SHRINK TO FIT!

Intruiging title for this week's dare from http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/ well I thought so (shrink plastic sprung to mind and I had a slight panic!!!) Breathed a sign of relief when I read this .....

"I used to be able to make cards with lots of "white space" around the designs, but lately when I've tried to do this my cards just look sooooo naked! So this week I'd like you to think small - not small cards, but small spaces of embellishment on regular sized cards. You are allowed to cover no more than a 5x5cms area of your card with paper or embellishment - the rest of the card must be left plain. How you use those valuable cms is up to you. So you may choose to split up those cms to use around your card, or use them in a block or a line. It might help to cut a few 5x5cm squares then cut those up to work out good ways of using your allotment. Making your whole card a miniscule 5x5cms is NOT an option!! Lets have no cheating (I know what you lot are like.....),but because I'm feeling generous, I'm going to let you add a SIMPLE greeting as extra to your 5x5 allowance! :-)"

I struggled at first, but really enjoyed making this card and it is such a change from the cards I seem to be making at the moment.

Stamp is a cheapy set, but I can't remember the manufacturer, watercoloured with Whispers pens, rub on is MM and paper is from DCWV Nana's Kids. Ribbon and button from stash.

I was delighted to receive this Award from Sue at http://sueskraftykards.blogspot.com/ and although I have received this before, it was at that really busy time when I was unable to blog. So, a massive thank you to all who gave me this in the past. Many of my blogging friends already have oodles of awards, and deservedly so, so I invite anyone who hasn't got this one to please take it as read that it's yours, with lots of love.Have a great weekend!

Juliet xx

CCC Challenge #4

It's Dottie again and this time she's got her crop-a-dile and stash with her. This is Lou's challenge on http://charmedcardsandcrafts.co.uk and she has provided us with this FREE Dottie image to work with! Dotty paper is from a kit I received from Scrapagogo and I think are K&Co, embossing done with Cuttlebug folder, eyelets and buttons from stash and there are some tiny micro beads with her stash pile.

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Making Waves

Still on that roll and managing to join in with the Papertake challenge again this week, check it out here http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com

'This weeks challenge is nice and easy! 'Making Waves' - the challenge is to use scallops or zig-zags (or both if your really keen lol!) on your project! Looking forward to seeing your creations!'

This one's right up my street - you may have guessed that I love using scallops on my cards, so off doodling I went to create this using one of my Dolly Mamas stamps again and watercoloured with Whispers pens.

Pretty Pastels

The 'little extra' over at http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com is a nice gentle one this week....

'The theme is Pretty Pastels, I think Jane was feeling all springlike and summery when she came up with this one!!! And you know what she was right - they do look scrummy all lined up on the blog don't they. We would love to see what you make of this theme!
'

Papers are Imaginisce and the ballerina and sentiment stamps are Penny Black. Unfortunately, the photograph was taken with a flash so the colours are much paler in real life (if you've seen the papers you'll know), and are very spring-like - which is more than can be said for the weather today!!

Poppicrafts Ribbon Competition

Two posts in one day - WOW, I'm impressing myself. Just couldn't resist this though http://poppicrafts.blogspot.com have a competition running at the moment to create a card using ribbon and I thought of this. Papers are Daisy D's, and I stapled offcuts of green ribbon to make a Christmas tree then added a few bits and bobs on mini pegs.
That's me done for today now (or should that be 'done in'?).
xx

The Girl With No Name.....

I absolutely adore this image which Louly recently created and kindly allowed us to copy from her blog http://craftsbylouly.blogspot.com/ and this time I part paper pieced her dress and wellington boots and coloured the detail with Whispers pens. The puddles and raindrops have been glossy accented and I added buttons around the frame, cutting and layering against BG 'Sultry' papers. Such a shame she has no name - any suggestions, then I can pass them on to Lou for her to decide?
First day back at work today and pleased to report a really good and productive day.....I like it when it turns out better than expected! Here's hoping the same for tomorrow.
Have a lovely evening and thanks for looking.
Juliet xx

Here She is Again!

