Cupcakes and Babies

Happy Monday.

 

Today I'm sharing a new baby card with you.

Cupcakes and babies go together, right??

 This is what happens, when you want to join in a couple of 'cupcake' themed challenges,

and you need a 'new baby' card  :-)

I started by stamping and embossing my welcome sentiment.

Then, I added a banner, cupcake and birds, all popped up on foam pads.

The cupcake is paper-pieced, and is sprinkled liberally with glamour dust.

IRL it really sparkles!

  

Challenges.

The Card Concept - Cupcakes - Clean & Layered.

Allsorts - Cake and Cupcakes

Supplies.

Mama Elephant, Just Hatched.    Clearly Besotted, Make A Wish + Basic Banners

Simon Says, Sweet Cupcakes.    Lawn Fawn, Stitched Rectangles.

DP - Daisy & Dandelion, Picnic Patch + First Edition, Bird Song.

Ink - VersaColor, Boysenberry.  Copics. Glamour Dust. Sequins. Pearls.

I {heart} you

It's my Wedding Anniversary next week - 29 years.
Yes, that makes me around 10 when we got married ;-)
Here's the card I made for Mr. Kiss.   Nice and simple - just like him... ha ha!

I don't know what you call this technique, when you die cut your shape and then insert a die cut back into it - but that's what I did. :-)
I was happy to use up a small scrap of dotty dp, but at this rate, I have enough paper to last me til I'm 110 !!

Then I stamped and die cut some more speech bubbles, and popped them up on foam pads to add some dimension.
A glitter heart, some gems and sequins and a piece of envelope washi tape, finished everything off.

Challenges.
Pixie's Playground - Week 132
Crafting by Designs - Use Dies
Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes and DT Call

Supplies.
Speech Bubble Dies - Clearly Besotted.
I {heart} you sentiment - Simon Says - Elephant Love
XOXO sentiment - Hero Arts Typewriter Notes
Nestie Heart Die.    Glitter Paper - American Crafts
Envelope Washi Tape, Gems, Sequins

You had me at cupcakes!

Hey there,
today I am sharing a 'modern retro' card with you.

The 'modern' bit, is the card layout -I  keep seeing variations of this on my blog travels - and it's a really versatile style.
Then, the 'retro' bit is the cupcake.
Can you remember a few years ago, when cupcakes were EVERYWHERE?
Don't tell me you don't have at least one cupcake stamp lurking at the bottom of your stash.
Dig it out, and give it a modern twist.

I stuck with bold colours and no shading to continue my 'retro' theme,
but I couldn't help adding some sparkle  :-)

Challenges.
Retro Sketches - # 103
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Penny Black & More - Make It Sparkle

Supplies.
Cupcake Satmp from Simon Says, Savor Sweet Cupcakes, coloured with a Copic and
sprinkled with Diamong Dust.
Sentiment - Pink Petticoat.
Sizzix Tags #2 Die     Button/Gem/Sequins/Twine

Can you handle one more candle!

Afternoon everyone...

today I'm sharing with you a bright and cheerful,

but oh, so simple card.

When I made this card I had in my head the CAS-ual Fridays challenge, which is Colour Blocks.

But, now I've popped back over there, I see that just about everyone has used actual 'blocks' of colour on their work.

So.. this is my interpretation of colour blocks -  **wink**

Challenges

CAS-ual Fridays - Colour Blocks ( hello DT   :-)   if you don't think this fits your challenge, just delete my entry, no worries).

Aud Sentiments - Use Any Sentiment

Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes

Supplies

Stamp from Simon Says Savor Sweet Cupcakes Set

Sentiment Stam - Hero Arts Bicycle

Memento Dew Drop Ink in Tangelo, Bahama Blue, Rose Bud, Pistachio and Dandelion

Gems, coloured with Copics.

