Mojo Monday

Hi everyone

How has your week been?  You will be pleased to know everyone in the house is now a lot better, so I've put my nursing uniform away now ;o)  I don't make a great nurse really.  I'm not so bad with Natasha because we snuggle up together, but with Ian I want to pamper him and he hates it so I have to just leave him alone.  It took him ages to realise that I don't want to be left alone when I'm ill. I want sympathy, flowers, books to read, get well presents, hugs, the works!!  I get really grumpy if people don't notice I'm ill at home lol.  People can usually tell if I'm really not well though, it's about the only time I'm quiet!!

Anyway, onto cards... The minute I saw this sketch over at Mojo Monday I knew I had to play along.  I just LOVE circular cards, don't you?!  

 

 

I needed to make two congratulations cards, one is in line with the sketch, the other is a tweaked version.

The orange card was great because I just used the reverse side of the patterned paper so that the back of the card looks really pretty.

The first time I made a circular card was when I joined in with Kristina Werner's A Year in Cards, see here.  These cards just seem so much easier to make than normal ones, or maybe it's just that I really enjoy doing them!  (mind you I'm not sure many liked that card, I only got one comment!!)

My second card uses one of my favourite papers.  I just love the colours of this, and the sparkle flourishes (saves me another job lol)  I think bright colours look great with black.   That tends to come across in my clothes too, not just cards.  I wanted to make it a bit different to the first one so just added some large black sparkly letters and a little gingham bow.

I will just leave you with the details for the two cards today, they are probably quite self explanatory really.  Have you noticed I've been threading very thin strips of paper through my buttons lately instead of ribbon.  How do you do yours?

I picked up some great coloured 'twine' from a local bead shop the other day, so you will no doubt be seeing some of that very soon.  I also managed to get some kraft cardstock too so I am very excited!

Dies: Sizzix 'Circle #1' and 'Scallop'
Paper: Card One - We R Memory Keepers 'Nonsense - Jingle Jangle', brown and blue Bazzill, Card Two - DCWV, black and turqoise Bazzill
Accessories: Card One & Two - Buttons, ribbon and brad from stash, Card Two - Mei Flower gingham pre-made bow

That's it for now, I've got a few ideas bubbling away, I just need to put them together.

Happy Monday for tomorrow!

Get Sketchy / Finish it Friday

Hi everyone

Here's a little card that I made for the Get Sketchy #22 challenge, but I missed the entry for it.  I'm still not really sure about stamping, my stamped cards always look really dated somehow.  I prefer my die cut cards.   I was in two minds whether to post this card or not, I really don't like it,  but I might as well.  You can then tell me what you think - stamping v die cuts!  Be honest, I will take it in the spirit it is given!!

Did I tell you that I have recently started doing 'Finish it Friday' over at Simplify 101?  Basically on the Friday you post a list of things you want to get done over the weekend, then you update your progress on the Monday. It's a great way to get things done!

Here is the list I posted;

1. Washing (my pile is growing!)
2. Photograph my blog candy and do post (had it sitting in a box for AGES)
3. Write and post letters
4. Filing

As you will see one of my to do's this weekend was to sort out some blog candy and post it. Mission finally accomplished. I've been thinking about it for ages, but just never did anything about it. Thanks to FIF I have now completed it...woohoo!   Why don't you join in on the fun! 

Tiny Blessings

Hi everyone

How has your week been so far?  Ours hasn't been too bad, other than the fact that Ian and Natasha have both been ill so I've had to be the new Florence Nightingale!!  Talk about us all taking it in turns, if it's not one of us ill it's another!    I think maybe our Happy New Year is going to start in February!!

I love that background paper I used behind the card when I photographed it.  It has little birds on, but I couldn't resist leaving the little flower showing, it's so cute.  I'd originally bought the sheet with the intention of scrapbooking.  Hmmm, might need to add that to my to do list!

For today's card (above) I wanted to share a card I made for the 2S4U challenge #44 by Laura.  I have been looking at their sketches over the past couple of weeks but never quite get around to making anything for them.  I was determined this week to join in again.

