Under the Sea

Today's card has been made using the oh-so-pretty image The Mermaid Pearl from The Stamping Boutique, who are sponsoring the latest challenge at Do You Stack Up, where the theme is 'Under the Sea.'

I used a scalloped 6x6 basecard, and  chose a lemon and bluey-lilac colour-scheme. I used another one of my punched borders purchased from ebay (and inked in pinky lilac.) I coloured Pearl with Promarkers and added some sparkle here and there.

I chalked the edges and cut it out with a lacey circle nestie, then added some tiny gems around the edge and to the bubbles in the image itself.

I embossed a panel of lilac card with 'swirls' and inked to enhance, added an inked border and a blue grosgrain ribbon. I made some posh-pins and popped them into the ribbon.

 The gem-swirl I added freehand and the sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.

I will be entering my card into the following challenges:

• DYSU #74 - Under the Sea.
• Deep Ocean Challenge #26 - Swirls (I hope my embossed panel and freehand gem swirl count!)
• Ooh La La Creations #106 - Make it Girly.
• Crafts & Me - Add a Ribbon.
• Divas By Design #37 - Anything Goes.
• Celebrate the Occasion #64 - Anything Goes.

I have all 3 of my littlies off school today poorly...just in time for half term, would you credit it! Hey Ho! Thanks for popping by. x

Happy 1st Anniversary!

Good Afternoon bloggers, how are you all enjoying the sunshine? I keep hearing differing stories as to when it's going to break, I don't want to think about it though, I am enjoying this gorgeous mini heatwave and don't want it to end!

Today's card is for my dear sister and her hubby's 1st wedding anniversary, which is in a couple of weeks time.

I have used an adorable image from The Stamping Boutique called Umbrella Love Birds. The DPs are Pink Petticoat, freebies from one of my magazines ages ago. I have used my first piece of cheesecloth behind the panel & image, (inspired by my teamie at The Crafty Pad,  Pauline.) The image has been coloured with Promarkers and mounted so it looks as if its sitting on the lilac organza ribbon.

I added some brads to the top and bottom corners (from my stash from years ago.) The sentiment is an adapted freebie, I added their names for a more personal touch.

Finally the flower & leaves die cuts, made from my newest die. I added some pinflair to the centre and then some pink seed-beads.

There is also a diecut border at the bottom which I inked to match (bought some of these in white from ebay.)

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Just Some Lines - Tweet, Tweet! (Show us some birds.)
• DYSU #73 - A Little Bird Told Me (birds.)
• Crazy Amigo Challenge - Birds.

Thanks for looking.

The Big '40' ... Happy Birthday Bro !

It's my little brother's 40th birthday on Wednesday, and today's card is for him.

I couldn't resist this cheeky image from Digi Doodle Shop as it reminds me of when we were young!

He always LOVED dressing up, and collected dozens of hats for his role-play, but by far his favourite was the cowboy hat!

He always had such a great imagination, and his kids (now teenagers) and his nieces and nephews all love spending time with Uncle Stu, he's just so funny, and so good with them.

Card details:

Papers - Raspberry Road.

Sketch - Willow Sketchie

Image - Digi Doodle Shop

Also used: Kraft cardbase (6x6,) Promarkers, computer sentiment using 'Drift Type' font, Distress Ink (Brushed Corduroy,) brads to decorate.

I also decorated the inside of the card, and the cowprint strip on the left has been used to cunningly disguise the split pins of the brads!

I will enter my card into the following challenges:

• Willow Sketchie - Sketch and/or 3 different papers (I did both.)
• OSAAT #114 - Anything Goes.
• Chocolate, Coffee & Cards #13 - For the Boys.
• Sassy Studio Designs - Triple Play (I used 3 different DPs)
• Crafty Creations #170 - Male Birthday.
• Dude Time Doodles - Birthdays (must be male.)
• I Love Promarkers #117 - Anything Goes.
• The Paper Shelter #64 - Birthday cards with sentiment.
• Southern Girls #44 - About the Boys.
• Clear it Out! - Con-BRAD-ulations (use brads.) Mine are some of the first things I bought for my stash when I started cardmaking!

