My Crafty Corner

Getting ready for Craft Fairs ...

2012-01-20T22:05:00.006Z

Well Hello everyone, I'm finally back crafting and blogging. Its been so long since I've updated my blog, I've forgotten how.

Thought I had better make a start on some stock ready for the start of the craft fair season. My first one this year is the beginning of Feb and is actually a food and craft market and its on every month.

I decided that I would make a few Valentine gifts to get in the mood.

I have a few new designs and a couple of new items altogether, would love a bit of feedback.

First up, some tealight cards.

I used silver and pinky tones of paper and card as the tealights are pink and rose scented. I wrapped each one with a strip of co ordinating paper.

For the next one I used papers from a Papermania pad with red and gold card.

I decorated these tealights with some little Penny Black hedgie stamps, sooo cute.

For these next 2, I made little boxes and decorated them with card cut using Nestibilities.

Again the tealights were decorated with the adorable Hedgie stamps and strips of card around them.

Heres another box of tealights, but I just realised that I haven't decorated them.

Nevermind, here's a different angle of the box, which shows the decoration a bit better.

So, What do you think?

Do you think people might buy them and also how much should I charge?

Not too bothered anyway, I really enjoyed making them and can always give them to family and friends. Think I may make some more in different colours in time for Mother's Day.

Challenges I'm entering:
CES challenge - Anything but a card

Its nice to be back and hopefully will be able to find some time to go check out some blogs and catch up with you all. Although I seem to have lost all my favourite blogs, that I was following. Must be blogger up to his old tricks again.

Tatty bye for now

Goodnight and God Bless

Sue x

A quick update

2011-12-11T15:36:00.002Z

Well hello all you lovely crafty peeps, long time no see, well speak, well you know what I mean.

Just a quick update on whats been happening over the last few months. As you may remember I have been looking after my brother who was diagnosed with the big 'C' in June of this year. I am heartbroken to tell you that he lost his battle last month and died at home surrounded by all his family.

I still havent gotten round to doing much card making and blogging, but am hoping perhaps in the New Year I can start getting back to normal and maybe crafting and blogging again.

But for now, I'll just wish everyone an early Merry Christmas and all the best for a bright New Year.

Bye for now

Hugs Sue xx

ABC challenge Blog hop

2011-07-20T10:00:00.001+01:00

Over at ABC we have decided to extend our Birthday blog hop for another week. That gives anyone who hasn't joined in yet, time to do so. If you start at the ABC challenge you'll find all the details and the blog hop order there. We have some amazing sponsor prizes on offer and all you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is leave a comment on all the blog hop participants. Easy!!!

Happy Birthday !! ABC challenge

2011-07-06T10:55:00.002+01:00

Good morning everyone!
Well, it's The ABC Challenge Birthday!!! And to celebrate we are having a massive blog hop,along with this weeks challenge, with lots of fabulous prizes up for grabs!!
The Hop will run for nearly 2 weeks and end at 6pm GMT Monday 18 July! So, you have plenty of time to join in the fun!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABC CHALLENGE!!!

Both Design Teams, A and B will be joining in with the challenge and Blog Hop along with a few previous Design team members. We have lots of fantastic sponsors for our hop who are offering loads of amazing prizes. To qualify for a prize, you must visit and leave a comment on all Hop members blog posts.

You should have come here from the very talented Karli's blog, if not or if you get lost along the way...Just head on back to The ABC Challenge and see who's next!!

We are also having a DT call, you can find all the details on the ABC challenge blog

Good Luck to all !!

On to this weeks challenge

Y is for Yesterday - use a favourite image from the past, or a previous ABC challenge or even a vintage theme, its that easy.!!

For my card, I decided to use two images, both digis. The first is Fairy Tree House from Make it Crafty. I coloured with Copics and used Distress inks to create the sky.

The other image comes from a sheet containing four beautiful images by Whoopsi Daisy, again I coloured with Copics and added a little Stardust Stickles to her wings for a glittery effect..

I used flowers from Wild Orchid

and a sentiment from Lili of the Valley, tinted with a little Distress Ink and some more Stardust Stickles.

Your next stop on our Blog Hop is the wonderfully talented Lols.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

Sentimental Sunday - Anything goes

Whoopsi daisy - Hot hot hot (summery scene ?)

Make it Colourful - Category 5 entry

Scrappy Frogs - Summer flowers

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes

Flutterby Wednesday - Open challenge

Crafts and me - Favourite image

Stampavie and more - More than 3 layers

Thanks for looking !!

Hugs Sue xx

Two cards, and an explanation...

2011-06-25T08:40:00.004+01:00

Good morning lovely crafters, I hope you have a lovely weekend planned.

Before I show you my cards for todays challenges, I think I need to explain something, My posts lately have been quite quick ones and they might become quite infrequent over the next few weeks.

My brother was diagnosed with lung cancer and a brain tumour a few weeks ago. He has spent the last couple of weeks in hospital, and yesterday I brought him home. As he lives alone I will be spending alot of my time helping to care for him over the next few weeks. I do hope that you will understand and forgive me for not keeping my blog upto date, but I fear that I may not have much time for crafting and family must come first.

Now on to the first of this weekends challenges....

Totally Gorjuss Challenge #86 Ribbon and Lace

our sponsor for this challenge is Fantastic Ribbons

My card was made for one of the dinner ladies at my daughters school, who was giving up her job to have a baby. I had to make quite a large card to enable all the other dinner ladies and staff to sign it.

As you can see I used papers and images from a forever friends CD. I printed out a few various designs and sizes and decoupaged them to look like a group of bears.

I used a strip of of ribbon and lace across the card and finished off with some tiny buttons and button brads.

I do hope you will join in and dont forget to pop over and get some more inspiration from our very talented team.

Second challenge card today is for

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday its a sketch challenge

Our sponsor this week is Robyns Fetish

They very kindly gave the dt images to use, I chose this cute image Five little froggies.

I used papers from a papermania pad

and printed the sentiment off the computer. I finished off with a strip of braid from stash.

Thanks for looking.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Hugs Sue x

SSDS DT card - Photo Inspiration

2011-06-19T08:55:00.001+01:00

Good morning, I am so sorry I am late posting this card, should have done it yesterday, but life got in the way.

At Stamp, Scrap and Doodles Saturday we have a photo inspiration challenge for you.

For my card I used some Kanban toppers and card and a ribbon bow. Nice, quick and simple!

I am entering it into these challenges

Delightful challenges - Anything goes

Totally Papercrafts - Die cuts and Punches

I look forward to seeing your fabulous creations this week.

Totally gorjuss - Challenge #85

2011-06-18T08:36:00.054+01:00

Good morning all you lovely crafters, its time for another challenge over at Totally Gorjuss.

This week Challenge #85 - Pearls and Swirls

and we have Simon Says Stamp as our sponsors.
Heres my card

I used swirly papers from Papermania matted with deep red card.

This image is one I chose as a winner from Delicious Doodles, its called Mushroom Fairy and isnt she just gorjuss.

I coloured her with Copics, naturally and I must say she really is a pleasure to colour.

I added lots of pearls in red and white and more swirls in the form of a die cut and on the ribbon.

I do hope that you will join in with our challenge this week.

Challenges I'm entering
Lexi's creation - No Sentiment
Scrappy Frogs - Simply red - (use red)
Delightful challenges - Anything goes
Cute card Thursday - Birthstone -Ruby and Pearl
Totally Papercrafts - Die cuts and Punches
Delicious Doodles - Things that Flutter (2 entries - used one of their images)
Crafts and Me - Bling it on

Truly Scrumptious challenge card

2011-06-15T09:31:00.004+01:00

You will find this weeks ABC challenge in the post below.

Hi all its time for another challenge at Truly Scrumptious, this week we have a very pretty sketch

and our sponsor is Crafty Individuals.

Here's my card

I used papers from a K and Co pad matted on green card. With ribbon from stash and Card Candy to finish.

I hope you will join in with our challenge this week

Challenges I'm entering

Papertake Weekly - Dads and lads

Delightful - Anything goes

Creative Inspirations - Blue and green plus 1 - orange

ABC challenge W is for ...

2011-06-15T08:00:00.004+01:00

Wedding

Our sponsors this week over at the ABC challenge are Sugar Nellie / Funkykits

I kept my card simple this week, layering up a pearlescent swirly paper with a gold pearlescent card.

The wedding dress image was stamped onto acetate using white Staz on, with gold leaf applied to the back of the image. It looks really effective in real life, unfortunately it doesnt show up in the photo. I finished the card with a rosebud, pearl gem and gold chiffon ribbon.

I'm looking forward to seeing your beautiful creations.

Challenges I'm entering

Pollycraft - ribbon and flowers

Stamp with fun - pearls and flowers

Delightful challenges - Anything goes

Bye for now.

Please pop back later for the Truly Scrumptious challenge.

Kenny K guest dt challenge card

2011-06-12T09:00:00.004+01:00

Morning all, I am very happy to share my card with you today.

I was asked a while ago to be a guest dt for Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge.

This weeks challenge # Use your favourite colours

My papers are from a set by Docrafts and I just love the colours, black with a vibrant pink, its so lush!

I used this gorgeous image - Penny Pitstop. I coloured her with Copics, naturally!

I might have gone a little overboard with my embellies, but why not? I do love flowers and a bit o'bling!

Hope you'll join in with the challenge, as always there's some fab prizes on offer.

Fathers day at Stamp, Scrap and Doodles Saturdays

2011-06-11T17:33:00.049+01:00

Afternoon everyone, hope you are having a lovely Saturday.

The challenge this week at Stamp, Scrap and Doodles Saturdays is

Fathers Day

and our sponsors are

As you can see I used papers from a Forever Friends paper pad

along with a Forever Friends stamped image. I'm not sure what I used to colour the image as I did it a while ago.

