Sunday 28 June 2009

Pink Gem Blog Candy

I have been doing some blog hopping this afternoon and
came across this 'gem' of a site (groan!) :-)
Pink Gem
It's the blog of Janet, who has her own stamp company
Pink Gem Designs.
Janet has some blog candy on offer until June 30th ~
a generous £25 voucher to spend in her store.
Go and check it out.

The Pink Gem Designs are soooo cute.
I have been giving some thought to my Christmas cards recently,
and I will definitely be buying some of those
June release Christmas stamps.
They are just adorable.
xxx

Friday 26 June 2009

'Til the End of Time...

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?
I am really pleased with how this card turned out.
I was struggling to think of what stamp to use for this week's
until I thought of my new 'elephant love' stamps from
Simon Says Stamp.
Aren't they the cutest?

Recipe: Stamp from 'elephant love set' by Simon Says Stamp,
lightly coloured with whispers pens.
Sentiment from DCWV, Rub-on love quotes.
Design Paper: Papermania Exquisite.
Flowers punched from design paper.
Butterfly die-cut with spellbinders butterfly die,
(flowers and butterfly edged with stickles glitter)
Brads, lace and pearls from my stash.
Heart charm and flower spacers from Hobby House

xxx

New Challenge Blog

Don't you just love challenges?
Here is a shiny, new challenge blog to add to your list.
For the first challenge there is a great sketch to follow,
with an additional theme of
strawberries and cream, with a hint of chocolate.

This gave me a great chance to play with my new
Simon Says 'Savor Sweet Cupcakes' stamps.

Sorry, the picture isn't great because my craftroom has suddenly gone
very dark, with the threat of a thunderstorm.
I paper pieced the cupcake bases and added glitter to the tops.
I forgot to ink the edge of the stamped card,
so I doodled a little border.
That's the first time I've tried that.
The design paper is DCWV, Nana's Nursery Baby Girl.
Bloom from my stash and other punched flowers.
The cute little cupcake brad is from Doodlebug Design Inc.
xxx

Thursday 25 June 2009

Simon Says.... Happy Mail

I couldn't wait to try out my cute, new 'Simon Says' Stamps,
and this week, on the Simon Says Stamp Blog,
they have a wonderful challenge,
that is just perfect for them.
Make a card and send it off to a sick child,
to brighten their day.

You can send it to either Post Pals
or
Make a Child Smile.
It really is a great cause, so get sending those cards.

Recipe: Stamp and sentiment Simon Says Stamp - Elephant Love,
coloured with whispers pens.
Design Paper: DCWV, Nana's Nursery, Baby Boy,
Ribbon and card candy from my stash.
xxx

Wednesday 24 June 2009

Simon Says Stamp Goodies


Wahooo!!
My goodies arrived yesterday from my
I can't wait to start playing with them.
The stamps are gorgeous.
I want to say a huge thankyou to Heidi,
and everyone at the Simon Says Stamp Store,
for their wonderful generosity.

Check out the store, which has over 100,000 items -
including their own, exclusive, clear stamps.
Then hop on over to their Simon Says Stamp Store Blog,
for some fantastic competitions and tutorials
and to keep up with all the news on the products they stock.

xxxx

Monday 22 June 2009

Good Luck


A friend of mine is starting a new job this week,
so I thought this little doggy
would be great to wish her good luck.

I have followed the sketch from this week's
Cupcake Craft Challenge.

This week they are sponsored by
Sandra Dry Digi Designs.
Pop on over there and have a look at her fab work.
I NEED to get my hands on some of those Meerkats!!
Simples :-)

Recipe: Digi Stamp, Wilbur by Pollycraft
coloured with whispers pens.
Design Paper: DCWV, Nana's Nursery Baby Girl.
(You can't really tell from my photo, but some of this paper,
has lovely added glitter).
Card candy and ribbon from my stash.
xxx

Saturday 20 June 2009

Flower Power

Afternoon everyone,
hope you're all having a lovely weekend.
Just a quick post today with my entry for the
Just Magnolia 'Summer' challenge.

