Crafty Creations by A.J.

Craft Your Days Away DT card

2012-02-04T09:02:00.001Z

Our new challenge at Craft Your Days Away is STITCHING. It can be real or faux (as I've done on this card). We are being sponsored for this challenge by The Pretty Little Ribbon shop who are offering a prize pack of lovely ribbons and embellishments. Take a look at our challenge blog for all the details and to look at the super creations from the DT.

I've coloured Tilda using pro markers and I've used paper from the Dovecraft Back to Basics pad. The little ribbon roses are from Papermania and the circular greeting is a digi from Sentiments for You.

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Cardmadfairy's Digi Days DT card - Hearts

2012-02-03T20:42:00.001Z

The new challenge over at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge for the next two weeks is:

HEARTS

I've used one of Jenni's lovely images called Lovebirds available HERE in her shop.

We are being sponsored by this challenge by Crafty Sentiments Designs who are offering one lucky winner 3 digis from their shop. Please remember that you must use a digi to enter our challenge - it doesn't have to be a Cardmadfairy image - but we love it when you do!

I've coloured my image with pro markers and the paper is from a Papermania pad called Portobello Road. I've used a Spellbinders die and cut some flower shapes from an old book which I've scrunched up to make them look a bit less perfect.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Ann's - Love is in the air

Delicious Doodles - All loved up

Fairy Tale - Love, love, love

Crafty Purple Frog - Valentines Day/Love

Digi Doodles - Love is in the air

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow DT card

2012-02-02T00:05:00.013Z

I've got a couple of sorrys before I start - sorry to my DT buddies on Ruby's Rainbow, I am a bit late with this post and, sorry for the dull picture. I can't remember how many days it has been since I saw the sun - it will be nice to take a picture in decent sunlight! At least we've got away without snow - so far!

Ruby's Rainbow challenge for the next 2 weeks is "Flowers with Sparkle" so let's see what you can create for this challenge!

I've used paper from the Nursery stack from DCWV - the floral one is glittered. The stamped image is from Stampavie and I've coloured it with pro markers. I've added my sparkle to the flowers with Cosmic Shimmer glitter. I wanted to make this card a nice and simple one so I've just added a border of pearls and some faux stitching. Sometimes I think that my flowery embellished cards are "too much" for some people and a clean and simple one does the job much better.

You can see my "flowers with sparkle" a bit better on this picture. I would hate to count up how many stamps I have of teddy bears with flowers, but I just had to have this one too!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Divas by Design - Anything goes

Inky Impressions - Pearls or bling

Die cutting divas - Anything goes

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out Ruby's Rainbow Challenge blog,

Amanda

Sparkles Christmas Challenge DT card and Blog Hop

2012-02-01T10:00:00.005Z

I have been asked to join Sparkles Christmas Challenge blog DT which is really great for me because I get to make Christmas things all year and hopefully I will have enough cards made when the festive season arrives. For my first challenge I am participating in their blog hop so there are some fab prizes to be won along the way and it is their very first birthday - so celebrations all the way!

The challenge for this month is Christmas Anything Goes. Pop along to the challenge blog for details of the challenge, the prizes and the start of the blog hop. If you have found your way to my blog as part of the blog hop you should have come here from Jo's blog - A little piece of me.

For my prize I have a selection of Christmas papers and goodies which have been donated by DT member Shaz. You need to leave a comment on all of the DT blogs, then leave your entry and link to your own blog on Sparkles Christmas Challenge blog to be eligible to win a prize. When the blog hop closes on the 27th February 2012 each of the DT will randomly pick a comment to win the prize on their blog.

So, once you leave a comment on this post, it will be time for you to visit Shaz's Crafty Corner. Good luck and happy blog hopping!

Now, onto my card .... I love this cute little penguin who was from Bugaboo Stamps - I've coloured him with pro markers. The papers are from a Dovecraft Christmas Back to Basics pad which I got half price in the sale a couple of weeks ago and I've used a Spellbinders labels die. The card candi is from Craftwork Cards.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Fab n Funky - Use a digi

Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes

Alphabet Challenge - Zoo animals

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away DT card

2012-01-21T09:01:00.002Z

We've got a fab new sponsor for our new challenge over at Craft Your Days Away and our challenge for the next fortnight is a great one too - DISTRESSING.

Our new sponsor is Bugaboo Stamps and they are offering one lucky winner 7 digis from their shop.

I've used their image called Silhouette Butterfly Flowers which I printed onto patterned paper and ditressed the edges. The frame is a Spellbinders die which I sanded down around the edges. I've used some faux suede flowers, a little wooden button and a ribbon and bow salvaged from a Christmas card. The dark brown dots are card candi which just added a bit of detail in the corners.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge - You can choose
Crafty Catz - Buttons and Bows
Crop Stop - Distressed or Vintage
Crafty Purple Frog - Anything Goes
Delightful Challenges - Distressed/Vintage

Don't forget to pop over to the challenge blog and join in with us,

Amanda

Cardmadfairy DT card - Ribbons and Bows

2012-01-20T10:30:00.002Z

The new challenge over at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days challenge is RIBBONS AND BOWS. I've used one of Jenni's gorgeous new digis called Patterned Butterfly which I've paper pieced onto floral paper. I've kept this card quite clean and simple because the butterfly is pretty enough not to need any extra decoration. The white card candi was from the lovely candi box which arrived a few days ago - a prize that I was lucky enough to win from the Craftwork Cards blog.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Clearly Inspired - Pastels
Stampin with the Dragon - Anything goes
Charizma cards - Clean and Simple
Flutterby Wednesdays - Open challenge

I look forward to seeing what you make for the challenge.

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow - challenge and DT call

2012-01-18T10:14:00.001Z

Our new challenge over at Ruby's Rainbow for the next two weeks is VALENTINES or RED/BLACK if you're not into making Valentine's projects. We are also having at DT call as we are looking for some new additions to the team. Pop over to the challenge blog for more info.

I made a milk carton box for my project. As you can see I have left it open - just secured with a paper clip for now. Hopefully someone will fill it with lovely chocolates for Valentine's day - but as that's probably not going to happen I may as well buy some myself!

You can find my tutorial for the milk carton box HERE.

I've used a Martha Stewart punch to make the band around the box and managed to find some love heart paper from a very old pad.

I am going to enter this project into the following challenges:

Crafty Creations - Valentine

Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Be my Valentine

Really Reasonable Ribbons - Valentine

Hope you join in with the challenge and thanks for looking,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away DT card

2012-01-07T09:02:00.002Z

I'm back this morning with my first DT card for Craft Your Days Away and we have a great new challenge together with a new sponsor for the New Year. So our challenge for the next fortnight is NEW BEGINNINGS. So your craft project could be for a new baby, a new job, a new home, or any other new occasion that you can think of.

I've chosen New Baby and have used an image from our new sponsor - The Stamp Fairy. Their images are just so lovely. One lucky winner is going to win a $10 voucher to spend in their store!

I've coloured my image with pro markers and the papers are by Kay & Co/Dovecraft. I have to confess that I coloured one of the ears purple! A strategically placed bow came to the rescue! The sentiment stamp is by Lili of the Valley.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - A New Beginning

Delicious Doodles - All things new

Fairy tale - Something new

Crafty Ribbons - New Beginnings

Digi Doodles - New Beginnings

Dutch Dare - New Beginnings

Crafty Emma's Store - Anything goes

Don't forget to join us at Craft Your Days Away,

Amanda

Cardmadfairy's Digi Days DT Card

2012-01-06T10:30:00.001Z

Today's card is my DT creation for our new challenge at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge - we have gone with the theme of "Thank You" as I'm sure lots of you will be writing thank you notes after the festive season. I have used the image "Daisies" available in the Cardmadfairy shop HERE. I've coloured the image with pro markers and decoupaged an extra layer for the centre flower, twisting it slightly to make the flower look more full. Pop on over to the challenge blog to join in - remember though, you must use a digi on your creation.

I've added a "Thanks" sentiment which is a rubber stamp from Hot Off The Press and just a little jewel in the centre of each flower.

I'm going to enter this card into the following challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. - Thank you
I break for challenges - Clean and Simple
Passion for Pro Markers - Thank you card

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow DT card

2012-01-04T10:01:00.003Z

After our little festive break, Ruby's Rainbow is back with our first challenge of 2012. For this new challenge we want to see:

Something for a baby or a child

Pop over to the challenge blog to join in with us.

I've gone with a little girl's card using a Crafter's Companion stamp, that I've coloured with pro markers. The papers are some very neglected Kay and Co ones that I've had absolutely years. I've used my new Edgabilities die to create the scallop border (part of my Christmas pressie - a new Grand Calibur).

The little felt flowers are from my stash, as is the pale pink card candi from Craftwork Cards. I have decorated the inside of the card to match the outside.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Stamps R Us - What you got for Christmas (Edgabilities)

Fashionable Stamping - Anything goes + new stash (Edgabilities)

Sentimental Sundays - Anything goes
Lil red wagon - warm fuzzies (felt flowers)

Thanks for stopping by today,

Amanda

My first card of 2012

2012-01-02T07:55:00.001Z

It has been such a nice change to make a card that wasn't related to Christmas - I think I was totally exhausted of snowmen and red/green and even glitter. Not a sprinkle of glitter on this card!

I used one of my most favourite Tilda's for this card - I have so many Tilda's still un-inked; something that I must rectify this year. I added a few tufts of grass and a butterfly from another stamp set and I have coloured the image with pro markers.

One of the things I've decided for this year is to try and make the insides of my cards as nice as the outsides. You can't see much on this picture - but its a start! The pretty papers are Dovecraft and they are from the Tea House pad. The flowers are from my stash and there's just a couple of dots of pink card candi too.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - I used their sketch
Robyn's Fetish - Anything goes
Secret Crafter - Anything goes
Stampin' for the Weekend - Anything goes
I love pro markers - Anything goes

Thanks for looking today,

Amanda

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T06:30:00.000Z

I just wanted to say a Happy New Year 2012 to everyone. I've had a bit of a blogging break over the festive season - time to get the stamps, glitters and pens out again and get some blogging done!

Amanda

Meet little Lola

2011-12-17T08:25:00.000Z

Its been a bad few weeks in my household lately so it has been a refreshing change to welcome our new little kitten into our home. Her name is Lola and she was a stray kitten rescued by the RSPCA.

My beautiful old cat, Muffin, passed away last month at the grand old age of 19 years and we missed him so much. Lola has helped to fill the huge gap that Muffin left behind.

After several weeks being very poorly in hospital, my grandad passed away last week and we had his funeral yesterday. The sun shone down on us and, all things considering, it was a nice day. He would have been proud.

