Cardmakingbird

Two for Tea...

2012-02-29T19:49:00.001Z

Back again so soon?! I'm just posting a quick card as I've had it sat on my desk for a while ready to be blogged and I've just noticed that the current challenge over at Lili's Little Fairies is 'Afternoon Tea' and it's closing any minute now!! Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Papers - Dovecraft.

Image - Lili of the Valley coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Sentiment Ticket - Whimsy.

Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts.

Other - Pink Bazzil Basics cardstock and Pearls from stash.

Dont'cha just love these colours together? And have you ordered any stamps from the new release? I'm waiting for mine to arrive - I couldn't order them til Monday cos I was waiting for the ones I wanted to be restocked....I can't wait til they arrive so I can ink them up, they're gorgeous!!! Anyhoo, I told ya it would be a quick post, bye for now......xx

Throw Us Some Shapes!

2012-02-29T10:00:00.001Z

Morning! Today's challenge over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges is 'Throw Us Some Shapes' - so we want to see anything other than square/rectangular creations! I was asked by my neighbour to whip her something up for her niece's 18th and she said she's a 'girly girl', so I thought it would be a perfect oppotunity to make a double easel. Here's my card (get ready for lots of pics - soz!):

Ingredients:

Image - Saturated Canary coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Card Blank - Double Easel Kanban.

Papers - K & Co.

Sentiments - Craftwork Cards.

Other - Nesties and Cuttlebug used to cut image/number mats. Slice used to cut out numbers/letters. Letters and numbers covered with Glossy Accents, numbers then covered with glitter. Gems from stash and positioned with Bazzill Basics Jewel templates. Flowers cut with MS punch.

Hope you like it! Thanks loads for popping by - I'm trying to get round and visit everyone over the next day or so. And don't forget to check out my teamies amazing creations over at MMCS - and join in with the challenge of course!! TTFN......xx

Tres Chic

2012-02-22T09:00:00.001Z

Hello! Today's challenge over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges is 'Ribbons and Buttons' - another nice easy one for everyone! Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - MilkCoffee coloured with Spectrum Noirs (with a bit of glossy accents on her specs!)

Papers/Ribbon/Bows/Buttons - All Papermania Capsule collection.

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Gems - from stash.

The image is from a new discovery of mine - MilkCoffee. They have the cutest characters! I liked this one cos you don't often find images of lovely ladies with specs (and as a spec wearer myself, I like to fly the flag LOL!) If you fancy a nose, you can buy the images in their etsy shop.
I'm going to enter my card into the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments - 2 differents DPs.
Sweet Stamps - Challenge #54 Bingo (Bling - there are gems in the corners, Ribbon and Die Cuts (hope my nestie mat for the image counts?!)
Lollipop Crafts - Challenge #68 Anything Goes.
Make It Monday - Always anything goes.
Graphicat Sketches - Sketch #2.

And I think that's it. Thanks for popping by - and don't forget to join in with the challenge. Bye for now.......xx

Pearls and Swirls (and just a few butterflies!!)

2012-02-15T10:59:00.001Z

Greetings! The challenge starting today over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges is 'Pearls and Swirls' and this week, we've been lucky enough to be sponsored by Emerald Faeries (who will provide the winner with 2 yummy digis!) Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Emerald Faeries watercoloured with distress inks, with chalk background and stickles on the wings.

Papers - First Edition 'Dream Catcher'.

Cardstock - Bazzill Basics.

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Dies/Punches - MS Butterfly Punch, Circle and Scalloped Circle Nesties, Corner die and Cuttlebug, MFT Rolled Rose die and Swirls cut with Slice.

Other - Pearls from stash.

I had intended making a quick card but ended up spending ages on it (and I hope it shows LOL!!) I'm going to enter it into the following challenges:

Anything Goes - Challenge 60 Bingo (Swirls & Pearls, Animals, Shaped Cards, Die Cuts/Punches, Make your own Flowers).
Whimsy Inspirations - Challenge 26 Anything but a Square Card.
Truly Scrumptious - Challenge 74 All Creatures Great and Small.
Flutter By Wednesday - Challenge #190 Anything with Wings.
Divas by Design - Challenge 22 Wings and Things.

And I think that's about it! Hope you like it - thanks for visiting xx And of course, don't forget to join in with the challenge over at MMCS Challenges! Bye for now, my lovelies xx

Bee My Valentine..........please x

2012-02-12T11:24:00.002Z

Morning! There's a new sketch by Maggie today over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp. Apologies for being a wee bit late with my post today but I've come down with this dreadful cold that seems to be sweeping the nation at the moment and last night, I was up nearly all night cos I couldn't sleep what with the dripping tap nose and one thing and the other - and then I fell asleep this morning and so wasn't awake to do my post on time doh!! Anyway, here's my card....

