Friday 30 September 2011

Flourishes medallion

Just a quick one from me today - I won some lovely Flourishes stamps and they arrived this morning so I thought I'd use one.


The medallion is one of my new Flourishes stamps - I inked it up in 'desert sand' memento and then dabbed 'rich cocoa' around the edges before stamping onto ivory linen card.  There are sentiments in the set, but I thought it might make a nice 'thinking of you' card, so I used a Personal Impressions sentiment.  Used a background grid stamp on the base card... think this is a Kaisercraft stamp but I'm not sure.  I don't really like this card, but that's not unusual for me lol!

Wednesday 28 September 2011

More good news!

Sorry, me again!  Back with some more good news for today - I'm now on the fab design team at Sweet Stampin'... told you I was having a good week :o)  And there's still one bit of exciting news that I can't tell you yet, can't believe my luck at the moment!

Off to do some catching up with you all...

Less is More wk34 - a sketch & some news!

It's taken me a while to come up with something for this week's Less is More challenge, which is a sketch.  I was hoping something a bit more interesting might come to me, but... nope!  At least it's another one to add to my very small pile of Christmas cards...


As I nearly always use a white base card, I thought I'd use a coloured one for a change, so the base is made from teal card from Papermill Direct, with some white linen for matting.  The snowflake was cut with a cuttlebug die, covered the card candy centre in stickles, and the sentiment is an Elzybells one stamped in versamark and embossed in white.

I'm also entering my card for the following challenges:

And now I can finally tell you my first bit of good news :o)  I'm on the brand new design team for Papercrafts TV - you can see their fab store here.  I've actually known about this for AGES and have had to keep it quiet, but as I've now been announced on the blog I can tell all... so if you'd like to read a lot of nonsense from me and see a terrible photo, have a look at the Papercrafts TV blog!

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Passion For Promarkers - planes, trains and automobiles!

Our theme for this week at Passion For Promarkers is 'planes, trains & automobiles', as chosen by the lovely Tracy.  We're sponsored by Letraset who are providing our lucky winner with a fab promarker stamping kit.


I've used an image from Pink Cat Studio that I won ages ago (on Cupcake Craft challenge I think) and hadn't got round to using.  I've coloured it with promarkers, flexmarkers and koh-i-noor pencils... not very well though, I'm not very good with vehicles!  The papers are Doodlebug, red cardstock is from Papermill Direct, button and twine from stash.  Added some card candy and stamped a little Stampin' Up sentiment on the flag.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

It's Morgan's birthday today - how on earth it can be 9 years since he was born I've got no idea!  He's gone off to school very excited, I feel sorry for his poor teacher!  And Dex has gone to nursery looking very sorry for himself because he doesn't understand why Morgan's getting lots of presents and he isn't.  He keeps asking why I haven't made him a card, just to make me feel really guilty... so I might let him have this card as he loves trains, even though it's a bit strange to give him a birthday card when it's not his birthday lol! 

Monday 26 September 2011

Meet Jasper...

I'm just posting this quickly to show you one of the fab new images from DigiStamp Boutique... it's Morgan's birthday tomorrow, so I'm trying to do too many things at once and running out of time!




Excuse my slightly wonky photos!

This is Jasper and Flower, isn't he cute?  I love him :o)  I've coloured him with promarkers, flexmarkers and koh-i-noor pencils.  Not sure what make the gingham card is, but the plain yellow is from Papermill Direct.  The yellow layer and Jasper are flat and then the gingham layer is raised up on foam pads, hopefully that shows in the pics.  Flowers cut with MFT die, card candy centres, sentiment is Personal Impressions.

Rushing off to try and eat something before the school run!  Will catch up with you all later :o)

Sunday 25 September 2011

Ellie Cat - how cute?!

Aww isn't this little girlie just SO adorable?!



This is Ellie Cat from Pink Gem Designs, and I've coloured her with a combination of promarkers, flexmarkers and koh-i-noor pencils.  The paper is MME 'ooh la la for him', with bright pink cardstock from Papermill Direct.  I've had the ribbon for a long time - I'm not even sure if I bought it or 'rescued' it from a gift... sentiment from Craftwork Cards and pearls from my stash.

Sorry the photos aren't great, it's late so I've had to take pics using the daylight lamp.  Thanks for all your comments on my lovely boys - I think they're gorgeous of course, but the word 'angelic' was mentioned, which really made me laugh!!!

Saturday 24 September 2011

Some pics from today...

