New challenge blog

Just a quick post to tell you about a new challenge blog starting 1 March. It is Just Tracys. They also have a DT call out so if you fancy having a go hop over there. I won't be applying but look forward to joining in the challenges.

Sneak peek number 3

Here I am with another sneak peek of the new SWALK stamps from Crafter's Companion. I made an easel card for a change, in my favourite purple. Papers are all from the SWALK CDs. I added some embossed card using the music Cuttlebug embossing folder. I kept the embellies very simple on this one. Don't forget to tune in on Saturday to Create and Craft to see more of these samples and check out the rest of the DT too.

Sneak peek 2

Well what an interesting and useful day I had yesterday attending a course on using Adobe Photoshop. I have been using Photoshop a bit but never understood most of it. I just need time to practice now. This is my second sneak peek of the new Crafter's Companion SWALK images and probably my favourite. I love the sentiment which I stamped around the image and used an 8" x 8" card. Papers are all from the SWALK CDs. Isn't that shoes and handbag paper sweet and so girly. Flowers are from Crafty Emma's and Wild Orchid. The triple organza bow was made using the bow easy.
I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Sarah Hurley Die cuts
Totally Papercrafts Friendship
Kaboodle Doodle Break out that ribbon stash
Pear Tree Designs Free for all

An award

I’ve been tagged with the Love Blog

Mandy Fox has very kindly awarded me this accolade. Thank you so much Mandy.

There are a couple of conditions for the award – explanation and instructions follow:
You have been TAGGED and want to participate? Then create a post where you post the 'LOVE BLOG' image. You should also blog the persons link that gave you the award and inform her/him that you accept the award. You can then choose 3 - 5 favourite blogs which you also link in your post, then each blogger will inform you that they have been tagged....

Dear bloggers:
The aim of this action is that we bring good blogs to light, so I would ask you not to blog fellow bloggers that already have 3,000 followers. As always, the hardest part is to pick who to pass this on to, there are so many bloggers I could give it to, so . . .the 5 I have chosen, in no particular order are......

Lynsey
Lisa
Fiona
Vixx
Debby

You have been TAGGED and want to participate? Then create a post where you post the 'LOVE BLOG' image. You should also blog the persons link that gave you the award and inform her/him that you accept the award. You can then choose 3 - 5 favourite blogs which you also link in your post, then each blogger will inform you that they have been tagged.....
I hope you will accept this award....

New SWALK stamps sneak peek

For all those SWALK lovers out there comes some good news. This Saturday sees a releaseof 6 new stamps and you can see them all on Create and Craft. Papers are from the previous SWALK CDS. Th sentiment comes with the stamp along with a few flower images. I added a couple of mulberry flowers to her bouquet and some lace. Flowers were made using a Marianne die which comes with the doiley die. There are sneak peeks from the DT all week and from Saturday you can buy them at Crafter's Companion.

One of my favourites

This is one of the first SN stamps I ever bought and she is still one of my favourite images. I always try to play along at The Sugar Bowl as they have such great sketches and when I saw the challenge of pink and purple at Creative Card Crew thought they would fit perfectly together. The sketch at the Sugar Bowl has wings behind the image and I was puzzling over what to add to the papers, which are some of my favourite Papermania Capsule collection when I remembered I had some feathers which fitted the sketch perfectly. How many of you have feathers amongst your stash that never see the light of day? I just added 3 gems and didn't feel any further embellies were needed as the punched papers are so lush. I would also like to enter this into the challenge of stamp it out at Paperplay.

Love is in the air

Lots of DT work to do so its a quick post from me with a couple of anniversary cards to share. I'll hopefully have more time for commenting soon. Thanks to those of you have left me comments lately. I see that I have lost 3 followers since I drew my candy. Aren't people funny, I never stop following anyone. Anyway onto my cards. The first one is another of those gorgeous LOTV images with 2 of their sentiments. I went with a bright colour scheme for a change. Papers are Henbury Lane with an off piece of heart paper. All coloured with Promarkers with Sakura gold and white souffle pens for accents. Love Grows has been coloured with Broken China distress ink ad gold pen. I didn't have any red roses so I coloured some white ones from Wild Orchid with a red Promarker and added punched fern leaves and pearls.

