Cute Card Thursday Challenge 29 'Lots of sparkle' & Cupcake Craft Challenge 'Christmas'

I think I could have done better with some kind of stitching from my sewing machine but as yet I am unable to get to it and may have to buy a brand new one. John Lewis do their own make around £249 onwards or Janome starting at £49, I'll make my mind up soon as I am a machinist and need a good one.

The Christmas paper is from the Do-crafts free download from their own website, the sentiment stamp is from Dovecraft only £1 from my local do-crafts stockist, 3 snowflake punched and glittered up, raised and mini pink brad in middle, lots of silver sequins to add sparkle, and accenting around card to finish! Hope you like. Have a nice day!

Candy Alert
Martha has some delicious candy.

Marie has some double sided papers, fibres and a 'Deco' template up for some blog candy.

Lim is giving some 150 stamped image,buttons,white lace,charms and wait for it ....a scalloped border punch.

Gill is giving some Dovecraft goodies away based on the christmas theme. There's double celebrations- So many visitors and it's her birthday on next friday.

Papertake Weekly 'Children in Need'

I really wanted to contribute something to this worthy cause. I'm glad we still have some more time as Stephanie over at Papertake Weekly is still collecting YELLOW cards. Good Luck!!!

And now I must find time to take part in some challenges.

Will this get to my friend in California? I'm late in sending her a birthday gift, so I decided as she enjoys writing I would send her a notelet set using my new Grunge stamps from Gunhild. The cushionning on these stamps is brilliant. No room for mistakes. I printed out some Shabby Tots paper in subtle pink from I think the Shabby Princess free downloads (I'm not sure).

Just a very quick gift. I know she'll be pleased for sure.

Donalda has a Whiff of Joy stamp to give away. Talented crafter and great blog, go and see!

Good morning everyone!

Hope all is well and everyone has had a restful weekend.

Todays agenda is more blog hopping and maybe a card or two.

Jeanette is having a celebration for so many hits and it's her first blog candy. Up for grabs is a Magnolia Seaside Tilda stamp, 20 images, Prima flowers, ink pad, and embellis. Wow! Go for it and don't miss out.

Sam is giving some candy - a hostess level. Go and see!

Tara is celebrating so many visitors and is giving away lots of goodies including stamps,MM family wordfetti, 2 tins full of diecut flowers,acrylic shapes and I may have missed something out..OOOps. Just list your 5 faves that you like to do in your craft room!

Good Morning Friday!!!

I'm not sure I'll get any cards done today :(, might just have a rest day to re-energise for challenges to come. :)
But there's always blog hopping to do!

Maureen has double celebrations candy. She has an upcoming birthday and has also had so many hits on her blog. What is the offering I hear you say...Some Studio G stamps.....Wondeful! Yippee!!!

Maria has some Clarity stamps on offer. Go and take a peek!

Catt is celebrating 10,000 hits. She has blog candy too!

Vikki has a bundle of goodies to give away.

I have placed a counter on the blog. I should have had since June then I would have known how many peeps had visited me... Oh well.. never mind.

Magnolia challenge 37 ' on a budget'

This card is exactly what the title says and it's my first attempt at a rolled edged paper version.

The base card is slightly textured and subtle peach in colour.I've only used half of A4 (25p). The printed backing paper is from Shabby Princess Harvest collection (free downloads) (3p), the chocolate brown spots is from papercraft inspirations free downloads Go Retro range(2p), 3 buttons are from old cardi's, one mini gold brad from old QVC kit ( 5p), total 35p. The cost is quite little as it's not a large card and I've done with materials from home.

The front portion is cut slightly and I've just doodled on the part showing. the edges have been chalked in brown after using clear versa ink pad just to give colour to the edging, sitting tingla has been watercoloured and glittered on some areas, lifted with foam pads, she sits on a branch that i have drawn myself and watercolrd, (I wonder how she got up there in the first place), anyway swirls from Gunhilds stamps on the brown dotty paper, sentiment is from a cheap Tesco's stamp with a brad, 3 old buttons and thread from own stash.Hope you like and have a nice day!

