100 ! Somebody get more candles!

Woohoo... it's Friday and the sun is shining.
I hope you have some great plans for the weekend.
I plan to laze in the garden, drink melon margaritas and eat deli food.
No cooking allowed ;-)

This week I was asked to make a 100th birthday card, with a flower theme.
Eek! You know I can't 'do' flowers.
Then I remembered my LOTV art pad... easy peasy :-)

The art pads are fantastic for us 'florally challenged' crafters and, because they are pre-coloured, they make a super quick card.
I spent more time playing with glitter here than anything else. :-)

The image and sentiment are attached with foam pads, to give it all a bit more interest.
I wish the camera picked up the colours and sparkle better. 
IRL the chevron DP is a very pretty, pale pink (Blossom) and the glamour dust (my favourite glitter) catches the light beautifully.
 

Challenges.
My Mum's Craft Shop - Just For Girls
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Pink & White
Ladybug Crafts Ink - Birthdays
Creative Craft - Numbers
LOTV - Pretty In Pink
Lili's Little Fairies - Happy Birthday

• DP - Pink Petticoat, Chevron in Blossom
• Lili of the Valley Art Pad, Flowers
• Spellbinders Nestie Dies, Circles, Lacey Circles
• Craftwork Cards Round Sentiment
• Memory Box Numbers Dies
• Lace, Baker's Twine 
• Glamour Dust

Don't it make my brown eyes blue?

At last, here I am with a card...
I got side-tracked drooling over Damian Lewis when I was catching up on Homeland.

Here's another card for the Christmas pile - I really must get a list done.
I've used the adorable Lucy from Digi Stamp Boutique, coloured with Copics, and lots of my favourite Glamour Dust.
 

Challenges.
Digi Stamp Boutique -  November Challenge
Sketch Saturday - Lizy's Sketch (I just rotated it)
Sweet Stampin' - All That Glitters
Polka Doodles - Bright Colours and Sparkle
My Mum's Craft Shop - Bold and Bright
ABC Christmas Challenge - V for Vibrant Colours

Supplies.
Lucy Digi from Digi Stamp Boutique, coloured with Copics and Glamour Dust.
Sorry, can't remember what the DPs are!!
Memory Box Twiggy Tree Die, with white gel pen and white gems.
6 x 6 Petal Point Card Blank and Sentiment from Craftwork Cards  
Ribbon from my stash. 

 
 

'Tis the season to go shopping!

I have had one of those run around days today - 
where I have taken pictures of my card in just about every room in the house.
I've finally settled on these - the best of the bunch I'm afraid!

This was a quick make, using Lili of the Valley die cuts.
I used a shaped nestie to make a 'window' in my card and stuck one of the scenic die cuts to the inside piece.

The little shopper was cut from one of the die cuts and everything was sprinkled with Glamour Dust and Stickles.
IRL this is VERY sparkly. 
 

Challenges.
Lili's Little Fairies - A Christmas Card for the Girls
Crafty Ribbons - Christmas
The Crafty Pad - Christmas Is Coming
Stamp & Create - Winter Wonderland


Supplies.
Lili of the Valley die cuts, Snowy Town and Christmas Kids
Glamour Dust.   Ribbon from my stash.
Sentiment from Craftwork Cards.     Cheery Lynn Designs, Lamp Post.

Bears need people...people need bears!

Typical!
I bought some cute, new Elf digis at the weekend, just as the printer decided to cough and splutter.
Some nice Kodak doctor is sending me a new head for it though - so after a transplant, it may yet survive.

I did need to make a start on my Christmas cards though.
It is only 61 days til Santa. Eek!!

I stamped and paper pieced my Me To You bear, adding some colouring and shading on the DP.
This card is best viewed from about 10 paces back - then you don't notice all my mistakes!! 
You're searching for them now, aren't you? :-)

 Challenges.
I followed the sketch at Christmas Challenges. I did move my image to the side though  (don't worry girls, just delete me if this isn't ok). There is also an added twist this week, to use flags/banners. I put my sentiment on a little die cut banner.
ABC Christmas - Up to You. 
Cupcake Craft - Pieced Off! 
St. Luke's Charity - Simple Christmas 
  
Supplies.
Stamp - Me Tou You, Winter Wonderland, coloured with Copics.
DP - Memory Box, Mistletoe.  Embossed Dots Folder.
Spellbinders Pennant Die.  Ribbon from my stash.   Sentiment, Craftwork Cards.   
 

