From one extreme ....

.... to the other!  We went to my friend's son's 21st party at the weekend, and also in attendance were other friends with their new baby, Matthew - all of 5 days old!!  He is the cutest little guy, and also the most calm and tranquil baby I've seen in a long time.  But in case you think I was getting broody, I wasn't - I am so glad I'm past that stage!!!  I made this card for him:

I used the sketch from this week's Sweet Sketch Wednesday, and I'm also entering it in the following challenges: Mo's Digital Challenge ("Anything Goes"), Cupcake Craft Challenge ("In Stitches") and The Cute Pie Challenge ("No Flowers").

I used one of Mo Manning's cute baby images - here's a closer look, followed by a side-shot of the dimension of this card.

Recipe:

Papers: MME "Stella Rose - Hattie"

Image: Mo Manning "Binky Baby"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Brads and ric-rac from stash, buttons - Basic Grey "Granola".

Thanks for looking!

And another ....

.... one!  Yes, I know, I'm slightly shocked at the quick turnaround, why couldn't I have done this all summer long, I would now have a box full of cards for any and all occasions instead of having panicky deadlines all the time!!! 

We're back to school tomorrow, sigh, but one of our teachers is retiring - she's having a big luncheon at her house today for all the staff and I made this card for her:

The little tag says on one side "Goodbye Tension" and on the other, as you can see, "Hello Pension"!

I used the sketch from this week's Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering this into the following challenges: Mo's Digital Challenge ("Distressing"), The Shabby Tea Room (inspiration photo, distressing + title/sentiment), Shopping our Stash ("Use your Favourite Things" - mine are patterned paper, distressing, stitching) and Basic Grey Challenges ("Anything Goes").

I used another of Mo's fab images, my teacher friend is an avid gardener, so this is perfect for her.  Here's a closer look:

 

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Kissing Booth"

Image: Mo Manning "Eileen"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Dies: Nestabilities "Petite Oval Large" and "Petite Scalloped Oval Large"

Other: Prima and Wild Orchid flowers, net, ribbon, pins and bling from stash, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!

Ever left everything ....

.... until the last minute? That's me this Christmas - I still haven't started the Christmas shopping, the house is a tip, the days are definitely ticking away faster than they should be!! Eeek!!

On the plus side, my card from a few posts ago here has been picked as one of the Top 3 on CES Challenges (yayy - a blinkie!!).

I had time between batches of Christmas cards to do a commission. One of my colleagues asked me to do a graduation card, I hmmed and hawed because I didn't think I would have time, but then she told me the name of the graduate - and she was such a lovely child when she was at our school a million years ago that I had to say yes. So I was in the craftroom most of the weekend between Christmas cards and this:

I used the sketch from this week's Sketch Saturday, and I'm also entering it into quite a few challenges that it fits, namely: The Crafty Pad ("Give it a Punch"), Charisma Cardz ("Spots"), Cute Card Thursday ("It's just a number"), Crafts and Me ("Pearls and Swirls"), Simon Says Stamp ("Anything Goes") - and, this might be a bit cheeky, Mo's Digital Challenge ("Great Outdoors" - it does say the topic is broad - Mo's DT - can we say this girl has just ran outside waving her degree and throwing her mortarboard in the air? If not, I completely understand!).

I used this lovely image from Mo - that robe was hard to colour in black, really it's ended up faded grey but I hadn't time to go over it again. I decided to match it with black/cream papers and add a few touches of bling to make it nice and celebratory. Here's a close-up of the image:

Recipe:

Papers: Cosmo Cricket "Circa 1934"

Image: Mo Manning "Grad Girl"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Fiskars "Threading Water" punch, Hero Arts Smooth Gems, Prima swirl, needle + thread

After I finished, we went into town to meet friends for a coffee, Grafton Street looked gorgeous all lit up and festive in the dark. Here's a pic I found on the internet - not a great shot but you get the idea:

Thanks for looking!

Lots of ....

.... in-jokes in the project I'm showing you today. 

