BIRTHDAY FISHES

Hello.

Phew! It's a scorcher here today.
I definitely wanted to sit in the cool of the library
and read the afternoon away.

I dug deep into my stash for this week's challenge
and found this little, fish stamp in an old Papermania set.

I stamped him all over my card panel, and used Copics for the colouring.

Then I simply popped up the panel on some coloured card and added the sentiment banner.

It would have been cute to change the sentiment to say..

a million birthday fishes... but in the end it was too much fiddling about!  :0)

The Library Challenge

supplies

papermania - stamping for him.   copics

mft - fish tail flag die     mama elephant - birthday messages

YOU'RE MY PERSON

Hello.

It's my Wedding Anniversary in July,

but I've made my card early this year

just in case my dh decides to whisk me away

on a romantic holiday. 

#Iliveinhope

I've played along at Inspired By again, this week.

This is fast becoming my favourite challenge,

cos it really gets my old grey matter going.

Are you playing along?

I took inspiration from the grid design and 

the white numbers on a dark background.

supplies

stamping bella - uptown girl ava / uptown couple brett and brenda

clearly besotted - basic banner

happy anniversary sentiment - papermania

copic markers

memory box - number dies    mft - in and out stitched square dies

MELLOW YELLOW

Hello.
I LOVE designer papers - don't you?
But, I rarely use mine anymore.
They are confined to a big, plastic tub underneath my crafting table.
I thought this die might encourage me to use some of them,
so here's it's first outing.

This was a super quick card, and I really like how it turned out.
I could have cut the letters individually, but that takes forever, and I always
end up with mine going wonky somewhere,
so this die, that cuts them all at the same time, is perfect.

The die-cut panel is popped up with foam tape and I added the sequins in last,
to make it look a little like a shaker card.

Challenge

Muse Card Cub

This week the challenge is Anything Goes

So there's no excuse for not playing along :-) :-)

Supplies

MFT - Scallope Edge Rectangle Die and Happy Birthday To You Die

DP - Papermania, Capsule Collection, Sunshine

Sequins

Nordic Style

Hey there,

here's my attempt at a Nordic style card for

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown

 I used some of my smaller stamps to create a repeat pattern, and

my first thought was to simply add this stamped panel to the card base,

but it looked so flat like that. 

In the end, I stamped my sentiment onto the card base and  then cut my patterned piece in 2

and added it top and bottom.

For a little more interest I re-stamped the stockings and mugs, fussy cut them,

(shame there's no die for these little pieces)

and attached them with foam pads.

Supplies.

Stamps - Wplus9 'Heartfelt Holidays' /  Papermania 'Tweet' / Stampendous 'Yule Penguins'

Sentiment Stamp - Pink Gem Designs

Memento Ink - Rose Bud  / Bahama Blue

xxx

What Are Little Girls Made Of ?

My weekend starts NOW!
I have just done a big shop; my fridge is stocked up with goodies (including alcohol) and I have a stack of DVD's to watch.  So, bring on the snow - again!!
I don't care - I will be all snug and warm under the duvet until Monday :-)

I better dash out to the postbox and mail this card to my friend's daughter
before I batten down the hatches!

I played along with the 'Muse' challenge again this week.
Marion created a lovely effect, o her project,  with strips of blue and green card. I took this as my inspiration, but as I wanted a more girly look,  I used  strips of a pretty, paper pack.
I adhered the strips to a white card panel and then attached them to my card base.

You can't get much cuter than this Pure Innocence girl. She's coloured with Copics, cut out and stuck on with foam pads. I also added some pearls to her shoes and one on her dress.
I almost added a button with a twine bow to the sentiment banner, and then I remembereed that they have a toddler in the house - you know how little fingers always find things like that - so I opted for a simple, card candi instead.

Challenges.
Muse - Inspirational Card
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Girly
Tuesday Alchemy - Anything Goes
Southern Girls - The Kids Are Alright
Aud Sentiments - Girl Power

• DP, GCD Studios Tea Time
• Pure Innocence Girl with Balloon, coloured with Copics
• 'Happy Birthday' Stamp, Papermania Stamping For Him Set.
• Adhesive Pearls, Card Candi

Eat more cake!

Here's another of my new Uptown girls from Stamping Bella - 
isn't she adorable?
I admit - I was nervous of colouring her and almost opted to  paper-piece her dress, but I'm pretty pleased with how she turned out.

Ava, is coloured with Copics and some stickles glitter, cut out and popped up on foam pads.   
IRL she has some lovely, sparkly detail.
I also added a few random gems for extra bling :-)
I have learnt now to buy clear gems, so that I can colour them with Copics, to match my design.

