'Bling'-ing beautiful - part 1

Both these cards I have made for something that is happening sooooooooon!!! he! he!

Image is Rubber Romance,

Papers are Pink Petticoat

Buckle/slider is courtesy of NattyK's blog candy (thanks Natalie)

Thank you Leigh....

This is for my friend Leigh, she's the one in the pic on the right. We took our children to a party yesterday. Whilst there she presented me with a parcel. A few days ago I happened to mention that I had better put a clock in my craft room, cos time whizzes by without me knowing. Well, love her, she had bought me a gorgeous chrome clock to go on the wall in my craft room. I was really surprised, she said it was to say thanks for helping her move house. Leigh had moved to her new home just before Christmas, but she has had a really bad time of it lately, splitting up with her partner and her dad passing away, not to mention loads of other things. And she just wanted to get me something for saying thanks. Me being me, burst into tears, thats nothing unusual lately. ooooohhh I love you to bits Leigh, thanks hunny, always here for you xx vicki xx

DONT FORGET TO POP BY TO CHECK OUT MORE SNEAKY PEAK DETAILS - He He!!!!!!!

sneaky peak, sneaky peak

sorry about the pic, but this is posted to tease you. All will be revealled before long and it could be in one of YOUR best interests. ha! ha! ha!.....lol xx vicki xx

Just a quickie card using K & Co papers, HOTP flowers, CB distressed stripes embossing folder.

For all our SBS 11 Sistahs....

I have just been paying you all a really quick visit before I go to the land of nod and I'm sorry to see that our sistah Toni has resigned. I can't say that I blame her, she is quite right, we don't seem to interact with one another, as I notice other groups do, by way of challenges etc. Oddly enough, I was recently thinking of joining the next group, I hope I haven't offended anyone by speaking up, (sorry I have done so). Or are we going to get our buts into gear and start doing something as Sistahs should????????????????????????????????????????????xx vicki xx

feelings under the weather.....

Well this card has really stressed me out.....mainly because it is for someone I don't even know. I popped into the florist late afternoon, (the one who's selling some of my cards) to give her a poster that I made to go into her window. Whilst there she asked if I could make a card for the sister of one of her customers who unwell at the mo. She didn't want a square card, it had to be a larger size. As long as it mentioned sister on the front, she didn't know of any other details. Trouble is I like to know everything about colours, styles i.e modern, trad, etc the particular person likes. So this is what I have come up with, if she doesn't like it, I have some others in my 'spares' box.

Striped paper and floral paper are by K & Co

Spotty paper is the Papermania Exquisite (which I love at the mo)

Sentiment printed on pc

Image Magnolia

Raincoat & Wellies coloured with Copic Marker ( Rose Red R85) which, by the way, is the only one I have, bought earlier this week just to see what all the fuss is about. Oh! lov-er-ly to use.

Glossy Accents to raindrops, brolly & wellies

Sorry I haven't visited you all much these past couple of days, I'm trying to play the role of Mum & Housekeeper.....(I'm really missing blogging boooo!!! hoooo!!) and the kids are off for another week yet....How am I going to cope without my blogging fix????? I hope you are all keeping well and enjoying your little darlings (gremlins) being home from school. Have a great weekend and I'll try and visit you soon.....Got to go and clean up the kitchen now after my 16 year old son has just had supper and left the kitchen like a bombsight, he's sneaked off to bed while I'm on here....aaaaarrrrggh!!! teenagers, anyone want one for a couple of years....lol. xx vicki xx

Sue's candy

Sue over at Slumber Cards, has some delicious candy up for grabs. All you have to do is to take a pic of some spring flowering plants in your garden.

Coming from South Wales, I just had to choose the Daffodil. Would also have liked to photographed our tulips, but they haven't come to anything as yet. Thank you for the opportunity Sue xx vicki xx

Cute card Thursday

Challenge 3

PeopleAs we had 'All Creatures Great and Small' as our challenge last week, we think it's only fair to have 'People' as the theme for this week. Any people image is fine, it could be Magnolias, Bellas, Nellies, Lolas or any others.

