Fluff's Creations

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T16:19:00.000Z

Santa is on his way! I've been tracking him on the internet and Twitter and it won't be long until he is here. I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and to thank you all for perservering with me this year.

I've not really crafted much since my last posts as Christmas has taken over as well has having lost my mojo with the loss of Bozzy. I'm hopeful that 2012 will be a better year for me as my sister is getting married in May and hopefully my operation won't be to much longer to wait.

I hope that you all have a fantastic Christmas and that along with lots of lovely presents, Santa brings you all health, love and happiness.

Sarah xx

Jolly, Jolly Snowman!

2011-11-30T20:20:00.000Z

Hello, I hope everyone is keeping well. Thank you for all the lovely comments on my last card, it's so nice to know that people are still will me despite my recent lack of cards.

I have made another card tonight to share with you all. I was sat on my laptop when I suddenly told myself to get off my backside and make a card - so I did!! I made it with this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge in mind. When I saw it on Saturday, I knew I had to take part. For those that haven't checked, it's Christmas + Red & Embossing.. You all know how I love my red and white Christmas cards which always have an embossed background. Add that to my love of Penny Black stamps and you have a perfect combo! What better stamp could I use other than trust old Snowy himself! I've only had him a year, but I LOVE him!! He's such a joy to colour.

I apologies about the poor photos. The only decent time for me to photograph at the moment is the weekend as it's dark when I leave for work in the morning and virtually dark when I get home. Oh for those long summer days again!

His bobble & fur trim have had the usual glamour dust treatment. It wouldn't be a Christmas card without a bit of sparkle! He's been coloured with my trusty copics. The embossing folders are snow dots and snowflakes.

I'm going to go and have a look at what you've all been up to now. Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

Sarah xx

Lottie Love at Christmas

2011-11-28T20:08:00.000Z

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable Monday, if that's at all possible! I always feel much better once I'm home and I know that the day is over for another week. I really don't like Mondays, I think I'm very much a Garfield person!

The card I have to show for you today was made a couple of weeks ago but, understandably, I've not felt like posting it until now. It's another card using my Humphrey stamps, but this one is Lottie. I think my last card also featured Lottie too, but I said it was Humphrey. This stamp is called Snow Fun and was a dream to colour in.The background has been embossed with the snow dots embossing folder and backed onto Real Red SU cardstock which I get from the lovely Jules. I've then cut a smaller strip of red which has been punched with an old Fiskars punch and then a strip of white card has been embossed with swiss dots folder and finished off with a gorgeous piece of gingham ribbon from Sew Sweet. The finishing touches are a Martha Stewart punch and a gemstone

The snow drops have been glittered with Glamour Dust but I don't think it shows up too well in the photos.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Hooked on Crafts - Winter Wonderland
Kaboodle Doodles - Bundle up for Winter
Stamps R Us - Emboss It
Addicted to Stamps - Christmas Card
Gingerloft Challenge - Christmas and Winter
Penny Black & more - All Creatures Great & Small
Stamptacular Sunday - Anything Christmas
Sweet Stampin' - Punches and Dies
Simply Create Too - All About Christmas
Totally Papercrafts - Christmas
Crafters Companion - Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it Snow

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

Sarah xx

Thank You Christal

2011-11-26T17:40:00.000Z

I would like to thank everyone that left a lovely message following the loss of Bozzy. One week on and it still feels so painful. It's funny how you miss the smallest of things like hearing his meow or even just seeing his face looking back at you. The mornings are difficult for me as I've lost my breakfast companion who had to be fed before I could do anything else and then wanted a cuddle when finished. We'll get there slowly.

I have managed to make a card as I wanted to say a thank you to Bozzy's vet, Christal. She is a wonderful lady who thought a lot of him and was so gentle and kind. Even after he'd passed away, she was talking to him as she carried him out of the room. I've wanted to do this since that day but haven't felt able to. In the meantime, Christal took the time to send us a card with the following message:

"Boris was a super cat. He was really lucky to have you look after him so well - allowing him to live for so long in comfort. I know letting him go was not easy for you. Thinking of you. Christel xx"

That meant so much to us. I don't know many vets that would do that. On the very same day, we also had a lovely card from a very good friend Michelle and one of my best friends, Sarah.

This is the card that I have made and it obviously had to have a cat as the focal point. The stamp is part of a Penny Black transparent set called In the Garden and has been coloured with copics. The paper is from the first SWALK cd rom from Crafters Companion and is mounted on core'dinations cardstock. The embossing is from a Crafts Too embossing folder called Daisies and the sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.

I hope that she likes it. We'll be taking it in on Wednesday hopefully with a tin of Celebrations chocolates for them all. I just wanted to let her know that we appreciated everything that she did for Bozzy when he was with us.

I hope you've all had a good day. I've made a fish pie for dinner tonight and two mince beef pies to freeze for other days. I like to try and keep busy so that I don't have too long to sit down and think sad thoughts as I know Bozzy wouldn't want that.

Thank you all for stopping by and for the lovely comments you leave, they are greatly appreciated.

Sarah xx

Goodbye my Beautiful Bozzy

2011-11-19T12:50:00.000Z

I'm sorry that I've been absent the last few days. Unfortunately, as my title says, we lost our beautiful boy Bozzy (Boris) yesterday. He had gone down hill the last couple of days and yesterday we made the heartbreaking decision that it was time for him to leave us. He was just short of his 21st birthday so had a wondefully long life but, at the moment, that doesn't make things any easier.

My husband, Jon, had him for nearly 19 years when turned up on his doorstep and never left. I've known, sorry knew him for nearly 9 years and lived with him for the last 5 years of his life. Those 5 years have been the most enriching and love-filled 5 years of my life because of that little man and that is why I'm really struggling not having him with us anymore.

We do know that it was the right thing to do (his vet agreed we'd brought him in at the right time) and we believe that Bozzy knew what was happening and was at peace with it because, for the first time in days, he settled into my dad's arms as we were getting his basket and he stayed there. He was virtually asleep by the time we were called into the vets and didn't really stir much when we placed him on Jon's lap for one last time. I was stroking his head and talking to him as he left us for Rainbow Bridge where he will wait for us to all be together again.

This poem has been helping us come to terms with things:

If It Should Be

If it should be that I grow frail and weak

And pain should keep me from my sleep

Then you must do what must be done

For this last battle can`t be won.

You will be sad, I understand,

Don`t let your grief then stay your hand

For this day, more than all the rest

Your love and friendship stands the test.

We`ve had so many happy years

What is to come can hold no fears.

Would you want me to suffer? So

When the time comes, please let me go.

Take me where my needs they`ll tend

Only stay with me until the end

And hold me firm and speak to me

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time that you will see

It is a kindness that you do to me

Although my tail it`s last has waved

From pain and suffering I have been saved

Do not grieve it should be you

Who must decide this thing to do.

We`ve been so close, we two these years

Don`t let your heart, hold any tears.

I hope that you will bear with me in these first few difficult and emotinal days and weeks as we come to terms with the loss of our beautiful boy. He was more than just a pet to us, he was part of our family, our little boy and there is a huge whole in hearts and lives without him.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

2011-11-13T20:32:00.000Z

Good evening all. I can't believe that we're already back at Sunday evening again. There's a question going round on Facebook at the moment that asks you what button in life would you most like to press. I opted for the Pause button so that I could have more time to do all the things that need doing, as well as the things that I would really like to do. I don't just mean craft or bake, but spend more time with the people that mean the most to you and appreciate things more as it won't be around forever. What I wouldn't give for the pause button right now to delay the inevitable Monday morning alarm.

I'm slowly starting to get my stamps catalogued (and I mean slowly). I think it's going to take me a very long time to get there so I just have to spend an hour at a time at least working on it.

I managed to have some crafty time this weekend and made a couple of cards. I'm going to show one tonight and I made it specifically for the Crafters Companion Monthly Challenge which is Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow. I've used one of my new Humphrey stamps and this one is Mistletoe Kisses and coloured him in with Copics and the fur trim glittered with Glamour Dust. This is also a shaker card to make it look like its snowing, although the main photo doesn't really show it.

The card is a base layer of Real Red CS from Stampin Up with a white layer of CS that has been embossed with snow dots embossing folder before having a whole cut out with a circle nestie. The circle plastic shaker layer is placed in here with the little shaker bits and the image stuck on the back. The frame is cute from Real Red CS using a scalloped and circle nestie. I've finished off with some punched snowflakes gems and a sentiment.

I think in the close up you can just make out the little shaker pieces.

Supplies:

Stamp: Humphrey Mistletoe Kisses - Crafters Companion; Ink: Copics and Memento Tuxedo Black

CS: Real Red - Stampin Up; Tools: Circle & Scallop nesties, Snow Dots embossing folder, Shaker case, Martha Stewart Punch;

Embellishments: Gems, Pearls, Sentiment, Glamour Dust - stash

I was really pleased with how this turned out although I think I still need to practise with my red copics a bit more.

I'm also entering this into the following challenges:

Stamptacular Sunday - Punch it!

2 Sisters - Anything Goes

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Stamp that's never seen ink

Crafters Companion - Let it Snow

Fun With Shapes & More - Use Something 3 Times

Cute Card Thursday - Reds for Remembrance

Delightful Challenges - Snowflakes

Thank you as always for stopping by, your comments are greatly appreciated.

My Stamp Collection!

2011-11-05T21:40:00.000Z

I have to apologise for my lack of action in the past few months, not just in blogging and crafting myself but also in visiting everyone elses blogs to see what everyone has been up to. I think a break has been doing me some good and I actually coloured some images last weekend, I just have to make them up into cards.

I've been thinking about making some changes to my craft room in the new year that will hopefully help me to utilise my space more efficiently. Whilst in that mind set, it's got me thinking about my stamp collection and how to organise it so that I know what I have for each occasion. There are so many that have yet to be used and it's such a waste. I've decided to try and catalogue them by brand and then subcategories into themes. This could be tricky with some as they could fit a number of occasions! I will be stamping them all up onto plain paper and putting into poly pockets and a folderToday I just started with getting my wood-mounted stamps out of the drawers. The majority of them are Penny Black but there are some other brands there too. I decided to take some photos of them all for you!

The first photos is my stash of Penny Black stamps, wood mounted and clear sets. I don't think it shows quite how many there are there!

The second photo is of other brands of wood mounted stamps including Whipper Snapper, Elzybells and Me To You

The third photo is of just some of my unmounted stamps. The first basket as a large number of Humphrey and SWALK stamps as well as some Forever Friends and other brands. The second basket is mainly LOTV stamps.

In the blue box are more LOTV stamps as well as some Wild Rose Studio, Fizzy Moon and Penny Johnson stamps. The clear drawer has a really mix but a large number are Magnolia stamps. There are also some Greeting Farm stamps, the Stampasorus Elephants and more Forever Friends clear sets.

This is my collection of Elzybells unmounted and clear stamps. There are 12 dvd cases full as well as a number of clear sheets.

This is my collection of Popcorn Bear Stamps. Surprisingly I don't have all the Christmas stamps!

Getting to the end of this post, I've just realised that I haven't photographed all my Forever Friends wood mounted stamps!! There must be between 20-30 of them too!!

What do you think of my idea of categorising them? Do you think it's a good idea or is there a better way for me to go about it? I look forward to hearing any ideas that you have.

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Good Luck Humphrey

2011-10-02T12:12:00.002+01:00

Good morning everyone. I hope it's as beautiful a morning where you as it is here in Berkshire. We have certainly been spoiled with some gorgeous late summer/early autumn weather these past few days, but I think we deserve it given the pretty awful summer we had to contend with!

It's been a week since my last posting and not an awful lot has been happening in the land of Fewings. Skittles wasn't so good for me as I ended up with the booby prize on our lane! I wasn't able to get as far down as I'd like because of my back, but we all had a laugh and that was the main thing.

I do have a card to show you that I have made this week. It's a good luck card for my boss who is taking her German Open University exam on Monday. It's from all of us in our little team and our way of saying we're thinking of her. She's worked so hard for this and I'm sure she'll do well.

I took the opportunity to use one of my new Humphrey stamps for this card and coloured him with my trust copics. They've all been sat there patiently waiting for their turn!! The backing papers are also from the Humphrey's Corner cd-rom. The cardstock is from Core'dinations and I've used my Swiss Dots embossing folder and Doily Lace punch finish.

I just think Humphrey is so cute and a delight to colour! I'm looking forward to using all my other stamps as well as the elements from the cd's.

Supplies:

Stamp: Humphrey's Stamp Set - Crafters Companion; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics;

DP &CS: Humphrey's Corner cd rom, Core'dinations;

Tools: Oval scallop nesties, MS Doily Lace Punch, Swiss Dots embossing folder;

Embellishments: Sentiment Oval - Craftwork Cards

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Sketch

Stampin for the Weekend - What a Cutie

4 Crafty Chicks - Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday - Animal Crackers

Little Miss Muffet - Animals or Monsters

Paper Play - White + one

Southern Girls - Anything Goes

ABC Challenge - Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Truly Scrumptious - Clean & Simple
Anything Goes Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafters Companion - World Cardmaking Day Challenge

I've got a week of work now but not much crafting will be happening as I'm off up to Durham to visit my lovely sister for 4 days! We're going bridesmaid dress shopping so that will be fun, but also spending time together as I've not seen her since June (one day) or spent quality time since March and I really miss having my big sister around. Hubby is staying at home cat sitting!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you leave, they are greatly appreciated, as always.

xx :0)

Belated Birthday Card

2011-09-24T17:38:00.000+01:00

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend so far. With the Indian Summer they are talking about for next week, it looks like we're going to be in for a nice few days which will make up for the pretty dismal summer we've suffered.

My card for you today is a belated birthday card for a lady in my team. I was off sick for her birthday the previous week so didn't feel that I could give her the card I'd prepared for her birthday so instead I made a "Sorry it's Late" card. This Tilda image has been sat coloured on my desk for nearly 4 months now! In some ways I didn't want to use her as I was so pleased with my colouring! Is anyone else like that?? The paper is from a Me To You pad and the embossed background is using a Crafts Too folder whilst it's been finished off with three little roses from Wild Orchid Crafts.

I know I've left her sitting in mid-air! I realised after I'd cut her out with the nesties that I should've actually moved it higher up so that her hands were resting on the edge. I'd used the cutting outside the frame technique. I think this is the first time that I've used this stamp despite having her for at least a couple of years!

Supplies:

Stamp: Tilda with Lilies - Magnolia; Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics;

DP & CS: Core-dinations, Me To You; Tools: Circle & Scallop Nesties, Crafts Too Embossing Folder;

Embellishments: Roses - Wild Orchid Crafts, Sentiment - CWC, Ribbon - Stash

I hope you all have a lovely evening. I'm off out with Jon and my family as there is a skittles night down my dad's bowls club. I'll be having a go but I won't be doing my usual stint in the pits as there is no way that my back is up to that, no matter how good my new painkillers are!

I'm planning to do some crafting and blog hopping tomorrow so I look forward to seeing what everyone has been up to.

Thank you for stopping by this evening and any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Another LOTV Cardmaker of the Year

2011-09-21T18:58:00.000+01:00

Evening all, I hope you're keeping well. Thank you for the lovely comments you've all been leaving me on my recent entries in the competition, they really mean a lot to me.

I've another entry to show you today that was for Lili of the Valley. This card is based on one I made last year here. I loved this one so much that I had to do it again but I've made it a little different by adding some flowers from Wild Orchind Crafts and sprayed them with Spray & Sparkle from Crafters Companion. I feel they finished that corner off perfectly.

