YUMMY ICE CREAM CONES ... GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT

Morning All and very early for me blogging too

The reason: I made this card yesterday to enter the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge plus Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge (Summer Food & Drink) then for some reason I didn't get round to posting and I'm running very short on time for the Challenge close.

Also today I'm taking my son, daughter and plus ones on a shopping spree.  No doubt I'll be sipping coffee and reading a magazine with aching feet after 2 hours but the young ones will no doubt Shop 'til they Drop much later in the day!  So don't want to miss the challenge deadline; here it is:

Card Recipe:

Image: Double icecream cone from Melonheadz
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Twine, pearls and brads from my stash
Dies: MFT die-namics party banner

Here's the sketch if you are a super quick crafter:

GRANDAD'S BIRTHDAY

Hello fellow crafters

What a weird day of weather we are having today...I think it belted down with rain all night as it woke me at 3.30am then again at 6.00 and didn't let up (on and off) until lunchtime.  BUT now the sun is 'crackin' flags'! At least we can give the hosepipe a well-earned rest today!

So onto today's post which I almost finished yesterday BUT made the mistake of sitting down for tea and watching 'Your Face Sounds Familiar' and guess what ... I never went back to the cupboard!

It's my Dad's birthday on Thursday and this is the card I've made for the kids to send him which I'm going to enter into a couple of challenges.  Hoping to take him out for a day out in Liverpool on Wednesday so he'll get his card then.

Card Recipe:

Image: Vintage Boys pre-coloured sketchpad from LOTV
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Computer generated
Punches & Dies: Sizzix Framelit Circles, X-cut corner punch, MFT Die-namics Party Banner
Buttons, Charm and Bakers twine from my stash

Challenges:

Pixies Snippet Playground - daren't tell you how long some of these snippets have been in the box!
Gem of a Challenge - How Charming
Allsorts Challenge - Kraft it
Sketch Saturday
Papertake Weekly - Die-ing for a Punch (2nd Entry)

GLAMOUR CHICK

Today is the first day I've had no visitors at my house in almost 2 weeks so my plan was to enter loads of challenges and craft away until the sun goes down ... why don't things go as planned??? I have been crafting but very slowly.

Anyway I'm loving the shoes over on the Less is More Challenge this week, not that I own a pair THAT high any more ... might break my neck!  So I decided to grab the inspiration and combine it with the CAS(E) This Sketch and Papertake Weekly Challenges too.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday and catch up soon

        
       

Card Recipe:

Memory Box Dies used: 'Thanks' and the 'Bow' from Heart Bow set
MFT - Die-namics Die used: Banner for Sentiment
Papers: Pink Petticoat plus cream linen card stock from The Paper Mill Shop
Sentiment: Memory Box die
Plus a few gems from my stash

BIRTHDAYS IN FRANCE

Hi All

Another quickie post from me today as cheeky Gracie is still here.  I've just left her big cousin with her in the garden for a moment while I pop this into the Allsorts 'Transport' Challenge along with Retro Sketches.

Hope it fits both ok.  The card was a request from my Mum for another friend celebrating a special birthday next week.  She loves caravanning in France hence the colour / flag theme.

Catch up with you all properly soon once my house is clear of guests! Hee Hee!

Here's the sketch:


Card Recipe:

Image: Flag & Car with Caravan - internet search
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Bakers Twine, Washi Tape and Nail heads from my stash.
Plus I've added a bit of glossy stuff to the car and caravan for extra yumminess!

PAPER PETALS AND FLOWERS

Hi there

Really quick post from me today just got 5 minutes as hubby is playing with his little niece.

I made this card yesterday and it's a combination challenge for the Less is More Challenge where the theme is 'Make your own Flowers' and the Dynamic Duo colour Challenge.

Card Recipe:

Image: Memory Box Frangia Bouquet die with extra flower heads
Papers: Pink Petticoat - Papaya (closest match to coral that I had)
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Butterflies by Martha Stewart punch with white glitter brads, pearls and bakers twine from my stash

NAUTICAL AT THE BEACH

One more quick card again using the same papers from the Beach Cottage Collection at Pink Petticoat, because they are delicious!

