Surprise Birthday

well so much for if I had the time I decided that I  would post first and sort myself out for work after so this is a quickie, its for my sister in laws 50th birthday the surprise party is next Saturday not to many people or family member's know I've started making cards so there is no chance of it being seen before hand. I've only made a couple of cards now for family members as my skills improve so I still buy some cards...am I allowed to say that here!!!.anyway I'm hoping this one will be ok, I'm happy with it and so is the husband who is officially my biggest critic, if he doesn't like something he doesn't hold back.I think I should have made it a bit smaller, but I was worried that I would cut it wonky as my straight line deficit is still going strong. 

' happy 50th birthday' 

 card insert before being coloured

close up 

I used elements of several stamp sets together.The pretty floral stamp and floral flourish and sentiment where bought as part of a bundle on Ebay unfortunately there was no packaging but they stamped beautifully,there is also a cute pair of birds,hearts and swirls in the pack that as yet I haven't used I reckon would be perfect for an anniversary or valentine card. The swirls where from the same bundle and is part of a hobby art set and works well together I think. The 50 was stencilled and glittered and is the focal point; its the first time I've used a stencil and other than the numbers are not quite parallel (I think this is now my signature trade mark...slightly wonky!) I'm happy and of course used my promarkers for the colouring, I used the same floral flourish inside and decided to colour this also but I took the photos when it was still black and white.I used the same turquoise and blues as the front and finally some ribbon and pearls for added bling and to keep it girly.

I used the following to make this card

• White Neenah card as base
• various stamps( as described above)-memento ink 
•  number stencil- glittered 
• turquoise organza ribbon
• heart charm attached with  chain 
• promarkers to colour
• blue and cream various sized pearls

I would like to take part in the  following challenges this week

My Time To Craft –Challenge 186–milestone birthday

crafty Sentiment Designs – let sparkle

The House That Stamp Built –challenge DCC829-Flowers

Little Red Wagon- Challenge#148-  Use  a Number

Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge blog - challenge#91- Sparkle and Shine

Tanda Stamps challenge - CAS

Stamp-n -doodle Blogspot – ‘A touch of sparkle’ 

ITS A BOY

The blogger gremlins have been at work and I have not been able to post on my blog  for the last two days!!!. I finally finished the baby card for my husbands work colleague on Tuesday night, I have been planning this one for weeks, it took me ages to find the perfect image and not knowing whether it was a boy or girl made that a bit more difficult; the surprise is now over and its a beautiful baby boy.I've went for a quite simple, clean look and I'm pleasantly pleased with the final outcome. I found a cute digi stamp from Digi Darla designs which I thought would be prefect for either a boy or a girl and I coloured it with my promarkers in soft colours with lots of blues and greens. I used my stash for everything other than the building blocks charm and the digi stamp that I bought specifically for this card. The backing card I bought when I first started card making and never got round to using it, it is a very heavy card stock so I choose not to layer it as I think it would have been too much; the pastel blue and green colour way with the button detail made it just perfect for pulling my idea together. I  kept the inside simple with the same stamp resized which I left uncoloured.

 'Its a boy '

 'close up of the baby animals'

'inside of card'

I used the following to make my card

• white card blank
• Kanban card - 'blue buttons'card ( had for ages in stash) 
• Digi Darla Designs stamp- balloon baby animals-coloured with promarkers
• white and blue grossgrain ribbon for bows
• blue and green buttons
• charm- baby blocks

I also got my sister in laws 50th card finished ,I went for a clean and simple design again ,if I get the time before work I will post that too. There will be no card making this weekend as we got tickets for the special Olympics on Sunday, which I'm excited about; we are going to the main stadium for the athletics. I'm also looking forward to seeing the site as it looks fab on the TV, so hopefully next week I will have some photos to post. .Tomorrow we take all  my daughter's belongs back to Canterbury for uni ,she is not going back until next weekend as she has plans for next week so we get the fun job of taking everything and unpacking for her tomorrow. She will go down on the train on her own next weekend and we are at the surprise 50th party so can't take her and everything then... I think she got the easier job, but that's what parents are for,and she does appreciate it, so we will be away all weekend and next too