My sentiments are from a great set of digi sentiments by our current sponsors Squigglefly. You can find them here

Hope you'll all join in with this weeks challenge, and I'll look forward to seeing all your wonderful cards and creations for Fathers Day.

Challenges I'm entering

Paperplay - Fathers Day/ Mens card

CRAFT - Fathers Day

Delicious Doodles - Fathers Day

Stamp Something - Something Punched

Delightful challenge - Fathers Day

Crafts and Me - Stamp Something

Fab n Funky - Magnificent men

Creative Inspiration - Card for Dad

Totally gorjuss - Challenge #84

2011-06-11T08:34:00.038+01:00

Good morning crafters, todays challenge over at Totally Gorjuss is

Flower Power

We are sponsored this week by Crafters Companion.

Heres my card

I used stamps and papers by Flower soft. Roses from Wild Orchid and a chiffon ribbon bow from stash.

I used Copics for skin and flowers and paper pieced the dress using one of the background papers.

Now its your turn, lets see lots of flowers.

Challenges I'm entering

Totally Papercrafts - Summer

Crafts and Me - Stamp Something

I'll be back later with my card for the SSDS challenge

Christening card for SSDS

2011-06-04T17:30:00.054+01:00

Good afternoon, I'm back with this weeks challenge at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday

- Use whats on your desk right now.

I had this paper from CUP and topper from Lili of the Valley out as I'd been asked to make a christening card for a one and a half year old boy, who is getting christened this weekend. All my rubber stamps associated with christenings have little babies on them, so I thought this image of a toddler would suit better

I circled the image with card candy and added a couple of bows,

one with a Special Day tag

and the other with a silver cross charm.

Hope you will join in with this weeks challenge and use whatever you have out on your desk right now.

Challenges I am entering

Top tip Tuesday - Wrap it up with ribbon

Hanna and friends - Blue and white

Cute card Thursday - Embellish it

Lili of the valley - Punch it up

The Stampman - Boys/ men

totally gorjuss #83 sketch

2011-06-04T08:29:00.035+01:00

Good morning, happy Saturday to all.

Over at Totally Gorjuss this week we have sketch challenge and we are sponsored by Joanna Sheen.

For my card this week I chose an Anya image from The Greeting Farm.

I coloured her with Copics, as always.

I finished my card with a silk ribbon flower, organza bow and some pink heart shaped pearls.

Challenges I'd like to enter

Fun at fairy knoll - Birthday

Dutch Dare - photo inspiration

Cute card Thursday - Embellish it

I'll be back later with a card for the SSDS challenge.

Bye for now.

Welcome to my new addition

2011-06-03T21:07:00.000+01:00

Say hello to my new little ball of fluff. We have named her Kira, she is a 7 week old German Shepherd. We picked her up yesterday and she is settling in nicely. Isnt she just adorable?

Investigating her new garden

Snuggling up with her teddy.

Ok mum, I'm ready for my close up!

As you can guess I've got a couple of sleepless nights in store, probably not much crafting time either.

I dont mind in the slightest, I've been talking my hubby round to the idea of getting a puppy for the past 12 months, and I finally got just what I wanted.

Truly Scrumptious DT card

2011-06-01T15:47:00.050+01:00

You can find my latest ABC dt challenge card in the previous post below.

Hi all I'm back with this weeks challenge at Truly Scrumptious.

Firstly can I just say Wow and Thank you to every one who joined in with our last challenge. I'm sure that we must have had a record number of entries, there were hundreds. I did try to get round to see as many of your creations as I could, and I apologise if I didnt make it to see yours.

Now for this weeks challenge # 58 - Summer Sparkle

What does that say to you? Anything summery with added Sparkle and bling.
Our sponsors this week are Digis with Attitude.

For my card I used an image from our sponsors - Fortune teller.

I coloured with Copics and added lots of stardust Stickles ( although it doesn't show up on my photo.)

You can see the glitter a little better in this close up.

The papers are lovely and summery colours from a K and Co pad layered with lilac pearlescent card.

I added a swirl, some vellum butterflies with gem bodies and some various size flowers, again with stickles stardust glitter on.

Hope you like it!

I look forward to seeing all your lovely summer sparkle creations.

I'm am entering these challenges

Crafts and Me - Punch it out

Fab n Funky - What'eva

Papertake weekly - sketch

A Spoon ful of sugar - Flower power

ABC challenge V is for ...

2011-06-01T08:20:00.004+01:00

Good morning all, well Wednesday has come round very quickly again, hasn't it?

This week Team B's challenge over at ABC is

V for Variety

We want to see a variety of embellishments on your projects, - at least three different ones.

We are being sponsored by the Stamp Fairy this week, so theres a great prize up for grabs.

I needed to make a card for my great nieces 1st birthday and so I decided to use it as my ABC design team challenge card too. Papers are from a Papermania pad.

I use this sweet image Linda Fairy #3 from our sponsors, the Stamp Fairy and coloured with Copics.

For my variety of embellishments I used pink seam binding ribbon from the Ribbon Girl, a star charm from the Hobby House

and different size roses from Wild Orchid Crafts.

I hope you will join in with us this week and show us an assortment of embellishments.

Challenges I'm entering

Pollycraft - Be my teddy bear

Flutterby Wednesday - Open challenge

Creative Inspiration - Cute bears

Fab n Funky - What'eva

Crafts and Me - Punch it out

I'll be back later with the Truly Scrumptious challenge.

Bye for now!

Sue x

Handmade Monday #18

2011-05-30T08:59:00.004+01:00

Good morning everyone, well what a busy week I've had. I've had a table at two different craft fairs this weekend, one on Saturday on my own and two tables at a different venue on Sunday shared with a friend.

I spent most of last week making stock and designing a couple of new things.

This daisy clock is a new design, alot bigger than any I've made before. The hands are actually a gold colour although they look quite dark in the photo.

This is a small horseshoe decorated with little rosebuds. I left the centre blank, so that I can personalise with wording or names.

This tall slim terracotta pot has the design all around it.

I finally got around to attaching the hooks to my key hanger, 3 on this daisy one and

2 on the poppy one.

Time to head over to 1st Unique Gifts and catch up with everyone and see what they've been making this week.

Challenges I'd like to enter

Cupcake - Zesty colours, yellow orange green white- daisy clock and daisy plaque

A sketch challenge at SSDS

2011-05-28T18:39:00.009+01:00

If you are looking for this weeks Totally Gorjuss challenge card you can find it in the post below this one.

This week at Stamp, Scrap and Doodles Saturday we have a sketch challenge, and guess what its one of mine, nice and easy.

I used some papers and decoupage topper that I got free in a magazine, I'm so sorry to whoever designed it, but I couldn't find a name on it anywhere, if you recognise it please let me know so that I can credit them.

I do hope you will join in this week, I do love to see all your creations.

Challenges I am entering

Creative Card Crew - Anything goes

My time to craft - Use a die cut

Fab n funky - Cute and cuddly

Lets go fly a kite...

2011-05-28T08:30:00.014+01:00

Good morning all, I have scheduled this post as I'm at a craft fair today, so fingers crossed its Saturday morning and time for a new challenge at Totally Gorjuss.

This weeks challenge #82 is Strings the Thing

and we are sponsored by Horseshoe Crafts

Now this got me thinking and then the lyrics from "Lets go fly a Kite", a song from Mary Poppins jumped into my head "with tuppence for paper and string" and my card idea was born.

I followed the sketch over at Die cut Dreams, but I flipped it.

The stamps are from Flower Soft and the papers are from Hopscotch pad by K and Co.

I coloured the images with Copics.

I tied my string to the smaller kite and wrapped the other end around a small piece of card to look like the kites string spool.

Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Challenges I'm entering

Top tip Tuesday - Use 2 stamps

My time to craft - Use a die cut

Creative Card Crew - Anything goes

Charisma cards - Boy oh Boy

I'll be back later with a card for the SSDS challenge

Hugs Sue x

Handmade Monday #17

2011-05-22T16:31:00.006+01:00

Good Afternoon everyone, I hope you are all enjoying your weekend. I thought I would make an early start on Handmade Monday. If your not sure what that means, let me explain.

You write a post telling and showing photos of what you've been making, or what you've been doing over the past week. Then you leave a link to your post over on Wendy's blog - 1st Unique Gifts. From there you can catch up with what everyone else has been up to.

The first thing I'd like to share with you is this poppy and daisy painting I made with my craft fair business name on. I thought it would make a nice centre piece to my table, and I've put it as my crafting facebook page photo.

Its actually painted on a large box canvas, that I got from Wilkinsons. It started life as a childrens art canvas with a thick black line drawing of a farm yard scene. I painted over with a dark blue colour so that the image wouldnt show up, then did the crackle background over that.

This is a hexagonal box that I painted with a crackle background and then a sunflower design, then edged the lid with brass sparkle embossing powder. I painted a similar design on a round box and it sold straight away, so fingers crossed for this one next week.

A large candle with the sunflower design.

This is a house number plaque, just awaiting numbers.

I've placed some unpainted numbers on just to give an idea what it will look like, obviously the numbers will be painted and finished to co ordinate.

I would like to enter these into the Dutch Dare challenge - Altered Projects

Digi design house - Anything but a card

Polka Doodles - Anything but a card

Well thats all from me for now, I'll catch up with everyone later.

Sue xx

Air, land and sea

2011-05-21T18:27:00.003+01:00

This weeks challenge at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday is

Military Theme

I had to use some Kanban toppers as I dont have any images to fit the theme.

I made an easel card with them.

A ship image on the base part

and a plane on the front.

I apologize for the photos but I find taking pics of easel cards difficult.

Challenges I'm entering

Crafts and Me - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Anything goes

Gone fishing....

2011-05-21T09:36:00.002+01:00

Good morning everyone.

