Sunday, 20 December 2009

Happy New Year


That's the theme over at Winter Wonderland. This is my first guest DT card for them and my first ever Happy New year card. It was the perfect card to send somebody who has gone to Florida for 3 weeks and returns to England on Boxing Day. There was no point in sending them a Christmas card so a New Year card welcoming them back from holiday is perfect. The image is Popcorn and the first time I have used him. It was such a fun image to colour and I decided to use a combination of reds, blues and gold. It made a real change to use so many colours on one card and should be one of my new year's resolutions to try more. As it is such a big image I kept the card simple by adding some swirls from a pack of die cuts from Michaels in America and some gold gems.

I hope you will join in the fun this week and check out the rest of the DT cards. Join me again there next week.

Thursday, 17 December 2009

Guest DT Moving along with the Times


Here it is, my first card as a guest DT for Moving along with the Times. The challenge is to use Nicki's sketch and a theme of teddy bears. How great a challenge is that if you love bears as much as I do. I was even given this lovely digi image called Roger from Ellephantastic to use on my card. I decided to pick up my colour scheme from the bear, who is coloured with Promarkers. I used an assortment of papers from stash, some freebies, and added a strip of glitter ribbon and used my MS valentine border punch. Sentiment, candy and spotty flower are from Craftwork Cards. Cream flower is Hero Arts and fern punch is MS.

I do hope you'll join in this week's challenge, and every other week of course.

Wednesday, 16 December 2009

Another Christmas card


SECOND POST FOR TODAY

I have been waiting to post this card I made for the challenge at Stamptacular Sunday but couldn't post it until I had given it to my friend today. The image is from Digital Doodling . I used one of my new Nellie die cuts for this. (You can win a set of square die cuts if you enter my candy above.) Papers are all BG Eskimo Kisses, not much of the pack left now, boo hoo.
Have you been entering the Whiff of Joy advent calendar? I just entered for today and found out I have won yesterday's gorgeous guardian angel stamp, aren't I lucky.

Let's play football


The dreaded male Birthday card but this teddy is cute, isn't he. He's one of a set from Personal Impressions. These stamps are such a bargain as you get 5 or 6 stamps for £4.99 a set. The lovely sketch is from Sketch Saturdayand the colour scheme of red, green and white is for Charisma Cardz.

Jude's birthday candy


Jude is celebrating her Birthday on 6 January by giving away some enormous candy. Here's ust some of it!
Stamps from whiff of joy,Pollycrafts and 5 stamps from Stampin up!
Heat Gun
Friskas border punch circle
K & Co 12x12Recycled Pad of Cardstock
Altered art items door hangers ,wee gift boxes ,plaques
chipboard album with jump rings
Ribbons,
Bottle assorted buttons
Prima flowers
Brads
Assorted sheets 6x6 Stampin up Design Papers
Charms
Assorted layering ,matting squares ,circles
Tags
small black flowers,
Brads
Black pack Ribbon
Paper Bags for you to make paper bag albums
Various Me & My Big Ideas 3d embellishments.

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Hot chocolate time


THIRD AND FINAL POST FOR TODAY
It's been so cold today that it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. I'm sitting here drinking hot chocolate from my Christmas mug, just like the girl in this Whiff of Joy image. Although it's a birthday card I used the BG Eskimo Kisses papers as these ones don't really look like Christmas papers. I added a strip of pink glitter down both sides by using double sided tape, which means perfect straight lines of glitter.

The sketch is from Moving along with times. I rotated the strips 90 degrees and moved the image to the right.

Other challenges are
Whiff of Joy Sparkle
Basic grey Cream, pink and blue (plus any other colours)
Die Cut Dreams Glitter me silly

Daisy Crazy


SECOND POST FOR TODAY
A friend asked me to make a good luck card with bright flowers so I thought I would get out this lovely digi image from Sketch and Stamper again. Papers are all Papermania, flowers are Prima. Swirly leaves and corners are Sizzix. I added some flat backed pearls from Quixotic Paperie.
Challenges
Friday Sketchers Sketch
Allsorts Pearls and swirls

Easy Rider


The challenge at Paperplay is movies and books. I thought this retirement card I made for a friend at work who loves motorbikes was perfect for the movie Easy Rider. Digi image is from Charmed. He's also a foorball fan so this paper, from Dovecraft I think, was perfect for the colouring. A fairly simple card as he wouldn't like anything too fussy.

Sunday, 13 December 2009

Merry Christmas to my Hubby


I can't believe how awful the weather is today. It is only 3.20 pm yet I have drawn the curtains as it is so dark and pouring with rain. Much prefer the snow on my blog.

