Fantasy Stampers Challenge 13 - Here Comes Summer

Good morning crafty friends and followers,

It's time for our next challenge over at my challenge blog - 

FANTASY STAMPERS.

I have exciting news today as we approach the six month marker for the blog - I have decided to offer Guest Designer spots on the challenge blog. These are for one month each and would involve making two projects for two different themes - full details can be found on the main challenge blog HERE, or if you are interested just leave me a comment at the bottom of this post, or contact me by e-mail (details on the 'Contact Me' page at the top right of the blog).

Now, onto details of the new challenge which launches today. As it is the Summer Solstice today, the theme for the next two weeks will be 

We would love to see your summer projects - this is totally open to your interpretation, colours, holidays, sunshine, beaches - what will you choose?

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration ...

I decided to go not just summer, but for the totally tropical look - I love this colour combo! It's 8x8" in size and all papers are from my stash and are edged with co-ordinating distress ink. The main image is Magnolia - Tilda with Hawaii Flower and is coloured with my Promarkers (colours below). Embellishments include a punched flower border, a die-cut butterfly accent, a combination of paper and silk flowers to make the large bloom and a couple of cie-cut swirls. The sentiment was produced on my pc.

Promarkers Colours

Skin

Almond, Blush, Dusky Pink

Hair

Tan, Cinnamon, Cocoa

Dress

Apricot, Ginger, Spice

Flower - Crimson

Butterfly - Saffron

I hope you can come along and join us this week and we would love some more followers, please pass the details on to your friends.   Hugz, Jan xx

Beautiful Buttons

Good morning crafty friends and followers,

Well, today sees the end of my half term break and it has made a pleasant change to do some crafting 'just for me'.

I have a little crafty project today which I made especially for the challenge over at 'Midweek Magnolias', who are also running a DT call at the moment - I am just a little excited, to say the least! I came across this whilst commenting on my new challenge blog over at Fantasy Stampers.

Here's what I designed using one of my favourite Tilda stamps - I think this is a true representation of my style ...

I decorated a gift bag with design papers from my LOTV 'Country Lady' paper pad and layered them with kraft card to match the bag. The edges of the papers are all inked with 'Walnut Stain' distress ink for extra definition. I used my Doohickey 'Tilda Lace' border die to cut the edges of the kraft card and design paper on the second layer, which is embellished with a selection of buttons and pearls to meet the challenge theme - 'Beautiful Buttons'.

The stamped feature is 'Princess Tilda' and she is coloured with my Promarkers - here's a closer look ...

Added embellishments include a piece of ivory lace, a gorgeous ivory feather, a Doohickey 'Leaf Swirl' die-cut and a couple of Doohickey 'Doily Flowers' which have pretty pearl centres. 

Finally I ran a 'Vintage Tag' through my printer, adding the words 'Fit for a Princess' before embellishing and adding to my project. Here's a little peek ...

Right I'm off to enter this into the challenge/DT call now - I have my fingers firmly crossed, wish me luck!

Midweek Magnolias -

Beautiful Buttons challenge (ends 4th March)

Big hugz, Jan xx 

Fantasy Stampers - Challenge 5

Good morning everyone,

Are you ready for a new challenge over at

'FANTASY STAMPERS'?

We had some fabulous entries last time - why not pop over and take a peek at the winners.

For our fifth challenge we would love to see your projects showcasing

As we leap into March already and the weather seems to be picking up (a little, anyway!) what reminds you of spring? Please remember to include some stamping on your project.

 Here's what I decided on for my DT inspiration ...

I always think that seeing the little crocus pop their heads up through the grass is one of the first signs of Spring - hence my choice of colour theme. 

This one is an 8x8" scalloped edge card blank decorated with papers from my stash. I ran the lemon piece through my honeycomb embossing folder for a little added texture. The image is one of my favourite Magnolia stamps - 'Tilda with her Bunny' and is coloured with my Promarkers. The flowers are all handmade using my Dreamees stamp (I am very quickly becoming obsessed with this one - it makes such pretty flowers). I dusted them with a little crystal glitter for a bit of sparkle before adding little lilac pearls into the centres. I made the bunting by hand (as I don't have a die - yet!) and the sentiment was printed on my pc. All other embellies are from my stash.

Hope you can join us this time - can't wait to come visit your blogs to see what you create.

Hugz, Jan xx

Red Velvet

Happy Saturday,

Well, think I'm just about recovered now and on the mend ready for work again next week.

I have a card to show you today which I made for the 'Midweek Magnolias Challenge' who are celebrating their first birthday over on the blog. I've tried something a little different today - what do you think??

