Happy 10th birthday Lili of the Valley!

Lili of the Valley is 10 years old and it's not surprise that they are still open what with their gorgeous, sweet, versatile range.  I don't know anybody that doesn't like their range!  To celebrate we are having a 10th Birthday Weekend which kicks off at 10am today!  

There are whole load of new goodies being released today including new Fairy Stamps,Art Pads and two floral pads. We're also introducing our new Paper-crafting Crafty Kits for some easy peasy quick-to-make projects.  Plus there will be offers online and in the shop and competitions and opportunities to get involved on our virtual party on Facebook.  Plenty to look forward to!

The big highlight for me though is being on-site in the bricks and mortar Lili of the Valley shop today!!  There is a whole room dedicated to the Design Team who will be demo'ing a range of techniques and I will be showing you how to make CAS cards as well giving some hints and tips on fussy cutting.  

The thing I am most looking forward to though is meeting some of my crafty mates in person!  It's free entry and free parking so I hope you can come along so I can meet you!

One of the prizes from the day will be a set of cards created by the design team.  Here is my card using Birthday Fairy...

Another adorable image!  I matched it up with Bear Necessities papers and used a sentiment from the Simply Sophisticated set.  The embossing folder is by X-Cut (thanks to Sally that introduced me to another new folder!) and I used my another current favourite La-La Land Crafts bunting die.

Check out all of the deets on the Ideas to Inspire blog and I hope to see you in Leeds from 10am today!

New challenge over at Kraftin' Kimmie!

This week's new Kraftin' Kimmies challenge is Christmas so here is my guest designer card using the sexy Raychel...

This card was so much fun to make!  I think I'm going to give this card to my very own hubster!  Unless my niece steals it off me for her boyfriend!  I used My Minds Eye papers (including the lettering) and my current favourite Lil' Inker Designs mini bow die.  I used my Copics to colour in her dress and shoes and then a ton of Glamour Dust over it - she is very, very sparkly!!  Here's a closer look...

This is my last time as a Kraftin' Kimmie guest designer {sniff} but I've had a lot of fun with the team - thanks Kimmie for having me!  You can see more stunning DT inspiration over at the Kraftin' Kimmies challenge blog.  Have a fab weekend and see you later on my blog rounds!

 

Preview Day 1 of the new March All That Scraps release!

It's release time over at All That Scraps and I know you're going to love it because I do!!   We will be previewing the new release over the next 3 days and today we are showcasing the new CC Designs Swiss Pixies...

Oh yeah, we are ready for Spring!  This is uber cute Ima Butterfly and she'll be in the shops on Friday so you'll just have to be patient!  ;)  I used the new Swiss Pixies Spring Logos and do you see the butterflies?  Is is actually from the new Butterfly Border Die that I simply trimmed to create separate ones - I love 'em!!  I paper pieced her dress and then used my Copic cool greys to create the shading - here's a close up...

I should have coloured her wellies in green, shouldn't I?  Ho hum, too late now!

Check out the rest of the gorgeous Swiss Pixies previews over at the blog here and enter your name for a chance to win goodies from the February release!!


I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• St Luke's Charity Cards - spring into spring!
• Do You Stack Up? - things with wings
• Wags 'n Whiskers - Spring
• Allsorts - spread your wings
• Sweet Stampin' - nature, bugs
• Cute Card Thursday - signs of Spring
• Totally Papercrafts - dance (she's doing a little jig!)
• Sassy Cheryl's - spots and dots
• Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
• Totally Stampalicious - Spring is in the air

Spring has sprung over at Pollycrafts Monday!

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

A new challenge has opened over at Pollycrafts Monday and the lovely Joey is challenging us to...

Spring Has Sprung!

Anything to do with Spring like showers, eggs, ducks - you get the idea!  Here is my make using new release Celeste Amberglow Huntin' Eggs....

I matched her up with My Minds Eye Miss Caroline Dolled Up papers (from Quixotic Paperie here) and that super cute sentiment from the CC Designs Be Happy set (from All That Scraps here).

I hope to see your Spring creations too - you could be in for a chance to win 3 packs of die cuts from The Crimson Cloud!  You can check out the rest of the DT's chilled creations and deets here!


I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• St Luke's Charity Cards - spring into spring!
• Wags 'm Whiskers - Spring
• Sassy Cheryl's - spots and dots
• Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Spring

Friends

Okay, so it's a little late, but at last, here is my card for this week's new challenge over at Flutter By Wednesday! This week our challenge is to use the theme of...

"Friendship" along with your butterfly, fairy or angel!

