BELLEEK PORCELAIN

Hi lovely bloggers - hope you are having a happy week. Mine has been rather busy again, due to grandchildren duties during the school hols.! Today is a "free" day -  time for crafting!

Just sharing a card which I made with the Belleek technique. It gives a fabulous porcelain/bisque effect. If you would like the "how to" details, and info. about the Belleek company in Northern Ireland, just click HERE.  and HERE

Materials used:-

White cardstock.

Stampin' Up Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder

Sentiment - SU "This Day Forward" set, inked with
Memento London Fog.
Hand-cut banner.

SU Elegant Butterfly punch.

Sizzix die - Ovals with Ornate Edges Frame.

Spun Sugar Distress Ink, and Speedball brayer.

My very old Cuttlebug machine - it's indestructible!

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I am entering my card into the following challenges ~
Cuttlebug Mania - Embossing. 
Make My Monday - Dimension.

Happy Crafting everyone ~

CIRCLES AT ADDICTED TO CAS!

Hi there lovely bloggers - thanks so much for visiting!
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At Addicted to CAS, we have a another super challenge for you! 

 The Code Word, chosen by my lovely Teamie Marie,  is CIRCLE(S)!  

Lots of scope with this one! Do pop over to the blog to see what the talented DT have been creating!  
Our Sponsor this fortnight is Paper Makeup Stamps. They are offering a prize of a $15 voucher towards a digi purchase in their store.

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My Card Recipe:-

Dotty circle stamp - Artemio.

Inks - Tattered Rose DI, and Celadon VersaColour.

Sequin waste used as a stencil for the small inky circles.

Linen Thread - SU.

Poppy die - Cuttlebug.

Top layer of flower petals - smallest die from Tim Holtz Tattered Florals. 

Sentiment - Hero Arts, inked with Memento London Fog.

Buttons from stash.

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Happy Crafting ~

LESS IS MORE - CASe IT

Phew - just made it in time with my second offering for this week's challenge at Less is More, (the first one is over HERE)!

The lovely Chrissie and Jen would like us to CASe one (or both) of their cards.

I used Jen's card for my first offering, so this one is based on Chrissie's beautiful creation (well it's only fair isn't it)!
I have never tried this technique before, and if I try it out again, I will use a less detailed stamp and larger diecut letters.  I don't have any large letter dies,(something else for my wish-list)! so I used the Cuttlebug "Thanks".

A click on the pic. will reveal the detail!

Recipe:-
White cardstock layered onto Stampin' Up Rose Red.
Ink - SU Melon Mambo
Stamp - "English Rose" from La Blanche
"Thanks" die - Cuttlebug.
Small sentiment - Lili of the Valley
I would also like to enter this card into the Addicted to CAS challenge -
Code Word "Flower"

Love and Hugs ~

A SKETCH AT LESS IS MORE

Hi lovely bloggers!  What a wet and windy day -  I hope you are all safe and well, wherever you are. 

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Chrissie and Jen have given us a fab. sketch to work with this week at
  Less Is More. and the sketch must be followed "as is".  Pop over for all the details and some gorgeous card inspiration.

Recipe ~

Cardstock - SU Crumb Cake and Real Red

Heart, and Square "Stamp" dies - Cuttlebug

Linen thread - SU

Sentiment - Anna Griffin

Charm from my stash

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The definition of LOVE is from my tatty old Pudsey Grammar School dictionary (and I'm talking 50+ years old)!   I have occasionally cut out parts of the original pages to use on cards, but it seems like sacrilege, so I

photocopied this one, and added some Antique Linen DI. Much less stressful! 

Does anyone else feel bad about cutting old book pages? 

PS: you can read the definition if you click to enlarge!

Happy Crafting peeps

Hugs ~

RED POPPIES AT LESS IS MORE......

Hello lovely peeps - just squeezing in before closing time at Less Is More, so a very quick Post as I am also preparing for my Saturday card-making class. I do hope the "splash" of red isn't too much for the challenge. 

Chrissie and Jen would like to see black and white with a suggestion, a dab, or a patch, of colour. Here is my card.

(Please scroll down if you are looking for my In The Pink post).

I created an aperture and a "frame" with Nestie square dies.

The Indigo Blu "Wild Meadow" image was stamped with Black Archival ink on the die-cut square and adhered to the inside of the card.

