Tuesday 30 March 2010

Another Easter Basket

A girl in Jack's year at school has given him an Easter egg so we have made her this very pink and girlie basket. Again I followed the fab tutorial on the Belles n Whistles blog and used Bazzill cardstock and Accessorize stickers. The basket is filled with mini creme eggs and Abbie is very lucky as I didn't nick one when transferring the eggs from the original Creme Egg pack to a clear cello bag ;-)

I would like to enter this basket into the following challenges:

I'm in love with this new Magnolia stamp!

Over on Just Magnolia this week there is a fabby sketch to follow and as I purchased 2 brand spanking new Tildas on Friday at the NEC I thought I'd have my first go at a Magnolia challenge. I am always over-awed at the beauty of the Just Magnolia DT creations. I hope they don't laugh at my card!

So here's the sketch...And here's my card. It is for my mum as she is poorly with an ear infection that has also infected her jaw. She's in lots of pain and I hope this pretty lil lady will help cheer her up a bit.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Just Magnolia - Week 48, a sketch by Jane

Totally Papercrafts - Challenge 8, Pink & Green

Stamptacular Sunday - Challenge 52, Flower Power

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Challenge 7, Pink, Green & Flowers

Side view to show the dimension of the flowers and leaves...

Card blank - Craftwork Cards

Papers - Basic Grey Green At Heart from The Secret Crafter

Tilda - Magnolia stall at the NEC coloured with Promarkers. I have no idea what this Tilda is called as I can't find this stamp online, can anyone enlighten me???

Sentiment stamp - Elzybells

Tools - Woodware flower punch, Woodware leaf punch

Cup of tea anyone?

Someone I know via a forum and blogland asked me to make her a teabag card for her. The specification was 'green' and I have made the card on the left. I hope this fits the brief and I hope Ewa likes it. I used a different template to make these teabag cards to the one I used last year. This one gives a narrow spine to allow for the depth of the teabag inside. The one on the right is for my friend's birthday. I have bought a gorgeous green basket and filled it with smellies, a cute book about birthdays and this teabag card.

Cardstock - Bazzill Bling from Creative Craft World
Paper - Baisc Grey Green At Heart from The Secret Crafter
Flowers - Prima from the gorgeous Hobby House stand at the NEC on Friday
Brads - from stash
Ribbon - from stash

Monday 29 March 2010

NEC Meet Up

I had a fantastic day at the NEC on Friday at the Hobbycrafts show meeting up with my lovely MSE friends. I received lots of lovely gifts and cards including a fabby party bag from Rusty to help us to celebrate Choccy's birthday - pic below minus the choccie bar, oops ;-)

This is one of the little pouches I made for a meet up gift. I used the tutorial here and changed the size of the paper to make the pouch bigger and included stamped Pink Gem tags, flowers, pins and a choccie bunny.

So this is the stash I bought. Craftwork Cards card blanks and white A4 cardstock, Prima flowers, Wild Rose Studio 6x6 paper pack (love these papers!), Lili of the Valley stamps, Magnolia stamps x 2, Penny Black hedgie stamp, Stampavie bear in honey pot stamp, ribbons, Promarkers, glimmer mist (can't wait to try this!!), adhesive pearls, charms... have I missed anything?

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Easter Baskets

I always give a little something to my son's teachers/preschool ladies at the end of each term and as this is Easter term I've made little Easter baskets. I used the brilliant tutorial here and used cardstock in lovely spring colours. Each basket contains 2 Creme Eggs sitting on shredded tissue paper. My soon to be 6 year old has writen Happy Easter onto the circles on the back of the baskets.

I would like to enter the baskets into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp - Spring/Easter with Glimmer (used green Bazzill Bling cardstock)

Supplies:
Bazzill Basics & Bazzill Bling cardstock - Creative Craft World
Puffy Easter stickers - Accessorize
Ribbon - from stash
Tissue paper - from stash
Tools - Dovecraft 1.5" circle punch, EK Success 2" scallop circle punch

Monday 22 March 2010

I have a beautiful new stamp!