No cards to share today as we've been off celebrating my auntie's little girl Jessica's 1st birthday - I can't believe it's a whole year since she was born, it's just flown!  We've had a lovely day and eaten far too much BBQ food, I'm sooo full!

Here's Dex with the birthday girl...


And my two little monkeys having a quiet moment together on the bouncy castle...


I've had such a brilliant week, with so many exciting things happening - will be able to start squealing about all my news soon, but I have to keep quiet for now!  I'm going to have a really good catch up with you all this evening, seen as I don't have any energy left for crafting, and I'm behind with commenting as usual...

Friday 23 September 2011

Less is More - 12th entry

Here's my 12th and final entry for Less is More's '1000 challenge'...


I've used images from the Monster Collection from DigiStamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers. I shrank the images right down so I could use them in a border strip... I like them like this, so I'll probably use this idea again!  Sentiment stamps from Elzybells.  This one is for Dex to give to Morgan - can't believe he's going to be 9 next week.  Dex wanted a closer look so unfortunately the card's got a bit of a dint in it, but hopefully it's not too noticeable!

Apologies for the rushed post, I'm a bit busy today but wanted to make sure I got a last couple of cards in towards the target.

Less is More - 11th entry

Just quickly adding 2 final entries for Less is More's '1000 challenge'... this one is number 11...


Image from the Valentine Bird Collection from DigiStamp Boutique, printed onto ivory linen card.  Sentiment is Personal Impressions, buttons from my stash (red button with a small black one in the centre).

Thursday 22 September 2011

Less is More - 10th entry

And here's my 10th entry for Less is More's '1000 challenge'...


A simple Christmas card using a flourish stamp from an Eco Green set, stamped in 'sky blue' memento onto white linen card, and then added a snowflake cut with a cuttlebug die - glamour dust and card candy added to the snowflake.

Hoping to get a couple more entries in tomorrow - there's still a long way to go to a thousand!

Less is More - 9th entry

I've only got a couple of makes for the Less is More '1000 challenge' today as I've been out most of the day.  I'm not particularly happy with either of them, but I was a bit rushed!  Here's entry number 9...


Using Inkadinkado circle stamps and a sentiment stamp by 'the cat's pajamas', stamped on Stampin' Up kraft card using various memento inks.  This really didn't turn out how I wanted it, it wasn't planned very well - but I still had to enter it, couldn't waste an entry!

Back in a min with one more.

Wednesday 21 September 2011

Back with a little monster....

Sorry, I know I said I'd done for today, but Morgan came out of school and announced it was his best friend's birthday tomorrow and could he have a card pleeeeease!  So I've made a quick one, which will also be my 8th entry for Less is More's 1000 challenge.


I've used an image from the fab Monster Collection from DigiStamp Boutique, added a sentiment and then printed it onto Stampin' Up kraft card.  I've coloured the monster with koh-i-noor pencils - Morgan insisted it should be green, rather than the red I was planning on!

We've got Morgan's parent's evening tonight... more of a 'meet the teacher' type thing I suppose as the year's only just started.  Fingers crossed it'll all be good!

Less is More - 7th entry

My 7th entry for Less is More, and you'll be pleased to hear it's my last for today!


Little Claire silhouette dog stamps and sentiment, stamped in black versafine on Stampin' Up kraft card.

As you probably all know by now, Chrissie and Mandi are aiming for 1000 entries this week - there's only a couple of days to go and we're not even half way to 1000 yet, so if you've ever fancied trying CAS now's the time to do it :o)

Less is More - 6th entry

Here's my 6th entry for Less is More...


Can't get much more CAS than this!  Thought this little kennel stamp might make a fun new home card... not completely convinced now it's done but never mind!  Both the kennel and sentiment stamps are from Little Claire, stamped in black versafine on Stampin' Up kraft card.

Less is More - 5th entry

And here's my 5th entry for Less is More...


Using the sketch at Clean & Simple.

Little Claire flower stamp, Personal Impressions sentiment, white linen card and a scrap of Pink Petticoat gingham paper.  Border cut with MFT die, pearls from stash.

Less is More - 4th entry

I've got a few more cards for Less is More today, so I'll keep my posts brief or it'll all get a bit boring!  Here's my 4th entry...


A blue version of my card from yesterday.... Little Claire flower stamp, Penny Black Sentiment, stamped in 'paris dusk' memento ink onto ivory linen card.

Back with another in a few mins!

