Pretty Princess and Precious Time

What a lovely weekend we have had; unfortunately I've been working both days for most of it; but I did get to spend and hour in the sunshine gardening this afternoon...bliss!

I've been neglecting my blog recently and I've not had many opportunities to visit my favourite sites as often as I would like to. It feels like I haven't posted for ages though it hasn't been that long really...just under two weeks!...seems much longer!..I'm having major withdrawals!..my blogging time is precious to me whether that's writing a post or visiting my new found crafty friends and favourites its now a part of my life, I feel like I'm missing out on so much when I don't get the time.My twice a week posts and almost daily blog hopping is now definitely a thing of the past...at least for the time being anyway!

Work is busy and very short staffed so I've had to work most weekends or at least part of the weekend for quite some time now; which leaves little time for much else.On my days off work I'm tired and I don't have the motivation to do more than the necessary weekly chores;the cleaning,shopping and cooking...not exciting but has to be done!...It won't be forever so mustn't grumble... the good news is I am on annual leave next week for almost two weeks...so only one more day to work and I'm almost there.

Pretty Princess

I will get the chance to relax and have a stress free break away...bliss...I can't not have my crafty fix though...even when away!... I plan to take my markers and some stamps with me; so even if the weather is bad I can do some colouring.We are off to Cornwall, three nights near Newquay then a week in St Ives, its the same accommodation we stayed in last summer,the apartments are beautiful,last years was huge for just the two of us so this one is a bit smaller.. I'm really looking forward to 10 days of bliss.

Die cuts a plenty !

I have several cards finished over the past few weeks that I haven't yet had the time to post and I always have a card 'on the go' so I can do 10 mins here and there when I get the opportunity...it helps keep my sanity!The saturated canary cards I coloured some weeks ago,and gave a sneaky peak of this one whilst under construction on previous post, they are now both finished and as you can see I went to town with the die cutting once again!.. this was the first one finished, I love the colour scheme and think the green works well with the lace.Thank you so much for visiting and if haven't been to see you recently I hope to soon . Hope you have a great weekend..crafty hugs Andrea x

 I used the following:-

5x7 white base card
Saturated Canary digi stamp- die cut rectangle -coloured Copics and Promarkers
Green card for layering 
Papers-Magazine freebie
Vellum die cut flowers,border and butterflies 
White die cut, leaves, flourish,corners,butterfly 
Die cut fancy frame-stamp- 'friends make every day special'
Stamp- Whimsy Wee stamp set-Magazine freebie -'just for you'
From stash 
White lace
white Ribbon
Pearl brads
Button

Close up 

I would like to take part in the following challenges :-
Crafty Ribbons Challenge#'50 -Anything Goes with Ribbon 
Cute Card Thursday Challenge#275- Fly Like a Bird
My Heart Pieces - Use a Digi stamp
Crafting by Design- Anything Goes 
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog-Challenge#133-Girl Power 
The Paper Shelter Challenge#118-Buttons and or Brads 
Scrappers Delight Challenge#2- Die cuts and or Punches 
Simon Says Stamps - Challenge-Anything Goes 
Anything Goes Challenge -Challenge#95-Buttons Pearls and Lace
Inky Chicks Challenge #7- Anything Goes 
Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT- Challenge-Flowers and Ribbon
Crafting For all Seasons -Challenge#55-Make it Girly 

WOYWW 211

I didn't think I would make it for today's WOYWW but here I am better late than never as they say!... Another week has gone and unfortunately little activity in the craft room again,I did finish the card from last week...not yet posted as still playing catch up with myself...and I have started gathering some pretty bits 'n' bobs for the other Saturated Canary stamp I coloured at the same time.You might guess by the photo's that I like blue...and as usual I've went a bit OTT with the die cutting ...now I've too many choices to make !

Die Cut Galore !

More Blue Bits !

Hopefully you have been a bit more productive than me!Why dont you pop over to the Stamping Ground and check out what the fabulous WOYWW's are up too,Julia will be pleased to see you too; the host of this awesome site. I'm off to do my nosey have a look myself!...so thanks for visiting me and if not today I will come see you soon.Hope you have a fab week whatever you get up too ... hugs  Andrea 

Best Friend

I've been so busy with work since last week due to staffing problems,there's been no time for crafting or blogging, so I'm making good use of some free time this evening and visiting my favourite sites.I finished this card two week ago almost but haven't got round to posting it; initially it wasn't for anyone or naything in particular but is now a birthday card for one of my hubby's colleagues, a quick change of sentiment to happy birthday and off it went.The stamp is Thomas from LOTV ...isn't he such a cutie, I just love their stamps and would happily have them all.I started off with back ground paper which I love, not sure why as it's quite dark and not my usual colour choice and I wasn't sure what to use with it initially... but pleased with the overall result and think the red and green accents work well together. The pretty lacy white border is actually cut from an oval die with lacy corners from the Radiant Rectangles Set I cut the lacy corners from the oval and used to create a border edge,I think its very effective and can see me using this frequently

