I've been Tagged

I have been tagged by Sheena - thanks - and what you have to do is to go to the 6th folder where you have your pictures and go to the 6th picture and explain what it is about. Last Easter to help my son with speaking Spanish ready for his GCSE in the summer, he went to Spain for a week with my cousin's daughter and stayed with my uncle. This is a picture of my uncle's cave house.

I know that so many people over the last week have been tagged so if you would like a go let me know and I can add you to this post.

Birthday Card

As I printed off two A5 sheets of backing paper to make the Thank God It's Friday Challenge Blog card, I made a pact for the New Year that instead of just putting leftover stuff in a box or drawer that I would make a card up with the items left over. This card is very similar to the challenge card but I've used different card for matting and layering, brads and some vellum. The background prints were two identical prints from Artylicious Damask CD in yellow and green and carefully cut them down so I could match the images on both pieces of card. The yellow was then inked around the edges in yellow and the green with a green chalk ink pad. It was then mat and layered. I then stamped out a flower image from Graphicus Flora and Fauna set and just did some light watercolouring as I didn't want the colours too heavy to distract from the backing paper. It was all finished off with some organza ribbon.

Thank God It's Friday (TGIF) Challenge No 70 - Greens - 29-1-09

On the Thank God It's Friday Challenge Blog the subject is Greens. For this challenge I have used two identical prints from Artylicious Damask CD in yellow and green and carefully cut them down so I could match the images on both pieces of card. The yellow was then inked around the edges in yellow and the green with a green chalk ink pad. It was then mat and layered. I then stamped out a flower image from Graphicus Flora and Fauna set and just did some light watercolouring as I didn't want the colours too heavy to distract from the backing paper. It was all finished off with some organza ribbon.

Cupcake Crafting Challenge 24 - 3-2-1 - Monday 26-1-09

On the Cupcake Challenge Blog this week they had a recipe as their challenge for the week:

3 pieces of cardstock,

2 embellishments such as brads, buttons, or flowers

1 ribbon on your card or project

so I thought I'd have my first go at this challenge. I have used some gold and two different burgundy cardstocks and the main image is from some Joanna Sheen decoupage sheets I bought recently. I have cut the two flowers out with a punch and used a bit of waste peel-off in the centre and it is finished off with some gold ribbon.

Basic Grey Challenge No 19 - Recipe Challenge - 24-1-09

I have entered a Basic Grey Challenge for the first time this week. Please click here if you would like to see the challenge. The recipe is:

Ingredients

2 Patterned papers

1 Button

1 Ribbon and Bow

3 Brads.

Before entering I had to find some Basic Grey items and at the moment have only across some paper so I bought it. It's called Two Scoops. There's one thing I don't like about it ..................... it's too nice to use, the texture is superb and the colours/images are lovely but to take part in this challenge I had to "bite the bullet" and cut up some of the paper. I shall have to keep a look-out for more Basic Grey products now.

The card is made by cutting two sheets in half diagonally, cutting a small slither off the diagnonal piece. The edges were inked with red Stazon. On one of the papers there was a flower so I cut out the image at the bottom, made an embossed mat with My Craftroom Workstation, distressed it with a nail file and after adding three brads to the other three corners I popped the fourth corner in under the flower. I added some decoupage, a button with fibres running through it, a creamy/gold ribbon bow and a matching ribbon on the card from my stash to finish it all off.

Thank God It's Friday (TGIF) Challenge No 69 - Books - 22-1-09

On the Thank God It's Friday Challenge Blog (TGIF), the challenge this week is for books. Click here to go and visit the challenge. I used Joanna Sheen's Heavenly Cards CD for the bible bookcase and backing paper, some other backing paper in my stash, a sentiment typed on the computer and a lovely ribbon bow I have had for a while.

Dottie's World Sunday Challenge - It's a Recipe - 25-1-09

On Dottie's World Sunday Challenge this week there is a recipe:

1 of the downloads (Charmed Cards and Craft)
1 ribbon
3 buttons
1 flower, but it has to be handmade (not a shop bought one, oh no!)

Please click here to go and have a look at the challenge. Here is my attempt at a card for the challenge. I have a number of family/friends that have birthdays very soon so Dottie has made an appearance yet again in a card - I seem to be on Dottie overload but she's soooooooooooooooooooo cute!!! Had to do some stamping on the card as well as I am addicted to that as well. Made a flower shape and cut it out and then used Cut and Dry Foam to make a shadowed edge - I think I need a bit more practice with this.

