As you like it at Totally Gorjuss!

Hello everyone!  For today's Totally Gorjuss challenge we want to you do whatever you like!  That's right - anything goes!  We're sponsored this by Fantastic Ribbon (which basically does what it says on the box).

I've been meaning to do a scenery card for some time so I took advantage of the open theme and came up with this...

 

 

Talk about girly!  Perhaps a bit too girly for me, but I'm sure someone will like it!  So that's it for me today - see you tomorrow with another creation!




I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Anyone For Anya - use two images
• Moving Along With the Times - Spring
• The Crafty Pad - something girly
• Crafty Cardmakers - flowers
• Top Tip Tuesday - fabulous flowers
• Southern Girls challenge - dry embossing 
• Crafty Catz challenge - flowers
• PaperPlay - layer it up (I've got at least 6!)

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, My Minds Eye Quite Contrary papers
Stamps: CC Designs Take a Seat digi set
Mediums: Copics, shimmer chalks (on clouds)
Accents: beads from stash
Tools: My Favorite Things mini scallop rolled dies (you can buy from Dies to Die For here) and cloud dies (buy here), Martha Stewart border punch, Nestabilities label die (inside card)

Orange you a good friend!

No, I haven't lost my spelling skills!  My card for Quixotic Inspirations today is using one of those gorgeous Kraftin' Kimmie Moonlight Whispers stamp set - Olivia Orange and the inside sentiment is from a Paper Makeup stamp set called Little Moments Mini Sentiments.

 

 

I wasn't sure if my fave kraft cardstock would work as the base card but I think it's ok with that DP.  I had a lot of fun colouring Olivia Orange in with my Copics - you can really get into the shading on these babies - you can't help but do a good job with those Moonlight Whispers!  

I highlighted the pearls in her hair and the dress trims with my Sakura clear Stardust pen - just right for those teeny tiny areas!  In the close up below you can also see where I've used my Viva Decor Pearl Pen in cream.  As much as I love my flat backed pearls and gems, sometimes you just need something smaller and Viva Decors allow you to control whatever size you want.  I gotta experiment more with them!

As I mentioned in last week's Quixotic Inspiration post, I'm going to be doing some tutorials - let me know in the comments section of this post if there is anything in particular you'd like to see!  I will choose one random winner to win a little surprise candy that I will mail anywhere in the world! 


I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Kraftin' Kimmies - fairytales
• Make it Monday - share your creativity!
• Wild Orchid - let's get sentimental

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill kraft and brown cardstock, October Afternoon Weathervane and Daydream papers

Stamps: Kraftin' Kimmies Moonlight Whispers Olivia Orange stamp set, Paper Makeup stamps - Little Moments Mini sentiments
Mediums: Copics, Viva Decor Pearl Pen in cream, Sakura Clear Stardust pen
Accents: none
Tools: Nestabilities label dies, Quickutz flourish die 

A Spoonful of Sugar gets soppy this week!

(Please scroll down for my Ladybug Crafts Ink post)

Okay, I said the other day that my hubby isn't the romantic type so I'm not really used to making soppy cards, but I did for today's post!  But only because the challenge over at A Spoonful of Sugar is "Valentines"!  Talk about DT dedication, huh?!!

 

 

I used another The Greeting Farm Cheeky girl called Glamour - isn't she just gorgeous?  (You can get her from Quixotic Paperie here) I matched her up with lots of sumptuousness (Is that a word?!) - the felt flower (that I made with My Favorite Things rolled rose flower die, you can buy from Dies to Die For here), satin ribbon, lace patterned DPs and lots of glitter!  Actually, I quite like it so I may give this to Steve instead!

Go to the ASOS challenge blog here to see the other DT gorgeous cards!


I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Bunny Zoe's monthy challenge - love is in the air
• Craft Your Days Away - love
• All That Scraps - early Valentine's
• Paperplay challenges - back to black (use black card base)
• Aud Sentiments - sentiment with a love theme
• Southern Girls - totally loved up
• Crafty Catz - a forgotten stamp (the hero arts background stamp)

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, October Afternoon The Thrift Shop paper pack
Stamps: The Greeting Farm Cheeky Glamour, Hero Arts antique letter background

Mediums: Copics, Glamour Dust

Accents: ribbon, felt and rub-on sentiments from stash

Tools: Martha Stewart border punch, My Favorite Things rolled rose flower die, Nestabilities label die (inside card)

Totally Ladybug Tuesday has gone plum crazy!