Its Saturday so time for another challenge at Totally Gorjuss, this week its Challenge 81-

Water Water

and our sponsors are Simon Says Stamp

I chose to use Popcorn Bear fishing. I coloured using Distress inks .

Papers are from a Forever Friends pad.

I stamped the sentiment and hand cut it into a fish shape, edging with a little orange ink and I added a couple of small stamped fish at the bottom.

I hope I've inspired you a little and I look forward to seeing some watery images and paper on your cards.

I am entering these challenges

Stamp Something - Beachy colours

Crafty Catz - Anything goes

Crafts and Me - Anything goes

Bye for now, I'll be back later with the SSDS challenge.

Top tip tuesday- nappy cake

2011-05-19T13:36:00.002+01:00

Afternoon everyone, I just stop by quickly this afternoon to show you this nappy cake. A grandma ( to be), ordered it, to give to her daughter at a baby shower she was organising. I completed it yesterday and she picked it up straightaway. Hence the terrible photo, I took it as a last minute thought just before she came to collect it and as you can see its very dark in my hall and stairs. The remit was something neutral and very plain, as her daughter didnt like anything fussy, so I used pamper nappies that I found with very little design on and rolled it so only the white part of the nappy showed. Hidden inside are baby wipes, nappy sacks, and a tall bottle of baby powder was used instead of the centre tube to hold it all stacked together.

I hope the daughter likes it!

I am entering this in to Top Tip Tuesday challenge - One for the kids and nappy cake tutorial.

Truly Scrumptious is back...

2011-05-18T12:30:00.002+01:00

If you are looking for the ABC challenge please look here or at the post below

I know we only missed a couple of weeks, but we are so excited to be back.
Before we get into the challenge I'd like to tell you that we are looking for some more talent to join our team, so if your interested pop over to the Truly Scrumptious challenge blog and check out the details of our DT call.
This weeks Truly Scrumptious challenge is a nice easy one

- Anything Goes
and we are being sponsored by Pink Gem Designs

For my card I followed a sketch from the Sketchy Colours challenge.

Papers were freebies from a magazine. I use lots of die cuts so that I could also enter it into Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge.

I used Kenny K's Rock chic image and coloured her with Copics of course. I had a quick go at colouring her guitar with the dots technique, not very well I hasten to add, also some dots around the image. This was so I could enter into Make it Colourful -dotty background challenge.

I matted and layered on two colours of card and finished with flowers from Wild Orchid and a bit of bling in the corners.

I hope you'll all join in with this weeks super easy challenge and dont forget to check out the DT call.

Hugs Sue x

ABC challenge U is for ...

2011-05-18T09:00:00.002+01:00

..Unusual Folds

and our sponsor is Whiff of Joy.

Heres my card for this weeks ABC challenge

My unusual fold is a twisted easel. I used pattern papers from stash layered on blue card.

I love this Whiff of Joy image Willow Dancing and I coloured her with Copics and added some Distress inks around the edge.

I found it hard to photograph this card, so heres a couple of shots at different angles. First the base of the card,

and this one from the side.

Hope you like it and I want to see lots of unusual folds when I visit your blogs, as I've got the honour of choosing our Top 5 this week.

Challenges I'm entering

Ooh La La creations - Fancy folds

Pennys Paper crafty Challenge - Anything goes

Crafts and me - Anything goes

Always something creative - blumen/ flowers

Creative card crew - Cute and girly

See you later with my card for the Truly Scrumptious challenge.

Hugs Sue x

Handmade Monday #16

2011-05-16T14:49:00.000+01:00

Oh my word how late am I? Completely forgot about Handmade Monday, sorry!

Well I've been really busy this last week trying to get lots of DT card made in advance, so that I can get down to some more painting. Of course I cant show these today, they will just get posted as and when.

What I can show are a couple of new painted gift designs,

Firstly a plain pine frame, painted with a daisy pattern

More coasters this time a sunflower design

This I made for my friends grandaughters bedroom and they were so thrilled I decided to paint some more.

I left these plain ready to personalise.

I have made a couple of other things as well but not quite finished them, so I'll save them till next week.

Now dont forget to pop over to Wendy's blog 1st Unique Gifts and check out what everyone else has been upto this week.

Challenges I am entering

Flutterby Wednesday - Anything but a card - My fairy doorhangers

Paper play - Anything goes

2nd post today - SSDS card

2011-05-14T18:18:00.002+01:00

Told you I'd be back, (sound like Arnie)

Todays challenge at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday is

Use Old Stash

I've used one of the first Sugar Nellie stamps that I first bought and had totally forgotten about.

I actually stamped and coloured it ages ago, so I've no idea what I used and you can see there is no shading to speak of. I kept it quite simple, using a couple of old papers from stash and a pre printed sentiment, couple of flowers and some dotty ribbon.

Hope you'll join in with us this week and use up some of your old stash.

Challenges I am entering

Simon says Stamp - Look what the stork brought

Totally Gorjuss - Not Square challenge

2011-05-14T08:35:00.017+01:00

Good morning everyone, thank goodness we made it through Friday 13th without too much hassle, apart from Blogger going awol. At last its back on fingers crossed it doesn't go again, I had to go round and re-post all my DT posts, hope these stay put this time. I'm going to make this quick just in case.

Over at Totally Gorjuss our new challenge is -
Not Square
and our sponsor is Crafters Companion.

I used a Go Kreate xtra large die to cut down a square card. I wasn't sure how to cut it to keep it joined along the folded edge, so I know it looks a bit strange with a straight side.

I used an image from Make it Crafty - Sapphire with love, coloured her with Copics

I added a die cut swirl and punched flowers, with some dimensional flowers to finish.

Now if blogger will allow it, please check out the rest of the design teams amazing creations and lets see some of your Not Square cards.

Challenges I am entering

Top tip Tuesday - Flower frenzy

Delightful challenge - Flower power

Papertake Weekly - Fancy a punch

Crafts and me - Punches

Dutch Dare - Winged things

I'll be back later with another dt card for SSDS.

See you later

Hugs Sue x

Handmade Monday #15

2011-05-09T11:47:00.000+01:00

Happy Monday to one and all, sorry I'm a bit late with this weeks Handmade Monday, I didnt think I had anything to show this week, what with my camera locking up and not being able to get it fixed. But I have been very busy, preparing stock for a craft fair on Saturday, it wasn't very busy unfortunately, but I did sell some of my Paint Fusion range items, so covered my table and fuel plus a little extra.

I have just checked the SD card in my broken camera and found a couple of photos that I was taking before it busted.

This is the pot from last week I decided that I couldn't fit a butterfly on it so just added some liquid pearls along the top border to give a bit of dimension.

This is a wooden money box with a similar design edged with a hologram sparkle embossing powder.

I painted this up to put on my house to replace the weather worn number plaque thats already there, but I didnt stick the numbers on straight away, so I took it with me to the craft fair as a sample and it sold to the first person I showed it to. She took the plaque along with the number 2 and I just have to order one different number, paint it up and post it to her. So it looks like I'll have to paint myself another plaque and number 2.

These next 2 items have now got gold hooks screwed into place along the bottom and 3d sticky pads on the back for putting up.

This is another unfinished wooden plaque, my idea is to stamp the word Garden or Secret Garden and hang it on the garden gate. If anyone has better suggestions on what wording could go in the middle or what other purpose it could be used for please let me know, any suggestions welcome.

The next 2 pics were taken with my daughters cheapo digi camera, hence the rotten photo quality.

This was my first attempt using the new Sunflower stamps from the Paint Fusion range, its just a thin plaque, not really going to be used for anything.

This one is my second go with the Sunflowers and its the top of a circular box, the base part was just painted with a crackle background and distressed a bit. This is another thing that sold straightaway at the fair.

Well thats it I did paint more things, but was unable to take decent photos. Still the good news is I have ordered a new camera out of my catalogue, so that I can pay for it monthly, and I'm hoping it will arrive some time this week and that the picture quality is good, it should be as it was alot more expensive than my other one.

Thanks for looking and dont forget to pop over to 1st Unique Gifts and use the links there to have a nosey at what some other crafters have been up to.

Challenges I am entering

The Stampman - Poppy challenge - door number plaque

Allsorts - Stamp alot - everything is stamped with individual stamps, ie, a flower, a leaf, a stem, a butterfly.

Charisma Cardz- No cards allowed

Flutter By Wednesday - Open - Butterfly on money box

Crafts and me - Swirls - Poppy key hanger has gold embossed swirls

Fab n Funky - Put those papers away - I have painted crackle backgrounds

For Fun - Is it Spring yet

A kiss and a wish

2011-05-03T15:22:00.000+01:00

Firstly I have reached 100 followers, all I can say is a Great Big Thankyou to each and every one of you. I am totally amazed that you think my blog worthy of following, and I'd like to send hugs and kisses to all and thankyou for every visit and wonderful comment you leave me, they really do make my day. :0) xxxxooooxxxx

Now on to my wish, .... My camera has just broken and I cant take pictures, so I cant post any cards or creations. This means I wont be able to join in any challenges until I either get it fixed or find some cash to buy a new one. So my wish is that it suddenly starts working again or that I sell loads at next Saturdays craft fair and can buy a new one.

I apologise to everyone and all my wonderful followers in advance, that I wont be adding any posts for a while, well nothing with photos.

Hopefully not for too long.

Hugs Sue x

Handmade Monday #14

2011-05-01T17:38:00.002+01:00

Afternoon all, hope you're all enjoying your long weekend. I've just come in from a very long bike ride with the kids, eaten a delicious chicken dinner and before I jump in the bath, to soak my aching muscles, I thought I'd make an early start on Handmade Monday.

The children had a couple of days in school last week, so I managed to get some painting done. Hope you've got a cuppa, its quite a long post with a good few photos to show.

