In the pink in the rain

Hooray, I'm so happy as I've got my laptop back. I can't believe how fast it is after using the netbook for almost 4 weeks. The 17.5" screen seems huge too. It's been great having the netbook to use but blogging has been a struggle which is why I haven't been able to visit and comment as much as usual. It usually took me about one hour to post and link one card! Oh I have missed using Photoshop for my pics too.

This is one of my very first set of Anya stamps I bought last year and I haven't used her for quite a while. This set of rain, snow and sun is still one of my favourites. I've never coloured her in pink before but here she is looking pretty in pink and of course she is a great image to use with an umbrella charm. I used the sketch from Friday Sketchers but am too late to enter, never mind, as it was a great sketch to use.
Challenges:
Let's Ink it up Fave stamp and charm
Oldie but a goodie Pink and girly
Creative Card Crew Bloomin' marvellous
Crafty Sentiments Border punch (I used MS doily punch)
Stamp, scrap and doodle Saturdays Stitching (mine's doodled round the image)

Two more cards

These mice always make me think of Debby as she loves them and makes such fabulous cards with them. I used the lovely sketch at Sketch Saturday. Papers are Papermania Hampstead, sentiment is Craftwork cards. I added some corners from Lakeland, oh I miss Lakeland stocking craft materials.

I know, it's another Christmas card but when I saw that Anyone for Anya had a Christmas in August challenge I was so pleased to use this image which hasn't been out since last Winter. Papers are DCWV Rose tinted Christmas. I used the same papers for the flowers. The large flower was made using Nestie blossoms with a large brad. I used an MS Cosmos and Xcut flower punches along with an MS fern punch and gems for the other flowers.
Other challenges
The Corrosive Challenge and Sunday sketch and stamp Both have a very similar sketch
Craftalicious Make your own flowers
Fussy and fancy Pink and black

Two for Tuesday

A couple of different cards from me this evening. The first one is a LOTV image I haven't used for a while and it's another of Bev's fab sketches at the Lili of the Valley challenge. Crafty Cardmakers are celebrating their first Birthday so want a Birthday card for their challenge. The papers are Dovecraft with an odd strip of spotted paper punched with an MS border punch. I wanted to make this card suitable for male or female so added Dovecraft punched stars with faux stitching and buttons.

I seem to have used this Anya stamp several times lately as she suits Summer cards. I have often used citrus colours for Summer but decided to go with pink for a change. The stripey paper reminds me of deckchairs. The glitter chipboard images are K&Co and flowers are Prima with punched leaves and pearls.
Challenges
Totally Gorjuss Sketch
Quixotic Life's a beach
Totally Papercrafts By the sea
Crafty Sentiments Chipboard
Fab 'n' funky Spotty, dotty and chipboard stripes
The Pink Elephant Summer fun

A cute little tag

It's my friend Sue's daughter's 20th Birthday tomorrow so we met them both for lunch at Frankie and Benny's today. I made Hannah's card some time ago but as I was wrapping her pressy I thought it would be nice to add a handmade tag. It seemed to funny to be making something so small but I was pleased with the result and she loved it as she said it looked like her. She loves pink and girly and the sun so this Anya image was just perfect. I added glossy accents to the glasses. The papers is Rose Garden and I found some sparkly pink flowers and the bow and ribbon in my stash. I'll definitely have to make some more of these.
Challenges
Quixotic Make it miniature
Charisma Anything but square
Crafty Catz Summertime

The weather has been perfect today and after lunch we walked up to the shops and I bought some fab new shoes and a handbag. Hopefully the weather should be good tomorrow as we need to do some gardening but I am hoping for some crafty time later in the afternoon.

Hot, hot, hot

Thankfully the sun has come back a bit today and it is warmer. This lovely Anya looks hot in her Summer outfit. I embossed the nellie cut die, papres are Papermania Hampstead and MME Wild Asparagus. Flowers are punched from the same papers with punched leaves and a little handbag sentiment from Craftwork Cards with an added bow and pearls.
Challenges
Anyone for Anya Hot, hot, hot
Pixie Cottage Sketch
The Corrosive Challenge Die cuts
The Pink Elephant Red, scallops and a bow
Creative Card Crew Thank you
Fan 'n' funky Summer colours (photo inspiration of hot colours)
Crafty Catz Embossing

