Winter Love

Hi everyone, I hope our friends 'over the pond' had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday, I certainly enjoyed seeing all their wonderful creations when I was blog hopping!

For today's card I have used this week's Creative Inspiration's sketch (and I found it to be such a fabulous one that I'll definitely be using it again!) and I'm also entering this into the Simon Says challenge of 'Winter Love'.
The Winter Love involved is mine......for these adorable vintage Penny Black images, I love them and they're such a joy to colour! This one is called 'Best Christmas Tree' isn't she just the sweetest little darling?

Card Details:
* Image - Penny Black 'Best Christmas Tree'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Nesties - 'Standard Circles'
* Ribbons - K & Co 'Smitten' paper lace
* Sentiment - 'Daisy & Dandelion' peel offs
* Everything else from my stash

I can't believe how early it's started getting dark now, not that it's much brighter even in daylight hours. It all makes any photography very difficult, so I've gone back to using the scanner if possible.
If my cards are too bulky for that I'll have to whisper 'sweet nothings' to DH again as I STILL can't get a decent photograph with the camera!
I've come to the conclusion that this is mainly because my eyesight has got so appallingly bad (I hate not being able to see anything without glasses!)
Of course a small part may be down to my senior brain not being able to understand new things and no longer being able to remember anything I did once know...
...actually forget that, as the more I think of it the more unlikely it seems that this could be the reason lol!

Thank you for the comments you continue to leave me, they make my day (plus I really do need all the encouragement I can get these days!)

Now, what was I saying about senior moments?....
I also meant to enter this for this month's challenge at By the Cute and Girly which is 'Winter Wonderland' Dohhh!

DP2 and Friday Sketchers

Hi everyone, today's card is for two challenges as I've used the sketch from Friday Sketchers challenge
The fabulous image is another purchase from Mo's shop (I just can't stay away, can you tell I love colouring them?) and is entered into this week's DP2 challenge which is a recipe of: * Three (3) different papers, * Two (2) ribbons, * One (1) decorative edge (punch, lace, trim, etc.)
This image is called 'Patience' which I'm assuming refers to that poor little cat, judging by the look on it's face!

Card Details:
* Image - Mo Manning 'Patience'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - My Minds Eye 'Wild Asparagus'
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Valentine Hearts'
* Everything else from my stash

I'm finding it quite difficult to get much enthusiasm for crafting at the moment and I'm blaming it on this horrible, depressing weather we're having. My mind seems to be full of ideas for different projects, but when I make a start on them they all seem to go horribly wrong (nothing new there then lol!)

I also need to finish off my christmas cards. I made them a while ago and was very smug about it, as it's so unusual for me not to be rushing around at the last minute. All I needed to do was write in them, address them and make a couple of little boxes for the 'fatter' ones (yeah right, have any of you ever seen my pathetic attempts at card boxes??!!)
They're all still sitting there waiting, and now it's been so long that I've forgotten who was meant to be having which card and I think I may just put the 'fat' cards into jiffy bags.....ah well, they do say it's the thought that counts!

Sketch & Stash DT card - #24

Hi everyone, today it's my DT card for Sketch & Stash challenge 24.
This week's sketch by Becky is just lovely and I knew straight away what image I wanted to use with it!
As soon as I saw this 'Alice' image by Mo Manning, I fell totally in love with it and it's been calling to me ever since, so when I bought a couple of images recently, this one just sort of 'fell' into my basket at the same time.
I don't know what it is that I love so much about this image, maybe simply that it's exactly how I imagined Alice when I was a little girl reading and re-reading those magical books, how I loved them!

Card Details:
* Image - Mo Manning 'Alice in pencil'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Raspberry Road digi 'My baby love Boy'
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Valentine Hearts'
* Nestabilities - Labels 4
* Everything else from my stash

I added lots of 'Frosted Lace' Stickles to my card candy, unfortunately it doesn't show up very well on the scan
I do hope you can manage to join in with us again at Sketch & Stash, you have a whole 2 weeks to get your card made before the next challenge.
I've loved visiting your blogs and seeing all the wonderful creations you made from Jill's sketch last time, and don't forget, if you need a little inspiration just take a look at the gorgeous cards the other DT girls have made.

