Friday 27 August 2010

Totally Papercrafts #31 Keep It Plain & Simple


Morning everyone,
it's time for another challenge at
Totally Papercrafts
and this week our host is the lovely Anne.
The theme Anne has chosen this week is

*Keep It Plain & Simple*

Now, you might think that, going from the name of my blog,
this would be a doddle of a challenge for me.
Not so... I struggle with simple, elegant cards
and my blog title is really a reminder to me to 
step away from the embellies!!
So, I can't wait to see all your entries showing me how it's done.
:-)

Here's my card - as plain as I could make it.
I so wanted to add some black pearls here and there,
but managed to stop myself...lol**

The stamps I used are from an Impression Obsession set
that I chose as part of a recent Simon Says challenge win.
Simon Says are our challenge sponsors this week
and they have so many delicious goodies
that you don't want to  miss out on the chance to get your hands on some.
So head on over to the blog, check out the brilliant work of my teamies
and leave your entry with the blue froggy!!!

Recipe - 
Stamp - Impression Obsession
DP - Papermania Capsule Collection, Mono.
Ribbon from my stash.
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Wednesday 25 August 2010

Stop and smell the flowers

I do love easel cards,
but I have the devil of a job trying to get a good photo of one.

I was asked to make a card for a 90th birthday
and didn't have a clue what to do.
I ended up using this cute Penny Black stamp -
what do you think?
I still might add the numbers 90 somewhere!


 I guess, by now, you all know how to make easel cards,
but if you haven't tried them yet,
Beate at splitcoaststampers has a great tut to follow.

I made my card and decorated it with Papermania, Blueberry Hill DP.
To the base I added some blue lace and ribbon and a pink brad
to hold the top up.
The Penny Black 'Bountiful' stamp was coloured with Copics
and some stickles glitter
and I 3D'd the hedgie and the butterflies.
The blooms are from Wild Orchid Crafts
and the leaves are punched with a XCut embossing punch.
The finishing touch was my sentiment ( Craftwork Cards )
and buttefly (XCut punch).


I would like to enter this for the following challenges -
Create4fun   *Birthdays*
Papertake    *3-2-1*  ( 3 Butterflies, 2 Pearls, 1 Brad )

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Tuesday 24 August 2010

The sun does shine in Yorkshire - sometimes!!

Ahhh... here we are back to torrential rain this morning!
But, just to prove that the sun does shine sometimes in Yorkshire,
here are my pics from Sunday's walk.

Flamborough Head is roughly 8 miles of cliff top walks
between Filey and Bridlington.


 The chalk cliffs are 400ft high and the path can get VERY close to the edge.. lol*



The main lighthouse built in 1806


The Chalk Tower, built c1674
and thought to be the oldest, surviving complete lighthouse in England.


Monday 23 August 2010

Happiness is a long, hot, bubble bath!

Morning everyone,
did you all have a good weekend?
The weather was glorious here, 
 we headed off to Flamborough Head in the Mustang,
and walked our little legs off, along the cliff path.
I wanted to show you some pics, but hubby has deleted them from the camera already!!
I will have to get them off his comp later.

For now, here is my latest card.


I used a cute digital stamp from Sassy Studio Designs
(chosen as part of my win over at Aud Sentiments).
I coloured it with Copics and added stickles glitter to the bubbles.
I cut out an extra bath tub and added it with foam pads,
so 'in real life' this has a much more 3D look!
I just noticed I forgot to add some stickles to the little pool of water
on the floor... better do that in a mo.

I followed the great sketch over at Friday Sketchers (rotated)
and I would also like to enter this for
Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes
Stamp Something - Digi Day


Stamp - Sassy Studio Designs - I'm Every Woman, Bubble Bath.
Design Paper - Memory Box, Spearmint
Stickles Star Dust. Card Candy.
Sentiment from Penny Black 'Bubbly' Set
Blooms from Wild Orchid Crafts
Leaves - X Cut embossing botancial punch.
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Saturday 21 August 2010

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!!