The Cuttlebug Poppies were cut from SU Red Glimmer Paper, and the tiny

words are from DoCrafts Chatsworth set. 

Thank you for popping by, and a warm welcome to my new followers - 
Marilyn, Svetla, Viera, Astrid and Pia.

Happy Crafting - Hugs, 

SENDING LOVE AT CHRISTMAS

Hi peeps!  This is a Christmas card and a Thank You card rolled into one,  for all my wonderful crafting friends, followers and visitors - you are awesome!  

Thank you for all your lovely comments, your friendship, and your inspiration. I can hardly believe it's three and a half years since I started my Blog ~ it would have been pretty boring without you!!     (Oooooh - candy alert for May 2013)!!!

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Sending love, and wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.
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As you  have probably noticed, I don't often do cute, but I saw this gorgeous 

"Rosie and Sledge" digi  image  HERE  at the Digi Stamp Boutique, and couldn't resist!

Recipe:-

Papermania Kraft card

Pink Petticoat snowflake papers

Image coloured with Copics.

Fun Flock and glitter on the clothing.

Memory Box Crystal Snowflake

LOTV sentiment cut with a CB die.
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I am entering this card into the Digi Stamp Boutique December challenge.
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Lots of love to all ~

IT'S GONNA BE A PINK CHRISTMAS at IN THE PINK!

Hi peeps - are we all ready for Christmas with cards made and presents  wrapped?  No, neither am I !  So, here  is an opportunity to make at least one more Christmas card -

our challenge at In The Pink this fortnight is ..... 

"IT'S GONNA BE A PINK CHRISTMAS"!

Of course, it doesn't have to be a card - it could be a gift box, a Turkey, or anything else  Christmassy, but it must have LOTS of PINK on it ! 
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We had so many gorgeous entries for our last challenge, it was difficult for Christine and I to choose just 4 Perfect Pinkies - do pop over to the Blog to find out who they are!

Recipe:-
Card-stock - Stampin' Up and Bazzil.
Image - Mo Manning Christmas Fairy Holly, coloured with Copics.
Nestie Dies -  Labels #1, and Lacy Squares.
Sentiment - Cuttlebug alphabet die, and Woodware tiny snowflake punch.
Glossy Accents on the  snow globe, and SU Dazzling Diamonds glitter here and there.

( the detail looks so much better when you click the pic. to enlarge - honest it does!! )
Look forward to seeing more of  your  fabulous projects -
take care, keep warm, and Happy Crafting

I would like to enter my card into 
Mo's Challenge - Favourite colour combo + a Mo image.
and
Fab.'n' Funky Challenge - Use 3 of something (3 letters).

Love and Hugs, 

AUTUMN LEAVES

Hi peeps - don't you just love the Autumnal colours - such a shame those golden leaves have to fall from the trees isn't it. 

My card today is for the Autumn Challenge at Less is More.

Sorry about the blue patch on my white card - how does that happen when the whole card is facing the same light source when photographed - does anyone know please?!

The leaves are Cuttlebug dies, inked with lots of Vintage Photo, Spiced Marmalade and a little Fired Brick DI then spritzed with Perfect Pearls Heirloom Gold. The veins were created with an embossing tool.

I curved the leaves to give dimension, then attached with silicone glue.

Sentiment from Paper Artsy, inked with Archival Coffee, mixed with a little Spiced Marmalade on the two bottom lines.
Update - November 2nd - My card has been Showcased at Less Is More - thank you Chrissie and Mandi!
I would also like to enter my card into the Opus Gluei  Challenge - Leaves and/or Halloween!

Have a great week ~

Hugs

BUTTONS AND BOWS - IN THE PINK!

Hello my lovely friends, followers and bloggers - I hope you are having a happy week!

Wow - another two weeks have passed already so it must be In The Pink time again!

Huge thanks to everyone who joined in our last challenge - there were over 100 fabulous entries, so do pop over to In The Pink to find out who the Perfect Pinkies are!

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Now onto this fortnight's challenge - Christine and I would like to see BUTTONS and / or  BOWS on your creations.  Of course there should also be a large amount of PINK!

I have used Buttons and Bows - but you may struggle to find them all!

The beautiful image is from Leanne Ellis, stamped with Coffee Archival then coloured with Copics.

