Sketch Saturday # 162, Pollycraft Monday # 100, A Spoonful of Sugar # 159, Simon Says Stamp, Cute Card Thursday # 171

Back today again with another card. 

Weather over the weekend was lovely and looked like summer had finally arrived, now back to muggy and wet. So don't feel too guilty at crafting as the girls were watching dvd's and listening to music.

I am entering my card into five challenges :-

Sketch Saturday # 162 - Sketch
Pollycraft Monday # 100 - Celebrations - option - stars and stripes
A Spoonful of Sugar # 159 - Sewing - hand/machine/faux - used faux
Simon Says Stamp - A Stitch in Time - used faux
Cute Card Thursday # 171 - Technology - image has mp3/ipod

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Paper - Free with Homemade magazine
Image - Kenny K
Coloured with Distress Inks
Woodware Musical Note Punch
Baking Cutters for star shapes
Gems - Mei Flower
Sentiment - Molly Blooms - free with magazine
Pro Marker - Fine liner for faux stitching

Thanks for popping by and all your comments are very much appreciated. Take Care.

A Spoonfull of Sugar # 153, Stampavie # 143, Flutter By Wednesday # 156, Lily of the Valley # 98, Allsorts # 105 and Papertake Weekly

Hollie and I got a chance to do some crafting last night and we both made a card but I am only getting a chance to upload it now.

I am entering my card into six challenges :-

A Spoonfull of Sugar # 153 - Things with Wings
Stampavie # 143 - Pink
Flutter By Wednesday # 156 - CAS with angel, fairy or butterfly
Lily of the Valley # 98 - I believe in Fairies
Allsorts # 105 - Things with Wings
Papertake Weekly - Pretty Pale Pastels (hope this is ok)

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Gingham Paper and Ribbon - Local craft shop (Crafters & Co)
Image - Lily of the Valley
Coloured with Distress Inks
Stickles
Gems - Mei Flower
Sentiment - Molly Bloom - free with magazine
Stamp on Inside - Words Like Honey

When I went to the craft show in Belfast recently they were demonstrating the stamp on the inside with WOW embossing powders and I thought it would go with this image as it looked like dandelion clocks.  Had the idea to try my own backing paper but after an attempt at it, it wasn't turning out the way I had imagined. Hubby and Hollie wanted to try it and they were enjoying it so I left them to it.  Here is their finished sample.  

This is the card that Hollie made

Papers - Echo Park

Image and Sentiment - Little Claires Designs

Coloured with Pencils

Butterfly from a pair of jeans that no longer fit her 

Thanks for popping by and I hope you all have a good bank holiday weekend.  Time to watch the football match now so no crafting tonight. 

A Gem of a Challenge # 21, A Spoonfull of Sugar # 152, Craft Us Crazy # 8, Dream Valley # 7, Moving Along With The Times # 99, Papertake Weekly

Got a chance to make a card this morning as I didn't see much point starting housework, etc when Shannon was only in school for 2 hours or so for her AS English Literature exam. She had her Spanish and French orals last week and her Spanish AS written exam is this Wednesday.

I am entering my card into six challenges:-

A Gem of a Challenge # 21 - Aqua, Lemon and Pink
A Spoonfull of Sugar # 152 - Anything Goes (too late)
Craft Us Crazy # 8 - Something New or Favourite Embellishments - Papers are one of my most recent set and the woodware punches are my favourite flowers
Dream Valley # 7 - Dig out the old to use with the new - Papers - New - Image Old
Moving Along With The Times # 99 - Sketch
Papertake Weekly - Bloom & Grow - Use flowers or Molly Bloom image - Flowers
Hope my card is suitable for these challenges

Have put in these two photos as wasn't sure which one was better

Inside of card

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Papers - Dovecraft
Image - Pink Gem
Coloured with Distress Inks
Sentiment - Pink Gem
Pearls - Mei Flower
Woodware Punches

Tried to distress the edges again with my blender sponge but smudged the flowers by accident.  Not really happy with this card but at least its a start at making them again.

Have been really busy this last week or so as it had been our local road races - North West 200 - and we are either out at the practice racing sessions or at the pitts during the week.  Race day was on Saturday and was a disaster. Weather played a large part in it as it was really wet and isn't safe for the riders.  We were on one of the grandstands at the paddocks and got soaked.  First race went very well and Hollie was cheering her favourite rider on - Cameron Donald - he finished second and she was really chuffed.  Wasn't able to see him this year as everytime she went round to his paddock stand he wasn't there, so she was disappointed.  What happened next you couldn't have predicted - an announcement to say due to circumstances beyond their control, could everyone please leave the paddocks - security alert.  This was at 12.15pm and they said racing would commence again at 1pm.  You couldn't really check and make a large area safe in 45 mins.  Racing was held up indefinitely and it just got wetter and wetter.  Time for home.  Watched the rest on the red button on the tv.  No more racing, when they had a practice lap, a bike was leaking oil and it wasn't safe.  They tried to clean it up but it was just made worse as it was only resurfaced recently.  Should have been called off long before 5.30pm.  Felt sorry for the riders as they sat on the grid all afternoon wanting to race.  Spectators waited but ended up going home after  seeing no more racing.  Really disappointed in the whole event this year. Even before race day it lacked atmosphere, etc. Here are a couple of photographs which I got on Friday night.

