Take 3, 5, or 7 at Top Tip

Hello!

I'm so sorry I've not been about much, just when I thought life was going better, more curve balls have been thrown.  I'm hoping the rest of the year is better than the first two months!

Anyway, how can I be down when I have been colouring this little guy up for this fortnights Top Tip Tuesday challenge, which is 3, 5 or 7 - interpret how you like!!

Don'tcha just lurve his ears!!  This little guy is Take off / Rabbit Traveler - Air plane and he is available from this fortnights sponsors Zlatoena.

 

I wondered about putting glitter on him... but decided not to, might change my mind yet!!

Thanks for stopping by

Sue xxx

Colourific at LCI

Hello!!!!

Where has the month gone... I'm not doing very well at blogging again, work is busy, kids are being ferried around here there and everywhere - I need a Taxi sign for the roof of the car!  The garden is growing faster than I can mow it, and somewhere in amongst all the other stuff I need to sleep and eat, so apologies for not being about so much :-) Having said that we were away last week, I did take some crafty stuff with the idea that I might get a bit of colouring done, not a chance, what with day trips, the beach and the glorious weather we had in the UK, still the kids loved it :-D

Anywhoo, this months challenge at LCI is a colour challenge, inspired by the pic below...

 

I don't know why, as my image isn't especially summery like the image, but I've gone for the colours... maybe I'll have another go next week and see what happens!!

 I just wish my ironing pile was as complete as this!

I used an ages old Basic Grey paper pad, I'm trying to use up some of my older stash... makes me feel less guilty when I buy new stuff!

That's it from me today, before I go, please may I enter these challenges

Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes

Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Sue xx

Ladybug Crafts Ink goes Dotty (and Stripey!!)

Hello!!

It's time for another challenge at Ladybugs Crafts Ink this week, but before I get onto that, WOW!  What a load of fabulous entries we had to the last challenge.  It seemed like you loved the new images and well done to all the winners!

Right onto today's card!  It's Diane's turn to set the challenge this time, and she would like to see your Spots and Stripes

I decided not to go for my usual bright colours and went all pastel!  And I decided to sew my card together as I haven't done that in ages!  

I used the Clear Vase of Delight from the Floral Delight digi stamp range, and added glossy accents to the bowl for a bit of sheen, and a dot or two of stickles on the flowers for a bit of sparkle

I used some MME papers and couldn't resist a big old bow over some scrummy lace!

Please may I enter my card into these challenges

Craft Your Passion - Monochromatic
Stampin for the Weekend - Anything Goes
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Mojo Monday - Sketch
One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by

Sue xx
 

Southern Girls Challenge #37 - Magic and Mystery

Hello!!

This fortnights challenge over at Southern Girls is Magic and Mystery and we are being very generously sponsored by The Paper Shelter and XXX

I used this fabulous image from the Paper Shelter - love this guy blowing up his balloon bubbles :-D.  One of my resolutions this year is to actually use my papers, and these are some that I got last year by Bo Bunny, I think they are Peacock Lane, and I thought the bubbly looking background went well with this image, and of course I just had to add some glossy accents to the bubbles!

Of course I had to use the new Doily Die that I treated myself to the other day - it's by Cheery Lyn designs but I was a bit worried how it would cut as it's quite an intricate design, as it turned out it took a couple of passes rotating the image but went through just fine, phew, always a bit of a worry when you try a new brand on your die cutter!!

Anyway, hope you like my card

Please may I enter these challenges

Diva's by Design - Anything Goes
My Mum's Craft Shop - Fab n Funky
Paper Pretties - Ribbon or Twine
Creative Card Crew - Fantasy
Fab n Funky - Use a Digi
There's Magic in the Air - Photo Inspiration
Card Mad Fairy's - Ribbons and Bows
Crafty Ann's Challenge - What's New Pussycat

Thanks for stopping by

Sue  xx

Pink Mary Poppins

Hello!  Thank goodness it is Friday, as it seems to have been a VERY long week!!

