James Bear has Presents

Hello everyone,

I have actually managed to make some of my Christmas cards on my days off this week - very proud of my little self! Still have a few more to go, but I'm not usually this organised, although I haven't even started on the Christmas shopping yet!

I have a cute little 'Clean & Simple' card for you today - my DT inspiration for the new challenge at Fantasy Stampers. Here's what I made using one of my favourite Christmas stamps ...

Now this one is a little more fancy than a normal 'CAS ' style, but it only involves two stamps and a die-cut, so compared to some of the projects I make - it is 'clean & simple' for me!

I simply die-cut the top section of my square cardstock using the 'Frostyville Border' die from Memory Box, then added a scrap of red Christmas design paper behind it.

The stamp is LOTV 'James with Presents' and is coloured with alcohol markers (and a little added glitter around his hat). A quick stamped sentiment and one little clear dazzler to finish off. 

Hope you will come and join us with your own CAS designs.

Hugz, Jan xx

Cars

Good morning,

Well, it's getting very exciting over at the new Crafter's Companion store in Chesterfield as we approach our grand opening weekend from the 23rd of September. We have been open for soft trading since last Thursday and the store has been very busy so far. Here's a peek at what the store front looks like - hope you can come and join us over the weekend for lots of fun and shopping!

On a crafty note, we have a brand new challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz today, and this week Jane has chosen the theme of 

'CARS'

Now, this is a nice easy one for a male themed card - here's what I made for a little inspiration ...

Sorry for the poor photo quality - the weather here is so grey and horrible, there is no decent light!

I used my little 'Toot Toot' stamp from LOTV and stamped onto Neenah cardstock in Desert Storm (which is kraft coloured). I coloured with my Promarkers and then layered up using some scraps of design paper from my stash. The little stamped element is also LOTV, and I added a few brown adhesive pearls to embellish.

Hugz, Jan xx

Balls!

Good morning,

Well, I had a precious day off yesterday, and a chance to catch up with my crafting, amongst other boring old chores!

I have been working every day last week (which is quite a shock to my system, after being at home for six weeks!) We have been very busy getting the new store ready for the opening at the end of this month - there are so many fabulous products that I can't see me getting any wages! My wish list is growing by the day!

I have my next DT project for the new challenge at Cardz 4 Guyz today - this week Julie has chosen the theme

'BALLS'

Yes, you read it right, I'm not being rude! It made me giggle when I saw it too. Here's what I made using one of my favourite LOTV stamps ...

Another reasonably simple design, but I think the design paper makes all the difference - it is a piece from my Docrafts 'Geometric Kraft' Capsule collection. I love the complimentary colour scheme and all the little circles are a perfect background for the theme. 

I used my LOTV 'Super Striker' stamp and coloured him with my Promarkers, and added a little greeting to finish off.

See you all soon,

Hugz, Jan xx

When the Stars come out ...

Hello there,

I can't believe it's been a whole week since I last posted! I seem to have been busier since I finished work, than when I was there - but in a nice way, because most of it has involved crafting! I am waiting on some news that may change my direction completely - I do hope it's good news!

But while I wait patiently, we have a brand new challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz and this week Joan chose the theme of

'WORDS'

I love making projects where the wording is the focal point - so here's what I came up with for my DT inspiration ...

I decided to have a change and make a tag this time (I know we are 'Cardz' 4 Guyz, but I am feeling a little rebellious today)!

I love starting out with a piece of white card (Neenah in this case) and then treat it to a covering of distress inks in Mermaid Lagoon (love this one), Blueprint Sketch and Chipped Sapphire to give a reverse ombre effect.

Then I stamped my quote in black archival ink - this one is from an LOTV set of Quotables called 'Life's Journey'.

I added some smaller stars using a stencil and more of the distress inks, then stamped the larger star onto a scrap of co-ordinating paper, cut it out, and added it to my project.  

There are some tiny little star gems in the design too, which are just twinkling nicely in my photo.

Hope you can come and play along with us this week,

Hugz, Jan xx

In the Country

Hi there,

It's a happy day today - off to the airport later to pick up my girlies after their week in Zante. Can't believe how much I missed them!

I have my new DT inspiration for the next challenge at Cardz 4 Guyz today and the new theme is

'IN THE COUNTRY'

Here's what I made using one of my LOTV stamps ...

