FRIDAY SKETCH

I was quite please how this turned out I've use a LOTV bear with the latest Friday Sketch and since I wanted this to be a mans card I wondered what embellishments to use.
So the old favourite of the Martha Stewart Zig Zag punch and my faux brads are a must but I was then inspired by the hanging dice on the car to make some large ones and they turned out great.
Just used a square woodware punch I think it was the green one and the small size on the crocodile for the dots.
It still looks a bit clean and simple but thats Ok for a Mans card.
Well the shopping is complete, couple of bits to be wrapped and I can relax well I would but I've decided to Journal my Christmas by Shimelle this year although I don't think it will be finish till sometime next year but its going to be my next project but not till I finish a couple of layouts tomorrow for Lou's Wedding then that book is completed.

Time for a Carol

So I saw the sketch on Sketch Saturday and I came up with nothing but while looking at my images I knew this combined one with two of Mo's fab images Victoria Caroling and the Winters Door  would work for the image mat.
Then using the October Afternoon papers it sort of fell into place although I wanted to put things down the size but it would hide the music paper and the verse.
So I settled for good old Martha Stewart Holly Punches and then finished with some flower soft for snow and her muff.
Well I thought I would get time in my Craftroom yesterday but with Hubby home it just didn't happen and today we do the final Christmas Present shop and then its just perishable food.

Simon Says Stamp Challenge

Hope you haven't been waiting long but here's this weeks Simon Says Stamps Challenge of Anything Goes and the team are showcasing Martha Stewart Products, of course this isn't a requirement for the challenge simply a way to showcase some of the amazing products you can find at Simon Says Stamps Store.

So onto my card the Martha Stewart Products I'm using are the Cherish Around the page punch set, along with the deep edge Doily punch for round the circle Mat. Also the large snowflake is the Himalayan punch and the medium size is the Glacial Snowflake punch. The small ones are a cuttlebug one that came with 3 others.

The papers are Winter Wishes from Echo Park and the sentiment is from the latest exclusive to Simon Says Stamps set called Holiday labels its out of stock at the moment but available to pre-order.
Finally the little bear is from Magnolia Cozy Christmas Bear I don't think this little chap will be considered marmite!

Don't forget to there's a fabulous prize but remember to link to your creation no back linking to an old card.

Glittered Wreath

Another card for Less is More and a post while you wait for the new Simon says Stamps Challenge at 2pm.

This time I've used a Penny Black stamp and use nestabilities to layer the image and I couldn't stop myself from adding a pearl or gem to every snowflake. The sentiment is Stamping Up and fitted just.

So while I had the Penny Black wreath stamp while not use the Fantasy Tree from them too. This went wrong for a start its not straight and the blasted camera has made the one thing for a change that is straight the LOTV sentiment.

Everybody Art Challenge

We have sketch this week on Everybody Art Challenge, took a bit of liberty with one the mats and changed it into the two snowflakes but apart from that I think its ok, no tell a lie I missed out the sentiment. I realise now I was going to do Baby's First Christmas on the Computer but forgot.
So of course this amazing image is from Mo Manning and you can get it in Digi format from Mo's shop here and its a Penny Black Cling stamp.
The papers are Lily of Valley Nitwits papers and the large snowflake are Memory box, each snowflake is cut out three times two to layer and one with the centre cut out and layered over the other two.
I used the Martha Stewart punch around the page snowflake set for the mat in the middle and finished with a bit of ribbon and some lace, looking now I think the bow is missing now I'm not sure if it needs one.

Here's the sketch from my team-mate Tina and don't forget to check out the team.
Well yesterday we brought the Christmas non perishable goods you may wonder why so early, simple wheelchairs and scooters are no fun in busy supermarkets so we go in the evening and to a Sainsbury a bit farther away with large aisles but a word of warning don't try to use your nectar points cos its not considered your home store, lesson learnt and now need to fiddle the books.

