Crochet Update

I'm loving making the Helen Shrimpton Rosslyn blanket, it's quite challenging and I have decided I definitely don't like bead stitch. Not sure if its because I hold my wool as if I'm knitting means I don't have quite the right angle to slip through the stitches or it just is a pain in the bum to do.

Although the colours look a bit darker on here I think they will work as a Baby colours. I hope that I can hold it when it gets nearer to the finish, may have to do a bit now and again.

I'm coming up to a very busy month, hopefully I will be able to still make cards but next week I have the Hampton Court Flower Show as well as a crop on Saturday. The following week I have a wedding to go to and the week after I have a doctors appointment along with a Hen Do. I get a couple of quiet weeks before the next wedding although I know there are still things to make for the table and thank you cards.

Baby Shower

I do feel its either Weddings or Babies with the odd boys/men cards but I coming to the end of them. Though I do have to make a boy baby card but the other two I will have to wait for them to be born.

Wedding cards are made I think and I'm now coming to the month of girl/woman birthdays then I need to start thinking of Christmas.

So my little Baby Shower is now done and I'm guess my DD and myself will be fighting over who has which one. Silly me found some a sheet of paper and I couldn't find anything to go with it I think it could MFT but a pad that is different colour plaids.

So I made a frame using a MFT scallop frame die and used some matching (yes it did match when I made the stars and hearts blame the camera again!)card to make the stars and hearts with Simon Says Stamp Holiday Shapes.

Lets Par-tee!

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Thank you for joining us for the Patterned Paper 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 Art Impressions Products. 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 a $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

I knew I had to have the Art Impressions Let's Par-tee, there are two main images, I decided to use the female golfer. She simply had to have way out golf wear and what better than Doodlebug Easter Express with their small patterns in their 6 inch pads.

It only seemed right to paper pieced her outfit and when I stamped the golf flag I had to paper piece that too.

Once I was happy where the sentiment and flag was I cut it out using the Simon Says Stamp Stitched Squares and I decided to use Simon Says Stamp Daisies which are my favourites they come with me when I go Scrapbooking too.

I did use yellow centres but they got lost in the busy paper so I changed them to pink centres.

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Birthday Banners

This is the second photo of my card because as I uploaded this card to my blog I realised the placement of the banners didn't quite work. You can see why in the first photo below.

Luckily I was to swap the banners but just goes to show how important colours and placement is to your card.

The actual card was using the large numbers stamps and dies from Stamping up, it also came with the sentiment. The banners are made with Simon Say stamp Banner die from their Bundle of Shapes and I used their Stitched Rectangles as well.

The stars are a punch which if it continues to misbehave will find itself in the bin!

My All Day Crop on Saturday went well and in the end I managed four layouts, three still needed some tweaks but I did that on Sunday. It was things like adding pearls and letters that I knew I left at home. Now I need to get down and make some cards.

beautiful, beautiful boy

Yesterday I went to the Scrap Cafe All Day Crop at Bracknell, it's at the Hilton which was very busy and I felt very under-dress with all the guest dressed up with the men in their Top Hats and Tails and the ladies in their finery and hats. Pretty obvious where they were headed its Royal Ascot week.

I thought I'll post my favourite layout, it was done in pretty quick time and its quite clean as well as simple. I just had to put the boy word on, didn't have one the right side with me. I knew the MFT stars would be perfect but the dies had just arrived in my craftroom and were still on my desk so I quickly added them this morning.

The papers are Simple Stories one of the many manufactures I love.

Crochet Update

I haven't done a crochet update for a while, now you remember I have three baby blankets to make here's one completed. Colour wise this was easy since the mum to be knows what sex she is having.

The blanket is one I've done before Rainbow Ripple Blanket, this will be my third. But to change things up a bit I've made a matching security blanket and while I found the pattern for the elephant easy I couldn't get on with the blanket so I gave up and made the Rainbow Ripple and it worked out fine. It could simply be me.

I stitched sleeping eyes and they are fully stitched and secured and should survive any washing and being dragged around.

Still not convince the colours are truly a baby blanket so it could another project on hold but I absolutely love making  Helen Shrimpton's Rosslyn Blanket. It is a paid patterned and nearly had heart failure when I printed out the pattern only 40 pages and in colour too.

