Spring into Spring with Joanna Sheen

Delighted to be sharing a post with you today as a guest designer over at Joanna Sheen.  

The theme for this challenge is 

Spring into Spring

For my project I used some decoupage from the Jayne Netley Mayhew range and teamed it up with some backing papers from one of the House Mouse Project Books and CD.  Just love this image as I adore little pussy cats and these are so cute.  I added some hessian behind the image which mirrored the basket.  I used a corner punch for the corners and also punched some little flowers to sit on the ribbon.  I found a little metal flower which sat nicely in the centre of the bow.

For all the details of the current challenge just pop over to the Joanna Sheen challenge blog.  You too could be the next guest designer.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Crafty Ribbons - Anything goes with ribbon
Simply Create Too - Animals
Artistic Inspirations - Easter/Spring
Lexis Creations - Use punches or dies
Papertake - Anything goes
Simon Says - Happy Birthday
Divas By Design - Spring colours
Brown Sugar - Spring
Crafty Catz - Anything goes
One Stop - Birthdays
Allsorts - Spring has sprung

With Love Flowers

Yippee, it's Friday, the best day of the week.  This week is even better as with the Bank Holiday I have only had to work four days.  Been a bit of a hectic few days as my daughter's car has been declared dead this week.  It was making lots of funny noises so it went into the garage on Wednesday.  Unfortunately, it was going to cost far more than the car was worth to fix it.  So we have been frantically trying to find her another one.  Fortunately we have found one and she picks it up tomorrow.  A happy household is restored, thank goodness.  

I made a card last night using one of the lovely flower images and papers from Pink Gem.  I do love Janet's flower images.  They are so versatile and can be used for so many different occasions.

The image is called With Love Flowers and can be found here.  This is a pre coloured image which is handy for quick cards.  But it also comes as an outline image to enable you to colour it whatever colour you want. I added some gems to the flower centres.  I teamed it up with some yummy papers from a downloadable paper pack called Sugar and Spice which can be found here.  I used kraft card for the matting and layering.  A flower from Creative Expressions and a couple of die cuts finished the card.

For more super images and papers just pop over to Pink Gem.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Sweet Sketch Wednesday - use sketch
Disdigidesigns - Flower frenzy
Kaboodle Doodles - use 2 different papers
Whoopsi Daisy - Bling
Papertake - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Flowers or fairies
Stamp N Doodle - Pretty in pink
Creative Inspirations - Lets get krafty
MAWTT - Lets get krafty

Forever Friends April Candy Giveaway

Just a quick post to let you all know about the April Candy Giveaway over at Forever Friends.

 The sponsor for this months giveaway is:

www.joannasheen.co.uk

The prize for the winner is...

One pack of House Mouse Decoupage Papers.

This is the 'Bathtime' set and consists of 20 assorted sheets, 2 each of 10 designs, enough to make 20 gorgeous cards.

To enter the giveaway just pop over to the Forever Friends challenge blog.  The draw will run from Thursday 4th April to Tuesday 30th April (8.00am).

Bye for now 

Happy Anniversary

Hope you are all well.  Not going to waffle on as I will be leaving for work in a few minutes.  Just wanted to share a card that I made a little while ago for my sister to give her husband.

Decided not to use any patterened paper as, at the time, I really couldn't find anything I wanted to use.  I cut out a heart shape from some foiled acetate that I had.  This was then mounted onto some blue card.  The flowers were punched using one of my lovely flower punches.  I used very light pearlescent blue paper for this.  I added pearls to each of the flower centres.  The butterfly is made by my Mum from parchment.  I did the sentiments on the computer and added some ribbon and bows.  I am afraid the picture is a bit dark but so difficult to get good photos at the moment.

