Ready Steady Cook

Its time for a recipe at Penny Black Saturday Challenge, 1 Circle, 2 Papers and 3 Flowers and of course a PB image or large Sentiment.
I may have to source these Doodlbug papers love them and I tried to copy the flowers on the paper too with the EK success punches. Just a touch of ribbon to finish off, can't make a card without a bit ribbon unless its on of them dreaded mens card.
Now theres a fab prize 15% for life off PB stamps at PB stamps and not forgetting some gorgeous ribbons from Fantastic Ribbons.
Don't forget to check out the team too, there's always some fabulous cards to see.
Well we take MIL back today and hopefully I can pop into The Range to see if there's anything I fancy and I've a list for Staples.

Sketch Saturday Snowman

Need to post this today so you get two posts today, I've used this weeks Sketch Saturday sketch and a new one is up tomorrow. I've used another Pink Gem Design new stamps.  I've used BG Eskimo kisses and of course MS small snowflakes are the perfect size for the sketch.
A bit cross though I used glossy accents on the button and they've set but not clear but a bit murky not sure what happened there.
I must get some more Craftwork cards sentiment ovals saves a time especially at Christmas.
Been out yet again, not helping me to check out everyone blogs and when I do find time its been a flying visit.
Back to normal soon.

Happy Birthday DS

Today its my Son's birthday and Lenny the Lion was taken by my DD for his card so I had to make another. I saw the trains on the BG Oliver and knew it was perfect for Mo's engineer and even better now I have my printer no smudging.
We all know that Mens cards give us nightmares and this one is no exception. I used the sketch over on Sketch and Stash, the corners are a sizzlits set and remember my picket fence from MS I joined them together to make train tracks.
The tiny brads are actually punched out circles, embossed  before sticking them down. The sentiment is from craftwork cards.

Happy Birthday DS 

LOTV Sketch

I can't believe how well the black works with this card and still it looks cute, I did try brown since its a softer colour but the black makes the red really pop. I used Bev's fab sketch over on LOTV challenge and of course used one of their gorgeous new Christmas stamps. The paper is from Glitz I think and I didn't like the green on the back so thats why I used a white embossed background.
The poinsettias are left over from last year, the iron gate punch and the jet pearls all to finish. Oh I forgot to mention the mixture of flower soft and fun flock for her muff and snow.
So yesterday we had planned to go to Denbies in Dorking with a detour to the Glitter Pot but my Sis made a surprise visit to Guildford to see our Mum and I suggested we took her to Glitter Pot since she always drives it would nice to drive her instead, so Denbies was put on hold.
It was fairly easy to find the new premises of The Glitter Pot, yes the stairs are a bit of an issue but we managed. It large and airy, nice size classroom but its lost it character but hopefully that will come in time.
I tried to find a pub that I thought I knew where it was but I was mistaken, so I suggested we went home the scenic way to find one which just so happened to past The Crafts U Love (it wouldn't normally but hey I had the directions)
The lovely Suzie was there and we had a nice chat and she showed me what the wonderful Kim had made on their demo day, a gorgeous picture frame as well as a couple of fab cards. Well I totally blame them both cos I had to have the swirls and leaves that was used. It was a magnolia die which when compared with the other makes quite expensive but since I brought two sizzilets in the sale I felt the savings I made paid for it!
We did find somewhere to eat later, couldn't let them stave now could I.

Has anyone else lost comments, I published them yesterday but they didn't show and today they still haven't shown up.

Simon Says Dotty

We're going Dotty on Simon Says Stamps Challenge this week. I've been really good with my card using some scraps of Crate Paper that I'm hoarding.
It does have a dotty piece which silly me has covered with the mesh and flowers, good job my WOJ clown has spotty trousers.
The flowers are from Prima and Simon Says Stamps has a huge selection to choose from including Hero Arts, Maya and Petaloo. 
Did have a chuckle my clowns flowers look like fried eggs.
Sadly Dena has stepped down from the DT, we wish her well and we will still be popping by her blog to check her marvellous creations.

Don't forget there's a fabulous prize and you won't have any problem spending it at Simon Says Stamps they've a huge stock of everything.

