Thursday, 18 June 2009

Colour Create Challenge - Strawberry, Raspberry, Kiwi, Tangerine & Blackberry!

Sounds delish doesn't it? Be sure to pop along to Colour Create for some brilliant inspiration from my teamies this week - there are some gorgeous creations and all so different!
I used K&Co Berry Sweet papers, Tilda coloured with Distress Inks for a change, and felt strawberries for my card, choosing strawberry, raspberry and kiwi for my 3 colours.
Crafting time has been severely cut now I've returned to work, but it's great to be back in the real world and I'm loving it!
Have a great day and thanks for visiting xxx

Sunday, 14 June 2009

Dotties World Challenge - Father's Day!


Louise set the challenge today at Dottie's World and here is her brief:

"Can you believe it's nearly Father's day already? It'll be Christmas before we know it!((Sorry!))
So, in time for Father's day and to make sure no Daddies out there get left out we want you to make a Father's day card using one of the Charmed downloads."

What's that about Christmas Lou!?!?!?


Anyway, I decided to use the handsome Mikey for my card, coloured with Copics of course, and Scenic Route papers. The CD theme is carried through with the CD I used behind the image which, IRL gives a really lovely effect. The metal buttons are Life's Journey by K&Co, the chipboard 'Dad' is Rusty Pickle and the words are rub-ons.

I must apologise again for not getting round to see everyone this week; I've been busy getting my house ready for sale (in between resting, of course!) and tomorrow I go back to work after 6 months away, although only part-time at first.

Hope to see you at Dottie's World (HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW PIXIES?), and thanks for visiting. xxx

Thursday, 11 June 2009

Cute Card Thursday - Quotations!

Another lovely challenge today from Cute Card Thursday, which is to use a quotation on your card.
I really like these words, although I don't know who said them, but they're so true! The Hanglar stamp is coloured with Copics, the paper and butterfly are K&Co Wild Raspberry with Prima flowers and Papermania brads. The sentiment is printed onto acetate.
Thanks so much for visiting xxx

Colour Create Challenge - Blush Pink, Lilac & Mossy Green


This week's challenge at Colour Create is to use a beautiful combination of Blush Pink, Lilac and Mossy Green, all chosen by Tara's daughter, Georgia, and the Design Team have come up with some wonderful creations to provide inspiration. The extra option is to use die cuts.

For my card I used another of Maddy's stamps from Hanglar, Heidi Grace 'A Little Bird's Tale' papers and rub-ons, the die cut tree is October Afternoon, with punched flowers and leaves and a Papermania butterfly. We hope you are able to join us in the challenge this week.

I actually went out last night, another major milestone as I'm usually early to bed these days. Four of us went to see Angels and Demons and I can thoroughly recommend it! I love a conspiracy and with Tom Hanks you usually can't go wrong, especially for £3.25 on the half price Orange Wednesday deal.

The sun is shining again this morning and it's all looking good. Have a great day xxx

Tuesday, 9 June 2009

Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge - Butterflies

Sorry I've been away for a few days - it seems the events of the past six months caught up with me and I've been a bit 'off'. The good news though is that I've officially finished treatment and I begin a phased return to work next week and am soooo looking forward to that.

A huge thank you to Dawn for my lovely award which is proudly displayed in my sidebar.

I've not had the inclination or energy to make anything for a week, but A Spoon Full of Sugar got me going again this morning with their 'Butterflies' challenge. The image is one of Maddy's stamps which I coloured with Copics, papers are Doodlebug and K&Co Citronella, flowers Prima, butterflies Craft For Occasions and October Afternoon die-cut leaves. The sentiment is one of Maddy's Autumn Leaves stamps.

There's a touch of Glossy Accents on the puddle.
Have a fabulous day! xxx

Thursday, 4 June 2009

Colour Create Challenge - Rainbow Colours!


Ooooh I loved this one - all the colours of the rainbow is the challenge for this week's Colour Create Challenge with an optional extra to 'Make a Scene'! By the way, the challenge has now moved to Thursdays in case you didn't know, so do pop over to join in if you can!
The Gorjuss Girl is coloured with Copics and I used My Minds Eye 'Bloom and Grow' papers. The card is three dimensional with the image sat on the middle fold in her flower garden.
There's some great examples from the other DT members - sure to give inspiravation.
Have a terrific Thursday and thank you for visiting. xxx

Wednesday, 3 June 2009

Whiff of Joy - Charms AND ABC Challenge - Quilting!

One card - two challenges. The Whiff of Joy challenge this week is to use a charm on your project - I thought this 'imagine' charm fitted the dreaminess of the lovely image.
Over at ABC the letter is 'Q' for Quilting, so I went for a patchwork quilt effect with faux stitching.

