A family birthday card

It was my dear sister-in-law's birthday at the end of July, so this is the card I made for her. I didn't dare post it before as she has a link to my blog, so I was scared she'd see it before the day.
She's quite fond of 'cute' and I hadn't had a chance to use this sweet little soul before, so this seemed like a good opportunity.
He's actually decoupaged onto a digital scalloped oval, but the scan makes it look like he's been set into an aperture card, how sweet!
I did try to find a challenge that this card would fit, but as usual, I failed miserably.
I'm just editing this to say 'thank you' to Wendy who let me know that as this had previously been 'neglected' stash it fitted the My Time to Craft challenge this week

Card Details:
* Backing papers - K & Co
* Image - Charmed Cards & Crafts 'Fairy Doodles'
* Scalloped mats - Daisie Company download 'Meadow Kit'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* 'Sister' sticker - K & Co
* Everything else from my stash

I made sure that I used plenty of Stickles, both on the backing paper and the image and I finished off the flowers with a diamante brad. Well, a girl can just never have too much sparkle!

Sketch and Stash Challenge 16 - DT card

I can't believe it's been a whole 2 weeks since I last updated my blog!
I'm afraid all the blame must be laid at the feet of those pesky 'Sims'. Each time I start to play the dratted game I promise that I'll pace myself and take days off to do other things, but then the addiction kicks in again and before I know it a week (or two!) has gone by.

Anyway, I digress so here is my DT card for Becky's latest sketch at the Sketch and Stash Challenge blog, I do hope you can join in the fun with us again.
Now I REALLY loved the simplicity of this sketch, it was such a nice change, so I decided to try to follow through and make a 'less is more' card. I hope I succeeded, I certainly liked the 'clean' look of this.
For some real inspiration just take a look at what the other DT members have done.

Card Details:
* Backing paper - K & Co
* Image - from a swap, so haven't got a clue I'm afraid!
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Sentiment - K & Co rub-on
* Everything else from my stash

I used a K & Co card that was part of a kit I bought years ago from QVC, so this and the rub-on is definitely my neglected stash and my new must be this lovely simple image. I keep forgetting I've got these rub-on sentiments, I don't know why as they're gorgeous, I really must use them more often.

Sketch and Stash Challenge 15 - DT card

Hi everyone, well I think Becky has just outdone herself this week for the sketch, I absolutely LOVE the versatility of this. Such a simple layout but with the chance to add loads of bits and bobs to it if required, just perfect! I hope that you'll agree and manage to join in with Sketch & Stash this week.
Don't forget you can use any image you want on the sketch and the 'optional extra' is to use your neglected scraps.
I managed to achieve this as I very rarely use these papers but I thought they had a slight 'oriental' feel so would go well with my image.
I saw a gorgeous image of a 'manga' style girl on Rachel's blog and knew I just had to check it out, but once I made it to the fabulously talented Princess Elemmiriel's gallery I was absolutely overwhelmed by her stunning creations and actually chose this image instead. She was kind enough to allow me to use her lovely drawing for my DT card even though my colouring doesn't show it to it's best advantage.
I'm going straight off now to read up on a tutorial for colouring black hair, as I've managed to make a real mess of this, the more I tried to put it right, the worse it got!

Card Details:
* Image - Princess Elemmiriel's gallery at deviantART
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Papermania
* Everything else from my stash

Colour our World competition

Well, now that I've finished making all my required cards and I'm back in Blogland again I've been browsing the card challenges to see what I can enter. I couldn't believe it when I saw that Charmed Cards and Crafts were having another 'Colour my World' competition, so I set to and used 'Elegant Annie' for my card, I love the sweet, innocent faces of these girls.

Card Details:
* Image - Delectable Clear Stamps 'Elegant Annie'
* Design Papers - Basic Grey 'Two Scoops'
* Backing papers - Capricious Scraps freebie download 'Sunbonnet Girls'
* Scalloped mats - Nestabilities
* Sentiment tag - K & Co
* Pearls - Joanna Sheen
* Everything else from my stash

Just imagine being lucky enough to win a set of Copic pens, my dream come true!
Charmed have also got another THREE competitions running at the moment to celebrate their birthday month and the prize for these is a set of gorgeous K & Co 12 x 12 scrapbooks Mmmmmmm!

A Vintage card for Mum

Hi everyone, well what a surprise I'm actually posting something thats NOT my DT card!
I was busily making cards last week to try to re-stock my local hairdresser's shop as I'd been very bad and not made any new ones for ages. I actually managed to make 40 cards in a few days, so not too bad. I then got myself up to date with family and friend birthday cards for the rest of July and August, so hopefully I'm now free to spend some time making what I want to, instead of what I have to!

