Happy Monday everyone - or it should be for those of you in the UK cos instead of being at work today, it's bank holiday, so at least you're not at work, eh!? It's Magical Monday over at 'There's Magic in the Air' with Paper Cupcakes and today it was my turn to set the challenge - yay! (Can't wait to see what the other girls came up with!) We could use any image and I wanted the team to use no patterned papers so, you could stamp your own or use embossing, anything like that. As it was my turn, I wanted to do something special and I had an idea but wasn't sure how it was gonna turn out. As it is, I'm really pleased with it. And the way it's ended up, the image is totally the main focus which is what I wanted. I'd really love to know what you think of it! I'm also going to enter it into the following challenges:

• Cute Card Thursday - challenge 127 'dieing for a punch', put away those punches - I've certainly not used any here!
• Mami Doodles challenge 8 - Unusual Card Shape - I'd say mine was pretty unusual, wouldn't you!?
• Quixotic Challenge # 38 - Shiny, Happy People
• Creative Card Crew - Sparkle and Shine
  Now for both of these challenges, your card had to have a bit of bling and being as I've used Ranger 'Beadazzles' as a kinda cupcake topping and in the centre of the flowers, the card is quite 'blingy' IRL!

Right well, here it is - quite a few shots cos as always with an easel card, it's hard to get the right angle!

Ingredients: Image - Paper Cupcakes coloured with promarkers and beadazzles, Sentiment and other stamp used on base - Dawn Bibby Designs, Circle shaped card base - Anitas.  

Told ya I'd be back with something different! But first, I've had more fantastic, wonderful, amazing, fabby news!! Yep, I've made it onto the Southern Girls Challenge Design Team - there's a badge on my sidebar if you fancy clicking through and finding out what it's all about. The first challenge goes out on the 9th September and I hope to see some of you taking part!
Now, in the interests of 'broadening my horizons', today's card has been made using a Pink Gem Designs stamp. I've actually got a few of them but I'm just working my way round to using them! I've followed the sketch (#7) on the 'A Gem of a Challenge' blog and I hope you like it!

And have you noticed my gorgeous new signature and watermark? I always like to give credit where credit's due and I ordered them last night at around midnight from Whimsy Stamps expecting to wait a couple of days for them and the file was sent through just before 6 this morning!!!! How's that for a quick turnaround and great customer service!!

Hope you're having a nice, relaxing Sunday afternoon!

Ingredients: Image - Pink Gem Designs coloured with promarkers, Backing Papers - Prima, Red Card - Bazzill Basics, Punch - XCut, Sentiment and Card Candy - Craftwork Cards.

Evening peeps. I'm back with another Elzybell's card today - I'm sorry if you're getting fed up with my Elzybell's creations, its just that cos I went a bit kerazy in the closing down sale, I've got loads of stamps that I've not used yet, and I love them!!! I promise I'll start to broaden my horizons though - hee, hee!!
I've made this one to enter into Mojo Monday #153 - when I first saw this sketch I didn't have a clue what I was gonna do with it but then a little light bulb went on in my head!! And I also think it fits into this week's Totally Papercrafts challenge #31 cos it's pretty 'clean and simple' if you ask me!! Here it is:

Ingredients: Image - Elzybells coloured with promarkers, Kraft card blank - Woodware, Velvet ribbon - American Crafts, Gems from stash.