Challenges:
ABC Sketch and N is for Nesties (4 on this card)
Lili of the Valley Romance
By the cute and girly Red is all around us
Crafty Creations My love is like a red, red rose
CES Red and romance

The second card is one I made for Lynsey, whose anniversary was on Thursday. I posted it first class on Tuesday and wasn't pleased that it didn't arrive until Friday. Isn't that bad, within the same county. I even took it to the Post Office as I was pretty sure it would be a large letter, which of course it was. The image is from Wild Rose, papers are Prima and Laura Ashley. The border punch is an MS one I bought in America. I haven't seen that one for sale here.

Challenges:

Cupcake Old Macdonald had a farm
Simon Says Love is in the air
Sir Stampalot All Creatures great and small
Crafty Purple Frog Valentines or Love
Crafty Calendar Love

Have a great weekend everyone. We're off to the theatre tonight for a meal and a show, Hairspray.

Reach for the stars

This is my second DT card today. This week at Winter Wonderland Lynsey has the DT reaching for the stars. I thought my new SN stamp, which funnily enough was a Christmas pressie form Lynsey, was just perfect for this challenge. I've got stars galore on this card from the Cuttlebug embossing, the MS border punch, the Sizix die to the starry papers. I added glossy accents to his sunglasses. Our sponsor this week is Craftbulee so I hope you will play along.
I am also entering this card into the following challenges:
Stamp with fun Fab sketch
CES Bold and bright
The Crafty Pad Something for the boys

SFTW DT card

Our challenge at Stampin’ for the Weekend this fortnight is Valentines so the Teddy Romeo stamp from LOTV has come out again. I used my new Marianne doiley die, MS heart and border punches and inverted scallop Nestie. I kept the colour scheme to red, black and white and felt it didn't need any further embellishment making it suitable for males or females. Our sponsor this time is Simon Says so hope to see you playing along.

Crafter's Companion Tutorial

Some of you may have seen this card on some of the Create and Craft TV programmes launching Appley Dapply. I have been asked how you make this shape of easel card and today you can see my tutorial on the Crafter’s Companion News, Views and Inspirations blog.

Spring coloured fairy and blog candy winners

There's a lovely sketch at Cute Card Thursday and the challenge of Spring at Moving along with the times. Now when I think of Spring colours the first colour that comes to mind is yellow, not one of my favourite colours to use but I found these papers which contain a soft yellow. They are Papermania Honey and Hugs and Summer Blooms. The shaped card is from Craftwork Cards. The fairy is one of the new LOTV images, coloured with Promarkers with lots of added glitter of course. Flowers are Prima and ribbon flowers from Mei flower.

I would also like to enter my card into the following challenges:
Flutter By Wednesday Anything goes
I love Promarkers Anything goes
Lili of the Valley Shaped card
Crafts 4 Eternity Polka dots
Magical Monday Flowers
2 Sisters Girls just wanna have fun

And the moment you have all been waiting for which is the winner of my blog candy. Firstly I would like to say a huge welcome to all my new followers. Some of you have left me such lovely comments about my blog and my cards, so thank you. I hope you will continue to follow me and hop over whenever you have time.

I was amazed at the number of entries, 268, and random org has chosen
That's you, Donna Mosley. As promised there is a small surprise candy for a second lucky person and that is Sam/Whisper.
Please e-mail me ladies so I can get your candy in the post to you.

Holiday candy

To enter my candy draw please click here.

Hot chocolate

We've actually had a bit of sunshine for a change today but it still very cold so a perfect day for some hot chocolate. I haven't used this WOJ image for far too long. I used those BG Capella papers again as they matched the colour challenge of chocolate, teal and cream at Whiff of Joy. Flowers are Prima with some of the sweetie brads I got for Christmas. I love these and have been very good in using them, not just hoarding them because they are so tactile. A few teal pearls to finish.
I would also like to enter this into the following challenges:
Papertake Fab sketch
Crafty Catz Flowers
Secret Crafter Hot chocolate

Congratulations

A quick post from me this afternoon as I need to crack on making my samples for Crafter's Companion and a Birthday card for a friend. It's another of those cute SWALK images which is coloured with Promarkers and sprayed with Crafter's Companion spray and sparkle after I added glitter to the champagne bubbles. Papers are BG Euphoria, swirls made with a Sizzix die and added pearls.
Challenges:
CES Bold and bright
Stamptacular Whateva
Totally Gorjuss As you like it
Kaboodle Doodles Bling it up
Passion for Promarkers Let it shine

Winter Wonderland DT card

Yeah, my networked blog settings worked and yesterday's blog post appeared on my FB page. This has all taken so much time this week and with so many cards to make for the Crafter's Companion launches I feel I have really neglected my blogging buddies. I'm trying to comment as much as I can so pleas forgive me if I haven't visited as much as usual.

