Photo Inspiration

Good morning hope you are all refreshed for your week ahead.  We had a beautiful day yesterday with clear blue skies all day and this morning is the same although quite frosty at the moment.

We have a new challenge at Card Makin' Mamas and for this fortnight's challenge we have a photo inspiration.  Here is my card:

And here is the photo inspiration picture:

I used the colours and the vase of tulips for my inspiration.  The tulip stamp is by Hero Arts which I have had for many years and I actually coloured it with my Distress Markers!! Used some Glossy Accents on the vase.  The image was then cut out using my Dienamics Stitched Square Stax and matted on a Marianne die cut mat. Papers are Nitwits Petal Pixies and I used Memory Box Corner Bow. Here is another view:

I was quite pleased that I actually used my Distress Markers to colour the image as I have had them yonks and not really used them though I much prefer my trusty Copics.  Please head over to Card Makin' Mamas and see what the rest of the team have done.

Challenges I would like to enter:

Come and Get It - Easter/Spring
Sentimental Sunday - Flowery Spring
That Craft Place - Flowers and/or Mother's Day
Fairy Tale Challenge - One Old Stamp
Polkadoodles - Spring is in the Air

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

Animal Magic

Good morning to you all and hope you are well - if not here's a big hug!  Today is the start of a new challenge at The Paper Shelter and the theme this week is:

ANIMAL MAGIC

Here is my card:

I have used the beautiful The Best Nap Ever which is available to purchase at The Paper Shelter. Don't forget when you get one of the beautiful digis they come in a set which includes the image both coloured and not coloured for you to colour and beautiful backing papers too.  I coloured the image myself with my Copics.  The papers are Nitwits Bonnets n Bowties.  I have used my MS PATP Cherish punch on Centura Pearl Card and the image has been cut using Dienamics Stitched Rectangle Stax.  The banner is La La Land, flower a Marianne die and the banner is Lil' Inker but I'm not sure who the sentiment is by possibly Lil Inker too and I stamped it in Color Box  Ink Turquoise.  Here is another view:

Please go over to The Paper Shelter Challenge and see what the rest of the DT have done - WOW! As usual there is a fabulous prize for the lucky winner:

Really worth entering, especially if you use a Paper Shelter image!

Challenges I would like to enter:

to follow

Thought I would show you a picture Dave took of the churchyard in  our little village we go to for our shopping:

Its really beautiful when you walk through it and very popular with Brides this time of year!  I am off out this afternoon with my daughter to pick up the pram!  Have a wonderful day whatever you are doing. Thank you so much for coming by. Take care xx

Stack It Up

Hello there, ready for the weekend?  I am scheduling this as I have gone to London with my daughter to stay with my son and grandsons until Monday.  We are all going to the big Baby Show tomorrow.  Thank you all for your kind comments regarding my daughter's hospital visit yesterday. It all went well and we have a really in depth plan for the birth and following days.  She will have to stay in hospital for 4 - 5 days following the birth.  They have a mother and baby unit at Wythenshaw - the only one in the Northwest - should she need to be admitted but I am hoping and praying that it won't be needed but we were shown around it yesterday.

Today sees the start of a new challenge at Card Makin' Mamas and the theme is Stack It Up - we want to see 3 or more layers.  Here is my card:

The image is a rubber stamp from Unity which I have coloured with Copics.  The papers are a digital set called I've got Sunshine by Traci Reed at Sweet Shoppe Designs.  I have used the following dies:  Dienamics Pierced Rectangle Stax, Spellbinders A2 Scalloped Borders, Go Kreate Tag, Cheery Lynn Large, Medium and Miniature Rose and Marianne Leaf.  The ribbon and sentiment are from my stash.  The sign with the quote on it comes with the paper set. Here is another view:

Please go over to Card Makin' Mamas and see the rest of the Design Team and for more details of the challenge.

