A bit spooked

Happy Sunday everyone!

I got the latest Lawn Fawn 'Heebie Jeebies' stamps and thought I would share a little card with you that I made for the latest Get Sketchy challenge.

I wanted to use a long card for a change, to mix things up a bit. I really like this shape card.  Sorry the pic is a bit small, my little camera can't cope that well with wide shots!  (Well to be honest it's probably me not having a clue how to do it, but ssshhh, don't tell anyone!)

The papers are by Basic Grey, the ribbons from my friend and the stamps from Lawn Fawn (my fave.. have I told you that lately ?!! ;o)   Aren't those little bats adorable?!  The little spider brad, not sure if you can make it out (it's attached through the ribbon) is from a card making show a few years ago.  Shame on me for not using them earlier!  I love 'shopping' in my studio, it's fun!

Oh yes, here's the sketch for you to see how I shaped up!   

I've been playing with my Copics so will post a card with my new colouring soon. (when I'm brave enough!)

PDCC 44

Wow! Where did that week go?!

I just realised I only did one post since the last PDCC, that's really bad, sorry!  I don't know where the time has gone.  It's Sarah's turn to offer up our challenge, and this week there's a twist! She's nick-named it 'Colour Horribilis Challenge'!  Basically the colours clash!  They are Navy, Hot Pink and Mustard!

They used to say red and green should never be seen, what colours would you never put together?  Leave me a comment below to share your worst ones!  We'd love to see what you come up with for our colours this week, our DT have really made them work :o)

I must admit I really like the mix of colours together, and didn't particularly see them as that clashy!  Of course you may well disagree when you see my card lol

Now this card is simple.  It should have taken about 10 minutes to make, but it just wasn't quite doing what it was supposed to be doing!  After a bit of playing I'm fairly pleased with it.  I didn't have the mustard patterned paper I needed so I just distressed my yellow paper with tea dye ink to make it appear mustard in colour.

This is the inspiration pic... 

Here are the details of how I made it;

1. Mat white card base with Basic Grey navy patterned paper
2. Die cut two nestie labels to use as borders in Cosmo Cricket 'DeLovely' patterned paper, distress yellow paper to change colour to mustard and just distress the edges on pink
3. Attach gingham ribbon to form two rows of frills across the bottom and add a bow
4. Die cut nestie labels in mustard and pink, distress edges 
5. Attach mustard label directly to card base, raise pink label with pop dots
6. Stamp a Lawn Fawn 'Bannerific' banner in yellow, distress completely to change colour to mustard rather than yellow
7. Stamp Lawn Fawn 'Happy Anniversary' using 'Sophie's Sentiments', attach to pink label
8. Using Lawn Fawn 'Bannerific' set stamp two birds in pink patterned paper, attach with pop dots
9. Look at your card and wonder whether you're the only person who thinks the colours don't clash.  What does that say about you?!!!

Elise Durenberger is our guest designer this week, so pop on over to her blog and leave her some love too. 

Our sponsors this week are Memory Box.  You've heard me raving about their yummy stamps before!  Go check out their blog to see what I mean!

We are getting a record number of players each week now, it's really fabulous to see so many people joining in with us now!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's inspirational pieces! 

Julie Ranae (Senior DT)

Sarah Anderson (Senior DT)

Lisa Somerville

Savannah O'Gwynn

Stephanie Kraft

Suzanne Czosek

This week is a bit of a sad week because we are saying goodbye to our DT member, Stephanie Kraft :o(  Her work is so beautiful, I know because she's sent me something so I've seen it first hand!  I wish her all the very best with her creative adventures, and will be staying in touch for sure.  Go and see what delight she has in store for you this week!

So come and join in on the fun!  Pop on over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC44, and don't forget to use Navy, Hot Pink and Mustard to be eligible to win!

A quick butterfly card

Hi there everyone!

I hope you had a lovely weekend!  I went to a couple of Copic Workshops run by Stamps and Memories in Kintbury.  There is no point in just being a Copic collector, I think it's high time I learn how to use them properly! The first day was run by Karen, and the second by Karen and Wendy, who is the owner.  They were both perfect hosts, nothing was too much trouble, and we hade a fun time.  There was even chocolate, now what more could you want?!!!

The first day was for beginners to give us the basics of Copics and the second was for the next steps.   I left the workshops feeling much more confident in my ability to play around with colouring with them, and learnt how to do shadows and hair which is always a challenge!  I know I have a way to go, and need to practice, practice, practice, but at least I feel I know where to start now!  I'd looked at lots of tutorials, which are great in themselves, but they just don't quite answer those little burning questions that you have when you're trying it out on your own. 

