Friday 31 December 2010

Friday Release at StampFairy


I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas break; I did with time spent eating, drinking & playing games Christmas day & Boxing day & then visiting my son & his family for a couple of days.  It was horrible going back to work yesterday especially as we are so short staffed & I have to work from 7.45 am - 5.30 pm today & I'm cooking for friends this evening :(  

Though my StampFairy DT duties don't officially start til next week I found a little time to make a card with one of todays new releases which is called George Cocoa, bless him he looks a like he's going to be a little messy to me lol.  I coloured him with ProMarkers & added Glamour Dust to the snow.  The papers are digi & I finished off with ribbon, metal clips, flowers, punched snowflake, pearls & a greeting.  There is still 50% off all images at StampFairy at the moment but you've gotta be quick cos it ends today.

I'm entering this card into these challenges:
Paper Sundaes - Cut it Out
Meljens - Cold & Snowy
I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes
Digi Doodle - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Free & Easy, Anything Goes
Paperminutes - Sketch

Wishing you all a Very Happy & Healthy New Year!

Sunday 19 December 2010

Inspired by a Song at Sentimental Sundays


I'm a bit late with my post this week as I went to visit my son & his family in Kent yesterday & got snowed in so had to stay overnight (it was lovely to spend some extra time with them but now I am so behind with things).  This week's Sentimental Sundays challenge is "Inspired by a Song" - my song is "Sweets for my Sweet" by the Searchers.  This is actually the card I made for my Daughter-in-Law Zoe.  I used a digi image from Digi Stamp Boutique (& appropriately enough it is called Zoe with Chocolate lol) which I coloured with ProMarkers, I used 2 stamped sentiments: the someone special one is from a See Ds set & the other one is from Inkadinkado "Kid's Quotes" (I love these & don't know why I don't use them more).  The papers are Basic Grey & I finished off with a flower made by dissecting a cheap bunch of artificial flowers & a brad.  The DT have come up trumps again this week so why not check their blogs out for loads more inspiration.

The challenges:
Fun With Shapes - Scalloped
Aly's - Anything Goes
Totally Gorjuss - For Someone Special
Sweet Stampin - Celebrations
Meljens - Sweet as Candy (or Cookies)
I Did It - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Anything Goes
DigiStamp Boutique - Use Their Images

Hope you've all had a great weekend :)

Friday 17 December 2010

Stampin' for the Weekend - Christmas!


OMG Christmas is almost here & I'm not ready yet (if only I could postpone just for a few days lol) - I'm sure I'll get there though :)  Next year I've decided I'm starting my preparations in January (hopefully making some pressies too!).  At least Stampin' for the Weekend's challenge helped me make another Christmas card as the challenge is "Christmas".  Our sponsor this time is Crafts and Me with an extra special prize of a 6 month DT spot!  For my card I used a fabulous image by Diane Carubia called Penguin Christmas Kiss which I coloured with ProMarkers.  The papers are digi & I finished off with glitter, gems, rickrack, greeting & various punched & die cut snowflakes. 

The challenges:
Let's Craft and Create - It's Christmas
Dutch Dare - Winter
Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
Pear Tree Designs - Christmas!
Glitterbabe - Snow and/or Snowflakes

Wednesday 15 December 2010

Traditional Christmas at For Fun


This week's challenge at For Fun is "Traditional Christmas" & this is my last one as a DT member, it's been a pleasure being on Helen's Team & working the rest of the girls.  As I said in recent posts I've got some new things that I would like to do in the new year & also I've got some more fab news - I've been chosen for the Paper Pretties Digi Design Team, they have some fun & quirky designs & I'm looking forward to working with them.  On to the card: the papers are from Hot off the Press, the gorgeous sentiment & image is by Raindrop Echo Designs & coloured with ProMarkers.  I added some ribbon & the flower is handmade with micro beads & glitter for the centre.  I finished off with some holly leaves & punched foliage.  I still have some more Christmas cards to make so I don't think this will be the last lol.  I hope you can join us & have Fun!

