farrer swirl stamp from The Glitter Pot.

I saw a mouse...

2009-05-04T14:25:00.005+01:00

A record for me today I think, my card fits in with FOUR challenges! The sketch is from Stampavie and More #41, Papertake Weekly is Spots & Stripes (I think I'm just in time), Cute Card Thursday #58 is Mirror, Mirror - use something shiny - and the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #30 is to use flowers. PHEW! The stamp is from Whiff of Joy, coloured with Prismas and blinged up with Stickles. The embellishments and word sentiment came free on magazines and the DPs are DCWV.

It's actually a miracle I'm managing to do anything productive at all at the moment. I've had the worst flu ever for a week or so now. I actually feel quite dreadful and my head is booming. However, sat here quietly crafting is helping me take my mind of my woes. In between, I've been catching up on lots of movies I missed at the pictures. Some hits and some misses of course, but Australia has been far and away the best. If you haven't seen it, I can't recommend it highly enough. It's a bit too long at 2 and a half hours, but I watched it over 3 sessions, so it wasn't so bad. Hugh Jackman makes yummy eye candy, but the young boy steals the whole film. He's just beautiful and a brilliant little actor. Go hire it!

The one with the waggly tail...

2009-05-03T22:24:00.010+01:00

This is one of my very favourite Tildas and I'd been meaning to make a card with 'extra' puppies on for a-g-e-s. I've been to a family 'do' tonight and this card was for my nephew's wife, Alanna. My nephew Nathan is the Dr Dolittle of the family and they have a veritable menagerie of animals and birds. He breeds Red Setters and Springer Spaniels and very generously gave me Kipper as a teeny tiny puppy about 19 months ago (boy that's flown!). Their household is soon to have another litter of puppies, so I thought this card would be very appropriate :)

I followed the sketch at Stamp With Fun #4 and the colour theme of blue and green from A Spoonful of Sugar #49. I took more time over the inside of the card too. I actually liked the way the whole thing turned out so much, I actually found it hard to hand the card over! DPs are Basic Grey Two Scoops. I coloured the image with distress inks and the sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

2009-04-28T13:29:00.007+01:00

This is yet another digi-stamp that I discovered, this time whilst I was looking at The Greeting Farm website. I was trying to suss out how to get hold of the Miss Anya Collection that seems to be sold out everywhere in the Uk. You can order it direct from the US but with the $ and the p&p, it's out of my budget :'( Anyhoo, I then noticed all their digi downloads; Wheee! Much more in my price range! Plus, The Wizard of Oz is one of my all time favourite films.

This card fits very nicely with the Papertake Weekly Challenge #14 Spots & Stripes but it was a happy coincidence, as I'd already made my card :) I am using yet more of my Doodlebug dps - (lots more to go in so many colourways and patterns). I coloured Dorothy and Toto in with my Copics and of course, her ruby slippers had to have some Stickles on them to make them shine. The metal sentiment came free with a magazine a long time ago and I figured it fitted in with the fact that Dorothy is dreaming of being back in Kansas ;) This card is also my entry into this weeks Sketch & Stash Challenge #9.

NB If anyone has the Miss Anya collection and would like to do an image swap, please let me know? The same goes for the Gorjuss Girls. Would love to get my hand on any of those and was gutted to miss the recent release at Funky Kits...

Tea for 2

2009-04-27T13:42:00.003+01:00

I really enjoyed this week's Friday Sketchers challenge #49 and I'm really pleased with how my card turned out. I coloured my Elzybells image in with distress inks and made myself use another one of my fabby Doodlebug DPs. The butterfly and matching little flowers came free with a magazine and the rest are Primas of course.

I've got today off work. Have been building up my flexi-time and even got my haircut this morning - the first time since last August! This is partly due to money, but mainly just cos I h-a-t-e going to the hairdresser. Most of my pals love going, feeling pampered etc but not me. Am I alone in this?!

Pink Vicky

2009-04-25T21:38:00.006+01:00

Being on a fairly limited budget, I'm always on the lookout for a bargain and am thrilled to bits that the range of digi-stamps available seems to be on the increase. I found 'Vicky' over at Sketching Stamper. Isn't she fab? I used Dawn's sketch and the colour scheme from Colour Create challenge #12. Sentiment from A-Muse.

I've had this Doodlebug DP for a-g-e-s, in lots of different colourways and have been loathe to use it cos I don't want to run out - Crazy or what?! All my most favourite DPs, I just get out now and again, look at lovingly, give them a stroke, then put them away again, waiting for that 'special moment' (my Mum used to do the same thing with fabric!). Well, needs must and I'm determined to stop hoarding my lovely papers and start using them!

It's just like Dolly said...