I am feeling so organised as I wrapped the last Christmas pressies this afternoon. I finished my last 2 cards on Thursday and decorated the tree on Friday. I just love to see the lights on the tree, it makes the home feel so cosy. I also have several snowmen who are now all over the lounge along with the cards so I'm feeling ready for Christmas now.

Hubby and I exchanged cards yesterday. He told me his wasn't handmade but handpicked, lol! so I can now share the card I made him. I just love these new bear digi images from Pollyycraft and as I'm lucky enough that he also likes bears, I bought this digi image of Bronson and Beaker skating for his card. Papers are DCWV and I used my new MS punch on the edges. Snowflakes are Siizix and Cuttlebug die cut. Let it snow is also a Sizzix die. Lots of glitter and glitter card and some festive ribbon too. Luckily he loved it. (Thought I'd better not use my fave purple or pink!)
I may have a couple more Christmas cards to share once I know they have been received. Otherwise it will be back to birthdays etc.
Challenges
Pollycraft Sketch
Simon Says Let it Snow
Stamp Something Winter Wonderland
Kraftin' Kimmee Sparkle Baby
Magical Crafts Special Birthday or Christmas Card
Secret Crafter Snow

Saturday, 12 December 2009

Word verification


Simon Says are asking bloggers to turn off their word verification as it takes so much more time when leaving comments. I support this and I know a lot of you out there do too. I had word verification on when I first started my blog but soon turned it off when I realised how annoying and time consuming it is when leaving comments. We all have a limited time to spend and spending it on word verification means less time to comment on other people's blogs.

Please support this campaign and turn off word verification. If you are concerned about receiving spam, then turn on blog owner approval.

Thank you

Wednesday, 9 December 2009

Silent Night


THIRD POST FOR TODAY
Last post for today. Milly from Digistamp Boutique is singing her heart out here, as is the little robin. A different colour combo here from the last 2 posts. I love the multi colours on the backing paper from DCWV and picked out the red and blue as my main colours for the image, ribbon and snowflakes. The red strip is cut using a MS star border punch. The song is a Papermania stamp.
Challenges
Cupcake Sing a Christmas carol
Digital Tuesday Christmas song
Quixotic Seeing stars

Let it Snow


SECOND POST FOR TODAY
Doesn't this Whiff of Joy image look good in pink and purple. I've definitely got a thing for these colours this Christmas but better not use them on hubby's card, which I'll be making tomorrow. My favourite Christmas embellishment just has to be snowflakes and these ones really sparkle and shine. I added glitter to the snowlady and used glitter card for the purple layer. Papers are vellum and DCWV. This card is for the challenge at Stamptacular Sunday which is Let it Shine.

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

Monday, 7 December 2009

My favourite colour


Only 9 more Christmas cards to make thank goodness. This is the lovely teddy from Lili of the Valley cut using mu faithful Nesties. Papers are a mixture of Papermania, DCWV and Debbie Moore vellum. Lots and lots of sparkle including glitter on his hat and sparkly snowflakes, with a spacer and brad.

Challenges:
Lili of the Valley Sketch
Allsorts Purple (How could I resist that challenge, lol)
Incy Wincy Snowflakes
Cute Daisy May Twinkle, twinkle
The Pink Elephant Your favourite Christmas colour combo
Whimsy Die cuts

Sunday, 6 December 2009

Pink snowman


I loved that last pink snowman (or woman) so much I thought I would make another with the other snow image that Christine sent to me. Layered up on one of the square Nellies. papers are DCWV Rose Tinted Christmas (again). I sprinkled the hat with white glitter and used loads of pink glitter on the snowflake and star. A couple of star gems finish off the card.

I can't believe what a fantastic week I am having. I have won 2 more prizes this weekend and had a surprise e-mail from Georgia at Crafty Calendar Challenge inviting me to be a guest designer in January. If you haven't seen this new monthly challenge blog yet then go and check it out.

This card is for the challenge at Stamp Something who want glitzy somethings.

I still have a about a dozen Christmas cards to make so apologies that I don't have much time to visit at the moment. I really appreciate all your comments and will get round to your blogs as soon as I can.

Friday, 4 December 2009

Taking a Tumble

FIFTH AND FINAL POST TODAY. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR OTHER POSTS.
Well, haven't I been a busy girl. Only 3 weeks to Christmas and I' sure I need to make more cards. We need a challenge blog to run a Christmas card challenge every month next year, starting in January and then we might not all be rushing to finish them in December. If you've finished yours, well done you. Friends wanted me to make some for them so I sold 90 cards which is why I am still making my own as I got theirs finished first. I think that makes a total of 138 I've made so far.