Tuesday 20 September 2011

Less is More again

**2nd post for today - please scroll down for my Passion For Promarkers card**

I'm back with my third entry for Less is More, where Chrissie and Mandi have set an 'anything goes' challenge and are aiming for 1000 entries - so get making those CAS cards everyone and get them entered, even if you don't think CAS is your thing!


The lovely flower stamp is from Little Claire - stamped in black Versafine on ivory linen cardstock, and then I've used a clear stardust pen on the... umm... stamens?  I know nothing about flowers!  The sentiment is from Penny Black.  Very simple card, but I quite like it... might make some more in different colours!

I'm also entering my card for the 'black & white' challenge at Little Claire.

Passion For Promarkers - sketch

This week at Passion For Promarkers the fabulously talented Michele has given us a great sketch to use which you can see below...


We're sponsored by DigiStamp Boutique and our lucky winner will receive 6 images of their choice :o)



I've used the super cute Henry & Christmas Presents from DigiStamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers and koh-i-noor pencils, with some glamour dust of course - I'm sure it's a legal requirement that Christmas cards must have glitter?  The papers are Dovecraft (I think) with black core'dinations.  The scalloped border that you can just see on the green layer was cut with a Tim Holtz die, snowflake cut with MS punch and the swirly corner cut with a sizzix die.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

Thank you to everyone who left congrats messages yesterday, so lovely of you all :o)

Monday 19 September 2011

Another one for Less is More and exciting news!

I've had a nice peaceful crafty day today, made a couple of DT cards and my second entry for the 'anything CAS goes' challenge at Less is More... just trying to help Chrissie and Mandi achieve their target of 1000 entries!  I'm also entering my card for the 'clean & simple challenge at Totally Papercrafts.


I've used the fab flower image from the Funky Flowers set from Pink Gem Designs, stamped in 'pear tart' memento ink onto ivory linen card.  The spotty paper is Cosmo Cricket, the little flourish sentiment tab was cut with a MFT die.  The corner on the image was, of course, totally intentional and in no way because of a stray ink smudge....

And my exciting news... ooh I've been smiling all day!  The lovely Janet asked me to be a Guest DT for Pink Gem Designs, how fab is that!!!  So I'll be joining in with the challenges on the A Gem of a Challenge blog and playing with Janet's gorgeous stamps :o)  Oh and to make me smile even more - Dex came out of nursery beaming, with a gold star sticker on his top, because he ate all his dinner today... which has NEVER happened before lol!

Sunday 18 September 2011

Less is More - anything CAS goes!

I haven't had much time for crafting today, but I did manage to make my first very quick card for the new challenge at Less is More.  This week Chrissie and Mandi have set an 'anything goes' challenge, and they're aiming for 1000 entries... yeah, we can do that can't we Limettes?


Apologies for the photo, I've edited it as best I can but it's a very dull, rainy day today.  There's not much to my card, but I'll be making more to help bump the entries up, so hopefully my next entry will be more interesting!  I've used an Elzybells stamp, stamped in 'bamboo' memento, added some tiny pearls and a LOTV sentiment stamped in 'ladybug' memento, on an ivory linen base card.

I'm also entering my card for the 'one layer card' challenge at Secret Crafter.

Saturday 17 September 2011

Bright pink & girly

My mum's hubby Andrew asked me to make a card for his daughter - her favourite colours are pink & purple but I might have overdone it slightly, it's a bit bright!... I realised when I was making it that Sam is officially my stepsister now that they're married, didn't dawn on me before lol!




It's a large 8" square card, and the image is the fab 'strike a pose' from Sugar Nellie, coloured with promarkers and koh-i-noor pencils.  I've had the papers for ages and I've no idea what brand they are, and the flowers are some fabric ones that I've also had in my stash for a long time... they might have been free with a mag, I'm not sure.  I stitched the button and flowers together with some Bazzill thread, and added some leaves cut with a woodware punch.  The spotty ribbon is from Little Claire, and the sentiment was made up using some Elzybells stamps.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:


Friday 16 September 2011

Flourishes challenges

I spotted some challenges on the Flourishes blog, where there's a chance of winning the entire new release of stamps... I love Flourishes stamps (although I've only treated myself to one set so far!) so I had to have a go.

My first card is for the sketch challenge...


I've used one of the fab silhouette images from the 'kids play' set, stamped in 'rich cocoa' memento ink.  I've used some scraps of Pink Petticoat papers, all printed onto linen card, cardstock is core'dinations.  The flower was cut with a x-cut punch, button and pearls from my stash.  The bottom corners of my card were a bit of a happy accident - I intended to round them but picked up the inverted corner punch by mistake... oops!