Challenges I would like to enter this week are-

Eureka stamps challenge 3-anything goes 

Fashionista Challenge #6- card for a child 

Forever Friends–Fortnightly Challenge #43-Anything goes

Challenges 4 Everybody-Challenge# 1 -Anything Goes

The Corrosive challenge blog- challenge# 156- Cute as a Button

Great Impressions -‘A Walk on the Wild Side’ (anything with animals)  3rd entry

One Stitch at a Time – Challenge #128 - Must use a Digi

Crafty Mess Challenge #16- -Animals with a blue theme

Totally Gorjuss -Challenge#146-Baby Baby

I love Promarkers-challenge #132- anything goes 
Stampavie and More-challenge#175-animals 

WOW... What a Candy

The Craft Barn are offering this awesome candy to a lucky follower. This is not the sort of post I usually do, but it seemed to good an opportunity not to share with everyone . It is to say thank you to their followers and who wouldn't want to win  this yummy stash ..I certainly would. The candy closes 9th September so there is still time to join in. I'm off to do a bit more blog hopping and maybe finish off that baby card. I didn't get in from work until late last night,so no time for card making,.then before I  know it, it will be time to get ready for work again... catch up with you soon. x

Bank Holiday and Birthday's

The bank holiday weekend went so quickly and typically today is a beautiful bright and sunny day and I'm back at work in a few hours. We spent most of the time doing odd jobs around the house and I got some card making time,I finished my sister's birthday card which I must post today and nearly finished my sister- in- laws 50th Birthday card ,but that's not for 2 weeks...the plan was I would give it ago and if I'm not pleased with it we would buy one buts its looking ok so far...I'm also working on a baby card which I should finish tonight if I get the time after work...finally I  found the  perfect digi stamp...but that's for another day. I also won a challenge last week at Fat Pages and cards with Attitude and was over the moon. I get to choose some digi stamps which as yet I haven't done so as I cant decide which one ...the choices are fab.

I also spent some time blog hoping over the weekend, visiting my favourite sites and bloggers which I often don't get the opportunity to do other than the weekend... I love it but loose track of time so easily and  before I  know it several hours have past.At Crafty Catz Challenge this week is 'Ribbons and Bows' the DT cards always produce a diverse range of card designs which I like...great for inspiration and my poor imagination  so I plan to enter that this week. I found an excellent free digi stamp site which has a huge range of great stamps ,she is a very talented lady and very generous,I have used the cute sisters stamp for my sisters birthday card below, I can see me using the site often now that I know how; that in it's self was a another challenge for my daughter and her patience in teaching me how to download and re -size etc...I think I've got it. The site is Dearie Dolls Digi Stamps and its ace,with so many cute designs for every occasion imaginable...there are some excellent Christmas digi's this week and I think it is added to a;most every day, its awesome. I used a cute cat sisters digi and made an easel card, not the type of card I usually send my sister but I'm sure she will like it (I hope).

'Happy Birthday Sis'

I used the following to make my card 

• square white base card 
• pink textured cad for layering
• wild rose studio papers- butterfly garden (magazine freebie)
• floral paper-Dovecraft back to basics III
• sister digi stamp- coloured with promarkers 

from stash

• pink satin ribbon and bow 
• Cheeryl Lyn flourish
• die cut butterfly- decorated with gems
• punched flowers- layered using papers above and tiny pink flowers to finish
• pearls - various sizes mostly pink !
• butterfly charm

