A HUGE THANK YOU FROM "IN THE PINK"!

Hello Pinkies  and bloggers everywhere - hope your week is  going well ?
  
WOW -  you certainly turned out in your dozens to enter our very first challenge at IN THE PINK!

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, and to those who helped to spread the word on their blog.  Christine and I have been overwhelmed by your support and kind messages.   
Choosing the Perfect Pinkies has been extremely difficult, as there were so many stunning entries.  

You can find out who the Perfect Pinkies are, by clicking the link above!  Details of next fortnight's challenge can laso be found there.  
I hope you will  share more of your  fabulous creations with us - you have two weeks to create something wonderful!   Our theme for this fortnight's Challenge is "THINGS WITH WINGS" (and plenty of PINK!)  and here are my two inspiration projects - (it just had to be fairies for me)! Hope you like them!

(Please click the pics. to see the detail)

The easel card was created with Nestabilities  Circles (Scalloped and Standard).
The gorgeous image is "Talking With The Moon" from A Day for Daisies, coloured with Copics.  
Edges and background inked with DI - Tattered Rose and Spun Sugar.
Lots of glitter on this  one! (SU Dazzling Diamonds).
Sentiment - Crafty Individuals
Pink pearls - Hobby House.
Starry pink paper on the easel base - Kaisercraft.

This is another fabulous image from A Day For Daisies - "Morning Dew Fairy".

Image printed onto watercolour paper then painted with Distress Inks - 

Tattered Rose, Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Old Paper, Bundled Sage and Peeled Paint.

Background sponged with Tattered Rose and Spun Sugar.

Other items:-  

Nestabilities Lacy Squares. 

Memory Box Wrought Iron Fence cut from Rose Red SU card.

Base card - Pink Pirouette, also from Stampin' Up.

Hero Arts sentiment.

********

Love to all ~

GLORIOUS COLOURS AND A BREAK AT FYI .

Hello my lovelies!  Hope your week is going well? 

***

This will be the last  FYI challenge for a while  - Steph has decided to have a much-needed  break for a few months, but hopes to return in January.

********

There are some amazing colours in this fortnight's inspiration photo,
 and as soon as I saw it , Alcohol Inks sprang to mind!  

(oooh - messy and inky - how fab)!

So out came the gorgeous colours - Wild Plum, Butterscotch, Willow, Aqua, Denim and  Stream.  The bottles of ink were  swirled and dabbed onto acetate in a very abstract way  (great fun!),  then the acetate was layered onto white and black cardstock.. 

Sentiment  from the SU Curly Cute set.

**********

Do pop over to FYIfor all the challenge details and some fab. DT inspiration! 

~Have a happy happy day ~ 

~ Hugs ~

OUR VERY FIRST CHALLENGE AT "IN THE PINK" !!

Good morning lovely bloggers - the PINK day has arrived at last !  I hope you are all poised with PINK crafty stash in hand,  ready to join in the fun at our very first  fortnightly Challenge at IN THE PINK 
All the details can be found on the Challenge Blog, but in case you are wondering what the first Challenge is all about ,  it's everyone's favourite - ANYTHING GOES, (with plenty of pink), or as Christine calls it - FIFTY SHADES OF ..... PINK! (no, I haven't read that book - have you??)!!!!!!!

We are really looking forward to seeing what you create - it can be anything you desire - card, scrapbook layout, box, book - I'm sure you get the idea!  

Each fortnight,  Christine and I will both be posting two projects on the Challenge Blog,  and here are my two cards for this first challenge ~  

*************

  

Two layers of white card, on a white base card, machine stitched around all edges.

The image is stamped on the centre layer, and coloured with Copics.

I cut an aperture on the top layer, with a Nestie Labels 4 die, then attached over the image with 3-d foam pads.

Stamp - "Sunrise" by  Rachel Anderson at Sweet Pea Stamps.

Sentiment - Penny Black.

Swirls of  very pale pink chalk for the  sky.

"Botanical" clear stamp from Kaisercraft, inked with Coffee Archival.

Image painted with Distress Inks.

Borders  punched with MS  "Eyelet Lace"  Punch Around the Page.

Pricking tool used around the edges of top layer of white card

Seam binding - Wild Orchid Crafts.

Sentiment - Hot off the Press.

***********

One last thing - it's Christine's birthday today so do pop over to her blog and leave her some lurve!!  

{ HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE }

Love to all ~

DOES ANYONE HAVE A CRIMPER?!!