2009-04-21T21:28:00.015+01:00

As soon as I got home this evening, I discovered the postie had delivered my brand new MFT stamps and I couldn't wait to use them. Some of the newer sets are just brilliant for us girls that are office bound! The sentiment here sums me up completely. I definitely work to live, not live to work. That's probably the same for most people though, I guess? So, I got my Copics out for this one and used these six colours YG03, C3, 100, E04, E21, E35.

The layout is from Sketch & Stash Challenge #8 and also forms my entry for Dutch Dare Challenge #44 where the theme is 'Favourite Things'. So, of course, some of my favourite things are my MFT stamps and also my Copics!

Lamby Pie

2009-04-19T23:32:00.012+01:00

Well, I'm looking out the window at the most glorious sunshine and feeling very fed up to be stuck in work. I've booked next Monday off work. What are the chances of it raining do you think?!

Have you seen the new Just Magnolia challenge blog? They have a fab prize on offer for their inaugural week. It gave me the perfect excuse to use my new stamp. I love this sweet image. And I love how this pic turned out. It was so sunny yesterday, that I took my card outside and propped it on my wheelie bin! Maybe not so glamorous, but natural light makes such a difference to photos. I also discovered that my card fits in with another few challenge blogs. Over at Cute Card Thursday, you just need to include a flower and A Spoonful of Sugar requires die cuts or punches - and I've used both. It also fits in with Stamp Something where the theme is to use blue, green and yellow.

I dug my distress inks out for this. Have not used them in a while as I'd been stamping on thinner card recently. I also needed a bit more practice. I think I have maybe a dozen of the colours and need to invest in the rest. They're so much fun to work with, but a bit tricky as you can so easily overload the waterbrush and then they sometimes run. I don't think this one came out too bad? Although how did her hands turn out such a different shade to her face?! D'oh!

Bright & Beautiful

2009-04-12T15:00:00.017+01:00

Happy Easter! Boy I don't know where the past week has gone. It's all been a bit of a blur; I made this card LAST Sunday for the 'Bright & Beautiful' theme at the Dottie's world challenge, but only just managed to take a pic of it yesterday. D'oh!

I've been off work all week, but with one thing and another, didn't get much crafting done. All the best laid plans, huh?! I spent some time with family, some with friends, some with the dog - including giving her a bath, had a lovely day up in Keswick with my SIL and even managed to pretty much completely re-decorate my kitchen. I'd wanted a tasteful sage green, but, despite buying several tester pots, it's somehow ended up a spearmint green. It looked terrible with the (inherited) existing horrible peach tiles (everything would have looked horrible with them) so I got a tin of tile paint and now they're sparkling white. I didn't think they'd look so good re-painted, but am really pleased with how glossy they've turned out. £16.50 for a tin of tile paint was considerably cheaper than re-tiling and I'd recommend it if you're on a budget like me.

Y'know Kipper is so sparkly, fluffy and clean now, I really don't want to take her out, cos the first thing she always does is find the nearest water to splash in and usually this means a muddy puddle if a pond or stream can't be found! I need to take a pic of her whilst she looks this nice, as it definitely won't last.

This is pre-bath!

Buggin'

2009-04-04T15:44:00.004+01:00

I made this card a couple of days ago but forgot to publish and had saved it to draft instead - D'OH! Anyhoo, it's for this weeks Friday Sketchers challenge #46 using a doodlebat bug from Scrap'n'Fonts. I got the chance to also try out my newly won MS Valentine Lace punch. The sentiment is computer generated, again from a SF font. I coloured my ladybug with Twinkling H2Os, but I don't think you can tell just how twinkly it is on the photo? Did you know that they've gone bust? Such a shame as I don't think the alternatives are half as good :(

I'm very happy to say I'm off work again this week, so should be posting cards most days this week. Just putting the finishing touches on tomorrows offering. I just hope tomorrow is as lovely and sunny as today was, so I can take a decent pic :)

You gotta roll with it...

2009-03-29T21:28:00.008+01:00

Just a quick card today. My pal Lesley and I went to the GNPE at Harrogate today and what beautiful weather we had :) It was also still very light when I got home, so could walk Kipper over the moors. Such a difference from some of the very cold, wintery weather we've had recently. I did however, end up with a very soggy doggy as I just can't keep her out of the water up there!

So, George and Dottie above; I'm cross with myself for smudging his face when blending with my Sansodor. Unfortunately this was the last thing I did on the card, so it was too late to start all over again. What I'll probably do is print another head out and decoupage it over the top of the first before I send it. The challenge at Dottie's World is shaped cards and I got this shape from my Nesties of course. The card candy from Craftwork Cards was picked up at the show today. You get absolutely loads of them in a bag for £1 and they're a cheap and cheerful alternative to brads or gems. They come in loads of colours and are easily attached. I stuck mine on with 3d foam pads.

