A cycle ride with a difference

Every December, John meets up with a cycle club he is a member of, and they all dress up as Father Christmas and cycle round Delamere Forest in Cheshire.  I don't know what came over me, but I suggested to John how would he feel if I joined him, but ofcourse, on our tandem.  He was really pleased that I had suggested it, so costumes had to be bought.  Because John takes the lead on the tandem (also known as the Captain), he purchased a Rudolph Costume.  The only down side was that we had to get up at 7 on Sunday morning.  It was a good day, but it was tough work trying to cycle through mud as the tandem is quite heavy, and by the end I was absolutely knackered. 

Christmas Baking

I haven't posted anything on my blog it feels like for ages.  Mr Mojo has most definitely gone on his holidays again, so I've found it a struggle making some christmas cards.  I love buying the Sainsbury's Magazine as the recipes always look scrummy.  In the December issue a recipe caught my eye, Brownie Mince Pies.  I decided to make them to take to work.  I'm really pleased how they came out as it was the first time I have made pastry in my Kitchen Aid.  They are quite unusual, as you can't tell that they are mince pies until you bite in to them.  They went down really well at work.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 236

I really like the sketch for this weeks Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  At long last I've made hubby's christmas card.  Every year I say that I am going to make my christmas cards early, and every year its always last minute. The stamp I've used is a LOTV called Under the Mistletoe. The papers are also LOTV called Woodland Wishes, and also the sentiment.  The hearts are a die by Whiff of Joy, but looking at the photo I don't think one of the hearts has stuck down properly.  The ribbon is from my stash.  Thanks ladies at Sweet Sketch Wednesday for providing me with inspiration when I need it through the year, hope you all have a lovely christmas x

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #231

I love the sketch on this weeks Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  Its my favourite aunties birthday soon and thanks to this sketch, it gave me the inspiration I needed to make her card.  The papers are Lili of the Valley NitWit Collections Always & Forever.  The image is also Lili of the Valley called Hello Cupcake. I think she is lovely.  The sentiment is Stampin Up.  These dark afternoons don't help trying to take a decent photo of your cards :( - Update - I took another photo this morning before posting the card, and I'm happier now with the colouring :)

Just Buzzin' your way

I love this little cutie by Mo Manning. She is baby fairy bee.  I've used Lucy Cromwell papers (love the colours in this pad), a Martha Stewart border punch for the edging of the triangle, and the sentiment is a Craftwork Cards one.  I've used the sketch from Sunday Sketch & Stamp #177 which has been supplied by Anne-Marie.  I'm also going to enter this card in Mo's Challenge which is "H is for ....", and ofcourse, she is a honey bee, and Stampin' for the Weekend which is Fairies and Fantasies.

Curtain Call

I've never made a card this style before, but after looking at the challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday #223 this week, I thought what an appropriate style for the Penny Black stamp I've used. The set is called tutu sweet. It looks like she has just taken her curtain call lol!.  The papers are Papermania Lucy Cromwell, and I've used a Die-namics Crochet Border on the curtain.

A Cupcake Decorating Day

Today I went on a Cupcake Decorating Course.  The course was held in a lovely place called A Sweet Little Treat.  I went on the Cupcake class for beginners.  I've always wanted to learn how to pipe buttercream properly. The class consisted of learning how to pipe a buttercream rose (not as easy as it looks), and learn how to make a sugarpaste butterfly, bow and flowers.  Michelle the teacher was brilliant, and by the end of the 3 hours I was covered in edible glitter, and went home with a box of 12 decorated cupcakes.

 

Anniversary Wishes

My friend celebrates her 7th wedding anniversary next week.  The challenge at Papertake Weekly is a Sketchie Free for all.  I had a look through the different sketches and decided on Sketch #79.  The papers are another paper pad by LOTV called Always & Forever (quite appropriate I think), the image is a Penny Black Slapstick Hedgehog Kisses, the heart border is La La Land, and the heart die in the corner is by Whiff of Joy. The sentiment is Papermania. Thank goodness for sketches. I'm afraid that by the time I'd finished this card the lighting was awful, looks like we could even have some rain, lets hope we don't.