Hi All. Seems like I've been missing for ages, but in reality it's probably only a couple of days! I've been really busy getting everything ready for a stall I had at a fete day that was held at the centre for adults with learning difficulties, where my mum used to work (and still volunteers once a week!) I still managed to make a card for a challenge though!!
But first, I've had some amazing news!! I had a look over at PCP and saw that The Stamping Boutique had announced their DT results, so I hopped over to their blog and there was my name!!!! I am sooooooo happy!! Have you seen any of their images? They're great and I can't wait to get my little paws on them and get to work! You'll be seeing my DT cards on here soon, so keep a beady eye out for them!
Also, the lovely Claire who I'm on the DT for SS&S has given me an award, which I've now posted on my sidebar. I've secretly always wanted one of these awards but it's not something that you can give yourself - lol! It comes with a couple of requests - you have to thank the person who gave it to you (obviously - goes without saying!), you have to list 3 things you like about yourself....hmmm. 1) I think I've got quite a positive attitude and I try to be happy/cheery most of the time! 2) I like the tattoo I've got on my foot!! (And I get quite a lot of compliments about it!) 3) I like that I've got a good relationship with my son, Sam. I try to be a good mum, I guess everyone does, but he said to me the other day 'we're like best friends as well as mum and son', and I don't think he realised what a huge compliment he'd just paid me. And, you also have to pass it on to 7 people. Now, these people always leave me lovely comments about my cards and I really do appreciate it and now consider them to be 'blog buddies!!'
1. Kristel
2. Nina
3. Coops (Nicola)
4. Dru
5. Patti P
6. Carol (craftingranny)
7. Nilla
And finally, here's my card which I'll be entering into the Sketch and Stash Challenge #42 as I've used another one of my new Elzybell's stamps! Hope you like it!

Ingredients: Image - Elzybells coloured with promarkers, Spotty card - Create and Craft. Also used Stickles Glitter Glue in waterfall.

It's Monday morning, so that means it's time for my DT card for 'There's Magic in the Air' with Paper Cupcakes. This week we were set the challenge of using Nina's 'Joyful Ride' image and Jessie set us the additional task of using punches on our cards. It's funny actually cos I bought the Martha Stewart punch that I've used on my card months and months ago and every time I've tried to do the border like on this card here, I've never been able to line it up properly and I've mucked it up every time and wasted loads of paper, but this time I tried it and it came out perfect first time!!! I was well happy!!! Now all I've got to do is master the Punch Around the Page punches that I've had languishing for ages!!! (In fact, if anyone can offer any pointers, I'm all ears!)
I'm also entering this card into a couple of challenges:

• Papertake Weekly Challenge - Sketch # 46.
• Totally Papercrafts - Challenge # 30 Summer Fun (I think the image has got a summery feel to it and the papers are all flowery and fresh and summery - well I think so anyway!)

Also, while I think of it, Nina is offering some of her wonderful images at 50% off over at Paper Cupcakes until Thursday so visit 'There's Magic in the Air' for the details and you could get yourselves a fabby bargain. Trust me - Nina's images are so much fun and are great to colour!!

Here's my card, I'd love to hear what you think of it. Thanks for all your lovely comments, I really do appreciate you visiting me and leaving me some love and it makes my day!!

Ingredients: Image - Paper Cupcakes coloured with promarkers, Light Blue Card - Bazzill Basics, Backing Paper - American Crafts, Sentiment - Craftwork Cards, Pearls and Goggly Eyes (on snail!) - from stash. Also used - Martha Stewart border punch, WRMK ticket stub punch.

Morning Folks. It's Sunday and as another two weeks has flown by, then for me that means another DT card for Sunday Sketch and Stamp. For today's card, we were working with a fabby sketch by Emma and we also had a  few images to choose from, from this fortnight's sponsor: Crafts 4 Eternity. I hope you like my card, please pop over to SS&S and have a look at the other wonderful DT cards and of course, join in with the challenge, so that I can visit you and see what you come up with! I hope you enjoy the rest of your day - make sure you have a nice relaxing one - especially those of you who've got work tomorrow!! Laters, Mxx

Ingredients: Image - Crafts 4 Eternity coloured with promarkers, Papers, etc - Imaginisce, Green Card - DCWV, Brads - Papermania.

Hope you're all having a good weekend! I finished this card last night but it was so late (make that early hours of the morning!?!) that I couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to upload it!! This card is for the following:

• Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 126 Sketch by Fran.
• Kraftin' Kimmie - Two Chances to win (they're sponsoring CCT so if you used a KK image you could also enter it on their blog).
• Paperplay Challenges - Week 33 Pink to make the boys wink!

There's also a new challenge blog starting up called Southern Girls Challenge and they're holding a DT Call. Part of what you have to do is make a card using your favourite things and link it on your blog. Now one of my favourite things in the world is stamping, so this card fits right in!!