Card Recipe:

Image / Papers: Pink Petticoat Beach Cottage Collection and Kraft
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Bakers Twine and gems from my stash

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp: Beach
CAS on Sunday: Kraft & Twine
CAS(E) this Sketch: (No hexagons so octagons but linking not so good)

OH LET'S HIT THE BEACH TODAY

Evening All

Yes I'm back in action, well of a fashion; I've had some yummy time in the cupboard today but I'm just waiting for more visitors for a few days!  My cheeky niece is coming back again with Mummy so I doubt I'll be cutting and sticking - well not my sort of cutting and sticking anyway!

So my first card today - well actually both of them feature 'beachy' images.  I purchased the new Beach Cottage collection from Pink Petticoat last week and couldn't wait to get started with it.

This card is for my mum's friend who will be 70 next month and I'm hoping it'll go nicely in a couple of challenges.

Card Recipe:

Images & Papers: Pink Petticoat (Beach Cottage Collection)
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Wheel Border - freebie from Dies to Die For
Bakers Twine, Starfish Charm, gems and pearls from my stash
A touch of glamour dust on the beach huts to for added 'dazzle'

Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp - By the Sea
The Sweet Stop Sketch - Spin: doillies (I'm hoping the doilley-effect paper will count)

ANOTHER SWEET BIRTHDAY

Just one more for me today and it's another entry to Pixies Crafty Snippet Playground and Seize the Birthday

I made this card last weekend in time for Pixies last Sunday but realised I couldn't post it early as it was for my Son's Girlfriend who tends to 'stalk' my blog (in the nicest possible way)!  I think I was also following a colour challenge but not sure which one.

Anyway I used lots of odds and ends and snippets so hope you like.  A little mouse features on this one too to tie in with the card my son sent.

Hopefully regular blogging will resume next week.  Enjoy the rest of your day

Card Recipe:

Image: Cr8ive Hands - freebie
Papers: TK Maxx & Clearly Digi Stamps
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Martha Stewart Butterfly punch and pearls from my stash

SWEET & LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES

Oh my goodness I have been such a BAD blogger!  I'm going to have no friends in blogland and I'm basically having withdrawal symptoms from crafting.  On Friday I got a little time but my mojo was in the garden I think.

Had a busy week finishing off my last working week before the school holidays and had guests staying. Despite the crazy time I always love having guests and so sad when they depart.  My Crafty American Auntie was with me at the start of the week and we had an amazing time, giggling, chatting, shopping, lunching, more giggling and a teeny bit of crafting too. My parents made an impromptu stop over too as we had HRH Elizabeth II visiting our little town on Wednesday. We did our bit dressed in red, white and blue, madly waving flags.  My Auntie insisted on a stars & stripes one but she has lived in the US half of her life so we'll let her off.

Then I've had my sister, brother-in-law and gorgeous 2 year old niece staying and we babysat Gracie all yesterday while Mum and Dad were working. Certainly no glue and glitter out then just keeping cool and playing in the garden - perhaps when she's a bit bigger.  Then the in-laws are here later today.

Sooo after all that I've only one card to show but hoping to get some yummy crafting time in tomorrow.

I was very lucky to win the Pixies Snippet Playground Challenge last week and received a beautiful 'tied together' embossing folder which I couldn't wait to use.  It was my son's girlfriend's birthday yesterday so this is what I made for him to send her.  She has a cute kitten who has deposited little friends under her pillow before so thought this image from The Paper Shelter was quite apt.

Card Recipe:

Image: The Paper Shelter - unusual friends
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Digistamp Boutique
Button and pearls from my stash and a touch of glossy accents

Challenges:

Pixies Crafty Snippets Challenge
The Paper Shelter Challenge - Clean & Simple
Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
Freshly Made Sketches:

HAPPY LITTLE BIRTHDAY PANDA

Hi there, another scheduled post from me today.

It's my entry to the Digistamp Boutique and Sketch Saturday challenges.  This panda image is sooooo cute and I've seen him popping up on quite a few of the blogs I follow so had to dash over to Digistamp Boutique and guess what he's a freebie this month!  Superb!  So here's my first little play with him.

I'm using another lovely freebie from Dies to Die for which is the purple oval die cut which kind of dictated the colour scheme.  I used to make loads of lilac cards but it seems to have taken a back seat recently.