Thanks for popping by and would love to know what you think.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Crafty Ribbons - Anything goes with ribbon
Catch the Bug - Cardstock and bling
Totally Gorjuss - Something blue
Card Makin Mamas - No patterned paper
Natalie and Amy - Monochromatic
Whoopsi Daisy - Bling
Lexis Creations - Use punches and/or dies
Papertake - Anything goes
TTCRD - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Flowers or fairies
Flutter By Wednesday - Flowers
Paper Crafting Journey - Monochromatic

Penny's Colour Challenge

Hope you are all well and had a good Easter.  Thankfully I didn't eat too much chocolate and it was nice having the extra long weekend.  Just wish the weather would warm up a bit.  Not liking having to defrost my car at 7.00 in the morning for the drive to work.  Actually, not liking this work business very much either lol.  Wonder if hubby would be kind enough to win the lottery for me this weekend.  Will have to ask.

Anyway, today sees the start of a new challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges.  We have a colour challenge for you this week as our theme is:

Black, White and Red

Our sponsor is the fabulous Bugaboo Stamps with a prize of 7 digi images for the winner.

I used this lovely image from Bugaboo for my card.  I coloured it using promarkers and added some stardust stickles and some glossy accents to the balloons).  The backing paper is from Papermania.  The ribbon and pearl stars were in my stash.

Thanks for popping by and looking forward to seeing all your colour creations.  For full details and to enter the challenge just pop over to Penny's.  For more inspiration check out the fab work from the design team while you are there.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Ladybug Crafts Ink - Anything goes
Crafty Ribbons - Anything goes with ribbon
Crafts 4 Eternity - Cute as you like
Pan Pastel - Anything goes
Whoopsi Daisy - Bling
One Crazy Stamper - Black white and one other
A Little Bit Crafty - Anything goes
Papertake - Anything goes
TTCRD - Anything goes
Top Tip Tuesday - Girls and boys come out to play
Simon Says - Happy Birthday

Let's Bring on Spring

This is my second post for today, you lucky people.

We have a new challenge starting today over at Corrosive Challenges and our theme is:

Spring Fling

Our sponsor for this challenge is Delicious Doodles and the winner will receive 4 free digis.

I decided to create a criss cross card, my first ever.

I used this fab image of some lilies which I fell in love with.  I coloured it with promarkers and then cut it out and mounted it onto a circle.  Th circle has been edged in some green lace.  The papers are from a spring paper pack that I have had for ages.
I made a pull out insert using a stamp verse that I have from Imagination Crafts.
Here are a couple more pictures.

Thanks for popping by and looking forward to seeing all your entries.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Brown Sugar - Flowers
Jellypark - Pretty pastels
Love to Create - Pastel colours
Digital Tuesday - Spring colours
Simon Says - Anything goes
Crafty Ribbons - Anything goes with ribbon
Disdigidesigns - Flower frenzy
OSAAT - Spring
Stamp N Doodle - Easter or spring
Pan Pastel - Anything goes

Hobbycutz Goes CAS

Happy Easter to everyone.  Hope you are all having a good weekend and not eating too  much chocolate.  Having a nice family roast dinner today and then plan a little bit of time in my crafty room later.  

Anyway, today sees the start of a new challenge over at Hobbycutz Challenges.  Our theme has been set by KathyK and we have a lovely sketch for you to play with or a theme which is CAS.  

You can use either or both.

And here is the sketch.

For this challenge we have a brand new sponsor who is one of our very own team members - Natali from Iva Nova Chest.

Here is my inspiration project for you.

I do have difficulty doing CAS but hopefully I have just about managed to pull it off.  With hindsight I would probably have been better not putting the backing paper on but it just seemed so bare without lol.  However, I have tried to follow the sketch so bonus points there.  This little topper is from the Angelica range from Crafters Companion.  The gorgeous leaves are from Hobbycutz and I added lots of lovely green glitter to them.  

