Creative Card Crew challenge 8 - Sketch It

Over at the Creative Card Crew there's a fab sketch to follow, so this is the card I've made. It's my son Ryan's 15th birthday on Saturday and he loves fishing to I thought this would suit him. I've coloured the image using Copics, for the sky I used pastel shimmer chalks, I also added some glossy accents to the drops of water.

The papers are Basic Grey "archaic", cuttlebug embossing folder, sentiment is computer generated cut out using my new SU oval punch, some tulle to emulate the fishing net and his catch...lol!!!

Thanks for popping by my lil oasis, luv 'n' hugs

xx vicki xx

For the hostess with the mostess......

Last October I joined Julies Stampin Up, Stampers 10 club and I have to say she has been such a marvelous hostess, she's a fine Yorkshire lass.......lol!!!! she's also a very bad influence when it comes to me buying Stampin Up goodies, well not that I need that much persuading though.

Anyway I sent her these lil bits 'n' bobs, my way of saying a humongous thank you for all the hard work and organising she's done for us girlies. Now Julie is just a lil bit keen on the odd cupcake, hence the cupcake card I also sent her a box of make your own cupcakes/muffins....If you pop over to her blog, you'll be able to see the cupcake addiction for yourself. She also makes some truly wonderful creations herself. If anyone is wondering where to get Stampin Up goodies from, Jules is the person for you. Thank you Jules for all that you do for us Stampers 10 girls, your hard work is always so very much appreciated, your a lil gem (((hugs))) xx vicki xx

Colour Create Challenge week 13

This weeks challenge over at the Colour Create challenge blog is to make a card using the colours brown, orange and green.

Now I have a cheated a little and made two, the reason being is that the teacher in the school where I work asked if I would be interested in making cards with the children in the art club which is held at lunchtimes. I thought we could begin with a theme and as Fathers day is around the corner, that's what we'll be making. So I needed something pretty straightforward for the children to be able to use as a guide and this is what I've come up with, don't it seam strange making cards with no patterned paper. I bought a few Jolly Nation stamps last week simply because they had some ok ones for the guys in our lives. I've used Cuttlebug embossing folders and the sentiment is computer generated.

I've coloured the images with Copics, for this card I stamped the "gone fishin" stamp to back a background, cut out some of the lil fish and stuck them onto the Tulle, again sentiment is computer generated.

Hey, get me two posts in one day....can you tell it's my day off...lol!!! Full day at work tomorrow though.......oooooo. I'm gonna try and do some blog hopping later as I've been an awful blogging buddy to you girlies, for which I do apologise. Thanks for popping by, ttfn xx vicki xx

Golden Oldies.........

....is the name of this stamp set and as soon as I saw it in the new mini Stampin Up brochure I was lmao....the sentiments are so funny.
I thought this would be a fun card to give my FIL for fathers day....just hope he doesn't take offence....lol!!!!

Now this one most certainly sums me up.....pmsl......The papers are K & Co, scallop sentiment is also Stampin Up.

Cardstock, ribbon, sentiment and image all Stampin Up, pp is K & Co.

Just incase you were wondering I always buy my Stampin Up goodies from Jules, she's a brill hostess and always willing to help out, cheers Jules.

ttfn xx vicki xx

All pink 'n' girly

I've made this card for the daughter of a work collegue of my hubby, you may remember a few posts down that I made THIS mother's day card with a photo of a lil girl holding out her arms, well this card is for her. Jess will be 3 this week and her dad asked if I could make a card for her, she loves horses and butterflies, she also loves Peppa Pig plus other characters.I thought I would go with the horse and butterfly theme and used the Magnolia horse and my new Sugar Nellie stamps, which have been coloured in using...yep...none other that those well popular Copics. The papers are K & Co "Sparkly Sweet", I've also added a few of my lovely new Prima flowers. The scalloped corner is an EK success punch which I bought from The Hobby House

Just a few other pics to show you around the card

Have you noticed a lil something extra on my pics....yep...I got meself a watermark...wooo hooo, I'm slowly catching up with you lot now....lol...it's all thanks to my fabby friend Jilli, who kindly gave me instructions on how to do it, huge thanks again luvly. Now as I've said before I'm hopeless with technology and never venture into my graphics package, so when I opened up PSP I didn't even know how to get the photos from their folders into PSP....doh...what a plonker...but after a lil play around, hey presto....I have a watermark...I'm well chuffed with myself...hehehe!!
Well the Easter Hols are well and truly over and I'm back at school today, so is Ryan, but Georgia and Yasmin go back tomorrow, so I've left my eldest son Tom babysitting, never done that before, he's 17 now and about time he did something to help out....oh poor Georgia & Yassy.

ttffn xx vicki xx

p.s. I can't seem to make up my mind which background colour I prefer my photos to be taken, either a brown or a white background. It would be interesting to have your opinions, if you don't mind. The brown seems to make the cards stand out a little more I think.

