Sketch & Stash DT card Challenge #39

Hi everyone, I'm sorry I'm so late posting this today but it had completely slipped my mind that it was Sketch & Stash day (I know, what am I like?)
I have to admit that I struggled a bit with this week's card. I'm not very good with easel cards and a circular one seemed more challenging than ever, but I did get there in the end although I think I'd probably use Nesties if I had to make something like this again as I think it would make life a bit easier LOL!

I hope you'll rise to the challenge of a circular card this fortnight at Sketch & Stash, don't forget you've got a whole 2 weeks to enter and there's a fabulous prize on offer again this time.

Card Details:
* Image - Digital Pencil Too 'Finna'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Raspberry Road 'My Baby Love - Boy'
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Monarch Butterfly'
* Everything else from my stash

I used another of Mo Manning's great images for this and finished it off with a gorgeous downloaded 'fairy' sentiment. I have no idea where I got it from, as it's another from before my PC went haywire and I lost my copyright notices.

I haven't been about much recently as I'm still struggling a bit with everyday life at the moment, so I hope you'll bear with me until I can return to normality.
Thank you for continuing to visit and leave comments, they mean a lot to me.

Tag Card

 Hi everyone, I felt like creating something a bit different from my usual cuties and as I have a 'bit of a thing' for tags but hadn't made a tag card for ages I thought the time was right.
Luckily there are a few challenges this will fit so I can enter it for the following:
The Cuttlebug Spot - Embossed Tags
A Spoonfull of Sugar - Good Luck/Best Wishes
City Crafter - Pink, Purple and Pearls
Crafty Ann's - Embossing
Simon Says Challenge - Friends
I distressed my card with Walnut Stain DI and a white Inkessential pen to give it more of a vintage look, cut a CB 'vintage' die in half to make some corners and finished off with some ribbon and pearls just to make it nice and girly.

 Card Details:
* Sentiment Ticket - Crafty Ann's 
* Papers - Laura Ashley 'Contemporary'
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Eyelet Lace'
* Everything else from my stash

The tablets that my Doctor prescribed aren't working too well at the moment (I've been told to double the dose three times so far!) consequently my Mojo is a bit 'hit and miss' so if you don't see me about as often, you know why! LOL!

Molly's Card

Hi everyone, I warned you I may be back today didn't I? This is a birthday card for a very special little girl, my great-niece Molly (I know! who'd have thought I was that old??!!) she'll be 2 and she's the most adorable poppet.

I thought this card fitted the bill perfectly at Just Magnolia this week plus a few other places (you know I'm having such fun with all these challenges) so the list is:
Just Magnolia 60 - In the Garden
Stamp Something - Summer
Sir Stampalot - Punch It
Crafty Calender - Bugs and Beasties
Sunday Stamptacular - Cute as a Bug
Crafts and Me - Birthdays

I actually made an easel card again, not something I'd do for just anyone, so Molly's definitely someone pretty special!
Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'Fairy Tale Tilda'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Papermania 'Blueberry Hill'
* Punches - Martha Stewart 'Monarch Butterfly' and EK Success 'Retro Flower'
* Sentiment - PC generated
* Everything else from my stash

I always worry that people (non-crafters) may not quite know what to do with an easel card, will they work out how to stand it up? Well with this one I've stuck a little label on the back showing exactly what to do and I think I'll do this with any I make from now on, just in case!

I got the idea from a lovely crafting friend and fellow 'Sheenie' Sheila. She doesn't have a blog, but visits mine regularly and never fails to lift my spirits with her lovely comments. She also sent me a gorgeous friendship book filled with wonderful sentiments and goodies (like tassels, charms and punched flowers) to cheer me up and let me know she was thinking of me recently when I was very low. Aren't I lucky to have friends like this? 

