About Me

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My name's Alison but for reasons too long to go into I'm known as Cockney Blonde or CB for short. I've been rubber stamping for several years but now spend most of my time either knitting or crocheting. However, with the advent of a New Year I have bitten the bullet and am tackling my usually hated pastime of sewing. I've even bought 'Sewing for Dummies' to guide me on my way. I've been with my hubby Dave for 24 years and between us we have 4 kids and 5 grandkids. We also have 2 cats and a dog, the latter features as my 'photo' image. I used to be able to blog daily but these days I struggle to blog weekly. Hopefully now we are settled into our new home in the country, I can get back to a daily (well almost) update from the room I now have to share with hubby. No more personal crafting space for me!!! Thanks to all the blogs and sites I follow for all your brilliant inspiration, and thank you to everyone who finds the time to comment on my blog.

Tuesday 31 August 2010

Journalling - Rabat

Another journalling page, this time from our visit to Rabat.

By now we should be pitched up in Fareham, Sussex having left Harbury in Warwickshire behind. Hopefully, if my long range forecast was correct, we should be coming into better weather.

I know I'm going to run out of scheduled posts so I may miss a day or two out. Anyway, hope you've all had a good bank holiday weekend.

Monday 30 August 2010

Scraplets and Eyelets Card

Another scheduled blog to share with you. This time its a card I made totally from scraps for our recent challenge on KCUK Yahoo Group.

The front and back are joined together with eyelets and then decorated with ribbon. The Crafty Individuals image was stamped on a scrap of white which I coloured with chalks and then fixed behind a negative from a nesties die. This was held together with more eyelets and then stuck to the front cover.

Finally I scored a hinge to allow it to open.

Hope you like it, x

Saturday 28 August 2010

Journalling - The Hand of Fatima



Another journal page from our Moroccan holiday. I'm still completing them and no doubt will have it with me in the van to work on, plus another journal that I want to start.

Anyway, these 2 pages are based on the hand of Fatima and the eye of Fatima which are supposed to bring protection to believers. I decided to journal inside my hand-drawn hands.

Hope you like it, x
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Friday 27 August 2010

Up Up and Away


Our beautiful little Grand-daughter may look terrified here but I can assure you she was far from it. She kept asking Grandma if she was frightened to which I replied 'Yes'. Her response was 'I not frightened Grandma', lol. This was a teacup ride that was elevated. I don't like heights!!! Even kiddie heights...
We had a fabulous day out with her last Saturday at Knowsley Safari Park near Liverpool. After we had driven round the animal enclosures and had lunch she wanted to go on the rides. How can you deny that, afterall it was her birthday treat, she was going to be 3 the next day.
Unfortunately, Grandma got the bulk of the rides to accompany her on as Grandad's legs are too long.....

I'm leaving you with this scheduled post as we're Off Off and Away in our caravan for 2 weeks. All being well, and if I've organised myself properly, there should be scheduled posts for each day I'm away.

For now I'm leaving you with this cracking photo as we set up 'camp' in Harbury, near Leamington Spa for a few nights.

Bye for now, x
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Thursday 26 August 2010

Sketch and Stash; Sunday Stampers; Crafty Cardmakers; Stampin For The Weekend

I'm posting a bit earlier this evening as we're off in our caravan tomorrow for 2 weeks and I still have stuff to do. However, knowing me I'll still be surfing blogland at something o'clock, lol. All being well I will have scheduled daily posts in my absence.

I made this card deliberately for the Crafty Cardmakers Challenge which is the Spotlight Technique. Unfortunately I didn't have a circular punch that would work in the size I wanted so I used a scalloped nestie. I think it looks OK.

I coloured the spotlit pansies and leaves with copics in BV02, 04, 08, R37, YG63, 67 and then mounted on 3d sticky pads.

I love this Santa Rosa stamp and have used it a lot in the past.

The sketch inspiration comes from this weeks Sketch and Stash Challenge and the stash part is the ribbon and buttons.

I'm also entering it in : Sunday Stampers which is asking for flowers and Stampin for the Weekend is 'Anything Goes'.

I hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x

http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/sketch-n-stash-challenge-42.html

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/2010/08/spotlight-challenge-spotlight-technique.html

http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/2010/08/sunday-stampers-week-117-you-dont-bring.html

http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/2010/08/stampin-for-weekend-challenge-45.html

Wednesday 25 August 2010

Allsorts #66; One Stop #94

A better day today bloggers, or at least in Yorkshire it was.

This is the first of 2 posts this evening. Just trying to get ahead of myself as we're going away Friday.