Image is courtesy of Gina's, card cabin, pif candy (Thanks Gina)

Coloured using Copic Marker & Marvy Le Plumes

Papers are by Mary Hughes

Nestabilities & Cuttlebug 'swiss dots'

Thanks for passing by, hope everyone is enjoying their Easter Hols and your kids aren't driving you all crazy.......cos I know mine arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Oakey Doakey, i'm off to round the troops up, and out for the day. Half fun what every your all up to today, love xx vicki xx

My Paper World Sketch #7

There is another fab sketch to follow over at http://mypaperworld.blogspot.com/. Definately worth a visit to see some really great cards on show by the design team.
Here is my attempt at the above sketch (sorry about the pic)

Image is courtesy of Natty K (Thanks again Natalie)
Papermania opaque stones
Bazzill Bling card stock in green and spoiled brat aka (peachy orange)

Thanks for taking the time to visit, love and best wishes xx vicki xx

chocolate challenge

Over at http://artygirlzchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ their challenge is to create card etc using the chocolate theme ......weeeellll I just couldn't resist using these stamps by Rubber Romance, as I thought they fitted the bill perfectly, not sure bout the rest of the card though. xx vicki xx

Papertake Weekly Challenge

There is a fab sketch challenge over at Papertake Weekly Challenge, so I thought I would give it a go. This is the first time for me to enter any of their challenges, here's my attempt. I have used

Rubber Romance Image

Papers and Flowers are courtesy of PIF Candy from Natty K (thanks Natalie).

Why is it when I try to put my text above my pics it never turns out the way I want??? This post is all to pot, sorry folks....

You Make My day Award....

I have received this award from Michelle (http://www.cardgrotto.blogspot.com/) for which I am truly grateful, thank you sooo very much.

there are soooo many worthy blogs out there but the three i would like to nominate are

1. Kerry http://curlygirlyme.blogspot.com/

2. Julie http://juliesinkspot.blogspot.com/

3. Julie http://simplyjools.blogspot.com/

Magnolia challenge

This card is for the Magnolia Challenge. This week they have a fab template for you to follow. I enjoyed making this yesterday, the garden was full of children playing football and bouncing on the trampoline, so I took myself off to my craft room and made this. I have used K & Co papers, the sticker and anchors are from THE Brenda Pinnick kit from QVC. thanks for taking the time to visit xx vicki xx

I've been tagged .....

Morning all, Yesterday I was tagged by the lovely Noleen(http://noodlesoflove.blogspot.com/) Here are the rules of the game:-

Link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.
Tag 7 people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment on their blogs.

Ok here goes:-
1. I've never broken any bones (touch wood).
2. My fav TV programmes, which I MUST watch are Coronation Street & Waterloo Road.
3. My fav job, pre children, was an Estate Agent. Loved having a nosey at all the houses.
4. My friend died my hair blonde (I was about 15 ish), I then let her perm it...oooppppsss!! big mistake. I still get blackmailed with the phot's to this day ........pmsl!!!
5. My fav hols were when my mum & I went to Ibiza together (I was 14). Sadly she's no longer with us. The other was our Honeymoon to Mauritius, trouble was our sons were 6 & 4 and didn't come with us and I missed them soooo much.
6. Used to be crazy about Madonna ( Still think she's amazing). My friends & I would dress just like her, you now girlies, the one lace glove, bangles, big hooped earings, leggings, string vests, big hair. Bet you've all been there, done that ....lol
7. Would love to have my own craft store, selling my own design of papers, embellies etc and of course it would be called, Paperlicious Oasis.

