Jeanette's Blog Candy

Hi All

Jeanette over at Happy Thoughts and Ink Spots is celebrating 10,000 hits since starting her blog in June. That's an amazing number for such a short space of time. So she is giving away an amazing blog candy prize to say thanks. If you visit her blog you can see just why she has received such interest. Her blog is just wonderful.

The closing date is October 12th, so you have plenty of time. But to make sure you don't miss out on this chance, why not pop over right now.

Basic Grey Challenge #4

Hi All

Martine has posted the Basic Grey Challenge for this week, and it's based on this sketch by Susie Little. As usual you can make any project you like, just incorporate at least on Basic Grey Element, and of course the sketch. It's as easy as that. Why not pop on over and take a look at what the rest of the Design Team have done.

My contribution as Guest Designer this week uses Basic Grey papers from the Scarlets Letter collection. I've made a small wall hanging with a Christmas theme, which just goes to show, you don't have to use Christmas papers to 'do christmas'

I stamped and embossed small gold snowflakes on the red paper.

Then on my strip of green, I punched small holes in a line, and stitched a back stitch line along the length, and added a small gold charm.

The stamp is from Spiral Whisper, and watercoloured with Zig art pens

I cut the scrolls with my Cricut, and cut them into sections to drape around the edges of the design. They detract from the squareness and add an organic flow to the design.

I don't usually use these colours, even for Christmas cards, but my eyes have been opened to all sorts of possibilities whilst browsing other blogs. So I thank you for the inspiration.

The flowers are from Prima, who else.

Sadly this is my last week of guest designing for the Basic Grey challenge, But I've really enjoyed the challenges so far. I might be entering now to win a prize, so watch out.

Awards

Hiya

Lynsey has left me a couple of awards, can't think why!! Thanks Lynsey you're great. I still can't believe that people want to even look at my work, let alone leave me awards.

It'll be MY BIRTHDAY ON 6th OCTOBER, and I'm thinking of doing something a little special for all my visitors. Maybe a little CANDY to celebrate. You'd like that wouldn't you?

You'll have to keep popping back though, I want to see if I can get up to 5,000 visitors before my birthday. More details to come, so keep looking and pushing that counter up.

Take care

Double Dutch Challenge

Hi All

I just found a new Dutch blog over the weekend that impressed me so much I thought I would have a go at their challenge. The blog is called Double Dutch. and the challenge is to make a purse as designed by Moon . You have until 28th September to do it, so there's plenty of time to enter. You'll find the instructions on the blog, and don't worry about not understanding them, they're not all 'Double Dutch' as they're provided in English too.

Here's my take on Moon's purse:

I just love this idea. you could put photo's in the pockets, secret messages, vouchers, tickets, money, memorabilia, and I'm sure you can think of many more delightful things for someone special. So pop on over to the blog and you'll see some fantastic examples by the superb Design Team, it's really something different. Go and take a look.

• Paper by Kay & Co

Quality Copics

Hi All.

Remember my gorgeous purchases from Monday's shopping spree. Well at last I got to use them. I was so looking forward to using those Copic Markers.

Are they really worth the money?

Well my verdict is yes.

The intensity of the colour is amazing. They are so easy to use. and you can layer on the colour for more depth. I was in so much of a hurry, that my colouring was rather careless, and I did go over the lines in a couple of places.....Ooops, but I still think the result is outstanding. I'm definately going to purchase more. The only part of the image not coloured with Copics is the face.

This stamp from Whiff Of Joy is so cheeky. I can just imagine all those boys at school waiting around the corner to throw icy cold snowballs at the giggling girls, so they can hear them shriek with horror. I once had a snowball hit me in the eye at school. It was very painful let me tell you. My eye looked like I'd been in a fight with more than a snowball, those blasted boys.

Basic Grey Challenge #3

Hi All

I'm a bit late posting today, on account of Blogger playing up this morning. It would not let me do anything...BOO HOO

Anyway not to be defeated, I'm trying again now.

So....

As I was going to say this morning, Martine has posted the Basic Grey Challenge, for this week, but I guess you already know by now. It's all very distressing. Yes, you have to get distressed, well not you personally, but your craft projects. As always you have to show you've used at least one Basic Grey product, but that shouldn't be too hard as I know you all love those Basic Grey goodies. Just pop over to take a look at this weeks prize, and hopefully get some inspiration from the rest of the Design Teams work. It's fab as always.

Now want to see my contribution as Guest Designer this week. Well here it is.......

The paper is from the Basic Grey Phresh and Phunky collection. "Rather last season darlings", but who cares, I like it anyway. You can still get it on-line if you shop around. The main piece 'Phlordilee' was first torn round the edges. I then soaked it with water, screwed it up and squeeeeeezed the water out, then I opened it up gently, as it was rather fragile by this time, and randomly dabbed over Starburst Stains from The Stamp Man. This gave it a beautiful gold shimmer. Doesn't really show up in this photo, but believe me well worth a try. It's gorgeous. I curled one corner up into a roll and left it to dry off in the beautiful sunshine we amazingly had yesterday. Once dry, I brushed over the peaks with Brilliance ink Cosmic Copper, and touched it around the edges, I punched some holes in one corner too.

