Blog Hop!

I have just completed my very first blog hop over at the 'Polkadoodles challenge blog'. It was great fun and they have some fantastic prizes on offer.  

Pop over and join in if you have time.  Off to make my Easter card entry now - see you later. Jx

Another Bingo Challenge

Yay! I have finished school today for the Easter holidays - bring on the crafting!

I made this card last weekend, but have only just had chance to share.  This one is for the 'Wild Orchid Challenge', which is a Bingo theme.  It was difficult to choose a line to follow and I think my card has actually met two of the rows - but my initial choice was 'ribbon & lace, paper piecing and embossing.  Here's what I made ...

I started with a 6x6" champagne card blank and added an apricot layer of paper and then a black lace paper (both from the Basic Grey - Little Black Dress paper pad).  The main feature is stamped onto very pale apricot pearlised paper with one of my favourite images - I love this wireworks dress from Stampendous.   I then run it through a swirls embossing folder.  I stamped the dress twice more, once on the apricot paper and the bodice on the black lace paper to echo the background -  then cut them out and paper pieced them onto the original stamped image.  This is matted onto black textured card and then gold mirri card  which lifts it from the lace background.  I have added a piece of black lace around the whole card then embellished with cream ribbon, cream pearls and three 10mm roses from Wild Orchid Crafts.  The sentiment is Wild Rose Studio and is mounted on a small scalloped circle of pale apricot.  Added embellishments include two pearl brads, together with WOC adhesive pearls and peach adhesive gems on the dress. 

I was really pleased with the results - something a little different and not a promarker in sight!  I can step away from them when I want too (she tries to tell herself convincingly!) Lol. Jx

Exciting News

I am thrilled - my recent entry to the 'Stamping for the Weekend' blog challenge has won first place!

This was a photo inspiration challenge and my very first attempt at a 'shabby chic' style and although I was pleased with the results, I wasn't sure it was good enough to win (but what do I know!) Lol.

I have won a gift voucher to spend at 'Simon Says Stamp' online craft store (check them out here).  I have had a quick peek but it nearly blew my mind , they have so much to offer - I can see this will be expensive! Hehe.

I would just like to say a huge thanx to the team at SFTW for choosing my card and for the fantastic prize.  I can now proudly display their 'winners' banner.

Hugz, Jx

Time Flies

Ooo I have had a lovely weekend crafting away in my sunny conservatory - better than freezing my bits off during the colder months.  All I have to worry about now is my gorgeous stash of papers curling up in the heat, rather than all my metal stuff being too cold to handle! Lol.  At least I have my own space - I only waited 7 years!

Anyway, I must say a big thank you to all those bloggers out there who are kind enough to share their favourite challenges - there are so many to choose from and I am totally addicted.  I found this one on the blog of a very talented friend of mine and her card inspired me to have a go.  I am going to enter it into the 'Crafty Cardmakers blog challenge', which has a 'Time' theme.  Here's what I made ...

I love this particular set of stamps from Invoke Arts and use them loadz - I think they are great for making cards for guys which is why I chose the neutral colour tones.  I started with a  6x6" champagne card blank and added a layer of spotty paper which is inked around the edges with TH walnut stain distress ink for an aged effect.  The topper has several clock elements stamped using a masking technique and is also edged with the same distress ink.  I have added a brass timepiece as the main focal element which is enhanced with a pair of stamped wings to illustrate the wording (which is from the same stamp set) before finishing with a piece of brown satin ribbon.  The sentiment is cut using a Labels Four nestie and is also inked for effect.  Added embellishments include a couple of brass effect brads, brown organza ribbon and a brown button.  I am really pleased with how it turned out - hope you like it. Jx

Disney

Well, after days of foggy starts I definitely think spring has arrived - it is gorgeous out this morning with lots of spring sunshine.  I hope everyone is getting some of the same.

I have another challenge card this morning and this one is for the 'Glitter Geeks challenge', which is Disney if you hadn't guessed already.  This one posed a quandary as I don't have any Disney stamps, so I used a digital image for my card - I hope that's ok.  It had to be another little dog, didn't it - here goes ...