This first little tag is for the current Allsorts #66 Challenge which is asking for something less than 3 inches. The base card is 3" square and I've then turned it diagonally.

The image is half of one of the LOTV 'Boy Oh Boy' stamps which I've coloured with copics :-

skin - E00, 02, 21
hair - E31, 33, 35
t-shirt - B93, 95, 97
grass - YG63, 67

The pine leaves are with my McGill punch.

I'm also entering this in the One Stop Challenge #94 which is 'Not A Card'.

I hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/allsorts-challenge-66-minature-3.html

http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-94-not-card.html

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Tuesday 24 August 2010

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #115; Lets Ink It Up #1

Another wet and windy day and in the middle of it I had a riding lesson. To say I was wet when I came off the horse is an under-statement. Anyway, it was all good experience for controlling a horse that doesn't want to walk in the direction of the rain and battling the elements.

Tonight I've dug out one of my few Penny Black images for their current sketch challenge. Its called 'Crossing Bridges'. I've rotated the sketch to make it fit the image.

I don't often work in yellow but I also wanted to enter it into the first 'Let's Ink It Up Challenge' which is Anything Goes + yellow.

I've coloured the image with copics as follows :-

mouse - R00, 02, E31, 33
flowers - R02, 05, Y02, 06, 08

I hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x

http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/penny-black-saturday-challengeweek-115.html

http://letsinkitup.blogspot.com/2010/08/lets-ink-it-up-challenge-1.html

Monday 23 August 2010

Friday Sketchers #116; Colour Create #51; CYDA #2

Oh Boy, has it turned wet and windy with a vengeance here in Yorkshire. The electric blanket is on, lol.

Fortunately, I managed to get out with the dogs before the rain got really bad.

Anyway, this evening's card is created using the current Friday Sketchers sketch. I didn't have time for stamping and colouring this evening so I've used one of the images from Lisa's Altered Arts.

The DP is another sheet from the beautiful Prima pack - Annalee Collection.

The sentiment is from a Hero Arts set. The flowers were a bargain from our local Samuel Taylor. The pearls are from The Hobby House and the pine leaves were punched using my McGill punch.

I'm also entering this into the Colour Create Challenge #51 - ivory, duck egg blue + one other colour (I've used beige), and Craft Your Days Away Challenge #2 - With Wings.

I hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x

http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/sketch-116-sponsored-by-klm-digi-stamps.html

http://colourcreatechallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-51-ivory-duck-egg-blue-and.html

http://craftyourdaysaway.blogspot.com/2010/08/cyda-challenge-2.html


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Sunday 22 August 2010

LOTV #61; PDCC #43; ABC Challenge

I've kept this little creation quite simple as it will be a boy's card and I don't think flowers and gems would be appreciated, lol. Sadly, my photo doesn't do it justice as 4 of the buttons are blue as is the ribbon/cord. I've also realised I've forgotten to shadow the little lad so I'll be off to do that once I've finished here. Must be time for bed...

Anyway, the cute image is by Lily Of The Valley and is part of an A5 plate I recently bought called 'Boy Oh Boy'.

The DP are by Prima - Annalee Collection. I've just order this pack and another from Crafty Emma's Store and they are absolutely delish. Its is shame to use them they are so yummy. She has loads of stuff so hop over and have a browse http://www.craftyemmasstore.co.uk/

I've used copics as follows to colour the image :-

skin - E00, 02, 21
hair - C3, 5, 7
shirt - G000, 00, 02
shorts - B00, 02
parcel - B00, 02, 05
bow - YG67

I'm entering this into the following challenges :-

LOTV #61 - Sketch
http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-61-sketch-by-bev.html

PDCC 43 - lime green, light blue and a touch of dark green (photo inspiration)
http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/2010/08/play-date-cafe-challenge-pdcc43.html

ABC - 'B' is for Blue
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/b-is-for-blue.html


I hope you like it, x
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Papertake Weekly #46; Spoon Full of Sugar #117; Creative Cottage #21

Good Evening everyone and I hope you've had a lovely weekend. Back to the grindstone for some tomorrow.

We really should be cherishing every last bit of summer but 2 challenge blogs this week are asking for Christmas and every little incentive is needed for me to make a start on my Christmas cards.

I've followed the sketch for this week's Papertake Weekly Challenge.

The image and sentiment are by Creative Expressions, a recent bargain buy. I stamped the candle image in Adirondack Pitch Black and then embossed with Blonde Moments Festive Candy to give a hint of red. The leaves have been coloured with H2Os.