Card Recipe:

Image: Digistamp Boutique
Papers: Lakeland Limited - very old pack of papers
Sentiment: Digistamp Boutique
Gems and cord from my stash and the flowers are new from my Crafty Auntie
Martha Stewart Butterfly punch used

JUST BEE-CAUSE

Hello there hope you are all well,

Scheduled post time as can't guarantee good blogging time so just a quick post to enter the Sweet Stop Sketch and Simon Says Stamp Challenges.  Would you believe I actually bought long pins to join in with Simon Says Stamp this week to follow the theme of 'Pin it' but then I found these brads which coordinate with my backing papers so hope they count too.

Card Recipe:

Image: Pink Petticoat
Papers: Trimcraft & Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Brads and nail heads from my stash.  I've added some glamour dust to my bees wings for extra dazzle.

Just realised my last few posts have all featured winged creatures ... is it because of the sunny weather and they are all out in force???

A PILE OF OLD BIRDIES ...

Morning All

I'm early today because I've a busy few days.  My wonderful crafty American Auntie is coming to stay so not sure how much time there'll be for blogging so may have to 'cheat' with some scheduled posts.

I needed to make a quick Get Well Card for Mr Dazzle's Aunt who has taken ill and rushed into hospital and I was hoping to combine my card with a couple of challenges and it's turned out a bit of a bumper challenge so here goes:

Card Recipe:

Image: Pink Gem Designs - love birds
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Gems from my stash and a drizzle of glamour dust

Challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge - Spots and Stripes
CAS-ual Fridays - Polka Dots
Pixies Sunday Snippets
Fusion Card

SPARKLING BUTTERFLIES AND SUMMER FLOWERS

Hey All ... another scorcher today! I've had a bitty sort of day: bits of crafting, lots of laundry, bits of shopping and bits of venturing into the garden, hence I'm quite late with my post.

So here it is and it's my entry into this weeks challenge at CAS(e) This Sketch - hope you like!

See you all soon

Card Recipe:

Image, Papers & Sentiment are all Uniko Studio - I've recently discovered this fabulous site with some wonderful products and the items I've used today are all freebies here.
Papers: All Uniko Studio except the dotty orange butterfly which is from my stash
Gems from my stash

FANCY A CUPCAKE?

Just one more quick post for me tonight - not sure if I'll get to creating / blogging tomorrow but hope so; the perfect way to de-stress after a busy day in the office!

I'd like to combine two challenges with this card.  The first one; Freshly Made Sketches and secondly, this week's ColourQ.

See you all soon and enjoy the rest of your evening.

Card Recipe:

Image: Cupcakes from my wonderful Crafty Auntie
Papers: Pink Petticoat (chevrons) and TK Maxx
Sentiment: A freebie from Create with TLC which I've recoloured using MS word
Beautiful heart-border is another stunning freebie from the lovely people at Dies to Die for
Pearls from The Hobby House

    

SOMETHING OLD, NEW, BORROWED & BLUE ...

Evening all

Hope you are having fun in the sun and not melting away ... looks like it's going to hang around for at least a few more days so plenty of blue skies for the weekend eh!  I've changed my days at work this week so working tomorrow instead of next Tuesday :-( BUT on the plus side my Crafty American Auntie is coming to stay for a few days so hopefully plenty of ideas to share.

Here's my card for today to enter into the Papertake Weekly Challenge.  I've seen all these beautiful old, new, borrowed and blue themed creations on my read list and couldn't wait to join in.

So ... in keeping with the theme I've made a Wedding Congratulations card but it could also pass for engagement I guess. My old is ribbon & cord, my new the ombre papers from Pink Petticoat, which I've had a couple of weeks and my heart charm, blue as in the colour of the card and borrowed is a superb idea which Jules at Always with a Heart posted yesterday by printing the Dandelion Clocks onto Ombre coloured paper.  Never mind always with a heart, Jules always has fabulous unique ideas too - hope she doesn't mind my creation.

Card Recipe:

Image: Dandelion Clocks - Pink Petticoat
Papers: Ombre Papers in Ocean Breeze - Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Pearls from The Hobby House
Ribbon, cord and gems from my Stash

MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT A RETRO SKETCH

Evening all

I've been following the Retro Sketches challenges but never quite got round to submitting one.

