Less is More - sketch

Sorry I've been such a rubbish blogger over the last few days - I haven't posted anything since Thursday and I'm so behind with my commenting too!  I'll be starting to catch up with you all this evening.  I had some stuff to do that I can't blog (or at least not yet), and also Dex has needed a lot more of my time and attention than usual, as he's really missing Morgan... well, we all are obviously, but time's a hard thing to understand when you're only 4!  It doesn't matter how many times we explain that he won't be back until the weekend, Dex still gets excited every time he hears a car outside.  We've all spoken to Morgan on the phone and he's having a fab time swimming with turtles and dolphins, and playing in the hotel pool, and he told Dex he's bought him a present.  I had a little cry when I came off the phone with him yesterday though, because he sounded a bit homesick and said he was missing us.  Looking forward to giving him a big cuddle!

Anyway, I managed to find some time today to make a card for Less is More, where the challenge for this week is a lovely simple sketch.

I had no intention of making a sympathy card when I started, so I'm not sure how my card turned into one... still, it's handy to have a few ready isn't it?

I've used the limited edition 'Seedless Preserves' distress ink, first using an ink duster brush and then around the edges with cut & dry foam.  My duster brush seems to have some bits that are longer than others, so it gives this uneven, blotchy look that I'm not sure about... I think I quite like the effect really, although I don't think it's really meant to be like that!  The stamp is the 'agapanthus cluster' by Stampendous, also stamped in seedless preserves, and the sentiment is Elzybells stamped in memento 'grape jelly'.  The inky panel is raised up on foam pads.

I'm going to try and catch up with some of you now, if Dex will let me - he's currently trying to feed me yoghurt coated raisins (bleurgh!) so I'm not sure how successful I'll be!

Tilda loves flowers - The Stamp Basket DT

Well this is a ridiculously late post from me!  I'm finally here with my card for The Stamp Basket blog....

Items available from The Stamp Basket
Craftwork Cards scalloped edge card blank
Magnolia 'Tilda loves flowers' stamp
Magnolia papers - cloudy pink hearts 6x6 & vintage pink 12x12
Memory Box madera corner die
Crystal heart buttons - 12mm
Dovecraft white flat lace 2 1/4"
Vintage style ribbon - pink
Dovecraft adhesive gems

I've coloured Tilda with Prisma pencils - still playing with these, I still don't feel I've quite got the hang of them, but I love using them :o)  Flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, sentiment is a Flourishes stamp and the kraft card is Stampin' Up.  Everything else is from The Stamp Basket.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
• Creative Inspirations - anything goes
• My Mum's Craft Shop - flowers
• Cute Card Thursday - you're a gem
• Charisma Cardz - pretty in pink
• PaperPlay Challenges - lovely lace
• Moving Along With The Times - blooming marvellous
• Pile It On - add lace

We took Dex to the Legoland centre in Manchester today, he absolutely loved it!  I haven't had chance to do any blogging all day though, so I'm really sorry if I haven't visited you yet - I will catch up with you all soon.  Pav was in charge of the camera so most of our photos are blurry, but here's one of Dex with Buzz Lightyear made from Lego... Dex did smile for the photo but Pav missed it - which is typical lol!

Waste Not Wednesdays wk4

I'm going to keep this as brief as possible because I'm sooo late today!  It's lovely having hubby at home for the week, but it means we're out most of the day and I'm running behind with everything!

As you might already know, my mission for this year is to get my un-inked stamps and unused digis coloured up and made into cards, and I decided to make a little challenge of it.  Anyone can join in, and usually it will be just for fun, but last week I thought it'd be nice to offer a little prize... so I have a winner to announce today, and that is....

Entry number 2 - Jo

Congrats Jo!  And huge thanks to everyone who's been joining in, I love seeing all your creations :o)  Here's what you've won Jo - sorry I forgot to add the prize photo to last week's entry!

A Greeting Farm stamp and a bag stuffed full of different embellishments... I might even add some more before I send it out :o)  Jo, could you email me your address and I'll get your goodies out to you hun!

And here's my card using this week's neglected stamp...