Except they weren't...  lol**
Do you remember those lemon puff biscuits,
that would stick your teeth together just looking at them?
I found a recipe for a similar thing and thought it would be a breeze.
Shop bought Puff Pastry, just filled with a lemon buttercream,
what could be simpler!

Here's my little puffs...    :-)
They came out of the oven a bit wonky and lopsided,
which made them difficult to fill and stick together.
The taste was great though.
Definitely try them again, but maybe make them a much bigger, dessert size.


Hmmm... so what do you do with left over puff pastry?
I put rounds into a cupcake tin, and filled them with grated cheddar and
caramalised onion chutney.


These were DE-licious.
We had a couple each for lunch with a little salad
and then, piggys that we are,
went back and finished the rest off!!


Puff Pastry is my new favourite thing...
:-)

Friday 20 August 2010

Totally Papercrafts #30 Summer Fun

Wow!
Loving all your 'Rainbow' cards from last week's
Check with the blog to see who the lucky winner was.

This week our host is Mel and she has chosen the theme of
'Summer Fun'

Well,  we haven't seen much sun in Yorkshire recently,
so I wanted to make my card reflect this and
stay away from those bright sunny colours.
So, even though this is more subdued, I hope it still conveys 'Summer Fun'.

 

To go with my 'Dude' card I made a little 'Surf Shack'
all ready to fill with chocolate goodies! 


My 'Surf Shack' started out life as a tea bag box!
I covered it with Basic Grey DP,
Added a little door with a brad for a handle.
Propped up some surf boards on the front,
and also added some to my computer generated 'Surf Shack' sign, on the top.
I am going to fill my shack with Heroes -
they're  kind of  'guy' chocolates aren't they?


The 'surfer boy' image I used is from this week's sponsor
Squigglefly.
I paper pieced his clothes and the surf boards,
(Design Paper is Basic Grey, Granola)
and coloured the rest of him with Copics.
Then I finished off with some buttons and a small clip.
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Thursday 19 August 2010

A Blue Christmas

So, I  think I have solved the problem of taking photos when it's miserable outside!
I took this at about midnight last night - pitch black outside -
I put on all the lights and the camera flash..  lol**
It's a little washed out, but it will do for me...
:-)



I spent quite a lot of time colouring my winter Milly with Copics
and even tried a new colour for her hair!!
I used stickles glitter on her earmuffs, scarf and cuffs
and polar white Flower Soft on the snow covered log.
I  added some pale blue chalk to the edges of the stamped image
and blue ink to distress the DP.
The Merry Christmas circle is one of my new Cat's Life Press stamps,
Grab them while you can from Emma's Store.

Challenges I am entering...
A Spoon Full Of Sugar - Christmas in August
Truly Scrumptious - Sketch + optional extra of brads/buttons/bows
ABC - B is for Blue


Stamp - Pink Gem, Winter Milly
DP - GCD Studios - Ella Blue
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Wednesday 18 August 2010

Skinny Banana Bread!

Simon Says has a great challenge this week - 
their theme is 
' Make A Gift '
Great if - like me - you are already on the lookout for Christmas ideas.
:-)

Here's a really easy one that you might like..
it's a simple wrap to go round a loaf cake.

I made the Skinny Banana Bread this morning
and I think it took me longer to convert the recipe, 
than it did to make the wrap!!!
It's 'skinny' because it uses no butter/marg,
instead it called for apple sauce!!

I put the Banana Bread in a cellophane bag and cut a piece of blue paper
to fit snugly around it.
Then I added some DP (Papermania's Blueberry Hill )
a border punched strip and a ribbon and bow.
I stamped a round tag with 'treat yourself' from the
Simon Says 'Savor Sweet Cupcakes' set.
The flowers were punched, distressed on the edges
and I slightly creased them with my fingernail,
 so that they don't look so flat.
Then I added a pearl adhesive to the centre.
I tied the tag to the ribbon.

I would also like to enter this week's Fab 'n' Funky Challenge,
where the  theme is 'Flower Power'.
I am in awe of those people that can make beautiful blooms from a few pieces of crumpled paper,
so I will definitely be checking out the DT and entries, for some tips.