I've gotta dash cos my ds is waiting to go on the computer and is huffing and puffing behind me!! Hope you like my card, please leave me some lurve! TTFN, Mxx

Ingredients: Image - Kraftin Kimmie Alicia the Strawberry Pirate stamp coloured with promarkers (for a change!!), Papers and Sentiment Sticker - Rusty Pickle Pirate Princess.

Evening Everyone. Hope you're having a good week. I've had a bit of a film day today! Earlier on, I went to the cinema with Sam to watch The A Team. It wasn't bad (and 'Faceman' is still looking mighty fine!), but I've not found a remake yet that's as good as the original. Then this evening, I had a friend round for our regular 'movie night' - we both like scary/horror films (bit odd of me, I know!), so we try to get together every few weeks and watch a film. I wanted to watch 'The Crazies' on Sky Box Office cos you can't go wrong with a good zombie film, but then we saw there was a film on called 'Blood River', so we decided to watch that. Well, let's put it this way, it's an hour and 40 minutes of my life that I'll never get back and I paid £4 for the pleasure!!! It really isn't a good film, so if any of you get the chance to see it, don't bother!!
Today's card is going to be entered into the following challenges:

• Mojo Monday - Sketch #152.
• Craft Your Days Away - Challenge #1. Favourite things - my favourite thing is stamping!! And one of my favourite kind of stamps are Magnolia and some of my favourite papers are Basic Grey, so I've got a few favourites on here!
• One Stop Craft Challenge - #93 Oriental Delights.
• Sweet Stampin Challenge Blog - #39. Use your favourite stamp/image - I really couldn't pick one favourite!! But at the moment, this Japanese Tilda is my favourite out of the Bon Voyage release (hope that's good enough for you!!)

And then lastly, I'm also going to use this card to put myself forward for the Digistamps 4 Joy DT Call, I love being on the DTs that I'm on at the moment and I've still got plenty of time to spare and they've got some great images, so I think it could be a winning combination! Fingers crossed, eh!?!

Ingredients: Image - Magnolia Tilda watercoloured with distress inks, Backing Papers - Basic Grey Kioshi, Velvet Ribbon - Doodlebug, Flowers - Woodware, Brads - Papermania. Also used - Martha Stewart punch and Nellie Snellen Dies and Cuttlebug.

Happy Monday....or should I say Magical Monday, which it is over at 'There's Magic in the Air'. For this week, the Design Team were challenged by Gloria to use any image and to make a flower! I decided to use another one of Paper Cupcakes new Tea Party releases. This one is called 'Lily's Morning Tea'. Don't you think Lily is the cutest? I think Miss Piggy would be in trouble if Lily ever met Kermit - lol!! To make my flowers, I used the XCut embossing silhouette punch to punch some layers out of matching DP and then layered them up with a pretty pearl to finish! I think they turned out quite pretty. I'm also going to enter my card into the following:

• Friday Sketchers - Sketch #115.
• Basic Grey - Week 26 Pearls.
• Crafty Catz - Challenge 45 Animals.

I hope you like my card. Please leave me a comment - or even better, play along so that I can see yours too and leave a comment back!!

Ingredients: Image - Paper Cupcakes coloured with promarkers, Backing Papers - Basic Grey Sugar Rush, Ribbon - DCWV, Pearls and Gem from stash. Also used - Xcut Embossing Silhouette Punch.

Evening y'all!
From Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice to Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails!! It was quite funny actually - the card that I made last night, I was also going to enter into the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge but as I looked at the DT cards and the other entries they were all very 'male' and then I realised that I'd got my rhymes mixed up - doh!!! But then cos I knew I had this sentiment amongst all the Elzybell's stamps that I'd bought recently, I knew I had to whip something up and it just so happens that there are lots of masculine challenges on the go at the moment. I think I'm entering this card into a record number of challenges - 5!!

• Stamptacular Sunday - Challenge #71 Snips and Snails and Puppydog Tails.
• Kraftin' Kimmie - Challenge #40 It's a Boy Thing.
• Inspirational Card Sketches - Sketch #78.
• Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 12 Male Theme.
• Secret Crafter Saturday - Challenge #95 It's a Man's World. 

Do you like the little snails in the corner? Please leave me some love.....it's nice to know that I'm not talking to myself - hee, hee! Here's my card:

Ingredients: Images - Elzybells coloured with promarkers, Backing Papers - Basic Grey Oliver. That's all folks!

