Pear Tree Designs - Challenge #38 - Ribbon

Its time for another challenge over at Pear Tree Designs this week! Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our 'One Colour' challenge - it was great to see so many entries for such an unusual challenge.

This time round we want to see 'Ribbon' in your creations. Our sponsor this week is Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps. The DT were lucky enough to get some digi papers to use for the weeks challenge. The lucky winner this week will recieive..

Here is my take on the challenge this week.

I wanted to use bright spring colours on this card and the inspiration came from some SU! taffeta ribbon.
The design of this card is inspired by Becca over at Amazing Paper Grace, her card can be seen HERE. Her card designs and technqiues are just outstanding and really inspire me to step outside of my comfort zone!!

I stamped the sentiment 'Thinking Of You' from a Hero Arts stamp set in Old Olive on some more of that gorgeous digi paper.

I created a window through the digi paper, I backed it with some patterned paper from Basic Grey - White Basics collection and distressed it with some Old Paper Distress ink. I hoped this would draw the eye into the centre piece, being the ribbon weaving. I don't know how well that has worked..

I used my lacey circles nestabilities and my standard large circles to create a frame around the curled pieces of paper. I added some faux stitching around the outside of the card base - I haven't done that for so long. I also sponged the edges of the card base with Old Olive ink fron SU! to tie in the green of the ribbon.

I would like to enter this card into these challenges:

× I Did It Creations - #43 - Punches or Dies
× Stampacular Sunday Challenge - 'You've Been Framed'

Thank you for stopping by today, why don't you head on over to PTD and join in the fun!! :) xo

CCS#9 - Winter Tickets

Hey guys, thanks for stopping by today - I know this post is up a bit later than usual. Its all been go go go this weekend and I totally forgot about CCS *hangs head in shame*. But here it is..

I have used some papers and element stickers from Echo Park - Everybody Loves Christmas collection pack. I love this paper pack - such different colours for Christmas papers, but I'm sure I have said that before, right?

Here is a close up of those gorgeous Holiday Tickets from Whimsy Stamps!! The five SU! colours which match this paper pack perfectly are (from left to right) Real Red, Blue Bayou, Old Olive, Rose Red and Bashful Blue. Gorgeous! :)

Thats all I have for you today I'm afraid, sorry I can't chat more.. far too much uni work going on!! Going to try and get this flippin' assignment finished before my Sunday dinner is ready, wish me luck!!

Enjoy the rest of your day! xo

Thanks (Bliss) & TWO Blog Awards!!

[**NOTE: I typed/half typed this up late on Wednesday night, but Blogger was being a little bugger and messed it all up, and I wasn't willing to sit and write it all out again, so I've just added in the bits I needed to alongside this stuff I had already wrote.**]

Evening everyone, I hope you have all had a fab day, mine has been totally hectic, this is going to be the very last thing I do before I go to bed. I'm going to try and get an early night and see if this darn headache will disappear by the time I wake up!! Fingers crossed it does because I just don't feel in the mood for anything when I'm like this. I was at uni for 9 this morning for a 2 hour lecture - what a waste of time, in all honesty - I got nothing out of it. Oh well, you can't win them all. Usually I love going to lectures and hearing what the lecturers have got to say and taking notes, just not today.

When I got in from uni I had to take my Mam to the opticians for her eye test - then we went and done a bit of shopping. I got a laptop tray thingy majig from Argos - its awesome. It means I can sit with my laptop and not have my thighs burning off with the heat - result! I also got some more padded envelopes - I seem to run out of those things fast - obviously I lose track of the stuff I'm sending out! LOL.

First of all I have a card to show you today, this is going to be a pretty heavy post - so if you want to grab yourself a cuppa and follow along - feel free. If you're just here for the card, then here it is..

I used my yummy new Bliss stamp set from SU!'s sale-a-bration collection (I need to use this stamp set a LOT more than I do, but I just don't know where to start!!), although you can't really see much of it. I stamped the flourish in Taken with Teal onto Taken with Teal cardstock and the little bird is stamped in Crumb Cake ink (mmm). I added a sentiment using Jenni Bowlin circle alpha stickers. I then sprayed some Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Iridescent Gold to the top portion of my card - which can be seen more clearly here.

I am in total love with these spiral flowers at the moment..