Blog Candy

Irina from Everything Paper Crafts has some wonderful Valentine's Day Blog Candy up for grabs. Please click here to see. Thanks for this kind offer Irina.

Blog Candy

Kim at Crafty Makes has some blog candy up for grabs. Click here to go and have a look. Thanks for this kind offer Kim.

Mojo Monday Week 71 Challenge - 26-1-09

On Mojo Monday Challenge Blog they have a sketch to follow. Please click here to see the challenge. For my card I have used some paw print card, two cat images from Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew CD, some ribbon and a peel-off sentiment. I hope to come back and do more of these challenges.

Crafts 4 Eternity Challenge - 25-1-09

I thought I'd have a go at this challenge and wrote it down last week. Today I went to stick all the bits together but thought I'd just have one last check I'd laid things out right - only to find the challenge was changed on Sunday - so with a little re-jigging I've now come up with this card. The backing paper is from the Di Kaye Card Creations Art Deco CD, the image from Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew CD and the card ribbons are from Michelle Marsden. It's all finished off with a happy birthday peel-off and a fabric flower (think I'm getting a little addicted to these - might have to buy some Floradoodles and then I know I'll want every single set of these!!!).

Friday Sketchers - 23/1/09

On Friday Sketchers they have a new challenge. Please look here if you fancy a go. This challenge is sponsored by Megahobby.

I wasn't sure about entering this as I've never been ever any good at tearing paper. This time though I have inked the edges with a chalk ink pad so the edges don't look as harsh and I think it looks a bit better. The image and the shadow backing paper is from the Di Kaye Card Creations Art Deco CD. The blue glitter paper, ribbon, buckle and silk flowers are from my stash.

Lorraine's Blog Candy

Lorraine is offering some lovely blog candy including stamps that I LOVE .............. Messy Rabbit!!! Thank you for this kind offer Lorraine. If you want to have a peek please click here.

Joanna Sheen Card Challenge - January 2009

For the Joanna Sheen Card Challenge for January 2009 you had to use a stamped background. I recently made a card for another challenge with a resist embossing background so decided I'd have another play with this as I enjoyed it.

I used some heart stamps I have and put four together on a block and kept stamping them with Versamark over the card. I only did about a third of the DL piece of card at a time as I was worried the Versamark might dry up plus I also found hard seeing where I'd stamped on the cream card so doing a third of stamping, covering with clear embossing powder and doing it three times over the card was best. After heating the embossing powder and then leaving to cool for a while I then used a decorators sponge (like a large car washing sponge) and shopped a bit off and used this to put on the VersaMagic Perfect Plumeria ink giving it a slightly light/dark texture. I then wiped off the excess with kitchen roll. I then cut the edges with my Craftroom Workstation and then stuck on the card, added a piece of ribbon, used a Paris background from the Di Kaye Card Creations Art Deco CD and also stamped/watercoloured a Messy Rabbit couple and it was finally finished off with a With Love sentiment, I love you sentiment and two little red hearts.

Your Blog is Fabulous Award

I have had a difficult week work-wise and health-wise and to get another award this week has really cheered me up. It has been a great surprise. Thank you Nicky for my award.

The rules for this award are that you have to give this award to five people and link to their blogs. They in turn must pass on to 5 people and link back to the person they received the award from and you must also list 5 things you are addicted to.

My five blogs in no particular order are:

1. Cynthia – she sent me some stern PMs last year as I was a bit concerned about my cards. Her advice has made me carry on with my cardmaking and also to start a blog.
2. Ali – I love seeing Ali’s creations on Ideal World when she has done samples for Joanna Sheen and I also enjoy looking at her blog for ideas/inspiration.
3. Suzanne – Again I love seeing Suzanne’s creations on Ideal World on Joanna Sheen’s show but also enjoy her tutorials and looking at her blog as it is such wonderful work.
4. Dottie’s World – I have only recently come across Charmed Cards and Craft and the wonderful world of Dottie and George and love seeing the creations on here
5. Chrissie – she constantly takes the time to make comments on my blog and that is greatly appreciated. I enjoy looking at her creations especially as a member of the DT for the Sketch and Stash Challenge.

Five things I am addicted to again in no particular order:

1. The cards that I make solely to sell to raise funds for different charities
2. Spending some of my good time looking at the wonderful blogs for ideas/inspiration for my own cards
3. Spending time with my wonderful husband and two boys aged 16 and 12
4. Doing the best I can do at work bearing in mind for health restrictions
5. Trying to get good bargains for my cardmaking as 50% of everything that I make is given to charity.

