I've been a rubbish blogger....

Hello,

Just thought I'd post a quick note to say that I'm sorry for being absent recently. Haven't made a card in about 2 weeks (suffering withdrawal symptoms now).

BUT..... I have been for interviews for two jobs, had a second interview for one on Saturday and... I GOT IT!!!

So, that is sort of part-excuse....the other is that I have taken on a little dog from work (brought in to be rehomed) and he's been poorly since Friday. Photos to be added soon!

So I really hope to be crafting again soon, as I've been missing it!! Although I now have to find a new place to live, and move house etc!! Oh the joy....

Love

Esme xxx

Lovely Honest Scrap Award

Good morning everyone. Trying to catch up with all my blogging after what seems like an eternally busy few days!



I'd like to thank Vikki for this lovely award!! There are rules with this award....They are -
1 - Thank the person that gave it to you.
2 - List 10 honest things about yourself.
3 - Put the honest scrap logo on your blog.
4 - Select 7 other bloggers that you think deserve this award



So, my 10 honest things are:

1) I am truly grateful for everything my parents (& family/friends) have done to support me through my degree & now in my job. (I've often been a stress-head pain-in-the-neck but they've put up with me).
2) I'm terrified of spiders, and heights, and small dark spaces. (And open water/deep water/water with seaweed).
3) I worry about trivial things more than I should.
4) I don't go to bed early enough because I can never get to sleep.
5) I still sleep with a big yellow cuddly duck, especially when not living at home.
6) I love my animals like family - my dog is like a little brother - steals my things and pushes me over!
7) I'm currently looking for a new job and hoping that it's 3rd time lucky!
8) Life is definitely too short to be in a job you hate.
9) I don't like my feet.
10) I spend more time card-making than I do at the pub (honestly I do)!!

And now for 7 lovely bloggers to pass this honesty award to, in no particular order:
Lisa
Vikki
Stef
Cazzy
Dazie
Hazel
Denise Lynn

C.R.A.F.T Challenge #5

Here's my entry for Challenge 5 :

I've used some bright blue cardstock, with the girls from the Dovecraft Glamour paper pack. The handbag is a Sizzix die-cut (decorated with glitter of course) and a few little flower/gem embellishments!

Charisma Cardz Challenge #24 - Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

Well, it's been a very stressful week at work, but it seems to have poked me into finishing this card that's been sat on the table since the weekend! I just needed a challenge to give me inspiration for the final touches!! And diamonds were it! So thanks Charisma Cardz for finding my mojo!!

I've used some purple cardstock with Dovecraft Glamour paper. I decoupaged the lipstick slightly, and added some little hearts & gems for the diamond look! The sentiment is a vellum from the DCWV Scrapbook kit in a stack All Occasions.

Cute Card Thursday - Quotations

Here's my entry for Challenge 64:


I've used blue/green striped paper from DCWV Scrapbook kit in a stack, along with a vellum quotation from that kit. It's attached with brads. I made the "Dad" in wire and beads myself, and used peel-off's for the message and football image.

My first Stamp Something Challenge entry!

Here's my entry for this week's Stamp Something challenge:

This was using blue textured cardstock, with some polkadot paper (Simply Cards & Papaercraft pack). The image is a Miss Anya from my little package from Lisa!

Lovely new award from Dazie!

I'd like to thank Dazie for passing this award along to me! I admit I'm a bit behind on posting it up here as it's been a busy week at work, but I'm finally catching up!!

I'd like you all to take this away and put it on your own blogs, as I really appreciate all the lovely comments everyone leaves!!

Love & hugs

Esme xxx

CPS Challenge 119

Here's my entry for CPS Challenge 119:




I've used some blue cardstock, with backing paper from Simply Cards & Papercraft free pack. The stamped image is from my little package from Lisa (so I'm not sure which stamp/which company - perhaps Lisa can fill me in)!! Then just a few embelishments.!

