I'm Back In Blog Land!!

Hi lovely bloggers, and many thanks for all your kind messages while I was away.

I've been so busy since we returned from Madeira. When we got home I had three requests for personalised cards needed within a few days.  They were all from really nice people, and I didn't have the heart to say no, so the washing etc has had to wait.  I will take some photo's of all my crochet makes, and some holiday memories and upload them later.

In the mean time...here is just one of the cards I had to make by today.  It was a bit of a rush, so I'm hoping it will be suitable for the recipient.

I used an 8" square (205mmx 205mm) cream card base. Some beautiful swarovski crystals, but they don't show up very well on the photo.  The sentiment was computer generated onto the largest Spellbinders labels twenty die. I made the flower and leaves from basil card stock.  The seam binding is peach, from the Ribbon Girl, and the border punch is Martha Stewart.

I'm now off to make a start on the other cards, but not before visiting a few of my favourite blogs to see what you've all been up to.

I've missed you all xxx

Back To My Crochet Flowers

Hi lovely bloggers.  I found a lovely lace shop and some fine crochet cottons.  Been crocheting some flowers, so will let you see them when I get back to the UK.  I´m in an internet cafe, and everything is in Portugese, so having a bit of a problem. The weather has been mixed here in Madeira, but very warm.  We have been watching the enormous cruise ships sail in and out.  I`m really missing my papercrafts and all the blogging, but enjoying the break.  Speak soon.  Miss you all  xx

Missing My Papercrafts

Hi lovely bloggers,  I'm away until the end of May, we're spending some time at our lovely retreat in Madeira.  I'm missing my papercrafting and don't get much chance to blog.  So I'll look forward to seeing all your lovely creations when we get back.  Take care everyone! xxx

Less Is More Challenge - Off Centre

I missed last weeks challenge, so thought I had better get moving with this entry for the Less Is More challenge - Off Centre.

As I've mentioned previously, I love my camelias...so I now have a cut file and then I can make lots and lots of them. I cut the petals in plain white, and then brushed the edges with pink ink.  The stamens are held in place with silicone glue, the layers of card were too thick to get them through.  Leaves are a Marianne die, again cut in white and then ink stained.  Square card was embossed and then inked with same colour as petals.

Thank you for stopping by xx

Seam Binding Flowers

While fiddling about with my seam binding, I came up with these little ruffle flowers.  You will need about 20cm, (8 inches), of seam binding for each flower.  Just do a running stitch down the long edge of the seam binding, gather up and stitch to make a circle, and that's all there is to it.  The leaves are from a Marianne die, and I stained them with glimmer mist.  Although the colour on the embossed card looks blue, it's actually green chalk. The little gems on the crochet edge die are swarovski crystals. Sentiment is a JustRite stamp. The seam binding is from The Ribbon Girl.

Thank you for stopping by and enjoy your Easter holiday xx

Easter Treats

Happy Easter!! to everyone! If you're in the UK, I hope you're enjoying this fabulous weather we're having.
I made a few of these little treat bags for the little ones of family, and friends.  I made boxes last year.  But you can fit more eggs into these cello bags, and I like the little bunny bag toppers for a change.  I coloured the bunnies and grass with Pro Markers.

Enjoy the rest of your Easter holiday, and thank you for stopping by xx

Sentiment Focus

I love sentiments on the fronts of cards.  So when I saw the Less Is More week 10 challenge, I just had to make a card.  However, I was too late to enter, I thought the challenge ended Saturday, but it was today - Never mind!  Just another thing to add to my Ooops! list this week. LOL!!

I have a collection of sentiments on my computer, which I've saved over the years, so I used one of those.  It's a favourite, I love the words.  The bottom half of the card is embossed with the garden swirl embossing folder.

Thank You! for stopping by and enjoy your weekend xx

Easter Egg Bird House

After yesterday's disaster with my blog, I never got the chance to upload this little easter project.

I'm making a few of these for friends.  They're filled with little easter eggs.  I cut the bird house on my Silhouette.  It didn't have the decorative eaves around the roof, so I made some with a MS punch to make it look more pretty.  I made the tiny flowers from vellum, and the leaves with an L-Em punch.  The birds are from my stash.

Thank You! for stopping by! xx

Burning the Midnight Oil!!

It's almost 3.00 a.m. and I've just finished loading my new blog template, and changing all the text colours etc.  I've had a real problem.  By just downloading a blinkie, it wiped out my background and I couldn't get it back.  So I've had to do it all again.  I'm not too sure about this set I've used, so I might change it again when I feel up to it. I'm feeling quite weary right now.

Fabulous Friend

It's been one of those days today...you know? One of those when nothing goes right.  I also think that someone hacked into my blog, because my Mariposa background and blinkie have disappeared.  Then, I couldn't get a clear photo of my card, no matter what I did it just looked blurry.  So I'm hoping that tomorrow is a better day.