Well, as all our regular followers know, the Ladybug Crafts Ink DT are crazy!  But in a fun and brilliant way! And to encourage us, our lovely GD Amber is challenging us to go plum crazy with stitching!  I wasn't sure of this challenge at first but when I think of purple I think of richness, glamour and bling - so that's what I aimed for...

 

 

I really did try to NOT use Winestool Nikki (my most fave LCI stamp EVER), but it suited the challenge so well, don't you think?!!  But at least I didn't use my usual stitching and instead tried out my new Sew Easy tool - pretty cool effect, huh?!  It's not as easy as the name suggests, but when you get the hang of it it saves a lot of time and creates some lovely patterns - I need to experiment with this some more!  

This card reminds me of a long weekend trip that hubby and I made to Glasgow (where our illustrious leader lives!) several years ago.  We loved the shopping, the down to earth people and the trendy bars.  I can recall me sitting in one of their contemporary, modern bars, sipping champagne - wonderful!  And such a difference to real life, lol, - well at least I could live the dream for a short while!

Okay, okay, enough of the chat!  I know you just wanna hop over to the Ladybug Crafts Ink challenge blog to see the other DT go plum crazy!


I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Simon Says Stamp - bingo (line for gems, glitter and ribbon)
• Sarah Hurley - birthday girl
• Raise the Bar - N.E.W. (Nesties, embellishments and white - tick!)
• Prairie Fairies - happy birthday
• By the Cute and Girly - bling it on!

 

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill kraft cardstock, DCWV Jewel cardstock
Stamps: Ladybut Crafts Ink Winestool Nikki (buy here), Ladybug Crafts Ink It's Only Words 2 sentiments (buy here), Hero Arts Antique Flourish background stamp

Mediums: Copics, Versamagic Purple Hydrangea, Glamour Dust

Accents: purple silk ribbon and pearl brads from stash, white wired organza ribbon from Bunny Zoe's Crafts (buy here), Bazzill white floss

Tools: Nestabilities label dies, EK Success border punch (inside card). Sew Easy Tool (buy here)

It's hot, hot, hot over at Totally Gorjuss!

Yay, it's Saturday!  I hope you all have plans for a lovely weekend - mine will be nice and quiet, just the way I like it!


Over at Totally Gorjuss today we are feeling hot!  This week's challenge is sponsored by Crafters Companion and we want you to show us your hot colours!!  Most of you know that I'll be in my element for this challenge - I love those bright colours so here is my "sizzling" card!

 

 

I thought about making this into a Valentine's Day card, but instead I'm gonna send it to my friend who is GORGEOUS and think this will suit her perfectly!  I used another Cheeky from The Greeting Farm called Rockabilly (you can buy here from Quixotic Paperie) and the DP is from a K&Co mat pad which I've been dying to use for months!


Pop along to the Totally Gorjuss challenge blog where you can see the other DT's hot, hot cards!




I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Crafty Cardmakers - use red and a die cut (definitely red there and the label die)
• Meljen Designs - pink and red
• Oldie but a Goodie - bright and cheerful (the oldie is the stamp)
• Simon Says Stamp - bingo! (used the line for gems, flowers and die cuts)
• Cute Card Thursday - 1-2-3! (one image, two flowers, three different coloured cardstock)
• Paperplay challenges - back to black (black card base)
• Stampin' for the Weekend - getting warmed up (with my hot, hot colours!)

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, K&CO Amy Butler Belle mat pad
Stamps: The Greeting Farm Cheeky Rockabilly, My Favorite Things Die-namics Framed Greetings stamp set

Mediums: Copics

Accents: velvet ribbon and dew drops from stash

Tools: Martha Stewart border punch, My Favorite Things Die-namics Framed Greetings Die and trio flower dies, Nestabilities label die (inside card)

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Yay, it's Friday!!!  Isn't that just wonderful?!  Can you tell I'm pleased?  This week has been sooo long, I thought it was Thursday on Tuesday!  I've got something a little different - but not too different - today!  Yes, it does involve cards, but this time I made a box to put them in!

 

Outside notelet box showing back and front

Inside notelet box with cards

Front and side of notelet box

This is my mother-in-law's birthday present - she writes quite a bit and sends out lots of thank you cards so I've left the insides blank for her own messages.  I made two of each notelet and don't ask how I made the box - I made it up as I went along!  I'm not good at following instructions so I just thought I'd see what would happen!  The most amazing this about this set is that it only took me 3 hours to make it last night!  It can take me days just to make a single card, lol!!


