Another Christmas card

Whilst I made yesterday's Christmas card I decided to make another. I went to a charity cardmaking night last year and bought a few odds and ends including a couple of sheets of diecuts. Somebody had donated all kinds of stuff, many fo the sheets were loose so I don't know the make but they made for a fun card. The papers are Dovecraft North pole.  The sentiment and heart are from the diecut sheet. I added two diecut trees using an Elizabeth Craft die and punched a couple of gold stars.

Challenges

Christmas with the Cuties festive furry friends

Christmas pals

I really need to get more Christmas cards made and I am also on a mission to use some of the many toppers I have. I haven't bought much craft stash lately although I did order a couple of paper pads on Monday. I have bought far less this year but looking forward to Crafting Live in Doncaster in July. I don't have much on my list of basics needed so it will be good to see what is there. I haven't been to one of the big shows this year so far.

So back to my card which features a cute topper from Wee Stamps at The Hobby House. The papers are MME All is Bright, ribbon from Crafty Ribbons,flowers from Hobbycraft last Christmas.  I used an old Memory Box holly die and added sparkle to various parts of the image with a clear Wink of Stella Pen and some Stickles to the ground.

Challenges

ABC Christmas J is for Joy

Friendship

I thought it was time I had a play with my Card-io stamps again especially as I bought some more recently including the garden quotes set.  I do need more practice with them but am quite pleased with the way this one turned out though it could be much better. I have a diecut circle which has postits attached to it so when I want to make this style of card I simply attach that to the centre and stamp around the edge to start off with.  I used various sets of stamps and inks for this one. I usually stamp straight onto the card but this time I stamped onto white card then layered onto purple and I like the effect so will be doing that again.  Must get some Christmas ones done, they are my favourite Card-io cards. We had a lovely evening, great meal and a fantastic concert.

Challenges

Stamping Sensations close to nature 

Creative Inspirations clean and simple 

Simon Says use more than one stamp 

Penny Black and more at Allsorts anything goes 

Allsorts insects, bugs, bees, butterflies

Springtime

I have so many printed toppers to use and decided to just have a quick look and pick one that I fancied using. I wanted to create a fresh look and the Lilybee Victoria Park paper was just what I wanted. I cut a scrap of paper using a MFT stitched scalloped edge die. The image is a precoloured one from LOTV which I diecut with a Lawn Fawn stitched circle die. The flowers are from Hobby House, burlap butterflies from America and the sentiment is LOTV.

Challenges

The Cutie Pie add a butterfly 

As You Like It Favourite flora or fauna (This card actually features both but fauna would definitely be my first choice for cards as there are so many cute animal images.) 

Allsorts insects, bugs, bees, butterflies

Crafting today and then we are going out this evening with friends for a meal and then the theatre to see Justin Hayward. For those who don't know he was the lead singer of The Moody Blues and apparently is still an excellent singer so should be good.

Something new

Regular visitors will know I like trying out new handsewn items to sell and had the idea of making some handbag tissue covers. I searched the internet and found instructions I liked. I am sure left to my own devices they wouldn't have looked like this nor been as easy to make. I found it at Two Brown Birds under travel tissue cover.  I made one for myself and it looks so much nicer in my handbag than just a packet of plastic covered tissues. 

We went to see some friends at the craft fair yesterday and I liked the look of it so have booked in for four starting in July. Today we are going to have a day at home pottering doing odds and ends, a bit of gardening and whatever else we fancy doing.

Lots of babies

Our new challenge at A Gem of a Challenge starts today and we are looking for three of something. I couldn't resist using these cute baby toppers as there are three babies on each topper.  I am sometimes asked for flat cards if people want to post them so I made these nice and flat.

The papers are MFT and the dies are Memory Box precious hearts and cross stitch hearts. The precious hearts were one of the first Memory Box dies I bought years ago and I haven't used them for ages. It is good to revisit some of the older dies.

Challenges

Crafteezee pretty in pink or blue
The Psaper Shelter digi image

We are going to check out a local craft fair and farmer’s market this morning then home for hubby to wash the car and some crafting for me. Enjoy your Saturday.

By the sea at Crafts Beautiful

The latest Crafts Beautiful magazine was published yesterday and this is a nautical card I was commissioned to make for them. I used MFT Sweet Sunshine papers and Joy seashore dies.  I cut circles out of the top paper, wrapped some twine around the lifebuoy and used a Fiskars tag punch and some enamel dots.

