Mo's Challenge #115 - Favourite 2011 "Mo" Project

What an easy challenge at Mo's this week. You have to choose your favourite Mo project. Looking back I think my favourite one has to be Mo's The Engineer. I made this card for my uncle who is mad on model Hornby trains - perfect image for him. I originally made this in September.

Cupcake Craft Challenge & Mo's Challenge

I think this is the last card I will make in 2011. I've used the sketch from Cupcake Craft Challenge. The snowman is a Mo Manning digi image. So easy to colour him in. I should have used him on a few of my cards instead of just this one. The challenge at Mo's is Punch and/or dies. I've used my scallop nestie square around my snowman and used my Martha Stewart picket fence punch. The papers are Papermania.

Mo's Challenge #113 - The Fabric of our Lives

The challenge at Mo's this week is to add fabric to your project. I think you can class ribbon as a fabric. I've made this card for my Auntie Dots 85th birthday. If you met her there is no way you would guess she is that old, she is amazing for her age. I used Kansas as the main image. I love this picture. I've added red stickles to her shoes to give them a bit of bling (but its not quite showing up properly). I haven't a clue were I got the check ribbon from. The sentiment is from an Indigo Blue stamp called Aloysius/Happy Birthday.

Cupcake Craft Challenge - Don't Look at the Light

This weeks Cupcake challenge is Don't Look at the Light (definition It it sparkles, shines, gleams, glints and/or glitters). I think my card fits all of those. After making a few of the same card I must admit that my craft room is starting to look like a winter wonderland, everywhere you look sparkles after using gold embossing power. I've used this Penny Black stamp a few times this month. Its called Fantasy. I added gold embossing powder to the tree and also the christmas sentiment. I then added red rhinestones. The ribbon is from my stash.

Magnolia Crackers

I've been dying to try out the tutorial for this cracker which was featured in last years Magnolia Ink Magazine Christmas Edition. At long last I've given it a go and I'm quite pleased with my attempt, and it wasn't that hard at all. I used Papermania Henbury Lane paper to cover it, then coloured and added Angel Tilda. I added glamour dust to her wings and halo. The sentiment is a Magnolia accesory stamp which I've added Martha Stewart holly leaves on and red rhinestones. The snowflakes are also a Martha Stewart punch which have also had the glamour dust treatment. I've put inside the cracker my friends foundation brush ready for christmas. Its a bit different from normal wrapping. I'm that pleased I'm adding 2 photos. I'm entering my creation into 2 challenges

Magnolia Stamp Lovers Challenge Blog - use a Magnolia Accessory stamp and
Just Magnolia - I'm dreaming of a white christmas - use white or snow/snowflakes

Lili of the Valley - Challenge 123 - Anything but a christmas card

This cute image called Gift Wrapped was the first one I coloured in after attending the Lili of the Valley colouring course. I think its not bad for a first solo attempt, but I need to practice plenty, especially when I look at Bevs & Jacques cards. The course was really good and it was nice to actually meet the people who's blogs I follow. A really simple birthday card, but I do like the pink and blue I chose.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Week 179

The challenge at Penny Black this week is Christmas + Red & Embossing. At long last I've actually made another christmas card, but unfortunately its only my 3rd. I've been wanting to use this stamp for ages. Its called Fantasy (isn't it gorgeous). I used Tinsel Gold embossing powder on the tree and added red gems. The ribbon used is from my stash, actually it was ribbon I bought to decorate my friends wedding cake, I've got a full roll of it. The sentiment is a peel off. We're off to Manchester tomorrow to see what the christmas market is like. Hope its a good one.

Whiff of Joy Challenge #116 - Karina's Sketch

My friends son is soon going travelling, not coming home for quite a few months. I know that his first stop is Bankok (fingers crossed that all the flood waters have subsided by then). I asked my friend Sandra if she would like me to make her a card to give to him. As soon as I saw Henry the Mouse around the world, I just had to use him but Sandra doesn't like mice (sorry but I had to cut his tail off). The papers are Bo Bunny and the sentiment is also Whiff of Joy You are my Hero. Thanks Karina for a brilliant sketch to give me some inspiration.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #125

At long last I have made a card. I was getting worried as Mr Mojo had well and truly left and didn't look like he was going to come back. Thank god at long last he's decided to come back (I hope). I've used a Wee Stamp digital image called Fluffy on the Lily. I went on a Lily of the Valley colouring course a few weeks back to learn how to colour my images using my copic ciao pens. I'm really enjoying this but its not coming very naturally yet (hopefully that will come with practice), I just can't believe how long it can take to colour an image in. The papers are from an old card kit I bought from Sarah's Cards Ltd. The banner is a Shapeabilities Ribbon Banner.

