Sunday Night Cinders

Just a quick post as I've just got in from picking James up after his trip to Disneyland Paris, he had a great time and loved the roller coasters.  Amazingly he seems to have slept (wasn't expecting that!!) and is less knackered than we were expecting :-), mind you I think he is glad to be home and is tucked up in bed sound asleep :-)

So it seems appropriate that today's card features Kraftin' Kimmie's version of Cinderella :-

I just love her eyes!!  Colouring isn't as good as i'd like but I was colouring on my lap, watching something on the telly at the same time - oops!  But I do love her in red!  I don't know why but I can never get her hand to stamp properly, I probably should have sent the stamp back when I first got her but I've left it too long now :-(

I've used this weeks Friday Sketchers Sketch as the starting point for my card and then added tulle, thin ribbon, flowers, Diamante pin and some die cut scrolls.  I have to say I love the punch that using strong colours like red and then adding black gives to a card, and as ever this looks so much better in real life than my photo shows!  I took the time to decorate the inside on this one, just to finish it off :-)

I'd also like to enter this for

Digi Doodle Shop Challenge - Swirls

Paperplay Challenge - Layer It Up

Crafty Catz - Flowers

Crazy 4 Challenges - Vintage/Shabby Chic

I Did It Creations - Red Challenge

Have a good week!

Sue xx

Flashbacks

Odd that I stumbled across this new challenge site that my DT friend Lisa has posted about, as tonight one of my friends that I went to uni has posted some photo's from when we were all young on Facebook.  I've had a look at the 100 or so pics and I'm quite pleased that in some of them someone else has been tagged when it definately is me... I could correct him but despite (or should that be because of...) half of my degree is in History, I am happy for the pictorial evidence of certain past events to be attributed to someone else :-).  Personally I think he is a brave man posting them at all although I fear an tit-for-tat onslaught of pictures appearing on the web for the world to stumble over before too long, and even back then I was normally the one holding the camera, so have the most incriminating pictures of all :-) 

This challenge however isn't asking you to post pics on your blog of your youth (thank goodness!), but of past projects, what a fab idea!! 

So the Flashback Friday Challenge this week is asking us to share

first glitter card or project.

If you really want to delve into the past, have a look at the original post here.  When I first started blogging I used to share more scrapbook layouts than I do now... hmmm... maybe I should share more now.... ahhh, I see the flaw in that plan, I've got to finish a few first!!  My photography is a bit ropey, but I think this is the first glittery one I can find, what with the Bazzill Bling CS the picture is matted onto, the gems and the Doodlebug Glittery CS (still love that stuff!!)

I love this page (despite it being of me) and I first published it in May last year, just after I started blogging (although I had been scrapping for a two years before then).  To cut a VERY long story short about 6 months before I started blogging things went a bit pear shaped with my crafting and I convinced myself (well, unkind comments from others convinced me) that I was stupid and daft to think I could be creative.  Despite this I carried on crafting at Scrapbook Sisters who week by week undid the damage with their kindness and friendship, but was on the still considering selling all my craft stuff but around April last year events came together and I got a craft mag, saw some LCI stamps that appealed to me, then Scrapbook Sisters started selling copics,  and I started stamping, colouring and making cards and haven't looked back since :-)  Once again, crafting makes me happy!!

What also struck me with this layout is how much I still love monochromatic colour schemes - they just seem to pack a punch like nothing else!!  At this point I'd seen loads of white-on-white, but never seen black-on-black and just wanted to see what it looked like!

Little did I think that in less than a year I would be on two fabulous design teams - joining my old friends at Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge, and with new friends at Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge, and that little old me who can't draw for toffee could actually make something halfway to decent :-).

When I was looking at this post I also realised that one of my first followers, Dee, made a lovely comment, and she has just started blogging again after a short absence.

Right, after a load of sentimental waffle I've rather enjoyed a blast into the past, why not show some of your early creations too??

New stuff tomorrow (promise!!)

Sue xx

Busy, busy, busy...

Oh my, what a week, thank goodness it's Friday!!

