A big welcome to all of my lovely followers and visitors to my little space in the crafting world of blogland! I love colouring, drool over every embellishment and love to 'look' at papers (never mind using them) - some are just TOO good to use lol. I hope you enjoy your little wander through my creative world and would love to feel that I may have inspired some of you in some small way. Happy Crafting to you all and I hope you will stop by again soon!

Sunday 28 July 2013

Lacy Sunshine Mid Challenge Reminder

Hi everyone! 
We have a Mid Challenge Reminder for you all today, showcasing the fabulous new Gnomes on Vacation digis.  You can find these brilliant, fun characters in Heather's Lacy Sunshine Store.

For this challenge I was given the very laid back 'Fred - Tiki-ing it Easy'
Can you see him?  I think I may have camouflaged him under the mountains of colour LOL.  It's not a case of 'Where's Wally?'; more a case of 'Where's Fred?'

Isn't he adorable just nestled in the arms of the googly eyed Tiki carving!

My papers are from my stash from years ago and the sentiment I found in my scrapbook stash - thought it fitted perfectly with Fred :)  I haven't listed my colours today as I gathered it would take a while LOL ... I did use both Copics & Spectrum Noirs on this little number though!

You really need to pop on over now and see what my Teamies have created with some of the other Gnomes on Vacation - they really are a lot of fun to colour and create with :)  You have until 6pm next Saturday (GMT) to enter our Challenge #13 at Lacy Sunshine so there's still plenty of time to get your colouring paws on and enter. 

Thanks for popping by today and big hugs to all xx

Friday 26 July 2013

Welcome to Parenthood

Hey everyone - Happy Friday to you All!!!

Well, this week has been THE most exciting time for my family in such a long while ..... my Daughter & Son-in-Law's little 'miracle' baby has finally arrived!! Yay!!!  Shay Daniel-Jay arrived into the world on Tuesday morning weighing in at a very healthy 7lb 13.5oz!

 We have awaited this moment for years now and now we all have to keep pinching ourselves that the Nappy News has finally happened!  I blogged a post back in January detailing the journey my amazing Daughter & Son-in-Law have been through to make this day happen and, if you fancy taking a peek, you can read it HERE.

My card today is using a new image from the fabby Redonkadoodles called 'Welcome to Parenthood'.  I made this up for my little boy to give to the proud parents - it's a fun, light-hearted card to match the super fun image, but has a double meaning ....
Isn't this the most funniest image ..... and so very true!  You have to feel for the one who pulls the short straw LOL!! Of course, the sentiment speaks for itself ..... but I also wanted it to portray that, yes, their turn has finally come to delight in their new baby joy!

I decided to use 'unconventional' colours for my card - I tend to go towards more pastel colours when creating baby cards, but, hey! .... I am being LOUD & PROUD with this one :)

I coloured the image with Copics:
Skin:  E000, E00, E11   Blacks tones:  C0, C1, C3, C5, C7  Turquoise/Blue tones:  BG01, BG05, BG09

The bp's are from Wild Rose Studio and called Wintry Christmas.  The fab die is Spellbinders Nestabilites Decorative Elements and the roses are all from Wild Orchid Crafts.  The Rhinestone Sparklers are from The Hobby House and the ribbon & charm are from my stash.
A little touch of glitter around the edges and voila! A card fit for our little Prince ....

..... and here's the little man himself .....

I'd like to enter into the following:

A.R.T. Card Challenge Ch #7 - Anything Goes & Guest Designer
Creative Card Crew Ch#41 Baby - Dominant color of Blue or Pink
Creative Creations Challenges #15 - Anything Goes
Digi Makeover Challenge #98 - Color It
Make It Monday #151 Linky Party

Thank you so much for popping by today and sharing in our baby joy!
Big, NAPPY hugs to you all!

Monday 22 July 2013

Challenges 4 Everybody Ch #25 - Anything Goes

Hi lovely peeps! It's time for the start of a fresh challenge at Challenges 4 Everybody and for this next fortnight we are sponsored by the fabby Sassy Studio Designs who are offering 4 digis to 1st place prize winner!