I needed to make a new baby card for proud grandparents and the 2S4U sketch worked really well for the idea I had in mind.   I've not actually done one before so wasn't quite sure what wording to go for.  While rummaging through my studio I came across the little cutter, 'tiny blessings' which I thought summed it up really well.

I also made another card, CASED on this one by Kristina Werner.  I thought it was a fab design.  I wanted my card to look really girly; this particular one was for my friend who's just had a little girl called Erin.  Isn't that a pretty name? 

I'm shattered tonight so will just leave you with the pictures of the cards.  If you would like the 'recipes' just give me a shout!   Enjoy the rest of your day.   I have a few to share with you over the next few days, I've been busy ;o)

Gone stripey

Hi everyone

I'm now back in the land of the living, thank goodness. Oh boy, I was rough.  I've never spent so much time with my head over the toilet (I think perhaps I got jinxed from my little toilet people on my recent card!!)

Sorry there haven't been any postings.  I thought my advanced postings would kick in, but I hadn't set them up properly! Typical! I will share them at a later date with you.  For now, onto a stripey card....

Above is a little card that I made up for the Embellish Magazine Challenge.   It's a colour challenge with stripes.  Here is the inspirational picture;

Well I couldn't believe my luck when I saw this challenge because I had just cut a tag off a cardi that I had bought and was planning to use it as inspiration for a card.  I've uploaded a picture of the label below.  Can you believe how close that is to the challenge?!

Ashley Cannon Newell had even designed some stripey papers for the challenge (see info in the Embellish Challenge post) so I hardly had to do any thinking, all needed to do was download and print.  Fab!

Now, I don't often work with stripes, or these colours if I'm honest.  I couldn't get kraft cardstock itself so opted for a similar coloured cardstock that was up to the job!  I wanted to bring in some more natural elements so opted for some twine.

This card was SO quick and easy to make.  It just fills my head with lots of different ways that you could use it as a template.  You could replace the stripey paper with heart paper and add a heart stamped image, or a sentiment.  You could make it for a man by using more masculine paper and stamps, the list is endless.  Sometimes it's nice to have a card that you can go back to.  I don't know about you, but I seem to have time to make cards for everyone else, but when I actually need one to send myself I don't always have one!  This one can be whipped up in a jiffy!

By the way, did you notice that I had, wait for it.... (drum roll please)... stamped (yes I did say stamped) an image on my card!!!!!  Amazing!  I hope you're impressed lol.

Dies: None!!  (I know, incredible, I always use dies!)
Paper: Embellish Stripes by A New Design/Ashley Cannon Newell on the Embellish Challenge website (see link at top of my post) 
Accessories: K & Co. stamps, swarowski gems, twine, X-cut corner rounder

I will be back soon with some more creations.  I'm still catching up on bits and bobs since being ill, so haven't had much time to create, but watch this space :o)

A bug has got the better of me!

Hi everyone

Sorry I've been a bit quiet the past few days.  I had hoped to post something this week, but a sickness virus has got the better of me.  Luckily, I had done some pre-scheduled posts for later in the week.  I just couldn't muster up enough energy to create anything right now.  I'm on the mend now I think, so hope to be back with you in a few days.

Look after yourselves. ♥

Basic Grey Giveaway at Get Sketchy!

Now who doesn't love Basic Grey?! Well if you hop over to Get Sketchy here and become a follower you have the chance of winning Basic Grey entire Origins collection. How great is that..??!!

It's a fun challenge blog, so why not join in on some of the sketches while you're there, check out Get Sketchy!!

Going Girlie

Hi there.  I hope your weekend is getting off to a good start.  We had my friend stay overnight, so were up chatting till very late.  There's nothing quite like a good old gossip with your girlie friends, is there?!!

I have a girlie card to share with you today, which I'm going to enter into the Cupcake Craft Challenges.  I needed to make a girlie graduation card, but this card could be used for any 'congrats' special occasion really.

I fancied doing a bit of black, red and turquoise, and to use my red polka dot buttons.  Aren't they the cutest?

Our snow has now been washed away with rain and it's very overcast here today but this little card brightens it up! I always like the effect you get with the scallop cutters, the flowers look really cheery.   I was quite pleased with how these flowers turned out. My friend had bought me one of the Sizzix flower cutters for Christmas, (the one in red).  I then added a Cuttlebug flower which is a double die, one in turquoise and one in black, and the petals all fitted together really well.  I will just leave you with the supplies used for this card, but if you do want the details just give me a shout.

Dies: Cuttlebug 2 step die - scribble flower, Sizzix 'Flower and Vines w/stem', 'Circle #1', Scallop, 'Catty Corner' alphabet set 
Paper: Basic Grey 'Urban Prairie - Ladybug', red, black and turquoise cardstock 
Accessories: polka dot ribbon from stash, Doodlebug 'ladybug' polka dot button

Have a good evening.  I'm off to watch an adventure movie with Natasha and Ian, snuggled up under a duvet.  My kind of a perfect night in :o) 

You & Me

Hello again

Well all is well in the household this evening, dinner is finished and all the dishes are away.  One little girl is safely tucked up in bed, the dog is sound asleep and Ian is playing a computer game so I get to play, yay!

Here is the card that I want to share with you.  I am entering it into the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #51, see sketch image above.

 As soon as I saw the sketch this idea came into my mind.  Now, I seem to recall seeing somewhere a card with the words, 'you & me' on them, but I cannot for the life of me remember where otherwise I would give you the information.  It may have been in one of the 'Cards' magazines??  Anyway, that had obviously set off a lightbulb and then I knew I wanted to make something using my little 'toilet' people.  Don't they immediately remind you of the signs they put on the outside of toilet doors when you are out?!!   I love them, I think they are really cute.

Can you tell any difference in the brightness of this pic?  I dug out an old daylight simulation lamps that I've had for years.  I think it's made the photo look a bit better, do you? 

I REALLY enjoyed playing along with this sketch.  It was great fun playing with my 'toilet' people [giggle].

Ok, so I've been a bit lazy in not giving information on how I've been making my cards.  I just thought it would be a miracle if I actually blogged anything so didn't want to give myself any extra bits to do.  I've seen lots of people doing their cards as a list, so I thought that might be more interesting than me waffling again!  So, here goes...

1. Cut a large piece of green Bazzill cardstock
2. Round the corners and paper pierce a pattern in the top left and right corners
3. Cut out a strip of 'people pattern' paper and round corners
4. Before sticking to card with pop dots tie a bow around the card and attach using double sided sticky tape
5. Cut out a scallop in brown Bazzill cardstock
6. Cut out a circle using the reverse side of the 'people pattern' paper, attach to brown scallop
7. Cut out man and woman in red and brown cardstock, attach to ribbon
8. Cut out the ampersand  ('&' symbol) in brown and stick in centre of card
9. Attach alphabet letters 'y-o-u' and 'm-e' either side
10. Cut out three hearts in red and attach two randomly to top of card, and one to the scallop

Dies: Quickutz man and woman (not sure of the name), Sizzix Dingbats #2 & Circles #1, Sizzix Hello Kitty 'Lace Edging' 
Paper: Kelly Panacci - People Pattern (Sandylion), green, brown and dark in red Bazill cardstock
Accessories: SU! Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, L'il Davis Designs Vintage Alphabets in strawberry and chocolate chip, Woodware Craftware Collection scallop punch

Enjoy the rest of your evening.  I'm off to leave some lovin' on some other people's blogs :o)

Snow!

Hi there

I was hoping to post this yesterday but it never quite happened with working.  It's not a card this time, but a mini scrapbook by Natasha.  I do have a card to share with you today, but I am just about to serve dinner so will post it on here a bit later.

As we have been hit quite badly with snow the schools were shut here, and Natasha's school had set her a project;

1. Write how to make a snowman
2. Write about Christmas Day
3. Write words that she might think about when she hears the word 'snow'
4. Go on the school website to look up loads of links 'n' stuff
5. Do a scrapbook

She decided to make a scrapbook which showed how to make a snowman and some words.  This is what she made;

Isn't it gorgeous?!! We worked on the little Haiku poem together. Haiku is Japanese poetry.  We've never attempted Haiku (by the way I had to do a google search to see how you pronounce the word lol - it's 'hi - coo') so go easy on us if you happen to be a Haiku expert!! If you've never heard of it, here is a link that tells you all about it! On reading it I have realised that we haven't even done it right, but at least we gave it a go lol.

The picture of Lulu (our little Bichonpoo) was after her having a mad session in the garden.  She came in looking like her leg was in plastercast!  She just tears around the garden in the slow, she loves it.  Such an imp!

Well I hope my waffling on hasn't bored you into a coma, and I look forward to sharing something with you a bit later.

Happy Sunday!!

Hi everyone

How has your day been?  We have had a bit of a crafting day today, some of which I will share with you as the week goes on.  Today though I thought I would enter the CPS Challenge.  I often look at the sketches with the intention of playing along, but it never quite happens somehow.  The weeks seem to fly by.  I wanted to get out more of my Cosmo Cricket papers and fancied a bit of cheery red and green, but not in a Christmas kind of way!

This is the sketch.  I think this is a sketch that I will come back to again and again.  For some reason it seems to spark off loads of different ideas for me.  Don't you just love it when that happens?!

As you will see I have played around with it a bit, but hopefully you can see how the sketch has influenced the design of the card!

My cousin took the photo of this card for me, but I'm sure you can tell that as it's of a much higher quality picture than I would ever take!  I keep wondering whether to take a course in photography to learn how to do it better, but to be honest it doesn't interest me enough because I simply want to learn how to take better pictures of my cards and nothing else really.  Does that make sense??

I just LOVE these papers, they are so cheerful.  What is it about fruit that works so well with card making?  I love some of the fruity stamp sets you can get at the moment, and recently ordered some from Sarah-Jane over at Cards and a Cuppa.  They came through so quickly, it was great!  If I tell you that I've got them then I might actually get around to making something with them to show you lol.  There is method in my madness!

Anyway, I'd love to know what you think of the card.

Supplies used;

Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird papers 
Red Bazzill cardstock
Prima flower
Polka dot ribbon from stash
Martha Stewart Arch Lattice Edge border punch

 Happy crafting!!

Ruffle Flowers

Happy Weekend everyone!!

It has not long gone midnight here and I just thought I would blog a couple of cards that I've been playing with today.

Dawn McVey made this card using some GORGEOUS ruffle flowers, and the minute I saw them I just knew I needed to play!  The cards are totally CASED, because there was absolutely nothing that I wanted to change about them.    If you scroll down the post a bit you will see that she has done a brilliant tutorial on them. The flowers are such good fun to make, you have to try them!  I can't get enough of them!  I keep looking at different variations of papers that I could use for the backgrounds lol.   (Now I'm hoping that it's ok to copy a card and then link it, so I'm going to hop on over to Dawn's blog and leave her a comment to let her know. I'm still not totally familiar with what you can/cannot do in the world of blogging, so if anyone thinks I'm doing anything wrong please would you let me know!!)

I used double sided DP for the orange card which made it even easier to decide on the combinations!  The back of the October Afternoon paper was dotty too but I decided to use the blue to tie the whole card together.

 I can't decide whether I like the bigger flower/card or the smaller one.  What do you think?  

I have so many thank you cards to make, it was nice to be able to do a few quick ones without having to think too hard about it. You should never work your brain too hard on Saturdays, it's the rules lol.

I'm not sure if you can see in the photos but for the centre of the buttons I was going to use string, but realised I hadn't got the right thickness, so I just cut a slither of the DP and used that instead.   You have to be quite gentle with it because it snaps but you can  make a little knot and it looks quite effective.  As you can see I still can't photograph my cards properly but hopefully you get the idea!!  

Supplies used;

Blue-Brown Ruffle Flower;  

October Afternoon DP - 'Weathervane - Chilly Mornings'

Basic Grey - 'Figgy Pudding - Glacier'

Blue Bazzill cardstock

Button by Doodlebug design 

Fiskars 'Treading Water' punch

Orange Ruffle Flower;

October Afternoon???  (there was no labelling on it, sorry)

Terracotta Bazzill cardstock

Button from stash
Fiskars 'Treading Water' punch

I am hoping to make a card or two tomorrow, depending on how the day pans out, so I will be back then.  Enjoy the rest of your day if it's still daytime for you, and sweet dreams if it's not!

My Best Friend

Hi everyone!

I would like to share a card with you that I made for the Get Sketchy Card Challenge #19. I haven't done a challenge on this blog before but was inspired to join in when I saw the sketch. I am determined to keep up my New Year's resolution to make cards and blog them! I also want to keep doing challenges so that I move out of my comfort zones a bit! It's so easy to get stuck into doing the same old cards, don't you think? I love trying new ideas.

I had to be a bit creative with the four dots top and bottom though. If you look closely at the card you may be able to make out that I have three flowers at the top plus one itsy bitsy dot, and then a few itsy bitsy dots at the bottom, hope that counts lol.


I had fun with this card. I've been wanting to play with some chipboard pieces for ages. I always think they add such great dimension and this pack from Cosmo Cricket just couldn't be left behind at the shop, it would have been such a terrible shame ;o) I've actually had the pack for a couple of months, but again another New Year's resolution is to use what I have before rushing out to buy something new. It's about time I 'shop' in my studio instead of spending more money!! I'm sure you guys all know exactly what I mean!

Let me know what you think of this card. I'd love to hear your comments, and also tell me how you are getting along with your New Year resolutions. One of mine was to drink more water. Well I have drunk more water, but I should have been more specific in saying I want to drink a minimum of 6 glasses of water a day, as I'm only up to about 2 or 3 at the minute! My goal for this time next week is to be at 6 glasses a day! I hope your weather is good where you are, we have about 5 inches of snow here at the minute, but have everything we need so it's a great excuse to take some time to create. Yay!!

Hey There Cupcake

Hi there everybody

Just a quick posting today. I hope your day has gone well. We've had a sunny day here, but it's very cold outside.

Here's a quick card that I created, that I thought I would share with you. There is something sooo cute about cupcakes, and this little cutter is good fun to work with. If you'd like any details just give me a shout. I am going to start giving the 'how to' details again soon, but for now it is just amazing that I'm actually posting anything!

Hope you have a good evening. I've got a few thank you cards to make this week, so will see you again soon!

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year everybody! I wish you all a new year full of peace, good health, fun and laughter.

Guess what one of my New Year's resolutions was...to get back blogging!

I'm sorry for the lack of postings, life has been very busy and I kind of lost my mojo a bit. Anyway, I'm back now, so hope that I have a few of my followers left!! Thank you to all of you that hung in there for me despite my lack of postings. I know the blogging world is very fast paced and card makers are only as good as their next card, so thank you! You could have given up on me, but you haven't :o)

So what has been happening with you all? I haven't had much chance to check out other blogs so need to catch up on the latest. Can anyone recommend any challenge blogs to get me started? I do like my challenge blogs :o)

My little 'baby' turned 10 a few weeks ago, so I thought I would share the card I made for her with you. She absolutely adores Hello Kitty so it seemed only appropriate that I make her a card. This card was a challenge, not because it was difficult, but because I was making it over at my friend's house during half term holidays while Natasha was there. She must have walked into the room about 20 times while I was making it so trying to keep it a secret was interesting! I was constantly trying to hide the bits I was cutting out, plus the leftovers (she doesn't miss a trick!) and also trying to hide the cutters/papers :o) I had been telling her I was going to make a card and picked out a pad I thought she might like. As I flicked through the pad she said that one of them was nice. Which particular one I didn't know. Well, I couldn't really make a big deal of it, so I had to guess. And I guessed right, it was her favourite one! I love it when that happens, when you actually do something that shows you know a person. It doesn't happen very often lol.

So what are all of your hopes and dreams for 2010? Have you set yourself New Year's resolutions around card-making? Mine was just to get on with it, make some and blog them, and I thought what better day to start than today!! I have been putting it off for too long now.

It's great to be back and I hope to catch up with you all soon. Ciao for now! :o)