Winter Wonderland

Well we didn't get away with it. Merseyside is sheltered by the Pennines, but last night/this morning we had some of the white stuff. We have been really lucky compared to some places over the country. It does look nice I must admit, so I had to go out with my camera to take a few photos. I can't abide spiders but how beautiful do their webs look, and our half finished water feature looked nice. Hope this weather doesn't last into the new year as the forecasters are predicting, I'm a big wimp and absolutely hate having to drive in these conditions.

Cupcake Craft Challenge 119 - Light it Up

This weeks Cupcake Craft Challenge wants to see a candle on your project. I love this Lili of the Valley stamp I've used, and it is actually called Christmas Candle. The papers I've used are Papermania Henbury Lane. I didn't want to add too much to my card as this paper is gorgeous. I used flower soft on her coat and scarf and some glamour dust to look like she is standing on snow, and used some glossy accent on the candle flame. The gorgeous poinsettia is from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Lili of the Valley - Challenge 75 - Bevs sketch

The talented Bev Rochester has provided the sketch for the Lili of the Valley challenge. Lovely simple sketch that helped me create this card. One of the inspectors I work with is retiring at the beginning of December, so I used Bevs sketch to create his card. I've used Lazy Afternoon stamp, I love this stamp and it is so suitable for male cards. The papers are Basic Grey Wisteria and I've used one of the new circular stamps. These stamps are brilliant. There is a stamp for every occasion.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #77

At long last I've made a card and not a christmas card for a change. My friends daughter will be celebrating her 19th birthday soon. I've had this Kenny K image for a while and I bought it especially for her birthday. Arlanas sketch gave me the inspiration to get creating. The digi image is called Star and I've used Basic Grey Wisteria papers and one of my new Lili of the Valley circular sentiment stamps. I've used Glamour Dust to give the top of her boots a bit of bling, but unfortunately you can't really tell in the photo.

The 'Singing Ringing Tree'

Today we travelled to Burnley, Lancashire on a beautiful chilly day to go and see the 'Singing Ringing Tree'. High above the town stands a panopticon - a unique musical sculpture in the form of a tree bending against the wind. As the wind blows it produces a low and mellow hum through the pipes. It was amazing to see (so unusual), and even tho' there wasn't much wind, just our luck, you could still hear the noise, quite haunting really. The site says the folklore and mythology surrounding the 'Singing Ringing Tree' involves handsome princes, beautiful princesses and wicked dwarves. I remember a tv programme when I was a child called the 'Singing Ringing Tree' and used to love it even tho' it was slightly scary. Anyway we had a lovely day out.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #74

Arlanas sketch this week gave me the inspiration (again), to make a birthday card. I've been itching to use this image as I think the 2 little girls are just so cute. I've been saving it for my Aunties birthday, and her birthday is next Friday so at long last lol.

I have used Papermania Rose Garden papers, the image is a Mo Manning digital image called two tu-tus. I have used Polar White flower soft on their tu tus, and glamour dust on their wings (no sure tho' whether you can see it or not), and the flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts. I'm not sure tho' whether the flower is just a little bit too big for the card.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #73 & Mos Challenge #55

At long last I've made a card. Feel like I haven't made anything in ages. Truth be told tho' I've been nursing an inflammed coccyx and that was pretty painful, so I haven't been able to sit in my craft room for a while. Yet again Arlana has provided another inspirational sketch on Sweet Sketch Wednesday. I've used another of my favourite images and its Mo's digital image Bismark. How cute is he. The background papers are a download I bought from Pink Petticoat called Large Snowflakes. They are brilliant as they come in every colour you could think of. I used my Cuttlebug embossing folder for the embossed snowflakes, and added Glamour Dust to my Martha Stewart snowflakes. I love how the dust gives them such a christmassy look. I'm also entering this card into Mos Challenge which is Pick a Season. As if you can't tell, I've chosen Winter.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 71

