Struggling......

I've received quite a few emails from crafty friends over the last couple of days, all concerned about me and wondering where I am! Thanks for all your concern guys, I really appreciate it. Well, I can report that I am still alive, however 'life' is well and truly kicking in at the moment and I am really struggling to keep up. Work is always crazy at this time of year for me, but this year is especially bad and I am working flat out but barely keeping my head above water. I can't even get out of my office long enough to go to the loo without someone stopping me to ask me a question. That, coupled with family relationship break-ups and one of Ali's best mates being smacked off his bike and ending up in intensive care, have made for a pretty exhausting week. And it's only Tuesday......!

I've also been battling with my mojo for the last few days. I've been faffing around with this card for about 4 days now and I'm still not happy. But, I'm sick of looking at it now, so I thought I would make you lot look at it instead!

Goodie List........
Stamps: High Hopes 'Warm Wishes' -Available from Dies to Die For, Elzybells sentiment.
Paper: Imaginisce - Twitterpatted.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Silver brads and ribbon from stash.

I am really going to try to get round some of your gorgeous blogs soon - I'm missing seeing all of your fabulous creations! Ali is also competing all weekend so I should have some time to craft and just generally catch up a bit. Keep your fingers crossed anyway!

Hope you are all doing well, apologies for yet another whiney post! I swear my next one will be upbeat and cheerful again!

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Friday Sketchers #48

What a flaming week it's been so far.... Work hasn't really calmed down much as we've just lurched from one drama to another, but I do feel a little bit more like myself now thankfully. Thanks for all of your concern, you are all just lovely. I really appreciate your good wishes.

I have had some good news though...... Tracy has asked the Dies to Die For DT (me included!) to stay on permanently! I'm so over the moon - thanks so much Tracy!

Unfortunately (and typically!), I don't have a DTDF inspired card to celebrate with today! However, I had a lovely time making this one for Friday Sketchers #48 as I got to play with one of the delicious Gorjuss girls that Vicki sent me!

In hindsight (which is obviously a WONDERFUL thing), I should have moved the ticket down a bit to fill that space. Heigh-ho, still like it though!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Sugar Nellie.
Digital Paper: Manda Bean - Even Sweeter Stuff - Sweet Shoppe Designs.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Ticket from Designer Digitals and ribbon from stash.

I've been a very lucky girly AGAIN this week as I've been spoilt by yet another crafting chum. I was recently sent a $25 voucher for Amazon.com. Unfortunately, as .com is the US version of the site, I couldn't use it as they wouldn't deliver anything I actually wanted to the UK. Grr. So.... I called upon my lovely friend Aimee and she very kindly agreed to accept delivery for me. Well, my parcel from her arrived yesterday.... Inside were the Label 1 Nesties I had ordered and (just because she is totally wonderful!), Aimee had included a big pack of clear stamps (complete with block and ink pad!) and a tin full of punched flowers and some felt ones too. It was a big surprise and totally unexpected. Thank you SO MUCH Aimee - you are a superstar! You really didn't have to but I'm kinda glad you did as my new goodies are awesome! Mwah! ~♥~

Right, best go and do some work, I 'spose.... Toodles!

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Less Like a Salmon, More Like a Tilda...

Well, I know this is my third Magnolia card in as many days but I will not let that dreaded skintone beat me! Must.....fight.....the salmon! Haha! Anyway, I think I've done OK, even if Tilda is a little blotchy. I'm quite chuffed with her dress though, no idea how I managed it mind you.

I put this card together for Sketch Challenge #224 over on SCS. The sketch was perfect for me as I knew I wanted to use this fabulous Daisy Bucket paper from Dies to Die For and so needed a fairly simple layout so that I didn't hide the beautiful pattern. Not that you can see it in this picture, but this was also the first outing of my Copic atyou Spica glitter pen that was a present from the very kind and lovely Michelle. It's so lovely, I much prefer it to the Sakura Stardust pen which turns your image grey!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Magnolia, sentiment by Rubber Romance.
Paper: Daisy Bucket - (Harbor View), Bazzill - from Dies to Die For.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics. Highlights with white gel pen and Copic atyou Spica pen.

I had the worst day a work yesterday ever and I'm so flat and deflated, I am dreading the day ahead. The whole debacle has left me feeling really upset and annoyed, especially as I know it is all still going to rumble on today.... :o(

Anyway, enough of my whinging, you didn't come here to listen to that afterall! Hope you all have a better day than I anticipate that I am going to have!
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Just Magnolia #1

Well, my E00 arrived and.... I'm not sure I like the colour! My Tilda doesn't look like she has a tan anymore, she looks like a salmon!

As Tilda has the most gorgeous cropped tight curly hair and I wanted to give her pretty creamy black skin to match. Unfortunately, the Copics I used did not work at all and it all looked a total mess. So, I guess you could say that I was unhappy from the get-go, which may explain my overall dissatisfaction with the E00! I will try and persevere though.....