Challenges I would like to enter this week-

Cheeryl Lynn Designs blog –Challenge 43-Anything goes

LoveTo Create- challenge #30- handmade flowers

Make it Monday-challenge #104- Anything Goes

Stamps and Fun= Creativity - Bingo Challenge114 –Charm/Joker/ Flowers

Tammy’s Scrapin Corner-Challenge#25 - Lots of Layers

Scrappers Delights challenge – 26THAugust-Birthday theme

Craft your Days Away –Challenge#53-Farewell Challenge-Anything Goes

Crafty Catz weekly –Challenge #147- Ribbons and Bows

Creations by Gill M- Monthly challenge- colourInspiration- 

Patties Creations challenge#51 – Birthday Theme

Busy Weekend and Birthday Card

Sorry this a bit of a long post as I had a busy weekend which was a bit different form my usual routine of housework,shopping and card making.I didn't get any card making done at the weekend as I had a busy time, as usually I would have completed a new post by Monday latest, its now Wednesday...where has the week gone?
The craft show at Donnington on Saturday and in the evening I was at the national firework contest at Belvior Castle; which was a lovely evening and the fireworks where outstanding; definitely the best I have ever seen, I was exhausted but very happy by the end of the night.Sunday was back down to earth and more of a 'normal' day catching up with housework, shopping and ironing!

I really enjoyed Donnington and was very excited at going,the plan was to go with my daughter unfortunately that wasn't possible and I went on my own.I went by train making good use of the courtesy bus on offer which was fun in itself being on a bus full of eager like minded ladies as excited as me; chattering away and sharing their crafting history and stories... which I thoroughly enjoyed. We arrived early and got in straight away with no queues, I was amazed at how busy it already was inside...you could hardly move in places and I found it really hard to get to all the stands as it was so busy. The heat was overwhelming and unbearable at times although I still had a great time and spent my entire budget in less than half the time I thought it would take me (I only took cash as I knew I would go a bit OTT if  I took a card...which was right as there was so much I wanted) I was like a kid in a candy shop...heaven.

There where great demonstrations from some of my favourite Crafters, which I thoroughly enjoyed and could have watched all day, it was excellent and I now have some great ideas and techniques that I want to try and have the products to do so...so watch this space.When leaving I was surprised at the queue's and did feel for the huge number of people queuing when I left to get it at 1:30, I would have been so dissapointed if it was me; hopefully they had as much fun as I did.

'dress up girl  '

Its my sisters birthday at the end of the month and I want to make her card..I think this is the one although I do have one more card idea to try before I finally decide,as long as I dont run out of time. I used a sketch again and forgot what challenge but liked the layout. She does like to look good so I though this LOTV stamp was perfect. She was coloured with promarkers (of course) and I tried to keep it soft which I'm reasonably happy with.The floral paper is from a 12x12 scrap album set that I have never got round to starting yet (I will one day) it also worked with the colour scheme I had in mind and the Art Impressions challenge and Crafty Sentiments Design  challenges that are both flowers... one of my favourite things...so its perfect.I've gone for an easel again and this time its sitting perfect and not toppling over...maybe I've finally cracked it (time will tell), I love the AB pearls which I bought recently from an E Bay shop, I bought a range of sizes and colours and I'm really pleased with all of them...I will definitely be using the same site again very soon as there were lots of other pearl colours and gems that I loved.

I used the following to make my card

• white square base card
• textured card stock - layering
• lilac pearlised paper - layering
• American crafts - 'I do' floral paper (from scrapbook making kit)
• LOTV stamp -'new hat coloured with Promarkers

From Stash

• punched flowers using card and pearlised paper-decorated with lilac pearls
• white lace
• green satin ribbon
• aurora Borealis (AB) pearls-green/ lilac(Ebay shop  - Hazels Crafts)
• Papermania glittered sentiment - 'On Your Special Day' 
• white gel pen -faux stitching 