I bought this cute stamp when it first came out, and as usual for me it's been sat there waiting to be used.  I've coloured it with Prisma pencils and paper pieced the blanket.  The papers are MME with Stampin' Up kraft card, sentiment is also Stampin' Up and the buttons and twine are from my stash.

Apologies for the rushed post... I think we're off out again tomorrow, oh dear!  Back to 'just for fun' again this week, so no prizes, but I'd still love to see anything you'd like to link up using all your dusty images :o)

Less is More - cut it out

This week's challenge at Less is More is 'cut it out', which means Chrissie and Mandi would like to see holes or apertures.  I needed a card for my mum's hubby so here's what I made...

Hopefully you can tell from the second photo that the wooden cow is attached to the scalloped stripy card, with the spotty card on the inside.  I love these cows - I bought them when I first started card making and they're so handy for fun cards... it's got dangly legs which are hiding a bit in the stripy pattern!  I've a horrible feeling this might be my last one though, and I don't know if they're available anymore.  Papers are Pink Petticoat, printed onto linen card and the black card is core'dinations.  Oh, and I cut an extra circle of card to use as a 'frame' around the circle for a bit of definition.

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

• CAS-ual Fridays - black & white (no other colours allowed)
• Charisma Cardz - clean & simple

So my conversation with hubby when I'd finished my card went something like this:

Hubby - Oh I like that... I thought you were making Andrew's card though?

Me - (puzzled) This is Andrew's card

Hubby - Oh... well it's nice, but I'm not sure if he'll like it

Me - Why?

Hubby - Well isn't it a bit girly?

Me - (even more puzzled) What's girly about it?

Hubby - It's got a cow on, cows are girls... shouldn't it have a bull on?

Ermmm seriously?  Can I not have a cow on a man's card?  Someone tell me my hubby is being ridiculous before I get all paranoid and feel forced to make another one before his birthday (which is tomorrow!). 

Tilda with daisy - The Stamp Basket DT

Aww I just love the Tildas in the new Sweet Crazy Love collection, I think they're all so pretty :o)  This one is Tilda with Daisy...

These are my first photos taken in my new light box - I actually got it for Christmas but one of the lights didn't work so I've been waiting for a replacement.  They look a lot clearer to me, much less shadowy... what do you think?

I've coloured Tilda with Prisma pencils and added touches of stickles on her dress, bow and flower.  The papers are Magnolia, I think the pink cardstock might be bazill bling - it's got a bit of shimmer to it.  Sentiment is Pink Petticoat, the flowers are from Wild Orchid and I found the pins in my stash.

Items available from The Stamp Basket
Magnolia Tilda with Daisy stamp
Magnolia papers - cloudy pink hearts 6x6 and vintage pink 12x12
Vintage style ribbon - pink
Off-white ivory lace 3/8"
ZVA creative basic lines - pink pearls
Stickles glitter glue - diamond

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• Sketch Saturday - sketch
• Cooking It Up With Katie - pink, pearls & posies (2nd entry - hope that's ok)
• Allsorts - needles & pins
• Pile it on - add lace

Hubby's off this week, so we've been to see the new Sherlock film while Dex was at nursery - it was very good :o)  Had a yummy hotdog at the cinema too - I do enjoy a cinema hotdog, only time I ever want one.  Dex seems to be all better now thank goodness!  We haven't spoken to Morgan yet - I know he's arrived in Mexico safely because we've had a text, but it'll be nice to actually talk to him... I'm sure he's far too busy having fun though!  Hope you all have a lovely evening :o)

A Gem of a Challenge - sketch

I'm back with my second post for today, my DT card for A Gem of a Challenge.  This week we have a fab sketch created by Lisa, and I'm a bit happier with this card than I was with the one I posted earlier :o)

I've been playing with my new Prisma pencils again - not that I don't like my promarkers anymore, it's just that I want to keep practising until I've got the hang of the pencils!  I don't think my colouring is quite right on this one, but I'm wondering if I need different paper... I've used Bristol Board for this - can any regular prisma colourers recommend a good one to try?

The image is one of Janet's gorgeous new Fairy Faye digi stamps, this one is Faye with Flowers.  The papers are First Edition and I decided I need to start using up some of the flowers I've had hanging around for ages.  I bought these in a sale ages ago, probably about 2yrs ago - I've got a huge boxful in all different colours but I tend to forget all about them... wonder if I can get them all used by the end of the year... probably not!