Oh, by the way, if you hadn't already guessed, this one is my entry into challenge #1 on the new Just Magnolia blog!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Magnolia, sentiment by Rubber Romance.
Paper: Basic Grey - Granola
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black & Rich Cocoa) and Copics.
Embellishments: Prima flowers, Dew Drops and Ribbon from stash.

P.S. I've been spoilt by my lovely friend Vicki. Look what she sent me......!

Thank you so much Vicki, I really appreciate your kindness! ~♥~

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No Challenge Today!

Well, it seems I peaked too soon this week and try as I might, I can't seem to be able to kickstart some creative flair to get any more challenges done! So, I thought I'd just share this little cutie with you instead!

I received this stamped image from Zoe several weeks ago and I loved it so much, I had to order one of my very own! I absolutely love this little fella, so cute and so versatile. Gorgeous!

Talking of gorgeous, I used some fab Bo Bunny papers from Dies to Die For. This particular sheet has the best name ever - It's My Party Day! Love it. All of the papers in this range are fab and could be used for anybody - young or old, male or female. I love stash like that!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Whiff of Joy - Henry Celebrating Mouse.
Paper: Bo Bunny - It's My Party Day
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Nestabilities, Ribbon from Poppicrafts, freehand doodling.

Well, I'm officially back at work and I have to say, it's not so bad. Mind you, I could get used to working these 2 day weeks!
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3 Challenges in 1

It is the last day of my holiday... boo hiss. Ali had to go back this morning and he was totally in denial. At 8.15am, he was still sat in front of Sky Sports News in his pants!

Todays post is a bit of a rarity for me as I've managed to combine 3 challenges in 1 card! Check me out! This card is made to this weeks Friday Sketchers sketch, is in pastel colours so satisfies the criteria over at Papertake Weekly AND as I used my Nesties, I can also enter it into the A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge as I've used diecuts! Woo-hoo!

Please don't look at the skin too closely as my E51 ran out half way through colouring! I need to replace it but think I am going to go for a slightly different shade as Tilda does currently look like she has spent too long on a sunbed! I've spotted that most of you use E00 for your base skin tone but Cult Pens (where I get my Copics) is out of stock so I was wondering if there were any good alternatives you'd found in the Ciao variety. What do you think of E50?

BTW I am totally loving this paper/kit download. I think it is by the same designer that Imaginisce use but please don't quote me on that! Because it is so doodley, I think it would be a brilliant cover to a notebook.... watch this space!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Magnolia.
Digital Paper: Smilin' at Me by Mindy Terasawa (Designer Digitals), Pink Petticoat Solid Olive.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Embroidery thread, brads from stash, Nestabilities, computer generated sentiment applied with Safmat.

Right, I'm off to enjoy my last day of freedom before I'm back with nagging students and academic staff who don't want to conform!
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Whiff of Joy Challenge #25

Phew, what a busy couple of days! Ali has promised me that today will be more relaxing with far less running around and entertaining! After today, I only have tomorrow and then I'm back to work. That 8 days has really flown unfortunately.

Below is one of the cards I made the other day and it is for the sketch this week over on the Whiff of Joy challenge blog.

The jury is still out on this one I'm afraid. I totally adore the papers and the image is super cute. However, it's a bit of a busy card so I am not 100% sure that I like it... One minute I do, next I don't....!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Whiff of Joy - Molly Celebrating Sheep.
Digital Paper: Cupcake Princess by Andrea Victoria from Designer Digitals.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Computer generated sentiment applied with Safmat, Nesties, Hobbycraft border punch, ribbon from stash.

Fingers crossed I get some crafting time today, I'm feeling in the need of some relaxation before I go back to the insane mayhem that is work!

Thanks for visiting me today!

P.S. You must check out the Dies to Die For store. Tracy has just listed some Nestabilities in the 'Tools' section for the bargain price of £15 per set! What a steal?! They are selling fast so if you want some, you had better get yourselves over there pronto! ~♥~ Pin It

Papertake Weekly and Double Hogs & Kisses!

So, is everyone enjoying their long weekend?! I'm having a good one so far. Managed to craft all day Friday and then went to visit Ali's family yesterday. The only down side is that his Mum is having a clear out and so we ended up filling the car full of stuff from when he was little. The spare room is now fit to bursting. Ebay, here we come....!

Anyway, have you seen Dawny's great sketch over on Papertake this week? Its a goodun and one I will no doubt use again. Apologies for the blurry picture though, all of my doodling and gems meant that the final thing came out a little funky!

What a cutie pie image, I love it! This is another High Hopes stamp, courtesy of Tracy at Dies to Dies For. Also, because she's got so many stamps from the top stamp companies, never one to rest on her laurels, she is now targetting her paper supplies! You should totally check out the shop as she has some gorgeous Daisy Bucket papers in, including these classy black and white ones.

Goodie List........
Stamps: High Hopes - Pickles Balloon Ride
Paper: Daisy Bucket (Cocktail Party), Bazzill CS (Hurricane) - available from Dies to Dies For.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Adhesive gems, computer generated sentiment, doodling.