Summer and Winter

Well it is still more like Autumn today. Chilly and gloomy with some rain first thing. It does seem a bit warmer now but nothing like Summer. This is my GDT card for Crafts 4 Eternity where there is a lovely sketch with lots of layers, my fave, and the need to feature strawberries and lace. I have used the gorgeous WOJ image of Willow. The main paper is K&Co. I used my MS trellis punch and flower doily punches, punched ferns and Wild Orchid flowers along with some pink lace, sentiment from Craftwork cards layered on a nestie die cut and a photo corner from stash. you can win 2 digi stamps and the sketch is such a great one to use so I hope you will all join in this week.
I am also entering these other challenges:
Passion for Promarkers Pink Birthday
Allsorts Strawberries and Cream
A Spoon full of sugar Floral Delights
Stamp Something Happy Something (mine is Birthday)
Oh Alice What's your muchness (mine is lots of layers and flowers)

The second card is my DT card for Winter Wonderland. This week Danielle has chosen the lovely challenge of a traditional Christmas flower. There are some great stamps on offer for the lucky winner too from the Stamp Barn. I chose one of my favourite Anyas for this one and added lots of glitter. The two papers are Dovecraft Traditional Christmas, full of poinsettias and holly. (The strips are from the sheet of paper.) I made the poinsettias with a nestie, X cut punch and gems and added gold holly leaves. It seems that more and more of you are getting those Christmas cards made which is great to see.
Other challenges:
Pear Tree Designs Sketch and use flowers
Simon Says 1 Image, 2 DPs, 3 types of embellie (flowers, holly and gems)
Bah Humbug Anything Goes

The weather forecast for the weekend is a bit better so let's hope they're right. Have a good one everybody.

Two pretty girls

What a beautiful day today, I think Summer finally arrived yesterday. My antibiotics seem to be kicking in and I am feeling a little better, thank goodness, though not quite as good today as I did yesterday. I hope you like my new look blog. I do like to keep changing the background and wanted to celebrate my anniversary on Saturday with some hearts. I can't believe the number of entries for my candy. If you haven't joined in the fun yet you only have another 3 days to enter.

This is the second of my new Kraftin' Kimmie stamps, called Gabrielle. Just for a change I paper pieced her dress and then paper pieced the card suits on the bottom too. Papers are Henbury Lane and Rose Garden, Anita's ribbon, Sizzix swirl, pearls from the Hobby House and Wild Orchid flowers. I added glitter to the swirls too for added sparkle.
Challenges:
Sketch Saturday Sketch
Totally Papercrafts Monochromatic
One Stop Craft Swirls and pearls
Fab n Funky Piece that Paper
Paperplay Flowers and sparkle
Pear Tree Designs Floral delights

There are a lot of fun in the sun and beach challenges this week so I chose these colours to represent sea and sand. Anya looks like she has spent too much time in the sun here. At least she protected her face with those great sunglasses. You might need yours on for this card. I covered her glasses in glossy accents, left them to dry and then when I looked for the image found I had laid another one on top. I don't recommend it! Luckily I managed to unpick the card from her glasses and add more glossy accents. They now look perfect again. Main papers are K&Co Hopscotch and Papermania Hampstead. Flowers are Prima.
Challenges
Anyone for Anya Sketch
Stamptacular Life's a beach
Cupcake Summer delights
The Pink Elephant Use bright colours
Papertake Fun, fun, fun
Creative Inspirations Beach
Cute Card Thursday Blue, orange and black

3 very girly cards

I hope the weather today has been better for you than it has been here in East Anglia. It has turned cold and windy and despite the weather forecast being for occasional light showers it has poured with rain on and off all day including some hail! We managed about half an hour in the garden between showers this morning and a trip out for lunch and a visit to the supermarket. It has been a great day to stay in and craft and I have been in pink and purple girly mood today.

This is another of my new LOTV stamps which is just perfect for a friend's birthday.She loves flowers and bears, just like me. The image was such fun to colour and I added some Glossy Accents to the window and water droplets. Papers are Basic Grey Wisteria and Euphoria. The fab sketch is from Crafts 4 eternity. I love the ribbon arrangement and must remember to try that again.
Other challenges:
Lili of the Valley Here comes summer
Allsorts Animals
Secret Crafter Friendship
Just Cute Bears Buttons and bows
Cupcake 3 papers, 3 ribbons, 3 flowers
Incy Wincy Anything Goes
Stamp with Fun Friends

Princess Anya has been mounted on card cut with a nestie and embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. I added some gold highlight to her hair and glitter to her wand and crown. I found the castle button in my stash from a pack I bought in America. Papers are Kate Knight and were free with a magazine.
Challenges:
Crazy 4 challenges Sketch
Simon Says Buttons, bows and bling
One Stitch at a time Children's theme

The last card is for the Sugar Bowl challenge of this lovely sketch, which I rotated to fit the image, and use punches. I used 2 of my MS punches for the border and the fern leaves and added lots of glitter to her wings. Papers are Basic Grey, Kate Knight and Papermania Amethyst infusion.