With everything that has been happening lately I am so disorganised for Christmas this year and my blogging has been seriously neglected over the past few weeks. I will be running around on Christmas Eve like a manic. Goodness knows what the kids will find in their Christmas stockings this year!

The kids put the Christmas tree up last night, while I listened to my new Michael Buble Christmas CD and stopped Lola from eating the tinsel, chewing the tree lights and diving in the box of decorations. There's nothing like a new little kitten to make you forget your worries - they will keep you running around after them all day!

Have a great day!

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away DT card #35 Snowmen

2011-12-10T20:23:00.002Z

This is my second post of the day - my Blogger posts are like a bus .... you wait ages for nothing and then 2 turn up together!

I'm back to show you my DT card for today's challenge at Craft Your Days Away albeit a bit late. It was my turn to choose the challenge this time and I decided on SNOWMEN so let's see your last minute Christmas cards or decorations featuring snowmen.

We are being sponsored by our regular monthly sponsor, Simon Says Stamp, who are offering one lucky winner a voucher for $10 to spend in their store.

I chose a digi from Pink Gem designs for my cute snowman picture, called Snowman Soup, and coloured it with promarkers. The papers are from the Christmas Stack from DCWV, as are the candy cane and button stickers.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - I used their sketch

Card Makin' Momas - Christmas

Glitter Geeks - Let it snow

Crafty calendar - cold and frosty

Hotshot Crafts - pro markers

Moving along with the times - last minute Christmas

Paperplay - Snowman

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

Cardmadfairy DT #23 Tags

2011-12-10T09:01:00.000Z

Oops, I'm a day late posting this - better late than never though!

The new challenge over at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge is TAGS. You've got loads of time to enter this challenge because we are taking a little break over Christmas and will be back on 6th January 2012 with our next challenge.

We are sponsored this time by A Day for Daisies, who have some lovely digis on there site. They are offering one lucky winner a voucher for 3 digis from their shop. Pop over to our challenge blog to have a look at what the rest of the DT have made.

I've cut my tag shape out with a Sizzix Originals die and the image, from A Day for Daisies, is coloured with pro markers. I must get some more of the butterflies when I see them - I think they were from a pound store - £1 for four butterflies.

I am going to enter this tag into the following challenges:

A Day for Daisies - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes
Hotshot Craft - Promarkers
Samuel Taylor - Anything goes (Check out their prize - Kasiercraft Mini Albums and a wonderful Jillibean Soup 6x6 Paper Pad!!!)

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow DT card #18

2011-12-07T10:01:00.002Z

It seems like it has been ages since I made any cards - somehow I finally managed to get this one finished off in the nick of time. Ruby's Rainbow have set their new challenge today and it is MONOCHROME so let's see your cards just in the one colour. I did have to add a bit of brown for the hair - somehow I don't think purple hair would have suited!

This will be our last challenge before our little Christmas break - we will be back on the 4th January 2012 with our first challenge of the new year.

Pop over to the challenge blog to join in with us.

I've used the Dancing Willow rubber stamp and I've coloured the image with pro markers. The papers are some old Papermania ones and I've used a MS border punch.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Creative Craft Challenge - real or faux stitching

Drunken stampers - monochromatic

Sweet Stop - I used their sketch

Papertake weekly - Anything goes

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

A winning night

2011-12-03T07:54:00.000Z

I think that last night must have been my son's lucky night because look at all of the goodies he won at his school's Christmas fayre! Okay, mom and dad had to keep supplying him with money for the various tombolas and stalls but I'm sure we will enjoy drinking the various bottles of wine and the whiskey that he won!

In the hamper was this cute hand knitted Father Christmas that someone must have spent absolutely hours knitting and he's been really well made. He will be taking his place, sitting under our Christmas tree this year.

Can't believe I'm so disorganised this year for the big day - must get a move on,

Amanda

Cardmadfairy's DT card - Winter Wonderland

2011-11-25T10:01:00.002Z

I've had to use the fabulous Xmas Owl digi again for this week's DT card because I think he is adorable. You can find him HERE in Cardmadfairy's Digi Stamp Shop for a bargain 99p!

Our challenge over at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge for the next fortnight is Winter Wonderland and we are being sponsored by Meljen's Designs who are offering one lucky winner 4 digis from their shop. Some of the team have being using Meljen's images so pop on over to the challenge blog to have a look.

The image has been coloured with pro markers and liberally applied with Cosmic Shimmer Glitter. The papers are all from DCWV. The snowflake is a Sizzlits die and the scallop circle die is from Spellbinders.

Can't wait to see your Winter wonderland cards for our challenge!

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow - DT card - Music

2011-11-23T10:01:00.003Z

Firstly I must apologise for being such a bad blogger lately - life hasn't been the best recently AND I've just started working full time which is a bit of a shock to the system after 11 1/2 years working part time! Its a good job that its only temporary - my card making would suffer otherwise.

Today's card is for the new Ruby's Rainbow challenge which has been set by DT member Silvi. She has chosen MUSIC. At first I was a bit stuck with this challenge but then I found some vintage Christmas music paper which I cut into little pages to make a panel. I thought that the Secret Crafter digi of the angel looked like she was singing too. After rummaging through my box of stamps, I found the perfect sentiment stamp by Personal Impressions saying "Have yourself a merry little Christmas" - anyone else singing the song now too??

I have coloured the image with pro markers and the various flowers are from my stash. I've added a few clear dew drops and some snowflake confetti and then added lots of glitter sparkles!

I need to get cracking with my Christmas cards now - I recently sold all of my stock of Christmas cards at a charity event at work to raise money for Wear it Pink day. I wasn't expecting them all to sell, I thought I'd be bringing some home but I'm glad that the charity has benefited!

Don't forget to come and join us at Ruby's Rainbow to share your music themed cards too.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

I love pro markers - Anything goes

Crazy Craft Challenge - Free for all

Daisy doodles - Christmas + digi

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Music

Wags n Whiskers - Christmas

Winter Wonderland - cute Christmas image

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away DT card - A Recepie

2011-11-12T09:01:00.001Z

I've made today's card for our new challenge over at Craft Your Days Away. We've got a great recepie challenge for you this week with some great lines for you to choose from.

Simon Says Stamp are our sponsor for this challenge and are offering a $10 voucher for one lucky winner.

It's not very often that I make a card without a coloured image - but I thought that it would be a bit too much on this one one I'd put it all together. The gingham paper is from My Mind's Eye and the animal paper is from the Nursery pad by DCWV. I've used my new MS punch around the page punches - I think these will be used quite a lot, I love them! So the line of Bingo that I've gone for is Gems, Ribbon and Buttons.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks - Baby

Dutch Dare - Punch time

Crafts and Me - Birthdays

Thanks for stopping by today,

Amanda

Cardmadfairy's Challenge and a DT call

2011-11-11T10:44:00.000Z

First of all, apologies for the slightly dark photo - that's dull Autumn days for you!

We have a new challenge at Cardmadfairys Digi days challenge blog - for the next 2 weeks we want to see TEXTURE. We have a prize of 5 great digis from the shop for one lucky winner. We are also looking to add to our team and the details of the DT call are on the challenge blog.

I have used a lovely one of Jenni's digis called Buttons available HERE. I've cut him out and added him to a polka dot background paper to make it look like snow. The embossing folders are from Cuttlebug.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crimbo Crackers - Make it sparkle

Delightful challenges- snowflakes

Samuel Taylors - Christmas cards

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow DT Card

2011-11-09T10:01:00.002Z

Today was my turn to pick the theme for the challenge for the next two weeks over at Ruby's Rainbow Challenge blog! Hope you like my choice - I went with:

Things with wings

So we want to see your birds, butterflies, angels, fairies,dragonflies or any other winged thing you can think of! Come and join us at the challenge blog.

I have chosen a beautiful Wee Stamps digi called Silver Fairy and I have coloured her with pro markers then added a bit of distress ink around the edges. I have used a "Happy Birthday" stamp from Hot Off The Press. The paper is from an old Kay & Co pad and the roses are also some that I've had lying around for ages. I've used my MS punch around the page set to make a frame for the image. (By the way, my new set of MS punches has just arrived - can't wait to have a play!!!) I've added a bit of ribbon, a pearl ribbon slider and a couple of Prima paper flowers to finish off.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Digital Tuesday - Anything goes

Creative Stamp Friends - Orange & Brown

Daisy Doodles - Anything goes

Heartsong Inspirations - Anything goes

Crazy Challenge - Something with wings

Birthday sundaes - Birthday sentiment on card

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Thanks for looking today - can't wait to see your winged designs!

Amanda

A bit more buying

2011-11-04T19:27:00.000Z

I haven't managed to get to the Hobbycraft show at the NEC this time but I am starting to get serious withdrawal symptoms knowing that there is so much crafty stash for sale just a short drive away!!! QVC must have known this would be the case with lots of other crafters too, so it was perfect timing yesterday to have a Martha Stewart TSV. I just fell in love with those border punches and had to order them - oh yes, and the "3 further auto deliveries two months apart". It wasn't my fault - the presenter said they were a MUST for all crafters! I'm seriously beginning to think that I need to re-think my MS punch storage because it is going to seriously grow over the next few months!

Got some of my current MS punches out to make today's card - I really should use them more, they are superb quality. I'm still on my mission to use up some of my old stash and this little Forever Friends decoupage went well with some spotty paper from a neglected paper pad. Maybe if I make a new card every day - I'll actually need some new stash from the next Hobbycraft show next Spring!

I shall be looking on with envy at those of you posting your new Hobbycraft stash onto your blogs! Jealous? Moi?

Thanks for looking today,

Amanda

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T11:02:00.039Z

Happy Halloween!

Here's my youngest at a Halloween party this weekend. Do you like his face paints? Yep, that's down to me again! Fortunately my son will sit for ages to get his face painted by me without complaining once and the reason why ...... he is so totally competative and he will do anything to win! I try to teach him that "It's the taking part that counts" but he is of the opinion that there's no point doing something unless you plan to win.

He spent about 3 hours, before the competition, without eating or drinking for fear or ruining his face paints. He hardly cracked a smile all night (very unlike him) because he needed to stay in character!!!

Anyway, he got 2nd place in the fancy dress competition at the party - but should have been 1st, although my opinion is biased isn't it? He was happy with his 2nd place, as he won the same prize as 1st place - a big bucket of sweets. I did remind him that it was fun just to take part but he said "No, it's all about the winning!" - oh dear!

We just need to get the red liner marks from round his eyes still - anyone would have thought I put it on with permanent markers. He looks like he's had no sleep for days!

Anyway, have a spookily Happy Halloween!

Amanda

Our smashing pumpkins!

