A wish for Anya!

I told you I was having fun with my colouring...
I came back to a colour challenge I completed the other week on ILWS. It was to use Black, white, red and mustard. Well I could have used the mustard for the ground but then Anya would look like she stepped in something nasty, hence her expression! So I decided to 'cut the mustard'!


My colouring is improving - I think! This image was cut out with my new Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies... These are gorge as you can cut AND emboss with the same die! I just use them with my Big Shot (Sizzix) but they work in most die cutting machines... Gives a lovely professional finish...


Ive also attempted to use my white gel pen and add some highlights. Not quite right yet but Im working on it!

What do you think of the flower detail? I found some Hat Pins topped with pearls (courtesy of Hobby Lobby) and a big tub of random glass beads... Fun huh?


The flower is glued down first, then I tied the first part of the knot in the ribbon, added the pin and finished the knot over the top.

I even remembered to deal with the inside of the card. Nothing worse than trying to work out how to write a message on black cardstock!


Recipe: Anya Stamp from Sugar Nellie. Wish from SU.
Inks: Black StazOn. SU Markers & watercolour brush.
Black and Whisper White SU Cardstock. SU Real Red DS Paper. Square scallop punch, SU Oval Scallop and small oval punch. Ribbon from stash (chocolate box I think!) Flower and beads Michaels/Hobby Lobby.

Hope you like... I will probably bore you with all my new Sugar Nellies and Anya's for a while... Im a kid with a new toy. SOZ!

Enjoy,

TTFN

C xx

ITS CHRISTMAS!!!

OK OK OK! I know its not really, but Im trying to get a head start on my Crimbo cards this year... Last year I had a few original designs but ended up with one generic card in 3 different colour schemes. I mass produced these cards and felt really bad sending them out!

I recently invested in some Sugar Nellie stamps, thinking I would like to play some more with colouring... Boy have I had fun!!!

This image is coloured using the SU Markers and a watercolour brush! The only thing I have been struggling with is the shadow/outline around the main image...

Ive gone around it with a Bashful blue marker but only the 'thin' end as I think the 'brush' end would be too much... What I really want to know is what Copic Marker do you all use to do the shadows? I may just invest in a couple of these to get the look I want. Dont get me wrong, I love the effect the SU pens give. I think (for me!) the copics are a bit to cartoon-y and I love the 'rough' look of watercolouring...

Any advice gratefully recieved...!

Recipe: Snowflake - Elisabeth Bell, Sugar Nellie stamps. Backgound - SU Snow Burst stamps.
Inks: Black StazOn, SU Markers
Watercolour Paper, SU Old Olive Cardstock, Holiday Treasures DS Paper.
Stickles glitter.

Enjoy,
TTFN

C xx

PHEW!

This morning when I got up I was informed that the children had found a gecko in their bathroom tub. Said gecko was captured in a cup and released unharmed into the back yard... Could this gecko have been Graham? I surely hope so!!

Goodbye Graham, it was a pleasure having you to stay! NOT!

TTFN
C xx

Bleurgh!

Craft Club Cards as promised...

I just realised that last week I promised to share with you the cards we made at Craft Club... Heres the first one.

A lovely clean card which you could use for any occasion. Just change the sentiment and youre away...

The main panel is just done with strips of patterned paper woven into a rectangle... Change the paper & colour for different looks.
..............................................................................................

Heres the second card...

A completely different look. I like this one as its not got a greeting on it, something I find hard to do! AND we decorated the envelopes too... I must buy more envelopes!

Love the way some of the leaves are 'popped' by punching and raising on dimensionals!


AND yes, those are some of the new In-Colours too! The yellow and the ribbon is Crushed Curry, I think the orange is Dusty Durango... Scrummy!

Thanks again Karen I had a lovely morning. Good luck with the move!
I will share with you another class Im going to next month...

TTFN

C xx

Abbis 9th Birthday...

Just wanted to share with you...


I managed to take a couple of photos by turning on camera, as soon as lens focussed snapping photo before the darned thing turns off! I STILL dont have my battery charger (gone awol in post no doubt!) for my camera and its definately given up the ghost now... Im hoping it comes tomorrow as I feel lost without it!

Anyway heres a close up of the butterfly...

Its VERY Abbi believe me!

I like the vellum for this 3d effect as it holds its shape when its folded...

Recipe: (SU) Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink and Blush Blossom card stock. SU Vellum.
Ink: Pretty in Pink. VersaMark & SU White Embossing powder. Stickles Glitter. Swiss Dots Embossing Folder.

Enjoy!

TTFN
C xx

Stamp with Us Recipe Challenge

I know, I know! ANOTHER challenge card!

This one though was to use specific things on your project...
I was only allowed to use:
1 x Patterned Paper
1 x Coloured Card
1 x Flower
3 x Brads

I did find myself reaching for the ribbon but I resisted!


I even remembered to decorate the inside!


Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise. (Whisper White)
Patterned Paper: So Saffron Designer Series Paper.
Ink: So Saffron & Tempting Turquoise.
Stanps: Pocket Silhouettes & One of a Kind
Stampin Up! Big Shot Top Note Die.
Rhinestone Brads - Ice. Boho Blossoms Punch. Stampin Dimensionals. Corner rounder punch. Prima Flower. 3D gloss on center of flower, White gel pen.

