Water Lily

Thought I would post this card I made recently and enter it into the challenge at Allsorts - There's Magic in the Air #362 - Fairies

Image - Water Lily - liliofthevalley
Coloured with Distress Inks
Papers - My Minds Eye - Lime Twist

Thanks for visiting and any comments left are appreciated x

Christmas Challenges

Back with another card

A Christmas card for -

Crimbo Crackers Challenge #106 - Anything Goes
ABC Christmas - I is for Ink

Image - Lily of the Valley - My Snowman Friend
Papers - Think they are Echo Park
Coloured with Distress Inks
Tree Die - Marianne Design

Thanks for visiting and I appreciate any comments x

Lily of the Valley # 119, Truly Scrumptious # 69, Winter Wonderland, Sketch Saturday # 180 and Papertake Weekly

Just a quick post from me today.  Just back from school runs and starting homework before Girls Brigade this evening. 

I am entering my card into five challenges:-

Lily of the Valley # 119 - Bright and Sparkly
Truly Scrumptious # 69 - Bingo - I choose - Glitter, Punch/Die Cuts and Ribbon
Winter Wonderland - Make your card sparkle
Sketch Saturday # 180 - Follow Sketch
Papertake Weekly - Christmas Card

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Die Cuts With A View
Patterned Paper - My Minds Eye
Image - Lily of the Valley
Coloured with Promarkers (don't look too closely, do prefer distress inks but couldn't get colours to match)
Woodware Punch
Martha Stewart Punch
Ribbon - American Crafts
Gems - Mei Flower
Stickles

Thanks for popping by. Will try and get round to visit your blogs later this evening.

Lily of the Valley # 104, Moving Along With The Times # 106, Craft Us Crazy # 12

Another card or rather two from me tonight. 

I am entering my card into three challenges :-

Craft Us Crazy # 12 - Christmas in July
Lily of the Valley # 104 - Sketch
Moving Along With The Times # 106 - Christmas in July

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards

Cardstock - Paper Mill

Patterned Papers - Papermania

Image - LOTV

Coloured with Distress Inks

Stickles

Gems - Mei Flower

Stars - Baking Cutters

When I make a Christmas card, I like to make two, as it helps for when Christmas comes around. I couldn't make these the same as there was only one sheet of each paper in this pack but in four different colourways.  So I used two of the colourways and I like how they look different  but have the same elements.

Thanks for popping by and I hope you have a good weekend.

Bunny Zoe's Crafts # 13, Flutter By Wednesday # 160, Simon Says Stamp, Truly Scrumptious # 60, Lily of the Valley # 103 and A Gem of a Challenge # 24

Got a chance to make a card last night and I am entering it into six challenges :-

Bunny Zoe's Crafts Monthly # 13 - Fairies
Flutter By Wednesday # 160 - Open theme with fairy, angel or butterfly
Simon Says Stamp - Lemon and Lavender
Truly Scrumptious # 60 - Things with Wings
Lily of the Valley # 103 - Celebrate (hope Birthdays are ok)
A Gem of a Challenge # 24 - Sketch

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Paper - Dovecraft 
Image - LOTV
Coloured with Distress Inks
Stickles
Woodware Flower Punch
Nestabilities
Gems - Mei Flower
Sentiment - Elzybells
Ribbon - Making Memories

Thought I would share a few photographs that I took at Belfast Zoo on Sunday.

Sophie with a bearded dragon lizard.  She was scared when it started to walk up her arms.

Shannon holding the same lizard

Hollie sitting on the wooden carved spider. 

They were also letting you hold a tarantula spider and a snake but the girls or us weren't brave enought for that.

Couldn't believe how quickly they ate their lettuce, definitely put my girls to shame as they are very slow and picky eaters. 

Thanks for popping by, it is much appreciated and sorry for the long post. 

Lily of the Valley # 102, Totally Gorjuss # 86, Colour Create # 73, Dream Valley # 10

Sorry for the lack of posts and commenting but it has just been really busy and don't know where the days have gone.  Sophie finishes school tomorrow and Hollie fnishes on Thursday and I still have things to do before then. 

Took a bit of time out last night and made a card, just to kind of chill out after a lot of cleaning and tidying.  Also trying to sort out some things to maybe go to a car boot sale or two over the summer. 

I am entering my card into four challenges:

Lily of the Valley # 102 - Sketch by Donalda
Colour Create # 73 - Blue, Grey and White
Dream Valley # 10 - Ribbon
Totally Gorjuss # 86 - Ribbon and Lace (if my card doesn't suit this challenge, I apologise, I used my Martha Stewart Doily Lace punch)

Liked how it turned out for a change, so made two.  Two more Christmas cards made.

The doily lace punch doesn't show up very well but it does look nice at the edge.  Ran out of paper too for the insides as there was only two 6x6 sheets of each and had used them for the front.

Cardblanks - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Paper - Echo Park
Image - Lily of the Valley
Coloured with Distress Inks
Charm - Pink Gem (got these for last Christmas and never used them)
Ribbon - Making Memories
Martha Stewart Doily Border Punch
Nestabilities

I must apologise for not visiting your blogs, but I hope to get caught up over the next day or so and comment on all the cards I missed last week. 