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.
----------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------

Mother's Day Shadow Box Card

Woohoo! I have FINALLY finished this project.
You would not believe how long it's taken me -
and it nearly went in the bin a few times!!
It's the first time I have used this type of flower, and I had loads of trouble with the glue.
My silicone didn't seem to want to stick, but after 3 attempts,
(and lots of screaming ) those flowers aren't going anywhere!!
Thanks again to everyone who left me a post helping me out with the glue.
It's also the first time I have made a shadow box card, but it was very easy to do, following the fabulous tutorial, from Tanja, at Stempeleinmaleins
This is a great card to make, and it does fold up to fit into an envelope,
but with my added flowers I decided to make a box for it.
Thanks to Lorraine for her box tutorial, where all I had to do was alter the dimensions to fit my card.
I am entering this project for the challenge at Totally Papercrafts, where the theme this week is
Mother's Day/Special Lady.
And also for the Mother's Day/Girly, Simon Says challenge.
Here in the UK it's Mother's Day on Sunday, so if you need some inspiration check out these challenge blogs and the fabulous DT work.
Recipe...
Shadow Box Card - Design Paper, Papermania Capsule Collection, Heather.
Stamps - Magnolia, Summer Background coloured with watercolour paints,
Wooden Gate and Flower Tilda coloured with Copics.
Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
For the box I have used the same DP, with more flowers.
The hearts were cut from a template and the text was stamped with
My Sentiments Exactly, Adrienne's.

Cinnamon Chips and Fruit Salsa

This is a great little sweet treat to enjoy as a yummy snack,
or a simple dessert.
We are going to have ours whilst we are watching the football.
Come on Leeds!!

I am entering this for 2 challenges -
Simon Says, where the challenge is 'punch it' and
Charism Cardz, where the challenge is 'fruity colours'.
It's definitely fruity!! lol*

Recipe -
I decorated the jar of fruit salsa with some red card,
punched with a fiskars lace punch.
The designer paper was a freebie from a magazine.
I added a lime green ribbon and a flower on the top
(not sure you can really see the flower).

I put the chips in a cellophane bag and for the card top,
I used my lace punch again.
I added Cherry Tilda, coloured with copics
and a little handmade stamp from Hero Arts.

Cinammon Chips - cut tortillas into wedges and put on a baking tray.
Spray with cooking oil and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar,
Bake for 8 - 10 mins at around 180 degrees.
Fruit Salsa - dice up whatever fruit you have.
I used apple(sprinkled with lemon juice),
pineapple, kiwi, strawberry and melon.
Add a little sugar and a good spoonful of good quality jam/conserve.
Chill.

Shabby Chic Anya

This week's challenge at Simon Says is
'shabby chic'.
I'm not quite sure what that means, but
I thought I would have a go anyway.
I inked the edges of my papers and used some scissors
to distress them,
and I'm quite pleased with the finished look.
Today's deliberate mistake, was when I stuck my stamp
down on the scalloped card, completely off centre...
you should have heard me scream!!
I have had to try and stick another piece of card down the
right hand side, so don't look too closely at that bit..lol*

Recipe:
Stamp - The Greeting Farm, Miss Anya Dressy,
coloured with copics.
It's my first time using this stamp, isn't it just adorable?
Design Paper - My Mind's Eye, Wild Asparagus.
'Dream' text, downloaded from mel stampz
You really should check out Mel's blog, she has the most amazing
collection of projects, tutorials and templates.
Card edged with lace fiskars punch
Card candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards.
Charm from my stash.
xxx

3D Christmas Tree Card

How gorgeous is this little, 3D Christmas Tree?
I wish you could see it in real life -
it looks fab!
I got the idea from Marianne at StampARTic

If you pop over there,

you can see a couple of her awesome cards
and she has kindly added a step by step
tutorial for making the tree.

This card is my entry for this week's

'Animal Antics' challenge,
over at Simon Says.

I used one of the Penny Black, Christmas Critters stamps,
which I layered up and coloured with Copics and
stickles glitter.
Design Paper is My Mind's Eye -
Signature Christmas for the background,
Bloom & Grow for the tree.
Star Charm - the Hobby House,
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Pearl brad and bows from my stash.

Simons Says, would also like us to bear in mind
the struggle that animal charities face right now,
and please donate if you can.
Here in the UK we have
Children in Need this weekend,
so, to anyone that's sitting in a bath of cold jelly,
shaving their head,
or getting involved in the fun,
I hope you raise a ton of money!
xxx

Stitching Galore

Hooray... something I can do!
Simon Says

wants you to 'Stitch It Up' this week.
I always machine stitch my cards,
but you can also hand sew, or fake it and use a pen.

There's a great set of DT work on the blog,
for you to look at, to give you some inspiration.

If you haven't used your sewing machine on card,
give it a go.

It's very easy and I didn't have to alter any tensions or
anything on my machine.

Just practice on a piece of card first.
I use either a straight stitch or a zig-zag,
as I find the fancy stitches on my machine don't really work very well.