I rarely make very personalised cards, apart from adding a name or an age.  I can't imagine anything worse than having to make a card for a 70 year old school caretaker who likes drinking whiskey and betting on racehorses (this was a real card a crafting buddy had to make - I would have said "No" to that particular commission and ran screaming in the opposite direction)!!

Friends of ours had a joint 40th birthday party on Saturday night - it was a vinyl party, everyone had to bring old records - we had a very odd mix of 60s soul, 70s disco and 80s electronic, based on the age and record collections of those present!  The birthday couple, especially the guy, are big fans of Father Ted and can quote great chunks of the episodes verbatim, so we decided to get them a copy of The Specials "Ghost Town" as a joke present and base the card/gift holder around it.  Here's what I made:

Front cover:

Inside, with pocket for gift cards on left, and 7" record holder on right:

Here's a close-up of the Mo Manning dancing nuns image.  For embellishment, I typed out various Father Ted quotes and stuck them down, haven't put close ups 'cos some of them are a bit rude (nothing stopping you from clicking on the image, though)!!

It was a busy weekend, on Sunday we went to a car show.  The weather was glorious.   Here's a few pics:

The two Minis we brought - blue Traveller to the front, black Cooper behind:

Some fab VW camper vans and a divine Fiat 500:

The Minis all lined up in the sunshine:

And I was delighted to finally meet a fellow blogger, Margie.  She and I have been talking for over two years, but have never met in real life until now - it was an absolute pleasure to chat to her and her lovely niece, Rommeij.  Here we are in front of Margie's lovely Morris Minor Traveller - and see that necklace I'm wearing, it made an interesting pattern on my sunburn - the bit I forgot to put sunblock on.  Duh! 

(Iif you were wondering about the Father Ted/Ghost Town connection, here's a utube video of the piece of the relevant episode)

Thanks for looking!

Yessssssssss ....

.... holidays are here at last!!!!  I am so happy - and relieved, it's been a very, very busy year.  Nine weeks of sloth and hibernation ahead.  Yippee!

The last of this week's rush cards was for my son's teacher - here's what I made for her:

I used this week's sketch from Mojo Monday, and I'm also entering it into Mo's Digital Challenge ("Book or Story" - mine is a school reader called "10 Red Apples") and Creative Inspirations ("Summer").

Thanks to my friend Anne for the fab seam binding - Anne, it is lovely stuff to work with and very crumpleable!! 

I used this gorgeous new Mo Manning image - isn't he such a cute little fella with the plaster on his elbow.  Here's a close up:

Recipe:

Papers: October Afternoon "Thrift Shop"

Image: Mo Manning "For Teacher"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Seam binding, flower stamps and red e.p., Hero Arts smooth gems, needle + thread

Am off to bed now and will have a massive sleep-in in the morning - woohoo!!  I love holidays!

Thanks for looking!

The end ....

.... is nigh!!  End of school year, that is.  One and a half days to go, woohoo, then two months of sleep-ins, late breakfasts, even later lunches, and lots of time for crafting!!

I was delighted recently when Timi and Nicole from Crafting Ireland Magazine asked me if I would like to be showcased in the Designer Spotlight section in the second issue of their online mag.  I didn't have to be asked twice!!  So the issue went live yesterday, and I'm so excited to see my work "in print"!!!

On the current craft front, I'm still trying to struggle through the school housekeeper's card orders before we close, here's the next one:

I used the sketch from this week's Sunday Sketch and Stamp, and I'm entering this into The Shabby Tea Room ("My Favourite Things" - I love these papers and love making my own chipboard embellishments) and The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge ("Embossing").

Here's a side view of the layers - I love that embossing folder:

Recipe:

Papers: Cosmo Cricket "Circa 1934

Image: Mo Manning "The Tramp"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Cuttlebug "Tiny Bubbles" embossing folder, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!

No more excuses ....