Challenges
Allsorts Happy Birthday Allsorts

Purple poppies

I used this Woodware stamp a while ago for a magazine commission and coloured the poppies red. I stamped another as I wanted to see what it would like coloured purple and here it is.  The card is 7x7 so I used an old HOTP scrapbook paper which is the perfect colour to match my image. The corner die is Sue Wilson and the sentiment is LOTV. I also used some old raffia lace. I used to use lots of this and still have several colours in one of my ribbon boxes.  It seems to be a week for using old favourite embellishments.

Challenges

Allsorts Happy Birthday Allsorts 

Stamping Sensations close to nature 

Crafteezee pretty in purple

An owl and GDPR regs

I have another of the new LOTV watercoloured images to share with you today. I was in the mood for Autumnal colours for a change and used Nikki Sivil's tree love papers. The dies are Lawn Fawn stitched circle and MFT stitched leaves, the sentiment is LOTV. I was going to use some feathers but on looking in a box for them I came across a pack of skeleteon leaves which I must have had for about 10 years and haven't used for years so I added them instead.

Challenges

Dies R Us birds 

Allsorts Happy Birthday Allsorts

So GDPR regs. I thought I would just add a bit again today as I have had a few people contacting me asking if they need to have a privacy policy and others asking if they can use mine. My initial thought when it was raised on Facebook was that it didn't apply to me. I don't sell on my blog but further reading and info from others who know more about it than me convinced me that all bloggers need a privacy policy. Mine is copied from some other policies, just tweaked to suit my style.  I am more than happy for anyone to copy mine or use it as a basis for theirs. You can find it on one of the pages at the top.  If you have people subscribing to your blog by email then you will need to contact them to gain their permission to continue and include something in your policy about it. I have never allowed email subscribers so haven't needed to do this. 

Moon Baby Baptism

I was asked on Friday if I could make a couple of cards for baptisms which needed to be posted to America on Monday. As I had some crafting time at the weekend I said I would make them and for the boy's card i used this cute Stampin' Up Moon Baby stamp. I coloured it with Copics and used a gold glitter pen on the star and aSpectrum Noir clear glitter brush pen on the moon.  I was recommended to try these instead of Wink of Stella and I do find them more glittery. The papers are Maja Denim and friends and the flowers are from Wild Orchid. The stitched circle die is Lawn Fawn.

I would like to enter this into the anything goes challenge at Penny Black and more at Allsorts.

Snowy again!

I couldn't resist using my lovely Snowy wooden stamp again after waiting so long to buy him. I coloured him with Copics and diecut using a MFT stitched dome die. The papers are Bo Bunny Altitude. I stamped the LOTV sentiment in white on black for a chalkboard effect and diecut some trees and a snowflake banner from aqua glitter card. I had to add fun flock to his pompom too.

Challenges

Penny Black and more at Allsorts anything goes 

ABC Christmas J for joy

There has been a big discussion on Facebook about the new EU GDPR regulations and it appears that blogs do require a privacy policy. Some very helpful bloggers have written theirs and were happy to have them copied. I used a couple and altered them slightly otherwise I wouldn't have known where to start.  You can see my privacy policy on one of the pages at the top. You are very welcome to use mine as a basis for your policy if you like.  Another thing to thank the EU for!

Surf's Up

A rather different card today but again using one of the new LOTV watercoloured digis. This one is called Surf's Up. I used an old CC embossing folder and kraft Core'dinations which I sanded back. The sun die is from MFT and I added some cream burlap and a string bow.

Hubby is off to Bedfordshire early today to drive one of the rescue boats at the powerboat racing so I have a day to myself. Unfortunately there is some ironing to be done but then I shall mainly be in the craft room. Time for some reading too, I love a good book.

Poppies

Another of the new LOTV watercoloured images today, teacup of poppies. I rarely make round cards but having diecut the image using a Lawn Fawn stitched circle die I remembered I have the Tonic Studios trellis circle die set which I rarely use. I liked the simplicity of it so just added a couple of burlap butterflies.

The weather should be good today so we are planning a morning gardening. The forget me nots are just getting past their best so time for them to come out, have a tidy and plant a few new plants. No doubt we shall need more to fill the gaps so a trip to the garden centre next week I think.

