About Me

My photo
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.

Monday 28 March 2011

Amy

Well, here it is, my last card for a few days. Tomorrow I have an interview in Salford and then I'm off to Stratford Upon Avon for a few days with a friend to have some girlie chill out time.

This cute image is called Amy and she is a freebie from Crafty Sentiments Designs for use in their current challenge. She was easy to colour with my copics although some of my shading could have been better. Copics used:
skin - E21, 93, promarker satin
hair - E50, 51, 53, 31
shoes - E31, 33
top - BV00, 02, 02
jeans - B93, 95

The DP is Papermania 'Henbury Lane' and the sentiment is one of my new LOTV.
The curly gardenia are from Crafty Emma's Store as are the pearls. The small rose buds are from my stash and the leaves are my MS border punch.

I hope you like it and I'll see you all again at the weekend, x

I'm entering it into the following challenges:-

Friday Sketchers #147 - sketch
http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/sketch-147-sponsored-by-my-favorite.html
The Play Date Cafe #74 - photo inspiration
http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/2011/03/play-date-cafe-challenge-pdcc74.html
Digi Doodle Shop's Best #52 - ribbons and bows (bows in her hair)
http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/ddsb-52.html
Delightful Sketches Challenge - pastels and ribbons
http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/03/delightful-pastels-and-ribbon-challenge.html
Crafty Sentiments Designs - freebie Amy
http://craftysentiments.blogspot.com/2011/03/amychallenge-blog-hop-freebie.html
Cupcake Crafts #135 - flowers for Mum
http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/cupcake-135-flowers-for-mum.html

It's A Try

Evening Peeps. This is my penultimate card for the next few days. Why is it when you're challenged to make a card for a teenager I always think of boys??? A card for a teen girl would have been so much simpler. Anyhow, it gave me a good excuse to use my new LOTV stamp which I coloured with copics:-
skin - E21, 93, promarker satin
hair - E31, 33, 35
ball - E43
boots - C5
kit - B24, 28, Y02, 08
ground - G21, 28, W1, 3, 5

The DP is partly 7 Gypsies and partly my stash, and the letters are from a 7 Gypsies pack. I have covered them with glossy accents to give some dimension.

Hope you like it and here are the links:-

Cute Card Thursday #157 - sketch
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-157-sketch-by-deb.html
Charisma Cardz #12 - Birthday for a Teen
http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-12-birthday-for-teen.html
CES #29 - Die Cut Crazy
http://ceschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-29-die-cut-crazy.html

Easy Peasy Christmas Card

Yep! Another Christmas Card, this time a really quick one to do. That's once you've come up with the idea, lol.

Simply Less Is More challenge this week is a sketch but using a tall, thin card ie DL. Mine is a smaller version. Then the Creative Card Crew wanted no stamps used......that wasn't such an easy task. Finally Winter Wonderland are asking for baubles.

The bauble is cut with a nestie from a Crafty Individual's pre-printed image, the DP is Memory Box 'mistletoe' from Crafty Emma's Store, and the ribbon is from my stash.

Simple but effective, some would say that sounds just like me, lol.

Here come the links, x

Simply Less is More - sketch
http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-8-sketch.html
Creative Card Crew - no stamps
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/2011/03/no-stamps.html
Winter Wonderland - oh baubles
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/oh-baubles.html

Instructions for Double Twisted Easel Card

OOPS!!! I forgot to mention in my previous post where I got the idea from. If you go to Shirls Cards http://www.shirlscards.com/blog/?page_id=6534 you can find details here, including how to do the folds.

Double Twisted Easel Card

 OMG. I can't believe how much quicker this Google Chrome is as a browser. I hope it lasts.

This is my first attempt at a double twisted easel card. I started playing around with it at Padgate Crafters a few weeks ago and because I'm going away for a few days I thought I better tidy up a few loose ends ie finish some half started projects, lol.

I thought the colours were perfect for a spring card and I've used part of a LOTV sentiment 'to a special person on a special day' to tailor it towards Mother's Day. I've mounted the sentiment on my new 'pennant' nesties. I cut 2 and then joined them to make a diamond shape. I then matted onto darker card. I then did the same with the DP that I printed my sentiment on. Finally I raised it onto 3d pads to create the stop.
 Elisabeth Bell's 'Sweet Ebony' was coloured with copics: E21, 93, promarker satin (skin), E31, 33 (hair), R00, 02, 05, YR04, 07, 02, 00, E49, 41, Y28, 26, 21, YG63, 67.

I've pleated a ribbon under the flower and added a feather.
The frame and text insert are part of a framey set by Art Warehouse. It is a brill clear polymer set as there are various diamond frames and solid inserts but they are all individual so you can mix and match.

