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Thursday, July 31, 2008

Arty Girlz Challenge #45 - Blue

This weeks challenge over on the Arty Girlz Challenge Blog is "Blue". I really didn't think I was going to play along this week as I couldn't find anything blue that inspired me.....and then I as I was sorting through my papers and putting them into my new trolley (the one that holds the Artbins) I found some K&Co "Mira" papers and embellishments.....and inspiration hit me between the eyes.

So for both cards I have used pieces of the same sheet of 12x12, plus 3D embellishments and sentiments. All images are Tilda, coloured with my Prisma's and blended with Sansador using paper stumps.

Today is my last working day this week, as during the school holidays I am just working Tues-Thurs. So Georgia are going to be spending some time crafting and tidying Mummy's craft room/mess.



Wednesday, July 30, 2008

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 10 - Animal Magic


Here is my card for this weeks challenge over on A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge Blog. This week the theme is "Animal Magic" and I am a cat lover so used my gorgeous hAnglar & stAnglar stamp for this card. The kittens in the basket was a stamped image given to me ages ago by Kim in a swap...thanks Hun. For the rest of the card I have used Basic Grey "Blush" papers, which I also used to make a paper bloom. I have then used a button and thread to hold it together and attached it with 3D pop-up glue dots. The ribbon is choc chic taffeta by Stampin' Up and I added some pearl bling and finally a sentiment by Hero Arts.

Tonight I really must get cracking on a card for my Dad's birthday in August. I am not sure if the card will involve any stamping....but I did buy an embroidered pint of beer...with sequins, so may well use that.

Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge - Beads

This week over on Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge Blog the theme is "Beads". They came be big, small...any size at all.
For my ATC I used two of the Magnolia Summer Stamp Club stamps...the lanterns and Edwin playing the guitar. I wanted to create a party atmosphere. Apart from the stamps I have used Basic Grey "Euphoria" papers, and some lush beads kindly given to Georgia and I by Marlene and Laurelle....thanks sweetie. I added the beads to wire with the odd twist to create a hanger....now I can hang my ATC up.





So Georgia decided that she wanted to join in the fun this week and made this super cute ATC. She has used Paris/Chic Tilda. Which she coloured with her own pencils and blended with Sansador...she lurrrvvvvessss to blend. The papers are K&Co "Berry Sweet". She added the beads to a heart pin, the pin is either by Fancy Pants or Heidi Grace.....I cannot remember as I have had pins from both companies. Anyway Georgia added some of the beads to the pin.











She also created this one for last weeks challenge using buttons. She has used Rhonna Farrer papers with one of the Magnolia Summer Stamp Club stamps. Again coloured with her own pencils and blended with Sansador. She even added a touch if her own by adding bling to the bubbles in the glasses...just to give them an extra fizz.

So this week, why not get the kids involved. If they are anything like Georgia, they will have great fun.


Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Friday Sketchers - Sketch 12

OK, still catching up from the weekend, so here is my card using this weeks sketch over on Friday Sketchers.

I have used one of my hAnglar and stAnglar stamps with a sentiment by Catslife Press. All the papers used are Basic Grey "Blush", some Crystal Stickers flat back pearl gems. The ribbon is choc chip taffeta by Stampin' Up, and some lace from an old ScrapaGoGo kit. I really do love this image, and cannot believe that I originally never ordered it, and only came to own it because it was ordered in error.

Tilda & Co Challenge 29 "It's a Bugs Life"

The designers over on Tilda & Co Challenge Blog are taking a break this week, which gave me a chance to catch up on last weeks challenge of "It's a Bugs Life". So here is my card. I have used all Magnolia stamps with the esception of the sun stamp which is a Sugar Nellie stamp.

The paper used is Basic Grey "Euphoria", the sentiment is by Hero Arts and the brad is from Around the Blog and was in June ScrapaGoGo kit.

All images have been coloured with Prismacolor's and blended with Sansador using paper stumps.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Penny Black Saturday Challenge 7 "Down on the Farm"

The challenge this week over on Penny Black Saturday Challenge Blog is "Down on the Farm". Lucky for me Marlene let me stamp this image on Thursday or I wouldn't have been able to take part as I don't own and PB Farm Animal Stamps.