The stamp is called 'In the Country', so a perfect choice for the challenge. I coloured it using my Faber Castell colouring pencils for a change.

Why not pop over and take a look at some more fab inspiration over at the challenge.

Hugz, Jan (DT) xx

Wish upon a Star

Good morning,

Well, both my girlies have been in Zante together since Tuesday and I can't believe how quiet it's been without them! I grumble at all the noise when they are both in, but I sure have missed them both. They will be back next Tuesday evening, so I'm looking forward to hearing about all their adventures (well, maybe not all of them!) Lol.

Over at Fantasy Stampers today we see the start of the next challenge and the new theme is

'WISH UPON A STAR'

So we are looking for any of your project using stars - here's what I created for my DT inspiration ...

Think I went a bit overboard with the stars - but you get the idea!

The backing papers, stamped image and sentiment are all LOTV. The stamp is aptly called 'Wish upon a Star' and is coloured with my Promarkers (and a little added glitter sparkle). The 'Wish' letters are cut using an old Sizzix alphabet die, then added to my card. 

Why not pop over to the challenge blog HERE and check out some more fab inspiration from my design team.

Hugz, Jan xx

The Letter H

Happy Friday,

Well, I fell off my diet in spectacular style last night as we celebrated my baby girl's 24th birthday at Frankie & Bennies! 24! How did that happen? She is now a beautiful young woman and has just about finished her PGCE and has secured a Secondary School Maths teaching post from September - but she will always be my baby girl, and I am so incredibly proud of her.

Over at the Alphabet Challenge today we have a brand new theme for the letter 'H', and Emma has chosen

'H for HAND COLOURED IMAGE'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration (which is Sam's birthday card for yesterday) ...

Both of my girls have been so supportive of my crafting, and have both followed in my footsteps (so my crafting stash is always being raided!) Lol.

I have been making their birthday cards for the last 15 years or so, and they both look forward to seeing what I come up with each year.

This one is so typically my style (and made in Sam's favourite colour), using one of my favourite stamp companies - the image is LOTV 'Pretty Parade' and is coloured with my Promarkers.

The design papers and all other embellishments are from my stash and the little stamped sentiment is also LOTV.

I hope you can join us over at the challenge.

Hugz, Jan xx

Father's Day

Hello everyone,

Well, back to school yesterday for the final part of the school year - six weeks until Summer (hope the weather gets the memo!) Lol.

Over at Cardz 4 Guyz today we have our next challenge and Helen has chosen the theme of

'FATHER'S DAY'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I love little James Bear from LOTV - he's here in this one using his Laptop. I coloured him using Gathered Twigs distress ink and a couple of Promarkers.

The design papers are once again LOTV from the 'Country Gent' paper pad.

Some simple embellishments including some brown ribbon, a few brads and a little 'Happy Father's Day' sentiment.

Hope you can join us over at the challenge.

Hugz, Jan xx

All About the Girl

Happy Saturday,

Well, I managed week 7 of our 8 week half term, but it was a gruelling one - even the children have had enough now and are ready for a break. Just three and a half more days to go until my break begins. It's Science week at our school next week, so lots of interesting science lessons, activities, and assemblies for them to look forward to.

On a crafty note, it's time for our next challenge at Fantasy Stampers and the new theme for the next two weeks is

'ALL ABOUT THE GIRL'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I do love lots of different styles of crafting, but would say this one is most typically me! 

I used one of my many LOTV stamps called 'Birthday Fairy' and stamped her in Sepia ink and coloured her with my Promarkers (with the addition of a little glitter on her wings).

The pretty design papers are from a new pad that fell in my basket whilst out shopping this morning and is called ' Floral Muse' from Dovecraft. All the papers are muted pastel tones of peaches, cream and mocha - they have a real vintage look to them (and only cost £4 for the whole pad!)

I added some ivory lace, a little die-cut banner, some paper roses and a few flat backed pearls. The two little stamped sentiment tags are also LOTV.

Why not pop over and check out some more 'girlie' inspiration over at the main challenge blog - would love to see you there.

Hugz, Jan xx

Man's Best Friend

Good Morning,

I hope you all had a good weekend - mine was a very busy one, dashing around everywhere. I swear my 'To Do' list gets longer every day. On a positive note, my baby girl did pass her Driving Theory exam on Saturday, another proud mummy moment. Now she can get her practical test booked and passed, then hopefully we can put our 'Taxi' sign away to rest!

