Happy New Year

Good evening fellow crafters and followers, this will be my last post for 2014.  It has been a fab year for me from a crafting perspective.  Lots of new goodies throughout the year to play with.  I have attended some fantastic shows with my dear friend Wendy and I am looking forward to 2015.

 

I also joined Slimming World in January last year, lost 2.5 stone but have put a bit back on over the Christmas period.  I returned to my meeting yesterday, faced the music and I am now ready to start on my weight loss journey again.  I will get to my final target this year and I will keep it off by going to my meetings weekly.  I do not want to be overweight and 60 it will not be good for my health or my confidence. 

 

I hope you have all had a good 2014 and you are looking forward to an even better 2015.

 

I would like to wish you all a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR and a big thank you for visiting my blog regularly and for leaving such lovely comments.

 

Big Hugs to you all.

Get Creative Challenge No 5

 

Good morning fellow crafters.  Christmas is over for this year, boo hoo and today we start another fantastic new challenge at Get Creative.

 

The challenge theme is - Use 2 printed papers, 3 brads/buttons & ribbon.

 

Our sponsor is: -



 

Lacy Sunshine Stamps

 

with a super prize of 3 images of the winners choice.

 

 My Shopping List

 

Jillian Digi Stamp

Copics used for Skin = E00 | E0000 | E21 | E04

                           Trousers = E44 | E47 | E49

                            Hair = E42 | E43 | E44

                            Top = YR02 | YR04 | YR07

7x7 cream base card

Brown pearlescent card

Plain cream card

Decorative envelope die set 2

Tattered lace flower die

Sue Wilson leaf die

Tattered lace pattered papers

3 buttons

Ribbon

 

1.  I print out my digi stamp - I always print out in draft quality at least the day before.
2. I then colour digi image with chosen copics.  I chose these to match in with my chosen papers.
3. I then matted my base card with brown pearlescent card
4. I die cut my cream card using envelope die set and cut two corners from one of the chosen patterned papers, secured them at the back to show through my envelope die cutting and secured that to my card.
5. I cut out my image, I am lucky enough to have a brother scan n cut and I used the direct cut facility.  I shaped her a little and then placed her on to my card using collall glue.
6. I secured my buttons with hot glue.
7. I then cut some strips of ribbon and placed them and the leaves onto the card topped with the flower which was die cut using a mixture of patterned papers and brown card.

 

To see other ideas from our design team follow this link to our challenge and don't forget to enter for a chance to win a super prize from our sponsor.
Why not pop over to our sponsors website and check out their digi stamps. Just follow the link above.

Thank you for stopping by. See you again I hope and do take care.

 



Merry Christmas Wendy

 Good afternoon fellow crafters.

 

Hope you all had a brilliant Christmas and received lots of nice crafty goods.

 

My post today is a Christmas pop up box I made for a very dear friend.   It was actually my first pop up box and it certainly won't be my last.

 

I am not sure why I haven't made them before because they are fairly simple to make, time consuming I will admit but simple and a joy.  I have to admit to be a bit dopey and cut all my mats by out by hand with my guillotine and then realised after why I didn't use Charlie, my brother scan n cut which would have made it a lot quicker LOL.

 

 

This was the back of my pop up box with my sentiment etc.  I also made a box to present it in and wrapped it with tissue paper and so made it a little special when she opened it.

 

I can tell you she loved it and as she is a very dear friend it was all worth it and a pleasure to make.

 

Hope you have enjoyed it too.

 

Take care and thank you for stopping my.

I have entered this post into the following challenge: -

A gem of a challenge - anything Christmas
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes as long as it is Christmas
A Crafty Mess - Challenge 2, Anything Goes/Traditional Christmas Colours
Craftyhazelnut Christmas Challenge Extra-

 

Ring of Fire-Stitchy Stamps

Good afternoon all.

Gosh it is windy here in Birmingham.  I have been out this morning to get some last minute bits and walking into the shop I was fighting the wind.  Not particularly cold though. 

Well most of my mince pies are done, just one lot more tomorrow.  Ran out of SR flour, I could kick myself, so stupid so I thought instead of braving the wind I would get a bag tomorrow when I go to my slimming class and do some crafting instead.

