Papertake Weekly Challenge "Easy as 1-2-3!?"

This week over on Papertake Weekly Challenge blog the theme is "Easy as 1-2-3!?", you have to use 1 circle, 2 ribbons & 3 stamped images. For my card I have chosen three Gorjuss Girls to use (one on the outside & two inside). I have coloured the images with Distress Inks using the following colours...

Tattered Rose (Skin)

Black Soot (Hair on main image)

Dusty Concord (Dress)

Peeled Paint/Dusty Concord (Tights)

Dusty Concord (Hair on inside image)

Peeled Paint (Dresses on inside images)

Tea Dye (Hair on inside image)

The papers are all Prima Marketing "Coquette", and I have added some Prima Blossoms held with a Doodlebug sugar coated brad and a spacer. The ribbons is from my stash and the sentiment is by Penny Black.

Below is a picture of the decorated inside showing the additional images.

This card started out being for The Sugar Bowl challenge, but some how ended up as fitting the theme over on Papertake Weekly...LOL.

Two for One!!

For this card I have combined the theme over on Daring Cardmakers with the sketch over on Friday Sketchers. The main image of this card is one of the new Easter hAnglar & stAnglar stamps, she has been coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Walnut Stain (Hair & Shoes)
Peeled Paint (Headscarf & Apron)
Worn Lipstick (Dress & Blush)
Frayed Burlap (Jacket)
Tea Dye (Basket)
Antique Linen/Worn Lipstick (Chicken)
The papers are all Prima Marketing IOD "Coquette" and I have added some Anita's ribbon some lace from my stash and a large Prima "Belle Fleur" blossom. The final touch is a Stampin' Up sentiment punch out with a tag punch. I have also added some Sakura clear glitter gel pen to her hair and clothing.

Below is a picture of the decorated inside...
Thanks to the two DT's for their inspiration this week....I have really needed it...mojo has been flaging this week.

Today I am off to see the family, and I have a pressie from my L'il Sis to open.....I likey pressies...LO...and Roast Lamb for dinner.....yum yum!

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 53 "Family Affair"

This week over on Cute Card Thursday the theme is "Family Affair", you have to make a card for a member of your family. I have made this card for Georgia as her birthday is coming up in May.

For my card I have used a couple of the stamps by CC Designs "Bear Hugs". The images have all been coloured with Distress Inks using Tea Dye and Worn Lipstick. The papers are October Afternoon (brown spotty one) and SEI Twitterpated (red heart one). There a load of embellishments on this one...LOL...Prima Say it with Crystals swirl, Making Memories ticket, Teresa Collins ticket, Maya Road velvet blossom, Making Memories mini alpha stickers, American Craft chipboard thickers, American Craft alpha stickers and ribbons, a couple of paw print brads, and finished off with some fake brad things from Craftwork Cards.

Below is a picture of the decorated inside, where I have also added more of the CC Designs bears...

Thanks to the DT over on Cute Card Thursday for the theme and inspiration this week.

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge #44 Easter

This week over on A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge Blog the theme is Easter. For my card I have combined the theme with a sketch based on Marlene's card made as part of Tiets ScrapOnline. The main image is a Magnolia Easter collection stamp, and I have coloured her with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Brushed Corduroy/Tea Dye (Hair)
Dusty Concord/Spiced Marmalade (Dress)
Dusty Concord (Shoes)
Black Soot/Worn Lipstick (Bunny)
Spiced Marmalade (Hat)
Dusty Concord/Peeled Paint (Flowers on Hat)
Tea Dye (Basket)
Spiced Marmalade/Peeled Paint (Flowers in Basket)
The papers are all by DCWV "Sweet" range and the cardstock is Coredinations, I have added a couple of Prima Painterly Petals held by a spacer and a Doodlebug Sugar Coated brad, and also some bling from my stash. To finish it off I have added a sentiment by Stampin' Up.

The layout of this card has been lifted from a card Marlene made while take part in th ScrapOnline that Tiets holds on her forum....so thanks to both Tiets and Marlene.

