Hedgehog Hello!

Good morning to you. Thank you so much for your kind comments yesterday you are such wonderful cyber friends! I think I must have been having a bad day and I feel much brighter today - onwards and upwards as they say! Rowan has put weight on 4 1/2 ounces!! I knew he would I could just see that he was feeding properly.

Over at Crafty Sentiments today we have a new challenge and the theme for this one is everyone's favourite choice - Anything Goes!!!  Here is my card:

I have used the adorable Hedgehog Hello which is available here.  He has been coloured with Copics, chalks and a bit of Stickles to the butterfly.  I used my Dienamics Pierced Oval Stax to cut him out and then matted him onto Spellbinders Floral Ovals.  Papers are First Edition and Centura Pearl.  I used a new die I got at the NEC for the edge it is from Britannia Dies called Lattice Edge No 13.  Now those beautiful flowers were a present from Chrissy - thank you so much Chrissy they are fab! I used a punch for the leaf spray and the sentiment banner is from my stash.

Here is a side view:

We have a great prize this week for the lucky winner:

and why don't you go over to the store and check this out:

Thank you so much for looking today I really appreciate it! Take care xx

For The Man in Your Life

Today sees the start of a new challenge at Lexis Creations with the theme being For The Man in Your Life.  Here is my card:

The stamp is Kanban and sentiment Pink Petticoat. Papers are Nitwits.  Here is another view:

We are sponsored by Fairy Dust Crafts this fortnight.  Please go over to Lexis Creations to have a look at the rest of the DT work.

Big apologies to everyone for not visiting the last few days.  I am really struggling with my crafting and blogging at the moment and I feel a bit down.  Too much has been going on in my life with the worry of my daughter over the last few months and the even bigger worry with Dave.  He has his next bone scan next week and although I think it will be alright this time it is still very difficult to have to live with it.  Our cat has been ill and keeps going to the vet and each time he goes he seems to get worse.  He had two visits there last week, one overnight stay for IV fluids but is still not eating and looks a mess.  I think he must have a tumor either on his tongue or in his mouth.  On a brighter note Rowan seems to be taking feeds a lot better and will be weighed today and I feel quite positive he will have put weight on.  Thanks for bearing with me - I see I have lost a follower - I will catch up with you all soon! Thanks so much for looking and listening. Take care xx

Time to Clown Around

Good morning hope you are well, if not here's a big get well hug for you.  Today over at Digital Delights Blog the DT get to showcase some of Wendy's fabulous images from the Digital Delights Shop.  Here is what I made:

Items Used:

Digi Image: Cannonball Buttons Available here

Sentiment: Ticket Sentiment Set Available here

Papers: Circus Capers Digital Paper Pack Available here

Markers: Copics

Embossing Folder: Craft Concepts Starry Night

Die: Spellbinders Edgeabilities

Here is another view:

Have a look at the Digital Delights Blog to see what the rest of the DT have done.  Over at Delightful Challenges there is a new challenge starting and the theme this week is Love You Mum sponsored by Magnolia-licious who are giving the lucky winner a $15-20 surprise package! 

Challenges I would like to enter:

Penny's Paper Crafty - Masculine

Cardz 4 Guyz - Wheely Fun

Well regarding Rowan its a bit like pulling hen's teeth! He has put on the grand total of 1/2 an ounce!  He's such a cutie but just falls asleep when he starts feeding so its quite a chore to get his feeds down, I remember his mum being just the same but she didn't have problems gaining the weight.  At least he has put on and not lost so we are just persevering and the midwife is coming back on Monday to weigh him.  Thank you all so much for your kind comments regarding him I will post some more pictures next week hopefully when he's a bit fatter!!

