Cake and bunting - time to celebrate

Thanks so much for all your lovely comments and support on yesterday's post. I was able to enjoy making some cards for myself rather than feeling the pressure of making cards to send away. I really loved making this one using one of the gorgeous Sugar Nellie fairies. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and I used a Sakura Rosestar pen for a bit of sparkle. The papers are the new Lucy Cromwell ones again. The cupcakes and bunting were just perfect for the look I had in mind. I used an EK border punch, Nestie for the image and used the scalloped circle Nesties to make the bunting. A couple of Memory Box die cut butterflies to finish it off.

Challenges

Simon Says Anything Goes

Sketch Saturday Great sketch

Party Time Tuesday Anything Goes

Divas by Design Anything Goes

Unfortunately I need to do some housework and ironing today but I'm sure I will fit in some crafting later.

Special Birthday and some news

Good morning everyone. Sorry that I didn't get round to visiting many of you yesterday but I made a big decision which left me feeling both relieved and sad about something I have been thinking about for a while. After almost two years of designing for Crafter's Companion I have stepped down from the DT. I have really enjoyed my time with them and they are a fabulous team of people to work with. However making TV samples for them is extremely time consuming and as I want to do more work for myself and sell at craft fairs this year to I need to spend that time making cards to sell rather than to send off to CC.

So I felt very strange yesterday. I'm glad I have finally made what feels to be the right decision but sad also to be leaving such a lovely team. It also leaves me free to look at any other DT calls and opportunities that come up. Most DT work doesn't involve you sending the cards you have made so I look forward to future opportunities and challenges.

So onto my card, which was ordered by a friend. The image is LOTV of course, coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. The paper is Papermania Henbury Lane. I used my Marianne doily die, something I haven't used for ages. Butterflies are MS punch and Memory box die, flowers from Wild Orchid.

Challenges

Allsorts Birthday for someone special

Kaboodle Doodle Anything Goes

Wild Orchid Bingo (lilac, flowers, wings)

Fairy Magic

Wow, another hot day yesterday but should be cooling down a bit from today. I recently bought this cute Pink Gem digi and the lovely thing about them is that they come with one for you to colour, which I used previously and this one which is already coloured. Perfect when you need to build up your stock. I have used a Nestie and DI Tattered Rose and teamed her with some of the gorgeous Lucy Cromwell papers and used my MS heart border punch. I also used some scrim and my lovely new Memory Box prim poppy die from My Crafty Heart along with a couple of Memory Box die cut butterflies and a ribbon bow. The sentiment is a Fairyopolis rubon.

Challenges

The Cutie Pie Punches and diecuts

 Ladybug Crafts Ink Things with wings

Ribbon Girl Pinks and cream

Hotshot Die cuts

Penny's Anything Goes

Aud Sentiments Any Sentiment

Totally Papercrafts Animals

Truly Scrumptious Pretty in Pink

Regular readers will know how much I love the Gorjuss girls and you may have seen my handbag I had last October. I found some more products in a shop on Sunday and just had to have this gorgeous coaster for my craft room. Isn't it sweet.

Thanks for all your lovely comments. Don't forget to enter my candy, see the post at the top.

Chillin' with nature

Wasn't the weekend weather fabulous. We went to the coast yesterday and when I got home I checked out the latest challenges and winners and found I had my twins card had been chosen as the Forever Friends favourite, I made top 3 at Incy Wincy and won the Sunday sketch and stamp challenge. Wow, what a fantastic end to the day.

I made this card for my good friend Lisa's daughter Chloe for her 12th Birthday on Saturday. I've used one of my newest Sugar Nellie stamps called Chillax. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. Papers are First Edition Spring Feast and I added some ruffled seam binding. I've gone for a distressed look with a TH distressing tool and DI Tattered Rose. The gorgeous die cuts are all Memory Box and I added some punched flowers to the leafy branch, a technique I admired on the wonderful Debby's blog.

Challenges

Hotshot Diecuts

Send a smile 4 Kids Anything Goes

I love Promarkers Diecuts

The Sugar Bowl Free for all

Let's go for a hike

Time for a male Birthday card and I've used an old Digistamp Boutique image for this one. Coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and edged in DI Iced Spruce. Papers are MME Blink of an Eye, MS zigzag border punch, vintage baker's twine and card candi for embellishment and I've used an old Sizzix fence die cut into two unequal parts for added interest.