Back soon with Abbis birthday card!!!

Enjoy!
TTFN

C xx

One of those days!

OK, so remember how I told you the other day that the Old Faithful PC was playing silly games with me... Well I think its dead Jim! It locked up again and now wont boot up properly, when it does eventually start everything is S L O W ! And I cant move any files or anything. I had instructions from Matt to save my folders but it wont even let me do that! EEEK! ALL my photos... not good.

Im typing now from my trusty lap-top but all my piccies are on the pther pc. To top it off as I was booting this thing up we had a power surge and the PC turned off completely... (Its in a surge protector) Im too scared to turn it back on again!

Having a lovely Abbis birthday, went to the movies, forgot to put socks on for skating so, had to come home first. While home remembered that 9yr old left bag with purse and ALL birthday money back at the movies! Went BACK to the movies to get bag... Went skating... Planned to go to Logans for dinner but Lewis hurt his B*** so many times and Abs didnt stop for 1 1/2 hours so they have both flaked out in the living room. Dominos has been called to offer first aid!

To top it all off, Matt took the plug adapter with him so Im not able to charge my camera! I ordered one last week but its not here yet... OF COURSE it dies while skating... Think I managed to get one photo of the cake... will have to resort to the camera phone and hope thats charged!

Ever have one of those days...?

TTFN

C xx

Another layout challenge!

Well, as Im enjoying the layout and colour challenges so much I thought Id share one with you from quite a while ago. This was the sketch...

And heres my card.

I used Bashful Blue Ink, Ballet Blue card and the Kraft Card from my stash. The Metallic Eyelets (SU) were set with my crop-a-dile. A quick tip to line up your brads/eyelets just put a little pencil mark where you want your eyelet to be, then you can be really precise about the placement...

Ive used some Scrummy Bella Bleu Designer Paper from SU along with my FAVOURITE stamp set of all time... Baroque Motifs. The sentiment is from the Pocket Silhouettes set, my number 2 favourite of all time!

The flowers were a recent purchase from the local craft shop and the pearls and the gem are from my stash. I livened up the flower a little with some stickles glitter on the edges.

Hope you like it!

Off to bake a birthday cake for my daughters 9th tomorrow (and make a card tonight... OOPS!) I will take a photo in the morning for you.

TTFN!

Have a great weekend, I will be back on Sunday...

C xx

Stamp With Us - Colour Challenge

PHEW! Had a scary moment or two today... The PC froze on me and wouldnt re-boot or do anything it should do for about 4 hours! AAARRRGGGGHHH! It always seems to protest when the Other Half isnt here! Just my luck!!!

Anyway, just as I was warming up my lap top and trying to connect the ethernet cable (internet) to it when, Whizz, Bang, Pop! Old Reliable decides to wake up again. Seems all I needed to do was disconnect the modem for some reason...

Anyway heres a different project for me... Its for a challenge over on Stamp With Us to use this photo as the inspiration for a project...

Ewwwww! Bright Colours! NOT ME!

Heres my card, Its a interesting fold too. Its called a side step card and measures 5" x 5" when folded. Fun huh? Dont ask for the measurements as I dont remember! (I think I got the instructions a while ago from Splitcoast Stampers for those that visit there...)



I made the patterned paper myself using my new stamp set from SU! called 5th Avenue Floral... LOVE IT!


I also made the flowers myself using the round scallop punch and an embossing tool...

Recipe: All cardstock SU - Whisper White, Pink Passion, Only Orange, Real Red. Details with Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip.
Stamps: 5th Avenue Floral and Best Yet.
Inks: Pink Passion, Only Orange and Real Red.
Round Scallop Punch, White Gel Pen. Stickles Glitter Glue.

Im loving the challenges at the moment can you tell? Makes you think outside your comfort zone!
Enjoy!

TTFN

C xx

Back to crafting!

Thank you for indulging my recent Mummy-ness! But now for something completely different...


A card!!!

This one was a toughie for me. It was for a Colour Challenge on In Love With Stamping, and the challenge was to use Real Red, More Mustard, Basic Black and Whisper White. I dont do bright!

It made me think of a ladybird (which is going to be my tatoo on my 40th - but thats a WHOLE 'nother story!) so, when I saw the 'Patterned Bugs' stamps at Michaels I had to get them...

Anyway heres my effort!



Cardstock, inks, glitter and ribbon are all Stampin up. I used a Fiskars border punch and the ladybird from the 'Patterned Bugs' set from Inkadinkado. Really cute!



More cards to come... I want to share with you the cards we made at my Stampers Club on Wednesday. Thank you to Karen (My new SU Demo) for making me feel so welcome. Im looking forward to the next get together!
Her cards are gorgeous, (although she claims no responsibility for them!) her style is very clean and simple and she likes things straight, just like me!!! I cant do collage or scrapbook anything that isnt straight, my brain hurts and people laugh at me as I talk to myself 'No, not straight...'. Everyone has their different styles thats what makes crafting so great... Theres no right or wrong, just differences!

