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.