Anyway, I have used Chatterbox "Sun Room" papers that I dug out from the bottom of my stash. American Craft ribbon, MAMBI Bling flower, and other bling from my stash. The sentiment is by Studio G, plus a few doodlebug rubons. As always I have coloured with Prismacolor's and blended with Sansador using paper stumps.

I am slowly working my way through the challenges I missed over the weekend, plus working on a couple more layouts.

Tomorrow Georgia starts her Holiday club at the local leisure centre. She is going three days a week for the rest of the holidays allowing me to work, and her to have fun with her friends from school.

WOW another award


This morning I woke to find that the lovely Elisabeth Bell (designer of the Sweet Ebony stamps for Sugar Nellie) had left me a comment on my blog....and also given me an award....what an honour...what a designer!!

This Wylde Award started from http://www.tammyvitale.com/, she produces fabulous art and she wanted to give something back so please link back to her blog so that she can visit all these wonderful blogs. And remember the purpose of the award....

~To send love and acknowledgement to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy! ~

Again as I search through all the blogs I find inspiration from, many have received this award already....so as before, if you are a regular reader of my blog, please consider yourself awarded AGAIN.

July 2008 ScrapaGoGo DT


So a little late, but here was one of the designs I did for ScrapaGoGo with the July kit. I loved this LO as I included an envelope on the back of the layout which flaps over to the front and contains extra photos uncropped and stitched onto cardstock with my sewing machine.

Also over the weekend I gbot my first glimpse of the August 2008 Scrapbook Trends and my Urban Lily Secret Keeper Mini Book made the cut and appeared as a double page spread...and I think it looked fab. I was so overjoyed that it made it...Now I am just waiting for my copies, goodies and mini book to come to me.

Layout from my weekend away


I am so pleased with this layout that I did from a fab sketch provided by Eileen Webdale, a talented lady on the GoGo DT. Her original layout had 5 photos but I only had 4, so it is slightly different...but that is the beauty of a sketch....looking at all the variations. I have used October Afternoon "Detours" papers, Chatterbox "Artylicious" buttons, plus some from my stash. Prima Bling "Wings" and Doodlebug "Loopy Lou" letters in the swimmingpool colour.

I had such a productive weekend, I completed my final entries in two CJ's and did 2 DT Layouts for August (which I cannot show) plus this and one other layout (which I will show tomorrow).

Today Georgia and I are spending the day together...I missed her so so much. She drew me a picture and on the back she told me how much she missed me.

I will be back shortly with a couple of cards I made once I got home yesterday...it was just too hot to sleep, so I stayed up late....AGAIN!

Friday, July 25, 2008

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 20 "Things that grow"

Ok, so here is the card I made for this weeks challenge on Cute Card Thursday. I stamped and coloured the image at home and put together the card at Marlene's house with full access to all the amazing stash in her craft room.

The images are both by hAnglar & stAnglar and I used the masking technique to get them closer together. The sentiment is by Hero Arts. The papers are a mixutre of Cosmo Cricket "Dutch Girl" (how appropriate that a Dutch Girl let me use them...LOL) and My Minds Eye. The flowers are by Making Memories and Prima and the button is by Chatterbox. The ribbon is lush velvet and came from Marlene's extensive ribbon stash. The centres of the flowers are red bling. The sketch is a lovely one from Katarina. I saw it on Marlene's desk and just wanted to use it.

After a lovely long lie-in this morning....we didn't get up until 8.45am, I am busy packing as I am off on a scrapping weekend with the Wyverstone Crop ladies.....Janice, Lorraine and the rest of the gang. I am going to get to meet up with my GoGo DTY buds Ifa, Eileen, Karen, Nicola, KarenM and Sue (who I have not had the pleasure of meeting before). My bedroom bud again this year is the lovely Ifa....so I am sure that I don't snore as she was happy to share with me again...LOL

Anyway, I better get my butt off this computer and finish packing clothes.

Wow what a FAB day!!!

Georgia and I spent a wonderful fun filled day with Marlene and Laurelle yesterday. We arrived in Coventry at their beautiful home at approx 10.45am and left at 9.oopm and all the hours in between were great. The girls played as though they had know each other forever. Going between the Garden Centre and the trampoline in the garden to colouring, playing with toys and watching tv...they were a couple of mini whirlwinds. While the girls were playing Marlene and I spent our time in her amazing....and I mean amazing craft room. I finished my card for Cute Card Thursday using all her stash...and I was allowed to use whatever I wanted. The time flew by it really did and all too soon we had to leave. But not before we went into the garden for some photos. The one above is of Marlene and her daughter Laurelle.