And my second card is for the Three's a Charm challenge, where you must use exactly 3 layers on your card...


I've kept things very clean and simple.  My layers are the base card, the gingham stamped panel and the blue mat.  The stamp is another from the 'kids play' set, stamped in 'paris dusk' memento, the gingham is another Pink Petticoat scrap printed on linen card.  The sentiment is from the same set and the pearls are from my stash.

And look what happened while I was crafting!


Dex came upstairs to play while I was in the craft room, then said he wanted to watch an Elmo dvd.  About 10mins later I realised it was very quiet so I went to investigate and there he was, fast asleep... he's still asleep now, I should probably wake him up really!

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Two today...

I can't take much credit for this card... it's one of those strange ones with a mind of its own, and although I'd coloured the image to match some papers it wasn't having any of it!  So this is how it ended up...



The image is from the Two Today set from DigiStamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers and flexmarkers.  The scrap of striped paper is Pink Petticoat, button and twine from my stash and stars cut with nesties.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

I've got all my results at the doctors today so I can stop stressing finally!  I'm severely anaemic apparently, which explains why I feel like a limp dishcloth and why my head is constantly throbbing.  They were a bit concerned that there might be an underlying cause as my levels are so low, but as all my other blood results are fine they don't think there is.  So I can stop boring you all now, and hopefully I'll start to pick up a bit once the iron tablets take effect :o)

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Passion For Promarkers - beary special!

It was my turn to choose the challenge this week at Passion for Promarkers, and I decided on bears... although for some reason I couldn't seem to get my colouring right for my bear but never mind! We're sponsored by Some Odd Girl and our lucky winner will receive 3 digi stamps of their choice.



It seems like no time at all since my Auntie's baby was born, but lovely Jessica will be 1 soon!  I've used an image from the cute One Today set from DigiStamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers.  The papers are Dovecraft 'back to basics' with some shimmery yellow card (possibly bazzill bling but I'm not sure).  The flower was made using a woodware daisy punch with a button and twine from my stash, card candy from craftwork cards.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

Also, the new offer images are now available at DigiStamp Boutique - there are some fab nativity images and a cute Halloween set too, you can see both sets here.

Monday 12 September 2011

Anniversary card

I love these Valentine Bird images from DigiStamp Boutique, they're so stylish.  I used this tree on my Auntie's anniversary card a couple of months ago, and she asked for one using the same image for some friends of hers.  Hope she likes it :o)



I've printed the image, sentiment and paper (Pink Petticoat pinstripes) onto ivory linen cardstock, and added some touches of sakura clear stardust pen on the hearts and bird's wing.  The border was cut with my MFT die again sorry!  Added some red pearls from my stash to finish.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

Well I can't seem to come up with anything interesting to say today, so I'll post this and do a bit of commenting instead...

Sunday 11 September 2011

Less is More wk32 - seeing double

I've made a quick card today for the new challenge at Less is More, which is 'seeing double' and also one-layer week.  Well, it should've been quick, but the first attempt went wrong so this is the second version...


I've wanted to have a go at drawing a frame with a fineliner like this for ages, but I suspected it probably wasn't as easy as it looked... and it wasn't... well, not for me anyway!  This one isn't perfect, but it's a lot better than the first card (now in the bin).

The flower stamp is from a Pink Gem set, stamped in 'rose bud' memento, then masked and stamped again in black versafine.  The sentiment is Personal Impressions and I've added a card candy centre to the flower because none of my buttons seemed quite right - even though I've got hundreds (probably more like thousands!) of the things.

I'll keep this short so I can do a bit of commenting, as I'm very behind again!

Friday 9 September 2011

Stamp Something - our final challenge

Aww it's so sad... hope you'll all join in with our very last challenge at Stamp Something, our challenge is simply to stamp something, so anything goes this week.  We have lots of fab sponsors and some great prizes to be won.  Thanks so much to Denise and Erin for letting me be a part of your lovely team this year, it's been great fun :o)


I've used a Penny Black stamp, coloured with promarkers.  The stripy paper is Making Memories, buttons and card candy are from my stash.

I'm entering this card for the following challenges:



And then I thought I'd make a CAS card using the same stamp... actually I made 2 but the other one is exactly the same as this one...


