School Girl

Hellooo!! Can you believe that August is nearly over? It hardly seems like yesterday that it began. Correct me if I am wrong but I think that the older you get the quicker time whizzes by!! The summer holidays are drawing to an end which is why it is appropriate to share this little lady with you. Looks like she is back to school !! She is available at Sasayaki Glitter together with lots of other lovely images.

She looks rather nervous standing there with her brand spanking new backpack. Perhaps her Mum gave her a talking to, before she left the house, for wearing such a short dress!! My pretty papers came from The Works and being that they are vintage in style I decided to ink the edges with my favourite Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. Sbe was coloured with Promarkers to match. Although she is modern in style, I was still rather pleased with the end result.  This card didn't stay in my stock box very long. Connor nabbed it to give to one of his team at work who is off to University. I am reliably informed that she liked it too!!

On the subject of my offspring, we had a lovely few hours with Mollie and her Daddy and Mummy.  She met Surprise for the first time and sat on her too.

As you can see Mollie looks quite happy up there and the camera caught my best side!! I didn't realise my hair was quite that grey either!!
Anyway that's it for today. I will be back again tomorrow with a new release.
Until then xx

Some challenges

Craftaholics r us #34 - School
Crafty creations #349 - Anything Goes
The paper shelter #307 - Back to school

Cutie Christmas Couples

Hello all.  We have a Bank Holiday in the UK today so I hope lots of my British chums will be enjoying the last holiday until Christmas...which leads quite nicely to the reason for my post!! 

Get out those stamps and raid the digi folders we are looking for

Cutie Christmas Couples at

My chosen image was stamped  using a retired Lili of the Valley rubber stamp. Who knows they might make an appearance in digi form in the future.

All together now.........aaaaah,  if they aren't cute I don't know what is!!

I coloured them with Promarkers using the necessary Christmas greens and reds and added a bit of Ruby Slippers  Nuvo Drops for the berries and a squirt of Stardust Stickles around the mat.  The holly leaves are my much used Cheery Lynn Christmas Holly Leaves, which get dusted off each year!!

 Well, that's another to add to the Christmas box,  I hope to squeeze in a batch making session soon otherwise will find myself lacking of Christmas cards like I did last year...oops!!

You have a good few weeks to enter our couples challenge so see you there!!

Hope you have a lovely day. Mollie is bringing her Mummy and Daddy for a visit today so I am looking forward to that very much. Spare time has been in such short supply I have missed lots of cuddle time so hope to catch up today!!

Until next time xx

Some Challenges

ABC Christmas - P,  Q, and R (P for people)
Christmas at Sweet Stampin- Anything Goes Christmas

AYLI Feathers or fur?

Hello crafty friends Hope you are well and looking forward to the weekend. Before that though it's challenge time at

Yes, it really has been two weeks!! This time the theme is

Feathers or Fur?

It has to be fur for me, I love the soft silky fur of our sprollies, the downy fur of Mo the yard cat and the smell of Surprise is intoxicating (strange but true!!). We have had hens in the past and Declan had a sweet budgie called Paddy,  who stayed with us when he left home but sadly you can't cuddle a bird!!

Anyway, here is my card featuring a furry fox!!

The image was part of a prize from Just Me and I had a lovely time browsing the images there. Do take a look if you have a spare moment. I coloured him with my Promarkers and used some Doodlebug paper that were perfect in colour. I used a tiny scallop edged die on the black mat under Mr Fox and I was pleased to find a wooden button in the exact same colours of the paper too.

So, I hope I have inspired you to join us with your furry or feathery creations!!

On the subject of fur, thank you to those of you who left such lovely comments about my Surprise. She had her seven weekly visit from my Farrier and as he is the person I trust the most in relation to her legs and feet, I was thrilled when he said that a full recovery is probable as long as I introduce work slowly, so I am back in the saddle at the weekend...yay!! Can't tell you how much I have missed it.

Thank you for dropping in xx

Some challenges

Allsorts # 429 - Forest Friends
Dragonfly dreams - Animals
2 Crafty Critter Crazies #5 - Anything Goes but must feature a creature
Crafty Animals #5 - Anything Goes

Knitting Time

Hello crafters. It is my turn to showcase an image from Sasayaki Glitter. I thought I would stay away from the cute girlie images this time and, instead, chose a cute bunny with her knitting...as you do!! 

I used my Lyra Rembrandt pencils to colour her to match the Craftwork cards papers. I was lacking mojo so visited Jules in order to borrow another of her sketches. This one is #7. The sentiments are from a Clearly Besotted Stamp set and I used the coordinating die for the label too, although they must be discontinued as I can't find them on the website.

I chose this image because I have actually been knitting for a change and have just finished a, one ball, pretty shawl. It's purpose is to jazz up a very smart black full length coat that I bought last winter and never actually  got to wear because it was too warm!!

Thought you might like a peep.

It was made using Sirdar Colour Wheel and the pattern came on the ball band.

Thank you for your continued visits and comments xx

Some challenges
MAWTT #52 - Things beginning with B
Bunny, Balls (of yarn!!) and Banners
Craft Rocket Challenges #40 - Animals Kingdom
Kitty Bee #101 - Anything Goes 

Milk and Cookies anyone?

Yay me!! I managed to sneak in a bit of crafty time today while Martin was out and about doing tractory things!! Not one to let the grass grow I hot footed up to my work room and made this...

I took inspiration from a couple of current challenges. I am much enjoying following sketches at the moment as time is short and the mojo is often lacking!! It was also an opportunity to ink up another stamp that I found in the My Mum's Craft Shop Sale. I figured she would be easy to cut out so didn't invest in the matching die this time!! Promarkers were used to colour her to match the papers ( I would quite fancy a sofa upholstered in the plaid!!) they are Forever Friends, Kraft Notes that Bev Rochester  and her blog MADE me buy many years ago when I was first dipping my toe!!

Well, I must love you and leave you. Bowie, Bumble and I must go and tuck up Surprise for the night. She isn't too well at the moment, she has a ligament injury which means confinement in a small paddock during the day and her stable at night. I am not sure how she managed it, high jinks in the field I suspect. I have a suspicion that it may mean the end to her being ridden so she will have to join us dog walking instead...not sure how she will get over the stiles mind you!! Anyway, be positive Sarah, on the other hand, given time she might make a full recovery...fingers crossed.

See you later in the week for some DT inspiration. Until then take care.

Some challenges

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 #119

Crafty Creations#348 - Anything Goes
Lemon Shortbread #48 - Anything Goes
Passion for Promarkers #408 - Pretty pastels
Stamping Sensations August - Anything Goes 

Boys Will Be Boys

Hello, Good Morning and Welcome!! It's time for

It is Boys Will Be Boys and I chose this sweet little fella from our Sponsor.

He is pre-coloured and I chose Lawn Fawn papers that seem to compliment his outfit perfectly. I can't remember where my Happy Birthday die came from but it adds a bit of interest to a fairly plain card. I die cut the star buttons and then coated them in glossy accents for a bit of shine. Its been a long time since my boys sat cross legged on the floor playing on their Playstation!! Martin and I couldn't wait for them to go to bed so that we could attempt the next level on Crash Bandicoot...remember him?!!

Well, Mama Mia was brilliant and we came home a little hoarse from  singing our heads off!! There was plenty of time to wander around Bournemouth beforehand and reawaken some happy childhood memories. Lunch was scrumptious too, so a very successful outing and one I hope we can do again.

Anyway, we look forward to seeing your Cute boy cards.

See you soon xx

AYLI - Favourite embellishment

Hello folks!! It's time to get your embellishments out and let us know at

which is your favourite!!

I am not one for a lot of embellishments but if I am feeling in a fancy mood I add ribbon to a card for a bit of interest. It adds a lovely touch to certain designs and still doesn't add too much bulk for posting, as you can see on my card.

Another card without a coloured image, I don't know what is going on lately!! This sweet little fairy and papers came free with a magazine and was perfect to send to a friend for her Birthday. All it needed was a gold mat and my perfectly matching ribbon. 

I usually say I am looking forward to the weekend because Martin will be off, and he will be, but I am abandoning the boys and going out on a "jolly" with the girls from work. We are going to Bournemouth to see Mama Mia at the Pavilion. I can't wait!! I love live theatre and it has been far too long since I have been to see a show. It's a matinee performance so I have booked us in for a nice lunch beforehand. We can dance and sing the calories off later!!

Anyway I know it's a bit premature but whatever the weekend has in store for you, I hope it's a good one!!

See you soon xx

The colours of your flag

Allsorts have had such great challenges lately and I have found myself with time to play along again. This week they are asking for projects using the colours of your flag. Well, being British I have chosen red, white and blue, but have also incorporated a little bit of yellow for Dorset. Yes the county of Dorset has a flag!!

Anyway here is my card using the latest Julie Loves kit, and a stamp from Craftwork Cards.

Better get ready for "walkies", I can hear excitement building and had better not disappoint as it is such a lovely day!! 

Hope yours is a lovely day whatever you are doing!!

Some Challenges

Allsorts #427 - Colours of your flag
Creative Fingers #135 - Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft #49 - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations #347 - Anything Goes

Poppies

Hello friends. Yay, I managed to find some crafty time because it  is raining !!

 Many years ago, in the late 80s actually, one of my work colleagues arranged a "Colour me beautiful" consultation for a group of us. Basically a lady draped coloured scarves around our necks and told us what colours suited our skin tone/hair colour best. I was an Autumn/Winter and still stick to certain colours to this day. Anyway, that is why I was drawn to the latest challenge at Allsorts...the beautiful autumnal colours, and this is what I was inspired to make.

It's a very old stamp that, I think, came in a collection from QVC when Dawn Bibby first started presenting...yes, I am that old!! I heat embossed it using black shiny powder and used Aquamarkers to paint in the detail. It looked a bit flat on a plain card mat so I used a hessian effect embossing folder for a bit of texture. Ta-dah!! Not a cute image or patterned paper in sight!! The colours are much more vibrant in real life...I blame the weather!! Hope you like it.

That's all for now. See you soon xx

Some challenges

Allsorts Challenge #426 - Photo Inspiration

Sunny Day Crafting #46 - E for emboss
Crafting by Designs - August anything Goes

Make me up

Hello!! Another brand new month and another new release at Sasayaki Glitter. I chose this little lady to play with and put her together with some free LOTV papers from way back!!

I gave my SN Illustrator pens another airing and I think I am getting the hang of them!! The flowers on her dress were given a bit of bling by way of a Sakura glitter pen but try as I might I could not get it to photograph, probably because it was sunny!! I realised I was short on oval dies in my collection so recently got hold of a Tonic essentials set which I am really pleased with and used them for the image and the sentiment. 

Well that is me for today. I am having a quiet week, work wise, so might get chance to have a crafty play once the furry members of the family have been taken care of. There are a couple of challenges that have caught my eye so here's hoping!!

Until next time xx

Some challenges

Polkadoodles Week #30 - Anything Goes

Dream Valley Challenges #160 - Anything goes