Hooray my blog is back to rights!!!!

Last week-end I decided to change my blog from a 2-column to a 3-column.  It proved to be an absolute NIGHTMARE but thankfully I got there in the end.  

This week-end I vowed to find a nice seaside 3-column background so I could put my lovely banner that Lisa made for me back on.  Not that I didn't like the owls as they were cute but it was nice to get the seaside back on my blog!!!

Guest Designer Post for Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog

This is my second and last card to make for my Guest Designer Post on Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog.  After the initial surprise at being asked and wondering if my cards would be good enough I have really loved the experience and have enjoyed looking at everyone's entreies to the challenges to see how differently they interpreted the challenge to me.

The topic this week was a little more difficult - celebrate your creativity - something that takes you out of your comfort zone - maybe try a new technique or product or fold/design that you have been shying away from or haven't done/used as often as you would like.

I decided to do a triptych style card but not with the normal columns and did angled sections instead – well I do have to be different!!!  I then coloured the Bridge over Stream image (available from Crafty Ann's Digishop)  with Promarkers and then came another bit I’d not done before.  I did three layers of clear triple embossing using Versamark and clear embossing powder and then put the three pieces in the freezer to harden and then I cracked it.  I then rubbed in some Tim Holtz’s Aged Mahogany Distress Ink well into the cracks and then left to dry before covering with Versamark and another layer of clear embossing powder.  The card was then finished off by matting it onto some Co-ordinations brown card and sanding the edges to release the cream core.  I then matted onto some grey card, two of the polished stone autumn colour backing papers (available from Crafty Ann's Digishop), added some lace that I won in some blog candy, a few peel-off flowers and a peel-off sentiment.  


Not sure I would do the triple embossing of the card/cracking it/re-embossing as it’s a bit too messy for me but it was nice to actually give it a go as I’d seen something similar done about 6 months ago and never got around to doing it.

I would love you to go and visit all the Design Team cards and would love to see your creations if you have the time to take part.

Many thanks to Ann for giving me the opportunity of being a Guest Designer as I have really enjoyed the experience.  I'd love to be asked again in the future.


This card also fits the following challenges:


Scrappy Frogs - Challenge yourself
Cards for Men - Green.

Sew Many Challenge 25/2/10

Over at Sew Many Challenges this week there is a lovely sketch so I thought I'd have a go as I bought some images last week and had them all coloured in and ready for a challenge somewhere.  The image is from Sew Many Card Store and is called Jovi.  My friend Lorraine made a card with this little character a few weeks back and he's been on my wish list since.  The backing papers are from my stash and they were from a magazine given to me by a friend so I don't know which magazine.  I have coloured Jovi with various shades of Promarkers.  The card is finished off with a sentiment off the computer and some glitter circles which are new from Papermania and I am getting addicted to them!!!  

This card also fits the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew - Get Well Soon

Paper Cutz - Get Well Soon

Pile it On - Get Well Soon.

Another card ready for the monthly charity stall.

Papertake Weekly Challenge 23-2-10

I decided to have a go at making a card using the sketch for the challenge at the Papertake Weekly Challenge.  I have used a Basic Grey Boxer paper from my stash, two various card that I have ripped and one I have edged with Aegean Promarker.  The toppers are gorgeous ships from Kanban that were given to me by a fellow Sheenie.  I have finished the card off with a peel-off, some fibres and a little ship charm.

Birthday Card

I seem to be on the Art Deco band wagon at the moment as here is yet another Art Deco birthday card.  The image is from the My Craft Studio Deco Follies Cd and I have printed the image on the front of the card on glossy photo paper whereas the one inside is on normal card just to give a different effect.  The backing papers are from the boxes on the table.  The card is finished with a gorgeous slide to go on the ribbon which I won in some blog candy last year and now needs to be used and go to a good home, a sentiment off the computer, some flowers made with my Woodware punch and finished off with some stamens a friend gave me, some pearls, ribbon and finally a little floral decoration (think it isn't too bad but I'm no florist!!).