Arlana has provided another brilliant sketch for this weeks challenge. Her sketches really help me when I have to create a card. For a change its a birthday card I've made instead of a christmas card, but looking at the christmas cards I've made I need to get cracking and make quite a few more. The paper I have used is Papermania Blueberry Hill, and the sentiment is by Craftwork Cards. This is the first time I have tried an image out of the frame using a Nestie and I'm really pleased with the result. Crafting people are so kind the way they share techniques on the net, that's why I was able to try that technique. I also got a chance to use my new Lacey Circle Nestie.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #69 & Charisma Cardz Challenge #39

Another lovely sketch has been provided by Arlana at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. I've been dying to ink up my new Lili of the Valley Stamp Christmas Candle. My friend Michele kindly got it for me the last time she went to the Harrogate show. How cute is she. I have used flower soft on her hood and the bobbles at the end of her scarf. I've also used glossy accents on the candle flame and stickles Xmas Red on the holly berries. The papers are by Dovecraft called Winter Wonderland. (I actually found a crafting shop when we went to Llandudno lol). The white poinsettia is from Wild Orchid Crafts, how gorgeous is it. I have come to the conclusion tho' that I do not have a decent set of stamps with christmas greetings, I had to use a peel off for the Merry Christmas and am a bit disappointed in it. I will have to rectify that. There is also a challenge over at Charisma Cardz which is Christmas Crafting, so I am going to enter this card into that as well.

Congratulations

We've just been told that Johns niece is expecting her first child. As a little present for her and her husband I couldn't resist making some little bootees as a congratulations for the parents-to-be. I know that most people don't really put their babies in hand knitted clothes anymore, but I just had to get my knitting needles out. The pattern I've used is one that my nan owned many moons ago. Its that old the pattern is showing a price of 6p lol!

Hope they like them.

Lily of the Valley Challenge 64 & Cupcake Craft Challenge 108

The challenge at Lili of the Valley is a card for the boys. I've had this Lili stamp for a while because as soon as I saw it I had to have it for my husband. He is fanatical about his bikes, and sometimes he will take our dog Archie with him (but not sitting on his bike tho'), as Archie just loves running alongside him. I used the sketch provided at Cupcake Craft Challenge. I find it so much easier following a sketch. The papers I used were K & Co Roam, the Lili of the Valley stamp was 'Riding my bike' and I used a Whimsy Ticket Sentiment. Hope he likes this card.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 66

Another lovely sketch provided by Arlana to give me the inspiration to create another card. This weeks sponsor is Meljens Designs. That also gave me the opportunity to use one of her lovely designs that I have had a while but never got round to using. I really enjoyed colouring in my collie with his flower. The papers I used were Stampin' Up Summer Picnic, I used my Swiss Dots embossing folder on the side strip, and punched out the flowers using my EK Success flower punch. I really enjoyed making this card, and I'm quite pleased with how my flowers look.

The Great Orme, Llandudno

Today we went to Llandudno, Wales to climb to the top of the Great Orme. What a gorgeous day compared to yesterday. Well we got to the top with glorious sunshine and beautiful blue skies (even tho' my legs were feeling slightly tired) and were greeted by Welsh Mountain Goats, they were a sight to see. The Great Orme is 679 feet from sea level. The views are amazing, you can even see the Isle of Man. After an ice cream and a rest we then got on the Aerial Cable Cars which is the longest aerial cabin line in the British Isles. I wasn't too sure on going in one of these as I have a really bad fear of heights, but I did it and wasn't too scared, but unfortunately poor Archie was. Half way through the journey he decided he wanted to sit on my knee and then thats when the shivering started, and carried on until we got off. Poor Archie, but he soon recovered. After a bit of retail therapy we had a cream tea mmm before heading for home. And the good thing about it is that it is only about an hour and a half away from home.

