Sorry I've Been MIA!

I am so sorry that I haven't visited any of your lovely blogs the last couple of days. I've had lots on at work and have been battling against an annoyingly pathetic cold. You know the ones? You don't feel brilliant but you don't feel so bad that you can phone in sick?! To make matters worse, our fridge freezer AND our oven have gone doo-lally at the same time so we keep having to dive home from work to let electricians in. It's also taking about 3 hours (no lie!) to cook dinner every night! The impact has been that I have had very little free time for crafting - boo hiss.

Luckily, I do still have one card that I made the other weekend that I haven't yet shared with you. This is one of the cards I made using my DT stamps from Dies to Die For and it is from the same CC Designs set as the one I showed you the other day with the little bear.

I've had this card in my mind for quite some time, however, it didn't come out quite as I'd planned - they never do, do they?! I used my Versamark pad to stamp the ice creams on to the brown card and then heat embossed them with clear powder to make them stand out a little more. It's not really a technique I've used before but I'm pretty happy with the result.

Goodie List........
Stamps: CC Designs - Sweet Treats - Available here from Dies to Die For.
Paper: Doodlebug, Core'dinations.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Adhesive gems and Nestabilities.

Hope you are all well, I will try my bestest to visit you all over the next couple of days. Thanks for still leaving me lovely comments even though I have been a naughty blogger!
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High Hopes Challenge # 23 - Buttons

Isn't this High Hopes image adorable?! I'm loving it! The embellishments also make it perfect for entry into this weeks High Hopes challenge as the theme is..... buttons! Well, I've got three of them on here, so I guess I'm safe to enter :o)

Goodie List........
Stamps: High Hopes - Little Missy available from Dies to Die For.
Paper: Zoe Pearn - Forget Me Not download from Sweet Shoppe Designs, Core'dinations CS.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Hobbycraft border punch, ribbon, buttons, flowers and brad from stash.

Have you noticed something new about my photos? Yep, I've finally got myself a watermark! I've wanted one for ages and have been trying to perfect it. But, alas, I cannot master it. So, I asked a master to make one for me! I went to the lovely Dina at http://digisigis.blogspot.com. She has a great selection of designs that she is happy to tweak for you and they are at super reasonable prices - mine was only $4! Make sure you tell her that I told you about her ;o)

Before I go, I want to say a big thank you to the gorgeous Jenn who passed this lovely award on to me.

I couldn't possibly narrow my huge blog roll down to just 10 peeps so, as you are still reading my waffle, you can be one of my faves!

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Blog Candy Winner

Now for the moment of truth...... who has won my blog candy?! Before I announce who the winner is, I really want to say a big thank you to all of the wonderful crafters who entered. I loved reading all of your lovely comments.

Well, I'm going to keep you in suspense a little longer to tell you how I have spent the last hour of my evening.......! I was re-reading the original candy post I made and gathering the candy together to make sure that I had everything, when I realised that I hadn't made the handmade items that I promised I would! ARGH! After flapping for half an hour and achieving nothing, I decided to hit my beading stash. Given that I didn't have much time, I don't think that the following offerings have turned out too bad.....!

It does look better in the flesh I promise. Jewellery, it would seem, is a total nightmare to photograph! Anyway, I hope the winner of the candy likes it and enjoys wearing it.

So, without further ado, it is time for me to announce the winner of my blogoversary candy. The winner is:

Hege-Annie

Congratulations Hege-Annie! Please email me your address (contact tab at top of blog!), and I will get your goodies posted out to you as soon as I can.

Finally, I want to say a massive thank you to all my new found crafty friends that I have made over the past year - thanks guys, it's been a blast!

Here's to many more blogoversaries!
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Saturday Challenge #24

Here is another card I made at the weekend with the lovely DT stash that I received from Tracy at Dies to Die For. This image is taken from the CC Designs 'Sweet Treats' set which you can find here. Once again, great value as you get a coordinating set of 7 stamps which all get presented in a cute metal little tin - a 'sweet treat' indeed!

As I love this fab colour combo so much, I've decided to make this my entry into this weeks Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge as the theme is 'Favourite Colour'. You can't beat a bit of pink and brown but I think the minty turquoise adds a great highlight.

I'm really chuffed with the little ice cream cone by the way. It looks great in real life as it is all swingy and lovely and adds a bit of movement to an otherwise pretty simple card.

Goodie List........

Stamps: CC Designs 'Sweet Treats' available from Dies to Die For
Paper: American Crafts - The Goods (Baby Girl), Core'dinations CS.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Eyelet and ribbon from stash.

Just a reminder that my blog candy closes on Thursday. I've had a great response already - thank you all so much!

