Giveaway reminder - and a card ....

.... for a very old birthday girl!

My husband's grandmother was 94 yesterday.  She still lives by herself in her own house, about an hour's drive down the country from us, and we headed down with family on Saturday to bring her out for a birthday lunch.  I had only a little time to make a card for her (and frankly, she's always more interested in what's inside the card, she opens the envelope, takes out the card and shakes it to see what falls out!!!) - here's what I ended up with:

I used the sketch from this week's Deconstructed Sketches, although I didn't have time to incorporate all the elements, and I'm also entering this into the following challenges:  Creative Card Crew ("Shabby Chic/Vintage"), Crafty Creations ("S" - my word is Summer), Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and Crafty Girls ("Anything Goes"), Brown Sugar ("Birthday") and The Shabby Tearoom ("Vintage Love").

As I was so short for time, rather than print or stamp and colour an image, I printed off this sweet vintage image from Pinterest on photo paper.  I love the tinting and big floppy pink bow in her hair, which I echoed by tying a crumpled seam binding bow at the bottom of the panel.  Here's a close-up of the image.

Recipe:

Papers: Crate Paper "Emma's Shoppe"

Other: Seam binding

Thanks for looking - and don't forget my giveaway - HERE is the link to the post.

Venturing into ....

.... three dimensions.  I don't often make things that aren't cards, but spent a fair bit of time earlier in January wrangling with a sheet of card, paint, mod podge, etc., making a box to hold three Yankee Candle votives.  I did a card to match, and all was sent to a lovely crafting friend called Margie, who is going through a period of ill-health, leading up to a pretty major operation last week.  She has received her package now so I can post the pictures.  Here's the card, first of all:

I used a sketch a couple of weeks old from Deconstructed Sketches and I'm also entering the following challenges: Creative Card Crew ("Recipe - 1 ribbon, 2 patterned papers, 3 pearls/gems"), Party Time Tuesdays ("Anything Goes"), ABC Challenge ("D is for Dazzle") and Creative Inspirations ("Stamping").

I'm really liking gold and gold glitter these days, there are a lot of companies incorporating this look into their lines - I've had this fab lamé ribbon for years, and I dipped the hearts and brad, which were just plain, into glue and them gold glitter - fan-tab-u-lous!!  I made the acetate banner letters and stamped a pretty scalloped circle lightly on textured cardstock for a shabby look.  Here's a close-up:

And here's the box, it's a little bit bockety at the sides, I've altered boxes before but this was the first I've made from scratch (and I learned a lot whilst doing it!):

And here are the two together.

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Kissing Booth" and Crate Paper "Maggie Holmes"

Stamp: Hero Arts "Scallop Background"

Fonts: "Falling Rain" and "A Little Swag" dafont.com

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug "Textile"

Other: Ribbon from stash, gold glitter, gold hearts

Thanks for looking - and if you're looking, Margie - hope you're safe at home now!

Easy to know ....

.... that I'm back in school - the house is in tatters, the laundry is backed-up and there's dust on the desk in the craftroom!!  I haven't yet managed to get up at my target time of 7am, keep lounging on 'till about 7.15/7.20 or so and then rushing around like a mad thing trying to get to school on time.  Sigh - even though it's Autumn and I love Autumn, I just hate September!!

Had a nice day on Saturday - I went to a crop and made this card:

 

Update 03/10/13 - Jen has picked this card as one of her favourites on Deconstructing Jen - thanks so much, Jen!

I used the sketch from this week's Deconstructed Sketch and I'm also entering this into the following challenges: Party Time Tuesdays (colour challenge) and Totally Gorjuss ("Stripes").  I used a stamp that my craft friend, Fiona, lent me - wrote the name down somewhere but I can't find it.  Here's a side shot of all the layers.

And here's something else I made.  We were staying in a relative's house down in Wexford at the end of August.  After such a beautiful summer, the hedgerows were groaning with ripe blackberries, so we picked loads and, combined with apples from our garden, I made blackberry and apple jam.  Here's some of the jars all prettied up and ready for gifting:

Recipe:

Papers: Crate Paper "Lemongrass"

Stamp: Will find out and add!

Punch: EK Success "Threading Water"

Other: Hairy string, crackle accents

Thanks for looking!

Knew I meant ....

.... to do something, but I forgot.  We were away over the Easter holidays, in Iceland, and I had intended to post pics before I did my next "usual" post, but too late - as it's PaperPlay time again, I'm posting a card instead:

Our challenge this week is "Animal Antics" - we're asking participants to use their critter stamps.  I made a wedding card for my friend's daughter.  The wedding isn't until August (amazing, I know - I actually made something ahead of time!), but I've had ideas for it floating around in my head for a while so decided to get them "down on paper"!!  Here's what I made:

I'm entering this into the following challenges: Craft your Passion and 7 Kids Challenge ("Die cuts and punches"), Papertake Weekly ("A stitch in time"), Charisma Cards ("Shabby Chic") and Crafts and Me ("Vintage").

I hope you can see all the sparkle on the heart and letters - I've used different textures and colours of glitter - here's a close-up:

Thanks for looking - and I promise to sort through those holiday pics and post some!

