Really exciting news!!!!!!

Morning! I've got some really exciting news to share with you today.....for those of you that don't know, I had to give up work in 2006 after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer - of course, every cloud has a silver lining because it was through being ill that I discovered my love of crafting!! Before giving up work, I worked for an advertising agency in central London and last week, someone I used to work with (who I've stayed in touch with), sent me an email asking how I was doing and if I would be interested in going back to work. So - I went for an informal chat and realised that despite my ongoing health problems, there was a possibility that I might be able to make it work. Then I had an interview last week with the two Directors of the company and yesterday, I was offered the job!! From next week, I'll be working at Dawson Walker Communications, who are a PR/Marketing/Advertising agency in London. Obviously I won't know until I try whether it really will work out for me, health wise but they've agreed hours to suit me - I'll be working from home, 2 days a week and from 10am to 3pm in the office, 3 days a week. I'm really excited, but a bit nervous so keep your fingers crossed for me!! My first day is on Tuesday!
Anyway, enough waffling about what's going on in my life. It's the second week of the challenge over at the Friday Sketch Challenge, so here's my reminder card:

I've used a Saturated Canary image, coloured with promarkers and spectrum noirs and I've used Docrafts Kraft Note papers. The shape in the middle and the corner, were both cut with my Slice, I used a Memory Box die to cut out the butterfly and a Marianne Design die for the flowers, then added some twine, a charm and buttons from my stash. I hope you like it - I do love the colours in these papers.

If you've made it this far, thanks so much for sharing my good news! Sending hugs............xx

Party Time Freya

Afternoon! Have you had a nice long Bank Holiday weekend? Mine's been nice and relaxing and I've actually got a fair bit of cardmaking done - whoop, whoop!!! Sam went to his friend's birthday party on Saturday from early evening until late and then by the time we got up on Sunday morning, he got dressed, had his breakfast and was off back to his friend's to stay the night and I've not gotta pick him up til 7pm. The weather's been gorge today!! Me and my Mum and Aunt went and did a little bit of shopping - I stocked up in the £ shop and I needed some printer paper cos I was down to my last few sheets. While I was in Staples, I got a Desk Tidy (the Martha Stewart collaboration range) to match my other craft desk bits for 40% off, so I saved nearly £6 - and it's a luverly Duck Egg Blue colour to match the Matthew Williamson wallpaper in my front room!!!
Anyhoo, here's one of the cards I made - to enter into Digistamp Boutique's Monthly Comp:

I've used 'Party Time Freya' from Digistamp Boutique coloured with Speccies and Promarkers with some stickles and glossy accents, Imaginisce papers and Chipboard Sentiment, MFT Open Scallop Border Die, Memory Box Bow Corner Die topped with some ribbon and gems from my stash.
I need to try and make some 'flat' cards a bit more often cos they're much better for posting! Hope ya like it! Enjoy your evening............xx

Penguin in Love x

Afternoon lovelies! It's Friday, so it's time for a new sketch over at the Friday Sketch Challenge and this week, it's a fab one from Kelly. I've rotated it to make my card cos the image was the other way round....

Ingredients:

Image - Digistamp Boutique coloured with Spectrum Noirs and Promarkers (I'm a big fan of mixing 'em up lately!)

Papers - Freebies from a magazine (again!)

Sentiment - Computer generated.

Dies/Punches - Spellbinders Fancy Oval and Scalloped Oval Nesties, Memory Box Snowflake, Cuttlebug Vintage Corner dies and various snowflake punches.

Other - Whitewash Coredinations (love this stuff!!) and Shimmer Dots from stash.

Sorry that the picture quality's not that great - I forgot to take a pic before I gave it to my Mum and Dad (from my son) and so I had to take it with my iphone at their house - I'll try and get a better one at some point if I get the chance.
It's actually quite funny if you read the post over at Friday Sketch Challenge cos reading it sounds exactly like me!! We're right on top of Christmas now and as usual, I've been working til the last minute to get all my cards made - I've even had to.....buy a couple this year (shock, horror LOL!!!) I too will be making a new year's resolution to 'be more organised with my crafting' - and you may have noticed that over the last couple of months, my posting has been a bit erratic - I have had a lot going on, which I won't bore you with but another NY resolution is definitely to get back to my blogging best and I'm going to use the relaxing time over the holidays to catch up with you all.
Right, I'd better go, been bleating on for long enough methinks. I'm all excited about tomorrow cos we're going ice skating, which I love (although not been for ages, so keep your fingers crossed for me that I don't break anything!!!??) Back soon....................xx

'Peace' Angel

Evening. How's it going in your part of the world? It's bloomin' cold here in London and we are hurtling towards Christmas at a rate of knots (which considering I've got no chrimbo presents yet, might be a slight problem in my household!!) At least I've made a start on my cards, eh?! Talking of which, here's another one:

Ingredients:

Image - Lili of the Valley coloured with Spectrum Noirs and Promarkers with Liquid Pearls and Stickles.

