A few days away .....

I have neglected my blog so much lately, so sorry!

I have returned from a few days away in Somerset, which was just what the doctor ordered!  We visited my family and had some time to remember and talk about the good times we spent with my Aunt.  Her recent death was a tragic accident but it was good to be able to talk with family. 

The weather was very fine for September in England and so we spent an afternoon playing cricket on the beach - I would so love to be able to live by the sea.  I had a huge portion of fish and chips from my favourite chip shop - it's a good job it is 90 miles from home otherwise I would eat them all of the time!  We spent the rest of the time just basically enjoying the lovely coastal surroundings. 

Here's my little one fancying himself as a bit of a cowboy!

I am now trying to get some cards made.  I have done a couple of DT projects for this weekend, which I can't share just yet and I am also trying to finish off sewing a teddy bear (pics to follow soon).  Bear with me, there's just a huge pile of ironing to be done before I can start playing again!

Pop back soon!

Amanda

Two cards, same design

First of all, an apology from me for not visiting any of my "regular" blogs this week.  We had a bereavement in the family which was sudden and unexpected and takes some time to come to terms with.  On top of that, I got a bad cold and sore throat so have not been doing very much other than sneezing and sleeping!  I haven't really had the inclination to do much blogging this week.  My other half came home from work with a block of Galaxy chocolate for me the other day; when I asked him why he said "Because you need it".  I always tell my family that they should make a decision based on want or need and OH was right, I needed that chocolate!

So, onto the cards.  These were quick and easy 20 minute cards.  My mom and her sister both have their wedding anniversaries this week so I have made the same card but with a different colour scheme for each.

The papers were from a much neglected DCWV stack that I have hardly used since buying it.  I don't know why, I really like these papers.  I used a cream card blank and the sentiments were printed on my PC - the swirly font is Edwardian Script (I can't remember the plain font, sorry!).  I used my Nestabilities scallop circle to make a matching frame and added a bit of stickles glitter glue around the circle.  Next some cream leaves and paper roses (glitzed with stickles) and a piece of knotted satin ribbon - job done!

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

Corrosive Challenges - Clean up the dust (my neglected paper stack)
I Did it Creations - Keep it simple
Oh La La! - Sentiment as the main focus
Critter Challenge - neutral colours (the cream and brown card)
Paper Play challenge - Coffee and cream (the cream and brown card)

Thanks for taking the time to come and visit me!

Amanda

 



Tilda and ProMarker Blog Candy WOW!!!

Oh Wow, look what I have found!!!  Lothian Crafts have this amazing blog candy up for grabs - FOUR Tilda stamps AND FOUR sets of ProMarkers!  Check out their blog for details - it closes on 1st October 2010.

Just one thing, please don't enter it as I have entered and it would really give me more chance to win it!!! HA! HA!

Amanda

OSAAT Challenge #31 and candy winner

We have a great new challenge for you this week over at the One Stitch at a Time Challenge blog. 

The theme this week from Operation Write Home "Supporting our Nations Armed Forces" by sending Home made Blank Greetings Cards for our forces to write home on.

Our OSAAT Theme is... "Happy Birthday!"

Some guidelines - If you are going to send your cards to OWH (that is up to you..Your Choice) but if you are please check out the challenge blog for the details or from http://operationwritehome.org/birthday.

The website is for all info is http://operationwritehome.org/.



We are also being sponsored this week by the brilliant Joanna Sheen who is offering a £10 voucher to spend in her on line shop to one lucky winner.  The Joanna Sheen site is brilliant - and there's FREE P&P, amazing!

The image I used is the lovely "Masquerade" by Lil' Diva.  It is available to purchase in the Stitchy Bear and I Did It Creations Boutique.  I've coloured it with pro markers and added some sparkle with a Sakura crystal gel pen.  The papers are from the All Dressed Up stack by DCWV and I have added some Papermania flowers and some pearls from my stash.

Before I forget the winner of my comment candy from last week's OSAAT Rainbow challenge, picked at random (by me) is ......

FLOURGIRL - congratulations and thank you for your lovely comment.