I'm entering this card for these Challenges:
Tuesday Taggers - The Stockings Were Hung...
Kaboodle Doodles - Clean & Simple Christmas
Creative Belli - Christmas Embellishments / Papers
Stamp Something - December Digi Day
Pear Tree - Christmas
OCC - Sketch
Digital Tuesday - Sparkling Christmas
Allsorts - Last Minute Christmas Projects 

Sorry the photos are so dark (silly winter lack of daylight)

Monday 13 December 2010

Just a Quick One...Some Exciting News!

I recently found the StampFairy blog & their gorgeous images & saw they had a DT call on so thought I'd try my luck (you'll never know if you don't give it a go lol) & I am so happy to say that I've been picked for the Team - how cool is that!  The first challenge starts today & is "Glam it up using Glitter or Stickles"  the official start date for the Team is 3rd January but some of the team have started already (not me though I've way too much to do before Christmas lol).  I hope you will find the time to join in our first challenge & there are lots of chances to will gorgeous images :)

 

Last DT Card for Lexi's Creations


It was a difficult decision to leave Lexi's as I have been on her DT since the beginning, over a year ago &  have loved every minute, but it is time for a change.  I have lots of new things I want to do in the new year (& I have some exciting news coming up very soon).  The challenge this fortnight is Glitter & Pearls & for this challenge I used Gingerbread Snow Globe.  I made the Snow Globe bigger & used it for the base of my card, the image is coloured with ProMarkers & chalks.  I finished off with a stamped greeting, sticky pearls, gems & some Rainbow Stripe glitter from Kanban.  Have a great week everyone :)

The challenges:
Alphabet - G for Glitter
Stamptacular - Winter Wishes
Paper Sundaes - Anything but a Square or Rectangle - 
Digi's With Attitude! - Anything Goes
Daring Cardmakers - Snow Much Fun
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Sunday 12 December 2010

Sentimental Sundays Challenge - Let It Snow!


I hope you're all having a fabulous weekend, I can't believe how close Christmas is (& how unorganised I am lol, though I am getting there).  I felt extra Christmassy yesterday as I went to the Christmas Spectacular at Thursford (a Christmas variety show) which was fab :)  


Anyway... on to the challenge at Sentimental Sundays this week which is "Let It Snow!", so a good opportunity  to get on with those last minute Christmas cards (of which I have lots!).  My card is made with a Snowman stamp I've had for years (sorry can't remember make/name) & the image coloured with Twinkling H2os.  The papers are digi & the sentiment is from Raindrop Echo's New Christmas Sentiments  available from Whimsy Stamps; there are some fabulous designs in this set & perfect for last minute cards. I added a sticky ribbon, flowers, brad, staples & gems.  There are gorgeous cards from the rest of the DT team & don't forget the free sentiments every week too!


The challenges:
City Crafter - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
ABC  - J is for Jewels (& Gems)
Pixie Dust - Let It Snow!
Frosted Designs - Ribbon
Digital Tuesday - Baby It's Cold Outside
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Christmas Card

On the subject of Snow - here are my 2 Grandchildren Ryan & Abigail having fun in the snow :)

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Sketch Time at For Fun!


This is my penultimate challenge on the For Fun DT, I feel it's time for a change & I have some other projects I would like to have a go at in the New Year.  It's been great fun (as the title suggests lol) & they are looking for new DT members if you're interested.  This week we have a fab sketch by DT member Carol to use & it's nice & simple - so is my card lol - I'm having to make some quick Christmas cards as I am still behind.  The papers & decoupage image were free with a magazine & I glitter the edges of the papers & finished off with some die cut corners & a peel off greeting.

The challenges:
ABC Christmas - Y is for Yuletide
Stamping Vacation: Embellish It - Corner Adornment
Penny's - Merry Christmas
Card Makin Mamas - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations - A Beary Project
Catch the Bug - Anything Goes


Monday 6 December 2010

Last DT Card for Squigglefly


Wow, these 6 months have really flown by & I have loved being on the Squigglefly Design Team & working with their fabulous images.  The challenge this time is "Let It Snow!" which is nice & easy & gave me a chance to make another Christmas card (I'm still sooo behind).  This image is from Cheryl Alger (I loooove her images) called "Catching Snow" & coloured with ProMarkers.  I used lots of Glamour Dust (on every edge), the blue paper is from Pink Petticoat but I can't remember the other one.  The snow bingo card is from Designer Digitals & I finished off with 1 punched & 2 die cut snowflakes (& some gems).  If you get the chance to be on the Squigglefly DT I would say jump at it, they are so lovely to work with - Special thanks to Team Leader Maria & Holly who is super organised & holds it all together!