I have recently absoutely fallen in love with House Mouse stamps so I gave in to temptation and ordered my first two from Oyster Stamps last week. It took me a..g..e..s.. to choose what I was going to buy. This lil chap on the card below is my favourite. He is sooooo cute, hope my colouring has done him justice!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:


Stash:
Card blank - Craftwork Cards
Papers - Basic Grey Kioshi from The Secret Crafter
Image - House Mouse Relaxing Bubbles from Oyster Stamps coloured with Promakers
Quote stamp - this is one of my faves, by Magnolia
Flower buttons - from stash threaded with embroidery thread
Ribbon - from my lovely friend Jennie
Oval mats - ebay

A Dragon Card

I had a little sort out of my stamps last week and uncovered this cute guy sitting at the bottom of my messy stash, I had to get him out and give him an outing as I had completly forgotten about him and I think he is great for kiddie cards.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:


Stash:
Card blank - Craftwork Cards
Paper - Doodlebug from The Glitter Pot
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics from Creative Craft World
Image - can't remember his name, by Stampavie coloured with Promarkers
Button - Basic Grey
White string - stash
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards inked round edge with inkpad

Quick Birthday Card

I needed to make a quick male birthday card so reached for my trusty football bear as he is soooo versatile and stamps beautifully. I've gone for a blue colour scheme here.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:


Stash:
Card blank - made 5" square card from Bazzill Basics cardstock from Creative Craft World
Paper - Doodlebug from The Glitter Pot
Image - Football Bear by Penny Johnson from Dies To Die For coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards inked round edge with a pale blue Dewdrop chalk inkpad
Blue dew drops - Sarah's Cards

Friday 19 March 2010

More Gorgeous Basic Grey Papers I'm Afraid...

I followed another sketch for this card, this time for the challenge set by Lyndach on MSE, I have turned the template round for my card.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - St. Patricks Day/A Touch of Green

By The Cute And Girly - Spring Is In The Air

The Creative Cottage - Challenge 2, Flowers

The Pink Elephant - Challenge 58, Spring

The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Challenge 74, Anything Goes

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Challenge 6, Flower Power

Creative Craft World - Promarkers

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Challenge 82, Going Green

MSE Sketch Challenge - I have a confession to make, the card is supposed to have an easter egg on it but mine doesn't, I am hoping the oval will surfice as it is sort of egg shaped ;-)

Stash used:

Card blank - Craftwork Cards
Papers - Basic Grey Kioshi from The Secret Crafter
Bear image - Butterfly Ted from Elzybells coloured with Promarkers
Die cut ovals - ebay
Foam hearts - from a pack of stickers from Accessorize
Ribbon - given to me by my friend Jennie x
Stickles Icicle glitter glue - used on flowers

Thursday 18 March 2010

Can a cow really knit?

There is a beautiful sketch over on the Pink Gem Challenge Blog giving me another excuse to use my beautiful new Basic Grey Kioshi papers!


I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge - Challenge 2, Sketch I have added my flowers to the wrong side of the card - OOOPPPS ;-)

Stash:
Card blank - Craftwork Cards
Papers - Basic Grey Kioshi from The Secret Crafter
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics from Creative Craft World
Image - Pink Gem Designs coloured with Promarkers
Flowers - Prima eline, Creative Craft World
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Heart pearl pin - stash
Card candy - Craftwork Cards
Tools - Woodware 2.5" circle punch, Woodware 3" scallop circle punch, Quickutz small scallop circle die

Tuesday 16 March 2010

A spring coloured nappy cake...

