Thursday 31 March 2011

A quick LOTV card


I've been a bit busy with DT bits and pieces today, so I didn't have time for much 'play time'.  So I thought I'd make a quick card with one of these cute little pre-coloured images from LOTV.  I've used some Kanban papers that I got from Busy Bees and dark brown Papermill cardstock.  Flower from my stash, border cut with a MS punch, sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:
Apologies for the not very exciting card, and the short post... want to try and squeeze in some commenting while the boys are playing upstairs - I'm soooo behind!

Wednesday 30 March 2011

Less is More wk 8 - sketch

The challenge at Less is More this week is a sketch... fine with me usually but this one's a DL card.  Eek, haven't made one of those for a long time!  I was slightly worried, but finally came up with these...


Not exactly inspired are they?  But I quite like them - I really should make different sized cards more often, it's just so easy to reach for the square ones!  So thanks again Mandi and Chrissie for making me try something away from my comfort zone :o)

I've used some cute little baby images from the simply baby set from Digistamp Boutique, printed onto linen card and coloured with promarkers.  Papers are digi ones from Pink Petticoat (printed onto linen again), ribbon from my stash and computer generated sentiments - punched out with my Stampin' Up word window punch.

I'm also entering my cards for the following challenges:
Thanks everyone who left me get well messages yesterday - luckily it was a just a 24hr thing and I'm feeling much better today :o)

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Candy reminder...

I've already done one redraw and don't really want to do another... so if you entered my recent candy draw, could you please check this post and see if you were the winner!

Seem to have come down with some sort of sicky bug today and feel very yucky, so no cards today.  Typical when I've got loads that need to be made.  I'm trying to return all your comments, but really do feel off so I'm sorry it's taking a while to catch up.  Hopefully I'll be feeling better and get some crafting done tomorrow :o)

Monday 28 March 2011

Boy cards!

Oh I do like making boy cards :o)  I know it's more normal to hate making them, but I think they're fun.


I made one for a young boy - this is Sammy and Skateboard from Digistamp Boutique....


... and one for an older 'boy' using Golf James, again from Digistamp Boutique.  Love these new images!  I've coloured them both with promarkers and koh-i-noor pencils, and used the same Making Memories papers for both cards.

Right, now I've got some crafting out of my system, I can come and have catch up with all your blogs... Oh, and you saw how tidy my new desk looked in the pic this weekend?  It doesn't look like that anymore lol!  Hubby keeps popping in and shaking his head in despair.  I must admit, even I thought it would stay tidy for a bit longer than 2 days!

Crafty Cardmakers spotlight - decoupage


For this fortnight over at Crafty Cardmakers Spotlight our spotlight is on decoupage.  I don't do decoupage very often, although I do sometimes layer up bits of stamped images.  I wasn't sure what to use for this challenge, and then I remembered a free Forever Friends booklet that came with a magazine.  I found this decoupage and the papers in there.

I've punched a border using the MS scallop dot punch, added some little flowers (x-cut punch) and pearls.  The tag sentiment is Craftwork Cards and the button is from my stash.  Just a simple little card.

As there's no stamping on my card, I'm entering it for Creative Card Crew's 'no stamps' challenge (my 2nd entry).

Apologies for my lack of commenting yesterday - we had such a busy weekend, what with getting my desk set up and my room reorganised, and then yesterday we went to my mum's.  And then hubby decided he 'needed' a new phone... I knew there would be a catch to him buying my new desk lol!  So off we went to Crystal Peaks.  All day I was just itching to get in my room and make something, so I spent the evening up there and didn't really do any blogging at all.  I'll catch up later :o)

Saturday 26 March 2011

The desk!

Well it's 11pm and we've finally finished installing my enormous new desk in my craft room.  I'm absolutely shattered (and starving - pizza's just arrived lol!), but thought I'd pop a couple of pics on here.



It's hard to show just how big it is, but if you look at the 2nd pic, you can see part of a smaller desk next to the big shot - that's my old desk.  Can't wait to get crafting up there now :o)

Will catch up with you all tomorrow - pizza calling!

Friday 25 March 2011

Stamp Something - spring!