Thomas with bunch flowers

close up 

I plan to do some blog hopping tonight and visit some of my favourite sites for a catch up. Hopefully work will settle down again soon and I will get back into my routine and get some time for crafting.I hope you have a great week whatever you get up to and thanks for visiting...hugs ....Andrea X

I used the following products

White scalloped 6x6 square base card

Floral paper -Carnaby street- Magazine Freebie

Green check paper Riverbank Revels

Stamp -Thomas-Thanks a Bunch -  coloured Copics and Promarker

Sentiment stamp -magazine freebie

Red white cardstock-die cuts layering

Die cuts- using card stock and papers as above-

Circle, Scalloped circle,flourish.delicate asters and

Radiant rectangles cut and used to create border edge

From stash

Green organza ribbon and red ric rac

Floral brad, peg, button, gem and sequin hearts

Challenges I  would like to take part in-
Make it Monday Challenge#145-Anything Goes 
Paper Playtime Challenge#12-Anything Goes 
Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge#22-Anything Goes 
No Matter What Challenge #10-Bingo-Die Cuts,Buttons and Bows 
Hiding in My Craftroom -Challenge-HIMCR-Die Cuts
Heck of a Challenge -Bingo in June- Green, Die cuts and Yellow
Sister Act Card Challenge #11-Anything Goes 
Stampin For The Weekend Challenge #06-Cute
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #48- Anything Goes 
Lady Anne's Challenge #9-Anything Goes

WOYWW 210

Happy WOYWW this week and thanks for visiting.My ATC following the fabulous 4th anniversary of WOYWW arrived last week... it was ever so quick in getting here and all the way from Australia...that beats my local postal service sometimes!...The talented RosA sent not only the stunning ATC that's beautiful on both sides but also a little pocket to protect it and a sweet little card, so a great big thank you to you and also thanks to Julia and her wonderful weekly blog hop gathering as without it we wouldn't have WOYWW and I wouldn't have received such a lovely gift. I get to see and now receive work from talented people from all over the world so take a look for yourself over at the Stamping Ground if you haven't already!...and share in enjoying their wonderful work.The ATC is stunning both back and front.I definitely need more practice, I don't want to post the one I made until I'm sure the recipient has received it first, so hopefully next week...its not great or as impressive as the one I received but it was my first and despite my dislike of inky messy fingers I gave it a go! 

ATC and pretty card 

close up ATC from RosA

The ATC and pretty card now have pride of place on the pin board in my craft room with all my treasured bits and bobs. RosA is a very talented lady and I am so happy to have received it. 

I hope you managed to take part and if not got to see all the wonderful ATC's  made and posted so far. I also have the card to post that I was working on last week,but will do later as I know Julia likes to see our desks and keep our posts short...I struggle with that bit!... sorry Julia.

desk

long view desk 

My desk has some more cards on the go this week as I did some colouring at the weekend...I do love Saturated Canary they are such fun to colour and great for practicing my colouring skills..I hope you've had a good week and that it continues...thank you for visiting and hope to see you again next week if not before. Lots of hugs...Andrea x 

Another Blue Card !

What a beautiful and sunny day its been today and I haven't had to go to work, bliss...I dont get to blog as frequently as I would like and miss doing more posts but such is life at the minute I just can't manage more than one every week, so making the most of some spare time this evening. I finished this card last week there is no birthdays or occasions for cards coming up soon so I made it just for fun. Its the first Tilda card I've made in what seem like ages even though it's actually only a few weeks,Its a busy card ; once I start to add bits I seem to just not stop!...I've used my favourite colour again!... I wonder what percentage of cards I've made are blue?...I reckon it will be pretty high. I inked the stamp and sentiments but didn't do it very well, its a bit streaky close up and not sure where I went wrong?... more practice required .

