Thank you for taking the time to visit - I hope my designs provide a little inspiration.
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Wednesday 27 February 2013

Liebster Blog Award



Well, what a fantastic surprise!
I have just popped on to check out blogland 
and I have been lucky enough to be awarded a Liebster award 
by my fellow crafter, Pauline - please check out her fabulous blog at


The Leibster award is given to 5 blogs that you visit regularly, 
that inspire you, but they must have less than 200 followers. 
It is designed to get people to visit, comment and hopefully 
follow new blogs that they probably wouldn't know about normally. 
So here are 5 blogs I visit regularly, 
thank you ladies for the fun and the inspiration you give me. 
Please snag your badge and display it proudly on your blogs. 


My choice of 5 is....












It has been so very hard to for me to choose 
only 5 inspirational blogs, 
as there are so many talented people out there. 
Please give these blogs a visit, comment and follow if you can, 
as I know it will mean a lot to them.


Thank you for taking the time to pop by, 
See you next time

Hugz, Jan xx

Monday 25 February 2013

Mother's Day Kraft

Hello everyone,

I have been enjoying my last day off today - back to school tomorrow, which means less time in my craft room - so I have been feeling a little sorry for myself all day! Lol.

I have a card to show you today that I made for the challenge over at 'Midweek Magnolias' which is to use kraft card (one of my favourites!) I decided to incorporate this with another challenge and make Mother's Day card for my mum. Here's the finished card ...


I have used a very pastel colour palette for this one, which I think compliments the kraft card well. The papers are from Raspberry Road and the image is one of my favourite Magnolia stamps - 'Tilda with Hawaii Flower' and is coloured with Promarkers.  Embellishments include Doohickey die-cut doily flowers, heart swirl and dragonfly, ivory lace, pink ribbon, doily and pearl hearts.

I would also like to enter the 'Inky Chicks' challenge which is 'Mother's Day or Birthday'.

Hugz, Jan xx

Sunday 24 February 2013

Gingerbread Twist

Good morning,

I hope you are all having a great weekend, despite all this cold weather. It kept trying to snow here yesterday but so far hasn't settled. I'm really fed up with it all now and wish spring would put in an appearance sometime soon!

It's my turn to post over at the Studio 12 blog at Polkadoodles today and here's what I made ...


I printed the gingerbread recipe onto some of the fab paper and added several elements from the Picknix 2 CD.  The 'gingerbread' title is printed using a font on my pc and the little recipe tab is stamped from one of my own stamps.  Quick and simple!

I would love to see your 'non-Christmassy' designs using the CD, so what are you waiting for ??

Hugz, Jan xx



Saturday 23 February 2013

Hugs and Kisses

Happy Saturday,

Well, I can't believe that my half term week is gone already - where did it go? I love being at home so that I can craft, but alas will have to return to work next week to fund my obsession! Lol.

I had time to play with one of my new Saturated Canary images yesterday, and decided to do something a little different.  I'm really pleased with the outcome - see what you think ...


The image is 'Hugs and Kisses' by the very talented Krista Smith 
and is printed A5 size onto a border of pink paper.  
She is coloured with my Promarkers: 
Hair - satin, sandstone, caramel and burnt sienna
Skirt/boots - pale pink and dusky rose  
Hearts/tights - blossom and budding rose 
Box - satin, sandstone and caramel

I popped her into a plain black photo frame and decorated the corners 
with embellishments from my stash, 
including flowers, hearts, 
a Doohickey die-cut swirl and  small butterfly.

I think this will make a great gift for someone, 
but not sure who just yet.

I would like to enter it into the challenge over at 'Fussy and Fancy
which is Black and Pink.

Enjoy your weekend,
Hugz, Jan xx

Friday 22 February 2013

Fantasy and Fairies

Hellooo again,

Wow! It was a cold one yesterday - gone is the lovely sunshine that we enjoyed on Tuesday, it even tried to snow again here.  No wonder everyone is suffering from nasty colds and bugs - sending out gentle hugs to all those feeling under the weather.

Well, it's Friday again so that means it's time for another challenge over at Polkadoodles and this week's theme is another favourite of mine - yep! the clue is in the title of my post. We would love to see your projects reflecting a 'Fantasy/Fairies' theme this week - here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...


