Yeah I have been chosen as the Guest DT at ........

Good Morning ladies I just hopped in to share some really exciting news with you I have been chosen to be the GDT for Sketch and Stash challenge . There is a brilliant sketch over there this week so dig out your new or neglected stash and hop on over and take a peek. I am so excited to be working with the girls on the DT they always produce such wonderful work.

Daring Cardmakers - Favourite things

Hello I have made this card for the Daring Cardmakers challenge:-

"These are a Few of My Favourite Things"

This is a chance to go mad with the papers, embellishments, tools and styles you really love to use.
I'd like you to use at least 5 of your own personal favourite things on your card this week - if you can make it 10 then you can claim our DCM Gold Star - virtual, of course lol.

So my favourite things are all encorporated into the card as follows:

1. A square card blank
2. Inkibilities (cranberry, denim and bottle) used for decorating the flower and background for the flower.
3. A black sakura glaze pen I love using pens to enhance cards.
4. I have used dryembossing to make the central flower and the frame for the sentiment.
5. A bit of sparkle in this case the gems and stardust pen.
6. my favourite colours purple, black and white.
7. Gingham ribbon
8.Stamping I used a clarity corner stamp to create a frame.
9.I made my own embellishments by using a flower punch.
10.I used a rub on for the sentiment.

Winter Wonderland - Open Theme

Hi everyone did you all enjoy that extra hour in bed here in the UK? My children didn't know the clocks went back and so they got up at the normal time!!! The sun is shining today so I can get my sheets washed and dried and hopefully we can take a walk up to the Thames or something later.
Okay this week at Winter Wonderland we have an Open Theme sponsered by Delicious Doodles our very own DT member Teri S's fabulous shop. There is a prize of three of her digital images of your choice.
Teri gave the DT this gorgeous Dove (not just for christmas a great image for sympathy cards too) image to do with what we liked. The great thing about digital stamps is that you can resize them to suit your project. I made two projects a christmas decoration and a card.
I did not have a printer at the time we decided on the theme so Teri kindly sent me six images to play with of varying sizes.
The dove is white so I thought I could add colour and pattern and it could be the partridge in the pear tree so the stamp has versatility. I stamped a paperartsy swirl stamp with a water resist ink. I then embossed with clear embossing powder. I used my inkibilities a drop of butterscotch, cranberry and eggplant on the special sponge and spritzed with water and then I rubbed over the image. I highlighted the eye with a white pen and copic fineliner pen.
I also added some pearlescent glitter pen to some of the stamped detail.

To make the decoration I poked a hole in the top wing threaded through some wire and beaded it. I then added some ribbon as a hanger.



The card I made using one of the doves i made using the above technique. I used my majestic embossing board from keepsake to create the dry embossing on the card. I added ribbon and a charm.

Just Magnolia card and Fresh Farm Friday and Saturday sketch card

Hello there the weather has finally brightened up a tiny bit. We were supposed to go out with the kids but unfortuately it has been raining so Jimmy has just taken the youngest three out. My eldest daughter is at a club. I have been a busy cardmaker today producing these cards.

The first card is for the just magnolia challenge a sketch by Martine. I used promarkers to colour the image and added some liquid applique and some stardust pen. I used basic grey granola papers.

The second card is for the Sketch Saturday challenge and Fresh Farm Friday challenge . I used the sketch from sketch Saturday and flipped it. The challenge at FFF is to use 2 punches (you must use a Greeting Farm stamp or digi stamp) I used Hope and Grace and Mcsplendid cow. I masked the images to create a scene and then created a background. I doodled around the image and added a die cut picket fence. My punches I used are the flower punch and corner punch for the sentiment. The image is coloured with a mixture of inkibilities and promarkers and the papers are cosmo cricket.
Fresh Farm Friday are giving away a prize per 30 entries so if you own a Greeting Farm stamp join in!!!!

No new card but a new hairstyle and home!