CACB DT Card - Challenge 2

Hi everyone, thanks so much for joining in with us at Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog over the last 2 weeks, we've so enjoyed visiting your blogs and seeing all your lovely creations!
Time for the new challenge and this one is for 'Black and White plus one other colour'.
I love the look of black and white together, but as Christmas is only just around the corner now (oh yes it is!) I thought I'd use a Christmas image and make my card extra sparkly with lots of Stickles.

Card Details:
* Image - CACB 'Christmas Garland'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Corner Punch - EK Success 'Photo Corners'
* Glitter - Stickles 'Icicle' and 'Black Diamond'
* Everything else from my stash

As you can see the one other colour I chose was red, I thought it was nice and Christmassy. I really enjoyed using this elegant image and I LOVE the idea that you can make it look as simple or glitzy as you want.

I hope you decide you'd like to join in the fun with us for this challenge, you don't have to use Ann's images or papers, although we'd love it if you did!
Don't forget you have two weeks to make something and if you feel in need of some inspiration, just go and take a look at the stunning creations the other DT members have come up with.

A Boy and his Dog

Hi everyone,
Todays card was made with one of the digi stamps I purchased from Jak to help raise funds for the Meningitis Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign. If you haven't yet seen these wonderful stamps pop over to Jak's blog and see all the details. She's already raised £1000.00 in memory of her great nephew Layton John Cleaver, let's see if we can improve on that total!
Jak is offering a full set of the Flippin Christmas DIE CUT Decoupage to TWO lucky winners if they enter the cards they have made with the digi stamps.

Card Details:
* Image - Mo Manning 'Out There'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Hot off the Press
* Sentiment - Cuddly Buddly 'Round Greetings'
* Everything else from my stash

I'm also entering this card into this week's Simon Says challenge which is 'Animal Antics'. Actually it was originally going to be for last week's 'Thinking of You' challenge, but I was too late, luckily it fits this week's challenge too.

Thank you for all the lovely comments you've been leaving me again, I do love to hear from you all.

Just Magnolia Challenge #31

Hi everyone,
Today's card is for this week's Just Magnolia challenge which is another fabulous sketch from Mina. I really enjoyed playing with this one, not too difficult but lots of interest.
I used one of my older Tildas for this card, she's such a cutie with her pretty hair ribbon and came from the Valentine collection at the start of the year. Do you know I don't think I've ever used her before, oh the shame!!
I find I hardly ever use the older ones now, probably due to each new kit being even better than the last (how do they keep DOING that?) Mmmmm there's a thought, maybe I'll re-visit some of them!

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'Tilda with Tag'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers and Distress Inks
* Papers - Laura Ashley and Joanna Sheen
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Valentine Hearts'
* Everything else from my stash.

I got the card candy from Craftwork Cards and I went a bit mad with their lovely selections so you'll probably be seeing quite a lot of this in the future (along with the MS Valentine heart punch!)
Now, some of you may remember that I bought lots of Distress Inks recently as I wanted to colour my images with them, you may also have noticed that I'm still using my Promarkers (with and without pencils and Sansador) Well, there's a very good reason for this....I stink at colouring with DIs!! (I've never been very good with paintbrushes) I sat myself down with all the wonderful tutorials that are out there and the result was rubbish!
I think my water brush was too wet, so maybe I need to try with a normal paintbrush. I'll continue practising, but don't hold your breath lol! and looking on the bright side, at least I now have a lovely (HUGE!!) selection of DIs for shading my mats.

Five Challenges!