They are so quick and easy to make and they look really pretty. I may try cutting the spiral with a pair of scalloped scissors next time - see if I can make my own version of a mini rose!! LOL. Lets see how that turns out!! That's all on the card front for tonight.

*****************************************************

Now on to the two blog awards I have been given recently!! Very excited.

The first one is off Lucy over at Jucydesign, thank you so very much!! :)

Here are the ground rules:

1) I must thank the person who gave me the award (above). So thank you Lucy, I will also be popping over to your blog to show you some love!!
2) In receiving this award I now have to tell you 7 things about myself. HA! Where to begin..

× I am officially addicted to nail art.

× I love all things animal - sometimes I view animals higher than people.

× I drive a little white Corsa named Chester - so called because is sounds like he has a bad chest.

× I passed my theory and driving test first time.

× I'm left handed

× I have never ever once dyed my hair - and I never plan to..

× I power walk - everywhere. A really bad habit of mine.

3) Pass this award onto 7 new bloggers, please take a look at their fabulous blogs below.

× The Two Pink Ladies - a mother and daughter team. I have got to say, Emma's work especially, really inspires me. Every detail is just perfect. I mentioned their blog in THIS post, relating to Emmas black and grey colouring - its totally out of this world. I had a go myself, I have a lot of room for improvement but I just want to thank these two ladies for making their blog the place it is!!

× Shellys Little Craft Space - for being an awesome friend and a fellow PTI fan. Her work always looks so finished and professional. I love her style and the way she incorporates different elements into her cards. A true inspiration

× Jane's Lovely Cards - I don't know this lady personally, but I visit her blog a lot. Her colouring is always spot on and every little detail she puts into her cards is just perfect. Thank you for sharing your wonderful creations with us!!

× I am Odd - Neither do I know this lady personally, but let me tell you - she has her own indivual style that just tears it up! I love seeing her cards - her colouring is always spot on and the way she puts her cards together is just.. awesome!! Thank you for your super cute images and truely inspiring cards!

× Squirrel's World - This lady always manages to put a smile on my face with the comments she leaves over at my blog. Her work is gorgeous, and she is such a sweetie - she had to be in my top 7!!

× Suzilou's Blogspot - Another lady whos comments always make me smile!! A regular WOYWW'er and brilliant cardmaker, I love visiting her blog as I never know what her latest post will be about!! Thank you.

× Bodil's scrappevereden - This lady really showed me the stunning results you can achieve with ProMarkers - she gave me the push I needed to try harder and stick in with my PM's to make them work for me. I only wish my colouring and card designs were as good as this!

And secondly is another award off May from MayJay's Meanderings, thanks so much May, :) Your kind words really mean a lot!

This award is aimed at bringing good unknown blogs to light, and in accepting the award I have to agree to the following conditions.

1. You have been tagged. Do you want to accept? Yes, thank you May.

2. Then create a post on your blog and post the love blog photo.

3. Link back to the person who gave you the award and accept.

4. Choose 3 to 5 of your favourite blogs to tag. Link these in your post and tell the bloggers they have been tagged.

× Roz over at Rozzy Bee - for being such a true friend and a great inspiration

× Katrina over at Flutterby Trina - for being my fellow newbie and being a great friend

× Lori over at Just Ducky - her work is truely inspirational, every piece is unique and awe-inspiring!

Okay, this has taken me over an hour to write - and I haven't even informed the people I'm giving awards too. So much for an early night - I guess that part will have to wait until tomorrow!!

Adios. xo

You Know When

you make something, and you surprise yourself? Today was the day..

This card surprised me - big time!! I mean.. I am IN LOVE with Marvin The Bat from The Stamping Bazaar, come on..

I thought I best take a photo before I cut him out incase I fuffed up
and had to start again, hence the smudging around the outside of
him. Its not that I have a hard time staying in the lines;
its the fact that cotton bud heads are not delicate!! LOL.

Is he not just one of the cutest character you have ever seen?! Yes sir-ee!! Please check out the Stamping Bazaar blog and store. These people.. are just genius!!

I want to say a massive thank you to the Emma half of The Two Pink Ladies for inspiring me in such a way that I sat for almost two hours tryna work out how to colour this little critter in grey and black. 7+ digi images later I came up with this guy!! Isn't he just adorable?! *Hopefully if she is reading this she may do a tutorial for us? Hehe. *

I've had this card base lying around for forever - I forget why I had embossed it with the dot flourishes - but hey, its moment has finally arrived. The striped and dotted papers are from a free digi kit by Summer Driggs - love her stuff, thank you Shelly, for pointing me in that direction. I used some corrugated cardboard (another medium Emma uses a LOT of!!) from a box I got some stuff sent in from eBay (the Devil).

