Sunday, 30 October 2011

Dream Valley Challenge 19 - Anything Goes


Over at Dream Valley, we have a super-easy challenge for you: Anything Goes!!  And, as we can make ANYTHING over at Dream Valley (not just cards), I was spoilt for choice of what to make for this challenge - a card, jewellery, a scrap layout, a framed picture......and FINALLY decided on a handbag!

I first saw this amazing creation in our Top 3 for challenge 12 Surprise theme by The Navy Wife.  I absolutely HAD to give it a try and found that the instructions are really well written, so it is actually pretty easy (although a little fiddly) to make!  Here is the link for the instructions.

I made this handbag for my sister in law as a birthday card and voucher holder....and I included a bracelet too.  This is the inside of it:
And I also made one for my friend's 40th birthday:
I made little cards for us each to write a birthday message on and they were tucked into the circles in the centre of the handbag:
Yep, I LOVE making these cute little handbags and people really love them!

So, what will you make for us this challenge?  Unfortunately, we have been let down by our sponsor this fortnight, but MELLY is very kindly offering a very lucky person a £10 voucher to use in the winner's choice of either Crafty Emma's delish shop OR Saturated Canary's Digi's image Esty store!! Pity I can't enter - I LOVE Emma's store AND the Sarurated Canary's gorgeous images!
I can't wait to see what you create for us:0)

Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Sugar Bowl Challenge 70


 A week since my last post and it's another fairy!  My other Fairy Glen purchase, Hazel and Nutty.  But the colours are a bit different to my original plan.  I chose my papers, tested colours on scrap, coloured her in and decided it didn't look right!  So I changed her dress to brown (because that was the only colour that worked over the original turquoise) and decided that it actually looked alright!  Which is brilliant, considering I nearly chucked in the bin after starting again!!!

So, I have coloured her with Promarkers and Stardust Stickles.  And, after seeing the current Sugar Bowl sketch and CAS theme, I abandoned my papers and did this instead!  I cut the leaves from scrap using a flower die and added a little Platinum Stickles, added a bit of twine and some brown card for matting and that's it - clean and simple, just the way I like it!

I would like to enter the following challenges:
The Sugar Bowl - Sketch and Clean and Simple theme
One Stop Craft Challenge - No Designer Paper
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

And what I did with my second Hazel & Nutty image, using a broken photo frame and some bits and pieces in Lily's favourite colour, ornage.  (Gave it to Lily today and she likes it!)

I'd like to enter Passion For Promarkers challenge - For a child

Wednesday, 19 October 2011

The ever so Cute Delia!


I LOVED the Fairy Glen release from Sugar Nellie!  It was such a difficult decision choosing which fairies were to come and live with me, afterall, I couldn't justify a BIG spend, so I settled on Delia and Hazel & Nutty!

I've tried a different Promarker colour combo for Delia: Grey Green, Tea Green, Pastel Pink, Baby Pink, Tan, then skin & hair and Platinum Stickles.  And I'm definitely going to use it again as it looks pretty with the First Edition Summer Bloom papers.   Looking at the photo, I think I need to add a bit more shading to her dress.....

I've used my nesties and cut some stars from embossed pink paper and found some brown lace tape that I found in Costco ages ago (it's across the centre).

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
The Sugar Bowl - fab sketch (still not used the photo inspiration)
My Time to Craft - Punches and Dies

Sunday, 16 October 2011

Dream Valley Challlenge 18 - Halloween


For our Dream Valley challenge this fortnight, our theme is Halloween, so I decided to make a scrap page of a wee Halloween party that we had a few years ago.  Lou was 5 years ago and, for the first time ever, wanted to dress up as a witch rather than a princess!  I did face painting for the other girls too - green faces with a black spider and web.  Lou had a front tooth missing so looked even more witch like!

For my layout, I have used papers from stash that Melly gave me yonks ago, with an embossed spider web (highlighted with white pen), a witch charm, a toy spider (given a glitter-over with some Stickles) and lots of red gems.  I'd printed the small photos in black and white, then decided that colour would probably look better, but then ended up using all of them!  There's a lot going on in this page, which is unusual for me.....most of the time I think it works, and some of the time I think its too cluttered!  Oh, and the orange spotty ribbon came from someone's birthday cake!

Anyway, for this challenge, we are sponsored by Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps - the lucky winner will receive either 5 digital stamps, or 4 digital stamps and a digital paper pack - fab!

I'm looking forward to seeing your Halloween creations! 

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

Sugar Bowl Challenge 69

As you can see, I didn't use the photo inspiration for this card, just the Sugar Bowl sketch, but hopefully I'll get the chance to play again soon, with the photo too.