TTFN!

Sweethearts

2009-03-24T09:00:00.003Z

The school pal I mentioned yesterday, Jeanette, got engaged last week. I used DP from Basic Grey, a Lily & Billy Sweethearts image I got in a recent swap from Stacey and my Prismas.

Now, please please please don't click on the image and look too closely. Or on ANY of my pics! I've been horrified when I've done this with my cards as I can see sooooo many smudges over the lines that I just don't know I'm making when I'm colouring in. Oh, the shame! But I found out the other week why I'm doing it. I need reading glasses! I'd been to the opticians and my near-vision has got considerably worse since my last pair of glasses. She recommended varifocals or bi-focals, but I just can't get my head around using those and they are considerably more expensive than buying 2 'normal' pairs. However, I just can't afford to get any at all at the moment, so I'm sorry to say, smudgeville is here to stay for now. Damn!!!

Madison with Attitude

2009-03-23T09:00:00.000Z

So, I got a request via Facebook last week, from an old school friend, to make a card for her pal's 40th. I got a few clues on what she's like and this is what I came up with. I just hope it fits the bill...!

Madison with Attitude is another one from the downloads I got from Charmed Cards & Crafts. I'm going to find it hard not to use these images on everything, as there seems to be one for almost every occassion I've had recently and this one definitely saved my life this time!

Mother's Day

2009-03-22T20:40:00.001Z

Today's offering is of course for my Mum. I adore my Penny Black Duckling stamp. It's one of the most versatile ones I've got. Handy for Mother's Day of course, birthdays, thank yous, get well etc etc I reckon it's worth spending an extra few pennies if you can use them over and over. I've spent half as much again on stamps that I've only used once and are now gethering dust in a box. Never again! HA!

Anyhoo, I've combined this weeks Friday Sketcher's challenge with the one at ABC, where the theme is F for Flowers. Coloured with my trusty Prismas of course and the Mother sentiment came from Lakeland Ltd. They have disappointingly stopped doing craft items now, which I thought was a real shame.

And here's my lovely Mum this morning, with the orchid from my sister Anne. I got her a bunch of roses, but didn't get a snap of those as my bloomin' camera battery died on me...

Woo-hoo! I won! Can you too?

2009-03-22T07:38:00.009Z

Ohhh, I'm soooo excited. Look here. Over at Tracy's DTDF blog, I won the small object of my hearts desire, an MS Valentine Lace punch - woo hoo! It's been a bit of a rotten week for me, so this was a lovely surprise that came just when I needed it :D Check out Tracy's web shop too, she's sells a particularly good range of stamps.

Now, on to some blog candy and fingers crossed my luck can stay with me and if not for me, then maybe for you?

There's Jennifer, Ila, Jacqui, Bev, Stacey, Jak, Claudia, I'll keep adding more as I find it

Dotty about Holly & Madison

2009-03-18T00:07:00.005Z

I am really thrilled to have discovered the downloads at Charmed Cards and Crafts. I absolutely love all the Holly & Madison images and can't wait to get the other sets available. They are so easy to use and re-size to fit your projects. There is even a free sample on the website so you can try it out for yourself. I made this card using Holly in the Garden, for the birthday of one of the girls in my office. This is one of my all time fave sentiments from Stamping Bella and the sketch is from Dottie's World. Can you see I've got around to using one of my shiny new Martha Stewart punches?

Punny Bunny - Take 2

2009-03-15T09:23:00.003Z

Woke up to glorious sunshine today. How lovely! I hope it lasts... I made this card for Sketch & Stash Challenge #5. The image isn't quite the right shape for the sketch, but I just couldn't wait to try out my brand new Messy Rabbit stamp from Joanna Sheen. Isn't he gorgeous? (Free p&p too, always a plus!) The A-Muse sentiment is also new. Another thing I had sent across the pond for me, but they also ship internationally.

Easy as 1,2,3

2009-03-14T10:09:00.005Z

I love these spring colours. Makes you feel cheerful after the long and dreary winter we've had. It's been so nice lately to leave for work and come home in the light instead of the dark.

I made this card for 2 of this weeks challenges. The sketch is from a A Spoonful of Sugar #42 and the theme at ABC Challenge is E for Easter. I hunted in all my coupboards high and low for my embroidery skeins to add threads to my buttons, but so far haven't found them. I do think they would have improved the look. So, the hunt is still on!