The handmade flowers are two 1" circles and 1 3/4" circle cut into a spiral and rolled to make mini flowers - the embellishments in the centre are from MeiFlower crafts - they're her sequin flowers - perfect for that finishing touch!! I added some Platinum Stickles here and there - my new fave Stickles, the colour looks gorgeous against kraft. I also dotted some orange Prima pearls to fill in some of the blank space.

You guessed it - I had to have my finishing touch - one rounded corner. I have seriously been neglecting my Corner Chomper of late - and for that I apologise *hangs head in shame* I love that tool!! I also added some Glossy Accents to his eyes for a bit more interest - but my crap photography skills didn't pick that up!!

The sentiment is put together atop a SU! tab punch. I used some Jenni Bowlin circle letter stickers and embossed a tiny 'friend' sentiment from a Hero Arts stamp set.  That delicious cream lace is from The Ribbon Girl!! I have stapled it in place to avoid any mess glue showing through.

Oh yum, did I mention, I just {love} this card!! So pleased with myself. I have been getting really down about my colouring techniques lately - especially using ProMarkers - I just can't seem to get the colours and shading right, although I'm working on it. So when I seen this technique Emma uses - I just had to have a go. Okay - I know, I have a long way to go until it even begins to look anywhere near as good as hers - but we all have to start somewhere!!

I would like to enter this card into these challenges:
× The Stamping Bazaar - 16th week - Spots and Stripes
× Digital Tuesday Challenge - Punches
× Anything Goes - Distressing
× Ladybug Crafts - 3 flowers, 2 dps and 1 image
× Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes
× Incy Wincy Designs - Use punches or dies
× Little Claire Designs - Anything Goes
× Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
× I Did It Creations - Anything Goes
× 2 Sisters - Embossing
× Simon Says Stamp - Show us some Stripes

Anyway, thanks for stopping by!! I best hit the hay, I'm up at 7 and I have a loooong day ahead. I don't know why I insist on doing this to myself?! LOL. Have a good day tomorrow - 1 day closer to the weeeekeeeeend!! xo

Sending Some Happy Mail

Hello there, I hope your day has been good so far - two posts in two days I hear you saying!! This girl is on FYAH!! Ha. I wish.

Um.. this card I'm sharing with you today is just a tiny ickle 4"x4", following a sketch over at Sketch Saturday #143. I used some papers from Sassafras Indie Girl collection that have been sitting around in my drawe for forever. Such pretty colours and patterns I don't know why I don't use the papers more. Oh.. I know why.. CAUSE I'M A HOARDER!! Eughhh..

Here is the sketch..

And here is my interpretation of it..

I used a gorgeous MFT Pure Innocence stamp - Happy Mail, is she not just the cutest?!? Her dress matches her little bluebird friend.. awhh come on!! When colouring her dress I noticed I have some pretty big gaps in my collection of blue PM's - so I'll be ordering some more pretty soon to fill in the spaces. I think I just about managed to blend the three I chose for her dress together okay-ish. Hm.. Aside from that, I LOVE the grass - I know there is only a tiny bit showing but I think the colours I used for it are delicious - if only I could remember which ones they were!!

I was gonna make the mail box wooden - but I decided against it, thank goodness I did because I think I would have taken away from the little girl. I found some thick-ish thread in my Mams.. what would you call it.. sewing box?! Its pink, I know - yuck - I would have preferred white, but beggars can't be choosers. My machine makes some funky sound when I'm stitching with it - but it hasn't started smoking yet - which can only be a good thing. You can see it more clearly with it being thicker. I wish I knew what it was called. Its lovely.

Thats all I have for ya today, so thanks for stopping by!! I'm off to make something to eat and tidy up my desk - its a total t-i-p!! xo

Use It Or Lose It!!

Good evening all, I hope you all had a good weekend and a good start to the week. I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my SU! and PTI orders - I can barely contain my excitement. I'm having a furniture rethink for my bedroom - as I'm gradually running out of space to put stuff!! It bugs me having to get everything out and put it all away again - and if anyone has seen my recent WOYWW's, you will know that some stuff stays on my desk permanently now. Naughty Lou!!

