Papertake Weekly, Simon Says Stamp, Crimbo Crackers # 3, Moving Along With The Times # 126, Pollycraft Monday # 120, Totally Gorjuss # 108 and Dream Valley # 21

Just a quick post from me tonight.  Started this card over a week ago and ended up missing the challenge I was making it for - A Gem of a Challenge # 34 .  On their previous challenge # 33 I got Top 3 with my owl card. 

I am entering my card into seven challenges : -

Pollycraft Monday # 120 - Christmas
Papertake Weekly - Christmas
Simon Says Stamp - Tag You're It
Crimbo Crackers # 3 - Santa
Moving Along With The Times # 126 - Ribbon and Bows
Totally Gorjuss # 108 - Sparkle
Dream Valley # 21 - Sparkle

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Paper - Echo Park
Image - Pink Gem
Coloured with Distress Inks
Stickles
Wish List Stamp - Whimsy Stmaps
Gems - Mei Flower
Ribbon  from stash
Nestabilities

Thanks for popping by.  Hope to get round to visit everyone later this evening. 

A Gem of a Challenge # 33, Pollycraft Monday # 117, Papertake Weekly, Dream Valley # 19, Simon Says Stamp

Another card to share tonight. 

Took Hollie back to the hospital today for her follow-up appointment and they said that her finger is starting to heal, although it was a very nasty break. Have to take her back again in two weeks and I asked if she could be seen at our local hospital and thankfully they said yes.  An 80 mile round trip just to sit in a waiting room, then get an x-ray and wait a while longer just for a one minute consultation.

Anyway, I am entering my card into five challenges:-

A Gem of a Challenge # 33 - Cold and Frosty (if it doesn't fit the challenge, please delete)
Pollycraft Monday # 117 - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (had followed the sketch from last week's challenge but didn't get it entered in time)
Dream Valley # 19 - Anything Goes (second entry)
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes (second entry)

Carblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Paper - My Minds Eye (free with a magazine)
Image - Pink Gem
Coloured with Distress Inks
Stickles
Martha Stewart Punch
EK Success Corner Punch
Nestabilities

Thanks again for popping by. Your comments are very much appreciated.
Ribbon from local craft shop

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.

Craft Us Crazy # 5, Simon Says Stamp Challenge, Papertake Weekly, Allsorts Challenge # 97 and Pollycraft Monday Challenge # 87

Again haven't had much time for crafting this week.
As Shannon and Sophie had a disagreement on Sunday, I went to the McFly concert with Shannon.  I have seen them before and wasn't that bothered about it but they were actually very good. They also had two very good support acts, City Stereo and That Sunday Feeling. 
Westlife concert was last night and as usual it was very good.  Think that was maybe my eleventh time seeing them. Sad or what.  Well that is concerts now until June thankfully so get a break from driving to Belfast as it is 60 mile there and back.  Although the craft show is next weekend so will possibly have to go to that.

Anyway onto my card:-
I am entering my card into five challenges:-

Craft Us Crazy # 5 - Spring/Easter
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Spring Colours/Easter
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (didn't do optional extra of using something new)
Allsorts Challenge # 97 - Blooming Blossoms (hope the flowers on image, paper and MS border count as well as the punched flowers)
Pollycraft Monday Challenge # 87 - Use an old/neglected stamp/image (used one of the first Pink Gem images I bought)

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock and Patterned Paper - Doodlebug
Image - Pink Gem
Coloured with Distress Inks
Woodware Punches
Martha Stewart Deep Edge Punch
Sentiment - free with magazine
Gems- Meiflower

Just noticed I forgot to colour the butterfly.

Thanks for popping by and visiting, it is much appreciated.  Must go and get Hollie now as she is finishing early for the next few days for parent interviews, mine is on Tuesday and then  the girls all finish next Friday for Easter.

A Gem of a Challenge # 14

Thought I would post a card that I made yesterday.  My brothers wife had a baby girl on Tuesday morning at 3.36am weighing 11 lb 4 oz.  A baby sister for Eva who is 3 next month.

Has been an up and down sort of couple of days.  Good news on the safe arrival of my new niece who I am going to visit this weekend as children aren't allowed in to visit at the hospital and I didn't want to go and the girls not get to see her but then sad news when I later heard two little girls that I know at GB and Sunday School, their mum ended her life on Monday night.  Hard to get your head around something like that.

Anyway onto my card : - 

I am entering into just the one challenge :-

A Gem of A Challenge # 14 - Follow sketch

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock- Bazzill
Patterned Papers - K & Co
Nestabilities
Gems - Mei Flower
Image - Pink Gem Digi
Computer Generated Sentiment
Verse from Internet

I didn't have any baby images and was going to buy a card when I remembered I had this digi image from Pink Gem so thought I would try a digi again.  Still think I prefer stamps or maybe I just need more practice.

Going out now to collect Shannon from work and then I think I will have an early night as hubby is out at a meeting and won't be back til late.

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

A Gem of A challenge # 12

First of all I would like to thank everyone for all their comments on my last card.  I was totally blown away and also would like to say hello to Fleur another new follower.  Wow, I have 24 followers.  Ok I know its not many compared to the rest of you, but for me, I think it is fantastic, that you have taken an interest in my cards and have decided to leave a comment or become a follower.  THANK YOU.


Last night I got an e-mail from Mieke, one of my recent new followers, to let me know that I had won the raffia lace that was candy on Bev's blog. Thank you Mieke. Was very happy last night going to bed, hubby kind of just looked at me and laughed.  Thank you to Bev for the candy as well.


Anyway onto my card.  I am entering this into A Gem of a Challenge # 12.    This was to follow a sketch by Debby.  Although the image was supposed to be on a circle shape, my cutter just wouldn't cut today and kept tearing the paper, so I hope i can still enter with this.

Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Patterned Paper - My Minds Eye (free with a magazine)
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Gems and Ribbon - Mei Flower
Image - Pink Gem
Coloured with Distress Inks
Woodware Punch
Martha Stewart Punch




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

A Gem of a Challenge # 10

I said last night I would be back today with another card and here I am.  I am really late with this card and hope it is still in time to enter the challenge. With not getting as much time as I would like to craft, I am missing a lot of challenges.


I am entering this card into A Gem of a Challenge # 10 -  Follow Sketch with the theme of a Christmas card but with no red or green.


Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Bazzill and Paper Mill
Patterned Paper - Echo Park and Doodlebug
Image - Pink Gem
Sentiment - Personal Impressions
Stickles
Woodware Punch
Martha Stewart Icicle Punch (again, lol)

Also as promised in my post last night, I have a few more photographs to share with you.  If you missed those photos, scroll down if you have time. The first are on my journey yesterday to collect the girls from school early.  Fun in the snow last night and one of the icicle that was hanging from our front door this morning when it was -8.5.

This photograph is when you pass the White Rocks beach on the way into Portrush, a seaside town by the way. Not today though.

This photograph is normally a golf course on the main road to Porstewart.

I love watching the girls play in the snow.  although we have never got as much as this before.

Think my hubby felt safer in the back with Cleo, our cairn terrier, than he did out the front with all the snowballs that were flying about.

Isn't this the most beautiful icicle. Makes you cold looking at it though.


Anyway , sorry for the long post again, just thought I would share these photographs.  Back to crafting again, trying to make a set of four more cards today.  Take care and hope the weather isn't too bad where you are.

A Gem of a Challenge # 9 and Bunny Zoe's Crafts Monthly challenge # 5

Another quick post from me tonight.  Feeling slightly better.  Didn't do very much last night,  watched Emmerdale and Bones and then had an early night.


I am entering my card into two challenges : -
A Gem of a Challenge - Autumn Colours  (red, orange and brown)
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Monthly Challenge - Autumn Love


Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill
Patterned Paper and Sentiments - Free with a magazine (Spring Fling)
Flowers from stash
Gems - American Crafts
Image - Pink Gem Designs
Coloured with Distress Inks
Stickles

Apologies for the photograph.  Taken this evening, light not so good.  Makes the paper look gold and not orange. 


Thanks for popping by.  I also want to say thanks for the comments last night when I wasn't feeling great, they were much appreciated.

Pink Gem, Flutter By Wednesday , Pollycraft Monday Challenge and Papertake Weekly

I have made this card for the challenge at Pink Gem # 8 - to follow sketch with added theme of 'Lots of Sparkle.' It hopefully fits the challenges at Flutter By Wednesday # 124 - Angel Fairy or Butterfly with sparkle and shimmer and Pollycraft Monday Challenge # 64 - Anything Goes and Papertake Weekly - Theme or Sketch from the past 3 years. I have chosen - 11th May 2010 - shiny and sparkly - although the glitter isn't showing up to well.


Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Patterned Paper - Cosmo Cricket - Mitten Weather  (I think that is what it is called)
Image - Pink Gem
Coloured with Distress Inks
Stickles
Woodware Punches
Sentiment - Pink Gem
Flower Brads from stash


I had  forgotten about the Pink Gem challenge and nearly missed the deadline this month.  Not as much crafting as I would like but at least I get to do some.

The photograph isn't great and doesn't really show up the stickles  very well.

Thanks for popping by and any comments are very much appreciated.