Supplies:

Stamp: James Bear In the Snow - Lili of the Valley; Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics;

DP & CS: DCWV Christmas Stack, Centura Pearl Cardstock - Crafters Companion, Mirri Card

Tools: Circle Nesties, Snow Dots Embossing Folder

I just love purple and silver together, I think it's a great combo! I really should get a wriggle on with doing some Christmas cards. Not know when I'll be out of action I don't want to leave it too late. I may cheat a little and do some digital crafting as I have the Me To You cdrom as well as my Forever Friends one where I can design on screen and print out. I did a few of these last year for friends at work and personalised them which they really seemed to like.

I have lots of new goodies to play with too as a little elephant called Humphrey has landed on my doormat and he's so cute.

I've some blog hopping to do this evening so I hope to see you all a bit later. Thank you for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

LOTV Cardmaker of the Year entry

2011-09-18T18:53:00.000+01:00

Thank you to everyone for the lovely comments on my card box yesterday, they are greatly appreciated. I thought I would show you another entry I made, this time for Lili of the Valley.

I saw one of these book cards whilst blog hopping and used the tutorial here.

The papers are a download from Nitwits and the adorable image is from LOTV. The sentiment is from a Popcorn Bear set from Crafters Companion

I attempted this before I had my hougie board so the scoring wasn't exactly perfect but I'm going to try again shortly! The ribbon was from my stash.

The inside has been decorated with more Nitwit papers and finished off with a pocket and a tag for the greeting. The little bits inside were all purchased from Wilkinsons. I just thought it was a great back to school project or for a little girl just about to start school. The lipstick items are a ballpoint pen and rubber, very girly!

I hope you like it. I was really pleased with the final outcome and showed it to a few of my friends at work who were equally impressed. I plan on making some more again really soon.

Thank you for popping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated. I hope you have an enjoyable evening. I'll be settling down for some X Factor soon.

xx :0)

Cardmaker of the Year 2011

2011-09-17T17:38:00.000+01:00

Hello!! I'm still here!! Since my last post I have been a little busy with some entries for the Cardmaker of the Year competition in Cardmaking & Papercraft. I left it quite late as I was only able to craft for long periods after a change in my painkillers. Because of this I only had 5 cards for 3 categories but I guess it's quality over quantity right??

I chose 3 of my favourites categories to enter although I had brought a number of items for other categories and had ideas written down for them. I guess I can keep them for next year and hope that they will still be an option to choose! I also have to admit that 1 card was pre-made and 2 other's I'd either copied or amended slightly from cards that I'd made months ago that I had been really proud of.

I'd left it so late that they were posted special delivery on Thursday to ensure that they arrived yesterday which was also the closing date for entries!

The entry I'm going to show you today is for the Trimcraft First Edition category. I really love these papers. I used the new Christmas Joy pad along with a cute Fizzy Moon stamp. I created an easel drawer card as my project with some little thank you cards in the drawer.

The photos aren't great as I had to take them at work! I didn't finish this until 11:30pm on Wednesday evening! I really like this colour combination. I know you can't tell on photos, but the two punched border edges are contrasting shades of red papermania cardstock.

The paper, although not showing up in the photos, is all glittered and sparkly.

A close up of the image, you can just about see that the Glamour Dust has had an outing again! I can't have snow or furry trims without the glamming them up a bit!

A side on view of the box card to show it off a bit.

Supplies:

Stamp: Festive Fun - With Love - Fizzy Moon; Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics

DP & Cardstock: Christmas Joy - Trimcraft; Papermania

Tools: MS Doily Lace Punch & Snowflake Punch, Circle Nesties, Hougie Board

Embellishments: Sentiment Circle - CWC, Rose - Wild Orchid Crafts, Ribbon & Gems - Stash

I would love to know what you think especially as it's been a while since I made or coloured anything. I'm hoping to have a look at all your blogs this evening and catch up on what I've been missing.

Thank you for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

So long since I last posted!

2011-08-18T09:51:00.000+01:00

Oh dear, I've been very bad in my posting! I went through a phase where I just couldn't get inspired to do anything due to the pain in my back and now, for the last two weeks, my craft room has been out of action as I've been having a new kitchen fitted and I can't get near my goodies!

I've spent loads on new goodies just recently even though I've not been inspired to craft and now they're sat there just sat there out of my reach! I really wanted to enter the National Card Maker of the Year competition this year but I'm really going to have to get my finger out once I'm allowed back in my room! I've got all my ideas written down but having the ideas and making them come to life are two different matters entirely!

I'm hoping that my kitchen is going to be finished this week (with the exception of the decorating that we're doing ourselves) so hopefully I'd be able to get back into my room and fingers crossed that the mojo comes with me.

I'm sorry that I've not gone round blog hopping in a very long time. I've just been taking a break away completely in the hope that I come back refreshed.

If people are still popping by, thank you so much, it's greatly appreciated.

xx :o)

Belated Father's Day Card

2011-07-04T09:00:00.024+01:00

Good Morning All! Hopefully you're recovering from the shock of a 3rd day of posting! This is a scheduled post as I should be at work now, but whilst typing this I'm currently watching the Men's Final at Wimbledon!

I realised that I didn't show you the Father's Day card that I'd made for my dad. I posted my Father-in-Laws but completely forgot my dad's; sorry dad! I used another of the male LOTV stamps, I think this one is called Footy Ted. I wasn't brave enough to try and recreate my football team's colours as it would've been blue and white hoops and I don't think I could've worked out the shading properly! He's been coloured with copics and the papers are from Pink Petticoat again. The sentiment is an Elzybells stamp. In my dad's case it should ready "There are only two things in life; Football & Bowls!" The cardstock is some of my favourite Bazzil Basics.

I don't think he looks too bad now does he?? I was concerned that I might have overdone the brown polychromo but it looks fine now. I do need a new pot to put my sansador in with the sponge as my first one leaked and it's not something you want to smell to often!! In our LOTV class they used Flowersoft pots with a bath sponge soaking it.

I'd best go as hubby is just starting to dish up my Sunday dinner (Confusing when this is posting Monday morning!! LOL).

Thank you again for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Congratulations!

2011-07-03T20:21:00.002+01:00

THIS IS MY SECOND POST TODAY, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MY PREVIOUS POST

Blimey, 3 posts in 2 days!! I'm in shock!

I didn't think I'd be back today but I sat making an engagement card for a friend at work who has just got engaged. Her fiancé proposed at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower, very romantic!!

I was looking through my stamps trying to decide what to use when I found this Penny Johnson stamp that I've had for over year and never inked up! The cardstock was a sheet of Bazzil that I love and it was my last sheet! The paper is from a Forever Friends pad and the embossing is using the Love Language folder from Cuttlebug. I made a border using my MS Lace Valentine border punch and finished off with some ribbon and a bow that I made using my Bow Easy.

I've followed the sketch from The Sweet Stop. I did have to adapt it slightly as I'd embossed the second panel the wrong way, I hope that's okay! I'm also entering this into the Little Claire's Challenge which is Pink & Brown. My little bears are brown and the rest as you can see is pink!!

I would also like to enter this into Stampavie & More which is More than 3 Layers
I hope you all enjoyed your Sunday. I was gutted to see Rafa lose Wimbledon but hey ho, c'est lá vie!

Thank you for stopping by again and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

More Hugs!

2011-07-03T10:43:00.000+01:00

Good Morning Everyone! I hope the sun is shining as brightly wherever you are like as it is here in Berkshire. I know, pinch yourself, a post two days running! One of the side effects on one of my meds at the moment is restlessness so I can't sit still too much at the moment without fidgeting so whilst hubby is catching some extra zzzzz's I thought I would make another card.

I'd coloured two of the Me To You bears that I used on yesterdays card so I had to use him up otherwise he'd be a bit lonely. I was inspired to make this card after quickly visiting the fabulous Debby's blog and seeing the card she'd posted here. I don't know about you, but I love visiting Debby's blog as her cards are amazing!

I've followed a similar theme with my card using predominately white embossed backgrounds and some gorgeous purple bazzill card. I finished off with a punched daisy strip using my MS punch and some rhinestones.

Supplies:

Stamp: It's Me! - Me To You; Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copics;

CS: Bazzill Basics; Tools: Love Language folder - Cuttlebug, Daisies Folder- Crafts Too, Oval Nestabilities, MS Deep Edge Punch

Embellishments: Flower and Rhinestones - Stash - Craftwork Cards sentiment

This card is for a very good crafty friend who's in need of a hug right now so this is winging it's way to her very soon.

I'm entering this into the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge.

I hope you all have an enjoyable Sunday whatever you're up to. I may tune into Wimbledon a bit later even though Murray didn't make the final. Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Sending Hugs

2011-07-02T16:11:00.001+01:00

Okay, I know it's been a couple of weeks again since my last post. Unfortunately that's the way things are going for me at the moment. I may be intermittent for a while yet I'm afraid. I know I've not commented for a while, but that doesn't mean that I'm not always looking because I am. It's just that blogger doesn't always allow me to comment on everyone's posts still. Very frustrating!

Anyway, I've been able to have a little play today with my crafty stash so thought I would show you what I have created. I've used one of my new Me To You stamps. You know me and teddies, I just can't get enough of them!! He's been coloured with copics and I actually think he looks pretty good! The backing paper is also from the Me To You paper pack and the cardstock is Aqueduct Core'dinations. It was my last sheet so I made a note of the name so I can get some more as it's very pretty!! I've finished off with some Wild Orchid Roses that have been lightly spritzed with Glimmer Mist and a Craftwork Cards Sentiment oval.

I've used the sketch from A Gem of a Challenge. I don't own any Pink Gem images but luckily you can use any image to participate. I'm also entering this into:

Stamping for the Weekend - My Favourite Things - Teddies!!!

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated. I will try and pop round everyone's blogs later.

xx :0)

Father's Day Card

2011-06-18T18:39:00.000+01:00

Good evening all. It's been a while again since my last my post. I've really been suffering with my back, not just physically but mentally as well. I've been having to take days here and there off work and it's really been getting me down. I hate not being able to do things which gets me frustrated and this then gets me down. I've not been able to craft much either because of that but also because I was feeling down. It may seem strange especially when crafting helps so many people who suffer with depression and other illnesses but I was getting so annoyed with myself that I was unable to want to do anything, if that makes sense!! I had all of these lovely goodies that I'd purchased that were just sitting there!

Today I decided that I was going to do something about that and I've managed to make my Dad's Father's Day card as well as one for Jon's dad! I am paying for that now but boy did it feel good!! My mojo was suffering so I had a look around some blogs which helped to inspire me.

Tonight I will show you Jon's dad's card. My inspiration for this came from a card the lovely Marcea made. I used the Cheers Bear from Lili of the Valley which was purchased at the Masterclass in May. I love all the LOTV bear stamps!

Supplies:

Stamp: Cheer Bear - LOTV; Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copics;

Card & DP: Doodles of Dots & Harlequin - Pink Petticoat, Core-dinations; Tools: Circle & Scallop Nesties

Embellishments: Glossy Accents, Sentiment Oval - Craftwork Cards & Gemstones.

A close up of this little cutie. you can't really tell that the beer glass has had the glossy accents treatment, the sun deserted me at that moment! I don't know if you can tell either but I've started to use some polychromo pencils to enhance the shading on my bears. We were shown this at that Masterclass. I'm hoping that I'm doing it right!

This weeks Lili of the Valley challenge is Bring on the Music. I really wanted to enter this card & the only song I could think of was Boney M's Daddy Cool!! I think he looks a pretty cool dad so I hope that's acceptable!!

I'm going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Blogger Challenge - Masculine Card
Fashonista Friday - For Men
Craft us Crazy - Father's Day
Crafty Sentiments - Fathers Day
Delightful Challenges - Anything Goes
Dutch Dare Card Challenge - For the Boys
Lili of the Valley - Bring on the Music - Daddy Cool!
Southern Girls - Anything Goes
Sisterhood of Crafters - Dad
Papertake Weekly - Dad's & Lads

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

It's been a while!

2011-05-29T15:03:00.000+01:00

I know, it's been a while since I was last in blogland. I would be very surprised if there is anyone still out there reading this. If there is, thank you so much!

The main reason for my lack of crafting has been my back which has been giving me a lot of pain. Without saying too much, I'm now waiting for a fairly serious operation to remove the troublesome discs and fuse that area of my spine. The list is 3 months which, at the moment, seems a long way off as the pain has been quite bad this last week.

My other reason was that, for a while, Jon and I thought we were going to lose Bozzy. He's 20 years old now so is quite remarkable in that sense, but it did look like we would be saying goodbye. However, he seems to have cottoned on to what we were thinking and has turned around quite remarkably as if to say "I'm not ready to go just yet!". Here's the gorgeous boy here enjoying a sleep in the sun:

I do have a card to show you too! Last Saturday I was very lucky to be able to attend the LOTV Colouring Masterclass in Ashford. We had a whole day with Jacqui and Bev tutoring us and helping improve our colouring skills. I had an amazing time and learnt some new techniques which I'm hoping to put into practise very soon. We coloured in 4 LOTV images trying out these techniques and were given a pack to complete one of Bev's stunning cards. I finished mine this morning and am really pleased with it.

I am so pleased with the colouring of this image. I have the stamp as I think it's really cute but have been nervous about colouring it in. Hopefully I won't anymore.

I was also very lucky to meet some very lovely ladies who I spent the best afternoon with; Pam, Lisa, Caz and Caz's mum (sorry, my mind has gone blank for your name!!)

Thank you for still being here and supporting me when I've not been able to visit you all in return. I will try more.

xx :0)

A very basic card

2011-05-03T19:33:00.000+01:00

Good evening all, apologies again for my absence. I don't really seem to be with it in the world of cardmaking at the moment, hence the topic of my post.

It's my hubby's birthday tomorrow and I wanted to make him a fabulous card, as we all do for those people that we love, but I could not find the inspiration, or even the desire so I've ended up with a really basic card, almost like one of thise that I started out with.

Is it possible to go full circle and then unable to improve anymore and just end up as you started? Okay, that probably doesn't make any sense, but I'm feeling a bit flat. I don't know if it's because I was so poorly a while back as I've not really made any cards since then.

I will show you my card now and live it for you to decide.

Hopefully I'll feel better about it all soon, but I'm not too sure at the moment.

xx

Happy Birthday Mum

2011-04-18T21:25:00.000+01:00

I would like to start off by thanking everyone for the lovely comments left on my previous post, especially after such a long absence, they are truly appreciated.

My mojo seems to be returning slowly as I managed to make a card over the weekend for my mum who celebrates her birthday tomorrow. I needed to do this as unfortunately I was unable to make a Mother's Day and I felt very guilty about this.

My mum, like me, loves teddy bears so for me the perfect stamp was one of my favourite Penny Black stamps, Gentlest Kiss. I adore this stamp and was very lucky to purchase it half price at Ally Pally last year. The papers are from a Papermania Henbury Lane set and match perfectly with the cardstock I'd chosen. I think I over-Glimmer Misted my large rose though as the petals opened up a bit too much, hopefully they still look okay.

Supplies:

Stamps: Gentlest Kiss - Penny Black; Happy Birthday - Woodware; Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copics

DP & CS: Henbury Lane - Papermania & Core'dinations

Tools: Circle & Scallop Nesties, Love Language CB Folder, Martha Stewart Lace Valentine Punch

Embellishments: Wild Orchid Craft Roses, Glimmer Mist, Ribbon

I don't know what everyone else uses for their copic colouring, but my favourite is Ryman's Brilliant White Super Smooth. It blends really nicely and evenly.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Stamp with Fun - Birthday
Pile it On - Use a Rubber Stamp
By the Cute & Girly - Cute & Girly
Copic Creations - Favourite paper to use for copics - Rymans
Sketch Saturday - Sketch
Crafty Catz - Furry Friends
Daring Cardmakers - Spring or Easter
Creative Card Crew - Spring

Thank you again for stopping by and for any comments you leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Apologies

2011-04-16T17:53:00.000+01:00

I hope there are still people out there reading this. I'm sorry it's been a couple of weeks since my last post. I have been rather unwell since I had my injection two weeks ago. On the day that I went in for the procedure I was feeling a little unwell with a sore throat and the feeling that I was coming down with a cold. The anaesthetist was still happy for it to go ahead but warned that having a breathing tube may exacerbate the problem and that, if I did start to feel unwell, then I should go to the docs sooner rather than later due to my asthma. Unfortunately things went downhill and I ended up on steroids for 10 days and antibiotics for a week. I've been off work for two weeks and only the last day or two have I started to feel better with the exception of being tired. I am allowed back to work on Monday though.