Please check my post above to enter my yummy candy.

Rockstar and first Easter card

This is my first Easter card made with this lovely Friday freebie from a couple of weeks ago at Pollycraft. Paula has some lovely new spring images and I just had to buy a couple more which I shall be using during the next few weeks. The challenge is Easter at Die Cut Dreams. The fab sketch comes from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and the colour scheme of green and yellow with a stamped image and 3D embellies is for the challenge at Peachy Keen. I added some Shimmerz to the Prima flowers and some glitter to the flower on the image and the stamped sentiment.

The second card is a real contrast. It's the first time I have used Rockstar Anya and certainly the first time I have ever coloured hair lilac and given an image lilac lipstick. The backing card is DCWV Rockstar. The stars are cut from glitter paper using a Cuttlebug die.

Challenges:
Anyone for Anya Something completely different
The Pink Elephant Sketch
Creative Craft Music to my Ears
CRAFT Ribbons and sparkle
Cute Card Thursday Ribbon
Sassy Designs Lilac and aqua
Fussy and Fancy Friday Movies (A Star is Born)

Pretty in pink Anya

Just back from Sainsbury's shopping where the film of the Time Traveller's Wife slipped into the trolley along with the shopping. If you love reading like I do and haven't read this book then rush out, not now it's freezing outside, and grab yourself a copy. I love this book and want to read it again. I know the film won't be the same but I want to see it anyway.

Now onto the card, which is of course Miss Anya looking pretty in pink and brown. I just got these flowers from Wild Orchid after seeing them on so many blogs. This sketch from I Love Promarkers with a colour scheme of pink and brown was just perfect for the challenge of anyone for leftovers at Creative Inspirations. Instead of one background paper I used 3 leftover pieces to make up the sketch. I've had the sparkly butterfly border for ages, I think it is Paper Cellar. Roses on paper also have a colour challenge of pink, brown and cream and good enough to eat is for Anyone for Anya. This last one has to be a food combi so I thought of chocolate dipped strawberries and vanilla ice cream, yum yum.

First DT card for Kaboodle Doodle

Well here it is, my first DT card for Kaboodle Doodles . I'm so excited to be part of a DT with these lovely girls. The challenge this fortnight is pink, lemon, green and plum and there is a fab prize of an SU Saleabration set. Now when I first saw this colour challenge I was a bit worried as they are not colours I have evr put together before. However once I got going it was easier than I expected and I really like the fresh spring look to this card featuring Miss Anya.

The papers are all K&Co Daisy and Laura Ashley. Flowers are Prima and the sentiment is Craftwork Cards. I added some faux stitching around the Nestie shape. I used my new MSBP on the top border. I liked the shape of the paper which was left from the punching and used this down the side. How's that for economy.

Thanks for looking. I hope to see you all joining in this challenge blog. Remember you have 2 weeks to enter.

Christmas 2010

Inspired by the Christmas challenges still around and feeling in the Christmas spirit I made a card ready for next Christmas. That's a first for me. I'm planning to make another later today if I have time. This is my most used Anya stamp to date, I just love her. She is all glammed up with glitter on her fur, some sparkly snowflakes, snowflake brad and a gorgeous snowflake charm. Papers are DCWV and the bottom is cut with my MS doily lace border punch (not boarder, as I keep reading on some blogs,lol).

Challenges
The Pink Elephant sketch
Cupcake A time for celebration
Anyone for Anya Last Christmas

Kaboodle Sparkling Winter

Purple Anya

I haven't used this sweet girl for a couple of weeks now and decided it was time for one of my last Christmas cards to have this image and the purple pens just called out to me. I used the oval Nellie and inked the edges. (If you would like to win a set of square Nellies enter my candy above.) She is coloured with PMs of course. The paper is DCWV Rose tinted Christmas as I thought I would use black and pink rather than purple. This paper is so gorgeous, I shall miss it when I have finished my Christmas cards. Only 4 more to make now. I can't believe I am still making them this late. I think I'll start next year's in January, lol! Flowers are Prima and I made some glittery holly leaves and added some flower gems and snowflake confetti.
Challenges:
Papertake red and green must not be seen
Sketch Saturday Sketch
Allsorts Purple
Anyone for Anya Anything Goes

Red, white and blue Anya and blog candy win

It's time for one of my favourite Winter stamps again and she's not pink or purple! The challenge at Anyone for Anya is to use the colours of your national flag so here's Anya in red, white and blue with glitter. The flowers is a Hero Arts poinsettia with a ribbon and pearl flower in the centre. I decided to keep this card clean and simple so I didn't overpower the image set on glitter card. The sketch is from Mojo Monday. The challenge at Roses on Paper and Sassy Designs is Christmas. It's Susie's first challenge and as we all seem to be bust making Christmas cards you should be all be able to enter this one. There's a stash of craft goodies up for grabs.