Challenges

ABC P is for Pockets

Little Claire Male

Hotshot Die cuts

Digistamp Boutique Use a DSB image

Passion for Promarkers Birthday

Simon Says Male

Crafty Catz Card for a man

Sketch N Stash Fab sketch (Old stash digi and fence die)

Try it on Tuesday Male (Fab prize from The Craft Barn )

Vintage Home

It's Saturday and time for a Something New challenge at Totally Gorjuss. I decided to make a new home card as I bought a Tim Holtz on the edge house die a while ago and hadn't got round to using it. I die cut it from kraft and then used DI Vintage Photo in varying degrees to make some of the houses darker than others. The paper is Bo Bunny Weekend Market, definitely my paper of the moment. I just love the vintage look of the papers. Another new purchase was the Kaisercraft keys stamp, which has also been distressed with the same ink. I stamped it again and cut out the largest key and heat embossed it and then stuck it on top of the stamped image. I added some vintage baker's twine, a key charm from Crafty Emma's and a LOTV sentiment, inked and details coloured with a Sakura clearstar pen.

This post has been scheduled as I am selling at a craft fair again today so will catch up with you all later.

If you haven't already entered my candy, then please see the post above.

Vintage

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

I love making vintage style cards and for a change didn't distress the ages and used purple in with the neutral shades. I'm loving this colour combo. The dress form is a digi from The Crafty Pad, inked with DI Vintage Photo. The scrummy paper is Crafty Individuals Travels in Italy and the tag is also Crafty Individuals. I added some seam binding which I ruffled, baker's twine, buttons, wire coathanger, Memory Box punched butterflies and pearls.

Challenges

Hotshot Die cuts

Party Time Tuesday Vintage/shabby chic

Whimsy Vintage/shabby chic

Charisma No flowers allowed

The Crafty Pad Monthly challenge anything goes with a Crafty Pad image

The Crafty Pad Bingo (Buttons, Crafty Pad image, pearls)

I'd just like to mention a lovely online shop My Crafty Heart. I met the owner, Teresa at the Ally Pally show and placed my first order this week. Very quick delivery, and very reasonable p&p. I was very restrained and only bought 2 Memory Box dies and a Viva pearl pen but I could have bought loads as she has some great stamps, papers , die and embellishments in stock.

I'm selling at a craft fair tomorrow so have scheduled my Totally Gorjuss post. I hope you will hop over to leave me a comment and also please enter my candy of you haven't already done so.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine.

Sing a Song

It's Friday and that means time for a new challenge at Winter Wonderland and we are so please that Bridget is back with us after a short break looking after her Mum. Bridget has set the challenge of Sing the Song so you must have singers on your card. There is a fabulous prize of a voucher from Simon Says so I do hope you will come and join in the Christmas fun with us. I love snowmen so when I saw the challenge I just knew I had to use this snowmen choir stamp from Sugar Nellies. They have ben coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. Papers are Papermania Percy and Penelope and DCWV Winter Stack. I have used DI Faded Jeans and added some Anita's Christmas ribbon and some K&Co glittery snowflakes and pearls.

Challenges

The Sugar Bowl Free for all

Sunday sketch and stamp Fab sketch

Craftyhazelnut A touch of the blues

MAWTT Celebrate (not Birthday)

Patriotic Ava

This is my second post today. Please scroll down for today's sneak peek of the new launch tomorrow from Crafter's Companion.

The fabulous Krista Smith is currently giving away this gorgeous girlie, Ava, to all followers of her blog. I couldn't wait to use her and made a patriotic card. She is obviously celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubliee. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. I do find these stamps challenging to colour especially all the layers of her clothing and her hair, but that's what makes them such a pleasure to colour too. I've used Papermania Portobello Road papers and DI Faded Jeans.  I've added some lace, baker's twine and used a new Memory Box cherry blossom die and a new Viva pearl pen for the centre. Of course I had to make some bunting and I added some star gems to finish it off.

Challenges:

Kaboodle Doodles Dress for Success

Sketch Saturday Great sketch

Everybody Art Lace and shapes

Passion for Promarkers Birthdays

Papertake True colours

Willow Sketchie Red, white and blue

Crafty Cardmakers Birthday balloon

Fab n Funky New beginning (used new digi, die and pearl pen)

Sneak Peek

I have another sneak peek of the Meadow Cottage Bears launching tomorrow as the POTD on C&C. This card features Reddy die cut decoupage, with a Stamping companion sheet and paper from the CD. I've added some small flowers and pearls a Memory Box die cut heart. I would like to enter this into the dimension challenge at Creative Card Crew.