I have progressed a bit since I took the photo and I'm trying my best to make it mainly cream and I using only the four colours. My wool is Stylecraft Special love their colours, in this case I'm using Cream, Sage, Lavender and the new Buttermilk.

Married

I'm scheduling this post on Wednesday morning before the heat rises and the sun is on my dining room where the PC is. I believe today is the last day of heatwave. I for one will be relieved my joints don't like it this hot and my craftroom gets too hot for me in the afternoons.

But I did manage to make my Mo's card this week, I think I may have already said that this year is all about Weddings and Babies which are also my favourite cards to make. I found out I didn't have this fun Wedding image called Married from Mo and it deserved to be used.

Since Mr Mojo has disappeared I looked in my cards I saw a card similar to this one and I knew with this image is would work great too.

My scallop curved borders are from Spellbinders and the hearts are Simon Says Stamp dies. For a change I stamped and embossed the sentiment in gold. The sentiment is from a Simon Says Stamp set but I have written retired on it so not sure it is still available. Nearly forgot the background paper is from MFT.

Doodlebug Cat

Hi all and welcome to another week on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Thank you for joining us for the Emboss It Challenge and we hope you will all join us again this week too.
This week the challenge is

Use Patterned Paper 

You might like to use paper from a pack but you can also choose to make your own patterned backgrounds. Whatever you choose to use we will be looking forward to seeing what you create!

This week we are showcasing Doodlebug Products. 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 a $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

If you past by regularly you know I love Doodlebug especially their patterned paper and add a Penny Black image and you have an perfect card.

My Doodlebug paper is called Dragon Tails, great boys colours. The Penny Black image is from a clear set called Happy Times.

I made by circle image mat and sentiment circle using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circle die and I added some Simon says Stamp Stitched Banner to make a rosette. My sentiment was using Simon Says Stamp Best Hugs.

I added the other banners under the image mat because in my head I was using the SplitcoastStamper sketch 648 but in the end it went its own way.

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Belated Birthday

I brought this image from Dr Digi especially for a chap who plays Ice Hockey I wasn't sure when hes birthday was so in the end I missed the actually day  and then he had to wait a bit for glue to dry properly.

Yes its Doodlebug paper and the stars are MFT and Simon Says Stamp. The Birthday is part of Simon Says Stamp die thats been cut out of glitter card and I had to computer generated the first part of the sentiment. Thats been remedied laterly with some belated birthday greetings.


The mini heatwave we are having in the UK is having a effect on my crafting its far too hot and finding the days I can craft some crops up that I have to flat sit like today. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Scrapbooking

I'm still Scrapbooking 2014 but it now down to a few layouts and I have an all day crop coming soon and I may have to start printing out 2015!

My first layout is the my little nephew (not so little now) Christmas Baking with his Nana. Now they were making cupcakes and guess what I don't have a cupcake die. I had to think out of the box, my base is an MFT Hexagon die and my topping is a Memory Box cloud. The Holly I think is Poppystamps if not they are Memory Box.

The papers are Simple Stories possibly last years and carefully cutting so the words show. Letters from my stash and the stars came with the paper collection.

My failure its a bit OTT with the stamping I think but I love the Tim Holtz cogs especially the corners.

Happy Birthday Dad and Eric

Seriously been Missing these past couple of weeks but I've been overdoing helping my DD clean and prepare her new flat. It means when I wasn't I was trying to recover but I've done what I can and I have to frustratedly watch from the sidelines now while Hubby and DD get on with the decorating.

I did make a couple of cards this one is a bit special first of all its based on a crafter who I stalk admire Birgit actually I think she is more artist than card maker her work is amazing.

My card is very closed to hers, I have used brushes rather watercolour, my boat is a Stampin Up and I paper pieced my sails with some red dotty paper. My frame is a scallop one from MFT and even though I have dies for birds the stamp I was using had birds on it, so I carefully stamped some extra ones.

The sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp to finish. The card is special to me because today is my Dad's Birthday who is no longer with us. Its also my big brothers 70th Birthday so

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY

ERIC

Here he is with my sister.

OOPS

I love the look of shock on this cute image, it reminds me of myself when I realise I've missed someones Birthday or I forgot to put the oven on.

