Sunny Sunday

What a gorgeous day today. We went to the cinema again this morning to see "Sunshine Cleaning" (a free screening) & I had no idea what the film was about (especially as I thought it was called Sunshine Clearing lol) it was ok. Mark liked it better than me & was pleased that it had a happy ending lol. We popped to the In-Laws after & had a cuppa & cake in the garden. When I got home I was determined to finish this card that I started last night. I kept it really simple, i thought about adding gems or pearls but I like it as it is. The gorgeous papers are from Designs by Krista Shabby & Tula kits. I used my Nesties, the stamp is from Anna Griffin & is coloured in with Sakura stardust pens & a waterbrush (they give a lovely shimmer). I finished it off with a touch of lace.

This card fits 2 challenges: A Spoon Full of Sugar - "Butterflies" & I used the fab sketch from Stamp Something.

I've been pottering in the garden since finishing this card, potting up my salad leaves & tomatoe plants :-) & as the weather has been so gorgeous I thought I'd take photos of the card in the garden. Now I'm desperate for a cup of tea lol (& maybe a donut, all this work has made me peckish)

Brother's Birthday Card

Wow, I impressed myself - making 2 cards in one night lol. I'm glad I manged to get my bruv's card done :-) I used a pic of a steam train which I mounted on holographic card. The papers I haven't used for ages & are from DCWV, the ticket is from Kaboodle Doodles, the vellum sentiment I found in my stash & I attached it with a metal swirly thing (I have no idea what to call these but I love them!) & finished of with a ribbon. The challenge from the Creative Card Crew is "Geometric Patterns" so this fits :-)
Must go to bed now, can hardly keep my eyes open lol, we were going to watch Jonathon Ross but hubby watching end of film so we'll probably watch something on Catch-Up.

Sketch & Stash meets Pollycraft

Friday again, OMG where has the week gone?! I'm glad it is the weekend though. I was supposed to be making my brothers birthday card tonight (with a picture of a steam train) but I wanted to make a girly card (nothing unusual there then lol). I love this image from Pollycraft, its called "Cherry Kisses Shopping", their challenge this week is a Recipe 3 - 2 - 1 (3 embellishments, 2 papers & 1 image). The pink & green flowery paper is from Willow Designs. My 3 embellishments are: flowers, ribbon & a charm (they did say they are allowing creative licence here luckily). The sketch is from Sketch & Stash & the ribbon, flowers & charm I've had for ages so it is nice to make use of them at last :-)

Right better get on with my brother's card now, where did I put that picture of the steam train lol? (I've got to confess I had to give her a mouth to her after scanning the photo, I kept looking at her & she didn't look right without lol).

Baby Card :-)

Better be quick cos gotta get ready for work. I made this card last night but didn't have time to blog it (I was too late to bed as it was & feel tired this morn lol). I fancied a change from birthday & similar cards & thought I keep this card clean & simple. The sketch is from The Fresh Batch & the theme over at Stamptacular is "One for the Boys" (hope this counts as it is for a very small boy lol). The image is Elzybells (coloured in with Prismacolors), the papers are from my scrap box, the greeting is from Stampin Up! with Nesties & a ribbon. The card is finished with 2 puffy hearts & some pearls.

Father's Day Card Done!

Hooray for days off! I love having Wednesday's off to break up the busyness of work. It's a time to catch-up with all those never ending chores (though I must admit I haven't done everything on my list today - I love lists, it's so rewarding ticking things off lol) but I did mange to make Father-in-Laws card for Father's Day. I was really struggling for an image when Zoe found this one, it is very funny & appropriate as Paul (FIL) is always coming round & cutting the grass & titivating the garden when we are at work - I must say though he doesn't look anything like this chap. The papers again are from Papermania's "Secret Garden", the image is coloured in with distress inks & a bit of chalk for the sky. I cut a stem border & added a flower with button brad & tag. Oooh I nearly forgot the sketch I used is from Our Creative Corner & the challenge at Created by Hand is "Father's Day"(this is a new challenge to me).

Willow Sketchie Challenge

I had to be at work at 7.45 am this morning but only til 12 so I made a bit of time this afternoon (in between boring houseworky stuff) to do some crafting.

It was nice to be able to join the Willow Sketchie challenge again :-) Sharon's little added extra this week is to add a "twist". I used the fab Winnie knitting download, my Nesties & my "twist! was some yarn & beads with a flower button. The finishing touches were some flowers, lace, pearls, ribbon & a sentiment. I made this card for my dear friend Janis; her birthday's not until July but hey it's good be organised (& very rare lol).


I must get round to making Mark's Dad's Father's Day card soon (ooh no another "man" card & I can't find a suitable image)....

Card for a Man!

