Girls

This is my layout for a template challenge on Bex`s forum, I love this photo and I am so pleased with the result, this was taken by my eldest on the train home after our day out in Liverpool (6th June) which I think was the last time I saw the sunshine!!!

Used the same patterned paper as in the card below and still can`t remember who makes it, cardstock is bazzill, Title is cut from greyboard, using hippie chick cuttlebug alphabet, and then painted with lime green acrylic paint, ribbon from local craft shop, lime and turquoise primas and brad from making memories, journalling and doodling to finish.

Challenge Weekend over at Bex`s forum

So far I think I have complete all except one of the challenges, I also set four of them as Team Challenger :)



Here are the challenges that I set:



This is the Blooming Flowers Challenge: make a card using Blooms, prima, silk etc and also use "blooming gorgeous paper"

This is the Die Cut Dreams Challenge: make a card using die cuts or puched shapes

This is the Simply Stamping Challenge: make a card using any materials but you must include a stamped sentiment

And the final challenge I set was AnimalMagic: create a scrapbook page featuring an animal or a child (or adult) dressed as an animal, or someone who has an animal nickname

Sketch This

Over on the Sketch this site http://www.janellerichmond.typepad.com/sketchthiscards/ they have a fabby sketch

here is the sketch
and here is what I did




I can`t for the life of me remember who the papers are by but they are double sided. Brown cardstock, lime and turquoise prima blooms, bit of fake stitching, stamped image is by Studio G and a bit of inking to finish.

Monochromatic scrapbook Layout

Over at the collectively yours blog a challenge was set to create a monochromatic scrapbook page, here is mine



The photo used is of the kids in Liverpool standing next to the Steble Fountain



Patterned Papers are from the Dovecraft Black Pack, black and grey cardstock, Title has been cut with Olivia cuttlebug alphabet from greyboard then painted with black acrylic paint, handcut arrow, doodling and journalling with white souffle pen and black marvey pen, bit of inking to finish

Pencil Lines Sketch 38

Have complete my scrapbook layout for sketch 38 over at http://pencillines.blogspot.com/

Papers are all the new range by K and Co, cardstock is Bazzill, giant bloom is Making Memories, stamped "Girl" image in centre of bloom is by Studio G, ric rac from local market, ribbon from local craft shop, Title cut with babyface and hippie chick cuttlebug alphabets and lots of inking to finish.

Challengeroonies!!!

For those of you who like crafty challenges head on over to http://justbex.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php
tonight...lots and lots of fabby challenges are about to be set, for each challenge you complete you will be awarded a pont and the member with the most points at midnight TOMORROW will receive a fabby prize...believe me I WANT one.

Come on over for challenge fun and good luck everyone.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside...

...Beside the seaside...beside the sea!!!



Actually I am not keen on the whole beach scene, I hate sand between my toes and I have a bit of a phobia of birds...Seagulls are just plain scary!



But the beach makes a fantastic photo for scrapbook layouts, he he he so I suffer just for my scrappin!



Here are two beachy layouts I have completed, they were both intended for comps but the Beach Babe one had to have stamping on and I forgot...oops. I WILL READ COMPETITION CRITERIA CAREFULLY ;)



Here goes layout 1 is for a comp where the photo had to be cut into at least three pieces:

Card is all Bazzill, hand cut arrow, journalling block is an Autumn Leaves stamp, inking, journalling and doodling to finish.


And layout 2 had to be a nautical/beachy theme THAT INCLUDED STAMPING...(note to self Read carefully)

Again all cardstock is Bazzill, real little shells came from a chepie card kit, bit of string, offcut of hessian and lots of journalling and doodling, also used acrylic paint on the edges to get a sun bleached look.

Caardvarks "crop circles" challenge

Have completed my entry for this challenge that you can find here http://caardvarks.blogspot.com/

It's that time again! Yay! Dust off your circle cutter, or grab a tumbler to trace, pull out your circle embellies, ink up that circle stamp...make some cards using *circles* as the focus of your card front!

Here is my creation:

Patterned papers are all by K and Co, circle happy birthday stamp was a freebie last month from Papercraft Inspirations, Prima flowers, Making Memories brads, ribbon from local craft shop, bit of inking and doodling.

Bowl

Photo challenge of the day is bowl

Another cheat today as I took these photos last month to scrapbook Harry eating out of the Salad Bowl!!! Kids!!!!

Replacing camera battery tomorrow...or perhaps camera...(dreaming of the new Cannon)

Scraplifted

Yep I have scraplifted a page...it`s okay it was a challenge set over on Bex`s forum, this was the page to scraplift

This was created by the lovely and very talented Nicky.

