LIM - silhouettes

Good morning all!

I had a fabulous week in Cumbria last week with my husband, mum and dad! A bit of walking and a few days out with my mum for a bit of shopping, perfect!!

Back to reality this week (although I am still on holiday for another week!). Only 4 weeks left until christmas, and there's still so much to do! Does anyone else feel like there's not enough hours in a day??!!

Well, I did find time once I returned home to make a card for this weeks LIM challenge. Chrissie and Mandi want to see Silhouettes.

So with it being christmas in the not so distant future I have made another christmas card!



Now, I forgot to take a picture of the inside... but here is the inside of a similar card, only on my dasher card the base is cherry cobbler, but everything else is the same.

Materials

CS: SU Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Naturals Ivory

Stamps: SU Dasher, Pennant Parade, Petite Pairs and Contempo Christmas

Tools: Top note Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Choc Chip ink pads

Misc: Sponge daubers, Adhesive Gems

Well I have already had a quick look over at the LIM blog and had a look at some of the entries this week and there are some fab interpretations of the challenge!

Thanks for stopping by. I must dash, chores to be done! I need to get on with today's to do list (lots of christmas related jobs to do!).

Hugs, Victoria

~x~

Lovely as a tree for christmas!

Evening all!!

Tonight I have a card to show you that I made recently for my christmas box. The main focal tree image is from the same set as the image I used on the autumnal card in my last post, it just shows how versatile the set can be!

A very simple inside with a sentiment that compliments the one on the front....

Again, whilst I had my stash out I made another card, this time just changing the ribbon and positioning of the sentiment. I'll let you into a secret, this is a real trick of mine, to make a few of a similar style card, it's a huge timesaver when it comes to this time of year when you need to make multiple makes.

Materials

CS: SU Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Stamps: SU Contempo Christmas, Petite Pairs and Lovely as a Tree

Tools: SU Stamp-a-ma-jig,

Misc: SU Ink in Chocolate Chip, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Cherry Cobbler Scallop spotty Ribbon and Victoria Crochet Trim

I'm not sure if you can see properly on the pictures but there is some glitter added to the tree branches to represent snow. It looks much sparklier and pretty IRL!

So which is your favourite? The first is more traditional and the second has more of a vintage feel with the crochet trim. I think I like the first best (only just though).


Well I may not be around in blog land much over the next week as I now have 14 days off work and am going to the Lake District tomorrow with hubby and my parents to stay in a beautiful cottage on a farm. We aren't sure how long we're going for yet, it could end up being all week, unless my parents get sick of us before then!

Have a great weekend, thanks for stopping by and see you again soon

Hugs Victoria ~x~

LIM challenge - A change from Christmas!

Afternoon all!!

I honestly don't know where time goes to. It's been over a week since I last posted on my blog, although I have had time to have a look what you've all been up to and to make a few cards.

Today I am sharing with you my entry for this weeks LIM challenge, where there is a colour challenge. Chrissie and Mandi want to see Red and Orange this week, in honour of Bonfire night! Now I am in full Christmas mode at the minute, with only 47 days until the big day and a christmas class I have coming up in a few weeks. However, I didn't think I could make Red and Orange work for christmas. So whilst I was out and about yesterday I was inspired by a beautiful tree with really vibrant red leaves on it, and so the idea for the following card was born!

An arty farty angle.....


the simple inside...



Whilst I had my supplies out I made an identical one with just a change of sentiment for a work colleague who had surgery yesterday.

(Apologies for the poor light in the pictures it's been dark and miserable here today!)

Materials

CS: SU Cherry Cobbler and Confetti White

Stamps: SU Lovely as a Tree, Petite Pairs, Trendy Tree's and Happiest Birthday Wishes

Tools: SU Stamp-a-ma-jig, Daubers for distressing, Blender pen

Misc: SU Markers in Bravo Burgundy, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie and Early espresso



I love how by inking up the stamp with your markers you get this multi-tonal effect of the leaves. I then used a blender pen to drag the colours together so there was no white space between the leaves. A definate CAS card from me this week, with lots of white space.

Got to dash. I need to go start tea and then I've got my tuesday night craft club to go to.

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing what you've all created.

Hugs, Victoria

~x~

LIM week 39 - Stars

Good morning all!