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EDIT
I heard back from my girls and they said that the Banana Bread was yummy,
so, for those that want it, here is the recipe.
I had to convert this recipe, but I have no idea what 1/2 cup of apple sauce weighs.
Luckily I have some 'cup' measures, but if you don't I would say it's about 4 good tbsps!!




Tuesday 17 August 2010

Abracadabra Alakazam!!


Just a couple of quick thankyous this morning,
before I show you my latest card.

Firstly to Debbie and the Spoon Full of Sugar team,
for organising and running Michelle's card drive,
and also to the generous ladies at Whiff of Joy.
I won the Aladin 1001 Night's stamps and they arrived a couple of days ago.
xxx Thankyou xxx

Here's my first attempt with the new stamps.
I coloured the image of the girl 4 times,
before I was remotely happy with it!!!


I would like to enter this card for a couple of challenges...
Cupcake Craft - where they are celebrating their 2nd birthday this week,
so they want to see 2 papers, 2 ribbons and 2 flowers.
If you join in you need to get your entry in by Saturday 21st Aug,
and they also have a birthday blog hop and cupcake trail for you to win lots of goodies.
Pink Elephant - where the theme is 'Ribbon & Sparkles'







I usually just add a plain insert to my cards,
but in this case, I couldn't see anywhere on the front where I could add the sentiment,
so I decorated the inside - just a little..  :-)







The stamps were coloured with Copics and I added lots of stickles glitter.
The girl was cut out and fixed with foam pads.
I made the blooms with a couple of punches, adding the pearl to the centre.
On the insert, I coloured the pearls with my copics, to match the paper.



Stamps - Whiff of Joy Aladin 1001 Nights
Design Paper - Papermania Capsule Collection Aqua and Heather.
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Saturday 14 August 2010

Go on... treat yourself :-)

After the success of last week's Snowflake Cake
I thought I would try another recipe from Carole Walter.
This is Double Chocolate Cake -  it's yummy and very easy to make.
It's cooked in a slab, like brownie, so there's no messy layers to fill and coat.
It has chopped dates in the sponge which makes it nice and moist
and the top is covered with chocolate drops and pieces of walnut.

If anyone wants the recipe... just email me.  
xxx




Crafty Emma's Store DT and Candy


Emma has just announced her design team for Crafty Emma's Store Challenges.
Are you one of  the lucky DT members?
She has picked some awesome talent and I can't wait for the first challenge, which starts on Sat 28th August.
Until then Emma has delicious candy up for grabs - check her blog to see the details.
xxx

Friday 13 August 2010

Monthly Candy Draw


for info about their new, monthly candy draw.

This month they are being sponsored by 
DeNami Design Rubber Stamps
who are offering a whopping $30 certificate to one lucky winner,
to spend in their store.
Wouldn't you love to get your hands on that?

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Totally Papercrafts #29 Rainbow

Good Morning everyone,
well, from last week's entries over at Totally Papercrafts
it looks as though lots of you
' like to be beside the seaside, beside the sea! '
Check the blog to see who the lucky challenge winner was.

This week's host is Joey,
who is hopefully well recovered from her bout of flu.
Joey has chosen the theme

'RAINBOW'

So get your spades ready and let's go and find that pot of gold!!
You can add rainbows to your cards, or nice, bright rainbow colours
and if you need some inspiration check out the fab projects from the DT.

Here's my project - a mini mailbox.
Actually it's not that 'mini',
there's plenty of room in there for goodies..  lol*


I used the fab template from QBee at splitcoaststampers
I must have made a mistake somewhere, as I did struggle to get it all to fit properly.
It took some extra cutting, some strong glue and quite a bit of swearing... lol!!

I covered the mailbox with some 'rainbow' paper
added some blooms and the cute little Toga with Flowers
from Sew Many Cards,
who are this week's challenge sponsors.