I got this watering can a few weeks ago, but only just got round to painting it. As you can see, I painted my favourites, poppies. If you were watching C&C on Saturday morning, you would have seen this pic on Sheena's Paint Fusion show. I'm thrilled it was shown and now when I have it on display at my next craft fair, I can truthfully say 'as seen on tv'. How good is that :0) lol

A poppy mirror

Another poppy mirror with a slightly different design, you never get them the same even if you try.

I painted this mirror with daisies for a change.

I found a blue candle and thought the daisies would look nice, I think it worked OK. In the pic you can see how I wrapped it and finished it with a ribbon, ready to sell.

Butterfly and wild rose notebook.

I actually found some ready made, hard backed notebooks, so I took the covers off, painted, crackled and distressed them, before painting the details, then I edged the covers and the butterflies with hologram and stardust glitter embossing powders, which unfortunately doesn't show on the photos, then I re attached the covers.

Here's a similar design on a candle

and on a terracotta plant pot. This hasn't got a butterfly on, not sure if one will fit, the flowers go all the way round, think I will add some dimensional paint or liquid pearls to the pattern around the top. Its not quite finished yet.

These are just a couple of my practice fairies, not too sure about them, I always have difficulty painting faces, need to find a rubber stamp to use I think.

Thanks for taking the time to look, please feel free to leave a comment, its great to get feedback, or even constructive criticism.

I would love it if you join my Facebook group- Crafting with Love, (sorry about the shameless begging)

If you would like to see what lots of other crafters have been up to, then don't forget to pop over to Wendy's blog 1st Unique Gifts and follow the links.

I am going to enter some of these into these challenges

Make it Colourful - Black with a dash of red - My poppy paintings? ( not sure if these fit the challenge properly)

Stamp something - Things with wings - butterflies and fairies

Paperplay - Altered item / use an object- Notebook, mirrors, candle

Delightful challenges - Distressing - Notebook

Crafts and Me - Distressed/ vintage - Notebook

Creative Inspirations - Spring colours - Pink, yellow and green - Daisies and wild roses

Sundays with Chrissy - Flowers

Well that's the lot for now, thank goodness I hear you sigh, I did warn you it was a long one.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and bank holiday.

Hugs Sue x

SSDS DT card - Mothers Day

2011-04-30T13:28:00.001+01:00

This weeks challenge over at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday is

Mothers Day

I wanted to make something a bit different for me and I found this shoe template that I've had for years and never used and thought it was perfect for this weeks theme.

I used some papers and card candy from Craftwork Cards and some really delish pink pearlescent card.

You can see the dimension of the shoe in this pic.

Lets see what you come up with.

Challenges I am entering

Simon Says Stamp - Anything goes

Totally gorjuss - 123

2011-04-30T08:30:00.012+01:00

Good morning, did you all enjoy watching and celebrating the Royal Wedding yesterday?

I had a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Now on to todays challenges.
At Totally Gorjuss this week our challenge is
123
we want to see 1 of something, 2 of another and 3 of something else. Hope that makes sense?
Our sponsors are Fantastic Ribbons

For my card I used

1 ribbon bow

2 stamps - Sugar Nellie image and sentiment

3 diecut swirls

I actually went a bit further and added

4 pattern paper strips

5 rosebuds

I colored my image with Copics

Close up of rosebuds and ribbon bow.

Hope you will join in and play along with our 123 challenge.

I will be back this afternoon with my card for the SSDS challenge. See you later!

Challenges I am entering

Cute card Thursday - Use an old sketch- I followed a sketch from the Sugarbowl challenge #57- 7th April

Wags n Whiskers - Use die or punch - die cut swirls

Two design team cards - ABC and Truly Scrumptious

2011-04-27T08:10:00.026+01:00

Good morning every one, its a new challenge over at ABC.

Its Team A's turn, but I've done a swap this week, so I'm joining in with team A's - T is for Trouble challenge.

Our sponsors are Kenny K this week and I've used their very sassy Mae Western

I coloured her with copics and kept the card background quite plain with just one patterned paper from stash.

I used a large swirl flourish cut from black gloss card and black chiffon ribbon, then finished with some pink and black gems.

Hope you like it!

My second Dt card is for Truly Scrumptious challenge and its a sketch

I used papers from a K and Co pad layered with a lovely pearlescent lilac card.

This super cute image is from LOTV and I coloured her with Copics.

I finished with some die cut swirls and flowers and it obviously has to have some gems on.

Unfortunately this is going to be the last challenge at Truly Scrumptious and you have just one week to play.

I'm looking forward to seeing your take on this weeks sketch.

Challenges I am entering

Delicious Doodles - Anything goes - both cards

CRAFT - Flowers - 2nd card

Creative card crew - Childs play - 2nd card

Top tip Tuesday - Square - both cards

Handmade Monday #13

2011-04-24T23:55:00.000+01:00

I dont have many pics to show this week as I've been mainly working on getting lots of design team cards made for the up and coming challenges over the next couple of weeks, to leave my bank holiday weekends free to spend time with family. I have also been tidying up the garden whilst we have had such lovely weather and getting the lawn ready to put the childrens pool up on. We bought them quite a large one at the end of summer last year, and it takes ages to put up and fill. So we decided to put it up early this year before the hose pipe ban starts.

You can see here a few of the cards from earlier posts, but you'll have to wait to see the rest.

Unfortunately the two day craft fair that we had booked for next weekend has been cancelled, the next one is the following Saturday. On the bright side its given me an extra week to get more stock made, and another long weekend to spend time enjoying the nice weather and family time.

Thanks again to Wendy - 1st Unique Gifts for hosting another Handmade Monday.

I'm going to pop along and catch up with everyone later.

TTFN

Guest Dt card for Quirky Crafts

2011-04-24T18:00:00.044+01:00

Good evening everyone and Happy Easter to all.

I hope the Easter bunny was kind and brought plenty chocolate eggs. My two kiddies enjoyed an egg hunt and found loads of eggs and even a couple of knitted bunnies and chicks that had been placed all around the house.

Now to tell you about my card...

I won a challenge over at Quirky Crafts and they asked me to be a guest designer for this weeks challenge, can you guess the theme of the challenge?

Yes your right! its The Royal Wedding

As you can see, I used a line drawing of a famous photo of the loving couple and I coloured it with Copics, ( I must apologise to Kate for messing up the colouring on one side of her face).

I layered paper, card and flowers, and used card candy all from Craftwork Cards and some ribbon from stash.

I printed off some union jack bunting in a small size to finish off.

Something completely different, hope you like it.

I am entering it into these challenges

Ribbon Girl - Red White and Blue

Crafty Cardmakers - Royal Wedding

Spoonful of Sugar - Lets Celebrate

Papertake Weekly - Spots and Stripes

Stampin for the weekend - Wedding

Totally Papercrafts - Wedding

Fab n Funky - Here comes the bride

SSDS DT card - Tag it

2011-04-23T13:15:00.006+01:00

This is my second post today and I would like to show my DT card that I made for the Stamp,Scrap and Doodles Saturday challenge.

This week its Tag it!

I used papers that I got free in a magazine and used them to make a small pocket on the front.

The image on my tag is Henry with Cupcake from Whiff of Joy.

When I found these cupcake buttons in my stash I thought that they would be perfect for this card.

I am entering this card into

Stamp with Fun - Birthday

Stampavie - Birthday

Creative Inspiration - Pets /Animals

Crafty Catz - Childrens cards

Rainbow Lady - Sweet treats

Colour create - Pink, blue and brown

My first challenge as a guest Gorjussette - Bling it!

2011-04-23T08:14:00.008+01:00

Today's challenge at Totallly Gorjuss is Bling it, this has to be my favourite sort of challenge, I Lurve Bling.

Our sponsors this week are Whoopsi Daisy.

For my card I followed a sketch over at Sketchy Colours. The papers are some from stash, that I've had for ages so I dont know their makers, sorry. They are very elegant though and have a lovely pearlescent shimmer. I matted on to pink card and distressed all the edges with Brilliance pink ink.

I used one of the beautiful digi images from Whoopsi Daisy and coloured her with Copics, then added a little Stardust Stickles on and around the image.

I used a shimmery ribbon strip and made a double bow and added a large crystal jewel to the centre.

A couple of swirls and loads of gems finishes the card nicely I think.

Now its over to you, lets see lots of bling.

I am also entering my card into these challenges

Sketchy Colours - Mariannes sketch

Spoonful of Sugar - Lets Celebrate

Toptip Tuesday - Open challenge

Hanna and Friends - Pink and Brown

Stamp with Fun - Birthday

Stampavie - Birthday

Crafts and me - Pink and sweet

ABC challenge S is for ...

2011-04-20T08:21:00.006+01:00

Sparkle

Thats right its Wednesday and that means a new challenge at ABC and our sponsors for this challenge are

One Stop Card Crafts.

Its a nice easy one so lets see some sparkley creations.

I chose to do something a bit different for me, I stamped and embossed a large butterfly twice and coloured both in using Twinkling H2O's and also used a black Sakura glitter pen around the coloured parts. I stamped around the edge of one with a swirl stamp and embossed with hologram embossing powder, then matted it onto red glitter card.

I cut out the second one and layered it using glue gel to give a dimensional effect and added gold wire antenna.

You can see the dimension better in this photo.

I finished off the card with some gold glitzy ribbon and flowers from stash.

Although the photo doesn't show it well, the whole effect is very sparkly, some may say over the top, but not me, the sparklier the better.

Please come over to the ABC challenge and dazzle me with all your sparkly creations.

I would like to enter it into these challenges

Crafty Purple Frog - Touchy feely -Textural

Simon says stamp - Emboss it

Top tip Tuesday - Open challenge

Flutterby Wednesday - Open challenge

Handmade Monday #12

2011-04-18T00:31:00.002+01:00

Happy Monday everyone! Well the children are back in school today, only for 4 days, then off again for the Easter break.