.... I'm back, trying to work out what I've been doing since the 22nd April (not much!!), and showing the one solitary card I've made since then.  I had the most lovely Easter hols, the Royal Wedding was a fab way to finish off the fortnight - what a fun day - there was practically a me-shape in the sofa when I finally got up, 'cos I didn't move off it all day long!!!  Back to school then, and it was straight in the deep end - this summer term is so very short it's manic trying to fit everything in.  Had a great Saturday night this weekend at our friends' house watching the Eurovision Song Contest - we were disappointed that Jedward didn't win - but that still didn't make the evening any less fun.

I've made this card for another of my husband's infernal nephews - quite late, but as we knew we weren't going to see him until this weekend, I let the deadline slip by ..... emmmm .... only a month and 2 days.  Bad auntie!!  Here's what I did:

I'm entering this into the following challenges: Basic Grey Challenges ("Mix & Match" - I've used Wander papers and I think the buttons are Mellow), Mo's Digital Challenge ("Here Comes Summer" - the colours are quite bright and summery, I think), Paper Sundaes ("Birthdays"), and Stamp Something ("Anything Goes").

I used this excellent Mo Manning image and decided to try out colouring on kraft with prismas - quite hard not to obliterate the lines of the image - and the sansodor tends to soak in quite a bit, but I'm reasonably happy with the result overall.  Here's a closer look:

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Wander"

Image: Mo Manning "Video Boy"

Colouring Medium: Prismacolor Pencils and Sansodor

Sentiment: Computer generated by me!

Other: BG Buttons, Tim Holtz crackle paint around edge of image, hairy string, needle + thread

Now I have to try and sort out a card for my "little" brother's 40th this weekend - I have no idea what to get him or what to put on his card (well, maybe a 4 and a 0!) - and he hasn't yet told us what he'd like to do for the event.

Thanks for looking - I promise to be a better blogger!!

Hellooooo, and happy ....

.... holidays (to those who are on holidays, that is!).  We've been off school since this day last week, and I've been up to not much - the usual holiday sleepathon for the first few days and catching up on housework and laundry after that.  The weather has been absolutely gorgeous all week, warm and bright with lots of hazy sunshine.  So while the washing was drying in super fast time on the line in the garden, I was "supervising" it on a seat under a tree with a book!!!

I have two Easter cards to show you - the first is my late (only very slightly!) DT entry for this week's PaperPlay - our challenge is "Easter Time":

Recipe:

Paper: October Afternoon "Seaside"

Image: Mami Doodles

Colouring Medium: Prismacolour pencils and Sansodor

Other: Ribbon and flower from stash, MME tiny alphas, needle + thread

I don't usually make Easter cards, but as we're going to stay with friends down in Wicklow this weekend, I thought I'd make an Easter rather than a thank you card.  Quite a quick and simple card for me, using one of our old PaperPlay DT teamie, Elisa's, digis from her online store Mami Doodles.

My second card is my GDT for Basic Grey Challenges - the challenge went up on Saturday, and I was sure I had posted it here too on that day, but I obviously didn't!!  Anyway, the challenge is also "Easter", and this card is for my stepmother's birthday this weekend.  It's only the second time in her life that she can remember Easter coinciding with her birthday, so I thought Easter colours and image would be appropriate.  Here's what I made:

I used yet another of Mo Manning's adorable images, I just love them so much!!!  Here's a close-up (is it my eyes, or are the pics of this card a bit out of focus?):

Recipe:

Papers: BG "Origins"

Image: Mo Manning "Easter Bunny 1"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Punches: Fiskars "Threading Water" and MS "Doily Lace"

Other: Ribbon from stash, needle + thread

I'm entering both these cards into the following challenges: Creative Inspirations "Pets/Animals", Fussy & Fancy Friday "Springtime" - and I'm also adding my second card to A Spoon Full of Sugar "Let's Celebrate", Truly Scrumptious "Vintage" and Cute Card Thursday "No Text".

Thanks for looking - off now to get ready to go to our friends' place - barbecue, yum!!  But I see the sun has gone in - oh well, who cares, doesn't matter what the weather does as long as it's the holidays!