So here is my make using the gorgeous Juniper and Cecilia by Michelle Perkett Studios...

I luuuuurve Michelle Perkett Studios creations! I matched these beauties with papers from the My Minds Eye Vanity Fair pad and I scrunched up some ribbon with Tim Holtz Antique Linen distress ink.


We also have a guest designer this week! Please be sure to stop by Leanne's blog and leave her some love!!! And don't forget to check out the rest of the gorgeous DT creations over at the Flutter By Wednesday blog!



I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• My Mum's craft Shop - sugar and spice
• Your Next Stamp - friends
• Colour Create - turquoise, deep pink, cream
• Catch the Bug - anything goes
• Di's DigiDesigns - ribbons and bows
• Totally Stampalicious - anything goes

Make It Monday sponsored by Mad For Markers!

Before I go onto my DT card, I thought I'd let you know whether Steve liked the anniversary card I made for him - I don't know!  He was very polite [after he read some of your comments, especially about the one about lying, thanks Frea!!] and at least he didn't chuck it in the bin straight away, lol!!  We had a most wonderful weekend and love him tons - STILL!!

So, onto my DT post!  Welcome to a new week of Make It Monday where we just want you to share your creativity!  Here is a new home card I made...

 

 

I love this image from Pixie Dust Studios called Cottage in the Trees and I matched it up with Fresh Polka paper from Cupcake Cards and Crafts.  This is going to my very excellent friend, Audrey, who has divorced earlier this year, sold the marital home and has now bought her new home and moved into it last week.  I hope she can now move on and find happiness in her new pad - I love you Audrey!


This week we are being sponsord by Mad For Markers who are giving away a really fabby prize!

And their prize - Copicendium Magazine

A mini magazine/ ideas book... chocked full of inspiration.

This volume of Copicendium is an A5 booklet with 20 pages showcasing projects created using Copic markers.. particularly focusing on colouring digi images with Copics!

 I told you it was a good prize, didn't I?!  Wanna a chance to win it?  Well, the more commenting you do on other entrants' posts, the more chance you have - get commenting!!  Or of course you can just enter the MIM linky party for a chance to get showcased next week - sweet!

For my pick this week, I chose this card with matching box from Julie of Julie's Crafty Creations...

Created by Julie of Julie's Crafty Creations

It's easy to see why I've chosen it - talk about co-ordinated!!!  Really beautiful colour combo and gorgeous details - I LOVE this!  Thanks for linking it up Julie!  You can see more of her gorgeous creations over at her blog here - it's definitely worth a visit!

That's it from me today!  I'm back later with my Pollycrafts Monday DT card - see you then!


I am entering this card into the following challenges:

• Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
• Paper Pretties - animals (you can see the little owl in the tree!)
• Dare to be Sassy - get edgy
• Cute Card Thursday - use circles
• Do It With Digis - spots
• Allsorts - free and easy

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Fresh Polka paper from Cupcake Cards and Crafts

Stamps: Pixie Dust Studios Cottage in the Trees

Mediums: Copics, Distress Ink in Antique Linen
Accents: none
Tools: Cuttlebug embossing folder, Xcut border system, Nestabilitie dies

A summery stitch up over at ASOS and TLT!!

(Please scroll down for my Sparkles Creations Rubber Stamps DT post!)

Hi all!  I am being a bit cheeky today - I have combined two of my DT challenges into one!  So over at Totally Ladybug Tuesday, the lovely Sue has challenged us to a summer birthday and over at A Spoonful of Sugar, the gorgeous Ingrid has challenged us to sewing, faux or real!  Well, I made my card and it has both so - voila! - here is my post for both challenges!

This is Magnum & Lily on Holiday.  I just love this scene and I wished I was sitting on the beach with them too!  The sentiment is from the LCI It's Only Words 2 and I matched it up with October Afternoon's Seaside.  I am embarassed to say that I found five October Afternoon paper pads that I forgot I had!  So you'll be seeing a lot more of these!!



I am entering my card into the following challenges:

• Scrapbook Sisters - summer fun
• Forever Friends - birthdays
• Paper Sundaes - stitching
• Crafts and Me - birthdays
• Moving Along With The Times - here comes summer
• Wags 'n Whiskers - summertime
• The Pink Elephant - red, white and blue

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, October Afternoon Seaside paper pack

Stamps: LCI  Magnum & Lily on Holiday, It's Only Words 2

Mediums: Copics
Accents: floss from stash
Tools: Xcut border punch system, Nestabilities rectangle and label die

Make It Monday sponsored by Platypus Creek Stamping & Craft

Well, I can honestly say that this is BRILLIANT Monday - not is it a new linky party over at Make It Monday but it's also a public bank holiday!  I just love free holidays!  And this is my DT make for it...