I have some papers waiting for you - if you could leave a comment on this post with your contact details (email and/or address) then I can get the candy to you.  Don't worry, your comment won't be published - it has to have my approval and I will delete it once I have your details, thanks.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Stamp Something - Use a digi
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Anything goes
Sketch and Stash - I used their sketch.  My newest item is the digi and the neglected item from my stash is the DCWV papers.

So don't forget to join our new challenge, I can't wait to see what you make!

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away Challenge #4

Firstly, thank you so much to all of those who took part in challenge number 3 over at Craft Your Days Away.  As I set the challenge, it was my job to pick our next guest designer and the Top 3.  It was so very difficult to choose - the entries were all amazing and you should all be winners!  Pop over to the challenge blog to see if you are a lucky winner.

Challenge 4 is a great one for the next two weeks:

Autumn Doodles

So we want to see an autumnal (fall) themed card with some doodles on. 

I have doodled some little dots around the frame and added some Doodlebug rub ons, which look like handwriting but are so much neater than mine!  The image I used is by Meljen available from Whimsy Stamps, which I have coloured with my pro markers. 

Unfortunately the Whimsy Stamps store is off line. On Sunday the store was closed for what was thought would be 24 hours to perform maintenance on the store and move everything to a new server, but, unfortunately the online store has crashed and though techy guys have been working on it its still not rectified.  We have been told that the store should be up and running again in the next 7-10 days.  Everyone who placed orders before the server went down should still receive any stamps ordered. If anyone purchased a digital image and were not able to retrieve it, they should contact Denise via email - deniselynnstamps@gmail.com

In the meantime, until problems are fixed. you can still order any Whimsy designs, including Meljen's Designs by emailing Denise deniselynnstamps@gmail.com directly.

I have made the flower by using a scallop circle nestabilities die.  I've cut several layers or autumn colours handmade papers and scrunched them up to give them a more natural look.  I just added a brad in the centre to finish.  The paapers are all from My Mind's Eye and I have added the fallen leaves with a Woodware "Grass" paper punch.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Gingerloft Challenges: Anything Goes

Incy Wincy Designs: Autumn Colours

Die Cut Dreams: Sweet little girl - Digital

A spoonful of sugar: Autumn colours

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge: Anything goes

Don't forget to join us at the challenge blog and show us your Autumn Doodles.

Thanks for looking!

Amanda

Snowflakes and Snowmen

I seem to have half made cards everywhere - I must get organised today!  I did manage to finish this one yesterday; I think I may have enough Christmas cards made by the time Christmas arrives this year.  On the TV this morning they kept reminding us, "only 100 days 'til Christmas".  Oh No!!!

I have made this card using the sketch over at the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, using a stamp that I had from their shop.  It has been coloured with pro markers and lots of glitter.  The papers are both DCWV and the snowflake is a Sizzlits die using a piece of glittered card from one of last years recycled cards that someone sent me (a bought card, I'd never disect a hand made card!!!).  The sentiment is part of a Christmas postage rubber stamp that I've only used part of.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - I used their sketch
Die Cuts Dreams Chrisrmas Club - Children's Christmas Card
Ann's Creative Nook - Scallops or Squares
Gingerloft challenge - Anything goes
Fussy and Fancy - Christmas colours
Bah-humbug - Favourite medium (stamping and pro markers)

Right, off to get a bit more organised now!

Amanda

Pink Gem Blog Candy

I just have to share with you the fantastic blog candy that is up for grabs at Pink Gem.  Their stamps are amazingly cute and I could not be without pro markers at all now!!!

The blog candy runs until 23rd September 2010 and you will need to visit here for details as to how to enter.

Back with a card soon!

Amanda

OSAAT Challenge #30 and a bit of candy!

One Stitch At A Time and I Did It Creations challenge blogs both have a very special challenge for you this week...We are challenging you to make a special "Rainbow Themed" card - Anything goes type of challenge, but must have a rainbow or the colours of a rainbow in your creation. The reason for this Rainbow challenge is in honor of a very special little guy named Cameron. If you click here you can read his story...