This week at Stamp Something we'd like to see your 'spring somethings'.  We're sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and the prize is a fab $20 gift certificate for one lucky winner.

Now, I'm not sure how I ended up making this card to be honest!  When I think of spring, I usually think of yellows and greens, that sort of thing.  But I was drawn to this paper, and considering my ailing mojo at the moment, I just went along with it!  I think it's probably a bit too plain as well.  Never mind...

I've used a cute Stampavie stamp that I bought AGES ago, used once then forgot.  It's coloured with promarkers with touches of sakura clear stardust pen (can't see in the pic).  The paper is MME, cardstock is coredinations.  The little tag sentiment is Craftwork Cards, button from my stash.  I've embossed the centre panel with a daisy embossing folder that was free with a magazine... but realised too late that I had it the wrong way so it's debossed instead - oops!  I was going to cut a new piece and do it again, but decided I quite liked it as it was.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:
I've been all excited since yesterday evening - hubby finally got sick of my moaning and bought me a new desk.  Hurray!!!  I've been using such a small desk - it doesn't even fit my guillotine on properly, I have to store it on the floor when I'm not using it.  I've had my eye on a big corner desk from Ikea, but we couldn't really afford it.  Then last night hubby spotted the same desk on ebay not too far away from us and he bought it for me :o)  Slight problem though - he went to pick it up this aft and it wouldn't fit in his car!  So we still need to sort that out... hopefully I'll have a lovely new desk and lots of space to work on very soon!  Although that means I'll have to do lots of reorganising in the craft room to fit it in....

Thursday 24 March 2011

A couple of 'snippet' cards

While my mojo was having a holiday yesterday, I decided to give up on making 'proper' cards and see what I could make from my scraps.



I quite enjoyed myself, and will definitely make some more of these.  After a frustrating day where nothing seemed to be coming together properly, it was quite relaxing just to shuffle bits of paper around and see what happened :o)

As they're made from my 'snippets' this means I can finally join in with Jules' Crafty Snippet Challenge and I'm also entering them for Creative Card Crew's 'no stamps' challenge.  Although I'm not sure if the 2nd card qualifies as the sentiment is stamped.

Thank you for all the lovely comments yesterday... I was obviously having a negative day and really appreciated them :o)

Wednesday 23 March 2011

A crafty day...


Well my crafty day wasn't quite as successful as I'd hoped, as my mojo seemed to be in hiding for most of the day.  I did colour a couple of images, made this card and also made a couple of cards from snippets from my scraps... I'll show my snippet cards tomorrow.

I've used a new stamp from Wild Rose Studio... I've wanted some WRS stamps for ages but for some reason never got round to buying any.  Jean recently started stocking them at Busy Bees so I've got some now lol.  I've coloured the image with promarkers... very badly!  I don't know what was up with me today.  The papers are MME, navy cardstock from Papermill, button from my stash.  The little tag sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:
Dex has enjoyed his full day at nursery, and even ate his lunch - I was very pleased to hear that, because he's the fussiest child ever!  It's been a lovely day, so they've been able to play outside and he's had a great time.  No nursery now until after the Easter hols, so hopefully he'll still be just as keen then :o)

**Scroll down to see my candy winner - I had to do a redraw as my original winner didn't get in touch**

Candy redraw

Well my candy winner didn't get in touch so I've done a redraw!

My new winner is.....

Number 15 - Margreet

Congratulations Margreet!  Please email me with your details and I'll send you your goodies :o)

I'll be back later with some cards (hopefully!).

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Gorgeous Grace

I've been keeping myself busy today while Dex had another trial session at nursery.  He was there all morning today, and I made 2 cards... tomorrow he's there ALL DAY, wonder how much I'll manage to get done :o)  That's it then though, until after Easter - then he'll be going 3 full days... scary stuff!  Anyway, here are my cards...


For the first one, I've (more or less!) followed this week's sketch at Sketch Saturday.  The image is gorgeous Grace from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers.  Papers are Dovecraft 'back to basics' with black Papermill cardstock.  Ribbon & pearls from stash, sentiment stamp is from a CC Designs set.



