Saturday, 9 October 2010
Goodness its been a long time!
Whilst my blog may have been on an extended holiday, I have managed to log on a few times and check out what you've been getting up to. You have all been busy bees. So many beautiful creations and I am getting stamp and paper envy. I have so much stuff, but you know how it is, there's always something out there that's sparkly and new. One day I'll find a way to afford all of these amazing things.
So, since I last logged on, Ben has gotten 4 teeth and this week he took his first steps. I can't get over how quickly the time has gone and how much he's grown up. He's like a proper little boy now.
I've been back at work 2 weeks now so I know I'm never, ever going to find time to make some cards, let alone doing the boring things like housework (Not that I ever actually did that!)
I could waffle for a good few pages with what's happened over the last 3 months (you know I can, you've seen me waffle before!) So on to a card. :-)
I made this for my sister's 30th birthday. I made the card at the same time as doing Ben's Christening cake so I was rather strapped for time and went for something really, really simple (But classy, I hope!)
Should you wish to re-create my sorry little card, you'll need some white card, black card silver card some fuzzy ribbon (I bought this in The Range) and Zoe Quickutz dies.
Well it's nice to be back, I just hope to be back soon.
Nxxx
Friday, 23 July 2010
Simon Says Challenge
I've used Heidi Amoung Flowers from CC designs and coloured her with my copics. I selected a stack of paper that is really grungy and dark and so I never actually use it. So it's been sat around for a couple of years being neglected. Said paper is Dovecraft's Abstract Prints. I figured I'd give it a go. Still not that convinced it works, but no harm in trying! Let me know what you think.
On Sunday I completed Race for Life (not too late to sponsor me, link in the top right!) I actually managed to run half of it. I am still in shock. When I was at school I was a lot fitter than I am now and couldn't run the 1500m, so running 2.5k is just amazing. I had a great time, although really knackering. I'm going to try and do it again next year and train properly (like I intended to this year) so I can run the whole thing. Watch me turn into Paula Radcliffe marathon woman. I think not! Thank you again to those that have already sponsored me. Cancer Research is a hugely important charity. I've already lost 2 friends this year to cancer, a friends mum also passed away last month. Another friends tumor has flaired back up in the last week, but one is now in remission, so it's not all bad. It's a cliché to say that everyone is touched by cancer in some way, but it is true. So I thank you for your amazing support. It means so much....And yes I am the one looking dead on the left. :O)
Thank you for stopping by and reading my ramblings. See you again soon.
Nxxx
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Lili of the Valley sketch
I had intended to post this yesterday, but I've been flighting flu all week. Yes I mean actual flu and not a really bad cold. Yesterday I thought I was better, but at 9 O'Clock my body decided that I really should have at least one more fever and gave me a temperature of 104 degrees! Needless to say I went back to bed with some paracetamol ready to sweat it out, again!
Unfortunately this means that I missed the deadline for the LOTV challenge. :O(
Image is unsurprisingly LOTV and I've colored with my copics. Edges were chalked to soften them up at bit. I mounted on some Papermania 'Victorian' DP and used another Anna Griffin tape.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out both cards for today. I have more for tomorrow. Yep I have been busy, despite the flu! See you later.
Nxxx
Friday sketchers upside down card!
So I had a go at this week's Friday Sketchers. I've never been one for following sketches as I really struggle to put paper together. They have a tendancy to look too busy. But, my inspiration is running dry and my cards have been stuck in a rut, so I've followed a couple of sketches this week, so let me know what you think. I do believe I may have found the way forward.
I've made this card with the stunning Belles n Whistles Lil Miss Poppy Stamp. I think she's absolutely gorgeous. I've coloured her with copics and chalked up the edges. I've used the stunning GCD Studios Ella Blue stack for my DP. Sentiment and card candy are both from Craftwork cards.
I'm also going to enter this card into the Belles n Whistles challenge this month which is distressing. Chalking is about as good as I get with distressing, but you never know...
When it came to standing my masterpiece up to admire it, I discovered that I'd mounted it upside down. Oooops! First time in 20 years, it was bound to happen sooner or later!
I have some more cards to post today, so check back later :O)
Nxxx
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Now I warned you this was coming!
I made this mum to be card back in February, but at the time seemed to be posting a lot of TGF cards so thought I would leave it for a while, as it's July, I've probably waited long enough, sooo....
As you've probably guessed the stamp is TGF and I've coloured with my copics. The papers are from Basic Grey's Euphoria stack and the ribbon is from my stash...
That's about it really. Thank you again for your lovely comment(s)
See you again soon.