My challenges for this card:
Digi Doodle - Let It Snow
Stamps R Us - Holiday Cards
The Stamp Man - 3 Colours, Christmas theme  (Blue, Green & Pink - pls ignore his boots!)
Challenge Up Your Life - Christmas &/or Advent
TotallyPaperCrafts - Christmas Punches
Secret Crafter - Christmas
CCEE - Snowman
The Crafty Pad - Anything Goes


Sunday 5 December 2010

Anniversary Challenge at Sentimental Sundays


This week at Sentimental Sundays the challenge is "Happy Anniversary" (+ a sentiment).  For my card I used Rainbow Echo Designs Framed Circle Corner Borders, I thought this gorgeous sentiment was perfect for any wedding anniversary.  The papers I used are from Designs by Krista, I did lots of random machine stitching, the butterfly is a stamp by Anna Griffin, the flower was made with crepe paper & the instructions are here (though her's are much prettier than mine), I finished off with some Glamour Dust, lace & a pearl.  Why not check out the rest of the DT's creations for more inspiration & don't forget there are free sentiments to download every week!


Challenges:
Stamping Vacation: Very Vintage - Rose, Moss &/or Cream
Polka Doodles - All About the Sentiment
Pixie Dust - Lets Get Married (Wedding/Anniversary Theme)
Oh, Alice! - The Flowers Are Talking (Make Your Own Flowers)
Totally Stampalicious - Anything Goes 
Woodware USA - Anything Goes 
There's Magic In The Air - Anything Goes

Thursday 2 December 2010

Last Guest DT Post for Crafty Purple Frog


This is my last post as guest DT for the Crafty Purple Frog & I have really enjoyed being part of the team & using their gorgeous decoupage sheets.  The challenge this time is to make an Easel card.  I haven't made one for a while & it was great fun :)  The decoupage I used is called "Golden Promises".  The papers are PaperMania & Basic Grey which I inked the edges with a Brilliance Ink pad (Pearlescent Coral), I added lace, brads, corner detail, flowers & finished off with a big  die cut butterfly & gem. There are lots of prizes to be won from sponsor Crafts and Me & Amy is also giving away 3 prizes of CPF downloads too!  (You don't have to use Crafty Purple Frog products but if you do you will be entered twice & you can enter as many times as you like).  Ooh & you really should check out the DT's creations cos I'm sure you'll get LOTS of inspiration :)


The challenges:
Sir Stampalot - Travel the World (Asia)
Paper Sundaes - Adorn Those Corners
Flutter By - Anything Goes (with Butterfly, Fairy or Angel)
A Crafty Little Place - Anything Goes


Wednesday 1 December 2010

Gingerbread Man at For Fun


This week's For Fun challenge is to make a non-traditional shaped card & we are lucky to be sponsored by StampFairy & I chose this gorgeous Gingerbabies Candy Canes  & made him the shape of the card.  I cut his body from Kraft card & coloured the candy cane in with Promarkers & added Glossy Accents, I used pearlescent glue for the icing & made a sign with a chipboard greeting & lolly stick.  I finished him off with a gem nose, a ribbon & a star brad.  Helen is also looking for new DT members so why not get in touch :)


The challenges:
Winter Wonderland - Shape Up!
Scrappy Frogs - Merry Christmas
Let's Craft & Create - Anything Goes
I Did It - Surprise Me
Everybody-Art - Gingerbread Time
Die Cut Dreams - Sweets & Candy

Monday 29 November 2010

Where Has That Year Gone?


