A bit more effort, Thank You!

Another very quick entry as I've got to prepare for the New Year celebrations (well, organising the hubby and dogs to spend a couple of days at my in-laws!). This thank you card is for my lovely in-laws so I made a lot more effort with this one (compared to yesterday's!). As my father-in-law puts just as much thought into what gifts we'd like as my mother-in-law, I didn't want it to be too girly...

I probably won't get a chance to make another entry to a huge Happy New Year to everybody!!!

Papers/cardstock: Crate Paper Samantha paper collection

Stamps: none

Mediums: white gel pen

Accents: Paperchase white grosgrain, Papermania adhesive pearls, Crate Paper Wildflower (from Samantha collection) chipboard letters

Tools: PaperShaper butterfly punch (small), Quickutz Revolution butterfly die, rounded end of a pen to shape the butterfly

Thank you cards!

Just a very quick post today to show a couple of extremely quick thank you cards I put together. Not the best creative work I've done, but I have A LOT more to do!

That's it! My quickest blog entry ever!

Gift cash holders

You know, I really don't like giving cash as gifts. It takes away from the point of giving something that I've put some thought into. Hey ho, but that's what my teenage niece and nephew want so that is what I'm giving them. And then my mum asked for cash too because we couldn't decide on which heated electric blanket she wants!

Hey ho, what are you going to do? I wanted to put some special touch to it so I made - for the very first time! - holders for the cash and here they are...

Can you believe it's Xmas tomorrow?! I'm sooo excited! A merry Xmas to you all!

Papers/cardstock: Papermania cardstock, Bazzill cardstock, can't remember name of the printed paper, but I think it's DCWV, DCWV glitter cardstock (snowflake)
Stamps: none
Mediums: white gel pen
Accents: twill ribbon from stash, Bazzill buttons and floss
Tools: PaperShaper Snowflake border punch, Cuttlebug snowflake die

Happy birthday bro'!

Yay, I managed to make another card! That's two this week - woo hoo! It's my brother's birthday in early January and I always end up rushing it at the last minute, what with being so busy sorting out Xmas. I've made it in plenty of time this year and, I must say, it's much better than the other rubbish ones I've made him, lol!! Not that he'd make a comment about that (far too well brought up). So here it is...

Now fingers crossed I'll get a chance to make something tomorrow night...but perhaps I might be too tipsy as I have a team Xmas lunch that normally lasts into the early evening...hmm, alcohol or creativity...

Papers/cardstock: white cardstock, Making Memories paper pack (can't remember name of collection!)

Stamps: Stampendous Mega Happy

Mediums: Memento black ink

Accents: ribbon from stash

Tools: EK Success Binder edger punch

Oh yummy, gingerbread man...

Can you believe that it's been over two weeks since I've managed to make a card?!! I have been so incredibly busy at work and when I get home I have to take over from my hubby to look after the puppy. And then yesterday I realised that I hadn't made him a xmas card so panic kicked in!


Anyway, to cut a long story short, I couldn't for the life of me come up with a design for Steve - I'm just so "doggone" tired (sorry - had to be done!). I browsed through some magazines and found a really cute gingerbread card topper. I re-created it and popped it onto a Kraft card base and added some hand doodling and sentiment. I enjoyed making it so much, I ended up making three cards...






The creator who inspired me is Jo Kill, who designs for Papercraft Inspirations (a UK mag). Jo has the most fantastic fresh eclectic style. I couldn't find the exact topper she made, but click here to see a card she made with her handcrafted gingerbread man. So cute, isn't he! Anyway, a huge thanks to Jo!!!



Papers/cardstock: Elzybells Kraft card, Bazzill vanilla and blue cardstock, October Afternoon Good Cheer (red striped paper), Tinkering Ink Yuletide paper pad
Stamps: none!
Mediums: White gel pen, brown pen (for sentiment), Distress Ink in Tea Dye
Accents: ribbon and eyelets from stash, Bazzill buttons and brads
Tools: We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, Martha Stewart Dot border punch, star punch

And the winner is...and a boy's birthday card

Just to keep you in suspense (but also because I'm so proud of making a card whilst being really tired looking after a new puppy, getting up at 3am to take it into the [freezing cold] garden), here is a card I made for my nephew who lives in Hong Kong and will be 9 years old on Xmas Eve. Last international posting from the UK today so had to knock it up quickly last night, but I really like it! Maybe that's the trick - don't put too much thought into it!!

