Mojo Monday 376

I was really stuck on creating this birthday card for my mums friend who will be celebrating her 88th birthday on the 28th of this month.  She loves poppies, so I thought that Tilda with a poppy was perfect for her.  Thank goodness for a great sketch at Mojo Monday.  The papers I've used are by Lili of the Valley called Country Meadow.  I thought I'd give the card a slight christmasy feel to it, that's why I chose the red background.  The flower is a Magnolia doohickey die called Doiley Flowers.

A christmas card (at long last)

Every year its the same old tale. My mojo disappears and I just can't get motivated to make any Christmas cards. Am I the only person this seems to happen to every year.  Thank goodness for Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.  If their sketches weren't there I don't know what I would do. They have got me out of some spots over the years/months.  The paper I've used is by LOTV called Woodland Wishes.  The image is also by LOTV called Three Little Angels.  I've had the stamp for ages and am ashamed to say I have only just used it.  The stars have been created from a punch and the sentiment is computer generated.

Lady Ga Ga ArtPop

On a very autumnal, wind blown evening (Tuesday), we headed to Manchester to see Lady Ga Ga.  Her tour is called Artpop, the album she released this year.  The show was packed out, she was amazing. She rose up onto the stage for her opening song wearing a blue sequin leotard and fluffy brown wings. Most of the songs she sang were from the Artpop album such as Venue, Manicure, Artpop, Applause and Mary Jane Holland.  It says that Mary Jane Holland is Ga Gas pot loving alter ego. On stage you could see her and her backing dancers pretending to pass round spliffs.

The light show was brilliant, and her costume changes were different.  She is definitely an energetic person.

She even had a costume change actually on the stage.  The crowd went wild when she also sang some of her well known oldies, Poker Face, Paparazzi, Born this way, Alejandro to mention a few, and my all time favourite Bad Romance.  If you ever get the chance to see her live then she is well worth seeing, she has an amazing voice and a talented piano player as well.

Baron & Butch (but really John & Archie)

As soon as I saw this image at Mo's Digital Pencil I had to have it.  I know its a little boy but the image just reminded me so much of hubby and Archie.  Most evenings they spend their time together on the floor, John with his laptop (supposedly watching the telly!!!), and Archie next to him either surrounded by tennis balls or with a ball in his mouth.  Perfect for his birthday card.  The papers I've used are LOTV Father knows best.  The image is called Baron & Butch and I've used an embossing folder for the strip behind the image called Starry Eyed.  I'm entering this card into the Sketch N Stash challenge 149.

Sketch Saturday #332

Love the sketch on this weeks Sketch Saturday Challenge.  I've used one of my fave paper pads (as always) LOTVs Up, Up and Away - Pastel Dreams.  I love their paper pads, they have such beautiful colours and are most defo my go to pad.  I've used an LOTV image called Annabel Upside Down. I love the Annabel stamps, I need to ink up the others I've got.  The sentiment is by Fizzy Moon. I'm also entering this card into LOTVs Monthly Challenge "Anything Goes".

Tilda with Koala

Another great sketch provided by Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.  The amount of times they get me out of a mental/card block. The papers are called Lillibet. It makes a change for me to not use LOTV papers.  The image I've used is Tilda with Koala.  I've used my faux crochet border for the patterned strips, and the flower is a Magnolia Doily flower.  I've never used this die before but I really like how it looks.   I've also added glossy accents to the koala's nose. I'm entering this card into the following challenges Midweek Magnolias - Anything Goes, Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes, and Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 - Sketch 30.

Sketch Saturday #328

I've used Sketch Saturdays sketch for this card.  The papers are LOTV Nitwit Papers called Country Meadow, the sentiment is a Stampin Up one called Express Yourself, and the flower is a Spellbinders Blooms Three die cut. The stamp is also a LOTV one called Milly Just for You.

Sketch N Stash Challenge 146

I had to make this card quickly as I need to post it tomorrow before I go away on my hols.  I was so relieved to see that the challenge at Sketch N Stash was a sketch that was perfect for the card I had in mind.  The papers are LOTV Father Knows Best paper pad, the image is a stamp by Butterfly Kisses called Old Crock that I've embossed with silver embossing powder.  The sentiment is a die cut by Penny Black called Celebrations. Love the script that has been used for it, I think I might use this one quite a bit.  The picket fence in the middle of the card (that you can just see) is a Martha Stewart punch.

