Wednesday 30 April 2014

Using another new stamp


I am doing well using my new stamps, this is another one I bought at Ally Pally. I wanted to have a more grown up Wedding stamp and this is gorgeous. I used two light grey pens on her dress and then blended them out just to give a hint of folds.
Image - LOTV
Medium - Copics
Paper - Papermania Heather Capsule
Sentiment - Mag freebie
Other - spider's web stuff, pearls

Challenges

Graph'it Greys
Crafty Sentiments Anything goes

Please check out my crafty stash for sale page where I have added more items.

Tuesday 29 April 2014

Crafty stash for sale

I have added some new paper pads and decoupage packs to my crafty stash for sale page.

Rainy Day James


Poor James out in the rain, he doesn't look too happy about it does he perhaps because his feet must be very soggy. Everyone seems to love James and I am no exception. I bought this stamp at Ally Pally and tried colouring him darker brown for a change.
Image and sentiment  - LOTV
Medium - Copics
Papers - MME On the sunny side
Ribbon - Me to you
Dies - Memory Box umbrella which I have paper pieced and Spellbinders label
Other - glossy accents, bow, charm and baker's twine

Challenges
Lili of the Valley Birthday card 
Stamping Sensations Dies and or punches 
Sparkles Your favourite colour combo (I have several but at the moment this is one of them) 
Addicted to Stamps and more Make your mark 
Divas by Design Let's go to the movies (Singin' in the Rain)
Crafty Catz Anything goes
Cutie Pie April showers bring cute May flowers

Monday 28 April 2014

Party Girl


Before I joined the Pink Gem DT I bought some of the new girly images and today I have used one of the new Grace images. So pretty in pink.
Image - Pink Gem digi Grace with balloon
Medium - Copics
Papers - First Edition Rose Garden
Velvet ribbon - Crafty Ribbons
Other - lace, doily, pearls and sentiment from stash

Challenges
In the Pink Digital Delight 
Delicious Doodles Pink and girly 
Fussy and fancy Pearls and lace 
We do Doobadoo Embellish it 
Papertake White plus one
Divas by Design Let's go to the movies (Pretty in Pink) 

Sunday 27 April 2014

Sweet Snowman


Here I am back with my second card today and although I have left Winter Wonderland I shall still be making Christmas cards all year round. I have wanted this stamp for ages and was so pleased to get it on eBay for just over £1 plus postage.

Image - Penny Black Sweet Snowman
Medium - Copics
Papers - Bo Bunny Rejoice
Dies - MS snowflakes
Other - pearls, Stickles

Challenges
Craftyhazelnut's extra Anything Christmas goes 
As you can see I finally got my blog sorted. I had removed the old background which was an image rather than an HTML code but it was still showing so I had to change the template. Of course I then spent ages fiddling with the font and colours but I am really pleased with it as it is a complete change to the purple.

I still have some stamps for sale, please see my for sale page. I will clear the page soon so don't delay as I will be taking them to my next craft fair.

Numbers


A very simple card from me for my first card today but quite striking I think. I have used 2 new Woodware stamps, paper piecing the 18. Then I simply added some of my favourite faux stitching using a fineliner pen. 

Challenges
Simon Says Monday Big stamp 
Simon Says Clean and simple
 Deep Ocean Stitching true or false

Rather short and sweet post today. Not sure what we are doing today, all depends upon the weather but if it is nice may go to one of the local garden centres for some plants as we have several post we want to start planting up.
I will be back later with another card.

Saturday 26 April 2014

Cute and Cuddly and Exciting News


I can now reveal that I have joined the lovely DT at A Gem of a Challenge where the challenge is cute and cuddly. I am so delighted to be joining this team as I have loved Pink Gem images for a very long time and have often considered applying but the timing of DT calls has never been right for me. The offer of joining came at just the right time as it was a few days after my deciding to leave Winter Wonderland. 

I seem to be have had lots of animal cards on my bog this week. Isn't this image adorable and I have used lovely bright colours today.

