Cards by Aardvark

Hello Kitty

2012-01-27T12:33:00.002Z

Last card for this week no more crafting for me for today as my raging headache has turned into a migraine which is making me feel really sick at the moment.
This card if for the following challenges

Cute Card Thursday - challenge 201 Your a gem I have two gems on the wheels.
Crazy 4 Challenges - a child's birthday card

Fore you

2012-01-26T22:32:00.002Z

Hope you are all having a good week. The weather has turned very cold here in Essex but it didn't stop me from having a lovely afternoon with friends today.
This a very quick post as I have a raging headache the result of a funny turn today where the room started spinning and I nearly passed out,so I am off to bed for an early night. I just wanted to sneek in this card to finish the week off.
This is for the following challenge:

Cards for Men - Boys Toys

Fairy Dust

2012-01-24T11:56:00.001Z

My friend recently lent me her Clarity Stamp Videos, which reminded me I hadn't done any brayering for simply ages. So inspired by the videos I decided to make this card using one of my new crafty bargains. The fairy stamp is from Personal Impressions- Spell Casting and which I found brand new in a charity shop for 50p, that's what I call a bargain. I also brought a few other stamps as well so watch this space.
This card is for the following challenges.
It's not a great day for photographing as it's raining so the stickles I used for fairy dust are not showing up too well.

Crafty Purple Frog - Anything goes
Lollipop Crafts - Challenge 64 Wing It
Craft Ann's Challenge Blog - Challenge 57 What's New Pussycat

I saw three ships

2012-01-22T19:47:00.000Z

Just time to get in a quick card before I settle down for the evening with a glass of wine to watch Wild at Heart.Very simple but effective card using stamps from my favourite craft shop Imagine That.
This card is for this weeks challenges at
Cards & Things which is the sketch.
Craft Sentiments - Anything Goes
Truly Madly Crafty Challenges - Anything goes
Scrappers Delights Paper Craft - Anything Goes.

Flutterby

2012-01-20T12:44:00.001Z

Well I've been trying all week to finish this card but just haven't found the time or energy until today. I've had a complete lack of energy and mojo this week, as my mum would have said it's trickled out my left leg, my mum used to come out with some strange sayings.My friend Annie was kind enough to give me some crafting goodies last week which included some of these butterflys.It also rekindled my mojo so it was just a case of finding the energy.
Just by the skin of my teeth I am in time to enter it for this weeks challenge at Sketch Saturday no 190.
Craft Cardmakers - no floral embellishments
ABC Challenge - H is for Happy Birthday
Flutter By Wednesdays - open just must have a butterfly, fairy or angel

Happy New Year

2012-01-15T13:58:00.004Z

Happy New Year bloggers. I hope you all had a great Christmas and got all the crafting goodies on your wish list.
Can you believe we are half way through January already where has the time gone.Time to return to some serious crafting now all the festivities are over.
The challenge at Penny Black this week is - 184 "anything goes" a nice easy one to start the year off. Looking through my stock I realised my male cards were getting a little low so decided to go along with that theme as well. Now I don't usually use grey it's not one of my favourite colours maybe it has something to do with the fact that many moons ago my school uniform was grey and green but on this occasion I felt it added to the masculine feel of this card.
Stamps are of course from Penny Black - Toadily. Sentiment is from Imagine That.

Little Red Shoe

2011-12-04T15:51:00.001Z

Time for another card and a change from Christmas cards.I was asked by one of my regular customers to make a card for her granddaughter and something shoe related. So it was a good excuse to use my Clarity Shoe stamp which I love, it is so elegant. Patterned background was made using a border stamp from Imagine That which is also where the sentiment stamps are from.
This card is for the following challenges:-
Sundays With Crissy - Challenge 24 anything goes
Paper Sundaes - Challenge 98 at least two of the following red, stripes, Dies cuts Stitching. Mine are red and the three strips of striped pattern paper
Creative Card Crew - Monochromatic
The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes

Elegant Christmas

2011-11-23T15:41:00.001Z

Yes folks it's that time of year when you should be starting to panic if you haven't yet made all your Christmas cards. I am well prepared this year and mine have been done and dusted since August. As I love making cards especially Christmas ones I still have time to make a few more. If they don't all get sold or I use them myself, well then I will have a head start on next year.This is definitely a non traditional Christmas card. I still had my Art Nouveau cartridge in my cricut so thought I would try to adapt an image and make it Christmassy.

This is for the following challenges.

Papertake Weekly challenge Christmas Crackers but not literally so anything with a Christmas theme doesn't have to be crackers.
Craft Catz weekly challenge Snowflakes mine has plenty in the background
One stitch at a time - anything goes
Everybody Art Challenge 169-Christmas Card
Papercraft Star- anything goes
Lothian Crafts Online -Christmas

Butterfly

2011-11-20T23:44:00.001Z

Hope you've all had a great weekend. I spent a lovely morning Saturday at my favourite craft shop Imagine That who were celebrating their 5th Birthday.
My car is back but oh dear the garage could find no reason for it to have gone into limp mode. So now I am wondering was it a one off thing or will it happen again. I do hate those type of faults.
As the weather has been all damp and foggy today I stayed in the warm and had a little play with my cricut.Happy Birthday sentiment is from Imagine That.

This card is for this weeks challenge at

http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.com/ Challenge 180 which is open as long as it has butterfly, fairy or angel on.

All in Pink

2011-11-12T14:42:00.001Z

Can you believe two weeks and I still have a terrible cold and to add to my woahs my card died on me yesterday.There I was sitting in a very small traffic jam when my car gave a jerk and lost all it's umphh!!When I tried to pull away nothing, most embarrassing but I finally managed to get up enough steam to limp home, as I was only a few streets from home. There I was trying to think of the quickest way home which avoided the traffic and more importantly the least number of stops. My poor car is now sitting on the drive waiting for Hubby to arrange for it to be collected. I can see a large bill looming.
The challenge at the Paper Shelter this week is all in Pink which suits this card perfectly
Papercraft Star Challange 70 - Include a number

The Sky's the Limit

2011-11-07T19:30:00.001Z

Ok so I still seem to have a sea lion following me around the house barking all the time but at least I have found a bit of voice now.
I thought it time I made another man card my supply is running a little low.I had not yet played with this vintage balloon stamp which was another purchase from Ally Pally in September.
The backing paper was made using various text/postcards stamps in Frayed Burlap Distress Ink then inked all over with some Old Paper and Antique Linen Distress Ink. I then took out the frustrations of my cold on the card my screwing up into a tight ball and unrolling, a quick light iron and voila! one piece of backing paper but I'm sure you all know how to make it anyway.
Sentiment is two stamps from one of my favourite crafts shops which also just happens to be a few minutes from me Imagine That

This card is for
Stamps R Us - Masculine Theme
Let's Ink it up - challenge 17 Favourite Technique mine is making my own backing papers

Decisions, Decisions

2011-11-06T12:28:00.001Z

Good Morning everyone I hope you all safely enjoyed your Firework Celebrations last evening. As for me I stayed tucked up at home trying to keep the parrot calm with all those fireworks going off.I do feel sorry for all the poor animals.
I have had the cold of all colds for over a week now,thanks to someone who shall remain nameless. Of course having Fibro too means that for the last 5 days I have not gone beyond bed, armchair and back to bed again I wouldn't care if I was starting to feel better but I'm not.
This is a card that I made a couple of weeks ago and which has been sitting on my desk waiting for me to summon up the energy to photograph.I love Lili of the valley stamps and this was a new purchase for me. What girl doesn't like shoes.
This card is for the following challenges

Charisma Cards Challenge 44 which is Cutesy Projects
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
Stampavie and more - Anything Goes

With a Flourish

2011-10-30T13:56:00.000Z

Ok so I'm getting better only two weeks since my last post. Not that I've not been making cards. I have been beavering away I've just not had time to show you. But today is your lucky day. What with the clocks going back my tummy is telling me it's lunchtime but the clock is saying hold on you have an hour to go. So with time on my hands I have time to post this card for my entry into this weeks Corrosive challenge 136 which this week is with a Flourish.
This is an acceptance card I was asked to make for someone in response to a wedding invitation they had received in the shape of a passport as the bride & groom are getting married in Las Vegas next year.The flourishes do have black stickles on but unfortunately it isn't showing in the photo.
This is also for Inky Impressions Challenge 30 - Anything Goes

So Sophisticated

2011-10-15T18:29:00.001+01:00

Can you believe this wonderful weather we are having at the moment, who would think it's October. At least the balmy weather is giving hubby and I a chance to catch up on some very neglected gardening duties. Well hubby is working under instructions from me.
I manged to get to the Knitting and Stitching show last week with friends and what a lovely day it was too. I could have brought lots of goodies but was very refrained and only brought some wool to make a felt bag, so I was very pleased with myself for being so good.
This card was inspired by a card a friend made. Hopefully if they are looking they may be inspired to get back into crafting now the last few months are over with and they are feeling better. I have certainly missed their inspiration the last few months.