Thanks for popping by and looking forward to seeing all your entries.  Don't forget that if you use a Hobbycutz product on your creation you go in a separate draw to win a £5 voucher from Hobbycutz.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Bunny Zoes - Girly
Fussy and Fancy - Spring days
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - Bring on spring
Craft Your Passion - Make it cute
Simon Says - Anything goes
Crafts and Me - Pretty in pink
Crafty Ribbons - Anything goes with ribbon
Crafts 4 Eternity - Cute as you like
CRAFT - Mothers Day or Female
Catch the Bug - Cardstock and Bling

Make It Cute

Happy Easter everyone.  It's Saturday morning and the sun is actually shining brightly while I am writing this. Maybe we will have some nice spring like weather for Easter after all.  About time too I say.

Today sees the start of a new challenge over at A Gem Of A Challenge.  Our theme this week has been chosen by the lovely Lyndsey.

Make It Cute

Janet over at Pink Gem has so many lovely cute images I was spoilt for choice when deciding what to create.

This little cutie is called Cupcake Teddy and can be found here.  I also used papers from Pink Gem and they can be found here.  I think this card has a real spring feel to it and is just perfect for a birthday at this time of year.  

Thanks for popping by and looking forward to seeing all your entries for the challenge.  The challenge closes on Friday so you have plenty of time to enter.

I would like to enter the following challenges with this card:
Visible Image - Spring
Crafty Boots - Flowers
Jellypark - Pretty pastels
Fussy and Fancy - Spring days
Chocolate, coffee and cards - Bring on spring
Robyns Fetish - Food or drink
Kaboodle Doodles - Easter or spring
Love to Create - Pastel colours
Digi Darlas - Flowers
Craft Your Passion - Make it cute
Whoopsi Daisy - Use a digi
TTCRD - Anything goes
Digital Tuesday - Spring colours
Stamp N Doodle - Easter or spring
Simon Says - Anything goes
Inky Impressions - Easter or spring
I Love Promarkers - Spring is in the air
Delightful Challenges - Use a rabbit or spring
Crafty Ribbons - Anything goes with ribbon
Brown Sugar - Flowers
Crafts 4 Eternity - Cute as you like
Disdigidesigns - Flower frenzy

No squares allowed

It's Wednesday and time for a new challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges.  Our theme for this week is

Anything But Square

So bring out all those lovely shaped cards that we all love.  

Our sponsors for this challenge are Kenny K downloads and Limited Runs Digital Stamps.  You can find all the details about the challenge at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges.  The design team have used images from both of our sponsors to create some shapely projects for your inspiration.

I used this great image from Kenny K downloads for my project.  I have a box full of freebie papers from magazines that I have accumulated over the last couple of years.  It is now my mission to use these up and these are some of those freebies.  I used some pale green coordinations for the matting and distressed the edges of the paper with distress ink.  The sentiments were in my sentiment box (again, cut from a magazine months ago).  A ribbon and button finished the card.

Thanks for popping by and looking forward to seeing all your entries.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Whimsy Stamps - Stitch It
Sweet Stampin - Lots of layers
Sentimental Sundays - Stitching
Pile It On - Dots
OSAAT - Use a digi
Love To Create - Pastel Colours
Whoopsi Daisy - Use a digi
TTCRD - Anything goes
Simon Says - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - Anything goes

One For The Girls

Another weekend has just flown by and can't believe it will be Easter next weekend and the end of March.  This year is certainly flying by.  Thankfully all our snow has melted away so should be a fairly easy drive into work.  Bitterly cold though so will need to wrap up warm.

Today sees the start of a new fortnightly challenge over at Forever Friends.  Our theme for this challenge is:

One For The Girls

We have two fab sponsors for this challenge

Saturated Canary

Cupids Clear Stamps

Pop over to the Forever Friends Challenge blog for full details and to check out the awesome projects from the design team.

I have two cards to share with you that follow the challenge theme.

