Passion for Promarkers #21

I've been wanting to join in with this challenge since it started, it's now week 21 and this is the first time I've managed it!!
The challenge this week is a sketch and you can use any colours you wish.

I had an overwhelming urge yesterday to start colouring some Tildas, hence the image. Colouring really is my favourite occupation!
I also decided that I don't use blue enough for my cards, I always admire this colour used on other people's cards, so blue it was.

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'Tilda with Bike'
* Sentiment - Woodware 'Circular Greetings'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Crafty Ann and Raspberry Road
* Yellow flowers - part of a birthday prezzie stash of goodies.
* Everything else from my stash.

I'm 'in the mood' for some challenges at the moment, so I'm making the most of it. I have to say there are some fabby ones about at the moment, so expect to see lots more from me for a while LOL!

My Birthday Cards

Hi everyone, firstly I'd like to mention the lovely comments you continue to leave me, I enjoy reading each and every one and they give me such encouragement, so thank you.
I eventually managed to get DH to photograph my cards, but as I received so many he couldn't just take one photo, believe it or not, each card really has only been photographed once. I think at the last count I'd received about 50, just unbelievable!! A huge thank you to everyone who sent them to me, some of you spoilt me even further by also sending goodies which I'm really looking forward to playing with, so watch this space!

I'll be back either later today or tomorrow with a card, but for now please share my beautiful birthday cards with me, they are all stunning!

Sketch & Stash Challenge # 21

It's now challenge number 21 at Sketch & Stash, just unbelievable!!! Where does the time go?
Thanks to all of you who joined in last time, I had so much enjoyment from visiting your blogs and seeing all your fabulous creations, and I do hope that you'll try to join in again this time as Becky has yet another of her wonderful sketches.
If you need any inspiration just look at the amazing cards from the other girls on the DT!
I just had to use another of Mo's brilliant images again, I think this one captures teenage girls just perfectly!

Card Details:
* Image - Mo's Digital Pencil Too 'Psst Dani and Taylor'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - K & Co
* Everything else from my stash

Candy is now closed!!!

While I was catching up with some of my favourite blogs today I noticed that Heather was having problems with her blog counter. I decided to take a look at mine only to find it had disappeared altogether!! I have no idea where or why it's gone, all I know is I'm so upset not to have the number of visits.

I wanted to celebrate all my (now missing!) visits, along with my forthcoming birthday by offering some Candy.
It's not as much as I would like, so I'll be adding some bits and bobs from my stash to fatten it up a little bit, but if you'd like to take part just leave me a comment below this post and a link from your blog, simple as that!
I'll draw the candy on 4th October so you have until 11.30pm on the 3rd to join in.

UPDATE - BLOG CANDY WINNER

Well, it's now 11.38pm on Saturday 3rd October and I've had a wonderful birthday. I had so many gorgeous cards and lots of crafting goodies from my fabulous 'crafty' friends and I'll get some photos done and put on my blog soon so that you can share them all with me.
I've just made hubby pick a name out of the box for my birthday candy, so here we go.....
Drum roll please...
The winner is..........

Jan from Jan's Cards, Crafts and Musings

so Jan, Congratulations, please e-mail me your details and I'll get your goodies sent out.

Whiff of Joy - Challenge #50

Hi everyone, it just doesn't seem possible, but Whiff of Joy has been around for a whole year!!!
To celebrate this they have some amazing candy giveaways from the DT at the challenge Blog Hop and also a fabulous Grand Prize from Katharina, check it out at the Whiff of Joy challenge blog where this week's challenge is a wonderful sketch by Rachel

Card Details:
* Image - Whiff of Joy 'Kneeling Willow'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - K & Co and DCWV
* Everything else from my stash

DU2DS #22

Hi everyone, today's card is for this week's DU2DS challenge which is to use punched shapes or die cuts on your project which must also include a digital image. I've never entered this challenge before, I've been meaning to for ages and I was determined to make it this time.
The image on my card is another stunner from Mo's Digital Pencil. When I was purchasing my beautiful Holly fairy a few other images just fell into my basket (I think she must have wobbly shelves in there LOL!)
My die cuts are my beloved nestie scalloped circles and classic circles and also a couple of little christmas trees
.
Card Details:
* Image - Mo Manning's 'Bronte & Bella Ice Skating'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Hot off the Press
* Mats - Nestability circles (scalloped & standard)
* Everything else from my stash

Well, tomorrow is my birthday and judging by the amount of post I've received I could well be opening cards all day LOL! I'm so excited and I'll try to pop a piccy up once I've opened them and put them on display, so you can all share them with me.
Meanwhile my candy closes tomorrow night at 11.30pm so please hurry if you haven't already entered.

Finally another thank you to all of you who make my day by leaving me such lovely comments.

Christmas Card Commission

Hi everyone, I thought I'd share my latest card with you, it's for my best friend's Mum who is losing her sight.

