Sketch Saturday ~ Sketch #27

This weeks sketch has been sponsored by Whiff of Joy! And the prize that you could win!... one of Whiff of Joy's brand new designs from their Winter & Christmas collection, designed by Elisabeth Bell,
Herb with bird! I've not got any WOJ stamps so maybe this could be my first lol!

I'm still trying to use my CS scraps up, so thats what the black card is lol! DP's ~ more Summer Driggs Giving, image ~ another from Becky's RAK, that I coloured with WM's and Sakura Glaze pens, sentiment ~ as previous post, ribbon ~ stash.

Secret Crafter ~ Challenge #9

This week's challenge is a fantastic sketch by the lovely SUE. Again no restrictions on type of project or theme as long as we can still recognise the sketch layout.

This turned out better than I thought it would! CS ~ stash, DP's ~ Summer Driggs Giving, image ~ RAK from Becky coloured using WM's, sentiment ~ freebie download from Cupcake Sprinkles, bling ~ stash.

Friday Sketchers ~ Sketch #30

Carole from England is the host of the sketch this week.

It's a very busy time of year for everyone and Thanksgiving in the US, so she's kept the sketch really easy for this reason. Please feel free to add your sentiment and embellishments wherever suits your image.

Sir Stampalot from the UK is sponsoring the challenge this week.

Couldn't sleep so I got up this morning and paper pieced and coloured this image that I'd inked up for the first time last night. I'd also printed the papers off last night, they are a free from Pollycraft Challenge blog and I just love them. Sentiment is a peel-off ~ stash, CS ~ stash, flowers, brad, beadcap ~ stash. Painted a white flower with Mystic Blue H2O cos I didn't have the colour I wanted, added some azure blue sparkle colour glitter to the gold brad and the edgess of the flower for added bling ... not that you can see it in the photo lol!

Pollycraft and DT Entry

I've decided to give the whole DT thing a go. Not had the courage to enter into anything like this before, but since a good friend of mine persuaded me to stop underestimating myself and to go out and show people what I do best, I thought I'd take this opportunity to give the DT thing a whirl.

Pollycraft are looking for DT members so here is my entry for there 2 part challenge which is to use Paula's sketch ...

and to use there free download of stunning papers.

My card is made using CS ~ stash, DP's ~ Pollycraft, stamp ~ Magnolia stamp club winter collection paper pieced and coloured with WM's and blinged with Glamour Dust, ribbon ~ Poppicrafts, little bells ~ Poundland, sentiment ~ peel-off.

Here's wishing me luck!

More Dawny P Sketch Cards and Cute Card Thursday Challenge 38

I'm just loving this sketch of Dawny P's. It's so easy to use yet so effective. My card tin is looking a bit sad so I thought I'd leave the Christmas cards for now, I've got ages lol .... and concentrate on normal cards! The Challenge at Cute Card Thursday this week is to make a lilac card and theres a fab prize from Papercraft Clearance for one lucky winner.

So, using up some CS and DP leftovers this is what I produced.

I'm loving my Daisy stamp, I think she's just adorable ... thanks again Jill mwah! She's been coloured with WM's and Sakura Glaze pens... thats Daisy by the way not Jill pmsl! Flowers, brads, beadcaps and ribbon all from stash. Sentiments ~ hugs and kisses, Rubber Romance and Just because, Dovecraft Studio G clear stamps.

Another Card Made Using MichelleO's sketch

Another fab sketch that I'm gonna find myself using again and again....

Just love the papers on this one. I've had them printed out for ages but just never got round to using them and seeing as I'm making random cards today I thought I'd use this paper up. I love the fresh feel it gives. CS ~ leftovers, DP's ~ Raspberry Road Designs, stamp ~ Rubber Romance, paper pieced and coloured with WM's and Sakura Glaze pens, blooms, beadcaps and brads ~ stash, sentiment ~ Rubber Romance.

I don't very often use my Rubber Romance stamps. They're the first stamps I every bought back at the beginning of the year when I really got into stamping ... hated it before! They seem to have been taken over by the Magnolia's that I've bought, but I'm gonna try and make at least one card a month from now on using one of my many RR stamps.