The DP is Basic Grey 'Porcelain'. Pearls from the Hobby House, roses from Crafty Emma's Store and pearly brads from Meiflower. The leaf spray is a MS border trim punch.

I hope you like it and here are the challenges I'd like to enter it into, x

Simon Says - Mother's Day/Girlie
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/simon-says-mothers-daygirlie-challenge.html
Stampin for the Weekend #6 - Mum/Mother's Day
http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-6-for-mummothers-day.html
Crafty Calendar #18 - Spring
http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-18-spring.html
Craft Your Days Away (CYDA) #16 - Mum/Special Lady
http://craftyourdaysaway.blogspot.com/2011/03/cyda-challenge-16-for-mum-or-special.html
Allsorts #96 - For a Special Lady
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/wk96-for-special-lady.html
Dream Valley #3 - Mother's Day
http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-3-mothers-day.html
Paper Sundaes #62 - Photo Inspiration
http://papersundaes.blogspot.com/2011/03/paper-sundaes-challenge-62-photo.html
Ooh La La (OLL) #76 - Mother's Day/Special Friend
http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-76.html
Fussy and Fancy wk 33 - Use a Zipper or a Feather
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/fussy-and-fancy-friday-challenge-week.html

Sunday 27 March 2011

Update on Piccies

For those of you having problems, like me, uploading piccies today. I have, with the help of Zoechaos, upgraded my browser to Google Chrome and voila! I've re-uploaded the piccies and they are there...
Thanks Zoe for your help and all I need to do now is get to grips with the new browser.

Bear In A Box



OK, so given the problems I had with my last posting lets see if the piccie displays for you all to see this time.
{Not looking hopeful having just checked the draft. You'll need to 'hover' again, lol}
This cute image is a Freebie by the ABC Christmas Challenge people to combine with their sketch for their latest challenge. Such an easy image to colour with copics: E000, 31, 33, 93, R35, 37, YG03, B00.

I've used Kars X-mas Collection DP and some ribbon and adhesve stars from my stash.

Hope you like it and here come the challenge links, x

ABC Christmas Challenge - 'F' for freebie + sketch
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/f-is-for-freebie-sketch_16.html
Totally Papercrafts #59 - cute and cuddly
http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-59-cuddly-and-cute.html
The Corrosive Challenge #109 - Stars in my eyes
http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-109-stars-in-my-eyes.html

Schooldays




Good Morning. Did you all remember your clocks???

Just to prove I can do distressed sometimes here is a quickie I've made using PaperArtsy stamps inked with Adirondack Mushroom. I've distressed the edge of the foremost image and torn the Magnolia 'old book' paper and then swiped with the ink again.

Sorry, can't remember where the eyelet is from. Could be Art From The Heart.

I'm entering this into the following challenges:-

Cupcake Craft Challenge #134 - Monochromatic
http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/cupcake-134-monochromatic-and-dt-call.html
Tuesday Morning Sketches #86 - K.I.D.S.
http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/2011/03/tuesday-morning-sketches-86.html
Daring Cardmakers - Book Club
http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/2011/03/book-club.html

Back in a minute with another quickie, x

FOOTNOTE: Not sure what's wrong but 3 hours later and I still can't get my image to appear. If you hover at the top of the posting you will be able to click on a link which will take you to my image. I've reported it to blogger

Saturday 26 March 2011

Showering You With Flowers

Afternoon Peeps, not so warm today eh? I was working until lunchtime and didn't really notice the drop in temperature but now I'm huddled next to the radiator while I'm on my blog.

I love this hedgehog image by Tina Wenke for Stampavie. Hubby and I have a 'thing' for hedgehogs and often buy little collectables when we're on our travels. I've had the stamp for ages and just not got around to using it, so this was the perfect excuse. I created the sentiment on the computer, quite liked the font.

I've coloured Mrs. Hedgehog in copics: E000, 31, 33, 93, R20, 32, Y06, YG00, 03, BG10.

The curly gardenia, rosebuds, pearls and stamens are all from Crafty Emma's Store and the vine leaf punch is a Martha Stewart border trim.

The DP is Prima 'Sweet Fairy', also from Crafty Emma's Store. In fact, go check out the store this weekend as she has a sale on. See the link on my sidebar.

The ribbon was some recycled from a parcel and has been in my stash for an age. Just ran my little portable iron over it to rid it of creases. After all, isn't that what iron's are for - crafting, lol.

I hope you like it and I'd like to enter it into the challenges below.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I hope to be back with another production later, x

Sketch n Stash #57 - sketch
http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/sketch-n-stash-challenge-57.html
Stampalot Challenge - spring is in the air
http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-challenge.html
Bearly Mine #6 - Mother's day
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-6-mothers-day.html
Papertake Weekly - Its a Mum thing or just be girlie
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2011/03/its-mom-thing-or-just-be-girlie.html
The Creative Cottage #35 - Spring has sprung
http://creativecottagechallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-35spring-has-sprung.html
A Spoonfull of sugar #144 - ribbons, pearls and flowers
http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-144-ribbon-pearlsrhinestones.html

Friday 25 March 2011

How Many???

