Tuesday 31 December 2013

My Favourite 5 for 2013

Hello one and all, it's New Years Eve already...I can hardly believe it!! 

I thought I would join in with Debby's annual challenge and share 


Starting with a card for baby Mollie. I was a blogging virgin then, had no followers and didn't know what the heck I was doing!!



This one featured in March and was for my friend Lynda


There has to be Surprise somewhere


This is really summery


and finally something a little different but hopefully a thought to take with you into the New Year


All that remains is for me to wish you all

Good Health and Happiness in 2014 and to

Thank every single one of you for your continued support, encouragement and friendship, it means a lot and long may it continue!!

Anyway enough gushing and sentiment...I'm off to work...see you next year!! xx

Sunday 29 December 2013

New Shoes!?

Hello my crafty buddies. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. Ours was quiet but lovely...the men in my life and me plus assorted animals of course!!
All over now for another year and soon " Christmas Tree Corner" will be empty once more (sobs!!).

I have a card to share with you today that was inspired by the current






Such pretty colours don't you think? This is what I did



I used Alyssa Shopping and coloured her with Promarkers to match the gorgeous Nitwits Always and Forever paper. The ribbon and fabric butterfly came from my stash and the sentiment was computer generated. I thought it made a nice change from Happy New Year...go on admit it you've all had a browse at the sales whether in person (if you're mad) or from the comfort of your sofa (if slightly less so!!). I had my eyes on a pair of M&S boots...sadly they are not in the Sale...hey ho, I'm clearly not meant to have them !!

I am taking this card along to these challenges too

Creative Fingers #17 -  Anything Goes
CRAFT #239 - New Year/Baby/Beginnings...Shoes?
Passion for Promarkers # 228 - Include a sentiment

Well, that's me for now but could I just be cheeky and remind you that we are half way through our current Challenge at Oldie But A Goodie and as I blog this we only have three entries....:0( and I chose the theme and have donated the prize so pleeeeease dig out your tartan or check, paper ribbon...anything that's over six months old and play along!!

Enjoy the rest of your day and thanks for sharing it with little old me!! xx

Tuesday 24 December 2013

Merry Christmas Everybody!!


Compliments of the Season everybody!!

 I hope you are all prepared for the BIG event - No I don't mean Christmas, I mean the new Oldie But A Goodie Challenge,  the theme this time is Tartan or Check...chosen by yours truly!! 

My DT card was made for my work mate Kim who has recently welcomed a rescue cat into her home.


I coloured Archie with my Promarkers (not sure about the fur effect!!) to match the papers. The old items on my creation are the flowers and the Craftwork sentiments. 

Anyway, that's me, hopefully Blogger will play nicely and post this while I am at work (early start AND late finish - Christmas Eve too...scandalous!!).  

I wish you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas xx

Monday 23 December 2013

Only Snowmen Allowed

OMG I cannot believe that it's Christmas week!!
 Terence the Turkey is safely stashed in the fridge with all the trimmings. The weather is wet and warm (as it should be for a traditional British Christmas!!) and I have gone past the point of worrying if everything is ready because I am working today and tomorrow!!

More importantly it's Monday so that means the start of a new challenge at 

Our challenge is sponsored by the wonderful



and one lucky winner will win some adorable digi stamps from their online store.

We have created a flurry of Snowmen ( great collective term I thought!) and would like you to share your 
 CUTE "ONLY  SNOWMEN ALLOWED"   creations with us this time.

 Here is my contribution...


The stamp I have used is by Serendipity Stamps - Snowman with Birdhouse , and coloured with Promarkers with glamour dust accents. I used a border stamp around the edge, but am wondering now if that was a good idea!!  I added some little pearls in the corners for interest.

I am taking this card to these challenges

Just For Fun - Merry Christmas
Crafty Creations #253 - Anything Goes
Inky Impressions #139 - Merry Christmas

If you get a minute, make a cuppa, take a load off and go and have a look at what my clever team mates have made!!

Have a good Christmas Eve Eve!! xx

Thursday 19 December 2013

Snowman soup and Reindeer poop!!