Image - Pink Gem digi Bella with Flowers
Medium - Copics
Papers - MME 
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
flowers - Go Kreate die and brads
Other - ribbon from America

Challenges
The Ribbon Girl Yellow/lemon 
Bearly Mine Spring 
Crafting from the heart Anything goes
Creative Inspirations Cute characters
Addicted to Stamps and More Make your Mark
Crafty Catz Anything goes
ABC J for just as you like

No craft fairs this weekend though we hope to pop into a local one this afternoon to see some friends who are selling. We are looking forward to a meal out tonight with friends. Enjoy your weekend.

Friday 25 April 2014

Farewell Winter Wonderland


This is my last week at Winter Wonderland. After 4 years on the DT and about 3 as a DT Co-ordinator I decided it was time for a change. I have loved my time there and the team are wonderful and I shall miss being part of the team, pass the tissues please. I thought it would give me a chance to do something different and  the strange thing is that within a few days of making the decision and without anyone but the DT knowing I had an email inviting me to join another lovely DT. So I close one door and have opened another. My first DT card for them will be coming along very very soon so watch this space. I am really excited and delighted to be joining them. 

They say things come in threes and I then received another 2 DT offers but I turned them both down as I didn't feel they were right for me at this time. One was a weekly challenge and I didn't want to take on a weekly challenge at the moment and the other one just isn't for me. I couldn't join a DT without feeling I could commit 100% to it as I don't think this is fair. I am amazed at the number of DT's some people manage.

So back to Winter Wonderland where we want you to create something for Christmas with no sentiment. Our sponsor is
who are offering a $20 gift certificate
and also
with a goody bag for the winner.

Image - The paper Shelter Snowman
Medium - Copics
Papers - Forever Friends Kraft Notes
Dies - Dee's tree, Doohickey fence
Punch - MS snowflake
Other - Stickles

Challenges
Craftyhazelnut's extra Anything Christmas goes 
Crafting from the heart Anything goes 
Sparkles Christmas Inspired by a song (Frosty the Snowman)
ABC Christmas H is for Home

You can find my ribbon candy winner below.
Please check out my for sale page where there are several Christmas stamps and a few other stamps still for sale. Many items have been sold and removed from the page.

Edited - I am currently playing about with changing the look of my blog. Getting a bit frustrated as some things don't want to change. I have managed the header but can't change the background at the moment so waiting for the person who made it and added it for me to get back to me as it isn't an HTML code.

Thursday 24 April 2014

Ribbon candy winner

Thanks to everyone who entered my Crafty Ribbons candy. I have drawn the winner and it is


That's you Kate (I love socks and cards!)

Congratulations, email me your home address and I will get those posted to you.

Sorry you can't all be winners but my blogaversary is coming up soon and I have some lovely candy for some of you so please keep stopping by. I really appreciate all your lovely comments.

Please scroll down for today's 2 DT posts.

My Bear


My turn to host the challenge today at Crafty Little Fairies and our challenge theme is Furry Friends. I absolutely love this sweet stamp and I love colouring it, which I did with my favourite pens, Copics. I sometimes struggle to use very light colours as they take a lot of blending to get them right but I am really pleased with my colouring on this one. I even managed to make it look like they are sitting on a carpet. I kept it very simple with just a couple of Marianne die cut corners and some doodling. Our prize is a chance to join us a guest designer in June.

Challenges
Without Words Gentlemen only 
Feeling crafty For a child 
Stampin' for the weekend Your favourite stamp (How can you have one favourte, but this is certainly one of my faves) 
Send a smile 4 kids Birthday fun for kids 
Hobbycutz CAS
Crafty Catz B (Boy, bear, blue)
Simon Says Clean and simple
Penny's One for the boys
The Paper Shelter For the boys
Cute Card Thursday Blue and green

Please scroll down for my Crafty Ribbons DT make.

Summer clothes and Christmas Magic


I promised myself I would find time to so more scrapbooking as I have only managed 5 layouts so far this year and have so many photos to use. This week's challenge of anything but a card at Crafty Ribbons was a chance for a layout for my DT sample.

The photos were taken at Disneyworld, Florida and is the only place we go where we can wear Summer clothes at Christmas. I used a brick wall mask and DI aged mahogany as there are buildings in both photos. The fabulous Mouse head ribbon is of course from Crafty Ribbons.

Challenges
Craftyhazelnut's extra Anything Christmas goes 
Crafting from the heart Anything goes 
Sparkles Christmas Inspired by a song (The most wonderful time of the year)
Quirky Crafts Mixed media

I will be back shortly with my Crafty Little Fairies card

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Tiptoe through the tulips


Another Penny Black today, one I had last year and I think have only used once. I am sure many of you can identify with that.
Image - Penny Black Tulip Jungle
Medium - Copics
Papers - Antebellum from LOTV
Punches - Woodware leaves
Flowers - Wild Orchid
Other - seam binding from The Ribbon Girl

Challenges
Penny Black Cats and dogs 
Penny Black and More at Allsorts Blossoms and blooms 
Simon Says Animal antics 
Incy Wincy Furry friends 
Creative Knockouts Furry or feathered friend 
Delightful Bloom 
Stamp and Create Spring flowers

A huge welcome to my new followers. Thanks for following and commenting.

You can find the bunny blog hop and my ribbon giveaway on Tuesday's post. Still time to enter one or both. Please check out the latest reductions on my for sale page too.

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Motorbiking


I am doing well with using my new stamps and here is another I bought at Ally Pally. This is a 7x7 card which I made for my Mum to give her husband for his Birthday.
Image - Penny Black Born Wild!
Medium - Copics
Papers - Nitwits Country Gent from LOTV
Dies - Marianne Designs lamppost and birds on a wire
Sentiment and card candi - Craftwork Cards
Ribbon - Crafty Ribbons (reverse of Keep calm and eat chocolate)

Challenges
Simon Says Animal antics 
Southern Girls Earn your stripes 
Creative inspirations Lots of layers 
Stamping Sensations Dies or punches 
Whimsy Anything goes
Sweet Stampin' Lots of layers
Check out my for sale page and still time to enter my ribbon giveaway below.

Monday 21 April 2014

Bunny Blog Hop



Here is my DT card for the Crafty Ribbons Easter Bunny Hop.
Image - LOTV
Medium - Copics
Papers - MME on the sunny side
Seam binding and buttons - Crafty Ribbons
Flower die - Go Kreate
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards

Today's showcase of ribbons also includes a Bunny Hop, so if you have just popped by to say hello and would like to join in with the hop you will need to start at the very beginning which is on the
Hop around the DT blogs in the order they are listed and leave them a comment. While you are hopping around please watch out for the lovely little bunny/bunnies which is hiding away and make a note of whose blog they are on so that when you return  to the inspiration blog you can Link up with your name and which blog you saw the Bunny or Bunnies.....GOOD LUCK.

This is the prize to be won.

If you get lost along the way just click HERE to take you back to the beginning
You should have arrived here from
and your next stop is

I am also giving away a bundle of Crafty Ribbons to one lucky commenter on my blog so if you would like to win these please enter via the Linky.


Challenges I am entering

Lili of the Valley Birthday card 
We do Doobadoo Embellish it
TTCD Anything Goes 
Penny Black and More at Allsorts Blossoms and blooms 
Whimsy Anything Goes
Simon Says Animal antics

Linky for my Ribbon Giveaway (you must be a follower to enter my giveaway please)

Sunday 20 April 2014

More sale items added and final reductions

I have added some more stamps for sale and have reduced the other items for the last time before taking off sale. Please check out my for sale page.

Day 3 of Crafty Ribbons Easter Event



I made another plaque for today's Crafty Ribbons make. I used some new dies on this one, stamped the sewing machine using a LOTV background stamp and used some DI vintage photo and buttons. The paper is Papermania Happy Days.

Do hop over to the Crafty Ribbons Inspiration Blog and check out the makes from some more of the DT and enter today's link for a chance to win a prize. Don't forget to join us on all on Monday for the chance to win a £25 voucher for Crafty Ribbons.


I am selling at a craft fair this morning so will be along to catch up with some of you later.

Thanks Cazzy for suggesting I enter this into the mixed media challenge at Quirky Crafts.

Saturday 19 April 2014

Day 2 of the Crafty Ribbons Easter event


We are having an Easter event over at the Crafty Ribbons Inspiration Blog with prizes to be won each day.


