Marianne's Craftroom

Abi's Craft Candy

2012-03-08T23:59:00.001Z

This post will remain at the top until 8th March.

To enter my candy to win £10 to spend at Abi's Crafts please click on my candy page and enter via the link.

Pink Punkette in Pink and Red

2012-02-14T09:48:00.000Z

I love these Saturated Canary digis and this one is Pink Punkette. Not seen her around as much as some of the others so thought I would use her for this card. They are such fun images to colour, which I did with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. It's the first time I have tried colouring red hair which really suits this image. I've used DI worn lipstick around the edges of the image and papers and distressed the papers with a Tim Holtz distress tool. I've used a blossom nestie for the circles and an MS border punch. The sentiment is from LOTV. I've added Prima flowers with a spacer and brads and a Sizzix die cut corner to finish. The papers are Echo Park Victoria Garden.

Challenges:

Saturated Canary Red, pink and white

ABC DT Red, pink and white

Sketch Saturday Fun sketch

Crafts 4 Eternity Raspberry Delight

Passion for Promarkers Distressing

Have you seen the fabulous giveaway at Saturated Canary? Krista is giving us the chance to design a digi and will be choosing 10 winners. So click on my link to enter.

Have you entered my candy yet? Just click on my candy page and enter via the link.

Pooh and friends

2012-02-13T18:00:00.018Z

This is my second post for today and I thought I would share my latest scrapbook layout with you. I have always loved Winnie the Pooh and Co. and love to see them when we go to Disneyworld. We were in Hollywood Studios last April and suddenly saw them all walking out to have photos taken and sign autographs. I rushed over before a queue formed and had my photo taken. No, I don't have an autograph book!

I've used various 8 x 8 and 12 x 12 papers, Sizzix die cut stars and some chipboard pieces from a Pooh bear set. The curly border is K&Co. I also added some faux stitching to the card background and the stars.

Have you entered my candy yet? Just click on my candy page and enter via the link.

A flower for you

2012-02-13T11:49:00.001Z

A friend asked me to make 4 Thank You cards, one of them was the SN Rosie card which was blue and pink. I wanted to make them all different colour combos and I do love the peach and terracotta Promarkers and the gorgeous First Edition Desert Bloom papers so that's where this colour combo came from. The cutie is a Lili of the Valley image and I added flowers from Wild Orchid, rose leaves from Crafty Emma's, Sizzix die cut corner and MS punched butterflies. I used Jacque's great sketch at Lili's Little Fairies.

I'm off to visit my friend in hospital this afternoon but will be back later with something else to share with you.

Hanging around

2012-02-12T15:23:00.000Z

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for a bit of steampunk.

I want to make some different things this year for my craft stall and when I saw the doorhangers at Little Claire I decided I would have a go at making some. I used Core'dinations for the hangers and the Cutie Patooties from Little Claire, which have been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. The paper on the girlie one is Papermani Henbury Lane and on the other one We R Memory Keepers Travel Light. My Room was made with a Tim Holtz Carnivale alphabet die.

I would like to enter these into the challenge of anything but a card at The Cutie Pie and Home Decorations at Wags n Whiskers.

What an odd day for weather. After waking up to a very sharp frost and a sprinkling of snow it turned out sunny and about 5 degrees, which is warmer than it has been all week, then a little while ago it rained. All kinds of weather in just one day.

Have you entered my candy yet? Just click on my candy page and enter via the link.

Drive

2012-02-12T09:49:00.001Z

Brrr, another very cold morning here. We had a sprinkle of snow last night and it's very frosty and cold. Need to pop out for a little while but otherwise will be staying indoors in the warm today. I love the steampunk style and I hope I've done it justice with this card. The backing paper is from We R Memory Keepers Travel Light. I've used a TH on the edge cog die with sanded Core'dinations. Raffia lace was everywhere at one time, now you don;t see it much which is a shame as I love it and I have used some black raffia lace here. The stamped car is from a Tim Holtz set and the destination stamp is from a Papermania urban set. The clock tag is from Crafty Individuals and I have added some Tim Holtz sprocket gears.

I would like to enter this into the one for the boys challenge at Hotshot and favourite song at Here come the boys. One of my favourites is Drive by The Cars.

Have you entered my candy yet? Just click on my candy page and enter via the link.

Rosie says thanks

2012-02-11T14:28:00.000Z

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for my Totally Gorjuss DT card.

I've used another of my newest Sugar Nellie images, Rosie. Papers are Papermania Blueberry Pie. I've used an MS border punch and decided to have an embossed layer. I have so many embossing folders and don;t use them as often as I should. I look at sketches and think papers. The tag is a Crafty Individuals one, flowers and leaves were made with Marianne dies and Core'dinations, which I sanded then sprayed with gold Spray and Sparkle. Rosie has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers including 5 of the new limited edition colours, which are really lovely. Soft colours, without being too pastel.

Challenges:

Scrapbook Sisters Anything Goes

The Sugar Bowl Great sketch

Charisma Things with wings

Allsorts Free and easy

CES At least 3 layers (I have 10)

Have you entered my candy yet? Just click on my candy page and enter via the link.

It must be love

2012-02-11T10:25:00.000Z

Here I am in my cosy craftroom and outside it is sunny, bright, frosty and currently -6 still at 10am, brrrr. Our challenge at Totally Gorjuss is Lurve and we are sponsored by the wonderful Crafter's Companion so you could win a £10 voucher to spend. I've made a rather different card for this one which was inspired by the wonderful Union Square paper from Michaels. I wanted to use the gorgeous sparkly word Love with the swirls so worked my card around that. It is an 8x8 card requested by a very special friend of mine. The bunting paper is from the same 12 x 12 sheet. I've used my wonderful Tim Holtz clock die again, cut from Core'dinations and weathered with DI Vintage Photo. The MS heart punch has been out again and I've used some gorgeous cream lace I bought at a show, cherry blossom from Wild Orchid with punched fern leaves and Jolee's Boutique metal scrolls. I really enjoyed making something without a stamped image for a change and I love the vintage look of this card.

I would like to enter this into the heart and love challenges at:

By the Cute and Girly

Hooked on Craft

Try it on Tuesday

Creative Inspirations

My new candy is up on my candy page so please click on the page and enter.

Love is in the air everywhere

2012-02-10T10:25:00.001Z

I've another busy day ahead. The plumber has just arrived to service the central heating and put in a new circuit board as every time the boiler starts up the tank makes a dreadful buzzing noise. As the airing cupboard is in my craftroom you can imagine how irritating the noise is. Then we're off out to get some paint, a table for craft fairs and some food shopping. Also have a Birthday card to deliver but hopefully will have time for crafting this evening.

This is my first DT card for the new monthly challenge at Crafty Sentiments Designs where the challenge is Love is in the Air. I've used one of the gorgeous new digi images which you can buy here. There is also a bargain basement so well worth checking out the website. I've coloured the image with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and teamed it with some Doodlebug papers which I won ages ago. Not many sheets left now. I've added some pearls and a ticket sentiment, minimal embellies for me but the card just didn't seem to need more as I wanted to show off the lovely glittery paper.

There are so many love challenges at the moment but I have chosen these ones to enter.

Dream Valley Valentine

Crafting when we can Valentine/Love

Delicious Doodles All loved up

Delightful Love

CRAFT Valentine's Day

Simon Says Love is in the air

I love Promarkers Love is in the air

Fab n funky Love is in the air

Crafts and me Use a new image

Crafty Catz Valentines

In order to celebrate my new DT post at Crafty Sentiments I am offering a new candy of £10 to spend at Abi's Crafts. As soon as I have linked my card I will be putting the candy with the link on my candy page for you to enter.

Lilac wedding

2012-02-09T15:23:00.000Z

I'm back as promised with my second post for today. After making so many cards for orders and cards to send myself I need to work on building up my card stock for sale. Its such a pleasure to just look through all my stamped images and choose one to make a card with. I chose this gorgeous Whiff of Joy bride and coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and teamed her with First Edition Dreamcatcher papers. I used an MS border punch, lace a gorgeous Prima flower, some Sizzix die cut hearts and a Crafty Sentiments digi sentiment.

Challenges

St Luke's Charity Love and lace

Crafty Purple Frog Flower power

Paperplay Love letters

Everybody Art Love

Oldie but a Goodie Lace

Papertake Anything goes with an option of heart and love

Simon Says Love is in the air
Passion for Promarkers Purple and grey

Tomorrow sees the start of the new monthly Crafty Sentiments challenge and I will be showing my DT card and having some candy to celebrate so make sure you don't miss tomorrow's post.

Sneak peek with Humphrey

2012-02-09T09:40:00.000Z

Here I ma with my first post today, showcasing the Epiphany tool which will be available from Crafter's Companion from Sunday. I have used papers from Fairyopolis and one of my favourite Humphrey stamps, coloured with Sprectrum Noirs. I've used the beautiful script paper with the tool and epoxy toppers, Nesties, some ribbon and a bow to finish.

Challenges:

Crafty Catz Pink and white

Send a smile 4 kids Anything goes 4 kids

Moving along with the times Cute critters

I'm hoping to get lots of crafting done today so expect me back with at least one more post. I'd like to wave hello to my lovely new followers too.

Another sneak peek

2012-02-08T20:00:00.018Z

This is my second post today, Please scroll down for a cute Golden Wedding card.

I am showing another sneak peek of a card made using the new Epiphany tool which will be sold by Crafter's Companion starting on Sunday on Create and Craft TV. This time I have used the tool which makes the epoxy stickers with some silver charm settings which I have added to some Prima flowers and a Marianne leaf die. The twister page and paper are from the Fairyopolis CD.

Congratulations

2012-02-08T09:27:00.000Z

A quick post from me this morning before a spot of housework and sorting out my stuff to take to the sale this afternoon. Fir this card I've used another of the cute LOTV die cuts with Papermania confetti paper, gold doiley, Siizix die cut corners Crafty Sentiments hearts border. I used the hearts which came out of the die cuts too.

There are so many love challenges at the moment at I hate entering too many with one card so this one is going into the following challenges:

Totally Papercrafts Great sketch

Stamp with Fun Love

DYSU Anything Goes

Secret Crafter Hugs and kisses

Crafty Calendar Love and marriage

I'm scheduling a sneak peek post for later today.

4 U

2012-02-07T19:16:00.000Z

I said I'd be back with a second card today after visiting my friend in hospital and here is the card I made her. I've used one of the Lili of the Valley die cuts and various oddments of papers from my odds and ends pile I'm slowly working my way through. I added 4 U i epoxy stickers to the envelope. I've used an MS border punch, spotted organza ribbon, MS punched butterflies, flowers from Michaels with pearls from Wild Orchid.

Challenges:

Sketchy Challenge Great sketch, first time I've played along

Scrapbook Sisters Numbers

Simon Says Animal Antics

Lili's Little Fairies Spring colours

The Crafty Pad Fresh spring colours

I've a very busy week this week. Found out about a tabletop sale at an infant school not too far away from me so decided to do that tomorrow so need to sort out my stock, signs etc as they haven't been out for a while. Friends coming round tomorrow night, plumber coming on Friday. I feel a little behind with my commenting so apologies if I haven't commented as much as usual.