Cute Card Thursday - Nip & Punch

Here's my entry for Challenge 63:


I've used some purple cardstock, with spotted paper from a Let's Make Cards pack. The sandal & handbag are cut out of foam using Sizzlits with my Bigshot! The flowers are punches, with pearls or gems in the centre. The sentiments are also from the Let's Make Cards pack.

Stamping for the Weekend - Purple & Yellow

Here's my entry for the FIRST CHALLENGE!!! The theme is purple and yellow:


I've used some purple cardstock, with yellow polkadot paper from a Simply Cards & Papercraft free papers set. I've used Spring Tilda (again...) and a little Dovecraft flower embellishment!

Whimsy Challenge - Summer fun!

This is my entry for Challenge 4 - I don't own any Whimsy stamps YET (sniff, sniff), so have used a Tilda instead. This card was made for my friend who has moved to Spain, so I wanted to pick some hot summery colours!!


It's actually Spring Tilda coloured with Whispers pens, with some striped paper from DCWV.Scrapbook kit in a stack, and a few little flower embellishments!

Creative Card Crew - Child's Play

Here's my entry for Challenge 13:

I've used some green cardstock with Glue Dots motifs & foil for the sentiment/balloons. The circle paper is from a Simply Cards & Papercraft freebie, then some glitter to make it sparkle! The photo hasn't quite come out properly (foil's a bit shiny I suppose!)

I won Allissa's SIGFA!!!

Thank you so much Lisa for such a beautiful card folder and stamped images!! I'm very excited about winning them!For anyone who has not yet visited Allissa Design Cabin you should head over there now - Lisa makes such beautiful cards, and also designs her own backing papers which are available on CD or for download (hope I've got the facts right here)!

Combined Challenge - Friday Sketchers, Just Magnolia & Cute Card Thursday

I've been a bit cheeky and combined three challenges in one with this card:

I've used the Friday Sketcher's sketch:

I've used some green cardstock, with backing papers from Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine freebies. The stamp is Sweetheart Tilda, and the butterfly is the compulsory element for the Just Magnolia Animals and Insects theme. I've added some shiny flowers, gems, stars and pearlised paper for the Cute Card Thursday "Bit o' Bling" theme! The sentiment is from a pack of "Sayings rub ons" from the http://www.scrapbookhouse.com/!

ABC & Charisma Cardz Challenge combined!

I've combined ABC Challenge and Charisma Cardz challenges this week (work's been busy so less time for crafting!)

Also a chance to play with my new Spring Tilda stamp!! I've just used textured blue cardstock, with polkadot paper and some peel-offs. The pearls are a variety of little green pearls, heart shaped pearls and pearl-effect hearts!

New Blog Award

Vikki has kindly awarded me this, and I am very grateful!!

I haven't had time to pass it on, so please feel free to take this award back to your blogs!!

Rainbow Lady's Challenge #62 - G

The challenge over at Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog for this week is the letter G, along with a tree. Here is my entry, the G being for Gardening and Grandad!


For this card I've used some blue/white striped cardstock with green eyelets and ribbon along the side. The gardening peel-offs are stuck onto green/orange card and coloured with gel pens. I've made the tree from handmade brown paper/green for leaves, and added a bit of flower soft here and there!

Dewdrop Craftz Challenge - Pocket full of.....

Phew, I hope I'm not too late!!! This is for the Dewdrop Craftz challenge to include a pocket somewhere! I learnt how to do this today at a Trimcraft Demo, so thought it was perfect.


I've just used a 12x12 Papermania Colossal piece of card, folded and decorated with Dovecraft Glamour Prints paper, an X-Cut butterfly with glitter, and a peel off sentiment. In the pocket I have put a bookmark!

Stamps & Smiles Entry & Allissa's Designs!!

Here's my entry to Stamps & Smiles Challenge 16:

It's not completely true to the sketch, but I wanted to use the lovely papers I received from Allissa from her final Freebie Friday, and so this is what I did!

