Is it just me?

Hi everyone, no new card today, just a re-cap on a previous post. 
Cast your minds back to June......no? well take a look at my previous post then, ha ha.
I posted the card below and said how I'd had to buy this image as it reminded me so much of a photograph I had of my youngest son when he was at playschool (he's 32 now!) and I promised that once I'd moved and sorted out my family photos I'd let you see, so here it is.
Now, what I want to know is......can you see a resemblance or is it just a 'mother love' thing?

Answers on a postcard please.  No, seriously, I'd love to know what you think.

 

Sketch N Stash DT Card #69

Hi everyone, time for another Sketch N Stash challenge and today's lovely sketch was designed by our Julie. I've used one of my favourite KennyK images called Troublemaker (mmmm wonder if there's a connection there, surely not!! ha ha) She's certainly a pink girl isn't she?

I used one of Crafty Ann's tickets for my sentiment, I LOVE these and they are such a bargain (as are all of Ann's wonderful digis) If you haven't visited this shop yet, you're in for a treat, as well as her wonderful drawings Ann has some of the most fabulous and versatile backing papers. When I can't find anything that works with those 'tricky' images I often find myself reaching for these and they're always the perfect solution (the embossed papers are so realistic that it saves the bother of embossing them yourself!) 

Card Details:
* Image - KennyK 'Troublemaker'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - So many different collections, I can't begin to tell you.
* Sentiment Ticket - Crafty Ann's Digi Shop
* Everything else from my stash

We're being sponsored this fortnight by the fabulous KennyK who are offering our lucky winner 5 images of their choice, so definitely worth joining in with us.
The DT have made some fabulous cards again, so pop over to the challenge blog to take a look and find out who the winner and Top 3 were from the last challenge.

A Couple of Challenges!

Hi everyone,
I know, I know..... it's not quite time for Sketch N Stash yet and you don't often see me otherwise!! ha ha. But I've actually managed to make a card that I can enter into a couple of challenges.

The card is actually for my Best Friend's wedding anniversary, but I wanted to use the adorable Teddy Bo and Teddy Bea again and I needed a sketch to get me going, so I went blog-hopping.
This is being entered into this week's TeddyBo Challenge 'Black & White plus one more colour' (I chose to use a sort of goldy-greeny (!!??!!) colour) and I found the fabulous sketch at Inspirational Card Sketches

Card Details:
* Image - TeddyBo 'Tea For two and Two For Tea'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Joanna Sheen
* Everything else from my stash

I hope to see you again on Monday for this fortnight's Sketch N Stash card!

Sketch N Stash DT Card #68

Hi everyone it's lovely to be back with you, I've missed my crafting and blogging so much.

Well, the move to Norfolk is over and we're (kind of) settled. The good news is that we absolutely LOVE our new home and couldn't have wished for a friendlier village to live in. The bad news....I'm missing my 'boys' like crazy!!! They both came up last Friday for the weekend and that was the first time I'd seen them in over 4 weeks. That may not seem like a long time, but as we've always lived so near each other it was the longest I'd ever gone without seeing them. We had a lovely weekend, but once they left for home I shed a few tears, I was so sad to see them go. The emotional turmoil wasn't helped by the fact that it was my beloved Mum's birthday and I still miss her every single day.

On a happier note I managed to join in with a card for SNS again (oh how I've missed those girls!!)
Our fabulous sketch for this challenge was designed by Sue and I loved using it. I had a special card to make for my Aunt's birthday and I was so pleased with how it came together with this sketch, I hope she will be too. This is an 8"x8" card so lots of space to fill, which was a bit scary after not crafting for so long!

Card Details:
* Image - Debbi Moore 'Splendour of Regency' CD
* Sentiment - Sentiments 4 You
* Colouring medium - Joanna Sheen 'Spectrum Noir' pens
* Papers - Hot Off The Press
* Punch - MS 'Doily Lace'
* Flowers - Joanna Sheen 'Kort and Godt' range
* Everything else from my stash

Now, some of you may be wondering why I have 'colouring medium' on the above list when I've used a CD image!!! well I thought it looked a bit 'washed out' so I coloured the regency lady with some of my new Spectrum Noir pens (I think these may become as well loved as my promarkers!)
I used some gold Cosmic Twinkles to highlight the 'frame corners' of the printed image and to add a bit of sparkle to the metal photo corner I used on the card and I even remembered to use one of my pearl hat pins, another first!

I hope you'll manage to join in with us for this challenge, we're being sponsored by the wonderful Bunny Zoe who's offering a fabulous prize to one lucky person. Do pop over to the challenge blog and check out the details, along with the stunning cards designed by the DT and while you're there don't forget to see if you are our lucky winner or one of our Top 3 from the last challenge.