Thank you for all your visits and comments crafting buddies and take care

WOYWW 55

Hi everyone, well not only have I made another week of WOYWW...
BUT I took this photo myself!! (which is why it's awful) usually this is DH's job and definitely not mine! I also remembered to take the photo before I cleared up, but as you know I'm a 'neat' crafter and this is about as messy as it gets with me!
Well, what can we see......
Not a lot really due to the c****y photo, but there's a thingy for setting eyelets, lots of adhesives and scissors (don't ask me why, I was only making a little tag card!) a MS border punch (my new eyelet lace ATP Mmmmm!) Distress Ink, pearls and ribbon.
I'm afraid I didn't make it round everyone last week (but then everyone didn't make it to me either!) but I shall try harder this week by visiting a few people each day, it may take me a week but I do love nosing at people's workspaces, it's soooooo addictive!

For those of you who are wondering what is going on in my photo and what WOYWW is, just pop over to our revered leader Julia's blog where all will be revealed.

I shall be back tomorrow with my normal kind of posting i.e. a card albeit a very special one.
Take care chums,

 

Messy does Christmas!

Yay! I did it! I made it for 2 weeks in a row with my Christmas cards! No matter what else falls by the wayside I MUST try to keep up with these so I have a box full by the big day.
I also managed to fit my card into all the Christmas challenges I could find again too (this can't possibly last! LOL!)
My one problem with this card was that there was so little colour on it (other than white) that my scanner would only recognise it as a grey scale image. So, you'll have to trust me when I say that Messy's jumper is really pale blue and the mistletoe leaves are a very pale green, oh, and there's some Stickles on the tree and the snow.
The Xmas challenges this week are:
ABC Xmas - Mistletoe
Bah! Humbug! - A Child's Christmas
Winter Wonderland - Festive Tree
Die Cut Dreams - All White
Fab's Christmas Challenge - Toppers
My Time To Craft - Yuletide in June
Digital Tuesday Challenge - Christmas in June
and I think it also fits with:
Crafty Ann's Challenge - Embossing
Craftalicious - Monotone

I need to explain that my backing paper is Crafty Ann's again (surprise!) but I've popped some white holly vellum over the top, so it's now difficult impossible to see!
Card Details:
* Image - Messy Rabbit stamp from Joanna Sheen, Magnolia Misteltoe stamp and Cuttlebug Tree
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Crafty Ann's Woodgrain 'Earth tones - Stone'
* Everything else from my stash

I'll be back tomorrow with my WOYWW photo and if you don't know what I'm talking about, pop over to Julia's Stamping Ground blog and read all about it.
Thanks for visiting buddies and take care.

Sketch & Stash DT card Challenge #38

 

Hi everyone, today sees my return to the DT at Sketch & Stash and how I've missed it!
This fortnight we're being sponsored by Meljen's Designs and we were given the chance to use some of her wonderful digi images on our cards, so I chose this delightful 'Garden Fence' background and used it with a freebie called 'Diggin' a hole' to create a little scene. Lisa has designed the sketch this time and I absolutely LOVED using it.

Card Details:
* Image - Meljen's digi images 'Garden Fence' and 'Diggin' a hole'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Crafty Ann's digi paper - Abstract 'Stone'
* Sentiment - Joanna Sheen
* Everything else from my stash

I'm trying to join in with some of the fabulous challenges that are out there with each of my cards, so I'm  entering this card for the following:
Cutie Sunday - Summer
Sentimental Sundays - Your favourite sentiment
Magical Crafts - Something for a male
One Stop Craft Challenge - One for the Boys
Fab'n'Funky Challenges - Just for Dad

The Sketch & Stash challenge will be open until July 4th that's 2 whole weeks to come up with something, so I hope you can find time to join in with us again and I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs to see what you've created for the challenge.

Pirate Tilda - such a cute cupcake

Hi everyone, my card today uses one of the Magnolia 'Fairy tale' images, she's called Pirate Tilda (you'd never have guessed would you?) and I think she's adorable, but then I think most of this range are cute as cupcakes!
I used the sketch from this week's Passion for Promarkers challenge and it wasn't until I'd finished the card that I realised there was also a theme involved which was 'a male themed card' so if this doesn't fit the challenge just throw me out.
I think my card also fits some other challenges, so I'm entering it for the following:
Passion for Promarkers #56 - Sketch & Theme
Simon Says Stamp - Pirates!
Crafts & Me - Friends & Family
Bunny Zoe's Challenge #1 - Nice & Girly

The main backing paper is again one of Crafty Ann's (I just love these papers and this colour was perfect for my Pirate theme!) and I managed to use up some cuttlebugged card and paper scraps on this card, which is quite unusual for me, my scrap box is HUGE!
I also got to use my brand new EK Success 'Wave Flourish' punch, I have wanted this for ages and it's now available from Joanna Sheen's store. This has to be one of my favourite places to shop as the customer service is second to none, the delivery is superfast and it's free p&p What more could a girl want?