Starting with a 6x6" pearlised white card blank, I have matted two layers of paper from my stash.  The first one has a faux black matting layer, which I did with a black Promarker.  The second has a pretty lace edge punched from a border punch down the left side, which is enhanced with tiny crystal star gems  (but it's difficult to see in the pic).  I love the cute little Dalmation image which is coloured with my trusty Promarkers and enhanced with crystal glitter.  I cut this using a Labels Four nestie, highlighted the edge with TH Spun Sugar distress ink and mounted it on black.  The alphas are cut from black textured cardstock using a set of Sizzix dies. Added embellishments include a little black and white spotty ribbon bow, two black star shaped eyelets and three black adhesive gems.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Jx

An Animal or a Bird

Morning everyone,

I have one of my makes from yesterday to show you.  I have made the card for a friend's birthday - but I think it also qualifies for this week's Polkadoodles blog challenge - to use an animal or a bird.  My animal had to be a dog, didn't it - so I used my cute little Magnolia doggie stamp - 'Wilma with Rose' from the Raising the Ceiling collection.  Here's how it ended up ...

Ingredients

Image - Wilma with Rose (Magnolia)

Colouring Medium - Promarkers

Papers - HOTP and Wild Rose Studio

Sentiment - Birthday Circles (Wild Rose Studio)

Tools - Lacy Circle, Plain Circle and Scalloped Circle nesties

Embellishments - Stamped hinges, Organza ribbon, Adhesive pearls

Inks - TH distress ink (Shabby Shutters)

Green is not a colour I use often, but it's my friend's favourite colour - I think it works.  Hope you like it. Jx

Blog Challenge Win!

I am so excited - I have won my first blog challenge over at Glitter Geeks for my 'Spring' card.  I am just waiting to hear from them so I can proudly display their banner on my blog.

I have been busy crafting today and have a couple of new cards to share, but I will post tomorrow when I can photograph them in the daylight!

Hope everyone is set for the weekend - have a good one. Jx

For the Guys

Morning everyone,

Blimey! I was like a woman possessed yesterday, got loads of jobs done so I can craft some more!  I have another card today for the 'Polkadoodles challenge' - this week is 'Let's Hear it for the Boys'.  I always seem to find it difficult to make for the guys, so this was a great challenge.  Here's what I made ...

I used a 6x6" white card blank and covered with blue paper from my stash - it has lots of words printed on it (all to do with the men in our life), but it is a little difficult to see in the picture. The border strip of brown paper is also from my stash and is topped with a piece of navy blue ribbon.  The image is 'Fizzy Moon - All About Him' and is coloured with promarkers and mounted on a large 'Lacey Square' nestie in blue.  The reading book is paper pieced with a scrap to match the border strip.  I stamped the 'birthday' sentiment, cut it out and coloured it with tan and pastel blue promarkers to match the layout.  Embellishments include three buttons from my stash, a couple of brown brads, together with a Tim Holtz 'Bliss' ticket held on with a blue paper clip. 

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend, Jx

Photo Inspiration

Wow! Where did this week go - I can't believe it's Friday again!

I have another blog challenge card to show today - this one is for the 'Stampin' for the Weekend' challenge, which is a photo inspiration challenge, incorporating a 'shabby chic' style.  Two firsts for me - I have never made anything before using a photograph for inspiration and it's my first attempt at a shabby chic style.  The photograph is so pretty I have included it in my post ...

It portrays such a calm, tranquil atmosphere and I love the colour scheme.  I have tried to incorporate this into my card, so here goes ...

