Daring Cardmakers

I've had a right old struggle getting photos to upload to Blogger today - is it just me? Anyway, here is my card for the Daring Cardmakers challenge this week, which is to use three patterned papers. The papers I used were DaisyD's and Fancy Pants, the lace I bought at Hobbycraft last weekend and I made the flower by gathering the lace with a running stitch. The sentiment is a rub-on and the lovely image is coloured with Distress Inks. I did some machine stitching and used my new Fiskars embossing border punch.

Enjoy your weekend. xx

Thank you for all your good wishes...

Hi and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for their good wishes and positive vibes and the gorgeous cards and flowers I have received - I'm back home now, a bit sore and tired, but recovering well. I'm not turning into a political animal or anything, but I have to say, in my experience, our NHS is just the best! The treatment and care I have received since being diagnosed with breast cancer in November and during the two operations has been absolutely faultless, and the doctors and nurses are simply amazing.

Several lovely blogging buddies have given me awards over the last few days and I want to thank you too - it means a lot that you thought of me, and I will display them all as soon as I can.

Hopefully back very soon with some more projects.

xxx

Cute Card Thursday - Valentine

Here is my second and final card for my Guest Designer spot at Cute Card Thursday - thanks for having me girls, I really enjoyed it!

I loved making this card - I think it's the white pen again! Papers are Fancy Pants, all the chip pieces are Heidi Grace A Little Bird's Tale, the cotton lace is from Hobbycraft and I used my new Fiskars Border Embossing punch, which I love almost as much as the Martha Stewart ones. Colouring done with Ranger Distress Inks (yes, again!) - such a sweet image this one.

I wrote this post on Monday to schedule for today, hopefully I am back blogging again, but if not I will be soon.

xxx

Wednesday's Offering.....

...... is this card I made over the weekend, just because, featuring a Sarah Kay stamp, coloured with Ranger Distress Inks. Talking of Ranger, did I mention that I got a ticket for a workshop with the man himself (Tim Holtz) on the 12th February at Art From The Heart?

WELL I HAVE, AND I'M SO EXCITED I CAN'T TELL YOU!!!!

Sorry for shouting, just hoping I've recovered enough to make it. I will, of course, report back with loads of photos.

I should be home today, so back to crafting soon, yay!

xxx

Valentine Card

As promised I scheduled this post, (right at the time I have to be at the hospital for my operation at 9am - bummer!). I made this at the weekend - just wish I had someone lovely to give it to :-o It's a complete mish mash of products, some old and some new and more of the paper roses.

And the inside has a Prima journaling block stamp for the message.

Hope you have a good day and thanks for stopping by. xxx

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Sketch

We're treated to another of Dawny's fabulous sketches to work with at Papertake Weekly today, so I made this New Home card using Heidi Grace 'A Little Bird's Tale' papers, which I really love. The tree die cut is October Afternoon, the flower and owl stamp are Papermania, and ribbon is Trimcraft. Tilda is coloured with Ranger Distress Inks and the sentiment was computer generated. Bright cheery colours for a bright cheery welcome!

TFL xxx

Magnolia Vs Stampavie Challenge - Double Trouble!

This week's challenge at Magnolia Vs Stampavie is to use two images on your project. I have used Tilda and the Magnolia Branch for this card, Basic Grey Euphoria papers and some paper roses which are delicious! I added some faux stitching, having pricked the card first, oh and my colouring was done with Distress Inks.

I'll be away for a few days after today as I'm having more surgery tomorrow, but hopefully back soon. I've scheduled a couple of posts while I'm awol, so please pop back!

Have a good week xxx

Dottie's World Challenge - It's A Recipe!

It's my turn to set the challenge this week at Dottie's World and I came up with a recipe - recipes seem very popular this week LOL! Anyway, here it is.....

1 Charmed Download

1 Ribbon

3 Buttons

1 Flower - Handmade (Not a shop bought one - oh no!)

A bit of doodling if you like

Chuck it all together and see what you come up with!

I used the beautiful birdies from the 'Animal Magic' collection, and coloured them with Ranger Distress Inks, adding a little Glossy Accents and doodling with white Inkessentials pen. I made the flower from punched circles, adding a brad to the centre, velvet ribbon twisted for the stem and paper beads for the leaves. The card fastens together with the blue grossgrain ribbon.

Inside I used a Prima journal block stamp to give space for a message.

We're looking for a new Guest Designer for February at Dottie's World, so if you would like to join the team just enter this week's challenge and upload your work to your blog before 6pm on Thursday. We will choose the new team member and Louise will email the lucky winner!

Enjoy your Sunday and TFL xx

Basic Grey Challenge - Recipe

There is a recipe challenge over at Basic Grey this week ...... to use 2 patterned papers, 1 button, 1 ribbon and bow and 3 brads. I used Periphery and Stella Ruby papers, coloured the image with Distress Inks and the sentiment is a stamp. The button and ribbon is from stash and the brads are PM. A few rub-on stitches and white Inkessentials pen to finish.