It's Thursday ....

.... and by rights, I ought to be posting my PaperPlay DT card, but .... (hangs head in shame!) .... I didn't make one!!  Our challenge this week is "Critters Galore" and we're sponsored by Simon Says Stamp - pop over to PaperPlay and see what my exemplary teamies have made!!

While they were being good girls, I was struggling with a card for my Father-in-Law, who has just retired.  It was a difficult one - he has no hobbies, hates animals (hence no critter card!) and adored his job.  Ack, what to do?  Here's what I eventually ended up with:

I used the sketch from this week's Truly Scrumptious, and am also entering this into Papertake Weekly ("Anything Goes"), Creative Inspirations ("Punches & Dies") and Craft Your Passion ("Anything Goes").

I took ages to decide what image to use on this card, and ended up picking this one of Mo Manning's, I think Charlie looks as though he's celebrating something!  I first saw the sentiment on one of Annika's fab cards a few weeks ago - I asked her if I could use it, and apparently it's been around for ages!!  Thanks all the same, Annika!!  I clear embossed the clocks (with no hands - subtle retirement reference, I thought!).  Here's a close-up of the image:

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Wander"

Image: Mo Manning "The Tramp"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Heidi Swapp clock stamps, BG buttons from stash, scallop punch, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!

If card-making was my job ....

.... I'd be living in a cardboard box by the side of the road by now!!  Honestly, I'm such a slug - I really need to crank up a gear or two or several and make more things!

But the reason I'm here is I did make something!!!  Another baby girl card, and I only realised after I'd made it that I made a card for a girl called Olivia using Basic Grey "Olivia" papers.  Serendipity!!  Here's my card:

I've used the sketch from this week's Sketch Saturday and I'm also entering it into the following challenges: Mo's Digital Challenge ("Oh Baby"), Wild Orchid Challenges ("Anything Goes"), A Spoon Full of Sugar ("Shabby/Vintage") and Stamp Something (Digi week).

I used another cute image from Mo Manning, it's part of a set called "Diaper Crew".  Here's a close-up:

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Olivia"

Image: "Diaper Days" by Mo Manning

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Wild Orchid flowers, nestabilities, ribbon and doily from stash, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!  I'll hopefully have another card to share before the weekend (but don't hold your breath!)

Last day of ....

.... freedom, we're back to school tomorrow, sigh.  It's been a lovely long relaxing three weeks off - now the house is clean, the laundry is done and tomorrow it'll all be a distant memory!!!

I went to a crop yesterday, had a lovely day chatting and laughing (and eating!), and making one card!!  Here's what I made:

I used the sketch from this week's Friday Sketchers.  I'm also entering this into the following challenges: Mo's Digital Challenge ("Going Retro"), Creative Cottage ("Something New") and Stamp Something ("Use a Digi").

I used papers from October Afternoon and Cosmo Cricket.  I used a gorgeous digi image from Mo Manning and coloured with distress inks yet again. Here's a close-up:

Recipe:

Papers: October Afternoon "Thrift Shop" and Cosmo Cricket "Circa 1934"

Image: Mo Manning "Angelina with Balloons"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: MS Punch, ribbon and buttons from stash, needle + thread

 
Thanks for looking!
 

It's all gone ....

.... the snow, that is.  It thawed astonishingly quickly.  We went from having to dig the car out of the snow on Christmas morning and only just about make it a mile or so to church and to family for dinner, to being able to drive my brother the 20 miles to his home on Boxing Day on clear roads.

And I actually made a card.  It's an extremely belated birthday card for my husband's nephew, who was 19 some time back, and with one thing and another, I only just got to make his card.  I'm sure he won't mind, since I put some extra guilt money inside!!  Here's what I made:

I used the sketch from this week's Friday Sketchers, and am also entering this into Creative Card Crew ("birthdays") and Simon Says Stamp ("Anything Goes").

