LOTV Wedding card

We are having some redecorating done at home so things are a bit upside down at the moment and crafting is taking a back seat again.  However, I did manage to fit in this card for someone at work who got married this last weekend.  I've used my favourite wedding stamp by Lili of the Valley. 

I stamped the image with Memento in Rich Cocoa to give it a slightly softer look than harsh black.  I've coloured the image with pro markers and added some sparkle with Stickles glitter.  The shape has been cut with a Spellbingers die and the border has too.  I used the little cut out hearts from the border - glittered them up and added them to the card - waste nothing!!!

The paper is by Do Crafts and the circular sentiment stamp is also by Lili of the Valley and I've just finished it off with a bit of ribbon and some pearl heart shaped ribbon sliders from my stash.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Red Carpet Studio challenge - Wedding or Anniversary card
A Gem of a challenge - add a bow
Crafty Calendar challenge - Love and marriage
Little Claire's - Love and Romance

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda

Using up the old stash

I said at the beginning of January that I wanted to use up some of the huge stock pile of crafting stash that I already had, before buying new stuff.  Its amazing what we squirrel away - my craft cupboard was like a treasure trove when I started looking!

With all of the cold weather and snow that we are experiencing in the UK, I had to turn my mind to Spring and make a card with flowers and pretty colours.



The stamp is from LOTV, stamped in Memento London Fog and coloured with pro markers.  The paper is Tea Party by Dovecraft and I found a leaf die by Marianne's which I bought about a year ago and forgot all about!  I have had the wooden flowers for absolutely years - I think they were part of a kit from QVC - one of the first purchases I made from them about 10 years ago.  I bet there's lots of you who have similar forgotten crafting treasures in the back of a cupboard - go look!!!



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

ABC Challenges - Birthday Cards

The Paper Girls Challenge - Wooden elements

Sunday Sketch and Stamp - I used their sketch

Thanks for looking,

Amanda



Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Christmas Tree

Time for May's monthly challenge over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge blog - this month our challenge is Christmas Trees.  Can't wait to see what you come up with for this challenge.

We are being sponsored by two fab sponsors this month - Joanna Sheen and Crafty Emma's Store - each offering a great prize of a £10 vocher to spend in their online stores.

I have to apologise for the dark pictures - the weather has been appaling here in the UK this past week - apparently the wettest April on records.  At least the ducks have enjoyed it!

Its not quite a Christmas tree, but I thoght I'd share a picture of a tree which landed in my garden in the bad weather on Sunday.  It is a 10ft piece of conifer which broke off the large tree in the neighbour's garden, which backs on to my garden.  As you can see, the wind blew it and it landed slap, bang middle on top of my garden table - which now stands at a very wierd angle.  Guess who has got to buy some new garden furniture now?

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow - Birthday Cake

Its my turn to set the challenge for this fortnight over at Ruby's Rainbow and, silly me, I forgot to set this post to publish on time.  Better late than never I suppose!

Anyway, it is our first birthday celebrations with this challenge - so I chose something I really love ..... Birthday Cake.  Pop over to the challenge blog to see all of the lovely creations from the DT.



I've chosen a LOTV stamp, which I stamped out with Memento London Fog and coloured with pro markers.  The papers are from the Tea House collection by Dovecraft, as is the little cake brad.

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

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Ribbon or twine

Love to create - Birthday

Stampalot Challenge - Happy Birthday

Thanks for looking today,

Amanda

Ruby's Rainbow #11 - A Recipe

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

Craft Your Days Away - Our first birthday!

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

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

Lili of the Valley Christmas

I think that I am going through a bit of a Lili of the Valley phase at the moment - but they are so lovely, aren't they?  This is not one of my new ones but it is probably my favourite Christmas one of theirs.  I don't really send many Easter cards so I made a Christmas one instead - although Spring time has definitely influenced the colour scheme!