I hope you like it and I'm entering it into the following challenges:-

Papertake Weekly #46 - Sketch
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2010/08/sketch-46.html

Spoon Full of Sugar #117 - Christmas
http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-117-christmas-in-august.html

Creative Cottage #21 - Christmas
http://creativecottagechallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-21-christmas.html

Saturday 21 August 2010

Wings

Evening Everyone. I hope you're all having a lovely weekend. We are just home from having a lovely but exhausting day with our Grand-Daughter #1. This is the first time we've taken her out on her own for a while and we have really enjoyed ourselves.

Anyway more of that another day.

So as I'm too cream crackered to make and upload a card this evening I thought I would share with you the 2 deco pages I made for the wonderfully talented Vixykins as part of our deco swap on KCUK.

Her theme is wings.

Both images have been coloured with copics, sorry but I didn't keep a note of the colours.



The top page is a bargain stamp I picked up at the NEC and the bottom one is a Lavinia. I know what Vix is like for creating whacky and wonderful hair colours so I decided to go purple and green!!!

I know she's received the pages now which is why I'm safe to upload them here.

Hope you enjoy looking at them, x
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Friday 20 August 2010

Step-Daughter's Birthday Card

This is the card I've made for my eldest Step-Daughter's birthday today.

I've made a variation of the criss-cross card using papers from '7 Gypsies'. I just love the subtle combination of these papers.

This top image shows the card closed.

The stamp is by Hero Arts called ' Postale Lady'. I've stamped this twice on the DP and then torn the right hand side to mirror the effect made by the stamp and then overlaid it onto the second stamped image. It's not clear in the picture but it does add some dimension to the image.

I've then mounted this onto more DP and then some green cardstock.

The edging lace was some I got from the now 'deceased' Katy's Corner shop :((( It is beautiful and I ration my use of it, lol.

The ribbon is threaded through punched out slots before being tied.

This shows the card open. I think it works better opening on one side as it is then able to stand unsupported.

I've made a pocket effect on the left so that we can pop a cheque inside for the birthday girl, and I've used my new Martha Stewart punch to edge it.






This final image shows the insert propped up against the opened card.

The DP lends itself perfectly for writing a message as the lines are already in place.

I've stamped a verse in the bottom corner and the tab at the top is made by using an adhesive mount included in the DP pack and folding it over so that it stuck to itself.

I hope you like it, I certainly enjoyed making it although the air was a bit 'blue' at times, lol, x
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Thursday 19 August 2010

C is for Corset


Ooo La La!!!

This U/M image was given to me by my friend Dot along with the smaller one which I've used as a background.

I've coloured her with my copics as follows :-

skin - E00, 02, 21
hair - E43, 47, 49
corset - R32, 35, 37, C1

A few fibres and a little bit of lace for dimension and voila!

Hope you like it, x
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B is for Bubbles



Here he is again. My fav little man of the moment.

'B' is for Bubbles. I've taken the bubbles from the main image and randomly stamped them on the cardstock before overlayering with the little lad. I've added some clear gem thingys to give the appearance of bubbles and to create some dimension.

I've coloured the image with copics as follows :-

skin - E00, 02, 21
hair - E33, 35, 37
t-shirt - YG63, 67
dungarees - BG01, 05, 09
boots - E04, 08
ground - E33, 35

I hope you like it, x
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A is for Angels


Over on KCUK we have a chunky book challenge just started with a task to swap three letters each month plus a front cover until our alphabet is complete.

This is the start of my pages to send in for the swap. As you can see I'm doing 'A' for Angels.

I coloured some plain cardstock with Distress inks in Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade and then overstamped in those colours with some Bo Bunny background images and a Personal Impressions swirl stamp by Dawn Bibby.

The set of 4 Angel images is by Crafty Individuals and I've then overlayered with one of the images to give it some depth, placing underneath some Angels wings. These I coloured with Mustard Seed again and then sprayed with Moon Glow Glitz Spritz in Desert Moon Topaz Fire.

Hope you like it, x
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Wednesday 18 August 2010

Grandma Photo Shoot


I have got a card all ready to upload but left the details of my copic colouring downstairs (PC is upstairs) so I'll edit it and upload in the morning.

In the meantime, here is a cute piccie of our Scottish Grand-Daughter when she and her Mummy and Daddy visited last week.

It was the first time she's been to our house and she was such a good little girl and so happy too. We really enjoyed having them all to stay. Just hope they'll do it again soon, x
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Tuesday 17 August 2010

OCC Sketch; Charisma Cardz; Stampman Challenge #3


Evening Everyone.

This card has taken me a bit longer than expected as my first idea ended up in the filing cabinet aka the bin, lol

So, to my second idea which came to me while I was driving about for work this afternoon/evening.