Thank you so much for looking today and for any comments you may leave, it is always lovely to read them all! Take care xx

Oh Patches

Good morning to you. Time for another challenge over at Crafty Sentiments where the theme this week is everyone's favourite Anything Goes.  Here is my card:

I have used the super cute Patches Puppy Surprize which was one of the new releases last month and is available to purchase here from the Crafty Sentiments shop.  I coloured Patches with my Copics and added Stickles to all the bits of packing around him.  Papers are Nitwits Perfect Pair and the flowers come with the Nitwits I have just cut them out and layered them.  I cut Patches out with Dienamics Stitched Circle Stax and layered him on Spellbinders Beaded Circle Nestie.  I used a Marianne border die but you really can't see it I have covered it up!  Leaves are MB Fresh Foilage and Whimsy Corner Dies.  The sentiment is LOTV, pearl hearts are from The Hobby House and acrylic flowers from my stash.  Here is another view:

There is a fabulous prize on offer to the lucky winner:

Remember if you use a Crafty Sentiments image just add 3 after your name and you will get 3 chances of winning.  If you are a follower of the Crafty Sentiments Inspiration Blog add a 3 after your name for 3 chances of winning too. If you use a Crafty Sentiments image and are a member of the Inspiration Blog then add 6 after your name for 6 chances of winning!!  Please go over to the Challenge and see what the rest of the fabulous DT have done - wow!

Challenges I would like to enter:

Crafting from The Heart - Anything Goes use Flowers
Digi Makeover - Add Dimension
Eureka Stamps - Animal Friends
Addicted to Stamps - Pink and White
Papertake Weekly - Lovely Layers

Well Dave's after dinner talk went well last night, it was for Tangent so I think he quite enjoyed being the only man in a room full of ladies!  I have my only free day this week today so I am going to enjoy some crafty time in my garret! Thank you so much for looking I really appreciate it, take care xx

Mid-Way (Almost) At A Little Bit Crafty

Good morning to you all.  Friday again another week almost gone.  It is mid-way at A Little Bit Crafty for our Man-Up Challenge well it will be tomorrow but seeing as I have another card to post tomorrow for Sassy Designs Hop I decided to post my mid-way card today!  As the title suggests we want to see your masculine themed projects which can be anything handmade with a masculine theme, I have made another card:

I first saw this Kanban stamp on Liz's blog and really liked it so had to have it.  I lightly coloured it with some Prisma Pencils and cut it out using Spellbinders Labels 3.  The papers are Basil Grey Serenade and the banner is a Marianne die.  Charm and twine from my stock.  The cardstock is not black its a blueish green colour to match the papers but it has come up black on the photo.  The compass in the corner is also a stamp from the set and I used Weathered Wood DI to stamp it. Here is another view:

We have three fabulous sponsors so please go over to A Little Bit Crafty and check out all the details, you have almost two weeks left to enter.

Challenges I would like to enter:

Crafty Girls Challenge - Anything Goes
Cards and More - Men's Cards Only
Try It On Tuesday - Travel
Crafty Bloggers - All About the Boys
Crafty Cardmakers - A Man's World

Thank you so much for looking today, take care xx

Whose Birthday Is It??

Good morning to you all and I hope your week got off to a flying start.  Today is the start of a new challenge at Crafty Sentiments we had over 200 entries for the last one!!  This week our theme is:

B I R T H D A Y

so whose birthday is it then? You must have someone with a birthday coming up or maybe just one for your stockpile? Here is my contribution, put your sunglasses on:

This will chase away the winter blues won't it?  I have used the scrummy Primrose Butterfly Girl which is available here.  Card base was made using Spellbinders Grand Decorative Labels One. The tree is a Memory Box die and the bird, fence and envelope are all Marianne. Sentiment is a rub on. Here is another view:

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

This fabulous rubber stamp 2 Hearts from the New Collection being released tomorrow! And remember you can have up to 6 chances of winning: become a follower of Crafty Sentiments Inspiration Blog then put a 3 after your name, if you use a Crafty Sentiments image put a 3 after your name and if you are both a follower of the Inspiration Blog and have used a CS image then put a 6 after your name.