Miss Anya's - Same but different...

Don't you just love these little beauties, I think this is my favourite, well at the mo anyway....which is why I've used it for both cards.

I've used my lovely Copics to colour both images. Sentiment is Stampin Up. papers are MM, the gorgeous white crochet flower was a gift from my lovely friend Jilli

I seem to be getting fond of the colour blue all of a sudden, I'd usually steer clear of that colour but it must be because of these gorgeous Basic Grey "Granola" papers. I've used my brand new Prima flowers for this card....don't know how I managed to part with them...aren't they pretty lush.

I've made quite a few cards recently, shall pop them on my blog over the next couple of day, but for now I'll love and leave you ttfn xx vicki xx

another lovely award.......

......I've received this wonderful award from Diane, thanks ever so much luvly and right back at ya too.

Now for the difficult part, choosing 10 others to pass this award onto, I decided to pass this to the following in no particular order:-

Nancy Clare Julie Anne Diane Vanessa

Cass Annika Jackie Sarah-Jane

Ok I'm off to do some gardening, hope you all enjoying this gorgeous sunny day. xx vicki xx

Happy 40th Jilli

Happy 40th to you

Happy 40th to you

Happy 40th Dear Jilli

Happy 40th to you........

My lovely crafty friend Jilli is celebrating her 40th birthday today......Happy 40th Jilli....(lol!!! I wonder how many times I can mention 40 in this post...she's gonna kill me...pmsl). Here's a pic of the card I sent her. Rubber Romance image has been coloured with Copics. Papers are Pink Petticoat, the sentiment on the box is Stampin Up and the frame is a sizzix die.

Jilli I hope you have a wonderful 40th birthday, sounds like you've been spoit rotten already and deservedly so too.

luv 'n' hugs xx vicki xx

Just Magnolia 1st sketch challenge

There's a fabby new challenge blog that has just started, if you haven't already you really need to pop over and check out the wicked sketch and delicious goodies that are up for grabs in celebration of Just Magnolia's first challenge.

I really did enjoy making this card, it did take a while but I'm quite happy with the way it's turned out. I love the colours on these Basic Grey "Mellow" papers. The Magnolia image has been coloured in with....I wonder if you can guess..........mmmmm.....yep Copics, again. The swirls are a sizzix die cute, flowers are a mix of Prima and some from my stash, Dew Drops. Sentiment is Autumn Leaves. Spacers and the cute lil girl charm are from Jill at The Hobby House, a fab site to order from, excellent delivery and customer service.



Here's a close up of that cute lil charm, please don't look to close at my colouring, I'm still not all that confident as yet with Copics, eventhough I've been using them for about a year now.

Thanks so much to all those who gave me advice regarding the music on my blog. Hubby thinks he's sussed it now, it's to do with the bandwidth and eventhough we paid to have extra bandwidth, it seems that other people can download the songs which uses up my bandwidth....grrrrr...hopefully it's sorted now though.

Well whatever your all up to this weekend, I hope you all enjoy yourselves xx vicki xx

Organising my Copics

I usually tend to buy my Copics from a local stationery shop. Whenever I'm in town I pop in a buy the odd few, never really knowing if I already have that one at home, so far I've been lucky not to duplicate any.

So last night I did a Google search for Copic colour charts and printed off these two.

As you can see from the photo one is already coloured, so I've just put a black dot by each Copic I have. The other chart is left blank so as I can colour in the certain Copic as and when I get it. Now there's no excuse for me trying to remember which ones I have and don't have when I in the stationery shop. Gosh how organised am I....lol!!! Just thought I'd pop this on my blog, incase anyone was having the same trouble as me.

Hope you all have a fabby weekend, luv 'n' hugs

xx vicki xx

Music on blogs.....hellllppp please..

Does anyone else have the same problem as me when it comes to your music player on your blog. It's driving me nuts...well hubby really, as I don't upload the songs, don't understand how to do it.

The problem is that every now and then the music won't play and it just skips through each song, arrghhhh. It wasn't working at all last week, then it worked the beginning of this week, now today no music at all.

So if anyone has the same problem and knows how to rectify it, I would so very much appreciate any advice, but bare in mind I'm a complete technophobe....lol!!! Thanks in anticipation
xx vicki xx

gavin the gift giving dragon

I really love this friendly lil dragon, he arrived on my doorstep yesterday and I couldn't wait to colour him in. I bought him from Tracey at Dies to Die For (fabby site to order from btw) These papers I've had for yonks, I think they may have been one of the first purchases, craftwise from QVC, not sure what the make is though.

