Friday 31 May 2013

A CARD FOR THE STARS

What a fabulous day we are having ... daren't even say it out-loud!

I'm torn between the garden and the craft cupboard for sure today. I decided to cut a few neglected bits and pieces back today in the garden BUT may have gone a bit 'scissor happy!' Yikes ... hope they grow back ok. Best stick to crafting me thinks!

I've 'embossed' the stars and 'de-embossed' the green panel (if that makes sense).  I was stocking up on a few basic essentials at my local craft store yesterday when this mini mosaic embossing folder from Cuttlebug caught my eye!!! Just had to buy it and have a play...so here's my card for the Seize the Birthday Challenge.




And here's the sketch which runs for 2 weeks so plenty of time to compete:



Card Recipe:

Papers: Lily Bimble
Sentiment: Computer Generated using Henny Penny
Buttons, cord, gems from my stash for added dazzle!

Tools:

  • Sizzix: Framelits Stars
  • Cuttlebug: Mini Mosaic Embossing Folder


Thursday 30 May 2013

AND ... THEY'RE OFF!!!

Me again.

Not sure I did end up with the creative juices flowing after all but I did produce a card which is for my mum to send to her B-I-L next month. He likes to put the odd bet on the horses hence the theme...I really struggled to find a digi-image that was appropriate and I bought this Ron Leishman cartoon image so long ago that I can't even remember the site I purchased it from anyway hope it passes for a card.

I'm going to enter it into a couple of challenges:

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Little Miss Muffet - Sketch Challenge (Ooooh ... I do love Sketches!)
Creative Inspitations - Anything Goes

So here's my card, followed by the sketch if you want to play too:




Card Recipe:

Papers: Dovecraft and Studio Calico
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Hot Fix Nail Head Stars from my stash
I've also used a Die-namics Chevron Die for the horizontal border

BOYS LOVE ADVENTURE

This post should have appeared yesterday BUT things don't always go to plan do they?

I quickly made the card yesterday morning, before going out for the day, to enter into the Cupcake Craft and LOTV challenges who both have a theme of BOYS this week but I was a wee bit shattered when I got home, fell asleep on the sofa and before you know it it's bedtime!

So better late than never eh!  Here it is and if I get my act together I might even post again later.

Have a good day everyone - I'm hoping my crafting mojo is in tact as I've a day in the cupboard planned! Whoopie...



Card Recipe:

Image: LOTV pre-coloured from the adorable sketch pads
Papers: You guessed that Studio Calico range again!
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Card Kandi from my stash

Tools:

  • Die-Namics banner die
  • Rounded Corner Punch 

Tuesday 28 May 2013

BRING ON THE SUNSHINE WITH PAPERTAKE WEEKLY

Evening all

Hope you are having fun despite the dreary weather.

I was hoping to get a few posts in tonight but the day hasn't just gone as planned so I'm rather late now BUT I decided the 'Bring on the Sunshine' theme at A Gem of a Challenge this week was a priority - if only we could bring it on!  Everything crossed and double crossed here hoping that summer hasn't been and gone at the weekend.

The Papertake Weekly Challenge have a sketch challenge too so decided to team the two together.  I think I've started to rely on the terrific sketch challenges but can't seem to get my brain into gear to create something solo so having to search around hoping to find a nifty sketch all the time... thankfully there's plenty about.

Enjoy the rest of your evening, I'm off for a little TV catch up now.

Here's my card and let's hope the sun comes out tomorrow - it is half term for the kiddies!




And here's the sketch if you fancy playing along:


Card Recipe:

Image: Ice Cream Ellie Digistamp from Pink Gem Designs
Papers: Lilly Bimble
Sentiment: Digistamp Boutique
Added sparkle with pearls from my stash and a sprinkling of glamour dust ... can't resist it!

Tools:

  • Cricut
  • Sizzix 

Monday 27 May 2013

GIRLIE PINK FOR A GORGEOUS 1 YEAR OLD

Me again ... I don't know - I go AWOL for almost a week then posting mad.

BUT I'm a little late over at the Snippets Playground so hope the gates aren't locked.

One of my darling nieces will be one next month so here's her card and I've used mainly snippets! June and July are my busiest birthday months so lots to do ... do you get months like that too?