I'm not entirely happy with this card,
the blending isn't great and I need some practice
with the white highlighter pen.
Oh, and I wish I had left Tilda's feet to dangle over the flowers.

I am in awe of the fabulous DT work at Just Magnolia,
stunning cards and the brilliant colouring.
Ahhh well, practice, practice, practice!!!
Recipe:
Stamp: Magnolia Sweetheart Tilda, coloured with whispers pens.
Design Paper : DCWV Nana's Nursery, Baby Girl
Flowers made with a flower punch, card candy
and sprinkled with glamour dust.
xxx

Friday 19 June 2009

Mum's Craft Fund Tin

What do you do with your loose change?
Ours always seems to end up in a kitchen drawer,
so I thought this would be a better place to keep it nice and safe.
:-)
And it might encourage my girls to
make a contribution to the fund,
when they 'borrow' one of my cards!!

This is my entry for
Cute Card Thursday,
which doesn't have to be a card,
but your project does have to contain a tag.
Pop on over there and check out this week's sponsor
Artful Inkables.

Recipe: CoffeMate tin with a money slot cut into the lid.
Digital Stamp: Pollycraft - Cherry Kisses Shopping,
coloured with whispers pens.
Paper: Papermania, Blueberry Hill
Curling Ribbon, brads and card candy from my stash.
xxx

Thursday 18 June 2009

Lovely in Lilac

Afternoon everyone,
just a quick post today, as hubby is home,
and I need to look busy!!
:-)
Here is my card for this week's challenge at
This week they want you to do some Paper Piecing.
If you're not sure what that is,
their blog has a link to a video tutorial,
and, as ever, their DT work is just stunning.

I paper pieced the hair bow and the lilac parts of the dress.
I don't think I really picked the best image to use though,
it was a bit fiddly.
Recipe: WOJ stamp from the spring collection,
paper pieced and coloured with whispers pens.
Design Paper: DCWV Nana's Nursery Boy and Girl
Card candy, sentiment and adhesive pearls
from my stash.
xxx

Wednesday 17 June 2009

Spoon Full of Sugar Sketch

Afternoon everyone,
it's raining here again,
so it's a good job I let the lawnmower
drag me round the garden yesterday!
It does mean that I can shut myself away in my craft room, though.

This card is for the Spoon Full of Sugar challenge.
Check out the fab DT work over there,
and play along to be in with a chance of winning some digital stamps
from the Character Cafe.

I see, from her blog, that Debby4000 has played along,
with a brilliant, colourful card.
If you have 5 minutes, pop on over there and check out her blog.
This is the third image I worked on -
I just could not get the shading right,
and then I realised that my blender pen had competely run out..
doh!!
Luckily I had bought some spares at the weekend.
It was also my first time using Diamond Dust -
I wasn't sure how to stick it on, but ended up using
glossy accents and so far so good.
It's not really clear on the pictures, but it has created a
lovely dewy look on the flowers.

Recipe:
Stamp: Magnolia, Flower Power Tilda,
coloured with whispers pens.
Design Paper: Papermania Signature - Regency.
Card Cand and Sentiment from Craftwork Cards.
Diamond Dust glitter.
Fiskars Lace border punch.

Tuesday 16 June 2009

Sweet Wishes

Morning everyone,
just a quick card from me today,
as I have the European Ironing Mountain to tackle.

This is for the Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge.
This great sketch is designed by Steph,
and it's one of those, that I just know, I will use over and over.
Check out the fab DT work to see their take on it.

I used stamps from the Whiff Of Joy, spring collection,
coloured with whispers pens.
The design paper is
DCWV, Nana's Nursery Baby Girl.

What do you think of that cute little ice-cream brad?
I came across them in my local craft shop
and they are made by doodlebug design inc.
If I see any more of these I will defintiely be snapping them up.
xxx

Monday 15 June 2009

Birthday Boy


Afternoon everyone,
does anyone else have this wonderful storm..
I just love it,
but I have had to put the dog's bed in the corner of
the downstairs loo, so that she can hide from the thunder..
that's the fist place she heads to when she is stressed.
Some visitors do get a bit of a shock when they come across her in there!!
lol**

Today's card is for the Pollycraft Challenge.
Check out the DT work over there -
it's great to see how everyone uses these cute downloads.
I tried to make a nice, bright boys card and the
theme was to follow the recipe....
3 embellishments
2 papers
1 image

Recipe:
Digital Stamp 'Li'l chap out of this world' by Pollycraft
coloured with whispers pens.
Design Paper: Paper Cellar Ltd, Celebrations
Ribbon from my stash
Sentiment was a magazine freebie.
xxx

Saturday 13 June 2009

Have a great day.