This card is for the following challenges.
Anything goes Challenge Blog challenge 51 die cuts/punches or both.
365 Cards challenge 229 - So Sophisticated
Crafty Cardmakers - anything goes

Time to put your feet up.

2011-10-10T21:41:00.000+01:00

Hello bloggers I'm finally back. Can it really be August since my last post. Things have finally calmed down at home and a girl can at last concentrate on the important things in life like crafting and having fun. I even managed a trip to the Big Stamp and Scrapbooking show in September and of course came back with a few goodies.This little fella being one of them. I just love Lili of the Valley stamps and have been itching to stamp him up for the last few weeks.
This card is for Sketch Saturday 176 which was a great sketch to follow.
One Stop Craft Challenge challenge 152 - anything goess

Happy Anniversary

2011-08-21T20:56:00.000+01:00

Well another week has whizzed by in a flash. I'm really missing not
having the time to visit everyone's blogs at the moment but hopefully that will change soon. One more week gone means one more week nearer completion of our project.
Yesterday was my wedding anniversary and this is the card I made for hubby. Now I know guys don't really take much interest in cards but my hubby is the exception and does. He even asked if the hearts and sentiment were stamped or done on the computer.When I asked why he said because they were so crisp and clear for being so delicate. Mmmm!! me thinks there could be a card maker lurking inside his head somewhere.

This card is for the following challenge

Cards for Men - anything goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Sparkles Forum Challenges - One for the Boys

50th Birthday

2011-08-13T19:30:00.000+01:00

Ok so I know I've been a very bad blogger these last few weeks but I do have my reasons,mainly lack of time and energy. We have a major project going on at home and project managing that has taken up a lot of our time and energy. Thankfully after 5 months the end is in sight and all should be done by the end of this month.Hooray!!
Well this is a special year for some of my friends and I when we all reach the big 50.I've had plenty of practice making 50th birthday cards this year.I decided to keep them fairly simple and make a focal point of the 50.
The 50 was cut on my cricut and the th stamps were once again from Imagine That Block it out stamps.
This card is for the following challenge

A Spoonfull of Sugar 162 - Happy Birthday

Craft Your Days Away 26 - Birthday Celebrations

Tuesday Throwdown - Birthdays

Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes

Catch

2011-07-19T16:51:00.002+01:00

Well I'm having a well deserved rest today as I am once again in a lot of pain. For once I'm getting ahead of myself instead of playing catch up on card making. This card is for my Great Nephew who will turn 5 at the beginning of August. I can't believe he will be that old where has the time gone. I don't normally put cards on my blog until the occasion has passed, but as Ethan will only be 5 I don't think he will really be interested in what Great Auntie is up too on her blog.

This card is for the following challenges
Papertake Weekly_ getting cute.Well all Lili of the Valley images are so cute don't you think?
Craft your passion - Text it use text somewhere on your project. A great excuse for me to use yet another new stamp set from Imagine That called Block it Out these little oblong letter stamps so perfectly I can see I will be using them a lot form now on.
Totally Gorjuss Challenge 89 - All about boys

Happy

2011-07-17T15:39:00.001+01:00

Just had time today for a little play with one of my new stamps sets from Imagine That that Emma released yesterday. This is from the set Happy Days a very appropriate name I Love how the Birthday/ Anniversary/ Christmas etc sentiment fits into the side of the H.

Great for making quick and effective cards.

This card is for the following challenges

Crafty Ann's Challenge blog dry embossing.debossing(or both)

Allsorts Challenge blog - Free and easy in July

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Pennys Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog

Pink & Brown

2011-07-14T18:55:00.000+01:00

At last I am back where is the time going too? three weeks, wow! I think that has to be the longest I've been away from blogger land.Lots of things still going on at home, plus I've not been feeling too great migraines, pain etc. I've also had a lot of cards orders with some unusual requests which has kept me beavering away too. Then just when I thought I was back the pc died. Three days without a pc resulted in 50 Christmas cards made and it's only July yeah!!
The challenge at Spoon Full Of Sugar this week is Pink & Brown which is one of my favourite colour combo's.
Sentiment is from Imagine That and if you are anywhere near Upminster, Essex this Saturday folks Emma is releasing another 7 yes 7 sets of stamps. Guess where I will be heading.
Cupcake Craft challenges are celebrating 150 challenges. So the challenge is is pick your favourite challenge from all 150. I chose challenge 110 Pink & Brown
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Creative Inspirations - No flowers

Something old, Something new

2011-06-26T20:52:00.004+01:00

The challenge at Daring Cardmakers this week is to interpret the Wedding Rhyme

"Something old"

something new,

something borrowed

and something blue"

So my something old is my swirls cuttlebug folder, something new my little silver gems, something blue my paper. I couldn't manage the something borrowed.

This card is also for Secret Crafter where the challenge this week is embossing.

Alphabet Challenge - H is for Half a dozen of something. I have six flowers the same.

Hope you all have a good week and enjoy the sunshine whilst it lasts.

Oh La La !!

2011-06-22T15:13:00.002+01:00

Oh deary me Mr blogger is causing me some problems again today. I've spent ages trying to get this photo uploaded.I wish Mr Blogger would get these problems sorted I am seriously getting fed up with never knowing if it's going to work or not.
The photo doesn't show it very well but the dress is painted in mica paint to give it some shimmer.

This card is for the following challenges

A Spoon Full of Sugar 157 - Ribbons & Bows

The Corrosive Challenge 124 - Ribbons & Bows

Southern Girls Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafts 4 Eternity - R is for Embellishments beginning with R (mine is Ribbon)

Pesky Critters

2011-06-20T20:57:00.002+01:00

Pesky critters is the challenge this week over at Penny Black Saturday Challenge who are celebrating their 3rd Birthday this week.Which means we get to choose from all those
gorgeous hedgehogs..mice..cats..dogs..cows....sheep the Penny Black have. I just love these cute little critters.
Must dash the parrot is calling and I don't want him flying down the hall to find me like last week when he over shot the room I am in and ended up in the bathroom, just a few inches from the toilet where hubby had forgotten to shut the bathroom door. The perils of living in a bungalow and having a parrot.

W is for Wedding

2011-06-17T16:01:00.000+01:00

Oh what a rainy day here in Essex, but we really need the rain and it's a great excuse to stay indoors and do some crafting.
The ABC challenge this week is W for Wedding.
I was asked to keep the card fairly simple so opted to add lots of glitter around the edges of the image and card to make it sparkle and used my rosebud cuttlebug embossing folder.
Image is from Lili of the valley.

Little Princess

2011-06-12T19:21:00.002+01:00

Crikey it's the 10th June already where has the last couple of weeks gone. I wish I could say I've been sunning myself on some tropical beach but not such luck. We still have lots going on at home but we did manage a short break to visit relatives last weekend and are already looking forward to next years reunion. It was a great weekend and good to see everyone again. I've finally managed to finish this card which has been sitting on my desk for the last couple of weeks just in time for the following challenges

Craft Your Passion Challenges 61 - anything goes.

Papertake Weekly which is - anything goes.

Bearly Mine Challenges - anything goes

Crafts and me Challenges - stamp something

Paper Sundaes -73 Girly Girl.

The Poodles Parlour - anything goes

Passion for Fashion

2011-05-29T19:12:00.002+01:00

It looks like Mr blogger is playing up once again as it's taken me six attempts to upload this photo. I will therefore make this posting short and sweet in case it all goes horribly wrong and gets lost in cyberspace.
The theme at Daring Cardmakers this week is Passion for Fashion.
I just love this style of card and of course it's the height of fashion at the moment.Ha ha!!The sponsor this week is Imagine That I just love Emma's style of stamps.
I hope you are all having a great Bank holiday weekend for those of you in the UK.
Ingredients, Papers from Stampin up Pink Pirouette,Melon Mambo. Hero Arts dressmaking pattern stamped onto tissue paper.Dressmakers dummy and sewing machine My Minds Eye. Circle for sentiment Paula Pascual. Happy Birthday & Friend from Imagine That.

