Blogger commenting upate

Today’s second post. Just a quick update on my Sunday post. It isn’t a problem with Chrome but with commenting on my Ipad. Having had a virus on my laptop a couple of years ago from commenting on a blog I only ever use my Ipad for commenting. If you have a pop up window then I can comment. Today at the hospital was really busy and I sold loads but it was very tiring so I will catch up some commenting tomorrow. 

Reindeer Post

These reindeer from LOTV are particular favourites of mine. I must colour up some of the stamps but in the meantime I have used another from the precoloured art sheets. I am trying to use some old papers and these are the old Papermania Home for Christmas ones. Just a few sheets left now. I do love this scandi style.  I used a stitched square die from The Works and Joy trees with glitter card.  The sentiment is LOTV and I added some snow with a pearl pen.

Challenges

The Ribbon Girl anything goes 

Allsorts red

Early start today as we are trading at the hospital shop. 

Blogger commenting problem

As well know Blogger has a hissy fit from time to time and causes problems. I am having trouble commenting on any blogs which have embedded comments rather than a pop up window. My profile comes up as Google account with no picture. Sometimes I can add my name and blog URL and then after clicking various pictures to say which has a car etc eventually I can comment. Other times I can’t comment at all.

So if you have embedded comments could you please change them to a pop up window. It only takes a moment. All you have to do is go to settings, click post, comments and click pop up window next to comment. That way I can start commenting on your blog again.

We are out for a meal at ASK Italian with friends tonight and then going to a 60’s show at the theatre.  Should be a good night.  Enjoy your Sunday.

All aboard

I made this for a friend whose Birthday was yesterday.  He loves steam trains and searching through some images I found this one. I can't remember the make but it was just what I needed. I then found the perfect backing paper amongst my odd papers, added some tickets from my scrapbook stash, burlap and a string bow.

Not sure what we are up to today, probably a day at home. Enjoy your weekend.

Reindeer

The new Crafts Beautiful magazine is out today and this is a card I have published in it. I used a Hobby House topper, cutting one side straight. I added some of my favourite fun flock to the hat. The papers are First Edition wanderlust. I used a Kate snowflake from Simon Says and Frantic stamper dies for the trees.  The sentiment is from LOTV.

We are off to see my Mum this morning, have a catch up and go out for lunch.

Bear and bunny

I couldn't resist buying this sweet digi from Lee Holland's Etsy store. I coloured it with Copics when we were in Cornwall and finally made it into a card. I used LOTV frozen snowflake papers, Lawn Fawn forest border and Memory Box border dies. I added some glittery snowflakes using MFT layered dies.

Challenges

Penny Black and more at Allsorts make someone smile (My friend will smile as she asked if I could make a card for her with this image ages ago.) 

Stamping Sensations Get ready for Christmas 

The Ribbon Girl anything goes

Allsorts pretty papers

Help!

Yes I am back with a card. I have used another of the new LOTV art sheets, festive friends along with one of the new paper pads. The ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons, sentiment stamp from LOTV. I used my new Sue Wilson die set and unlike some of her dies these came out of the machine easily. 

Challenges

The Ribbon Girl anything goes 

Simon Says anything goes 

Allsorts pretty papers 

New stash from the NEC

I really enjoyed going to the NEC again this year. It has been a while since I went and I had forgotten what a big show it is. I haven't taken a pic of the essentials I bought, card blanks, tape, kraft card etc. 

I came home with so many ideas for things to make, just need time to make them. I have used the rotary cutter already and it made cutting material much easier than using scissors. 

The nail varnishes have a standard brush and a fine nib. As well as using them for nails you can paint on wood, glass etc. I have had a go on some little glass jars and they worked well.

I only bought one die set and these stamps. As you can see from the picture above I just bought two little paper pads. I would say that was the only disappointment that there weren't any papers like Bo Bunny and Echo Park, just the usual older pads. There was also a lack of cute stamps which was just as well as I really don't need anymore at the moment.

I am spending most of the day in the craftroom as I need to get lots of things made for my next hospital shop next Monday and of course I still haven't made all my Christmas cards yet.

