Up, up and away

Something different to share with you today. I just love scrapbooking but never seem to find the time to create layouts. Reading my Docrafts mag yesterday I thought I really should find more time for layouts as I have so many photos I want to use. As the journalling says this was our first time in a tethered hot air balloon and this is the highest one in the world I believe. It was an absolutely wonderful experience. A beautiful clear day meant we could see for miles and I was so glad I went up in it as I was a little nervous about it. 

Although I love it I do find starting a page quite daunting as I have 12" x 12" albums. I sorted through my 12 x 12 papers as I knew I had bought the Crafty Bitz balloon paper recently, reduced to 20p, as it would go so well with this photo. I wanted to keep most of the colours fairly muted so used the brown HOTP papers. The title was made with some old rub ons from Poundland. I added a bit of distressing with torn paper and the star cut with a Sizzi die from Core'dinations which I sanded and added a brad. I've tried something new with the ribbon and really like the result. I made a frame for the photo by debossing some Core'dinations with swiss dots and sanding and added some wooden star buttons which I bought in America. I must try to find some more of these. The journal note is Papermania Persimmon.

Challenges:

Stampalot Frame it up

By the Cute and Girly All things bright and beautiful

Dream Valley Buttons

Try it on Tuesday Anything Goes (What a Wonderful World)

Fab n Funky Hard to make

I've got the bug now so plan to take more time out to make more layouts this Winter.

Sitting Pretty

Here's the first of my new Simply Sassy girls, Tiffany, and isn't she gorgeous. I just love her tights with the hearts. She is coloured with Promarkers. Papers are Echo Park Walk in the Park, with edges distressed and inked. I added a Sizzix cut corner and some lace. I made the flowers using Core'dinations and a Blossom Nestie die. I cut into the flowers and sanded them, curled them with a cocktail stick and fastened with brads. Sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.

Challenges:

Passion for Promarkers Lovely sketch

DYSU Duo (2 flowers)

Incy Wincy Distressing

Stamps R Us Birthday card

Crafty Sentiments Happy Birthday

I'll also be entering this into the Facebook Sugar Nellie challenge of piece of cake 2.

I've some chores to do but will be back in my craftroom later for more crafting and some blogging.

Cherry Pip

It's my good friend Lynsey's Birthday today and we met for lunch and she opened her card so I can now share it with you. I know how much Lynsey loves this stamp, and hadn't bought it, so it's Cherry Pip's first outing. She is of course from Sugar Nellie die cut with a Nellie die. They have so many fab new stamps. I have more just waiting to be coloured. Lynsey's fave colour is pink and these Prima Sweet Fairy papers are so gorgeous. I added some lace from Wild orchid, card candi and sentiments from Craftwork Cards attached with a brad, a tiny star gem to her handbag and some gems to finish.

Challenges:

The Sugar Bowl 2nd entry for this fab sketch

My Mum's Craft Shop Boys and girls

Stamptacular Just Sayin'

The Crafty Pad Diamonds are a girl's best friend (add bling)

Wags n Whiskers Lace

CES Embellish me more (at least 4 different types of embellie)

One Stop Girlie

Simon Says Dies to die for

I will also be entering this into the Facebook Sugar Nellie Piece of Cake 2 Challenge.

Let's play ball

Here I am today with another unused digi image. Mind you I did only buy this about a month ago. It's a Pollycraft boy from the Swings and Slides set 2. I teamed him with papers from Wild Rose, the spotty paper is form the old Dovecraft men's set. I used an MS double loop border punch and added some K&Co metal embellies and a 3D die cut foorball and sentiment.

Challenges:

Digital Tuesday People images

Kaboodle Doodles Lots of layers

Paperplay Punches and dies

Crafty Catz Fab sketch

The Corrosive Punches and/or dies

Here Come The Boys Bingo (Die cuts, cute image, metal)

I'm planning on a lot of crafting time today so hopefully will be back later with another card.