A stitch in time

Its a great sketch over on Everybody Art Challenge this week and I finally cut into these pebbles papers.
I've used PB stamp and since stitching is involved in the image I thought I would faux stitch round the layers. My poor old EK Sucess funky flowers punches have been used again.
Do check out the fab DT they're all looking fabulous.
So MIL arrived safely, she gets the Bournmouth train from Manchester which stops at Basingstoke, in turn its only 40 minutes from us. So far no crafting happened yesterday and I'm not sure I can sneak into my room today either.

Vintage Tilda

Over on Just Magnolia the challenge this week is Vintage (a posh word for distressing) not sure if it worked out that well but in my mind I was trying to think Victorian. Which is why I used the lace and the roses.
The frame is cut from a cricut cartridge and then I foolishly used Tim Holtzs Rock Candy, it was like watching paint dry! It took ages or at least if felt like it, then I rub in some distress ink but it just looks like blobs instead of cracks. The papers are Imaginesce, all inked round the edges, Thankfully it looks better in RL.
Did you see that Simon Says Stamps spolighted me on their blog, Oh how embarrassing, they made me sound amazing when I'm just boring old me. I do hold SSS close to my heart they're were the first to ask me to be on their DT and I love every minute.

LOTV Sunday

Gosh this card looks so busy, but I've used the fab easy Friday Sketchers sketch#112. Maybe it didn't need the flowers from Prima but they're the perfect colour to go with My Minds Eye papers. Of course the cute image is from LOTV, I just can't get over how adorable they're are.
The BBQ was brilliant and Sis had a few friends over and some who had never been before and they have asked if there's another one in a couple of years could they be possibly invited again.

Penny Black Christmas

I can't believe that WOYWW nearly let the cat out of the bag or should I say mouse. Yes this week at Penny Black Saturday Challenge its Christmas. So dust off those PB Christmas stamps and join in.
I'm starting to get over the dread of making Christmas cards now, I'm nearly enjoying making snowflakes with my MS punches, you'll notice, I ink the edges just so they don't get lost in all the white.
Everything I can has been stickled, the snowflakes, snow on the image and even the embossed snowflakes too. I love that PB sentiment, trust me I think you may be seeing a lot of it in the coming months.
Don't forget to check out the PBSC DT they are such an inspiration and there's prizes this week from Stampers  Supermarket and Valentines.
Well later we will be off to my Sis for her Farnborough Airshow BBQ, you have to get there early, there's a field down the road from her and everyone parks round her roads to walk down there, so to get a parking space we go early.

Snow-Couple

Ok maybe the flower soft was a bad idea but you can still see how fab the new snow-couple stamp from Pink Gem Designs are. I've discovered some My Minds Eye Christmas papers left over from last year and blown the dust of my cuttlebug snowflake add with the MS punches and you have my large snowflake. My crystal stickles are now upside down ready to used and I found my white peel off Christmas words well, since I can't escape from Christmas cards on blogland, if you can't beat them join them.
I've used the sketch on Stamp with Fun this week.
Don't forget to check out Pink Gem Designs new stamps, there's some christmas sentimenst too.

Off White LOTV

So this is the card I was making and the reason I had the craftsheet out. The papers are Cosmo Cricket and the colours are more cream than white so using a distress pad and the blending tool I went round the white card that the cute LOTV image was on, to tone down the white.
It has been suggested that my craftsheet is new, I've had for years but it gets so little use it looks brand new. Its now rolled up and back in its original box.
I think by December everyone will be fed up with MS snowflake punches but I can't help it they're a perfect size.
I've used the sketch from last weeks Sketch Saturday and a bit of glitter to finish.
13 years ago my BIL accepted a cleaning contract to clean a school but he couldn't get anyone to accept the job so my Sis offered to do it temporary, today she retires.
She not only cleaned the school but became a part of the school family to the point she often told the teachers off for not getting home to their families or if they're left the classroom's messy. She often helped with any sewing or activities one of which is setting up a card club but the last couple of years she has found the job getting harder and one of things she has been disappointed in that she hasn't been able to do the card club.
But now she officially leaves and is looking forward to setting up the card club again and being able to help with other activities.
She also looking forward to do doing craft classes in the evenings and going out without worrying about getting back for school and she has plans that somehow involve me!