I wanted to feature the text stamp by Hero Arts as I feel its a good one for a retirement card, which this is.

Then I thought of 'Time Flies'....so out came my yet to be inked clock and hands clear stamps by Heidi Snapp which I got at the NEC earlier this year. I've stamped them as a background in Versafine Smokey Gray on the plain green backing paper, and in Distress Tattered Rose and Shabby Shutters on the patterned DP.

I've stamped another clock image onto a circle of Bazzill Chip which I had coloured with Adirondack Dabber in Watermelon. The hands I've made from photo clips and secured loosely with a brad so that they will spin.

The wings are glimmer chips coloured with Adirondack Dabbers in Citrus, Sunshine Yellow and Watermelon.


For the stop I've used flowers and a brad and then
journalled 'time flies when there's no more 9 - 5'
incorporating numerical bellies.



You can see this more clearly in the bottom piccie.



 I'm entering this in the OCC Sketch Challenge (OCCSC28) - I've rotated their sketch
http://ourcreativecornerweeklysketch.blogspot.com/2010/08/occ-sketch-challenge-occsc28.html

Charisma Cardz - Easel Cards
http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-32-easel-card.html

Stampman Challenge #3 - Easel Cards
http://thestampmanchallenges.blogspot.com/2010/07/challenge-3-easel-cards-anything-goes.html

I hope you like it, x
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Monday 16 August 2010

Treehouse Thursday Challenge #62; Crafts & Me #10; Crafty Creations #80

Good Evening. Another warm and sunny day today in Yorkshire, although I believe we're in for more rain tomorrow. Hey! Ho!

I've created this Z-Fold card for the current Crafty Creations Challenge which is also asking for winged things. I hope this counts.

I think fairies lend themselves perfectly to purple and green so I'm also entering it in the Crafts and Me Challenge #10.

Finally I've tried to interpret the current Treehouse Thursday (THT062) Challenge sketch.

I've coloured the Sweet Pea Fairy with copics as follows:-
skin - E00, 02, 21
hair - C5, 7, 8, BV08
wings - YG00, 03, 06, 09
dress - BV02, 04, 08
rose - RV02, 04, 06







The green metallic embossed card is from Kanban. I'm wishing I'd bought more now as I've used up what I had. Oh well, another visit will have to be scheduled, lol.











I created a small insert for a message to be written on. I didn't want anything too big as I didn't want to cover the fab cardstock.











The final piccie shows the colouring in more detail.

I hope you like it, I certainly enjoyed making it.


Sunday 15 August 2010

Pixie Cottage #31; Simon Says; Charisma Cardz #32

Good evening everyone. I hope you've had some lovely weather today. We certainly have and what a change from yesterday.

I've made an easel card for the current Pixie Cottage challenge which was to follow a sketch and do a fancy fold.

The Simon Says Challenge is 'Summertime Blues' and I think this little 'Tattyhead' by JoZart for Stamp Attack sums it up perfectly. She looks so miserable so I've included the 'summer' metal bellie just to remind her that it is that time of year and stamped the 'Smile' by HeroArts to encourage her to cheer up a bit, lol.

The DP are by DCWV, the edging under the ribbon is made using my new Martha Stewart punch (iron gate), and the flowers are by Wild Orchid Crafts.

I've coloured little Miss Tattyhead with my copics as follows:-

skin - E00, 02, 21
hair - E33, 35
clothes etc - B00, 02, 05 plus blender
flowers - Y17, YR07

I'm also entering this into Charisma Cardz #32 challenge which is for an easel card.

I hope you like it and the links are below, x

http://thepixiecottage.blogspot.com/2010/08/pixie-cottage-challenge-31-sketch-andor.html

http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/simon-says-there-aint-no-cure-for.html

http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-32-easel-card.html

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Saturday 14 August 2010

A Spoon Full of Sugar; Crafty Cardmakers;Cupcake #103; Creative Card Crew

Evening Bloggers, another chilly day up here in Yorkshire.

I've used the current Spoon Full of Sugar sketch to show off this cute little Tilda. I've coloured her with copics:-

skin - E00, 02, 21
hair - E33, 35, 37
dress - R20, 22, 24
socks - R20, 22
ribbons - R24, 27

The DP are from K & Co and I've used some of the scraps to punch out flowers, and also some McGill pine leaves. The 'Love' bellie is by 'Paper Heart'.

As well as a nestie, I've used a large flower punch to matt Tilda onto.