Recipe:  Image from Saturated Canary (although I think this may be a retired image now), papers from scraps box, coredinations cardstock, sentiment and card candi from Craftwork Cards, bow from stash.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Bunny Zoes - Girly
Aud Sentiments - Girl Power
Crafts and Me - Buttons and Bows
Stamp N Doodle - Anything goes
Addicted to Stamps and More - Make your mark
Crafty Catz - Sparkle with a bow
Sweet Stampin - Lots of layers
Pile It On - Dots
OSAAT - Use a digi
Whoopsi Daisy - Use a digi

Recipe:  Topper and papers from the new Kraft Notes Forever Friends collection, buttons, large paper flower and ribbon from stash.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Paper Crafting Journey - Ribbon or Lace
Brown Sugar - Anything goes
Sentimental Sundays - Stitching
Craft Your Passion - Make it cute

Thanks for popping by and don't forget to get those entries in.  Looking forward to seeing what you all come up with.  Take care and see you soon.

It's All About Pearls and Lace

Today is the start of a new challenge over at Dream Valley.  Our theme for this fortnight is

Pearls and Lace

We want to see all your creations prettied up with luscious lace and delicate pearls.

Our sponsor for this challenge is Saturated Canary and the winner gets a $10 voucher.  How fab is that?

I created a little birthday card using a super image from Saturated Canary.  The image was coloured with promarkers and I added a few splodges of liquid pearls around the image.  The papers are old ones from my stash but I believe they may be Papermania.  I used black card for the matting and layering.  All of the little flowers have pearls on them as a centre.

Hope you like my little creation and don't forget to pop over to Dream Valley to see more inspiration from the design team.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Bunny Zoes - Girly
Aud Sentiments - Girl Power
Crafty Boots - Flowers
Mayzy Art - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Flowers Galore
LEJ Designs - Add a flower
Inky Impressions - Flowers
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes
Stamp N Doodle - Anything goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Ribbon or lace
Brown Sugar - Anything goes
Pile It On - Dots
OSAAT - Use a digi

Sunglasses May Be Required

Hope you are all well.  One more work day and then it's the weekend.  Mind you they are talking about a lot of snow over large parts of the UK tomorrow and the weekend.  I do hope not as I am driving up north tomorrow to pick my daughter up from university.  She is starting five weeks of study leave before her final exams in May.  As she said, she might as well be at home studying cause at least she will be fed well lol.

Anyway, I want to share a card with you today that I made for my Sister to give my Mum for her birthday.  It was her birthday on Monday so had to make sure she had received it before I blogged it.  

Be prepared as it is quite bright and you may need your sunglasses, although it does look much brighter in real life.

I have not used any patterned paper on this card.  I have used two colours of coredinations - orange and yellow.  I embossed some white card with a large dotty folder and inked the edges with some distress ink.  The little flower stamp was a freebie that I got not long ago from a magazine.  I stamped the image several times and decoupaged the vase and some of the flowers for dimension.  Added a big double bow at the bottom using orange and yellow ribbon.  The little flowers are from Wild Orchid and matched perfectly.  Made a little tag sentiment to finish it off.

I am pleased to say that Mum loved it.  Thanks for popping by and will be interested to hear what you think.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Fussy and Fancy - Flowers
Lisa B - Orange and Yellow
Bunny Zoes - Girly
Aud Sentiments - Girl Power
Love to Create - Anything goes
Craft Your Passion - Ribbons or Lace
Lexis Creations - Mothers Day or Special Ladies Birthday
Crafty Boots - Flowers
Crafty Sentiments - Flowers Galore
LEJ Designs - Add a flower
Inky Impressions - Flowers
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Embossing
OSAAT - All white or no design papers
Stamp N Doodle - Anything goes
MAWTT - Decoupage
Paper Crafting Journey - Ribbon or Lace

Gingham or Checks at Penny's

Hope you are all having a good week.  Halfway through now so can't be bad.

Today sees the start of a new challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges and our theme this week is:

Gingham and/or Checks

This week we are sponsored by:

Sassy Studio - 4 digi images of winners choice

Stampart Design - 5 digi images of winners choice

Just pop over to Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges for full details of how to enter.  While you are there you can check out the fab inspiration from the design team.

I used an image from Sassy Studio which I coloured using my promarkers.