Card Details:
* Image - Magnolia 'Pirate Tilda'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Crafty Ann's 'Abstract 2 - Dark Grey'
* Sentiment - PC generated
* Punches - EK Success 'Retro Flower' and 'Wave Flourish'
* Everything else from my stash

My apologies for the awful picture, but my scanner didn't want to play today.

Thanks to all you neat and tidy crafters who left comments on my WOYWW post, what a relief to know I'm not alone, in fact I think there may be a lot more of us than anyone guessed. Come on all you tidy girls and boys, confess and join our 'neat freaks' club LOL!

WOYWW 54

Hi everyone, I can't believe I actually managed to join in for a second week, miracles will never cease! LOL!
It took me about 3 days to visit all the WOYWW blogs last week, but I eventually made it and I had such a lovely time being nosy. I wonder how many days it will take me to get around them all this week?
As you can see from my photo I was in a colouring mood and I forced myself NOT to clear up before taking my picture, so I hope all those WOYWWers who complained about my tidy space last week will be happier this time (if you'd like to know more or join in, just visit Julia at Stamping Ground)
I have to confess it......I am a tidy crafter!! Yes I know it seems unlikely, but really I am. I do try to be untidy but I just can't work in a mess, my Mojo goes walkabout and I have to join it, so I think I may find this WOYWW harder than I imagined
It's second nature to me now to clean up when I finish crafting so that my craft room's all nice and tidy for the next day.
If you are the same please leave me a message, otherwise I shall get some sort of complex about being the only neat crafter on the planet!

Bah! Humbug! Challenge #22

Hi everyone, well here I am again and this time it's with a card for the wonderful Bah! Humbug! challenge.
When this challenge first started back in January I had every intention of joining in each week. Not solely so I would have a stock of cards come the dreaded 'festive' season, but also because two out of the three DT members were close crafting buddies. Unfortunately, reality got in the way and this is the first card I've managed since challenge #6.
I couldn't have returned at a better week though, because the theme this week is 'Anything Goes' and trust me, after not making a Christmas card for so long I need all the help I can get LOL!
With that in mind, I entered this card for some other challenges too and they are all as follows:

Bah! Humbug! - Anything Goes
Die Cut Dreams Christmas Club - Sketch
Winter Wonderland - Christmas Flower
ABC Christmas Challenge - Lights
Fab's Big Christmas Card Challenge

Card Details:
* Image - Whiff of Joy 'Willow with Lantern'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Hot Off The Press
* Everything else from my stash

I'm hoping that I'll manage to join in each week from now on, as I desperately want a stock of cards so I don't have that awful last minute rush that I normally experience in December.

Thanks so much to those visitors that leave a comment for me, I really enjoy reading them, take care

Fairy on Tiptoe

Hi everyone, this little sweetie has recently taken up residence at my house and I was desperate to use her, so I thought I'd enter this weeks LOTV challenge which is a sketch by Dawny P. This is a first for me as I've never entered one of their challenges before.
Another first with this card was remembering to use my Flowersoft on the little flowers. I've had a couple of pots of this for well over a year now and never got around to using it before. I was a bit apprehensive, but everything worked well and I love the textured look. Oh and I also used my new Stardust Stickles quite liberally too LOL.
I can't remember the last time I entered a challenge, so with that thought in mind I've managed to fit my card to quite a few and they are:

Lilli of the Valley - Challenge 55
Cupcake Craft Challenges - Dazzle Us
Passion for Promarkers - Pink Birthday
My Time to Craft - Xtra Special
A Spoon full of Sugar - Floral Delight
Stamp Something - Happy Somethings

Card Details:
* Image -  Lilli of the Valley 'Fairy on Tiptoe'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Papermania 'Blueberry Hill'
* Sentiment -  Papermania 'Rose Garden'
* Everything else from my stash

I'm hoping that this will see the start of  my return to crafting and blogging (in fact, I'm working on another card at the moment) and I'll also be resuming my DT role with Sketch & Stash from the next challenge too.
I've been visiting and commenting on some of my fave blogs over the last week or so and I'm looking forward to catching up with you all in the coming days.
Until then, thanks for visiting and take care,

WOYWW - a bit of a cheat?

