Phew, been a long few weeks ....

.... what with training courses and then my F-i-L having a heart attack, I feel like I haven't been home at all recently. Thankfully things are calming down (a little) but still a long road to travel with my F-i-L but we'll all get there in the end .... fingers crossed.

Well, I am completely and utterly gutted that I didn't blog this in time and grovel un-reservedly to Nikky who is a fab crafty boss as it was Polka Doodles 3rd birthday on 22nd May and Nikky is giving away over £220 of blog candy!!! Pop over to the Polka Doodles Challenge blog to see how you can win as the blog candy is open to everyone .... a WOWSER 3rd birthday present and you have until 31st May to join in.

The theme set by Nikky was to use 3 of something on your card or project to celebrate Polka Doodles 3rd birthday and I made a card using all papers and elements from the Sugar Plum Daisy CD

I have been very privileged to be with Nikky for the whole 3 years and she has made things a "blast" to say the least and agree with En and Ruth .... time flies when you are having fun! As I said before, all papers and elements are from Sugar Plum Daisy CD. The alphabet has been printed on to Safmat to create my sentient and my 3 things are my presents and flowers.

Happy Birthday Polka Doodles and here's looking towards another 3 years and yet another 3 years and another 3 years ......

Lou
x

New challenge blog ....

This will be a monthly challenge blog with some awesome, delicious crafty goodies as prizes, so you have plenty of time to enter an it is a great theme this week as we are always making something for this theme ..... 

"Celebration".

To join in with us all pop over to Mishelflo Creative Craftings Challenge blog and check out all the details.

Michelle has oodles in her shop (Mishelflo Creative Crafting) and being part of her DT, I was lucky enough to sent some yummy goodies to play with and here is what I came up with for this months theme:

 

Michelle sent this drawer a while back and originally I was going to make it a baby themed project but changed my mind ..... as you can see! I have made the drawer for my Mum who is celebrating her "good health" after a bad 6 months. I have put various Spellbinders dies in the drawer for her to discover when she opens it. However the "baby" project is on going so watch this space. The box has been painted with a Martha Stewart acrylic paint and then misted with Rangers Perfect pearl mist in gold. Once dry, it was really playing around with my papers and accents. 

I have used papers, die cuts, vellum accessories, emphera bits and bobs from the K and Co Flaura and Fauna selection and I can verify that you get oodles and oodles in the embellishment packs. I have also used various metallic embossing powders in some of the corners for added texture and whilst they were still hot, I put mica flakes in the powders.

I fell in love with these miniature memory glass frames and just had to use one of them on my project. I have created a sandwich with embossed acetate, placing a flower die cut and a vellum bee in the centre. The frame is held in place by a miniature peg decorated with die cuts from the emphera pack. The frame is them finished off with a button.

I made the tag for no other reason tan I was on a roll ..... well everything was out, so thought "why not"! I have embossed one edge of the tag and again, placed mica flakes in the hot embossing powder (clear this time). The tag was also painted with the same paint. The sentiment is part of a Kaisercraft sentiment stamp and I thought it was apt. the tag has been finished with a wooden button and loads of bias ribbon.

What didn't I use on this project ......

From Michelle - (Mishelflo Creative Crafting)

Secret Drawer (Wooden),
K and Co BW Flora and Fauna Mat Pad,
K and Co BW Flora  and Fauna Die cuts and Vellum,
Kand Co BW Flora and Fauna Die cuts and Vellum

 K and Co Flora and Fauna Emphera pack
Tim Holtz: Tags (large), blank tickets, Memory glass frames
Paint: Martha Stewart
Mica Flakes (pearl)

other products: Sentiment (tag) - Kaisercraft, Dew drops - Polka Doodles, Tim Holtz - tape

Distress inks, various metallic embossing powders, buttons, Seam binding ribbon,

Perfect Pearls, acetate and Miniature peg

Wow I think that's all but I have taken oodles of photos of my project as I was struggling to take the shot I needed!  Haven't included them all on this post as it would end up being way to long!

