The Play Date Cafe

Hi all

Just a quick post as I am off to work in a minute, well I need to pay for all this stash somehow!

My card today is for the Play Date Cafe who have once again got the most gorgeous colour combination and photo inspiration to follow. I can spend ages looking at their photo every week LOL! This week it is inspired by one of my favourite cities - Dublin!



Had a bit of a happy accident with this card and it is nothing like what it set out to be haha. First off I had stamped the Hero Arts Poppy Silhouette stamp in white onto some coffee coloured core'dinations card stock but it didn't show up too good, then I had the bright idea of using embossing powder, didn't really make a difference either. On it's way to the bin I thought about over stamping using brown and quite like how only some of the unembossed areas caught the brown ink!

The Stampman ATC swap

Hi all

Last day of playing until the weekend as I am back at work tomorrow boohoo!
The Stampman has opened up it's ATC swap, this first swaps theme is "wings". It is ages and ages since I made ATC's so I enjoyed making these although my hands are full of ink!!

Basically the inks are the same on all 3, just messed with them in different ways even using bubble wrap. I have used peeled paint and faded jeans distress inks, the red is Adirondack in Cranberry. I used clear Rangers embossing powder and gloss card. I will list the stamps at the bottom of this post.



I am really happy with how summery the colours turned out and I just love butterflies fluttering about the garden, as the theme over on this months Sir Stampalot Challenge is "Lazy Days of Summer" I thought this would be perfect and have you seen the FABBY prize for this months winner??

The quote is one of my favourite ones from Charles Dickens "I only ask to be free. The butterflies are free."

The stamps used are:
PaperArtsy MN27, Artemio - Butterfly Silhouettes, Basic Grey - flutter

Anything goes at Sweet Pea Stampers!!

Hi all

Can you believe how quickly these Mondays come around?? It is shocking really, is someone nicking the weekend???

Over on Sweet Pea Stampers this week we have a challenge for everyone (using a Sweet Pea stamp of course) it is ANYTHING GOES!! No excuses, unless you don't have any Sweet Pea stamps that is, but that is easily sorted if you get yourself over the the lovely Teresa from Crafts and Me, always FAB service and a GREAT selection of stamps!







I have used the Elaine Cox stamp for my DT card, this is the one I won over on Sweet Pea stampers before the amazing Pascale asked me to join their DT.

I have followed the sketch over on Crafts and Me challenge blog. Papers are K & Co Bailey, image coloured with Promarkers and stippled around the edge with Vintage Photo Distress ink, wings have some Glamour Dust sprinkled over and the flat back beads are from Dovecraft. The larger flowers are Hero Arts from Every Moment Matters the spiral ones I made by cutting some double sided paper into a spiral and twisting around tweezers and gluing.



I am entering this into the following challenges:

Meljens - Easel card
Crafty Cardmakers - Easel card

Sketch time at Incy Wincy Designs

Hi all

This week over on Incy Wincy designs we have a FAB sketch for you to follow, I really love sketches are there are so many possibilities and it is always amazes me how we can follow the same sketch yet still have completely different results, for example check out the DT creations and you will see what I am on about!

This week we are sponsored by our lovely Nikki - LIMITED RUNS. Prize is 4 digis from her shop. The sketch is also by Nikki! *** Nikki is also having a Digi Sale this week too 4 digi's for only $5.00 (Canadian)***



I chose to work with this cupcake and trust me when I say she has a cake for every occasion!! I coloured the case in using Promarkers and then added a liberal sprinkling of Glamour Dust to the icing. Papers are DCWV Sweet stack and Making Memories - Eliza, ribbon from my stash.

Whoohooo looky what I won - thank you Cath!!

How lucky and over the moon do I feel at finding out I won the Candy of my dreams from Cath over on Inky Fingers!!!! She recently offered the delicious candy and ask you to give her a reason why you should be picked... I so wanted to win I couldn't even type properly haha...

Cath has THE most amazing blog full of creative delights and always inspires me, although I can only dream of having one iota of her talent I still love looking at her creations.

Just look at this amazing lot, can't wait to get my hands on all that rubber (yes I do have a harmless and totally innocent rubber fetish haha):


This is what Cath wrote is on the candy

There’s an Oriental rubber plate and a plate of great quotes, from Time to Stamp (now sold by I Brake for Stamps), a selection of mixed style single unmounted rubber stamps, Pearly Stuff, Provocraft Roller stamp (Alphabet letters you select to make the word), Suze Weinberg’s Beadazzles (Cha Cha), buttons, copper foil, Art Glitter Glue, Pearly Stuff, Alphabet Stickers (K & Co), jigsaw pieces and a selection of charms.