Epiphany Tool Sneak Peek

2012-02-07T08:00:00.001Z

Good morning from a lovely sunny but cold Norfolk. No more snow overnight but still some lingering here. Thankfully the roads look clear which is good as we are off to visit a friend in hospital this afternoon. Today I am bringing you a sneak peek and you are probably thinking well I've seen Fairyopolis before. Yes, the paper is from the CD and the beautiful fairy is from the stamp set. What's new is the epiphany tool which I have used to make the epoxy flower centres from the Fairyopolis paper. You can read more about these tools on their website here. Click on the blog page for some great ideas. These tools will be featured on the Crafter's Companion show on Create and Craft on Sunday. I have coloured the fairy with Spectrum Noirs and added some MS punched borders, punched leaves and Prima flowers.

Challenges:

Paperplay Get in shape

Papercrafting Journey Fairies/angels

A Gem Fairies

CES Give Me Wings

I'll be back later to share the card I made for my friend in hospital.

Sneak peek

2012-02-06T22:00:00.014Z

Here's my third post for today and it features a sneak peek of the new CD from the very talented Sheena Douglass. The CD features papers, toppers, decoupage, sentiments and embellishments all with the wonderful paint fusion feel to them. I used a Spellbinder edge die, a Nestie which I embossed and some ribbon. Everything else is from the CD. I sprayed the decoupage and butterfly with Spray and Sparkle. Pop back tomorrow when I may be showing a sneak peek of a card using a brand new tool or will it be another card from Sheena's CD. Mmm, wait and see. Sheena's CD will be on Create and Craft on Friday.

Hello little Robin

2012-02-06T19:26:00.001Z

This is my second post for today and my second blue card today. I have lots of cards to show you this week so please keep popping back. I didn't get round to making a Christmas card last week so hope to try to make at least two this week. I've used a cute Pollycraft digi cut out with a wonky square Nestie, coloured with Promarkers, Flexmarkers and Sakura clearstar pen. I decided to use just one paper for the card for a change, not sure about it now. The paper is Papermania A Winter's Tale. I punched some MS snowflake and added snowflake brads. I then used some of the gorgeous Stamposaurus bunting and paper pieced it with spotty paper from the same pack.

Challenges:

Quixotic Fab sketch

Crafty Cardmakers Monochromatic

Forever Friends Shades of blue

Pollycraft Chill out

Fab n Funky Digi image

Simon Says Animal Antics

Craftyhazelnut Use a die cut

Christmas Crafting Blue, silver and white

Emma's Shades of blue

ABC Christmas B is for bear plus bunting, banners, brads, bows, blooms or buttons (I have brads and bunting)

Loving the tunes

2012-02-06T09:19:00.000Z

Morning everyone. Looks like a nice bright day so expecting some of the snow to disappear today. I made this card last night using one of the Simply Sassy girls I bought a few months ago and haven't got round to using yet. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. Papers are Papermania Blueberry Pie, sentiment was a mag freebie, Kars wooden flower and butterfly, seam binding, mulberry flowers from Michaels with added pearls. I needed a new ruler and bought the Tim Holtz one which has a row of piercing holes so I pierced holes all around the edge and used a fine liner to look like running stitch.

It's choose a past sketch at Sketch n Stash and I chose this one.

I would also like to enter this into the get stitchy with it challenge at Craft your days away. I shall be entering this into the Sugar Nellie Facebook challenge too. If you love Sugar Nellies and are on Facebook then why not come and play along too.

Time to celebrate

2012-02-05T15:16:00.000Z

Been out for a lovely bracing walk in the snow and now indoors for a cosy afternoon and evening. I am sharing another of the Stamposaurus samples I made a few days ago. The bunting, union jack and union jack border are all new patriotic stamps from Stamposaurus. I coloured the Union Jacks with Promarkers and paper pieced the bunting with some Christmas papers. The crown backing paper is from Papermania Portobello Road. I've used the Tim Holtz clock die and a computer generated sentiment to make a card suitable for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Challenges:

My Mum's Craft Shop Fab n funky

Delightful Punches and dies

Allsorts Free and easy

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Die cuts or punches

Crafts and Me Brighten up your day

Sending some love

2012-02-04T16:38:00.001Z

When I received the latest newsletter from Krista Smith I was amazed to find this gorgeous free Saturated Canary digi attached. I have coloured her with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and used First Edition Desert Bloom papers and Core'dinations which have been given a really distressed look with a Tim Holtz distress tool and DI Vintage Photo. I added some gorgeous lace, pins, digi sentiment from Crafty Sentiments and some Nestie cut hearts. This is my DT card for Totally Gorjuss where we have a lovely sketch for you to follow this week. We are sponsored by Joanna Sheen so definitely worth playing along and who doesn't love a good sketch to follow.

Challenges:

Pollycraft Favourite things (distressing, Saturated Canary images, pins, lace, Promarkers)

Ladybug Crafts Ink He loves me, he loves me not

Divas by Design Anything Goes

Penny's Love is in the air

Truly Scrumptious Love and hearts

Moving along with the times Have a heart

Sarah Hurley Love is all around

Joanna Sheen Love is in the air

Bling it on Love is all around

Had a lovely time meting up with Lynsey and Lisa today, lots of chat and a lovely lunch. Hope you're all keeping warm. It's a good weekend for crafting. Far too cold to be outside.

Keep Calm and Carry On

2012-02-03T17:45:00.000Z

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for my Winter Wonderland card.

Regular readers will know that I have been making some show samples for Stamposaurus and I had so much fun making cards with these vintage patriotic stamps. For this one I used Papermania Portobello Road papers and Core'dinations which have all been distressed and stapled. I tried out 2 techniques I've never tried before. The first was heat embossing the 2 Union Jacks and then using DI Worn Lipstick, the second was stamping the button border onto the ribbon. I also wanted a frayed look to the ribbons rather than wrapping them around the paper as I normally would. I then used one of the bunting stamps and coloured the flags with Promarkers and added a large button with Baker's twine. The Keep Calm and Carry On stamp is also part of the set.

Challenges:

ABC I is for In Pairs (Union Jacks)

Cards for men Seeing red

For Fun For men

I love Promarkers Photo inspiration

Crafty Ribbons For men

Stampin' for the weekend Embossing

Charisma Vintage

Sailing home

2012-02-03T10:00:00.011Z

I've scheduled my DT post for this week's challenge at Winter Wonderland where the challenge is blue and white. No other colours please except skin, fur or hair. I've used this lovely tranquil digi from Delicious Doodles and teamed it with the same papers as yesterday. I've used my MS cherish PATP set and added some baker's twine and card candi. The ship's wheel charm and brad is from The Works, sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

Dear Daisy

2012-02-02T09:54:00.000Z

Oh how I do love Daisy. She was one of my first Sugar Nellie stamps and she hasn't been inked up for far too long. She has been coloured with Promarkers and I paper pieced her top and jeans. Papers are Pink Paislee Bayberry Cottage. I was lucky to win 16 metres of cherry ribbon at Sweet Stampin' a couple of weeks ago so you will be seeing a lot of cherry ribbons from now on. I used a Nestie label die, DI Borken China, flowers from Wild Orchid, Crealie die cut leaves, Sizix die ut hearts, Kars wooden butterfly and digi sentiment from Crafty Sentiments.

Challenges:

The Sugar Bowl 2nd entry to the sketch and used the paper piecing option

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Anything Goes

Secret Crafter Ribbon

Incy Wincy Floral Frenzy

Divas by Design Anything Goes

Just Tracys Female and flowing (ribbon)

Elisabeth Bell's World Hearts

Hello

2012-02-01T10:01:00.000Z

It's time for a new challenge at Crafter’s Companion and this month its Anything Goes. I've used one of the cardmates, tag and papers from the Strawberry Kisses CD along with one of the cute stamps. She has been coloured with Spectrum Noirs and I paper pieced the flowerpot. I would like to enter this into the animal challenge at Sweet Stampin', thinking of you at Chocolate, coffee and cards and animal antics at Simon Says.

Do you have these in smaller sizes?

2012-01-31T10:22:00.001Z

Took some time out last night from my orders and CC samples to make a card for my stock using another of my latest Sugar Nellie purchases. I've used this cute manga girl and followed the colour challenge on the SN Facebook page. I love my peachy Promarkers and don't use them enough and have never tried them with grey before but really liking this colour combo. I've used First Edition papers, Core'dinations, DI vintage photo, Sakura goldstar pen, grey pearls, flowers from Michaels and MS punch and butterflies. The sweet sentiment is a digi from Crafty Sentiments. I've used Gayle's fab sketch at The Sugar Bowl and would like to enter this into the girly challenge at Kaboodle Doodles.

Ruby Wedding

2012-01-30T09:53:00.001Z

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. We had a great night last night, went for an Italian meal and then to the theatre to a rock concert, playing 70s and 80s classic rock songs. My left ear is still buzzing this morning!

I've loads of cards to make this week so better make this is a quick post. One of my friends asked me to make a Ruby Wedding card for her hubby and she wanted me to use a photo of the 2 of them. There were lots of other people in the background.so I cut them out of the photo and layered it onto paper and added a frame to make it look like a picture. I used MS border and large heart punches and a Sizzix scroll die. When I bought that large heart punch I wondered if I would use it much. What was I thinking? I use it all the time.

Challenges:

Crafty Purple Frog Show us some love

Allsorts One or more hearts

Crafty Pad Valentine/Anniversary Love

Fairy wishes

2012-01-28T17:24:00.000Z

This is my second post for today and features one of my newest Sugar Nellie purchases. I love these sweet fairies. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and sprayed with silver Spray and Sparkle. The backing paper was in a candy and seemed to go well with an odd piece of Prima paper. This meant using one of my fave colour combos, aqua and purple. I used part of a new Memory Box die, Sizzix swirl die, MS border punch and Crealie die for the leaves. The flowers are all Wild Orchid. The sentiment is a digi from Crafty Sentiments. I punched 2 butterflies with an MS punch, used DI vintage photo and then heat embossed with WOW white glitter powder and added some pearls. The seam binding is from The Ribbon Girl and was part of my Christmas pressy from my friend Lisa who also drew the sketch I used at A Gem. I would also like to enter this into Creature Comforts at Wild Orchid and Things with Wings at Crafty Catz.

Keeping it simple!

2012-01-28T09:40:00.002Z

The challenge this week at Totally Gorjuss is KISS (keep it simple). Now you either love or hate these challenges and I usually avoid them as it isn't my normal style. However being a DT member I had to rise to the challenge and this is a card I made for Crafter's Companion using reddy decoupage. I kept to a simple colour scheme and added some silver ribbon and white ribbon and pearl flowers. I hope you'll join in as we are sponsored by the lovely Lili of the Valley. I had scheduled this post as I have been out all day. For some reason the post isn't up yet at Totally Gorjuss. I know that Net has been poorly and I don't have access to the challenge to post but I am sure she will be posting as soon as she can. I would like to enter this into the clean and simple challenge at Crafts 4 Eternity and the sympathy challenge at Die Cut Dreams (thanks Dawn).

Another greenhouse

2012-01-27T12:28:00.000Z

I'm so pleased that I have just finished off my 100 card commission ready for collection. (They were CAS cards, all the same, otherwise I would never have them all done.) This is another of the cards I made for Stamposaurus with the lovely greenhouse stamp. Jayne received them yesterday and has asked me to make another 3 with some new stamps so I'm very glad she liked them.

