My last GDT card for C.R.A.F.T blog

Hi all

Wow, how quick does 4 weeks go??? Is it just a sign of me getting old that time seems to be flying by so quickly? I really can't believe it is March next week already... busy card month for me in March, my Mums birthday is on Tuesday 2nd, mine and my Dads on Friday 5th (no I don't make myself a card LOL), my lovely sister in laws on the 13th, Mothers Day on 14th...

Here is the card I have made for the C.R.A.F.T challenge which this week is a theme of "glitter and ribbon". I know this looks a bit like a Christmas card but it was also for the dare over at Daring Cardmakers of a winter themed birthday card!



The stamp is Pink Gem - Mimi Skating, stamped on Bristol Board with Memento Tuxedo and coloured with promarkers. The glitter on Mimi is glamour dust and the "ice" is Heat it Up snowflake embossing tinsel.

Happy Birthday 8 today!!

Hi all

Well Yaseen is glued to his new present a Nintendo DSi so I have got a few minutes to blog and enter the card I made him into a few challenges! We are off bowling later on.



I followed the sketch on Basic Grey challenge blog and Midnight Madness(which are almost identical). The fab thing about the Midnight Madness blog is that you have a choice of 2 slight variations on the same sketch. Hopefully if I get chance later I will be able to use the other sketch too...

The background papers (from Daisy Bucket designs) are some I bought AGES ago and only found them rooting through whilst looking for something else haha typically I never found what I was looking for!!

The stamp is Party Dragon by Lelo Designs (Stampavie) and I have coloured him in using promarkers! I used my new Argyle Cuttlebug embossing folder. The number 8 and the balloons are Basic Grey as are the brads. The metal fastener I can't remember where that is from as once again it has been in my stash waiting to see the light of day for ages haha!!

Simon Says Challenge Blog is having a hop and challenge rolled into one, they have put a recipe together for the project. Preferably you need to use a Stampabilities stamp but if like poor lil me you have none you can follow this recipe anyway: 3 TYPES OF EMBELLISHMENTS (brads, fasteners and baloons), 2 PATTERNED PAPERS you can also use coordinating cardstock :-) 1 IMAGE

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Midnight Madness - Sketch
Cute Card Thursday - Metal Mania
Cards for Men - Green
Spoonful of Sugar - Spring is in the air
Stamp Something - Something cute
Basic Grey - Sketch
Color Throwdown - Light green, rust and burgundy

C.R.A.F.T GDT sketch card

Hi all

Gosh I was soooo late getting this card ready for todays challenge over on C.R.A.F.T challenge blog, as I also had my sons birthday card to make for his 8th Birthday today!! I was up until silly O'Clock this morning...

This weeks challenge is a really lovely sketch to work with.



I think I must be going through an experimental stage as again this one is not my "usual style". Oh well, they say variety is the spice of life! I wanted to create a soft looking vintage card and am quite pleased how it turned out - BUT arrrgh my photos are so rubbish again as it looks more orangey than in real life!!





Backing papers are Basic Grey, the top one I stamped with a swirl using Versacolor in Mocha Truffle. The large sparkly love heart I covered a piece of chipboard in glitter paper and then cut it out freehand. Small hearts, lace and buttons are from my stash. The brooch is what my husband brought back from India. Flowers are a mixture of prima and silk flowers from an arrangement at a local garden centre which I dismantled.

I am also entering this into the following challenges:

Saturday Spotlight - Around the house (buttons and brooch)
Our Creative Corner - Something old thats new (brooch and papers)
Allsorts - 3, 2, 1 recipe with a difference (3 hearts, 2 papers and 1 lace)
Totally gorjuss - Feel the lurve
Pile it on - Flowers
Spoonful of Sugar - Spring is in the air
Crafty Angels - Flowers
One Stitch at a time - Stitching
Daring Cardmakers - Have a heart
The Corrosive Challenge blog - Sew it up!

Whats love got to do with it?

Hi all

Just a quicky this morning as I am on the last minute to enter this card LOL!!

I made this with one of my prize stamps (Hero Arts Dandelion Frame) from Simon Says Stamp, I took some rubbish photos last night so had to take some new ones this morning!!

I am entering it into the Simon Says Stamp Challenge which is Whats Love Got to do with it?!!!

I am also entering this into the Cupcake Craft Challenges - Keep it Simple theme

Photo is still rubbish but hey ho I had only 10 minutes left until the 8.00 am GMT dealine!! Talk about cutting it fine haha! I will take another better photo (hopefully) after work today...

I won a prize, I won a prize!!

Hi all

Do you know I NEVER normally win anything but just recently luck has been coming my way (for the first time in years) whoooo hoooo!!!

The winners of the recent blog hop over at Brendas Floral Fantasies sponsored by were announced today and lil ole me won one of the blog hop prizes (not the big shot but exciting none the less) of papers, buttons and ribbons and I can't wait for them to get here to have a play!!!