Nxxx
P.S. I'll stop the Wednesday thing, it's probably wearing a bit thin ;O)
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Well it's Wednesday...
Sooo today's card is...
Featuring the beautiful Prezzies for LULU stamp from Stamping Bella. And today I coloured with my Prismacolo(u)rs - oh yes, pretty much first time out of the box. I need to practice with them, but so far I'm liking them a lot! I've chalked the background again...seems to be a bit of a theme at the moment. One day I'll have a Copic ABS, but I dream a lot! Papers are DCWV The Glitter stack. Birthday button is Craftwork cards and the flowers I bought on ebay about 10 years ago, but I noticed that Wild Orchid Crafts stock them now - woohooo!!!
Edited to add: To the lovely Elaine, this is what my last package from the other lovely Elaine at Quixotic looked like...I have to stop spending money!
Thank you for stopping by and saying hello. It truely is lovely.
And guess what I've had a rummage and I've got some more cards scheduled in to pop up over the next few days...hope you stop by and say hello again!
Nxxx
Saturday, 3 July 2010
No, you're not seeing things
So I threw this card together for my DH's grandmother's birthday. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. I only spent an hour on it and it looks a lot better than most cards I've done recently. Clearly I need to make all cards in a hurry!
The stamp is from Joanna Sheen and has been sat in a drawer neglected for years. I've co-ordinated with some DP by My Minds Eye. I've coloured with copics and used a Bazzil jewels template. The tape across the middle is from Anna Griffin and the flowers are Ladybug and Friends.
I'm sooo going to be using my jewel template again - love it!!!
That's about it for today. Nice short post. Going to a BBQ at my dad's tomorrow. No doubt there will be some interesting anedotes to share with you.
Thanks for stopping by, see you soon...(probably on Wednesday - LOL!)
Nxxx
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
It's Wednesday again...
...how exactly does that happen??? I'm turning into one post a week...no wait a second, that's fairly normal for me, it was the other week that was out of character - LOL It's crazy how the time flys by. I can't believe my little man is 7 months already and I only have 10 weeks till I go back to work - nooooo! I've not done half of the things, crafting and otherwise, I wanted to since I had the munchkin. C'est la vie. Maybe next time - hahahahahaaa not ruddy likely!
So today has been quite a trying day. I had two funerals to go to today. The mum of a friend of mine passed away after a long battle with Breast Cancer (please sponsor me for race for life in memory of a dear friend that passed away in January (link at top of blog)) Lou is my age (28) and her mum is the same age as mine. I can't imagine loosing my mum ever, so I can only imagine what she's going through. I also lost a friend/collegue quite suddenly 2 weeks ago and her funeral was today. There was a slight scheduling clash so I wasn't able to make it to both. I know that April would understand why I wasn't there and I'm sure she knows I'm thinking about her.
I got home to find the lovely British Gas man at my house servicing the boiler, only to find that we have >354v coming into the house and therefore it was too dangerous for them to work on. So I've had engineers from the electricity distributor backwards and forwards as well as the gas man as he forgot his ladders. Fortunately it was the substation and not my house causing the problem. I was half expecting them to say I need to re-wire the house (I know it needs doing, but I am never going to be able to afford to do it!) *sigh* So tomorrow it all starts again with the gas man servicing my boiler. Fingers crossed my 20 year old heating system will last another couple of years...
Boy I can waffle a lot!!! I really do have a card for you and its for a bloke too - oooooooooooooooohhh!!
Quick and easy card today as I didn't have much time. Stamp is from TGF and I've coloured with my copics. I've chalked the edges and mounted on some DCWV Rockstar papers. (seriously bad photo, but the light has gone!)
Thanks for stopping by and putting up with my massive amount of waffle ;O) Maybe if I blogged more often I wouldn't have as much to say...oh but everything happened today...
Thank you for your very kind comments. They do bring a smile to my face and I can see what you've been up to.
End of waffle
Nxxx
P.S. Week 2 of slimming world. Lost another 4lbs yay! that's half a stone in 2 weeks and I won slimmer of the week - wahoooooo!!!
I really am going to be quiet now ;O)
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Is it really only Wednesday?!!?
Today I had my first Slimming World weigh in and I've lost 3lbs - hurrah!!! Fingers crossed I can lose a stone before I go back to work in September...
Sooo on Sunday I promised some more cards thinking I would post one on Monday and low and behold its nearly midnight on Wednesday...Next time I should just schedule one in, now that I've figured out how to do that - LOL!
So here's another Father's day card! Well you never can have too much inspiration for men's cards can you???