Here's my entry:



I also thought I'd enter my card at Creative Inspirations too where the theme is BINGO using this card.  I've gone for a diagonal line using PINK, FLOWERS & POLKA DOTS so hope that's ok.



Card Recipe:

Image: LOTV - pre-coloured images are fantastic and I've added a dusting of glamour dust for extra sazzle!
Papers: Trimcraft and Lilly Bimble
Sentiment: Computer generated
Flowers, pearls, gems and cord all from my stash

LIFE BEGINS AT 40!

Morning All

A change from challenges today as I thought I'd show you a couple of cards I made for an old friend from school-days! His mum asked me to make a card from her too so I'm including both cards. I make a lot of personalised cards like these and I especially like black and white or sepia photos for the older generations.

I made them a couple of weeks ago (prior to joining blogland) but couldn't post them until after the birthday. Unfortunately the photos aren't quite as good as my recent ones so hope you don't mind.

Peter is way too good at the on-line game Candy Crush and is miles ahead of me. I really must pluck up the courage to STOP playing it but it's highly addictive and should come with a warning!

Anyway hope you like the cards - his mum gave me some ideas for his card in terms of his favourite websites, and I've raised some of the icons to give a 3D effect. She also wanted to include her favourite photo of her little boy...





Hope you are all enjoying the long weekend.  I'm hoping to get a bit more crafting in this week as it's half-term...YIPPEE!


Card Recipies:

Candy Crush and Ipad images downloaded from the internet and Peter's photo scanned and resized to fit as the wallpaper on the Ipad by my teccy expert son Liam.

Papers: Pink Petticoat and The Papermill Shop
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Josy Rose nail heads

Tools:

  • Marianne Creatables Star Border Die
  • Cricut

Sunday 26 May 2013

IT'S AN 18TH BIRTHDAY-TAKE FOR CAS-UAL FRIDAY & CAS(E) THIS SKETCH

Hi again...

Another quick post from me. A friend's son will be celebrating his 18th next month and I thought I'd enter his card over at CAS-ual Fridays where the theme is RED, WHITE & BLUE.  I also noticed CAS(E) this sketch had a stunning sketch too which I could incorporate into my card.

I can't believe James is going to be 18 as there's only a couple of months between him and my son.  Yikes they grow up sooooo fast ... it doesn't seem a minute since they were crawling around the floor and learning to walk!!!

Enjoy the rest of your evening and catch you soon.



And here's the sketch in case you want to have a go too:


Card Recipe:

Papers: Papermill Shop - the navy one is actually a linen-effect card but not sure it shows up too well
Sentiment: Computer generated
Josy Rose Nail heads and a sprinkling of glamour dust to add some sparkle!

Tools:

  • Cricut 
  • Marianne Creatables Star Border Die
  • Sizzix Stars
  • Cuttlebug Embossing folder - stars

SKETCH SATURDAY MEETS PAPERTAKE WEEKLY ON THE SOCCER FIELD

Hello All

Sorry I've been absent for almost a week...where does the week go? I've basically had a hectic week at work then playing catch up when I'd much rather have been crafting. AND now the sun has come out so torn between the garden and the craft cupboard.

Anyway I've had a little playtime today and decided to enter my hubby's birthday card into two challenges; the Sketch Saturday and Papertake Weekly Challenges.

Over at Papertake Weekly the theme is 'if the paper fits' so hope you like the way I've paper-pieced my soccer nut! When hubby isn't at the office or taking my crafty pics he can usually be found on a footy pitch ... either playing or coaching our footy-mad daughter and her team. I thought the cones and whistle fit in perfectly for a coaching session.

So here's the card:



And here's the sketch I was following if you want to play along:


Card Recipe:

Image: Soccer Nut from Bugaboo Stamps
Papers: Studio Calico from TKMaxx - I adore these papers and certainly getting my money's worth
Sentiment: Bugaboo Stamps
Ribbons from my stash
Football related die-cuts from my fabulous crafty Aunt in America

Tuesday 21 May 2013

THE BUG'S IN A SPIN AT THE SWEET STOP CHALLENGE - SSS211

Hello ...