Challenges I would like to enter this week are - 

 Make it Monday -Anything goes

 Craft Your Days Away- Challenge #52-Farewell Challenge-Anything Goes

 Craft Punked –Week 33-Flower Power

 Fat Pages and Cards with Attitude- Add Some Texture/Anything Goes

 Sweet and Sassy- SNSDC67-3D Flower Embellishments

 Art Impression Stamps- challenge-76-Flowers

 Lili of The Valley Thursday challenge–Oh So Girlie

 Paper Crafting Journey- Happy Birthday / celebration

 Pape lito Stamps-Challenge #7-celebrations

 Bearly mine-challenge #49- anything goes

 Crafty Sentiments challenge-flowers

 Sassy Cheryl’s Challenge #129- Happy Birthday

Bear Hugs

I am surprised that the weather is still good ,I enjoyed my picnic on Sunday , we had a lovely day out, and made the most of a nice weekend, I made far too much food so leftovers where Monday's lunch for work. It has been hot, not that I'm complaining but it is a bit to muggy for me! especially the last 24 hours, I'm finding sleeping very difficult...it will probably rain now that I've moaned about it !

I'm still in my pink phase as you can see.I had planned to use this card for a sketch challenge and now realise that I missed the challenge...it happens a lot I have an idea and then miss the boat as I lose track of time or I dont get the opportunity to make the card in time, but I liked the layout so have still used it.I haven't coloured Tilda in a while and liked the cute teddy bear so gave it a go. I was going to go pale and pastel but I thought it wouldn't have worked with my paper choices so I went for bold and bright's instead.This is the first time I have used pencils with my promarkers. I recently bought some Prisma pencils to try them out.I blended with the pencils, although I'm not sure I did it right...I watched some Youtube videos and tutorials but it didn't work out how I expected it too, not sure why? ...I think I should not have done any shading with my promarkers and used the pencils for all shading, it doesn't look much different, but I will try again as I love the look when others do it. I only have a small pack of 12 pencils so maybe its the colours I used? anyway I will watch more tutorials and have another go soon.I used my new flower punch to decorate the inside, I like how it embosses also, although this hasn't shown up well in the photos (ideally I would have liked to use a cupcake punch or embellishment but I didn't have another one).

I'm off work today so might get another card done if not I will be back at the weekend with another update, although I'm off to the Great British Craft Festival at Donnington with my daughter so might not get any card making done this weekend but will have had a great day out and hopefully a little retail therapy...I cant wait.

'Bear Hugs' 

I made this card using the following 

• square scalloped base card
• pink textured and plain card for layering
• Magnolia Tilda stamp-Teddy bear love  - coloured with Promarkers and Prisma pencils 
• pink spot and cupcake paper-magazine freebies(Cool Britannia I think)
• cream-pink multi spot paper- Dovecraft back to basics 111
• white lace-satin ribbons-buttons-chipboard cupcake-gems,-all from stash 
• flower- punched from spotty paper as above

Challenges I would like to enter this week are-

Whoopsi Daisy –Anything goes

Great impressions ‘A walk on the wild side –anything with animals 2nd entry

Crafty Calendar challenge-Teddy Bear Parade -2nd entry  

Our craft lounge- add ribbons

Cards and More-Challenge#62-Anything goes

Jackson Digital Expressions–Anything goes#18-Optional Colours

Tuesday Throwdown  #111 sweet treat

Always Crafting -Creative Mondays challenge#13- food

Forever Friend Challenge #42 - Something new-  I used pencils and flower punch

Make It Monday-#102-Always Anything Goes 

Paper Pretties Challenge - PWC219 - Square Card

Sunshine and Summer Blooms

I was planning to post this yesterday but as it was such a nice day I spent more time than I had planned outside making the most of it.Hasn't the weather been great for most of this week? I've did not have to work as many late finishes as I have done recently, and got to spend some time enjoying the weather and card making...bliss. I even walked home from work twice last week which is unheard off...although there was the temptation of an ice cream shop on route, to quench my thirst ...obviously! For my card I've went pink and girly, thanks to the cute magazine freebie Wee stamps from whimsy stamps, I'm really enjoying using them again as they worked so well for my Christmas cards.The beautiful papers are Butterfly garden from Wild Rose Studio. I used the same paper for the inside and added some punched butterflies to decorate.As I struggle with the layout I have followed an excellent sketch from Gem of a challenge. We plan to go on a picnic later today ...lets hope the weather forecast is correct and the sun stays shining.