It's Time for BINGO !

Welcome to another challenge at THE CRAFTY PAD. I am here with my DT card for our latest challenge, #170, which is a BINGO challenge using the chart below.

You can choose to complete a line on the chart either horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

NB. Please tell us in your post what line you have followed.

Here's my card:

I have made a vintage style teepee card using the gorgeous Dress Form Trio from The Crafty Pad Designs. I altered the colour of the image in Powerpoint and matched it to the cardstock and DPs I have used, which are by Jessica Sprague, called French Market.

I added some Tim Holtz Brushed Corduroy distress inks to the DPs and the images, along with a couple of Crafty Pad sentiments too.

I decorated all 3 sides, but left the 3rd 'blank' for the message/sentiment.

If you are interested in making a teepee card, I have a tutorial HERE.

I added some vintage buttons from my stash, made some stick pins and added some cream lace to the bottom. The final additions were some ribbon and some faux stitching around the DP panels.

I have actually followed the LEFT VERTICAL line (Buttons, Lace, Ribbon) but it also fits the CENTRE HORIZONTAL line too (Lace, TCP Image, Stitching.)

We have a wonderful prize for you this week, courtesy of

Here it is:

I will enter my card into the following challenges:

• Sassy Studio Designs #125 - Triple Play/Use 3 of Something (I have made a teepee card, which has 3 SIDES!)
• Dutch Dare #165 - Shaped Cards.
• Inky Impressions - Use Lace or Trim.
• Creatalicious #34 - Bingo Board (diagonal line top right down to bottom left - buttons, ribbon, lace.)
• Creative Craft Challenges 2 - Distressing.
• Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT #60 - Anything But Square.
• Stamp & Create - One for the Ladies.

Thanks for popping in!

Meet BEANZ !

I thought I should introduce you to the newest member of our family...meet  BEANZ!

Isn't he just the cutest?! I have wanted a ginger cat since I was a girl, and when a friend of a friend's cat was pregnant, I said "oooh, if there's a ginger one, I'll have it!" A few days later when she had her kittens, their were THREE ginger ones in the litter! It was FATE! I went to choose one, and this little boy was the most ginger (the others had more white on them.) He has settled in a treat, and is so friendly, he follows me all over, and if I sit down, he's there in a flash, snuggling up on my lap! He has gotten more and more adventurous as the days have gone by, and one of his favourite pastimes is 'helping' me when I am making cards! Here are a couple of pictures (not very clear I'm afraid, but he wouldn't keep still long enough for the camera to focus!!)

I am so pleased with him, he is such a delightful little character, and everyone in the family (including my hubby who is normally not bothered) is totally smitten with him!

I have some better pics on my i-phone...if I ever manage to work out how to get them onto the laptop I'll post them up for you to see!

Thinking of Summer...

Well, our good old British weather never ceases to be a topic of conversation, and in the words of Forrest Gump..."you never know what you're gonna get!" I have been longing for some brighter weather, which was the inspiration for today's card.

The image is called Laundry Line Summer and is from THE STAMPING BOUTIQUE, who are sponsoring today's challenge over at C.R.A.F.T. where the theme is easel cards.

My DPs are by Kate Knight, and were a freebie in one of my magazines. They are layered onto cardstock, and I chose the colours/style as they were tropical and warm. The image is coloured with Promarkers and cut with a nestie. The flowers are made from a couple of new dies I treated myself to (I'm still not very good at rolling/shaping them, but will keep practising!) I also added a purple ribbon and a diecut panel for writing the message onto.

I will enter my cards into the following challenges:

• Two Sisters #91 - Make it Girly.
• Crafty Catz #132 - Happy Birthday.
• C.R.A.F.T. #155 - Easel Cards.
• I Love Promarkers #117 - Anything Goes.
• The Paper Shelter #64 - Birthday Card with Sentiment.
• Truly Scrumptious #80 - Anything Goes.
• Papertake Weekly - In the Garden.
• Sassy Cheryls #115 - Don't be Square (no square cards!)
• Paper Creations Ink #24 - In the Garden.

