Just Because

This is the card that started my all day crafting on Wednesday, I just took awaiting coloured image and just made a card with thinking too much about the layout.
Now really its suppose to be Dorothy but you wouldn't really think that unless you coloured her slippers in ruby red. Mo's named her Kansas and I can't remember what the papers are all I know I was cutting the pretty daisy paper and I didn't want to hid it either.
In the end I made a trellis with a Martha Stewart punch and punched out the tiny flowers with the snowflake leaves you can see where I got the inspiration for my LIM card this week.
The doggy basket was a bit more complicated to layer cos I wanted the blanket to layer too, got there in the end but for a while I had an amputated arm!
Julie has used Kansas lately check out her amazing Wizard of Oz card

All I got is a Photograph

When I saw the theme Sing a long for Penny Black Saturday Challenge this week all I could think of was this stamp and Ringo Starr Photograph. Love that it gave me the opportunity to use these cute mice.
The papers are Autherique and the image is quite large so not much chance for embellishments, had to settle for some faux brads.
The sentiment is also a Penny Black from one of the clear set. Made it grungy with blending some distress inkpads to match the papers. I think it ticks all the boxes for a mans card too.
Do hope you can join us the theme is music so you don't necessary have to chose a song like I have but it might help if you don't have any music Penny Blacks images. Don't forget to check out the team they've fabulous creations to inspire you too and we have a Guest DT spot for a prize this week too.

Hope

Thank you for the lovely comments yesterday they're really appreciated and just what I needed. Feeling loads better today I think my craft day helped and this was one of the cards I made using Sylvia Zet image called Hope pretty apt at the moment don't you think, not that I was thinking of that at the time I think she is rather beautiful. May have to rethink the pearls on her top but didn't plan to cut the pendant out which I think I should of done and popped a smaller pearl in the centre but that will be for next time.
I used First Edition Dreamcatcher and the sketch is from Stamp with Fun, butterflies are Kars punch which I used glamour dust on. Both of favourite corner dies, I have got my hands on the MFT corners but they're are a touch to big for me but will work a treat on scrapbooking pages so not totally wasted. Since there's lots of layers I thought it best to keep the embellishments to a minium and finished with a bit lace and ribbons.

Take 3

When I got this Memory Box die and looked at the pic of the front of the wrapper I thought maybe this was a mistake and what on earth did I want this! But I was so mistaken is so delicate and perfect for what I had in mind for my Less is More card.
You have to take 3 previous challenges, oh that was so hard in the end I decided on.

Wk 52 Sketch

Wk 3 Spring

             Wk 55 Punches or Dies

I embossed my strip, used pearls to finish and a small floral punch for flowers with pearls again to finish. The leaves are a Martha Stewart snowflake punch and the sentiment is Stampin up, once again using a square punch for the end.

I was surprised how the pearls on the diamonds really made a difference and was pleased with my end result.

Tuesday's Morning Sketch

I confess to a melt down the last few days. I usually someone who puts a smile on my face and gets on with life regardless to what pain I'm in and try not to dwell on things I can't do any more but every now and then I get a form to fill in. Its asking me to write down all the things my arthritis doesn't allow me to do anymore and suddenly I have to get my head out of the sand think about the things I can't do.
So yesterday I decided to have a craft day which is probably why I hurt quite a bit today but its a good hurt if that makes sense because it hurts because I was doing what I loved.
Now you know I love the teapot dies from MFT and I was checking round blogland to get a few ideas and saw the sketch on Tuesday Morning Sketch and I just knew I had to make this card.
The papers are Basic Grey and definitely Picadilly unlike yesterdays card I'm now not convinced that it was.
I loaded quite a few pic this morning and the squares one were OK but this one caused quite a bit of trouble and I know people are having issues about loading. I been to a few blogs this morning while waiting for daylight and some pics are not showing hopefully you will see this card.

Anything Goes

Well the Design Team on Simon Says Stamps Challenge are showcasing My Favourite Things that Simon Say Stamps Store sells.

I think these Pure Innocence stamps from MFT could become another obession  I already love their dies. The actually challenge this week on Simon Says Stamps Challenge is for Anything Goes so no worries that I miss something out.
I've paper pieced The Flower girl with Basic Grey Piccadily well I think it is since the front cover is missing. Like I said I love the MFT dies and I've used the clouds, mini rolled roses and the swirl but I also used the Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder for the clouds. Lastly I used the Martha Stewart Icicle punch for grass.
It would be lovely if you could join us and you don't have to use My Favourite Things with the following prize for a lucky winner, but you have to be in it to win it.

Here in the UK we are basking in Summer weather bit of worry that is only March!

EAC sketch

It's sketch time at Everybody Art Challenge and its a nice and easy one from Domi. I've also used Easter Kiko from Mo and the papers are First Edition. The middle mat I used nestablilies and the Spring Border from Memory Box. And some more daisies using the Woodware Punch and the sentiment is Stamping Up, like I said its a nice and easy sketch so it worked out quite quickly.
Do check out the team and we would love for you to join us.
Now I going to try and not moan about the beautiful sunny days but it just as much a  problem taking pics as it is when it miserable so I must remember to take pics in the morning before the sun gets round to back of the house. And while I'm moaning I really missing my hour today, you struggle to sleep cos its too early and then don't want to wake up in the morning lets hope the body clock sorts itself out fast.