This card is also going for the Cupcake craft sketch 6 challenge.

Michelle has the most wonderful candy, donkey stamps to give away. There's lots of celebrations over at Donkey Smiles. Reaching almost 25,000 hits, drawing on the day that would have been her dads birthday, and the release of these most gorgeous donkey stamps from Alota rubber stamps. Can't miss this? then get on over there.....quick.

Would you like some Hangler Stangler stamps? Anki is offering them to a lucky crafter.

Friday Sketchers Challenge 20

First time I am taking part in this challenge.
This is a large card, A4 folded in half. I have never tried these before but I thought I'd experiment a bit.
The card itself was part of a bargain box with allsorts inside and it is slightly corrugated and dark aubergine in colour. The lilac paper is from own stash and stamped with the Grunge scrollstamp 019 from Gunhild
the bottom has deliberately not been stamped, the papers are from HOTP friendship 5203, the pink thread used in the left side is something maybe used for spirelli, with 2 white crochet flowers (thanks Elin
) I've sewn co-ordinating buttons in the middle and a sentiment with a cheap stamp I picked up from Tescos a while ago. The Sarah Kay 'sweet lili' image is just coloured with some metallic crayola pencils, her pretty bow glittered with crystal dust.small pin and pink ribbon stuck on with glue dot. To finish 3 clear flower gems from old QVC kit and white sakura gelly roll pen and black liner to accent and finish off. Hope you like and have a nice day!

I would also like this card to go for Vicki's 'pins and needles' challenge. It's her birthday soon and there are celebrations for reaching 20,000 hits. Wow!!!

Elin is having around of candy, Blog Candy #2 and there's lots to be had including a magnificent stamp.

Alison is also offering candy, there's so much. go and see!

Han is celebrating. Brilliant candy.

World Alzheimers Day
Heart to Heart

This is the card to say many, many thanks to thousands and thousands of carers out there who are self-less and give so much care and joy to others with this depilitating disease. There is a blog candy (biggest that I've ever known and I haven't been blogging long) hosted by Carolyn who has asked companies to donate prizes for this blog candy. What started so small has grown. Some 343 entries when i last saw the comments. The blog candy has rules to follow but is quite simple but I think there is an extremely lucky person out there who is going to get a very big and special candy!!!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO ENTER.

This has just come. I won it in Sammi's candy. Thanks Sammi :)

Kaboodle Challenge 4 'non-traditional embellishments'

Does any one recognise this?

Yes it's what my hubby buys me flowers in. I'm so sorry about the pic but it was dark when I took it.
The flower wrap bag ....thingy, I don't know what the proper name is....but I don't like throwing them away and keep them all for inspiration- especially when they have pretty flowers like this one. Well, anyway here we go...

Kaboodle would like you to use anything re-useable and re-cyclable, tickets, carriers, bottle tops etc..
Like the previous card I chomped away on the diagonal and edged all around the card with normal pink pigment ink pad, on the front corner I've used one of my Stempelglede stamps from Gunhild, Grunge corner 022( thanks Gunhild), these are beautifully cushioned stamps and I was lucky enough to win in the candy, then the flower has been cut from the wrap and put a safety pin and some old string through it, glue dot to adhere it to the edge of the card. The inside check square papers are from Kaboodle Picnic kit and a hand stamped sentiment which is an old QVC foam stamp. It stamps beautifully. I love it. Finished!!! Hope you likey :)

As I'm quite chuffed with this card, I might enter it into a really special blog candy.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 28 'Food'

Hi there, picture quality is not good at all, miserable day outside and I so wanted to get the 3D look through the photo rather than scanning it flat. Here we go... Kaboodledoodle papers used in this in the picnic range, chopped the front right away on the diagonal, black faux zig-zag stitching, pretty thin ribbon in white with bow, inside cupcake glittered with crystal dust and some silver glitter glue.mounted on silver mirri board, hand cut scalloped round and simply finshed off with a computer generated sentiment in 'print clearly' font. In real life it is much better. The scanned picture is below.