We are also having a Design Team call for our Inspiration Blog check out all the details here. Please go over the Crafty Sentiments Challenge Blog and see the beautiful creations from the rest of the DT.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Through the Purple Haze - Favourite Colour (Mine is Pink)

Stampin' for the Weekend - Happy Birthday

Little Miss Muffet - Fussy Cutting

Moving Along With The Times - Girly Cards

Seize the Birthday - Colouring

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

What's New Pussycat?

Here I am again, this time with my Sassy Creation.  If you would like to see my Paper Shelter post it can be found here or scroll down.

Over on the Sassy Facebook Page there is a new challenge starting today which will last til 14th February.  You get a fab image to play with Sassy Pin Up Cat please see the post on Facebook for all the details of how to get your image.  Here is my card:

Now that is one Sassy gal!  I have coloured her with my Copics and cut her out with my new Dienamics Stitched Rectangle Stax.  Papers are Bo Bunny Crazy Love.  I made the sentiment on my PC and cut it with Lil' Inker Stitched Pennant, another favourite.  The cats and heart are Marianne dies and the border is a Dienamics die.  Here is another view:

So get your skates on and pop over to our Facebook page here and find out how to get your hands on this Sassy Girl.

Challenges I would like to enter:

Thank you for calling by today its always nice to see you! I will be back tomorrow, take care xx

Cameo Role

Good morning hope you are okay on this sunny Wednesday morning - no rain so far!! Thank you so much for your kind comments yesterday its so nice to know there are such wonderful people around in blogland!

Today I have a card I made Monday for fun.

A very wonky photo and yes I am wearing a red cardie - that bloomin' mirri card!  The stamps are all Waltzingmouse stamps and I have used Spellbinders Ovals,  Floral Ovals and Labels Four to cut and mount.  The card is Centura Pearl so IRL has a lovely sheen.  The corner die is a Marianne die.  Ribbon from stash, pearl rope and button from The Ribbon Girl and spacer from E Bay.  Here is a side view without my cardie:

I will come back and enter challenges.

I hope you all have a wonderful day whatever you are doing! Thank you so much for taking the time out to visit me and any comments you may leave, I will see you tomorrow! Take care xx

Celebrate

Hello there and a big Happy New Year to you all!  I hope you all had a wonderful festive holiday and are all raring to go.  I had a fabulous time, very hard work with a lot of entertaining but I loved every second!  My son and grandsons left yesterday after coming up for New Year so sorry I have not been round to see you but I have literally not stopped.

 I am late posting this as there is a new challenge at A Little Bit Crafty and the theme this month is Celebrate.  We want to see your creations with the theme of celebrations - this could mean Birthdays, New Year, new job, new birth, engagement, anniversary, wedding and so on.  It does not have to be card you can enter anything crafty you have made yourself.  Here is my card:

The image is Whiff of Joy and I coloured it with my Copics. I don't know who the paper is by I didn't write it down!  The shutters are a Poppy die and I used MFT Dienamics Blueprints for the mat.  I made a window box and scored it with my Scor-Pal and added the flowers.  The ivy is a Marianne die and the little sentiment tags are LOTV.  The flowers were very kindly donated by Petal Lu, one of our sponsors this month - thank you! Here is another view:

We have some wonderful sponsors this month:

£10 Selection of Blossoms

Gruffies and Happy Hoppers CD

£15 Voucher to Spend at Scribble and Scrap

I am so sorry I can't provide the links to the sponsors but my pc is playing up big time this morning it has taken me 50 minutes just to do this so I am afraid I will have to leave it at this for now.  If it starts behaving later I will try and get back to link up and maybe enter a challenge!

Thank you so much for looking and I am going to catch up with you all!! Take care xx

Christmas Time

Good morning to you all  I hope you are having a good week!  Today sees the start of a new challenge at Crafty Sentiments and the theme this week is Christmas.  Here is my card:

I have used Snowman and Friends which is available here from Crafty Sentiments.  He has been coloured with Copics and Stickles and I added some Liquid Pearls for snow.  The background has been put through a snow embossing folder.  The poinsettia is a Marianne Die and I added some WOW embossing powder to the veins.  Tag is Cheery Lynn Tags 2 and the image has been cut and matted with Spellbinders.