Thanks for visiting and I would love you to leave a comment xxx

Sketch Saturday and Papertake Challenge Cards

I've two more challenge cards ready today, the first is for Sketch Saturday which, as usual, is a lovely sketch to work with.

Papers are Kaiser, the sweet image is coloured with Ranger Distress Inks, I punched the circles and added PM pearl brads and the white Inkessentials pen came out again. The lace is absolutely exquisite and has a beautiful silky sheen to it.

The second card is for the Papertake Weekly Challenge which is 'Get Into Shape!' - to use three shapes on your work. I bought one of these new Smirk stamps yesterday, only 99p, and some of the matching papers, tags and ribbon, thinking they would be useful for younger girls' cards. I stamped the image three times and used Nestabilities to create the three layered scalloped circles, which are my three shapes. I coloured with Distress Inks and glittered the balloons to co-ordinate with the glitter on the paper.

Tomorrow I'm setting the challenge over at Dottie's World and I can tell you that there are some gorgeous DT cards to inspire you.

Enjoy your weekend! xxx

Daring Cardmakers - Give It Some Heart!

Daring Cardmakers challenge today is 'Give It Some Heart', but it doesn't have to be a Valentine card, as long as there is a heart somewhere.

I used Basic Grey 'Perhaps' papers and I made the flower from punched circles, adding the Prima heart between the layers. The file tab is from an old sheet of Crate Paper die cuts and I used a white Inkessentials pen for the borders (that pen is always in my hand at the moment!).

Image coloured with Distress Inks and Koi waterbrush, yet again - it's so therapeutic colouring these beautiful stamps.

Have a fabulous weekend xxx

Friday Sketchers

I absolutely love this sketch over at Friday Sketchers today - it's so different!

I coloured the beautiful image with Ranger Distress Inks and used Prima Tea & Silk paper which has been distressed and stamped with Hero Arts and magazine freebie stamps which were also subtly coloured with Distress Ink. I added to the distressed look by using Inkessentials white pen to the borders. The acetate flowers are Making Memories Noteworthy and ribbon is American Crafts.

I'm pleased with the look of this and I'm off to do another using this sketch.

TFL xxx

Cute Card Thursday - Create a Scene!

I am thrilled to be Guest Designer on Cute Card Thursday this week and next, especially for such a fabulous challenge. I love creating scenes (on cards of course), and here I used Magnolia Tilda, Wall and Tree Stamps and coloured with Ranger Distress Inks. Papers are new Imaginisce Twitterpated and are full of cute little critters and they have a lovely Springtime feel.

The card is made by scoring and folding an A4 piece of card, squaring it up and using the waste to create a stand on the back.

Thanks for visiting - have a great Thursday xxx

A Spoonful of Sugar - Oh Baby!

Definately my last card for today - I'm all crafted out!!! This one is for the Spoonful of Sugar Challenge which is to create a card for a baby, or young child. The stamp is by Pink Gem Designs (isn't she cute?), papers are Basic Grey Urban Prairie (my last piece of this one, sob, sob). Now these are more my colours and I love the way this turned out (even though the photo is a bit dodgy!).

Back again tomorrow with a little surprise and I'm dead excited! xx

Whiff of Joy Sketch Challenge

Katharina has set a sketch over at Whiff of Joy this week.

This is a colour combination I wouldn't usually go for, but it just emerged really as a result of choosing this Prima paper to work with, and I think I sort of like it. Anyway, it's a fab sketch and really easy to work with and I love all the scallops. Flowers are Kaiser and Prima, ribbon American Crafts velvet ric-rac, that's it really!

Thanks for stopping by xx

Daring Cardmakers - Get Someone Else to Make it!

A really unusual challenge over at Daring Cardmakers - Get Someone Else to Make It! Well my 12 year old son looked at me funny when I asked him to do some sticking for this, but at least he got it straight(ish)! The stamp is a new one from Pink Gem Designs, papers are Pink Paislee and the sentiment is a Karen freebie. I made the flower from American Crafts ribbon and the brads and buttons are from stash.

Oh So Pretty Dottie! - Arty Girlz Challenge

They're here! The new 'Back to Front' Dottie and George downloads are safely saved on my hard drive and I've had loads of fun.

'Oh So Pretty Dottie' is coloured with Distress Inks and the front and back image is attached to acetate. The rear view is also on the back of the card.

The acetate is also overstamped with StazOn Cotton White, as is the Prima backing paper, which gives a lovely shadow effect.

This card also fits with the Arty Girlz Challenge this week which is 'Transparent' - I think the acetate front to my card qualifies.

Back later with more - got some new stamps to show off! xx

Something I Made Earlier...

This is a card a made a couple of weeks ago and haven't shown yet using a Sugar Nellie image which has been paper pieced and Basic Grey Euphoria papers. I stamped the border of the image and Cuttlebugged the lilac Coredinations cardstock, added a few buttons from stash and American Crafts velvet ribbon to finish.

Been busy working on other projects today and enjoying the sunshine. Pop by tomorrow for my first card using the new Dottie and George downloads. xxx

Sketch and Stash Challenge

And another lovely sketch to work with from Sketch and Stash, a new fortnightly challenge blog, and today they asked us to use something old and something new from our stash.