Evening Peeps. Another glorious day here in West Yorkshire. Managed to get a little gardening done but more importantly another day of pegging the washing out...how sad, lol

Only just realised I should have had this card in the post today for my Brother's birthday next week, not that he deserves a handmade card, but that's another story....

The mice image is another LOTV stamp I picked up at Harrogate and the cupcake is the Papermania one I used the other day. Again, I've paper pieced the icing. I used copics in the BG range to keep it a bit more masculine but also because the current Copic Creations challenge is to use blues.

The DP is by Papermania, Henbury Lane and the corner shapes were made with an EK punch.
I hope you like it and here come the challenge links:-

Sketch Saturday #147 - sketch
Copic Creations #46 - we've got the blues
LOTV #89 - punch it
Really Reasonable Ribbons #20 - one for the boys
Crafty Cardmakers - #42 - special birthday
http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-42-special-birthdays.html

Thursday 24 March 2011

With Love

Okay! So technically this should be a box for the current Allsorts challenge but I figured a drawer contained bits and bobs like a box could so, what the heck, lol. Anyhow, I started this a few weeks ago and then, you know how it is, stuff got in the way and it got buried under some stuff. Need I say more...

So, I used 4 crafting matchboxes for the base and then built my easel card on top of them. The drawer handles are from Art From The Heart.

Tilda is coloured with copics:-
skin - E21, 93, promarker satin
hair - E31, 33, 35
YG91, 95, B93, 95

The DP is Papermania 'rose garden' and the frame for the text is by Viva Decor.

I've created the easel shape using a die by Go Kreate.
The bench is actually a Magnolia Christmas image but I sat Tilda in front of the holly and put some bling to cover up the holly swirl.

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

Allsorts #95 - make a gift box
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-95-make-gift-box.html
Fab n Funky - more than one fold
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-65-do-it-more-than-once.html
Crafts and Me - anything goes
http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-27-anything-goes.html
One Stop #123 - diamonds are a girl's best friend ie. add some bling
http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-123-diamonds-are.html

'Owl' be there for you...

Afternoon peeps and another beautiful day here in West Yorkshire. Hope this lasts for a while yet.

Here's a quicky following the Less Is More Challenge, 'masculine'. I brayered a rainbow effect across the bottom corner using Encore 'ultimate metallic' and then overstamped with the Crafty Individuals Owl.

I decided to pop the letter 'O' inbetween the 2 buttons.

I'm also entering this into the Daring Cardmakers Challenge which is 'going postal'.

Hope you like it and here are the links, x

http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-7-theme-challenge-masculine.html

http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/2011/03/going-postal.html

Wednesday 23 March 2011

O Christmas Tree

Evening Peeps, another Christmas card for the box. This time I've kept it simple by using the Cuttlebug 'lace tree' embossing folder on mirri card. Now! I'm entering this into the Bah Humbug challenge which was to use metallic and in my simple mind that meant mirri card...whether its cos its shiny and to me that meant metallic, I dunno...anyhow as a back up I popped a metallic brad in the top corner, lol. I've also popped some red gems on the tree.

The DP is Basic Grey 'jovial' from Crafty Emma's Store.

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

Bah Humbug #11 - Metallics
http://bah-humbug-christmas.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-11-metallic.html
Winter Wonderland - Embossing
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/embossing-dryheat.html
Paper Sundaes #61 - Embossing
http://papersundaes.blogspot.com/2011/03/paper-sundaes-challenge-61-embossing.html

Monday 21 March 2011

Living is not enough, said the butterfly...

Evening peeps. Just didn't get time to make and upload a card yesterday. After a day at the Harrogate show and then getting home and putting away my goodies, after stroking them all first of course, and then of course the ice skating, it was time for bed. So here is this evening's offering using the current Craft Stamper butterfly stamp, just perfect for the verse which I have off-stamped on both sides.

It's also given me a chance to use some odds and ends of CS and DP. The ribbon and flower effect are actually cut from a sheet of 6 x 6, I've then added a brad for a bit of bling.

The butterfly has been stamped 3 times with the middle one raised with decoupage gel. The 3 triangles at the bottom have been stamped with elements of the butterfly.