Nicky, thanks again for the award. I shall keep smiling for days!!!

Kym

Challenge 44 - Peel-offs - Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog

This week on Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog, Hazel has got the honour of being the first Guest Designer of 2009 and she chose the topic of peel-offs for the challenge this week. Congratulations to you Hazel and thank you for the topic.

I use a lot of peel-offs for borders/corners but also others for embellishing inserts, envelopes, backs of cards etc. I'm sure our family must "eat them on their sandwiches" as I don't seem to use as many than that seem to disappear!!!

For my card I've used some Papermania Christmas paper, stamped a cottage stamp I got recently from Xelacrafts and coloured in with watercolours. I didn't do it too bright as I wanted the peel-offs to be the main part of the card. I have backed some of the peel-offs onto card and cut out but others I have stuck straight onto the card. The Happy Birthday sentiment I have coloured with my Dufex pens in green to match the other sentiments and the outline of the peel-offs. The card is all finished off with some green fibres.

Sympathy Card

One of my customers lives with a friend who has just sadly lost his Mum aged 82. I have made this card for my husband to give to him on Monday. I again have used Joanna Sheen's Heavenly Cards CD for the main image which I have decoupaged and also for the backing paper and insert. I have then just used some backing papers/card and some organza ribbon to finish the card off.

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 44 - Create a Scene

I had thought about a Valentine's Card for my wonderful husband and had thought about something to do with Paris as he took me there for my 30th birthday.

For the Cute Card Thursday Challenge 44 it is a Create a Scene so my thoughts for my husband's Valentine's Day card fits the bill.

I used a piece of background paper I printed from the Di Kaye Card Creations Art Deco CD and edged it with the Docrafts Multi-shaper and popped it on the top of my card. I then created a scene using a background from the Di Kate Card Creations Art Deco CD of the Eiffel Tower, a Charmed Cards and Craft Digital Download of the boutique and cafe from the Girls About Town Download and the in love Messy Rabbit stamp. I vowed after making a complicated card a few weeks ago that Messy would have to retire for a while but I've got withdrawal symptoms already. The card was finished off with some stickers for the word Paris and Love and also some words printed off on the computer. I hope he will like it - I'm safe as he won't look at my blog so won't know about his card!!!!

Charity Stall - January 2009

My son was off college today so he went and set up the stall for charity that I have next week. I said that he needed to do a nice arrangement to try to sell the Valentine's Day cards. The stall sells between £2.50 and £17.50 for the week. I normally get really upset when it doesn't do well but I shall try not to let it affect me as much in 2009. Not sure how long it will last!!!!

Over Christmas/New Year I saw a story about a little girl who has CFS/ME like me and whilst she is bed-bound she has set up a system whereby people send cards or presents to very ill children. It's quite an amazing thing for someone so young to do so I shall support them by raising some funds for them and will send some of the children some cards as well. If you'd like to have a look at the website, click here.

Crafts 4 Eternity Blog Candy

To celebrate the launch of the Crafts 4 Eternity website there is some wonderful blog candy up for grabs. Click here to go to their blog.

Beautiful Blog Award

Alison has presented an award of her own - "Beautiful Blog" Award and she has passed it on to 5 people who have inspired her and helped her to make your blog what it is.

She passed the Award onto me for the "charity work in spite of illness". This award has really cheered me up as this has been a hard week at work and at home as I am in so much pain. Making my cards for charity helps me so much during the bad times as I just try to do a little bit and often as it will help me and also help others.

Well, who do I pass it onto as there are so many people that have influenced my bloggin life. I haven't been blogging long but so enjoy looking at other blogs. I'm not always up to making cards so for the "me" time I decided that I would spend time each day looking at other blogs/making comments so I don't feel like I am missing out because of this illness.

Obviously as a special thank you for cheering me up and seeing such wonderful creations on her blog and when her samples are shown on TV I would have pick Alison at http://alis-space.blogspot.com/

Wendy at http://craftblog.craftybutterfly.co.uk/ and Suzanne at http://suzannelily.wordpress.com/ as I saw their blogs for quite some time, looking at awe at their creations and then eventually plucked up the challenge to set up my own blog.

Chrissie at http://chrissiescreations.blogspot.com/ and Beryl at http://bikshome.blogspot.com/ as they always trys to post comments on my blog which is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for this lovely award.

