Happy New Year!

As I am sat here, watching a film in our cosy and warm lounge, my tummy full and surrounded by my wonderful family, I realise how very lucky I am. So I just wanted to wish you all, my friends, a

VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR.....

Be thankful for what you have, stay warm, and be happy!

My 1st DT Card 'For Fun' Challenges!

Yes folks, I'm back! Did you miss me....? I have also had a little secret which I can now share with you.....I am now an official member of the DT for the 'For Fun' Challenges blog!!!

I was approached by one of the senior DT members before Christmas and asked if I would consider joining their DT in January......I felt so honoured, and of course I replied 'YES PLEASE!' I have made my card, but can't post it on here until next week, when it will also appear on the 'For Fun' Challenges blog. So PLEASE pop over and take a look around, and I really look forward to seeing you join in with the weekly challenges if you feel inspired to do so (which I hope you will.)

I have LOADS of blog hopping and catching up to do, so will see you all when I've done my rounds.

A 'Krafty' Card Card!!!!

Today's card is made using a combination of Kraft card, My Minds Eye DPs, (Quite Contrary, a freebie with a mag a couple of months ago,)  a Kenny K digi image called Download Diva, (click here,) coloured with Promarkers, and a few bits n pieces from my stash. The sentiment came as part of the paper pack.

I followed sketch #133 from Friday Sketchers, so am entering it into their challenge. (Fri 24th Dec)

I would also like to enter it into:

• Kenny Ks Krafty Girlz challenge #24 - 'Distressing' (I used inks and scrunched the flowers too.) (Jan 2nd)
• Paper Sundaes challenge #49 - 'Cut it Out!' (I cut out the image & the flowers by hand.) (Jan 2nd)
• I Did It Creations challenge #34 - Anything Goes (Sun 26th)

-

....and Now For Something COMPLETELY Different!

Oh what a lovely morning I've had! I started packing up the Christmas stash, and in the process came across some long-forgotten-about papers that were BEGGING to be used! So, I decided to blow the other things that needed doing, in favour of making a 'nothing-to-do-with-Christmas-card'!!!

I'm using DH's camera atm (mine's gone walkabout) and can't seem to get the settings right...    :-/

I used the sketch from SKETCH SATURDAY's final challenge of the year, #134.

The DP is Doodlebug 'Patch of Posies' and is matted/layered onto coloured card from my stash. The image (isn't it gorgeous!) is one of Mo Mannings from Mo's Digital Pencil Too! and has been coloured with Promarkers and cut out using my nesties.

The ribbon, flowers, brads & gems are all from my stash, and the sentiment was created on the computer.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #114 - 'In the Farmyard.' (Jan 1st)
• Sentimental Sundays Challenge #34 - 'Inspired by a Song,' (mine is 'Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken....!!!) (Dec 25th)
• Aly's Sunday Sketch - 'Anything Goes.' (Jan 2nd)
• Crafty Pad challenge #102 - Anything Goes (Jan 7th) 

CMD ATC December Swaps

Here are the ATCs from everyone joining in with the ATC swap over at the CardMaking Downloads forum. The theme was 'Season's Greetings' and here's what we came up with:

Jean (Glitterbabe)

Denise

Ali (me!)

Dawn

Kris

Kelsey

And here are the CRAKS I made for everyone, which I would like to enter into the JUST FOR FUN challenge this week which is 'Christmas' (strictly Christmas and NOT Winter) ... hope my gingerbread ATCs are Christmassy enough!

These will be posted out on Monday.......let's hope the weather is kind to us, it's been 'SNOW' joke has it!?!?! (Sorry, couldn't resist!!!)

Until next time..............Hugs from Ali x

..........OK, So Just ONE More!!

OK, so I jumped the gun a little when I vowed no more cards this year......I realised I hadn't made one for my DH! I couldn't NOT make one for him now could I!! So anyway, I wanted something not too 'Christmassy' (if you know what I mean) so I went with a fab set of graphics by Nitwit Collections called Warm Fuzzies.

I made it using a shadow box template from Crafty Stash; this was the circle aperture, but you can also get square AND bracket apertures too.

So, as you can see, not too obviously christmassy, so I think maybe I got away with it!!!!! LOL!

I'm going to enter it into the OSAAT challenge #43 - 'Anything Goes.'  (ends 9th Jan.)

........Not long now!!!!

Forgive me bloggers and crafters, for I have sinned! I have had to admit defeat and cannot possibly make another Xmas card this year! Thankfully, I have my lovely 5 year old daughter's creations to fall back on, and I am sure those who receive them won't feel disappointed.....after all, a cute painting of Santa always makes me smile! I hope you are all well and truely making tracks into those never-ending tasks and chores that need doing at this time every year......heaven knows what might happen if we get this snow they are threatening us with so close to the Big Day?! Aarrgghh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you again soon......