It's the beginning of another week, that little step ever closer to christmas. I don't know about you, but I still have so much to do for christmas, shopping, wrapping, making and sending cards. Not that I want to panic anyone, but there are only 54 days left!! With that being said I have another christmas card to show you today, one that meets with this weeks challenge over at LIM. Chrissie and Mandi want to see 'stars' this week. There is definately 'a star' on this card, although it might not be the most predominant image! I am also going with the theory that the image used to make the purple backgroud could be interpreted as a modern looking star!!

What do you think?? I've used some very contemporary christmas colours this time!

A dimensional shot....

and of course the inside..... very simple and also a little blurry!!! Sorry about the pic!

Materials

CS: SU Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder and Whisper White

Stamps: SU Delightful Decorations, Contempo Christmas

Tools: Top Note Bigz Die, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party marker pens

Misc: Whisper White Organza ribbon, Adhesive Pearls


I am really pleased with how this card turned out! I am normally a more traditional christmas colour girl for my cards (red & green) but I stepped out of my comfort zone with this one and I am so glad I did. I think these new in colours look amazing together!

I hope you can join in the LIM challenge this week and I look forward to visiting you to see what you've created!

Have a great week everyone and thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Victoria

~x~

Less is More - Polka Dots

Good morning all!

It's been a few weeks since I last joined in with the LIM challenge, partly due to lack of crafty time and partly due to struggling with the challenges. Anyhow, this week Chrissie and Mandi have given us an easy recipe . . . .it's Polka Dots! I just love spots and polka dots so I had to join in this week!

So I am still in christmas card mode, so it had to be another christmas card using my favourite christmas stamps.

Plenty of white (or cream in this case) space on this one!!


...and the ever so simple inside. I just partially inked up the same image I used on the front...


I love this card and couldn't stop there, so whilst I had my supplied out I made another very similar one, just changed the colours and sentiment...



and again the partially inked image from the front....

Materials

CS: SU Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, CrumB Cake and Naturals Ivory

Stamps: SU Welcome Christmas, Dot Dot Dot, Contempo Christmas

Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Cherry Cobbler marker, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, and Choc Chip ink pads

Misc: Sponge daubers, Adhesive Pearls

So which is your favourite then?? I think I prefer the first card as I like the LO and sentiment, however, I also like the colours of the second, more traditional!! My husband tells me I always sit on the fence! Lol!

I have fallen in Love with the Welcome Christmas set this year! It's the most wonderful stamp set with 5 different images and sentiments, the wreath image probably being my favourite. (Click on the catalogue link at the side to see it, it's on page 26) If you would like to enquire any more about this set or any other Stampin Up products then get in touch and I would be happy to help!

Right I'd best get ready for work, hopefully it'll be a better day than yesterday. I'm going to the In Law's after work for my Sunday Lunch, which I am looking forward to as I haven't seen much of them lately, plus it means I don't have to think about cooking tea when I get in. Every cloud!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Pennant Parade Christmas Tree!

Good morning all!

Sorry I ahven't posed or a while. I was pretty busy last wek wit work and then on saturday I had my first ever card class so I was busy prepping for that too. I think I have a few pictures I took on the day (but I need to check my camera first) and I will share them with you soon!!

Today I have a christmas card to show you that I have made with one of the new SU sets called Pennant Parade. I absolutley LOVE this set, it is soooooo useful and versatile. Pennant Parade is not just for christmas, it's for life!! Ha!

A 3D angle of the card.....


A close up of the bling baubles on the tree...


and the lovely decrated inside...

Materials

CS: SU Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Very Vanilla

Papers: SU Holly Bouquet Speciality, Old Olive Patterns DSP

Stamps: SU Pennant Parade, Petite Pairs

Tools: Top Note Bigz Die, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Scallop Trim Border and Petite Pennants builder punches, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Crumb Cake ink pads

Misc: Sponge daubers, Stampin Markers, Adhesive Gemstones

I created the background pattern by stamping a small patterned stamp from Pennant Parade on the CS using the co-ordinating ink pad. I love this candy cane effect paper too. The red stipes are so glitzy and sparkly and is from the fab new Holly Bouquet Speciality paper pack!!

Well thanks for stopping by today. I hope you've enjoyed seeing my latest christmas creation! Got to dash now and get ready for work!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Black, White and Pink Birthday!,

Morning all!!

