Just Because...

A while ago I barely had time to make the cards I needed to make, let alone creating something 'just because' I could/wanted to. But things are thankfully back on an even keel, and today's card is one of those 'just because' creations.

I adore this image as I love poppies...the contrast in colour between the vibrant red and the black seed centres, not to mention my fascination with the wonderfully delicate petals. it is another Stamping Boutique image and has been coloured with Promarkers. The Stamping Boutique currently have a Spring sale on, with $1 off every digital image...a perfect time to stock up!

I do like gingham papers, and in my search for something to compliment the red and black of the poppies, I took the opportunity to use them once again :) I felt the sentiment worked really well for this image. The stopper for this little easel card is made using a Martha Stewart border punch, and I have added a few heart gems and a gingham ribbon.

I will enter my cad into the following challenges:

• Hooked on Crafts #18 - More than 1 fold.
• Just Some Lines - Photo Inspiration.

Thanks for Looking.

Do These Boots make My Bum Look Big...?!

I just LOVE this image! When I saw the current challenge over at Dude Time Doodles (All About Cowboys) I KNEW I had to use it, and have been itching to get it posted all day! Here it is:

Isn't he just great? He's from Digi Doodle Shop and has been coloured with Promarkers. I followed the colours from the inspirational sketch, which you can find on the Dudetime Doodles challenge blog. The sketch is from The Sweet Stop (#151)

I used digital papers on a Kraft cardbase, and distressed all the edges with TH 'brushed corduroy' ink. I created the sentiment on my computer using bleeding cowboys font...I couldn't resist the 'cheeky' senti!!!The 'dude' sentiment card candy & string are all from my stash.

I will enter my card into the following challenges:

• Dude Time Doodles - All About Cowboys.
• Digi Makeover Challenge #29 - For the Boys.
• Make it Monday with Kraft Outlet - Western Flair.
• The Sweet Stop #151 - Sketch.
• Pile it On #13 - For/From a Man.
• Totally Papercrafts #109 - Humour.

Thanks for looking.

Home is Where the Heart is

Wow, what a glorious day its been! I can't believe how much more positive I feel when its warm and sunny...its ridiculous!

Today I wanted to share with you an easel card I made for someone who moved into a new home recently.

I have used red, black and white as my colour theme and I think it looks ok...what d'you think? The image is from The Stamping Boutique and is called 'Pantry Shelf.' It is cut using my nesties, the sentiment created on the computer and cut using my grommet tag dies. A few red heart gems and a black gingham ribbon completes the card.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

• Hooked on Crafts #18 - More Than One Fold.
• OSAAT #106 - Anything Goes.
• Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge #64 - In The Kitchen.
• Crafty Purple Frog #37 - Anything Goes.
• Rainbow Lady's #197 - House & Home.

Thanks for looking.

SOOOO Pleased to be BACK!

Happy Sunday folks! Well, I DID remember to put my clocks forward, but DIDN'T remember to schedule my post for my return to THE CRAFTY PAD!  I am soooo pleased to be back, and here's my first card as part of Team B:

The theme this week (#163) is 'Some Bunny Loves You' with an optional extra sketch to follow:

If you do both the theme AND the sketch, you will get 3 CHANCES to win the prize, which is a £10 spend courtesy of our sponsor this week, the fabulous Joanna Sheen.

 AND.....yes, there's more! If you also use a Crafty Pad image, you will get a 4th entry into the draw!!! I used this adorable image called Bunny Fun on Log, AND I used the sketch, which I rotated clockwise through 90 degrees. I coloured the image using Promarkers.

The ribbon, Bakers Twine, brads etc were all from my stash, and the sentiment & DPs are digital, from a range of collections.


The rest of Team B have created some amazing pieces this week, as have out 2 GDTs, so please pop over and leave some love. I do hope to see you join us this week.