This card fits the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - Ribbon-Tastic
Gingersnap Random Redhead Challenge - Birthday Greetings

CRAFT - Ribbon and sparkle

One Powerful Hour - Faces

Pixie Dust Studio Pixie Challenge - Think Birthday.

Card for the Stall

Here is another card I have made for the stall from Kanban items I was given from a friend on Joanna Sheen's Forum.  I have used various DCWV backing paper that was really in a Christmas pad but the more all-year -round pages I have started using up.  I have made the sentiment mount with Nestabilities dies and peel-off and the card is finished off with some card candy and a charm which I've had for a while and needs a new home.  This card fits the Quixotic Challenge this week as the topic is "One for the Boys".

Hero Arts Blog Candy

Over at the Floral Fantasies Blog Brenda has some Hero Arts Blog Candy to give away.  Please go and visit before 1 March 2010.

Another card for the stall

Yet another card whizzed up for the stall in a weeks' time.  I have used an image off the Crafter's Companion Popcorn the Bear CD - isn't he cute with his gorgeous fluffy blanket and how lucky to have got a nice present.  Again the paper is from what I've printed out but not sure from where - sorry.  The card is finished off with some gems, a sentiment off the computer and some fibres.  I have used some of the backing paper and a smaller image and decorated the inside as well as it's better to do this than keep them for another card and somehow that never happens.  This card fits the Just Cute Bears Challenge as the topic is "lilac".

Card for the Stall

This is another card that I have made for the stall.  I have used a Joanna Sheen Jayne Netley Mayhew image and used distressed looking striped and plain turquoise green backing paper that I have printed off (I'm sorry I can't remember whose it is - it was printed off before I started writing in pencil on the back the designer - so I apologise for not knowing), some gems from my stash, a sentiment off the computer and some fibres.  This card fits The Craft Garden Challenge for this week as the topic is "boys" and also for Stampin' Royalty as they wanted "masculine cards".

Card for a Very Good Friend

A friend at work is leaving on Friday so I thought I'd make her a special card.  Since I've known her I have always made her cat cards and she loves her cards.  I decided to make an Art Deco one for a change - you'd never think I'd like Art Deco would you?

I have used my Deco Follies My Craft Studio CD and used various square images, just printed off normally whereas some I put borders around to add a bit more detail.  They've all been mounted on various paper/card from the box on the table (yes I'm still using it up all up!!).  I have used many different embellishments.  On the front I did a flower display (I'm no Joanna Sheen so I struggle with flower arranging) and I used some flowers on a stem, some leaves, a pink feather, some individual flowers in purple and blue, some purple ribbon flowers which I've had for ages and ages and finally some little pearl circles.  For the remainder of the card I have used various peel-offs (I can't believe how many peel-offs I have been using lately.  I was given a small pile from a blogger but they are all gone ......... I know she'll never believe me when she reads this but it is TRUE!!), pearls, glitter, gems, and flowers.

This card fits the following challenges:

My Time to Craft - In the frame (I have used frames from the CD for the title page and also the verse page)
Jacksonbelle Embellishments Blog - Anything with Flowers

Crafty Angels - Bon Voyage, Sorry you are leaving, Goodbye

Cupcake Crafts - Friends

Special Card to go off to America

A few weeks ago I saw a request to make cards for a little girl in America called Delia who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on 11 December 2009.  Of course I wanted to make a card to cheer her up and the artist Dustin Pike drew some owls which she loves and you could request them to make a card.  I did make a card and posted it on my blog a few weeks ago.  I decided I wanted a little something to go in the card to I bought something - it went astray in the post - so another was sent which I got yesterday.  I was getting the package ready for the Post Office tomorrow when I saw an update that Delia is at home and there is a picture with her sister.  