Now for the 7 peeps who I'm gonna tag. This is getting tough cos most peeps have already been tagged so I choose:-

1. Kerry http://curlygirlyme.blogspot.com/

2. Natalie http://www.nattykcards.blogspot.com/

3. Julie http://simplyjools.blogspot.com/

4. Gill http://gillyflowersexpression.blogspot.com/

5.Andria http://andriawerner.typepad.com/my_weblog/

6. Jamie http://stampthis.blogspot.com/

7. Jane http://whoopsiedaisy-jane.blogspot.com/

If I've tagged you and you've already played along, you don't have to participate, I'll leave it up to you to play or not.

Thanks for passing by and taking the time to read this, you can wake up now xx vicki xx

Sweet Sugar Challenge

Challenge 4 over at Sweet Sugar Challenges is to produce an Easter Card. Well this isn't strictly and Easter Card but I thought I would give it a go. Only the second time for me to attempt paper piecing, never turns out quiet how I want it too.

Oh Wow!! I've been given an award.....

Thank you soooo very much Kerry (http://curlygirlyme.blogspot.com/) Noleen( http://noodlesoflove.blogspot.com/) & Gill (http://gillyflowersexpression.blogspot.com/) for this award I am very grateful.
I would also like to take this opportunity in saying that I think 'crafty' girlies are the most kindest, caring people who are always willing to help and offer support regardless. Over the past few months since I have started this mad hobby, I have met some truly wonderful girlies, who, if you don't mind, I consider to be very good friends. Ok, I know, I am a bit of slushy drip, but I just wanted to show my appreciation and say huge thanks for making me feel so welcome in the crafty world.

The "Arte Y Pico" (Art & More) is given to bloggers who share their art and creativity making their contribution to the blogger world. The rules!:-


1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogging community, no matter what language.


2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.


3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.


4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog , so everyone will know the origin of this award.


5) To show these rules.

And now for the hard bit, choosing five blogs is really tough as there are some wonderful blogs out there, I have mulled it over and finally decided on:-

1 Fran http://franmade.blogspot.com/
2 Jo http://jo-onlyjoking.blogspot.com/
3 Andrea http://andreabrownjohn.blogspot.com/
4 Shary http://shary-theothersideofme.blogspot.com/
5 Inge http://ingemg.wordpress.com/

Cute card Thursday challenge

This is the card I have done for the Cute Card Thursday challenge. The image is courtesy of Gina, ( The Card Cabin) which she sent as part of her pif candy, many thanks Gina. Really like the Bazzil card which is 'spoiled brat' has a delicate shimmer, embossing is done on my Big Shot, using the Mesh folder, I've added some papermania opaque stones, and the tag reads ' take it easy'. Thanks for visiting xx vicki xx

magnolia challenge

This is the card I have done for the Magnolia challenge. The theme this week is:-

Hidden Secrets
Must have a hidden message on your project, perhaps pull out journaling maybe?
A hidden flap? A slider ,
something where a message can be hidden away from the public eye.

The papers and mini envelope are from a scrapbook bundle from American Tradtional Designs. I've had this bundle for ages but it's been hidden away in a drawer and out of sight out of mind as they say. There are some really lovely 12" papers in it together with die cut envelopes, tags, pockets, alphabets, vellum quotes, the list is endless. The flowers are from the lovely NattyK, which she recently sent me as part of her PIF Candy, many thanks Natalie. xx vicki xx

Tears at hometime....

Well today was Miss Luxtons' last day at our school, ( boo hoo, sniff, sniff). Us mums were all blubbering wrecks at hometime. She had her photo taken with each child and made a card for each one too. This is the card we had, I love the photo of her and Yassy. The verse inside the card is sooo touching. I really am going to miss her. As said in a previous post, Miss Luxton started working at our school the same day as Yassy started school, (2 1/2 years ago) . At that time I was a teachers aide and often helped out in her class. She is one superbly talented teacher and I am sure she will be very happy in her new school and be an oustanding asset.

Wishing you all a Happy Chocolatey Easter. Love and best wishes xx vicki xx

Job lot....

I made a batch of these cards, all a variation of one another, for my daughter Georgia to give to her friends in Brownies and Brown Owl. Also made a few extra to give the Grandparents of my children. I think I can honestly say that I do not want to see this image until next year...lol!!!

