Water

So yesterday I was told that either I stayed at my Sis or I would be getting up before dawn to be dropped off so she could take me to the crop. Phew what a nightmare to suddenly have to sort my stuff out but I made it and here I am on the slowest PC in the world but it does what my sister wants!

Luckily I popped this card quickly on a post and saved it so I could show my High Hopes Challenge card for Water, brilliant challenge don't you think. I've been wanting to use these images for ages and decided to use them both and I think it worked out a treat.

The papers are Oliver by Basic Grey, nice a grungy for a mans card. Good old Martha's zigzag punch and a string bow to finish.

Do check out the DT and we have a couple of Guest DT joining us as well.

Lemons

The Penny Black Saturday Challenge is going Fruity and I wish now I went for fruity paper or fruity colours because this image demanded that I use this sentiment and looking at it now I don't like the little alphas. It doesn't help that it looks crooked when I know it straight obviously that camera is lying again.
This is the last of SEI paper which has been perfect for summer cards. My daisies petals have been roughed up to show the white core of the cardstock and there is glitter on my mouse's lemon.
Now don't forget to check out the DT they've done a much better job than me and of course you can check out the prize too.
Off to the Scrapbuddies Crop tomorrow, haven't a clue what I'm going to be doing yet.

Another Cutie

I haven't really had my card making hat on this week but this LOTV chap was coloured and waiting to be made into a card. I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday and the papers are from Dovecraft.
It might be possible we shall all be fed up with MS snowflakes by the time December comes but they're perfect embellishments.
I'm going to need some more Craftwork Cards oval sentiments soon but I have seen any printed in black not so keen on the silver and gold.
It did take time to make this card, first I used stickles on the snowflakes, I then had to wait till they were dried before I could use a mixture of flower soft and fun flock on the hat trim.
Today I plan to get my head round doing some cards and get back ahead of myself.

Tree-mendous

Well we've had Christmas cards so now its Halloween this is because the team over on Cute Card Thursday  have choosen trees or leaves for this weeks challenge and this is what popped into my head.
The tree and the spiders were cut  on the cricut and the spiders just cried out googly eyes.
The image is PennyBlack and the papers are a download from Sweet Shoppe Designs Spooky by F Jardine, just a touch of ribbon brought earlier this year with Halloween in mind.
It being one of those weeks when I wish it could be rewind, I spent all day yesterday thinking it was Thursday, we had a power cut Tuesday, just when I was thinking of goining with Hubby so I could be dropped of at my Sis at least then I could get a cup of tea it came back on.
Yesterday I parted with an awful lot of pennies for a pair of glasses and its no help when they tell you as you get old your eyes change!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summertime Blues

Summertime Blues is the challenge over on Simon Says Stamps Challenge and those of us with Stampabilities stamps have choosen to use them. Simon Says Stamps has one huge collection of House Mouse from Stampabilities and what I love is their Snoopy stamps I have a real soft spot for him so I'm building a collection of them.
Anyway back to my card, this is what I would call clean and simple! I used some papers that I've had for so long I think they're Deja Views but don't hold me to that. A bit of ribbon and some pearls to finish, the sentiment is a Simon Says Stamps.

Don't forget to check out the DT, fabulous cards as always. Also there's a fab prize with shipping free.

The BIG news is that Simon Says Stamps now stocks Lily of The Valley stamps at the moment its the sets.
All the following cards are made using one of the images from the sets, they've been on my blog previously.

The last one is using the Delovely papers also available from Simon Says Stamps.

Checks and Henry

Checks are the order of the day over on Everybody Art Challenge and I've used the last of my doodlebug papers.  Cute Henry from WOJ is quite happy for me to colour him in using PB mouse colours and that fabby swirl is the magnolia swirl that I saw at Craft U Love on Kim's gorgeous frame. 

For a change I used my Woodware Daisy punches and the pretend brads are either from the 1/16 hole punch on my cropadile or the 1/4 stampin up circle punch. The embossing folder is cuttlebug and I've dotted the centres with a souffle pen.

Do check out the rest of the DT.

I've a couple issues at the moment but hopefully things will be back to normal soon.

A Christmas Monday

I love challenges with sketches and LOTV challenge is no exception there's a fab sketch from Bev and this cute babe from LOTV works brilliantly with it.
I've used My Minds Eye Colourful Christmas don't worry I've loads of this paper since I found a whole pack last week while sorting out what to take to my Sisters.
What did we do before Martha Stewart punches, I've used the doily one for round my oval as well as a border and of course the fabby snowflakes are Martha Stewart too, it needs a sentiment but not sure where and it possible that it will need to be personalised on a PC so another good reason not to use one.
So here's a couple of flat cards I made they're so boring I'm almost embarrassed to pop them on my blog.

This is using a Darcie stamp set from Simon Says Stamps its a fab set wanted to use the snowman but it wasn't going to be a flat card if I made it. I've had to do flat bows too they so fiddly but go through the ordinary post slot. Martha Stewart snowflake and the I punched the centres and embossed them.

This is one large stamp from Inkadinkdo again I brought it from Simon Says Stamps and used Rocket Red Brilliance pad, once dried I went over a few of the words with a gold pen, one of those flat bows job done.