Lily

Well this card I used the Lili's Little Fairies sketch but then I added some lace and a border to place a bit of ribbon. I've since checked and see that the DT have added a bit of ribbon etc so I think I may get away with it and be able to enter the challenge.
Another new Lily of the Valley stamp that I've only just coloured. The papers are Kaiser Chanteuse and some  Prima flowers, just added some pearls.
I've finished off my mini book present, so I can tick that off my list, I hoping that I get on top of a few cards needed this week and then I can do some more scrapbooking found some great inspiration lately on Pinterest.

To Grammy's

I know if I used one of Mo Manning's gorgeous images that I will be pleased with my card and this image called To Grammy's is no exception.
I used Kaiser papers Miss Nelly, one sheet for the background and the dotty one for the flowers. Loving my new PATP Martha Stewart punch, the swirl is the Magnolia Doo Hickey and the flowers are EK success punches, finished with pearls. Sentiment is of course Craftwork cards and stamping up punches.
Well I had a fabulous time at Nikki's Workshop and everyone managed to complete all the cards and project and I had to add something else to my list, looking forward to the next on the 23rd June.

Easter Bunnies

My DD isn't going to Nikki's workshop so I don't have lift so Nikki is picking me but she has to get the hall ready so it will be an early start. I thought I better schedule my Penny Black Saturday Challenge, its time to get out all those PB bunnies cos its an Easter Extravaganza challenge.
I've used a cute bunny stamp and I layered over the top of the picket fence border and added some flower soft and fun flock to their tails.
The papers are First Edition and yes I know more daisies but for some reason I think spring when really they're summer but a bit of poetic licence here.
We have a fabulous prize this week from Craftwork cards and if you're off to the NEC this weekend don't forget to say Hi to Kath on the Fiskars stand, she'll be the one in slippers!
Also don't forget to check out the gorgeous creations from the team too.

Hedgie

I always make sure I have some Penny Black critters coloured so that when I feel Mr Mojo and Mr Motivator have pack their packs and thinking of leaving it helps them stay for a bit longer cos you can't go far wrong with a cutie.
When I colour I have a few packs of paper by me so I choose which one to use for each image before I colour so for example I choose First Edition Isabella for this Hedgie.
I've used this weeks sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

The punch I used for the strip is the Stampin up, as is the inverted corners and the sentiment but I used my nesties to layer it. Once again I used the Woodware daisy punch, what a great investment they were I've had them for years.
Looking forward to Nikki's Stampin Up workshop this weekend and she's already booked for another on the 23rd June.

Boho chic

I've had some new LOTV stamps for a while but I decided to use some images I had already stamped before stamping some more, now there's another new release so I thought I better stamp them at least. I picked up a new First Edition pad called Boho Chic at Crafts U Love, theres another new one  but I could only find it in an eight inch pad and I waste so much using that size so I shall keep a look out for that one.
The sketch is from Sketch Saturday, I had to cut the sketch on a spare bit of card to make a template cos I was afraid I wouldn't get it all to match.
Flowers are my funky flower punches, the swirl is MFT and the butterflies are a Kars punch. I was disappointed that I had shaded the wrong hair bow and it meant I couldn't layer it because I wasn't sure I could remember the pencils I used since I don't use the oranges very often.

Masking

So while looking for my daisy stamp I found this elegant lady stamp and decided to mask her too for the Less is More challenge, the script is a Stampin Up stamp.  Can't believe I resisted to layer her which I would have done on a ordinary card and  I wanted to add some bling but thought maybe it would have taken it over the edge and it would no longer be CAS.
I made a flat bow because I thought it was a bit more elegant and the sentiment is a butterfly kisses stamp.
Out of the two LIM this is my favourite.

WOYWW and LIM

Work in progress this week on WOYWW I think you can just about see some pink daisies hiding under that page. Its not too untidy thats because I did all the stamping and masking first then had to go away and do some colouring, my pencils are in the front room. Rather than leave my stamps dirty I cleaned them first before the colouring.
So the challenge on Less is More this week is masking. There's a reason I don't do masking very often it because I'm lazy, first you have to cut out a mask well I can cut out and stick it on a card job done. Then you have to stamp your main image, wait for the ink to dry and then mask before stamping another image. Then realising it didn't stamp that well and you start again, then you try to be clever and stamp another! We all know where that one went and then you decide to be exceptionally clever and mask all the flowers (more mask cutting) to stamp a large image over all the daisies. Another two hit the bin.

So I don't know which attempt this was but I left it plain once I masked the daisy, then almost hyperventilated stamping the sentiment who said less is more is easy! The daisy stamp is an old one from Hobby Art and its well loved, I used my pencils to colour them in. The sentiment is Anitas and to finish I used some glossy accesnt for the centres of the flowers. Phew job done but then someone had the brainwave to make another but I leave that till tomorrow.