I coloured the image with Promarkers and sprayed both the image and the Wild Orchid flowers with Silver Spray and Sparkle. I didn't like the straight edge at the top so punched it with my MS flower garden border punch and then coloured the flowers. I added some ribbon and used my new Memory Box buckle die. The sentiment is from the stamps set and has been die cut with a Nestie label die. The gorgeous paper is Kars Country Rose.

Challenges:

Creative Inspirations Anything goes

Simon Says Anything goes

Moving along with the times Blooming marvellous

Hotshot Flowers

My Mum's Craft Shop Flowers

Busy time ahead as I have loads of cards to make, some for orders, some for me to send and samples for Crafter's Companion.

Here's Gaffi

2012-01-26T16:05:00.000Z

Here I am back with my second post for today. Friday is digi release day at Crafty Sentiments Designs and this is a sneak peek of one of tomorrow's designs called Gaffi. I have coloured him with Promarkers and used a sheet of K&Co Hopscotch. The cute border is also from K&Co. Sentiment is a digi from Crafty Sentiments and I added a die cut circle with a large star button to finish. I would like to enter this into the animal challenge at Dream Valley and anything goes at Simon Says.

In the Garden

2012-01-26T10:59:00.001Z

Regular visitors will know that I have been working on a couple of commissions lately. One of which was to make some cards for Stamposaurus. I was so surprised and flattered to receive an e-mail from Jayne asking me if I would make some samples for upcoming shows. Jayne sent me this gorgeous greenhouse stamp and the floral buttons to use. These stamps are great for males and females and I had great fun using them. If you are going along to any of the craft shows over the next few months do stop by the stand and have a look at my cards. I hope Jayne likes my cards which should be arriving at her house today.

The card is an 8" square and I've used some K&Co papers and added some doodling to match the doodly style of the stamp. The stamp has been coloured with Spectrum Noirs, Promarkers and a Sakura clearstar pen. I've then added glossy accents to the windows. The flower border is a Sizzix one I have had for ages and rarely use, swirls made with a Crealie die, daffodils from Wild Orchid. The sentiment is part of the stamp and I found some gingham ribbon which matches the colour scheme. Quite a different colour combo for me but I am trying to make cards in more variety of colours this year.

Challenges:

DYSU Ribbon

Moving along with the times Blooming Marvellous

Papercrafting Journey Floral

Crafty Catz Buttons and bows

Hotshot Flowers

My Mum's Craft Shop Flowers

Simon Says Anything Goes

I hope to be back later with a sneak peek of one of new Crafty Sentiment digis due out tomorrow.

Steam

2012-01-25T17:24:00.001Z

Thankfully I've been feeling much better today, just need to get rid of the annoying cough now. We popped out for a while today, had lunch, did a little shopping and went to Hobbycrafts. I keep debating buying the Papermania Portobello paper and finally decided I must have it. I bought the 12 x 12 pack as I thought I could use it for scrapbooking too. I never seem to have enough red and blue papers so that solves that problem now. I also picked up a Tim Holtz on the edge die with little houses which I keep thinking of buying. Surprisingly good value, as often Hobbycraft are more expensive, only £7.99. Hubby said don't keep looking it if you want it buy it, so I did! Expect to see it used very soon.

I'm trying to make at least one layout a week and made this one last night. I've used Core'dinations, Bo Bunny et cetera and We R memory keepers Travel Light papers. Lots of tearing, sanding and stapling on this one. I've used Tim Holtz journal tag, embossing folders, on the edge cog die which I double embossed and then made 2 cogs with, and added some metal cogs.

Challenges:

Little Claire Anything but a card

Incy Wincy Anything but a card

CES Anything but a card

Simon Says Anything goes

DYSU Patterned papers

Pie anyone?

2012-01-24T15:38:00.000Z

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for a Christmas card. I was lucky enough to win this Simply Sassy stamp just before Christmas but this is the first time I have used her. She is called Domestic Goddess, quite unlike me, both in terms of cooking and the clothes. I've used a Nestie die, Paper Cellar Victorian Classic and Victorian Burgundy papers, Promarkers and Flexmarkers, baker's twine, Craftwork cards sentiment and made some flowers with some X cut punches I had forgotten I had, with added pearls. I have entered this into the colour challenge on the Sugar Nellie Facebook page.

Challenges:

The Sugar Bowl Sketch and Birthday

Truly Scrumptious Something Forgotten (punches)

Crafty Purple Frog Anything Goes

Saturated Canary Punches and/or dies

Totally Papercrafts Make your own flowers

Secret Crafter Food and drink

Let it Snow!

2012-01-24T12:26:00.001Z

Well, had a much better night's sleep last night despite the cough which started yesterday. However I felt worse this morning and it has taken me ages to get going.

I hope to get a couple of Christmas cards made this week to make up for not doing one last week but not sure that is going to happen. Anyway I do have one to share with you. I love easel cards. They look impressive but are so easy to make. I've used a Crafty Sentiments digi coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and sprayed with gold spray and sparkle. Papers are Kars, snowflakes MS punches, sentiment Craftwork Cards.

Challenges:

Bee Crafty Celebrations

Christmas Crafting Easel

ABC Christmas Anything Christmas

Delicious Doodles Winter Wonderland

One Stop Craft Under the Weather

I'll be back later with a Birthday card to share with you.

You rock my boat

2012-01-23T11:34:00.001Z

Thanks for all your good wishes ad suggested cold remedies, most of which included whisky, which I hate unfortunately. I did manage to have a little in my low fat hot chocolate before I went to bed and it did help. However I was up again at 4 am making a hot drink as I couldn't get back to sleep. Feeling a little better today. The sun is shining so a walk in the fresh air is planned after a little light housework.

I didn't make any cards yesterday but this is one of the Valentines cards I made recently using a cute Country Companions decoupage, sentiment and Lover's Lane papers. I added some faux stitching, MS punched heart and a lovely ribbon from my stash.

Challenges:

Creative Card Crew Seeing red

Ladybug Crafts Bows

Papertake Any of buttons, bows, blooms, bling

Crafty Creations Valentines

Scrapbook Sisters My sweet Valentine

Bert, a catapult and a candy winner

2012-01-22T12:35:00.000Z

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to my newest followers. My cold got much worse yesterday and I am feeling pretty awful today. I had an interrupted night and was sitting downstairs drinking hot chocolate at 5 o'clock but then went back to bed. Hope I sleep better tonight.

My card today is the first play I have had with one of the Cutie Patooties which I won from Little Claire for naming them Bert and Mary. Here's Bert looking mischievous with his catapult. He has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. The papers are some old Dovecraft ones which I think nearly everyone bought. They are such great papers for male cards. I love blue and brown together ad used DI Frayed Burlap on all the edges. I also used my MS zigzag punch and added a Craftwork cards sentiment and some card candi.

Challenges:

Sketch n Stash (new stamp, old papers)

Cards for men Boys and their toys (It even says that on the backing paper!)

Stampin' for the weekend Out with the old

Send a smile for kids Anything goes for kids

Stamptacular Seeing spots

The Crafty Pad Let's see something for the boys

Ad now for my candy winner, which is.........

That's Mina. Congratulations, please e-mail me your address and I will send it off to you asap.

Thanks to the 142 of you who entered and advertised my candy. It won't be too long before I'll be back with another one and you won't want to miss it so keep checking my blog.

Candy

2012-01-21T23:59:00.000Z

This post will stay at the top until 21 January.

Scroll down for newer posts.

To enter my candy please click on my candy page.

Welcome

2012-01-21T11:12:00.000Z

Something different from me today for my DT card for Totally Gorjuss where our challenge is Welcome. So think new home, babies etc and we have a brand new regular sponsor, Heather's Hobbie Haven. I saw a paper pieced house in a mag a few months ago and have kept the mag open at that page to remind me to have a go. I used Echo Park Victorian Garden papers which were just perfect for the effect I wanted to achieve. I used DI Vintage Photo on all the edges, made the border to look like it had come from a notebook by using a hole punch and cutting into the holes. I added a paperclip, tiny tag from a candy win, distressed sentiment which was a mag freebie, punched leaves and Wild Orchid roses. I would like to enter this into the challenge of anything goes at Wild Orchid and floral at Papercrafting Journey.

Pamper time

2012-01-20T18:22:00.001Z

This is my second post for today. I took some time out this afternoon to make a card that isn't for a commission or DT, just something I wanted to make. I've used one of the last LOTV release stamps called Positively Pampered. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers with a touch of Sakura Clearstar pen and lots of glitter on her wings. Papers are First Edition Dreamcatcher. I've used my Tim Holtz clock die. The Prima flower, which was part of my Christmas pressy from Lisa is really far too gorgeous to use, lol! The other flowers are from Michaels, lace and pearls from stash.

Challenges:

Simon Says Great sketch

Lili's little fairies Lavender and lace

Try it on a Tuesday Do you believe in fairies?

Moving along with the times Things with wings

I love Promarkers Anything Goes

The Crafty Pad New Year Sparkle

Creative Inspirations Favourite colour and white

Flutter By Wednesday Open

Hope you all have a good weekend. I had a really sore throat start yesterday afternoon so think my first cold of the Winter may be on its way unfortunately.

A Taste of Spring

2012-01-20T10:41:00.001Z

Well I'm still fiddling around with my blog. Have now changed my template which meant customising all my settings again. I think it is just how I want it now.

Over at Winter Wonderland we have a wonderful new sponsor, Lili of the Valley. They will be sponsoring us every quarter with a £10 voucher to be won. They gave the DT some bunny images to play with so no Christmas cards from the DT this week but you can make whatever you like as long as you follow the challenge which this week is hosted by Squirrel and she wants to see Easel cards. I've used some MME Quite Contrary papers, MS border punch over pink ribbon, MS punched butterflies and some flowers and pearls. The sentiment was a mag freebie.

Introducing Kai

2012-01-19T14:25:00.000Z

NO post from me yesterday as I was busy in the morning and out in the afternoon. Then Angie added my lovely new blog header and background to my blog. I gave her the sort of things I like, including purple of course, and didn't she come up withe the most fabulous design. If you would like one designed for you click on her banner on my sidebar. The only problem was it took off all my customised settings so it took me a while to get the fonts etc looking like I wanted them again. The only thing I can't work out is how to remove the box around my blog. I fiddled around for ages and ended up with no time to make a card yesterday.

So my card today features Kai, a new digi available tomorrow from Crafty Sentiments Designs. Every Friday there will be 2 new digis released and there is also a chance to win a digi by placing your card made using a Crafty Sentiments image onto their Facebook page. I love blue but never seem to have many blue papers. I also wanted stripes to match her top and found these papers in my Christmas paper stack. They are Papermania Winter's Tale. Must remember that in future as so many Christmas papers are spots and stripes. I used my MS double loop border punch, one I don't use enough. I added some striped ribbon, Sizzix die cut corners, Wild Orchid flowers, punched MS fern leaves, pearls and a flower charm.

Challenges

Sunday Sketch and Stamp

Pollycraft Bingo (flowers, punches, pearls)

Crafts 4 Eternity Colour challenge

Creative Craft Blue

Secret Crafter Anything Goes with Blue

Totally Papercrafts Spots and stripes

Don't forget to check out my candy which ends on Saturday and my for sale page.

I'm ready for my close up

2012-01-17T19:25:00.000Z

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for a layout of New York photos.