I used the same Mo Manning digi stamp that I used for another 19 year old's card back in September.  Mo's images are just so clever, and great to colour.  After I had finished the card, I realised I ought to have put something else on, maybe a few metal things, brads or suchlike, but it was too late - all was stuck down.  Oh well!!  Here's a close-up of the image:

Recipe:

Papers: Basic Grey "Granola"

Image: "Simon" by Mo Manning

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Hairy String, needle + thread, bronze crackle paint (on numbers)

Thanks for looking!  Next on my list is yet another baby girl card, again a bit belated. 

Aaaaah, it's the ....

.... weekend!!  Thank goodness, that was an intense three days back on the chain gang - our acting principal turned to me at the end of Wednesday and said, with all seriousness "Are you always this busy?"  Welcome to my world, bud!!!!  Got some happy news yesterday and today - my card from my last post won Sketch Saturday and got Top 5 on Stamp Something.  I am so chuffed - a voucher from one and a blinkie from the other, happy days!!  I have to apologise for the lack of commenting I've done this week, I've missed seeing everyone's work, and intend to get a good look over the weekend.

I was talking in my last post about having to make a card for a 19 year old, well it's taken a few days but I finished it this morning.  Here's what I made:

I used the sketch from this week's Truly Scrumptious and also the optional extra to use a knot somewhere on the card.  I'm also entering it into Double Dutch (favourite challenge - mine is #38 - Boys only), Creative Cottage ("celebrations") and SFTW ("shabby or vintage").

I laughed when I first saw the Mo Manning digi that I got for this card, it's the living image of the birthday boy, right down to skateboard, hat and all!!! I used a lot of orange on the card, both in colouring and the papers, as it's his favourite colour.  I made the numbers from chipboard, covered with orange paper, inked and crackle glazed.  Here's a close-up of the image:

And I thought I'd pop in a side-shot of the layers and dimension too:

Recipe:

Image: "Simon" by Mo Manning

Papers: Basic Grey "Archaic"

Colouring Medium: Distress Inks

Other: Cuttlebug Embossing folder, hairy string, WRMK eyelets, glossy accents, crackle accents, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!

Last day of ....

.... freedom - oh, I'm so not ready to go back to school, but alas, I have no choice.  I practised getting up early today (8 o'clock!!) and I did not like it, what'll I be like tomorrow when the waking hour is SEVEN!! I think the kids will be prising MY fingers from the doorframe and pulling ME out the door by my ankles!!

In keeping with the week that's in it, the theme on Creative Card Crew this fortnight is "Back to School".  We are sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and the winner will receive a $15 store credit.  Check out what my talented teamies have made.

I had no school themed stuff, so I decided to buy one of Mo Manning's beautiful images, it's my first one of hers.  Here's the card I made:

Update 3rd Sep: This card was picked as a Top 5 on Stamp Something - thank you, ladies - another blinkie - yayyyy!
Update 4th Sep: This card was picked as Winner on Sketch Saturday - thanks so much!

I've used the sketch from this week's Sketch Saturday.  I'm also entering it into the following challenges: Fussy & Fancy Friday ("Back to School"), Stamp Something (another "Back to School"), Cute Card Thursday ("Dieing for a Punch" - no punches or dies), Shabby Tea Room ("Old/New" - my old is the papers, new is the image) and a new challenge blog, CES Challenges ("Anything Goes").

I think I may have finally beaten my digi troubles.  I printed the image in "everyday" setting rather than "normal", and heat set it with my heat gun a few times and left it overnight before I coloured (with distress inks of course!) and I am pretty happy with the result.  Thanks to Mina for the printing hints, and also to Deirdre and Sandie for the "Adjust contrast" photoshopping hints (what a difference it makes!)!!  Here's a close-up of my image:

Recipe:

Papers: Fancy Pants "The Daily Grind"

Stamps: Hero Arts "Apple" and Mo Manning "Erasmus"

Colouring Medium: Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Other: Fancy Pants ribbon, scallop edge scissors, needle + thread

Thanks for looking!