Sugar and Spice

Oops I think I've used the style of layout recently but I just wanted to use this cute image from Mo Manning called Sugar and Spice. I did brush some blue behind her but in hindsight I shouldn't of bothered because it is now bothering me!

You could paper piece her dress which I may do next time. A little tip I added a white dot with a white pen in her eyes it made all the difference.

I had a new Stampin Up sentiments and tried to use it still needs some working on. The leaves are MFT and the flowers are Simon Says Stamp mini ones.

The papers if you haven't guess yet Doodlebug and the scallop border is Spellbinders.

House Mouse

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Thank you for joining us for the Use More Than One Die Cut/Punch  Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week the challenge is

Anything Goes  

This week we are showcasing Stampendous Products this week. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

Yes I'm still making Clean and Cute (simple) if someone can give me a few good hours a day that would be most helpful!

But back to my card I've used Stampendous Friends Wishes, to be honest it was the words that made this stamp set fall in my basket/cart. House Mouse and myself don't always see eye to eye when it comes to making layered images. I thought I would give it another go but to be honest I only layered his feet and the whole body so fingers crossed it fits into a standard postal slot.

Before layering I cut the image with My Favourite Things Cloud Edges  and some more on white card. Once the clouds were layered to suit me I used Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle. I then used them on piece of white card and using a Inkylicious brush and Simon Says Stamp Island Blue inkpad I made the blue sky. The stuck the clouds and sky together.

To finish I used Simon Says Stamp Celebration Time dies to make my balloons which were cut from scraps left over from the card kits. Do love that heart balloon. The twine is Doodlebug which comes in various colours.

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Sailing

Having a challenge fortnightly means I get to show a card made just for fun. I've downloaded quite a few of my favourite LOTV images including this boy one.

The scallop oval and the white dotted mat are using Avery Elle dies but the kraft edge is made by drawing round the dotted die and cutting out with scissors.

The papers are Lawn Fawn I think, well the check paper is but not sure the scallop frame is. My sentiment is again the one that sits on my desk and the anchor is Memory Box.

Simple and cute seems the way to go at the moment, mainly because time is flying by again. I finally feel better after the retreat in time to go away soon to see Hubby's brother.

The clocks springing forward a hour threw me on Sunday but I do have some scrapbooking to show so my drafts are looking healthy. Today I'm off to the dentist and having a card making break to colour some images ready for next weeks DT cards.

Kitty Balloons

Ok maybe I didn't need the patterned paper and it would look better all white but its stuck now. I'm looking at the clear stamp sets I've got, some are on the small size but this puddy cat is a decent size and recently a lot of critters stamps are in clear sets.

I absolutely love my cloud die from Memory Box, you may have to wait a while before I get it out of my system. I added some stamp birds to complete the sky look but I recently received a parcel from Simon says Stamp which just so happens to have some dies that look similar can't wait to use them.

To help my cat look like he is flying in the clouds I added some MFT trees but cut them off so only the tops were showing. To finish the sentiment that sits on my desk permanently wish I knew where I got it from its looking worse for wear and definitely wants replacing.

I need to make some DT cards today, coloured some images yesterday, a few Mo Manning ones fell into a basket.

Biker Babe

This little chap is an all time favourite baby image from Mo Manning, he's called Biker Babe and he's ideal for a baby boy card and as you can see first birthday.

The papers are some old Echo Park Ones, the corners are a damaged Quickcutz die which is Ok providing you don't look to close but I haven't been able to replace the die since they are no more.

The Stitched Scallops you can just about see if from Lawn Fawn, my scallop circle is made up with Stampin Up punches. My windmill is a square piece of card, cut from each to corner to almost the centre. Alternate edge folded gently to the middle and held together with a large brad.

I'm slowly feeling more myself after a busy weekend, my bags are unpacked but the craft room has been quiet but hoping to make a card for this Saturday before the big push of making all my DT cards for next week.

More than One Die

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Thank you for joining us for the Bit O' Green Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week the challenge is to

Use More Than One Die Or Punch  

This week we are showcasing Memory Box Products this week. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

My biggest problem was choosing what dies to use, I did buy the Memory Box Cool Cloud Collage  and the Antilles Floral Bouquet specially for the challenge but I had already used the clouds.