Anyway this week I've got myself organised and going to dip my toe in that 'pond' - I've kind of rotated my image to fit the card shape but not sure about it although the LOTV image is adorable.

So enough waffle ... here it is:

Card Recipe:

Image: Pre-coloured LOTV
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Ribbon, button and bakers twine from my stash plus a few glossy accents and a dash of glamour dust

Sketch if you want to play along:

SWEET LITTLE DANCER

Whoosh!  Another hot day - and I took my desk fan with me to the office so feeling a bit more 'chilled' today!  Looks like it's here for the weekend too!

Anyway here's a card which I'm entering into this week's Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge.  I've used this pre-coloured image before but I think she's so delightful that I couldn't resist.

Enjoy the rest of your evening ... My daughter has sports night tonight (rather her than me) and I'll be watching Luther later - don't know about you but that was one scary episode last week.  Gripping edge of the seat / hiding behind cushions stuff but you've got to watch again to see what happens haven't you even if you can't sleep!

Card Recipe:

Image: The Paper Shelter
Papers: Freebies from Quick Cards Made Easy
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
A touch of glamour dust for added disco sparkle plus sparkly heart from my Crafty Auntie

IT'S A MATERIAL GIRL

Just one more for me tonight and I've been working on this card for a couple of days but just couldn't bring it together.  Probably because I was torn between tennis and sunshine! LOL!

As soon as I saw the challenge at CAS-ual Fridays 'material girl' I knew I wanted to have a go as fabric is something I've never used on a card before, so here goes:

Have fun in the sun and I'll catch up with you all soon.

Card Recipe:

Image: LOTV - pre-coloured image
Papers: TK Maxx
Fabric: Freebie from Quick Cards Made Easy
Sentiment: Another Freebie from Quick Cards Made Easy
Flower and Ribbon from my stash plus a drizzle of glamour dust to the icing and cake board

Tools:
Dotty embossing folder
Sizzix Framelits Stars
MFT Die-namics - Chevron dies
Cricut - Elegant edges
X-Cut - rounded corner punch

Challenges:
Sketch Saturday #266
CAS-ual Fridays - Material Girl
A Gem of A Challenge - Lots of layers
Pollycraft Challenge - Stars & Stripes (hope I can get away with 1 star!)

WHAT CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!!!

Evening All

Whoosh ... what a scorcher it is today!  I've had to dig out my industrial strength fan when I got home from work as the office was so humid I felt like I was roasting on a spit but at least the sunshine makes everyone happy and in the holiday spirit.

So talking of holidays I can't believe I have made my first Christmas card ... YES in July!  I know there are several Christmas challenges but I tend to ignore them until December is a little nearer.  BUT last week I purchased some beautiful digi images from Pink Petticoat and couldn't resist using them.  Fortunately there are two challenges this week where the theme is 'Christmas in July' so here goes.  I've used this weeks sketch from Freshly Made Sketches too although when I've checked their website I've missed the challenge but I like the sketch anyway.

See you all Soon

Card Recipe:

Image: Pink Petticoat - Merry Christmas Sweetie
Papers: Freebie from Quick Cards Made Easy
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Pearls from the Hobby House
Ribbon from my stash
Mini Mosaic embossing folder
Coloured with Promarkers
and last but not least a sprinkling of glamour dust on the icing ... yummy!

Challenges:

CAS on Sunday - Christmas in July
The Paper Players - Christmas in July

   

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS...

Another quick post from me then I'm off for tea.  I've been torn between sunshine, tennis and crafting the last few days - how does a girl choose!!!

Anyway one of my lovely friends who attended my mini-workshop asked me to make a card for one of her colleagues who is leaving.  He's going off on a cruise to begin with so I've downloaded the images to make a beachy scene.  I really must give Lucy most of the credit for my card as she made a stunning card last week which she entered into the Less is More Challenge which gave me the idea.  So huge thanks to Lucy.

I'm going to enter my card into the Allsorts Challenge where the theme this week is 'Favourite Things' and probably like most people holidays would have to be at the top of my list.

Card Recipe:

Papers: Pink Petticoat - Ombre and The Papermill Shop
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Memory Box - Large Starburst Circle Die
Bakers Twine and Anchor charm from my stash

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY!

Happy Saturday ...