They pack a real punch

2009-03-14T09:58:00.004Z

Oh, I know i'm a lucky girl :) My sister Anne in Florida, kindly sent me a package this week, with THREE Martha Stewart punches in it (and some new A-Muse sentiments). If you want to get your hands on some of these lovelies, I know Dies to Die For and the Hobbyhouse are both due deliveries in April sometime, but I think you'd better be quick off the mark as they keep selling out super fast. I love them so much and really want to get my hands on some more of these, so my sis is on the lookout for the others that I'm after. Try not to be tooooo jealous }:-P

A work of art...?

2009-03-09T21:16:00.005Z

I made this card for Friday Sketchers challenge #42. I have to confess, I didn't find this sketch an easy one. However, I think that is a good thing as it pushes you to be creative and try new things. I think that is what the challenges are all about for me. Doing something different than I would normally do :) The image is Penny Black of course and the sentiment from Cornish Heritage Farms.

He looks a proper 'nana...

2009-03-02T06:19:00.001Z

Another dinky card, for someone special :) Enough said.

Swinging Elzy

2009-03-01T07:17:00.000Z

I'm trying to economise and use stuff I already have in; I've had my swinging Elzy for a while but not got round to using it. I'd layered up some cards using some DP I'd had in too and then tried to find a suitable image. Coloured with Prismas and Sansodor. I think it works ok? I do have another A-Muse sentiment than the one here that says 'have a swinging day' but I don't like the font so much, I think this one suits Elzy's style much better. I got my new Elzybells release stamps a few days ago and am just putting a couple of cards together. Will try to post later tday. They're really sweet!

Super Woman!

2009-02-28T12:31:00.003Z

Bad news for me, I didn't make the High Hopes DT - this time. I'll keep trying though and maybe at the next opportunity, I'll pull something special out of the bag? I live in high hopes!

If you browse my blog, you can probably tell that square cards are my favourite to work with. I buy hammer finish cards from Craft Creations and usually use the 144mm, but the card above was made with my new lot of 100mm cards. They are just the right size for A-Muse images like the one I've used here and lots of other stamps too. The sentiment is Stamping Bella and the c/s I am using here is textured DCWV, although I also love my Bazzill too.

Elzybells New Release

2009-02-23T13:27:00.002Z

Hop over to Elzybells and take a look at the wonderful new release. Have already placed my order for Just Desserts. But am sure I will follow it up with another oh so soon! Have a look at the blog candy Elizabeth is offering on her blog too. You could win the ENTIRE new release - wow!

High Hopes Challenge #17

2009-02-22T16:41:00.003Z

Now you know I love High Hopes stamps don't you? This challenge is from a week or 2 ago, but the layout is also the required element to try and get on their DT as a guest Diva. Can't think of a nicer prize - fingers tightly crossed x The coins (treasure!), came from a local haberdashery supplier. As soon as I saw them, I knew they'd be perfect to go with my High Hopes pirate stamps.

Sisterhood

2009-02-22T16:31:00.005Z

One of my big sisters - I am the youngest of 5 children - has her birthday in March, but she lives in Florida, so I have to post it off this week. sorry if this spoils the surprise Janet! The stamp is a brand new one from Penny Black called 'Sisterhood' but will be great for my good friends too. I like the swirly curls, die cut from a Sizzix Sizzlit and dotted with Papermania gems.

Teenage Kicks

2009-02-22T16:24:00.003Z

My pal's daughter Rhianne, is 13 in a few weeks time. I have to say, I'm quite impressed at myself, for getting ahead with my cards. I'm usually soooo last minute. It won't last! A Forever Friends image and my old faithful A-Muse sentiment.

Bernie

2009-02-22T16:18:00.003Z

My pal Bernie is 50 in a week or 2. She'll hate me telling you that as she's always been a bit sensitive about her age! However, it's just a number, isn't it? Ginger is the Penny Black lady and the sentiment is from Verve Stamps.

Purrrrrrfect!

2009-02-21T11:35:00.000Z

I do love my Penny Black stamps. I picked up a few recently as one of my fave suppliers is closing down and is clearing out her stock at bargain prices. This is one of the last suppliers I know of that did free p&p too, so am really sad. Check out what Pauline has left at Happystampers.The purrrrfect sentiment is from Stamping Bella.

Heffalumps and Woozles!

2009-02-21T11:30:00.000Z

Do you know the song from Winnie-the-Pooh? The clip it's from is enough to give children nightmares, but I always thinks of it when I see elephants. But I digress... This High Hopes Elephant is not remotely frightening. I made this belated card just to 'have in'. Despite the fact that I'm a card maker, I have a terrible habit of forgetting people's birthdays. Silly me! I definitely do not have the memory of an elephant...

Kipper

2009-02-21T11:22:00.000Z

Not a card, but my lovely doggy. Isn't she beautiful?

which flavour baby?