Happy Birthday 2U

Don't laugh... it's taken me 6 hours to make this card. 
6 HOURS!!!!
I could have been de-greasing the cooker, or mowing the lawn, or tackling the ironing mountain!!
My vision of a squirrel in an aeroplane (don't ask!) ended up in the bin - twice.
Then, I learnt my lesson and went in search of a nice sketch, which was kindly provided by Natalie of Creative Inspirations.

I used stars, instead of  flowers and I couldn't quite squeeze them in next to each other, but I'm sure you can still make out the original sketch.

Can you believe, when I'd finished the card and went to stand it up, I realised I had tied the string all the way round it (not just on the top layer) Duh!! I had to cut it off and start again.

Challenges.
Creative Inspirations - Natalie's Sketch
Stamptacular - It's Your Birthday
ABC Challenge -  Y is for Y Chromosome (male themed)
Crafty Sentiments - Happy Birthday
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (optional extra 'celebrate' theme) . They also have a fabulous Blog Hop, with some amazing prizes, to celebrate being 5 !! Congrats ladies  xxx

Supplies
DP - My Mind's Eye 'Ooh La La'         
Stamp from Molly Blooms was a magazine freebie - coloured with Copics and popped up on foam pads.
Birthday tag from Craftwork Cards.    String.
Circle and Postmark stamps from Whimsy Stamps.

It's A Guy Thing

I promise you, our Totally Papercrafts Challenges are only once a week, but they do seem to come around quick these days :-)

This week it's Susan's turn to choose the theme and she has gone for

No Pesky Girls Allowed

Guys are simple creatures, aren't they - so I tend to keep their cards nice and plain - I don't want to overtax their brains!! :o)

Here I have used a fan art image of Zero Kiryu,  by the amazingly talented Sureya

He's coloured with Copics, cut out and stuck on with foam pads, to add some depth.

Challenges -
Mad For Markers - One For The Boys  (use masculine colours).

Divas By Design - One For The Boys

Sassy Cheryl's - A Stitch In Time

The Paper Shelter  - Anything Goes

Supplies.

Digi Image - Zero Kiryu, by Sureya.

DP - GCD Studios, Ella Blue and Websters Pages

Sentiment from Craftwork Cards

Spellbinders Elegant Posts Die. Black Gems and Ribbon from my stash.

It's All White

Saturated colours are sooo last week ;-)

There's a new challenge at Totally Papercrafts, and the lovely Cathy has chosen the theme...

White on White

This was a 2-fold challenge for me. Not only did I have to make the card, but I also had to try and get a decent photo of it!! Very tricky :-)

I would normally reach for wedding or Christmas images for  white on white, but I wanted to try and make something for an everyday birthday - plus I was dying to use my new Rosie from Digi Stamp Boutique.

I also had another go at this dotty technique around the image - this time I used greys and a white gel pen.
I  think the photo below shows it up a bit better, but IRL it stands out more.

 Challenges
Digi Stamp Boutique - May Competition

Crafty Sentiments - Spots or Stripes

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp - Birthdays.   Check out their 3rd Birthday Celebrations xxx

My Mum's Craft Shop - Embossing

Do You Stack Up - Circles

Supplies.
Digi Stamp Boutique -  Rosie, coloured with Copics.
Diamond Dust on the circle edge.  Embossed Dots Folder.
Spellbinders Lacey Circles.  Memory Box Tessatina Border Die.
Xcut Leaf and Bloom Punches. White Gems.
Craftwork Cards Sentiment. Silver Mesh Ribbon.

Champagne Party

How cute are these little mice, with their champagne fountain?

Just perfect for the last challenge of the year over at CES, where our theme is

Party, Party, Party!

This challenge will run til January 6th.

 

I used a 6 x 6 Petal Point card as my base, with GCD Ella Blue DPs.