Just a quickie card for a friend...who I think IS fabulous!! The image is from Pink Petticoat.  I coloured her with Pro Markers, then glittered over her dress with Glamour Dust.  The flowers were coloured with Pro Markers and then sprayed with glimmer mist. Sentiment is computer generated.

Thank you for stopping by xx

Kindness Box

Hi lovely boggers!  I hope you have all enjoyed a lovely weekend.  It's been glorious here in the UK.

I've made this tubular box to put some goodies in as an Easter gift for someone who has been very kind to me.  I'm also entering it into the Shabby Tea Room 'Spring Colour Challenge'.

I just love the colours they are so delicate and I've really enjoyed making this.  The papers are from K&Co.  The label is from the JustRite 'Kindness' collection.  I cut the rose, leaf and butterfly on my Silhouette.  The rose petals were plain white paper, so before I assembled it I coloured the edges with Color Box rouge chalk, and leaf with petal green chalk.  I also added some stamen.  The butterfly was a print and cut download from Silhouette, but I added some more colours then gilded the edges.
Thanks for stopping by x

Just Because - Pentagon Treat Tube

I saw this demoed on SCS today and just had to make one.  My friend has just done me a big favour, so I bought her a little bottle of her favourite perfume.  It fits inside this box perfectly!  If you would like to make one, here is the link to the visual and video tutorial... 'Pentagon Treat Tube'
I almost forgot to say....For my tube/box, I used double sided heavy weight paper, (which is more like card stock), from the 'Tilda' 'Classic' paper stack. The stamp is HOTP which I stamped in red then coloured over with a red Sakura stardust pen to give a shimmery finish.

Thank you for stopping by x

JustRite Stamps - Kindness

Yay! Today I received my JustRite cling stamps... and I love 'em!  They stamp so nicely with having the cling backing. Much better than my older set which doesn't have the cling.  The base of my card is embossed using a 'Craft Concepts' embossing folder.  The birdie is the sizzix sizzlit 'swallow' die.  For the bird, I did the direct to paper technique with lemon and pink pigment ink and embossed with clear powder.  The stamp set is called 'Kindness'.

Such a dull and dreary day today, photo's not so good.

Thanks for stopping by x

Ribbon Girl Give Away

Here are all the goodies up for grabs over at the Ribbon Girl Blog.  Such gorgeous coloured Embellishments!  Plus!!..Molly Blooms Rubber Stamp 'Molly Painting'.

With Warm Thoughts

I'm entering this card into The Ribbon Girl Colour Challenge #6.  The colours for this months challenge are gorgeous springtime yellow and green.  I used K&Company papers for my background.  For my rosette I used plain white card, punched the edge with a Martha Stewart punch, then pleated it, stained the edges and added the pearl centre. The seam binding and fancy pin are from The Ribbon Girl.  I added extra pearls and beads to the pin.  The seam binding is antique gold.

Thank you for stopping by x

My Folk Art Painting

I went a bit mad today and uploaded two cards.  It was sunny and warm again, so I went into the garden to paint some of my planters that were looking tired and needed some fresh painted flowers and roses.  I have never painted onto cards before, I usually like to paint onto a larger canvas.  But I gave it a go and my little spray didn't turn out too bad.  So I may just try it again.  I coated a piece of card with pale green acrylic, then gave it a coat of sealant.  When that had dried I painted my leaves first, then the rose buds and finally the daisies.  Paper is from Pink Petticoat, ribbon from stash, and the sentiment is one from Hot of the Press.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Easter Wishes

It's been such a beautiful day, it made me want to make Easter cards.  I love this image from Crafty Secrets. The little birds all in their Easter bonnets.  The paper is K&Company. I made the frame with a Martha Stewart punch and slightly turned up the edges to give a frill effect.  Seam binding from The Ribbon Girl.  Floral embellishment from stash, and the sentiment is computer generated, because I didn't have a stamp with the sentiment I wanted.

Thank you for stopping by x

                              

Vintage Postcard

I'm feeling a bit more creative this week. Mojo went missing for a while LOL!  I haven't done any stamping on this card, but I just adore this vintage postcard image, (which is from a set I bought recently), they all print out perfectly.  For the postcard, I aged the edges, added a little sparkle to the butterfly,  then added a couple of corners and pearls.  The seam binding, twine and pin are from 'The Ribbon Girl'.  Lace and other embellishments are from my stash.

Thank you for stopping by xx

Frames on Frame

For this card I used a MS punch around the page set.  Main frame is 5"x 5" corners 31/4"x 31/4".  The smaller frames are layered over the large one.  Sentiment is by JustRite.  The camelia print is from a set I bought.  Camelia's were my dear dad's favourites.  He grew them and I have lots around my garden in all his favourite spots.

Thank you for stopping by x

Less Is More - Muted Roses

This is my take on  'Off the Edge' which is this weeks challenge on 'Less Is More'.  I have used a Rubber Stampede stamp that I bought years ago in America.  I don't think it's available anymore.  I coloured the image using ProMarkers.  The stentiment stamp is by Hot Off the Press, and that's years old too.

