Eclectic Ellapu May Challenge "Tussie Mussie"

Good morning all.

Since it's the first of the month it's time for a new challenge over at Eclectic Ellapu, the challenge for the Pink Team was chosen by the lovely Vickie and she wanted us to make a Tussie Mussie! I hadn't a clue what a Tussie Mussie was so had to google for instructions! We had lots of lovely entries last month so I hope we see you again this month.

I started with an empty wool cone which I found amongst a box of things I was given recently. The paper used to cover it came from Crafter's Companion many moons ago. Lace, ribbons, tassel and peel offs from my stash. I've used a doily inside.

This looked so easy...how wrong that assumption was!! I was tearing my hair out and it didn't help that I don't know where I keep my glue gun refills!!

Do pop over to the challenge blog and see how the rest of the pinks made their Tussie Mussies, you won't be disappointed. Alternatively the green team's challenge this month is a "Photo Inspiration".

Challenges entered:

Sweet Stamps - anything but a card

All Crafts - anything but a card

Not Just Cards - anything goes

Decorate to Celebrate - anything goes

Crafting for all Seasons #101 "Sketch"

Good morning all.

It's time once again for a new challenge at CFAS and this time the theme is a "Sketch". We're looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by Milk Coffee who gave the DT images to work with.

I've used an image of my own this time, a topper from Kraftyhands which I've die cut with a Spellbinders die. Background mat has been put through the distressed EF from Crafter's Companion which had been inked.  Ringlets die from memory Box. Sentiment from Wild Rose Studio, dies from Spellbinders. Cheesecloth, and ribbon from my stash.

Here is the sketch:

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from the other girls, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Craft your Passion - anything goes

Crafting from the Heart - anything goes

Not Just Cards - anything goes

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - die cuts

Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes

Christmas Card Club "Stars"

Good morning all.

Gosh where are the weeks going to...another two of them have passed and it's time once again for our little Christmas Card Club to strut their stuff! Mrs A has asked us for some "Stars" this time.

My star is from Clarity stamps and I've stamped in versamark and heat embossed with gold detail EP, die cut with a square nestie and matted onto a gold mirri square then onto a black base card. Tag sentiment stamps are from LOTV and they've also been heat embossed in gold and tied around the layers with black and gold cord. Card is finished with some black gems.

Challenges entered:

Less is More - use a tag

Addicted to CAS - black, white and gold

CHNC - 20 minutes or less

...luckily this card was one which came together first time and therefore was made in about 15 minutes.

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Rudolph Day Challenge - April

Papertrey April Blog Hop Challenge

Good evening all.

A second post from me today to catch the Papertrey blog hop before the linky closes.

After a very murky start this morning we've had a lovely afternoon and evening. I've had a productive afternoon in the craft room.

Die and sentiment stamp are both from Papertrey Ink. I've cut the die twice and stacked them to add dimension. The sentiment was originally stamped and heat embossed with a creamy coloured EP but didn't show so I overstamped with a dark blue ink.

Card is finished with ribbon and cord.

A close up of the die...I removed the Hip Hip from the top die layer. Not sure why navy blue always looks black in a photo!

Challenges entered:

Papertrey Ink April Blog Hop - navy and shades of pink

ABC Challenge - H is for happy birthday

Brown Sugar - anything goes

Inspiration Destination - anything goes

Simon says Stamp - clean and simple

Creative Card Crew - sentiment

Not Just Cards - anything goes

Virginia's View - layers and dimension

Forever our Story

Good morning all.

Well the good weather seems to have broken for the time being, we had rain last night with more forecast...never mind I'm sure the garden needs it!!

Chores all done yesterday and managed a little play last night.

7" base card with matting layers cut with square nesties. Stamps are all from Unity Stamps. Butterfly has been stamped with flitterglu and I then applied some Lancashire Rose flakes before shading with DI in Mermaid Lagoon, Peacock Feathers and Cracked Pistachio finishing with some pearl metallic wax to give it some sheen then fussy cutting. Sentiment was stamped in memento and heat embossed with clear EP.  Sequins were added to finish.

Not sure about the butterfly and may re-do it again. I think this will end up as an anniversary card for hubby...I'm a little previous as it's not until September!

Challenges entered:

Friends with Flair - link up party

CAS(E) this Sketch #20

Uniko Studio - things with wings

Crafty Catz - things with wings

QKR Stampede - guy card

Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes

That's Crafty - keep it simple

Aud Sentiments - things with wings and a sentiment

Addicted to Stamps and More - anything goes

Simon Says Stamp - CAS

You Passed!

Good morning all.

Sorry for going awol...don't seem to have stopped since we got home last weekend! We had a lovely few days away with mostly nice weather. Spent time visiting hubby's Aunt and Uncle; had a trip to the Lakeland Aquarium followed by a drive around Coniston Water and a lovely walk around Levens Park, followed by a drive around Lancashire to see some of hubby's old haunts.

This week we spent an afternoon at the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh on Monday; I had a mini spa and afternoon tea with a friend on Tuesday and we went shopping in Edinburgh on Wednesday. Yesterday was a quiet day enjoying the sunshine whilst waiting for Mr Tesco to arrive. Mark left again yesterday for part two of his travels...he's in the Lakes with a friend until Sunday, then after dropping said friend back home on Sunday he's setting off down the west coast of England, goodness knows how long he'll be away this time!

As it's Friday I'm off to join Erika to share a golden oldie.

April 15th 2008 was the date eldest passed his driving test on I think his third attempt...he was so chuffed with himself! The following Saturday I got a phone call about 11pm saying he'd be home a little later than his curfew...when I asked why he said he was in Aberdeen!! He'd set off mid afternoon with his mates to go to a skatepark...needless to say it was a late night while I sat and worried waiting for him getting home again.

The paper was a freebie and the car is a photo of his first car which I decoupaged on the front.

I've got the house to myself this morning so hopefully will get the housework and laundry out of the way then maybe fit some crafting in later...I think the craft room is feeling a little neglected!

Crafting for all Seasons Challenge #100 "Milestone Celebrations"

Good morning all.

Arrived safely yesterday, weather is dry but a little cool. Managed a little detour via Strikes garden centre for a few crafty purchases enroute! Wonder how many more crafty stops I can fit in!

It's celebration time over at CFAS today...we've reached our 100th challenge!! We've lots of sponsors this week with some fab prizes...and our theme is "Milestone Celebrations".

Here is my card:

I've used Moon Girl and Owl from Ppinky Dolls Art who are one of our sponsors. I've coloured with promarkers, then used drawing gum over the image, die cut with a square nestie and inked the background with DI whilst still in the die. Backing paper was a snippet in my stash. Edging stamp was a magazine freebie from Visible Image. Sentiment is from Lawn Fawn. No's stamps are from Bo Bunny. Sequins from my stash.

We are being sponsored by all of the following who gave the DT images to work with:

All Dressed Up Stamps - Prize 2 images

Ppinky Dolls - Prize 3 images

Just Inklined - Prize $10 GC

FaeryInk - Prize 3 images

Bugaboo - Prize 7 images

Tiffany Doodles - prize 3 images

Challenges entered:

Brown Sugar - distress

Crafting from the Heart - anything goes

Craft your Passion - anything goes

Not Just Cards - anything goes

Through the Purple Haze - anything goes

I Love Promarkers - many happy returns

Addicted to Stamps - girly but not pink

Mini Canvas

Good morning all.

All packed and ready for the off! Just hoping the weather stays dry...I've packed some books and craft mags just in case!

A little 4" canvas to share today.

Canvas is painted with Fresco Finish paints from Paper Artsy. Stamps are all from STAMPlorations and are inked with Wendy Vecchi Archival inks. Stencil is from Imagination Crafts  and I've used Sparkle Medium.

Challenges entered:

Unruly Paperarts - animal instincts

Our Creative Corner - colour your world

Stamps and Stencils - anything goes

Mixed Media World - use bright colours

DL Art - anything goes

Thanks a Million!

Good morning all.

Off to the hairdressers this morning, then I'll have to do some ironing so I can get the packing done! I think there will be lots of layers going in the case as the weather could do anything whilst we're away!

The ladies at LIM want to see splatters this week...on a one layer card. My nephew's wife has been helping Lora with her maths revision over the holidays so we need a card for her.

I got happy mail on Saturday which was perfect for the job...one of several stencils I bought with the gift certificate I won from Tim's Tags earlier this month. The stencil is from The Crafter's Workshop, I taped it down and inked with DI in Cracked Pistachio, Mermaid Lagoon and Abandoned Coral. Sentiment is from Winnie and Walter, stamped with versamark and heat embossed with black detail EP.

One layer cards, two days running, first execution!! ...I'll lie down in a darkened room now!

Challenges entered:

Less is More - OLC with splatters

Happy Little Stampers CAS - stenciling

CS Take it Make it - colour

STAMPlorations - stamps and numbers

Simon Says - in the middle

Christmas Card Club "Vintage"

Good morning all.

Gosh it was chilly yesterday, lovely and sunny still but about half the temperature we've been enjoying...and today and tomorrow don't look set to be any warmer! 

It's time once again for our little Christmas Club to show our wares... Rachel asked to see "Vintage" this time.

A very quick and simple one layer card from me! Love this La Blanche stamp...stamped in brown versafine ink onto kraft card and heat embossed with clear EP to give it a nice sheen, although this isn't showing in the photo. The sentiment is from Clearly Besotted.

Challenges entered:

Christmas Stampin' all Year Round - one layer card

Country Views - use kraft card

Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes

Addicted to Stamps and More - clean and simple

Crafting by Designs - get ready for Christmas

Crafty Gals Corner - any holiday

Deep Ocean Challenge - things with wings

Crafty Cardmakers - wings

Merry Monday - angels or cherubs

Simon says Stamp Monday - A is for angel

Wake Your Soul

Good morning all.

Well our week of sunny weather looks set to end...it's been quite windy here yesterday evening and rain is forecast for today. Eldest requested a haircut yesterday (his first in about six months), he'll be regretting it now!! He's up in Inverness with some mates for the weekend...three of them set off in a little hatchback with two bikes, 3 skateboards and assorted luggage in beside them!!

We managed to get booked up for next week so we're off on Tuesday for a few days...the cottage is actually in Lancashire but we'll be visiting relatives in and around Kendal whilst there. We were going to take the dog but decided to leave her at home with the  boys this time.

Managed to fit in a little bit of journalling last night, this is the result...my pages for April

The stamps are all from the April SMAK kit from Unity Stamps which arrived earlier this week. Background was made on my Gelli plate with acrylic paints. Stamping is a mix of DI and Archival. The bird was stamped and heat embossed on tissue and applied with gel medium.

Challenges entered:

Friends with Flair at Unity

Simon Says - A is for April

Ladies Day

Good morning all.

We enjoyed another day of sunshine yesterday....I even hung some washing on the line!

Friday again...at least I hope it is, so easy to lose track of the days when the kids are on holiday! As always I'm popping round to Erika's to share a Golden Oldie.

This was first posted in 2011 and was a Mother's Day card for my Mum. The image and papers are from Joanna Sheen's Enchanted Dreams CD...I think this is my favourite of her CDs and I love this image.

Challenges entered:

Throwback Thursday - challenge #8 opt Mother's Day

Merry Christmas

Good morning all.

The kids are definitely getting the good weather this week for the holidays...hope it continues into next week as we're hoping to have a few days away.

