Homely Girl

I wasn't going to do the Tilda & co challenge this week cos they wanted you to use to two Magnolia stamps to make one image, how could you do that to a cute Tilda. Anyway I had Martha the Goblin on my desk and I thought well her face is cute and decided to give her makeover, it reminded me of the song Homely Girl by the Chi-lites (yes I'm that old and yes I have the record!) The papers are from Fran's blog candy that I received which leads me nicely about my candy, now don't forget to leave a comment on my previous post for my blog candy. Noticed I haven't put a closing date so I will do the draw on Friday so it can be parcelled up and ready for posting on Monday 7th.

Blog Candy and Di Hickman Challenge

When I saw the Di Hickman sketch, I had some idea what I wanted to do, I wanted a large image to use as the strips so that you could still see the whole picture. The only paper I could find is this K&Co paper that I've been hoarding for ages, then I didn't want to put too much on it to spoil the paper so an idea was formed to use acetate, the word stamp is autumn leaves, ribbon to hold it place, also a spot of glue under the butterfly that was cut out of a scrap of the same paper.
Sis didn't have to look after J yesterday so she rang and said she would pick me up at 10am and that she left a message for Nikki to be at my place if she wanted to come too, at this point we hadn't decided where to go. Eventually I decided to take Sis to somewhere where she hadn't been so off to Craft U love at Charlwood near Gatwick actually its about 40 minutes from Guildford. They were so friendly made us a tea or coffee, let us use the loo very important, they have a huge display of die cutting, quickcutz, cuttlebug and the cricut, loads of other stuff too good job I remembered my pin number for the CC. I then convinced Sis that the Glitter Pot was only half an hour away, only slightly lied it was another 40 minutes, well poor Nikki and she really is poor now was amazed how many stamps they had. Oh by the way as soon as they get an online order they're out in the shop collecting those stamps before anyone else buys them. Now on the way out I told Sis that The Craft barn was only another 40 minutes away was stunned when she OK bearing in mind we didn't have a map and I only a RAC route for the first two craft shops which by the way was rubbish I'm surprised we only got lost once. The Craft Barn has had a bit of facelift, freshly painted, sofa for those men in your life that begrudgingly takes you craft shopping, it felt light and airy and had amazing selection of scrapbook papers and although not so many stamps still lots of various manufactures. OK now I'm poor too.
Finally has a way of a Thank You for visiting my blog some Blog Candy, there's Sugared Basic Grey 6 inch pad, a new Tilda stamp, the image to show which stamp is stamped with my stamp, you don't think I'll give one of mine away, some ribbon and some flowers out my stash. Now all you need to do it comment on this post and everyone will go in the draw.

Cute Card Thursday 3

Lucky for me Edwin was already coloured up and he went so well with the new BG cupcake papers, so I used him for the Cute Card Thurdsay people challenge this week. Lately I seen circle stamp used for the sentiment, always regarded this has a Scrapbook stamp but it works really well.
This weekend is another prompt for my A-Z book of me which is now referred to as the morbid book. Thanks to my niece I already have an idea for G and probably will be two pages now I just need the time to do it. Sis has of this minute hasn't decided whether we're craft shopping or not she wants to be flexible, I will probably get 20 minutes warning to get ready.
Still catching up with everyone blogs so bear with me.

Mum 80th

The DCM little extra was flowers but not brought flowers like prima but to create your own, when I read this I immediately thought of the stampin up Doodle this flower. So I cheated a bit by using Ismaki #12 sketch by Bea, the papers are making memories and I stamped with versamark and embossed with white embossing powder. Disappointed that the white Happy Birthday Stickers didn't show up on the background paper so had to pop on a bit a pink.
Thanks for all the kind wishes I'm now a bit better, just have to be careful. And while I've been under the weather my counter has hit way past 5000 so thank you very much.

Tomorrow is the Bristol crop with the lovely Ellie and her shop, but we couldn't go because the builder building at my Sis place might finish off the wall and he's in the habit picking the weekend his wife works and brings his son for Sis to look after blooming cheek I hear you say I totally agree if only it wasn't her Grandson. But if he doesn't Sis is thinking of doing a craft shop run. So I'll wait till I know for sure before I'll sort out my blog candy, I do have at the moment a Tilda and 6 inch pad of Basic Grey Sugared.

Bluebirds.

I felt a bit better last night so managed to make this ATC for the challenge blue and yellow on Tilda & Friends, thanks to Marlene I realised I hadn't used this little birds yet and it saved me from thinking too hard seeing as my head hurts. It also helped that the fence and toadstoods were already coloured.