Then I filled the mailbox with, what else, but Rainbow Drops.
Always a favourite here...    :-)


Mini Mailbox - covered with DP from My Mind's Eye, Magnolia
Digital Stamp - Toga with Flowers from Sew Many Cards, coloured with Copics.
Blooms and Card Candy from my stash.
'You've got treats' made on my comp.
Martha Stewart lace border punch.
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Thursday 12 August 2010

Christmas Production Line



Have you started making your Christmas cards yet ?
Head over to the  ABC Christmas challenge,
where their theme is 'Quick and Easy'.
They have a great sketch for you to follow
and the extra challenge is to make more than 1 card.
A great way to start your Christmas card pile, or  add to it.


Some Christmas cards just lend themselves to having a little production line going.
I get everything cut out, coloured and ready to go,
and then it's just a  matter of assembly, when I have some spare time.


 I got to ink up my new Catslife Press stamp for this card.
I  love the cheeky  'Fa la la la la ' saying.
They do other cute text stamps too and
Crafty Emma's Store has a good selection.
You have to be quick though, as they go like hot cakes!!
Emma is expecting more stock next week,
so keep checking her store, if you want to get your hands on some.



I coloured my Forever Friends stamp with Copics and added some glitter.
Now I realise I NEED a real life sparkly dressing gown, just like this one!!!
I'm sorry, I can't remember what the DP is -
it's from last year and has long since lost it's cover!
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Tuesday 10 August 2010

My Favourite Things and a New Challenge Blog

 
Calling all you challenge-a-holics,
have you seen the new blog
They opened the doors on Saturday,
and because they are a fortnightly challenge,
you still have plenty of time to get your entry in.
The first challenge, set by Joanne, is
'Favourite Things'
 
As you can see from my card, my favourite things are
mice cakes !!!
 

I have followed Claire's great sketch over at Sketch & Stamp
and I thought my Penny Black stamp was perfect for the
photo inspiration challenge at Stamp Something,

I 3D'd the little hedgies (and their feet) and coloured with Copics.
I added glitter to the icing, and the flowers
and think I might go back and add some
around the candles too.


Stamp - Penny Black Party Pooped.
DP - My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary (magazine freebies)
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards

Monday 9 August 2010

Back to School


I used to love the summer hols when my girls were younger -
having them at home
and making up lots of fun things to do.
I know it's not everyone's idea of bliss though -
so hang on in there if you are starting to feel frazzled -
only another 4 weeks to go... lol**



The thing I like about challenges, is that they make you try something different
and push you out of your comfort zone.
This card certainly did that, I'm not really sure about using the bright colours,
but that was the challenge over at Allsorts
'Red, Blue & Yellow'
I also used the great sketch by Emma at
Sketch Saturday
and followed Stampin' for the Weekend's
'Back to School' challenge.


I used this cute Digital Delights stamp of the school bus.
I wanted to make the characters look like they were sat in the bus,
so I cut out an extra bus layer and used foam pads to 3D it.

Stamp - Digital Delights School Bus & Sentiment, coloured with Copics.
Design Paper - Papermania Basics - Vibrant.
Buttons from my stash.
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Sunday 8 August 2010

Snowflake Layer Cake

This took a little longer than a normal sponge cake,
but the results were well worth it...
Definitely a big hit!



If you feel like giving it a go here's the recipe by Carole Walter.

325g Plain Flour
4 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
175ml Milk
125ml Water
225g unsalted butter at room temperature
325g caster sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsps vanilla essence
1 tsp coconut essence
5 large egg whites
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Buttercream - you can make your own, but I used a tub of Betty Crocker Buttercream Icing
200g dessicated coconut.

Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / Gas 4
Grease two 9"  round,  2" deep cake tins and line the bases with non stick paper.
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together three times. Mix the milk with the water.
Using an electric mixer on medium speed cream the butter until very light.
Gradually add 225g of the sugar, taking  6 - 8 minuted to incorporate it. Beat in the egg,
then the vanilla and coconut essences.
(I had to miss out the coconut essence as I couldn't find any!)
Fold in the flour mixture alternatively with the  milk and water, beginning and ending with the flour.
Whisk the egg whites until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form.
Add the remaining sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, beating to form a soft meringue.
Fold into the cake mixture and divide the mix between the 2 cake tins.
Bake for 30 - 35 mins, or until golden brown and coming away from the sides of the tins.
Leave in the tins on a cooling rack for 15 mins. The turn out and remove the non stick paper.
Leave to cool completely, then fill and coat with buttercream and cover with the dessicated coconut.
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Saturday 7 August 2010

Relax... it's the weekend.