A Messy Painter

My Uncle has done many painting and decorating jobs for us over the years.  He's now hung up his paint and brushes to enjoy retirement.  He celebrates his birthday next week and as soon as I saw this image he came to mind straight away.  The papers are Forever Friends - Best of British, the image is from LOTV Sketch Pad - Vintage Boys, and the stars are Woodware.  Yet again Sweet Sketch Wednesday have helped me with another brilliant sketch #221, and I'm also going to enter this card in to Lili's Little Fairies - the challenge this week is No Flowers.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 220

I think my Mr Mojo has been on his holidays recently, so I've now got loads of cards I need to make and in a short space of time (serve me right). As always if I'm stuck I can always rely on Sweet Sketch Wednesday for inspiration.  I've used one of my Tilda stamps as the main image, the papers are called Bear Necessities a Nitwit paper by LOTV, the sentiment is Itty Bitty Banners by Stampin Up and the numbers are by Memory Box. 1 down 3 still to go.

Fergus Birthday Wishes

This is a first outing for cute Fergus with his daffodils.  I've used Prima Papers called Sparkling Spring, and the sentiment is a peel off.  I've used the sketch from Papertake Weekly Challenge (Sketch #81). I'm so glad I found Dawny P's sketch as I had a real block for making this card.  I'm also entering Sentimental Sundays Challenge #165 - Things with Wings



No Designer Papers

The challenge at Charisma Cardz this week is No Designer Papers #27. Our friends little boy is celebrating his 1st birthday soon (where has the time gone). I've been itching to use my Penny Black teddies, and I wanted to personalise his card, so out came the teddies and my Memory Box Alphabet. Its a good job he didn't have a longer name lol! The Die Heart Banner is a La La Land Die Cut.

Fairy Bee

My friend Michele will be celebrating her birthday in the next couple of days. I just had to use Mo Mannings Baby Fairy Bee, she is just such a cutie and to tell the truth she reminds me of Micheles youngest daughter when she was that size.  The papers are Forever Friends Kraft Notes and the sentiment is computer generated. I'm entering this card into the following challenges - Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge #162 - the sketch supplied by Catherine is brilliant - Sentimental Sundays Challenge #160 - For the Girls - Cute Card Thursday Challenge 274 - In the Summertime (well you only see bee's in the summer don't you), and Stampin' for the Weekend which is anything goes!.  Happy Birthday Michele

In the Garden

The challenge at Lilis Little Fairies is In the Garden.  I've used one of the brilliant images from Sketch Pad 1 - Vintage Boys. These images are just perfect for male cards, and this image was ideal for a birthday card for a friend who is a brilliant gardener, and also has his own allotment.  The papers are Nitwit collections Country Lady. The fence die is a La La Land die, and the sentiment is Stampin Up.

A Get Well Wish

One of my friends has just gone into hospital for an operation. A perfect excuse to use Mo Mannings nurse. Isn't she just perfect for a get well card.  The papers are LOTV NitWit Collections Bear Necessities paper pad. The sentiment is Craftwork Cards.  The brilliant sketch I've used is another Sweet Sketch Wednesday inspiration.  I'm entering this in to this weeks Sweet Sketch Wednesday 210 and also Charisma Cardz Challenge which is Digis only. Get well soon Vicky.

How's a girl to craft

Last year I discovered Pinterest.  I am so in love with this site, and I can happily spend hours looking at other peoples pins.  The inspiration on Pinterest for card making is amazing, and it has given me so many ideas.  I've saved loads of card ideas onto one of my boards.  There are loads of Stampin Up cards as well.  We've got friends who are celebrating their Ruby Wedding Anniversary at the weekend, and I saw a card using Stampin Ups Apothecary stamp set. Thanks to my friend Michele, I am now the proud owner of the stamp set and matching dies to make the card I'd seen created by Vicky Hayes (craftingclare.blogspot).  I was just in the middle of adding glitter to the centre of the flowers, when Archie decided he'd come and join me.