I'm having a problem printing any of my digis at the moment - printer is playing up!  So, that's another reason why I've been looking through my stamps again.  I'll buy some new ink cartridges later today and keep my fingers crossed that it will fix the dodgy printing!

I have coloured the image with pro markers and added a bit of Glamour dust glitter.  The papers are from a pad that was a magazine freebie - Vintage roses by Craft Work Cards.  The flowers are from Prima, I've used a Woodware Grass punch and the roses and buttons are from my stash.  I decided to be brave and stamp the greeting directly onto the card - after I'd made it all up.  Yes, I know that was quite foolish/brave of me but, it worked and no smudges (phew!).

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

Lili of the Valley - peach and green
Make it Monday - Anything goes
Stamp n doodle - girly
Woodware USA - Anything goes
Christmas Inspirations - Christmas scene
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Going round in circles

Thanks for stopping by today!

Amanda

LOTV for C&S challenge

Here's my first try at the Clean and Simple challenge; this week they have a great sketch which was just perfect for a "man card".  I've used one of my new Lili of the Valley stamps again, which I've coloured using pro markers.

The papers are some neglected ones by DCWV which I had in a large kit from QVC and the sentiment stamp is from Whispers.  The "Dream" ticket is from Tim Holtz which I bought at the LOTV stand at the NEC a few weeks ago. 

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

Clean and Simple stamping - I used their sketch
Creative Cottage - white space
The paper shelter - anything goes
Some odd girl - clean and simple
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday - clean and simple
Craft your passion - anything goes
Papertake weekly - anything goes
Crazy 4 Challenges - Brown, green, vanilla

That's it for today - I'm off outside to enjoy the lovely Spring British sunshine, while we have some!

Thanks for visiting!

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away #17

Here's the second of my new Lili of the Valley stamps that I bought from the NEC last week.  I have used it on today's DT card for our new challenge over at Craft Your Days Away.  The new challenge for the next fortnight is:

SPOTS AND STRIPES

For this challenge we welcome back our regular sponsor, Simon Says Stamp, who are offering a $10 voucher to one lucky winner. 

Remember, you can always have the chance of being a guest designer for a future challenge.  Just remember to add "GD" after your name with your entry.

Here's what I used:

Image and sentiment stamps by Lili of the Valley, coloured with pro markers

Paper - Back to Basics pad by Dovecraft

MS pansy punch from a punch around the page set
Roses, ribbons etc all from stash.
Sparkle - Glamour dust glitter

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

Fairy Knoll - Whatever!
Pals paper arts - Punches
Pixie dust studio - Fluttering wings
Paper romance - bling
Shelly's images - use a punch
Claudia & Company - Colour challenge
Craft your passion - include a bear
Creative card crew - for a child
Cooking it up with Katie - sparkle, shine and shimmer
Colour create - sweet pastel colours

Thanks for looking and don't forget to join us at Craft Your Days Away,

Amanda 

LOTV card for a few challenges

Don't look too close at this card because I think the glue's still a bit wet.  I wanted to post this card that I made this morning because it seems like ages since I've made any cards.  So, time to stop looking through my new crafty stash and start getting down to some serious card making again!

This one is made with my new Lili of the Valley stamps that I bought last week at the NEC show.  I love their new circular sentiment stamps too!  The image has been coloured with pro markers and the papers are some of my neglected Kay & Co papers.  The ribbon slider was from Crafty Emma's Store and the peach flowers are Prisma.  The other bits are from my stash.

TOP TIP: One thing that I forgot to buy at the NEC was blending sponges because I love the soft inked effect around edges of images.  So I thought I'd try make up sponges to see if they were any good - and they worked brilliantly.  At £1.60 these Boots ones were much cheaper than the craft ones.  I think I could probably get them even cheaper next time if I shop around (will try Poundland or somewhere similar).  So, I had a try inking around the edges of this circle.  Its quite subtle and you can only just make it out on this picture.