I used black card as my contrast and used one of my Spellbinder dies as a background for the image.  The paper was from my scraps box (slowly getting through it).  Just added some red ribbon, feathers, gems and a sentiment to finish the card.  Quite simple but quite striking with the red against the black.

Thanks for popping by and looking forward to seeing all your creations.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Bunny Zoes - Girly
Aud Sentiments - Girl Power
Totally Gorjuss - Something old (papers/feathers)
Love to Create - Anything goes
Craft Your Passion - Ribbons or lace
Mayzy Art - Anything goes
TTCRD - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes
Stamp N Doodle - Anything goes
Addicted to Stamps and More - Make your mark

March Crafting Cafe Challenge - Favourite Colour

Today is my turn to post my inspiration project for The Crafting Cafe challenge.

Our theme for the month of March is:

use your favourite colour

Our sponsor for this challenge is Delicious Doodles.  Just pop over to The Crafting Cafe for full details.

I don't think it take much working out that my favourite colour is purple.  I used this gorgeous Watering Can image from our sponsor to create this birthday card.  The background paper is from First Edition and is matted onto purple cardstock.  The flower is a spellbinders die and I added lots of glitter and sparkle.  I used some purple ribbon to create a criss cross effect on the background.  A sentiment and a little fabric butterfly completed the card.

Thanks for popping by and keep your eyes peeled for more inspiration from the DT team throughout the month.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Fussy and Fancy - Flowers
Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes
Love to Create - Anything goes
Craft Your Passion - Ribbons or Lace
Lexis Creations - Mothers day or female birthday card
Crafty Boots - Flowers
Passion for Promarkers - Butterflies
Crafty Sentiments - Flowers
LEJ Designs - Add a flower
TTCRD - Anything goes

My candy winner

Just popped in to let you know the winner of my blog candy.  

With being away at the weekend it totally slipped my mind.

I had 29 comments left and the lucky winner picked out at random is

Drum roll please

...........................................................

............................................

............................

..............

.....

Kelly Lloyd

Well done Kelly.  If you could email me your address at margaret.binder@tesco.net within the next seven days I will get your goodies posted out to you.

Thank you all for entering and hopefully won't be too long before I am posting some more candy.

Follow me at Bloglovin

I have noticed around blogland that a lot of people are signing up for Bloglovin due to Google reader due to disappear in July. So not wanting to be left behind I have just signed up with Bloglovin.  It was very easy to do and I was easily able to transfer over all the blogs that I follow.  Just click on the button at the top of my sidebar to follow me on Bloglovin.

Thanks

Just Dance

Just got back a little while ago from spending the weekend with my sister and her family.  We had a lovely time even though the weather was pretty foul while we were away.

Will try and start catching up with you all later but in the meantime today sees the start of a new challenge over at Corrosive Challenges.  Our theme for this fortnight is:

Just Dance

Create a project featuring a dancer or inspired by dancing and music.  Let your creativity flow.

Our sponsor for this challenge is the wonderful Mayzy Art who is offering 5 free digi images to the winner.  

Here is my project for this challenge using an image from Mayzy Art called Daisy Sprite.

The image is coloured with promarkers and then cut out using one of my dies.  The papers are from Wild Rose Studio and matted onto purple card.  The word sentiments came from a set that I have from Woodware.  I added some purple ribbon, purple glittery twine and some resin roses.  Quite simple but just perfect for an aspiring little dancer.

For more inspiration just pop over to Corrosive Challenges and check out the fab work of the design team.  Looking forward to seeing all your entries.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Cards Galore - Music
Fussy and Fancy - Flowers
Craft Your Passion - Favourite 2 colours (pink and purple)
Bunny Zoes - Girly
Aud Sentiments - Girl power
One Stop - Anything goes

Easter with Hobbycutz Challenges

Hope you are all having a good weekend.  I am currently away for the weekend with family so I scheduled this post. Hopefully blogger has played nicely and published it for me.