Hi everyone, well, this post title refers to me, or maybe more to the point to this photo!
Yes, I know you've seen it before and only a couple of days ago too, but there IS a reason for posting it again, honest!

You see, for ages now I've been wanting to join in with WOYWW (what's on your workdesk Wednesday) but what with one thing and another I've never managed it.
Well, last week Julia and the rest of the gang celebrated a WHOLE YEAR of fun and I really wanted to start off the 'new' year by being a part of it all, so yesterday I reminded myself NOT to clear up all my mess when I finished what I was doing, but instead to take a photo ready for today.
Obviously, I promptly then forgot all about it again and cleared up my mess, which means my workdesk looks exactly the same as this again at the moment.
In view of this saga I hope I may be forgiven and allowed to join in and I promise I'll try really hard not to clean up next week!

For those of you who think I've now lost the plot completely and have no idea what I'm talking about, take a trip over to the beloved leader Julia's blog and look at all the other WOYWW gang members workdesks......but BE WARNED it's very addictive!!!

 

My new haven and an update

Hi everyone,

Well as promised here are the photos of my new craft room.  I've included some 'before' photos too so you can see the difference.

BEFORE

AFTER

I have to say the photos don't really do it justice, it is so bright and has loads of storage space for all my 'stuff' (although I think I could possibly do with even more!!!???!!!)
My darling DH was so busy and he couldn't have chosen a hotter few days could he, bless him.
I have got doors etc. but I told DH I didn't want them fitted yet as I'm sure I'll need to adjust some things once I start working in there. I also thought that if I can see my stash I may be more likely to use it, rather than forgetting about it all the time, which is what I tended to do before.
I'm sure I'll have doors on some of the base cupboards eventually, but I think I may leave the wall cabinets as they are so I can have space to store my pretty 'bits and bobs'

My visit to the Doctor on Friday went quite well and I'm hoping that 'normal service may resume shortly' lol! at least as far as my blog is concerned.
Following on from my little break from crafting, I've decided to step down from a couple of my DT roles though, so in future I will no longer be part of either Crafty Ann's Challenge or the CD Sunday challenge. I'm sad to leave them but we will all stay good friends and keep in touch and I'm sure I shall be joining in some of the challenges too.
I shall still remain part of the DT for Sketch & Stash and I'm hoping to get back to joining in with them again very soon.
I'm sure I've made the right decision for me at this time and although I shall miss the fun we used to have, I think I shall enjoy the freedom of 'just because' crafting again rather than fitting in with a particular theme. All I need to do now is get better at finding challenges to match the cards I make!

I'm sorry this has been such a long post, but I wanted to let you all know what's been happening and thank you for all your support and understanding.

...and the winner is......

Hi everyone,
Just a quick post to  thank you all for joining in with Crafty Ann's blog hop last fortnight and to let you know who won my 2 giveaway sheets from the gorgeous, new flower collection.
My winner was Myrto!!!
Congratulations Myrto, just pop over to the challenge blog and e-mail Ann to collect your prize.
I hope the rest of you will remember to pop over to Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog to find out who the lucky winner of the final 5 sheets was and don't forget to join in with the team again for the next challenge which is to use your (World Cup) country's colours.

As you can see, I'm still not blogging at the moment, although I have been doing lots of colouring lately and I'm sure all these coloured images will come in handy once I'm back card making again.
Actually I'm totally fed up with myself now and just want life to get back to normal. My darling DH has even kitted me out with a brand new craft room to try and cheer me up, bless him! I'm so lucky to have him.
I'll share some piccies with you all once it's finished. It seems like a good opportunity to have a good old sort out too, heaven knows what I shall find that I'd forgotten about!
I'm off to the doctor's later today, so we'll see what happens there. For those of you who know me well, you'll realise that (as ever) I'm hoping for an instant miracle cure!! LOL!
Thank you for all the supportive messages you've been kind enough to leave me, they really have helped to brighten my days.
Love and hugs to you all until next time

Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog DT Card #15 and Bloghop!