Choo Choo

A lovely sunny morning again but will it last? Every day seems the same, sun in the morning and cloud and an odd shower in the afternoon. I had a busy weekend with making samples for Crafter's Companion next launch on Friday and was also out some of the time but I managed to fit in this card yesterday using a Little Claire image. I don't often make shaped cards for men so thought I would with this one for a change. I just cut a 4" x 6" card blank and added the layered image so it sticks up over the card blank. The image is coloured with Promarkers. I added some black raffia lace, spotted ribbon and Sizzix die cut stars. A bit of doodling and a Craftwork Cards sentiment to finish. I've never coloured an image just with greys and black before but it works really well with the train I think.

Challenges:

Little Claire Black and white

Cards for men Anything but square

My Partner in Crafting Crime Planes, trains and automobiles

I love Promarkers Travel/transport

Stamp with Fun Anything Goes

I'm off to do a spot of housework, then some shopping and visit my Mum so not much time for crafting and blogging today. Will have to make up for that tomorrow.

Windswept

This is my second post for today. I'm been very busy working on some DT samples for Crafter's Companion but took some time out this afternoon to play with one of my new Sassies, Windswept. Have you seen the new ones? A couple fell into my basket along with 3 other new stamps. The latest Sugar Nelies are all so gorgeous.  She is coloured with Promarkers. Papers are MME Wild Asparagus which I haven;t used for ages but which are perfect for Autumnal cards. I added some die cut scrolls from a pack from Michaels and some little punched leaves.

Challenges:

The Crafty Pad Goodbye Summer

Sweet Sketch Wednesday Fab sketch

Penny's Fall

Crafty Purple Frog Fall into fall

Delightful Girly girl

And talking of Autumn there are some gorgeous new Autumn images coming soon at Squiggle Stamps where the current challenge is Autumn. Don't forget you don't have to use a Squiggle image to enter the challenge though we'd love it if you do of course.

Bouquet

It's Saturday and that means time for another challenge at Totally Gorjuss where this week there's nothing square about me. I love these circular cards made using a Go Kreate die. I coloured the Fizzy Moon bear with Promarkers and used Sakura pens for some added sparkle along with the gorgeous Prima flowers. The paper is Prima Sweet Fairy. Loving this new paper pad, so many gorgeous colours. This time next week I shall be at the Big Stamp and Scrapbooking Show at Ally Pally. So looking forward to that. Have a great weekend everyone and happy crafting.

Challenges:

Crafty Calender Let sleeping bears lie (any bear image)

Passion for Promarkers Beary special

Sweet Stampin' Flowers

It's the blue fairy

Happy Friday everyone, weekend ahead. Anyone who has been to Disneyworld will recognise my post title from the Wishes fireworks at the Magic Kingdom when the blue fairy saves the day. It's my turn to host the challenge at Winter Wonderland and I have chosen Girly Christmas. We have 2 wonderful sponsors this week, Whimsy Stamps and Sentiments 4 You so I hope you'll join us this week. Christmas is getting frighteningly close.

This is another of my new Sugar Nellie stamps. She is coloured with Promarkers with lots of glitter on the fur. I've used some 12" Craft Creation papers as this is a 8" square card. I decided to distress the edges and then realised how many edges there were! I added some acetate and MS punched snowflakes and pearls.

Challenges:

The Sugar BowlFab sketch

Moving along with the times Sparkle

Cute Card Thursday Anything Goes

CES Magical or spooky

Flutterby Wednesday Open

Papertake Things with wings

A Pirate's life for me

Good morning from a very sunny and warm Norfolk. The mornings and evenings are definitely turning more Autumnal now though. My card today is my DT card for Squiggle Stamps. I've used one of the new Gothkidz Halloween images and wanted to show that a lot of these images are suitable for other occasions. I love this pirate girl and thought she would look perfect coloured in rich purples and grey. The spotty paper is from Craftwork Cards. I used an MS double loop border punch on the grey paper from my scrap stash and placed some white ribbon behind. Sentiment and candi from Craftwork Cards. I've also been doodling some faux stitching again.

Challenges

Creatalicious Anything Goes

Crafty Ribbons Anything Goes

Send a Smile 4 Kids Birthday fun 4 kids

My Mum's Craft Shop Happy Birthday

Simon Says Sing it (Song or Film Title) Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a Pirate's life for me (Pirates of the Caribbean)

Crafty Sentiments Spots and Stripes

Sketch n Stash Use any past sketch

Please hop over to the Squiggle Stamps blog where you will shortly find my post and lots of inspiration from the rest of the DT. Our current Spooky challenge finishes tomorrow. You can find these fab digi stamps at Squiggle Stamps shop. If you haven't entered my candy yet then check out my candy page for the chance to win one of 7 prizes.