The Sarah Kay stamp is new to me, and the papers are fairly old(ish) and are Daisyd's and Bo Bunny. The sentiment stamp is Penny Black and has also been in my stash for a while. I deliberately tried to keep this card really simple and, although I did have my flowers out, I resisted the temptation to stick them down!

TFLxx

Magnolia Vs Stampavie - Show Us Your Bows!

The challenge over at Magnolia Vs Stampavie this week is 'Show Us Your Bows!', simply to include a bow on your project.

Here is the delightful Tilda, coloured with Distress Ink, I used my Nestabilitiy dies for the scalloped circles, flowers are Prima and the butterfly was a freebie on Creativity magazine. I created the bow by folding and sticking the ribbon to form the loops.

I can tell you that Louise Brigden has been a very busy lady this weekend and has completed the new Dottie and George Collection 'Back to Front'. This really is very different and has the potential for fabulous cards. The downloads will be available from Charmed tonight! Pop over to Dottie's World for a couple of sneaky peeks.

Have a nice Monday and don't get too wet!

TFL xxx

Sketch Saturday...on Sunday

You may have noticed that I love sketches - they provide a structure to your card which definately helps with the outcome. This card is for the Sketch Saturday Challenge and I used a mix of Basic Grey, Fancy Pants and Daisy D papers.

The beautiful image is coloured with Ranger Distress Inks, the sentiment is stamped onto punched circles and I used my Fiskars Threading Water punch for the scalloped border. Flowers, brads and ribbon are from stash and the rub-ons are metallic and are gorgeous, but can I remember where I got them???

Well, it's a beautiful Spring-like morning here, so I'm going to make the most of it! Have a great day whatever you're doing. xxx

Dottie's World Sunday Challenge - Tutorial Taster!

Louise set the challenge this week at Dottie's World, and here it is.....

"Everywhere I look these days I find fantastic tutorials which suggests that everyone must love them. For this challenge I want you to make something (it doesn't have to be a card) following a Charmed Cards and Crafts tutorial or class. When you put your creation on your blog please link up to your chosen tutorial and then we can all have a look."


As I am loving using Tim Holtz Distress Inks at the moment, I decided this was the way I wanted to go, and there is a fabulous tutorial link which can be found on the Charmed Cards and Crafts website HERE and even better, the Distress Inks can also be purchased from Charmed HERE.

I used Tattered Rose and Shabby Shutters to create the background with some Cut & Dry foam. The image also uses Black Soot, Brushed Corduroy, Worn Lipstick and Walnut Stain and was created using a Koi Waterbrush. The colour is built up gradually to achieve the shading.


The sentiment is a freebie from Karen and papers are Imaginisce and Bo Bunny, with a Prima heart and ribbon from stash.

Just in case you didn't know, there will be a brand new Dottie and George bundle ready next weekend, so expect lots more samples here.
TFL xxx

Basic Grey Challenge

The challenge over at Basic Grey today is to use the freebie downloads kindly given by Kim, and here is my card using Scarlett's Letter papers, which I have always struggled with, despite really liking them.

I again used Ranger Distress Inks for colouring and added various punched hearts, a Prima heart and paper ribbon. The stamp is the freebie from Cardmaking and Papercraft.

Not sure about the 'attitude' on the young man's face, but boy, is it familiar in this house!!!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and TFL xxx

The Sugar Bowl Challenge

And here it is, the second Sugar Bowl Challenge....

"Challenge 2 - 'THREE'
Please use three different design papers and three different types of embellishments on your cards! No more, no less.
(by types of embellishments we mean, buttons, brads, flowers, ribbons, beads, bling etc)
Of course, you can use any amount of 'plain' card stock!"

Papers are My Mind's Eye 'Laundry Line' (the 2 glittery ones) and Bo Bunny 'A Gift of Love'. The beautiful Daisy is coloured with Distress Inks and the Spiced Marmalade of her top was the inspiration for using these papers. Flowers are Prima, buttons from stash and the ribbon is American Crafts - my three embellishments. The 'Wish' ticket is by Tim Holtz.

I love the warmth of these colours - much needed today!
TFLxxx

Friday Sketchers

Another gorgeous sketch today at Friday Sketchers and there are some wonderful DT cards to inspire us all.

I used Basic Grey Infuse papers, Prima heart and flowers, a touch of lace, 7Gypsies rub-ons, a touch of bling and a little cotton lace. The sentiment stamp came with the fabulous freebie set with Cardmaking and Papercraft (the best mag freebie ever!). The beautiful Sugar Nellie image is coloured with Distress Inks and all the layers are edged with Colourbox Chestnut Brown Chalk inkpad.

Well, the news is out that Louise is well on the way to releasing a new Dottie and George bundle but this time with a few surprises. Keep your eye out on Dottie's World for sneak peeks and more news about this fabulous new download.

Have a great Friday - it's nearly the weekend, although all days are the same at the moment for me!

TFL xxx