I stumbled across this sketch quite by chance at The Sweet Stop  and decided to have a go this week.  There seems to be quite a few challenges involving bugs in the last few days ... I'm running out of images to use!!! I guess that means more shopping needed. Hee Hee.

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine today wherever you are ... unfortunately I've been stuck in a stuffy office all day but did take the dog out for a sneaky walk when I got back.  I've a busy few days ahead so no time for crafting but still hope to catch up on what you've all been creating.

So here's my card



And here's the sketch:



Card Recipe:

Image: Pre-coloured digi image from Melonheadz
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Yummy glamour dust for dazzle and a bit of sparkle with some gems from my stash.

Sunday 19 May 2013

PIXIES CRAFTY SNIPPETS PLAYGROUND - WEEK 73


Evening All...

Just back in from a wonderful birthday party in Liverpool and guess what ... the sun was out and what a lovely warm day we were treated to.  With my playful pals on the Snippets Playground in mind I've brought home some tasty cakes and couldn't wait to share them!  Hope they count ok for snippets!!!

Here's my card:


Short and 'sweet' tonight.  Busy day at the office tomorrow so will catch up with you all when I can.


Card Recipe:

Image: Pink Petticoat - sweet treats
Papers: Lilly Brimble 
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Dazzle and sparkle with glamour dust and pearls from my stash

IT'S A DOG'S LIFE AT LESS IS MORE

Morning ...

I'm posting early today as I'm off to Liverpool later to celebrate my adorable niece's 2nd birthday.  There's going to be quite a few little 'uns there so plenty of party games, jelly, sweets, cakes hmmm!

Here's my entry for Less is More this week where the theme is Cats & Dogs.  I've had this Scottie Dog punch from Dovecraft for years and years and never used it so here it is dusted down and ready for a challenge.

I think I've gone 'dotty' this weekend - just noticed yesterday's post also featured Pink Petticoat's dots!  I've also added some of their Chevron paper for contrast inside.  The ribbon is from Studio Calico at TK Maxx and the teeny, tiny bone charm and silver thread are from my stash.

Have a good day everyone.




Saturday 18 May 2013

IT'S A HAP-BEE DAY AT SEIZE THE BIRTHDAY

My second post for today and finally got back to the Seize the Birthday Challenge having fluffed up with the Get Well card yesterday!

Following my win earlier at Sketch Saturday I've felt quite energised today so been busy in the craft cupboard.  The image I've used is a freebie from the lovely Melissa at Meljen's Designs, which I've coloured with my promarkers and drizzled some glamour dust on the wings. She offers some wonderful freebies if you want to pop by her online shop.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday and catch you again tomorrow. I'm off to watch Les Miserables tonight as the new DVD arrived during the week. Having seen it at the cinema and loved it we can now re-live it.

Bye for now



And here's the sketch


Card Recipe:

Image: Meljen's Designs
Papers: Pink Petticoat - Honeycomb
Ribbons, gems and buttons from my stash

SKETCH SATURDAY TAKES TO THE VEG PATCH

Hello All ... hope you are enjoying your Saturday.

I have to tell you I'm fit to burst today! Why? Well I won the Sketch Saturday Challenge from last week!!!  I keep having to pinch myself ... I mean the talent competing in the challenges is out of this world and I honestly didn't think I'd have a chance of producing anything fit to enter let alone win.  I'm very pleased and I'll be looking forward to spending some time on the Simon Says Stamp online store to spend my winnings.

So without further ado I'm off with another Sketch Saturday Challenge entry.  We all know Fathers' Day is around the corner so here's one for the Grandads too.  He'll certainly need his welly boots on today...if anyone knows when summer is arriving please can you let me know!!!




And here's the sketch if you fancy having a go at it




Card Recipe:

Image: In the Garden - veggies from Digistamp Boutique
Papers: Pink Petticoat - Swiss Dots printed on Kraft Card Original plus
A little bit from my amazing Studio Callico range from TK Maxx
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Buttons from my stash and I can't resist a dash of dazzle with 3D high gloss and glamour dust

Tools:

  • Sizzix Framelits - Banners
  • Promarkers

Friday 17 May 2013

COLOUR Q CHALLENGE #189

Me again ... just a mega quick post as it's Fish n Chips night tonight and hubby has just gone to pick them up. Whoopie I'm entering yet another challenge ... this time at Colour Q. I just hope my colours are ok. To be honest this one was supposed to be entered into Seize the Birthday but then I realised it's not even a birthday card! Duh! Anyway it's one for the box of 'handy to have in' cards!