2011-10-30T18:11:00.000Z

Here's this year's carved pumpkins that we've done this weekend. The one on the right was done by my eldest son. The one on the left was done by my youngest, with a little help from mom. We tried to make it look like Jack Skellington from A Nightmare before Christmas.

The one in the middle is my little witch tea light holder.

My OH has bottled some of his home made wine today - we have XXX Very Deadly Tonic, Rat Poison and Embalming Juice. The "rat poison" tasted very nice - we sampled it this evening!!!

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away - Autumn

2011-10-29T09:02:00.025+01:00

Here's today's DT card for Craft Your Days Away's newest challenge which has been set by Shaz. She has chosen AUTUMN as the challenge for the next two weeks. One of our other DT members, Shelley, will be sponsoring this challenge with a great prize from her lovely shop One Stop Card Crafts.

I have gone all clean and simple again for today's card but I did think that it would be great for a man's card, something I always struggle with. The neutral paper is from DCWV, as is the coloured card. I used a Kanban stamp kit that I've had for a while - I really like this tree image now and I've just used a smaller version of the stamp to make a matching border. I did try and add a few more bits on the card (buttons or card candy) but it just wasn't working so I left it as it was.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Ann's - Clean and Simple
Charizma cards - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - leaves

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda

Cardmadfairy Digi Days DT card - Friendship

2011-10-28T14:20:00.000+01:00

I've gone really Clean and Simple with today's card, which is my DT card for Cardmadfiary's Digi Days Challenge. The challenge for the next two weeks is FRIENDSHIP and we can't wait to see what you make. There are 5 digi images up for grabs for the lucky winner! Don't forget that you must use a digi image on your card. I love this image that I have used today - it is called Imogen in Hat and is available for a bargain 99p in the digi shop HERE but you will see that i have flipped my image (don't you just love how you can do that with digis!).

I have paper pieced my image for a change, using some papers by Dovecraft. The rest of the image has been coloured using pro markers. The rubber stamp, which says "I cherish your friendship" is from Anna Griffin. The ribbon rose is from Papermania and the paper ones are from my stash. Just a simple bit of layering using the paper I cut Imogen's coat and hat from and a bit of faux stitching to finish.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

My Time to Craft - Quite white
Charizma Cards - Anything goes
Digi Doodles - Anything goes
Papercrafting journey - Use a digi
Less is More - Polka dots

Do pop back and visit again soon!

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow DT card - Metal

2011-10-26T10:15:00.001+01:00

The new challenge has been set over at Ruby's Rainbow Challenge blog. The challenge has been set by DT member Ang and for the next two weeks is:

METAL

I have used a metal snowflake eyelet and some diamante pins on my card for the challenge.

Pop over to the challenge blog to join in the fun and to see who our spotlight winner is from the last challenge.

I love this new digi that I've used - you may be seeing lots more of it on my blog! Here's what I've used on my card:

Digi - Winter Fairy by Wee Stamps, coloured with pro markers

Papers - Winter Wonderland, My Mind's Eye

Snowflakes dies - Sizzlits

Snowflake eyelet - part of my Crop-a-dile kit

Flowers, pins, ribbon - from my stash

Lots of Stickles glitter!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Partytime Tuesdays - Anything goes

Make it Monday - Anything goes
Ooh La La - Let it Snow

Christmas Card Challenges - 2 Papers, Ribbon, Bird

Crafting when we can - Christmas

PanPastel - Glitter and Glitz

Thanks for stopping by today,

Amanda

Forever Friends - for some charity cards

2011-10-25T19:27:00.001+01:00

I've been putting together a box of cards to sell at work in aid of Breast Cancer Campaign "Wear it Pink" day on Friday 28th October 2011 as my collection of cards has been growing and this is a charity that I would like to support. I've sold almost half of the box of cards already in one day - I was really pleased as I don't sell many of my cards and I was not sure if people woud like my style. All of the money has gone into the charity box and I'm just happy that I can help this charity, even if only in a relatively small way. I'm sure I'll be doing it again now.

I used a freebie Forever Friends decoupage image and kept the remainder of the card plain and simple using just white. The background is embossed with a Country Companions embossing folder and the sentiment was from the freebie too.

I am going to enter the following challenges with this card:

My time to Craft - Quite White
Crafty Sentiments - No design paper
Karen's Doodles - Emboss it
Simon says stamp and show - one colour, any colour
One stop craft - No designer paper
Crafty Ann's - Clean and simple

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda

Something different from me .......

2011-10-21T21:36:00.000+01:00

........ also known as Using up the Old Stash. I really must use up some of the old stash, if only to make way for more crafting goodies for Christmas. My OH has bought me a Grand Calibur for Christmas so I need to get a little space ready for that. I can't wait for Christmas now - but it also means that I need to buy some large dies too for the GC!

I have used an older Forever Friends decoupage sheet for today's card. The circles were the wrong size for my nesties and I can't cut a perfect circle no matter how hard I try - so I cut the base circle with a smaller nestie and decided it would be a 1 layer image with the rest of the decoupage landing in the bin! I can't remember the last time I made a card without colouring the main image.

The paper was part of the FF kit too and the border punch is by Martha Stewart. I've just added a bow and a few blue pearls to make a quick and simple card for today.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

My time to Craft - Punches and Dies
Forever Friends - Anything goes

That's it for today - off to sort out some more old stash to use up!

Amanda

Craft your Days Away DT card - Halloween Colours

2011-10-15T09:06:00.001+01:00

We have a colour challenge for you over at Craft Your Days Away this time. It is a colour challenge based on Halloween colours - although you don't have to make a Halloween item. So the colour challenge is:

BLACK - PURPLE - ORANGE - GREEN

We are being sponsored by our regular sponsor, Simon Says Stamp, who are offering the lucky winner a $10 voucher to spend in their store.

For my card I have used a digi called Hazel from Wee Stamps - I am so loving these images at the moment. I've coloured Hazel with pro markers. The polka dot paper is from the Back to Basics pad by Dovecraft and I have used a MS border punch. The Trick or Treat ticket is from Sentiments 4 You and I've just added a little swirl. Papermania flower and a button. I think I've got a bit of a bow-thing going on at the moment too because I keep adding them to the cards I've made recently!!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Hanna and friends - Autumn or Halloween
The House that Stamps Built - Halloween or Fall
Paper Pretties - Halloween inspired
Simon Says Stamp - Halloween or Goth

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

Cardmadfairy Digi Days Challenge DT card

2011-10-14T10:50:00.000+01:00

I just love the cuteness of this fab owl digi which is why I chose to use it for the new challenge over at Cardmadfairy Digi Days Challenge blog. You can buy Jenni's fabulous Xmas Owl digi here. The challenge for the next 2 weeks is:

SPOTS and STRIPES

You don't have to use a Cardmadfairy digi to enter the challenge but we'd love it if you did.

Whimsy Stamps are sponsoring this challenge and are offering one lucky winner 5 digi images from their shop. Pop over to our challenge blog for more details.

Here's what I've used:

Image - Xmas Owl, coloured with Pro Markers, by Cardmadfairy

Papers - Wild Orchid (magazine freebie pad)
MS deep edge punch
Sentiment digi - Sentiments for You
Spellbinders dies
White ribbon - colour matched with pro markers
Stickles glitter and a bit of pink bling from my stash

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Charizma Cards - In stitches

Cute Card Thursday - Tree-mendous

Meljen Designs - Use a ribbon

Stampin' B's - use a bird

Passion for pro markers - Christmas Critters

Ribbon Carousel - ribbon + sparkle/bling

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow DT card from Wee Stamps

2011-10-12T10:02:00.019+01:00

We've got a lovely challenge this fortnight for you over at Ruby's Rainbow challenges - I'm sure it will be a very popular one. DT member Tracey has chosen the challenge:

C UTE AND CUDDLY

Straight away I knew that I just had to use one of Sylvia Zet's images from the Wee Stamps store and I chose Sweet Blossom as the digi for this card.

Here's what else I've used today:

Image - Sweet Blossom coloured with Pro Markers

Papers - My Mind's Eye

Sentiment stamp - HOTP

Butterfly punch - Tonic

Card cards, pearls and button from stash together with organza ribbon coloured to match with pro markers

So, don't forget that you've got 2 weeks to join us in this challenge!

I must apologise that the photo is a bit on the dark side - that's Autumn for you! It was dark when I tried to take a picture before I went to work and it was dark when I came home too. I must try to make my cards earlier so I can chose a nice bright day to take my photos!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers - Anything goes

Creative Stamp Friends - Autumn colours

Birthday Sundaes - Fall colours birthday card

One Stop Craft - Anything goes

Robyn's Fetish - Anything goes

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

A Stamp fairy Card

2011-10-07T14:41:00.000+01:00

I have far too many rubber stamps with teddy bars on, but I still keep buying teddy bear digis too! I convinced myself that this pair of cuties would be perfect for wedding or anniversary cards and this was the card I made for my aunt and uncle's wedding anniversary.

I bought these lovely glitter and jewel heart brads a while ago and this is the first chance I've had to use them on something.

Here's what I've used:

Image - Lenny and Linda in Love by Stamp Fairy coloured with pro markers
Brad - Martha Stewart
Papers - Back to Basics by Dovecraft
Ribbons and bling - from my stash

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks - monochromatic

Crafty Purple Frog - lots of layers

Simon Says Stamp - Sparkle and bling

Papertake weekly - anything goes

Ribbon Carousel - anything goes + ribbon

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away - Tag it!

2011-10-01T09:55:00.001+01:00

I can't believe how many Christmas cards I've been making lately - very unlike me! This one is my DT card for the new Craft Your Days Away challenge. The challenge has been set by DT member Sarah and she has chosen:

TAG IT

So we want to see your tags or a project with a tag on it for this challenge.

We are being sponsored for this challenge by the lovely Meljen's Designs - so that means some fantastic digis up for grabs for the lucky winner of this challenge.

I have used another image from Cardmadfairy called Imogen in the Wings. This image was just crying out to be glittered up and blinged! I've coloured Imogen with pro markets and added some Stickles glitter. The paper is from a new My Mind's Eye pad that I had free with a magazine. I've used some Sizzlits dies to cut out the glitter card (from DCWV) and added some flower accents from a £ shop and some ivy leaves from my stash, all of which I've added extra Stickles to.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - Things with wings
Fun with shapes and more - Shabby/Vintage
4 crafty chicks - Anything goes
Colour create - lime, aqua and white

Thanks for looking today!

Amanda

Cardmadfairy News

2011-09-30T12:32:00.000+01:00

I've got some really great news - Jenni over at Cardmadfairy Digi Days Challenge has asked me to be part of the DT over there. As soon as I found this blog I just totally fell in love with Jenni's digis and especially the "Imogen" digis - one of which I've used on today's card, called Imogen trimming the Tree. You can find the digi images HERE.