I poked two holes either side of the monster's hand to tie the black string to. I quite impressed myself with that one, LOL!! Goodness, need a full night's sleep...finding daft things funny...obviously delirious...

On to the blog candy! Today is the day to announce my first blog candy giveaway! But first, a big thank you to all of you who become 'followers' - now I don't look so sad! LOL! I think I've mentioned before that I don't actually have any crafty friends, well 'real' friends, because I've made lots of virtual blog friends since starting my blog - you lovely lot! Here is the prize...

Anyway, I don't know how to use that online random picker so my lovely hubby, Steve did the honours by picking one of your names out of a box - here he is in action....

And the winner is...

Well done Diana! Email me your address and I'll post it to you asap! However, all you other lovely ladies who joined in too, send me your addresses and I'll send you a [very] little something too!

Papers/cardstock: various Bazzill cardstock, Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend paper pad
Stamps: October Afternoon Night Light (monster), My Favorite Things Going Places (sentiment)
Mediums: Copic Caios, Memento black inkpad

Accents: American Crafts ribbon, black thin 'rope' from stash
Tools: EK Success Binder Edge edger punch

Alert! Extreme cuteness alert!!

Ta da! Here is our new addition to our family - Lulu!

At just over 7 weeks old, we picked her up on Saturday and she is - of course - incredibly cute! Those huge eyes; soft, chubby, cuddly body; and constantly wagging tail - what's NOT to love?!! Our 2 and half year old Labrador, Poppy, wasn't sure of her on the first day, lots of growling and at one time nearly took her head off when Lulu tried to climb into HER bed!! (well, not really, but it was pretty aggressive growl!) A couple of days later they are getting along well as you can see from the fourth photo.

Poppy has always been our baby but now she's a proper grown up dog to me! And I love her even more when I see her interacting with Lulu - really gentle and patient (even when her tail is being chewed on). And we really appreciate now how easy she was when she was as a puppy - she had very few 'accidents' and didn't chew anything but her toys. Lulu on the other hand is one big poopy machine and chews anything in sight!!!

I'm so pleased I took a week's holiday from work - I love bonding with my new baby!! Now off for a snooze, it's hard work playing with a puppy all day...

Sweet Sunday challenge - another deadline missed!

I meant to post this on time, but what with a new addition to the family - another yellow Labrador puppy! - I just didn't have time in between preparation, playing, feeding and potty training! And when she did fall asleep, I was doing housework or cooking! Blimey, what would it be like with a real baby?!!! I'll do another post for all those dog lovers out there next!

Hey ho, I've missed the deadline for the Sweet Sunday sketch #45, but I'm posting it anyway because it's the first time I've used acetate and a shaker window on a card! (Been dying to do that for aaages!) Here's the sketch and my card...

So, another Xmas card down, another 27 to go!!

Papers/cardstock: various Bazzill cardstock, DCWV paper (can't remember from which collection!), DCWV glitter paper

Stamps: none

Mediums: Copics Multiliner in black for "brrr..."
Accents: All My Memories Bauble-Gums Winter, ribbon from stash

Tools: PaperShaper Snowflake border punch, Nestabilities Blossom die, circle punch

Mojo Monday week 114 challenge and blog candy!

Two posts in one day - wow! Well, only because I made three cards last night! So here is my card and I used the Mojo Monday week 114 challenge for my inspiration...

Okay, so now to the candy! Now, put your hand up if you have NEVER bought the same crafty item twice by accident! Yeah, I thought so! Well, I've done this several times (d'oh!) and I've been thinking of a good excuse to get rid of them because space is like gold dust in my craft room! (I hear you all nodding!) So, if you look to the right side bar, you'll see I've added that Followers Google Friend Connect gadget. For everyone who clicks on that button and starts to follow my blog, I'll do a random selection and send the winner this BasicGrey Too Sweet stamp set. If you don't use Google Friends, then leave me a comment and I will add you to the pot!