Afternoon everyone..
hope you are all enjoying some of this lovely sunshine.
I have to say you probably have me to thank for it -
after the cold, wet week we have had, I decided to cook a nice warming,
beef casserole..... !!!!!
Guaranteed to bring the sun out.
lol*

Here is my card for this weeks
Sketch Saturday.
It's a great sketch and lovely to see all
the fab DT work.
Check out the fantastic prize too...
a choice of 3 downloads from
Recipe: Stamp from Papermania, Stamping for him,
coloured with whispers pens.
I paper pieced the little golf bag and it looks so effective -
definitely going to try and use this techinique more.
Papers: Dovecraft, Masculine

xxx

Woman's Delight New Release and Candy


Oh Wow!
I NEED these stamps... lol*
I have seen some sneaky peaks of them,
but now Katharina has posted them all on her blog.
They are just adorable.
They are being released tomorrow,
and to be in with a chance of winning some,
spread the word, link to the WOJ store
and leave a comment on Katharina's blog.
Actually, I shouldn't be telling you that should I,
less chance of me winning!!
Oh, well.... :-)
Good luck everyone.
xxx

Friday 12 June 2009

Love Of My Life

Hello everyone,
I am going all slushy this afternoon,
with an Anniversary card for my hubby.
This July we will have been married 24 years..
almost a life sentence, he says!!!
:-)
I had a go at this week's challenge at
the Next Level,
which was to create a card with a ribbon border.
Pop on over there and check out Claire's great tutorial,
plus the awesome display of talent from the DT.

I didn't have the tool for making a ribbon slot,
and I didn't trust myself with the craft knife,
so I used eyelets for mine,
and it turned out just fine.

Recipe: WOJ Stamps, Spring Collection,
coloured with whispers pens.
Paper: Papermania, Blueberry Hill.
Quote: DCWV Rub-on 'Love' Quotes.
Eyelets, brads and ribbon from my stash.
xxx

Thursday 11 June 2009

Coffee Heaven

Are you a coffee lover?
As far as I am concerned coffee is a food group!
I love anything coffee flavoured - chocolate, ice-cream, cake..
yummy!
So I thought I would share with you this little gift set that I put
together for my niece.
It contains mocha lattes, skinny cappuccinos,
hazelnut cream biscuits,
a bar of Baileys Truffle chocolate,
and some chocolate spoons.
It's the first time I've made these chocolate spoons, and they are so easy.
As you can imagine, testing the three different types of chocolate,
as I was making them, was a difficult job,
but it was absolutely necessary for quality control!!
:-)

xxx



Tuesday 9 June 2009

2 for the price of 1



Afternoon everyone,
June seems to be a busy birthday time for me,
and my card stock is dwindling, so I made
2 cards for the Friday Sketchers Challenge.
Check out their fabulous DT work for inspiration.

Recipe:
Design Paper: Papermania, Basics Vibrant
and Doodlebug Design Inc (purple 'ribbon' )
Digital Stamp: Pollycraft Promise Collection,
cooured with whispers pens.
I also added stickles glitter to the image and
glossy accents to the balloons/hearts.
Card Candy and sentiments from Craftwork Cards
Heart charm from The Hobby House
Ribbon from my stash.

xxx

Monday 8 June 2009

Thankyous and Awards

Just when I was having a rubbish day,
something came along to make me smile.
The lovely Cherry, has given me an attitude with gratitude' award.
Big hugs and thanks to you Cherry -
you made my day.
Please take 5 minutes to visit Cherry's fab, friendly blog.
(My pooch was just begging to get her photo on the blog..
but the actual award pic is the lemonade stand further down this post)

Now I must pass this award on to 5 - 10 other blogs,
that I feel show great attitude and gratitude.
I love visiting all my blog friends, so it was hard to pick just 5,
but here they are...