The challenge for the next fortnight is: Too Early for Christmas. If you are anything like me, January isn't too early for Christmas because I still never seem to get all of my cards made by December.

The winner of the challenge will receive the set of 7 new digi releases from Cardmadfairy including the image that I have used on my card.

So here's what I've used:

Imogen Trimming the Tree digi from Cardmadfairy - coloured with pro markers and a touch of Stickles glitter and a dab of distress inks to edge it
Paper - from last year's Forever Friends Christmas pad
Ticket - Tim Holtz
Flourish - Sizzlits die
Crochet flower - made by me with Anchor thread
Other bits 'n' bobs from my stash

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Papercrafting journey - die cuts or punches
Digi stamps 4 joy - Anything goes
Penny's paper crafty - anything goes
Stamps & Fun = Creativity - anything goes

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow Challenge #13

2011-09-28T10:23:00.001+01:00

Last fortnight at Ruby's Rainbow we asked you to make something girly - pop over to the challenge blog to see who the spotlight winner is. So, for the next 2 weeks we are thinking of the men folk in our lives and we want you to make:

One for the Boys 

I must admit, I ususally dread making men cards, but I really enjoyed making this one - it may be the fab image that I used! This cute guy is Maurice - Christmas Socks from Pollycraft and I've coloured him with pro markers.

Here's what else I've used:

Papers by Dovecraft

Sizzix holly die and Spellbinders dies

Circle digi freebie from Sentiments for You

Card candy and bling from my stash

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Anything goes challenge - anything goes

Bearly Mine - use 3 design papers

Make it Monday - anything goes

Simon says Stamp and Show - Man card

The Sweet Stop - I used their sketch

One stitch at a Time - use your favourites (pro markers and nestabilities)

And, don't forget to join us over at Ruby's Rainbow challenge blog!

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

100 years old birthday card

2011-09-21T22:10:00.000+01:00

Here's the second 100th birthday card that I was asked to make. I did mean to upload it earlier but its been a busy week. My youngest son is going to high school next year and so we are having to go to the school open evenings to pick which schools we want to apply to - another 2 or 3 to visit next week and I'm exhausted already!

I don't know about you, but I always dread being asked to make 2 cards for the same occasion because I don't want them to look alike. I hope I did a good enough job with this one. I used one of my favourite stamps which I've inked up with Memento in London Fog as it wasa more delicate colour than black. A little hint of colour has been added with pro markers and the ribbon roses are from Papermania - as are the papers. I've added a bit of delicate sparkle with Sakura crystal gel pen, which you can only just pick out in the below picture.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

I love pro markers - include a number
Crafty Sentiments - Happy birthday
Kaboodle Doodles - lots of layers

Thanks for looking today,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away DT card - pink, blue and brown

2011-09-17T09:06:00.001+01:00

We have a great colour challenge for you over at Craft Your Days Away challenge blog. DT member Angel has set the challenge for the next fortnight and she has chosen:

PINK, BLUE and BROWN

So, lets see what you can come up with for this challenge!

Simon Says Stamp are sponsoring this challenge and are offering one lucky winner a $10 voucher to spend in their store.

Here's what I've used on my card - my favourite Tilda stamp (bridesmaid Tilda) coloured with pro markers, some freebie papers that came with a magazine ages ago, Spellbinders oval and scallop oval dies, Sizzlits flourish die and flowers, pearls and ribbon from my stash. I've just added a bit of faux stitching and a touch of pink stickles glitter too.

I am going to enter thism card into the following challenges:

Di's digi designs - Anything goes
Ellephantastic - Here come the girls

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

100 years old - wow!

2011-09-16T12:34:00.003+01:00

Just a quick post today. I was recently asked to make 2 birthday cards for a lady who will be celebrating her 100th birthday - how amazing! A 100 birthday card was definitely a 1st for me and I guess not many of you out there have had the chance to make one either.

I decided to keep this one in a classic design - using a Spellbinders label die to make the main shape on my easel card. The chipboard numbers originally started off as glittered silver. I scraped the glitter off and coloured them in with a gold Sakura marker pen, adding some gold glitter glue once the pen was dry. The paper is from Kay and Co and the butterfly is cut from a Tonic punch. I have used another Spellbinders die to frame the sentiment - which, I think, is a HOTP stamp.

I kept the embellishments fairly simple with a few flowers from my stash, some pearl stamens and a cream marabou feather.

I'll be back soon with the second 100th birthday card once I have photographed it.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

Colour create - pink, brown, cream and white + photo inspiration
Crafting for all seasons - birthday card
Flutterby Wednesdays - anything goes

Thanks for visiting!

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow #12

2011-09-14T10:03:00.002+01:00

Ruby's Rainbow challenge blog has a great new challenge for the next fortnight. It is a nice and easy one and definitely one of my favourites. We want to see your crafty makes "FOR THE GIRLS". No excuses for you not joining in with our challenge - come and share your Girly creations with us.

I have used the adorable digi called Grace which is available HERE from Funky Kits - isn't she jus so sweet? I have coloured her with pro markers and have used just one sheet of design paper from Kay & Co. The border punch is from Martha Stewart and the few bits and pieces are from my stash. The sentiment stamp is by Hot Off the Press.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Boots - Anything goes

Make it Monday - Anything goes

Fab 'n' Funky - Bingo - I chose digi, flowers and embellishment (bow)

My mum's craft shop - Happy Birthday

Papercraft Star - Anything goes

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Fizzy Moon Christmas

2011-09-09T21:01:00.002+01:00

I love Fizzy Moon stamps and this was another one that I just had to have when I found a little craft shop whilst walking around the shopping area in Worcester last week. Isn't he a little cutie? I think I may feel another collection coming on!!!

I've used some Papermania Christmas papers from a pad I had a couple of years ago, added a bow (which was originally white and coloured with pro markers) and added some Stickles glitter to his hat. Amazingly, I've almost managed to capture a bit of a sparkle this time - I always find photographing glitter so hard. Almost forgot, the image has been coloured with pro markers too.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Ribbons - Festive Cheer in September

Scrapbook Sisters - Card, Ho ho ho!

Creative Card Crew - Anything goes

Stamp n doodle - Anything goes

Phindy's Place - Stripes somewhere

Stamp Something - Anything goes

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda

A bit of Make do and Mend

2011-09-07T17:53:00.000+01:00

Here's a picture of my little bit of "make do and mend" that I am sharing with What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday? This is the "after" and below you will find the "before". So on my workdesk you can see my old sewing machine which will be 29 years old this Christmas - but its still going strong! There's also my make-do-and-mend project which is now being used as my knitting bag. I have made it from last year's broken beach bag.

My grandmother, who passed away just over 20 years ago, looked after me during the school holidays when my mother was at work. She was the one who instilled a "make do and mend" attitude in me; living through WW2 this came as second nature to her. She was the one who taught me to sew at a very early age - we made little handkerchiefs from old sheets with little hand stitched scalloped hems and a little embroidered initial in the corner. Birthday and Christmas cards were always cut up and used as tags or we made little booklets from them by sewing some recycled paper inside. Materialistically she had very little, although she gave me so much in so many other ways as it is her I have to thank for my love of sewing and crafting.

Okay, so here's the "before" picture. One of the rope handles had broke and the eyelet had fallen out causing the fabric to fray.

I chopped of the top of the bag, re-hemmed it and made the cut-off pieces into 2 new handles. I then cut a denim heart shape (from a pair of my son's outgrown jeans) and added a bit of trim that I bought from a show at the NEC. I decided not to use the sequins afer I took the photo. The button was from my nan's "Button Box" - years of salvaged buttons from old clothing "just in case". I was given the button box when my nan passed away - it was worth nothing to anyone else but bring back lots of memories when I search through it.

So, now I'm feeling good that I've done my little bit for the environment by re-using and re-cycling with my make-do-and-mend. Also saved a few pounds in the process too - can't be bad!

Thanks for letting me share with WOYWW!

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away #28 MYO Flowers

2011-09-03T09:41:00.000+01:00

Cathy has set the challenge for the next two weeks at Craft Your Days Away and she has chosen a great one ....

Make Your Own Flowers

I chose to make a crochet flower for mine - but you can choose whatever craft you like to make your own flowers for the challenge.

Our very own DT member Shelley is sponsoring this challenge and you could win a £10 voucher to spend at her shop One Stop Card Crafts. She has some lovely items in her shop.

Why not pop over to the challenge blog for some more inspiration from the DT?

I have used one of the cute s.w.a.l.k. stamps from Crafter's Companion and have coloured it with pro markers. The paper is from the Tea House range from Dovecraft and I've added a bit of baker's twine and a bit of bling. I made the flower from white crochet thread which makes a nice fine detailed flower and I've added a little brad as the centre of the flower.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - I used their sketch
Charizma Cards - Anything goes
Moving along with the times - Handmade flowers
Paper play - Make your own flowers
Digi stamps 4 joy - Spring and Handmade flowers
I love pro markers - Anything goes
My Mum's Craft Shop - 1,2,3, (1 flower, 2 papers, 3 jewels)
Truly Scrumptious - Mostly pink

Thanks for visiting today!

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow #11 - A Recipe

2011-08-31T10:01:00.002+01:00

We have a great recipe challenge for you for the next 2 weeks at Ruby's Rainbow, its a 3-2-1 challenge.

What we want to see is:

3 design papers

2 buttons or brads

1 flower

So, there's no excuse not to join in with us for a great and easy challenge - I look forward to seeing you there.

I have used a LOTV stamp for my design and have coloured it in with pro markers, the sentiment stamp is also another one from LOTV. The papers are all from a Kay & Co pad and the buttons and fabric flowers are from my stash. The baker's twine is one of the newest additions to my stash and I'm using it on everything at the moment!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew - Anything goes

Passion for Pro markers - Anything goes + must use pro markers

Woodware USA - 3 papers, 2 types of embellishments (buttons & Flowers), 1 image
My Mum's Craft Shop - 1,2,3 (1 flower, 2 buttons, 3 papers)

And, don't forget to join in with our 3-2-1 challenge at Ruby's Rainbow!

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda

Happy 19th birthday Muffin - cute cat pics!

2011-08-30T12:15:00.035+01:00

I love looking at other pets in Blogland so I thought that today would be an ideal opportunity to share some pics of my feline friends!

Today is my old boy, Muffin's 19th birthday and as you can see from the picture, he is now a fragile little thing (with a slightly insane look about him!). He is also very deaf - or does a really good job of ignoring me! He had a little plate of smoked salmon last night as a treat and there may be a little bit more for today - if he's good!!!