Sporty at 40

2011-05-25T19:12:00.000+01:00

What lovely weather we are having at the moment. I hope it holds up for the Bank holiday weekend. Not that I have much planned even if I do reach the big 50 on Monday arghhh!! where has the time gone. It would be nice to be able at least spend sometime in the garden resting without having the usual Bank holiday rain, although we could desperately do with it here in Essex. The grass is so brown I can't remember when we last had a heavy downpour.

This card is for someone who is reaching 40 soon as if you couldn't guess.
This for the following challenges
Creative Card Crew - anything goes.
My Time to Craft challenge 142 use a die cut.
Little Red Wagon challenge 42 use a number

Let's ink it up Challenge 15

2011-05-15T19:27:00.000+01:00

Ok so another card from me today what has come over me? I think my mojo may just be coming back. This time the card is for the challenge at Let's Ink it Up which is
"Focal sentiment and 3D Flower". Sentiment is from Darkroom Door.
Have a great week.

Boat Ahoy!!

2011-05-15T19:21:00.001+01:00

Yeah!!! I'm back sorry for the absence folks but I had other things going on at home, also a serious case of losing my mojo.
A girl can't seem turn her back for five minutes without all hell breaking lose in blogging land. First Mr Blogger has seriously been misbehaving and even worse there has been some unscrupulous so and so out there pinching copies of all our creations and putting them onto CD's and selling them on a certain auction site. I have to say I haven't found any of mine as yet on these CD's but I'm certainly on the lookout for these CD's popping up elsewhere and ready to report anyone caught selling them.
Now on to the fun. This is a card for this weeks sketch challenge 155 at Sketch Saturday. Stamps and sentiments are all from Imagine That set Sail Away.

Snookered

2011-04-25T15:35:00.002+01:00

I hope you've all had a good Easter and made the most of the sunshine.
This is what I was up to yesterday making myself a sample swatch of all the Distress Ink Pad colours I have so far. I couldn't believe I had 34 of the 36 available. Hubby was mighty impressed with my handy work but did say why are Black soot and Pumice Stone blank? When I said because I didn't have them I was then told to go and buy them. Now a girl can't argue can she, so I may just have to pay a visit next week to Imagine That to see if Emma has them in stock.What a wonderful hubby I have.

This is for the Cards for Men challenge No 9 - circles well this card certainly has plenty of them. I did have to enlist hubby's help to get the balls in the correct order.

Pilot's Birthday

2011-04-22T12:37:00.003+01:00

Can you believe it a glorious sunny Easter aren't we the lucky ones, makes a change from the normal Bank Holiday rain. Had a mega sore throat the last week where I had been trying to do too much the week before. It's my bodies way of saying stop, so off to bed and a few days rest and I'm feeling a lot better now.
The challenge at Daring Cardmakers this week is "Speaking Professionally" so they would like to see the perfect card for a cook, a gardener, a pilot, a nurse or any other job you want.
This is a card that I made for someone who is a pilot at Shoreham Airport.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

A Rose is a Rose

2011-04-19T10:50:00.002+01:00

Well I think I've finally recovered from my trip to Ally Pally now it's only taken me a week to recover from one day out. Arghhh !! how I do hate having Fibro. It was a great day although I personally found it a little disappointing. There didn't seem to be anything new and exciting to grab me. Mind you it didn't stop me from finding a few things to buy. It also seemed to be very quite people wise this year and there some notable absences from certain craft companies. Oh well I guess that is a sign of the times we are living in now.
This is for the following challenges
Spoon Full of Sugar is let's celebrate.
Totally Gorjuss - no patterned paper

Happy Birthday

2011-04-09T17:51:00.004+01:00

Well blow me down with a feather first it's cold then it turns flippin hot not that I'm complaining. Hope it stays like this for tomorrow I'm off to Ally Pally with a friend. I have a wish list as long as your arm, if I get any of it who knows or cares as long as I have a great time.
Yes I know it's another one of these folded cards(can't remember the exact name today due to Fibro fog) but they seem very popular with my customers at the moment, especially the dress ones. This is slightly different in that instead of numbers in the centre I have a sentiment.
This is for the following challenges

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes
Craft your Passion Challenge - Anything Goes
I Did it Creations - Anything Goes
ABC Challenge R is for Ribbon

Penny Black Challenge 145

2011-04-05T12:27:00.000+01:00

Well just as I thought spring was upon us the weather goes and turns all rainy and cold brrr!!. It's been a while since I inked this little fella up so thought it was high time he had an airing.

This card is for the Penny Black Saturday challenge which this week is a great sketch.Sentiment is from Paula Pascual and is just perfect for this card.I tried adding blue flowers to be in keeping with the picture but for some reason they just didn't look right so I decided to add a splash of white.

Dun Commuting

2011-04-02T18:48:00.000+01:00

This is a card that I made for a friend who retired this week. It's also for the same friend who the Dinosaur card was made for in an earlier posting. He has promised to do the decorating when he retires and the washing amongst many other things, but we can clearly see him laying back and having a snooze when he should be working.
I am entering this into
Creative Inspirations Challenge 105 Cards for Men
Totally Papercrafts - One for the Boys
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Let's hear it for the boys

Christmas in Spring

2011-03-27T15:16:00.000+01:00

What a glorious sunny day again here in Essex. The birds are certainly singing their little hearts out today and the woodpecker is bashing holes in the apple tree like there's no tomorrow.The blue tits,long tailed tits, great tits, blackbirds, robins and wood pigeons are all busy looking for nesting sites so we must remember not to tidy the garden too well. We also had the ring necked parakeets visit us again today.
So not exactly the time of year to be thinking about Christimas is it? but that is the challenge at Secret Crafter this week.
This is a card I made last Christmas for two football fans but didn't get a chance to show.

This is also for Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge which is make a square card
Stamping Vacation Nestabilites challenge well I used my circle nesties.
CES Challenge blog - Challenge 29 Die cut crazy.

Well off to make a start on Sunday lunch or should that be dinner and make the most of the sunshine and that extra hour of daylight.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Cupcake anyone?

2011-03-24T14:46:00.000Z

What a glorious day here in Essex, the sun is shining and it's even warm too. Time to be outside really and not tucked away indoors. However I have lots of cards to make and little time to do some in, so I really need to get stuck in whilst waiting for Mr Tesco to arrive.

The challenge at Papertake Weekly this week is It's a Mum thing or just Girlie. Well sadly I no longer have a Mum she passed away four years ago yesterday. So instead I am entering a card that I have been requested to make. I've made the card with sister on now I just have to do one with Daughter and one with Granddaughter on, and of course they all have to be different all being for the same person. it certainly gets the old brain cells working.
Cupcake stamp is from Hero Arts, Sister sentiment is from Imagine That and the small circle is a stamp from Paula Pascual. All topped off with some Twinklets Diamond dust and some glossy accents for the cherry on top.

This card is also for Cupcake Craft Challenge- Monochromatic so shades of the same colour
Inky Impressions - Monochromatic
Penny Paper Crafty Challenges -"From the Kitchen". So basically it has to do with or come out of the kitchen.

Dino

2011-03-13T16:43:00.000Z

Ok don't adjust your screens yes this is another post from me today. Two in one day wow!!. Well I did say I was playing catch up today with cards.
This card is for the following challenges and in case you hadn't noticed St Patrick's day is not far away hence the many green challenges this week for which this card is perfect with lots of shades of green and a dash of brown.

Easy Craft Projects - Go Green
PaperPlay Shades of Green
Allsorts Challenge - The luck of the Irish, anything Irish, good luck or shades of green
Delicious Doodles Use green for St Patrick's Day
Scrap-Creations Going Green
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Going for green
The Shabby Tea Room The luck of the Irish
Craft your Passion - Anything goes

Betty Boop

2011-03-13T11:50:00.001Z

Another week has whizzed by, I just don't know where they are going. Can you believe it we are in the middle of March already. Spring is certainly in the air the flowers and trees are starting to bloom and the birds are busy starting to build there nests. Spring is one of my favourite seasons. I've had a fairly busy week catching up with friends and doing another great workshop at Imagine That. Now I'm resting my voice box after all that girly chat and catching up on the cards I have to make.

This card is for

Creative Card Crew The challenge this week is NO flowers.