The fantastic image is LOTV and I've coloured with my copics...I mounted on some DP that's been in my stash for years and I have no idea who its buy. Answers on a postcard :) The tools charms have also been in my stash for a very long time. I think I bought them from craftadelic and to be honest, I'm not sure if they're even trading anymore.
Thank you for stopping by and for leaving you lovely comments. It really does bring a smile to my face. I love poping across to see what you've been getting up to and hopefully the little mister will be happy long enough for me to say hello too.
Nxxx
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Happy Father's day!!!
On Friday I was able to drop Ben off with his grandma and enjoy craft day with the girlies. It was so wonderful to have a day off. Who would have thought that a small child could be so much work??? Thank you to the fantabulous Linda for hosting craft day. It was sooo fab!
I made, sorry that should read Ben made (LOL) this card for his dad on craft day. I followed the Cute Card Thursday Sketch (from memory, so it may not be totally spot on!) and used one of Karen's Doodles fabulous stamps. This stamp is perfectly entitled crafting widower. I've coloured with my copics and chalked the edges. DP is from K&Co. and the sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.
As well as the card "Ben" also made his dad a picture. I was inspired by a catalogue, they wanted £69 for something similar. I bought the tiles off ebay and the frame was from hobbycraft. Worked out at just £18 - Bargain! I was a little worried what the DH would think, but he absolutely loved it. I think it really hit him that he's actually a dad now. ahhhh!
Well that's about it for today. Hopefully my cold will disappear soon. I've got some more projects to share with you this week - yay!
As its Father's day, it does seem to be the theme over at a few blogs, so I'm also entering this card into the following competitions:
Crafty Cardmakers ~ Cards for Men.
Cards for Men ~ Fathers Day.
Creative Inspiration ~ One for the Boys.
Fairy Fun Friday Challenge ~ For Dad.
Raise the Bar Challenge ~ What a special guy.
One Stop Craft Challenge ~ One for the Boys.
Friday, 11 June 2010
TGIF and a Father's day card
I also have a card today. Wow, I'm on some kind of mojo record since Ben was born! It's another one all ready for Father's day next weekend (hmm better get that present finished, oooh and card!). Sooo today's card features another TGF image, this time from the Rock the Farm set. DP is from Basic Grey's Archaic papers and I've coloured with my copics - yay!
My dearest darling friend Amy loved the card I made for her last week. Too the point she's actually taken a photo of it and is currently using it as her profile pic on facebook. And she's going to frame it. I think that's a first for me. I have to say, I'm very chuffed about that.
Yay, happy Friday everyone. I hope you have craftastic weekends!
Nxxxx
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Craftwork Cards
I hope you like it :)
Nxxx
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Happy Father's day
That's about it from me today. I hope you're having a good week. Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to seeing what you've been up to.
Nxxx
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Sunburned piggy!
I made a card with this fantastic image from Karen's doodles. I've coloured with my copics, just for a change. The pig is looking somewhat sunburnt, but unfortunately I only have 2 pink copics which made colouring slightly harder. I've mounted onto some DP from Doodlebug design and finished with a craftwork cards birthday button. The button looks gold in the photo, but its actually silver. My photographic techniques leave a lot to be desired.
Thank you for stopping by.
Nxxx
Bunny Zoe's Challenge Blog
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Rock the farm!
I coloured up the girl (probably need to give her a name - LOL!) with my copics and chalked the edges. I've mounted on some DP from Crate Paper (I think. It's been lurking around for a number of years) and weathered the edges with some ink and chalk. I only have two distress inks and neither were appropriate so I was improvising. I think it works ok though. I've added some flowers from Ladybuy and Friends and finished with some lovely crystals.
Thanks for stopping by...
Nxxx
Friday, 4 June 2010
Kraftin Kimmie - Challenge 31
I inked up Alicia the Strawberry Pirate for the first time today (shocking I know, but I have so many stamps that have been neglected like this) and coloured with my copics and softened the background with my chalks. I mounted onto some Core'dinations black magic. I created the background of the card by screwing up the treasure map DP from DCWV The Once Upon a Time Stack. I mounted onto an 8x8 card and volia!
I hope you like it. Thanks for stoping by and thank you for the lovely comments. I really do appreciate them and it gives me the chance to come and see you too.
Nxxx
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Happy (Belated) Birthday Amy!
Tomorrow I'll have to dash to the shop and buy some crunchies as they're her fav and get my card shipped off to the states. Hopefully it wont take too long to get there.
Nxxx
PS. Still no news on Sammy. I've now created a FB group. I figured by applying 6 degrees of seperation theory, someone will know what's happened to him. Feel free to join in and help spread the word http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/group.php?gid=125968777431006
Friday, 28 May 2010
It's been a bit of a rough week
Anyway onto happier things...