This time she's baking a cake and looking very proud of her work! Papers are DCWV Nana's Kids and Baby Girl Nursery and the sentiment is a Hero Arts stamp and reads 'its always nice to share a smile', which I though was very appropriate for Dottie because she does make me smile!

Dottie is here!!!

Well, she's here and isn't she adorable? You can have her too - just visit http://charmedcardsandcrafts.co.uk/ where you can get the downloads in four fabulously cute themes and all created by the superstar we know as Louly! Check out her blog for more cards and ideas - http://craftsbylouly.blogspot.com/
Papers are DCWV Nana's Kids and Nursery Baby Girl, the bubbles are filled with Stickles and colouring is with Tombow pens. I loved working with Dottie - I just hope I've done her justice!

Thanks for visiting, Juliet xx

Pins and Needles!!

The dare from http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/ this week is......

'Its very simple really (prickly maybe but..:) I want you to design a card to any theme- but I want you to include pins or needles of some sort. Sewing needles, safety pins, dressmakers pins- any type of pin goes !:)'

You can just about see the safety pins used to attach the sentiments to the strip of card. Image is Pink Petticoat which I outlined with Zig pen to give more definition and is coloured with Dovecraft shimmer chalks, Sakura Souffle pen and Whispers pens, papers are DCWV 'All Dressed Up' and glitter flowers are by Making Memories.
Last day of the Easter holidays for me, so can't promise to blog quite so much as I have this week, but I will try harder - promise!! Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend.

Papertake Weekly Challenge Sketch

This is a fabulous sketch to work with - thanks to Katharina, I will use this lots!
The stamp is another half price Penny Black bought at Harrogate, watercoloured with Tombows, and papers are Dovecraft.
Never used this Dolly Mamas stamp before, but it suits my best friend perfectly!!! She knows what I mean anyway, and I know she'll love it. Watercoloured using Tombow pens and papers are K&Co.

It was beautiful Spring sunshine when I got up this morning and now it's back to pouring with rain. The joys of an English Spring!

Well, I'm here again....

Not brilliant photographs I'm afraid - we seem to be back in the depths of Winter today with constant drizzle and bad light! This is for ex MIL's Birthday and I used My Sentiments Exactly 'Butterfly' with Stampendous 'Agapanthus Cluster' stamps, stamped with Versamark and chalked, then heat embossed with a very fine holographic powder. The second photo just about shows the effect. The background is Hero Arts 'Manuscript' and is again chalked. Sentiment is MM rub-on. Very different from my usual style, but I kind of like it - it suits the recipient anyway.
Love these new papers from Art From The Heart (Blonde Moments) - they are called Friends Junction and are really fun and in luscious colours. I cut the cars from another sheet of BP and edged them in silver and doodled in silver, which really gives the card some life. My fave buttons again to give texture and fun!

Been doing lots of colouring in of images today, including new Tildas and Edwins - just need to put it all together and the result may be here tomorrow, with a bit of luck!
Off for a pizza now - have a nice evening xx

The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring, Tra, La....

At last, I managed to join in with the 'Little Extra' at http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/ for the first time in quite a few weeks.

'Our midweek Little Extra is titled ‘The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring’ and we would like you to create a card with flowers.Simple? Aww but hold on…….there’s a little twist because we don’t want to make it too easy for you. We want your cards to have flowers on but we don’t want to see any Prima’s or shop brought blooms. The idea of this dare is for you create your flowers yourself, so let’s see what you can come up with.'

The paper is from the 'Enchanted' range from Craftwork Cards and has a beautiful shimmer and glitter. I hand drew and doodled the flowers, stems, leaves and birdie and added a few buttons.

The second card is for Sketch Challenge #4 at http://charmedcardsandcrafts.co.uk/ and I am much happier with this one! Papers are a mixture of BG and MM, I used TH Distress Crackle Paint on the large brown mat (doesn't show up too well in the photo), a MM grommet and buttons and ribbon from stash.