1. Lorraine
2. Sassy
3. Stampin' Julie
4. Crafty Emma
5. Debby 4000


Great big hugs to all my followers and visitors too,
and thankyou for taking the time to leave
such wonderful comments.
xxx

Sunday 7 June 2009

Muffin Mountain

Afternoon everyone,
I haven't had a chance to craft this weekend yet,
I have been cooking up a storm for my
daughter's birthday party.
Muffins Galore!
We had a lovely indoor BBQ yesterday
(the great british weather let us down again)
but after a few glasses of falling down water
nobody cared..
:-)
Hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend.
xxx

Thursday 4 June 2009

Keep on Trucking...

Isn't this just adorable?
When I saw Susanna Boyd's ice-cream truck,
I just had to have a go at making one.
Check out her fabulous blog, where there is also a
link to the free truck template.

I am entering my truck into this week's
Cute Card Thursday Challenge,
where the theme is
'Nip and a Punch'
(punches and die cuts).

I used Papermania, Blueberry Hill paper for my truck,
and the punched flower.
The lace edging was made with my Fiskars, lace border punch.
The shapes were die cut with circles and
labels one, nestabilities.
Brads and card candy are from my stash.
xxx

First Challenge at The Next Level

Have you checked out the fabulous new blog
The Next Level.
If you haven't you really should head on over there.
It's a cross between a challenge blog and a crafting magazine.
This week they have some lovely freebie downloads,
hints and tips and a tutorial for lollipop flowers.
The flowers are part of this week's challenge -
you must add one to your card, which has to have an aperture.

As you can see, I tried to make the flowers -
but not very successfully -
my first 2 went in the bin!
I hope you'll give it a go though,
it was fun trying something new.

Recipe: Digital Stamp from Pollycraft,
coloured with whispers pens and stickles glitter.
Background Paper: Forever Friends, Party Time
Lollipop flower paper: Papercraft 4 You, collection 7
Sentiment from Craftwork Cards
xxx

Wednesday 3 June 2009

Woohoo!!

I have just won a prize over at
Digital Tuesday -
thankyou Ellie xxx
I get to pick 3 fabulous digital stamps from Dustin Pike.
He draws the cutest, funny characters.
If you haven't seen them check them out at his

Tuesday 2 June 2009

Thinking of You

Afternoon everyone,
the weather has cooled and it looks like we are in for a downpour.
Hope so... I love thunder storms :-)
Here is my entry for this week's
Spoonful of Sugar Challenge -
it's a fantastic sketch by Sonja.

I'm not sure about the buttons.
When I see other cards with them they always look great,
but they just don't seem to work for me.
This is such a lovely sketch though, I might make it again and
substitute the buttons for flowers.

Recipe: WOJ Stamp from Summer Collection
coloured with whispers pens.
Design Paper: Papermania Regency
Swirl cut with Sizzix die
Buttons and lace from my stash.
xxx

Climb Aboard the Spaceship

Edit: Awww shucks, don't you just hate it when that happens?
OK, who else can spot the deliberate mistake??


Morning everyone,
it's still sunny and hot here in Yorkshire,
so I am keeping cool indoors.
Here is my entry for this week's Pollycraft Challenge.
I have recently discovered their fab digital stamps,
(check them out - they have something for everyone)
and I am having fun with them.
This week the challenge is 'monochrome'.

I really wanted a star background paper for this cute spaceman,
but I didn't have one,
so I ended up quickly making this one myself, in Paint Shop Pro
and I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out.
The stamps were coloured with whispers pens
and I added a corner cut with a sizzix die,
brads from my stash and some stickles glitter.

Sorry, I can't get the Pollycrafts shop to load right now,
but I will add the link to my sidebar
as soon as I can.
xxx

Monday 1 June 2009

It wasn't me... you didn't see me do it... you can't prove a thing!!

It was my baby's 8th birthday at the weekend,
so here she is enjoying her cake,
and wondering if she is REALLY
allowed to eat it all..
lol**