Top Tip Tuesday - Happy Birthday

Cute Card Thursday - Happy Birthday with the added option of having a 3 on your card

New Pad

2011-03-07T15:52:00.000Z

So I survived the weekend and cooking Camel for friends. It turned out to taste just like really tender beef, so we will definitely have it again. It was great to catch up friends this weekend. Also survived a trip to the dentist this afternoon despite my migraine. I spent a nice quite day yesterday catching up several cards I had to make for people while DH was at a car show. Next on the agenda is to take the parrot to the vets to gets his toenails clipped, he seems to have given up biting them himself or is it he just wants to inflict pain on me. After 17 years he has finally decided he likes being taken around the house on my hand to have a nosey around. As a result my hand is now all covered in scratches and looks like I have some contagious disease. More money to be spent on nothing really useful when it could go on crafty stuff.
This is a card I was asked to make for someone's niece who has just moved into their first flat.I thought I couldn't really use a picture of a house as it was a flat so decided on two frogs.
This card is for the following challenges
Charisma Cardz Four Legged friends, well a frog has for legs
Kaboodle Doodles - challenge 57 Go Green, so green on your card well this certainly has plenty of that.
Lollipop Crafts - Challange 29 Critters

An Award

2011-03-06T14:37:00.000Z

Oh my what a surprise I had last week I've been given this award by blogging buddy Margaret at Denique Crafts.All I have to do to get this award is list 8 things I know about myself and give this award to 8 other blogs. Easier said than done.
Well 8 things I know about myself in no particular order

1. I love all things crafty
2. Totally mad about parrots as if anyone that knows me hasn't already figured that one out.
3. My computer which is my life line to the world,so many great blogs out in blogland keeps a girl occupied for hours, if only I could sit that long in the first place.
4. Genealogy love tracing my family tree and helping others trace there's.
5. Friends where would one be without good friends.
6. I hate that FMS/CFS limits what I can do but equally I have made some amazing friends in the last 11 years.
7. I hate celery.
8. I love chocolate yum yum

Now for the eight blogs to pass on to. Always a difficult decision so many great one's out there. So again in no particular order.

Poppet's Place
Shirls Cards
Crafty Patti's cards
Veronica's Designs
Flissy's Crafty Haven
Linda's Crafty Creations
Jacilynn Dashwood
Hau to craft

Dun Ploddin

2011-03-03T15:57:00.000Z

Well This is week is flying by and I still have about 5 or 6 cards to make for various people with some very strange requests. Looking forward to the weekend when we are having some friends to dinner and we are all going to try Camel. I've never cooked Camel before so not sure how that is going to turn out but I will try most things once. Also popping along to my local craft store Imagine That on Saturday to do a class with Jo Firth -Young which should make a few hours fly by.
This was a card that my hubby asked me to make for a friend who was retiring from the police this week. The card was totally his idea including the wording. I just made it happen.
The teddy is from Lili of the Valley I just left the little bird that perches on his foot off as it was for a man. I added a policeman's helmet to the back of the chair.
This card is for

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes

Your Next Stamp Colour challenge feeling blue. Well my card has plenty of Blue Sky

PC Birthday Card

2011-02-22T18:14:00.003Z

Had a great lunch with the girls today but am exhausted now and my toe is still throbbing, so just a very quick post. This was a card I was asked to make for someone who loves his computer almost as much as I do mine. I thought an easel card would be great for this themed card.
I raised the keyboard on 3d foam and added a mouse cut out of funky foam to keep the easel card open.I left a piece of cord trailing from the mouse up to the wording in the card. Unfortunately you cannot see that in the photo. The embossing folder is one of the goodies I brought last week at the Craft Show.

This card is for the following challenges

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Birthday Wishes

Paper Playtime - Technology

Tuesday Throwdown - 3d it

Baby Sister

2011-02-21T14:13:00.001Z

All I seem to be saying this year is what a bad blogger I am. I can only say I've been busy doing other things. My toe is still hurting after falling over nearly three weeks ago but the bruises are at last fading very slowly.

My good friend Gill took me to the Braintree Stitch and Creative Card show last week. It was a very enjoyable day and I stocked up on all my card stock, which is very heavy for me to carry but as Gill had the car it was great. It means when I go to Ally Pally in a couple of months I won't even have to think about card stock I can just look at all the other delicious goodies that will be on show.

This is a card I was asked to make this week for two boys with autism who have a new baby sister. I thought a spinner card would be a good idea for the boys. This is the first spinner card I have made and it did take me rather a long while as it was rather fiddly but I am pleased with the finished results.

This card is the following challenges

Carzy4challenges - Use Dies

Drunken Stamper Use Die Cuts

Scrapbook Sisters - Baby Baby

The Crazy Challenge Baby Love

Baby Image from Mo's Digital Pencil. Pram stamp by Michele Marsden.

How Old ???

2011-02-07T14:20:00.001Z

Blimey how much worse can this year get and it's only February.
Firstly I get a cold that knocks me out for three weeks.Then just as I thought I was getting better I go into the garage and go flying all over the place. I ended up with two black and blue and swollen knees, a bruised arm and my big toe is all swollen as well.It's been nearly two weeks now and I am still hobbling around. It sure put a dent on my mojo.
Thinks are starting to look up though and over the weekend I even managed to finish this terms Calligraphy project. Not bad considering on Wednesday I had barely started.Jackie the teacher will be in for a shock on Wednesday.Now I have to think of something else to do until the end of term.
This is the year when a lot of my friends and also unfortunately me too reach the big 50 so plenty of special cards to make this year.

This card is for Friday Sketchers Challenge 140

Sweet Sixteen

2011-01-23T16:26:00.000Z

Oh dear haven't I been bad no blogging for over a week. All I can say it that I have been rather poorly and not felt up to anything.I am pleased to say I think I've finally finished running after my nose as my mum would have said and my cold which has hung around is finally going. So time to get crafty again.
This was a card I was asked to make a few weeks ago and have only just got around to showing. I have to confess that I had to Google the group in question as I had never heard of JLS which did raise some laughs.
This is for the challenge at Charisma Cardz Challenge 3 magic numbers so they card must include numbers. I used my music embossing folder and cut some stars on my shiny new Cricut which has sadly been neglected this last couple of weeks.

Cold & Frosty Morning

2011-01-12T16:01:00.001Z

No do not adjust your screens, yes this is a Christmas card and yes it is only January. However the challenge at Papertake weekly this week is Cold & Frosty Morning so they would like to
see winter scenes and /or icy colours,, so blues, whites, lilacs, greys etc.This was a Christmas card I didn't get around to showing you last year but which fits perfectly with this challenge. Snowflake stamps and Sentiment are both from Imagine That. They were stamped then embossed. I then used a combination of Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass, Broken China & Stormy Sky to create the background and wiped it off the embossing.

Meow!!

2011-01-09T19:44:00.001Z

Well what happened to the weekend it seems to have disappeared into thin air.It was a glorious sunny day here in Essex today a nice welcome change after all that snow and the rain of the last few days.
Why is that when you always have a lot of cards to make something always goes wrong. There was I in the middle of making 9 cards when blow me I accidentally gave my paper cutter a little knock and the next thing I knew bits were all over the floor. Now I don't know about you but I can't do without my paper cutter. Luckily my knight in shining armour was around in the form of hubby with his drill and some screws and in no time at all I was back in business.
This is one of the cards I was busy making which is for someone's grandaughter. I was given a fairly wide choice for this card and one of the options was ginger and white cats.
This card fits in to challenges at

Paper Sundaes which is asking for circles on your card, I have the circle picture, the circle frame and I used my Swiss dots embossing folder
Secret crafter Saturday Challenge 116 Tons of Texture.

Get Fit

2011-01-06T16:41:00.000Z

Oh what a horrible day it's rained non stop here in Essex. So time for me to catch up on some orders and just time to get in a blog post before tea, Sausage and Puy lentil casserole and mash yum yum.
This is a card I was asked to make for someone's sister who is into Keep fit. I chose the turquoise and brown as I am told she is not a girly type of girl.
Not a brilliant photo because I had to photograph it indoors under artificial light.
It's a nice easy challenge at Papertake Weekly this week with the theme anything goes

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T15:38:00.001Z

Happy New Year to you all.
I hope Santa was kind and brought you all lots of crafting goodies. Santa was certainly kind in our household DH brought me a Cricut Expression how lucky can a girl be. I've not had much time to play but I am loving it already.
Well the tree and decorations are all packed away for another
year. We can never decide if the decorations should come down before 12th night or on 12th night so we go for the day after New Years Day so everything is back to normal as soon as the holidays are over. I now have sweetcorn and splits peas all over the lounge carpet where Toby the parrot has been using the Christmas cards as target practise for the last few weeks and it has all fallen out of the cards as as I've taken them down. Hubby now has to do some hoovering to clear up the mess.
Sorry I can't remember where I got the digital image from it may possibly have been create4fun.