This is what I came up with:

Cardstock is by Papermania, gingham paper is by Making Memories, hand cut arrows, "Extreme Boy" title and "Boy"are stamps by Studio G, lots of doodling and journalling, and a bit of inking to finish

DCM Friday Dare

Was to use packaging in the form of labels etc on a card.

I got a lovely smellies set for christmas off one of the kids and it had this beautiful orchid flower on the box that I saved for just the right moment...this card was it.

Patterned Paper is by Basic Grey, cardstock is Bazzill, spotty ribbon from an ebay seller, thanks cut with cuttlebug baby face inking and doodling and my gorgeous Orchid Packaging!

May do another couple of these as I have some clothes labels that I have saved too...we hoarde everything us crafters don`t we?

SIT!!!

This is my entry for the her space-my space photo challenge of the day...got a few of these to catch up on but my camera battery has died...again!!!

This is Ella in the Walker Art Gallery a couple of weeks ago as Queen Elizabeth "sitting" on a throne!!!

Bad Blogger!!!

I am a very bad Blogger!!!

I am a very bad Challengee!!!

I have not taken part in any challenges for almost a week and I have not updated my blog for a very long time!!! Well a few days but its certainly not good!!!

I won a competition this week...Yeah!...Over on Bex`s forum, it was for my proud scrapbook page...this one:

So I am eagerly awaiting my prize...may mug the postie tomorrow!!!

Have completed one of my many challenges for the DCM midweek...last weeks anyhow!

Was to create a card with the word fabulous on it...here is what I came up with:

The patterned paper is by Junkitz and was a freebie with this months Scrapbook inspirations, Black cardstock is Bazzill and pink is Papernmania, Sassy stamp which always looks great with the "fabulous" stamp by Anita`s, Crystal brad by dovecraft and spotty brad is handpainted, spotty ribbon is from an ebay seller I think!?! Bit of doodling and inking for a change!

Oh and Harry survived his trip away with the school he returned home on Friday...absolutely exhausted.

Hope all is well TFL xxx

Photo challenge

Not had time to take part in this for a few days but happened to have this photo from Mia`s "birthday tea"





Will try to catch up with everyone and all the challenges over the weekend...hope you are all well.

I won the Star Card.....

...In Making Cards Mag...Latest issue came in to work today and I have won the star card on the readers gallery page...woohoo.



I initially made this card as a commission for a friend liked the way it turned out so photographed it and sent via email to the editor of Making Cards.



She emailed me back asking for a copy of the card so they could photograph it...so I had to make it all over again!!!



Anyway its great to see your work in print...I am a happy crafty bunny!!!



Here is the page it is on and it is a super cool photo too, scan is a bit iffy though.

Yummy Cappuccino

The Photo challenge of the day on her space-my space is drink.

Toyed with the idea of adding a nice glass of pinot grigio but thought no...I will share my skinny cappuccino with my blog friends...if you have not tried it you must it is yummeeeeeeeeeeeeee and only half the fat too...Bonus

Forgot to add my title to the piccie though and the piccie is not that great as I was too late to get a decent light but here is my "drink"

Pencil lines template

So Pencil lines have a new template which is this:

When I first saw it to be honest I wasn`t that keen...but had a go and I must say I am very happy with the results.

Here is my take on the template, which I did twiddle a bit!

Again I have used no patterned paper...shock...just yummy pink Bazzill, pink ribbons are from my local market, journaling stamp is by Autumn Leaves, "magic" cut with Hippie Chick cuttlebug alphabet, prima flower and a few "sparkles" lots of doodling and a bit of inking.

The journaling reads "At Christmas Mia gets so excited, like any other child, just look at the magic ands sparkle in her eyes".

Inspired by the Marks and Spencer Christmas adverts "Magic and Sparkle"

Daddy`s Girl!!!

Have been wanting to scrap this photo for a long time, took it last year in the summer, Just happened to catch Mia and OH at the right moment, I have already scrapped it in colour but converting it to sepia and scrapping it was also on my list of things to do!

So over at http://collectively-yours.blogspot.com/ There is a challenge to scrap Dad...gave me just the kick I had been needing

So just for you Tez...love you babe...here is "Daddy`s Girl"

Cardstock is Bazzill, Patterned paper is by K-Ology, Daddy`s Girl has been cut from Baby Face cuttlebug alphabet and inking and doodling to finish.

Alternative alphabets

Busy Browsing blogs this morning I found this fabby one that has lots of ideas and inspiration. http://itsacreativeworld.blogspot.com/

So after reading about the alphabet wall hanging I was inspired to create a layout...This week I am experimenting with doodling also...try it its fab.