Thanks so much for popping in!

For my Nephews

My brother's 3 boys all have birthdays within a few weeks of each other, and this year they are 15, 17 and 19...Here are the cards I've made for them:

CARD A:

 This one is for my 19 year old Nephew. Last year, on his 18th I used the same Mexican character, without the horse! Papers are Papermania (have had them ages in my stash.) I added some Card Candi dots and doodled some faux stitching around the edges.

I used promarkers to colour him, Nesties to cut him out, and added some wobbly eyes to his horse.

I decorated the inside using the same DPs and a nestie-cut panel for writing on.

I will enter this card (A) into the folowing challenges:

• Allsorts #154 - Card for a Boy or Man.
• Totally Papercrafts #116 - No Pesky Girls Allowed!
• Pixie Dust Studio #126 - One for the Boys.
• Divas By Design #34 - One for Boys.

CARD B:

This one is for the 17 year old. I used more Papermania papers and embossed a panel of Kraft card, which I inked to enhance the dots. Some Card Candi and Bakers Twine, along with a couple of buttons and faux stitching (again) to finish.

I coloured the image with Promarkers and once again added some wobbly eyes then cut it out. I made a sentiment on the computer that says 'Hap-PIE Birthday!'

The inside is decorated using the same DPs.

I will enter this card (B) into the following challenges:

• Emergency Crafters  - Spots & Stripes (Spots are embossed, Stripy paper.)
• Poodles Parlour - Anything Goes.
• Dutch Dare #164 - Birthdays.
• The Paper Shelter #63 - Anything Goes.
• Craft Room Challenge - Emboss It!

CARD C:

Finally, this card is for the 15 year old. Once again I have used Papermania DPs & Card Candi. This time, as well as some doodled faux stitching, I have added some REAL Hand-Stitching! This is the first time I've ever done this, and it is a bit wobbly, so don't look too closely!!!

The image is coloured with Promarkers, and has the added wobbly eyes too! I have decorated the inside of this one too, in exactly the same way as the other 2, (but the photo I took was blurred so I haven't added it to my post.)

I will enter this card (C) into the following challenges:

• Annabelle stamps - Stitching.
• Delicious Doodles  #19 - Try Something New (my 1st attempt at Hand-Stitching!)
• Southern Girls - About the Boys.
• Creative Craft - Anything Goes.
• Sassy Cheryls #114 - A Stitch in Time.

Since Royal Mail have hiked their prices I will be popping them all into the same large padded envie and sending them all together to save on the postage!

Thanks so much for popping in today.

MAY 'New Release' Time at The Crafty Pad

Whoo Hoo! It's day 2 of our May New Releases, and have we got a treat for you today! The wonderful Debbie, of none other than The Crafty Pad Designs has some more new releases for us, and you are going to love them!  Four days of new releases, 7th-10th May incl.

Today sees the release of the adorable

HEDGEHOG HARRY IN CIRCLE OF FLOWERS.

I used him to make this card:

I made the card base by drawing around one of my kid's melamine bowls as a template!!! I thought the shape was perfect for what I wanted to create. I coloured my Harry image using Promarkers and cut out the area in between Harry and the top circle.

I cut a yellow card lacey circle with a nestie, and embossed it with a cuttlebug folder. The edges have been inked and my image mounted onto it. Then I simply added a grosgrain ribbon and a diecut rolled daisy, made from the same card as the base and a tiny offcut of ribbon in the centre. Oh yes, I nearly forgot, the ticket sentiment is also from The Crafty Pad Designs.

In case you missed yesterday's new release, it features Harry and his BFF Hilly...here it is!

If you want to see how cute they'll look on your crafty projects, pop over to The Crafty Pad Blog and see what the DT created yesterday. There will be more new images tomorrow and the day after, so don't forget to pop in and see! 

HOW TO WIN!

If you want the chance to WIN this image (or even ALL 4 new releases) all you have to do is pop over and leave a comment on The Crafty Pad blog. One winner per day/image and one very lucky person will receive all 4 by leaving a comment every day for each of the 4 releases!