I haven't followed a sketch for my second card, I was just playing.  This little cutie is Fairy Grace again from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers.  Used a Sakura clear stardust pen on the wand 'trail' and the fairy wings.  Dovecraft 'back to basics' paper, coredinations cardstock, ribbon & bow is Papermania, card candy added to the bow.  The sentiment is from another CC Designs set.

I'm entering my cards for the following challenges:

Monday 21 March 2011

It's oh so quiet....

Dex has gone to nursery for another short settling in session so I'm grabbing the chance to blog in peace!  Tomorrow he's going for 4hrs, eek!

I made some simple little cards yesterday, but didn't get round to taking pics.  They're basically the same but in different colours.  A purple one....


and a yellow & green one (not sure about this one!)


Both made using my new Pink Gem stamps, which sadly have to go back because the lovely dotty flower stamp is faulty.  Janet was super speedy getting back to me though and she's sending me a replacement so no problem there.  I'll miss them while they're gone though... sob... sob!

I've stamped using Memento inks - I recently treated myself to lots of yummy colours so expect to see all sorts of odd combinations appearing.  Obviously you get a much more 'perfect' image if you stamp on plain card but I quite like the effect of stamping on linen card at the moment.  The butterflies are from the same stamp set.  Circles cut with Go-Kreate dies, pearls from stash.  'Best wishes' sentiment is Penny Black, 'for you' is from a Country Companions set.

I'm entering my cards for the following challenges:
Right, I'm going to catch up on some commenting while I have a quiet house, I'm very behind with all your blogs!

Saturday 19 March 2011

Less is More - masculine


**2nd post for today - scroll down for my Little Claire DT cards**

I like making male cards (I know, strange aren't I?!) so I was quite pleased to see that the new challenge at Less is More is masculine cards.  A good opportunity to play with my Sizzix primitive star die and raid my button stash :o)  Apart from the Kraft card base, this card is made entirely from scraps, which is another bonus... although I'd have to make about 200 of these if I wanted to make a small dent in my scrap mountain!  The sentiment is computer generated and punched out with my Stampin' Up word window punch.

I always feel a bit guilty when I make a card with no stamping at all, but you'll be pleased to hear I still managed to get in a mess... while I was rummaging for the 'right' buttons I managed to unhook the button box lid from its hinge... unfortunately I was holding the lid at the time so the actual box bounced off my desk and showered buttons all over the craft room!  I've been picking them up from every bit of floor and out of every drawer for ages and I know I'll still be finding them for weeks.

I'm also entering my card for the 'to die for' challenge at Charisma Cardz.

Little Claire - pink & green

Time for a new challenge at Little Claire and this fortnight we'd like to see your 'pink & green' creations.  I got a bit carried away and made two...

a pale pink one
 and a bright pink one

I've used the fab Spiky Flowers stamp, simply stamped with Memento ink, and added some buttons.  The papers are Pink Petticoat (pale pink) and I think Doodlebug (bright pink) with coredinations cardstock.  Ribbon from my stash and Craftwork Cards sentiments.

I'm entering my cards for the following challenges:
Keeping this brief - I want to do a bit of commenting and then finally use some of the new stamps that I've been desperate to use all week!

Friday 18 March 2011

Stamp Something - sweet!


It's Friday (hurray!) and that means it's time for a new challenge at Stamp Something, and this week we'd like to see your 'sweet somethings'.  We're sponsored by our regular monthly sponsor Sugar Nellie who is offering 4 sugar nellie stamps for the lucky winner!

I've used one of my favourite Sugar Nellie gorjuss girl stamps - it's been too long since I last inked her, so I was glad to use her again :o)  I coloured her with promarkers and used glamour dust for her wings.  The papers are Dovecraft 'back to basics', with Papermill cardstock.  Flowers and button from stash, sentiment and fabby card blank are from Craftwork Cards.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

Thursday 17 March 2011

Black & white popcorn

Ah I love colouring Popcorn bear in grey, he looks so cute :o)  This is another card for an order... I'm a bit busy at the moment!  So many new stamps that I'm desperate to use and not enough time to play.  Maybe this weekend :o)

Anyway, not much to say about this card really.  Popcorn is coloured with promarkers and then I've added LOADS of glamour dust on the balloons - looks really odd in the photo, but very sparkly 'in real life'.  I've printed the sentiment onto some white linen card, black cardstock is Papermill, paper is Papermania.  The corner/ button details were added as an afterthought when I dropped an inky stamp on the bottom of my card... oops!