Crikey, it feels like so long since I actually sat down and crafted properly!! I was beginning to have with drawls, so this morning I sat down and decided I would make a few cards. The one I'm showing you today follows the current sketch over on the Trimcraft forum.

Hmm.. the top scoop of her ice cream looks a little toxic - perhaps its sour apple flavour.. anywho. I used Kenny K's 'Troublemaker' stamp - isn't she just the best? Hehe. I {love} her hoodie!! I coloured her using ProMarkers on my new Neenah cardstock - so far so good. I can already tell you I like it more than the Rymans 200gsm coated cardstock. The ink stays wetter just that tiny bit longer - allowing for easier blending.

The strip of green woodgrain paper behind the image is from a paper collection by Cosmo Cricket called Mr Campy, I have stamped a senitment from Basic Grey's 'Take Note' stamp set for some added interest, and used the same sentiment for my greeting which was punched using SU!'s tab punch. The ink is 'Cricket' from Amercian Crafts - its their chalk ink and the colours are so vibrant.

I stitched all edges of my three patterned papers, adhered it all to the card and added some Prima pearls to finish it off.

I added some chalk around the stamped image so it didn't look so flat. I can tell you now - she will defo be getting inked up again, she was a dream to colour. Next time - I need to make the whites of her trainers a little more white!! LOL.

Along with the Trimcraft sketch I would like to enter this card into these challenges:
× Kenny K's Krafty Girlz - Its All Abouts 'R's - :Her red hoodie and trainers:
× Our Creative Corner - Getting Wordy - :Green panel is stamped with a sentiment stamp repeatedly:
× Paper Sundaes - Masculine Colours

I also made two more cards today - one is for the next PTD challenge and the other.. well.. how can I put this?.. I hate it! LOL. I was asked by my gran to make a 'New Home' card for one of her carers - I made it, and I looked at it, and the more I kept looking at it the more I disliked it!! Looks like I'll have to start over again tomorrow! Yuck. Don't you just hate it when a plan doesn't come together?!

Thanks for stopping by today!! :) I'm off to do my nails. xo

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge #37 - One Colour

Hey all, thanks for joining me this morning, I hope you have all had a good weekend.

Its time for this week's challenge over at Pear Tree Designs. Thank you to everyone who joined in last week - I loved seeing all of the Valentine's Creations. The winner is Jodi S - http://jodimommyto4.blogspot.com/ if you could contact Donna to claim your prize.

The criteria this time round is 'ONE COLOUR' you can use as many shades of the same colour as you like, aslong as the card has one singular overall colour theme. I can't wait to see what colours you choose..

I stepped a little outside my comfort zone for this one and used shades of purple.

The gorgeous image is from our sponsor this week, Jenni Hamliton. I tried to give her cheek and jawbone a little definition using my ProMarkers but the picture doesn't show it up too clearly. I have been glued to YouTube watching ProMarker and copic tutorials, trying to swat up a bit to develop my technique. If anyone is interested in the channels I watch - give me a shout and I'll do a post with a list of them.

These hearts are made with my gorgeous new die (love love love) Cuttlebug Heart #2, I can see this being used a lot. I added some stickles to the swirls on the patterned paper which is from a digi kit from Sweet Shoppe Designs and tinted in word. I stitched the purple cardstock from American crafts around the edge with my sewing machine, as you can see.. stitching in a straight line is not one of my strong points!

I added some glossy accents to the polka dot patterned paper also from a Sweet Shoppe Designs digi kit. I ruffed up the edges of my image and inked it with some purple chalk ink.

I would like to enter this card into Creative Inspirations challenge - Plain & Simple.
Don't forget to visit Pear Tree Designs and see the great work the other girls have done, and why not join in? I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Lou. xo

Lexi's Creations Challenge #34 - Flowers

Hello hello!! :) Thanks for popping by today.

Congratulations to the Winner: #26 Gemma
and GDS: #28 Lorraine
of last fornights 'Bear' challenge. Get in touch with Lexi and she will sort all your prizes out. There were so many gorgeous entries, I loved looking at everyones creations.
The challenge this fortnight over at Lexi's Creations is FLOWERS! So you can go wild!! A flower stamp, a flower embellishment, flower-y patterned paper - just a few ideas for ya!! :) I can't wait to see what you create.

The prize up for grabs this week is from Ewe 2 Can Craft, they are offering up a beautiful selection of charms for the winner!