 

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 203

Another great sketch provided by Sweet Sketch Wednesday (I really don't know what I would do without your sketches).  Thanks also for picking my last card as a Top 3.
The stamp I've used for this card is LOTV Dandelion Clock.  I remember playing this game with my friend. We used to blow the dandelion clocks and with every breath we would count until there was nothing left on the stem, then that would be the time!!! Sad or what!!!  The papers are also LOTV called Country Meadow.  I've added glammer dust on to the dandelions.  Actually the sentiment is also LOTV (I was on a roll using their products this time).  The scallop punch I've used is Stampin Up.  Sorry DT Team I just wasn't brave enough having a go at any form of stitching on my card.

 

 

Less is More Week 186 Sketch

The challenge at Less is More is a sketch.  I always like the sketch challenges, it makes it so much  easier.  I've used Stampin Up Blooming with Kindness for the flowers, and have used Elegant Eggplant and Lovely Lilac Stampin Spots (thanks Michele).  The sentiment is a Papermania anniversary stamp.

Charisma Cardz Challenge #18 - Wedding Anniversary

My friend has just celebrated her silver wedding anniversary. I can't believe that she has been married for 25 years. Where has the time gone.
I got the idea for this card from Pinterest.  I love this site, I can spend hours and hours on it. For the card I've used Stampin Up Petite Petals stamp set.  I have heat embossed each flower with silver and then added them to a circle.  I also heat embossed the sentiment.  The sentiment is a Papermania set called Anniversary Sentiments.
Happy Anniversary Michele & Tim x

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 - 25

Love the sketch at this weeks Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  My friends daughter is getting married next weekend and I thought the sketch was perfect for the card I needed to make, but I have changed it slightly and added a heart instead of a circle, so I don't know whether it will be accepted or not.  The colour scheme for the wedding invites, favours etc is cream and grey, so I thought I'd add grey on the card (what a copycat!!!).  The image I've used is Stamping Bella - Uptown couple Brett & Brenda get married.  The hearts are a Marianne Creatable die.  Can't remember what the papers are called.  I've used a heart embossing folder on the large heart.

Birthday for a Boy

Our friends little boy is celebrating his 2nd birthday today. Happy Birthday Connor x I don't know where the time has gone.
The challenge at Mo's Challenge Blog is "Birthday for a Boy" - challenge #233.  I chose this little cutie called Ben. The papers are again LOTV called Bear Necessities.  I've got loads of different paper pads but I seem to go back all the time to LOTV's.  Which reminds me that I fancy buying a few more ;).

Annabel

I love the new stamps LOTV brought out a few months ago.  The one I've used for this card is called Annabel Upside Down.  The papers are also LOTV called Bonnets & Bowties.  The sentiment is a Stampin Up stamp.  The challenge at Sketch N Stash was to chose a sketch.  I chose Sketch 59.  I'm also entering this card into Charisma Cardz challenge #15 which is Anything Goes, and Cute Card Thursday Challenge 329 which is Pretty Papers.

Show chickens

Today we went to see a friends show chickens.  I've never seen this breed of chicken before but they are beautiful. They look like they've got massive big afros (lol).  These chickens are definitely not for eating.

This one is called a Black Poland

This one was having a good dust bath

This one looked like it was having a very bad day,but it should look like this. I'll never complain next time I have a bad hair day lol!!!

 

Sketch Saturday #315

Every time I need to make a birthday card I always seem to leave it until the last minute.  I was so relieved that the sketch for this weeks Sketch Saturday was perfect for what I needed to create this card.  The papers are Lillibet - A Tale of Friendship, the image is a digi from A Day for Daisies called Pearls in my Hair and the sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set called Express Yourself.

Liverpool - Chester - Liverpool Bike Ride

Over the last few months I have been building up my cycling miles on our tandem as my hubby kindly entered me into the annual Liverpool - Chester - Liverpool bike ride which consists of 50 miles.  I was really worried as I did not meet the 50 mile mark, I think the furthest I cycled was 32.
On Sunday I joined 3,000+ cyclists and left the Birkenhead Tunnel at about quarter past 8 and after a comfort break at a rugby club, we arrived at the Countess of Chester at 11 (25 miles).  After a sausage in a bun and an amazing tasting energy gel (rhubarb and custard), we carried on with the return journey, and arrived back at Liverpool at 1.30.  I am really chuffed that I was actually able to cycle the 50 miles as I didn't have much faith in myself, but actually cycling to the start from were we parked the car and return journey I actually cycled 57.1 miles.  The amount of times tho' that cyclists shouted "She's not pedalling"!!!! I would have had quite a bit of money by the end lol!