Thank you so much for looking and your comments.  Not sure when I will be back probably not til Monday when my next DT is due.  I have no mojo at the moment for card making but have to get cracking with my May DT makes.  Take care xx

For The Boys

Good morning I hope your week is going well whatever you are up to!  Today sees the start of a brand new challenge at The Paper Shelter and the theme this week is For The Boys.  Here is my card:

I have used The Paper Shelter image Extreme which is available here.  I coloured him with my Copics but if you don't like colouring all Paper Shelter images come with a pre coloured one as well as one to colour.  The papers are a digi set from The Sweet Shoppe called A Boys Life. The skateboard comes with the set I, cut it out and mounted it on some card for stability and the put Glossy Accents on it. The dies I used are Dienamics Fishtail Stax, Oval Pierced Stax and Stars and the sentiment is also from a Dienamics set.  Here is another view:

I think Harrison would love this he is always mesmerised by the boys on skateboards when we go to the park. As always there is a wonderful prize that Veronica and Pedro are offering for one lucky winner:

So we would love to see your card and if you use a Paper Shelter image then you could win a $30 voucher for all other images you would win 3 images of your choice.  Please go along to The Paper Shelter challenge and see what the rest of the talented DT have done.

Challenges I would like to enter:


I am off early today to spend the day with my daughter and Rowan! The midwife is coming back today because when she came on Monday he had not put any weight on so fingers crossed! They are feeding him every three hours trying to get him to gain.  I hope you have a wonderful day whatever you are doing and a big thank you for coming to visit me! Take care xx

Card for a Special Boy

Good morning and I hope you are enjoying your weekend whatever you are doing and wherever you are!  I would like to share with you the card I made to give my daughter and her partner for Rowan's birth.

Items Used:

Image:  Magnolia Special Delivery coloured with Copics, Liquid Pearls and Stickles

Papers: Nitwits Petal Fresh

Sentiment: Pink Petticoat

Dies: Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One, Grand Labels One and Floral Ovals

La La Land Banner

Marianne Duck Rattle

Magnolia Doohickey Tag

Tim Holtz Letters

Embellishments: Pearls and Ribbon from Stash, Air Dry Clay and Picture Frame Mould

Close Up of the image:

Close Up of the Tag:

Side View:

I did make a box for it to go in but forgot to take a picture of that.

Challenges I would like to enter:

Dragonfly Dreams - For the Boys

Fairies Challenge:  Babies

The Squirrel and The Fox - Die Cuts/Punches

Divas by Design - Bundle of Joy

Allsorts - Birds and Feathers

Crafty Catz - The Letter B (Baby, Bow, Blue, Banner)

Kit and Clowder - Something Blue

Sweet Stampin' - Lots of Layers
2 Cute  Ink - Celebrate
Craft Dee Bowz - Anything Goes
Dutch Magnolia Lovers - Card For Boy/Man

Thank you so much for looking today and any comments you may leave, I hope you have a wonderful day. Take care xx

Clean and Simple

Good morning and hope you are all enjoying your Easter weekend.

We have a new challenge at Hobbycutz this week and the theme is Clean and Simple. I have made a card but it was a very rushed card and I am afraid its not very good at all but I didn't want to let the team down.

An awful picture too as I only took it this morning!  The sentiment is Pink Petticoat and the stamp is Hero Arts - don't look too closely as it hasn't even stamped properly but I didn't notice it until I tried to edit the photo!  For some lovely example please go over to Hobbycutz Challenge and see what the rest of the DT have done.

I am mega excited because today my daughter and her partner are bringing Rowan over for Easter lunch!! My sister is coming too and will bring her little dogs.  Can hardly wait but better get a move on as I am cooking a ham and I really need to get started!! Thank you so much for taking the time to look! Take care xx

Earth Friendly

Good morning and hope you are having a lovely Easter weekend.  We have a new challenge at Card Makin' Mamas and the theme this fortnight is Earth Friendly. We want to see you recycle or reuse something and it does not have to be  a card.  Here is what I did:

I took this

and made this

Before you say yummy the box was empty! The papers are some really really old ones from a scrapbooking set and the butterfly and tag were part of the set.  I used lots of flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and a Magnolia Doohickey doily die.