Well, I couldn't have her little sister Adira missing out so I whizzed up a card using some pre-coloured Dottie's World downloads of a little bird one side and a donkey the other side.  The card is actually made from my large square scalloped Nestabilities die following tips I picked up on one of Sheena Douglas' shows on Create and Craft (thank you Sheena).  The card has been finished off on one side with little raised stars and squidy foam letters to form Adira.  On the other side I have used an embossing folder that I won in some blog candy last year and some raised papermania glitter circles (think I am getting a liking for these now!!!).  I didn't want anything too raised or metallic in case it caused any problems on the journey to the USA.

Adira's card fits the following challenges:

Dottie's World - A small project (well my card was just about 4x4 and I struggled a bit on how to do it but I got there in the end)

Incy Wincy - Touchy feely (embossing, raised glitter circles and the squidgy foam letters)

Practical Scrappers - Stamps

Lexi's Creations - Anything goes

There's Magic in the Air - Distressing

Sophisticats - Embossing

Tuesday Taggers - Getting messy (I don't normally like getting messy but I have really got into using distressing inks and alcohol inks but no matter how hard I try my hands get messy.  I'm hoping my QVC TSV with the holder for the foam will be better for me ie less messy!!)

Created by Hand - Things that fly.

Here is a photo of the two cards ready to go off to America tomorrow.  I hope it will put a smile on both their faces.

Mother's Day Card

I have made another card for my stash ready to sell very shortly for Mother's Day.  The card ended up in the direction following seeing the topic for this weeks' Cute Daisy May Challenge - bright and cheerful.  I have used some backing papers and flowers that a friend sent me that were a freebie from a magazine and I have put them to good use.  I do love orange, yellow and blue put together but this card also includes green.  I have coloured the Cute Daisy May image with Promarkers and have distressed the edges with Tim Holtz's Tattered Rose and Mustard Seed Distress Ink Pads.  The card is finished off with a peel-off, some card candy and a bright yellow ribbon.

This card fits the following challenges:

Cute Daisy May - bright and cheerful

Gingersnap Creations - 3 colours you love (orange, yellow and blue)

Saturday Spotlight - Doing Mess Around

Magical Crafts Fortnightly Challenge - Something for Mum

Crafty HOs' - Think Spring

Quirky Crafts - Cute

Paper Sundaes - Distressing

Ooh-la-la-creations - Interpretation of love (someone who loves their mum enough to send them a Mother's day card)

Stamptacular Sunday - Going around in circles.

Mother's Day Card

As Mother's Day is rapidly approaching I thought I'd better get a few more Mother's day cards ready for the stall.  I have used some paper and card from my stash and a gorgeous Kanban sheet with a fan and little girl that was given to me by a friend on Joanna Sheen's Forum.

This card fits the following challenges:

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Mother's Day

Just us Girls - Raspberry, Ivory, Chocolate and Coral Pink.

Commissioned Birthday Card

I was asked to make a very very basic birthday card for a little boy who loves looking at motorbikes.  He hates cards with frills on so that was quite a difficult one for me.  Thankfully I was told it would be perfect.  I used some plain card stock from my stash and used some Kanban toppers I received from a friend on Joanna Sheen's Forum.

This card fits the following challenges:

Die Cuts R Us - No designer papers - certainly a very hard one for me and I doubt I'll be alone on this one

Fab n Funky - It's Childish

Raise the Bar - No stamped or digi image - another hard one for me.

Allsorts Challenge 20/2/10

This Art Deco card fits the Allsorts Challenge this week for for the topic of a "tag, ticket or label".  I have made this A4 card using my new My Craft Studio Deco Follies CD along with stash from the box off the table - yes, it's going down quite nicely and not bad nearly six weeks after my New Years' Resolution!!!

Birthday Card

I have used a new Sew Many Cards image for this birthday card.  He's called Toga and isn't he cute?  I've coloured him in with Promarkers and then cut with a Nestabilities scalloped circle die.  I've sat him on top of some striped, spotted and plain paper from the box on the table, two Heidi Swapp flowers which the bottom one I have edged with Cocoa Promarker to match better with the paper and then I've filled the centre with glossy accents and pushed in some orange and gold seed beeds and the final embellishment is a sentiment off the computer.

