I wish I could play the guitar

Don't you think that would be cool?  Strumming along, entertaining people.  Alas, I haven't got an ear for it so I'll keep to the humming instead!

So it's inspiration time over at La-La Land Crafts and this week we had the theme of "use your scraps".  Well I have plenty of those!  Here is my make using up some of the very few scraps from my Social Club papers by Cosmo Cricket...

I love this cool gal!  This is Mod Marci and I also used the Steampunk Border die for a bit of interest.  I also used the sentiment from the Singing Marci set.

Copics used:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, R20

Lips: R20, R22

Hair: Y00, YR24, YR31

Outfit: R02, R05, R08, BG10, BG53, BG57, C03, C05, C07

Guitar: C01, C03, C05, E31, E33, E35

Check out more scrappy inspiration over at the blog here.  I will be back on the weekend with my Lili of the Valley DT card.  Have a lovely Friday!

Starting off the year with a big thank you!

Hello everyone! Yes, I am back!  We had a fantastic time in Australia, travelling from Sydney to Brisbane through December.  As I had hoped, we had a BBQ of steaks and huge prawns on the beach in the warm (31 degs!) sun - it was the most stress-free Christmas ever!  We've been back for five days now but still struggling with the jet lag - wide awake at 3am and nodding off at 3pm!

If you haven't been before, you really should visit Australia.  The people are so friendly, welcoming and respectful.  The scenery is amazing and so easy to drive around with such little traffic!  Steve was also very pleased that his fear of getting bitten, eaten or poisoned by the native animals didn't come true, lol!

Anyhoo, here is my first card of 2014 and it's a thank you card for my in-laws for all of our lovely Christmas pressies.  As this week the theme was anything goes for Bellarific Friday, I used Stamping Bella Lulu's Morning Fix...

This is so perfect for my MIL - it's just like her first thing in the morning on a Sunday - a cup of tea in one hand, sitting in her morning gown and doing the weekly phone calls to the family members!

The next Bellarific Friday theme is to be inspired by this photo...

Send your creations to Em by next Thursday to get showcased next week on Bloggabella and a chance to win some Bella Bucks!

I'll be back tomorrow with my Lili of the Valley post and I'll be back to doing my usual blog rounds to visit you all too.  ttfn!

Day 1 of the Lil' Inker Designs blog hop!

The day has come when the new Lil' Inker Designs Color Team get together to show off their skills!  And we are doing it in style with a 4 day blog hop to showcase our new release!  And of course a hop is nothing without prizes!  Two 2 Cute Ink sets of the winner's choice and two SKC sets of the winners choice from the new release are up for grabs!  And increase your chance of winning by leaving comments along the way and you may even win the secret prize hidden in one of the blogs!

Okay, so let's get this party started!  Today we are showing off two new 2 Cute Ink sets - these are soooo super cute!

And here is my make using the Sea Turtle stamp set...

What sweet little friends!  I was trying to convey this little fella walking along the bottom of the ocean, but I don't think I quite achieved that - but I like it anyway!  I used papers from Cosmo Cricket Salt Air and a Cuttlebug bubble embossing folder.  Take a closer look at this sweet set...

I'm the last person on the hop today and if you want to check out all the new goodies, you can see them in the store here!  If you need to start the hop, go back to the beginning at the Lil' Inker Designs blog here.  Don't forget to leave comments along the way for a chance to win sets from the new release!

That's it from me today - back tomorrow with day 2 of the Lil' Inker Designs blog hop!  Thanks for visiting me!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Papertake Weekly - anything goes
• Crafting For All Seasons - bright colours  
• Paper Shelter - going round and round
• Allsorts - going round in circles
• Creative Crew - on the beach/under the sea
• Do You Stack Up - four legged friends
• Southern Girls - orange, lime and citrus
• Di's Digis - no squares allowed
• Stamptacular Sunday - shape it up
• Kraftin' Kimmies - no people
• Bunny Zoe's - summer
•  

  

You color my world

It's time for a review for the All That Scraps new August release and today I am showcasing the very sweet Beatrice's Crayon...

You just wanna pinch her cheeks, don't cha?!  To follow through with the sweetness, I used the new CC Cutter Corner Banner Die and sentiment from the School Logos set.  I used Cosmo Cricket papers from the The Boyfriend pad and buttons from my stash.