The only thing that I felt like doing at my worst was reading and, in less than a week I managed to read the entire Twilight saga on my Kindle!! I'm sooooooo behind everyone else in reading this series but am completely hooked! I now have to start on the films!

Before I went into hospital, I'd been busy with a few card orders and I thought I would show one of those cards for you today. This card was the Mother's Day Card for the first time mum. I was really pleased with how this turned out.

I decided to use one of my Popcorn Bear Baby stamps and the DP has been printed from one of the Popcorn CD's too. The roses and lace trim are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

I made an easel card as I wanted it to be really special as you only have one first Mother's Day.

The sentiment says "To the most Special Mummy in the World", The stamps are from a few Elzybells sentiment stamp sets that I have in my collection.

I created a pocket to hold a tag that I created using Marianne Designs Tag die so that a message could be included. I have to admit that the fitting was a bit snug for the tag but I don't know how else to add this!

My mojo has been AWOL since I became poorly but I'm hoping that it's starting to return as I have a run of birthdays coming up that I need to make a start on!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated. I am hoping to have a blog hopping evening so I can catch up on everyone's blogs.

xx

Swing Time

2011-03-31T22:08:00.000+01:00

Good evening all! I know this is a late post from me but I know I'm going to have trouble sleeping tonight so I thought I would get on and post this whilst I was still up. For those of you that know I've been having trouble with my back, I'm going into hospital tomorrow for a Caudal Epidural. It is just a day case but requires a general anaesthetic due to the placement of this. I am unable to have a normal epidural under a local because of all my previous spinal surgery. This is another attempt to control the pain that I have been suffering. If this fails then I will be looking at more surgery. It's an early start for me as I have to be at the hospital for 7:30am!

Anyway, enough doom and gloom, my main reason for posting was to show a card that I made for an order. The card is for a friends partner who celebrates her birthday tomorrow. She is a dog lover and I didn't have many stamps so I thought I would treat myself to some Lili of the Valley stamps and couldn't resist the adorable stamp called Swing Time. The other criteria was that her favourite colours were purple and green.

I know the colours look slightly washed out in the photos, no matter what I did, I couldn't get them to any better without over saturating. I really loved this card as the colours are all nice pastel shades! The DP is from an old free My Minds Eye pad with a crafting magazine. The sentiment is one of the great circular sentiment stamps also from Lili of the Valley. I can't believe this is the first time that I've used them!

I know I've not included the details list like I have been doing recently, but I think I've mentioned most things in the post. I can't type much longer as my cat, Bozzy, is trying to walk across the keys!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

The Sweet Stop - Sketch
Lili of the Valley - Spring

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated. I hope to do some major blog catching up whilst resting over the weekend!

xx :0)

Penny Black Saturday - Recycled!

2011-03-26T09:00:00.021Z

Good morning all, at least I hope it is as I've scheduled this post because I'm currently in Durham visiting my sister for the first time since she moved!

I can't believe my time on the Penny Black Saturday Challenge has come to an end! This is my last week and I've had such an amazing time! I'd like to apologies to to the ladies for not having gotten round to commenting on your gorgeous creations for Spring but I've had a sudden mad influx of orders! You wait ages for one to come along then you receive 6 in a week!!! I will be posting them over a period once they've been finished!

Anyway, onto this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge. This week we would like to see something recycled on your card or creation! This was a bit of a struggle for me as I'm not a massive hoarder of things and the only one thing that I could think of was the ribbon that I'd used on my homemade Christmas cake last year! Those of you on Facebook may have seen this cake! Anyway, this meant only one thing, it had to be a Christmas card that I created!

I know, the bow is possibly too big but it was the smallest that I could make it on my Bow Easy due to the width of the ribbon.

Sorry for the lack of details but I'm writing this post just before I leave for my train! If you have any questions, please ask and I'll get back to you!

Beth, thanks again for inviting me onto the team for March, you're a diamond!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Spring has Sprung!

2011-03-19T08:00:00.001Z

Good morning to you! I hope that you have got a lovely weekend planned and that weather stays kind to you.

It's time for another Penny Black Saturday Challenge for you all! With the moving of the clocks to British Summer Time in just over a week, it means that Spring is just around the corner so our challenge is Spring is Sprung. We want to see lots of lovely cards relating to Spring so you can bring out all those lovely colours and flowers and use them to your hearts content.

I took the chance to use an old stamp that was probably in the one of the first batches of Penny Black stamps that I purchased and has been quite a while since it was last used. I've also had these Papermania Rose Garden Papers for about a year and this is the first time I've used them too.

Supplies:

Stamp: Duckling - Penny Black; Inks: Copics & Memento Tuxedo Black

CS & DP: Core'dinations & Papermania Rose Garden

Tools: Martha Stewart Punch, Swiss Dots CB Folder & Oval & Scallop Nesties

Embellishments: Rose - Wild Orchid Crafts, Sentiment - Craftwork Cards & Gems - Stash

How cute is he? I can't believe he's been left neglected for so long!

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:

AiFactory - Things with Wings
Crafty Sentiments - Animals
Southern Girls - Use Flowers
Creative Cottage - Spring has Sprung
Simon Says Stamp - Happy Birthday!
Penny Black @Allsorts - Welcome Spring
Sketch & Stash - Sketch

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx

Teddy Stampers #32 - Embossing

2011-03-18T14:18:00.000Z

Good Afternoon, yay it's Friday!! The weekend is only a matter of hours away!

Being Friday also means that it's time for another Teddy Stampers Challenge. I'm going to admit now that, for some reason, I got my challenges mixed up and was looking at another one on our list for the coming weeks and only just realised that I still qualified for this week, which is embossing! Phew! Slap my wrist though as I have been a bit disorganised the past couple of weeks as I've had things going on away from cardmaking that have been distracting me.

Apologies for the lack of infom about the card but I'm rushing this whilst at work! If anyone would like any details, please let me know and I'll glady respond!

Thank you for dropping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated. I will be trying my best to visit everyone's blogs over the weekend!

xx :0)

GDT - PBSC #142 - Think Green

2011-03-12T08:00:00.001Z

Good morning all, I hope you're looking forward to your weekend, they certainly go quick enough!

It's my 2nd week as a guest designer on Penny Black Saturday and I'm loving it! Thank you to everyone that took part in last weeks challenge.

This week with St Patrick's Day on Thursday we want you to think Green! This wasn't so easy for me as green isn't one of my favourite colours and I was looking at my stamps wondering which ones would work with the colour. I ended up going back to one of my earlier PB stamps.

Supplies:

Stamp: Spring Parade - Penny Black; Sentiment - Elzybells; Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copics

CS & DP: Core'dinations, Nana's Nursery - DCWV; Tools: Daisies Embossing Folder- Crafts Too, Tags & Circle - Nesties

Embellishments: Ribbon, Gemstones & Brads - Stash

I decided to have a go at making a Step Card after seeing this beautiful card and tutorial by Heather. It wasn't the easiest card to photograph and I'm not sure whether I should have used thicker card to make it sturdier

The lil chicks don't appear to have much shading but I can assure you that IRL they do! This card is for my boss, Christine's, birthday which happens to fall on St Paddy's Day. I hope she likes it!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

GDT - PBSC #141 - More than one fold

2011-03-05T08:00:00.036Z

Good Morning all!! I can't believe that I can finally say this out loud......the lovely Beth emailed me a few weeks ago and asked if I'd like to be March Guest Designer on the Penny Black Saturday Challenge! Me?!? I've had a massive smile on my face ever since I found out!

Our challenge for this week is to make a card with more than 1 fold. I chose to make a diamond fold card. I've only made one before, at a card class last year. As this is only 4" square once closed, I wanted to keep any embellishments to an absolute minimum so as not to clutter it.

Supplies:

Stamps: Looking at You & Thinking of You - Penny Black; Ink: Copics

CS: Bazzil CS; Tools: Just My Type - CB Border Folders

I took extra shots as the sentiment wasn't showing on the main image. As I said, it's very simple, not a lot on the card.

Please check out the amazing DT cards and I hope you will join us.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx

A Plea for Help!

2011-03-03T22:57:00.000Z

Sorry I've not been around the past little while. My little furry boy Bozzy hasn't been that well. At 20 years of age we took no chances and got him to the vets. They think he might have got a bug (despite not going out) which upset his tummy. This has meant that he has wanted lots of cuddles from his mummy all the time which has had a knock on effect with my blog hopping and crafting.

My plea for help is for ideas for a mother's day card I've been asked to make. It's for a new mum from the baby. The baby itself is due at the end of the month, just before Mother's Day but my colleague has asked for a card in the hope that it's not late! I'm not really too sure what I should do for the card as I'm usually cutesy but I don't know if I have any images that would be classed as suitable.

If anyone has any suggestions, they would be really appreciated!

xx

Makes you think of Spring!

2011-02-21T20:23:00.000Z

Good evening, I hope everyone has had a good Monday (is there any such thing?!) I haven't had the best day but I've got through it & I'm still standing!

I was asked by a friend in the village to make a card for her daughter's 11th birthday. Pammie is my biggest fan where I live and is always telling me that I should get myself out there. All I knew of Tasha was that her favourite colour is orange and Pammie wanted her name and age to be on the card. I immediately thought of my neglected Miss Anya stamps, perfect for a young lady. I do enjoy colouring these images in and I don't know why I don't use them more often.

I couldn't really find any sketches that I felt comfortable with so I stuck with one that I've been using recently. The papers are from my Milton Bear paper pad.

Supplies:

Stamp: Miss Anya - The Greeting Farm; Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

CS & DP: Core'dinations & Wild Rose Studio; Tools: Label 4 Nesties; MS Doily Lace Trim

Embellishments: Sentiments - PC Generated; Papermania Gemstones

I'm really pleased with the shading although have realised this image is slightly blurry. Pammie loved the card and it's always great to hear people praising your work and it just makes you feel good inside!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Simply Create - Bold & Bright
Stamp Something - Something Funky
Stampin with the Dragon - Birthdays
Charisma Cardz - Spring has Sprung (The colours and paper's I've used)
Cute Card Thursday - Shiny Happy Cards (Gemstones)
Dutch Dare Card - Sparkle/Glitter/Bling (Gemstones)
PaperCrafting Journey - Anything Goes
Samuel Taylors Monthly Challenge - Copic Chic/Promarker Gal
Paper Pretties - Card for a Child

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Teddy Stampers #30 - Colour Challenge

2011-02-18T15:02:00.000Z

I'm sorry that I'm late with my post today. I'm on my 3rd day off work and am on very strong painkillers at the moment because of my back. These tablets are making me feel very woozy!

It's time for another challenge at Teddy Bear Stampers. Thank you to everyone that joined in our last challenge of Valentine Teddies, they were all amazing! Our challenge this week is we would like to see Pink, Brown & White on your creations and we are being sponsored by the amazing Whiff of Joy.

I think this colour combo could become a favourite of mine, I love how the brown and pink work so well together. As I was making this card for my sister, I had to use the cute Born to Shop stamp from Lili of the Valley

Supplies:

Stamps: Born to Shop - Lili of the Valley; Sentiment - Woodware; Medium: Copics

CS & DP: Cookie Dough - Elzybells; Pink Petticoat; Wild Rose Studio

Tools: Circle & Scallop nesties; MS Doily Lace Punch

Embellishments: Cookie Dough Buttons - Elzybells; Ribbon & Gems - Stash; Glossy Accents

I don't think you can quite see in the picture below, but I've put some Glossy Accents on the sunglasses. The brown CS looks orangey in the photos but I can assure you that in real life it's a lovely pale brown!

Isn't she cute!

I hope you will join us for this challenge, just remember you need to use a rubber, acrylic or digital teddies on your creations!

I am also entering this into this weeks Lili of the Valley Challenge which is to use your favourite colours. As I've said previously, I think this could become a favourite with me!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Sunday with Santa meets Penny Black!

2011-02-13T14:55:00.000Z

Happy Sunday afternoon to you all! I know, I've been absent again but I have been busy, honest! I've had a few orders that I've been working on along with baking and the usual backache! I've had a hectic day already too, including a surprising baking disaster! Without meaning to appear big-headed, it's the first I've had!

Anyhow, today being Sunday means it's time for Sunday's with Santa. This is our little group on Facebook who are trying (being the operative word) to get ahead with all those Christmas cards! This week the challenge was for an Easel card. I love making them but hate photographing them!! I had an adorable Snowy image already coloured so he was my inspiration! This meant I was also able to combine this with this weeks Penny Black Blog challenge of White Space.

This is a quick post so apologies for no details! Hubby is just dishing up dinner and then it's make into the kitchen for me to rectify my baking disaster! If you have any queries about what I've used, please email me and I'll get back to you!

I have also used the sketch from this weeks Sweet Stop challenge although my image doesn't quite go off the page.

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Love is.........

2011-02-06T14:08:00.001Z

Good afternoon, I hope you've all had a lovely weekend. I haven't done as much as I'd like as I've been suffering a bit, hey ho that's life!

I have managed to make a card though! The Penny Black Blog have launched a weekly challenge which will run every Monday and this week was a great sketch that I really wanted to use. Can you believe that I'm starting to get the hang of sketches after having a fear?! Anyway, I decided to make a 4.25" x 5.75" card and use one of my transparent sets that don't get enough ink time as I usually make 6" x 6" cards. As Valentine's Day is also just a week away, I used the classy red, white and black combo. I tried this a year ago and really liked how they worked.

Supplies:

Stamps: Every Which Way - Penny Black; Medium: Copics

CS: Real Red - SU! Tools: Oval & Scallop Nesties, MS Doily Lace Punch, Bowmaker, Love Language CB Folder

Embellishments: Ribbon - Stash

I originally tried to use my MS Valentine Lace punch by they don't work in the lining up like the Doily Lace does. I am also undecided about whether there should be a sentiment in the corner. What do you think?

I am entering this in to the following challenges:

Penny Black Saturday - Love is

Allsorts Challenge - Love, Love, Love

CES Challenges - Red & Romance

Crazy 4 Challenges - Valentine's Day

Secret Crafter - Valentine

Stampin for the Weekend - Valentine's Day

ABC Challenge - N is for Nestabilities (I didn't use the optional sketch)

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. I'm off to try and catch up on the ole blog hopping!

xx :0)

Teddy Stampers #29 - Valentine Teddies

2011-02-04T08:00:00.003Z

Good Morning All and happy Friday to you! Do you have that "crunchie feeling"?!

Thank you to everyone that took part in the last Teddy Stampers Challenge, I enjoyed seeing all the cards, I apologies if I didn't get to post on your entry but I did see them all and they were all amazing!

This week's challenge is Valentine Teddies. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we want to see those gorgeous teddies for the romantic person in your life.

For this challenge we are sponsored by Stampin Dragon Designs.

I have used one of my Popcorn Platinum stamps from Crafters Companion. These are stamps that I have had since they were released last year but am ashamed to admit that they have never been inked up. This is my card for my husband, Jon, this year. I am able to post it as he does not visit my blog!