As always, the challenge is ANYTHING GOES and we look forward to seeing what you create this time :)

For my card this time I chose to use the fabulous Bubblegum Sassy
I coloured this Sassy girly in Copics using the following:

Skin:  E000, E00, E11  Jeans:  B97, B95, B93, B60, B32
Hair:  C0, C1, C3, C5, C7, V12, V15, V17
Top:  BG09, BG10, BG15  Bubblegum:  RV000, RV10

I fussy cut around her and backed her onto Promises papers from LOTV.  The flowers are a mixture from The Hobby House and Wild Orchid Crafts.  My beautiful blingy flower is also from The Hobby House.

I coloured up my sentiment (in bubblegum colour of course) and both the sentiment and Sassy's very own bubblegum have been glossed over to create the all important 3D effect :) ... not that you can tell on here LOL.  I also added 'bubbles' around Sassy!
Here's a close up (which also shows up my rubbish fussy cutting under her arms!!!) In hindsight, I'm not even sure why I decided to fussy cut that part - seeing as she was going to be backed onto WHITE!! Oh well, hey ho .... you live and learn LOL

I would like to enter Bubblegum Sassy into the following:
Delightful Challenges - Celebrate with Glitter, Bling & Sparkly Things
Make It Monday #150 Linky Party
Stampin' for the Weekend - Sparkle and Bling
That Craft Place Challenge - It's a Girl Thing

I hope you like my version of this fab girly and hope you'll pop by and see what my Teamies have created also.  

Big hugs,

Sunday 21 July 2013

613 Avenue Create Ch #29

Good Morning everyone - hope you're all happy and well.

It's time for another challenge at 613 Avenue Create and, as always, it's ANYTHING GOES with an optional twist to create and envelope to match your card.  I kinda strayed a little from the envelope as I had no choice than to make a box - as hard as I would've tried, there was no way my card was going to squeeze into an envelope!  

Our sponsors this week are the fabulous RSD and Beansie Doodles

I chose to colour up 'Pepper for Prom' and here she is .... I do apologise as it's quite a picture heavy post today.
How pretty is she!  
I coloured the very pretty Pepper up with Copics using the following:
Skin:  E000, E00, E11  Hair/Shoes:  E43, E41   Dress/Hairband:  YG63, YG67, G21
My background papers are the beautiful Maja Design Vintage Spring Collection from Live & Love Crafts.
The pearl string is from The Hobby House
I fussy cut Pepper out and added 3d foam to give her a bit of dimension.  The die she is layered onto is Ann's Paper Art Stitching Stencil, which I bought from The Art of Craft.  I did start sewing, but, after half an hour and only one swirl and a petal later, I decided it wasn't such a great idea and that a far greater length of time was most definitely needed to complete this gorgeousness LOL ... Oh well, maybe next time ;)
My little floral array consists of roses, cameo, pearl brad, flat backed pearl and pearl flourishes - all of which can be found at The Hobby House.  The ribbon is from my stash and the decoration berries are from Live & Love Crafts.
I created my box and then layered co-ordinating papers.  I printed a smaller version of Pepper onto one of the layers and coloured her dress to make her stand out a bit.
I would like to enter into the following:

Charisma Cardz Challenge - Ch #28 Girly
Crafts-Too Challenge You - Twist 2 - I chose a 1950's theme with 3 or more layers
Creative Fingers Challenge  - Anything Goes 
Digi Makeover Challenge #97 Tic-Tac-Toe (Diecuts, Ribbon, 2 or more PP)
Dutch Dare Card Challenges - #226 Floral Frenzy
Make It Monday #150 Linky Party

I hope you like my little creation today and would love for you to take a look at my teamies' fab creations! We look forward to seeing what you create this week! 

Big hugs

Monday 15 July 2013

The Hobby House Inspiration - Hopeful

Good Morning everyone! Hope you've all enjoyed  a fab weekend - we've been kinda sweltering down here in the South ....... and I absolutely LOVE it!! I don't do cold very well, so this is definitely my kind of weather!  This weekend was shared with my gorgeous children and grandchildren, a nice big pool, lovely food, water fights and glorious sunshine - what more could you ask for?  Mind you, I don't think my eldest is finding it so glorious as she only has one week today until little one is due ....... maybe it's not the best weather for the heavily pregnant!! 