Challenges.
Creative Card Crew - Birthday
City Crafter - All that Glitters
Love to Create - All that Glitters
Dream Valley - Ribbon and Bling
ABC - H for Happy Birthday

• Stamping Bella, Ava Loves To Celebrate
• Copics and Stickles Glitter
• Ribbon and Gems
• Grey DP, Papermania Mono
• Martha Stewart Lace Doily Punch
• Sentiment, Wild Rose Studio

By Air Mail With Love

So, here I am back with a card....
I've noticed these cute Snoopy stamps around and I couldn't resist this airplane one.
 

 He's coloured with Copics, cut out and stuck on with foam pads.

For the clouds I used my Memory Box die, cutting them out of felt - layering them up and adding a little button brad.

Challenges.
Tuesday Throwdown -  Anything Goes
City Crafter - You Felt It   
One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes
Mad For Markers - Movies       The movie I chose is 'Airplane'. Yep, I know it's an old one, but it's so funny. We still use some of those old lines... "Can you fly this plane and land it" Surely, you can't be serious!" "I am serious and don't call me Shirley!"

• DP - Pink Petticoat, Chevrons
• Stampabilities - Peanuts Flying High
• Copics
• Felt, Button look brads
• Sentiment - Papermania, Portobello Road

A Yellow and Grey Day

Is it just me, or is it freeeezing today?
Even the dog doesn't want to go outside.
After a pathetic attempt to do some housework, I decided I'd be much better off playing in my craftroom, next to the radiator!

Faye has chosen the challenge over at Cupcake this week, and she has gone for Yellow & Grey.
I am loving this - it's my new favourite colour combo :-)

I followed the great sketch at The Sweet Shop. 
My digi guy is Hoodie Jayson, and he's filled with Pink Petticoat 'apple' paper and coloured with Copics.
This is a really terrific digi stamp and I find myself using it a lot.
Just ignore the nasty grey smudges on the apple design - that's my printer throwing a wobbly and definitely not on the digi papers.

 Challenges
Cupcake - Yellow & Grey
The Sweet Stop - Sketch
Stamptacular - Gents and Gems
One Stop Craft - Anything Goes
My Creative Moments - Word Play Saturday - Anything Goes

Supplies

• Whimsie Doodles, Hoodie Jayson
• Pink Petticoat Digi Papers, Apples, Pinstripes and Chevrons
• Spellbinders Nested Pennant Die
• Sentiment Stamp, Papermania Stamping For Him
• Twine
• Copics
• Grey Gems

Blue Hawaii

The snow is still coming down here in Co Durham - 
so it's time to get snuggled up, in front of the fire, 
with a mug of hot chocolate and my box set of Grey's Anatomy.
But first, here's my latest card...

I wanted a party girl for this card and I have been trying to get my hands on some Stamping Bella, Uptown Girls  -  but they are proving hard to get hold of in the UK - so I was happy when I came across this stamp, in my stash, that had been a freebie in a magazine. I think it's from Papermania.
I coloured her with Copics and some stickles glitter, cut her out and popped her up on foam pads. I've called her 'blue hawaii' today, because of the cocktail she's holding.
The chevron paper is a digi from Pink Petticoat.
 

I used a spellbinders nested pennants die for the top corner, simply attached with staples and the 'for you' stamp is from Wild Rose Studios.

Challenges
CAS-ual Fridays - Long and Short
Stampin' for the Weekend - Something Girlie
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Sweet 'n' Sassy Digi - Anything Goes
Divas by Design - Make it Girlie (2nd entry)

Uptown Girl

I'm having a bad picture day today :-(    
I'm really disappointed with how this card looks - despite several re-takes I can't get it any better. IRL it's so pretty.

I don't usually buy stamping magazines, but the July issue of Docrafts caught my eye at my local garden centre on Friday - mainly 'cos it came with a set of free stamps. I love FREE :-)
This is just one of the pretty, girl stamps. Isn't she gorgeous?
Can't wait to ink the next one up.
 

 I coloured her with Copics and added some random, little dots around the image, in the same colours. I used a glitter pen for more dots and to highlight parts of her dress. These are hard to see on the photos, but very sparkly IRL.
I used a purple Copic to ink up the 'party' stamp and also to colour the pearls.
 

