Bright n cheery!

I had a little play with lots of stamps and techniques using these hero arts acetate cards which I've had for ages! I stamped the front of the card with one of the autumn leaves flowers and blazing red stazon ink - came out more magenta-ish on the acetate!

The floral scene is from a judikin's stamp using markers, then I pulled the colours out slightly with my water brush. I cut it to fit this scalloped punch for a nice little border!

I cut a tag shape, and applied versamagic ink using the direct to paper technique; then I randomly stamped another autumn leaves flower with a slightly darker shade; then I used another shade to stamp my penny black butterfly border. Then I stamped my favourite thank you sentiment (by penny black) in black.

I positioned the sentiment so that the main message is not revealed until you open the card, but the "thank you" is visible from the front! I punched a hole in the acetate and threaded through some ribbon.

It's a bit hard to see, but it's actually a very bright n cheery card!

Hubby is going to choose a winner later tonight, so any last minute entries are welcome (up to 8pm GMT)!

The Judges Decision is final!!

Poor Mr Fairs....he was really looking forward to doing the honours tonight...but all day he's been looking at all your cards, reading your blogs, and looking at the challenge set...and then going over it all again...and then....tonight...he struggled!

He had it down to 2 cards....so the 2 names had to go into the proverbial hat....and the winner he picked out was...

KES.....well done Kes....you took it that bit further with the catchy "sentiment"! Please email me your address so that I can post your candy out!!

After the winners name was revealed he turned to me and said "really they are all winners"...and so you are girls! Thanks to each and every one of you for being such great sports and joining in the challenge...I hope you enjoyed it! b&c x

Reminder - blog Candy Challenge!

Just a reminder for everyone...this is the stash on offer for my challenge which runs until 31st May! Just make a card using something you haven't used for ages; and try and use up some "bits" from your scraps box..that's the challenge...easy!!!

I'm keeping this post on top until the challenge is over so please scroll down for other posts!!

Sweet Sugar Challenge!

Just so happens that the challenge this fortnight on Sweet Sugar Challenge is to make something other than a card! This fitted right in with my "try something different" mood!!

I've decorated a little gift bag with this pretty Nellie. The lace was some of the yummy stuff I found the other day...I stamped the autumn leaves "forever friends", coloured the card with Sea breeze versamagic, cut around it with scalloped scissors and then backed it onto felt (also from the "inheritance" stash!!). I then used matching velvet ribbon to make a loop around the bag handle! I used a hero arts stamp on 2 different colours of felt, cut them out and layered them and finished my handmade embellishment with a little papermania gemstone. I also stamped a few more swirls on this lovely autumn leaves paper! I had made a few more flowers to go on the bag, but it was just getting TOO much...so they will keep for another day!

Then capturing it on camera to post here...now...that was an altogether different matter! bx

Ismaki Sketch No21

I really liked this week's Ismaki sketch...probably because it's nice and simple (thank you Claudia)!!! Anyway, I'm still in this vintage distressed mood so this is what I came up with!

I've used a Sugar Nellie image, a Penny black sentiment which is a favourite of mine; Melissa Frances papers (which I've had forever!!), Fancy Pants pink paper, gorgeous Making Memories vintage trim, a little Daisy D fabric flower and some embellies....I'm pleased with the result...if I had a sewing machine I would've stitched around the edges for the final touch...are you listening santa...? haha

You probably can't tell from the photo...but the sentiment has been stamped onto a piece of linen...it adds a nice texture to the card (especially in real life!!)

I thought I had more of this linen in my wardrobe....I had to move so much stuff to get into the wardrobe that it started a ruthless tidy up of the craft room! I didn't find any more of the same fabric, but I DID find so many other treasures that I'd forgotten about...I found more gorgeous trim, felt and fabric that I "inherited" from my Granny...I showed it to mum today and she told me that she used to buy all these things for Granny at the market...she reckons some of the things could be up to 40 years old! bx

Something different...!

I made this at the weekend....my brain just didn't allow for sketches and challenges...so this was just a bit of "futterin" ......sometimes it's nice to try something different...and I've definitely been inspired this way since Kristine's great challenge recently! What do you think...?

I made this for a friend's "special" birthday...(ladies don't need their age plastered on the front of a card do they...?!)...this is definitely more her style rather than a "cutie"!

