The Crafty Vet

Penny Black Christmas

2011-11-09T12:21:00.007Z

Here's the second of this year's Christmas card creations...

Supplies:
Image: Penny Black "Jolly Friends" stamp set, coloured with Promarkers.
Paper: Forever Friends "Santa's on his way" paper pack
Tools: Crafts Too Embossing Folder for sentiment
Embellishments: Glitter, Flowersoft Polar White

Challenges:
Charisma Cardz #44 - Cutesy
Inky Impressions #32 - Glitter it Up
Crafter's Companion Monthly #18 - Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
Cardmaking & Papercraft Challenge - Christmas Tree
Penny Black @ Allsorts November - All Creatures Great & Small
Winter Wonderland - Make you card sparkle
A Gem of a Challenge #33 - Cold & Frosty

Back after a little break...

2011-11-09T11:10:00.002Z

Hello all,

It seems like ages since I last posted anything - and I suppose it is really.

Some of you know that my Grandad had been struggling with dementia amongst other health problems for quite some time, and sadly we lost him on 3rd October. We saw him in hospital where he was very peaceful and he passed away about an hour after we left to go home (Sod's law eh?). All very sad times, but at least he isn't suffering anymore...

So, with that and a bit of locum work/job hunting I haven't really been doing much in the way of crafting, but Christmas is fast approaching and I need to get on with the cards!! Mum and I went to the Hobbycrafts exhibition at the NEC last Thursday, so that's got me back in the mood!

Supplies:
Image: HouseMouse Designs "Holiday Smooch", coloured with Promarkers
Paper: Papermania Henbury Lane Poinsettia paper
Tools: Crafts Too embossing folder for sentiment.
Embellishments: Glamour Dust!

Challenges:
Little Claire's Challenge #14 - Christmas
Top Tip Tuesday #59 - Anything Christmas Goes
Dream Valley #19 - Anything Goes

Me To You Anniversary Tag

2011-09-30T12:20:00.001+01:00

I made this card for a wedding anniversary, and to try to use some of the things we had in a Docrafts goody bag.

Supplies:-
Image: Me To You Stickers
Paper: Me To You paper pack
Embellishments: Tag die cut from Me To You paper pack, eyelet, ink around edges.

Challenges:-
Pollycraft #112 - Tags/Bookmarks
Cute Card Thursday #184 - Animal Crackers

FlowerSoft "Just for You"

2011-09-28T11:06:00.002+01:00

I made this card for my best friend from Uni, who was on holiday for her Birthday, so I've waited to put it on here!!

Supplies:
Image: "Just for You" from Flower Soft Moments in Time range, coloured with Promarkers
Paper: Pink Petticoat "Wild Blossoms" collection
Embellishments: Shamrock Green, Baby Pink, Pale Green Flower Soft, die-cute sentiment.

Challenges:
By the Cute & Girly September - All things bright & beautiful
Crafts & Me #54 - Flowers
Simon Says Challenge - Anything Goes

Thinking of You Bear

2011-09-26T14:51:00.006+01:00

Supplies:
Image: "Bentley Bear" from Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine stamp set
Tools: Nestabilities deckled edge rectangles, & blossoms die, XCut border punch
Embellishment: Peel off sentiment & flowers

Challenges:
Simon Says Challenge - Dies +/or punches
Allsorts Challenge #122 - Keep it simple
Paper Sundaes #88 - Anything Goes
Cupcake Craft #161 - If you go down to the woods today...
Die Cut Dreams #99 - Brown, Pink & Cream
Ooh La La Challenge #89 - Punches/Dies

Big Adventure

2011-09-24T09:52:00.004+01:00

I've had this image for ages, and it keeps getting squashed in the little bag I keep my "ready-to-go" images in, so I thought I'd use it. I was going to use it as a birthday card, but then found the perfect sentiment!

Supplies:
Image: "They Grow So Fast" by Mo's Digital Pencil
Sentiment: "If life were easy" by Create with TLC
Paper: Brown with white polkadots - Daisy & Dandelion paper pack
Embellishment: Green/blue/white ribbon

Challenges:
Cards for Men #19 - Anything but Square
Digital Tuesday #129 - People images
Whimsy Stamps Challenges #7 - Polkadots
Stampin' for the Weekend #17 - What a cutie
Stamptacular Sunday #129 - Just sayin'

Rock Star!

2011-09-23T11:12:00.001+01:00

Here's a card I've made for my godson who will be 6 years old at the weekend. I always struggle to find boy images as I don't have many stamps that aren't cute or girly!! But I had some images stamped for me, and decided that this was perfect!

Supplies:
Image: "Rock Idol" from Sugar Nellie Manga collection, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Dovecraft "Masculine" paper pack
Embellishments: Star eyelet, die-cut sentiment, inking around the edge of the card.

Challenges:
The Sugar Bowl #68 - Sketch
Top Tip Tuesday #51 - 1 for the kids

Mum & Dad Inky Impressions Anniversary!

2011-09-21T13:18:00.008+01:00

Here's the double stepper card (I think that's what it's called) I made for Mum & Dad's Anniversary last week. We went to Cornwall, so I thought the lighthouse was quite apt, and thought I'd go for a slightly cute-funny card!!

Supplies:
Images: "Rock 'n Roll Donnie" and "Zoe's Dress Up Day" from Inky Impressions, the lighthouse is from CocoDingo, all coloured with Promarkers.
Papers: Papermania "Love" paper pack - spotted and stripy paper
Embellishments: Heart brads, peel off hearts, glamour dust.

Supplies:
Inky Impressions Challenge #25 - Shaped cards
Creative Inspirations #130 - Let's Celebrate
Crafts and Me #53 - Stripes
Papertake Weekly - Creature Comforts
Cute Card Thursday #182 - Anything Goes
Totally Gorjuss #98 - Nothing square about me!
Creatalicious Challenge #26 - Anything Goes

Dad's Anniversary Card to Mum

2011-09-21T12:51:00.003+01:00

Here's the card I made for my Dad to give to Mum for their Anniversary! Dad quite likes a funny card!

Supplies:
Image: Recycled from a card!
Tools: XCut heart border punch, cropodile
Embellishments: Red gems, eyelets, bows & glamour dust

Challenges:
Paperplay #37 - Punches & Dies
Moving Along with the Times #116 - Sparkle
One Stitch At A Time #80 - Punch It
The Crafty Pad #139 - Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

Monochrome Elephant

2011-09-21T11:53:00.003+01:00

Another of my male monochrome pre-holiday creations - this was for my Uncle.

Supplies:
Image: Daisy & Dandelion "Pickles & Onion" stamp, coloured with Promarkers
Paper: Spot/Circle paper from Dovecraft "Charcoal Prints" pack
Embellishments: Peel off sentiment on die-cut paper, with peel off stars & inking around edge of page.

Challenges:
Oldie But a Goodie #27 - One for the Boys (2nd Entry)
Little Claire's Monthly Challenge #13 - Black & White (2nd Entry)
Dutch Dare #130 - Monochromatic (2nd Entry)
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Happy Birthday

Black & White Forever Friends

2011-09-21T11:29:00.004+01:00

Well, I'm finally getting round to posting some of the cards I made before we went to Cornwall last week! I had a sudden rush of cards to do, and thought it would be a good time to try out some of the monochrome images I'd coloured!
This card is for my male cousin - I think black & white monochrome cards are pretty good for boy cards!

Supplies:
Image: Forever Friends daisy image, coloured with Promarkers
Paper: Spot/Circle paper from Dovecraft "Charcoal Prints" pack
Embellishments: Peel off sentiment/stars on deckled edge rectangle nestie die cut, with ink around edge of paper

Challenges:
Oldie But a Goodie #27 - One for the Boys
Little Claire's Monthly Challenge #13 - Black & White
Dutch Dare #130 - Monochromatic
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge #112 - Distressing

Dad in his Deckchair.....DON'T LOOK DAD!!!

2011-09-06T14:58:00.009+01:00

We're off to Padstow in Cornwall next week so I'm busy trying to get all my cards sorted that need doing before then! It's Dad's Birthday whilst we're away, so here's the card I've made for him - hopefully a reflection on what he'll be doing on the beach!

Supplies:
Image: "Deckchair Dreaming" from Lili of the Valley, coloures with Promarkers & chalks.
Papers: All three papers from DCWV Scrapbook kit in a stack "All Occasions"
Embellishments: Handmade green bow, green/blue sticker from DCWV kit, peel off sentiment.

Challenges:
Lili of the Valley Challenge #110 - Sketch
Bizzy Bec's Challenge September - Blue, Green & White
Crafty Calendar September - Let Sleeping Bears Lie
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz #35 - Anything Goes
Stampin' for the weekend #15 - Holidays
Allsorts Challenge #119 - Green & Blue
Crafty Cardmakers #51 - Summer Holiday Memories

Sparkly Forever Friends!

2011-08-30T13:33:00.007+01:00

A little Forever Friends card I made, and I thought I'd liven it up with some sparkle borders and on the flowers!

Supplies:
Image: Forever Friends "Christmas Gift", coloured with Promarkers.
Papers: Both from Pink Petticoat "Wild Blossoms" collection
Embellishments: Die cut sentiment, Glamour Dust

Challenges:
Crafter's Companion Monthly #15 - Glitter & Glitz
Stamp & Create August - Critters
Totally Gorjuss #95 - As you like it
A Spoon Full of Sugar #163 - Party Time
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
Passion for Promarkers #115 - Anything Goes
Oldie but a Goodie #26 - Lots of Sparkle

Happy 3rd Birthday!

2011-08-25T13:19:00.001+01:00

This was quite a quick card I put together for my cousin's little boy who will be 3 years old Saturday.

Supplies:
Paper: DCWV Scrapbook Kit in a Stack "All Occasions"
Image: Bentley Bear with balloons from Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine, coloured with Promarkers
Embellishments: Die cut sentiment, inked around the edges.

Challenges:
Sweet Stampin's Challenge - Babies & Little Ones
Just Tracy's Crafts - Happy Birthday

FlowerSoft - Thank You Bouquet

2011-08-25T12:53:00.003+01:00

Here is the Thank You card I made for Rachel's parents, Helen & Duncan after the wedding.
I thought I'd have another go at a FlowerSoft bouquet as I hadn't done one for ages and had some new colours to play with!