Hi everyone, I'm in confession mode this morning, so here goes....My name is Chrissie and I'm a Mo-aholic!
I think this could well become a real word, as looking around all my favourite blogs I'm certainly not the only one who's well and truly addicted. When I saw this one called 'Sam in Trouble' I just couldn't resist. He reminds me so much of my boys when they were small and had gotten into mischief! Of course, while I was there it would have been rude to purchase just one image, so no doubt you'll all be seeing a few more in the very near future lol! Anyway, onto the card....
I'm entering this into FIVE challenges today (can't believe I managed this!)
Mo's challenge blog, which this week is a sketch, actually it was a great sketch and perfect for male cards as it's quite minimal.
Passion for Promarkers another sketch but the same as my card, so!
Creative Inspirations their theme was New or Neglected - the image is brand new!
La La Land Crafts with a theme of Getting Puchy - I've used my photo corner punch!
and finally Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Lotsa Circles (well, I've used one big one!)

Card Details:
* Image - Mo Manning 'Sam in Trouble'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers and Distress Inks
* Papers - My Minds Eye 'Wild Asparagus'
* Corner Punch - EK Success 'Photo Corners'
* Nesties - 'Standard Circles' and 'Fancy Tags'
* Everything else from my stash.

I seem to have had one of those weekends where I was running on the spot. No matter how hard I tried to get some cards finished things conspired against me. Now that I've completed this one I have another two partially done, which I'll (hopefully) get posted within the next day or two. I also need to get some blog hopping done and leave comments on challenge entries for Sketch & Stash and Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog (see how behind I am, I told you I had one of those weekends!)
Thanks so much to everyone who's visited and left comments, I'll be returning your visits very soon, I promise!

LOTV Blog Hop

Have you seen this?
Lili of the Valley are having a blog hop and you could be in with a chance of winning some of their gorgeous new stamps.
Want to know more? Then just pop over to their challenge blog.

Two for Tilda!

Now before you all start shouting at me, I know I'm getting a bit above myself posting twice in one day, but unless I wanted to miss out on yet another challenge I had no choice, honestly!
This card is for TWO Magnolia challenges (and one of them ends tonight) the first is Just Magnolia's theme of 'distressing' and the other is the monthly Magnolia-licious Highlites which is a sketch. I had to turn it sideways in order to get my image on, so I hope it still counts!
This card was certainly a challenge for me, I've decided I'm not cut out for distressing my beautiful papers, it was so hard to scrub at them with an emery board and smear them with distress inks. I do like the shabby chic look but I don't think I'll be using it too often!

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'Kitchen Tilda'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers and Prisma pencils with Sansador
* Papers - Unknown as part of birthday prezzie from Rica
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Valentine Hearts'
* Corner Punch - EK Success 'Photo Corners'
* Corner stamp - Design Objectives 'Art Deco Corners'
* Everything else from my stash

I decided to try out a new technique for colouring on this card. I still used my beloved Promarkers but then shaded and blended with some Prisma pencils and Sansador following THIS tutorial and I'm really pleased with the end result.
The original plan was to keep the colour palette very neutral, but once I'd made the card I thought it needed 'something' (I'm becoming such a Diva lol) so added some gold Cosmic Twinkles to the corners and to my beautiful new MS heart punch (you'll be seeing a lot more of this, trust me!)
I've just realised that I seem to be hooked on 'vintage cutie' style cards at the moment, so I'll try to come up with something different for next time....promise!

That's What Friends Are For

Hi everyone, well here I am turning up again just like a bad penny (the younger ones amongst you will need to ask your mother what a penny is!)

Today's card was made for a very dear friend of mine. She is hugely talented, makes the most stunning cards and is a fellow 'Sheenie'. Despite not having a blog of her own, she makes regular visits to mine and always leaves me such encouraging comments, so I just wanted her to know how grateful I am and how much her friendship means to me. She has told me how much she likes the cuties in vintage colours and as this is also a Penny Black 'vintage' style image, I hope she'll like this one.

I'm entering this card into this week's Penny Black challenge which is 'Song Title/Lyrics' and as you'll have guessed from the title of this post I'm using the fabulous diva song of 'That's what friends are for'. I've used Saturday Challenge sketch #75 for this card but unfortunately I'm not in time to enter the challenge (again this is becoming a habit lol!!)

