Happy Birthday MIL

This is the type of card that my Mother and my Mil would like, they are so not into cute. So when I saw these fabulous papers by Prima at MJ's Every Moment Matters crop, I had to get them. I had already got my hand on the Marianne butterfly die but what should've of been a quick card took me ages to make. The die wasn't cutting evenly and I had a b***** of time getting cut and then trying to get it out also the bits that are left in the die so I could cut more than one.
But once done some gems and ribbon, stamped sentiment job done.

Here's a different colourway for my Mum in July, just hope I don't put it in a safe place and then can't find it.
We're still at MIL but will be back soon.

High Hopes Sketch

There's a brilliant sketch over on High Hopes Blog, I had to turn it to fit this chap in. Yes I know I've used the same papers that I used for the BBQ guy the other week but you will pleased it all gone unless I can my hands on some more.
Since this Birdy is taking a bath I thought it would make a fun new home card, the sentiment is Hobby Art but I'm afraid the craft knife has been at it again and I chopped the stamp up so I could fit it in the circle.
The bubbles are quickutz die and the glossy accents have been used on all the bubbles.

A Gem of a Challenge

I nearly forgot to schedule this for today, having to hurry though its quite late. This for the Gem of Challenge that is every month on the 8th, you would have thought seeing as MIL birthday is the 9th I would've have worked that one out. Anyway back to the card we have a colour challenge inspired by this pic.

I think I might have a bit too much cream but we won't tell anyone. I've decided I hate the camera cos she has come out all wishy washy. The papers are Papermania and this little Gem is my favourite for Paper Piecing which I've done before, I also think she works well with vintage style papers. I do love Pink Gem Designs tickets and that ribbon is claret to match the papers not red!
Sorry this is quickie hopefully Mr Blogger loves me and my post I schedule for tomorrow works too.

Saturday Recipe

I do hope Mr Blogger loves me because I'm on my way to MIL to celebrate her birthday tomorrow and this post is schedule. This week on Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge is a recipe of 3 embellishment, 2 papers and 1 image. Ok I may have stretched the one image since this little one has been 3d. My 3 embellies is 1 flower, yes I know there's two but it made one flower right, a pearl brad and ribbon.
I'm pretty certain I've used the sketch from somewhere but can't remember now.
The papers are Pebbles but they were only scraps and I'm really pleased that I used up nearly every bit.

MIL wants to go to Outlet shop, where she's brought some shoes from and I'm hoping the The Craft Range

at Burnley will be open since its not far away but DS is with us and he doesn't like SHOPPING.

Friday Wedding

I told you Wedding are playing a bit part of my card making at the moment not helped that DD received yet another invitation to a Wedding.
I have to say these are my favourite Bride and Groom or did I say that about the Penny Black one either way I love them both. I was worried that I coloured her dress a bit too brightly but DD said it was fine.
Yes it that Linen Closet stack from DCWV and the sketch is from Whiff of Joy Challenge, it quite a simple card for me but sometimes you have to put the embellishments down and step away from the card.
I'm having issues with Mr Inkjet, one of my DT has some digi images to use and even copics doesn't like my printer. So I sorted out the size I want and copied them on a disc and took it over to my Sis who has Mr Laser-Jet and Mr Epson. Copics love Mr Laser-Jet but hated my pencils with sansodor but Mr Epson loved both. Looks like I'm going to have to replace Mr Inkjet.

The Craft Barn Mini Book

This is what I was doing on last Sunday while Hubby watched a football feast  on TV and kept out of my way.
The Craft Barn has a collection of sketches to make a mini book and this is my version. I took myself right out of the comfort zone and actually stamped onto my cardstock, which I never do in case I make a mess of it. The papers are Bliss by Crate papers, now that I've stroked and admired them for about a year I can now cut into them. I warn you now this is one long post but lots of pics.

I never use  embossed folders for my scrapbooking either so this was quite a challenge too. I used the daisy folder then dotted the flower centres. Yes that was me about 1964-5 we think. This is sketch 1.

There isn't many photo's when I was younger, one because photos was quite expensive to get developed and money was scarce while we were going up. I found these in my Sis's collection and scanned them.
The flower I made using the Stampin up scallop punch and the words are a set of scrappbooking stamps I've had for a while.
This is Sketch 2

I used one stamp all through the book so it was always on hand and thank goodness for MS punches they always give a fab finishing touch. This is sketch 3.

This where the sketches go out of order to suit the photos I wanted to use. My swirl punch and sizzix die get used for the heading and I use one of the many chipboard letter that I forget to use. This is sketch 6.

Martha Stewart was heavily involved into making this page, gosh my Hubby has hair!!!!!
This is sketch 7.

Sorry folks but I'm back to sketch 4. Not too happy with the colour of this page but it was in the kit and I had to use it somewhere. I decided to use a clock for one of the picture circles to show how time flies. Look at the stamping swirls, gosh I was brave.