My post today is a cutting file from Stitchy Stamps, a tonic die and a tattered lace die.

I do like my cutting files now I have my brother scan n cut, a whole new world of SVG files has opened up to me.  Absolutely brilliant.  Mind you I am still very much at the learning stage. 

Hope you like my card today.  You all take care and see you soon.

Winter Wishes in Blue

Good afternoon fellow crafters.

Hope you are all well and looking forward to Christmas.  I know I am but then I always thoroughly enjoy this time of year.

I have to admit, except for one pressie I am all ready now.  Pressies done, cake done, food sorted except for my meat which I have to collect Christmas Eve morning.

My card today is a Christmas card to  my friend Sheila in Scotland and I have used tattered lace dies.  The poinsettia in that range to gorgeous but then I love poinsettias so have used them loads this year.

You all take care and see you soon.

Snowflakes Galore

Good morning fellow crafters and followers.  Its Friday, and my weekend has begun because I am lucky enough not to work Friday's.

I started with a visit to the dentist - yuck then some Christmas shopping at M&S Food Hall.  My friend and I always do Christmas hampers for each other so I went to choose some bits for that. Back home for lunch and then an afternoon of crafting.  Perfect day, except for the dentist.

My card today is a simple one which I did to ease myself into Christmas cards given we crafters start so early.

My Shopping List

1. C5 plain white card base
2. a piece of plain white card cut smaller as a mat.
3. I stamped some snowflakes 'willy nilly' using distress ink - stormy sky
4. I then embossed that when it was dry using a snowflake embossing folder - one from the snowman collection via crafters companion.
5. I also distressed around the edges with stormy sky
6. some blue ribbon around and secure that to my card base. 
7. I then die cut my snowflake using a spellbinders die and layered it up. 
8. Finished off with a simple merry Christmas stamp in stormy sky again.

Hope you like this and thanks for stopping by.  Do take care and see you all soon.

Mail Girl - GetCreative Challenge No 3.

Good morning folks.  Hope you are all well?

It is officially December so we are on the countdown to Christmas.  No groans please, I just love this time of year.  I think it is that feel good factor, you know, when the weather is horrible outside, everything is dreary and suddenly you walk into a house or a shop and see the Christmas lights and decorations it always cheers me up and gives me a happy feeling.

Talking about that happy feeling, today starts a new challenge over at GetCreative.  No 3 challenge is a CHRISTMAS THEME and our sponsor is: -

The Stamping Boutique

 

Tracey is offering 2 images of the winners choice. Also if the winner has used a TSB image they get to choose another digi.

 

My Shopping List

 

Mail Girl Digi Stamp

Copic marker pens = E44 | E43 | RV69 | RV46

Red card

White card

Green card

Tattered lace poinsettia die

Tattered lace winter wishes corner embossing folder

Marianne holly die

red gems

Glue pen

Glitter

1. I coloured my digi stamp in with the above listed copics.  This stamp is a lovely stamp suitable for beginners and experienced colourer inners.
2. I then did some matting and layering onto a C5 plain white card
3. I pricked around the edges of my white card and also embossed the corner with a tattered lace corner embossing folder.
4. I then cut my image our, matted and layered it onto some white card and then red card.
5. I die cut my flowers, put them together with hot glue and assembled the rest of my card.
6. I finished it off with some glitter on my image and some gems.

 Hope you like my little Mail Girl and what I have done with her. 

 

To see other ideas from our design team follow this link to our challenge and don't forget to enter for a chance to win a super prize from our sponsor.

Why not pop over to our sponsors website and check out their digi stamps. Just follow the link above.

Thank you for stopping by. See you again I hope and do take care.

I have entered this card into the following challenge: -

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes
Christmas Card Challenges - Challenge 53 Anything Goes
Dragonfly Dreams Challenge 11 - Lets be girly using die cut or punch
My Perfect Life - Festive 48 Any Christmas Card Goes
Robyns Fetish - Challenge 240 Anything Goes

 

An Elegant Lady-StitchyStamps

 

Good evening.  Hope you are well today and enjoying your day whatever you are doing. I had a brilliant day at the NEC yesterday with my mate Wendy.  We always enjoy our crafting days, its a time to catch up, loads of chatting, coffee and shopping.  Very busy at the show but a fantastic day. Came home very tired, very spent out but very happy. 

