A Spoon Full Of Sugar Challenge

Hi

This weeks sketch from A Spoon full Of Sugar :

The hardest thing about this challenge was deciding which papers to use. There were so many layers. I needed to choose my combination carefully. As I had bought the Basic Grey Sultry 6"x6" pad on my outing on Saturday I thought I would use them. I have a terrible habit of buying papers and not using them, as have many other crafters. We like to look and stroke, but to actually use them is almost sacrilege, and I actually tore the chequered paper, but I like the rough edge against the pretty papers. I think it gives a good contrast.

I love the pretty pinks of this combination, it's a real girly card. I cut the scalloped circles with Spellbinders Nestabilities. I love these dies, and am definately going to buy more as soon as pay day rolls around again. There's always a list of 'must haves' awaiting the next payday.

I used Sitting Sugar Nellie and placed her on the edge of the scalloped circled. I wanted to give the inpression she is sitting on the edge of a summer meadow.

The flowers are 'Got Flowers' from 'Prima'. The ribbon is from the giftwrap department of John Lewis, and the beads from the haberdashery department.

Although I was dubious about the sketch when I started out, I just absolutely love the finished result.

Let me see now, more challenges to catch up on. I'll never get any housework done at this rate!!

Love Debbie xx

Mojo Monday #47

Hi All

Here's the sketch for challenge #47:

I changed it slightly ('artistic licence'). The oval was transformed into a circle (perfectly acceptable) and the rectangular matting has been raised above the top of the card. I did this more to 'fit it all in' Had I used a taller card I would have managed it. But hey, I like to be a little different.

See ya later, I'm in the middle of cooking dinner, so this is a quickie post.

Love Debbie xx

Whiff Of Joy Guest Designer Call

Hi

As all you cardmakers must know by now, Katharina is calling for guest designers to join her. WOW. The closing date is 30th July 2008, and as I have not missed the deadline yet I thought I'd give it a go.

Now...I for every little girl who enjoyed dressing up in mummy's clothes, and I know my sister and I did. I bet you all have your own version of this story!!!

Everytime there was a wedding, the next day we would get out the net's (lace curtains for those not familiar with U.K. terminology), and wrap them around each other, tying a huge bundle around our heads for a veil........Then we would 'make' our brother 'marry' us, much to his disgust. Come on, I bet you've all done it. Putting on Mummy's huge discarded shoes ('click-clack's' my sister and I used to call them, on account of the sound they made. My Mum called them 'winkle pickers') . On other days we'd don hats and handbags, and all manner of old jewellery, gems and beads, (to us they were the crown jewels) and go 'click-clacking' down the street in our own little world. We thought we were princess's.

Anyway the image, called 'Dressing Up Maggie', by 'Sugar Nellie' can be found at 'Funky Kits'. I've chosen it for this card, as it reminds me of those 'dressing up' times with much fondness...'sigh' Now you all must have a picture in your head, does it look anything like this.....

I did a little paper piecing on the hat and bag to tie it in with the background, and because I thought it would be fun. And seeing as I love a bit of bling, I used a gem for the flower on the hat, and red seed beads for the necklace. Now My sister and I were not as colour co-ordinated as this back in those days, but we did have some fun.....and thankfully we don't dress like this anymore!!!! For me the sentiment just summed everything up, 'enjoy the moment', for everyone is special and will never come around again.

I wish Katharina and her design team every success, I'm sure those gorgeous stamps will be snapped up in no time. I know I'll be buying a few. I hope this warrants consideration for your guest designer call, design team, and many thanks for looking.

Love Debbie xx

Therapy

Hi

Today Heather and I met for the first time and went to The Therapy Centre.........The Retail Therapy centre that exists in Capture The Magic and Calico Crafts, both conveniently sited in the same location in Soham, Cambridgeshire. I spent 'loads-a-money' but it was a real treat. I know I enjoyed myself, and I hope Heather did too. (Sorry if I wore you out Heather)

Anyway I thought I'd show you guys my purchases.....

££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££££

I did spend quite a bit (Don't tell DH)........but I did get alot in return for parting with my hard earned cash - thats that justified. And it was pay day for me this week anyway, good job say I!!!!

Heather, bless her, bought me a cute little bottle of Prima Flowers. I did not know at the time, and I was touched when she gave them to me, even though there was no need (naughty girl). Thanks anyway Heather, I love them. (And you can be sure I'll be looking out for something for you in return....) ;o)

I'm off to try everything out now......see you......well I don't know when......I've got stacks to play with.....