Nestabilities Lacy Squares die (cut twice, then spliced to create a rectangle).

The flower is a Cuttlebug Poppy die - the top layer is the smallest flower from the TH Tattered Florals die.

Ribbon from Embsay Crafts. Buttons from my button box!

Linen Twine - Stampin' Up.

Tiny tag punch - Woodware.

Spotty paper - Zoe Pearn.

Vintage text stamp - Crafty Individuals. 

Brushed Corduroy and Antique Linen DI.

Machine stitching.

Hugs  ~ 

ANYTHING BUT SQUARE, AT IN THE PINK

Hello lovely Bloggers - hope you are all having a happy week and some sunshine?  

Apologies for not being around in Blogland very much this past fortnight -  I do appreciate your wonderful comments, and I will catch up with you all as soon as I can.
A warm welcome to my new followers too!
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 It's time for another challenge at  IN THE PINK, and this week it's ANYTHING BUT SQUARE, and of course - lots of pink!  

Thank you to everyone who entered  the"Things With Wings" challenge - there were some amazing creations once again.   To find out who has won the Perfect Pinkie badges , just click the link above!

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Here are my two cards  for this fortnight's challenge~

Mannequin digi image from A Passion for Stamps.
Digital paper  from Sweet Shoppe Designs (Zoe Pearn).
Sentiment - a very old Docrafts magazine freebie 
MS border punch.  Black Archival ink.
Machine stitching.  Ribbon from stash.
Tiny black pearls (necklace)- Habico.
Dress softly coloured with Copics and a little Glamour Dust on the hem.
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Cardstock covered with Stampin' Up Cheerful Treat designer paper
Nestabilities  Labels 4 and Classic Ovals
Cuttlebug heart cut from the designer paper and coated with Glamour dust 
Sentiment - Papermania Chatsworth stamp set.
Blazing Red Staz-on ink
Ribbon from stash
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Have a fabulous weekend ~
Love and Hugs, 

SUNSHINE AT "FOR YOUR INSPIRATION" , AND 3 YEARS OF BLOGGING!

Hello my wonderful bloggers - I hope you are all having a happy week, and some warm  sunshine.
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At the FYI CHALLENGE we have loads of  sunshine to share with you - just take a look at this  fortnight's inspiration picture!  (SUNGLASSES ALERT)!!

You can interpret the picture in any way you wish, and we would love you to join in the fun.  My talented Teamies have created some fabulous cards, so why not pop over to take a peek!

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The card is SU Pumpkin Pie.

Large flowers and grasses -  Cuttlebug Poppies die. 

Dark brown felt was used for the large flowers - one of the flower heads has been double-layered for dimension.

The grasses are cut from brown velvet paper, which I've had for years, and I couldn't resist adding just a tiny bit of magenta velvet paper to give the card a "lift".
Sentiment - WeRMemory Keepers.

Ribbon from stash.

Circle punch for flower centres. 

X-cut corner punch.
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Wow - tomorrow, May 18th, it will be 3 years to the day since I set up my Blog, and those three years seem to have flown by.
I have been blown away by the crafting talent I have discovered in blogland, the kind-hearted people, the feeling of community, inspiration and enjoyment. 
 I would like to send a huge Thank You to my Fabulous Followers, and to everyone who has ever taken the time to leave a much-appreciated comment during those 3 years. 


~ THANK YOU ~
(and love to all)

WISHING YOU A STEAMPUNK NEW YEAR!

Hi peeps, hope your weekend has been brilliant, and are we all ready for Christmas?!!
(Did I hear someone say "NO")?!!
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 A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to win the Plain and Simple challenge at QUIRKY CRAFTS, (thanks DT ladies), and as well as three fab. digis, my prize  included a Guest DT spot in this week's Challenge. 
Hope you will join in the fun - just pop over to Quirky for all the challenge details. The theme is  Quirky Christmas or Steampunk New Year, and this week's generous sponsor is
 Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps .  

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The fabulous "Steampunk Fairy" and "Steampunk Corner" which I used on my card are from Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps, and although Steampunk is something new for me, I thoroughly enjoyed working with these images, and the Fairy was a joy to colour. 
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Recipe:-

 I used Copics to colour the Fairy image, cut her out with the Stampin' Up "Top Note" die,  inked edges with Vintage Photo DI. 