Right were I'd put my feet under my desk. It definitely made it very tricky trying to finish my card off, but at least I got it finished in the end. The finished product below.

Lucky Cats

My boss is leaving to start another job. This gave me the opportunity at long last to use my LOTV stamp called Lucky Cats.  I'm not sure now whether I have coloured the cats correctly or should I have gone for a lighter colour, but I always thought that lucky cats were black.  Oh well its done now.  The papers are LOTV Nitwit collection papers called Buttons & Bows.  The lovely pink ribbon is The Ribbon Girl, and the sentiment is also LOTV.  I'm entering this card into the following challenges Sketch N Stash Challenge 115, which is were I got the lovely sketch from. Unfortunately the image was larger than I thought so I wasn't able to add any flowers so I added the sentiment where the flowers should have gone instead.  ABC Challenge O for Open, and The Ribbon Girl June Challenge which is add a die, and I've used a Nestie to cut out the image.

One for the Boys

I am so loving the new Lili of the Valley Vintage Boys sketch pad.  They make it so much easier to create male cards, as I think they are the hardest ones to make. The sketch I've used is called Playing Golf.  The papers are Nitwit Collections Petal Fresh, and the sentiment is Stampin' Up.  The buttons are Papermania. I've entered this card into 2 challenges. Cupcake Craft Challenges 244 - Boys and Creative Inspirations Challenge 216

Flutter By Wednesday's #239

I'm pleased with how this card came out.  I used the new stamp set I bought recently from Clearly Besotted a new company started by Stephanie Wincott. The stamp set I've used is called Flutterby Dreams.  The background paper is Stampin' Up Rich Razzleberry.  I also inked the butterflies in the same colour, and was lucky enough to also have a ribbon that matched.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #205

As soon as I saw this weeks sketch I knew it would work perfectly for the card I needed to make.  An inspector I have worked with for many years is retiring this month.  I've only been his admin support for the last 3 years but I'll really miss working with him as he is such a nice person.  I'm also green with envy wishing it was me that was retiring.  I've used Nitwit Collections Petal Fresh paper pad, another of the Lili of the Valley Vintage Boys sketch pad designs.  These designs are brilliant and perfect for making male cards.  The sentiment is also Lili of the Valley.

Birthday Wishes

My friends hubby is celebrating his birthday this week.  Unfortunately he has a long term back problem after being pinned by a heavy cage he was delivering to a shop. This accident ended up damaging 2 of the discs in his back, and his back has flared up again and he is in agony, so I don't really know whether he will enjoy this birthday or not.  I've used Country Gent Nitwit Collections paper pad (love these pads). The image is from the new Lili of the Valley sketch pads. This one is called Set 1 Vintage Boys.  The sentiment is also Lili of the Valley and I've used Whimsy Stamps Spell it out for the name.  I've used the sketch from Sketch N Stash Challenge 113, and I'm going to enter this card in the Papertake Weekly Challenge Anything Goes.

Friends

For my friends birthday card I've used the sketch at The Sweet Stop (SSS207). I don't know what I would do without challenges with sketches.  This is a first inking for Uptown Girls Felicity & Blair.  The papers are yet again from LOTV. They are Nitwit collections paper pad Promises.  I wasn't sure about the colours for the girls clothes, so I've paper pieced instead using the same paper pad.  I've also used a Die-namics faux crochet border to decorate the triangular part of the card.  The sentiment is a Simon Says Die and Stamp Set.  I first saw this die on Debbie4000's blog A Scrapjourney, and just had to have it. The flowers are from 2 punches.