I used the gorgeous DCWV La Creme paper pack - you can't see from the photo but it has some flock on the patterns and flowers so I've used velvet ribbon and I found some velvet paper which I used to die cut the scalloped hearts.  It looks quite luscious IRL!!


Back tomorrow with a "Totally Gorjuss" card!




I am submitting this card into the following challenges:

• Creative Craft challenges - monochromatic madness
• The Shabby Tearoom - black and white and one other colour (mine is cream!)
• Papertake Weekly - ribbons or pearls (ribbon!)
• Sarah Hurley challenges - birthday girl (for my mother-in-law!)

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, DCWV La Creme paper pack, velvet paper from stash
Stamps: My Favorite Things Die-namics Framed Greetings stamp set, Inkadinkado Flourishes stamp set

Mediums: Versafine ink

Accents: velvet ribbon, silk ribbon and eyelets from stash

Tools: Nestabilities scallop circle and circle dies, My Favorite Things Die-namics Framed Greetings Die

Hey Dude!

Hello everyone!  Today I have a card for you that I made for Quixotic Inspirations.  Although not my very first time creating for them, it is my very first time writing up a post directly on Elaine's blog!  I'll be here every Thursday with a new creation and perhaps even some tutorials!  I will need all of my blog mates' support for that - never done them before so I'm very nervous!!

Today is just a card though using the uber cutie Ian from The Greeting Farm I Heart Sweaters stamp set.  I've been mulling over my Valentine's Day card for hubby Steve and ... well ... let's just say he's not the soppy type!  So all those hearts and red and passionate looking cards - they're a no no!  This is what I came up with...

 

I told you it wasn't very romantic but it should suit him well!  And I love that sentiment "you warm my heart" - which is part of the I Heart Sweaters stamp set too.  I used my current fave paper pack My Minds Eye Fine & Dandy True Blue paper pack (which currently has 10% off so get over there QUICK!). 

I used the Sweet Sunday sketch and I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

• Make it Monday - share your creativity! 
• Pear Tree Designs - free for all (anything goes!)
• Totally Stampalicious - mascaline card
• Top Tip Tuesday - all sentimental
• Craft Your Days Away - anything goes

Hope to see you tomorrow with something a little different (but not very!).

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, My Minds Eye Fine & Dandy True Blue paper pack
Stamps: The Greeting Farm I Heart Sweaters stamp set, hey dude TGF sentiment

Mediums: Copics

Accents: ribbon and pumpkin floss from stash

Tools: Nestabilities circle and label dies, My Favorite Things border die

I've got attitude!

That sweet Frea has passed on the "My Blog Has Attitude" award!  Cool, huh!!  Thanks Frea honey!

For this award, I have to tell you 3 things about myself, but you all know me so well!  Okay, what can I make up...

1. I am a mix of nationalities - English, Chinese and Portuguese
2. In my teenage years I used to be the lead singer in a band but the guitarist was fame hungry so he took over as lead singer - men!
3. My feet are so small that I have to wear shoes with straps to keep them on (can I hear you giggling at that!??)

So I now have to pass this award onto 5 others.  That's too hard!!!  I am going to give this to my Ladybug Crafts Ink DT - I know this is more than 5 people, but I love each and every one of them!

• Kerry - Head Ladybug
• Lisa J - Deputy Head Ladybug
• Pami
• Pinky
• Tams
• Sue
• Anita
• Hayley
• Gaelle
• Michele

 See you tomorrow morning with a card!

A Spoonful of Sugar makes ... blue & green!

(Please scroll down for my Totally Ladybug Tuesday post!)

This week's challenge at A Spoonful of Sugar is "blue & green should never be seen"!  And it's sponsored by that lovely Nikki of Bunny Zoe's Crafts - so lots of yummy goodies to be had!  When I first saw the challenge, I kept thinking about the green - a colour not often used by me - and ... don't ask me why ... I thought of aliens!  No, I haven't met any personally!  So I just had to get my Willy out - he's called Willy One Eye, but isn't that a little rude?!!  Well, Steve and I had a chuckle anyway!   [Apologies in advance if I've offended anyone out there!]

Okay, onto the card before I get any more complaints flooding in...

 

 

Sorry for the rather awful photos - it's so grey here in the UK and I couldn't do anything to improve the photo!  But aren't those High Hope Dustin Pike images fun!  You can buy Willy One Eye {{giggle}} here.  I'm not 100% convinced about the positioning of that ribbon though - and how will I fit it in the envelope, lol?!!  Oh well, I will MAKE it fit!


