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

Moving Along with the Times - Sparkle

Stamp Something - Anything Goes

Creatalicious Challenges - Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Papercraft Star - Anything Goes

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! 

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!

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!!

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!

*The Crazy Challenge - Embossing

*My Time to Craft - Fairy Tales

*PaperPlay - Create your own DP (embossed white background)

*One Stitch at a Time - Use a Digi

*Crafty Catz - Emboss it

*Fussy & Fancy Friday - Use a Lot (I LOVE these retro punched flowers with Stickles)

*Craft Your Days Away - Birthdays

*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!!!

 

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:

*Lili of the Valley - Roses

*Addicted to Stamps - Anything Goes

*Anything Goes - Birthday / Celebration

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Happy Birthday

*Stampin for the Weekend - Spots and Dots

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)

*Stampavie and More - Summer

*Addicted to Stamps - Anything Goes

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!

Sugar Bowl Entry 2

I really enjoyed using this Sugar Bowl Sketch and when Debbi advised us on the Sugar Nellie Facebook Forum that if the entries reached 100, the prize was going to increase to 6 Sugar Nellie stamps, I knew JUST what to do with the Sassy I had coloured last week!

The image is Sassy Luv a Latte and she has been coloured (a little too heavily on the denim skirt!) with my beloved Distress Inks.  I've used my new First Edition Summer Bloom papers and cut 2 of the flowers with a craft knife to lift the flowers and act as embellishments.

Here's a pic of the fabby sketch

I'd love to have a surf and enter a few more challenges, but peaceful computer time is coming to an end and I've just remembered that I haven't yet put my (made yesterday) lasagne in the oven:0(  Maybe I'll have more time when the kids are in bed.........maybe not.........

Tiny Tiddler Card

Well, with the exception of today, we've been having gorgeous weather lately!  Lou has been able to do her athletics outside this week and there's been lots of outside time and ice lollies!!  (Today is chucking it down, but hopefully tomorrow will be back to sunshine...

The ever-so-cute Tiny Tiddler was one of the images sent by Elaine and I've coloured her with Distress Inks.  She's a joy to colour, so I've added HER to my wishlist too (NAUGHTY Elaine, lol!!)

I've used a mix of Basic Grey Marjolaine papers and the gorgeous (but obsolete) Memory Box Spearmint papers - these really are my kind of colours.  (Incidentally, the Spearmint papers will be the only paper EVER, so far, that I have completely used up - there are only a few sheets and scraps left.  Normally, I have loads left........although I suspect that the First Edition Summer Bloom and Up, Up & Away pads that were delivered today will be much the same!)

I would like to enter:

*Sugar Bowl - Sketch & Lace (I've used rafia lace)

*Clear it Out - Anything Goes (2nd entry)

*Paper Playtime - Summer

*Craft Your Days Away - Summer

*Allsorts - Free and easy July (3rd and final entry)
*Divas by Design - Here Comes Summer
*2 Sisters - Anything Goes

Ladybug Nora

(For some reason, it's the UNcropped photo that has been added - grrr!!)

As you may have read before, my lovely friend, Elaine sent me some brilliant card and some images for painting with Distress Inks.  Ladybug Nora was the first image I coloured and I love her - she's soooo cute and DEFINITELY on my wishlist!!  I'm really pleased with her face and hair, but I think I need more practice working with the red. 

But anyway, I've layered her on my Nesties and Clare Curd papers.  I managed to find some red ribbon and decided that I'd make a few pins for embellishments as I've never made a card using these before.  Predictably, I've used Stardust Stickles for her wings.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

*Stamp Something - Something Embellished

*Crafty Catz - No Pink or Blue Allowed

*Papertake Weekly - Getting Cute

*Everybody Art - Dots

*Clear it Out - Anything Goes

Your Next Stamp Challenges - 3 embellishments, 2 papers, 1 image

*The Stamp Man - Anything By T!m

*Stampavie and More - Birthday

*Allsorts - Free and Easy July

Dream Valley Challenges 12 - Surprise!

Dream Valley Challenge 12 is sponsored by Digi's with Attitude and the lucky winner will win $10.00 Canadian dollars to spend in their shop.....and all you have to do is make something with a SURPRISE element- a flap, a pop-up, hidden element, etc.

The design team were lucky enough to get an image to play with, so I chose this one, Moviestar Tween.  I've coloured her with Promarkers and added eyeshadow and detail to her shoes and dress using fineliners (as I don't have any fine Promarker nibs yet) and some Stardust Stickles. 

 And my surprise element is:

 A pair of earrings hiding behind the image.  (I'm not clever enough to come up with a witty sentiment, so it's earrings instead!)

And here's another card with a hidden tag, using the gorgeous Worried:

I've also made an envelope album using this link, but need to fill it with photos or something first, but I'll share with you as soon as I've done that.

So, happy crafting, peeps!

Gifts for Teachers

Well, our schools broke up last Friday, so we're one week into eight and the first week's been pretty good!

This year, Louise has had 2 teachers, so I made these 2 gifts:  the blue one for her main teacher, Mrs Leitch and the red one for Miss Wylie.  Both have been made with practicality in mind - a short necklace that sits approximately in line with the collar bone, and bracelets made with elastic and no clasps, making them quick and easy to remove for art / gym lessons.

Crystal Rose Flower Necklace

 £8 unboxed - SOLD

This necklace is 22.5cm, including the drop.  The 30mm pendant has been recycled from another necklace, and the beads are a collection of 10-15mm clear, pale pink and rose pink beads, with silver spacers between each one.  Lobster clasp and spring ring fastening.  Extension chain can be added.

Tribal Cluster Necklace £12

 

A long length Cluster necklace made with suede cord, wooden beads and a shell pendant.  The wooden round beads range from 8mm to 25mm.  The length can be adjusted by changing the position of the knotted suede ends.  

£12 unboxed

 A decorated 15cm square box can be provided for an additional £2

Last Week's Stall

Hello everybody.  Sorry it's been so long since my last post.  I've been really busy crafting jewellery and cards AND starting Euan at Playgroup, but not had enough computer time to blog my creations!!

 Last Friday, I took a stall at my daughter's school Pamper Evening, organised by the Parents Association.  It's only the second time I've done something like this (the first being Clare's Toddler Group), but I'm glad to say that it went well.  I quite enjoyed myself and took some money and an order, which meant that I could give £14 commission to the association, not a lot, but something!!  And I got loads of great experience.     Not sure sure yet how much has been raised. 

As you can see, I had to be inventive for the display as I didn't want to spend loads on special display stands.  I'd had the option of borrowing a card stand, but unfortunately that didn't happen due to illness in the family.  The gorgeous writing sets were created by my bestest friend, Susan.  Her blog is here. 

Black Knight Cluster

Cluster Pendant

This cluster pendant has been made with 6 different charms, which include the following beads:
9mm tibetan silver coin beads, 10mm faceted black cubes, 30mm pendants, 20mm black faceted bead, 40mm pendant, silver chain
All have been hung from a 20mm black wooden ring.

£7 unboxed - pendant only

70cm silver plated rope chain, with lobster and split ring fastening £2
A decorated box can also be provided at an additional cost of £1 for 8.5cm square, or £2 for 15cm square.

I also have a range of earrings which may suit this pendant to make a set.

Sparkly Knight Cluster

Cluster Pendant

20mm silver plated ring, which has 4 charms hanging.
The charms have been made using: 10mm black faceted cubes, 12mm crystal rondelles, 12mm and 15mm faceted black beads, 20mm pendants, 40mm pendant, silver chain

£8 unboxed, pendant only

A 70cm silver plated rope chain can be supplied at an additional cost f £2
Decorated 8.5cm square box is £1, decorated 15cm box is £2

Sparkly Black Teardrop

Necklace

45 x 27mm black faceted pendant, layered with a 30mm super sparkly pendant with 5 dangling 4mm sparkles
20cm ( 40cm length) silver plated belcher chain with lobster and split ring fastening.

£5 unboxed SOLD

Fits in a 8.5cm square box, at an additional cost of £1
It could also be supplied with a 70cm silver plated rope chain, with lobster clasp, at an additional cost of £2

Smoky Ice Cube 'n' Tube

Necklace

21 cm drop (42cm length) with an extender chain that can increase the length to 49cm.
Beads used: 20mm and 15mm smoky grey foil glass, 14mm clear/grey faceted briolette, 25x20mm clear faceted oval, 10mm curved silver plated bugle, 3mm clear glass.
Silver plated lobster and split ring fastening.

£11 unboxed

Fits a 21.5 x 7cm box, at an additional cost of £1 and would also fit the 15cm square box, at an additional cost of £2.

Earrings

4cm drop
20mm smoky grey foil glass, 14mm clear/grey faceted briolette and 3mm clear glass beads, threaded onto an eye pin.
Silver plated fish hook style earwires.

£4 unboxed SOLD