2009-02-20T10:44:00.002Z

I know several pregnant people at the moment (and they're all making me broody!), so I made a few cards for every flavour. I think this Forever Friends stamp is wonderfully simple for a quick and easy card. I 'sugared up' my own brads by adding some diamond ice Stickles to plain ones from Papermania and dotted the scallops of the nesties with an Inkessesntials opaque white pen..

jack's 8

2009-02-20T10:06:00.001Z

My pal Jo's son was 8 earlier this week. He's at that deliciously mischievous age where he's full of fun and cheekiness. I was tempted to make him a Changito monkey card, but plumped for this fiery dragon from High Hopes instead. There is a tasty cake that was part of this stamp, but I masked it off as I think he's fantastic on his own :)

james

2009-02-19T13:51:00.000Z

My son turned 17 last week - omg! How grown up is that? He's difficult to make cards for but I like the simplicity of this one. Image and sentiment from my fave stamp company, A-Muse. Monochrome is good for guys I think?

kim

2009-02-18T13:28:00.008Z

Well, the first card I've uploaded in months. What can I say? Life has been truly hectic. Still is for that matter, but I find m self with a smidgeon of free time to upload some of the cards I've made over the past few months. This one was for my pal Kim's 3rd baby. She also has 2 step-children, so that's one full household! Love those Elzybells sheep and sentiment. The clear sets are wonderful value for money. Keep 'em coming Elizabeth!

BLOG CANDY

2008-10-06T13:22:00.004+01:00

One of my very favourite blogs is A 'Lil Bit Of Me by Marlene. She has some gorgeous candy to give away here. While you are there, check out her distress ink tutorial. It has me completely hooked and whilst I haven't posted any cards on here for a few weeks, I've spent HOURS colouring lots of images using my distress inks! I just love the effects, but will never ever come remotely close to Marlene's talent. She's amazing!

When not working, I am mid-decorating my completely chaotic bedroom and this has been taking up what energy I have right now and the rest is going on some other 'stuff', but please bear with me as I will be posting cards in the next few days or so.

In the meantime, thanks for visiting.

Sheila xx

BLOG CANDY WINNERS!

2008-10-02T20:49:00.002+01:00

I didn't use random.org, just a good old fashioned 'hat'!

The winners areas follows:-

1st place to ... Nancy

2nd & 3rd of 20 images of their/my choice is Swedie and Ribenaruby

Congrats girls, please get in touch with your snail mail addresses and a BIG thank you to all those who took part. I will definitely be running one again in the future, so keep popping back :)

WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW!

2008-10-01T18:08:00.001+01:00

Hello all! I have a special card to make tonight, but rest assured I will be also scribbling out all of your names - twice if you also subscribed - and announcing the winner tomorrow!

Sheila x

Blog Candy - at last!

2008-10-01T17:55:00.001+01:00

I have been planning for quite a while to do some blog candy when I got to 5000 hits etc, but seeing as that is obviously going to take some considerable time yet(!), I thought I'd do it now to hopefully get me a bit nearer :) You get everything pictured above, plus 20 stamped images of your choice from any of the stamps featured on my blog posts - or a surprise assortment if you'd prefer. I'll also do another 2 lots of images for 2nd and 3rd out of the hat. Here are the rules:-

1. Leave a comment on THIS post. But I want to know the answer to my question which is here. Which is your favourite flesh coloured pencil/pen etc?

2. Link back here from your blog

3. You go in the draw twice if you subscribe to my blog

4. You can also enter if you don't have a blog (if not, tell me why not?!)

5. I will post worldwide

6. The draw will be made 30th September

Good luck! ps This post will stay on top until it's closed. Thanks so much Tanja for the tip on how to do this!

Update...

2008-09-07T11:14:00.004+01:00

... on my previous post. The 'goodies' A-Muse sent me, which I had assumed would be stamps - turned out to be ribbon. Still, I'm not complaining, no sir-eee. Especially as I had a 4th bit of bad luck/good luck. I had been hankering after the Snowflurry Tilda for months now and finally found it in stock at AliCraft - who have lots of the new ones in too, that everyone else seems to have run out of. What arrived with me though, was the the autumnal Tilda in the wind. It's really very similar, but with leaves not snowflakes etc and a less wintery feel. I just had my heart set on Snowflurry, so contacted Alison and asked if I could swap it for the right one. She hadn't noticed that Magnolia had sent her some of the wrong stamps and had labelled them up incorrectly, so whisked the right one in the post and said I could keep the Autumn one by way of apology! Woo-hoo! So, yet more great customer service and one very satisfied customer :D Again, please check this site out as there is free p&p (on Uk orders) over £10, which is so rare these days. By the way, if you don't know the site already, Happystampers have free Uk postage, so nearly all my Penny Black stamps come from there as they have a huge range and they're ususally with me in a day or 2.