Our sponsor is Zap Pow Designs with a prize of three of their images. Please go over to Card Makin' Mamas and see what the rest of the DT have made.

Challenges I would like to enter:

Wild Orchid Crafts - Three Different Flowers

A quick update on Rowan he put 1 oz on!! They are coming over for Easter Sunday dinner tomorrow so I can't wait!  Hope you have something lovely planned for the weekend sending big hugs to all of you. Take care xx

Egg-stra Special

Good morning to you all, a bit dull here today oh well we had two days of sunshine!  Today is Delightful Thursday at the Digital Delights Blog when the DT get to showcase some of Wendy's fabulous images.  I decided to make an Easter Card:

How cute is she?? She is the adorable little Easter Kiddles available here and has been coloured with my Copics.  The papers are from the Pastel Perfect Paper set which is available here.  I printed the sentiment directly onto the paper and the sentiment comes from the Flower Pot Faces set which is available here.  I have used Spellbinders A2 Scalloped Borders One, Ovals and Scalloped Ovals with Dienamics Photo Corners.  The ribbon and heart are from my stash.  Here is another view:

This week over at Delightful Challenges the new challenge is Bloom - Include a Flower which is sponsored by Crafty Ribbons.

Challenges I would like to enter:

Hobbybook - Easter
Inky Impressions - Easter
Penny's Challenge - Ice Cream Colours (Strawberry, Vanilla, Pistachio and Blueberry)
Cuttin and Stampin - Easter
Cuttlebug Mania - Easter Eggs
Papertake Weekly - Happy Easter
Fan-Tastic Tuesday - Use Some Pastel Colours

I had some gorgeous cuddles with Rowan yesterday, bathed him and also took him for a walk! Unfortunately he has lost too much weight and is now down to 6lb 9oz the midwife is coming today to weigh him again and if he has lost more or not stabilised he will have to go back into hospital for feeding.  So fingers crossed he has managed to put some weight on.  Thank you so much for looking and your kind comments, take care xx

Mid-way at ALBC

Good morning hope you are having a good week. We are enjoying lovely sunshine here and doesn't it make you feel good?

I am a day late with my mid-way reminder for the challenge at A Little Bit Crafty where the theme this month is The Birds and The Bees.  Here is my card:

I used a little stamp I got from Little Claire at the NEC and stamped it twice.  Lightly coloured with Copics and chalk.  The papers are Nitwits Petal Fresh and Papermill cardstock.  I used Lil Inker Stitched Pennant die and Dienamics Fishtail Stax for the sentiment.  The flower is Dienamics Plentiful Petals and Memory Box Fresh Foilage for the leaves.  The little scalloped border is also Dienamics.  Here is a side view:

We have three fab sponsors and three wonderful prizes this month, for further details go over to A Little Bit Craft Blog and have a look.

That's it for me today - short and sweet. I am going over to Bolton today to get some cuddles from my newest grandson! Hope you have a wonderful day whatever you are up to and a big thank you for coming around to see me! Take care xx

White on White

Good morning its so sunny and lovely up here in the Northwest hope you have got some too wherever you are!  Today is a new challenge at Crafty Sentiments and the theme for this challenge is:

WHITE ON WHITE

so we want to see just white on your creation apart from your image which may be coloured. Remember if you use a Crafty Sentiment image your entry counts 3 times just add 3 after it, if you are a follower of the Inspirations Blog your entry will count 3 times so just add 3 after it and if you do both then your entry will count 6 times so add 6 after it! Here is my card:

I decided to go with a mono look for this one.  The image is Springtime Delight available here from Crafty Sentiments and I have coloured her with my Copics and some Stickles.  She has been cut out using Dienamics Stitched Oval Stax.  I used Centura Pearl and embossed it with two embossing folders and then cut it using Spellbinders A2 Bracket Borders One.  The flower is a Magnolia Doohickey die, Cheery Lynn Butterfly die and MB Precious Hearts. The pleated ribbon is from The Ribbon Girl.  

