Friday at last!

What a busy week I've had!

It was great to just turn over and go back to sleep for another hour this morning. I usually try and get up by 7am at the very latest when I'm not at work, but this morning the bed was just too comfy and it was nearer 8am when I finally surfaced!

I did a little housework and then headed for the craft room. What a nice way to spend the morning... sooooo relaxing!

Today I'm sharing the card that I sent to Cassi for Deborah's May Card Chain Challenge.

If you remember I was lucky enough to receive this beauty from Janet.

The background for my card is a mix of Distress ink stamping, overprinted with a Hero Arts Digital image that I have used several times. The great thing about digi's is that you can shrink and enlarge them to fit your project, and you can also change the colour.I think this was the card that started my current TGF 'kick'. I used Ruby, Sassy Suzi and a digital Audrey and placed them to fit with Deborah's sketch. I was quite proud of myself this month as I managed to use Deborah's colours, sketch and theme!

It's now sign up time for the June CCC over at Deborah's blog and once again she has a theme, a sketch and an amazing rainbow colour combo on offer as inspiration!

My little TGF festival looks set to continue as Yoga Anya dropped through my letterbox a couple of days ago. I just hope my mojo reappears soon.

Well, have a great weekend everyone. I'm now off to make blueberry muffins so that I have goodies on offer in case anyone drops by over the Bank Holiday.

Happy crafting everyone!

Wednesday, already?

I am on a The Greeting Farm kick right now! I seem especially drawn to the Sprouts as I love their wide eyes and cute expressions. I used sweet little Ruby on this 3 x 3 card (love those boots!).
The background was made using the same combination of distress ink technique and stamps that I used on my Niece's birthday card. I am really enjoying using Distress inks in this way, and plan to make a few sets of these cards as gifts as they are so quick and simple to produce.

I'm entering this card for 'no patterned paper' week over at The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #84.

Not much time for creating this week as I am working extra hours... roll on the weekend!

Happy crafting everyone, I'll be joining in again soon!

Freebie Friday at The Secret Crafter

Hi everyone, just dropping by to spread the news about new some weekly fun over at Wendy's blog The Secret Crafter.

Each week Wendy will have a giveaway from her online store. There are a few simple rules and a chance to win some lovely goodies, so why not head on over and find out all the details...

Inspired by....

I love dropping by Jill's brilliant blog 'Inspired by...' where each week she showcases the work of a super talented someone from blogland. Jill then shares her own fabulous 'take' on each card and the result is a double dose of wonderfulness!

I'm having my own little 'Inspired by' session here today as I want to share two beautiful cards that cannot fail to delight and inspire, and which have both influenced the card I made today.

First up I am sharing this gorgeous card that I received from Janet in Texas as part of the May CCC organised by Deborah Nolan.
Isn't it just stunning? Look at the beautiful stamping... the embossing ... that wonderful ribbon effect and those tiny butterflies, each with a little gem and gold Stickles on the wings.

Thanks Janet, I really love this elegant card.

The next card literally made my jaw drop when I opened the envelope.How many of you recognised this beauty as the work of the lovely Sanne?

Look at that hydrangea flower, doesn't it look amazing against kraft cardstock? That ribbon effect is actually a strip of card, which Sanne has carefully distressed and tied with twine. Love the colour and placement of those gems too.

Thanks Sanne, I'm so pleased to have this card in my craftroom!

My inspired by card uses an Inkadinkadoo stamp that I have borrowed from my mate Vicky.I embossed the image, but decided not to colour it as I was in the mood for a little monochrome today. A subtle splash of colour comes from the red in the gingham ribbon. I was hoping to capture a hint of the sophistication of Jane and Sanne's cards, and used paper from Daisy Bucket, which I think is called 'Black tie'.
Finally, I thought I'd share a picture taken in my garden this morning. The sun is shining and it's a truly beautiful day.

Have a lovely weekend everyone, and happy crafting!

Sew special

Hi everyone, I'm just dropping by to share a card that I made last week for one of the ladies who volunteers at the library where I work. Dear June has just undergone major surgery, and hopefully is on the road to recovery now.

I love these beautiful sewing images from Hero Arts. The thimble is from a gorgeous new Polyclear set called 'Simply handmade' and the other images are all digital.

I used some of my favourite Cosmo Circket Early Bird paper and got a little heavy handed with Antique Linen Distress ink.

The stitching is faux and I thought I'd add a little pin for an extra 'sewing themed' embellishment. I had to bend it into the card so that June doesn't catch her hand on it when she opens the card.

I've been poorly with a stomach bug over the weekend and so must apologise for not having been around much.

Happy crafting everyone!

Friday at last!

What a busy, busy week... I'm so glad that it's the weekend at last!