This shot is of Marlene on the trampoline....that lady can sure bounce....LOL.

This final one is of Georgia on the trampoline. You can tell she is a gymnast...just check out the straight legs!!!! You can also tell she in concentrating as her tongue is sticking out....LOL
We both came home laden with beads and I came home with a couple of stamps, and a pile of stamped images...enough to keep my busy for a while. We cannot wait for a repeat performance
Thank you so much Marlene and Laurelle you made us feel like family in your home.
Huggles & Smoochies.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Award

Received this lovely award from Debby4000 this yesterday!! thanks so much
The rules of this award,

1. Only 5 people allowed.

2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog.

3. one has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.

4. you must link back to whoever gave you the award.

Quite simple really, it is a way of saying thankyou to those who take time out leaving wonderful comments to boost your day.

Okay, so every person I went to give the award to had already received it. So if you are a regular reader of my Blog...Thank You, and consider yourself awarded.


Thanks to all the ladies above who have provided inspiration via their blogs.

Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge - Buttons

This weeks challenge is to use buttons on your ATC. So here is mine, I used Sailor Tilda and the bunting stamp. The papers are Sassafras Lass "Serendipity" and I have used a Karen Foster Button Brad and my ATB Tape Writer for the wording.

With most Kids either about to break up or already broken up for the summer holidays. ATC's are an ideal creative outlet for kids. Georgia (aged 6) has already said she wants to make one. So next week, join us and get the kids involved. I promise to show what Georgia makes.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Baby Brag Book


This week amoungst sorting all the teachers and teaching assistants gifts, I was busy working on this little book for a lady called Andrea who works at one of my clients. Her baby is due in August and she leaves work very soon. The book is by Lippy Chick, I think it is the "flop" one and I have used a mixture of products. All papers were 7Gypsies "Oh baby Girl" and then I have added products inc. Heidi Swapp crowns, CI rubons, Heidi Swapp stamps, MAMBI bling...the list just keeps going.

Anyway she was thrilled and has promised to show it to me once she has added pictures to the pages.


These are the inside pages...plenty of little spaces to add pics and also details of the birth (weight, time etc).

Monday, July 21, 2008

Sarah Kay Challenge 3 "Too Posh to be Square"


I feel like I am playing catch up. I had the last couple of cards loaded since Monday but have only just got around to posting them.

This is my card for this weeks Sarah Kay Challenge. The theme was "Too posh to be square", so I have made a rectangular tri-fold card. I used the "Margaux is painting" stamp and sentiment by Hero Arts. The papers are Paper Mania "Simply Elegant" and I have coloured with image with my Prismacolor's and blended with Sansador using paper stumps.

I cannot believe tomorrow is the last day of the school year...boy are we ready for it in this household. On Thursday Georgia and I are travelling to Coventry to see Marlene and her lovely daughter Laurelle....and we cannot wait. Then on Friday after lunch I am off to the Thornham Retreat run by ScrapaGoGo....so a weekend of fab company and scrapping.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge 6 "Snow Much Fun"


Here is my card for this weeks challenge over on Penny Black Saturday Challenge Blog. The theme this week was "Snow Much Fun". I have used my Penny Black Penguin Stamp, with a Penny Black sentiment stamp. For the snow part of the challenge I added Doodlebug Flock in white around the feet of the penguins. All papers used a Basic Grey "Blitzen" and I also added a little bling. All images have been coloured with my Prismacolor's and blended with Sansador using paper stumps.

Friday Sketchers - Sketch 11

The sketch this week over on Friday Sketchers was a lovely simple one. I so badly wanted to use one of the Sugar Nellie Halloween stamps from the set and this seemed like a nice sketch to use it with. My fave from the set of stamps was the "mummy" one. I have used an image sent to me by a friend (I didn't buy them as this was the only one I wanted) and the sentiment is by Woodware. I have used Prima "Angelique" papers with a piece of black ribbon that came from an old ScrapaGoGo kit. The image is coloured simply with Primacolor's and blended with Sansador using paper stumps.