Hmmm...I can smell the chips so must dash - bye for now.

Card Recipe:

Image & Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Papers: Another Freebie from my fabulous Aunt over the pond plus a touch of the TK Maxx special

Tools:
  • Memory Box Cosmo border die
  • Promarkers
  • Rounded Corner Punch
Plus a touch of sparkle and dazzle with pearls from my stash and the good old glamour dust

LET'S GO VINTAGE WITH A CUPCAKE CHALLENGE

Hi there

Another quick post for me today...don't know where the time goes!

Yet another new challenge I'm going to have a go at today over at Cupcake Craft Challenge and their theme this week is lots of layers.  I found this cute 'free' image of a little vintage girl reading to her doll from Free Vintage Digital Stamps and decided to team it up with the Once Upon A Tale princess papers from Dovecraft 

That's all for me for today hope you enjoy the weekend and catch you again soon.




Card Recipe:

Image: Free Vintage Digital Stamps
Papers: Dovecraft (sold through Trimcraft)
Tools:

  • Sizzix Circles
  • Memory Box - Precious Hearts
  • Promarkers
Ribbon, Pearls, Prima Flower, Doily from my stash and a drop of dazzle with glamour dust

Thursday 16 May 2013

FRESHLY MADE SKETCHES GOES ROCKIN' & ROLLIN'


Evening everyone

I'm quite late today so just a quick post.  I've had quite a productive crafty day but how come it takes until almost tea-time to get my ideas coming to life???  This card is for my Uncle who hits a certain age next month.  I doubt he'll be blogging so I should be safe uploading this one in advance.

So I'm entering another new challenge, for me, at Freshly Made Sketches with my Rockin' Dinosaur from Pink Petticoat although it could well be a 'retired' image as I can't seem to find it on the site anymore.

The theme at the Papertake Weekly Challenge this week is 'Sound of Music' so I'm going to pop my card over there too.

Hope you've all had fun at the craft station today and see you soon.




Here's the sketch I was following if you want to have a go


Card Recipe:

Image: Pink Petticoat
Papers: Freebie from a magazine but sorry can't remember which one
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Tools:

  • Promarkers
  • Circut numbers
  • Sizzix Stars, 

Ribbons from my TK Maxx stash and a bit of dazzle with the old glamour dust


Wednesday 15 May 2013

ALLSORTS CHALLENGE - ANY SPORT

Oh no it's me again ... obviously got too much crafty time!  Just a quick post though.

Here goes for another new challenge for me at Allsorts and their theme this week is Any Sport so I'm hoping my little Funtime Dan the footballer from the Digistamp Boutique will fit in well.




Card Recipe:

Image: Funtime Dan from The Digistamp Boutique
Papers: Calico Studio from TKMaxx and the sport ones could be Dovecraft
Sentiment: The Digistamp Boutique
Tools:
  • Banner die from LaLaLand
  • Sizzix Circle dies
  • Promarkers
Ribbon from TKMaxx
Josy Rose Nailheads

A DIE FOR A SKETCH

Afternoon Everyone

I am pleased to report that I've finished my 'proper' work for this week so yippee a bit more crafty time for me!

One of my work colleagues will be celebrating her first wedding anniversary soon and once again I'm loving the Lily of The Valley images.  Their romantic collection of images are simply perfect for this type of occasion.  I also stumbled across a beautiful sketch challenge at A Die for a Sketch Challenge which I think fits the image well so I'm going to enter that one and see how it goes.

Don't know about you but following the layouts provided on these challenges is wonderful.  Left to my own devices I'd probably use the same handful of layouts but now I'm consciously looking around for a sketch to adopt and loving it...I even think I go to sleep dreaming of layouts I've seen!  Is that a bit mad?  Perhaps I should see the Dr!

