Arty Girlz Spotz!

Todays Arty Girlz challenge is spots, dots and circles, anything round really! What luck as I rustled this Christmas card up this morning, hoping it would meet one of todays challenges! I have spots on my Basic Grey patterned paper and my brads and adhesive stones are also circles! I did a bit of paper piecing on the tree with more Basic Grey and also some K & Co Tim Coffey paper. I used Beate's sketch # 24 for this week for the layout. I have photographed it at a dodgy angle so it looks a very strange shape but it is actually rectangular in real life!

Supplies: White and dark green cardstock, Basic Grey Dasher paper, K & Co Tim coffey paper, Stamp I think is an old Anita's stamp but no markings on so cant be 100% sure, Papermania ribbon, Papermania adhesive stones, papermania brads, Gold embossing powder.

Circle of Friends

DCM are celebrating their 1st birthday this week so the dare this week is Circle of Friends.

The subject is, as in our original dare "friends", but this time the title is CIRCLE of FRIENDS and we'd like you to incorporate at least one circle into your card.

I hope my partial circle qualifies but my bling are also circles so I think I have met the challenge! It is rare that I do black and white but I thought this Basic Grey Scarletts Letter paper was perfect to go with the epoxy sticker so I decided to stick to the monochrome!

supplies: White and Black cardstock, Basic Grey Scarlett's Letter paper, Papermania bloom, Woodware flower punch, Papermania adhesive stones, EK success corner rounder, Provocraft Jemz sticker, Ribbon from Ribbon Oasis, Wire and beads from unknown origin.

Traditional Christmas!

Back to the traditional colours for this one! Quick post as we have family visiting and having a lovely but busy weekend!

Supplies: Panduro stamp, DCWV christmas stack, papermania ribbon, Papermania Adhesive stones.

Wildlife!

Yesterday we had a trip to the Wildlife Park, it was a fab day out, great weather and the animals performed brilliantly for us. They all popped out to have their photos taken, I love this one of the cute otter and the amazing wolves, I could bore you with another 160 photos but will stop at this!

Lola in shades of brown with pudding!

Another Lola with stitching! I so love using brown just now, even for Christmas cards!

Supplies: White, dark brown cardstock, Lola image from Pink Petticoat, DCWV Christmas stack, Cuttlebug embossing, Papermania adhesive stones, Dovecraft brads, Maya Road ribbon.

Lola in stitches!

This is the first time I have joined in with the Arty Girlz challenge, this week it is stitches, how could I resist? My sewing machine is permanently out in my craft now these days, I think stitches have to be one of my favourite things on cards just now. I used another one of the fab Lola images from Pink Petticoat.

Supplies: DCWV christmas stack, white and dark brown cardstock, gingham ribbon from fave craft shop now closed down sob, sob, freebie rub-on greeting, Papermania adhesive stones.

Oh Christmas Tree!

The Santa's Little Extra Helper over at DCM this week is to use Christmas Trees! I have quite a few of these die cut trees left over from last year along with these tags which are great for last minute cards. I found these lilac beads lying around on my desk so decided to go for the brown and lilac theme. I am into experimenting with my colours at the minute! It actually looks a lot better in real life, even my best critic DH remarked he liked it!

Supplies: White and dark brown cardstock, DCWV christmas stack, die cut shapes from Card Art, wire, gingham ribbon and beads unknown origin, Doodlebug tiny flower and Papermania brad.

You make me Smile award!

I have been given this award by Andrea and Marlou, thank you to you both! I now have to nominate 10 blogger pals who make me smile which is so difficult as there are so many people who visit here and leave fabulous comments and who have amazing blogs which both make me happy and inspire me to to continue my creative journey!

1. Juliet
2. Debbie
3. Rose Ann
4. Jeanette
5. Kaz
6. Ying
7. Carol
8. Helen
9. Maria
10. Theresa

I also want to award it to everyone who visits and leaves comments, I do appreciate everyone!

Where the wild things are...

the DCM dare this week was set by Kathy who wants to see animals:

Hellooooo, Kathy here to set you a really Beastly dare this week! The theme is ANIMAL and you can use anything that's animal inspired - not those diddy little ones like bugs, birds and butterflies (though you can include them in your design of course) but what I'd really like to see is bigger, wilder, more fabulous or fantastic creatures

I found some fantastic Halloween stickers in Asda at the weekend and thought this cute little monster would fit the bill!