Just Magnolia and Hanglar & Stanglar

This weeks challenge 23 is a sketch provided by Bev. I love her sketches so it came in handy to create this card. I've used Tilda with watering can. The papers are by Prima called sparkling spring (I wish!!). I've used a punch for my flowers and the birthday sentiment was a freebie Papermania stamp that was with a Do-Crafts magazine.

A Treat for Me

I've always fancied a bread maker but with there being quite a few to chose from I didn't have a clue which one to buy. I bought the magazine Eat In recently and inside was an article called Gadget of the month. Yes it was for a bread maker. The review was really good so it helped me make up my mind. I am now the proud owner of a Kenwood Bread Maker BM366. Also with the bread maker comes a measuring jug and a spoon (sad I know but I love the spoon and there is no way you could get your measurements wrong with it). I've made my first loaf today. This is my first (and hopefully not my last) wholemeal loaf. Does it look gorgeous or what!!! The proof will be in the eating of it. Can't wait.

A Sketch and Anything Goes

I've used the sketch from this weeks Sketch Saturday challenge #171. The background paper is Papermania Capsule Collection called Aqua Paper. The image I've used is a Mo Manning digital image called The Engineer. I've been itching to buy him for ages. Its my uncles birthday and he is a model train collector and I just thought this image was perfect for him. The banner is a Papertrey die and I've used peel offs for the sentiment. I also added little black pearls on the front of his train. I'm also entering this into Papertakes Weekly Challenge which is Anything Goes.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #113

I haven't joined in the challenges on Sweet Sketch Wednesday for a while so I thought it was about time that I did and use one of Arlanas brilliant sketches again. Your sketches are very inspirational Arlana. This card is a thank you card for a lovely lady who got my husband his job which he starts in September. The papers I've used are by Stampin' Up but I'm not sure what they are called. The little girl I've used is called Nellie, she is a Mo Manning image. The ribbon is called Sky Mauve from the Ribbon Girl, and the sentiment is computer generated. I've added stickles to the Gypsophilia on the flowers but you can't really see it.

Stampin for the Weekend - Challenge 14 - Spots & Dots

The challenge at Stampin for the Weekend is Spots & Dots. Perfect for the card I made for one of the inspectors I work with whose wife has just given birth. The paper I used is by Craftwork Cards called Little Boy Blue. The tag was cut using a Papertrey die and then put through a cuttlebug folder called Swiss Dots. The little baby top was cut out from a Stampin Up roller called Baby Tees (there are 4 different little tees on the roller to chose from). The sentiment is Lily of the Valley and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

I Don't Do Wet Mornings

What an awful day today, and more promised for the whole of the weekend. Was hoping the weathermen had got the forecast wrong. No such luck. Got myself ready to take Archie out for his morning walk, it was gone 9 so thought he'd be desperate to get out. Well as you can see by the photo he definitely does not do wet mornings. I'm sure he was pulling tongues at me as tho' to say "Not going out , and I'm not going to open my eyes for you either so there!!!" I still love him tho' and he did come out eventually.

Pink & Brown Birthday Wishes

There's a new blog about. The challenge blog is called Pink {Ink} Sketch Challenge. I need all the help I can get when I'm making new cards, so I love blogs that supply sketches for you to use. This is Pink {Inks} first sketch (one of many I hope). The stamp I've used is Gillian Roberts Under my Umbrella (how cute is she). I've used First Edition Papers called Summer Breeze, the sentiment is Stampin' Up and the flower is Prima. I've chosen the colours pink and brown so that I can enter Spoon Full of Sugars Challenge 160 which is a colour challenge.

