Love is in the Air

At the weekend it Valentine's day so it just wouldn't be right if the challenge on Simon Says Stamps Challenge wasn't for Love and this weeks challenge isn't just for $25 but Heidi and gang has some amazing candy from CHA too.

I have to confess this just didn't work out how I would like it to and time was against me. The Hero Arts Valentine stamp was a pressie from Simon Says Stamps and I so wanted to use it, I'm sure someone more arty would have done a better job. I thought it would look cute with Tilda in the corner but maybe the hearts in the other corner doesn't work even though it with the same paper range.
I've got myself in a bit of corner with lots of stuff needing doing now and they're taking a bit longer than I thought but I've promise myself I making cards today

Happy Everything

I loved making the card with LOTV image a while ago that I had to buy some more and this one was included. I thought it would be quick to colour but there is quite a bit to colour.
I then used the fabulous sketch from Friday Sketchers and the papers are from the citrus pack from DCWV, the sentiment is from Hero Arts I think since the packet it was in disappeared probably from over use.
The flowers and pearls are from Wild Orchid and not a punch in sight unless you include the nestabilities to cut out the image.

A Gem of a Challenge

Hurrah it's the 8th February and the first challenge on A Gem of A Challenge starts today and its a fabulous sketch, you've plenty of time to join in too.
I felt a bit guilty about Snowflake Mimi last time I used her I paper pieced her dress so I thought I would use her again and colour her dress in but once I decide to the BG Wisteria, I just knew she would look perfect if I paper pieced her again.
The flowers are EK success and I used McGill branch punch for a change and I always amazed that a bit of ribbon and few pearls are perfect finishing touches.
Didn't get much done yesterday I've started my entry to CJ I have but I found it hard to get motivated since I really wanted to continue my secret project since I've now got to the fun bit but I've a few things that need to be done.
It looks like I maybe Car shopping this afternoon, my poor DS is shocked at the price of insurance and he's being very sensible by buying a secondhand run around instead of the Porsche!

You've passed

By rights DS should have received this card yesterday although he hasn't let me know if he has so fingers crossed it arrived otherwise he's in for a surprise this morning if he checks my blog. This wasn't my first choice of papers but when I saw the challenge on Cute Card Thursday was dots and spots, I looked out for some dotty paper and found this Basic Grey pack that would work with the image.
When I saw this image on Mo Manning's site I knew I had to have it for DS but how I was going to get the image not to smudge I tried not to think about it till I had too. I tried embossing for some reason that didn't work, so this has been sprayed and kept warm for a couple of days but it still smudged and I had to be really carefully how I used my pencils and stumps especially on the lighter colours.
The number plate letters are peel off's and although you can't see it the windscreen and light have been glossy accented.
I had a brilliant day yesterday and glad I only took my secret project because I was covering pages with little square for the ring binders which had to be cut out and I started to get very bored with this job but since it was the only thing I took, I finished covering the pages now for the fun part.

Monochrome Saturday

The latest challenge on Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge is for a Monochrome tones 1 colour and white. Now I thought this could be hard but I went through my papers grabbed all the blue that went together and then I only use two patterned, one plain and white. I paper pieced the WOJ image with the matching papers and found these white flowers hiding in a drawer, just finished with the corners which for some reason stick out like a sore thumb in the pic but they look fine in real life.
Do hope you check out everyone on the DT cards they're fab and have a go too with the challenge which does make a striking card.
So hopefully Mr Blogger as been kind to me and publish this post while I'm off to MJ's crop.

Spoonful of Hearts

So there I was yesterday cup of tea in one hand the mouse in the other ready to check out everyone's blogs only for everything to go black. Here we go again the power went off and when it came back on my explore thingy wouldn't load.
I just got it working when blow me it went off again but it was so bizarre because the radio still worked and various electrical items were making strange noises. I did check, once I found the old style phone since the handsfree didn't work to find out there was prob with a sub-station.
So finally the power comes on but its mess up the telly and the modem with that I gave up and went in my craft room to make my DS a card.
Can't show that one yet since he hasn't received it yet but I do have this one ready.
It's a card following A Spoonful of Sugar sketch although its a mirror image of the sketch since I thought it would work better with this image. I was a bit worried how the hearts would work but I think it turned out well.
The papers BG Nook and Pantry, the hearts were cut out using the cricut and I've used zigzag punch. The flowers are from Wild Orchid, the flat ones have yellow stalk thingies which I pull out, you don't see the hole it leaves cos the roses hide it. Sentiment it Hero Arts which I got in a Christmas pressie from the very generous Heidi from Simon Says Stamps and they fit perfectly in the stampin up word punch.
Off to MJ Every Moment Matters all day crop tomorrow and I've another secret project which I can do now that Sis is in Spain no scratch that my sister reckons she not in Spain she in Tenerife!