We are family and some exciting news

So far it's a beautiful day here, the sun is shining but it's still a bit blowy. I've a pile of ironing to do today but decided to have a bit of time in my craftroom first and make a card. The digi image is from Pollycraft and is called Family. I've been looking through my digis and finding images I've never used and like yesterday's this is a first outing for this gorgeous image. It's so nice to have an image with Dad as well as Mum and baby. The papers are Prima sweet fairy. Did you notice the little fairy on the bottom left hand side? I coloured the image with Promarkers and added some Crealie die cut swirls, pink pearls and flowers from Crafty Emma's Store.

Challenges:

Creative Inspirations Anything Goes

Fab n Funky Bingo (Flower, sentiment, die cuts)

Bunny Zoe Fab sketch

Pollycraft Baby Love

Everybody Art Flowers

Ladybug Crafts Ink Flowers

Allsorts Flowers and swirls

I have 2 lots of lovely news today. Firstly I am very excited that I have been asked to start teaching cardmaking in January at a craft shop in Lowestoft. Secondly I have been asked to stay on as a permanent DT member at Totally Gorjuss. So I am now permanently gorjuss, not just temporarily, rofl! There is a call out for Guest Gorjusettes so if you would like to join this friendly team for 6 months view the sidebar on the blog for details. It really is a lovely team with some great challenges. Call ends 30 September.

Starry starry

I'm back with a second card today, this time using a Pink Gem digi. I printed of some images today and had forgotten I had this little cutie which I am using for the first time. Papers are Papermania Percy and Penelope, which I love. The image is coloured with Promarkers and Sakura goldstar pen. I punched some stars and added some star brads.

Challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge Photo colour inspiration

Digital Tuesday Celebrate the season (any season)

Creative Card Crew Babies

Moving along with the times Great sketch

Humphrey is coming

9pm tonight on Ideal World sees the launch of the double CD set and 12 stamps of Humphrey's Corner Christmas. My last sneak peek is the first sample I made as I couldn't wait to play with my new toy, the fab Grand Calibur. I used the largest Nestie and folded it in half and then used smaller sizes for the paper and matting. Paper, sentiment and topper which I decoupaged are from the CDs.  I added some Crealie die cut swirls and a padded heart I found in my stash. I would like to enter this into the swirls challenge at Craftyhazelnuts. I have been so busy the last 3 days I haven't made a card since Thursday so I am feeling the need for some crafting this afternoon once the housework is done. Catch you later.

Pink ballerina

Here's my second post for today. Please scroll down to see today's Humphrey card. This is my DT card for Whoopsi Daisy where the challenge this week is more than one fold. If you check out the challenge my card is missing at the moment in error but hopefully will be added later. I have used another of Linnie's ballerinas on this side stepper card. The paper is Henbury Lane, flowers are Prima with roses from Michaels. There's a GDT call out at Whoopsi Daisy so if you would like the opportunity to use these images every week and be part of this lovely team then hop over to apply.

Challenges:

Stampin' for the weekend Tickled Pink

Stamp Something Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin' For a teenager

Sparkles White plus one

Only one more sleep to go

Here's today's sneak peek of the new Humphrey CDs which will be launched as Pick of the Day on Ideal World at 9pm tomorrow. Loads of shows on Create and Craft on Wednesday. I know because I have set up my recorder for all of them. My card today is HUGE, well bigger than usual. It's made from an A3 sheet of Centura pearl card from Crafter's Companion folded in half to make an A4 card. The letters are from the CD as is the cute Humphrey pyrimage and the papers. These letters are great as you have the choice of 5 sizes. I used my MS cherish border punch and added some of my fave bunting.

I'm off to the hairdresser this morning but will be back later with my Whoppsi Daisy card which unfortunately has been missed off the DT cards for today's challenge but hopefully that will be rectified by the time I post my card.