Here's Lisa's sketch

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• My Mum's Craft Shop - favourite colour combo (I have lots, but blue & green is one of them!)
• Papertake Weekly - buttons, bows, bling & blooms
• Creative Craft - the colour blue

Right, Dex is in bed snoring away - he fell asleep while I read his story, he's so wiped out poor thing.  So hopefully he'll sleep the rest of this yucky bug off tonight and wake up feeling a bit better.  Off to catch up on some commenting while I can!

Sweet Stampin' - white on white

Our challenge at Sweet Stampin' this week is 'white on white' - a huge challenge for me, I just can't work without colour at all!  We're sponsored by Bunny Zoe's who are providing our lucky winner with a £10 voucher to spend in their shop, and our monthly sponsor is Joanna Sheen.

You wouldn't believe how long I spent on this card, and I'm really not happy with the result.  I've used an image from one of my favourite DigiStamp Boutique sets - the Valentine Bird collection.  I made the card using go-kreate circle dies and nesties for the smaller circles.  One layer is embossed with the 'swiss dots' folder, the border was cut with the MS scallop dot punch.  I added a strip of lace from The Stamp Basket and glamour dust around the edges.  The sentiment is Stampin' Up.

Sorry I've not visited many of you over the last couple of days.  On Thursday night Dex started with a tummy bug, and we were up all night with him - I think we used every available sheet, pillowcase and pair of pyjamas in the house!  He was still poorly yesterday, but thankfully stopped being sick by early afternoon.  He's spent most of today dozing on the sofa and he won't eat, but I think the worst is over.  Morgan set off for Mexico yesterday and I'm just hoping he won't get it - that would be no fun on the plane or in a hotel for that matter!

I'll be back soon with my DT card for A Gem of a Challenge, and fingers crossed I'll be able to catch up with you all this evening :o)

Less is More - one layer, birds

I thought I was going to end up missing Less is More this week... the challenge is a one layer card with a 'bird' theme.  I thought of lots of things I could use, but nothing that really suited one layer.  Then I thought of this...

It's very simple - probably too simple lol!  I've used one of the cute new valentines images from DigiStamp Boutique, available here.  I printed it onto Stampin' Up kraft card and coloured it with prisma pencils - first time I've used them on kraft and I've made a bit of a mess of it really but never mind!  The sentiment comes with the image, and the blue bakers twine is from my stash. Oh, I added some glamour dust to the hearts on the image for a bit of sparkle, not sure how well that's showing up.

I don't think I've ever mentioned before that my hubby isn't my eldest son's dad, although we met when Morgan was a baby.  I'd split up with Morgan's dad when I was pregnant... I won't go into details but there were good reasons... anyway, when I went into work to show off my new baby, there was Pav in my chair - he was my maternity leave cover lol.  It took us a long time to get together though - we were just friends for a couple of years.  There is a reason for my ramblings, honest!  Tomorrow Morgan will be going away with his 'real' dad for a family wedding - they're going to Mexico for 2wks and I'm going to miss him so much!  He's never been away from me for anywhere near that long.  So I'm popping this card in with his things, so that he'll see it while he's away and know that we're thinking about him :o)

Waste Not Wednesdays wk3

Sorry I'm a bit late today, I got here eventually!  I'm back with my little challenge to use my unused stamps and digis... thanks to everyone who played along with me last week, I loved seeing all your poor neglected images.  I think we need a little prize this week don't we?  I'll sort something out and add details to this post later :o)

I have used my new and rather fabulous prisma pencils again, to colour another Sugar Nellie stamp that I've had for AGES... yesterday's first pencil attempt was a bear so this is my first go at colouring a person with them.  The photos are a bit washed out because I had to use the daylight lamp, I might replace the photo tomorrow if I remember.

This is of course a lovely Gorjuss Girl, I think she's called Foxy.  The papers are Prima 'alla prima' with Stampin Up kraft card and some scraps of core'dinations.  Flowers cut with a MFT die, little roses from Wild Orchid, swirl cut with a sizzix die and pearls from my stash.