Its Handmade Monday again, where do the weeks go?

I managed to get some design team cards ready, although I did forget to upload a photo on Friday for the SSDS challenge. I had made the card a few days before and I scheduled it to post on my blog on Saturday as usual, but thought I'd already put it on the DT blog, whoops, sorry teamies.

I was up till 3am on Sunday morning trying to catch up with all the lovely cards and creations that everyone has been making and I'm going to pop over to Wendy's blog - 1st Unique Gifts today and see whos been creating what and joining in with Handmade Monday this week.

I've managed to get some craft fair items painted over the weekend

Heres some pics of what I've made

Daisy coasters

This is a tissue box painted with roses and rosebuds and I embossed the edges of the lid with gold .

You can see the lid a little better in this photo.

This is my first attempt clock from scratch, I did have a go at painting a cheap plastic one, but this one is a wooden circle blank, that I drilled a hole in the centre probably the hardest part was trying to find the centre. I painted the crackle background, the poppies and used gold peel off's for numbers. Then I fitted the clock workings from the back and added the hands and battery at the end. Amazingly it worked, I am quite chuffed with myself.

More of the ever so popular poppy candles

This is a wooden box picture, it has a hanger at back or it can be stood up. It too is all edged with gold and has some gold embossed swirls. I love the effect the gold gives, it seems to lift the picture and gives another textural dimension. Ooh get me! sounds like I know what I'm talking about.

More of the poppy coasters, edged with gold embossing.

I actually had a mishap with 4 of these after taking this photo, after applying one coat of normal paint on varnish, I decided to use a spray on sealer for quickness. I left it all day to dry, it never really set, but worse it brought up the Staz on ink I use when working out positioning of flowers, etc. It looked terrible with all these lines showing through my lovely poppies. Nothing for it, I had to sand them all down to remove the spray sealer and repaint and re varnish them. Needless to say I used ordinary paint-on varnish.

Lesson to be learnt there I think!

I would like to enter a couple of these into some challenges

Wags and Whiskers - colour combo ( rose tissue box)

The Stampman - Embossing ( rose tissue box and poppy box picture and poppy coasters)

One Stop Craft Challenge - Altered items ( tissue box, candles and coasters)

SSDS DT card - A Recipe

2011-04-16T11:36:00.004+01:00

Happy Saturday everyone! That means its another new challenge at Stamp Scrap and Doodles Saturday. This week we have

a recipe challenge

you need to include 3 patterned papers, 3 flowers, 3 sparklies and 1 ribbon.

I chose to use this image from LOTV and a recipe stamp also from LOTV. I coloured with Copics and added stardust stickles to highlight the sugar.

Papers are from a Papermania pad, flowers from Wild Orchid and sparkly gems and ribbon from stash.

Hope this gives you some inspiration, I look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you create.

I would like to enter this into these challenges

LOTV - Happy Birthday

Crafty Catz - Furry Friends

Papertake Weekly - Truly Dimensional

Easter Bunny

2011-04-14T08:30:00.003+01:00

Good morning all, I actually managed to make a challenge card last night. Yippee!

I was inspired by the sketch at Sweet Stampin. I turned it on its side and used ovals instead of circles.

My papers were from a papermania pad and I matted onto pink and yellow card to brighten it all up and also used a Martha Stewart border punch along the bottom strip.

The challenge at House Mouse is Easter, so I chose this cutie image of bunny and mouse having a nap, probably after eating too many easter eggs. I coloured it with Promarkers and Copics.

I die cut the egg shapes and stamped a sentiment on one of them, then finished off with some sparkly pink gems.

Other challenges that inspired this card

Stampin for the Weekend - Easter

Quirky Crafts - Easter/ Spring inc punching and sparklies

Scrappy Frogs - Easter

Pollycraft -Easter

Die Cut Dreams - Easter

Creative Inspirations #107- Easter

Hanna and friends - Easter

CRAFT - Easter

Creative Card Crew - Spring

Top Tip Tuesday - Spring has Sprung

For Fun - Spring Colours

Rainbow Lady - Spring time

A Spoonful of Sugar - All creatures great and small

Totally Gorjuss - Fluffy

Truly Scrumptious DT card

2011-04-13T20:47:00.001+01:00

Evening everyone, I'm so sorry I forgot to post my card this morning for the Truly Scrumptious challenge. So here it is

This weeks challenge is

Vintage

and our sponsors are Sketching Stamper

I dont have any stamps that I thought would be ok for this challenge, so I used this topper instead. I know that Valentines Day has been and gone, but it was all I could find.

Papers are Anna Griffin, the lace is from the Ribbon Girls and the flowers are some I bought at Harrogate Papercraft show, sorry I cant remember from whom.

Good night all, see you tomorrow!

Handmade Monday #11

2011-04-11T12:07:00.001+01:00

Its that time of the week again, Handmade Monday, chance to catch up with what some of us crafters have been up to.

This week the children have been off school, so I get very little chance to craft or keep my blog up to date and so what little time I do get I tend to use actually making and crafting, rather than catching up with everyone. I'm going to show you a few things now and then I'll pop round everyones blog tonight.

We celebrated my nieces daughters christening yesterday, I painted her a large box canvas to put in her nursery.

This is it with Alexies name on the banner

A close up of banner

A close up of the princess castle

A photo of mum and daughter, both beautiful.

I have been painting more candles and mirrors will up load more pics later, got to rush off now. Dont forget to pop over to 1st Unique Gifts and check out everyones crafty week.

I am entering the canvas painting into Make it Colourful challenge - Colouring Skies

CAS - Holy communion cards

2011-04-09T10:41:00.009+01:00

Good morning everyone, its a new challenge over at Stamp, Scrap and Doodles Saturday -

C.A.S.

This week was especially hard for me, as you probably can tell by looking at my other cards, I dont really do CAS - Clean and Simple. But I needed 2 cards for a friend of mine's nieces first Holy Communion. As I didnt have any suitable stamps I thought I would keep the cards simple, but I think quite elegant and they definately fit the challenge.

What do you think?

I used a white pearlescent card, it has a lovely delicate gold sheen to it.

Some lush gold ribbon tied in a cross shape with a pearl ribbon slider,( dont know what its really called), a computer printed sentiment and small gold chalice charm.

Here's a close up of one of them.

Now lets see what you come up with.

ABC challenge R is for ...

2011-04-06T08:06:00.007+01:00

Ribbon

Happy Wednesday everyone, yes this weeks ABC challenge is R for Ribbon and our sponsors are Pollycraft. So dig out all that delish ribbon and start creating.

Heres my DT card for your inspiration.

I myself was inspired by the photo at CRAFT challenge to just use white card, embossed in cuttlebug and I distressed all the edges with distress inks.

The image is from LOTV and I used Copics to colour it in sepia tones.

I added 2 strips of ribbon up the centre of the card. Then this really delish satin ribbon bow along with 3 ribbon roses with diamonte centres around this gorgeous flower from Wild Orchid.

I hope you will join in with this weeks ABC - Ribbon challenge, I look forward to seeing your creations

I am entering my card into

Dutch Dare challenge - #106 Distressing

Lexi's Creations - Monochromatic

Spoonful of Sugar - Tons of texture

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes

One Stitch at a Time - 3D Something

Allsorts - Blooms and Blossoms

Handmade Monday...#10

2011-04-04T08:26:00.001+01:00

Good morning all its time for Handmade Monday #10.

So whats been happening this week.?

Well apart from having a lovely lazy day, with flowers, and cards from my two lovely angels and breakfast made for me by my gorgeous hubby, then spending the afternoon chatting and sharing a nice bottle of red with mum, I spent the beginning of last week getting some DT cards made ready for the coming week. A couple have already been posted on blog, but some are for later this week, so I cant put them in this post. I also had a few commission cards to make, once I had completed them I set about preparing for a craft fair yesterday.

I managed to get a few more painted gifts made.

Various coasters

A butterfly and wild rose candle.

A butterfly and wild rose notebook.

I'm very pleased to say that I sold nearly all these and all the poppy and previously painted things on Saturday and had one of my best craft fairs.

I even had to paint a poppy candle first thing yesterday morning to give to my mum as part of her mothers day gifts, as all the others were sold on Saturday.

Over the coming weeks I'll be out buying more candles, mirrors and coasters and start to rebuild my stock ready for the next craft fair, which is in a few weeks so theres plenty of time. Thats good news really as the children are off school for 2 weeks, which usually means I dont get much time to craft.

Thats it from me today, why not pop over to 1st Unique Gifts and see what everyone else has been up to.

Thanks for looking

Lotv - Easter Bunny

2011-04-03T08:51:00.005+01:00

Good morning dear friends, and Happy Mothers Day. I hope you are having a nice relaxing Sunday and that you have been treated well by your families. I've had a lovely morning so far and I'm off to see my mum later. I love going round and having a good old natter, shes like my best friend. Love you mum!

So I'm going to make this a short post.

I'd like to share a card that I made to enter into the LOTV challenge - #90 Spring.

I followed the sketch at Papertake Weekly - #54.

I coloured this sweet image with Copics, used papers from a K and Co pad and a couple of daffodil flowers.

I would also like to enter it in to A Spoonful of Sugar - #145 Easter

and Alys Sunday challenge - Bunnies

Thanks for looking and enjoy the rest of the day.

Sparkle, glitter and bling

2011-04-02T11:00:00.003+01:00

Hello everyone, its Saturday, so that means a new challenge over at Stamp,Scrap and Doodles Saturday.

It was great to see all your creations last week, this week the challenge is

Sparkle, glitter and bling

I love this one, it means I can really go over the top with my sparkle.