I made this card using the following

• white square scalloped base card
• pink and darker pink textured card stock for layering 
• wee stamp coloured with promarkers 
• Wild Rose Studio papers-magazine freebie
• butterflies punched from papers 
• sentiment tag -Papermania

From Stash

• white organza ribbon
• pink satin ribbon
• pink buttons pink gems and pearls
• tiny flower brad- for sentiment
• white die cut swirl.

 'Summer blooms'

A Gem of a Challenge-Challenge 52-  Sketch

Anything Goes Challenge Blog - challenge 73 -summer days 

Cards And More – Challenge #62-Anything Goes 

Deep Ocean Challenge –Challenge#31-Anything Goes-Welcome Ella 

Everybody Art Challenge #201summer

Jackson’s Digital Expressions- Challenge #17anything goes-optional brads/eyelets 

Papertake weekly- Anything goes 

Tuesday alchemy- challenge #26bingo -I used ribbon or bows, flowers and pearls

Fab and Funky challenge ~133 pearls and rhinestone

Stampavie and More - Challenge #174 buttons and bow

Hanna and friends -challenge #151- Summer

Crafting for all Seasons-Challenge#33-Bright Colours

Divas by Design – Challenge #47- For a Female 

Crafty Catz - challenge145- Anything Goes

Thanks a Bunch

I did plan to post this on Sunday,I think I was being a tad over ambitious as its now Tuesday! No more Christmas cards for this week anyway,I've had my little Christmas flurry and it was time for something else, although I do have the Christmas digi's that I won that I must try out as they are fab.I also have a plan to make a few cards for some birthdays this month including my sister and a baby card so I need more practice as I've no idea what I'm going to do yet. Especially the baby card as dont have the materials to do this and have been searching for a cute 'baby card' digi... as yet I've not found 'the one'...I'm not sure what it looks like but I will  know it when I find it. 

I went for a bright sunny theme for this card, given the rain and thunderstorms we have had I  thought it would bring some sunshine...it's a thank you card for my husband. I used to frequently buy him cards, (not always for any specific reason other than to say hello or I love you) but since I started card making he has missed out,they have been too girly or not quite right, so this was to say thank you and remind him that he is not forgotten in my new crafty world... it's still a bit feminine but I think I get away with it as its not pink...just!...he seemed to like it.

I've also learned that gel pens and shiny paper is not a good mix..the card had initial only three flowers and was quite a simple design; but I hadn't noticed the ink wasn't dry when I was gluing the bow on and I smudged the ink used for the faux stitching on both the top and side panels... arghhh,some punched flowers to the rescue,add a few more pearls...and all hidden out of site (but I know its there!)

My stamping technique needs some more practice its the biggest stamp I've used so far and I struggled to stamp it properly. I must have had a dozen attempts before I finally stamped one that didn't have bits missing...I should have a day of just stamping to practice, it was getting very frustrating with it going wrong,thankfully I got there in the end. Anyway I'm already planning my next card, its a sketch, I often struggle with what to do,so I love sketches, I've chosen the papers etc and the stamp, so just need to put it all together...hopefully I will get it finished later tonight,this week I'm only working late 2 nights so aim to make the most of it while it lasts, as next week its back to feeling like I never leave work!