Anything goes on Cowgirls Sunday Stampen' Challenge

Hi all

This week we have an ANYTHING GOES challenge over on Cowgirls Sunday Stampen' Challenge.

I have used the HARMONY MERMAID image from this weeks sponsor which is Michelle Perket, there are loads of really gorgeous images on her sEtsy store and this one has the image and the sentiment!





I coloured the image in using promarkers and added some glamour dust to her crown and the water. Papers are Basic Grey "Lemonade" and Paper Cellar "checks". As the image is quite large I didn't bother using any extra embellishments, I thought it may look "naked" but it has grown on me LOL!

The other ladies from Posse 1 have used the gorgeous images from CJ which are available here

Your prize will be that you can pick
* 3 images by choice from her store and
* 2 images of choice from CJ's Cowgirls Up!
Along with a "Winners Badge" to display on your blog! The "Top 3" will win "1 Image of choice from CJ" and a "Top 3 Badge" that they will be able to proudly display on their blog's, so what are you waiting for? Everyone can join in this week!!

Penny Black - Anything but a card

Hi all

I made this little bundle for a lovely blogging buddy of mine, poor Anesha has really had a rough time recently and I wanted to cheer her up. Anesha often makes her cats Skipper and the lovely Eva the subjects of her amazing layouts.

I sent a small pack cat treats for Skipper and made a tag using Penny Black images, I used watercolours for this image. The challenge this week on Penny Blacks Saturday challenge is anything but a card.



I masked the small hedgehog and replaced him with the cat on the card again coloured with water colours.


For the tag book I used the free cat stamp from Craft stamper magazine. The front and back cover were made using alcohol inks (Adirondack in Cranberry, ginger and latte).

The good the bad and the ugly! Brayering disaster!!!

Hi all

I ordered a Speedball brayer last week from Sir Stampalot as recommended by my friend Brenda and have been messing about (messing being the operative word) with my Big and Juicy Hydrangea with not much success haha!

When I first started blogging I promised myself to post the good the bad and the ugly.. well this is all 3 rolled into one LOL! I have watched loads of tutorials with loads of different ways of brayering - none have helped my technique though, I think that will just take practise, practise, practise!!!

Anyway, i have bitten the bullet and posted this in the hope that someone will take pity on me and offer me some words of advice or even a one - one tutorial LOL! I am open to suggestions on techniques and constructive criticism on where I have gone wrong - I will read hidden behind my hands...

By the time I got round to stamping the images I was in such a strop with myself that I didn't really take care - stroppy cow I am!!!

The things us crafters have to make!!

Hi all

My youngest son has gone on a school trip to visit the Anderson Air raid shelters in Stockport today, they had to take a home made gas mask box and dress as if they were evacuee's from WWII!

I think Yaseen quite liked having his hair in a side parting and really has been excited to visit the shelters - more so than a visit to a theme park. He just loves learning about history and spent hours researching on the Internet hehe!

He was very particular in telling me I had to make the box with a twine handle, warning label and he wanted to go that bit extra with a ration book, identity tag and ID card! Thank goodness for distress inks LOL!

Here is is all dressed for the part


Pretending to cry at being evacuated LOL! He is a great actor!!

First DT card for Sweet Pea Stampers!!

I have just noticed that I have reached 100 followers on my blog, therefore in the next couple of weeks I will get some candy organised to celebrate!!! Welcome to my newest followers (waves madly)

Whoo hoo here is the day I have been waiting for, my first official DT card for Sweet Pea Stampers!!! I think last weeks recipe was a little tough and scared some people away LOL, this week will be easier with a FAB colour combo of Black and White + one other colour... my other colour is PINK!



The image was coloured in using Promarkers, the felt trim/lacy stuff at the side is from a Christmas pack I got a couple of years ago LOL, flowers from my stash as are the little stones.

I am entering into the following challenges:

Passion for Promarkers - Animals
Practical Scrappers - Use your stash over 1 year old
Totally papercraft - Recipe: ribbob, 2 papers and 3 embellishments
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Cats and Dogs

Alter it at Incy Wincy!!

Hi all

Can you believe it is Monday again!! Where are the weeks flying to? My kids break up on Friday so they are all looking forward to their time off school - there will be no peace in my house for nearly 7 weeks LOL!

This weeks challenge over on Incy Wincy is "Alter it", we would like to see you reuse, recycle and be creative by giving something a new lease of life!

This week we are being sponsored by Aspire to Thrive Children's Charity and the FAB prize is $10 voucher to ATTCC shop who sell the most FAB digi images!

I have used the rose digi by Mary Helen Sims which is available over at Aspire to Thrive, the detail in the rose is amazing!