I had a little blurf earlier...here's what I found:

Check Charlie's blog for a fab candy offer....you'll definitely want to be in for this one!

You'll also want to check Caroline's blog for another great candy offer! bx

Summer Love...

I used Nicola's sketch for this card...love these 2 Hanglar Stanglar cuties! I wanted to try and make it look as if "he" was helping to carry the watering can but it's not quite right!! And of course he's petting his little doggie on the other side!!

I also wanted to have some fun with their t-shirts...I stamped another watering can and cut out the heart...just the perfect size to fit onto her t-shirt....I inked up a hero arts "splat" stamp to give him a funky t-shirt...guess I should've used a different colour ink, 'cos now it just looks like a messy ink job! I've have another go though!!!!

I had some serious bone crunching at the osteopath this morning....but at least now I can stand straight!! I need to be in good shape for Scrapaganza which is only in about 10 days...can't wait!! Will I meet any of you there...? bx

What's up...?

Anyone remember the 7up advert from a few years ago...? Well, I feel like that guy! I seriously need "rubbed out" and drawn again.....(only slimmer this time please!!!!!!!!) I've been like an old crock all week...I hurt my back last sunday and it's still hurtin' and I've had some tremendous headaches too...not sure if it's all related...so it's off to the osteopath for me tomorrow!

As a result, although I've done some craftin', I haven't felt very creative, and I've not been able to tackle any sketches so far!!!!! Anyway, I have this little cutie to share...I actually cut away her little stool so that she could perch like this for a change!! The layout is based loosely on an Ismaki sketch from a couple of weeks ago that I didn't get around to in time. More cosmo cricket and MME papers - love this bright colour combo!
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I got this award from Ila....how nice! I've been really pleasantly surprised that some VERY talented crafters have thought of me when passing out their awards....this one has thrilled me...thank you so very much Ila!

I'd like to pass this now to Leonie, Natty K and Sandy - thank you so very much girls for always being there with your lovely comments for me...I appreciate it so much!

Daring Cardmakers Challenge!

This weeks challenge at Daring Cardmakers is 'Animalia'....you had to make a card featuring any animal...the midweek 'Little Extra' dares you to use bronze, pottery, linen or lace.

I chose William and his "friends" for my image...just coloured with distress inks, and cut out...I added some stickles for the snail trail, and put some diamond glaze on the snails shell also! The only "linen" I had handy was in the form of this 7 gypsies tag to which I've added a rub on. All very simple...but i liked the result!

Don't forget my blog candy challenge for some fun! bx

The Rock Pack!

I was soooo excited to receive this award from Marlene I couldn't think of who to pass it on to next...now I've calmed down a bit I'm awarding it to: Bibbi, Claudia, Deb, Katharina and Leann! You're all top of my crafty league girlies and are so generous with your creativity that you all deserve it!

I got some stamped images of this Tilda with her shortbread hearts from Ila...I love her! I've used her for this week's Friday Sketchers challenge! I dipped into my paper mountain and chose these papers by My Minds Eye which I LOVE! I teamed it up with the reverse side of a cosmo cricket paper (the orange) which just brightened the whole thing up I thought...and how funny is this?....I visited Valerie's blog...and she chose the exact same MME papers for the exact same sketch...great minds think alike ehh...?!

I'd love to see some more entries for my candy challenge, so pull out the scraps and see what you can come up with! bx

CCT - Vacation

I immediately thought of this cool character (by Penny Black) when I saw this weeks Cute Card Thursday theme which is vacation/travel! Loungin' in a hammock on a cool carribean island, sippin' a cosmopolitean, wonderin' which craft store I'll ask Colin to take me to next....Yep!! Sums up vacation to me!!!!!!!

Of course the Basic Grey scraps are from my "scraps" box...and the "hemp" was actually rescued from a tag on my Dad's new trousers!! I've even got him well trained...he saves things like that for me now!!

So, why not see what you can come up with for my candy challenge! bx

I ROCK...!