Don't forget to hop over to see the other DT inspiration here - their usual tip top quality!




I am entering this card into the following challenges...

• Paper Sundaes - your favourite challenge from last year (cut it out - I love cutting my images out!)
  
• Pear Tree Designs - circles (the die cuts)
• Incy Wincy Designs - go dotty (the embossed circle and the background stamp)
• Tip Top Tuesday - anything goes
• Whimsie Doodles - boys will be boys
• Some Odd Girl - let's get embossed
• Stampin with the Dragon - for that special stud (going to give this to my hubbie for taking care of a few things for me recently!)
• Craft Your Days Away - anything goes

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Cosmo Cricket Early Bird paper pack
Stamps: High Hopes Willy One Eye stamp, Hot Off The Press Bold Border stamp (bubbly background), Kraftin' Kimmi sentiment inside card

Mediums: Copics, Colorbox white pigment ink

Accents: Stampin' Up ribbon, Bazzil white floss, American Crafts rub on alphas

Tools: Nestabilities circle and label (inside card) dies, Cuttlebug embossing folder, EK Success bubble border punch (inside card)

Totally Ladybug Tuesday challenges you to be anything but square!

I can't believe we are already into the third week of January.  I'm in two minds at it about the mo' - on the one hand I can't wait until the Spring, but on the other hand I don't want to wish my life away!  (Which has become more of a focus since I hit my 40s a couple of years ago!!)

Enough rambling, onto this week's Totally Ladybug Tuesday challenge!  This week Ladybug Crafts Ink deputy blog boss, Lisa, has challenged us to make anything but it MUST NOT be square!  So of course I wanted to make one of my other fave shapes of circle or rectangle (yes, I do like symmetry very much!) but I know she'd want to challenge myself properly!  So here is my card...

 

 

This new Ladybug Crafts Ink stamp - Nikki & Friend Window Shopping (you can buy here) - is perfect for me.  It goes with all those trendy sassy sentiments around at the moment (retail therapy, you can do anything with the right shoes, etc).  And it also reminds me of work!  When my work friends and I go for lunch, we always window shop going to and from the restaurant - afterall, we are a stone's throw from Covent Garden in London - a haven of shopping!  Although I must say, I don't wear black tight trousers to work - more like a pinstripe suit!

I had a lot of fun making this card!  I wanted to try the monochrome technique but I'm not great at shading with blks/greys and the image just ended up looking dirty!  So I added the splash of red to distract from it, lol!  For the base, I used one of my new Grand Nestabilities in my new Grand Calibur (lovin' this machine!!!).  I used the Labels Four and trimmed off the pointed ends, folded it in half and - voila! - my card base was born!  And lastly - I didn't use any designer paper!  Instead I used my Hero Arts Houndstooth background stamp - probably one of my most fave and used stamps ever!

I bet you're now dying to see what the rest of the DT did with this challenge!  Go the challenge blog here to see!

I also made this card for the following challenges:

• Scrapbook Sisters - hearts desire (shoes!)
• Stamptacular Sunday - anything but share
• Stamp Something - anything goes
• The Stamping Bazaar - use punch (border punch)
• Craft Ann's - Ring in the new but don't ring out the old (old Hero Arts background stamp, new Grand Nestabilities!)
• CES challenges - no designer paper

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock
Stamps: Ladybug Crafts Ink Nikki and Friend Window Shopping (you can buy here), Hero Arts houndstooth background stamp, Whimsy Sentiments Collection Friendship Ticket Sentiment (you can buy from Quixotic Paperie here), MFT Window Shopping sentiment (inside card, you can buy from Dies to Die For here)

Mediums: Copics and ProMarkers

Accents: red Dew Drops

Tools: Grand Nestabilities Label Four dies, Nestabilities rectangle die, Martha Stewart deep border punch

Somebody give me a Totally Gorjuss cuddle!

Hi all!  Can you guess what this week's challenge is over at Totally Gorjuss?  Yes - come on, give us a cuddle!  Include something cuddly in your creation - interpret that as you will!  This week we are sponsored by the wonderful Simon Says Stamp - I can't believe how much stock they hold!!

Anyway, onto the card!  Well you can't get much cuddlier than a teddy so I just had to use this stamp, didn't I?!  

 

 

I confess that I coloured in this lady over a month ago but I put her away because I just couldn't get the papers right with her!  When I saw the challenge I immediately got her out and tried again - and now I'm really pleased how she's turned out!  


Hop on over to the Totally Gorjuss blog to see the other Totally Gorjuss inspiration!