I am entering my Secret Drawer in to the following challenges:
Craft your passion - texture
Creative Mondays - anything goes
Come and get it challenges - anything but a card
Crafting for all seasons - anything but a card
Divas by Design - buttons and bows
Just Us Girls - template time! The secret drawer is my unusual packaging!!!
LEJ Designs Challenges - anything goes

Hope you all have a great Tuesday and we look forward to seeing you over at the challenge blog,

Lou

x

It's Monday ....

and I have a 4 day week this week due to the school having to close as we have to become a polling station!!! The only downside is that it's Thursday, so have to be in on Friday but I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth as it were.

Was so pleased to see that Liz over at Pink Petticoat was showing off a set of cards I made HERE.

 
Chuffed to bits. The post I originally showed them off on can be found HERE.

I have still been playing with those lush Jessica Sprague papers and have made another card using them. I haven't added a sentiment as I wanted to leave it blank as that way I can choose the occasion I need it for!

s

Papers: Jessica Sprague Circa 1934

Butterfly and swirl die cuts: Marianne Design

Flowers: Wild Orchard Crafts

I thought I would use a simple layout for my card, accented with black. It does have an oriental feel to it but that wasn't my intention. Can yo tell I am a little addicted to these papers .... thanks Ruth for showing me the way ...

I am entering my card in to the following challenges:


Lollipop Crafts - anything goes
A-musing Challenge - anything goes
Totally Papercrafts - strong colours
4 Crafty Chicks - no stamping

Right gotta dash as I need to make sure everything is ready for tomorrows post ... why ... check out all the details HERE !

Lou
x

Phew .... what a week!

Had a great weekend away with hubby last week but how things change ..... quickly. Suffice to say that last week was FULL and was shattered by Friday pm. However no rest yet as had to drop Luke back at Uni today, catch up with household chores (that word is so correct .... chore), shopping .... etc etc and before you know it, I am finally getting some "me" time at this hour.

Because things changed expectantly this week, I didn't have time to schedule my Fab'n'Funky Challenges card and it was a theme I had set .... I know "tut". The theme is not to use designer papers on your project and I had great fun making my card ......... got out my inks, embossing powders, recycled bits and bobs, dusted off a few neglected stamps and this what I came up with ....

Stamps: Serendipity (via Joanna Sheen)

Butterfly & fern die cuts: K and Co (via Mischelflo)

Distress Inks

VersaMark clear pad

Clear detail embossing powder

Recycled card, button and ribbon

 I stamped the images on to white stiff card with Walnut distress ink and then lightly inked the edges (with Denim distress ink). Using my VersaMark pad, I smothered the images with clear ink and then with detail embossing powder (at least 3 times) until I achieved the effect I wanted.I did exactly the same with the sentiment but "aged" it with Vintage Photo distress ink. Using a piece of corrugated card (from a box) as my backing, I layered the elements up. The ribbon and button are from my "saw it being unused, so stuffed it in to this box" box (!) I am really pleased how the card turned out and surprised myself as it didn't take long to make .... however I did make a mess making it, which took longer to clear up!!!

This is a close up of my card and those gorgeous stamp images. I really ought to use this set more often as they are so versatile. My next must have is some Stampendous stamps (so many I want, that the list would be endless) and IndigoBlu stamps ... so need the "Music Hall" set and also the "Discover your Dream" set ..... in fact all of them!

I am entering my card in to the following challenges:
Fab'n'Funky Challenges - no DP
Crafty Mess Challenges - distressing and embossing
Our Daily Bread Designs - no DP

Well gotta go as am seriously tired and desperately need to catch up on my "zzzzz's".

Take care everyone and see you tomorrow,

Lou
x

A male card!

Well that was my intention! The challenge at Polka Doodles this week is "Red and White" as St.George's Day is on 23rd April and the first card I made solely in those colours, didn't work for me, so I have added a little bit of blue! Sorry En ....

Papers and images: Pretty Tuff CD

Sentiment: Freebie with a craft mag

Buttons from stash

Such a quick and easy card to make .... I think the longest part was cutting the car out and making it a 3D embellie topper! I didn't have the right colour buttons so coloured some plain pearl ones with my promarkers and I don't think you can tell.

Will be back later tonight to have a good mooch around blog land but in case I miss you, have a great weekend,

Lou
x

Another JS card ....

