Sentiment at Allsorts

 Hello everyone. Helen is hosting at

Allsorts Challenge this time and her optional theme is 

Sentiment as Focus

Here's mine

Now, this theme stumped me a bit as I don't really have many large stamps so guess what...I had to go shopping and found Woodware Big Christmas Words!! Perfect!! Like many of you I suspect, I have random card blanks and envelopes so I used them together with scraps of Christmas paper and made, not only, this one but six others. I think I hit the brief and hope that you will have a go and support Helen's theme. If not, Anything Goes is always welcome.

See you soon xx

Embellishments at AYLI

 Hello, hello. I hope everyone is keeping well.

I have a couple of tags to share today that are my DT inspiration for the new Challenge at 

As You Like It

where the theme is Favourite Embellishment and why.

I tend to grab gems or pearls to add a little finishing touch to my projects. They add sparkle or shimmer, depending on which you use, without the bulk.

I found a super cute dinky stamp set, (Country Companions) that has never seen ink, that I coloured with Promarkers. Cut tag shapes and mounted on gingham card (apologies for the shocking photography). The sentiments smudged a bit but I am sure Mollie and Jackson will be more interested in the package content rather than the tags!!

It's lovely to have your company again. Life is finally settling down, workwise, with Flu & Covid clinics now completed. Just the matter of the wedding invites to complete.

See you soon xx

Christmas at Allsorts

 Christine is hosting at ALLSORTS this time and has chosen the optional theme of

CHRISTMAS CARDS

which is ideal for this time of year and the perfect opportunity to add to your Christmas card pile.

In my effort to use my stash I decided to search through my dies and found a little used set, Christmas stacker tree by Dees Distinctively that I cut twice in pearl and glitter card then alternated the layers.

I inked the backgrounds and did some splattery snow (which didn't end up all over the walls!!) and raised the toppers on foam pads for a bit of definition. 

There are two prizes this time, so please do play along.

I hope that you have an enjoyable weekend. It looks like the weather is dry so we will probably collect the lasst of the acorns and possible do a bit of Christmas shopping.

See you soon xx

AYLI - Favourite Critter

 I have the pleasure of hosting this time at

and I have chosen Favourite Critter as the theme.

I absolutely LOVE James the Bear and as I am in Christmas mode at the moment it would have been rude not to use him!! This one is grey rubber but he is available as a digi here.

He was coloured with Lyra pencils this time and I used blending solution for softness. There is some sparkle on the snow too. The papers that I used are from a very old Me to You paper pad called Happy Jolly Christmas. I rounded them for something a little bit different. The flag was also from the pad,

We'd love to see your favourite critters at the challenge, Christmas or not, everyone is welcome!!

See you soon xx

Autumn Colours at Allsorts

 Don't these weekends roll around, I can hardly believe that we are changing the clocks tonight in the UK. That means it really is autumn, which leads me nicely to Brenda's optional theme at Allsorts Challenge which is

Autumn Colours 

I am in my element here as I LOVE the colours that the berrrrr (September, October, November) months bring with them.

Once again, I had a good old rummage through my crafty stash and found many card candi boxes (remember them from Craftwork cards?!), that triggered the memory of a Woodware stamp and this card was born!!

As luck would have it I had the perfect complimentary piece of paper in a very old Doodlebug Designs pad so used that (and the reverse side of the trimmed off bit) for the background. a jolly nice card to have "just in case". 

Prizes this time from  Stamp Addicts, 

I hope to get some leaf kicking walks in this weekend and probably some acorn collecting too. As it's been a "mast" year we have had more fruit, nuts and berries than ever before which has meant an absolute glut of acorns from our three oaks. They can be addictive to horses and in large quantities can cause death so we've had to fence them off and remove the acorns. It's a great workout!!

See you soon xx

Ribbon or Twine at AYLI

Hello friends. I have another Christmas card to share with you today. It's my DT piece for

where the theme is

Ribbon or Twine (and why)

As ever, I am aware of the cost of postage so for a bit of detail and texture, without the bulk, I tend to use twine. 

That said I still have a massive array of ribbons that I will possibly use one day!!