You can check out more sweet reviews on the blog here!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Papertake Weekly - anything goes
• Cupcake Craft - bunting
• Cardmaking Mama's - 1 image, 2 DPs, 3 embellishments
• Waste Not Wednesdays - using up those buttons
• Crafting For All Seasons - bright colours

 

Day 8 of the Crafty Sentiments new release!

I'm back again as guest designer for Crafty Sentiments on their 10 days of previews of their new release!   Today we are show casing the ever so sweet Snowman and Friends and here is my take on it...

Oh, I love this one too - what a cool snowman and what sweet little friends!  Just noticed that I photo'ed him a bit wonky - oops!  The stamps will be available in store on 11 July.  You should check out the rest of the sweet DT inspiration on the blog here!

 

I have a BIG day tomorrow - we are having all the family around to celebrate my dad's 70th birthday with a BBQ!  Yes, I know it will be raining but we are going to persevere anyway!!  Crappy British Summer weather....I hope the weather is better wherever you are!

Thanks for visiting and I'll be around to check you all out later!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Card Makin' Mamas - use rubber
• Craft Your Passions - chillin'
• Papertake Weekly - anything goes
• Penny's Paper Crafty - red, white, blue
• Fab 'n Funky - stars and stripes
• Divas By Design - red, white, blue

 

 

Crafty Sentiments new release!

I have the pleasure of doing a little guest designer spot on Crafty Sentiments to help them show case their new release during their 10 days of previews!  I am little late in posting this cos my internet is still playing up, kicking me out, not uploading - sigh, it's a pain!!

Anyhoo, today we are showing Sammy Thank You and here is my take on him...

What a cutie, huh?!  And it feels great getting starting on my Christmas cards too!  Here is a preview of the other cuties on their way.  The stamps will be available in store on 11 July - so not too long too wait!

 

Right, better go before I lose connection again!  Hope to be around to see you all later!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Sweet Stampin' - scallops

For the boys over at Take the Pixie challenge!

(Please scroll down for my Little Miss Muffet DT post!)

There is a new Take the Pixie challenge with the theme of..

For the boys!

I love doing guy cards and as it's my nephew's birthday coming up, a very useful theme for me!  Here is my card using Totally Texting from the new School's Out collection...

That's the biggest iPhone I've ever seen!!!  I matched him up with Cosmo Cricket papers and a digi sentiment by Raindrop Echo Designs for Whimsy Stamps.  You can see more lovely flower inspiration over at the Take the Pixie challenge blog!

 Okay, that's it from me for now, enjoy the rest of your day!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Crafty Emma's Store - anything but square
• Cards For Men - kick back and relax
• Raise the Bar - texting
• Cards For Men - kick back and relax (playtime!)
• Scrapbook Sisters - off centre (the bottom matting)
• Whimsy Stamps - add dimension
• Fab 'n Funky - buttons and bows
• Crafts and me - punches and die cuts
• The Paper Shelter - anything goes
• Divas By Design - one for the boys
• Southern Girls - about the boys

 

Day 1 of the new Little Miss Muffet release!

There is a new Little Miss Muffet release and today the DT are showcasing a cowboy themed collection!  Here is my make using Dill as Jesse James...

Ain't he cute, y'all?!  I sure would like to share some grits with him!  Ok, that's enough of my cowboy accent!  I matched him up with Cosmo Cricket papers and a TGF sentiment.  The papers aren't a perfect match (a bit too modern!!) but I liked the colours so went with it!

You can check out more DT inspiration over at the blog here - you're gonna love the rest of this collection!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Catch The Bug - anything goes
• Crafty Emma's Store - anything but square
• Cards For Men - kick back and relax (playtime!)
• Scrapbook Sisters - off centre (the bottom matting)
• Whimsy Stamps - add dimension
• Fab 'n Funky - buttons and bows
• Crafts and me - punches and die cuts
• The Paper Shelter - anything goes
• Divas By Design - one for the boys

 

Flower tute for Pixie Dust Studios!

Happy Sunday all!  Just here to remind you that there is still time to join in with the current Take the Pixie challenge with the theme of flowers.   Here is another DT make I did for it and I've done a quick rolled flower tute below too - I'll try to keep it short but you may want to grab a coffee!  I have used Graduation Dolly from the new School's out collection...