I've made a card for this weeks challenge over at Kraftin Kimmie Stamps 'How Charming'. After missing last week's deadline I was determined to get this one done with time to spare.
I've used the brand new and fabulous Florence for this card. I did a car boot sale on Sunday and made a whopping £94. I decided the week before the car boot that if I made £100 I would treat myself to a new stamp. I figured 94 was close enough and I couldn't resist this beauty. As soon as I saw it on the previews I thought of my Banana Flip-Flop paper from Imaginisce and flip-flop charm from Bunny-Zoes and this is the result. I've also used some ribbon from my stash, but you figured that out from the pic - right! Florence has been coloured with my copics and the beach as been added with chalks.
Thank you for stopping by and for your help in my quest for finding my kitty.
Nxxx
LOTV Stamps
Nxxx
Friday, 21 May 2010
Time for tea with Kraftin Kimmie
The challenge this week over at Kraftin Kimmie was anything but a card. A fair few weeks ago I got upset about something that I really shouldn't have and my dearest darling friend Jen made everything all better. At the time I had intended to make her a card to show her just how much I appreciate her friendship. Needless to say with one thing and another I didn't get round to it. Upon seeing the challenge over at Kraftin Kimmie, I had the brainwave of making her a nice gift box filled with her favourite vanilla tea featuring the spring tea party stamps and volia!
I created the box using my fantabulous Scor-Pal. I've used Gabrielle, Giselle, Lisette and Nadie stamps from the one and only Kraftin Kimmie Stamps along with the co-ordinating 'You're Tea-rific' from Kimmie's Tea Sentiments. I've coloured the lovely ladies with my copics. The beautiful flowers are from Ladybug and friends which have been finished with some crystals. I've finished the top of the box with my absolute favourite MS punch -Simple!
Lovely to see you all as always. Hopefully I'll see you again before this gloriously hot weekend is over. Thanks for stopping by.
Nxxx
Edited to Add: PC went doolally so I missed the deadline for KKS challenge = gutted!
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Angry Ballerina goes purple.
There's been all kinds of excitement going on with the elections. I know its not everyone's cup of tea, but I've really enjoyed watching everything unfold. Let just see how the conservative libdem coalition works out...
Anywho, back to cards - wooo! I managed to spend a couple of evenings colouring at my mums. It was a matter of sitting on the floor at the coffee table, but the pain is worth it - right?!?
I coloured up my Angry Ballerina stamp from Kraftin Kimmie. I've gone with a purple combo, mainly because I don't have much in the way of pink copics. What can I say I'm not a pink girly girl. I've mounted her on some plain bazzil cardstock and added a ribbon from my stash. I'm pretty sure I got it in hobbycraft. To be totally frank I think I would prefer it without the bow (much to my husbands annoyance, seeing as he lended me his fingers in order to create it!), but I had a slight ink splodge from when i inked up the stamp so I was just hiding it.
And joy of joys my prismacolour pencils have arrived, only a month after I ordered them (damn volcano!) I can't wait to give them a go. If anyone has any tips or hints I would welcome them as I've only got youtube to teach me.
See you soon.
Nxxx
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Friday Sketchers #99
I decided last night to have a go at doing a distressed card as it's the theme this week over at Quixotic Challenges. I always admire people that can do distressed cards Kathrin is one of my favorites for this type of card. But when it came to it, I couldn't do it! My style has always been clean and simple and as it turns out. I don't have the tools to even attempt a distressed card - LOL. So I decided to use the sketch over at Friday Sketchers. That many layers and co-ordinating DP is a big enough challenge for me at the moment!
I used Belles 'n' Whistles Cupcake stamp that my DH bought for me for my birthday. I had been drooling over it since the previews back in January. The fact that I've been desperate to ink it up and it has taken me 3 weeks to get round to it has shown my hubby just how buzy life at home is with a 5 month old. I've coloured with watercolours today and chalked the edged (green is the wrong shade though). The beautiful DP is by K&Co and I've added a couple of bazzil buttons and garden twine.
Thanks for stopping by today. I hope to see you again soon.
Nxxx
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
It's been a while...
I've got very good at buying supplies recently and not actually getting round to making anything with them. I'm sure you've all been there, but it's absolutely killing me. I have a box of prismacolour pencils sitting in NJ waiting for the volcano to stop errupting so they can send them over the pond and I can finally play with them! People stranded all over the world. My sister's holiday has been cancelled and here I am thinking about pencils... ;O)
I made this card for my birthday buddy Hannah. (far right)
The fantastic stamp is Vivienne from Kraftin Kimmie Stamps. Anne Rodrigue is just amazing. I don't know where she comes up with her ideas. I coloured Vivienne with my copics and created the background using a peacock feather stamp from Dimension Forth. Would you believe this is the first background I've created myself in 20 years of stamping! I'll leave a gap here for your gasps. LOL. As you can see I was in a bit of a rush and not all of peacock feather on Vivienne stamped out correctly, but never mind. (the perfectionist inside me is screaming!) I'm sure Hannah will forgive me.