I don't know what's wrong with me this morning but I have been up since 3am, I just couldn't sleep! It gave me a chance to start prepping for my upcoming christmas class on the 15th though. It's my first ever class and I have 7 ladies attending, and as I'm away this weekend I though I would get a head start on the cutting and packaging of the CS.

I'm heading off down South tonight after work to Portsmouth for the weekend with my husband and parents. I am going to a surprise birthday party for a very good friend of mine. We have known each other ever since we were born as our parents were best friends at school.

So today I have the birthday card to show you that I have made for her.




Of course, I had to decorate the inside too...

Materials

CS: SU Basic Black, Whisper White, Melon Mambo

Stamps: SU Occasional Greetings (Retired), Bliss (retired)

Tools: SU Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Scallop Trim border punch, Nestabilities Labels dies.

Misc: Melon Mambo and Stazon ink

Now I know I used retired stamp sets for today's card, but in my defence I made this card before I knew Occasional Greetings was leaving us, and I just LOVE this sentiment, one of my favourite stamps of all time and so appropiate for my friend. She's not an overly girly person so I think this card has the right mix for her and I love pink, black and white together!!

Well I'd best get off and get ready for work. I'll be back again next week with some more cards to show you that I have made with some of the new SU products from the fab new catalogue!!

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

LIM - Colour challenge!

Good morning all!

Today I have a card to share with you that I've made for this week's LIM challenge. Chrissie and Mandi want to see a card made using 'the colour of your eyes'! Now my eyes are a what I would decribe as a bit of a 'mucky' colour. They are hazel 'ish' but they are more brown than green, so I went with the colour brown for my card!

I created a winter snow scene using my new favourite christmas stamps..

and of course a simple decorated interior...

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Stamps: SU Welcome Christmas, Lovely as a Tree

Tools: SU Stamp-a-ma-jig,

Misc: SU Ink in Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Craft White, shimmer paint in frost white

I am just so in love with the Welcome Christmas stamp set. It's not a new set, but it's new to me as I have only just discovered it and I cannot stop using it!! There are 5 stamps in the set and it comes in either clear or wood mount option. The 'seasons greetings' sentiment is also from this set. I used a cherry cobbler marker to ink only the 'seasons greetings' part of the framed sentiment that comes in this set. I'm sure you'll be seeing plenty more of this set in the coming months!

Well thanks for stopping by today, I've got to get off to work now (Unfortunately! I'd rather be at home crafting!).

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

The wait is over!!

It's finally here. The new Stampin Up Idea book and catalogue is now available. You can click on the picture on the right of my blog to view the new catty, or if you would like your very own copy to drool over then just get in touch and I can send you one for £5, inclusive of postage. You will not be dissapointed with this years new catalogue, there are some gorgeous new products, stamp sets, new colours, punches, dies and most excitingly for me FABRIC!!! My wish list is sooooo long I just don't know what I NEED most first!!

It's also World Card Making Day today, so I just wanted to wish you all happy wishes!

Thanks for stopping by today. I will be back very shortly with some new designs to show you!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Last Chance List!!

Sticky post. Please scroll down for newer posts!!

It's that time of year when Stampin Up announce their retiring list of products.
A time to bid a fond farewell to hundreds of stamps and accessories and make room for exciting new products when the new catalogue is released on October 1st!! Items on the Retired List are only available while supplies last. Once they’re gone, they’re gone! To look at the last chance list click here. If you would like to order any of these items just email me. I am offering orders of over £50 delivered direct to your door with free delivery. If you would also like a copy of the new 2011-2012 catalogue, let me know and I will get a copy out to you for £4.95 + P&P (RRP £5.99).

New Sneak Peak!!

Good morning all!!

With the release of the new SU catalogue on saturday I though I would share a sneak peak with you. For today's card I have used a stamp from a new set called delicate doilies and also some of the new 'In colours' for this year.

Simply decorated inside...


As I have said before I do like this Lay Out. So simple and easy to replicate with different designs. I needed a few cards for some of the girls at work who have had birthday's in the past week, sooooo, I made another one, just using slightly different colours adn ad ifferent embossing folder.


An arty farty close up..

and again the simply decorated inside...

Materials

CS: SU Naturals Ivoryand Wisteria Wonder

Stamps: SU Delicate Doilies, Occasional Greetings (Retiring),

Tools: SU Perfect Polka Dots and Square Lattice embossing folders, Circle Punch

Misc: SU Ink pads in Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wiseria Wonder, Rose Red and Regal Rose and
Adhesive Rhinestones

Well thanks for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed taking a sneak peek at some of the new SU products. Don't forget if you would like a new Stampin Up 2011-2012 catalogue get in touch and I can send you one for only £5, inclusive of postage.