Scandi Santa

Another scheduled post today as we stayed overnight Thursday night after the craft show and then on Friday drove back to Norfolk but instead of returning home we went to a Premier Inn at Lowestoft, which is actually just over the border in Suffolk. We then went to the concert and stayed overnight so will be returning home this morning.  Off to Tesco and unpack and then have a look at my purchases from Thursday.

I got to play with another of Janet's new images at Pink Gem. I love scandi style and this Santa goes so well with the new scandi papers from LOTV. I used another new sentiment stamp from Sleek Designs and stamped it directly onto the precoloured digi. He is also available to colour but I was running short of time before my trip away. I added lots of sparkle with a brush pen and used MFT layered snowflakes with glitter card. I diecut lots of banners using pierced banner dies from MFT.

I would like to enter this into the anything goes challenge at Simon Says.

Ewe are the best

A touch of Spring amongst the Christmas cards today. I bought this MFT stamp set and knew it would go well with the new Blooming Lovely papers from LOTV. There are several stamps in the set and I found using my TH stamping platform made stamping the scene with lots of different stamps very easy. I coloured it with Copics and used a MFT mini cloud stencil and chalk for the sky.   I created the hills and fence with a MFT rolling hills die set and used Crafts Too butterfly dies.

I would like to enter this into the anything goes challenge at Simon Says.

On our way back from Birmingham today and out at a concert tonight, Talon, an Eagles tribute band. We have seen them before and they are brilliant. 

NEC

Very excited today as we are going to the NEC to the Creative Craft show and Crafts for Christmas. We stayed overnight at a Premier inn so will be up early for a cooked breakfast to keep us going and off to the show which opens at 9.30. I was lucky enough to get complimentary tickets from Jayne at Stamposaurus so that saved a lot. I haven't been for a few years but there are a lot of stands I want to see and as I have only been to one big craft show this year we decided to go.  I have some Birthday money, thanks Mum, and some money from my recent sales so will be treating myself to some new goodies. Scheduled a post for my blog for tomorrow with a card.

Christmas jumper

Although Janet at Pink Gem no longer has a Design Team she kindly asked if any of the former DT would like to promote her images from time to time. I am delighted to be sharing one of her new images which is available from her Etsy shop, link in my sidebar. I coloured her with Copics and created a snowy scene. I cute some hills from white card and added some die cut trees. The snowman was a Birthday present from a friend and is from Hobbycraft. The sentiment is from Sleek Designs.  I added lots of Stickles for a really Wintry look.

Challenges

Christmas with the cuties wrap up warm 

Winter Wonderland colour it

Launch day with Greg

Yes it is launch day and for my post today I have three cards using images from Greg the Bear art sheet. I have used another of the new paper pads called Soft Cuddles. There is also a pink version.  I decided on a layout and kept it exactly the same this time. It was amazing how this speeded up my cardmaking, nicely adding to my stock.  I added some clouds to this one using chalk and a MFT mini cloud stencil. For the shaped card and papers I used my fave Go Kreate frilly 10 dies.  I cute the images using MFT wonky stitched and The Works stitched dies. All I added were some enamel dots.

Fairy and butterflies

Today I have one of the new flower fairy art sheet images to share with you. I teamed her with some of the new Blooming Lovely papers, punched leaves, apple blossom flowers from Wild Orchid and some butterflies from Poundworld.

The new stamps, art sheets and papers will be available from tomorrow.

Challenges

The Cutie Pie going girly 

A Gem of a Challenge anything goes 

Allsorts pearls

How many little girls would love this

You may have seen the previous freestanding heart that I decorated with a shabby chic look. I decided to try one for a young girl this time. I have sold several decorated unicorn items and when I saw the new enchanted sentiments and unicorns launching new week at Lili of the Valley I decided to make this. The heart has been painted with clotted cream chalk paint. 

You can't really see it in the photo but at the back is a piece cut from a voile blind. I then added some crispy ribbon, lace from Crafty Ribbons, wooden hearts, rainbow and fairy coloured with sparkle brush pens, some velvet ric rac ribbon and flowers. I diecut the unicorn and sentiment using MFT wonky stitched oval dies.  There are 4 gorgeous unicorns which will be available as rubber stamps or an art sheet which is what I have used.

Meeting friends for coffee this morning before a food shop and then a crafting afternoon before cooking dinner and settling down to watch TV starting with Dr Who.