Friday Sketchers Entry - Christening Card

Here's my entry for Challenge 53 sponsored by Daisy May Designs

I've used a Stampin's Up stamp (the little giraffe) coloured in with my Whispers pens. The diamond paper is from DCWV Scrapbook kit in a stack (all occasions). I've used some DST with glitter flocking powder, and some fuzzy flowers.

Happy Birthday Stef

Big Happy Birthday to Stef at Glitterbabe Greetings!!

She's left lovely comments on my cards since I started blogging a month or so ago, and it's her birthday (of unknown age!!) on 27th May, so I wish her many happy returns for the day!

Stef has kindly offered blog candy, so why not pop over and join in with the celebrations?

Hope you have a great day Stef!! xxx

Cute Card Thursday - Letters & Numbers

Here is my entry to Challenge 60:

I've used white cardstock, with green textured card from DCWV Scrapbook kit in a stack (all occasions). The letters are Sizzix Night & Day sizzlits die cuts, using brown handmade paper. There is some brown & white paper & eyelets, and a little birdhouse embellishment.

Simon Says Challenge - One for the boys!

I'm so glad they are going weekly over at Simon Says Stamps Challenge

Here's my entry for this week - my first Father's Day card for the year!

I've used some dark brown shimmering cardstock with Dovecraft masculine backing paper & "No 1 Fan". The blue textured card is from DCWV Scrapbook in a stack all occasions. And a peel off sentiment coloured with permanent pens.

First Blog Awards!!

Vikki has very kindly passed all four of these awards on, and I am one of the honoured recipients!!

The awards come with the following:

These blogs are exceedingly charming, these are the kind of bloggers who aim to find and become friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated, please give more attention to these writers. It was a difficult decision, but my 8 are:

Vikki - http://vikkithescrapjunkie.blogspot.com/

Stef - http://glitterbabegreetings.blogspot.com/

Jacilynn - http://jacilynndashwood.blogspot.com/

Jude - http://crafts-international.blogspot.com/

Cazzy - http://cazzytime.blogspot.com/

Hazel - http://didosdesigns.blogspot.com/

Denise - http://craftycrafterdenise.blogspot.com/

Allissa - http://allissa-designs.blogspot.com/

They all have fabulous blogs - go and check them out!!

Secret Crafter Saturday - Brads or Eyelets

My entry for Challenge 31:

I've used some purples cardstock with the squares paper from a magazine freebie! The images are cut from Dovecraft Glamour Prints paper (and backed on card). The sentiment is a Papermania rub-on. Added a few flower embellishmens and some glitter.
There are three eyelets down the side as that's the theme of the challenge!

Cute Card Thursday - Happy Mail

Here's my entry for Challenge 59:

I sent this to my best friend after she'd had a bad week at work. I put a teabag inside and told her to have one on me!!

I've used yellow textured cardstock and cut wavy edges. The stripy paper is from a magazine, as is the Best Friend sentiment. The images are backed on brown envelope paper (recyling at it's best!!) which I've rippled. Then a few glitter strips and embellishments!

Rainbow Lady's Challenge #59 - Frames

Here is my entry to Challenge 59:




I've used some textured green cardstock, with pink polkadot paper from Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine as the main frame. The scalloped circle "frame" is a die cut from a Let's Make Cards set (as is the green handbag & flower). The rub-on sentiment is from Papermania, and I've added a few other little embellishments (including the Zoomz at the bottom).

Charisma Cardz Challenge Entry 2!

Here is my second entry to Challenge #17.

Quite simple just using some cardstock, glitter, and Glue Dots motifs & foil I won in Cazzy's blog candy (see previous posts)!

Charisma Cardz Challenge #17 - Thank You

Here is my entry to Charisma Cardz challenge. I made it for my Mum & Dad for making my 25th Birthday so brilliant!

I've used a little bunny image and coloured it with Whispers (Birthday present!) adding a bit of glitter to the tail and the flower. The paper is from DCWV Scrapbook Kit in a Stack - All Occasions. I've used a fiskars punch to do the corners of the shiny brown card, and added a few Zoomz. The Thank You is done with a Stiki pen and some gold foil!