Thought I'd post a pic of this nappy cake on here as it is in beautiful lemon yellow - very seasonal! A friend asked me to make a cake for her to give as a present and she didn't know the sex of the new baby so asked if I could make a neutral cake but something a bit different to the usual cream or white. I found a really pretty lemon set in TK Maxx in the sale consisting of a blanket, romper suit and a hat. Just need to add a label. I really liked making this as it is different to the usual pink, blue and cream. Hope the new mum likes it too x

Party, party, party

It's my eldest's 6th birthday a week this saturday so I thought I better get cracking with the party prep! I have used my trusty mate ebay to buy all my party bag goodies. My son is having a film party and they are going to be watching Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs so I've stuck to the theme of dinos like glue when searching for bits and bobs to go in the bags. I bought green paper loot bags and once full I'm going to seal the bags with Ice Age 3 stickers. So inside the bags we have a pack of stickers, a pencil, a notebook, a plastic dinosaur and a bag of dinosaur jelly sweets. Next week I'll add a little cake and then they will be finished.

Here's a bag of jelly dinosaurs. I bought three huge bags of the sweets on ebay, divided them up between little cello bags and added the green card topper with a thank you note along with a dinosaur sticker. Nice and easy!

Had 36 bags of sweets to make...


So apart from sorting out cakes I'm pretty sorted. I'm still undecided whether to make or buy cakes as I will be short of time as going to the Hobbycrafts show at the NEC the day before the party - yaaaayyyyy!!!

Monday 15 March 2010

Spring is nearly here!!!

It really is, Spring is nearly here and to celebrate I made a card that welcomes the new season! I have used my new Basic Grey Kioshi papers, blimey it was hard picking which of them to use as they are all gorgeous! I have added lots of subtle sparkle to the flowers on the paper and in the image and to the butterfly on the image.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges if I may:

Stash:
Card blank - Craftwork Cards
Papers - Basic Grey Kioshi from The Secret Crafter
Image - Pepper & Friends given to me by my lovely mate Tams coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment stamp - Happy Spring! from Elzybells
Buttons - stash
Stickles glitter glue - Icicle

Birthday Card

I ordered the 2 new Basic Grey paper pads from the Secret Crafter last week as I just had to have them!!! So glad I did as the papers are beautiful, it's hard cutting them up to be honest to make a card :-) I quickly got to work making a card using the beautiful papers in the Green At Heart pack. I used a fabby sleeping cat image that was sent to me by my friend Tams.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges if I may:

Stash:
Card blank - Craftwork Cards
Papers - Basic Grey Green At Heart from The Secret Crafter
Image - Pepper & Friends coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Ribbon - from stash
Ink - Memento Bamboo Leaves (inked all edges)
The Gentle Art Burnt Orange embroidery thread
Tools - Woodware 2.5" circle punch, Woodware 3" scallop circle punch, Bazzill In Stitch'z Flourishes template, Dovecraft paper piercer

Mother's Day Cards

I had a lovely Mother's Day weekend and received 2 gorgeous cards from my boys. The first is Jack's and he made it at school. He is oh so proud of cutting out the flowers all by himself and told me he did bubble writing on the front to make the words stand out more!

I would like to enter Jack's card into the current Creative Craft World Mother's Day challenge.

This is Thomas' card. It's very glitzy and has a teabag stuck inside so I can have a little break. He also planted some sweet pea seeds in a pot that he's decorated with pictures of flowers.

We went for a long walk in the woods on Saturday morning and the boys did loads of splashing around in muddy puddles. I had 4 loads of washing to do when we got back as everyone's clothes were filthy!!! We had takeaway from Pizza Express for tea on Saturday. On Sunday I was allowed a lie in - til 11am, it was absolute bliss and I read my book all morning whilst drinking my tea that had been made for me in my 'best mum ever' mug (my fave mug). We had some lunch and then I took my boys to see my mum & dad for Mother's Day and we stayed for a late lunch while my OH went to watch Northampton Saints play rugby (they won - yay!!!). So quite a relaxing weekend made all the nicer by the sun shining :-)

Wednesday 10 March 2010

A Flowery Card

I sent my friend Jennie a book that I had read and she had expressed an interest in reading. Jennie being Jennie was not content to just accept the book as a gift, she sent me a pack of kraft card blanks and the most beautiful SU papers! I couldn't resist the urge any longer (I lasted a day!) and had to make a card with my new stash today! Another friend, also called Jenny, has recently made a card using a handmade flower embellishment which I absolutely love - it's here. So this is my first attempt at making my own flower using the brilliant tutorial on this site. There are lots of other flower tutorials on the site, it's well worth a look :-)

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges if I may:

I loved the papers Jennie gave me so much I decorated the inside of the card too...