The birdhouse is one of my first purchases from Lili of the Valley back in the days before digitals. The backing paper is also from a real life 8x8 paper pad which, I think, is available in digi form. I also used their Christmas sentiments tag stamp set for the little tag greeting.

You can see the image a little better here and the lovely frosty snow that I added once I'd coloured with Promarkers.

Thank you for your visit and I hope you will be inspired to share your makes with us.

See you soon xx

 

Traditional Christmas Colours at Allsorts

Good Morning and Happy Weekend. We are dipping our toe into the festive season at Allsorts this week where the theme chosen by Lynne is

Traditional Christmas Colours

Two prizes, Tim Holtz Festive Foliage stamp set and voucher for digital download from Buddly Crafts, founded in 2003, we've grown from a digital downloads store into the online craft supplies shop. We stock a wide range of exciting products for card making and mixed media art carefully selected from the world’s most creative and time-tested arts and crafts brands.

Here is what I made

 using a lovely clear stamp set (Holly Collage) from Buddly Crafts . I coloured the stamped image with Promarkers and inked the background using Antique Linen DI and I glossy accented the Holly label. The lovely paper is from a very old (practically antique) paper pad by Authentique, called Wonder. It was the perfecg background. The sentiment is from the stamp set also and, like the image, I mounted it on gold matt board for a bit of luxury.

Two prizes, Tim Holtz Festive Foliage stamp set and voucher for digital download from Buddly Crafts, founded in 2003, we've grown from a digital downloads store into the online craft supplies shop. We stock a wide range of exciting products for card making and mixed media art carefully selected from the world’s most creative and time-tested arts and crafts brands.

Thank you for stopping by. Life here has been a little bit bonkers for the last month or so but with the end of Flu/Covid Clinics in sight and no additional horses to tend to I might actually manage to get a bit of additional crafty time ( in between invites of course!!). 

See you soon xx

Square or Not at AYLI

Hello everyone. Hope this week is being kind to you. I am here with inspiration for our new challenge at

where the theme is Square or Not? (with your reason of course)

In a bid to use excess card stock in my stash (and believe me there is a LOT!!) I have been making my own A6 card blanks. I also appear to accumulated many envelopes of the same size so win, win!!

This card was made using an old paper kit from Craftwork Cards. I subscribed to the monthly kits a very long time ago and this is Pretty Patchwork. All of the elements are from the kit.

Autumn is well and truly underway here in the UK and it's been glorious once more, after a week of much needed rain. Gales are forecase for tomorrow so I hope to get a little bit of crafty time. I am drowning in Wedding Invitations at the moment as Connor (youngest) and his Fiance, Amelia have asked me to make their wedding stationery...eeeek. 

See you soon xx

 

Woodland Critters at Allsorts

I am honoured to be hosting at Allsorts this time and my optional theme is 

Woodland Critters 

I have made a couple of fussy cut memorydex cards using some free digitals from Amanda Charlesworth (Scrimping Mommy) she is so inspirational with her journal making and generous with her freebies too. I really enjoyed fussy cutting the elements and had enough left over to make a little topper too. I hope that you will join us with your critters and if that doesn't appeal then anything goes is always welcome.

Have a good weekend, whatever you are up to xx 

Favourite Dies at Allsorts

 We would love to see your favourite dies at As You Like It Challenge this time.

My most used dies are probably my Tonic Essentials scalloped circle and square sets. 

As well as being perfect for mats and frames I decided to do something a little bit different with them and made some festive decor.

I die cut graduated sizes in two different colours of holographic card then stacked them with foam pads between for dimension. I then made holes top and bottom and popped a jump ring and chain at each end, one to hang and the other for some charms. I am going to pack them away for now and find somewhere to hang them in December!!

Thank you for sharing your day with me, it's much appreciated xx

Trees, Plants & Leaves at Allsorts

We are going green at Allsorts this week where the optional theme is

Trees, Plants and Leaves

There are two prizes this time.

I have gone with plants as in houseplants and stitched this little beauty.