OH MY Word....look what I just got! From Marlene! Talk about shocked...talk about happy...talk about "over the moon"....oh yeah! All of these....and more! Such a talented crafty girl and she remembers "moi"?...I am tickled pink and then some! Thank you SO much Marlene...you've made my week!! Now let me think about who I'm going to pass it on to...I'll let you know soon! Promise! bx

In the spirit of Arty Girlz travel/places this is a card I made for my brother-in-law. I have used a Judikins cube to stamp onto adhesive acetate and then I covered the back with gold leaf. I used 3 Basic grey strips on the card; and the little gold charms are stash the same brother-in-law brought me back from Pakistan! It is quite simple but I think he will like it!

I've also added this card...my hubby asked me to make him a card for one of his colleagues he was visiting in Japan earlier this year. It's supposed to resemble sushi (!!), I stamped a little pagoda onto a mini domino....and I searched the internet for the japanese translation of "happy birthday"...I printed it out and then traced it onto a piece of acetate! Again it's "simple" but it was exceptionally well received! Sorry it's not a great photo! bx

Stamp Something Challenge...

As it happens I needed to make a few thank you's this weekend - so they fit in perfectly with this weeks theme at Stamp Something! I so enjoyed making the shabby chic paper bag card for Kristine's challenge that I thought I'd have another go! I hadn't much time to make this one though, 30minutes in all...but the recipient loved it anyway!

Left inside cover - this little flap was very handy to hold my gift card!
Right inside cover - I love this sentiment from Penny Black - I use it a lot!

The reverse - I love these autumn leaves bar code stamps!


This is another of my "thank you's" ...very simple, but oh so pretty with this little beauty on the front! And no...I didn't forget to colour her shoes...they are the cute little white leather type shoes you get for little girls...I had a pair when I was little (a long time ago now!!) and I LOVED them! I have gone over the area with a white gel pen but you cannot see this in the photo!

And last but NOT least...I needed this little thank you! Ila sent me a cute little studio G stamp set...and one of the images just fitted perfectly on this tag! So lot's to be thankful for this week for me!

I've made great use of the scraps box for this little lot...I'd love to see what you can do with your scraps for my candy challenge! bx

Birthday Candy up for grabs!

Emma is celebrating her birthday and 5000th blog hit with a lovely stash of goodies for some-one - just leave a comment on her blog then post a link on your blog - easy!

Kim is also celebrating her birthday with some goodies up for grabs!! Same thing...leave a comment for her then add a link on your own blog...couldn't be easier!

Don't forget my own blog candy challenge! bx

3 Different Challenges...

I created this card for this weeks CPS sketch no64 challenge! I liked the sketch...nice and simple...as soon as I saw the sketch I thought about "turning" the sketch and making a "handbag"...but in the end I wanted to try this front opening style...

This is how it looks under the first flap...now you open the card normally, and I have simply stamped a birthday greeting! Quite an easy card to make...i'll definitely try it again!

This is another of the stamps I got for my birthday...I've used Lola for this weeks Ismaki sketch challenge! This trim is very special to me...I found it in my gran's box of "bits" stashed away in her old treadle singer sewing machine when she died....I used the last piece on this card...so I'm going to have to send this card to some-one who will appreciate this sentiment!

And last but not least I used this little beauty for this weeks Poetic Artistry week 37 sketch challenge! I really liked this sketch also...very easy to work with!

I seemed to get on really well with this week's sketches...so I've added a few on the one post otherwise I'd be behind the times again!! All cards in this post used up more scraps from the famous box....why not see what you can create with your scraps for my candy challenge? bx

Heidi's Blog candy!

Look at this blog candy chance - now that's what I call a FABULOUS offer! Heidi only asks that you post a link about her candy and you're in with a chance to get a Hanglar & Stanglar stamp and some wonderful images! Thanks Heidi for the great offer and the inspiration you share with us all! bx

Papertake Weekly - Luscious Limes n Lilacs!

Ok ok...this is my last one for a while...(told you I loved her!!)...I've paper pieced her again, coloured her with distress inks, added some Kelly Panacci rubons and hero arts summer flowers....and this is my creation for this weeks Papertake Weekly Challenge which is Luscious Limes n Lilacs!

All papers are of course outta my scraps box....why not have a try using your own scraps up for my blog candy challenge! bx

Friday Sketchers

Here's my gal again! This time she's for the new Friday sketchers challenge blog that started last week! To kick us off was a nice "simple" sketch by the ever so talented Claudia!

As you can see she's been paper pieced and I've used Basic Grey Romani papers - so this card is quite bright!