This card is for
Sketch Saturday challenge 136- The sketch
Digital Tuesday challenge 91 - Anything Goes
ABC Challenge K is for Keep it Simple.

Wrap up Warm

2010-12-16T19:10:00.000Z

Well it looks like I've finally caught up on all the cards that I was asked to make apart from one which is not needed until January. I've posted all my cards and done my shopping and just in the nick of time too, as it's just started to snow again here in Essex.
This was a Christmas card a made for a dear friend of mine. It's a digital image from Craftsuprint which I have coloured with copics and then heaped on the glitter for the wrap around her coat.The twirly bits on and around her hat are done with stickles.
This card is for
Digital Tuesday Challenge 89 Sparkling Christmas
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge 46 Clean & Simple
Allsorts Challenge 82 Last minute Christmas Projects

Creative Card Crew

2010-12-12T19:19:00.000Z

Well not long now until Santa arrives. I've been beavering away in my workshop with yet more last minutes orders for Christmas cards and more of those landmark birthdays, hence why this is my first blog post in over a week.
This is one of those cards which I was asked to make for someone's son who loves fishing.It's a centre step card the same at the 21 card I did a couple of weeks ago.
It fits in to the challenge at Creative Card Crew which this fortnight is Anything Goes.
The fish have been covered in 3d gloss and stuck on. I cut an extra layer for front of the basket and put some just poking out the extra layer.

Let's Dance

2010-12-04T18:48:00.000Z

Wow what a week all that snow but at last it is melting and lets hope it stays away we don't want another lot like this week no matter how pretty it looks.At least with the horrible weather and being confined to the house it has meant that I have caught up on all my orders and even managed to write my own Christmas cards. All I need now is to be able to get out to buy some stamps to post them.
This is one of the cards I was asked to make which fits into the challenge at Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 112. The theme this week is Christmas.

Well after being stuck indoors all week must dash off we are off to a party. Thankfully it's very close to home and I can just see my destination from the lounge window so no need for a sat nav or car just some good old wellington boots.

Friday Sketchers 130

2010-11-28T11:16:00.000Z

Good morning from a cold and frosty Essex where the sun is shining.Somehow I don't think I will venture out today far too cold.I'm still recovering from being woken in the middle of the night by yet another migraine. Those migraines always make me feel worse.
I thought I would have a change from Christmas cards today and make a different type of card. I don't know what it is with me at the moment but I seem to be into Vintage cards.Paper is Laura Ashley and the stamp is from Hero Arts.
I have followed the sketch at Friday Sketchers

21 Today Oh I wish!!

2010-11-25T20:46:00.002Z

Ok so I've been a bad blogger again but I've certainly not been a bad crafter these last couple of weeks. I've been beavering away making all sorts of cards which has kept the old grey cells working overtime.
At the moment I've orders for 21st,40th and 50th birthday cards. So when I saw my friend the other day I talked very nicely to her and she was kind enough to cut some numbers out on her Cricut for me.Thanks Gill your a star. First time I've actually seen one work which was interesting, maybe something else to add to my want list, although I am still unsure as to actually how much I would use it so maybe not.Time will tell.
This card happens to fit the challenges at
Papertake Weekly which is Cut it Out so a punched shape or die cut on your card.
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz 47 - One for the Girls

Vintage Santa

2010-11-14T17:58:00.001Z

Well the weather today has been awful rain, rain and more rain. So I've been catching up on family history which has sadly been neglected these last few weeks while I've been poorly.I've also been making a few more Christmas cards as the time for sending them is rapidly approaching.
I just love this jolly Santa stamp. His beard and hat are covered in glitter and I've used red stickles for the holly berries.Cuttlebug snowflake embossing border then I swiped the red card with white stamp pad to highlight the snowflakes. Sentiment is from Imagine That.

This card is for the following challenges

Crazy 4 Challenges -Christmas
The Secret Crafter - Sparkle & Shine I've lots of glitter on his hat and beard.
ABC challenge H is for Holidays

Thanks for looking and have a good week.

Sympathy Card

2010-11-13T15:15:00.005Z

Challenge 45 at Charisma Cards this week is Sympathy. We all know how hard these can be to make and I've been asked to make a quite few these last few weeks.I like to keep these sort of cards fairly plain and simple.I stamped the butterfly then placed on the card with a dab of glue so it's wings were lifted off the card.

11 challenges in one

2010-11-07T19:34:00.010Z

I had a great couple of hours at Imagine That this morning and came home all inky fingers from using Tim Holtz Distress inks.Good thing was when I got home there was no one telling me off for getting dirty like when you are a child. Somehow when you are all grown up it seems ok to get dirty when playing.
I haven't made an easel card for ages so thought I would make one using another stamp which was buried at the bottom of my box.
This is for the following 11 challenges. Not sure how I managed that many as I had made the card before I looked at any challenges.
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 108 - red& gold
Charisma Cardz challenge 44 - With love at Christmas
Allsorts Challenge 77- Twas the night before Christmas
Lexi's Creations challenge 26 - anything goes
Little Red Wagon challenge 53 - red
Critter Sketch Challenge 38 - anything Christmas
Patties Creations Challenge 3- Christmas card or creation
Christmas Card Challenges challenge 49 - Photo inspiration
The Burtonesque Dolls - Anything goes
Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 8 Christmas Inspired
Stamp and Create challenge 7 Tis the season- christmas or holiday card

Five into one

2010-11-04T19:02:00.006Z

At last I think my cold is finally going after two weeks of suffering, only to be replaced by yet another migraine.However before the migraine kicked in I found a little energy for another card.
Stamps are from Creative Expressions. The sunset was created using Tim Holtz distress inks. Image coloured with copics. Sentiment from Paula Pascual.Embossed background is one of Tim's Holtz fab embossing folders.
This card is for the following challenges
The Stamp Man - Cards for men
Wee Memories - Anything Goes
Cards for men - Challenge 22 anything goes as long as it's male.
Let's ink it up - create a scene
Papertake Weekly Penny for the Guy so men/boy cards

Ho Ho Ho!!

2010-11-01T17:01:00.009Z

This is just a very quick card as I have been feeling rather poorly the last few weeks and have done very little.I have just not been able to shake off this cold.

This card is for the following challenges.

Papertake Weekly - Sparkly & Bright
Creative Card Crew Let's Punch it. I've used three different Nesties.
ABC Challenge G is for Glitter - Well there is plenty of that on his hat and beard.
Apologies for the bad photo but with the early nights now upon us it was dark before I had finished.Sorry I can't remember where the stamp is from other than I found it in the bottom of my box of stamps.

Friday Sketckers 125

2010-10-24T20:13:00.003+01:00

This card is for Friday Sketchers Challenge 125. I sat staring at this sketch for a while thinking my mojo had also caught my cold and gone on strike. Just when I was giving up I started clearing up my desk and found all the left over bits from last weeks challenge and some Snow Ladies that I had coloured up a few weeks ago and not done anything with.So there it was this weeks card from last weeks leftovers and a perfect companion to last weeks Mr Snowman.

Friday Sketchers 124

2010-10-18T22:24:00.007+01:00

Ok so it's time to get on and finish my Christmas cards. I think this is number 70 something. I've honestly given up counting at the moment.So for this card I have followed this weeks sketch at Friday Sketchers
Papers were a freebie download from Martine McKnight at The Craft Table.
There is some glitter on the snowman but as I have photographed it this evening it is not showing too well.

