Snowman buddy

Hi everyone!  I hope your week is going well - the weather has been pretty erratic here in the South East of England but it's still warm and the sun is peeking out quite a lot - bliss!

So today, the Lili of the Valley design team are having a blog hop to celebrate the launch of the new Christmas products - and you're going to love them because I know I do!  As you can imagine, they are super sweet with a mix of 22 cute character stamps; new vintage boys & girls, snowmen, penguins and angels.

The stamps will be available to buy on the website from midnight on Friday August 1st (UK time) along with new Christmas paper pads and some useful clear stamp sets (Christmas sentiments, carols and mini images and also some everyday recipes).

But onto the hop!  Just ‘hop’ from one blog to another following the links and leave a comment along the way.  And if you're lucky, you may win a prize!  We will let you know tomorrow evening who the winners are!  So the prizes are:

1^st prize is the 12 angels, penguins and snowmen

2^nd prize is the 10 vintage children

So you should have got here from the lovely Lou and you now need to hop off to marvellous Mindy.  Or if you want to start from the beginning, go to the Ideas to Inspire blog.

And here is my card using My Snowman Friend, sentiment from the Christmas Wishes set and papers from the T'was the Night 8x8 pad...

 Adorable image, huh?!  I coloured it in with my Prismacolor pencils and I used a Martha Stewart holly and berries punch.  Another punch that I've never used before but have owned for years!  I really must make a concerted effort to use at least one item a week that I've never used before!

I hope you enjoy the hop!  You can get all the deets on the Ideas to Inspire blog and don't forget to check back there tomorrow evening to find out if you're a winner!

What the fox?

Hi everyone, I'm here today with a card I made using the really adorable Whimsie Doodles stamp set called Out Foxed available in the A Jillian Vance Design store...

I told you he was adorable!  I coloured him in with my Promarkers and used a polka dot embossing folder for the background.

I love this set - it's got two foxes and lots of accessories and funky sentiments too.  Check it out...

Out Foxed by Whimsie Doodles

This card was so much fun to make and I can't wait to make more with it!  Thanks for visiting and I'll see you again soon - ttfn!

Creative Bloggers' Hop

Have you heard of the Creative Bloggers' Hop?  I hadn't until the lovely Pami asked me to join in with it.  And I thought, why not?  It's a great way to get to know more about my many blog friends out there!

So what is it?  It’s a continuous hop every Monday with a host of different inspirational Bloggers taking part.

So without further ado, here are the questions…

1. What am I working on?

Well apart from my usual DT commitments for SugarPea Designs, La-La Land Crafts, Whimsie Doodles and Lili of the Valley, I've got something exciting in the pipeline that I can't share with you yet!  Sorry, but you'll just have to wait until September to find out what it is! 

2. How does my work differ from others in my genre?

Where I seem to differ from most of my stamping friends is that I don't actually enjoy colouring that much – honestly!  I get inspired by the image and how it would look on a card so colouring to me is just something I have to get through before I can get on and create!

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

After leaving school I didn’t do anything creative even though I loved art classes at school.  I was introduced to cardmaking by a work colleague and it piqued my interest.  I thought that it could be a hobby I could take up and be useful at the same time – think of the money I could save by making my own cards!  I know you’re all laughing at that!  Still, I now love creating on a little canvas and get the satisfaction of making things that my family and friends appreciate (or so they tell me!).  I also give cards to a local charity who sell them on in their shop so I don’t have mounds of cards lying around the house!

4. How does your writing/creative process work?

It usually starts with a trigger that gets me excited – it could be a pattern, a stamp or just a theme like “Summer” or “retro”.  I then think about the elements and layout of the card.  I will have a general idea of the final outcome but most of my designs emerge as I’m creating.

Now onto the 3 Bloggers I want to get to know better!

Chrissy

Chrissy is one of the sweetest gals ever!  I love her sweet designs, the little scenes she creates and often recycles items in the most creative way.  I also love reading her posts about her clients’ funny antics!

Mari

I’ve known Mari ever since I can remember blogging!  She has supported me from the start and we have remained constant blogging friends.  I love how Mari is always stretching her style – she goes from cute to vintage in a heartbeat!