Supplies: Stickers from Asda, white and black cardstock, Little Sizzles paper, vintage lace and rikrak.

Pink Ribbon Lola

Introducing the lovely Lola, I love these images from Pink Petticoat I downloaded them last week but this is the first time I have used one. I used watercolour paints, very carefully and thankfully no running ink! I used this gorgeous pink ribbon to meet the requirements of Saturday Stampers challenge this week.

Supplies: White and red cardstock, Patterned paper from DCWV Christmas Stack , greeting stamp from Studio G, dovecraft designer brads, photo turn from the Paper Company, Ribbon from Papermania and the photo hanger from a hardware store.

Back from trip!

We have been away for the weekend catching up with relatives, shopping etc. I didn't manage to get all the crafty supplies I was hoping for mainly because my favourite craft shop has closed down forever! I was devastated! I did get some goodies so looking forward to playing this week. I didn't get to play at all this weekend so here is one I made earlier, using a Sketch This Cards sketch.

Supplies: Bazzill brown card, turqoise and white cardstock, PSX stamp, papermania chipboard, Papermania brads, ribbon from Ribbon Oasis.

It's your day!

Made this card just for fun, I have been wanting to try this colour combination for a while after loving seeing it on both Maria's and Rose Ann's blogs recently. Particularly as I had these brads with the colours already put together!

Supplies: White and blue cardstock, brown bazzill, flowers by Papermania, brad by K & co, Paper is Basic Grey Motifica, rik rak from an ancient supply left me by my Nana, rub on sentiment was a recent magazine freebie.

Saturday Stampers DPOV

Saturday Stampers this week is DPOV (different point of view), we have to show 2 different creations with the same stamp. I have had this Whippersnapper stamp for a couple of years now and often find it difficult to use as it is so big, it tends to swamp the card. It is ideal for cutting up though so here are the 2 cards I made with it!

Supplies: Cream and dark green cardstock, Whipper Snapper stamp, Basic Grey Patterned paper from Dasher pack, Papermania adhesive stones, ribbons.

Supplies: White and dark green cardstock, Pearlised white card embossed with Cuttlebug embossing folder snowflakes, whipper snapper stamp, Papermania ribbon, Studio G greeting stamp, Papermania adhesive stones.

Santa's little extra helper and CPS#34

the DCM Santa's little extra helper this week is 'Christmas Words'.

Christmas Words
We'd like you to use Christmassy words on your card, not just in the sentiment but for this challenge the word/s should form the main focus of your card - like in Rhi's "In a Word" dare of a couple of weeks ago

I have been wondering how to use the CPS sketch #34 this week so decided this was a good time to do it.

Supplies: I used a stamp from a set of Christmas stamps from Lakeland Limited, I have had them for years, the sentiment says 'keep the spirit of christmas in your heart and honor it all year long'. the papers are Basic Grey Dasher pack, little charm from a candle bought in Au Natural during the sales, white cardstock and green bazzill. Ribbon and half pearls - don't know where they are from but I hope I spot some again as I am starting to get low on them!

Wow, this is so red, not my usual colour but I played with some alcohol inks and got this very red background to start from.
Supplies: Stamp from stamp set as above, black stazon, Adirondack alcohol inks - wild plum and caramel, acetate, MM eyelets, Papermania adhesive stones, Papers from Basic Grey Dasher pack, red ribbon.

4x4 Black and White

The 4x4 challenge last week was black and white, then I thought I would be clever and do this weeks too as I am late so I thought great, a black and white card for a man, easy peasy. Of course when I checked again the theme is actually men, not a card for a man but a card with men on, durr! So this card is for last week's challenge 'black and white'. I will get back to the drawing board on the men card! I have never made a square card this small before but they are so cute, I think this could be my new shape and size! Watch this space!

supplies: 3d topper from Lakeland Limited, white cardstock, black paper stamped with text using white ink, the text stamp is unmounted and doesn't have a name on so sorry don't know the make, black organza ribbon from Ribbon Oasis and celebrate was a free rub-on.