Today's sponsor is Bugaboo and here is my card using one of their lovely silhouette images. Do hop over and check out the rest of the DT's makes and enter to win.
Image - Bugaboo
Papers - MME Portobello Road
Ribbon - Crafty Ribbons vintage butterflies
Dies - All Occasions birds, Sizzix corner
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Other - burlap, Di weathered wood

Challenges
Crafty Calendar Things with wings 
Little Miss Muffet Distressed 
Simon Says Stamp Monday Winged things 
MAWTT Happy

Updated For Sale

I have now updated the items for sale and removed all the sold items. Many of the remaining items have been reduced so please check out my for sale page.
Thanks

Friday 18 April 2014

Birthdays are good for you


I am back with a second card to share today using a new Woodware stamp I bought at Ally Pally. The papers are Prima youth and I added some bakers twine, star button from America and a punched Woodware star. Simple but effective and a great card for those older people without any particular interests like my Mum's husband who I made this one for. Whilst I was making it I made another to sell as having worked out the layout it didn't take much longer to make a second one.

Check out my for sale page, many items reduced, selling fast.

The Office


This is a stamp which had been discontinued by Little Claire but is now back on sale due to public demand.
Image - Little Claire The Office
sentiment - Little Claire digi
Medium - Copics
Papers - some old K&Co
Dies - Memory box snail and birds
Other - burlap, leather strip, button and raffia


The inside of the shed, sorry pic is a bit blurry.

Challenges
Time Out Happy Birthday option masculine 
One Crazy Stamper Anything goes

Happy Easter everyone. We are out for lunch today with friends, then popping in to visit my Mum.

Check out my for sale page, many now reduced.

Thursday 17 April 2014

Up, up and away


Our challenge this week at Crafty Little Fairies is a fun one, up, up and away. Our sponsor is
I knew immediately that I wanted to use this cute LOTV stamp which I have paper pieced using odd scraps from various pads.  I also added some of my favourite doodling.
Image -Lili of the Valley
Medium - Copics
Papers - MME Sky's The Limit
Die - Memory Box hot air balloon
Other - cloud and escape from my scrapbooking stash

Challenges
The Ribbon Girl Lovely Lili - anything goes 
As you like it Favourite stitching (I love doodling stitching) 
Sister Act Anything goes 
My Mum's Craft Shop Anything goes 
Whimsy Anything goes
Simon Says Animal Antics

Have you seen my for sale page, many now reduced?

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Flowers for you


I am loving these Polka Dot Pals from Little Miss Muffet and today have gone for a shabby chic look using some new papers as well as a new digi. Quite different colours for me and a chance to use some green pens.
Image - Little Miss Muffet Queta
Medium - Copics
Papers and doily - Dovecraft Curiosity Corner
Ribbon and lace - Crafty Ribbons
Flowers - Wild Orchid except the lilies which I had had for ages and nicely match the image
Other - DI Frayed Burlap

Challenges
Little Miss Muffet Distressed 
Creative Knockouts Spring is in the air 
Sweet Stampin' Flowers 
My Mum's Craft Shop Anything Goes

Tuesday 15 April 2014

For Sale - Reductions

All the remaining dies and many of the stamps have now been reduced. Please check out my for sale page.

Easter Cakes


Isn't this such a cute little image and clean and simple seemed the right approach for it. I am loving trying some cas cards sometimes.
Image - Forever Friends
Medium - Copic
Paper - Forever friends Kraft Notes
Sentiment stamp - mag freebie
Other - baker's twine, pearls

Challenges
Di's Digis Easter 
Divas by Design Easter 
Simon Says Happy Easter or sweet treats 
Delightful You're Eggstra special

Monday 14 April 2014

We are having a bunny hop


I do hope you will join us for our Easter bunny hop. there will be inspiration from the DT and prizes to be won, starting Good Friday on the Crafty Ribbons Inspiration Blog. On Easter Monday there will be a blog hop with the chance to win a £25 Crafty Ribbons voucher. I will also have some ribbon to give away to one lucky person on Easter Monday.

Please scroll down for today's card.

FOR SALE

I have several stamps and dies for sale. Please see my For Sale page.

Please scroll down for newer posts.

At the Movies


I love movies and when I saw somebody selling the Vilda camera and film strip stamp on Facebook had to buy it. I stampd it using Memento Rich Cocoa onto linen card. The paper is Prima Youth, clapperboard a Joy die and the film strip a Tim Holtz die. Lots of DI Vintage Photo and use of the distressing tool too.