Arrrgh, these early....

.... mornings are getting the better of me!!  When left to my own devices, my natural waking time seems to be 9.15am - not 9 or 9.30, but 9.15.  So back at school and getting me plus two kids up at 7 is not a barrel of laughs!!  My husband, on the other hand, has to get up at 5am - eeeeeeeuuuuuugh!!!
I still haven't photographed my son's birthday card, the weather's been too overcast, but I'll hopefully get it up over the next day or two.  I was chuffed to see that my Valentine's card was picked for Top 3 on Shopping Our Stash - got a blinkie for me sidebar!!

In the meantime, it's Thursday and my PaperPlay team's turn to play.  Our challenge this week is "For a Mother" and we are sponsored by  Crafty Cutting.  I don't have a Mum, but it was my Mother-in-Law's birthday recently.  Here's what I made for her:

She likes flowers, so I used these Hero Arts stamps that I've made many cards with, I love them, there are four stamps and they can be used in so many combinations.  My MiL loved the colours.  Success!! 

I'm entering this into the following challenges: Moving Along with the Times ("Lots of Layers"), Crafts and Me ("Shades of Spring") and Paper Sundaes ("Birthdays). 

Recipe:

Papers: Crate Paper "Farmhouse"

Stamps: Hero Arts "Peeking Posies" set

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Punch: Fiskars "Threading Water"

Other: Ribbon from stash, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!

Ahem, forget that I ....

.... mentioned anything to do with resolving to create more in my last post.  Flippin' kiss of death, that was!!! 

It's been a loooooooong, dreary January - can't believe we've only done three weeks back at school - feels like twice that.  Oh well, only two more until half term!!  We've got quite a few family and friend birthdays in February, so I hauled myself up from hiberation on the couch and made this for a little pal:

I'm entering this into the following challenges: Fussy and Fancy Friday ("Polka Dots"), Creative Card Crew ("Seeing Red"), My Time to Craft ("Favourite Embellishment" - mine is stitching and ribbon), Passion for Promarkers ("Recycle Something" - the ribbon is from a box of chocolates), ABC Challenge ("Happy Birthday"), Basic Grey Challenges ("Favourite Things" - mine are papers and stitching), Creative Inspirations and Simon Says Stamp both have "Anything Goes" challenges and Truly Scrumptious ("Something Forgotten" - I dug out the Sugar Nellie stamp).

Here's a close-up of the image and the name banner:

Recipe:

Papers: Crate Paper "Emma's Shoppe" and BG "Piccadilly"

Image: Sugar Nellie "Manga Girl"

Doily Die Cut: Cheery Lynn "French Pastry"

Colouring Medium: Promarkers

Other: Pink Paislee die-cut numbers, ribbon from chocs, needle & thread

Thanks for looking!

What day is it....

.... anyway?!!!   I am hopelessly disorganised this week - the house is a tip, mountains of laundry everywhere (thank goodness the weather has been better than forecast, at least I'm getting stuff dried outside!), camping gear waiting to be put away, we're going back to school next week and, whilst I have bought the schoolbooks, they aren't covered yet and I still haven't got shoes for my daughter.  Hellllllllpp!

I was happily convinced that yesterday was only Tuesday until about 9 o'clock, when my daughter said something that made me realise with a sinking heart that it was Wednesday night and I hadn't even started my PaperPlay DT entry.  So I galloped off to the computer to check out my image from this week's sponsor, Wink Wink Ink, and to my utter utter joy, discovered that I had been sent both a b/w and ready-coloured version of my image.  Guess which one I used?!!!  Here's my card:

Our challenge this week is called "Sketch and Stash". Sandie produced a lovely sketch to use, and the added option is to use new stash.  I couldn't do the added bit, as I haven't gotten any new stash in ages, sniff sniff (although things are looking up, I'm in the process of deciding what to order for my Christmas cards, hint - BG!!!)

I'm also entering this card in the following challenges: Totally Gorjuss ("Star"), Stampin for the Weekend ("Anything Goes" - bless their poor DT!), and Papertake Weekly ("3-2-1" - 3 buttons, 2 papers, 1 image).

For once I didn't ink any edges (no time), although I had to stitch, it would have looked naked otherwise!!Here's a close-up of the cute image I used - super colouring, eh? ;-)!!!!

Recipe:

Image: "Moon Baby" by Wink Wink Ink

Papers: Crate Paper "Lemongrass"

Font: Ballpark from dafont.com

Other: BG buttons, hairy string, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!

P.S. Just marking this week as the week my son learned to swim!!  He has taken two intensive swimming class sessions this summer and has made amazing progress.  In the first week, at the beginning of the summer, he went from using a board to kick swimming across front and back with hands by his side.  This week, he has learned to use his arms too.  Hooray!!

Taking the lazy ....

.... way out!!  It was my turn to set the challenge this week on PaperPlay,  I cheekily decided to take the easy peasy option, so the theme is "Anything Goes"!!!  We are sponsored this week by Waltzing Mouse Stamps - I hadn't come across their stamps, but have a look - they are gorgeous - more to add to the wish list, I particularly like the vintage labels.