He doesn't wander any further than the back garden now - this is his favourite spot, sunbathing by the rhubarb. Can you spot him?

And, its not his birthday, but my other cat always likes to steal the limelight. Here's the beautiful Monty ....

He is an indoor cat and is terrified of being outside, especially of walking on grass (I wonder if this is a real phobia??). At 9 years old he is a total big baby and this is what he spends most of his day doing - lying down making himself look pretty!

His second favourite past time is sitting by the fish tank watching for hours on end, trying to catch the loaches when they swim by. He never quite succeeds though, I wonder why???

Hoped you liked to see my little kitty pics! I'll be back tomorrow with another card.

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

Card for a Beer Monster ...

2011-08-29T14:32:00.000+01:00

... actually, he's more of a "Red Wine Monster" than a Beer Monster but I couldn't find a digi suitable!

This card is a quick and easy one for my OH whose birthday is soon. He never looks at my blog so there's no problem posting this before his birthday. And as I type, he is far too interested in the magical world of Harry Potter, killing death eaters and finding horcrux's (via his PS3) to even notice that I've just made his card just a few feet away from him! A typical chill-out Bank Holiday in my house - me crafting, him on the PS3. We tend not to go out on Bank Holidays as it is too busy everywhere.

Anyway, the papers I've used are from a Kay & Co pad and the digi (from Pollycraft) has been coloured with pro markers. I've kept the embellishments simple and just hand cut a star, added a button and a bit of baker's twine. The sentiment stamp is from Hot Off the Press.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Challenge up your life - Something for a man

Crazy 4 Challenges - Card for a man

Card Mad Fairy - Buttons

Do you stack up? - For a boy/man

Craft us Crazy - Anything goes

Thanks for popping by,

Amanda

Cupcakes at Craft Your Days Away

2011-08-20T09:01:00.002+01:00

Gaynor has set our new challenge today at Craft Your Days Away and it is a great one:

CUPCAKES

So, its time to make some delicious craft projects to enter into the challenge - remember, we are a multi-craft site so we look forward to seeing your cupcake creations.

Simon Says Stamp are sponsoring us for this challenge and they are offering a $10 voucher to one lucky winner.

I have used the image Kiki Cakes from Pollycraft available HERE and I have coloured her with pro markers and added a bit of extra sparkle with Stickles glitter. The paper is from the Tea House collection by Dovecraft, as is the cute little cupcake brad. I've added a little bow from baker's twine and the sentiment stamp is by Cat's Life Press. I'e also used Spellbinders and Nellie Snellen dies.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Card Making Momas - Pink

Digis with Attitude - Anything goes

Poodles Parlour - Anything goes

Divas by Design - Birthdays

Simon says stamp - Food and Drink

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

He Passed!

2011-08-19T08:19:00.000+01:00

Just a quick and easy card for my son today. He passed his driving test, 1st time, earlier this week! We were all very proud of him. I found a great digi over at The Clip Art Fairy called Driving Test - you can find it HERE and it was a bargain 25p! I coloured the image with pro markers - trying to make the car look like my son's little silver Honda car (although I ddin't think he would appreciate any sparkle, hence the grey colour).

I am goingto enter this card into the following challenges:

Paper crafting journey - Anything goes
Cards for Men - Anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today!

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow News and Challenge

2011-08-17T10:02:00.003+01:00

I've some exciting news to share ... I have been invited to be part of the DT over at Ruby's Rainbow Challenge blog. When I was asked, it took me about half a second to say yes! Today is my first challenge card with them as part of the DT and the challenge is:

STITCHING

Ruby's Rainbow challenges are set every other Wednesday morning - so don't forget to join us with your stitched card for this challenge (either real or faux).

So, for my card I have used a Whiff of Joy stamp - Willow Shopping - and I have coloured her with pro markers. The papers are from DCWV and the flowers are from the Fizzy Moon collection. I just added a little metal brad as the centre of the flower and the brilliant sentiment was a freebie from Claire Curd's lovely blog. I just love all of the "Keep Calm" things that are about at the moment. I cut the sentiment out with scallop scissors and stitched around it with my sewing machine. I also did a zig-zag stitch all around the edge of the base layer.

I am going to enter this card into Samuel Taylor's August challenge as I used their sketch for my design. They have a fantastic Martha Stewart punch and Gorjuss rubber stamp as a prize!

I'm also going to enter the following other challenges too:

A Spoonful of Sugar - Birthday card

Try it on Tuesday - Anything goes

Paper Playtime - Anything goes

Don't forget to join us over at Ruby's Rainbow - I look forward to seeing you there!

Amanda

Fizzy with flowers

2011-08-15T22:25:00.000+01:00

I had made a little pact with myself not to buy any more papers as I have so many already. These bright Totally Tropical papers are a freebie with this month's Card Making and Papercraft magazine - so I didn't really buy any more papers, did I? They've got a lovely Christmas papers pad with next month's magazine so I may have to buy that one too! The papers are certainly bright and very Summery with the tropical shades of jade, orange and hot pink.

I've coloured the Fizzy Moon stamp with pro markers and added some stickles glitters to the centres of the flowers. I think the papers say it all on this one so I've kept the embellies to a minimum, using only a bit of ric-rac ribbon and a few gems.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Paper playtime - Anything goes

Creative Inspirations Paint - orange and pink

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Crafty Calendar challenge - August hot colours

I love pro markers - sketch and must use pro markers

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

Penny Johnson - "Looking Chic" card

2011-08-09T20:12:00.000+01:00

Two Christmas cards in just over a week - that must be a record for me! I love this stamp - and it always stamps really nice. It is "Looking Chic" from Penny Johnson. The papers are all from DCWV - I'm still trying to use up a DCWV set that I purchased from QVC a couple of years ago. They were in 2 drawer boxes - I bought all 3 sets of them and I've still got loads left!! Do you know the ones I mean?

I've coloured the image with pro markers and added some Glamour Dust glitter and a few gems in the corner. The circular sentiment stamp is from Cat's Life Press and I've used my new Marianne's Poinsettia die. As you can see, I'm still practising photographing glittery things - trying to capture the sparkles!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Passion for Promarkers - Divas with Glam and Glitter
Sweet Stamps - Bling it Up
Ruby's Rainbow - Gems
Ooh La La - Christmas Card
Stamps & Fun = Creativity - I used their sketch
Gingerloft - Make it Sparkle

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away - Our first birthday!

2011-08-06T09:01:00.001+01:00

Our challenge blog over at Craft Your Days Away has been running for a whole year now and so our challenge this time is a nice and easy one for you:

BIRTHDAYS

Crafty Emma's Store are sponsoring us for our first birthday celebrations and we have lots of amazing prizes for this challenge. Pop over to Craft Your Days Away to see the lovely prizes we've got on offer for you. Also, if you fancy being a Guest Designer for a future challenge, just add GD after your name when you enter the challenge.

I have used one of my favourite LOTV rubber stamps on my card, coloured with pro markers. The sentiment stamp is also by LOTV. The papers are from the Quite Contrary pad by My Mind's Eye and the flowers were from a £1 store pack. I've also added a touch of Cosmic Shimmer glitter to the fairy wings and around the card. I still can't manage to photo the glitter to catch the sparkle though! Any tips are welcome!!

I'm going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Card Makin' Mamas - birthday cards
Charizma Cards - embellishment bingo (flowers, gems, circles)
Craft us Crazy - Anything goes
Crafts and Me - Anything goes
I love pro markers - Things with Wings
The Pixie Cottage - I used their sketch

So, don't forget to Craft Your Days Away with us!

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

Christmas in July

2011-07-30T21:12:00.000+01:00

I've seen so many of you out there making Christmas cards in July, it has inspired me to make a start on mine too. Seems strange to be making Christmas cards though on such a lovely day when we've had a barbecue in the back garden and drinking Crabbie's ginger beer (yum!). If I looked back to my blog in January I probably said that I was going to make one Christmas card a week to stock up - well, I failed! This is the first one in ages.

Here's what I've used:

Teddy stamp - Lili of the Valley, coloured with pro markers + a bit of Stickles glitter

Papers and card - all by DCWV except the gingerbread paper which is from a Forever Friends pad

And just a bit of added bling from my stash

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - Christmas

Fussy and Fancy - Christmas in July

Sassy Studio - Christmas in July

Christmas Challenges -I used their sketch

Crafty Creations - Christmas

I love pro markers - Anything goes

Thanks for looking - less than 5 months 'til Christmas now, best get on with the card making!

Amanda

Thanks

2011-07-28T11:37:00.000+01:00

Thank you cards are something that I never have enough of (as well as male birthday cards). So, it was no surprise that there was nothing in my stock when I looked for one yesterday. I had to make-do with a blank one and decided that it was time to make a few to keep by me. "Thank you" is something that we don't say enough of - we are far too quick to point out errors or to criticise, but it can make someone's day just to take a little bit of time to say "Thank You".

I have kept the design fairly cleam and simple, which is something I'm favouring at the moment. The digi image is from Meljen designs and the paper was from a Forever Friends magazine freebie pad. I've coloured the image with pro markers and added a little bit of sparkle with a clear Sakura Gelly roll pen.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

I love pro markers - Anything goes (must use pro markers)
Papercraft Star - Anything goes
Anything goes challenge - flowers
Simon say stamp and show - Anything goes
Sketch and Stash - I used their sketch and my new Meljen's Digi

Hope you like my card and a big "Thank You" from me for visiting my blog,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away #25 Summertime

2011-07-23T09:02:00.001+01:00

I can't believe that we are up to challenge #25 already at Craft Your Days Away - we've almost been running for a year now. Our newest challenge has been set by Donna and she has chosen:

SUMMERTIME

I'm not sure where the British Summertime has gone - lets hope it returns soon. Anyway, we have our regular sponsor, Simon Says Stamp, who are offering a prize of $10 to spend in their shop.

I love the image that I have used on my card - it is the current July freebie over at Digi Stamp Boutique. I've coloured it with pro markers - isn't it just a perfect image for Summer time? I have used some neglected DCWV papers and stickers that I had in a kit from QVC a couple of years ago.

I'm going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Digi stamp boutique - July competition, their image

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - I used their sketch

Bloggers Challenge - Summertime

Daring card makers - Wish you were here

Fairy fun Fridays - on holiday

Fussy and Fancy - Summer

Samuel Taylors - Summer - Check out their prize - some fab Molly Blooms stamps!!! (I need the beach side huts stamps)

Don't forget to enter into our challenge at Craft Your Days Away!

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

At last - another card!