Mouse Alert

Sorry I'm late, I was waiting for daylight in the end I gave up. I don't think it will brighter any better. Having time out from crafting means Mr Mojo leaves for a tea break so what better way to entice him back then using one of my Penny Black Mice and using the Mojo Monday sketch which is perfect for A6 card. The papers are a mixture of Basic Grey LilyKate and Porcelain. The sentiment is Woodware and the my border is the fab zigzag punch from Martha Stewart. Thats another one for my Craft for Life bags.
Here's the layouts I did at MJ's crop that I finally put the finishing touches to. The first is Ice Queen, I wanted Glittered letters and the glitter was at home so thats why I left it to do later. I think the background cardstock is Crate Paper but I'm not sure. Flowers are funky flower punches, the gem is either Bazzell or Basic Grey I can't remember now.
I'm really pleased with how the glamour dust worked with the letter for ICE, first I cut them out with the Cricut with the Storybook cartridge. Once stuck together I put them face down in the Xyron X so the front was nice and sticky and then poured glamour dust over them.

Remember last year I made a book for Elliott's Mum (you can see it here) well the book has plenty of room for more pages. This pic is of my brother hiding, which is the reason for the title. I love how people use different type of alphabets but I not sure I'm as good but I'm please how this simple page turned out.
Yippee finally my DS as passed his Driving Test, if you knew my son you would know why it took so long. One reason he had no inclination to drive and only did it because in this day and age its becoming neccessary. One of the tests he took was with a fracture ankle, why he thought he could pass I don't know but it was too late to cancel so he thought he'll get he's money's worth!

Simon Says Challenge

Gosh did I have a problem with this card, choosing the papers was OK so the Simon Says challenge of using the picture below for inspiration was easy. I knew this Basic Grey June Bug would be perfect. Since it was red I chose Melinda holding a heart and then I got out the glitter glue and there lays my mistake it was a case of put the glitter glue down and walk away but I didn't and Melinda's heart got covered and when it dried it looked awful. So poor Melinda found herself in the bin and Melinda part two got used instead. Don't forget to check out the DT samples especially has we welcome three new DT and join in too for the fab $25 prize.

I had a bit of rough day yesterday so only managed to finish my Pink Gem card, she only needed a bit of glamour dust. But I did finish a couple of layouts that had been waiting to done since MJ a couple of weeks ago, they only needed their titles done, I will photo them later today.

Gem of a Card

Whilst I've been beavering away, I've been invited to be on the Design Team on A Gem of a Challenge. It's a monthly challenge which you can use whatever stamps you like but if you want to be in to win a couple of the fabulous Pink Gem stamps you have to use a Pink Gem stamp. Since they are as cute as the Pink Gem image I used for my card here and don't think it will be a problem. The first challenge is on the 8th Feb and if I've done it properly click on the logo to go to the challenge blog.

My card is using those fab free papers and using the Create4fun sketch, the sweet image is called Sprinkles with Attitude and I love how her hair bobs. Small butterflies are a MS punch and the larger butterfly is a punch by Tonic and not forgetting the funky punch. Add a bit of ribbon and plenty of glamour dust, job done.

A Nellie Thank You

I've got myself in a bit of pickle where I've agree to stuff that all needed to ready at the same time but I'm now seeing the light of day, it would help if I was much better organised.
One of things I agreed to was being a Guest at Everybody Art Challenge which I have loved doing. This is my last week and the challenge is Thanks, so this sweet Nellie is sending a thank you letter.
I've seen someone at Christmas using this nestability frame as a book and I just had to have a go. I've a tiny Postcard stamp but do you think I could find it most annoyed it's so tiny its probably in a SAFE place. The papers are Wister Basic Grey, love my lattice punch and the flowers are from Wild Orchid, just wish I could make fab corsages like Tabs and Bev, the sentiment is Hero Arts. Just wouldn't be one of my cards if there wasn't a bit of ribbon somewhere.
So last night we went and had a meal at Jamie's Italian in Guildford in what used to be my bank, the food was good although by the time we waited for them to go downstairs and back again with DD food and the chips we had to start ours because it was already going cold, the service was efficient the poor girl was rushed off her feet even on a Monday. But I going to refer Jamies as the Aldi of restaurants keep it basic and pack it high, what do I mean by that, well it was really cosy you were so closed to your neighbour you could lean over and eat off their plate. The space for getting in and out was so small even my DS had to turn sideways to get out and there's not an ounce of fat on him.

