Yes another new snowman

Before I start bringing you sneak peeks of the final LOTV Christmas release I have another of the recently released snowmen to share with you.  I love all of them and can see me using them a lot. They are so easy to colour too and I have enjoyed using lots of different colour combos. I had a bit of a sort out of my Christmas papers and found this one sheet plus a few scraps of the Bo Bunny Snowfall pad. I love kraft with aqua. I coloured the snowman with Copics and added some doodling with a brown fineliner pen. The sentiment is one of the new ones from LOTV and I treated myself to some new Doohickey dies from Swedish House Crafts. These are Christmas tags.

I have some chores to do then hoping for a crafty play with the new images.

Wedding Day

Thanks for all the likes on my tooth fairy pillows. I took some restocks into Prima Rosa yesterday including this card. When I went in there I stopped to talk to a lady I met there once before and she introduced me to her friend for whom she bought one of my cards. They both said how beautiful it was and asked what I was bringing in. I showed them and they both bought something and I was so pleased one of them was a tooth fairy pillow.

So onto my card which I made using an old LOTV diecut. I still have a few of these to use. There are still some sock of these available in the LOTV outlet store on Etsy. The image is also available as a digi stamp to colour.  I used some Anna Marie paper, cheesecloth, a very old sentiment banner and some flowers from Hobbycraft. I coloured the wooden hearts with a pink sparkle pen and as it was brighter than I wanted, dabbed some off then coloured with a white sparkle pen. I also used a clear sparkle pen on the flowers and ribbon on the image.

Tooth fairy pillows

We recently popped into Prima Rosa, the tearooms and gift shop where I sell some of my cards and gifts. Judith the owner asked if I could make some tooth fairy pillows. I had never heard of them so had a look on Pinterest at the many variations and came up with my own design. I made a card template for the tooth and sewed the closed eyes, wrote a poem and added it inside the tooth which is where the child puts the real tooth and in the morning finds some money from the tooth fairy.

Another gnome

Oh what a hot few days and it is supposed to be hot again today then cooling down thank goodness. I planned to make several cards yesterday but it was too hot in my craft room and cooler downstairs so I spent more time sewing downstairs instead.  I am doing another LOTV cross stitch fairy and it is as addictive as cardmaking.

I did make a couple of cards though and this one is using another of the new LOTV coloured simply print images. I used First Edition Jolly Holiday papers, Go Kreate frilly 10 and some Christmas tree dies.  I added a couple of wooden snowflakes to finish it off.

We are planning a bit of gardening first thing whilst the back garden is in the shade, then some shopping and maybe some crafting time.

Gnome simply prints are here

The new gnomes from LOTV are now also available as coloured simply prints so here is my first card made to showcase them. I used a new paper pad from Your next stamp called Winter plaid which is a really lovely pad. I bought mine from Dies to Die For.   I used one of the new LOTV topper sentiments, MFT stitched banner dies and added some enamel dots and tiny buttons.

We are off out for breakfast this morning at a garden centre where we want to buy some bulbs. Then we need a new vacuum cleaner and some paint as we are having the hall, stairs and landing decorated.  So a little run around before heading home. We thought the coast would be packed as the it is going to be a hot day and it is the Bank Holiday so we will wait until the schools go back before enjoying the coast. Enjoy your Sunday. Looking forward to a double bill of Poldark and Peaky Blinders this weekend, that's our TV viewing sorted.

Ruby Wedding Commission

When one of the ladies in our line dancing class saw the Wedding card I made she asked if I could make her a ruby Wedding card. This is what I came up with and she was so delighted she insisted on paying me £1 more than I charged her.

Paper - Craftwork Cards

Flowers - Wild Orchid

Dies - Spellbinders and Whiff of Joy

Lace, bow and charm from stash

Happy Birthday Mum

Yesterday was my Mum's Birthday and this was the card I made her. As soon as I saw this new Pink Gem stamp I knew it was just what I wanted for her card as she is always knitting, mainly for charity. I coloured it with Copics, paper is LOTV romance and roses. The flowers were made with a new die I just treated myself to, Sue Wilson sweetheart flowers.  I added some lace, ribbon and a lace butterfly.  The sentiment is from a Woodware stamp.

We had a lovely day. The weather was gorgeous, sunny but not too hot.  We took her out for lunch and a walk around some water gardens then had tea and dessert before taking her home with her presents.

Mouse garland

The latest edition of Crafts Beautiful is in the shops and this is the card I made for them this month.  They asked for a simple bright Birthday card. I used an adorable LOTV image from one of the recent releases, Lillt friends garland and MFT bundle of blossoms brights papers. The sentiment is from LOTV and the apple blossom flowers from Wild Orchid.

A Summer card

Having a change from Christmas cards today. I needed to make a quick thank you card and sorted through some old LOTV simply prints I already had printed out. This is such a pretty image, shame it is no longer available. I used a MFT stitched scalloped circle frame die and made the blue frame with Go Kreate frilly 10 dies. The papers are old ones from a couple of different packs. I already had the flowers diecut, another find from the box I sorted out so simply added the butterfly from an old pack from Poundland and some enamel dots.