Onto my card now and today is my day to show a bit of inspiration for the fabulous Hobby House.  I absolutely adore being on their DT and love, love, love all of the beautiful embellishments we are lucky enough to get to play with!
Here is the adorable Hopeful and she is a pre-coloured topper by Sylvia Zet.  I thought I'd surround Hopeful with some fancy stitching - I literally didn't have a clue what pattern I was going to end up with!  I just pricked some holes around the edges and went from there LOL .... quite pleased with the outcome though :)

Flowers, fancy button, flat backed pearls, charm, ribbon, lace, rhinestone sparklers, mini brads and gems can all be found HERE at The Hobby House store!  

Background card from Kanban.

If you haven't done so already, you have until the end of the month to get your fabulous creations entered into our 2nd Challenge at The Hobby House Challenge  - and the theme this month is 'Vintage' 

I'd like to enter into the following:

Divas by Design - Charming
Dutch Dare Card Challenge - #225 - Tic Tac Toe - (Stitching, Bling, Ribbon)
That Craft Place Challenge - Ribbons and/or Lace
The Squirrel and the Fox - Ch #48 - Use Something Spooled

I hope my card has inspired you today and thanks so much for popping by for a closer peek!

Big hugs,

Sunday 7 July 2013

Challenges 4 Everybody - Ch #24 - Anything Goes

Hi again everyone! It's time for Challenge #24 at Challenges 4 Everybody and we are sponsored for this next fortnight by the wonderful Heather Valentin of Lacy Sunshine!

Our challenge is, as always, ANYTHING GOES and we can't wait to see what you create this time!
1st place will receive a massive $20 voucher to spend in the Lacy Sunshine Store and 2nd place will be awarded 2 digis of their choice!

My card today features the gorgeous Lizabeth as Queen of Hearts.
I coloured Lizabeth up with Copics and added a bit of sparkle to her hair and parts of her dress - well, she is a Queen you know! ;)

Heart paper from a craft magazine  
Sentiment and sentiment band - Craftwork Cards 
Flower edging on top of the band - pearl string from The Hobby House.  
Flower - Cheery Lynn Cutie Fringe 3 from Icon UK.  
Fancy Button The Hobby House
Pearl string around Lizabeth Live & Love Crafts

Hope you like my little make today and I hope you'll pop along and see what my Teamies have created to inspire you all with this time - don't forget to enter your fab makes whilst you're there! 

I'd like to enter this little one into the following:

2 Sisters Challenge Blog ~151 - Red, White & Blue
Crafting By Designs - Show us your Colors - (Great Britain - Red, White & Blue)
Digi Haven - Red, White & Blue Challenge
MilkCoffee Challenge - Use Country Flag Color Challenge (Great Britain)
Paper Pretties PWC265 - Color Challenge - Red, White & Blue

Thanks for visiting today - big hugs to all and enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Happy Crafting!
xx

Lacy Sunshine Ch #12 - Anything Goes

Hey everyone!  It's time for Challenge #12 at the Lacy Sunshine Challenge and the theme, as always, is ANYTHING GOES, but must include a hand coloured image!

As always, Heather has a free digi for you to grab on the challenge page, if you would like to use it for the challenge.   Only entries using a Lacy Sunshine image will be eligible for the Winner prize, which is a huge $30 worth of digis to spend in the Lacy Sunshine Store.  All other entries will qualify for the Top Three prizes of their choice of 2 digis each and a fab blinkie!

Heather provided my lucky Teamies and I with the most adorable festive digis to play with.  They are her latest release, all brand new and sparkly and eagerly awaiting good homes :)  To kick off the challenge this time, it's Team Lexie's turn to go first and you really need to head on over to see what they've created for you this time ...... after you've seen my little creation, of course!! LOL

Here's my card showcasing the sweetest little tin soldier you ever did see .....
meet Lil Bows - Tin Soldier
Told you she was sweet :)

Absolutely adored colouring this little lady up and had a whole lot of fun embellishing too - it's the first Christmas card I've made this year and really can't wait to make my next one!

To frame Lil Bows, I used four snowflake dies and cut each in half to edge - a bit of faffing about but I'm happy with the result.  I'm excitedly awaiting some fab new dies, which are also now available to buy in Heather's store HERE
Card Ingredients:

Copics:   Skin - E000, E00, E11     Hair & Trousers - C0, C1, C3, C5, C7
               Red Tones - R22, R29, R59       Purple Tones - BV00, BV02, BV08, BV13
Papers:   Wild Rose Studio - Xmas Bella
Snowflake Edge Die - Joy Crafts Winter Wishes
Snowflake 3 - Marianne Designs
Jingle Bell Charms, Small Roses and Rhinestone Sparklers - The Hobby House
Liquid Pearls and Glamour Dust added to snowflakes and around image.