At work I often get promotional freebies promoting different organisations and initiatives and I got hundreds of chipboard coasters which I have altered to make a cheap but very stylish (I hope) teachers gift, I am going to put some chocolates in the box for the gift but then afterwards she can use it as a pen holder!

Rose was coloured in using Promarkers and then decoupaged to add dimension. I covered the coasters with Mod Podge and cut paper to size, rounded the corners and stuck it on! I then punched holes in the edges and tied it together with ribbon. The base was simply glued on using strong adhesive.







Creative Cottage - Anything but a card!
Crafty Catz - Anything but a card!

A heads up on Cowgirls challenge for next week!

Hi all

Here is my card for next weeks challenge over on Cowgirls Sunday Stampen' Challenge which starts on 18th July. There is going to be a really FAB challenge which you won't want to miss so make a note of it and join in the fun!

You still have until Sunday to join in the current challenge which is Sherbet and Ice Cream colors Challenge! There is a FAB prize on offer from our sponsor DELICIOUS DOODLES

I have used one of CJ's gorgeous images for this weeks card, doesn't little "Maddie" look like a proper little madam!!



I have used promarkers to colour my image, papers are Blueberry Hill from Papermania and flowers are prima.

I am entering into the following challenges:

Charisma Cardz - Pink week!
Shelly's Images - Layers

GDT at Sweet Pea Stampers - a recipe and my BIG news

Hi all

I was sooooo super excited to have won the challenge over on Sweet Pea Stampers last week, my prize was a wonderful Elaine Cox stamp (which is still waiting to be inked up) and a week as GDT. Have you seen the DT creations over there? They are truly a talented bunch of ladies and always so inspiring!

The new challenge which starts today is a recipe of NO patterned paper, 1 butterfly, two Sweet Pea images and 3 different embellishments, which to be honest when I first got the email from the lovely Pascale I though "YIKES, what on earth shall I do?". However inspiration suddenly came to me and this is what I came up with:



The background was made using normal printer paper scrunched up several times, swiped with faded jeans Distress Inks and spritzed with glamour mist (which you can't see on the photo) and water. Same thing when making the "rocks" but this time using vintage photo and antique linen. The images are coloured in using Promarkers. The stamped "seaweed" are Basic Grey Insignia, the butterfly stamp on the right hand side is Artemio from The Altered Element. I have added a seashell charm and added tiny beads to the wire, leaves are from a silk flower arrangement which I have taken apart LOL!

There are THREE FABBY prizes on offer this week and some great examples from the DT and the lovely Susie Sugar.

Now onto my news... As you know I am sooo uncool and jump about with excitement, well you can imagine this weekend I have been on the ceiling LOL since the (also excitable) Pascale asked me to join the Sweet Pea Stampers DT whoohoooooo!!!! Of course I stayed calm, cool and collected (NOT) and took ages deliberating (NOT - more like the length of time to hit the reply button). I have had Pascale jumping up and down with me and I secretly think she is going to use me as a way of keeping fit LOL - a cyber personal trainer. So from next week I will officially be on the DT!!!!!!

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Tuesday Taggers - Make a scene
Flutterby Wednesdays - Open theme but must have butterfly, fairy or angel
ABC Challenge - Y is for "You and Me" two images on a stamp or two stamps on a card

Distressing...

Nope I am not upset, on the contrary I am so very excited but all will be revealed later. Well actually I have a dentist appointment this morning so may well be distressed after that!!!

Distress it is the theme over on Incy Wincy Designs this week whoohoo, I love distresing things - I usually limit it to distressing my husband haha!

This week we are sponsored by In Style Stamps who are generously offering the winner 4 digi stamps!!

The DT got to work with a selection of the images and I chose Nico the pirate, he's rather cute don't you think?




The little sentiment was free from a recent challenge over on Simon Says Stamp challenge. Image was coloured in using Promarkers and the little anchor charm from my stash.

I am entering this into the following challenges:

I love promarkers - Distressing
Craftalicious - Cute

Holiday Challenge on Creative Craft World

Hi all

Today sees the start of a brand new challenge over on Creative Craft World. Mel set the challenge this time and she chose the theme of "HOLIDAY". Holiday for me is time with my lovely family and having FUN, the start of the summer holidays is less than 2 weeks away when the kids break up from school. Of course for those with kids it is a time to show some gratitude to the teachers who have put up with our little darlings for almost a year!

Yaseen has the most amazing teacher, Mrs Saeed and thankfully he is in her class again next year - she is one of those special people who wholeheartedly puts the children's education and happiness first. So, for her end of year gift I have made this stationery set, complete with greeting cards for different occasions, note cards, gift tags, note book, pen and stamps.