This morning was awful, pouring with rain, but thank goodness the sun came out this afternoon so I could get some decent photos of my cards. This fab image was sent to me by Christine in Canada. Christine is one of my first and most loyal followers and I couldn't wait to colour up this snowman. I added some glitter on the snow, various snowflakes and a charm. Papers are all DCWV except the spots which was a freebie.

Challenges
Moving along with the times Heidi's sketch and hidden message. I loved this sketch as it has so many papers. I rotated the sketch 90 degrees and the strips and embellies 180 degrees as it fitted with the image and hidden message better. My hidden message is here.

I love Promarkers Spots and stripes. I even found a striped snowflake charm.
A spoon full of sugar non traditional Christmas colours
Crafty Calendar Challenge Winter Sparkle
Simon Says So charming
Quixotic Be charming
By the cute and girly Let's go to the movies. I really wanted to use this image for this challenge and first thought of Downhill Racer, then The Accidental Tourist but neither seemed quite right. Then I got it - Pretty in Pink. Who knows it could be a snowlady rather than a snowman.

I'm off to catch up with some of you now and then write some cards so I can see how many more I need to make. Have a great weekend and happy crafting.
Marianne x

Little Angel


FOURTH POST TODAY
Isn't this little image sweet. I thought it was time for a blue card so here he is. I added some ribbon, a bow and buttons from stash and a couple of sparkly snowflakes.
Challenges are Sassy Designs Buttons and bows and La La Land Buttons.

Forever Friends


THIRD POST FOR TODAY
A really Christmassy feel to these colours of red, green and silver for the challenge at Crafty Catz. Papers are DCWV and Dovecraft. I added some glitter to his hat, some swirly corners cut from glitter card using a Sizzix die and some gems for a symmetrical look. The scalloped circle is another Nellie die.

Back to purple


SECOND POST FOR TODAY
When I saw the challenge at Colour Create included purple I thought that's a challenge for me. They also want aqua, black and white. Papers are DCWV and BG (again!). Sophie is a Digistamp boutique image and the little snowmen are some glitter rub ons I bought in America along with the glittery snowflakes. The aqua paper is cut using my new oval Nellie multi die.

Milly and snowman


I resisted colouring Milly from Pink Gems in purple or pink and went with the traditional colours of red green and gold for the challenge at Stampin' for the weekend and swirly girly at Cute Card Thursday. Papers are BG Eskimo Kisses. I'm surprised I've got any left as I seem to use them every day at the moment. I added some glitter to the snowman's hat and some red glitter holly leaves ad snowflakes. Some gold gems and snowflake confetti finish off this simple card.

Thursday, 3 December 2009

I'm so excited


SECOND POST FOR TODAY
I'm so excited that I can hardly type the right letters. I checked today's challenges and not only have I been chosen as a guest designer with the lovely girls at Moving along with the times but I also won the challenge at The Sugar Bowl so 7, yes that's right 7 fabulous Sugar Nellie stamps will be coming my way, yippee.

I bought my this Whiff of Joy stamp a little while ago and this is only the third time I have used it. I absolutely love the image but am never totally satisfied with my colouring. This is my best effort so far so hopefully they will keep improving. There is such a lot of dress on this image and there are some gorgeous colourings out there in blogland. I'll just keep practicing. As it is such a large image I decided to cut her into an oval for a change.

This is the first time I have tried weaving my papers, which of course are BG Eskimo Kisses again. I decided to keep the embellies to a few snowflakes to show off the image and papers. Weaving is the challenge at Stamptacular Sunday. I like the effect so I think I'll try that again.

Little angel


It's that little angel Henry from Whiff of Joy looking like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth on this Christmas card. Papers are all DCWV, swirl and holly are cut using glitter card and a Sizzix die. The lovely sketch is from Papertake and the challenge of angels and fairies is at Crafty Catz.

Tuesday, 1 December 2009

Bridget says get well soon


Say hello to Bridget, a very cute bear from Pollycraft. I just loved the Friday freebie a couple of weeks ago so much that I had to buy some of these bears. My oldest and dearest friend has had a nervous breakdown. I went to see her this afternoon and thankfully she is starting to get better. She is a big fan of my cards and my best customer so I took this card along with some flowers. I followed the sketch at One Stop Craft. The card is also for the Whimsy challenge who want one colour cards.

I'm doing much better this week for some reason in getting my cards done in good time and not leaving the challenges to the last minute.