We have a fabulous prize this week:

and you can get up to 6 chances to win by: popping a 3 after your name if you have used a Crafty Sentiments product, pop a 3 after your name if you become a follower of the Crafty Sentiments Inspirations Blog or put a 6 after your name if you have done both!!

We also have some exciting news to share:

Whoo hoo make sure you tune in to see some fabulous products!!

That's all from me for today thank you so much for looking and take care xx

Hostess Monday

Good Morning to you all, hope you had a nice weekend.  We had a quiet one as we have both been laid low with this virus.  I am now starting to have a mild panic about Christmas preparations.  I have done most of my Christmas present buying just a couple to get.  The decorator is coming today to decorate the lounge and the carpets are being fitted on Thursday and Friday but no date as to when the suite is coming!!!  I haven't been able to get any of my Christmas decorations out yet and I haven't planned my menus - eeeek!  Is anyone else starting to feel a slight bit of panic setting in?  I guess it well be alright on the day as they say - here's hoping!

Anyway today my card is one I made for Digital Delights Blog as it is my turn to Hostess:

Yes another shadow box card! I do love them they look really good in real life and so easy to make!  I have used Digital Delights Standing Santa and he has been coloured with Copics and Stardust Stickles.  The snowflakes paper is Nitwits.  Spellbinders Dies Labels Thirteen, EK Success Border Punch, Cheery Lynn Tags Two and Whimsy Snowflake Die.  The tree and deer are Marianne and have been covered with Frantage. Here is another view:

Thank you so much for looking today, I will be back later with my second post of the day!! Take Care xx

Abracadabra!

Good morning to you all!  Thursday already where is this week going?  Manchester was great yesterday all the cabins in the market were lovely didn't have any mulled wine but went to the champagne bar instead!

Over at Digital Delights Blog it is time for Delightful Thursday with some fabulous creations from the DT.  I have made a 'magic' card (hence the name of my blog post) following a tutorial on Marianne's blog Mariannes papiverden which can be found here.

I have used the delightful Christmas Flower Daffy which is available here to purchase.  The papers are Papermania Silent Night and I have coloured her with Copics and added Liquid Pearls around the image.  The border punch is by EK Success.  I have cut and matted her using Spellbinders Grand Oval and Grand Oval Scallop Nesties.  The felt roses are made using Marianne dies and I have put them on some holly leaves using CC Cutter die poetic license as I know roses don't have holly leaves!  Here is the inside:

I have used Digital Delights Christmas Hugs Sentiments which are available here to purchase. The sentiment has been cut using Spellbinders Labels 18.  Here is a side view:

Today sees the start of a new challenge over at the Delightful Challenges blog and the theme this week is Favourite Things (use your favourite embellishment or technique). The prize is a £10 voucher for Crafty Ribbons!

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Simon Says - Anything Goes
Stampin' For The Weekend - Feeling Festive

Thank you so much for looking today, I will be back later with my second post of the day!! Take care xx

Shop Til You Drop

Good morning dear friends, hope you are well today - if not wishing you a speedy recovery!  Well, our trip to London went well.  It was a Celebrity Pointless and also had the theme of the Eighties. So Alexander and Richard came out wearing Eighties clothes and permed wigs!

Time for a brand new challenge at The Paper Shelter and the theme this week is Shopping Spree!
Quite a good one for me as I am off on the train today to meet my friend in Manchester for exactly that purpose as well as lunch and look round the German Market!  Here is my card:

I decided to make an Easel Card and used the super gorgeous Follow Me On Fairy Book which is available here from The Paper Shelter. She has been coloured with Copics and I used chalks for the sky.  The papers are Nitwits - Always and Forever.  I have used Spellbinders Labels 18 for the sentiment which is computer generated and says "Take it easy on your birthday - shop on line".  I also used Memory Box Precious Hearts, Spellbinders Rose Creations, Marianne Ivy and MS Cherish border punch. Here is another view:

As usual there is a fabulous prize up for offer:

This is really worth entering as I love Paper Shelter images they are so much fun to colour AND if you don't really like colouring or don't have a lot of time then they come with a coloured image too! Please go over to the challenge to see some fabulous work from the rest of the A Team.  Thank you so much for looking today, take care xx

Eskimo Emily

Good morning to you, its very dark, wet and windy here in Blackpool this morning. I had a good day yesterday and managed to get some of my Christmas shopping done.  I bought my wrapping paper too and its my intention to wrap as I go along - we shall see!