I hope you like it and I'm entering it into the following challenges, x

Pixie Cottage #61 - Sketch plus optional use of green
http://thepixiecottage.blogspot.com/2011/03/pixie-cottage-challenge-61-sketch-andor.html
Fab n Funky #64 - Green
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-64-all-things-green-or-happy.html
Papertake Weekly - Trio tastic
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2011/03/trio-tastic.html
Creative Card Crew - Green
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-dt-members-and-new-challenge.html

Update on the sailing boat

I just wanted to say I have really appreciated all your comments about my drawing. My friend loved the card especially as it was tailor made for the recipient.
I may try some more drawings in time however I just need to work out how to make them digital so that they can be saved and used, and possibly shared, in the future.
Once again, thank you very much, x

Saturday 19 March 2011

I am Sailing

OK Bloggers, this is a first for me and I would really appreciate your comments, constructive critisism, advice, whatever. I have drawn the sailing ship... This is from someone who hated art at school and has never been particularly crafty - goodness knows where the cardmaking etc came from, must have fell out of bed one day and bumped my head.  Anyhow, I'm gonna take a chance and enter it into some challenges so that a wider audience gets to see it and therefore more comments for me to act on. All because a friend asked me to make a birthday card with a sailing ship.......

This is not the original drawing. I tried to digitise it but I'm not good with the PC and I just couldn't get a decent image so I went back to the old favourite of tracing it and then rubbing on the back to transfer the image to my CS. Of course then I had a mirror image to play with which caused me all sorts of problems with my left/right co-ordination, lol, but this still leaves me with the original to play around with again.

I used copics in BG01, 05, 13, 93, C1, 3, W1, 3, 5 to colour the image and the sea, and then watercolour pencils for the sky.

The birds are stamped in stazon and I used a Tim Holtz compass mask dabbed with Broken China Distress Ink to keep in with the nautical theme. I used twine to imitate rigging and threaded an old naval button, and ric rak to imitate the waves. The die-cut is a Sissix vine leaves die.

I hope you like it and all comments will be much appreciated.

Here are the challenges :-

Charisma Cardz #11 - To die for
http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-11-to-die-for.html
Simon Says - Happy Birthday
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/simon-sayshappy-birthday.html
CES #28 - Favourite song or inspired by a song (I am Sailing by Rod Stewart)
http://ceschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-28-your-favourite-song-or.html
Totally Papercrafts #58 - Add a Button
http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-58-add-buttons.html

Thursday 17 March 2011

Going to the Chapel...

Evening Peeps. A friend text yesterday asking how quick could I make her a wedding card??? There was me thinking it must be a 'shot-gun' wedding, but no, she'd just thought it would be a nice idea to have a hand crafted card to go alongside her hand crafted ring cushion.

I've used a Digi Doodles image and coloured with copics:-
skin - E21, 93, promarker satin
her hair - E50, 51, 53, 31
his hair - E31, 33, 35
suit and shoes - C3, 5, 8
flowers and ribbon - G21, V01, 05, 12

All the CS is from my stash and I've embossed round the edges of the lilac card with a cuttlebug embossing folder.

The curly gardenia are from Crafty Emma's Store, the others are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Anyhow, I've just seen that Digi Doodles next challenge is anything goes so I'm off to enter this there. Also Dream Valley challenge is 'new beginnings' so I'll enter it there too.

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

Digi Doodle Shop's Best #51 - Anything goes
http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-51-anything-goes.html
Dream Valley #2 - New Beginnings
http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-2-new-beginnings.html

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Less Is More

Final one folks. Once I get my head round the Less is More Challenge I find the card comes fairly easily. Its the planning and thinking of an idea that takes the time.

This time the challenge was 'one layer and off the edge'. I've used a Stampendous leaf and masked it to get the layered effect. I've used Adirondack inks in cranberry, butterscotch, and ginger. The sentiment is stamped in versafine vintage sepia.

I'm entering it into the following challenges:-

Less Is More - one layer, off the edge
http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-6-one-layer-card-off-edge.html
One Stop #122 - clean and simple
http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-122-clean-and-simple.html
Paper Sundaes #60 - keep it simple
http://papersundaes.blogspot.com/2011/03/paper-sundaes-challenge-60-keep-it_13.html

I hope you like it and I'm off now to catch up on some blog hopping, x

You're an Angel

Here's my second post for the evening. This digi image is Angel Caroline by Designed 2 Delight. Isn't she cute. I've used my copics to colour:
skin - E21, 93, promarker satin
hair - E50, 51, 53, 31
clothes and wings - G000, 00, 02, 03

The DP is by Prima 'Fairy Flora' from Crafty Emma's Store.

The little flowers I have had for an absolute age, I think they were probably once part of a larger flower that I dissected, lol. Can't remember where the sentiment is from, but rather appropriate for this card.