William Dunlop and Hollie

Michael Dunlop and Hollie.  Both brothers but race for different teams

Gary Johnston and Hollie

Adrian Archibald and his son with Hollie

Apart from the racing, this is one of our favourite things to do, spot the riders and get photographs and autographs.

Anyway, sorry for the long post and if you are not interested in road racing.  Thanks for popping by and I hope you have escaped the weather we are having.  Today showery with very strong gales.

A Spoonfull of Sugar # 148, Bunny Zoe's Crafts # 11, Papertake Weekly and Stampavie and More # 138

Hope everyone is well and enjoying this lovely weather.  Sorry for the lack of posts but haven't had much crafting time as it has just been so busy.  Had a couple of GB rehearsals and then the GB display, Hollie won the shield for her section and also best squad, went to the craft show in Belfast, gave the garden its first cut and lots of weeding and strimming, went shopping in Belfast with the girls on Thursday and of course taxi service for the girls.  

When I did get a chance to make a card it just wouldn't work and I just left it, as I don't think I was really in the mood.  Have tried this sketch (Allsorts) since last week and have made three or four attempts using different papers and then when I went to put it all together last night and checked the challenge, I was too late as it had to be uploaded before 6pm.  So I then repositioned the image and added the embellishment and sentiment in a different place and I am a bit happier with it but not much, although I did get it finished.  Was a hard sketch for me. 

I am entering my card into four challenges now:-

A Spoonfull of Sugar # 148 - Let's Celebrate (Birthday)
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Monthly Challenge # 11 - One for the Boys
Papertake Weekly - Spots N Stripes
Stampavie and More # 138 - Birthday

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Paper, Embellishment and Letter Stickers - Echo Park
Image - Stampavie (definitely one of my favourite from their last release)
Coloured with Distress Inks

Sorry for the poor photos, it looks much better than this and I had edged it with blue distress ink which doesn't really show up.

Thanks for popping by and I wish you all a very happy Easter and hope the weather continues to be good.

Truly Scrumptious # 52, A Spoonfull of Sugar # 142 and Simon Says Stamp

Very wet and cold here today with the forecast for more snow. Where did spring go, was nice for a few days.

Not happy with the way this card photographed.  The layout, colours and image are fine but the colours in the image have photographed a lot lighter than they are on the card. The brown is a little lighter, but not that much, as it was my darkest brown in the distress inks that I used.  Think I may have to go and get a darker brown if there is one. 

I am entering my card into three challenges:-

Truly Scrumptous # 52 - Sketch by Mandy
A Spoonfull of Sugar # 142 - Vintage/Shabby theme (image)
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Paper - Die Cuts With a View
Image - Stampavie
Coloured with Distress Inks
Woodware Punch
Pearls 

Apologies again for the photograph, thanks for popping by and visiting. Any comments are much appreciated.

A Spoonfull of Sugar # 138, Lily of the Valley # 84, Papertake Weekly and Cute Card Thursday # 151

Went to visit my new baby niece last night. She is gorgeous and has a head of black hair.  Although she was much finer than I thought she would be for her birth weight.  I was expecting a little bruiser as they say but she has very small hands and feet and is so cute.  Got to nurse her as did hubby and the girls and fed her a bottle too.  Think Shannon is looking for a baby brother or sister - no chance, three is definitely plenty for me.  Too old anyway and I wouldn't relish the thought of nine months of sickness again. 

Got this card completed today and then when hubby came home we went out for tea as it is Hollie's birthday tomorrow and it wouldn't be a good night to take her out with it being Valentine's Day. Going shopping or rather 'window shopping' to Belfast tomorrow as that is what she wants to do and then to the cinema on Tuesday to see Yogi Bear before she goes back to school on Wednesday.  We are going to take her ice-skating next Sunday as hubby won't be working.  Hopefully our shop will be opening on Wednesday in our new premises. Fingers crossed.

I am entering my card into four challenges : -

Lily of the Valley # 84 - Follow Sketch and use a LOTV image
A Spoonfull of Sugar # 138 - Show Love (wedding, hearts, valentines)
Papertake Weekly - Have a heart (include a heart on our card - the hearts are on the image - hope this is suitable)
Cute Card Thursday # 151 - Hearts and Flowers (again hearts on the image)

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Die Cuts With A View
Patterned Paper - My Minds Eye (free with magazine and nearly all used now.  Loved these papers)
Image - LOTV
Coloured with Distress Inks
Gems - Mei Flower
Ribbon from local craft shop
Sentiment - Computer generated
Verse from internet
Woodware Punch

I got another award this week from Katina and haven't had a chance to post it. Thank you very much Katina.