Just ignore the red blob of ink in the middle of the parcel...I'm trying to...but it just ain't working!! I used brilliance rocket red to edge my dotty panel, and some ink obviously transferred...and WOULD not come off....but the work was all done so I just have to "get over it"!!

Again I've dipped into that huge pile of "scraps"....so see what you can do with your bits n pieces for my blog candy!

CCT - Jewels n Gems!

So...this little lady is no stranger to my blog this week...do you see how I've glammed her up with the little gemstone "hairclip" in her hair..? I was also going to give her a little diamonte bracelet but it was just too much with the other gems on the card! I'll try that on another card though!!

I added gems to this buckle to give it a little pizzazz (love that word!!) and I added a few gems around this impression obsession swirl! So this is my entry for this weeks Cute Card Thursday!

I coloured Tilda using the distress inks again - enjoying that too!

I'm still working my way through my scraps box...I love these K&Co papers...some scraps are larger than others which allow you to make a few more cards out of them! So why not look at your own scraps box and see what you can come up with for my candy challenge? bx

Kristine's Blog Candy!

Have you ever visited Kristine's amazing blog? She creates the most amazing cards...and I've always loved that not only does she create a beautiful front for a card, she fully decorates the 2 insides and the back!!!!!! So...she's offering a blog candy right now...the challenge? to make a card inspired by hers....not an easy task I tell ya - she's a hard act to follow!! I thought I would give it a go anyway!!

Girls, I had soooooo much fun decorating this brown paper bag! It actually came together quite quickly and once I'd started the idea's kinda flowed for me! I must confess that I was pleasantly surprised by the result...so thank you Kristine for throwing out such a fab challenge!

Don't forget to enter for my birthday blog challenge here! (PS all papers used in this were from my scraps box!!) bx

Challenges and Birthday Candy!

Okay..she's my first Tilda and I am LOVING her...I made 5 cards with her today so you'll be seeing plenty of her this week! As she's my FIRST Tilda I'm going to enter her for the "First Somethings" over at the new challenge site "Stamp Something"!

And, as I've decoupaged her I'm also entering her for the Arty Girlz "3D" challenge this week!

Oh..and she's not going to be lonely for much longer...I'm waiting (not sooo patiently) for a little order I placed with birthday money I got last week!

Which leads me nicely on to this: (I just couldn't get a decent photo of this for the life of me!)

This is the "bones" of the birthday blog candy I'm offering! So far it is:

Lola with Flowers stamp

6x6 K&Co Bailey paper pad

Making Memories Blossoms with brads

Rayher bag of mixed chipboard shapes

I'll also be including a few odds n sods of "stuff"....which will be a surprise!!!!!! Ok..now to the challenge...I'd like you to make a new card for this challenge by digging deep into your stash...whaaaaat? I hear you ask? I'd love you to use something that hasn't seen the light of day for ages, and to use your "scraps"...you know...all those bits n pieces of paper and/or remnants of ribbon that you cut into for one card and now it's lying there...!

So...that's it...i hope it isn't too hard...I'd love you all to join in! I will ship internationally; and if you don't have a blog email me your creation! When you've made your creation, link it on your blog and post me a comment so that I can come see!

Because it's coming to a busy time of year and there are so many new challenges around now, how about I run this until 31 May to give everyone time to play? Colin really wants to pick the winner this time so I'll let him do the honours! I look forward to all your wonderful creations! bx

If you're not in....you can't win!

A while ago I helped my mum fill in some competition and "win stuff" coupons in her crafty magazines.....and look what she won! A fabulous stamp made by Cornish Heritage Farms! What a wonderful surprise for her!

I "christened" it for her...and made this card! I coloured the image using distress inks...I must say I am enjoying these inks so much! Again I've used bits of Bo Bunny papers that were lying around begging to be used!! I used a little bit of raffia as I felt the mushroom image asked for a "natural" embellishment of some sort...and it also filled that gap nicely! bx

CPS Sketches No 62 and 63!

I wanted to use this Tilda but she was too wide for my card with her floral skipping rope...so I cut it out! As her arms appeared "open", I decided that she was then extending her arms for a hug...so I used this Penny Black sentiment inside the card! The papers are "bits" that were on my desk (MME meets K&Co). So this card was created for CPS sketch no 62.

