Summer Days ..............

no no, not the title song from that great movie Grease, but the theme of the new challenge over on Anything Goes.

What does that conjour up for you, for me it holds childhood memories of the beach, long hot sunny days, bike riding, picnics and fun all summer long.  How sad, that it's not the same these days, so I decided to turn a negative into a positive thing when making my card.

The image was given to me by a friend, and was wonderful to work with.  I have coloured here with Promarkers and Dovecraft Chalks.  The papers were some freebies last year, and have been sat in my stash.  The gorgeous stickers were from Accessorize (last year).  I made the sentiment with a Lili of the Valley stamp and some ribbon from my ribbon box.   The border was punched with a Deep Martha Stewart Punch and the flowers are from Papermania.

Hope this has made you smile, there's nothing quiet like making sandcastles in the rain on the beach!! 

Hugs to all

Diamonds are a girl's best friend .............

Morning to all my fellow crunchies out there.

I hope your day has started brilliantly and that the sun is shining wherever you are ..........

Today's card is for the Cutie Pie Challenge Blog Design Team.  Our theme this time is Glitter and Bling.  What girl doesn't love a little bit of sparkle, whether on her person or in her work.  So go on pop on over and join in and let your inner child out and play with that glitter.  Go on you know you want to.

I had great fun doing my card this time, the Tim Holtz stickles came out - it gave me an excuse to go out and buy that fantastic yellow - soooo pretty.    I chose to use a Humphrey image for this card.  It reminds me of my best pal.  The two of us sat drinking coffee, having a chat and putting the world to rights.

The gorgeous papers were freebies from Pink Paislee, the ribbon and flowers from Papermania, the fantastic birdcage from my stash and the senitment is from the Papermania Tulip Range.  I cut the image using a Spellbinders Nestie. 

I hope you enjoy looking at this one as much as I enjoyed making it.

Crafty hugs for now

Wings ............ where will they take you ??

Hi guys,

Wow, what a hectic week, apart from my normal blog posts for both the Cutie Pie challenge and Anything Goes challenge, there has been loads going on.

The Jubilee celebrations in the village last Monday were amazing and the local bands were brilliant.  I met some fantastic people who live in the village and had a brilliant day.  Congratulations to the committee who organised it.  It was fantastic.  

As I said I met lots of new people last week and thought I would just do this little extra post tonight to show you a card I made yesterday.  I was inspired by a close friend and made this.......

The image has been in my stash for some time now, and although I loved it never could think of exactly how to use it............  but for this card it was absolutely perfect.  I teamed it with Wellington, and sport orientated papers and some union flag ribbon and decorative rivets.

I have matted and layered this easel card and included a secret pocket with a matching tag inside.

 front

from above

 tag

 closed view

Crafty hugs for now

Travel ........ and much much more

Evening peeps

Hoping you are all well out there in blogland.

I've had a brilliant day today, met up with my mate Sacha, and we have been working on a couple of crafty projects, (sneek peeks at the end of the week).  Coffee, paper and gossip, what better way to spend the day.

Have you checked out the new challenge yet over on Anything Goes.  This week the theme is Around the world (Travel).  I love going out and about in the car - so the gorgeous Wellington from Papermania sprung to mind.  He's driving a beautiful blue car and the matching papers are fab.

The fab tags were cut on the cricut and distressed and then stamped with the wonderful Tim Holtz stamps and attached with a Tim Holtz fastner.  The ribbon is from my stash.  All the papers were distressed and sanded.  The inside was matted and layered and finished with a fab postbox so Wellington can send all his postcards.

Don't forget to check out the fab challenge.  Hope to see you over there.

Hugs  

  

All stitched up ..........

Hi,  how are you all in blogland today.  I hope that the weather we've been having has not dampened your creative spirit.

Today's card is for my other blog  The Cutie Pies.   It's monday again which means a new challenge and boy what a challenge it is.

I love sewing so this challenge was right up my street.

CHALLENGE #20  REAL OR FAUX

This fortnight's challenge is real or faux stitching.  This can be anywhere on your make, and in any colour or stitch.  So go on get your needle and thread or pokey tool out and let your imagination run wild....

This challenge is sponsored by the brilliant online store One Stop Craft Shop.  There is everything here to make a crafter happy.

And our random prize is sponsored by the gorgeous Digital Delights.  Their online digi store has so many gorgeous images.  

Here's my card for this fab challenge.  

