Cute and Funky Christmas

Morning! There's a new challenge starting today over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges and this week, we want to see your cute and funky christmas creations! Here's mine:

Ingredients: 

Image - Tiddly Inks coloured with Spectrum Noirs, Papers - MME Holly Jolly, Pink Card and Ribbon - Papermania, Sentiment - Doodlebug, Dies - Magnolia Doohickey Tilda Lace die (and cuttlebug!)

I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

• Friday Sketch Challenge - Sketch # 7.
• Dare to Be Sassy - # 102 Non-Traditional Christmas Colours.
• Bearly Mine Challenges - Challenge # 25 Un-traditional Christmas Colours.
• CI Paints - Non-Traditional Christmas Colours.

I think that's it. Don't forget to join in the challenge - and to check out my teamies beautiful creations! Have a wonderful day everyone, I'll be back later (assuming this posts on time!?!) TTFN.............xxx

It's My Birthday, It's My Birthday!!!!!!!!

Whoop, whoop - can you tell I'm excited?!? And I'm not going to tell you how old I am!! And so - apologies for my post being a wee bit late but as it's my birthday, I think you can cut me a bit of slack lol!! And so, onto my post - there's a new challenge starting today over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp and this week, it's a fab sketch from Barbara. Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Hanglar watercoloured with Distress Inks, Papers - Magnolia, Red card - Papermania, Flowers (cherry and sweetheart blossoms), Lace and Heart Pin - All Wild Orchid Crafts, Sentiment - Craftwork Cards, Die - Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations and Cuttlebug, Other - Beaded chain from stash.

Yep, I finally inked up one of my many Hanglar stamps - and used it on a card!! I spent some time watercolouring lots of images with DIs over the last few days, so expect to see them on my cards over the coming weeks.

I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

• CES Challenges - Challenge #65 A Traditional Christmas.
• Crafty Hazelnuts - Challenge 50 Traditional Christmas.
• One Stop Craft Challenges - Week #161 Traditional Christmas Colours.
• Cardmakin' Mamas - Challenge #35 Christmas.
• Stampin' for the Weekend - Challenge #22 Christmas.
• Colour Create - Challenge 85 Red, White and Green.
• Crafty Ribbons - Challenge 8 Traditional Colours for Christmas.

 And I think that's about it! I don't know if you saw the post from me the other day about this darned computer and all the problems I've had with it. It's really not been right for months now and it's really been getting on my nerves - to the point that I don't even want to use it at times - well, by the end of the week my problems should be solved cos I'll be taking delivery of a new 'puter!!!!! So - expect to see me back to my blogging and commenting best very soon - and I hope I can win back all of the crafty friends that I seem to have lost!! Bye for now....................xx

I'm turning into a camel..............

That is, I'm getting the 'hump'!!!! I've just realised that at least 3 of my blog postings have disappeared - that's if they were ever posted at all and I'm not quite sure what's going on - whether it's blogger or whether it's my computer, because I know I've had lots of problems with it recently but I've paid 2 different people twice to look at it now so I would've hoped one of them would know what they were doing!!
Anyway, enough of the moaning. I'm gonna try and find the posts that should've appeared and try and repost them, so if you see some odd post from me, you'll know why (and let me know if you recognise them?!?). And hopefully, I'll get to the bottom of what's going on (all advice gratefully received!!) in time for my Birthday on Sunday (hint, hint lol!!!), so that if necessary, I can beg for a new computer!!!
Right, I'm off to get my magnifying glass out..........xxxxx

Christmas Traditions

It's the 1st of December and as well as only being another 10 days until my Birthday and 24 days until Christmas, today there's a new challenge over at the Cupcake Craftroom. This month, we'd like to see your creations showing 'Christmas Traditions' - that can mean whatever you want it to mean! Here's some of the cards I made:

Ingredients: Image - Crafters Companion coloured with SNs, Papers - Cupcake Cards and Crafts, Blue and Red card - Bazzill Basics, Other - Craftwork Cards Card Candy, Woodware Corner Rounder punch and Cuttlebug 'Spots and Dots' embossing folder and machine, Stickles.

Ingredients: Image - CC Designs coloured with SNs, Papers - Cupcake Cards and Crafts, Card Blank - Papermania, Other - Craftwork Cards sentiment, Snowflake punch, DCWV Glitter card and Viva Decor gold glitter pen.