Card Details:
* Image - Penny Black 'Friendly Tea Time'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Papermania 'Simply Elegant'
* Punches - Martha Stewart 'Doily Lace' and EK Success 'Photo Corners'
* Sentiment - PC generated
* Everything else from my stash.

This friend isn't the only one who takes the time to visit and leave me wonderful comments, so thank you to all of you who contine to do this, you warm my heart!

In Memory of Layton John Cleaver

Just a quick update to spread the word....
I'm sure lots of you know Jak from Crafter's Kitchen and the sadness the family have recently experienced with the loss of Layton John, well Jak is trying to raise money for the Meningitis Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign. She says:

I'm asking all my lovely blogger friends for help in raising some funds for the Meningitis Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign.
If you could spread the word we would all be forever grateful.
As most of you know, recently we lost a precious child from our family to Meningitis.
Two exceptional talented artist have given their time to create Digi Stamps, Jim Harker made the Little Soldier Stamp and Mo Manning made the Out There Stamp.
All of the proceeds of these stamps will go to the Meningitis Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign.

If you think you would like to help this very worthwhile cause by buying these gorgeous digi stamps, please pop over to Jak's blog.

Jumping for Joy

Hi everyone, here's another card and this time it's for FOUR (count them!) challenges. This is so unusual for me, as I can never usually make my cards fit more than one at a time, so I'm very excited (I know, I know, I'm also very sad!)
This is my entry for the following:
Mo's Digital Challenge - All that Glitters
Allsorts Challenge - Bring out your Bling
Stamp Something - Recipe for Love
Papertake Weekly - Digi Sparkle

Card Details:
* Image - Digital Pencil 2 'Time to Party'
* Colouring Medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Joanna Sheen 'Gingham Papers and Cuddly Buddly 'Peppy Papers'
* Sentiment - Woodware 'Circular Greetings'
* Everything else from my stash

I've made this SO sparkly with some of my new little purchases of Glamour Dust, Gimmer Mist, Cosmic Twinkles and of course, my beloved Stickles and that's before I get to the sparkly embellies on it. All this and it's PINK too (maybe a bit TOO pink if the truth be known) how girly can you get? LOL!
The ribbon is actually a deep burgundy colour and not black as it looks in the photo and I've used 'Worn Lipstick' and 'Tattered Rose' Distress Inks on the the edges of both the mats.

Poor old DH is having major problems with the photographs, it's taken 2 days to get this (and it's still not right as the colour is nothing like true) and it should have been for Quixotic's challenge of 'Birthdays' but I've missed the deadline on it now.
I'm really enoying making cards at the moment (yes I know it's sacrilege, but it's true that I don't always enjoy it!) so long may it last.

Secret Crafter # 57 - Easel Cards

Hi everyone,
I'm trying to enter a few challenges, as I don't seem to have managed this much lately and I've really missed it!
This card is for Secret Crafter where this week Gina has chosen the theme of Easel Cards.
I really like these cards, I must do as I've made about 3 of them now! I don't usually make cards with special folds as I don't cope well with anything other than 'easy', but these are reasonably straight forward and I think the end result really makes for a card with impact, so it's worth a bit of faffing about. I used the tutorial HERE and enlarged the sizes to make a 6x6 card.
I used some Distress Inks around the edges of the papers and cut out the decoupaged image so I could layer it on my new Nesties. I also coloured the holly berries with my Promarkers to make them 'pop' a bit more.
I've left the 'base' very simple as the rest of the card is quite detailed, but having seen it in this photo, I may add some matching paper to it as I think it's too plain.
The colour isn't brilliant on this photo I'm afraid, despite all DH's best efforts, and the gold vellum is much subtler in real life, this artificial lighting is a nightmare!
It doesn't show the 'easel' part very well either, but trust me dear friends, after making DH mess about for ages trying to get the colour looking right I wasn't brave enough to complain about the angle of the card!!