The stamp is from Whiff Of Joy, one of my brand new purchases this week, and the flowers from Prima, over-stamped with a scroll in that cosmic Copper Brilliance Ink again. I don't generally do much distressing, but after this I think I'll have a go at some more, as I'm rather pleased with the result.

Shopping Delights

Hi All

It was pay day on Monday, and now the holidays are over, and before the Christmas spending starts, I thought I would treat myself for a change. Alright, alright, so what if I am a rubber addict and indulge on a regualr basis, (the stamping kind of course), there's no harm in it.

So as Monday was my day off, as well as it being pay day, I did a teeny weeny bit of 'E-shopping'

My first point of call was Graphics Direct to take a look at their Copic markers.

Well let me tell you, I took the plunge, and threw caution to the wind, and placed my order. Lets face it, they are not just any old cheap things, and it's hard to part with so much cash just for a few colours. But my my, what an investment. This set is the Spring colours. They're Beautiful. A real quality marker. They are lovely to hold too. I'm really impressed with the pigment in the colour. I'm definately going to have some more. The service from Graphics Direct was superb. I ordered them Monday, and they were here at 07:15 the next day by Royal Mail courier. Fantastic. I shall use their service again, it is first class.

THEN THERE'S MORE:

Four Whiff Of Joy stamps. My first ones actually. Can't wait to use them, they're so delightful... Also included were three free word stamps, and a snowflake stamp. That's so generous. I mean people don't have to give away free stuff, so it's so nice when you receive your purchases, and there's a bonus gift inside. Thank-you Katharina. I'm one happy shopper.

THERES EVEN MORE THAN THAT:

Tilda. I can't resist her. She's just so perfectly gorgeous. I love using these images, they are just the epitome of childhood.

These ones came from The Glitter Pot. Again first class service. They have loads of goodies in stock, including Forever Friends.

MORE, MORE, MORE....

These Little beauties were ordered from Capture The Magic. I'm adding to my Nestabilities bit by bit. I know there are more coming out all the time, so I'm always playing catch up. But they are so easy to use. I put them through my Big Shot, and they work fine. They are just so versatile, I 'luv em'

AND THAT'S NOT ALL.

I've also got some Spiral Whispers on the way, but I know they've been on holiday so they are trying to get their orders out like mad. Can't wait.

It's play time this weekend. I have to keep out of the way of DH as he has been given the task of decorating our bedroom. Ah well we can't all have fun can we???? Hehe

Sketch Saturday #16

I've joined in the Sketch Saturday challenge this week. I think sketches are always a good source of inspiration. Sometimes we know what materials we want to use but don't know how to place them. This is when I find it helpful to have a sketch to work to. Of course it is just a starting point, and you can often change things around to suit. Maybe rotate the sketch, or place the elements a little different. But for me they are always useful. So thanks to all you great sketchers out there.

I chose the colours for September, the transition between summer and autumn. The rich golds and burnt oranges as the leaves lose their summer colour. The dragonfly reminds me of insects that hibernate over winter, not seeing the light of day until next spring. Some have even completed their lifecycle and gently fade away.

The background paper on my card is from Magenta 2006. I love how the colours merge into one another, like a sunset sky. The accent paper is from Daisy Bucket Designs and reminds me of those fading flowers, that turn brown and die.

The centre panel was embossed on white pearlised card with the Cuttlebug Floral Fantasy folder, then sponged with Gold Brilliance Ink. It shimmers in the low autumn sunlight providing that glimer of soft sunshine you see through the trees.

The dragonfly is from a rubber stamp by Judikins coloured with H2o's, again giving that soft shimmery look. The card was finished off with a couple of gold peel-off's and Prima flowers with a sparkling amber gem in the centre. Hope you like it as much as I do.

Javablu Award

Hi all

Just over a week ago Lynsey left me an award, and this is the first chance I've had to pick it up. (Sorry Lynsey, and thank-you) I'm always pleased to think that others like what I'm doing, and think I'm worthy enough to receive an award.

I would like to pass this on to all those that I have left comments for since I started blogging back in May. You all deserve it, and without you for added inspiration my creations would be a lot less interesting I'm sure. So THANK-YOU for inspiring me too.

Basic Grey Challenge #2

Hi All


Well Martine has announced this weeks Basic Grey Challenge. You have to make an ATC, remembering to incorporate at least one Basic Grey element. Here's my submission as this months Guest Designer.



The papers are from the Scarletts Letter collection. The large flower was hand cut, and the smaller ones punched out. I added some scarlet gems for a bit of bling, and did some doodling around the edge of the card, and added dots around the letters. The striking lime flower was added at the back of the ATC to bring out the red of the hand cut flower, and I think it does the job beautifully. I'm really pleased with this ATC, it's only the second one I've ever made.


Why not take a look at the rest of the design teams work and pick up some inspiration.

Alton Towers

Hi All

You may remember that on Monday it was my daughters 15th Birthday. Well all she asked for was a trip to Alton Towers. So we packed up our pic-nic and grabbed the Sat-nav, £40-00 for petrol, buy one get one free entry vouchers, and off we went.