Hazel is giving away some gorgeous Basic grey papers.

Angel is offering some spooky Halloween goodies, there's load of it. Butterfly kisses is the name of the candy. All you have to do is tell people about it, the more the merrier.It' s also on my jubbly candy list -on the right side bar. Too good to miss out on!!!

Gisela is celebrating on receiving so many visitors. Candy to be had.

I spot some Forever Friends goodies in this candy. Arline is giving so much in this bundle of yummies!

Beverely has some halloween candy.

I think I might manage a card or two later on. Come back and see!

Just found this new blog called Starving Artistamps which is doing a challenge sponsored by their own stamp company. The challenge is 'Swedish Collage' meaning lots of bold colour, buttons, staples etc you get the idea? I haven't any of their stamps at the mo but you can still enter... GREAT!!! My orange Sarah Kay can go for that. It's further down, you can't miss it... ITS ORANGE!

Wow brilliant candy by Line.You can see the stamps,flowers,brads and lots more . Go see here







Nicola has some candy. But rush over, there's not much time!!!

Betty has blog candy. Go and see for yourself. :)

Riley is giving away some candy here.

Carole is giving some gorgeous crafty goodies to a lucky crafter, a Magnolia Tilda stamp,6 x 6 Papermania pack,trims,brads,glitter,tags, and cardstock...WOW a huge amount. Go and take a peek!

Becks is giving away some clear journalling stamps. Yummy!

Nicole is celebrating 5,000 hits and is having a blog candy!

Tilda & Co Challenge'chocolate delight' and Cupcake Craft Sketch Challenge


Another card for two challenges. Magnolia challenge would like you to make a card with chocolate, pink and white colours. As most entries have cake on the cards I chose to put them on my card too. The Cupcake Craft challenge would like entries following their sketch.

The brown backing paper is from Summer Drigg's designs- free downloads Beautimous, the dusky pink paper with pasley design is from an old QVC scrapbook sheet ( I don't scrapbook) but I find these large sheets handy for several cards in one go.The image sitting Tingla is done with black stazon, watercoloured,used pink sparkly gel pen on some bits, crystal glitter dust on wings, three silver gem stones for buttons, lifted with foam pads. The cupcakes are from See D's and heat embossed in black pigment ink, coloured in dark brown gel pen (don't know why it's come out grey??), crystal dust on candle flames, white sakura gel pen for accenting around card and some corners done on the Cuttlebug. DONE i think... oh the sentiment was a sticker from a candy which I've lifted and accented.

In celebration of 40,000 hits Chrissy is giving away her personal designed stamps. Yummy candy!

Sarah Kay Challenge 'trio of papers' & Pretty Pressings Claudia's Sketch challenge

Sarah Kay challenge would like you to use only 3 designer/patternedpapers. I've used the DCWV from a candy I received, thanks Toni, the sketch I've used is Claudia's. The base card is of a subtle peach colour. The image is of course Sweet Lili and it is watercoloured and some crystal dust sprinkled on the ribbon and ted bear. The circle is hand cut and mounted onto some card to give some strength and raised with foam pads. The so, so, pretty flowers were sent in a candy, thanks Elina and the brads are from own stash. No sewing machine so a bit of faux stitching came in handy around the beautiful papers. Hope you like :)

I would also like to show this card to Vanessa for her birthday celebrations. Hope you like, you can't quite see the sparkle on the ribbon but in real life it is sparkly.
Edited to add: I'd like this card to be included ithe Starving Artistamps Challenge- Swedish collage.

Angelique has some fantastic candy to celebrate her birthday.
10 stamped images,patterened paper,6 buttons,20 Prima flowers,2 Heiidi Swapp flowers,3 journelling cards,2 Stampin - up, Studio G clear christmas stamps......breathe.... I think that's it.... but hurry..it's ending soon.