Ingredients: Image - Pink Gem Designs (coloured ages ago with promarkers I think), Papers - Cupcake Cards and Crafts, Red Card - Papermania, Other - Craftwork Cards sentiment, Marianne Designs swirl die, Nesties, Cuttlebug and DCWV glitter card, Stickles.

Ingredients: Images and Sentiment - Magazine freebie coloured with SNs, Papers - Cupcake Cards and Crafts, Red/Green card - Bazzill Basics, Card Blanks - Anita's 4 x 4, Others - Nesties and Cuttlebug.

The papers that I've used on every card are part of the 'Christmas Traditions' collection that will be the prize for whoever wins this month's challenge.
Hope you like my cards - a few more to add to the collection that's growing far too slowly for my liking what with Christmas so fast approaching!! Well, bye for now........................xxx

Keeping Warm....

Heeeeeellllllllooooooooooooo!!! There's a new challenge over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges starting today and it's 'Keeping Warm'. I thought this image would be perfect the way she's warming her little paws on her cocoa with marshmallows - and it just so happened I had the most perfect paper......

Ingredients:

Image - Saturated Canary Digis coloured with Spectrum Noirs and Promarkers.

Papers - K & Co.

Ribbon - Free with magazine.
Other - MS Swirling Lace PATP punches.

I can't believe I lost out on the chance to stock up on the Saturated Canary digis that I'm missing when Krista had the most amazing sale yesterday - just my luck that it was the day before 'pay day' and I literally didn't have a penny to my name :-( Oh well, at least I'll be getting my birthday (and Christmas!) money very soon!!
I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches - Sketch #122.
• Kaboodle Doodles - Challenge #95 Bundle Up for Winter.
• Make It Monday - Anything Goes.
• Saturated Canary Challenges - Challenge #5 Anything Goes.

Right, that's it from me! Don't forget to join in with the challenge and of course, check out the other DT member's fabby cards!! Mwah..............xx

Look what I made....

It's the first time I shared something I've 'baked' with you!! And I don't mean to blow my own trumpet but it's yummy!!!!!!!!!!!

Snowmen and Snowflakes......

Afternoon! There's a new challenge today over at The Crazy Challenge and this week we want to see your creations featuring either Stars or Snowflakes....yes, I know my post title is snowmen and snowflakes but wait til you see my card.......

Ingredients:

Image - Ellephantastic (who also happen to sponsoring this week's challenge!) coloured with spectrum noirs with a bit of stickles.

Papers and Stickers/Die Cuts - All MME Colourful Christmas.

Other - Gems from Anitas.

I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

• Inkspirations - Challenge #97 Sketch.
• The House the Stamps Built - DCC1123 Christmas with Snowflakes.
• 4 Crafty Chicks - Challenge 65 Snowflakes.
• Aud Sentiments - Any Winter Holiday Sentiment.
• Charisma Cardz - Challenge #46 Snowflakes.

OK, I think that's about it. Hope you like my card..... man, I'm so behind on my chrimbo card making this year....although from what I've been reading, I'm not the only one. I really must start earlier next year!! Well anyway, have a good week everyone. TTFN............xxx

Bright Christmas Lights.......

Morning! Am feeling so much better knowing the 'puter's fixed and I've got the world of blogland at my feet again!! I'll be round to visit you all later on today - after I've been to pick my Aunt up to bring her over and I've been to see my Mum and Dad cos it's their Ruby Wedding Anniversary today - I can't believe they've been married for 40 years!! I can't imagine being married for that long, mind you the way I'm going, I'd be lucky going on a date for 40 minutes never mind being married for 40 years LOL!!!
Anyway, back to the main reason of my post!! There's a new challenge over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp today and this week, it's a fab sketch by our lovely leader, Maggie (and it incorporates bunting - sure to get some of you excited!!) Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Tiddly Inks coloured with spectrum noirs.

Papers and Stickers - Echo Park 'Holly Jolly'.

Card - Bazzill Basics.

Also used - Glossy Accents on her specs and Crafts Too embossing folder (and Cuttlebug!) to emboss the pink card.

I love this Tiddly Inks character, Minnie - she's just so much fun and Echo Park's new 'Holly Jolly' collection is just full of fab, bright colours - perfect if you don't want to go the traditional route on your chrimbo cards. I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

• Tiddly Inks - Challenge 74 Anything Goes.
• Totally Papercrafts - Challenge 94 Christmas.
• Stampin with the Dragon - Anything Goes.
• Creative Craft Challenges - Free for All.