The Lili of the Valley image is coloured with Copics and sprinkled with Glamour Dust.

I kept the card pretty simple and just added a few gems, pearls, card candi and a sentiment from Crafwork Cards.

Don't forget to pop over to the main blog for details of the £10 prize to spend in Crafty Emma's store,

and check out the awesome work of my fab teamies.

Challenges -

Party Time

Here we are at our last Totally Papercrafts Challenge of the year.

Our host is the fabulous Lols and she has chosen the theme

Time to Party

We would like to see anything with a party theme. 

The challenge is open til January 5th, so plenty of time for you to play along.

Our sponsor is Karen's Doodles, who will be giving away 3 digi images to the lucky winner.

I used this fun image from Karen's Doodles, coloured with Copics, some glamour dust on the soap suds and a little glossy accents on her mobile phone and cocktail.

Challenges

Ladybug Crafts Ink - Bingo (runs til Jan 2nd )  My line is Ribbon/Flowers/Punches, Die Cuts.
Stampalot - Bingo - My Line is Punches / Flowers / Pearls

Supplies

DP - GCD Love Tokens.      Xcut Puncheed Blooms.

Party ticket made on my comp and using McGills Ticket Punch.

Martha Stewarts Lace Doily Punch.  

XCut Botanical Leaves Punch.      Glamour Dust.  Glossy Accents. 

Pearls.  Craftwork Cards Sentiment.   Ribbon from my stash.

Sweet little Rosie

Here I am blogging, when I should be getting on with the ironing mountain!!

I just wanted to show you this card, made with my gorgeous candy from Cathy. (thanks so much, hun).

This cute little girl is Rosie, from Sugar Nellie - I tried my best at shading some pleats on her dress, but I need a little practice with that!

I'm not sure what the papers are, but aren't they gorgeous?

Cathy included some pretty pins in with her parcel, but I haven't used them before and I'm not sure how to add them.

Do I just push them through the ribbon and hope that holds them in place, or do I need to use some sort of glue???

Let me know if you're a proficient pinner!! :-)

I'd like to enter the following challenges - 

Bunny Zoe - Lace

Birthday Sundaes - Include birthday wording on the card front.

2 Sisters - Ribbon


Supplies.
Sugar Nellie, Rosie stamp, coloured with Copics and Glamour Dust.
DP - ??      Lace and sheer ribbon.     Liquid Pearls on scalloped circle.
Craftwork Cards Mini Sentiment.    Adhesive Gems.

The Usual Suspects

Happy Bonfire Night everyone - if you're having a bonfire and fireworks have a great time and keep safe.
I am making up a little bed, in the downstairs loo, no.. not for hubby!!  - it's where the dog runs to, when she's feeling stressed!!

It's time for another challenge at the CES Challenge Blog.

It's my week to host and I haven chosen the theme...

Song or Film Inspired

It seems like a tricky challenge, but trust me, it's not that bad :-))

There are lots of options and I really hope you will join in and give it a go.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

My card was inspired by one of my favourite films - The Usual Suspects. 

One of the tag lines for the film is

                   'Five Criminals. One Line Up. No Coincidence'

and it just so happens there are five rascals on this House Mouse stamp!!

 After I stamped the image, I cut around some of the mice and the jar, then mounted it onto my DP, so that the DP became the background.  
Does that make sense?? You can see from the pic what I'm trying to say..lol**

I used a 6 x 6 'on the edge' card blank, some Prima flowers, Card Candi, black gems and a Craftwork Cards Mini Message - all available at Crafty Emma's Store.
The DP is Bo Bunny, Timepiece.

Join us this week for your chance to win a £10 gift voucher 

to spend in the store (excl p&p)

Challenges - 

Moving Along with the Times - Food and Drink

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Yer 'avin a giraffe!

Just had to run up a quick card today, for a 1 year old.

I don't make many cards for little ones, so I was a bit stumped.

Hope that this giraffe fits the bill  :-)

When I need to make something quickly I usually turn to a sketch for inspiration - and this fab one came from Tracy Shultz over at Card Patterns.

