A New Year, a New Me

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, received lots of wonderful gifts and most importantly, got to spend it with the people that you love.

2013 had highs as well as a number of lows for me, but I'm hoping that 2014 is going to be a year full of lots of new and exciting experiences for me.    The highlight of 2013 was welcoming the arrival of my gorgeous nephew, Joshua.  I can't believe that he's 4 and a half months old already.  I love him so much and try and see him as often as travel allows.  In those interim spells, Skype comes to the rescue.

I only made a couple of cards this Christmas, my mojo is slowly starting to return.  I would like to share one with you today.

I went with a very clean and simple card and I really like how it turned out.  I've been browsing the occasional blog to gain some inspiration.

As a lover of teddies, I had to treat myself to some of the new James the Bear stamps from LOTV when they released them last summer.  This was the only one that has been used so far.  I coloured him with Copics.

I would like to enter this into the Winter Wonderland Challenge which is Teddy Bears.

I will try to be a better blogger and crafter this year.  I'm not just a paper crafter now as I do enjoy crocheting and I've just treated myself to a sewing machine which, considering I have no idea to sew, should be interesting!

Thank you to anyone who has stopped by to read this, I really appreciate it after such a long absence.  I want to have a think about changing my blog layout to start the year afresh. If anyone can recommend how to go about this, I would be very grateful.

Sarah xx

Birthday Wishes

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable weekend. It's a shame that the nice weather we had during the week had to disappear for the weekend.

Thank you to everyone that commented on my last card, they are very much appreciated and I will reciprocate those kind words.

Today I've a card that I've made for a very good friend I work with.  It's her birthday on 1st May and I know how much she loves to receive one of my cards.

I've followed the sketch over at this months Penny Black Saturday Challenge.  It's a great sketch and one I would definitely think about using again. I've used the sweet Dreamweaver stamp and coloured it with copics.  I think this most only be the 2nd or 3rd time I've used it!  I can't remember the name of the Martha Stewart jumbo edge punch, but again, this is the first time it's been used!  I think the embossing folder is called Falling Daises and it's been embossed on Centura Pearl cardstock.

 

I apologise for the darkness of the photos.  I thought I'd try photographing on the empty shelf of my new unit but I don't think it worked out so well!  I don't think I'm ever going to be destined to photograph straight either!

This little bear was such a dream to colour.

I'm currently working on my granny strip blanket for the lounge.  I've only recently learnt to crochet, so this is a big project for me. It's started with a 240 chain and it covers the whole width of the largest sofa in our lounge, which was it's purpose!  I'm only 9 rows in at present, so there's a long way to go!  I will try and factor in some blogging time too.  It's so nice to be doing different crafts away from papercrafting.  It helps keep everything fresh and I'm a lot happier in myself too.

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

xx :0)

Happy Anniversary

Happy Wednesday everyone! I don't know about you, but by Wednesday afternoon, things don't seem so bad, it's Hump Day after all!  For those of you that haven't heard this expression before, it's nothing rude!  Monday and Tuesday are the climb up to the top of the hill, by Wednesday afternoon you've reached the top and Thursday and Friday are downhill towards the weekend.

I do have a card to share with you today.  I made this at the weekend, but didn't want to post until today as it was for one of my best friends on her 3rd wedding anniversary.  My posts feed to my Facebook page so I didn't want her to see it before she opened it!

I've used some different colours for me today and I really liked the outcome.  I might have to use them a bit more often! 

 

The image is Popcorn Bear and I'll admit,it's been coloured up for a while, I've just been waiting for an opportunity to use it.  The papers are from a Papermania wedding set and the embossed panel is using the D'Vine Swirls folder.  Popcorn has been coloured in with copics.

This is one of those cards that I just loved when I'd finished it.

I'm entering the card into the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday - Sketch
Crafty Bloggers Network - Anything Goes

Thank you for stopping by and for any comments you may leave as they are greatly appreciated.  I will try and get by and do some blogging in the next evening or so, but I might be distracted with my next crocheting project!