F is for Flowers

2010-10-15T15:33:00.006+01:00

Oh yes I'm back. No I have not been sunning myself in warmer climates, although hubby has. He went off on his yearly retreat to Gibraltar. Instead I have been beavering away doing other things and trying to keep up with card orders. Just when I thought everything was ok and back on track we started to have problems with the electric, which led us to discover one cold morning the the pump on the boiler had gone. No sooner was that fixed than it sprung a leak onto the electric socket beneath and the power kept going off again.We now have to wait a week for a new part but at least we have heating and hot water again. We have also been having problems with our broadband which makes using the internet painful as it is so slow.Seems there is noise on the line somewhere between our house and the exchange. Looking for a needle in a haystack seems to spring to mind when hoping for a solution to this problem.
The challenge this week at ABC is F for Flowers. This is a card a friend asked me to make for her daughter's birthday next week.
Stamps are Greenhouse Garden from Stampin' Up. One is stamped on to the oval and the others were stamped then cut out and layered around the oval. I then added lots of sparkle to the embossing and the centre of the flowers and finished off with a dragonfly brad.

Two into one

2010-09-29T20:17:00.006+01:00

Just time to post another card today. This is for two challenges and I've used one of my favourite colour combos pink and black.
Papertake Weekly Challenge this week is a sketch for which I have rotated a couple of bits but that is ok for this challenge as you can still see the sketch.
The second challenge at A Spoonfull of Sugar is Spots and Strips

Friendship

2010-09-19T16:12:00.015+01:00

Well I've had a lovely quite weekend after Fridays fab afternoon at Imagine That. I have to say I saw a sneak peak of two classes coming up next quarter and can't wait.I've not been idle though I've made a further 10 Christmas cards bringing the grand total to 64. I've also made a mosaic coaster which was a crafting gift from some friends as a thank you for feeding their guinea pigs, much better than the beer hubby got of course.I've also started decorating a little altered art birdhouse for the Christmas tree.
Now I've had to wait until hubby returned from his weekend in the IOW to post this as he had taken the camera. He has now returned with loads of photos for me to magically put on a disc for him so he can see them. He just doesn't have a clue how to do it and they say men are more technically minded, well not in this house.
Stamps are from Darkroom Door. Then lots of good old Tim Holtz Distressed inks, spiced marmalade, crushed olive and wild honey inks. I used Stampin'up chocolate chip to stamp the flowers. I did try stamping the sentiment in brown but it just didn't look right.

I'm entering this card for several challenges.
Secret Crafter - Anything goes
Let's Ink It Up - Use your favourite stamp and a charm too.
Paper Sundaes - Use fall or Halloween colours.
The ABC Challenge - D is for Distressing_ I used Distressed Inks
Creative Bellie - B - Themed Embellishments- mine has a bow.
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Fall in Autumn Colour challenge
Creative Card Crew - Autumn or Fall

Cards for Men 19

2010-09-17T23:23:00.007+01:00

Well thank goodness this week has been better than last. Finally both cars and the fridge/freezer are once again in full working order. A whole tub of flake ice-cream in a day is a bit much just for two. It was too good to waste though so a girl just has to do what a girl has to do and eat it of course.
The challenge at Cards for Men this week is transportation.
This was a card I made a few months back for my brother-in-law, who as you may have guessed turned 60.He loves steams trains and even learnt to drive one for his birthday so this card seemed appropriate.I even managed to find a font for the steam 60's

Give me a cuddle

2010-09-11T15:37:00.009+01:00

When I saw the Sketch at Friday Sketchers this week I knew instantly what stamp I wanted to use.The papers are from a great designer Jak Heath . I just love her work and the soft subtle colours of these papers. If you've never been to her blog do check it out it has some great tutorials and these gorgeous free papers. Not only is she a great designer but she is also very good at beating me most weeks in Bejewled Blitz a very addictive game on facebook.
Snowflake was cut from velum using a Marianne Creatables die then I used Tim Holtz tumbled glass wiped over the back and some glitter on the front for some sparkle.Stamp is from Whiff of Joy. Sentiment and small snowflakes are from Imagine That.
I am also entering this into this weeks challenge at
A Spoon Full of Sugar where the theme is Animals.
Whiff of Joy Challenge 87 which this week requires that you have at least two layers on your card.

Where's my Tools

2010-09-09T18:38:00.004+01:00

Just time to post a quick card whilst I wait for hubby to return with tea. He has been helping a friend erect a greenhouse today and is stopping off at the chippy on the way home. I can't wait not only am I now starving but also we haven't had fish & chips for months.
The The Paper Players Challenge 14 this week is clean and simple, which is just great when you have to make a man's card.

Stampin For the weekend 46

2010-09-06T19:53:00.010+01:00

Ok here I am like a bus now. You wait for one to come along then two turn up.Two postings in two days.
Oh how I wish I had had my camera with me today.On the way to lunch with hubby we were privileged to see a Dakota, Lancaster bomber and a Spitfire Fly over Hornchurch on their way to London to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, it was a magnificent sight and one never to be forgotten.I will hopefully have my camera at the ready on Sunday when a Spitfire will once again take to the skies of Hornchurch to commemorate those that fought in the Battle of Britain.
This was a card I was recently asked to make for someone's mother who was in The WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) during the war.
It just happens to fit into this weeks challenge at Stampin' for the Weekend which is shabby or vintage. To make the vintage map I printed off then screwed it up much to the horror of my husband who asked" What you throwing it away for ?" men they just don't understand the talents of us crafty people now do they ?.I then shabbied with Tim Holtz tea dye.

Daring Cardmakers

2010-09-06T19:32:00.004+01:00

Once again I find myself apologising for being a bad blogger. I just don't know where last week went. It was good to catch up with some old school friends one evening the time, just flew by.For the last few days I have been plagued by migraines once again. I would love to say it's because of all the fun I have been having but it's not.
The weather has turned all autumnal here in Essex today with wind a rain. It's almost time to start hibernating and only go out when necessary, well for me anyway. Which of course hopefully will mean more time for crafting.
The theme at Daring Cardmakers this week is Sapphires for September. This is fairly open to interpretation and if you want to see some more information on sapphires then pop over to their blog and have a nosey around. I have chosen to take the meaning blue. I haven't done much paper piecing in a while so it was great to dig out this stamp and use again. It is on of my favourites.

Gone fishing

2010-08-29T15:24:00.009+01:00

Well I hope you've all had a great week I certainly have.
I spent one day last week at Image That doing a class with the very talented Jo-Firth-Young called Stress Free Distress. Have you ever seen a bunch of grown women have so much fun with ink and shaving foam, I think not!!.
I came home with pink, orange and red fingers but who cares. It was such exhausting work playing that hubby took me for a lovely meal afterwards so I didn't even have to think about cooking.
This card is for the following challenges.
CES Challenge - Anything goes.
Sew Many Cards Challange - Happy Birthday.
The Paper Players - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything goes
This was a card I was recently asked to make.I think I am safe in putting this on my blog as the person concerned doesn't know me.
It' doesn't show too well in the photo but I used glossy accents on the little fishes and being thin card they also curled which makes them look even better as they don't lie flat.I also decoupaged the basket to give it a bit of depth.

Eight challenges in one

2010-08-21T16:53:00.014+01:00

I've finally got my Christmas hat on and have now made a total of 52 Christmas cards yeah!!!!. Mind you 50 of them are identical. Still have about another 50 to make without any orders that will know doubt creep in.
Ok so I know I used this image a card or so ago but when I stamp up an image I tend to stamp up a whole page then sit down and colour the lot.I find it very relaxing to get out my colouring pencils as my hubby calls them.I also set myself another challenge to make six different cards using the same image so watch this space you may see more of this gorgeous stamp.
I made this card this afternoon whilst hubby was trying to get the goo out of my sewing machine, which died on me this morning.One of the small belts seems to have gone all sticky and mushy and fallen apart so I need to order a new one.
This card is for the following challenges
Friday Sketchers 116 - the sketch
Penny's Paper-craft 36 - Pink & Green
Creative Card Crew - Sparkle and Shine well I have lots of glitter and some gems although the glitter as usual isn't showing too well.
A Spoon Full of Sugar 117 - Christmas
Charisma Cardz 33 - Die cuts _ I used my nesties.
Winter Wonderland- Walking in a winter wonderland
Bah! Humbug 32 - Winter Wonderland
Stampin' for the Weekend 45 - Anything Goes

Papertake weekly 46

2010-08-18T16:28:00.004+01:00

When I saw the sketch this week at Papertake weekly it was the perfect sketch for an Anniversary card for a man as it was not too fussy. I realised it was my Wedding Anniversary on Friday so needed to make a card fairly quickly while hubby was out of the way. 22 years where has the time gone, it seems only like yesterday.I just hope he doesn't take a peak at my blog between now and then. Somehow I think I am safe as he doesn't look that often.
The hearts tumbling off the back of the lorry are some of the hearts which were left over from punching out the heart border.
Lorry and pile of hearts are stamps from Stampin'Up
Anyway have to dash.I also still have a birthday card to make today as it's also a very good friends birthday on Friday and I need to get it in the post to make sure it arrives on time.