I've made birthday and christmas cards for her for the last couple of years and I always try to make them quite tactile, but I'm starting to run out of ideas as I've already done most of the obvious things.
I used this image last year for my Mum's christmas card (she loved it) and as the colours are quite bright I thought it may be OK for this commission.
It's a large 8x8 card and I had some heavily embossed gold cardstock which was perfect for the base, some glitter card and metal charms have been used for the corners and I've decoupaged parts of the main image, so hopefully it will be textured enough for her to feel.
I've also added even more texture by glittering the flowers and hanging a little rose charm from some gold thread.

As you may have noticed I've changed the name of my blog. I've been wanting to do this for absolutely ages, but couldn't think of what to change it to. I was thinking about something totally different the other day when this title occurred to me. As I'm now retired from work I have time to spend doing the things I want these days, so I thought it was quite appropriate. It's got to be better than the previous title anyway lol!

Sketch & Stash Challenge # 20

Hi everyone, I just can't believe how quickly the weeks are flying by at the moment, it only seems like 5 minutes ago that I was posting my DT card for challenge 19 at Sketch & Stash. Actually it must have been 2 weeks ago because now here we are on challenge 20!
I definitely think Becky has excelled herself with this week's sketch, I loved it so much that I've used it as the layout for all my christmas cards!!!
My darling hubby took a photo of this card for me and as it looks much nicer than a scan, I'm hoping that if I whisper sweet nothings to him often enough, he may take photos of my cards all the time. What do you think lol!
I couldn't resist getting this beautiful image from Mo's Digital Pencil, I think she must be the sweetest fairy ever!


Card Details:
* Image - Mo's Digital Pencil 'Christmas Fairy Holly'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Hot off the Press
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Doily Lace'
* Sentiment - printed from PC
* Everything else from my stash

Do try to join in the fun if you can, and if you're in need of inspiration why not pop over and check out the amazing cards that the other girls have made.
It was my turn to choose the guest designer for challenges 21 and 22 from last week's entries, and I've just got to say that you all gave me a really hard task as the standard of cards for the last sketch was just amazing!

I love Tilda!

Hi everyone, well it's official, I actually DO love Tilda (how sad is that!) and I really think that this latest kit is the cutest yet! I know, I say this every time they bring out a new kit, but I just think this little Tilda cannot be bettered (until the next kit?)
My card is to fit 2 challenges, the first being The Pink Elephant which had this fabulous sketch, so had to join in. I think I've just about made it in time!
The second challenge is this week's Just Magnolia where they had a colour combo challenge of Grey and Pink with Black optional. I had this new Tilda that I was desperate to use and I thought she fitted the bill perfectly. Only problem was she had peaches and I needed them to be apples, so just pretend!

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'Peachy Tilda'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Black and Grey papers - Papermania
* Pink papers - Raspberry Road digital downloads
* Everything else from my stash

My Mum bought me the new set of Promarkers for an early birthday present. Yes, all 56 of them!!!! (I got them from Joanna Sheen's shop as she was offering such a fantastic deal on them) They are fabulous and I'm having such fun with them at the moment, colouring is probably my favourite occupation anyway and with all these new colours I'm in 7th heaven.
I'm still busily making (even more) little gift bags and I think this may be set to continue after Christmas too as my lovely hubby has bought me a Scor-Pal for my birthday prezzie (yes, I KNOW I've had all my presents before the day, but what's a girl to do??!!) and I've seen some fabulous tutorials for lots of boxes and bags mmmm scrummy!

I'm obviously going through a really lucky phase at the moment, because on top of everything else I was lucky enough to win Bev's fabulous candy! It arrived this week and was even more gorgeous in the flesh (such fast delivery honey, thanks so much!)

Sorry this has been such a long post and I've sort of rambled on, it's 'cos I'm so excited!
Thanks for continuing to visit and for all your lovely comments and if I don't manage to post tomorrow I'll be back bright and early on Monday morning with the latest Sketch & Stash DT card.

My little 'Time Wasters'

Hi everyone, I asked hubby if he would take some photos of the little 'bits and bobs' that I've been making, so here they are!


These are made from the K & Co 'Paper Purses' kits and are fabulous as you not only get the die cut bags but also lots of little embellishments to decorate them (needless to say I also raided my stash for some finishing touches!)
I treated myself to these from QVC a few weeks ago and they are only some of the bags from the kit, I still have lots of smaller ones that I haven't started on yet!
The kits include 2 of each design and as they are on double sided papers you could make each one look totally different, so great value.


This is a little box of notelet cards and envelopes that I've made as a little gift for a friend, I made her some notelets a couple of years ago and she loved them, so I hope she likes this little set too. I followed the Splitcoaststamper tutorial here for the box and just made some little 4x4 cards to go inside.
I kept the cards as flat as I could so she can post them normally and won't need a large stamp.

Just Magnolia #32 - Bev's Sketch

Hi Peeps, I know I haven't posted for a while but it's not because I've lost my mojo again (for a change!) in fact, quite the opposite.
I've been busily making lots of little handbags (gift bags) and boxes of notelet cards for christmas prezzies, I'll ask DH sweetly if he'll take some piccies for me later so I can show you. I've been having such fun!