I would like to enter Lil Bows Tin Soldier into the following:

Addicted to Stamps and More #52 - Make Your Mark
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' Challenge #52 - Cute & Cuddly plus Non Traditional Colours
Crimbo Crackers #45 - Girly
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Something New (Edge Die, Image, Jingle Charms)
Make It Monday #148 - Linky Party
Merry Monday - Month Long - Anything Goes Christmas Challenge
Simply Create Too #41 - Christmas in July
Stamp and Create July Challenge - Christmas in July
Sweet Stamps #124 - Snow

Thanks so much for taking a look at my creation today and I hope to see your beautiful makes in the challenge.
Festive Greetings and Happy Crafting ;)
xx

Create Your Own Challenge at 613 Avenue Create

Morning everyone!! Hope you're all enjoying a fab weekend ..... we are just bathed in sunshine here in the South!  Love it!!!

Today's the start of Challenge #27 over at 613 Avenue Create and our sponsors this week are the fabulous Rick St Dennis and QKR Stampede

The theme this week is ANYTHING GOES or CREATE YOUR OWN CHALLENGE

For my card today I have used the amazing Privateer Woman .....
.... and here is the table to inspire you to Create your own Challenge.
There's so many yummy ingredients on this list and I had a whole lot of fun choosing which ones to go with!

I coloured the image up with my Copics:

Skin:  E000, E00, E11
Black Tones:  W1, W3, W5, W7
Purple Tones:  V000, V12, V15, V17

I then frantaged around the image ..... only I think I actually went a bit too frantage happy!  Must remember I really don't need as much next time .... it was fun though ;)

My sentiment is from StampArt Designs by Kathryne, which I was lucky enough to win!  I thought it fitted perfectly with the theme of my card :)

My little treasure trove here consists of my Prima Junkyard bulb, which I was elated to find at a craft fayre earlier this year! It actually was like finding hidden treasure :)

The small rose, pearl button, sparkling rhinestone and pearl flourish are all from The Hobby House.

Papers, shabby ribbon, large mulberry flower, Frantage, twine and pin are all from Live and Love Crafts.

I do hope you'll join us this week and, if you fancy adding that extra fun element to the challenge, why not have a go at creating your own challenge!  

My fabulous teamies have created some amazing designs to inspire you a little bit more ....  looking forward to seeing what you create this week!

I'd like to enter my card into the following:

Left of Center Creative Challenges #9 - Use sentiment on front and/or LOC theme

Thanks so much for popping along today!
Happy Crafting!

Saturday 6 July 2013

The Hobby House Ch #2 - Vintage

The start of our second challenge at The Hobby House has arrived and for this month we're going VINTAGE.

The prize for this month's winner is a whopping 
£25 Hobby House voucher
(postage paid by winner)

You have until the 31st July to place your entry and your creation still does not need to use any of the HH products, however, the Top 3 will be selected, if possible, from those containing HH products.

For my card this time I had a rummage through my Mum's old photos and couldn't resist this little cutie ....... it is, in fact, a pic of my Mum at the tender age of 7 months!  

I thought it was perfect to go with the vintage theme ..... not that I'm saying she's vintage or anything lol :)

I decided to do a little bit of  hand stitching for my card this time ..... I bought a sewing machine last year for this purpose, but, would you believe, it's still sat collecting dust as I couldn't be bothered to drag it out! Hmmm, there must've been a method in my madness ..... just not sure what it was!!

My backing paper, cheesecloth and frantage are all from LLC

Pearl Strings
Adhesive Pearl Flourish
Cameo
Mulberry Paper Roses
Flat Backed Pearls
Clock Charm
Heart Pins
Fancy Button

I'd like to enter my vintage creation into the following:

A.R.T. Card Challenge #4 - Color Combo
Crafts 4 Eternity R#131 - Sewing Room
Crafts-Too Challenge You Ch#1 - Choose your Decade or Era (1940's Vintage)
Creative Craft Challenges2 Ch#13 - A Stitch in Time
Nutcrafters Ch#46 - Show us Texture

Thanks so much for popping by here today - I'd love for you to check out my DTeamies' fab creations and look forward to seeing what you create!  

Big hugs xx