I've (more or less) followed the sketch at The Sugar Bowl so I'm entering my card there.

So if you'd like to join in with me, just use any uninked stamp or digi from your stash, link it up below and I'll come and visit you :o)  As I said, I'll sort out a little random prize this week so I'll be back to add details of that later.

First attempt with prismas!

I've been playing with my new prisma pencils today - I absolutely love them :o)  This is my first image coloured with them...

I'm fairly happy with this for a first try... still figuring all the colours out and it's certainly not perfect, but they're lovely to use.  The gorgeous image is Louie and present from DigiStamp Boutique and the papers are all scraps from a Forever Friends pad.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes for yesterday!  I had a nice day - some lovely cards and pressies, and a yummy takeaway and wine with hubby in the evening.  Today I popped to Hobbycraft to try and spend some of my birthday pennies, but I didn't buy much, just foam pads and sansador... might put it in my account and spend it online instead lol.  Right, off to try and catch up with you all now :o)

Waste Not Wednesdays wk2

Well here I am for the second week of my little challenge to get my uninked stamps and digis coloured up and made into cards.  Here's today's creation...

I've got so many LOTV stamps that are sat waiting to be used, so I decided to use one today.  I didn't let myself buy any stamps from the last couple of releases because it was getting a bit silly really... at least if I start using them I can justify buying more lol!

I'm not sure about this card really - I couldn't seem to stop embellishing once I'd started!  It'll probably end up being my mum's birthday card as she likes cards with lots of detail.  Very organised for me - her birthday's not til next month!  This stamp (I think) is called Mini Messages - you get the bunny image and 4 little sentiments to stamp on his sheet.  Papers are GCD Studios 'ella blue' with lots of inking around the edges, flowers are mostly Wild Orchid - all started out white and I've used various inks and sprays to change the colour.  Swirls cut with sizzix dies, butterfly cut with a Stampin' Up die.  Pearls, ribbon and wooden shape (sprayed with gold spray & sparkle) all from my stash.  Card blank is 7" square.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• I Love Promarkers - cute & cuddly
• Papertake Weekly - die cute special
• Creative Inspirations - swirls & pearls
• Everybody Art - shabby
• Dream Valley - anything goes

If you should happen to use one of your un-inked stamps or digis this week, feel free to add your creations to the linky below and I'll pop over to see what you've made :o)

Less is More - predominantly purple

I didn't manage to join in with last week's challenge at Less is More, even though there were 2 weeks to play along - it's the first time I've missed one :o(  So I thought I'd combine this week's theme of 'predominantly purple' with last week's 'just one word'...

It had to be a very simple card today, because Dex's cough is making him a bit miserable and he doesn't want me to do anything - he sat on my feet in the craft room while I made this!

I've used a cute Elzybells bear - never used before even though I've probably had it a couple of years, so that's another one of my un-inked stamps I can stop feeling quite so guilty about.... I stamped it onto linen card and coloured it with promarkers and flexmarkers, and used a sakura clear stardust pen for the spots on her dress.  Added a gem on her flower (Dex told me to - he likes a bit of bling lol), a Personal Impressions sentiment and then mounted it on a lilac (or lavender? Light purple?...) card base.

Sorry this is a bit brief (you might think that's a good thing), hopefully I'll have a bit more time tomorrow!

New images from DigiStamp Boutique!

How fab is this new mouse character?!  I love him :o)

This is one of the new offer images from DigiStamp Boutique for this month - they'll be in the shop later this evening so I'll link it up then.  The images in this set all come with fab matching sentiments - I've used one of them on my card.  There are 2 other 'offer of the month' sets being released too, all SO cute :o)

I decided to print him on linen as I really like colouring on it, seems more fun somehow!  He's coloured with promarkers, flexmarkers and koh-i-noor pencils.  The papers are from my new MME 'blink of an eye' pad again, with red cardstock from Papermill Direct and textured kraft card from Stampin' Up.  Scalloped border cut with an MFT die, and the 'husband' sentiment was put together using Elzybells stamps.  The card blank is 7" square.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• Sketch Saturday - fab sketch
• CES Challenges - anything goes
• Simon Says Stamp - new something (new papers & image)
• Cute Card Thursday - what's new
• Pile It On - manly cards