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Basic Grey Challenge 27 - Texture

I got my first Dies to Die For DT package today and let me tell you, the contents are GORGEOUS! So, I've ignored the sunshine and armed with a collated print-out of this weeks challenges, have been playing all day long with my new toys. Bliss!

My first card of the day was for this weeks Basic Grey Challenge. The challenge was to build some texture into your card so I added some velvet ribbon and loads of Stickles to Lily's wings, even though you can't see it too well in the picture. Hope this gives enough of a texturised feel to qualify for the challenge!

Check out this wonderful image... It's part of a set of 9 stamps called 'Enchanted Lily' by Pink Cat Studio and the set can be bought from Tracy at Dies to Die For. I love these stamps as they are brilliant value when you consider just how muich rubbah you are getting for your £'s. Not only that but they are super cute as well - what more could you ask for?!

I also used my new favourite papers - Basic Grey 'Urban Prairie' - on this card. They are so totally me, I love the bright sunny colours. Great for spring. And, to add a bit of definition, I went doodle crazy! Loving this effect lately, sorry if you are all sick of it!

Goodie List........
Stamps: 'Enchanted Lily' by Pink Cat Studio.
Paper: Basic Grey 'Urban Prairie', Core'dinations CS.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Adhesive gems, velvet ribbon and Stickles.

Right I'm off now for more play time! Ali has another gala tonight so I am home alone. Time to put my tunes on and craft up a storm I think!

Enjoy the sunshine peeps!

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Cute Card Thursday #51

Just a quick one from me tonight as I am about to go to bed but wanted to enter this next card into this weeks Cute Card Thursday challenge.

This is {obviously!} going to be my card to my Mum this year. Hope she likes it!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Melinda Blowing Kisses by Whiff of Joy.
Paper: Basic Grey - Urban Prairie, Core'dinations cardstock.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Dew Drops, Prima flowers, Hobbycraft border punch, charm from ebay, computer generated sentiment and Papermania pearl brad.

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Gift for a Friend

After I was sent this gorgoeus little folder from Zoe the other day, I knew I had better send something nice to repay her! After much searching, I found a tutorial for a cute little folder made of envelopes. As I was sending Zoe a selection of images, I decided that this was the project for me! You can find the tutorial that I followed here. Its easier than you think, I promise!

Here is the view from the front, when the folder is all done up. I used my new Stampin' Up DP in Bashful Blue. What do you think of the sentiment?! Isn't it fun?! I received this stamped image recently from Sheila and I just love it!

Here is the view from the top. You can see the envelopes containing all of the stamped images. The Stampin' Up tab thingies are also visible here. I left them deliberately blank so that Zoe could personalise the folder herself for whatever she ultimately decides to keep in there. I actually ordered these punch-outs off Australian ebay (!) as I wanted to make sure I would use them before I went ahead and ordered the punch. I really like them though so I guess thats just one more thing to add to my wish list!

And finally, here is the side view. I love how it looks so neat and tidy. It's a great present to send through the post as it folds up flat so nothing gets damaged.

It's amazing what you can create using some old envelopes that have lost their stick and a Weetabix box isn't it?!

Goodie List........
Stamps: From image swap - Sheila, where did you get it?!
Paper: Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue DP.
Embellishments: Nestabilities, Stampin' Up! tab punchies, Eyelets and ribbon from stash.

Hope you are all enjoying this wonderful weather!

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My Blogoversary Candy!

***** CANDY DRAW NOW CLOSED *****

I cannot believe that on 26th March, my little blog will have been running a year! How time flies when you are having fun eh?! I've met so many lovely people through this blog and I am always amazed by what wonderful and kind people crafters are. It's so nice to have like-minded, crafty people to talk to as most of my regular friends just wouldn't get the excitement of a new stamp release and they certainly wouldn't understand the joy of 'stroking' paper!

So, by way of saying thank you to you lot, my lovely readers and friends (haha, even if you are pretend stamping ones!), I have decided to give away some candy to celebrate my blogoversary. I'm sorry its doesn't include the latest stamp releases or even Martha Stewart punches (if I could afford them, they would be staying firmly in my craft stash I'm afraid!) but hopefully, there will be something there that you will like!

I've raided my stash and most of this stuff is new but at worst, it has only been used once. The winner will receive the following.......

2 x each of the 6x6 Laura Ashley Contemporary papers.

1 x raised sticker embellishments from the Laura Ashley Contemporary range.

1 x pack of 100's of chipboard elements from the Laura Ashley Contemporary range.

12 x coordinating fabric brads from the Laura Ashley Contemporary range.

4 x wooden stamps from the Laura Ashley Contemporary range.

1 x unmounted Sugar Nellie Maggie with Stick stamp.

