Happy 70th

If you were anywhere near East Cheshire last night (4am),

You like me, may have been woken by the mother of all thunderstorms!!

We get one or two in Summer, but I've never known one in the depths of Winter before!

It was a DOOZY!! Then this morning.....bright blue skies as calm as you like!

No wonder us Brits are always going on about the weather, we get a lot of it! lol 

Waffle over, here's a card I made for my next door neighbour.

She's love and we get on like a house on fire.

Only found out it was her 70th thanks to Facebook! 

(Her hubby Brian, didn't think to tell me).

I used my bright shiny new Spellbinders Grand M-Bossibilities folder.

LOVE how I can cover a whole A4 sheet of card in the lovely patterns if I want to.

(This card is an A4 folded in half).

Makings.....

Spellbinders fancy ovals and rectangles

Sentiment by Papermania

Numbers die by Memory Box.

Flowers from stash

Card sponged with Tim Holtz Distress Ink..'Old Paper'

NO COPICS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THIS CARD. LOL

Enjoy your day wherever you are!

Peering out!

Hi! It's good to see you!

I have a project to share with you here and also on the Peachy Keen Stamps blog.

I made a 6"x6" tent card out of Kraft.
I made another piece 5.3/4"x5.3/4" and cut out a circle with a Spellbinders Circle die.

I then printed out a scene and coloured it with Copics.
Sponged the background with Brilliance Sky Blue and 

then Adhered it to the front of the tent card.

I cut out the bear's head and hands and hair ribbon from PKSC-13, stamped a pretty face on, coloured it and attached a piece of spare card to the back to be able to adhere it to the back of the card with the circle cut out.
Am I making sense?

I then added a double layer of dimensionals to the back of  the 5.3/4" square Kraft card
(There's only one layer in this picture).

Here's the head attached at the back.

This layer was then adhered to the front of the card.

(Side view to see the dimension).  After adding the 'hands',  the clouds and the pearls. 

Finished!!

                                                                      Stamps used..

                                        PKSC-13  (Bear's head, face and hands)

   PK-120  (Tree)

       PK-240 (Flowers)

 PK-246 (Sun)

                PK-531 (Cloud's faces)

Well, I hope I didn't bore you to tears with my instructions.

This was my first time at it and I hope the next time I'll be a bit slicker.

Have a wonderful day!

I need help!

Would you credit it!!

I made a card for a challenge that states 'All white except for the image'.

Well, so far so good, here's my card....

There's only one problem....

I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH CHALLENGE SITE IT'S FOR!!

Anyone any ideas before I go completely crazy? LOL

Ah well, that'll teach me to pay more attention in class.

Do you like my yummy strawberry? Isn't he SWEET!

He's from PK-239 'Faceless Fruit'.

You can't really tell in this photo, but I smothered him in Glossy accents so he'd shine.

I coloured him with Copics.

Funny how I can remember THOSE details, but not the Challenge Blog it was made for!!

All help greatly appreciated! lol

New Cards For Men Challenge

Yeah It's Monday and the snow is RUBBISH AMAZING!

We were promised loads and overnight we got LOADS!
(The weather forecast said we wouldn't get any).

Yep! I'm a fan of snow. 

I know, it's a nightmare for all you unlucky peeps that have to commute, but it's so different from the usual miserable rain, that it's a welcome change....and it keeps us talking!

OK, enough rabbiting about snow, on to the challenge!

This week's theme is TRANSPORT!

The rules....
1. Your card must be new for this challenge and follow the theme. 
2. Your card must be for a Man or a Boy.
3. Your blog post must mention Cards for Men and contain a link back to the challenge.

The challenge will run from now until midnight on 3 February 2013.

The sponsor for the theme is the fabulous....

'Meljen's Designs is a digital stamp company owned and illustrated by Melissa Jenkins. She illustrates whimsical, fun digital images inspired by her kids and family. The Meljen's Designs store officially launched on April 1 and it is steadily growing. The new store offers instant downloads, organized categories, and a search feature. We have new releases along with a new challenge every Thursday, freebies every Mondays and a monthly Guest Designer at the Meljen's Designs Blog. 
Please visit the store to find more of Melissa's wonderful images!'

Here's my sample card for the challenge...

Isn't that submarine CUTE!!
That, the ocean floor and the 'Ahoy' are all Meljen digi images.
They are SO easy to make scenes with as they come as png files as well as jpgs.
I made the background with an embossing folder that had yachts on it.
(I chalked over them so they would stand out more).
All coloured with Copics as per usual.
The oval shapes are made with Nesties..
That stripy line is some gorgeous ribbon I got from a lovely new craft shop that's opened in Macclesfield.
(If you know Macc, it's next door to Pete's Chippy on Duke Street)!

Please pop on over to the Cards For Men blog 
to see the amazing projects my amazing DT friends have conjured up for you!
I hope also that you'll be inspired to play along. It's never easy making a card for a bloke and playing along with our challenges get's your thinking caps working!
Have a great week!
(Take care if you DO have snow)! lol

A fruity pop-out card?

Well, it DOES have lots of fruit on it! LOL

The front

This is a reprise of some oldies but goodies PK stamps. 'Faceless Fruit'.

I coloured the apple with Copics.

The DP is from DCWV 12x12 stack cut down to fit the A5 (A2) card.

The sentiment is from PK-162 'Fruit Sentiments One'.

 (Just ONE of the five fabulous stamp sets in the new mid-month release from Peachy Keen).

I used a Spellbinders Fancy Label to cover up a boo boo I made!

I stamped the sentiment straight onto the front of the card...AFTER I'd added all the bits and pieces, so it wouldn't lie flat. DUH! So the stamp kinda didn't go where I wanted it to, so I covered my confusion with the label die. Sorted!

Inside

My 'Peach' is strung with dental floss! It twirls so I had to stamp two peaches back to back.

I stamped and coloured the cherries from the 'Faceless Fruit' set

and adhered (posh word for glued) them  to the inside.

Tried to show the Cherries better, but no matter which way I turned it, I couldn't get a better image of them.

Not a problem IRL, but on here it ain't happening.

The trellis is Spellbinders 'Fancy Lattice'.

 The patterned card is from Papertray Ink.

BTW, there's a new challenge today at Peachy Keen! 

Why not pop over and play along! There's' always a doozy of a prize to be won.

Christening card

My 10 month old grand-daughter is being Christened tomorrow and it's going to be FREEZING!

Here's the card I made for her...

Kept it simple with just a bit of embossing and the frame from Spellbinders for the gold cross.

(The cross is made from a punch I've had for yonks).

'Maisie' was made with Just Rite stamps, embossed with detail gold EP.

The CS is ivory. Proper ivory! Not cream posing as ivory.

I'm really mad at myself 'coz I can't remember the name of the company where I bought the ivory card!!

ARGHHH! It's top quality and the ivory is beautiful. So help me I need treatment!! 

Oh well, maybe I'll remember one day. Hope so...but not holding my breath. lol

Have a great weekend!

It's Friday! It's Peachy Keen Challenge time!

Hi everyone! I hope the weather by you is treating you kindly?

We have wall to wall wet here, UGH!

OK! Are you ready for the second Peachy Keen Challenge of the New Year?....

Peachy Keen Challenge 13-2

THE CHALLENGE

'Create a card or layout of your choice following the sketch provided'.

We'll be awarding "TOP PEACH" to the player who uses their Peachy Keen Stamps this week 

and two runners up will receive a spiffy badge to display on their blog! 

Guidelines:

Design must be new, created specifically for this challenge
Must be a card or layout that follows the sketch provided
Link up by 01/16 - 11:59 pm EDT
Remember, you don't have to use our stamps to link up, 
but they are required to earn TOP PEACH!

Here's your sketch...

Nice and simple to get your creative juices flowing!

This is my original sample. I used the fabulous  PKSC-12

Coloured as ever with my trusty Copics.

I totally forgot to add the faces on the flames of the candles 

and in trying to add them retrospectively, cocked 'em up! 

I ended up trying to remove the flames to stamp them and ended up tearing the flame 

and the paper behind it, spoiling the card. IDIOT!

BUT!!!...like a phoenix rising from the ashes,
I salvaged the champagne bottle and banner and put them on a different card.

Not too bad a make-over eh!

(Wasn't going to waste all that Peachy goodness)!

There are so many options for this amazing stamp set, it'll take me all year to exhaust 'em!

So, please pop on over to the Peachy Keen Challenge blog and feast your eyes on the scrummy samples waiting for you there created by some of the other fabulous DT ladies

Visit the PK Store to get your mitts on some fab stamps in the SALE that's going on!!

It ends tomorrow so hurry!.

I do hope you'll join in the challenge. 

Remember, you have until 16th Jan to create your project. BAGS of time to play along!

Good luck and happy crafting.

More good news!!

I was delighted to be asked by Donna, (creator of Cards for Men), 

to return to the design team and I had great pleasure in accepting! 

CFM has kicked off  the first New Year challenge with the theme, 'Men at Work'.

This challenge is sponsored by Donna's friend, SU! demo Carole Bryson Wood of He[art]fully Yours.

Here Carole tells us a little about herself.....

'I am an Independent Stampin Up! Demonstrator in Lancashire & surrounding areas. I teach large and small scrapbooking and craft classes. I can arrange parties in your home for crafting and non-crafting friends to suit your requirements, and where everyone is guaranteed to have a great time !  I also run a crop in the Rochdale area. Please contact me for more details at carole.bryson@gmail.com xx'

Here's my take on the challenge ......

I've taken a SLIGHT liberty with the theme, as it's a retirement card.

BUT!! To retire, you have to have WORKED right! 