Supplies:

Stamps: Popcorn Bear, Perfect Couple - Crafters Companion; Sentiment - Elzybells

Medium: Copics; CS & DP: Real Red - SU!; Forever Friends - All Loved Up

Tools: Love Language - CB Embossing Folder; Circle Nesties

Embellishments: Ribbon & Gems - Stash

As you can see from this close up, I realised ater took the photo that I hadn't coloured the leaf, but this has now been rectified! Sorry for the dark photos but I was unable to take the photo in daylight.

I really do need to get myself the Real Red inkpad as I'm not happy that the sentiment yet again does not match the colours used!

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:

The Sweet Stop - Sketch
Crafty Purple Frog - Valentine's Day/Romance
Crafty Sentiments - A Bear on a Card
Digi Doodle Shop - Valentines
Paper Crafting Journey - Love is in the Air
Paper Play - Stamp it Out
Sassy Studio Designs - Love is in the Air - Use a heart somewhere (on image, sentiment and embossing)
Creative Craft World - Love
Simon Says Stamp - Love is in the Air
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes - Optional Flowers (my paper has flowers)
Bunny Zoe Crafts - Love is in the Air

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Birthday Wishes

2011-01-27T10:00:00.002Z

I know, it's a shock! 2 posts in less than 24 hours! I hope you're having a good morning. This is a scheduled post for me as I'm currently at work.

I've another card for you and this is for the lovely Jenny who's birthday it is today! I worked with Jenny during the Just Cute Bears days and feel privileged to have had a chance to get to know her and work with her as she has such an amazing talent.

As Jenny loves Penny Black stamps, I just had to use one of my PB stamps on her card.

Supplies:

Stamp: Gentlest Kiss - Penny Black; Medium: Copics

CS & DP: Bazzill Basics, Henbury Lane - Papermania

Tools: Circle & Scallop Nesties, MS Daisy Deep Edge Punch

Embellishments: Sentiment - Craftwork Cards, Gems - Stash

A close up of this cutie!

I would like to enter this card into the Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is January Sales. I didn't actually get any crafty bargains in the sales due to my stash diet, but this stamp was a bargain at half price at he last show that I went to so I hope this qualifies!

I am also entering this card into the Sketch Saturday Challenge as I followed their sketch for this card.

I hope to spend this evening catching up on all your amazing work, I can't wait! Such a shame that work gets in the way of all this fun!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Get Well Soon Beth

2011-01-26T21:53:00.000Z

Good evening all, it's a late one from me!I hope you're all keeping well. It feels like Thursday for me as Jon and I have Friday off work so my brain is telling me that, in a work sense anyway, tomorrow is Friday. I hope that makes sense!!

The lovely Cathy put out a plea for some get well soon cards for her young daughter, Beth, who is going into hospital on Thursday to have gromits. Having had these myself, I just had to make a card for her.

I have used this adorable stamp that I've had for ages from Whipper Snapper Designs and has only been used once! I do love these stamps but, unfortunately, the Angel Policy is that you're unable to sell any cards you make with these these stamps, so I have stopped buying them.

Supplies:

Stamps: Morgan - Whipper Snapper Designs; Medium: Copics

CS: Bazzill Basics; Tools: Oval & Scallop Nesties, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, MS Valentine Lace Punch

Embellishments: Sentiment - Craftwork Cards, Ribbon & Gems - Stash

As I'm usually cuddling bears or animals this has shown that I really need to get my Tilda's out and practise my shading of hair. As I didn't want to ruin the image, I'm afraid that I just stuck to one colour! I'm not so sure on the white highlight I put across the middle now, but it's too late now! Do you know what though, I'm so enjoying making cards again and just colouring in.

Anyway, enough waffle! I must get ready for bed as I'm shattered and my back is still giving me a lot of pain so I need to rest. I am behind on my blog hopping so I hope to have a catch-up tomorrow when I get home from work to see what you've all been up to.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Sunday for Santa's

2011-01-23T13:45:00.000Z

Good afternoon, I hope you're all having an enjoyable Sunday. I'm trying to relax a bit after the exertion of yesterday! Jo and Phil got off ok but unfortunately she had far more stuff than she realised so, once they'd gone, dad and I had to make another trip back to get more of her belongings and take it back to my folks! This meant that Jon and I didn't get to go out for our meal so this is going to be re-arranged for next Saturday. My back is aching after it all so it;s definitely a day for putting my feet up! I know Jo has only been gone for one day, but I'm missing her already!

Anyway, stop waffling Sarah!! The reason I'm here is it's time for another Sunday for Santa's card over on our little Facebook group! This weeks challenge is Cosy. I knew straight away the stamp that I was going to use for this card. It's been sat in my drawer for so long since it was last used that I just had to ink him up!

Supplies:

Stamps: Cozy Dream - Penny Black; Believe - Lauren Meader Secret Santa

Medium: Copics; CS: Real Red - Stampin Up!

Tools: Snow Dots Embossing Folder, Oval & Scallop Oval Nesties

Embellishments: Ho Ho Ho Ribbon & Gems- Papermania, Glamour Dust

How could I have left this cutie shut away for so long?? My only disappointment with this card is that I didn't have an ink pad the same colour as the cardstock, so the sentiment has a slightly pinkish tone. I really must get myself the Real Red pad from Stampin Up! as I use this colour quite a lot on my Christmas and Valentine projects

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - Forgotten Stamp
Stamp Something - Cute Somethings

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Teddy Stampers #28 - Anything Goes

2011-01-21T09:00:00.001Z

Okay, I know that I've been absent couple of weeks now, what with being poorly and my sister preparing to leave. Not what I wanted as I want to be a more active blogger and make more cards but that's life I'm afraid! Jo sets off for her new life up North tomorrow so we'll all be heading over to see her off. After that Jon and I have decided to go out for a meal and have some "us" time.

Anyway, the reason I'm here today is it's time for another Teddy Stampers challenge. Thank you to everyone who took part in our last challenge, I enjoyed going round and visiting all your amazing cards.

This weeks challenge is Anything Goes and we're being sponsored by Ellephantasitc!

I thought I would take this opportunity to make a card to wish Jo good luck in her new job and life. I was having trouble finding the right image for the card but opted for this sweet Forever Friends image. The papers are from a My Minds Eye free pack that came with a magazine. It's been stuck on the shelf for well over year having only been used once. I coloured the ribbon with one of my copics but it turned out slightly darker than I was hoping for.

Supplies:

Stamp: Forever Friends - I'll Drink To That; Medium: Copics

CS & DP: Core'dinations & My Minds Eye

Tools: Circle & Scallop Nesties, Daisies Craft Too Embossing Folder, Daisy Dot MS Punch

Embellishments: Prima Flowers, Papermania Gems, Ribbon, Glossy Accents

I'm hoping that you're unable to see my thumb print in the glossy accents on the wine glass! I can't believe that I was so silly when I picked it up to not even think!

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

Sketch & Stash - Sketch (obviously!) and the old stash is the papers, stamp and flowers.
Incy Wincy Designs - Bears, Bears, Bears
Pile It On - Anything Goes
Totally Gojuss - Cuddly

I hope that you will join us for out challenge. The rules are fairly simple, you just need a new creation with a Teddy Bear on the card.

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

No cards today

2011-01-16T20:20:00.000Z

Evening all, I can't believe that the weekend has been and gone already! I know earlier in the week that I said I would be back at the weekend with cards but I'm afraid that didn't happen.

I've spent this weekend with my sister as she is moving to Durham next Saturday to be with her fiancé. She successfully passed the interview to transfer to John Lewis in Newcastle and they wanted her to start really quickly so it's all been a bit rushed. I know you will understand the need to put family first. We have never been apart in my 32 years so this is going to be HUGE wrench for me, but I'm also happy as I know how hard the last 15 months has been with them commuting back and forth to see each other. We've had a great weekend playing on the Wii and baking cakes.

I'm back to work tomorrow too, having been off since Tuesday with this flu virus. I aim to be back in the week with some cards that I hope to have made.

Have a lovely evening and thank you for all the comments you have left me recently.

xx

What do you think?

2011-01-13T20:08:00.000Z

Thank you for all the get well wishes that I have been given. I'm starting to feel a bit better however I have now developed a cough which, being asthmatic, isn't a good thing! I just hope that it doesn't hang around too long as I know some people have had this and it's lasted 4 weeks.

Anyway, my main reason for posting was to ask your thoughts on my new blog layout?? I hated having to get rid of my Winnie the Pooh layout but Christmas has now passed so it had to go.

xx :0)

Not feeling well :(

2011-01-11T15:27:00.000Z

Sorry I've no cards to post the last two days. I have unfortunately come down with Jon's bug and am feeling pretty rotten at the mo! I don't know if it's because I suffer from IBS but whenever I get a virus, it always affects my tummy too which makes me feel even worse, so I'm currently sipping some ginger ale too to try and help settle it down.

I feel so lousy that I don't even feel like colouring any images up! I hope to be back with a card in a couple of days.

I would also like to say a BIG thank you for all the lovely comments I have received on my recent cards, they have been a HUGE confidence booster to me! You guys are the best!

I had better go as Bozzy is trying to walk across my laptop and I've already had to delete a few of his "words!"

xx :0)

Sunday for Santa's

2011-01-09T22:34:00.000Z

This is my 2nd post today, please scroll down to see my 1st.

I know, shock horror!! Two post's in 1 day, it's almost unheard of from me.

I have another card to show you today and it's for a group called Sunday for Santa's that the wonderful Pops has set up on Facebook. There's a small group of us that are trying to get ahead with those dreaded Christmas cards and not leave it until the last minute! I hate to admit it but some of the cards I gave last year were shop bought and I don't want that to happen again this year!

Our 1st Challenge was All That Glitters. This was a great one for me as I'm still loving my Glamour Dust! I also got the chance to use my Snowy Penny Black stamp for the first time since I got him in November!

Supplies

Stamps: Snowy - Penny Black, Twas the Night Before Xmas - Stamp Addicts

Medium: Copics; Cardstock: Real Red - Stampin Up!

Tools: Rectangle Nestie, Snow Dots Embossing Folder, Glacial Snowflake MS punch

Embellishments: Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon - Stampin Up!, Gemstone, Glamour Dust

I get all of my Stampin Up goodies from the lovely Jules and they arrive so quickly.

This card is also eligible for The Sweet Stop Challenge as I have used their fabulous sketch this week. I'm getting good at this after being scared of them for so long! It will definitely be one that I use again.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

New Beginnings

2011-01-09T15:01:00.000Z

Good afternoon, how's your Sunday going? Whilst Sunday's are nice relaxing days, I also feel a bit sad as it means the weekend is almost over.

Yesterday I said that I'd made a couple of cards so today I would like to show you the second card. Being the start of a new year, there are a number of challenges with a theme of New Beginnings and this gave me the perfect opportunity to use my Bundle of Joy set which I've ashamedly had since April but not used! The papers are also from an old DCWV pad - Nana's Nursery which I think I've had for nearly 2 years and not used a single piece!

Supplies:

Stamp: Bundle of joy - Penny Black; Medium: Copics

Cardstock & Paper: Core'dinations & DCWV; Tools: Circle & Scallop Nesties

Embellishments: Ribbon - Papermania Capsule Collection, CWC Sentiment Oval

I wish now that I'd put some Diamond Glaze on the bottle to make it stand out, I might actually do that a bit later on!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Penny Black Saturday - New Beginnings
Ellephantastic Challenges - New Beginnings
Fairy Fun Fridays - New Beginnings
Stampin For The Weekend - New & Blue
Creative Card Crew - New Beginnings
AiFactory - New Beginnings
Cute Card Thursday - Out With The Old (papers)
Dutch Dare - New Beginnings
Simon Says Stamp - New Beginnings
Sketch & Stash - Sketch & Neglected stash is DCWV papers and stamp.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Snowflake Wishes

2011-01-08T18:06:00.001Z

Good evening, I hope your Saturday has been enjoyable so far. I've been making a couple of cards whilst listening to my team, Reading, beat West Brom in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. There's something magical about 3rd round weekend, when all the underdogs dream of beating those top teams and getting to Wembley.

One of the cards I have made is for the Lili of the Valley Challenge which was great sketch. I had a number of James Bear images already coloured so I thought I would get a head start on those Christmas as it will be here before we know it lol!!
One of my craft related resolutions is to use up some old stash before I even consider treating myself to anything new. The papers are from an old Forever Friends pad that I think was from 2009, the border punch I've had well over a year and I think it's only the second time I've used it and the corners are from an old sizzix die that was just shoved in the draw! I wonder how long I stick to this resolution?!

Stamp: Lili of the Valley; Medium: Copics

Cardstock & Paper: Core'dinations & Forever Friends

Tools: Circle & Scallop Nesties, Fiskars border punch, Snow Dots embossing Folder, Sizzix Corner Die

Embellishments: CWC sentiment oval, Glamour Dust, Gemstones

I didn't take a close up of the image, but the fur trim, snowflakes and ground is all coated with Glamour Dust. I really love this stuff at the moment!

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Lots of Texture (Glamour Dust, embossing and gemstones)

Winter Wonderland - Lets go Dotty - (embossing)

Christmas Cards All Year Round - Anything Goes

Fuzzy Wuzzy - Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday - Out With The Old (Papers, Corner Die, Sentiment Oval, Border Punch)

ABC Christmas Challenge - A is for Anything Christmas

I'm off to do some blog hopping now, if the cat will let me! Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Teddy Stampers #27 - Celebration!

2011-01-07T09:00:00.006Z

Good morning all, sorry I've not been around the last couple of days but I've been looking after my poor hubby. I was very concerned yesterday that he might have swine flu so got the doctors to call him and apparently he just has a very nasty virus that seems to be affecting a lot of people in our village. He's not one of your typical "man-flu" guys and I've not seen him look this poorly in the 8 years we've been together. I'm over-cautious about all this because I'm asthmatic and only had my jab last Thursday which was 48 hours before Jon became unwell again.

Anyway, it's my first challenge with the wonderful Teddy Stampers gang and I'm so excited!! Our first challenge for the New Year is Celebrations and we're being sponsored by the wonderful Whimsy Stamps!

We've all been provided with some digi stamps to showcase for this challenge and this is my first foray into the world of digi stamping. I know many of you have been using these for quite a while, so I'm a late starter! Whilst I did enjoy using my image, I don't think you can beat that feeling of holding a rubber stamp in your hand and stamping away to your hearts content.

I used the Baby's 1st Christmas image and coloured it with copics before cutting out with my label nesties. The fur trim and bobbles have been glittered with Glamour Dust. The CS is Real Red SU and the papers are from an old Forever Friends Christmas pad. I finished off with two MS punched snowflakes and gems and the sentiment is from a Personal Impressions set that I have.

I am also entering this into the following challenges:

ABC Christmas - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

A Spoonful of Sugar - Christmas

Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes

The Pink Elephant - Winter Wonderland

Christmas Cards All Year Round - Anything Goes

I really hope that you'll join us for our 1st Challenge of the year as I love visiting your blogs to see your interpretations. Just remember it must include either a stamped or digi teddy!! Please check out the rest of the DT's amazing creations.

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, the are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Stamp Organisation?!?

2011-01-03T15:41:00.000Z

Afternoon everyone, I can't believe that the 10 days off work have all but gone and we go back tomorrow! How hard is it going to be getting up at 5:30 tomorrow morning after all those lie-ins?!?

Enough mopping! My reason for posting is to ask how everyone organises their rubber stamps? I have so many stamps, many that have not been inked up since they were purchased! I want to try and ensure that I use more of my stamps and show you that I do own more than cute teddy bears. You may be surprised to hear, but I do own a few Magnolia's and Miss Anya stamps, among the many others that are scattered all over my room. The majority are cute animals, including a HUGE collection of Penny Black stamps.