Sarah xx

1 Today

I know, it's been over a week since my last blog post and I've not visited much either.  In my defence, things have been really busy and I've been working on the baby blanket for my sister.  This has been completed now and I will post photos shortly.

This is a card I made for my friends little boy's first birthday last month.  I know the LOTV stamp is usually for a new baby, but I thought it also worked well for a first birthday card as well.  He's been coloured up with my copics and cut out with a nestie set I've not used in a long time.  I can't remember what the papers were I'm afraid.  I finished off with a panel of large dots using a Sizzix embossing folder.

 The usual close up of the image is below.  I really like the blues.

Do you ever feel at times like you're not allowed to say what you feel is happening in your life on your own personal blog, or facebook page for fear of upsetting people.  I made a comment in my last post about falling out with a friend, who isn't a crafter, in my last post, but I'm now unsure whether she has seen it.  I want to be able to get things off my chest and now feel I have nowhere to be able to say this.  It's my blog and I should be able to speak my mind.

Sorry for going off topic and for being quiet.  This has been playing on my mind and might also explain my absence.

xx

Pink & Sparkly

Good evening all.  I must firstly apologise as I've not got round to looking at everyone's blogs the last week or so.  I was just taking things easy and left my laptop alone for a bit.

Anyhoo, I've had a little craft over the weekend.  I was asked by a friend to make a card and bracelet for her son's fianceé and the only criteria was to be pink and sparkly!  As always, when I'm asked to make anything girly, I head to my Miss Anya stamps.  I don't have many "girly" stamps that aren't cuddly and furry!  The papers are from an old Papermania set, Henbury Lane.  It had the added glitter sparkles.  Please excuse my shocking handwritten name!

 

 I don't think I missed the brief in pinkness........do you!?  I'm gutted as I should've posted this before today as I used a sketch from a challenge, but it ended Sunday evening.  I apologise for the glare, I had to photograph when I got to work and I think the overhead lighting was a bit too bright.

 Here's a close up of Miss Anya.  I had a slight bleed on one of the bunches, but I don't think it looks too bad.

The bracelet is another Montee Embellished bracelet, this time using hot pink beads and silver lined seed beeds. This does look very sparkly in real life.

My friend was very pleased with both item, I hope the recipient is too.

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

Sarah xx

I Love You Mum

I hope you've all had a lovely Mother's Day.  Jon and I took my mum and dad out for a Mothering Sunday lunch which was very nice.  We also had flowers for both mum's. 

I made cards for both mum's too and I'm showcasing the card I made for my mother-in-law.  I let Jon choose the image and he chose one of my favourite Penny Black cat stamps.  I can for the life of me remember the name of these papers as I've bought it a number of years ago and never used it.  I wanted to use really bright colours.  The banner die-cut is from La La Land.  I don't actually have this die yet, but Tracy from Dies To Die For very kindly included this in my last order.  It is on my wishlist!

It's probably not a traditional looking Mother's Day card, but Jon loved it, as did his mum and that's all that counts.

Thank you for the comments on my last card.  I didn't get a chance to blog hop then but have it planned for this evening.  I will back very soon to show the card I made for my mum.  In the meantime, I'm excitedly awaiting the arrival of Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt 2 so I can finally see how the saga ends.  I love the books and films and was unable to go to the cinema, so this has been a very long wait! 

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch
In the Pink - Floral/Mothers Day

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

xx

Happy Birthday Lukas

Good evening, I hope you are all well.  I don't know about you, but I'm very glad that it's nearly the weekend.  I've been very tired this week and, even though I've wanted to craft when I get home from work, I'm just crashing out on the sofa.  I did however manage to finish this card at 5:30am this morning! I realised when I woke up that I needed to take it into work with me.