The CD, Reddy decoupage and Hunkdory kits will be available tomorrow at Crafter’s Companion. There are also 2 stamps which are exclusive to Create and Craft.

Twins

I do love Forever Friends but because they are wood mounted stamps I tend to forget about them as they are stored separately from my rubber and acrylic stamps. I thought I should make a card for twins to add to my stock for sale and this little stamp was just perfect. I kept the colours neutral and lemon so it could be used for girls or boys. They have been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and die cut with a Nestie. The papers are Tim Holtz Vintage Shabby and I have used DI Antique Linen. I punched holes and cut little slits out in the strip of paper so it looks like memo paper. The word Twins was made using some glitter rubons I bought years ago in Poundland. I added some ribbon, bows and tiny buttons.

Challenges

Forever Friends Two images

Allsorts Buttons and bows

The Squirrel and The Fox Best friends

Purple Birthday

This is my second post today. Please scroll down for my Harry Potter double layout.

Yes, it's a very purple card using one of the gorgeous Simply Sassy girls from Sugar Nellie. The papers are Papermania Capsule. The sentiment and image have been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and I used a Sakura purple glaze pen on the sentiment too. I've used DI Dusty Concode around the die cut image. The rosebuds and metal corners are from The Hobby House, cherry blossom flowers from Wild Orchid, punched leaves using a MS fern punch. The lace was a gift from my lovely Totally Gorjuss teamie Hazel.

As the challenge at Saturated Canary is May flowers I wanted to use flowers which genuinely are out in May. I also want to enter this into the anything goes challenge at Wild Orchid and The Sugar Bowl.

Wizard

Time to share a couple of layouts with you. I have so many photos for layouts so Sunday I was determined to make some time for myself and made a double layout. You can see the individual pages below.

I tore the edges of the paper to make a kind of scroll effect. The top photo was taken of the wording on the butter beer glasses. I cut it out using a Nestie and used it as the title of the pages. The house names and Hogwarts shields are stickers I bought in America specifically for scrapbooking. I made banners for the house names and used an X cut die and Woodware star punch and that crimper, see I told you I would be using it again.

I wasn't too keen on the taste of the butter beer but hubby liked it. Had to take a photo of the frothy moustache of course.

I would like to enter the Anything Goes challenge at The Happy Scrapper and Whimsy and die cuts at Hotshots.

It was so cold here yesterday but the sun is shining so I need to get my washing out. Apart from a pile of ironing planning a crafting day and I will be back later with a card.

Travelling Light

This is my second post today and totally different from the first one. If you had told me when I first started my blog that I would be distressing and tearing I would have laughed and said no way. However now these are some of my favourite cards, expecially when using one of the gorgeous images from the very talented Krista Smith. This one is called Travel Lite and she is a Simply Sassy stamp from Sugar Nellie. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. The paper is from one of my fave pads,Bo Bunny Weekend Market and has suitcases all over it. I have used a Tim Holtz distressing tool and DI Vintage Photo. The grunge postcard is a LOTV stamp, which has been distressed and crumpled. I couldn't decide what to embellish this card with and decided upon stars cut with Nesties and Core'dinations. I wanted to make them more interesting and remembered I had a paper crimper which hasn't seen the light of day for a very very long time. I love the effect so expect to see this being used again now. I added a button from stash to finish it off.

Challenges

The Sugar Bowl Free for all

Paperplay Destruction

MAWTT Keep it real

Hotshot Die cuts

Bunny Zoe Anything goes

Creative Craft Distressed

If you are looking for the Crafter's Companion bloghop post please see the post below.

To enter my blogaversary yummy candy see the post above.

Meadow Cottage Bears Blog Hop

Welcome to the Crafter's Companion Blog Hop Scavenger Hunt to celebrate the release of Meadow Cottage Bears, designed by Blackburn-born illustrator and figurative artist Christine Haworth!

If you have landed here from Pam then you are hopping in the right direction. If not then you need to pop over the Crafter's Companion News blog to begin.

