My Son.....the Rock Star!!

Hi everyone, well it's my baby's birthday tomorrow and I'm definitely feeling my age as my 'baby' will be 31! (I'm starting to think that my body actually knows this, as every muscle and joint is aching today, not a good sign!)
I've made this an 8"x8" card and put lots of 'bling' on it, just so it stands out as being from his Mum and Dad lol!
Making a card for Gareth is never an easy option as he isn't particularly interested in sport or computer games (normal 'fallbacks' for young, male cards) What he does have however, is a fabulous singing voice and a love of music. He sings with a band locally and they have just recorded their second CD (not that I'm a proud mum in any way you understand) Here's a photo of him at a memorial concert a couple of years ago.

This card is also dedicated to my lovely crafting buddy Ann, not only for the idea, with her brilliant card for her daughter's boyfriend (which I've copied quite blatantly because it was so fabulous!) but also because she even sent me the image and sentiment to use. She is going on my 'honours' list for a medal for stamping this image onto acetate, and persevering with it when it didn't want to know. How many times did you have to attempt this Ann? You're my hero!
In case some of you haven't visited Ann's blog 'Craftroom Creations' before (and if so, where have you been?) do pop over and take a look. I always come away from my daily visits totally inspired.

Thanks to everyone who sent me good wishes on my new DT role, I'm looking forward to seeing you all there on the 6th November.

Some Exciting News!!!

Hi everyone, just wanted to pop on to let you all know about some exciting news. I've had a secret for some time and how I've managed to keep it to myself I just don't know, I wanted to share it so much I've been nearly bursting!!
There will be a new challenge blog starting on Friday 6th November and I'll be one of the DT, I'm so looking forward to it!
'Not another weekly challenge blog' I hear you all cry in despair, but this isn't a weekly challenge, it will be set every fortnight on a Friday and I do hope you'll pop over to take a look and maybe join in the fun with all of us.
It's being run by Crafty Ann so why don't I let her explain a little more about it
I’ve been champing at the bit for ages to get this new challenge started but have had to wait for various things to be in place first and at last they are!!
The new challenge will start on the 6th of November and to find out about the prize on offer and how you can have three chances to win it, either click on the picture above, or click here.
Hop on over to the challenge blog to get acquainted with the Design Team too.
I do hope to see you there.
I'm sure many of you already know Ann's wonderful work from her blog and I'm also sure that you will know the rest of the DT too, as they are all wonderfully talented crafters, so what are you waiting for? pop over and check it out!!

Sketch & Stash #22

Hi everyone, today it's time for my DT card for Sketch & Stash and Becky's fabulous sketch number 22.
As you can see, I couldn't stay away from little Tilda for long, so she's making another appearance today and looking very sweet in her lilac outfit.
I wonder if there's such a thing as dyslexia for layers? I always have difficulty with layers of different papers, my poor little brain can't seem to cope too well with them (especially if they happen to be set at an angle like the last sketch!) so please forgive the fact that I haven't made the most of Becky's sketches for the last couple of challenges.
Do you like my flower? (it actually looks better than this in real life, I managed to squash it a bit whilst scanning it lol!) I made it myself!!!!! Yes honestly, I followed THIS wonderful tutorial and was amazed at how fabulous the finished flowers looked. I'm a bit technically challenged, so I really didn't expect them to look anything like the original, so many thanks Michelle.

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'Berry Tilda'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - K & Co and Joanna Sheen
* Sentiment tag - from birthday prezzie stash
* Flower - handmade from THIS tutorial
* Everything else from my stash

Thanks to all of you who join in the fun with us each time, and if you haven't made it before, why not give it a try this time? You have two whole weeks before the next challenge and if you need some inspiration, take a look at the other DT's fabulous creations.

Having just read this back I need to apologise for it being such a long posting, I seem to have rambled on for ages!
Thank you to all my visitors for your wonderful comments, you make my day!

Just because....

Hi everyone, so sorry that I haven't been about for a few days. Gosh, looking at the date of my last post it's been nearly a week, doesn't time fly when you're having fun?
I haven't been having too much fun really, I decided to 'sort out' my craft room...BIG MISTAKE, HUGE MISTAKE!!!!! I think there were a few times when DH was about to send out search parties for me lol!
Now "why would you do something as reckless as this?" I hear you ask, and quite rightly too! The honest reason is that I'd ordered so many new 'goodies' that I didn't know where I was going to put them (I truly believe that I enjoy shopping for craft items even more than I enjoy crafting!!!)
The outcome is, I've never been so organised (of course I may never be able to find anything again!) You know what it's like, you discover crafting and want everything, then gradually you find what styles you like and all the other stuff gathers dust. So I've sorted out lots of bits that I'm getting rid of as I know I'll never use them again.