Love Debbie xx

Bee Happy

Hi there

At last I have received my ALOTA Bugs stamps from the USA, 'phew'. I'd been waiting patiently - for almost two weeks, biting my nails, and almost attacking the postman when I saw him peddling up on his cycle, poor man. He's now started poking my mail gingerly through the letterbox with a stick, for fear of me wrenching his arm off, Hehe....

"Forget the dogs postie, just worry about craft crazy women waiting on the other side of the door."

Now a little bird told me that Heather is quite partial to bees, so I've made this cute little ATC especially for her, as a thank you for the awards, and kind words she has given me over the past couple of months. "Hope you like it Heather, and thanks for the great day out." I wanted to post it on my blog as soon as I made it, but have waited until now so that she could see it first. Now that I've given it to her, you guys can see it too:

It's such a cute image don't you think? I've not done ATC's before, they're such fun, I think I'll be making a few more of them. ATC's could of course be mounted on to cards as a toppers.

I've kept the design simple to show off the stamp. A fluffy feather, some prima blossoms and a sprinkling of glitter and there you have it. Give ATC's a go, lets see what you all come up with.

'BEE HAPPY HEATHER'

Love Debbie xx

Boy, I'm Wylde.......

....Or so I've been told, in fact, I'm sure my 'kids' will vouch for that.

The beautiful 'Wylde Women Award' below has been given to me by my friend , Heather. This woman is truly amazing. Over the past few weeks she has inspired me, she's made me laugh and made me cry. Her personality is infectious. I have great respect for her as an artist, a fellow crafter, but most of all a person. You are truly wonderful Heather, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

There are conditions attached to this award:
1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.
2. Link back to this blogsite http://www.tammyvitale.com/ so Tammy can go visit all these wonderful women.
The Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.....

......mmmmm, now I'll have to sit on this one for a while. There are so many wonderful people that are fast becoming my friends that I need time to think.......... See you later......

Musical Pets

Hi All

Now then, Heather made reference to 'creations associating songs with pets' on Monday, so I thought I'd just share my thoughts with you. We have three animals at the moment, (besides dear husband and even dearer children).

My son has a four month old kitten. I think the song most suited to her at the moment is Meatloafs

'CAT Out Of Hell'. I mean 'Bat Out Of Hell', or do I??? Cat/Bat there's not much between a 'B' and a 'C' anyway is there? So....she runs around like a mad thing, springing up into thin air for no apparent reason at the most random moments. God only knows whats going through her mind when she does that. So anyway she caught her first bird yesterday (poor thing) and acutally started to devour it. I thought they were supposed to 'play' with them for a bit, then kindly 'let them go on their merry way' :o) Ok, well maybe that's a bit optimistic, but I was well and truly put off my chicken sandwich. I dread to think what she'll bring home when she's all grown up!!! Don't let that cute exterior fool you, she's a devil in disguise.....

Now Daisy dog is a different matter altogether. She's just gorgeous, a true lady, long flowing hair, big brown eyes, cute little nose.

But 'Oh My God', she does have her 'Bad Hair Days'...............

And that's why 'The Lady Is A Tramp'

My daughters pet is a hamster called GUCCI no less. They're both teenagers at the moment. How do I know that......well, obviously I gave birth to the daughter so I know how old she is. As for the hamster, well she has teenage tendencies so she must be. For example she shreds paper and leaves it all over her floor, eats in bed and leaves the crumbs all over the place, and when she's not shredding or eating, she's asleap all day and awake disturbing the peace all night. So her song......'Teenage Rampage' by The Sweet.

Now if those song choices don't show my age I don't know what will!!!

Bye for now

Love Debbie xx

Sarah Kay Sample

Hi
Now I'm going to test how many people actually read what I write, so if you like my story please leave me a comment so I know.

Ok then, I thought I'd show you the Sarah Kay card I've made for my good friends at Sir Stampalot. This is just a peek of course the full card is below.

But first let me tell you how my day's been so far.... I went to the gym this morning, keep going, you just gotta read this....

Yep, summer makes me want to get up and go and get fit. Well they've got a new machine there, so I just had to have a go. It was brill, fantastic, just what I needed, but I had to come off after half an hour 'cause it made me feel sick.

It was good though, you should try it. It's got everything...

Mars, Snickers, Twix, Minstrels, Caramel.....YUMMY. Got you going then, hope you liked that one, he he:o)

Anyway, here's what I've really been doing this morning:

Now the photo's not that good, because I took it outside and it was too bright. Here I am making excuses again, and I really don't want to knock the sunshine, I'd almost forgotten what it looked like.

Enough of that. Now I thought this Sarah Kay image was a gorgeously summery, so I chose the colours for a sunshiney look. I cut the aperture in the card with my Spellbinders Nestabilities. I used paper from the Floral Prints Paper Stack from DCWV to line the inside of the card, so that it would show through the aperture. The background dragonflies were stamped with Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue and coloured withH2o's. The beautufil Sarah Kay image was coloured with Zig Art Pens with a light wash of H2o's to give a shimmer. (Note...I've just found a UK site that sells Copic Markers , so I'll be saving up my pennies to buy some)

The fancy dragonflies were stamped on vellum with versamark and embossed with white detail embossing powder. They were delicately coloured with H2o's and Sakura stardust pens, and paired up and stuck together with good old silicone.

I seem to have a thing for dragonflies at the moment, they are flying around everywhere and landing on my cards!!!

I love this card, it's what summer is all about.

See ya later.

Love Debbie xx

Mojo Monday #46

Hi there

This is the sketch for this weeks Mojo Monday challenge:

Now as I have spent most of the day blog hopping to catch up on what I've missed from all you lovely people through the week due to working, it seems I have just about run out of natural daylight. This means I am now going to post a rubbish photo, so please excuse me!! I would have rather taken it tomorrow morning, but I'm running to a deadline now. It looks much better in real life than the photo.

The butterflies were stamped four times with Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid pigment ink and layered up in pairs with silicone for support. The Real Dill stamp was stamped with first and second impressions to give depth and interest. And the background paper was embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.

Supplies:

Paper - Blonde Moments Sugar Dumpling Sweetie. Sizzix Little Sizzles Brights from DCWV.Stamps - Hero Arts Real Dill. Magenta Butterfly.

Love Debbie xx

Summer Tag Memories

Hi All

Here is a little tag booklet I made to remind me of the lovely day out at the seaside I had with my Grandson and two youngest children last year. The weather was gorgeously sunny, the children were happy, and the day was filled with wonderful memories.

I love little books. You can put all kinds of things in them - photos, sentiments, stamped images, embelishments and many more things.

This booklet stands on my desk at work, so I can remember that special day of fun in the sun.

The booklet is made from a strip of Bazzil Bling about four inches tall, and scored at three inch intervals. The papers were a free sample from a magazine. I loved the colour combination so I chose embellishments to match.

I chose to turn the photos sepia as I thought the added to the vintage look, which is exactly what I was after.

The blossoms were from Prima, the soft blue colour matches perfectly. I glued small amber gems in the flower centres for a little bling to lift the whole thing so it didn't look too drab.

Both sides of the booklet were decorated to make the most of the photos. This would make a perfect gift for a mummy, daddy, grandparent, auntie or any other special person.

The journalling was kept to a minimum, with just a few choice words, and details of where and when the outing was. Small lengths of ribbon were stapled to the tops of the tag shapes to finish it off. We all had a fabulous day out. We spent the morning on the beach making sandcastles and moats. After our picnic dinner we went for a stroll into town. Saw the donkey rides. Ate ice-creams and candy-floss. Had fish and chips for tea. then spent some time at the fun fair. It reminded me of my childhood, which I always look back on with fondness.

See ya later

Love Debbie xx

A Spoon full Of Sugar #8

Hi

This week over at A Spoon Full Of Sugar its ONE FOR THE GIRLS . Making a girlie card is easy for me, it's everything I like, 'sugar sweet pink glittery cuteness'. All they ask is that you have a Sugar Nellie, Rachelle Anne Miller or a Hanglar stamp somewhere on your design. And as of this week you are now also welcome to use the cute Sarah Kay and High Hopes stamps. so pop on over to take a look at their design team cards for inspiration, and get stamping.

I used Sweet & Sassy Sugar Nellie. She's so cool.