As I suspected work has continued to be a nightmare all week with not enough hours in the day and people not realising that while I may be brilliant (LOL!), but even I can only manage to do one thing at a time, and so when I ask for priorities getting the answer "all of them" is not what I was looking for :-)

On top of that I have been busy getting my eldest, James, ready to go to Eurodisney with the cubs today.  Drama came Wednesday night when I realised that I could not find the Union Jack badge that ABSOLUTELY MUST be sewn onto his uniform or he would not be allowed onto the coach.  I spent four hours + searching, suspecting small sons kleptomaniac tendencies for it being missing...

... my grateful thanks to my crafty friend Bev for coming up with ideas where I might be able to source one at such short notice (you calmed me when I was panicking!!), but much to my annoyance HB walked through the door as I was still searching at 1am and found it within 30 seconds... how I had managed to miss it when it was right in front of me the whole time I have no idea!!  Maybe because in my head it was much bigger than the 1 x 2 inch size it actually is that my brain simply told my eyes it was not what I was looking for... still I have nice and tidy kitchen cupboards for the time being :-)

Last night was spent sewing the badge (plus others he got last night) onto his jumper, then packing everything he might need.  Then up early this morning to get his tea packed up for him to eat on the journey, before doing the daily school, nursery, work run.  No rest for the wicked :-)  No lunch (again!) and me packing my laptop up this afternoon while people where still asking me questions that absolutely could not be asked of someone else or wait until Monday (honestly, I don't think they got the hint!!), and it took me saying that I was leaving right then as I had to get my son sorted and he was more important before I was able to escape!!  Grrrrr.....

So picked up small son from nursery, big son from school then to MIL's to get big son showered and changed and meet up with HB then up the hill to where the coaches left from.  And OMG how many small boys (and a few girls!)... in all there are 8 coachloads of them making their way!  I did get a bit emotional seeing him going off, all full of confidence and excitement, he certainly isn't my baby anymore :-)  His best friend is going too, which both his mum and I are pleased about as at least they'll have each other if they get scared and lonely :-). 

It only struck me as we were going that while he has been away from home with the cubs, or with relatives ,before he has never been somewhere where I can't get to him relatively quickly in the event something happens and he needs me, so I'm going to be a bit of a spare part this weekend!!  Still I'm sure Sam will more than make up for it :-).

I'm hoping to be able to get creative tomorrow, I've got a couple of images coloured and ready to go, but we'll see how I get on!

Sorry for the long winded ramble :-)  More crafty things tomorrow

Sue xx

Strawberry Jam

Hi!  Hope you are having a good week :-)

I'm getting the last of the preparations done for my 8 year old to head off with the cub scouts tomorrow to Euro Disney, bless him he is so excited, and his behaviour has been impecable during the last few weeks as mean Mummy and Daddy have been waving the threat (mostly unspoken) that we can still decide that he can't go, bless him the other day I overheard him telling his three year old brother to behave in case we got annoyed :-)  Oddly the thought of having Mum and Dad to himself for a whole three days has prompted good behaviour from him too :-).

Right, I've got to get going so onto today's card :-)

I used the sketch from this weeks Friday Sketchers Challenge

I got my Molly Blooms stamps out and got colouring :-)  Red and green seemed the way to go with this one, and so I used some of my hoard of Bo Bunny Papers up (I need to make way for some of the scrummy collections being brought out soon).  As much as I love certain papers I am getting better about using them up, although I seriously need to sort my paper storage out as my main paper box is too deep and I end up having to rumage too much to get the sheet I want :-(

The stone wall is also a Molly Blooms Stamp, and I love it - I've sat all sorts of images on top of that wall :-)  I thought she needed shiny wellies, so I gave them a quick coat of Glossy Accents, then did her buttons, and the pips on her hat :-)

I was going to use some of my Wild Orchid flowers on this, but went for a single flat bloom attached with a blingy brad.  The lovely red dotty ribbon is some I bought a couple of months ago and have been waiting for the right card to pop it on - honestly how sad am I that I was so pleased to find a card to put it on :-)  Once again I've gone for the more is more - hence Stawberry Jam as my post title :-)

The sentiment was a freebie from a magazine and I coloured the hearts with copics and gave them a coat of Glossy Accents too.  All the circles were cut on the cricut but for some reason they aren't coming out perfectly circular???  I'm going to try and run an update, and I'll see what happens - has anyone else had this, or is it just me??