I have to say when I saw the challenge at Less is More last Saturday where the theme was 'sand' I was stumped!  I kept thinking of things to do but they didn't turn out right so in the end I gave it a miss. Having looked at what some of the other competitors came up with I think there's some fabulous ideas.

Anyway this morning I had to do a double take again 'FIFTY SHADES OF GREY' ... well immediately I knew what paper I could use as I love the new Ombre range from Pink Petticoat but then I thought what sort of a card would I send to someone when the card is just grey!  Hardly get well!

Some inspiration came though with a package in the post.  I'd ordered a new die-namics numbers die and that arrived with some wonderful freebies from the lovely people at Dies to Die For.  One of the freebies was this beautiful silver/grey flourish.  So here goes.

Card Recipe:

Image: Flourish freebie from Dies to Die for
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Ribbon and gems from my stash, which are in fact grey although they look at bit green in the photo

I'm also going to pop this card in at CAS(e) This Sketch with my interpretation of the following sketch.



Oh by the way my mini card-making workshop went very well on Thursday.  My friends loved it, got stuck in and went away with three handcrafted cards which were really good - they've obviously got some talent too so I'd better watch out!

Enjoy the rest of your evening and see you soon.

LET'S CELEBRATE JULY 4TH!

Me again this time a celebration card for my Crafty American Auntie, who will be celebrating Independence Day in the UK this year.

I'd like to enter my card into the Simon Says Stamp Challenge where the theme is 'Patriotic' along with the Colour Q challenge which uses patriotic colours this week.

That's it for me.  I'll let you know how my mini workshop goes so wish me luck.

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

Card Recipe:

Papers: Pink Petticoat - Big Fella Collection
Sentiment: Computer Generated using Gingersnaps font
Chipboard American embellishments from my stash
Pearls from The Hobby House
Lastly, my lovely new Memory box large circle burst cutting die ... love it!

WE'RE IN THE PINK...

Evening All ...

Another working week completed for me and 2 weeks to go until the big school holidays!

Hope to get plenty of crafting in and tomorrow I have two very good friends coming over as they've asked for a lesson in card making!!!! Arrrrgh!  Not what I usually do so hoping I can live up to their expectations.

So I've plenty to get organised for tomorrow and 2 cards to post tonight.  This is the first one and it's to enter the monthly challenge over at LOTV's Ideas to Inspire where the theme is 'PINK' along with A Gem of a Challenge where their theme is 'TEDDIES' so I've combined the two challenges plus I've used this week's sketch from Sketch Saturday so I'll try my luck there too.

Card Recipe:

Image: LOTV
Papers: Wild Rose Studio - freebie from Quick Cards Made Easy
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Flowers, ribbons and nail heads from my stash
and just a teeny tiny sprinkling of glamour dust for that extra girlie sparkle!

2 COLOURS ONLY ... AND I LIKE!

Me again just submitting my second card for today to enter a couple of challenges as below.

A couple of weeks ago I was thrilled to win the Sketch Saturday Challenge and this Memory Box die was one of my wins from the lovely Simon Says Stamp.  I've been itching to use it and it arrived today so couldn't wait.  I think you'll be seeing some more of this one!

Hope you are all well.

Take care x

Card Recipe:
Image: Flower - Digital freebie from Uniko Studio
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Digital freebie from Uniko Studio
Memory Box: Large Circle Burst


Challenges:
The Paper Players: Birthday, Yellow, Ribbon
Dynamic Duos
Seize the Birthday

        

VIVA L'ESPANA

Hello

This is yet another leaving card I've been asked to make on behalf of a colleague.  The recipient is retiring to Sunny Spain and dreams of whiling the hours away growing olives.  I managed to find some cute, cartoon-type images from the Internet which fit my colleagues request and we managed to get a Spanish translation for Happy Retirement and the greeting inside the card which is below too.  I'm going to pop this over to the Pixies Crafty Snippet Challenge as my third entry of the week and hopefully I'll be eligible for the EXTRA special prize if I'm lucky enough to have my name picked from the hat!

I've one more card to post this evening so see you in a little while x

Card Recipe:

Image: Internet
Papers: TK Maxx
Sentiment: Computer generated
Glossy accents to olives, bakers twine and nail heads from my stash

Tools:
Die-Namics Banner die
X-Cut corner punch