Happy Retirement Sis

Tilda Overboard

I made this a few days ago and the new challenge is up tomorrow so I thought I better pop it on my blog. This is one of the new summer club Magnolia, I'm not sure on this kit and I don't think any of them will become a favourite.
I've used the sketch on Just Magnolia and the papers are Delovely, still have loads left.  You will have to bear with me while I get out of my system using the Leone-em stamen punch out of my system which is not help that I found the woodware one to fit inside the large flower.
I've been making cards for DT well in advance because I don't know how much time I will get next week so I've a small pile of cards which I'm totally confused as to which is which and I'm pretty sure I've lost one. It doesn't help that I've had to clear the dining room table so my organized muddle is now just a muddle.

WOYWW#59

Look see I own a one of those crafty sheets so you can make lots of inky mess and what's this do I spy a distress pad and A BLENDING TOOL.
Don't panic folks I haven't got all messy, I'm just trying to tone the white on one of my images so it goes better with the paper.
There's a clue here, snowflake punches and stickles but you gonna have to wait till Friday since I've a card for tomorrow.
I've already popped by some folks desks on WOYWW #59 and I have to say my desk quite tidy as long as you don't look right, you can just work out there's a pile of stuff.

I'm still plodding on with my 52-10 project, this prompt bugged me for a while, Guess who coming to dinner, you had make a page about who you would love to meet

Not sure whether you can see the journalling.

This one was about small things that make you happy, to be honest just watching my how well my children have grown up makes me happy but it isn't a small thing since I call my craft room small I thought I would use that instead. When you have a bad day with all you aches and pains and you make a card that you think is brilliant its a wonderful sense of achievement and keeps me sane.

A couple of Gnomes

Where do the weeks go, here we are mid week again and another challenge on Simon Says Stamps Challenge and we have a fabulous sketch from Martine.

I've used the cute gnomes from WOJ and Cosmo Cricket papers both available from Simon Says Stamps. I couldn't help myself but I've used the picket fence border again from MS again  and check out Simon Says Stamps they've got some new MS ones just in.
I've used the EK success flower punch and the stamens punch is Leone-em that I brought at Newbury, so that the flowers look a bit like the ones on the papers. I've left off the sentiment since I haven't decided what to use, could be anniversary or engagement or just a plain old birthday.
Now don't forget there is a fabulous prize of $25 to spend at Simon Says Stamps.

Job for Wednesday to take a pic of my craftroom before I tidy up!!!!!!!!!!!!

little boy blue

It's a blue and white challenge on Everybody Art Challenge, I was lucky to find in my papers the doodlebug cloud paper and the gingham is a scrap left after my DD used it for a baby book she made.
I love my white picket fence border from MS and the sweet little chap is a Belle and Whistles stamp.
Of course there's a bit of ribbon and although I prefer punched flowers because I love how they match the papers these are brought ones.

Do you love arty stuff and enjoy getting messy then Simon Says Stamps could be looking for you. Here's what they have to say.

We have a New Vintage styled Challenge Blog going live in August! Simon Says Stamp and Show. The new challenge is devoted to All Things Vintage! The Style is inspired by the likes of Tim Holtz, Wendy Vecchi, 7 Gypsies and Graphic 45 - among many other Vintage enthusiasts.

The Design Team Call is from now until this Friday, and we would love to hear from you! Please go HERE for the details! The new challenge is Directed by the infamous, worldly, and OOOOBER talented Linda Elbourne! We are so pleased and honored to have her join us! Thank you Linda! I have been eying Linda's work for almost a year and had the luckiest opportunity in the world to meet her in person and sit across from her for Ranger U! It was a thrill and delight. Please join us in welcoming Linda to our Team!

I won't be entering for the DT but I'm sooooo looking forward to checking out the entries of the challenges.