It's funny to think that this time last year, I wasn't a bit interested in Easter Cards. My sil always sent small cards out, but I never bothered with Easter Cards, this year I have made tons. This crafting business sure does have a strange effect on people...he! he! lol!!! xx vicki xx

Easter Friendship Swap....

This card is for the Easter Friendship Swap over on the Do-Crafts site.
Papers are Dovecraft Retro Floral and the image is Penny Black xx vicki xx

Welcome to a new blogger......

For all you Do Craft members, you will probably already know Kerryjo. Well she has finally decided to start a blog of her own.....yippee yiy yay!!! (about time too lol..). For those who don't know Kerry, her creations are superb, I can't praise her enough, she is soooo amazingly talented. Well I just wanted to welcome her to the wonderful, if not extremely addictive world of blogging. It would be great if you could pay her at visit at curlygirlyme.blogspot.com There is also a link to her blog on my sidebar, just click kerryjo. Thank you all xx vicki xx

Oh Wow!! How chuffed am I....

I've just been to the local florist to get some lillies for our house, (love the smell of fresh lillies in the home)....while I was there I plucked up the courage and asked the owner if she would be interested in selling some of my cards.... Well she nearly bit my hand off, before I knew it I was going back down with some samples for her to have. I told her how much I wanted for the different size cards I make, she said "that sounds ideal." (should have asked for more he! he!). She wants me to make up a poster with my details on and she will display that in her window. aaarrrgghhh!! oh eck!! what have I done. xx vicki xx

Thanks Natty K

WOW!!!!!! Look at all this delicious candy I received from NattyK. ooooo!!! I love it, thank you so very much Natalie.

So everyone knows what that means .........Yep!! It's my turn again to do PIF Candy. So the first three UK residents to leave a comment on this blog will received some PIF Candy from me. xx vicki xx

Thanks Natty K

I received this gorgeous PIF Candy card from NattyK, thank you so very much Natalie. xx vicki xx

Morning all, just quickly made these last night using the masculine Dovecraft papers and some other stash I've had for ages. xx vicki xx

My daughters teacher is leaving..

Yasmins teacher, Miss Luxton, is the best thing to happen to our school. She started there the same day as my daughter. Her enthusiasm, determination, passion and caring ways will be missed soooo very much. We only found out Friday that she is going to another school, how lucky they are to have her. It has come as such a shock to the children and parents, both myself and Yasmin were crying when we found out. Miss Luxton is only in her mid 20's, but she is one of the most talented teachers I have known at the school, and I've been going there for the past 13 years. She is leaving because of our head teacher is stopping her from doing fun things with the kids. Our head teacher is all for education and fun events don't come into the equation. We couldn't dress our children up this year for world book day, there's no Easter Bonnet Parade or decorate Easter Eggs competition this year. I don't understand why, when we have done so for the past couple of years. I'm all for education, but children also learn through fun and playing too. I can't say I blame Miss Luxton for leaving, but I just wish she wasn't. Ok sorry to blabber on, just can't believe how upset I am about this. xx vicki xx

Happy Easter teachers....

Hooray!!! we have finally finished all the cards and boxes for my daughters teachers. Have had a lovely day in my craft room with my youngest daughter, Yasmin, she has helped so much, thank you 'honey bunch'. Yasmin has done loads of colouring and sticking all the foam pads and dst down. She also choose which stamps she wanted for her teachers. Have used my new Penny Black stamps. I ordered them this week from Happy Stampers, wow!! what fantastic service they offer and speedy delivery. Have also used the Swiss Dots C/B folder which doesn't show too well on the piccies, sorry, most of the papers are freebies from crafty magazines. All I have to do now is fill the boxes with lots of chocs. xx vicki xx

birthday sparkle

Oh! eck!! sorry about the really bad piccie. This is for a friend who's birthday is Wednesday. I haven't used any Pink Petticoat images or papers for yonks, so I thought I would dust off the cd's and give them ago. Just like any girlie, my friend Tracey loves her handbags, so this should be just her thing. Shame you can't see the pretty sparkly ribbon or the tiny crystals in the pic, but they are there, honestly he! he! xx vicki xx

New Challenge Blog starting!!!!!