The Dream

Today is our 2nd day of our fortnight holiday. We have decided to have days out, so we headed to St Helens to see "The Dream". Dream takes the form of a 20 metre high girls head with her eyes closed. The sculpture was erected last year as the people of Sutton Manor wanted some form of monument to the former colliery. It is amazing to view, and there are plenty of walks around the site. As always Archie got in on the picture. He had a brilliant time even tho' it did rain for some of the walk. Great British weather don't you just love it.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #65

I received my new Penny Black stamp today, so I was itching to ink it up. The sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday gave me the opportunity to use it. I used 2 different papers for the card Forver Friends Santa's on his way and Dandelion & Daisy A Winters Tale. The Penny Black stamp is called Xmouse Ornament. I used Glamour Dust on his snowflake. I don't know whether I've gone a little bit over the top with snowflake paper, but I suppose it gives the card a more christmassy feel to it.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 119 Lets get sketchy

Loved the sketch at Spoon Full of Sugar challenge, so out came my Lily of the Valley stamp Lazy Afternoon. I used Basic Grey paper Wisteria, my Martha Stewart punch, and the birthday message is from Craftwork cards.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Week 116

The challenge at Penny Black this week is Summer Lovin'. Our friends are celebrating their first wedding anniversary soon and will be travelling around Italy (lucky things). They will be finishing the trip off in Venice. What better place for Summer Lovin'. It is one of the most romatic cities I've ever been too, so how appropriate than to ink up my Venezia stamp. I tried to use the colours of the Italian flag for the card (green, white and red). I used a Sizzix Wedding Set Scrollmark embossing folder for the background in white, cut the image with Nesties Label 4. Embossed the heart with silver, and unfortunately its not showing on the picture but I used glossy accents on the clouds and some of the venetian waters. Hope they like it.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #64

At long last I have made a card. My mojo must have been on its hols but hopefully it is now coming back (I hope). I used the sketch provided by Sweet Sketch Wednesday. I have not entered one of their challenges before so I thought it was about time I did. I got the opportunity to use my new Mo Manning image called Strawberry Girl. The background paper is Papermania Summer Bloom, I have used a Martha Stewart punch on the main picture and a Prima Cha Cha Pink Flower.

Cupcake Craft Challenge & Just Magnolia Challenge

I have combined my 2nd christmas card with 2 challenges this week. I used the sketch for my card from the Just Magnolia Challenge Week 66 which is a sketch provided by the talented Bev Rochester. The challenge at Cupcake Craft Challenge 101 was Pastel Christmas. The papers I have used were an old set of Hot off the Press (I may get them used this year lol). I used my newly purchased Martha Stewart snowflake punch and used glamour dust on them. The brads in the centre of the snowflakes are ones I bought from the Hobby House stand when I went to a craft show in Harrogate. I just love this Magnolia image. I think I may use her quite a few times this year. The christmas sentiment is Craftwork Cards.

Cupcake Craft Challenge & Sketch & Stash Challenge 40

The challenge at Cupcake Craft this week is "Cats & Dogs". This gave me the opportunity to use my Mo Manning digital image called Bismark, and to make my first christmas card. I also used the sketch at this weeks Sketch and Stash Challenge 40. The papers I used were Hot off the Press christmas papers that I've had for ages. I also had a go at using my Bow Easy. The bow hasn't come out too bad, but I think I need some more practice. I used glamour dust to decorate his hat, and stickles on his scarf, and decoupaged the ribbon on his bone not that you can see it. Wish the picture had come out a bit better but with all this rain we're having, and it was actually thundering & lightening while I was trying to take this photo.

A Spoon Full of Sugar Sending Donkey Smiles & Friday Sketchers #110

The challenge at a Spoonful of Sugar is to send Michelle Oatman get well wishes. Michelle had an accident on her farm while tending her beautiful donkeys. Unfortunately this accident has left her with the loss of her right eye. Whimsy stamps have created a donkey freebie for us to use to send our wishes. The sketch at Friday Sketchers helped me to create the card. The papers used were Craftwork Cards Blossom Paper and the sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set.

The Good Life

Who remembers "The Good Life", the BBC Sitcom about Tom and Barbara who decided to leave the rat race and become self sufficient. Well we definitely aren't Tom and Barbara, and unfortunately we have got no chance of leaving the rat race (I wish our numbers would come up on the Lottery lol), but we have decided to use up an area of our new garden, and create our own little Good Life. We are so pleased with the results. We are growing mixed salad leaves, summer cabbage, potatoes, onions, strawberries, sweetcorn (but that's not growing very well), savoy cabbages and last but not least we were given a cucumber plant and its amazing watching the cucumbers growing and getting larger and larger. The Good Life eat your heart out.