Thanks for stopping by x

Wedding Card

I've been busy making a few papercrafts for a wedding and haven't had much time to blog for a few days.  I made this card to accompany a gift for the bride on her wedding day.  My trusty Silhouette came in nicely to cut the heart shaped card.  I embossed it after cutting and it was a bit tricky fitting the heart shape into the folder.  I eventually did it, but had to cover the joining with the bow.  I stamped the words with a Rubber Stampede stamp and used VersaMark clear ink.  The embossing powder is 'Madanna Robe Blue Gold' by Moon Glow.  I bought it from 'The Stamp Man' quite a few years ago.  Ribbon, pearls and heart embellishment are from my stash.

Many thanks for stopping by x

Roses & Ivy

For this card I used DCWV 'Nana's Nursery' designer paper. I die cut the Die-namics label and then embossed it three times with Orbit Olive Gold embossing powder to give it an enamel effect.  The ivy leaves were made using cold porcelain, a tiny cutter, and a vining tool.  I painted them with H20 paints.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sew A Little Happiness

I made this box out of Kraft card a while ago, and decided it was time to do something with it.  I had a few little haberdashery embellishments, and then I downloaded the new 'Material Girl' designs from Pink Petticoat, (the little sewing machine and sentiments).  The sewing machine was coloured with Pro Markers.  I used some lace, and coloured one length by spraying with glimmer mist.  The papers are K & Company and Pinkpaislee. I used bakers devine twine, (The Ribbon Girl), to attach the tag.

Little Gift Set

I haven't had much free time to papercraft this week : (  But I had to make this little gift set for a friend.  I used the 'Tilda Classics' paper stack, which I love.  The label is by Die-namics, it's from the 'Frames and Greetings' die and stamp set.  Which is available from Tracy at Dies to die for.  Thanks for stopping by and have a lovely weekend.

Stylish Blogger Award!

Today I was thrilled to bits when Pauline from Craft Obsession sent me this 'Stylish Blogger Award'.  Thank you so much Pauline!!

The rules for accepting the award are...


1. Thank and link back to the person who gave it to you - Thank you so much Pauline!

2. Share 8 things about myself.

3. Choose 8 bloggers to share it with.

4. Contact the bloggers to let them know.

Here we go - eight things about me...

1.  I love most music, and always have it playing in the background while I'm crafting.

2.  I like sci-fi,  paranormal and scary movies, but daren't watch the last two on my own - LOL!  I'm following 'Outcasts' and I'm looking forward to the next episodes of 'The Event'.

3.  I love Spring and Summer...spending lots of time in the sunshine outside in our garden, and in the Yorkshire Dales.

4.  I love animals, and up until a few years back we always had a dog.  But I can't bear the thoughts of loosing another one.

5.  I don't sleep very well, hence me starting to type this at almost 2.00 a.m!!

6.  My favourite colours are citrus shades.

7.  I love Madeira, and we go there twice a year.

8.  I've always wished I had a sister or a daughter...I'm surrounded by men, (husband, son, brothers).  They never complain about the hours I spend crafting, but they don't really Understand it!

Here are the eight lovely ladies I'm sharing my award with...

BETIKOWE PASJE... - Betik

My Passion for Crafting - Michelle

CAROL'S PAPERCRAFTS BLOG - Carol

seaside sundae - Kerry

Designs by Robin - Robin

Playing With Ribbon - Mary

Clare's Creations - Clare

Julie's Inkspot - Julie

That's all for today folks.  I'm hoping to make a few more cards during this week.

Framework

I know not a lot of work has gone into this card, but it's the gorgeous frame that I love.  It's a design I cut on the Silhouette, and it's so pretty it doesn't really need anything else. 
Not been feeling much like card making for a few days, but have been taking a look at everyones lovely blogs.  Hope to make more cards soon.  Thank you for stopping by.

With Love

I've made this for a friend who likes pinks, blues and birds.  The rose was cream but I wanted it blue, so I painted it with a mixture of my folk art acrylics and made it a bit shabby chic.  I cut the bird on the Silhouette and computer generated the message.  Thanks for looking.

Vellum Flowers

Years ago all the flowers that I created for my cards were very dainty, made from either vellum, or cold porcelain.  I've just made a batch with vellum for a wedding card, and the ones that were left over I've put onto this card.  The paper is from the Papermania 'Rose Garden' collection.  I used tiny round pearls for the flower centre's.  The little dew drops are available from The Ribbon Girl.

Birthday Wishes

I really love this Martha Stewart punch  It makes such a pretty border.  I made the flower from copier paper and spritzed with some glimmer mist that I made from pearlex powders.  The leafy spray was cut on my Silhouette and I made the sentiment in graphics software.

Roses & Butterflies

All I could really do with this card was add a few embellishments. The beautiful paper did most of the work for me. I added the gorgeous white satin ribbon and a fancy pin from The Ribbon Girl. The tiny butterflies were glittered, pearls and bling added and I made some wire antenna's. The sentiment was created with graphics software.