Yep!! that's right. As from Tomorrow http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/ are starting up a new challenge blog, which is dedicated to 'cute cards'. So polish off all your Penny Blacks', Magnolias, Sugar Nellies, etc and join in the fun!!!!! You can also have one of their banners to put on your blog, check out my sidebar I have already put one on. As yet I don't own any Penny Black stamps, but I am sure that will all change now....lol. xx vicki xx

Magnolia Challenge

Over at the Magnolia Challenge Blog ( the link is in my sidebar). The challenge is Boys to Men. I've not entered any challenge of theirs before, so this is kinda scary. Just been having a quick play with this Magnolia image and a mix of K & Co, Dovecraft papers so I thought I would 'bit the bullet' and join in the fun. xx vicki xx

Under the weather

I have made this for my friend, who is in hospital with suspected viral Meningitis. She is on the mend now, I am so glad to say, but it has knocked her for six.

Paper is Brenda Pinnick. I have coloured Tilda using H20's and have added Glossy Accents to the raindrops, brolly and wellies. The Glossy Accents have made the H20 paint give a crackle effect, I don't think you can see on the pic, but I quite like the effect, didn't realise that would happen he! he! xx vicki xx

rainy day crafting...

well the weather is lousy today and the Rugby is on aarrgghhh!!! The boys are downstairs screaming for joy as Wales have won, again. So us girls have been playing in the craft room. Here's just a couple of cards my daughters and I made today. We used Sugar Nellie stamps, Brenda Pinnick papers, K & Co grand adhesions and my new distressed stripes Cuttlebug folder, which I think is my favourite at the mo. Thanks for looking xx vicki xx

Friendship swap card...

Morning all, yippee it's Friday, don't know why I'm so excited, I have nothing planned as yet for the weekend, just thought I would open this post with a jolly start. This card I have made for my friendship swap partner on the do-crafts forum. I have used my trusty Rubber Romance stamp and for a change I have coloured it with Whispers and Sansodor, paisley paper is K & Co also have used the new CB paisley folder, which you can't quite see on the pic. I hope you all enjoy your weekend, thanks for passing by, xx vicki xx

Another you make my day award

Thank you so much Vanessa (nessysnotes) for this nomination, I really do appreciate it and am soooo chuffed, though I don't what I have done to deserve either of them. Ok now I have to choose five other people who make my day, ooohhh eck this is difficult, there are so many fab blogs how do you choose, right here goes:-

1 Gill - Gillyflowersexpressions.blogspot.com
2 Sue - Slumbercards.blogspot.com
3 Laurel - One of my SBS sisters
4 Veronica - SBS sister
5 Toni - SBS Sister

Toms' 16th

Well I have had a lovely day today. Still can't believe my 'little boy' is 16, don't they grow up sooo quick...omg!!! I sound like my mum, speaking of which it is also 12 years ago today that she passed away, so another day of mixed emotions, but each year it gets a little easier to live with. Woke Tom up bright and early (6am to be exact). I wanted to give him his card and pressies before my other children woke. I kind of embarrassed him because in with his card I put a lottery ticket and a packet of condoms, well he is at that age and I don't fancy being a grandma just yet, so I'd rather him be careful. Well he laughed and didn't know what to say, it was so funny lol!! After my other children went to school, I took Tom to Cardiff, it was great to spend time together, just me and him, that doesn't happen very often. Well, talk about women being fussy with clothes, he is beyond a joke. He loves clothes and looking after himself, we are late for school nearly every morning, cos of him and his hairstyles he! he!. He cost me a small fortune, but is well worth it. We had a lovely lunch together, then I treated myself, nothing crafty though, Molton Brown, pure indulgence. I can't live without their shower products anymore so I bought Sensual Hanelani and Blissfull Templetree, also got some facial products for the birthday boy. Sorry if I have bored you all to bits by now. I have been nominated for another award, this time by Vanessa, Nessysnotes, thank you so very much Vanessa I will post it later. Got loads of catching up to do. Be back soon. xx vicki xx

Toms birthday cards...