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Base Cardstock - SU Baja Breeze, layered with Co-ordinations Cappucino.

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Tim Holtz Idealogy Findings on the Steampunk Corner.

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For the larger cog, I printed an enlarged Corner image, punched out the main cog, added an eyelet and a circle border from the Cuttlebug "Stamps" set of dies. It always reminds me of a cog but looks great round a circular sentiment too.

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The tiny calendar page is a snippet from a sheet of TH paper.

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Sentiment from Layers of Color Art Stamps, inked with Jet Black Archival.

Sequin waste inked with Vintage Photo DI.
I ran a black extra-fine Pilot Pen around the die cut after attaching it to the card. 
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I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:-
THE SECRET CRAFTER - New Year or Celebration.
CRAFT ROOM CHALLENGE - Die Cuts and Punches. 
SUNDAYS WITH CRISSY - Anything Goes.
ALLSORTS CHALLENGE - Blue and Brown.
Update - January 1st 2012 - 
Artist's Choice Award from Sundays With Crissy,
and a Top 3 Badge from Craft Room Challenge - many thanks!

Have a wonderful week everyone - lots of love ~

HERE COMES SUMMER AT MOVING ALONG WITH THE TIMES!

Hi lovely blogging friends!  It's great to be back home after a few days away for my birthday.  Had a brilliant time - the architecture, the galleries, the shops, the hot weather, the food - all of it fabulous, so why is it so good to be back home?!!

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So peeps, onto this week's challenge at MAWTT - "HERE COMES SUMMER", chosen by the lovely Lisa. The winner's prize is 4 digis of your own choice from our talented sponsor, Beth at Squidgi Digi.

This is Beth's fab. Beach Huts image.

Recipe:-
Base card - white Bazzill (I know - it doesn't look white does it)!
I printed the Beach Huts twice, cut out and decoupaged the roof section to create dimension.
Image lightly coloured with Copics
White ric-rac, coloured with Copics
Cuttlebug heart cut from Nitwit paper, edges inked with Broken China DI
Sentiment - Hero arts
Shell and twine from stash
I would like to enter the following Challenge - Take Time For You - Summer, Sun, Beach and Sea.
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As always, a huge thank you to all you talented crafters out there who entered last week's Challenge - hope to see you again this week!

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~ And finally, 3 of the 200  photos taken in Venice ~

Love to all ~ have a happy day

ANYTHING BUT A CARD AT MOVING ALONG WITH THE TIMES!

Wow lovely bloggers - that's another week gone by,  and time for a new Challenge at MAWTT, - this week we would like to see "Anything But a Card", which is the lovely Pami's choice

Our fabulous Sponsor this week is

Every Crafts A Pound
 Full details can be found over at MAWTT.
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My DT project is a mini concertina folder, for recording those all-important, special occasion dates you just don't want to forget.

Recipe:-
All cardstock from Stampin' Up.
Distress Inks - Vintage Photo and Brushed Corduroy.
Front cover: - computer generated wording on small Nestie "Labels 4".
Flourish stamp - Stampin' Up
CB Corner die,  cut from Gold Japanese Washi paper.
Ribbon - had it for ages!
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Inside: -  Floral paper - Anna Griffin, over-stamped with Crafty Secrets "French Mail" set, and Text stamp from Crafty Individuals. The folds and outer edges of the pockets are machine-stitched.
Twelve large Nestie "Labels 4" diecuts (3 in each pocket), with Tim Holtz months of the year Tissue Tape on each one.
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Thanks to all the lovely crafters who entered last week's challenge - there were some amazing projects once again. Look forward to this week's entries - and don't forget peeps - NO CARDS!!
I would like to enter the following Challenges -
Dream Valley - Stamp Something.
Craft your Passion -Anything Goes


Love to all ~

MOVING ALONG WITH THE TIMES - A SKETCH!

Update - 31st May

Wow - I'm doing star jumps today!!

My card won 1st prize in this month's  Sir Stampalot Challenge Thank you so much DT! 