Sorry but two more

Sorry but two more Father Christmas cards using Papertake Weekly challenge which is a sketch from Katharine. I've used Basic Grey Figgy Pudding and Doodlebug papers. You be glad to hear I've used up the Father Christmas's so no more xmas cards till next Rudolph day in April.
Feeling a bit under the weather today but Julie has awarded me this and I have to choose five favourite blogs from a huge list I visit. I'll do it tomorrow when I hopefully feel better.

Rudolph day

Yes its Rudolph day again and doesn't it come round quickly, scary how quickly this year is going. So thanks to Tilda & Co challenge which is a sketch and they are offering a prize of a magnolia stamp, I finished this card really quickly, the papers are doodlbug and of course my Magnolia Father Christmas now I just need to finish off the rest of the Father Christmas's all waiting to be put onto card.
Please excuse the wonky photo but it is an ordinary square card and it the camera operator that was having a bad day. Back to the card this is for Paperworld sketch #7 I've used BG lillykate and one of the new Tilda's, the word stamp is stampin up.

Di Hickman Challenge March#3

When I saw the Di Hickman challenge it reminded me of this shape card that I had seen on Create and Craft TV so the plan was to work out to make the shape. Its actually two square cards inside each other with the front cut. Love using this cuttlebug folder it gives depth to the card without being too over the top. Inside there's a poem about little girls, quite please how it turned out.
I've been keeping an eye on my vistors counter I've only added it at the end of January two months later its nearly hit 5000, I've also been the receiver of two marvellous blog candy from Manicstamper (Sheila) and Fran so I think I should do something in return. So watch this space while I try and sort something out.

Cute card

Managed to make my Cute Card Thursday, Friday we went out shopping not advisable when the rest of Britain is tryin to park and do the same and yesterday out at Creative Scrapbooking Company at Edgeware with Lynn. Add the fact my sis doesn't have photo editing and I can't reduce the pixels on the photo to save space so this one huge picture of a card. I used artic frog papers, I think its a penny black stamp borrowed from my Sis, cuttlebug embossing and stampin up text stamp. I wanted to use vellum on the flower petals but sis didn't have any so used tracing paper instead.

Back home later so will be able to catch up with everyone's blogs then.

Don't look now but

Yes I've used a Peel off, for the DCM little extra was to make an Easter card and I needed one fast to send to my MIL and cute little images of duck, bunnies and eggs wasn't going to work. So I used this peel off coloured in using water colour pencils an some left over bits of imagiesce card stock which has now all gone. Of course it didn't work out to be a quick card cos I cut out the all the inside bits that weren't part of the image.

Chocolate Friday

The challenge on the Tilda and Friend ATC is chocolate, so I used this Tilda with the cookies and I've used glossy accents on the cookies, I really wanted chocolate chip cookies for the words but had trouble trying to find rub ons small enough. So I've taken a fraction of my craft room to my sis so I'm hoping to make a card for Cute Card Thursday and tomorrow off to Edgeware to have a day session of Scrapbooking with the Bazzill Queen herself Linda.

Ismaki #11

Wasn't sure how this was going to turn out I started with background and worked upwards following the sketch on Ismaki challenge blog, bit surprise that the same inkpad stamped darker on the Angus the dog. I've still got some scraps left of this imaginesce patterned card stock for a least one more card, I can't believe how many cards I've made with this card. Now do I leave the ribbon on or do I take it off. Think I'll be a bit cheeky and use this card for the Sweet Sugar Challenges this week, which is for an Easter card.
Finally my Scrapagogo kit came yesterday, most unusual for it to turn up a week later, it arrives a couple days after dispatch, I may also had a couple of pizza boxes with some essentials, like possibly the new BG 6inch pads and lets not forget the new Sugar Nellies, pretty certain I've the monkey and the Sk8er boy, can't give too much away cos my Sis has habit of letting the cat out of the bag. Unlike my DD who can be paid for her silence.

Weather with you.

FairyKaren brought this Magnolia twice and started to offer it when my Sis jumped in and said she would love it. This is the only magnolia stamp my Sis has and probably one of the few I don't have, so when I visit Sis I take an inkpad and some card, so I have a few stamped images just hope she doesn't try to hide it. Anyway back to the card its for Papertake challenge 'weather with you' I've used some scraps of doodlebug paper and glossy accents for the rain, the sentiment printed on the PC.
And now for my A-Z journal quite a simple page not sure if some girls will appreciate the photo, but it was the best one of me. Going to name drop now but the photo was taken by Jane Dean.
Wow loads of journalling but really explaining how many new friends I've made through Scrapbooking etc and how we met Valelady through the internet and arranged to meet up.

A couple of challenges

Nicola at Paperworld every couple of weeks puts a new sketch challenge on her blog and finally I have done mine, using the bit of imaginesce card left.

So on Sunday found out the Tilda & Co challenge is hidden secrets and this pop up slider came to mind, all I need was the instructions so after a bit of a search found it here and while at Sis did a practice run so that yesterday I used proper cardstock and one of my new Tilda's. I've no idea what the card stock is called but its been in my stash for a long time. And while I was catching up with the blogs and challenges found that Andrea had the same idea, they say great minds think alike. edited- check out Frans too.

The saga of the washing machine which after searching for the receipt is still in warranty but because I'm out on Thursday it won't be till after Easter. Lucky for me DH is working with BIL again and I'm back staying with Sis, so the washing will be coming too. The reason DH and BIL work weekends and evening, they polish sports halls and clean poolside area at leisure centres and schools so they have to be available when the centres are closed.

Are you sure its Monday

Haven't made a card over the weekend so nearly didn't have anything to show, checked my documents and found this card I know its Christmas but she's still cute.

Wasn't able to check out the blogs and challenges, my Sis PC is not in a very comfortable position so couldn't stay on it for very long. So the plan for today is to get up to date with my blogs, if I can keep my eyes open. DH finished really late and we didn't get home till early hours in the morning, then I had to get up cos the ntl man is suppose to be coming. To add salt to injury the washing machine had just boiled the load of clothes, my DD jeans have come out a size zero and now it not working at all. So wish I could go back to bed and start again, but for now looking for some matchsticks to keep my eyes open.

Cute Card Thursday

Finally the cute card for Cute Card Thursday really hard to do when you mojo left you one night and I'm not convince is back yet. So I decided to use my fav stamps at the moment, I used DCWV luxury papers so they are quite pearlescent but it not obvious in the photo and oval nestalbilities.

Today I'm at my Sis while hubby is working with my BIL, I've made sure I got some stamps and pencils and plan to have plenty magnolia's stamped up and ready to go for some new challenges next week.

Teen Card

Still looking for my creative streak, so I got my favourite Magnolia's and stamped a few images while waiting to dry I remember this little fella. I have no idea whose stamp he is because he's stolen images from my Sis craft room while she was working I went through some of her stamps and stamped a few. And he is just right for the DCM dare.
Now, this week it's Rachel's first time to set the dare;"Well I thought we have had plenty of flowers and hearts and girly things so I would like some cards with some teen spirit please."
With the help of Jo Kill doodling and Andrea who uses dymo strips, I have one teen card.
Need to get on with my A-Z journal this weekend and staying over at my Sis tonight as I'm off to a Mother and Daughter evening but my daughter can't make it so I'm sharing my niece. I wanted the intelligent half but it seems I got the bum deal.

Purrfect Friday

I really wanted to make a card for the Cute Card Thursday but it just wasn't working and after throwing it in the bin I gave up. Now it could have been because I was a bit under the weather or I just had far too many cute stamps and didn't know what to use.
So for now here's my ATC for Tilda and Friends you had to use pink, so I made sure that the paper was cut out with the pink flowers and I fiddled with stripes so I had a pink strip, the little gems are papermania and they are so dinky but the right size for the cats nose.
Another page for MIL, I started this at crop on Sunday and I wasn't happy with it, the swirls looked wrong so I was going to glossy accents them but when I got it home I decided to rip off the blue card and change it to this blue with a green edge and then it all fell into place. I really pleased with it now. I must remember not to follow sketches so closely and use them to inspire.

Rock Dude

My little Rock Dude is for the Tilda & Co challenge this week for a boy/man's card the Guitars are shrink plastic I used pencils to colour but after I had done them I did wonder whether prisms would have worked. The papers are chatterbox that I spent ages shuffling around to get a pleasing look. The Rock Dude works are Francoise Read clear stamp along with the notes.
Not bad seeing my Mojo has left the building sometime last night, I was all set up for crafting till late because DH was working late. Spent most of it pulling things out and putting them back, finally gave up, hope I find it today.