And I created this card for CPS sketch no 63! I took a chipboard letter U, and used the negative shape left. I stamped the word "Thank" on the top of the chipboard piece, added a few rub ons and then put a scrap of paper at the back of it before adhering it to the front of my card. I used Bo Bunny papers, Daisy D flowers, and red lace to complete the look...bx

It's been a funny ole week...

This is what happens when you have lots of "use me ups" on your desk......I reckon I am reaching for the same things all the time, even though I have tons of other stuff...stuff I saw...I needed...I bought....I admired....now I'm "storing" it all!! Somehow I don't think I'm in this club alone!

Anyway, I thought I'd lift a few things outta the folders that they're nicely stored in...and get them put to good use. I am soooo enjoying using my "toys" up! These are Melissa Frances scraps (one pretty large scrap ehh?), penny black image, making memories rub ons, fancy pants and heidi swapp chipboard pieces and the last of some ribbon and lace...voila! bx

Forever Friends....

Something a little different...but still oh-so cute!! This is Edwin and his dog (sorry, don't know his name!!)....theses images were kindly sent to me by Debbie in my fabulous PIF! Love these little characters...think i'll add them to my list!!

I've coloured them in using a mish-mash!! I'm really loving the distress inks as a colouring medium (look here for fabulous tutorial) - so I've used them for the doggie; parts of Edwin are coloured with the distress inks also, but I needed some bright colours for his shirt so I had to dip into my derwent pencils at times!!

I used Nicola's current sketch for the card layout....the papers you see are by Karen Foster, and I simply cut out the wriggly worm and snail from the paper - now they're all friends together!! I added some diamond glaze onto the back of the snail and the dog's nose.

Gosh our summer is here this week! It was soooo hot yesterday, and today is gonna be the same...I hope you all get to enjoy some sunshine today too! bx

Cute Card Thursday...

I "dug" this Penny Black image outta my drawer for this week's theme "In the Garden" over at Cute Card Thursday! It's one of my early stamps and I've always loved it! I coloured it with the distress inks...I'm lovin that technique!

I've used some of the B0 Bunny papers I got on my last jaunt to America...love them even if they are a bit "thin"! And a few hero arts "summer" flowers to finish....you can hardly see my tiny A muse sentiment...it's stamped on the last remaining piece of my K&Co Margo papers...I believe in getting my monies worth girlies, I tell ya!!!!!!!! bx

My First Tilda!

My very own first ever Tilda...for that reason she will always be special!! I love her...she is soooo cute!

After drooling over Marlene's colouring skills, and then reading her excellent tutorial, I had a go at colouring Tilda with my distressing inks! I gotta tell ya...I really liked the technique!!

A very "forgiving medium" (my husband laughed at me for saying this; and yeah, I laughed at myself then)!! Anyway, because of the way the distress inks work with water, it allowed you to "manipulate" the colour a bit better than with my usual "derwent" pencils...now I'm no expert, but i enjoyed the technique, and I'll definitely keep on trying with it, although I now need to "invest" in some more colours...so HUGE thanks to Marlene for introducing me to another way of using stash I already have!

I'm going to enter this card in Gina's blog candy; you have to make a card using a stamp, pretty papers, ribbon and flowers...tick all 4 boxes!! I've used papers from the Bailey range by K&Co on my card.

I'm liking this little technique of "underlining" a word in my sentiment with little gems...I used a pair of scissors to distress the edges of the red square in my card. Yep, I'm very pleased with this result! bx

Kitty's Kandy!

If you girls fancy gettin' your mitts on some extra crafty stash...then pop over to Kitty's place! Take a peek around...some really cute cards there...all you have to do is post on your blog about Kitty's candy giveaway...easy peasy! bx

Giggles!

This is another adorable Tilda I stamped and coloured with prismacolors and sansador at a friend's house! I only got one of this image stamped out....I need to go back for another wee visit me thinks!!

I used one of Julee's sketches for the card layout; the papers used up some more "scraps" of the K&Co Margo papers that I love! I'm a bit sad but I love using my scraps up!!!!!

As it turns out only 3 people commented for the PIF folders (although I think many people have a life outside crafting on bank holiday weekends!!!)...so congratulations to Maria, Susan and Nicola! Ladies please email me your details! bx