Are you relaxing today?   I hope so.
I am in a cooking mood, after seeing the goodies at Cherry's blog.
So I am planning a tea of 
*Smoked slamon with creme fraiche and horseradish*
*Duck with blackberries and roast veg*
*Snowflake layer cake*
The diet can wait 'til Monday...lol**

But first I want to show you this Kickstand card.
It's the first time I have made one of these,
but I thought it would be perfect to show off the delicious Websters papers.
You cannot believe how hard it was for me to cut into these.

The technique is easy - just trim away the bottom of your card front,
and attach your extra piece of card, making it level with the bottom edge of the back piece.
The beauty of this card is that you can play around with the size and shapes.

It's hard to get a good photo the card when it's open...
but I'm sure you can get the idea.

I would like to enter this card for a couple of challenges..
Aud Sentiments, where the theme is 'Relax...'
and Secret Crafter, where the theme is 'It's a Man's World'.


Stamp - LOTV little boy relaxing, coloured with Copics
DP - Webster's Pages, Seaside, Garden & Nature.
Sentiment made on my computer.

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Friday 6 August 2010

Totally Papercrafts #28 By The Sea

Morning everyone..
It's Friday again, so that means a new challenge at
This week the lovely Sue has chosen the theme of
'BY THE SEA'
 We want to see the ocean and mermaids, beaches and boats..
or, of course anything else that fits the theme.

We are being sponsored by AI Factory and they will be offering
one lucky winner $10 to spend in their store.
Check out the awesome DT work if you need some inspiration
and leave us a comment so we know you called by.

Here is my card, using digi stamps from the AI Factory.


I used round nesties to cut out a frame for the 'porthole',
adding small brads around the edge.
Then I placed this over my water scene and added the mermaid on top,
with foam pads.

Stamps - Ella Under The Sea Set, coloured with copics and stickles glitter.
Design Paper - Papermania Capsule Collection Aqua
Papermania adhesive shimmer dots.
Sentiment made on my comp.
Martha Stewart lace border punch.
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Thursday 5 August 2010

It's so tweet !!

It seemed like a good idea at the time...
to re-decorate Maria's room, now that she is away at Uni again.
I have scrubbed, sanded, glossed and emulsioned.... 
and it's not fun anymore... lol**
Just got to persuade hubby to do the wallpapering on Sat now...

So, this morning I finally got some time to craft
and I  decided to have a go at one of these sweet little backpacks.


I would like to enter this for the Simon Says Challenge,
where the theme is 'Sing it Baby'.
The song I chose is...   
Little Green Bag
Now, you may think that you have never heard of this song,
but take a listen, the first few bars are instantly recognisable.
Are you jumping to the left... and to the right ???


For the backpack I used the brilliant template and instructions by
Mary at Splitcoast Stampers

Do you want to see my deliberate mistake...  ??
I should have to stuck the pink flap inside the bag,
so that it wouldn't show.
Never mind... only you and I know that...   ;-)

Mini Backpack is  in green card.
Design Paper - My Mind's Eye 'Wild Asparagus'
Bird and sentiment stamps Impression Obsession 'Life is Tweet'
Ribbon and brads from my stash.

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Monday 2 August 2010

One Frosty Morning


I so wanted to try this challenge over at Winter Wonderland.
I thought that using
'NO DESIGN PAPER'
would be easy.... silly me!!
This took me ages!

I was going to pick a couple of my fav Xmas card designs
and make more of them nearer the time.
I think this one will be good to use -
it won't take long to run a batch of these off and I could
always try it with a different stamp.

I would also like to enter this for Stamp Something's
'CHRISTMAS IN JULY' Challenge.


Stamp - from Woodware 'A Winter's Day' set - coloured with Copics
Stickles Glitter 'Crystal' added around the edges of the papers and on the stamp
Large Silver Pearls from Crafty Emma's Store
Ribbon from my stash.
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