I will enter my card into the following challenges:

• Phindy's Place #98 - Animal Planet.
• Raise the Bar #97 - In The Garden.
• I Love Promarkers #109 - 3 Different Papers (brown plaid, blue spot, blue with leaves.)
• My Mums Craft Shop #49 - Use a Digi.
• Everybody Art #185 - Friendship.
• Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Bunnies. 

Thanks for looking.

'Turtally' and Utterly!

Good morning all, and what a glorious morning it is! The sun is shining and it really gives me that feel-good factor. I do hope you are enjoying some sunshine wherever you are too.

My card today is one I made for my hubby; just a fun little card and a play on words.

A strange mix of colours you may think, and to be honest you're right! To be 'turtally' honest (*tee hee*) I was using up some leftover bits n pieces which is where the combo came from.

I will enter my card into the following challenges:

• Phindy's Place #98 - Animal Planet.
• Passion for Promarkers wk#141 - Animals.

Thanks for looking.

Fairy Happy Birthday Wishes

Here's a card I made for my niece's birthday...she turned 13 this year, no longer a little girl, but not yet a woman, so I had to choose my image carefully. I chose a really pretty one, its called 'The Fairies Frolic' by The Stamping Boutique.

 Inside the card

My punched flowers.

Flourish with gems.

 Image coloured with Promarkers.

I added some liquid pearls here and there to finish.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

• Papertake Weekly - Bingo (top row: Gems, die-cuts & flowers.)
• Crafty Bloggers Network #17 - Floral.
• Get Hippity With Ippity #17 - Things with Wings.
• Incy Wincy Designs #137 - Things With Wings.
• Send a Smile 4 Kids - Things with Wings.
• Frosted designs/Fabulous Friday - Things with Wings.

Thanks for looking.

Time to share another card (well, 2 cards actually) with you! I know, I'm gone for months then you can't get rid of me, posting every day!!!

Today I've got two cards made using Nitwits Collections goodies, no digi stamps, but some gorgeous digi papers and graphics that I've layered up.

The first was a birthday card for my mum, using a collection called Pinky Swear. I also made a coordinating insert. The sentiment reads...'So Special All Ways...Always.'

I will enter this card into the following challenges:

• House of Gilli #29 - Spring.
• Delightful Challenges - Someone Special.
• Digi Doodle Shop #99 - People.
• Moving Along With The Times #140 - Special Lady.
• My Mum's Craft Shop #48 - Mum's the Word.

The second was a birthday card for my Niece, who is mad about owls, made using a collection called Summer's End.

I also made an insert for this one too...

The photos don't give a true representation of the colours, which are so pretty in both collections.

Here's a different view to give you an idea of the 3D effect...

I will enter this card into the following challenges:

• Incy Wincy Designs #137 - Things with Wings.
• Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday Challenge - Things with Wings!
• Crafty Sentiments - Things with Wings. 

I am pleased to say that both cards were well received, and I enjoyed doing something a little bit different :I tend to opt for digi stamps coloured with Promarkers without even thinking about it, but this reminded me how much I used to enjoy this technique for my early cardmaking.

Thanks for looking.

Happy Mother's Day

It's Sunday, and a special day for mums everywhere. But not just mums, there are so many Aunts, Nanas, Sisters and other special ladies out there who deserve a special day too. I hope each and every one of you is enjoying your day.

I WOULD have had the card I made for my mum to share with you today...that's IF I had remembered to take some pics of it!!!!! *eyes roll!* Luckily, I know my mum will keep it, so I'll get some next time I see her. Instead, I want to tell you about the latest challenge over at The Crafty Pad.

Challenge #162 is all about PERFECT PAIRS. Click HERE to find out more details, and check out Team A's wicked inspirational creations.

I've decided to share one of my cards I've not had the chance to show until now, it's a monochromatic card with an image of a really cute kiddy couple, it's called First Dance and is available from The Stamping Boutique.

I coloured the image with Promarkers and used some black & white DPs, card, some lace, and a border punch. I made a posh pin and the sentiment is from Sentiments 4 You. I reckon they make a really 'perfect pair!'

