With a friend like ...

Vicky, who needs enemies!!!!! My lovely friend dared me to make a card using a Sweet pea iamge and it had to be pink. Now those of you who are regular followers will know I have a bit of a problem with pink .. .I do keep trying to usee it but it not my favourite colour!
But I have been dared ... so I have made a pink card. Fortunately Vicky didn't say bright pink! I coloured the iamge and made the papers last night,and put it together this morning while DH did the school run.
I made my own design paper using weathered wood and Victorian velvet distress inks. I stamped a swirl around the edge, applying differing pressure to get a mottled effect. I also stamped the swirl onto a spare bit of dp and cut the swirl out. The image is coloured using distress inks and the papers are distressed with my Tim Holtz tool. I made my flower using my CB circles and distressed them. Finally I added some organza and satin ribbon ties in a knot.
The card fits these challegnes:
Stampavie and More - distressing
Cute Card Thursday - Make your own ... I made the paper and flower
Friday Sketcher - sketch


Recipe:
Stamp(s): Sweet Pea Read hearts
Colouring Media: distress inks
Papers: handmade
Embellishments: ribbon and brad from stash

Charisma Cardz Challenge - GDT 5

This is my final week as Guest designer for Charisma Cardz and I have loved the challenges.

This week's challenge is to make a Mother's Day/girly project.
I have altered a box and made a card for my Mum .. just a 'because ...' pressie.

The box had choccies in it and I altered it by covering the bottom part with dp and the top part with off cuts of raw silk I had. I made new panels for the sides of the box so I could stretch the silk taut and hide the frayed edges. It took ages and I am not sure I would do it again .. apart from the silk looks more luxurious than paper. I added gardenia flowers, a big bow and some pearls to the lid. Inside there are some smellies.
I used the same dp for the card, and matched the cardstock to the ribbon. The image is watercoloured and distressed, before being stickled. I added a ribbon and bow, and some roses and pearl spray.



Recipe:
Stamp(s): Magnolia (RAK from Vicky)
Colouring Media: distress inks
Papers: MME Bella Bella
Embellishments: all from stash

Dark Royalty

A friend came round to craft this morning, as I hadn't got any children so no Mums and Tots. While she stamped up nearly every stamp I own (and I own a fair few!!) I had a go at colouring this Sweet Pea Stamp in. They are growing on me, and I might be adding to my collection of 2!
I made the card up this afternoon for these challenges:
Sweet Pea Stampers - Under the Sea
Papertake Weekly - Do Something Else - I never add removables to my card, but I have added a tag that comes away
Simon Says Stamp - buttons, bow and bling
Eveybody-Art-Challenge - song title - Waterboys Song of the Mermaid
Truly Scrumptious - sketch and removable part - tag

I coloured this mermaid with my pens. I chose these papers as they remind me of the colours of the sea, and some look a little like anemones. In real life she is not quite as pale ... the light is weird here today. I added bows to the ribbons, and a button. I used papermania shimmer dots to make the swirls ... they are fab, clear domes with glitter in them. I thought they looked like sparkly bubbles. I made the tag and stamped Happy Birthday on it, it pulls out.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Sweet Pea Dark Royalty
Colouring Media: promarkers and copics (Secret Crafter)
Papers: Basic Grey Wisteria (Secret Crafter)
Embellishments: all from stash

ABC Challenge - T is for

This week's challenge is

Thank you.

And we are lucky to be being sponsored by Whimsy Stamps.
Denise is offering a $15.00 gift certificate.
She has recently launched some new digi stamps and some of the DT have been playing with them.

So for this challenge I have made a card and a scrap page.

For the card I used the new digi stamp Aww So Tweet and coloured it using my pens. I used my CB Olivia font to cut the Thanks out. The papers are Basic Grey Porcelin and the ribbon is from my stash. The flower is from Prima's gold Christmas bauble and I added stickles to the image. I am sending this to a lovely couple as their wedding acceptance ... need to get a move on as their wedding is in May!!!!

Beth had a great time at my parents' at Easter feeding the lambs and we got some fabulous pictures of her .. so I had to make a scrap page ... something I really need to do more of! I used Tilda with her lamb as given half a chance that would be Beth! I did some journalling using the nursery rhyme Mary had a little lamb, but didn't add any embellies as I don't want to take away from the photos.


I have a confession to make before I go ... I am becoming a terrible blogger due to a lack of free time, and am struggling to find time to craft and blog. I am coming to the conclusion that something in my life has to give ... crafting, garden, children ... not sure which yet LOL!!