Challenges.
Mad For Markers - Anything Goes. 
The Paper Shelter - Clean & Simple
Charisma Cardz - Monochrome
Totally Papercrafts - Inspired by a Song. It has to be Billy Joel's  Uptown Girl.
Stampin' for the Weekend - Monochromatic
Craft Your Days Away - Anything Goes. Sadly, this is the farewell challenge from CYDA and they want to go out with a bang - so make sure you enter, if you can. Thanks for a fab challenge blog ladies - it will be missed.

Supplies.
DP - Papermania, Heather Capsule Collection.
Stamps - from the Papermania, Strictly Party range. I'm not sure if you can buy the stamps, but the design is available as decoupage sheets - here
Copics - BV000/02/04  E00/11 E33/35/37  R59
Glitter Pen. Pearls

Live the Life you Love

I am having withdrawal symptoms today!! Sadly, I have had to step down from the DT at Totally Papercrafts - what with the house sale and my new job, I just can't keep up right now. They are an AWESOME bunch over there though - and if you fancy a spell on THE best team, play along with this week's challenge and put DT after your name :-)

As soon as I saw this image I knew it would be perfect for my daughter Annabel's birthday card. I did intend to use much darker, brunette colours - but last week Annabel decided to have blonde highlights put in her hair!! 

Of course she did!

Well, that sure tested my Copic skills :-)

I've also added a few touches of bling here and there and used my fav sentiment, - Live the Life you Love - which was a freebie from a magazine.

 

Challenges
Truly Scrumptious - Pretty in Pink
Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter - Bling it On
Crafts and Me - Fabulous Flowers (there are a few on there girls - on the DP - but if that's not enough just delete my entry - no worries ;-)
Aud Sentiments - Any Sentiment

Supplies

6 x 6 On the Edge, Petal Point Card Blank.

Digi Image, Crafts and Me Violet - coloured with Copics and Diamond Dust.

DP - Papermania, Regency.  Martha Stewart Lace Doily Punch.

XCut Heart Die.  Sentiment was a mag. freebie.   Gems.  Lace. Ribbon

I {heart} my dog!

Just a quick post from me today, as I am busy working.

Over at Totally Papercrafts, our lovely Sue wants you to have a giggle this week. So join in with our humour theme and see if you can make us laugh.

 I kept this card pretty simple, and added my quote to a tag, that tucks easily into a pocket behind the main image.

Our sponsors this week are Whimsy Stamps who do a great range of digi and rubber stamps. This little sentiment in the top right is from their Circle Postmark set.

Challenges

Charisma Cardz - Pocket Card

Cute Card Thurs. - Anything Goes

Birthday Sundaes - Animal Birthday Card

Supplies.
Westie Stamp - DoCrafts. Coloured with Copics and paper pieced.
DP - Papermania, Regency.  Twine, Ribbon, Button, Adhesive Pearls.
Martha Stewart Lace Doily Punch.

Accordion File Purse

Are you snowed in??   

It looks like most of the UK has had snowfall this weekend.

And, it seems, that the white stuff has gone metric. 

The news tells me we have had 6cm here - that's 2.36 inches in old money!!! :-)

I finally got round to making something other than a card - this cute little accordion file purse.

Maria Bell has shared her brilliant, step by step tutorial here - give it a try - it's really not as difficult as it looks.

I used white card for the main body of the purse and lilac for the 'accordion' pieces and the matting on the little cards.
The purse itself measure approx 6"(length) x 4"(height) x 3"(depth)  and closes with a velcro dot.

I made 4 cards (2 of each design) to go inside the file - 3" x 3" fits very comfortably.
I kept them quite plain, so that they could be used as notes, thankyous, etc.


It took me ages to decide on the sentiment for the front of the file. I wanted something that would suit any occasion and finally settled on this 'just for you' die cut.
  

To finish off I added a little 'hand made' stamp on the back.

Sorry about the rubbish photos. As you can see, I tried every angle and every surface to try and get a decent shot!

Challenges.

Aud Sentiments -  Anything BUT a Card, with a Sentiment.

Allsorts - Free & Easy

Do You Stack Up? - Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments - Punches and/or Dies

Little Claire's - Anything BUT a Card

Supplies.

White and Lilac Card.    DP is DoCrafts V & A Hanoverian

Sentiment from Craftwork Cards.  Spellbinders Fancy Tags 3 Die and Lacey Circles

Martha Stewart Lace Doily Punch.   Catslife Press 'Hand Made' Stamp.

3 x 3 Blank Cards.   Xcut Butterfly Punch.  Papermania 'Tweet' Bird Stamp.

Ribbon and pearls from my stash.

Vintage Style

Just a quick post from me today, to let you know the new challenge at Totally Papercrafts.

It's the lovely Dora's first time hosting for us and the theme she has chosen is...