Do you have a specific way of organising them or have you catalogued them maybe by stamping them all up and putting them in a folder?

I would love to hear your suggestions.

Sarah xx :0)

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T17:44:00.001Z

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and Santa brought you everything you wanted. I also hope that 2011 will be a happy and healthy year for you all.

On a personal note, I aim to not let things that I have no control over get me down this year and to concentrate on all the good things that I have in my life, not the the negatives. If it looks as if I'm starting to go down hill, you have my permission to tell me off!

As a family we had wonderful cause for celebration over the festive season when my sister got engaged to her lovely boyfriend Phil on Christmas Eve! As we were all going to be spending New Years Eve together I obviously had to have a Congratulations card to give to the happy couple.

Apologies for the darkness of the photo, I will be so glad to have those long, sunny evenings back! I've had this adorable Penny Black stamp since April's Ally Pally show so it was about time that it was introduced to an ink pad. I remember being very lucky to get this at half price! It's been coloured with copics before being cut out and mounted onto Real Red CS cardstock. The base panel was embossed with the Love Language CB folder. Unfortunately I realised only after I'd stuck the ribbon down that it was the wrong way so the hearts are sideways! I've had these heart ribbon sliders for so long and I only remember them when it's too late, but I was prepared this time. The sentiment is a CWC oval. The heart has been covered with Glossy Accents that you can just see with the shine on the top half.

I am entering this card into this months Penny Black at Allsorts challenge which is All You Need is Love
I don't want to list my personal goals that I am trying to set myself this year craft wise as I have done that in past years and have not managed to fulfill them. However, I do know what that I are and will do what I can to achieve them.

Thank you for continuing to stop by and support me, even with the lack of response in return. I do really appreciate each and every one of your comments.

xx :0)

Some Good News!

2010-12-18T12:49:00.000Z

Afternoon all! Well the snow has finally caught up with us down in the South! We've got about 5 inches here, but it appears to have stopped now which is good because the original forecast was that it would be in for the day.

After the doom and gloom of my last post, it's nice to be able to share some good news for a change. I have been chosen to be part of the Teddy Stampers Design Team for the first term of 2011! This opportunity came at the right time with the sad news that the Just Cute Bears & Friends Challenge is to close.

I'm really looking forward to working with this amazing team and the fact that I can continue to use my lovely teddy stamps!

Thank you for all the lovely comments you posted after my last post, they really did mean a lot to me.

Please take care everyone and thank you for stopping by. I really do appreciate all the support you continue to give me.

xx :0)

An Explanation and apology

2010-12-08T17:32:00.000Z

I think I need to explain the reasons for my lack of crafting & blogging just recently. There have been a few things going on that I have been struggling with and instead of crafting to relax & forget, I have been letting it all get me down.

I work for Natural England which is part of DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs). As the majority of you will know, the Government have announced a number of cuts to reduce the country's debt, one of which is the cut of around 500,000 public sector jobs. Natural England, as part of this review, announced that they would be reducing the number of offices around the country and, unfortunately, Reading appears to be one of those offices that are due to close. The work of the team that my husband and I are part of means that unlike a number of our other colleagues, we cannot work from home. At the moment, the latest we will be in work could be until 2014. This may sound a long time but it is dependent on a number of factors including how many people decided to take voluntary redundancy now. This is also being affected by the Government who are trying to change our accrued rights. For me this isn't such a major issue as I have worked there 14 years so do not reach the maximum of 21 months (1 month for each year worked), but for my husband, these changes will mean that he will lose out on another 8 months money as he will have worked 29 years next month. We do not want to take the redundancy, we want to work it out in the hope that things may change as 3 years is a long time in politics. However if things go against us, we could find ourselves out of work sooner and also potentially only on 12 months redundancy.

That is just of the things that has been troubling me. The other is problems with my back/spine. As a child I was diagnosed with Scoliosis (curvature of the spine). I have a double curve. I had spinal fusion at the age of 13 to help reduce this. At the age of 25 I had to have the rods removed from my spine as they had started to move. Last Christmas, I had a fall in the snow and have been in pain ever since. After 4 months, I went to the doctors as I was having pain down my leg. After an MRI scan I was told that the 2 remaining discs at the base of my spine had started to degenerate and one was bulging and pinching the nerves. I had a nerve block into the spine 6 weeks ago where they also said that it looked like I have arthritis around some of the joints. Yesterday I went back to the hospital. The nerve block didn't really work as I am only getting maybe 2 days at the most without pain. After telling me I had a choice over what was to happen next, I found myself being pushed down the route of a different type of injection (apparently I'm in no hurry according to the doc - let him say that after a year of pain!), so I am now back on a waiting list!

This has all been getting be down and I hate to say it but I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself including my crafting ability. I entered the Cardmaker of the Year competition this year and didn't win anything, but one of my cards did get chosen for a High Commendation. You can find it here if you scroll right down to the bottom, I'm the 4th row down and the final one in the row.

I will show everything at a later date if that is okay. I'm doing a Christmas fayre at the local primary school on Friday so have been a bit panicky about everything as I'm trying to make gifts more than cards!

If you're still here, sorry about the rant but thank you for staying with me, it is much appreciated. I know I've said it the last 2 years, but I do aim to be a better crafter next year, I think I need to be for my sanity!!

xx

Winter Wishes

2010-11-26T21:10:00.000Z

Evening all! I don't know what it's like where you are, but it's freezing here!! We've luckily not had any snow, but when I got to work this morning, my pc was saying that it was -7 outside! Brrr!

I wanted to make a card this week, well more than 1 but I only managed it this evening. I wanted to enter the Wild Rose Studio Blog hop as I love the Milton Bear stamps and wanted to use one of the new stamps I purchased at the NEC. Dawny P has supplied one of her amazing sketches for the blog hop that was crying out to be used.

I've used Milton in Hat and coloured him with Copics and glittered with glamour dust before cutting and mounting onto SU Real Red CS. The base is made up of the CS and DP from Forever Friends and then a smaller mat of CS and an embossed layer using the snowflakes CB embossing folder. I've finished off with a CWC sentiment oval and some gems.

I apologise for the photos, I will try and take again tomorrow morning when there is daylight! I've attached a close up of little Milton.

As mentioned before, this card is for the Wild Rose Studio blog hop. Closing date for entries is 1pm tomorrow so you need to be quick!

I am also entering this into the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - Blast from the Past - I've gone for Challenge 86 Glitter Me Silly
Christmas Stampin - Anything Goes
Alphabet Challenge - E for Embossing
ABC Christmas Challenge - X For Xmas (I didn't do the optional extra of flowers)
Craft Creations - Christmas is Coming
Simon Says Stamp - Let it Snow
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated. I hope you have a lovely weekend, I'm attempting to make my Christmas cake tomorrow so wish me luck!!

xx :0)

Belated NEC Piccies

2010-11-22T10:00:00.003Z

Morning everyone, don't you think Monday's come round really quickly?! No sooner are you starting to enjoy your weekend then you find yourself back at your desk.

Because of reasons mentioned earlier, it's taken me until now to post piccies of the goodies I picked up at the NEC. I think my best bargains were my Martha Stewart Punches which were at amazing prices.

I was really happy to get my hands on the cute Snowy PB stamp as I've been after it for so long! There's also some adorable Milton Stamps and LOTV rubbah!

After seeing the gorgeous creations of Ali, Annie & Sonia using Toby Tumbles, I couldn't pass by the Cuddly Buddly Stand and not add them to my HUGE stamp collection! I also picked up some of the great LOTV card packs which will be perfect for those quick cards we all have to make. I got a few aimed at the boys in our lives as I do struggle with those cards.

I did also pick up some yummy snow pearl CS, quick card kits and a great deal on the extra strong DST we
all need and love!

Hopefully you'll see some cards from using these goodies in the not too distant future!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they 're greatly appreciated.

xx

Just Cute Bears #40 - Winter Birthday

2010-11-21T09:00:00.002Z

Good morning, I hope you're having a lovely weekend so far. I would like to start off by offering an apology to everyone for not having visited your creations for the last challenge, or anyone's blogs for the past few weeks. I don't want to go into detail, but I've been having a tough time emotionally and personally just recently and have been struggling. I'm doing my best to turn it round and hope to have more creations to show really soon and be back in blogland.

This weeks challenge at Just Cute Bears and Friends is to create something for a wintery birthday.

I have used some of my gorgeous Forever Friends decoupage that in theory is for Christmas but is perfect for birthday's and have jazzed it up a bit with some Silver Spray & Sparkle. The CS is Cherry Cobbler from SU! which I got from the lovely Jules. The papers are part of the decoupage set and the punched element is from a Martha Stewart PATP set. I finished off with some card candy in opposing corners and a CWC oval sentiment.

Don't you just think that is beautiful bunch of flowers?! I've added close up so you can see a bit of the sparkle.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - Sketch
Stampin for the Weekend - Winter

Please check out all the girls amazing creations. I hope that you will join us for this challenge as I do love seeing everyone's interpretations and creations.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave as they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears & Friends #39 - Black, White and One Other

2010-11-07T10:13:00.000Z

Good morning all, sorry I'm late posting my card this morning! I have to admit I was making after an amazing trip to the NEC and was so tired that I feel asleep on the sofa before writing up my post! I got to meet the amazing, Sonia, Jacqui and Bev but was sorry to miss meeting my lovely teamie Cathy. It was so busy there, it's the first time I've been on a Saturday or to the November shows. I think I will definitely choose a different day next time!

Anyway, enough chit chat, that's not why you've stopped by! It was great to see so many of you take part in the last challenge, you all loved Helen's sketch as much as we did. This weeks Just Cute Bears & Friends challenge is Black, White and one other colour of your choice. My first thought was red and I think a number of the girlies had the same idea!

I did have to change direction with my card as I was going to use a DP from my pc but my poor cat had a little accident on my printer, so I've had to go with an embossed background instead. although it doesn't seem to show up so well in the photo as I was using pearlescent cardstock.

I decided against colouring my bear in partly because to me Forever Friends bears are only one colour but the other reason was I thought it made the rose stand out more and give a striking effect. The rose has been coloured in with a spica pen over the copics. I used my new (purchased yesterday!) MS deep edge punch! Great effect, pain to stick down! The roses have also been spritzed with Pearl Glimmer Mist which I also purchased yesterday. I finished off with some red gems on the punched centres and at the bottom of the card.

Please check out the rest of the girls cards, they are just stunning this week. I hope you'll take part.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

First Cricut Creations!

2010-10-29T06:19:00.000+01:00

Sorry for the quick post, I just wanted to show a couple of photos of my first Cricut creations!

I made these cute little gift bags for Halloween and gave them to some colleagues at work for their children/grandchildren.

The bag and the scalloped circle were both cut out and the DP paper is from and old Daisy and Dandelion pad. The image and sentiment is from an Elzybells set I purchased last year.

They were filled with some Halloween chocs. If I'd had more time (and orange/black CS) I'd have made some more and sold them at work as I did quite well last year with it. However as there were only 5, I wanted to give them as gifts to people and showcase what I can do.

Hope you like!

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #38 - Sketch by Helen

2010-10-24T08:57:00.000+01:00

Morning All. Before I get into today's Just Cute Bears Challenge, I would like to apologise firstly to everyone that entered our last challenge for not getting round to commenting on your cards and secondly for just dropping off the face of blogging. I've a few things going on at the moment that are putting everything else into perspective. I don't want to go into it but just to say that I'm really trying to get myself back on track with everything. I do appreciate all the support that you give me.

We have another change happening over at Just Cute Bears. From this week, we are now Just Cute Bears & Friends! This means for those of your that may not have any bear stamps, you can now take part using any other cute animal that you have in your collection. However, for those of you that love your bears, you can still use those.

We have been given a fab sketch by Helen to use this week. I believe it's her first and I just want to say it's great and keep up the good work hun!

I did change the sketch slightly as I didn't want Thomas's feet covered up by the strip

I had great difficulty photographing this card as the sun was shining right on it, hence the shadows under the roses! No matter what I tried to do in my graphics package, I could not get it right and I'm unable to rectify that now as it's my MIL's card which has been sealed up in the envelope.
I hope you will join us this time and I promise that I will get round to everyone's blog and comment. Don't forget to check out the rest of the girls cards as they're amazing.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

OMG!!!

2010-10-13T21:53:00.002+01:00

I have gone and purchased a Cricut!! What have I done?!?!?

Just Cute Bears #37 - Baby Card

2010-10-10T09:00:00.002+01:00

Good morning all! My hope of trying to make a few cards this week went out of the window after some upsetting news at work. I now know though that rather than let it get me down, I should've used my card making as a way of de-stressing.

Anyway, enough of that, it's time for another Just Cute Bears challenge. This week we would like you to make a baby card with the option of gingham and/or ribbon.

I love making baby cards as you can get away with all the cuteness. It also gave me the opportunity to use one of my Popcorn Bear baby stamps for the first time. It's been coloured with copics before being cut out with a scalloped circle nestie. The base is made up Core'dinations CS, embossed white card and gingham paper from a Wild Rose Studio paper pad. I've used a Martha Stewart Daisy punch for the border and finished off with roses from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Apologies for the poor photo, easel cards really aren't that easy to photograph are they and it was slightly overcast today so that's my excuse for it being dark

Please check out my fellow teamies amazing cards and, if possible, leave them a lovely comment as they are so deserved.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

ABC Challenge - E for Easel Card
Friday Sketchers - Sketch#123
Papertake Weekly - Your favourite challenge from the last 3 years - I've gone with Pretty Pink from 10/01/10
Creative Card Crew - Bloomin Marvellous

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

What a weekend!

2010-10-03T21:43:00.000+01:00

I hope you've all had an enjoyable weekend in spite of the atrocious weather we have had! I wasn't around for World Card Making Day I'm afraid as I was spending time with my sister which we haven't had a chance to do for a while.

I've had a an amazing weekend though as not only did I win the Die Cuts Dreams challenge but I was also chosen as the Forever Friends Favourite AND I have just seen that I was chosen as the random winner for the same Forever Friends challenge!!

They say things happen in 3's and it certainly did for me and I'm one happy crafter!

I hope to be back later in the week with some more cards. In the meantime, can anyone help me with a conundrum that I'm having? Should I get a Cricut or not?!?! I would love to hear your comments.

xx :0)

So sorry it's late......

2010-09-29T20:25:00.000+01:00

You're probably wondering what I'm apologising for......but it's about my latest card which was a "Sorry it's late" card for my friends birthday! Our holidays overlapped and I deliberately decided not to give her her card and pressie before I went. Why I hear you ask!! She would've been unable to wait 3 minutes, let alone 3 weeks, before she opened it! She cannot wait, even when it's not for her so I thought it was for the best to give it to her on her return to work today!

I used one of my Forever Friends stamps that has not seen ink for a while and coloured it with Copics before cutting out with nestabilities. The base is a layer of Core'dinations CS and some white card that has been embossed with the D'vine Swirls folder. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, the sentiment from Craftworks Cards and the ribbon from my stash.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew - Flowers
Forever Friends - Sketch
Oldie but a Goodie - Pink & Girly

I hope you're all having a lovely evening. Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

Sarah xx :0)

Wish upon a star

2010-09-27T22:03:00.000+01:00

Good evening all, I hope you've had a good Monday.

I made a quick card this evening which I wanted to show you all. For once it doesn't contain a teddy! I've gone back to my first love, Penny Black. I have so many of these stamps and felt it was time that I started showcasing them again. I will apologies now though for the dark photos, the one down side of the nights drawing in and crafting later in the day.

I have used the cute Just Wishing You.....stamp by Penny Black and coloured it with copics before cutting out using my nesties. For the base I have used Centura Pearl CS which has been embossed with the Snow Dots CB folder and the edge punched with my Fiskars snowflake border punch. I then added a strip of white ribbon before attaching it to my card base. I have finished off with some punched snowflakes and gems.