Ingredients:

Image - Kraftin' Kimmie 'Valentine Willard' coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - MME 'Love Me'.

Other - Slice used to cut letters and heart and Gems added from stash.

Dont'cha just love Willard? I fell in love with the Christmas version of him and had to have this image but would you believe it's the first time I've used it? Slapped wrists for me!!! I am actually a big Kraftin' Kimmie fan and have got quite a few of her stamps that still need inking - I really am gonna make a concerted effort this year to ink up more of my neglected rubber!! Although I was naughty last week cos it was Kimmie's birthday and she had some amazing offers in her store which even made it worthwhile with the shipping from Canada!! And I was hugely impressed when they arrived yesterday, which I think is pretty speedy all the way from there!!
I'm going to enter my card into the following challenges:

Totally Gojuss - Challenge 118 Lurve!
CES Challenges - Challenge 72 Lots of Layers.
Addicted to Stamps - Challenge 23 Valentines/Love.
Crafting When We Can - Challenge 11 Valentines/Love.
Dream Valley Challenges - Challenge 25 Valentine.
That Craft Place - Challenge 6 Love is All Around.
The Crafty Pad - Challenge 157 The Letter 'B' (as in the Bee on his nose!!)

Right, that's about it methinks! Anyhoo, ta-ta for now, I'll be doing the rounds in a bit......xx

It must be love!!

2012-02-08T09:00:00.002Z

Morning! There's a new challenge starting today over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges and yep, you've guessed it, this week we want you to 'feel the luuuurrrrvvvve'!!! I knew I had a couple of super cute Elzybells stamps that would be suitable and so I decided to dig those out and then I couldn't decide between two stamp sets, so I just made two cards!! Here they are:

Ingredients:

Images - Elzybells coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

DP (Hearts) - Cupcake Cards and Crafts.

Cardstock - Coredinations and Bazzill Basics.

Also used - Circle Nestibilites, MFT Open Scallop Border Die, Crafts Too Embossing Folder.

I know I've probably said this before but I love Elzybells! I was lucky enough when the store was closing down to be able to buy almost all of the stamps that I wanted (so I've still got a heck of a lot to get through!!) - and did you see the stamps that Elizabeth (the artist behind Elzybells recently brought out for Penny Black?) I love how the stamp sets work together - I stamped the background of the sweets and chocs - and the sentiments are so much fun (they say 'I love ya, that's no bull' and 'I wouldn't replace you for all the chocolate in the world! (this is a non binding agreement)). Hee, hee, love 'em!!
I'm also entering my card/s into the following challenges:

Divas by Design - Challenge 21 Love is in the Air.
Raise the Bar - Challenge 90 Sketch (Chocs one).
Sketches by Carly - Sketch #49 (Cow one).
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days - Challenge 26 Hearts.

Right, that's it from me for now - gotta dash cos I need to take the little muttley out! Hope you like my cards and that they've at least given you a smile!! Don't forget to hop over to check out my DT teamies gorgeous cards (we've got some new members too!) and join in with the challenge!! See you later alligator..........xx

You make life wonderful............x

2012-02-05T21:24:00.001Z

Evening Everyone! Well, the snow finally arrived in London last night and so today we've got a couple of inches of the stuff. I love it when it's all thick and fluffy, it's when it starts turning to icy mush I don't like it!! The kids have had fun today - there are snowmen all over the heath and I even saw a snow dalek (from Dr. Who!!) Have you got snow in your part of the country/world?
Anyway, here's tonight's card:

Ingredients:

Image - Simply Sassy from Sugar Nellies coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Fancy Pants 'Love Story'/Pink Card - Bazzill Basics.

Sentiment - LOTV.

Dies - MFT Crochet Border and Doily die, Sizzix Decorative Corner.

Heart Buttons - Crafty Emma's.

Other - Baker's Twine and Heart charm from stash.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Saturated Canary Challenges - Challenge #10 Red, Pink and White.
Hiding in my Craft Room - HIMCR#32 Pink, Red and White.
2 Sisters Challenge - Challenge #77 Red, Pink and White.
Addicted to Stamps Challenge - Challenge #23 Valentines/Love.
Die Cut Dreams - Pink, Red and Hearts.
7 Kids College Fund Challenge - Challenge #40 Red, Pink and White.
Rainbow Lady's Challenge - Challenge 190 Someone wearing red.
Fabulous Friday Challenge - Ribbon and/or Twine.
Card Makin' Mamas - Challenge #38 Valentine.