Today I have a card to share with you that took no time to make at all, thanks to the lovely patterned paper and Martha Stewart punch!   I was itching to add more to it, like a button or some gems, but it actually looked better with the 'less is more' motto!  You can't see here it very clearly but there is a bit of glimmer mist on the butterflies.  I haven't decided what sentiment to put inside the card yet.  I may just leave it blank for now, then it could be used for anything.

I will leave you with the supplies list.  Have a great day, and don't forget to join in the Play Date Cafe and Tiffany Doodles challenges!

Papers: Fancy Pants Design 'Darling'
Accessories: Ranger Tea Dye distress ink, SU! chocolate chip grosgrain ribbon, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Glimmer Mist

PDCC 43

Hi everyone

It's Thursday again, already!  That means it's Play Date Cafe time.  The colours this week are fab!

I thought it was about time I made a baby card, so this is what I came up with.  I used the wonderful new Lawn Fawn stamps, wow how gorgeous are these new sets?!!!  I'm in love!!

This is our inspiration picture.  Isn't it a great colour story?  It looks so fresh!

Our sponsors this week are Creative Inspirations, you can win 12 jars of paints!  Check out the blog over at PDCC for the full details! 

Details:

1. Mat base card with turquoise cardstock
2. Add lime patterned paper, wrap with green ribbon before matting onto turquoise
3. Stamp kisses at the bottom right of the card
4. Add safety pin to green ribbon
5. Stamp 'Bannerific' banner, add ribbon ties to each end, add little heart images and using Harold ABC's add the words 'new' and 'baby'
6. Using Smooch turquoise paint highlight top of banner, and colour in the heart images
7. Be amazed that you made a quick card again, it's been a while!

I'm so sorry for not having left comments for everyone this past week, it's been manic and I haven't been feeling great either.

Thank you all for your wonderful comments this week, I appreciate them so much, it keeps my mojo going!!!  I will be popping by soon to see what you create this week!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's inspirational pieces! 

Julie Ranae (Senior DT)

Sarah Anderson (Senior DT)

Lisa Somerville

Savannah O'Gwynn

Stephanie Kraft

Suzanne Czosek

Our guest designer this week is Paul B.  He has a fab clean and graphic design style, so pop over and say hi to him!

So come and join in on the fun!  Pop on over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC43.

A little bit of {ippity}

* Edited to add links, oops sorry!!

Hey there everyone!  Firstly it seems only fair to issue a warning... It's a picture heavy post today!

Today is H{ippity} Hop day. I've made a card using my favourite flower from this set, 'Now & Always'.

The papers are Basic Grey, the butterfly from my Martha Stewart hole punch, the ribbon is from Stamping Up! and the sentiment from Hero Arts.  If you'd like more information on the goodies used just drop me an e-mail.













I am a bit late in posting this but as you may know {ippity} have just released some new gorgeous goodies, and I am going to share them all with you today.  They are lovely!

This set is my favourite of the new collection.  How totally gorgeous is that sun, and those little birds are adorable!!!  What about that jar for Valentines or for an anniversary?  FAB huh?!

This set is all about home, the number of times I threaten to make a stash of new home cards but never do, now I have no excuse!  I love those little hearts too, they'd look great as a border along the bottom of a card, or even inside to finish off.

This set is great for the men in our lives, I love those little ties and isn't that car fun?  It would work as well for a teenager as it would for an older guy.  How cute is that 'Daddy & Me'?

Isn't it odd how things that we used in the past eventually translate themselves into the cardmaking world?  My Dad always used these kind of books when he was an Accountant.  They bring back fun memories of him!

Dotty should be my middle name!  I love anything with polka dots and have to restrain myself from posting it all the time in case you get bored, LOVE this one!  It would make a great background or be brilliant for making your own patterned papers.

Here's another one of those little daily things that finally made it to the card making world, the postage stamp, how cute is that?!  You could use it on the front of your envelopes if you're giving them by hand.  I love the little circles too, they would be great cut out and used on scrapbook layouts.  (must get back into scrapbooking one day!) 

Next one up is 'SO this is LOVE'.  I really love the words on this set, I don't think you can ever have enough word stamps, can you?

I just love the name of this set, 'Bitty Pixie Paisley'!  I LOVE the flowers too, I bet they look fab paper pieced!

Another yummy postal type set.  I have a bit of a thing for post card stamps, I never know what to do with them, but I have a few!  This would look pretty with a few flowers on to the left of it, it really does all of the work for you!  I'm looking forward to seeing what others make with this one, it's gorgeous! 

Don't you just love all of the sentiments {ippity} come up with, and those little branches are so sweet.  You could bling them up with some glitter.