This week at Winter Wonderland is an exciting one as we introduce the new DT's work to you. Both teams are playing along and then from next week the teams will alternate beginning with my team. Team co-ordinator of the other team is Kate and she has set us the challenge of My Sentiments Exactly. Kate has also shown that not only is she a talented cardmaker but also shows off her computer skills as she has designed the new logos and header. We welcome a new sponsor this week, Sentiments 4 You, who gave the team some digi sentiments to play with. The main focus of your card must be a sentiment but it does not have to be a Christmas card. I chose to use this lovely circle Let it Snow and sprayed it with Crafter's Companion Spray and Sparkle. I teamed it with snowflake papers, sparkly snowflakes and gems.

Another Valentine

I love this image so much that I just had to make another card wit it. I am over the moon today to find that my last card I made with this image was chosen as one of the top 3 at LOTV, woo hoo. I also won a prize of 3 digis in the Birthday celebrations at Paper Sundaes. So onto my card. I used the gorgeous BG Capella papers and a very different colour scheme from my normal choices. Flowers are Prima with Wild Orchid roses. If I have figured out the Facebook networked blogs correctly then this post will eventually appear on my FB page, so fingers crossed.

Challenges:
Sketch n Stash (new stash are the papers and the stamp)
The Pixie Cottage Flowers
Charisma Valentines/ Love
Crafty Sentiments My favourite things (DPs, LOTV stamps, flowers, ribbon, MS punches)
Paperplay Layer it up
Basic Grey Flower Power

Teddy Romeo

I've just joined Facebook so yet another challenge in finding my way around it. It does amuse me asking people to be your friends, reminds me of infant school. However if you'd like to be my friend on FB then I'd like to be yours. I'm not sure I shall have a lot of time to spend on it but just setting it up has meant my blogging has suffered so apologies for my lack of commenting the last couple of days. I'm on a marketing course tomorrow all day so hope it is interesting.

It's another LOTV image for this Valentine's card, Teddy Romeo. Papers are Prima Fairy Flora. I dug out my heart embossing folder. That's another resolution, do more embossing. Flowers are Wild Orchid and Mulberry Crafts. I used the fab sketch at Friday Sketchers and would also like to enter it into the challenge of anything goes at Teddy Stampers and Valentine at A spoon full of sugar.

Birthday fairy

This is my second post for today and this time I have used one of my favourite Pollycraft fairies. There is a gorgeous sketch at ABC Challenge where M is for Magical. I love sketches with lots of layers and have used Papermania Capsule and Forever Friends pink parfait. The colour scheme was inspired by the pastel challenge at Pollycraft. It was a bit challenging getting the lace through the loops but effective. The papers are so pretty that I kept the embellies to a minimum with pearls and a punched butterfly. Lots of glitter on the fairy of course. You can't have a fairy without glitter, can you.

I would also like to enter this into the challenge of pink and girly at Do it with digis, Birthday girl at Sarah Hurley and angels and fairies at CES.

Penny Black Valentine

I used the lovely sketch at The Pixie Cottage for this Valentine's card. The hedgies are Penny Black of course, papers are Papermania Simply Elegant (not much of this pack left now) and Dovecraft Piece of Cake. Flowers are Prima with an MS punched heart and pearls. Th Kiss sentiment is Inkandinkado. You could win one of these in my candy. I would also like to enter this into the challenge at Sweet Stampin of clear as mud (brown plus one) and Totally Papercrafts of add a heart.

Floating around

Did you manage to catch any of the Appley Dapply launch programmes on Create and Craft yet? It was so exciting to see my cards on the TV. I have had another parcel with yet more new products so start saving your pennies because these are delish.