Today sees the start of the second fortnightly challenge over at Hobbycutz Challenges.  Can I just say thank you to everyone who entered our first challenge and blog hop.  We had over 100 entries for our first challenge.  Just amazing and thank you all for your support. Don't forget to pop over to the challenge blog to find out if you are a winner.

The theme for our second challenge is:

Easter
Just perfect as Easter is only around the corner.  For full details of the challenge just pop over to Hobbycutz Challenges.  You can find more inspiration from the fabulous design team too.

I made a little Easter basket out of card.  I covered the sides with some freebie papers that I have had in my stash for months.  I added the little picket fence border from Hobbycutz as I thought it gave the impression of flowers growing behind the fence.  I lined the basket with some green organza material.  The little sign is also from Hobbycutz.

Here is another view which shows the decorated handle.  The little wooden butterflies are from Hobbycutz and I gave them a light coating of white acrylic paint.

I hope you like and would love to know what you think.  Looking forward to seeing all your lovely creations.  

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Fab N Funky - Add a sentiment
Divas By Design - Put on some pink
Polka Doodles - Happy Easter
Simply Create Too - Easter
Sentimental Sundays - Anything goes

A Gem of a Challenge - Easter/Spring

Yay, it's the weekend.  We are spending this weekend visiting my sister and her hubby.  It is my Mum's birthday on Monday so having a little family get together.  So nice to spend a bit of time all together and lovely to see my two nephews.  They are growing so fast.

As it's Saturday it's time for a new challenge over at A Gem of a Challenge.  Our challenge this week is hosted by the lovely Cara and she has chosen the theme:

Easter/Spring

The prize for the winner is their choice of 2 digi images from Pink Gem Designs.

I used this cute little image, Jodie with Easter Egg to create a little Easter card using lovely spring colours.  The papers were some freebies from a magazine that I got last year.  All the other bits and pieces were from my stash. The little tag is a Cheery Lynn die called Tags 4 which can be purchased here.

Looking forward to seeing all your entries.  You have till next Friday to enter the challenge.  For more inspiration just pop over to A Gem of a Challenge and check out what my teamies have been up to.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Visible Image - Spring
The Squirrel and The Fox - Autumn or spring
Crafty Sentiments - Hello spring
Celebrate the Occasion - Spring is in the air
Ladybug Crafts Ink - Spring
The Paper Shelter - Easter
Fab N Funky - Add a sentiment
MAWTT - Spring is in the air
Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes
Polka Doodles - Happy Easter
Stampin for the Weekend - Childs play
Simply Create Too - Easter
One Stop - Anything goes
Sweet Stampin - Easter
Disdigidesigns - Easter/Spring
Card Makin Mamas - Spring colours

A little bit of candy

Hopefully, this is a sticky post and will remain at the top until 15th March.  Please scroll down for newer posts.

Well, I have had a busy couple of days.  It was my birthday on Thursday so got taken out for lunch by my lovely hubby.  On Friday afternoon I got home from work and had just settled down with a cup of tea when the doorbell rang.  It was my youngest daughter.  My hubby has arranged for her to come home for the weekend from uni for my birthday.  Such a surprise.  So last night we went out for a quiet family meal, or so I thought.  Instead there were 14 of us sitting round the table.  A lovely surprise and so nice to be able to spend some time with great family and friends.

So with all the festivities I have not been able to get round to see all your blogs as much as I would like.  I intend sitting down tonight and having a browse around.  

Anyway, as it was my birthday I am offering a little bit of candy.  This is by way of a thank you to all my followers.  I really do appreciate it and thank you so much for all your wonderful comments and support.

The candy consists of:

A 6x6 Forever Friends paper pack

4 little fizzy moon stamps

Pack of paper flowers

Pack of decorative stick pins

Pack of gems

2 lengths of ribbon

The candy will remain open for two weeks and close on Friday 15th March.

To enter simply do the following:

1.  Be or become a follower of my blog

2.  Post a picture of my candy on your blog (sidebar is fine)

3.  Leave a comment on this post.

Simples.  I will post internationally so anyone is free to enter.

Thanks for popping by.