I made a shaped card and tried placing the elements a little 'off the page' - but it was hard (my OCD was challenging my decisions!) Lol - I think it turned out ok.  I used one of my favourite Magnolia stamps - Princess Tilda and gave her a little red velvet dress for the occasion.  All the elements are from my stash, including my brand new TH butterfly die, which I definitely think I will be using a lot!!

I would also like to enter this card into the 'I Love Promarkers' challenge which is Ribbons and Bows.

Enjoy your weekend,

Hugz, Jan xx

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

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

A Special Lady

A midweek hello to all my crafty friends,

Just popped on to show you a birthday card that I made for a very special lady  - I'm sure she won't mind me showing you all.  My biggest decision was whether to make it using her own products, or something completely different! Well, I took the 'completely different' option and used one of my own favourites instead.  Here's what I made ...

I began with my usual 8x8" scalloped card blank in cream and covered it with a selection of gorgeous papers from Pion Designs, which have all been inked with Victorian Velvet distress ink.  The main image is one of my favourite Magnolia stamps - 'Tilda and her Bunny' from the Butterfly Dreams collection and is partly coloured with my Promarkers (the hat and top are paper-pieced with scraps from the backing papers to match).  I also added a piece of ivory lace which I threaded with some pink organza ribbon and made a double bow using ivory seam binding and some more ogranza ribbon (can you spot the little silver metal heart charm?)  I used a LOTV sentiment and embellished the card with pretty flowers, some die-cut leaves, a lace doily, a little stamped postcard, a couple of hearts, a TH 'Wish' ticket and some flat back pearl accents.

I love the shabby chic look that the card has - hope my friend enjoyed it as much as I loved making it.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Inky Chicks - Bingo (Flowers, Lace and Pearls)

Magnolia Down Under - Recipe (Pink, Lace and Metal)

Midweek Magnolias - In the Pink with Ribbons and Pearls

Sugar Creek Hollow - Tic Tac Toe (Lace, Ribbon and Pearls)

Bye for now,

Hugz, Jan xx

A Special Birthday

Happy Saturday everyone,

I can't believe how fast the time is flying by - I have already been back at school four weeks, only another four until the next break! Lol.

I hate to say it, but I haven't done much crafting this week - I have been so incredibly tired.  My hubby thinks I may have had some sort of virus - I said 'Yes, it's called sleeping sickness!'

Anyway, I have a very special card to show you today - one which I made for a special crafty friend who celebrated her birthday a few weeks ago.  I don't think she will mind me showing it you today ...

I bet you couldn't guess her favourite colour is PINK!  I raided my stash for everything pink I could lay my hands on, as you can see.  Here's the ingredients I used:

Image - Magnolia 'Princess Tilda'

Colour - Promarkers

Papers - Magnolia, My Mind's Eye (text paper was from my stash)

Sentiment - LOTV 'Recipe Sentiments'

Die-cuts - Doohickey: 'Vintage Daisies', 'Heart Swirl', 'Lovely Fence', 

'Antique Lace', Dragonfly and Marianne leaf die: LR0226

Embellishments - pink polkadot ribbon and bow, text heart, flat backed ivory pearls, 

pink adhesive gems, pink eyelets, 'wish' lettering

Ink - TH Distress ink 'Walnut Stain' and 'Victorian Velvet'

The sentiment is stamped onto a Doohickey 'Vintage Tag' 

and is tucked in behind the main image for an extra little surprise.

I think this particular Magnolia stamp is quickly becoming a favourite amongst my ever growing stamp collection - it fits so many different occasions.  Hope you like my little creation - I'm sure my friend did :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Hugz, Jan xx

Happy Birthday, Mum

Hi there everyone,

Well we had some extremes of weather here yesterday - one minute it was lovely and warm in my crafty conservatory and the next minute the rain was so heavy on the roof I could have done with a pair of ear defenders, then to top it off, we had a thunderstorm! Let's hope today is a better one, I need to get outside and tidy up the garden a bit (groan!)

Anyway, it was my mum's birthday earlier in the week so I thought I would show you her birthday card today.  Here's what I made for her ...

The papers are from my stash, which incidentally never seems to go down! Lol. Edges are inked with 'Tattered Rose' distress ink.  Flowers are Prima and WOC, lace is from my stash and the little fence piece is a Doohickey die-cut.

This is one of my favourite Magnolia stamps - 'Princess Tilda' from the Fairytale collection and she is coloured with Promarkers and accented with crystal glitter.

The sentiment is from 'Just Rite' and is stamped onto a Doohickey 'Bloomy' die-cut tag and embellished with a little organza ribbon and some flowers/leaves.

Extra embellishments include, white paper doily, little silver heart charm and the usual sprinkling of adhesive pearls.

I would like to enter this project into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything Goes

TOMIC - Anything Goes

Try it on Tuesday - Anything Goes

Wild Orchid Crafts - Anything Goes

See you all soon,

Hugz, Jan xx