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

Designed2delight - image
http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/2011/03/cute-angel-caroline-free-digital-stamp.html
Corrosive #107 - sketch
http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-107-sketch-time.html
Allsorts #94 - Luck of the Irish or green
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-94-luck-o-irish.html
Cupcake #133 - Up in the air and optional green
http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/cupcake-133-up-in-air-with-optional.html

Merry Christmas!!!

OK, I know its only March but this is another one to add to my Christmas box.

This week Bah Humbug are asking for apertures so I've created another of my tent fold cards using Papermania 'Henbury Lane' DP and stamps. I've paper pieced the left side bauble, first with red, and then the leaf in the green. I cut round the baubles and adhered them to the inside of the front so that they hang in the aperture.

Not much else to say about this but I hope you like it, x

Here's the challenge link:-
http://bah-humbug-christmas.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-10-apertures.html

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Spring has Sprung

A final card for you this evening. Hope you like it. This is the last image I coloured over the weekend. I've coloured in copics:-
skin - E21, 93, promarker satin
hair - E50, 51, 53, 31
shoes - E31, 33
bow and shirt - YR02, 04
jeans and wings - RV000, 02, 04, 06
flowers - YG06, 09, B00, 02, 05

The DP are by Prima 'Fairy Flora'.

The ribbons and bellies etc are all from my stash. Think I may have overdone the flowers though, lol.

I hope you like it and I'm entering it into the following challenges, x

Just Magnolia #97 - sketch
http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-97-bevs-sketch.html
The Play Date Cafe #72 - blue, pink, yellowy orange
http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/2011/03/play-date-cafe-challenge-pdcc72.html
Stampin for the Weekend #5 -  springtime
http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-5-springtime_04.html

Cheeky!

Hi Again. Here is the second card I mentioned.

Now I couldn't resist using this Digi Doodle's image when I read that their next challenge was pearls. Anyone who knows me knows that I can be one for larking around, so this was right up my street. I coloured her with copics:-
skin - E21. 93, promarker satin
hair - E31, 33
hat - E50, 51, 53
ribbon - G000, 00
flower and socks - Y11, 13
shoes and bag - RV21, 23, 25, 29

The DP are MME 'pretty please' spring papers.

As you can see from the piccie below I used adhesive pearls to enhance the pearls she is wearing.

The sentiment (that face) I think is by Paper Heart but again I thought this fitted the card. Me being cheeky, lol.

Forgot to mention that I embossed the edges of the base paper using a cuttlebug border folder.
I hope you like it and I'm entering it into the following challenges :-

Create 4 Fun wk 11 - sketch
Digi Doodle Shop's Best #50 - pearls


The Sugar Bowl #55 and Cute Card Thursday #155

Evening Peeps. By the time I'd finished these next 2 cards for uploading last night it was time for bed and then today the PC has been on a go slow :(((

Anyhow, this is the first one I want to show you. Another image I coloured during our weekend away. It's a Sugar Nellie image 'sitting with bear', isn't she cute. I've used copics to colour:-
skin - E21, 93, Promarker Satin
hair - E31. 33. 35
teddy - E31, 33
trousers - BG10, 13
top - RV23, 25
stool - E33, 35

The DP are MME 'pretty please' spring papers

I'm entering it into the following challenges:-

The Sugar Bowl #55 - sketch with optional extra of Spring
http://sugarbowlblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-55erikas-sketch.html
Cute Card Thursday #155 - card for a 3 year old
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-155-happy-3rd-birthday.html
I hope you like it, x

Sunday 13 March 2011

Girls Rock

Here's the final one for this evening folks, using a Whiff of Joy image 'Willow Dancing'. She's really shaking her stuff on the dance floor.

Surprise, surprise, I've coloured her with copics:-

skin - E21, 93, promarker satin
hair - E50, 51, 53, 31
clothes etc - Y11, 13, 17, YR02, 04, 07

The DP is by memory box 'glitterati' from Crafty Emma's Store.

I can't remember where the sentiment is from but thought it fitted the bill.

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

Papertake Weekly - Lemon Zingy
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2011/03/lemon-zingy.html
Fab n Funky #63 - Make it Girly
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-63-make-it-girly.html
Truly Scrumptious #52 - Sketch
http://trulyscrumptiouschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-52-our-2nd-birthday.html

A break in the ice-skating and a break in the egg

Back again, this time in the break from the ice-skating to upload a further two cards from the weekend.

This one is using a cute image from digi delights. This could easily be Casey, my Grand-daughter, with her cheeky smile. I've used copics to colour:
skin - E21, 93, promarker satin
hair - E31, 33, 35
egg and clothes - Y11, 13, R20, 22, B00, 02

The DP is Prima 'sweet fairy'

The curly gardenia and stamen are from Crafty Emma's Store.