..........Another Xmas Trio

Morning folks!

Just a 'quickie' post today, to share a trio of cards I made last night.....I don't want you thinking I'm neglecting you now do I!!

These are made using Snow Pixies Pyramage from CRAFTY STASH....pop on over and take a look, there are loads of great downloads and plenty of freebies too!

I remembered a tip from one of my crafty pals after I'd made the first card, and decided to split the layers of the next pyramage between 2 cards, so the 2nd and 3rd have less layers, but I think it works really well.....what do you think?.

CARD 1 (full pyramage)

CARDS 2&3 (half pyramage)

So, 3 quick and easy cards, which is just as well, seeing as I have SOOOOO many still to make!!!

Thanks for popping by, please leave a comment to let me know you've been here!

Hugs from Ali x

...Funky Christmas in Purple & Teal!

So, today's card is a funky purple and teal Christmas card! I followed the Critter Sketch Challenge #43 sketch and purple and teal colourway, and I really like it! Here is the sketch I used, I simply turned it sideways on.

I used Pink Petticoat Little Swirls BPs and the image is a called Winter Suzie & Jasmin from Digistamp Boutique. I coloured it with Promarkers and used my new MS corner punch.

The ribbon, sentiment and star brads were from my stash.

 

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Fab & Funky challenges #52 - 'Christmas is for the Children.'

Simon Says - 'Christmas! BUT....NO Red or Green.'

Passion for Promarkers - week 80 Mega Christmas challenge - 'Anything Goes.'

Thanks for visiting me.....Big Smiles from Ali x

....One Card, More than One Challenge!

OK, so today's my birthday, and I have FINALLY joined the 21st century and am the proud owner of my very first Martha Stewart around the page punch!!! I dropped plenty of hints, including sending the link to the one I wanted from ebay to my DH, and he actually got it for me! Of course, I just HAD to have a play, so here is my first card made using my first MS punch :)

I followed the sketch and am entering the card into the Truly Scrumptious challenge #47 with the optional extra of 'Frame It!' (Weds 5th Jan.) The image is one of Paula's latest from Pollycraft, called Aurelia with Christmas Basket . I coloured her with my Promarkers and made the 'frame' using the new MS punch.

The DPs are Dovecraft Xmas ones (from last year....or maybe the year before....) and the ribbon, sentiment and card candy are from my stash. I used a Sakura 'clear star' pen to add some shimmery highlights and a white glaze gel pen to add faux stitching around the edge of the dark blue mat as it looked a bit stark without. (My faux stitching needs a bit of practise though!!!)

I am also entering the card into:
 Crafts & Me challenge #19 - 'Moody Blues.' (Wed 22nd Dec.)
Tip Top Tuesday challenge #13 - 'Use a Ribbon.'
Whoopsi Daisy challenge 'Ribbons & Bows.'
A Spoonfull of Sugar challenge #133 - 'A Christmas Card.' (Tues 11th Jan)
Papertake weekly challenge  - 'Red & Green must NOT be seen!'
Stamptacular Sunday challenges - 'Blue Blue Christmas.'
Dotties World challenge - 'Anything Goes-BLUE.' (Fri 31st Dec)

I must also thank my wonderful online friends for all their birthday cards and wishes....you really are A FAB BUNCH OF PEOPLE!

Big Birthday Smiles from Ali x

....'ALASKA' To Keep Me Warm!!!!!

Hi everyone,

today's card is a play on words.....hope it makes you smile!

A stepper card made using a clipart collection called 'North Alaska' purchased from Scrapbookingmad. The sentiment is computer generated and reads.....'This Winter 'ALASKA' To Keep Me Warm With A Hug!!' I know, it's so bad, it's GOOD!!!

Once I'd arranged the graphics, I used foam pads to mount them, and then added a funky fibre snowy fringe, a few gems and some Glamour Dust for a little sparkle. I have entered it into the Cardmaking Downloads December competition, which you can see/join by clicking HERE.

Big Smiles from Ali x

............Seeing Triple!!

Well, what an interesting evening I had yesterday! I started out trying to make a couple of cards for a couple of challenges at the same time as catching up with some Chrissy cards, as I'm WAY behind! The first result was hideous, soooo, I tried to resurrect it by trying something different, and that was twice as hideous! Finally, I abandoned them, and started afresh.

I decided to go for a very simple digi stamp, which I LOVE and has very little colouring required....from the Crafty Pad called simply 'Snowmen.' I also have an embarrassingly huge stash of Chrissy papers that I've accumulated and never used, so I decided to get those out too. Having finally treated myself to some nesties, I also used them for the first time.

ANYWAY......Enough talking, here's what I made....

I made them with challenge #77 over at Die Cut Dreams in mind, which is 'Seeing Triple.'

