WOYWW 208...A very happy 4th Anniversary

Good morning and a very happy anniversary WOYWW to everyone and especially to Julia a big  congratulations  to you on your  4th anniversary.

If you dont know what this is go to the Stamping Ground to check it out. It's where like minded folk get to share what's on their desks,workspaces or crafty areas. Its very addicted and I've met some of the most fabulous caring funny and inspirational people since I came across the site last year. I'm definitely still a relative newbie but have always been made to feel most welcome... the best bit is I get to check out some awesome bloggers and there amazing creations. 

Not a lot of activity since last week I'm afraid with work and a busy weekend away I haven't had much time.There's an unfinished card and some new stamps and die set that I couldn't resist buying.

Most of my weekend was spent attending my daughters graduation art exhibition in Canterbury and bringing her and her belongings back from University...I cant believe 3 years has passed and she has now completed her course and ready to take on the world ...doesn't time fly. Off to work soon so will hopefully get around to visiting everyone later today and over the next few days. I hope you all have a wonderful week and thank you for popping in, I really appreciate you taking the time. I've also made my very first ATC for the event and look forward to passing it on, I had hoped to make a few but only managed one !

Finally Julia I hope we have many more WOYWW to come...and a big thank you for introducing me to such a fabulous crafty family...hugs and best wishes Andrea x 

WOYWW 207

Happy WOYWW and I know I’m supposed to keep it brief (sorry Julia) but I wanted to a share my first scrap book page with you all,

What’s WOYWW? …Check out the Stamping Ground to share in this addictive weekly crafty blog hop hosted by the wonderful Julia…you will want to take part.

Hopefully this will be one of many pages now that I finally got started. Not much else happening I’m afraid I’ve been busy at work this week  and not had any crafty time since the weekend

My dad sadly passed away three years ago and I don’t have very many photos of him either whilst growing up or with my daughter. The photo I used for the page was a tatty little photo that I found but couldn't part with, its damaged and not the greatest of quality but is one of the few I have of him with my daughter as a baby; so was very important to me to keep.

 I’m happy with how it turned out and hope that despite its size and quality it still remains the focal point. .I have put additional journalling hidden on a tag as there are some very personal memories and thoughts that I want my daughter to have that I wouldn't want on the page. The grand idea is the scrapbook will be given to my daughter completed and will have a brief page or two about me and my family( if I can find enough photos) and will manly focus on her life from birth till the present day taking snapshot moments /events along the way. I have so few photos from when I grew up and I want to keep as many memories and events as vivid as possible for her and the generations ahead.

I’m happy I got started. It was not as difficult as I thought it would be with a huge 12x12 piece of card in front of me; I’m already planning the next one in my head

Hope you have a great week and get to do something that is special too you. Thanks for visiting. And will visit all you WOWWER’S later as early start this morning and will get back to you when I get back in from work later today...Hugs… Andrea X

long view desk 

Products used -

Black, blue and mustard card stock for layering and die cuts

My Minds Eye the Sweetest Thing- Bluebell 12x12

and 6x6 papers and stamp set –used flower stamp

My Minds Eye Stamps Sets –The sweetest thing ‘tangerine-’hello’ –

Used –chevron and date stamp

Nellie’s-Multi frame Heart dies

As above 6x6 and 12 x 12 papers for journalling, die cuts and tag holder

Tag with twine

Fine liner pen for journalling

First scrap page completed

close up photo my dad and daughter

 die cuts and pocket

Challenges I  would like to participate in-

Crafty Bloggers Network Challenge #11 -O’s and X’s challenge (three in a row)

Die cut hearts .Flower, chevron and date stamp .Tag used

Challenges 4 Everybody -Challenge #20-Anything Goes

Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Pink Team Week 19 th May - Anything Goes

One Stop Craft Challenge #229-Anything Goes

Our Creative Corner challenge –Anything Goes

Ribbon Girl Give Away

The Ribbon Girl Blog is giving away a fab set of gorgeous goodies; hurry though it closes at 10pm tonight go check it out,good luck
hugs Andrea X

Purple and Green Girl Picking Flowers

I don’t usually post on a Friday but as I was only working this morning and I’m off work this afternoon I thought I would make the most of it and do a short post with one of the cards I finished last week but didn't get posted. I am also working at the weekend so may not get the opportunity again over the weekend as I would usually try to do... I’m still in springtime and flower mode but this time I’ve moved away from the pastels and went for bold and bright colours. I love this cute stamp from Marianne Designs and the combination of purple and green is one of my favourite colour combinations when choosing bold colours.