Papertake Weekly Challenge "Dawny's Sketch #11"

This week over on Papertake Weekly Challenge Blog there is another lovely sketch by Dawny. For my card I have used one of my Miss Anya stamps from The Greeting Farm. I have coloured her with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Scattered Straw (Hair)
Faded Jeans (Hairband & Bow)
Antique Linen (Top)
Faded Jeans (Shorts)
Walnut Stain/Faded Jeans (Socks)
Faded Jeans/Antique Linen/Walnut Stain (Shopping Bags)
I also added some Sakura clear glitter gel pen to her hair and eyeshadow. Finally I added some ribbon from HobbyCraft and a couple of buttons from my stash.

Thanks Dawny for the fab sketch and to the rest of the DT for their inspiration.

Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge "Spring Time"

This week over on the Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge Blog we have a theme of "Spring Time". For my ATC I have used one of The Greeting Farm Miss Anya's. She has been coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Walnut Stain (Hair)
Peeled Pain/Faded Jeans (Clothing)
Tea Dye (Basket)
Spiced Marmalade (Tulips)
The paper is a scrap of My Minds Eye that I got in a pad from The Range and I have added with sentiment/words using my ATB tape writer. I went for a Spring Forward/Fall Back sentiment as this coming weekend the clocks go forward....and we have one hour less sleep...

We have also announced a new guest DT for April, so why not pop over and join in the fun.

Sketch Saturday - Sketch #43

This week over on Sketch Saturday the sketch has been sponsored by http://www.dreams2stamp.de/ (I am a DT member), you have the chance to win this Bo Peep stamp, plus a really cute owl on a branch stamp. For my card I have coloured the main image with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Scattered Straw (Hair)
Worn Lipstick/Faded Jeans (Clothing & Shoes)
Walnut Stain (Bo Peeps Crook)
Antique Linen/Worn Lipstick (Sheep)

The papers are all Basic Grey "Bittersweet". I have kept this card really simple on the outside...although I may add a couple of embellishments later.....I may not be able to resist.

Below is also a picture of the decorated inside...

I got no crafting time this weekend (apart from a little time in the early hours of this morning), on Saturday we went to see Paul Weller at the O2 Arena, for our anniversary. We left at 2pm on Saturday to travel to Greenwich (which is not easy when the online tube to go to Greenwich is closed) via the underground and Thames Clipper and we finally got home at 2am on Sunday morning.....sadly for me, no lie in for Mothers Day as Georgia was in a Gymnastics competition and we had to be there at 8.30am.....so not funny, must have been a MAN who decided Mothers Day was a good day to hold a competition....LOL Well I am so proud to say that Georgia got a Bronze Medal for her floor routine and vault......Here is a picture of her doing her routine....can you see her coach watching under the beam...LOL And here is one of her at the end getting her medal...Proud Mummy Moment....and a great Mothers Day gift.

Things are going to quite down this week, and I am going to have a quiet week and hopefully weekend after all the excitement of this past week. I just wanted to add another big Thank You for all the lovely cards I received....some are still arriving, as I got a gorgeous card from Coco this morning....all the way from France. I will try to get a photo of them all to show you over the next couple of days.

And the winners are...

Here I am as promised to announce the winners of my Birthday Blog Candy are...in reverse order....LOL


THIRD PRIZE - Annelies


SECOND PRIZE - Clare


FIRST PRIZE - Bolha

Could all the winners please email me caroline.sears@btinternet.com and pur Birthday Blog Candy Winner in the subject. You need to let me know what images you would like, and also what you use to colour so that I can try and stamp on the right paper and of course your address so that I can post it to you.

Thank You all so much for taking part and for visiting my Blog. I hope you continue to come back and see what I have been making.

