Dream BIG!

Hello lovely crafty friends! The sun is finally shining! As the rain cycle appears to be broken, we are firing up that BBQ tonight that caused all of the problems in the first place! It might still be a little chilly, but hey... we're British. We'll put a jumper on!

Just stopping by today to share a Dies to Die For card that I posted on the DTDF Blog yesterday. I love this little dragon fella and really like the fact that Magnolia do branch out further than the human characters. 

The image has been teamed with some mega funky papers from the Bazzill Dino-Mite collection... Dragons/Dinosaurs.... they're nearly the same thing, right?! I could have layered these papers up more but 

a) I wanted to show off the image, and 

b) the papers are yummy and I was to make them last longer!!!

Challenges
My Mums Craft Shop - Fairytales.
Allsorts Challenge - Man or Boy.

Thanks for stopping by!
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Eurgh.... this is horrid.

I think everyone will agree with this sentiment. Sometimes we make cards we like. Sometimes we make cards we love. However, sometimes, for no particular reason, a card which started with such promise, morphs itself into something we hate. This is one of those cards.

I have no idea why I dislike this monstrosity so much, I just do. In fact the only reason I am sharing it with you is because it fits in with this weeks Just Magnolia challenge (Going Dotty) and also the sketch over at Cute Card Thursday.

Anyway, I'm clearing off now as I can't bear to look at it any longer. Rest assured I will be back tomorrow with something a millions times more attractive!

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Echo Park - I ♥ it!

Any regular reader of my blog could quite easily have predicted my reaction to the release of Echo Park papers. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them! They are bright and bold and colourful and as soon as I saw that Tracy at Dies to Die For had them in stock, I whacked my order in before anyone else could snaffle them! The ones I've used are 'Walk in the Park' but she also has the 'Life is Good' range there to tease you as well......!

I love how bold and zingy this card turned out! I'm also really happy with the flowers I made using an embossing punch thingy I picked up at The Range the other day. I embossed them a bit more and I'm quite pleased with the effect as I was able to use the same DP as the rest of the card. I do love a bit of 'matchy -matchy'!

Goodie List........ 
Stamps: Magnolia.
Paper: 'Walk in the Park' by Echo Park - available HERE at DTDF.
Copic Markers: E00, E02, E11, E29, E31, E33, E35, E37, E50, R32, R35, R37, R59, YG03, YG63, YG67, BG15, BG23, BG49, W1, W3, W5, W7 - available HERE at DTDF.
Tools & Embellishments: X-Cut Embossing Flower Punch, pearls and ribbons from stash.

I'm entering this card in to a couple of challenges - Crafty Cardmakers Spotlight Challenge (punches) and Simon Says Stamp (Sing it Baby). Now, I appreciate that you might be thinking, "What song has she incorporated into that?!" Well, I went for.... wait for it......

"Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free...
Nothin's worryin' me"

Happy Tuesday folks!

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Just Magnolia & Stamp with Fun Combo

I am totally loving this new Bristol Board I've acquired, I'm having so much fun colouring! I've got a day off tomorrow so I might nip back in the shop to see if I can grab some more whilst it is cheap ☺. I do like a bargain I have to say! That said, the image I've used for todays card was actually stamped on SU! card and was very kindly sent to me by the lovely Sarah....

Isn't this image adorable?! An oldie but a goodie I feel. The picture is a bit iffy as I tarted it up at work and the software I have there isn't quite as good as the one I use at home so I've lost much of the sparkle on the snowflake. You get the general idea though!

I am also able to enter this one in a to a few challenges, which is very nice! I not only followed the fabby sketch over at Just Magnolia, but I have also satisfied the christmas theme at Stamp with Fun.

Goodie List........
Stamps: Magnolia.
Paper: DCWV - Rose Tinted Christmas - Available from Dies to Die For.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) & Copic markers.
Tools & Embellishments: MS Border Punch & Sizzix snowflake.

Another Christmas card down - woohoo!
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It's Just Basic ABC....

OMG, I am totally cream crackered already and I still have to get through today, the BIG day. Lets just hope everything goes smoothly and I can leg it out of the door at 4.30pm this afternoon as usual! Strangly, even though I am completely exhausted by the time I get home, I have still been crafting most evenings this week - more than usual actually! Now, this could be because I am massively behind with my responsibilities (!) or it could just be that it is de-stressing me... Who knows? But here is a 'just for fun' offering for you.......

I dug out one of my Cuttlebug embossing folders for this one and as I was using some Core'dinations cardstock, I was able to sand it with an emery board to highlight it a bit. I am also able to enter this card over at both Basic Grey and ABC as they are challenging us to emboss this week.

Goodie List........
Stamps: Magnolia.
Sentiment: Amy R 'Birthday Sentiments', in stock at Dies to Die For.
Paper: Basic Grey 'Wisteria'.
Cardstock: Core'dinations.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) & Copic markers.
Tools & Embellishments: Nestabilities Tag Trio, ribbons and pearls from stash.

Hope you are all having a lovely week. I promise, I will be back to visiting you all soon! Thanks for sticking by me in the meantime though :o)

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Just Stamp with Fun!

Well, that 4 days off sure went quickly..... Good job I only have a 3 day week this week isn't it?! Got to use up that holiday somehow haven't I?! I did spend my time off wisely though with a nice amount of crafting and craft shopping! Also managed to combine 2 challenges.... the sketch from Stamp with Fun and also the theme of 'Ribbons & Bows' from Just Magnolia.

I have a bit of a confession to make. As much as I love my Magnolia stamps, I only actually own 2 of the older style ones which I bought ages ago! I know, shocking huh?! I have a tiny stack of precious images that friends have stamped for me and am rationing myself to them! I think I had better invest in some really, it seems rude not to doesn't it?!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Magnolia.
Paper: Some Like it Hot by Zoe Pearn from Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Cardstock: Bazzill 'Kraft'.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) & Copic markers.
Tools & Embellishments: Nestabilities, pearls and ribbon from stash.

So...I posted 4 days in a row.... must be some kind of record for me you know! Gonna take a break tomorrow though, before I am back Wednesday with another Copic Colour Challenge card!

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Copic Colour Challenge #27

Crikey, week 27 of the Copic Colour Challenge already! Time is seriously flying past huh?! The fab Toodles and Binks are sponsoring us this week and have offered 1 lucky winner 2 stamps from their range, plus some embossing powder and Zoomz!

You can't tell from this shoddy picture but I actually puffed Tilda up a little bit with some silicone glue. She's very curvy and 3D in real life but it's virtually impossible to convey that with a picture isn't it?!

Goodie List........

Stamps: Magnolia, Whiff of Joy Sentiments.
Paper: Bloom & Grow - available from Dies to Die For.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) & Copic markers.
Tools & Embellishments: Nesties, wooden flower, embroidery thread & gems from stash.

I would dearly love to say that my mojo is back and that I made this card recently. Unfortunately, it is a pre-pig one.... I haven't managed to create anything (except a very nice bracelet and pair of earrings!) for nearly 2 weeks. I'm hoping either tonight or tomorrow night I will get back in to the swing of things. Wish me luck!

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Just Magnolia - Week 13

I'm pleased to say that I didn't get washed away in the monsoon at Saturday's christening. Although, my frock was pretty much ruined anyway as I put it on 3 weeks after buying it to realise that is now way too big for me! Grr. Love that dress too :o( . However, as Ali said, at least it wasn't too small for me, at least I went the right way along the scale! Despite the fashion dramas, the christening was lovely and Emily Grace didn't even cry! Quite the opposite actually, she high-fived the priest when he reached out to try and touch her forehead! Bless!

After the excitement of the christening, I came home and made up my 'challenge sheet' for the week and had a delve in my newly put together "Favourite Swap Images which I HAVE to Use" bag. The first one to come out was this gorgeous Tilda, which I decided would be perfect for the sketch over on the Just Magnolia challenge blog.

I have to admit, I am extremely partial ot the lovely papers and colours on this one! It's also the first time that I tried colouring behind the image too and, despite the masses of blender pen I went through, I think it went pretty well. Still addicted to those scalloped blanks though I'm afraid.....!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Magnolia - received in swap.
Paper & Card: Stampin' Up.
Ink & Colour: Memento, Copic markers, Spica glitter pen & white gel pens.
Tools & Embellishments: Nestabilities, Prima flowers, Dew Drops, C.Cards Mini Messages.

Anyway, best go and get in the shower now.... wish it was still the weekend and I didn't have to go to stinky work!

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Papertake Weekly

Just got really excited when I glanced at my blog countdown and saw that my birthday was 2 days away. However, quickly realised that the countdown is wrong as my birthday is actually on Thursday! What a tease?! Anyway, just a quick post from me today as I am keen to go continue playing at my craft table, I mean, dining table.....!

I originally made this card for last weeks Just Magnolia 'summer' challenge, however, I forgot to post it - doh! But, I've managed to find another suitable challenge to enter it in to - as the papers are downloads, I can enter it into this weeks Papertake Weekly challenge. Woohoo for challenges!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Tilda as Butterfly by Magnolia, Sentiment by The Paper Co.
Paper: Mommy Modern by MandaBean.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) Copic markers and Spica pen.
Embellishments: Prima Flowers and Dew Drops.

Back to work tomorrow - boo hiss.... But all in all, I don't mind too much as at least I only have a 3 day week! It also helps that I have a birthday, several meals out AND a trip to the craft show in Newbury to look forward to! BTW, if anyone else is going and fancies meeting up, let me know!

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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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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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A Spoon Full of Sugar

Don't you just love playing with new goodies.....?! What goodies have I got? Well, I've recently got my mitts on some yummy Magnolia images, thanks to my friend Kirsty and so I've been practicing my colouring on them. I've also purchased some yummy taster sets of Prima flowers from ebay and I totally love them....will defo be buying full size packs of these babies! AND, I have seen so many lovely little charms on everyone elses cards that I thought that I would jump on the bandwagon too! What on earth would we do without ebay eh?!

For this card, I followed the sketch which is this weeks challenge over at A Spoon Full of Sugar. It's a great sketch, you should have a go!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Magnolia.
Paper: Papermania - Retro Flowers, Bazzill Bling.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) and Copics.
Embellishments: White satin ribbon, Prima hydrangeas, Metal charm from ebay, Provocraft rub-on sentiment, glass blobs!

I'm eagerly awaiting yet more stash.... my Stampin' Up loot! I had a great time at the party and Sam was a great hostess, especially as she made the most gorgeous cupcakes for us all! As for my purchases, I could easily have gone seriously crazy as everything is totally gorgeous. However, I was {surprisingly} majorly restrained! I was trying to buy things that would work with my current stash and which fitted my 'style'. I ended up starting small with some DP, card and a stamp set, which is less than I thought I'd get. But, I've now got my eye on coordinating ink pads, some more DP, card and a few of the sentiment sets..... The bug has got me!

Hope you are having a great week - only 2 days to go until 2 days off! Woo-hoo!
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Fluttery Crafts Challenge #1 - I'm on the DT!

That's right - I'm on the DT for this fab shop - Flutterby Crafts! Yay me! There will be monthly challenges set and the lucky winner each month will win a £10 voucher to spend in the shop. The first challenge is called "Everything is Coming Up Roses" and I hope you can all take some time out from your Christmas cards to join in! Here is my offering......

I started by layering on some yellow Core'dinations cardstock onto a square blank. Onto this, I mounted some gorgeous Making Memories paper that I have had yonks but have never had the nerve to cut! The image is a Magnolia which I (luckily) received in a RAK earlier in the year. I have coloured Edwin with my beloved Promarkers and highlighted the corners with a paper piercer. The card was finished with a flower, some ribbon and a metal 'friend' tag, attached with some chain from my new jewellery making stash.

I struggled a bit with this one as it was all a bit too 'busy' and nothing quite seemed to look right! I hope you all think it turned out alright in the end though!

Please play along if you can!

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Hmm.....the Jury is Still Out.....

I recently followed a great link on the Elzybells blog which took me to a great tutorial on how to make 'sky'. I decided to use this technique during a play with Tilda and my new Alota fence - just like a Magnolia one, but for a fraction of the price.

I started by stamping Tilda on to plain white card. I masked her off and stamped the fence over the top. I then masked the fence off and sponged blue ink over the images. Once the masks were removed, I was left with lovely blue sky. I think this technique will need a little more work but overall, I am really pleased with the final result. The images were then coloured with Prismacolor pencils and Sansodor and then the whole panel was mounted on to coordinating DCWV paper and card. I decorated the card with Laura Ashley and Poppicrafts flowers held together with a brad knotted with ribbon. The whole card was finished with some pretty glass beads.

I keep swinging back and forth with this card - one minute I like it, the next I think it's boring....! Never happy us crafters are we?!

Hope you have a great week one and all!

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Yippee! I Got My Mojo Back!

I found it, I found it! My Mojo has been hiding but I'm pleased to report that I've found it! Yep, I'm back to my usual, bright and colourful self and I have found a new favourite colour combination...... lime green and fuchsia! This is the second card I've made this month using this colour scheme and I love it!

I used this weeks Friday Sketchers sketch on the layout of this card and I have to say, I found it a joy to work with. The card was so stress-free to make, it just fell together if you know what I mean.

The cardstock is Bazzill Bling (Feather Boa and Bank Roll) and the papers are a digital freebie which can be found here. The cutsie-pie image (mounted on approximately 4 million 3D pads!) is the Shabby Chic Magnolia stamp that Sheila sent me in our recent SS swap. Doesn't Tilda look cute?! The sentiment is from a Studio G clear stamp set which I also received in the swap. As ever, the card was finished off with adhesive gems, ribbon and flowers.

Unfortunately, the picture lets this card down as I had all sorts of problems getting a decent one. Bazzill Bling may be lovely in the flesh but it is an absolute pain in the bum to photograph as it is so shiny and you end up with loads of glare from the flash. I ended up turning the flash off to get a better pic which is why it has a funny blue tinge.....

Even with the weird blue tinge, I hope you like it as much as I do!

P.S. I had a message from Vicki last night to say congratulations for making it into Simply Cards & Papercraft Magazine this month! I didn't even know that my cards were going to be in there so I am now VERY excited. I know that it'll probably be just a tiny corner of the letters page with a few mini pics of my cards but, I don't care! I'm in print - WOO-HOO! ~x~

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Happy Birthday Dawn!

This evening I made the card below for my SBS16 Sister Dawn, whose birthday it was yesterday.

She had challenged us to make her a birthday card. In return, she was offering some luverly blog candy. Unfortunately, my effort has ended up a bit of a rush job as I've technically missed the deadline and I've been rushing to get the blighter on here before she does the draw!

So.......here you go Dawn, Happy Birthday for yesterday ....... and apologies for being a bit late!!! Further apologies for the dodgy pic, it's really dark and dingy outside tonight so getting a decent photo proved difficult!

This one is made of freebie mag papers, my only Tilda (sob sob, sniff sniff...!), a dotty sizzix embossing folder thingy, some ribbon, a flower (which I've just realised looks half dead!) and a Pink Petticoat sentiment. I coloured Tilda with watercolour pencils and adding faux stitching with a pink stardust pen.

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Bright & Colourful

This is my first card for a few days but I am really pleased with it. Although I love my Retro Floral papers, I've always struggled for ideas when it comes to the brightest of the papers. But, I had another play tonight and {hope} I've managed to pull it off!

For this card, I coloured both Tilda and the bench {from the stash Chris sent me} with my Whisper pens. I highlighted Tilda with my clear Stardust Gelly Roll. I mounted up Papermania Retro Floral paper onto green cardstock and finished with ribbon and adhesive gems.

Apologies for the photo, I got impatient, ignored all of the golden rules!
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At Last, A Card I Like......Sort Of..........!!!

Hurrah! I finally made a card that I don't think is too bad!

For this one, I used my Tilda with Blanket stamp and used 3D foam pads to layer it on to various shades of pink card and Papermania Retro Flowers dotty paper. Tilda was coloured using watercolour pencils and I used a Poppicraft flower (from their new set - Tait I think its called) and some of their ribbon to finish the card off.

After the crafting disasters of this past week, this one being a vague success has made me feel lots better!

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Looks a bit Tatty.....

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear......... Can't seem to do anything right at the moment. Tried using the lovely Tilda stamped image that Chris gave me as part of my PIF candy but fear I haven't done it justice.

In my first attempt at the circle behind the central image, I tried to ink the edge of the card to give it a bit more definition. Unfortunately, the card soaked up the ink so quickly, I got myself in a right mess. So I had to make another one. What then annoyed me even more was that I'd ruined my last piece of card that was the 'right colour'. Argh! I went for the next best thing but now think the inking looks uneven because I was being so cautious. Then, I'd just finished it when Ali came in and said "Ah, she's floating". Thats when it dawned on me that I should have put the dotty circle on 3D foam pads so that Tilda would actually be 'sitting' on the edge of the circle. To top it all off, I somehow managed to crease the top right hand corner of the blank. Classy. Not a good nights work........ However, despite my overall dislike for the card, I still like the Tilda image! Oh, and the buttons!

Does anyone else ever have times when everything they try goes wrong?! Please do tell me if you do - it might make me feel slightly less useless, especially on the back of last weeks missing mojo!

By the way, I promise I haven't forgotten about the PIF - I was waiting for a few little things to arrive in the post. However, they are here now so {hopefully} I should be able to offer a little candy to 3 lucky people tomorrow night.

Take care one and all,

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