The Cuttlebug Spot Challenge - #14 Valentine Colour Challenge

Over at The Cuttlebug Spot they have a Valentine's Challenge where you are not allowed to use red or pink. I have used a number of different colours but not red or pink. The Cuttlebug text I put through the embossing folder and then put Versamark on it and then some Cosmic Shimmer Embossing Powder to give it another look. Not sure whether I like it or not though. One of the background papers is from the Di Kaye Card Creations Art Deco CD.

OCC Technique Challenge - 17/1/09

I was looking for some different ways to make Valentine's Day cards for a stall and saw this Challenge so I thought I'd have a go at Resist Embossing. Please go to the OCC blog for full details of the Challenge. I enjoyed the resist embossing and will use it again in the future. I decided to make this a card for a man who obviously likes fishing.

Card for Friend at Work

It is a friend's birthday tomorrow. I'd planned the card but for 24 February - not 24 January!!!!! Thankfully my new system came into play whereby I make two cards out of a backing sheet so I only had to print off the decoupage, another lot of ribbons and off I went. Fortunately I had a smidgen of black peel-off ribbon left - just enough to go up the side of the card!!!! The card was made using the Di Kaye Card Creations Art Deco CD which I love.

Friday Sketchers #35 Mumur of France

Here is my first attempt at a Friday Sketchers Challenge. I have used a Umount scroll stamp and also the leaf and flower that came in the set. The image is from a Joanna Sheen CD - but as I printed it out quite a while ago I can't remember which one!!!!

Valentine's Day Cards

Over Christmas I planned out some Valentine's day cards ready for my stall next week. Some images had to be changed as I was putting them together as I couldn't resist printing out some new characters from a a new Charmed Crafts and Card Digital Download which I got yesterday of the lovely Dottie and George. I have used backing papers from my stash, used Cuttlebug folders, used my Multi-shaper punch (as someone I know from a Forum loves using border punches so I thought I must get this punch out and start using again!!), used my My Craft Studio CDs and of course my new digital downloads. Today I have just spent some time on-and-off sticking them together.

Sketch and Stash Challenge #2 - Monday 19-1-09

The Sketch and Stash Challenge has been set for this week. Over Christmas I prepared some cards to make up for my stall ready for Valentine's Day using various images,embellishments etc. Strangely enough I'd used some planned to use on this card some new heart shaped brads and also some gorgeous velour ribbon so this fitted the bill for the challenge. The image is from Joanna Sheen's Fashion Boutique and the background papers are from my stash and I have also used a Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Jak's Blog Candy

Jak aka Crafter's Kitchen is offering some blog candy as she's had over 200,000 hits on her blog. What a wonderful achievement Jak - I might be there in about 10 years' time!!!! Jak is offering some of the Flippin' Men sheets, some cards, envelopes, acetate, silicone and foam pads so the winner of the blog candy can get going straight away. What a generous person you are Jak. Please click here for instructions on how to enter for the blog candy.

Sketch Saturday Challenge Blog #34 - 17 January 2009

I have had another go at a Sketch Challenge Blog, this time with Sketch Saturday. I have used gems, butterfly glitter card and some Papermania flowers from my stash. I have used my Docrafts Honour Multi-shaper to make the purple border and the image is a Charmed Cards and Craft Digital Download and is of the lovely Dottie.

Linnie's Blog Candy

Linnie has some lovely blog candy up for grabs by the end of January. Please take a look here to find out what is on offer/what you need to do.

First Commissioned Card for 2009

Back in December when I made a card for the Secretary next to me on the birthday list I also made a matching bookmark courtesy of the wonderful Joanna Sheen CDs. Another Secretary asked me for a card for her sister for February either cats or poppies.

I couldn't find an image of poppies so I used the Joanna Sheen Jayne Netley Mayhew CD for various cat images and also the wonderful backing papers. I used Word to type the verse up inside and make the mount for the front of the card. I seem to have got addicted to stamping lately and use a new stamp from Xelacrafts of Olly the Cat and watercoloured him in with Lyra Watercolours. The card is finished off with some Papermania fabric flowers and some organza ribbon. The bookmark is finished off with a tassel from Joanna Sheen's website - not too happy about giving one away but it needs to be done!!!

I shall take the card into work tomorrow and see what my colleague thinks of it.

Card made for my stall

I vowed in 2009 that I would try not to have sooooooooo many pieces of papers left over from making cards or doing challenges etc so I thought it an idea if I'm making an A5 card and using a piece of a4 backing paper I'd print off an extra decoupage sheet etc and make a card up for my stall. It seems to be working at the moment - not sure how long it will continue. With some CDs though I just print out onto the page what I want ie My Craft Studio but sometimes it's just easier to print off what you need straight from a CD so I will give this idea of mine a go.