Now for something not boring the new Simon Says Stamp and Show has their first challenge today and it's an easy one to start with, well if you like vintage and distressing its easy "Wings".
Heidi from Simon Says Stamps is extremely generous and sent her DT on the Simon Says Stamps Challenge some vintage goodies so we could join in the challenges, personally I think she is trying to convert me with kindness!!!!!!

A little Gem and a bit of Lace

Whoops nearly forgot that its the 8th of the month and that means a new month challenge on Gem of a Challenge of course there's a fab sketch and the option is for a bit of lace well thats easy.
My little Gem is Sitting Chloe and I've used those fab free magazine papers from My Minds Eye. I used a sizzlits leaf and a tiny flower punch, the centres are punched using the cropadile. I'm really pleased how this little darling turned out.
Want to join in but don't have Pink Gem stamp then pop over to Janet's blog where there's a freebie digi image for you so you can enter the challenge.
Things are not happening on the card making front today, took ages to put all the stuff I took to my Sis away, most of which I didn't use but you just don't know if you gonna need them, catch up with a bit of washing  and give instuctions to where the Mirror was going in the front room, left a bit, right a bit, higher, lower!!!!!!!!!

Ribbons and Bows

Lovely easy challenge is being called for this weeks High Hopes Challenge ribbons and bows as if I need an excuse to use ribbon. I have to admit depending on which day it is I can't decide if I should have done yellow ribbon for all the bows yet some times I like the white bows.
I love this adorable image from High Hopes and I used a glossy pen from Viva on her hair bobbles and now they really do look like bobbles. The papers are Doodlebug including the dotty papers I used for the flowers and the finishing touch the deep edge border punch that I think looks like a cute fence.
Don't forget to check out the DT always fabby samples and if you fancy a High Hopes stamps I get my from Bunny Zoes .
The stampin up party was really fun and such a laugh one that my Sis plans to repeat soon hopefully by that time my craft kitty might recover since my DD came with me without any money!
Yesterday I managed to make 13 flat Christmas cards what do I mean by flat cards, they have to go in the tiny slot of ordinary posting not the larger letter post. Of course you can barely layer or put any embellies on it so they're flat did I mention they're flat.

Ice Cream Babe

On the beach is the challenge on Penny Black Saturday Challenge, now I decided to choose a PB stamp showing what you would eat at the seaside, but you could choose on the beach colours, embellishments wished I had those ideas when I was figuring out what stamp to use. I've used SEI papers just enough left for one more card, they're perfect hot summer colours for a hot sunny day to eat ice cream.
Don't forget to check out the DT and there's a fab prize to win too.
Since I've had to schedule this post Hubby is taking me to Sis at the crack of dawn so he can go onto work I can't tell you how the Stampin Up party went or whether I've actually any money left!
If I've the patience I will try and update this post on my Sis PC but you almost have to have a handle to wind it up like an old gramophone its that slow!!!!!!!!!!!

Spanish Tilda

I hate cameras, poor Spanish Tilda she come out all wishy washy, I will have to check my camera to see what setting its on. I've used the fabulous sketch on Sketch and Stash by Cathy and the lush Kaiser papers I brought from Simon Says Stamps not sure if they still have it.
The doily I brought from e-bay and the roses are from Wild Orchid (makes a change from funky flowers.) corners are a cuttlebug die.
My Sis has invited some friends and myself to her house to make Christmas Cards on Saturday so yesterday I sorted through my Christmas stamps ready to take, today I will be finding the punches and paper etc to take.
Also our friend has become a stampin up Demo and tonights her first party so I shall be out this evening too.

Whateva

While ago Fran asked me to be a Guest on Cute Card Thursday for August and suddenly the month was upon us, doesn't seem five minutes ago with were ploughing through snow.
The challenge this week is really hard its "Whateva" an open theme of whateva you like so I decide my mice needed another outing.
Of course this image is Penny Black and the papers are Daisy Bucket, the sentiment is from Simon Says Stamps it fits perfectly in the stampin up oval punches. The pretend brads are punched using my cropadile and I have indeed used those floral punches yet again but they really do look fab in the spotty paper. Since the image is about sewing I got a pen and faux stitched round the edges to finish it off.
Do check out the DT always fab stuff.
This afternoon Hubby and I are off to the opticians fingers crossed I don't have to buy new glasses they don't come cheap.

Incredible Messy Desk

My workspace seems to be getting smaller and the pile on the right getting larger, so this is What on Your Workdesk Wednesday 61 looks like.

These are my two most used punches at the moment, think I will have to hide them temporary so I will have to think of flowers instead of automatically heading for these two.