Friday Sketchers - Sketch #44 by Beatrix of Germany

This week over on Friday Sketchers the sketch has been provided by Beatrix. For my card I have used my new Magnolia Spring Stamp Club. All the images have been coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Walnut Stain (Hair)
Black Soot/Fired Brick (Edwin's Clothes & Shoes)
Spiced Marmalade/Fired Brick (Tilda's Clothes & Shoes)
Walnut Stain (Butterfly Net)
Fired Brick/Spiced Marmalade (Butterflies)
The papers are all Basic Grey "Amrosia" and I have added some Stampin' Up "Basic Gray" taffeta, a heart pin and a sentiment by Printworks.

I have also decorated the inside as you can see from the picture below...

Thanks to Bea and the rest of the Friday Sketchers DT for their sketch and inspiration.

I also wanted to add a huge thanks to all the people who sent me wonderful handmade cards. I am going to show you all pictures on Sunday afternoon....as David and I are off to London to see Paul Weller at the O2 Arena very soon....and tomorrow (Mothers Day) Georgia has a gymnastics competition and has to be there at 8.15AM....yes AM, you know it had to be a MAN that decided on the date and time don't you....LOL

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge #43 "Gems"

This week over on A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge Blog we are challenged to use "gems" on our creations. I have combined this with the sketch that Tiets provided on her forum.....I can't read Dutch so I copied the sketch from Marlene's Blog.

For my card I have used a Miss Anya stamp, coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose
Walnut Stain
Black Soot
Worn Lipstick
I got the papers which are in a paper pad, from the NEC HobbyCraft show last week....just wish I could remember what shop they were from...LOL I have also added some ribbon that was wrapped around my Links of London jewellery box, a Craftwork Cards sentiment, some Prima Blossoms attached with a doodlebug sugar coated brad and a spacer, obviously...GEMS, and finally a heart pin theough the ribbon.

The papers is the pad are more like very heavy cardstock...so this card is pretty heavy. Below is also a picture of the decorated inside.

Thanks to the DT over on A Spoon Full of Sugar for the theme, and also to Tiets for providing such a fab sketch.

Birthday Month Blog Candy

BLOG CANDY NOW CLOSED - WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW

THIS POST WILL REMAIN AT THE TOP UNTIL FRIDAY 20TH MARCH (MY BIRTHDAY)

OK, I promised a Blog Candy as this month is my Birthday.... I will be giving away two sets of The Greeting Farm stamps......Dress Up Anya & Ian and the other set is their additional clothes.

So...

FIRST PRIZE - Dress Up Anya & Ian and their additional clothes plus an assortment of 50 stamped images of your choice from hAnglar & stAnglar, Magnolia, Penny Black, The Greeting Farm (Anya's).

SECOND PRIZE - a Black Market Paper Society "Letters from Paradise" plus 25 assorted stamped images from the same selection as above.

THIRD PRIZE - An assortment of 20 stamped images, selection as above.

I haven't included pictures of the stamped images as I will stamp them once the winners are drawn and then they can tell me which medium they use to colour and I can then stamp using the right ink and paper....and also images of the winners choice.

So, what do I need to do you ask...Well all you need to do is leave me a comment and spread the word by posting details and a link back on your blog. If you don't have a blog, don't worry you can still be in with a chance by leaving a comment and becoming a followers of my Blog.

You have until 11.50pm on Friday 20th March (the date and time I was born) to take part, and I will draw the names on Saturday morning when I get up. I WILL ship worldwide.
Good Luck

Ismaki Challenge #11 of 2009 by Kiki

Over on the Ismaki Challenge Blog the fab sketch has been provided by Kiki...with the option of using flowers. If you do this you can be in with a chance of winning a £15 gift certificate for The Craft Barn.
For my card I have used one of the new Spring 2009 Stamp Club from Magnolia. I have coloured Tilda with Distress Inks using the following colours....
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Worn Lipstick/Black Soot (Everything else)
For the wings I used H2o and then added some stickles in "Star Dust" over the top.
The papers were all from a random paper pad that I got last week at the NEC HobbyCraft show. The blossoms are by Imaginese and Meiflower, and I added a Doodlebug brad to the middle, the "sweet" ticket is by Teresa Collins.