Isn't that pumpkin label pretty with the flourishes?!!  You could use that for fall cards too, not that we have those over in the UK, but being part of the blogging world now you start to think of how other countries celebrate!  Another fun part of blogging is learning all of the cultural differences we have, and the different traditions.  Love learning all about them!    I really like the label too, you could change that to any date you wanted just by masking it out. 

And.. Last but not least this stamp is another of my favourites.  I just love all of them on this set!  YOU do deserve the best, so what are you waiting for?  Drop me an e-mail and order up some goodies for yourself.   If I don't have the set in stock I can always order it for you. I'd love you to be able to play with these too!

Don't forget to check out the {ippity} blog for the full listing of others participating in the hop.

Tiffany Doodles, a missed sketch challenge and the {ippity} winner!

Hello my fab blogging friends!  I hope your weekend is going well!

Today I would like to show you a few cards I've made up using Tiffany Doodles' digi images. I finally had some time to sit down with Tink this week to do some colouring. 

At first I wasn't sure about digi images, I tended to download them but not actually use them, but since joining Tiffany's design team I've been playing, and they are so much fun. You don't have to worry about not having the right colour ink or the right size stamp, you can just play! I can even sit in the lounge with Ian and Tink making cards up.

The card above was intended for the Card Patterns Sketch Challenge, but I didn't check the date and went online to post only to realise I'd missed the deadline, lol.  Anyway, Card Patterns was the inspiration, so I hope you like it.  It says 'Happy Anniversary' inside. I didn't want to clutter the front up with the writing, it was getting a bit too busy :o)

I made the next two cards for the Sew Many Challenges which is to "To use stitching, faux or real stitching on your project!"  My last one wasn't made for that but it fits the category so why not?!  Tiffany is sponsoring this challenge, so join in, you could win some fab digis.

I'm not sure about the top border on this card.  I was trying to get a window type theme going on, but it didn't really work!!  Funny how things look so much better in your head sometimes lol. 

You see the stitching?  This is my very first attempt at stitching onto card!  It's not perfect but I actually stitched onto card, and I'm very excited about it!   My Marmie bought me an early birthday present of a mini sewing machine!!  This yummy pink one.. (yes it's pink but it's bright pink rather than pastel, I do that kinda pink lol)

Isn't it delicious?!!  It matches my studio!  I had a play yesterday and it's SO much fun to use!  
I also made this card with it, again for the Sew Many Challenges stitching challenge ...

What the camera isn't picking up is that I have used a Spica glitter pen to add some sparkle, they look lovely in real life.  I've had this sparkly pen for ages, why didn't I realise it was so much fun to use?!  You will be seeing more of it (or not if my camera won't pick up the detail lol)  I have a birthday coming up and it was tempting to ask for a new camera, but then I had the tough decision to have that or Papertrey Ink stamps, now tell me girls/guys what would you opt for if you had that choice?!!!

While I was doing these digi images Tink was doing these.....

...the cutest little inch worms from Tiffany Doodles.  We are now being taken over by inch worms instead of Yoohoos!  She's made about 12-14 so far!  She has a new collecting thing going on!  At least this hobby is cheaper lol. If you're not sure what to do with the kids on their holidays print some of these off, she spent hours on them!   She is going to share them with you on her blog when she's finished them, so I won't share a picture here and ruin her fun!

This last card is one that I made for a friend.  I'd been waiting to get my sewing machine before finishing it off because this particular friend sews and I wanted to try and make her a card with stitching on it.  It's a 3 x 3 mini card...

So finally, onto the winner of my little giveaway... 

I asked you to suggest some fun Nanny names.  There were some great ones.  Unfortunately, I need to have a chat with 'Mummy' to see which one she likes, but I personally love Zsa Zsa which was suggested by Tammy!  Ok, so onto the winner...  I used Random.org to make it easier. The winner is... drum roll please!!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random integers, generated with replacement:

21

Timestamp: 2010-08-15 16:17:20 UTC

Cass. said...

Gorgeous cards...as always. Congrats on the new grandbaby too :)

9 August 2010 17:10  

 

Yay, well done Cass!  Please can you drop me your e-mail address and I will post the set out to you!  I'd love to see what you make with it!

 Don't forget we have a challenge on over at Tiffany Doodles, this month it's all about 'Flower Power'.  I'm not sure inch worms will qualify for this one, but they are great fun to colour and cut out, just ask Tink!!!!!

PDCC 42

Happy Thursday everyone!

Today it's Play Date Cafe day, which means we have another fun challenge for you!

Here is the card I made;

and a little close up....  Arent' those houses adorable?!!!

When I first saw the colours I was trying to think if I had anything that would work for them. I love earthy colours, but for some strange reason I don't use them that much in my card-making. This is Sarah's inspiration picture. 

Have you ever been on a camel? I have, it's VERY strange! I'm still not sure if I liked it or not. I was waiting for him to either throw me off or spit at me, not sure which would be worse. Actually, change that, spitting would definately be worse lol

Onto my card... I needed a new home card and was over at my friend's house so asked if I could borrow her Papertrey Ink housey stamps. She hadn't even inked them up, so as you can see she's a very good friend. They say there is nothing better than a friend that brings chocolate, well I say there's nothing better than a friend that lets you ink their stamps up before they have, that's true friendship lol. Thanks Hedgie!! :o)

How to make it!

1. Mat base card with tree paper (I think it might be 'Scribble Scrabble' paper.  If anyone knows please shout!
2. Stamp the various houses that you want to use onto sand coloured cardstock
3. Stamp a bit of burlap onto sand cardstock, cut to size as shown
4. Stamp hills on green gingham papers, arrange to form hills
5. Cut bottom gingham strip off piece of patterned paper and attach to the bottom of the card to add some additional interest
6. Stamp 'new' and 'home' onto bazzill cardstock, cut at an angle, and mat onto green gingham, attach to top right of card
7. Add gel heart to finish
8. Remind yourself how lucky you are to have such a wonderful friend who had fun stamps and let you play with them before she did!  
9. Add those wonderful stamps to your Papertrey Ink wish list.  Oh my goodness it's never ending!  Maybe Santa will get me them for Christmas :o)

Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Wonderfully Whimsical, {ippity} Bit of Burlap, 'new' and 'home' sentiment stamps - Woodware Crafts
Papers: Cosmo Cricket Material Girl, Bazzill Cardstock
Accessories:Red heart from Hedgie's stash, coffee archival inkpad

Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's inspirational pieces! 

Julie Ranae (Senior DT)

Sarah Anderson (Senior DT)

Lisa Somerville

Savannah O'Gwynn

Stephanie Kraft

Suzanne Czosek

This week we have Elise Durenberger as our guest designer so pop on over to her blog and leave her some love too.  

I would also like to say a big thank you to Paul for being our guest designer last week, I never told you all about it in my post, so sorry Paul.  You must have thought I was really rude!   I really should do my posts earlier in the week instead of trying to do them last thing before bed just before they are due!!!

Our sponsors this week are Memory Box.  Their stamps are GORGEOUS, you must try them!  I love their What's in the Box Holiday stamps, especially the 'Elemental Damask' and 'Singing Bird Trio'.  I've decided you need to be a millionaire to do this hobby, the list grows daily of things you 'need'!

So come and join in on the fun!  Pop on over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC42.

Back soon with another card or two.  I have a few to share :o) 

Don't forget about my giveaway here.. I'm going to be selecting the winner over the weekend!  

Quick posting - CPS card

Hey there everyone!

I may not have been able to get on line at the weekend but I did get time to play!  I made this card for the latest CPS challenge sketch, I wanted to make something a little bit vintage-y.  I'm not very good at that, and I absolutely love it as a card making style.  I look in awe at some people's creations!  Anyway, this is what I came up with, but I still think it's 'Ruby' style rather than vintage-y, hey ho!

I'm quite pleased with it though, I love the colours together and that little polka dot button is one of my faves, it's the last one now though I think!  Must get some more.  The paper is from Cosmo Cricket 'Material Girl', the stamps from Lawn Fawn, 'Sew Lovely' and 'Bake Me A Cake' for the sentiment, the ribbon is from my stash.

If you haven't played along yet pop on over to Play Date Cafe and Tiffany's Doodles.  They both have great challenges on, you just have to join in :o)

Have a great day/evening!

Very late Tiffany Doodles 3 posting!

Hi everyone

I'm sorry I've been so quiet the past few days.  We were away in Dorset with friends.  I brought my laptop with me but I couldn't get a connection to go on line and upload my card for the latest Tiffany Doodles challenge, so I'm sorry it's so late.

The challenge this month is Flower Power.  As you may know I used one of Tiffany's new flower digi images the other day for 2 Sketches 4 You that we were sponsoring.  This time I decided to use Lenten Rose w/blossom.  There are so many beautiful colours for these flowers, and the images Tiffany has designed are great!  All you do is print them out as they are and they fit perfectly into the largest blossom nestie.  Print, cut, colour, FAB!

Now, as before, please don't look too close at the colouring, I'm only learning as I said but I am hoping to do a copic course soon which should help iron out my issues! 

For the rest of my card I used East of India ribbon, some double sided grey/purple paper, not sure who it's by, and butterflies from my new Verve 'Blue Skies' set.  I just LOVE that font they've used, it's gorgeous.  To finish off I used Waltzingmouse 'Fancy Phrases' set with the 'Fancy Tags' nesties.

Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's blogs, they've done some great cards!

• Tiffany Richards Tiffany's Garden
• Cammy Wall Pink Room Therapy
• Cindy Lee My Lil Crafty Corner
• Deirdre Horgan Colour and Ink
• Donna Mikasa 3 Umbrellas
• Julie Masse Stampin' with Julie
• Kathy Racoosin The Daily Marker
• Kim Schofield Paperie Petals
• Lindsay Amrhein Note to Self
• Peet Roeven Scrap Album
• Ruby McGuire (that's me!)
• Shannon Neparko Desert Design Studios
• Sunghee Chon Creativity in Progress
• Virginia Lu Yes, Virginia

You have until the end of the month to enter for a chance to win some fab prizes! More details can be found on the main Tiffany Doodles site, just pop on over there to enter. Don't forget to grab our blinkies for your blog too!

I will leave you with a wonderful picture of 'The Old Mill House', the B & B our friends run in Dorset, where we stayed.  Just behind the tree to the right of the picture, beyond the wall is a table that I sat at with a cup of coffee and my scissors to do a spot of paper piecing, listening to the sound of the stream,  perfect! :o)  This is more of a retreat than a bed and breakfast, it is SO restful, and you couldn't be better looked after!  If you're in the area I definately recommend a visit!

PDCC 41 Italian Style and an {ippity} set up for grabs!

Hi there everyone

Today I have a cheery coloured card for you that I made for this week's Play Date Cafe challenge.  The colours are brickish red, yellow and white.  Ok, so it's a kind of white on the swimsuit, but there is some white where I've scruffed up the edges of the torn paper.  That counts, doesn't it?!!   As you know I am a HUGE fan of Lawn Fawn stamps and this new summer set is no exception! 

This week it's all about Italian style over at PDCC. This is the colour story, isn't that a fun picture!

I learnt the tearing technique I used for my card over at GCD Studios where they did a tutorial of the card below, but for some reason I can't seem to find the link.  If you do happen to come across it let me know and I will update my blog with the details.

Here are the deets of how I made my swimsuit card....

1. Cut patterned paper into a square to fit the base of the card
2. Score an 'X' in the middle of the patterned paper
3. Turn the paper over and distress the reverse of the paper
4. Tear away from the 'X' so that it looks as though you have ripped open a parcel
5. Using the edge of your scissors distress the edges of the paper that you have torn, and add a couple of tears for effect
6. Cut a smaller square of yellow paper, adhere this to the base of the card
7. Overlay the smaller square with the torn 'frame'
8. Stamp and paper piece the swimming costume and adhere using pop dots
9. Using the alphabet set stamp the words 'the' and 'new you', distress ink the words, cut out at angles and line with a copic marker, attach as shown
10. Spend ages trying to find the link for the place that you learnt the technique from, and make a note to write down the details next time!!

Some more news.....

Guess what... I'm a grandma!  Oh my goodness, how old does that make me sound?!  Ian's daughter has just given birth to a BEAUTIFUL boy called Robert!  He is adorable.  We have been trying to think up suitable names for me that don't make me feel ancient, I want to feel like a young nanny!   The most popular one so far has been Nanny Roo.  What do you think?

In celebration of this wonderful arrival I have this {ippity} stamp set up for grabs.  You have four chances to win, each one that you do will give you one chance.  All you need to do is;

1. Pop round to each of the PDDC team blogs, leave a message for them about their fab cards
2. Pop over to Tink's blog (my little cherub - she's 10).. Rock Chick Tink and leave a comment on her latest card
3. Pop back to let me know you've done it, and suggest a good 'nanny' name!  ps - 'Granny' is not an option! ;o)
4.  Let as many people know as possible about the giveaway, by putting details of the giveaway in your sidebar so that I have a fantastic selection of names to choose from!

I will pick a random winner next weekend.  I will post internationally, so what's stopping you, grab a cuppa and go and get hopping!!! ;o)

Have fun and don't forget to join in the fun over at the PDCC.

Stamps: Lawn Fawn Swimsuit Season and Harold's ABC
Papers: Cosmo Cricket Material Girl, Basic Grey
Accessories: Ranger Mustard Seed distress ink

Don't forget to check out the rest of the DT's inspirational pieces too! 

So come and join in on the fun!  Pop on over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC41.