Supplies:
Paper: Papermania Capsule Collection Lemon Sorbet
Embellishments: FlowerSoft Ultrafine Raspberry Fizz & Citrus Crush (plus the ribbon). Chipboard sentiment from a Cardmaking & Papercraft freebie.
Tools: Nestabilities Blossoms (for the aperture and cutting the tissue paper for the bouquet), Nesties deckled rectangles.

Challenges:
Allsorts #117 - You've Been Framed
Sir Stampalot August Challenge - Whatever You Fancy
Craft us Crazy #15 - Anything Goes
One Stop Craft #145 - Bold & Bright

Wedding Box!

2011-08-18T12:35:00.005+01:00

Here's the box I decorated for Rachel - I wanted to give her something to keep some of her wedding "memories" in, and also put a few little keepsakes in. I knew she had her something old, something new & something borrowed, but I thought she might need something blue (and a silver sixpence for her shoe)!

The flowers are handmade - a technique I learnt at a recent Trimcraft demo! Basically cutting some scalloped circles, wetting them, folding them/scrunching them, then securing with a brad.

Supplies:
Basics: Papermania nested box, Artiste Pearl "Ice Blue" acrylic paint
Embellishments: Chipboard bookplate, peel off, pearl brads, ribbon, gems
Tools: Nesties blossoms (for the flowers)

Challenges:
Allsorts Challenge #116 - Anything But A Card
Creative Craft Challenges - Anything But A Card
Creative Card Crew - Hand made flowers
Papertake Weekly - Blooms, Pearls & Free (gems)
Crafts and Me #48 - Blues
Crafty Your Passion #71 - Anything But A Card

Lots of embossing!

2011-08-18T12:22:00.002+01:00

It's been quite busy round here lately - towards the end of July was my best friend from school's wedding, at which I was a bridesmaid, so lots of things to sort out for that.
Straight after that Mum & Dad went to Mexico for two weeks, and I started a locum job for two weeks so everything was quite manic (work, looking after the two dogs and trying to water all the outdoor plants in that little heatwave we had).
So I have made a few cards, but not had time to post them!
Here's the card I made for Rach's hen party (yes, I sent her an invite to her own hen party as she wanted a surprise...)

Supplies:
Image: Bay tree from the "Born To Shop" Go Green stamp set, coloured with Promarkers. The embossed stamps are from a Laura Ashley stamp set.
Tools: Heat gun, copper embossing powder, nesties deckled rectangles.

Challenges:
Crafty Catz #95 - Emboss It
Crafty Sentiment Designs - No Sentiment
One Stitch at a Time #75 - Anything Goes

Whatzup Dog Tag!

2011-07-21T14:08:00.004+01:00

I made this a little while ago, and submitted it for the new Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine, so I can now post it on my blog! Something useful for my Dad to keep his keys on, I think!
I used a technique I saw in a newsletter from The Greeting Farm (by Rachel Schneider - this link is to the tutorial on her blog).

Supplies:
Image: "Whatzup Dog" by Whimsy Stamps, coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment: "Dogs are not our whole life but they make our life whole" from Raindrop Echo Designs
Tools: Tim Holtz Fragment Charms, Anita's 3D Clear gloss finish, jump ring.

Challenges:
Ooh La La Creations #84 - Tag It
A Spoon Full of Sugar #161 - Create a Tag
Crafty Catz #91 - Tags
Sentimental Sundays #64 - For the men in your life

Wedding Day Celebrations!

2011-07-21T13:22:00.003+01:00

My best friend from school got married on Monday, and I was one of her bridesmaids. We all had a wonderful few days (stayed at the beautiful hotel the night before and the night of the wedding) and I can finally post the crafty things I made for her on here!
Rach made her own bunting - BY HAND - in the colours on the card, and there is a little running joke about bay trees, as they have one that they decorate instead of a Christmas tree. (They also had bay trees at the wedding, and on the invitations!)

Supplies:
Images: "Wedding Couple" from Lili of the Valley, bunting from Whimsy Stamps Celebration Pennant stamp set, tree from Papermania Born To Shop "Go Green" stamp set, all coloured with Promarkers.
Paper: Papermania "Raspberry Champagne" paper pack
Tools: Marianne Die ribbon border & flourishes.
Embellishments: Ribbon, Glamour Dust.

Challenges:
Hooked On Craft #3 - With Love
Crafty Sentiments - Happily Ever After
Craft Us Crazy #13 - Anything Goes
Allsorts Challenge #112 - Free & Easy

Forever Friends Twirly Ribbon Border

2011-07-21T11:37:00.008+01:00

Thought I'd have a bit of a play with some fine ribbon on this card, twisting and gluing it to make a little border!

Supplies:
Image: Forever Friends "Christmas Gift" coloured with Promarkers
Paper: Spotted paper from Papermania "Sweet Nothings" pack.
Embellishments: Pink & blue ribbon, gems, peel-off sentiment.

Challenges:
Bizzy Bec's Store Blog Challenge July - Borders & Frames
Die Cut Dreams #94 - Animal Antics
Creative Card Crew - Animal Antics
Papertake Weekly - Getting Cute
Totally Papercrafts #75 - Girly Girls
Stamptacular Sunday #120 - Animal Antics
I Did It Creations #64 - Animals
Fab N Funky #82 - Animal Magic
Crafty Creations Challenges #128 - Seeing Double

Forever Friends Spots & Stripes!

2011-07-13T09:49:00.004+01:00

Supplies:
Image: "Daisy Bear" from Forever Friends, coloured with Promarkers
Paper: Papermania "Sweet Nothings" paper pack
Embellishments: Ribbon & bow, peel-off sentiment

Challenges:
Forever Friends Monthly Challenge - Stripes
Stamp & Create July - Ribbons & Bows
Sweet Stampin' - Cute & Cuddly
Sir Stampalot Challenge July - Anything Goes
Simon Says Challenge - Anything Goes

Flowersoft Oriental Window

2011-07-11T15:48:00.005+01:00

Here's some of the goodies I won on the Flowersoft blog hop a while back.

Supplies:
Paper: Flowersoft Scenic Windows Oriental, Papermania leaf paper
Embellishments: Flowersoft Russet Red, Ultra Fine Pink Fizz, Ultra Fine Citrus Crush, Ultra Fine Burnt Sienna.

Challenges:
Flowersoft Challenge #32 - Bright Colours
Creative Craft Challenges - Pretty Blossoms
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz #27 - All about flowers
Allsorts Challenge #111 - Free & Easy
One Stitch At A Time #70 - Anything Goes

Movie Poster Card

2011-06-30T13:10:00.002+01:00

This was a bit of a last minute idea for a friend's husband from my ballroom class who loves movies. They have SO many DVDs/Blu-rays and have lent me quite a few that I hadn't seen, and we all went to see X-Men First Class last week. So, having nothing really in my stash to create with, I found these images of posters, and made them into a card. They're all quite sci-fi (robots, mutants) so I thought the starry space background would work!

Supplies:
Images: From Google!
Paper: Another that Mum printed off for me, along with the sentiment.

Challenges:
Cards for Men #13 - Stars
Crafts and Me # 41 - Birthdays
Cute Card Thursday #171 - Technology

Christmas in June

2011-06-30T12:47:00.003+01:00

My first Christmas card of this year! I was just in the mood to have a bit of a play!

Supplies:
Image: "Robin with Mistletoe" from Pink Gem Designs, coloured with Promarkers.
Paper: Both papers from Dovecraft.
Embellishments: Glamour Dust, Woodware white fluffy stuff.

Challenges:
Crafty Ann #43 - Christmas in June
I Did It Creations #61 - Mid Year Christmas
Crafty Calendar June - Things with Wings
Crafty Sentiments - Christmas in June

Father's Day Dog Song!

2011-06-16T18:40:00.004+01:00

I kept with the dog theme for my Father's Day card! These Whimsy dogs just look so much like a cartoon version of our Benny that I can't resist using them!
This particular image just makes me think of the song "How much is that doggy in the window?"

Supplies:
Image: "Dog Song" from Whimsy Stamps, coloured with Promarkers.
Paper: Printed from a CD by my Mum as I've run out of ink! Not sure which CD - one of Mum's!
Embellishments: Bone rub-on's.

Challenges:
Dream Valley #9 - Father's Day
Cupcake Craft #146 - Oh Boy
Papertake Weekly - Dads & Lads
Craft us Crazy #10 - Father's Day
Crafty Sentiments - Father's Day

Whimsy Bookmark for Dad!

2011-06-16T12:46:00.004+01:00

I saw this tutorial on the Whimsy Inspirations blog and thought I'd have a go at it as part of my Father's Day present to Dad! He loves to sit in the conservatory at night reading, and this doggy is very much like our Labradoodle Ben!

Supplies:
Image: "Whatzup Dog" by Whimsy Stamps, coloured with Promarkers.
Paper: Paw print cardstock from Payper Box
Tools: Nestabilities Blossoms

Challenges:
Crafty Catz #86 - Bookmarks
I Love Promarkers #70 - Black, white & one (red)
Top Tip Tuesday #38 - Open Challenge
Polka Doodles #23 - Something for Dad
Hooked on Craft #1 - anything goes

On becoming a vet...

2011-06-10T17:30:00.003+01:00

Big celebrations next door - Becky has just qualified as a vet! Really pleased for her, as I've been through all that and know how tough it is, and how much panic is involved!

Supplies:
Image: "She Loves Animals" by Meljen's Designs, coloured with Promarkers.
Papers: Pink stars & yellow/pink spots from Docrafts "Me To You" paper pack
Tools/ Embellishments: Mirror board cut with Marianne Creatables die. Decorated with gems.
Technique: Joy Fold Card from ABC Christmas Challenge Tutorial

Challenges:
Creative Craft - Moving Parts
Top Tip Tuesday #37 - More than one fol
Do it with Digis #12 - Animal Magic

Forever Friends Birthday!