Another Christmas card to share today which I managed to finish during half time last night. Two happy Liverpool fans in the house now!

Stamp is from Visible Images stamped with versamark and heat embossed with black detail EP, cut with a square nestie and inked with DI whilst in the die, matted onto black card and kraft card base.

Challenges entered:

Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge - use kraft

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Crafting by Designs - get ready for Christmas

Crafty Gals - any holiday

House that Stamps Built - heat embossing

Penny's Paper-Crafty - anything goes

Happy Birthday to you!

Good morning all.

Another lovely day yesterday weatherwise, a little pampering session in the afternoon for me...then fish and chips for tea (well I couldn't spoil my nails!) all followed by a lazy evening...life is good!

A simple male birthday card to share today.

Happy die is from Whimsy stamps, suare dies from Spellbinders, birthday sentiment from Clearly Besotted and to you from Winnie and Walter. I die cut the happy from the black layer, cut the card through the middle of the die cut and trimmed a small amount from one piece. Happy die was cut several times in white and inlaid into the black layer and stacked up for dimension. Sentiments were stamped with versamark and heat embossed with white detail EP. Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.

Challenges entered:

Fan-Tastic Tuesday - use die or punch

Papertake Weekly - anything goes

Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes

Crafting from the Heart - anything goes

Incy Wincy Designs - clean and simple

Mema's Challenge - anything goes with die or punch

Through the Purple Haze - anything goes

Amusing - birthdays

Happy Little Stampers - sketch

Sister Act Cards - anything goes

Predominantly Black

Good morning all.

 I hope you've all enjoyed your Easter weekend...we've had a quiet one here, apart from our visitors on Sunday. Another lovely day yesterday, hope it lasts!

A quick Christmas card to share today.

Stamp from Penny Black, stamped in versamark and heat embossed with black detail EP. I elongated a Spellbinders die to cut out the image then attached it to the base card with foam tape. Finished with a few sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.

Challenges entered:

Less is More - predominantly black

Completely Christmas - black and white

Jingle Belles - caroling caroling now we go

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - feature a creature

Lemon and Lime

Good morning all. Are we all chocolated out yet! I didn't get an egg this year:(

We had a day of glorious sunshine yesterday, really warm too...most unexpected! Hubby's cousin and her husband came for tea, it was good to have a catch up as we hadn't seen them for a while.

A quick all occasion card to share today.

Stamp is from Lavinia Stamps, stamped with versamark and then embossed with black detail EP. I used various DI to sponge the background - squeezed lemonade, mustard seed, shabby shutters and peeled paint. Backing paper is from Raspberry Road and was a magazine freebie.

Challenges entered:

Lavinia Stamps - lemon and lime

Challenge up Your Life - emboss

Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes

City Crafter - polka dots

Friend

Good morning and a very Happy Easter to you all.
Hands up who had chocolate for breakfast? Visitors arriving later so need to get a roast prepared then hoping to find a little time to craft.

Earlier this year I decided to join in the Card Chain Challenge over at Deborah's Society of Stampaholics blog...the idea being you snail mail a card to someone and receive one back from someone else. This is the card I sent to Dawn in New Zealand for the March challenge.

Stamp is from Lavinia Stamps, inked with versamark and heat embossed with black detail EP. Background has been inked using dusty concord, abandoned coral and spiced marmalade DI's.  Base is die cut with a Lawn Fawn die. Friend sentiment is a Spellbinders die which I inked with DI before cutting and embossing. Card is finished with some sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.

This is the gorgeous one I received back from Gail in Norway.

Challenges entered:

Creative Knockouts - dies/punches

Crafting by Designs - anything goes

Crafty Creations - anything goes...no foolin'

Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes

Whimsy Inspiration - use a die cut

Die Cuttin Divas - anything goes

Cheerful Stamp Pad - silhouette

Crafty Calendar - add a sentiment

Simply Create Too - anything goes

Simply Papercrafts - anything goes