It's been such a busy day I'm glad I managed to fit a bit of crafting in :-) We (hubby & Stu & me) went to the cinema this morning to watch "Looking for Cantona" which I expected to be pants (we only went cos we had free tickets) but it was really good, it made you laugh & cry (sometimes at the same time lol). Then we popped to the Inlaws & then of course there was the Sunday dinner to cook.

I don't usually like making cards for those awkward fellas, I much prefer pretty, girly cards but I really enjoyed making this card for a change. It is for a relation (hubby's cousin's husband) & I used a fab download from Sally-Ann's new DigiStamp Boutique which I coloured in with my Prismcolor pencils & I added liquid pearls to the froth on the pint. I used my Nesties (I love Nesties). The papers are from Papermania's Secret Garden paper pack & the card is finished off with a stamped greeting & a diecut pint. The sketch is from the PaperPlay Challenges.

Kimmie's Birthday Blog Candy :o)

Kimmie is celebrating her birthday (which was 2nd June) with some gorgeous candy, you can check it out here & while you're at it why not check out her fab blog too.

Thank Goodness it's nearly the Weekend

I'm glad it will soon be the weekend, unfortunately I have to work until 6.30 tomorrow & it's my turn to work this Saturday at 8.00 am (only til 11.30 so not so bad).

Here is another card that I have been making all week lol. It is for 3 challenges:
Inspirational Card Sketches
The Pink Elephant - 3 buttons, 2 layers & 1 sentiment
Allsorts - Curly Swirly


This gorgeous image was given to me by my dear friend Linda & it was coloured in with Prismacolor pencils . I used papers out of my scrap box, added a die cut swirl, stamped greeting & made some lace flowers with button centres.

5 Challenges :o)

This card has taken me since the weekend to finish but I haven't had much time especially as I had to work ALL day on my day off, I really enjoyed making it though. I used some more of Krista's fab papers, these ones are from her "Shabby Treasures" kit. The stamped images are from WOJ (I masked the girl to add the tree stump) & coloured in with distress inks. I finished of with some punched flowers, pearl brad, sticky pearls, lace, some die-cut flourishes & a greeting (which is also from WOJ).

The 5 Challenges are:
Stamp with Fun - their fab Sketch
ABC - P is for Pearls
A Spoon Full of Sugar - to add Lace to your cards
Charisma Cardz - Flowers, Lace & Pearls
Creative Card Crew - Pretty Flowers

21st Birthday Card

I don't know how I managed to make this card tonight lol as I am soo tired, work was really busy as it always is before a Bank Holiday but at least it IS the weekend now :-)

This card was made for a family friend's 21st birthday which is coming up & 2 challenges: I used The Fresh Batch sketch & A Spoon Full of Sugar are celebrating their 1st birthday so their theme is "Celebration". The fab image is from Linda & coloured in with Prismacolor pencils (I've added some glitter to the bubbles after scanning the card). The papers are Papermania "Sweet Nothings" I added some holgraphic card, some ribbons, flowers, brad & a key charm.

Wiff of Joy Challenge 31

I managed to make one more card card on my day off but didn't have time to blog it cos the Apprentice came on ;-). I love this Wiff of Joy sketch. The papers are from Designs by Krista's "Fancy" kit. The stamp down the side of the card is from Basic Grey (I'd forgotten I had these, so it was a nice surprise to find them when I was rummaging looking for the right embellishments lol). The image is coloured in with pearly paints & the greeting is also from WOJ. The finishing touches were: punched flowers, brads, net, button, ribbons & some tiny gems.

Sweet Treats :-)

This card is nice & Girl, lots of pastel pinks & purples. The image & papers are from Pink Petticoat's "Sweet Sundaes" kit & is coloured in with Prismacolors again. I used my Martha Stewart Lace border punch & added a bit of Glamour Dust for extra sparkle. The finishing touches are flowers, button, stamped greeting with heart gem, felt heart & ribbon.

This card fits 4 Challenges:
Sketch Saturday - Sketch (of course lol)
Secret Crafter - Glitter
Allsorts - Sweets (this is their 1st challenge!)
Flourishes - Square card

Cute Card Thursday

The Cute Card Thursday challenge this week is "Letters & Numbers". This pop-up card was made for my friend (& work colleague) Tanya who is 40 on Thursday. The papers I think are a free download (but I can't remember where from). I used chipboard embellishments (I have loads of these & they never get used). Inside I added a big pop-up cupcake.


I took about 300 photos & they were all rubbish (well maybe not that many but I seemed to spend a lot of time trying to take a good photo but it just didn't happen lol) so I ended up scanning the card again. I tried to get a photo of the inside so you could see the pop-up cupcake. Hopefully you can get the gist.

Blog Candy!

There is some fab candy up for grabs on Kellie's blog- she is celebrating 20,000 hits! It is open until 23rd of May & check out her fab blog while you're there.