Sketch N Stash DT Card - Challenge #64

Hi everyone, here I am again for this fortnight's Sketch N Stash Challenge.
Well, you certainly all seemed to enjoy the last sketch, we had so many people joining in again so thank you for continuing to support our challenge blog.
Our sketch this time was designed by Vicky with the added choice of popping embellishments wherever you wish, I decided to leave well alone as the papers are quite fussy, so my card is really simple.
I've used one of Mo's images again and this little cutie is called 'Chickies' I also managed to find some papers in my stash that I thought went well with the image ( I know I'm a bit late for Easter LOL!)

Card Details:
* Image - Mo Manning digi 'Chickies'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Papermania 'Springtime'
* Sentiment - Pink Petticoat 'Girly Curly'
* Everything else from my stash

This fortnight's challenge is being sponsored by the fabby Meljen Designs who are offering our lucky winner 4 images of their choice, so I hope we'll see you all joining in with the challenge again this time and don't forget to check out the challenge blog for the winner of our Simon Says Stamp prize and our Top 3 from last time.

This will be my last DT card for a while. I made all my cards for June some time ago and scheduled the posts assuming that by then I'd be in the new house....Hrrumpph so much for that idea!!! I'm still waiting to get a firm moving date and all my crafting goodies are packed, so I won't be back crafting again until I'm settled. Please keep everything crossed for me that it won't be too much longer as DH and I are nearly ready to have a nervous breakdown lol!

Sketch N Stash DT Card - Challenge #63

Hi everyone!
Time for another Sketch N Stash Challenge and this week's sketch was designed by our lovely Jill. I added some corner punches to my card as I wanted to cover up the cord I used for the teddy bear charm.

This fortnight's prize comes from our regular sponsor Simon Says Stamp and they are offering a lucky winner  a $15 voucher to spend in their shop.
I couldn't resist buying a couple of the new 'Adorable' images from Funky Kits recently, they certainly came up with the right name for this range! This little sweetie is called 'Nathan' and I just had to have him as the image reminds me so much of a photo I have of my youngest son when he was about 2 or 3.  He's 30 odd now, but I'll try and find the photo to show you once I've moved house and have managed to find all the family photo boxes (hopefully not much longer now!)

Card Details:
* Image - Sugar Nellie 'Nathan'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Papermania 'For Him'
* Punch - EK Success 'Photo Corners'
* Everything else from my stash

I can't wait to see what you all come up with for this sketch and don't forget to check out the last winner and our Top 3 at the challenge blog.

Sketch N Stash DT Card - Challenge #62

Hi everyone, where do the week's go to?
It's time for another Sketch N Stash Challenge and this week the designer of our gorgeous sketch is the very talented Angie.
I've made TWO cards from this sketch to celebrate the fact that this fortnight we have TWO fabulous sponsors.

We are being sponsored again this fortnight by the fabulous KennyK who are offering a lucky winner 5 digis of their choice. I love being sponsored by them as we're always spoilt for choice with all their gorgeous images, but I finally decided on this cutie called 'Bling Baby' I just love her slightly hippy look!

Card Details:
* Image - KennyK 'Bling Baby'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers -Papermania 'For Him' & Jak Heath freebie'Spot' paper
* Punch -Nestability 'Scallop Circles'
* Everything else from my stash

We are also being sponsored by Lacey at Stamp and Create who is not only offering the winner a $25 voucher for her store but also offering any participants of this fortnight's challenge a 10% discount off their  total purchases while her sponsorship lasts (see the challenge blog for further details)

Card Details:
* Image - Mo Manning 'What's Cookin?'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Cuddly Buddly 'Peppy Papers' and K & Co 'Daffodil Pad'
* Punch - MS 'Valentine Heart', 'Monarch Butterfly' & EK Success 'Retro Flower'
* Everything else from my stash

It seems to get harder and harder to choose the 'Top 3' for our challenges as the standard is so high, but don't forget to pop over and find out who made it and also who won last fortnight's prize.
While you're there, do check out the wonderful samples made by the girls, I really think we are so lucky as we must have the loveliest DT around, I love every one of 'em!

Sketch N Stash DT Card - Challenge #61

Hi everyone, time for another challenge at Sketch N Stash and this time the sketch has been designed by our Daniele and I think it's just lovely.
I was getting withdrawal symptoms from not using the wonderful Teddy Bo images for a while, so here they are having a cuddle in the sunshine.

Card Details:
* Image - Fairydoodler 'TeddyBoBea 001'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - DCWV 'Old World' and Laura Ashley 'Contemporary'
 * Everything else from my stash

 This fortnight's challenge is again being sponsored by the fabulous Simon Says Stamp and they are offering one lucky person the chance to win a $15 voucher to spend in their shop.