3 x unmounted Rubber Romance stamps, including large image of Lilette sat on the bed.

I am also planning to add some handmade items to the pack but I haven't quite made them yet! Once I have them finished, I will post another picture!

So.... what do you have to do to be in with a shot? Just the usual! Leave a comment and post a link on your blog to advertise my candy. If you would like to become a follower, that would be lovely but certainly not essential!

The closing date is Thursday 26th March at 6pm. I will draw the winning entry by random.org and will post the name of the winner at about 8pm that night. I will post internationally.

Good luck everyone!

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Truly Scrumptious and Sketch Saturday

What a beautiful sunny day! But am I out enjoying it?! Nope - I'm indoors enjoying some prime crafting time! It's just been me at home so I've been crafting up a storm with me choons blaring... utter bliss ☺. I'm also feeling on top of the world as my neck is slowly getting back to normal now. I'm not going to say that it is doesn't hurt anymore because I would be totally lying. However, I've got a lot more movement and the pain has subsided to a manageable level. Thank God for that as I had totally bored even myself with all the whinging and whining I'd been doing about it!

Anyway, back to the crafting. I've been working hard on some things I can't show you yet... (!).... but here is something that I can! I've managed to do a bit of challenge combining so that I can enter this one card into both the sketch over at Truly Scrumptious and also the cake theme at Secret Crafters Saturday Challenge.

Oh balls. I've just realised that I've failed! Whilst adding the link to Truly Scrumptious above, I realised that I haven't made any buttons! It's now a bit late.... pants. Sorry for messing up, I'm fully aware this won't count as an entry now!

BTW, I ♥ this image! It was one I received recently from my lovely friend Zoe as part of an image swap. I have to share this with you though..... look here to see what this lovely little mousey was sent in..... Isn't that amazing?! And I can totally vouch that it is even more beautiful in real life. Thank you so much Zoe!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Whiff of Joy - Henry Celebrating Mouse, Sentiment from Elzybells.
Paper: Basic Grey - Cupcake.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Adhesive gems.

Before I go, I just want to remind you about the fabulous competition currently running over on the Dies to Die For blog where you could win a Martha Stewart Valentine Lace punch! So what are you waiting for?! Get over there and find out how you can enter!

Right, I'm off to continue my craft-fest and also have some lunch. I am Hank Marvin.... as usual! Enjoy the sunshine!

P.S. Make sure you come back tomorrow as I might have a little bit of blog candy for you.....!

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Sketch & Stash & More News....

Hi folks. sorry I've not been around the last couple of days but I have been in absolute agony since Wednesday morning as I have put my neck out. I wasn't doing anything exciting I'm afraid, simply called over my shoulder to my colleague at work and...... crack. Ouch. I can't move my head :o( The nurse I saw was utterly useless so I am {finally} off to the docs this morning. It's improved slightly but I still can't tilt my head back or to the side but I live in hope that it is going to be gone soon! Ali is competing all weekend so I was going to have a craft-fest. Fingers crossed I will be limber enough to be able to by then......

I recently found a challenge blog called Sketch and Stash. The idea is, you follow the sketch but you use a newly purchased item on your card. Doesn't sound too hard does it? Especially not for us shopoholic crafters!

Well, the new stash I've used on this card brings me nicely on to my news...... What do you think of this image? Isn't it fab?! It's from a company called Pink Papery Studios in the US and they offer the most gorgeous little stamps with some digi download designs mixed in for good measure. They also have a line called 'Card Scents' with which is basically perfume for cards. How cool is that?! Anyway, when I received this image set, Amy, the owner, said that she would love to see what I created with it. So, once my card was made, I sent it off to Amy. To my utter shock and surprise, she emailed back and said that she loved my card and asked if she could include it in the shop gallery. Not only that, but she asked me if I would like to become a Guest Designer for Pink Papery Studios! I kid you not! Of course, I bit her arm off!

I'm beginning to think that these DT positions are like buses... you wait for ages and then two show up at once!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Pink Papery - Simply Cocoa.
Paper: Bloom & Grow Download - Zoe Pearn - Sweet Shoppe Designs.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Ribbon from stash.

Hope you have a great weekend, wish me luck at the doctors!


UPDATED TO ADD.... Thank you for all of your kind wishes about my neck. I'm pleased to report that the doctor was great, gave me some hefty painkillers and some very good advice! Hopefully I will be back on my feet soon! ~♥~ Pin It

Sketch Saturday

I'm pleased to report that 2 days later I have still not calmed down about my DT-ship with Dies to Die For! I'm still totally bouncing off the walls! I have forced myself to sit still long enough to make a card for this weeks Sketch Saturday challenge though......