Thanks for another great sketch ladies.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 19 " Animals Only - No People Allowed"

This weeks challenge over on Cute Card Thursday is "Animals Only - No People Allowed", so I had to have a search through my stamps as I seem to have a shortage of animal stamps...sounds like the excuse I need to go and buy some more animal ones...like I need an excuse.

The main image is a Penny Black stamp, and I cannot remember what it is called, with a sentiment stamp by Hero Arts. The papers are all Basic Grey "Blush", with a little added pearl bling by Crystal Stickers and choc chip taffeta ribbon from Stampin' Up....a simple card. The image has been coloured with Prismacolor's and blended with Sansador using paper stumps.

I love these challenges and the work of the CCT DT is always amazing.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Hawaii Tilda


My gorgeous new Hawaii Tilda and accessories arrived yesterday and I just couldn't resist a card...even though it doesn't fit with any challenge themes...this is just one for me!

So I have used Hawaii Tilda, Hibiscus Flowers and Leaves and the Palm Tree. All images were stamped with black Versafine ink and coloured with my Prismacolor's and blended with Sansador using paper stumps. The only other items I used were a piece of Basic Grey "Euphoria" patterned paper and my ATB tape writer for the sentiment. I adore hibiscus flowers so these stamps were a must have for me.

Another busy day here on Thursday as I went to school and took another 50-60 pics of the Year 2 kids with their teachers and ta's. The teachers have bought each of the leavers a photo frame and the photo will be added....I think it is a lovely idea, and they loved my pics. Funnily enough I think I may have gained three...yes three paid photo sessions with a couple of the parents and oa staff member of one of my clients....so not bad at all. So tomorrow is the school BBQ and Georgia also has a Gymnastics Festival....joy oh joy another crazy weekend as I also have visitors staying....I am so gonna need a break. Less than a week until I meet up again with Marlena the Cray Brummy Dutch Girl....and I cannot wait.

Ok back to sorting and tidying...no rest for the wicked.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Teachers Gifts

As the end of the school year is fast approaching, I have been busy making things for the teachers and their assistants. Here are the first two things I have completed. The first is Georgia's teacher. Recently they went on a very wet school trip to the local Birds of Prey centre....I use the word centre in a very loose sense...it was pretty basic, which proved a bit of a disaster when it rain the whole day and they had to cut the trip short and were back in school just after lunch. Anyway the staff took pictures with each of the kids holding a bird and I managed to snaffle this picture of Georgia's teacher. As soon as I saw it, I knew it would go with a sheet of paper I had left from a kit I got at ScrapFever....All the papers used are by Sassafras Lass and the stickers are by American Craft, and I just added some pen to them to make them stand out more. The canvas and easels were from Poundland last year and I managed to get hold of loads which I have kept hold of as they make fab gifts.

The second canvas is of one of the TA's, she was supposed to be the TA of Georgia's teacher, but due to a member of staff being sick elsewhere in the school they moved her to cover Year 2 as they were about to sit their SAT's...sadly she never got back to her original class and will not be with the next year as she is moving down to the Foundation classes. The picture was one that I took at the Year 2 Leavers Prom last week. The papers are all Bo Bunny with added bling by MAMBI.

I have also decorated little tin buckets with flowers and WRMK designer brads for each of them...and filled them with school supplies. I think they are deserve a bottle of wine too. The clock for Georgia's teacher is almost finished, I just need to get 3 more pictures printed...I printed them too big the first time so they don't quite fit. This leaves just 4 cards to be made....almost done...phew...

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 8 "One for the Girls"

This weeks challenge over on A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge Blog is "One for the Girl". So as my new Sugar Nellies arrived yesterday...I couldn't resist.

I have used the new Pen Pal stamp, with a sentiment by Stampendous. The papers and ribbon are all by Bo Bunnywith added bling by Kan Ban. The tab was made using my new Stampin' Uo punch.


I had a little accident while making this card late last night....I dropped my ink pad on the original stamped image...after I had spent ages colouring....

So being me I couldn't not leave it unfinish...so stamped again and coloured and finally finished at 2.30am....

Lovely work from the DT again this week...such a talented bunch.