I used the Wellington Die Cuts from Papermania and Wellington papers which were distressed with the fab Tim Holtz distressing tool and then distressed using Tim Holtz distressing dies.  The sewing was done by hand using normal embroidery threads (6 strands).  I used a Boofle (Papermania) embossing folder as well. The buttons were from my Stash.  Dad was cut on the Cricut and I finally finished the card off with some Card Candi  

Hope you like it.

Hugs

Black and one other colour .......

Does not have to be boring......  Over at the Anything Goes Challenge blog this fortnight our theme is black and one other colour (excluding hair and skin).

As a member of Docrafts I regularly participate in the Friendship swap organised on the forums every month and take great pleasure in both making and receiving my cards.

With this in mind I put my new Timmy stamps to good use and have made my card in Black and Yellows.

I used my fav umbrella man and birds as inspiration for this card and have used TH distress inks and a couture creations embossing folder as well.  The papers are from the papermania capsule collections.  And of course I stamped using Versamark inks.

I have fallen in love with Timmy all over again ....... his inspriational sentiments inspire me to make everyday worth living and to fill it with joy.

A quick hello to Mel who received this card.  I know she loved it.

So come on hop on over the the Anything Goes challenge blog and have a go at this fortnights challenge.  The other girls have made some wonderful inspriational projects for you to look at.  Don't forget that the Craft Den has some fab online shopping as well.

I have this week been busy doing my homework for a project that my friend Sacha is teaching me.  Sacha has just set up her own blog  http://justforyoupapercrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ and is now also a member of DC.

Also keep an eye on my blog over the next week or so - I have used Tim again and can't wait to show you and there will be blog candy soon.

Hugs to you all

Cuties are getting ready for easter ....

HI everyone.

Well is seems ages since I last blogged.  As some of you know I have recently moved and the last fornight has been spent trying to make my new house look less like a storage unit.  Everyone has been really helpful and I now finally have pictures up, crockery in cupboards and far more importantly craft stuff on my shelves.

It was also my MIL's 60th ..... so we had a party and all the girlies had new frocks.  Here are some pics of our fab night out

 My wonderful daughter and her estranged Dad

  me, my Mil and my estranged Hubby

The fantastic Cornwall women, left to right, my two sils, me and then my wonderful Mil.  Who certainly doesn't look a day over 50, let alone 60.

We had a great evening, there were lots of laughs and fun and most of all my MIL really enjoyed her party.




THE CUTIE PIE CHALLENGE ........

Well having got Mother's day over and done with, and to all of you MUMS out there may I wish you a happy mothers day.... you are all unsung heros ....

It's now time for EASTER .......... so at the Cutie Pies this fortnight we are getting ready for it ... our challenge is THINK PINK WITH RABBITS ........  pink and rabbits...... fab combination - such a great opportunity to let your cuteness shine through and be as yummy as you like.

Here's my card to inspire you all

  

I have layered lots of fab pink papers onto my card, my papers are from Papermania and First Edition and Kanban, my gorgeous heart doily is from my friend Sandimac (over on Docrafts).  I have layered up papers punched with a Martha Stewart Deep Edge punch and then added a Tulip Sentiment.  The lace was a fab prize from my friend Teresa (Craftingallday on Docrafts).  The ribbon is from my stash and the buttons are three bits of card candi topped with gems.  The gorgeous bunny  and egg basket is of course a Forever Friends decoupage, from last year's Easter Stash.

Hope you like it and it inspires you to make a fab pink bunny card of your own,  and if you need anymore inspiration go check out all the other DT inspiration cards over on the Cutie Pie Challenge blog.  

Hugs as always

My first Blog Award and Anything Goes

Hello my fellow crunchies.

I have some really exciting news.  I am really honoured to have been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award and would like to thank Tina for thinking of me, thanks for all the lovely comments you leave on my blog too.

The Liebster Blog Award is used to show appreciation of smaller blogs (under 200 followers) and to help spread readership and joy.

As part of the tradition the award is to be passed along to five other blogs that have motivated and inspired me.

The name comes from the German meaning Dearest or Beloved, but can also mean Favourite.

To accept this Award you must:

1.  Link back to the person's blog who gave it to you, and thank them.

2.  Post on your blog.

3.  Give to five other Bloggers who you appreciate and value.

4. Leave a comment on the five blogs you choose and let them know.

Now comes the difficult bit ...........  how do you only choose 5 - yes only 5 blogs to pass this award on to.    I have (in the words of Lloyd Grossman) deliberated and gogitated and have come up with the following who have inspired me.  They are in no particular order and I could have chosen many many more.