The Glamour Dust has been out in force again! It looks quite raised here as the photo was taken whilst the glue was still wet and the glitter just added.

I would like to enter this card for the following challenges:

Colour Create - All White except the image with the option of embossing
Penny Black @ Allsorts - Punch Away

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

Sarah xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #36 - Swirls & Bling

2010-09-26T09:00:00.003+01:00

Good morning all, I hope you're having a lovely weekend inspite of the sudden chill in the air. I know I'm finding it a difficult adjustment after having enjoyed temparatures in the 80's & 90's! It possibly accounts for the slight cold that I've managed to pick up from work too.

Before I mention this weeks Just Cute Bears Challenge, we have a change that you should be aware of. We are going to a fortnightly challenge as of today so you will have 2 weeks to enter before our next challenge on 10th October.

This week we would like to see Swirls and Bling on your creations - we know everyone likes a bit of bling!

I've used one of my new Lili of the Valley James Bear stamps. I think this one is so cute with the snow falling all around him. He's been coloured with Copics before being cut out with nesties and mounted onto a scalloped circle. I have added more Glamout Dust to the fur trim on his hat and Stickles on the ground and snowflakes. The DP is from an old DCWV pad which I'm ashamed to admit I have only just opened! The embossed panel is courtesy of the Snow Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder and I've finished off with some Papermania silver swirl corners and a blinging snowflake.

I think purple and silver is such a lovely combination and I will definitely use it again.

Please check out the rest of the teams wonderful creations.

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:

AiFactory - Anything Goes
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes
CES Challenge - Animal Antics
Crazy 4 Challenges - Bling
Cute Card Thursday - Sketch
Delightful Challenges - Make it Sparkle
Die Cut Dreams - Furry Things
Lili of the Valley - Untraditional Christmas
One Stop Craft - Snowflakes in September
Papertake Weekly - Animal Magic
Secret Crafter Saturday - Purple & Silver
Totally Gorjuss - Christmas

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #35 - Punch It!

2010-09-19T09:00:00.051+01:00

Good morning all. It's my final day before going back to work after 3 weeks off! So not looking forward to that, but it funds my habit so I can't grumble......(that's my crafting habit before you all start wondering!)

As it's a Sunday, it's time for me to get back into the saddle of Just Cute Bears. Our challenge this week is Punch It - we want you to get out your punches as we know how much you love them!

This week we're sponspored by:

Wild Rose Studio

Wild Rose Studio are the creators of the adorable Milton & Co range,

and we're delighted to sponsor you this week! If you like bears,

you'll love the Milton & Co range - there are lots of cute designs

that you'll use over and over again. Our first ever Milton Christmas

collection is out now, where Milton and Millie get ready for the

festive season with stockings, winter flowers, poinsettias and more.

So if you'd like to make teddy-themed Christmas cards make sure you

check it out!

Dulcie is offering 1 lucky person 2 stamps.

Some of the DT were lucky enough to be sent one of the new Milton & Millie Christmas images to use for this weeks challenge. I loved my image and can't wait to get my hands on these gorgeous stamps.

How adorable is little Milton here with his stocking?! You can't see it here, but the fur trim has be covered with Glamour Dust. This is the first time I've used this and I'm not sure if I've used a tad too much! The DP is from an old DCWV Christmas stack which I love as it's all traditional colours. I've used my Fiskars snowflake border punch and my X-Cut snowflake punch for the required element. The CS is from SU!

You can see the sparkle a lot more in this close-up. I love how it looks and definitely think I will be using this a lot more in future.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:
Secret Crafter Saturday - Anything Goes
Pixie Dust Studio - Feathers or Fur
Moving Along with the Times - Christmas

Please check out the rest of my teamies amazing cards.

I hope you will be joining us this week as I've missed seeing all your wonderful creations.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Mini Sewing Machime

2010-09-18T15:25:00.000+01:00

I've been thinking of getting a mini sewing machine for a little while as I've seen so many amazing cards that use stitching.

I know the main one is probably the Janome Sew Mini but I was wondering if anyone had the John Lewis own mini machines which can be found here?

If anyone has any tips or advice I would be extremely grateful.

Thanks to everyone who's commented on my last post about pricing for my bookatrix cards. For my usual cards, I would normally charge about £2. The only times the price would be higher is if I have used a larger card (normal size 6x6).

xx :0)

Feeling rested....& cold!

2010-09-16T20:08:00.004+01:00

Good evening all. Thank you for the lovely comments you left during my little break, they really do mean a lot.

Jon and I had a fabulous holiday, I never get tired of going back to Skiathos. When you've been somewhere before, it's nice just to be able to relax in the sun with a good book(s) and not worry that you're missing out on things. The guys at the place that we stay are the best and they made our wedding anniversary evening so special. When you have people like that, why go anywhere else? The downside of being back is that I'm now cold!!! I miss my sunny, hot days. I was so cold yesterday that I even did that awful thing of putting the heating on!! Brrr.

Before I went away I was asked my a lovely lady that Jon knows if I could make her a wedding card. She has only seen one of my cards before and loved it, even though I said it was probably the worst I'd made in ages (so bad I didn't dare photograph it for here!). At the moment when I'm asked for special cards, I instinctively reach for my bookatrix board and this time was no exception. With all the beautiful flowers that you can get from Wild Orchid Crafts it makes it so easy to whip up such an elegant card. I tend to stick with the same trusted layout with the flowers but this time I added one of the larger roses in the centre (sorry, don't know the size). I did go for a different colour combo this time, decided that I needed to get away from lilac. The finished article is below.

Pam wasn't around to receive the card before I went away so I have only heard today from my FIL what she thought of it. She loved it! Apparently when Jon next sees her, she has a list of people who would like cards from me having seen it at the wedding! Also, the landlord of our local has also said that if I wanted to leave some cards (business I think) saying what I do, he would happily have them on this bar!! I'm stunned! I don't know what to think or say! I really didn't think people would be that interested in what is just a hobby.

Can I ask you guys one question? What would you charge for a card like this? I make a corresponding box which is decorated as per some of my other cards I have posted. With the exception of one, they've all been made for friends or family occasions from me. The one that I did charge for, I asked £4.50 but my friend paid me £7. My FIL thinks I should be charging at least £6 for them. I really do struggle when it comes to asking for money and never want to put anyone off but then I know that I shouldn't undercharge either. Any advice would be really helpful.

Wow, that's a long post! Thanks for stopping by and for the comments you leave, they mean so much. Please remember to pop back on Sunday when I will be back in the saddle for the Just Cute Bears challenge

XX :0)

Taking a little break

2010-08-28T18:36:00.003+01:00

Evening all, I hope you are well.

I'm taking a little break from blogging and card making for a few weeks whilst I'm away. I've had a bit of a busy and stressful few weeks with work and other things and I need to charge my recharge my batteries. Card making hasn't seemed so enticing the past few weeks with so much going on and, couple that with not having had a proper holiday for two years, I feel physically and mentally exhausted.

I hope after getting a couple of weeks sun on my body and soaking up the vitamins and just relaxing with some good books that I will feel refreshed and raring to go for the build up to Christmas.

There might be at least one card that will pop up in my absence as it is my wedding anniversary whilst I'm away but I've not yet made it!

I would like to thank all of you that stop by regularly and comment and apologies for the lack of comments in return. I hope that this will be rectified too once I'm back.

I would like to thank Karen and Sarpreet for the awards they have left me on their blogs and apologies too for not passing them on.

Many thanks again.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #31 - Pink & Brown

2010-08-22T09:00:00.000+01:00

Woohoo!! I'm back!! I bet you didn't think you'd see a card from me again after my self-enforced exhile. My room is now completed apart from some finishing touches which will be completed after my hols.

I'm on my way to Kintbury now for my second day of Copic courses that are being run by Stamps & Memories and led by the lovely Karen Watson. I was at the Introduction course yesterday and today is the Next Step and concentrates on shading (my weakness), skin colours and hair among other things.

Anyway, enough waffling, it's time for another Just Cute Bears challenge. This week's challenge is Pink & Brown and we are being sponsored by the amazing Dulcie Jackson and

Wild Rose Studio are the creators of the adorable Milton & Co range, and we're delighted to sponsor you this week! If you like bears, you'll love the Milton & Co range - there are lots of cute designs that you'll use over and over again. Our first ever Milton Christmas collection is out now, where Milton and Millie get ready for the festive season with stockings, winter flowers, poinsettias and more. So if you'd like to make teddy-themed Christmas cards make sure you check it out!

Dulcie is offering 2 stamps of your choice to one lucky person.

Pink and Brown isn't a combo I have ever used before although I've always thought it looks amazing, so it was slightly out of my comfort zone. As we're being sponsored by Wild Rose Studios, I just had to use one of my cute Milton Bear stamps and coloured him with Copics. My brown c/s is called Cookie Dough which I purchase from Elzybells in their closing down sale (sniff!). The DP is from the WRS pad Candy Stack. I've used my new Daisy Martha Stewart punch (yes, I know have another one). I've finished off with Wild Orchid flowers, some ribbon and gems.

This is a close up of cute lil Milton.

I apologise for the darkness of the photos, they were taken late last night as I quickly finished if off!

I hope you will join us this week. I'm sorry I've not visited you all in my absence, but I can't wait to jump back in and check out all your brilliant entries.

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Work in Progress Part 2

2010-08-15T10:02:00.003+01:00

I thought I would show some photos of the state of my craft room/spare room at present! The painting was completed yesterday thanks to the help of my sister and my hubby! I'd managed to get all the walls sanded and first coat of paint and the ceiling and coving had been completed prior to that so it was just doing the second coats and the skirting boards/door frames!

I need to thank my dad too for his advice and help as well!

My poor desk!!!

Just some of my craft stash scattered about the place! There is also a box and some bits in the garage. I'll be glad to get it all back in it's place later on today.

I have some final touches that I would like to add but they will have to wait until I get back from my hols!

Anyway, I'll be back with the Just Cute Bears gang next week. I want to thank them for allowing me to have a break whilst I've got my room decorated.

xx :0)

Work in Progress

2010-08-08T19:25:00.002+01:00

Hi All,
I'm sorry I've not been around or made a card for this weeks Just Cute Bears challenge. Please stop by to see the girlies fab cards for this weeks challenge of Bear and Me.

All my crafty goodies are packed up in boxes whilst I decorate my spare room which is also my craft room. I've painstakingly removed two walls of the woodchip wallpaper but we have decided to leave the 3rd wall with it on because it was just so difficult to remove and I'm short on time to get it completed before I go away! The coving has been sanded down, just need to do the skirting boards and window sill before tidying the walls up and then the painting can begin! It is my mission to get it finished next weekend with lots of work when I get home from work and also maybe a couple of days leave.

Anyway, all this will probably mean that I will be away from blogland for a little while. I hope you will all bear with me and be here when I return.

I hope you are all having a good weekend.

XX :0)

Just Cute Bears #28 - Anything but square plus...oops!

2010-08-01T11:47:00.003+01:00

Morning all, sorry I'm late!t I completely forgot to schedule my post for today's Just Cute Bears Challenge! I'm trying to decorate my craft room at the mo but it's not easy as some silly person decided it would be a good idea to paint over the woodchip wallpaper which is making it a right so and so to get off! Boy do I ache this morning!

This weeks challenge is Anything but Square plus a tag, unfortunately I suddenly realised that I'd missed this element off; that'll teach me for rushing!

I've made a very simple circle easel card this week and used another Forever Friends Christmas decoupage image and sentiment. As I said, very simple. I'm sorry about that but I have so much going on and my craft room is looking a bit of state when I'm trying to decorate (any volunteers??)
Please check out the rest of the teams cards and our new guest designer for this month, Vicky.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #27 - Bear Necessities

2010-07-25T09:00:00.001+01:00

Morning All, I hope you're having a fab weekend! I had a a lovely day yesterday with Jon; shopping and a meal out at Loch Fyne. I've been getting some bits for my hols, I can't wait!

Being Sunday it can only mean one thing, time for another Just Cute Bears Challenge. It was great seeing all your Christmas cards last week and I hope we've helped give you the kick start you need for your Christmas crafting!

This weeks challenge is called Bear Necessities (I know the words off by heart to this song!). We want to see a clean and simple style card, nothing fancy or OTT. This wasn't difficult for me as my style is very much CAS.

We're very lucky to be sponsored this week by the lovely Paula of Pollycraft!

I would like to take this opportunity of welcoming Becky to the team. She has come to the end of her GDT stint and has been so succesful that we asked her to join us on a permanent basis! Welcome to the team Becky!!

I'm still in Chrismas mode with my cards as I've got quite a few images coloured ready to go. After seeing Jenny's card last week, I just had to use this cute FF bear this week. It reminds me of winter nights curled up with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows!

He's been coloured up with copics and cut out with my oval nesites before being mounted onto a scalloped oval nestie using my fav Real Red SU! CS. I've used so much of this that I only have 2 sheets left :0(. The base is made up of the same CS and a panel that has been embossed with the Argyle CB folder. I finished it off with some satin red ribbon & a coupe of gemstones.

A close up of this cute little bear.

Please check out the rest of my teamies entries and, if you have the time, leave them a comment as I'm sure they'd appreciate it.

I will try to do something different for next weeks challenge as you must be geting sick of seeing Christmas cards on my blog! I apologies that I've not been very active in the blogging world and showing any other cards at the moment. I am in the middle of a project that needs all my attention just now but I hope to be back once it is completed.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #26 - Christmas in July

2010-07-18T09:00:00.001+01:00

Good morning everyone, I hope you're having a lovely weekend!

This week over at Just Cute Bears we're trying to help give you a kick start on your Christmas cards with our Christmas in July Challenge! I've done a few cards but nowhere near the amount that I need!

I've got a few images coloured up and thought this cute Lili of the Valley bear would be perfect for my card. He's been coloured with copics and cute out with rectangle and scalloped rectangle nesties. The base CS is Real Red from SU! I've embossed a panel of white card with my snowflakes CB folder and then sprayed it with some gold Spray & Sparkle. I've another layer of Real Red CS that has been punched with my fiskars snowflake punch and then layered with some DP from DCWV. The sentiment is computer generated. I've added some glossy accents to the lil star.
A close up of the bear and sentiment. I think you can just catch some shine from the star.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday #121 - Get a Head Start

ABC Christmas Challenge - O is for Ornaments

Please check out the rest of my teamies amazing creations. I hope that you will join us.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Wedding Bookatrix

2010-07-16T18:58:00.002+01:00

Hello all! I don't know about you but I'm glad it's the weekend! Lets just hope this strong breeze dies down and we get some nice warm weather again.

I've been meaning to show you all this card for weeks. Two very good friends of mine got married last month and it was a chance for me to make another wedding bookatrix. I wanted to make this a little different from the last one I made so I embossed a bell in silver mirri card that is on the bookatrix board and used this as the base for my flowers. The sentiment has been printed onto vellum and finished off with some gorgeous corner peel-offs.

I also made a box to present the card in and I like to decorate them so that it makes it an extra special keepsake.

I'm sorry the photos aren't that great.

Please remember to pop back on Sunday to see my Just Cute Bears DT card!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #25 - Helen's Sketch

2010-07-11T09:00:00.001+01:00

Good Morning all! Oh my word it's been hot this week! I don't mind warm weather but it's when it's so humid and muggy with it, especially at night, that I'm not so keen. Do the rest of you find that the heat is sapping your energy and inclination to make any cards?

Thank you to everyone that took part in last weeks Just Cute Bears challenge, I really enjoyed seeing all your decoupage creations.

This weeks challenge is a fab sketch from our lovely Helen and we are also being sponsored by the amazing Meljen Designs.