The most exciting thing is that Brenda announced today it is to become a regular bimonthly event starting on 1st April... if the prizes of this blog hop were anything to go on you'd be mad to miss it!! Make sure you become a follower over at Floral Fantasies so you don't miss out!!

I honestly can say that blog hop was the best one I have taken part in as I got soooo much inspiration from the DT!!

When do you reckon it is OK to start stalking the postie???

Simon Says stamp facebook giveaways

Hi all

Simon Says Stamp has a new facebook page and are giving away Shopping Sprees in honor of their new Facebook Fan Page! One winner per day for 7 days will receive $25 shopping spree to spend in their online store!! To become a fan and be in with a chance of winning click this here and good luck!!!

Poppy background stamp

Hi all

Well I couldn't resist having a quick play with one of my new stamps last night! I am sure I have issues as I swing between manic eagerness to use new craft stuff or on the contrary trying to preserve it in it's new state for as long as possible haha. This poppy stamp I couldn't wait to ink up but I have other stash still in its packaging that I occasionally take out, stroke it, ooh and aah over it then put it back unused... wonder if there is a condition for this?



Tried to keep it simple, didn't really want to distress the sentiment but I was so tired (and impatient) and just wanted to get the card finished last night, when I put the sentiment on the card stock looked a bit creamy so rather than print another one off and waste a whole sheet of card I decided to distress it with Tim Holtz ink.

The Hero Arts Poppy stamp I first inked with gradient Versacolor Mocha Truffle, I then inked an Anitas stamp with some script and love hearts on it in a darker brown, with the ink still wet on both stamps I "dabbed" the script stamp onto the poppy stamp to transfer some of the darker brown ink onto it, stamped it onto white card stock and coloured with chalks.

The pink card stock is K and Co Bailey Mat pad (love these and this is one which I couldn't bear to cut into when I first got it).

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Sketch
Polkadoodles - Hearts or flowers or both LOL

Oooh My Simons Says Stamp prize has arrived!!

Hi all

I am so excited cos today my Simon Says Stamp prize has arrived which I won on Sketch Saturday for entering their weekly challenge with my baby card. I won $25 to spend in Simon Says Stamp they generously pay the P & P too so more money for spending on crafty stash LOL!!

Of course I was refrained and tried to keep within the $25 but was tempted by some other stuff and went over by $10.95.... not bad considering my wish list is much much longer... Martha Stewart Punches etc!!!!

I have drooled over the new Hero Arts cling stamps since I first saw them and this is what I ordered with my prize:

Hero Arts Cling Stamp DANDELION FRAME Rubber Stamp:



Hero Arts Cling Stamp POPPY BACKGROUND Rubber Stamp:



Cuttlebug Embossing Folder ARGYLE:



Core'Dinations NOSTALGIA Cardstock:



Stickles Glitter Glue CRYSTAL:

C.R.A.F.T DT pocket card

Hi all

This is my second week of being GDT over at C.R.A.F.T challenge blog... can't believe it has been 2 weeks alread but they say time flies when you are having fun!!!

This week it is digi colouring and I have used the super cute Bertie Butterfly which Andrea sent me... how cute is he??

I have made this pocket card and tag as a little gift for my Mum and enclosed a Debenhams gift card, I have coloured Bertie butterfly in water colours. The papers are MME Pretty Please Spring Papers and I am just loving these at the moment. I have used the Martha Stewart doily border punch and nesties. The flowers are made using 2 different sized punches and the gorgeous ribbon I received in a swap.

Once again my photographic skills or rather the lack of them have made each photo come out looking a different colour even though I took them all in the same light and have messed around adjusting the Brightness and contrast... oh well!!







I am also entering this into the following challenges:

Quixotic Challenges - Tag it (to include a tag somewhere on your creation)

Totally out of my comfort zone with this one!!

Hi all

I have made this card for a challenge over at Daring Cardmakers. Their theme is carrying on the theme of birthstones, as February's is Amethyst. Totally love this colour! This is the first time I have joined in a challenge over at Daring Cardmakers but wanted to take myself out of my comfort zone and make something that is not my usual style. Actually it was reading Cheryl's blog this morning that reminded me of a card I had seen in Craft Stamper last year sometime and I have always wanted to make something along the same lines!!

Incidentally Daring Cardmakers have the added bonus linked to this weeks challenge in that Craft Obsessions have donated a wonderful Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch and Stamp set as a prize, how cute is that punch.... it has been on my wish list for ages!!! I have bought lovely crafty goodies from Craft Obsessions in the past and I can highly recommend their service as they get your stuff out to you nice and fast - if you're anything like me there's nothing worse than waiting for your new stash to arrive, I turn into craftzilla LOL!!!