Another Humphrey sneak peek

I've scheduled a couple of Humphrey sneak peeks for you as I m out all day on Sunday. This first one was made using one of the Card Companions from the CDs. Everything except the cotton on the buttons comes on one printed sheet. Couldn't be easier.

Another simple card using one of the toppers from the CDs and 2 of the papers. I added some MS punched snowflakes and job done. Simple but very effective I think.

Looking forward to Tuesday's TV launch when you will be able to buy the double CD set and 12 stamps.

What time is it?

Those of you who visit regularly will know that I favour cute images and pretty colours so my card today will come a shock. This is my DT card for Totally Gorjuss where the challenge this week is to create a card for a male. We are sponsored by Crafter's Companion and you could win a £10 voucher to spend at their online store. New Humphrey stamps maybe?

I've really wanted to try one of these steampunk cards and when I went craft shopping a couple of weeks ago bought the mesh, stamp, cog card and Tim Holtz embossing folder. I embossed on Core'dinations and then sanded and tore the edges. The washers are from hubby's toolbox, sentiment Craftwork Cards. I'm sure some of you will love it and some of you will hate it. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out and it's great to get out of your comfort zone sometimes. I'm looking forward to your comments on this one. Please be honest.

Challenges:

Charisma Inspired by a song (Time after Time by Cindy Lauper)

Secret Crafter Inspired by a song (Time after Time by Cindy Lauper)
Try it on Tuesday Monochrome

Have a good weekend everyone. The sun is shining here and it's really warm. Hope these predicted high winds don't do any damage

Best friends

I decided to hop back and share one more card with you today so this is my third posting. It's another of the gorgeous LOTV die cut squares. The papers are some new Prima Sweet Fairy. These papers are all colours and are gorgeous. The text paper says things like making magic everlasting and sprinkling sugar on my world. How cute is that. I am loving my Promarker fine nibs as it allows me to doodle in colours other than black. One of my blogging buddies, Pinky, used brown and blue for her C4E DT card and said she loves this colour combo and doesn't use it enough. I'm the same so resolved to make one today. The flower is a Prima flower with a Wild Orchid flower in the centre. Sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

Challenges:

Crafty Pad Blue and brown

Sweet Sketch Wednesday Great sketch

Crafts 4 Eternity Brown and blue

Lili of the Valley Missing You

CRAFT Children

Autumn leaves

This is my second post today. Please scroll down for today's Humphrey sneak peek. I'm very busy today making some more cards ready to sell (hopefully) on Sunday. I've been making a few with decoupage and LOTV die cuts as I need to get several made and don't have time for colouring them all. These die cuts are great when you need to make several cards. I won't be sharing every card with you or I would never get any more made. I still have to play with layering and embellishing them the same as I would with a stamped image. Th papers are Prima Fairy Flora. I used a set of Nesties to cut the circles and an MS border punch. The wooden flowers are from Kars and were a find in a craft shop whilst I was away last week. They are so cute and just great for colouring as I did here, with Promarkers. You can also add glitter or heat emboss them. Expect to see more of these.

Challenges:

Willow Skechie Another great sketch

Everybody Art Autumn

DYSU Texture

Birthday Sundaes Birthday Card

My Mum's Craft Shop Layer it up

Look out tomorrow for my Totally Gorjuss card which is so different to my normal style I surprised myself.

Sneak Peek 5

Back again with another sneak peek of the new Humphrey range launching next Tuesday on Create and Craft. I used the CDs to make my card today. I wanted to make it as though you are looking through a window so cut a hole in the front and covered it with acetate, surrounded it with a Nellie die cut to look like a window frame. The sentiment is from the topper sheet, Christmas tree is an Anita's topper.

Looking inside

I covered both sides to look like wallpaper and added the cute topper which I layered on red before layering again. I hope my idea of looking through a window has worked.