Pearls and Lace

This week we are sponsored by Crafty Emma. Check out the store for all kinds of crafting goodies, some great bargains in the sale, and have a sneaky peak at the lush papers that are available to pre-order.

Challenges

Papercraft Star  Victoriana

Simon Says - Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes

Supplies -

6 x 6 On the Edge Card Blank from Crafty Emma's

Dress Form digi from Stretch 'n' Bubbles, paper pieced with Bo Bunny, Timepiece.
(This digi stamp store is now closed, but I'm sure someone else must do a similar stamp.)
DP, Prima Printery  Nestie Elegant Posts

Stamps from Papermania, Portabello Road 

Cream Lace, ribbon and pearls from my stash

To Have And To Hold

Over at Totally Papercrafts this week, the lovely Lols is hosting and we want you to...

Make Your Own Flowers

Argggghhhhh - I don't do flowers. I have tried - honest I have - with all that rollling and wrinkling, but it always ends up looking like something the dog chewed up!!
So, I can't wait to see what you come up with - and hopefully you will share your secrets with us!

I used this gorgeous digi image from Tiddly Inks, coloured with Copics and a sprinkling of Glamour Dust. In fact, quite a bit of Glamour Dust went on this card - it's not just for Christmas, you know!   ;-)

Here's a close up of my flowers.

IRL they are very pretty, although I admit, not a lot of 'making' was involved!

If , like me, you're 'florally' challenged,

even you can give these a go.


I bought the lace flower trim from my local craft shop and cut out the flowers.

I punched a simple bloom from card and bent up the petals. 

I used a glue dot to stick the lace flower on top.

The card helps to give the lace some shape, otherwise it would lay very flat.

Then I simply added a pearl or dew drop centre.

Easy, peasy  :-)

Challenges

Papertake Weekly - Buttons, Bows, Bling & Blooms - Use any or all of them.

Ladybug Crafts -  Bows

Digi Tuesday - Romantic Card

Bling It On (Jan) - New Beginnings

Stampalot Challenges (Jan) - Monochromatic

Supplies
6 x 6 On the Edge card blank from Crafty Emma's.
Tiddly Inks Digi Image, You and Me Baby coloured with Copics.
DP - Papermania, Heather.     Glamour Dust.   XCut Flower Punch
Sizzix Flourishes Die.     XCut Sm. Heart Nestie.  Sm. Lacey Circle Nestie
Sentiment LOTV.  Pearls Coloured With Copic.  Dew Drop. Satin Ribbon.

A Pastel Christmas

 My cold is finally on it's way out - it's been a real stinker, but quite short lived - I'm just struggling to get my brain into gear now!

I keep having to call my mobile to find out where I left it!!!

I did manage to concentrate long enough to make this card.

I followed the sketch over at Bling it On - well, I though I did lol** 

Just looking at it again, I have missed off the 'swag' along the bottom and haven't added the optional butterfly. I hope it's close enough to enter though. :-)
I went for pastel colours, which is the theme at Teddy Bo right now and I would also like to enter the Papertake challenge (anything goes, plus a bit of bling if you want!) and Digital Tuesday (cute and cuddly).
 

Supplies -
Teddy Bo coloured with Copics and Glamour Dust and popped up with foam tape.
Happy Christmas stamp from the Papermania 'Sleigh' Set       Gems
DP - DCWV Nana's Nursery      Marianne Snowflake Die.     Mini Xcut Punch (snowflake centres)

Animal Antics

Are you an animal lover?

We hope so, 'cos that's the theme we have for you at Totally Papercrafts this week.

From pets to wildlife, we want to see Animals on your card/project.

What a great excuse for me ink up my brand new stamp -
this is my very first Gorjuss Girl.

Am I the only sad person who gets scared about colouring a stamp for the first time?
I think it's 'cos I really want to do it justice!

Challenges

Papertake -  Anything Goes and 4th Birthday Blog Hop

My Mum's Craft Shop - All Creatures Great and Small

Aud Sentiments - Happy Birthday

The Paper Variety - Forest Friends

Supplies
6 x 6 On the Edge Card (available from Crafty Emma's) / Gorjuss Girls Little Foxes, coloured with Copics.
Whimsy Stamps, Postmark / Martha Stewart Leaf Border Punch
DP, Papermania Heather / Buttons and ribbon from my stash / Gems, coloured with a Copic

Totally Papercrafts #68 Pink and Girly

Can it really be Friday already? This week has just flown by.

We have another challenge for you at Totally Papercrafts, hosted by the very talented Carol,

                    with the theme...