AND!! Gardening in retirement is WORK isn't it!

Hee Hee. So I'm not naughty after all!

I coloured my image with Copics, which is from the DVD 'The Best Of JustINKlined'.

The DP is from a pad by MME, 'A Mother's Love'.

The little sentiment is from Papermania.

 Please visit the Cards for Men blog to see the amazing samples done by the other DT members 

(and play along of course). There is a smashing prize up for grabs...

 2 Full Size Stampin Up! Ink Pads 

(winner can choose from Subtles, Brights or Regals)

Thank you Carole!

Male cards are always a challenge aren't they, so why not have a go!

The challenge is open until the 20th Jan, so you have bags of time to play along.

It's reveal time at Peachy Keen!

UPDATE!! 

The stamps are now on sale at Peachy Keen!!!

Introducing THE Cutest new stamps you ever did see!

You MUST rush on over to The Peachy Keen Connection 

to be the first to see the fabulous new release first hand and join in the party!

There are trivia quizzes and prizes plus the chance to win a $50 gift certificate 

for playing along with our Peachy release challenge, which is to make a project with anything new! 

That can be card, paper, ribbon, tool, stamp, etc You get the idea!
(The chatting and the challenge and sharing your creations carry on until Tuesday,
so you can join in any time)!

Here's my card.

(I've uploaded it to the Peachy Keen Connection too).

I decided, as she's so 'pink' to make her into a breast cancer card.

Only needed the addition of the breast cancer ribbon and rosy cheeks!

The patterned papers are all digital by Pink Petticoat.

The label for the sentiment is a PK svg available in the PK store.

My 'NEW' stuff is the stamp sets themselves,  

PK-160 and PK-159 (sentiment)

(Also my new Spellbinders Fancy Lattice Die).

Have a ball at the party and good luck!! 

I'll 'see' you there unless you're in the UK and are fast asleep! lol

It's

It's nearly reveal time at Peachy Keen!!

OOOH! Not long now until you can see all the goodies Kathy has in store for you,
when the January Stamp  Of The Month and add on sets is finally revealed!

We say it time and time again, THIS is her best one yet, BUT each and every new release IS always the best one yet! lol

Only 24hrs left until the release party at The Peachy Keen Connection.

Details HERE. 

I and the rest of the DT look forward to 'seeing' you there and chatting with you!
(I'll do my best, but it'll be past midnight here, so may need matchsticks)!

Until then, Here's my sneak peek plus an extra one 'coz I LUURRRV these bears!

This little cracker is from the add-on set and is coloured with Copic markers.

Meet Bluey!
Isn't she gorgeous.

And THIS little lady is from the main set and is paper pieced with sponging on her face for dimension.

. 

Aren't they the cutest little bears you ever did see!
I haven't scratched the surface of this set yet! The possibilities are endless!

Please race over to the Peachy Keen Blog to see what the other fabulous DT members have in store for you!

They have done this release PROUD! 

See you Saturday evening/night at the PARTAYYY!!!!

A Peach of a sneak peek!

It's almost time for the new Stamp Of The Month Kits and Add-ons.

(Mustn't forget the add-ons)! lol

If you haven't been over the the Peachy Keen Blog to check out all the Sneak Peeks so far, 

you are missing a real TREAT! (IT's day 3 today)!

The DT have pulled out all the stops to inspire you and whet your appetite for the goodies in store!
They are a real MUST SEE!

Here's a little taster to keep you going until my official Sneak Peek goes live at 6pm CST tonight,

(or midnight here in the UK).

Isn't that THE cutest little bear you ever did see?

I'll be back this evening/tonight with two more sneaky peeks for you.

This new Stamp Of The Month Kit will knock your socks off! I promise you!

DON'T FORGET.....6 PM CST on 5th Jan, (Midnight GMT)
  we will be celebrating the release of Kathy's MEGA cute new stamps with a virtual party
on the PEACHY KEEN CONNECTION.
There's games and trivia prizes, chatting with the DT and seeing all the new stamps! PLUS!!! 
Play along with our challenge for the chance to win that $50 gift certificate.

'Till later..............

Wanna come to a party?

Woo Hoo! On Saturday, January 5th at 6 PM CST, (Midnight GMT)
  we will be celebrating the release of Kathy's MEGA cute new stamps on the The Peachy Keen Connection with a virtual PARTY!!The new 2013 Design Team will be chatting with you, you'll get a look at all of the new stamps being released, along with some amazing samples from us designers. There'll be games and a challenge to take you through some weekend creating. There will be trivia prizes, and everyone who plays along with the challenge will be entered into a random drawing for a $50 PKS Gift Certificate! How's THAT for a party! I hope you can make it. Bring your friends!!

Please go over to the Peachy Keen blog to see the amazing tasters some of our DT have prepared for you!   

(There'll be more tomorrow and Friday too!)

I'll have a project or two to share with you on FRIDAY from 6 pm (CST)!