Good morning peeps - hope you are well and enjoying the Olympics?
   
The amazing photo Steph has chosen for us at this fortnight's  For Your Inspiration Challenge,  is a night-time view of  Cologne Cathedral  -love the turquoise  and gold!

and here is my take on the photo - a very clean and simple design, inspired by the architecture and the colours.

Recipe:

Cream cardstock.

My Minds Eye, Stella Rose spotty papers.

A paper Crimper was used on the ovals to replicate the lines on the bridge.

 It's the first time I've used this crafting tool for years!  What ancient craft tool have YOU got hidden away, unloved and unused? I would love to know!

I used  two sizes of Nestie Ovals, and the Lacy Squares die.

Corner rounder punch.

The banner was cut by hand, sentiment an old favourite from Hero Arts.

Tim Holtz brads and Distress Inks to finish.

**************

 Have a great weekend - 

Love and Hugs  ~

HOW CAN YOU RESIST DISTRESS INKS!

Hello peeps - sorry I haven't had anything to share with you during the last couple of weeks, but at last, another Post - my DT project for the For Your Inspiration Challenge. The colours of the inspiration photo were the starting point for my card, but you can interpret the image in any way you wish - hope to see lots more of your fabulous designs. You have plenty of time to enter - two weeks, so get out those inks and papers!

*************

Recipe:-

White cardstock

Hero Arts Clings stamp - Blooming Meadow, stamped onto white card with Versamark ink, then heat embossed with  white embossing powder.

Distress Inks applied over the image -  Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Bundled Sage and Peeled Paint. Surplus ink removed from the image with tissue paper. (As I'm sure you know, this is the  "Resist" technique - so called, as the embossing resists the ink).

Perfect Pearls Heirloom Gold was spritzed over the ink, but the shimmer doesn't show on the photo! 

*********

The double panels were not part of my plan  - I just chopped a bit off to make the large panel narrower, so it would fit on a smaller card.  When I saw them side by side on the table, I had a light-bulb moment and somehow ended up with this!!

Panels are layered onto  Stampin' Up Certain Celery.  
Linen Twine also from Stampin' Up.

Sentiment from Penny Black.

******

And here is the amazing inspiration  photo which Steph has chosen for you to work with ~

I would like to enter my card into the folowing challenges:-
THE STAMP MAN- Summer Colours.
FASHIONABLE STAMPING - Let's Get Messy and Inky!
July 31st - Update - in the Top 3 at Fashionable Stamping. Thank you ladies !
Update, August 3rd - Won Top Prize at The Stamp Man - wow!
***********
Apparently we are going to have some warm dry weather in the UK over the weekend - I do hope it reaches your part of the world.

*****

Sending lots of love to all ~

CHOCOLATE BAROQUE AT FYI ....

Hi there my lovelies!  Many thanks for popping by, and a warm welcome to my new followers.   I hope you are all having a happy week. 

********

It's time for another challenge at FYI   and here is this week's amazing inspiration photo ~

For my DT card I have taken the blue sky, green grass and the white building  as my inspiration - OK I know my choice of blue is not the same as the pic - but hey - we can interpret the photo in any way we wish!

So here it is, and I hope you like it ~ (the detail is clearer when you click the pic.)

Recipe:-

The blue panel is Basic Grey Granola - a very old snippet which was lurking about in my paper stash, distressed around edges with scissors.
The gorgeous flower and grasses are from the Chocolate Baroque Fantasy Meadow set -  
the flower was stamped with Jet Black Archival ink then painted with Distress Inks - Weathered Wood, Faded Jeans and Peeled Paint.
The grasses were randomly stamped, and second-stamped, with Peeled Paint.
Edges of the oval softly inked with Weathered Wood and Faded Jeans.
********* 
The Ornate Frame die is from Sizzix . The white frame was stamped with the Indigo Blu Crackleglaze background stamp, using clear Versamark ink which was brushed over with Pewter Perfect Pearls to reveal the "crackles".
Machine stitching,  and a sentiment from Hero Arts.
**************
Hope you will join in the fun at FYI ~ you have two weeks to create your project!
Love and hugs ~ 

COPIC MARKER EUROPE - 1st BIRTHDAY, AND A SATURATED CANARY CUTIE!

Hello peeps! First of all - thank you so much for your good wishes re. Hubby's recent accident - I really appreciate your messages. He is absolutely fine now - the head wound is healing OK - he is just awaiting x-ray results - the GP thinks his collar-bone may be chipped, but it isn't painful thank goodness.