2011-06-10T16:59:00.003+01:00

The first card I've made using one of my new FF stamps (that I got for my Birthday in April)! It's been coloured for ages, but I've only just got around to actually making a card!

Supplies:
Image: "Daisy Bear" by Forever Friends exclusively from The Glitter Pot, coloured with Promarkers
Paper: 3 different papers from the new Docrafts Me To You goody bag paper pack.
Tools/Embellishments: Nellie circle die, Me To You die cut sentiment.

Challenges:
Forever Friends Monthly - 3 DP
Craft Your Passion #61 - Anything Goes
Oldie But A Goodie #20 - Lots of Layers
I Love Promarkers #69 - Sketch

Happy House-Mouse Anniversary!

2011-06-07T15:21:00.007+01:00

It was Aunty Marilyn & Brian's first wedding anniversary at the weekend, so I made them a little card. They found the HM image funny and were trying to decide who was which mouse!

Supplies:
Image: "Olive a Party" from House-Mouse Designs, coloured with Promarkers.
Paper: Pink Petticoat Vintage Rose Collection
Tools: XCut border punch system & glasses/heart punch
Embellishments: Ribbon (hand-tied bow) with curls stuck in place with glue. Sentiment from Forever Friends die-cut sheet. Glitter on tape underneath border punch for sparkly background!

Challenges:
Crafts & Me #37 - Punch It Out
Inky Impressions #16 - Shine On
C.R.A.F.T #105 - Wedding/Love
Craft Us Crazy #9 - Love/Remembrance
Cupcake Craft #145 - Things with tails
Pollycraft Monday #96 - Love & Marriage
I Love Promarkers #68 - Sparkly Bling
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Umm, Spot the difference?

2011-06-03T20:26:00.010+01:00

I made this card for my Grandad's Birthday, then on the day I was going to post it, my fab prize arrived from Papermaze, and it included these lovely letter stickers, which were just what I needed to finish it off! So there's my nice easel-photo-tent picture, then a quick snap as I was about to run off to the postbox!

Supplies:
Image: "Deckchair Dreaming" from Lili of the Valley coloured with Promarkers.
Paper: Spotty paper from DCWV Scrapbook kit in a stack, diamond pattern from Dovecraft Masculine pack. Plain blue/green paper for layering.
Embellishments: Blue/white bakers twine, die-cut sentiment, October Afternoon letter stickers

Challenges:
Craft Your Days Away #21 - Father's Day/Special Man
Sketch Saturday #157 - Sketch
Totally Gorjuss #82 - String's the thing #
Dream Valley #8 - Stamp Something
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #113 - Bugs or Boys
Fussy & Fancy Friday - Card for a man/boy
Simon Says Challenge - Father's Day/ Male
Creative Inspirations #114 - Cute Bears/Animals Only
Pollycraft Monday #95 - Be My Teddy Bear
Ooh La La Challenge #81 - Happy Birthday

Welcome Home Dad!

2011-06-01T18:00:00.008+01:00

Dad's been away in France with work for 10days (although it's gone quite quickly). Mum and I have missed him, and the dogs have too! Particularly for walks! So I made him a card and a pile of cupcakes (photo to follow!!)

Supplies:
Image: "Dog Walk" from Kenny K Downloads, coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment: "Dogs are not our whole life but they make our life whole" from Raindrop Echo Designs
DP: Pawprint card from Payper Box

Challenges:
Charisma Cardz #21 - Boy Oh Boy
Digi Doodle Shop's Best #60 - Anything Goes
So It With Digi's #11 - It's all about the boys
Stamp Something - Sentimental
Craft Your Passion #60 - What a guy

Summery Anya with Flowers

2011-05-28T15:57:00.004+01:00

Here' a card I've made for my cousin's wife. I thought I'd go for a nice summery girly card!

Supplies:

Image: "Anya with flowers" from The Greeting Farm, coloured with Promarkers.

Papers: Green striped & flowery papers from Papermania.

Tools: Nestabilities blossoms for image, Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die for flowers, Woodware leaf punch.

Embellishments: Gems for flower centres. Edge of card/ leaves were chalked. Sentiment is a topper from Dovecraft.

Challenges:

Sketch n Stash #62 - sketch. The Papermania papers have been lurking in the drawer for ages and I really wanted to try and use up some older stuff (as we have new things to put in the drawer!)

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Paperplay Challenges #21 - Blossoms & Blooms

Crafty Catz #84 - Pink & Green

Totally Papercrafts #68 - Pink & Girly

My First Tatty Teddy Card!

2011-05-23T15:24:00.005+01:00

We went to the latest Docrafts Demo at The Range in Cheltenham, and couldn't help but get the new goody bag & Creativity magazine, which included this cute stamp! I've always loved the "Me to You" bears and have quite a collection of the little soft toys & ornaments!

Supplies:
Image: "Tatty Teddy" from Docrafts, coloured with Promarkers
Paper: Spotted paper from "Especially For You" Me to You paper pack.
Tools: Nestabilities Blossoms for sentiment topper - cut in Coredinations Gemstones textured card.
Embellishments: Peel off sentiment, ribbon & bow. Inked round the edges.

Challenges:
Crafty Calendar May - Teddy Bears
Crafty Catz #83 - Anything Goes
Pile It On #21 - Bears
Stamptacular Sunday #112 - Bearnecessities

House-Mouse & Friends Challenge GDT #96 - Football Frenzy

2011-05-23T11:50:00.015+01:00

Time has flown, and it's time for my second and final guest DT card for House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge.

The briefing was an American Football-themed card, but being from the UK I didn't know anything about their game/teams, so I've just gone for an English football theme instead!
The card is for my friend's little boy, who is being brought up to support Arsenal (hence the colour scheme)!
Hop over to the challenge post to see the DT's fab creations!

Supplies:
Image: "Relax" from House-Mouse Designs, coloured with Promarkers.
Sentiment: "Time to Celebrate" Ticket from Mudmaven Designs
Paper: Football paper from Forever Friends "Just for Him" paper pack.
Tools: "Shapeology Banner Pennants Die Set" from Whimsy Stamps (which I bought using the gift certificate I won in their Help for Japan Blog Hop! Nestabilities Blossom dies for the image/layering.
Embellishments: A couple of red eyelets to thread my banner throught, and some red/white bakers twine to hang the pennants. The lettering on the pennants is using alphabet rub-ons.

Challenges:
One Crazy Stamper May Challenge - Boys & Men
I Love Promarkers #66 - Animals
Top Tip Tuesday #34 - One for the kids
C.R.A.F.T Challenge #103 - Happy Birthday & Blog Hop
Crafty Sentiments - Children's Cards
I Did It Creations #56 - Anything Goes
Craft Us Crazy #8 - Something New and/or favourite embellishment

House-Mouse & Friends GDT - May Flowers

2011-05-09T09:49:00.003+01:00

So, how excited was I to receive an email inviting me to be a guest designer for House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge for the month of May?

I love the House-Mouse stamps, and loved the theme - "May Flowers" as I had this gorgeous "Spring Blossoms" image coloured up and ready to go when the sun came out!

I you haven't already, pop on over to the challenge blog post to see what the fabulous DT have created! And this fortnight's sponsor is Simon Says Stamp with $15 worth of goodies!

Supplies:

Image: "Spring Blossoms" from House-Mouse Designs, coloured with Promarkers.

Paper: Papermania Capsule Collection Sunshine paper, Orange Coordinations cardstock for floral border.

Tools: Martha Stewart floral border punch

Embellishments: Flowers from Papermania Capsule Collection Sunshine collection, Hero Arts stick-on pearls, die-cut greeting.

Challenges:

By The Cute & Girly May - Anything Goes

Crafter's Companion #12 - Girl's Birthday

Oldie but a Goodie #18 - Say it with Flowers

Dream Valley #6 - Flowers

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments - Flowers

Top Tip Tuesday #32 - Open Challenge

Sundays with Crissy #17 - Flowers

Born to Shop!

2011-04-26T12:35:00.001+01:00

I've had this digi for a while now, but have only just gotten around to printing and colouring! It was perfect for a Uni friend who loves shopping and fashion!

Supplies:

Image: "Lydia Goes Shopping" from Little Claire Designs, coloured with Promarkers.

Paper: Dovecraft Glamour paper pack

Tools: Martha Stewart scalloped border punch

Embellisments: Pink ribbon & die cut sentiment

Challenges:

Sir Stampalot - April - Ladies & Fashion

Creative Inspirations #58 - Digi Day

A Vetty Happy Birthday to you!

2011-04-21T16:52:00.004+01:00

Well, I'm loving the opportunities I have to use this fantastic Meljens Designs digi! I haven't used it for EVERY vet birthday since I got it, but it will probably be used for most!!

Supplies:

Image: "She Loves Animals" available from Whimsy Stamps, coloured with Promarkers.

Sentiment: "Happy Birthday to you" from Digi Doodle Shop

Papers: Green striped paper from Daisy & Dandelion paper pack, pawpring cardstock from PayperBox.

Challenges:

Crafty Catz #78 - Furry Friends
Top Tip Tuesday #30 - Open Challenge
I Love Promarkers #62 - Anything Goes
Creative Inspirations #108 - Pets/animals

Vintage Anniversary

2011-04-13T11:16:00.004+01:00

Here's an anniversary card for my cousin and her husband. I've not really tried the proper "vintage" look before, but got together some things I've had for a while and gave it a go!

Supplies:
Paper: Basic Grey
Embellishments: Glasses = Dovecraft Dimensions sticker embellished with glitterations sparkly dots, the round "buttons" in the corner were the spares from a coat or something!

Challenges:
Craft Your Passion #53 - 2 x 2 (glasses, buttons)
Truly Scrumptious Challenge #55 - Vintage
Charisma Cardz #14 - Weddings/Anniversaries

Delicious Doodles Showcase!

2011-04-11T09:59:00.000+01:00

Very excited to see my Mother's Day box onthe customer submissions post at Delicious Doodles Blog!!
Thank you to Teri for including me!!

Rock Idol!