1.  Tamara at  Posh Cat Crafts 

2.  Lee at Crafty Loops 

3   Hazel at hazelshandmadecrafts.

4   Karen at redrottiecardsandcrafts

5   Wendy at The-craftmonkey

ANYTHING GOES CHALLENGE

Well today's Tuesday and that means it's time for another great challenge over at Anything Goes.  This is the second DT card I have made for this blog, and I just want to say that the team is fab and has made me very welcome.  Thanks guys.

The theme of our challenge this fortnight is Boys to Men.  I can hear you all groaning from here ........ YES it's a dreaded man card...........  why oh why can't they like hearts and flowers and pink and stick pins etc etc etc.  All the things us girlies love .............. sadly they don't but hey don't dispair the fab DT team have come up with some great cards to give you plenty of inspiration.  So why don't you pop on over and join in the fun.

My card has been made for my son's 13th birthday this year.  He's 13 on the 13th.  He's mad on motorbikes and is very into all this union jack stuff about - hence the theme of the card.  I have used a basic card from stock, and the new Papermania Portabello Road papers.  The image is a digi from Prairie Fairy and is coloured with Promarkers.  The sentiment has been layered onto glitter card and is from Kanban.  I distressed the edge of the papers with TH distress inks and used  spellbinder nesties to create my layers.  The fab union jack was a dog tag from Poochie Pets.  

Hugs and happy crafting.

Flower Power

Hi everyone

Well what a fortnight it's been. Firstly thanks to everyone who left comments for me and hugs on my Blue Valentine post.  -  I apologise for not posting much this week, but I am moving so things have been very busy.  I have a lovely new little house that I am sure the kids and I will be very happy in.

Anyway today's post is a card I made for my fantastic sister-in-law  for her birthday.  The card is also my DT card for the wonderful Cutie Pie challenge this fortnight.  The challenge is flower power.

I have used a Make it Crafty image for this card.  I love these - they are fab to colour and always look wonderful. The backing papers are first edition.  The sentiment is from the Tulip range by Papermania.  I have of course coloured her with promarkers.  The edges were inked with TH Distress Inks.   I kept it quite simple as I wanted the image to really stand out and the backing papers are really glitzy.

I hope that you'll pop on over and join in our fab challenge.

Hugs to everyone

The Cutie Pie Challenge - Mid week reminder

Have you popped over to The Cutie Pie Challenge and joining in the fun yet???????

No ..........  what are you waiting for ......  well please finish reading my blog post first.  lol

This is my GDT card for this fortnight's challenge.

It's a bingo board this fortnight and I choose the following:  Glitter, Pattern Papers x 2 and Flowers

So here she is..  The lovely image is from Prarie Fairy who are sponsoring this challenge:

 well because it's christmas and she has mistletoe.....

And heres a close up of the image

I used promarkers to colour my image, ranger stickles glitter glue to do the glittering.  The papers are from Papermania  and the coloured card is coredinations.

The sentiment "Just Because" was cut on the cricut.  The Poinsettia was cut on my trusty Bug using a Marionne Designs  die.

If you were a man ...........  would you kiss her ............. just because ..........  ????????

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and to leave all your comments.  They are always much appreciated.

I will be entering this into the following challenges:

My Partner in Crafting Crime - No 33 photo inspiration
Christmas Card Challenge - week 45 photo inspiration
Sentimental Sundays - challenge 76
The secret crafter - challenge 155 - as long as it sparkles
Bah-humbug - challenge 40 glitz and glitter

It's your birthday .............

And now one for the little girls in our lives.  My not so little girl thinks this image is really cute.  Come to think of it so do I.  I have a wonderful collection of Teddy Bears (8 to be exact) and the bear in the image reminds me of Charlie.

I used the sketch in A gem of a challenge as the basis for this card.

The papers are all papermania, as is the frame and the sentiment.  I coloured the image with promarkers.  The rosettes are made on my Hougie Board.  I three little stars are also papermania.