It's another 8x8" scalloped edge card blank (this size is quickly becoming a favourite) matted with pale baby blue paper and a pretty pink and white paper from my stash, which has the top right corner rolled back for effect.  I have added several more different sized layers of blue and pink paper all of which have been distressed with my craft knife or torn and then inked.  The piece of pink polkadot paper has a layer of white paint around the edge for a 'shabby' effect and has been topped with some white lace.  The main feature is 'Tilda with Hawaii flower from the Butterfly Wishes' collection - I have kept the promarker colouring very pastel this time to tone with the papers.  The sentiment is mounted on a small blue scalloped circle and then a pink picot edged circle cut from my nesties - the pink one has been painted around the edge with white paint again.  The flowers are die-cut and layered with tiny button centres and white stamens.  Added die-cut embellishments include a Parisian border, a key and a butterfly, together with little 'wish' ticket which has a silver heart charm attached to it.  The card is finished off with pink candy and a metal corner from Wild Orchid Crafts.  I think it matches the photo, but I'm not sure if it's 'shabby' enough - but I like it! Jx

Mini shaped Card

Morning everyone,

We have another sunny day here - I definitely think spring is on the way :)  I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

I have another blog challenge card this morning - it's for the 'Wild Orchid Crafts challenge - Get in Shape'.  The challenge is to make a project using three different shapes - I made this cute little card but think I used four, if you include the flower!  Here goes ...

I used the largest of my Labels 17 nesties to cut the base on a piece of folded champagne pearlised card.  This is covered with a pretty paper from my stash cut into the same shape - the edges are inked with 'walnut stain' distress ink.  The top section is cut from the same champagne card using the largest of my Labels 1 nesties.  I have topped this with a stamped image from Lily of the Valley - 'Together Forever', which is coloured with promarkers.  The edges are also inked with 'walnut stain' distress ink.  I counted the circle sentiment as my third shape, which is mounted on a punched peach flower (which could be considered a fourth shape) - the edges of the flower are also inked with same ink.  Embellishments include a couple of flowers (the peach one is tinted with my promarker) and a seam binding bow from Wild Orchid Crafts, together with die-cut swirls and the top of the card is finished with a Parisian accent die-cut for added effect.  I love the colour theme of this little mini card - hope you like it Jx

Spring Challenge

It's looking very much like spring here - we have some lovely sunshine today, so I thought this was an appropriate post to make.  The addiction continues and this is my entry for 'Joanna Sheen's Spring challenge' ...

I used a 6x6" card blank which is matted with lilac gingham paper, topped with a pretty lemon flowered paper from my stash and secured with a lilac brad in each corner.  I used my nesties to cut a 'fleur de lis' square from the gingham paper to use as a backing feature before adding the focal element - 'Tilda with her Bunny' from the 'Butterfly Wishes collection'.  Tilda is coloured with my promarkers and her top and bow are paper pieced with the lemon backing paper.  I have torn the edges of the stamped image and inked with mustard seed distress ink.  I love the sentiment on this card, which can be used for so many different occasions.  The flower embellishments are mainly Wild Orchid Crafts, together with a lilac skeleton leaf and a couple of swirl die-cuts which I have glittered for extra effect. 

I am also entering it in the 'Glitter Geeks challenge' - Spring is in the Air.
I hope you like it, Jx

Birthday Wishes

I have that Thursday feeling today - it's always a good one because it means my working week is done!  No work tomorrow, that means I can get back to my crafting for the next three days :)

It was a work friend's birthday yesterday, so I thought I would share a quick card I made for her ...

It features a couple of my favourites - 'Fizzy Moon' and the colour purple, together with nesties, lilac ribbon and some die-cut flowers.  I'm happy with how it turned out and my friend loved it! 

I'm off to find some more blog challenges to join in this weekend - anyone got any good ones to recommend? Jx

Back to Work

Hi folks,

Not much to say today - went back to work and had a very uneventful day! 

The picture says it all really!
It made me chuckle - let me know how your Monday went.

Hugz, Jx

Smile!

Happy Sunday everyone,

OK, it didn't take long, but I think I may be addicted to blog challenges!  What a fantastic outlet to showcase our artwork.  This one is for the 'Polkadoodles Challenge - Polkadots or Stripes or both'.  I chose the polkadots and made a tag in one of my favourite colour themes - pink and brown ...