This card is for a very good friend's little boy's first birthday.  I've been wanting to use this cute Wild Rose Studio stamp for a while now and I thought what better time than for a little ones birthday.  I think the elephant is called Bella.  I've coloured her with Copics.  I'm not overly happy with the balloons, but they could've been a lot worse.  It worked out perfectly that there were enough of them to enable me to personalise the card.  I think the backing paper is also from an old Wild Rose Studio paper pad.

 And the usual close up so you can see how cute this little ellie really is!

 

I decided last week that it would be good to treat myself to some new goodies as I've been good recently.  Most were waiting for me when I returned from visiting my sister. I thought I would show you what I purchased. Apologies for the photo as it was dark by the time I got my camera out!

 

 

I'm looking forward to having a play with these very soon.

 

I will be doing some blog hopping either this evening or tomorrow, I can't wait to see what you've all been up to.

 

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



xx

Birthday Wishes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sarah xx :0)

Happy Valentine's Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

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

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

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

Sarah xx :0)

Love in in the Air

Thank you to everyone who left comments on my last card, it's so nice to know that you're all still keeping an eye out for me.

A friend asked me to make a card for their partner for Valentine's day.  I have so many "lovey" stamps to choose from that I didn't know where to start but ended up going with a sweet Forever Friends image which I coloured with copics before cutting out with a square nestabilitie and mounted on a scalloped square of Real Red by Stampin Up.  The background is made up more Real Red and some heart paper printed from my Forever Friends cd before adding another layer of cardstock and embossed heart background before adding a strip that has been punched with my MS Lace Valentine Heart punch.

 Here's a close up of the little cutie!

I would like to enter this in to the following challenges:


Simon Says Stamp - Love is in the Air
Crafting When We Can - Love  & Valentine
Dream Valley - Valentine
The Squirrel & The Fox - Valentine's Day
Forever Friends Monthly Challenge - Valentine
Delightful Challenges - Love
Stampavie & More - Love

There are so many challenges out there that I could link this up with, I'd be here all day!

I hope you're all having a lovely weekend.  I've only got a few more days to go until my op and then it might be a little while before you see anything from me again.  I hope it won't be too long.  My room still isn't finished unfortunately, I think it will have to wait now until I'm home and I can tell Jon and my dad where I want things to go.

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

xx

It's been a while!

My word, I can't believe that I've not posted since just before Christmas.  I am truly very sorry but in all honesty, I haven't really crafted or felt like it so took a bit of a break.  I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and the first month of the new year has been kind to you.

I finally have a date for my operation.  It's scheduled for 16th February and I'm keeping everything crossed that it doesn't get cancelled.  I'm currently trying to fight a cold!  I'm also in the middle of changing my craft room around.  The double bed has gone and has been replaced by a sofa bed, I have furniture coming from IKEA and I'm also giving away a fair bit of my old stash to the childrens ward at my local hospital.  The aim is to get it all finished before I go in for my op because I won't be able to much for quite a while afterwards.

You may be surprised to hear after all that that I have actually made a card!  I was asked by a friend to make a card for her daughters friend's birthday.  I took the opportunity to make it fairly girly for me and used one of the my old Miss Anya stamps for the very first time (shock horror)!  The papers are from the gorgeous Bumbleberry Cottage Nitwit set and the cardstock is Core'dinations.

Supplies:

Stamps: Miss Anya Collection and Woodware sentiments; Inks: Copics & Memento Tuxedo Black

DP & CS: Bumbleberry Cottage - Nitwits, Core'dinations; Tools: D'vine Swirls CB folder, Label 4 Dies



Considering it's been a while since I made a card, I was really pleased with how this turned out, esepcially the colouring. I have been colouring a few images up ready to make some cards, so hopefully it won't be too long before I have some more to show.

I will try and do some blog hopping this evening whilst watching Masterchef!

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

xx

Jolly, Jolly Snowman!

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

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

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

Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

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.

xx

Good Luck Humphrey

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

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

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

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

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.

xx