The Design Team have loved crafting with the new range from Crafter's Companion and to celebrate the launch of this gorgeous new collection on Friday 25th May, we have decided to give you a chance to see some Sneak Peeks and also have the chance of winning a brilliant prize:

The Meadow Cottage Bears CD, Reddy die-cut decoupage kit and two Hunkydory papercrafting collections!

My card features one of the two stamps along with papers and sentiment from the CD. I have used a border punch and Memory Box dies with Core'dinatins for the tree, dragonfly and butterflies.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning this great prize is visit each blog in turn and then head to the Competitions page on the Crafter's Companion web site (you must be logged in to view this page). Each blog along the way will give you a clue, which will direct you to a product on the Crafter's Companion web site. Within this product you will find an image of a member of the Crafter's Companion Team, with a letter. Make a note of the letter and then head back to the blog to follow the hop to the next blog. Enter the phrase the letters make into the Competition page before 9am on Friday 25th May.

The winner will be drawn after 10am on Friday 25th May, and will be notified by email.

Your clue is:

Which fruity spacer plate makes the Grand Calibur from Spellbinders compatible with leading brand dies?

When you've found your letter, hop on to Lis's blog.

Good luck!

Please leave me a comment and I would also love it if you would enter my candy, see post above.

On my bike

I've scheduled this post as I am out selling my cards today at a fun Dinosaur day. I am hoping the weather is nice as we are outside in my gazebo, first outing for it this year.

I thought I would share another of my gift bags with you. The bag is from Hobbycraft, papers are Wild Rose For Men and the image is LOTV. I used a border punch and added some card candi and a sentiment from Ally Pally show.

Short and sweet from me today. Have a good day and hope the sun is shining for you.

Glamour girl

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for my LOTV baby card.

Another ordered card which is why this an A5 rather than my preferred square cards.

It's time for another challenge at Totally Gorjuss and this week our theme is Charmed. This glamour puss from Karftin' Kimmie is definitely charming. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers, check out her eyeshadow! I've used Papermania Capsule papers and DI Dusty Concorde. The scrolls are a Memory Box die and I added a high heel shoe charm.

Come along and join in the fun for the chance to win a voucher from Heather's Hobbie Haven.

Challenges

Scrapbook Sisters 2 colours

Charisma Metal charm

MAWTT Keep it real

Crafty Catz For the girls
Hotshot Die cuts

Don't forget to enter my candy, see the post above.

Sleep tight

I bought this stamp ages ago, inked it up, put it in my LOTV folder and there it sat. I don't know why I haven't used it as it is soooooo cute. Couldn't you just cuddle him. He has been cut out with a Nestie and coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers, papers are Papermania Blueberry Pie. I've inked the edges with DI Antique Linen. The sentiment is LOTV. I punched some stars from Core'dinations, added some spotty buttons tied with raffia, ribbon and a heart button I found in my stash.

Challenges

Lili's Little Fairies Bear essentials

A Gem of a Challenge Great sketch. I substituted the circles for squares. Hope that's OK.
Ready Teddy Go Bingo (Ribbon, buttons, punches, diecuts)
Delightful Add a ribbon
Chocolate, coffee and cards For the boys
Fussy and Fancy New baby

I'll be back shortly with my Totally Gorjuss DT card.

Amongst the flowers

No rain for two days now and so far it's a nice, but chilly morning here. Washing is on the line but I shall be keeping an eye out for showers. Hoping for a fine weekend as I am at an outdoor event on Sunday, first outing for the gazebo.

I'm really pleased with the way this card turned out. It is a Penny Black stamp which I remember admiring a couple of years ago at a craft show and finally it is mine. I love my peachy Promarkers and they don;t get used enough so I was determined to use them on this card. The gorgeous papers are Echo Park Victoria Garden and I've used DI Spiced Marmalade around the edges. I tried something new with the seam binding, fraying the ends and pulling a thread through to ruche it up. I also used my MS flower garden border punch and added three of the Memory Box butterflies cut from kraft.

Challenges

Penny Black Saturday In the Garden

Sweet Stampin' Flower Power

Friday Sketch Fab sketch which I rotated

Willow Sketchie Use 3 papers

Paper Shelter Birthday card with a sentiment

Hooked on Craft Flowers

MAWTT Keep it real

I made top 3 there this week with my beach hut card. Thanks girls

Time for a fairy

I love fairies and it seems a while since I used one so out came this beautiful stamp from last year from Sugar Nellie. She has been softly coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers with glitter added to the fur on her outfit and some highlights with a Sakura clearstar pen. The backing paper is from my pile of oddments. I think its from a candy I won about 3 years ago. The gorgeous glittery paper is First Edition Spring Feast. I added some blue sheer ribbon and a piece of old lace. The large Prima flowers were free with a mag subscription 3 or 4 years ago, not many of these left now. I added some small flowers from Michaels and silver brads from The Hobby House and a Memory Box die cut dragonfly.

Challenges

Sweet Sketch Wednesday Great sketch

Paper Sundaes Things with Wings

Glitter Geeks Wings and things

Crafty Calendar Things with wings

Going Buggy Things with wings

J and C Creations All that glitter

Passion for Promarkers Photo inspiration

The Sugar Bowl Free and easy

I will also be entering this into Lisa (Wishcraft's) Waste not Wednesday challenge and the Sugar Nellie Facebook colour challenge.

Here comes Summer - we wish!

This is my second post for t0day. Please scroll down for a fun Footie card.

Time for some mid month inspiration for our challenge of Here Comes Summer over at Crafter’s Companion. Wouldn't some Summer sunshine be great, although today is lovely so far but we have been getting a little then the next thing it is raining again. I have used this very cute Reddy decoupage of Humphrey for my card. I have teamed it with some We R Memory Keepers Travel Lite papers and some chipboard embellishment from K&Co.

Challenges

PaperPlay Chipboard

MAWTT Nautical

Incy Wincy Weather

Crafty Bloggers Network Decoupage

I had a bit of a fright with my blog this morning. My sidebar has disappeared I thought. Then I found it at the bottom. Went into blogger help and sorted it, phew.

Canary fan

Yes, it's Maurice, the footie fan supporting Norwich City, or the Canaries as they are known. This explains the colour scheme. I bought the football patterned card years ago, and what a useful purchase it has been. The papers are K&Co Roam and Pink Paislee Bayberry Cottage. I used an MS simple scallop punch for a change from the zigzag one, added some Baker's Twine and card candi. The sentiment was a mag freebie. Image and sentiment coloured with Promarkers.

Challenges

Creative Stamp Friends Father's Day

Aud Sentiments Dad

Totally Papercrafts No pesky girls allowed

Allsorts Man or boy

Simon Says Clean and simple

Dramatic red and black

Today's card is for an order. I was told the person loves fashion so hope she likes this Simply Sassy image from Sugar Nellie. She has been coloured with Promarkers. Backing paper is from Papermania Portobello Road, the others are Pink Paislee Bayberry Cottage. I made all the flowers using the Tim Holtz Tattered Flower die and some gems.

Challenges

Truly Scrumptious Anything Goes

Willow Sketchie Handmade flowers

Crafty Catz Happy Birthday

Joanna Sheen Happy Birthday

The Squirrel and the Fox One for the girls

 Dream Valley CASE it (I used the colour scheme from Janette's card)

I will shortly be posting a DT call at Winter Wonderland so if you love making Christmas cards all year round be sure to check that out.

Signs of Spring

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down for my beach hut and bunting card.

This card is an 8 x 8 card so I decided to use this gorgeous Sugar Nellie image by Elisabth Bell as it is a large image and perfect for this size card. She has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. Papers are HOTP Vacation, a pack I forgot I had. I have used a large MS border punch, baker's twine, Memory box leafy branch and butterfly dies. I have also added a sentiment from Ally Paly coloured to match and a bit of doodling.

Challenges

The Sugar Bowl 4th entry using this fab sketch

By the Cute and Girly Spring is all around

Elisabeth Bell's World Spring is in the air

Hotshot Die Cuts

CES Anything Goes

The Crafty Pad Doodle it

Crafts and Me Punches and die cuts

By the sea

Good morning from a rather damp Norfolk after a beautiful weekend. Still at least it was the right way round for folks who work Monday to Friday. I've got a lovely bright Summery card to share today using a fab image from The Crafty Pad. I used my Forever Friends boat embossing folder and some WE R Memory Keepers Travel Light paper. The bunting has been made with a Stamposaurus stamp. I've used Promarkers to colour all the images.

I would like to enter this into the monthly challenge at The Crafty Pad, nautical at MAWTT and on the beach at Try it on Tuesday.

If you would like to win an embossing folder like this plus many more goodies then check out my candy post above. I'll be back later with another card.

Trying out for the Olympics!

I had a lovely day yesterday at the craft group. I didn't get anywhere near as much made a if I had been at home, too much chatting and admiring each other's work, not to mention checking out the shop and crafty bargains others had brought along to sell. Very modest spend though, only about £6.

 A few weeks ago I was so lucky to win a $45 voucher to spend at Penny Black in a Delicious Doodles challenge. What a job I had choosing which stamps to buy but finally decided on four. I had to wait a while for them to arrive from America but here is the first one I have used. Isn't it a great image. They have been coloured with Promarkers and I have used Di Faded Jeans around the edge. The papers are Portobello Road. I stamped some Union Jack bunting using a Stamposaurus stamp and added some card candi.

I would like to enter this into the London celebrates challenge at Penny Black and more at Allsorts and Medals and Monarchs at Sir Stampalot.

The sun is shining here, hope it is with you so not too much crafty time today as we plan to go out later. Have a good day all and thanks for taking the time to comment. If you haven't entered my candy yet please see the post above.

In the pink!

Last week I was so pleased with my red headed girl I though I would be brave and try pink this week as our theme at Totally Gorjuss is pink and green.  We are sponsored by Crafter's Companion, definitely worth playing along. I have used some of the gorgeous new Lucy Cromwell papers from Papermania, some Doodlebug bakers twine, Memory box buckle die cut behind a Wild Orchid cherry blossom flower and a Memory Box die cut dragonfly.

The image has been coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. The colours used for her hair are maroon, pink lobster (Summer limited edition), shocking pink, fuchsia pink and sorbet.

Challenges

The Sugar Bowl 3rd entry using this great sketch

Charisma Pink and girlie

Dutch Dare Birthday fun

Crafty Catz Happy Birthday

The Crafty Pad Girly girls, use pink

I'm looking forward to a day at a craft group today. First time for me. Tried to keep my stuff to a minimum to take, but there's still a lot of it. Will let you know tomorrow how I got on there.

Yum, strawberries

I said I would be back and here I am with a complete contrast to this morning's Christmas card. I love this yummy strawberry stamp from Lili of the Valley which has been coloured with Promarkers with a touch of Sakura Rosestar pen. The gorgeous glittery papers are from the new Lucy Cromwell pack from Papermania. The colours are so summery and I love the little cupcakes, strawberries and bunting, so Summery. I added a piece of sanded embossed Core'dinations from the new Pink Paislee pack from Crafter’s Companion. I've distressed all the edges with my TH distressing tool and inked them with DI Spun Sugar. I felt this card didn't need too many embellishments so just added some Memory Box die cut butterflies and a butterfly sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

Challenges

Sketch n stash Fab sketch

Simon Says Sweet tooth

Lili's little fairies Favourite craft tool. If I had to just choose one it would be my Bigshot,but I also love my TH distressing tool and Inkessentials blenders for my DIs.

Paper Shelter Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday Food or drink

I am off to a craft group tomorrow for the day. It is the first time I have ever been to one and I am really looking forward to it. You can make what you like and I have been deliberating between scrapbooking and cardmaking. I decided on cards as that will be less to take as I am making up some cards ready with papers, ribbon etc and diecutting the images so I only have to take my markers and embellishments,tools, dies and BigShot. I say only!

Frosty the Snowman

Time for another challenge at Winter Wonderland and this week Denise has chosen Frosty the Snowman. One of my favourite themes and we have two fabulous sponsors, Delicious Doodles and Simply Sassy. I have used Frosty the Snowman digi from Delicious Doodles, coloured with Promarkers. I've used those gorgeous Bo Bunny Snowfall papers again. They have been distressed with a TH distressing tool and I used DI Faded Jeans around all the edges. I added a snowman charm and some MS punched snowflakes from glitter card to finish.

Challenges 

CRAFT Celebration

Delightful Distressing

Well the sun is shining here and it is actually warm this morning. I even have some windows open. Let's hope it lasts. I'll be back later with another card to share with you.

Dear Daisy

Yes, is is time for dear Daisy to come out again. This is still one of my very favourite stamps ad I love colouring her with Promarkers. The papers are Prima Sun Kiss and K&Co Roam. I've added some seam binding, K&Co daisy and Wild Orchid sunflowers, Hobby House pins and Memory Box die cut butterflies with a sentiment from Ally Pally show.

Challenges

The Sugar Bowl Second entry using Kik's fab sketch which I rotated

Elisabeth Bell's World Spring is in the air

Pretty Little Ribbon Blooms and butterflies

I love Promarkers Hat pins or charms

Joanna Sheen Flower Power

DYSU Use a flower

Don't forget to enter my candy (see post above).

Mason's Christening

Thank you for all your thoughts yesterday. It was a very difficult day but a beautiful service.

Today I have a christening card for an order. I kept the colours very soft on this one. I decided not to go for an all blue or white card and the gorgeous Tim Holtz Vintage Shabby papers were perfect for the colour scheme I had in mind. I used the gorgeous LOTV image with the minimum of colour from Promarkers. I used an MS border punch, some scrim, ribbon, teddy bear charm, Hobby House pearls and made some bunting for the name.The chipboard letters were from an old Dovecraft set. I forgot I had these letters but they went perfectly.

Challenges

Lili's little fairies Anything Goes

Everybody Art Baby

Incy Wincy Spots and dots

Papertake Cute, cute, cute

Divas by Design One for the boys

Cute Card Thursday One for the boys

I would also like to enter this into Lisa (Wishcraft's) waste not Wednesday for using the letters.

I made the top 3 at Pollycraft and top5 at Try it on Tuesday, thanks girls.

Don't forget to enter my candy (see post above).

In Memory

I don't expect to be online today so have scheduled this post. Today is going to be a very difficult day as we celebrate the life and then say a final goodbye to a very dear friend who died of cancer two weeks ago aged 70. I thought I would share these cards with you. The top card is the one I made for her husband and the bottom one for her daughter, son in law and granddaughters. The sentiments are from Stampin' Up. Sympathy cards are the most difficult to make especially for those we hold dear and simplicity works best I think. Janet loved butterflies so I wanted to include the beautiful Henbury lane butterfly on the bottom one.

Well done

I'm back today with another card made using one of the SWALK images available here at Crafter’s Companion. The paper is from one of the SWALK CDs. Remember the new stamps and CD are launched tomorrow night on Ideal World and you still have time to enter the competition to win all 12 stamps plus the CD. Click here to enter.I've used Go Kreate dies and Centura Pearl card to make this shaped easel. The image is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens and I added some of my fave baker's twine and a large button as a stopper.

Challenges

Little Claire Going round in circles

CES No squares allowed

Red shoes

I recently bought 2 more Simply Sassy stamps  and Party Frills is one of them. Isn't she cute. I am really pleased with the way this card turned out. She has been coloured with Promarkers, papers are Bo Bunny Weekend Market. I have distressed all the edges and inked with DI Vintage Photo. The dragonfly, butterflies and corner are all Memory Box dies. I had a lovely surprise this morning, found I have won a £10 voucher for Joanna Sheen at By The Cute and Girly. Will have to check out the Memory Box dies as there are several on my wish list. They cut so beautifully.

Challenges

The Sugar Bowl Kiki's fab sketch

Saturated Canary Happy Birthday

Stampin' for the Weekend At least 4 layers

Simon Says Happy Birthday

Busy day ahead. Need to finish off inserts etc for some cards for a craft fair tomorrow, pop to Sainsburys then off the coast for the afternoon. Catch you later.

Don't forget to enter my candy, see post above.

Longing for some sunshine

It's Saturday and that means a brand new challenge at Totally Gorjuss where we have a lovely sketch for you this week. We are sponsored by Joanna Sheen with a £10 voucher. Shame I can't win. However I was chosen as the winner at Emma's monthly challenge and won a £10 voucher for Crafter's Companion. That was spent as soon as I got the code, 2 packs of lovely Vintage flower power Core'dinations coming my way. Yummy. £11.99 per pack or two for £12.99. That's a no brainer isn't it.

I have teamed this gorgeous Kraftin' Kimmie girl, which has been coloured with Promarkers, with MME Blink of a Eye papers. I added some vintage ribbon, MS cherish border punch, Sizzix die cut scrolls, Marianne die cut flowers, mulberry flowers from Michaels and some pearls. The die cut behind the bottom flower is actually a Memory Box buckle die but I thought I would try it used this way and I am liking the result.

Challenges

Creative Craft Anything Goes

 Ladybug Crafts Ink Birthday

Simon Says Birthday

Moving along with the times Summer sunshine

Hope we all get some sun this weekend. Have fun whatever you are doing.

