Day 2 of 11...

Hi all! Well, today I'm back with something a bit unusual for me. It all started when I lent my friend my Prisma pencils to play with. She loved them and recently gave them back to me, with plans of purchasing her very own set. Being the untidy wretch that I am, they got added to the pile on the end of my craft desk. Well, yesterday, I tidied that very desk and got to thinking... how long ago was it that I last played with my Prismas? After a bit of pondering, I decided it must have been about 3 years ago. Yikes. That level of neglect is really naughty, especially as they weren't exactly what you'd call 'cheap'! So, I thought I'd whip them out and have a go. 

So there you go. Not a Copic marker in sight! Am I pleased with my effort? Yes and no....

No - Because my colouring looks really amateurish and I am far too heavy handed to achieve that amazing fade-in-fade-out effect that so many of you have so beautifully perfected.

Yes - Because I actually stepped out of my comfort zone, played with some forgotten stash and wasn't thoroughly appalled by the effort. However, maybe that was more down to the cute image and fab papers and lovely embellies....!

  

Anyway, whilst I can promise that I won't be hanging up my Copics any time soon, it's nice to know I still have options!

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On My First Christmas......

Hi everyone! So....are you all ready for Christmas?! I think I am nearly finished with all of the preparations now. All presents bought, family visited, food order placed, tree bought and decorated. All that's left is to wrap the presents and write my cards. Phew! For some reason, this years prep seemed 1000% more hectic that usual - I barely feel I've spent anytime at home the last couple of weeks! Anyone else feel like that or is it just me being a drama queen?!

I have managed to make a few things though. I made some gorgeous little gift bags and also some nice pieces of jewellery to give to friends and family for Christmas. Unfortunately, I forgot to take any pictures..... Silly Stacey!

However, I did manage to snap a few pics of these cards which I was asked to make by the daughter of one of my colleages. She wanted cards for her little baby boy to give to his grandparents for Christmas. For both of the cards, I adapted one of the Pink Petticoat 'Sweet Cheeks' images simply by adding 'on my' in Paint Shop Pro.

I layered up some plain New Leaf Pink Petticoat paper onto a square card blank and matted onto this some Olive 'O Christmas Tree' paper. I coloured some white ribbon with Promarkers so that it coordinated and wrapped this around the card. The main image was altered slight in Paint Shop Pro and then coloured with Prismacolor pencils and Sansodor. I highlighted with Stickles, mounted onto a Nestie rectangle and added the panel to the card with 3D pads. I finished the card with adhesive gems in each of the corners.

This second card is {secretly!} my favourite! I matted Duck Egg Blue solid paper onto a card blank and then followed this with smaller coordinating layers of 'O Christmas Tree' papers in Merry Christmas and Snowflake designs. I tied white satin ribbon around the central panel and added my Sweet Cheeks image to the card using 3D foam pads. Once again, the finished card was embellished with adhesive gems.

I'm planning to do a little bit of blog hopping today as it is dead at work {naughty I know!}, so don't be surprised if you all get inundated with lots of comments from me as I try my bestest to catch up on all of the beautiful projects you have made over the last couple of weeks!

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Am I a Scrap Addict? - Sketch 3

Well, after my hols, I've had no choice but to get right back into it. Why?! Well, I had my 3rd Am I a Scrap Addict DT card to make didn't I?!

I found this weeks sketch a little tricky so I rotated it 90 degrees and, all of a sudden, it became a lot easier to manage!

I matted Bazzill Bon Bon card onto a square card blank and added a strip of Doodlebug 'All a Flutter' paper, layered on Bazzill Bubblegum cardstock. On top of this, I added an embossed panel of Bazzill Swimming Pool card. The image is Elzybells 'Shopaholic' and is coloured with Prismacolor pencils and Sansodor. The whole card is finished with a Rubber Romance stamped sentiment, ribbon and some adhesive gems.

I so loved this Elzybells image that I used her again to make a little image wallet for a RAK I sent to my friend Sheila. The image and sentiment are completely appropriate for Sheila as she really is a complete (self-confessed!) shopaholic!

Thanks for popping by!

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I'm Back.... and Struggling!

Hi Guys! Well I got back last Saturday morning, completely exhausted after being up for about 30 hours. We had a great holiday, despite the horrendous thunderstorms in the first few days! Unfortunately, I went straight back to work on Monday and things are so busy, I don't feel as if I've been away!

