WLS SpringTime reminder

 I am here today with a reminder post for our current challenge at

WE LOVE STAMPING - Spring (or anything goes)

there is still time to join in.

I have used yet another very old stamp set that is still available here. It was my first set that had the grey spongy backing...that old!! First of all I inked the background then stamped the flowers, then stamped the heads again, coloured them and then stuck them to the base. I heat embossed all the words from the set and then cut them out and made up the sentiment. It looked a little bit flat so I added some pretty sequins for a little bit of shimmer.

Talking of spring, it's reverted to being a tad chilly and grey here in Dorset but we are promised some warmer days ahead so, fingers crossed.

Whatever your weekend has in store I hope you manage some crafty time.

See you soon xx

In the Garden at Allsorts

Hello friends and visitors it's time for a new challenge at 

Allsorts where the optional theme, chosen by Gail, is

In the Garden (anything goes is also very welcome)

Two prizes of Lavinia stamps 

Here is my contribution to the inspiration

I used a grey rubber LOTV stamp (and sentiment) for this little card. It's another very old set that I had shamefully forgotten all about. It was lovely to colour and I chose a favourite colour combo blue and Kraft. The papers are old and the cover missing but I think they might be Bo Bunny and Doodlebug Designs. For an added gardeny extra I added some bakers twine.

I have been on annual leave the past week and, my word, we've had ALL the weather. Frost, icy winds, rain and 23 degree sunshine too. We took a trip to the coast on Wednesday and it was glorious to enjoy an ice cream in shirt sleeves. We bought a new rambling rose, clematis and some shrubs to go in the borders, it was so good to get in the garden again. Speaking of which we would LOVE to see your garden themed cards/projects so hope that you will play along.

See you soon xx

NOTE TO SELF, PUBLISH YOUR POST WHEN YOU EDIT, NOT UPDATE!!

Simple or Fussy at AYLI

 Hello and welcome. I have a man card to share with you today.

It's James the Bear and he is my DT make for the new theme at

where the theme is

Simple or Fussy

You will know by now that I have enough paper pads to last me several lifetimes so I like to include them on my cards wherever possible. That said I don't usually use frills, gems, ribbon or the like and keep my designs fairly simple to showcase the papers. Simple cards are also slimmer and therefore less costly to post. 

He never fails to make me smile and is always a joy to colour. He is grey rubber and one of the early Lili of the Valley stamps. He was coloured with Promarkers to match the backing papers, the check from a My Favourite Things pad and the spot from a Bo Bunny pad. I "glassed" up his lager with glossy accents. The postmark sentiment was also a LOTV  stamp set, clear this time, but, again, fairly old.

Man cards aren't my favourite to make but I made an exception with this special card, made for our eldest Son who had his Birthday on Easter Monday. I surely can't be old enough to have a 36 year old!!

Anyway, we have had some super weather here for two whole days, the jumper and wellies came off and we even took a trip to the coast yesterday where it was actually too blooming hot!! A good excuse for an ice cream though!!

Wherever you are in the world I hope the weather is being kind.

See you soon xx

WLS Spring TIme

Happy April everyone!! A new month and a new challenge at

WE LOVE STAMPING where it's SPRING!! Anything goes is also welcome as long as there is a stamped feature on your card/project.

Two prizes of Lavinia stamps

I have been a little bit naughty and purchased a new digi stamp, Tulip jug from  Lili of the Valley, well at half price it would have been rude not to!!

I did, however, redeem myself by using an old MME paper pad, Fine and Dandy Girl. I picked out Promarkers to match colours in the papers and really enjoyed colouring the tulips.

 The sentiment is from a Craftwork Cards die cut set, goodness knows how old they are and I only have a handful of these oval ones left now, so useful. 

I am pleased to report that I am getting the hang of the pesky laptop and it made me smile to read some comments on my previous post from the vigilant visitors who noticed I hadn't posted my DT piece for Allsorts. 

With Easter a hop, skip and a jump away I will wish you a blessed weekend. I think the Easter Bunny might get a little bit soggy here in rural Dorset while laying out the clues for the egg hunt, but I am reliably informed that she gets any leftovers!!

Toodle pip for now xx

Springtime at Allsorts

 Holy moly, I am going to be sacked!! In my plight with my new laptop I forgot to schedule my post for Allsorts...better late than never.

Hello friends and visitors

It's Springtime at Allsorts Challenge this time (Anything Goes is also welcome though)

Two Penny Black Stamps available from Buddly Crafts

I haven't entered challenges for a very long time but the stamp I am using was a prize from We Love Stamping and it's perfect for this theme. Julie Hickey Designs Peter's daffodils.

I used papers from a Doodlebug Designs pad, the cover is long gone I'm afraid but there was definitely spring in the title. I coloured the gorgeous daffs with my Promarkers, added some ribbon and cotton lace and used the companion tag/sentiment set from Mama Elephant. 

We have had some spring like weather but my word it's been bitterly cold and windy too. Hopefully it will warm up quite soon.

See you next week xx