Ain't it cute?! You can see why I got over excited and bought two! And no I haven't used my set yet!! What a wally. Anyway, I will post to anywhere in the world and I'll give it a week, closing the blog candy at 10pm GMT on 3 December. I'll announce the winner on Friday 4 December. Good luck!

Papers/cardstock: various Bazzill cardstock, DCWV paper (can't remember from which collection!)
Stamps: none
Mediums: none

Accents: All My Memories Bauble-Gums Winter, Doodlebug green spot organza ribbon, Robin's Nest Dew Drops
Tools: PaperShaper Snowflake border punch

C4C12 - Snow Much Fun!

I found a set of rubber toppers from All My Memories in my stash - they must have been there for over a year and I must have bought them in a sale as they aren't really my style! So, with 28 Xmas cards still to make, I decided to use them up! I used the Crazy 4 Challenges #12 sketch for inspiration and here's my card...

It actually WAS a lot of fun to make! I always feel a bit of a cheat using pre-made toppers, but it was fab because I ended up making 3 cards in one evening - a MEGA record for me!! And I made those little snowflakes using the snowflake border punch. Dinky, huh?! And here's another one I made (the 'yellowish green card and snowflakes, are actually lime green and matches the topper beautifully - just my crappy photographing couldn't get the colour true)...

Are you looking forward to Friday? I AM!! My last day of work before picking up a new member of our family on Saturday and then a whole week off to bond with her! If you haven't read any of my earlier entries that this hints to, I'll make you wait until Saturday!!! TTFN xxx

Papers/cardstock: various Bazzill cardstock, DCWV paper (can't remember from which collection!)

Stamps: none

Mediums: none
Accents: All My Memories Bauble-Gums Winter, Doodlebug green spot organza ribbon, American Crafts spot ribbon, All My Memories striped ribbon, brown satin ribbon from stash

Tools: PaperShaper Snowflake border punch

Must make more Xmas cards...groan...

You know, I've made soooo many Xmas cards I really thought I'd gone overboard! And then friends and colleagues were asking me to show them my spare ones so was happy to agree. Then, sitting in bed (because I've got a cold and feeling sorry for myself) I did a tally of who to send cards to - and I'm nearly 30 short! So, keep up with those challenges out there to make Xmas cards - I need the inspiration! Here's two I made earlier (anyone remember Blue Peter?) and entering the first in for Sparkle's Christmas challenge #51...

Now off for another snooze...

Papers/cardstock: various Bazzill cardstock, DCWV glitter card (snowflakes), Tinkering Ink Yuletide paper pad

Stamps: none
Mediums: Pebbles Inc paint (combination of colours to match), Flowersoft cream, Liquid Pearls in silver, Stickles in Frosted Lace (snowflake)

Accents: ribbon and pearl brads from stash, Cosmo Cricket chipboard Christmas ornament and mittens, Bazzill button and cream floss, garden twine
Tools: Fiskars scallop trimmer blade, circle and scallop circle punches, snowflake punch, Woodware snowflake 5 punch

A big 4-0!

One of my favourite clients hit his big 40 last week so of course I just had to make him a card. He's a great guy who is very easy to get on with and we always have a good laugh! He's also a sophisticated, tall Italian and, of course, I wanted a card to reflect his personality. When I saw the new Signature Greetings by Papertrey Ink, I knew it was the perfect sentiment for his card! Dawn McVey has a made a gorgeous card with it, see here. Unfortunately, it was only released on 15 November and couldn't get it in time for his card so I made up my own, but I'll be getting my credit card out to get the set (and perhaps some other items might fall in the 'basket' too!). So here is my card...

And then I made this card for no particular reason apart from liking the papers!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Papers/cardstock: various cardstock, SEI Jake papers

Stamps: none
Mediums: none

Accents: BasicGrey die cut numbers
Tools: EK Success Binder Edge edger punch, various Woodware star punches, Crop-a-Dile Corner Chomper, pc (sentiment)

A double whammy! A first for me!

Yay! I've completed Mojo Monday sketch #113 AND Sparkle's Christmas card challenge #50! It's the first time I've done a double whammy as I find it difficult enough to just focus on one challenge at a time! So here's the sketch...

And here's my card...

I surprised myself by creating this card in less than two hours - it normally takes me a few days to mull over what it will look like and then a few hours to bring it together. I wish being creative came more naturally to me, rather than having to work at it so hard!