Snow fun for Beate's weekend sketch and Caardvarks

I made this Christmas card using Beate's sketch #22. It also fits into the 'paint' challenge on Caardvarks this week, as the image was coloured with watercolour paints. I tend to colour all my stamped images with paints as I find them the most convenient and I always start off with a very gentle colour and build up gradually until I am happy with the result.

supplies: Dark green and white cardstock, snowbear stamp by PSX, snow fun stamp by Studio G, K & Co. Holly vine glitter paper, ribbon and buttons unknown origin.

Tagged!

I have been tagged by Helen. Here are the rules:

''Here are the rules which you must abide by if you are tagged.1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.''

1. I used to be a nanny.

2. I have a fear of heights and hate flying. I don't mind being at the top of a hill as long as my feet are on the ground.

3. I drink Earl grey tea and love lattes.

4. I have a real phobia of dead animals (odd as I used to be a nurse so it is not death just dead animals)

5. My youngest children are twins.

6. I am researching my family tree.

7. I am planning to grow my own vegetables.

7 blogpals to tag next:Juliet , Marlou , Ying, Rose Ann, Maria, Flossie and My Paper World

DCM Answers on a postcard and Wednesday Stamper!

I had to think about this one! Jane set the DCM dare this week, asking us to make a postcard!

Hello Happy Darers !!! It's Jane here ! It's my turn to dare again .........and I'm still on the postal theme ......yep thats right - I want you to design a post card - and whats more I want you to actually post it! Aren't I mean ? Honestly, its not as bad as it sounds- just a bit more thinking 'outside the square'.....excuse the pun :0).

I made mine with autumnal colours so it fit into the theme for Wednesday Stampers too!

Supplies: Cream and Brown cardstock, Basic Grey Motifica paper, Stamp by Inkadinkado, Maya road journey ribbon, Basic Grey rub-ons.

Before I started I printed on the back to make a postcard, but decided to make it a drinks party invitation, which I will be sending out just as soon as I set the date!

CPS/CardMaker travel postcards

This is my entry for the CPS and CardMaker magazine contest. I chose the category Travel Postcards. The deadline is this saturday 6th October so there is still time to enter yet!

Supplies: White and dark brown cardstock, Basic Grey Motifica paper and words, Papermania blooms, Basic Grey word brad, postcard paper and tag are from a vintage scrapbooking pack from Hot of the Press. Beige ribbon is Maya road journey, Don't forget paper from a notepad, papermania photo anchor.

DCM Little Extra Post Haste

The DCM little extra this week was to use a postage stamp on your card. I hunted around the house for ages trying to find one, it is so hard these days as a lot of letters now have printed postage on the envelopes. I eventually dug this one out of my eldest daughter's old stationery box. It was on a postcard sent to her from a friend on holiday in France! I thought it had a festive look to it with being red and having little stars on it, perfect for a christmas card!

Supplies: White and red cardstock, Doodlebug patterned papers, wording printed out from PC, Prima Flowers, Doodlebug dotty brads and Papermania organza ribbon.

Beate's file folder - christmas list holder!

This week Beate didn't have a sketch challenge, instead she asked us to make a file folder, the instructions are here. I decided as soon as I saw it that it would make a great christmas list holder. I am fed up of having lists thrust at me only to mislay them or forget which was the current one! Of course now I need to make 3 more!

Supplies: White cardstock, doodlebug patterned paper, Doodlebug ribbon, Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder, Ek success punch, Studio G stamp.

Cuttlebug in a Sizzix

A couple of weeks ago I was about to order a cuttlebug as I loved the embossing folders. I was told that the folders worked in a Sizzix machine so I decided to experiment. I found a book that was just deep enough to squeeze through the machine although I also added a sheet of funky foam as I wanted slightly more depth to the embossing. I sandwiched the embossing folder between the funky foam and the book on top of the cutting mat. As you can see it works pretty well! I think the system converter works with them but if like me you don't have one then a book does fine!

This calls for more shopping I think!

Treasure and a Moo card!