I followed the sketch at Stamp with Fun and used some delish papers from K and Co. For some sparkle I matted on to lush pearlescent card.

I coloured this little cutie, Curtsie Princess Tilda with Copics and inked around the edge of the image and the sentiment with Brilliance inks, then glittered around the edge with stickles. I also glittered her tiara, parts of her dress and the layered flowers. To add even more bling I placed lots of gems on the sentiment, on the die cut swirls and one in the centre of the flowers. Like I said I love to add lots of bling, some might say too much, but I say you can never have too much sparkle.

Now its your turn to get sparkly and glittery.

I would like to enter this into

Charisma Cardz challenge -#13 Bling and sparkle

For a wonderful mum

2011-04-01T08:58:00.017+01:00

Good Morning everyone Happy Friday, What happened to the lovely weather. Fingers crossed it comes back for the next couple of weeks while the children are off school.

I would like to share this card with you today, I made it following the sketch over at the Sugarbowl, its the second one using the sketch, unfortunately I made the first without reading the rest of the theme, which was Pink and I had made a boys, blue card. So here's my very pink card instead.

I decided to try a shaped easel card after being inspired by my very talented blogging buddy Donna. Why not pop over and check out her cards and creations.

Before you go I'd like to tell you about this card. I used XL frames - frilly #2 - from Go Kreate to make the base easel card, then various sizes of Nesties - Labels 8 for the mats and layers.

I chose this Adorables image by Sugar Nellie, this is the first time I have used this one and I think I have a new favourite. She is so pretty and easily coloured using Copics.

This is the inside or base of card, I repeated the design from the sketch, using the same papers, ribbon and lace as the front. The papers are from Papermania - Summer Bloom, yes I'm still using them, they're still my faves.

Here's a side view so you can see the easel design better. I used flowers from Wild Orchid and the ribbon and lace are from stash. I had already made a card for my mum for Sunday, but think I'll give her this instead.

I am entering it into these challenges;

The Sugarbowl - Sketch and Pink theme

Paperplay - For Mum

My Time To Craft - #134 Mums the Word

Cupcake - Flowers for mum

Allsorts challenge - For a Special Lady

Craft Your Days Away - For Mum

One Stitch At A Time - Mothers Day

Delicious Doodles - For mum

Stampin for the weekend - For mum/ mothers day

Aquamarine at KKKG

2011-03-31T08:09:00.001+01:00

Here's a card I made to fit the challenge over at KKKG - Aquamarine.

I followed Bevs sketch for the Wild Orchid challenge, but I flipped it over. I used a pretty piece of vellum as the background. Then I used a technique called Polished stone that was shown on Tip Top Tuesday, to make an unusual background layer.

I chose Wasn't Me digi image from Kenny K and coloured her using Copics. After die cutting it I stamped a dotty background stamp around the edge. The sentiment is from the new clear stamps by LOTV.

I used a ribbon and bow that originally started life on one of my daughters dolls, not quite sure how it ended up in my craft stash, but I thought I would use it any way. I added a rose on top of the bow and some gems in two of the corners to finish.

I am entering it into TopTip Tuesday - Polished Stone technique

First DT card for Truly Scrumptious

2011-03-30T08:30:00.013+01:00

Good morning everyone, its time for a new challenge over at Truly Scrumptious and its my first week as part of the design team. Its a sketch challenge this week and we are thrilled to be sponsored by Digital Delights.

Here's my card inspired by the sketch.

I used paper from a Papermania pad. The image and sentiment are both Lili of the Valley.

I coloured her with Copics, die cut the image and distressed around the edge with Brilliance ink, to give a nice glimmer. I also glittered her wings and dandelion clocks, although this doesn't show up in the photos.

I used flowers from the Hobby House, a strip of yellow satin ribbon, and white lace and some gems to finish.

Its a nice easy sketch, so be sure to come and join in the fun.

I am going to enter it into these challenges:

Rainbow Lady - Tie a yellow ribbon

Hanna and friends - #87 Spring

Paperplay - Distressing

One Stop Craft Challenge - #124 Angel and Fairies

LOTV - #89 Punch it

Totally Gorjuss - Spring is Sprung

Fun at Fairy Knoll - Happy

Scrappy Frogs - Flowers and lace

Crafts and Me - Yellow

Handmade Monday...#9

2011-03-28T08:30:00.004+01:00

Its Handmade Monday time again.

Last week was mainly taken up with getting things ready for the craft fair on Saturday. I also had a few commission cards to make, I posted one of them in yesterdays post.

As usual I have been painting, I made more door hangers,

Close up of rose buds

Close up of daisies

Close up of wild rose and butterfly

I made matching coasters

Different butterfly coaster, it has been sprayed afterwards with glitter spray, the photo doesn't do it justice, it looks quite pretty in real life.

Another poppy candle.

I also painted a couple of daisy candles, but forgot to take photos.

A poppy notebook.

I also painted a large hessian bag with the poppy design, it was very difficult and I had to emboss the whole design afterwards as the painting didn't show very well. Think it will be one of a kind as I won't be attempting that again.

If you want to see what everyone else has been up to, then head on over to Wendy's blog 1st Unique Gifts she hosts Handmade Monday and has a list of other crafty blogs to visit.

I would like to enter one or all these gifts into Quirky Crafts Challenge - A gift for mothers day

Sophie's birthday

2011-03-27T08:19:00.001+01:00

Here's a commissioned card I have just made for a friend of mine's daughter. As you can see she will be 9 next month and her name is Sophie. I hope I'm ok posting it, I dont think she will see it on here.
I followed Debbies sketch over at Cute Card Thursday challenge. As I was asked to include her name and age on the card, I decided to make an easel design.
The papers are from Papermania Summer Bloom pad.

I coloured Willow Dancing using Copics. This was the nearest I could get to blonde, as the little girl who this is for has lovely blonde hair and I wanted to make it look like her.

I used swirl die cuts and flowers to finish the front detail.

For the base panel I used the same papers, stamped and embossed her name with Mothers Day Pink powder. I finished it with holographic pink peel off borders and pink pearls.

Here's a view from the side to show the Easel design.

I am going to enter this into these challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - Sketch by Debbie

Dutch Dare - Celebration

Colour Create - Pastels

Fab n Funky - Do it more than once- Folds!

Crafty Catz - Pearls and Swirls

Delicious Doodles - Floral fantasy

Simon says stamp - Mothers day or Girlie

Crafty Cardmakers - #42 -Special Birthday

SSDS challenge - Not a card but Butterfly coasters

2011-03-26T11:00:00.002Z

Good morning all, its Saturday that means a new challenge at Stamp, Scrap and Doodles Saturday.

This week we have a

Photo Inspiration

This photo inspired me to create something a bit different, not a card this week.

I love the colours, the flowers and the butterfly, so whilst I had my paints out I decided to paint a few simple stamped images, and make a couple of gifts

The first is a set of 4 butterfly coasters. I stamped the wild rose flowers and painted them. Then I stamped the pretty butterfly and also painted that. Finally I stamped over the top of the painted butterfly using Versamark and embossed with a glitter embossing powder and also embossed around the edge of the coaster.

I also used the same method to create the door hanger.

You can see the glittery embossing a little better on this close up of the butterfly.

I hope you like these and that the photo gives you lots of inspiration. I cant wait to see what you create.

I am going to enter them into these challenges:

Stamp with fun - Spring

Papertake Weekly - Something for mum or girlie

Simon says stamp - Mothers day or girlie

Creative Inspirations - No square card allowed

Birthday boy

2011-03-25T12:10:00.001Z

Good afternoon everyone, I can hardly believe it Friday already, where has this week gone? I've been getting things ready this week for a Craft Fair tomorrow, but thought I should also make a quick card for a couple of challenges.

I followed Kiki's sketch at the Sugarbowl challenge, which I turned on its side. Unfortunately I had already picked and coloured this image before realising the optional extra was Pink.

I'm not sure where the papers are from as they were a couple of loose sheets in my box, but they are very pretty, possibly K and Co, if not then I'm sorry for giving you duff info.

I coloured him with Copics and have to say, these latest images in the Adorables range from Sugar Nellie, are just so easy to colour, there is no trying to work out where the shadow goes as its all suggested in the image.

I used some lace trim from The Ribbon Girls and a piece of ribbon, buttons and train charm from stash.

Challenges that inspired this card are

Sugarbowl - Kiki's sketch #56 (not pink, hope thats ok)

Stampavie - #134 - For a boy

Cupcake - Monochromatic

Q is for Quilting/sewing - New challenge at ABC

2011-03-23T08:00:00.002Z

Good morning everyone in blog land. Its Wednesday, so that means a new challenge at ABC challenge blog.

It was great to see all your wonderful entries in last weeks Q is for Quotes. So now its Team B's turn with

Q is for Quilting /Sewing

Our sponsor this week is the Stamp Fairy. I hope you will join in and add some stitching, real or faux, to your card.

I used Stamp Fairy's Peapod image on my card and coloured with Copics. I pricked holes around the edge and drew in faux stitches.

The backing paper is from a K and Co pad and I just thought it fitted so well with the theme. The main one covering the whole card already had the stitched quilted effect and on the others I edged them with faux stitching.

I finished the card with a Doo hickey swirl and even added a scrap as I thought it looked like another small peapod. A strip of lace and then 3 buttons along the edge of the image, a stitched effect button at the top and another small button in the centre of some flowers

Hope you like it!

I am going to enter this into

Sundays with Chrissy - Stitching

Top Tip Tuesday - Show me those buttons

Totally Gorjuss - Button it

Totally Papercrafts - Buttons

Handmade Monday #8

2011-03-21T14:26:00.002Z

Good afternoon all, hope everyone had a good weekend.

Its Handmade Monday #8.