Butterflies and flowers

I've been out today for a haircut and popped in to buy the latest Do Crafts mag and of course had to have a look at the new ranges. Picked up the new papers from Lucy Cromwell, who designed one of my all time faves Henbury Lane. Put it back and thought no I don't need any more paper. Bought some gorgeous decoupage and die cuts for some quicker cards and yes, came out with the paper too. It is soooooo lush.

So, time to post a card. This one isn't a sneak peek, but the DT were asked to make some new samples of some of the older SWALK stamps. She has been coloured with Spectrum Noirs, papers are from the SWALK CD. I have used an MS border punch, Wild Orchid flowers and MS rose petal punch, Memory Box butterfly and dragonfly dies and a Marianne lamppost die. I would like to enter the April showers bring May flowers challenges at The Crafty Pad and Crafty Catz.

Oh I do love to be beside the seaside - sneak peek

Here I am again with another of the new SWALK stamps. This is one of my favourites of the new launch. They are soooo cute aren't they. They have been coloured with Spectrum Noirs, papers are from the original SWALK CD. I've used a set of Nesties and Centura Pearl card. I love to use bunting on cards and layouts and this card seemed just right for some.

Challenges

Just Tracys Anything Goes

Cupcake Best of British (I've used the great British seaside)

Creative Craft Anything Goes

Willow Sketchie Punches/die cuts

Sweet Stampin' Anything but square

Moving along with the times Summer sunshine

SWALK stamp launch sneak peek

I've been selling at another craft fair today and very successful it was too. I sold 21 cards and over £23 worth of craft stash. That;s 46 cards in 5 days and orders for 4 cards so I am going to be very bust making as many as I can now. Thank goodness I have lots of LOTV and Little Claire die cuts and some decoupage. I still love to make them with lots of layers but they are quicker to make than stamped ones, which are still my favourite to make by far. I make several quicker cards and then treat myself to spending time colouring the next one.

Anyway enough of my rambling and onto to my card which is my second post today as I scheduled one for this morning. This is one of the SWALK stamps which launches next Tuesday. There are 12 altogether plus a resource CD and some decoupage (se post below). I have coloured the girlies with Spectrum Noirs. This is an 8 x 8 card, papers are from the SWALK CD. I have added some gorgeous ribbon and pearls. The die cuts were all made with Memory Box dies and Core'dinations.

Challenges

Incy Wincy Girly

Creative Craft Anything Goes

Divas by Design Monochromatic

Dream Valley For a special lady

Paper Sundaes Ribbon and pearls

Crafts and Me Favourite colour combo

Don't forget to head over the Crafter's Companion website for the chance to win all 12 stamps and the CD.

More sneak peeks

I'm selling at a craft fair at the hospital today, inside thankfully, so have scheduled this post.

Before I show you my last sneak peek of the professions Reddy decoupage I am bringing news of an exciting new SWALK launch next week. There are 12 new stamps and for the first time, some fabulous Reddy die cut decoupage. My card features one of the decoupaged images which I have sprayed with spray and shine. Paper is from one of the SWALK CDs and I added some torn and sanded embossed Core'dinations. A simple satin bow to finish.

Check out the competition on the website here for the chance to win the 12 new stamps and a resource CD worth over £60! How fab a prize is that.

The is the last of the professions Reddy decoupagesamples. I've crumpled and sanded some Core'dinations on this one. The ribbon and gems are from the Beatrix Potter embellishment set.

Along with the new decoupage and Core'dinations is a revamp of some of the floral decoupage. I've used a butterfly embossing folder, TH on the edge bracket die and Centura pearl with a punched butterfly.

Computer geek

This is my second post today. I was lucky enough to win this fab digi stamp from Ladybug Crafts Ink a few weeks ago and finally got round to using him. He has been coloured with Promarkers and I added some glossy accents to his glasses. I've been working my way through that pile of nealy used paper pads again and this time used Pink Paislee Bayberry Cottage with a scrap from Papermania Hampstead. I've used DI Black Soot around the edges and added some scrim. The chipboard elements are from Papercellar and I coloured some card candi with a Promarker to match the image. Sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.

Challenges

Sketch n stash Doreen's fab sketch (New image, old papers)

Crafty Cardmakers For the boys

Sparkles Men

Ladybug Crafts Ink Birthday

Penny's Happy Birthday

Simon Says Anything Goes

2 Sisters Black and white with a hint of colour

Here come the boys Hobbies