As you can see I did use the clouds I absolute love using it with the help of Simon Says Stamp Bundle of Shapes to cut the large rectangle to give it a finished look. I used Inkylicious Duster brushes with Simon Says Stamp Sweet Treat Inkpads set. With the flowers I actually coloured up the paper and then cut them out.

I used the Simon says Stamp Friends for Life stamp set for the sentiment and then decided to use the dots from the same set. The most difficult part was stopping before my dotting got out of control.

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Mothers day

It's Make Your Own Flowers on the Everybody Art Challenge and it just so happens I have got my hands on the Mini Tattered Floral from Tim Holtz. It was only right to use them with some pretty pink polka dot paper.

Once I made the flowers I had to think what card to make for them and I decided to use my favourite Spellbinder die Floral Ovals. I cut the branches and leaves again from the same Tattered flowers set and made a spray of flowers on one side of the floral.

I used a Mother's day sentiment which is this weekend in the UK and since I made it with my Mum in my mind I added some sequins to catch the light for a bit of sparkle. Just a bit of ribbon to finish.

So pleased I manage to make most of my cards for this week because I'm shattered, its a full weekend of scrapbooking and even though I had a hotel room I didn't sleep that well. But I wouldn't of missed it for the world.

Bright and Cheerful

Well you can't get more Bright and Cheerful than this. My card is for the Mid Way reminder of the Penny Black Saturday Challenge as you can see I've used an old stamp of Easter Bunnies.

I made a frame using the Simon Says Stamp Stitched circles with the Doodlebug paper, I pretty sure the sketch is an old one of Mojo Monday. Unusually I've used white card for butterflies but my Upsy Daisy from MFT is looking good.

To be honest once I mat and layered the pattern paper and added the large daisy and butterflies not match else was needed just a touch of ribbon. I hadn't left enough room for a sentiment but its pretty obvious its an Easter card.

Demelza

My Demelza blanket was going well, Part 1 completed, Part 2 also completed but I have a serious problem counting  because I needed eight squares and ended up doing nine.

Have to say part three as given me no end of trouble, in the end I had to do what hate and that is watch an u-tube. Esther In a nutshell does a video of all the parts, when I saw part 3 was 52 minutes I nearly gave up but I was determined it wasn't going to beat me and since technology behaved I was able to fast forward and pause.

The other problem I had which is my fault I downloaded the pattern in UK terms most of my patterns use US terms. A couple of UK crocheters even use US terms and now I know why my brain works better with US terms too.

And yet another problem that I'm trying to ignore, I plan to make all the last rows in cream so when it comes to joining I can use the invisible way I used for Charlottes dream, which means all the part one square needs one row frogged and then use cream for that last row. I'm not sure it will work but it might suit my ocd.

Enough waffling, I'm off to Bracknell for a weekend of Scrapbooking with loads of scrapbookers who understand the need to buy paper you probably can't bring yourself to use. There be sweets, alcohol and laughter, can't wait.

Easter

It always seems once January is out of the way then the year starts going fast which why we are half way through March and that means a Dream Team Blog Hop and our theme this month is Easter/Spring. So a chance for bunnies and choccy eggs, unless like me you on a diet and once a piece of chocolate passes my lips I need more!

I decided to use Ava from Mo Manning and I coloured her eggs like real hen ones so that instead of thinking this image is for Easter but could easily belong to someone who keeps chickens and has a pet rabbit.

My papers are Doodlebug which I think by now everyone knows I love them. My flowers are a Memory box one and I used the smaller flower for the centres but found another flower die with the tiny flower for my small flowers. Nearly forgot the leaves is a Poppystamps die but looks very much like a punch I have.

I used the Simon Says Stamp Curved Scallop die but I did cut off the scallops off the patterned and pink papers so that I could mat and layer them. Finally a bit of yellow ribbon, left off the sentiment since I made it possible that the card isn't just for Easter.

Now since this is a Blog Hop post hopefully you found your way to me from Daria and since I'm the last in the hop I can't do my HOP, SKIP and JUMP over to another team-mate. But if you've got lost on you way pop over to the Dream Team Blog where the whole Blog Hop run is listed.

