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.

Just had to spread the word......

That Ladybug and Friends are giving away some gorgeous candy.
To be in with a chance of winning these wonderful stamps and brush markers, just pop over and check out what you have to do.

Sketch & Stash Challenge # 18

I really don't know how Becky manages to do it but every fortnight she seems to come up with an even better sketch! This one was no exception and I thoroughly enjoyed using it for challenge 18 at Sketch & Stash.
I used the sketch for one of this month's dreaded men's cards, and I can honestly say it inspired me, as prior to this I hadn't a clue what I was going to make for our friend's birthday card. We originally met this couple in 2001 on a cruise and we've been friends ever since (in fact his wife is my BF!) He loves the sea, so I know the nautical theme will go down well with him.

Card Details:
* Images - Hot off the Press
* Papers - K & Co
* Sentiment - PC generated
* Everything else from my stash

I do hope that you may find time to join in the fun with us for this challenge, but even if you can't manage that, please try to check out the cards that the other girls have made as they are fabulous!

I'm just popping a link here to 'spread the word' about Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential, a brand new challenge blog that will be starting in October. At the moment Viki is looking for some DT members, so if you'd like to know more about it take a look here

The Sugar Bowl - Challenge 18

Well I did warn you I may be back before Monday LOL!
I just loved Kathy's sketch at the Sugar Bowl this week, so had to give it a go. I've just noticed that I haven't used any buttons on this, so it may mean I'm not eligible for the challenge, but I thoroughly enjoyed using the sketch anyway.

Card Details:
* Image - Sugar Nellie's Gorjuss 'Flower Girl'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - K & Co and Capricious Scraps
* Everything else from my stash

I'll be back tomorrow with the latest DT card for Sketch & Stash, so see you then!

The Pink Elephant and Whiff of Joy

Well, now I think I'm getting a bit too big for my boots!! I've only gone and made a card that fits with TWO challenges (can't even remember the last time that I managed to do that LOL!)

I've used the fabulous sketch from this week's challenge at The Pink Elephant. I really liked this, it was a lovely 'clean' sketch, and as I seem to be going through a bit of a 'less is more' phase at the moment, it exactly suited my needs.

The card also fits the challenge at Whiff of Joy where the theme this week is to use 'bling' on your cards. I've covered this by adding some very sparkly glitter card to the sketch, attaching my sparkly flower with a diamante brad and there are even little diamonds on the sentiment, enough bling even for my tastes LOL!

Card Details:
* Image - Whiff of Joy 'Willow sitting with Floral Wreath'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - DCWV 'Old World' mat stack
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Embossed Zig Zag'
* Everything else from my stash

I don't know whether I'll manage to be back again before my DT card for Sketch & Stash on Monday, but the way things are going at the moment I wouldn't be at all surprised!

One Stop Craft - challenge 43

Hi everyone, well I'm here again and with another challenge! Don't know how long this can last for, but I'm making the most of the inspiration at the moment lol!
This card was for One Stop Craft's theme of 'I Believe in Angels/Fairies'.
I've had these sweet Fairy Poppet sheets for ages and always forget to use them, so thought this challenge would be a good excuse. I decided to use a little boy fairy for a change, hope you like it.

Card Details:
* Image - Fairy Poppet decoupage sheets
* Backing papers - same kit (from Ideal World ages ago)
* Border strips - Vanessa Arbuthnot for English Paper Company
* Sentiment - part of an old kit from QVC
* Everything else from my stash

My scanner decided not to play again, so I had to take a photo, my apologies as it's awful! (now you know why I ususally ask DH to take the photos lol!) The colours are mostly a lovely sage green and not the sludgy grey that it looks like in the photo.

Cute Card Thursday #74

I can't remember the last time I managed to enter a card in Cute Card Thursday's challenge as it's so long ago, but I had just made this card and I thought it fitted the bill for their theme of Lazy Dayz, where they want to see your summer inspired cards or projects.

Card Details:
* Image - Sugar Nellie 'Country Garden'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Backing papers - Laura Ashley (glittered with stickles)
* Ribbon - a gift from a dear friend
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Doily Lace'
* Sentiment - computer generated
* Everything else from my stash

I really like tags and I hadn't added any to my cards for ages, so I decided to pop this sweet girl on a plain tag, mount it onto another one made from gorgeous Laura Ashley paper and use my favourite punch to decorate the bottom.
Due to the ribbon on the top of the tag I couldn't get a decent scan, so my lovely hubby photographed it for me (I'm useless with cameras!!) It's come out looking a lot darker than it does irl, but hopefully you get the idea!

I actually made the card to enter Arline's candy challenge, which was to make her a birthday card. She said she likes cute, pink or girly and as this is all three I'm hoping she will like it.

Friday Sketchers #66

Hi all!
Well, what do you know? I've actually managed to join in with a card challenge, the first in absolutely ages woohoo!!

I needed to make a couple of men's cards for September birthdays and I'd been putting it off for ages, as I find making cards for men a real struggle, so I thought I'd try to fit them to a couple of sketches to see if that made life easier and it did!
I don't know that I've ever actually joined in with the Friday Sketchers challenge before, but I loved the look of this week's sketch which has been set by Carole and so thought I'd go for it.
It worked out perfectly for my BIL's card, he likes a drink and he loves playing cards so voila!

Card Details:
* Image & sentiment - Cuddly Buddly 'Local Lads' kit
* Backing papers - K & Co
* Mat - Nestabilities 'scalloped circles'
* Epoxy alphabet letters - K & Co

I can't show you the other man's card yet as I decided to make it my next DT card for Sketch & Stash, so you'll just have to be patient and wait until then.

Sketch and Stash Challenge 17 - DT card

Hi everyone!
I know I've been very naughty again and not posted for nearly two weeks, I'm so sorry and I have no one to blame but myself.
I don't know if it's the weather or just me being very lazy, but I honestly don't seem to have the energy or inspiration to do any card making at the moment, despite having lots of birthday cards to make as well as card requests from a friend, who puts some of my cards in her shop.
I promise it's not playing my PC game that's stopping me either, as I can't even be bothered with that at the moment. I do hope that my missing Mojo returns soon, I'm starting to think it may have emigrated as it's been soooo long now since I had any enthusiasm for cardmaking and that's just not like me!
I must have changed my mind at least a dozen times over what to do with Becky's wonderful sketch for the latest Sketch & Stash challenge, but I eventually made my decision and I hope you like it.
The other girls have created such gorgeous DT cards, I do hope you'll pop over and take a look (and maybe join in yourselves?) it really was a fabulous sketch again, I don't know how Becky manages to keep coming up with them.
My new stash was the lovely backing paper, a (freebie!) digital download from Raspberry Road, part of the 'Rose Manor' kit, whilst the girls' themselves were an image, but are available from Charmed Cards and Crafts .

Card Details:
* Backing paper - Raspberry Road 'Rose Manor' free digital download
* Designer papers - K & Co
* Image - Charmed Cards & Crafts 'Girls about Town'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Punches - EK Success 'Retro' flowers
* Everything else from stash

I'm hoping that it won't be another 2 weeks until I'm posting again ... but I'm so lethargic at the moment that I wouldn't swear to it!
I'd like to thank those of you who haven't given up on me yet and still continue to visit and leave me such encouraging comments, I'm so grateful and I enjoy reading each and every one.