So this is what I came up with

So the "S" From Summer is made with buttons, Cardstock is Bazzil and Journaling and Doodling by me using the fine point of a Marvey Le Plumme Pen.

One Template Two Ideas

Over on Bex`s site a challenge was set to use one template and create a scrap book layout and a card



This is the template












This is the card I created

The scan on this is a bit wonky :(

Paper is all by Sandylion, Thanks cut with Cuttlebug Curls and Swirls alphabet, ric, rac, ribbon button and thread from local market, Prima from America and Prad is making memories, added abit of inking and doodling.

And this is my layout (8x8)

Which I am very proud to say is made completely from plain cardstock...not a patterned paper in sight!!!

I am really pleased with this, the photo of Ella is so striking...I have the same one blown up and framed on the wall...I did not want to distract too much from it.

Card is all by Papermania, Doodling all by Me!!! Hand cut heart and Ella has been cut from cuttlebug curls and swirls alphabet.

Emboss Me!!!

The dare set over on the DCM challenge blog on Friday was to create a card using Embossing, either dry or heat.

I created this little number using dry embossing:

Gingham card is by Kanban, Pink Card is Papermania, Flower is die cut with Cuttlebug Baby Face little extras, Gingham ribbon, button and embroidery thread all from local market, Embossed with cuttlebug Happy Birthday embossing folder and lightly sanded with an emery board to highlight and reveal the white core, handwritten sentiment and added a bit of inking and stitching to finish.

Wednesday Stampers Challenge...Polka Dots

Had a go at this challenge with my scrummy new papers.

All Patterned paper is by Sandylion, Stamp is Sassy City by Stampendous, Fabulous stamp is by Anita`s, ric rac and ribbon from local market, and a bit of Inking, handwriting and doodling.

Berry Nice!!!

The photo challenge at her space my space today is berry!

Hmmm...Normally on a Sunday we have strawberries for dessert after scrumptious Sunday dinner...this week we had pie and ice cream so that ruled that one out.

When it snowed earlier in the year I took photos of holly covered in snow...complete with Berries...Can`t find the photos!

So...slightly different slant on this one...Eldest Son...whose Dads surname is Berry. Whey Hey...presenting my little Berry, complete with tree!

Saturday Photo Challenge

Saturdays word of the day over at her space-myspace is hat.

Okay have been to the piccies today with eldest son, bought him a kids meal deal, full of sugar and E colours no doubt but it was his birthday treat, and he got a free pirate hat...to celebrate Pirates of the Carribean 3.

So we get home and Mia claims the hat as hers...not cool enough for a 14 year old mosher so Jack`s happy with this...

Whilst taking her photo I think she was trying to say OOH ARRR hence the screwed up face!!!

So here is my offering for todays challenge.

CPS Challenge 17

Had a go at this one too, incorporated the challenge with a Fathers Day card for eldest sons Dad, I love to kill two birds with one stone;)

I love taking part in all these challenges because it makes me so much more organised in my cardmaking and scrap booking so I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who sets all these challenges for us to complete...big Yay to ya all!!!!

Here is my interpretation of the Cps 17 challenge

Turned the sketch on its side

Patterned paper is all by EK sucess, ribbon is from local market, "DAD" cut from Cuttlebug Hippie Chick alphabet, bit of inking and doodling to finish.

Fridays Photo CHallenge

Was Shell...My other half wanted me to take a photo of our neighbour...called shell...but I came up with this pretty little tray of shells that sit in my downstairs loo!!!

At least I did not have to take any photo`s in the rain today...my poor little boat is now sunken in my back garden!!!

Di Hickman Card Sketch

Had a go at the latest Di Hickman card sketch yesterday but have only just managed to upload it. This is the sketch
I flipped it on its side and adapted it for a square card and came up with this:
Patterned papers are all the new K and Co Classic collection which are so scrummy. Lace and ribbon are from local market, bloom is from EuNaturelle, circle is punched and heart has been hand cut. Little bit of inking and doddling to finish.

DCM Midweek

Had a go at this very clever dare and had to incorporate:

Something Old

Something New

Something borrowed

and

Something Blue

But not necessarily in the form of a wedding card

I came up with this little card

Here goes...

Something Old...the card blank

Something New...gorgeous new Primas

Something Borrowed...button...from daughters pants don`t worry it was the spare on the label

Something Blue...patterned paper

Patterned paper is by Ek Success, ribbon from local market, button from daughters pants, Prima from America, bit of inking and stitching.

Junes big Challenge

Over on Bex`s forum she has set a BIG June challenge, this is an ongoing challenge during the month of June and we are all making...a craft file...this is to try to organise us I think;)

So the first part of the challenge was to alter a folder.