Here is another view:

We have a wonderful prize for the lucky winner:

There is also a Blog Hop:

You have until Monday 21st to join in so hop over to the challenge to see all the details!

I am so pleased to see that Rowan went home yesterday afternoon! Thank you so much for all your kind comments its heartwarming to know there are such lovely people around in Blogland! Take care xx

Focus on the Sentiment

Firstly a billion thank yous for all your kind wishes its so heart warming to read them all.  Rowan is coming on now in leaps and bounds. He has had all his lines and tubes removed and is now back on the ward with Mummy!  Everything seems to be sorted and they are just keeping an eye on him but he seems to be feeding well now and the new parents are hoping they will be able to take him home today.  Aren't they resilient?  They deteriorate so quickly but on the up side they bounce back really fast with the right treatment.  A big thank you to everyone concerned at Bolton Hospital!

I am now getting back to normality the boys have left so it has been a somewhat chaotic but lovely weekend I have put a couple of pictures on the end of my blog! I will catch up with you all now and see what I have missed.

Today is the start of a new challenge at Lexis Creations and the theme for this challenge is Focus on the Sentiment.  Here is my card:

I am not really happy with how this turned out but I had to get all my DT cards done ahead of time and didn't really have time to change it.  The focus is one from Fairy Dust Crafts available here. I used my dienamics Fishtail Stax with some First Edition papers.

The sponsor this challenge is Fairy Dust Crafts.  Please go over to the challenge here to see the rest of the DT makes for some more inspiration.

Here are a couple of pictures of my grandsons from the weekend:

this was taken in Granddad's shed playing on the train set.

painting his Easter decorations!!

Thank you so much for looking today and all your support over the last few days. Take care xx

Rowan Update

A huge thank you for all your heartwarming wishes it really helps ease the anxiety when I read all your beautiful comments - thank you one and all.

A quick update on the little chap.  He has responded to the tube feeding and antibiotics.  His blood sugars have now stabilised and he is improving with the antibiotics which have been changed today. We are still waiting for the results of the blood cultures which should be tomorrow. The tremors and jerking seem to be just about gone too.  He has actually taken two feeds as well!  He has now been transferred from ITU to SCBU so we have had a much better day!  Here is a picture of one tired but happier grandma:

My son and two little grandsons are on their way up so it will be all systems go for the weekend!  Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart for all your kind wishes, big hugs Susan xxx

Thanks for all your good wishes for my grandson. Unfortunately he has been taken to ICU today. The poor little darling has an infection, low blood sugars and failure to feed very well. Hopefully he will respond to antibiotics and tube feeding. I am praying tomorrow he will turn the corner hugs Susan x

Delightful Thursday

Another scheduled post - hopefully! If you want to see my gorgeous new grandson see the previous post!!

Hello time for another Delightful Thursday over at Digital Delights Blog and this week I have this cutie for you:

I have used Swinging Dolly and she is available to purchase here from Digital Delights. The papers are Echo Park Sweet Day and I have coloured the image with my Copics.  I have used different flower and leaf punches for the flowers.  Marianne fence die and Dienamics Blueprints 11 for the sun.  Spellbinders Beaded Oval Nesties for the image mat and Dienamics Pierced Oval Stax to cut the image out.  Here is another view:

Don't forget over at Delightful Challenges we have a new challenge starting today and the theme is You're Egg-stra Special - include an egg or oval shape on your project. The winner will receive a $25 certificate to the Twinery!

Thank you so much for looking today I really appreciate it.  If I have not got round to see you yet I will catch up at some point! Take care xx

Wonderful News!

Just to thank you all for your well wishes for my daughter today and to let you all know that she had a beautiful Baby Boy at 9:34 this morning by C Section.  He weighed in at 7lb 5 oz and both are doing well!