Right, I better shoot off and get ready for "fat club", although I'm sure I haven't done too well this week ... I've eaten proper sausages, not the low fat one .... in my defence though its cos Sainsbury's hadn't got them when I went to get some yesterday for tea! I've had bread too .... and not your bog standard normal bread, or even nimble bread ..... oh no..... it was a farmhouse loaf cut into doorsteps! :O ..... on Friday night, Saturday lunch and the last of it for supper Saturday night .... you have to eat it before it goes stale! So I've been well and truly naughty this week and I dont rightly give a s*** pmsl!

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge #27

This weeks Challenge is a fab sketch created by MichelleO to follow theres a gorgeous prize of Teenage Lizzie Kindly donated by Katharina from Whiff of Joy .

Another Christmas card done, only a few left .... lol who am I kidding?! CS ~ stash, DP ~ red dots Pink Petticoat, song sheet paper from Digifree, Santa image ~ RAK Becky coloured with WM's and Sakura Stardust pens, added Flowersoft to his bits again .... not his BITS obviously, but his cuffy bits, snowflake brads ~ stash (forgot I had them) and blinged with gems ~ stash, ribbon ~ stash.

Papertake Weekly Challenge ~ Dawny's Sketch #3

Another fab sketch from Dawny P at PTW ....

At last I've managed to ink my Daisy stamp up that Jill brought me for Christmas but couldn't bear to keep as a surprise lol! I think she's absolutely gorgeous, she's been coloured with WM's and Sakura Glaze pens. CS ~ stash, DP's ~ Summer Driggs Moments, sentiment ~ is one of those foam ones from Argos a couple of years ago and I decided to send DH under the bed in the spare room to get my embossing powders out, not used them for ages, so its embossed gold, flowers, beadcaps and brads ~ stash.

D'ya Ever Wish....

.... you'd never started this hobby of card making lol? An old school friend of mine text me last night asking me to make a card front ... something that could be written on and then laminate. She wanted to take it to put on her hubby's grave. It's 4 years on Saturday since he died and she's done all the shop bought cards and wanted something different for this year. Talk about setting me a challenge ... what do you put, what image do you use? I spent biggest part of last night looking for a verse, but almost instantly knew which image I'd use.

CS ~ stash, DP ~ A Whisper Of Romantic, don't remember where from now, image ~ RAK colorued with WM's and Sakura Glaze, blinged with Glamour Dust, hearts cut using Hippy Chic Cuttlebug Alpha die and tied with raffia from Wilko's ages ago. Verse reads .... This day is remembered and quietly kept, no words are needed, we shall never forget, for those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen and unheard, but always near, so loved, so missed, and so very dear.

Magnolia vs Stampavie ~ Week 4

*Week 4* Get the Feeling...

"This week we would like you to get as much Texture going on in your work. There is many ways of doing this, Material, Embossing, Flock etc.

So get the feeling going in your work this week."

I thought I'd use this theme to make Rylee's Christmas card seeing as I had already coloured a Magnolia Santa (thanks Becky) and added flower soft to his coat and hat.

Right, I love this card but think that something is missing in that top right hand corner. No matter what I put there it just doesn't look right. So, I want honest opinions here .... shall I leave it as is or shall I put something there, if so what? Had thought of putting grandson somewhere but not sure where!

CS # stash, DP ~ freebie download via Digifree website, can't find who did it at the minute, but I think its just gorgeous. Flowers, beadcap and brad ~ stash, I glitter the brad to add another texture. Santa image ~ Magnolia RAK from Becky coloured with WM's, Sakura pens and fluffed with Flowersoft, tree image ~ RAK from Diane, thanks, coloured with WM's and blinged with gems from stash.

I've Got A Fairy Godmother & An Award!

D'ya know some peoples generosity knows no bounds. Their are a few people in blogland that I am truly honoured to have met, well ok not met, but you know what I mean... and one of these people it turns out is my Fairy Godmother! Clearly, she has been sent to look over me, cheer me up, always lend an ear and just be there for me! This is totally alien to me as its generally me doing all the above, so this is why I just have to share it with you all. I wont go into detail about what this person has done for me, but I'm going to find it extremely hard to ever, ever repay her! I can imagine her sat at her screen cringing as she's reading this post, cos she'll know who I'm talking about and I expect that she thinks what she's doing is nothing... but to me its a big something and I love her for it! So, Jill thank you soooooooooo much for your kindness.