Say Cheese

The stamp I've used on my card is Penny Black "say cheesecake".  The papers are Lili of the Valley Bear Necessities.  I love their papers, there is always a pad suitable for the cards I make.  I'm entering this card into Sunday Sketch & Stamp #210, another great sketch, and also Penny Black Saturday Boys, Boys, Boys.

A Tale of Two Blue Tits

We've been lucky enough to have blue tits use our nesting box with the camera again this year.  We watched the next being built and the eggs appearing.  She laid 8 eggs.

We were lucky enough to put the telly on just as the eggs had started to hatch. We saw the mother actually eat one of the eggs (that's something I never knew they did).  All 8 eggs hatched.  Its been amazing watching them changing daily. They grow so quickly.  The end result is 7 chicks have survived which I think is such an achievement.  There must have been enough food to fatten them up.  This morning one has fledged, and then there were 6.

 

A Birthday Present with a Difference

I'm celebrating a milestone birthday very soon. John decided that he wanted to give me a birthday pressie with a difference. This he most definitely did. I spent a morning in Tewkesbury husky riding. We arrived the night before and had the pleasure (I am being sarcy here) of staying overnight in a herders hut. Lets just say that it was an experience. How I missed a plug in kettle, electricity and an indoor toilet. It was cozy tho'.

After a windy night spent in the hut, it was my time to limber up and have a go at husky riding. We were first introduced to all the dogs by name (sorry but I can't remember any of their names), allowed to stroke them, then we were ready for the off.  They are beautiful dogs and so friendly. We had to keep Archie in the herders hut tho'.  I do remember that the beautiful one on the bottom right of these pictures was the only male of the pack, and his markings were gorgeous.

 

First we started off with just 1 husky, and by the end of the morning we were riding with 3.  I had a brilliant time but I can't believe how tiring it was.  Its not as easy as it looks as you have to push off yourself, and the dogs need lots of encouragement, and sometimes a bit of a push.  I swear that the 2 dogs I had (below) were posing for the camera. What do you think lol!. Thanks John for a pressie I definitely won't forget x

Sketch N Stash - Challenge 137

I'm loving this Mo Manning image Daffodils, and so appropriate for this time of year.  I've used Lili of the Valley paper pad Petal Fresh, the cute blue fence is a La La Land Die.  The flowers are Memory Box Fabulous Phlox. I decided to have a go at adding colour to them, so I sponged Stampin Up Pumpkin Pie round the edges of the flowers. I think tho' that I haven't quite got the hang of sponging the edges as what started as yellow flowers have now changed to orange. Oh well I'm sure that my mum will still like her card.

If friends were flowers

I am really liking the Stamping Bella stamps but they are so hard to get hold of, it seems everyone loves them.  The stamp I've used is called Uptown Girl Pippa loves to Plant.  My friend is very green fingered and her garden is immaculate.  God help any weeds that decide to try and grow in her garden. I saw this stamp and thought it was perfect for her.  The sentiment also came with the stamp.  The papers are Lili of the Valley Shabby Shack. The flowers are all from a punch. I've used the sketch from Sketch Saturday#306 by Debra.

Spring is in the Air

I love this time of year when the daffodils are in abundance and the fields are starting to fill with lambs. I love watching the lambs and I've been lucky enough to actually feed a few in my time. I'm just lucky I suppose that I've got cousins who have loads of lambs this time of year.
I've used Lili of the Valley papers called Petal Fresh.  The brilliant image is Mo Manning Daffodils. I love her big hair.  The sentiment is Stampin Up and the flower is Spellbinders Bloom 3.  I'm entering this card into the following challenges
Sunday Sketch & Stamp #202 - great sketch this Sunday
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Spring has Sprung
Allsorts Challenge Blog Week 254 - Spring Blossoms

A 3d box card

There are loads of these box cards about now.  I love trying something new and found a brilliant tutorial on You Tube for a Stampin Up 3d box card with gift card insert http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnqZ7bWl2js, didn't go the gift card insert tho', but did make my own envelope. I've used the same papers that were used on the tutorial. They were all Stampin Up.  The patterened papers were Quatrefancy, love these colours. The flowers I used were Flower Shop and used the matching punch, and I used the vine from Vintage Vogue on the back part. I decided to make the box card as a mothers day card for my mum.  I used Memory Box letters for mum, and the butterflies were from a Martha Stewart punch.  I like the way you can just fold this card up and put it in an envelope.  Thanks Michele for getting the papers to me in time :)

An Anniversary Celebration

Last week we celebrated our 10 year anniversary.  To make it a bit special we decided to go away for a few days.  We stayed in a little place called Oxwich Bay in The Gower.  Our hotel was right next to the beach, much to Archies delight.  We had a lovely 3 days with plenty of walking and fresh air, and so many daffodils everywhere. We went to Worms Head one day which is a promotory shaped like a giant sea-serpent and marks the most westerly tip of Gower and also Rhossili Bay.  It started off a lovely morning, one minute Worms Head was there the next it had disappeared as a sea mist came in (weird).