Tilda with balloon 

I really love the new Just Rite sentiment stamps I got recently which I used for the large sentiment and the banners. I can see me using these frequently.This morning was spent doing housework, getting the washing out and general tidying.As the weather today has been so good we went to a garden centre this afternoon as had ordered some slate for the front garden(hubby's weekend project!).We had a lovely Lunch out; collected half of the slate (will need two trips) and I couldn't resist getting a few new pretty plants whilst there. So have also done some gardening when we got back and planted them. The plan is to do a bit less tomorrow...see how it goes... I am relaxing now with a coffee and plan to do some catching up of  my favourite blogs before I go make tonight's tea. 

close up detail

painted and glittered butterfly 

I've used the following products-

White base card

Blue and white card stock for layering and various die cuts used

Various papers- blue spotty and floral

Die cut label  for Tilda with balloon -coloured Copics and Promarkers and inked 

Die cut labels for stamped sentiment and inked

Various die cuts-

Hearts, flower border, flourish,corners ,borders, 

candy hearts, multi hearts and banner tags, framed tag die(middle section) 

From stash-

Blue satin ribbons, various coloured flowers,

butterfly painted with gesso and glittered,brads, 

heart pins,mini peg 

Challenges I would like to take part in -

Bearly- Mine Challenge#89- Dies and or Punches

Creative Card Crew -Challenge#37 -Punches -Dies

Inky Chicks Challenge #5- Use a Magnolia Stamp

Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog Team B-challenge  –All about Butterflies
Through the Craft Room Door Challenge TTCRD 10th June- Anything Goes

Craftin Desert Divas Craft it up Link it up Linky Party #7-Ribbons or Twine

Created with Love Challenge #44-Anything  Goes

Get Inky Challenge #5- Good Golly Glitter

Make my Monday Challenge 3rd June –Use Ribbon and or Lace 

WOYWW 209

Morning and a happy WOYWW to everyone I nearly missed it this morning; hasn't the week gone so quickly. I'm working late today again so have time this morning to do a post.I was going to show my ATC today from last weeks anniversary celebrations but it wont have reached its recipient yet. Wasn't last week fab I didn't get to comment on as many sites as I wanted to but had a great look round and was great to see such a wonderful response to Julia's fabulous blog and 4th WOYWW anniversary celebrations...what's that you ask?...go check out the Stamping Ground,its a fabulously addictive weekly blog hop of like minded folk sharing their crafty spaces. 

current unfinished project 

long desk view

This weeks desk has and unfinished card a loads sentiments that I’ve stamped and die cut ...not sure which to use yet? , and some stamps I’m backing. I have been foam mounting these sentiment stamps for what seems like forever (weeks really)but I keep putting it off,  now nearly there's one sheet finished and the other is more than halfway although they wont all fit so need to buy some more mounting foam...what other purchases may that lead too!...I also have the finished card I was working on last week to post but will do it separately after this...I've got to try and keep this short...its the rules :-).Well Off now as hope to get some blog hopping as well as another post before work so have a great week; if you do hop by I will come visit you, I just cant promise when that might be with work...hope you have a fab week whatever your up to and have some if not lots of crafty enjoyment too, thanks for visiting...hugs...Andrea X.

Pretty in Pink

I've tried to keep today's post short as lots to do and I'm also working tomorrow so between housework and ironing I blogging too...multi tasking at its best!I have several cards that I've not had the time to post yet, not helped by my slow typing and even worse spelling !..everything takes me forever and then I need to correct all the mistakes I make...I could go on but you get the general picture and dont need or want to know about my my poor typing skills!.. My daughter is now all unpacked and settling in and its lovely having her back not sure hubby feels the same yet! ...I'm sure we will get there.This card was made using the free Annabelle Wild Rose Studio Stamp that came with a magazine,I really enjoyed colouring it... isn't she sweet; I went for a multi layered look and there is a lot of die cuts..,. I  haven't held back !... hope you like the finished result as much as I do. 

Sending Smiles  

close up 

 pretty little butterflies 

I used the following products
white base card
pink, blue and white card stock for layering and die cuts
Annabelle in the meadow  Stamp- die cut adoring squares coloured Copics and Promarkers
Me Too You and pink spot paper
 various dies used- 
flourish,branch and leaves
flowers, roses and several heart dies
fancy frame tags and charmed tags 
butterflies,bird
lacy border and corners
from stash 
satin, organza and grosgrain ribbons
felt brad.pearls,metal heart charm and gems
flower chipboard embellishment

Well back to the household chores; hope you have a great weekend and get to get to do something enjoyable. Be back soon...I hope!..thanks for visiting ...hugs Andrea X

Challenges I would like to take part in

Alphabet Challenge Blog -H for Happy- Happy days stamp used 

Splendiferous Creations - Bloggers Challenge - To die for

Crafts 4 Eternity -R#126-3 Same letter- blue brads- blues- birds 

Inspire Me Friday- #105-Anything Goes 

Sister  Act Card Challenge#9-Anything Goes 

Crafty Ribbons Challenge #46- Must use Ribbon 

In The Pink Challenge #21-Anything Goes

Shelley's Images -Terrific Thursday- Anything Goes 

Crafting by Design- Anything Goes 

Creative moments challenge #18-lots of layers 

Flutter by Wednesday Challenge#242