I wanted this page to contrast the previous one so I had to use that awful paper but managed to hide most of it. This is sketch 5.

This was to be our last family holiday since the kids were at an age where it isn't cool to be on holiday with your parents. DD since discovered is might not be cool but it certainly is cheaper. This is sketch 8.

This is where I've added more pages but still used the sketches. I think I may have over done the gems, the sentiment I go from a stall at Ally Pally. The pic is when we went on the eye which was a gift for our silver wedding. The official pic in the eye pod, some one was standing where the frame was, yes it was me. I've used sketch 2 again.

This was a pic taken at my nieces home and they thought it would be funny to give me a glass that holds a bottle of wine, I had the last laugh I drank it all. I've  used sketch 1 again but angled my pic.

This is on the back cover page, which is really sketch 1 but flipped over.
Really please with my mini book, although DD remarked not another morbid book!

BBQ Bear

At Spoonful of Sugar the challenge is for Furry Friends, add the sketch from Papertake Weekly and this is what I made. I've used those Bella Blvd papers again but managed to get a couple of co-ordinating sheets. Since my little BBQ bear from LOTV is for a man, out came the buttons and the MS zig zag punch. I wasn't going to use a ribbon but since it matched the buttons perfectly I had to use it.
I really was looking for my circle sentiment for the Best Dad but I can't seemed to find it but did find this sentiment instead no idea where I picked it up from. The Photo corners I made myself.
Wednesday night is Girlie night, we send Hubby upstairs to watch football, DD and I start with Glee, onto Cougar Town, finally with American Idol.  I spent the evening watching and practicing colouring with my copics definitely feel that patience plays a bit part of using copics cos I kept going over the edge and tiddly spaces needed a whole lot of patience which if you ask my Sis I don't have any.

Copic Tilda

Ok take a deep breath this Tilda was my first attempt of colouring a whole image, thankfully the camera has hidden the fact I blended Tilda's face hundred of times (ok I know it wasnt' but it felt like it) The good thing I know the card I buy from Staples can take copics. Not to sure on the hair either and looks like her pearls are missing.
I nearly didn't make her into her a card but after all the stess to colour her the least I could do was turn her into a card. So I used that Kaiser pad  and paper pieced WOJ chair, the sketch I used was on Stamp Something although I've had to move the embellishments a bit, they weren't working quite the way I would like on the sketch.
Still not to sure on the copics, with my pencils I can go immediately to the colour and I feel that I'm missing some colours from the copics even though I seemed to have quite a few. Guess we will have to wait and see.

Simon Says Stamps Challenge Blogaversary

To celebrate the first blogaversary of Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog, the Design Team members are participating in a blog hop, to inspire you and celebrate an amazing first year!

And what a year it has been!! WOW!!!!

If you didn't start the blog hop at the beginning, then you want to head back to Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog  so you do not miss anything.
At each blog, there will be a NUMBER – collect all of the numbers, add them up, and post your answer at the end.
Be sure to follow the blog hop all the way to the end, for a chance to win. When you get to the Simon Says Stamp Blog, leave a comment that you hopped to all blogs, and the final number and you will be entered to win at each blog, you need to leave a comment – this will get you a chance to win your choice of 1 Simon Says Stamp exclusive stamp set at EACH blog, AND an entry into the GRAND PRIZE!!!

You MUST enter the challenge to win!!!!!! 

Be sure to follow the blog hop all the way to the end, for your chances to win. When you get to the Simon Says Stamp Blog, leave a comment that you hopped to all blogs, entered the challenge (we will check!!!) and you will be entered to win some FABBY blog candy!

Blog candy is GOODIE BASKET FULL OF FUN ITEMS YOU CAN USE IN YOUR CRAFTING, courtesy of Simon Says Stamp Superstore. (valued at over $100)

What challenge could we have but HAPPY BIRTHDAY
I've used Simon Says Stamps exclusive stamps, the frogs are my favourite and I think the papers are Girl Friday by Cosmo Cricket. I do love these frogs and when I stick on the wobbly eyes they really come alive.

The number for my blog is 4

Next head over to Domi's Blog to see what fabulous inspiration she has for you and to collect your number.

Thanks for stopping by! HAVE fun and good luck!!!

Here is the list of participants in order:
You will see that Timea isn't participanting, unfortunately she had to step down from the DT to be able to spend more time with her family. We wish her all the best and hope to see her entering some of our challenges if she is able.