There be Dragons

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Thank you for joining us for the Feminine Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week the challenge is to use a

Bit O' Green 

In honour of St Patricks day on 17th March

This week we are showcasing Taylored Expressions Products this week. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

What could be more greener than a couple of green dragons using Taylor Expressions Magical Day Stamp and Die set.

The tricky part was what to do with them once I had coloured using Prismacolor and die cut them out.

I decided to use the Simon Says Stamp Birch Tree Window die simply because I finally managed to get my hands on it after being sold out and missing it again. Must remember to leave my e-mail address so that I can get notify its back in stock.

It seemed only natural to used the Simon Says Stamp Stitched Oval die to make a frame and if you are having a flying dragon you better have some clouds to prove this, so I used the Simon Says Stamp Cloudy Sky dies.

That just left a sentiment to do and I had to use one from the Magical day stamp set since it was sooooo perfect and I used the Simon say Stamp Stitched circle in keeping the stitch detail. Oh nearly forgot the main mat was using the Bundle of Stitched Shapes again in keeping the stitched detail and
the the dark brown card was bit left over from one of the Simon Says Stamp card kits.

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For Tim

I've had a couple of 40th Birthday cards to make recently and both for men. I've got the Stampin Up numbers stamps and dies they are a really good size for number cards.

I saw this chap on Dr Digi and since my nephew runs a cleaning business it was perfect and the idea was he was going to give the 40 a bit of a clean.

I've a feeling the sketch is from Sketch Saturday a few weeks ago, the stars are Simon Says Stamp Bundle of Stitched shapes and the zig zag border you can just see is from MFT.

The Happy die is part of a Birthday of a Simon Says Stamp die and the I simply can't work out the stamp sentiment but I made the fishtail banner with a square punch.

I have plans to make one more card today and then its all hands to pack my scrapbooking bags. Once thats done I have a couple of days of taking it easy before a full weekend of Scrapbooking.

Scrapbooking

I obviously thought doing project like pages would be quicker but it isn't. I do use a project page album sleeve but I use this to place my photos and the I cut and layer them do a 12 inch square cardstock. This does allow me to go between the photos with butterflies and when I did a wedding one with leaves and flowers.

The papers I brought specially they are Graphic 45, possible didn't need to buy so many!

Had a great day yesterday but there was an awful lot of desserts and I don't make the best choices.

Birthday Mouse

A bit late but I had to do something to this card before it landed in the bin which is why the camera has picked up a bit of crumpling paper.

Can't believe a bit of pink card round the main image mat made all the difference. The sketch is from this week Freshly Made Sketch #278 and should of been an easy card to make!

The patterned paper is from Echo Park and the Mouse is from a clear set called Party Friends. The sentiments are from an Stampin Up clear set.

I'm still recovery from a busy week and ploughed into a normal end of the week with Slimming World, visit to my Sister to see Mason and Swimming on Friday. Today I'm off to a family teaparty and creeping high over the horizon I have a Scrapbook Retreat that I need to pack for and I'm not talking clothes!

Crochet Update

Here's the new colours of my next crochet project and you can see I've already made a start.

This is what I'm making and here's the link to Ravelry to the pattern.

Another recent purchase from Wool Warehouse is this book, which has been printed beautifully. I will never be able to make the whole blanket its simply too heavy for me. But so far I have be able to do standing stitches and invisible join due to the step by step photos.

Tolo

Phew only just able to make a card for Mo's Dream Team, did have to wait till the glossy accents raindrops dried before photo

The papers are Echo Park not sure of the name they were loose in my 6inch patterned paper. The sketch is sort of Mojo Monday but the sentiment circle should be farther up towards the middle of the card but I didn't like it there.

The sweet image is from Mo called Tolo, she was already in my printed but not coloured pile and I thought it was time I used her. The lacey border is doing my favourite trick using MFT crochet border where I snip in between scallops so I can manipulate the border to fit my circle.

Flowers are my Lavish Branch and some flowers from Memory Box and not a bit of ribbon in sight.

I had a lovely time with my brother catching up, the journey made itself known yesterday so I had a quiet day.

Purr-fectly Sweet

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Thank you for joining us for the Tag You're It Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.

This week the challenge is

For A Special Lady/Girl

This week we are showcasing Penny Black Products this week. You don't have to use them for the challenge but if you have them we would love to see them used.