.... using the fab Circa 1934 papers but this time I made a bird as the focal point. I really couln't think about wha sentiment to add so have left it plain!

Papers: Jessica Sprague "Circa 1934"

Flower and bird die cut: KandCo (Mischelflo Creative Crafts)

Scallop edgerability

Sequins from sewing box

Straight forward mat & layering on this card with an added scallop border for an extra, "why not"!

A quick close up of the bird image which is gorgeous and so layered. Am in love with these K and Co images as they are so versatile, plus extremely well made. You also get oodles and oodles in a pack!


Well, I'm going to dash as I am absolutely shattered tonight. A quick bath, mug of coffee, my book and then off to bed for a total relax session.

Back tomorrow and hope t catch p with everyone then,

Lou
x

Having a play ...

..... with some mouth-watering delicious papers from Jessica Sprague. I have to thank my Polka Doodles teamie Ruth for the "heads up" about these papers and Jessica's kits ... a definite "must have".

I had great fun playing with the papers from the "Circa 1934" paper kit and will have to buy the embellishment pack now that matches thee papers. Although Jessica is more in to scrapbooking, these papers are easily adapted to card making but I am now determined to do more scrapping and have an album on the go at the moment for my sister .... watch this space.

My first card:

Papers: Jessica Sprague Circa 1934

Ticket: Tim Holtz

Flower: Mishelflo Creative Crafts

Sentiment: Serendipity Stamps

Marianne Design butterfly die

Labels 1 Nestability

Ribbon and tag from stash

I used lots of little offcuts and layered to create my background panel. Using my nesties I cut a panel and then used a Marianne Design die to cut a butterfly aperture. This was mounted on to a Tim Holtz ticket. I inked the tag and stamped the word "Bliss" at the top. I have also used the sentiment to stamp on the ticket.

To cover all my joins/layers, I used a piece of ribbon (originally off some packaging); knot at one end and decorative edge at the other. Finally a huge Flora Doodles flower to add an extra dash of colour.

I am entering my card in to the following challenges:

Art with no boundaries - anything goes
2 sisters - flower(s)
I {Heart} to stamp - sketch
Delicious Doodles - loads of layers

Well gotta go as I am absolutely shattered and desperately need some "shut eye". Will catch up with everyone tomorrow,

Lou
x

Oooohhh to be young .... I think!

Eldest son came in very late last night .... or should I say this morning. A quick shower and a bowl of porridge later and out the door he went to work. In my distant past (!), I vaguely remember doing a similar thing but my body just wouldn't allow me to do that now ..... I'd be asleep by mid-morning. Not sure when the ability to "burn the candle at both ends" leaves us but mine definitely has! A night on the razz can wipe me out the next day, not from a hangover, but from tiredness. Ooohhh how I envy his stamina .....

Okay enough of my jealous whining and on to this weeks challenge at Polka Doodles. The theme this week is "Pretty in pink" and I do struggle with girly cards and it doesn't help as I am really in to sentiments and paper pieced or stamped collage images at the mo but Nikky has kindly added loads of yummy sentiments to her newest CD's which, along with Safmat, are just up my street .... !

Papers: Pretty Sweet CD and Pen and Circle Club (Issue 1)

Sentiment: Candy Doodles Collectors Edition

Roses stamp: Pen and Circle Club (Issue 1)

Marianne Design: Butterfly and decorative panel dies

Marianne Design: Pom Pom ribbon lace

Safmat, gems and organza ribbon (from my stash)

Promarkers 

X cut heart punch

The butterfly has been cut out of felt and just loving using this medium at the moment. It gives such a tactile, yet delicate feel to everything. Not much else to say about how the card was made as it has been simply matted and layered with the additional embellishments added but I think it fits the girly bill and hopefully, could be given to any age?

I am entering my card in to the following challenges:
SJCrafts - 1, 2, 3 - okay ..... 1 butterfly, 2 ribbons, 3 small gems ..... other 3's are .... 3 different papers, 3 die cuts (panel, butterfly and tag), 3 stamped roses
Sugar Bowl - sketch (although have to admit the middle bit has been covered by everything else!!!
Crafts and Me - embellishments
Celebrate the Occasion - "just because" using pink

Finally before I go, I received a wonderful surprise in the post yesterday from a very talented lady Cheryl .... check it out here ..... just have to say it definitely does not fit the post title as the card and tag are stunning. Love Cheryls tip about the screws and chain too; a definite idea I am going to pinch!