Here's my card anyway.



Here's the sketch I've followed



Card Recipe:

Image: LOTV
Papers: Trimcraft and KandCompany
Tools:
  • Sizzix circle dies
  • Cricut flower dies
  • Martha Stewart
  • Cheery Lynn picket fence die
Dazzle and sparkle with pearls from my stash plus a sprinkling of glamour dust

Tuesday 14 May 2013

A GEM OF A CHALLENGE - THINGS WITH WINGS

I managed to fit in a little crafting time last night and decided I'd have a go at another challenge.  Another newbie for me at A Gem of a Challenge.  The theme of the challenge is 'Things with Wings' and I love these little birds.

I don't know about you but I forget what digi-stamps I own.  They are all saved in a very organised manner (well I think so) on my PC but I still can't remember all the ones I have.  I've been checking out some of the older ones recently and this 'a little birdie told me' image from Pink Petticoat comes in handy for lots of occasions.





Card Recipe:

Image: 'A little Birdie told me' from Pink Petticoat
Papers: Pink Petticoat, The Papermill Shop
Stripy paper and Brads: My crafty American Aunt who posts me freebies now and again!
Gems for a the dazzle effect from my stash

Monday 13 May 2013

READY TEDDY GO ... DIGISTAMP BOUTIQUE ... SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

Well I don't know about you but I certainly wish Spring had Sprung.  It looks the business today but it's rather chilly out there.

I'm dipping my toe into another new challenge for me today over at Ready Teddy Go.  It's a monthly challenge so plenty of time to join in.  The theme is 'Spring has Sprung' and what better evidence than the daffodils popping their heads out.  I just happened to have some daffodil papers in my stash and there was my inspiration.

The Digistamp Boutique also have a monthly challenge so I'm going to pop my card over there too.  Anything goes providing one of Digistamp Boutique's images has been used and there's plenty of lovely ones to choose from.






Card Recipe:

Image: Bella on a Swing from The Digistamp Boutique
Papers: KandCompany - these are a Tim Coffey illustrated design.  I've had them a long time.
Sentiment: Computer Generated using Great Vibes and Gingersnaps
Tools: Nestabilities, Cricut and Promarkers
Plus a sprinkling of DAZZLE with glamour dust and pearls from my stash

Sunday 12 May 2013

PIXIE'S CRAFTY PLAYGROUND SNIPPETS

Hello Ladies

Another week has gone by and I'm here again.  I promise to be good and take turns on the swings!

I saw your card during the week Di where you'd up-cycled (I think that's the term) so I decided to have a go.  I was having a clearout in the old crafty cupboard when I came across some, would you believe it, beauty product packaging.  I think it should definitely count for snippets.

I have to own up to buying the new Simple Tags & Sentiments from The Digistamp Boutique as shown by Jules, always the professional, at Always with a Heart.  The download took a bit of finding but I should have known it would be one of the new releases and I should have just followed the link in Jules blog! Anyway you can find it here.  Here's my first experiment with them.

So here's my entry to Pixie's Crafty Snippets Playground and I took inspiration from a colour challenge I stumbled upon the other week.  Too late to enter unfortunately but I thought the colour combination was gorgeous.




Hope you've all had a lovely weekend and enjoy the rest of the evening.  See you again next week.

SKETCH SATURDAY WITH SNOOZING LOUIE

Hello Crafty People

I'm a bit late for posting my entry to the Sketch Saturday Challenge ... on a Sunday but I assure you I did make the card yesterday and just had to finish it off today.  My inspiration has to be Mr Dazzle yesterday with  back to back sport on TV - Rugby League then the Football but my guess is a Snoozing Louie pose from The Digistamp Boutique would be more appropriate and you can find Louie here!

I have realised there is a slight drawback to all this blogging ... I keep seeing lovely crafty bits and pieces on your blogs and simply have to go out looking for them BUT it's only a small drawback!  I mean shopping for gorgeous, beautiful accessories for cards you just can't beat it.  I must at this point thank Liz at Buttons for Brains who tipped us off about lovely papers at TK Maxx.  I'd never have thought of looking in there for crafts but she wasn't wrong.  I came away with a beautiful book of papers and matching ribbons too.  I couldn't wait to get started with them so here's my make for this week.