Bingo

It's Bingo time at Simon Says Stamps Challenge and since my past record of bloomers I needed to get this one right.

So for a change I used a Tilda, I do love how easy she is to colour and layer and this Tilda is called Congratulation Tilda. The patterned paper is First Edition Summer Edition and I used the Swiss Dots embossing folder for the main mat.
Now I've choosen Charms,punches/die cuts and ribbon. Punches are Martha Stewart Cherish PATP and then I've used Cuttlebugs corners and Magnolia Doo Hickey butterfly.

Do pop over to the challenge blog and check out the gorgeous creations the team have made and we would love for you to join and be in with a chance to win this fabulous prize.

Back later with my WOYWW post.

Friendship

It time for a new challenge at Everybody Art Challenge and its for Friendship. I know its another Sarah Kay but I do love them and I think this one is perfect for the challenge. I also used the PATP from Martha Stewart this is the one from QVC and I'm so please that if I cut a strip across and down, one flower wide I can make it small enough to fit a 14.5cm square. The papers are My Minds Eye one of their new packs and the lovely roses were a gift. Of course it wouldn't be finished if there wasn't a bit of ribbon and the sentiment is Craftwork cards.
Do hope you can join us this week and do check out the gorgeous creations from the team.
Not much happening this week till Saturday when I shall be going to Nikki's Stampin Up Workshop, its at Blundell Hall at Cove Farnborough, 1pm till 5pm. I've already seen the beautiful creations we will be making.

Singin' in the rain on Monday

I had issues with the latest sketch from Sketch and Stash couldn't get the angles right for the bottom mat and after wasting a sheet I decided just to go for a rectangle at angle, then my image mat almost total hid it.
But isn't this image so cute its Singin' in the rain from Mo Manning and the papers are Wild Rose which was fabulous gift from a very good friend.
I made the daisies with Woodware and circle punches and then I lost the plot, just couldn't work out what  else I could put on the card. I left the sentiment off cos it would work for Thinking of you and Get well so if ones of those occasions pop up it will be easy to add to the card.
Had a fab day and my mini book gift is almost sorted just need a few flowers and things and it will be done. The day ended with a very nice meal out.
Only wished the night was has good, I've had the worst night sleep ever and in the end I've got up at silly o'clock wouldn't mind but the night before wasn't that good either, this won't help Mr Mojo and Mr Motivator. I expect they'll be both sulking in the corner again.

The Engineer

I've got a pile of coloured images waiting to be made into cards and this was one of them. The image is the brilliant Engineer from Mo Manning and ideal for those pesky mens cards. The sketch I've used from this weeks Stamp with Fun and the papers are freebies from magazine.
I tried to used the picket fence for rail track and pop some strips to break up the corner and some faux brads too to try and stop it looking plain. Had a job finding a sentiment stamp small enough to fit in the smoke but found a random clear one.
Well I'm off to Scrapbuddies crop today at Mychett Community centre, have another mini book to make for a present so that should keep me out of trouble.

Anything Goes

Nice easy challenge this week on the Penny Black Saturday Challenge, its for Anything Goes. So I had a  look in my Penny Black Drawers (yes I do have more than one) and found well several actually of stamps that I've rarely used and decided on using this chap.
I also used the Country Drive papers from Echo Park and sort of made a scene with them. Using a Martha Stewart snowflake cut up to make the stems of the flowers and tiny flower punch for the heads. The zig zag border punch for the centre with a ribbon, there has to be a ribbon somewhere and the clouds are a MFT die which looking at them now I should of embossed them.

Prize this week from Crimson Cloud

3932K Japanese Maple

Do pop over and check out the team some amazing creations as usual.
Hopefully today Hubby is finishing a bit early and he is taking me down to Crafts U Love as they have a demo day and tomorrow going to Scrapbuddies. So I need to sort my bags out for tomorrow before I go as I won't be able to when I get back, my bones will need a rest.

Poppies

This worked out well except this was version two, the first ended in the bin. I was inspired by this card found on Pinterest, also I lot of people were using flowers over script so this was my version.
I think the French script could be on my best buy list cos I used it quite a bit now. The Poppies are a Hero Art stamp that was stamped with Versamark and then I used white embossing powder. Now I know that kraft card and copics are not very friendly together so now sure why I thought I could use them and it promptly went in the bin but this version I used my Polychromos pencils worked a treat as you can see.
I was tempted to put a bit or red ribbon on, but I'm not sure you can for Less is More challenge also wasn't sure it was needed.

Hello

So the challenge on LIM this week is for Script but its also one layer week.  I knew I had this stamp set from Stamping up and also the French script. So I had this idea to emboss the Hello to bring dimension to what would be a flat card.
I inked the French script and stamped first, then floral stamp and used white embossing powder. Using a buttermilk gold embossed the sentiement. Now in real life the Hello isn't very prominent but it is on the pic.
So I decided to have another go this time using an antique gold embossing powder.

I added a bit of ribbon this time round.