It is a whole year since Lexi started her challenge blog: Lexi's Creations & the first challenge  was "Blue & Silver" so this fortnight's challenge is the same.  I can't believe it's been a year & I've loved (& still do) being part of her Team.  I thought I'd use the same image "Paolo" & I coloured him with ProMarkers, added Stickles & a pompom snowball.  I finished off with a die cut snowflake, ribbon, gem & tag with stamped greeting.  Our fabulous sponsor is Joanna sheen.


The challenges:
Bah! Humbug! - Feeling the Blues...
Crafty Sentiments - Christmas
Crafts & Me - Snowflakes
TotallyPaperCrafts - Untraditional Christmas 
The Crafty Pad - Snowflakes
Our Creative Corner - Tag, You're It!
Fussy & Fancy - Christmas Without Red or Green
Just Us Girls - 3D Christmas Embellishment

This is the card I made last year for the First Challenge!

Sunday 28 November 2010

It's Recipe Time at Sentimental Sundays


I'm gonna try & keep this short as I'm not feeling too good today (I can't believe I've got another cold, I still have the remnants of the last one's cough!) - isn't it typical & I've soo much I need to do.  Ooh well I'm dosing myself up & fingers crossed I will feel better tomorrow (hmm this is turning into a longer post than I intended lol).  Anyway... on the the fabulous challenge at Sentimental Sundays which this week is a Recipe: 3 DPs, 3 Buttons & Ribbon - not too difficult :)  As I'm still behind with my Christmas cards I coloured several of these cute Pink Petticoat images to (hopefully) help me be a bit quicker making them.  I added Glamour Dust for sparkle, polar white Flower Soft to the hat, the papers are digi as before (Sweet Shoppe I think) & I added   an inked & Spray & Sparkled flower that I had left from the last Christmas card.  I finished off with gems, ribbon & the 3 little buttons.  I hope you can join us & check out the fantastic free sentiments that are available every week with the new challenge :)


The Challenges:
Karber Christmas - Use a Digi
ABC Christmas -X for Xmas (option of flowers)
Delightful - Flower Power
Creative Belli - R Embellishments (ribbon)
One Stop - Christmas Cuties
Daring Cardmakers - Spotty, Stripey Christmas
Crafty Catz - Christmas

Thursday 25 November 2010

Wild Rose Studio Blog Hop!


Wild Rose Studio is having it's very first blog hop & there is a fab sketch by Dawny P to follow.  I loved using this sketch & used one of my new digis from Heather Ellis which I coloured in with ProMarkers & glittered (well Glamour Dusted) around the edges.  The papers are digi but I can't remember if they're from the Sweet Shoppe or Designer Digitals, the flower was made from a cheap bunch of white artificial flowers that I dissected, inked & sprayed with fold Spray & Sparkle & I finished off with a foiled greeting, button & some gems.

I'm on holiday from work this week (hooray!) & actually got some Christmas presents today & I'm hoping to do the rest (well at least some more) tomorrow.  It felt quite Christmasy today with all the snow we've been having lol (it looks pretty but I don't like the freezing temperatures.


I'm entering this card for these challenges:
Simon Says - Let It Snow!
One Stop - Snow People
I Love ProMarkers - Anything Goes (with Sparkle if you like)
Digital Tuesday - Let It Snow
Digi Doodle - Red & Green
Creative Inspirations - Red, Green, Gold
Crafty Creations - Christmas Is Coming

Wednesday 24 November 2010

Keeping It Nice & Easy At For Fun


Yes the challenge this week at For Fun is "Anything Goes" & my card was a quick make as it was a last-minute request from a friend.  I love these images from DigiStamp Boutique & as I was short on time I coloured the image with chalks, the papers are from Designer Digital, I punched a border added ribbon  & finished off with punched flowers, foliage & gems & computer generated greeting (ooh & added some Glamour Dust to the bubbles).  

We've been away for a few days visiting family (& having a lovely time) but I have soo much catching up to do (blogging, commenting & especially crafting lol).

The challenges for this card are:
Creative Belli - R's (ribbon)
Pear Tree - Colourful 
Fab 'n' Funky - Going with the Flow
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Anything Goes
DigiStamp Boutique - Use Their Images


Monday 22 November 2010

More Thank You...


