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

Count Your Rainbows...

 

Well as promised I'm back with this week's Sentimental Sundays challenge which is "Buttons, Brads &/or Bling" (+ a sentiment).  This week are Sami Stamps & I used Umbrella Splash.  I paper pieced most of the image & added a brad to the umbrella.  I cut an aperture in my card with a circle die &  added some rainbow paper behind.  I finished off with a stamped sentiment & buttons.

The challenges:

Crafty Boots - Spring

Crafting for all Seasons - Pastel Hues

Crafty Creations - Chevrons or Stripes

Time Out - Clean and Simple

Crafts 4 Eternity - Pastel Shades

QKR Stampede - Think Spring
Inky Impressions - Pastel Colours
{PIN}spirational - Spring Photo Inspiration 
Simon Says - Spring Pinterest Inspiration 
Going Grey with Scrap-Creations - Pastels
Little Claire - Springtime

I hope you're all having a nice weekend. My week ended horribly (with a visit to the dentist for a crown fitting & 2 filling in wisdom teeth & my cheek is still sore from the injections) so I was glad to have 2 days to recover.  Managed to do a bit of crafting which always helps me feel better :o) & this afternoon it will be watching tv with hubby & drinking tea :D  Hopefully the working week won't come around too quickly.

Better Late Than Never?

Well considering it's Saturday & there is a new Sentimental Sundays challenge tomorrow I'm pretty much as late as you can be lol BUT I have a good excuse... my mojo went walkabout :o(  We were given fabulous images from our sponsor Polka Doodles (I used Octavia Moonfly Wistful) so I really wanted to showcase them.  I had so many problems with this card, the colouring, the background (done with twinkling H2Os), the liquid pearls smudged etc, the list goes on, so don't look too closely!  I finished off with a doily, lace, die cut border & corner, pearls, punched & glazed butterflies, sentiment, Glamour Dust and a gem. 

The challenges:

Whimsy Stamps - Use a Die Cut

Just Inspirational - Flourish & Bling 

2 Cute Ink - Glitter 

C.R.A.F.T. - Mother's Day/Female 

That's Crafty! - Wings 'n Things 

Fussy & Fancy - Girly 
Card & Scrap - Use Layers  
Pile it On - Use 3 of Something (butterflies)

 See you tomorrow for the new challenge ;o)  

Lace & Pearls (& a bit of Kraft for Good Measure!)

Wow! It's Sunday again & time for another challenge at Sentimental Sundays which is "Lace & Pearls" (+ a sentiment) & we are sponsored by the wonderful The East Wind & the DT were lucky enough to get some gorgeous images from them.  For something different this time I coloured my image with chalk.  The papers are The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady & were free with a mag ages ago.  I distressed the edges & finished off with lace, flowers, punched heart & butterflies, pearls, liquid pearls & stamped sentiment.  

The challenges:

Stampavie & More - Butterflies

Crafting for all Seasons - Girly Girls

Fairy Tale - Kraft

Brown Sugar - Spring

Creative Corner - Nature Inspired

Allsorts - Spring is in the Air

Digi Galore - It's All About Her/Mother's Day

World Wide Open Design Team Challenge - Be Part of a DT
Cute Card Thursday - Die Cuts & Punches 
The Pink Elephant - Girly Girl

I hope you're having a lovely weekend.  I went to the Knit & Stitch Show at Olympia in London yesterday which was fab, I got a few goodies & a few ideas :o)  Today was spent catching up with my crafting & the Voice (tv prog) & baking/eating buns.  Hugs xxx

Last Challenge at Jellypark Friends

I have always loved Jellypark images & I was lucky enough to be part of the DT since Claire started the blog.  Unfortunately all good things must come to an end & this will be the last challenge for Jellypark Friends.  The theme is "One For The Mums" & I hope you will join us & help us go out with a Bang!  For my card I used "Flowers in a Vase" which is one of my favourite images as it is so versatile & coloured it with ProMarkers.  I used Cheery Lynn doily die & added ribbon, pearl & a button, finishing the card with Glamour Dust & a greeting.  

The challenges:

The Paper Shelter - Make it Digital

Pile It On - Adhesive Embellishments (pearls)

Inky Chicks - Flowers

Freshly Brewed - 1 Image, 1 Sentiment

That Craft Place - Mother's Day/Anything Goes

Natalie and Amy - Flowers

Digi Galore - All About Her

The Ribbon Girl - Add Flowers

Cheery Lynn - Doilies

Crafting Musketeers - Ribbons & Pearls

Have a great week :o)

Happy Anniversary

This week's Sentimental Sundays challenge is "Anything Goes" (+ a sentiment) & I've made an anniversary card for my In-Laws (hence killing 2 birds with 1 stone, which is great for time saving :o) - I've only just realised how horrible that saying is though lol).  The paper was free with a magazine, I used a heart doily, punched hearts & butterfly & a die cut sign finishing off with some pearls.  Are fab sponsor this week is Rick St Dennis :o)  You have a free reign this week so I hope that you can join us!

The challenges:

Whimsy Stamps - Use a Sentiment

Cute Card Thursday - Fancy Corners

Little Claire's - Love
Crafty Catz - Use Your Dies/Punches
Crafter's Cafe - Lots of Layers  
Penny's - Lots of Layers
Incy Wincy - Distressing 

Hope you're having a fab Sunday xx

Hey Chickie!

Single layer cards are the order of the day at Sentimental Sundays this week (+ a sentiment).  As I won 4 images from Bugaboo I thought I'd use one of those.  This was a really quick card as the image was already coloured :D  I did add hand draw/colour the branch though (I really thought I was going to mess the card up but it came out better than expected). I just finished off with a couple of pearls & some embroidery thread.  I've gotta keep this brief cos we're just in from a very bracing walk along the seafront & hubby is waiting for me to snuggle up on the sofa & watch a movie (& I could really do with a cuppa).

The challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks - Things With Wings

Challenge Up Your Life - One Layer

Southern Girls - Winged Things

Open Minded Crafting - Up In The Air
Eureka Stamps - Birds of a Feather
Crafty Boots - Add a Sentiment
Creative Craft Cottage - Include a Sentiment
QKR Stampede - Critters

Here is my original card, but realised it not strictly single layer lol

 Thanks for looking & enjoy the rest of the weekend & have a great week! xx

All You Need is Love!

Well maybe not all you need but it is definitely needed in whatever shape or form :o)  This week's Sentimental Sundays challenge is "Happy Valentines Day" (+ a sentiment) & we are sponsored by Paper Nest Dolls so you have the chance to win some gorgeous images, talking of gorgeous images I used "Heart Lollipop Avery".  I coloured her with ProMarkers, used a heart doily, die cut border, hearts & banner & finished off with a mini envelope, some pearls & a sequin (ooh & a bit of ink & Glamour Dust thrown in for good measure).  I hope you can share your Valentines creations with us this week.

The Challenges:

Paper Nest Dolls - Anything Goes

Fussy & Fancy - All About Love 

The Crafter's Cafe - Hearts

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Love is in the Air

Crafts 4 Eternity - Two's (2 die cut hearts)

House of Cards - Love 

Die Cuttin Divas - Photo Inspiration 

Stamping Boutique - Hearts

Deep Ocean - Love is all Around

Crafting by Designs - Love is all Around

Tuesday Throwdown - Love is in the Air

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day.  We had full English breakfast with friends & my lovely hubby got me a lovely pressie & card & today we're seeing our son Stuart & having roast dinner with the inlaws :o) Enjoy your Sunday & have a great week xx

Seeing Red!

Well I'm not seeing red lol that is this week's challenge at Sentimental Sundays (+ a sentiment) & we are sponsored by the wonderful Aurora Wings & the DT got to use some of their fabulous images; I used Poppy Sprite which I coloured with ProMarkers, the papers were from my stash, I did some stitching & finished the card off with a punched flower, stamped ticket, ribbon & gem.  I haven't done any colouring for ages & it was quite therapeutic even if it never turns out exactly how I imagined lol.

The challenges:

Catch The Bug - Anything Goes

Hiding in my Craft Room - Colour Challenge

Inkspirational - Rose

Lunagirl Moonbeams - Red

Digi Galore - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore - Stamp or Digi

Crafting Musketeers - Cute

Card and Scrap - Use Flowers

Card Mania - Add Some Red

I hope you're having a lovely weekend :o) xx

Mr & Mrs...

Happy Sunday everyone!  Though the weather here is not looking too bright; sleeting & windy.  It's okay for me as I'm warm & cosy in my craft room but poor ol hubby is out there playing footy.  Speaking of husbands... this week's challenge at Sentimental Sundays is "Wedding/Anniversary" (+ a sentiment).  I kept it CAS using up some paper I've had for years & a Pink Petticoat sentiment (I love Pink Petticoat).  The hearts are a Martha Stewart punch - thinking about it now I think it's a little too plain so I'm going to add a couple of sequins or pearls but can't be bothered to photo it again so you will have to use your imagination lol.  I hope you will have time to join us.

I decorated the inside a lil too

 The challenges:

Crafty Sentiments - Love/Valentines Day

Kitty Bee- Valentines/Love

Fairytale - Something with a Heart

Melonheadz Friends - CAS

Scraping for Fun - All About Love

Wags 'n Whiskers - Hearts

Bunny Zoe - Hearts
We Do Doobadoo - Romance

C.R.A.F.T - Valentines Day/Love

Thanks for looking & enjoy the rest of your Sunday :o) xx