Phew! Just a few challenges tonight - funnily enough, I didn't even make this card for any challenges but then when I looked online, it seems they're all either red, pink and white or valentine's/love. I've gone with the colour challenges more cos I'm sure I'll make another card that'll fit into the other theme!!
Right, well I'm off to watch a bit of telly and to have a mooch around blogland and visit some of you ladies. Enjoy the rest of your evenings. TTFN........xx

Confidence is Sexy

2012-02-01T09:02:00.002Z

Hi there everyone! Is it as cold in your part of the world as it is here in London?? Oh my goodness, it is
fffffff-reezing!! They're forecasting snow by the end of the week, so it remains to be seen whether we get some of the white stuff!! Anyhoo - this week's challenge over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges is 'Fab n' Funky' and here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Simply Sassy by Sugar Nellie coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Cosmo Cricket 'Togetherness'.

Sentiment - Inkadinkadoo (think that's how you spell it!)

Dies - Marianne Designs.

Other - Versamagic Ink Pad and Gems from stash.

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

Divas by Design - Challenge 20 Anything Goes.
Die Cuttin Divas - Challenge #50 Anything Goes.
Make It Monday - Anything Goes.

And I think that's about it - don't forget to hop over and join in with the challenge, there's also a DT call running at the moment 'cos we need another couple of peeps, so put your name down!! Gotta be in it to win it (or so they say!) Bye for now..........xx

Love Letters Straight from the Heart....

2012-01-30T13:00:00.001Z

Afternoon!! The challenge starting today over at The Crazy Challenge is 'Flowers' and we've been lucky enough to be sponsored by Saturated Canary. Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Saturated Canary 'Love Letters' coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Fancy Pants 'Love Story'.

Black Card (for matting) - Bazzill Basics.

Flowers - Duck Pond Crafts coloured with versamagic ink pads.

Brads - Papermania.

Ribbon - Free with some pyjamas lol!

Now - what do you think of my card? Honestly?!? The reason I ask is that it's quite unusual for me to use such a mish-mash of patterns on my DPs, etc. In the end, I felt quite pleased with the overall look but you know when you just have those niggling doubts about whether it works or not?!
I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

Divas by Design - Challenge 19 Sketch.
Daisy Doodles - Challenge # 52 Romantic theme.
Crafty Boots Challenges - Inspired by a Song Title (see my blog post title, think it's a Patsy Cline song?!?)
Paper Make Up -Digi Makeover Challenge # 21 Valentines.

Right, that's it - don't forget to hop over and check over my teamie's gorgeous creations and link your 'Flowery' projects up over at The Crazy Challenge for a chance to win some Saturated Canary images!!

SWALK - My Sister, My Friend....

2012-01-29T10:00:00.003Z

Morning! It's Sunday which can only mean one thing over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp - there's a new challenge! And this week, it's a fab sketch by Maggie. Now I must confess when I first saw it I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but once I had an idea and now my card's finished, I think the sketch rocks!!! Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - SWALK coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Prima Madeline.

Raffia Ribbon - Bunny Zoe's.

Flowers - Imaginisce (big fabric ones) and Wild Orchid Crafts (small flat ones and roses).

Other - Magnolia Doohickey Tilda Doily Die and Gems from stash.

I LOVE the papers in this gorgeous Prima pad - the colours and patterns and the way they work together are fab!! And what d'you think of my colouring? I kinda liked the way this image turned out. I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

Ditzy Craftymess Challenge - Challenge #1 Anything Goes.
Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes.
Hotshot Crafts - Challenge #3 Flowers.
CR84FN Colour Challenge - CR84FN47 Pink, Red, Light Blue.
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle - Anything Goes.

And I think that's it for now! Enjoy the last day of the weekend - hope you've had a good one so far! TTFN........xx

Last few days.....

2012-01-27T22:36:00.003Z

There are a couple of days left to enter over at the Cupcake Craftroom's January challenge, which this month is 'Anything Goes', so any of your makes over the next day or so will fit the bill!! Here's a couple of cards I made for the reminder post:

Ingredients: Image - Pollycraft coloured ages ago with promarkers, Papers - Fresh Polka from Cupcake Cards and Crafts, Sentiment - Craftwork Cards, Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts, Other - MS Leaf Punch, Bazzill Basics Pink and Green card and Ribbon from stash.