Still I've had quite a productive week, well craft wise I have, work is another matter entirely :-D

I decided to make another card for the several challenges that are about at the moment for Breast Cancer Awareness and as this is another one I am sending to the card drive being supported at Touched By a Butterfly to be given to newly diagnosed patients I thought it would be a good idea to use Elaine by Kraftin Kimmie as it's got Big Ben in the background, and I wanted to let the recipient know that people all around the world are wishing them well... see I'm a BIG softy at heart :-D

I'm a bit worried that this paper is a bit busy, but I had it in my head to use it!!  I've combined it with some lovely ribbon from LCI, Whimsy Ticket and sentiment.  One of the panels has been heat embossed with a Crafty Individuals background stamp, and the other has been run through a cuttlebug script embossing folder.

I added glitter to the band on her hat, and glossy accents to the clock faces and her bag.

As I said this is one of those that now it is finished it's not exactly what I had in my head!  Not sure quite what I had in my head though!!

Please can I enter this into these challenges

Touched By a Butterfly - Link Up for Pink 

Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Think Pink 

 Lexi's Creations - Pink for Boobies

Lets Ink It Up - Think Pink

My Sheri Crafts - Think Pink

Kraftin Kimmie - Sparkle and Shine

Thanks for stopping by, more tomorrow

Sue xx

A card for Breast Cancer Awareness

Hello!!

While having a little peak at Feline Playful yesterday I spotted a link to a first annual Link Up for Pink

challenge that I thought I would like to make a card for.  It's for a Breast Cancer charity that gives little care packages to newly diagnosed patients, that will now include cards to let these brave people know that complete strangers are wishing them a speedy recovery from all over the world.  Also so many of my favourite challenge sites are hosting challenges in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness this week - why not create a card

I think we all know someone who has been affected by this awful disease, mainly female, but men too (both as suffers and partners of sufferers). I also know how supportive all my blogging friends new and old were when I did a card drive for Ovarian Cancer last year, so maybe it was time to make a card or two for this cause.

Nothing too fancy, just a little something to send to the charity, in the hope it makes someone smile

Now I don't know if it is the done thing to have an image who is so blatantly feminine and well, she's kinda got it all out there on this sort of card, but I thought, why not.  I'm hoping whoever the recipient is will take the card in the spirit in which it was created and sent... oh gosh I'm worried now!! She's called Samantha by Kraftin Kimmie and I want her waistline!! LOL :-D

I couldn't resist a spot or two of glitter on her compact, lippy and shoes :-D. 

I couldn't find a sentiment in my stash that I wanted so I created my own on the PC and printed it out onto CS

Again, I'm worried about this now!!  I hope it doesn't sound glib and frivolous when the recipient will be going through such a traumatic time :-/  Me and my bright ideas huh, I thought it was fine when I was doing it, only now am I worried!!

Despite my concerns over whether or not this card is appropriate, please can I enter these challenges

First Annual Link Up for Pink

Celebrate the Occasion - Breast Cancer Awareness

Paper Minutes - Diva

PTT #36 - Breast Cancer Awareness

Incy Wincy Designs - Think Pink

Dream Valley Challenges - Monochrome

Let's Ink It Up - Think Pink

Thanks so much for stopping by, it's really appriciated :-D

Sue xx

Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge 54 - Leaves

Hello!!

It's Wednesday so that can only mean it's time for another Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge, which this week is 

Leaves

LOL, we are sure to be covered in them soon, so why not add a leaf or two to your crafty projects this week and join in the dun?

I decided to keep to an autumnal colour pallet this week- although summer is making a late burst this week in my little corner of the world, we are sure to be covered with leaves before long!!

This pic so does not do this card justice, but I was forced to use the flash which is hiding all of the lovely detail... boo, don't you just hate it when working gets in the way of taking a decent picture of your creation!!  

I made a circular card with the aid of my little compass cutter thingy and then cut a brown mat and then stamped loads of leaves using a freebie stamp from Craft Stamper a couple of months back in Cocoa Momento and then rubbed Tea Dye, Vintage Photo and Antique Linen distress inks all over them.  I cut them out and covered half with Glossy Accents and half with Crackle Accents and left them to dry while I sorted the centre of the card out which is a Whimsy download which has been printed out, distressed, and I've added a couple of gems to the centre of the flowers.

