Hugs & Kisses

I hope you're all keeping snug and warm wherever you are! It's been so cold here with snow showers on and off.  Luckily it's not settling and turns to sleet each time.

Whilst re-finding my enjoyment in crafting, I have also been introduced to beading which I am enjoying. The lovely Marcea is to blame and she has set up a brilliant challenge blog for those who enjoy beading and jewellery making called Beading Friends Forever.

Each month there will be two challenges; one a theme and the other a tutorial to follow. This month the theme is Anything Goes and the Tutorial is a gorgeous Hugs & Kisses bracelet. As my title suggests, I've had a go at the tutorial.  I'm pleased with how this came out, apart from the fact I've realised I messed up at the very beginning.  My the time I realised, I was too far in and I did not wish to unstitch it all! 

I didn't realise how small these photos were until I posted them!  I've used acrylic beads and seed beads from Bead Direct, who are sponsoring the challenge. The toggle clasp is from Hobbycraft.

Here's a close up of the bracelet.  I will definitely be attempting this again using some different colours.

Thank you for all your comments on my card yesterday.  I will be visiting you all again shortly.

Enjoy your weekend whatever you are doing.

xx :0)

Birthday Wishes

Good Evening all.  I don't know about you, but I'm glad it's the weekend!  There's something great about that Friday evening feeling don't you think.

Thank you for all the wonderful comments on my previous cards, they mean a lot.

I know I've been quiet this week, but I've been happy as my last couple of cards have either won some challenges or come in the top 3/5.  That's a great confidence booster when you've been on a break.

I've another card to show you today.  This card was made last week for a very good friend of mine who happens to celebrate her birthday on Valentine's Day.    She's a dog lover, so my favourite Penny Black dog stamp had to be used. 

 I apologise that it looks a little washed out but it was taken late in the day.  I've stuck with my favourite red/white combo as I thought it suited the image.  It may look a bit romantic, but I think it works well as a birthday card.

How can anyone not love him?? You can see why he's one of my favourite stamps can't you!

I'm hoping to do some blog-hopping this evening and catch up on what you've all been up to.  I will be back soon as I have some more things to show you.

Sarah xx :0)

Happy Valentine's Day

Good Morning and Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you are all lucky enough to be spending the day with the one that you love.  Jon and I will be at work, but popping out for a bite to eat at lunch time. Nothing fancy.  I do love Valentine's Day but I don't agree with the commercialism that comes with it all.  I believe that if you love someone, you should tell them all the time, not just one day a year.

The card I'm showing for you today is one I made for an order from a lovely guy at work.  He always asks me for cards as his partner loves them and, in his words "I would rather pay you for a card than give the money to someone like Hallmark". 

I've used another adorable Lili of the Valley stamp for this card, called Close Your Eyes. This is another one that I have had for a year and am using for the first time.  I am really pleased with how I've coloured the pleats on the skirt for this as this is something new for me. I think I'm starting to love my copics.

Those of you that follow me regularly will know that I love my red and white cards and this was no exception!  I think the colours are perfect for romantic cards as well as Christmas.  I remembered to use some of my flowers this time too.

Here's a close up of the image.  I'm disappointed with the slight blemish around the rose.  No matter how much used the colourless blender, I could not get it to fade completely.

The paper is from an old Forever Friends paper pad and was a perfect compliment to the image.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Moving Along With The Times - Love is in the Air
Crafty Creations - Love and/or Hearts
Divas by Design - Love and Romance
Penny's Paper Crafty - Use your Fav Colour Combod (Red & White)
Creative Craft Challenges 2 - Hugs and Kisses
Loves Rubber Stamps - All About Love
Papertake Weekly - Hearts & Flowers

I'm hoping to come and visit you all a bit later on when Jon is watching his beloved Chelsea.

Thank you for all your comments, they are greatly appreciated.

Sarah xx :0)

Help me win some copics!

Evening all,

I hope you're all well. Thank you for all the lovely comments on my last post.  I'm so grateful that you still visit me.

There is a competition running on the Saturated Canary blog to win 30 copics of your choice.  To win, you have to have had the most repins on your SC Contest board.

My board is here http://pinterest.com/sarah197862/sc-contest-me/

For those of you on Pinterest, I would love it if you would visit and help me out.

I'll be back later with another card!

Thank you!

Sarah xx :0)

Meant to Be

Happy Saturday to everyone! I hope it is good where ever you are.  It's a bit wet and cold here and we've had some sleet, but hopefully no snow.

I am starting to make a bit of headway into regaining my craftyness and am making some cards and other bits.  I even have one to show you today!

This is my Valentine's card for Jon.  I love this image, it's so sweet but it was also the name of it that made be buy it. It's called Meant to Be.  Jon and I have been together 10 years this month and he always says that we were meant to be. I've known Jon 16 years now and there was an incident 16 years ago where Jon ended up waiting with me for my dad to arrive, to make sure I got home safely.  He told me once we were together that he felt that evening that that wasn't the end of things for us.  We weren't together at that time, but he was looking after me.  Anyway, enough waffle!

I hate to admit that I have had this stamp nearly a year and it's the first time it's been used!  The papers I also purchased last year and are a First Edition pad called Love Letters.  I actually chose the papers before I coloured the image, which never happens!

The little lads hairs is based on Jon's own reddish brown hair.  It's not perfect, but as you know, I don't normally colour humans, normally bears!  I'm trying to do new things!

I'm going to enter this card into a few challenges:

Sketch n Stash - Neglected stash - Stamp and papers
Lili's Little Fairies - A Touch of Romance
Totally Papercrafts - Valentine or Love
Cute Card Thursday - Love Struck!
Without Words - I Love to Love
Raise the Bar - A Couple of Things

I will try and get round to doing some blog hopping this evening.  My parents are here at the moment so can't be rude!

Have a good evening.  Thank you for stopping by, I do appreciate your comments especially with my lack of cards/comments over the past 12 months.

Sarah xx