Evening blog fans. I hope you've been enjoying our blog hop - don't forget, it's still running until the 18th, so if you've not taken part yet, make sure you do to be in with a chance of winning those images!
I've had a nice day today. I went to my friend's house this evening to her baby shower and we played lots of fun baby-related games and ate loads of junk food and had a real laugh. I've had the same group of friends since school - mostly secondary but a couple from primary, so right from when I was 4. It seems funny now that nearly everyone's married and they've all started having children, but they're still my best friends and always will be.
The card I've made tonight, I'm going to be entering into 3 different challenges:

• Mojo Monday - Sketch # 151.
• Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Challenge 38 Pretty in Pink
• Creative Card Crew - Let's Get Cute and Girly

I've not made an A5 card for what seems like ages, not for any reason in particular they're just always square lately but this sketch required it, so there you go! I spent last night watercolouring some Tildas so that they were all ready to be used and I had an occasion straight away! I really hope you like tonight's card, as always, I really appreciate your comments. I know I'm a bit behind on my comments but I promise you'll be getting a visit from me by the time the weekend is out! Here's my card:

Ingredients: Image - Magnolia Tilda watercoloured with distress inks, Sentiment Stamp - Elzybells, Papers, Flowers, Card Candy - All Craftwork Cards, Ribbon - The Range. Also used Martha Stewart Punch.

Good Morning Everyone . I'm so happy that you've joined me on the Tea Party Sketch Blog Hop!!! You should've arrived at me from http://jessicafitzhenry.blogspot.com/2010/08/paper-cupcakes-tea-party-sketch-blog.html If you've arrived here first, you need to go back and start at the beginning, which is here: http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/2010/08/tea-party-sketch-blog-hop.html If you leave a message on each blog hop participant's blog, you can collect all the sketches for your own personal use along the way, then when you get to the last blog if you leave your name on mr.linky you could be in with the chance of winning 5 images of your choice (including the fabulous new releases) from Paper Cupcakes!! Once you've finished here, you need to go on to: http://thecraftycritter.blogspot.com/2010/08/tea-party-blog-hop.html

Here's my card featuring one of the new releases - this one is called 'Beary Good Company' and I coloured it with my promarkers (with a bit of pearly pen and stickles thrown in!) and what other papers could I use for the occasion but Basic Grey Nook and Pantry!?!?

And here's the sketch for your own personal use to do with what you will!!

Well, I hope you like my card and sketch and don't forget to leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning the images, then on to the next!! Bye for now! Enjoy the rest of the hop! Hugs, Marie x

Happy Monday!! Here's my DT card for 'There's Magic in the Air'. Our challenge this week was set by the lovely Dru, we had to use the 'Just Ducky' image from Paper Cupcakes and had to include some sewing on our cards. Now this really was a challenge for me cos I've never done this before and I don't have a sewing machine so I had to think outside the box - I managed to find some papers that had stitch marks all over them - the wonderful Basic Grey's June Bug saved my bacon - ha, ha!! Then I also added some hand drawn stitches around the image panel. You like? I'd love to hear from you, as always!! And if you'd like to take part in the challenge but 'don't do sewing' like me, then maybe I've given you some ideas?!?! Also, another reminder that our blog hop starts this week on the 11th - it'd really make my day if some of my blog pals took part cos it's my first ever blog hop and I'm super excited and you're gonna love the new images that Nina will be releasing!! Might see you later...til then. Mxx

Ingredients: Image - Paper Cupcakes coloured with promarkers. Backing Papers, Chipboard Flowers and Sentiment Sticker - Basic Grey June Bug. Also used - Viva Decor Pearl Pen and Stickles.

Morning all!! I can't believe that two weeks have flown by and it's already time for my second DT posting for Sunday Sketch and Stamp!! This week's challenge #34 is a great sketch by Claire and I thought I'd do a man's card for a change, using more of my favourite Elzybell's stamps. I'd love to hear what you think of my card, or even better, hop on over and play along and then I'll get to see what you come up with too! Hope you've got nice relaxing Sunday's planned for yourselves. TTFN. Marie x

Ingredients: Image - Elzybells coloured with promarkers. Backing Papers - DCWV All About Boys. Plain Card - Papermania.