Been busy getting Toms birthday things together, he will be 16 tomorrow, WOW!!! where have the years gone. Thought I would show you the cards I have made so far. I have used a mixture of Brenda Pinnick's 'Initially Yours' chipboard letters and Dovecraft Masculine paper stack. Thanks for looking, take care xx vicki xx

Tagged

I have been tagged by the lovely Natty K, crafting fun


What were you doing 10 years ago

That's an easy one. I was making all my wedding arrangements, as it will be our 10th Wedding Anniversary this May.

What were you doing 1 year ago

I know what I wasn't doing....that's card making. I hadn't got the addiction this time last year.

Name your five favourite snacks

Chocolate, Hummous with celery sticks, olives, crisps with apple and cheese and peanut M&M's

Name five things you would do if you were a millionaire

Buy a huge house on a tropical island of our own. Visit Rodeo Drive and buy all the Louis Vouitton handbags. My family and I would spend a month at an outragiously expensive spa and be pampered to bits. Pay off closest family mortgages. Have my own chain of craft stores.

Name five things you like doing

Being together with hubby and kids. Card making. Scrapbooking. Playing in my new craft room. Making cakes when time permitting.

Name five things you would NEVER wear again

Have to agree with Natty K, ra-ra skirts (OMG!!!!), skin tight jeans, boob tubes, shell suits and leg warmers.

Name your five favourite toys

My Big Shot, digital camera, paper trimmer, computer (now i'm not so scared of them), and of course my lovely craft room.

now it is my turn to tag five other people so I will choose

1. http://nessysnotes.blogspot.com/
2. http://shirleys-cards-and-crafts.blogspot.com/
3. http://andriawerner.typepad.com/my_weblog/
4. http://jo-again.blogspot.com/
5. http://creativepad.typepad.com/creative_pad/

Mothers Day

Well I hope all you lovely mums out there had a great day yesterday. Mothers Day for me is a mixed bag of emotions. My mum passed away 12 years ago on the 5th March, which happens to be my eldest sons birthday. We scattered my mothers ashes on the beautiful Gower coast, West Wales in a little seaside village, Port Eynon, which is about an hours drive away. Every mothers day we pay a visit and throw flowers into the ocean. We usually have Sunday lunch in the Smugglers Haunt Restaurant, but unfortunately this year the Restaurant had closed down and turned into a coffee bar. We played football on the beach, collected seashells, which is also traditional, as I have a vase with Port Eynon seashells in from each year we visit there. I had a beautiful day, even more so that our sons came with us. Usually they don't want to 'hang out' with us being at their age 13 and 15 (almost 16), took some lovely photos which I will put on my sidebar at a later date. Thanks for reading this. xx vicki xx

You make my day award

OMG!!!! To say I'm gobsmacked is an understatement, but am soooooo chuffed for receiving this award from Shirley over at http://shirleys-cards-and-crafts.blogspot.com/ Thank you so very much Shirley.

I now have to nominate five more blogs that make my day for the award...This is such a difficult choice as there are so many wonderful blogs out there. So if I offend anyone by not nominating them I do apologize. These five blogs are so inspiring and great girlies to boot....

1...http://www.cardgrotto.blogspot.com/

2...http://cardkabin.blogspot.com/

3... http://www.nattykcards.blogspot.com/

4... http://hanscraftycreations.blogspot.com/

5...http://juliesinkspot.blogspot.com/

What you need to do :-1) Write a post with links to 5 blogs you find of interest and that inspire you.2) Acknowledge the post of the award giver.3) Display the logo 'You make my day'4) tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs with the news.Well done to you all and have a great day!