'A whole bunch of love' 

I made this card using the following 

• white square base card
• kraft card layering -Papermania 
• yellow gingham paper - Magazine freebie 'Raspberry Road designs luxury paper pack'
• Stamp and sentiment - Popcorn the Bear -Coloured with promarkers 

from stash

• yellow/orange paper -layering 
• punched flowers -with added pearls
• satin gold/yellow ribbon bow
• gold heart pin
• faux stitching -black gel pen

Challenges I would like to enter this 

Whoopsi Daisy challenge- Die cut and or punches 

Make it Monday #101-Anything Goes

Great impressions ‘A walk on the wild side –August challenge

No Matter What Challenges-challenge #1 -Anything goes 

The Ribbon girl- bingo-Ribbon –pearls- image

2sisters-Anything goes

Challenge up your life-challenge -#75-Anything goes

Digi Doodle shop- Challenge 119- Ribbons and bows

Moving Along With The Times- Challenge157-Summer

Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenges- Challenge 49 –Summer Fun

Crafty Calendar challenge-Teddy Bear Parade- monthly

Pattie’s Creations- challenge#49- Animals or Insects

The Stamp Man - Anything Goes-Celebration-Fortnightly

Simply Create Too-Challenge#19- Anything goes

Stamping with the Dragon -Summer Colours

Sun challenges – challenge #68-Free choice of subject

Avadares Challenge #2 - Anything for August

The Pink Elephant-TPE -160-Ribbon Galore
Truly Madly Crafty challenge- August Challenge- Summer Fun

Downloading Digi's Delights and Design.

I have had barely no time for card making this week with working late but I did get the opportunity yesterday to finish this cute Christmas card which I started at the beginning of the week...speed is not my strong point,but then I dont have great chunks of time for card making, so I try to make the most of my time even if its only 5 minutes, it is the first time I've used a digital image, I found her on a fab site which has loads of freebies, I was struggling with my limited Christmas stash and ideas when I came across this site,she is called Christmas Belle from Digital Doodling blogspot,click on her to check the site out its fab. I was quite pleased with the finished card as I wanted it to have a slight vintage feel hence my colour choices.I had no red pearls and coloured them with promarkers, I was really pleased with the result and would definitely do the same again.

Its been a busy week at work and quite stressful but I did get a very nice surprise on Tuesday whilst blog hopping after work  as not only was I a top 3 at  Ladybug crafts Ink  I also won the July blog hop and won their set of 6 new Christmas delights digi's; I was so excited and can't wait to try them out. I had planned to stop making Christmas cards for another few weeks but I need to try out the new designs first as they are are so cute especially the' handbag tree delight'... every girls dream at Christmas, handbags galore! Watch out for them over the next few weeks.

My daughter also decided this week  that my blog needed revamped as wasn't looking good enough,she has done a great job and it looks good, every time I log on there is another change...I can barely keep up... I do now have more pages to fill,when I get the time, its all very neat and tidy and as I haven't mastered the technical side,(doubt I ever will!) I am now able to post photo's on my own  it should stay that way which is very nice. Well of to finish another card(not Christmas)   before everyone is awake (Sunday morning lie in!.. I'm jealous) which hopefully I will post tonight all going well ,bye for now X.

'Christmas Belle'

I used the following to make my card 

• white square base card
• brown textured card stock for layering
• white and red snowflake/stars patterned papers - Fizzy Moon festive fun 
• Digi stamp-Christmas Belle - coloured with promarkers with glitter added for sparkle

From Stash

• gold and red pearlised papers-layering 
• red and gold satin ribbons and bows
• white and gold punched snowflakes
• pearls and pearl ribbon slider - coloured with red promarker
• large mulberry paper roses (glittered inside)

card base 

challenges I would like to enter this week are -

Paper Crafting Journey- Anything Goes

ABC Christmas Challenge- O- For open it up

The Ribbon Carousel Blog-RCC64- Christmas in July must used spooled item

Top Tip Tuesday-challenge#82-focus on the ribbon

Twisted Tuesday Challenges -2tc17-free for all

The Sisterhood of Crafters-diamonds pearls and lace-I used pearls

Winter Wonderland-Ribbon and lace