Papers are My Mind's Eye 'Bloom and Grow', flowers are Prima, Basic Grey brads and a Karen Foster sentiment. I used my Copics for colouring and paper pricked the stitches before drawing them in with a brown Zig pen.

Have a great day and thanks for looking xxx

Tuesday, 2 June 2009

Spoonful of Sugar Challenge

There's a lovely sketch to follow for this week's Spoonful of Sugar Challenge and this is my interpretation.


I coloured the Hanglar image with Copics and used the new double sided K&Co Citronella mat pad papers which go perfectly with the K&Co Berry Sweet chipboard embellishments from last year.


Having another day enjoying this wonderful sunshine - hope you are having a good one too! xx

Monday, 1 June 2009

Sketch and Stash Challenge

I joined in with the Sketch and Stash Challenge this week - seems ages since I followed a sketch and I enjoyed this one.


I used my gorgeous new Charmed Delectable stamp - Irresistible Annie, coloured her with Copics and used my nesties for the mats. Papers are from that magazine freebie again (aren't they great?).


I intend to enjoy the sunshine again today, while it lasts - hope you can do the same!
Have a great day and thanks for visiting xxx

Sunday, 31 May 2009

Dottie's World Challenge - Coffee & Cream with Spots or Stripes


Karen set the challenge over at Dottie's World today and here it is:-

"Coffee and Cream with Spots or Stripes" - and a Charmed download of course.
I used Madison in Paris from the Holly and Madison World Tour Downloads and coloured her with Copics. The papers are Kaisercraft and I stamped the border of the card before blending Brown Corduroy Distress Ink along the edges.

I love working with these colours so really enjoyed this challenge - thanks Karen!

There's just about time for you to join in with the Birthday celebrations at Dottie's World - good luck to everyone who entered the party games!

Have a great sunny Sunday xxx

Saturday, 30 May 2009

Cute Daisy May Challenge - Monotone


It's my first time at the Cute Daisy May challenge, which this week is to make a monotone card. It's ok to use images other than Daisy May, so I went with a Gorjuss Girl for my card, coloured with Copics, and my favourite colour of pink. The paper is a Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine freebie (nice quality papers!), the sentiment is an Autumn Leaves stamp, I used my nesties for the mat, an x-cut punch for the leaves and Papermania gems. The rose is from Hobbycraft and the ribbon from stash.
I'm feeling really pleased with myself today because I've been sorting out all those paper scraps and am on a mission to use them up. Also sorted all my 12x12's and it's amazing how ideas jump into your head when you see something you had forgotten about.
Hope you're having a gorgeous weekend xxx

Friday, 29 May 2009

Daring Cardmakers - 'Take Five!' AND Just Magnolia - 'Animals and Insects'

This card is for two challenges today - Just Magnolia, which is to use Animals and/or Insects AND Daring Cardmakers, to use five of something on your project.
Inspired by the gorgeous sunny day I decided to use this lovely Tilda stamp from the Spring kit, coloured her with Copics and used K&Co Citronella papers. The flowers are mostly Prima and the FIVE brads are Papermania.
Hope you're enjoying the lovely weather as much as me! Have a great day xxx

Thursday, 28 May 2009

Cute Card Thursday - Bit o' Bling!


Been playing with my new goodies again and this gorgeous Annie from Charmed Delectable Stamps was in there - isn't she just beautiful!!! I made this card for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge which is 'Bit o' Bling' - my bling is in the glitter on Annie's wings and the gems along the scalloped edge. Papers and the sentiment die cut are K&Co Madeline and flowers are Prima Forever Flowers Hydrangeas.

I'm looking forward to another crafty day - my inspiration seems to have returned so better make the most of it while it lasts!

Have a fabulous day xxx

Wednesday, 27 May 2009

ABC Challenge - P is for Pearls!


Well my parcel arrived and it's every bit as gorgeous as I thought! The new K&Co ranges are sooooo beautiful and thanks to Karen for super speedy delivery, as always! I made this card for this week's ABC Challenge which is 'P for Pearls'. The sweet WOJ stamp is coloured with Copics with Stickles added to the flowers and wings. Papers and other elements are K&Co Que Sera Sera with pearl gems added to the flowers and butterfly and the sentiment is a rub-on.

Sorry Tara if I made you go spending again LOL!
Thanks for visiting xxx

Copics Colour Challenge

The colours for this week's Copics Colour Challenge are:

R59 - Cardinal Red
YG63 - Pea Green
C3 - Cool Grey
I'm on a mission to use up some paper scraps at the moment and managed it again with this card, although most of them are K&Co, with the addition of ephemera from a K&Co pack. OK, I'll own up, I ordered some of the new ranges yesterday from Charmed, so it lessens the guilt using up old bits and pieces!