I am also entering this for the challenges at Papertake, who have a 'Creature Comforts' theme and Ladybug Crafts, where the theme is 'Animals'.

Ladybug Crafts has gone Digi this week, so they also have a new release and a fun blog hop.

Supplies -
Digi Stamp - Dustin Pike, Birthday Giraffe, coloured with Copics.
DP - DCWV Nana's Nursery, Baby Boy/Girl
Martha Stewart Lace Border Punch
Sentiment from Craftwork Cards.
Ribbon from my stash.

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The best meal of the day

Morning everyone. Today is my daughter, Annabel's 21st birthday. 

She grew up in the blink of an eye! :-)

I have my Totally Papercrafts card to show you, 
but first I wanted you to see this little breakfast set
that I put together for Annabel and her b/f.

Who wouldn't want to start the day with a Bucks Fizz and waffles??

I made this little card to go with it,

but forgot to tuck it into the tray for the photo.

I blended a few images from the Graphics Fairy and added some glitter.

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Now, onto this week's Totally Papercrafts challenge. 
Our newest teamie Victoria is hosting, 
so please stop by her blog and give her a warm welcome.

The theme is

Get Fruity

Show us some fruit on your card/project. 
It can be on the image, the paper, or maybe you have some fruity embellies.

I used this House Mouse image, sent to me by the lovely Lols.

 I coloured the berries as raspberries (even though I think they are meant to be blackberries!)
Then I added some glossy accents to them.

The papers are from Pink Petticoat and the sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.

Challenges
Fab 'n' Funky - 'What'eva'
Creative Inspirations - Bears/Animals
The Paper Variety - Fruity Fun

A nice cuppa!

Shhhhhhhhhh.... can you hear that?  Silence!  Bliss! 
Hubby is back to work - Maria and Annabel are back at Uni - the dog is asleep on the sofa - even the hamster has put his escape plans on hold  :-))

Here's a card I made for a friend. She's not allowed to drink alcohol right now, so I thought the image was appropriate. I'm going to staple a teabag to the inside and tell her to have a drink on us!!! :D)
(She already thinks I'm MAD, so that's OK)

 Challenges

CES - Inspirational Picture. I used the checks from the bed, the dots to represent the drawer handles, and the green from the flowers.

Cupcake Craft - Something beginning with 'C' - there's is a little cupcake on there and, of course, a cuppa!!  :-)

Pink Elephant - Sketch

Stamp - Kanban Divas Let's Do Lunch, coloured with Copics and a little green glitter.

DP - Pink Petticoat, Spots and Gingham           Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Totally Papercrafts #62 Spring Time

SPRINGTIME - is the brand new challenge over at Totally Papercrafts, and this week the lovely Sue is our host. We also have a fab new sponsor - Kenny K -and we were given some of his amazing images to  pay with,  so please check out the fab work of my teamies, over on the challenge blog.

I used the super cool Club Kid., coloured with Copics. I have to say, I found it quite scary to do this image justice, but they really are a dream to colour. Try them - you won't be disappointed!

Challenges -
Digital Tuesday - Little Women
Karen's Doodles - Happy Birthday

Digi Stamp - Kenny K, Club Kid

DP - Prima, Sweet Fairy.    Martha Stewart Lace Border Punch.

Card Candy & Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Behind every great man there is a woman rolling her eyes!!!

I think I've finally cracked it... I have found my 'style' for men's cards - 

nice and simple, with not too much going on..

just like a man!!   :-)

For this card I followed Jay Jay's sketch at Simon Says Stamp
and would also like to enter for the 'Anything Goes' challenge at Charisma Cardz

This was another quick card to make - colouring the image taking longer than anything!
I stitched the card, DP and ribbon  in place and then cut the centre shapes on my Slice machine.
I love how this machine will cut a shadow of your chosen design ( as long as you design card is MS+)
These were then stuck down with tape and then Edwin went on top, using foam pads.
The stars were also cut with my Slice and stuck with foam tape.
I edged the small stars with some glitter and added the sentiment to the larger one.
Then finished off with some card candy.