I saw that this week's Just Magnolia challenge was a sketch by the uber talented Bev, I just love my daily visits to Bev's blog as her gorgeous cards never fail to inspire me so I just had to join in with this one.
I used Bev's sketch as the base for another christmas card (I know, don't faint!) I really loved the St Lucia range of Tildas from last year so I decided to use one of those for my card. I've kept it very simple, mainly because I can only do easy!!

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'Tilda as Lucia'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - DCWV 'Rose Tinted Christmas'
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Doily Lace'
* Sentiment stamp - Woodware 'Circular Greetings'
* Mats - Nestability 'Scalloped Circles'
* Glitter - Stickles 'Icicle'
* Everything else from my stash

Thank you to all the lovely people who have entered my Birthday Candy giveaway and if you haven't entered yet, why not??? lol!
It's open until 11.30pm on 3rd October (my birthday yeah!!) and I'll draw the winner on 4th October, so still lots of time to take part.

Sketch & Stash #19

Here we are again with another Sketch & Stash challenge and that means another fab sketch from Becky!
I decided that I'd attempt a Christmas(ish!) card with this sketch as I haven't made ANY yet and I'm starting to panic. I know it's not very christmassy, but I have to work up to these things slowly (as anyone who knows me will tell you, I HATE making christmas cards!!)

Card Details:
* Image - Whiff of Joy 'Willow with Cookies'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Laura Ashley
* Everything else from my stash

It would be lovely if you managed to make something for Sketch & Stash and don't forget that you have two weeks to join in the fun on our challenges. Becky's sketch was so great to use, and I'm sure that the other DT cards will give you loads of inspiration, as they're all gorgeous!
I've had such fun visiting all your blogs to see what you did with the last challenge. It was such a shame, but I couldn't get to see a few of the entries as Blogger wouldn't let me in, so if you're planning on joining in again, please make sure that you've set up your profile to allow views and comments.

I'd love if you joined in with my blog candy as this is the first time I've ever done this and I'm a bit nervous (to say the least!) I'll be adding some more bits to it and posting a piccy of the additions and a list of what's included nearer the time.

Look at all this Candy!!

Speaking of candy there is lots of gorgeousness out there at the moment and it certainly puts mine to shame, here's just a little taster....


Carol is offering this yummy candy until 13/09 so she can make some room, what for? we'll have to wait to find out!


Helen is also offering her gorgeous candy until 13/09 to celebrate her first blogoversary.


Pollycraft are offering this as just part of their candy, to celebrate all the good things they have coming up and it's open until 14/09


The lovely Lena's non-fattening candy is open until 15/09 to celebrate a year of blogging.


Ila is offering this wonderful candy to celebrate the end of Summer, open until 20/09


Jill is offering this fabulous candy until 23/09 to celebrate passing her degree, Congratulations Jill!


Semsee is offering THREE chances to win some gorgeous candy to celebrate her new DT positions and her new look blog until 26/09.


Samantha's scrummy candy is on offer until 30/09 to celebrate the first anniversary of her blog.

An Anniversary Card

Hi, I've been MIA for a few days again but I'm back today with a card for my best friend and her DH.
Their anniversary is 2nd October (the day before my birthday so I can actually remember this one lol!) and I decided on a couple of sweet teddy bears this year with a little teddy bear charm to finish off.
This cute image was part of a RAK from a friend, so I'm afraid I have no idea what the stamp is, but if you do, please let me know as it was a lovely image to colour.
I've stamped my lovely swirly stamps direct onto the card and haven't used ANY papers for this as I wanted to keep it simple, but I actually had withdrawal symptoms!

Card Details:
* Image - part of RAK
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Stamps - Personal Impressions 'Swirls & Flourishes 1'
* Matting - Nestabilities 'Scalloped Circles'
* Sentiment from PC
* Everything else from my stash

Friday Sketchers #67

I really liked the look of the sketch this week on Friday Sketchers, so decided to join in again (two weeks in a row? I'm really on a roll! lol!)
This is NOT the type of sketch I usually do as it looks far too complicated, but actually it was easier than I thought and I may well be using it again. I did add another little flower on to the original sketch though, as my card looked a bit 'lopsided' without it. Obviously down to me as the sketch looked fine, but I think I messed up the paper sizes!

Card Details:
* Image - Sarah Kay 'A little help for Margot'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - HOTP and K & Co
* Everything else from my stash

I seem to be going through a 'paper crafting projects' phase at the moment. I can't seem to stop making little bags and boxes, unfortunately as you know, my photographic skills leave something to be desired and I can't scan them, so I'm unable to share them with you at the moment. However, if you think that you may like to 'have a go' at some of these little gift type projects I'd recommend checking out the tutorials here, here and here.
Thank you all for your continued visits and encouraging comments, I love to read them all.