Something different to show you today. As well as using up some of my papers I am determined to use some other stash this year as well. When I first spotted this topper in Sainsburys it was £2.99! All it had with it was 4 squares with buttons so rather expensive I though but very cute. Some time later browsing in the store I found them reduced to 25p so bought a couple. I have used the squares and the toppers were still sitting amongst my unused stash so I decided to use one for a change. Papers are K&Co Hopscotch punched with an MS zigzag punch. Ribbon and buttons to finish. Cute, I think.

Challenges:

Allsorts Card for a male
A Spoon full of sugar Blue and green
Cute Card Thursday 1,2,3 (mines I image, 2 papers, 3 buttons)

Winter Wonderland

This week at Winter Wonderland it is my turn to host the challenge and introduce you to the new DT members who will be joining us next week. My challenge is pink and purple and I have used this sweet SN girl. I sprayed the image with Crafter's Companion spray and sparkle and as you can see there is a lot of sparkle going on with this card. Papers are Henbury Lane. The gorgeous layered white flowers are K & Co.

I do hope you'll play along as you could win 4 digis from this week's fab sponsor -

Valentine Cards

This is my second post for today. Scroll down for another sneak peek.

My first Valentine card was made using one of the new Teddy Bo digi images. I just love these images and this one is called Made With Love. He must really love her to wear that jumper, lol! The papers are BG Capella. They are such soft colours, these papers, with a slightly distressed look. I added to the look with distress ink. I used a die cut swirl and pearls rather than flowers so that this card could be used for a male or female.

Challenges:
Teddy Bo Anything goes
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Love is in the air
Creatalicious Love (and use ribbon)
Delicious Doodles Use 3 colours (peach, cream and brown)
Incy Wincy Bears, bears, bears
Passion for Promarkers All you need is love
Papertake Ribbonsand pearls
I love Promarkers KISS (keep it sweet and simple)
Penny's Challenge Anything Goes
Sketch Saturday
Secret Crafter With love

The second is very vibrant and a complete contrast. The papers are Prima Fairy Flora. I used a MS deep edge corner punch and added pearls. These sweet mice are Penny Black of course. I decoupaged the flower and used my new inverted scallop circle Nesties (the same ones as in my candy). I used the border punch to match the corners on the horizontal paper strip.
Just a couple of challenges for this one though of course it would fit many of the above challenges too. I used the fab sketch at Friday Sketchers and would like to enter it into Penny Black at Allsorts All you need is love

Crafter's Companion

You can find the blog hop post here.

Another sneak peek

Here's another sneak peek from the new Beatrix Potter Appley Dapply CD and stamp set. She is another of the decoupage sets from the CD. I just love the colour of these papers, so vibrant. The flowers were made with a Marianne die cut and more papers from the CD. I threaded ribbon through the flowers, which was rather fiddly, but worth the effort I think. I think they would be easier to thread with card rather than paper. Some die cut swirls and card candy to finish. Tune in to Create and Craft at noon tomorrow to see the full range.

A fairy and another sneak peek

Before I use the stamp of this sweet LOTV fairy I thought I would use the last of the squares of this image. The challenge at CES is no DPs. So setting all those beautiful papers aside I used card to match the colours of the image and embossed with flowers. My fave raffia lace has been out again along with some ribbon I picked up in Michaels. Flowers are Prima with some more of those sweetie brads, 1 glittery and 1 velvet, and some punched fern leaves. I would also like to enter this into the Bingo challenge at Simon Says. My card meets the requirements of 3 lines, brads, flowers, ribbon; lace, flowers, embossing; punch, embossing, ribbon.

The second card is a tri shutter and is another sneak peek from Crafter's Companion Appley Dapply CD and stamp set. I used the 2 guinea pig images and the sentiment which reads All dressed up with places to go. I added a doodle and used a Nestie die cut. Papers are all from the CD. I kept the embellies simple as this would make a great male card. I just added some punched and glittered foam stars.

I would like to enter this into the challenge of anything but a square at Stamptacular, a shaped card at The Creative Cottage and cuddly at Totally Gorjuss.