I made an easel card for a change this week using gorgeous papers from the 'Pen & Paper Circle 3 CD' - I must admit I usually work with one colour, but love this combination of colours.  The main fairy image, sentiment and little butterflies are from the 'Fairy Flutterby Bevvieboo' stamp set which you can buy HERE.  I stamped the fairy, then masked her before stamping the larger butterfly behind her to give the appearance of wings and coloured her with Promarkers. Embellishments include a piece of organza ribbon, three pink flowers, die-cut leaves, a pink die-cut swirl and some adhesive gems.

Don't forget to pop over to the blog and check out the fab creations from my teamies and I shall look forward to seeing your projects over the next week.

Hugz, Jan xx

Thursday 21 February 2013

From Fizzy With Love

A big hello to you all out there,

Here's my fifth consecutive post this week - can you tell it's half term and I'm not at work!  A huge thanx to those of you who keep popping by regularly to leave me a comment - I love reading them all and have enjoyed visiting your blogs in return.

I have a sweet little Fizzy Moon card today, using some new stamps which are slightly smaller than my usual ones, but oh so cute. This one was made especially to enter the 'Wild Orchid Crafts challenge' which is 'Pink and Cream' - one of my favourite colour combinations.  Here's what I made ...


I made a 6x6" card blank from textured cream cardstock and covered it with a selection of gorgeous pink papers from Raspberry Road.  The main image is 'Fizzy Moon - With Love' - isn't he just so cute with his little string of hearts.  I coloured him with my Promarkers and mounted him on a Lacey Circle as a focal point.  The flowers are mostly WOC, along with the pearl stamens, pearl hat pin and the metal corner.  I added some die-cut leaves, a blossom sprig and a touch of glitter to enhance the flowers.  Embellishments include some raspberry organza ribbon, a couple of pearl pink buttons and some little pearl hearts.  Hope you like it.

I would also like to enter this into challenges at:
Make My Monday - Ribbons and Buttons
Sugar Creek Hollow - Using Metal

Hope you have a fab Thursday everyone and I will be back tomorrow with my DT card for Polkadoodles :)

Hugz, Jan xx

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Butterfly Eyes


Hi there everyone,

Well, it's day three of my Half Term break and all is well - lots of crafting done and I even did some housework too (but, sshhhh don't tell anyone!!)

It's my turn to post again today over at the Scrapbook Stamp Society and I have a card made using a fabulous butterfly image by Mitzi Sato-Wiuff (which can be found in their on-line store HERE).


The background is made using 'Broken China' and 'Seedless Preserve' distress inks. I then put the card front through my printer and added the butterfly image and the quote. I added extra colour to the image using Promarkers, together with a few highlights in white ink. The whole thing is mounted on black card and measures 6x6".

I would like to enter this into the challenges at: 
-  'Try it on Tuesday' which is 'All about the Eyes'
-  'Cute Card Thursday' which is 'An Eye for Detail'

Hope you have a great day :)
Hugz, Jan xx

Tuesday 19 February 2013

A Tilda Mini Book

Happy Tuesday to you all,

Hope you are all having a great day - I've been shopping this morning with my lovely daughter and we spent loads of money!! Ane yes, definitely some on crafty stash - I also bought a new cross stitch design as well, haven't done any of that for ages.

I have a little mini book to show you today, which I made for the Midweek Magnolias challenge (which closes today, so I better get a move on!)  Here's the finished project ...


The challenge this week is 'The Colour Blue' - not a colour I normally choose, but have loved playing with all the different shades of blue papers and embellishments.  This is the front cover of the book and is cut using a scalloped circle die and has a 'Tilda with Daffodil' image stamped, coloured with my Promarkers and cut out.  I also added the lettering to spell our her name and some little flower embellishments with a heart charm.


The second page is cut from acetate using a Labels One die and has a few Doohickey Doily Flowers which have been coloured with my Promarkers.  I coloured both sides and added buttons, pearls and adhesive gems to the centres.


The third page is cut using an Eyelet Square die and has 'Tilda with Bunny' (also coloured with Promarkers) sat in front of a little stamped postcard.


The reverse of the third page has a quote stamped on a Doohickey Scalloped tag which has been inked around the edges with 'Broken China' distress ink and a little Doohickey dragonfly.  The last page is cut using a Labels Seventeen die and has one of my favourite quotes stamped on a Doohickey Dream Tag, which is also inked with the same distress ink.  I have also added a Doohickey Heart Swirl behind the tag too. The whole book is tied together with two pieces of blue satin ribbon.