And that's about it for now, I think!?! I'll be along to see y'all later, till then....................mwah xx

Yay - I'm back!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone. I'm so glad to be back online - it feels like I've been lost in the wilderness for weeks, although I know it's not quite that long!! My computer died on me last weekend and I've been waiting all week for it to be repaired - thankfully mr repair man managed to restore all my digital images and photos, etc so it was worth the wait in the end! I might be back later with some cardage or if not, I'll be back with my SS & S DT card in the morning, I just couldn't wait to get online and say 'hello' to everyone!! It's quite amazing how dependant I've become on blogland and all of my lovely friends out there!! Did anyone even miss me?!?! Sending cyber hugs...xx

Fairy in a Tea Cup.............

Hello again! Because of the time difference between the UK and NZ, there's a new challenge starting tonight over at Southern Girls and this fortnight's theme is 'Embellishment Bingo' and as it was my lovely Mum's birthday on Sunday, I decided to make sure the card I made for her included  '3 in a row' (quite appropriate really cos my mum plays bingo every week LOL!!) My three were the middle row: Die Cuts, Gems and Ribbon. And here's my card (a couple of pics cos it's a triple step card!)

Ingredients:

Image - Mo's Digital Pencil coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Prima and Pink Coredinations card.

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Flowers and Ribbon - Wild Orchid Crafts.

Dies - Magnolia Doohickey Heart Tag, Whimsy Stamps Vines Flourish.

Other - Baker's Twine and Gems from stash.

I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

• Daisy Doodles - Challenge #46 Anything Goes with a Digi.
• Crafty Boots Challenges - Fantasy.
• CES Challenges - Challenge #61 Ribbon and Roses.
• Card Caravan Challenge - #6 Birthday Theme.
• Paper Sundaes - Challenge #95 Digital Images.
• Crafting When We Can - Female Birthday.
• DP2 Challenge - #108 Fancy Folds.

 I've got a real thing about Mo's gorgeous images lately (in case you haven't noticed!) and they just seem to 'fit' what I've been making cards for, like I thought this one would be adorable for my mum - not to mention the fact we're a family of tea drinkers LOL!! Anyways, I hope you like it - I'd love to hear you've been by for a visit, as always. Laters...........xxx

Champagne Fountain....

Morning! I know I said I'd be back yesterday with this card but I'd got ahead of myself and was getting everything done a day early LOL!! Today, there's a new challenge starting over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges and this week, we want to see you mix and match your papers - so you need to use papers from different designers. Now, some people in blogland make this look easy - Pops for example, always makes the most amazing cards using bits and pieces of papers from different designers (well, she always makes the most amazing cards full stop!), but if you're anything like me, I tend to stick with one collection never mind one designer LOL!! But I gave it a go and here's my attempt:

Ingredients:

Image - Lili of the Valley coloured with Spectrum Noirs and Pearly pen on the champagne bucket and lots of glossy accents wherever there's glass or champagne!

Papers - Crate Paper 'Restoration' (Black and White & Calendar paper used for doily die cut), and WRS Milton and Co Christmas paper stack (Green paper).

Sentiment - Paper Cupcakes.

Dies - Magnolia Doohickey Doily die and Marianne Designs corner die.

Other - Gems from Papermania.

I did want to give this card a more masculine feel because out of all the images in the recent LOTV release, this was one of the ones I felt you could use for a man's card and I quite like how it turned out but I must be honest, I'm not happy with the colour I used for the champagne and when I use this image again, I'm definitely going to use a much lighter colour.
I'm also entering my card into the Pink Ink Sketch challenge as I've followed their sketch #10, LOTV Challenge #120 - Creature Comforts and Joyful Stamper's 'Anything Goes' challenge and that's it!
I've got no plans to go out today - other than to walk the dog, so hopefully I can crack on with some Christmas cards!! TTFN......................xxx

Playing with Snowballs

Morning! It's the start of another new week - what have you all got planned? Christmas seems to be rolling in thick and fast! It was my Mum's birthday yesterday and once we reach that day, the rest of the year just flies because it's my Mum and Dad's anniversary 2 weeks later (Ruby this year!!), then 2 weeks after that it's my birthday, then 2 weeks after that it's Christmas!!
I'd like to start by saying thanks for all of your lovely comments lately, it really means the world to me - and a big welcome to my new followers. Looks like I'm on my way to reaching 200!! When I do, I'll have to do some blog candy for you all to show my appreciation.
It's time for a new challenge over at The Crazy Challenge and this week, it's a recipe - 1 image, 2 papers and 3 embellishments, here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - SWALK Winter Cheer coloured with Spectrum Noirs with stickles for the snow.

