Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Coffee


Interesting challenge on Everybody Art this week its for Anything Goes and although I didn't make this card originally for the challenge I loved how it turned out and for it was worthy for a DT card.
The papers are LOTV which I brought with Weddings in mind but it worked for this card. The image is from Mo Manning called Coffee  it also comes with a sentiment but decided on using the Simon Says Stamp Whats Brewing stamp set with the cup die that came with the monthly card kit. Did have a problem that my sentiment was too long to put anywhere so I cut it in half and as you can see popped it in the cup.
Like I said I was pleased with the end result do hope you can join us this month and don't forget to check out the team.
Today it the last day of work for Hubby I'm not sure what he's feeling about it and he still having to get he's head round that his Mum is incredibly frail. But not working will make it much more flexible to go and see her which we will try to do over the Easter break or last minute if we have to. Tomorrow I've been promised a shopping trip unfortunately not a craft one but that can be planned at a later date.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Easter Girl


Mmmmm I  forgot to schedule this post I kinda knew I wouldn't be an early riser this morning after the crafting retreat add the clocks going forward into the mix.
Anyway I've made although I've got a sore throat which isn't cos I talked too much or the blocked up nose I blame that I was under the air con vent.
So back to my card, can you believe its Easter this weekend so I thought since this little cutie is coloured up I should use before them. I had to find new papers because the card on Saturday stole her papers but I managed to find these I think they are Echo Park. Before I forget again the little sweetheart is Easter Carly from Mo's shop I may have imagine it but I think she is a PB stamp too.
Not too sure of the Upsy Daisy flowers from MFT could be I should have used three instead of five flowers. I'm trying to use different leaves since the Lavish Branch from Memory Box is overworked. My little butterfly is a punch can't remember whose but I think its a Dutch firm.
Back to the craft retreat I'm not confessing too much but next time I shall be more aware where I boil the kettle! I managed 6 layouts doesn't sound a lot but two had quite a bit of sewing on. I have one layout in the middle of making and I know I have one similar at home to finish so I would like to get them both done this week but I have some cards to make and I not sure I'm up to making anything today. I'm thinking to get my colouring pencils out for some restful colouring.

 

Sunday, March 29, 2015

A couple of Layout


Two layouts which I not that happy with and one day I might grab and add or remove something. I think perhaps I need a white mat behind the bride and bridesmaid to draw you eye.
Also the one below could probably benefit from more blended ink round the edges to distress it a bit more. I do warn you I add warts and all on my blog in hope I don't repeat myself.


I'm back today, I know I will be exhausted for the next couple of days so I will be having a day or two crocheting but I noticed my coloured images are going down so maybe a couple of hours each day colouring.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Easter Friends


I'm struggle with making cards again! So today's card is using a sketch I found on Pinterest and it couldn't be more CAS than this not a flower or lavish foliage in sight.
Luckily I think I would have found it a problem adding flowers because I would be covering up the pretty flower paper from Doodlebug.
Now my little chap come has a Slapstick stamp from Penny Black called Easter Friends, already mentioned the papers are from Doodlebug. Although the papers was for another coloured stamp which I now have to find matching papers for.
Sorry for the quick schedule post hopefully by the time you read this I have made at least a couple of layouts. Yeah right who am I kidding.



Friday, March 27, 2015

Vintage Blanket


Oh dear no card for today but I do have the final result of my Vintage Blanket, I'm calling it that because of the colours especially has I used a stone colour for joining and my attempted a scallop border.
I do love the raise border which is probably why I'm too lazy to find another way of joining the squares.
I have another idea for a granny square blanket but my DD brought me loads of animal colours and if I brought yet more I will have enough to open a shop!


Here's my Edward Menagerie that I have made so far, they are sitting on my Poppy box which I can't bear to part with yet.
My bags are packed and this morning I'm going swimming to try and loosing up my tense muscle and joints. Then after lunch we shall be leaving, although its not far if we leave it too late we shall get caught up with Friday Afternoon rush hour. A whole weekend Scrapbooking only hope Mr Mojo returns or it will be a weekend annoying my sister and friends!