Right, this was meant to be a short post!!  Oops!

I'd also like to enter this card for these challenges

Stamp Something - Cute Somethings

Totally Papercrafts Challenge - Add a Heart (I'm hoping the hearts on the papers and the little hearts stamped at the top count

I Did It Creations - Card for a Child
Stamp Fairy Challenge - Circles and more circles

Thanks for stopping by, more tomorrow

Sue xx

Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge 20

Hi!  Can you believe the Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge is up to number 20 already!  How time flies :-)

This week the challenge is to

Now when I started thinking about this challenge I was stumped (but then my creative brain was being impeeded by my boss needing this and that by 10 minutes ago...) then I got one idea and then another and then a lightbulb moment, and all of a sudden I'd got three cards!  No don't ask me either, it doesn't happen often!!   I suppose what I am trying to say is that this challenge sounds a bit of a toughy at first, but it is open to so much interpretation, so why not have a go?

OK, here are my cards (you might want to get a cuppa!)

First off I started thinking about my son and the never ending trail of teddy bears, monkeys, dragons, disney characters etc that he always has with him.  Each one is special to him in it's own way and this Mo Manning image seemed appropriate...

Isn't he a cutie :-)

Supplies:

From Scrapbook Sisters: Fancy Pants Happy Together Papers; Maya Road Velvet ribbon; Brad; Teal CS; Papermania Sentiment (from set); Timber Brown Stazon

Other:  Button from stash;  Twine; Kraft CS

Then I remembered my Gorjuss Girl had a bird with her, and the bird was her little friend...

Supplies:
From Scrapbook Sisters; Gorjuss Girl; Black and Pink Bazzill; Bo Bunny Pedal Pushers Paper; Stickles
Other: Joy Flower Ribbon Die; Bo Bunny Double Dot CS in Kiwi and Flamingo; Gems; Sentiment (freebie with magazine)

And then I thought about using a small stamp and doing a really quick, simple card amd this Penny Black image seemed perfect - as the literal little friend :-)

I normally stamp my images onto white card, and rarely stamp and colour directly onto the card front but I quite like it. the only problem I had was that Copics do not come in white, so had to use a watercolour pencil to colour the envelope!

Supplies

From Scrapbook Sisters: Penny Black image; Woodware Sentiment (from set); Tuxedo Black Momento and Timber Brown Stazon; Other: Kraft CS; Ribbon

Are you still with me!  Sorry that was a long post, but I wanted to share all my little ideas on this challenge :-)

Have a great day, more tomorrow

Sue xx

Totally Ladybug Tuesday - Challenge 12 - Plum Crazy with Stitching

Good morning!!

Today it is the turn of our lovely guest DT member Amber to set this weeks Ladybug Crafts Ink challenge, and she has chosen

Plum Crazy with Stitching

Now I don't know about you, but I love all shades of purple and plum, there is something so rich and luxurious about these colours, and they make a card so look so classy :-)

I chose to use Slobbing Nikki for this one - I think at this time of year we all love having a relax on the sofa with a cup of something warm (or a glass of something chilled!!), and Nikki looks like she has got this down to a fine art :-)  Although it appears that she isn't on a diet as she's on the choccies as well :-) 

 I have to say I am so pleased with the colouring on this one, her dressing gown in particular.  I think having quite a selection of purple shade Copics really helps , and I WANT her sparkly, fluffy slippers!!

The layout based on a Friday Sketchers sketch from a few weeks back, but I went to town with the detail... the vertical panel has been cut from the same paper as for the rest of the card, but I stamped it in Versamark with a script stamp I found lurking at the back of my stamp drawer before heat embossing with holographic embossing powder.  I adore this look, and added to my ever-growing list of I-will-do's is to make more of my own papers, or at least fiddle with them a bit!!  Shame you can't see a lot of it as I've covered so much of it up, but I think it made a real difference to this card

I have stuggled to use these flowers in the past, but somehow they seem to work on this card, maybe cos I squished them a bit!!  I couldn't help myself though and added a bit of sparkle to the edges.