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Magnolia Shepherdess Tilda; Aww So Tweet (Whimsy Stamps)
Colouring Media: Distress inks; promarkers and copics (secret Crafter)
Papers: Basic Grey Pheriphery, MME Bella Bella; Basic Grey Porcelin
Embellishments: from stash

Wags n Whiskers cards

I am really struggling crafting at the moment ... runny eyes and sneezing makes colouring really hard!! But I had a morning to myself, so decided to use the time in my craft room, so closed the lounge door so I couldn't see the pile of ironing to do!!

The first card covers these challenges:
Passion for Promarkers - sketch and handmade flowers
Creative Card Crew - April Showers bring May Flowers

I coloured this Wags n Whiskers image using my promarkers and matted it onto cardstock. The papers are by papermania (Pink Parfait) and matted onto cardstock. The image was just a bit big for the sketch really .. but hey ho!! I punched flowers and added pearls to their centres and round the edge of the circle element.

The second card (started on Friday I have to admit!!) covers these challenges:
Wags n Whiskers - sketch
Colour Create - burnt orange, black and cream, option of checks
Ryan is coloured using promarkers and I confess to not using black on the image ... too harsh! The ornage dp is MME Everyday Tango, and the black(and grey - oppps!) paper is DCWV - hoping harlequin checks count as checks! I punched circles and added buttons to their centres and 3 large brads to complete the elements of the sketch.

Off to get another box of tissues ... roll on Autumn!!

Sketch and Stash 34

I can't believe we are up to sketch 34 already!!! And it is another fab one.
I rotated the sketch ...
I coloured the image using my pens and matted onto cardstock. he dp is a free digi .. can't remember where I found it. I didn't add a sentiment, rather layered a flower up. I really do need to invest in some circular sentiment stamps.

The DT have done a fa job, as ever.

Ballerina Tilda

I am really struggling to find time to craft at the mo ... and when I have the time I don't feel like it thanks to hay fever. We have had friends here for the weekend, so I have only had a little time to escape into the craft room, partly because small children have been sleeping in there.

I got this gorgeous Tilda on Friday (thank you Nikki!) and I just had to ink her up .. and have managed to fit a few challenges in:
Friday sketcher - I rotated the sketch
Just Magnolia - Anything Goes
Magnolia Down Under - charms
Raise the Bar - Colour me happy - favourite colour ... that'd be purple!!
Totally Papercraft - recipe (4 embellishments (I read this as types of embellies!), 3 papers, 2 ribbons/lace, 1 image)
Stampavie and More - lace and button

I watercoloured Tilda and distressed the edges, before adding stickles. I added raffia lace and lilac ribbon, bow tied with my bow maker, and a button centre. I layered a flower and added some pearls and a butterfly charm ... don't have ballet related ones ... but might need to get some now!!

The girls are shattered as we have been very active this weekend ... I need to get the ironing done so Ellie has uniform for tomorrow, and do some tidying, as we have a house that resembles a bomb site!

Recipe:
Stamp(s) Magnolia Ballerina Tilda
Colouring: distress inks
Papers: Basic Grey Koishi
Embellishments: raffia lace, ribbon, button, pearls, flowers and charm from stash

Just Cute Bears Challenge 14

This week's challegne is another fabby sketch by my lovely blogging and crafting buddy Jane.
Cuddly Buddly are offering another gorgeous stamp to one lucky person.

And here is Jane's fab sketch.

And my take on it ...
I used this cutie from Wild Rose Studio, a RAK from Jane and watercoloured it using distress inks. I used MME papers and matted them onto cerise cardstock. I added raffia and ribbon, and a huge flower and bow. A couple of brads and a sentiment finish it off.

Do take a look at the other DT member' gorgeous creations.


Oh and by the way Rach is offering some gorgeous, scrummy candy ... ends 2nd may ...

SCSC Week 80

This week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge is set by my lovely best friend Vicky. She chose the theme of distressing, which if you know Vicky's work, won't surprise you!!