A wedding and another sneak peek

Two cards for you this morning. I love making Wedding cards and this is the first time I have used this sweet SN image. I was inspired with the colour scheme from the gorgeous HOTP Joy's Vintage papers and gave him a burgundy suit to match.
That new PATP deep edge set have been out again as has the raffia lace. I added some silver heart pins, Prima flowers and a Wild Orchid rose and some heart gems and pearls.
Challenges:
Sugar Bowl Great sketch
Stamp Something Anything goes
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Love is in the air
Cute Card Thursday Monochrome
Passion for Promarkers All you need is love
Pear Tree Designs Free for all
Paperplay Cutie Patootie
Cupcake Weddings

The second card is another skneak peek from the new Crafter's Companion CD and stamp set. This time I used the stamps combined with papers from the CD. The strips were cut with a MS deep edge border punch, flowers are Prima with brads and punched fern leaves.

Mickey and Minnie

Firstly welcome to all my lovely new followers and thank you so much for your sweet comments. This is my second post for today and it's a layout for a change. This is one of the photos we took on our recent holiday to Florida. As soon as I set it as a desktop background I felt it was crying out for a scrapbook page. The photo was taken at a show which is all about believing that dreams can come true. The sketch at Everybody Art was rotated and became perfect for the photo. The background paper is HOTP and the blue is K&Co. I bought a die cut mat pad from K&Co in America and used it to layer the pic. Words are rub ons and I added some of my fave raffia lace and MS punched hearts to keep this CAS. I am always tempted to add more to scrapbook pages but have to remind myself that the pic must be the focus of the page.

I would also like to enter it into the following challenges:
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Love is in the air
Sweet Stampin Use a photograph
Secret Crafter With love
Crafts 4 Eternity Colour challenge
Moving along with the times Make your dream come true

Sneaky peek number 2

Here is my second decoupaged card from the new Crafter's Companion CD and stamp set - Appley Dapply. This is another A5 card but this time I have used a frame decoupage. Papers are from the CD. Sentiment is from the stamp set and could apply to both the knitted item and the card. Don't forget to play along with the blog hop for a chance to win this set plus more.

Crafter's Companion Blog Hop and a sneak peek

Welcome to the Crafter’s Companion Blog Hop to celebrate the release of Beatrix Potter: Appley Dapply’s Nursery Rhymes CD and stamp set. If you have landed here from Lynsey then you are hopping in the right direction. If not then you need to pop over to Crafter’s Companion News Blog to begin.

Our DT have had a great time creating with the new range from Crafter’s Companion and to celebrate the launch of this stunning new collection on Friday 21st January we have decided to give you a chance to see some Sneak Peeks and also have the chance of winning the fabulous prize of The Appley Dapply’s Nursery Rhymes CD and stamp set, plus a pack of watercolour card and a tin of 12 Derwent Watercolour pencils!

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning this great prize is visit each blog in order, and then go back to the Crafter’s Companion News Blog to leave your link on Mr Linky. Along the way you will notice that each Blog will give you a letter - make a note of these as they will make a word which we will ask you for if your number is drawn by Random.Org on Thursday 20th.

PLEASE DO NOT TELL US WHAT THE WORD IS ON THE CRAFTER’S COMPANION NEWS VIEWS AND INSPIRATION BLOG, WE WILL E-MAIL YOU FOR THE ANSWER IF YOUR MR LINKY NUMBER IS DRAWN.

Now onto my card which was made using papers and decoupage from the CD. This is my first ever decoupaged card. It isn't something I have ever fancied doing before but I was surprised how much I enjoyed making this card. I used another of my new MS deep border punches. I haven't seen this punch before. It was packaged as a holiday punch so had 40% off. I have no idea what it has to do with Christmas but was very happy with the price.

My letter is: W and your next stop on the hop is Lisa.

We hope you enjoy seeing the sneak peeks – thanks for hopping!

Snow is falling

No, thank goodness snow isn't falling here in Norfolk, only on my card. This week at Winter Wonderland Kate has given us the fun challenge of Paws for Thought. Now don't forget you don't have to make a Christmas card as long as you follow the theme. I decoupaged the cat and added lots of snowflakes and a snowflake charm to add to the snowy feel. WE have had a fantastic response to the DT call but if you haven't entered yet and would like to you still have until midnight tonight to enter, so don't delay.

I would also like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers Red and a die cut
Stamp with fun Snow
CES All creatures great and small

You may have noticed that I said I had been working on some cards this week for a new launch by Crafter's Companion. Well I have some exciting news. There will be a blog hop starting this Sunday and I will be participating. There is a great prize on offer so be sure to check out my post on Sunday. There will also be some sneak peeks of the new products starting on Monday.