2011-07-21T13:10:00.000+01:00

I've finally managed to get a bit of crafting done today! There's no chance topping up my suntan with the dreadful weather we are having at the moment, so a great opportunity to get a little bit of card making started after my little break.

The cute little mouse image is from Meljen Designs and is coloured with pro markers. I've used a cuttlebug polka dot embossing folder and a MS border punch. The scallop die is from Nellie Snellen. The sentiment stamp and the pale blue paper were both from magazine freebies.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Fab 'n' Funky - Animal Magic

Freshly Brewed - Animals

Paper pretties - embossing

Die cut dreams - Animal antics

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

A few holiday pics ....

2011-07-17T20:54:00.000+01:00

My distinct lack of blogging over the past couple of weeks has been because I've been away on holiday. The suitcases have now been unpacked, the washing has been done and most of the huge mountain of ironing has almost been cleared. At least I still have my tan, for the time being.

As I have no crafting at all to show, I thought that I would share a few of my holiday pics of sunny Cyprus. We had to endure (!) temperatures in the top 30's C so frequently had to cool off in the pool or with a delicious cocktail or two! It was our 3rd visit to the same hotel and on arrival in our room, had a bottle of wine waiting for us with a "welcome back" message - which I though was a lovely gesture.

Here's my youngest son, with a new hairstyle - in the form of a strategically placed palm tree!

We had powercuts due to a terrible explosion that occured in Limassol while we were there and so all air conditioning had to be turned off for 2 days to conserve energy, in order for the hospitals and emergency services to have power. Because it was so incredibally hot, we took a trip out to sea on a traditional Greek fishing boat - that was just about the only place where there was any breeze. The boat stopped for swimming near Cape Greco - I braved it and had a swim, although I didn't dare snorkel because I may just have seen how deep the water actually was.

There are always lots of stray cats in Cyprus and there was a litter of adorable kittens who lived around the hotel gardens. We had to buy cat food so that we could feed them ....

If I could have sneaked them in my suitcase, I would have brought them all home with me.

Time to get the brochures to look for where to go next year now!

Hopefully I may now get time to do a bit of crafting tomorrow.

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away #24 Fancy Folds

2011-07-09T09:02:00.005+01:00

A scheduled post from me so, finger crossed, it posts okay!

I'm here to let you know that the new challenge at Craft your Days Away, which has been set by DT member Shelley is:

FANCY FOLDS

So, show us what you can do with some fancy folds on your craft project!

We have a fab sponsor this time - Meljen Designs. One lucky winner will win 4 digi images of their choice from Meljen's. The only problem will be which 4 to choose because they are all so sweet!

I chose to use Ballerina Girl which I just love. I made a simple stepper card (I will get the measurements put on the blog soon) and I have just used a new Spellbinders die. The image has been coloured with pro markers and a sprinkle of Cosmic Shimmer glitter.

The sentiment is from Pollycraft and I've just added a few flowers and bling from my stash. Almost forgot, the papers were a Forever Friends magazine freebie.

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Recycling some fabric

2011-07-04T22:30:00.000+01:00

Firstly, an apology for not being around in Blogland very much this last week. I just don't seem to get so much time in the warm weather because I'm always pottering around the garden doing something. I've also put the Bubbles game widget at the bottom of my blog, which I'm totally addicted to, and every time I open my blog I can't stop playing the frustrating little game!

Quick post tonight - of my work in progress. Is it recycling or upcycling (which seems to be the new phrase), I'm not sure? The denim patch has been cut from a pair of my son's old jeans. The fabric flower is from a pillow case and the trim is new, from Dandelion Designs.

Here's how I made the flower:

Cut a circle of fabric (I drew around a cup to get the shape) and sew around the edge with running stitch.

Gather the stitches together and finish off. Then flatten the circle with the gathers in the centre, adjust the gathers evenly if necessary.

Cover the gathers with a little disc of fabric and add a button to the centre. (You could cut out a little felt flower and add some pretty beads to the centre instead). Hey presto, a simple fabirc flower!

You'll have to pop back in a day or two to see what I've used the heart patch on - its not finished yet!

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

CYDA #23 - Vintage

2011-06-25T09:01:00.001+01:00

Its our new challenge today over at Craft Your Days Away and it is one that I have enjoyed making. Our lovely DT member Doreen has set our current challenge and for the next fortnight she has chosen:

Vintage

We have our regular sponsor back for this challenge, Simon Says Stamp, and they are offering a prize of $10 to spend in their store for one lucky winner. Pop over to the challenge blog for all the info.

I had a rummage through some of my stash and found some beautiful Anna Griffin papers that I had forgotten about, but then decided to use some papers from a forgotten Kay and Co pad called Isabellas papers.

The stamp is by Inkadinkado and I've stamped it with Memento Rich Cocoa ink onto ivory linen card, to give it a bit of an aged distressed look. I didn't want the image to look totally perfect on this one. I've added just a touch of colour with pro markers.

Now with this picture, I'm just having a play with the macro mode on my OH's new camera. (I think I'm liking his new camera now!). The butterly punch is by Tonic. I've distressed the edges a little around the design papers, added a few paper roses and a little bit of cream cotton lace. The sentiment stamp is from Hot of the Press.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp - I used their sketch

I love pro markers - anything goes

Class Act Insider - vintage rubber stamp

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

New Camera and a fat cat!

2011-06-24T13:30:00.001+01:00

My OH's new camera has just arrived - he's been waiting for it to come back into stock for a few weeks and now its here! So, after having a play with it, I have now renamed it OUR new camera .... I just need to figure out how to use it, its not as easy as my little point and shoot. So there's Monty my fat cat - it was quite dark when I took this without the flash so I'm quite pleased with it.

A bit earlier on in the day I took a few pics in the back garden. The yellow David Austin rose is my favourite climber and it is full of flowers, growing up the wall at the bottom of the garden.

Another one of my favourite flowers in the garden, an Aquilegia.

I just need to get some cards made now so that I can see how the new camera is with close ups of my cards.

Amanda

Sonny's Party

2011-06-22T21:46:00.001+01:00

I love the images at Pollycraft and this one, Sonny's Party, is no exception. I couldn't resist this one which is currently being offered as a freebie in the Pollycraft DT call (which is running until 27th June 2011). Details of the DT call can be found HERE. So here's my offering for the DT call - I can't believe that I've managed to make yet another girly card without a touch of glitter at all!

I've coloured the card with my ever-favourite pro markers again. The green and floral papers are from My Mind's Eye Summer Pack and the polka dot paper is from the Back to Basics pack from Dovecraft. The paper flowers are from the Fizzy Moon range by Dovecraft - I've coloured them with pro markers to colour match the papers. The swirl is a Sizzlits die and I've used my corner chomper to round off some of the edges.

I'm also going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sketch and Stash - I used their sketch, my new image and my neglected corner chomper
Hooked on Crafts - Anything goes
Shopping our stash - Tools of the trade (corner chomper)
I love pro markers - Anything goes

Thanks for stopping by, and a big "Hello and Thank You" to my new followers - I truly appreciate it. I will try and get round to visit you all as soon as I can.

Amanda

Digi stamp boutique give away

2011-06-20T08:30:00.001+01:00

Just a quick post to let you know about the give away at Digi Stamp Boutique (a great place for fab digis!).

Three lucky people will win the above image - Emmy expecting a baby - plus a £5.00 voucher to spend in the store.

Pop over to Digi Stamp Boutique for more info.

Amanda

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T12:13:00.001+01:00

I was well aware that Father's Day fell today, so why do I always leave things until the very last minute? Today's card is the one I made (this morning) for my Dad. I think my problem at the moment is that I get very easily distracted and, as soon as there is a glimmer of sunshine, I am out in the garden tidying and planting. We have to make the most of every bit of sunshine here in the UK especially after days of rain like this past week.

The image is one of my favourite "man" images and is Jim with Beer from Digi Stamp Boutique. I've coloured it with pro markers and used some favourite "man" paper too. It is from the Persimmon collection from PaperMania. I've just realised that, yet again, I have used my scallop circle dies - they are my favourites though. Having just purchased 3 new packs of Nestabilities this week, I must make more of an effort to use some of my other dies too!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

2 Sisters Challenge blog - for a guy

Little Claire's - Cards for Men

Paper Creator's - For the Men

Sketch Saturday - I used their sketch

Glitter Geeks - Father's Day

Wags 'n Whiskers - Masculine

Digi Stamp boutique - June competition

Thanks for looking today - I'll try not to leave it a whole week again until I make my next post!

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away #22 Monochrome

2011-06-11T09:03:00.006+01:00

OH NO! JUST CHECKED MY BLOG - THIS WAS SCHEDULED TO POST YESTERDAY, MUST HAVE DONE IT WRONG!

Our new challenge at Craft Your Days Away has been set by DT member Doreen and she has chosen:

MONOCHROME

I decided to use shades of yellow/gold for my card as it is a colour that I don't very often use. I think that I must use yellow a bit more often because I am always pleased with the bright and sunny designs. Just right as the sun is shining this morning .... one problem though, my two cats need to learn to tell the time - at 5.20am this morning, with the sun shining so brightly, they decided it was time to wake me up for their breakfast!

For this challenge we are being sponsored by Crafty Emma's Store and she is offering the prize of an adorable Helz Cuppleditch stamp for one lucky winner. Doreen will also be picking her Top 3 - pop over to the challenge blog for more details.

I have use one of my neglected stamps - called Princess Anya. It has been coloured with pro markers. The sentiment stamp is from LOTV and the papers are from a Back to Basics pad by Dovecraft.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sketch and Stash - I used their sketch + my neglected Anya stamp

Guylou's - Monochromatic

Poodle's Parlour - Anything goes

Art Impressions Stamps - Monochromatic

Shelly's Images - Anything goes

Crafts and Me - Stamp Something

Freshly Brewed - Yellow

Craft Room Challenge - Anything goes

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

LOTV Retirement card

2011-06-07T21:21:00.000+01:00

Oh, I do hate school holidays - last week ruined all of my crafting plans and housework got behind so I've been playing catch-up the last few days. Now the sun is out the garden needs lots more attention too.

At last, I've managed to make a card - it is for someone at work who is retiring this week. I thought this LOTV stamp was ideal for a lazy retirement. I hope his wife has a big list of jobs for him to do - I know that I would have!

All 3 stamps are from LOTV - and I've coloured the main image with pro markers, keeping the design fairly simple, adding a little bit of faux stitching and a few bits of card candy.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sunday Sketch and Stamp - I used their sketch

Ladybug Crafts Ink - Masculine card

Papertake weekly - Anything goes

Stamping Boutique - Men only

Cards for Men - blue and black

Lexi's Creations - card for a man

Designed 2 Delight - Masculine card, no flowers

Hope the routine gets back to normal this week!