Shannon passed her theory test last Saturday, so hopefully will get to do her driving test soon. Hollie had her sports day on Monday evening instead of during school.  Wednesday evening was out for dinner with leaders and helpers at Girls Brigade and planned for next term.  Friday night, went to see Bryan Adams in concert.  Totally amazing, two and a quarter hours of non stop music, never even stopped for a drink until his encore. Saw him in concert 4-5 years ago but this was definitely the best concert.  Want to go again.  Hope he comes back sooner this time.

Thanks for popping by and will be round to visit you all later.

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 # 20, Lily of the Valley # 95, Winter Wonderland

Finally got a chance to make a card.  With Hollie getting an extra two days off last week and then my niece Lydia got christened on Sunday, it has just been quite busy.

I am entering my card into three challenges:-

A Gem of a Challenge # 20 - Sketch
Lily of the Valley # 95 - Animal Antics (playing in the snow)
Winter Wonderland - Colours of Christmas (Red)

Liked how the card turned out so made another.

Don't think Mr Blogger likes my card as I had trouble getting it uploaded.

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Coredinations
Patterned Paper - Echo Park
Sentiment - Lily of the Valley
Image - Lily of the Valley
Coloured with Distress Inks
Stickles
Gems and Ribbon - Mei Flower
Martha Stewart Punch
Woodware Punch
Nestabilities



Thanks for popping by.  Your comments are very much appreciated. 

Papertake Weekly, Cute Card Thursday # 162, Lily of the Valley # 94, Moving Along With TheTimes # 96 and Totally Gorjuss # 78

We are having some fantastic weather at the minute, great for the girls when they are off school as it normally rains on school holidays.  They go back on Tuesday and then Hollie is off again on Thursday and Friday.  On Thursday we have local elections and her school is used as a polling station and on Friday she is getting off in lieu of the Royal Wedding as they were still on their Easter holidays.

I got a chance to start a card last night after another nice barbecue and before I started a load of ironing.  To warm to cook inside and great to get all your washing and bedding done and aired. Got it finished this morning, so thought I would post it now before I start to do some more gardening.

I am entering my card into five challenges:-

Papertake Weekly - Follow Sketch
Cute Card Thursday # 162 - Use an old sketch or one from another blog (Papertake Weekly)
Lily of the Valley # 94 - Love Is In The Air
Moving Along With The Times # 96 - Anything Goes
Totally Gorjuss # 78 - 123 Recipe - 1 patterned paper, 2 Punches (Martha Stewart Border Punch and Woodware Flower Punch) and 3 Flowers

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards

Patterned Paper - Local craft shop

Cardstock - Paper Mill

Martha Stewart Punch

Woodware Punch

Image - LOTV

Coloured with Distress Inks

Computer Generated Sentiment

Gems - Mei Flower

Ribbon - Doodlebug

Thanks for popping by and visiting my blog.  Any comments are greatly appreciated and I hope you all have a great bank holiday weekend.

Lily of the Valley # 88, Flutter By Wednesday # 147

Just a quick post from me today as I am running late and this card has to be uploaded today, for one of the challenges. 

I am entering my card into two challenges:-
Lily of the Valley # 88 - Sketch By Bev (left off the sentiment as not sure yet what I will use it for)
Flutter By Wednesday # 147 - Open theme plus fairy, angel or butterfly

Sorry about the photos, looks much brighter

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Paper - Kaisercraft
Image - LOTV
Coloured with Distress Inks
Woodware Punches
Martha Stewart Punch
Card Candy - Craftwork Cards - coloured to match
Gems from stash
Stickles

My washing machine is working really well at the minute, fingers crossed I don't jinx it, engineer due tomorrow morning to finish the repair.

Hope you are all enjoying this lovely weather and thanks for taking the time to visit my blog.  It is much appreciated.

Friday Sketchers # 145, Lily of the Valley # 87, Bunny Zoe's Crafts # 10 and Totally Gorjuss # 71

Got a chance to make a card last night and finished it off this morning. 

I am entering it into four challenges:-
Friday Sketchers # 145 - Sketch by Jacque
Lily of the Valley # 87 - Say it with Flowers
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Monthly Challenge # 10 - Happy Birthday with lots of pearls
Totally Gorjuss # 71 - Pearls and Lace

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Paper - Kaisercraft
Pearls
Image - LOTV
Coloured with Distress Inks
Sentiment - LOTV
Happy Birthday Sentiment - Free with magazine
Woodware Punches
Martha Stewart Punch
Paper Cellar - Raffia Lace

I also want to show you photographs of two bracelets that Hollie and I made this weekend, using beads and safety pins.  Hollie was watching me and asked if she could help and she really enjoyed it and wore her bracelet yesterday.