Tea Cup Fairy

I love this cute Mo Manning digi image called Tea Cup Fairy.  She is so easy to colour and so quick to complete.  I've used (yet again) the LOTV Nitwit collections paper pad called Promises. I'm really loving these pads.  I'm entering this card into 3 challenges. Sweet Sketch Wednesday sketch #201. I don't know what I would do without the inspiring sketches they provide, and Mo's Challenge #180 - Things with Wings and Flutter by Wednesday #235.  I love weekends :) I have just noticed tho' that the top of my card with the fairy on is not very straight, oh well!!!

Anything but a card

The challenge at Stampin' for the weekend is anything but a card.  I found this tutorial on the Whimsy Inspirations Blog http://whimsystamps.blogspot.co.uk/p/whimsy-tutorials_11.html.  I've used the book mark tutorial created by Iris.  Really like how its turned out, and I may make a few more. Don't know tho' how long they would last.  The patterned papers are by Stampin' Up. The cute little bear is a Lili of the Valley stamp. The butterflies are a Martha Stewart punch.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday #199

I'm cutting it fine with this anniversary card for hubby.  We celebrate 9 years on Monday.  I thought I'd make a funny card for a change.  I've used a digi image from Paper Shelter.  The papers are yet again a NitWit collections paper pad called Perfect Pair.  I've used a Die-namics faux crochet border to decorate the half circle, and the ribbon that you can just about see is from Stampin' Up.

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Free for All

A perfect sketch provided by Papertake Weekly (Sketch #77).  The image I've used is a digi image called Collieflower. I've used a Nitwit collections paper pad called Petal Fresh. I think these papers are great for using on male cards.  The corner dies are by Whimsy Stamps, and I've used a Craftwork Cards sentiment. I love bank holidays as you seem to get so much more done.

How Time Flies

Hubby's niece's daughter (I haven't a clue what you would call a nieces daughter?) has just had her 2nd birthday. Can't believe she is that age already, and baby number two has a few more months before he or she arrives.  The paper I've used is a Nitwits Paper pad called Perfect Pair. The 2 teddies are Lili of the Valley called Present Trio. Unfortunately I've misplaced one of them :(  The wording is a Memory Box die cut, only just started using it and I'm loving them. I've also used a Martha Stewart punch. I'm entering this card into 2 challenges Stampin' for the Weekend - Child's Play, and Charisma Cardz Challenge - Die Cuts.

A Happy Mothers Day

Its Mothers Day this coming Sunday, a time to show your mum just how much you really care.  I've used the sketch from this weeks Sunday Sketch & Stamp #146. The stamp I've used is by Lili of the Valley called Milly Just for You. The papers are also Lili of the Valley called Petal Fresh.  The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts.  The challenge at Wild Orchid is called Daisy Daisy.  I'm looking forward to giving mum her card.

Sunday Sketch & Stamp Challenge #144

I love this digi stamp I've just bought from Whimsy Stamps called Dog Song.  This dog is brilliant and so versatile. I can use it for a male or female card.  I've used the sketch supplied by Uma. Great sketch. The papers I've used are from Lili of the Valley called Petal Fresh.  I've added glossy accents to his nose and dog tag. I enjoyed making this card.

A Birthday Card

Can't believe we had so much snow last night, but at least its stopped me going out shopping again, and it gave me the opportunity to make a birthday card.  I've had this Penny Black image coloured for a while.  Its called Uplifting Occasion.  The papers are a Papermania Capsule Collection.  I've used 2 punches to make the flowers, and added a pearl in the centre of each one. I've used the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday 190, and I've chosen all blue because the challenge at Penny Black Saturday Challenge is January Blues.  Fingers crossed that the rain comes tonight and washes all this snow away.

Mo's Challenge #167 - Anything Goes

I love this image I've used for this card even though it did take me quite a while to colour it in (I think most of last month it was just grey and dark - very hard to see what you are doing even with a lamp). I've used Carolers Three, perfect for a christmas card. The Silent Night background stamp is a Magnolia one, and the holly is a Martha Stewart punch. I think in total I only made 3 christmas cards with coloured images on them. Fingers crossed that Mr Mojo has enjoyed his break and has now come back.