Here is a picture of one very proud and exhausted Grandmother with her newest precious Baby Grandson:

I had not slept last night through worry so quite worn out when this was taken this afernoon and his temperature had dropped to 35 that's why he's all wrapped up!! Can't wait to see him tomorrow! Thanks for all your kind comments lots of hugs, Susan xx

Easter Time

I have scheduled this post so fingers crossed!

Today we have a brand new challenge at The Paper Shelter and the theme this week is:

EASTER TIME

We want to see your Easter creations and here is mine:

I have used the super cute Little Easter Bunnies from The Paper Shelter which you can get here. I coloured it with Copics and chalk and added Glossy Accents to the paint which naturally you can't see!  The papers are Nitwits Hoppy Hearts.  The image has been cut out using Dienamics Pierced Rectangle Stax.  Border is made using an EK Punch.  I have used Cheery Lynn Priscilla Doily and Tags 2 for the sentiment which is an Inca Stamp. Ribbon, vlowers and butterfly from my stash. Here is another view:

Different light so this one has a slight pink tinge to it! As always there is a fabulous prize for the lucky winner:

Please pop over to The Paper Shelter challenge to see the rest of the DT's work - fabulous!  A big thank you for coming to see me I really appreciate it. Take care xx

Flora and Fauna

Good morning and I hope you are enjoying your weekend whatever you are doing. We had a lovely time yesterday with Dave's family, had fun playing on the Wii.  Max is so competitive and wants to win all the time that he won't give you time to read the instructions just goes straight into the game saying oh its easy you'll  know what to do!!

Today sees the start of a new challenge at Hobbycutz and the theme this week is Flora and Fauna. Here is my card:

My image is by our Sponsor this week which is Crafty Sentiments and the image is called Delightful Flowers and I have coloured him with my Copics.  The paper is First Edition Spring Drop and I have used my Spellbinders A2 Scalloped Borders One on the edge.  I made my own card blank using Go Kreate XXL Scalloped Square.  I embossed the blue cardstock using a butterfly embossing folder called Wings by Craft Concepts. Dienamics Stitched Squares to cut out the image and their Mini Tabs Foursome for the Pink Petticoat sentiment.  For the lasercut butterfly from Hobbycutz I used Art Institue Glitter on it so its lovely and sparkly IRL. I coloured the little gem flowers with my Copics to match the colours of the card.  Here is another view:

Please have a look at the Hobbycutz challenge to see the gorgeous work from the rest of the DT. Don't forget to have a look in the Hobbycutz Store as there are some fabulous lasercuts to be had.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Open Minded Crafting - Animal Antics
Pumpkin Spice - Ducks or Bunnies
Sunflowerfield - Easter or Spring
Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz - Springtime
Polkadoodles - Animal Magic
Simply Create Too - Easter or Bunnies

I am having a nice and relaxing day today! Next week is going to be so busy - my daughter is going in on Wednesday to have her baby by section. I am going over on Tuesday to be with her and I will be spending the night and going to the hospital with them the next day. I will then be with her all day Thursday and Friday for support as her partner will be at work. We thought it best if he didn't start his paternity leave til the following Monday so he will have more time at home with them to help.  My son and two beautiful grandsons are coming up Friday so it will be all go here!!  So apologies now if I don't get round to see you much during the week.  Thank you so much for looking and take care xxx

I'm In Pieces

Good morning and a happy weekend to you hope you have something nice planned! We have a new challenge over at Card Makin' Mamas and the for this challenge we want to see your Buttons, Bits and/or Baubles (Sequins, Beads, Confetti etc) hence the name of my post in case you were wondering - Dave Clark Five!  Here is my card:

The image is quite an old set from Inkadinkado the sentiment and hearts are also in the set.  I made my own card blank using Spellbinders Grand Scalloped Rectangles and Dienamics Blueprints.  The papers are from Sweet Shoppe Designs "Measured in Love".  I used my Lil' Inker Stitched Pennant for the sentiment.  Here is a side view:

We have Dave's Daughter, Son in Law and grandchildren Emma and Max coming over today so that will be good fun! I hope you have a lovely weekend whatever you are doing and thank you so much for looking! Take care xx

Delightful Thursday

Good morning and welcome to another Delightful Thursday over a the Digital Delights Blog and as its the first Thursday of the month we have a new release for you!  Here is my card:

I have made an easel card for a change.