The lace is gorgeous, and is something I won last year in a blog candy and has been stroked ever since!!  I added a bit of rich purple plum ribbon down the centre and wove a diamante pin through it.  Gorgeous :-)

I was going to use one of the LCI sentiments on the outside, but my Tim Holtz tickets were on my desk when I made this card, and this one seemed so perfect that it called to me :-)  So I got very busy with the distress inks to make it fit the colour scheme (soooo relaxing!!!)  and I was done!!

Oooh, the stitching!!!   I was going to do something clever and zig-zag it, or use one of the special stitches that my machine does, but in the end thought there was enough going on with this card already, and that even for me (!) there is a limit, so stuck to a plain running stitch in a co-ordinating colour :-)  Changing the subject totally I have seen something about free-machine embroidery and have been playing... when I manage to produce something halfway decent I'll share it, just don't expect it to be soon!!! 

Honestly, every time I sew on a card, I swear I can hear HB's Nan and Great Aunt (who left the machine to me in her will) peeking over the edge of their cloud making mutterings about me using such a machine to only do straight stitches and of all things on cards!!  They were both such fun, and both born way before their time, that I think that they would appriciate me using the machine for something they would never have thought of :-)

Supplies:

White Bazzill; Paper - Best Creation Inc; Slobbing Nikki - Ladybug Crafts Ink; Script Stamp - Crafty Individuals; Copics; Stickles; Bliss ticket - Tim Holtz;  Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts; Lace and ribbon from stash; Holographic Embossing Powder; Versamark Ink Pad; Momento Tuxedo Black Inkpad;  Chipped Sapphire and Weathered Wood Distress Inks; Purple Mica inkpad.

I would like to enter this card for these challenges please
By The Cute and Girly - Bling It On
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Food For Thought (I'm hoping the box of chocies counts!)
Simon Say's Challenge - Bingo Challenge (Lace, Flowers, Heat Embossing)

The Crafty Pad - Something Girly
My Time to Craft Challenge - Emboss, Emboss, Emboss

Thanks for stopping by, more tomorrow

Sue xx

Hello, haven't seen you in a while :-)

Uuhh, another week starts!  I hope I have a better one than last week, although I suspect not!  Work remains so busy with loads going on to more than fill my day.  The trouble is it does kid of sap my energy and make it difficult to create at times, which in turn gets me more frustrated and grumpy!! 

Also this week I've got to make sure my eldest son is all set to go away to Euro Disney with his scout group - I have no idea how many of them are going but there are 6 coaches so it's got to be 250 or so from all over our area.  I've a long list of things that they need to take, plus I want to make sure he has a couple of new books to read on the journey, and a packed tea to eat on the way there, and fingers crossed too that the weather stays dry for them!  It will be the first time he has been aboard as well - because of his colouring we have avoided overseas holidays, as he has such pale skin he burns so easily and we didn't want to take the risk when he was little, and we've just got used to holidaying in the UK now!  Mind you we had always planned to take them abroad when our youngest was a bit older (he is FAR to much of a handful to take away at the moment!), and I am a bit sad that his first trip abroad is without me :-( .  So loads to do this week that I took the opportunity to have a bit of a creative day yesterday and I'll be showing you what I have been up to over the next couple of days...

First up, a digi image that I haven't used in ages, no idea why, think she just got put to the bottom of the pile what with Christmas and all :-)

But then I saw this weeks Kenny K's Crafty Girlz Challenge was a sketch, and that was just the kick up the backside I needed to colour her up :-)

I have no idea why, but I had this sudden urge to distress my papers and cardstock... I mean it's not as if I've got a lot on my mind or anything :-)  It was oddly calming - even if I had to get the vacuum out afterwards :-)

I've used some Whiteout cs and some Basic Grey papers on this one, and I ran the circle through the cuttlebug with my Tim Holtz brick embossing folder, and then sanded it (boy, does this stuff take some sanding!) and mounted it onto Kraft coloured CS.  I did think about putting some more bits and bobs on this one, but they didn't look right, what with all the distressing, so I left it with just the scroll and the tulle, and the gems and the button, I was going to say maybe sometimes less is more, but I suppose there is actually quite a lot on here already!! :-)

I have to say I love colouring this image up, she is so sassy!!