Love is in the Air

The new monthly challenge on the By the Cute and Girly, this time its Love well it would be wouldn't it since we're now in February. Now Love can be interpreted in difference ways not just the lovey dovey stuff of Valentine. Above is an Anniversary card for my Mum and Dad who celebrate their 51st on the 7th. The Stampavie Sarah Kay stamps are ideal for this and the papers are the new Basic Grey.
But Love can be loving the birds in the garden especially when we had all that snow, I sent Hubby out there to make sure the food container was full each day and crack the ice on the water. The papers are a Scrapagogo kit and inspired by a sketch from Pagemaps. The snowflake is various times and the row of snowflakes were some fab glitter stickers, the little birdie as been cut out using the cricut using one of the Disney cartridges. It's a pity that the camera didn't like photo this cos it looks so much clearer in real life.
Love can last a long time, like that of my Sis and BIL, they're both amazed they're still together and very much alive!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had to put the little tags of lovey dovey words on especially the word Bliss, anyone who knows Mr Grumpy will confirm that living with him certainly isn't BLISS. The kit is once again from Scrapagogo and Sis told me to put the piece of the circle in the corner since I wasn't happy with the huge white space there. Yes Sis you're right.
Do hope you pop over to the blog and check out what stunning job the rest of the DT have done.

Happy Birthday Darling Daughter

Just for you Tilda

I'm going to sound like a broken record but I was in two minds whether to publish this card today. The top left hand corner is bugging me as it is I've swopped the corner to the left to help.
I choose this Tilda because she has a heart on her dress and any excuse to use the MS heart punch so it would work for the Just Magnolia challenge, the sketch is from Sketch Saturday but wish now I placed her further up the card. The papers are Bo Bunny and the roses are from Wild Orchid, the sentiment is Woodware and the oval punches are Stampin up.
Don't forget tomorrow see the start of the Mega Challenge and boy are you going to love the prize.
It's also By the cute and girly challenge so there will a bumper post or I might do two posts tomorrow.

This post is rather different to my normal ones, some very exciting news about something I am thrilled to have been asked to take part in by the lovely Brenda over at Floral Fantasies.
On the 1st February there will be a very special ‘One Off Challenge’………with some rather special candy as the main prize. No ordinary candy, but a really serious piece of equipment that all of us would love to have in our craft rooms.
There will be some sneak peeks of the prizes on offer over the next three weeks........yes ‘prizes’ because as well as the main challenge prize, there will be runners up prizes and a Blog Hop with prizes to be won at each stopping point.
We need you all to help us spread the word and make this as much fun as possible for everyone ........and there is even a prize for doing that. Does this all sound fun or what ? We just know you will all want to get involved and join in so head off to Brenda's blog now and get your name down for the first draw. All the information you will need to join in will be found there.

Ok I confess I stole these words off Pinky she said everthing I needed to without waffling on like I would have done. Thanks Pinky.

All new Posts please scroll down.

Mega Update
The sponsor of this fab challenge is revealed
Sir Stampalot
To celebrate their moving to larger premises they are offering the most magnificent prizes.
There are some sneak peek on Brenda Floral Fantasies blog, I know what one is and I'm blow away.So much so I may have to step down and enter the challenge instead.

A Hearty Saturday

Hearts is the challenge over on Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, any excuse to get out my heart border punch. These cute mice with the little hearts I thought are perfect choice too. To be honest this was a very simple card to make, once I had decided I didn't want to hide the cute paper from Doodlebug. I made a A6 so I can pop it one of those baggies for Craft for Life. Still taking crooked photos.
I've got several thing lined up today most important one is the challenge card for the Mega Challenge.
Don't forget to check out the DT on Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge they've done a fab job.