Pink and Girly

A good excuse (like we need one!) to get out all those pretty papers and gorgeous embellies.

 I'm not supposed to be buying any new craft goodies right now, but this Docrafts Westie stamp reminded me of my little Suzie, so I HAD to have it!

I started with the idea of making a tent card, but somewhere along the way it turned into a bag, to hold a gift card or cash!

Here is the tutorial for the tent card, by Beate Johns.

I took a 6 x 6 card and cut it along the score line, so I had a front and back piece.

The tent piece is 6" x 4", scored at 1", 2" and 3",

on the 4" side.

Folded mountain/valley style and attached to the front and back pieces.

To make the handles, I used 2 oval nestie dies to make a frame and cut it in half.

I couldn't find my velcro fasteners, so I just used a piece of bakers twine to keep the handles together.

For the inside pocket I cut a piece of card approx 6 1/2" x 3 3/4

scored at 3 1/4 and folded up.

I used a nestie to cut a little piece out of the top of one edge, so you can get to the gift card.

I decorated it with my DP and stitched the sides,

then attached it to the inside of my bag with DS tape.

Challenges

Do You Stack Up - Animals

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Lace

and a couple of challenges that are new to me...

Party Time Tuesdays - Animals

My Mum's Craft Shop - Favourite colours/combos.  My fav. combo at the moment is this pink and grey. To me it says 'girly' but not too fluffy??!! Does that make sense?

Supplies.

Stamp - Docrafts, Pampered Pets Highland Terrier

DP - Papermania Capsule Collection, Red Hot

Dovecraft Heart Punch 

Wild Rose Studio - 'For You' Stamp.

Gems, Baker's Twine, Lace, Ribbon, Button from my stash. 

Mister Blue Sky

I thought I would try something different today. I am hopeless at the distressed/shabby chic look - I think it's the Virgo in me wanting everything to be neat and tidy  :-)  but, I am pleased with the way this turned out.

This gorgeous bird image is from the The Graphics Fairy. I just removed some text and added a sprinkling of glitter here and there.

I stuck a piece of DS tape to my card, and ruffled the ribbon up as I went along it - I wasn't sure the tape would hold it though, so I stitched down the middle for good measure.

Challenges - 

Craft Emma's - Embelish It (use at least 3 different embellies). I used blooms, pearls and ribbon.

A Spoon Full Of Sugar - Things with Wings

Ladybug Crafts - Animals.   Birds are animals, aren't they???

Supplies.

Image - The Graphics Fairy

DP - Webster's Pages, Petite Papers

New Home stamp from Papermania Scrolls and Sentiments.

Blooms, ribbon, pearls from my stash.

Cake and candles

It's my turn to choose the theme over at Totally Papercrafts this week and I went for -

Don't Be Square

no groaning please :-)
You can make this nice and simple with circles and rectangles,
or treat us to something a little more elaborate.
Just have fun!

Our fabulous sponsor this week is Robyn's Fetish
If you need some inspiration check out the brilliant work of my teamies
over on the challenge blog.


I came across this AWESOME card and tutorial by Kathrin
on the Stempeleinmaleins Blog
and I just HAD to try it. Isn't it AMAZING?

It's a great tutorial - very easy to follow and surprisingly quick to make. The card itself, is like an easel card, with an added scored section, so that it folds over the cake and candle box.
 

I did find the cake a bit tricky, but that's because I have fingers like Shrek!! I added an extra circle layer to the bottom of the cake to help me keep it together. For the candle holes I used a standard hole punch (like you use for A4 paper) which was the perfect size for my candles.

My candles only just fit, lengthwise, inside the box, so make sure you measure yours. It would be easy to add a few mm's to the template. 

Here's a close up of my image

Kenny K Club Kid,

coloured with Copics

And finally a picture of the card folded down - in my excitement to finish, I forgot to add a little bit of ribbon to the top and bottom, which would tie in a pretty bow at the front. Never mind - next time!!

 I'm not sure how safe it would be to actually light these candles - 

so maybe it should be given with a warning!

Challenges - 

Spoon Full Of Sugar - Anything Goes

Truly Scrumptious - Anything Goes + DT Call

ABC - U is for Unusual Fold

Charisma Cardz - Birthdays in Pink

Supplies - 

DP - Papermania Regency.        Stamp - Kenny K Club Kid

It's Your Birthday Stamp - Catslife Press

Balloons -  Sizzix Die               Marth Stewart Lace Border Punch

Leaves - XCut Botanical Punch

Blooms, Card Candy, Ribbon, from my stash.

xxx