One of my most important cards for August was my Mum's birthday card. She'll be 84 this year and thankfully is keeping quite well, although she's a lot more frail than she was, following a very bad fall and long stay in hospital about this time last year. Mum favours the vintage style of card and her favourites are the Harrison Fisher ladies, but over the years I think I've used pretty much all of these images, so this year she's getting an Art Deco image. I think this is quite a striking image, and I didn't want to detract from that so I've kept everything else fairly simple.

Card Details:
* Image and Border - Card Creations 'Art Deco' CD
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Doily Lace'
* Alphabet stickers - K & Co
* Flora Doodles flower and pearls - Joanna Sheen

I hope Mum likes her card, once again I've forgotten to scan the inside, but the insert has lots of smaller 'faded' versions of the lovely image on the front, so it looks quite professional (I hope!)
I think that this card also manages to fit the challenge at One Stop Craft Challenge this week, which is 'Furry Things'
I'm hoping to manage another challenge or two before my next DT card, but if I don't get that far, I'll be back on Monday with the card for Sketch & Stash, can you believe we'll be up to Challenge 15, amazing!

Sketch & Stash Challenge #14

Hi everyone!
It's that time again and Becky's latest sketch is another winner! I've used it to make a commissioned birthday card.
The optional element this time is to use ribbon on your card, unfortunately I forgot all about this until I'd finished the card, so hopefully I'll remember to add the optional element next time, although I do seem to be getting more forgetful than ever!



Card Details:
* Image - PC Crafter kit 'Floral Bouquets'
* Papers - HOTP and Laura Ashley
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Doiley Lace'
* Corners - K & Co
* Sentiment - designed on PC
* Everything else from stash

The 'new' stash is the image from a recently purchased download kit from PC Crafter (one of my favourite haunts!) The chipboard numbers are definitely 'neglected' stash as I always forget I've got them, this must be only about the second time I've used them even though I've had them for years!

The commission was for flowers or a garden scene, so hopefully this will fit the bill for my client's Mum's 80th card. I did decorate the inside, but as usual I forgot to scan it (I did say I was getting more forgetful lately didn't I?) The card is another large 8" x 8" as this size seems just right for those 'special' cards, I think I prefer it to an A4 folded in half, it somehow looks more expensive and professional.

I seem to be spending less time than ever on crafting and blogging recently. This may, in truth, be something to do with my buying the Sims 3 game. I'm currently obsessed with it, but that will wear off, I promise. I've been addicted to The Sims since the original came out (decades ago!) I then moved on to Sims 2 when that was launched and I think I also bought every expansion pack for both of them. I wouldn't mind, but I didn't very often even play the game, just loved the design elements involved, I always knew I harboured a secret desire to be an interior designer LOL!!

I'm feeling much brighter again and more like my old self lately, so I'm sure that I'll be bouncing back again before too much longer (as soon as I'm bored with my Simmies so not too much longer now, I think!) until then, thank you for continuing to visit and leave me such fabulous comments, they really do mean a lot to me.

Sketch & Stash Challenge #13

Hi everyone, I hope you are all keeping well!
My card uses another of Becky's gorgeous sketches for this week's Sketch and Stash Challenge, there's an optional element of using an 'animal theme' for your stash too, so I hope you'll manage to join in.



As you all probably know, I'm currently having a rest from crafting and blogging, apart from the DT and family cards. Well, I've managed to use the challenge 13 sketch to make a birthday card for my best friend, Dot, so two birds with one stone for this one!
Dot recently had to have her beloved Otterhound, Jessie, put down. I'd never seen this breed before him (quite similar in size and appearance to an Old English sheepdog really) anyway, I thought this image would be nice for her card and I've coloured him in similar colours to Jessie (I think!). There's also another image inside the card which I've decoupaged but I forgot to scan it...duh!

Card Details:
* Images - Daisy and Dandelion set (from a RAK)
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Backing papers - K & Co
* Corners - Cuttlebug 'Vintage' die
* Flowers - EK Success 'Retro' punch
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Embossed zig zag'
* Card candy - Rak

It feels quite strange updating the blog now, I'm already getting out of the habbit, so I'll have to make sure that I'm not away for too long or I won't remember what to do LOL!

Birthday Boy's card and taking a 'little break'

Hi everyone!
Today is my eldest son's birthday, I'm not going to say how old he is as it makes me feel ancient, but suffice to say that it's 30 plus years!
I find it quite difficult to make cards for my sons as I always want them to be different from the 'normal' male cards i.e. football, cars etc. (although I sometimes have to resort to that!) this time I decided to take the slightly humorous route and hope that he likes it.
I've made this by folding an A4 sheet of card lengthways for a change and I've also decoupaged some of the animals so they stand out slightly.