 

This week we are being sponsored by Platypus Creek Stamping and Crafts and I created a card with their Mushroom House that I watercoloured with my Aqua ProMarkers and matched the image up with papers from Cosmo Cricket's Earth Love - well it had mushrooms on it so I couldn't really NOT use it, could I?!

The lucky winner from this week will win their "Pretty Things" Stamp set by Sunshine Design...

Gorgeous, huh?!  And don't forget you can increase your chances of winning simply by commenting on other entrant's posts and mentioning you saw it on Make It Monday! 

Thanks for visiting me!

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Cosmo Cricket Earth Love
Stamps: Platypus Creek Stamping and Crafts Mushroom House

Mediums: Aqua Promarkers, Paper Salon sentiment, Distress Ink in Antique Linen
Accents: Dew Drops, web ribbon
Tools: Xcut border punch system, EK Success photo corner punch, Tim Holtz Distressing Tool

"Hey Mr DJ, put a record on..."

"...I wanna dance with my lady..." tra, la, la, la...  Anyone like Madonna like out there?  If you do, you'll be humming to that all day long, I bet!  I was singing along to this as I made my card for this week's Pollycrafts Monday challenge for music set by the ever talented Paula...

 

 

I've been dying to colour in this cutie Retro Chester!  I wasn't sure what the colour should be for inside of his ears!  I took a look at my Labradors (whilst having a cuddle) and theirs are pink - so pink!

That's it from me today!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and see you tomorrow with my DT card for Make It Monday!


I am entering my card also into the following challenges:

• Wags 'n Whiskers - circles
• Landscaping - polka dots
• Whimsie Doodles - teen/kid (this is for my teenage nephew)
• That's Krafty Thursday - use kraft cardstock

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, My Minds Eye Just Dreamy Star Bright paper kit
Stamps: Pollycrafts Retro Chester, TGF sentiment

Mediums: Copics, Sakura medium white gel pen
Accents: button and string from stash

Tools: Nestabilities dies, Xcut punch, Fiskars border punch inside card

You're groovy!

Ohmigosh, ohmigosh, ohmigosh - it's FRIDAY!  And it's Easter weekend so it's a long weekend for us in the UK!  And I am off work next week too - I can't wait to wake up on Tuesday morning and realise I don't have to travel into London - woo hoo!

Enough excitement, I'm beginning to hyperventilate!  I have a very, very special card today.  I'm sure you all know Lisa Jane of Mess to Magic (how cool is that blog title?!) and her daughter, Beth, has been creating her very own digis and her latest one is a very sweet campervan - they have a bit of a thing for them!  Beth made this super fun card here with it and I was inspired to make a card with her new digi too!  So here it is...

 

 

I told you it was sweet!  I was tempted to go with my usual bright bold colours, but I usually see campervans in that duck egg blue colour, hence why I chose these BasicGrey papers.  I used this week's Lora's sketch...

You can buy this cutie here.  Beth and Lisa Jane are also having a competition where you can win some candy to choose the name for this campervan!  Go here with your groovy suggestions!  The competition closes at midnight GMT on Saturday 30 April.  If you would like to spread the news, here is her new badge below...

I am also entering this card into That's Krafty Thursday to just use kraft cardstock.

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Bazzill Bling cream cardstock, BasicGrey Blush

Stamps: Beth's image, My Favorite Things sentiment

Mediums: Copic

Accents: flat backed pearls (from Quixotic Paperie in this section here)

Tools: Nestabilities dies, Xcut flower punch

Have a sweet day!

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend!  It's wet, windy and grey in the South East of England - so not a lot different from usual!  I had a huge urge to create a light and airy card to compensate and this is what I came up with...

 

 

I'd like to say I came up with the idea of creating such a sweet ruffly border, but I've seen it several times recently and was dying to try it out myself.  Luckily this week's challenge over at Some Odd Girl is "scallops galore" so I just had to go for it!

Anyway, that's it for me today!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Top Tip Tuesday - girlie
• Stamp Something - use a digi

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock, Imaginisce Enchanted paper pad

Stamps: Some Odd Girl Tiny Tia Bow, My Favorite Things sentiments

Mediums: Copics

Accents: Doodlebug ribbon

Tools: Xcut scallop punch, Xcut border punch system, Nestabilities label dies

Being spooky at Totally Gorjuss!