Nxxx
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Wags 'n Whiskers new release
Head on over to their blog to find out all about the release, the blog hop and your chance to win the whole release :)
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Birthday Card
I bought a fantastic new toy for my son. The rainforest Jumperoo which he loves. So who knows I might have some more time to spare to enable me to make a card or too this week - yay!!
Friday, 12 March 2010
Mo's DP2 challenge and Penny Black Saturday Challenge
Happy Friday!!! 2 challenges in one for you today. Sunday is not only Mother's day over here in England, but it is also my father-in-law's birthday. I finally created my first easel card using one of Mo's brilliant digi stamps coloured with watercolours and teamed with a sentiment from Penny Black. The DP is from scrapbook walls and buttons from Bazzil.
The theme over at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge is brown, blue and cream. The Penny Black Saturday Challenge wanted to see an easel card. So there you have it!
Tomorrow I'm going to enjoy and evening out to celebrate Jen's (the other fickle pixie) birthday. My DH is going to babysit. I'm taking bets on the time of the call for me to come home. :O)
Thanks for stopping by, I really do appreciate the time you take to come and see me and the wonderful comments you leave. I do love coming to visit you all so that I can see what you've been getting up to.
Nxxx
Damn and blast, just went to post this to find I missed the DP2 challenge C'est la vie!
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Why do bad things happen in Threes?
I spent most of last night in Casualty with little Benny boy as he poked himself in the eye whilst visiting his grandma fortunately it was just a nasty case ofconjunctivitis, I'm now attempting to apply cream to the inside lower lid without touching his eyeball - as if that's possible on anyone! And the third thing to happen was the ticket machine swallowing my money at the hospital. What can I say, it's been a frustrating couple of days, but it could have been worse.
Onto happier things, before the day turned into a trip to A&E, I was allowed a couple of hours on my own to make some cards - rah! So I took advantage and made up 'one for the boys' which is the theme over at Quixotic Challenge and Roses on Paper.
I used TGF Ian Laddie stamp and coloured with my copics. The DP is scrapbook walls which has been in my stash for a number of years. The ribbon is more of a rope with fluffy bits. I have no idea where this is from, but I'm pretty sure I nabbed it off something. What can I say, we crafters are all about the environment and recycling :O)
I hope your weekends turned out slightly better than mine, and more importantly you like the card. Thanks for stopping by. Please do let me know what you think so that I can come by and visit you too :O)
Nxxxx
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Club Anya Sketchy Saturday - Geisha Anya
Nxxx
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Mother's day card & FBW #98
I've put together a mother's day card for what was going to be an entry into the Quixotic Challenge, but I missed the deadline again. But all is not lost as The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge also want a Mother's day card - huzzah! The Corrosive Challenge Blog is looking for cards with wings and Flutter by Wednesday is a freestyle card but featuring wings as always, so I've managed 3 challenges afterall :O) I really enjoyed making this card and it is somewhat closer to the quality of what I normally do. Looking at the state of my blog you wouldn't know I've been cardmaking for 20 years! (but if you saw my craft room you would!)
I've used the beautiful Kraftin' Kimmie Bird Fairy stamp and coloured with my copics. I've only been using copics for 2 weeks now but I'm really pleased with the results I'm getting already. Still need to practice lots, as if I needed an excuse! Papers are Basic Grey and I've used a rub on sentiment from Making Memories.
Thanks for stopping by. Please let me know what you think, it really does mean a lot to know what you think and it means I can go and take a look at your uuber fabulous blogs.
Nxxxx
Friday, 19 February 2010
60th Birthday Card
The stamp is by stampendious featuring the fantastic fluffles and I've coloured with watercolours. I had to cheat with the number 60 as my quickutz dies aren't big enough. I bought the 60 from hobbycraft and the stars and happy birthday tag came in the set.
Seriously dodgy pic - it's not even in focus - lol. I'll dig out my photoshop software and get it re-installed soon, so that you don't have to look at the mess in the background. It's coming up midnight and I haven't even started packing yet - oops!
My cousin also asked me to make a card, as if one wasn't enough. Total cop out, here it is...I wasn't going to post this one, but I figured you all need a giggle :O)