The image is obviously Mo's called Marta and you get a the Oops I forgot to remember your birthday sentiment as well. I have used Paper Smooches Alphabet die to make my oops and cut out the rest of the sentiment and made a fishtail banner.

The papers are Doodlebug Cream and Sugar and I got out my tired Retro Punches out mainly because time is short this week.

I only managed a couple of layouts at the Scrap Cafe crop but that two I wouldn't have done. My DD flat is a bit more work than first thought but the bedroom is all prepared for decorating only another four rooms to go.

Embossing

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

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

This week we are challenging you to

Emboss It 

Whether you choose to heat or dry emboss or you might like to emboss with paste or use an embossing tool. Whichever technique you choose to use we will be looking forward to seeing your creations!

This week we are showcasing WOW Products. 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 a $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store

And yet another senior moment I was sure I ordered a blue embossing powder but no I brought WOW Velvet Glitter Embossing Powder. So the idea I had went out of the window and I could easily use Bright White Opaque Embossing Powder but I'm always singing its praises and I use it regularly so I wanted to use something else to showcase what fab powders WOW are.

Now there is nothing wrong with the Velvet Glitter and as it happens I love my glittery Simon Says Stamp Snowflakes. Basically I used a Versamark pad and smothered a bit of cardstock then sprinkled the powder on it. You think you are using loads but in fact when you tip it back in its pot you've hardly used any at all.

The fun bit is using a heat gun to turn the powder into a sparkly bit of card. I used Simon Says Stamp Alexis and Maryann Snowflake dies, the little tiny one is Lawn Fawn Mini Snowflakes on the embossed card. Yes it did stick a bit to the die but I have a Versamark pen so I just topped them up with a bit more powder and heated it again.

I've the Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangle and their Stitched Banners to make the actual card and the sentiment is probably my favourite Christmas one from Simon Says Stamp Christmas Toys stamp set.

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Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too.

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

Christmas Scrapbooking

Thanks to the staff at my Mum's nursing home I have some last photos of my Mum. The first one of the few of the family who all turned up at the same time.

Mum loved pretty colours so I used some Graphic 45 I think thats what they are. Tim Holtz sizzix trees and Memory Box Family Deer. Snowflakes are my favourites from Simon Says Stamp and Lawn Fawn.

They have lots of activities especially to the run up for Christmas. This time I used two diffferent types of  Tim Holtz Christmas Trees with the added Memory Box stars. Again the family of deer and my Father Christmas die.

The stamped sentiments are from Simon Says Stamp Christmas Toys and the printed sentiment suddenly means something other than what it was printed for.

Leaving the nest

Pretty much have been missing this week, DD has brought a half share in a flat and even then she had to put down a ridiculous deposit. Its hard to be single and trying to get on the property ladder even worse when you live in one of the most expensive area. But finally her dream is coming true.

Between you and me I have been trying to help and possibly over doing things but I have a crop tomorrow and made myself have a couple of rest days before and I'm pretty sure I'll be resting up on Monday but back flat sitting for the gas man on Tuesday hope I can sit on my hands and not try to do anything silly!

This is her new home card, my little bird is flying the nest so this Whipper Snapper stamp was ideal. The papers are some random ones a picked up at Home Bargains some time ago. The clouds and birds are Memory Box or Poppystamps dies. I coloured a couple of the stamped flowers and added them to the Altenew sentiment which came with their succulent stamp set.

Sailing

I had to make some really quick cards this week, short of time so I thought I hava go at some sketches and was shocked to discover Mojo Monday is having their last sketch challenge what a shock. I had to use their last sketch.

Not sure it works as well as it did in my head, I turned the sketch on its side and I used probably one of my favourite Mo's image or should I say three, the little chap is from the Sailor Boys set.

The papers are indeed Doodlebug but last years still have a few favourite sheets left. I always use an anchor which I thought was too predictable so I just added some clouds and sentiment. The fishtail banners were handmade using a square punch the fishtails.

My DD has brought into a flat share and is about to leave the nest but first while its empty we are cleaning and painting. She hoping to carpet it too while its empty. Hubby has taken a couple of deckchairs down there so I can supervise.

A Boys Best Friend

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

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

This week the challenge is

Make It Masculine

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

As luck would have it the Monday Challenge also has the same theme so you could join in with both! 