Back later...

TTFN

C xx

My daughter is amazing! After 3 hours of Tumbling Classes look what she can do!

Now please also bear in mind that on the first day she was in tears and wouldnt do a backwards bend into a bridge coz it was scary... (A little history... She is scared of heights due to being flung around at a Cheerleading Club - and nearly dropped..) And I mean SCARED! Dad cant even put her on his shoulders or throw her aound when playing as she freaks out... She doesnt trust anyone to be able to hold her. Or I should now say DIDNT trust anyone...

We came back to lesson 2 with a new attitude and some positive thinking... Just look at what she has achieved! SOoooooo Proud!

What a SMILE!

I think we may have to do some proper gymnastics now...

Sorry to be the pround Mummy but this is such a BIG step for her and, well, Im a Mum!

TTFN

C xx

ILWS Inspiration Challenge 24.

I loved the look of this weeks challenge on In Love With Stamping so I had a go... Heres the inspiration photo...

Isnt it pretty? Heres my effort. I chose the pink book for my inspiration.



Heres a close-up.

Background was stamped with Laura Ashley 'Connemara' stamps. Ink is from the pink Liquid Chalk ColorBox Q set which works great with the clear stamps. Card blank is made from Stampin Up! Kraft cardstock. Papers are Anna Griffin. Friendship stamp is from the SU Wonderful Words set. Ribbon is old SU. Bling from stash!

Loved making this one!

If youre ever stuck for inspiration, go check out ILWS (Link on the right) is fab!

TTFN

C xx

WOW!

Now, Im a BIG FAN of Rob Pattinson (Edward Cullen in Twilight) Phwor! What a hunk-a-man! I know Im too old for him but a girl can dream!!!

Now do this for me... Sit in a comfy chair, plug your headphones into the PC, click on the link, close your eyes (or you can watch the pretty pictures!) and enjoy!... Click HERE...



Who knew the boy could sing too! OOOOhhhhh it just gets better!

Im off to hug my pillow and put a poster up on my bedroom wall like Im 13 again!!!

TTFN

C xx

Field of Friends

Well, I told you I had been a busy girl! Heres another card I came up with the other day...

Back to my usual style I think. Although Im still not sure what my 'style' is but other people tell me I have one...!

I picked up this lovely stamp at Michaels a couple of weeks ago. Its by Hero Arts and is luvvery. Ive been looking at the Upsy Daisy set from SU but actually prefer this one (and it only cost me $9!). I just stamped this onto Apricot Appeal SU cardstock with VersaMark Ink and clear embossed the image. I had planned to do something else with the card but had to change direction when the embossing powder didnt stick to one spot on the card. I just made the oval and popped in over the boo-boo. Now if I hadnt told you - you wouldnt know I messed up would you!

The sentiment is from the Oval All SU Stamp Set and is coloured with my SU Markers. Punches are from SU. The ribbon I think came off a box of Thorntons Choccies from the UK!!! You know I keep EVERYTHING!

Now remember theres no such thing as a mistake, just creative challenges!

Back soon with photos of my last shopping trip to the craft shops in town.... Ooooooo, goodies!

TTFN

C xx

(Second) Mojo Monday Challenge #98

Heres Number 2 card for this weeks challenge over on Mojo Monday.

I turned the layout on its side this time for a change...


Again I used the Scarlett's Letter 6x6 papers from Basic Grey. I also used the sentiment from the 5th Avenue Floral stamp set from SU!. I used the SU markers
to colour on the stamp and get the 3 different colours together...


Again Prima flower and velvet ric-rac from my stash.

Enjoy!

C xx

(First) Mojo Monday Challenge #98

Ive made 2 cards today using the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #98. Heres the layout...


Heres my first attempt...


I used some gorgeous papers I found while unpacking...! They are from Basic Grey and are called Scarlett's Letter. They are 6X6" so perfect for cardmaking too! Love them.

I played with my c/b embossing folders and my Big-Shot too for some extra texture on the plain cardstock.



Bling, ribbon & button from my stash. Prima Flower. Stampin Up inks and Carte Postale Stamps.

Hope you like.

TTFN

C xx

Still here!

I will be back with a couple of cards in the next few days... Still no sign of Graham. Oh well!

We are getting ready for Matt to go away for work (Again!), only for 4 weeks this time but he will miss Abbi's birthday and kids first day back at school. They are a bit miffed at this but take it on the chin as they have had to learn over the years... He's going to (For those that know us well), not the REALLY BAD place but not a 100% guaranteed ok place... But NOT as BAD as it could have been! I know to alot of you this is gobbeldy-gook but its all very hush-hush. I will be able to say more after the fact. I think. I may have to shoot you afterwards though!

Anyway I have a card ready to be photographed and might make another tonight. I lost my spare camera battery and had to find my charger and an adapter as its UK.. I think Im all charged up now so will snap some piccies in the morning. Lets hope its not thundering AGAIN!

Do you think Graham has starved by now or made a bid for escape?

(For those that know... Im really excited I just ordered some Gorjuss Girls and a couple of Anya's! Can't wait!!! Gonna be colouring my socks off!)

TTFN

C xx