Well, it was my turn to choose the Top 3 this time and none of you made my job very easy! I was left with a shortlist of about 30 to choose the final ones from!!!!
I'm always amazed by how many of you join in with us each time and you certainly seemed to like the idea of choosing your favourite sketch from our back catalogue, so thank you all for sharing your wonderful projects and creations with us.
Do pop over to the challenge blog to find out who won last time and my final choice for our Top 3 and don't forget to check out the DT's fabulous cards while you're there.

Simply Adorable

Hi everyone,
My card today is being entered into 2 challenges.The first is Cute Card Thursday and I designed my own sketch for this card.
The second is Simon Says Stamp where the theme is 'Anything Goes' and they are also having a lovely blog hop to celebrate their second anniversary.

This image is one of the new 'Adorable' Sugar Nellie digis, I couldn't resist buying this sweetie, together with a little boy image that reminds me so much of my youngest son when he was small.

Card Details:
* Image - Sugar Nellie 'Melissa'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Papermania 'Blueberry Hill'
* Punch - MS PATP 'Cherish' & EK Success 'Photo Corners'
* Everything else from my stash

We've had nothing but problems regarding the house move this week, I'm just hoping things look a bit brighter next week. No wonder moving is high on the 'most stressful' list!!!

Sketch N Stash DT Card - Challenge #60

Hi everyone, it's time for the Sketch N Stash challenge again!!!
This fortnight we have a choice of sketch for you to follow, you may choose any of the last 59 sketches (but please remember to post a piccy of the sketch you have chosen together with your creation)
I've chosen to follow sketch #46, although as you can see I've made a couple of changes in order for my image to fit .
I made the flowers myself from following THIS tutorial and the little beads around the frame are Cosmic Twinkles.
I'm also entering this card into the Truly Scrumptious challenge, whose theme is 'Vintage'

Card Details:
* Image - Cardmaking Heaven 'Ladies Oval Topper Selection'
* Embossing Folder - Craft Concepts 'Cottage Floral'
* Frame - Nellie Snellen 'Ovals Die Set'
* Punch - MS Doily Lace
* Everything else from my stash

The prize this fortnight is a gorgeous Faye Whittaker stamp set, so be sure to join in with us, oh and don't forget to check out the lucky winner and the Top 3 from the last challenge!

DP2 Challenge #79 - The Carnival

Hi everyone!
Today's card is to celebrate Mo & Zo's bloghop 'The Carnival', it's a HUGE blog-hop but seeing the fabulous cards and creations from the DTs involved was well worth it. I've been inspired to buy not only Mo's $1 special image 'Cotton Candy' but also this one called 'A Little Smooch'
I'm entering this card into the DP2 challenge and it's also going into My Time Made Easy as I used their sketch.

Card Details:
* Image - DP2 'A Little Smooch'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Papermania and K & Co
* Punch - MS 'Deco Fan'
* Everything else from my stash

My eldest son has just persuaded me to try playing 'Lord of the Rings' online, so I may not be doing so much crafting if I get addicted to it. To be honest, I really need something to keep my mind occupied at the moment as it stops me thinking of all the things that could go wrong with our house move!

Teddy Bo Challenge - TAG IT!

Hi everyone,
I'm sorry I didn't get this card posted on Wednesday as planned, but as it was such a beautiful day DH and I decided to visit Mottisfont Abbey for the day. It's a National Trust property near to where we live and we often go there, it's such a lovely and peaceful place.
My eldest son came over for the day yesterday so I didn't get a chance again and I'm expecting my youngest son today, so this is quickly being posted before he arrives.

Apologies for the wonky (technical term) photo, DH took loads for me and this was the best, the sunlight seems to play havoc with the colours. I usually scan my cards, but the flowers made that impossible here.
This is my card for Teddy Bo's current challenge, they want to see a tag on your card which gave me a chance to use my new Marianne tag die, I used my Marianne frame die too. The end result of these is lovely, but it's a bit of a pain getting the dies out in one piece.
As I confessed in my previous post I bought a new image for this challenge as I wanted to give it a slightly vintage look (not sure that I succeeded)

Card Details:
* Image - Teddy Bea 'Bea with a little friend'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Papermania 'Blueberry Hill'
* Punch - MS Doily Lace
* Dies -  Marianne Design 'Cirkels' (this is the correct spelling!) & 'Labels' dies
* Sentiment - Woodware 'Circular Greetings'
* Everything else from my stash

I'm looking forward to doing some more crafting in the next few days as I've been very naughty again and had another little spending spree. My ever patient DH won't be too pleased (more stuff to pack for the move) but I'm sure Joanna Sheen loves me at the moment!

Happy Birthday!