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

LIM CAS christmas!!

Evening all!!

Today I have another few cards to show you that I have made for this weeks LIM challenge. They are trying to get up to 1000 entries this week so every card helps!! As I write this post they currenlty have 568 entries, so come on lets see what we can do to help push that number up!!

I've gone all festive and have started thinking about christmas. I want to be organised this year and get all my card making done before december so I can send out my cards nice and early and then spend most of december enjoying the festivities. So today I have two christmas cards to show you.

Firstly I have gone with the traditional festive colours of red and green using a fab stamp set which is a new favourite of mine.


I have decorated the inside too using the wreath image to create a holly trail border along the bottom, and the fab sentiment is from the retiring Occasional greetings set.


So I really enjoyed the simplicity of this card so I went ahead and made another. This time substituting the green CS for Ivory and the glitzy bejewelled wreath for a more soft feeling pearl adorned wreath.

(Yes, those eagle eyed of you will see one have my pearls has wandered off of the wreath. I only noticed this after photographing it but is now back at home nestled in the wreath).

I decorated the inside again, another trail of ivory along the bottom and a slightly different sentiment (Love this one, definately my favourite christmas greeting from the SU catalogue).


Now, I was perusing around blogland the other day and found a tutorial for a milk carton on Kerry's blog made from a sheet of A4 CS. All u need to do is score, fold et voila!! Well, I just couldn't wait to make one, so I thought what better time than know, so I made one to match the christmas cards.


I stamped the box all over with the wreath stamp and then decorated the front with a matching wreath and sentiment. All held together with a cute little bulldog clip. Or alternatively you could punch two holes through the top and tie it together with ribbon (I might try that one next time!!)



A close up of the decorated front. I have coloured in the holly berries with a marker. This cute little box is the perfect size for some chocolates in a little cello bag. I think I'm going to do one of these for all the girls at work this year (best get cracking as there are 25 of us!!).

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Naturals Ivory

Stamps: SU Welcome Christmas, Contempo Christmas, Occasional Greetings (Retiring),
Dot Dot Dot

Tools: SU Stamp-a-ma-jig,

Misc: SU Ink pads in Crumb Cake, Chery Cobbler and Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler marker,
Adhesive Rhinestones and Pearls, Clips assortment

Well I hope it hasn't been death by photo's and you have enjoyed looking at my christmas projects for today. Chrissie and mandi, here are another 2 cards for your challenge this week. If I get the chance tomorrow I will see if I can squeeze in a a couple more!!

Don't forget if there is anything on the Stampin Up last chance list you have got your eye on you only have another 8 days until it is gone forever. So if there is anything you just can't live without then get in touch and I would be happy to place an order for you.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Victoria

~x~

LIM - Week 33 Anything goes!

Morning all!!

Well another week begins. I honestly don't know where time goes to. The weeks just seem to be flying by!!

Today I have a card to show you I have made for this weeks LIM challenge. Now Chrissie and Mandi are trying to reach 1000 submissions this week the theme is anything goes, and you can enter a card as many times as you want, in fact the more the merrier this week! So let's see if we can get to the target of 1000 submissions!!

I am going to try to enter several times this week to do my bit for he cause!!

So firstly I have made an anniversary card for my brother and sister in law


An arty farty close up shot to show you the stunning intricate detail of the heart stamp and the texture of the embossed CS...


and of course the matching inside....

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Stamps: SU Cheer & Wishes (Retiring), I heart hearts

Tools: SU Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

Misc: SU Ink in Crumb Cake, River Rock and Baja Breeze

I just love this card. Clean, simple and elegant and this LO is so useful. I have used this LO template before (see here and here) and I am sure I will be using it again many many times in the future.today

Well thanks for stopping by and don't forget to stop back later in the week to see my other LIM cards. Come on, lets help Chrissie and Mandi get to 1000 submissions!!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

New House card!

Hello one and all!

Today I have a card to show you that I made for my sister in law as she recently moved house and it also just so happens to use a product that is retiring at the end of the month, so if you want it now is the time to get it before it is gone forever!