As always Simon Says Stamp will be giving away $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

I love Penny Black especially the critters and was really pleased with this showcase of their products and it gave me a reason to buy yet another Penny Black stamp.

I think Purr-fectly Sweet is a great addition to my very large PB stamp collection. Then add some papers from Doodlebug in this case Cream and Sugar, I do believe its a match from heaven.

The kitties fitted perfectly in a Simon Says Stamp Stitched Oval frame, but I needed some flowers and I used Simon says Stamp Stiched Daisies and instead of cutting two for each flower I just cut using dotty papers once to make a funky flower.

I paper pieced the heart that the middle kitty was holding to match the flowers. I used the Simon Say Stamp Stitched rectangle for my frame to sit on but also to stamp the sentiment which I used Simon Says Stamp Sending and Wishing sentiments.

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You have until Wed  8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in

Glitter and Diamonds

A bit of cheating with the new challenge on Everybody Art Challenge of Diamonds and Glitter.

My bit of glitter is the glittter card that I used to die cut some snowflakes, well they are actually from the Penny Black Snowy die because I hadn't put it away and it was on my desk.

The diamonds are some self adhesive clear gems so that ticked that box. My image is from Saturated Canary, one that I brought before Krista closed her shop.

The papers are Echo Park and my sentiment which is straight but I straighten my card slightly using a photo editing programme and for some reason it made it slightly crooked. Its an old Simon Says Stamp one.

A bit of flower soft and fun flock for her boots and hats and she is done.

Do pop over to the challenge to check out the team, meanwhile I'm off to Kidderminster to see my brother in his new home.

Scrapbooking

Hopefully I managed to do a few more layouts from yesterday crop but not to worry if not I have a Scrapbooking Retreat coming up in couple of weeks.
My new rule of quick and simple scrapbooking worked with these brilliant photos of my nephew easting his burger. Trouble is these were taken a nearly three years ago and he's coming to the age where he doesn't want his photo taken.

The hexagons are MFT and even though you can't quite see them but it has faux stitiching round them. The rings are a Simon Says Stamp die.

I literally just had to add the flowers and title, with the Marianne border it was pretty much done. I do love Facebook sometimes, I get to see my beautiful niece with my great niece who is growing up to be just like her Mum.

Bunny with Easter Bonnet

Its bright and cheerful on the Penny Black Saturday Challenge and since I love bright and cheerful paper it was more of a case of choosing which one.

I'm using Echo Park papers and another old Penny Black Saturday bunny stamp that I don't use that often even for Easter. Those flowers in her hat are a bit awkward and I've just noticed I meant to dot the red flowers with a white pen must do that before I give it away.

My favourite frame is the Floral Oval which I cut out the centre and since my bunny is quite a large image I just punched out some Kars Butterflies. A nice bright yellow ribbon to finish.

Do pop over to the challenge and hope you can join us this month.

I kept meaning to show off what I brought for my Hubby for Christmas, I got extra brownie points for buying this. But as you can see that today is the perfect day to show it. Sarah a craft friend makes them you can find her on Facebook with her Fluff's Creations.

Weebee

Finally my Weebee has clothes not sure what I did wrong with the dress, the bodice doesn't fit that well. I had to frog a row. But for first time I was happy.

She even has knickers, I did think I knew better than the designer and added a row round the legs making them more like shorts, won't do that again.
I'm now working out what I want to do next and to buy yet more wool, wonder where I can hide the next lot.

So far this week I've been the doctors and have to go to the Audiology dept for a hearing test to see whether I've lost more hearing. I've also been to a funeral, as funeral goes it was a beautiful service for a lady who was beautiful inside and out.

Tomorrow is crop day, my bags are packed with too much as usual.

Easter Bunny

A new challenge has started on Mo's DP2 Challenge, its Anything Goes and its was lovely to see all the entries last month but really hard to chose a winner.

I love this bunny with basket, wish there was more bunny images in the world without eggs and bonnets, a bunny shouldn't be just for Easter.

Ok my pink MFT flowers don't quite match my ribbon, I blame to camera and sticking to that excuse.

The frame is MFT and sentiment is Simon Says Stamps but the die-cut Wishes is Penny Black, the butterfly is an old punch cost hardly anything but still continues to punch. Oh and there's a La La Land heart die for the corner.