The main colours of blue and green for this card were used for the Facebook Sugar Nellie colour challenges. Not my usual colour combo but once I found these Prima papers in my stash I was happy with the colours. The image is another of my new Simply Sassy girls coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. I've distressed and inked all the edges with a Tim Holtz distresser and DI Broken China. The tag, which goes so perfectly with the posed girl as it says Photographic Studio, is from Crafty Individuals, sentiment Craftwork Cards, metal scroll Jolee's Boutique and an MS punched butterfly on Kraft to finish.

Challenges:

ABC H is for Happy Birthday

Sugar Bowl Sketch and Birthday

Charisma Birthday

2 Sisters Use metal

I've received 2 lovely commissions in the last couple of days. One to make some cards for a stamp company and the other to make 100 clean and simple cards all the same to go with a sixpence for luck to give to brides. We finally agreed on the design yesterday so I started a production line today. I've a busy time ahead. Good job my DT cards are made for this week.

Mamma Mia!

2012-01-17T10:43:00.001Z

Really sharp frost this morning, everywhere is still white. Nice bright day though so off for a walk shortly. I'm sharing another layout today of our time in New York. We went to see Mamma Mia before the film came out so I was unprepared for how funny it was. Fantastic show, so lovely to say "we saw it on Broadway". I've distressed all the ages with DI vintage photo. Papers are Michaels own make, Bo Bunny and K&Co. Bunting border is K&Co. I used some magic mesh, which is great stuff, self adhesive too. Wherever possible I pick up some embellishments in America for the various places we visit and was really pleased with how well these ones fitted in. I had a lovely street sign for Broadway but it is green and just didn't go with the colour scheme on this page. I would like to enter this into the anything but a card challenge at Little Claire and celebration of nations at Allsorts.

Warm wishes

2012-01-16T12:42:00.001Z

Keeping up with making at least one Christmas card a week, here's my latest one using one of my gorgeous new Saturated Canary digis, cut out with a Nestie. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. Papers, circles and borders are all from the Papermania Percy and Penelope pad, sentiment is a digi from Crafty Sentiments.

Challenges:

The Ribbon Girl Blue and pink

Crafty Catz Something new (digi)

Sparkles Use your new crafting goodies

Papertake Die cute

ABC Christmas Anything Christmas

Crafty Creations Something new (digi)

My Mum's Craft Shop Here come the girls

Scrapbook Sisters Snow

If you fancy picking up a bargain then check out my for sale page at the top.

Sweet baby girl

2012-01-15T13:31:00.001Z

I've a sweet baby card to share with you today using one of the lovely Janet's Pink Gem designs. I've cut into my gorgeous Tim Holtz Vintage Shabby 12 x 12 paper pad for this one, still plenty left though. The sentiment is a digi from Crafty Sentiments. I've used Promarkers and Flexmarkers and a Sakura rosestar pen. It's the first time I've thought of threading buttons onto baker's twine and I really like the effect. I added a baby bottle charm to finish.

Challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge Photo inspiration

Bling it on New beginnings

Crafty Calendar New news

Divas by design New

Simon Says Spots and/or stripes

Moving along with the times Spots and/or stripes

By the cute and girly New beginnings

You're a star

2012-01-14T09:43:00.000Z

Time for another challenge at Totally Gorjuss and this week our challenge, which is sponsored by Crafter's Companion, is Be a Star, so we want to see stars on your project. I bought some coloured bags in America to decorate and sell at craft fairs so I thought I would make a start on them. I used a Pollycraft image with stars on her clothes and boots. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers, with silver Sakura clearstar pen for the stars. Papers are Papermania Henbury Lane and Craftwork Cards. I used my MS star border punch and X cut nesting dies with some sequin stars and ribbon I found in my stash.

Challenges:

PollycraftAnything but a card

Crafty Cardmakers No floral embellishments

Digital Tuesday Punch it out

Simon Says Spots and/or stripes

Welcome to my new followers. Only one week left to enter my candy, see my candy page.

Have a good weekend everyone and stay warm.

All of my heart

2012-01-13T10:04:00.001Z

Another of my Valentine cards today, the last for a while, I promise. I've used another of the cute Digistamp Boutique bears coloured with Promarkers. Papers are Pink Paislee Bayberry Cottage. I've recycled the black and white spotted ribbon from a Gorjuss Girls pack I had for Christmas which had a notebook and phone case in it. The papers are so rich I didn't want to add too many embellies so just a bow and some MS punched hearts.

Challenges:

Digistamp Boutique

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Passion for Promarkers Inspired by a song (All of my heart by ABC,(love that song))

Fab n Funky Recycle (ribbon)

For FunAnything Goes

I love Promarkers Cute and Cuddly

Love bugs

2012-01-12T09:30:00.001Z

I've managed to make 7 Valentine's cards this week and this one features a fun image from Digistamp Boutique. I've used some old Dovecraft papers, Promarkers and pearl embellishments. I kept this one fairly simple as I thought it would be a suitable card for a male or female so didn't want to add any flowers or glitter. The hearts were cut with Nesties.

Challenges:

Digistamp Boutique

Going Buggy Black, white and red

Simon Says Spots and/or stripes

Cute Card Thursday You're having a laugh
Paper Sundaes Saturated colours

2 Sisters Things with wings

Sort post from me today as lots to do, housework, ironing and packaging up these Valentine's cards to deliver to the shop for sale, hopefully.

In the pink

2012-01-11T09:54:00.000Z

Nice clean lines for my card this morning sing a cute Digistamp Boutique image coloured with Promarkers. Papers are MME Quite Contrary. I sorted out all my papers the other day and have a pile of pads with just a few pages in which I have put together and am determined to use. I also came across pads I had forgotten I had and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I've used my MS heart border punch, a heart doily, Wild Orchid roses, MS rose leaf punched leaves.

Challenges:

Bunny Zoe Photo inspiration

Penny Black & more at Allsorts Love and hearts

Ready-Teddy-Go In the pink

Digstamp Boutique

Sir Stampalot Monochromatic

Simon Says Spots and/or stripes

Coffee time and a Carriage Ride

2012-01-10T16:34:00.001Z

Had a lovely day out in Norwich today. We went on another free one hour workshop called "Going further with your I Pad". These workshops at the Apple store are really good and we picked up lots of hints and tips. I am loving using the I Pad thought it has some limitations for posting on my blog so I use the main laptop for that. However for checking challenges, commenting etc it is so much faster than the laptop.

Anyway on to my 2 layouts for today. I am managing to keep up that resolution to do more layouts. Hope I can continue with it. My first layout is so typical of hubby. He is always drinking tea and coffee and has even put a Starbucks app on his new I Phone. It tells you where the nearest one is and how to get there! The papers are Michael's own make (America). I used my new borderabilities and then promptly covered up most of them, lol! The clock and letters were cut with Tim Holtz dies. The chipboard emebllies were magazine freebies. I recycled part of a Starbucks gift card and some ribbon from some Costa mini muffins. I remember thinking this will come in handy for scrapbooking.

I went for a distressed look, even using staples. I also did some sewing with my Sew Easy.

Challenges:

Cards for men Recycling (doesn't have to be a card)

Everybody Art Shabby

Dream Valley Anything Goes

My second layout I made using the sketch at Sketchy Thursdays where you also have to use blue and silver. I love their sketches and will try to use them most weeks from now on. We visited New York in 2008 (I think!) and loved it. We just had to go on a carriage ride in Central Park. I've used DCWV Nantucket papers. The sign is a Marianne die which I made with Core'dinations, distressed it and added the epoxy letters.

Flowers are from Michaels and Wild Orchid where I would like to enter their anything goes challenge. I added some baker's twine, Tim Holtz journal tag, rub on, punched leaves, silver charm and pins.

He loves me

2012-01-09T15:50:00.001Z

I'm back as promised with my second Valentine's card today. This one is using one of the gorgeous new stamps from Crafty Sentiments, called He loves me. She has a real 60s look I think and suited distressed papers, which are Country Companions Lover's Lane again. I coloured her with Promarkers and used MS heart punch and Sizzix heart corners. Sentiments are computer generated and distressed with DI worn lipstick. I added some lace, mulberry flowers and tiny buttons.

Challenges:

Totally Papercrafts Fab sketch

I love Promarkers Lace and buttons

Delightful Have a heart

Cupcake New (new stamp and flowers)
One Stop Bingo (distressing, lace/ribbon, flowers)

The Kiss

2012-01-09T10:07:00.001Z

It's a really gloomy day here. We are having such mild weather for January. Most days we don't have the heating on until the evening which is really odd, but saves on heating costs. We've hardly even had any frosts yet. Starting to think about getting ahead with the various special days and this is my first Valentine's card. I have 10 to make for a couple of local shops where I sell a few cards.

I've used the gorgeous digi from Gingerloft, just adding a touch of red to her dress. The papers are Country Companions Lover's Lane. The heart border was made with my new cutting die from Crafty Sentiments . Can see this being used a lot. The pearl hearts are from The Works.

Challenges:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Delicious Doodles All things new (cutting die)

Just Tracys Love is in the air

I'll be back later with another post I hope. Don't forget to enter my candy if you haven't already done so.

Strike a pose

2012-01-08T14:10:00.001Z

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for a fun layout.

I used some of my Christmas money to buy some stamps from Sugar Nellie and this is the first one I have used, from the Simply Sassy range. I want to try out some different colour combos this year and this one if the first of them. The image has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. Her boots were coloured with Spectrum Noirs. I coloured her dress to match the backing paper. The papers are Echo Park Walk in the Park. I have used an MS border punch, MS butterfly and hydrangea punches, Sizzix scroll die, pins, card candi, brads and pins. The sentiment is LOTV on which I have used DI vintage photo.

Challenges:

The Sugar Bowl 2nd entry using the sketch

Card Makin' Mamas New (image)

CES Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin' Spots and dots

Cute Card Thursday What's new (image)

Oops!!!!!!!

2012-01-08T08:08:00.001Z

After a 3 week challenge we are back to our usual fortnightly challenges at Squiggle Stamps where our challenge is recycle. For my DT project I decided to do something different and I am keeping up with my resolution to create more layouts this year. I have so many photos I want to use and although this is hardly the time of year for Halloween I wanted to use these photos with the Squiggle Stamps witch's cauldron. I couldn't find a sketch I liked for this so made my own. Both photos were taken in America where they really love to decorate their houses, shops etc whatever the occasion.I've used lots of distress inks and sanded Core'dinations. The lamppost was a Christmas pressy, and is a Marianne die. The corner was made with a Sizzix die. I added some raffia in keeping with the photos. The one at the top always makes me smile. My recycled item is the tag which came fom a piece of clothing. It has a lovely texture to it and I simply used DI vintage photo on it and added some die cut letters.

My first Saturated Canary card

2012-01-07T09:26:00.000Z

I love Krista Smith's images and have several of the Simply Sassy girls but have only just bought some of her Saturated Canary digis available on Etsy. It took me ages to colour but I do love images that take a lot of colouring, one of my favourite pastimes. She has been coloured with Promarkers with touches of Sakura clearstar pen. The papers are last Summer's First Edition Desert Bloom which I distressed. I added some seam binding, Wild Orchid cherry blossom and MS punched leaves.

This is my DT card for Totally Gorjuss where there is a great sketch to follow this week. We are sponsored by Joanna Sheen so hop over and join in the fun. We all love a good sketch.