I would also like to enter this project into the Magnolia Down Under challenge which is to use 'Acetate'.

Hope you like it - enjoy the rest of your day.
Hugz, Jan xx




Monday 18 February 2013

A little Distressed!

Hi there fellow crafters,

Welcome to my new followers - my numbers are rising slowly and I'm thrilled :)  I hope you all had a great weekend and are enjoying the warmer weather.

My card today is made for the challenge over at 'Stampin' for the Weekend' which is 'Distressed'.  Here's what I made ...


I used my favourite 8x8" card blank and covered it with gorgeous Tim Holt paper which has been well and truly distressed around the edges and inked with 'Walnut Stain' distress ink too.  I added another couple of layers which were subjected to the same treatment and then added the stamped image which is from Kanban.  I paper pieced the skirt using scraps of the text paper and added a couple of little brass wing charms to the back of the bodice.  I love the sentiment (which is from Creative Expressions) and this is stamped and embossed.  Extra embellishments include a couple of stamped hinges, an organza ribbon bow, some roses (which have also been distressed with the ink), a couple of Doohickey heart swirl dies and some adhesive pearls.

Thank you for all your kind comments on my past posts - I love reading them all, they mean a lot and I always try to return the favour where I can.

Big hugz, Jan xx

Sunday 17 February 2013

Fab 50 and Fizzy Moon

Happy Sunday everyone,

I hope you are all enjoying the weekend and are having some warmer weather like we are here. It certainly makes a welcome change to the nasty cold spell - let's hope that spring is on its way :)

I have been busy with a couple of DT cards that I can't show you yet, so thought I would post a 50th birthday card that I made for a friend a little while ago ...


This one is a 6x6" easel card made using purple papers from my stash - I stamped extra swirls to fill in some of the gaps. The image is 'Fizzy Moon - Thanks a Bunch' (one of my favourites!)  I coloured him with my Promarkers and chose grey this time to match the colour tones of the overall card - seems to work ok.  The bouquet of flowers is stamped and decoupaged to give some extra dimension.  The 'Fab' lettering is cut using my little old Sizzix machine and the numbers are chipboard covered with purple glitter.  The sentiment is from an old stamp set (but not sure of the make).  Extra embellishments include some flat back purple pearls, some tiny punched daisies and some purple self adhesive gems for the the flower centres.

I would like to enter this one into the challenge over at 'I Love Promarkers - One for the Girls'.

Happy crafting,
Hugz, Jan xx

Friday 15 February 2013

Anything with Wings

Hello there everyone,

Not only is it Friday, which means it's my day off - but it's half term here next week, so I get a whole week to play in my craft room! Yay!

So, Friday means we are ready for another challenge over at the Alphabet Challenge Blog and as last time saw the letter 'Z' it means we can start again with a brand new alphabet.  It was my turn to choose the challenge this week and for the letter 'A' I chose 'Anything with Wings'.  Anyone who knows me, knows this is a favourite theme of mine and here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...


I made a cute little keepsake box by cutting two hot pink 'Fleur de Lys' squares using my nesties.  I then measured, cut, scored and folder the central piece to make the box.  I fastened a piece of hot pink ribbon around the centre and some adhesive pink gems for added decoration.  I stamped the gorgeous fairy image (by LOTV) twice and coloured her with my Promarkers, before cutting and decoupaging her for some dimension.  I added crystal glitter to her wings before securing the whole piece to the top of the box.  I've not decided what to keep in here yet, but it would also make a great little gift box for a special treat.

Don't forget to pop over to the blog to see more fab inspiration from my teamies.  I look forward to seeing your projects displaying 'Anything with Wings'.

Big hugz, Jan xx

Monday 11 February 2013

My first Saturated Canary Image

Hello to you all in blogland,

I hope everyone had a great weekend with lots of crafting taking place.  I have had a weekend of birthdays - first my hubby on Friday, followed by my sister today. What with Valentines Day on Thursday - it's been an expensive month too! Lol.

I thought I would show you the card I made for my sister today, using my very first 'Saturated Canary' image.  I bought the image a few weeks ago, but hadn't had an opportunity to use it yet - but thought this was the perfect time to print it out and colour away to my hearts content. Here's what I made ...