I have used the 'Roses' Digi from Fairy Dust Crafts, I have resized it to fit into the largest of the standard ovals nestie. I tried to make the wrapping look like old paper - I don't know how well I have managed that - but hey ho! LOL. I don't feel my ProMarker ability is coming along all that well - maybe with some more time and practice.. or so I keep telling myself.

The spotty green digi paper is from a free digi kit by C Stephens - she designs some gorgeous stuff. I got a few of her sets when I downloaded the free trial of Photoshop - but then the trial ran out and I didn't want to buy the real version - so I use the kits to make hybrid cards now. :)

I added some interest to the background cardstock with a little flower stamp from American Crafts stamped in SU! Crumb Cake ink and then highlighted with Rangers - Glossy Accents. Both the flowers and pearls are from Prima and the brown bakers twine is from The Ribbon Girl.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill - Kraft, SU! Not Quite Navy
Patterned paper: C Stephens digi paper - Spotty Dotty Green
Digis: 'Roses' Digi - Lexi's Creations, Sentiment Ticket - Miss Cute Pie
Stamp: SU! Standard Wheel - Sandy Speckles, American Crafts - Sentiments stamp set
Ink: SU! Crumb Cake
Tools: WRMK - Corner Chomper, Fiskars - Apron Lace border punch
Die: Standard Ovals Large
Misc: white gel pen, Ranger - Glossy Accents
Embellishments: Prima flowers - aqua, green, The Ribbon Girl - brown bakers twine

I hope this has given you an idea, head on over to Lexi's Creations now and show us your flowers.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
× PaperCrafting Journey - Anything Goes
× PaperPlay Challenges - Add Shine
× Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Show Us What You Got
× The Color Dare - CD97 - Marina Night Rock - I hope these colours are close enough.
× Creative Cottage Challenge - Fabulous Florals

Enjoy the rest of your day. xo

CCS#8 - Winter Wishes

Good Sunday morning - I hope you have all had a good weekend, unfortunately it is drawing to a close, but make the most of it while it lasts! I have been working away like a little elf trying to get an ecology assignment finished. Its killing me.. slowly.. urghh.

I have a little card to show you today, using Echo Parks 'Everybody Loves Christmas' collection - I love the colours in this collection, and the style is just soo yummy. I'm becoming a big fan of 12x12 collection packs, as I used to be quite intimidated by them.. not anymore! :)

This card is half of the usual size card I make, so you can get two for the price of one. I kept it pretty simple so it is easy to replicate. I used a fiskars scalloped border punch along the very bottom strip of paper, and I used a labels two die nestie for my sentiment and gorgeous snowflake sticker.

Some more yummy bakers twine from The Ribbon Girl has been used on this card in a lime colour - pulling some of the others colours from the collection to the forefront. I added some machine stitching down either side of the striped patterned paper - I'm not sure what is going on, you can't really see it. Maybe its because my thread is so thin, or maybe my tension needs tightening, I'm not sure.

Anywho, thats all for now, enjoy the rest of your day. Thanks for stopping by. xo

Leopard Print

Hey everyone, just quick post to show you another Konad Nail plate design which I tried out the other day.

I have had a lazy day today - just lounging around trying to get some uni work done. Yuck. So unexiting, but it must be done. In between that I have been window shopping online and taking a look at some peoples blogs. Anywho..

Just a simple gray and black combo - goes with anything! Still needed a bit of tidying up at this point and a top coat applied. Hope you like. :)

First Attempt at SCS Bookmarks

Hey all, I know it has been REALLY quiet on my blog recently.. and for that I apologise.. I have had a lot going on what with uni work and what have you.. but hey!! I'm back with a bang.. I think. I'm going to show you two bookmarks I've made, they are my first ever attempts at something like this. So here goes..

Apologies for the crap photos. This is my first ever attempt, I quickly put it together on Tuesday afternoon/night to give to a friend who plays bingo at the club I play darts for. I wanted it finished to give to her on the Tuesday, so I had to take the photos in a rush and the glitter wasn't dry or anything. Yikes.

I used my most fave ever font, 'CoffeeShop TallSkinny' from Sweet Shoppe Designs. I love love love it. I used a new die from Cuttlebug Heart #2. My papers are digi from Summer Driggs - Almond & Apples collection. I have been watching soooo many tutorials on YouTube about ProMarker and copic techniques that I can't wait to crack open my Neenah cardstock to play. Here you can see a close up of my handmade spiral flowers. They are so tiny because I used a 1" punch to create the circle before cutting it into a spiral.