Buttons seem to be finding their way everywhere at the moment, but I love using them!Thanks for stopping by, Juliet xx

ANOTHER CRAFTY DAY IN PARADISE!

Had a great day today just doing whatever I want to, so that would be spending time in my craft room. Made a few 'quickies' using watercoloured stamped images - Dovecraft Men's backing paper for this one. This paper is from the DCWV Nana's Nursury Baby Girl pad with a very sweet and versatile Dovecraft stamp.
More glittery paper from DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Girl pad and 'Good Impressions' flower stamp.
Card for DS2 to give to DS1 on Saturday for his 19th Birthday. This tag just says it all!!!
And finally for today, an idea I picked up from Karen's blog http://craftgoingson.blogspot.com which I thought would be brilliant for me to send to DS1. Thanks for the inspiration Karen - I was struggling with this one! Most of these rub-ons are from the £ shop in Skeggie I mentioned earlier, and papers are Inspiribles, I think!?!?
Thanks for popping in and I hope to have more tomorrow now I'm on a roll!

HERE AGAIN!

See, I said I'd be back and here I am!
The first card uses a Penny Black ballerina stamp which I got for half price in Harrogate - I love this image - it is watercoloured with Whispers pens. Paper is BG. The papers for this card are K & Co Amy Butler 'Belle' and, although they are a bit 'busy' I love the colours. This was made for Sketch Challenge #4 on http://charmedcardsandcrafts.co.uk
Another challenge on http://charmedcardsandcrafts.co.uk - this time Dippydora's challenge to make a four piece folding screen card using vellum and embossing. This is a birthday card for the boys' Grandma next month.
I wonder if I can make it back here tomorrow??? Thanks for visiting, Juliet xx

BEEN AWAY TOO LONG!

First of all, a big 'sorry' to everyone who has visited lately only to find nothing new. It's been a couple of very busy weeks at school, then last week was spent on a Great British Butlins holiday. Loads of Billy, bingo and bed-bugs (only joking about that last one!), but DS2 and myself really enjoyed it despite the cold, wind and rain. The food reminded me of school dinners with the likes of chocolate sponge and custard - all good hearty stuff! Anyway, we're back now with a few additions to the family in the shape of totally naff cuddly toys won on the Camel Derby and grabber machines (yes, a complete waste of money, but we had fun doing it and the charity shop will be glad of them).

I just finished off this card to get back into craft mode - another PP image coloured with Whispers pens and a funky felt flower picked up in a packet of 8 from a Skegness £ shop. This particular shop is only to be found in that area I think and I came out with a big bag of goodies for £12, more of which will be seen on later creations. I also finished off this flip book of my boys - I bought a few of these naked hardboard books from Art From The Heart at the Harrogate Show. All papers are Cosmo Cricket and the embellishments and rub-ons are from my stash.



Still have another week off, so I promise to post each day and catch up with some challenges.
Until then, thanks for being there xx.

www.craftsbylouly.blogspot.com

If you've never visited Louise's blog you really must! She is a super talented lady and her creations are amazing. She recently sketched this image and very generously allowed us to use it and I couldn't resist - just hope I've done it credit. I hope she creates more of these and puts them into production because I would be first in the queue to buy them. Thanks so much Louly xx.


This card is made using K&Co Bailey papers, Whispers pens with watercolour brush and MM rub-ons with Glossy Accents on the puddle. I paper pieced the dress. This is for a Science teacher at school who is leaving on Friday.

This card is more or less a copy of the one on Lou's blog...again using K&Co Bailey papers, Whispers pens with watercolour brush and lots of doodling.

Photo Frame

Originally I had two reasons for making this today...one because as soon as I opened my GoGoGreetings kit I wanted to do it and two because I could take it to the scrapbooking class which I run on Tuesday to give them ideas hopefully, but now I have another reason - the challenge on http://charmedcardsandcrafts.co.uk which it also fits in with (except for the spirelli bit, which I think I will give a miss).

Papers are Fancy Pants which were in this month's kit and everything else is from stash but mainly K&Co. I seem to have loads of new stash to play with but no time to play :-( roll on Easter holidays!