Freestyle Friday

So there I am this morning, turned on the PC and more importantly the kettle for my first cuppa a tea and everything went black. The only light we had was the torch my DD had in her bag that Santa brought her for the dark nights when she was out driving, which she left for me. Thank goodness the power cut was only for hour I was already having withdrawal symptoms from missing my cup of tea.
So here's the card I was unhappy with yesterday, I was pleased that A Spoonful of Sugar challenge was for a freestyle card cos this Penny Black Shoe image as been waiting for a suitable challenge for a while.
It is quite a large image and then I purposely tried to use the lattice punch so it had a post in the middle to make it look like a fence which is why there's a ball on the top of the post, not sure I like it now. Then I wanted to use some flowers in the corner but I couldn't find the right colours or the right size so I settled with this one and now I'm not so sure.
Well today another day so I will try and make another card and maybe it won't bug me like this one of course thats all depending that the lights stay on!

Wisteria Daisy

I'm going to have to rethink this photo thing I must have photo this card about ten times and this is the straightest one. I use a tripod since my other problem was shaking hands but you would have thought it would be straight using it.
Anyway but to the card, my favourite pack of BG Wisteria and this sheet I always hate covering it up and the Papertake Weekly sketch this week is perfect for not hiding the papers. I used the mesh with some ribbon thread through, apart from the roses and the sentiment I let Daisy from Sugar Nellie to shine.
There is definitely something about Wednesday cos I couldn't settle at anything which is annoying cos I have a list of things to do and I won't have time today. I have managed a card but waiting for daylight to photo it so will post it tomorrow but I'm a bit disappointed with it.

Bathtime Simon

Gosh it's Wednesday already, the weeks are flying by. What a amazing amount of entries on Simon Says Stamps Challenge, we all love our punches. We're trawling through the amazing entries to our DT call what amazing talent there is and what a tough job we've all got.
So back to this weeks challenge on Simon Says Stamps Challenge, it's for Baby. Not the most obvious card but I thought I would make a card letting the parents know what they've got theirselves into.
One cheeky boy with a plaster on his elbow and needing a bath twice a day to scrub off the dirt. The fab stamp is from Whiff of Joy and I've glossy accent all the bubbles, the sentiment too is from WOJ and is straight but obviously the wonky photographer is still here. The papers are Kaiser and it wouldn't be right if there wasn't a bit ribbon somewhere.

Guest Designer

I had an e-mail from Domi asking if I would like to be their Guest on Everybody Art Challenge so without hesitation I said yes and this week challenge is a colour one of Blue, Brown and White. I love it when I immediately get an idea which was the BG Granola papers and this little chap in his newspaper which of course is a Penny Black. The brads are a kit from Papermania that my Sis brought me at christmas, the great thing is they come with the right size circle punches to fit inside and then they have dome stickers to go on top.
Do check out the challenge the Design team have fabulous samples.
Another appointment this afternoon, it does mess up my routine but hopefully I will get time to do some crafting especially as Hubby is working tonight.


Huge thanks to Mummylade for the cute award.

Sweet Monday

Something Sweet is the challenge on Penny Black Saturday and there's a fab sketch over on Sketch Saturday, combine the two and this is what you get.
I've used the PB cute bunnies and made an Easter card. The papers are BG Sugar Rush, the MS doily punch had another outing plus I've used MS butterfly punch too. I stick one down and then stick another on top for a bit of dimension, a few tiny pearls for their bodies. The quickutz corner which is worth its weight in gold is used several times. I don't think I can make it any sweeter.

Thanks to Tracey at Countrymouse for this sweet award, goes well with my sweet card.
I haven't got round to blogging this weekend, I've had a list as long as my arm for some DT work and yesterday, I got motivated and got several things done and finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I shall try to catch up today but why is it I have weeks with no appointments to go to and this week they've all come together.

Sunday Magnolia

I've managed an almost square pic of the my Just Magnolia challenge card but for some reason the images are a bit wishy washy. There's a fab sketch on the Just Magnolia challenge but I think in hindsight I wouldn't have use five little roses maybe only three and I'm not too sure on the swirls but I thought it would make a change from leaves and branches. The roses and the backing flowers are all from Wild Orchid, the flat flowers have a yellow stamen in the middle but they're easy to pull out. Any excuse to use my MS punch and the sentiment is a Woodware one.
I had a brilliant day at Every Moment Matters crop and I look forward to the next one in a couple of weeks, now I've got to unpack, it's most bizarre that everything fitted in the bags to get there but it doesn't work so well coming home.