Each DP (all various Dovecraft ones if memory serves me correctly) have trees on them, in various shades, and I co-ordinated each cards' colourway to match. I twisted white funky fibres around each card, added the image (coloured with Promarkers,) a sentiment, a few gems a sprinkle of Glamour Dust & some ink to the edges to complete each one.

Pink, Lilac and Green

Red & Green

Blues

I would like to enter this final card into Cute Card Thursday challenge #141 which is entitled 'The Blues.'

And finally, a couple of other challenges.....

Secret Crafter Saturday challenge #112 - 'Christmas.'

Stamp Something - 'Christmas Colour Combo.'

Big Smiles from Ali x

....A Quirky Challenge

Over at Quirky Crafts the challenge for this coming fortnight is AROUND THE WORLD. I was thrilled (and VERY nervous!) to be asked to be on the GDT for this challenge, my first time ever, and here's the card I came up with.

I used Dovecraft 'Eastern Promise' papers, a triptych layout (3 panels) and digi images coloured with Promarkers are from a set I purchased from Digi Stamp Boutique. The Japanese symbol is 'friendship' and I created the sentiment on the computer. I finished it off with an organza ribbon and some red gems. I hope you like it!

I would like to enter this card for the following challenges:

The Crafty Pad - Anything Goes

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Goes

OSAAT - Old Stash, New Stash (the 'new' is the Dovecraft Eastern Promise papers, and the 'old' is.....everything else!!)

Sir Stampalot - Travel the World (Jan. 1st)

Craft Your Passion #35 - Anything Goes

Big Smiles from Ali x

.........Another Blog Award!!!

Yes, it's true, this time I have a Stylish Blog Award! Probably the first and last time that the word 'stylish' will be used in conjunction with me, so I'm milking it for all its worth!!! LOL! My sincere thanks to Dawn from Dawn's Crafting.....without whom my blog trophy cabinet would be quite bare if I'm honest!!!

Now the hard bit!

8 things about me:

1) Like Dawn, I did tap-dancing as a child!

2) Until I'd visited New York, I just didn't get what 'bagels' were about, but now I LOVE them, and often have one for brekkie.....yummy!

3) I met my DH on a fresher's week pub crawl in my first week at uni!

4) I HATE fish and salad!

5) I am currently watching WWE wrestling with my oldest son!!!! Go John Cena!!!

6) I was 2.5 stone lighter after giving birth to my daughter than I had been before I got pregnant! (No, she wasn't 2.5 stone, I was really ill during my pregnancy!)

7) I don't watch Corrie, Eastenders, Emmerdale or any of those soaps......does that mean I'm not normal......??!!

8) I have made lots of wonderful people on craft forums and through blogging, who I consider to be very good friends. :D

Pass it onto 8 bloggers I've recently met:

1) Claire who joined my ATC swap blog when she first got into ATCs and is as hooked as the rest of us!!

2) Roz who makes fab vintage stuff!

3) Jacki such a sweetie with her own blog. :D

4) Faye whose blog cracks me up!

5) Cazzy from Quirky Crafts Challenge DT.

6) Di who creates fabulous digi downloads for you to colour with your promarkers and copics.

7) Petra who runs an ATC swap with Jane

8) Jane who runs an ATC swap with.....yes, you guessed it, Petra!!! Lol!

Now I need to let everyone know....best get cracking!

Big Smiles from Ali x

..........A Sweet Blog Award!

Thanks so much to Jacki from Cards By Jacki for thinking of me!

5 things I've not told you about me:

1) I am the oldest of 3 children: my bro is 38 and my sis is 36
2) I have a degree in education and English
3) I have been driving for nearly 24 years!
4) Thanks to a mix-up at the pet shop, we currently have 11 guinea pigs!!!.......Yes, 11 OMG!
5) I went to see see Wham! at the Hammersmith Odeon London in 1982 when I was 13!

......A New Challenge Blog AND CANDY!!

What a funny old day we've had today! Lots of snow overnight so my littlies schools were closed and they have had great fun outside in the snow! Also closed again tomorrow due to the severe weather warnings. I've been very busy, so no crafty time, and no creation to share with you I'm afraid.

BUT...........I do have news of a brand new challenge blog which is starting in January, and a blog candy giveaway to go with it!

The new blog is called Do You Stack Up? and the candy giveaway is this fab Stamp Set from Gina K Designs called 'OUT WEST'. Click on the link and follow directions to enter......Good Luck!

Smiles from Ali x

....My Exciting News!

Oooh, I am excited! It's finally snowing here and my kids will be thrilled if its still there in the morning! ...AND.....I am going to feature as a Guest DT Member for Quirky Crafts in their next challenge, which is announced on Sunday 5th December! I'd love for you to visit both their blog and mine on Sunday .... I will post my card and a link to their site for you to take a peek......but remember, this is my first time, so be kind to me!!! Lol!

Big Smiles from Ali x