Thanks for all the birthday wishes for Dex - he had a fab day yesterday and got spoilt rotten!  He's not feeling very well though - he's had this bad cold that we've all had, and he's been up half the night coughing, so I've had to keep him off nursery.  I think he'll probably end up being off tomorrow too, but he's been ever so good so I don't really mind.  Off to catch up with you all now :o)

Sweet Stampin' - spots & dots

I'm back with my 2nd post for today, my DT card for Sweet Stampin', where our challenge is 'spots and dots'.  I love using spotty papers so this was a nice and easy one for me :o)  We're sponsored by Stamp Fairy and Crafty Ribbons this week and our monthly sponsor is Joanna Sheen so there are some fab prizes to be won!

This card is for my mum to give to my youngest son Dex, who'll be 4 tomorrow.  I've used a very cute Lenny Notes image kindly provided by Stamp Fairy, coloured with promarkers, flexmarkers and koh-i-noor pencils.  The papers are MME 'blink of an eye', buttons and 2 different ribbons from my stash.

I've made the most of having a relaxing day today - tomorrow will be much busier!  Hubby's mum is having a joint birthday lunch for me and Dex (my birthday's in a little over a week), and then my mum's having a little family party for Dex later in the afternoon.  We still have to wrap all of his pressies tonight so I hope he goes to sleep ok, he's a bit excited!  Hope you're all enjoying your weekend :o)

A Gem of a Challenge - photo inspiration

This week at A Gem of a Challenge we have this gorgeous inspiration photo chosen by the lovely Rebekah...

And here's my card... those with an aversion to pink might want to look away now ;o)

This cute little ted is a new digi stamp called Love Heart Teddy, coloured with promarkers, flexmarkers and koh-i-noor pencils, and I added some sparkle to the hearts with a sakura clear stardust pen.  The papers are from a Forever Friends pad, with textured kraft card from Stampin' Up.  The sentiment ticket is from Pink Gem, available here.  The swirly corner is a sizzix die, the butterfly was cut with a MS punch, and the pearls and raffia lace are from my stash.

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend so far.  I'm not planning on doing much today as I still have this rotten cold, so I'll be curled up in the chair with my Kindle for most of the day I think :o)  I'll be back in a little while with my DT card for Sweet Stampin' though.

The Stamp Basket DT - Tilda with wrapped heart

It's Thursday which means it's my day for posting on The Stamp Basket blog, and this week I got to play with an adorable Tilda stamp which is part of the new Magnolia 'crazy in love' range.  I think a few of us on the DT have been happy bunnies this week when we heard that Janet will be stocking these stamps, dies and papers :o)  All the new goodies are there for you to see in the shop and you can pre-order them now if you like, they'll be in stock very soon.

When I haven't used a Tilda for a while, I forget just how lovely they are to colour - I really had fun with this one :o)  Of course it helped that my new Prima papers arrived in time for me to use them too!

Items available from The Stamp Basket
Magnolia stamp - Tilda with wrapped heart
Craftwork Cards scalloped edge card blank
Deco Art glamour dust - crystal
Dovecraft adhesive gems

I've coloured Tilda with a combination of promarkers, flexmarkers and koh-i-noor pencils.  The papers are Prima 'alla-prima', with Stampin' Up textured kraft card.  I've added some wooden flowers, covered in glossy accents and glamour dust, and yellow pearls from my stash.  The border was cut with an MFT die and I'm not sure what make the sentiment stamp is.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• Papertake Weekly - anything goes + optional something new
• My Mum's Craft Shop - something new (new stamp & papers)
• Simon Says Stamp - new something (as above)
• Cute Card Thursday - what's new
• Delightful Challenges - have a heart

I'm still trying to shake off the cold I've had since before Christmas - my voice went completely yesterday and it's not much better today... hubby and the boys are quite amused by my squeakiness, no sympathy in this house!  Do you remember that cartoon - was it Dastardly and Muttley? - well I had a laughing fit last night and sounded just like that dog lol :o)  Hope you all have a lovely evening, will be round to catch up with you later.

Waste Not Wednesdays wk1!