Challenges:

Paper Sundaes Out with the old, in with the new (Old papers and flowers, new digi)

Kaboodle Doodles Celebrate

Stamps R Us What did you get for Christmas (bought digi with Christmas money)

Ladybug Crafts Ink Use your new stash (digi)

My Mum's Craft Shop Something new (digi)

Joanna Sheen Celebrations

Let's Rock

2012-01-06T16:00:00.000Z

I'm back with my second post for today. Please scroll down for my Winter Wonderland post. I've used one of the gorgeous Pollycraft digis for this card. I wanted a bit of a grungy feel so used paper DCWV Rockstar paper which I distressed. She has been coloured with Promarkers with some added Sakura goldtstaron the guitar and dress. Star were made with glitter card and a Woodware punch and the little musical notes with a small punch I bought in America for $1. Lace to finish.

Challenges:

Pollycraft Punch it

Sketch N Stash Fab sketch

Moving along with the times Music/retro

Let's go Shopping

2012-01-06T09:41:00.000Z

Here I am with my first Christmas card for 2012. It's my challenge at Winter Wonderland and I have chosen the theme of Let's Go Shopping. We have a wonderful new sponsor who will be sponsoring us the first week of every month, and that is Crafter's Companion, woo hoo, with a very generous £10 voucher. If you have been admiring my sneak peeks of the new Strawberry Kisses range then you'd better join in the challenge. You don't have to make a Christmas card as we don't start our Christmas challenges until mid Feb but if you want to get ahead like me then you can choose to make a Christmas card. AS long as you follow the theme we don;t mind what you make. I have chosen one of the cute SWALK range from Crafter's Companion teamed with Cosy Christmas papers free from a mag.I added lots of glitter to the fur on the image and used an MS simple scallop punch. The hinge was made from a Spellbinder label die and sanded Core'dinations. I saw this idea on someone's blog, I think it was Rebekah.

I used the sketch over at Sunday Sketch & Stash and would like to enter this into the Christmas challenge at Dream Valley. I'll be back later with another card to share with you.

Don't forget to watch Create and Craft for the Strawberry Kisses launch today at 12 noon.

Let's play golf

2012-01-05T17:02:00.000Z

This is my second card today. Scroll down for today's sneak peek.

I have had a lovely afternoon crafting. Stamped my six new SN stamps and made two cards, though neither of them with SN images. Still have those to play with. I needed to make a card for a friend's Birthday and looked though my digis to fund a suitable one. I have had this image from Charmed Cards for ages and it was just what I needed. He has been coloured with Promarkers. Papers are We R Memory Keepers Travel light, sentiment from Craftwork Cards, 3d topper and tiles from stash. I used this week's great sketch at Sketch Saturday.

Relax

2012-01-05T12:14:00.000Z

It's another sneak peek of the Strawberry Kisses range from Crafter's Companion which launches tomorrow on Create and Craft. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the creations from the rest of the DT. I've used Spectrum Noirs to colour the stamp and sentiment. Paper is from the CD. I used a Grand Calibur and large Go Kreate dies to make a shaped card using Centura Pearl and Core'dinations. The swirl was made with a Joy die and Centura Pearl and the flower with a Marianne die and sanded Core'dinations. I would like to enter this into the shaped card challenge at Forever Friends.

I hope everyone is keeping safe with this awful weather we are having in the UK. It's incredibly blustery and keeps raining here. I'm planning an afternoon in he craftroom so may be back later with another card.

My Boy and a chance to win

2012-01-04T19:00:00.000Z

I've been out all day today, shopping, lunch and booking my holiday. We booked the flights last week but couldn't book the hotels but that was all sorted today so I will be off to New England for the fall again. I just love it there as it is so beautiful and I will be celebrating a special Birthday there.

I'm bringing you another sneak peek of the gorgeous new Strawberry Kisses which will be available from Friday from Crafter's Companion. This is one of my fave images from the 12 stamp set. This would be a great image to use for those difficult teen boy cards. The sentiment is also from the stamp set. I've used Spectrum Noirs to colour. The paper is from the CD. I used a new Sizzix embossing folder from Crafter's Companion and Core'dinations. A punched star, star gem and ribbon to finish. I would like to enter this into the anything goes challenge at Papertakeand favourite things at Dutch Dare. My favourite things are the colour scheme, stars, ribbon and making male cards which unlike a lot of people I love.

Would you like the chance to win a pad of Core'dinations? Then hop over to Leann's blog and leave her a comment. Don't forget to enter my candy too by clicking on my candy page.

Two lovely surprises today. I am featured on the Crafter's Companion news, views and inspirations blog and I won 2 Saturated Canary digis in the Christmas mega challenge at Passion for Promarkers. I bought 2 of these recently and had a hard job choosing which to buy so am so pleased I will be able to get 2 more.

A Yummy sneak peek

2012-01-03T15:06:00.001Z

Wow, what a rough morning we had here, gale force winds and pouring rain. So glad to be indoors. Now the sun is shining and it has calmed down a lot. I'm back today with another gorgeous sneak peek of the new Strawberry Kisses range coming Friday from Crafter's Companion.. The sentiment is from the stamp set, all coloured with Spectrum Noirs. I added glossy accents to the sundae dish and 3D'd the strawberry. The paper is from the CD. I added a MS punched butterfly which I heat embossed with Wow glitter powder and a MS punched border.

I would like to enter this into the anything goes challenges at Incy Wincy and Simon Says.

I had an e-mail a little while ago to say I have won £10 to spend at Abi's crafts, from a magazine giveaway. I am always meaning to do the giveaways and nearly always forget so that was a lovely surprise. Just deciding what to spend it on now.

Together forever

2012-01-02T15:24:00.000Z

Time for another sneak peek of the gorgeous Strawberry Kisses from Crafter's Companion launching on Friday. It's also my DT card for Crafter’s Companion where our challenge is Love is in the air. I had some new Xcut large oval dies for Christmas so I used them to make this easel card. The paper is from the CD, sentiment from the stamp set. I used Spectrum Noirs to colour with a Sakura goldstar pen to outline the wording. The flowers were punched with an MS cosmos punch with added card candi. I would like to enter this into the challenge of anything goes at Simon Says.

I have a new candy on offer so please click on my candy page to enter.

We all like a bargain and there is a sale on at Crafty Sentiment Designs.

Sneak peek and candy

2012-01-01T15:51:00.000Z

This is my second post today. Please scroll down for 2 layouts.

I'm sharin another sneak peek of the new Strawberry Kisses from Crafter's Companion which will be launched on Friday on Create and Craft. This is an adorable image which I have coloured with Sectrum Noirs. I've used my Grand Calibur and large Nesties to make a shaped card using Centura Pearl card. The paper is from the CD, scrolls cut with a Crealie die. I've used a Sakura glaze pen for the sentiment which is from the stamps set. Finished off with some Prima flowers and brads.

I've been having a sort out in my craftroom and have some candy to give away.

For candy details and link to enter please click on my candy page at the top of my blog.

Washington

2012-01-01T11:37:00.001Z

We had a lovely New Year's Eve, staying in with a bottle of sparkling wine and a couple of movies. Will be taking the Christmas decs down shortly and cleaning the lounge. Have you made any New Year's crafting resolutions? I am determined to do more scrapbooking, not to buy so many papers and use up some that I have and use some of my poor neglected stamps. It's so easy to use the new ones, and I have 6 new SN stamps just waiting to be inked. I sorted out all my stamps a couple of days ago and found some old favourites in there which I am going to us this year.

I made these 2 scrapbook layouts over the last 2 days. They are both photos of Washington. For the first one I used DI Vintage Photo to stamp and on the clock, papers and backing card. The postcard stamp is from LOTV. The Tim Holtz weathered clock is a new purchase with some Christmas money. I googled the time Lincoln was shot so I could use that time on the clock and journalling. The border is K&Co. Papers are from Michaels Recollections range and K&Co. The pics are Lincoln's memorial, the monument and Capitol building which you can see from the memorial and the theatre where he was fatally shot.

I followed the sketch at Sketchy Thursdays and would like to enter this into the Anything Goes challenge at Simon Says.

I recently took out a subscription of the monthly Scrapbook Inspirations mag and followed one of their sketches for this layout. I stamped a quote from a Tim Holtz journey set and then used a stamp from a new set from Papermania called urban journey. I stamped this over itself 3 times on the left and once on the right. I used DI Forest Moss to tone down the green papers, which I think are Stamping Up. I added some Tim Holtz sprocket gears, part of a ticket from the Kennedy Space Centre and some stamped arrows.

I would like to enter this into the use a quote challenge at Crafts 4 Eternity and anything goes at Secret Crafter.

I may be back later with another Strawberry Kisses sneak peek and will also have some New Year candy.

My favourites of 2011

2011-12-31T17:13:00.000Z

For my second post today I am joining in with Debby's blog where she is playing her annual 5 fave cards of the year. Debby managed to get it down to 11 but as 2 were similar she counted it as 10. I started at 25 and that was without any Christmas cards but had to be ruthless and I got mine down to 7.

I just love Sugar Nellies and these new Pips are so sweet and this is the card I made for my good friend Lynsey's Birthday, who loves cute and loves pink. Love the WOC lace on this one too.

She is one of the first SN stamp I bought and still one of my all time faves. Elisabeth Bell is one of my fave designers and of course I love purple. This is a reminder to use feathers more often.

LOTV is another of my fave stamp companies and I really love making boy's cards. Very pleased with my colouring on this one and love the colour combo.

I was so pleased to be asked to join the Squiggles DT this year and love the bright colour combo and patterns on this cad using Miss Evie Witchy.

Another SN stamp but this time a Simply Sassy girl called Tiffany designed by the talented Krista Smith. Love pink and brown and really got into distressing and using Core'dinations this year.

These stepper cards were everywhere earlier this year and I really like them so must make more shaped cards this year. Some of my fave Henbury Lane Papers and another cute LOTV girl.

Another LOTV boy, love the raffia lace and colour combo.

I hope you'll get the chance to play. I'd love to see what cards you choose.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

Marianne x

Happy Anniversary

2011-12-31T09:38:00.000Z

It feels good to back posting every day on my blog and her I am today with my DT card for Totally Gorjuss where the challenge is a nice easy one of Happy. I chose to make an anniversary card using one of the lovely Humphrey's Corner stamps from Crafter's Companion, coloured with Spectrum Noirs. The papers are Papermania Aqua capsule collection. I used MS heart and fan border punches as well as my new rose leaf punch with Wild Orchid cherry blossom and rose from Michaels. The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley, our lovely sponsors this week.

A tip with leaves is to use a fine embossing tool down the centre to give more definition. Don;t think leaves always have to be green either. Match them to the colours of your card.

I used the fab sketch at Papertake and would like to enter it into the anything goes challenges at Simon Says and Crafts and Me. I will be back with another post I hope.

Sneak peek number 2

2011-12-30T13:15:00.001Z

Well I'm feeling very virtuous as I have given the craftroom a good clean this morning. Everything has been off the shelves and I've had a bit of a sort out. Now in the middle of sorting out my stamps so I think I will have a few for sale shortly.

I'm sharing another of the Strawberry Kisses from the new launch from Crafter's Companion. The images are by Sally Hunter who created the wonderful Humphrey's Corner and we were asked to colour the animals as she had done which meant very little colour on them. I have used my Spectrum Noirs and the papers and buckle border are from the accompanying CD. I've used my MS zigzag punch and a new Memory Box button border die with added buttons. I've also added some faux stitching. I would like to enter this into the challenge of anything goes at Creative Inspirations. and Simon Says. If you would like the chance to win the 12 stamps and the CD then check back here on Sunday when there will be a bloghop.