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

• Catch the Bug - Anything Goes.
• Crazy 4 Challenges C4C135 - The Great Outdoors.
• Little Miss Muffett #34 - May Flowers.
• Creative Belli #143 - Animals.
• My Mum's Craft Shop #55 - Embossing.
• Crafty Emmas #84 - Shape it Up! (No square cards.)
• Inspire Me Fridays #57 - Anything Goes.

We're 'Girly Girls!'

Welcome to my blog on this quiet (I hope!) Sunday morning! Today sees the start of our latest challenge over at THE CRAFTY PAD, where our theme is

'We're Girly Girls'

We want to see your cute, girly creations, with plenty of 'bling' and definately some pink in there somewhere too!

SPONSORS

We are really lucky this week, as we have TWO sponsors, so twice the chance to win!
LOTV have kindly given us £10 voucher for their fabby store. 

AND L.R.Designs Digital Downloads with a £10 voucher for their fabby store!

I have used the adorable Lulu With Flowers from The Crafty Pad Designs for my card.

My papers are by Nitwit Collections and are from the One Birdie Lane collection. Lulu is coloured with Promarkers and clouds have been chalked onto the background before cutting with a nestie. I really went to town with LOTS of embellishments on this card, far more than I usually add to my creations, including handcut flowers, funky fibres, buttons, brads, pearls, grosgrain ribbon, glamour dust, and handmade posh stick pins too! Phew! I'm exhausted just typing it up!!! Lol!

Here's a close-up of my posh pins and a couple of other embellies:

I even decorated the inside of this one, as it looked daft with an entirely blank, white inside!

I am actually pleased with the result, and will enter my card into the following challenges:

• Jellypark Friends - Girlie Girl.
• Crafty Ribbons #18 - Pink, Orange & Yellow.
• Southern Girls #43 - Get Your Girly On!
• Crafty Creations #168 - Mothers Day.
• Craft Your Passion #108 - Lots of Texture.
• Creative Stamp Friends #50 - Mother's Day.
• My Sheri Crafts #84 - April Showers Bring May Flowers For Mum.

We look forward to visiting your blogs to see your creations...thanks for looking.

A New Monthly Showcase at THE CRAFTY PAD

Welcome to my little corner of blogland, the 1st of May, and a brand new monthly showcase at THE CRAFTY PAD. Don't forget to pop back later in the week and check out to see who has won 5 Crafty Pad images in our April showcase.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning, is to use a Crafty Pad image on your creation, whether it be a card, scrap page, ATC, altered item, (or something else!) and enter our May Showcase, which you can find on the top righthand side of the blog, or click on the link at the top of the blog.

I have made a shaker card using Roshell Duck With Brolly.

Roshell is coloured with Promarkers and has some touches of Stickles added to the brolly and the puddle.

The shaker box was made using seed beads, gingham DPs and the frame is an old cereal box covered in DP! I edged round the outside using Stickles too. My sentiment is also from The Crafty Pad and says 'It's Good To Waddle With Friends!'  I added a small piece of ribbon, a gem, and 4 Dovecraft spotty brads which were one of the first items I ever bought when I first started making cards (about 6 years ago!!)

To whet your appetite, we have TWO sponsors for this month's showcase! The Crafty Pad itself, and also CRAFTY INDIVIDUALS...

...with this superb prize pack:



CRAFTY INDIVIDUALS



The Prize Pack consists of:-

6x6 book of DP Springtime

Red Rubber Stamps - Around the World and London themed - getting all ready for the Olympics

1 A4 sheet of glossy toppers - tea-themed

So what are you waiting for...? Get that stash out, and get creating...we really hope you will play along. :)

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

• Scrappers Delight - April Showers.
• Sentimental Sundays #100 - Cards for Kids.
• Allsorts wk#152 - Shaker Card.
• Drunken Stampers #87 - Use acetate (on the front of my shaker card.)
• Lily Pad  - Rainy Day.
• Little Miss Muffett #33 - April Showers.
• Sisterhood of Crafters - Shaker Card.