I would like to enter the clean and simple challenge at Creative Inspirations 

LOTV Bird

I promised another of the new LOTV watercoloured images today and here it is. This image is called bird with white blossom. I teamed it with Bo Bunny Secret Garden papers, ribbon and lace from Crafty Ribbons, bird and birdhouse from Creative Embellishments, flowers from Wild Orchid and a LOTV sentiment. I distressed the edges with DI antique linen.  The dies I used are MFT wonky stitched oval and Impression Obsessions leaves.

Challenges

Dies R Us birds 

Crafteezee pretty in pink

I would like to enter the fussy and fancy challenge at Creative Inspirations 

LOTV new launch

Late today with my post but I wasn't planing on posting today. However LOTV launched lots of lovely watercoloured images today and I have had a chance to play with some of them. This one is called In the Harbour. I used some old Forever Friends paper and an old embossing folder. The diecuts were made with a new set I bought from The Craft Barn closing down sale.  The sentiment is LOTV.  Do go and check these new images out as they are lovely. I will be sharing another one tomorrow.

Blog Hop Winner

Thanks to everyone who joined in the blog hop and for all your lovely comments. Debbie was the random blog with the lucky winner also chosen randomly and that is Hazel(Didos).

Congratulations Hazel.

In flight

Another card made for Papercrafter magazine using the Dovecraft painted blooms range. I embossed the Core'dinations and sanded it, diecut the butterfly and dragonfly and added a sentiment, ribbon and bow. Everything except the card are from the range as I undid one of the bows to use as ribbon.

Challenges

Crafty Calendar things with wings 

Creative Inspirations clean and simple

LOTV Birthday blog hop

As part of our 14th Birthday celebrations we are having a fantastic blog hop with lots of the LOTV talented Design Team.  Make sure you leave a comment on each birthday post as we will pick 1 comment from 1 blog to receive a £10 LOTV voucher 😊    

I used one of the cute bunny trio digis for my card. Coloured with Copics and using the MFT cloud stencil for the sky. I used a Lawn Fawn stitched circle dies, butterfly punch, LOTV digi papers, LOTV sentiment and a Joy border which seems to have been discontinued. I also coloured the toadstool border with Copics and added spots with a white gel pen.

Challenges

Crafteezee pretty in purple 

The Paper Shelter Round it up 

The Cutie pie add a butterfly 

Crafty Calendar things with wings

Stamping Sensations close to nature

So, join in the fun and you can visit the Lili of the Valley website here – www.liliofthevalley.co.uk

From here you need to go to Katrina

http://cornishkat.blogspot.co.uk

Here is the full list in case you get lost. The winner will be announced on each blog on Wednesday.

http://thetinybluebutterfly.blogspot.co.uk

http://learningtojive.blogspot.co.uk

https://designsbygaynorgreaves.blogspot.co.uk

http://myhappyplace-donna.blogspot.co.uk/

http://debsatfrecklesplace.blogspot.co.uk

http://andreagourley.blogspot.co.uk/

http://lorrainebailey.blogspot.co.uk

http://playingwithribbon.blogspot.co.uk

http://moreplease-ko.blogspot.co.uk

https://phoebeez.blogspot.co.uk/

More Painted Blooms

This is another of the cards made for Papercrafter magazine using Dovecraft Painted Blooms. Everything except the lilac card and brown ink for edging is from the range. I made an envelope and diecut the flowers using the Painted Blooms die.  Not my usual style but rather pretty. Some magazine commissions can be challenging when outside my comfort zone but I enjoy a challenge.

Short sweet post today I know. We have a long day ahead as it is my day selling at the hospital shop so hoping for lots of lovely customers.

Vintage snowmen

I saw somebody using this stamp from Digistamp Boutique and of course being snowmen I just had to buy it. I just bought these papers which are actually rustic Wedding from Crafter's Companion. Most of them are suitable for any occasion and I fancied making a vintage style Christmas card with this image for a change from bright colours. 

Image - Digistamp Boutique large snowmen

Medium - Copics

Papers - Crafter's Companion Rustic Wedding

Lace - Crafty Ribbons

Sentiment, wooden tree and snowflake coloured with DI vintage photo, Stickles

Challenges

ABC Christmas J for joy

Facebook Digistamp Boutique challenge

Drink Beer

I am sorry I haven't had a card to share since Wednesday but I have been working on some magazine cards so obviously can't share those yet. We have a new challenge at A Gem of a Challenge and our theme is It's a Man's World. I used one of the precoloured toppers for my card. The paper which goes so well with it is from the First Edition Grand Plans pad. I used an old MS zigzag border punch, Fiskare banner punch and added a button and some twine.  I hope you will join us this time, maybe you need to make a Father's Day card for next month.  I would like to enter this into the for the boys challenge at Simon Says.

Flowers galore

I am really enjoying using my latest digis from Digistamp Boutique. This is from a set of two beautiful precoloured flower vases. I used First Edition beyond the shore papers and added some cheesecloh and lace which is from Crafty Ribbons. The flowers are from Hobbycraft and one of the pound shops. The small leaves were cut using an Impression Obsessions die and the large leaves were made with a Joy die.

Challenges

Crafteezee pretty in purple 

Dies R Us flowers

Little bears

I love the MFT Bitty Bears and wanted to use them for some packs of little Christmas cards. I diecut them and coloured with Copics.  The cards are 3" square so I designed the backing card with a red border and dotted edge, printed them and added the bears. It feels good to be getting ahead with Christmas makes for my fairs.

Challenges

Creative Inspirations clean and simple 

ABC Christmas K for keep it simple 

Simon Says animal magic 

As you like it favourite animal (For cards mine is definitely bears. I love colouring them mainly using the dotty method. They are so cute.)

Painted Blooms

How is your Bank holiday weekend going so far?  We had a lovely day out at the coast on Saturday, lovely walks and then met up with friends for a meal and a 60's show. The theatre we went to was beautiful. It was built in 1901 and had some wonderful old posters, chandeliers etc and the seating arrangements were 6 seats at a round table. Yesterday and today there is a big powerboat meeting so hubby is out volunteering on rescue for that.  I had a good day yesterday doing lots of a very hard jigsaw, thanks Mum. I did a bi of gardening, some ironing and a had a sort out of my wardrobes. Today I am planning lots of crafting.  Looking forward to the final part of Woman in White tonight.

So onto my card which is one of four I was commissioned to make for Papercrafter magazine.  They sent me lots of Dovercraft painted blooms materials and I had to mainly use those for my cards.   For this card I didn't add anything else.  The flowers and leaves were cut with dies from the Painted Bloom range.

Challenges

Dies R Us flowers

Crafty Calendar Things with wings

Allsorts fancy folds

Norwich City supporter penguin!

When I coloured this DSB image I simply thought what colours would go nicely with his red coat.  Hubby came in and said he is wearing Norwich City Football colours which I hadn't realised at all but it did make me smile. The papers are Dovecraft jolly happy Christmas and the dies are MFT layered snowflakes. I used a Pink Gem sentiment, Stickles and a Viva pearl pen for the snow.

Challenges

Simon Says animal magic

I shall also be entering the DSB monthly challenge on Facebook.

Keeping it simple

I bought a couple of box picture frames to make some pictures to sell. I chose this beautiful LOTV ballerina for the first one. I  coloured her with Copics and simply added some flowers from Wild Orchid. This would make a lovely addition to a girl's bedroom I think.

Challenges

Crafteezee pretty in pink 

Creative Inspirations keep it simple

More silhouette flowers

I love this set from Digistamp Boutique and decided to make another card with one of the other three flower sets. As before I merged the silhouette, shadow and sentiment. The papers are First Edition sweet nothings and I simply added some black twine and enamel dots and pearls.

Challenges

Creative Inspirations clean and simple 

Crafteezee pretty in pink

I will also enter it into the DSB monthly challenge on Facebook.

Aliens!

This is the second card I was asked to make for Crafts Beautiful magazine. I had to make a Father's Day card with a space theme. I used Pink Gem digi papers and Spaceman Josh digi kit which I decoupaged for a change. The alien ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons and I used Hobbycraft star punches and a computer generated sentiment.

Make a wish on a unicorn

A really quick card to make for today's blog post using one of the precoloured zoo animals new from LOTV. The papers are old Wild Rose Christmas ones and were just the colours I wanted to match the image. The sentiment is from LOTV cut with a MFT banner die and I added some enamel dots. Simple.