Glittered Snowflake

So when I saw the challenge on Less is More and saw the fabulous dress card Chrissie had made it inspired me to make this snowflake. I used some glitter I got from Simon says Stamps called Gitter Ritz in Western Blue, OMG its so fine, glamour dust eat your heart out.
It does have its disadvantage its so fine it sticks to anything and I've spent a lot of time blowing and dusting it off my card.

I punched two snowflakes and the run them through an Xyron then used the glitter. Then I run them through the Xyron again and this time I laid the thread through the middle and stuck them together.
Used a nestabilitie to make the circle aperture and then stuck the thread top and bottom. Used a Christmas sentiment to finish, just about straight.
Two photos of the same cards cos the blasted snowflake wouldn't stay still .

Sugar Bowl Fairy

Ones of the things of having a sort out you kinda rediscovery some cute beautiful stamps and here's a Sugar Nellie and one I've kept, don't think I can part with this one.
I've used the Sugar Bowl sketch maybe taken some liberties with the flowers and bit of ribbon but you know me can't resist.
The papers are Kaiser can't remember which one the front is now missing and theres just a few sheets left.
Sentiment is from Lily of the Valley I may have mentioned it before but I stamp first in this case on a bit of pink card with versamark then stamp on a bit of white card with black ink and when dry cut them out so theres a touch of pink showing. Just wish there was a Christmas one.
Well I'm pleased with the cards I've made over the weekend but I can't take my feet off the gas but there's a nice selection for the week allowing me to sort cards for next week and I had time to fiddle with some silly bits that needed finishing like inserts.
So with coffee made and I'm now going to enjoy a couple hours blog hopping to see what I'm missing.

Whoops I forgot

Something really bright and sunny for a wet and windy weekend and that yellow isn't really has bright as that in real life so not sure whats happened there.
I've used the latest Sketch and Stash sketch and the fabulous cute image from Sassy Cheryl, I think she is perfect for a belated card and I had to generate the sentiment on the computer.
The papers are Nitwits Lifes Little Monsters papers do love their papers but I really can't justfied buying too many because of all the overflowing papers I've already got.
Quite a successful day card making just need a few days like that and I will feel the pressure lifted.

Glittered Goose

Then I go and do something stupid like glitter the Goose all over, thought it was a good idea at the time but now I've spoiled the card, I might have got away with it if I hadn't glittered his beak.
I was quite pleased with the Sweet Sketch wednesday sketch card till then.
I've used the Sizzix embossing folder with some Martha Stewart border punches to make the strip going across the middle. The paper is Nitwits a freebie out of a magazine and the Holly swirl is Cheery Lynn, the little one is just part of Holly swirl. The flower is a EK success punches.
Sorry I haven't been commenting much when I blog hop its just that I need to get everything done for Christmas by the time we go up MIL in couple week rather actual Christmas. If I'm writing cards, buying and wrapping present for the trip up North then I might has well do it for everyone down here. Also I'm trying to get ahead of myself so I can have a card each day I'm away.
But one bit of good news my candy package has arrived for My Favourite Fives which one again I plan to do this year over Christmas just need to add some ribbon and flowers and to make 2012 badges.

Deanna

Wasn't sure I was going to have time to make a card for Sketch Saturday or even for today its turning into one those weeks.
One of the good things of sitting in the evening colouring that the image is ready to be made in card and the rest should be easy!
Another good thing whatever the card looks like when you use a Mo image it really makes a card that you not sure about look good and I think thats the case today using the sweet Deanna image she really saves my card. I think perhaps I should have just used the smaller butterflies.
I seemed to be in cloud cuckoo land at the moment so I just want to wish Happy Thanksgiving to all my blogging friend over the pond for yesterday and hope everyone is OK is in the wet and soggy UK.

Baby Girl

The light is awful here in the UK which is a shame cos I love how this card turned out. The sketch started of from Stamp & Fun = Creativity but then it went it own way.
Of course the beautiful baby image is from Mo called simple Baby Girl s. The papers are from a Papermania  and then I used roses to match the paper with some pearls on plastic bits not sure of their proper name.
For a change I used the Martha Stewart Deep Edge Daisy punch for my border and the sentiment is LOTV.
Yesterday I went and got my Sewing Machine, haven't given her a name yet hopefully it will be a nice one.
Also my friend Anne on Stamps and Paper needs to reduce her photos on her blog and I've explained what I do in Picasa Web Albums but it doesn't seemed to be helping her does anyone know a link that I can send her that may explain better than me.