The tag is handmade and covered in polkadot paper from the 'Double Sprinkles of Kraft' CD which is still one of my favourite PolkaDoodles cds.  The 'Smile' lettering, background polkadot border, the spotty tree, cute little butterfly and the main focal image of 'Winnie' are all from the same cd.  The 'Smile' lettering is coloured with my promarkers as is Winnie who is highlighted with glitter and mounted on a pink scalloped circle, cut with my nesties. I added some co-ordinating die-cut flowers and finished with a piece of pink ribbon from my stash.  I wasn't sure whether I had to use Polkadoodles products for this challenge, but I am quite pleased with the result.  Let me know what you think.

I am returning to work tomorrow after a week's illness - so I can't promise the daily posts, but I will be back! I am already working on my next challenge! Lol.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Jx

Very First Blog Challenge

I am so excited - after a bit more research into 'blog challenges' I have made my very first entry.  I spent some time yesterday visiting friends blogs and chose a challenge to participate in - I hope I got it right.  Here is my work for the 'Stamping for the Weekend Bingo challenge' - I picked 'Pink, Flowers and Lace' ...



I used another of my 8x8” scalloped edge card blanks and matted pink flowered paper, together with a smaller piece of pink wording paper from my stash.  The bingo card was stamped onto plain pink paper and torn around edges (I thought this was a quirky addition to the layering, as the challenge is called ‘Bingo’).  It also has a piece of white lace attached to the left hand side.  The stamp is ‘With Love’ from the Fizzy Moon range and is coloured with promarkers (I picked this image because of the flowers!). It’s mounted onto a large Lacy Circle die-cut from white pearlescent cardstock with my nestabilities.  The border at the bottom has three layers – white lace, a white pearlescent nestabilities border (Parisian Accents) and a piece of pink polka dot ribbon. I made the little bunting sentiment from scraps of pink paper mounted onto cardstock, threaded it onto very pale pink ribbon and secured it with two pink brads.  The card is decorated with a variety of flowers from my stash (some of which have white pearl accents in the centres and pearl stamen accents from Wild Orchid Crafts), together with three pink pearl hearts, a pink die-cut corner (Parisian Accents) and a small metal ‘made with love’ heart embellishment which hangs from the border behind the flowers. 

I am also entering this card for the

Wild Orchid Crafts - White + 1 challenge.

Hope you like it, Jx

Wall Hanging Plaque

Good morning, two posts in a row - I can't promise to keep this up! Lol. 

I wanted to share this little project today, which was inspired by an article in the March issue of Craft Stamper magazine and uses the free stamp - a quaint little house by the 'Octopode Factory'.

I used an old piece of heavyweight scrap cardboard which I backed with cream paper from my stash.  I stamped randomly to create the background and laid a piece of organza ribbon horizontally where I wanted the little houses to sit.  The houses are stamped onto scrap paper cut from the original piece and coloured with promarkers.  The front turret has been stamped a second time and raised up on dimensional glue to create a 3d effect. The title was printed from my pc onto mulberry paper and the charm at the bottom is handmade using a pearl bead and a little shrink plastic heart, which highlights the centre house.  It was a fun project to do and is now hanging in my dining room.

Resurrection!

Wow! I have been doing lots of 'crafty' research over the past few days and have visited some fantastic blogs. So, got me thinking ... maybe I should resurrect my own. It has definitely been neglected, but I was shocked to see how long it had been since my last post when I logged in earlier.

Anyway, I have had a bit of a revamp and a tidy up and although my posts are 'ancient' I will try to pop in and blog more frequently. I am still crafting, but looking at some of my old posts it is interesting to see how my style has changed over the years. I spend a lot of my time cardmaking and scrapbooking these days and still join in the odd swap over on the DoCrafts forum.

I am very proud of my latest card which is for my mum for Mother's Day, so I thought I would show it off on here ...

I have just bought some new 8x8" scalloped edged card blanks and this is the first, but I loved the extra space to play. I used papers are from my stash, nestabilities, the stamp is 'Fizzy Moon' and is coloured with my beloved Promarkers. The flowers are handmade and I printed the sentiment from my PC because I didn't have a 'Mother's Day' stamp. Hope you like it.