One layout four ways

I tried something different yesterday using the new art sheet of pretty girls and the watercolour dots papers launching next week at LOTV. I made one basic layout and then varied it for each card.

I used Lawn Fawn pierced rectangle and MFT scalloped border dies along with an old flower punch. The sentiment is from LOTV and I added contrasting spotted ribbon and large enamel dots.

I love the way these turned out and will be trying this again especially when I need to build up my stock of cards.

Challenges

The Cutie Pie going girly

I am at a farmer's market and craft fair this morning. I did a couple there in the Summer and they weren't very good so I don't have high hopes but as it is only a morning and I take less than half my stock there it is worth a try at this time of year.

Starry unicorn

Unicorns seem to be more and more popular amongst the little girls. On Monday I sold several items with unicorns on them. Lili of the Valley are bringing out an art sheet and rubber stamps with some gorgeous unicorns drawn by Laila and there are also some enchanted sentiments. I have used one of the art sheet images and one of the new sentiments teamed with some new paper. I used some silver glittermesh from The Works, gorgeous but so messy. I used sparkle brush pens on the wooden stars and job done.

Snowy again

Yes Snowy has come out again. It's funny how some stamps get used over and over again yet others only once. He is so easy to colour and so cute too. I used Copice and added some fun flock to his pompom. The papers are LOTV frozen snowflakes and the sentiment is also from LOTV.  I used a snowflake banner die from The Works and a Lawn Fawn forest border die.

Challenges

Christmas with the cuties wrap up warm 

Di's Digis creepy or cute

We are meeting up with friends for breakfast this morning and then some shopping. Hoping to find some ideas for things we would like for Christmas.

Sneak peek

It has been a busy few days.  After my bumper sales last Friday I was busy making more stock at the weekend. On Saturday afternoon we had a nice walk at the coast, lovely meal and then saw a great show at the theatre. Monday was another good selling day, not as busy as Friday but we came home with some empty boxes so I shall be busy making more again. I need to restock my cards and luckily I have some lovely new art sheets and papers which will soon be launched by Lili of he Valley.

This is Greg and he was previously available as a rubber stamp and digital simply print. Well now he is on an art sheet and he makes a very cute card. I have used some new papers called watercolour dots cool sunset. I used MFT scalloped circle frame and scalloped border dies, a new Paper Roses leaf die and a block sentiment from LOTV.

Challenges

Crafteezee leaves 

Simon Says animal antics 

Di's Digis creepy or cute

A blast from the past

Once upon a time I used to use a lot of Sugar Nellie stamps but they stopped making their stamps and closed the challenge quite some time ago. They are such lovely stamps and I don't think I would ever get rid of them. I really must make the effort to use more of them. Anyway her is one of the gorgeous fairy stamps coloured with Copics. I used chalk and a MFT mini cloud stencil for the sky and Spectrum Noir sparkle brush pens on her wings. The papers were a Birthday present, Paper Boutique a touch of Winter. I added a LOTV sentiment, flowers from Hobbycraft and ribbon from Crafty Ribbons.

Challenges

The Cutie Pie going girly 

As you like it CAS or FAF (Although I like the challenge of CAS cards I do love adding lots of embellishments especially flowers.)

Autumn Hedgie

We had an amazing day selling at the hospital yesterday, what a good job I have plenty of stock as we are there again on Monday. It was by best day ever, by a long way. I made this for a friend whose Birthday was a couple of days ago. She is a huge Penny Black fan like me. I coloured him with Copics and used my fave Go Kreate frilly 10 dies to create a shaped card.  The papers are Lilybee Autumn spice. I added some ribbon from Crafty Ribbons and used Lawn Fawn stitched leaf dies.

Challenges

Simon Says animal antics 

Penny Black and more at Allsorts Autumn splendour 

Stamping Sensations shades of Autumn 

Creative Inspirations Autumn colours 

Crafteezee leaves

We are off to the coast this afternoon for a meal and a show, a tribute act to Roy Orbison. It has good reviews so hope it is good.