Since returning, I've also decided that I really do think that holidays should be banned as they steal Mojo's! I knew I would struggle to get back into things a little bit but I never realised that it would be this bad! The will is there, but the ideas have vanished. Not only that, after cruising around all of your blogs, you've all made such gorgeous things that I am now having a major confidence dip as you are all so talented and I feel totally inadequate! It's so infuriating and I'm annoyed at myself for feeling like that. So, this weekend, I am throwing myself back in to it. Rahr! Mojo, you will be back soon!

I have however made one card since my return to Blighty. Do you remember that I mentioned that my friend was having a baby which was due whilst I was in Corfu? I made a boy card as I was convinced it was going to be a boy. Typically, Christie gave birth on her due date to a gorgeous baby......GIRL! So, after several botched attempts and much wasted card, I resorted back to a tried and tested 'favourite' layout!


I made a top fold A5 card and added a Cuttlebugged Swiss Dots scalloped border to the bottom edge using pink Coredinations cardstock. I then made holes around the edge of the card using a paper piercer and a plastic cross stitch canvas to keep them in line. A couple more Swiss Dotted panels were added to the centre of the card and I mounted a scalloped circle onto these using 3D foam pads. The image is called 'Ellie' and is from Stampendous and I've coloured her with Prisma's and Sandsodor and then highlighted with a clear Sakura Stardust pen and a waterbrush. The whole thing was finished with a little bit of coordinating pink ribbon.

Hopefully I shall be back soon with some more creations. Wish me luck!

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Just Checkin' In...!

Hello, me again! I'm still in Corfu but wanted to share this colourful creation with you, just so you don't go forgetting all about me.... sob sob sniff sniff!

I began by layering up Papermania striped paper and chocolate Bazzill onto a square blank, snipping the corners with those funny scissors which are a complete nightmare if, like me, you are left-handed! I coloured one of my new Elzybells with Prismas and Sansodor and matted her onto Bazzill and DCWV cardstock. This panel was then layered onto the cardbase using 3D foam pads. I finished with gems and a Hero Arts sentiment.

I have mixed feelings towards this card - I love the colour scheme and the image but not the corners!

Well, I'm back tomorrow so no doubt the blog addiction will once again take hold and I shall be flying round all of your blogs, leaving millions of comments before you know it!


P.S. This card is my entry into Cammie's incredible candy which is worth over $1000 and is for a very good cause. All you need to do is to make a card for the carer of someone with Alzheimers. I have seen first hand the devastating effects of this illness so was really happy to support this cause. Pin It

Am I a Scrap Addict - Sketch #2 - DT Card

Greetings from sunny Corfu! Well, in reality, it should actually be greetings from rainy Southampton as I am actually writing this on a miserable Sunday afternoon, several weeks before I'm due to go on my holidays!

Anyway, I thought you might like to see my DT card for Sketch #2 on the Am I a Scrap Addict? sketch blog. It was a nice simple sketch this week and I used it as an excuse to make a baby card for my friend who is due to pop whilst we are in Corfu. Nobody knows whether it is going to be a boy or a girl yet but I figured that this gives me a 50:50 chance of not having to rush a card on my return from holidays when my mojo is sure to have gone walkies!

For this one, I layered up Core'dinations cardstock on to a square card blank. To this, I added a Swiss Dots panel and a Hero Arts elephant from the 'Playful Animals' set. I coloured the flump with Prismacolor pencils, blending with Sansodor and mounting on to a Nestie scalloped circle. The card with finished with a sentiment from a £1 set and of course, some adhesive gems!

I hope you are all having a great week, I know I'm sure to be having a good time!

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What a Week..... Time to 'Espresso' Myself!

Phew. What a week?! I'm pretty glad it's over! The string of ropey luck all started last Saturday when we went to Thorpe Park. Unfortunately, we got a bit caught out by the uncharacteristically sunny weather and I ended up closely resembling a lobster. Things perked up on Monday when I finally sorted out my hideous hair and invested in a funky new do......only to have my trusty (and now essential!) GHD's blow up on me the day after! Argh!?! I must say, I am surprisingly delighted with the replacements which were a 1/3 of the price I paid for my GHD's! Everything then appeared to be picking up. Until this morning when I realised I could no longer walk.....damn that Davina McCall and her perky fitness DVD's! It seemed so much fun (and so easy!) at the time, who would have guessed that all those squats and lunges were going to make me walk like John Wayne? Things are sure to improve this week though as we are off to Corfu on Friday! Woo-hoo! Sunshine! I'll be sure to pack my suncream this time round ;o)

Anyway, on to more important matters and indeed, the reason I am guessing you are here....... I've made a card! AND, I'm pretty pleased with this one I have to say!