I sent this card to Denise when she won my Blogoversary candy last month. The image is from Tiddlyinks.com where you can find the fabulous work of children's illustrator Christy Croll. The image is called Drama Queen, and Christy says that this sweet illustration is her daughter doing her 'O woe is me' routine!

I remember my parents calling me Sarah Bernhardt, after the famous silent movie actress, so I think I must have had my own 'O woe is me' moments as a child!

Hope you like the sentiment that I added with my PC, and let's face it card makers we've all been there!

I used Distress Stickles for the first time on this card. Not very sparkly, but great colour and texture!

Have a great weekend everyone, and happy crafting!

Happy 1st birthday

I cannot believe that my little niece will be celebrating her 1st birthday on Thursday. Time, as they say, really does fly!

I have been looking forward to using this cute little Gorjuss girl image and was delighted by how quick and easy she was to colour.

The background was created with Spun Sugar Distress Ink and a mixture of Hero Arts and The English Stamp Company images. There is a generous amount of Tattered Angels Pearl Glimmer mist carefully spritzed on for a subtle shimmer. I used Diamond stckles on her wings.

I punched out the butterflies and tiny flowers from white paper coloured with my Cool Aqua Promarker and distressed with Tumbled Glass. The 'sentiment' was printed on my PC after I had finished the background. The sentiment always needs to be printed last as Distress ink can make it blur and bleed.

Hopefully we'll get to see our sweet little niece this weekend. My sister-in-law tells me that she is into everything and full of fun and smiles... can't wait to see her!

Happy crafting everyone!

Now that's better!

Hi everyone, just a quick post to share my second attempt at using that lovely Vinnie Pearce wire torso digi.

I printed the same two images as before but used some beautiful Laura Ashley background paper from my stash. I distressed the paper with 'Bundle Sage' (thanks again, Sanne!)

Thanks to my lovely mate Vicky I used two fabulous Martha Stewart punches to create the border effect, and then added two tiny butterflies for a 'pop' of pink. The ribbon took ages to tie, but I eventually got the effect that I wanted so that it hangs across the punched edge! The base card is a really dark grey from Bazzil Basics and looks nice and classy. I haven't included a sentiment as I didn't want to overcrowd the card.

I am spending today working on my ICS coursework as I have to see my coach tomorrow. Sorry not to be doing much visiting and commenting today, but I must get my ICS work up to date and ready for the meeting. I've got to admit I'm ever so slightly nervous!!!!

Happy crafting everyone!

Just because...

I am a bit bleary eyed this morning having stayed up late watching the election results. I have already done a few odd things (eg: porridge oats in my cup and not the saucepan) so perhaps I shouldn't be thinking of using a craft knife today!

I made this little card because I wanted to use the lovely Vinnie Pearce digital image 'Wire Torso rubon'. I paired the image with the gorgeous Hero Arts digi 'Old letter writing'.

I think the colours are a bit 'off', but I love the flower (thank you Sanne) and think it pulls the card together. There's some silver gel pen faux stitching and I stamped the sentiment in Silver Versacolour pigment ink. The card is from Stampin' Up!

I'm half way through a second card using the same images and hopefully I'll feel happier about that one!

Happy crafting everyone and enjoy the weekend!

...and the winner is?

Hi everyone, thanks for your lovely comments on my blogoversary post... how I wish I had candy for you all!

I'm having a few technical problems with my camera this morning, and therefore can't photograph the little piece of paper with her name on it, however the winner is Denise (The crafty Den)!!!

Congratulations Denise, please email me with your address so that I can get your candy in the post.

Once again, thanks to everyone for dropping by and joining in the fun.

Happy crafting!

Totally hopeless!

Honestly I am hopeless sometimes!

I made this card for my dear blogging, and now 'in-real-life', friend Vicky.

I made sure to post her card on my way to work yesterday so that it would drop onto her doormat to celebrate her birthday on Saturday 30th April. When I got to work I turned the calendar one day forward and discovered to my horror that Friday was April 30th and not Saturday.

A quick text message had to be sent to Vicky to explain that I am an idiot...

Happy birthday for YESTERDAY mate!

I decided to use two little Midori's to make Vicky's card and all the other stamps are from Hero Arts.

This card is a perfect match for the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #81 this week as the theme is friendship.
I didn't manage to upload my card for the SCSC 'distressing' challenge to make the deadline, so I thought I'd share it now. I am experimenting with some Art Journey stamps but haven't quite got to grips with them yet.

I have had such a busy, stressful week that card making and blogging have taken a bit of a backseat. I'm really sorry that I haven't been visiting and commenting as much as usual. I really need to sort out the old work/life balance thing.

Please don't forget that my blog candy is up for grabs until Monday. I will make the draw on Tuesday morning. Also please take a look at my sidebar for the info about Linda's extra yummy birthday candy.

Happy crafting everyone!