Hello there I have no new card to show you as this week has been hetic. The headteacher got welcomed by the church into the school so I attended the service for that. My eldest daughter has had some friendship problems at schools so I have had to attend to that too. A friend needed a shoulder to cry on so I have been there for her too. So I have not found the time to play much this week.
I had my hair cut and the photo below is not the doing it justice but will give you an idea of it. That is my eldest daughter Georgina and my youngest son Max in the picture with me.
The other photos are of the new flat. I hope you can see beyond the mess and not yet unpacked boxes LOLx

The entrance I had some storage built here and the boxes will disappear soon so imagine them gone!

The eating come kitchen zone in the open plan living area. The table folds away to give you more space as and when required.

Part of the living area

The cosy part of the living area

Me and my new hair

I'm so excited a card of mine has been showcased----

Hello I just had to hop in to let you all know I am so excited I have a card that has been showcased on The Greeting Farm's blog I can die a happy woman!!! Mine is Whistle 2 Check out the blog and the shop as they have a farmers market today. Be quick it is for a limited time. I have to add I have had my hair cut today and I am flicking away may get pics up of my new hair and new flat if I can get decent pics LOL x

Anyone for Anya - Autumn Colours

Hello a grim day weather wise in London cloudy and dull yuk!!!! I have made this card for the Anyone for Anya challenge. The challenge is to use Autumn colours. I have chosen red tones as I love Maple leaves when they change colour. I decided on a christmas card. I used a digi image by Christine which I deleted some bats from and then coloured with promarkers. I coloured in Miss Anya with promarkers and a gelly pen and cut off one of her shopping bags. I also added a long sleeve top under her t shirt as this is a christmas card. I made a window frame for the window using clarity stamps and fixed some acetate over my scene image. I then attatched the window frame and made a wall and floor with Wassali papers by Basic Grey. I added some decorations to the window and mounted the image onto some more Wassali papers.
I think the idea was that she is last minute shopping (as you do) for xmas pressies.

Winter Wonderland - A Christmas Stocking

Morning the sun is shining again here in London and the weeks to Christmas are whittling away. I may not of started my shopping but I have a lovely stack of christmas cards in my cardbox. I hope you can join us at Winter Wonderland this week where the theme is A Christmas Stocking. You are of course free to interpret the theme as you so desire. Check out the design teams blogs as there are some fab cards and check out Lynda's fab blog too she is our Guest designer. If you hop over to Winter Wonderland you will find all the links.
I made my card using a digi stamp from The Greeting Farm. The great thing about digi stamps is that you can resize the image in anyway you wish. I used Wassali Basic Grey papers and made some Holly leaves and used buttons for berries. I attatched my stocking with a brad to the background. I used promarkers and stickles to colour the image.
I am entering this for the Fresh Farm Friday contest too this week which has a theme of no frills. You must not use any fancy embellishments like flowers and ribbons on your project.

3 challenges one card!

Okay I have made one card for 3 challenges. I used Just Magnolia's theme of zingy colours as my colour theme. I used my Magnolia sun stamp and hummingbird stamp. I added a fern stamp to create texture. I coloured the image with promarkers. I used the sketch by Domi at Simon Says stamp challenge. I flipped it so I hope this is okay. The dare at daring cardmakers is "I can see clearly" so I used acetate at the front of my card. Well loved making this card as it cheered me up on this dreary Saturday.

Two christmas cards made for two challenges!

Hello I cannot beleive it is Saturday already that week went too quickly!!! I hope you are all having a fun weekend. I have shed a few tears listening to Stephen Gately's emotional farewell to the eternal life and so I cheered myself up by making these two cards. I have also done another but the stickles have not dried off so will post it later.
Finally my wardrobe is here and ready to be put up tomorrow .... groan. I also have a sidetable coming that a friend is giving to me.

I have a DT piece to complete for tomorrow too so I better get those socks on.

This first card is for the Passion for Promarkers challenge which is a sketch and any choice of colours for your image. I used this digi image from The Greeting Farm . I coloured using promarkers and added some stickles and stardust pen to parts of the image too. I used some papers by Papermania and I added some faux stitching. The sentiment is from a personal impressions set and the hearts are glitter stickers free with a magazine. I also added a bow. I flipped the sketch.