Sneak Peek 1

2011-12-29T17:16:00.000Z

It's been great to be back in the craftroom again and I'm now able to start showing sneak peeks of the new range from Crafter's Companion which launches on 6 January on Create and Craft as Pick of the Week. The range is called Strawberry Kisses and consists of 12 stamp sets and a CD. I have used a Cardmate from the CD. These are so quick and easy to use and look 3 dimensional. They have a white square for stamping but I cut the square out and placed one of the matching papers behind the aperture and cut out the stamped image and placed her on top. She has been coloured with Spectrum Noirs and I have added glossy accents to the glass. All I added were some punched flowers made with an MS hydrangea punch with added pearls.

Challenges:

CES Party, party, party

Paper Sundaes Celebrate

Simon Says Anything Goes

Butterfly tree

2011-12-27T16:11:00.002Z

Well hello everyone. I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas and got some crafting goodies. I got some lovely new stash to play with and also some money from my Mum so spent some of that yesterday online. My craftroom has been closed for the last 2 days and I don't have much time to play but wanted to share this card with you which I made for a friend's Birthday today. The image is Little Claire which I edged with DI Wild Honey. The first time i have used this and I am liking it. I coloured the image with Promarkers and a Sakura goldstar pen. I added some glittery ribbon and Kars wooden butterflies coloured with a Promarker. The sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

Challenges:

Sketch n Stash Great sketch (new stash is the image)

Aud Sentiments Anything Goes

Charisma Anything Goes

Delicious Doodles Anything Goes

Stampin' for the Weekend Anything Goes

Scrapbook Sisters Anything Goes

There aren't many new challenges about this week but we have a new challenge at Winter Wonderland this Friday, which is a non Christmas challenge, though you can make a Christmas card if you like. Our current challenge is a thank you card with a recipe and we also have a DT call until 31 December.

No post today which was a bit disappointing as there are some Christmas cards I am still expecting and a parcel which was sent first class over two weeks ago.

My 5 favourite Christmas cards

2011-12-24T09:55:00.000Z

The last 2 Christmas's I have been in Florida and therefore unable to play along with Debby's annual challenge of choose your 5 favourite Christmas cards of 2011. This isn't easy but in the end I choose these 5, which are in no particular order of preference.

I've really been enjoying distressing this year and chose this card as my best example. I wanted these Tim Holtz papers for ages and finally bought them at Ally Pally. I also love these sweet images from Nellie Snellen.

I wasn't too sure about the Simply Sassy girls when they first came out as they are so different from the cutesie Sugar Nellie images. The more I saw them on cards the more the grew on me until I fell in love with them. Secret Santa is one of my favourites and I love purple and aqua together.

This is my Hubby's card which I blogged a few days ago. I love LOTV images and you just can't go wrong with traditional red and green.

This is another card I blogged this week, made for a very special friend from her husband. I love snowmen (and snowwomen) and love all the embellishments.

Choosing my 5th card was hard and I could have chosen several. These new fairies from Sugar Nellie have been some of my favourites this Christmas and some of them like this one can be used all year round. This ones adds pink to purple and aqua and is actually the card I sent to Debby this Christmas.

Thanks Debby for making me look back at the year's Christmas cards. I shall enjoy taking a look round to see what everyone else has chosen. I'm hoping to play along with the next challenge on New Year's Eve of 5 favourite cards of the year. Now that will be even more difficult.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY

Thank You and Candy Winner

2011-12-23T09:00:00.000Z

At Winter Wonderland we have started out non Christmas challenges for a few weeks and Suzi is hosting the first one, which is a thank you card with a recipe, 3DPs, 3flowers, 1ribbon, 1 image. I have used some lovely new papers I bought in the Range the other day as my friend Lisa reminded me that I needed them.To be honest though I love purple there are very few purple paper pads about so thanks Lisa, I love this pad, which is First Edition Dreamcatcher. I've used some ribbon, X cut punched butterflies and roses from Michaels.The sweet girly is a Sugar Nellie Pip and it is the first time I have used her. I'll have more time to use some other images now that my Christmas cards are all made. Mind you I intend to start making them for next year very soon and if you would like to join me then we have a DT call going at the moment at Winter Wonderland. Our sponsor this week is Simon Says.

Challenges:

The Sugar Bowl Great sketch

Crafty Creations Thanks

Crafts and Me Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations Anything Goes

I love Promarkers Anything Goes

Scrapbook Sisters Anything Goes

My Mum's Craft Shop Anything Goes

CANDY WINNER

Thanks to all those of you who entered my candy. Unfortunately there can only be one winner and that is......

CHRISSY

Congratulations, please e-mail me with your address and I will post it to New Zealand after Christmas. I will have some more candy coming up soon so keep checking back.

I'll be back tomorrow to play along with Debby's 5 favourite Christmas cards. Mmm, now that's not easy.

Holiday candy

2011-12-22T23:59:00.000Z

This post will stay at the top until 22 December. To enter please click on the page entitled My Candy.

Something completely different

2011-12-22T15:38:00.001Z

A quick post from me as I am busy working on some Crafter's Companion samples. I thought I would share this card with you, which I made recently for a civil partnership. One of the couple is American and as neither of them are girly girls I went with a red, white and blue them using DCWV Nantucket papers. This is an 8" square card so I used large Go Kreate dies, Marianne star die circle, MS heart and double loop border punches. I also used my neglected X cut ribbon border punch and threaded navy ribbon through the paper. I added an LOTV sentiment, some pearl stars and a large navy bow.

I'll be back tomorrow with my Winter Wonderland DT card and candy winner.

Three little dancers

2011-12-21T19:09:00.000Z

Here it is, my last Christmas card of the year. As soon as I saw this LOTV image I knew it would be perfect for my friends who have 3 granddaughters who all act, sing and dance. I haven't made many shaped cards for a while so determined to make an easel card for this one. The paper is quite a busy one from Kars so I only used the one paper, with lace and ribbon. The flowers were a prize from Hooked on Krafts and I added punched holly leaves. I coloured the image with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and used Sakura pens for added glitz and then mounted them onto Nestie cut silver card.

Challenges:

Bunny Zoe Fancy folds/shaped cards

Crafts and Me Anything Goes

Wags n Whiskers Fancy Folds

Papertake Last Christmas card of the year

I love Promarkers Anything Goes

Simon Says Bingo (Ribbon/twine, punches/diecuts, multifold)

If you haven't yet entered my candy then click my candy page at the top and enter as it closes tomorrow. Also a reminder that we have DT call over at Winter Wonderland.

Happy Christmas Hubby and DT call news

2011-12-20T17:15:00.001Z

Had a good day out today. M&S was very busy but we managed to get what we needed so only the fresh vegetables and bread left to buy on Friday and Christmas is all sorted. This is the card I made for Hubby. It's another 8" square card like yesterday's post. Love making this size card, so much scope for embellishing. I bought the LOTV stamp especially for his card as he loves Christmas pudding. I don't think I shall be dressed like this on Christmas Day though, lol! I've coloured it with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and used a Sakura gold star pen. The first one I started colouring ended up in the bin as I was colouring the chair and realised the bit I was colouring was the wall! Don't you hate that when you sometimes can't work out which bit you are meant to colour. Once the image is coloured it is usually obvious but it looks so different in black and white. I tried using the blender pen but it looked a bit messy so had to start again.

I've distressed the edges and used DI worn lipstick and Vintage Photo on the sentiment. The banner is K&Co, Marianne die cut pine branch and poinsettia, Woodware holly leaves, card candi and baker's twine. When I bought the wonky square Nesties in America I wasn't sure about them but I am really liking them as they are a little different.

Challenges:

Little Claire Family Christmas

Marianne's Design Divas It's Christmas

Just Inspirational Photo inspiration (Christmas dinner)

Try it on Tuesday Anything Goes

Sarah Hurley Colouring

Passion for Promarkers Celebrations

Over at Winter Wonderland we are having a DT call for 2 new members so if you want to get better organised with your Christmas cards next year then hop over and apply.

Snowlove

2011-12-19T15:52:00.000Z

Brrr, what an awful day here. dark, cold and raining. We had about 5 minutes of snow yesterday which soon disappeared. Just back from food shopping at Sainsburys. M&S tomorrow and then there will just be the fresh food to buy on Friday and that's us all sorted.

I'm now able to share this card with you which I made last week, as I know my friend gave it to his wife yesterday. Janet is my best customer but this is the first year I have been asked to make a card for her. They are our oldest friends and unfortunately she is undergoing chemo at the moment so I pulled out all the stops on this card. Janet loves snowmen so I knew this gorgeous Elisabeth Bell image from Whiff of Joy called Snowlove would be perfect. It has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers with some Sakura gold star pen and glitter added. Papers are Craft Creations, the borders are K&Co. I added a gold doily, pins, Prima flowers and leaves, gold brads, seam binding and pearls. The sentiment has been aged with DI Vintage Photo and places on top of a Tim Holtz journalling ticket. This is definitely one of my fave Christmas cards I have made this year. It was such fun to make.

Challenges:

Elisabeth Bell's World Gorgeous sketch

Kaboodle Doodles Oh Christmas tree (feature a tree anywhere, mine are in the border)

Delicious Doodles X-travagant Xmas

One Stop Christmas Sparkle

Sweet Stampin' Sparkle and Bling

Not a Christmas Card!!!!!!!

2011-12-18T16:23:00.001Z

Now, don't faint but my card today isn't a Christmas card. I'm sure tomorrow's will be though as I have 2 special cards to share with you this week. I thought it was time I blogged this card which I sent to Emma Wood (Crafty Emma's Store) when Olivia was born. I wanted to use a different image from the baby ones I normally use so coloured this cute Buzzcraft fairy with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and added glitter to the wings. The papers are Tim Holtz. I went for a distressed look, adding lace, a pram charm, bow, flowers from Wild Orchid and Crafty Emma, punched leaves and heart buttons.

Challenges:

Magical Monday Pink and silver

Ladybug Crafts Ink Bingo (spots, flowers, charm)

The Crafty Pad Anything but Christmas

Sparkles Forum Anything but a Christmas Card

Secret Crafter Celebrations

Paper Sundaes Celebrate

If you haven't yet entered y candy then please click on my candy page at the top. I would also love it if you voted for my card in the Saturated Candy Christmas Party. My card is entry number 4, link at the top of my sidebar. I would also like to say hello to my new followers.

Tag Time

2011-12-17T18:23:00.000Z

This is my second post today. I've been out all day, had a back massage and a haircut and a lovely lunch in M&S. Also bought a pair of black boots in Clarks sale so had a lovely day. A quick post from me, sorry about the quality of the photo but the light was poor when I took it. I thought I would share these 2 tags with you. One was made with a Sizzix Tim Holtz alphabet and tree die with a K&Co tag paper. The other with DCWV papers, MS zigzag punch, a wooden snowflake and Tatty Ted coloured with Promarkers.

Challenges:

Charisma Last Minute Xmas Makes

Colour Create Blue, silver and white

Try it on Tuesday Tagtastic

Craftyhazelnut Anything Christmas

I'm off out again in the morning to visit some friends and then need to get some samples made for Crafter's Companion so apologies if I don't get time to comment much this weekend.