I hope you like it and I'm entering it into the following challenges, x

The Pixie Cottage - sketch and Easter
http://thepixiecottage.blogspot.com/2011/03/pixie-cottage-challenge-60-sketch-andor.html
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/simon-saysanything-goes.html

Cuddle Cloud Baby

Cuddle Cloud Baby is the name of this next image by Meljen Designs. Another one from the recent win I had. Isn't he adorable although he could as easily be a she. I've very subtly coloured him with copics E21, 93, B32 and promarker Satin.

The DP is by K & Co 'La Boutique'.

All the brads are from my stash and I'm sorry but I can't remember where the sentiment is from but just thought it fitted perfectly.

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

Crafty Creations #109 - Baby Blue
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/109-baby-blue.html
Dream Valley #2 - New Beginnings
http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-2-new-beginnings.html

Bear with a sore head...

Evening Peeps. We're back from our weekend in the caravan. It was so totally relaxing and I got loads of images coloured with my old faithful copics. So I have loads of cards to upload over the course of the next couple of days.

This image is by Meljen Designs and could easily be my hubby after 24 hours with our Grand-daughter. Her and Daddy came and spent a night in the caravan, the first time for Casey, and she was unbelievably good. Even slept better than she does at home. However that could be something to do with running around in the fresh air with Grandad. Needless to say, Grandad is exhausted and needs a holiday, lol.

So back to the card. I was fortunate to win 4 images from Meljen Designs and chose this one, and isn't he just cute. I'm not sure if he's enjoying his bowl of tomato soup. I've coloured him with copics:-
fur - E31, 35, 51, 93
blanket - BG13, 15
hottie - YG91, 95
thermometer and tissues - C1, 3

The DP are MME - pretty please spring papers

I'm entering it into the following challenges and hope you like it, x

Fussy and Fancy - sketch
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/fussy-and-fancy-friday-challenge-sketch.html
Ooh La La #75 - It's a Man Thing
http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-75.html
Creative Card Crew - No flowers
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/2011/03/no-flowers-with-robyns-fetish.html
Moving Along With The Times #89 - Card for a Male
http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-89-card-project-for-male.html

Thursday 10 March 2011

Less Is More

Oh Boy! What a problem I had photographing this card. I think I took about 30 images on goodness knows how many different settings just to get a someway decent piccie. I thought I was being clever stamping in Versafine Smokey Grey to keep in with the pastel theme. Lesson learned there!

Anyhow, the poor piccie below may give you a better idea of the watercolour pencils I used in yellow and green. The flower stamp is by Great Impressions


I'm entering it into the current Less is More challenge

I hope you like it.

I won't be around for a few days as hubby and I are off to Knaresborough in our caravan for some chill time. Taking some images and copics to keep me busy and hopefully I'll be back to blogging on Sunday. In the meantime I'll try and keep up with blog activities via my phone.

Hope you all have a good weekend, x

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Its been snowing again...

Well it was for all of 5 minutes this morning. So much for Spring being on its way. Anyway to stay in keeping with the weather I've incorporated snowflakes in this next addition to my Christmas box. I've rotated the current sketch from Sketch Saturday and used DP by Basic Grey 'jovial' which you can get from Crafty Emma's Store. The base DP has been embossed with the cuttlebug Lace Tree folder and then I've rubbed a metallic rub-on to enhance the design.

Tilda and Edwin have been coloured with copics as follows:-
skin - E21, 93, promarker satin
hair (his) - E31, 33, 35
hair (hers) - E50, 51 53, 31
jeans - C3, 5, 7
jumper and hat - BG13, 15
her clothes - V12, 15, 17

I've added some rainbow stripe glitter to her cuffs and hem.

The pearls, peeloffs, glitter snowflakes, and sentiment are all from my stash.

Hope you like it and here are the challenge links, x

Sketch Saturday #145 - sketch
http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-145-5th-march-2011-sponsored-by.html
Winter Wonderland - snowflakes
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/snowflakes.html
Bah Humbug #9 - embossing
http://bah-humbug-christmas.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-9embossing.html
Just Magnolia #96 - anything goes +/- glitter
http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/2011/03/week-96-simon-says-stamp-special.html
ABC Christmas - 'E' for embossing and embellishments
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/e-is-for-embossing-and-embellishments.html
Lets Ink It Up #10 - embossing
http://letsinkitup.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-10.html

Monday 7 March 2011

Lucky Bird

If you like a progressive challenge then designed2delight is the place to go. This is my first time participating but if you enter the first challenge of the month with the freebie on offer then you get the chance to accumulate more free digi images.

So I've coloured Lucky Bird in yellows to signify the start of Spring. I think he's cute in his wellies just waiting on those Spring showers. I've used copics Y000, 02, 06, YR04, 07, YG03, 06, W1, 3, 5. Some of the DP is by DCWV and the remainder is from my stash.