Right, that's it from me today (but I promise to be back tomorrow!), have a good week, thanks for stopping by

I'd also like to enter this card for these challenges

Sarah Hurley Challenges - Birthday Girl

Alphabet Challenge - L is for Ladies

The Stamp Man Challenge - Distressing

The Spotted Chick - That's Krafty Thursday

Crafty Catz - Forgotten Stamp

Sue xx

Good Luck!

Just a quick post today - I'm sharing a card I popped into the box of cards I sent to Kerry to wish her good luck for CHA

Here's the card

I kept it quite simple and let the Bugaboo critter be the focus :-)

This image orignally had a party hat and ballon, but I cut her out and 3D'd her onto the white panel which I had stamped with Some Studio G Stamps in Olive Green Stazon before running through the cuttlebug with my Tim Holtz woodgrain embossing folder.  A touch of glossy accents on her eyes and all done :-)

I'd like to enter this card for these challenges please!

My Time to Craft - Spots and Dots

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Ribbons and Pearls

Thanks for stopping by, more tomorrow (I hope!!)

Sue xx

Fond memories, but a sad card to make

Ah, not the best card to end the week on today, so apologies

Heard yesterday that my Great Aunt Win had passed away aged 94.  She and her late husband were pretty important to me when I was little as they didn't live far away, but she moved away to live in a warden assisted flat nearer her daughter 10 or so years ago and I haven't seen her so much, but kept in touch with letters and cards.  She passed away in her sleep, no illness, no drama. My Mum spoke to her last week said she was full of beans then - in short, a passing without long term suffering or pain and she was alert, agile and sharp to the end. 

...like most people I dislike making sympathy cards, but felt I wanted to send her daughter a little card to let her know we were thinking of them.

I stamped the flower in Olive Green Stazon (dabbed on a scrap piece of paper as it's a bit too strong) onto the cardstock and then ran it through the cuttlebug with a Nestie, then stamped the sentiment at the bottom using the same ink and then wrapped ribbon round to finish.  The idea came from this weeks Little Red Wagon Challenge which is to create a card with just one layer, and I'm really glad for the inspiration with this card...

I think it looks lovely (for a sympathy card), elegant and classic, no fuss or pretension - actually pretty much like my Great Aunt... I will miss her...

Not a lot else I can say today, thanks for stopping by

Sue xx

Blue and Green should never be seen!

Nah, disagree with that saying :-)

Hi, hope you are having a good week so far.  Today I am sharing the last card I've sent to Kerry to take to CHA with her

I've used Catflap Magnum by Ladybug Crafts Ink - isn't he a cutie?  Purrfect (please excuse the pun!) for a man's birthday, just because, even new home cards!  I've added a touch of Glossy Accents to the catflap, and his nose but this was a bit of a pain because the nozzle has split and glue is now dribbling out of the side, so extreme caution is required - the last one that did this I managed to get it on a brand new pair of jeans and I can assure you nothing on earth gets Glossy Accents out!  (if you have found a way, please let me know!!)

I've used bits and bobs from my stash - the blue paper was a half sheet of Full Circle by Sandlion; the striped was a small bit of Peacock Lane by Bo Bunny, and the Green Dotty is Kiwi Double Dot by Bo Bunny.  The scalloped square and circle were cut on the cricut and I've used a MS punch too.  The sentiment is also by Ladybug Crafts Ink

I'd like to enter this card for

Totally Stampalicious - Masculine Monday
Pear Tree Designs Challenge - Free For All

A Spoon Full Of Sugar - Blue and Green
Fab 'n' Funky- Animal Magic
I Did It Creations - Brrr I'm Turning Blue

Right, gotta run - have a great day :-)

Sue xx

Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge 19 - Thank You

Hi!

This week the Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge is

Thank You

Now I don't know about you but I think it's always handy to have a few Thank You cards to hand to send whenever you want to let someone know you appriciate them :-)

Strangely though, I like Thank You cards to be fairly clean and simple in style, as opposed to my usual style of layers, embelishments and images a-plenty.  No, doesn't make sense to me either!!

Here's my card

I've used Kraft coloured cardstock and stamped the Heidi Swapp sentiment in Timber Brown Stazon directly onto the card.  I used a panel of Bo Bunny Flutter Butter paper, mounted it on Brown Bo Bunny Double Dot Paper, and wrapped some twine round the card.