My Mum's Christmas card

2011-12-17T09:30:00.018Z

I've scheduled this post, which is my DT card for Totally Gorjuss where the challenge is For Someone Special, as I will be out all day. I made this poinsettia at the Crafter's Companion 3 day workshop. The stamp is Sheena Douglass. They were stamped onto red and green card, cut out, edges inked with DI, sprayed with gold Spray and Sparkle and put together, shaped and gold glitter added to the centre. I decided to use mine for my Mum's Christmas card. I made the shaped card with my Grand Calibur and large Nesties. I kept the design very simple as the flower is so large and sparkly it didn't need much else. We are sponsored this week by Joanna Sheen so I hope you'll join in the fun. I made my last Christmas card Friday afternoon. It's my hubby's card which I will share with you another day.

Sharing an Umbrella

2011-12-16T09:41:00.000Z

You certainly need an umbrella here today, dark, gloomy and pouring with rain. Glad I'm staying in today. At Winter Wonderland this week Kate has challenged us to Be Different. This means either using a Christmas image for a non Christmas card or using a non Christmas image for a Christmas card. I chose the latter, using Rachelle Anne Miller's cute image Lily and Milo - Rainy Days. The image is coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers with glossy accents added to the umbrella and puddle to make it look like ice. Papers are MME and some other freebies, Cosy Christmas. I've been doodling again, added some MS punched glittery snowflakes, baker's twine and a snowflake charm. I discovered a challenge called Christmas challenges (with sketches) and I love this sketch as it has so many layers. You also have to use a charm and twine this week. I would also like to enter this into the challenge of sparkle and shine at Whoopsi Daisy, Cute and funky Christmas at My Mum's Craft Shop and Anything Goes at Delightful.

As you probably know Lili of the Valley challenges relaunches in January as Lili's little fairies and they have some fab candy on offer.

Over at Saturated Canary Krista is having a Christmas party and I have entered my 1000th post. The winning entry will be the one with the most votes. All you have do is hop over there and click like beside my entry, which is number 4. I would really, really appreciate it if you would vote for my card.

Thank you.

Let it Snow and some exciting news

2011-12-15T13:45:00.000Z

This is my second post today and after this morning's traditional card I'm back with another bag and tag I made for my friends Lisa's (Crafty Moments) pressy. I've used one of the gorgeous SN fairies coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. The bag I bought in the US, backing card is from Payper Box, I've used purple ribbon and then added some Fizzy Moon ribbon top and MS punched snowflakes with glitter card. The tag was made using a K&Co paper tag backed onto a tag from Hobbycraft. The Let it snow is a Sizzix die, which I have hardly used this year for some reason. Poinsettia from Hooked on Crafts.

Challenges:

Paper Sundaes Anything Christmas

ABC F is for Frosty

The Cutie Pie Use a sentiment

Stamp with Fun Git wrapping

Crafts and Me Christmas

Flutter by Wednesday Open

By the cute and girly Let it snow

Just Tracy's Celebration

Let's ink it up Christmas

And my exciting news is that I had a lovely e-mail from Suzette at Crafty Sentiments asking me if I would like to join a new monthly challenge DT. You can find the challenge here. Challenges will begin 1st February so I hope you will come and join in the fun with me.

Traditional Christmas

2011-12-15T09:39:00.000Z

After yesterdays' non traditional colours my card this morning is a lovely red and green one using one of the LOTV Christmas images coloured with Promarkers. Papers are freebies from mags, We R Memory Keepers Peppermint Twist and Quick Cards Cosy Christmas. The sentiment is Craftwork Cards, poinsettia from Hooked on Krafts win, swirl is a Sizzix die.

Challenges:

DYSU Winter

Crafts 4 Eternity Red, green and cream

CES Traditional Christmas

Craftyhazelnut Traditional Christmas

I'll be back later with something else to show you and some exciting news.

1000th Post

2011-12-14T10:17:00.000Z

Yes, it is my 1000th post on my blog and how appropriate that it should be one of my fave colour combinations. I've used Simply Sassy Secret Santa from Sugar Nellies, coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. I'm in love with Distress Inks and Core'dinations at the moment. Here I've used DI Dusty Concord and some gorgeous aqua Core'dinationds. I've used a couple of different label Nesties and an MS snowflake punch with white glitter card, some pearls from the Hobby House, ribbon and a couple of old Sizzix dies, the tree and fence. I haven't used these for ages but having seen other people using a tree die, remembered I had this one which I used with Centura Pearl card. The fence was made with the Core'dinations and sanded to give a frosty look. The papers are Wild Rose Wintry Christmas.

Challenges:

The Sugar Bowl Second entry using their great sketch

Divas by Design Merry Christmas

Scrapbook Sisters 2 colours

Papertake I'm dreaming of (your favourite colour) Christmas

Crafty Calendar Cold and frosty

Stampin' for the Weekend Christmas

There are so many Christmas challenges at the moment, mmm wonder why, lol! However I don't like making a card and then seeing how many challenges I can enter with one card. I only have 2 more Christmas cards to make but still have several to share with you including my Winter Wonderland and Totally Gorjuss DT cards later this week. Unfortunately housework and ironing are calling so time to leave the craftroom. Hope you all have a good day whatever you are doing and not getting stressed about your Christmas preparations.

Ppppppick up some penguins

2011-12-13T09:21:00.000Z

Today I have 2 penguin cards to share with you. The first one uses one of the cute LOTV die cuts. I added faux stitching to all the papers, which are mainly DCWV. I didn't feel it needed much else other than a sentiment and some glittery foam snowflakes.

Challenges:

Willow Sketchie Great sketch

Aud Sentiments Winter holiday sentiments

Moving along with the times Last minute Christmas

Secret Crafter All creatures great and small

Creative Craft Stitching

My second penguin card uses a Penny Black stamp and a Pollycraft digi sentiment both coloured with Promarkers. I used the MS snowflake corner punch as well as a couple of other snowflake punches, navy ribbon and some wooden snowflakes too.

Challenges:

CRAFT Great sketch

Oldie but a Goodie Christmas Animals

Everybody Art Blue and white

Crafty Ribbons Traditional colours for Christmas

Delightful Blue Christmas

Wrap up warm

2011-12-12T14:16:00.001Z

This is my second pink card for today. Please scroll down for my Sugar Nellie card.

I hope you like the Christmas lights and waving snowman I addedto my blog today.

I've used one of last year's LOTV images for this card, coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. Papers are those Papermania ones again with a piece of silver Craft Creations. I've used the old faithful MS doily border punch for a change, some spotted organza ribbon, MS punched snowflakes and a star sentiment from the Range. I've also used some silver card for backing the papers, something I rarely use as I prefer matte card. It actually looks really nice IRL, much better than it does in this photo.

Challenges:

Scrapbook Sisters Great sketch

Lili of the Valley Pink, white and silver

Oldie but a Goodie Christmas, no red or green

Passion for Promarkers Celebrations

Penny's Merry Christmas

Crafty Purple Frog It's cold outside

DYSU Something old (Stamp, Sentiment)

Jingle Bells

2011-12-12T09:01:00.000Z

Thanks for all your lovely comments for my Sugar Addicts post and thanks so much to those of you who left a comment on the Sugar Nellie blog as well. I've used another SN image for my Christmas card. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. Papers are Papermania Percy and Penelope. I love these papers, some gorgeous colours and some of them like the backing paper are so sparkly. I've added lots of glitter and used a Sakura silver pen. I've used the MS snowflake punches again with silver glitter card and attached a bell charm to match the silver bells on her toes. I've added some organza ribbon and a Sizzix die cut corner to finish. I've been out most of the weekend so need to catch up on some chores this morning. There's a large pile of ironing calling me unfortunately. I have some more cards to share with you so check back later as I hope to be posting another today.

Challenges:

The Sugar Bowl Cathy's great sketch

Hooked on Craft Christmas

Papertake Anything Goes, option something dangly

Cute Card Thursday Anything Goes

Dutch Dare Winged things

Stampin' for the Weekend Christmas

Cupcake Don't look at the light (sparkly, glitzy, shiny)

Traditional Snowman

2011-12-11T15:14:00.001Z

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for my Sugar Nellie bag and tag.

I'm a bit late posting my DT card for Totally Gorjuss this week as I was out all day yesterday and have been out today as well finishing off the Christmas shopping and sorting out a few queries on the I Pad, which I absolutely love. Our challenge is Let it Snow and one lucky winner will win £10 to spend at Crafter's Companion. I've used a lovely traditional snowman stamp from Joanna Sheen which has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. I love doodling and doodled some faux stitching on the backing paper which is from a sample pack from Crafty Emma's Store. I was going to add a paper from DCWV but it didn't look right so I just cut the large snowflake out of the paper and added a brad. The snowflake border was cut with an MS punch, some wooden snowflakes and Crafty Bitz sentiment to finish. Hubby is downstairs wrapping up my Christmas pressies whilst I am up in my Craftroom. He had a wish list, which included a few crafty bits, so here's hoping for some new goodies on Christmas Day.

Thanks so much for all your lovely comments. I appreciate them so much especially at this very busy time of year. I am doing my best to keep up with commenting as much as I can and am now down to 7 Christmas cards to make. At least the others are all written and mostly posted. Last ones to go in the post tomorrow. Others will be hand delivered. Hope your preparations are going well.
Challenges:

Joanna Sheen Christmas wishes

Kaboodle Doodle Colours of Christmas

My Mum's Craft Shop Traditional Christmas

Paperplay Snowman

Craft Your Days Away Snowmen

I'm a Sugar Addict

2011-12-11T09:00:00.029Z

It's official, I'm a Sugar Addict, Sugar Nellie that is, and today I am featured on the Sugar Nellie blog. Sugar Nellies were some of the first stamps I ever bought and for my bag and tag today I have used Home Grown Manga Gingerbread and Baubles, both coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. I made these for my friend Lynsey's Christmas pressy. We had a lovely day yesterday and Lynsey loved her bag which can't be opened until Christmas Day of course. Can you tell Lynsey loves pink and glitter! For the bag, which I bought in the US, I used Papermania Percy and Penelope papers and distressed the edges, adding lace, a Wild Orchid rose and Woodware punched leaves.

Here's the tag in more detail. I covered a tag with a K & Co ornate tag, added some MS punched rose leaves to the paper rose and some pearls. I added a small star brad to keep the tag in place.

You can buy these gorgeous stamps at Funky Kits. Thanks to Elaine for showcasing me on the Sugar Nellie blog. I hop you will hop over there and leave a comment.

I would like to enter this into the no cards challenge at Charisma and the bingo challenge at Sir Stampalot. I meet 3 of the lines - brads, lace, pearls - pearls, flowers, punch and lace, flowers, tags.

The most wonderful time of the year

2011-12-10T09:00:00.024Z

It's Squiggle Saturday and this time the challenge at Squiggle Stampsis Let's Celebrate, a nice easy challenge. For my DT card I am celebrating Christmas and used Skating Girl coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and teamed with Wild Rose Milton & Co Christmas. I added some poinsettias made with Marianne dies and Core'dinations which I lightly sanded and finished off with pearls.

There's currently 20% off all digis at Squiggle Stamps

I've scheduled this post as I am off to visit Lynsey today. Lisa is also coming so a visit to a craft shop after a nice lunch out will be in order I think.