Challenges:

Creative Inspirations Acetate

Truly Scrumptious Decorate the inside of your card

Scrapbook Sisters Ho Ho Ho

Humphrey sneak peek 4

Here's today's sneak peek of the new Humphrey range which will be launched on Create and Craft next Tuesday. I've used one of the gorgeous new stamps with a stamped sentiment and papers from the CDs. This would make a lovely first Christmas card. I used my new Grand Caliber and large dies which also match the smaller Nestie label dies. The large scroll with holly berries and leaves is a Sizzix die. Flowers were die cut using a Sizzix daisy die with added pearls. The images was coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Challenges:

Crafty Catz Monochromatic

Craft Your Days Away Make your own flowers

Forever Friends Use your dies

Incy Wincy Make your own flowers

Right, gardening and housework to do and then back to the craftroom. Catch you later.

Sneak Peek 3

My sneak peek of the new Humphrey collection today uses papers from the CDs and a stamped image which I cut in half and coloured with Spectrum Noirs. I love making easel cards but haven't tried a double one with one straight and one twisted before. I thought this image would work perfectly with this style of card. I love their expressions and would love to know what they are thinking. I used an MS topiary punch and just added some glitter and buttons. The sentiment is part of the stamp.

Challenges:

Bunny Zoe Easel cards

Sparkles Forum Christmas Santa

Stamps R Us Friendship

Crafty Creations Anything but square

Simon Says Multifold

For Fun Kids at play

Christmas Stamping all year long Fancy schmancy (try something new)

Sideways view

Don't forget to enter the competition to win the 2 CDs and all 12 stamps just click on the elephant on my sidebar. Still plenty of time to enter my candy too by clicking the my candy page at the top of my blog.

Knitted with love

I was away for a few days when the new Sugar Nellie stamps were released but yesterday I had the chance to order some. They are all so cute it was hard to choose but I just had to have this one. I also got a couple of Sassies and Cherry Pip. Ordered yesterday morning, arrived lunchtime, inked up, coloured with Promarkers and made into a card this afternoon. I used some new papers, Wild Rose Wintry Christmas, which are the most beautiful colours. They are all stripes and spots and checks so actually could be used any time of the year but I went for the Christmas option. I used some Core'dinations which I embossed with snowflakes and sanded. I cut the image with a Nestie which was just a little too small so cut part of the heart out before using the Nestie. The sentiment is a Pollycraft digi and I added some patterned card candi and lots of glitter to the fur on her hat and scarf.

Challenges:

The Sugar Bowl Fab sketch and option of for the girls

Sweet Stampin' Anything but a Birthday

Delicios Doodles Fresh start (new stamp and papers)

Aud Sentiments For a girl

Digital Tuesday Fairy wishes (used digital sentiment)

Ladybug Crafts Ink Anything Goes

By the cute and girly All things bright and beautiful

Elephantastic Here come the girls

Christmas Crafting Christmas Sparkle

Sneak peek 2

Here I am again with today's sneak peek of the new Humphrey Christmas double CD. This is from the HO Ho Ho CD and is one of the very useful card companions. The background looks layered but in fact is printed that way. All I had to do was cut out the images, sentiment and tag and make the card. I layered up the image with 3d gel, added some gems and baker's twine and mounted onto pearlescent card and job done. I think these card companions are very effective and great if you need to get some cards made in a hurry without compromising on design and style. Don't forget to enter the competition to win the 2 CDs and 12 stamps. Just click on the Humphrey logo on my sidebar.

Challenges:

DYSU Friendly critters

2 Sisters Friends

Unfortunately I need to do some housework today before coming back into my craftroom. Loads of cards to make this week and still catching up on my blogging. Hello to my new followers and thanks to all those who have entered my candy. If you haven't entered yet just click on the page entitled my candy for the chance to win one of 7 fabulous prizes.

Sneak peek 1 and prize news

Here I am again with my second post for today. We had a lovely few days away in the New Forest. The weather was lovely and we spent a day at the Dorset Steam Fair, which must be the biggest event I have ever been to. So much to see including the most enormous craft tents. Its so interesting to see what other people make. Back to reality today and lots of catching up with you lovely people. Thanks for all your comments on my scheduled posts while I have been away.

This is my sneak peek of the brand new Humphrey's Corner double CD. There are also 12 stamps which will be featured, along with the CDs, on Create and Craft as Pick of the Day on Tuesday 13 September. I have made an 8 x 8 card using papers and decoupage from the CD. I used my MS border punch and added some lovely bright ribbon from Crafter's Companion. The snowflakes were made with a Marianne die and MS punch with an added pearl.