Time to tell everyone what I've been up to last week and also pop over to 1st Unique Gifts to find out what other crafters have been making.

Well I've been very busy again this week, making cards for the design teams I'm on and some others for challenges. You can see pictures and details of some that have been posted already, if you look at earlier posts. I have also finally gotten round to putting a couple on ebay.

I've also had the Paints out again. I've been trying to make a range of things that I might sell at craft fairs. I've got loads of ideas, but there's never enough time to make them all.

Here's a few pics

I know this clock isn't very nice, but I just bought a cheap plastic one to have a try at taking apart and painting. I will buy one with a nice frame next or maybe just some wooden disc blanks and clock workings and make my own without a frame, suggestions please.

This is just a painting, I'm thinking of perhaps framing. I got the idea from a talented artist, Linda, who uses the Paint Fusion stuff and has been highlighted on Sheena Douglass' blog. She does a water coloured background picture and then the acrylic paints for the flowers. I used Copic pens to colour the background church stamp and then my Paint Fusion stamps and paints for the flowers.

Just been playing around really, will make a few things this week and might try them out at this Saturdays fair.

On Friday my daughter had to go to school dressed as a pirate for Comic Relief, so I spent most of Thursday trying to put a costume together. Unfortunately on Friday morning we were in such a rush I didnt have time to take a photo, but she looked really good and had a great day.

Yesterday I went to Harrogate Papercraft Show, spent a fortune, but had a great time watching demonstrations and picking up lots of great crafty stash. I always enjoy being in the company of other crafty, like minded people and getting all the latest stamps and embellishments,etc.
Well that was my week, looks like this one will be another crafty packed one.

I'm off to lock myself in the craft room and get the paints back out, before the children are home from school.

Thanks for looking, enjoy your week!

I'm am entering some of these into the following challenges
Secret Crafters - Anything but a card
Aly's Sunday challenge - Spring
Make it Colourful - Blend yellow and green( most of my leaves )
Allsorts - Make a gift box

Whiff of joy card

2011-03-20T08:10:00.005Z

Happy Sunday everyone. I have scheduled this post as I should be on my way to the Harrogate Papercraft Extravaganza. Hope to see lots of my bloggy and crafty friends there.

Here's a card I've made for the Whiff of Joy GDT challenge and also the Whiff of Joy challenge blog - Anything goes.

I chose to use Willow Dressing as its one of my favourites and she is coloured with Copics.

The challenge for the GDT is to add these rolled paper flowers to a card. Katharina has done a video tutorial on the Whiff of Joy tutorial blog, they are super simple, but look very effective.

I used the Summer Blooms papers again, told you I love them, cant stop stroking them, lol.

I followed the sketch over at Creative Inspirations #103 challenge

The sentiment is from Lotv - Circular sentiments.

I added a couple of die cut swirls, some pink seam binding, part of my prize from the Ribbon Girl, a few faceted soft green, pearl gems and two gold peel off decorative corners.

I am also entering it into Delicious Doodles challenge - 3d project

Enjoy the rest of your day!

SSDS DT card - Numbers

2011-03-19T11:00:00.017Z

Good morning all, well its Saturday again, aren't these weeks flying by.

Its time for a new challenge over at Stamp Scrap and Doodles Saturday.

It was great to see all your Spring has Sprung creations last week, I hope you will all join in this week with our Numbers challenge.

I used my brand new Tilda with Balloon, that I got with my prize voucher from Simon says Stamp.

Isn't she just adorable.

I coloured her with Copics and used Sakura gelly roll pen for her balloon.

I followed the sketch over at Stamp with Fun and used papers from Papermania Summer Bloom pad, my very favourite at the moment. Just love those colours.

I glittered up a chipboard number 4 and added some pearls for a bit of extra bling.

I finished off with flowers from Wild Orchid, a diecut swirl, gold filigree corners and a sentiment from Craftwork cards.

Hope this inspires you to join in with this weeks challenge, if you need more inspiration go and check out the rest of the DT's blogs.

Happy Crafting!!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges;

Cupcake - Up in the air and optional green

Stamp with Fun - Sketch by Emmi 41

Wild Orchid - Dieing to punch it out

Totally Tilda - Chipboard

Simon says Stamp - Happy Birthday

Delightful challenge - Delightful green

Charisma cards - #11 To Die for

Rainbow lady - St Patricks day - Green and optional inc Birthday

Just Magnolia - #98 Favourite colour combo

Its a bambino boy

2011-03-18T08:16:00.002Z

Good morning all, hope every one is well.

I would like to share this card with you this morning, I followed the sketch on Sketch and Stash challenge #57, but once again turned it on its side. I used some papers from Craftwork Cards, not sure what the set is called, but its the one for little boys.

I decided to have a go at colouring this new Bambino digi from Sugar Nellie. I used Copics and used a black Prisma for a little shading, really easy, but looks good.

I made it into a fancy tag with polka dot ribbon bow.

I added two punched strips of paper and a couple of strip of lace, three buttons and finished with some pearls and a sentiment.

I would like to enter it into these challenges;

Truly Scrumptious - Tag

Really Reasonable Ribbon - One for the boys

Copic Creations - We've got the Blues

Papertake Weekly - Triple Tastic - I used 3 buttons, 3 strips of lace (2 on tag)and 3 pearls in opposite corners.

Totally Papercrafts - Buttons

House Mouse - Welcome spring

2011-03-17T08:15:00.004Z

Good morning all, where has the week gone? can't believe its Thursday already.

I want to share my card for the House Mouse challenge -Welcome Spring. I followed the sketch over at Passion for Promarkers -#91 sketch, but had to turn it on it side as my image was too big to fit the sketch the right way around.

I chose this adorable image from the Tulip stamp sheet and coloured with Promarkers.

You cant really tell, but each raindrop and puddle of rain has dimensional glaze on it.

The papers were from a scrapbooking paper stash, that I came across whilst tidying up. I suppose I should tidy more often, you never know what else I'll find ;o)

I finished with a strip of raffia lace, a couple of flowers and a butterfly charm.

I am entering it into these challenges;

Squigglefly - Spring theme

Cheerful Stamp Pad - Is it Spring yet?

Little Claire's designs - Flowers

Stampavie and more - #133 Spring / Easter. I chose spring

Thanks for looking, enjoy the rest of the day. x

Exciting news...

2011-03-16T21:34:00.000Z

I have been chosen to join the amazingly talented ladies on the Design Team for the Truly Scrumptious Challenge Blog. I'm very excited and thrilled to have been asked. I will be joining in with the next challenge in 2 weeks time.
Thanks team and I look forward to working with you. :o) xx

Simply Easter

2011-03-16T07:59:00.003Z

Good morning everyone, well its half way through the week, and heres a very quick card I made last night.

I made it to enter One Stop Craft challenge - Plain and Simple. This was a real challenge for me, I'm definately a more is more person, and I just want to add lots more to this.

All I did was stamped and coloured this Bunny image from LOTV with Promarkers, layered it on to some creamy lemon pearlescent card and glued it to a green card base.

I added a strip of ribbon and a stamped sentiment. Thats is, the card blank already had strips of glitter across it.

I would also like to enter it into Stamp something challenge - Green and cream,

Lexi's Creations - Easter

For fun challenge - Bit of Green

Sentimental Sundays - Lets go green

Fab n Funky - All things green

Lotv - Me and my pony

2011-03-15T08:39:00.017Z

Good morning all, hope everyone is well.

Here's a card I made to enter a few challenges.

I used the sketch from Friday Sketchers. The patterned paper is from a new pad from Papermania called Summer Bloom, I'll warn you now you'll be seeing alot of this paper, I love it!

The image is Me and my pony from LOTV, I bought it last year because it reminded me of my horse I had when I was young, but I totally forgot about it, so this is the first time I've inked it up. I coloured with Promarker, very quickly, so please forgive the rough colouring. I finished off with flowers from stash, a strip of flowery lace, a craftwork card Happy Birthday sentiment and liquid pearls.

Challenges that inspired this card;

Lili of the Valley - Say it with flowers

Cute Card Thursday - Happy Birthday

Totally Gorjuss - #71 Pearls and lace

Special Friend

2011-03-14T13:16:00.000Z

Well the weekend is over and we're back to Monday, for me that means the children are back at school so I can do some crafting.

Today I have made a card following the sketch at Truly Scrumptious . Last day today so only just made it in time for challenge.

I used a paper from a 12 x 12 pad by AnneMarie designs, that I had completely forgotten about.

The colours were inspired by the Photo inspiration at Dutch Dare challenge.

I stamped and coloured Madison Attitude by Kenny K with Copics, unfortunately the blue ended up slightly the wrong shade.

In order to enter the card into Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge this week - Lace, ribbon and / or bows. I added some raffia lace, velvet ribbon and instead of bows I knotted some thread through the heart buttons.

I am also entering it into these challenges;

Die Cut Dreams - Mothers day or Special friend- I chose special friend - sentiment

Rainbow Lady - Best friend (not sure if this fits the challenge properly as this is a card for a best friend, rather than using an image of best friends playing together) Please let me know!

Pollycraft - Teens

Sweet Stampin - Favourite Movie - I love Pretty Woman and this image reminds me of the part when Julia Roberts goes shopping on Rodeo Drive and comes back loaded with bags.

Thats me done I'm off back to my craft room, to make some more cards, got a couple of DT ones to complete.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Handmade Monday again...

2011-03-13T21:55:00.002Z

Its Handmade Monday time again, not sure what that means?

Handmade Monday is a weekly event that happens over on Wendy's blog 1st Unique Gifts, where you can share your creative blog and have a look at what others have been making or doing this past week.

So what have I been upto this week?

Well I've been so busy that I missed handmade Monday altogether, last week, so I thought I better get this one posted today whilst I've got a spare minute.