 As always, Simon has a $50 voucher to shop at the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Store ready for one lucky winner!

I usually panic when I see that we are showcasing Tim Holtz products, I alway feel I should try to be arty like Tim Holtz, this time I didn't have time to panic or do it the arty way. I decided to use Tim Holtz Crazy Dogs which I really don't use enough.

First of I had to chose which dog to use and coloured him in, I use pencils but the crazy dogs work with all types of colouring.

To make my card Debby's way I chose some patterned paper you guess it, its Doodlebug this time I've use Dragons Tail.

I needed a nice big Happy Birthday and I used the Happy Birthday Painted die from Simon Says Stamp and in Black card to make it really pop. Now the tricky bit decorating a masculine card so I took the cheats way out and die cut some Stitched Stars using the Bundle of Stitched Shapes from Simon Says Stamps.

I don't have the dies so I had to fussy cut but I have a secret weapon when I fussy cut, not scissors but a Distress Maker Pumice Stone. I run the marker round the outside of my fussy cut image and hides multiples of rubbish cutting and looks like you an amazing fussy cutter.

Also did you know our Sister Challenge Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge is having a masculine challenge too, why don't you pop along there too.

Follow Simon Says Stamp on Instagram

Do you use Instagram ?  If so please add  #ssswchallenge to your challenge entry uploads so we can see them on there too.

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

Playing with Sketches

I made some a couple cards playing with some Sketch Challenges, something I haven't done for ages. I know the challenges were for CAS card but sometimes they more challenging.

The first one is Freshly Made Sketches as soon as I saw the main shape I knew I had to use the Simon Says Stamp Eyelet Border dies. The banner again a die from Simon says Stamp and the pattern paper is Echo Park another favourite company of mine.

The Daisy is Simon Says Stamp Stitched Daisies cut twice with the centre cut from the same paper as the banner. The Leaves are inside the Circle of Leaves die. 

My pinwheels work but I could quite get a perfect match for the brads but they weren't as bad as they look here. I can't change them because the card is super stuck and my sentiment is a touch crooked again not as bad as the camera lies.

I used Simon Say Stamp Bundle of Shapes and MFT Stitched Oval dies. The dots and heart are some little stamps that always seem to be included in some stamps from Simon Says Stamp. Again the paper is Echo Park.

The pinwheel are really easy to make they are squares and you cut from the each corner towards the middle but stopping before you get to the middle. You then bring up each corner to the centre I use a dot of glue to help the ends stick and join them to the card with a brad.

Almost forgot the sketch is for CAS(E) this sketch.

Decision Making.

Today is the new challenge on Penny Black Saturday Challenge and you may have noticed there is no challenge card from me. I've decided to step down from the team, the lovely Helen has found out I started in 2010 and I can say it was a big decision.

It's not that I've fallen out of love of my Penny Blacks, there is no way I'm parting with my PB collection, but I'm giving them a bit of break and I can't promise I will publish a Penny Black card on Saturdays.

It would be wrong not to publish a card today and its just one waiting in my drafts.

Crochet Update

I've decided that my Sunrise Beach square weren't really suited for a Baby Blanket which even my hubby agreed so I went back to a trusted favourite the star blanket. I'm hoping to make a matching security blanket as well but that all depends on time.

For those who are interested the blanket is called Rainbow Ripple Baby Blanket and is a free download from Ravelry. I have change the wool changes to suit me but as long as you remember when you have do the small shell any colour changes work. I have had to frog it now and again because I had forgotten.

Don't worry my Sunrise Beach blanket will get done but after the three baby ones. This one will soon be finished and I just have to join the other squared and a border then I can start on the third one.

Mum to Be

I managed to make a card yesterday, go me. I may have mentioned that its all about Wedding and Babies this year and with Babies come showers. I know I have one and my DD has two. Mo's image of Mother to be is ideal for a Baby Shower card.

The papers are some old ones that I've only a few favourite left, I think they are Echo Park but don't hold me to that. The Balloons are a Penny Black dies, love that heart balloon.

My medium Retro punch had an outing its not a happy punch but I challenge it now and again to punch nicely. The centres are a Lawn Fawn Snowflake dies there's some really tiny ones which was perfect size for the punched flower.