My regular readers will know that I don't tend to post 2 cards in one post, I try to spread my offerings over a day or two. However, this next card doesn't really warrent a post on its own because it just goes to highlight how STUPID I am! I guess this card is the epitome of what a left-handed blonde stands for....

Yep, that's right. It's a rabbit. Yep, that's right. The sentiment is HOGS and Kisses. You know, hogs as in pig? Doesn't really work quite as well for a rabbit does it?! And do you know the really stupid thing? I didn't actually realise it was wrong until I used the same sentiment for the pig card 5 days later! D'oh!

Goodie List........
Stamps: CC Designs - Kisses & Hugs
Digi Paper: Sweet Shoppe Designs - Manda Bean (Even Sweeter Stuff).
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Nestabilities and Stickles.

Right, I think that is quite enough waffle from me! Enjoy whats left of the weekend peeps!
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Mojo Monday #81

Just a quick one this morning as I am home alone (Ali is at a swimming gala) and am keen to get my craft stuff out! Before I do though, I wanted to show you this card that I made last night for this weeks Mojo Monday sketch. I loved this sketch as soon as I saw it but spent hours shuffling my elements around, it drove me crazy! It was a great excuse to play with these fabulous McSplendid Farm stamps by The Greeting Farm though :o)

I am seriously loving this paper, I think I might actually cry when it runs out. Either that or buy a load more of it I guess! Also, 9 months after buying my first Nesties, I've FINALLY bought myself an embossing mat. In the early days, I didn't really think I needed one but now I actually do have one, I love it! The embossed edge makes the cut look so much more professional.

Goodie List........
Stamps: McSplendid Farm by The Greeting Farm, available from Dies to Die For.
Paper: Pebbles Inc.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Nestabilities, brads and ribbon from stash.

Thanks for all of your lovely comments about my MOT. I'm pleased to report that it virtually sailed through - £68! Woo-hoo! Not sure if more stash is allowed still though as the quarterly BT internet bill dropped on to the mat yesterday..... boo hiss!

Hope you are all enjoying the bank holiday weekend so far, lets hope the weather picks up for us!
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Playful Goats

Yippee! 8 whole days off work! You can tell I'm excited, right?! I've got a few things planned but I'm also looking forward to some uninterrupted crafting time. Bliss!

Today I want to share a card I made over the weekend from some of the lovely stash Tracy sent to me in my recent DTDF DT parcel. I have to admit, this High Hopes stamp isn't a stamp that I would have ordinarily been drawn to but I totally suprised myself as I loved working with it! Once I worked out what I was doing, it was great fun to colour.

In hindsight, I wish I'd not included the flower and had just rounded the end off like the other end.... I always do this, I'm such a perfectionist! Never happy!

Goodie List........
Stamps: High Hopes - Playful Goats - available here, Sentiment by Elzybells.
Paper: 3 Bugs in a Rug, Stampin' Up! Cardstock in Barely Banana and Certainly Celery.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Brads from stash, Stampin' Up ribbon from RAK.

Right, I'm off to jump in the shower, ready for my day of craft shopping, clothes shopping, Starbuck sipping, eye testing and car washing! Enjoy the sunshine peeps! ~♥~

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I'm back!

Hello my lovelies - I've been away from my blog for so long, hope you haven't forgotten about me in my absence?! I'm pleased to report that my cold has pretty much gone and I now have a brand spanking new oven and fridge-freezer in the kitchen! Woo-hoo! No more warm yoghurts and cold dinners! The only problem is, I've been used to setting the oven to 250oC, chucking whatever needs cooking in and then wandering off for a couple of hours.... however, I fear things are going to start getting burnt if I do that now! ;o)

The upside of this is that I now have a bit more time for crafting! I made the most of it this weekend and managed to make 3 whole cards, and was helped along greatly due to the fact that my latest Dies to Dies For DT package arrived Saturday morning :o). I also only have to work Monday & Tuesday this week and then I will have 8 whole days off! Can't wait, even though my dreaded MOT is booked in on Thursday...... If it goes well and I get away with £100 or less, I can buy more craft stuff. If not, I am on a serious stash diet this month!

Anyway, enough of my waffle! Here is the first card I made this weekend using this gorgeous High Hopes stamp from Tracy.


Yes, I've used my Bloom and Grow digi papers again, I'm slightly addicted to them. Having said that, I got some more bargains on Saturday morning when I realised that Sweet Shoppe Designs have a half price sale on! I know I am saving for my MOT but Several of the ones on my wish list made it in to the sale bin so it seemed rude not to get them! So, I spent £10 for £20 worth of products. How thrifty am I?!

Goodie List........
Stamps: High Hopes - Jenny Glow Bugs available from Dies to Die For
Digital Paper: Bloom & Grow by Zoe Pearn.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: Ribbon, button and flower from stash.

Hope you are all doing well and that you are looking forward to a few days off over Easter. I promise that I will be visiting you all soon! Right now though, I'd best go get ready for work!

Lots of love,
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