On to my award.... I have recieved this award from 2 lovely ladies Tab and My Fairy Godmother.

It means .... This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind blogger's aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight blogger's who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I notice that a lot of you already have this award so if you don't have it then please take it!

I didn't know I did all that lol! Thank you very much ladies for this award I'm thrilled and after the day I've had its most welcome! Do you want to hear the story?

Course you do! ...... Went out for lunch today with the Outlaws (Andy's parents for those of you who dont know), one of DH's brothers ... David, Ellie, Fae, Scott and Rylee, to celebrate David's 40th, MOT's (mother-out-law) 65th and our 22nd Wedding Anniversary. Was p***ed off to start with cos it was at the local Chinese, all you can eat restaurant and that means missing my much loved Sunday roast .... sacrilege! Whilst there these 6 peices of angel cake jumped on my plate and forced me to eat them! Thats the weightloss out the window this week. In all fairness they were only bite size.... well they were once I'd squashed them pmsl! But the thing that pushed me right to the edge was the shopping expedition we did after. MOT needs an outfit for DH's youngest brothers wedding Feb 2010, now its been my idea to look in the sales this year rather than leaving it until the last minute next year .... didn't realise she was gonna jump on the proverbial band wagon though, but after 22 years should've guessed she would. Anyhow, we went in to BHS I convinced her the dress she'd seen wasn't appropriate ... simply cos it was black with bright red, glittery flowers on! Hmmm ... so I found her a nice patterned brown skirt with matching top and a short brown jacket, looked lovely on the hanger but not on the MOT. Now this is where it turned very bad.... MOT insisted I went in the changing rooms with her .... oh bejesus, what a mistake lol! She was surprised nothing fit, but then she had insisted she was 2 sizes smaller than she actually is. On the way out she announced "thats it I'm coming to weight watchers with you now" DH and his brother laughed and started taking the mickey, they thought the whole thing was highly amusing, I told them I was traumatised and scarred for life and needed a lie down to recover, but they continued .... so I told them to imagine what I had just seen ...... pmsl that shut them up! Needless to say after 3 more shops she still didn't find an outfit that fit cos they clearly all have their sizes wrong .... no way is she that size, she'll go to Asda their sizes are right lol!

Sorry it turned out long but I just needed to get it off my chest. Apparently its all part of the healing process! :O

Another Christmas Card and Mojo Monday Week #61

I thought it was about time I pulled my finger out this past week and got some Christmas cards made for the special people in my life! The previous cards have been for My parents, the outlaws, Fae & Scott and my bestest friend Vicki & family. This is for Eloise. I followed the Sketch at Mojo Monday, its another I'll be using again!

CS ~ stash, DP ~ Pink Petticoat, stamps ~ Magnolia Stamp club Winter Collection coloured with Wm's and Sakura glaze pens, Tilda's dress is paper pieced and the glass has glossy accents on it, charm - recycled from last year (someone had them in their crackers), frilly bit ~ Martha Stewart doily punch RAK from Dawny P , ribbon ~ stash, purple sparkly card embossed with Cuttlebug and snowflake folder. I've not put a sentiment on yet cos I've not decided on one!

Had a rush order for a one year old nursery card in the week too from Vicki, who had run out of birthday cards and not realised. I managed to get it made and took it Wednesday afternoon when we picked Rylee up....

CS and DP's are all leftovers from previous projects, stamp ~ magnolia coloured with WM's, peel-offs ~ stash, stars are from the snowflake Cuttlebug die .... I knew they'd come in handy for something ... as did the piece of card leftover from cutting out an oval! No waste here lol!

Sketch Saturday ~ Sketch #26 & Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #8

This weeks sketch at Sketch Saturday is...

and Challenge #8 at SCSC is "DECOUPAGE" They would love to see layered images whether it's a digital image, decoupage papers or a layered stamped image - it's up to us!

