Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..!

What's the one thing you DON'T need right before a trip - sickness....? Oh gosh I "hit the deck" yesterday....hard!! I was really worried that I wasn't gonna be able to make my trip....but, thankfully I feel much better today!! i need to play catch up now though with things I should've been doing yesterday!!

I haven't had the chance to play with my toys seems like for ages...but I made a couple of halloween cards with those yummy Imaginsce papers (the writing PP is by Teresa Collins) and 2 sketches. For this one I used Jen's sketch...very simple!

And for this one I used Katharina's sketch no11. Another simple card!

So tomorrow morning we're off to San Fransisco....we're all excited and I especially can't wait to get some crafty shopping done!!

Before I finish I'd just like to let you all know about some lovely candy on offer by Jakki....she makes some amazing creations and could do with a little blogging support right now...please pop by and say hello! bx

Halloween's coming...!

I loved this Hallowhimisical collection by Imaginsce - so had to have them all!! I've used Julee's sketch at Poetic Artistry to create this crd.....which actually has no stamping on!! Goossshh...not like me!!

I created my little spider by adding black fluffy stuff to a scrap of black card, cutting out this "spiderish" shape, inserting 2 white itchy titchy brads, then simply adding a black dot in each to create the eyes!! I adhered it to my web and simply drew the little black legs....et voila!! bx

Magnolia's Breast Cancer Awareness Programme

This gorgeous little cutie is a sneak peak from Magnolia's Pink Collection 2008. Could you please take a moment to go leave a comment under this post on their blog...? Not only will you then have the chance to win this collection...they will donate 1Skr to benefit breast cancer awareness pink ribbon! What a wonderful way to raise those vital funds! bx

Let's Party

I used the sketch by Laura this week at 2sketches4U! I love their sketches but rarely seem to be able to "work" them!! I used some of the yummy Noteworthy items from Making Memories (love this company!!)..I love the colours in this PP!

I can't remember who sent me this Bella (sorry!!) but thought it suited my sister...she loooves wine and does have wavy hair!

I seem to have been busy this past few days so haven't had the chance to craft much (sniff)...I'm getting ready for my big hol next week...oh boy am I excited! bx

Challenges Galore!!

I always seem to struggle to keep up with "challenges"...I really enjoy doing them...but I never seem to "git r dun" in time...so today I was determined to complete a challenge....but...now brace yourself.....when I went for a nosy round I got excited.....steady....when I realised that the "challenges" were such that I could do some together....so this card is 5 challenges in one!! Woohoo for b!!

Actually, I was trying to include the Arty Girlz challenge to make it birthday related...but thought I'd enough on this!! So here's the low-down....

Basic Grey - distressing...I've distressed edges with scissors, ink, ripping, rolled the edge of my "sweet treat" tag and of course the base PP is also distressed (I've used 3 papers from the sugared collection)

Penny Black - decorate the inside of your card...weeeeell...I did this with my little Penny Black cupcake - not terribly exciting I guess...but never-the-less it's more decorated than I normally do!

Cute Card Thursday - Food...hmmm...I really needed to use a Penny Black image here so I used my stamp called "cheesecake express" and stamped the cupcake and sentiment inside the little tag.

I had a few cute images with "drinks" but didn't think that would "qualify" for this challenge!! LOL

Friday Sketchers - this fabulous sketch is by Kristine which I really enjoyed working with!

Stamp Something - Embellish It - well I have lots of pretty prima's (can't get enough of these!!), brads, raffia ribbon, 2 different stitches using my sewing machine and some stickles on my cupcake which you can't really see in the 'photo!

I wonder what the highest number of challenges some-one has managed to roll into one creation...? That's a challenge in itself!! Bev is always good for combining!!

Phew!! The most important thing I guess is that I had fun...and...I actually really like this little card!! So now I must return to playing nurse-maid for my poor hubby...he has "man flu"....yep! it's that serious!! bx

Winter Wishes!

When Katharina first previewed this WOJ image i just couldn't wait to get her!! She looks "princessy" to me...so elegant!! Oh to have a "frock" like this!! I loved colouring her and am already wondering about what else she might hold so that I don't have to put her away all year!!

My week just passed in a whizz...and I didn't get to join many challenges despite my good start on sunday!! N'er mind...there's always next week!! bx

Some serious candy offers!

First up is candy from Hazel....yummy Basic Grey goodies...pop over for a look-see! bx

Next up is Bev.....she has a fab Whiff of Joy stamp amongst other goodies on offer to a very lucky gal...go see!!

Next is Becks with more yummy Basic Grey stamps....oh whats a girl to do without her BG fix!!

Next is Carole with lots of fabulous treats in this candy offer.....gonna be another very happy blogger with these goodies!!

PS A new challenge site for Whiff of Joy images is scheduled next week!

Sweet Heart!

I liked Nikki's sketch which she created for last weeks challenge at A Spoonful of Sugar so I tried to use it for this card...but my image was a little too long so I had to rearrange my sentiment!!

I love these Bo Bunny Shabby Princess papers and of course another of my new "toys" from A Whiff of Joy! bx

Make a wish...!

I've been having such fun with my Whiff of Joy stamps....love these little Elizabeth Bell images - they're soooo cute!!

That scraps box is overflowing again so I'm delving into it....I've made this one up using some Crate paper scraps....

If you're interested in winning some gorgeous blog candy go visit the talented creator of these images Elizabeth Bell....you're in for a treat! bx

Basic Grey Challenge Numero Dos!

WOW - get me...two current-just-announced challenges in the one day!! That's a biggie...maybe has something to do with the fact that the hubster did all the chores and I just played (nuthin' new there lass he snickers!!)...and that Basic Grey's second challenge is an ATC!!

I've used paper from the Dasher collection so that fulfills the BG requirement...I love this A Muse sentiment...it works perfectly with all the snow people at christmas!! I'm going to make this ATC into a christmas card for a VERY special little boy I know...and cherish!

Such a glorious day today...we're off out now to pick up a curry...then we'll catch up on the X Factor...oh the things my love does for me!! bx

Let's hear it for the boys...!

Have you got that tune in your head now...? I can't shift it!! haha

This weekends Penny Black Saturday Challenge theme is "A Man's card - but no blue" so I stepped right up to the challenge with this card!! Love these My Mind's Eye papers - perfect for male cards! bx

It's your day!

I love this paper from Basic Grey...I love the colour combo and it felt as if you were looking into a garden...so I chose this Elisabeth Bell image as she is surrounded in flowers, and simply placed her as if she was standing amongst all the blooms...and of course what else could I use as an embellishment only more blooms...?! bx

I've gotta question....!

Another of my new "toys"!! This is Melinda reading book....in this case she's consulting about the Penny Black question posed above!!!! I'm loving these new stamps...not really a shocker!!


I used the Friday Sketchers layout for this card, used some more Basic Grey papers, coloured using distress inks and some "pigmented mica watercolour paint" to give a lovely little iridescent sheen here n there...double click on the picture to see some in her hair!!


I can't wait to get my nestabilites.....and on that note maybe some of you could help me with a query...which die cutting machine have you found the best to go with the nestabilites?....is it a cuttlebug...? I'd be grateful for your help!! bx

How many sweeties in the jar?

Just wanted to let you all know about Desire's fun blog candy challenge!! It's a twist on the "how many in the jar" party game...which is quite fun!! So why not pop over and try your luck...?! bx

Sending You Warm Wishes...

My new "toys" arrived yesterday from Whiff of Joy....so the chores list was immediately abandoned...oh it doesn't take much!!

I must compliment Katharina on the standard of her rubbah!! I was immediately impressed with the depth of the rubber...what a crisp impression!! And of course the images speak for themselves....they are special!!

My "darling" fiddled on the pc until he got this sentiment in a circular format for me...thought it matched nicely!! I wonder if Katharina is going to offer "matching sentiments"....ooooh just remembered my little "bonus" sentiments in my order ...that was a LOVELY unexpected touch...Thank you Katharina!!

So, it's a "simple" card....but I love the autumnal colours which fits right in with this weeks Papertake Weekly Challenge which is "Autumn Haze"!! Nothing beats a big mugga tea on those cold cold days!!

I just stumbled upon a new challenge site for Basic Grey products....and this creation just happens to fit that too as I've used paper from the Mellow range!! The first challenge is to use buttons...lucky I managed to include that little heart shaped button on here then!!

PS Suzanne has some wonderful candy on offer - including a Whiff of Joy stamp!! - nip over and find it all about it for a fun chance to win!! bx

And another....

Same image, same Laura Ashley paper pack but it looks oh-so different!! This was another for my mum's inspiration...so not too technical!! My photos aren't great - so hard with the light (my excuse and I'm STICKING with it haha!!)...but it is pretty in real life!!

I gotta go get my ironing done before I head out with a friend for some vino...vino in the afternoon is a bit of a luxury ehh...?! bx

Flutterby....

My mum got a huge pile of Laura Ashley goodies when she subscribed to a magazine....so I made this card with some of her new papers as a kickstart for her inspiration...she loves soft greens and loves this colour combo.....

Wanna know a secret?.....guess where I got my butterfly? I cut it outta the paper but because my image goes over the top of the missin' chunk you'd never know!! The butterfly is just edged with a little coat of stickles...and it looks sooooo pretty!

Mum liked the card...so I guess that's a result!!

I've changed my blog back to the ole plain jane look....it was just too fussy for me!! bx

ETA: I just realised this card qualifies for this weeks Cute Card Thursday theme which is pretty in pink...so I'm going to add it there! bx

Welcome to "Norn Iron"...!

I made this little card for "Geordie" friends who have moved to the province recently!! "Norn Iron" reflects the broad accent some of us have here!! It is a simple card using lots of Making Memories papers...even that tiny scrap of ribbon which I couldn't bear to part with!!

But...if you really want to see a stylish new home card...then look here!! Oh wow...it is sensational!! The details are amazing!!

And great news for Whiff of Joy fans...today is the release of the eagerly awaited release of the Willow and Oakley collection...I've secured my order for sure!! bx