And Trak also has some gorgeous candy to celebrate the launch of her new website so why not check out her blog & website. This is open until 31st May.

I Love the Weekend :-)

Hooray it's the Weekend! How lovely not to have to go to work. We went to a car boot sale & then had a wander round town this morning. This afternoon I baked some double chocolate Brownies (it's a new recipe I found & you can check it out here, I added white & dark chocolate chunks) & still had time to make a card woohoo :-)


On to the card: this was made using Marlene's fab sketch over at The Sugar Bowl. The papers are from Design's by Krista's "Country Cottage" kit. The gorgeous Leanne Ellis design stamp is from my dear friend Linda & was coloured in with my Prismacolor pencils. I finished the card off with some flowers, a stamped greeting & butterfly & 2 flower buttons (there is now a "Please Include" bit to the challenge which this week is "buttons").

New Designs at Toodles & Binks & Candy too!

Toodles & Binks have some gorgeous new stamps coming up & some gorgeous stamps already available - check them out here & on Kay's fab blog there is a chance to win some lovely nonfattening candy here.

Stamp with Fun :-)

I made this card for 3 challenges:

Stamp with Fun - Sketch (this is a new challenge blog I've just discovered)
Papertake - Animal Antics
Charisma Cardz - A Star is Born

The papers are Papermania "Sweet Nothings", I used my Nesties, the stamped image is coloured in with pearly paints & the card is finished off with chipboard star, rub ons, punched stars & stamped swirl.

It's been a really long day at work, I'm sooo glad it's Friday tomorrow but gotta be in at 8.00 am so I'm now gonna have a bath & early(ish) night. Hopefully can get a bit of crafting done at the weekend.

Friday Sketchers meets Just Magnolia

What a lovely weekend weather wise it has been here (hopefully where you are too) I did something that I haven't done for ages (probably since last year) I sat in the garden this afternoon reading my book (usually I can't sit still for long, unless I'm at the computer) but it was very relaxing.


This card has taken me all weekend to make (as they often do). I love this sketch from Friday sketchers & have been wanting to use up some of my scraps of papers for a while & this is what I did, they are from Basic Grey & Designs by Krista. The Just Magnolia challenge this week is stitching & I actually did some hand stitching on my card instead of the usual stamped/doodled stitching & I thoroughly enjoyed it so I think I shall be doing lots more. The image is coloured in with pearly paints & chalk. I added an eyelet, ribbon & charm. Finishing off with fabric flowers, bead spacers with perfect pearls & a brad. The greeting was printed off the computer & cut out with my nesties.

Doodle Palace

I have just discovered the fab digi downloads at Doodle Palace & they are looking for new Design Team members at the moment. This cute image is called Seana & Scamp Squirrels with Acorn. I used the sketch from Mojo Monday & the papers are "Secret Garden" by Papermania. I coloured the image in with Prismacolor pencils & used chalk for the sky. The greeting is from Cuddly Buddly & I finished the card off with some felt flowers, gems, perfect pearls & Glamour Dust.

Our Silver Wedding Anniversary

It's been lovely having a long weekend (shame about the weather but it could have been worse). We went to Snape Maltings today (lots of crafty shops & art galleries), I love looking round & I always get inspired :-). Tomorrow is our 25th Wedding Anniversary & here is the card I made for my fab hubby Mark.


This card fits 4 challenges:
Fresh Batch - Sketch (I've just discovered this site & there are some fab challenges)
Cupcake - Numbers
The Pink Elephant - Circles & Scallops
Cute Card Thursday - Mirror, Mirror

I scanned our wedding photo, made it black & white & then laminated it. I used my nesties for the rectangles & circles & cut the numbers out of silver pearl paper. The backing paper is hearts stamped on to white paper, the greeting is Defining Moments from Designer Digitals & the card was finished off with a black ribbon & some gems.

Sweet & Yummy Card

Another gorgeous sunny day & on my day off again! I managed to make one card in between housey stuff & visiting my dear friend Ida. For this card I used one of Pollycraft's fab Penelope inages & she is coloured with Twinkling H2os. The papers are from Papermania's "Sweet Nothings" stack. I finished off with couple of gems & a flower with a cupcake centre.


This card was made for 4 challenges:
Truly Scrumptious - Sketch (I love this sketch & am sure I will use it again) with the additional challenge of make a card that is truly scrumptious and good enough to eat!
Crafty Creations - Sweet & Yummy
Papertake - Spots & Stripes
Pollycraft - A Child's Card

Probably won't have time to make another card tonight cos the Apprentice is on & we love watching that lol.

Cute Card Thursday meets Papertake

Phew! Managed to fit one card in before the weekend is over. Not much time for crafting this weekend, went to The Grand Designs Live show in London which was fab & it was sooo funny cos hubby Mark got mistaken for Kevin McCloud lol. TodayI was catching up with all the chores I didn't do yesterday.


This card is for the Cute Card Thursday challenge which is "Getting Edgy" and I used Dawny at Papertake's fab sketch. The papers are from Kaboodle Doodles Blue kit & Dovecraft's Designer "Kids" paper pack. The cute Elephant stamp was one of my purchases from the Ally Pally last week & he is coloured in with pearly paints, glitter gel pens & chalk. The card is finished off with a greeting & a cute lil elephant brad.

Just Magnolia 1st Challenge

I made this card for the new Just Magnolia challenge - I cannot believe how many entries there are - 325 at time of posting! That must be a record. This card has taken me all week (that is the trouble with having to work/live in between lol) but at last it is finished.

The image is from my dear friend Linda & coloured in with distress inks & a bit of glitter glue on her wings. I chalked a bit of grass & some sky for a simple background. The papers are from Designs by Krista's "Cupcake" kit (I think this is my favourite probably beacause it's pink & green). I finished the card off with a ribbon, some punched & silk flowers & a greeting. I really enjoyed using this sketch & am glad I managed to finish the card before the next challenge starts lol.

Oh La La!

Back to work after a great week off but luckily only 4 hours today & I managed to fit a card in! (some of the housework got overlooked though but hey it will get done eventually). I made this card for 3 Challenges:
Colour Create - Black, white & Pink
Mojo Monday - Sketch
One Stop Craft Challenge - Decorative Cuts
The papers are from Designs by Krista, the pink is from the Cupcake kit & the black is from Blossom. I used my new Nesties that I got at the Ally Pally on Saturday, Martha Stewart border punch, flowers, brad & beads. The image & sentiment are from Pink Petticoat.

Hooray Another Card :-)

I've managed to make another card today :-) & I'm so pleased to join the Willow Sketchie challenge this week as I haven't been able to lately (due to work stress, loss of mojo, lack of time etc lol). I just had to get Sharon's newest download a cute lil owl called Winnie (though I want to call her Wilma for some reason lol) there is also Walter too, I think I will have to get him too.

I've actually used 2 of my new flowers I bought at the Ally Pally yesterday, the papers are Papermania & the greeting is from Cuddly Buddly with a heart gem added.

I've Been Inspired!!!

Not sure for how long lol... Went to the Big Stamp & Scrapbooking Show at the Ally Pally yesterday with Zoe (my son's partner, not sure what to call her but she is like a daughter-in-law without the law lol). We had a fantastic time. Loads of goodies & inspiration to behold. I met the lovely Linda who has become a real friend through blogging & it was just like I had known her for years :-) She was on a stall which was very busy (as they all were) so we didn't have long to chat but it was just nice to meet her in person.


The only thing I need now is time which as we all know is often very hard to come by lol. Anyway on to the card: this cute image was coloured in with Distress Inks (with a bit of chalk for the sky). The papers are Papermania (I brought some gorgeous papers at the show, just gotta bring myself to use them now). The glittery flowers are K & Co I believe I used a sticky lace border.

This card fits 3 challenges:
Sketch Saturday
Cute Card Thursday - Floral Fantasy
Crafty Creations - Sparkle

PS. Sorry for the usual blurry photos lol & I've just noticed the image has come away in the left hand side, this has now been re-stuck!

Hubby's Birthday Card

I made this card for my darling hubby Mark's birthday which is Sunday. I used the sketch from Sketch & Stash Challenge blog (it's the first time I've used this download so I hope that counts, it is one of the fab FREE downloads from the talented Kerry's site). It also fits the Alphabet Challenge which is "C" - C for couple in this case. The papers are from the Papermania "For Him" pad, the image is coloured in with my Prismacolor pencils, I added a computer generated greeting attached with a heart brad & finished of with a lil origami heart.

Phew Just Made It!

This is just a quick post as it's late & I need to go to bed not least of all cos I have my lil grandson staying & he will be up at the crack of dawn lol.

I've been wanting to make a card with the fab Bee Crafty's sketch & I only just managed it tonight, which is just as well cos the deadline is midday tomorrow. The image has been coloured for ages & sitting on my desk. I used the sketch from Friday Sketchers.

Easter Card

Here is the first of my Easter cards, I have quite a few to make so I need to get a move on lol. This one is for my gorgeous lil granddaughter Abigail.

It fits 5 challenges which is quite nice as I haven't had much time for crafting/challenges so to combine 5 is a bonus :o)

Sketch & Stash - I used their fab sketch (& the download is new especially for this card)
Lili of the Valley - Easter
ABC - H is for Hearts
Secret Crafter - Stitching
& Pollycraft - Downloadables (this one is called Stripes n Stuff I Love You This Much)

Rubbish photo as always sorry lol