Monday, 30 November 2009

Teddy bringing pressies


SECOND POST FOR TODAY
I've gone for the traditional red and green with this one and really like it with this sweet teddy bear from Lili of the Valley. His fur is covered with glitter flocking. I used my Nellie die cut again. Papers are Papermania and Dovecraft. I added some foam ribbon, Hero Arts poinsettias and some more of those sparkly snowflakes.
Challenges
Creative Inspirations Sketch
Kraftin Kimmie Touchy feely
Cupcake Red and Green
Incy Wincy Red and Green
Stamp with fun Christmas
The Pink Elephant Color me wonderful (use your favourite colouring medium)

Purple Snowflake


I love this Sugar Nellie image called Snowflake but this is only her second outing. Doesn't she look good in purple. I cut her out with my new Nellie multi die and even remembered to ink the edges before I stuck her on the card. I decided to go with no glitter but just used my Sakura stardust pen along with my beloved Promarkers of course. Just for a change I added some buttons to the sparkly snowflakes and some lovely purple gems.
Challenges
Magical Crafts Sketch
Allsorts
Crafty Cardmakers Alternative Christmas (any colour but red/green/gold)

Sunday, 29 November 2009

Keeping warm


SECOND POST TODAY.
I tend to stick with one or two main colours on a card but taking my inspiration from the colours in these BG Eskimo Kisses papers I decided to go with a more colourful card. The image is Whiff of Joy coloured with Promarkers. I added some glitter, a couple of poinsettias and a sparkly snowflake.
Challenges
Basic Grey Sketch
Whiff of Joy Christmas

Reflection


The weather was awful this morning, dark and pouring with rain. We had planned a day indoors today anyway and I managed to get another four Christmas cards made and hope to make some more later when we've wrapped the Christmas pressies. I felt so far behind this year but am now catching up. Hope you are too.
This image from Elzybells always makes me smile. I added some Shimmerz to the bauble and thought the branches looked a bit bare when I remembered some bauble stickers I had from my pre-stamping cardmaking. This card is for the challenge of Christmas at Charisma and Christmas trees at Secret Crafter.

Friday, 27 November 2009

Puppy Love and another award



THIS IS MY THIRD POST TODAY. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR OTHER POSTS.
I managed to get three cards made last night whilst hubby read the paper and watched TV. I love this image from Lili of the Valley. I used the lovely sketch from Moving along with the Times , who also have theme of animals, and the colour scheme of brown and blue for the challenge at A Spoon full of sugar. This image has a lovely old fashioned feel about it and the papers are from K & Co. I inked the edges of the image, the papers and the flowers for a vintage look forPassion for Promarkers. Puppy love is the challenge at Die Cut Dreams.

I received another lovely award from Kazabing. Thanks Kaz.


These are the blog award "rules."

1. Copy the award to your site
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award
3. Identify seven things about myself.
4. Nominate 7 other bloggers
5. Link to those on your blog
6. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.


1. I have been a bookworm ever since I could read. As soon as I finish a book I have to know that I have another to start.
2. I am a big fan of Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet and friends in the 100 Acre Wood.
3. I love holidays in America. I have been to Florida 7 times, New England 3 times and New York once. I would love to explore more of both the USA and Canada.
4. I love to snuggle up next to hubby on the sofa on a Saturday night and watch a movie on our home cinema system. So much cosier than a cinema.
5. I hate the taste of tea.
6. I once booked a 10 day holiday in Austria and entered a competition as part of the booking and won back the cost of one week.
7. My favourite current TV programme is Spooks.

I would like to give this award to (in no particular order)

Lynsey
Christine
Lisa
Jo
Thread-bare
Jacqui
Debby

I hope to see this award on all your blogs and learn 7 things about you.

A Birthday Card for a change


SECOND POST FOR TODAY
I have an order for 3 Birthday cards and managed to make one of them last night and here it is. The beautiful image is from a set by Inkadinkadoo (I think)which I bought in America. Coloured with PMs and added some glitter and gems. I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday. In order to fit it on a tall card I rotated the image but left the rest of the sketch as it was. Other challenges are a recipe of 3 patterned papers, 2 coloured card and 1 type of embellie at La la Land and 3 patterned papers and a stamp at Polka Doodle. Hopefully you can just see the third paper behind the sentiment. Tall cards are a challenge in themselves sometimes but I really like them for a change and this image wouldn't fir in a square card.

Smart snowman


A simple card made using one of The Snowman stamps. Doesn't he look smart with his tie and braces. I added some glitter to his tie , some more of that lovely glittery zigzag and some snowflakes.
Challenges
ABC I is for Indigo Blue
Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Sketch