It's time for our next challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz today, and this week Julie has chosen the theme of

'MAN'S BEST FRIEND'

Now, I always think of my little doggies here - although I would argue that they are 'Woman's Best Friend' too. They are both my little shadows and make going out to work all the better, knowing they will be there to welcome me home at the end of the day.

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

This one is a LOTV stamp called 'Man's Best Friend' and the little boy and his dog are sat on a wooden bench. So, after two attempts and some clever masking, I managed to get the look I was after - the two of them sat on top of my stamped letters.

The image is coloured with my Promarkers and the letters are stamped using my Claritystamps 'Letterbox' set.

A bit of ink around the edges, along with some hand piercing (not the best I must say), together with a few layers and four blue adhesive pearls to finish off.

Hugz, Jan xx

F for Furry Friends

Happy Friday,

Well, it's my day off today and I have to go for treatment for my back, then do the grocery shop - now that's a mis-matched set of activities! Hope my back survives!

I have a new DT project for you today, as we launch the next theme over at the Alphabet Challenge. We are up to the letter 'F' and Tammy has chosen the theme

'F for FURRY FRIENDS'

Now who doesn't have a stamp/image for this one - I have hundreds!! Here's what I made ...

Yep! You spotted the LOTV stamp - I love this one, but then I love them all! It's called 'Fabulous Flower' and is coloured mainly with my Promarkers, but the actual flower is paper pieced using a left over piece of the design paper used in the background layers (which is also LOTV - Heartfelt).

The greeting is also LOTV (gosh, I'm getting boring now!) but they make such pretty cards.

I added a piece of pink organza ribbon, some cute little die-cut flowers and some adhesive pearls. Oh, and did you spot the button as a centre for the flower?

Why not pop over and check out what my team made - there are some fabulous projects for your inspiration.

Hope to see you there,

Hugz, Jan xx

In the Springtime

Hi there everyone,

First of all, I wanted to thank each and every one of you that has sent such lovely messages offering words of sympathy and support during our sad time.  It has been a very difficult few weeks, with so many things reminding me of mum (and I'm sure there will be many more difficult times ahead). I managed to get through the funeral in one piece on Monday - it was a beautiful service and a very fitting tribute to mum.

I haven't been doing much crafting at the moment (haven't had time really), but we have a brand new challenge over at my challenge blog, Fantasy Stampers, today. I also have a close friend's birthday on Monday, so decided to put the two events together and make my DT card for her birthday. The new theme is

'IN THE SPRINGTIME'

Here's what I made using a pretty LOTV stamp called 'Little Lamb' ...

I know the image has Easter eggs on, but the little lamb reminds me of Spring (and her birthday falls over the Easter holiday). The image is coloured with Promarkers and the sentiment is also LOTV.  All other papers and embellishments are from my stash.

Hope you will join us with your own 'Spring' makes over the next two weeks.

Hugz, Jan xx

Animal Antics

Happy Saturday,

Well, my half term break has finally arrived and guess what - I am still struggling with my back! I really hope things improve over the next few days - I seem to spend all my time off, trying to get better to go back to work! There must be something wrong with that on some level!

Anyhow, on a crafty note, it's time for a new challenge over at Fantasy Stampers and for the next two weeks we would love to see your projects showcasing

'ANIMAL ANTICS'

Here's what I came up with for my DT inspiration using one of my favourite LOTV stamps (but then they are all favourites when I get them out to use!) ...

This one is called 'Big Hug' and I think it can be used for so many different occasions. I coloured with my Promarkers and added a little glitter here and there. The design paper is from the Bo Bunny 'Isabella' paper pad, which came free with a recent magazine purchase. The stamped sentiment is also LOTV. A few embellishments to finish off include some pink satin ribbon and a few grey candi dots.

The design team have some more fab inspiration over at the challenge blog, why not pop over and say hello.

Hugz, Jan xx

Fairies

Hello,

I have another DT project to show you today - this time for the new challenge at 'CARDZ 4 GALZ' which launched last week. This time it was my turn to choose the theme and we would love to see your projects showcasing

'FAIRIES'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

This one is quite simple in design with lots of layers for effect.  The stamped image is 'Never too old for a Hug' and is one of my favourite images by LOTV. She is coloured with Promarkers and has added glitter on her skirt and fairy wings. I made the little banners using up scraps of papers with a couple of matching buttons.