Good Luck Wishes

My friends son is joining the navy this month. As soon as I saw Dangling Sea Edwin, I thought that it was such an appropriate stamp for him. I used K & Co papers called Roam, the Banner Die is from Papertrey, and the ships wheel charm I bought from The Ribbon Girl. I added glossy accents to the anchor but not sure if you can see it or not and little black pearls on Edwins jacket. I'm entering this card into 3 challenges:-

Allsorts Challenge 111 - Free and Easy
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes
Everybody Art Challenge #150 - Maritime

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Week 159

The challenge at Penny Black this week is "Christmas in July". I knew straight away which stamp I was going to use. I've been wanting to ink up Christmas Usher for a while now. I heat embossed her with Tinsel Gold, and because I thought she looked so nice decided against using any patterned paper. I think I'll be using her a few times this year for my cards.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 158 - Get Well Soon

My boss has just had keyhole surgery so I thought I'd make her a card, and the spoon full of sugar challenge fitted the bill perfectly. The idea for this card was from a tutorial I bought from Jenny Moors who is a Stampin Up demonstrator in the UK. I didn't quite have the right papers that she suggested but I think it looks ok. The project is called Hopeful Thoughts. I used a stamp set called Hopeful Thoughts. Instead of inking the stamp you were to colour it in using pens. This was a new technique for me. I used Whispers Strokes pens. It wasn't hard to do, but I have to be truthful that it took me 3 attempts before I was happy with how it looked. I also used a pen on the sentiment. I used a Swiss Dots embossing folder on the background paper and added a few pearls in the centre of some of the flowers. I hope it cheers my boss up when she receives it.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Week 157

This weeks challenge is "Stitch it Up". I've been itching to ink up this cute mouse stamp which was perfect for this challenge. I've used Mice Day stamp. The paper is from a K&Co paper pad. Its not very often that I use red for birthday cards, I seem to normally use it for christmas cards, but I'm quite pleased with the result. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, and the little hearts are from the Hobbyhouse. The tiny ones were really fiddly to stick down tho' a steady hand was needed lol.

Signature Stamp

I celebrated my birthday recently, and my friend wanted to get me something different for a pressie. Her son is a very talented young man, and is amazing with computers, web design etc. She asked him whether he could design me a signature stamp. He had a sneaky peek at my blog and came up with the stamp below. I think it is brilliant, and can't wait to start adding it to my cards. If you visit again Dave thanks I love it :)

Sweet Sketch Wednesday & Lili of the Valley

For my card I've used Sketch 105 that has been provided by Arlana at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. The challenge at Lili of the Valley this week is Anything Goes. I've used the LOTV stamp "Hello Cupcake". The papers I've used are from a scrapbooking kit called Simply Fabulous (I think!!). I chose these papers to match the coffee cup I had made. This is a Scor Pal project (attached) that I found on Michele Oatmans blog Stamps, Paper, Scissors & Donkey Smiles. I stamped Hello Cupcake again onto the patterned paper and cut her dress out so that it looks like she is wearing a flowered dress. The sentiments are also LOTV. I filled the coffee cup with mini marshmallows. The card and cup are for my friend who is celebrating her birthday very soon. Hope she likes them.

Mo's Digital Pencil - Challenge #85

As soon as I saw that the host on Mos' challenge blog was Dawn I had to join in. Dawn is a very talented lady and her projects and cards are just amazing. She has provided a sketch for us. Hope you don't mind but the image I chose just didn't suit oval so I had to go for square (hope that's ok). I've used the Home Tweet Home Digi image for my card, it was so easy to colour. I used a cuttlebug folder called D'vine Swirl and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. I also used Martha Stewart picket fence and branch punches.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #102

Loving the sketch provided by the talented Arlana for this weeks challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Don't laugh but my mum (who by the way is 79) has been invited to a 21st birthday party!!! I asked her if she would like me to make a card for her and this is what I produced. The paper is 1st Edition "Love Letters", I've used a Stampin' Up punch for the decorative border and the numbers are Maya Road Philadelphia which I've covered in Sugar Coating cupcake glitter. I am so loving these chipboard numbers.

What a difference 11 days makes

I'm pleased to say that all 7 chicks have thrived. There is 1 egg that never hatched, and I think it is still in the nest, so I would have thought with all the heat off these little ones it must well and truly be hard boiled by now. The chicks are looking so well and they are now looking like blue tits. I'll be sorry to see them go as I don't think it will be long before they fly the nest as some have been flexing their wings, and they do look quite cramped in the nest. Look forward to hopefully seeing eggs back in the nest this time next year (fingers crossed).