Card Details:
* Image - PC Crafter download 'Born to be Wild'
* Everything else from my stash

As some of you may be aware, family matters have recently been taking priority over everything else. Sadly this situation has worsened and I'm now finding it increasingly difficult to muster the motivation to continue with anything else.
In view of this, I've decided to take a short break from everything and temporarily cut back on my crafting and blogging (except my fortnightly DT cards for the Sketch & Stash Challenge and the odd family card)
I shall miss visiting you all, but I hope you will understand when I say I need to have a little 'rest' from things at the moment.
I look forward to coming back to 'normal service' in the not too distant future, with renewed enthusiasm and a hyper active Mojo. Until then, I'd like to thank you for your support and send lots of good wishes your way.

Sketch & Stash Challenge #12

Hi everyone!
It's a slightly different look for the DT cards on Sketch & Stash this week. As well as making our normal DT cards from Becky's latest fabulous sketch, we've also made a second card using the same sketch but incorporating a gorgeous digital download from Kendra at The Character Cafe. It just shows how different cards can look even when using the same sketch, I was amazed.
Kendra is generously sponsoring this week's challenge and she has some fantastic downloads available, so why not pop over and take a look.



Card Details:
* Image - The Character Cafe digital download 'Precious Emmy'
* Medium - Promarkers
* Backing Papers - K & Co
* Flowers - Hobby House Retro Flower large and medium punches
* Everything else from my stash
My new stash for this card was the image and my fabulous new flower punches



Card Details:
* Image - Joanna Sheen Fashion Boutique CD
* Backing Papers - same CD and K & Co
* Card Candy - Craftwork Cards
* Everything else from my stash
My new stash for this card was the lovely card candy.

Thank you all for your good wishes and messages of support, I treasure each and every one.

A First for me!

Hi everyone!
Well, they say it never rains but it pours, and this seems to be especially true for my cardmaking at the moment.
As I told you in my last post I have lots of special birthdays coming up over the next month and need to try to regain my Mojo to get the cards made.
Well, following a phone conversation with my aunt a couple of days ago, it now appears that my great niece, Francesca is making her first Holy Communion soon (being a great aunt makes me feel ancient!).
I wanted to make a card, but never having done one for this type of occasion before I wasn't sure what was involved. I knew that I wanted to use the Gorjuss Girls image 'Guardian Angel' and, following some advice from crafting friends on Joanna Sheen's forum, I decided to keep the main sentiment simple. The inside of the card is decorated with matching papers and the following verse:
From this day on may the Truth of God's Word
Grow strong in your Heart,
And may the gentle love of Jesus
Fill your life, Now and Always

I hope this card is appropriate for the occasion and that Francesca likes it.

Card Details:
* Image - Gorjuss Girl 'Guardian Angel'
* Medium - Promarkers
* Mats - Nestabilities plain and scalloped Classic Circle Large
* Punch - Martha Stewart Doily Lace
* Flower - Freebie download from Jak
* Everything else from my stash

I tried to get this to fit in with one of the challenges for this week, but unfortunately I just couldn't find anything that fitted, so that's another week that I haven't managed to enter any challenge blogs, oh well!

I'm just editing this post to say a big 'Thank you' to Suzanne for letting me know that I can enter this card into the Passion for Promarkers challenge. It's an open challenge this week as it's the very first one and there are some fabulous prizes up for grabs, so I'll keep everything crossed that I may be lucky!
The colour promarkers I used on this card were:
Ivory, Primrose, Soft Lime, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Pastel Green, Cool Grey 1 and Rose Pink.

Birthday cards for a Special Person

Hi everyone, I hate the fact that I'm being such a bad blogger lately, and I'm really looking forward to being back creating, posting and entering challenges soon. Unfortunately, due to a family illness we're spending a lot of time travelling up and down the country at the moment and everything else is taking a back seat to these real life problems.
I have quite a few birthdays coming up soon for 'special people' though, so I've had to unpack my Mojo and get cracking!
The first VIP birthday is for my beautiful DIL on 30th May and I'd already made her card from us, so I just needed to make a card from my Mum and that would be it.....or so I thought! My darling son arrived on Saturday to ask if I'd make a card from him. Now I don't mind at all as I love making 'girly' cards, but he never has any ideas about the sort of thing he wants and leaves it totally up to me which can make things a little difficult, to say the least! Anyway, I made the card (he hasn't seen it yet so I hope they both like it lol!) and this is it.