The border was cut with my favourite MFT dienamics die (again!).  I did consider adding more to this card but I quite liked it as it was... although looking at the photo I'm now thinking maybe I should have added something!

Had my latest blood test yesterday, I just have to wait until Wednesday now when the doc will go through the results.  And today we've been back at the docs for Dex's pre-school booster jabs, which he didn't like one little bit!  Poor thing, he really screamed - he even refused to take a lolly from the nurse... although by the time we got to the car he'd recovered enough to have the fudge I'd got in my bag for him lol :o)

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Silly cow...

No I'm not trying to insult anyone, this just is a very silly cow lol...


I bought these wooden cows not long after I first started making cards, in my 'pre-stamping addiction' days, love the dangly legs :o)  I've used some scraps of Pink Petticoat papers and black core'dinations, a Personal Impressions sentiment and some little pearls from my stash.  I've not used a silly sentiment to go with the cow, because this one is part of a batch my auntie has ordered from me and she prefers 'normal' sentiments.

I'm entering this card for Jules Crafty Snippets Challenge as it's all made with scraps, and the following challenges also:

Blood tests tomorrow morning so at least I'll be put out of my misery at last, wish me luck!

Tuesday 6 September 2011

Passion For Promarkers - patchwork

Our challenge for this week at Passion For Promarkers is 'patchwork' and we're sponsored by Joanna Sheen so our winner will receive a £10 voucher to spend in her fab online store.  Now I did consider getting my poor neglected sewing machine out for this challenge, but then I remembered I'd got some patchwork digi papers so I printed those instead and the machine stayed dusty!




I thought it was about time I used my lovely sugar nellie Bella Bunting stamp again, haven't used her for a while.  She's coloured with promarkers, flexmarkers and koh-i-noor pencils.  The patchwork paper is from Bearly Mine, printed onto linen card.  Flowers cut with a MFT die, pearls and ribbon from my stash.  The sentiment is a Personal Impressions stamp - I cut the corners with an inverted corner punch.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

I'm going to have a lazy day today, enjoy the peace and quiet and have a proper catch up with all your blogs at last :o)

Monday 5 September 2011

Less is More wk31 - metallic

I made some cards at the weekend for the new challenge at Less is More, which is 'metallic', but waited to blog them because I wasn't really up to doing much commenting.  I'm having a better day today so hopefully I can have a bit of a catch up with you all.  It helps that the boys have gone back to school and nursery today, so I've had some peace!  And they both seem to have enjoyed their first day back :o)



My first 2 cards are very similar... the first embossed with silver and the second with gold, and I've used distress inks for the backgrounds.  The flower stamp is Hero Arts, 'birthday wishes' sentiment is Little Claire and 'happy birthday' sentiment is CC Designs.  Base cards made from Papermill Direct linen card - white for the first one and ivory for the second, black and red pearls from my stash.


I suppose my last one might not be quite 'less is more' enough... I've used a little metal present that's been in my stash for ages.  It's hard to tell from the photo, but the embossed layer is raised up on foam pads and the present is set in a circle aperture (cut with a nestie die).  Think the embossing folder is a Crafts Too one, the sentiment is CC Designs, mounted on a scrap of silver mirri card.

Thank you everyone who's left me lovely comments while I've not been feeling well, sorry I've been such a rubbish blogger lately... my next blood tests are on Thursday and hopefully they will decide exactly what's going on - in the meantime I'm trying not to panic and imagine the worst, but I do tend to be a bit of a worrier so I'm quite stressed at the moment!

Friday 2 September 2011

Sunflower wedding...

2nd post for today...  My mum asked for a boxed wedding card, in these colours with sunflowers as the theme... oh dear, how I struggled!




I just couldn't seem to make the colours or sunflowers work for a wedding card, it all looks very odd to me!

The fab image is from Digistamp Boutique, available here, and I've coloured it with promarkers and flexmarkers, with lots of glamour dust for a sparkly veil and shoes.  The papers are Papermania, with cardstock from Papermill Direct.  The sunflowers were made with woodware daisy punches and plain circles, scalloped borders cut with my current favourite MFT die, heart pearls from my stash.

Apologies for being a bit absent from blogland this week.  I'm still not feeling too good, had some slightly worrying results back from my first blood tests and I've got to go back and have more blood taken at the end of next week... hopefully the next lot of tests will be ok, fingers crossed.

I followed the sketch at The Sweet Stop, so I'm entering my card there (if I'm not too late!).

I'm also entering my card for the following challenges: