Papertake Weekly Challenge 45, Bunny Zoe's Challenge 2 and Colour Create Challenge 50

This is my second post for today.  Had a little free time this afternoon, so thought I would make another card, as I have a lot of ironing now for this evening. This card is for Papertake Weekly, Bunny Zoe's and Colour Create.  I hope it follows their themes ok.  Papertake Weekly is the sketch, which I found a lot better that my last post.  Bunny Zoe's was the theme of Summer Days, thought this skipping image was good for that and Colour Create Challenge, which I haven't entered before was for Hot Pink, Orange and Saffron, although there is a little white on one of my papers.
Cardstock - Bazzill and Die Cuts with a View
Patterned Paper - Doodlebug
Flowers - Doodlebug
Image - Pink Gem
Coloured with Distress Inks
Sentiment - Free with magazine

Thanks for popping by, hope you are having a nice weekend.

Mojo Monday 149 and Pollycraft Monday Challenge 54

This is a card I have made following the sketch at Mojo Monday 149 and the theme of Love and Marriage at Pollycraft Monday Challenge. I hope this card is ok for both challenges.
I wasn't to sure about this sketch, I found it really hard, so decided on the Square option rather than the Round option, both sketches were the same.  As I was making the card, I tried ribbon, paper, etc for the three strips and nothing seemed to work. The card actually looked better without these, so wasn't going to enter it for Mojo Monday.  Left the card overnight, which seems to be getting a bit of a habit, looked at it again this morning and still couldn't think what to do.  Then I tried these little paper frills from Doodlebug and they kind of worked and helped bring out the colouring of the bears.  By the way, this is a free download image called Cuthbert and Kiki, from Pollycraft Monday Challenge for this challenge.  This was the first time I tried to print out a digi and I don't know if I will try it again.  On my first attempt, I had it all coloured and decided to add stickles to the bottom frills of the dress.  As the stickles was drying, you could see that the ink below was started to bleed, so in the bin it went.  Printed out another copy, slightly to large and tried again, with no stickles this time just in case. It was nice not to have get out acrylic blocks, ink and image, stamp and then clean and put away.  Although I think there is maybe more satisfaction when you stamp an image yourself, maybe not.
Cardstock - Bazzill and Die Cuts with a View
Patterned Paper - Die Cuts with a View adhesive stack
Pearlised Card - Paper Mill
Image - Free Download from Pollycraft Monday Challenge (Cuthbert and Kiki)
Coloured with Distress Inks
Computer printed sentiment
Paper Frills - Doodlebug

Sketch Saturday 113

This is a card I have made for Sketch Saturday 113.  I had originally wanted to follow the sketch for Friday Sketchers, only to notice that I was too late as it closed at midday, however, I will use that sketch for another card, as it was really nice.
Cardstock - Die Cuts with a View
Patterned Paper and Gems - K & Co
Image - Sugar Nellie
Coloured with Distress Inks
Computer generated sentiment
This card sort of came together very easily.  I had wanted to use this manga stamp for sometime but didn't know how to use it.  Then I remembered I had these fishy papers from a long time ago, which were at the bottom of my paper rack and so were forgotten about, as they were for a scrapbook layout, which I never got round to making.  Quite a simple card but I think I like it.
I haven't really had a chance to do a lot of crafting this week, as my daughters are going to the football matches (which finish today) and we went to The Tayto Crisp Factory on Wednesday for a day out. 
Thanks for popping by and hope you are having better weather than we are, still no sunshine.

Winter Wonderland - Kate's Sketch

This is a card I made for the challenge at Winter Wonderland - Kate's Sketch.  I wasn't to sure about this sketch when I first saw it, as I find it hard to cut circles.  Anyway, I attempted it on Tuesday night and was getting nowhere with my fiskars circle cutter or my plates and bowls, so left it.  Yesterday my new Martha Stewart circle cutter arrived, which I ordered on QVC at the weekend.  Took me a little time to get used to it, but managed to get a few circles cut for this card but still need to practice a bit more .  It has great varied measurement sizes and comes with three blades. 
Anyway my card is as follows:-
Cardstock and Glittered Cardstock - Die Cuts with a View
Patterned Paper - Don't know, was in a snowman kit, I bought a long time ago for my daughter
Woodware Snowflakes Punches
Stickles and Ice Stickles
Snowman Image - Darcies
Coloured with Distress Inks
Martha Stewart Circle Cutter
Thanks for popping by and hope you are having a nice day.

Sugar Bowl #39 and Totally Gorjuss #40

This is a card that I have made for two challenges again.  The first is for The Sugar Bowl # 39, which was to follow Lilian's sketch and the theme was the colour blue. The second was for Totally Gorjuss # 40 which was the theme of congratulations.  I hadn't entered the Sugar Bowl as I hadn't decided on a stamp or theme and then when Totally Gorjuss was for congratulations, I thought I would combine the two with the new Manga Scooter Boy and it would be for passing a motorbike test. Hope this card applies to both. The stars spell out congratulations and well done, as the photograph doesn't really show this very well.
Cardstock - Die Cuts with a View
Patterned Paper - Sassafras - Amplify paper pad
Image - Manga Scooter Boy - Sugar Nellie
Coloured with Distress Inks
Star Woodware Punch
Black Fineliner Pen - Promarker
I am quite pleased with this card, as I never make cards for boys as I have three daughters, so I never really buy anything that is suitable for boys, although I thought this new manga stamp was so cute and as they were on offer for the four new images, I couldn't really resist.

Thanks for popping by and as always your comments are very much appreciated. Donna

Cute Card Thursday 122 and Flutter By Wednesday 114

This is a card I have made for two challenges.  Cute Card Thursday 122, which was to follow a sketch by Deb and Flutter By Wednesday 114, which was Christmas in July. I thought I would combine these two challenges and it would give me another Christmas card.
Cardstock - Die Cuts with a View
Glittered Cardstock - Die Cuts with a View
Woodware Punch for the large star
G Stamp for the small stars (I stamped these onto the back of the glittered cardstock and then cut around them and turned them over as I didn't have any other size of star punch
Image and Sentiment - Pink Gem
Patterned Paper - Doodlebug
Sequin stars from my youngest daughter
Ice Stickles
Coloured with Distress Inks
Thanks for popping by and I hope you had a nice weekend.  Heading out now to watch the Milk Cup Parade (young footballers) before the tournament starts tomorrow. Maybe will take some photos and post as it is such a lovely parade (weather permitting) and the footballers are so pleased to see everyone come out to support them, as some have travelled from Mexico, Japan, etc.

Mojo Monday 148 and Papertake Weekly

Before I let you know about my card for today, I won the challenge over at Totally Gorjuss this week.  The card for that challenge was my previous post. I checked their challenge blog this morning for their latest challenge and they had listed the winner of last week's challenge as me.  I was totally shocked.  I know it is random number, but to win was brilliant as I am only entering for the practice not the prizes, they are just a bonus.  I had to keep checking back a couple of times to make sure I was reading it right.


Anyway, my card for today is for Mojo Monday 148 and Papertake Weekly - Cutie Patootie.  I am sort of getting the hang of making a card to tie in with other challenges and it does sort of challenge you.

Cardstock and papers - Doodlebug
Flowers, ribbon and Buttons - Doodlebug
Sentiment stamp - free with a magazine
Ice Stickles
Coloured with Distress Inks
Image - Splashing Maggie - Sugar Nellie

Thanks for popping by and hope you have a nice weekend.  Weather as usual is wet, don't think we are going to get any summer weather.  Pity as The Milk Cup (football tournament) starts with us tomorrow night with a parade through the town of all the football teams and their coaches and managers and my second daughter is carrying a banner for one of the teams this year. The tournament lasts for one week and ranges from ages 14 - 19, I think and they come from all over the world.  I usually am a taxi service for the week for my daughters, going between the matches, although I also enjoy watching the matches as well.

Saturday Sketchers # 112 - Totally Gorjuss and Pollycraft Monday

Here is another card that I have made for my mum for her birthday.  This will be from my daughters.  It is the first time that I have made cards and actually given them, as I still would go out and buy cards.
I followed the sketch from Sketch Saturday.  Pollycraft Challenge, one that I haven't entered before, was for Happy Birthday and Totally Gorjuss, another one that I haven't entered before was Thinking of You.  Not sure if my card would apply to this challenge, but I thought the Sugar Nellie image called Reflective was as if she was thinking and I then wrote thinking of you on the inside of the card. Normally I only enter one challenge at a time, so am trying to find challenges now that I can use together.
Cardstock - Bazzill
Patterned Paper - K & Co - Wild Saffron (I really love these papers)
Computer generated sentiments
Sugar Nellie Image - Reflective
Embellishments - Gems, flowers, butterflies and ladybird- K & Co embellishment kit.  This is a kit that I purchased from QVC last year and didn't want to use it as it was so nice. Think the colours match well with the papers.
Coloured with Distress Inks
Fiskars circle cutter
I also distressed the sentiment and edges of the image with antique linen distress ink to soften and blend it with the papers.  Think I need lots more practice at this as well as cutting out the image.  Got this tip from Mina's blog Pinkpuds.  Thanks Mina.

Anyway thanks for popping by and hope you have a nice day.  We have sunshine today which makes a change as it has been very wet, especially yesterday, when it was like winter and we had to put the heating back on. Hope the sunshine lasts a little while. Donna

Friday sketchers 111 and Flutterby Wednesday 113

Here is a card that I have made following a sketch from Friday sketchers # 111 and for Flutterby Wednesday's # 113 which was to feature at least 3 layers and show either a fairy, angel or butterfly.  I went for the butterflies.
I have used a Sarah Kay image which I coloured with Distress Inks. I have been working at this card since Saturday, as I wasn't really happy with my previous two cards.  Anyway, I stamped and coloured the image on Saturday evening and so far so good, was pleased with it.  Assembled the layers and image onto the card on Sunday evening and couldn't think of a sentiment or something to finish the card off with.  Then I remembered that I had these peel-off butterflies.  I don't really like peel-offs that much, but thought they matched with the paper.  I backed them onto mulberry paper and bent their wings to make look more 3d than flat.  Left the card as felt it still needed something.  Funny how when you leave something and come back you get some ideas.  I remembered that I had matching peel-off borders in another box so added three of them to the card and attached the butterflies.  Made a sentiment from the computer and then thought this might do as a birthday card for my mum, as it is her birthday on Thursday.  Better do the inside then.  I had cut out a larger nestability to match the one I have stamped the image on, but it was too big, but it fits perfectly on the inside of the card.  It came together a lot quicker and I am quite pleased with this card. At last, I am happy with a card.
Cardstock - Die Cuts with View
Papers - My Minds Eye - (free with a magazine and these are really lovely)
Image - Sarah Kay
Coloured with Distress Inks
Peel -off Butterflies and borders
Computer generated sentiment
Nestabilities
Thanks for popping by and have a nice evening.  Donna

1 Card - 2 Challenges - Mojo Monday/Cute Card Thursday

This is a card I made for Mojo Monday 147, following their sketch and Cute Card Thursday Challenge 121, which was to Get A Head Start (Christmas card).  I really liked the sketch, but found it hard to put a card together.  I had stamped larger snowflakes and backed them onto card and they turned out to be  too big.  So I the made rest of card and then made the small snowflake squares.  I  stamped my sentiment twice, just to balance up the card.  Again, I thought something was missing.  Must be my mojo that is missing.  Never really understood that til now.
Anyway my card for the two challenges, which I am entering into both for the first time, is as follows:-
Cardstock - Bazzill
Paper Ribbon - Doodlebug
Glittered Cardstock - Die Cuts with a View
Snowman, Snowflakes and Sentiment - Darcies (purchased these a really long time ago, never used them and can't remember where I purchased them)
Coloured with Distress Inks
Stickles and Kars Glitter Glue
I haven't been really pleased with this card or my last card, so hopefully I will get a better one made over the weekend. Hope you all have something nice planned and the weather is not to bad. 

Hollie has asked me to put two more cards onto my blog.  Think she likes the comments.  The first card is for her daddy.  She used a freebie image that I downloaded from Pollycraft.  She coloured it with Papermania watercolour pencils, but forgot to  go over it with water.  Worked ok anyway as I hadn't heat dried the image.  Still haven't mastered the digi's yet.   Her second card was made using an image from a Kars selection that was purchased from our local craft shop, Crafters and Co.  It was very reasonably priced, I think £2.99, which for Hollie to use, is good value.
Cardstock for both cards - Papermill
Assorted embelishments that Hollie has had in a box for ages
Papermania Watercolour Pencils
Distress Inks for second card

Sketch Saturday - Week 111

This is a card I have made today for Sketch Saturday.  This was another challenge blog that I came across the other day and thought I would give it a go.  I find it easier sometimes using a sketch, although not sure if I really liked this one, just feels as if something is missing.  Maybe it is just me. It is giving me some more practice anyway, which is good. I have included a close up photograph, as the main photograph didn't come out to well.  Thanks for popping by and have a nice weekend.
Cardstock - Die Cuts with a View
Patterned Paper - My Minds Eye - Free with magazine this month
Image - Pink Gem
Brads - Doodlebug
Sentiment - Free with magazine
Coloured with Distress Inks

Papertake Weekly - In the Garden / Friday Sketchers 110

Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days, but my daughter was having a few problems with the computer.  She wasn't able to access her MSN - instant messaging and we had all been trying to get it fixed.  Anyway, after uninstalling and re-installing a few times and changing passwords, etc., we finally got it working last night, much to her relief as she was getting very frustrated at not being able to use it for a few days and her sister wasn't to keen on her using her laptop.  Sisterly love.
Anyway,  I had no more sketches to follow, so did some searching and came across Friday Sketchers 110 and Papertake Weekly - In the Garden - Flowers, birds, trees, etc.  I thought I would try and make a card that could be used for both.  Have never tried this before so I am hoping it links ok and the card is ok for both. Went to link up and I am a bit annoyed now, as can't seem to link card to Friday Sketchers, must have been to late, so only going to enter into the one challenge now.  Tried again this afternoon over at Friday sketchers and Mr Linky was back, so have now entered the card and hope it will be ok.

Cardstock - Doodlebug
Ribbon? - From Stash
Patterned Paper - My Minds Eye - Free with a Magazine
Sentiment Stamp - Free with a Magazine
Butterflies - Tonic Studio Punches
Image - Sarah Kay
Coloured with Distress Inks

When my youngest daughter and I started crafting yesterday, my aunt and uncle called and my aunt asked is Hollie's card could be posted on my blog for her to see.  So her it is.  Will probably be the first of many now as she also followed the Friday Sketchers challenge and concentrated really hard on her colouring with Distress Inks.

Anyway, thanks for popping by and have a nice day, hope the weather is nice wherever you are, we still have lots of rain and it is quite cold.  Donna

Pink Gem Challenge 6

This is a card that I have made for the Pink Gem Challenge 6 - optional theme is to decorate the inside of the card.  I really like the little image of Chloe with the snowflake, so decided to use her again and this time maybe as a Christmas card. Wasn't sure about the sketch and how to use it, so just kind of made it up as I went along.  I decided to back the snowflakes onto red, as they didn't really show up on their own.  The gems I placed three at the bottom left and three at the top right, then thought it might look better with both sides fully done.  Only then did I realise the colours weren't matching, but think it looks ok with the colours staggered.  Had finished the card last night and only when I read over the challenge again, did I remember about doing the inside of the card.  Have thought about this before, but never done it, so tried it this morning and it wasn't to bad. May do more like this again.
Cardstock - Doodlebug
Patterned papers - Doodlebug (2 different kits)
Gems - Doodlebug
Glittered Card - Die Cuts with a View
Woodware Punches
Stickles Ice
Coloured with Distress Inks
Peel-offs
Thanks for popping by and have a nice day. Donna

Pink Gem Candy

This is a picture of some candy that is eligible to be won by 6pm on the 30th July over at Pink Gem Designs. I have never linked candy or tried this before, so I hope it works.  Thanks for chance to win this prize, please hop on over and enter.

It's Candy Time!

ProMarker Stamping Pack 2

 Two Pink Gem Stamps of your choice (subject to availability)

Pack of 6 Petaloo Wild Roses - Baby Blue

Adesive Pearl Floral & Vines

 20 Mulberry Paper Flowers Grey/Black Petals

 20 Mulberry Paper Flowers Soft Tan Petals

Craftime Mini Crystals - Pink

Double Sided Adesive Pads

Truly Scrumptious Challenge 36

This is a card I have made for the Truly Scrumptious Challenge 36, with the optional theme of  'How Does Your Garden Grow.'
I started off thinking on summer colours, like pink, yellow and orange as it was a garden theme, but when I went to get my papers, I came across these papers from Doodlebug , that had embellishments to match.  So quick colour change, picked a summery image and  it all seemed to fall in place for a change.
Cardstock - Doodlebug
Patterned Paper - Doodlebug
Ribbon, Buttons, Brad and Flowers - Doodlebug
Thread - Bazzill
Image - Pink Gem
Just for you stamp - free with a magazine
Nestabilities
Coloured with Distress Inks

Thanks for popping by and have a nice weekend.  Hope the weather is better wherever you are, as we have had a very wet weekend so far and it is a Bank Holiday on Monday.

Calendar

This is a little calendar that I have been working on and as I can't seem to get it finished, I thought I would post the pages anyway.
It started off as a blank chipboard calendar from Maya Road and I have had it for a couple of years.  Had an idea recently that I would make it as an academic type calendar starting from September 2010 until June 2011.
I covered all the pages with cardstock and then patterned paper.  Printed off calendar blanks from split coast stampers.  Punched some flowers and then thought I would make a note of what dates each month were significant, ie. birthdays, anniversaries etc., printed these out and mounted onto cardstock. I also hope to print out events, etc that happen each month to any of us and mount these onto the reverse side of each month, like a sort of  reminder/memory  for when the calendar is no longer used and put on a shelf  and only looked at sometimes.
When I went to assemble the calendar, it wouldn't sit properly, so I took off the triangle shaped 3D backing stand and I am now looking for a holder of some sort.  Thought about purchasing a toilet roll holder and making it free standing instead of wall mounted, but unfortunately it is not wide enough , so I have to think again.  Any ideas as I want to hang them altogether and not just individually..

I have just posted four of the photographs, just so show the different colour choices.
My cardstock is from The Paper Mill Shop
Patterned papers are - Doodlebug
Woodware Punches
Maya Road Chipboard Calendar (I think it is 6x6)
Calendars - Split Coast Stampers ( found this link on Dol Creations blog, where she had created a month of June calendar page and her husband had made her a stand, although I searched split coast stampers and got a different template.)

More Bookmarks

Just a quick post this morning.  Photographs didn't come out very well. Enjoyed making the bookmark last week for my daughter's friends birthday, that I thought I would make a few more and at least I would be ahead of myself for little fillers for their friends Christmas presents or maybe sell them at the GB Christmas Fair.
Flowers and Thong and some beads are from Beads By Lili
Remaining beads are from the Bead Shop Scotland

A Gem of a Challenge 5

Got all my ironing done and still had the second half of the match to watch, so thought I would do another card. Well done Holland. Had been using a few of the Pink Gem Design images recently and forgot that they had a challenge which finished at 6pm tonight, so gave it a try.  It was the quickest card I have made and is now one of my favourites.  I selected my image, and knew I would use blue, thinking on a winter Christmas card.  Theme was to use ribbons and buttons and I couldn't believe it when I had this ribbon that matched, so changed to a Birthday card instead. Christmas card for another day. So a plain and simple card, but I think quite effective and I am pleased with it for a change.
Cardstock - Bazzill
Happy Birthday Ribbon - Dovecraft
Satin ribbon - Merielle (got this in a card kit from a show at one time)
Buttons - don't know, have had for a long time
Image - Pink Gem
Coloured with Distress Inks
Ice Stickles
Going now to make a picnic as we are going to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Belfast today, weather permitting.  If not, will go somewhere else.  Have a nice day whatever you are doing. Donna

Close up of image

Sugar Bowl Challenge 38 - Judy's Sketch

This is a card I have made for the Sugar Bowl Challenge 38 - Judy's sketch. Now that I am able to link I am not leaving my card until the night before so that it is the last post on my blog and easier found. The optional theme for this card was Scallops, so I have used nestabilites for the circles.
Cardstock - Bazzill
Paper - K'ology - K & Co
Woodware Punches for flowers
Flower Brads - can't remember, have had them for a long time
Sentiment - free with magazine
Image - Sugar Nellie
Coloured with Distress Inks
Nestabilities

Have a nice evening.  Off now to do some ironing and watch Holland v Uruguay.  Holland to win.