Have a great day everyone and I'm off now as I am the "unpaid taxi" this afternoon.

Lou
x

Sunshine ......

Woke up this morning to a glorious sunny morning which really lifted my spirits, so sat out in the garden with my coffee with my dog, letting the world go by ..... the world in this case is 3 manic males getting ready for work or going. Far too much fuss and cross words at 6.30am.

Well this week over at Fab'n'Funky Challenges the theme is "on all 4's" ..... ! As you can imagine the naughty person inside me had a great laugh at that theme and I had to control myself from making something inappropriate and instead have made something cute ..... which is rare for me!

Papers: Tulip by Papermania

Sentiment: Polka Doodles

Butterfly: bought from £land

Nellie Snellen dies

Edgerabilities - large scallop

Ribbon from stash

Small heart - K and Co

I have used a backing paper as my background and focal image. Simple mat and layering finished off with a butterfly and sentiment. A really quick and easy card. Mum bought me the paper pack when she was over recently and it does have a lovely linen effect to it.

I am entering this card in to the following challenges:

Try it on Tuesdays - pampered pets
One Stop Crafts Challenge - pastel and die cuts

The 2nd card I have made took a little longer! Lili of the Valley are sponsoring Fab'n'Funky Challenges this week and as I did not have any animal themed stamps to use, I felt I should make another card using one of their images ..... so this is what I came up with ..... don't be too shocked as it is a little girly and very flowery ....

Papers:Fairy Flowers by Prima

Acetate wrap: HOTP

Image: LOTV

Flowers: Wild Orchard

Sentiment: Polka Doodles printed on to Safmat

Marianne Design Flourish dies

Glossy Accents

I have had this acetate overlay for donkeys years and finally had a reason to use it! The die cut toppers from LOTV were bought for me by my sons and again have never seen the light of day .... eek! I have added glossy accents to the image to make it stand out more from all the flowers.

Here is a close up of the cute image and all my flowers. I now need to have a reason to use it ..... ummm any birthdays coming up yet I wonder .....?

I am entering my card in to the following challenges:

Card Patterns - sketch
Everybody Art Challenge - Spring
My Time to Craft - "Fairy Nice" theme
Use It Tuesday - use hoarded supplies - my HOTP acetate cover and LOTV image

Well gotta dash as off to walk the dog up n the fields as it is such a gorgeous day.

Lou
x

Another quick make ....

I am also very privileged to be on the Polka Doodles DT and Nikky has been so generous and supportive recently that I knew that I must join in with this weeks challenge especially as it was celebrating my teamie Ruth's significant "0" birthday!!!

Here is the card I "whipped up" for this weeks Polka Doodles challenge ....

Papers: Candy Doodles Collectors Edition

Cupcake and sentiment printed on to Safmat (from the same CD)

Marianne Design dies:  Frame and butterfly

Hearts: K and Co

Flower and button from stash

I didn't want to go all "guns blazing" announcing the significant birthday, (not saying that this is Ruth's "0" birthday) but instead have created lickle dots with a number on! All papers are from the new Candy Doodles Collectors Edition as they are such a fab selection of papers and so versatile. The embossed panel at the back is a Marianne Design "Designables die which both cuts and embosses.

I printed the sentiment on to Safmat and then placed this on to a piece of the bunting paper, which in turn was mounted on to a Marianne Design frame die cut. The cupcake was also printed on to Safmat and then onto a piece of stiff card, dotted with little icing dots.

I was also very brave and cut the Marianne Design butterfly from felt . . . it looks fab but was a little delicate. I have finished the butterfly off with some hearts and a flower.

I am also entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafting when we can - things with wings
Pan Pastel - sweet treats
One Stop Craft - pastel and die cuts
Southern Girls Challenge - "you got something you wanna say?"

Well I didn't get far blogging this evening as I decided to re-organise my craft "bits and bobs" .... let's just say, this will be an on going project!

Lou
x