Been enjoying the lovely weather and spending time in the garden, although today doesn't look too promising, so maybe I'll have a play with my new stash if it arrives this morning.

Have a good day! xxx

Sunday, 24 May 2009

Dottie's World Challenge - Buttons & Beads!


Have you checked out Dottie's World recently - it's had a makeover and is looking fabulous! Adele set the challenge this week and here it is:

Buttons or Beads!
I have tons of them but rarely use them ! Dig deep into your crafty stash and embellish away. It doesn't matter how you use them, as long as they are visible on your creation. If you haven't got any (!!!!) improvise! Only other "rule" is that a
Charmed Download must be used.

The gorgeous Madison is coloured with Distress Inks (yes, I fancied a change!) and I really enjoyed using them again.
Papers are WR Memory Keepers, flowers Prima with Basic Grey buttons and leaf stamp.

There's still time to take part in all the 1st Birthday party games with a chance to win fabulous prizes and candy.
Have a great day! xxx

Colour Create Challenge - Lemon, Pink Sorbet & Chocolate

Mmmmm, sounds good enough to eat - and it's today's challenge at Colour Create with the extra option being 'Shabby Chic'! This is a gorgeous colour combination and I chose to use Tilda, coloured with Copics and papers from my scraps box. Rub-ons used are Fancy Pants, there are a couple of Prima flowers and some lace in there and lots of inky and torn edges. The other DT cards are sooooo beautiful - check them out for some amazing inspiration.
Hope you get the chance to join us this week! xx

Saturday, 23 May 2009

Basic Grey Challenge - Doodling!

The Basic Grey Challenge this morning is to add doodling to your project ..... right up my street this one - put a white Inkessentials pen in my hand and I don't know when to stop! I used my favourite stamp of the moment - Annie from Charmed Delectable Stamps, coloured her with Copics and dug out my 6x6 Basic Grey Euphoria paper pad. It's really nice sometimes to go back to older ranges and remember how much you like them, and you have the satisfaction of using up scraps.
Well I survived the last of the nasty chemos and the effects are beginning to wear off now - just wanted to say thank you again for all your good wishes and to let you know how much your support helps!
Have you been joining in with the party games at the new look Dottie's World this week - if you missed them there's still time and the prizes are AMAZING! We have 4 new Design Team members and a brand new challenge will be posted tomorrow morning.
Hope you have a fabulous Bank Holiday weekend with the promise of good weather!!!
xxx

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Copics Colour Challenge


Wednesday already! Where do the days go? Well I've been playing with my Copics again for this week's Copics Colour Challenge, and Karen chose these colours for us to work with.

The blue didn't quite make it onto my card, but that's ok because the red and yellow did! Papers are Cosmo Cricket, the scroll is Basic Grey and the paper flowers are Prima, although I don't know where the red glittery ones came from.



It's chemo for me today and tomorrow, but the good news is they're the last ones - phew! Hopefully get back to some normality soon - whatever that is!

Have a lovely day xxx

Monday, 18 May 2009

Basic Grey Challenge - Ice Cream!

It's a fabulous theme for this week's Basic Grey Challenge - Ice Cream! How could I not use this yummy Cupcake paper? The other papers, used for the borders, were a magazine freebie and again perfect for this challenge.

The stamp is the beautiful Annie from Charmed Delectable Stamps and coloured with Copics inspired by the colours of Neapolitan Ice Cream. Flowers are a mix of Prima and Papermania and the brads and die cut heart are Basic Grey.

Have a great day xxx

Sunday, 17 May 2009

Colour Create Challenge - Sky Blue, Tan and Ecru

It's Sunday again and that means it's time for another Colour Create Challenge and this week we were given the beautiful combination of Sky Blue, Tan and Ecru to work with, and an optional extra element of Gloss, Glitter or Glaze.


I used Bazzill Swiss Dots cardstock in tan, Kaisercraft papers, Prima flowers, Papermania pearl brads and my Sizzix swirls die. The sewing machine came out again and the Sugar Nellie stamp (Maddy's I think?) is coloured with Copics. Sentiment is from the Smirk stamp sheet, lace from Hobbycraft and ribbon from stash box - oh and I used a Fiskars border punch too!

It's great to see so many people taking part in this challenge and truly amazing to look at the vast variety of techniques and styles.