Stamps Happen

Its Wednesday, its 2pm, its time for a new Simon Says Stamps Challenge card and this week challenge is for you to use a sketch from our teamie Dawny.

Also this week the Design Team is using Stamp Happens products and I thought it about time I used this huge stamp Falling softly Fairy I brought from Simon absolutely ages ago. I think it was the size that scared but she was easy to colour and she stamped beautifully.

The papers are Echo Park whose papers I love this pack is called Everyday Eclectic and I used the Romantic Rectangles from Spellbinders. The flowers are Cherry Blossom from Memory Box the Meadow Leaf die are from them too as is the Chloe Stem which I've punch circles in pink and sprinkled with glitter and added some pearls to finish.

Don't forget there is a fabulous prize to be won and you just have to make sure you mention the Simon Says Stamps challenge and link to the challenge blog on your card post and of course link your card with the blue frog to win.

A Metal Christmas

Sorry about the rubbish photo but its dark, dank and dreary here in the UK not the best the light to take photos but I think you get the idea.
One of the good things about having a sort you find things that you've had tucked away for years and this little bells are just that. So as soon as I read on Less is More for something metal I thought of these and trust me I have a whole bag of them so not sure what had originally planned for them.
I made my Poinseitta with Spellbinders die and the most difficult things to do was to attached the bells to some gold string but I decided to knot it, dab a bit glue on the knot, wait till it was dry before trimming.
The second difficult thing was the making sure the Stampin Up sentiment was straight even with a thingy me jig. I know it not the most inventive card but at least I managed a card for the challenge.
Apart from getting wet and spending an awful lot of time going up and down in lifts most of the present shopping is done. I have four more to get two I know exactly, one she is just awkward and the last one haven't a clue.
I'll be back later at 2pm with my Simon Says Stamps Challenge card.

Looking for the Blog Hop Post you will find it HERE

Angel

So last week I mentioned that I'm having a monochrome moment with nearly every challenge of Everybody Art Challenge and this week its no different. The Everybody Art Challenge this week is for an Angel and I don't really use my Tilda's enough simply because people just don't understand her. I had two overflowing boxes of Tildas but now I'm down to one and half boxes that close but I think in the new year I may go through them again.
So back to my monochrome card  the papers are out of a pack of Kaiser papers and I've used the Lifestyle folder with green pearls. I've also used my favourite MFT crochet border die and I've chopped up a circle snowflake die from Memory Box.
Finished with a mixture of gold and white glamour dust for her wings and a bit of ribbon. Do pop over to the Challenge and check out the team.
Well today is the first of several days off for Hubby and we're off for the day shopping even tag along is coming too. I've written my list hopefully I can tick it all off today

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Something for Monday

Something bright and sunny for a Monday and not a Christmas card starting to get fed up with them now but I'm pretty sure I've enough now but still have a few images coloured and ready to go so a few extra for Mums Christmas Fair.
This little darling is from Sassy Cheryl and she is the sponsor for the Sweet Sketch Wednesday which is where I've taken the sketch from, only seemed right to use for her for it.
The papers are from Dove Craft I think and the Woodware Daisy punches for the flowers. The trellis is a Martha Stewart punch two strips stuck together  and I used the deep edge daisy punch for round the circle.
All finished with a bit of ribbon and a Craftwork cards sentiment.
I've sat down with the other half who has quite a few days off in the next few weeks so I need to get myself up to date and even quite a bit ahead of myself with my craft commitments cos I think I'm going to be dragged out kicking and screaming to do Christmas shopping.