Snowflakes, Snowflakes

2010-08-12T14:58:00.008+01:00

Well once again I've been a naughty blogger and not posted anything in over a week. I sort of lost my mojo after all the crafting activities the week before.
All I have managed to do in the last week is the cards that I needed to complete for various orders from people. I still have three do to but I have plenty of time for those.
So to get my mojo back I set myself a couple of challenges. Firstly to make my first Christmas card, I'm so behind this year. My second challenge to myself was to put into practice something I learnt a few weeks ago on a course at Imagine That run my Jo Firth Young Masterboard magic which is basically making your own paper. So for my first attempt I used my lovely new stamps just released by Imagine That some gorgeous snowflakes. I then used this as my backing paper for my card.

This card is for the following challenges
Sketch Saturday Challenge 115 - The sketch
Papertake weekly - Something old, Something New, Something Borrowed and Something Blue the interpretation of this title is left to you. I used my old snowman stamp, my new snowflake stamps and the colour blue.
Penny's Paper-Crafting Challenge Blog - Anything Goes

Papertake weekly

2010-08-04T21:16:00.004+01:00

At last we have had some rain hooray!!
I have just spent yet another day with friends crafting and am now totally exhausted from all the girly chat and laughter so this is just a very quick post tonight.
This week I was asked to make a graduation card and the resulting card just happens to fit into this weeks challenge over at Papertake Weekly which is White & Bright so you have to have white combined with at least one bright colour, which in this case is bright red.I've used my swirls folder in the cuttlebug for the background.The hat is cut from card and stuck on with 3d foam. I made the tassel from embroidery thread.

4 challenges into one card

2010-08-01T19:17:00.006+01:00

Phew!! what a week. I've had such a great week catching up with friends and crafting. I had a brilliant time at Imagine That in Upminster on Thursday doing a workshop with Jo Firth-Young what an inspiration she is. I can't wait until the next workshop. Now I have to do all the boring things like washing and ironing, but before I knuckle down to some housework I have just enough time to post this card. This is for the following challenges
Friday Sketchers. The sketch
Pink Elephant the colour theme Brown.
Mami Doodles - Anything goes.
Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes

Friday Sketchers 112/Papertake Weekly

2010-07-24T15:16:00.008+01:00

Well bloggers it's still warm in Essex and I am still eagerly awaiting some rain, which seems to keep passing us by. I now can't even remember when it rained for more than five minutes it seems like months ago.The grass is no longer green but a nice shade of brown. The heat combined with my FMS/CFS which is particularly bad at the moment means I seem to have lost my mojo, hence my lack of postings over the last week.
Mr blogger has also been playing up and my blog started having strange messages appear all over it so I have had to quickly change the template to get rid of them. It still needs some tweaking when I get around to it though.
However I was determined to do something today and this is what I came up with I hope you like it. I've followed the sketch at this weeks Friday Sketchers challenge 112. The challenge at Papertake weekly is "Cutie Patootie" so anything cute. Well I think this little bunny from Lili of the Valley is cute what about you?

In The Garden

2010-07-14T18:49:00.004+01:00

At last the temperature has cooled down here in Essex although I am still waiting for the rain so I don't have to water the garden.All we've had so far today is rain for about five minutes if that, the grass is looking decidedly brown.
This weeks challenge at Papertake weekly is "In the garden." This was a card I was commissioned to make a few weeks ago for someone's Mum who loves gardening so it is just perfect for this challenge.

Allsorts challenge 60/Dutch Dare

2010-07-12T18:52:00.006+01:00

This card is for two Allsorts Challenge 60 which is July Love. Your card must have a heart on it.
The second challenge is at Double Dutch which is to make a card or creation based on a movie title. So my inspiration for this card is from the film Love Story.
Heart stamps are once again from Stampin'up

I do like to be beside the seaside

2010-07-11T20:38:00.007+01:00

I know it's been nearly two weeks since my last post but it has just been so hot it has zapped all my energy, plus I have been having major problems with pain in my legs. The temperature on our patio which is in full sun yesterday reached a staggering 43 Celsius or about 109 Fahrenhei, far too hot.
I did manage to get to a friends this week for some crafting as she was just around the corner from me. I have also just spent today in the company of friends at another workshop which was also great fun.I was hoping to get a good picture before the light went but I think I was just a little too late in the day.The picture doesn't really show that I chalked in blue sky. I also raided hubby's decorating box for some sandpaper across the middle. Image is from Lili of the Valley
This card is for the following challanges
Friday Sketchers 110 - the sketch
Creative Card Crew - To Die for challenge
Little Red Wagon - Use your nestabilities

Daisy Daisy

2010-06-29T18:23:00.008+01:00

What happened when I plonked myself down armed with my copics and some images already for Holby City tonight. You guessed it they took it off and put the football on, so I'm not happy. I am truly fed up of all this football and tennis it's about time they had one sports channel and left everything else alone.
So I downed the copics and returned to crafting which is why you are seeing two cards in one day from me.
This card is for six challenges which is also rather an amazing achievement for me.

Allsorts - challenge 58 embossing
The Crazy Challenge - Make it in an hour
Practical Scrappers - flowers
Corrosive Challenge Flowers
Caardvarks - wet or dry embossing
Craft Ann challenge 17 embossing

Hearts

2010-06-29T18:02:00.005+01:00

Isn't the weather lovely this week, although myself I find it a little too hot. Even so I've managed to find enough energy to get a bit of crafting done. I've even managed to get a card done on the day the challenge was set rather than sneaking it at the very last minute. I've also used one of my favourite set of stamps at the moment which is Hearts from Stampin'up.
This card if for several challenges
Papertake Weekly challenge - Stitching be it real,faux,doodling.
Sew Many Challenges - Anything goes.
Fresh Brewed - anything goes.

Papertake Weekly 43

2010-06-27T15:01:00.004+01:00

Phew!! isn't it hot today. Had a great time with friends last night. Today I am just chilling out it's far too hot to do anything outside.
This card is for papertake weekly challenge 43 which is a great sketch to follow. Not sure why the flowers look so dark in the picture they actually match the papers fairly well.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Colour Create Challenge 47

2010-06-26T16:09:00.007+01:00

Oh what a naughty blogger I have been no postings in over a week.All I can say in my defence is I've been having fun fun and more fun. I've lunched with the ladies. Been to a fabulous workshop at Imagine That where we covered a book using Grunge paper and Tim Holtz fab distressing inks, stickles and glaze. Then my friend Gill took me and another friend Val out on a little tour of not one but three crafts shops, how lucky can a girl be to have such a fab week.
This is a very quick and simple card as I don't have much time today. The challenge over at Colour Create this week is Mad as a Hatter. We had to take inspiration form a picture of Johnny Depp playing the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.An optional extra is to use an element from the picture i.e. satin, bow, gems.Their is a tiny gem on her waist,
Well that it for now folks. we are having some friends to dinner tonight and I have hubby on commis chef duty as my feet are killing me after such a hectic week and I can barely stand let alone cook dinner on one of the hottest days of the year so far.

Mine's a pint

2010-06-16T22:43:00.005+01:00

Mine's a pint,well not literally I would prefer a glass of wine myself.Red or white not fussy as long as it's wine. This card is one I was busily making last week for someone who I am pleased to say was delighted with it. This card is for two challenges firstly over at Incy Wincy Designs where the theme this week is "One for the guys". The second challenges is at Cards for Men and the theme is Fathers Day.
Not sure of the make of stamp as it's one I borrowed from a friend. Coloured with copics and liquid appliqué used for the froth

Sketch Saturday 107

2010-06-14T23:45:00.006+01:00

Finally I've got around to finding time to make a card for another challenge which is the challenge over at Sketch Saturday this week.. I have been a busy bee this last week making cards for various people once again and visiting friends. I've also got back into looking at my family history, as well as helping someone else to do their family tree. Time just seems to slip by when delving into family history.
Hubby and I had a lovely time at his aunt and uncles on Saturday for our annual family get together of aunts,uncles,cousins and 2nd cousins.It was a very long journey Essex to Dorset and back in a day.I will probably take a week or so to recover even though we went by train.