A little History and the reason for this Super Challenge this week...
A very very good friend of Stitchy's who is known in the digital world by the name "FUNKY" has built a beautiful fundraiser blog for her grandson Cameron..He is autistic and Funky and her daughter are striving to help Cameron. Some of you may know Funky, she has been in the digital scrapping world for a very long time. If you could find it in your heart to help Funky and her little guy out, it will not go unrewarded.

We know times are very hard for everyone right now, so if you can't give even a pound or a dollar, please don't feel bad, but please do go and read his story, he's quite a character! Thank you in advance to all that take part in this very special challenge - have fun & good luck!!!

We have 10 GREAT prizes for 10 equally great WINNERS over at the OSAAT blog!

Prize #1 is all 5 of Stitchy Stamps New Release Stamps

Prize #2 is all 5 of Beary Dust's New Release Stamps

Prize #3 is a package from Craftbrulee

Prize #4 is a package from Rod & Carol At Hobbyhabitat

Prize #5 is a package from I Am Roses

Prize #6 is 3 New Release Stamps

Prize #7 is 3 New Release Stamps

Prize #8 is 3 New Release Stamps

Prize #9 is 3 New Release Stamps

Prize #10 is 2 New Release Paper Packs and A Sentiment Sheet

We will also have ONE kid WINNER, who will win ONE PRIZE of THE 3 NEW KIDS KORNER RELEASE STAMPS!

To find out more about the prizes on offer at I Did It Creations, please visit the challenge blog!



I have used a specially designed digi stamp for the Rainbow theme by Sylvie.

As part of the fun with this challenge I am offering some BLOG CANDY!!! 

The candy is 50 sheets of design papers size 8x8 in all different designs - there's a bit of DCWV, Dovecraft, Papermania, etc.  To be eligible to enter just leave a comment on this post and I will pick a lucky winner next Sunday 19th September 2010 at 9:00am (UK time).  You'll just need to visit me again next Sunday to see who's the winner.

I am entering this card into the following challenge:
Crafty Cardmakers - Clean and Simple

Thanks for looking and don't forget to check out Cameron's story,

Amanda

UPDATE: 18.11.2010 My candy has been unclaimed and so I am donating it to Charity Crafter for her to add to her blog candy which closes on 26th Nov 2010.

Tilda - Lilac and Lace

Here's a card made with my newest Tilda stamp - I bought it last week (to celebrate pay day!) and this is the first card I've made with it.  I've stamped and coloured loads of the image so expect to see a lot more of this Tilda!

I made it with the current Totally Tilda challenge in mind (Lilac and Lace) but I know that there are plenty more challenges that this will suit too.

Here's what I've used -
Tilda stamp - Tilda with curls by Magnolia, coloured with pro markers
Butterfly punch - Tonic/Papermania
Sentiment stamp - Papermania
Die cut shapes and stand for card - from Die Cut Dreams, available here.
Everything else from stash.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Totally Tilda - Lilac and Lace
Fab 'n' Funky - What Eva
Crafty Card Makers - Glitter and Sparkle
Charizma Cards - Try Something New (I haven't used these shaped cards before)
Craft Your Passion - Lace and at least one flower
Alphabet Challenge - S is for Scallops
Creative Inspirations - Anything except square or rectangular

Off to colour some more Tilda's now, pop back soon won't you?

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda

An award and some OSAAT Blog Candy!

I have received this Trendy Blog Award from two places this weekend, aren't I lucky?  The award has come from two lovely ladies whose blog's I follow.  They are:

Susie's Cardmaking Adventures  and Missy B's Cards

A big "Thank you" to both Susie and Missy B - the award is much appreciated and I'm honoured that you chose to give it to my blog.

Now, the two conditions on accepting this award are:

1) State why you started your blog, and

2) Pass the award on to 10 blogging buddies

So, I started my blog in April 2009 because my Other Half was running out of enthusiasm so I had to find someone else to show my creations to!  In doing so, I have made some great blogging buddies, found some fantastic crafters and (hopefully) improved my crafting abilities by learning from some of the great tutorial blogs out there.

It will be difficult to choose 10 people to pass this on to so I am going to bend the rules a little bit.  As I received it twice, surely I can give it to more than ten?  So, I'm going to award this blog to the rest of the DT on the Craft Your Days Away challenge blog which will be 13 people.  I really enjoy being part of this DT, there is some great talent in the team and they are a great bunch of people to work with!!!