Pretty in Blue

Not sure I've done the Mos image proud perhaps theres something missing but this is Shirley and her dress is absolutely gorgeous and I love making her although I made a real mess of her hair got lost with bow but I think only I would know.
The sketch is Creative Inspirations and I did have another piece of patterned paper with a touch of another colour but I seemed to have gone monochrome, I noticed this morning I've made another one yesterday too must be the time of year.
I've used the Harrington Vine die from Simon Says Stamps love how delicate it is and cuts out brilliantly and I've added pearls to the other die in the corner. I just had a thought maybe I should have used a bit of ribbon  perhaps that whats missing but at least Mo's image saves the day.
Two more area's of my craft room have been sorted lots rubbish I've been keeping just in case. Of course once I've got rid of it I shall find a reason to want it!
But all this sorting out is a danger to your health and my body has more or less told me thats it for a couple days so I just have to make cards instead.

Fairy Stardust or Winter Fairy Halla

Now is this Penny Black or is this Mo' Digi, I remember the days when I could only drool over the fabulous images from Mo knowing my printer ink would smudge if I tried to colour so I really appreciate that Penny Black makes stamps from Mo images. So Winter Fairy Halla you can find here at Mo's and the stamp.
I've used the sketch from the The Sketchy challenge although I've had to mirror the image so I possibly disqualified myself but to be honest I join in challenges especially sketch challenge to help to inspire me and very often I forget theres sometimes a prize.
I've used a Memory box die and the snowflake is actually a new Simon Says Stamps snowflake die but the centre is a Stampin Up sentiment which fits perfectly in the centre they do another snowflake die and I'm hoping its winging its way over the Atlantic as we speak.
The papers are scraps but I think they could be Cosmo Cricket from last year and loads of sparkle was added  not that the camera allows you to see it.
Sis had a Stamping Up party yesterday and Nikki showed a triple stamping card, I've seen loads on Pinterest and wondered how they matched the layers, it was so simple I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it.
It was a brilliant evening lots of laughs and many thanks to my BIL who picked up the bar bill and for Blossom for some lovely eats.
Today I need to give myself a shake and make some cards or there won't be anything to post on my blog.

Baby Wee

Its almost a relief just to have a normal card after two very busy cards with lots of photos. Although this is the second time I coloured this adorable image from Sylvia Zet but one of them found the bin cos I had made her too big and it didn't look right so I shrunk this little darling down and now I think she is the perfect.

I've used Sketch and Stash no63 cos this week you can choose any sketch from their library and the papers are Doodlebug.

I've just realised I was suppose to dot the flowers on the embossing behind the pattern strips but I still think it looks OK.

The plan today is to make a card not unusual but some dopey person made a DT card and when I loaded to the right album realised that it is in fact the week after next luckily its a favourite challenge so I looked forward to doing it

This afternoon I'm hoping the sewing machine shop will ring me to say they have the model I want. If you've followed my blog for ages you may remember that my sewing machine is call Damon after a character in The Omen (part of the film was filmed here in Guildford) since its has a mind of it own and I've hid him up stairs collecting dust. 

Well I've sold him to my friend who is sure she can tame him but she is practising with him to see if she likes him before we finally agree. So I've been saving and using my birthday money for a super duper machine with a stop and start button and no messing about with a pedal with a numb foot, it comes with quilting set and table something I've wanted to have a go at for years. 

Blog Hop

Its time for another Blog Hop from Mo's Dream Team and the theme is from Kerttu  for a card with a gift inside

I decided to make a book card so that the inside is deep enough for a gift although the gift in mind didn't fit so I sent Hubby out to get some Chocolate baubles for the tree to put inside.

I've used the gorgeous With the Baby image 

 Here's the inside the papers are last years Stampin Up ones.

I used the Stamping Up top note for the message.

 Found this on the internet and you say like Twinkle Twinkle little star.

I don't normal worry about the back but there was a bit ink smack bang in the middle so I had to hide it.

So you should of found yourself here from Julie but if you didn't pop back to the Dream Team blog which will put you on the right direction.

If you are on the right Blog hop path you're next step is Heidy don't forget to comment on the way there's a couple of prizes of voucher to spend in Mo's store to be randomly given away but you have to comment on everyone.