Here's my card (pic taken at 7am this overcast morning, so it's a bit dark!):

I used this week's sketch on Sketch Saturday (I rotated it).  I'm also entering this card on Simon Says Stamp (dotty - you have to look closely, the dotty bit is the scalloped bit the image is mounted on), Fussy & Fancy Friday (stitches, scallops, sparkle), The Shabby Tea Room (1 ribbon, 2 buttons, 3 punches or dies),  Crafty Creations (summer) and Bunny Zoes Crafts (summer).

I dug into my stash and used some very old Crate Paper papers for this card, and went crazy with stickles.  Here's a close-up of the sweet image:

Recipe:

Papers: Crate Paper "Blue Hill"

Stamp: Leanne Ellis for Sugar Nellie "Bluebell"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Ribbon from stash, "Blue Hill" chipboard buttons, sentiment stamp from stash, diamond stickles, needle + thread

I'm off now to contemplate on my first card for Creative Card Crew (eeek - the pressure!).  Don't forget to enter my blog candy - post at top of blog.

Bit of repetition ....

.... going on here, now that I look at my last few blog entries. Seems to be a preponderance of spots and Sugar Nellies!!! Maybe it's something to do with this being my week to set the challenge on PaperPlay Challenges, I've called it "Spot This":

"Pretty self-explanatory really. I am a sucker for buying spotty paper (and stripy - but we won't go there!), then I don't use it up because I don't want to cut into it. So this week, I'd like everyone to make spotty things (using paper or indeed anything else spotty you wish).

Have fun (I, on the other hand, will be weeping with a pair of scissors over my lovely spotty darlings!!!)."

So here's what I made:

Yes, it's my lovely Gorjuss Girl, coloured with Prismas and distress inked to within an inch of her life!! Papers are Crate Paper Avenue - I soooo love this line - the colours are my favourite dusky blues, creams, and dark browny/black.
I am also going to enter this card in this week's Simon Says Stamp challenge, which requires stitching. Seeing as I was insane enough to be sitting doing hand-stitching and cross-stitching on this one at 12.15 last night, I think it might just fit the bill!!!
Thanks for looking!

Two posts in ....

.... one day - what's happening??!!

It's Thursday again - PaperPlay day. This week's challenge was set by Kate and it's all about "Dimension" - make your project as 3D as possible!

.

I had spotted this cool project by Kathy on the Bubbly Scrumptious website during the week and decided to make one as my DT entry. It certainly is 3D!!! Here it is:

This was such fun and so straightforward to make. And, even better, I've decided it'll make a good present for DS's teacher for Christmas!!!! Ta-dah - one pressie made - before August!!!!

The prize for PaperPlay this week sponsored by our newest sponsor, Crafty Angels - it's a Dovecraft 12" x 12" paper pack, lots of pink yumminess!!

Hope you get a chance to play along - and thanks for looking!

Boys, boys, boys ....

.... this week's challenge on PaperPlay Challenges was set by Elisa:

"Boys, boys, boys, make something for a boy - baby, child, teen or man"

Well, this was perfect timing, DS has to go to a little pal's birthday party tomorrow, so a card was needed anyway.

And here it is:

I would have liked to put some more embellishments (buttons or brads, maybe) on it, but I have a rule not to use much of my precious stash on cards for all the parties DS goes to, when he's older and there are less parties I'll be a bit less stingy!!!! I drew and cut out the number 8 from a pizza box - so that was free - and so was the string!!!

The prize on PaperPlay this week is from The Crafty Alley - it's the Lillian Collection from Crate Paper. I love their paper - used some from the Static range for this card.

We were in Edinburgh at the weekend, hence no other crafting - must get my skates on and do more stuff!!!

Thanks for looking!

Flying ....

.... High - this week's challenge on PaperPlay Challenges, set by Jackie:

The challenge is to use Wings on your project - birds, butterflies, fairies, whatever you like - as long as it has wings.

I decided to take out the owls again, and here is my DT entry:

Next week is the first time I get to set the challenge, I can't make up my mind at all!!!

Thanks for looking!

Mistakes and ....

.... happy accidents!

The first card is the one I was going to use for the Basic Grey Challenge only I used Crate Papers by mistake. I've also uploaded the close-up of the image because I like the shadows cast by the dimensional paper-pieced bits:



This second card is the first time I've used my Hero Arts Russian Dolls stamps. I was a bit nervous about them, as I had trouble initially with the Japanese Dolls, but I really loved using these - perhaps as they aren't so minimalist. Certainly suits the decorative BG Urban Prairie papers. Just noticed the picture is really blurry - I took it in too much of a hurry as I was rushing to the post office to post the card. Lesson learned!

Thanks for looking!

The Wrong....

.... birthday!!

I made this card for a forum friend, whose birthday is today (or so I thought!). When I posted it, I had a fleeting thought that her birthday was closer to Christmas than this, but thought no more about it.

Well, it turns out the list on the forum was wrong - it's 19th December, not November!! Oops!!!

Oh well, better early than late!! And look - it's not 144mm x 144mm!!! How daring!