I've used my lovely Copics, again, to colour him in...oooopppssss!! made a bit of a boo boo by his wing.

For this card, I followed Tiets sketch over at the Sugar Bowl, the papers are a mix of K & Co and DCWV. The scallop corner punch is EK Success bought from the Hobby House (another brill webstore to buy from)

Again Gavin is coloured with Copics.

I've been out with my daughters for most of the day and now they've gone over to their friends house...yay!!! I think I'll get some crafting done....I bet though as soon as I start they'll be home.

thanks for popping by, ttfn xx vicki xx

magnolia down under challenge #7

Cor Blimey another card, another challenge all in one day. If this is what staying up all night is like, I think I'll do it more often....lol!!!!


I recently found this challenge blog and loved the theme, also as I was already doing a brown theme, it seemed silly not to continue...lol...

So over at Magnolia Down Under Challenge Blog, this week the theme is Sepia. For some reason the photo is showing a completely different shade of brown, it's more of a toffee shade IRL, oh well that's my photography for you...lol!

For this card I've dusted off poor old Martha, she's not been inked up in yonks, the papers are HOTP, the two script stamps I received yesterday, they are by Crafty Individuals which I bought from the Craft Barn. The sentiment stamp is Close to my Heart, which I won a while ago in a blog challenge which was hosted by Laurel, my SBS 11 sister. Really not happy with this pic or the one in my previous post to be honest, they look so much different IRL.

Thanks for popping by my lil oasis, ttfn xx vicki xx

Colour Create challenge week 11

It's been a while since I've made a card for a challenge but I couldn't resist this one.

The theme over at Colour Create Challenge is to make a card using the colours Chocolate, Coffee, Cream, I love any shades of brown, so here's my efforts.

I inked some cream card with SU creamy caramel inkpad, then stamped the image with Versafine Sepia Brown ink. The papers are Basic Grey "motifica". Autumn Leaves "ticketed" sentiment stamp, chocolate crown lace from my local haberdashery store, raffia and Prima Artful Collage flower.


You'll be pleased to know that my craft room is spick and span, everything in it's place, but you'll never guess.....I didn't go to bed last night...what a plonker....lol!!! Iwas so engrossed in sorting my stash out, (you'll be amazed at the goodies I found and forgot I had) the time just flew by and before I knew it, it was 7.20am and my daughters came to wake me up only to find me busy in my lil room. Mind you I did also make this card and a few others too and even cleaned up after me......lol!!!

ttfn xx vicki xx

a couple of cards

Hello everyone and a happy Tuesday to you all. Just a quick post today as I'm off out shortly with my daughters, weather permitting, it's quick cloudy here in South Wales, with just a glimmer of sunshine trying to break through the clouds.

This baby girl card I made for an order, the lil pram and frilly tag image are Magnolia, papers are downloaded free from either Epsom or Canon Scrapbook. As for the gorgeous crochet flower, that was a special pressie from my lovely friend Jilli. Huge thanks again Jilli, I love them.

I've also been having a lil play with my new Alota stamps, the images have been coloured using Copics and the papers are K & Co.

I'll pop back and visit you all asap. Hope you have a lovely day, whatever your up to.

ttfn xx vicki xx

a few awards

Oooooohhhhh just look at these fab awards I've received from two lovely blogging buddies.

These two above I received from Cheryl, thank you so much Cheryl for thinking of me to pass them onto, I'm chuffed to bits.

This award I received from my lovely fellow Taffy friend Clare. Thanks luvly, I'm really touched that you thought of me to pass this fab award onto and right back at ya too!!!!

Ok I gonna cheat big time with passing these awards onto peeps. It's always difficult to choose certain blogs so I'm gonna pass all these awards onto everyone who entered my blog candy and for all my new blogging buddies who have become followers of my blog.

luv 'n' hugs to you all

xx vicki xx

WE HAVE A WINNER.............

WOW!!!!! I'm completely blown away by the amount of comments for my blog candy, so a huge thank you to all who entered. I'd also like to thank and welcome all the new followers to my blog.

I've put a couple of photos to show how the winner was decided...(sorry about the poor photography)As soon as I received comments I entered everyones name into Word, then printed out the names...PHEW...that took some doing.....lol!! next time I'll used a Randon Number Generator......