Ismaki#10

Having a black and white moment, I made the Sugar Nellie card for the challenge here and then I saw this doggy stamp while looking for something for Ismaki and the black and white theme just happened. So first with Ismaki challenge I love their sketches, the dog stamp again I've had for ages and I can only read Angie on the side of the stamp. The diamonds panel, Butterfly Kisses stamp and the white diamonds and black elements are from a new cutting plate for the cuttlebug just needed artistic licence to move the sentiment to the other side.
So the Sweet Sugar Challenge was for black and white with a bit of pink so Sugar Nellie had to be coloured in pink and I used DCWV gliter pack for some sparkle the sentiment is Hero Ats, so is the sentiment on Ismaki challenge too.
My challenge free Thursdays are soon to be no more because there's a new challenge site called

Cute Card Thursdays, the only rule is create something cute and have fun. Love the idea of using any type of cute stamps.

Frame Card

I popped over to Papertake Weekly Challenge and found that Claudia has a fab tutorial on there for a frame type card and I couldn't resist to having a go. The actual card I found easy but that was probably because there are great photos so you knew what it should look like, what took the time was the stamping all the details and Tilda, then cutting them out. I stamped the butterflies in vellum and embossed them but you can't see it on the photo just realised haven't used any patterned paper at all.

Page for MIL

Another page for MIL the photos are a bit pants has they were slides and very dark, I've used scenic route papers that were in my stash, chipboard pinwheels made with several cut out using my little cricut and stuck together, title using the cricut, layout was using a Pagemaps sketch from last year.
Had a great day at the crop yesterday didn't know laughing was so tiring.

Teabag Challenge

Now this link could work out expensive but Katharina who makes fabulous cards is now on the High Hopes DT and to celebrate offering some free latest stamp so pop over to see.


DCM dare involves creating a card incorporating a tea bag or coffee satchel - just perfect for days when somebody may need a quiet rest and break. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you all create for the dare.


Well first of all I didn't want an ugly teabag on the front of my card and in desperation to lose weight I brought some fruit teas which lucky for me the Cranberry, Raspberry and Loganberry comes in a pretty pink satchel, sigh with relief managed to match some DCWV papers made a little pouch thingy for the teabag printed off the sentiment twice. Lost the first one on the floor and couldn't find it, found it after I made the card.


Have been scrapbooking today so have only managed to gaze longingly at my new stamps, tomorrow I'm off to Scrapbuddies crop so will have to wait till Monday to use them, Ok I confess I may have gone to the Magnolias own site too but thats all I'm admitting to but I hope they come soon.

Di Hickman March#1

He's another new whipper snapper new stamp, wish they weren't so expensive but I couldn't resist this little one and I used Di Hickman sketch March#1 for it, embossed panel using the cuttlebug , DCWV paper and peel off words.
Waiting for some more magnolia's I ordered from Sir Stampalot yesterday, someone on a forum gave the heads up that they had some but I didn't mean for another whipper snapper stamp and Hero Arts clear stamps to fall into the basket and it was bit of shock to realise I qualified for free postage.
Hopefully popping into Worplesdon Memorial Hall nr Guildford to see the girls from Craft & Co who are having a free demo day and bringing the shop and tomorrow its crop day with Scrapbuddies at Mychett Community Centre so a very busy weekend for me.
Good Grief the postman delivered my Stampalot order talk about QUICK

Cheeky Monkey

Now I have to have this little gem in the post today for my nephew, found out he's favourite place to visit is Monkey World bless him he's only 31!!!! Back to the card I thought I'll have a go at the Papertake weekly challenge which was to use squares, I used a square punch with scraps of daisy bucket papers then I handstitched a frame which is the challenge for the little extra on DCM to handstitch on your card. Knotted thread in the corners to tie in with the stitching and my brand new whipper snapper monkey and 3d him using silcone glue. The words are from Hero Art clear stamps set which has loads of birthday words. So now I have to put in an insert and make sure I write inside to let him know its from me.

Ismaki Challenge 9

Here's my Ismaki 9 challenge and what a sketch, I didn't want to do just layers of card or paper so one layer is vellum that I put through the cuttlebug another layer I used lace and instead of brads, the ribbon is where they would be. The stamp is Anna Griffin with a couple of layers to give the flower a bit more depth. Now if only I had made this last week it would've been ideal for Mother's Day.
Look what Enfys sent me, now I've got to choose some blogs to received it too which is going to be so difficult. Although I have a blog list on my blog, I have all my blogs I love to visit on my favourites and it gets longer each week. So I guess I'll go and check out whose not received one yet.