Thanks

Christmas

2011-12-09T16:26:00.000Z

Please scroll down for my Winter Wonderland card for today.

Hubby didn't have to work today so we decided to put up the Christmas decs. Since we were last at home for Christmas we have changed our lounge furniture and we didn't think we had anywhere to put up our Christmas tree. However we found our tree which is slimmer than we remembered fitted in the corner perfectly. I love real Christmas trees but unfortunately we couldn't fit one of those in. Bet you thought I would have purple decs didn't you.

As you can see I love snowmen. I've even replaced one of our pictures with a snowman one. And couldn't forget Pooh Bear and Eeyore. I just love that Eeyore, who is always gloomy, has a bag that says Joy!

Gorjuss in Purple

2011-12-09T09:20:00.003Z

We've woken up to a lovely bright calm day today. I hope those of you in Scotland and the north of the UK are having better weather today and that yesterday's dreadful weather there didn't do too much damage.

This week at Winter Wonderland it's my turn to host the challenge and I have chosen Let it Snow. We are sponsored by Delicious Doodles and you could win 3 digis of your choice so I hope you'll come and join in the fun. I've made another purple Christmas card, not made many in this colour this year, using one of the Gorjuss girls coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers with lots of glitter. The backing paper is Craft Creations, the other is Papermania. I've used the MS snowflake border punch and some purple ribbon. The snowflakes are some of the Kars wooden ones coloured with a Promarker and some made with glitter card and 3 different MS snowflake punches.

Challenges:

By the Cute and Girly Let it Snow

Incy Wincy Non traditional colours

Creative Card Crew Tis the Season

Ladybug Crafts Ink Snowflakes and sparkle

For Fun Christmas Sparkle

St Luke's Charity Let it Snow!

The first batch of Christmas cards were posted yesterday. 9 left to make which are mostly hand deliveries. The Christmas decs are coming out of the loft later and hoping to get some pressies wrapped this weekend. Hope your preparations are going well and you all have a good weekend.

Cool Dude

2011-12-08T11:03:00.002Z

Good morning everyone. Firstly I would like to say a warm welcome to my new followers. Secondly I hope those of you in the north of the country are all OK wit these gale force winds and snow some of you are having. Stay safe and stay warm. I've used Snowboard boy, one of the new digi Goth Kids Christmas images from Squiggles for my card today. He was so lovely to colour, which I did using Promarkers, adding glossy accents to his goggles. Backing paper is Forever Friends Cosy Christmas, others are DCWV Winter stack. I've used the MS zigzag border punch and some wooden snowflakes coloured with a Denim Promarker. The large snowflake was made with an MS punch and I finished off with some baker's twine.

Challenges:

Sketch n Stash Fab sketch

Crafty Sentiments Snowflakes

ABC Christmas Y is for Yippeee, Christmas is nearly here.

Crafts and Me Winter

Creative Inspirations Snow much fun

Sweet Stampin' Snow

Hotshot Crafts Promarkers

If you haven't entered my candy yet then check out My Candy page.

Ouch, poor Rudolph!

2011-12-07T17:28:00.000Z

This is my second post for today and not as bright as the last card nor quite so glittery. The image is from last year's Digistamp Boutique collection coloured with Promarkers and glitter flocking added. I'm using a new glue pen as my last one ran out and I'm not very pleased that the blue glue doesn't quite fade to clear like the last one. Not too bad for Christmas cards but not good for everyday so I shall have to buy another one. The papers are Cosy Christmas free with mag and Forever Friends Cosy Christmas. The sentiment is Craftwork Cards, image edged with DI worn lipstick, swirl cut with a Sizzix die and the lovely 3D presents are K&Co.

Challenges:

Sunday Sketch and Stamp Great sketch

Christmas Crafting Santa Claus is coming to Town

Try it on Tuesday Father Christmas

Digistamp Boutique Monthly challenge

Bee Crafty It's Christmas

Paper Sundaes Use at least 2 of red, stripes, diecuts and stitching (I used them all except stitching)

Bright and glittery

2011-12-07T09:02:00.000Z

Here's another card to cross of the list and it's quite different for me to use so many colours on one card. I really enjoyed colouring this cute Fizzy Moon image with Promarkers picking up all the colours from the Dovecraft Fancy Christmas paper. I also used Sakura pens and lots of glitter. I die cut and embossed a circle from Centura pearl card. The gorgeous ribbon was from a haberdashers. I can't pass a haberdashery shop when I'm out without checking out their lace and ribbon bundles. You can usually get some great bargains.I punched some stars from gold glitter card to finish.

Challenges:

Ready Teddy Go Anything Goes

CES Bear Necessities

CRAFT Christmas present

2 Sisters Punches and/or dies

Snow much fun

2011-12-06T16:49:00.000Z

I'm a bit late posting today as I have been out Christmas shopping for hubby's pressies. That's all the shopping done now except for one item. Still have 12 cards to make, tags etc. I've used another of the LOTV diecuts for this one, which I don;t think is available yet as a stamp. I sorted through my Christmas papers and found this pack which I didn't realise I had, Milton & Co Christmas from Wild Rose. I used an MS simple scallop border punch, ribbon, Pollycraft sentiment coloured with Promarkers, spotted card candi and Woodware punched holly leaves.

Challenges:

Willow Sketchie Anything Goes

Totally Papercrafts Let it Snow

Crafts 4 Eternity Great sketch

One Stop Craft Let it Snow

Send a Smile 4 Kids Winter fun for kids

If you are looking for a sketch to use the I'd love to see using this one

It's the current challenge at Squiggle Stamps where you could win £20 to spend at Squiggle's online store. You have until Friday to enter.

WOW

2011-12-05T17:08:00.001Z

This is my second post for today and it's a WOW card (white on white). I love these cards as they really make the image stand out but I don't make them often enough so when I saw the challenge of total whiteout at Penny Black I resolved to get out a Penny Black image and have a go. Not using patterned papers really makes you think about what to use on your card. I've coloured the image with Spectrum Noirs for a change from Promarkers and edged it with DI Worn Lipstick. I've used Nesties labels fourteen and the matting was made with Centura Pearl and a Tim Holtz embossing folder. I've used some textured card and a CB snowflakes embossing folder and white ribbon. I've added some faux stitching, MS punched snowflakes and Crealie die cut swirls.

Other Challenges:

Forever Friends fortnightly challenge White and sparkles

Forever Friends monthly challenge It's all Christmas

DYSU Ribbon

Bah Humbug Cute Christmas Critters

ABC E is for Embossing

Joanna Sheen Christmas Wishes

I only managed to get a little bloghopping done this morning but had a lovely surprise as I found out I had won some gorgeous stamps on Kath's blog. Kath has been featuring Tim Holtz tags and her own take on them, which are all fabulous. I'm planning some more commenting this evening whilst hubby watches TV.

Mistletoe and snowflakes

2011-12-05T08:13:00.000Z

A nice early start for me this morning. Up at 6.30, washing done, just a few jobs to do and than a crafty day planned. Lots to make today. I've used one of my fave colour combos for this card, using Wild Rose Wintry Christmas papers. The image is Tatty Button, coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers with added glitter. I haven't used raffia lace for ages, don't know why as I love it. I've used glitter card and 3 MS snowflake punches and added a snowflake charm.

Challenges:

Passion for Promarkers Fab sketch

The Ribbon Girl Jingle all the way to Christmas

Bling it On Christmas

Charisma Seeing spots

Creative InspirationsTurquoise, purple and white

Scrapbook Sisters Anything goes

Simon Says Anything goes

Feed the Birds

2011-12-04T11:40:00.001Z

Welcome to my new followers, thanks so much for following and thanks to all my regular commenters too for your lovely comments. A quick post from me before getting ready to go out so will catch up with you tomorrow.

I still have 16 Christmas cards to make so these LOTV die cuts come in very handy. Mind you the boy was only half coloured so out came the Promarkers to finish off the colouring. I've used HOTP Forever Christmas papers, some glittery ribbon which I won in a mini candy from Mandy Fox, red card candi and Woodware punched holly leaves. I like to use a fine embossing tool on the leaves to add some definition. Sentiment is from Crafty Bitz.

Challenges:

Papertake Great sketch from Dawny P

Delightful Let it Snow

Crafty Catz Colours of Christmas

Aqua fairy

2011-12-03T11:10:00.001Z

Well I'm feeling a bit better about my Christmas cards as I spent yesterday afternoon sorting out who was having which card, printing inserts, addressing the envelopes and getting the cards written. I have a nice pile all ready for posting. Hubby went to the PO to get a few of them checked as I would hate to put the wrong stamp on them. Most of them I know will need large stamps. I'm not a less is more person as you know. He also posted one to go abroad for me. Unfortunately the list shows I still have several more to make. What a good job I love making Christmas cards so much.

My card today is my DT card for Totally Gorjuss where Net has given us one of her lovely sketches to follow. I've used a gorgeous Pollycraft fairy with Papermania Enchanted papers. I've used my MS snowflake border punch again and Marianne poinsettia dies with a fabric spotted brad. I've sprayed the poinsettia with Spray and Sparkle, added glitter to the fairy and the papers are glittered too so this is a really sparkly card. Lace, seam binding and a Crafty Bitz sentiment to finish.

There are obviously so many Christmas challenges out there that I could link this to but I don't like linking too many to one card so my challenges today are:

Marianne Designs Sparkle and shine

Paper Sundaes Winter Wonderland

Hooked on Craft Winter Wonderland

Pollycraft Christmas fun

Simon Says Anything Goes

Wags n Whiskers Snow angels (or fairies)

Crafty Hazelnut Mainly monochromatic

Finally I'd like to remind you of my sketch challenge over at Squiggle Stamps. The challenge was a little late going up last week due to Tracy's internet problems so you may have missed it. You can use any image and you could win £20 to spend at Squiggle stamps where there is also a 20% sale on at the moment.

Have a good weekend everyone. Mine's another busy one, shopping, ironing, visiting my Mum this afternoon, out for lunch and a show tomorrow afternoon and evening. Hopefully time for a bit of crafting too.

Winter Birthday

2011-12-02T09:41:00.003Z

It's a lovely bright but cold day here today. Hope the weather is good where you are. I know from one of my blogging buddies, Christine in Canada that they have snow already. Brrrr. Welcome to my lovely new followers. If you haven't entered my candy yet then check out my candy page.

We had a lovely day shopping yesterday. The one hour free course on getting started with your I Pad was excellent and we decided not to wait but bought one. It is amazingly fast and so light and portable. So much better than our little netbook which we take away with us. It's fine for using Office but unbearably slow on the Internet. While I finished my coffee this morning I got out the I Pad and did some commenting. It was even faster than using the laptop. Still lots to learn on it though.

My card today is my DT card for Winter Wonderland where the challenge is to make a Winter Birthday cards preferably using Christmas scraps of paper. I used some DCWV Rose Tinted Christmas left over from last year and coloured this cute Nellie Snellen image with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. My image was a little large for the labels Nestie so I cut out the squirrel's tail. I really like this method of using Nesties. I distressed and inked the edges and added lots of glitter, lace, pins, flowers, pearls and rose leaves. The corner was cut with a Sizzix die, sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Scrapbook Sisters Anything Goes

Quixotic Paperie Great sketch

Simon Says Anything Goes

Divas by Design Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky Anything Goes

Hotshot Crafts Promarkers (New challenge, good luck with it Sarah)