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:
 

Wednesday 16 March 2011

LOTV anniversary


I've made this one for an order using yet another previously un-inked LOTV stamp - such a sweet little image :o)


It's coloured with promarkers, with glamour dust on the little girl's bow.  The papers are gorgeous GCD Studios 'ella blue', with dark brown Papermill cardstock.  Anniversary sentiment is from a Country Companions set, ticket stamp is Imaginisce, 'to my husband' made up from an Elzybells set.  Ribbon from Little Claire, buttons from stash, hearts cut with the Sizzix 'primitive hearts' die.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:
Huge apologies if I haven't managed to visit your blog in the last day or so.  I'm a bit busy with orders, and Dex had a settling in session at nursery this morning, so I've been a bit preoccupied with that.  Dex has had a fabulous time, wasn't upset when I left and only asked for me once... I was a nervous wreck!   We had lots of cuddles when I picked him up, but he seems to have enjoyed it and is looking forward to going back for another session next week.  After the Easter hols he'll be going 3 full days - ooh all that lovely peaceful crafty time!

Tuesday 15 March 2011

My candy winner!

Sorry, I'm a bit late announcing my candy winner - I meant to pop back yesterday and do it but didn't get chance.

Anyway, I can now announce that the winner is.....

Number 33 - Dorothy

Congrats Dorothy!  Please email me with your details and I'll get your goodies posted to you :o)

Hopefully I'll be back later with a card!

Monday 14 March 2011

A little candy!


I think it's about time for some candy!

You don't need to become a follower - just add a link to your blog below, and put a pic of the candy, along with a link back to my blog, in your sidebar.

HOWEVER... lol... if I do gain some more followers I will add a little something to the candy.  The first extra item will be added if I get to 500 followers.

At the moment there is:

  • a Big Hugs stamp set from Little Claire
  • gingham ribbon in different colours
  • some Wild Orchid flowers
  • a selection of lace
**AS I NOW HAVE OVER 500 FOLLOWERS, I'M ADDING SOME MORE GOODIES**


  • Birthday Bumps stamp from Lili of the Valley
  • Set of 10 promarkers
I won the promarkers from the Passion for Promarkers challenge, but as I've got them I thought I'd offer them as candy :o)


Crafty Cardmakers - make your own papers


It's time for a new spotlight challenge at Crafty Cardmakers, and from now on the spotlight challenges have their own blog which you can see here.  Our challenge for this fortnight is to make your own designer papers - you can do this however you like, but any papers on your card must be made by you.

I've used one of the fab new images from the Cupcake Collection from Digistamp Boutique, and a digi sentiment from TLC.  I printed the cupcakes onto ivory linen cardstock, and coloured them with promarkers, adding lots of glamour dust.  The papers were made using ivory linen card stamped with Stampin' Up flower and dot stamps, using memento inks.  I then inked around the edges of each paper with pink memento ink.  Dark brown cardstock is from Papermill Direct, raffia lace, flowers and button from my stash.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:
Back later to announce my candy winner :o)

Sunday 13 March 2011

Less is More - one layer, off the edge


Well here we go on my favourite week at Less is More (NOT!), it's the one-layer card, and this week Mandi and Chrissie have challenged us to go 'off the edge' of our card.

It's a bit of a boring effort I'm afraid... I'm wondering if I should have added some pearls to the tree or something - any suggestions welcome!  The tree stamp is a Kanban one, the sentiment is from this set from Little Claire.  Stamped in Rich Cocoa memento ink, on pale blue linen effect cardstock.

I was showcased again for the pastel card I made last week - so thrilled, thank you Mandi and Chrissie.  I think it's unlikely I'll be showcased for any of my one-layer cards though LOL!

