All Dressed Up New Challenge Time...

Yes today is the start of another All Dressed Up challenge, as usual it's Anything Goes with an All Dressed Up image & there are so many to choose from.  I need to get a start on my Christmas cards so I used "It's Snowing" & did some paper piecing on the snowman's scarf and hat.  The papers are from my stash (I have sooo many Christmas papers) & I finished off with some sticky ribbon, gems, die cut poinsettia & a bell, oh & Glamour Dust around the outline.  I hope you can join us.

The challenges:

ABC Christmas - Q - Quantum Leap (F for Frosty)

Jingle Bells- Tic-Tac-Toe ( Snow, Die Cuts, Bling)

Craftyhazelnut - Use Some Silver

Sparkle Creations - Anything Goes

A Gem of A Challenge - Do You Wanna Build a Snowman

Little Claire - Christmas in August

Sparkle & Sprinkle - Anything Goes (with loose glitter)

A Snowflake's Promise - Winter or Christmas 

Creative Card Crew - Christmas 

Holly Jolly - Use a Die

I hope you're having a good week.  I'm having a bit of a rough one - missed going out on Bank Holiday Monday as I was ill & still haven't quite recovered.  Gotta be better tomorrow though cos must go back to work cos we're so short staffed.

Birthday Celebrations

Happy Weekend everyone! The sun is shining & it feels like summer again here - hooray.  Today I'm blogging a card I made for my MIL's birthday which was last week (actually the same day as my eldest son's 30th birthday! - & in July we celebrated my other son's 28th birthday & my FIL's which are also on the same day!) so lots of celebrating going on :o)  For this card I used a pre-coloured image from Lili of the Valley (for quickness, not much free time lately), papers from my stash, lace, flowers & a die cut cupcake border.  

The challenges:

Crafty Catz - Flowers 

Crafting with Friends - Anything Goes 

Fussy and Fancy - Birthdays

Creative Knockouts - Celebration Time 

Crafty Gals Corner - Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew - Lace
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Use a Sentiment  
Crafty Boots - Fair & Square

Thanks for looking (sorry about the rubbish photos) xx

I've Got a New Obsession...

Front

Have you heard about Pocket Letters?  They are a great way to craft, swap & send goodies to other like-minded crafters - you can read about them HERE.  I had some new Roald Dahl goodies I wanted to use & this was the perfect opportunity :o)  This was my first Pocket Letter & I have since made 2 more & am on my 3rd (which will be blogged at a later date :D

Back

Ready to send

The challenges:

Not Just Cards - Anything Goes 

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes 

Crafting With Attitude - Anything Goes

Simply Create Too - Anything Goes 

Polkadoodles - Use Something New

Crafting With Friends - Anything Goes

Frosted Designs - Metal/Metallics 

Why not give them a try, though I worn you they are very addictive lol.  Have a fabulous weekend :o) xx

A Little Reminder...

Hello everyone, I hope you're enjoying the summer.  I've haven't had much time for blogging cos work has been very stressful with the new computer change & for some unexplained reason it is busier than it has ever been in the 14 years I've worked there. We've also had our son & 3 grandchildren staying so there was definitely no spare time for crafting or anything else lol.  

So this is just a quick reminder that the All Dressed Up challenge is back from it's summer break on 15th August & if you would like to join in but don't have any images yet you can "try before you buy" with their fab freebies which you can find HERE. This cute fella below is a freebie & I've had him coloured for a while but haven't had chance to make him into a card.

sorry the photo's not great it was it was taken quickly with my phone

A Bit of Upcycling :o)

Hello everyone, I've missed blogging for a few weeks...several reasons: the main one is that work has been very stressful & tiring - we've had a new computer system & it is completely different to our old one & we haven't been given much training & we're short staffed too! Also I've just found Pocket Letters, have you seen them?  I love them, I've made 2 now (will post more about them another time) & I love the idea that they're a cross between ATCs & a gift (you put lots of crafty goodies in the pockets & swap with peeps) :o) We're also clearing out our loft & found lots of LPs, 45s, cassettes & floppy discs.  I hate throwing anything away & am always looking for how things can be reused or altered so I searched the internet & came up with some ideas & I made these cassette pen pots, a floppy disc post it notes holder & some vinyl record bowls.  I am quite pleased with all of them & it means less to throw away - so it's win, win lol.