Challenge 7 - Round and Around

Here's my entry for Creative Card Crew Challenge 7 - the theme was "Round and Around".




I used some plain blue cardstock with polkadot paper. The circles are cut from Papermania Basics Vibrant paper, with Zoomz in the centre. Just added a few gems and a peel-off.

CPS Challenge 112

Well here's my entry for Card Positioning Systems Challenge 112




I've used some "flea-bitten" cardstock (that's how I'd describe it), with some pink paper from Simply Cards & Papercraft, lilac ribbon and some little flower embellishments and gems, with a peel-off. Oh and don't forget the glitter!!!

I WON BLOG CANDY!!

Woohoo! Look what I won :

Thank you Cazzy!! I'm so excited!! And it's my birthday next week!

Creative Inspirations Challenge 7

Here's my entry for the Creative Inspirations Challenge #7. The recipe was to use 3 flowers, 2 buttons and ribbon/fibre/lace. I've just uploaded a better picture:

I've used some cardstock with purple dots, and green paper for the base. At the bottom is a very cute Forever Friends die-cut decoupage baby bear! I've put two pieces of ribbon on for good measure, as well as two pink buttons and three fuzzy flowers!

Dewdrop Craftz Challenge - It's A Man's World!

I've just discovered the Dewdrop Craftz Challenge Blog, and their challenge is to make a card (or other project) for men.

I've used a piece of beige cardstock, with Dovecraft Masculine papers - the stripes, the polkadots, and the "embellishments" - great stuff! I've used a few masculine-looking eyelets/brads for the metalware, and a peel-off sentiment.

Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog - Transport

Well, I can't say it's a method I've ever tried, but I hear racing cars are a fun way to get around!!



I've used some maroon cardstock, with a Big & Beautiful die-cut decoupage racing car (won on Donna's Blog), with the backing paper strip along the top.
First time I've entered this challenge, so it's quite exciting!

Dutch Dare Challenge Entry - My Favourite Things

I could sing....but I won't!!


These are a few of my favourite things - decoupage, borders, glitter and little flower embellishments.
I love the Forever Friends die-cut decoupage kits - so easy to do! The polkadot paper was from "Let's Make Cards", and I thought the colours went well with the gift boxes the little bear is carrying! I love glitter - so glad I saw Glitter Magic at a craft show and got some of their very thin DST & ultra fine glitter. It just finishes it off any card.
Go and see what the design team have come up with at the Dutch Dare Challenge Blog!

Cute Card Thursday Challenge Entry

The theme this week was "Floral Fantasy".

For my entry, I've used a Big & Beautiful die cut decoupage flower basket (which I won from Donna's Easter Candy) on yellow embossed card. I've put a Flower Soft border round the outside using DST. The sentiment is from DCWV Text Prints paper stack, attached with Making memories medium brads (which just arrived from ArtyMiss)

Toodle & Binks Blog Candy - New Range!!

Firstly, I'd like to say thanks to Toodle & Binks for my great blog candy prize - it arrived yesterday!

I've aleady put the Zoomz into my embellishment box, but here are the stamps and storage:

Toodles and Binks have another giveaway to celebrate the release of their new line. Go over to their website to enter the draw!!

Introducing Ben the Labradoodle!

This is Ben, our 6yr old Labradoodle.

Mum and dad came back from shopping this evening, and had bought a new shower scrunchie, which they put on the counter ready to take upstairs. Well, we sat in the conservatory with a cup of tea, listening to the rain coming down. Ben started whining - I asked him what he wanted and followed him into the kitchen. He sat perfectly, and looked up at the scrunchie. "Sorry, that's not a toy, and it's not for you" I said, and went back to my cup of tea.

He carried on whining, and I told Mum to come and look at his big puppydog eyes - as she picked the scrunchie up his eyes lit up - and she gave it to him!!!!! Such a pushover!!!

Here he is, playing with his new "toy"!!!

As you can probably guess, he's the light of my life!