Ingredients: Image - Just Some Lines coloured with Spectrum Noirs, Papers - Bright Summery Day papers from Cupcake Cards and Crafts, Purple Card (for matting) - Bazzill Basics, 'For You' sentiment - Doodlebug, Flowers - WOC, Brads - Papermania.

I tried out a new kinda background on the second card - I've seen other people doing it around blogland. I'm not entirely sure I've got it right but I'm not too unhappy with how it turned out. I'm going to enter my cards into the following challenges: Colour Create Challenge #88 Pink and Green, Fussy and Fancy Challenge 55 - Polka Dots, Crafty Ann's Challenge #57 What's New Pussycat and Inspire Me Fridays 43 - Anything Goes.
And I think that's about it! Don't forget to link up anything you blog over the next couple of days to the Cupcake Craftroom's Anything Goes challenge - you could be in with a chance of winning some gorgeous papers!! Bye for now.............xxx

Flowers, flowers, everywhere!

2012-01-25T09:16:00.004Z

Hello blogland! There's a new challenge starting today over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges and this week it's 'Flowers'! Whether they're on your paper or you use 'em as embellies, we don't care, as long as they're there!! Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Some Odd Girl coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Kanban.

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Ribbon - Papermania.

Flowers - Magnolia and Hobbycraft.

Other - Coredinations 'vintage' cardstock for matting and Pearls from stash.

I'm also entering it into the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday - Week #191.
Truly Madly Crafty Challenges - January: Anything Goes.
Make It Monday - #73 Anything Goes.
Hooked on Craft - Something Bright.
Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges - Challenge #51 Anything Goes.

OK - I think that's it. Don't forget to pop over to My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges to check out my teamies gorgeous creations - and of course, join in with the challenge!!
Before I go - are any of you on Pinterest? I started looking over there for some bits to *Smash* but there are so many things to look at, it's become (yet another!) addiction LOL! Feel free to follow me, and if you're on there, I'll have a look for you too! I'm off for a mooch round blogland. Bye for now..............xx

Music Box.......

2012-01-23T13:00:00.003Z

Afternoon! This week's challenge over at The Crazy Challenge is 'Vintage' and our sponsor is one of my old design teams, The Stamping Boutique, which was nice cos I had a few images to choose from, to work with! Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - The Stamping Boutique coloured with Spectrum Noirs with a bit of stickles and pearly pen!

Paper and Sentiment - Papermania.

Pink Card - Bazzill Basics.

Flowers and Lace - Wild Orchid Crafts.

Punches and Dies - MS Vintage Lace PATP and shapes cut with my Slice.

Other - Pearls from stash.

I hope it's 'vintage' enough! What d'you reckon? I've used pearls and lace and thrown in some vintagey looking paper, so I hope it works! And I got to use my Slice again! I'm determined to use it more and there are some great shapes that are useful for filling in any gaps. Have you made any crafty New Year's resolutions? Right, that's it from me for today, I'd better get on! Don't forget to pop over to The Crazy Challenge to check out my teamie's cards - and join in with the challenge, of course! Back again soon lovelies............xx

It'll be All White on the Night........

2012-01-19T21:02:00.002Z

Boom, boom! I've always wanted to use that as a title and being as the challenge over at Southern Girls this fortnight is 'White on White', I've finally got my opportunity! Here's my card (get ready for a few pics!!)

Ingredients:

Image - Tickled Pink coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

White Card - Bazzill Basics 'Great White', DCWV Glitter Card.

Dies - Cheery Lynn Doily Die.

Punches - Martha Stewart Butterfly and Leaf punches.

Lace Butterfly - Wild Orchid Crafts.

Flowers - WOC and The Range.

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Other - Ribbon and Gems from stash, Swirls cut using Slice.

Phew, I think that's it! Sorry about the pic and ingredients overload!! I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafty Purple Frog Challenges - Anything Goes.
Paperplay Challenges - Week 3 Ribbon Any Which Way.
I Brake for Challenges - IBFCC17 Fancy Folds.
Inky Impressions Challenges - Shape It Up (Shaped Cards).
Heart Song Inspirations - Challenge #31 Glitter and/or White on White.

Don't forget to pop over to Southern Girls, my fellow teamies have really pulled it out the bag this time around with their projects! And we'll make it worth your while to join in ;-) - our sponsors this time around are Tickled Pink (where my gorge image came from), Artfull Crafts and Meljen's!!
Thanks too - to those of you who asked after my sickly son who was off school!! It must've been a virus because he had a temperature and one bout of sickness! I've kept him off for the rest of the week but I knew he'd started feeling better when he started talking the hind legs off a donkey as usual!!! Bye for now........xxx

What's your favourite colour?