Below is also a picture of the decorated inside...
I just received the post and more stunning birthday cards arrived this morning from DawnyP and Debby4000 also from my Mother in Law Pam and a lovely card from my Dad....not handmade, but with lovely words inside. If I know my Dad I know that is partially a fluke...LOL Thanks so much to everyone who has sent me a handmade card, they really are amazing.
Hugs,

Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge "Horizontal Hold"

This week over on Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge Blog is "Horizontal Hold". We want you to make an ATC and make it horizontal. For mine I have used four of the mini Magnolia stamps that I got at the NEC...these really are adorable. I have coloured them with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Walnut Stain (Hair)
Fired Brick (Heart)
Worn Lipstick/Peeled Paint (Clothing)
Tattered Rose/Walnut Stain/Fired Brick (Cupcake)
Walnut Stain/Peeled Paint/Fired Brick (Box of Chocs)
The paper in the background is DCWV "The Sweet Stack" and I also added a red heart pin and some Stampin' Up Choc Chip taffeta.

I love these mini Magnolia's they are such a perfect size for ATC's. So if you are going to a show and Magnolia are going to be there...be sure to look for them, they are such a fab addition to your stamp "collection" (If you are anything like me stamping is addictive and I usually want to own all the stamps in a range I love...LOL)

So come on over and join in with the fun...

Today is also my 20th Wedding Anniversary, and my wonderful (well most of the time) Husband, David, bought me a cute pink girl charm for my Links of London "Sweetie" bracelet....which he chose to represent our one daughter, and tonight I have planned a lovely dinner for the two of us.

The Sugar Bowl - Challenge 6 "Mother's Day"

The challenge over on The Sugar Bowl is to make a card or other craft project suitable for a Mother. I have chosen to make a Mother's Day card. For my card I have used one of the new Gorjuss Girls. She has been coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...

Tattered Rose (Skin)
Walnut Stain (Hair)
Faded Jeans (Dress & Boots)
Antique Linen/Walnut Stain (Envelope & Tights)
The papers are Basic Grey "Granola", I have also added some 99p ribbon from HobbyCraft, Prima Blossoms attahced with a brad and spacer and a heart pin. The sentiment has been created using a Stampin' Up stamp and a diecut from Craftwork Cards.

Below is a picture of the decorated inside, which I have done using the scraps.

Thanks for Gayle and the DT for the challenge....all the cards/projects were stunning again.

My first delivery of birthday cards has arrived and it was so lovely opening them. Never before have I received so many beautiful hand crafted cards...so far I have had cards from Monika (a cute bookmark in a pocket), Marlene, Lynn and Jayne. They are all so beautiful, I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings. My Spring Club Kit also arrived from Magnolia this morning, and now they are cut up ready to ink....

Friday Sketchers - Sketch 43 by Carole of England

Here is a card I made using the lovely sketch provided this week over on Friday Sketchers by Carole (who I was very lucky to meet at the NEC on Thursday....Hi Carole). For my card I have used a couple of stamps that I bought that day from the Magnolia stand...from the St Patrick's Collection. I have stamped both the images with Versafine ink onto Hot Pressed Paper and coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Antique Linen/Walnut Stain (Hair)
Worn Lipstick (Dress, Shoes & Hat)
Peeled Paint (Bow on Hat & Four Leaf Clover/Shamrock)
Black Soot (Horseshoe)
To make the image sparkle I have added Sakura clear glitter gel pen to her hair and the clover/shamrock. The papers I have used are by Black Market Paper Society "Letters from Paradise" that I got from Stampezee in Coventry, and I have also used some Stampin' Up Choc Chip cardstock. For the finishing touch I have added some bling to the end of each swirl, and added a sentinement by Studio G punched with a tag punch by Woodware.