In accepting the award I've had to agree to the following conditions:


1) You have been tagged, do you want to accept? Create a post on your blog and post the love blog photo.

2) Link back to the person who gave you the award and say if you accept.

3) Choose 3-5 of your favourite blogs to tag, link these in your post too and tell the lucky people they have been tagged.

The aim of the award is to bring unknown blogs to light, so we are asked not to tag someone "with 3000 followers".



I am passing this award to the following three people :-

                                               Melly
                                               Christine
                                               Alison

I had got this award recently from Melly and not sure if I can do this again but I just want to thank my followers and I get the chance to give an award back to Melly (sorry) who has given me my two other awards. 

Thanks for popping by and visiting and your comments are very much appreciated.

A Spoonful of Sugar # 136, Bunny Zoe's Crafts # 8, Paperake Weekly # 52 and Pollycraft Monday # 77

Got the chance to make another card or rather start one.  Liked the theme at Pollycraft Monday for black, white and one other colour.  Thought I would choose red as it would work for challenges that were for Valentines.  However, I couldn't find any black or red paper only cardstock. 
When I first started scrapbooking and then cardmaking, I only used cardstock as I couldn't get my head around patterned papers.  Now with using patterned paper, I couldn't get my head around cardstock only, so this was a bit of a challenge for me.
When I started the card, I had to leave it as it looked very plain.  Had the idea in the middle of the night (as usual), to add some black and white ribbon.  Found some and it started to look a little better.  I then decided to add the little red hearts in the MS border rather than use another layer of red.  As my daughter Hollie thought I had too much red and she is only 8, going on 28.
Card was left again as I didn't have any images that would suit for a Valentines card.  Not much planning or organisation to this card was there.  Then I remembered seeing this little image on KennyK's as a free download.  I still haven't got used to digi's but thought I would give it a try.  When I printed the image, I thought it was too small but after layering it seems fine.  What do you think?  Added a few black gems and card finished - no.  Forgot about the rest of the sketch.  As I didn't have any heart punches, I used my woodware flower punch. Was going to stickle it like little veins, when hubby came in the kitchen and said no no, it just needs a little dusting or frosting.  He definitely has watched How To Lose A Guy in Ten Days too often.  You will understand if you have watched this film.  Then for the text, I thought it would take away from the card where it was to be placed so added the letters with the heart in the image.  Quite like how that turned out.  Finished inside of the card and job done.  This morning I decided to add a little bow to the front and a sentiment inside the card.  It really is finished now.  Has turned out better than I thought and quite like it, which is surprising as I always find fault with my cards. 

Anyway I am entering my card into four challenges:

A Spoonfull of Sugar - Valentine
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Love is in the Air
Papertake Weekly - Sketch
Pollycraft Monday - Black White and one other colour

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Black Gems - Mei Flower
Image - Kenny K
Woodware Punch
Martha Stewart Punch
Stickles
Distress Inks
Ribbon and letter stickers from stash

Sorry about the long winded post. Sometimes I get a bit carried away and it sort of explains it all back to me.  If that makes sense.

Hope you all have a good weekend and enjoy some crafting time.

A Spoonful of Sugar # 135, Cute Card Thursday # 148, Flutterby Wednesday # 138, Lily of the Valley # 81, Simon Says Stamp

Got another card started last night and then finished it today.  Apologies for the photograph as it is not great. Shannon was working last night from 6 - 9pm and Hollie was at a Movie Night at school from 7 - 9pm.  Sophie was having a lazy night as she is out tonight at Exodus for a UV party and I have to pick her up at 11.30pm.  So took the opportunity for a little bit of crafting. Maybe I'll get another card started tonight.

Anyway I am entering this card into 5 challenges:-
 
A Spoonful of Sugar # 135 - Blue and Green
Cute Card Thursday # 148- Recipe 3 2 1 - Three papers, 2 Flowers and 1 Image
Flutterby Wednesday # 138 - Open theme but use a fairy, angel or butterfly (think this image will suit)
Lily of the Valley # 81- Follow Sketch and use LOTV image
Simon Says Stamp - Bingo Challenge - Follow Grid horizontally, vertically or diagonally and use these three items - I went diagonally and chose Gems, Flowers and Punch (MS punch border, MS branch punch and flower punch)

I hope my card is suitable for these challenges. This is the first time entering Simon Says Stamp Challenge and it is the first time I have entered a card into this many challenges.  For some reason it all came together for me and I am pleased with this card.

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill (just heard it is closing down)
Patterned Papers - K & Co K'ology Addison
Image - LOTV
Coloured with Distress Inks
Ice Stickles
Gems - Mei Flower
Woodware Punch
Martha Stewart Punches
Sentiment - Molly Blooms (free with magazine)

Thanks very much for popping by and visiting. Any comments are very much appreciated.  Hope you are having a good weekend. Take Care.

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