Sending Mail

Well that told me, thank you for all the lovely comments and the support over my card yesterday, I promise to try not to be hard on myself.
Now I'm please with this card but I think you can't go wrong using the new LOTV christmas stamps. The papers are last years Basic Grey and I used the sketch on Friday sketchers this week, guess I can enter it for the Cute Card Thursday challenge who are asking for a Christmas card.
Out came the mixture of flowersoft and fun flock for the snow on the ground and on top of my post box, the blobs of snow is Viva pearl pen, I wasn't sure at first but it does look like snow. 
MS snowflakes, papermania red pearls, a touch of ribbon and the craftwork sentiment and a happy crafter.
So this week I've got to get my act together and give Mr Mojo a good shake, I seriously need to get ahead of myself since I shall be out at the weekend.
Its Farnborough Airshow, my Sis doesn't have to go to it, it flys over her house so she has a BBQ so fingers crossed for decent weather.
Then week today my MIL arrives, she doesn't have any hobbies and she is really difficult to entertain or for me to hide out in my craftroom, hubby is taking some time off  which we will use to take her out just need to work out where the craft shops are first!

Warts and all

Told you Mr Mojo had left the building, I wish I never used Olivia papers, I don't think they've going to be my favourites. Wished I never put that flower on but I thought it look plain.
I did think the spiral punch from Stampin Up worked especially for the type of card I made it for. I used the sketch from WOJ challenge.
You might wonder why if I don't like it do I blog it but I think I should show my warts and all and there are aspects of it I like.
I do have one card almost ready that I like, just need the stickles to dry.

Time for Tea

Over on Penny Black Saturday Challenge this week is anything but a card and there's a fab prize of a PB stamp from Butterfly Kisses.
I always struggle to make anything other than a card so I went to my favourite resource website Splitcoast Stampers, they have a whole section on how to do and how to make. The latest entry is a drawer, so last weekend I made the carcass, it was a bit awkward since my trimmer didn't have 1/16 inch, I suppose if I had any patients I would have converted the sizes into cm.

During the week I decorated using My Minds Eye papers and I got to use my picket fence border punch from MS.

To be honest I was just going to stick the image on top of the drawer but then I decided I could give this to DD to put things in on her desk at work and how cute it would look if the top was like an easel card which she could it fold down to fit in her drawer at work.

The Wild Orchid coffee coloured cherry blossom flowers arrived just at the right time and the sentiment I did on the PC.

The tiny flowers are a EK success punch and the dots in the middle are the large hole on the cropadile.
Phew that was a long post. Don't forget to check the fab samples over on Penny Black Saturday Challenge.
It was a good job I made this in the week cos Mr Mojo left the building yesterday and I made a card that I'm so not happy with not even sure it make my blog.

In the garden

I'm pretty sure I've this little darling hasn't seen ink till now, don't know why cos its so cute. I've used the sketch from LOTV that Dawny has done (luv her sketches) and also I think it would work for PTW for In the Garden.
I've no idea who makes the papers, I do know that I brought them from The Craft Barn, I used the deep edge MS daisy border punch I do love this punch but I usually cut it half  to use. The flowers are Wild Orchid do love the cherry blossom ones at the moment and the leaf punch is Leone-Em.
The Christmas Conspiracy continues with CCT and my sis has provisional set a couple of dates in August for us to meet up and make Christmas cards, I believe Resistance is Futile.

Delovely Aashi

Don't you think this image from Mo Manning is fabulous, she was one of the three downloads I brought to check out the printer. I was kicking myself while colouring there is a band on the material for her sari and each time, I accidently coloured it in the same colour when I wanted to give the band a different colour. I know I could have just printed out some more but I thought I would just do it again.
I tried to colour her complexion darker but I don't think I quite managed it. I thought the Delovely pad from Cosmo Cricket was perfect for her and then I discovered that Wild Orchid Crafts have a challenge blog and that the first challenge is for say it with flowers.
Well who needs a reason to go OTT on flowers and maybe I should of put the flower down and stepped away from the card but I couldn't stop myself. All the flowers are from Wild Orchid craft and so is the pearl sprays too, the shabby ones I've inked to help them contrast to the papers.
Yesterday went very well and the sun came out for a while too, the wake was at Sis and she did a fab job  and Nannette was a star with making the tea and washing up.