Bunny Zoe's Challenge 1 - Nice and Girly

Now that I have found out how to link properly and seem to be getting the hang of it, I am now for trying a few more challenges, just to get some practice.  Today's card is for the new challenge at Bunny Zoe's Crafts and the theme is Nice and Girly.
Cardstock - Paper Mill and Die Cuts with a View
Patterned Paper and Embellishments - Rob and Bob Studio
Image - Little Claire Designs
Coloured with Papermania watercolour pencils
Woodware Flower Punches
Doodlebug Brads
Fashion Gal sentiment - Creative Imaginations

Truly Scrumptious Challenge 35 - Sharon's Sketch

Hi. Hope you all had a lovely weekend.  We took the girls to The American Folk Park in Omagh yesterday.  Weather was not too bad, until they were about to put on their 4th July skirmish re-enacting the battle of 1812 and then it started raining.  We had a nice day and enjoyed ourselves as we haven't been there for a couple of years. Made this card when I came home while watching a dvd called Did you hear about the Morgan's.
My card is for the Truly Scrumptious Challenge 35 - A sketch by Sharon with the optional theme of Strawberries and Cream.  I didn't use the optional theme as I had no red and white paper, other than Christmas paper and I had no Christmas stamps to  use with it, so picked these colours instead and I also turned the sketch on its side as my image was slightly larger. Hope this ok.
Cardstock - Paper Mill and Die Cuts with a View
Image - Pink Gem Designs
Computer generated sentiment
Woodware flower punches
Doodlebug ric rac
Watercoloured with Papermania pencils

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 110 - Animals

Came across this challenge today from mina's blog - pinkpuds. It was from  Spoon Full of Sugar. It was to make a card with an animal theme and the optional extra was for your daughter, grandaughter, etc to make one as well.  I found the challenge a little difficult as I didn't think I had any stamps with animals.  Then I remembered purchasing the lucky bag from Sugar Nellie were you got 4 stamps and a few bits for £10.00.  I had received a stamp of a squirrel and thought I'll never use that and put it away.  It is not a stamp that I would probably use again, but it worked for this challenge.
Cardstock  and patterned paper - Die Cuts with a View
Dotted paper - Doodlebug
Nestabilities
Ribbon - Making Memories
Computer generated message (couldn't really think of a saying that suited)
Stamped with Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink as didn't have brown Stazon
Coloured with Distress Inks

Here is the card that my youngest daughter Hollie made. She is eight years old.  Normally she would craft with me and sometimes she ends up making a mess or not happy with what she makes.  Today she took a little bit more time and was pleased with her card.
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Paper and Stickers - Doodlebug
Stamp - Little Gem Designs
Happy Birthday Stamp - Pink Gem Designs

Birthday Present

My second daughter was invited to a birthday party tonight and only told me at tea-time that she never got a present when she was in town as she didn't know what to get and did I have any ideas.  Well with the shops closing, I had to think quickly as she had to go at seven o'clock.  So had a rummage through some things that I had left past for Christmas and got a small bottle of perfume and some fancy nails, but thought it just didn't look right, so decided to try and make something.  I had some of these bracelets bought to make presents for their friends for Christmas, so thought I would try one now.   All I had to do was add large jump rings and add beads to them and then add a charm.  Turned out nice, but don't think the photo does it justice.  Then I made this bookmark, using thong and beads and a large flower.  Found this in Creative Beads and Jewellery magazine and thought it would be good for presents or as stocking fillers.  My daughter was really pleased with these and it just finished off the present nicely.  Hopefully her friend will like it.

My youngest daughter then wanted me to help her to make a bracelet and phone charm.  She doesn't have a phone so don't know yet what she will do with it.  She picked all her own colours, her choice of beads, etc and is really pleased with them. The photo doesn't pick up the beads in the bracelet very well.  They are made with polymer clay and are love hearts.  I purchased these from the Bead Shop Scotland, which was also in the Creative Beads and Jewellery magazine.