I have chosen a ringbinder, like a majority of those taking part and spent last night covering it in my yummy new papers from K and Co.

Here is what I came up with:

This is the front...my file is called Crafti-n-est which is a bit of a "tademark" name for me

This is the inside...I even covered a pencil to match...The little "clipboard" is holding this weeks challenge sketches from various sites...did not fare too well in the photo. The bit at the bottom is a little pocket to hold bits and bobs and say`s "Ideas"

This is the other side and the "clipboard" is for my to do lists!!!

This is the back

And finally this is the spine...I can`t wait for the next part of the challenge...we have to buy some subject dividers...all will be revealed!!!

Boat Tales

Okay the photo challenge for today...boat!!!

Hmm no boats in this house...googled "origami boat instructions" and made my own!!!

Then, my neighbours are gonna be seriously concerned, I am in the garden...under an umbrella with my little boat in a puddle taking piccies...I must be mad!!!

Here is my little boat

Fantabulous Day Today

Okay Today was my first day back at working in the craft shop after last week off. Had two fabby workshops, making dragonfly Brooches...there is a similar piccy at the bottom of the page.

The I found out I was a winner in a scrapbook comp in the Docrafts creativity magazine, was a layout of Mia fast asleep in bed cuddling her little cat. Unfortunately they have also printed my Piccie!!! The mag is not out yet, we had a sample copy sent to work...I love working in a craft shop.

We had the Dovecraft Rep in today, there are some yummy Christmas papers being released very soon;)

It is OH`s birthday tomorrow...he is still the right side of 30 lucky so and so and we have the day of together...Awwwwwwwwwww.

And finally thought I would post this piccie of me and my girls as I love it, it was taken by my 14 year old so I think I may have a budding photographer on my hands here.

Thats Handy!!!

Her Space-My Space photo prompt of the day...Hand

OMG...I took this photo on Saturday night...Mia and I holding hands...check out that Yellow nail varnish, just so you know I was completely colour co ordinated as I was wearing a yellow T shirt!!!

Check out the scrapbook page I also completed with my "Me" photo

Proud Scrapbook Page

Okay gaining inspiration from the photo`s I took of "Me" yesterday I have finally completed my scrap book page for the competition "proud" over on Bex`s forum.

I am proud os my hands...thay really are remarkable...we should all be proud of our hands and what they can do, and I promise that I am going to look after them more now they have starred in one of my layouts:

I promise to:

(1) Remove chipped nail varnish when it needs removing not 2 days later!!!

(2) Rub a lovely smelly hand cream in at least once a day...preferably smelling of almonds...yumeeeeee

(3) Create more and more beautiful cards and layouts for my family and friends to treasure!!!

Well I will try anyway!!!

Here is my page:

Patterned paper is the scrumptious Gypsy Archangel from Basic Grey, cardstock is all Bazzill, title is cut with cuttlebug alphabets Hippie Chick and Baby face, hearts, flower and brackets are all little extra cuttlebug dies, lots of doodled lines, bit of inking and journaling that I actually thought about before scrawling it, it say`s:

Isn`t it amazing what hands do? My hands are fantastic, they hold my scared childs hand, they wipe tears from sad eyes, they touch the unsure reassuringly and they communicate with a friendly wave.

With my hands I can create beautiful items: Scrapbook pages for future generations to savour or cards for loved ones to treasure...yes my hands are AMAZING!

Tired!

Todays photo challenge over at http://herspace-myspace.blogspot.com/ is Tired!





I have this fabby little fridge magnet that I bought last year...which was so hectic...just to remind me that I am only human and still have a sense of humour.

At this time I was teaching adults with learning difficulties and mental health problems, running a small business, running a house and raising four kids...and a fella...all this and studying for my Teaching qualification...was a killer year to be honest and I ended up ill, so I bought myself this magnet to make me smile!!!

This year is a lot calmer I am still busy but I have completed my teacher training and do not teach as many hours as I did, I have spare time too that I don`t have to spend cleaning or ironing!!!

Great photo challenge...reminded me of a tough time that I got through and emerged a stronger person.

Little old Me!!!

Over at http://herspace-myspace.blogspot.com/ The photo challenge of the day is...ME

Okay so you have all seen what I look like so I thought I would do hands and feet shots...and yes I am wearing green nail varnish on my fingernails and brown on my toes...Today I am wearing a green skirt and a brown top!!! Well colour co-ordination is very important isn`t it!!!

I am off now for a lovely cappachino in the garden...the sun is shining, today is my day off and the kids are all back at school...Oh it is soooooooooo peaceful.