Hi everyone, it's already time for challenge #15 at Crafty Ann's and we're having our very first BLOG HOP!
We're celebrating the launch of the Flower Collection of pre-coloured images from Crafty Ann's Digi Shop .
To join in, you need to start at the beginning which is the challenge blog so if you have come to me from there you're on the right lines.
To be in with a chance of winning these two sheets from the new collection, just leave me a comment. The winners will be announced at the start of challenge #16 on 4th June (for my prize and for the main challenge blog prize)

Don't forget to collect the two words you need from me which are: MAKE and PEOPLE
When you leave here, your next stop will be Ann who has some wonderful inspiration for you and two more sheets and two more words.
When you have visited all the blogs, you need to end up back at the challenge blog and follow the instructions on there to find out what to do to be in with a chance of winning the final 5 sheets.

You've probably noticed that there's no card from me today, actually I'm having a little break from things for a while.
Following my beloved Mum's death in January, things have been getting a little overwhelming and I've decided to take some time off to try to sort myself out.
I hope to be back with you all before too long though, and I may be doing some blog-hopping and commenting (who knows?)
Until then, take care blogging buddies and thank you for all your comments and support.
Looking forward to seeing you all again soon

Sketch & Stash DT card #35

Hi everyone, today's card is for the Sketch & Stash challenge, where this week we are being sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and our sketch is by the lovely Lols.

It seemed like a long time since I last used one of the fabulous Mo Manning images, so this is another of the ones that I purchased a little while ago from Digital Pencil Too and is called 'Bye Bye'.

Card Details:
* Image - Mo Manning 'Bye Bye'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - My Mind's Eye
* Sentiment - Digi download
* Everything else from my stash

The gorgeous digi sentiment was one of a few that I downloaded some time ago. Unfortunately, whilst trying to organise my PC recently, I lost the copyright notice and I now have no idea where it originally came from, so if you know please drop me a line.
Don't forget to pop over to the challenge blog to see the other DT cards and find out who our lucky winner was last week.

Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog DT Card #14 and some news!

Hi everyone, it's time for Challenge #14 at Crafty Ann's where the theme this fortnight is 'Anything Goes'
Be sure to read to the end of the post for some exciting news

I'd like to thank all of you who have been joining in with us lately, we seem to be getting more entries with every challenge.
Unfortunately I've been unable to leave a comment on some of the foreign blogs as my PC just shows their blog text as little squares. I've tried using a different search engine (which worked for some of my fellow DT) but, alas, no joy for me. If you are one of those people please accept my apologies and also my thanks for continuing to join in with us each fortnight.

Card Details:
* Image - Crafty Ann's 'Aga', Stamping Boutique's 'Chair' & Magnolia's 'Kitchen Tilda'
* Colouring medium -Promarkers
* Papers -Papermania & K & Co
* Sentiment - Greeting Card Factory CD
* Everything else from my stash

I asked Ann to create this range cooker as I thought it would be perfect with all those little cooking cuties and how right I was! She has done such a superb job of designing both this and the little armchair that I asked for, so THANK YOU ANN!
I couldn't wait to use this and had such fun creating this little kitchen scene, I love it and I hope you like it too. I used some subtly patterned Papermania paper as wallpaper behind the range (not sure it shows up too well in the photo)
I know how lots of you love the freedom of an 'Anything Goes' challenge theme, so I hope you manage to join in with us again this time.

And now for that special news......
Don't forget to join us for the next challenge on 21st of May because we have our very first BLOG HOP to celebrate the launch of...................no, you'll have to wait until the 21st for that bit - but there are prizes to be won on every blog so don't forget to put the date in your diary! 

CD Sunday Challenge 3 - Baby Talk

Hi everyone, it's Sunday again so that must mean another CD Sunday challenge .
This week's theme is 'Baby Talk' so why not get digging into those CDs and join in.