The image is from the Gayle Bond/Scrapbook Sisters Florals stamp set also in Timber Brown and then coloured it with Distress Inks, which is something I don't usually do, but I quite like the soft look it gives :-)  After a quick dig aroud in my button jar I tied it with twine and stuck it onto the card.

Looking forward to seeing your creations

Sue xx

Happy Anniversary!

Not that he'll spot this,but Happy Anniversary to my hubby - it's our 13th today :-)

Just a quick post, but I'll share the card I made for him using a Bugaboo image and sentiment - take the time to check them out as they are having a sale until 22nd January and there is 60% off!!

I've used this weeks sketch from Friday Sketchers, and some Basic Grey papers that I had lurking from an absolute age ago :-)

We aren't quite this old. but the sentiment appealed to me!

And here we are, 13 years ago

OMG, don't we look young!!  Came across this one too, check out our wedding car :-)

I'd also like to enter these challenges

Creative Inspirations - Celebrations

Southern Girls Challenge - Totally Loved Up

One Stop Craft Challenge - Card for a Man

Right, gotta get to work :-(  Thanks for stopping by,

Sue xx

Pink and Green

Hi!  I hope you are having a great weekend :-)

Just a quick post from me today as I've got loads to get finished today :-)

Today's card I'm a bit annoyed with - I changed the cartridge on the printer and got a non-HP one as it was a third of the price.  But as I started to colour the image some of the ink started to bleed... grrr!  I think I might try again but use the draft setting, as opposed to normal before chucking it out and paying the extortionate price for the proper cartridge!

I went for green and pink for a change and used an image from Some Odd Girl called Dancin' Mae that I won a couple of months back but got put to one side while I concentrated on Christmas.  I decided to colour her hair blond for a change, but it worked really well.  I have no idea why I normally colour hair black or brown!!

Anyway, here's a close up of the image, smudges and all :-(

I'd like to enter this challenges

Digi Doodle Shop - Pink and Green

Right I said I'd be quick so that's all from me today

More tomorrow, thanks for stopping by

Sue xx

Missing, one hamster...

Afternoon, I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Ours started with being woken up by our 8 year old son bursting into our bedroom to tell us that the lid was off his hamster cage and Rufus the hamster was missing!!

Visions of the thing running through the house until it chewed on an electrical cable flashed through my mind, so my son and I started looking for it.  After about half an hour of searching he said he could hear scratching from in his wardrobe, so hubby and I started emptying it out, but no sign!!  Peering down the side of the wardrobe found one rather scared looking hamster and after about another 20 minutes we managed to coax it out, getting it into a plastic box and from there into it's cage, where it drank for ages and stuffed it's cheeks with food... I guess like most runaways the outside world looked enticing but turned out to be a frightening place :-) 

Small son (who is suspected of having undone the bit of the cage from where the hamster escaped from!) has been told NOT to touch.  The hamster appears unscathed, and is sleeping off his little adventure!!

After the early morning drama I needed to relax so made another card for Kerry to take to CHA, I based this one on the sketch at Stamptacular Sunday

I have used Shopping Nikki and the last of my lovely Doodlebug glittery paper - just a tiny piece left now :-)  I've also used my new scroll dies - I like them but they are a bit of a fiddle to get out of the die!!

I've also been working on a card for Monday, but I'll share that with you at a later date :-)

I'd like to enter this card into these challenges

My Time to Craft Challenge - Chocolate

Moving Along With The Times - Dreams (I'd love a day shopping!)

Stamp Something Challenge - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thurday - Monochrome

Thanks for stopping by, more tomorrow

Sue xx

Come on Spring, Hurry UP!!

Good morning, thank goodness it's Friday!!  Mind you I've got a busy day ahead of me at work, then it's a dash to get both kids picked up and to swimming so I won't get home until about 9pm :-(.

Tomorrow we are going out with friends to celebrate a birthday, and I have got to make the birthday boy a card yet... get this... we are going out without the kids!!  I really need to decide what image to use - I still find men's cards a struggle, and (gasp!) I might end up buying him one if I run out of time (let's be honest he's a bloke in his 30's and we are going to the pub, he's not going to notice his card!!)