The Squigglefly challenge this week is Thank You/Give Thanks.  For my card I used this fabulous image by Cheryl Alger called "Lonely", I coloured her with ProMarkers & some chalk.  I love these papers from Designs by Krista & I printed on both sides as you could see the back on the torn pieces.  The greeting (I think) was a freebie from Sentimental Sundays a while ago.  The flowers were punched,  the edges inked & lots of Glamour Dust added with 3 gems in the centres.  It was a big weekend at Squigglefly with 3 new artists joining the long list of fabulous designers:  Marlene Shaw, Brian Lock & Susan Urban so why not pop over & have a look :)


The challenges: 
Stamp Something - Something with Thanks
Polka Doodles - Give Thanks
Frosted - Distressing
If The Shoe Fits - Make it Shine!

Sunday 21 November 2010

Thanks for Thanksgiving


The Sentimental Sundays challenge this week is "Thanks for Thanksgiving" (with a sentiment). Every week there a free sentiments to be had too & this week DT member Chris has designed a fabulous set called "Thankfully Yours" so there's no excuse not to join in ;).  This card is a bit different for me as I prefer cute & girly but I know that not every one does!  I used the new Gratitude sentiments by Raindrop  Echo Designs, the papers are "Allsorts" from Crafts House & are gorgeous double sided & pearlised.  The butterfly is a stamp I've had for ages from Anna Griffin & although I don't use it very often I do love it.  I finished the card off with a doily, flower, ribbon & charm. I hope you can join us & check out the other DT members designs too :)


I'm entering this card for these challenges:
Digi Doodle - Anything Goes
The Crazy Challenge - Thank You or Thanksgiving
Allsorts - Lace, Ribbon & Charm (I'm hoping the lacy doily counts!)
Aud Sentiments - Happy Thanksgiving (something you are thankful for)
Fairy Knoll - Thankful
Oh, Alice! - Caterpillar or Butterfly


PS. Normal service will be resumed asap  (tomorrow in fact)  when I will be back with a pretty, sparkly girly card :)

Friday 19 November 2010

It's Winter at Stampin' for the Weekend...


 & it's definitely Winter here, I think we bypassed Autumn altogether lol .  This weeks challenge (as the title suggests) at Stampin' for the Weekend is "Winter".  I used this cute image from Di's Digi Downloads which is called "Penguins Playtime".  I coloured the image with ProMarkers, added Frosted Lace Stickles to their hats & Glamour Dust to the snowdrops.  The papers are from the Sweet Shoppe & I finished off with a glittery snowflake, brad, greeting, gems & some pom pom trim (which I love).  We are sponsored this week by Toodles & Binks.  I hope you will join us & check out the other  DT members blogs for more inspiration.


I'm entering this card for these challenges:
Creative Inspirations - Anything Christmassy/Winter
Delightful - Baby It's Cold Outside
Bee Crafty - Christmas
Sweet Stampin' - Snowflakes
The Crafty Pad - Christmas Sparkle
PaperPlay - Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
I Love ProMarkers - Snowmen
2 Sisters - Christmas  
Stamp & Create - Tis the Season 
Little Paper Shop - Die Cuts
Digistamps 4 Joy - Inspired by Christmas/Holiday Season

Thursday 18 November 2010

Flower Challenge at Crafty Purple Frog


I am honored to be guest designer at Crafty Purple Frog again & this time the challenge is "Flowers".  For my card I used their The Glance Decoupage, which I think is really beautiful. I added some gems & Glamour Dust & as you can see I went overboard with the flowers & finished the card off with some ribbon.  The fab sponsor this week is Crafty Emma's Store. Why not check out the Store for lots of gorgeous printable designs & the Blog for more inspiration from the DT.


The challenges:
Lollipop - Very Girlie 
Crafts & Me - Glitter
Simon Says - Sparkle
Flutter By - Open Theme (with Butterfly, Fairy or Angel)
Digital Tuesday - Anything with Wings
Meljens -  Sparkle & Shine
Lili of the Valley - Glitter & Glitz