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Fizzy Moon for Allsorts DT call

2011-06-02T12:31:00.000+01:00

The very talented ladies at Allsorts are having a DT call - they are looking for another two members for their team. Being a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades Crafter, I'd love to be part of the team so I thought I'd have a try. This is my new Fizzy Moon stamp which I absolutely love (oh no, I can feel another stamp collection coming on!). I've coloured him with my usual pro markers. The papers are by Pink Petticoat and I have tried stitching around, for the first time, with my sewing machine. I think that I may use a bigger stitch next time though.

There is some pretty ribbon on the card edged in tiny flowers but I think I've mamanged to cover most of it up, oh dear! The flowers are from my stash and I've added liberal sprinklings of my lovely glamour dust glitter.

I'm still trying to master photographing sparkle! My OH has just ordered himself a brand new camera which is supposed to be able to do everything - I shall be testing its glitter photograph-ability when it arrives. He still hasn't realised why I talked him into spending that much money on a camera for "himself"!

Don't forget to pop over to Allsorts challenge blog - there DT call runs until 14th June 2011.

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

At last, I have a work desk!

2011-06-01T07:19:00.000+01:00

It may be just a small work desk, tucked away in the corner of my bedroom, but at last - no more crafting on the dining table for me!!! I had to give up my, then, sewing room when my youngest was born 10 years ago. Also, I think that I am making it far too comfortable for my oldest for him to consider ever leaving home, so for now, I am more than delighted with my little crafting corner.

I am sharing my workspace with the WOYWW this week - you may recall a while back that I photographed the (open) left hand wardrobe, which is full of shelves of my crafting supplies. I'm a bit afraid to open it today - after my tidy up things are strategically balanced inside and at great risk of toppling at any moment LOL! I bought the cream metal drawer units from Ikea on Saturday - they were only about £20 each and quite by chance, are exactly the same height as the old painted pine table. I've covered the old pine chair with a cover that I made from a disused pair of curtains.

So here's what's actually on my work desk at the moment:

I visited The Range on Monday and bought these goodies - the Creativity magazine has a free little polka dot embossing folder and a Me To You rubber stamp. I also love the new Fizzy Moon stamps and bought some paper flowers to match. The Kling-on is because I am removing some of my rubber stamps from the wooden blocks and mounting them onto foam. Then to the left of the picture are some pom-pom makers. I followed the pictoral instructions, carefully winding the wool and securing with a knot, then ended up with a desk full of 2" strands of wool in a clump - twice! I need to study the pictures more - it seemed so easy :(.

These arrived yesterday - two patterns and pieces of fabric. I can't wait to start making a new teddy now - or even the little elephant! The pink fabric is synthetic but is the softest ever. The pale lilac is a hand dye mohair and should make a lovely antique style bear.

Here's a close up of them - they came from Etsy.com - from a lovely shop called The Old Pin cushion, if any of you are interested.

I'm afraid there's not too much on my workdesk today, I am being a bit of a neat-freak at the moment with my new craft space (it won't last)!

Happy 2nd Anniversary to WOYWW!

Thanks for looking today,

Amanda

A few wedding flowers

2011-05-29T19:00:00.000+01:00

I thought that, as wedding season is approaching, I'd share with you some pics of some wedding flowers that I made a while ago. This corsage spray is made with Aqua roses which are a lovely blue-y pink colour. I've added a bit of gyp and some diamantes, together with a bit of soft ruscus foliage.

Not being very organised, I forgot to take a picture of the bouquet when I made it, so I've managed to crop it from a picture I took at the service, when the register was being signed.

By the evening reception the petals had become a bit bruised by being knocked around a bit, but this picture is a bit clearer.

Here's another simple corsage that I made - red rose, spray carnations, gyp and some camellia leaves "borrowed" from my mom's garden!

Sadly though, the flowers lasted almost as long as the marriage did, oops!!!

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away - Father's Day

2011-05-28T09:03:00.007+01:00

We have our newly expanded DT over at Craft Your Days Away and it is the first time to see some fab creations from our new DT ladies. Our challenge for the next two weeks at CYDA has been set by Sarah and she has chosen for you:

FATHER'S DAY (or a card for a man)

So, it is the perfect excuse to get your card made ready for Father's Day in the UK on 19th June 2011. For those of you who are not celebrating it yet, you can make a card for a man too.

We have our regular sponsor, Simon Says Stamp, who are joining us again for this challenge and they are offering a $10 voucher to one lucky winner. We are also on the look out for a new guest designer to join s for challenge 23 and Sarah will be picking her Top 3.

Now, onto my card ..... its an unusual choice, I do realise that but I have made it for a Dad who is Harry Potter mad! He's not into football, or fishing, or golf so "normal" man images wouldn't really fit the bill. When I saw this HP style image from Bugaboo (called The Chosen One) I knew it would be perfect for him! I have coloured the image with pro markers and the paper is a free download from Summertime Designs. I found the spider image on Flikr and it was free as long as it was for personal use only. I added the googly eyes and have dangled him over the card with a thin ribbon so that he moves about.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments - Card for a male

Charizma cards - Boy oh boy!

Digi doodles - Anything goes

Meljens Designs - Father's Day

Crafting for all seasons - Anything goes

Digistamps 4 joy - Anything goes

Thanks for visiting today,

Amanda

Simply Homemade - so much inspiration

2011-05-27T11:37:00.000+01:00

Just got back from the weekly shop at Tesco where I spotted the current issue of Simply Homemade magazine. I just had to share with you what a great buy it is for £3.99. I love the cute unmounted stamps that came free with it and the mag is jam-packed with crafty inspiration! There's a brilliant template sheet too.

I want to make EVERYTHING in the mag but I especially love the crochet shopping bag and the mini sewing box. This is such a brilliant magazine for "Jack of all trades" crafters like me. Oh no, I can feel another visit to Etsy coming on for some more supplies!!!

The next issue is out on 16th June so you've got about 2 weeks to get your copy too!

Amanda

Pollycraft's Dudley dinosaur

2011-05-25T23:00:00.001+01:00

I'm getting back in the swing with crafting, slowly but surely. I have the next 5 days off work (yay! another Bank Holiday Monday for us in the UK!!) and so I intend to get some crafting done. I have done a little bit of retail theraphy on Etsy tonight - I've bought some lovely vintage style mohair and some adorable teddy patterns so I hope to get my sewing bag out in the next few days and have something nice to show you. Retail therapy definitely helps - I recomend it, but then again, I'm not a bank manager, just a craft-aholic!!!

Today's card was one that I was asked to make. It is for a little boy who lives overseas and so I have had to keep it fairly flat so that it can be posted easily. I was asked to make a card with a dinosuar on it and so I thought that this Pollycraft image (Dudley with Balloon) was just right. As usual I have coloured the image with pro markers, the papers are Its a boy thing by DCWV and I've cut the main shape with nestabilities.

The orange paper is supposed to be a giraffee but I thought it could also be scaly dinosaur skin (with a bit of artistic licence!). I have embossed a strip of it with a Sizzix texture plate. The card candy was originally white and I coloured it with a pro marker to get the colour match.

I told the lady (who the card was for) if Henry asks what kind of dinosaur it is, tell him it is a "Doyathinkhesaurus" - but then again, a five year old boy probably knows all of the dinosaur names much better than the adults!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafting for all seasons - anything goes

Creativ Belli - use old/forgotten tool (Sizzix texture plates)

Digi stamps 4 joy - boys, boys, boys

Paper shelter - anything goes

Creative card crew - anything goes

Digital Tuesday - texture (embossing) and Pollycraft digi image

Stamps R us - going digital (Pollycraft image)

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Sharing a few birthday pictures ....

2011-05-22T21:40:00.000+01:00

So sorry for being a bad blogger and not being around very much this week. It hasn't been the best of weeks and I just haven't seemed to be in the right frame of mind to sit down and craft. Actually, it is quite un-nerving as I have been in a bit of a cleaning and tidying mood all week which is not really me!

I thought that I would share a few pictures of my son's recent 18th birthday - just to let you know that I'm still here and hopefully the crafting bug will bite again next week.

So here's me with my son on his birthday and, yes, I am wearing heels! Can anyone spot the purple Papermania craft tote that I "forgot" to put away?

When we said that his taxi had arrived, this is what was waiting outside for us. There was loud music blasting out and flashing lights inside - I think that all of the neighbours heard us and several came outside to see what the commotion was!!!

It was great fun being driven around before we went out for the night - we certainly turned a few heads. My mother was waving out of the back of the limo just like the Queen. We didn't have the heart to tell her that the windows were tinted and no one could see her! Here's my youngest son enjoying the ride ....

And finally, here's me, yet again with a glass in my hand! Must hide it next time!

Thanks for stopping by, I think it might be time to start making a new teddy bear, to get me back into the crafting mood.

Amanda

Tilda with flower pot card

2011-05-17T19:38:00.001+01:00

This was the Tilda stamp that made me give into temptation after I had made a little pact with myself not to buy any more until I had inked up and used all of the others that I have bought. I spotted it on a few blogs and it was a case of needing it, not just wanting it - you're with me on that one, right? If you scroll down a couple of post you will see when I inked it up and added a little bit of grass and a butterfly that has been in my collection for almost 20 years. I'm really pleased with how this one has turned out and I'm liking the bright summery colours at the moment!

Here's what I've used:

Magnolia stamp - Tilda with Flower Pot, coloured with pro markers

Pink paper by Anna Griffin

Flower paper by My Mind's Eye

Martha Stewart scallop lace heart punch

Happy Birthday stamp by Stamps Away

Tape ribbon (don't really know the correct name for it) - recycled from a sewing kit that it was wrapped around

Buttons and pearls from stash

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

A spoonful of sugar - anything goes
Anything goes challenge - Bingo (I chose Ribbon, flowers and Punches)
Claudia and Co - girl's birthday card
Cupcake craft - in the garden
Creative cowgirls - anything goes
One stitch at a time - anything goes
Pear Tree designs - use a stamped image
Divas by Design - anything goes

Thanks for looking!

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away #20 DT card

2011-05-14T09:03:00.003+01:00

Is Blogger playing now? Don't know about you, but I really missed my daily fix of catching up with all of your new crafting makes. Looks like Blogger is still catching up posting some of the posts that were "lost".

Anyway, onto today's challenge at Craft your Days Away and we have the results of our DT call over on the challenge blog. Today's challenge has been set by DT member Lesley who has chosen a great challenge for you:

White + One Colour

Pop over to the challenge blog to see what the DT have made to inspire you for this challenge and to meet our new DT members. Our sponsor for this challenge is Heart Song Designs - they have some beautiful images in their digi shop but I especially liked the Cupcake Tier image that I used.