Passion for Promarkers


This second card is for the sketch saturday challenge. I used a digi image by Pollycraft designs and I added stickles and coloured her with promarkers and stardust pens. I used some Basic Grey Eva paper and I added some velvet ribbon and some gems and a sentiment.

Sketch Saturday

Sketch and Stash

I feel like a little production line is in progress. I am getting those christmas cards manufactured quite quickly now. I hope you are not too bored with all this christmas on my blog. I love christmas so I could never tire of it.
I made this card using my fab Ivy christmas tree digital download from The Greeting Farm . I love her and am so happy I invested in a printer so I can buy digital images now. I used the sketch from Sketch and Stash which is great really versatile. Papers are Wassali by basic grey and Cosmo Cricket.

House of Mouse _ Movies

Hi I haven't entered the House of Mouse challenge for a little while but I made this card and it fits their theme perfectly. The theme is The Movies I have chosen an old Tom Cruise movie "Cocktail" I hope you like my cheeky card! I love this image it is cheeky and humourous and they just look like they are having a great time eating those fruit.
Great challenge I like these ones that make us work that bit harder.

Anyone for Anya - Paper piecing

Well another card I made over the weekend. Little man has been very clingy and moany today and so not had time to post it until now. I made this card for the Anyone for Anya challenge. I love paper piecing and I love The Greeting Farm stamps so had lots of fun with this one. Check out the challenge there is a fab prize available.
I made the background using basic grey papers and plain white paper. I added some dots for snow with my gelly roll pen and a sentiment that is paperartsy as are the tree stamps. I then stamped Miss Anya snow I love her such a cool image. I paperpieced the ear muffs and the scarf.Used promarkers to colour in and stickles for some sparkle and texture.
I used Basic grey papers that I used for paper piecing as a backing paper and added some felt and a charm and a poinsetta stamp I got free in craft stamper.

Sketch Saturday

Hello everyone I hope you had a nice weekend. Mine was kind of chilled with lots of housework inbetween. I managed to fit making this card into it. Did you watch X factor over the weekend? I must admit the twins are growing on me. They are fun and exubarant. My 9 year old was devestated Kandy Rain left she loved them. Not sure who I would pick as a winner yet. I like Stacy, Joe and Jamie afro. It is hard to say after the first week.
Here is my card for the sketch saturday challenge. I printed off some papers I created from My Craft Studio "Lets Celebrate". I also printed off this gorgeous digital stamp by Christine stamping sketcher . Pop over and see her awesome digital stamp gallery. I coloured with promarkers and added stickles. I added a ribbon a charm a greeting and some embellies free with a magazine.

RIP Stephen Gately- Winter Wonderland DT card - Gingerbread

Hello the clouds have set in again here in London and I think there is a change in the weather ahead as the children seem to get restless when this happens. I just wanted to say RIP Stephen Gately I was completely shocked this morning to switch on the news to find out that he had passed away at 33. I had to listen to my Boyzone album to pay my respects.
Anyway on a more cheerier note here is my DT post for Winter Wonderland . The theme is gingerbread. As always you can interpret this anyway you wish. Pop over to the blogs and check out my fellow DT's projects as they are superb and so creative.
I used my gorgeous House of Mouse stamp for the project they are building or destroying (whichever way you want to look at it) the gingerbread house. I also created a background using watermark ink I stamped some imagincinse gingerbread men randomly on the page and heat gunned it to dry. I then used red ink directly onto the paper. I then coloured the gingerbread men with promarkers and added some stickles to look like currents. I hope you like it.
The poinsetta is a freebie stamp from Craft stamper a long while back.

Hello a couple of little challenges - DCM and Just Magnolia

Hello, the weather has perked up and it is sunny shiney here now!!! I have been taking it easy this morning. My partner got a flat tyre in the middle of the West End whilst working so he came home a lot later than normally. He was supposed to go and collect our wardrobe from Ikea but will have to go next week as time took over and the kids would not of seen him.
I have been having a play today with my printer so I managed to print off some papers and a digi image but will post it later as my stickles are drying.
In the meantime I made these cards for Just Magnolia (a sketch by Mina) and Daring Cardmakers (Autumn Purple).