Talking of craft goodies I receive my blog candy win from Judith today. I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the box as there was so much more than I expected. Judith had a craft room clearout and sent me an fantastic box of papers, stamps, brads etc. I was amazed she had so much unopened stash. I couldn't fit it all into the photo but this gives you some idea.

I'm sorry I haven't had time to do much bloghopping this week but I'll try to catch up you all as soon as I can.

Snow Anya in purple

This is Christmas card number 51 and my favourite so far. I just love these rich colours of pinks and purples. The image is Anya, coloured with PMs with glitter for fur and layered onto glitter card.

No idea where the background paper came from but the others are Basic Grey and DCWV. The strip has been punched with my MS star punch. Snowflakes are Sizzix and Cuttlebug and the large swirl is Sizzix. All of these were cut from glitter card so she certainly sparkles. Spacer, brad and bling from stash.

Hope you are all getting on well with your Christmas cards. I've got the day off on Monday so looking forward to a whole day of cardmaking. Have a good weekend.

Challenges
Anyone for Anya Sketch
Winter Wonderland Open theme
Creative Card Crew Snowflakes
Simon Says All that Sparkles

Anya in Autumn Colours

This little beauty was one of the images from my blog candy win which made paper piecing her hat a challenge. As I don't have the stamp I had to cut the hat from one image and draw around it on the spotted paper and then cut that out. I think it's the first time I've ever tried paper piecing and I really like the result. I added a gold padded bow from my stash, drew faux stitching around the image, coloured with PMs, papers are Papermania and Craftwork Cards, as is the sentiment.

Challenges are:

Sketch Saturday sketch

One Stop Craft Birthday

Anyone for Anya Paper Piecing

Cupcake Buttons and stitching

Roses on Paper Use another sketch and orange, green and brown

Creative Card Crew Scallops

Paperplay Favourite embellishment (Flowers)

CRAFT 1 ribbon, 2 buttons and 3 papers

Lavender, soft blue and cream Anya

I've had a busy week at work this week and had to work over my normal hours the last 2 days so am behind again with catching up with blogland. Just one card to post today and then I'll check out what's been happening with you all.

What a lot of colour challenges this week. I love this one from Roses on Paper. Anya is coloured with Promarkers and I decided to give her auburn hair just to give these lovely soft colours some zing. I used pastel yellow, gold and spice for her hair. Papers are mainly Papermania Amethyst Infusion. Flowers are a mix of Hero Arts, Prima and Sizzix die cuts. Hearts and flowers are for Secret Crafter and buttons, bows and brads for Anyone for Anya. D is for Die Cuts at the ABC Challenge.

Anyone for Anya

A couple of quick posts tonight. The first is a lovely Anya image sent to me by Jenny. The very first challenge at Anyone for Anya is sugar and spice and all things nice. Well what could be nicer than shopping if it is for craft stash, of course. She is in my favourite colour for the challenge at Passion for Promarkers. I used all 4 purples and can't wait to get my hands on the new ones that are coming out. You can never have too many purples. The fab sketch is from Crafts 4 eternity. Although it doesn't show up too well on the photo I used my lovely Shimmerz on the flowers for added bling. The zigzag sparkle is Paper Cellar.

I'm dreaming of a pink Christmas!

Now this card is much more detailed. I followed the lovely sketch at I love promarkers and used pink and black for One Stop Craft. The Christmas theme is for Our Creative Corner and Creative Card Crew. At Pollycraft the challenge is my favourite things. My favourite things on this card are the image, Promarkers, snowflakes, pink and black and glitter. The papers are from the new Rose Tinted Christmas pack from DCWV which I couldn't resist buying the other day as I am very short of pink Christmas paper. I cut out, coloured and glittered the image and layered her onto white card embossed with the Cuttlebug snowflakes and layered that onto black glitter card. The pink snowflakes were part of the bling I won on the CRAFT challenge the other week. and the gems and swirls were from stash.

Anya in the Sun

This is my first entry for the Splendid Stamping with the Greeting Farm Challenge. I loved using this sketch for a birthday card for a friend's birthday early next month.
Stamp - Anya Sun
Coloured with Letraset Promarkers, highlighted with glitter pens
Paper - Papermania
Die cuts - Nestabilities
Embellishments - Papermania Monochromatic, purple butterflies cut with X cut punch
Flower - Papermania Monochromatic
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards