2 Sketches 4 U 63

Hi everyone, thanks for popping by.

I have a quick card to share with you today that I made for the 2 Sketches 4 You challenge this week. This is my card...

and this is their fab sketch...

I love simple sketches like this, they really spark off SO many ideas, sometimes it's hard to know where to start!  I really enjoyed making this, I think this butterfly by Tim Holtz really lends itself to that paper line.

I did a simple 'happy birthday' sentiment inside, I thought the front might be a bit too busy otherwise.

Hope you like it.  Have a great weekend!  I'm off to watch 'X Factor' on TV, and snuggle up on the sofa with my man and princess, oh yes and I'm sure Lulu (our little dog) will be snuggled up with us too!   

Dies: Tim Holtz 'Fanciful Flight'
Paper: Basic Grey 'Origins' 6 x 6 pad

Accessories: Prima pearls, SU! black and white grossgrain ribbon, circle and blossom nesties

Happy Birthday Julie!!

Hi there everyone

If my scheduling has worked you should be seeing a card with a yummy cake on it!  

I made this card for Julie over at the Julie's Open Window.  It's a very special birthday for her today, so Happy Birthday Julie!!! 

I hope you have a wonderful day, get lots of time to craft and get a cake as big as this one!!

I have known Julie since joining the Play Date Cafe Challenge design team, which she heads up.  She is such an encouraging and caring person, who has always made me feel welcome from day one, and genuinely cares about the people that play along with our challenges.  She goes the extra mile to make us all feel part of a great team.  As if she wasn't busy enough with the PDCC she also has her own personal blog. She makes some fab creations so pop on over to see her.  You won't be disappointed. 

I used this 2 Sketches 4 You sketch.  Such a simple sketch, but it really sparks my creativity.  Thanks Laura, love it!

I seem to be on a bit of a Cosmo Cricket (DeLovely) thing at the moment.  Every time I make a card I want to use these papers!  I hope you don't get too fed up with seeing them!  I used Lawn Fawn stamps for the cake and sentiment, did a little bit of stitching (I thought you were worth the effort Julie!) and distressed the edges of my paper. When I do this I always wonder if people will think I've just grabbed an old scrap of paper that should have been thrown out!  It's ok for us in the card making world, but what about those that don't know the latest trends.  What will they think of it all lol

Hope you likey!

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!

2 Sketches 4 U and Tiffany Doodles

Hi everyone

Just a quick posting to share with you tonight, although not such a quick card.

I have been trying to teach myself how to use my Copics, oh boy that's a whole new arena to enter into!

Anyway, Tiffany Doodles are sponsoring 2 Sketches 4 You this week so I thought I'd play along using one of Tiffany's new floral images. They are the perfect size for the largest 'blossom' nestie, so all you do is print, line up your nestie and cut! Done! Well, that's the easy bit, then you have to colour it in. Now for all you Copic queens out there please go easy on me, this is my first big project.  I have another card to make for later this week so any tips you can give me in advance would be greatly appreciated!

So onto my card, with a slight (well ok, maybe a bit more than slight) change to the rectangle behind the circle.  It's nearly like the sketch!!  Sorry the lighting isn't that great.  I had hoped to get the card photographed in daylight but never quite made it in time!

and here is the sketch;

Why don't you play along over at 2 Sketches 4 You! You want to see what the design team has come up with, their cards are FAB. I am in awe of Kazan's card too, wow!  I almost didn't enter mine when I saw that!!

Oh and just to remind you we have a new challenge coming up on 7th at Tiffany Doodles, so make a diary note and pop by to join in with us!

Have 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)

Somebunny Loves You

Hi there

I wanted to join in the 2 Sketches 4 You Challenge #22 by Laura this week, but I needed to wait to post it until Natasha was in bed because the card I have made is for her for Easter.


As you've probably all worked out by now I don't really work with pastels very often. Whenever I get out any pastel papers I always want to make the card more dramatic somehow. The little bunny brad from Smirk that I used on this card had a black outline which inspired me to dig out the black! The card actually looks better in real life because the striped paper is sparkly. I think this bunny looks a bit mad with his huge eyes. He looked a bit sad before I put them on and I know Natasha will think they are very funny so I just went with it :o)

I cut out two rectangles in PP and layered them both onto black. On the smaller rectangle I tied on the ribbon and pushed through the bunny brad. I stamped the bunny sentiment and layered this onto black. I then cut out my bunny, inked all around the edges and pop dotted him so that he looks like he is holding the message. I finally added his boggle eyes for a bit of fun :o)

Dies: Quickutz rabbit
Paper/Card: Imaginisce 'For Peeps Sake - 'Color Me Happy' & 'Spring Fling', Bazzill Swiss Dots
Stamps: Penny Black 'Some Bunny'
Accessories: Smirk 'Naughty But Nice' bradz, pink ribbon from stash

I'm going blog hopping in the World Record Inspirational Blog Hop over at Unity Stamp Company, start here if you want to join in. It takes a while to go through but it's worth it!

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday ♥

Gothic Fairy

Hi there

As promised I am back to post a card tonight. I made this card for Ian's daughter, Charlotte (hope she's not reading this!) It's her birthday tomorrow. She loves all things goth but still has a girly side to her so when I saw this fairy cutter I knew I had to do it for her. The idea for the 'dark' fairy itself is taken from my local craft shop, they'd made one up using a scallop circle behind her. I wanted to do something different though and have gone with a teen theme. Starting from the bottom up I cut out some 'texting' paper which I thought would be quite cool for a girl of her age, she's going to be 16. I then made up the gothic fairy and used my artistic licence with Kazan's Sketch #22 over at 2 Sketches 4 U!

This week 2S4U have a competition whereby the children can also take part to win a prize. I'm trying to talk Natasha into entering one, whether she will or not is another thing. So, for now, so that she doesn't feel pressurised I am just going to enter mine. If she chooses to do something later in the week she can. She's actually quite good at cards, you can see one of her creations here in one of my older posts.

So, back to the sketch... As you can see from the pic the sketch is to use 1 square and 2 rectangles. Well I've used the fairy as the main rectangle, the larger gift as the other, and the smaller gift as the square. (Hope that's ok Kazan!!) I cut out and embossed two squares using my Nesties and then embossed them using a hearts Quickutz folder. I then cut out two strips of sparkly card to make lids for the boxes, and attached the ribbon. Finally I added 3 photo corners and the letters/number 'HB2U' to keep in line with the 'text talk' on the paper.

Hope you, and Charlotte, like it!! I'd love to hear what you think!

I haven't listed the recipe because I'm falling asleep over my keyboard here but if any of you would like it just drop me an e-mail! If I remember I will edit it with the info tomorrow, but unfortunately I'm not an elephant and I do forget!!

Night night, sweet dreams! :o)

Get Well Lady Bug

Hi there. Have you all had a good day?

I did some ironing on and off in the morning, did my Pilates exercises, walked around town for a bit, and then we took Lulu out for a walk when Ian got home from work. Ian and Natasha were chasing her around the park while I watched. (No, not being lazy, I'm having a really bad back day today, it's been extra bad the last few days for some reason) :o( My card making has been my friend over these past months, it helps me take my mind off it :o) Well, you would think Lulu would be worn out after all that running around, but na!! She has been stealing socks all night! She has also done that embarassing 'let's bring out Mummy's knickers from the washing basket' thing, luckily not in front of guests..yet!

So onto my card. I have been thinking about doing the 2 Sketches 4 You sketch #20 by Laura all week, and have been back to view it I don't know how many times, but everytime I do I keep getting a ladybug/ladybird pop into my mind, so I thought I might as well go with it! Can you see where I am getting the ladybug from?? I am inverting the sketch for this card, hope that's allowed?? I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. It's nice and cheery, which is what you need when you're feeling rough. I haven't anybody to send it to yet, which is a good thing of course ;o)


I cut out a piece of 'Phoebe' paper and inked the edges, and cut another larger piece to lay it onto in black cardstock.

I die cut a circle, then cut it into two for the wings, and added a piece of black card between the two wings. I cut out some flowers and spots and added gems. I cut out a smaller black circle for its head and then used a letter 'L' for the antennae and cut out two smaller circles for the 'bobbles' of the antennae. (I'm sure there's a proper word for them, but I like to call them 'bobbles' .. hmmm, maybe that's why people say I'm quirky?!) I then pop dotted the finished ladybug. I printed out the sentiment, Heard you caught a bug...Get Well Soon' onto white cardstock on my computer and cornered/inked the edges, again matting it onto black cardstock. I punched out a flower, added a circle for the centre, and finished by adding gems to the centre of the flower and three on the right hand side to add some balance.

Dies: Sizzix 'Circle #1', 'Circles #2', 'Flowers & Stems', 'Lipstick Love Letter' alphabet
Paper: Basic Grey 'Phoebe - The Presidio, Bazzill Classic and black cardstock
Accessories: Paper Shapers, 'Retro Flower' hole punch, swarowski gems

Ooh, I keep meaning to mention that Adrienne has some blog candy over at Scrapping with Adrienne. I'm very forgetful at the moment! I think that comes from not working. I used to have to use my brain all the time in my role in HR, but now I don't need to I have to write everything down. Now, if you are going to leave a comment please promise you won't tell me it's my age instead!!! Pretty please!!

I've been busy!

Hi again

I have a few cards to share with you tonight, but first I want to mention some people that have some fab blog candy to give away. The first one is from Sarah-Jane at Cards and a Cuppa. I've got my eye on those word stamps! I love her cards, you should go over there and check them out. The second is on Stamping with a Whiff of Joy, where they have a new Medieval Collection with the characters "Charlotte & Charlie" coming out. They look really cute. I love the medieval and tudor period so will definately be trying to win that :o)

Now onto cards. I'm a proud Mummy tonight, my little girl made this fab card with no help from me at all. It was for her 'Mama' (Grandma) for Valentine's Day. I was so impressed when I saw it.

The first challenge I'm entering is 2 Sketches 4 You - Laura's Sketch #19. I really liked their sketch this week, but to be honest I always do! This card was going to be a poodle!! I made it all up and then decided that it looked hideous, I had done it in pink for a bit of fun, but it looked horrid when I put it all together, so I took it apart and did a cupcake instead!

I love all the cupcake card making items around, they look good enough to eat, don't they?!

Dies: Sizzix Cupcake #3, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
Stamps: PSX 'With Love'
Paper: Bazzill Classic and a scrap of patterned card from my stash

Ooh, ooh, I used a stamp, I told you I would!!!

Hope you like it, I'm going to link it over at 2S4U now.

2 Sketches 4 You Challenge

I was asked by my friend to make a card for her sister, so I thought I would get some inspiration from 2 Sketches 4 You and enter Kazan's #19 challenge at the same time. I love their challenges, don't you?

I didn't have any scallops as large as the sketch so I decided to use some adhesive paper lace instead. I even got to play with my new Sizzix alphabet set, 'Cattycorner'. I love that set, I've been threatening to use it for ages! I played around with a few ideas, where I added some more bits, but because the paper is quite busy it tended to look too much so I stripped it back leaving it quite simple. Hope you like it. ♥

Dies: Sizzix 'Paper Sculpting Daisy', 'Leaf, Stem' and 'Cattycorner' alphabet set
Paper: Basic Grey 'Blush - Fancy', 'Stella Ruby - Morning on the Heath', Bazzill Classic
Accessories: Ribbon from my stash, Mei Flower glitter stickers, Stampendous word stickers

Funky Love

I didn't post anything in the end the other night because I just couldn't get my act together with cardmaking! I had loads of ideas, but they just didn't come together. I think I was just too tired. I decided that it would be better to lay everything out on the table and come back to it another day with a fresh mind. I have managed to put something together now though. I thought I would do Laura's Sketch #18 on 2 Sketches 4 You. I wanted to make a Valentine's Day card, but not in pink. I am going to make a few pink cards this year for Valentine's, but wanted to make one in blue and red for a change. It took some time to co-ordinate because the black looked too strong against the other colours, but finally I came up with this card.


Recipe:

Dies: Sizzix 'Circle #1', Ellison Thick Cuts 'Hearts, Double', Sizzlits 'Hearts #5'
Paper: Bo Bunny 'Sweetie Pie Sigh' & 'Flirty Birds', Pink Petticoat 'Tis the Season Victorian Cream Big Hearts', Bazzill Bling
Accessories: Ribbon from my stash, Mei Flower glitter stickers, Stampendous word stickers

Hope you like it. It would be great to hear your comments. ♥

A little bit of lurve

I looked at my Countdown Calendar last night and realised I haven't made a single Valentine's Day card yet! Where does the time go?

I thought that I would enter the 2 Sketches 4 You fab challenge #18 while I'm on a roll! I love this blog, it really gets my mind buzzing with ideas. I've never used other's sketches before and sometimes end up doing similar designs all the time. If this happens to you then just look at some of the sketch templates out there, they really are great fun to try out. This background paper is gorgeous but it's quite dark so I found it quite difficult to match up colours with it, hence the white added to give the card some lift. The hearts are actually pink foil but they don't show up so well in the photo. I love the loopy cutter but never can work out what to use it for most of the time! (I told my other half it was called 'loopy', and he said that the name just about sums me up...charming lol)

Recipe:

Dies:'Frame Heart' by Sizzix, Sizzlits 'Love' by Sizzix
Hole Punches: Heart/Circle, both by Dovecraft
Paper: 'Smitten Mini Hearts' by Kay & Co; Bazzill Basics - Classic, Glitter cardstock from local craft shop
Accessories: Swarovski crystal gems

I would love to hear what you think of the design so if you get a minute please leave me a comment :o)

My first challenge entry!

I decided to enter Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #39. I have wanted to participate for ages but really needed to get some bits sorted on my blog before I entered (and obviously pluck up some courage to enter too!) I needed to make a man's card and thought I would do something a little more contemporary using the given colours. I used a bonus sketch by Peet that I found on 2 Sketches 4 You.






Recipe:

Dies: Cuttlebug retro squares die, 'Easy Peasy' alphabet set by Sizzix
Paper: Bazzill Basics - Bling/Classic
Accessories: Black/white gingham ribbon