And this is the sketch I was following



Card Recipe:

Image: Snoozing Louie from The Digistamp Boutique
Papers & Ribbons: Studio Calico from TK Maxx and The Papermill Shop
Sentiment: Computer generated
Buttons from my stash

Wednesday 8 May 2013

TIME FOR SOME GARDEN-TIME

Evening All

While catching up on blogging today I noticed a lovely sketch challenge over at Creative Inspirations and I set to and made a little Fathers' Day Card.  I don't know about you but I'm never sure whether to add flowers to male cards... I guess those guys who toil away the hours in the garden wouldn't mind a few flowers to show their hard work wasn't for nothing; but I used buttons instead today so hope that's ok.




Card Recipe:

Image: LOTV
Papers: Pink Petticoat and Lakeland Limited (quite old ones that I've re-discovered)
Sentiment: Digistamp Boutique
Buttons and Twine from my stash

Sunday 5 May 2013

SEIZE THE BIRTHDAY AND LET'S PICK FLOWERS

Just another quick post.

Here's my entry to the Snippets Playground - this is a great challenge to enter especially to use up all those odds and ends from another card.  Usually I stash the bits but never go back to using them so I'm certainly going to try and have a go on the playground every week - that's if I'm allowed?

I'm also entering this into this week's Seize the Birthday Challenge.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.



Card Recipe:

Image: Pink Petticoat
Papers: Wild Rose Studio
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Tools: Big Shot, Cricut
Gems for a bit of dazzle from my stash

SKETCH SATURDAY CHALLENGE WITH HMMMM ... CHERRIES

Well a bit of a strange day today - I had hoped to see some sunshine and get in the garden BUT just rain here today.  Well until now that is!  So an excuse to get some crafting in ... I mean if it's raining outside what else is a girl to do!  And what should have been a productive day didn't end up that way as I started out having a mass tidy up in the craft area which took much longer than it should.

A bit late getting into making a card but I think it shaped up ok in the end.  I decided to have another go at the Saturday Sketch Challenge  - I'd intended to do ... a kiddy's animal card!  No such luck because during my clear out I found these lovely 'cherry' papers (I've no idea where they came from as I've had them so long).

Do you plan exactly what your end card will look like from the beginning or does it just take shape and adapt?  For me I never seem to have a definite plan and while putting this card together I knew I'd seen a challenge over at The Paper Players for Mothers' Day and I thought hey my card could drop into that category too!

Finally having finished the card I realised I could also try it out at The Less is More colour wheel challenge this week.  I've gone for the Yellow-Green and Violet-Red combination.


One more blog for me tonight then a bit of catching up on what you crafty people have been up to.  Enjoy the extra weekend day tomorrow and please let the sun shine.

Card Recipe:

Papers: These were free with a magazine
Sentiment: Computer generated
Flowers, twine, brad and gem from my crafty stash

Saturday 4 May 2013

PAPERTAKE WEEKLY AND ROMANTIC MOMENTS

Hi Everyone ... Hope you are enjoying the Bank Holiday Weekend.  I'm hoping the sun is going to put in a proper appearance sometime soon as it's been iffy so far today.

I've been asked to make a wedding card this week and when I saw this week's challenge at Papertake Weekly I decided to give it a go as it fitted nicely with the layout I was aiming for.

These LOTV images are great, they're so cute and there's always something for any occasion.  They are fast becoming my favourite images.

Well that's all for now as I'd like to get down to entering a few more challenges so perhaps see you later.



Card Recipe:

Image: LOTV
Papers: Wild Rose Studio - I think these were a freebie from QCME a while ago
A little bit of dazzle from Glamour Dust and pearls from my stash

Wednesday 1 May 2013

SUN'S OUT - DRESSES ON!


Evening All - just a quick post ...
Hope you've all had some good weather so far this week - let's hope it's going to hang around.  The sunshine got me in the mood to create this card also inspired by the lovely card created by Katina Killey.  Hope you like it.



Card Recipe:

Image: Digistamp Boutique
Papers: Pink Petticoat - stunning Isabelline collection
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Plus a few dazzles from my stash