Stampin' for the Weekend - Challenge #41 - Sketch/blue & yellow combo

The challenge at Stampin' for the weekend was to use a blue & yellow combo and follow a sketch done by Sandie. I find it so much easier using sketches to create my cards. I used my fav stamp (especially with the gorgeous weather we are having), it is Stampin Up "Summer by the Sea". The papers are Daisy & Dandelion Picnic Patch papers, and the sentiment was by Craftwork Cards. The ribbon and buttons were from Papermania Capsule Collection.

Another holiday - Another week in Northumberland

We have just come back from another holiday in Northumberland (Beadnell), and yet again we had a lovely time. Weather could have been a bit better but at least we didn't have any rain, and the sun did come out once or twice, so can't complain. Had to visit the brilliant Barter Books again. Came away with 7 books (lovely), and we went on another boat trip to see the seals and puffins. That was good but poooh birds can't half stink when the sun is shining. Archie had a brilliant time and spent nearly every day in the sea again. Why do holiday's go so quick tho' :(

Once in a Blue Moon

Thats the title that John has used on his Flickr site for today so thought I'd pinch it. He actually persuaded me to go out on my bike today. I haven't used the pedal power in over 3 years (I have a long list of excuses that I always use), but today I thought why not. We headed to Delamere Forest and enjoyed a 6 mile ride. I know that Archie always loves going out with John when he goes on his bike, but I actually got a taste of how much Archie enjoys running alongside. Afterwards we went to the Pheasant Inn (tucked in a peaceful corner of rural Cheshire, the Pheasant enjoys some of the most magnificant panoramic views in the area) for a gorgeous sunday lunch and pudding for afters. Lets just say that the calories I burnt off on the ride were soon put back on.

What a Surprise!!!

Hubby had planned an early birthday surprise for me. He wouldn't tell me exactly where we were heading to only that it was in Scotland. On Friday just before we left he told me. We were driving to Glasgow Airport and flying out to the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides on a 13 seater plane (he knows I'm not a very good flyer at the best of times). Well I survived the trip and actually loved all of it (apart from the plane journey). I can't believe we actually landed on a beach!! The weather was absolutely gorgeous while we were there, and we had a lovely long weekend stopping at the Isle of Barra Beach Hotel - The most westerly hotel & pub in Great Britian. We paddled with nosey seals and also got to see 2 otters climb on to some rocks they disappeared quickly tho' once they noticed that they were being watched :( We had a great time and yes Archie came too but I don't think he was very impressed being put into a crate so that we could get him on the plane. We flew back on Monday to grey skies and rain.

Cupcake Craft Challenge 93 - Summer Delights

The challenge at Cupcake Craft is to make a card illustrating what summer means to me. I found this stamp and thought it was so suitable. I can just imagine walking through a meadow on a beautiful summers day, with the butterflies flying by and a gentle breeze moving my dress. The stamp I have used is Stampin' Up Summer by the Sea, the paper was Basic Grey Wisteria, and the lovely purple flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, Cherry Blossom Mulberry flowers.

Cupcake Craft Challenge 92 - Black & Grey plus one colour choice

When I saw this weeks challenge it gave me the much needed push to make a card and also the chance to ink up my Magnolia stamp and to use my Dovecraft "a hint of pink" papers. I've had these papers for ages and just haven't attempted to use any of them. I also got to use my new Cuttlebug die for the edges of the card. I used Rose stickles to add a bit of sparkle to her dress and the ribbon in her hair.

Friday Sketchers - Sketch #101

The sketch provided by Friday Sketchers this week gave me the inspiration to create this card. My boss is expecting her first grandchild and as you can imagine she is very excited and is already planning on what her and hubby will be doing with the child as he grows up. Hopefully she'll like this card. The image is a Lili of the Valley stamp. I got the It's a Boy! ribbon from ribbon box.