I will enter my card into the following challenges:

• Sassy Design Studios DTBST#116 - Monochromatic.
• City Crafter #100 - Things in Your Heart (MY kids are ALWAYS in my heart.)
• Flourishes #160 - Lace and scallops.
• Party Time Tuesday #59 - Monochromatic.

Thanks for looking. x

Which one to Choose...??!!

I have been busy making up for lost time, and can't believe how much I've missed cardmaking! It feels as if its been forever, and I am feeling that same excited satisfaction when I finish a card that I remember feeling when I first started.

I really couldn't decide which one to share today, so I've chosen a couple!

They both feature images from THE STAMPING BOUTIQUE.

The first image is called Ragdoll, isn't she just cute as a button?!

CARD 1

The second is called Inspire/Flowers, and is an asymmetric gatefold.

CARD 2

Both are coloured with Promarkers and everything used on them is from my stash (I am still trying to use it up before I buy anything new, but have to confess that when I went shopping for some new scalloped card blanks a couple of 'extra' bits n pieces sneaked into my basket too!!!!)

I will enter my cards into the following challenges:

CARD 1 (Ragdoll)

• I Love Promarkers #108 - Anything Goes.
• Willow Sketchie - Sketch OR Embellish it (I chose embellishments.)
• Ditzy Craftymess #4 - Buttons or Anything Goes (I used buttons!)
• The Poodles Parlour - Anything Goes.
• Flutterby Wednesday #194 - Must feature a butterfly, fairy or angel (I used BUTTERFLY.)

CARD 2 (Inspire/Flowers)

• Crafty Bloggers Network #17 - Floral.
• Hooked on Crafts #18 - More Than 1 Fold. (M)
• Totally Stampalicious - Flowers.
• Delicious Doodles #15 - The Wonder of Life.
• Our Craft Lounge - Flower Stamps.

Thanks for looking, see you soon!

Back in the Swing of it!

That's me....back in the swing of it! I am really enjoying being able to get into my cardmaking again, and have a few cards to share with you over the next few days.

Today's card is a THANK YOU card, featuring a pretty teapot of flowers.

I went for bright, happy colours, and although this isn't a colour combo I've used before, I am really pleased with how it turned out.

The image is from THE STAMPING BOUTIQUE, and was a freebie a while back. I added the sentiment on the computer before I printed it out. I coloured it with Promarkers and layered it onto a lacey circle nestie.

The flowers are made using my Nellie Snellen punch n emboss set and secured themwith brads. I added a punched border, some ric-rac, a few gems and a couple of die-cut flourishes to finish.

I will enter my card into the following challenges:

• I Love Promarkers #108 - Anything Goes.
• Paper Pretties PWC197 - Thank You.
• Crafty Bloggers Network #17 - Floral.
• Make My Monday wk 40 - Mothers day OR Thank You (I chose Thank You.)

I'll be back soon with more to share.

I'm Back!

Yay! I'm back :D I have really missed my cardmaking and blogging, but really needed a bit of time off. I am so pleased to be back in control, and am pleased to say things are a great deal better than they were a couple of months ago.

I have a card to share with you too...

Such a cute image, available from The Stamping Boutique, HERE. (Also, The Stamping Boutique are sponsoring Party Time Tuesdays this week, AND Crafting When We Can, so if you enter you could win your own choice of images.) I used some Papermania DPs I've had for ever (like so many others, I'm trying to use up some of my old stash, before buying any new stuff.) I coloured the image with Promarkers, cut it with nesties and have added a lilac organza ribbon and some paper-lace. The sentiment was a freebie (from TLC Creations i believe,) and fits the image perfectly. I attached it with 2 heart brads, again from my stash.

I would like to enter a couple of challenges with my card:

• Party Time Tuesdays -  #58 Monochromatic.
• Crafting When we Can - #13 Animals.
• Digi Doodle Shop - #98 Animals.

I will be back very soon, with more cards and news of new challenges.

And finally, my sincere thanks to everyone who sent a message of support to me...I feel truely blessed.