I have learnt that it is alright if it takes like.. half an hour to colour an image. And its alright to go back over areas to darken or lighten them if it needs it. And its alright if it doesn't turn out perfect first time every time. Thank you YouTube!! LOL. Anywho.. I love this image - Cherrie with Rose - such a cutie, I love her jeans. I can't wait to print a few more of her out and really perfect my colouring!! It needs a lot of work I know.. but hey.. I'm willing to try.



I would like to ask your opinion on her hair.. do you think it looks brunette or ginger? I really like this colour combo, and if I had more time I would have blended it out a little further so the colour change was more gradual. I think I need to print her out in a bigger size next time too. This one was barely 10cm. I used some more of that gorgeous seam binding from The Ribbon Girl. I loveee the colour of it. I added some cinnamon Stickles here and there too for some added interest.

Now onto my second attempt.. this one is for my gran.

I used another Cherrie this time - Cherrie with Mail and the digi paper is from the same kit as before. The blending on her letters is good (for me).. as for her hair.. YACK!! You can totally see the lines. The shading on her jeans has gone totally wrong too! LOL. I have a lot of improvement to make.

These sprial flowers are all made with a 1" punch too, just some are spiralled tighter than others. I used a the Fiskars border punch - Apron Lace and a Spellbinders Borderabilities die.

So there you have it, my very first attempts at the Splitcoast Stampers take on bookmarks. If you are interested in making one of these, the tutorial can be found here. They are really quick (-ish) to make depending on how much you want to decorate them.. and it gives you a good opportunity to use your scraps! :)

Thanks for stopping by today, I'll try and make sure its not such a quiet week next week! LOL. xo

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge #36 - Valentine's Day

♥*♥*♥ HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY ♥*♥*♥

Good morning all, by the time you are reading this I will probably be sitting in my tutors office going over the work I have done in the last week. (I am writing this post on Thurs 10/02 - so still have a few days left to chip away at what needs to be done). I set myself my own targets for the work I would like to see done, and my tutor just goes along with it - lets just hope he nods in agreement because he actually trusts me and not because he can't be bothered to say otherwise.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by. Congrats to last weeks winner of our 'Free For All' Challenge - Christine - http://nanaseaside.blogspot.com/. Contact Donna and she will re-arrange your prize.

I have a lovely valentines card to show you today - as today is thee day! *big grin* I hope Tony likes the card I made him, which can be seen in this post here. If he doesn't I might have to cause him some pain! LOL. This week over at Pear Tree Designs the challenge is VALENTINE'S DAY. So we would like to see how much love you can pack into a card, hehe.

Here is the card I made using a digi image from Meljens Designs called Mailed With Love. I have had this digi since it came out, but this was the first time I had inked it up.

I used both PM's and a few bits of pencil here and there to give the mail box some highlights, I don't know how well it has shown up in the picture but it really looks like red metal. :) The card base is actually white but I distressed the edges with some Old Paper Distress Ink to help the colours of the patterned and ribbon flow better. The patterned paper is the backside of one of the patterns from American Crafts I Heart You collection - I embossed it using the 'Seeing Spots' EF. I stitched it to my card base using my new best friend - Janome Sew Mini. The senitment I typed myself using CoffeeShoppe - TallSkinny font. The ribbon is some seam binding from The Ribbon Girl in the colours 'Oloroso' - even the name of it is dreamy never mind the colour and texture! I secured it in place using a PaperMania brad.

I distressed all the edges using my Tonic - Paper Distresser, and went over then with Old Paper Distress Ink. Looking at this picture - I think the wood on my post could have been a little darker - but hey ho!

I love this font from Sweet Shoppe Designs - totally my style, I just wish I could write like that! LOL. Thank goodness for word processing.

Anyway, I would like to enter this card into these challenges:
× Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes
× Cute Card Thursday - #151 - Hearts & Flowers
× My Grafico - Anything Goes
× Ellephantastic Challenge - Distressing With A Love Theme
× One Stop Craft Challenges - Love Is In The Air

Thanks for stopping by today, if you have any questions please let me know. Head on over to Pear Tree Designs now and show us your lovey dovey creations. I can't wait. xo

*** LAUNCH OF PTD ON FACEBOOK ***

http://en-gb.facebook.com/people/Pear-Tree-Challenges/100002078617829

Here you will hear of new's, our weekly challenges and other things going on! So please go over and take a look.