Do it Yourself Springwatch

I just had to share this news. When we first moved into our house which has been 1 year last month, we put a nest box on the side of the house. This nest box came supplied with a camera. We have been checking on and off over the months and nothing. Last month we had a look and we could tell that something had been in the box. To cut a long story short, we have a blue tit nesting in the box. She laid 8 eggs, and is now the proud mother of 7 little tiny pink chicks. The pictures are taken from our tv screen so they aren't brilliant. Its great watching her and dad feeding the chicks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they all thrive.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #99

Its my mums birthday tomorrow. As soon as I saw Tilda with daffodil I just had to have her for my mums card, as the daffodil is the national flower of Wales (and yes my mum is welsh). Arlana has provided another brillliant sketch. My mojo seemed to have gone on holiday this week, so thank god for this sketch that just gave me the help I needed. The patterned paper is Milton & Co, I've used my Martha Stewart picket fence punch for the 3 strips, the orange ribbon is Stampin' Up and the gorgeous daffodils are Wild Orchid Crafts. I made the leaves myself (please don't laugh), and creased them on my Scor Pal. The sentiment is Lily of the Valley. Thanks again Arlana.

Sketch & Stash Challenge 60 - Free Choice Sketch

A brilliant idea at Sketch & Stash Challenge this week. You go through the Sketch Catalogue and choose a sketch you fancy using. I chose Sketch 20 and used it to create my easel card. One of my friends is celebrating her 50th birthday, so I thought the sketch was just perfect. The patterened paper I used was by Stampin Up called Cottage Wall. I used my lacey circle nestie for the centre circle and used Maya Road chipboard numbers (Philadelphia) which I covered with Sugar Coating lilac glitter. I used my bow easy again on the ribbon and the flowers are Wild Orchard Crafts. The sentiment is one of the new ones by Lily of the Valley.

Happy Mothers Day

Its nearly Mothers Day, a time to spoil your mum. I've used Prima Sparkling Spring papers and my new Fizzy Moon stamp, how cute is he (I'm guessing its a he but I suppose it could easily be a she lol). I've also added glossy accents onto his nose but you can't actually see that in the photo but I promise he has a lovely shiny nose. I'm entering this card into a few challenges. Cupcake Craft Challenge No 135 is Flowers for mum, I've used Vickys sketch from Sketch n Stash Challenge 58, and Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge #6 is For Mum/Mothers Day.

Crafty Creations Challenge #112 - Bunnies

I've just made a card for a friend using my LOTV Balloon Bunny when I came across Crafty Creations Challenge Blog with the theme bunnies. Perfect as I can now enter this card into the challenge. I've used a Swiss Dots cuttlebug folder on the background paper, the punched border is a Martha Stewart punch, and the sentiment is also LOTV. I've cut out an extra balloon and added 3d foam pads onto it.

LOTV Challenge 89 - Punch It!

Well the new addition to the family has arrived. Johns neice gave birth to a little girl - Jessica Scarlet on Tuesday weighing 7lbs. Can't wait to go see her. I've been itching to make a card for them but because they didn't want to know the sex of the baby I've had to wait. I've used Baby Girl for the image. The papers are Nanas Nursery. The ribbon actually says Its a Girl but you can't actually see it. The challenge this week was punch it so I've punched my flowers and leaves, and also punched out the sentiment and used a nestie on the little girl image. I'm a bit pleased with my bow. I might at long last be getting the hang of my bow easy (possibly lol!)

LOTV Challenge 88 - Sketch by Bev

A brilliant sketch has been provided by the talented Bev Rochester for this weeks LOTV challenge. For my card I've used Prima papers called Botantical collection and one of my recently purchased LOTV stamps called "Love Grows". I think this is such a cute stamp. I've added Wild Orchid Crafts flowers. I've decided I definitely need to invest in some more flowers as I just don't have a varied selection of them yet. This card is an anniversary card for my hubby. We celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary next month. How time flies

Spring has Sprung

I love this time of year when spring is trying to cheer us up with gardens actually having some colour in them and the daffodils out. My favourite part of spring is the birth of all the little lambs, they are just so adorable. I've used a Whiff of Joy stamp for this card and I think it is so appropriate for this time of year with her holding her little lamb and the daffodils around her. I've used Papermania Summer Bloom papers and a Lily of the Valley sentiment stamp (I am so loving these sentiments). I'm entering this card into 2 challenges Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 154 - Signs of Spring and Stampin' for the Weekend - Challenge #5 - Springtime.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #89

Another brilliant sketch by Arlana. For this card I've used new papers that I've just bought. They are Prima papers called Sparkling Spring. The image is a Mo Manning digital image called Teacup Fairy, how cute is she. I've used glamour dust on her wings and on the flowers. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the centre strip and just added some tiny hearts on the corners of the card, and the sentiment is Stampin Up.