Materials

CS: SU Naturals Ivory and Crumb Cake

Stamps: SU Neighbourhood wheel (retiring), Sincere Salutations, Four Frames, Dot Dot Dot, Elzbells sentiment from my stash

Tools: Decorative Label punch, Basic Grey and Crumb Cake ink pads

Misc: Sponge daubers, Ribbon from stash

I love this neighbourhood wheel and will be sad to see it go at the end of this month! If you would like to order it or any other products then just email me.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Hugs,

Victoria ~x~

LIM Challenge week 32 - Seeing Double!!

Happy Sunday everyone!!

What a sad day today is. 10 years since the terrible events of 9 11 happened. I can remember it as if it was only yesterday. My heart breaks when I think of all those who were killed, especially those 343 firefighters who died so that others may live. My thoughts are with all the families of those who never returned home that day!


So today I have a card to show you for this weeks LIM challenge. Chrissie and Mandi want to see a one layer card this week with the theme 'seeing double' where they'd like to see TWO of something.

Now I saw this card last week, created by the ever inspiring Vicky, so I had to CASE it as I just fell in LOVE with it! I adapted it ever so slightly so it met with this weeks LIM challenge.


I was so happy with the result that I quickly made another, just with a different sentiment (and the tree's closer together)....


and of course the very simply decorated insert, just to finish it off.....



Thanks so much for the inspiration Vicky!!!

Materials

CS: SU Naturals Ivory

Stamps: SU Trendy Trees, Thnak You Kindly

Tools: SU Stamp-a-ma-jig, Choc Chip, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgandy, Old Olive
and Tangerine Tango Markers, Blender pen

Well thanks for stopping by today. I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. I'm off to do a spot of baking before my husband gets up (he's on nights), so he can enjoy one of my infamous fat rascals with a cup of tea!!

Dont forget, if you want to purchase anything off of the last chance list you only have 19 days left and quite a few of the items are already sold out, so hurry before you're too late!!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Edited Post

Thought I would just share with you a picture of the delicious fat rascals I made this afternoon for my hubbie. Of course I had to have one to with a cup of tea so thats why there's only 4 left in this picture. I will probably regret it on wednesday when I get weighed, but boy was it yummy and worth every calorie!!

Christmas already???!!!

Happy Saturday everyone!!

I have had the laziest day!! I didn't get up until 9am and was still tired. So after me and hubbie had been and done the food shopping and had lunch I went back to bed for a few hours!! Definately not something I normally do, but my hubbie is on nights and he was going for a rest before work tonight so I thought, why not!! I probably won't sleep tonight now!! Serves me right!!

Today I thought I would share with you some christmas cards I made this week. I know it's only September but I want to be organised this year, get all the cards sent out early, and have time in december to actually enjoy the festive season without feeling too stressed out!!

Now I'll warn you this post is a little picture heavy as I made a few different cards using the same materials, so they are all slightly different but with a similar layout for ease and speed of making!!

So here we go....


a simply decorated inside (which was pretty much the same for all the cards coming up)


A change of paper and sentiment......

Just one bauble, another sentiment and an embossed background (not sure you can see it properly on this pic)....


More paper.....

Love this sentiment.....


Portrait style......



Love this red base CS with the green spotty paper....


Some more paper.....



and finally the inside of the portrait style cards.....



Phew..... hope that wasn't too much for you!! 8 cards down... just a lot more to go!! Ha!

Materials

CS: SU Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Naturals Ivory

Papers: SU Jolly Holiday

Stamps: SU Occasional Greetings, Contempo Christmas

Tools: Top Note Bigz Die, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Crum Cake ink pads

Misc: Sponge daubers, Stampin Markers, Adhesive Pearls

Now I have used a few retiring SU products for these cards. The fabby papers and a few of the sentiments. The Jolly Holiday papers are £8.75 for a pack of 12 double sided 12" x 12" papers and the occasional greetings stamp set (one of my absolute favourites and I am sooooo sad it is being retired) has an amazing 40% off the retail price so is now only £18.75 for a set of 12 sentiment stamps. But you'll have to be quick, these items are only whilst stocks last and only available until the end of this month, before they will be gone forever!!

So if you would like either of these items to help make your christmas card making easier this year, or any other SU items then just drop me an email and I would love to place an order for you.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend whatever you're up to, I'm off to see my family tomorrow! Thank for stopping by.

Hugs, Victoria