 

Today's post is a sample from Stitchy Bears Stamps .

 

Stitchy Bears

 

My Shopping List

 

Stitchy Stamp - Lady digi stamp

Copis = E000 | E00 | E11 | Y35 | E29 | E04 | B26 | B28 | B29

Spectrum blending pencils

Spellbinders daisy flower, oval shapes dies

Sue Wilson leaf die

Distress ink - salty ocean

white 5x7 base card

blue card

lattice using brother scan and cut

 

1.  I began by colouring my digi stamp with copic markers listed above plus shadowing using spectrum noir blending pencils.
2. I die cut my image our using spellbinders and matted it onto some royal blue card die cut using another spellbinders die.
3. My lattice background was cut using 'Bob' my brother scan n cut.  The frame was created using 5x7 spellbinders matting basics.
4. Leaves are sue wilson and the flower is spellbinders.  All coloured using distress ink, salty ocean.



She was a lovely digi to colour in.  I do hope you like her and my card.

 

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my blog.

 

I have entered this card into the following challenges: -

 

 

Challenge up your life - Anything Goes

Sister Act Challenge - No 82



 

 

 

May with Candy Cane- Get Creative Challenge 1

 Good morning all.

 It's an exciting day today as it will be the start of a brand new challenge called

Get Creative Challenges

The challenges will run bi weekly and our first challenge is sponsored by

Angie's Digi Stamps

This is my first sample as a design team member for this super new challenge.

My Shopping List

May with Candy Cane Digi Stamp
Copic markers = B21 | B23 | B26 | W1 | W3 | W5
                            E00 | E11 | E21 | E23 | E39
                            Y04 | Y06 | Y067 | R46
Blue card
White card
Red ribbon
8x8 base white card
Card Candi
Sentiment

1. print out your digi stamp in draft quality, heat emboss and put at least overnight to ensure it is dry
2. mat piece of blue card 7.75"x7.75" onto my base white card
3. using my BSC or a circle cutter I cut our two circles 1st = 7"x7", the 2nd = 6"x6"
4. distress around the circle edges with scissors and ink around the edges with blue ink, I used stormy sky distress ink the 6"x6" circle I embossed too
5. I cut out a die shape in blue card of a suitable size to fix my image too.
6. I cut two more circles, one in blue card and one in white suitable for my sentiment.
7. I assembled my card
8. using the above listed copics I coloured my image.
9. I then cut my image out on my BSC leaving a 3mm edge and the 'direct to cut' option.
10. After placing my image onto my card I finished it all off with the card candi.

Hope you like my take on using this image, she is such a cutie pie. 

To see other ideas from our design team follow this link to our challenge and don't forget to enter for a chance to win 3 super images of your choice from our sponsor.

Why not pop over to our sponsors website and check out their digi stamps. Just follow the link above.

Thank you for stopping by. See you again I hope and do take care.

May with Cupcake - Crafting from the Heart Challenge 41

 Good morning folks.  Hope you are all well.

This was originally a post for the Crafting from the Heart Challenge but due to unforeseen circumstances the challenge had been closed .

 

 

My Shopping List

Digi stamp May with Cupcake from Angie's Digi Stamps
Copic markers - Skin = E02 | E00 | E01
                           Hair = E50 | E21 | E31
                           Dress = R83 | R85 | R89
                           Boots etc = E74 | E77 | E79 | YR24
7" blank white card base
red | pink and green co ordinations card
Sue Wilsons dies - flowers and leaves.
Spellbinders round and deckled round dies
Tonic square deckled edge dies
6x6 embossilicious folder
antique linen distress ink