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

Friday 11 March 2011

Stamp Something - cream & green!


Time for a new challenge at Stamp Something and this week we have a colour challenge - we'd like to see your 'cream & green' somethings.  I must admit, these are not colours I use very often, and usually if I was going to make a girly card I'd be using pink or something else obviously girly.  But, I really love how this turned out... it's not very often I'm really happy with a card, but I like this one :o)  We're sponsored by Michelle's Scrapbooking & More - ooh, lots of lovely goodies there!

I've used a gorgeous CC Designs image, Sweetheart Birgitta, coloured with promarkers and koh-i-noor pencils, with glamour dust for her wings.  The spotty paper is K&Co, with dark green Papermill cardstock.  Flowers, button and lace from my stash, leaves cut with a Woodware punch, and a Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:
Well I'd better go - hubby turned up a little while ago, he thought he'd take the afternoon off and surprise me.  It was a surprise... my LOTV goodies arrived this morning and I had to quickly pile some stuff on top of them before he noticed lol ;o)   Go and have a look at my candy while you're here, I've added some goodies to it today...

Added to my candy...

Just a quick one as I'll be back soon with my Stamp Something DT card...

As promised, as I've now gone over 500 followers, I've added some extra goodies to my candy.  Here's a pic :o)

Thursday 10 March 2011

A quick spotty cat


I didn't think I was going to manage a card today, but then I remembered I had this image coloured already -  I did it ages ago and then lost it in my bottomless pit of a craft room!  It turned up this week when I was looking for something else (that I didn't find).

The spotty cat is from Digistamp Boutique, there's a matching spotty dog too :o)  I've coloured it with promarkers and koh-i-noor pencils, and added a teeny button to the little flower.  The papers are Making Memories, with dark brown Papermill cardstock.  Sentiment and card candy from Craftwork Cards.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

I've not forgotten...

Wow, since yesterday I've gone well over 500 followers!  I've not forgotten about adding some extra goodies to my blog candy - I'm just waiting for something to arrive and then I'll take a pic, fingers crossed it'll come tomorrow.

No card at the moment, I've been making a DT card today... will be back later if I manage to make something else this afternoon :o)

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Deckchair dreaming...


Ooh look, I'm nearly at 500 followers :o)  Just 1 more and then I'll be adding to my blog candy!  Hello and thank you to all my new followers.

Apologies for the less than brilliant photos today - they seem to be either full of shadows or all washed out.


This card is for an order.  I've had this LOTV stamp for MONTHS and until now hadn't managed to use it - no idea why, it was really easy to colour and so cute!  I've used my promarkers and koh-i-noor pencils to colour him.  The papers are digi ones from Pink Petticoat, printed onto linen card (from Papermill).  'Daddy' lettering is computer generated, 'take it easy' sentiment is from this set from Little Claire - as it's a clear stamp I've shaped it into a wavy line.  Buttons from my stash.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:
So, was anyone else naughty with the new LOTV stamp release today?  A few stamps might have fallen in my basket this morning lol... too cute to resist aren't they?

Monday 7 March 2011

Less is More - pastel colours


I've ended up with a bit more on this card than I intended so I hope it still qualifies for Less is More!  The silly printer blobbed a bit of black ink next to one of the flowers, so I've added the pearl swirls to cover it up... it would probably have looked better without them.  Of course, I should've just scrapped the smudged printing and printed again, but I thought I could cover it....

I've used one of the new flower images from Digistamp Boutique, available in a set here, used photoshop to put 2 of the flowers together and then printed them onto linen cardstock.  I've used my Stampin' Up 'dot' stamp to add random dots of pink, green and blue Memento ink, then embossed a line above and below the dotty section (this isn't really showing up on the pic).  I printed out several of the flower images and 'coloured' them with the ink pads, then cut them out and layered them up.  Added a computer generated sentiment, punched out with the Stampin' Up word window punch, to finish.

I'm also entering my card for the 'pink polka dots' challenge at Cupcake Craft.