Card Details:
* Image - Charmed Crafts digital download 'Madison goes to the ball'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Backing papers and adhesive lace - K & Co
* Flowers - Fred, She Said 'freebie' download
* Everything else from my stash
I used an 'envelope template' which I purchased through Joanna Sheen's forum last year to help raise money for a charity, but had never got around to using. I think I quite like the final result, at least it's something a little bit different from my usual cards.


This is the card I made for DIL from my Mum and I've used one of the sweet little 'Miss Anya' images that I recently received in a RAK. My DIL loves her designer bags, so I thought this one would be right up her street, I've used quite a lot of glitter on this card too so it's extra 'girly', unfortunately you can't see it on the scan.

I have my son's birthday coming up on June 10th, my nephew's on 20th and my best friend's on 28th, so even if I don't manage to do much else, I'll be posting these.

Please accept my thanks for your continuing visits and wonderful comments, they're really cheering me up!

Sketch & Stash Challenge #11

Hi everyone, I've scheduled this card as family matters are taking priority at the moment.

Challenge #11 at Sketch and Stash this week, can you believe it? Please go over and check out the other DT cards, they're wonderful and I hope they'll give you all lots of inspiration. Another gorgeous sketch from Becky, she certainly makes things easy for us with her great sketches.
My 'new' stash this time is the sweet little Penny Black image.



Card Details:
* Image - Penny Black 'Birthday Angel'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - K & Co
* Lace papers - Joanna Sheen
* Everything else from my stash

So many people managed to join in with the last challenge again, thank you so much. I'm sorry that I haven't had time to visit and leave you all a comment, as I love to see all your lovely cards, but I hope you'll manage to join the fun this time too.

A little update

Hi everyone, I'm so sorry that I haven't been around for a while but real life just hasn't been going as well as it should lately!
I think it's unlikely that I'll be about for a while yet, but just as soon as things have settled down again I'll be back (that's a threat, not a promise!! LOL!!)

I have missed you all so much lately, and I'd just like to thank all of you who continue to offer me encouragement and support with your lovely comments, you don't know how much it means to me!

Love to you all

Another busy week!

Hi everyone, well so much for my plans to catch up with my visits to your blogs this week, it's not looking too good so far!
I haven't even had the chance to enter any challenges, so I thought I'd post the wedding card I made for my lovely niece.
She got married last Saturday, so it's safe to show it now. I've been busily making another for my nephew (her brother) who is due to get married on the 30th, so I'll post a picture of it after that date.



Card Details:
* Images - Hangler & STangler bride and groom and Magnolia heart
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Backing papers - K & Co
* Everything else from my stash

My niece, Jane, likes the cutesie images, so I thought this one would be quite sweet for her card. It's a large card about 9" x 9" and I decorated the inside to match, but couldn't manage to get a decent scan of it (I must treat myself to a camera with macro when I have some spare pennies!)
I've just seen their wedding photos online, they are beautiful and evidently, according to Jane it was the 'perfect day'. I'm so pleased as she's a real sweetie and deserves everything good that comes her way.

I promise that I'll get to visit you just as soon as I can, until then thank you for continuing to visit my little haven and for all the lovely messages you leave, they really brighten my day.

Sketch & Stash Challenge #10

Morning everyone!
Well, here we are with challenge #10 for Sketch & Stash and Becky's got another fabulous sketch. Lots more layers this week, but still allowing you to pop your sentiments and embellishments where you like.



Card Details:
* Image - digital download from Sketching Stamper
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Hot off the Press
* Glitter glue - Stickles
* Border punch - Martha Stewart Embossed zig-zag
* Embellishments - from my stash

Pop over and take a look at the other DT cards, they're just fabulous and hopefully they'll give you the inspiration to come and join in with us this week.
I'd like to say thank you to Lena for being our guest DT member for the last 2 weeks and I can't believe how she managed to make this week's card even more gorgeous. What a pleasure it was meeting you Lena, I'll be visiting your blog regularly believe me.
As you know, it was my turn to choose a guest DT for the next 2 weeks and what a difficult job you all gave me. Your cards were stunning, but after a lot of dithering I did eventually manage to make a decision, check out the blog to see who our next guest DT will be.

Cute Daisy May Challenge

Hi everyone, just a very quick visit tonight to post this card for the Daisy May challenge. It's week 10 and I've just about made it as the new challenge begins tomorrow. This week's challenge was a lovely sketch.
I've had a bit of a hectic week, which is why I haven't been about very much and I've missed visiting my favourite places lately, but I'm hoping to make up for lost time from tomorrow.

Card Details:
* Image - digital download from PC Crafter
* Papers - K & Co
* Everything else from stash

I promised a dear friend that I'd try to join in with this challenge, but unfortunately this was the first chance I've had this week so I hope you like it, I'm not overjoyed with it myself, but as I made it from scratch in about 15 minutes, it's the best I could do.
I'll see you all again soon, hopefully tomorrow when I should have a little more time. Thanks for your visit.

A card for a Mother

Hi everyone, I hope you had a good day today even though the weather wasn't as good as it has been lately. We decided to risk a shower and pop to the boot sale this morning and I'm so glad we did as I found some lovely bits (not crafting though unfortunately!)

My card today is for Mother's Day. 'You're too late!!' I hear you all cry, but fear not dear friends I didn't forget my lovely Mum until now, for this is not British Mother's Day so we're OK.
The card is for two challenges, the first being Kellie's Magnolia Challenge and the second is Our Creative Corner, both of which want a Mothers Day card.
This is the first time that I've used this Tilda, but I thought she looked a bit 'Mumsy' in her little hat.

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Lace paper - Joanna Sheen
* Borders and corners - K & Co
* Everything else - my stash

The little flower frame that Tilda's sitting on is from the 'Greetings factory' CD, which I've had forever and always seems to turn up trumps when I'm desperately searching for a particular thing.
The colour of the card looks very orange in the scan, but IRL it is more of an apricot and matches the lace papers and the colour I've used on Tilda.

Colour Create - Red, Cream and Chocolate

Hi everyone, another lovely day today. Unfortunately I didn't make it to the boot sale today, I decided to spend longer with my lovely Mum instead. It's on again tomorrow due to the Bank Holiday, so maybe we'll pop along then if the weather's still fine.

I just couldn't believe how many gorgeous cards were about for the Colour Create challenge this week, which has been set by Mina. I'm often inspired by the cards Mina creates, but judging by the challenge entries, it seems that everyone else has been too. I'm not sure whether it was the colour scheme (one of my favourites!) or something else but I certainly couldn't wait to get started on this one.

Card Details:
* Image - Sketching Stamper
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers & epoxy Sentiment - K & Co
* Border punch - Martha Stewart 'Doily Lace'
* Everything else - my stash

The image was a digital download I purchased from Sketching Stamper a few days ago. I couldn't resist this and another download (which you'll be seeing very soon!) If you haven't visited before, do take a look as Chris's digi-stamps are just fabulous, I'm getting quite a collection now!
Unfortunately, I haven't done this lovely image any favours with my colouring today it was one of those days where no matter what I did it ended up looking worse than before, so another day when you shouldn't look too closely, I'm afraid.
I've just been explaining to my dear (and long suffering) hubby, that the reason is probably that my pens are wearing out and I'm sure a small collection of Copics might put things right. He didn't seem to believe me for some strange reason!

Thank you for visiting and have a lovely evening.

Secret Crafter's Saturday Challenge

Hi everyone, what a lovely day it's been again today and the weather report says it's going to be even better tomorrow, hoorah!
I haven't done any crafting today, as I made the mistake earlier of deciding to 'just tidy up one or two things in my craft room'....Six hours later, and I'm in more of a muddle now than when I started! Will I never learn??
Luckily I made a little card yesterday that just fits nicely with Secret Crafter's challenge this week, 'We want to see flowers on your project whether they be the main image or embellishments.'
This is another of the sweet girls from the PC Crafter download, another very 'unfussy' card again (what I really mean is easy lol!)
I do love these little cuties!

Card Details:
* Image - 'Buttons and Bows' download kit from PC Crafter
* Sentiment and embellishments from same kit

If the weather does stay fine tomorrow I'll probably pop along to the boot sale before I go to visit my Mum and do her 'chores'. If I've managed to sort out the mess I've made in the craft room by then hopefully I'll be able to make a card when I get back.
Whatever you decide to do this Bank Holiday weekend I hope you have a lovely time.

Just Magnolia challenge #3

Hi everyone, I'm a bit earlier with my card for today, I seem to have been getting later and later with my postings.
Possibly the reason I'm earlier today is due to the wonderful sketch that Bev did for this week's Just Magnolia challenge. As soon as I saw it I couldn't wait to make a start.
I already had this little Tilda coloured, so it was just a case of finding some papers that would match and following that gorgeous sketch.

Card Details:
* Image - Pink Tilda Princess
* Colouring - promarkers
* Papers - K & Co
* Pearls - Joanna Sheen
* Flowers, brad and charm - from my stash

This was a lovely sketch to follow, not too complicated but with lots of interest and I'll definitely be using it again, so thanks Bev!