 The pattern is a freebie from The Steady Thread and is called Macrame Mini. Clares site is amazing, she does beautiful modern style blackwork and shares some lovely freebies, so if you fancy a different craft go take a look. I used a 16 count aida that was in my stash and I soon discovered why I hadn't used it....too tiny!! Anyway I did it and framed it in a 5" hoop. A work colleague is soon moving away so I thought it would make a nice leaving/new home gift. I would actually quite like to keep it but Hubby has a bit of an aversion to houseplants, I can understand why he wouldn't welcome another.  I inherited a beautiful spider plant from my Grandma who passed away 17 years ago. I am obsessed with the fact that I mustn't let it die so grow on several of it's babies every year. Needless to say we have quite a few in the house and every member of the family has one too!!

As this goes live I hope to be watching a Mountain & Moorland Pony class at the Dorset County Show. Whatever you are up to this weekend, I hope it's a good one.

See you soon xx

AYLI Layered or flat

 Hello all, I hope that your week is going well. 

As it's Thursday I am here to encourage you to join in at

where the theme is Layered or Flat

As I LOVE patterned papers, and have a few in my stash, I generally go for layered cards in a bid to use at least some of them!! This one features a Digistamp Boutique doggo that I coloured with Promarkers to match the papers, all from various MFT paper pads.

Thank you for stopping by, your time is much appreciated xx

Birthday at Allsorts

Morning one and all. Donna is hosting at Allsorts this week and given an optional theme of 

BIRTHDAY

Here is my card.

 I do love a fun fold and always find inspiration at Sam Calcotts, Made to Surprise You Tube channel. this particular one is a napkin fold, looks really impressive but is so simple to make. I used spots and stripes from an old Craft Creations paper pack and dug out an equally aged Wild Rose Studio stamp, coloured with Promarkers.

Two prizes of two stamp sets

That's me for today. I hope the weekend has good things in store.

See you soon xx

AYLI colouring Medium

 Hello everyone. At As You Like It the new theme is

Your Favourite Colouring Medium (and why)

My go to medium is good old Promarkers. The first time I saw them on shopping tv they were being used by the gent from Little Claires. I bought a starter set and was hooked. They have always blended beautifully. Most of my collection have never run out and I've been using them for so long that I know all the blends.

I made a round card this time and matted with First Edition papers. Little Harry from Stamping Bella was coloured using Promarkers.

As the number of mediums has grown over the years it will be really interesting to see what your favourites are.

Until next time, take care xx

Allsorts I Spy B

 It's all about B at Allsorts this time and I have gone with buzzy bees!!

I made an arch shaped card using a Daisy Mae nested die set (that I cannot find a link for). The bees and hive are courtesy of a little used My Favorite Things set called Meant to bee that I coloured with Promarkers. The little buzzy bees themselves are layered and I gave them a little sprinkle of glamour dust too. The spotty paper was in my bits and pieces basket but I've a feeling it was from a First Edition pad. I went "all out" with this one and added layers to the inside too but forgot to photgraph it before posting!! It's the heat!! 

2 prizes of coordinating stamps and dies

It's been relatively quiet Chez Wills, the fields are brown and the pony shouts at me regularly throughout the day asking for carrots, apples and a hay top up as he has no grass!! I am sure Mother Nature will provide some rain at some point and when she does, won't be able to stop it!!

Thankyou for your time and I'll see you again soon xx

Favourite Season

 Oh my life, I am extremely late to the start of the new challenge at

no excuse except ageing grey matter!! Anyway the theme is

Your Favourite Season (and why)

I am a winter baby (born in February) and love colder snuggly weather. Within that season there is, of course, Christmas. 

I took advantage of a discount at LOTV and bought the photo strip reindeer

I coloured them with Promarkers, matted them on silver mirri and die cut some snowflakes too.

I might have over exposed the pic a bit, it's not really as dazzling as that in real life.

Lovely to see you xx

Allsorts Animals

The optional theme at Allsorts this time, chosen by Helen is

ANIMALS

Two prizes of Lavinia Stamps, stencil and stampscapes (photos not to scale). Please note, we (Lavinia) cannot provide exchanges/replacements/refunds for any products received through this third-party giveaway.

I have gone with a horsey make and am sharing a lovely little folio. It was made using a digital kit from  Pretty Prints by Nicole.

I do enjoy a little bit of a cutting out session followed by gluing and sticking!! The little closure is a hidden paperclip. There were heaps of little tags included in this kit and I had a chuckle sifting through them to find suitable messages. I think the two I picked are absolutely bang on!!