I've spent most of my time painting this week. I am toying with the idea of producing a new range to sell at the craft fairs, since the awful fair we did last weekend. Don't think it had anything to do with the nappy and towel cakes that I was selling though, just very poorly advertised, only a handful of people all day. Not to worry, we'll keep trying !

So here's a few photos of things I have painted and made.

Please leave me some honest comments and let me know whether you think they would sell.

A Daisy Wall / Door Hanger for mum

A Rosebud Heart- shaped Wall / Door Hanger

Berry painted Trinket Box

Daisy Tile - to be used as a large coaster or for standing pans, etc, on

Set of 4 Coasters - could do matching sets or each coaster different, as above

Butterfly Door Hanger

Poppy plaque - haven't made into anything yet

Wild flower plaque - I have since made this into a Mother's Day card

Daisy plaque

I have also painted a butterfly coaster and a poppy clock, but have not taken any photos yet.

As well as painting, I have been making cards for the design teams that I am on and also a few for entering into challenges for myself. Told you I'd been busy, but I feel so lucky to be able to spend my time doing what I love.

I would like to enter some of my creations into this challenge;

CRAFT - #93 - Door hanger

Thanks for looking and for any comments / advice you leave me. Hugs Sue xx

Paint fusion - Flowers for mum

2011-03-13T08:28:00.007Z

I painted this wild flower plaque a few days ago, then made it into a card to enter into The Stampman's challenge - Mothers Day- Floral.

Firstly I painted a crackle background, then used my Paint Fusion kit again and I finished off by distressing with distress inks and embossing a couple of gold swirls and all around the edge.

I was inspired by A Spoonful of Sugar challenge - Vintage/ Shabby theme

and Creative Inspirations - colour scheme

Colour create - #66 Photo inspiration and optional extra - leaves

Delicious Doodles - #16 - Use green for St Patrick's Day

Secret Crafter Saturday challenge - Flowers for mum

Paperplay - Shades of green

Allsorts - Luck of the Irish - I used lots of green

Spring has sprung..

2011-03-12T10:27:00.009Z

Good morning all, hope you are having a lovely Saturday.

Its time for another challenge at Stamp, Scrap and Doodles Saturday. Not sure what happened last week, not alot of interest in the sketch challenge, lets see if we can tempt more of you to join in this week.

Spring has Sprung

Here is my card....

I layered up some K and Co papers with light green card. I die cut a decorative circle and a swirl and leaves from Magnolia Doohickey range.

I am loving all these House Mouse stamps at the moment and they are so easy to colour. I used Promarkers on the mice and Copics on the pot, only because I havent got enough different colours in either brand to colour the whole image.

I finished with a sentiment off the same stamp set, a die cut flower and some paper roses from Wild Orchid Crafts.

So what are you waiting for? Come and join in the fun at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday.

Dont forget to check out the rest of the design team for some great inspiration.

I would like to enter my card into Papertake Weekly challenge - Lemon Zingy
and Crafty Catz - #73 Colour combo - green and yellow

House mouse - multifolds

2011-03-11T08:19:00.008Z

Heres my entry for the House Mouse - Multifolds challenge.

I made a double twisted easel card, using two images layered on two colours of card.

I coloured both images with Promarkers.

I just love these images, they're sooo cute, just look at their little fat tummys, all full of cake.

Here a photo at an angle so that you can see the folds.

I kept the embellishments quite simple as I didnt want to detract from the images, just a few card candies from Craftwork Cards.

A close up of the sentiment, quite fitting I think.

I am entering it into Passion for Promarkers - Food and Drink challenge

Top Tip Tuesday - Birthday

Charisma Cardz - Easel card

Be happy with Kenny K

2011-03-10T08:01:00.004Z

Over at Kenny K's Krafty Girlz challenge this week its a sketch by Donna.

I used papers from a Papermania pad layered on deep pink card.

I chose to use Movie Star and coloured her with Copics.

I finished off with some die cut stars, pink pearls and a craftwork cards sentiment.

I would like to enter it into these challenges also;

Stamp Something - Digi day

One Stop Craft challenge - Black, white plus 1 other, as you can see I chose pink.

Allsorts - Card for a Teenager

Make it Colourful - Colour with Shine

ABC challenge P is for Pearls

2011-03-09T08:00:00.006Z

Good morning all, its Wednesday, that means its time for another ABC challenge. Last week team A challenged you all with P is for Pink and what a lot of fantastic pink cards and creations you all made. Brilliant!

This week its team B's turn and our challenge for P is Pearls. Our sponsors this week are Whiff of Joy, so lets see all those beautiful pearls on your cards.

Here's my card to give some inspiration

As soon as I heard that Whiff of Joy were sponsoring this challenge I knew straight away which stamp I was going to use. This is Dancing Willow, isnt she wonderful, so beautiful.

I layered up patterned papers with pink card and distressed the edges with pink brilliance and a little distress ink.

I used a Marianne Design Creatables Doily die cut and 2 magnolia doohickey swirls and added some pearls to the ends.

I coloured her with Copics and gave her a proper pearl necklace and droplet on her bracelet.

I finished with flowers from Wild Orchid and if you look closely you can see I snuck in a few more pearls.

Hope you like it! and I'm looking forward to seeing what you make.

I would like to enter it into this weeks Simon says Stamp challenge - Anything Goes

I'm on a winning streak...

2011-03-08T22:12:00.000Z

Last week I won $50 in the Simon says Stamp challenge, then Zoe from Make it Crafty awarded me a free digi image of my choice from her wonderful selection and at the weekend I won the Ribbon Girls challenge. I just received part of my prize, a wonderful selection of ribbons, braid, twine and buttons and am waiting on the second part which is a £10 voucher for Lili of the Valley.

Thank you so much to all you generous people, you really have made my week.
I'm off to check my lottery ticket, well you never know !! :o)

Just a reminder

2011-03-08T21:42:00.000Z

Over at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday we have a simple sketch for you by CPS Sketches.

Now you can flip it, rotate it, whatever you like as long as we can tell that is where you started.

Our sponsor is Circle B Enterprises, owned by our very own Veronica ! She is offering $20 credit voucher to spend in store.

So come along and join in the fun and maybe win a prize.

Goal....LOTV card

2011-03-08T08:40:00.002Z

Good morning everyone, Just a quick post this morning, because I want to get back to playing with my paint fusion supplies.

Here's my entry for the Lili of the Valley challenge, this week its a fab sketch from Bev. I turned it on its side, layered a patterned paper from Forever Friend pad with a piece of blue card. The image is a pre coloured topper and the footballs around the curve were cut from same paper pad. I used a strip of raffia lace as it made me think of the net on the goal post and an old 'Goal' stamp sentiment to finish.

Thats it for now, I will try to get back with another post later.

Go Wild

2011-03-07T08:58:00.001Z

Decided to have a go at something completely different for me today.

I was inspired by the challenge over at Dutch Dare - Who's who at the zoo?

and also the Wags and Whiskers challenge - # 49 More than one fold.

Firstly I folded an A4 sheet, added green pearlescent card and layered a sheet of jungle patterned paper on the back one. I stamped, coloured and cut out all these different animals and just arranged them on all the folds of this step card. It wasn't hard at all and apart from the cutting out of each animal was probably the quickest card I ever made. I usually spend ages choosing papers, embellishments and deciding where to place them. No need for this one. Nice and easy! I still prefer lots of flowers and ribbons, etc, but my daughter absolutely loves it, she thinks its (in her words) the best card you've ever made. So one fan at least :o)

Something new for the craft fairs

2011-03-06T19:37:00.000Z

I made these the other day to take to the craft fair yesterday. They are supposed to look like a baby pram and are made up of nappies, wash cloths, muslin squares and a bib. I did put a nice ribbon bow on the top later after I had taken the photos, but you can imagine that.

Here's a close up of the baby girls pram.

I also made loads of these bib lollies, made from a feeding spoon, bib and wash cloth.

Unfortunately the fair was terrible. It was a new venue and the wrong address had been advertised, there were no posters or signs up around the area, so hardly anyone turned up. A total of about 10 people all day. :o( I only manage to make one sale. What a waste of time and money. Nevermind hopefully the next one will be better, well it couldn't be any worse, could it?

I think I will enter these into My Time To Crafts challenge - Infants -Something for children

New Design Team- 1st card

2011-03-05T11:08:00.001Z

Good morning everyone, I have some very exciting news, I have been chosen to join the very talented ladies on the Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays design team.

This is the place to explore all of your crafting dreams, inspire your creativity and test your limits. We hope you will join us for some crafting and creating fun!

New challenges will be posted on Saturdays. Participants get a chance to join in the fun and even try to win a prize!

Everyone is welcome to join us and are eligible to win prizes.

Here's my 1st DT card - its a sketch challenge this week

I decided to use this oh so cute image from House Mouse as its one of my favourites. I coloured it using Promarkers and layered it up with papers from a Papermania pad - Summer Blooms.

Colours used were

Tree; Blossom, Apple, Pear green, Cinnamon

Cat; Cool grey 1, Blush

Mice; Raw Sienna, Blush

I also used a little blue Prisma pencil for the background and tiny bit of black for some shadow.

I finished off with a House Mouse sentiment and I just had to add some flowers and it was crying out for some extra blossoms.

Hope you like it and it inspires you to join in with this weeks sketch challenge.

So what are you waiting for? Head over there and join in the fun.

I am going to enter this card in these challenges;

Die Cut Dreams - Spring Garden

Top Tip Tuesday - Want us to use our favourites, I've used my current favourite stamp and my all time favourite - flower embellishments.

Passion for Promarkers - Sugar rush

Charisma - 4 legged friends

Delicious Doodles - a card I would like to recieve

Stampin for the weekend- #5 Springtime

Cute Card Thursday - Signs of Spring - 2nd entry