The backing paper was a magazine  freebie that was perfect for this. I haven’t anyone in mind for this card as yet, although its ready to go when that changes..I hope you are having a good day and get some time for crafting;or have a nice weekend planned ..I plan to have a go at scrap booking later today its been on my mind to start for some time and I keep putting it off; so today is the day… hopefully I will have something to post soon …unless I change my mind again! Thanks for visiting and have fab weekend hugs Andrea X

Products I’ve used-

White square card 6x6

Green and purple cardstock for layering and die cuts

Cream pearlescent cardstock for dies- Green yellow hearts-magazine freebie

Die cut scalloped circle 

Diecut circle -picking flowers stamp –Marianne Designs - coloured Copics and Promarkers

Die cut flourish

Die cut heart –pack (sorry don’t remember brand)

Die cut Roses and flowers

Die cut butterflies  

From stash-

Organza Ribbon an d lace

Gems

With love Tag

Challenges I would like to take part in

By The Cute and Girly –May Challenge -Flowers

Crafting Musketeer s- Challenge #1 -Anything Goes

The Cupboard Trilogy Challenge #11 Spring Flowers

CharismaCards Challenge #19-No Digi’s Allowed

Happy Campers Challenge #16-Use Lace

WOYWW 206

Good morning and happy WOYWW wishes to you, I hope you are having a good day whatever you’re up to. I missed last week and I’m pleased to be back for my weekly crafty fix and blog hopping. This week is proving to be a much better week already and I even got to spend some time yesterday stamping and have just about finished another card, which you can see on my desk… I didn't get the opportunity to try some new stamps I purchased but hopefully will soon… and I’m not putting them away until I do!

What’s WOYWW you ask,,,its the weekly world wide blog party hosted by the wonderful Julia that allows you to share your crafty space...go check it out is fab.I also completed my first ever ATC yesterday for the WOYWW 4th  anniversary in a few weeks time;it’s the first time for me doing anything arty/abstract. I’m quite pleased with the result, its not my ‘usual’ style and was way out my comfort zone and I had very inky fingers( I hate the feeling !) but I  hope the recipient will be happy with it too; no photo though as that would spoil the surprise…check out Julia’s blog theStamping Ground and link for more details if you want to take part. I have another card to post but will do that separately as waffling now and that never a good thing! Off to check out what other WOYWWer’s have been up too; have a fab day and a great week, Hugs…Andrea X 

work in progress 

long view and new stamps waiting to be 'tested'

                                                                                  

Pastel Flowers and Hearts

A short post tonight it’s been a busy weekend; food shopping, housework and ironing yesterday! …Not exactly fun but necessary as was working again today Tonight’s card is a pretty pastel spring card with lots of die cut elements, this is one of the cards I completed last week, but have not had the chance to post due to work. I haven’t crafted at all this week so hoping to get the opportunity later tonight even an hour would be perfect as back to work again tomorrow. I love the colour combination of this one and the flowers I think look really pretty. I also got to play with my new heart dies and stamps here, The cute furry bunny was a magazine freebie isn't she sweet, I hope you got some crafty time and have had a great weekend whatever you did …thanks for visiting and hope you have a super duper week…Hugs Andrea X

A Happy Hello 

Close up of stamped image 

close up of detail 

Products I’ve used

White scalloped base card 5x7

Yellow and green cardstock paper for layering and die cuts

Green check paper- (not very visible panel behind die cut oval/stamp) Riverside Revels 

Green yellow hearts-magazine freebie

Bunny stamp –magazine freebie -coloured copics and promarkers

Die cut oval and scalloped oval – (another staple die perfect size for most of my stamps)

Heart dies -Sentiment stamps (new dies love them, a great choice of shapes and cute stamps too)

Flourish- (use this all the time very versatile)

Roses and flowers –again love these and use them often probably too often!

Leaves – (love the shape of these ones another frequently used die)

From stash

Floral Button

Satin and organza Ribbon

Organza ribbon with flowers (on panel behind oval die cut/stamp just visible bottom card)

Resin flower

PS THE RIBBON GIRL BLOG HAVE A FAB BLOG GIVE-AWAY OF SOME NEW HEMP TWINE IN AMAZING
COLOURS AND  FAB FLOWERS; QUICK THOUGH AS IT ONLY RUNS UNTIL THE 18^TH MAY.

ChallengesI'd like to take part in

Crafty Catz Challenge#182 -Anything Goes

Jelly Park Challenge -Its Girly Girl -2nd Entry

As you like it Challenge #1 Dies and or Punches (explain why you used them)

Paper Crafting Journey Challenge 2nd May- Anything Goes

Divas By Design Challenge May 8TH- Anything Goes

Freshly Brewed Monthly Challenge May- Flowers -2nd Entry

Ruby’s Rainbow Challenge#53- Furry Friends

Penny’s Challenge #126 Die Cuts and or Punches

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge 8th May- April Showers Bring May Flowers

Bank Holiday=Sunshine+Picnic+Crafting=Perfect

Morning and what a beautiful day, this a photo heavy post! I’ve made an easel card using a pretty Magnolia stamp. I couldn't resist going to town and trying out my new dies and stamps that I’ve been itching to use.  The pretty paper was a magazine freebie and I love the colour, its perfect for this cute stamp that I had coloured a few weeks ago… It’s for a friend to say thank you…lets hope she likes butterflies! I tried heat embossing the corners but didn't quite work and not sure why but was a strange murky grey colour and should have been white ! so glittered on top of it ! I’ve been busy and made the most of the bank holiday and having most of the day off.  I was working early but we still had time to go on a picnic to Gunby Hall which is a National Trust site near to Skegness, it’s about and hour from where we live so not too far, although the traffic going to the coast was bumper to bumper much of the way, thank goodness HB knows the roads well and found another route. We had a lovely picnic in the beautiful gardens and relaxed, we didn't visit the house; that’s for a raining day and another visit and we wanted to make the most of the glorious weather.