Thursday, March 26, 2015

Flowers on My Mind


Oh dear running out of cards, haven't been up to going into my craftroom much this week and the one card I did make I can't show till next week. But I'm OK for today and I've already made a card for Saturday and I do have some really bad Scrapbooking to show soon!
I was once again practising embossing the Stitched Rectangles from Simon Says Stamps, I did know this technique but had forgotten.
Loving my Friends on my Mind flowers and impressed with my fussy cutting, keep forgetting to buy the dies.
The black Liquid Pearls are so perfect for the flowers and I added a few dots in round the sentiment.
All in all quite a quick card if you have the dies and didn't have to cut them out.
Today I plan to pack my scrapbooking bags, yes I did say the plural of bag.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Experimenting for Anything Goes

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Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Thank you for joining us for the Spring Pinterest Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.
We will be back soon with the name of the lucky winner of the $50 Voucher
This week the challenge is

ANYTHING GOES

We are showcasing  Spectrum Noir Products, we would love to see them used but you don't have to to join in with the challenge.
Spectrum Noir provided the Design Team with some of the new Aqua Markers to use and we have to say, we all really loved using them. So easy to use and beautiful colours.
Spectum Noir will also  be giving away an Aqua Markers set of the winners choice to one lucky winner !

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AND as always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store
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Remember to click on the person's name to see all of the details and leave these wonderful girls some comment love


I was playing around with techniques rather that using the pens and since I took the Stretch Your Dies class I was experimenting with dies. I coloured my Acrylic block with different greens and misted then stamped over my Clustered Leaf die and I loved how this turned out I had to use it.
I had the new Simon Says Stamp Artful flowers stamp set arrive and while I'm loving the Flowers on my Mind I wanted to love the new flowers too.
This time I coloured the stamp with the pens and then misted before stamping then using the matching dies cut out. I added some Liquid Pearls for theirs centres
Now my Wishing die although would have fitted by overlapping the leaf but I wanted it smaller and a little trick with fun foam I learnt in the class and I now have mini Wishing cut out.
I also used the stitched rectangles for the centre of my card. Phew what a lot of details for a CAS card.
Then I forgot to put what sets I used for the pens, I had the Esentials and the Floral Ones.

So now it's YOUR turn.  Happy Crafting
Simon Says Stamp 

You have until Wed  8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in
No backlinking allowed, Only 5 new creations will be eligible in the prize draw

Background dies


I've have joined in with the Stretch my Dies classes, these are the first ones I've done. I've always been put off by the thought of watching you tubes for ages while the card is made. But was impressed that they rarely went over ten minutes, there's also a pdf download for each class.
While some of the things I already knew but it was nice to be reminded but has I said in a previous post there were a few things that I didn't think off.
One of them was to use several dies to make a background, although I didn't make a background, more like a little scene with the Simon Says Stamps with the sun in colour and sunshine die set, the little birds from Home Building die set. Also my favourite die which is permanently on my desk Lavish Branch from Memory box.
The sheet of patterned paper was left over from a card and although the class one used plain card I love how this turned out apart from the sentiment which need one over the top. Some matching sequins and job done.
Can I just say that the sentiment may look sloping but I can say honestly its straight, its the photographer whose done a bad job.
Back at 1pm with Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge.




Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Laughing


This week challenge on Everybody Art Challenge is for Turquoise and Brown, OK so I cheated a bit on the Brown by using Kraft card. In my hurry I've just noticed I missed adding a couple of pearls in the die ribbon on my hearts.
My laughing baby is from Mo's shop but it is called Happy personally I think he is laughing because with all those new teeth he parents haven't had much sleep lately.
The papers are LOTV and I experimented with the a punch for making a different border round the oval because I thought my crochet border was bit girly. You can see what punch I used as I used it for the border down my card. The hanging hearts are Memory Box and the Baby is from Simon Says Stamp along with the sentiment.
It really is a pretty CAS card but simply doesn't look it.

Hope you can pop over and check out the team and join us this week.



Monday, March 23, 2015

Good Luck


I was in two minds getting Erin from Mo's Shop but you need Good Luck all year round and I don't think it will be necessary to colour in green either but my idea was to make a card for the 17th March but it didn't happen.
You will see her again because I loved colouring and putting her together in layers although they were fiddly.
The papers are LOTV and the sketch was one I found on Pinterest which left me with a lot a space which I don't think I filled up that well but I wanted to get lots done last week.
So I grabbed my old EK success flower punches and punched out three well it looks a bit better.

Our journey to MIL were good ones but it doesn't look good its quite obvious now she doesn't have the strength to look after herself although we were told she had perked up the day we arrived. It may be necessary to drop everything and just go so if I don't blog that will be the reason why.