Beth has a forever friends stamp and 6 x 6 paper pack! Wonderful and scrummy yummy.

Crafty Krafts are giving away not one but seven amazing stamps. It's got to be the best. Fulfill 5 and you get 5 entries.

Cute Card Thursday 'cats & dogs' , Kaboodle 'tear it up' & Papertake Weekly Sketch # 11

Yes 3 challenges , this little card is going for.

CCT challenge is self explanatory and I associate cats with balls of wool so cream colour wool is used with the green buttons. Kaboodle wants you to use tearing in your work and if you use their kits you get double entry ... great as I've never displayed anything like this but it's turned out better than I thought. Paper take would like you to follow their sketch by Katharina.

Base green card is from own stash, pale green is from Kaboodle green spot from picnic kit, the torn strip with mice, fish bones etc. is from Papercraft Inspitations free downloads from their website, the cat with ball of wool is raised and is a See D stamp from their cute & cuddly range, sentiment is computer generated, ribbon, brad, buttons from own stash. I've used clear versacolour ink and some brown and green chalks to edge as I don't have any distress inks, this is as near to it. Silver gel pen and black pen to doodle around. Finished! :)

Charlotte has some candy to give away.

Bev is giving away a beautiful Whiff of joy stamp and more goodies.

Debbie has brilliant candy
blog addy for StudioBeeCreations

Sheetloads shortcuts are giving away a pack of see- through cards. More details click here

Scrappin in my spare time is giving away some crafting goodies.

Sheila is giving some scrumptious candy. Answer the question to get your entry.

Papertake Weekly Challenge 'Autumn haze' and Spiral Whisper Sketch Challenge




Okay here we go .... Firstly, I enjoyed making this card as the image was to hand, and Luke's grin seems to say what the sentiment is. The taupe coloured base card is from own stash from ages ago, I thought It would fit perfectly with the other autumn colours, The terracota coloured paper is from own box, speckled a bit, (not sure what kind it is but it's not sugar paper that you would use for kiddies work) .I actually bought a mixture of offcuts in boxes from a shop in town until it shut down. The print paper is from Shabby Princess (free downloads).

This card would fit into a 14cm x 14cm envelope. So my base card measures 13.5 x 13.5 cm . The terractoa paper is 12 x 12cm, then cut corner to corner. I 've accented around with a brown gel pen and a black italic pen and waterproof fine liner pen. Hand cut with decorative scissors around image of Luke wearing hoody which was kindly sent by Karen
watercoloured him,
raised on foam pads, button from own stash and thread saved from my husbands business, and top right a sticker sentiment from a candy also raised a little. Finished!!!
Hope you like :)

Sarak Kay Challenge Week 10 Sketch

My sewing machine has gone to someone who needs it more than me so in comes the faux stitching. The backing paper is from a candy (sorry no details) the rest of the papers are from summertime designs (limeade) free downloads and shabby princess (free). I've used my new grunge corner stamp 022 which i won from Gunhild at stempelglede in black pigment ink versacolour, also around the sweet lily stamp too,bottom left a small piece of white ribbon with a silver charm and white brad. Top right finished with three small gems.

Jen is giving away a bundle of goodies. Go check it out!

Kaboodle Challenge 'spotty' and Carol's Sketch no.3 and Cupcake Craft Challenges 4
(edited)

Well, I've done one card for two challenges. Kaboodle are looking for some thing spotty, paper, ribbon etc. . you get 2 entries if you use one of their kits which I have done. Carol is giving away some goodies for one person who wins her sketch challenge.

The papers are from the Picnic range, I've used the blue. The scallop is cut by hand using scallop scissors and is silver mirri card lifted with foam pads, the round sentiment is from Karen' s blog (freebie)-take a peek, the cards are so brilliant that i have to go there almost everyday. Placed a small blue paper flower with mini brad in centre of it,On the left a sticker sentiment and silver glitter glue on the cupcake to finish! :)
Edited to add: I would like to enter this card for the cupcake craft challenge which is to create something which has the theme of cupcake.