Good morning peeps and I hope this finds you well. 

As the weather was so ghastly yesterday I hunkered down and finished all my treat bags for my colleagues. 











Here is the verse that I " borrowed" from Joy crafts and altered
to suit.



I made six of each, I hope the recipients of the Reindeer Poop won't mind too much, although when they realise it's only chocolate covered raisins I'm sure they will enjoy it!!



 Anyway, I'm going to sneak into work before anybody is about and leave these in appropriate treatment rooms and offices!! 

Have a good day and thank you for sharing it with me xx

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Something Different

Hello my crafty friends!! What a miserable day we are having in Dorset. So miserable that the pony kept shouting every time I passed the kitchen window so I had to relent and put her in her stable!! See, I am most definitely "employed" by our animals!! Anyway more animals to share with you today and something a little different. 

When I first dipped my toes into paper crafting I started with decoupage, (as I expect a lot of you did) and these days I don't do nearly enough of it. However, I recently bought the newest CD Rom from the House Mouse stable, The Gruffies and Happy Hoppers and have spent a happy evening cutting and sticking and these are what I made.



Really simple DL, easel, desk calendars with a decoupage topper.

I was inspired by these challenges

CD Sunday - DL, Die cuts and Decoupage

Stay safe in this foul weather and see you soon xx

Sunday 15 December 2013

Snowflakes

Hello peeps! Hope you are having a good weekend. I sat and wrote my "special" and "local" cards yesterday and shall try and finish the wrapping today. However, I know that during the coming week I will find more bits and pieces for Martin and the Boys so will have to get the paper, tape and bows out again!!

I had great fun making the card I am sharing today,
 I'd forgotten how effective white embossing powder can be!!


Firstly I gathered all my little snowflake stamps together and randomly stamped on to white card with Rhubarb stalk momento ink ( don't look too closely there are a couple of smudges!). The stamp was one of a pair of Penny Black  freebies that I got with a magazine subscription and had never used so that had it's first inking. I then heat embossed  with detail embossing powder and repeated the process with the sentiment. The gingham ribbon and gems came from my stash. 

I am playing along with these snowflakey challenges...

Allsorts #237 - Snowflakes
Sweet Stampin' - Last minute
Incy Wincy - Let it Snow
Moving Along With The Times - Winter Wonderland
Crafty Ribbons #73 - Anything goes + Ribbon
Crafty Little Fairies - Let it snow
Fab 'n' Funky #197 - Snowflakes

Enjoy your day and thanks for dropping in xx

Saturday 14 December 2013

Trimming the tree


Hello my crafty friends.....Yay, it's Saturday!! Hope you are well. 
I have a bright and cheery fellow to share today, just a little something to add a bit of colour to, what is already, a grey day!! 



I coloured Barry with my Promarkers to match the Doodlebug Design papers. I followed the current I Love Promarkers Challenge Sketch as it suited the contemporary feel I was looking for.
Hope you like it.

I am joining in with the festivities at these Challenges

I Love Promarkers #198 - Sketch
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards #54 -  Happy Holidays
Divas by Design - Anything Goes
Creative Inspirations #244 - Traditional colours (Red and Green)
Cute Card Thursday #299 - Christmas Catch up
Papertake Weekly - Christmas Creatures
Created with Love Challenge #70 - Anything Goes
Ready Teddy Go #29 - Contemporary Christmas

Wishing you a good day whatever you are up to and thanks for sharing your time xx


Friday 13 December 2013

Hot Chocolate......mmmmmmmm!!


Happy Friday everyone!! It's not been very nice in Dorset today, rain has come and you know what that means...it won't know when to stop!!  It also means that outdoor pursuits have been put on hold ( I am a fair weather rider these days and don't mind admitting it!!) and I have been playing in my work room. I already had an idea to make some gift bags for my work colleagues and coincidentally there are a couple of appropriate challenges this week, so it couldn't be better.

Digi choosday Week 8 - Food Glorious Food
4 Crafty chicks #172 - Food & Drink
CRAFT #237 - Inspired by a Movie/TV/Song ( A Marshmallow World - Dean Martin)
Crafty Girls #8 - Anything Goes


I wanted to use a whole sheet of A4 paper (to accommodate the hot chocolate, candy cane and marshmallows) and so many of the downloadable ones are much smaller so I got out the old score board and devised my own. Along the long edge I scored at 9cm, 14cm, 23cm and 28cm and the remainder was the glue tab. Then the short side (to make the bottom flap) I scored at 3.5 cm, snipped along the score lines and yay...it worked. 

The image is from Polkadoodles Gingerbread Twist  and the paper was from Nitwits Patchwork Christmas
Collection. The closure at the top is the aperture blank folded over and secured with baker's twine.
One  "nice" bag down, five to go and I have an idea for those who have been "naughty" so will share those at a later date.

Thanks for stopping by to see me...I appreciate it xx

Thursday 12 December 2013

My "Favourite" Christmas stamp

Morning all... are you sick of me yet?!! Don't worry, it's my final DT card for the week and this time it's 


We are in the Christmas spirit and are inviting you to share your favourite Christmas stamp
The winner will get a  voucher from the FABULOUS



I didn't have to think for very long as I have a firm favourite. I used it lots and lots last year and then it vanished. After frantic searching it did not appear so sadly I forgot about it. A few weeks ago I was having a rummage in my scraps box (as you do) and there it was!! This is the second outing in as many weeks and I had so much fun colouring the little darlings I decree that it is most definitely my favourite.


The stamp is from the Little Winged Friends range by Bildmalarna and the sweet little couple were coloured, as ever, with Promarkers. I used more old paper from my Christmas basket and on this occasion chose Carta Bella Christmas Day. The sentiment was from LOTV and I added the tree to break up the stripes and some golden glitter for their halos.

I am so glad to be reunited with this little stamp that I think the Hubster will be getting this card...
and the kiss, if he's lucky!!

 I am joining in with these Seasonal Challenges

CHNC #154 - Someone special (The Hubby)
A Gem Of A Challenge - Anything Goes
That Craft Place - Christmas
Stampin' for the weekend - Use some red (her red dress)
Crafting from the heart #2 - Anything Goes
Passion for Promarkers #228 - Include a sentiment

Anyway do pop over to the Challenge and have a look at what my clever teamies have done and I hope you feel enough inspiration to play along ( Don't forget to tell us WHY it's your favourite Christmas stamp)
 with our last challenge before Christmas.

Thanks for stopping by and for all your tremendous comments.
 I appreciate every single word xx

Tuesday 10 December 2013

OBAG DT Card

Another new Challenge today over at

Oldie But A Goodie and the theme is Winter...yep, it's definitely that for sure. There are hardly any leaves left on the trees now and it's soooo dark morning and night :0(

Anyway less of the doom and gloom, here's what I made...
I chose to make a circular card this time using a Marianne die, which I then distressed with frayed burlap so that the embossing would stand out. I have admired the Snowbird stamp for so long that I eventually caved in and bought it and I am soooo glad that I did!!

  
I backed the die cut circle with red card to start with. The stamped image was coloured with Promarkers, the berries had a touch of glossy accents and then flowersoft for the frosty/snowy touches. I then gave the distressing tool an outing and bashed around the edge, then added stickles too for more frosting.


A die cut tag and seam binding to complete. The old bits are the red and kraft card and the seam binding.

 I'm sure you all have some Christmassy or Winter stuff over six months old,
 so why not join in, we'd love to see you and if you are stuck for inspiration pop over and have a gander at what my teamies have done!

I would like to enter these challenges

Charisma Cardz #47 - All distressed
Fab 'n' Funky #196 - Touch of frost
Inky Impressions #137 - Winter or Snow
ABC Christmas - X out of the box, no squares allowed
Crafty Catz #210 - Use 2 or more dies

Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your visits xx

Monday 9 December 2013

A Special Card

Oh no...Monday again but one thing to be happy about is another new challenge at 


This time we would like a card for a "Special Friend"  Mine is actually for my MIL ( I strayed a little!!) but never mind.
Our generous sponsor is Crafty Ribbons.



I have neglected last years Christmas stash so I have been having a good deep delve over the past week and found this lovely little chorister (I have the little boy too) who I coloured with Promarkers. The papers were in my scrap box and are Nitwits Patchwork Christmas. The addition of some seam binding ribbon and die cut border and sentiment just about finishes it.

I am playing along at these challenges

Creative Fingers #14 - Anything Goes + optional easel card
Crafty Hands #4  - Seasons Greetings/Winter
Crafty Catz  #10 - Use 2 or more dies

I do hope you will have time to pop over and take a look at the inspiration my team mates have created and perhaps join in.

Have a good day whatever you are doing xx


Sunday 8 December 2013

What's in the stocking....?

.....A gift card!!

That's what I am sharing with you this lovely sunny day. Hope this finds you well.

I've had another delve into my Christmas hamper and found some freebie papers which were perfect for my gift card stocking. 


 The little robins are from Penny Blacks "Christmas Friends" again. I though they were perfect for this project and just the right size too. I left a gift card sized space when sticking the top layer of the stocking


 and finished off with some striped ribbon and some twine.

 

I am joining these Christmassy Challenges today

Crafty Little Fairies - Candy Stripes (artistic licence?!)
Crafty Ribbons #73 - Spots or stripes
Stampin with the dragon - Gifts and decorations
Totally Papercrafts #196 - Anything Christmas but a card
ABC Christmas - X for out of the box

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and thanks for sharing it with me xx

Friday 6 December 2013

Christmas Cuteness...

Hello peeps!! I hope this finds you well and safe after the dreadful storms yesterday/last night.
 I can hardly believe it's Friday again, but I have had a productive week and it's Hubster's weekend off, so I am looking forward to that. 

Anyway here is the card I am proud to be sharing today...


The adorable image is a Wee digi,Winter Friends, and she was a joy to colour (as are the others!) with my Promarkers. I have been buying (again!!) and just had to have this wonderful Maja Design  paper pad. I finally got around to opening my pot of Frantage and eventually covered the snowflake (having first decorated the whole desk with the stuff!!). The additions of ribbon, buttons and a sentiment tag finished it off. Hope you like her!!

I am supporting these challenges today

My Mum's Craft Shop - Winter/Christmas
Creative  Inspirations #243 - Contemporary Christmas Colours
Milk Coffee - Christmas in Non-traditionsl Colours
I Love Promarkers #197 - For A Child
Inky Impressions - Winter/Snow

Thank you for your comments, they always mean so much and brighten my day xx

Sunday 1 December 2013

Santa Stop Here

Hello everyone, hope you are staying warm and cosy.
 Boy, was it frosty here this morning (mind you it is silly o'clock when I get up!!), so frosty that Surprise refused to go out first thing, so I ended up mucking out twice!
 Still it's good exercise and saves on the heating oil! 

I am very excited to be sharing this card as I was a very lucky girl and won Sammy Jean's Blog Candy last week. She sent me this lovely James stamp AND an enormous bundle of paper goodies, tons of embellishments and ribbons!! So thank you again Sammy for your generosity xx 

This is what I made using James.


He was coloured with my Promarkers and I distressed the background using my tumbled glass ink pad. I added some flowersoft to suggest fur trim on his hat and added some little dots of Viva decor pearl. I was brave and actually "used" some of my Silent Night pad (that's three sheets cut into now!!) and matted it onto silver mirri board. This card will be hand delivered so I didn't spare the flowers (ivory beaded berries, rose, cosmo daisy and sweetheart blossom) or pearl stems this time!! 

I am entering these Christmassy challenges

Natalie and Amy #15  - Cute and Cuddly
Ready Teddy Go #29 - Contemporary Christmas
AGOAC #108 - Winter Wonderland
Allsorts #235 - Inspired by a Christmas Carol or Song
("Santa Claus is coming to town" and James has his sign to make sure the big fella stops!!)
The Ribbons Girl - Ho, Ho, Ho Christmas Challenge

Right, that's me for now. I am off to get some DT creations done before venturing outside again....brrrrrrrr!!

Enjoy the rest of your day and thanks for sharing a little bit of it with me!! xx