Simon Says Challenge Blog http://www.simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Anna http://frynologia.blogspot.com/

Chris   http://cattsscratchingpost.blogspot.com/

Dena  http://denasstampingcorner.blogspot.com/

Debby  http://debby4000.blogspot.com/

Domi  http://www.mephisto-domi.blogspot.com/

Jane  http://janeslovelycards.blogspot.com/

Jo http://bootsblogspot.blogspot.com/

Kim  http://kimpiggott.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-weekend.html

Lorraine  http://loraquilina.blogspot.com/

Martine http://thecrafttable.blogspot.com/

Simon Says Stamp Blog  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.blogspot.com/

Penny Black Wedding

Weddings seemed to be my motivation lately, what with my Simon Says Stamps team-mate Domi getting married this month and my DD being invited to a couple of weddings and wants me to make each of them a card. One of my favourite Wedding Couple as to be this one from Penny Black stamps.
This leads me onto the challenge on Penny Black Saturday Challenge who wants you to use punches this week so when I saw the sketch from Sketch Saturday, I got out my MS deep cut Lattice punch. Reminds me the a garden trellis, I also use the Stampin up oval punches using the WOJ sentiment stamp.
There's also a challenge on Simon Says Stamps Challenge for a Wedding Card for Domi and over on the Simon Says Stamps Papercraft Planet group there's a challenge for bling, well hopefully my stickles on the ring and flowers count.
The papers are DCWV Linen Closet perfect for wedding as is the Wild Orchid roses.

Pastel Bear

There's a great challenge on Everybody Art Challenge is for Pastel colours. I wasn't sure what to use but these papers were sitting on my desk together crying out to be used. They are K & Co and the cute little bear is Penny Black. I've used my MS doily punch as a border and round the oval, a bit of ribbon and teeny flower job done.
I'm having a quiet day today since I obviously didn't pace myself over the weekend.

Flying Tilda

I love these Kaiser papers and having coloured Tilda to go with them, I was working out which ones would work when I saw this sheet. I so wanted to use it and then I had one of those light bulbs moments seeing as Tilda was flying, I would give the impresseion that she is. But I was tempting fate to use acetate, glue and glitter together, I usually end up with a big blob of glue of the acetate but this time it was OK .

The idea came together with the Just Magnolia sketch and I did have to use two pieces of papers, so that I could cut and layer ther flowers and birds.

Here's a side view.
I have to apologise for not commenting this weekend, I have been popping me by but I really wanted to get ahead of myself for the DT challenges and I wanted to make a Mini Book using the Craft Barn Sketches.
I had Hubby home all day yesterday and for the first time thank goodness for football. If he was messing about doing stuff I get interrupted like every ten minutes and have difficulties getting my crafty stuff done. But the book is finished, just need to photo it, but I do have to tidy up my room big time, its in a huge mess!

Finally

I had these layouts for the 52-10 done, couple of weeks ago but forgot to blog them. This one is probably my fave. The prompt was basically about your faults and since I don't have any I thought Mary Poppins would work.
Here's some journalling to explain why I'm always right.

Another prompt was about your Home, I've made something similar for a CJ.

This prompt was about redecorating and to be honest my page is pretty boring but I think it tells the story of how we changed the flooring downstairs, it was a huge job since the floors had to levelled. Next time I take a pic and I've been working in the dining room because of the cold, I will make sure I clean it up first.
I know I pretty much well behind with the prompt but thats the brilliance of the prompts I can do then as I get time. My album is starting to look like a real scrapbook with the pages I've done so far. You can check out my other blog where they are show in one post together.

Red, White and Blue

There's a great challenge over on High Hopes Challenge, you've got to use the colours of your country's flag.
Now this cause probs cos I don't have any patterned paper with red, white and blue and the scrap I thought I had I couldn't find, really do need to sort my papers out. So I found the red and white spots papers and used a blue to mat and layer with.
Oh I do love this stamp, it was probably this chap that made me discover High Hopes in the first place. They do great stamps for the fellas and now with Dustin Pike as one of their stamp designers it will still continue to do so.
Hubby brought some droopy tulips home yesterday, yes I know my flower arranging is plonk them in a vase. But I do have tip, put a 2p in the water of the tulips but it as to be a really dirty one, a new one won't work.
You wouldn't believe that the purple tulips were so flopping that they were almost touching the worktop and overnight this is what they look like now.

Celebrations

So who forgot that today is the 1st May, whoops that would be me. That means I'm late for the challenge on By the Cute and Girly which by the way is CELEBRATIONS.
So my first layout is Mum and Dad's Golden Wedding, the letters aren't crooked it that blasted photographer again. Some yellow roses from Wild Orchid arrived whilst making this layout, good timing wouldn't you say.
The papers are M Minds Eye and do I spy a MS punch.
I'm hoping if you click on pic it gets larger, double layout on Mr Blogger are a bit awkward.

Considering the these photo's were rubbish before I scanned them, they didn't come out that badly. See my DS loved his sister once.

I saw this piece of papers at MJ's Every Moment Matters (free postage this weekend) and knew I had to use it for these photos but I was at a lost with what to do with it. So some flower soft and fun-flock later, I have proper fluffy clouds. MJ has some chipboard letters from Cosmo Cricket and I knew they would work, a few silver brads and freehand frame for my pic, layout finished. But I'm not sure if I'm happy with it really.