 

Hi everyone!
The Just Magnolia and hAngler & sTangler Challenge is celebrating it's 2nd birthday and although I haven't managed to join in with them for as many challenges as I would have liked, I really wanted to make a card to celebrate their birthday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS!!!!
I thought I'd use one of the sweet H&S images instead of a Tilda (it was a hard choice) and this little cutie is one of my favourites.

Card Details:
* Image - hAngler & sTangler
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Tag - K & Co 'Wild Raspberry' tag pad
* Punch - MS Doily Lace
* Sentiment - Pink Petticoat 'Curly Girly'
* Everything else from my stash

As I seem to be finding time to do some crafting at the moment, I'm hoping to be back tomorrow with an entry for this week's Teddy Bo challenge, you know how much I love these so you won't be surprised to learn that I couldn't resist buying a new image today.
In fact, I seem to have been a little naughty today as I also bought some digis from Funky Kits and another MS punch from Joanna Sheen. Oh well, that's addiction for you!

Tulips from Andover

Hi everyone!
I know the song title is really Tulips from Amsterdam, but these ones are from Andover, sent with my love.
I've not been managing to much crafting,  posting or blog visiting lately, but I wanted to join in with the lovely TeddyBo challenge if I could and I think I may have just scraped in in time. Their theme is 'Punch It Out' and they want to see us use some of those punches we all have hundreds of!
Things here seem to have calmed down a bit (temporarily, I'm sure) so I managed to get a card done and I'm hoping to visit some of my favourite places later on today.

Card Details:
* Image - Teddy Bo - 'I Love You Bunches'
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Punches - MS 'Cherish' ATP and 'Embossed Zig Zag'
* Sentiment - Lily of the Valley 'Girly Curly Sentiments'
* Everything else from my stash

On the house move front, we've organised everything we can and now we've reached that horrible 'just waiting' period when the stress sets in because you have time to imagine all the things that could possibly go wrong.
The survey results were good and the quotes for removals were horrendous (as expected, after all it is about 150 miles away!)  Anyway, I'm keeping everything crossed that it all goes smoothly and quickly, because now I've mentally moved out I just want to get on with things.

Sketch N Stash DT Card - Challenge #59

Hi everyone, time for another Sketch N Stash challenge. This week's sketch is by Julie and I loved using it, I think I'll be using this one a lot!
I just couldn't stay away from these little cuties any longer, so yet another of the Sugar Nellie images today, this one is 'Verity' and I think she's gorgeous. I re-sized her this time so she's in close-up instead of the full length image.

Card Details:
* Image - Sugar Nellie 'Verity'
* Sentiment - Sentiments 4 You
* Colouring medium - Promarkers
* Papers - Basic Grey (not sure which ones as the front of the pad has vanished)
* Punch - MS 'Doily Lace' & EK Success 'Photo Corners'
* Everything else from my stash

Our prize this fortnight is from our main sponsor, the ever generous Steph at Simon Says Stamp and she is offering our lucky winner a $15 voucher to spend in the shop, so definitely worth joining in for.
Don't forget to take a look at the DT cards for some inspiration and also check to see who won our last challenge and the who the Top 3 are.
I can't believe how many of you continue to join in with us each fortnight, thank you all so much for your continued support and we love visiting and checking out all your wonderful creations. Please remember though that the whole point of our challenge is to follow the sketch, of course you can make changes to it but we must still be able to see the original in there somewhere. If your card bears no resemblance to the sketch I'm afraid it will be deleted, I think this is only fair on the other entrants for the prizes.

On the personal front (if you're interested, you may want to make a coffee first as this could be a LONG post!!!!!)
We recently spent a week house hunting  in Norfolk  and viewed so many properties that I was actually sick of looking at houses (I never thought I'd say that!) We saw some lovely places, but none of them was right for us, so we decided we'd go back up there again once our property had sold and take another look around then.
On our last day one of the Estate Agents persuaded us to view a final property in our favourite location, we'd already seen and discounted this property on the internet and didn't really want to go as we knew that it wasn't what we wanted, but we decided to check it out anyway. We walked in and both knew immediately that this was the one!
It has oil heating (we wanted gas)  has most of it's garden to the side (I wanted a private, rear garden) has a stream running across the bottom of the rear part of the garden (DH has a phobia about living near water in case of flooding) and is much bigger than we need AND WE LOVE IT!

Since our return last week we've sold our house, had our offer accepted on the bungalow, had a survey carried out, arranged a solicitor and removals firm and we're now counting the days to our 'Escape to the Country' and this new chapter in our lives.
In view of all this, I must apologise for not posting or commenting very much, but I look forward to getting back into things properly once I'm settled and all my craft stash is unpacked.
Thanks, if you've managed to stay with me through this very long post that's what I call a 'follower' ha ha!!