Isn't she a sweetie?!  I matched her up with Early bird Cosmo Cricket papers and a CC Designs sentiment.  So onto the rolled flower tute!  First of all, here are the tools you need, each of which I'll talk more in detail about using the tute...

Glue, a thin round tool, something to cut out a circle, scissors (not shown), cardstock/paper, beads

If you have a rolled flower die, then by all means use it!  Otherwise you can use a circle die or simply cut out your own circle and then draw a swirl from the edge into the centre of the circle and cut round...

So I've taken the hand cut version and using a thin round tool (I've used a Tim Holtz Distressing Tool as it gives some grip to stay in place), start at the edge (first photo below) and roll the card onto itself (click on the picture for a better view)...

As you can see from the second photo above, I use my thumb to push the card round the tool and use my index finger on my other hand to keep the edges lined up.  Once you are done rolling, you will get to the end with the circle, as you can see in the first photo below...

On this circle, add a blob of glue.  I use Glossy Accents as it dries clear (so forgiving with any drips!) and dries quickly.  As per the second photo above, push the rolled cardstock/paper down on the circle and hold down onto the circle base until it dries enough not to move (with GA, usually takes 5-10 seconds).  Et voila!  All you then need to do is add more glue into the base of the rolled flower and embellish as desired (I usually add beads for the centres)...

That's it from me now - enjoy the rest of your weekend!  In the UK we have a Bank Holiday tomorrow - woo hoo!!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Color Me Copic - celebrations (graduation)
• Karen's Doodles - something for the kids
• There She Goes - flowers
• Sassy Cheryl's - flowers
• Crafty Sentiments - spots and stripes
• Papertake Weekly - anything goes
• Little Darlings - flowers
• Crafting For All Seasons - handmade flowers
• Whimsy Stamps - spots and dots
• Crafty Emma's Store - no squares allowed

All That Scraps May release preview time!

(Please scroll down for my Make It Monday and

Pollycrafts Monday DT posts!)

Me again!  My last post today - promise! - and this is the first of four days showcasing the May release!  Today, the All That Scraps DT are showing off sweet newbie Beatrice and here is my make using Berry Beatrice...

I can't tell you how much fun it was to make this card!  I used the largest heart Nestie to make the card base and handcut the leaves - I impressed myself making this!!  The paper is from the Cosmo Cricket Honey Pie kit and that's a Doodlebug Design Jewel (soooo pretty!).  The sentiment is from the new Berry Logos set and the butterfly was trimmed from the CC Cutter Butterfly Border die (available in store here).  Inside the card I used the new AmyR Many thanks sentiment and the cute little CC Cutter Strawberry.

Unfortunately, you will have to wait as these babies aren't in the store until Thursday 8on CST - that's even longer for us non-US gals to wait!  :(

You can see more sweet Beatrices over at the blog here - go take a look for a chance to win your very own!

 I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Ribbon Carousel - anything goes
• Creative Card Crew - ribbon
• Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
• Divas By Design - bows
• Totally Papercrafts - saturated colours
• Fussy and Fancy - punches/dies
• Sweet Stampin' - anything but square
• Bunny Zoe's monthly challenge - ribbon

Sketch time over at Pollycrafts Monday!

(Please scroll down for my Make It Monday DT post!)

The new challenge over at Pollycrafts Monday is a sketch (my post title probably gave that away...) by the lovely and talented Arabella.  Here is my take on it...

This little fella is Spike from the Critters and Cogs collection and the sentiment is from the Critters and Cogs Sentiment clear stamp set (it's only £2.99 with over 15 sentiments in it!).  I matched him up with Cosmo Cricket Togetherness papers (25% off from Quixotic Paperie at the moment!) and my usual My Favorite Things dies and Stampin Up embossing folder.

The prize this week is 10 Pollycraft digis!  You can see all the deets and more gorgeous DT inspiration over at the challenge blog here - well worth a peek if you have a spare 5 minutes!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Whimsy Stamps - punches and die cuts
• The Stamping Boutique - anything goes
• Wags 'n Whiskers - anything goes
• Stamptacular Sundays - loads of layers
• My Mum's Craft Shop - fave film - Monster Inc.(yeah, I'm a huge animation fan!)
• Do You Stack Up - stripes
• Fussy & Fancy - punches and dies
• Paper Sundaes - let's get cute
• Karen's Doodles - something for the kids (going to my nephew)
• Cards For Men - texture
• The Kraft Journal - just for kids