I've kept my card fairly plain and simple for this challenge and chose Lilac as my "+ one colour" and not a speck of glitter in sight! Here's what I've used:

Image - Cupcake Tier by Heart Song Designs, coloured with pro markers

Polka dot paper - Back to Basics by Dovecraft

Embossed white card using Cuttlebug embossing folder (with a lilac ink pad lightly brushed over to add a dash of colour)

Ribbon and button from stash

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Fabulous Friday - Use ribbon or twine

Fab 'n' Funky - Buttons and Bows

Divas by Design - Anything goes

Crafty Creations - Anything goes

Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything goes

Sew Many - Anything goes

Make it colourful - dotty background

Thanks for looking, fingers crossed - hope this posts okay Mr Blogger!

Amanda

My newest and my oldest stamps working together

2011-05-08T10:56:00.000+01:00

My newest Tilda stamp arrived yesterday from Sunrise Crafts - Tilda with Flower Pot (yes, I gave into temptation again!). I ordered it on Thursday so I was almost lurking behind the front door on Saturday morning ready to pounce when the postman called!!! I was having a play with my stamps this morning and looking through my folder of stamps when I re-discovered two of the very first stamps I ever purchased in a teddy bear kit nearly 20 years ago. This was when I first dabbled with rubber stamping - before I got the bug BIG TIME! The little tuft of grass and butterfly probably haven't been stamped by me for over 15 years but they are perfectly sized for Tilda's and I think I'll be using plenty more of them from now on.

So, Tilda looks lovely all on her own but I always struggle with drawing something for her to stand onto. I don't really like to see her floating in mid-air so I usually just draw a straight line - but not any more!

I made a little mask by stamping onto a repositional note and cutting around her foot area.

Who would have thought that this 20 year old, tuft of grass stamp could make such a big difference? (They were originally a foam mounted set but I ripped the foam off and mounted them onto E-Z mount to use with my acrylic blocks).

Do you agree with me that Tilda looks so much better now that she has something to stand on? The butterfly finishes the little picture off perfectly too. Okay, so it may be obvious to some of you to do this - but for me it was a bit like a light-bulb moment this morning and I'm just glad that I can make use of some of my older items too!

Right, that's it for me - I'm off to colour this new image in now. Time for you to hunt through your stash for a tuft of grass stamp!

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

In the Garden - my new digi stamp

2011-05-06T14:41:00.000+01:00

I've made a card with my new digi stamp this morning, which is by Leanne Ellis - I just love her range of digis. They are available from her Etsy shop HERE and the one I've used is called "In the Garden". The sun is still shining in my little part of the UK which probably influenced my yellow colour scheme. I ordered myself some bits from Sunrise Crafts yesterday and I've just realised their website has the same yellow colour - maybe that was the inspiration. Can't wait for the order to aarive - I gave in and had to buy one of the new Tilda stamps amongst a few other bits.

Here's what I've used today:

Digi stamp - In the Garden by Leanne Ellis, coloured with pro markers

Polka dot paper - Digi freebie from Summertime Designs

Other papers - Kay and Co

Butterfly punch - Tonic punches

All other bits and pieces from my stash

I am going to enter this card into the folowing challenges:

Flutterby Wednesday - open challenge
Divas by Design - Anything goes
Claudia and Co - Butterflies
Craft your passion - Anything goes
Stamp with fun - lace or ribbon
Everybody Art - I used their sketch

Thanks for visiting me today!

Amanda

Look what I made!!!

2011-05-04T07:49:00.000+01:00

Okay, so I know that it is only a small tote bag but I MADE IT and I'm really pleased with how it has turned out!!! It makes a change from my hand sewn teddies or just getting out my sewing machine to repair things. The theory is, now that I have a little craft tote I can keep all of my bits 'n' bobs to hand, but nice and tidy (yeah, right, you all know I'm making that part up!).

As I only finished it on Monday and it is still on display I thought this would be a good time to share with What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday (or work chair in my case as I do not have a work desk - I craft where ever I find a space!).

I bought the instructions and fabric from the NEC Hobbycrafts show in March from Mandy Shaw's stand - she had some lovely stiched goodies, patterns and haberdashery on her stand.

Look inside - there's lots of lovely little pockets to keep my stash tidy (ha, ha!):

Here's the instructions that I used - you can buy the complete kit from HERE and make your own. I also bought Mandy Shaw's new book last week - lots of inspiration to make "little and pretty" things. (I purchased my book from Amazon which was a much better price than buying direct).

Also, still out on the table and on my mental To Do list is this cushion bought from my trip to Dunelm this weekend - no prizes for what my next sewing machine project is going to be! While I was there I just had to have a little detour around the small craft section. I picked up a couple of packs of mini alphabet stamps for a bargain price of 99p, a reel of red double sided tape which is the best I've found and some lovely glitter paper - the kind that gets you covered in glitter bits everywhere.

Thanks for having a look around my workspace today,

Amanda

Dancing Willow

2011-05-02T09:12:00.016+01:00

First of all I want to say a big Hello and Thank You to my newest followers - I will try to get around to your blogs as soon as I can. Hope you like the new background - I felt it was time for a change from the pale blue. I'm liking my gingham at the moment - hence the background I've gone for!

Today's card is a fairly flat one so that it can be posted easily - I always worry about sending heavily embellished cards through the post in case it arrives to the recipient ruined. Also, in the UK we are charged more postage if the envelope is more than 5mm thick so this one just fits under that. Add to that, I think I may be going through a bit of a "clean and simple" phase at the moment - I keep trying to stick more flowers on but my hand just won't do it!!!

I made it for the Craft Your Days Away current challenge {Music and/or Dance} and then I realised that we had some sponsor images to use (see my below post). Don't forget that we are having a DT call with our current challenge over at Craft your Days Away!

The stamp is Dancing Willow by Whiff of Joy and I have coloured it with pro markers. The paper is from an old set by DCWV but I thought that it went perfectly with the images - dresses, handbags and shoes, what more do we girls need for a night out dancing and partying? I've used flowers from a sizzix die, a MS deep edge punch and my nestabilities for the main shape.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Mami doodles - let's get girly
Paper cutz - Anything goes
Wags 'n' Whiskers - use a die cut/punch
Little Miss Muffet - use a die cut/punch

And lastly, for all UK bloggers - have a great May Day bank holiday and enjoy your day off work!

Fingers crossed for sunshine!

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away new challenge and DT call

2011-04-30T09:02:00.009+01:00

We've got a great new challenge today at Craft Your Days Away and we are also having our first ever DT call! Mel has set the challenge for the next two weeks and it is:

Music and/or Dance

We are sponsored by SJ Little Musings for this challenge and the images that I've used are called Acceptable in the 80's - which have a great retro feel. {Can anyone else remember recording your favourite songs onto a cassette tape from the radio chart show? I used to have a little microphone that I patiently held by the radio - someone always walked into the room halfway and ruined my recording. Looking back, the sound quality was awful anyway but I never cared!!!}.

I made a door hanger for this challenge for my little one. We had new doors recently and I won't let him stick his name plate to the new door - so now that his door is "named" again he's quite happy. I used the pre-coloured images this time because they were just right for what I wanted, but they also comes as a line drawing. The only thing that I did to the images was to dirty up the front of the shoe with a bit of distress ink. How many little boys do you know who have pristine, white pumps?

Now, if you are interested being on the DT with us pop over to the challenge blog for all of the info, but basically you will need to enter this challenge and then post another picture with one of your favourite creations (this doesn't have to follow the challenge). We are a friendly bunch of crafters and are looking forward to expanding our DT!

I am going to enter this into the following challenges:

Inspire me Fridays - anything goes

Ai Factory - anything goes

Thanks for looking

Amanda

Red, white and blue - Grace

2011-04-29T19:05:00.001+01:00

After the Royal Wedding today how could I not make something in red, white and blue? I was literally glued to the TV all morning watching the wedding, obviously waiting to see what Kate would be wearing and she didn't disappoint - I thought that she looked very elegant in a stunning dress. I loved watching the parades and all of the horses. It reminded me that I too had a landau horse drawn carriage for my wedding day (only had one horse though) - something I now have in common with the future queen!!! It is times like this that it makes you proud to be British.

On today's card I have used Grace by Sugar Nellie. I had been looking for this stamp for ages and then I saw on Jenny's blog (My Inky Hands - see side bar) that they were available as digis from Funky Kits. The images are so lovely and very easy to colour as lots of the shading is already done. I've coloured the image with pro markers and the papers are a free download from Summertime Designs. I've coloured some Mulberry flowers with promarkers and added some little stamens in the centre. The border punch is by Martha Stewart and the leaf punch is "Grass" by Woodware. The 3 little brads are to cover up where my pro markers bled when I tried to colour the buttons. I was ready to throw the almost finished image away and then I though the brads would make good buttons!

I've kept the card fairly plain because of the reason I am sending it. It is going to the lady whose taught me to make teddy bears; a small group of us meet at her home to sew teddy bears! She creates the most amazing ball joint dolls and makes fantastic wigs and clothing and I thought that she would like "Grace". However, she is going through a very tough time at the moment - you can read her blog here if you want to.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Hanna and friends - I used their sketch
Moving along with the times - Anything goes
Fab n Funky - Red, white and blue
Amber's Crafts - use a digi
The paper variety - polka dots
Sweet stamps - sympathy
Tuesday throw down - add brads
Crafty cardmakers - red, white and blue
Make it Monday - Anything goes

That's it for today - back tomorrow with another creation!

Amanda

Tilda with Christmas Presents

2011-04-26T19:40:00.000+01:00

I've hardly done any crafting this past week - the weather over the Easter break has been absolutely amazing and so we have spent much of the weekend in the back garden. We had a new fish pond last autumn and so we have had to do some finishing-off work and have planted around the pond too. I'm really pleased with it; I just hope the heron doesn't visit us again! Even Monty, my agorophobic cat, had a little walk onto the patio - he couldn't go on the grass though - he completely freaks out!

So, with the weather so warm, I had to cool things down a little by making a Christmas card. I haven't used my Tilda's for quite a while too and I love this Christmas one. (Might be time to buy a new Tilda stamp or two!)

Here's what I've used:

Tilda with Presents stamp by Magnolia, coloured with Pro Markers

Marianne doily die

My new Christmas Fancy papers by Dovecraft - half price sale bargain!

Cat's Life Press - circular sentiment stamp

Flowers, ribbon and jewels from stash

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sketch and Stash - free sketch challenge (I used sketch #11 and my new papers)

Party time Tuesdays - Anything goes

Wee Memories - Anything girly
Sparkles - Anything goes
Delicious doodles - Anything goes

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda