Lili of the Valley new release blog hop!

The Lili of the Valley design team are having a blog hop today to show off the new release that will be available from the webite from 31 January.  There are four new rubber stamps and some clear ones too.  I used another adorable bear from the Happy Bear clear stamp sheet for my DT make...

The papers are... guess what... yep, Party Animals by Nitwit Collections and again I used my old Woodware punch for the little stars.

I forgot to mention that I've been colouring in these cuties with my new Polychromos pencils.  Steve bought me the whole 120 set for Christmas - what a lucky girl I am!  Personally, I prefer them to my Prismas as the lead is harder and easier for me to be lighter with them.  I still love my Prismas though so they won't be relegated to the bin!

Back to the hop!  One lucky hopper will win a full set of the new release!  The winner will be announced this Friday.  Here is the hop list...

Andrea

Anne

Becky

Dawny

Fleur

Gretha

Jen

Kathy

Lou

Mary J (me!)

Mindy

Okay, I'll be back on Friday with my La-La Land Crafts and Alicia Bel DT posts.  Enjoy your week until then!

Sweet Bear bum!

I've got yet another Lili of the Valley sneak peek of one of another adorable bear from the Happy Bear clear stamp sheet that is being released on 31 January.

Look at that cute little bum!  And I really love the font of the sentiment that also comes with this set.  The papers are (again!) the Party Animals by Nitwit Collections and I used a very old Woodware punch for the little stars (although I don't think they are called stars!).

Okay, that is it from me this week.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll see you next week.

Winter wishes

Yes, I know we're technically still in our Summer, but, boy, it feels like Autumn here in the UK!  We're already putting the bed blanket on at night and I'm wearing my thermo wellies on the dog walks.  NOT GOOD!  Still, it helps to get you in the mood for making Christmas cards and here is one I made today using those gorgeous new Lili of the Valley goodies...

I just love these new Art Pads - brilliant for creating fast Christmas cards of which I have many, many, many to make!  This little fella with his sweet squirrel friend is from the 'Tis the Season pad and he very conveniently goes well with the Festive Trimmings 8" x 8" paper pad.  All I added was a strip of holly embossed cardstock and some punched snowflakes from DCWV glitter card topped off with sequins for a bit of shimmer.

I'm off to bed now but I'll be back tomorrow with my SugarPea Designs DT post - see you then!

Sitting here thinking of you at Christmas

I'm here today with my Doodlelicious Diva card using the very sweet and very FREE Elves Watching Girl...

Leah is so beautiful!  I might plait my hair for Christmas day too!  I used a Simon Says Stamp air vent die, Woodware snowflake punch and a My Favorite Things sentiment.

Check out more Christmas digis in this section here and more Doodlelicious Diva inspiration over at the blog here.  Thanks for visiting!

 

Day 3 of the CC Designs October release sneak peeks!

It's the third day of the C.C. Designs October release and today we are showcasing new Sweet November stamps!  Here is my make using Sweet November Gingy and AmyR Joyful Greetings...

Such a cutie pie!  I matched him up with Pink Petticoat papers and a candy embossed background.  I also used the C.C. Designs Cutters Say What? speech bubble die - I love this!

Check out more gorgeous Christmas inspiration over at the blog here and don't forget to sign up with the linky for a chance to win some of the new release.  Thanks for visiting and I'll be back later with my Doodlelicious Diva post!

 

Snow much fun!

It's a Lili of the Valley design team blog hop to showcase the next launch of more cute Christmas stamps - another great excuse to start making those Christmas cards now!  The stamps will be available to buy on the website from midday on Sunday August 25th (UK time).  I have two design team makes, the first using Sledging Buddies and Christmas Handwritten phrases...

And here is my second make using Snow Buddies and Christmas Hand Written Phrases...

Super cute, huh?!!  I love love love these polar bears!  Don't forget to ‘hop’ from one blog to another following the links and leave a comment on each card for a chance to win prizes...

The prize is a full set of the new Christmas stamps...

that’s 20 rubber stamps, one each of all the newest designs!

 

If you're already on the hop you should have come here from the lovely Lou and you now need to hop off to sweet Moni. If you'd like to join the hop, go here for the start and all the deets of the hop Ideas to Inspire blog. 

 

Don’t forget to stop by the Ideas to Inspire blog on Saturday evening when you can find out who the lucky winner is of that great prize!

 

 

Lili of the Valley sneak peek!

Thank goodness - some impetus to get cracking on with making this year's Christmas cards!  Did you see the most recent Lili of the Valley Christmas release stamps?  They are gorgeous and I'm so glad that they are releasing another set of cute and gorgeous Christmas stamps and today I am giving you a sneak peek of one of them - here is my design team card using A Star On Top...

So adorable!  I used a Quickutz snowflake embossing folder and K and Company Peppermint Twist papers along with some glitter cardstock snowflakes topped off with teeny tiny buttons.

You can check out more gorgeous DT inspiration over at the LOTV Ideas To Inspire blog.  I'll catch you later on my blog rounds!

 

Got there eventually

It's Bellarific Friday time again and this week we had a sketch to follow.  I must confess that I really hated this sketch!!!  I tried using it three times and three times the results went in the bin!  But here is what I ended up with...

 

I'm still not happy with it, but I can live with it!  The stamp I love though - it's called Rose with a Hearty Centre and I quite like how it can be used in a more contemporary way like this or be used for a more traditional style.  I used My Minds Eye Andrea Victoria paper, Doodlebug ribbon and a Woodware leaf punch.

The next theme is polka dots - whew, I know I can do this one!  Send your creations to Em by next Thursday 15 August for a chance to win some Bella Bucks!

 

New Little Miss Muffet release and FAB news!

It's new release time over at Little Miss Muffet and also some fab news!  As many of you know, Pollycraft is closing down - but the good news is that Paula's gorgeous designs aren't disappearing!!  We have exciting news to share - Paula has teamed up with Barbara of Little Miss Muffet and now some of your favorite characters will be appearing at Little Miss Muffet Stamps!  There are even 2 NEW images that are being released today - Swings 'n Slides Butterflies and Luna Bitterfrost Birthdays Rock!!   I know this news is going to please a lot of you!  We will be showcasing lots of Pollycraft inspiration tomorrow!  And now for more fab news! 

Barbara will be out of town for the weekend but she has a special release offer - place any order between now and Sunday and receive a random digi for free!  Don't worry - she'll make sure it's a Little Misses digi that you don't already have.  :D  This offer will last until Sunday, June 10, at midnight Central US Time.  Then all orders will be fulfilled the next day and your fun can begin!

Okay, so onto my make using the new Park Glen Door die...

Isn't it fabulous - you all know how much I love my dies and this one goes straight to the top of the list!  Can you see the detail - the handle, plate and hinges - amazing!  I love the screen door and wanted to create a wallpaper feel for inside the house.  The topiary bushes are made out of Nestie circles with teeny tiny Fiskars punched flowers - I loved how this came out!

You can check out more gorgeous DT inspiration over at the blog here! I'll be back later with my All That Scraps preview card!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Penny's Paper-Crafty - anything goes
• Catch The Bug - anything goes
• Bunny Zoe's - anything goes
• Scrapbook Sisters - anything goes
• Crafting For All Seasons - many layers
• Papertake Weekly - anything goes 

Sneak Peek of Pixie Dust Studios new Ahoy collection!

The lovely Kathy, the Pixie Dust Studios illustrator, has created another cute collection called Ahoy - and today we are showing you sneak peeks of it!

Here is my sneak peek using Lil' Miss Sailor...

Isn't she sweet?!  I think she's perfect for any little girl - shame my niece is now 20 years old as she would have loved it!!  I matched her up with October Afternoon Seaside papers and the sun is made up with a flower and circle punch - simple!

You can see more gorgeous sneak peeks by the DT over at the blog here and they will be in the shop on Thursday!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Southern Girls - use sentiment/lettering
• Prairie Fairy Fridays - anything goes
• Paper Makeup - bright colours
• Craft Your Passion - shaped cards

 

Tag or bookmark challenge over at Pollycrafts Monday!

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

It's a new challenge over at Pollycraft Monday Challenge and this week the ever talented Arabella has chosen the theme of....

Tags or Bookmarks!

Here is my make...

This is All The Trimmings from the Swings And Slides Deck the Halls collection - she is so sweet!  And she matches the papers from the BasicGrey Eskimo paper pad perfectly!  I must admit that is a rather BIG tag!!  I should have sized her down a bit more, but hey, perhaps I will use it as a topper on top of a card instead, lol!!


This week we are being sponsored by the Crimson Cloud who are offering a prize of the winner's choice of 3 packs of die cuts!  Go here to get some inspiration from the rest of the DT gorgossity!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Simon Says Stamp - punches
• Southern Girls - anything goes

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, BasicGrey Eskimo paper pad

Stamps: Pollycrafts All The Trimmings

Mediums: Copics 

Accents: ribbon from stash, BasiGrey buttons and fibres

Tools: EK success border punch, Woodware snowflake punch

Make it Monday sponsored by Craft Emma's Store!

It's Monday!  BOO, I have to go to work...  But YAY, it's the start of a new Make It Monday linky party!  This is a rather long post as we have lots to share this week so get yourself a cuppa!  

First, here is my card using the new Fizzy Moon Snow (you can get it in Crafty Emma's Store here)...

 

 

Fabulous blog mate Sally of Scallywags fame has got me addicted to this little fella!!  He was such a pleasure to colour in, here's a close up so you can see the touches of Glamour Dust that I added to the snow and the embossed snowflakes that Crafty Emma sells here.

This week we are sponsored by the wonderful Emma at

Emma's Crafty Store

Emma's store is well worth a visit with a huge variety papers,tools and embellishments and is generously offering a £10 voucher to spend in store (p&p not included). 

And other fab news is that we have two new DT members!  Please put your hands together and welcome....

Rene Bowen

You can check out Rene's blog here http://cardsbyrbowen.blogspot.com/

and

Lisa Minckler

You can check out Lisa's blog here www.minkimpressions.blogspot.com

A BIG welcome to both of you to our small but lovely team!

Okay, lastly but not leastly (is that a word?!!  I think not!!), here is my top pick from last week's gorgeous entries...

Created by Wendy of The Secret Crafter

I love this stepper card by Wendy of The Secret Crafter!  Such a clever scene and great way for the branches and sign to overlap like that!  I gotta make me a stepped card too!  Thx for the inspiration Wendy!

That really is it from me now!  But not for the day - please join me later for my Pollycrafts Monday DT post!

 

I am entering my Fizzy Moon card into the following challenges:

• Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenges - glitter
• Crazy 4 Challenges - bingo (embossing, die cut and ribbon)
• Meljens Designs - sparkle, shine and glitter
• Totally Papercrafts - Christmas in August
• Wags 'n Whiskers - outdoor fun
• Winter Wonderful - men/boys (this is going to my nephew!)
• Totally Gorjuss - cute and cuddly

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, DCWV glitter cardstock, Echo Park Everybody loves Christmas collection (from Quixotic Paperie here)

Stamps: Fizzy Moon Snow (you can get it in Crafty Emma's Store here), CC Designs sentiments

Mediums: Copics, Glamour Dust
Accents: BasicGrey fibres and ribbon
Tools: Fiskars border punch, Nestabilitie dies, Cuttlebug snowflake border embossing folder, Stampin Up tag punch, Woodware snowflake punch

Make It Monday sponsored by Cupcake Cards & Crafts!

It's the new Make It Monday challenge today where we just want you to share your creativity, be it new or old!  This week we are sponsored by the lovely Mandy over at Cupcake Cards & Crafts and this is the card I made with her shabby chic new release...

 

 

This card is for my mum's 70th birthday in September.  Being from Hong King, I think she will love this oriental card!  And look at all that embellishing!  I'm not normally good at this - let me know if I've gone over the top or not enough - I can never tell!

I hope you get a chance to link up to the Make It Monday party - you can see more inspiration from the rest of the design team using this gorgeous paper collection here!  The winner will win this gorgeous new release called the Soft Whispers paper collection.  Each set of these gorgeous papers come in 8 soft dreamy colours!  And if you can't wait to see if you win them, the set only costs £2.50!

 

And now for my choice from last week's MIM entrants!  This week I have chosen this gorgeous set by Bella of Bella's Bastelecke..

Created by Bella of Bella's Bastelecke

What a brilliant matching set, so pretty and obviously extremely well planned out from the beginning!  Wanna send it to me Bella?!  You will want to pay Bella's blog a visit - a very talented lady!

I also wanted to give a special mention to this very cute and sweet and soft card by Helena of Helena 'Crafty Pants' King....

Created by Helena of Helena 'Crafty Pants' King

Helena only began blogging recently and has just found the pleasure of challenges.  She's now a confessed challenge addict - as we all are Helena!  Please visit Helena here to give her a little love from the wonderful crafting community!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Flutter By Wednesdays - open but include butterfly, angel or fairy (butterflies!)
• Divas by Design - birthdays
• Your Next Stamp - beautiful borders
• Crafty Sentiments - punches and die cuts
• Catch The Bug - distressed or shabby chic
• The Pink Elephant - butterflies
• Papertake Weekly - grow your own (make your own flowers) 

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Cardworks textured digital cardstock, vellum, Cupcake Cards & Crafts Soft Whispers paper collection

Stamps: Sparkls Creations Rubber Stamps Cherry Blossom Rin, CC Designs sentiments

Mediums: Copics
Accents: brads and ribbon from stash, flat backed pearls (from Quixotic Paperie here)
Tools: Martha Stewart border and butterfly punch, Tim Holtz Distressing Tool, Woodware flower punches, mini butterfly punch, Nestabilities label die inside card

Ho Ho Ho! Xmas fun over at the Pollycrafts Monday challenge!

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

It's Pollycrafts Monday and this week is a very special challenge as we are also showcasing the new Christmas release! And of course the challenge this week just has to be...

HO HO HO, Christmas in July!

Let me introduce you to one of the uber cuties!  This is Sweet Chester...

 

 

And you can see why he's called this - I love this little guy!!!  And I hope I get a super huge candy stick for Xmas to hang my stocking on this year too!  You can see more inspiration of the rest of the Christmas collection over on the challenge blog here - they will get you in the Christmas for sure!


This week we are being sponsored by Crafty Emma's Store and the prize is a £10 voucher to spend in store (p&p not included) - so get your entries in asap!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Papertake Weekly - getting cute
• Moving Along With The Times - cute and cuddly with a punch
• Winter Wonderland - holly (in the paper - you can just about see peeks of it!)
• Your Next Stamp - recipe
• Totally Gorjuss - punch/dies
• SFYTT - July sketch

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, DCWV glitter cardstock (white snowflakes), October Afternoon Very Merry papers
Stamps: Sweet Chester

Mediums: Copics, Viva Decor White Opaque gloss gel pen (from Quixotic Paperie here), Sakura medium white gel pen
Accents: none

Tools: Corner Chomper, Martha Stewart snowflake border punch, Woodware snowflake punches, Nestabilities dies