Now let's see if I can squeeze another card in by Sunday...

Papers/cardstock: various cardstock, DCWV glitter card (snowflakes), Tinkering Ink Yuletide paper pad
Stamps: Gel-a-Tins Holiday Mail (sentiment)

Mediums: Pebbles Inc paint (combination of colours to match the paper), Stickles glue in Diamond
Accents: ribbon from stash, Queen & Co gems, Cosmo Cricket chipboard Christmas ornament, Bazzill white floss

Tools: Martha Stewart Cornice borderpunch, circle and scallop circle punches, snowflake punch

3-2-1, It's recipe time!

Another Anyone for Anya challenge again! This week it's recipe time: 3 pieces of paper or card; 2 buttons; and 1 bow. Well, I never know how much you are meant to keep to the rules of every challenge - I was considering all sorts of things and then just confused myself! It's easily done, I can tell you. I decided to keep it really simple instead and here it is...

To keep it from looking too plain, I used lots of dimension - I put the patterned paper onto 2mm mounting foam tape and then the image on 3mm foam pads. Lastly, I built up the buttons with the ribbon too. I have no idea where I got that ribbon from, but it amazingly has glittery threads in complimentary colours - perfect! And then because I was enjoying using the papers so much, I made another card...

Now, I really must stop making Xmas cards...

Papers/cardstock: various Core'dinations cardstock, Papermania red cardstock, Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly paper pad

Stamps: The Greeting Farm Fairy Tink and Fairy Chloe, CC Designs Christmas Card Greetings
Mediums: Copic Caios, Glamour Dust

Accents: ribbon from stash, Bazzill buttons
Tools: EK Success Embossed Curve border punch

JUGS challenge # 6 - just in time?!!

Oh dear, I think I missed the deadline for JUGS challenge #6! I've been cogitating about the design all week and then I came up with what I wanted to do last night! Ho hum, nevermind, here it is anyway...

I used lots of foam pads to give some dimension (if only my camera would do 3D!) and used my Sakura glue pen to add touches of white glitter on the ear muffs, gloves, etc. I then had left over mittens and hats that I had coloured in so I made another card to use them up...

I'm really loving these JUGS challenges - week 7 here I come (on time, I hope!).

Papers/cardstock: various Core'dinations cardstock, Papermania red cardstock, Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly paper pad
Stamps: The Greeting Farm Keep Cosy, Hero Arts Winter Warmers

Mediums: Copic Caios, dustings of white ultra fine glitter
Accents: ribbon from stash

Tools: Woodware 1" scallop circle punch, Martha Stewart Dot border punch

Grown up Xmas cards!

Okay, okay. I know I said in my last post that I was getting bored of making Xmas cards, but I remembered that I had to create some for my mum to send out. So here are a couple of them...

Papers/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Bazzil Bling cardstock, K&Co Brenda Walton's Peppermint Twist Mat Pad and Tag Pad
Stamps: none
Mediums: Stickles in Frosted Lace and Diamond
Accents: ribbon from stash, Bazzill buttons, Robins Nest Dew Drops, Maya Road chipboard flourishes
Tools: sewing machine, Fiskars Upper Crest border punch

Mojo Monday Madness! Challenge 111

At last, I've managed to do a Mojo Monday challenge. And by coincidence there's goodies to be won too! What a bonus! So here is the sketch...

And here is my entry...

Yes, another Xmas card! Getting bored of making these, I can tell you!! Luckily I've got a lot of birthdays and occasions coming up that I need to make cards for so I can put my festive spirit in a drawer for a bit!!

Papers/cardstock: Papermania white cardstock, Papermania red cardstock, "T'was the night before Xmas..." cardstock - can't remember, sorry!!

Stamps: The Greeting Farm Angel Anya, Hanna Stamps Ski Bunny (snowflakes on red card)

Mediums: Copic Caios, Stickles Star Dust (on snowflake), Elzybells White pigment inkpad (sugar candy), Inkssentials white gel pen, Deco Just Glitter pen in Gold Glitter

Accents: Maya Road chipboard snowflake, Bazzill Just the Edge scallop border, Robins Nest Dew Drops
Tools: Nestabilities Labels One