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, my crafty resolution for this year is to try and work through my huge pile of unused stamps and digis.  A few of you said you might like to join in, and Amanda came up with the name - thanks hun :o)  I also want to use more of my 'stuff' in general, so you should see slightly more elaborate cards from me this year - this doesn't come naturally to me really though, so making one card takes a long time at the moment!

Anyway, as soon as I thought of starting this weekly thing, I knew which stamp I'd have to use first.  For some reason this sweet little girl has been sat waiting to see ink for about 2yrs... shame on me!

So as you probably know, this stamp is Daisy from Sugar Nellie, coloured with a combination of flexmarkers, promarkers and koh-i-noor pencils.  The papers are from a free MME pad that came with a magazine ages ago, with cardstock from Papermill Direct.  The sentiment is Personal Impressions, swirl cut with a sizzix die, butterflies cut with a Stampin' Up die, tab cut with a Stampin' Up punch and embossed with a Stampin' Up embossing folder.  Pearls, lace and shimmery button all from my stash.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• Papertake Weekly - anything goes + optional something new (don't think I've used anything new though, sorry!)
• Flutterby Wednesdays - open challenge
• I Love Promarkers - buttons & lace

So this is just a little 'for fun' challenge to get me using all those poor forgotten stamps, but if anyone would like to join in with me, please leave me a comment and I'll come and see what dusty stamp or digi you've used :o)  I'll add a linky next week if there are a few of you joining in.  Just for fun, no prizes, although I might do the occasional little giveaway - we'll see how it goes!

Dex's 4th birthday

It will be Dex's 4th birthday on Sunday, my little baby's growing up fast!  He told me he'd like a boy on his card, and a ribbon, so that's what he's got :o)

I also had to put a bit of pink on his card, because that's his favourite colour - I don't suppose I'll get away with using pink for long so I might as well make the most of it!

The image is super cute Sammy from DigiStamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers, flexmarkers and koh-i-noor pencils.  Papers are Echo Park 'walk in the park' with dark brown cardstock from Papermill Direct.  Sentiment is CC Designs, ribbon from Hobbycraft and the number 4 was cut on my Cricut (Plantin Schoolbook cart).

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• CLP Challenge - sketch
• Totally Gorjuss - something happy
• Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
• Charisma Cardz - anything goes
• Stampin' for the weekend - anything goes
• Secret Crafter - anything goes
• Pile It On - anything goes

The boys are back at school and nursery tomorrow - I'm quite glad they didn't go back today, it's been blowing a gale and pouring with rain all day so a great day to spend in the craft room and not venture out at all!  Hope it's been a bit nicer where you are :o)

** Ooh - I nearly forgot!  There's a sale on at DigiStamp Boutique at the moment, so you can get 30% off everything until 7th Jan! **

The Stamp Basket DT - Mimo ski

I'm running late as we took the boys to spend their Christmas money.  My mum came too - she got me a pressie for my birthday and let me have it now (there's a couple of weeks until my birthday), a pretty case for my Kindle so it won't get damaged in my bag :o)  We also managed to get some extra bits for Dex's birthday without him seeing - that's on Sunday... very bad birthday planning in our family lol!

Products available from The Stamp Basket
Craftwork Cards scalloped edge card blank
Bildmalarna Mimo - ski stamp
White seam binding, dyed with distress inks
Dovecraft adhesive gems
Deco Art glamour dust in crystal

Ooh and in the next couple of days Janet will have the new Magnolia Sweet Crazy Love stamps, papers and dies in the shop!  I'm quite looking forward to having a play with some of these :o)

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• Sketch Saturday - fab sketch
• Crafty Calender - cold and frosty

Ok, so now my paper ban is over (yippee, hurrah - 2 new paper pads on their way already lol!!!) I've been thinking about what I should do this year.  The pile of un-inked stamps and unused digis has been bothering me for a while - I just can't seem to stop myself buying them and then for some reason I don't get round to using them... and then I buy more!  I'm going to try and change that this year, so I've decided to have at least one day each week where I use an unused stamp or digi, or maybe both if I have time... on Wednesdays I think. Any ideas of what I can call my weekly 'thing'?  Maybe some of you fellow hoarders will join in with me :o)