I'm entering these challenges: (I did check the rules & think they should be okay)

Craft My Life - All Crafts

Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes 

Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes

Anything But a Card - Anything Goes

I hope you're all having a great weekend & finding time to craft (it's very wet here & hubby's watching sport on tv so I'm trying to catch up a bit but I'm also still trying to sort stuff from loft & rearrange my craft room).

A Little Birdie Told Me...

We're on holiday from work this week & are doing lots of sorting in the house  but we are making time for a bit of fun too though - today we played Foot Golf with our youngest son Stuart which was definitely fun! (It is what it says it is - you have a football & kick it into the (big) hole).  Then we went for a meal out & watched a movie at home after :o)

You get the idea

I've found a little time to blog this card I made for a close friends birthday recently.  I used an image that I've had for ages from Pink Cat Studio (& is one that I love using for birthdays) which I coloured with ProMarkers.  I used a punched cupcake border & die cut cupcake. I finished off with a doily, some pearls & stamped greeting.

   

The challenges:

Crafty Time - Punches or Dies

Cute Card Thursday - We Love Cake

House of Cards - Food &/or Colour Inspiration

Crafting Desert Diva's - Birthday

Crafty Sentiments - Sweet

Scrapbook Cardmaking - Birthday

Little Red Wagon - Birthday

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Birthday

Simon Says - Furry Friends (some DT members used birds so I guess its okay :o)

I hope you're having a great week xx

All Dressed Up Challenge :o)

Helloo I hope you're all having a fabulous week.  We have some nice weather in the UK at last, although here on the east coast it's been quite cloudy & a bit windy (but at least it's not raining lol).  Today is the last  All Dressed Up challenge before our summer break (we will be back August 15th).  As always it's Anything Goes with an All Dressed Up image.  It's my son & DIL's 3rd wedding anniversary soon & I thought this Just Married image was perfect (unfortunately I had bit of a disaster with ink running so I had to cut it out & had to cut the 2 little birds off cos they were just too fiddly lol).  The image was coloured with ProMarkers.  The bunting is die cut & coloured to match the image.  The sentiment is from Pink Petticoat.  The papers are digi & from Snap Click Supply Co.& I finished the card with a brad, pearls, heart doily & flowers.  I hope you can join us & don't forget there are Freebies HERE so you have no excuse ;o)

 

The challenges:

Crafty Sentiments - Summer

Oddball Art Stamps - Summer Fun

Dragonfly Dreams - Special Occasion

Gem of a Challenge - Summer Time

That Craft Place - Lots of Layers

Get Creative - Include Flowers

Die Cuttin Divas - Anything Goes 

Stamp & Create - Summer Fun 

Whoopsi Daisy - Summer Fun
Scrap & Craft - Celebrations
I Love ProMarkers - Summer 
The Crafter's Cafe - Summer Fun

Inside the card

Thanks for looking :o)

Christmas In June...

I've usually made a few more Christmas cards than I have by this time in the year but then again I much prefer making them when it is cold & wintery & I can have my Christmas music on :o).  Anyway this card was going to be for a Sentimental Sundays challenge sponsored by Fred She Said but for some reason or another it never got finished until now.  The papers are from my stash (might have been from a freebie pad with a magazine), the image is Pointy Poinsettia Flowers (pre-coloured) & I used some micro beads for the centre.  I finished the card with a die cut border, gems & a greeting.

The challenges:

Crimbo Crackers - Vintage

Fab 'n' Funky - Christmas

Alphabet - J for Jewels

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Seeing Red

Natalie & Amy - Christmas

Simply Create Too - Shabby Chic
Crafting By Designs - Get Ready for Christmas
Open-Minded Crafting - Vintage
Crafty Hazelnut's - Christmas
12 Month's of Christmas - Vintage

At last the weather has warmed up here & we actually had some sun here so hubby & I had a walk along our local seafront after we'd been for a cooked breakfast with friends - so the perfect way to start the weekend.  Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend whatever you're up to!

Happy Father's Day!

Yes today is Father's Day (well here in the UK & some other places) & the Sentimental Sundays challenge is just that "Father's Day" (+ a sentiment).  It is going to be our last challenge for a little while but we will be back firing on all cylinders I'm sure :o)  My card was made for my Father-in-Law (unfortunately my Dad is no longer with us & hasn't been for well over 20 years).  I used images from Docrafts Wellington Past Times DVD & made a rosette from folded paper.  Happy Father's Day to all those deserving Dad's out there!  I hope you can join us & if you need more inspiration why not check out the other DT members blogs.

The challenges:

Get Creative - For the Boys or Father's Day

Cardz 4 Guys - Father's Day

Die Cut Divas - Masculine Theme

Creative Moments - Anything Goes/Man in Your Life/Father's Day

Mod Squad - Father's Day

4 Crafty Chicks - Father's Day

Simply Create Too - Old Vintage, Shabby Chic
Kraftyhands - For the Dads 
Little Claire's - Father's Day
My Sheri - Masculine 
Open-Minded Crafting - Vintage
Quirky Crafts - Quirky Rosettes 

I hope you're having a lovely weekend.  I think I'm starting to get back to normal (though I have thought that before), fingers crossed.  Hugs xx

A Couple of Quickies...

I don't know if you've heard of Pay It Forward?  It's when you surprise someone, sometime during the year with a parcel of goodies (can be anything you fancy).  I've already sent a couple of packages out at the beginning of the year & now I have another couple ready to go & I made these quick cards to go with them.  This is the first time I've used my Marianne Collectables dies ("Eline's Typewriter"), which come with stamps. The notepaper is made with an EK Success punch & I finished them the cards with Washi Tape (I am in love with Washi Tape at the moment).  I really like how they turned out :o)

 I was supposed to be going back to work today but unfortunately been ill again so it will be Monday now & hopefully I can start a fresh week feeling well & get back to normal - at last! (fingers crossed).

The challenges:

Sugar & Betty's - Anything Goes 

Just Us Girls - Stacked Die Cuts

Glitter & Sparkle - Include a Die Cut

Ladybug Crafts - Use Your Dies

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Tip Top Tuesday - Cut It Out

Freshly Brewed - Anything Goes

I hope you're having a lovely week. Hugs xx

Big Present for Daddy

This is my 2nd card for the All Dressed Up Design Team (luckily it was made before my holiday) using one of their fab new images "Present for Daddy".  I coloured it with ProMarkers & used several punches: star border, star & corners. I finished the card with a star brad & greeting from Pink Petticoat (which I had to put on as there was a mark on the card lol).  While I'm here & talking about All Dressed Up we would love it if you would join our Facebook Page.   Don't forget there are lots of freebies available if you want to "try before you buy" & join in our current Anything Goes challenge :o)

The challenges:

Get Creative - For the Boys or Father's Day

The Pink Elephant - Father's Day

Crafty Boots - Father's Day/For the Man in Your Life

Crafty Cardmakers - For a Man or Boy

Dream Valley - Father's Day

Eureka Stamps - Father's Day

2 Cute Ink - Father's Day

Sweet Stamps - For Dad

Cardz 4 Guyz - Father's Day

Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes

Going Grey with Scrap-Creations - Father's Day

Come & Get It - It's a Guy Thing

Thank goodness I'm starting to feel better at last & I'm back to work Thursday which will come very hard but it will be nice to get back to normal again.  Thanks for looking xx

Normal Service Will Be Resumed As Soon As Possible!

Hello everyone, I hope you're all okay, I've missed visiting your fab blogs.  I've been ill after being on holiday in Pomorie, Bulgaria - the first half of the holiday was gorgeous but unfortunately 2 days before we came home I contracted a chronic stomach bug, it was absolutely awful.  We're been home a week now & it's only just starting to settle.  Hopefully I can start to feel normal this week & get some crafting done, I've missed it so much.  

Gorgeous Pomorie, before it all went pear-shaped!

I'm Sooo Excited!

Yes I have exciting news...I have been chosen for the All Dressed Up Design Team :o) How Fab is that!  Luckily All Dressed Up were the sponsors for Sentimental Sundays & this is when I first saw & fell in love with, their gorgeous images so I thought I'd try for the team (I was checking my emails daily & in the end I was convinced I'd missed out BUT I haven't! Hoorah).  For my first (introduction)  post I chose to use "Hippie Chick".  I coloured the image with ProMarkers, the papers are MME "Howdy Doody" & I distressed the edges finishing off with a doily, butterfly greeting with Glamour Dust, flower & pearls.  I hope you will take a look at the blog & check out the other new DT members & if you haven't seen the All Dressed Up images you really should & if you want to "Try" before you "Buy" they have some fab freebies HERE :o)

The challenges:

Creatalicious - Butterflies 

Card and Scrap - Flowers

Little Red Wagon - To Die For

A Gem of a Challenge - Flowers

The Paper Shelter - Roses

Wags 'n Whiskers - Lot's of Layers

Crafty Calender - Things With Wings
Polkadoodles - Things With Wings
Inky Chicks - Pearls 

 

Thanks for looking & have a great week xxx

Sentimental Sundays Challenge

This week's challenge at Sentimental Sundays is "With Sympathy" (+ a sentiment), these have gotta be the hardest cards to make & I always think CAS is best for these type of cards.  We are sponsored by Pink Dolls Art & I used Miko with Flowers & I didn't use any colour apart from on her cheeks.  The DP are from Craftwork Cards & so is the greeting.  I just finished the card with some organza ribbon.  

The challenges:

Doodle Panty - Digi Image

4 Crafty Chicks - With Sympathy

Simply Create Too - Keep it Simple

Polkadoodles - Girly But No Pink

Lunagirl - Black & White

The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Black & White

Suzy Bee - Anything Goes with Twist: Make it Girly

Di's Digi's - 2 or More Designer Papers 

  

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.  I'll be back tomorrow with some exciting news...

Give Us a Smile :o)

I've just heard that May 18th - June 18th is National Smile Month & this week's Sentimental Sundays challenge is "Funny Sentiments" & we are sponsored by our very own Sandy!  I used Mr Wool Smiley & Celebrate Everything digis.  I coloured the edges of sheepy with light grey ProMarker, added some liquid embossing to his nose, chalked a cloud background & added some die cut grass; finishing the card with some punched stars & pearls.  We all need some fun in our lives so I hope you can join us :o)

The challenges:

Ruby's Rainbow - Humour

Southern Girls - Animals

Little Claire - Outdoors

Chalk N Stock - Chalk (sky)

Simply Papercraft - CAS/Anything Goes

The Stamping Boutique - Die Cut or Punch
Natalie & Amy - Animals
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes 
Tip Top Tuesday - Animals

I have something to smile about - we've just booked a holiday to Bulgaria  :o) We both really need a break from our stressful jobs so I can't wait! Hope you're having a fab weekend xxx

Let's Get Girly!

This week's Sentimental Sundays challenge is "Happy Mother's Day/REALLY Girly" (+ a sentiment).  As we've already had Mother's Day in the UK I took the opportunity to make a card for my friend Kelly's upcoming birthday.  We are sponsored by All Dressed Up and I (& several of the DT) used their gorgeous "Party Frock" digi image.  I coloured her with ProMarkers, the paper is digi & I finished off with a greeting, lace, gems & flower (with Glamour Dust).  I kept simple cos the image is so stunning :o)  I also printed the image onto Neenah Solar White Ultra Smooth paper/card which made sooo much difference, there was no bleeding of the ink at all.  Nice easy theme this week so I hope lots of you will be able to join us.

 The challenges:

Digi Choosday - Anything Goes

Whimsy Stamps - Colour an Image

All Dressed Up - Anything Goes

Deep Ocean - Flowers

Fan-Tastic - Pastel Colours (& square or rectangle)

Fab 'n' Funky - May Flowers

The Paper Shelter - Lace

Tuesday Throwdown - Flowers for Her

Fussy & Fancy - Lots of Flowers

Sprinkle & Sparkle - Anything Goes with loose glitter...

Crafty Hazelnut - Patterned Paper
Come & Get It - Flowers 

I hope you've had a great weekend, they do go rather too quickly for my liking though lol.  I'm just off to work - have a great week everyone xxx

Work It Out!

There's nothing better than some exercise or meditation to make you feel better (though not always easy to find the time/motivation lol) & "Work IT Out" is the theme of this week's Sentimental Sundays challenge (+ a sentiment).  We are sponsored by Paola's Papers & I used their Yoga Pose Juno digital stamp which I coloured with ProMarkers.  The papers are various from my stash & I added some punched hearts, butterfly, paperclip with crocheted flower & a sentiment.  

The challenges:

Pile it On - Mother's Day/For a Lady

DoubleClick - For Mom or Girly

Simply Create Too - Pretty Woman

Kitty Bee - Girly

Dream Valley - Recipe
Whimsy Stamps - Colour an Image 
Come and Get It - Female Project
Hiding in My Craft Room - Let's Get Digital
Corrosive - Hip to be Square 
Eureka Stamps - Feminine Cards

I hope you're enjoying your (long) weekend. We're now off to see our youngest son Stuart for a meal & taking the inlaws :o)  Thanks for looking xxx

Colour Inspiration Challenge

Yes the Sentimental Sundays challenge this week is a colour challenge (+ a sentiment) & we are sponsored by A Day for Daisies & I used their gorgeous "Fairy Prayer" image which I coloured with chalk.  The papers are digital from Designs by Krista (I'm not sure if she even has a shop now they are very old lol).  The words are stamped with Brilliance ink & did some random stitching & distressed the edges, finishing off with some lace & gems.  I am a little late posting this cos we have been visiting my son & 3 grandchildren for the weekend (my DIL was away for the weekend) & had a wonderful time, although it went way too quick!

The challenges: 

A Day for Daisies - Add Lace

The Crafting Cafe - Flights of Fancy

CCC Digi Creations - Add Some Sparkle

Chalk & Stock - Anything Goes with Chalk

Crafty Catz - Things with Wings

Allsorts - Bring on the Bling

Melonheadz - Add Sparkle

Eureka Stamps - Add Some Bling

Crafty Boots - Things with Wings

Thanks for looking & I hope you will join us.  Have a fab week! xx

Get Well Mousey

Sunday AGAIN oh my goodness can't believe it.  Today is a very special day cos it's my wonderful hubby Mark's birthday :o)  He's out playing footy this morning so I've had time to catch up with a bit of crafting which includes finishing my card for this week's Sentimental Sundays challenge which is "Animal Love" (+ a sentiment) & our sponsor is The Doodle Garden.  I came across "Dearie Dolls" free digi stamps while browsing online and thought this image was cute (& it was coloured which I needed due to lack of time - I just added rosie cheeks).  The papers are various from my stash & I added some Liquid Embossing to the balloon & finished the card with a crochet flower, button, sentiment & pearl.  I hope you can join us!

The challenges:

Love to Scrap - Anything Goes

Oh La La - Lots of Layers (at least 5)

The Crafter's Cafe - Animal Antics

Crafty Creations - Seeing Spots

Di's Digi Designs - Include an Animal

Crafty Calendar - Add a Sentiment

Suzi Bee's - Anything Goes with a Twist...use a Die or Punch (punched border)

Dragon's Lair - Add an Animal 

Enjoy the rest of the day whatever you're up to - we're at the Inlaws for a birthday meal later :o) (yey I haven't got to cook!) & have a great week xxx

Domino Art...

Helloo sorry I've been AWOL but we had family visiting for Easter which was wonderful :D & I had lots of sorting out to do (& moving of craft stuff lol).  I hope you all had a fab Easter & Spring is springing where you are.  On to this week's Sentimental Sundays challenge which for the first time in it's history (I believe) is "No Sentiment" lol.  Our sponsor is Fairy Tangle Art & I used their "Hoot Owl" digital image.  I wanted to do something different so I printed the image the size of a domino (hence the title), coloured it with chalks & stuck it to mount board.  I inked the edges with Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink & triple embossed it - it was great fun, it's been ages since I had the heat gun out :o)  The hole was punched with my Cropodile & I used 2 gold jump rings to attach it to the chain.  As the challenge is nice & easy this week I really hope you can join us.

The challenges:

ABC - G = Go Digital

Art by Miran - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Chalk N Stock - Use Chalk

Deep Ocean Challenge - Things with Wings

Creative Moments - Anything Goes/Anything but a Card

Crafty Cardmakers - Wings

Sassy Studio Designs - No Cards Allowed

Simply Papercraft - Freestyle/Steampunk

Thanks for looking & Happy Sunday! xx