2011-04-08T16:48:00.002+01:00

I've made this card for my cousin's son - I always struggle with boy cards, but this manga image was perfect!! I also had an idea to use the mirri board & circle die as a sort of CD/stage?? Love the colours it throws off in the light!

Supplies:
Image: "Rock Idol" by Sugar Nellie, coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment: "You Rock" from Digi Doodle Shop
Paper: Freebie from a magazine, black paper from Dovecraft, everything backed onto mirri board card!
Tools: Nellie's multiframes Circles.

Challenges:
The Sugar Bowl #57 - Sketch
Cupcake Crafts #136 - Comedy Rocks
Creative Inspirations #106 - Punches & Dies
Inky Impressions #12 - Die Cuts
Crafty Ann's Challenge #38 - Raise a smile
Fussy & Fancy Challenge - Card for a Child
Stamp Something - Sassy Circles

Sweet Little Donkey!

2011-04-07T12:16:00.003+01:00

It's my cousin's daughter's first Birthday next week, and I've made this little card for her!

Supplies:
Image: "Sweet Little Donkey" by Meljen's Designs, coloured with Promarkers
Paper: All three papers are from Smirk "Naughty but Nice" pack.
Embellishments: Peel off sentiment, brown ribbon, 3D butterfly from Papermania, gems, punched flower.

Challenges:
Crafty Emma's Store Challenge #30 - Children
One Stop Craft Challenge #125 - Spots & Dots
Sketch Saturday #149 - Sketch
Secret Crafter Saturday #128 - Butterflies
Allsorts Challenge #97 - Blooming Blossoms
Dream Valley #4 - Things with Wings
Paper Sundaes #63 - Spring Blossoms
The Crafty Pad #115 - Flowers
Paperplay Challenges #14 - Critters Galore
C.R.A.F.T Challenge #97 - Animals/Pets
By the Cute & Girly April - Cute & girly

My Mother's Day Whimsy Creation!

2011-04-05T20:01:00.011+01:00

I won five of the new Whimsy Stamps digis in their March release hop, and these are two that I decided to use for my Mother's Day card. Crissy Armstrong's "In the Doghouse" on the left is my Benny dog, and Meljen's Designs "She Loves Animals" is just perfect!
I had a go at a twisted easel card, and was surprised at how easy it was (once I'd worked out which way round to stick the images)!

Supplies:

Images: "In the Doghouse" & "She Loves Animals" from Whimsy Stamps, both coloured with Promarkers.

Sentiment: "Happy Mother's Day" from My Grafico.

Paper: Paw print card from Payper Box.

Embellishments: Dog themed brads (forgot where from, sorry!), Papermania rub-on pawtracks & bones.

Challenges:

Crafty Sentiments Challenge - Mother's Day

Paperplay Challenges #13 - For Mum
Stamp Something - April Digi Day
Creative Inspirations #56 - Mother's Day
Quirky Crafts #7 - Twisted Easel &/or Mother's Day
One Stitch at a Time #56 - Something 3D
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion #52 - Anything Goes
Sarah Hurley Challenges #36 - Mum's the Word
I Did It Creations Challenge #49 - Anything Goes

The right shoes...

2011-03-30T11:14:00.001+01:00

I'm off to Birmingham tonight til Sunday for a veterinary conference, and one of my best friends from school has very kindly offered to have me to stay! I've made her this card to say thank you (and I've made some chocolate chip cookies to take too)!

Supplies:
Image: "Fancy Pants" by House Mouse Designs, coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment: "You can deal with anything if you have the right shoes" from MM Designs
Paper: Smirk "Naughty but Nice"
Tools: Nesties Classic Squares Large
Embellishments: Yellow bow from Papermania Capsule Collection, keyring charm made by me, yellow flowers.

Challenges:
House Mouse Monday #92 - Sketch
Moving Along with the Times #91 - Precious Metals
Sentimental Sundays #48 - Cute & Cuddly
Crafty Creations 112 - Bunnies

Happy Hedgehogs!

2011-03-29T12:45:00.004+01:00

Some more goodies to show off from the NEC - the MS flower punch (from Oyster Stamps) and gorgeous springy Smirk paper (from Every Crafts A Pound)!

This card is for Sophie, who I've known all my life. We don't see each other that often (haven't seen her since her wedding last May), but she's still a very special friend.

Supplies:

Image: "Partying" from Penny Black, coloured with Promarkers. Sentiment from Digi Doodle Shop.
Paper: Smirk "Naughty but Nice". Pink vellum/parchment
Tools: Martha Stewart scalloped border punch, MS floral double edge punch.
Embellishments: Glamour Dust!

Challenges:
Sketch & Stash #58 - Sketch (new punch & paper)
Allsorts Challenge #96 - Special Lady
Totally Gorjuss #73 - Spring has sprung
Pile It On #13 - Cutie Patootie
Colour Create #67 - Pastels
Creative Cottage #35 - Spring has sprung
Bee Crafty Challenge #20 - Spring has sprung
Incy Wincy Designs #87 - Sparkle & Shine

Christmas in Spring!

2011-03-28T16:05:00.000+01:00

Well, we're out of winter now - the clocks have changed, so Christmas seems like so far away...

Supplies:
Everything is from the Papermania Henbury Lane Poinsettia decoupage pack!

Challenges:
Winter Wonderland - Oh Baubles
Secret Crafter Saturday #127 - Christmas in Spring

Deckchair Dreaming!

2011-03-28T15:33:00.003+01:00

Well, I just couldn't wait to create something with this gorgeous stamp I brought back from the NEC!

Supplies:

Image: "Deckchair Dreaming" from Lili of the Valley, coloured with Promarkers.

Paper: Blue flowery paper is from Papermania, checked is a magazine freebie.

Tools: Nellie's Multiframes MFD 005, star punch

Embellishments: blue/white baker's twine, inked edges.

Challenges:

Lili of the Valley #89 - Punch It

Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenges #7 - Sketch

Craft Your Passion #51 - Grin and "bear" it

Crafty Purple Frog Challenge #11 - Going Green

Totally Papercrafts #59 - Cuddly & Cute

Anya with flowers & some butterflies!

2011-03-28T14:27:00.009+01:00

Supplies:

Image: Anya with flowers from The Greeting Farm, coloured with Promarkers

Paper: Blue with white dots from Daisy & Dandelion paper pack

Tools: Screen fold template, deckled rectangle nestabilities, XCut butterfly punch, MS scalloped border punch.

Embellishments: Gems

Challenges:

Farm Fresh Friday - Spring Break
Creative Inspirations #104 - No square cards
Fab n Funky Challenge #65 - "Do it more than once" (more than one fold)
Meljen's Challenge #51 - Get creative with punches

Crafty Emma's Store Challenge #29 - Die cut crazy
Pollycraft Challenge #86 - Friends
I Love Promarkers #58 - Go Dotty
Stamp Something - Spring
Polka Doodles #12 - Spring has sprung

Relax....

2011-03-28T13:11:00.003+01:00

Here's a card for a very hard worker!

Supplies:

Image: Forever Friends Decoupage (as is sentiment)

Paper: From FF Decoupage pack

Embellishments: Clear Zoomz

Challenges:

Forever Friends Challenge - Blog Candy

Creative Card Crew - No Stamps

Crafty Cardmakers Spotlight - Decoupage

Off to the NEC!!

2011-03-25T07:49:00.000Z

Super quick post just to tell everyone how excited I am to be going to the Hobbycrafts show at the NEC today!! Just about to leave with Mum, and I can't wait. I have a list (although it's not "exhaustive" - I believe that's what they say when the list is really just the bare minimum)!

Woohoo!!

Mother's Day Gift Box & Jewellery!

2011-03-24T13:14:00.006Z

Mum's been asking me to make her some hair slides for AGES, and I have now done two different ones (although keep trying to distract her so that it's a surprise for Mother's Day)! I've also made her a bracelet, and having had some nesting boxes sitting on my desk for ages, thought that one would make a good jewellery box!

Supplies:

Image: "Wee Suzi" by Wee Stamps coloured with Promarkers. "Happy Mother's Day" from Delicious Doodles.

Paper: Pink Petticoat Vintage Rose Collection.

Embellishments: Chipboard flowers coloured with Promarkers.

Base: Nesting box from Papermania

Supplies: 80mm Hair barette, green bugle beads, acrylic flowers/leaves, 4mm pearls & nylon thread

Supplies: 80mm hair barette, 4mm red firepolish beads, 4mm red/black bicone crystals, red/black seed beads, nylon thread.

Supplies: Textured silver plate chain, black suede cord, silver plated head pins, Swarovski cubes, cord ends, lobster clasp.

Challenges:

Allsorts Challenge #95 - Make a gift box

Stamping for the weekend #6 - Mother's Day
Crafty Catz #74 - Mother's Day

Craft Your Days Away #16 - For Mum
One Stop Craft #123 - Diamonds are a girl's best friend

Secret Crafter Saturday #126 - Anything but a card
Dream Valley Challenge #3 - Mother's Day
Simon Says Challenge - Mother's Day
Papertake Weekly - It's a Mom thing
Ooh La La Challenge #76 - Mother's Day
Die Cut Dreams #85 - Mother's Day

Daisy in the Garden!

2011-03-22T11:45:00.006Z

I really must look for some more Sugar Nellie's at the NEC Hobbycrafts show this week - poor Daisy looks a bit lonely and she's the only one I have!

Crafty Emma's Store Challenge is asking for a card inspired by a song...mine is:

"Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do...

I'm half crazy, all for the love of you,

It won't be a stylish marriage,

I can't afford a carriage,

But you'll look sweet upon the seat,

Of a bicycle made for two."

I remember Mum singing this to me when I was little.

Supplies:
Image: "Daisy" from Sugar Nellie coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Blue butterfly & yellow striped paper from Papermania
Embellishments: Chipboard flowers & tag (inked yellow), with gems & peel off sentiment

Challenges:
The Sugar Bowl #55 - Sketch & Spring
Passion For Promarkers #92 - In the garden
Truly Scrumptious #53- Tag It
Crafty Emma's Store Challenge #28 - Inspired by a song
Stamp Something - Sweet

One for the boys!