I wasn't sure how the sketch would look with the 7x5 card blank but I'm quite happy that it's worked.  Simply Sassy Carnival Balloon has been coloured with Distress Inks, using my beautiful new Tumbled Glass DI - I LOVE this colour!!  The papers are Dovecraft Sugar and Spice, sentiment from LOTV and embellies kept to a minimum with a few punched hearts to mirror those on the image.

(I generally favour clean and simple, and also tend to keep cards fairly flat, which my customers like, but I DO love the layered, textured, more eclectic styles of others - just not that good at it myself!!)

Anyway, I would also like to enter:
The ABC Challenge - Anything Goes
Anything Goes Challenge - Die cuts (Nesties for sentiment) and/or punches (hearts)
CRAFT Challenge - Bright Colours
Fab 'n' Funky - Die cuts (Nesties for sentiment) and Punches (hearts)
One Stop Craft - Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday - Use Designer Papers


Friday, 7 October 2011

A Simple Little Ballerina


Last Friday I had a wee coffee morning with some of my friends in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.  I had my cards and jewellery out as well and my lovely friends bought a few bits and ordered some stuff too.

And this is one of those orders (hopefully it's been given to the recipient).  It is LOTV Little Ballerina, coloured with Promarkers and Silver Stickles.  The paper is First Edition Summer Bloom with some silver paper from stash.  I've kept it really simple with the die cut image (whatever would I do without my circle and scalloped circle nesties and Big Shot?!), some ribbon and a charm.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Anything Goes - Die cuts and Punches
The Cutie Pie - Bingo (Glitter, sentiment and charm)
Fab 'n' Funky - Die cuts or punches
Let's Ink it Up - Think Pink
Simon Says - Sparkle and Bling (the glittery paper and Stickled hairband/tutu)

Sunday, 2 October 2011

Dream Valley Challlenge 17 - Monochrome

I love monochrome.....but I don't particularly love purple....But for Dream Valley's Monochrome Challenge, I decided to challenge myself by using Purple and using a 5 x 7 card blank (I do love my square ones). 

This lovely cute image is Party Princess and she's been coloured with Promarkers.  The papers are a Papermania Henbury Lane with a few (normally neglected) items from stash.  I've also used my Cuttlebug embossing foldres for the heart background and the spotty hearts.  I use these folders SOOOO much in my cards, especially lately with the wedding/anniversary orders I've had. 

This fortnight we are sponsored by the fabulous One Stop Card Crafts, so what monochrome project will you come up with.....I can't wait to see!

I would also like to enter the following challenges:
CES Challenge - Totally Gorjuss / Pretty Girls
The ABC Challenge - A is for Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Sunday, 25 September 2011

A Few Challenges


 This first card is made using the extremely cute Dougal from Sugar Nellie.  I've coloured him with Promarkers and teamed him with some Dovecraft Sugar and Spice paper (the brown one) and some First Edition Up, Up & Away papers.  With just a simple sentiment and some rafia to finish.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
*Mojo Monday - The fab sketch I followed
*One Stitch at a Time - Favourites (the First Edition Up, Up & Away paper, Promarkers and circle/scalloped circle nesties)
*Sweet Stampin' - Anything Goes
Paper Sundaes - Anything Goes
*Anything Goes - Anything Goes
*Hanna and Friends - Anything Goes
*Papertake Weekly - Creature Comforts
*Here Come the Boys - Bingo (Rafia, Cute Image, 2 Squares)
And my next card was a last minute order for a friend: 5oth Birthday with a caravan theme.  The caravan is a picture from the web, decoupaged, with papers from stash, which I think came from Clare

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
*Creative Inspirations - Let's Celebrate
*The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes


Hope you've had a good weekend, folks.  We've had a lovely weekend: Loch Katrine yesterday and Peebles today.  Absolutely stunning scenery in both places.  Today, we were checking out the mountain biking place at Glen Tress, so hopefully we'll get there next weekend.

Take care!

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Another Sugar Bowl Entry

Wow, don't tell anyone, but I think I might be getting my act together again with this blogging lark!  I'm trying to blog more regularly and enter more challenges again, just need to manage my time more effectively and hope that life doesn't get in the way again!  And I'm entering the Sugar Bowl again.

Anyway, this is the beautiful Simply Sassy City Girl.  I LOVE her hair and her dress sense, although I wouldn't have the bottle to wear those boots!  I've coloured her with Promarkers and been a bit more daring with the hair (using Ivory for the light bits) and I'm really pleased with the result.  Must be more daring more often.....maybe I should get those boots after all, huh?!!  The papers are a mix of Memory Box Spearmint and First Edition Up, Up & Away - using up my scraps.  I've also cut a scalloped bit of mulberry paper I've had for ages and pleated some scrap ribbon.