PS BLOG CANDY WILL BE ON HERE LATER TODAY - AT LAST!!!

WOW!

2008-09-02T18:00:00.005+01:00

I have to start off this post by telling you, that money is tight these days and I have to make every penny count. I find bargains anywhere I can and scour the internet to save pennies and find places I can order from with minimal or free postage. Sometimes you can save a fortune buying direct from the manufacturer or from the US or Canada. Even with the postage, we seem to end up paying half the price than we would here. I've had very few things go wrong ordering via the internet; Maybe I've just been lucky? Well, not so much this month - or so I thought.

We had a bit of a bonus from work last month and I placed orders with 3 of my favourite stamp companies; Elzybells, A-Muse and High Hopes. Well, wadda you know, all 3 orders one way or another went pear-shaped! I won't bore you with the details, but suffice to say it wasn't directly the fault of any of them. Royal Mail lost one, an email with payment details got lost in the ether and mechanical problems due to extreme weather with another, so they've all been delayed.

But, here's what they did:-

1. Elizabeth at Elzybells was kind and helpful throughout and generously sent a £10 voucher to spend in her shop

2. A-Muse order due any day now, but they said sorry and have put extra stamps in my order

3. Last but not least, High Hopes kept me informed on the delays thoughout and sent me DOUBLE the number of stamps I ordered. So, not 18 but 36 stamps!!! And not all little ones either.

Wow! I have been completely blown away by the kindness and wonderful customer service from all 3 companies. If only everybody you dealt with could be that great?! So please think about ordering with them if you don't already (I already had their links down the side). I think they deserve it :D

I can feel 3 thank you cards coming on....!

So much candy you'll get toothache!

2008-09-01T21:03:00.002+01:00

No, not mine yet. Check out my SBS sister Hilma's blog here. She has gorgeous candy up for grabs - but I hope I win it, not you!

You can also finds some on Kristin's blog. An amazing bunch of Magnolia stamps. Karen has a great bunch of stuff here. A beautiful set of Laura Ashley stamps on Jude's blog. There are 60 items on Sally's! There are 21 stamps sets and a $25 voucher for MFT, meaning $200 worth of stamps right here.

I'm just walking the dog

2008-08-31T22:14:00.010+01:00

I made this for my pal's birthday at work (she has a black lab) and I think it's ok for 3 blog challenges. The first is Copycat Cards week 23 who required you only use orange, black and white (her top looks yellowish on this pic, but I assure you it's a light orange Prisma!) A Spoonful of Sugar #14 which requires the use of 3 different ribbons and the last is Our Creative Corner whose requirement was just that it's a birthday card - which it is. So, there you go! The stamp is MFT and then sentiment is yet another from A-Muse. Don't they just seem to have a sentiment for everything? And oh gosh, this my 100th post! Woo-hoo! (I musta miscounted before). Blog candy very soon, i promise!

Yet more challenge cards...

2008-08-30T16:16:00.008+01:00

Well, I'm sat here busily making more cards for challenges, when I should be doing something much more constructive like... oooh, excuse me for swearing, 'housework'. It's just sooooo boring and I don't wanna so I'm not gonna }:-P Well, not right now anyhoo. So, here is the first for today. It's for the 2 Sketches 4 You #7. I've peeked at some of the other entries and they are amazing. I'm truly in awe of them gals. Mine is pretty simple and ordinary in comparison, but hey, I'll get there one day hopefully ;) Am going to upload some more today/tomorrow on this post. This is because I'm up to post no.98 and I have blog candy for my 100th. Not quite got it altogether yet, hence adding more cards on this one rather than nudge myself to the 99th! Back to this one; I used my High Hopes Samson stamp with a Hampton Arts sentiment and coloured him in with Prismas and Sansodor. Oh and no embellies this time cos it's for a bloke, whom I don't think would be very thrilled with primas, sparkly things or ribbons!

Here's my 2nd, for Friday Sketchers #17. This is Lazy Days by Penny Black - of course. The sentiment is Cat's Life Press (love their stamps) from Sassy Crafts. Stamped with a Marvy pen as I don't have any pink ink! Paper is Kay & Co. Berry Sweet and used my good ole' Nesties. Don't look too close at my corner rounding. I use some Fiskars corner-rounder scissors, but they're not great :(

Nothing remotely resembling a card...!

2008-08-29T07:25:00.004+01:00

Oh, this made me laugh! While I was blog browsing, someone (can't remember who, sorry) had this little application on their blog and I thought they were real! Go here to do your own yearbook. What amused me immensely, is that the first from the last was EXACTLY the hairstyle I was sporting at some point in the '80s! I think I suit some decades better than others....! There are blokey ones too. I think they'd make for a fun card?!