Tilda is watercoloured and I used my nesties to cut her out. I distressed the background in bundled sage and stormy skies, and used a swirl stamp I have to stamp round the image. All the dp and cardstock has been duly distressed using my Tim Holtz distressing tool. I used some organza ribbon and added a layered flower that I spritzed with gold glimmer mist.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Magnolia Tilda with Spring Bundler
Colouring Media: distress inks (Secret Crafter)
Papers: MME Bella Bella
Embellishments: from stash

Charisma Cardz Challenge GDT 4

This week's Charisma Cardz challenge is quotes, to make a card or scrapbook page using a quote. I had a mild panic until I recieved a gorgeous box of images from Vicky. In it was the image and quote I have used. I have put them together as she looks sad (miserable as sin, according to one member of my household, and its not the girls!!) and I thought the mask linked well with the reference to closing your eyes. I think it works.
I used promarkers to colour the image and added platinum and stardust stickles. I layered some red and green ribbon and used my bow maker to tie the bow (I love this tool!!). Finally I added a crotcheted flower with a spacer and rhinestone brad, a couple of roses and prima leaves.

I am quite pleased with the outcome ... it is the first Sweet Pea image I have coloured. I was surprised at the size .. thought they were bigger! Not sure wheter they are me or not ... but then I didn't think Tilda was me when I first looked at her LOL!!

I am entering this card into this week's Simon Says Stamp challenge, which is things with wings, My time to Craft, which is quotes, and Sweet pea Stamps Challenge which is wonderland (as she has a mask in her hand and has wings I think she is from a wonderland!)
Recipe:
Stamp(s): Sweet Pea
Colouring Media: promarkers
Papers: Basic Grey Boxer
Embellishments: from stash

Finally a card for a challenge or 2

I have a stinking cold and cough, with hayfever thrown in, so crafting is not happening at the moment! It has taken me 2 days to get this card completed!
It fits these challenges:
Passion for Promarkers - in the garden
A Spoonfull of Sugar - Happy Birthday
Papertake Weekly - sketch
I love these manga stamps from the Secret Crafter and have coloured Mollie using my promarkers. I followed the sketch from Papertake Weekly, just swapping the text for a flower. I stamped the sentiment down the side of the image. Its from a papermania Clare Curd set, and I have to admit to being dissappointed, it never stamps crisply, even though I have cleaned it, selloptaped it etc to try to get a crsip image.

We have the Jolly Joust at Preschool today ... that promises to be fun!!

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Secret Crafter Mollie planting
Colouring Media: promarkers (Secret Crafter)
Papers: Basic Grey (Secret Crafter)
Embellishments: flowers from stash

Dutchdare Card Challenge #76

This week's Dutchdare challenge is an easel card and to repeat something. I apologise for the photo ... it seems daft to say it but the light is not good at the moment .. too bright!! And I am useless at photographing easel cards.

I have chosen to repeat the layout and embellishments.

I love this Manga stamp from Secret Crafter and coloured her using my pens. I inked the edges in red and then matted her onto white cardstock. I struggle to use Boxer papers so bit the bullet and used them on this card. I matted the dp onto white cardstock. I added a layered flowers, white ribbon and bow, and gems.

I am entering this card in these challenges:
Cupcake Card Challenge - red and white

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Secret Crafter Shy Mollie
Colouring Media: promarkers (Secret Crafter)
Papers: Basic Grey Boxer
Embellishments: all from stash

ABCChristmas Challenge - I

This week's challenge is

I for Ice
extra ... snowflakes

We are pleased to have sponsoring us this week Stitchy Stamps who will be offering the winner 3 digi images of their choice.

The image is one of Stitchy's and I coloured it using my pens. I used Basic Grey Figgy Pudding papers and punched some snowflakes and a CB large snowflake. I stickled these and added stickles to the image.

Do take a peek at the other Dt's creations.

I am sorry if I haven't visited your blog ...life is hectic here and I am struggling finding time at the mo to blog hop .. I am trying to get to see you all.

Ellie's blog candy has been drawn

My lovely daughters have a blog and Ellie had a candy going for guessing what her little creature was .. it was a goat believe it or not.

She has offered 3 (!!!) prizes to ..

Edward (who is one of her friends and had a good chance of guessing as he looked through 4 year old eyes!)

Lorraine A - a good guess with a bunny

and

Heather - a bit of bias here as Heather sent her some gorgeous crafting goodies when she had her tonsils out and Ellie has not forgotten and loves to see what Heather has created on her blog!!

So can Heather and Lorraine contact me with there details so Ellie can send the raided stash to you.

I am going to take a deep breathe and maybe hide stuff before she hits it!!!

Thank you to everyone who comments on the girls blog .. it is a bit quiet as school is back .. and in Ellie's words "its busy"!!

Some crafting this weekend ...