I think I'm becoming addicted to these Sassys, thanks to Elaine (yep, I'm blaming you AGAIN!!) sending some images to me a while ago.... and the new release......I need to sell some crafty stuff to pay for my addiction, methinks!!

Tuesday, 20 September 2011

Little Pom Pom

Good morning peeps.  I'm just sneeking a bit of blogging time before collecting Euan from nursery as I've been so good with the housework!

So, this is little Pom Pom from LOTV - cute, isn't she?  Thanks, Clare, for letting me stamp her a few weeks ago.  I've coloured her with Promarkers and a few different kinds of Stickles (Stardust and Silver, I think).

The papers are my beautiful First Edition Summer Bloom ones - they're so nice, and Pom Pom is so cute that the layout is really simple, with just a bit of matting and a little bow.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
*Top Tip Tuesday - One for the Kids
*Anything Goes - Anything Goes at Anything Goes!

Sunday, 18 September 2011

Dream Valley Challenge 16 - Buttons

Well, I REALLY can't believe that we are on challenge 16 over at Dream Valley already....where on earth is time going to?

This challenge is "Buttons" and we are sponsored by Digis With Attitude.

For this challenge, I have used my new Peek a Boo from Funkykits.  Isn't she adorable?  And she looks just like Lily, who gave this card to her daddy and orange is her favourite colour!  And, as LIly is as cute as a button, it was fitting that I included buttons as the flower centres and as embellishments!!

As it is all orangey, I think I could enter some autumn challenges, so:
Crafty Purple Frog - Fall into Fall
Craft us Crazy - Goodbye to Summer
Heidis Hobbystuggo - Fall Colours
Delicious Doodles - Cute as a Button
Digi Doodle Shop - Autumn Colours

Have a fantastic Sunday and happy crafting!

Friday, 16 September 2011

The Sugar Bowl Challenge 67

I've finally had time to join in with the Sugar Bowl challenge.  It's a fab sketch and I just HAD to play with my gorgeous new fairy, Hello Little Friend.  I adore this stamp!  This is my first attempt at colouring her, using Promarkers (and, of course, Stardust Stickles), and I'm actually quite chuffed with it.  Can't wait to colour another one up in a diferent colour combo!

I've used First Edition Up, Up and Away papers, with stars and flowers punched from scraps.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
The Sugar Bowl - Sketch and "Use Your Scraps"
PaperPlay Challenges - Punches and Dies (2nd entry)
Papertake Weekly - Things with Wings
CES - Make it Magical or Spooky (magical!)


Thursday, 15 September 2011

My First Christmas Card

Thanks to my wonderful friend, Susan, I have finally made a start on my Christmas cards!

Susan gave me this gorgeously cute Furry Friends for my birthday and it is a dream to colour.  I've coloured this one with Promarkers and Stardust Stickles.  The papers are Memory Box Spearmint (thanks Elaine x) and I've deliberately kept the layout simple to show off the image, so just my scallop nesties and some punched snowflakes to finish.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

PaperPlay Challenges - Punches and Dies
Stamp Something - Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenges - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Papercraft Star - Anything Goes

Sunday, 4 September 2011

Dream Valley Challenge 15 - Photo Inspiration

It's time for a new challenge at Dream Valley and this fortnight, our challenge is a photo inspiration using the following picture:
It's beautiful, isn't it?  Looks summery, or maybe wedding-like and the colours are gorgeous.  So, this fortnight, we are lucky enough to be sponsored by One Stop Card Crafts AND Sassy Studio Designs.  The team were very kindly given a few images to play with and I decided that Sock Hop Sweetie 2 would be cool with the papers I had in mind.

Some flowers, leaves and ribbon from my stash and I even found a music charm to complete it!

I also had a play with Pirate Penny and even distressed the papers and image (OMG I don't know what came over me!!).  My colouring of this image is sooooo inferior compared to my teamies, but I DID have fun with it AND stepped out of my comfort zone to have another go at distressing! 

Happy crafting....I'm looking forward to seeing your Dream Valley projects using the photo as inspiration! 

Tuesday, 30 August 2011

Sugar Bowl Challenge 66

Wow, what a hectic 10 days it's been......first, there was Gran's 70th birthday party, a day in Edinburgh (which included a picnic in St. Andrew's Square), then there was Louise starting back at school, Gran's ACTUAL birthday, then it was my birthday (which was fab, this year!), then it was my nephew, Sandy's 11th birthday, a weekend catching up on lots of DIY jobs, and my lovely hubby was on holiday yesterday, so we got a few more jobs done and enjoyed walking Lou to school/taking Euan to Jazz/Lou to ballet/etc.  Phew!!