The lace down the centre is actually 2 pieces joined together by threading pink ribbon through the 'eyelets'

I'm also entering this into the Crafty Cardmakers spotlight on punches challenge; Cupcake Challenge #103 which is asking for lace; and the Creative Card Crew (again) which is asking for 'cute and girlie'.

I hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x

http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-116-lets-get-sketchy.html

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/2010/08/spotlight-challenge-punches.html

http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-103lace.html

http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/2010/08/lets-get-cute-and-girlie.html

Friday 13 August 2010

Sketch and Stash #41; Play Date Cafe #42

Hello Bloggers. What a miserable day its been today and so cold that we've had to put our heating on this evening. What's going on???

Anyway, I cheered myself up colouring in this little cutie (again) with copics. I think he is adorable and just to remind you he's by Papermania. I've used the following colours:-

skin - E00, 02, 21
hair - E33, 35, 37
t-shirt - YG63, 67
dungarees - E27, 29
boots - E04, 08
ground - E33, 35

The papers are all from my stash.

I've used the Sketch and Stash Challenge #41 sketch as my template and incorporated some of my new stash of buttons.

I'm also entering this in the PDCC #42 challenge which was to use the colours 'dark brown, green, and beige'.

I hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x

http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/sketch-n-stash-challenge-41.html

http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/2010/08/play-date-cafe-challenge-pdcc42.html


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Thursday 12 August 2010

Lots To Do; Creative Card Crew; Papertake Weekly; Rosie-D #77

Just realised I didn't blog yesterday or schedule a post for you.

Here's one I prepared earlier, lol. Well, almost! I started it on Monday and finished it off this evening.

I've used the Criss Cross card method again although this time it does open to the left - the ribbon is holding it closed.

I've coloured Tilda with my copics again but didn't keep a note of the colours, oops, sorry.

The DP are DCWV

I'm entering this into the Lots To Do Challenge which this week asks for ribbons and lace;

Creative Card Crew - Cute and Girlie

Papertake Weekly - Something old, new, borrowed or blue. In this case, the papers are new and I've used some blue;

Rosie-D's Challenge this week is to do 'more than one fold'
















I hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x

Tuesday 10 August 2010

Another Day's Journalling



I'm scheduling this post just in case I don't get on the PC tonight.

We have my eldest Step-Daughter, Hubby and wee Scottish Grand-daughter staying over and I think I may just be a little pre-occupied, lol. It's the first time they've been to this house (only lived here 5 years, lol) and they're breaking their journey home from the West Country.

We've opted to sleep in the caravan (its parked on our drive) cos Rose is not a good sleeper!!!

Anyway, here is another page from my Moroccan journal. More traditional shapes to share with you and the reason behind the handbag is that some of journalling refers to the Medina where there were loads of bag stalls.

Hope you like it and I'll be back soon, x
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Moi? Yes You

Well, I wasn't sure I'd get this done tonight as I'm now competing for occupancy in my 'Craft Zone'. Hubby has decided he quite likes it out there too....hmph!!!

Anyway, I've used the sketch from the current CRAFT challenge. I don't know who makes the stamp as it was given to me but I've stamped it in Versafine vintage sepia.  I think she's looking and saying Who Me??? (Moi?).

The DP are MME - wild asparagus and I've used my Nesties for the image and faux tag.

Seeing as the image stands for 'summer' (what's that???) or the beach/seaside, I'm also entering it into the Quixotic Challenge 'Life's a Beach'; Totally Papercrafts #28 'By the Sea'; and One Stop #92 'Summer Fun'.

I hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x

http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/craft-62-sketch.html

http://quixoticpaperie.blogspot.com/2010/08/quixotic-challenge-35-lifes-beach.html

http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/07/challenge-92-summer-fun.html

http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-28-by-sea.html


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Monday 9 August 2010

Criss Cross Card - Blowing Bubbles


Still playing around making these Criss Cross cards and this time I've tried to make this one for a boy/man.

I really love this stamp by Papermania, you'll find it featured before in my blog and although I didn't keep a note of the copics I used to colour him in I have used the same ones as before, apart from the soil.

This time I incorporated a little metal buckle to the ribbon to 'butch' it up a bit, lol.

The little plastic star clip at the top was one of several given to me by the dear Jo of Jozart. So that it blended in I used oregano alcohol ink to colour it, and then so that it would stay in place I used a little glossy accents to fix it to the insert.

     I'm enering this into the current Simon Says Challenge 'Sing it Baby' under the heading of 'I'm forever blowing bubbles'

Also for Cute Card Thursday #124 - whateva!

I hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x

http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/simon-sayssing-it-baby.html

http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-124-whateva.html