2011-03-20T23:32:00.003Z

Finally a man card! Oakley's been ready to go for ages but I just didn't have a need for boy cards in the start of the year! (Now there's loads all in April!)

Supplies:

Image: "Cool Oakley" from Whiff of Joy coloured with Promarkers.

Papers: Both from Dovecraft Masculine paper pack

Embellishments: Eyelets & die cut sentiment from Forever Friends Spring Time.

Challenges:

Cards for Men #6 - Sketch

I Love Promarkers #57 - Men's Cards
Whiff of Joy Challenge #100 - Let's celebrate & Blog Hop
One Stitch at a Time #54 - Something for the Boys

Ginny with Flowers!

2011-03-20T15:08:00.009Z

Supplies:

Image: "Ginny with Flowers" from Pink Gem Designs coloured with Promarkers.

Paper: Freebies from a magazine

Embellishments: Chequered ribbon, peel off sentiment

Challenges:

Do it With Digis #6 - Children themed cards

Digi Doodle's Best #51 - Anything Goes
Paper Cutz Challenge #83 - Anything Goes
2 Sisters Challenge #31 - Furry Friends
The Crafty Pad #113 - Use a digi
Simon Says Challenge - Happy Birthday
Crafty Sentiments - Animals

Whimsy Stamps March 2011 Release!

2011-03-16T16:21:00.000Z

Woohoo! Whimsy Stamps have a new blog hop to celebrate new rubber stamp & dies being released!

To hop along, go over to Crystal's blog to start!

Good Luck in Green!

2011-03-16T15:46:00.010Z

Well, it's St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. Lliving near Cheltenham, home of the Gold Cup (aka Cheltenham Festival) I know there will be a lot of Guiness-drinking leprechauns around! Was hoping to go to the races myself, but didn't get around to finding a ticket in time, so I suppose I'll just watch it on the tv. I thought this card was perfect to celebrate!

Supplies:

Images: "Good Luck Frame" from Create with TLC (printed over the paper)

Paper: The green shamrock paper is from a Papercraft Inspirations download.

Embellishments: Chipboard shamrock, inked green & decorated with gems.

Challenges:

Sentimental Sundays #46 - Let's Go Green

One Stop Craft #122 - Clean & Simple

Allsorts Challenge #94 - Luck o' the Irish

Meljen's Designs #49 - Green

Inky Impressions - Monochromatic

Fab n Funky #64 - Going Green/St Patrick's Day

Papertake Weekly - Trio-tastic (three shamrocks)

Creative Card Crew - Green

Bee Crafty Challenge #18 - Festival

New Baby!

2011-03-14T17:34:00.010Z

Supplies:

Image: "Sleeping Infant" from Digi Doodle Shop coloured with Promarkers. I won a gift voucher in a challenge and this is one of the images I chose!

Papers: The yellow gingham paper is from Papermania Capsule Collection Lemon Sorbet, and the bluey-green swirly paper is from Papermania Henbury Lane.

Embellishments: Buttons & bow from Papermania Capsule Collection Lemon Sorbet, the baby feet charm is a new edition to my stash, from MadCowBeads. The sentiment is a rub-on.

Challenges:

I Love Promarkers #56 - Babies

Digital Tuesday #101 - Welcome Little One
2 Sisters #30 - Oh Baby
Dream Valley #2 - New Beginnings
The Crafty Pad #112 - Buttons
Sketch & Stash #57 - Sketch
Creatalicious Challenge #20 - Two Tone

Simple Thank You!

2011-03-14T14:37:00.006Z

This is a card for my "best friend from school" Rach's parents - they took us (Rach and I) to Birmingham on Saturday to go bridesmaid dress shopping. (Rach gets married in July and all three bridesmaids live in different counties so this was my turn to dress up)! They took us for a lovely meal at a great Italian restaurant before the shop-trawling began. Obviously it's not really a "dad" experience so Rach's dad went off to the technology dept of Selfridges to watch the sport! Then it was just Rach, her mum and I - we got a lot done, including a little side-track to Jane Norman (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE JN!) and we may have narrowed it down to 2 dresses, which the other girls will try and then we can start with the accessorizing!

Supplies:

Image/Sentiment: The lovely bunny is from the "Daisy & Dandelion" range, and coloured with Promarkers. "Thank You" sentiment is from Raindrop Echo Designs.

Papers: Both the flowery and spotted papers are from Papermania's Capsule Collection "Lemon Sorbet".

Tools: Nestabilities deckled rectangles.

Embellishments: The yellow ribbon is also from the Capsule Collection.

Challenges:

Crafty Calendar #18 - Spring

Stamp & Create #9 - Spring Break

Papertake Weekly - Lemon Zingy

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Spring has Sprung

Paper Sundaes #60 - Keep it Simple

Wishing you the Fairy best!

2011-03-11T17:03:00.008Z

Wow two cards posted in one day! For some reason at the moment I find sketch challenges seem to have me stumped! I spend so long trying to find bits and pieces to fit that I never get anywhere! So here's a sketch-less creation!

Supplies:

Image/Sentiment: "Fairy 1" from Digi Doodle Shop (that I won in the Forever Friends Monthly Challenge), coloured with Promarkers, "Wishing you the fairy best" sentiment is from Create with TLC.

Paper: Both the floral and pink polkadot papers are from the Pink Petticoat, Vintage Rose Collection. The edges are chalked.

Embellishments: Handmade pink bow tied with Reflecta silvery thread!

Challenges:

Cupcake Craft #132 - Pink Polkadots

Crafty Cardmakers #41 - Fabric
Incy Wincy Designs #84 - Pastels
Fab N Funky #63 - Make it Girly
Crafty Purple Frog Challenge #10 - Fly with us
The Crafty Pad #11 - Use a ribbon

It's that time again!

2011-03-11T12:44:00.008Z

A little combination of real stamping and digi stamping here!

Supplies:
Images/Sentiments: "Thinking of You" from Penny Black Slapstick Stamps, coloured with Promarkers. "Happy Birthday", "It's that time again" and the "clock" are from Raindrop Echo Designs.
Papers: Yellow & Green spotted paper from Daisy & Dandelion paper pack. Yellow striped paper from Papermania Lemon Sorbet collection.
Tools: Nestabilities Blossom die & Shapeabilities Pendant Kaleidoscope (for the corners)
Embellishments: Little green gems, green bow from Papermania Capsule Collection.

Challenges:
Penny Black Saturday #141 - More than one fold
Crafty Catz Weekly #73 - Green & Yellow
Truly Scrumptious #52 - Sketch
Bee Crafty Challenge #17 - Spots & Dots
Charisma Cardz #10 - Easel Cards
Top Tip Tuesday #25 - Birthday

Forever Friends Anniversary!

2011-03-09T10:51:00.012Z

I was so excited to have won some digi stamps from the Digi Doodle Shop in the February Forever Friends Challenge that I decided to print them out and colour them in straight away!
It's a first anniversary card for my friend who I was a bridesmaid for last year

Supplies:

Images/Sentiments: "Across the Bridge" from Digi Doodle Shop, coloured with Promarkers. The Forever Friends is a "Going to the Chapel" die cut (sentiment from the same pack).

Paper: Plain blue paper

Tools: Xcut heart border punch

Embellishments: Pink heart gems

Challenges:
Forever Friends Monthly #3 - No DP
Craft Your Passion #48 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes
Meljens Challenge #48 - U R Such an animal
Moving Along with the Times #88 - Anniversary
Stamp Something - March Digi Day
Sarah Hurley Challenge #32 - Four-legged Friends
Die Cut Dreams Challenge #84 - Spring Garden Scene

Creeper Crew Thursday!

2011-03-06T18:05:00.005Z

Supplies:

Images: "Creeper Crew Thursday" from The Greeting Farm, coloured with Promarkers.

"Whatever it is... I didn't do it" from Raindrop Echo Designs (downloaded from the Sentimentals Sundays challenge blog)

Papers: The purple striped paper is from a magazine pack, the green flower/lace paper is Papermania Capsule Collection and then just some plain purple!

Embellishments: I've punched 3 purple flowers with the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die, added 3 purple buttons tied with green cotton.

Challenges:

One Crazy Stamper March - Sketch

Creative Card Crew - Gothic
I Love Promarkers #55 - Green & Purple
Allsorts Challenge #93 - Card for a teenager
Paper Sundaes #59 - Stripes
Polkadoodles #9 - Flower Power

Springy card!

2011-03-04T15:54:00.017Z

Continuing with my experimentation on card styles, I had a go at a Diamond-Fold card (using a tutorial from Crafty Devils Papercraft website).

Supplies:
Images: "Mudpie's Munch" by House Mouse Designs - coloured with Promarkers, the "Thank You" sentiment is from Sentiments 4 You.
Paper: The striped paper is from Papermania Basics pad, and the spotted paper is from Papermania Capsule Collection "Lemon Sorbet".
Embellishments: The buttons, brads & flower are all from Papermania Capsule Collection "Sunshine".

Challenges:
Pink Gem #15 - Buttons, brads, beads, bows (I went for buttons and brads)
Corrosive Challenge #105 - Distressing
Sentimental Sundays #44 - Anything Goes (plus a sentiment)
House Mouse & Friends #90 - Multifold
Incy Wincy Designs #83 - Spring is in the air
Dream Valley Challenge #1 - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp challenge - 1 image, 2 designer papers, 3 types of embellishment
Charisma Cardz #9 - Four-legged Friends
Cute Card Thursday #154 - Signs of Spring
Dutch Dare Challenge #102 - Who's who in the zoo?
Cooking it up with Kate #51 - Springy Yellow Flowers
Stamping for the Weekend #5 - Springtime

First Twisted Easel Card!

2011-03-03T16:29:00.005Z

Well, I've seen everyone else having a go at these twisted easel cards, so I thought I'd give it a go - after a bit of puzzling over which way up to stick the image, I finally worked it out!
This is a card for someone who I won't name as it will spoil the surprise, but it is a thank you for something!! I thought I'd go for a bright, flowery theme as it's Spring, even though it's really miserable and gloomy outside!