Items Used:

Images: Digital Delights Royal Frog available here

Digital Delights Princess Delightful available here

Sentiment: Happy Ever After Sentiment available here

Markers: Copics

Papers: Nitwits Romance Roses

Dies/Punches: Spellbinders Grand Ovals and Grand Scalloped Ovals and

Tonic butterfly border punch

Embellishments: Bling from Etsy, Liquid Pearls, Ribbon from Stash

Here is a side view:

Please go over to the Digital Delights Blog to see the rest of the new releases from the fabulous DT. Over at Delightful Challenges the new challenge this week is "Hip to Be Square" we want to see your square cards and the sponsor is Scrapyland with a $10 certificate for the winner.

Challenges I would like to enter:

Fab 'n Funky - Fairytale/Fantasy

Creative Card Crew - Animals

Cuttlebug Mania - Make us Smile

Crafting From The Heart - Cute and Cuddly

Craft Your Passion - Shaped Cards

Well thank you so much for looking today I really appreciate it.  Take care xx

Happy Birthday

Good morning and I am a day late with this post (red face).  Firstly a big Happy Birthday to A Little Bit Crafty - we were one year old yesterday wow where has that year gone??? We have a new challenge and the theme this month is:

THE BIRDS AND THE BEES

So anything with birds or bees (or both) on them. Here is my card:

The image is a Penny Black stamp and the sentiment LOTV.  I have coloured it with Copics and added some Glamour Dust for a bit of sparkle.  Papers are First Edition Hide Away.  I used my new  Jus Cutz Hexagon Large dies I got from the NEC for the card shape.  The Daisy Bouquet die is by Joanna Sheen from the NEC too.  I cut out one of the bees from the set and used it as an embellishment.  The honeycomb embossing folder is a Tim Holtz one.  Here is another view:

We have some wonderful sponsors this month:

Little Claire with this fab set:

Crafty Individuals with this fab set:

Angel Crafts have kindly donated a kit

Please go over to A Little Bit Crafty to see the rest of the DT work. You have almost a month to enter and we love to see any crafty projects not just cards!

I would like to enter Craft Your Passion Challenge which is for shaped cards.

I am off on the train to Manchester today with a friend for a spot of shopping, champagne and lunch.  Thank you for coming to see me I really appreciate your visits and any comments you may leave. Take care xx

April Showers

Good morning to you.  Today sees the start of a new challenge at Crafty Sentiment and the theme this week is:

APRIL SHOWERS

so that means any kind of shower: baby, bridal, weather. Here is my card:

I have used Primrose Splish Splash stamp and she is available here - currently on sale! She has been coloured with my Copics and Stickles added.  The papers are Bo Bunny Alora.  I have used my Memory Box Puffy Clouds and Petite Umbrella dies, the umbrella has been paper pieced.  The image has been cut out with Dienamics Stitched Rectangle Stax and then matted onto cardstock. Here is another view:

There is a fabulous prize this week:

We also have a Guest D.T. call going on so please go over to Crafty Sentiments and check out all the details and the rest of the DT work.

Challenges I would like to enter:

Kaboodle Doodles - Spring is Coming

Melonheadz - Time For Spring

One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes

Di's Digi Designs - Welcome Spring

Polkadoodles - Spring is in The Air

QKR Stampede - Rain Rain Go Away

Stempelsonnen - Spring is Here

Well thank you so much for looking today and any comments you may leave, its always such a pleasure to read them and I appreciate it takes time to leave them.  Take care xx