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

Tuesday throwdown - Floral
Top Tip Tuesday - Nature (+ make up sponges tip)
Fab 'n' Funky - Shabby Chic
ABC Challenge - R is for Roses (backing paper and flowers)
Patties Creations - Flowers and pearls
Ambers Crafts - Flowers
Sweet Sketch Wednesday - I used their sketch
Lili of the Valley - Spring

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Challenge 16 - Craft Your Days Away

It's my turn to set the challenge for the next two weeks at the Craft Your Days Away challenge blog and, as it will be Mother's Day in the UK on 3rd April, I have chosen the theme:

Mother's Day / For a Special Lady

We want to see some pretty, feminine creations this time to celebrate a special lady in your life.  Our sponsor for this challenge is our very own CYDA DT member Shelley whose on-line shop, One Stop Card Crafts, is offering a great £10 voucher for a lucky winner. 

And, don't forget that if you'd like the chance of being a Guest Designer with us, just add GD after your name on your entry.

Here's a side view of my card - I think that I've seen them called stair step cards or just step cards.  You can find the tutorial and sizing HERE at the LOTV Ideas to Inspire blog - they are really easy to make and take hardly any paper too! 

The papers I have used are from Anna Griffin and the rubber stamped image is by Lili of the Valley.  It has been coloured with pro markers and I've added some Glamour Dust glitter.  The label is a shapeabilities die with some rub0ons to make the message.  The swirls die is a Sizzlit and all other bits are from my stash.

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

Crafty Catz - Mother's Day

The Stamp Man - Mother's Day/Floral

Stampin' for the Weekend - Mother's Day

Art Impressions Stamps - Use punches (Woodware grass punch + dies & nesties)

Do you stack up? - Add a bow

Pink Gem Challenge blog - Anything but a square

Thanks for looking and don't forget to join in with us and Craft Your Days Away!

Amanda





My favourites of the year

I hope you all had a really great Christmas - I had a nice, quiet family Christmas with lots of lovely pressies.  The snow has meant that I haven't ventured too far from home; fortunately it has started to melt today, which is a good job as it is back to work tomorrow for me!

I can't do any crafting at the moment, my craft table (AKA dining table) is having to be used as a proper dining table over the Christmas holiday so I decided to look through my blog and pick out my favourite projects from the past 12 months.  I would like to thank everyone who has visited my blog and a big thank you to my lovely followers too.  So, here goes, as we say Bye Bye to 2010 ....

January

This tiny bear that I made is almost my favourite one so far, but not quite.  I won't be parting with this one for the forseeable future.

February

Pollycraft digi images are amongst my favourites and I just like the bright, fresh colours on this Easter card.  Oh no, I can't believe we'll be making Easter cards in just a few weeks!!!



March

This panda is definitely my favourite teddy bear that I have made.  She is about 6 inches tall and is even prettier in real life and she won't be leaving my collection, ever!

April

I love this Whiff of Joy rubber stamp with a plate full of warm cookies, plus it is purple and has some lovely glitter paper on too.



May

Same stamp as April's favourite card.  I did say that I loved that stamp!

June

June was a great month for me - my family went on our first cruise around the Mediterranean and loved every minute.  I was also asked to be a DT member for the One Stitch at a Time challenge blog and this was my first card.  I don't really make many male cards but I did like this one - the beer monster image is by Pollycraft.  I'm sure that we all know a Beer Monster, or two!

July

I fell in love with Magnolia's Tilda stamps earlier this year and this one is still one of the favourites in my collection.



August

I didn't get too much crafting done in August because this was the month that I had corrective laser surgery on my eyes - the best thing I ever did and I only wish that I'd have plucked up the courage to have it done sooner!  For August's favourite it was almost a Tilda Christmas card, but this one just beat it.  I really like this fairy digi, which is from Pollycraft, I like the natural colours an the slightly vintage style paper by My Mind's Eye.

