Dies to Die For Challenge #4

Hi everyone! It's Friday, it's the 18th, which means that not only is it my Dies to Die For DT day, it is also Die-ing for a Challenge day! This months we have a theme that you will all love..... Anything goes (with dies)!

Here is the card that I made for the challenge. As you can see, I have used lots of different dies on my card. They are all MFT Die-namics. I am completely smitten with these bad boys as I'm not brilliant with flowers and stuff, so they are the perfect embellies for me.

I hope you like my card and I hope even more that you are able to join us over at Die-ing for a Challenge this month! 

Pin It

Day 1 of 11....

Woo-hoo! My Easter holiday is finally here! 11 days off and my aim is to post a card each day..... I know, ambitious for a blog slacker like me, right?! Anyway, I'm starting as I mean to go on.....

I am totally addicted to the new Doodlebug 6x6 pads. I seriously can't get enough of these bad boys! I literally have DP coming out of my ears, but I just cannot resist a pretty bit of paper. Or even better... four!

Another crafty discovery this week are the Papermania Kraft card blanks. I normally avoid shop bought blanks like the plague as I generally find that they are either really expensive or appallingly bad quality. However, I noticed these whilst I was in The Range today and, as I'm addicted to Kraft, thought I'd give them a go. I'm really glad I did as they seem reasonably good quality and were a complete bargain. Will be returning soon to stock up.

Challenges...

Allsorts - Photo Inspiration (I picked out the pastel colours and the Easter/spring theme). 

One Stop Crafts - Easter (Easter bunny!).

Paper Sundaes - Easter.

Crafty Cardmakers - Easter.

Crafty Creations - Signs of Spring.

My Mum's Craft Shop - Easter Creations/Animals.

Creative Inspirations - Easter.

DYSU? - Friendly Critters.

Hope all well with you guys. I'm off back into my craft den now as I'm home alone and experimenting with Glossy Accents...!

 

Pin It

Hey there!

Hi folks, still suffering with my horrid cold so I'm afraid I still haven't managed to make it round all your lovely blogs yet. I'm hopeful I can squeeze in a trip round before I go back to work on Monday though :o)

I've been playing with my DTDF stash today and so have spent the morning shuffling around some pretty papers and mega cute stamps! I've made a few cards but here is the first I'd like to show you.....

Goodie List........ 
Stamps: High Hopes 'Party Donkey'.
Sentiment: The Greeting Farm 'Talk Loud'.
Paper: Echo Park 'For the Record'.
Copic Markers: E00, E25, E29, E31, E33, E35, E37, R32, R35, R37, R59, YG03, YG63, YG67, YR00, YR02, YR23, W1, W3, W5, W7 - available HERE from Dies to Die For.
Tools & Embellishments: Gems from stash.

Thanks for stopping by today,

Pin It

I Finally Used my RV Copics!

It doesn't happen very often but I finally used my RV Copics on this card! They are so blinkin bright that it takes a very 'special' design paper to take balance them out. However, the fabulous 'Delovely' by Cosmo Cricket hit the spot perfectly :o)

I have so enjoyed playing with these new style High Hopes stamps. They are really easy to colour and are really versatile as they can be used for both male and female cards. Not only that, but Tracy at DTDF has a fabulous range in stock and I happen to know that she is expecting a new batch VERY soon! Keep your eyes open peeps ;o)

Goodie List........

Stamps: 'Dragon Go Round' by High Hopes, in stock HERE at DTDF.

Paper: 'Delovely' by Cosmo Cricket, in stock HERE at DTDF.

Copic Markers: E29, E31, E33, E35, E37, YG03, YG23, YG63, BG15, BG23, BG49, Y15, Y17, Y21, RV02, RV04, RV06, W1, W3, W5, W7 - available HERE from DTDF.

Tools & Embellishments: Gems, ribbon and flower from stash.

I am going to enter this card in to the challenges over at High Hopes (ribbons and bows) and Crafty Cardmakers (Happy Birthday).

Hope everyone is happy and healthy and enjoying the summer :o)

Pin It

"I've Got, High Hopes..."

Oh dear, what a shame I got my days muddled up! I forgot I made this using last weeks Simon Says Stamp sketch.... bit late for that now, isn't it?! Whoops! Anyway, had another little play with my Dies to Die For DT stash and this is what I came up with......

This is the first time that I've coloured one of the newer style High Hopes images and I have to say, I really enjoyed myself! I got my shading a bit wrong (light would never be hitting some of those angles!) but on the whole, lots of fun was had. The colours also tied in perfectly to these delish My Minds Eye papers.... scrummy!

Goodie List........ 

Stamps: 'Sir Dustin' by High Hopes, available HERE from DTDF.

Paper: 'So Sophie - Savvy' by MME, available HERE from DTDF.

Copic Markers: E00, E11, E29, E31, E33, E35, E37, E50, R35, R37, R59, YG03, YG63, YG67, W1, W3, W5, W7, C1, C3, C5, C7 - available HERE from DTDF.

Tools & Embellishments: Cheeky Clip and buttons from stash.

I'm going to enter this little card in to the challenge over at Stamp with Fun (Card for Boy/Men) and also Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge (Fairytales). I think it's also eligible for this weeks Charisma Cardz challenge as I'm pretty sure that dragon has a tail!

OK, better go and do some work I suppose. Such a shame as I'd much rather be crafting!

Love and hugs,
Pin It

Colour Create

A real quick post from me today folks, I'm at work, being naughty and posting on my blog. Can you tell that my manager's room is a whole floor away from my office?!

Over the weekend, I got chance to play with some fab stamps that my lovely DTDF DT boss Tracy sent me. As soon as I saw this little fella, I just knew I had to make a little bookmark. Yep, he's a bookworm, just like me!

Isn't he a cutie?! I decided that, coupled with this fab Zoe Pearn paper, he would be perfect for this weeks challenge over at Colour Create - Pink, Blue, White and Silver. Horrendous picture, I know but I snapped it as I ran out of the door this morning!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Bookworm by High Hopes, in stock at Dies to Die For.
Digital Paper: Irresistible by Zoe Pearn, Sweet Shoppe Designs.
Copic Colours: B00, B02, B12, R35, R37, R81, R83, R85, W1, W3, W5, W7.
Tools & Embellishments: Eyelet and embroidery thread from stash.

That's it from me. See you tomorrow ☺
Pin It

Copic Colour Challenge 38

How can it be Wednesday already?! Is it just me or it time literally flying past at the moment? I'm very lucky today as I have the day off and I am going down to Bournemouth with my family to visit my Great Aunt who has not been too well recently. Looking forward to a Brady family expedition. We don't get to do many these days, so they are always a treat when they do happen!

Anyway, better get back to business... I have a new card to share with you today! This is my DT card for this weeks Copic Colour Challenge. The colour combo is a bold one (R85, G02, B02) and was chosen by me, so apologies if you have trouble with it!

Loving these papers. They are just my kind of colours and they go perfectly with the colour combo I picked. Amazing what you can do when you don't actually think about it isn't it?

Goodie List........
Stamps: Fishing Santa by High Hopes, in stock at Dies to Die For
Sentiment: Computer generated.
Paper: My Minds Eye, in stock at Dies to Die For.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) & Copic markers.
Embellishments: Ribbon and matt gems from stash.

Hope you can join us this week - especially as we are sponsored by the fabulous Paper Pretties!
Pin It

Copic Colour Challenge 32

Hi peeps! Just a quick one from me today I'm afraid as I am posting at work and things here are manic as the students and academic staff are starting to reappear after their summer break and EVERYONE seems to want a piece of me! I'm also supposed to be in my Spinning class in.... ooh.... 15 minutes! Oops! So, without further ado, here is my DT card for this weeks Copic Colour Challenge, using the colours V06, B23 and BG23.

I panicked when I first saw these colours as I didn't think I had any purple papers. However, a quick flick through my digital mountain revealed that actually, I do! These were buried in the week 4 bundle of the Sweet Shoppe Designs summer samplers that they dished out this summer. Perfect for this combo I think.

Goodie List........
Stamps: 'Busy Mama' by High Hopes, in stock at Dies to Die For.
Digital Paper: 'Bella' by Fee Jardine from Sweet Shoppe Designs.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) & Copic markers.
Embellishments: Buttons and ribbon from stash.

Right, better run (literally!) as I'm going to be VERY late for Spinning at this rate!

Pin It

Friday Sketchers 58

What a delightful day I've had! I've put in far too many hours at work recently and so took a well deserved day off today. I've spent my day crafting, singing along to some of my fave tunes and watching soppy films (I have a severe weakness for chick flicks!). Bliss!

For about the first time ever, I also managed to take part in a challenge on it's very first day! I couldn't resist this weeks Friday Sketchers sketch so decided to give it a bash.....

Goodie List........
Stamps: High Hopes 'Tidy Up Tillie' - From Dies to Die For.
Paper: Basic Grey 'Two Scoops', Bazzill CS.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copic markers.
Tools & Embellishments: Nestabilities, Prima flowers and pearl brads from stash.

Hope you all have a fab weekend. Fingers crossed we don't have any more thunderstorms!

Pin It

High Hopes Challenge #34

Yippee! I finally made a card that I'm happy with! You know, I love that great feeling you get when it just 'works'! I also managed to take part in this weeks High Hopes Challenge which features a fabulous sketch by Nikki. Such a fab sketch too, this one is definately a keeper!

Isn't this image utterly adorable?! It was part of my winnings from a previous High Hopes challenge and I thought it was a perfect match for this fab paper. If you want to get your hands on this stamp or any other gorgeous High Hopes images, Dies to Die For have a wonderful selection.

Goodie List........
Stamps: High Hopes.
Paper: Cosmo Cricket 'Girl Friday', Bazzill 'Kraft' CS.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copic markers.
Embellishments: Embroidery thread.

Before I go, I've been meaning to ask you this for a while.... how do you all find the time to create such wonderful things?! What I mean is that life has been hectic with me lately and I haven't had the time (or energy!) to join in all the challenges and stuff that I have wanted to. However, everyone else seems to manage it.......! So, what are your top tips on how to organise and find the time?!

Pin It

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!

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!
Pin It

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,
Pin It

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!

Pin It