Sunday, March 22, 2015

Ducky


 I think I may be getting the hang of these pocket pages and I'm starting to like doing them. I only use them when I have loads of photos I want to use like these from my nephews photo shot. How could I decide which ones not to use.
Lots of dies used here although I have just realised my caterpillar had no eyes will have to rectify that.

This is the large photo to go next to the pocket pages in the album. I fiddled with those flowers for ages and decided something was missing. So added the leaf swirls and used the Stampin Up gunchy stamps. I was looking for mouse cut outs that I had already done and put with other bits for when I was suppose to make this at a crop and found the cork stars. I wish now the Y was standing up rather than hanging down but it well and truly stuck so no chance of changing it now. Oh and I did find my mice.


Saturday, March 21, 2015

Lots of Love


Look at that a almost prefect stamped sentiment although the camera does make it a bit wishy washy. I saw this sketch on Pinterest and decided to use not sure it works that well with the small pattern paper but love how the pink pops. No mistaking this card for a girly one.
The flowers I think are Elizabeth Designs and the corners are La la Land ones and of course my image is a Penny Black which is a slapstick one. Sorry for the quick post forgot to schedule and Hubby is breathing down my neck to leave.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Stretch your Dies


No it isn't your eyes going funny, I had to straighten the card and this is the result but a bit rushed to change it now.
Since I thought I was having a free weekend I thought I would take the Stretch your Dies Class really as an experiment too. I really don't have patience watching someone take ages to make a card when I could be making one myself.
Actually they're not that bad and they even teaching this old dog a few new tricks like my fuzzy one which is using fun foam. Although after sticking the word a few times I purposely decided I had run out (I hadn't) and put the card together. Now if I need a white sentiment no more layering a couple of the diecuts just cut out in fun foam.

There was a second card but I didn't really have the type of word type that would work with this, well thats my excuse. But I did inlay this sentiment from Penny Black for the third card.
My cards are very similar to class ones since time is short this week now we are doing a flying visit to MIL but I had a hour to spare and foolishly thought I could make a couple of cards.
I shall miss the eclipse as well today, I shall either be in the car or in the leisure centre swimming at least I shall be able resist looking at it. Although the weathermen have confirmed that we will have too much cloud cover to see it now.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Hoppy Easter






I guess I've been saving this image for this challenge and really I had in mind to go CAS it didn't quite happen.
The papers are the lovely ones from LOTV and of course my image is for Mo called Valerie Bunny, the sentiment comes with it too. I printed it separately and used punches on it.
The usual suspects came out to decorate the card, Lavish Branch from Memory box and the Upsey Daisy dies from MFT.
As you can see its Blog Hop time at the Mo's Dream Team Blog and my team-mate Julie chose the Theme and by right you should of hopped from her blog to me.
Now you need to hop, skip and jump over to Heidy's blog. Don't forget to comment on the way there's two gift vouches to be won to spend in Mo's store.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Simon Says Stamp Spring

wed-newchallenge-header

Hello, all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge!
Thank you for joining us for the Things That Fly Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week!
We will be back soon with the name of the lucky winner of the $50 Voucher.
This week the challenge is...

SPRING PINTEREST INSPIRATION!

The lovely Mandy has made this fabulous mood board for us to use, choose one or more pins from this board for your inspiration ! Spring has arrived in some areas and is on the way in others (at least on half the planet), and Easter is on the way, as well! There are many places to find inspiration!
SSS Pinterest challenge

We are showcasing BAZZILL PRODUCTS this week! Bazzill offers a great variety of quality cardstocks and other products, as well! You don't have to use them to join in, but if you have some we would love to see how you make them shine!
As always, Simon Says Stamp will be giving away a $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store to one lucky winner! YAY!!!
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Oh dear first of all I thought I had brought one of the mulit pattern paper pads from Bazzill, shock horror no I didn't so I had to use plain Bazzill card of French Mints, Banana Split, Candy Necklace and Easter Grass which in the begining I had no idea how.
Then when I loaded my card to the challenge post there's me thing it an Easter but it was for Pinterest Spring Inspiration and the there was a lot more of a choice of things to choose.
Anyway I did like how my card turned out.
First of all the actual card mat was just measure out strip laying across a thin bit of card and cut to size when it was covered. The Happy words was using Memory Box Classic Aphabet, upper case for the H and believe or not but the rest of the letters are lower case. But when I stamped the Simon Says Stamp Essential Sentiments Easter in order to fit I had to lift the p's and y.
Now to my beautiful tulips they did work out well and they are Clearly Besotted Friends Forever, I don't have the dies because I know I wouldn't use them for my style of cards of course I probably regret this at a later date.
To finish I've used the coloured sequins which have grown on me but I still can't make another shaker card.
I think I will send this to MIL as her Easter card but today I need to make a get well card for the weekend.