As you can see from the picture below, I have decorated the insides with scraps of the papers used on the front.
Thanks so much to Carole for a lovely sketch and of course to the DT for the stunning cards.
Hugs,

Sketch Saturday - Sketch #42

Here is a card I have made using this weeks sketch over on Sketch Saturday. I have used one of my Gorjuss Girls and she has been coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Walnut Stain (Hair)
Faded Jeans (Dress)
Antique Linen/Faded Jeans (Tights)

The papers I have used are Basic Grey "Granola" and I have used some Coredinations cardstock for matting and layering to add depth (and strength). To finish off I have used a sentiment that I got from Craftwork Cards at the NEC, some Prima Blossoms attached with a brad and spacer, some ribbon, bling and pins from my stash.

Below is a picture of the inside that I have decorated with the leftover scraps.
Thanks to the Sketch Saturday team for another lovely sketch, and also for the wonderful cards they have all made using it.
Hugs

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 42 "Sketch by Michelle"

Finally I have uploaded my card using the sketch provided by Michelle over on the A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge Blog. For my card I have used one of my DT stamps from www.dreams2stamp.de she has been coloured with Distress Inks. The papers are by Sassafras Lass and I have added Prima Blossoms, spacers and Doodlebug sugar coated brads. and finally some bling.

Below is a picture of the decorated inside.

Today I am suffering with a nasty head....more like a migraine as I feel sick...so now I am off for a lay down, and hope that it clears soon...that will teach me to not drink enough water yesterday....silly me.

Happy but tired...

Got home tonight at 8pm after spending the day with Marlene at the Hobbycraft Show in the NEC.....we had a great time meeting up with like minded crafters....Hi Carole, Dawny, Sonia, Karen & Cheryl. Carole & Marlene have some pictures so will post them when I have some copies.

The highlight of the day...after meeting all these lovely ladies was being able to buy Magnolia stamps....in the flesh from Magnolia. For the first time ever they had a stand at a UK craft show. Anyway I was explaining to John from Magnolia that I had been unable to order the club kit from the site and how I had tried for three weeks with no luck, and that it was the first kit in one year that I had not been able to order. He then chatted to his wife and he offered to send the stamps to me today from Sweden if I paid in cash at the show.....so now a set is winging it's way to me. This really made my day as I was gutted after seeing the pics. Another great thing about the Magnolia stand was the fact they had a show exclusive.....mini stamps. These are about a third of the size of the regular stamps, and will only be available to buy at the show (for those going....look at the two baskets right in front of the till....) I will stamp some comparisons tomorrow to show you...

I have also been lucky enough to get a set of the new hAnglar & stAnglar club kit, thanks to a very kind friend in Sweden....Thank you for the beaming smile I have on my face....you know who you are..... :0)

I got lots of lovely bits including some really cute bear dies from Go Kreate.....so very darling....will have to look for some more now.

I am now exhausted but happy, and will be having a relatively early night...well for me anyway.

Tomorrow I will be back with another card using my DT stamps from ww.dreams2stamp.de

Magnolia Spring 2009 Stamp Club Kit....

After some blog hopping I have found the first pics of the new Spring Stamp Club....thanks Malin.

I am gutted as I love them all, and for the first time ever I was not able to order them. I tried every computer at every friends and just couldn't get the link to work. So if anyone has changed their mind and doesn't want them...please EMAIL me.

Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge "One for the Boys"

This week over on the Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge Blog the theme is "One for the Boys". For my ATC I have used a couple of stamps....it's amazing what you can fit on a 2.5 x 3.5 inch ATC...I have used Pirate Edwin by Magnolia, and the Pirate Ship is by Whipper Snapper. Both images have been coloured with Distress Inks, and I have added a sentiment with my ATB tape writer.

Pop over to the blog and check out the rest of the DT's ATC's...they are all so different using so many different stamps.

This afternoon I am leaving David in charge and driving up to Coventry to stay overnight with Marlene....and then on Thursday we are off to the NEC to the HobbyCraft Show....I have my spends safely tucked into my purse and a shopping list which no doubt I will come home without having purchased any of the items on it....LOL

Tomorrow I am hoping to have another DT card using the lovely Dreams2Stamp rubber stamps...Lovely bright colours....very zingy.