Tina

Tina is such a sweetie!  I love her very clean, modern style and wish I was as brave as her on the CAS front!  I'd love to know more about how she approaches the way she comes up with ideas!

I hope you gals join in with the Creative Blog Hop – I would love to know even more about you!

Thanks to anyone who has read this and will be doing my blogging rounds later today.  See you then!

More La-La Land Crafts cards for the new July release!

It's the last day of DT inspiration to showcase the new La-La Land Crafts July release and I've made two projects for today.  Here is my first...

This stamp is so perfect for my dad who loves to go fishing.  He is called Gone Fishing Luka and I also used the new Birds die.  The Picket Fence die is from the last release and I also used Echo Park The Great Outdoors paper and Pink Petticoat gingham paper.

Copics used:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, R20

Hair: Y21, Y13, Y17

Outfit: B91, B95, B97, B99, C01, C03, E33, E35, E37

Tin and worms: C01, C03, C05, G43, G36, R20, R22

Fish: Y21, YR24, YR27

And here is my second card for today...

She is such a sweetie!  And I wish I had a pair of fun wellies like that!  She is called Catching Butterflies Marci and I also used the gorgeous delicate Lattice Border die.  The papers are by Wishing Well Creations and I used Stampin' Up ribbon.

Copics used:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, R20

Hair: Y11, Y13, Y17, BG000, BG01, BG05

Outfit: R00, R02, R14, R17, Y11, Y13, Y17, BG000, BG01, BG02

Net: C01, C03, C05, BG000, BG01, BG02

Butterfly: Y11, Y13, Y17, R02, R14, R17

Check out the rest of the gorgeous DT inspiration over at the blog here and you can find all of the new goodies in the store here.

Thanks for visiting and I'll be round to *see* you later today!

La-La Land Crafts new July release!

Have you seen the La-La Land Crafts new release showcases over at their blog yet?  I am lovin' all of the gorgeous DT inspiration!  And it's the Friday team's turn to show you our take on the new goodies!  I've made two cards today so without further ado, here is my first card...

I love this gorgeous lady!   She is called Beach Babe Marci and the sentiment is also included with her.  I also used the new fab Pelican die and also the gorgeous Cherry Blossom Flowers die from the last release.

And here is my second card...

Don't you think he is so cool?  This is Surfing Luka with a matching sentiment and I also used the Birds die and the Wheel and Anchor die.

Here's a peek at the whole new collection...

Don't forget to check out the rest of the gorgeous DT inspiration over at the blog here and you can find all of the new goodies in the store here - happy shopping!  ;)

I'll be back tomorrow with my other DT cards showcasing this new release - see you then!

Sorry for being such a pin head!

There's a new SugarPea Designs challenge starting today and the theme is You're so Punny!  So here is my DT make using the super cool Spare Me set...

Another brilliant set from the Bean Stalk collection - my favourite collection!  I matched him up with Digital Design Essentials paper and loosely followed this week's SPDSS07 sketch (you've still got time to join in with this one too!).

I hope you can play along - you can use any stamp you like but if you use SugarPea Designs, we'll top your voucher up to $15!

Thanks for visiting and I'll be back tomorrow with my DT makes for the La-La Land Crafts new July release!

Enjoy your retirement

Hello everyone!  I hope you are all enjoying the lovely hot weather we are having in the UK!  Well, I know some of you are totally hating it, but I totally love it!  I think my parents made a big mistake for me, emigrating from Hong Kong - I was made for that place!  For those you hating it, well I hope you are finding some respite from it - like lots of cold baths or cold beers!

Anyhoo, just popping in to show you a retirement card I made using the fantastic Great Catch stamp set from the SugarPea Designs Bean Stalk collection... 

I can't tell you how much I love this little guy!  Although raccoons are not native to England, we definitely have these cute critters but they are rarely seen.  I matched him up with Echo Park papers and topped off simply with a MFT die cut button with some twine.

I'm off to finish my crisp cold beer!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll be back next week some time.  Toodle-oo!

Bubblelicious!

Whew-eee, thank goodness it's Friday!  I think I've finally caught up at work so hopefully next week will be more manageable.  And isn't it hot?!  But I'm not complaining because Autumn will be here soon enough and I just hate the cold!

