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

Thanks

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

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!

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 ....

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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