Here's my eldest daughter Georgia-May delving into the names

My youngest daughter Yasmin also wanted to join in the photo to show the winner.

a huge congratulations goes to

TARA

(happilyevercrafting.blogspot.com)

Tara if you could e-mail me (vicki.cody@sky.com) with your home address, I'll get your goodies posted to you on Tuesday.

A huge thank you once again for all the lovely comments and entries, I' still gobsmacked.

I hope you've all have a lovely, chocolicious Easter Sunday

luv'n' hugs to you all

xx vicki xx

Would you like some candy ????????

************************

THIS CANDY IS NOW CLOSED. CAN I JUST SAY A HUGE THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO ENTERED MY BLOG CANDY, I AM TOTALLY OVERWHELMED BY ALL THE COMMENTS. I'LL BE BACK AS SOON AS I CAN WITH THE WINNER......GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO ENTERED.

************************

This week I reached 30,000 hits on my blog and it's all thanks to you guys, so I thought I would offer a lil candy by way of saying a gigantic thank you to all my lovely blogging buddies and all who visit my lil oasis.

Up for grabs are as follows:-

Stampin Up 'Polka Dot Punches' stamp set

Basic Grey 6x6 'Porcelain' paper pad

7 Copic Ciao Marker pens

Craftwork Cards Iced Gems

Stamped images inc Whiff of Joy, Magnolia, La Blanche, Alota, Gorjuss Girls and Miss Anya's

( sorry but my photography is pants, you can click on the photo for a better look,)

If you would like to be in with a chance of winning this lot all you have to do is link my blog to yours and leave me a comment to know that you've been, it's as simple as that.

I will do the draw on the evening of Easter Sunday, 12 April, just after 9pm This candy is open to anyone, whichever country you may be from. Good luck and thanks for popping by.

FOR ALL OTHER POSTS PLEASE SCROLL DOWN, THANKS

xx Vicki xx

HELLLLLLLLPPPPP!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone remember the photos I put on here showing my craft room, if not here's a reminder.

A place for everything and everything in it's place......

....everything oh so organised......

.......mmmmmm....or maybe not.....pmsl....am I THE messiest crafter around....

I took these photos about half an hour ago......help...where do I begin....any volunteers greatly appreciated... Eventhough I've got two desks, believe it or not I craft on my knees on the floor, am I crazy or what, well there is a method in my madness, there's more room on the floor to make more mess...rofl...

I was on the phone to Jules earlier telling her the state of my room, well Jules here's the evidence. ...lol!!!

I'd love to see if there is anyone messier than me, perhaps that could be a challenge in itself, I'm sure I could rustle up some candy for the messiest person, anyone up for the challenge (UK entries only), if so take a piccie of your mess, post it on your blog, then leave me a comment so that I can see just how messy you really are........this should be a good one, come on girlies don't be shy.....lol!!!!!

OK NOW I FEEL TOTALLY ASHAMED OF MYSELF, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE COMMENTS I'VE RECEIVED, I DON'T THINK I'M GONNA SPEAK TO YOU LOT AGAIN.....BOOOOO HOOOOOO, SNIFF, SNIFF, SNIFF AND A HUGE GIGGLE, hehehehe, lol!!!!

Here's some other messy crafters, check them out:-

Michelle

gorjuss girls

The weather has been a bit dismal here in South Wales, which has given me the opportunity to have a lil play with my lovely new Gorjuss Girls stamps. My daughters and I have been making cards and alsorts today and this is what I've come up with. The papers are Basic Grey, the image has been coloured with Copic Ciao markers.

Again using Basic Grey papers and of course coloured with Copics, the sentiment is SU.

This card looks completely different irl, I've used a swirl stamp from a set 'close to my heart' which I won a while back from my SBS11 sister Laurel. I distressed some co-ordinations black magic cardstock and added some blooms

Papers are Anna Griffin, sentiment is SU, image again coloured with copics, flowers, robins nest dew drops and the lovely leaves were part of a gorgeous RAK from my lovely friend Jill.

I've got a couple of orders to make, then hopefully I can play with my new Alota Stamps.

Thanks for popping by and visiting my lil oasis

ttfn xx vicki xx

Happy Birthday Kerryjo

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Kerry

Happy Birthday to you........
Here is the card and box I sent to my lovely buddy Kerry, as today is her birthday.

I received this lovely Sugar Nellie stamp last week and have coloured it using Stampin Up inkpads and Copic markers. The papers and flowers are Prima, the Pins are Fancy Pants. I hope your having a fabby birthday Kerry.

The lovely Jo (Siggi Shop), has created a fab new header for my blog, hasn't she done a brill job, huge thank you's again Jo.

thanks for visiting my lil oasis, hope your all enjoying this sunny day
xx vicki xx