Supplies:
Images: Miss Anya with Flowers from The Greeting Farm, coloured with Promarkers, "Thank You" from Raindrop Echo Designs
Paper: My Mind's Eye - Summer
Tools: Nestabilities Blossom die
Embellishments: Flowers & brads

Challenges:
Sir Stampalot March - Spring is in the air
Creative Craft Challenge - Thank You
Top Tip Tuesday #24 - Favourites - I think easel cards are my fave style, and I love my nesties!
Inky Impressions - Easel card
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Challenge - Easel card

Magical Tilda

2011-03-02T13:20:00.018Z

I found some of these Dufex Flower Fairies card blanks/sentiments whilst rummaging through the old stash, and thought it would go perfectly with "Magical Tilda". She's coloured with Promarkers, and I've added some Glamour Dust to her crown and wand (as well as to the butterflies and flowers...can't help myself!)
The flowers are cut with Tim Holtz Tattered Flowers die, and embossed to make them stand up a bit, with some pearls for the centres. The leaves are punched (by Mum, who felt that it didn't look right having flowers with no leaves)!

Challenges:
Craft Your Passion #47 - Girly Girl
Ooh La La Challenge #74 - Pink, pink and more pink!
Wild Orchid Challege #18 - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Passion for Promarkers #89 - Sugar Rush
Crafty Ann's Challenge #35 - Birthday Card
Crafty Catz #71 - Friendship
Stamp Something - with flowers
Allsorts Challenge #92 - Make your own flowers (embossed for dimension)
Crafty Emma's Store Challenge #25 - Flowers & Flutterbys
Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Oh so girly
Crafty Purple Frog #9 - A touch of magic

Penny Black Springtime!

2011-03-01T16:02:00.009Z

I'm back and crafting again after my shoulder surgery - it went well, the physio's really pleased and I just have to wait til next Monday to find out when the surgeon will do the left shoulder, and go from there! I've actually quite enjoyed the time to do a bit of blog-hopping and seeing what everyone else has been up to!

Here's a Spring-themed card using Penny Black's "Seeing your face" image of the cute little hedgehog with a daffodil! I've coloured it with Promarkers. The papers are new - they are from the Papermania Lemon Sorbet Capsule Collection (as are the spotted mini buttons), the ribbon/bow are from the Sunshine collection - all things from DoCrafts goody bags! My favourite effect at the moment is to ink around the edge of the page to make it stand out a little bit more! The sentiment is from Forever Friends Springtime die-cut greetings pack.

Challenges:

Penny Black at Allsorts - March - Welcome Spring

By the Cute & Girly - March - Springtime

Craft Your Days Away #14 - Sketch

Oldie But a Goodie #13 - Spring is in the air

Stamping for the Weekend #4 - Monochrome

One Stop Craft Challenge #120 - Spring Flowers

Colour Create #65 - 3 Fruits (Banana, coconut & apple!)

Be Back Soon!

2011-02-17T00:25:00.000Z

Right, I'm signing off for a few days now (just after getting back into the swing of blogging)! Hopefully I'll be out of hospital tomorrow night, but otherwise it will be Friday, and I'll be back on here as soon as my shoulder allows!

See you soon!

Tilda with Flowers!

2011-02-16T15:54:00.006Z

Here's Dad's card for Mum, but obviously he didn't make it!!

It's "Tilda with 3 Flowers", coloured with Promarkers, backed on "Pink Petticoat" Vintage Rose collection paper, with some lovely flowers and a ribbon. I've inked all round the edge of the card and the sentiment.

Challenges:
Just Magnolia #93 - Sketch
Bunny Zoe #9 - Spring Flowers
Totally Tilda #16 - How Does Your Garden Grow?
Craft Your Passion #45 - Pink
Creative Cottage #33 - Fabulous Florals
Inky Impressions - Spots & Stripes

A Magical Birthday for Mum!

2011-02-16T12:15:00.010Z

It's Mum's Birthday on Monday, but I have had to be super-prepared this year as I go in for my shoulder surgery tomorrow so think my right arm will be un-useable for at least a few days. The presents are wrapped, I've made my card to Mum, and I'm currently making Dad's for her!
The image is "Wings of Hope" from Whimsy Stamps (a Crissy Armstrong creation)- a beautiful Pegasus carousel horse! I've coloured it with Promarkers, and glittered the wings and hooves. My sentiment is also from Whimsy Stamps (Raindrop Echo).
I've used some flourishy pink and spotted blue paper from Papermania's Henbury Lane collection, some blue vellum which has been stitched with silver thread, a ribbon with heart-shaped brad (that's been hanging around the drawer forever), and some die cut flowers with gems.

Challenges:
Ooh La La Creations #73 - For Someone Special
Pollycraft #80 - Special Birthday
Sketch & Stash #55 - Sketch & neglected heart ribbon brad, so old I forget where it's from!
Oldie But A Goodie #12 - Add a Heart
Papertake Weekly - Putting on the Glitz
Top Tip Tuesday #22 - All Stitched Up - My top tip for stitching by hand like this is to plan your stitches first before making holes, otherwise you may end up with your loose ends in the wrong place, or uneven stitching!
Charisma Cardz #6 - Mythical/Fantasy (2nd entry)
Cute Card Thursday #151 - Hearts & Flowers
Paperplay #6 - Hearts & Flowers but not Valentine's
Sundays with Crissy February - It's all about Love

Twilight Calendar!

2011-02-15T19:43:00.007Z

Here's something I made for my cousin's teenage daughter - she's a big Twilight fan (as am I) and I only just managed to give this to her as a present as I was actually quite pleased with how it turned out:

I've used a chipboard star shape as my base, and the black & white paper is from a Dovecraft paper pack.
For Edward I have used "Flirty Edward", and Bella is "Camille" from The Greeting Farm. Both are coloured with Promarkers, and Edward is sparkling as he always does! The Sparkles sentiment is from Create with TLC (it's always perfect for Twilight cards!) I've distressed the edges with black ink to give it a bit of a shadowy feel!

Challenges:
Simon Says - Anything but a card
A Spoon Full of Sugar #139 - Anything but a card
Charisma Cardz #6 - Mythical/Fantasy
Creative Inspirations #53 - Distress
Creative Craft Challenge - Card/project for a teen

Sylvia's WeeStamps!

2011-02-15T16:08:00.001Z

Whilst wandering through blogland I came across this gorgeous little girl, Suzi, and followed a link over to Sylvia Zet's blog. She has just released her first digi stamps in her store "WeeStamps". To help promote the new shop, Sylvia has very kindly offered to send Suzi to followers who post about the new releases. But you need to be quick, this ends tomorrow at 12pm!

Mummy to Be!

2011-02-14T15:46:00.001Z

This cute Forever Friends decoupage is from the booklet I've spent the last few days using (as are the papers and sentiment). I've distressed the edges for a bit of a different look (chalks, not ink).
Perfect timing as one of my friends from Zumba/ Ballroom dancing just announced that she is expecting!

Challenges:
Die Cut Dreams #83 - It's a Girl (Baby)
Crafty Emma's Store Challenge #23 - Cute & Cuddly
One Stitch at a Time #49 - Pretty
Paper Sundaes #57 - Pick your sundae toppings (I picked pink and distressed)

Birthday Bear with a Book!

2011-02-11T11:25:00.002Z

Here's a "Bedtime Story" House Mouse - for my uncle (although I've never called him uncle as he and my aunty just got married last year after being together for YEARS!) I thought it was a cute image - and maybe relevant (falling asleep whilst reading...?)
Anyway, it's coloured with Promarkers, and the starry paper is from Dovecraft Masculine paper pack. I've added a peel-off and some punched stars & gems.

Challenges:
Card Patterns #101 - Sketch
I Love Promarkers #52 - Birthday & Blog Hop
Totally Papercrafts #53 - Clean & simple

No peeking Mum!!

2011-02-11T10:45:00.006Z

This card is for Mum, from Dad - he has submitted to the "handmade is the only way" regime in our household, and always forgets to ask me to make Mum's cards until the last minute, so I pre-empted him on this one!
Obviously it's for Valentine's Day, and I couldn't resist the gorgeous House Mouse "Stocking Full" image - what says love more than sharing socks? I've also used "Mudpie Munch" (not quite a rose in his mouth but near enough)! Both images are coloured with Promarkers.
I've used some of the g.c.d Cloisonne paper with hearts on for the backing, and used the punched out pink card with a vellum backing for a different look. I've also punched out some vellum flowers with my Tim Holtz Tattered Florals dies, and fixed them with pearl brads.
The sentiment is from Forever Friends wedding die-cut sentiments.

Challenges:
Paper Sundaes #55 - Two or more images
Bunny Zoe's Challenge #8 - Love is in the air
Crafter's Companion Monthly #9 - Romance
House Mouse Challenge #88 - Hearts
Wild Orchid Challenge #16 - Love Is
Papertake Weekly - Have a heart
Passion for Promarkers #86 - Let there be love

Totally Tilda Easter!

2011-02-10T13:20:00.007Z

I received this Tilda in a blog candy last year, and thought I'd stamp and colour her to go with the Totally Tilda Easter Special challenge. I've coloured her and the chicks using Promarkers.
The plant pot she is sitting on came from Susie at Die Cut Dreams and I thought it was perfect for a Spring card. The paper is from the Papermania Spring Time pack, and I've added some Capsule Collection flowers, a couple of magazine-freebie eggs and a sentiment. (And I've inked the edge of the page).

Challenges:
Totally Tilda - Easter
Moving Along With The Times #85 - Photo Inspiration
Just Magnolia #92 - Monthly Special Anything Goes
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Spots & Stripes
Sweet Stampin Challenge - Spring Flowers
Pile It On #6 - Bright & Breezy

Whimsy Stamps Release Party!

2011-02-10T11:25:00.001Z

Whimsy Stamps have got some new stamps to release, and they are having a blog hop with prizes to celebrate!
The hop starts with Chris Olsen....go now!

Forever Friends Baby

2011-02-06T17:22:00.003Z

Another FF decoupage-style card from the free booklet - the paper (including washing line) is from that booklet too. The sentiment is from another FF pack that I've had for ages. I've added some ribbon, and

some bling!