Supplies:
Kraft card blank - given to me by the lovely Jennie
Papers - given to me by the lovely Jennie again!
Pearl brad - Quixotic Paperie
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards, inked around edge with Memento Bamboo Leaves inkpad
Tools - Bazzill Flourishes stitching template, Dovecraft paper piercer, DMC embroidery thread, Woodware leaf punch

Bit of a zingy card...

My lovely friend Tams sent me some very cute House Mouse images and this is my second card using one. They are just adorable! I have followed the sketch on Papertake Weekly Challenge Blog...I would like to enter my card into the following challenges if I may:
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Number 36, Sketch
Card blank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Coredinations
Papers - Doodlebug from The Glitter Pot
Image - House Mouse (given to me - big thanks Tams x) coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Ric rak ribbon - stash
Adhesive pearls - stash
Tools - scissors for distressing

Tuesday 9 March 2010

A Little Box For My Mum...

Sorry for the poor pics but I wanted to show you a little pot I've made for my mum for her birthday. It's a Framescraft product and you cross-stitch a design to pop in the lid of the pot. The fabric is 22 count so for a tiny design it actually took a couple of hours to stitch cos the holes are soooo close together! I've popped a lucky sixpence into the pot which was minted the year my mum was born, 1945 (you can work her age out from that!). I got the coin from ebay and also managed to bag a Royal Doulton lady from there also for my mum, she loves them and loves them more if the lady has been pre-owned. It's taken me weeks of watching them to finally win one at a bargain price. She's called Ninette and is a smallish figurine (10cm), think my mum will love her x

What a Christmas Card in March???

Ok, many would say I am slightly mad but some would think I was sensible making a Christmas card so early in the year to save a mad panic when I'm heading towards the festive season. This is the first Christmas card I've made this year, what prompted me to do it was the fabby challenge over on Susie & Vikki's Christmas Club Blog Challenge as the theme this week is Hot Chocolate and I had the perfect stamp that I hadn't got round to using last year.

So here's my card and I'd like to enter it into the Hot Chocolate challenge please ladies :-)

Card blank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Coredinations Whitewash from The Glitter Pot and red Bazzill Basics
Papers - Cosmo Cricket Jolly By Golly from Quixotic Paperie
Image - Henry Mouse With Large Teacup from Whiff of Joy coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards backed with Bazzill card and topped with a Basic Grey red button
Stickles Frosted Lace glitter glue - used for the steam coming from the mug
Tools - scissors for distressing

Baby Cards

I'm still making a few cards to go into my mum's box of cards for her birthday. Thought a couple of new baby cards would be welcome additions. I have made a pink and a blue card but the stamp I've used is a boy. I think it works for both, well I hope it does anyway ;-)

I would like to enter my first card into the following challenges:
Card blank - Craftwork Cards
Papers - Basic Grey Two Scoops
Image - Pink gem Designs coloured with Promarkers
Button - Basic Grey (Two Scoops or Lemonade collection - not sure?)
White string - Ikea
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Gems - stash
Ribbon - stash
Tools - scissors for distressing

Card blank - Craftwork Cards
Papers - Doodlebug from The Glitter Pot
Blue card - Coredinations Gemstones from The Glitter Pot
Image - Pink Gem Designs coloured with Promarkers
Button - Basic Grey
White string - Ikea
Ribbon - stash
Gems - stash

Card For A Special Boy

My number one son passed his first karate grading at the weekend and celebrates his 6th birthday at the end of the month so the natural theme for his birthday card was karate! I found a super fab stamp by Sugar Nellie and bought it a month or so ago ready to make the card. Jack's friend Toby also passed his blue belt at the weekend and turns 6 in a couple of weeks so have made the same card but have coloured the hair yellow as Toby has blonde hair.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Card blank - Craftwork Cards
Papers - Doodlebug from The Glitter Pot
Blue cardstock - Coredinations Gemstones from The Glitter Pot
Karate Luca image - Sugar Nellie from Funky Kits coloured with Promarkers
Chipboard number - Chippies from Sir Stampalot - coloured with Promarker and then dots added with a white Inkessentials pen
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Gems - stash
Tools - scissors for distressing

Saturday 6 March 2010

Look at what my lovely friend Karen sent my 2 spotty monkeys...