Card Details:
* Image - Joanna Sheen's - Baby Love CD
* Papers - My Mind's Eye & Hot Off The Press
* Punch - Martha Stewart 'Doily Lace'
* Everything else from my stash

I love this image of the sweet toddler climbing the steps to reach her doll, so adorable (look at those chubby little arms and legs! aaahhh)
Thanks to everyone who entered the challenge last week, the DT loved seeing what you all created and we're hoping you manage to join in with us again.
Don't forget to pop over and check out what everyone else created this week.

Sketch & Stash DT card #34

Hi everyone, today's card is for Sketch & Stash, where we're being sponsored by Whiff of Joy this fortnight and Becky has designed yet another wonderful sketch for us.
Thank you to all those of you who managed to join us for the last challenge, the DT loved seeing all your entries.

Card Details:
* Image - Whiff of Joy 'Oakley with Slipover' and 'Tree Stump'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers -Papermania 'Springtime'
* Sentiment - Greeting Card Factory CD
* Everything else from my stash

My new stash was my papers, I thought they looked great with this cute image.
I just loved using this sketch as it allowed the image to be the focal point, I really liked the uncluttered look of it.
I hope you get the opportunity to join in with us again this time and please pop over to the challenge blog to see what everyone else came up with.

CD Sunday Challenge 2 - Artfully Asian

Hi everyone, I'm back today with my card for the second challenge at CD Sunday where the theme this week is 'Artfully Asian'.
Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm not 'into' oriental style cards. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing what other people do with the lovely images, but personally I'm useless at making them look attractive. Consequently I never make oriental cards if it can be helped, so this theme really WAS a challenge for me.
In order to try to make my card a little more appealing, I decided to use the wonderful octagonal easel card template from Crafty Ann's.

Card Details:
* Image - Joanna Sheen's 'Oriental Dreams' CD
* Papers - K & Co
* Everything else from my stash

I used a Sakura Pen-Touch gold pen (also from Joanna Sheen) to edge the template, mounted the image onto some pearlescent paper, designer paper and gold miri card and finished off with a couple of oriental peel-offs.
The 'stand' part of the easel card was embellished with Spellbinder's Shapeabilities 'Fancy Tags' die cut and the sentiment was produced on the PC.

Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog DT Card #13

 Hi  everyone, today's card is my DT creation for Crafty Ann's Challenge where the theme this fortnight is a recipe.
Pop over for more details and to see what the rest of the DT have come up with, you won't be disappointed.
We're also welcoming a new member of the DT......
Irene has agreed to join us and I'm so happy as I've always adored her style of card making, so I'm absolutely thrilled to be working with her permanently from now on.

This image from Ann has to be one of my favourites, I think it has such a beautiful 'vintage' look to it.
I've made this a large card (8x8) and added quite a lot of embellishments to it as it's also destined to be my best friend's birthday card.
It's very sparkly, so she's sure to love it as she's a great believer in the adage that a girl can never have too much sparkle (now you know why we're best friends, we always think alike)
By the time I'd finished making this my whole house sparkled, so I think I'll have to pop a note in, to warn her to have her hoover handy LOL!

Card Details:
* Image - Crafty Ann's 'Music Collage 3'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Crafty Ann's 'Polished Brights - Earth Tones (pale brown)' and
                 Doodlebug Design Paper Potpourri 'Bon Bon Boutique- Daydream'
* Sentiment - computer generated (on tag) and Dawn Bibby peel-offs (on ribbon)
* Everything else from my stash

I used Crystal Lacquer on the violin and bow, to give it a glossy finish as if it were well polished wood (well that was the plan anyway) The tag was hand drawn and then stamped with Personal Impressions 'Swirls & Flourishes' clear stamp using 'Walnut Stain' distress ink. The dark chocolate satin ribbon is part of a prize of gorgeous ribbons that I have had sitting in my stash for ages, because I think they're much too beautiful to use.

I do hope you manage to join us, oh and if you joined in with our last challenge, don't forget to pop over to check who the lucky winner was.


Have you seen this fabulous candy being offered by Rach?
You have until 2/5 to enter, but please don't, as I really want to win this lol!