Challenges:

Forever Friends Monthly - Bling

Creative Card Crew - Pink & Purple

Pocket Card

2011-02-05T16:44:00.002Z

I used these instructions by Beate Johns (found on Splitcoast Stampers - click to go direct to tutorial). I didn't quite stick to the embellishment, but will do another at some point like the one Beate has made.

This is a thank you to all of the lovely people at the veterinary practice I have just finished locum-ing at. They have been very patient and kind while I have made the transition from horses-only to small animal and horse work. I will miss them, but have made some great friends so I will hopefully keep in touch.

I've used a piece of double-sided "g.c.d cloisonne" paper (although it's more like card), and I've coloured my Wild Rose Studio "Girl With Dog" image using Promarkers. Then just a few gems to finish off.

Challenges:

Sir Stampalot February - All Creatures Great & Small (quite apt I thought - girl & her dog, made by a vet!)

Inky Impressions - Sketch

Calendar Girl!

2011-02-04T11:41:00.004Z

I still have some of the little calendar tabs left, and thought I'd just rip off the months that have gone and carry on using them!! They work well with easel card.

I've coloured Anya using my Promarkers, to match the paper (Kate Knight). Then I've added a peel-off, 4 eyelets & some gems.

Challenges:
I Love Promarkers #51 - Anything Goes
Paperplay Challenge #5 - Stamp it out
Totally Papercrafts #52 - Friendship

Pink & Flowery!

2011-02-02T12:24:00.007Z

Here's another of the Forever Friends decoupage cards I made yesterday - I love the girlyness of this one!
Again the flowery/spotted paper is from the kit, as is the sentiment. I've added a bit of fringing (trying to use up old bits of ribbon), and some little flowers embellished with gems.

Challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers #38 - Florals

Forever Friends - Dots & Spots

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes +/- Flowers

Top Tip Tuesday #20 - Anything Girly

Totally Gorjuss #65 - As you like it (I love the pink & flowery)

Crafty Catz Weekly # 67 - Flowers

Happy Bear-thday!

2011-02-01T15:51:00.000Z

I got a free Forever Friends decoupage booklet in with a magazine, and thought I'd have a play - it has some lovely papers in it!

I've distressed & chalked the edges of the paper for something a bit different (found Mum's chalks after reading the tutorial in Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine. I also added some eyelets as I'm trying to remember to use all the things that live in the cupboard!

Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Animal Antics

Long Time No See!!!

2011-02-01T15:31:00.000Z

It's been so long since I've actually posted anything, I'll have to try to remember how!!
Quick update on the things in life that have kept me from the blogs....
1) Mum ruptured her cruciate on holiday back in September, so wasn't able to walk (or cook/clean/iron/drive/shop) and has just had her second operation to reconstruct the cruciate ligament, so hopefully is on the mend now. I've been taking her to physio/hydrotherapy twice a week since then, and it's been a bit manic.
2) My lovely Grandad has dementia and we finally moved him into a dementia care home in November as he really wasn't coping (even with 4-times daily care visits), so there was a lot of travelling up and down to Staffordshire with my Dad to move things into the home and try to clear some of the stuff out of his bungalow so we can redecorate.
3) Christmas - I did make Christmas cards but had no time to blog them!4
4) Grandad's bungalow had burst pipes on Boxing Day and was completely sodden throughout, so the last few weeks Dad & I have been boxing all the crockery/ornaments to bring home so that we can get someone in to take the furniture away and pull up the now-mouldy carpets!
5) I've got to have surgery on both my shoulders after the last 2yrs of pain. Right shoulder is being operated on 17th Feb and no idea about the left shoulder or recovery time.

SOOOO.... I really hope to spend more time catching up with everyone, and may even get around to blogging my jewellery making stuff too as I finished my locum job on the 21st Jan and probably won't be working again til after my surgery. I've missed blog-world!

When the Snowman brings the snow...!

2010-10-21T15:34:00.001+01:00

Here's an image I was sent AGES ago and have finally gotten around to using - it's coloured with Promarkers (although I admit there's not a whole lot of colouring to do!) I'm afraid I'm not sure of the stamp company, so if anyone recognises the little chap could they let me know as I'd love to be able to give credit.

I've used freebie paper from a magazine for the backing, with lots of snowflakes on it. I've added 3 lovely roses (I know it's Christmas but I like them) and a snowflake charm, as well as a strip of snowflake ribbon!

Challenges I'm entering:
Wild Orchid Challenge #8 - Pastels
One Stitch At A Time #35 - Embellish It

Distressing Christmas!

2010-10-18T15:38:00.006+01:00

No no, I don't mean Christmas is distressing! I love Christmas - favourite time of year - friends & family, Christmas markets, music, decorations, presents and fun!

Everything here is from the Papermania Henbury Lane Poinsettia Ultimate A4 Collector's Pack (a brilliant set if you get a chance to get one). I've used an A5 card, and inked the edges with lovely pinky-red pigment ink, and distressed the edges of the backing paper.

Challenges I'm entering:

Quixotic Paperie October Challenge - Christmas is coming

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #88 - Ink & Edge distressing

Corrosive Challenge #86 - No white paper

The Crafty Pad #93 - Distressed or torn edges

Baby's First Birthday!

2010-10-16T17:16:00.005+01:00

This is a card I've made for a family friend's little boy who is 1 on Monday (although unfortuately it hasn't been posted yet as we couldn't find their address!!

I've coloured this lovely Meljen's Designs lion with Whispers pens. The paper is from DCWV scrapbook kit in a stack, and I've used some pearlescent brown paper with a Nellie Snellen circle die and Sizzix bookplate die (for the peel-off). I've added a brown ribbon, and some brown/white twine around the edge.

Challenges I'm entering:

Quirky Crafts #36 - Sketch

Cards for Men #21 - Happy Birthday

The Pink Elephant #85 - Childhood

Wild Orchid Challenges #7 - Stitch it up

Crafty Emma's Store #8 - Male Birthday Card

Crafty Creations #89 - Show a number

Tagalicious!

2010-10-11T20:49:00.008+01:00

I decided to try making a tag for a change! I used a Nellie Snellen circle die for the base (with pink card). The butterfly is made of felt, from the Papermania Henbury Lane collection, and I've decorated it with lots and lots of bling!! Then a ribbon to attach it to a present!!

Challenges I'm entering:

Bee Crafty Challenge #1 - No DP

The Creative Cottage #24 - Bling it On

Dutch Dare #88 - Tagalicious

Moving Along With The Times #67 - Anything but a card

Crafty Emma's Store Challenge #7 - Create a tag

Tilda Bookmark & Fancy Fold card

2010-10-11T16:18:00.010+01:00

Here's a diagonal double pocket card made from a Splitcoast Stampers tutorial.

I've used G.C.D Studios Cloisonne double sided paper to make the actual pocket card. The gardening image on the front is from Beccy's Place - she has loads of lovely digis to play with! I've coloured with Promarkers, and added "60" in peel-off number to the tea-cup as the card is for my friend's mum's 60th!

In the top pocket of the card I have placed a bookmark, made using gold cardstock, and Tilda with Wedding Gifts, coloured with Promarkers (to match the paper). I printed the sentiment off from Word!! I've added a ribbon and totally forgot to put an eyeley around the hole!! (Too many other things going on at home)!

Challenges I'm entering:
Crafty Cardmakers Spotlight - Fancy Folds
Colour Create #55 - Pink, Cream & Green
Crafty Ann's Challenge #25 - At least one digi stamp & favourite colouring medium
Crafty Catz Weekly #53 - Magnolia/Tilda
Craftalicious Challenge #10 - Anything Goes
One Stitch At A Time #34 - Digistamps
Fab n Funky #43 - Use a digi image
Creative Inspirations #81 - Birthday

Papertake Weekly - New Beginnings

2010-10-05T12:47:00.009+01:00

They are having a great Blog Hop over at Papertake Weekly to celebrate their 3rd Birthday! The challenge for this week is to choose a challenge from the last 3yrs....ANY challenge!

I've chosen "New Beginnings" from 5th Jan 2010 as I have a very good friend who has FINALLY moved into a new house with her fiance after a lot of waiting for the previous owner to get out!

The image is a digi stamp from Mo's Digital Pencil, called "Home Tweet Home", coloured with Promarkers. I've used brown spotted paper from a Daisy & Dandelion paper pack, and my Nellie Snellen multiframe circles.

Challenges I'm entering:

Papertake Weekly - New Beginnings

Pollycraft #64 - Anything Goes

Bee Crafty #39 - Furry/Fluffy friends (I hope feathery counts too)!

One Stop Craft #100 - Congratulations

CPS Challenge #187 - Sketch

A Gem of a Challenge - No 8

2010-10-04T11:42:00.001+01:00

Here's a really girly card I've made using "Sprinkles" the fairy from Pink Gem. She's coloured using Whispers (in the days before my Promarkers).

The spotted paper is from My Mind's Eye Summer paper pack and the sentiment is from a Flower Fairies Dufex decoupage sheet. I've used my NEW Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die to cut the flower, embellished with a gem, and there's a couple of punched stars. I've covered everything in Glamour dust as usual, oh and inked around the edge of the paper!

Challenges I'm entering:

A Gem of a Challenge #8 - Sketch +/- Sparkle

Oldie But A Goodie #2 - Pink & Girly

Moving Along With The Times #66 - Fairies

Crafty Catz Challenge #52 - Birthday card for a child with sparkle

Sweet Stampin' #46 - Punch it out

Autumn Daisy!

2010-10-02T16:03:00.010+01:00

Here's another card featuring Daisy. She's our only Sugar Nellie girl at the moment, so all my Sugar Bowl entries feature her! I've used Promarkers to colour her.

I've used pigment inks to colour the edge of my card (a bit of orange, yellow & green), and used some flower paper from a magazine freebie to go for an autumn colour theme. I'm not sure what the green net-string stuff is (if someone could enlighten me that would be great....), but I've added some of that as I found it lying in the bottom of the drawer and is seemed to fit. I've cut some Core Color card using nesties, and Daisy's sitting in the middle.