So, at some point over the weekend, I finally finished colouring this little Sugar Nellie Cutie, Purrfect Playmates.  I've coloured her with Distress Inks, after FIRST choosing which papers I wanted to use....now, I'm guessing this is pretty normal for the majority of people, but I normally just colour my images (in lots of 5/10/15 minute blocks) then choose papers, which (hopefully) co-ordinate AFTER.  Not sure it's made a huge difference, but at least I knew for sure that it would look nice with the papers. These papers are First Edition Up, Up & Away, by the way, and are absolutely stunning!

So, I would like to enter the following challenges:

*Sugar Bowl - Sketch & One for the Girls
*Stamps R Us - Anything Goes
*Totally Gorjuss - As You Like It
*Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

I've got loads of other cards and jewellery to show you, including a Handbag "card"....I just need enough computer time to blog them!

Sunday, 21 August 2011

Dream Valley Challenge 14 - Colour Theme


Happy Sunday, everyone!  It's time for our 14th challenge over at Dream Valley and this fortnight, we have a colour theme of Lemon, Orange and Lime, using the following photo:
Aren't these colours fab?  As soon as I saw the lime green I was reminded of Lou's ballet outfit for her dancing show this year.  And I was chuffed that I managed to find a large enough sheet of paper and coordinating ribbons to match - meant to be!!

The little fairies I've added are Rainbow Magic Silhouettes from Stitchy Bear, our sponsor for this challenge.  They have some fab images and the lucky winner will receive $10 to spend at their store!

So, what does this colour combo make you think of?  What are you going to create for Dream Valley this challenge?  Happy crafting!!

Friday, 12 August 2011

Monochromatic Fairies and Flowers


Wow, I haven't made a monochromatic card for ages, but this beautiful Stitchy Flight of Fancy image (and the fact that I'd printed 4 of them in a row) just seems to scream to me to do that! 

So, I have kept it really simples (as usual!!) with black matting, some swirly embossing, white ribbon, silver peel off lines, Sizzix vines and punched flowers with silver Stickles.  The Fairies' wings each have 3 shades of Stickles, although the pic hasn't picked that up!

I would like to enter the following challenges:
*Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Monochromatic - now finished!
*My Time to Craft - Fairy Tales
*PaperPlay - Create your own DP (embossed white background)
*Crafty Catz - Emboss it
*Fussy & Fancy Friday - Use a Lot (I LOVE these retro punched flowers with Stickles)
*Addicted to Stamps - Anything Goes
*Anything Goes - Birthday / Celebration

And a few more cards I've made using photos taken last year and more black card for matting!!!


 


Wednesday, 10 August 2011

Rosie Posey - Roses


At last I've been able to blog my Rosie Posey card.  She's so cute, isn't she?  And she suits so many occasions and people!  I've coloured her with Promarkers, using a bit of an unusual colour combo for me, but I rather like it!  I decided to make little bouquet of flowers as an embellishment, which includes a few beaded/spiralled wires too.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
*Addicted to Stamps - Anything Goes
*Anything Goes - Birthday / Celebration
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Happy Birthday
*Stampin for the Weekend - Spots and Dots

Monday, 8 August 2011

LOTV - Me and My Pony

This is the first I've coloured this stamp, but it'll be used alot!  It's LOTV "Me and My Pony", coloured with Distress Inks.  Making sure that the horse showed up against the stable door was a bit of a challenge with my 2 cream/brown shades, but I think it works.  Definitely neeed to invest in a darker brown DI, though..

I've used my new First Edition Up, Up & Away papers, which are beautiful and nice and summery, just like today!  I thought I'd followed the sketch at Everybody Art, but it would appear that I've missed off a square, so can't enter.....but I CAN enter the following:
*Stampalot - Whatever You Fancy
*Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (and optional metal - not used)
*Addicted to Stamps - Anything Goes

Sunday, 7 August 2011

Dream Valley Challlenge 13 - Distressing

Happy Sunday everyone!  It's time for another challenge at Dream Valley and this fortnight we are lucky enough to be sponsored by Digi Doodles  AND One Stop Card Crafts!

Our theme is "Distressing"  Now, I have to admit that this is a HUGE challenge for me, favouring clean and simple as I do......what do you mean I have to rough up my lovely papers and add ink!  Some people are so amazing at this style, like my teamie Sara, but here is my first attempt, using Digi Doodles Daisy Girl:


I promise that that the edges have been roughed up with a pair of scissors and inked..........And my 2nd attempt, using Digi Doodles Country Path - the distressing is a little more obvious here!
So, if I can do distressing, ANYONE can, so please come and join us at Dream Valley!