Angela, at Sew Many Cards, is celebrating her birthday today so this card is just for you to say happy birthday and a special thank you - you know just why.

This card fits the following challenges:

Artful Inkables - Naughty or nice
Sketchy Colours - Light green, dark green and pink

Totally Papercrafts - Lots of spots

Fun with Shapes and More - Spotted

Lots to Do - Use a machine to help in your project - mine was my Wizard

Totally Gorjuss - Flower Power.

Commissioned Birthday Card

I was asked to make a birthday card for one of my customer's friends with the topic of handbags, shoes, shopping etc.  I am not a typical female as I hate all three of these so when she said the topic I said "oh no".  I get the same when buses, trains or tigers are mentioned but hey ho it had to be done.

I have used a Dottie's World digital download from the Girls About Town and have used some of the backgrounds, some of the characters and some sentiments.  I have made a border down the side of the card with some stickers a friend gave me as they came into the theme of things.  I have distressed the backing papers and image with a sandy Versamagic ink pad.  I bought some chain to use on my cards recently.  I love the look of the floaty feeling with charms added but it nearly took me as long to attach them than it did to make the whole card!!!  You'll notice there is a tad difference to the first and second photo.  After taking photos I decided I didn't like the hang of the charms on the fibres so I changed to ribbon but then forgot to re-take a picture of the inside.

This card fits the following challenges:

Penny's Paper Challenge - Birthday

Pixie Dust Studio Pixie Challenge - Charms

Cute Card Thursday - Metal Mania

Little Paper Shop Challenge - Distressing

Daring Cardmakers Challenge - Winter birthday.

Thank You Card

Glenda from Artylicious recently had an offer on when her new stamps were due out - you could enter to win a set of stamps.  I duly entered and was so surprised to see that I'd won.  I have now received the flower stamp set, which by the way is gorgeous, and have made this card.  The flower has been coloured in with Promarkers in various shades of pink.  One of the layers and the leaves I have done paper piecing with a pink flecked paper for a bit if interest to the card.  It's finished off with a sentiment off the computer and some ribbon which I won in some blog candy last year (the ribbon was in fact black with white spots so I used two of the different pinks to colour in the white spots so it toned in with the card).

Thank you Glenda.

This card fits the following challenges:

Crafty Angels - Fantastic flowers

Little Red Wagon - Ribbon

Your Next Stamp - Spring colours

Treehouse Challenge - Paper piecing

Cupcake Craft Challenge - Keep it Simple

Alphabet Challenge - P is for Pink

ABC Challenge - O is for One Paper
Pile it On Challenge - Let us see Flowers
Pals Paper Arts - Keep it Simple.

A LOVELY Surprise from the USA!!!

I was recently contacted by Terry from Tellen's Place to say that she had something to send me from their recent Blog Hop.  The package arrived today from the USA.  Oh to my surprise inside was a gorgeous little package and inside were three lovely caramel chocolates - oh I do love caramel - my dilemma is should I share or eat myself?  Guess which one I will pick?

Thank you Terry for my lovely surprise.  You have cheered me up on a very cold day with on-and-off snow which thankfully hasn't settled.

Craft for Life Appeal 2010 - Part II

My husband brought back some Christmas cards from a place that sells my cards for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children so I decided to pick out all the C6 cards and give them for the Craft for Life Appeal and start afresh for cards for Christmas 2010.  I went and picked a wad of envelopes up and have filled another 74, a few of which are cards that were donated for my charity work and I'm sure the fellow crafters won't mind this.  Here is a selection of the cards I've packaged up this time.  They sure a great deal of items that were donated to me and I have used on these cards.  

THANK YOU to all those people that donate things.  It helps me to help others and this Craft for Life Appeal 2010 means a lot to me.