Launch Day at LOTV

Yes it is launch day at LOTV. I have used most of the snowmen and been sharing them with you but I think I still have 2 or 3 more to colour s well as more gnomes. I have loved colouring these snowmen, they are my favourites of course. It has been fun trying different colour combos with them.

I do love layering and distressing as I did with this card. Coloured with Copics, the papers are Carta Bella Winter Fun. The sentiment is from the new hand drawn digi stamps also out today. I added part of a Doohickey diecut fence and an odd tree I found already diecut along with a couple of stars.

We are planning a day out today starting with breakfast somewhere, then home for dinner, bottle of wine, Dragon's den and Poldark on TV.

You're on the nice list

 Well here is a surprise, a card that isn't Lili of the Valley for a change this week. I must welcome my 2 new followers, thanks for joining me. Of course all my visitors are on Santa's nice list.

I used stamps from MFT Jingle all the Way set, coloured with Copics. I have grounded them, it just doesn't show very well. The papers are some new ones I bought in The Works and the bunting die is Lawn Fawn.

Gnome delivery

Another of the new LOTV gnomes launching on Sunday. I love the cute bunny pulling the sled. The sentiment is also from a new set tags and toppers.  I used Copics for colouring and some old Jolly Santa papers. I had a sort out of a box I had kept bits and pieces in like diecuts. Some went in the bin, the Christmas diecuts sat on my desk to make me use them. I think the trees must have come from Dies to Die For when Tracey used to send diecuts with every order s I know I don't have that die. The snowflakes are a Memory Box stitched die.

This morning we are off to the hospital for Graham's annual eye check up, then Tesco, then collecting 2 jigsaws I bought from somebody on Facebook, then the garden centre for lunch and hopefully more plants as there is still space in the garden. It is starting to look so much better for clearing out lots of old stuff and replanting with colourful plants.

Yes another snowman

You must know by now that this is another of the new snowmen launching on 18th August from LOTV. I went for a bright modern look with this one, using Copics for colouring and MFT candy land papers. I used MFT mountain and stitched rounded corner square, Lawn Fawn forest border and Memory Box stitched snowflake dies. The sentiment is from the new hand drawn set also coming on 18th August.  I finished he snowman with fun flock on his hat and pearl drops for snow.

What is better than a snowman?

What is better than a snowman, 2 snowmen!  Yes I merged 2 of the new digis coming on 18th August from LOTV. Launch date has been brought forward a week due to the response on Facebook and the fact that more new stamps will be coming next month. I could just keep on colouring these snowmen. There are 9 different snowmen and all so cute.

I don't make many fancy fold cards these days, preferring just to make square cards but I do like an easel card for a change. I coloured it with Copics and used some old papers, MFT scalloped stitched border and Sue Wilson poinsettia dies along with an old Woodware holly punch. The button trees I bought on Ebay last year.  The sentiment is from one of the two new sets also launching on 18th August.  I added some fun flock to the hats too.

Third sneak peek

Yes another of the adorable new snowmen from LOTV.  I am loving using these. I coloured it with Copics and used a MFT wonky stitched oval die to cut him out. I added some pearl dots and fun flock to his hat. I used Joy and Dee's tree dies with aqua glitter card.  The papers are some new ones I bought in The Works.  The sentiment is from a new set of tags and toppers also coming later this month from LOTV. I finished it off with some Martha Stewart punched snowflakes.

Commissioned card

My line dancing teacher asked me to make a large Wedding card and this is what I came up with. I love it when people say I don't mind what you make, I know it will be lovely.  I used a LOTV simply print, diecut it and then added a little victorian velvet distress ink to the edges. The paper is an old LOTV one, the hearts die is one I bought in the Sizzix sale. I printed the sentiment, diecut it and gain used the distress ink.I added some cheesecloth, pearl sprays and flowers from Wild Orchid. 

I don't heat emboss enough so I stampd some wooden hearts with shabby white frantage and heat embossed them and then added some sparkle to the flowers in the image and the diecut hearts with a clear sparkle pen.

First gnome sneak peek

I have seen several gnome stamps around but they have never appealed to me. However LOTV are bringing out 7 gnome digis and I absolutely love them. They are all so cute. You will be able to get your hands on them later this month. There will also be some lovely new sentiments like the hand drawn one I have used. This is only the second time I have ever coloured on kraft. The first time was a few years ago and I wasn't impressed as I couldn't get it to shade very well but I am really pleased with the way this one came out.

I kept the design fairly simple, using Copics for colouring, some of last year's LOTV papers, MFT banner die, The Works stitched square dies and a new LOTV hand drawn sentiment.

Second sneak peek

So another day another snowman, one of 9 new snowmen coming soon from LOTV. There are also some lovely new handdrawn sentiments and I have used one on my card. I went for a vintage look with this one using some old LOTV papers. I coloured the image with Copics and used vintage photo distress ink around the edges. I found and old kraft star tag and punched a matching star then ran them both through the crimper before distressing the edges.  The trees were cut with Doohickey dies.