Today over at Digital Delights it is Delightful Thursday when the DT show what they have come up with using Wendy's fabulous designs.  Here is my card:

I have used one of my favourite images Eskimo Emily available here from Digital Delights. She has been coloured with Copics and I added lots of Flower Soft to her trim and Liquid Pearls to look like snow.  The sentiment is from the Caroling Sentiment Set which is available here. I cut the sentiment out with a Spellbinders Ribbon Banner die and distressed it with Weathered Wood DI whilst still in the die.  The image has been cut and matted using Spellbinders Long Classic and Scalloped Rectangles with Weathered Wood to the edges.  Papers are First Edition Silent Night and I have used my favourite  Spellbinders Curved A2 Border.  The snowflake is a Marianne die and I have added Stickles to it and the trees are a Memory Box die.

Please go over to Digital Delights as there are some wonderful projects by the DT to see!  Also at Delightful Challenges a new challenge is starting today and the theme is Thankful sponsored by Robin's Nest.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge - Winter Wishes
Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes with a Twist of Christmas
Divas by Design - Something Snowy
The House that Stamps Built - Snow Fun

Well that's it for me but I will be back later with my second post of the day! Thank you so much for looking, take care xx

Glitter and Sparkle

Good morning I have scheduled this as I have had to go down to London so I will be with my gorgeous grandsons at the moment!

Today sees the start of a brand new challenge over at Hobbycutz and the theme this week is Glitter and Sparkle - whoopee don't we all just love that!  Our Sponsor this week is Floppy Latte and I have used one of their sentiments:

The sentiment is round but I did stretch it a bit in Word so it would fit in the oval shaped opening of this gorgeous Hobbycutz laser cut.  Kobie has some fabulous lasercuts available here at the shop its certainly worth having a look round there is lots to see! The papers are Memory Box Mistletoe and Holly.  I have painted the lasercut first then added some Aged Scarlet Frantage to it it looks gorgeous IRL.  The poinsettia is a Marianne Die as is the holly.  I have also used some Aged Hunter Frantage too on the spacer.  Ribbon is from my stash. Here is another view:

Please go over to the challenge and see what the rest of the wonderful DT have done there are some fabulous projects!

Thank you so much for looking, take care xx

New Release at Digital Delights

Good Morning to  you all! I had a wonderful time in Spain the weather was really warm I even made it for a swim in the sea!

Today is the first Thursday of the month which means it is time for the new releases at Digital Delights!

How much fun do these cuties look!  Here is my card:

This cute little chap is called Festive Monkey and he is available to buy here from Digital Delights. I decided to go for a Circle side step card and used my Grand Circle Nesties to cut out a large circle then I followed a tutorial for the folds, I think the tutorial was on Splitcoaststampers. I coloured him with Copics and added Stickles for some sparkle. The papers are Recollections Sugar Plum which I  bought  in Florida about five years ago!  I have used SB Labels Four to cut the image out and mat it.  The Santa and reindeer is Cheery Lynn which I have cut out with Centura Pearl. Glitter card in green and a Marianne die for the tree, Memory Box Frosty Border and CC Designs Holly and Berry.

Over at Delightful Challenges there is a new challenge starting and the theme this week is All That Glitters with a fabulous prize of $15 store voucher to Scrapyland.  Please go over to the Digital Delights Blog and see what the rest of the super talented DT have done for some brilliant inspiration.