For the chance to win the CDs and all 12 stamps hop over to Crafter’s Companion News Blog where you can find all the details. I'll add the button to my sidebar too which will take you straight there.

Challenges:

Charisma Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday At least one punch

Crafty Ribbons Festive cheer in September

Card Makin Mamas Digi images and/or paper (Al my papers are digi)

Craftyhazelnuts Christmas No sentiment

I also want to remind you that there are loads of prizes to be won at Squiggle Stamps where there is a bloghop going on. As I was away I couldn't join in the hop but you should as it finishes on Wednesday.

And more Squiggle news. Although we would love you to use a Squiggle image you can now play along using any image. The current challenge is Spooky so get out those witches, mummies etc and come and play.

Checking up on all the challenges I found I made top 3 at Pollycraft, 2 Sisters and CES. Thanks so much.

Things with wings

Here I am with my DT card for Whoopsi Daisy where the challenge is to bling it. I coloured the digi fairy with Promarkers and then sprayed her with Spray and Sparkle which doesn't really show in the photo unfortunately. The paper is Prima Fairy Flora and I added a gold doily, Prima flowers, spacer, brad, Marianne die cut embossed leaves and punched butterfly.

Challenges:

Magical Monday Anything Goes

Just Tracy's Things with Wings

Stamp Something Digi

I'll be back shortly with a sneak peek of the new Crafter's Companion launch and some Squiggle news.

Aww, so cute

If you are reading this on Sunday 4th September then my scheduled post has worked and I will be on my way home from the New Forest. I scheduled all my DT cards for the last 3 days so hope they worked too. I never like to say that I am away as my blog is networked on Facebook and they say you shouldn't advertise the fact that you are away from home.

If you watched the recent Humphrey decoupage Pick of the Week shows on C&C you may have seen this card. Papers are from the Humphrey CDs. I used MS heart and heart border punches and added a bow and cherry blossom. I kept the colours to a soft pink and white to match the gorgeous image.

I'll be back tomorrow with a sneak peek of another new launch for Crafter's Companion.

Off to the Office

It's sketch time at Totally Gorjuss and I have used an image from Digistamp Boutique. We are sponsored this week by Joanna Sheen. This image would be great for Birthdays or a new job so I haven't added a sentiment and will add a blank insert too. The papers are Wild Rose for men which I have teamed with some card candi and used my MS Cherish punch. I've also doodled around the page and the image. Quite a simple card from me with nice clean lines.

Special Friends

This week at Winter Wonderland my good friend Lynsey has challenges us to make a card for a special friend or someone special. I bought Simply Cards and Papercraft mag last week just because I wanted the free gift which was a HOTP Christmas paper pack. The mag was a bonus rather than the other way around for me. These are the papers I have used with the cute Gillian Roberts mice which have been coloured with Promarkers. The spots on her top have been coloured with a  Sakura Goldstar pen for a bit of bling. I have used the MS double loop punch, some pearls, Sizzix cut corner and Prima flower and leaves. I hope you'll join in this week as we are sponsored by one of my favourite digi companies, Pollycraft and you could win 5 digis of your choice.

I hope you have all entered my candy. Just click on the page at the top of my blog entitled My Candy. There are 7 prizes to be won for my followers.

Peace

This is my second DT post for today and this time it is my card for Squiggle Stamps. I've used one of the new GothKidz images called Peaceboy. Isn't he cute. He has been coloured with Promarkers. Papers are Wild Rose for men and I have used my MS zigzag punch and added some of those fab geometric buttons from Crafty Emma's Store.

We have lots happening at Squiggle Stamps. Our current challenge is glam and glitz and ends on Friday. On Saturday along with a new challenge there will be some wonderful new Halloween digi images for sale at Squiggle Stamps online shop and there will be a bloghop. I do hope you will join in the fun.

Walking In The Air again

It's the first of the month and that means another monthly challenge at Crafter’s Companion and this month it is Christmas. I have used one of The Snowman stamps coloured with Spectrum Noirs and papers from The Snowman CD. I've used MS PATP snowflake set and a snowflake punch with glitter card. I also used the waste snowflakes from the punched corners.