Right enough with the waffle and onto todays card...

This is another one of the samples that I have made for Kerry to take to CHA with her

I've coloured the rather lovely Tulip Ruby with Copics as usual and added stickles to her wings and glossy accents to the watering can and the laybug on the flower pot.  I adore tulips - I think they are my favourite flower, with their long leaves and I love the gorgeous colours some come in :-)  They are also a sign that spring is here and the winter is over (as opposed to the daffodils that lurk around my garden, getting confused over what season is what!)

I'm getting better at sewing on my cards, and since watching Jeanie's tutorial my lines are definately less wonky, but I think I'm getting used to my machine and where to line things up and I've got the hang of stopping and manually winding it forward half a stitch now :-)

I'd like to enter these challenges

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge - Let's Get Warm and Toasty

Paperplay Challenge - Cutie Patootie

Fairy Fun Friday - Happy Birthday

The Crafty Pad - Happy Birthday

Totally Papercrafts - Happy Birthday

Right, that's my lot for today, gotta dash!

Have a great day, more tomorrow

Sue xx

Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge 18 - Hearts Desire

Hi!!  How is it Wednesday already!!

This week Scrapbook Sisters Challenge is

Hearts Desire

Well after a bit of a think, and realising that none of my stamps featured either Brad Pitt or crafting goodies (not necessarily in that order!!) this is what I came up with

LOL, I just couldn't resist using the gorgeous Shoe Shopping Digi Stamp.  It was my first time colouring this image, and I think for a first go I did OK - not being artistic means I so struggle with light and shade sometimes, but Gayle has made it pretty obvious for even people like me (for whom the art teacher used to look over my shoulder, tut and move on!!)

I cut the ovals on the cricut then wanted to add texture, and hit on the idea of making it look like they were in a window display, so decided to use the Tim Holtz Brick embossing folder - but bother it the oval was too big and I'd already coloured the image, but after a bit of jiggery pokery I managed to get it all embossed - I lightishly rubbed over the cream c/s with a chalk eye and ta-da!  One brick wall :-)

I used a MS punch to punch several borders, then added tulle and lace and stuck this onto the My Mind's Eye papers.  I cut the hearts on the cricut, but after it was all assembled I decided it needed a bit of bling and as the Red CS is the embossed Bazzill added stickles to the raised dots (wish I'd done that before sticking the centre heart on!!), and added gems to the corners.  The sentiment is by Kraftin' Kimmie and came with my Cinderella Stamp, but I thought it was perfect for this card :-)

I don't normally work like this - normally I have a pretty clear idea of what I want the card to look like, but on this occasion I went with the flow and I think it worked - maybe I should be a bit less regimented from now on :-)

Apologies for the awful pics - I took them last night and was impatient and wouldn't wait for all the stickles to dry :-)

Looking forward to seeing how you might interpret this challenge

Sue xx

Totally Ladybug Tuesday - Challenge 10 - New Stamp release, a Very Special Offer and a blog hop!

Good morning!

Today Ladybug Craft's Ink are having a blog hop to celebrate the release of a new range of stamps

Baby Baby

I'm the first blog on the hop (what a responsibility!!!) so you should have come here from the main Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge Blog, which is a great place to head back to if you get lost ... and with my sense of direction something I do frequently :-)

OK, well I couldn't resist having a play with these little cuties, and ended up making two cards with them, and something else which is still a work in progress, that I will doubtless show you at a later date :-)

Here's my first card... all in blue :-)

And here's the second one, pretty in pink :-)

And you can get your hands on the set of Baby Baby Stamps, which includes the four little cuties and a whopping seven sentiments for the very special price of £6.99 - after this week they will be £8.99, so this is a great time to buy!

Before I send you on your way to the next stop on the hop can I take a minute to remind you of the rules... yeah, I know, none of us like them, but it's to make sure it's fair on everyone :-)

a) Visit each of the DT members in order and leave a comment on each of their blog hop posts.

b) Leave a comment on the main Challenge Blog post telling us which is your favourite image from the new release.

c) Display the blog hop banner, below, on your blog either in a post or on your side bar.