I also need to tell you about a great selection of candy up for grabs over the the One Stitch at a Time challenge blog. 

This candy closes on 4th October 2010 and you'll need to pay a visit to the challenge blog for full details.

Also, I need to say thank you to those of you who have enquired about how I've been since my laser eye surgery.  It has been just over 3 weeks since I had the surgery and my vision is great, perfectly safe to drive and I haven't needed to wear glasses at all.  The bruising has almost gone and I'm enjoying wearing the proper sunglasses that I bought (I always had to have prescription sunglasses before) although the sunshine in the UK is quite scarse!  I did some sewing of one of my teddy bears this weekend so may have something to show you soon!  I hadn't sewn since the surgery because the mohair fibres get everywhere and I was worried about them getting into my eyes.  My next check up is this weekend so, fingers crossed, everything is okay. 

Hope to be back very soon with a new card.

Amanda

 

Craft Your Days Away Challenge #3

I am sorry for being so late with my CYDA post - I have been trying to post since 9:15am this morning and Blogger wouldn't play.  This is about the 10th time I've logged in today and (hooray!) it finally seems to be working.  Anyway ....

Today is my turn to set the new challenge over at Craft Your Days Away challenge blog.  We had some fantastic entries for our last challenge - With Wings, don't forget to check out the Top 3 and the lucky winner.  The challenge for the next two weeks is:

Girly and Glitter

So, its time to get your sparkle and bling out to make a totally girly card.  To me, Tilda is the ultimate girly image and I've used one of my favourite Tilda stamps.  However, I do have a new favourite Tilda which I can't wait to use - bought her a couple of days ago (well, it was pay day and you have to celebrate that!). 

For my card I used an orange coated glitter card from DCWV and the double sided paper is from My Mind's Eye.  I coloured the Tilda image with pro markers and then covered her dress with Cosmic Shimmer Aqua Sparkles.  The green glitter brad was part of a Papermania Henbury Lane set, that I bought the other day, for a bargain 99p!  The lace, pearls and roses are from my stash.

I have been coveting this butterfly punch for ages but, you know what its like, you can't buy everything that you want for your craft stash.  So I made a deal with my OH who was trying to upgrade the hard disk drive in his PS3 and to use the PS3 old HDD to make a new portable storage device for his PC.  He tried and failed ... I said that if I could do it he would have to buy me the butterfly punch.  I'm no computer expert, but it is amazing what can be accomplished when there's a butterfly punch at stake!!!  Job completed and I was soon leading him to the craft shop!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers - Glitter and Sparkle

CES Challenge - Floral frenzy

Wild Orchid - Make it sparkle

A crafty little place - Anything goes

The Wild flower patch - fall colours

So, don't forget to pop over to the challenge blog and to check out the rest of the DT's work and the amazing card from our guest designer Crafty Nat.

Be back soon!

Amanda

A card for my man!

How bad am I?  It was my Other Half's birthday a few days ago and, with the amount of cards that I make, you would have thought I would have been well organised and have it made plenty of time in advance?  Not me ... it was made on the morning of his birthday, whilst he was having a lie in!!!  Am I alone in being this bad or are the rest of you like it too?

Fortunately, being a "Man Card", I could keep it clean and simple and get it made in next to no time.  The image is from Digi Stamp Boutique and I coloured it to match the papers with Pro Markers.  These papers are all from DCWV; the patterned papers are from a boys' stack.  I printed the image onto the checked paper and paper pieced the cap.  I did try paper piecing the t-shirt but it looked too much.   I added a couple of bits of orange card candy to finish it off.

TOP TIP: To save wasting paper, the part where I printed the image onto the checked paper and cut bits out, has been hidden under the matting and layering of the main design.  Who would know that there's a hole under there (except for the fact that I've just told you all!).

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Totally Paper Crafts - Clean and Simple

Cards for Men - Long Summer Days (well, beer does play a large part!)

Corrosive Challenge - One for the Guys

Thanks for looking,

Amanda