CCS#7 - 'Tis The Season

Hey there, thanks for stopping by today. The 7th week already, can you believe it? I hope you have been following this series - it really will give you some inspiration for those much needed Christmas cards to add to your stash.

This time round I have used some patterned paper from Echo Park - Everybody Loves Christmas. Never mind love Christmas - I love this collection. I plan on making a set of 3 or 5 cards soon using this kit - as its so versatile!!

Anyway, onto this weeks card.

Gorgeously gorgeous non-traditional Christmas colours. This paper collection inspires me so much, I could quite happily make the rest of my Christmas cards using it. Its just a shame there is only one slice of each paper! BUT!! I need to stop hording paper, right? Right!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Bazzil - Kraft, SU! - Garden Green

Patterned paper: Echo Park - Everybody Loves Christmas

Stamp: Whimsy Stamps - Holiday Ticket Sentiments

Ink: Dew Drop Brilliance - Moonlight White

Embellishment: 1.5"x12" strip of patterned paper, yellow satin ribbon, Prima eLine yellow pearl, Stickles - Star Dust, Basic Grey - Eskimo Kisses button

Die: Whimsy Stamps - Ticket Die

Embossing Folder: Swiss Dots

Tools: Hougie score board, Making Memories - Slice (Fa La La), SU! mat pack & paper piercer, Fiskards border punch - Apron Lace

Miscellaneous: beige embroidery floss, brown fineliner

How do 'ya fancy that arty shot then? LMBO!! Totally wasn't planned - it just sorta happened.. and I sorta like it. Wouldn't win any photography competitions though, thats for sure!

Hope to see you again soon! Thats all for now. xo

Love Love Love..

Gosh, I think this will be the FOURTH Valentine's card I have made this year - if you include DT cards too. I don't know what is up with me! LOL. Its a pretty simple make - with no image (giving myself a break from ProMarkers until my Neenah cardstock arrives.. whenever that might be)..

Pink and brown colour combo - yum. I gotta be honest, I'm not too huge on pink, but when I use it with browns and creams I like it. :) I don't mind working with the colours - its just not a colour I would choose as one of my faves!

I used this sentiment last week (or was it the week before?) on the card I made for my boyfriend for Valentine's Day (obviously).. and I thought it was just genius so I've used it again! LOL. The charm is from Bunny Zoe Crafts and the pink bakers twine is from The Ribbon Girl. I cut the sentiment using nesties ovals and the hearts are punched from American Crafts - I Heart You patterned paper and the SU! Heart to Heart punch. I used some Cotton Candy stickles around the edge of the oval.

I would like to enter this card into these challenges:
× Creative Craft World - Love Card Challenge
× Penny's Paper Crafty - Hearts A Flutter
× Simon Says Stamp - Love Is In The Air
× Crafty Purple Frog - Valentine's Day/Romance
× Bunny Zoe Crafts - #8 - Love Is In The Air
× Raise The Bar - #52 - Hearts
× Prairie Fairy Fridays - For A Sweetheart
× Allsorts Challenge - It Must Be Love Love Love
× Papertake Weekly - Have A Heart
× Paper Playtime #37 - Use Cupid OR Hearts

I have had a pretty successful day again today, I know what you're thinking - two days in a row! But hey, I gotta get my bottom into gear! I didn't get all my lab work finished - can I get a "BOO!!", as the lab tech had to leave early due to home commitments - so I'll have to rearrange to get it done next week sometime - I'm gutted. But, on a brighter note - I have completed loads of my methodology write up, I'm beginning to feel good about this dissertation malarky eventually.. but for how long?! LOL.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm off to grab some tea - I've just got in from uni. Might have to have a little cat nap before I head on up to the club to help my Mam behind the bar and lock up.

xo

Little Boy Birthday

Hey all, its been a veeeery long day today - was up at 7 to get to uni for a 9 o'clock lecture which lasted two hours, yuck. It was really interesting though, it was about health and infectious diseases in an environmental hazard context. After that I had a quick bite to eat and then I headed straight up to the labs to get some more sample testing done for my dissertation. I got a lot done, more than I thought I would have actually - so I'm back in again tomorrow after dinner to carry out two more tests on 10 samples then I am D-O-N-E with the labwork. Can I get a 'Hooray'.
I came across a sketch yesterday which really inspired me, so I decided to make a few little boys birthday cards - just to keep in my stash last night. I seen the Cosmo Cricket - Lil' Man collection down by the side of my desk - so I set to work.