For my Just Magnolia card I used a direct to paper ink technique to create a background for the lion. I then coloured him with promarkers and added him to the background. I used MME papers to compliment my MME stamp that i used in the background. I added faux stitching and a rub on and some leaves.



For the Daring Cardmakers the challenge this week is to use Purple on your projects. I used inks to create a background and stamped onto it using my Darcies stamp set which I got at funkykits. I adore this stamp set. The trees are imagincinse. I coloured in some dovecraft paper with my Orchid promarker to make it purple and stamped the trees onto it and cut them out I used this technique for the scarf too. I added some doodles and stars to embellish.

Fresh Farm Friday

Well the printer has still not arrived and my baby boy decided to go to sleep so I have managed to get this card made for the fab Fresh Farm Friday challenge. I used my new My guy Ian stamps which I have fallen head over heels for so be prepared to see lots of them. I coloured in the image with promarkers and I stamped Dude on the hoodie top. I followed Jessica's super sketch. The papers are Cosmo Cricket.

The Sugar bowl - Tiets sketch and christmas theme

What is it with children and getting ready for school in the mornings. Mine seem to bicker endlessly and leave everything until the last moment. Anyhow all off safe and sound and I am here waiting for my new printer to arrive. I had to treat myself as the old one got a bit knackered by small hands. I am excited to play with lots of digi images.
I loved the sketch at The sugar bowl this week it is stunning and so is the theme good old Christmas. Never miss making a christmas card. I used the lovely Manga christmas image it is so adorable. I also used some text stamps from my Darcies christmas set (available at funkykits). I used my Dovecraft christmas papers. I made some homemade flowers and baubles to complete the card. The circle the border and the background to the image are all done using inks which I have lightly daubed on to create a rainbow effect.

Thanksgiving soon three challenges in one!

Hello everyone I love it when the sun shines like it is today. I have washed all my sheets and dryed them and I have had a good tidy up. I had some lovely crafty goodies arrive today including a Stamping up Catelogue from the lovely Teri I also got a digi image from the lovely Teri S who's link to Delicious Doodles you can find in my sidebar. I also got my awesome My Guy Ian Stamps from the greeting farm so it was rude not to use them today for my challenge crafting.
I used a direct to paper technique to create my background. Firstly I used a pennyblack stamp which I thought resembled straw. I used a watermark ink on the stamp and randomly stamped the paper. I added various colours of ink with some foam. I then overstamped with the pennyblack stamp and a mustard yellow ink. I also added my sentiment. I coloured My Guy Ian image with promarkers using the colour create colours which are Red Yellow black and white. They have an optional challenge to use check and flowers on your project hense the flowers in the background and the check ribbon and My Guy Ians shirt. I also added a charm which forfills the criteria for Cute Card Thursday's challenge. I used Basic grey and MME papers.
Loved using the techniques which I have been neglecting for so long. It reminds me of why I love craft so much.

Papertake Weekly - Sketch

Hello I have made this card for the Papertake weekly challenge which is a sketch by the lovely Dawny. I used a freebie stamp from a magazine. I used DCWV christmas papers and some ribbon from my stash. I added some faux stitching to add detail to the card.
Feeling tired at the moment as the kids are all of a sorts. I think the change in the weather is not a big help. I managed to get some cleaning done today and have been busy entertaining my toddler Max who is currently having a nap.
Hope you like the card I am off to muster up my DT card for this week for Winter Wonderland .

Anyone for Anya?

Hello everyone I have managed to join in the Anyone for Anya challenge this week and the challenge is to use an Anya or Ian that you think is most like you. I used this Miss Anya from the first set of Miss Anya's. I love to put on a nice pair of boots and I love handbags so I thought this one would be appropriate. I also love her hair and wish mine was long enough to plait like this again. I thinks she is flirty, sassy and cool (not sure if these are characteristics I hold).
I used promarkers and a black sakura glaze pen to colour in the image. I used basic grey granola paper and some pearlescant purple paper for the background. I doodled and added some flowers from the stash. Purple and black and silver are three of my favourite colours.