*********

Over at COPIC MARKER EUROPE the ladies are celebrating their 1st  Blog Birthday, and I couldn't resist joining in the fun as I love my Copics!

There are blog hops and weekly prizes to be won, just by leaving a comment, so you may like to pop over there to see what's happening!

********

The detail is much clearer in wide-screen - just click the pic!

Recipe:-

Cardstock - Stampin Up.

Martha Stewart Punch Around The Page "Eyelet Lace".

Memory Box die - "Simple Banner".

A very old set of tiny alphabet letters, inked with Jet Black Archival.

The gorgeous digi was a freebie from Krista Smith at Saturated Canary, created for the Copic Marker Europe Birthday Challenge. Image coloured with Copic Ciao Markers.

********

Have a wonderful week everyone ~ love to all ~

MIDSUMMER NIGHT, A BIRTHDAY, AND A MORNING AT A&E!

Hello lovely friends and bloggers - I intended this card to be included with my FYI Design Team post, which was scheduled for 7.00am this morning, (and can be found if you scroll down to the previous post), but last night was a bit of a disaster as Malc (my hubby) had a fall at home, resulting in a rather nasty head injury, so all crafting was out of bounds after 10.pm last night, at which point my card was only partly made.  

We spent this morning at Leeds General Infirmary, whilst Malc had the wound dressed, and various tests carried out.  Fortunately he is OK, thank goodness, though somewhat bloody and bruised.

**********

We are going away tomorrow for a few days, whilst 101 year old FIL is in respite care for a while, and boy do we need it!  It's also a birthday treat as I am 21 (again) on Sunday!!

********

Soooooooooo - onto my card! (If you are still with me)lol !
PS: it looks so much better in Wide-Screen - just click the pic!!

I particularly wanted to enter this into the challenge at Make My Monday  because I love fairies!, and the theme is "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and that just happens to be my Birthday (24th June)!!

*******************

Recipe:-

Fairy - LOTV, stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black. 

The main background created with Distress Inks - Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Antique Linen, Weathered Wood and Faded Jeans, and a touch of  SU Night of Navy.

Grasses - Indigo Blu.

Image coloured with Copics.

The Fairy words and the stars, are from Lavinia Stamps.

Backing paper - Prima Madeline.

Machine stitching.

Lace from stash.

Glitter - SU Dazzling Diamonds.

*******

I would also like to enter my card into the following challenge ~

Try it on Tuesday - Anything Goes.

********************

I will see you all next week - in the meantime, have a wonderful weekend,.

Update - June 27th - awarded a Top 3 Badge from Make My Monday - thank you ladies!

Lots of love ~ 

A WINTERS DAY AT FYI !

Hello lovely bloggers, thanks for popping by, and a warm welcome to my new followers.
**************  

I know it's only June, but the inspiration picture at FOR YOUR INSPIRATION made me think "CHRISTMAS" as soon as I saw it.  For my DT card, I have taken inspiration from the trees, which look white at first glance, yet seem to have a slight hint of pale pinky-mauve - does anyone else see that, or is it just me??!!   

Full challenge details and some fab. work from the DT can be found on the FYI blog.
Look forward to seeing  more of your wonderful work - this is a fortnightly challenge so you have plenty of time to create your project (no excuses)!
************

My Recipe:

Black base card, with a layer of white which I embossed on a Score Board.

The image is  from Layers of Color, stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento, and is designed to work with the Nestabilities Labels 18.

Image softly coloured with Copics Pale Lilac.

Memory Box die - Madera Corner.

SU Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the wings and Holly leaves - difficult to see on the photo unless you click the pic!
I would like to enter the following challenge ~
HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS - Die Cuts and/or Punches.

*******

Have a fab weekend - 

Love to all ~

A SWIRLY HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

Hello my lovely blogging friends - I do hope you are all safe and well, and escaping the heavy rainfall.

********

Just popping by with a card for  this week's challenge at  LESS IS MORE. Chrissie and Mandi would like to see swirls on our projects, and it's also everyone's favourite - ONE LAYER ONLY week!  Have to admit, I quite enjoy the challenge of using only one layer - it keeps my brain cell moving!

***********
(The stamping detail is much clearer when you click the pic.)

I love this looooooong Happy Birthday sentiment from Hot Off The Press, (had it for years) and it combines swirls and sentiment all in one beautiful image. 

I stamped the little Crafty Secrets swirly heart to add a finishing touch, then attached a tiny silver brad at the top of the heart. 