I have had a really busy weekend ... Dave went away on Friday night so I had to do swimming with both girls on Saturday. Beth decided to swallow alot of the pool and the teacher ended up jumping in to help her as she was choking ... not good!
We went to a party run by a manic 60 year old clown in the afternoon.. not brill either!! However my lovely firend JoJo turned up at 6.45pm on Saturday sp the girls went to bed and we set the worlds to rights .. wine and crisps were involved!!

We took the girls back swimming today and Beth was fab... not fears and worries and she was even caught removing her armbands as she "didn't need them" Me and JoJo thought she did!!

Anyway I did squeze some crafting in and made a couple of cards, whilst JoJo crotcheted the most amazing scarf .. need to train her to make flowers!!!

This card is for the Just Magnolia Challenge this week which is a sketch.
Tilda is from my stamp kit and I coloured her using distress inks .. I did some blending of colours to create the right ones for the papers. I distressed the background. I distressed the papers and stickle the flowers and edges of the image. Punched flowers, pearls and ribbon finish it off.

For my next card I thought I would kill a few challenges in one go!!
Friday Sketcher - sketch
Wags n Whiskers - ribbon
Basic grey Challenges - gold, blue and white
Totally Gorguss - charms
Sweet Stampin Challenge - In Stitches
One Stop Craft Challenge - things that fly
Allsorts - In Stitches
Stamp Something - Something Layered
The image is coloured using promarkers and copics, and I faux stitched the dp in white and black pen. The papers are matted onto gold cardstock. I added white ribbon and ties a bow with a teddy charm attached.

Just Cute Bears Challenge #13

One for the boys

We are again sponsored by Cuddly Buddly and they have this cute stamp up for grabs.

Now masculine cards can be a bit of a challenge ... particularly using bears!! I decided to go for something a bit different for me.
I have, but had yet to use, a fab digi kit from Cuddly Buddly. I have lots of digi stuff, just never think to use it! I printed off a couple of the papers, the bear and some of the accessories and after a bit of cutting and matting ... voila!

I do think its a bit cheating as no colouring involved, but great for those cards you need quickly!


Recipe:
Stamp(s): Cuddly Buddly Designables
Colouring Media: None!
Papers: Cuddly Buddly Designables
Embellishments: Cuddly Buddly Designables

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge Week 79

This weeks Secret Crafter Saturday challenge has been set by the lovely Vicky and her theme is A Day Trip.
For this challegne I decided to catch up with some scrapbooking, and did a scrap page of the girls' enjoying time at Llandudno.
I used some pics and matted them. The captions are written on Bella Bella paper ... I had to cut the butterflies off .. not keen on that element!!
I tried adding some embellies, but they took away from the photos .. so still pondering that!

Recipe:
Stamp(s):
Colouring Media:
Papers: Basic Grey Archiac; MME bella bella
Embellishments:

When i fall in love ...

This week's Simon Says Stamp challenge had really got me scratching my head. Until I came across my Comic Cricket Happily Forever papers and stickers. The wheels started turning, after some grilling of my Mum I came up with this ...

One minute to zero,a 1952 film starring my Mum's fave actor Robert Mitchum. The song When I fall in Love was sung by Doris Day (yes my Mum can be a geek occasionally!!!)

I love these Manga Stamps from the SecretCrafter. I used my promarkers to colour the image in and then to make the background .. I am experimenting a bit with my blennder pen, so I used it to take some of the dark off the background. I embossed some read cardstock using my hearts embossing folder and added some satin and organza ribbon and some chunky braid. i tried other embellies but didn't like the look, so another flowerless card!

So this card fits these challenges:
Passion for Promarkers - use your promarkers to create your own background
Simon Says Stamp - lets go to the movies and dry embossing
Cute Card Thursday - touchy feely


Recipe:
Stamp(s):Secret Crafter Canoodling Couple
Colouring Media: Promarkers (Secret Crafter)
Papers:Cosmic Cricket
Embellishments: from stash

Charisma Cardz Challegne GDT - Monochrome

Its my third week as Guest Designer for Charisma Cardz .. and I have to admit to my heart sinking when I saw this challenge .. I am not good at monochrome ... I get bored using 1 colour LOL!!

I used this fab stamp by Wendy from The Secret Crafter, and coloured her in using my pens. I kept the layout simple and used paler co-ordinating cardstock to mat. Mollie is cut out using my deckled rectangles. I coloured the flowers using my pens, and after some deep rummaging found matching ribbon.


Recipe:
Stamp(s): Secret Crafter Sitting Mollie
Colouring Media: promarkers and copics ( Secret Crafter)
Papers: basic Grey Wisteria ( Secret Crafter)
Embellishments: from stash