My washing machine broke on Friday night.  Can't help thinking what is going to be next as so many things have broke already this year and it is only March.  Engineer is coming out tomorrow and I am hoping he will tell me that they will replace it with a new machine.  The drum has collapsed, which means the rubber around the door is twisted as well.  The drawer and kick plate at the moment flew off during the spin cycle and they won't go back on again.  The slot for the drawer has totally dismantled and the electrics also seem to be broke too.  It was quite scary, as we were having our tea and the machine started to make strange noises and everything started flying off it and items fell from the utility shelves and our poor dog was so scared.   Mum is doing my washing for me as I still had the uniforms to wash for the girls for school today.  So fingers crossed for a new machine.

Thanks for taking the time to pop by and visit.

Cute Card Thursday # 153, Lily of the Valley # 85, Pollycraft Monday # 82, Flutter By Wednesday # 144 and Papertake Weekly

Concert went well last night.  Twenty Twenty the support band were very good and Shannon thoroughly enjoyed them.  She is into a lot of up and coming bands and this is one of them.  Was over the moon when she heard they were supporting The Saturdays as they are not really her thing but was going for Hollie and Sophie.  They got to meet them afterwards which was exciting for them.  As for The Saturdays, they were better than I thought as I expected to be bored.  Not into girl bands and divas. The only downside to them was Frankie was sick and didn't perform so there was only four of them.  Sophie was disappointed as this would be her favourite in the band.  However, they announced they are coming back in December, so guess who wants tickets.

Shannon and Sophie with Twenty Twenty

Hollie with Twenty Twenty.  She wanted a photograph by herself.

Anyway enough about last night and onto my card:-

I am entering my card into five challenges:-

Cute Card Thursday # 153 - A Sketch by Christine
Lily of the Valley # 85 - Circles plus LOTV image
Pollycraft Monday # 82 - Three circles on card.  Hope the scalloped circle counts
Flutter By Wednesday # 144 - Open theme plus fairy, angel, butterfly.  I choose a fairy
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes plus something old.  K & Co papers

Sometimes I think the inside looks better than the outside.  Wanted to use this sketch, had papers and image picked but it just didn't come together the way I had hoped.  The image didn't look right on white cardstock against these papers, so decided to cute the image out and back it onto purple.  Don't think the image is one for cutting out, or maybe i just haven't mastered it yet. Also had no ribbon that matched so that is why I used the Martha Stewart border punch.

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Papers - K & Co
Image - LOTV
Coloured with Distress Inks
Kars Glitter Glue
Gems - these are new ones i got which are for decorating your mobile, think they will work ok and they are cheaper
Woodware Punch
Martha Stewart Border Punch
Martha Stewart Branch Punch
Nestabilities
The larger circle is cut with the circuit as my circle cutter isn't cutting again.  The cartridge belongs to my aunt and I keep meaning to give it back, lucky I didn't as none of my cartridges has circles on them or i wouldn't have been able to finish the card.

Thanks for popping by and visiting and all comments are very much appreciated.  Enjoy the rest of your day.

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.

Sketch Saturday # 140, Simon Says Stamp, Lily of the Valley # 83, Moving Along With The Times # 84 and Craft Us Crazy # 1

As I wasn't overly happy with my last card, what better way to motivate myself than to try another card.  So I started this one last night and finished it this morning. 

I am entering my card into five challenges : -

Sketch Saturday # 140 - Follow Sketch
Simon Says Stamp - Love Is In the Air
Lily of the Valley # 83- Romance plus LOTV image
Moving Along With The Times # 84 - Red (as main colour)
Craft Us Crazy # 1 - Anything Goes (This is a new challenge blog)

Can't believe I got a few challenges to enter my card into, think I have only done this once before.  Normally only enter it into one or two at a time. Hope my card fits all these challenges.

I am pleased that I am still doing the insides of my cards as I go along.

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Paper - Cosmo Cricket - Mitten Weather (Christmas paper but think it works well as I don't have a lot of red papers)
Image - LOTV
Sentiment - LOTV (comes with image)
Coloured with Distress Inks
Martha Stewart Punches (heart border and branch)
Woodware Punches (flowers and circle)
Gems and Pearls - Mei Flower
Ribbon - Got this in The Works bookshop the other day. Thanks Mina for the heads up on this.

I am pleased with how this card turned out.

Thanks for popping by.  Hope the weather is better were you are.  We have gales and very heavy showers.  Enjoy your weekend and hope you can get a little time for crafting.

P.S.  Almost forgot - Sorry Melly - Thank you very much for this award it is much appreciated and accepted.

Received this award from Melly and have to pass it on to 3-5 others.
There are a few rules to follow - sorry

You have been TAGGED .Create a post where you post the 'LOVE BLOG' image.You should also blog the person link that gave you the award and inform her/him that you accept the award.You can then choose 3 to5 favourite blogs which you also link in your post, then each blogger will inform you that they have been tagged.

I am giving this award to :-         
                                                     Trish
                                                      Lou
                                                      Mieke
                                                      Kezzy
                                                      Fleur


I would love to give all my followers this award but I have given it to my newer followers to say thank you very much for your comments and to different followers that got my last award to make it fair.


I would also like to say hello to my newest follower Liz and say thank you.

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.