Alphabet Challenge Blog & Allsorts Challenge

I've just made my 3rd easel card. I love the way these cards come out, and yet again I've made my card into a calendar. Unfortunately its a bit late for my friend seeing as we are already on the 3rd of May (where are the days going). I'm sure he won't mind that its a bit late, and just noticed that there are 31 days this month (its going to be a long month lol!). Anyway I'm entering this card into 2 challenges Alphabet Challenge Blog - A is for Animals and Allsorts Challenge Week 50 "Animals". The image I've used is a Mo Manning image called Missed You, I just think those bears are so cute. The papers used are MME Bloom & Grow.

Charisma Cardz Challenge #16 - Quote Me!

Went to a crafting show last Friday and as soon as I saw the hug fits all stamp I just had to buy it as it is a perfect match for this image. I've made this card for my mums birthday who is celebrating her 78th and every time we see each other we always share a hug. The image is a Mo Manning image called Missed You. I've been dying to use this one for a card, how cute are they. Everyone should share a hug :)

Sketch Saturday Week #100

Lovely sketch this week. I haven't done much crafting for a while as I've just moved house, so its been constant unpacking of boxes and plenty of cleaning. Seeing this weeks sketch gave me the inspiration to create a birthday card for my friend who's birthday it is tomorrow (yes I was cutting it fine lol). The image is one of my Mo Manning favourties called Birthday Fairy Lee. The papers used were Forever Friends "For You".

Another Easel Card

I seem to be on a roll now that I've tried my hand at making an easel card. Thought I'd have another go and this one was so much quicker to make than the first. I inked up my new Lili of the Valley stamp that I bought in Harrogate "Lazy Days". The papers were Hot off the Press. They were actually the first papers I ever bought and their still going.

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 105 Dimensions

At long last I have attempted to make an easel card. I've been wanting to make one of these cards for ages, but I was always putting it off. Anyway I found a brilliant tutorial on Jeanettes blog "Happy Thoughts & Inkspots", so I thought today, go on why not. I am really pleased with what I produced. The magnolia stamp is one that I bought at the craft show in Harrogate last weekend, and he was coloured in using new copics that I also bought. I found the papers in my stash. They are Daisy Bucket "Love You". I think I'll be looking for some more of this paper as I thinks its gorgeous.

Whiff of Joy Challenge #72 & Charisma Cardz Challenge #12

The challenge at Whiff of Joy this week was to use a sketch created by the talented Bev Rochester. Also the challenge at Charisma Cardz is Spring has Sprung. This gave me the opportunity to ink up my new Norma Fickel stamp "Girl and her lamb". How gorgeous is this stamp. I used MME papers - Pretty Please Spring papers, I used Orange Peel Stickle to outline the daffodils (how spring are they), and I used (for the first time) my Martha Stewart punch Embossed Petals (you can just about see 1 or 2 of them on the red strip). My auntie & uncle brought me that punch back from Florida (as well as a few other things lol). I love seeing all the lambs in the fields now, and a while back I actually got to bottle feed a few. They are just so cute.

Lambing Live baaa

After watching Lambing Live I got the urge to go to Wales. My cousins live there and they have live stock and I knew that they would be lambing now. So yesterday saw us head to Snowdonia, to see the family. After a lovely lunch in the Snowdonia Park, we then went to see the sheepies. The lambs were just gorgeous, and there were 7 needing extra care. They were the ones I spent my time with. I got to feed one but they were all so affectionate and enjoyed sucking on my fingers. I can't believe how rough their fleeces feel. Anyway thought I'd share my experience and some of the piccies hubby took. One is of the expectant mums. My cousin told me there were 100 waiting to give birth and at least another 100 still in the fields. As you can imagine it is their busiest time of the year. My cousin even said that I could take one of the orphans home if I wanted. Oh I was so tempted, but can you imagine what the neighbours would say when we moved in to our new house with a dog and a sheep ha ha (what a thought!!!).