I've made another Christmas card using some more Forever Friends decoupage. I have a lot of these kits so thought I would make good use of them. The paper is from a Forever Friends Winter paper pad. The CS is from my stasth. My circle element of the sketch is slightly smaller than it probably should be but I'm not very good at cutting circles freehand so used my largest circle nestabilities to create it. The base circle has been embossed using a snowflake CB folder. I've finished off with some ribbon, gemstones and a sentiment.

You can see the embossed layer a bit clearer in the close-up.
Please check out my teamies amazing creations. I hope that you will join us again this week as I love to see all your wonderful entries.

I'm hoping that the weather is a bit cooler this week as I would like to get in my craft room some more as I have a few projects I really need to concentrate on.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #24 - Decoupage

2010-07-04T09:00:00.003+01:00

Good morning everyone, I hope you are all well and enjoying this beautiful weather we are experiencing. I had a fabulous day yesterday. I went to the Art Stamps England show at Newbury Racecourse with my best friend Nikola. I got some lovely goodies to play with. Please check out Nikola's new blog, she makes some wonderful cards and is trying to design her own stamp range. She doesn't get many visitors yet so I would love it if you could all give her the support you give me.

It's now Sunday and that means that it's time for another Just Cute Bears challenge. Thank you to everyone that took part last week, I had a great time looking at every one's entries.

This weeks challenge is Decoupage. This gave me the perfect opportunity to use some more of my Forever Friends kits that I purchased last year. I apologies again for the darkness of the photos. I unfortunately left it until late last night to photograph them!

I made only my second easel card and am really pleased with the results. The base CS is core'dinations, the DP is from the Forever Friends decoupage kit as is the greeting. The white panel has been embossed with the Argyle cuttlebug folder. I have also used a Fiskars border punch and X-Cut snowflake punch. I finished off with 2 different ribbons that I purchased today and some gemstones. I have also done some more faux stitching around the edges.

A side view of the card so you can see the dimension of the decoupage.

Finally a close-up of the cute decoupage image.

Please check out the rest of my teamies cards and also our GDT this month which is the lovely Becky.

I am also entering this card into these challenges:

Winter Wonderland - Punch it

ABC Challenge - X for Xtra Dimensional

Creative Card Crew - Easel Card

Forever Friends Challenge - Stitching
ABC Christmas Challenge - N for Noel - Anything Christmas related

Die Cut Dreams Christmas Challenge - Christmas Wreath

Crazy 4 Challenges C4C44 - I love Ribbon (minimum of 2 ribbons)

Charisma Cards - Metal Mickey (Gemstones)

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Love in full swing!

2010-07-02T08:30:00.000+01:00

Morning all, I hope you are well! Hasn't the weather been beautiful the last week?!? Admittedly it has got a bit too hot at times, but we can't complain!

It's a very good friends wedding anniversary today and I wanted to make her a card. Knowing that she is a cat lover like me, this Penny Black stamp was the purrfect (sorry!) choice! I decided that I would also use it as a chance to enter this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge which was to create a patchwork effect. You can't see it very well in this photo by I've a mixture of heart paper and embossed hearts using the CB folder from the Love Language set. I'm also entering this into the Papertake Weekly Challenge which is to include stitching. This is my first(!) attempt at faux stitching, hence why it's not very good! If you look closely you'll spot the deliberate mistake! I put the base layer on upside down as all the hearts are the wrong way round!
I apologise for the quality of the photos. I took them late last night and didn't realise the yellow tinge!

Aren't they adorable?! The image has been coloured with copics, the papers are from a Forever Friends All Loved Up pack and the CS is from Stampin Up!

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #107 - Paper Patch

Papertake Weekly Challgenge - In Stitches

Just Cute Bears #23 - Open Theme

2010-06-27T09:00:00.000+01:00

Thank you to everyone for your best wishes the past couple of weeks. I'm sorry I've been absent completely, but I needed to rest my neck in the hope that it would get better. It has eased consisderably, although I do still get some pain, but I was able to make a card and participate in this weeks Just Cute Bears challenge.

Iwould like to apologies for not commenting on the last 2 challenges, or on anyone else's cards for that matter and I would like to thank my teamies for being so understanding. You're all probably aware by now that the lovely Ali is taking a break from blogging and has stepped down from Just Cute Bears. I would like to personally thank her for believing in me and picking me to be part of this amazing team.

Anyway, this weeks challenge is an Open Theme so you can create whatever you like as long as it includes a teddy image!

My card is for my wonderful parents as it was their 39th wedding anniversary yesterday! I used this gorgeous Forever Friends stamp which has been coloured with copics. The base is SU! Rose Red CS and some shimmer CS (sorry can't remember name!). The shimmer CS has been embossed with the CB folder from the Love Language set. An aperture has been cut using heart nestabilities. The frame has been made using the SU! CS and the heart and heart scallop nesties. I've finished off with a Craftwork Cards Oval and some roses from Wild Orchid Crafts.

A close-up of the image.

Please check out the rest of my teamies amazing creations and the prize that is on offer from Annie.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

No card from me today

2010-06-13T08:50:00.002+01:00

As the title says, I'm afraid there will be no Just Cute Bears Challenge card from me today. I have been suffering with a very painful next for most of the week which has left me unable to sit in my craft room for any length of time. I've been trying heat and everything but, at the moment, nothing seems to want to work. I'm hoping that with some rest I will be able to get back to crafting again.

I apologise for not being able to check any ones entries for last week either, but laptop time is having to be restricted too.

Please check out the rest of my teamies amazing cards. I hope to be back next week, I also have a couple more bookatrix cards to show that I promised last week.

xx :0)

Golden Anniversary Bookatrix

2010-06-07T21:34:00.003+01:00

As promised I'm back with one of the bookatrix that I was busy making last week!

This one is for my In-Laws who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on Saturday 5 June. I wanted the colours to be golden and match so used white, ivory & peach roses from Wild Orchid Crafts. I used a heart shape from another of the Glitter Girls boards but am a little disappointed that I couldn't quite make the heart shape. I hope it looks okay to you guys.

I thought I'd also include a photo of the top of the box that I'd made and decorated. Who knew how handy all those old peel-offs would come in handy?!

What do you think, is it acceptable?!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #20 - Fathers Day

2010-06-06T09:00:00.001+01:00

I'm sorry I've been AWOL again for the week. I have been really busy making two wedding and an anniversary bookatrix as well as my challenge card for this weeks Just Cute Bears Challenge. I will be posting my cards throughout the week so keep checking back!

Thank you to everyone that took part in last weeks Just Cute Bears challenge, there were so many lovely cards out there.

This weeks challenge is for Fathers Day. As it is fast approaching we thought it would be a good idea to make sure that you got your cards made early.

I took the opportunity to choose a stamps that I'd had for 12 months but had not yet seen an inkpad! This stamp is from Elzybells and so adorable. He's been coloured with copics and then cut out with my nesties. The CS is from SU! I think it's Close to Cocoa but don't quote me on that! The DP is from the new Hampstead Park pack which is great for men. It's been finished of with a CWC sentiment oval.

It's a very plan card but I think it's perfect for men. They don't do lots of embellishments or punches. I did contemplate a few buttons but then decided it was perfect as it was.

Please check out the blog to see all my fab teamies cards, including our newest recruit!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #19 - Thank You

2010-05-30T09:00:00.002+01:00

Good Morning everyone! Isn't it a nice feeling waking up on a Sunday morning and realising that you don't have to go back to work on Monday! I don't know about you, but I can often feel quite depressed on a Sunday with the thought that the weekend is virtually over.

Thank you to everyone who took part in last weeks Just Cute Bears challenge. Please check out the blog to not only see the lucky winner but also who has been chosen to be our new DT member!! It's all exciting!!

This weeks challenge is to create something to say Thank You. I went a slightly different route for my card. I took the opportunity to use my new Popcorn Kids stamps and CD and made a card for a teacher. With the end of the school year fast approaching, children like to take cards and gifts to their favourite teacher as a thank you.

Popcorn is so cute with his satchel and apple in his paw! What teacher wouldn't love to receive him?? He's been coloured with copics and cut out with rectangle nesties. The backing paper and border are from the Popcorn CD and the sentiment is from the same stamp set. The CS is from SU! but I'm not sure on the name. The MS Lace Doily punch has also made it's obligatory appearance!

Please check out the blog to see the rest of my teamies amazing creations and also the prize on offer this week from Cuddly Buddly.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Lili of the Valley Blog Candy!

2010-05-29T22:12:00.003+01:00

I've left this really late!! Lili of the Valley have a great candy running until midnight tonight! they are offering all 12 of their new release to one lucky winner. Why not see if you can be the lucky one!

Henbury Lane

2010-05-29T11:45:00.003+01:00

Okay, I've slipped back into my old habits of leaving it a week between postings! I also apologise for my lack of commenting this week. My poor cat has been a bit poorly and has been to the vets this morning for a check up. I'm sat waiting to ring the vets for his blood test results.

This card was made during my productive Sunday the other week. I was asked to create a card for a lady's' 83rd birthday. The only requisite was for it to be floral.

This was the perfect opportunity for me to use the decoupage kit from the latest Docrafts release, entitled Henbury Lane. These sets and papers are really beautiful and perfect for anyone that doesn't do cute bears!

I have to admit that I enjoy decoupage, especially when it's already been pre-die cut for me! You can create amazing cards in just a matter of minutes. The backing paper is from the same Henbury Lane paper pack.

The close up shows the dimension of the decoupage.

Lesley, my colleague who requested the card, said that it was probably one of the best cards that I had ever made for her! I was so happy with this comment that I immediately went and got two more packs!

I hope you agree.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Chat Box

2010-05-27T13:13:00.002+01:00

Just to let you know that I have had to remove my chat box because it was being spammed by all these sites. I don't know if they are safe so I thought it best to remove it for every one's safety.

If anyone would like to get in touch with me about anything, there is a link to my email address in the side bars so please feel free to drop me a line.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #18 - Bev's Sketch

2010-05-23T08:41:00.002+01:00

Can you believe it finally feels like summer is here?!? It's taken forever to get some lovely sunshine so I hope you're all enjoying it!

It's a gorgeous summer morning here in Berkshire and it means that it's also time for another Just Cute Bears Challenge. Thank you to everyone that took part in last weeks recipe challenge, don't forget to check back to see if you're our lucky winner!

Before I mention today's challenges I just wanted to share the sad news that Jane has decided to step down from the team. We wish Jane all the best and thank her for all her wonderful sketches.

This weeks challenge is a fabulous sketch by our lovely GDT Bev so I hope you'll all play along!

I've opted for another Xmas card to try and get myself started on this mission that takes longer than the day itself! It's another cute LOTV bear and I've coloured him with Copics (what else!). The base has been made up of SU! CS and some Doodlebug DP. I've used a Fiskars snowflake punch that I've had for an age. I really must get myself some more MS punches. It's been finished off with some ribbons, gems and a Woodware sentiment.

Here's a close up of the bear. Apologies for the darkness of the photos, these were taken last Sunday when it was a complete contrast to today's weather!

We are once again sponsored by the lovely Kim at Cuddly Buddly. Please check out the blog to see the rest of my teamies gorgeous cards!

I don't know about everyone else but I'm hoping to do some more crafting today. Living in a flat we don't have a garden to sit in and enjoy the sunshine! Plus there are the usual chores that need doing!

I hope you all have an enjoyable day whatever you're up to. Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Butterfly Kisses

2010-05-17T13:00:00.005+01:00

As promised yesterday (technically today as this is a scheduled post cos I'm at work!), I'm back with another of the cards I made in my lil session. I had a really good time and felt like I was really enjoying my crafting for the first time in ages. Hopefully this will continue!

I got this gorgeous Penny Black Stamp "Gentlest Kiss" at Ally Pally and it was a half price bargain! It's the first time he's been inked up, I can't believe it's taken me over a month to do it! He's been coloured with copics before being cut out with nesties. The card stock is Core'dinations and the DP is another Pink Petticoat download. The Doily Lace MSBP has made yet another appearance, I can't get tired of using this punch but I do think I need more to my paltry collection of 3! I've finished off with some Wild Orchid Craft flowers, gems and a Woodware sentiment.
A close up of this adorable bear.

One of the challenges I am entering this into is the Creative Card Crew sketch, but I've noticed a slight deviation from it, I hope you still find it acceptable.

I am also entering this into the following challenges;

Penny Black Saturday -Flowers

The ABC Challenge - U for Unused Stash

Cute Card Thursday - Someone Special

CCEE Stampers - Nursery Rhyme for inspiration - I've used Teddy Bears Picnic

Allsorts Challenge - Birthdays

Thank you for stopping by again and for the lovely comments you leave, they are all greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Sweet Lil Thomas, with love!

2010-05-16T19:08:00.006+01:00

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS MY SECOND POST OF THE DAY

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MY JUST CUTE BEARS DT CARD

It's almost unheard of these days for me to post twice in one day! Well I have to say I've had a bit of a craft fest and made 4 cards! I'll spread them out for you, although one of them is my DT card for next week.

I spent yesterday having a look at what challenges there currently are out there and found a few that I fancied having a go at.

I've had this adorable Thomas stamps from LOTV since they were released and can't believe that I've not inked him up yet! He's just a sweetheart isn't he?! He's been coloured with copics and I've also added some stickles to his whiskers and glossy accents to his little posy of flowers although they don't show up very well in the photo. I've used one of my fav shades of Core'dinations CS (exotic orchid) and the DP is a Pink Petticoat download. I've also not used these flowers since I received them from Wild Orchid Crafts so thought they would go perfectly with the DP & CS. It's been finished off with my Doily Lace MSBP and a sentiment from Woodware.

Isn't he cute?! You can just about see the stickles on his whiskers but the glossy accents still doesn't want to show. It's their, honest!

This cards has been made to fit a few challenges, as follows;

Lili of the Valley - Sketch by Bev
Papertake Weekly - Shiny, Sparkly & Special
ABC Challenge - U for Unused Stash
Cute Card Thursday - Someone Special (I do have another card made for this challenge too, hope that's allowed!)

Thank you for stopping by again and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #17 - 3,2,1 Recipe

2010-05-16T09:00:00.002+01:00

Good morning everyone, I hope you are having a lovely weekend. I don't know about you, but the weekend always seems to go far quicker than 2 working days?!

It's Sunday morning, so that must mean that it's time for another Just Cute Bears challenge. Thank you to everyone who took part in last weeks challenge, please make sure you check out the blog to see if you were our lucky winner.

This weeks challenge is a 3, 2, 1 recipe. We would like your card/project to include 3 brads, 2 papers and 1 ribbon.

I wanted to make sure that I used a different layout for this card and not fall into my usual layout and I think that I have definitely achieved that. My papers are from a Forever Friends paper stack and perfectly compliment the cute Christmas FF decoupage that I have used. My ribbon is represented by the blue organza bow that I have placed at the bottom of the image. The sentiment is also from FF. I have used my square and circle nestabilities to cut my shapes.

Here is a close-up of the cute little bears snuggling up.

Please check out the blog to see the rest of my teamies amazing creations! I hope you will join us for this challenge, I really do enjoy visiting all your blogs.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Hubby's card & cakes!

2010-05-11T20:21:00.004+01:00

I promised you all that I would try and blog this week and I have managed to keep to it. I had the second stage of my root canal this morning and don't feel too bad at the moment but painkillers might have something to do with that! The neck is fine now, thanks to all those who sent good wishes.

Anyhoo the card I have to show is what I made for Jon's birthday. I used my fab new Forever Friends CD that Jon very kindly bought me. I love how you can create a card on the software and print it out. I used this facility for Jon's card although I did also print out some additional bears so that I could decoupage the image. I know some people may not deem this as "crafting" but I think this will come in handy for those last minute card orders we get and also for bulk periods like Christmas. Jon loved it and that was the main thing for me!