Easel card

Close up Tilda

card base 

I as usual took to many photographs of the lovely Victorian gardens and grounds including some stunning magnolia trees in full bloom. It was a perfect spot for our picnic and enjoying the sunshine and then double bonus I did some crafting when I got home. 

I used the following products

2 x 6x6 linen textured based cards

Various shades blue and white cardstock for die cuts and layering

Magnolia stamp-Tilda loves flowers coloured promarkers/copics

dies used- 
Die -Namics -butterflies 
Memory box- dancing butterflies 
Marianne designs -Hearts dies and stamps, leaves, butterflies and corners  
Spellbinders- Adorning squares -3 biggest dies used 
               Scalloped borders 1
               Leaves from delicate asters set 
               Fancy framed tags 
cArt US- butterflies 

large blue die cut butterfly-  magazine freebie

Various blue and white flowers

Pearls, gems, ribbon and Buttons 

Victorian walled garden

Magnolia tree in bloom 

I have got to get on  as off to work shortly. I hope you a great week and enjoy the sunshine … if you get the get the opportunity. Thank you for visiting and hopefully I will be posting another of my completed cards soon .Have a great week, hugs … Andrea X. 

Challenges I would like to take part in

Stamp and create with Magnolia challenge #8- Spring with Buttons.

Tilda's Town challenge #51- Anything goes

Lady Anne’s Challenge#2^nd Challenge-May-Easel Card

Marianne Designs Challenge - Going Girly 

Lovely Haenglar or Sweet Magnolia Challenge#68 -Anything Goes 

2 Sisters Challenge#142 -Bingo Bash-(easel card, image and die cut/punches)

Di’s Digi Challenge-Anything But Square

Addicted To Stamps Challenge#55 –Beautiful Buttons

The Ribbon Girls May Challenge -Add a Button

Jelly Park Challenge -Its Girly theme

Natalie and Amy challenge #9-Things with wings 

No Matter Which Challenge#9- Things with Wings

Springtime Flowers

A quick post this morning with one of the cards I finished on Friday. I had a great time in the craft room. I made two new cards and completed a third that I started a couple of weeks ago…that’s definitely a record! And had a fab time to boot, my crafty withdrawal symptoms have definitely now been cured.I hope to get them all posted over the next few days between working. This is the first one that I started a few weeks ago. This cute Stampavie stamp could be used at Easter but is perfect for spring with its bright and cheerful design. I chose the bold floral paper as it was bright and fresh. I'm not sure what make the die-cut sentiment is as I bought it on Ebay ages ago and can’t remember…sorry. I Hope you have a great bank holiday weekend and get to enjoy some sunshine, I will be back with another post soon…Also a warm welcome to my newest followers, its a pleasure to meet more like minded people.Thank you. Hugs… Andrea X

spring flowers 

close up 

I used the following products-

White square base card

Stamp-‘hat decorating’ -coloured copics promarkers

Floral paper

Pink and white card layering and die cuts

Die cut flowers –Vintage daisy

Die cut fancy flourish

Pink ribbon and white lace

Die cut wooden bird –coloured, embossed and glittered.

Pink glittered brads

Peg and die cut sentiment

Challenges I would like to take part in -

Card Crafters Circle challenge#73-Buds blooms and blossoms

Stamping with dragon challenge-Spring has sprung

Creative corner challenges #17- flowers and or mothers day

Allsorts Challenge Week#205- Add Some Sparkle

Country View Challenge 3rd May -How does your garden grow? 

Freshly brewed may Monthly Challenge – Flowers closes 31^st May

Krafty Hand May Challenge- Flower Frenzy

One Stop Craft Challenge #227- Flower Power

Wags and Whiskers Challenge #103 -Girly birthday

WOYWW 204

Happy WOYWW, another week has disappeared which means its that fab day where we all get to share our crafty spaces over at the stamping ground ,it’s a fab get together of all kinds of creative and talented people sharing there workspaces…go check it out, the fabulous host Julia will make you most welcome. A tidy desk and little activity today, although I did get to spend some time at the weekend doing some die cutting and generally messing around. I still have the stamps I coloured a few weeks ago waiting to be made into cards…hopefully will get some time Friday when I’m off work again for some card making as working at the weekend. I did get to play with my GC on Saturday and do some die cutting; I now have a box of goodies all ready and waiting to be used. Why don’t you take part and share your creations with us all of for a look before I go to work, have good week and thanks for popping in hugs Andrea x  

Long view with box of lovely die cuts 

Close up desk 

Arty shot desk!