Die Cut Dreams challenge 50

2010-06-02T16:25:00.005+01:00

The challenge at Die Cut Dreams this week is to make a celebration card and it must have a number on. I just happened to have just finished a card that I was asked to make this week for a lady who is 30 so this card fits nicely into this challenge.

Anniversary Waltz

2010-05-30T20:08:00.007+01:00

The challenge this week at Daring Cardmakers is Anniversary Waltz.
Which was an ideal challenge for me to ink up my new Hearts stamps from Stampin'Up. I think I must be in simple mode this week as all the cards I've made have had very simple layouts and this in another of them.I've used this layout many times before as it it so versatile.
Not sure why the top paper looks purple when it is in fact beige guess it's just a trick of the light. Sentiment is from Imagine That Papercrafts.

It's a Man's World

2010-05-29T14:56:00.003+01:00

Well what did I say about Bank holidays and rain. Yes you guessed it it's tipping it down so bang goes my chilling out in the garden.
The theme at Tuesday Taggers this week is It's a man's world. Now we all now how hard men are to make cards for,It's pointless putting any of those lovely embellishments on they just don't register in their minds.So with this in mind I just made a very simple card but with one of men's favourite topics other than football and that is cars.

Kaboodle Doodles 31/ABC challenge

2010-05-28T19:39:00.005+01:00

The bank holiday weekend is here once again I do hope that doesn't mean rain. It would be nice to spend some time chilling out in the garden this weekend. This card is for two challenges. The first over at Kaboodle Doodles where the theme is monochromatic. My card is sepia which give a nice vintage feel to the card. This brings me nicely on to the second challenge this card is for,which is over at ABC challenge whose theme this week is Vintage whether it be lace, flowers, paper, colours used etc

Have a great weekend.

Papertake Weekly 41/Crafty Creations

2010-05-27T22:41:00.006+01:00

I'm back just in case you missed me. No I hadn't disappeared off of the face of the earth or gone on some luxurious holiday, if only!!. I have just been at home resting and getting used to a house with no decorating going on.Yes hubby has finally finished decorating so life returns to normal hooray!! and just in time for my birthday on Sunday.

This card is for two challenges first the sketch over at Papertake Weekly. The second challenge is at Crafty Creations where the challenge is to use your favourite stamp and that at the moment just has to be Henry from Whiff of Joy and coloured with Copics.

Charisma Cards 39

2010-05-18T22:42:00.003+01:00

Just a quick card and post as I am not feeling too great today.This was a really quick and simple card to make which only took a few minutes to colour and I just love the sentiment."Life is unpredictable eat dessert first."
Both are from Pink Petticoat.
This card fits the Challenge over at Charisma Cardz this week which is "Sweet Treats" so your card must include food or drink.

Sketch Saturday 103/Penny Black 101

2010-05-16T19:34:00.006+01:00

Finally managed to uncover some space to make a couple of cards. Who would believe that emptying one hall cupboard would take up so much space elsewhere. Never mind at least the end is is sight and hopefully all decorating will be finished this week.
This card is for two challenges. I followed this weeks sketch at Sketch Saturday. The second challenge is over at Penny Black and the theme this week is flowers. I've used this cute little stamp from the Hugs set which was yet another purchase at Ally Pally a few weeks ago.I've coloured with copics.

Friday Sketchers 101/Cards for Men

2010-05-10T21:44:00.005+01:00

Well I don't know what happened to last week is just disappeared in a flash. Maybe I was just having too much fun to be at my pc.I did spend a day at my friend Gill's and had a lovely lunch with the girls another day. I even spent a day with hubby visiting Grand Designs live in London. The downside to all my activity was I spent the next three days doing absolutely nothing.
When I saw this weeks sketch at Friday Sketchers it was just what I needed for inspiration for a man's card.The challenge at Cards for Men this week is the theme "outside".
Sorry about the poor quality photo but it was hard to take indoors without the light bouncing off the mirri card.

Sketch Saturday 101

2010-05-02T18:54:00.006+01:00

What an awful weekend we are having all this rain but then I suppose it is a Bank Holiday and it always rains then.Hubby has got his decorating hat on once again and has started on the hall. All those doors poor hubby has 8 1930's panelled doors to paint plus the picture and dado rails and the skirting board and that's not counting the walls as well. I can see it will take him a few weeks to get it all done.As for me I spent some quality time with my friend Val on Saturday visiting Imagine That. Well they did have a 10% off weekend and a girl can't ignore that now can she.
This card is for Sketch Saturday. I've used my new Hero Arts cupcake stamps which I chose as a prize a few weeks ago when I won the Friday Sketchers challenge sponsored by Simon Says Stamp, weren't I the lucky one.Backing papers are from Carol Ann Sweet Treats CD.

Friday Sketchers 99/ Tuesday Taggers

2010-04-28T21:43:00.008+01:00

Well I think I have finally recovered enough from my weekend to find some energy for a card. This weekend just flew by. On Saturday we were celebrating my brother-in-laws upcoming 60th birthday. Boy don't the years go fast I think he was about 18 when I first met him. Anyway we had a great day at the Bredgar and Wormshill Railway where he learnt to drive a steam train, then we all took our life in our hands and got aboard for a ride.Sunday I spent with friends making cards of course and having a good old girly laugh and chat.
This card is for two challenges Friday Sketchers challenge 99 I've rotated the sketch to accommodate my cute little birdies from Whiff of Joy.Once again I've coloured with copics which I am very very slowly getting the hang of.The second challenge is at Tuesday Taggers and the theme is "Memories" what better memories than of a wedding.
Sorry for the poor quality photo but I took it tonight as I won't have time tomorrow as it's my friends funeral.
Enjoy the rest of your week.

Papertake Weekly 39

2010-04-22T00:27:00.009+01:00

Hope you've all been having a good week apart from the havoc caused by the Icelandic volcano and no flights. Hasn't the weather been glorious if a little chilly. I hope the good weather keeps up for the weekend. My brother-in-law is celebrating his 60th Birthday by learning to drive a steam train and we are off to join in the fun for a ride on the train which hopefully he will drive.
This weekend is looking a lot better than last weekend when my good friend Gill sadly passed away. I will miss her terribly.
This card is for Papertake Weekly challenge 39. Stamp is from Rachelle Ann Miller and is coloured with my copics, which I am still trying to get to grips with. I've added some drops of glossy accents to the umbrella and the puddle for the water.

Four into one

2010-04-14T23:45:00.004+01:00

Hi folks hope you are having a good week.I had a great time with my friend Val on Sunday at Ally Pally but boy was I tired by the time I got home.
Hubby once again has the paintbrushes out and the house is in chaos once again. Hopefully for the last time as we are now onto the dining room which will only leave the hallway so the house should soon return to normal and more time for crafting. Today's card happens to fit four challenges
Crafty Creations - 1 design paper, 1 image & 1 embellishment
Papertake Weekly - Cutie Pie isn't Henry just so cute. He is one of my buys from Ally Pally this weekend.
Creative Card Crew challenge 48 is Happy Birthday
Tuesday Taggers challenge this week is cakes & balloons

Stamp is from Whiff of Joy and coloured with copics. I also coloured a button to match the paper.

Colour Create/Crafty Creations

2010-04-10T20:41:00.004+01:00

Just time for a quick card today. This is for two challenges. The first over at Colour Create where the colour combo this week is Lilac, Grey & White. The second challenge at Crafty Creations is paper piecing so this card fits neatly into both challenges as I paper pieced the dress. It also uses one of my favoruite stamps by Clarity. Sentiment is from Stampin'Up Vintage labels. The swirls around the edge of sentiment are from part of one of the stamps in the vintage labels set.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend everyone.

Friday Sketchers 97

2010-04-09T19:34:00.004+01:00

I've had a lovely week and it's not over yet. I had lunch on Tuesday with the girls. Wednesday was another lovely day with more friends making cards. Carol you are slipping you didn't have us in stitches nearly as much as normal.
To top the week off I've got Copics all 144 of them thanks to a wonderful husband, what more could a girl ask for. I love my Copics already but will need to practise more with them.
This card is for Friday Sketchers challenge 97.
Manga Girl stamp is from Sugar Nellie and of course is coloured with my lovely new Copics.
The weather has been glorious the last few days and I've spent some time outside in the garden watching all the birds singing their little hearts out.I'm saving my energy now for Sunday. Yes I'm off to Ally Pally with another friend to the Big Stamp and Scrapbook Show. I hope the weather stays as nice as today.What a week of fun and laughter.