The next two photos are of some of the cakes that I made for the Cake Break I organised last week in aid of Multiple Sclerosis. I have got more into baking again in the last few months and loved it. These are some Blueberry Muffins that I made.

This was my first ever attempt at making Carrot Cake and after all the lovely compliments I received it certainly won't be my last!

I also made some chocolate fudgy coconut brownies, flapjacks and vanilla & coconut biscuits. We managed to raise £184 for MS so I am very proud of everyone that I work with and who supported me.

That's not the end of the baking though. Last Sunday I made more flapjacks and muffins along with a lemon drizzle cake and chocolate fudge cake for Jon to take in belatedly for his birthday! No photos this time but suffice to say they have gone down a treat with everyone!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #16 - Multifolds

2010-05-09T09:00:00.003+01:00

Morning All! I had intended to blog and craft a bit more this week but I've had a bit of a stiff neck which has limited by ability to craft as I was unable to look down at my desk without being in pain. Thankfully this subsided in time for me to be able to make my DT card for Just Cute Bears this week, although couldn't completely finish it.

Thank you to everyone who took part last week, please check the blog to see if you were our lucky winner.

This weeks challenge is to make something with more than one fold. I took this opportunity to make my first ever easel card and also my first Christmas card this year. I used another cute LOTV teddy which has been coloured in copics before being cut out with nestabilities. The background has been embossed using the Snow Dots cuttlebug folder. I have also used some Doodlebug DP that I've had for ages. This has been finished off with snowflake punches and a Craftwork Cards oval. Because of the problems with my neck, I wasn't able to properly finish the bottom part of the card.

A close up of this adorable little bear!

I was surprised how easy it was to make an easel card and will definitely be making more in the future. I hope you will join us again this week as we have another fabulous prize from Cuddly Buddly.

Hopefully I will be back with more cards to show you this week that I have made just recently and also some photos of cakes that I made for last weeks cake break.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #15 - Buttons & Bows

2010-05-02T09:00:00.003+01:00

Firstly, thank you to everyone who sent kind messages after my dental trauma last week. I'm doing ok at the moment (now the pain has subsided) and am awaiting the final appointment in 9 days. Jon is also doing ok thanks although he still has some pain and discomfort in his arm.

I'm sorry I've not been around much this week, I have been busy organising a cake break at work in aid of MS. My weekend will be spent baking up a storm in the kitchen!

Anyway, enough waffle and onto this weeks Just Cute Bears Challenge. Thank you to everyone that took part in last weeks challenge. I hope you enjoyed using Jane's sketch, I know I certainly did! Check out the blog to see if you were our luck winner.

Before I tell you about this weeks challenge, I have to tell you about our new guest designer for May. I am so happy to announce that the wonderful Bev is joining us! Please check out Bev's wonderful creations. I would also like to announce that the lovely Helen has agreed to join us as a permanent member of our team.

For this weeks Challenge we would like to see you use Buttons & Bows. I have to admit that I don't own many buttons so this was a challenge in itself! My bow also went seriously wrong!

I used another of my cute Milton Bear stamps that I purchased at Ally Pally. This is Milton with Teddy and he has been coloured with copics before being cut out with nestabilities.

The papers used are gingham and doodle dots which are from Pink Petticoat. The cardstock is Core'dinaltions. I have also used my MS Lace Doily Punch and a sentiment from Woodware.

Isn't he a cutie?! I swear the bear stamps are just getting cuter!

Please check out the rest of the girls fabulous creations. I hope you will join us, we have another great prize on offer from Cuddly Buddly.

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #14 - Jane's Sketch

2010-04-25T09:00:00.004+01:00

If Mr Blogger is behaving himself then this post will appear as normal at 9am on Sunday morning! I'm still in Taunton after my friends wedding and really hoping that, after all the problems with flights, they manage to get away on their honeymoon.

Anyway, being a Sunday can only mean 1 thing......Just Cute Bears Challenge Time! Thank you to everyone that took part in last weeks challenge. I apologise if I didn't get round to everyone, it's been a busy week looking after Jon and work.

The lovely Jane has provided us with another fabulous sketch for this week. When I first saw it, I was a little daunted, but having now used it, I love it and will definitely use it again! Thanks Jane!

I've used another of my new Lili of the Valley stamps from Ally Pally. These are now on sale so what are you waiting for?!? This cutie pie has been coloured with copics and cut out with rectangle and scalloped rectangle nestabilities. I've used this lovely pink Core'dinations cardstock and the DP's are both from Pink Petticoat (thanks Dawny!). The finishing touches are a Woodware sentiment and some Papermania gemstones. I was going to use some paper roses but there wasn't the room and didn't want to ruin the card.

I absolutely adore this card, I was so happy with the final result! Here's a close up of this cutie!

I hope you will join us again this week. As always we are sponsored by the lovely Kim at Cuddly Buddly. She provides us with such fab prizes each week.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Congratulations Sarah & Simon

2010-04-24T10:00:00.000+01:00

This is a scheduled post so I'm hoping Mr Blogger behaves himself!

Jon and I are currently in Taunton for our friend's wedding. When it came to making the card, I knew that I wanted to use my dust covered Bookatrix board. I think this was the main reason that I purchased a number of the gorgeous paper roses from Wild Orchid Crafts. I've used 4 different colour variations for the card.

If you click on the image, it should enlarge in another window. I've used mirri card and some pale purple and cream shimmer CS. The sentiment has been printed onto vellum.

This is probably one of the best Bookatrix's that I have created and I haven't done very many. I have two more to do for weddings on 5th June, 1 of which is an order.

I hope you are all having an enjoyable weekend and that the weather is being kind to you. Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated. Please remember to pop back tomorrow for the latest Just Cute Bears challenge.

xx :0)

Down in the Mouth & a Little Honey

2010-04-22T21:35:00.004+01:00

Evening all, I hope you've had a lovely day. I wish I could say I had but I had to have emergency root canal treatment today so am feeling very sorry for myself and a bit sore!

Dentist is unsure what went wrong as I had a filling a few weeks ago (only my 3rd) but on the day of Jon's op, I started to get pain when I had something to drink. I hoped it would go away and saw him on Monday where he found out it wasn't filling but the outside of the tooth that was being sensitive. He put some paste on, hoping it would work but, just 8 hours later the pain was back. On seeing him today, he said the only thing he could was to remove the root so he started the process there and then. My jaw is now painful and I'm still a bit wary as the tooth feels funny, but I guess that's to be expected after all the work. I hope I'm okay tomorrow though as Jon and I are travelling down to Taunton for one of my very good friends wedding on Saturday.

Anyway, enough of my waffle. It was my mum's birthday on Monday so I'm a bit late showing the card I made her. My mum (and me) is a big Pooh Bear fan and when I saw this new Stampavie stamp by Penny Johnson I just knew it was perfect for her card. I got it from the lovely Tracy at Dies to Die For. It's out of the stock at the moment but I'm sure if you ask Tracy nicely she'll be able to get it back for you.

It's been coloured with copics and cut out with my circle and scalloped circle nestabilites. The CS is one again from Core'dinatons and the DP is from the Milton paper pack from Wild Rose Studios. I've added a strip of CS that has been punched with my MS Doily Lace punch. For the finishing touches, I have finally jumped on the Wild Orchid Crafts bandwagon and purchased some paper roses! I hope they look ok with this image.

Here's a close of this cute I Love Honey stamp.

I think I'm going to go to bed in a few minutes. Jon and I are both dosed up on painkillers so hopefully we'll sleep okay!

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #13 - One for the boys!

2010-04-18T09:00:00.000+01:00

Good morning to you all! I hope you are having an enjoyable weekend and that the weather is being kind to you.

It's Sunday morning so that can only be one thing.....time for another Just Cute Bears Challenge! Before I mention this weeks challenge can I just say a BIG thank you to everyone who took part in last weeks "Flowers" challenge! I think we had our record since we began. Please make sure you check the blog to see if you were our lucky winner!

This week we would like to see you make something for the boys! It doesn't just have to be a card, it can be any creation as long as it contains a cute teddy.

This challenge gave me the perfect opportunity to use one of the new Lili of the Valley stamps that I managed to pick up at Ally Pally last weekend. This is part of the new release due out on 21st April. The base is made up of SU! cardstock (sorry, I can't remember the name) and the DP is from the FF paper pack "Just For Him". I then embossed some Bashful Blue CS with my Distressed Stripes CB folder. The image has been coloured with copics and cut out with square nestabilities and mounted onto the SU! CS which has been cut with the scalloped square nestabilities. I have finished off with a Craftwork Cards oval sentiment and some Papermania brads.
Isn't he just adorable!!

I hope you'll take the time to join us again this week. As always we are sponsored by the fab Cuddly Buddly with another fantastic prize for the lucky winner. Please also check out the blog to see the rest of the amazing DT girlies creations.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Papertake Weekly - Cutie Pie!

2010-04-15T20:32:00.004+01:00

Thanks for every one's kind wishes for Jon's operation. Yesterday turned into pretty much a nightmare for us. We got to the hospital at 7.15am but Jon didn't end up going for surgery until 4pm and had to stay the overnight. The poor thing hadn't eaten since 8:30pm the night before or had a drink since 10:30pm!

Obviously I had to make him a card to wish him well and Boo Boo Bear from Whipper Snappers was the perfect stamp for me to use as it was Jon's right arm that was operated on. He's been coloured with Copics and cut out with rectangle nestabilities before mounting using the scalloped nestabilities. The base is made up of pale blue CS, white CS and Bashful Blue DP from SU!. The white CS has been punched with my MS Valentine Lace punch and finished off with some ribbon. The sentiment is a PB stamp.
I would like to enter this into this weeks Papertake Weekly Challenge which is Cutie Pie. He is most definitely cute!

I'm pleased to say that Jon is now home and is taking things easy (which he finds difficult). I'm sorry I've not yet get round to commenting on those of your who have entered this weeks Just Cute Bears Challenge. I will do it before the weekend, I promise.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Ally Pally Stash!

2010-04-12T20:50:00.003+01:00

Sorry it's taken me so long to add photos of my new goodies from Ally Pally. My back was aching loads after Saturday so I just took it easy yesterday and didn't do very much at all.

Anyway, I unpacked everything today and have photographed it all for you! I got some great bargains!
The Martha Stewart Deep Edge punch was only £14.50 from the Samuel Taylor stand. I was lucky to get to it as it was heaving with everyone trying to get their hands on the amazing offers they had on all the different punches. They were coming off the shelves faster than they could stock them! I also stocked up on 12 rolls of DST for £5 and 10 rolls of ribbon for £15.

My first port of call was the Lili of the Valley stand to pick up some of the new release stamps that don't hit their online store until 21st April. They have some of the cutest teddy stamps just perfect for the men in your life! They will definitely come in handy for the Just Cute Bears challenges!

I also managed to get my hands on the gorgeous Milton & Co stamps from Wild Rose Studios as well as the co-ordinating paper pads.

The two PB teddy stamps were half price so I just HAD to get them! Can't you tell I'm a sucker for a teddy! Penny Blacks were my first love when it comes to rubber stamps. I also picked up two transparent sets for £2o as well as a couple of their slapstick ranges including the cute graduation hedgie!

Sorry the photos aren't the greatest, I've never been that good at photographing new goodies! Can't wait to play with them.

If I'm not around for a couple of days it's cos my gorgeous hubby is having an operation on his arm on Wednesday and I'll be looking after him for the first 48hours afterwards to make sure he's suffering no ill effects of the anaesthetic. Hopefully while he's sleeping I'll be able to pop online as well as maybe making a couple of cards.

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #12 - Flowers

2010-04-11T09:00:00.002+01:00

Wow! What a day I had at Ally Pally yesterday! I had an amazing day and got lots of lovely craft goodies. I hope to take a photo of my new stash later on to post.

Being Sunday, it means it's time for another Just Cute Bears Challenge. Thank you to everyone who took part in last weeks challenge, I enjoy visiting all of your blogs to see your fabulous creations. Make sure you check the blog to see if your our lucky winner.

This week we would like to see Flowers on your projects.

I have used the cute Milton with Flowers from Wild Rose Studios which my fab DT buddie Jenny kindly sent me! I now have this stamp after my shopping trip. He has been coloured with copics before being cut out with my rectangle nestabilites and mounted onto some Core'dinations CS cut with the scalloped rectangle nesites. The DP is MME that was free with one of my craft mags. I didn't realise how lovely it was until I decided that I really should use some DP for a change. I added a punched strip from my MS Lace Doily punch and some ribbon from my stash. The flowers didn't quite turn out the way I wanted. They are some cream Hero Arts flowers and I coloured them with copics but I think I picked the wrong colour! To finish off I have stamped a sentiment from Woodware and added some little gems.

A close up of the coloured image. I apologise for the quality of the photos. I took these at 6am yesterday morning!

As always, we are sponsored by the lovely Kim at Cuddly Buddly. Please check out the rest of the DT's amazing cards.

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

Excited!!

2010-04-10T06:48:00.003+01:00

I'm like a kid at Christmas!! My very dear husband decided to surprise me this weekend by taking me to Ally Pally today! He knew I was upset about having to miss the NEC shows for the first time in 5 years so thought this would be a good way to cheer me up!

All I have to do now is wait for him to get up!

xx :0)

Just Cute Bears #11 - Yellow & Green

2010-04-04T09:00:00.001+01:00

Happy Easter to you all! Make sure you don't eat too much chocolate otherwise you'll make yourself sick.

Being a Sunday means that it's time for another Just Cute Bears challenge. Thank you to everyone that entered last week, I know it was a bit of a difficult challenge. I did enjoy visiting all the blogs and seeing your wonderful creations.

Before I tell you the challenge for the week, I would like to tell you that, for April, we have been joined by the wonderful Helen! This week's challenge is a colour combo for you. We'd like you see Green & Yellow on your creations. This isn't a usual combo for me so wasn't all that easy. I knew straight away that I wanted to use this cute Lili of the Valley stamp though. The layout is fairly simple. The CS is two different shades of Bazzil Basics and the yellow is Core'dinations. The embossed panel has been made using the Paisley cuttlebug folder, the ribbon is from my stash and the flowers are from Prima.
I was quite shocked at how similar my card was to the fabulous Jenny's creation! Please check out the rest of amazing DT girlies cards. We are sponsored by Cuddly Buddly.

Hope you all have a lovely day. Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)

You're a Big Sister!

2010-04-03T20:50:00.004+01:00

I've been enjoying the long break as work has been really hectic still. It's been so hectic that I forgot to photograph the little Easter treats that I made for some of my lovely work colleagues. I made them some lovely little milk carton boxes and filled them with a mixture of different eggs.

The last card I posted was the baby boy card. When my sister requested it, I decided that I would also make a card for the soon to be big sister so that she wouldn't feel left out. She's just turned 4 so I knew it had to be a cute Magonlia image that I used.

As with all little girls, it had to be pink and I used my favourite Bazzill pale pink. I really need to get some more of this! The white background has been embossed with little hearts using the Love Language CB folder and the patterned paper is from a Forever Friends paper pack. The image has been coloured with copics. The ribbon is from my stash, the sentiment is PC generated and cut out using label nestie tags. I have finished off with some dew drops round the image.

I am fairly pleased with this image, although I am aware of some shading inaccuracies. The lovely Liza has been very kind in giving me some tips and advice on how to improve. I would also like to thank the lovely Dawny too who has also been very helpful

I have decided to enter this card into this weeks Papertake Weekly Challenge as this is an Open Theme and Cute Card Thursday which is So Egg-citing (or an Oval Shape

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, they are greatly appreciated.

xx :0)