A very old stamp

This is a very old stamp from Crafter's Companion, by Sheena I think. It belonged to a friend who hasn't made cards for 6 years so this stamp is even older than that. I borrowed it from her and stamped several as I loved the clean simple lines and I do love robins. I coloured it with Copics and used some of the lovely new LOTV scandi papers.  I just added some doodling and a LOTV simple sentiment stamp.

Challenges

ABC Christmas U is for Upon 

Simon Says animal antics

Dancing Penguin

Well did you miss me for the last two days? I have been so busy that I haven't had time to schedule any posts and haven't been making much that I can share yet either. I coloured this cute Pink Gem image whilst on holiday and have finally had time to make it into a card. I used some very old Papermania Home for Christmas papers, a Lawn Fawn stitched circle die, LOTV sentiment stamped in white for a chalkboard effect and a wooden snowflake coloured with a white Wink of Stella sparkle pen.

Challenges

Simon Says animal antics 

The Paper Shelter digital image 

ABC Christmas U is for Upon

We have an extra day in the hospital shop so will be setting up this evening ready for trading tomorrow and Monday.  Good job I have plenty of stock.

Squirrel in the forest

Sorry but another LOTV art sheet for today's card and another new paper pad, Winter Woods. The trees were cut from one of the sheets from the pad. I dug out a very old Tim Holtz Sizzix on the edge snowflurries die for the snowflake border.

How are your Christmas cards coming along. I am doing better than usual but still have lots to make. Good job I love making them and these new art sheets do help make quicker cards.

Simply Robins

Yes another LOTV art sheet teamed with the new Winter Pastel papers. I kept this one fairly simple, adding some clouds using a MFT mini cloud stencil and chalk and then some pearl dots for snow. I used an old Memory Box ivy die  and that's it, no more embellishing needed.

Challenges

ABC Christmas U is for Upon and V is for very quick 

Crafteezee leaves

Looking forward to a trip out for a meal this afternoon and then going to the theatre to see Cirkopolis at 5pm which is a Cirque de Soleil type show. Should be home in time to catch he Cry which we are really enjoying but it does mean recording Dr Who. Loved the first episode with Jodie.

Snowwomen

I thought my snowmen might like some snowwomen so I made some. I love making these are they are so easy using circle dies for the head and body, and they are a great way of using those brads we all collected years ago. Mind you I did have to buy some for eyes and noses. I think the red one is showing off with that big bow don't you 😊.

I would like to enter these into the anything but a card challenge at Simon Says.

This way for pudding

Another cute art sheet from LOTV, this one is from the Christmas Mice sheet.  I teamed it with the new vintage Christmas papers, some ribbon from Crafty Ribbons, a LOTV sentiment stamp, Woodware punched holly leaves and a poinsettia from Hobbycraft.

  I used one of my favourite MFT wonky stitched rectangle dies on the image and my favourite distress ink, vintage photo.

Challenges

Crafteezee leaves 

The Ribbon Girl anything goes

ABC Christmas U is for Upon

If you love LOTV then please join our new Facebook group, We Love Lili of the Valley. It is run by the DT and is the only group on Facebook where you will find sneak peeks and inspiration from all the DT.

Cover Girl

Please see this morning's post for my snowman card which I am delighted to see is on the front cover of the new magazine.

I can't see

I made this card for the latest Crafts Beautiful magazine using a new Pink Gem digi and MFT papers. He has been coloured with Copics and I used chalk and a MFT mini cloud stencil for the sky. The sentiment is a Card-io stamp. The dies I used are The Works stitched square, MFT pierced rectangle, Frantic Stamper tall pine trees and Joy ice crystal 2 6002/2020.

Challenges

ABC Christmas U is for Upon 

The Ribbon Girl anything goes 

Dies R Us anything goes using on of their dies (Frantic Stamper)

Apparently I am an expert!!!!!

So why the title of this post? Well a few weeks ago I received an email from the editor of Make It Today magazine asking if I would make a card for a Christmas feature from experts. Now I do not consider myself an expert at all but I was very flattered to be asked and here is the card I made. The image is from Pink Gem coloured with Copics. The papers are Bo Bunny Altitude and the ribbons are from Crafty Ribbons. I added some scrim from B&Q and diecut a snowflake banner using a die from The Works.

Challenges

The Ribbon Girl anything goes
Simon Says let's get ready for Christmas