Thank you for your visit. See you soon xx

 

AYLI - Cats or Dogs

I have chosen the theme at

and it's cats or Dogs

 It's dogs in our house. We've had dogs since before our eldest Son was born so that's a very long time now!! Our current "twins" are nine years old and have Martin just where they want him. Every word on the card I made for his Birthday is absolutely true!! We buy them their own ham when doing the weekly shop and Bowie, in particular, has finely tuned ears and sits by the fridge as soon as we put the kettle on. He knows that we will be opening the door for milk!!

It's a large card this time an 8x8 card base covered with Nitwits digital papers from the Woof Collection. The sentiment was done on the computer and layered between the papers with a photo of the boys, Bowie and Bumble (+ball). That said we've another cat that has made itself at home in the stable yard. He is quite shy but at least doesn't scoot as soon as he sees us coming now.

We finally had some rain and I got soaked riding Wills yesterday morning!! It was very refreshing though!!

See you soon xx

Flowers

   We are embracing the blooms this time at Allsorts Challenge. Lynn has chosen the optional theme of 

FLOWERS

Of course your Anything Goes projects are also welcome.

Here is what I made.

I have remained very good and have been using my stash this year. The pretty stamp that I used for my card is among one of my first crafty purchases. Flourishes was the company, probably long since ceassed trading as I cant find them anywhere. It was heat embossed and then colourwashed with mica paints for a bit of shimmer. The paper layers are from a pad from The Works and die cut with torn edge dies from here.

Despite the lack of rain my own garden is faring very well, the roses are glorious and we invested in bedding plants for the pots and borders this year so it is really lovely and colourful. The lawn and fields are looking pretty parched though and there's no rain of any consequence in sight.

Whatever you are up to, have a good weekend.

Non-Card Project

 At As You Like It Challenge we have a theme to get you thinking outside the box. We would love to see your  non card project.

After a break of many years I have picked up  aida and DMC threads again and have been cross stitching. I have finished quite a few projects so far this year and have some festive ones in the pipeline too.

I subscribed to a  cross stitch magazine about twenty years ago and tore out charts that I fancied stitching. This was one of them that I found in a dusty folder. 

It was a lovely project to do as it stitched up quite quickly and I did a couple of motifs at a time. The navy frame was re-used and I.m not quite sure I like it but will pop it on the kitchen dresser for now and live with it for a bit.

Thank you for popping by, it's much appreciated xx

For a Child at Allsorts

 Although I have tried to challenge myself this year, I am at my happiest when making cute cards so Liz's For a Child was right up my street as an optional theme at

I just knew I had the perfect stamp for this, a very old one from Wild Rose Studio. I found a lovely plaid paper from MFT and coloured the little sweetie to match, using my Promarkers. Some flame coloured glitter was perfect for the candles and added a little bit of bling too!!

The frame was from a MFT set and the tiny scalloped mats are from Tonic Essentials which I can't find anywhere to link so they are very old!! The dinky sentiment is equally old a grey rubber set from LOTV. This card will probably find it's way to Mollie next year for when she turns 9.

There will be prizes for 2 winners, Saturated Canary and HM stamps so well worth an entry or two!!

I hope you have a good weekend xx

Favourite colour combo at AYLI

 Hello everyone. I hope that you are all doing well and that life is being kind. Time seems to be flying this year yet, other than work, I don't seem to have achieved much else!! Thank goodness for DT deadlines that mean I get a little bit of time to indulge in my crafty hobby.

I am here to inspire you to join us at

where we are showcasing our favourite colour combo and would love you to do the same (with a reason of course).

I'm afraid I am sticking to a tried and tested combo...pink and green...because whatever shade or tone they go beautifully together in the garden and on cards!!

I managed to get myself the lovely Easter Florals clear stamp set from LOTV and coloured the wonderful chicken with pink and green Promarkers. After a sort through my papers I found some matching pinks and greens and put together my card using Jules Square Sketch #47 

(Thanks again Jules x).

Finishing touches were with some ribbon from my stash and pretty pearls too.

Here's Mother Natures' take!!

Thank you for your company today. I am still wayyy behind with my visits so I much appreciate that you still come this way even if I am not regularly returning the favour xx