The cardstock is SU Pink Pirouette, cut to a DL size.  
Ink - Black Archival.

Lines dry embossed above and below the sentiment.

Love to all ~ 

FOR YOUR INSPIRATION - WOW!

Hi there my lovely blogging friends - I hope you are all having a happy week.

**********

This is my second Post in two days - (otherwise known as something of a miracle in my crafty world)!!

This fortnight at FYI we have another amazing picture for you to work with - you can interpret it in any way you desire - I have taken inspiration from the rich shades of blue, orange and green. My "Recipe" is further down the page.

We also have an amazingly generous Sponsor this fortnight - Bugaboo Digi Stamps who are giving SEVEN digis to the challenge winner.  

The Design Team have also been offered some of their fabulous images to work with - do pop over to FYI to see what the talented DT have created.

  I chose the beautiful "Love Conquers All" image from the Silhouette "love blocks" range. 

**********
 Recipe ~
Black base card, 6" x 6".
White cardstock brayered with Kaleidacolor "Creole Spice" ink pad, then machine-stitched to the base card.
The Bugaboo digi was printed onto a separate piece of white cardstock, and lightly brayered with the same ink pad.  Butterflies coloured with Copics.
Corners were rounded with an X-cut punch, and a sprinkling of Glamour Dust added to the butterfly trail. The Tim Holtz Elegant Flourishes die was used for the black diecut swirl, before attaching the panel to the card with 3-d foam pads.
A butterfly was cut out from a second print-out of the image, coloured with Copics and attached to the card.
*****************************

And here is the stunning inspiration photo:-

I would like to enter the following Challenges ~
Come And Get It - Flowers and Butterflies.
Stampin Sisters In Christ - Elements of Heaven.
Update - 12th June - My card won a Shining Star Top 3 badge from Stampin Sisters in Christ. 
Thank you ladies!

Lots of love ~

RED WHITE AND BLUE!

Good morning from a rather wet and dreary West Yorkshire - a perfect day for crafting! 

Hope you all enjoyed the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations?  Going along with the Jubilee theme is the current challenge at LESS IS MORE where the lovely Chrissie and Mandi would like to see RED WHITE and  BLUE on our projects.

**********

I decided to do something with bling on my card, after being inspired by a handbag I saw in a shop window a couple of days ago. 

The red and blue sequins came from a local craft store, and the pearls are from my stash.

Sentiment - Hero Arts, inked with Versafine Majestic Blue, Princess Crown from stash (sorry I didn't have a Queen one)!  Some gems added to the crown, and a dry-embossed border around the "flag".

It took tons of glue and patience, but it was great fun to make!!
*********
I would also like to enter my card into the following challenges:-
CCC - Red. White and Blue.
Top Tip Tuesday - Sparkles Galore for the Jubilee.
One Stop Crafts - Crowns or Diamonds plus Red White and Blue.
Scrapbook Sisters - Red. White and Blue.

Lots of love to all ~
Update - June 13th - My card won the Challenge at Scrapbook Sisters! Whoo-hoo!

A BOOK CARD FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL, AND A BABY CARD FOR LESS IS MORE!

Hello lovely bloggers - it seems Summer has finally arrived in the UK - yaaay!! I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine wherever you are.

I have TWO projects to share today - the first is a very simple little card for LESS IS MORE.  (Better late than never)! 
Chrissie and Mandi's theme this week is a BABY card, or CHILD'S card.
******
Please be warned - this is a "photo-heavy" post - sorry! 
**********
For my LIM card, I used some leftover gingham snippets (Craft Creations), trimmed with a Fiskars border punch. 
The vintage pram stamp is from Anna Griffin, the sentiment is from a New Baby set by Kars, both inked with Jet Black Archival. (The image is much clearer when you click on the pic.)!
****************
I am popping over to  Di's Playground to share this card with the playmates!

**********************************
My second project is a Book Card. This is for my DIL's birthday next week - I've been intending to have a go at making one of these for ages, and my DIL's birthday has spurred me on - she loves all things vintage, shabby-chic, fairies etc., and I know she will appreciate it.
 If you would like to make one of these, there is a fab. tutorial on Sandie's wonderful blog http://delightfullycrazytoo.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/vintage-book-card-tutorial.htm
***************
I would also like to enter this Book Card into the ALLSORTS 3rd Birthday Blog Hop Challenge,
and OCC - Shabby Chic Theme.

***********
Update - June 2nd - My Book Card was awarded a Top 5 Badge by the ladies at Allsorts. Many thanks!

Front cover:-

Inside:-

The Nestie oval will be personalised before giving the card to

my DIL. 

This was rather difficult to photo - the punched border on the shadow box looks more like pale blue than the real-life shade of pale cream, and the "hinges" on the back cover are dark grey IRL, not blue! 
*********
Items used:-
Papers from Prima (but I think the back cover is Basic Grey)
Tiny flower punches - SU Boho Blossoms and EK Success Retro Flower.
Pearls and ribbon from stash.
Tons of Glamour Dust!
Martha Stewart border punch - Floral Vine.
Tonic Studios Butterfly punch.

DI Inks used - Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo, Faded Jeans.
Memento London Fog.
Nesties dies -  Ovals and Fancy Tags Two.
Cuttlebug fancy corner die.
Stamps -  Layers of Color (Birthday Wishes), Indigo Blu Wild Meadow (Swirl).
. Crafty Individuals (Dream a Little Dream). Kaisercraft Botanical.
************
Many thanks if you are still with me!  Have a wonderful weekend.
Love to all ~

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.
*******  

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!

 ***************

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.
*********

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)

THREE STAMPS AT LESS IS MORE, AND HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY DEBBIE!!

Good evening lovely bloggers - life has got in the way of blogging this last week or two, so I'm happy to be back in crafting mode again, and sharing my LESS IS MOREcard for this week's challenge., which is ................. the one we all love - A ONE LAYER CARD!!!  The fabulous Chrissie and Mandi would also like us to use THREE  stamps (not 2, not 4, but THREE)!!

********************************

I would also like to wish my lovely "For Your Inspiration" teamie Debbie  a very Happy 60th Birthday!

Yes - you can't keep it a secret Debbie - the whole world now knows that you are 60 years young on May 13th!!  So peeps, please pop over to Debbie's lovely blog and leave her some lurve, and wish her a Happy day!

******************

Update - June 6th - my card was included in the Winners list at St. Lukes Charity Cards.
Thank you ladies!

I have used THREE stamps from the "Wild Meadow" Indigo Blu set. - the sentiment, the Dandelion Clocks, and the Grasses border stamp, inked with Archival Coffee. 

Brayered Distress Inks -  Spiced Marmalade and Mustard Seed.
I would also like to enter my card into the following Challenges:-
PILE IT ON - "Clean and Simple".
ST LUKES CHARITY CARDS - "One Layer Month".

********

A huge welcome to my new Followers.

Love to all - have a very happy week ~

FRESH BREWED AT FYI, AND A CRAFT STAMPER SNIPPET!

Hi there my lovely blogging friends - I hope you are all having an enjoyable week?
*********
It's time for another Challenge at FYI, and as always, Steph has provided us with a beautiful inspirational photo. 

This one is quite dark and brooding, with wonderful shades of green and orange, but you can interpret the picture any way you wish.

******* 

As it's the first challenge of the month, there will be a prize for the winner of the Challenge, of three digi images from our generous sponsor - Fresh Brewed Designs. 

The DT have also been given some of their fab. images to work with.

*********** 

I have used the "Ladybug Teapot" digi, coloured with Copics, cut out and

slightly curved, then attached with silicone glue onto two oval Nestie layers. 

A sprinkling of Glamour Dust on the flowers.

The gingham is a Wendy Vecchi rubber stamp from the Nature's Art set (love this stamp).

All cardstock from Stampin' Up.

The tiny "party" stamp is from the Papermania Chatsworth set.

"You're Invited" stamp from K andCo.

***********

*******************

Finally, here is a little snippet from my project published in the June issue of 

~ Craft Stamper ~

sending love to all ~ 

TIME FOR SUMMER ............

Hello peeps - I'm sure you are all looking forward to some hot Summer weather - I know I am!  But in the meantime,  I am joining in the  Crafty Individuals Challenge - TIME FOR SUMMER. 

You might like to click the pic. to see the detail!
****

Recipe ~

Backing paper from the Crafty Individuals "Book 7" - Shades of Summer.

Stamped images - CI -309, CI- 320, CI- 302, and CI - 234.

Distress Inks used - Weathered Wood, Antique Linen, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Brushed Corduroy.  

Victorian Velvet, Worn Lipstick and Tattered Rose for the flowers.

Other inks used - Coffee Archival and Memento London Fog.

Memory Box die - Wrought Iron Fence.

Machine stitching. 
"Summer" stamp - Layers of Color Art Stamps.

**********

Love to all ~