Card Details:
* Image - Cardmaking Heaven download 'Vintage Holly Girl'
* Papers - DCWV 'Old World Mat Stack'
* Nestabilities - 'Labels 4' and 'Fancy Tags'
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Doily Lace'
* Cuttlebug Dies - 'Vintage' corners
* Everything else from my stash

This will be the Christmas card for our best friends, and as they've already seen most of my styles I had to think of something different this year (heaven forbid that I should ever be thought of as predictable LOL!)

Sketch & Stash DT card - #23

Hi everyone, how fast is this year going?
It doesn't seem possible that we've been going since the 5th January at Sketch & Stash, it won't be too long now before we celebrate our first anniversary!!
At least this week poor old Becky has had a bit of a break as Jill has set the sketch, another fabulous one to work with too, not too complicated but the finished result has lots of interest, well done Jill!!
We've all been overwhelmed by the number of challenge entries that we receive every time and I do hope you'll all try and join in again this week. Don't forget to pop over and take a look at the other fabulous DT cards will you?

Card Details:
* Image - Mo Manning 'Bronte and Louis'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - My Minds Eye 'Wild Asparagus'
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Embossed ZigZag'
* Sentiment - PC generated
* Everything else from my stash

I adore Mo Manning's images, they are just fabulous, so I decided to use my new 'freebie' one for this week's challenge, along with some gorgeous papers that Jill sent me as part of my birthday prezzie, hope you like my card!

As always, huge thanks go to my visitors for leaving me such encouraging comments, they really make my day!

You're the Cat's Miaow!

Hi everyone!
One of my dear crafting friends has been feeling a bit 'blue' lately. She is a wonderfully talented lady who makes the most exquisite cards and is always leaving me encouraging comments. Anyway, I wanted to show her I was thinking of her and to try to cheer her up, so I made her a little RAK. She's let me know that she's received it, so I can share it with you now.

Card Details:
* Image - Mo Manning 'Little girl in kimono'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - K & Co (I think!)
* Corner stamp - Objective Design 'Art Deco'
* Vellum Pocket - Craftwork Cards
* Sentiment - PC generated
* Everything else from my stash

The image is another one of Mo Manning's fabulous illustrations, I just adore these!
I tried to make the font look as 'oriental' as possible (don't know how successful that was!) and I aged my tag and little flower with Distress Inks. Looking at the pictures there is a mark on the vellum pocket. Don't know what this is, hadn't noticed it before, but I'm so messy!!
I wouldn't normally have used these colours, but my little vellum pocket was orange, so the rest of the colour scheme was built up around this really. Having said that, I really liked the end result of this and thought that the colours suited this sweet image very well!
Unfortunately, as you probably already know, I'm useless at colouring animals, so the cat is done in the minimalist style lol!

Thanks as always, to my visitors who leave comments, I love receiving them and returning the visit!

Crafty Ann's Challenge #1 - Let's Celebrate!

Hi everyone, well today's the day! The very first challenge of Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog and what an ideal theme of 'Let's Celebrate'

Pop over to the challenge blog and check it out! While you're there take a look at Ann's DT (or Dream Team as she calls it) page, chances are you'll know at least one or two of us (especially if you happen to be a 'Sheenie' LOL!)

Ann designs some wonderful digital images and as for her backing papers, well they're just stunning! I've used all of Ann's own designs on this card and just finished off with some bits from my stash.
This is actually based around the card I made for my youngest son's birthday a few days ago and the image is one that I think is perfect for a young man (and we all know how difficult they are to cater for don't we?)

Card Details:
* Image - Crafty Ann's 'Electric Guitar 2'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Backing paper - Crafty Ann's 'Polished Brights Dark Grey' and 'Woodgrain Tan'
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Embossed zig-zag'
* Everything else from my stash.