Stamp - Magnolia 'Guitar Edwin', coloured with Copics.
DP - Daisy & Dandelion 'A Winter's Tale'.
Slice machine with 'Parties' Design Card
Card candy and sentiment -  Craftwork Cards

B is for Balloon

Afternoon everyone...

it's my Wedding Anniversary today,
25 years!!!

So I am having a chill out, crafting, blogging day

:-)

I have discovered the new post editor,
and  thought I would be brave and have a play with it.
I like the way that you can choose your image size easily.

This week's House Mouse & Friends challenge is

the letter 'B',

so, for my entry,  I chose this cute stamp with balloons,
coloured with Copics and the little mouse about to pop the balloon
is 3D'd.

I just love the expression on his face!

The paper is My Mind's Eye

(a freebie in Cardmaking and Papercraft's magazine)
and it's so gorgeous I didn't want to cover it up too much.

Do you like my bow?

It took me forever to tie that...

top of my 'to buy' list is a bow easy!

Stamp - House Mouse Pop-Ular Fun
Design Paper - My Mind's Eye - Summer
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards.

Ribbon and adhesive pearls from my stash.

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Christmas in July

I am a bit out of practice with Christmas cards,
but seeing as there are only 175 days 'til Christmas Day (eek!!)
it seemed like a good time to start making some.

I managed to dig out my box full of Christmas papers and stamps,
but I definitely need to buy some seasonal embellies.

I came across some mulberry paper (the dark green)
that I haven't used in ages.
If you wet the edges and carefully tear it,
you get a lovely feathered effect.
I 3D'd a couple of mice with foam pads,
coloured them with copics and added some stickles glitter.
I used a green chalk around the image and some yellow,
where the lantern is.
It doesn't show up too well in the photo though.

I finally found a great leaf punch.
My last one - I had to stamp on to get it to cut through anything,
and then it would completely jam!!
This one is from Xcut and it embosses as well.

Challenges I am entering...
Stampin' For The Weekend - Christmas in July and Sandie's Sketch
Fussy and Fancy - Christmas in July
Winter Wonderland - Punch It Out!

Recipe -
Stamp - Penny Black Christmas Critters.
Design Paper - My Mind's Eye - Signature Christmas.
Leaves - XCut Botanical Embossing Punch.
Blooms - Wild Orchid Crafts
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Star Charm - The Hobby House
My Stash - adhesive pearls, brad and ribbon.

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Rocket Man

What a fun challenge there is this week over at Pollycraft,
Joey has chosen the theme 'let's have a sing song'.
Not as difficult as it sounds -
you just have to create your card with a song in mind.
The DT work is awesome !!
Go and check it out.

My favourite song at the moment is Lady Ga Ga, Alejandro
(join an orderly queue behind me for the dancers!! )
but I have no idea what I could have made for that!! lol**

So my entry is "Rocket Man" Elton John...

Stamp - Background, Rocket and Spaceman all from the Pollycraft 'Space Mission' Set
Coloured with Copics. With some stick on silver stars added to the background.
Design Paper - Dovecraft Masculine
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards

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'Pop'-ular Fun

Morning everyone... hope you are enjoying the bank holiday. It's a wet one here, in more ways than one. We have a leaking overflow pipe, so it's a trip to the DIY store for us.
I am so excited to show you this project though..... drum roll please...
this is my very first House Mouse stamp. Isn't it gorgeous and it's a dream to colour.

This is for my daughter's birthday on Thursday. I have had this little metal peg tin for ages and decided to cover it and - shhhh, don't give it away, but I am going to fill it with some 'Lush' products for her.
I am entering my card for this fortnight's challenge at Sketch and Stamp, which is this wonderful sketch by Sem. I have just rotated the centre a little, so that my image would fit on.

Recipe

• Stamp - House Mouse 'Pop'-ular Fun, coloured with Copics
• DP - My Mind's Eye, Pretty Please
• Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
• Ribbon from my stash
  

Just a note about the House Mouse stamps - I bought mine from the online store Card Craft UK
It's the first time I have useed them and their communication was excellent and my delivery arrived within a couple of days.
Looking forward to inking up my other new stamps soon.
xxx

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