Card Recipe

Image 
'Jules' by the very talented Krista Smith at Saturated Canary
Colouring Medium 
Promarkers
Papers 
from my stashbox
Sentiment 
printed on pc
Flowers 
Doohickey Vintage Daisies, pink roses
Dies 
Doohickey Heart Swirl and Small Dragonfly, 
Memory Box Spring Border, Whimsy Banner Pennant
Embellishments
pink polkadot ribbon, pearl oval buckle, doily, flat back pearls, pearl stamens, pink adhesive gems

I must say, this is one of my favourite cards yet - I hope my sister likes it!  I can see I need to pay another visit to the Saturated Canary shop real soon - better start saving :)

Hugz, Jan xx



Saturday 9 February 2013

Happy Birthday to my Husband

Happy Saturday everyone,

I am sat here feeling very sorry for myself at the moment with a stinking cold and sore throat - again!! I think my immune system is shot! Lol.

Anyway, can't be sad - it's my hubby's birthday today so I thought I would show you the card I made for him ...


It's an 8x8" card blank covered with papers from my stash matted onto green textured cardstock.  The image is 'Cutie Patooties - Sweep' by Little Claire's Designs and is embossed in black and coloured with my Promarkers.  The lampost is a Marianne die and seem to fit the theme perfectly.  The sentiments are both LOTV and the corner die is from Memory Box.  A few buttons and ribbon from my stash to finish off.  Hope you like it.

Right off to take some more tablets - have to get better, off out for tea tomorrow to celebrate.
Hugz, Jan xx

Friday 8 February 2013

Valentine

Hello there,

It's Friday again, which means it's time for another great challenge over at the Polkadoodles Challenge blog.  This week our theme is 'Valentine Love' and we would love to see your Valentine projects.  I decided to go all contemporary for this one - here's my DT inspiration ...


I used smooth white cardstock to make an A5 sized card.  I layered a slightly smaller piece of white card onto a mat of lilac pearlised cardstock.  The 'Valentine' lettering was printed on my pc before I put the card together.  The hearts and the paper used for the die-cut border are both from the new 'Cherryblossom Lane' CD and a piece of ribbon from my stash to finish off.  A really quick 'clean and simple' card.

Don't forget to pop over to the blog to check out some more fab inspiration from my teamies and if you would like a copy of the 'Cherryblossom CD' (or any other Polkadoodles CDs) - they are all on offer at £9.99 at the Polkadoodles shop HERE.

Hugz, Jan xx

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Sweet Little Cherry Blossom


Happy Wednesday everyone,

It's my turn to post over at the Scrapbook Stamp Society blog today and I have another card featuring one of the gorgeous new geisha images from Sherri Baldy's 'Bestie's' range, which you can buy from the online store HERE. I fell in love with this image as soon as I saw it and couldn't wait to get her coloured in - doesn't she look so cute in her little kimono. Here's what I made ...


I love the peach tones from the background papers and coloured her with my Promarkers to co-ordinate. I used 'oatmeal', 'apricot' and 'honeycomb' to colour her kimono and hair ribbon.  All other embellishments are from my stash.  Hope you like her :) 

Hugz, Jan xx

Friday 1 February 2013

Zig Zags

Hello there to all my friends and followers,

If it's Friday it must be time for another challenge over at the Alphabet Challenge blog.  This week sees us come to the end of our alphabet with the letter 'Z' and Mari has chosen 'Zig Zags' as the theme - so we would love to see your projects showing the use of zig zags somewhere.  The possibilities are endless - here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...


I made a 6x6" card and used small squares of paper from my Tim Holtz 'Vintage Shabby' paper stack to cover the card.  I have an old set of acrylic stamps with lots of different types of stitching on them, so thought the good old 'zig zag' stitch was a perfect way to join the squares together to make a background.  

The image is called 'Love Boat' by LOTV and is coloured with my trusty Promarkers and a little distress ink sponged on for the water.  I also added a little crystal glitter in the champagne glasses and a few bubbles to show the fizz.  The 'Sent with Love' sentiment is also LOTV.

Embellishments include a piece of turquoise 'ric rac' braid which also illustrates the 'zig zag' theme and a couple of turquoise brads in the top corners.

Don't forget to pop over to the blog and check out some more inspiration from my talented teamies.

I shall look forward to seeing your entries for the last letter of our alphabet and remember, we will be starting all over again with the letter 'A' in a couple of weeks time :)

Hugz, Jan xx