Yay, another Totally Gorjuss Saturday!  This week's challenge is none other than "spooky" (of course!) sponsored by Wild orchid Crafts who sell those lovely mulberry flowers and other gorgeous embellies.  I loved this challenge - another excuse to make another Halloween card and this was extra fun!

 

I used the pumpkin and kitty freebie digi by Michelle Perkett Studio - a true scaredy cat!!  Sooo cute!  I also wanted to use up some acetate from my stash.  I first tried stamping a cloud background with white Staz On onto it but it just looked blotchy and rubbish so I used an embossing folder instead - I think it came out really fab!  Gotta try that again!   I made the bats by just knotting some sturdy black ribbon - I was surprised how well they turned out.  Anyway, I hope you like!  Go check out the other DT cards - they are really fab!!

If you'd like to be a Guest Gorjusette (and who wouldn't want that uber cool title?!), then you still have time to email Net at totallygorjuss@gmail.com.  Just provide a few details about yourself and she'll be in touch.  DT call open until 14 November.

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Michelle Perkett Studio - autumn leaves
• Cute Card Thursday - so transparent
• Pixie Dust Studios - Happy Halloween
• Simon Says Stamp! - punch em
• Paper Play challenges - A haunting we will go
• Sarah Hurley challenge - Halloween
• Creative Inspirations - Halloween / Fall
  
  

Paper/cardstock: Bazzill cardstock

Image: Melissa Perkett Studio freebie digi stamp
Mediums: ProMarkers, black pen (to outline the border punch and faux stitching)
Accents: Stampin Up ribbon, black flat backed pearls and silver and black velvet ribbon from stash, black ribbon to make bats from stash, printed greeting from pc
Tools: Martha Stewart grass border and punch, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Xcut punch border system

Fintastic friends

No, I haven't misspelt it! I've made this card for my brilliant friend, Audrey, who is always there to support me at work. I've had quite a crap couple of weeks at work due to a certain colleague and after talking it over at lunch with Audrey I felt much better afterwards. Brilliant friend, as I say.

It took me hours and hours to make this card. I knew what image I wanted to use but none of the current sketches or challenges gave me any inspiration! Yeah, that doesn't make sense, does it, that's what they are for?!! Anyway, after much experimenting, I ended up with this...

It really bright - even by my standards, but I like how it came out - eventually! I'll be back tomorrow with my next DT card for Totally Gorjuss - hope you can come back and see it!

Papers/cardstock: Doodlebug cardstock, Bazzill Bling white cardstock (embossed bubble background)

Stamps: Magnolia mermaid and sea shells, CC Designs sentiment

Mediums: Copic Ciaos, Glamour Dust on bubbles

Accents: none
Tools: Cuttlebug bubble embossing folder, xcut border system, Nestabilities label die

Totally Gorjuss challenge #38

Well, I hope you like my first EVER DT card! The challenge over at the Totally Gorjuss is "Water water!" - anything to do with H2O- mermaid/fish/water/rain, etc. Well, talk about an easy challenge what with all those new mermaid stamps out at the moment - CC Designs, Kraftin Kimmie, The Greeting Farm. Don't tell me you don't own at least one of them! I bet you've made a card recently with it so you might as well submit it to the Totally Gorjuss challenge #38 here!

Of course, my card didn't come easy to me. I overloaded myself with too many ideas thinking about about those stamps I own with umbrellas, rain, clouds, ducks, various sea life, boats, bikinis, surf boards....need I go on?!! So I ended up using one of my newest stamps, C.C.Designs Sweet November Fathom Calmsea . Isn't she just gorgeous? I hope I have done her justice!

I haven't put a sentiment to the inside yet but it'll probably be "have a fun holiday" as my 18 year old niece goes on her first girlie holiday this year. I can't even remember that far back! I used this week's Mojo Monday's #146 sketch and I'm also submitting it for this week's Quixotic challenge #31 "Pretty Pearls" - the pearls were a last minute addition to add a bit more interest and I think they finish it off just right! I hope you can play along with a totally gorjuss card too! (Yeah, cheesy joke, I know. Lovin' it!!)

Papers/cardstock: grey Bazzill cardstock, Bazzill white bling cardstock, DCWV glitter stack, K&Co Actopus to Zelephant paper pack

Stamps: CC Designs Sweet November Fathom Calmsea and sentiment

Mediums: Copic Caios, Glamour Dust (on tail and horsefish fins)

Accents: Papermania white pearls, cream yarn, jute ribbon in light brown (from Bunny Zoe's Crafts here)

Tools: Xcut oval cutter system