Happy Valentines Day xxx

I got into a bit of a flap last night as it hit me that I hadn't made my hubby's valentines card yet. I wanted to make something a little bit different and I'd found a brilliant tutorial on how to make a 4 drawer card box (Jacqui your tutorial is brilliant and so easy to follow) you can find her tutorial here.http://catswhiskerstutorials.blogspot.com/2011/02/4-drawer-card-box-tutorial.html. I used a Whiff of Joy Elisabeth Bell stamp for the main image, the paper I've used is a Nitwits download called "From the Heart" and I used my Martha Stewart heart punches. The pearl hearts were from the Hobby House. I have also given hubby some little treats in each drawer (marzipan hearts). He loves marzipan, but I may have to help him eat some of them. Because it is so near to valentines day there are quite a few challenges out there so I am being greedy and am going to enter 5 challenges. These are as follows:-

Cupcake Craft Challenge - Seeing Red

Whiff of Joy - Love is in the Air

A Spoonful of Sugar - Lets see some love

Stampin' for the Weekend - St Valentines Day

and Sketch Saturday - No 142 helped me with the layout of my easel card to go on the top of my box.

Less is More Week 1 colour challenge - Pink, Black & White

I've just found a new challenge blog called "Less is More". The blogs aim is to promote the making of classic Clean and Simple cards. They have only just started, so I thought I'd give their first challenge a go. The image on my card is from Pink Petticoat. I've added glamour dust to the middle of the cake and the candles on the top, and only used black and pink on a white card. So easy to make. I look forward to seeing what the other challenges are.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 87

Arlana has provided another great sketch for this weeks challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. For my card I have used Papermania Blueberry Hill papers and a brilliant digital image by the talented Mo Manning. How cute is this picture. Its called "Buds". The sentiment is by Stampin Up. I've added some adhesive stones on the dogs collar and cotton candy stickles to her cute little pants.

Lili of the Valley - Challenge 82 - Anything but a Square

The challenge at Lili of the Valley this week is to create a card/project as long as it is not square. I've fancied trying to make a round easel card, but just wasn't quite sure how to make one. I then came across this brilliant tutorial created by a lady called Norma http://frommycraftroom.blogspot.com/2010/10/mini-round-easel-card-tutorial.html, so I thought I'd have a go. I've used Rosie Posy for the main image, and Papermania Rose Garden for the patterned paper. I used cotton candy stickles on Rosie's buttons on her cardigan but you can't really see them, and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Cute Card Thursday - Monochrome

The challenge at Cute Card Thursday is Monochrome. Now I'm not really sure whether my card actually fits this catagory. Yes my papers are all of a pink colour, but have I then spoilt it by colouring her hair and cake a totally different colour. I'm just not sure, but I thought I'd enter the card anyway. The stamp I've used is a Lili of the Valley called Rosie with cake (I think she is a little cutie and love the size of that cake). I've used Forever Friends paper, and Cotton Candy Stickles for the icing on the cake, and Pink Stickles for what I am guessing are cherries on the top of the cake. The sentiment is also Lili of the Valley.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #83

A great sketch has been supplied yet again by Arlana (I don't know where she gets her ideas from). My friends daughter is celebrating her 16th birthday soon, and I purchased this Kenny K image with her in mind. The papers I used are the new Papermania Birdsong, and I got to use my new Magnolia Doohickeys Dragonfly cutting die. I don't know whether its me, but I found that the dragonfly's wouldn't come off the die without me dropping the die on the table I few times??? I also used one of my Martha Stewart punches for the centre of the card.

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 145 - Thank You & Phindy's Place Challenge #36

At long last I have made a card. My first card of 2011. The challenge at Cute Card Thursday and Phindy's Place was so appropriate. The Thursday after christmas my hubby who is fanatical about his bikes went cross country cycling with friends. Unfortunately I got the phone call I have always dreaded. It was from a paramedic telling me that hubby had fallen off his bike and they were taking him to hospital. The hospital he was taken to wasn't local (in fact it was 30 miles away). My mind went blank and I ended up running to a neighbours house who kindly jumped in their car and took me to him. He ended up in hospital for 3 nights with broken ribs!!! Anyway on to my card. I can't thank my lovely neighbours enough. I used a Papertrey stamp - Year of Flowers - Roses. I stamped the image 4 times onto Stampin Up Earth Elements paper, cut it out and decoupaged the rose, stamped the leaves onto dark green card, and used a Swiss Dots embossing folder for the pink background. The sentiment was also Stampin Up. I hope they like the card, but not a good start to a new year.