Fresh farm Friday

Kadies about a boy challenge is the theme at Fresh Farm Friday this week here is my effort.
I made a background using my promarkers a fineliner and a white gelly pen. My first attempt at graffiti hope you like it. I used some basic grey paper that matched my colours perfectly, I then stuck my cut out skateboard and I am onto the background. I added a sticker sentiment and that was it. Hop over to the challenge as there is a fab prize on offer and lots of Inspiration.

Daring Cardmakers - Folding up

A whole day dedicated to cardmaking so that is what I have been doing. I got all the chores done yesterday and I am having a blast making cards all day.
Here is one I made for the dare at Daring Cardmakers .

It's "just what it says on the tin", we'd like to see some folds on your cards this week.
Fold the whole card, fold some paper, fold some ribbon.
Do some origami, teabag folding or just fold over a corner of your paper to reveal the other side.
As long as there's some sort of folding used as a feature of your card then it counts. Any subject, any theme, any reason.

I folded my paper to make a bouquet of flowers made from MME stamps, Martha stewart punch and some stickles. I then used promarkers and stardust pens to colour. I added some BG paper and folded some more paper to make the card have more dimension instead of using an adhesive. I then added some doodles and a sticker. I am really liking the outcome.

Happy World Card making day and a combo of challenges!

Hi everyone I hope you are getting an abundance of cardmaking done on World Cardmaking day!!!! I sure am and loving every minute of it. I have had a busy few days I met a friend for a couple of drinks Thursday evening and yesterday I was interviewed for our church Alpha meal launch and it went quite well. I have three grumpy ill children and so that is making the weekend tiresome. My son is off to a party shortly so hopefully that will create a break in the friction, if you get my drift.
My daughter had a bit of an episode at school yesterday. During the service she was playing with another childs hair and she got told to stop. Anyhow she did not and carried on so the teacher went to get her out of the hall and she screamed NO. She is 4 and a half and she had to go to the head teachers office. So embarrassed as she did not act like this at nursery although she is like it here.
Onto the cardmaking. I have made this card for two challenges. Simon Says Stamp who are having a special challenge for the 24 hours, for world cardmaking day and for Basic grey challenge which is to use Martines fabby sketch.
I used an image by The Greeting Farm sent to me by Teri who is a fellow DT member on Winter Wonderland challenge blog. I coloured her with promarkers and stardust pens. I used Basic grey papers and some pearlescent paper. I added some doodles and charms and I used some jute. I added a peel off as the challenge at Simon says stamp is to make a card for Paige check out the simon says stamp challenge for further details.

Just Magnolia

Hello and apologies for the picture quality I am still working out where it is best to take photos here and the light has gone awol. I have made this for the challenge at Just Magnolia which is to make a card and use a Magnolia stamp and to include homemade flowers on your project. I have coloured Tilda with promarkers I adore this image. I then added some stardust and white gelly pen to parts of the image. I have created a layout and stamped a flourish onto it from my new Darcies stamp set. I punched out some flowers with my Martha stewart punch from scraps of the backing papers. I then assembled with stickles and added gems. I used a corner stamp from MME stamp set and a sticker sentiment. Loved the challenge just my cuppa tea thanks girls great inspiration this week x

Sketch and Stash meets Simon says stamp

Ahhh thanks to all the lovely people who have welcomed me back so warmly. I really appreciate your support and best wishes. I have found some wonderful buddies here in blogland.
Over the week I have managed to do a DT piece and this card for two challenges. I have been busy with one thing and another. My mum came up on Tuesday so I entertained her for lunch. On Wednesday night I had my eldest daughters friend for a sleepover and she stayed Thursday as it was a school inset day. Today my daughter feels really rough with swollen glands and headache so she is with me today watching disney channel.
I made this card for the sketch and stash challenge which has a simple but lovely sketch to follow. I used the colour them "Red and green should be seen" from the Simon says stamp challenge. I used my new Darcies stamps from funkykits. They are so lovely to use. I alchol inked a circle and then stamped onto the circle and added some stickles. I used some DCWV papers a charm from Bunny Zoe's craft shop and some ribbon from dies to die for. I added some faux stitching. I am building a good christmas stash so I am not anticipating a last minute rush.
Hope you all have a lovely weekend and thanks for taking the time to hop byx