I do hope that you'll be able to join in the fun with us, and as each challenge will last for 2 weeks you have a little more time than most challenges.
Ann is also offering a fabulous prize, just look at this:
To celebrate our first challenge there will be a prize for one lucky person. The winner will receive any 5 digi stamps and and 5 backing paper collections of their choice. Currently there are 12 backing paper collections and 18 digi stamps – although there will most likely be more to choose from by the time the winner is announced. You can check out what you might win on the pages at the top of the blog, and they are available to purchase at Crafty Ann’s now. As a separate thing, we’ll have a new Guest Designer each month and if you would like to be considered for the January GDT spot, remember to put GDT in the title of your post for your challenge entry.
What’s more, you can have more than one entry! Just check out the challenge blog to see how.
If you're still in need of some inspiration just take a look at the other Design Team creations, I'm sure they'll fill your head with lots of wonderful ideas.

Digital Tuesday Challenge #31 - Flowers

Hi everyone, well my order of DST has arrived so now I can play again yippeeee!
Today's card is for the Digital Tuesday Challenge, which this week has 'Flowers' as it's theme.
These gorgeous Cala Lillies are Crafty Ann's digi stamps. I love these flowers, they always look so delicate and romantic, it's such a shame that a lot of people only associate them with funerals.
I've teamed them up with some lace and delicate 'lace effect' papers and tried to keep the whole look very simple and understated, at least I hope that's what I achieved lol!

Card Details:
* Image - Crafty Ann's Digi Stamps 'Cala Lillies'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Joanna Sheen 'Lace Papers'
* Sentiment - Woodware 'Circular Greetings'
* Nestabilities - Scalloped Circles
* Everything else from my stash

Following my recent craft 'spending spree', most of the things have now arrived so watch this space for lots of new bits and bobs appearing on my cards. I've invested in some new ink pads, Nestability 'labels' and lots of little bits and bobs that I've had my eye on for ages such as glamour dust and glitter glass. I seem to have ordered lots of punches including some to make little corners and Martha Stewart's 'Valentine Hearts' (I've been wanting this forever!!)
Now, any of you that visit me regularly will know that I just LOVE using my Promarkers. In fact, since I first discovered them I rarely use anything else, but that may all change soon. I've ordered myself some Distress Inks as I love the results I see on people's blogs from these. Quite how well I'll get on with them remains to be seen!
Thanks again to all those lovely people that take the time to leave me comments, it means so much to me.

Just Magnolia - Monochrome

Hi everyone, when I saw the wonderful DT cards for this week's Just Magnolia challenge I couldn't wait to colour my gorgeous 'So Spooky Tilda' again and join in, she really is my favourite (at the moment)
I was so inspired by the lovely colour palettes of the DT cards that I decided I wanted my card to be in earthy, natural colours this time (put it down to autumn!)
I made another of the gorgeous flowers from the Just Magnolia tutorial HERE, but this time I used matching design papers instead of plain old printer paper. I added a metal corner (as it had a pumpkin motif which I thought went quite well with my halloween image) attached a star charm with some cross stitch thread and sponged 'Antique Linen' and 'Walnut Stain' distress inks around the edges of the Nestie (thanks for the tip Kim!)

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'So Spooky Tilda'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Papermania 'Simply Elegant'
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Fanned Shell'
* Flower punches - EK Success 'Retro Flower' large and medium
* Sentiment - K & Co
* Everything else from my stash

Following my recent 'once in a lifetime' clear out of my craft room I've been busily selling all the bits that have been gathering dust for years, in the knowledge that if I haven't used them after all this time I never will! I sold quite a bit on Ebay but I also made up three boxes of assorted 'stuff' and advertised it in my local paper.
Can't believe how much money I've got to spend on new goodies now (already spent lots lol!) so I'm having a really fun time craft shopping at the moment.

I may not be able to make any new cards for a few days as I've completely run out of double sided tape (just can't believe this!!!) I've got masses on order now, but with the postal strike who knows how long it'll take to get here. Oh well, I'll just have to spend my time colouring, how lovely lol!