 

This is where my bug lives much to my DH annoyance, its by the back door in the kitchen and you can just see the doors of my craftroom. Occasionally I put the dies away only to bring them back the next day!
You can just see the radio and ipod speakers which I wanted to move in my craftroom but it was a joint present so as yet haven't been able to convince DH I need it more than the kitchen. (I have to a cd player with a radio as well as Ipod speakers and one of them is taking up valuable craft space)

STOP wait a minute Mr Postman

We have a great challenge over on Simon Says Stamps Challenge, its song titles, old or new whatever tune that pops in your head. Hope your mind doesn't do what mine did which was go totally blank so I started to go through my stamps hoping for a idea to pop in my head when I saw WOJ postman. I knew I also had the postcard  this Unity stamp from Simon Says Stamps and they've a huge collection of WOJ including the new beach set.
I would add if you use another inkpad since it gives a better image for words make sure its dry before trying to ink the edges.
Feeling rather good that I used up the scraps of Belle Blvd and its those funky flowers punches and I used the thread I brought at Newbury which I've discovered is for making necklaces. Found some tiny word stamps  to put in the address on the postcard job done.

Don't forget our great prize and the shipping is free and check out the DT what fab ideas.

Indian Tilda

Yes in hindsight I could've of choosen less busy paper but I was desperate to use the free papers, worth buying the magazine. I don't really buy craft mags regularly since there's a whole world of talent in blogland but for the papers I stretched a point.
I'm also have issue with photo-ing, I use a tripod to help with the shaky hands (don't have a problem when crafting but use a camera and it looks like its sitting on pneumatic drill) when I check the gallery on the camera it looks straight get it on the pc and its drifting to the right, add to the fact my bit of lace is brown, guess you can tell by my moaning I'm not 100% happy with my card.
But I love this cute Indian Tilda, oh blast I just realised I didn't use my gel pens on her beads, I was waiting for the silcone set so she was more stable to colour the beads. Guess I will be photo her again.
I've used Bev's fab sketch over on Just Magnolia, oh and guess what punches I've used!

One of my blogging friends after waiting ages has had her liver transplant but there's seems to be some complications so if you can, can you send some prayers and thoughts to Diane and her family.

Ho Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum

It's been a while since I've done a recess frame card and this weeks challenge on Everybody Art Challenge is for Pirates so it cried out to used again.
I've used the High Hopes Pirate and their palm tree and leaves, strange choice of papers but they're nice and bright. I've often use the children's cuttlebug die for the skull and crossbones but its the first time I used it for a chest.
Do check out the DT for some fab samples and inspiration.
I had a great day in my craftroom yesterday not sure on what a created since it was hard to get back on the wagon and I may have to hide my funky flower punch since I used it on every card.
I'm reading Dan Brown's Lost Symbol now when I read his other books I had in my mind my own Robert Langdon now all I can see is Tom Hanks!!!!!!!

Frosty the Snowman

I did manage to make this card on Friday it's using the Friday Sketchers sketch and the High Hopes snowman I do think he's cute and so easy to colour.
I've used My Minds Eye colourful papers I've got my hands on a couple more sheets so you haven't seen the last of them yet.
The snowflake border is from MS that was one of my things that fell in my basket last week to which my Hubby said you've got loads of punches why do you want more, Men they just don't understand.
I finally found the organza ribbon that I brought ages ago then couldn't find and it looks crooked on the photo but is in face straight. A few snowflakes and a  craftwork sentiment job done.
A large cup of coffee, comfy chair and I plan to catch up with everyone.

High Hopes favourites

I've been asked to stay on as a Diva at High Hopes but I was worried that they might of forgotten they asked me and if I had scheduled this post it could of been embarrassing with me being over the moon to be a Diva and there was no mention it on the HH Challenge blog.
Phew I can safely post my High Hopes Challenge card for your favourite embellishment cos I'm a Diva ( I would write the sound effects but can't spell ).
Now my card is full of punches, daisies, funky, and leaves, they're are so my favourites, using the design papers or co-ordinating card stock, I love how the work so well on a card. I've used one of the new High Hopes stamps from Melissa Jenkins and the fab SEI design paper, the sentiment was done on the PC and punched out using various punches and another favourite to finish a bit of ribbon.
Do check out the team, there's some gorgeous cards to view and hope you can join us.
We're back from taking MIL home and you have to admire that this frail old lady still gets about and refuses to give in to her age but its hard work to keep someone with no hobbies entertained.
Well after I recover from the journey I'll be glad to get back to my craftroom

Animal Antics

Can't believe its now August, the year is flashing past. So onto a new challenge on By the Cute and Girly and there's a brilliant challenge Animal Antics. It mean't that I could get round and use some fab photos that my niece took when she went to be a Zoo Keeper for the day.
These stunning Parrots how could I wait so long to scrap them, Ok they're not animals but what's a challenge that you can't stretch a bit. I've used My Minds Eye papers, the leaves is a sizzlits die and where would I be without my flower punches.

Yes it wasn't that long ago we were covered in Snow and this is my nephew's dog Teal, normal dog toys only last seconds but a cheap plastic bucket last at least 10 minutes if you're lucky. Snow was cut out on the Cricut and loving the tiny alphas you can get these days. Good old Martha Stewart punches, icicle border and snowflakes and not forgetting the Stampin Up spiral punch.

When I make a double page, I'm generally not happy I find making two seperate layouts in the same paper in this case Bo Bunny work much better. I've hand stitched on them both so that it looks like they belong together. Used that fab leaf die again too, again the title has been cut on the Cricut.