2012-01-18T08:45:00.002Z

The reason I ask is because there's a new challenge starting today over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges and we want to see your creations in your fave colour combo. Now I must admit, I have more than one fave colour combo, so I just had to run with one of them! Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Hanglar & Stanglar coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Nitwits.

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Flowers - Woodware and Wild Orchid Crafts.

Seam Binding - WOC.

Dies - Heart Border-Magnolia Doohickey, Butterflies-Marianne Designs.

Other - Pearls and Button from stash.

Does anyone know what's going on with Hanglar at the moment? Their shop is empty and the challenges haven't run since last year and no-one on the facebook group seems to know what's going on!?! It'll be a real shame if they have closed down because I know lots of people who love their images (me included obviously!)
I might be back later to add in some challenges but my son's off school today because he came down this morning all poorly - and as I said to him, he never says he's ill or tries to get off school so when he says he is, I do believe him!
Don't forget to hop over and check out my teamie's fab creations and of course, join in with the challenge!! TTFN...........xx

Happy New Year!!!!

2012-01-15T10:00:00.002Z

Long time, no see (if ya know what I mean!?!) Yep, I know I'm a bit late but I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and here's to a very Happy New Year for all of us, eh!? I'm so happy to be back blogging - and with a new computer too!!
I guess I should explain my absence (although I must admit to being a bit sad not to have heard from a single one of you - 'specially those of you that I thought I could consider friends, but hey ho!) Before Christmas I was having an absolute nightmare with my computer, in the end I was avoiding using it because it seemed like it was doing nothing I wanted it to and was just stressing me out!! Luckily though cos my birthday was just before Christmas too, I was able to get a new 'puter!! Then in the week before Christmas I had to go into hospital for a week or so. I came out in time for the big day and had a lovely time over Christmas and the New Year at my mum and dad's (although they've not quite made it into the 21st century yet and don't have internet access at their house!!) I had to go back into hospital in the new year but now I'm home and ready to
get back to my blogging best!!
So - down to business! There's a new challenge starting today over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp and here's my attempt at the sketch:

Ingredients:

Image - 'My Heart' from D'arcy's Diaries coloured with Spectrum Noirs and Sakura glitter pen.

Papers - My Mind's Eye.

Crinkly Paper Ribbon (yes, that's a technical term!) - Bunny Zoe's.

Pink Card - Papermania, Kraft Card - Bazzill Basics from Dies to Die For.

Also used - Slice machine (to cut hearts, lettering and key), Buttons and Twine from stash.

Have you seen these gorge new images from D'arcy's Diaries? I saw a few previews but now the shop's open - although there are only 5 images at the moment, I can't wait to see more!! They're by the same lady who brought us Teddy Bo - and look what a huge success that's been, so I see big things for this character! And I've used my Slice quite a bit on this card! One of my 'Crafty New Year's Resolutions' to use it a bit more!! I love it, and I can cut some great shapes using the design cards I've got but for the most part it just sits there forgotten :-( I'm sure you've got equipment like that....I call it the crafter's curse LOL!! We have so much stash, we only use half (if we're lucky!) of it!!

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

Blogger's Challenge - Wings and Things.
Clearly Inspired - Challenge #43 Valentine's Day.
Inspire me Fridays - Anything Goes.
The Poodles Parlour - Button Up.
Totally Papercrafts - Challenge 99 Spots and Stripes (there's spots on the word 'love' and lines on the background paper, so I hope it counts!?)

And I think that's about it! I'll be round to visit you all this coming week - although it's gonna take me some time to get round to you all - I've got a lot of catching up to do!! Bye for now..........x

Cute and Funky Christmas

2011-12-14T09:02:00.001Z

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!!!!!!!!

2011-12-11T13:22:00.001Z

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..............

2011-12-09T21:02:00.000Z

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

2011-12-01T09:29:00.003Z

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....

2011-11-30T09:05:00.002Z

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....

2011-11-29T21:48:00.000Z

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......

2011-11-28T13:00:00.002Z

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.......

2011-11-27T10:00:00.000Z

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!!!!!!!

2011-11-26T22:46:00.000Z

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.............

2011-11-16T21:00:00.001Z

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....

2011-11-16T09:05:00.000Z

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

2011-11-14T13:00:00.000Z

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!

2011-11-13T10:07:00.000Z

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......

2011-11-12T22:36:00.001Z

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........

2011-11-04T12:24:00.000Z

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!!

2011-11-01T09:29:00.001Z

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