For this card I have used the Di Kaye Card Creations Art Deco CD and used a background image and also one of the gorgeous ribbons with the dogs on to match. I have added a sentiment printed off from the computer and some fibres and hey presto a card for the stall next week.

Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog - Challenge 43 - Fashion

Cynthia aka Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog has set the challenge this week of Fashion. I had an idea for last week but just didn't get the time health and home life permitting to get it finished so I was determined to make mine soon this week so I can submit it on time!!! The card is made using the Di Kaye Card Creations Art Deco CD. I printed out one of the decoupage sheets but just used the main image along with some backing paper, matting and layering, some buttons from my stash and some fibres.

Glad to see you back and blogging Cynthia and setting us challenges. I will try my utmost to take part as often as I can.

Katharina's Blog Candy

Katharina is offering some blog candy up for grabs. She is offering a complete set of Whiff of Joy/Elisabeth Bell Stamp Kit for one lucky winner who will be picked by random.org on Jan. 25. All you have to do to enter the draw is to visit her blog for details here.

Sympathy Cards for my Stall

I had run out of sympathy cards for my stall but find them hard to make but Joanna Sheen's Heavenly Cards CD certainly helps with that difficult task. I have some of the images an inserts and used a U-mount stamp on both corners.

Sympathy Card

A friend has sadly lost her mother so I have made a card to send to her. I have used Joanna Sheen's Heavenly Cards CD for the images and the wonderful inserts that can be found on the CD ie some have text of words that you just cannot say at a difficult time. I have used a U-mount stamp for the backing.

Julie's Blog Candy

Julie was going to post some blog candy as she was nearing 40,000 hits but then her free counters have disappeared - just like mine - but she has decided to do it anyway. Thanks Julie. I like the looks of those stamps. If you are interested in seeing Julie's blog candy just click here.

Kath's Blog Giveaway

Kath has some lovely blog giveaway - the V Funky CD from Funky Hand. Sadly I didn't get to see the show on Create and Craft on my computer the other day but have seen shows before and the samples are fab. If you want to see Kath's blog candy click here.

Sketch Saturday Challenge - 10-1-09

I came across the Sketch Saturday Challenge Blog via other blogs whilst having a trawl of sites over Christmas/New Year period. There are times when I'm not up to making cards so to cheer me up I have a look at blogs to look at other people's creations and also to gain ideas for my own cards.

I thought I would have a go at the Challenge this week. I have used a Charmed Cards and Craft Download of the Girls about Town and just coloured her in. I used some papers that I have downloaded from Scrapbook Flair and another piece of backing paper I had.

Dottie's World Challenge - 11-1-09

For Dottie's World Challenge this week the title is PURE AND SIMPLE - no patterned papers, just clean, fresh and simple. I don't want any fuss on our creations this week. You can include any Charmed download on your card.

This sounded an easy challenge but it proved more difficult when thinking about it. I'd got the Girls About Town Download and liked the girls having a coffee outside the cafe and decided to go for that image. I just did basic matting and layering and made the image of the cafe a bit lighter so the two ladies stood out more.

More Blog Candy

On the Heart's Delight Cards Blog there is some offer of some WONDERFUL blog candy. Please go over there and take a look and follow the instructions to be in the chance of winning. Good luck everyone.

Blog Candy

Sally has kindly offered up some blog candy. The reason for this is her 39th wedding anniversary on 10/1/09 (many congratulations for that wonderful achievement and hope you had a lovely day) and that she's had 1500 hits on her blog (have only just put counters on mine so I've got a long way to go before I reach this). Please go and have a look if you are interested.

Card made for Various Challenges

This weeks' OCC Challenge was to use two shades of blue along with a neutral colour.

I'd downloaded some papers from Scrapbook Flair and strangely enough they were a proper blue and a turquoise blue. I wasn't expecting to use them on the same card but I've had a go. The neutral colour I used was a cream for the matt I stamped onto and I used the same blue as one as the papers for the stamped images. The card in total took me 12 minutes to make - a definite record for me - the hardest thing was cutting out the flowers with my dodgy hands and eyes.

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This card can also be used for the Papertake Weekly Challenge - 5-1-09 - where you simply have to use spots/dots or circles on your project.

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For the Cute Card Thursday Challenge you had to use something that you got for Christmas on your cards. I have used on this card an Aegean Blue VersaMagic Dew Drop ink pad that I got for Christmas from me, to me!!!