Huge apologies if I've missed visiting your blog this weekend, I didn't have time to do much crafting or blogging.  Planning a big catch up session this afternoon when I get back from picking Morgan up from school :o)

Saturday 5 March 2011

Mother's Day turtle


I'm very late tonight so I'll keep it brief!  I've made this one for an order, for a lady who likes tortoises... so although this is actually a turtle, I've tried to colour her in more tortoise-like colours.  No idea if I've managed it, but she's cute anyway!

The image is Shelly Turtle and Flowers from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers and koh-i-noor pencils, with glamour dust on the bow.  The papers are a mix of Imaginisce and Dovecraft, with Kraft card.  You can't really tell from the pic, but the pink dots on the Imaginisce paper are all fuzzy :o)  Sentiment is a digi one from Cuddly Buddly, flowers cut with an x-cut punch with Papermania button centres.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

Friday 4 March 2011

Stamp Something - digi!


It's time for a new challenge at Stamp Something, and this week it's our regular monthly digi challenge - so nice and easy, you just need to use anything digi on your creation.  We have lots of great sponsors so lots of lovely prizes to be won :o)


I've used a sweet image from one of our sponsors A Day For Daisies.  She's coloured with promarkers, with lots of glamour dust for her wings.  I'm not sure what make the stripy paper is, it's one I found in my scraps.  I've also used a piece of whitewash coredinations and sanded it randomly to show up some of the pink colour underneath.  Added some ribbon and a button from my stash.  The bow was tied (very badly!) using my bow-easy - I must be the only person who can still mess up bows even when I use the bow-easy!

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

Thursday 3 March 2011

Playing with the Cricut


Before I get on to my card, I have to say a HUGE thank you for all the congratulations messages yesterday - I really appreciate them all!

I've been playing with the Cricut this afternoon... I'm still at the 'let's hit this button and see what happens' stage really - I definitely don't know what I'm doing yet, but I'm having fun learning :o)  Apologies if it's all a bit boring while I'm playing with it!

I've cut the scallop card from 'Wild Card' at 5.75", the pink 'frame' from the same page... cut the spotty circle using 'Plantin Schoolbook', then cut the 'never enough cake' phrase and it's matching shadow from 'Once Upon a Princess' (yep, I've sneaked a couple of new cartridges into the house this week, they've gone unnoticed so far lol).  Added some punched flowers and pearls, and 'inked' the edges of everything with promarkers.  Not completely happy with it but it's not too bad!

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

Wednesday 2 March 2011

My FABULOUS news!


Oooooh so excited!!!  As you might have noticed, I'm completely addicted to all things Digistamp Boutique, and recently I had a few lovely months as Guest Designer.  Last night I had the most exciting email ever - Sally-Ann asked me if I'd like to come back and join her main DT!  Oh, I thought about it for about 2 seconds and then of course said YES :o)  Thank you Sally-Ann, you've made me very happy!

Now I've had one of THOSE days today - Dex has got an upset tummy (potty training and the runs are a lovely combination!) but in between cleaning up and cuddling I've managed to make a card.  I've used one of this month's fab offer images - this is Oscar and he's available on his own or in a set here.  He's coloured with promarkers and koh-i-noor pencils.  The papers are digi ones from Summertime Designs, printed onto linen cardstock, with purple coredinations.  Digi sentiment from Paper Makeup Stamps, pearls from stash.

It's not my best - I'm going through one of my 'can't follow a sketch to save my life' stages, so I tried but gave up on the sketches and kept it simple.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:
Off to parent's evening in a bit, that should be fun - especially seen as Morgan managed to get a detention today for talking too much!  Will be round to see all your blogs when I get back :o)

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Less is More - 3 squares


Amazingly, last week I was spotlighted... or is it spotlit?... at Less is More with my little sheep card!  Thank you Mandi and Chrissie :o)

This week's Less is More challenge is to use 3 squares, and I've used a little pig from the same set of images from Digistamp Boutique.  Papers are Kanban, scalloped squares cut with nesties, flowers cut with a x-cut punch, with pearls from my stash.

I'm also entering my card for the following challenges:
Well I was going to waffle on for a bit longer but the kids are squabbling and I need to break it up!  Will be round to visit everyone's blogs in a bit...