Inspiration week over at the La-La Land Crafts blog has the theme of pins and pearls - two embellishments I don't use much of!  But I do own some pearls so here is my DT make on it...

Promarkers used:

Skin: Almond, Satin, Putty, Coral,

Hair and Ducky: Buttercup, Primrose, Mustard, Gold

Bath: Ice Grey 1, Ice Grey 3, Buttercup, Primrose, Mustard, Gold

Bubbles: Pastel Blue

Towel and Hair bands: Sunkissed Pink, Cocktail Pink, Pastel Blue, China Blue

I really like how this turned out - this little lady is so sweet!  She is called Bath Time Marci and I also used the gorgeous Cherry Blossom Flower dies.  I used some pearls and little iridescent sequins and the papers are by Doodlebug.  I used my Quickutz polka dot embossing folder for the background.

You can see more pins and pearls inspiration over at the blog here.  I'll be back this weekend with my Lili of the Valley DT post so see you then!

Get over to Lili of the Valley shop!

Hello!  Hope you're all having a good week.  I'm sorry I haven't been around much - that's the problem with taking holiday, you've got to do all the extra time to catch up!

Anyhoo, I'll be back on Friday with my La-La Land Guest Designer card but in the meantime wanted to let you know that there are some fab offers over at Lili of the Valley!

First up, all gorgeous stamps are only £3.80!  They are already such great value at their normal price so this is such a bonus!

Secondly, all paper pads are only £6.50 - including the new ones!  Now, I am totally in love with the new pads and I can't wait to show you my makes with them - coming soon!

Have a lovely evening and I hope to be round tomorrow to visit you all - ttfn!

A "framed" picture

I'm here today with another grown up card - well, for me anyway!  It's a thank you card for Steve's Godfather who is in his 80's so I used one of the gorgeous Lili of the Valley art pads...

I think the bow makes it a bit girly but it looked too plain without it!  This gorgeous image is from the English Charm art pad - love these beautiful pre-coloured images.  I used some paper from the Promises paper pad and sentiment from the Handwritten Phrases set.  I also used my Hero Arts woodgrain stamp on some kraft cardstock to create the "photo frame".

I hope you are enjoying my grown up cards - I'm enjoying making them although I still much prefer my cutesy cards!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll be back next week some time - ttfn!

A dream is a wish your heart makes

It's monochromatic time over at the La-La Land Crafts blog and this week there have been some gorgeous creations by the team.  But of course you wouldn't expect anything less, right?  ;)

So, here is my take on the theme...

I love the La-La Land Crafts dies and I've been dying to make a card with a bee and honeycomb theme.  I used the Honeycomb die, Build-a-Bee die and the Cherry Blossoms Flowers die.  The sentiment is from the Beautiful Day Sentiments set - these are all so lovely!

You can see more monochromatic inspiration over at the blog here.  I'll be back this weekend with my Lili of the Valley DT post so see you then!

Let the good times roll!

It's the last day of the SugarPea Designs July sneak peeks - and that means that you'll be able to buy the new sets today!  Today we are showcasing a brilliant set called Spare Me from the Beanstalk collection.  Here's my DT take on it...

I love this set - as a family we used to go bowling so this brings back sweet memories!  Would you like to WIN the Spare Me stamp set?  Hop along and visit with the SugarPeas and guests, leaving some comment love along the way! One lucky person will be randomly selected to win the Spare Me stamp set!

Our fabulous July release is available in the SugarPea Designs Online Shoppe  RIGHT NOW! Please click here to shop – and if you are lucky enough to win a set you’ve already purchased, you can choose another of the same value!

Also, be sure to join us tomorrow and hop along with our amazing new ProjectPeas as they showcase even more inspiration using these amazing sets – we’ll be giving away the ENTIRE release to one lucky commenter!

Simonne	Tracy	Tracy
Lisa	Anita	Jenny
Jen	Kim	Lesley
Mary	Stacey	Sarah
SPD Blog

InLinkz.com

I hope you enjoy the hop - there are some gorgeous makes so it's well worth joining it just for the inspiration!  I'm off now and I'll be back tomorrow with my La-La Land Crafts guest designer post - see you tomorrow!