This week we have an amazing sponsor

Just look at the fab prize, 4 sets of Promarkers - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter so a set for all seasons!!




Everything was made from 2 pieces of double sided 12 x 12 Echo Park papers and Bazill. It amazed me how much you could make with so little making it fab value for money. Loved these papers which are available over on Creative Craft World as they are so bright and summery.









The tutorial for the stationery box is on Splitcoast Stampers

I am entering this into the following challenges:

Sir Stampalot - Lazy Hazy Days of Summer

The Playdate Cafe has this amazin photo for colour inspiration - I think I used all the colours LOL!



Creative Card Crew - Die cuts (gift tags are die cuts and some elements on the cards)
Marks finest papers - punch it!

The Practical Scrappers - Embossing

Just because and oh I am so excited...

Hi all

Thank goodness it has cooled down here in Greater Manchester, it was a lovely sunny day but had a nice fresh wind blowing so it felt quite cool. I prefer it like that really, I am not a sun worshiper, of course I love sunny days but don't handle being hot too well - I can get a bit narkey and ratty LOL - just don't tell my husband I have admitted to that!!!

I made this card as a little thank you for my lovely friend Anita who sent me the most gorgeous ribbon, flowers and charm last week, I can't bring myself to cut the ribbon yet - yes I know I am a saddo LOL but thank you Anita for being soooo lovely and thoughtful!

Another scalloped easel card this time in Anita's favourite colour combination of Teal and Lime. The flowers were free stamps with Craft Stamper magazine which I stamped onto Basic Grey lemonade.





I can't say anything more yet about by exciting news, but I can tell you I am glad I haven't got too long to wait until I reveal all - err not literally you understand as that would send everyone running for the hills LOL!!! I am finding it hard to contain myself as it is... anyone who knows me knows I get a little bit (that should read a LOT) over excited but whoooohoooo can't wait to tell my news LOL!!!

The Craft Barn - Shaped card!

Cowgirls Sunday Challenge - a yummy theme!

Hi all

Gosh it is Sunday again - sorry to state the obvious but I can't believe how fast the days are whizzing by!

This week over on Cowgirls Sunday Stampen' Challenge we have a yummy theme for you - Sherbet/ice cream colours theme! Just perfect for this lovely weather we have been having recently.

We also are being sponsored for this weeks challenge by the amazing Delicious Doodles, Teri has some really amazing digi stamps on there and they are really reasonably priced too!



For my "Raspberry Ripple" card I used the gorgeous Butterfly Fairy image, coloured her in using Promarkers. Papers are DCWV Sweet Stack, pink flowers are Prima and the red rose and ribbon from my stash.



As I explained last week Cowgirls DT has split into 2 posse's and the other posse have created some AMAZING cards using CJ's images which are on sale over on Cowgirl Up Digital Stampen Ranch, CJ has just branched out into designing avatars too so check it out to get a personalised one created just for you!

To see the other posse's cards you will have to visit their blogs to view them and pop over and leave them some love!

I am entering into the following challenges:

Stamp and fun = Creativity - Stripes

A lovely award!

Hi all

One of my fellow Incy Wincy DT has given me this wonderful award. Doreen creates the most gorgeous creations and is always so lovely and supportive with her comments. She never fails to brighten my day with her lovely words, thank you Doreen, I am truly humbled to be given this award by you and thank you for thinking of me - it means a lot!



There are of course some rules to follow.

* Thank the person who gave it to you - DONE
* Tell seven things about yourself - Will be done in a minute!
* Pass the award of to five other bloggers who you think are fantastic - This is hard as I have so many fantastic blogging buddies!

OK 7 things about me:

1. I hardly ever watch TV
2. I always read in bed before falling asleep
3. Love experimenting with different techniques and challenging myself
4. I love rambling - haha both in words and walking in the great outdoors
5. I am not green fingered - I could even kill a plastic plant
6. I grew up in a tiny village in Oxfordshire
7. I am still terrified of scrapbooking, even after my first layout (sorry Anita LOL)

The 5 people I would like to pass this award onto are:

1. Anita as she creates the most amazing layouts and is always so thoughtful and kind (((HUGS)))
2. Anesha - Always an inspiration and always makes time to leave lovely comments
3. Gina - Never fails to comment and offer advice on my creations
4. Choccy - Just so kind and considerate, always supportive and generous!
5. Cheryl - Always an inspiration with her amazing projects and leaves the most lovely comments

Really I would love to give this to so many more people who regularly support me and come and share their lovely words here. Told you I love rambling LOL