Papers and Star Embellishment - Nitwits 'Heavenly' (freebie with magazine).

Dies - Ornament Border by Memory Box.

Other - Gems from stash and Blue card from Bazzill Basics.

I've followed The Deconstructed Sketch No. 76, so will link my card up over there. And I think that's about it! I'm off to check out the new Princess release over at Saturated Canary and no doubt spend some pennies!! I'll be back in the morning with my Friday Sketch Challenge DT card. Thanks for popping by......xx

A Very Purple Christmas!

Morning! How are you enjoying your weekend? I went to the cinema yesterday with Sam and my dad to see 'Skyfall' - it's a fab film if you like action movies and a bit of Bond obviously!! It's the first Bond film I've seen with Daniel Craig in the title role and I have to say that before I'd seen the film, I couldn't really see his appeal but after watching him in the role, I can certainly see the attraction!!!
Anyhoo!! It's time for a new challenge over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp and this week, it was my turn to design the sketch, so please play along!! Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Magnolia watercoloured with Distress Inks.

Papers - Magnolia.

Ribbon - American Crafts.

Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts.

Dies - Ornament Border, Frosty Border and Crystal Snowflake - all Memory Box.

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Other - Gems and Lace from stash, Whitewash Coredinations.

This is another image that I coloured in last year and didn't get around to making into a card, so again - don't look too closely at my colouring!! I'm also going to enter my card into the following challenges:

• Challenges 4 Everybody - Challenge # 6 Anything Goes.
• Come and Get It Challenges - Monochromatic Colour Scheme.
• Lovely Hanglar and Sweet Magnolia - Challenge # 55 Girls Only.
• That Craft Place - Tic Tac Toe (Ribbon, Lace, Dies or Sentiment, Lace, Border).
• Cardmakin Mamas - Anything Goes.

 OK - I think that's about it! Hope ya like it and don't forget to join in over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp - we've got a DT call going on over there too if anyone's interested! Bye for now............xx

Tilda with Peanut - Friday Sketch Challenge reminder!

Hi Everyone. Did you all have a fun Halloween? We really don't celebrate it here like those of you in the US, but it does seem to be growing in popularity. And for those of you whose children have been off school this week, I hope you've been able to keep the kids entertained!! I was very lucky because my mum took Sam down to the coast to see her sister from Saturday to Tuesday, which gave us all a bit of a break - and gave me the chance to get some sorting out of my crafty stash and of course, some crafting done!!
Anyway, back to the reason for my post!! You might have noticed from the post title that today is the day for the reminder post to appear over at the Friday Sketch Challenge, which means you've got another week to join in. It also means I've got some very exciting news to share......I'm on the DT over there! And so, here's my first DT card:

Ingredients:

Image - Magnolia Tilda with Peanut watercoloured with Distress Inks.

Papers - Magnolia 'Turning Leaves' collection.

Sentiment - Whimsy stamps.

Metal Corner - Wild Orchid Crafts painted with Picket Fence Crackle Paint.

Dies - MFT Die-namics 'Upsy Daisy', 'Prima Donna Petals', Whimsy Stamps 'Postage Stamp' die and Memory Box 'Dragonfly'.

Other - Orange card from DCWV, Bazzill Basics Kraft card, Gems from stash and Imaginisce Distressing Tool to distress all the edges of the orange card.

So - what do you think of my Distress Ink watercoloring? I've been practicing - alot! So, I really hope you can see an improvement?!? I love this image of Tilda with her little rat - something you might not know about me is that I used to keep rats. At one point, we had 7 of them - mostly named after Buffy characters LOL!
I'm also going to enter my card into the first challenge over at the Marvellous Magnolia Challenge blog (Anything Goes) and into Midweek Magnolia Challenge #35 - Anything Goes.
Right, I think that's it from me. I really hope you like my card. Thanks for popping by...........hugs xxxx

Autumn Colours

Evening! Sorry I've not been around for a bit, I've been a sickly child! I won't go into it too much, but it involved an infection and some IV antibiotics.
Here's a card I made to join in with the sketch challenge over at Sketch and Stash Challenge:

Ingredients:

Image - Magnolia Tilda coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Raspberry Road.

Die Cut - Leafy Branch by Memory Box.

Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts.

Sentiment - Whimsy Stamps.

Other - Twine from WRMK, Leaf charm from Duck Pond Crafts, Brown card - Bazzill Basics, Leaf punch and pearls from stash.

I hope you've all been keeping well, I'll get round to visit you over the next few days. Back tomorrow...........xx

Peeking through the fence

Evening/Morning?!? I'm either posting very late or extremely early depending on which way you look at it but I wanted to get this card in before the deadline and so I thought I'd burn the midnight oil and get it done. My mojo has definitely returned and I'm enjoying being back in blogland more than you will ever know! Anyway, here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - I think it's Elisabeth Bell, I bought it off ebay, watercoloured with DIs and DI markers.

Papers - Prima 'Tea Thyme'.

Flower - Prima.