Papers and chipboard star - K & Co.

Pink Card - Papermania.

Sentiment Ticket - Paper Cupcakes.

Gem Brad - Wild Orchid Crafts.

Also - Bias Binding from stash and used Nesties and Cuttlebug to die cut the image and mat.

Yay!!! I've finally got around to sharing one of the SWALK winter cheer images with you!! I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

• Crafters Companion - Challenge 18 'Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow'.
• By the Cute and Girly - November 'Christmas Girls'.
• Totally Gorjuss - Challenge 105 Sketch.
• Christmas Stampin All Year Long - Use a stamp that's never seen ink before.
• Cuddly Buddly - Challenge #20 'Double Trouble' 
• Samuel Taylors - November 'Christmas Cards'.

Right, that's it from me for today - have a great week, everyone. I'll be back tomorrow with another DT card for My Mum's Craft Shop challenges, so I'll see you then................xx

A Present Giving Penguin!

Morning! There's a new challenge today over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp and this week there's an interesting 'patchwork kinda deal' sketch to work with by Uma. Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Pollycraft coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Echo Park.

Card Blank - Anita's (docrafts/papermania).

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Hope you like it - don't forget to join in with the challenge over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp. And I know it's really cheeky but if you've not seen the card that I posted last night would you mind having a look at it, only it's one card that was really important to me.
Have a nice, relaxing Sunday - it's my wonderful Mum's birthday today - you know, I've got the most amazing mum in the world, she does so much for those around her, especially me - since I've been ill, she's been there every step of the way and even now, she still does my washing and ironing and comes and does my housework. I think my mum should have wings and I want the world to know that I love her so very much. That's it from me for today - see you tomorrow................xxx

The hardest card I've ever had to make......

Evening All. I'm sorry I've been AWOL this week - I was really ill at the beginning of the week (throwing up!) and because of everything else I've got going on health-wise, it sometimes takes quite a lot out of me but I'm back on form now!! And so to the title of my post!?! Despite trying to take it easy, I still had the energy in the latter part of the week to get some cards made and the one I'm sharing with you today is one that I was asked to make by a friend of my mum's - the lady had twin boys and when they were in their 20s, one of them passed away in a motorcycle accident and she asked me to make cards for both of them for their birthday today - one to post and one to take to the cemetery. Now as you can imagine, I found the one for the son that had passed so difficult to make and I hope you think that I've done a good job with what I eventually came up with:

Ingredients:

Image - Mo Manning coloured with Spectrum Noirs with Stickles on the wings and Viva Decor Pearl Pen on the cloud.

Papers, Twine, Bunting Stickers - All My Mind's Eye 'Lost and Found'.

Stamps - Magnolia 'Star Flourish' around image and Magnolia 'I Believe I Can Fly'.

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Other - Angel wing charm from Bunny Zoe's, Stars cut with Slice machine, Gem stars from Papermania and Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

The lady I made the card for had come to a 'card party' at a mutual friend's and she'd seen another card I'd made using the Magnolia 'I Believe I Can Fly' stamp and had told me it was her son's favourite song, so I had to include that. I struggled quite a bit with an image because I didn't want to make it too girly but when I found this gorgeous little boy angel image over at Mo's Digital Pencil, it seemed fitting, and I was also careful to use an 'on your birthday' sentiment because alot of others I felt would be inappropriate. I really would appreciate any comments you'd like to leave about this card because it was so hard for me to make.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

• Stamp with Fun - Challenge #136 Sketch.
• Crafts and Me Challenges - Challenge #60 Birthdays.
• Ruby's Rainbow - Challenge #16 Something with Wings.
• Delicious Doodles - Challenge #6 Remembrance.
• Joyful Stamper - Anything Goes.
• 2 Sisters - Challenge #65 Anything Goes.
• Drunken Stampers - Challenge #78 Up in the Air.
• Crafty Catz - Challenge #108 Use a Digital Image.

Right, I'm off to get some cardmaking done - it's my mum's birthday tomorrow and I need to get her card finished off for starters. I hope you're all well and having a good weekend. I'll be back tomorrow with my Sunday Sketch and Stamp DT card, so until then..................xx

From Our House to Yours........