I really love the effect the GA and CA have added to the flowers - they really look like fresh and dried out leaves that have fallen, prefect for the season :-D

Thanks for stopping by

Please may I enter these challenges

Little Darlings Challenges - Fall/Halloween
I brake for Challenges - Fallin' for you
Craftin for all Seasons- Fall Colours
The Stamping Boutique - Changes of the Season
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Sue xx

Flying by

Hello!

Thank goodness it's nearly the weekend, as I've had a shocker of a week!!  In short, STILL don't know what is happening and if I am being made redundant or not - we have been told that we will find out more tomorrow... ahhh!!!  I do wish they'd hurry up and get on with it all, it's coming up for three weeks and I still don't know much more than I did on day one!

So it was the perfect timing for my washing machine to develop a fault and refuse to pump water in (I think it caught a gremlin off the fridge, which is still trying to cook the food instead of keeping it cool) and for me to get a puncture... oh deep joy... there goes the wages that I don't know if I'm going to be getting after this month :-/

The only positive is that my mum (and MIL) are doing my washing for me, and bless my mum, not only has she washed our clothes but they have all been returned ironed!!  I have been handwashing (I have a blister on my left index finger to prove it!!) our "smalls" though... I know she loves us, but there are limits :-D

Anyway, enough rambling, onto today's card

I bought some Kraftin Kimmie stamps from Zoe Bunny's on the bank holiday as they had a sale and HOW could I resist!!

I teamed the Emilia with some Lime Twist "Out of the Blue" papers (I got mine here) which seemed a great choice.  I love the little plane which comes with this image, as I can see it being used on it's own or as a background stamp.

Oddly I raided my scrapbook stash and used some Thickers foam letters to make the Hi sentiment.  I'm going to be honest and say that there has been a bit of a rush on my cards that can be used as notelets from my colleagues whose children are off to Uni this year, but I might just keep this one for myself... actually might not have a choice if come the end of the week I have no colleagues!! 

Ahh, good job I have a sense of humour about things!! 

Back to the card, I've been trying REALLY hard to improve my colouring, I think I'm getting there with the hair, but I still have muck ups... and I'm still struggling with where the light is coming from, and I'm clinging onto the comment from the uber talented Gayle who assured me that light can come from any direction...  I'm not sure she meant all at once, but hey I'm clinging onto threads!!

I also think my Momento is running out of juice, do they do a re-inker for these?  If you know pop me a comment!  I don't know why but I sometimes really struggle to get the Kraftin Kimmie stamps to stamp cleanly all over - maybe one of those rockabloc things would be a good idea - again if anyone has any views please let me know!!

Thanks for stopping by

Sue xx

Start as you mean to go on...

Hello!

Today is the first day back to school for my eldest son, and back to work for me after a relaxing weekend, I got cracking and made loads of cards after my mojo got well and truely knocked by the announcement of redundancies at work.  I still don't know if I'm going to be one of those that stay or go, I just wish they'd make their minds up and let everyone know as it isn't doing me any good worrying about things that may not happen!   Actually I hope they don't let me know today as it's a difficult day for me andI don't think it would take much to tip me over the edge :-(

Onto today's card

I was lucky enough to win Cute Card Thursday the other week, and was delighted to be able to pick two stamps from Kraftin' Kimmie - tough choice!  After much deliberation I made my selection, and inked them up as soon as they arrived... so without further ado, here's Samantha

She's a bit on the side of saucy, but not too naughty, if you know what I mean!! :-D.  I kept it simple and used some Creative Expressions papers, onto which I stamped a Kanban heart, and a Woodware sentiment, and I have cut around one of the wings and threaded ribbon through the paper (I HATE threading ribbon through paper, it makes me soooo nervous!!)