Lace, Seam Binding and Butterfly - All Wild Orchid Crafts.

Other - Bazzill Basics Kraft card, Pearls from stash and Memory Box 'Honeysuckle Vine' die.

I've been praticing loads watercolouring with Distress Inks and new DI markers - I've finally found the right paper and got some decent brushes - I definitely find it much better not using a waterbrush. It's easier to control how much colour you're laying down. So - what d'you think of all my practice? Has it paid off at all? And how yummy are these new Prima papers!!??
I'm entering my card into the Seems A Little Sketchy sketch #20 - I always like their sketches, so didn't want to miss this one. And I think that's about it - better be off to link it up or it'll defeat the object if I miss the deadline!! I'll be back tomorrow/later with another card............xx

Best Dress

Hello again! Can you believe it's the 1st of July? Where on earth has this year gone? I can't believe that I need to start thinking about making Christmas cards again soon (yes, I know it's still only July but I'm determined to change the habit of a lifetime and make a start on them much earlier this year!!) Anyways, back to the matter in hand! Cos it's the first of the month, it's time for a new challenge over at the Cupcake Craftroom. This month, the team had the most fabulous 'Flourish' papers to work with - you really must check them out because not only are the designs gorgeous but the soft colour tones are right up my alley too!!! And the theme this month is a nice easy one for you all too.....'Lots of Layers'. Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Lili of the Valley coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - 'Flourish' Cupcake Cards and Crafts.

Sentiment - Whimsy stamps.

Flowers - Woodware (large green one), Wild Orchid Crafts (all the others!)

Punches/Dies - Whimsy mini postage stamp die, Memory Box Madera corner, MS butterfly punch.

Other - Whitewash coredinations cardstock, Making Memories distressing tool, Pearls from stash.

Isn't this little girl just the absolute cutest?!?! I do love this colour combo - I have said it before....the saying goes 'blue and green should never be seen' but I think it looks pretty darned good together! I have scuffed up all the edges using my distressing tool but looking at the pic, I'm not sure you can see it too well (it might if you enlarge it?!)

I'm also going to enter my card into the following challenges:

• Graphicat Sketches - Challenge #11.
• Lili's Little Fairies - 'A little bit distressed'.
• The Ribbon Girls - July 'Girlie Cards'.
• Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - Challenge #16 'Anything Goes'.
• Fairy-tale Challenge blog - Challenge #44 'Soft Colour Tones'.
• Dutch Dare - Challenge #171 Flutterby Butterfly.

Right, I think that's all from me for today - I think two posts in one day is enough, eh!?! I hope you like my card, I love reading any comments you might choose to leave, so thanks in advance! And don't forget to hop over to the Cupcake Craftroom to check out the other gorgeous DT cards and join in with the challenge, you've got a whole month!! Bye for now...............xx

Sunday Sketch & Stamp is 3!! Plus CANDY!

THIS POST WILL STAY AT THE TOP UNTIL MY CANDY CLOSES ON 6TH MAY. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWER POSTS. THANKS XX

Greetings!! It's my first post from the new version of blogger - how are you all getting on with it? So far, I think I'm likin' it, but time will tell!! Anyway, I digress! It's a very special occasion today over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp - as my post title suggests, it's our 3rd Birthday (I give everything away in my post titles lately! Maybe I should rethink that LOL!) To celebrate, you can choose any sketch we've ever provided. I decided to try my hand at Sketch #76:

And here's my attempt at it:

Ingredients:

Image - Hanglar coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Nitwits 'Spring Whimsy' (free with a magazine!)

Dies - Memory Box 'Honeysuckle Vine', Nestie Label and MFT dienamics 'Fringed Perennials'.

Other - Kraft card, Seam Binding and Gems all from stash.

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

• Lovely Hanglar - Challenge #41 Spring has Sprung.
• Fussy and Fancy - Challenge 61 Punches and Dies.
• Just Magnolia - Week 153 Soft Spring Shades.
• Paper Sundaes - Challenge #117 Let's Get Cute.
• Hybrid Chick - Card Caravan Challenge 17 Spring.
• Hiding in my Craft Room - HIMCR #43 April Showers bring....Homemade Flowers.
• Prairie Fairy Fridays - Challenge #77 Anything with Flowers.

And last but by no means least......as another 'surprise' for SS&S's 3rd Birthday and to say 'thanks for sticking with me' cos I've been a bit of a bad blogger lately, I've got CANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

What I can tell you is that there's a Bildmalarna Stamp and Dovecraft Tea Party 12 x 12 papers (papers were very kindly donated by Kitty over at My Mum's Craft Shop). And I'll add some other bits too! All you need to do is be a follower and mention my candy on your blog and leave me a comment letting me know you're a candy luvver and you're in with a chance!!!!
I think that's about it for today (turned out to be a bit of a marathon post!) I'm off to craft to take my mind off the fact I've gotta go to the dentist in the morning to have a filling and I'm bricking it! Ta-ta for now....xx