Saturday Stampers asked us to put our treasure onto our projects this week. As my most precious thing is my family I decided this lovely house stamp with its beautiful sentiment best summed up my treasure!

Supplies: Cream and dark brown cardstock, Crate papers twig and peony, Stamp is Home and heart collection by Create-it, Maya road ribbon, metal heart plaque.

My Moo card made for the Wednesday stamper challenge . I have not ever come across these tiny cards before, they are only 27mm x 70mm, which is minute! I really struggled to find things small enought to fit! I ended up using up some tiny bits of leftovers that I found on my desk.....mmmm I might make some more of these!

The First of the month!

Happy October! Another Christmas card! Once again I used my gorgeous Basic Grey Dasher pack, well there are a lot of papers in there! The tag is a Karen Foster sticker as is the greeting, I love these images traditional looking but fun!

Supplies: Basic grey Dasher pack, karen foster stickers, papermania brads, Dovecraft Christmas fibres, Dark green and red cardstock, dark green organza ribbon.

Another Christmas card!

I made this card last night, I know another Christmas card but I need lots of them ready for October! I made it while my internet connection was playing up and I think my frustration shows in it, I am not really satisfied with the result. I do love the image though, it is so cute.

Supplies: Royal and Langnickel rub-ons, Basic Grey Dasher pack, red, white and navy cardstock, red ribbon and these little silver things that I salvaged from somewhere, I don't think they are true craft supplies but they work for me!

Tagged!

I was tagged this week by Juliet and Ying, thanks to you both for thinking of me!

4 Places I have worked:

Bingo hall
Campsite in France
Hospital
Primary School

4 Places I have lived

Northumberland
London
France (3 months only)
Scotland

4 places I have visited

Far East
Italy
USA
Switzerland

4 favourite foods

Christmas lunch
Haggis
Olives
Chocolate

4 places I would rather be

Sorry, I can't do this one as there is no place I would rather be than home with my lovely family!

Okay I have to tag 4 more people who will hopefully play too.
Jeanette
Jojo
Asia wu
Stampowl

DCM dare, Frames

This weeks DCM dare was to use a frame on your card:

This week I’d like you to use a FRAME or FRAMES on your card. You can use any type of frame you so wish. How about a die cut frame or a hand cut frame. You can frame your card with brackets or flowers or how about some doodling - the choice is yours.

The frame I used is a Style Stone. I have had these for a couple of years and not known what to do with them, now I have the perfect reason to use one! They come in a beige colour ready to ink up. I used a normal ink pad which took a long time to dry,even with a heat gun! In fact, it was still tacky when I put it on here but it is ok!

Supplies: White and dark green cardstock, Inkadinkado stamp, Karen Foster sticker (Holly), Organza ribbon, prima flowers and papermania dotty brads. Patterned paper Basic Grey from Dasher pack.

Ben Nevis card

A card made for a hill runner! The photograph (taken on Ben Nevis) was printed on linen effect white card and inked around the edges. I think it has a bit of a Celtic look to it.

Supplies: Dark green cardstock, Basic Grey patterned papers from the Dasher pack, Circular greeting made in Word, dovecraft christmas fibres, button, metal plaque I think is Scrapbook basics but got rid of the packaging a long time ago.

Vroom and CPS #32

I used the fantastic CPS sketch #32 for this weeks DCM little extra all about transport:

Vroooooooom.................

Cars, Boats, Trains & Planesis the theme for our Little Extra challenge this week. A good chance to stock up on kids cards and make a few of those poor, unloved "cards for men", maybe? How about "congratulations on Passing your Driving test" or "Got your Wings" for newly qualified pilots? - ok so we may be reaching a bit far with that one, but you never know! Basically, what we'd like you to do is put some transport on your cards this week, how you do it is up to you!

Supplies: Panduro Tilda boat stamp, Studio G boy stamp, white and navy cardstock, papermania patterned papers, Papermania designer dots brads, ribbon from Ribbon Oasis.

Rainbows

It has rained here virtually non-stop for 2 weeks so last night when the sun did eventually show itself again we were treated to the most beautiful vibrant rainbows, you can just see the second on between the trees on the right of this pic!

I couldn't believe how vibrant it became, managed to get some great shots before the sun went away and it rained again!