I hope you like my interpretation of the current Create4Fun sketch and the challenge links are below, x

Create4Fun wk10 - sketch
http://create4fun-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-week-10.html
Cute Card Thursday #154 - signs of spring
http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-154-signs-of-spring.html
Designed to Delight - Lucky Bird image
http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/2011/03/lucky-bird-free-stamp-of-month.html
Pile It On #10 - Up, up and away
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/pio-10-up-up-and-away.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PileItOn+%28Pile+It+On%29

Penalty!

Firstly let me apologise for the quality of the photo. I didn't check it before I posted the card through a letterbox this morning. That'll teach me to rush.

Anyhow, I made it for a lad's 11th birthday, you can just make out the number 11 on his shirt. The main BP is by Dovecraft 'Funky Vintage', the rest is all from my stash and scraps. Unfortunately it doesn't show up but the 2 black corner pieces were first put through my Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder. The circles were punched from scraps and then stamped with a 'peg stamp' football.

The image is by Digital Delights and coloured with copics: E21, 93, Promarker Satin (skin), E31, 33, 35 (hair), YR04, 07, C8 (kit).

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

Stetch n Stash #56 - Sketch
http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/02/sketch-n-stashchallenge-56.html
Paper Sundaes #59 - Stripes
http://papersundaes.blogspot.com/2011/03/back-in-paper-sundaes-challenge-59.html

Saturday 5 March 2011

Cards for Haeli

Evening Peeps.

If you pop over to the Pixie Cottage http://thepixiecottage.blogspot.com/2011/03/cards-for-haeli.html you can see the original message and full story from Michelle about this lass.

I was really touched by this story and if you're anything like me and challenge mad, you've probably got a spare card or two, that would be appreciated, maybe even a little something to enclose as apparently she loves to craft.

Haeli, is in 6th grade, and has a rare form of ovarian cancer. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy.

 Maybe for a moment we can take her mind off her illness!

 Could you send a card to Haeli? Would you be willing to post a little something on your blog asking for cards for her? I am sure she would be thrilled to receive a lot cards, etc. from all over the world.

You can mail them to:
 
Haeli
c/o Melissa French
1425 23rd St. NE
Canton, Ohio 44714
 
Thanks for reading this, x

A Fairy Happy Weekend to You All

Good Morning Peeps. What a miserable day here in West Yorkshire. Its a right drizzly morning, you know, the sort of rain that gets you wet, lol. To top that, I'm off to IKEA in a minute to get DS his wardrobe:((( Not looking forward to the queues at the checkout. Fingers crossed everyone has stayed in bed when they saw the weather.

Anyhow, for this morning's card I have followed the Friday Sketchers sketch and some 'pink' challenges, just in case you hadn't worked that one out for yourselves, lol.

I've used a Lavinia fairy to incorporate the current Crafty Cardmakers challenge, which is also asking for punches. I stamped her in Adirondack slate to give her a softer outline and then used copics: E93, 21, Promaker Satin, C1, 3, 5, RV000, 02, 34, BG10.

The DP is Dovecraft 'Fantasy', perfect for those fairy and mythical cards. The circle DP was cut with a nestie and then edged with pearls and I put the pink vellum through my cuttlebug 'swiss dots' folder to take the blandness away. The sentiment is from a Papermania CS pack.

Now to the punches. I used a Woodware flower corner punch on my image. The butterflies are part of a small circle punch which I lined up to create a ribbon effect. The flower, right,  was created by punching lots of hearts in the vellum, DP and CS that I had used and overlayering them, finally finishing with a pearl brad.





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

Friday Sketchers #144 - sketch
http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/sketch-144-sponsored-by-whiff-of-joy.html
Ooh La La Challenge #74 - pink, pink and more pink
http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/02/challenge-74.html
Crafty Cardmakers #40 - fairies and at least 2 punches
http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/2011/02/challenge-40-fairies-and-use-at-least-2.html
The ABC Challenge - 'P' is for pink
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/03/p-is-for-pink.html

Friday 4 March 2011

Mind the Stumps...

Hi again. Back from painting my Son's room. Just the wardrobe to pick up and build tomorrow...groan!

Anyhow, this is another card I threw together quickly last night. I got late notification of a birthday this weekend and I know that he is a cricket fan. What a better way to dust off Cricketer Ted by Funstamps. I've had him for ages and he doesn't get out much, lol. I stamped him in Adirondack mushroom and used copics E93, 40, 41, 43, G21 and W1

The sky and grass CS are from the Kanban Factory Shop, something else that hasn't seen daylight for a while but just perfect for this card. The sunshine has been stamped with a Craft Stamper freebie and the little 'speckles' are a clear stamp, sorry not sure who by. I used Adirondack sunshine yellow. The little birdies flying high are also a clear stamp, make unknown.