I've made this card for my neighbour Kimberley (hi!) her friend has just found out shes with child and she wanted to send her, her congratulations! CS ~ stash, DP's ~ Pink Petticoat, template ~ from Vicki (thanks honey you're a star! mwah!!!) flowers, bead spacers and brads ~ stash. I've decoupaged the image, so that the arm and top are raised with foam pads ... I know you can't tell from photo, but honest they are lol! sentiment ~ from here. I've made a box for it to in also using Pink Petticoat....

and the lid is blinged with gems from my stash.

Friday Sketchers ~ Sketch #29

Beatrix, the German DTM is the host of the 29th challenge. This week they have a great sponsor offering wonderful candy: Scrapshop.no its a Norwegian scrapbookstore and the prize is....Sketch #29 ...

I'm just in love with this paper and this Magnolia stamp at the minute! CS ~ stash, DP ~ freebie download from here, ribbon, flowers, beadcap and brad ~ stash, snowflakes and flourishes ~ Cuttlebug dies, stamp ~ Magnolia coloured with WM's and blinged with Glamour Dust. I've left the sentiment off until I decide who its for!

Papertake Weekly Challenge, A Spoon Full of Sugar, Ismaki #40 and Cute Card Thursday

The Papertake Weekly Challenge is "Let it snow! let it snow! let it snow!" Anything snow related - snowmen, snowflakes, snowy scenes etc!

A Spoonful of Sugar challenge #26 is "Blooming Marvelous". we would like to see you use flowers or a floral paper on your creations this week.

And then the Sketch #40 from Ismaki is ....

And Cute Card Thursdays Challenge #37 Snow + Snowflakes. This week they would like to see 'snow' or snowflakes on your card and they have a fantastic 'Herb with Christmas Pudding' stamp from Katharina at Whiff of Joy to give away to one randomly chosen winner.

At last I cry a card that I'm truly happy with! I think my Mojo went a gogo over the past week and although I made cards there was nothing I was really really happy with, until now!

CS ~ stash, DP's ~ Freebie download, Winter Wonderland, image ~ Magnolia Stampclub winter collection, coloured with WM's and blinged with Glamour Dust, flowers, gems, brad and bead cap ~ stash, snowflake cut with Cuttlebug die. Sorry about the photo quality i'm putting it down to poor lighting!

Thank You Jill

I received this amazing award from Jill, who incidentally has become one of my closest blogging buddies, she is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people in blogland and I want to thank you Jill for being my friend!

So now I'd like to pass this on to Lynsey, Diane, Julie and Becky

Magnolia vs Stampavie ~ Week 3

"Tie that sketch"This weeks challenge is sponsored by CULT PENS. Cult Pens have Been so Kind to you all that join in with Magnolia VS Stampaive Challenges, not only are they sponsoring us this week! with a Super Prize but they have been so kind and giving us more prizes to give away for following weeks,
CS ~ stash, DP ~ Daydream, chair image ~ google search engine, magnolia image ~ RAK from Jill both coloured with WM's, ribbon and peel offs ~ stash. Just love how this has turned out, love the gorgeous paper and the chair looks fab even though I say so myself. I hope this qualifies for the sketch... it sort of looks like it!

Sketch Saturday ~ Sketch #25

This weeks sketch is....Loving this sketch and will defo be using this one again...

CS ~ stash, DP's ~ Pink Petticoat doodleicious christmas in navy, flowers and brads ~ stash, beadcaps ~ ebay, snowflake charm ~ one of last years glass charms from out of the crackers, image ~ Magnolia stampclub winter collection coloured with WM's, flower soft on Tilda's coat. Now this card I just love, everything went right and just fell in place.

Friday Sketchers ~ Sketch #28

This weeks hostess is MUMUR and she represents France. This weeks sketch has been sponsored by Sassy Crafts. The prize is Sarah Kay stamp - Christmas Preparations, Ribbon Collection and 6"x6" Polar-Picnic Lily Pad.

I don't mind admitting that I've really struggled with this sketch and I'm still not happy with the card I've made even though its taken me 2 days to make!

CS ~ stash, DP's ~ Shabby Princess Holiday Magic, images ~ Magnolia stamp club winter collection coloured with WM's and H2O's .... not used them for quite some time! And also sofa by Alota Stamps paper pieced. snowflakes ~ Cuttlebug die, sentiment ~ PC generated, flowers, brad, beadcap, gems~ stash. Think this card is going to be for the outlaws cos hubby really likes it. I suppose if I used different papers I could make one for my wedding anniversary next Saturday, although DH has said not to bother I have enough to do!