I have used an iridescent card which I have had in my stash for ages but never had a project to use it with!
The backing paper I did myself by randomly stamping a butterfly (Basic Grey flutter) stamp in Versamark then embossing with clear powder. I then used the felt pads with the Tim Holtz applicator tool to apply Brilliance ink in Crimson, pearl lavender and pearlescent orchid and built up the layers until I was happy with the colour. I then stamped the sentiment and layered it on nesty petite scallop. The larger butterfly I stamped onto some newspaper which I had stuck to some cardstock. The medallion is another Basic Grey stamp and on top of this I blinged it up with Basic Grey "Bling it" rhinestones. The leaves are the larger butterflies wings stamped onto green bazzil (actually from Craft Obsessions) then I cut them out and curled them a little. The border is more Bazzill which I stamped with large brackets and then cut round them.



I *think* I like this card it just is so different from my usual style (whatever that is). Think I will carry on being more adventurous and you never know I may just venture into doing that long thought about scrap layout haha.... watch this space.

Anyway, just on the off chance you are still on the same bus as me I apologise this has turned into a mammoth post ;-)

Oh and I almost forgot, yes I am waffling now I am also entering this into Priscilla Styles Midnight Madness challenge 40 as I followed their sketch for the layout!!

How old do I feel??? I have a 15 year old!!!

Hi all

My oldest son Riaz was 15 last week.... flipping heck I can't believe I have had him for so long LOL...!

This digi image from Mo Manning "Paul Texting" sums Riaz up to a tee. Sometime I wonder if his phone has become an extension of his arm and will need to get it surgically removed hahaha... teenagers eh??!!

If you have any teens in your life you seriously need to check out Mo's Digital Pencil Shop as she has some images just PERFECT for teenager cards!!

I wanted to use quite a clean and crisp look for this card and love the colour of the backing papers. I have coloured the image using pro markers and cut out using a nestie. The arrows are made from wood which I painted and them wrote on with a CD marker the greetings in text talk.... funny really as I had to google how to write Happy Birthday in text language (I know I know I feel as old as I sound but when I text I still use "proper" English) - can you believe there are actually online translation tools for it!!!!!



I am entering this into Mo's Digital Challenge blog - the theme this week is "Wood" or "would".

I am also entering it into the following challenges:

Lexis Creations - Spotted or striped (I've got both)
Cards for Men - Sketch
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Monochrome tones of one colour and white
Rosie-D's Challenge blog - Just for men
Lucy's cards - Polka Dots

Hi all

So sorry, didn't mean to post a blank message LOL!

I am off work with the mother of all migraines today, I have had it since Thursday and I *hope* it has reached its peak today!!!

Take care all

Sarah x

Sir Stampalot challenge and blog hop!!

Hi all

Some exciting news to share of a challenge and blog hop, join in for your chance to win...... wait for it.... nothing less than a BIG SHOT how amazing would that be of a prize!!!!!!



The Challenge and blog hop will run for two weeks closing at midnight GMT on 13th February 2010. The challenge theme is:


"MOVING"

All the details and conditions of entry can be found over at Floral Fantasie blog

I have made a card for my niece Hannah and am entering it into the challenge incorporating movement into my card with a seesaw!!

I am also entering it into the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday - Sketch
Passion for Promarkers - "All creatures great and small"
Magical Crafts - Something for the kids
Tuesday Taggers - Teddy bears!

In the mood for LOVE... GDT spot card

Hi all

Here is my card for my first GDT on C.R.A.F.T challenge blog



I have cut out a heart shape aperture out of the white card stock. Under this I have used some black backing paper with music manuscript printed in red. I have then cut out by hand some stencil letters and overlayed this onto more red backing paper and embellished with red diamante. The poppies were bought from a garden centre and I dismantled them. Charm is from my stash.

There is a lot of LOVE around in blogland this week so I am entering into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Love Actually
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Hearts
Stamp Scrap and Doodle Saturday - Open theme
Magical Crafts - Valentines
The Corrosive Challenge Blog - All you need is love!
Crafty Cardmakers - Hearts and romance
Creative Belli Blog - Ribbons
Sophisticat Challenges - Love
ABC Design blog - I love you sweetheart
Creative Card Crew - Valentines
Lili of the Valley - Valentines
Charisma Cardz - I love you!
Pile it on - To the one you love

Whoo hoo GDT spot!!!

Hi all

I am so over the moon to report that the lovely Andrea over at C.R.A.F.T challenge blog has picked lil old me to be GDT for February!! I have been so excited about it since she contacted me!!

My first creation starts this week with a LOVELY challenge lol! Here is a sneak peak of my card!



I have had a sneak look at the upcoming challenges for the month and they are amazing. Go over and take a look for yourself C.R.A.F.T challenge and join in the fun. The new challenge starts tomorrow...