Hopefully this card should get you all in the mood for Spring, which is just around the corner.

Entering this one in a few challenges as detailed below. Hope you like it, x

Pile It On #9 - Tri-Fold
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/02/pile-it-on-challenge-9-tri-fold.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PileItOn+%28Pile+It+On%29
Cupcake Craft Challenge #131 - Anything but Square
http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/02/cupcake-131anything-but-square.html
Oldie But A Goodie #13 - Spring is in the air
http://oldiebutagoodiechallenge.blogspot.com/2011/02/challenge-13.html
Fab n Funky #62 - Spring into Action
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-62-spring-into-action.html
Bearly Mine #5 - Birthday card
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-5birthday-card.html

Own Up!...Who nicked the pearls???

Yep! They were there last night when I completed the card. I took the photo this morning, went to upload it and.......they were gone. Now how does that happen??? So I've replaced them. Be warned, I shall be on the lookout for the pearly thief, lol.

{ Before I tell you about the card I just want to offer some apologies for not getting round all my happy followers blogs much at the moment. Its been a bit hectic here but I do look at all your work and will find time to offer comments asap :) }

I quickly rustled this card together last night when I was reminded that a friend had just had an op. As she prefers the more grungy, distressed look as opposed to the cute and girly I decided to incorporate this week's Corrosive Challenge.

I started off with a sheet of double-sided MME Wild Asparagus and folded over the corners, but that didn't look right:(
I'd already stamped the background image (previously masking the sides) using Anna Griffin All Night Media in Distress Ink Shabby Shutters. Having then distressed the edges with scissors I realised the corner folds I'd previously made were just itching to be swiped with the shabby shutters ink.

The corner stamp is by Clarity with the now in-place pearls from The Hobby House. I stamped these and the sentiment in Distress Ink Walnut Stain.

I hope you like my change of style and the challenge links are below, x

Create4Fun #9 - sketch
http://create4fun-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/02/challenge-week-09.html
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes + Something Old (The Anna Griffin Stamp)
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2011/03/anything-goes.html
The Corrosive Challenge #105 - Distressing
http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/2011/02/challenge-105-distressing.html

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Three Little Stars

Evening All. Well I made it to the stables this morning, and no it didn't rain, but boy was it cold...Brrr... Anyhow, I just had a 30 minute lesson as I'd not been for a while but I was surprised how quick it all came back to me and the lesson went all too quick. The funniest thing happened though. Just before the end of the lesson the horses and ponies in the field got all excited at a passing horse on the lower road and started galloping across towards the track. I really thought they were going to jump the fence. My horse, Mac, pricked his ears up but my lovely instructor took hold of the reins, just in case. I can tell you I was very relieved. It was lovely to watch them being so giddy and playing and galloping but I'd rather they did it when my feet were on the ground.

So, now onto my card. Another one of them that started off as one idea and ended up as something else.

This is my new Penny Black sentiment stamp, which I think is lovely. I've used the current Friday Sketchers sketch and rotated it to fit my sentiment. All the DP is from my stash. The white piece I've embossed with the cuttlebug 'swiss dots'.

The only other thing is to tell you the fruits I based my colours on (see below) and that is banana, kiwi, and strawberry.

Hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x

Friday Sketchers #143 - sketch (rotated)
http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/sketch-143-sponsored-by-tickled-pink.html
Sentimental Sundays - Anything Goes
http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/02/challenge-44-anything-goes.html
Colour Create #65 - 3 fruit colours
http://colourcreatechallenge.blogspot.com/2011/02/challenge-65-3-fruits.html

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Just 3 Squares

Good Evening. I hope everyone has benefitted from the beautiful sunshine today. I have been brave and booked a riding lesson tomorrow on the basis of the weather forecast. My first since before Christmas. If it chucks it down you'll know who to blame, lol.

Anyway, onto my card. This started off as a black card!!! Then I managed to adhere the squares wonky, so I cut them off, hence the black surround, and went for a white card instead. I'm trying to keep up with the Less Is More Challenges, and boy are they a challenge.

In terms of materials, fairly easy peasy, with the only bit of stamping being the sentiment. The DP are by Dovecraft 'a hint of pink'.

So, I'm entering it into the following challenges and I hope you like it, x

Less Is More wk4 - 3 squares
http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.com/2011/02/week-4-recipe-three-squares.html
Charisma Cardz wk 8 - Black, white and one colour
http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2011/02/week-8-black-white-one-colour.html
Paper Sundaes #58 - Use a charm
http://papersundaes.blogspot.com/2011/02/paper-sundaes-challenge-58-how-charming.html
CES Challenge #25 - Flowers and Flutterbys (sorry its a dragonfly)
http://ceschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/02/challenge-25-flowers-flutterbys.html