Sweet Treats

Hi there,

Well, my holiday week is nearly at an end, but got loads done despite my back!

Over at the Alphabet Challenge today we are onto the next letter and Silvi has chosen for the letter 'S'

'SWEET TREATS'

Now this one got me in a bit of a spin because I don't have much based around that theme, so thinking cap on and here's what I decided on for my DT inspiration ...

I remembered this little stamp from an old issue of my Craft Stamper magazine, so had a rummage through my freebie stamp box and dug it out. I stamped three times using a mask to cover the front one, then coloured using my Promarkers. The cute little sentiment was also from a magazine freebie and I added a touch of the same colour Promarker. A few layers, some red adhesive pearls and a simple hand doodled border to finish off.

Why not pop over and take a peek at what the rest of the team came up with.

Hugz, Jan xx

Buttons and Bows

Good morning,

I'm back this morning with our next challenge at Cardz 4 Galz and this week Kim has chosen the theme of

'BUTTONS & BOWS'

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

I used one of my new Creative Expressions embossing folders for this one and embossed just the top part of my Co-ordinations cardstock, then sanded it back to reveal all the little scattered notes (which compliment the stamped sentiment too!)

My bow is made from beige seam binding and I sewed a tiny peach button to the centre as well as adding three feature buttons to the top right of the card.

Hugz, Jan xx

It's all about the Numbers

Happy Tuesday,

Okay, I have spent the weekend resting (again!) and watching Barbara Gray on the telly - such a talented lady and so inspirational. I think things are getting a little easier with my back, small steps slowly but surely (but you didn't hear me say that out loud!) It takes such a long time to recover, but I hope I haven't spoken too soon. Off to the hairdressers this lunchtime, then out for tea with some friends later.

Over at Cardz 4 Guyz, my friend's male themed challenge blog, we are launching a new challenge today and Julie has chosen the theme of

'NUMBERS'

I think this is a great one for guys as it is easy to incorporate into almost any occasion - here's what I decided on for my DT inspiration ...

It is fairly minimalistic - I wanted to let the gorgeous design paper do all the talking. It is just one of the fab designs from 'The Archivist' paper pad by Frank Garcia and is one of my favourites!

I simply layered it onto some co-ordinating cardstock, then again on black for the card base. The topper is cut from some sand card using a Fleur de Lys die, then inked with a little Antique Linen distress ink through the die. The numbers are little chipboard pieces which I squished (yep, technical term) into my Perfect Medium ink and then heat embossed with black powder. A piece of black organza ribbon and a couple of cream buttons to finish off.

I hope you will come and play along with us this time.

Hugz, Jan xx

Animal Antics

Happy Saturday,

Well, my half term break has finally arrived and guess what - I am still struggling with my back! I really hope things improve over the next few days - I seem to spend all my time off, trying to get better to go back to work! There must be something wrong with that on some level!

Anyhow, on a crafty note, it's time for a new challenge over at Fantasy Stampers and for the next two weeks we would love to see your projects showcasing

'ANIMAL ANTICS'

Here's what I came up with for my DT inspiration using one of my favourite LOTV stamps (but then they are all favourites when I get them out to use!) ...

This one is called 'Big Hug' and I think it can be used for so many different occasions. I coloured with my Promarkers and added a little glitter here and there. The design paper is from the Bo Bunny 'Isabella' paper pad, which came free with a recent magazine purchase. The stamped sentiment is also LOTV. A few embellishments to finish off include some pink satin ribbon and a few grey candi dots.

The design team have some more fab inspiration over at the challenge blog, why not pop over and say hello.

Hugz, Jan xx

Clean and Simple

Hello there,

I have a very quick make for you today as a DT project for the new challenge at Cardz 4 Galz. This week Amy has chosen the theme of

'CLEAN & SIMPLE'

Here's what I made ...

It took about 15 minutes to make, so was a really quick one!

I simply masked my piece of white cardstock (using some trimmed post it notes) and then stamped just over each edge with my swirly flower stamp using Shaded Lilac, Picked Raspberry, Evergreen Bough and Broken China distress inks. A simple stamped sentiment and a couple of little die-cut butterflies to finish.

Why not pop over and see what the team made for their CAS designs?

Hugz, Jan xx

I Put a Spell on You

Good Morning,

We had a little jaunt over to the Craft Show in Doncaster on Sunday to top up my stash! I was a bit disappointed that two of my favourite companies weren't there though - no Clarity and no LOTV! I still managed to buy a few things, but not as much as usual though.

Over at Cardz 4 Guyz we have our next challenge starting today and Caz has chosen the theme of

'I PUT A SPELL ON YOU'

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

I knew straight away which stamp I wanted to use for this one - it's an LOTV image called 'Abracadabra', just perfect for my design.

I decided to stamp straight onto some book paper for a change and colour him with my Promarkers. The design paper is from a new Tim Holtz paper pad (that just happened to fall into my basket at the craft show!) The little letters are printed from my pc and a few buttons just finish off the design.

Why not come and play along with your own 'Halloween' designs (and remember my 'Fright Night' challenge is still open over at Fantasy Stampers until the 23rd October - full details HERE).

Hugz, Jan xx

R for Ribbon

Happy Friday,

Yay! Me and my poor old back made it through my working week - only one more before half term!

I'm back today with the next letter over at the Alphabet Challenge and this week Sheena has chosen

'R for Ribbon'

Here's what I made for my DT inspiration using a piece of organza ribbon from an old chocolate box ...

I used the ribbon as a starting point and matched the cardstock to it and added a scrap of matching design paper to make the pennant. The sentiment is from a freebie set on a recent craft magazine and is embossed with copper embossing powder to match the colour scheme. I added a little die-cut frame and pretty flower just to finish off.

I hope you can come and play along with your own 'ribbon' creations.
Hugz, Jan xx