Anyone For Cake ........?!

No cards as yet today but I have made a cake .... not your usual cake .... this has no calories! It's a nappy cake!!! My ingredients are ..... 48 first size nappies (2 packs of Sainsbury's own brand on offer at around £2.64, can't really remember. Was told that they are really good nappies though) 1 x Winnie the Pooh bottle (79p from Home Bargains), 1 x Winne the Pooh Thermometer (£1.49 from Home Bargains), Winne the Pooh bottle brush (99p from Home Bargains), Tigger Dummy and clip (£1.49 from Home Bargains), Baby on Board sign (£1.00 for 2 from Poundland), 1 x white bath towel and 2 x white hand towels (Asda smart price range £2.93) 5 x white face cloths (Asda smart price range 20p each), Winnie the Pooh brush and comb set (£1.00 from Poundland), teether (2 for £1.oo from Poundland), Winnie the Pooh rattle (£1.00 from Poundland) Cellophane (£2.00 from local florist), ribbon from stash. The grand total is £17.26. What a fab, unusual present! I loosely followed a tutorial I found here that I found easy to understand. This is the top tier and consists of 4 nappies, a wooden spoon with the sign bluetacked to it, a brush and comb set, hand towel and a face cloth made into a candle (am so impressed with the candles). This is the middle tier it has 10 nappies, a hand towel, thermometer and dummy and clip.

The bottom tier has the remaining 34 nappies, a rattle, bottle, bottle brush, teether, 4 face cloths and a bath towel.

This is the back of it. I'm really pleased with it and have taken it to my friend Sharron to give to her daughter Carla for me, she's not due until May but I don't have anywhere to store it and I was really excited about Carla having it. Now I can't wait to make my next one!

Edited: Sharron and John (grandparents to be) Carla and Neil (parents to be) were absolutely thrilled with the nappy cake, they loved it. Carla left me a message on Facebook saying "Carla & Neil r really pleased with the baby presents from Jill & family thanks x." Sharron phoned me again today to thank me lol!

Candles.........

It seems awhile since I last posted candle photos, so I thought as I'd done some over the weekend I'd show them......

The above candle has been made to order for a friend of a friend's sisters. I used my MOT's Santa stamp coloured with Whisper Markers and blinged with Glamour Dust.

This candle is for my niece to give her cousin. The image is from http://thelilacgarden.co.uk/ and is part of the decoupage range.

Please bear with me this week for visiting blogs I really seem to be struggling to do anything, I'm feeling so tired and stressed. I will try and pop over to everyone but give me chance. BTW, I lost 3lb this week at fat club, but cos I hardly ate yesterday!

Papertake Weekly Challenge ~ Dawny's Sketch #2

This week we have another of Dawny's fab sketches to work with. This weeks challenge is sponsored by Whiff of Joy and Katharina has two lovely stamps as a prize!
I've made this for my nephew Declan. Isn't it every 16 year olds dream to be visited by one of these santa's helpers?! Lol! CS ~ leftovers, DP's ~ Shabby Princess Holiday Sampler, image ~ google search, didn't think there was enough glamour so added Glamour Dust lol! sentiment ~ Funky Fairy Xmas Rounds, snowflake ~ Cuttlebug die.

Secret Crafter ~ Challenge #6

This week's challenge is a sketch designed by "Secret Crafter" herself - WENDY. There is no theme this week so anything you like as long as they can recognise the original sketch.

Thought it was about time I made some of those special Christmas cards for family members and this is the first of many lol! My niece Bethany is Betty Boop mad....mainly due to it being one of nicknames since a baby. CS ~ Crafts Central, DP's ~ back paper have forgotten where it was from has been on PC so long lol, small snowflake paper, Pink Petticoat, image ~ clipart via Google search, sentiment ~ Doodles From My Noodle and blinged with Glamour Dust, tinsel pipe cleaner, gems and ribbon ~ stash, snowflakes ~ cut using Cuttlebug.