Heidi is offering some stamped images and a flip book. Yummy!!
Gina is also up for some candy.
Irina has some scrummy candy!

Go over to Nikki for a chance to win High Hopes stamp and some pretty paper. She is celebrating 20,000 hits. How about that!!!

Crissy is also giving some High Hopes stamp and goodies. head on over there.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 'Pretty in Pink'



My first aperture card on the blog.
Well, I'm being brave doing this, as I've never done ovals inside an oval aperture. Here it goes... The paper used is from Papercraft Inspiration website free downloads printed on thin card, I 've then laid it over the aperture and carefully cut the oval and kept it to place inside, the cerise is from own stash cut with a plastic stencil by hand, same with the sunflower image download which I won from Sammi as part of her blog candy (flowerfaces) Thanks Sammi :) Take a peek at her blog, she's got some inspirational cards on there. Watercoloured image with ordinary watercolour pencils, the embelishment at the bottom is really silver mirri board and cerise paper punched with daisy punch and lifted with foam pad, a pink flat backed heart gem in the middle and a peel-off sentiment and accenting with black waterproof liner to finish. I've scanned this card rather than use the digi camera to see what the difference is as ???? well I'm not too good with this modern techno but I'm willing to experiment a little.

That's all for now, save a little for tomorrow as they say... Have a good evening :)

CANDY ALERT
Suzanne is giving away a Whiff of Joy stamp and lots of other goodies.

Sunny Monday


As some blog readers may know I love sunflowers, doesn't matter what variety they are, I feel better in myself and they cheer me up. Does that make sense? I feel mesmerized looking into the centre of this one... above...

ABC Challenge 'Gifts'

I thought I would do a small gift bag for my daughter's upcoming birthday. Small enough to place some posh earrings or bracelet in. The template - I tried to look back to find the website, but I did a print of it but forgot to put on it where it was from... Anyway Sorry... Dimensions when assembled 11cm x 6cm x 2.5cm. Quite a neat little package.

I used some nice thick paper which is actually a scrapbook page from QVC kit, Stamped using a sentiment stamp from Funstamps with some black pigment versamark ink , some pretty little paper flowers fitted with punchout daisy and brads from old kits, on some there are some flat gems. The two little bears holding the heart are free from Cuddly Buddly downloads, put a peel-off sentiment, glue glitter the bears and put some gold mirri card to strengthen and cover the back,, punch two holes through the front and back of bag, same with the heart, thread a little 'made with love' charm from Elina (blog candy) in some posh pale pink ribbon and tie a bow.

Very quick to do as I'd already printed out template on a previous occassion- the free cuddly buddly images I'd prepared for another project but chose to put it in this,all I had to do was choose the paper! :)

I'm sorry - no cards today either... been busy with family. May be tomorrow...


Quick shout..
Karin is celebrating 10,000 hits on her blog. Some scrumptious candy offered.

Adele is marking 15'000hits by giving away gorgeous images.

Wet and cold saturday morning, but cheer up there's plenty of sweet candy to be had!!!!

Inge is offering a brand new Whiff of joy stamp (Oakley mit Tretroller) to one lucky crafter with a lot more...

'Where do you buy your rubbah? ' Maria is asking and celebrating 5,000 hits too. Lots of craft goodies and you can leave a comment everyday for more winning chances.. Go take a peek here.

Ann has some autumn candy for those colder evenings to get us in the mood. Lovely candy, go and see!

Jacquie has some SU stamp wheels, pretty papers, and some images.Fantastic!

Sweet Candy

Carola is giving away some gorgeous stamping -up goodies. Head on over.

Sarah is giving away so much , you'll just have to go and have alook - included is one of my favourite items prima flowers, rhinestones and lots more...

Carmen is giving away a Magnolia stamp and other goodies :)

Postie had to wait out in the rain this morning as I tried to get to the door. This is what he brought me...

Gunhild from Stempelglede sent me these gorgeous stamps and a personalised tag. I won it in her candy. Thank you Gunhild, You'll see the use from these stamps soon. :) Then...