Pink Gem, Totally Gorjuss, Paper take Weekly and Flutterby Wednesday

Finally got round to making a card.  Have had a busy few days and not much time for crafting.  My other half took a few days off at the end of last week and we took the girls to The Ulster Folk Museum in Bangor and Ice Skating at Dundonald on Friday.  Saturday we went to go to Belfast Zoo, only it was very wet when we arrived, so instead went out the coast road to Portaferry, across on the ferry boat to Strangford and then home in time for the X-Factor. Sunday was not to bad a day, so decided to get a little more fence painting, etc done in the back garden, so that it is ready for the winter. Then on Monday I started to get uniforms, etc labelled for going back to school as my youngest daughter Hollie started back today (Thursday) and is in P5.  Seems like only yesterday she started P1 and cried for the whole year as she didn't want to stay.  Tuesday was a big day for my eldest daughter as she got her GCSE results.  She got 4A's, 2B's and 4C's.  Although one of the C's is being checked as she had got a 'B' in her maths in January and the mark is shown as her re-sit in June, which was lower.  Anyway, I was over the moon at these results, but she was not happy as she thought she wouldn't get back to do AS/A levels, as you need B's in the subjects you want to do and she got a C in Home Economics.  Had an interview in the afternoon and she got back into Lower Sixth and she was really happy and said that meant more to her than getting the results.  She is for doing Spanish, French, English Literature and hopefully Home Economics.  Will know later today about that subject.  Tomorrow will also be my eldest daughter Shannon's birthday and she will be seventeen, so I suppose it will be driving lessons for her.  So onto my card eventually.  Sorry for all the waffle, but it keeps like a little diary for me, you know with old age and all that forgetfulness you get.
As I have missed a few challenges and am doing a little bit off catch-up, I am entering this card into four challenges.
Pink Gem - Follow Sketch
Totally Gorjuss - A Star - (hope the star on the little fairy/sentiment is ok for this challenge)
Papertake Weekly - 3,2,1 Recipe - 3 Layers, 2 Designer Papers and 1 piece of Ribbon
Flutterby Wednesday - Open Challenge - Just use a fairy, butterfly or angel - used a fairy
Cardblank - Craftwork Cards
Cardstock - Paper Mill and Doodlebug
Patterned Paper - Doodlebug
Martha Stewart Punch
Sentiment - Elzybells
Image - Pink Gem
Ribbon and Gems - Doodlebug
Coloured with Distress Inks
Stickles
Thanks for popping by, it is very much appreciated, as are all your comments.  Hopefully will get a bit more crafting done again after the girls are all back at school on Tuesday.

Truly Scrumptious # 38, Cute Card Thursday # 125 and Totally Gorjuss #43

I have made this card for three challenges and hope it fits in with them all ok.  The first is Truly Scrumptious - Follow sketch with the optional theme of Golden Oldie.  I don't really have any old stamps as cardmaking is only new to me, but this would have been another one of the first stamps I would have purchased. The second challenge is for Cute Card Thursday - Theme of trees and/or leaves - this is one of only two similar stamps I have with a tree on it and the third challenge is Totally Gorjuss - Colour Aqua.  I have had these papers for a few years for scrapbooking and never used them as never seemed to have the right photograph for them.  As the paper wasn't double-sided I think I would like a little gem for the folded corner, but don't have any in these colours, so will add one later.
Cardstock - Doodlebug
Patterned Paper - Doodlebug
Image - Pink Gem
Coloured with Distress Inks
Ribbon - Doodlebug
Sentiment - Free with magazine
Cardblank - Craftwork Cards - Normally I just would cut my cardstock to size and make a card, but have seen quite a few people  use these card blanks, so thought I would give them a try.  They are really sturdy and come with matching envelopes, which is good, as quiet a few of my earlier cards, I can't get envelopes to fit.  6 x 6 is just too small and 8 x 8 is too big.  

Thanks for popping by and your comments are much appreciated.

Mojo Monday 150 - Contest and Papertake Weekly - White and Bright

Before I mention my card for today.  Guess what - I won the challenge at Winter Wonderland this week.  It was to make a card with no designer papers.  I won four digi images from Sassy Design Studios. Haven't really tried digi's, so this will give me plenty of practice.
Anyway, my card for today is for Mojo Monday 150 - Contest and Papertake Weekly - White and Bright.  Found this sketch a little difficult. Also, the Martha Stewart punch doesn't really show up on the patterned paper.
Cardstock - Bazzill
Patterned Paper - Junkitz
Ribbon - Mirielle
Gems - K & Co
Martha Stewart Punch
Image - Pink Gem
Sentiment - Pink Gem
Coloured with Distress Inks

Thanks for popping by.  Have a nice weekend.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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