Have a fab Sunday xxx

Friday, 15 May 2009

Just Magnolia - Sketch

The challenge at Just Magnolia this week is to follow a lovely sketch and as it's such a dull rainy day I decided to go for the bright colours of these My Mind's Eye 'Bloom and Grow' papers! Tilda is coloured with copics, the flowers are cut from one of the papers and the sentiment is an Autumn Leaves stamp.
Have a lovely day and keep dry if you can! xx

Thursday, 14 May 2009

Cute Card Thursday - Letters and Numbers

Over at Cute Card Thursday the challenge is to use Letters and/or Numbers on your card. I used Cross-stitch Tilda, coloured with Copics, Pink Paislee and Fancy Pants papers, Prima flowers and Papermania numbers and brads. The centre panel is created using a Fiskars border punch and lace from Hobbycraft.
The photo is a bit dull this morning due to the horrible weather - wish I didn't have to go out in it!
Just a little reminder about the mega-party beginning on Sunday at Dottie's World and it goes on all next week. I'm still deciding what to wear, but will definately be there - hope to see you too!
Have you seen the prizes and candy on offer - shame I can't win any of it (think the DT are excluded LOL!).
Have a great day xxx

Wednesday, 13 May 2009

Copics Colour Challenge - Sketch

Maddy has provided us with a great sketch this week for the Copics Colour Challenge and we can use whatever colours we want! I used another of the gorgeous Annie stamps available from Charmed, and sat her on a Magnolia bench seat.

Other elements used: Magnolia rub-on, Papermania flowers and brads, WRMK gromlet, Stickles frosted lace glitter glue, Fiskars threading water punch, Dymo machine for sentiment and gingham ribbon.

Have a lovely day and TFL xx

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

Papertake Weekly - Animal Antics!

Just managed to squeeze in this card which is for Papertake Weekly - a challenge I always enjoy taking part in. This week we are to use an animal on our work, so I chose this Sugar Nellie stamp featuring a cute kitten, coloured with Copics. Papers are Kaisercraft with Heidi Grace chipboard elements and rub-ons, ribbon and flowers are from the Creative Treasures May Kit with 'card candy' centres also from Creative Treasures.


Have a great day in the sunshine and TFL xxx.

Sunday, 10 May 2009

Dottie's World Challenge - 'Charmed'

It's my turn again to set this week's Dottie's World Challenge - don't the weeks fly by? Anyway, here it is:

"Charmed - this week's challenge is to add a charm to your project. It can be anything as long as it dangles (oops, does that sound too rude?) and, of course, one of the Charmed downloads too!"

The delightful Holly in the Garden is coloured with my beloved Copics, the papers are all from a recent magazine freebie and are gorgeous!!, chopped and snipped here and there, leaves are created with my McGill punch and the flower is Prima. The lovely sentiment is a Basic Grey rub-on, with a bit of K&Co rub-on at either side and there are a couple of charms dangling from the flower. I also made some paper beads - really easy to do: simply roll an elongated triangle of paper and glue to secure.


Pop over to Dottie's World to see more fabulous Design Team work and why not join the challenge - it's an easy peasy one really!
Have a fab day and thanks for visiting. xxx

Fabulous News AND Colour Create Challenge - Blue and Green

I am so excited to be able to tell you that I have been asked to join the Colour Create Challenge Design Team on a permanent basis - one of my very favourite challenges! How lucky am I?


Beautiful rich colours are the order of the day this week at Colour Create Challenge, and this photo is sure to inspire - well it did it for me! The extra element is to use paper piecing if you wish.

I loved working with these colours and this Gorjuss Girl - I paper pieced her dress and coloured the rest of her with Copics. I can't remember where the paper is from, but it fitted perfectly and I chopped and snipped at it to create the bands across the middle and the leaves. The flowers are Making Memories Sweets and the sentiment is stamped with a few pearlised gems added.



I'm really loving these colour challenges and the other DT examples are sure to inspire you - if you haven't already, why not give it a go?

Friday, 8 May 2009

Just Magnolia Challenge - In Stitches

My first entry into the Just Magnolia challenge which is to use stitching, faux or real, on your project. I used Papermania Regency papers, Tilda is coloured with Copics and the sentiment is stamped and chalked. Flowers are Prima and the large die cut flower and leaf are Basic Grey. I dusted off my sewing machine for the stitching and added a few tiny pink pearls to finish along with a length of American Crafts velvet ribbon.
TFL xxx

Thursday, 7 May 2009

Cute Card Thursday - Happy Mail

What a fabulous reason for making a card this week at Cute Card Thursday! Post Pals is a charity which send mail/cards to poorly children to cheer them up, usually when they have a terminal illness, and CCT are asking us to send our 'Happy Cards' to the charity - what more worthwhile cause could there be?
I was lucky enough to receive my Annie stamps yesterday from Charmed, so this is her debut here but I promise you will see much more of her - she's just a delight to colour and sooooo cute. Papers are the new Papermania 'Blueberry Hill' and flowers are Prima. The border was created with my Fiskars Border punch and the sentiment was done on my computer.
Hope the sun is shining where you are - have a lovely day and please try to join the Cute Card Thursday Challenge if you can. xxx

Wednesday, 6 May 2009

Copics Colour Challenge


Wednesday is here again already and another new Copics Colour Challenge. Here are this week's colours and my card, but check out the blog for some fab DT cards and inspiration.