Challenges I'm entering:

The Sugar Bowl #44 - Sketch +/- Birthday

The Crafty Calendar - Birthday +/- autumn colours

Creative Card Crew - Bloomin' Marvellous

Simon Says Challenge - Autumn

Stamping for the Weekend #48 - Autumn colours

Craftalicious Challenge #9 - Autumn

Stamptacular Sunday #78 - Fall colours

C.R.A.F.T #70 - Fancy Floral

Sparkling Christmas!

2010-10-02T15:43:00.005+01:00

Cor Blimey!! I've been trying to upload this one picture for almost an hour with the silly new uploader thingy which just kept stopping/locking my internet explorer up!! Almost gave up, but thought I'd try one more time with this image! (There's a close up of the decoupage but I might try to upload it later)
Anyway, here's another easel card I've made using the Papermania Henbury Lane Poinsettia ultimate decoupage pack. 3 different papers from that collection and the prop-up strip is also a die-cut from the pack. I've added a load of Glamour Dust just to finish it off!

Challenges I'm entering:
CPS #186 - Sketch
The Crafty Pad #90 - Christmas Sparkle
Secret Crafter Saturday #103 - Easel cards
PaperCutz Challenge #61 - 3 patterned papers

By The Cute & Girly GDT October - SPOOKY!!

2010-10-01T09:51:00.008+01:00

I was picked to be a guest member of the Design Team for the By The Cute & Girly Challenge in October, and Lisa has chosen a "Spooky" theme, in the lead up to Halloween!

Now, this might be a blanket statement, but Halloween isn't a big thing in England, unlike the USA, so I've never actually made a card for it before (and therefore didn't really have any supplies). It's a real shame, as there are so many brilliant stamps, papers and embellishments out there!

So, I made three creations with what I could find (mainly freebies!!), and hopefully it might help to inspire those who also haven't ventured into spooky crafting before!

Project One

Technique: Papermania tunnel card template using blue cardstock & acetate

Image: Halloween freebie from KLM Digi Stamps coloured with Promarkers

Stickers: Halloween fun stickers from Craft Planet

Challenges I'm entering:
Alice In Wonderland #32 - Window/Hole

Project Two

I thought I'd try something a bit different, in case we get any little trick or treat-ers visiting on Halloween! This is just a metal tin decorated with paper and ribbon!

Technique: Altered tin

Paper: Free download from Stamping All Day

Challenges I'm entering:

Crafty Ann's Challenge #24 - Anything but a card

Project Three

This one was a lot of fun to make - tricky, but definitely fun!

Technique: T-Slider card using template from Kim Score at Splitcoast Stampers

Image: James from Just Inklined Digital Stamps coloured with Promarkers

Stickers: Halloween fun stickers from Craft Planet

Challenges I'm entering:

Paper Sundaes #37 - Things with Wings (bats)

Well, I hope you've enjoyed seeing what everyone has created for the October Challenge, and that you'll all have a go too!

Christmas Crafting!

2010-09-30T16:43:00.013+01:00

I bought the Papermania Henbury Lane Poinsettia ultimate decoupage pack the other day, and here's the easel card I've made with one of the decoupage scenes:

I've used the green, red & white spotted/striped paper from that collection, and the dark red leaf pattern paper, the strip of stars, and the sentiment. I punched some holly using a Dovecraft punch, and the snowflake charm is from Mad Cow Beads.

Challenges I'm entering:
Charisma Cardz #39 - Christmas Crafting
A Spoon Full of Sugar #123 - Spots & Stripes
ABC Challenge - E is for Easel cards
Creative Inspirations #80 - Christmas in September
Winter Wonderland - Holly, red & green
Card Patterns #83 - Sketch
One Stop Craft #99 - Snowflakes in September
Totally Gorjuss #49 - Christmas
Pile It On #38 - Cute & Charming

You'll Never Walk Alone!

2010-09-27T10:06:00.005+01:00

So Dad asked me on Friday if I could make a card for his work mate who supports Liverpool Football Club. I trawled through craft forums, and eventually found a very cleverly created backing paper & decoupage topper. I added a few football peel-offs and that was that!

Challenges I'm entering:

Incy Wincy Designs #61 - Anything Goes
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #85 - Celebration
Charisma Cardz #38 - Anything Goes
One Stitch At A Time # 32 - Anything Goes

House Mouse Challenge Sketch & Blog Hop

2010-09-22T11:59:00.011+01:00

I've made this card for my cousin's son's birthday - he's 5yrs old next week and just started school, so I thought this "Bedtime Stories" image was perfect! It's coloured with Promarkers. The spotted & diamond paper is from the Dovecraft Masculine paper pack, and I've added some old buttons I found lurking in a drawer, some little metallic-looking embellishments & some twine. The green punched edge was made using my Martha Stewart scallop border punch. I've inked all the way around the card with bronze pigment ink.

Challenges I'm entering:

House Mouse Monday Challenge #78 - Sketch & Blog Hop!

A Spoon Full of Sugar #122 - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Animal Magic
Just Cute Bears #35 - Punch It
Corrosive Challenge #82 - Clean up the dust
Totally Gorjuss #48 - Wild Thing
Creative Cottage Challenge #23 - Birthday Boy

You've Been Framed!

2010-09-20T15:45:00.003+01:00

So I've been working slightly outside the usual papercraft box to get this finished in time for Mum & Dad's return, and hoped to enter into a few challenges where "altered/alternative" crafts are allowed...
It's my first attempt at a beaded frame, but i hope they like it! (In case anyone's wondering, it's a basic wooden frame from B&Q).

Challenges I'm attempting to enter:
Cupcake Craft #109 - Transport
Top Tip Tuesday #2 - Tip or Alter (Obviously I chose to alter this photo frame)

Get Well Soon Mum!

2010-09-20T15:18:00.006+01:00

A little update on Mum & Dad's holiday... Mum's knee gave way on Wednesday night, and she collapsed on the dancefloor (yes, I was wondering what tricky move she was trying that could cause such trouble). She hasn't been able to walk since...has been wheeled round the hotel in a wheelchair, although that last few days she has managed to get onto the beach (somehow)!
They come home tomorrow, and we're going straight to the doctor to see if they can find out what's wrong & whether she needs to go for xrays etc. (Apparently the hotel medical person suspects tendon damage but can't be sure without xrays). So, here's a little card I made for her, and I'm off to the shop later for flowers.
The two papers are My Mind's Eye Summer pack, and the image is from the Daisy & Dandelion range, coloured with Promarkers. The die is Nellie Snellen mult frame circles, and I've added a little charm at the bottom.

Challenges I'm entering:
Simon Says Challenge - Move it (my little charm dangles!) You MUST go and watch the Madagascar movie clip!! It's awesome!!
ICS Challenge #83 - Sketch
Pile It On #37 - Red, yellow, brown & green
Pollycraft Monday #62 - Cute & Cuddly

Beware the Mummy!

2010-09-19T11:53:00.008+01:00

We don't "celebrate" Halloween in our family and it's not really a big thing in England, so I've never made any Halloween cards before. It's a shame really as there are some great images for the occasion, and they're a lot of fun to do
This Mummy is a freebie from Just Inklined Digital Stamps, and the sentiment is from Bird's Cards where you can also find loads of different images and sentiments. Both are coloured with Promarkers (just Ivory, Black & dusky pink) Because I don't have any Halloween papers/embellishments in my stash, I decided to try and go for a more tattered look. The card is actually backing cardboard from a pack of handmade paper, but it distresses really well round the edges, and the bottom half of the card was done by wrapping masking tape around a piece of card (after trying to distress the edges). Then I sponged everything with Tim Holtz rusty hinge distress ink!

Challenges I'm entering:

Just Inklined - Halloween Challenge

ABC Challenge - D for Distressing

Crafty Ann's Challenge #23 - Monochrome

Stamp Something - Use a Digi

Secret Crafter Saturday #101 - Anything Goes

Truly Scrumptious #41 - Sketch

PaperCutz Challenge #59 - Halloween no black/orange

Tilda with Wedding Gifts!

2010-09-16T22:38:00.007+01:00

Ok, so I couldn't wait til tomorrow to post a picture of this card... I may have accidentally (ahem), bought another Tilda to play with, I just couldn't help it - I LOVE this one. It's Tilda with wedding gifts, and I just thought it would be great for EVERYTHING! Christmas, Birthdays, Weddings - anything!

It's for my best friend Mel (another vet), and I can't believe I left it so late to make (it's her birthday on Monday) - September's a busy craft month for me with all these birthdays/wedding/anniversary cards to make!!

I've used My Mind's Eye Summer Papers, and have coloured the lovely Tilda with Promarkers. I've added some Glamour Dust all over the place, and made some punched flowers with pearl stamens & gem petals. The green strip of card is punched with a Martha Stewart scallop punch. Oh, and the sentiment is cut out from one of the My Mind's Eye sheets.

Challenges I'm entering:

Charisma Cardz #37 - Sketch

Craft Your Days Away #3 - Girly n Glitter

Totally Gorjuss #47 - Flower

Totally Tilda #5 - Make your own flowers

Stamp and Create #5 - Pearls & Gems

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

2010-09-16T12:20:00.000+01:00

I don't know if they'll be looking on here, but it's Dad's Birthday and Mum & Dad's Wedding Anniversary today, so I just thought I'd put a little note on here to say I'm thinking of them whilst they're away in sunny Mexico. They've got a massage and spa booked, so hopefully it should be a good day for them!

Here's a picture of us last year when we were all in Mexico on their special day!!

Autumn Leaves!

2010-09-13T22:37:00.004+01:00

Another Autumn card! The lovely leafy paper is from the Cardmaking & Papercraft download section, and the little truck is from Stampin Up's "Loads of Love" set (the image was sent to me in a RAK). I've coloured with Promarkers (including my new Metallic Silver one for the hubcaps/bumper)! I also inked around the page with a small brown Papermania pad.

Challenges I'm entering:
I Love Promarkers #31 - Transport
Incy Wincy Designs #59 - Autmn Colours
Cards For Men #19 - Transport
CPS Challenge #184 - Sketch