Challenges
Crafting Musketeers Monochrome 
My Mum's Craft Shop Anything goes 
Vintage Stamping Anything goes

Sunday 13 April 2014

New stash


I had such a lovely time away. If you haven't read my previous posts then just to say we went away on Thursday to Birmingham. Friday went to The Gadget Show and then drove down to Dunstable, stayed overnight and yesterday went to Ally Pally. So lovely to meet a couple of blogging buddies too, Mags and Carol. There were several of my samples on the Stamposaurus stand. So strange but flattering to see people taking photos of them.

Above are lots of essentials I bought.


Lovely new stamps. Penny Blacks were half price, these two do make me smile.


Only bought 3 new dies, rubons, pearls, wooden embellies and some lovely toppers for quick cards.


4 yummy new paper pads which I just managed to fit in my paper drawers. I love MME papers and at £3 a pack and only £4.99 for the 8x8 First Edition pads it would have been a shame not to buy them.

Off to have a play shortly.

Please scroll down for today's card.

Quirky


I love these quirky Leanne Ellis images and it inspired me to go with a rather quirky distressed card today. I am in love with aqua and teal at the moment and as the Facebook Sugar Nellie challenges is a colour one it meant I got to use these gorgeous colours again, this time teamed with grey.
Image - Sugar Nellie
Medium - Copics
Papers - K&Co Tim Coffey
Dies - Spellbinders arrows, Doohickey feather
Other - clock charm, baker's twine, Crafts Too hands, crispy lace ribbon from Dreamees

Challenges
Rhedd and Rosie Anything goes 
Crafty Cardmakers You've been framed
Simon Says Monday Journey (the stamp background reminds me of a porthole, arrows and the journey I have made from my first cardmaking to this style)

Saturday 12 April 2014

Birds Galore


Sorry. I have hardly had any time for commenting but as you will read below we have been away since Thursday. I will start catching up on Sunday. Thanks for all your visits and comments.

Challenge time again at Little Claire and we want to see lots of layers. As always we have a lovely prize for you to win, 2 silhouette stamps worth £6.50 each.


Image - Little Claire Garden Shelves diecut sheet
Papers - Papermania Lucy Cromwell
Lace - The Ribbon Girl
Punches - MS cherish border and birds on a wire border
Dies - All Occasion birds and Die-namites birdhouse branch
Other - DI Victorian Velvet

As you read this I will be at The Big Stamp and Scrapbooking Show at Ally Pally. We have been away since Thursday as we stayed in Birmingham Thursday night and went to The Gadget Show at the NEC on Friday. Then we drove to Dunstable and stayed the night so will be going home today once I have spent out at the show. I hope I will be seeing a few of my crafting friends there.

Challenges
ALBC The birds and the bees
Divas by Design Spring
Papertake Spring
Creative Card Crew Spring has sprung

Friday 11 April 2014

Presents!


Here is am back with a second card today and very different to the first one.

Time for another challenge at Winter Wonderland and Lynsey is dreaming of a pink Christmas. There is a fabulous prize of 3 stamps from Wild Rose Studio for the winner. I bought this gorgeous Wild Rose stamp recently so it seemed appropriate to use it for my DT card. Here is the image in more detail.


Image - Wild Rose Bluebell with presents
Medium - Copics
Papers - Woodland Wishes from LOTV
Dies - Marianne poinsettias
Ribbon - Crafty Ribbons
Other - scrim from B&Q, brads

Challenges
Hobbycutz Flora and fauna 
The Squirrel and the Fox All creatures great and small
Rhedd and Rosie Anything Goes
In the pink Anything but square

Steampunk owl


This is my first project for the Little Claire blog so I would love it if you would hop over there and leave me a comment please.  While you are there check out Wednesday's competition post with the chance to win some stamps named after you!

I wanted to do something a little different and show how easy it is to make a steampunk or vintage card, especially for a male.
Image and sentiment - Little Claire Good Time stamp set
Paper - Bo Bunny Timepiece
Dies - Tim Holtz steampunk on the edge and Memory Box moustaches
Other - burlap, baker's twine.

Challenges
Allsorts No flowers
Rhedd and Rosie Anything Goes

I will be back soon with my Winter Wonderland card.

Thursday 10 April 2014

Bluebirds


Thanks so much for your positive comments on my first zentangle card yesterday. I was amazed to receive so many comments for it. For those who asked I bought a workbook which explains how to do it and has some designs in there and then it is a case of playing around and making up your own too. I loved doing it and can't wait to try more.

Our challenge this week at Crafty Little Fairies is buttons and we are sponsored by Whiff of Joy. Hop over to see the beautiful cards from the rest of the DT.

I recently bought 4 Elisabeth Bell stamps from somebody on Facebook. They were all ones which I love and had missed out on buying when they were originally for sale so I couldn't resist them. Doesn't she have the sweetest face and the pose reminds me of Snow White.
Image - Elisabeth Bell for Whiff of Joy
Medium - Copics
Papers - Papermania Capsule Blueberry Pie
Die - MS birds on a wire border
Die - All Occasions birds
Flowers - Wild Orchid
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Other - Buttons, baker's twine, ribbon and pearl buckle

Challenges
Cutie Pie Cute with dies and punches 
Di's Digis Welcome Spring 
That Craft Place Buttons 
The Ribbon Girl Spring 
Crafty Calendar Things with wings 
Stamping Sensations Dies and/or punches
ALBC The birds and the bees

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Easter Bunny


This gorgeous bunny is a freebie digi from Pink Gem which I loved colouring with Copics. I used a Sakura blue star pen for a glittery edge to the pattern on the egg. I kept the layout very simple, usin some lovely bright papers and Sizzix die cut eggs and basket.

Challenges
Feeling Crafty For a child 
Sweet Stampin' Easter 
  Dream Valley Easter

Please scroll down for my first Zentangle card

Zentangle


I have been practicing some zentangle and here is my first card. I used a new Woodware stamp and just had a play around with various patterns. I really enjoyed making this and will definitely be trying some more. I decided to make a white on white card. The background was made with an embossing folder and Centura pearl card. I found some textured card and cut a banner with a Die-namics Banner die and used a Sizzx corner die too.

Challenges
Totally Gorjuss White on white 
Simon Says Happy Birthday 
Natalie and Amy Embossing

I will be back shortly with an Easter card to share with you.

Tuesday 8 April 2014

Off on holiday


I am totally in love with the Polka Dot pals from Little Miss Muffet and couldn't wait to use this one. They are such fun to colour.
Image - Little Miss Muffet Narah
Medium - Copics
Papers - Bo Bunny Barefoot and Bliss
Dies - Die-namics seaside charms
Other - glossy accents, spider's webbing

Challenges
Little Miss Muffet Anything goes 
Delicious Doodles All seasons in one day 
Allsorts No flowers 
Feeling crafty For a child 
One Crazy Stamper Anything goes

Monday 7 April 2014

Botanic noteholders


I wanted to make some something different for my craft stall and when I was in America I bought some pieces of wood. magnetic strips and wooden shapes to make some magnetic noteholders. I bought the pegs on eBay, covered the wood and shapes with Craftwork Cards Botanics papers and added Prima butterflies, wooden bird from Hobbycraft and a Dovecraft rosette.

Here is a sideways view to show it is put together.

Challenges
Papertake Anything goes 
Crafts 4 Eternity Anything but a card

Sunday 6 April 2014

Mr & Mrs


The craft fair yesterday was pretty good. Three of the cards I made on Thursday sold including the butterfly Botanics and yesterday's bunny card. It is so funny how some of my latest cards always sell. I have some older cards at sale prices to get rid of them and 2 of those went which was good as I feel I have improved so much since I made them.

You know I love the Woodware large word stamps and I bought some more last Sunday. I decided to go for a bold red, black and white cas treatment for a change as not everybody wants frilly and fancy. All the sentiments are from the stamp set. I coloured the letters with Copics and added some little black pearl hearts the lovely Debby sent me with a used stamp I bought from her on Facebook.

Challenges
One Crazy Stamper Anything goes 
Sister Act Anything Goes 
Delightful Hip to be square 
TTCD Anything goes
Allsorts No flowers

I am at my second craft fair of the weekend until 4pm today.