1. I printed out my image in draft quality, left it overnight to ensure it was fully dry.  I then scanned it to direct cut on my BSC and then cut it out.
2. I coloured it in using the above listed copic markers.  I also played a little with my spectrum noir pencils on the dress only.
3. My base card is a 7x7 square card.  I cut a piece of white card 6.5"x6.5" and pricked around the edges in true Sue Wilson style.
4. My red card is a 6x6 piece of co ordinations. I then cut another piece of white card out using my tonic square deckled edge dies and ran that through a 6x6 square embossilicious embossing folder.
5. I inked around the edges with antique linen distress inks.
6. I typed my verse in word, printed that out and die cut using a basic round die.  I have matted that onto a piece of the red co ordinations card.  I have also inked around the edge of my verse again in antique linen distress ink.
7. To finish I cut my flowerrs and leaves using green and pink co ordinations and sue wilsons dies.
8. I finished off with some pearls from my stash.

May is such a sweet image to use and is ideal for any age.  She was lovely to colour in.

Thank you for stopping by. See you again I hope and do take care

Christmas Bear-Crafting from the Heart Challenge

 

Good morning all.  Monday morning really does come around quick.

 

According to my Slimming World leader there are 12 weeks to Christmas, bet you didn't want to hear that did you!  Mind you as crafters I am sure all of you have started your Christmas cards or are thinking about it.

 

Well Monday also means the start of a new challenge at Crafting from the Heart and our sponsors this week are:

 

Eureka Stamps

 



 



Crafts and Me 

 

 

 

My Shopping List

 

A5 plain white card blank

purple card

white card

wow powders in purple

Christmas alphabet stamp from Dimensions

Digi stamp - Christmas Bear from Eureka Stamps

Spectrum Pencils

card candi

parcel stamp

versafine ink

 

1. I printed my digi image onto copic blending card in draft quality, heat set it and left it overnight.
2. I then coloured my image in with spectrum pencils and blending solution.
3. starting with my A5 blank white card I matted a piece of purple card followed by a piece of white card which I had stamped and embossed with a parcel stamp and purple wow embossing powder.
4. I stamped out my 'M' and 'C' again using purple wow embossing powders and fussy cut them out.  I also fussy cut my image out and shaped it.
5. My 'M' and 'C' plus the 'erry' and 'hristmas' is from the Christmas dimensions alphabet stamps.
6. Finally I placed all my items onto my card.

Why not pop over to our sponsors website and check out their digi stamps. Just follow the links above.

 

If you want to see more ideas do pop over to the blog at Crafting from the Heart to see what the rest of our design team have created and don't forget to join in the fun and enter your own creation.

 

Can I also say that we have a Facebook page, where there is other ' just for fun' challenges, so if you are not already a member of the group, I urge you to pop over and join us.

The winners and Top 3 from the last challenge can be found here.

Thank you for stopping by. See you again I hope and do take care

 



 

 

Flower Power-Crafting at the Weekend Challenge 6

Good morning everyone, hope you are all well and about to enjoy a brilliant weekend.  

Well my first week back to work after a weeks hols and I do wonder whether it was worth it, because I have been in major catch up.  Phew glad I only work 3 days a week. 

Of course it was worth it and I did enjoy the break.  We went on a fishing week mainly for my dear hubby, so while he was catching loads of fish I enjoyed loads of knitting and relaxing.

Now onto a new challenge which is starting over at Crafting at the Weekend.  It starts to today and our sponsors are: -

Ditzie Crafts

 



 

NikkiBurnetteArt

 

Shopping List

Heartfelt creations sun kissed fleur pre cut set and die
Distress markers - peeled paint, mustard seed
Cosmic shimmer golden pearl
Versafine ink pad - sepia and black
Spellbinders majestic elements die
Creative expressions verse stamp

1. I began with a C5 plain white card followed by another mat layer of plain white card which I placed my dots around using cosmic shimmer golden pearl pva glue.
2. I then matted a piece of yellow card and finally a piece of white card.
3. I had stamped my image on either side of my white card using heartfelt creations sunkissed stamps and versafine sepia.  I also die cut some flowers using the matching die from heartfelt creations.
4. I coloured my images using distress markers listed above.
5. My sentiment was stamped using versafine black ink and clear embossed.   This was then die cut using spellbinders dies and a faux mat in yellow was cut too.

When you have finished making your creation this weekend, please pop over to Crafting at the Weekend challenge and take part, with some lovely prizes it is not to be missed. Just follow the link here.
Hope you enjoy my weekend creation and I look forward to seeing your projects over at the challenge.

You take care and see you all soon

Girlfriends - Crafting from the Heart Challenge 35

 

Good morning all, Monday morning and a new challenge over at Crafting from the Heart which starts today - Anything Goes - and our sponsors are: -

 

 Oak Pond Creations

 

 

 QKR Stampede

 

 

 

 My Shopping List

 

QKR digi stamp - girl friends

Copic markers

8x8 base white card

yellow card and white card

patchwork embossing folder

spellbinders d-lites flowers

sue wilson leaves

 

1. I began with an 8x8 base white card and mat of yellow card
2. I then cut another mat of white card and pricked around the edges in true sue wilson style followed by another piece of yellow card which I embossed using a patchwork embossing folder which I think was an A4 embossilicious one.
3. The lattice framt shape was cut on 'Bob' my brother scan n cut, as was the mat shapes my image is sitting on.  My image was also cut by 'Bob' using the direct to cut facility.
4. I coloured my image in using copic markers but I haven't listed them because as you can image from the colours there were quite a lot.  The best thing about colouring in this image was the fact I could let loose on colours for some fun.
5. I then die cut my flowers and leaves.
6. I can't remember where the sentiment came from, I have a feeling it was from one of my serif craft artist digi kit.

 Why not pop over to our sponsors website and check out their digi stamps. Just follow the link above.

If you want to see more ideas do pop over to the blog at Crafting from the Heart to see what the rest of our design team have created and don't forget to join in the fun and enter your own creation.

Can I also say that we have a Facebook page, where there is other ' just for fun' challenges, so if you are not already a member of the group, I urge you to pop over and join us.

The winners and Top 3 from the last challenge can be found here.

Thank you for stopping by. See you again I hope and do take care.

 

 

 

Butterfly Border -Stitchy Bears

 

 

Good morning crafters and followers.  There is a super new challenge over at My Craft Creatoins run by my crafting chum Sheila.  The challenge is always 'Anything Goes' and this months sponsor is

 

Stitchy Bears Stamps



 

 My first sample for this challenge is a project I have created in Serif Craft Artist to show the versatility of digi stamps.

I have created my own digi kit using backing papers and a Butterfly Border digi stamp.  I took all three images into serif craft artist, then placed then created my own backing papers and materials by just dragging and dropping the backing papers into the background section and materials section.

I dropped my backing paper into place and then imported my PNG butterfly border which I promptly dropped into my frame section.  I then imported my photograph and dropped that into my butterfly border which has now become an intelligent frame.

Next to dropped my green backing paper onto my work space, found my flower punch and punched various flowers in various shapes and positioned them.  The gem was from one of my serif digi kits.  Once I have positioned my gems and resized them I group each flower and gem then placed a shadow on so they jump off the page.

I did exactly the same with the border which is a punch within the programme.

The sentiment is from the B2SPets digikit.

Do pop over to the challenge and enter there are some super prizes.

Thanks for stopping by and you take care, until next time.

Rock My World- Crafting at the Weekend Challenge 5

Good morning crafters and followers.  New challenge time over at Crafting at the Weekend.  Challenge 5 begins today and as usual it is a monthly challenge and 'Anything Goes'. 

 

Our Sponsors are: -

 

All Dressed Up

 

Crafty Ribbons

 



 

My Shopping List

Digi stamp-Rock My World

Copics = B93 | B95 | B97 | E00 | E11 | E21 | C1 | C3 | C5 | RV69 | Y000 | Y04 | Y06 | Y08

                Black

Spectrum noir blending pencils.

white 7x7 base card

blue co'ordinations

white card

black card

black buttons

black gems

1.  I began with a 7x7 white base card followed by a matt of black card.
2. I then placed a piece of white card on the right and embossed a piece of blue co'ordinations card with a music embossing folder which I then sanded down, wiped and placed on my card.
3. I always print my stamp out a couple of days before and I have started using XPressIt copic card which is wonderful and doesn't bleed at all.  I used the copics listed above and also played with a couple of spectrum blending pencils on the boot, cap and guitar.
4. I matted my image onto some black card, placed that onto my card.
5. I finished off with some buttons and twine as embellishments followed by some black gems.

 

 When you have finished making your creation this weekend, please pop over to Crafting at the Weekend challenge and take part, with some lovely prizes it is not to be missed. Just follow the link here.

Hope you enjoy my use of this digi and I look forward to seeing your projects over at the challenge.

You take care and see you all soon.

An Elephant Never Forgets - Crafting From the Heart Challenge 33

 

 

 Good morning crafters and loyal followers.  Hope you are all enjoying your bank holiday monday.  I shall be busy crafting today - heaven.  Think I may have to do a couple of christmas cards to add to my little pile of 'two'.

 

Today is also the beginning of a new challenge at Crafting from the Heart.  The challenge is 'anything goes' and our sponsors are: -

 

 

Robyns Fetish

 

 

 My Shopping List

 

C5 blank white card

Grey card and white card

Robyns Fetish-An Elephant Never Forgets digi stamp

Copics - C1 | C3 | C5 | W1 | R20

Bundled sage distress ink

Spectrum Noir pencils

spellbinders die

 

1.  I began with a C5 plain white card and I placed a mat of grey pearlescent card on.
2. I then took a piece of backing paper which was from one of the Tattered Lace magazines. I distressed around the edges with scissors and bundled sage distress ink.
3. another piece of backing paper from my bit box which I also distressed around the edges with bundled sage followed by a piece of white card, run through am embossing folder and distressed with bundled sage again.
4. my image was coloured in using the above listed copics and some shadowing with specrum noir blending pencils, die cut using a spellbinders die and distressed whilst still in the die.
5. I cut a faux mat using the die and a piece of grey pearlscent card.
6. I then typed my sentiment in word, printed it out and die cut using a star die which was free from a new diecutting magazine. I also distressed this a little.
7. I then finished off with some card candi.

 

 

 Why not pop over to our sponsors website and check out their digi stamps. Just follow the link above.

 

If you want to see more ideas do pop over to the blog at Crafting from the Heart to see what the rest of our design team have created and don't forget to join in the fun and enter your own creation.

Can I also say that we have a Facebook page, where there is other ' just for fun' challenges, so if you are not already a member of the group, I urge you to pop over and join us.

The winners and Top 3 from the last challenge can be found here.

Thank you for stopping by. See you again I hope and do take care.

 

I have entered this card into the following challenge: -

The Crazy Challenge - Cute Little Animals

613Avenue Create - Challenge 86

 

 

 

 

Lacey Summer Cardigan

 

 Good evening folks, you know I have been knitting for most of my life.  My mom taught me and I started with knitting for my dolls.  Since then I have had spates of doing loads and doing none at all.  Probably like most folk but I have never thought about putting any of my makes on my blog.

 

I suppose I take my knitting for granted a little.

 

So, my first knitting post is a cardigan I recently finished for myself.  I will say now that I only knit for me, hubby and me mom then if I am in a 'off knitting spate' I don't feel so guilty if they have to wait a couple of years - hee hee.

 

The pattern for this is from Stylecraft 8417.  I have knitted it in DK sirdar cotton but I am not sure which yarn. 

 

Please accept my apologies for the photograph, but it is my first one of showcasing a knitting project and it is something I clearly need to work on.  This was taken in my craft room after an afternoon of crafting hence all the bits on the floor.

 

I got back into knitting about 5 years ago knitting scarves, got bored with them and moved onto jumpers and cardigans for us.   I will admit my poor hubby had to wait 18 months for one jumper but then I did have a shoulder op mid knit.  He got it eventually.  Ofcourse now I knit nearly every evening.  At present I am doing a cardigan for my mom in navy blue sirdar wash n wear yarn  - lovely yarn to work with.  Mind you it has been going for some years now.  I will post that one when it is finished.  Back and fronts done, three quarters of 1st sleeve.

 

Thanks for stopping by and checking my first knit post out.  Take care and see you all soon.