I am entering this into the following challenges

A gem of a challenge no 30
Top Tip Tuesday -challenge 51 - time for kids
Ruby's rainbow challenges
My Mums Craft Shop - no 24 boys and girls
Some Odd Girl
Fresh Brewed Challenge - no 65
I love promarkers - include a number (84)



Whilst having a bit of a hop around today I came across some fab sites that I had not seen before.  Lots of inspiration and some fab candy.  Sandra is celebrating over 21,000 hits on her blog  (OMG I have such a long way to go ...................)  Thats brilliant.  Anyway check out her candy in my side bar.  Congrats Sandra.

Also pop on over to my friend Lee.  Otherwise known as Loops.  Her candy is also in my side bar.  Lee has had over 10,000 hits in the short time she has had her blog.  Go on go and look at her flower creations they are to die for.

And lastly don't forget to check out the Cutie Pie Blog for some brilliant challenges.

Hugs

A little bit of star-gazing inspired this little gem.

I love tatty ted and this topper is just really cute.  The backing papers are the front cover of the tatty ted 12 x 12 collection of christmas papers.  The stars are by papermania and the sentiment is tatty ted.  A quick and simple but gorgeous card.  Inside the card was finished with  snowflake cut on the cricut, a Hunky Dory sentiment and a Tatty Ted decoration.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

A gem of a challenge - colour inspiration

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge 127

Woodware USA - Challenge 43 Happy Holidays

Paper Sundaes Challenge Challenge PSC 86 

Hi everyone from a damp and cold Somerset.

Some good news this week.  I have been asked to be a guest designer for the Cutie Pie Blog.  I am really excited about this.  The first challenge goes live on the 19th September.  Please be sure to check us out and join in.

Below is the first project I made this week with my new toy.  My fantastic hubby purchased a Cricut Expression and some cartridges for me last week and they arrived last Friday.  Although I had to wait until Monday (he needed to make space in his office for my machine) to be able to play with it.

The card is a girls birthday card.  It is an easel card.  I have used the Cricut to make the backing paper shape, the doily and the internal message on the card.  The decoupage is Tulip.  The Doily has trees cut into it which blend really well with the lovely Japanese card in which Tulip is walking.  The card used for the doily is a Papermainia cardstock, the blue backing paper is from the Tulip range.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges;

1. bunny zoes crafts challenge No 15 Easel Cards
2. Craftyboots Challenges
3. Make it Monday Challenge No 53
4. Birthday Sundaes Challenge No 25
5. Paper take weekly challenge Anything Goes

Good Morning and a bit of christmas fairy dust

Firstly sorry I have not been around much on the forums and the blogs for the last couple of weeks.  Have been spending time with the kids and sorting out all the back to school stuff they need.  I have tried to look all your lovely blogs in the weekend blog hop, but am sorry if I have missed any.

Well to get me back into things I decided to break open the Flower Fairy Christmas Decoupage pack I bought at a steam rally a couple of weeks ago.  I love the flower fairies and these are great.

I have used a double fold aperture card as my base, the papers used are from the papermania Christmas Goody Bag by Docrafts in July.  The image is by Crafters Companion.

On the inside I have added an velum panel and overlaid it with a further flower fairy image.

I hope you like it.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges

1. scrapbooksisters card challenge No 50
2. crafters companion monthly challenge
3. 
   

My first blog challenge - here goes nothing ............

Well I've read the instructions on how to do this and have found a challenge to enter.


I've made the card and hopefully will manage to link to it.


This is my card.  It's for the LOTV challenge - Thank you.

I coloured my LOTV image with promarkers - colours used are

Soft Peach, Pastel Yellow, Rose Pink, Pastel Blue,Moss, Vanilla, Ivory and Baby pink

I made my flower using the Tim Holtz Tattered florals die, together with a Papermania flower and a small pink sequin.  The lace edge is made using an X-Cut Border Die. The background was coloured with Dovecraft chalks - pastels and shimmers. The paper was a present from a friend.

1. liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge challenge 109a thank-you

A gift for you - tatty ted

I love Tatty ted and this image is just great.  What better way to show someone you care than to give them a beautifully wrapped gift.

The papers are from the Tatty Ted range as is the decoupage image.  I have matted and layered using Papermania Capsule Cardstock.  The ribbon is also from the tatty ted range.

feeling blue

Tatty ted card - made for friendship swap in August on Docrafts forum.

I have used the tatty ted papers and Papermania Capsule Cardstock to create this card.  The image has been stamped and coloured with Promarkers.

The ribbon and bow are made from Tatty Ted ribbon and secured with a tatty ted brad.  I have finished the card off with three flowers with card candy middles.