I am in a bit of a rush this morning Dave has an appointment at 8:30 with his oncologist so I need to go get ready!  If I haven't been round to catch up with you yet I will soon!  Thank you so much for looking, I will be back later with my second post of the day (a bit like buses aren't I). Take care xx

Day 3 - Angel

Good morning I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  Today is the last day of the previews for the new stamps that will go on sale tomorrow at Crafty Sentiments.  We are previewing Angel today - here she is:

Angel has been coloured with Copics and Glamour Dust added to her wings.  She has been cuth with SB Grand Ovals and matted onto Grand Decorative Ovals One.  The doily is made with a Cheery Lynn die called Priscilla.  The poinsettia is a Marianne die and it has had the Frantage Shabby Blue treatment.  The silver leaves and pearl flat back are from my stash.  Papers are MME All Is Bright.  The sentiment is Pink Petticoat cut out with Cheery Lynn Tags 2.  Ribbon from The Ribbon Girl and charm from my stash.

For more fabulous projects made with this gorgeous image please go over to Crafty Sentiments Designs Inspiration Blog.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Simon Says - Christmas/Winter Holiday
Addicted to Stamps - Christmas is Coming
Allsorts - Ribbons and Bows
Polkadoodles - Christmas is coming
Sister Act - Anything Goes
C.R.A.F.T.- Christmas
Crafty Little Fairies - Christmas in October

Thank you so much for looking today! See you soon and take care xx

Delightful Thursday

A big good morning to you all.  Today is Delightful Thursday over at Digital Delights blog, the DT have done some fabulous work to inspire us all.  Here is my card:

This little guy is called Haystacks and he is available here and his little friend is Screechy the Crow available here.  The sentiment is from the Spring Sentiments Set which is available here, I have printed it directly onto the DP. Both images were coloured with Copics.  Haystacks has been cut with Grand Nestie Ovals and layered onto Grand Scalloped Ovals with the edges being distressed with some Antique Linen DI.  I have used my Cheery Lynn Burlap die and the flower and leaf are Marianne dies.  I have cut one of the flower layers out with some burlap - I brought rather a lot off Amazon so I have to use it up!! The papers are Raspberry Road and Kraft.  Twine and Card Candi from my stash.  Here is another view:

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps - Make Your Mark
Divas By Design - Autumn Colours
Inky Impressions - Fall/Autumn Colours
Rhedd and Rosie - Autumn Colours
Timeless Tuesday - Burlap or Canvas

If you fancy a challenge why not go over to Delightful Challenges for their new challenge which starts today.  The theme is Frame It (Use a Frame or mat) you could win a $10 voucher to Digital Delights!

Thank you so much for looking, I will be back later with another post!! Take care xx

Ooops.....almost forgot!

Oh dear I almost forgot to post this today!  This is my second post today, to see my Crafty Sentiments post please scroll down if you would like to.

Today sees the mid-way reminder for A Little Bit Crafty Challenge of Shabby Chic.  Here is my card:

I have used an acylic stamp from Marianne called Vintage Christmas, it comes with the sentiment too.  I actually got my sewing machine out for this one too.  Papers are First Edition Silent Night.  The image was stamped with Memento London Fog and I used a Marianne die at the top and bottom of the image, inking it whilst in the die.  The sentiment has been cut out with a SB Labels 4 die.  I have use Shabby Blue Frantage.  Other dies are Marianne for the trees, holly, snowflake, circular doily and deer and Tim Holtz tattered poinsettia.  I frantaged the snowflake and brad in the centre of the poinsettia.  The lace and pearls are from my stash.

Here is another view:

We have three sponsor's for this challenge: Crafty Sentiments, Octopode Factory and Hobbycutz.  Please see the challenge for details.

Challenges I would like to enter:

Simon Wednesday Challenge - Use a Rubber or Clear Stamp
Craftin Muskateers - Christmas in October
Marianne Design Divas - Christmas
Songbird - Blue Hawaii
Deep Ocean Challenge - Christmas is Around the Corner
Crafty Cardmakers - Shabby Chic
Created with Love - Stitching real or faux

Sorry this is a quickie but I need to go an make dinner, will add challenges later.  Thanks for looking, see you tomorrow! Take care xx