Rediscovering Crafting...

......and absolutely loving it! Unbelieveably, this entire range of stamps has been reduced to £2 each at my local craft shop (Samuel Taylors in Brighouse) so I had to, didn't I? I think they are really fun images and lend themselves well to either colouring or paper piecing.



Thank you for your welcome back messages the other day and I hope to be back again tomorrow after another 'session'.

Ahem - Surprise!!!

*Now then, let's see if I can still do this blogging thing.....hmmmm, well here goes..........*

Hello fellow bloggers and crafty friends - did you think I had disappeared off the face of the earth? For those who know me, sorry for being awol, but I am very well and life is very busy with work, singing and generally enjoying myself - I just completely lost my crafting mojo. It is school holidays now and I find I have time to craft again - woohoo!!! I have to say though, that being busy hasn't stopped me from buying stash but I have done nothing but look at it for months.

I made three cards today - please remember that it is April 2010 since I last made one - and here is one of them. If I feel brave enough I may show the others tomorrow.

I must also add that I have been following my favourite blogs which also provided masses of inspiration, so thank you xxx

It's Been A While......

......not only since I blogged, but since I last made a card. Been busy getting back to full fitness, moving house and generally enjoying life. Everything in the garden is rosy now and I thought it was time I unpacked my crafty stash!
My first port of call was Papertake Weekly who had this gorgeous sketch for this week's challenge.

The beautiful Hanglar image is coloured with Copics (how I missed them!) and papers are from the Cosmo Cricket TSV yonks ago and I still love these.
Although not doing much crafting, that doesn't mean I stopped buying stash - oh no!! My MS leaf punch made it's debut on this card ..... and there's more, hehe.

Thanks for stopping by - it's quite fun this blogging - hope to be around again very soon. xx

Colour Create Challenge - Strawberry, Raspberry, Kiwi, Tangerine & Blackberry!

Sounds delish doesn't it? Be sure to pop along to Colour Create for some brilliant inspiration from my teamies this week - there are some gorgeous creations and all so different!

I used K&Co Berry Sweet papers, Tilda coloured with Distress Inks for a change, and felt strawberries for my card, choosing strawberry, raspberry and kiwi for my 3 colours.

Crafting time has been severely cut now I've returned to work, but it's great to be back in the real world and I'm loving it!

Have a great day and thanks for visiting xxx

Dotties World Challenge - Father's Day!

Louise set the challenge today at Dottie's World and here is her brief:

"Can you believe it's nearly Father's day already? It'll be Christmas before we know it!((Sorry!))
So, in time for Father's day and to make sure no Daddies out there get left out we want you to make a Father's day card using one of the Charmed downloads."

What's that about Christmas Lou!?!?!?

Anyway, I decided to use the handsome Mikey for my card, coloured with Copics of course, and Scenic Route papers. The CD theme is carried through with the CD I used behind the image which, IRL gives a really lovely effect. The metal buttons are Life's Journey by K&Co, the chipboard 'Dad' is Rusty Pickle and the words are rub-ons.

I must apologise again for not getting round to see everyone this week; I've been busy getting my house ready for sale (in between resting, of course!) and tomorrow I go back to work after 6 months away, although only part-time at first.

Hope to see you at Dottie's World (HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW PIXIES?), and thanks for visiting. xxx

Cute Card Thursday - Quotations!

Another lovely challenge today from Cute Card Thursday, which is to use a quotation on your card.

I really like these words, although I don't know who said them, but they're so true! The Hanglar stamp is coloured with Copics, the paper and butterfly are K&Co Wild Raspberry with Prima flowers and Papermania brads. The sentiment is printed onto acetate.

Thanks so much for visiting xxx

Colour Create Challenge - Blush Pink, Lilac & Mossy Green

This week's challenge at Colour Create is to use a beautiful combination of Blush Pink, Lilac and Mossy Green, all chosen by Tara's daughter, Georgia, and the Design Team have come up with some wonderful creations to provide inspiration. The extra option is to use die cuts.

For my card I used another of Maddy's stamps from Hanglar, Heidi Grace 'A Little Bird's Tale' papers and rub-ons, the die cut tree is October Afternoon, with punched flowers and leaves and a Papermania butterfly. We hope you are able to join us in the challenge this week.

I actually went out last night, another major milestone as I'm usually early to bed these days. Four of us went to see Angels and Demons and I can thoroughly recommend it! I love a conspiracy and with Tom Hanks you usually can't go wrong, especially for £3.25 on the half price Orange Wednesday deal.

The sun is shining again this morning and it's all looking good. Have a great day xxx

Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge - Butterflies

Sorry I've been away for a few days - it seems the events of the past six months caught up with me and I've been a bit 'off'. The good news though is that I've officially finished treatment and I begin a phased return to work next week and am soooo looking forward to that.