A good tip is to always use white cotton on your bobbin
and just change your spool colour.
The white shouldn't show through.


Recipe:

Stamp - Stamposaurus, Lazy Ellie
coloured with copics.
Design Paper - My Mind's Eye, Bloom & Grow
Card candy and sentiment from Craftwork Cards.
xxx

Back to Skool !!

I know I'm not the only one that has been struggling with
this week's 'Back to School' challenge, over at

Simon Says.

Then I remembered that this set of stamps contained
a little backpack that was just perfect.

If you're struggling too, you could always take

Lorraine's advice and make a bookmark, or a covered notebook.

Check out the DT work for some great ideas.

What is it about me and buttons??

I see them on other people's cards
and they always look fab.

They just don't seem to look right when I use them.
I tried these all ways - with ribbon on top, underneath,
with brown thread, with string...

but in the end I got so frustrated I just stuck them on
without anything!

Recipe -
Stamp, from the Woodware Playtime set,
coloured with whispers pens.
Paper - My Mind's Eye, Wild Asparagus.
Letters cut with Sizzix die.
I made the 'Back to Skool' sentiment on my comp.
xxx

Wilbur With Presents

Hello everyone,

I am still trying to get over the shock this morning,
of having to pay £300 to have my ice-maker fixed!!
It's one of those built into the fridge/freezer ones
and it's only a year old.

Anyhoo... here is my card for this week's
challenge over at
Simon Says.

The theme this week is 'Animals'

I have used one of my fab new digital downloads from
Pollycraft.
The doggy and the presents are on the same stamp,
but I cut out the presents and paper pieced them,
adding the dog with sticky fixers to give it more of
a 3D effect.
The paper is DCWV, Nana's Nursery, Baby Girl.

Simon Says Challenge

Afternoon everyone,

hope you are enjoying the little bit of sunshine we have.

This morning my 18 year old daughter, finally stumbled
upon the washing machine and, with barely half an hours instruction,
managed to get it working!!

She's a smart girl ;-)
Tomorrow will be 'Ironing for Beginners'.

I managed to get some crafting done,
and have made this card for the
Simon Says Challenge,

which is a wonderful sketch from Iris.

Recipe: Stamps from the new WOJ Summer Collection,
coloured with whispers pens.
Design Paper: DCWV Nursery, Baby Girl
I punched the flowers from the design paper
and stuck them on with a sticky pad, to give them a more 3D look.

Then, of course, I dabbed a bit of stickles glitter around.
xxx

Simon Says Recipe

There's still a couple of days left to enter the

Simon Says Challenge.

This week, it's a great recipe, cooked up by Lorraine,

2 papers
3 buttons
1 ribbon

On my entry I used a wonderful sketch,

courtesy of my friend Chrissie.

The stamp is WOJ, Spring Collection,
coloured with whispers pens.

Design Paper is Paper Cellar - Wedding.
I found those cute little buttons in my
local sewing shop and the ribbon is from my stash.
xxx

A Sweet Treat

... but not for eating!!
Well, I guess you could eat it, but I wouldn't recommend it.

My daughter started a new job today -
she goes to Uni. but has got a job,
one day a week, in a clothes shop.
So, I wanted to have a little treat ready for her
when she gets home tonight.

This is a Lemon, Honey Body Scrub and is for the
'Recycle' challenge over at Simon Says

The glass jar is recycled from Christmas -
it contained Christmas Crunch,
from my very first blog entry,
and has finally found it's way back to me.

The little green ribbon is also recycled.

Have you noticed, that nearly every top you buy
has these little ribbons sewn into the shoulders.

I have started to cut them out and use them in my crafting.

The stripey paper is DCWV - Nursery
and everything else is from my stash.

I haven't tried the scrub yet, but here is my recipe for it.
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
grated rind of 1 lemon
2 tbsps honey

New Challenge Blog

I finally have 5 minutes to myself today,
to upload this card before The Apprentice starts, on TV.

This is the first challenge for a great new blog called

Simon Says

and the theme is

"yellow and green"

I have used one of my Magnolia stamps again -
they are just so cute, I can't stop playing with them.

This one is Tilda with Cowberry Muffin.

I had no idea what a cowberry is,
but apparently it's a relative of the cranberry!
The paper I have used is Papermania - Sweet Nothings,
with ribbon, bloom and flower button all from Poppicrafts.

Right, Sir Alan has just given out this week's task,
so I am off to see how they can mess it up this week.

xxx