My boys both came down with chickenpox on Thursday and life has been a tad tough so far as they are going stir crazy being stuck at home. A parcel arrived this morning from lovely Karen filled with goodies! They were so over the moon with their monkey snacks (aka yummy foam bananas) and mini creme eggs (Rich and I managed to grab a couple of these before the pack was demolished - having chickenpox hasn't affected their appetites!). My monkeys think Karen is the greatest friend ever!!! Thank you Karen x

So we have monkey snacks - aren't these so cute!!!

A beautiful card with spotty monkeys for my spotty monkeys...

This is my eldest spotty monkey Jack (most of his spots are on his chest and back)

This is my younger spotty monkey Thomas...
This is the beautiful and very funny card Karen sent me with some stamped images...
Thank you again Karen x

Friday 5 March 2010

Flowery Pretty Card

Fancied making a really pretty card last night but something that wasn't pink. I found one last piece of this beautiful Basic Grey paper in my stash and it all went from there. This is one of my all time favourite Basic Grey papers, it's so beautiful (I think!). I decided to make an easel card as I haven't made one for ages and I love the style. Making this card was brilliant relaxation for me after looking after 2 boys with chicken pox all day. It's for my SIL for her birthday.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges if I may:


Cardstock - white is from the Papermill Shop and teal green is Bazzill Basics from stash
Paper - Basic Grey, do you know I can't remember which range, think it's Urban Prairie?
Image - Daisy from Sugar Nellie but given to me by my lovely friend Tams xxx. Coloured with Promarkers
Fabric flowers - pressie from my friend Mel xxx
Pearl brad - Quixotic Paperie
Button - Basic Grey
Ribbon - from stash
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Green dew drops - Tabbycrafts
Ladybird charm - Quixotic Paperie
Embroidery thread - DMC (used for stitching, hanging ladybird charm and threaded through button)
Stickle Icicle glitter glue - used for flower centres on image
Tools - Woodware leaf punch, Papermania stitching template, Dovecraft paper piercer, Memento Bamboo Leaves Dew Drop inkpad
Thanks for looking x

Thursday 4 March 2010

Some Easter Cards

Thought I best get cracking on more Easter cards as we have Jack's birthday and party the week before. I wanted to make some simple and pretty cards so after much browsing I purchased a pack of Doodlebug Easter papers from The Glitter Pot, 12 sheets od 12x12 paper for £4 and the pack includes a set of alphabet tiles as well so thought it was a bit of a 'must have' bargain :-)

So here are the results of using my Doodlebug papers, hope you like them! I made my own card blanks as I wanted them to be sort of A6 size but open at the bottom if that makes any sense ;-)

I would like to enter the following card into the Cupcake Craft Challenge 80, Round and Round. I have included circles everywhere - they are on the DP, I used circle punches, gems, alphabet tiles and even decorated the inside of my card too which I very rarely do.

Inside of card...

Cardstock - Coredinations
Paper & alphabet tiles - Doodlebug from The Glitter Pot
Chick image and journal circle inside card - gorgeous freebies from Pink Peticoat
Gems - from stash
Ribbon - from stash

Here's another very similar card - had to use the cute chick again!!!
Materials used same as before

Next I tried a different colour card base, how pink is this!!! I would like to enter this very pink and girly card into the following challenges:

Hope I've fulfilled the 'Girly/Pink' brief sufficiently!
Materials as above with the exception of...
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics from Dies To Die For
Flowers - Prima eline from The Glitter Pot
Brad - from stash

Here's another using my lovely Elzybells Chick stamp...
And the last one of my Easter cards...
Thanks for looking x