I used my new Cross Stitch Tilda stamp, Prima Tea and Silk papers and Prima flowers. The metal corner and tiny frame were in my stash box and I picked up this cute little X-Cut leaf punch for half price recently.


Hope you get chance to join us again this week - we love seeing everyone's use of the colours.
Have a good day and try to dodge the rain drops! xxx

Sunday, 3 May 2009

Dotties World Challenge

Louise set the challenge at Dottie's World today and she gave us this photograph to take inspiration from. I like using photographs this way because we all take different things from them.....the first thing I saw was the beautiful vivid colours and the pattern created by the fabric. I chose two of my favourite colours to work with and tried to echo the texture and pattern with the flowers. Holly in Bavaria is from the Holly and Madison World Tour Collection and is available here. I wish I could remember where the papers are from - they were in my scrap box and just seemed to fall into place.
Hope you're able to join us at Dottie's World this week - don't forget to check out the gorgeously handsome Mikey!

Colour Create Challenge - Cream, Brown and Red


The challenge at Colour Create this week is to use Cream, Brown and Red on your project, with inspriation coming from this rather delish looking chocolate cake, with the extra element to use ribbon.
It was really exciting creating my first Guest Designer Card for Colour Create and I decided to use this lovely Tilda stamp, coloured with Copics, with Cosmo Cricket papers and sentiment from the gorgeous TSV from last year. The flowers are from Hobbycraft and make a change from the usual Prima (which I still love btw!) and there's some ribbon in there too!

Thank you for all the Birthday wishes - I don't feel any different at all from when I was in my 40's (phew!). My lovely sons are planning to take me out for a meal later, but now I NEED to open my pressies and cards!
Have a great day xxx

Saturday, 2 May 2009

AWOL again - well it's just not good enough is it?

I know, sorry! Gosh things have been really busy around here the last couple of days, but hoping to catch up a little today. I made this USA Holly card for Dottie's World.
I used Kaisercraft papers, Prima Flowers and gems and coloured Holly with Copics. This is my first try using Coredinations Whitewashed cardstock through a Cuttlebug folder and the effect is really lovely!

Well today is the last day of my 40's so we're having lots of celebrations around here. Back again on the first day of my 50's - yikes!!!

Have a great weekend xxx

Wednesday, 29 April 2009

ABC Challenge - L is for List!

The ABC Challenge this week is 'L for List' ....... to use one ribbon, three flowers and six brads.

I went back to the K&Co Wild Raspberry papers and this gorgeous Miss Anya stamp, coloured with Copics, Doodlebug frosted brads and Prima flowers.
Thanks for all your good wishes yesterday - all went well, and so far I still feel ok *touches wood* - the great thing is I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm not going back in there!!!
The sun is shining and I need to go for a walk then have a Copics play day. Have a good one xxx

Copics Colour Challenge

It's challenge day today over at the Copics Colour Challenge and here are the colours for us all this week.
The colours are all there in the Gorjuss Girl, but I wanted to add more pastels so chose to use these K&Co Sparkly Sweet speciality papers to 'pretty' it up a bit. The flowers are Prima, the ribbon is part of the May Creative Treasures Kit and the sentiment is Maddy's Autumn Leaves stamp.

I really enjoyed visiting all your blogs this week seeing the wonderful creations from my challenge and am looking forward to seeing what you come up with this week. Do join in if you can....here's hoping you have a lovely crafty day! xxx

Tuesday, 28 April 2009

Papertake Weekly - Spots and Stripes

Just managed to put this card together for this week's Papertake Weekly Challenge, which is 'Spots and Stripes'.


I used this cute Rachelle Anne Miller stamp, coloured with Copics, and MME Laundry Line papers - both spots and stripes. Flowers are Prima and epoxy buttons are Making Memories.

Hope you have a good day - I have another chemo today, so gotta dash...but just wanted to say a massive 'thank you' for all your lovely comments and sorry I don't always manage to get round to say it individually. xxx