I hope you will come and join us over at the challenge, and don't forget to click the 'Follow' button to keep up to date with our new challenges.

Hugz, Jan xx

Brand New Challenge!

Good morning everyone,

I am rather excited to be here today to share the launch of a brand new challenge blog over at

'CARDZ 4 GALZ'

This is a sister blog to the popular male themed challenge 'CARDZ 4 GUYZ' and is run by my very special crafty friend, Caz - so please join me in wishing her every success in this new venture.

I didn't need asking twice to be a part of the Design Team as I love anything 'girly' - here's what I came up with for our first theme

'YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR'

Now for a very long time, I have always said purple was a favourite colour - but as I looked through my crafty stash (which took a while!) I couldn't believe the amount of pink things I have squirrelled away over the years, hence my very pink girly card.

I think this represents my true style of crafting - I love the stamped images (especially LOTV - you will probably be seeing a lot of those!) and colouring with my Promarkers, then lots of embellishments (everywhere!).  Time to step away from the card then! Lol.

For this one I have used LOTV paper pad 'Heartfelt' as well as the image 'Birthday Fairy' and the sentiment is from the 'Small General Greetings' set.

We would love you to come along and play at our new challenge - please pop over and say hello HERE and remember to hit the 'Follow' button to keep up to date with our challenges.

Hugz, Jan xx

Nephew

Good morning,

I'm back again today with news of the next challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz and this week Amy has chosen the theme of

'KRAFT AND BLUE'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

Sorry about the poor photo quality guys, no natural light when I took my pic!

I made this for my little nephew who will be 9 next week. The image is 'James - Laptop' from LOTV and is coloured with my Promarkers. All design papers are from my stash and I added die-cut stars to match one of the design papers. A stamped greeting and some letter tiles to finish off.

Hope you will come and play along with your own creations.

Hugz, Jan xx

O for One Layer

Happy Friday,

Well, that's week one done! It's been a crazy week back at school, but then they always seem to be that way.

We have a brand new challenge and two new design team members over at the Alphabet Challenge today. Why not pop over and join us for the letter 'O for One Layer' and say hello to our new ladies.

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration using another of my LOTV stamps ...

The stamp is called 'Fabulous Flower' and is coloured with my Promarkers, with the addition of a little glossy accents in the centre of the flower. The sentiment was printed on my pc.

Hugz, Jan xx

Let's Colour

Good morning,

Well, it's time - back to school today ready for the new Autumn term! Where did that six weeks go? I must admit, after dashing around doing all the washing after our little holiday, I did get to spend the day colouring yesterday while it rained, and rained, and rained some more!!

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration for the new challenge at Cardz 4 Guyz. For the next week Julie has chosen the theme of

'LET'S COLOUR'

I did keep this one quite simple, because I wanted the colouring to be the focal point.

I used little 'James Bear on his Laptop' by LOTV and coloured it with my Promarkers. He looks just like me when something goes wrong (no, not all furry, but a little bemused!) Lol.

I hope you can come and play along with us over at the challenge.

Hugz, Jan xx

Father's Day at Cardz 4 Guyz

Hi there to you all,

I'm back a little later than usual today with my DT project for the new challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz. It was my turn to choose the theme this week, and as Father's Day is on its way at the weekend, it seemed an obvious choice this time.

So here's what I made ...

I must admit I seemed to have developed a love of all this CAS recently and this one is no different. I stamped my LOTV image 'Man's Best Friend' straight onto the kraft card and coloured it with my Promarkers (the patches on the little doggie were done with my white gel pen) and I am quite pleased with the result. I then ran it through my printer to make the sentiment (I always hold my breath at this point and hope it doesn't spoil my handiwork!) I added three punched stars to embellish before layering the whole thing onto brown cardstock and adding it to my card blank.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Hugz, Jan xx

Lazy Afternoon

Hi there,

I'm back today with our next challenge over at 'FANTASY STAMPERS' and the new theme for the next two weeks is

'FATHER'S DAY'

So, here's my DT inspiration for the challenge ...

It's 8x8" in size and uses papers from my stash and a cute little LOTV image 'Lazy Afternoon' which is coloured with my Promarkers. Extra lettering to spell out 'Dad' are also from my stash and are mounted on die-cut Lacey Circles. A piece of green organza ribbon to finish off.

I hope you can come and join us and share your own Father's Day projects over at the challenge.
Hugz, Jan xx