Sketch Saturday #13

2008-08-27T15:28:00.014+01:00

Soooo... Here are another 2 cards. This time for Sketch Saturday #13 and I made 2 because they are having a DT call. Fingers crossed!

I am so pleased to have 1 whole Christmas card under my belt :D This is Snowbunny Bella. I used Doodlebug papers and cardstock, embossed with a cuttlebug folder. Gems and snowflake stickers from Papermania. Sentiment A-Muse. Bella's outfit is sparkling with DecoArt Glistening Snow Writer. I went round her with a grey Marvy Le Plume marker to try and make her 'pop' out a bit more. I probably could have been a bit neater, but it's too late now...

This is my one and only Sarah Kay stamp. Such pretty images. I've seen it said before and I have to agree, that they are very like the old Holly Hobby characters. I wondered whatever happened to Holly Hobby? They were all the rage when I was in primary school! Anyhoo, this one will soon be winging it's way to my lovely SIL. Oh, and I made another matching 'inny'. They definitely finish them off nicely :) Oh, and I just wanted to say I'm getting on much better with my Prismas and Sansodor. They do say practice makes perfect - and I have lots of practising to do!

Papertake Weekly #26

2008-08-25T08:25:00.006+01:00

I'm cutting it fine again; Can't believe I forgot to post this yesterday, but the new sketch isn't up yet so fingers crossed... Brought out another Bella, only this one was from Michelle over at The Card Grotto. Thanks Michelle!

I love this sketch. It's one I will definitely be using again. Cheers Katharina!

UPDATE

Forgot to add the pics of the inside. This is the first time I've ever done an 'inny' and I'm so pleased how it turned out, so it won't be the last. Also, it balances out the layers on the front :) Go on, make an inny today!

Cold As Ice - Brrrrrrr!

2008-08-23T21:59:00.008+01:00

Oh gosh, I think I'm just about in time to scrape my entry in for the Cold As Ice challenge on last Sunday's Tilda & Co blog challenge #32. The second outing in one day for my brand new Tilda! I don't have any winter ones, so had to improvise with this a bit :-/ I used some 3D clear gloss for her glasses. I was going to put a blue tinge on her face, to emphasise just exactly how cold she is (silly girl, out with no shoes on), but I thought that was taking it a bit too far! I know it's a bit of a 'simple' card, but I was rushing to get it in on time...

Sunshiney Day

2008-08-23T15:00:00.007+01:00

Thought I'd use my new Tilda and suitcases for Cute Card Thursday #24. The challenge was to use bright colours and I think I've succeeded :) Just love these K&Co Berry Sweet papers. The sentiment is Stamping Bella. I used brush markers apart from the skin which is a Copic Ciao.

Off to Oz!

2008-08-23T09:23:00.011+01:00

This is my card for the week 16 Fridays Sketchers challenge. I used it as the basis for the card I meant to make for my niece Chloe, before she jetted off for nearly a year to Australia. Gawd, I wish it was me! The main image is a beloved MFT, coloured in with Marvy Le Plume and Whispers brush markers. The passport Inkadinkado, sentiment from Stamping Bella and papers DCWV.

Fit to burst!

2008-08-21T11:41:00.005+01:00

Ooooh, I'm positively bursting with pride. My son James got his final GCSE results this morning; 6 A*s, 1 A and 6 Bs. Woo hoo! He's so pleased and I'm proud as punch :) He worked very hard to achieve good grades. Must make him a card when I get home.....! He's off to 6th form college in September and we have to go and register next week for the 4 A levels he will be doing.

One proud mum :D

My layout

2008-08-17T19:47:00.006+01:00

So, true to my word, I used my own template for this card (and I'm really lovin' it), although as I've used ribbons, I still think it qualifies for the Cute Card Thursday challenge! I stamped and coloured lots of Magnolias a while ago and I've been waiting to put them on appropriate cards. Still have quite a few and also been playing with my A-Muse stamps, so they will appear on here very soon. Oh, forgot to say, I made Tilda's head 3D, which works pretty well, although I don't think you can see it on here.

OCC Sketch Challenge

2008-08-17T17:01:00.005+01:00

I put one of the images below onto a card for this weeks OCC sketch challenge. I must confess, although I'm really enjoying using the layouts on all the challenge blogs, it's making me feel like I'm cheating a little and that I should come up with more of my own layouts and colour combos. I've been taking lots of pics when i've been out walking Kipper, so intend to use some of nature's colour combos for some inspiration. Coming soon to a blog near you!

Grab-a-bag-a-bargain!