I coloured Nellie with Marvy pens and H2o's and she is mounted onto pink glitter card. The background paper already is glittered in places, but you could glitter your own. The shape was cut with my Cricut Expressions then put through my Big Shot and embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. The paper roses came from John Lewis, as did the wired beads. And the tiny dragonfly peel offs are from The Glitter Girls no less.

So there you have it Sugar Sweet Pink Glittery Cuteness.

Take Care

Love Debbie xx

Tilda

Hi there.

Back to Tilda and my favourite colour...Yep good old lilac. This one's just for fun though, it's not for any challenge.

Tilda is tucked into the little pocket made by the crossover triangles. You could make ATC's and tuck them in there, or how about gift vouchers, or better still LOTS OF MONEY. You could even tuck a Tilda stamp in there if you were making it for a crafting buddy. I'm sure you could think of a lot more ideas. Pockets are useful to tuck all sorts of things in, and I should know......I've got three boys. They've always got 'useful' things tucked in their pockets!!!!

See ya soon

Love Debbie xx

I've Been Featured

Wow, I've been featured on Inspirational. THANK YOU guys. What an honour. You can see mine and alot of other people's artwork on this amazing blog. Click the link and pop over for a look. You won't believe your eyes.

Love

Debbie xx

Magnolia Challenge #28

Hi everyone.

Thanks for stopping by to look at my blog. I really appreciate all the comments that are being left by you lovely people. I hope you will continue to stop by and look at my new work.

This week's challenge from the guys at Tilda & Co Challenge Blog:

'Make her distressed looking, a little rough around the edges, a bit grungy! So stay clear of these cute pastel colours if you can help it and get down and dirty with Tilda!'

This challenge is a little different as it's not cute and girly, but I do like the different look. Here is my effort, I hope it's distressed enough.

The background paper is Chocolate Kisses downloaded from the Scrap Girls. The mats were cut from Sizzix Neutrals using Spellbinders Nestabilities Scallop Circle dies, that I treated myself to just this very weekend. The flowers are from Prima essentials and I think the brads may be from Making Memories, but I'm not too sure on that one as I've thrown the packet away.

Many more challenges calling. See you soon.

Love Debbie xx

Sarah Kay Challenge #1

My new Sarah Kay stamps have been used for this brand new Sarah Kay challenge blog. These stamps are so finely detailed and very girly. I remember Sarah Kay from my younger days, and it's great that these images are back in the form of stamps for us crafters. The stamps are available from my local favourite Sir Stampalot who also do mail order, for those of you that live further afield.

I folded the front of the pearlised card back on itself, and embossed it with my Cuttlebug embossing folder. The 'inside' of the card was then lined with beautiful lilac paper from K & Co, which I glittered myself, although this doesn't show on the photo. It is quite subtle though. I mounted the image onto plain cardstock from Sizzix. I cut the flowers with my Big Shot in the same colours and stuck a tiny gem in the centre for that added sparkle.

This photo shows just how finely detailed these images really are. So if you like detail you'll love these stamps.

Love Debbie xx

Pink Sixteen

Just a quick post this time to show you a sixteenth birthday card I made for a customer's cousin, before it's packed up and shipped out. Very simply pink and girly with a teeny bit if sparkle. I hope she likes it.

Love

Debbie xx

Penny Black Saturday Challenge #4

Well well, I have been a busy girl this weekend. My camera battery has now got life again so I'm back with the Buttons + Brads challenge from Penny Black, and back with summery colours.

I used my Big Shot to cut the flowers. I curled the petals up for a bit of dimension and secured with sparkly brads from Doodlebug. The sentiment was printed from my computer, which I couldn't do without of course and the buttons are also from Doodlebug. I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder for adding detail to the background, and the mouse is mounted on a shape cut with my Cricut Expressions.

I need to go and tidy the dining table now because it looks like a paper explosion, and I've forgotten what the table looks like.

Take care

Debbie xx

Daring Cardmakers

Well from mid-summer to mid-winter with this next challenge from Daring Cardmakers.

So it's winter in New Zealand then. It almost feels like winter here in chilly Peterborough today. Its windy and overcast with frequent showers, not quite snow but it has put me in the mood for this challenge and I'm hoping this card fits the bill. But don't forget I am supposed to be basking in brilliant summer sunshine at this time of year.