Not knowing if the weather would be kind to us, as it had rained solidly for two whole days already, we kept our fingers crossed. Well luckily, not drop of rain came down. We all had a great time, although I don't really like the big rides, so tend to watch from the ground. Sophie & Jordan (my children) enjoyed it though, so it was all worthwhile. My eldest Daughter, Son-in-law and Grandson came with us too.

Here are two digital pages of them on the Spinball Whizzer ride. It's a roller coaster ride where the cars spin round at the same time. Yuk I feel queasy already.

I blocked my Son-In-Law's face out, as I didn't ask permission to post his photo yet.

Daring Cardmakers

Hi All

Yet another challenge bites the dust. This time Daring Cardmakers, who provided a sketch for this week:

I wasn't too sure about this card initially, because although I just love these K & Co papers, they are not the typical colours that I normally use. Having said that I do really like the end result.

The papers come from the Sparkly Sweet range, and the main one is Bluegreen Butterflies, with Scalloped Stripes to accent. Cute little Tilda really suits the papers with her bright yellow dress, and keeping with the butterfly theme from the papers, I chose the word stamps from The Stamp Man, and the butterfly image from Magenta. The flower is from Prima, and the ribbon from Wyevale. The button was just a random item I found whilst sorting my bedroom out. I think is was one of those spare buttons you get when buying new items of clothing. So thank you very much, it now adorns this card.

I'm having new windows fitted over the next couple of days, so no time to play. But all should be well again by the weekend. See you soon.

Sweet Sophie

Hi All

I made this card for my sweet daughter Sophie for her fifteenth birthday. I had teased both Sophie, and all my readers earlier last week with a disguised glimpse of it, that remained somewhat a mystery. Well now I can reveal it to you........

Taa Daaaa!!

Sophie thought it would contain a 'Tilda' as I use these images so much. But much to her surprise and delight, not a Tilda in sight.

Instead I though I would go for something a little more sophisticated, but at the same time something that would still appeal to her. I mean she is only fifteen afterall. I chose pink, seeing as that is her favourite colour, but not a bright cerise pink, more of a soft salmon pink. The images were downloaded from Pink Petticoat. They have some fantastic downloads, really modern designs, and they are so easy to download and use.

The inside of the card was made into a pop-out with a aperture cut out showing decorative paper behind. I wanted to make this card into a gift too, so I bought Sophie a heart shaped necklace, and hung it inside the aperture. I decorated the whole thing with flowers gems, glitter, ribbon and anything girly I could get my hands on. I love the card and so does she. A very successful crafting session I should say.

I'm back at work today after my two week break, so not as much time to blog or craft sorry to say. But I will return as soon as I can.

Basic Grey Challenge

Hi All.

How exciting, my first Guest Designer spot ever, AND it's on the brand new blog, BASIC GREY CHALLENGES.

WOW, How lucky am I?

You can find out all about it and see the rest of the teams work by clicking the link above, or the Basic Grey logo on the side bar.

.................................

So....The theme for the first week is buttons. Now they don't have to be Basic Grey buttons, BUT YOU MUST INCLUDE A BASIC GREY ELEMENT somewhere on your creation, it could be papers, fibres, stickers, rub ons, buttons, brads or any other Basic Grey product, and you must say what your Basic Grey element is. Other than that, pretty much anything goes.

I chose to make two cards using Basic Grey papers this week:

For the first card I have used papers from the Basic Grey Euphoria collection. The soft muted pastels are so beautiful. I thought they would go well with a girly Sarah Kay image, and scalloped ovals. I used twinkling H2o's to colour the image. the shimmering colours were just so perfectly matched to the 'Delirium' paper. The image was backed with a scalloped oval cut from 'Arcadia'

I used the Cuttlebug embossing folder, Floral Fantasy to emboss a strip of pearlised white card, which I then lightly dabbed over colour using Dauber Duos, Hyacinth and Lilac, beautiful soft colours again so well matched, which also helped to bring out the embossing. this again was backed by a strip of 'Arcadia'

I finished the whole thing off with this weeks obligatory buttons, which incidently are not Basic Grey, but Rhonna Farrer 'Fench Twist'. Although Basic Grey buttons to match the Euphoria Collection are available.

...........................

My second card uses the Basic Grey Sultry Collection and the papers used were taken from a 6"x6" pad

The background is Sultry 'Friar', a lovely distressed chocolatey brown with a hint of pink showing through. I chose to contrast this with Sultry 'Elite' a striking pink and brown geometric paper. I folded the corners in to the centre point, and then back again to give me a lovely apeture. The corner points were lined with Sultry 'Fashionable'.

The Magnolia image was coloured again using H2o's and Zig Art Pens, and placed inside the centre apeture. I threaded thin pink ribbon from John Lewis under the corner points, and tied it off in a bow at one corner. Then the corner points were stuck down in place to secure the ribbon. Lastly the buttons were added to finish it off.

So there we have it. Two very different looks from the gorgeous papers produced by Basic Grey. I'm looking forward to seeing what you all come up with. Have Fun.