Here are some of the items I used on both of the cards. I had already precut some card bases earlier last week, I just needed to score them. Some SU! products - Old Olive ink pad and the extra large star punch. I printed some sentiments from my computer using 'junkos typewriter' font. All the paper came from Cosmo Cricket - Lil' Man collection pack.

Here is the sketch I was following:

This is from Skipping Stones Design - Sketch #63

I love the gold eyelets on this card - they are so big and masculine! They're brilliant for threading bakers twine, ribbon and other things through as an alternative to tying a bow or knot.

You just know I had to get a little (a lot) of stitching on these cards! *big grin* I'm officially addicted to my sewing machine! LOL.



I used my Fiskars scallop sentiment border punch for the scalloped border on each card. Really quick and easy. I love the three border punches I have - I have been neglecting them a bit lately, along with a lot of my other tools including my Slice - which I feel really guilty about.

You know what? It felt good using so much patterned paper on one card - usually I hold back. But as you know - its one of my resolutions to not allow myself anymore paper until I make at least 100 cards - so I may aswell use some of the paper I have sitting around doing nothing but looking pretty!!

Anyhoo, I'm going to lie down for a short while to take the weight off of my feet. I have been standing from about half 11 til 5 doing lab work - luckily I managed to get a seat home on the Metro (which is a rarity) if I hadn't I fear my poor legs might have gave way! LOL. I'm going to the darts competition single games tonight, a few of the ladies on my team are playing so I have to make sure I keep them on the right track and give them some encouragement!!

Thanks for stopping by. xo

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge #35 - Free For All

Hey all, thanks for joining me today, we have another 'Free For All' challenge over at PTD, so you can go wild and show us your creations! I can't wait to see them all. Remember its a maximum of two entries per blog!!

The prize up for grabs this week is from Crafty Sentiments, they will be offering the winner 3x digi stamps of their choice. The DT had the opportinity to use some of the Crafty Sentiments images - but I have been a bit crap of late and didn't get round to reading the email off Donna with the attatchments, so my card features a Greeting Farm image.



They have some gorgeous digi stamps on offer as well as loads more, so why not head on over and take a look? :)

Here is my DT card for the challenge. I thought I would offer up some inspiration for a male card - as it seems a lot of people struggle with cards for males. Even without the image - the colours, the rough torn edges along with the stars always make for a successful male card/creation.

This is one of the first cards I made using my new roller stamp from SU! called Sandy Speckles, its great for adding that little bit extra to your card base or focal point. I have done both on this card.

I have paper pieced his little top using some Basic Grey papers. This is why I sometimes prefer rubber stamps over digi stamps as you have total control over placement and can select just the right area of paper for paper piecing.

I would like to enter this card into these challenges:
× Catch The Bug - February - Anything Goes
× The Stamping Bazaar Friday Challenge - Anything Goes
× Charisma Cardz Challenges - No Embellishments
× Stampin with the Dragon - Anything Goes

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill - Kraft, SU! Garden Green, Old Olive, Core'dinations - Chocolate Box
Patterned paper: Basic Grey - Archaic
Stamps: The Greeting Farm - Oh Boy! Ian, Basic Grey - To Do's, SU! Sandy Speckles Standard Wheel
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black, SU! Garden Green, Crumb Cake
Sentiment: Imaginisce - Delicious Wishes rub ons
Tools: Fiskars - Scallop Sentiment border punch,  SU! extra large star punch, Basic Grey - rub on roller, WRMK - corner rounder, Tim Holtz Alterations - Vintage Market Alpha Sizzlit
Embossing Folder: Tim Holtz Alterations - Bricked, Cuttlebug - Tiny Bubbles
Misc: white gel pen, Ranger - Glossy Accents, ProMarkers, sander, Adirondack acrylic paint dabber - Espresso

I hope this has given you some inspiration for those oh so hard male cards, remember, stars stars stars and rough and ragged edges!! :) They are my two key tips anyway.

Head on over to Pear Tree Designs and join in now, I can't wait to see what you come up with. xo