Anyway, enough waffle from me, onto the card. I've made it just because I wanted to, and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.
I need to give copious amounts of thanks to Jak for the freebies that I've used on this, they all came from her wonderful blog Crafters Kitchen and if you have never visited you don't know what you're missing! She is not only a very talented crafter but generously offers lots of freebies and tutorials on her blog too.

Card Details:
* Image - Jak Heath 'Chandelier Set' freebie
* Papers - Jak Heath 'Brocade' freebie
* Sentiment - Woodware 'Circular Greetings'
* Mats - Nestabilities 'Classic and scalloped circles'
* Everything else from my stash

The miri card is actually silver, so why it's looking quite goldy in the photo I don't know and the crystal brads are much more sparkly in real life too! I think I may have to have words with my personal photographer as this is not quite up to his usual standards lol!
As I've got lots of sparkle on this I'm entering it into La-La's challenge which is for 'Sparkle'.

Sketch Saturday #73

Hi everyone, well you had a day without Tilda yesterday, but she's back again today lol!
As soon as I saw this week's fabulous sketch for Sketch Saturday I knew it was the perfect opportunity to show off my latest (and sweetest) little girl. Absolutely too cute to spook!

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'So Spooky Tilda'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Papermania and glitter card
* Alphabet peel offs - Dawn Bibby
* Glitter - Stickles 'Black Diamond' & 'Frosted Lace'
* Everything else from my stash

I have been visiting my favourite blogs, as usual, but haven't had time to leave comments recently so I'm hoping to put this right and get some serious blog hopping done this weekend.
The plan then is to concentrate on getting some non-challenge cards done for the next few days, but you know the old saying 'the best laid plans...' so we'll see how things go. Who knows I may even be back with another Tilda card again lol!

Autumn Challenges

Hi everyone I'm back again, our friends are still driving down, so I had time to whip up a quick card before they arrive for lunch.
I'm entering this card for 2 challenges, the first is Mo's Digital Challenge. I missed the first challenge (don't know how that happened!) but this second one is to use colours that remind you of 'Fall' and only use 2 embellishments. Obviously you have to use one of Mo's wonderful images and I've chosen 'Jordan multitasking'.
The next challenge is the first ever on By the Cute and Girly (don't you just LOVE that name?) and is called 'Autumn Glory'. This new challenge blog is monthly, so hopefully I may get to enter each month as that's enough time, even for ME!
Well I think this card covers both of them, at least I hope it does!

Card Details:
* Image - Digital Pencil 'Jordan multitasking'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - K & Co and Papermania
* Everything else from my stash

Thank you to all of you who were kind enough to leave me some more lovely comments and I hope I'll see you again tomorrow with another card...Did I hear you say, "miracles will never cease"? lol!!

A Spoon Full of Sugar #73

Hi everyone, I've scheduled this post so I hope it's worked!
Today's card is for the Spoon Full of Sugar challenge, which this week is a wonderful sketch by Caryn.
Yet another Tilda, I promise I'll try to move on from Tilda's for the next few cards LOL!
I don't really know what's happening to my colour combos at the moment, I seem to have gone all spring and summery, maybe it's a reaction to the chilly weather and dark evenings we've started getting now.

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'Tilda with Tulips'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - K & Co and Raspberry Road digitals
* Paper ribbons - part of a Diane Rooney digital kit
* Sentiment - PC generated
* Everything else from my stash

I may be back later today or tomorrow with another card. You've heard of the saying 'strike while the iron's hot', well mine seems to be on full steam at the moment so I have to make the most of it before that pesky Mojo goes on holiday again LOL!

Just Magnolia #26

Hi everyone, well I did warn you that I was in the mood for challenges didn't I?
Here's another one, this time for Just Magnolia which is very appropriate seeing as I can't seem to stop colouring Tildas at the moment!
This week's sketch is by the lovely Mina and I thought it was a great one, not too fussy. I've tried to keep the colours a little more subtle this time which I think I prefer.
This challenge finishes tomorrow, so I'm only just in time (there's a surprise then, NOT!) I do like this sweet little girl but 'Jam Tilda' seems a very strange name, or is it just me that thinks that?

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'Jam Tilda'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - K & Co
* Sentiment Tag - part of birthday prezzie stash
* Everything else from my stash

We have my Best Friend and her hubby visiting tomorrow on their way to Southampton for a cruise starting on Saturday. We worked out that we haven't seen them for about 3 years, so I'm really excited about it. I do miss cruising, but now that we're both retired the pennies just won't allow, unfortunately.
I may schedule a post for yet ANOTHER challenge for tomorrow, yes, I've got a few lined up on my table waiting to be completed so I can do some more colouring, good 'cos I love it so much. Just thought .... maybe it's the fumes from those alcohol pens that make me so addicted to it LOL!

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.