Please may I enter these challenges
Crafting When We Can - Anything Goes
Deep Ocean Challenge - Hearts
Inspire Me Friday - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking, hope you can stop by tomorrow as there is loads happening!!

Sue xx

Cheeky Dragon

Hello!

Sorry for the lack of posts in the last couple of days, my crafty mojo is coming in fits and starts, and I have been exhausted after going back to work this week, I think I need another holiday!!

Anyway, I managed to make a few cards which I'll be sharing over the next few days.  First up is a fairly simple one using a Dustin Pike image and some MME papers.

Just love this dragon, he's so cheeky!

I finished off the inside using remnants of paper, and stamped the second half of the sentiment

LOL!!  I think I'm going to save this one for a friends birthday, he'll appreciate the humour :-D

Please can I enter my card into these challenges

Dustin Pike - Button It

Stampin' for the Weekend - Spots and Dots

Moving Along With the Times - Fantasy

If the Shoe Fits - Green
High Hopes Stamps - Anything High Hopes

Before I go, just a quick reminder that my blog candy is still open for a couple of days, I have been stunned at the number of new followers - a big thank you and welcome!!  If you haven't entered click here and leave your details with the little blue froggy

Thanks for looking, more tomorrow

Sue xx

Less is More??

Just a quick post from me

I don't know why but I always worry about entering the Less is More challenge, so fingers crossed this card is suitable as this weeks challenge is to create a CAS card with the theme of Feeling Fruity.  Now my fruit based stamps are a bit thin on the ground, but I did find this one which I hope is acceptable.

I do find these challenges tough as I am normally a more is more kind of girl, LOL :-D

Anyway, I coloured up this Meljens image added glossy accents to the lemon and the jug, cut it out with nesties and inked the edges and matted onto a co-ordimating piece of CS and popped on a Craftwork Cards card blank.  I was going to use a yellow ribbon, but the yellow I have in my ribbon collection was too bright... I know... how is it possible I didn't have exactly the right shade of yellow in all of the four boxes of ribbon, and no reels that worked either...Shocking ROFL :-D

Anyway, I think it's always handy to have cards like these ready to send if you know someone who needs a pick me up

Hope you like it!!

More tomorrow

Sue xx

P.S.  Don't forget there is still time to enter my blog candy - which includes stamps, dies, grungepaper, and more ribbon than you can throw a stick at... except not the right shade of yellow, obviously :-D

Harry Potter - the second story

Hello!!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend, we are preparing ourselves for next weekend when we are booked to go away... but... OMG... we are camping... and I am NOT a camping sort of girl anymore (not since I discovered the wonders of hair straighteners at least!!)

This kind of trip therefore needs the level of planning that the military would be proud of ( or that I do when in work, not holiday mode... ), and as such I have a nice list to make me happy and feel secure!!  What happened to the girl that used to be OK with chucking a change of underwear and a few toiletries in a bag and was good to go... oh yeah, I grew up, got married and had kids, LOL :-D

Anyway, today I am sharing the card I made to go with the Harry Potter Bookmark.  I'm really proud of James as he is engrossed in his books, and it is lovely to see him enjoying them, so I wanted to make him a little card, just to let him know, soppy I know!!

I used one of the sketches from Pretty Patterns Sketch 20 - there are 6 really fab sketches to choose from, and they are different to so many that are out there! I even ripped some of the papers - anyone that has seen me in class knows I have a complete adversion to ripping paper!!  I used more of my MME Haunted papers, and a lovely ribbled Kraft CS at the bottom all mounted on a Papermania Kraft card blank. 



The Tim Holtz ticket seemed appropriate to go with this card :-D  James was delighted with it and wants to put it in a frame and hang it on his wall, which I suppose is about as big a compliment as I could get!

I coloured up Har Repotter from Bugaboo pretty much the same as for the bookmark, but didn't cut him out this time but added some stickles to the bits coming out of his wand

I'd like to enter my card into these challenges please
The Spotted Chick - That's Krafty Thursday
Allsorts Challenge - Free and Easy

Thank you for looking!!  I'll hopefully post again later

Sue xx