It's my turn to post over on the Just Some Lines blog today and I decided to make another Christmas card using one of the recently released Christmas collection. Here it is:

Ingredients:

Image - Just Some Lines 'From Our House to Yours-Neighbours' coloured with Spectrum Noirs with chalk for the night sky background and 'puffy pen' for the snow.

Card Blank and Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Paper - Freebie from Quick Cards magazine.

Red Card - Papermania.

Ribbon - from stash.

I'm also entering it into the following challenges:

• I *heart* to stamp - October Sketch for you to try.
• Crimbo Crackers - Challenge 1 Anything Goes.
• Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Challenge #81 Wintry theme.
• Really Reasonable Ribbon - Challenge #35 Christmas.
• Simon Says Stamp - and show a House.
• Christmas Card Challenges - Week #48 Liquid Applique.

And I think that's it. Did you notice my double bow? Thought it'd make a change from an ordinary one - if you want to try it yourself, I use the 'bunny ears' method to tie my bows, so you just double up the 'ears' and then tie in the normal way. It's a nice bow to add to presents as well as cards - let me know if you give it a try.
Well, I'd better go - I'm picking my friend's twins up from school today and looking after them for an hour or so until she finishes work and it's the first time so wish me luck LOL!! Bye for now...............xx

Christmas Monkey!!

Morning! So - how did your kids get on on Halloween night last night? My son went out with some friends and when I picked him up he was well and truly on a sugar high - and his pumpkin basket was still nearly full of sweets!! Mind you, it's only once a year, eh!!
There's a new challenge over at the Cupcake Craftroom starting today and this month we want to see your 'Sweet Christmas' creations - so they need to be christmas themed but then they also need to have a 'sweet' element, so that could be something sweet to eat or something sweet as in cute, like I've done. Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Pollycraft coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Cupcake Cards and Crafts.

Card - Bazzill Basics.

Other - Gold card from stash, Gold Craftwork Cards Card Candi and Cuttlebug and Snowflake Embossing Folder.

I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

• One Stitch at a Time - #86 Christmas.
• Little Claire's - Challenge #14 Christmas.
• Squiggles and Giggles - Go Dotty.
• Winter Wonderland - CAS Christmas card.
• Meljens Designs - Challenge #82 Christmas.
• Paper and Such - Sketch.

Right, I think that's about it - I'm off shopping with my mum. Have a nice day - and don't forget to join in with the challenge and you could be in with a chance of winning the papers that I've used on my cards (there are lots of other designs like fairies, snowflakes, flourishes, etc.) Bye for now.................xx

Something Autumnal!

Hi Everyone. When I said I'd be back tomorrow, it's cos I've got some exciting news to share with you - I'm now on the DT for The Crazy Challenge!! For my first challenge, we had to be inspired by this photo:

And I came up with this card - I hope I wasn't too wide of the mark, I used the colours and got the elephant in there!

Ingredients:

Image - Teddy Bo coloured with Spectrum Noirs and Promarkers.

Papers - First Edition New Leaf.

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Buttons - Woodware.

Other - WRMK thread coloured with promarkers.

Isn't that paper yummy?! I've fallen in love with First Edition ever since they starting producing paper pads and I think I've got almost every one they've released. And how cute do Teddy Bea and Olifant look? Now not a lot of people know this but I named 'Olifant' - Gayle, the owner over at Teddy Bo was asking for suggestions and I emailed her suggesting the name, which is South African for elephant, apparently and she liked my idea! And what d'you think of my colouring again? It's funny actually cos now I've got the hang of shading a bit more with the Spectrum Noirs, I seem a bit better at it with the promarkers!?!

I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

• Craft Your Days Away - Challenge #32 Autumn/Fall.
• Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 188 Sketch Time!
• Creative Inspirations Paint - Fall.
• The Paper Players - Challenge #70 Anything Goes (Fall).
• Craft Your Passion - Challenge 82 Bingo (Buttons/Free/Sentiment).
• Get Hippity with Ippity - Fall Colours.
• Make it Monday - Anything Goes.
• Stamp with Fun - Challenge #135 Buttons.

Right, I think that's about it! I've got a big week this week cos Sam's gone back to school after half term and he's going to be walking to and from school on his own - eeeek! He's been on at me for ages but I always said he's too young but now he's in the last year of primary school and we've worked out a route so he doesn't cross any roads that don't have lights or a crossing, I've finally let him. But I'm gonna be a nervous wreck until he rings me just as he gets to school and before he gets to the front door in the afternoons. I guess you've got to let go sometime, haven't you?!? TTFN..............xx