A huge thank you to Dawn for my lovely award which is proudly displayed in my sidebar.

I've not had the inclination or energy to make anything for a week, but A Spoon Full of Sugar got me going again this morning with their 'Butterflies' challenge. The image is one of Maddy's stamps which I coloured with Copics, papers are Doodlebug and K&Co Citronella, flowers Prima, butterflies Craft For Occasions and October Afternoon die-cut leaves. The sentiment is one of Maddy's Autumn Leaves stamps.

There's a touch of Glossy Accents on the puddle.

Have a fabulous day! xxx

Colour Create Challenge - Rainbow Colours!

Ooooh I loved this one - all the colours of the rainbow is the challenge for this week's Colour Create Challenge with an optional extra to 'Make a Scene'! By the way, the challenge has now moved to Thursdays in case you didn't know, so do pop over to join in if you can!

The Gorjuss Girl is coloured with Copics and I used My Minds Eye 'Bloom and Grow' papers. The card is three dimensional with the image sat on the middle fold in her flower garden.

There's some great examples from the other DT members - sure to give inspiravation.

Have a terrific Thursday and thank you for visiting. xxx

Whiff of Joy - Charms AND ABC Challenge - Quilting!

One card - two challenges. The Whiff of Joy challenge this week is to use a charm on your project - I thought this 'imagine' charm fitted the dreaminess of the lovely image.

Over at ABC the letter is 'Q' for Quilting, so I went for a patchwork quilt effect with faux stitching.

Papers are My Mind's Eye 'Bloom and Grow', flowers are Prima, Basic Grey brads and a Karen Foster sentiment. I used my Copics for colouring and paper pricked the stitches before drawing them in with a brown Zig pen.

Have a great day and thanks for looking xxx

Spoonful of Sugar Challenge

There's a lovely sketch to follow for this week's Spoonful of Sugar Challenge and this is my interpretation.


I coloured the Hanglar image with Copics and used the new double sided K&Co Citronella mat pad papers which go perfectly with the K&Co Berry Sweet chipboard embellishments from last year.


Having another day enjoying this wonderful sunshine - hope you are having a good one too! xx

Sketch and Stash Challenge

I joined in with the Sketch and Stash Challenge this week - seems ages since I followed a sketch and I enjoyed this one.


I used my gorgeous new Charmed Delectable stamp - Irresistible Annie, coloured her with Copics and used my nesties for the mats. Papers are from that magazine freebie again (aren't they great?).


I intend to enjoy the sunshine again today, while it lasts - hope you can do the same!
Have a great day and thanks for visiting xxx

Dottie's World Challenge - Coffee & Cream with Spots or Stripes

Karen set the challenge over at Dottie's World today and here it is:-

"Coffee and Cream with Spots or Stripes" - and a Charmed download of course.

I used Madison in Paris from the Holly and Madison World Tour Downloads and coloured her with Copics. The papers are Kaisercraft and I stamped the border of the card before blending Brown Corduroy Distress Ink along the edges.

I love working with these colours so really enjoyed this challenge - thanks Karen!

There's just about time for you to join in with the Birthday celebrations at Dottie's World - good luck to everyone who entered the party games!

Have a great sunny Sunday xxx

Cute Daisy May Challenge - Monotone

It's my first time at the Cute Daisy May challenge, which this week is to make a monotone card. It's ok to use images other than Daisy May, so I went with a Gorjuss Girl for my card, coloured with Copics, and my favourite colour of pink. The paper is a Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine freebie (nice quality papers!), the sentiment is an Autumn Leaves stamp, I used my nesties for the mat, an x-cut punch for the leaves and Papermania gems. The rose is from Hobbycraft and the ribbon from stash.

I'm feeling really pleased with myself today because I've been sorting out all those paper scraps and am on a mission to use them up. Also sorted all my 12x12's and it's amazing how ideas jump into your head when you see something you had forgotten about.

Hope you're having a gorgeous weekend xxx

Daring Cardmakers - 'Take Five!' AND Just Magnolia - 'Animals and Insects'

This card is for two challenges today - Just Magnolia, which is to use Animals and/or Insects AND Daring Cardmakers, to use five of something on your project.

Inspired by the gorgeous sunny day I decided to use this lovely Tilda stamp from the Spring kit, coloured her with Copics and used K&Co Citronella papers. The flowers are mostly Prima and the FIVE brads are Papermania.

Hope you're enjoying the lovely weather as much as me! Have a great day xxx

Cute Card Thursday - Bit o' Bling!

Been playing with my new goodies again and this gorgeous Annie from Charmed Delectable Stamps was in there - isn't she just beautiful!!! I made this card for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge which is 'Bit o' Bling' - my bling is in the glitter on Annie's wings and the gems along the scalloped edge. Papers and the sentiment die cut are K&Co Madeline and flowers are Prima Forever Flowers Hydrangeas.

I'm looking forward to another crafty day - my inspiration seems to have returned so better make the most of it while it lasts!

Have a fabulous day xxx

ABC Challenge - P is for Pearls!

Well my parcel arrived and it's every bit as gorgeous as I thought! The new K&Co ranges are sooooo beautiful and thanks to Karen for super speedy delivery, as always! I made this card for this week's ABC Challenge which is 'P for Pearls'. The sweet WOJ stamp is coloured with Copics with Stickles added to the flowers and wings. Papers and other elements are K&Co Que Sera Sera with pearl gems added to the flowers and butterfly and the sentiment is a rub-on.

Sorry Tara if I made you go spending again LOL!
Thanks for visiting xxx

Copics Colour Challenge

The colours for this week's Copics Colour Challenge are:

R59 - Cardinal Red

YG63 - Pea Green

C3 - Cool Grey

I'm on a mission to use up some paper scraps at the moment and managed it again with this card, although most of them are K&Co, with the addition of ephemera from a K&Co pack. OK, I'll own up, I ordered some of the new ranges yesterday from Charmed, so it lessens the guilt using up old bits and pieces!

Been enjoying the lovely weather and spending time in the garden, although today doesn't look too promising, so maybe I'll have a play with my new stash if it arrives this morning.

Have a good day! xxx

Dottie's World Challenge - Buttons & Beads!

Have you checked out Dottie's World recently - it's had a makeover and is looking fabulous! Adele set the challenge this week and here it is:

Buttons or Beads!
I have tons of them but rarely use them ! Dig deep into your crafty stash and embellish away. It doesn't matter how you use them, as long as they are visible on your creation. If you haven't got any (!!!!) improvise! Only other "rule" is that a Charmed Download must be used.

The gorgeous Madison is coloured with Distress Inks (yes, I fancied a change!) and I really enjoyed using them again.
Papers are WR Memory Keepers, flowers Prima with Basic Grey buttons and leaf stamp.

There's still time to take part in all the 1st Birthday party games with a chance to win fabulous prizes and candy.
Have a great day! xxx

Colour Create Challenge - Lemon, Pink Sorbet & Chocolate

Mmmmm, sounds good enough to eat - and it's today's challenge at Colour Create with the extra option being 'Shabby Chic'! This is a gorgeous colour combination and I chose to use Tilda, coloured with Copics and papers from my scraps box. Rub-ons used are Fancy Pants, there are a couple of Prima flowers and some lace in there and lots of inky and torn edges. The other DT cards are sooooo beautiful - check them out for some amazing inspiration.

Hope you get the chance to join us this week! xx

Basic Grey Challenge - Doodling!

The Basic Grey Challenge this morning is to add doodling to your project ..... right up my street this one - put a white Inkessentials pen in my hand and I don't know when to stop! I used my favourite stamp of the moment - Annie from Charmed Delectable Stamps, coloured her with Copics and dug out my 6x6 Basic Grey Euphoria paper pad. It's really nice sometimes to go back to older ranges and remember how much you like them, and you have the satisfaction of using up scraps.

Well I survived the last of the nasty chemos and the effects are beginning to wear off now - just wanted to say thank you again for all your good wishes and to let you know how much your support helps!

Have you been joining in with the party games at the new look Dottie's World this week - if you missed them there's still time and the prizes are AMAZING! We have 4 new Design Team members and a brand new challenge will be posted tomorrow morning.

Hope you have a fabulous Bank Holiday weekend with the promise of good weather!!!

xxx

Copics Colour Challenge

Wednesday already! Where do the days go? Well I've been playing with my Copics again for this week's Copics Colour Challenge, and Karen chose these colours for us to work with.

The blue didn't quite make it onto my card, but that's ok because the red and yellow did! Papers are Cosmo Cricket, the scroll is Basic Grey and the paper flowers are Prima, although I don't know where the red glittery ones came from.

It's chemo for me today and tomorrow, but the good news is they're the last ones - phew! Hopefully get back to some normality soon - whatever that is!

Have a lovely day xxx

Basic Grey Challenge - Ice Cream!

It's a fabulous theme for this week's Basic Grey Challenge - Ice Cream! How could I not use this yummy Cupcake paper? The other papers, used for the borders, were a magazine freebie and again perfect for this challenge.

The stamp is the beautiful Annie from Charmed Delectable Stamps and coloured with Copics inspired by the colours of Neapolitan Ice Cream. Flowers are a mix of Prima and Papermania and the brads and die cut heart are Basic Grey.

Have a great day xxx