...these goodies from Heather that I won as one out of the four ladies in her candy. I'll give a go at everything that's there, Thankyou Heather. :)

Spiral Whisper Challenge 1 (sketch)


This is my very first card for this new challenge and I have used an image kindly sent in a package to me
from Karen
of Lexie shopping ( I hope I have got it right). Anyway these images are just so much fun to play with and I enjoyed making this card.

All the papers are from HOTP Friendship, I've just accented on the various papers, gently watercolourd the image even though the colours look really pale than what they are in real life, rounded off the corners, 3 silver flower gems, and a yellow paper flower and small mini brad from own stash. A bit of crystal dust in her hair and on her jacket buttons just finishes it even though my camera doesn't want to pick it up...I think that is it..... hope you likey :)

Paper Imagery Designs are celebrating their 1 year anniversary blog giveaway. Yipppeeee!!!
You will get if you are picked as the lucky winner some Halloween Stamps from Tim Holtz. How about that?

Tilda Challenge 34 'Emboss this'

For this weeks challenge I've gone without any pretty paper, and as I don't have any embossing folders yet , I thought I would go old fashioned brass stencil and light box.... and heat set embossing.

Dry Embossing done with lady bird brass stencil and a little silver glitter glue, sitting Tingla is heat embossed with black versamark pigment ink pad and clear embossing powder and lightly coloured with ordinary pencil and some gel pens, finished with small shiny green gems for buttons. Star shape is hand cut using a blog candy stencil and accented around it, same all round the card. The 'you are' is heat embossed too. Co-ordinating ribbon from old QVC kit to finish off the outside...

... the inside ,
Heat embossed the 'a', I've used small amount of co-ordinating colour paper I received in a blog candy, using small star stencil cut out a small star, accented with small gems on the points and lifted away with foam pads and a plastic shiny star in the middle. Finished with zig-zag accenting. :) Do you like?

Sarah Kay ChallengeWeek 9 'purple & green' & Papertake Weekly Sketch Challenge #10


Okay, can you guess this stamp is getting its use? Well mmmm. the answer is yes.
I think I might have to ask nicely for a stamped image or two. ;)

The backing papers are from summertime designs( I've recently discovered this website and they are freebie downloads), the lilac/purple is from funky fairy inspirations website (free downloads).
I've decided to use the zig-zag purple thread on this card as the sewing machine has a more or less permanent position now adays, the sarah kay sweet lily image is watercoloured with co-ordinating colours but this time I thought cut round it and lift it to use it another way and I've decoupaged her pretty purple ribbon too. It may not be too clear in the pictures.
The sentiment I've hand stamped with black stazon using Melissa Frances clear acrylic stamps mounted onto card to give it some strength and foam pads underneath. The purple lacey ribbon - I love so much as it was passed on to by a relative. Three green sequins from cheap shop in town with silver gems in middle and some crystal dust to give a little sparkle. Finish!!!!...........For now!

And yes , you might be thinking why has she put 1st.... because ..I shall be attending a little girls 1st birthday party soon. Hope you like :)

Jennifer is celebrating 100,000 hits, wow, and offering some pretty stamps and some other gorgeous goodies.

Kaboodle Challenge

This is my first card for this challenge. I've chosen to go with the turquoise. On the background print I have laid 2 parallel strips of black ribbon. A black square has been edged with silver pigment ink padand raised with foam pads, from the sheet which has just the large black and white hearts, I have cut the inside whites out to make a fan. Each one is individually stamped with a small swirly sentiment (cheap make) which says 'just for you'. Unfortunately I haven't caught it on the camera very well! I pierced each one, put a mini turquoise brad through and raised it. A sentiment from Papermania rub-ons just finishes it off.

CANDY
Allison is giving some Gina K stamps, embossing folders and paper pad. She is celebrating 2 years on the blog. :)

Spiral Whisper is giving away a £15 voucher. See link on the right.