The Prize is a full set of the new Baby Baby stamps along with some lovely goodies from Hayley at Funky Farm Scrapbook Barn who is also has a fabulous 10% discount for all Ladybug friends using the code TLTLADYBUGS when you check out!

The hop will close 9am GMT on Monday 17th January, and the winner will be announced at 9am GMT on Tuesday 18th January.  The second way you can win a prize of the full set of BABY BABY stamps is by entering the challenge this week which (unsurprisingly!) is on the theme of

BABY

You DON'T have to use an Ladybug Crafts Ink image to enter this week - you can use any image you choose this week, as long as your card fits the theme it will be fine.  With two chances to win this week, just do the hop, just enter the challenge, but better still, do both!! Either way, GOOD LUCK :-)

OK, waffle over, I'll hand you over to Hayley who is your next stop on the hop

Supplies:

Boy's Card: Blue and White Bazzill; Nitwits Papers, Baby Baby sentiment and image; Copics; Glossy Accents; Stickles; MS Border Punch; Buttons; Organza Ribbon; Teddy Bear Acrylic Charm; Sewing Machine and Thread

Girls Card: Dotty White and Pink Bling Bazzill; Nitwits Paper; Baby Baby sentiment and image; Copics; Glossy Accents; Stickles; Joy flower/ribbon threader die; Gems; Bo Bunny Ribbon; Pink Chalk EyeCricut; Sewing Machine and Thread

I'd like to enter these cards for the following challenges:

Boys' Card

Crafty Calendar - New Beginnings

Delightful Challenges - Buttons

Simon Says - New Beginnings

Digi Doodle Shop - Buttons

Stampin' for the Weekend - New and Blue

Girls Card

Sarah Hurley Challenge - New Beginnings

Fairy Fun Friday - New Beginnings

Creative Cottage Challenge - Something New

Fab 'n' Funky - Anything Goes
Cupcake Challenge - Something New

Thanks for stopping by

Sue xx

Getting Krafty

Good afternoon, hope you are having a great weekend so far :-)

Today I am sharing something a bit different for me in relation to some of my latest cards which have been quite dark ( I can't help it, I like black and chocolate, images look so striking against a dark background!!)

Today's card is quite bright and I have used some leftover papers from one of my recent Scrapbooking classes at Scrapbook Sisters.  The joy of going to a regular class is that the kit is different every time, and it pushes you to use papers that you wouldn't ordinarily pick.  To my surprise I actually mananged to complete a layout in class - pics are at the bottom of this post!  With all the brightness I needed to use something neutral for the base and settled on some Kraft coloured CS

I layered up the papers, chalked the edges, and got the sewing machine out again :-)  I used one of my new MS border punches and wrapped some orange Bazzill Tulle round the horizontal panel

I've used Rollerskating Robyn from Ladybug Crafts Ink, isn't she a cutie!  I coloured her with copics, and added stickles to her bow, buttons, flower and rollerskates and cut her out with a nestie, leaving her swoosh outside of the frame.  She's matted on paper that has been cut with a bigger nestie and embossed with the Tim Holtz brick wall embossing folder.

I had seen one of the Tim Holtx flower dies the other day, and umm'ed and ahh'ed over if I should get it or not, but decided not to as it would have meant getting the longer plates as well, so I had a go at making my own using the scoring blade on my Woodware cutter, and it's not too bad!!  The middle of the flower is a punched circle which has been stamped with a greeting made up from the LCI Sentimental Numbers set

I'd like to enter this card for these challenges

Charisma Cardz Challenge - Birthdays and Celebrations

Alphabet Challenge - J is for Journey (hope this counts)

2 Sisters Challenge - Getting Girly

Sweet Stampin Challenge - Try Something Different (made my own flower)

Friday Sketchers - Sketch

 The Spotted Chick - That's Krafty Thursday

Oh, and the layout that started this card off...

Supplies:

Papers - Ooh La La collection, My Minds Eye; Kraft CS; Sentimental Numbers and Rollerskating Robyn, Ladybug Crafts Ink; Sewing Machine; Woodware Scoring Blade; Circle Punch; MS Border Punch; Chalk Eye; Stickles; Tulle; Deckled Rectangles Nestabilities

Thanks for stopping by, more tomorrow

Sue xx