2008-08-17T11:26:00.010+01:00

Another purchase I wanted to share with you is the Grab Bag I got from the Rubber Romance Etsy site. I must just have been in the right place at the right time (for once!), as I've not see them before or since. They were $10 - but P&P was an extra $4 than normal, so I guess you can call it $14. What a selection! It contained both images and sentiments. I did get a couple I already had, so am going to put them towards some blog candy I'm preparing for in the next couple of weeks. If you haven't checked out RR yet, do so as they are a real bargain and with only $4 postage on normal orders to the UK, it's actually cheaper than ordering from most UK sites! NB I should point out that there are at least 5 stamps that I missed out of the photo by accident, so even more than you can see here.

Which pencils are the best?

2008-08-17T11:02:00.022+01:00

I wanted to share some recent purchases with you. One of my most favourite things about crafting is 'colouring in' and all the different mediums you can use, the different effects they give and the myriad of colours there are. To this end, I am a bit of a sucker for shiny new sets of pencils etc.

A few weeks ago, I picked up a set of Faber-Castell pencils that were half price in WH Smiths. I really love them. However, I was also hankering after some Prismas as just about everybody over the pond raves about them and I was curious to know if they really are different to those you can get here. I got a set of 72 on eBay from the US for a bargain price and yes, especially for blending with Sansodor, they are definitely an improvement on what I already had. I wanted to show you a pic of them all sorted out into the colour combos I'd painstakingly arranged them into. However, I dropped the lot and haven't had the heart to do it all over again yet :(

The other set I have bought - again from eBay, is a Koh-i-noor woodless pencil set. They only come in a set of 24 but omigosh, I can't tell you how much I looooove these pencils! They feel heavy, beautifully heavy (and came ready sharpened, a big plus!) and really do ooze onto cardstock in a buttery fashion. The colours are intense and I just adore them. I have done the same image in both Prismas (right) and Koh-i-noor (left) but a much better comparison can be found on Gina K's blog. (Note also the paper piercing templates on here which are winging their way to me now, a real bargain at $1.49!).

There are no flesh colours in the Koh-i-noors, which is a shame, but the truth is, I don't have to stick to any one set. I can happily mix and match all the colours and brands which is the best option because any 1 set is not the be all and end all. They are all wonderful in different ways. The one thing I would ask you is, to share with me which flesh colour pencils you use and love? I have bought flesh colours in practically every make I can find and none of them are particularly satisfactory. I have flesh coloured Copics which are great, but they don't sit well with pencil coloured images. So, please please tell me which ones you use and love???

2008-08-13T06:25:00.002+01:00

I received these 2 awards some time ago, but with all my pc problems and one thing and another, never got round to posting them. I'd like to thank very much Broceliane, Caroline and Stacey for giving thm to me at a time when I thought everybody else but me seemed to be giving each other awards. Now my second bit of rubbishness is that I'm not going to specifically pass them on to anyone else. Lots of you have these anyway and I just love too many blogs to whittle them down to just 7 or so. Please feel free to whip one if you haven't got one already!

That's me!

2008-08-10T17:47:00.002+01:00

You Are Punk Music

You've thought long and hard about what mainstream society has to offer...

And you've pretty much decided that most normal things aren't for you.

You're creative, expressive, and likely to do things yourself.

You are a rebel and a fighter. You'll defend your point of view to anyone.

What Kind of Music Are You?

Sweet'n'Sassy

2008-08-10T16:06:00.007+01:00

This Sweet'n'Sassy Nellie was mounted on DCWV cardstock,again coloured with watercolour pencils and waterbrush. 2 primas and another CC sentiment. I got this layout from Friday Sketcher's no 9 here.

This was sketch no 7 using Dovecraft Papers. See sketch here.

Birthday Fishes

2008-08-10T15:50:00.005+01:00

I made this for one of the guys at work, who is a keen fisherman. Isn't it so much easier to make cards for blokes who have a hobby?! Plus it was a great excuse to get a new Sugar Nellie :) Although his birthday isn't until September, I don't think he'll be browsing my blog much, so I figured it was safe to post it. It's based on the sketch here. Amy's blog is one of my absolute faves, so please take alook round her site, she's one very talented young lady.

I used watercolour pencils with a waterbrush, twinkling H20's on the fish, a craftwork cards sentiment and the Nellie of course. The paper is from the very gorgeous K&Co sweet berry stack and DCWV cardstock was dry embossed with my bubbles cuttlebug folder.

Colour my world

2008-08-10T12:51:00.006+01:00

Managed to log in at my folks to put some cards on. Here's the first for my participation in the #8 Papertake Weekly challenge. I thought I'd keep with summery colours, even though it's raining cats and dogs here right now!