So now it's YOUR turn.  Happy Crafting
Simon Says Stamp 
You have until Wed  8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in
No backlinking allowed, Only 5 new creations will be eligible in the prize draw

Piggy

 

Yes I know its another crochet animal but my Simon say stamp Wednesday challenge post isn't till 1pm and though it would be a perfect excuse for him/her.
My biggest problem is getting them to sit although this could be resolved with a weighted bag inside but Hubby been busy so eventually will get something.
I found the pattern on the www through Pinterest but hopefully this link is to the blog page.
Most of these animal patterns are made in a very similar way but I still learn something new each time.

He even has a curly tail!
Back at 1pm



Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Sketch


Its sketch time on Everybody Art Challenge this week possibly my favourite weeks. This card was put together pretty quick too once I decided to used the stripy page in the Teresa Collins Nine & Co paper pad.
I did have to cut it in half because it didn't fit but it didn't matter cos thats hidden under the image mat.


I used a dotty embossing folder and the Happy Banner Pure Innocence and then I had to use my Crochet Border die from MFT for round the circle.
I thought the stamp set that was in Simon Says Stamp March kit would work well with the flowers in the strip and I used the Liquid pearls that also came in the kit which is now permanently on my desk. To complete the card I used SSS Birthday die. Oh and not forgetting I paper pieced her dress from a piece of dotty paper in the paper pack.
Do pop over and check out the team also hope you can join us this week.

Today sees me going off to swear I am who I say I am and then the lovely Grenouille Greetings is coming with my Stampin Up order.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Mother's Day


This is MIL Mother's day card and I know she has received although it had to go to BIL house for him to take it to her. She is still in hospital although she is still quite short of breath the hospital seem pleased with her progress but Hubby and I  will be going up at the weekend whether she is in hospital or out.
The fabulous Leafy Vines are from Hero Arts. I added the stitched rectangle frame from Simon Say Stamps.
The Fresh Daisies is again from Simon Says Stamp but I added an extra flower to give me three stems and the Butterfly Leanne die is also from SSS.
To finish and keep the delicate look I stamped the sentiment on a piece of vellum and embossed with WOW white powder.
I'm thinking now I should of matted in white to help give it a more delicate look but since its left me hands nothing I can do about it now.
Well yesterday was a bit of an emotional day I'm so glad I had my son and daughter around me who were both so generous I now have loads of balls of wool for yet more crochet animals with plenty of safety eyes and stuffing for them all. I also I now have nutribullet which I look forward to using especially with the summer fruit not far away now that we are almost into Spring.


Sunday, March 15, 2015

Freshly Butterfly


Ok this just didn't work out that well and really I'm now thinking it should of headed for the bin. I tried using a multi coloured inkpad but it didn't quite work out.
Like the multi coloured strip I made with bit of card, love the rose embossing background but then it went down hill from there.
I noticed the die is missing the dot on the eye my butterfly isn't as nice as it could be and who thought she could just stamp on embossed card.
The sketch from Freshly Made Sketches, no way I'm entering it the only consolation I made a couple of DT cards and they're OK.
I've invited both my children over for a roast dinner little do they know I'm supervising and the rest of them are cooking it!

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Flower Cat


Even I surprised myself making a card for today. I'm pretty certain that this Penny Black Special Delivery is really for Valentines but it still would work for a cat lovers birthday or mothers day even way I've used some really girly girly papers from Kaiser.
It just so happened that I still had the stamp set Flowers on my Mind from Simon Says stamps March kit. Which you can buy with dies but I just very carefully cut round them giving them a bit of a white border which I actually hate doing but it looks worth it.
To finish a fishtail banner using a square punch and using Simon Says Stamps Birthday Messages.
My friend Nikki is having a class today so I will be spending a couple of hours stealing her ideas but will see how I'm feeling to whether I will be up to making more cards especially has I got a pattern for a crochet puppy that crying out to be made.