OOOPS......Wouldn't you know it, just after I get complimented on my photography, I post a rubbish photograph. Photographing cards outside on a windy day is not to be recommended. It just wouldn't stand up for long enough. So I laid it down and I tried to avoid shadows by crouching down, and what do you know, missed half the bottom off. Then just as I was about to do a re-take, my camera battery failed.....Aarrggh Poo.....So the battery is now on charge, and in the meantime you'll have to put up with a rubbish shot. I might re-do it when my battery has come back to life.

On to the next challenge... AAAHHH.

Love

Debbie xx

Friday Sketchers #9

The Sketch:

The Result:

I took this photo at the wrong time of day really, but as it's for a customer who's picking it up tomorrow I thought I'd better take it while I had time. The photo was taken outside to get the true colours, as I do find lilac can be a difficult colour to photograph. Sometimes it looks too blue in the wrong light. As you can see the sun was casting shadows across the card in places. I'm not quite the professional photographer yet. Let me know your tips for taking good quality photos. I keep telling him indoors that I need a new camera "It's only £800 you know, and it will make my blog pics look really pro!!!!!" Fingers crossed, he'll buy me one for Christmas.

Yes I did cheat a bit, this card is rather similar to the Papertake Challenge below, but as my customer was admiring it and making sweet comments yesterday, I thought I would make her one similar, and do the Friday Sketchers challenge at the same time. 'Killing two dragonflies with one stone' so to speak. You can probably see the dragonflies more clearly than on the previous post.

Wow.... I suddenly got carried away when editing the photos in Photoshop.

I thought of comparing the dragonfly to a fairy because of its iridescent wings and the way it flitters about, anyway it was midsummer just a couple of weeks ago. The sentence just seemed to suit the image and sum the whole thing up. I hope you like it.

I'm back to Tilda tomorrow.

See ya then

Debbie xx

Independence Day

WOW!! Four posts in one day, I must have gone mad.

Anyway I couldn't let today go by without saying

to all our American friends. Lets hear what you guys all do to celebrate on your very important day. We all love to celebrate at some time, tell us all your wonderful stories.

I had to attend a management course (day two). As you can probably guess it wasn't nearly as much fun as you guys will have .....'YAWN'..... But I did manage to get some 'art' work in.....

On page four of my notes handout!!!! I doodled a border around the entire page over the course of the two days. I even had one of my colleagues ask me if I would blow it up for her to paint on her wall. Not very professional I know, but fun nonetheless.

Waiting to hear your Happy Holiday stories!!

Love Debbie xx

Papertake Weekly Challenge

Me again

"Thanks A Latte" is the Papertake challenge this week. Well I did make a thank you card but not a 'latte' Still half way there isn't bad, is it? And it was personal preference to 'Latte' or not to 'Latte'.

I have to say though 'Latte' colours are not too abundant in my stash right now, so I think I'll maybe stock up next time I'm let loose in the craft shop. But Lilac does at least begin with the same letter. How many times have I said 'LATTE' now?

The dragonfly is actually made up from two layers. The bottom layer in patterned paper, and the top layer in acetate. The little flowers on the dragonfly wings were coloured in Sakura stardust glitter purple with a tiny gem added to the centres on the acetate layer.

Anyway THANKS A 'LATTE' for taking the time to look.

Love to all

Debbie xx

Mojo Monday Week #44

Hi All

Here's the sketch for Mojo Monday this week:

I decided that since I haven't used this cute l'il puppy stamp for such a long time I'd bring it out for a airing and use it in this challenge. I loved working with these colours for a change. I used copper card on the corners which reflects the light, and the "Hi there" is hand written. I'm getting braver at including hand written elements in my cards now. I think it gives that personal touch, which I like. I think I'm going to invest in some nestabilities dies, they seem quite popular with you all out there, and they seem to make cutting out around images and words more controllable and accurate. the only trouble is, I can't get stamps and dies as cash flow right now is a little bit limited, at least until pay day again. Ah well, guess you can't have it all...

Love Ya

Debbie xx

Going Round In Circles

Do you ever feel like you are going round in circles? I do... One minute you're here, then somewhere else, and what do you know, you're back to where you started from. Well this card is dedicated to those who feel as though they are just going round and round and round and.........

See ya later

Debbie xx ,

Blog Candy

WOW Nikki is celebrating 10.000 hits in just under four months by giving away some fabulous BLOG CANDY. Take a hop over to her blog and get a look for yourself.

Congrats Nikki

Take care

Love

Debbie xx