Look at my gorgeous little fur baby!!!! No cards today cos I've been busy working on DT cards that will be revealed over the next couple of days, but I thought you might want to see this, the most gorgeous of pics - or I think so anyway!!! My mum came round to give Tippy a bath cos he was a bit whiffy and while he was in the tub, I managed to take this. What d'you think? Isn't he the cutest? Mxx

Greetings Blog fans!! How are you all this evening? I thought I'd get tonight's posting done while listening to who'll be leaving the Big Brother house this week!?! Is anyone else watching it? I hope Josie or Corrine wins - they're both so lovely and make me laugh. That Sam Pepper bloke that they've put in there is super annoying!! Anyway, I'll stop going on cos all my friends from across the pond won't have a clue what I'm going on about!! So - tonight's card I made by following The Sweet Stop's sketch # 67 and it really was a great one this week! I'm also going to enter it into Cute Card Thursday's challenge 124 - whateva! And lastly, One Stop Craft Challenge # 91 - Patterns. Every time I make a card with one of my Magnolia's stamps, it reminds me why I love them so much - and the new ones that I ordered from the Bon Voyage collection arrived this morning, so expect to see a few more of them over the coming days!!
Well, I hope you like my card and please do leave a comment and let me know what you think, it really does make my day and I appreciate it so very much. I was a bit disappointed actually that the card that I made for my last posting, which I entered into 3 challenges, didn't get any comments left from the challenge organisers, but hey ho! I'll be seeing you tomorrow, Mx

Ingredients: Image - Magnolia Tilda watercoloured with distress inks. Backing Papers and rub-on frame - Basic Grey Kioshi. Punch - Martha Stewart. Sentiment - Craftwork Cards. Ribbon - Papermania. Pearls - from stash.

Hi Everyone. Where's the sun gone? I had a lovely day at the park with one of my friends and Sam and his friend on Tuesday - we sat outside the cafe in the sunshine while the children played in the playground and then today, we kept having downpours. I got caught out once when I was taking Tippy for a walk on the heath!
Well, whatever the weather, I've always got time for making cards! Here's one I've made to enter into Mojo Monday's sketch challenge #150 - I really loved this sketch! And then it also fits into the Pollycraft Monday Challenge #55 - 'fit for a princess' and then lastly, Kraftin' Kimmie's challenge #39 - 'mostly monochromatic'. The new fairytale range of stamps from KK are absolutely gorgeous, I ordered a couple before I went on hols so I'm only just getting round to using them now. Talking of which - I must give credit where credit's due - I ordered the stamps from Bunny Zoe's (aswell as some 'try me' DCWV papers, which is a fabby idea btw) and my order arrived super quickly!!! It's the first time I've shopped at Bunny Zoe's but it definitely won't be the last and I'd recommend them to anyone.
I'd love to hear your comments as always! Nighty, night. Marie x

Ingredients: Image - Kraftin' Kimmie coloured with promarkers. Backing Papers - DCWV Linen Closet. Sentiment circle - Craftwork Cards. Ribbon - Papermania.

Morning peeps! Here's my third DT card for 'There's Magic in the Air' and I must say, I'm loving it more and more each week! This week's challenge was set by Amber and we could use any Paper Cupcakes image but we had to use at least 3 different designer papers on our card - I got a bit overexcited and lost track of how many I used - ha, ha! The image I chose was 'Shelly - Garden Friends' cos I've had my eye on this cute little turtley fellow ever since I first visited Nina's store and I couldn't wait for an opportunity to use him!! Don't cha just think he's adorable!?! Anyway, without 'further ado', here's my card. As always, I'd love to hear your comments and I really hope you'll play along with the challenge this week, so I'll get to hop over and comment on your cards.
Oooooh, and don't forget, it's nearly time for our Tea Party Blog Hop - it's gonna be great fun and the new release images are fabby!!
Laters! xx

Ingredients: Images - Paper Cupcakes coloured with pro markers. Backing Papers, Flowers, Buttons - all My Mind's Eye Bloom and Grow.