The garden clearing is coming along well.  We bought some lovely plants mainly for Autumn colour on Thursday so today Graham is taking out a bush and clearing more hardy geraniums so that the new plants can go in. I fear we shall need more. As for me there is a pile of ironing waiting so that is my first task this morning.

I finished it!

I started this cross stitch on 1st July and finished it on 6th August. I found it so addictive and as the picture grew I wanted to sew more and more. I haven't done any cross stitch for about 15 years and have never worked on blank material just using a pattern. I have also never outlined in backstitch before but I was so impressed with the way the backstitching brought the picture to life. 

I wanted to fit it into the 8" embroidery hoop so that did mean altering the pattern a bit.  I kept the fairy the same size, moved the moon, left off a couple of stars and reduced the size of the toadstools. I didn't want to buy all new threads so matched the colours as near as possible with the ones I already had, just buying a couple for her skin.  

I learnt a lot along the way such as moving your finger from underneath when putting the needle through. I lost count of the number of times I pricked my finger that way. I was going to sell it but love it so much she is now hanging in my craft room. I am looking forward to starting another soon but first I must sew some things for my next craft fair in September. If you would like to sew one go and check out the designs on the LOTV Etsy shop, link in my sidebar. 

First snowman sneak peek

Well I didn't think I wold be posting today but when an email arrived from LOTV with the next release of stamps I couldn't wait to use them. There will be 9 snowmen and 7 gnomes available later this month. As you must know I love snowmen and these ones are all so cute. I coloured him with Copics and used Go Kreate frilly 10 and Lawn Fawn pierced rectangle dies. I kept this one simple adding a LOTV sentiment and wooden snowflakes. I added some sparkle with a Spectrum Noir sparkle pen on the star, snow and snowflakes.

Tomorrow I will be sharing something different that I completed earlier this week.

Robin

I have been busy making cards I can't share yet but in between I sorted through my stamped images and came across this one. It is an old Sheena Douglass stamp that I borrowed from a friend and stamped several times. I still have a few left to use. It is a simple but timeless and traditional image and I wanted to create a more traditional card with it. I coloured it with Copics and used some First Edition Merry little Christmas papers, a Joy holly die, Hobbycraft poinsettia and a sentiment stamp.

We are very busy in the garden, trying to clear out some hardy geraniums which have taken over in some places. We hope to get out there again today and then on Friday we can replant with some colour ready for Autumn. I love hardy geraniums but we have one pink one which spreads too much so it has to go, well as much as we can get out anyway.

This afternoon we are meeting up with friends for a surprise 16th Birthday meal at Pizza Express and the going to see Matilda at the theatre which has rave reviews.  I doubt I shall have a card to share tomorrow but as Thursday is my crafternoon and evening I hope to get several cards made.

A new purchase

I didn’t get in the craft room at all at the weekend. Instead we were out on Saturday, had a lovely walk at the coast in Cromer, then went to see the end of the pier show. It was really good, very funny compere, brilliant magician and wonderful singers and dancers. Finished the day off with fish and chips in a nearby restaurant.

Yesterday we spent the morning gardening, then some computer stuff and then finished the jigsaw we started during the week. A nice roast followed by an episode of Peaky Blinders, then Poldark. We never watched Peaky Blinders when it was on TV fo some reason but so many people said how good it was. As there is very little on TV we like at the moment we decided to try it last week and watched the first series. So this week we have started the second series on catch up. We can’t believe what we missed as it is so good.

So onto my little trimmer I purchased for £3 in Hobbycraft. My big trimmer sits on my second desk in my craft room, behind me but this dinky one is on my working desk and is proving so useful for small trimming jobs like an image. I think it will prove useful in my classes too.

Well that’s enough from me this morning. Planning some crafting today, facial and back massage this afternoon followed by shopping.

Simply banners

I made this card as a sample for my September cardmaking class.  I plan two completely different cards and as the second one will take them longer want them to make a quicker first card. I have to bear in mind that the only cards some of them have ever made have been at my classes so I need some of them to be quite simple. This style is a great way of using scraps. I used various papers and a banner die with a LOTV sentiment.

We are picking friends up at lunchtime then off to Cromer to see the pier show at 4pm followed by fish and chips in a nearby restaurant.  The pier shows are really good and we like to support them as they have shows all year round and rely on funds from the shows to keep them going. I believe it is the only pier with shows all year round. We haven't seen the pier show for a couple of years but he write ups are very good. One of the national papers gave it 4 stars. We are also going there later in the year to see a tribute band to The Eagles.

Love snow people

I am much preferring the weather this week. It has made me feel like doing so much more than last week. Yesterday hubby went off to the powerboats at 12.30 giving me plenty of time for crafting once I had finished the ironing. I spent quite a while on my cross stitch which I am finding very addictive. In between I made some cards. This is a Sugar Nellie coloured topper from The Hobby House. I teamed it with some LOTV papers, ribbon from stash, Roxstamps cross stitch circle die from Swedish House Crafts and some new snowflake dies I bought in the Sizzix sale.  I diecut them from white glitter card and added fun flock and glitter to the image.  The sentiment is LOTV.

Housework and shopping today and then some crafting time I think.