Anyhoo - onwards and upwards, and onto this week's DT card for another fab. challenge at MAWTT.
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This week the "sketch" challenge has been chosen by the lovely Hazel , and our Sponsor is Stitchy Bear Stamps and they are giving $10 of digi stamps to the winner!

http://stitchybearstamps.com/shop/
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The DT have used digi images available from Stitchy's on-line shop, so do pop over to see their fab. creations!
I chose this beautiful "Mermaid" image from Sylvie's Stamps (available at Stitchy Bears) for my DT card, coloured her with Copics, added a sprinkling of Glamour dust on the bubbles, and pearl gems on each corner. Weathered Wood DI applied around the edges.  The patterned backing paper is from the gorgeous Kaiser Craft "Magic Happens" paper pad which I won in Mina's Candy several weeks ago (thanks Mina)! The design is what I imagine it to look like on the sea-bed, with floaty deep-sea plants, though I've never been diving so what do I know!!!
The 3 rectangles are also cut from the same pad and embossed on the CB.
The tiny sentiment is from a set by Hero Arts (I think)!, circular punch from Woodware, and black circular border is a CB die which is exactly the right size for the punch!
Black cardstock from SU.
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Look forward to seeing more of your amazing creations, and thank you for all your fabulous entries last week.
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I would like to enter this card into the following Challenge -
Sir Stampalot - Magical Worlds.

LESS IS MORE - WHITE ON WHITE.

Hi peeps - hubby is happy today as it's rained on his allotment - yaay! Personally,I prefer the sunshine!

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There is a fab. challenge this week at Mandi and Chrissie's challenge blog  Less Is More - WHITE ON WHITE. These challenges certainly get ya thinkin' don't they!!! By the way - we are officially known as LIMettes when we take part in the LIM challenges - isn't that great!! So - here is my LIMettes white on white card:-

Recipe:-

Nesties Lacy Squares

SU Bird and Branch punch (one of my all-time favourite punches)

CB With Love embossing folder

SU Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

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I am entering the challenge at:-

Wags 'n Whiskers - Use dies or punches.

By the Cute and Girly - Anything Goes.

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Have a Wonderful week ~

CUTE AND CUDDLY SENTIMENTAL SUNDAYS - I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH !!

Well lovely Bloggers, it's that time of year again - one hour less to sleep in this morning, but on the plus side, have you seen all the fabulous Cherry Blossom trees in flower - don't you just love them?

So - onto this week's Challenge at Sentimental Sundays which is an easy-peasy theme of CUTE AND CUDDLY (with a sentiment of course). More prizes to be won this week, and more freebie sentiments.

For my DT card I have used this oh-so-cuddly image from Meljens Designs coloured with Copics

Cardstock - Very Vanilla from SU.

Papers - MME Stella and Rose "Mabel".

Antique Linen DI around edges.

Machine stitching (wonky variety).

Ribbon from stash.

CB die cut hearts.

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Look forward to seeing more of your

beautiful creations at Sentimental Sundays.

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I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:-

Totally Papercrafts - Cuddly and Cute.

Southern Girls - Add an Animal.

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Have a happy week ~ love to all.

DT CARD FOR SENTIMENTAL SUNDAYS - "WINTER"

24th January Update!! My little birdie has been chosen as "The Shabby Tea Room Tea Time Terrific Top Three Winner" - whoo-hoo and tweet tweet!! Thank you so much. 

Hi Peeps - hope you are all having a great weekend ~

This is my DT card for the "Winter" challenge at Sentimental Sundays and I hope you like it.

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Thank you to everyone who entered their fabulous projects into the last Challenge - pop over next week to find out if you are a winner!  More prizes are up for grabs this week,  so get your thinking caps on crafters! Winter is something we have all experienced, so I know you will have lots of amazing ideas. (As always, a sentiment is required on your project). 

PLUS - there are freebie sentiments and DT inspiration if you need it!!

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My DT card recipe:-

Easel card created with Nesties Labels 1.

My favourite SU punch - "Two-step Bird" (love it)! I layered two birds to give dimension.

Distress inks to lightly colour the Robin - Antique Linen, Tattered Rose and Spiced Marmalade with a light touch of Antique Linen on the larger Nestie.

A huge amount of Glamour dust (did I go over the top)?

Flowers - EK Success Retro Flower punches.

Swiss Dots CB embossing folder.

Pearl sprays and pearl gems.

Sentiment - my own (computer generated).

I would like to enter the following challenges:

 Sir Stampalot - A Winter's Tale, 

 Crafty Cardmakers - Use Red and a Die Cut.

The Shabby Tearoom - White and Bright.