I am entering this into the following challenges:

• Oldie but a Goodie - bright and cheerful
• PaperPlay - cutie patootie
• Totally Papercrafts - happy birthday
• Raise the Bar - use a child image
• Prairie Fairy Friday - birthdays

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Cosmo Cricket Early Bird paper pack
Stamps: Elizabeth Bell's Beary Big Hugs for Belles 'n Whistles Stamps, Ladybug Crafts Ink sentimental numbers stamp set (you can buy here)

Mediums: Copics and ProMarkers

Accents: BasicGrey brad, ric rac ribbon from stash (inside card)

Tools: Fiskars border punches, MFT rolled rose flower die

Totally Ladybug Tuesday new release and blog hop!!

(Please scroll down for my DT card for A Spoonful of Sugar!)

You are just gonna love this week's Totally Ladybug Tuesday!  Ladybug Crafts Ink has a new release and they are UBER cutie patooie!!!  I had so much fun playing with them and I know you will too!!  But before I show you my take on one of the new stamps, let me tell you about the blog hop and how you can win prizes!

The very simple rules are...

1. Visit each of the DT members in order and leave a comment on each of their blog hop posts
2. Leave a comment at the bottom of the challenge blog post telling us which is your favourite image from the new release - you will find this VERY hard!
3. Display the blog hop banner (on the right-hand side) on your blog either in a post or on your side bar

The Prize is a full set of the new BABY BABY stamps along with some GOODIES from Hayley at FUNKY FARM SCRAPBOOK BARN - where you will also find a 10% discount for all Ladybug friends using the code TLTLADYBUGS!

The hop will close 9am GMT on Monday  17th January and the winner will be announced on the challenge blog at 9am GMT on Tuesday 18th January.

You should have got here from Hayley's blog and  now you need to hop off to Pami!  If you get lost along the hop, you can find the full list on the challenge blog here.

Okay, so that's the blog hop but of course, you can also win a prize of the full set of Baby Baby stamps by entering this week's challenge and Kerry has chosen the theme " baby" (of course!).  And here are my cards using the bear suit baby!

 

 

 

 

 

I know, I know, I got carried away, lol!  I just love this set and you can see how I've used more than just one of the sentiments for each card!  And it is so versatile I could make a card for a girl, boy and ... well ... any other sex!! LOL!  Okay, I'm just being silly now...

Loving that stamp?  I bet you are!  Luckily for you for ONE WEEK ONLY the new baby baby stamps will be £6.99 for the full set rather then the normal price of £8.99 just click HERE to visit the shop

Now for more good news, you DON'T have to use an Ladybug Crafts Ink image to win this week.  And if you do not have a blog - just email us a picture of your card/project before the closing date to lcichallengeblog@aol.com

So don't forget, you have 2 chances to win... you can JUST enter the hop, or JUST enter the challenge or if you are game - enter them both for a double chance of winning!

I'm off now to see the other DT cards (we haven't seen each other's yet!)  Enjoy the hop!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Simon Says Stamp - new beginnings
• Papertake Weekly - anything goes 
• Scrapbook Sisters - anything goes
• Fab 'n' Funky - anything goes
• The Creative Cottage - something new (stamp set and baby card!)
• Moving Along with The Times - ring out the old, ring in the new (new stamp set, old stash)
• Crafty Calendar - New Beginnings 
• Creative Card Crew - New Beginnings 
• Delightful Challenges - Buttons
• Digi Doodle Shop - Buttons
• Cupcake Inspirations - baby cupcakes photo challenge

Pink card

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, My Minds Eye Alphabet Soup paper collection
Stamps: Ladybug Crafts Ink Baby Baby stamp set (in the shop here)

Mediums: Prismacolor pencils and gamsol

Accents: Papermania flat backed pearls

Tools: Fiskars border punch, Nestabilities circle, scallop circle dies, Stampin Up label punch

Lilac/green card

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Boy paper collection
Stamps: Ladybug Crafts Ink Baby Baby stamp set (in the shop here)

Mediums: Prismacolor pencils and gamsol

Accents: American Crafts ribbon

Tools: Martha Stewart border punch, Nestabilities circle, scallop circle dies, Stampin Up label punch 

Kraft card

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, October Afternoon Fly a Kite paper collection
Stamps: Ladybug Crafts Ink Baby Baby stamp set (in the shop here)

Mediums: Prismacolor pencils and gamsol

Accents: jute ribbon, baker's twine, white floss, buttons from stash

Tools: Fiskars border punch, Nestabilities circle, scallop circle dies