September

Another Tilda card for September's favourite.  The scallop circle cards were a challenge prize from Die Cut Dreams and I must find them out to make some more round cards.

October

It is another of my hand made teddy bears for October's favourite.  It is made from a lovely soft mohair and, at 10" tall, is one of the larger bears that I have made. 

November

My cousin got married in November and this is the card that I made for her.  Lili of the. Valley are amongst my favourite stamps and I also love the circular date stamps by Cat's Life Press.

December

Shame on me - I've just noticed how little I've have posted in December.  I'm sure so many of you are in the same position though - spending weeks getting ready for Christmas.

Anyway, here's December's favourite - my DT card for the current Craft Your Days away challenge.  I've recently discovered Pink Gem stamps and this reindeer image is a real cutie!

So, that's my review of my blogging year.  I am going to have a look at some of your blogs now and try and catch up with what everyone has been up to.  I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and look forward to another year of crafty blogging!

Thanks for looking,

Amanda



Fab 'n' Funky GD Week 2

Firstly I must apologise for not having been around Blogland for the past week.  It has been a busy week for me - I celebrated my birthday and promptly caught a nasty cold and sore throat, right on time for my birthday!  Also, life in general seems to be getting more hectic by the day as Christmas draws closer, as I am sure everyone else's is too.

I was lucky enough to be asked to be a Guest Designer at Fab 'n' Funky challenge blog and this is my second week.  Their challenge this week is "Christmas is for the Children" so I couldn't resist using my LOTV stamp of the little singing children.  The talented design team have come up with some lovely children inspired creations over at the challenge blog. 

I found some Papermania papers from a couple of years ago which fitted in with vintage look that I was aiming for and the image has been coloured with  pro markers and glittered with Stickles and Cosmic Shimmer glitters.  The flowers are some I've had years and are a bit crumpled and creased, but again, fitted in with the "aged" look that I wanted.  I added Icicle Stickles to the flowers and found a little red bell in my sewing box which makes a nice Christmassy jingle when you pick up the card.

TOP TIP: I know I've said this before, but it is a useful one.  The ribbon and bow was originally white - I coloured it with my pro markers for a perfect colour match.  No need to buy loads of coloured ribbons, just use your pro markers!

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

I love pro markers - A Christmas Carol

Secret Crafter Saturday challenge - Christmas

Wild Orchid - Old Fashioned Christmas/Victorian Christmas

I did it Creations - Vintage Christmas

Stamp something - Christmas colour combo (red and green)

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away Challenge #9

I hope that its not too cold where you are today!  I am freezing cold and I am going to a wedding later today and I'm sure that I will be completely frozen, considering my outfit is more suitable for summer than a cold November day!  On the TV they have re-named it Snow-vember and I certainly can't remember seeing snow before December for a very long time.

We have a lovely new challenge for you over at Craft Your Days Away and before I announce it, I want to say how lovely the entries were for the Christmas Trees challenge.  Pop over to the challenge blog to see if you are one of our lucky winners.

The challenge for the next two weeks has been set by our DT member Sarah and it is:

TEXTURE

So you can interpret that any way you like really with embossing/fabrics/papers, etc.  I have used a linen card, lace, paper doily, flowers, glitter and some distressing to add a variety of textures to my card.

For this challenge we are being sponsored by Simon Says Stamp who are offering a $10 voucher to a lucky winner to spend in their store.

The image I have used is by LOTV and is coloured with pro markers, with added stickles glitter.  The circle sentiment is a rubber stamp by Cat's Life Press, which will be useful for so many occasions.  The paper is from DCWV and I had the heart shaped doilies from the Hobbycraft show at the NEC.  All other bits are from my stash.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

A Spoonful of Sugar - Anything Goes

For fun challenges- Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky - Anything Goes

Delicious Doodles - Celebration

 

So, pop on over to our newest challenge at Craft Your Days Away and join in with the fun!

Amanda