This card started off being for Mojo Monday, then turned into the Ismaki sketch but ultimately ended up being......neither! Just a Stacey special!

I coloured my Elzybells image with Prismas and Sansodor and then matted it onto Core'dinations cardstock. The blind is also made from more Core'dinations and the scalloped edging is cut with Fiskars Cloud scissors. I highlighted with a ribbon bow and added grooved detailing to the blind using a scoring tool and my Enveloper. The whole thing was finished off with an Elzybells sentiment.
Right, I'd best be off now - gotta start that dreaded packing sometime! I hope that you are all having a great weekend and that none of you have been flooded by all this hideous weather!

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A Very, Very Late Mojo Monday Card!

Hi all! I'm back with a late Mojo Monday card from last week.... I think! I really liked the sketch but wanted to wait until my Nesties arrived. But, now they are here.......whoo-hoo!

This one is a bit of a Doodlebug fest with Doodlebug papers and Doodlebug Bazzill card. I've embossed the Bubblegum card base with Swiss Dots and have matted the papers with Swimming Pool card. The image is one I received from Beth ages ago and I have coloured with Prismas and Sansodor, highlighting with Stardust pens. The sentiment is from a clear £1 set.

Well, I think there is definitely one thing we can all say about it - it's definitely bright and colourful!

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My First DT Card!

Blimey, what a scary experience?! I've made my first ever Am I a Scrap Addict? DT sketch card! I initially started panicking a bit, worrying that my cards will look rubbish next to everyone elses but in the end, managed to get a grip! The sketch was a real tricky one too so I am so pleased that this attempt turned out as well as it did.


I found a flower outline online and traced this on to my folded card blank. I then covered it with yellow Bazzill Bling card stock (can't remember the actual name - sorry!). I cut a large circle from black Bling and then another, smaller circle in the centre of that. This then formed the flap/window on the front of my card. I coloured a Pink Petticoat bee with Prismacolors and Sansodor and mounted this behind the black window, adding Stickles for a little sparkle. I added a sentiment printed from the PC and decorated the finished card with a homemade flower embellishment and lots of adhesive gems.

I think I took the sketch rather more literally than I was supposed to (!) but this was the first idea to jump into my mind when I saw the sketch so I decided just to go for it!
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A Spoon Full of Sugar Sketch Challenge & Christmas Card #1!

Wow, the 2nd post of the day. You don't get that from me very often! This card was made following the sketch on the A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge blog. It's also a card full of firsts.... it's the first time I've taken part in a 'Spoon Full of Sugar' challenge, it's the first time I've used these papers, it's the first time I've used these stamps and..........it's my first ever Christmas card!

I started by mounting a square of Feather Boa Bazzill Bling on to a square card blank. I then layered up slices of Dovecraft Christmas Blues paper according to the sketch, matting it on to yet more Bazzill (no idea what colour this time though!). I coloured Maggie with Prismacolors and Sansodor and highlighted her star with sparkly Stickles. I tied ribbon around the whole thing and added then mounted the image onto the card with foam pads. The sentiment came courtesy of a £1 clear stamp set and was highlighted with some star shaped gems. As usual, yet more gems finished the card!

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A Monochrome Baby Boy!

This week, I was asked to make a baby card for my colleague whose daughter is just about ready to pop! She's a week overdue so time really wasn't on my side as I knew I'd need to make the card a bit sharpish. So, because of the time factor, I went for another pretty simple card.

Oh by the way, I should point out that she already knows she is having a boy - I promise I didn't just make a 50/50 stab at it!

I made the base from layered shades of blue paper and card and then added a plain white section which I stabbed repeatedly with a fondue fork! I then added some DCWV text paper which had been matted onto a scissor-cut scalloped border. I coloured the Stampendous image (Ellie!) with Prismacolors and Sansodor and mounted on to the card using 3D pads. The card was completed with the addition of a Hero Arts stamped sentiment and the obligatory gems and ribbon.

The card unfortunately looks a little distorted as it is a top folder. With all the rubbish weather, the light has been terrible so the picture also has a funny tinge. I'm sure you get the general idea though!

Hope you are all enjoying the Bank Holiday - even if the weather is a bit iffy!

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That's More Like It!

I don't think I really need to explain what I did as it is so simple, you can see straight away! The stamp is from Stamps Away and he is coloured with my Prismas and Sansodor. The flashes of colour have been embossed with the CB Swiss Dots folder.

I cannot wait until the end of the month as I will be getting a small bonus from work and so am finally going to treat myself to some circular Nestabilities. I am sick of cutting scalloped circles by hand as no matter how hard you try, you always get a little bit left over where the scissors don't quite meet up.....did you spot it?! I wish they were a little bit cheaper, then I could buy them all straight away! I would get them from the US but as they are just over the free limit, fear the import tax won't make them such a bargain :o(

I know it is a bit rough round the edges, but I seriously love this simple card and think I am going to use the basic layout for all my 'bulk' christmas cards. Obviously I'll make sure the stamp is a bit more christmas-y though!

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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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Cutting it Fine Again.....

Evening all. I found a great sketch over on Sketch Saturday so thought it would be a great chance to 'exercise' one of my new stamps from Alota Stamps. It also ended up being one of the quickest cards I have ever made which really does make a change for me as I often spend hours shuffling and reshuffling all the pieces until I get them looking right!

Firstly, I rotated the sketch -90 degrees so that it would fit the image I wanted to use. I've only just realised (now that the cards are sitting side by side in front of me on my desk) that this layout is now practically identical to the Elizabeth Bell 'Penpal' card below! Whoops!

Anyway...... As I previously mentionned, this stamp is an Alota stamp from their Country Girl range. I coloured the image with my Prismas and Sansodor and am really pleased with how it turned out. The paper is from my favourite 'Papermania Retro Floral' collection and the embossed section came courtesy of my Swiss Dots embossing folder. The mounting card is DCWV and the ribbon came from a fab little bead shop which I found just down the road from work.

Hope you like it!

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Friday Sketchers.....Just a Little Bit Late!

I fear that I am a bit late with this one but, hey-ho, here is my take on the Friday Sketchers Sketch from last friday......

For this card, I coloured my new 'Penpal' stamp by Elisabeth Bell with my gorgeous Prismacolors and Sansodor...... can you tell I'm loving them?! After highlighting the girlie with white gel pen, I matted the image on some layered up Basic Grey 'Two Scoops' papers. I've had these papers for months, think they're lovely but struggle to actually use them so I'm really pleased I managed it here! I added 3 pearl brads and a couple of Laura Ashley flowers to embellish the card and finished it all off with a Studio G £1 sentiment stamp. It's a first you know...... not a piece of ribbon or adhesive gem in sight!

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Papertake Weekly Challenge

Morning everyone! Hope you are all well.

I've been a a bit disillusioned the last couple of days as I spent 4 whole days trying to make a decent wedding card for my Mum and Dad's friends. Unfortunately, I had a complete mental block which resulted in a lot of frustration and even more wasted craft stash. The harder I tried, the worse my efforts became. Why on earth did I have so much trouble? I have absolutely no idea. After getting very huffy, I rang my mum and told her she would have to do the unthinkable......she'd have to BUY a card. I know. It was awful ;o)

After all of this, my spirits were rallied somewhat when my new Prismacolors arrived! Woohoo! I got a brand new set of 48 for £12.50 from ebay - what a bargain?! Even better, I had super quick delivery too. I ordered last Thursday and they arrived from the States on Tuesday morning. I was very chuffed.

So..... once the arrival of the Prisma's cheered me up, I decided to get back into the swing of things and make a card. To help with the inspiration side of things, I nipped over to Papertake Weekly and was very happy to see they had a fab sketch from Katharina. So, here is my effort!

I used a combination of Bazzill and Papermania cardstock, coupled with my gorgeous new Basic Grey 'Cupcake' paper. The stamp is Elzybells 'Hugs' and is coloured with my lovely new Prismas and Sansodor. I used my new Cuttlebug Embossing folder on the orange panel (thanks Sheila!) and one of my sparkly new Stampin' Up 'Circle of Friendship' stamps which Aimee kindly sent me from the US. I seriously need to invest in a 1 inch circle punch for these little beauties as I am rubbish at cutting circles freehand! I finished the card with a little doodling, some ribbon and adhesive blue gems..... nothing new here then!

P.S. I'd like to say a massive thank you to Nikki for giving me so much help and advice when it came to the Prismacolors, I really appreciate it Nikki! Also, a massive hug is winging it's way to Sheila for sending me some paperstumps AND about a million stamped images! Thank you sooo much! ~x~

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