I lurve this Whiff of Joy image but unfortunately, it is one I received in a swap a couple of months back and it is quite a faint impression. It doesn't show up so much in real life (which is why I used it in the first place!) but once it is photographed.... it really does look a bit anemic :o(

However..... whilst I am a bit behind the times, I simply adore my new Urban Prairie papers! I've been drooling over them for ages but finally went for it and ordered some gorgeous 12x12 sheets the other day. Are they not divine? Especially with the exceedingly yummy Primas?!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Whiff of Joy, Studio G sentiment.
Paper: Basic Grey - Urban Prairie.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Dew Drops, charm from ebay, Prima flowers, ribbon and buttons from stash.

By the way, as you may have noticed, I've just started getting into buttons. The only problem is that I am having a total 'mare trying to get them to stick to my card. They are fine when they are at the 'just buttons' stage but once you tie them with something, they are precariously balanced to say the least. I've tried double sided tape, 3d pads, didi dots, mini dots..... the only option left is to actually stitch them on, which I really don't want to do. So...... anybody got any top tips?!

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OMG! I Made the Team!

I am totally and utterly speechless! Tracy picked me for one of the Dies to Die For guest DT spots! How cool is that?! So many amazing cards were entered, I am gobsmacked that I got picked....

Thank you so much Tracy, I will try my hardest not to let you down ~♥~
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Dies To Die For Guest Designer Call

As you have probably seen, Tracy is advertising for a guest DT post for her shop, Dies to Die For. Well, even though I probably don't have a snowballs chance in hell of being picked, I thought it was worth a go as I love all the amazing goodies that Tracy gets in the store. I also think that Tracy would be a fab 'boss' as she is a totally lovely person, especially as she still talking to me after I nearly killed her PC with kindness last year!

When I saw the DT call, I decided that I wanted my entry to use a stamp that Tracy actually sells in the store. Luckily for me, I was recently sent this gorgeous Miss Anya image and, ta-da! You can find it here at Dies to Die For!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Miss Anya - The Greeting Farm, Studio G Clear Stamp.
Paper: Basic Grey - Offbeat.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Dew Drops, macrame string, buttons and ribbon from stash.

I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that Tracy likes my creation!

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More Challenge Combining!

Wow, I'm totally on a roll with this challenge combining! I've managed to incorporate Colour Create where the theme is 'Blue and Brown' and also, Penny Black Saturday where the challenge is to include 'Something to Eat'.

I'm really pleased with this card as not only have I managed to combine 2 challenges, I also made a MALE card! Yup, no pink or frills or girlie images in sight! What's more, this is the first ever time that I have been able to enter the PB challenge as I don't have any PB stamps of my own and any I receive in swaps, I tend to be unable to colour properly. No idea why but I find them seriously hard to colour, no matter what medium I use. But, I think this one is coloured OK.......!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Penny Black from image swap, Elzybells sentiment.
Paper: Dovecraft Masculine DP pack, Core'dinations cardstock.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Liquid applique, scalloped rectangular Nestie, button and macrame cord from stash.

Upon popular request, you may also notice that I updated my profile pic to take into account my new hair. It's not a great picture of it though as it is much more choppy than this in reality but it gives you an idea. This pic was also taken 14 hours after my make-up went on so I promise I look a little less knackered than this in real life!

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Papertake Weekly & CCT Challenge Combo

Well, whilst I haven't managed to get a photo yet, I'm pleased to report that the hair is a success! Hurrah! Although, it's not quite as short as I wanted as the hairdresser bottled it a bit. That's ok though as it still looks nice. It's more of a shaggy bob now with short layers on top and quite cut in at the back. I'm very pleased :o)

I thought that I would be making loads of cards during my few days off but I have been utterly useless! The will has been there but I've been hopeless actually putting stuff together. As I always do when I get like this, I've gone back to basics and made a really simple but fun card. In the process, I also managed to combine two challenges - Papertake Weekly (fab sketch by Dawny P!) and also CCT's theme of 'Animal Magic'.

I am totally loving this image! It was one I got in a swap ages ago from Sheila and it is adorable! Once I figured out how to colour my sheepies, I was away. I love this paper as well, so bold and fun and perfect for this image. And I have to say, isn't this sketch amazing? One I shall defo be using again. Thanks Dawny!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Elzybells.
Paper: Pebbles Inc.
Ink & Colour: Copics and ProMarkers.
Embellishments: Freehand border doodle, computer generated sentiment printed on to Safmat.

Right, now I'm back in to the swing of things, I'm going to go and try to make as many cards as possible before I have to go back to work tomorrow. Boo, hiss....!

Thanks for visiting! Take care peeps,
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