A Bicycle Made for Two

Me and hubby are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary soon.  How come its always that little bit harder to make male cards, is it because you can't really add many embellishments, flowers etc.  Love the sketch at Papertake Weekly (Sketch #88), perfect for the card I wanted to make.  As soon as I saw this Memory Box die Bicycle Made for Two, I just had to have it.  Its so appropriate, as we've invested in a tandem and I am really enjoying going out together and hopefully getting fit as well.  I think hubby will love his card.

Sketch Saturday #302

Can't believe that I've made 2 cards this weekend. That is really good going for me. Don't know what I would do without these brilliant sketches. The image is LOTV from their Sketch Pad Vintage Boys. The papers are also LOTV and aptly named Country Gent. I only just bought the Marianne Die lamp post and I was itching to try it out. The senitment is Stampin Up.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2

Love the sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2. I've used Mo Mannings Baby Fairy Bee. She is so cute and so easy to colour.  The background paper is a Pink Petticoat download and so appropriate for her.  The flower is a Spellbinders Bloom 3. I'm really pleased how that has come out, and the leaves are a Memory Box die, and the border is a MFT crochet border. The sentiment is Stampin Up and so are the 2 little bees on each corner. Not too sure about them tho'.

Sketch Saturday #297

Really liked this weeks Sketch on Sketch Saturday.  I really love the LOTV paper pads, they seem to be my first choice for most of my cards recently.  The patterned papers are LOTV Bonnets & Bowties. The image is also LOTV Woof You. I've used a Die-namics Faux Crochet Border for the centre piece. The sentiment is also LOTV.  The background plain paper on the card is from a paper pad I bought from LIDL.  I'm really surprised how good the paper is. The choice of colours are varied and the quality of the paper is excellent.

Sentimental Sundays - Challenge #193

The challenge at Sentimental Sundays is add sparkles, blings and buttons.  I've used Mo Manning digi image Birthday Fairy Lee. The papers are First Edition Sweet Owl. I've added glamour dust to her wings, the buttons are from my stash, and the sentiment is a Lili of the Valley.

A Valentine Wish

I didn't have a clue what image to use this year for hubbies valentine card.  I was just looking through folders on my laptop, and one folder is called Digi Images, and I spotted this little fella called Puppy Love. Perfect.  I haven't a clue where I got it from.  I've gone for a blue theme which is not a traditional valentine colour but I thought I'd be different.  The papers I've used are LOTV NitWit Collection Bear Necessities. I wrote the sentiment on the tag, and the heart button is from my stash. I've used the sketch from Seize the Sketch #13, and Cute Card Thursday is Lots of Love.

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2

I was gutted when I read that Arlana was unable to carry on with the challenge blog Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  A big cheer though, as Sally Dube has taken over the reins, hence the name Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.  I've used Fairy Dust Tilda.  The papers are Forever Friends Kraft Notes.  I've paper pieced her onesie with matching papers, and added Glamour Dust to the wishes.  The sentiment is computer generated.

Sketch Saturday Week #292

Love this weeks sketch at Sketch Saturday.  I wanted the numbers to stand out and I think the style of this card has achieved this. I covered the numbers in LOTV paper pad Always & Forever. The pink card is from my stash, and the flower is a Spellbinders Die-D-Lites Blooms 3. The sentiment is also LOTV.

A Knitting Diary

I've decided to try and keep a knitting diary this year.  I really enjoy knitting but there are times when my neck just won't let me.  The amount of UFO's (unfinished objects) I've got on the go is quite frightening.  Fingers crossed that a few of them will get completed this year.  I love knitting childrens clothes as they don't take long to knit. My friends little boy has had quite a few knitted cardies off me and every time I've forgotton to take a photo. I actually remembered to take a photo this time before I handed over this little jacket.  I bought the pattern and wool (Sirdar Snuggly Snowdrops Chunky) from Black Sheep Wools.  A brilliant wool shop in Warrington.  So here's my first of the year. Next time I'll try and tidy my desk before I take a photo lol!