Keeping Warm!

When I saw the fab Sketch by Pauline for the Willow Sketchie Challenge, I thought it would be good to make another Christmas Card as I really need to get going on them. I had a look on the Willow Design Website and they have some gorgeous stamps. I love owls and couldn't resist this gorgeous stamp called 'Keeping Warm'.

The DP is Cosmo Cricket 'Mitten Weather'. Sentiment was made on computer. Ribbon is from Bunny Zoes. Pearls are from stash.

Willow Sketchie Challenge 

Colouring:- 

Copics G82, G85, R42, R49, E25, E53, E55

Oops have forgotten to colour his beak! Trust me on this - going to do it now in a gorgeous Caribe Cocoa!! haven't got time to redo photos. Family want me to pack up for tea and Neighbours LOL!!!!

I would like to enter this into the following Challenges:-

Willow Sketchie - Challenge 25th August - (ends 31st August 2011)

Moving Along with the Times 'Birdys' (ends 31st August 2011)

Stamps R Us - 'Anything Goes' (ends 4th September 2011)
Divas by Design - Challenge 9 - 'Christmas in August' (ends 6th September 2011)

Thanks for visiting and for all your lovely comments
Hugs Sue xx

Back to School

I can't believe that it will be September in a couple of days and end of Summer Holidays! There are quite a few 'Back to School' Challenges, so this is a quick card that I made yesterday. I was lucky enough to be drawn winner at Tuesday Throwdown a couple of weeks ago and won three digis from Sweet 'n' Sassy Stamps. This is one of them called 'School Boy Seth'. He looks a very polite and well behaved boy doesn't he, bless! He even has an apple for the teacher!!! LOL

I Alpha'd the Digital Image so that background shows through and made the backing to look like a Chalkboard. Ideally I would have liked to put a wooden floor for poor Seth to rest on but it didn't work out with outlines looking all wrong. I could have fixed this but it would have taken me hours and I didn't have the patience yesterday !!! The sentiment and equation were made on computer with Chalkdust Font. Buttons from stash. 

The formulas and book were from Microsoft Office Clip Art and they have lots of Back to School images which is fab! The book was blue though, so changed it to purple. The gorgeous pinstripe background paper is from Die Cuts With a View 'Latte' Stack. The card looked unbalanced so I added some 'masculine gems' LOL. They are purple - so think I can get away with it! Kids love sparkle too! Well that's my excuse!

Colouring: 

Promarkers: Pastel Blue, Lilac, Lavender, Tan

Copics: E00, E02, G82, G85, R24, E53

Prismacolor Pencils for Shading

I would like to say a big thank you for all your lovely comments on my Steampunk Sally card - I really do appreciate them :-))   I was SO surprised and chuffed that it won this week's 'Pretty in Print' contest at One Stitch at a Time, so it should be in Papercraft Essentials Magazine in October. I really enjoyed doing the Steampunk card and think I could really get into them!!!

Raining again!  :-((  which is shame for people at Summer Fairs and BBQs.  I am staying in nice and warm and hopefully going to have a relaxing evening. Going to have Hawaiian Pizza and watch a film. Might watch Jane Eyre!! :-))

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges:-

Scrap Creations -  'Back to School' (ends 29th August 2011)  

PaperPlay - Challenge 34 - 'Back to School/Starting School' (ends 31st August 2011)  

Stamp Something - 'Back to School Somethings' (ends 1st September 2011) 

Allsorts - Challenge 118 - 'Back to School' (ends 2nd September 2011) 

Sentimental Sunday -  Challenge 70 -  Back to School (ends 3rd September 2011)

Creative Stamp Friends  Challenge 32 - 'School' (ends 4th September 2011) 

Thanks for visiting!

Have a great Bank Holiday evening!

Hugs Sue xxx

Steampunk Sally

I felt like doing something a bit different.  So here goes with my very first Steampunk Card. The gorgeous image is 'Steampunk Sally' and is from Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps.

One Stitch at a Time have another Challenge for the 'Pretty in Print' Contest and this week it is 'Bling it Up'. This card is very, very sparkly in real life, but it is hard to catch with camera. I made the backing paper on Gimp Software.  I wanted to create a 'Time Travel' theme and so used some images of Watches and Hourglasses. I used a canvas effect on software to make paper look textured, then distressed the edges and finally Stickled them with sparkly 'Stardust'. Sentiment was made on computer. Flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. Black ribbon is from Handy Hippo. Key charm was from Shiney Rocks Co. Also amongst the flowers, by the hourglass,  is some very fine silver thread that has been curled to add texture.

I've zoomed in to show you how she sparkles LOL. I coloured her with Promarkers and then covered her in Ultra Fine 'Pearl' Glitter. I've had some pink feathers in my stash for years. When I got them out they were way too big but managed to find a little mini one at base!! I've added some 2mm pale pink gems to waistline. I have to say I love her outfit !!! if only I was young again and thin!! so I could carry it off! (sighs).

Colouring:- Promarkers

Skin: Blush, Pastel Pink

Eyes: Cornflower

Lips: Copic E25

Greys: Cool Greys 1,2,3 and 4

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges:-

One Stitch At a Time - Challenge 76 - 'Bling it Up' (ends 27th August 2011)
Tuesday Throwdown - Challenge 63 - 'Dimension and Texture' (ends 29th August 2011)
Charisma Cardz - Challenge 34 - 'Glitter It' (ends 31st August 2011)
Fairy Fun Friday - Challenge 60 - 'Inspired by a Book' THE TIME MACHINE (ends 7th September 2011)
Gingersnap Creations - Challenge 115 - 'Tribute to Teens' (ends 18th September 2011)

Oh well, off to put my woolly jumper back on - it's gone freezing !!! unless I've got a chill ...
It's definitely feeling Autumny - just want to stay in, keep warm and read a book ... or Craft of course!!! LOL

Hope you are all well!
Enjoy the Weekend!
Love Sue xx
Edit: Not happy with photo so have added one taken in daylight! it's clearer, but it doesn't show sparkle - you can't win with a glittery card! LOL XX

A Piece of Cake

This is a card that I made for Laurie's 50th Birthday. As she will have opened it by now, I thought I'd pop it up on here. I seem to remember Laurie likes Coffees and Brown (as do I !!!) and so I chose this gorgeous MAMBI paper.

The digital image and sentiment are from Bugaboo Stamps. I bought two stamps and here I have used the sentiment from the other stamp. The cake looks more sparkly in real life! Not many bellies on this one. I've added two pearls for earrings and the polka dot ribbon from stash. I decided to leave it at that. I tried adding more decoration but didn't think it added to it so resisted! :-))

Colouring: (Copics by no. Promarkers by name)

Skin: E00, E02

Hair: Vanilla and Tan 

Dress: Paper pieced with DP

Boots and Bow: E55, E25

Cake: Kars Extra Fine Glitter

I decorated the inside too and personalised it. And that's it really. Quite a Clean and Simple card. Although not enough white for a Less is More Challenge! 

I would like to enter this into the following Challenges:-

Sentimental Sunday - Challenge 69 - 'Birthday' (ends 27th August 2011) 

Craft your Passion - Challenge 72 - 'They said WHAT??!!!' (ends 28th August 2011) 

Pollycraft - Challenge 107 - 'Autumn Colours' (ends 28th August 2011) 

Stamps R Us - 'Anything Goes' (ends 4th September 2011)

Fab 'n' Funky - 'Mono Madness" (ends Tuesday 30th August 2011)

Paper Crafting Journey - 'Anything Goes' (ends Tuesday 30th August 2011)

Hope you are all having a good week!

Love n Hugs

Sue xx

1,000 Sheets Blog Candy !!!!!!!!

Wowser! That's a lot of paper! Who wouldn't want to win this prize! Pop over to Amy's Blog and you could be in with a chance of winning. She is dividing the paper so that there will be 5 lucky winners!!! But that's still 200 sheets of paper each !!!!! and she has generously added some gorgeous stamps also!! So do take a look! 

I love my DP's so I'm keeping my fingers and toes tightly crossed for this one!!! 

Closing date is Friday 23rd September 2011.

Good Luck to All!

Love n Hugs!

Sue xx

Bold and Bright

Warning! You might want to put your sunglasses on before viewing this card! One Stop Craft have a 'Bold and Bright' Challenge! and I think this fits the bill !!! Oh but I did enjoy making this card. I adore this MAMBI paper and this gorgeous 'Fashionista' stamp from Sugar Nellie.

I didn't want to cover up this gorgeous paper, which I think speaks for itself - so not too many bellies on this one. Just some polka dot ribbon, a glittery button from stash and a wee pearl on centre of flower. The Sentiment was made on computer. Gingersnap Creations are having a 'Tribute to Teens' Challenge and I don't know why but this reminds me of being a Teen. You are bold and not afraid to wear whatever you like! As you grow older, I think you lose some of that daring in the way you dress. Although I do confess to owning a grey leopard-print jumper!!! But in my teens it would have been (and was) bright pink leopard-skin!!! LOL

Colouring: 

Skin: E00, E02 Copics

Hair: Pastel Blue, Cornflower Blue and Black Promarkers

Eyes: Pastel Blue Promarker

Lips, Leggings and Bows: R42 and R49 Copics

Green: G82 and G85 Copics
Top and Socks: Cool Aqua and Pastel Green Promarkers

Ah well, had a lovely relaxing day! My daughter just got back from a Conference at Oxford, so we just watched Who Do You Think You Are with JK Rowling. Amazing Programme! and it always sets me off again on my Genealogy! I am stuck at so many brick walls now though and need to go pre 1837 and delve into Parish Records. I wish I could get out and about more to go search. Might have to do a WDYTYA and pay for someone to do it for me :-))  

Finally, remember in my last post I said about not knowing what initials like WOC, DCWV and LOTV etc etc stood for when I first started out Stamping and Blogging! Well I have to report that unfortunately I still suffer from this sad affliction!!!! I was admiring the gorgeous snowflakes on a beautiful card that Vicky had made. She listed they were made with an NS Punch. The only name that kept popping into my head was ..... Nobby Stiles !!!!  LOL - How random! Yes it took me about 30 minutes to figure out Nellie Snellen !!! and I use Nellie Snellen Die Cuts all the time !!! Sad!!!

Oh and just in case there is anybody out there as bad as me and still wondering ....  MAMBI stands for Me & My Big Ideas ;-))

Anyway, enough waffle LOL! back to my card and .....

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-

Colour Create  Challenge 77 -  'Blue, Green, White, Red and Brown' (ends 24th August 2011) 

One Stop Craft  Challenge 145 - 'Bold and Bright' (ends 26th August 2011)  

Ribbon Girl  'Ribbon Challenge' (ends 27th August 2011)  

Sir Stampalot  'Whatever You Fancy' (ends 27th August 2011)

Poodles Parlour  'Anything Goes' (ends 30th August 2011)  

Gingersnap Creations Challenge 115 - 'Tribute to Teens' (ends 18th September 2011)

Thanks for visiting and for all your lovely comments! and a big welcome to my new Followers!
Take care!
Love n Hugs Sue xxx

Flashback to October 2010

Moving Along With The Times are having a wonderful 'Flashback' Challenge, where you re-post (no back-linking) an old card or project that you are proud of or one that means something special to you. Sounds lots of fun to me!

I thought I would go way back to the beginning and choose a card that most people won't have seen. So this is from when I first started Blogging and Stamping. It was my 3rd Blog Post, and my 2nd attempt at a Challenge on October 2010.

What amazes me is that I did an Easel Card!!!  I really was 'winging it' and learning on the job here. I had a handful of Promarkers and only three stamps!!! I had bought Lili of The Valley's 'Dropping theShopping', 'Skating Along' and 'Christmas Candle' 

I was so naive that after buying these three rubber stamps in August, I bought a huge ink pad and thought that was it!! I took the unmounted rubber stamp and plunged it headlong into the ink pad and wondered why all I got was a dreadful mess !!!!!!! rofl ….. oh dear, memories! 

Anyway, after a lot of googling and looking at other peoples websites, I figured out what I needed. There was this strange Crafting Language that I didn't understand. What on earth was DCWV and WOC and Blog Hops?? LOL Sandy's Stamping Scene was the first Cardmaking Site that I ever came across and I was really blown away by her cards. They weren't just Greeting Cards, they were Works of Art!!! and it was where I first saw the Challenges!

Anyway, as I only had three Christmas Stamps, when some Autumn Challenges came up I had to be inventive and turn the snow into leaves !!! I remember hand cutting those leaves with bits of scrap paper!

I can't believe how my colouring has changed in a year! This looks very basic, no shading. 

Anyway, hope you have enjoyed this blast from the past! Some of my commenters for this card were Pat, Brenda, Clare, Andrea, Pinky, Tracy. I didn't really know you all back then but you, and my Followers to come, were all so supportive as I was starting out. So thanks for that! and hope you enjoyed a little trip down memory lane!

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenge:

Moving Along with the Times - Challenge 112 - 'Flashback' (ends 23rd August 2011)

Take Care!
Love n Hugs
Sue xxx

Oriental Treasure

Here is my other 'Oriental Lady' card.  The gorgeous paper is Papermania 'Oriental Treasures' Pack. I downloaded the Stitchy Bear Digital Stamp 'Oriental Lady 2' a while ago to use with the papers. So thought it was about time that I used it!

One Stitch at a Time Challenge have a 'Pretty in Print' Contest this month. Click on links for details.

The dress is paper-pieced from the same design paper used on card. I've used Copic E11 and R20 for skin. Pastel Blue and Cornflower Promarkers for Parasol. Copic E55 for flower in hair and Fine Black Liner Pen for details.

Flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. Pearls and Glitter Button from Stash. Sentiment was made on computer. 

I would like to enter this into the following Challenge:

One Stitch At a Time - Challenge 75 - 'Anything Goes' (ends 20th August 2011) 

Thanks for visiting and for all your lovely comments!
Take care!
Love n Hugs
Sue xx

Oriental Lady

One Stitch at a Time have a 'Pretty in Print' Contest running this month. A different challenge each week and you have to use a Sitchy Bear Digital Stamp.  This week's Challenge is 'Anything Goes' and I have chosen this Stitchy Bear Digital Stamp called Oriental Lady 2.

I made the paper myself for the PaperPlay Challenge 'Create Your Own DP' and it was made from the photograph below. I didn't want to be worrying about copyright so popped into my garden and took a photo of some nice marigolds.

 

I changed the image obviously! Inverted, Posturized, Saturated, you name it - twas done!!
If my Art Teacher Mrs W***** could see me now !!! LOL
She used to say I was crap at Art because I could only see things as a Realist !! In one class she put a Rag Doll in front of me and told me to draw it. After three weeks of meticulous drawing it was finished and I was dead proud! She looked at it and sighed! 'yes but it looks just like the Rag Doll! that is not art!'??? I just didn't get her at all !! and I wasn't her favourite that's for sure and so I didn't get to go on the Potter's Wheel!! Laborious Coil Pots for me !! LOL Sorry, I digress! but Mrs W***** put me off Art for years !!!

Colouring: 

Promarkers: Amethyst, Lilac, Pastel Blue, Cornflower 

Copics: E11, R20

Black Fineliner and Cool Grey 5 Promarker

The bottom part of flower was from stash and the Gardenia is from Wild Orchid Crafts. I distressed the edges but didn't like it as originally, behind it, I would have liked a black card blank but I ran out! Also tried to reprint the photo again and ran out of Printer Ink!! Anyway, to save the card I used Sakura Gel Pink Glitter Pen on distressed edges. Not sure if it works? but like it better than before. The big pearl is from the gorgeous Candy that I won from Sussie! Thanks Sussie for the beautiful candy! and the other pearls are from my stash. There is a slight colour difference in the pearls - oops! I shouldn't have said that should I - now you will notice it !!! rofl

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges:-

PaperPlay - Challenge 32 - 'Make Your Own DP' (ends 17th August 2011) 

One Stitch At a Time - Challenge 75 - 'Anything Goes' (ends 20th August 2011)
Papertake Weekly - Challenge 61 - 'Bingo' (ends 21st August 2011)  Glitter (FREE), Pearls, Blooms

Thanks for looking! and welcome to my new followers!

Going to post another 'Oriental Lady' card now! I had two ideas for this card and couldn't decide, so made both!
Take Care!
Hugs Sue xx

Sneaky Tilda - Happy Birthday!

Here's another 'Sneaky Tilda' card but for this one I have used a Blue and Green Theme. It's a card I was going to abandon but decided to finish it. I'm still not happy with it but here it goes ...

Papers are First Edition Up, Up and Away. The ribbon is from stash, flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. The outer petals are Prima flower that I have coloured with Promarker, think it was Meadow Green. The centre flower is a Blue Gardenia but I have taken outer petals off and added a touch of Stickles. I tried different bellies in corners but they didn't look good and made the card look unbalanced. I think I kind of boxed myself into a corner with the layout and the patterned paper!!! LOL

What a strange week I have had! At weekend and beginning of week I felt very tired, then on Tuesday felt a bit better so I thought I would have day off relaxing and crafting! but popped into the garden and heard someone shouting for help !!! One of the neighbours had fallen quite badly while putting the bins out! Poor chap - his leg was bent back at a horrible angle, I think probably broken and I had to call ambulance and wait with him which took quite a while. When I got back inside the adrenaline wore off and my spine pain levels shot through the roof as I had been standing for so long !!! Also next day I had dental appointment so couldn't rest. Then there were the riots in Manchester the other night and my daughter was staying at her boyfriend's flat who lives in City Centre! So I was really worried but thankfully the riots didn't reach where they were.

Anyway, hope things have settled down now. All I want is a quiet life LOL!!!

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges:-

Tuesday Throwdown - Challenge 61 - 'Birthday' (ends 15th August 2011)
Craft Your Days Away - Challenge 26 - 'Birthday Celebrations' (ends 18th August 2011)
A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 162 - 'Happy Birthday' (ends 29th August 2011)

Thanks for looking! and for all your lovely comments!
Take care!
Love n Hugs
Sue xx

Stamps R Us - 'Encore Presentations' - Strawberries and Cream

Stamps R Us have a new challenge called 'Encore Presentations' where you can RePost up to 2 of your Favourite Cards! No back linking is allowed, so you have to put card into New Post. I thought I would give my 'Strawberries and Cream' Card another airing! Again I love this one because I think it is quite a girlie one and I love this Whiff of Joy Stamp which is 'Willow with Strawberry Basket' by Elisabeth Bell. The backing paper is Nitwits Collection - Strawberry Social - Leaves. 

I used Martha Stewart Trellis Punch and Creatables Flourish. The gorgeous roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts. 

Colouring is with Promarkers and Copics. At the moment my Pens are half and half as I couldn't decide which I liked best. I still can't make my mind up LOL Love them both for different things.
So again, hope you are still with me and enjoyed revisiting my Favourite Cards. Maybe some of my New Followers will enjoy! as they might not have seen them.


I would like to enter this card into the following Challenge:


Stamps R Us - 'Encore Presentations' Challenge (ends 21st August 2011)


Thanks for dropping by!
Take Care!
Love n Hugs
Sue xxx

Stamps R Us - 'Encore Presentations' - Sprinkled with Sugar

Stamps R Us have a new challenge today called 'Encore Presentations' where you can RePost one of your favourite cards. Sounds fun to me!! especially as I have been feeling very tired and drained this week  and not done much crafting! I have chosen one of my favourites which is 'Sprinkled with Sugar' and features a stamp of same name by Lili Of The Valley. I like this card as it's quite a girlie one for me, and the mice are SO cute!!

The Papers were free with magazine. Flowers are all from Wild Orchid Crafts. The yummy little Strawberry charm is from Simon Says Stamps. Sentiment is from Lili of The Valley. 

I wanted to make the card look good enough to eat !!!! hence the glossy accents on jam in cake and on jam jar. For the sugar I used Ultra Fine Glitter 'Pearl'

Inside

Hope you enjoyed revisiting my Favourite Card!

Really hope I get my energy back soon! Off to stock up on Spinach Leaves and Iron Tablets tomorrow!!! LOL

By the way,  if you join in Challenge, no backlinking is allowed, so you have to do a new post with your card in. Also there is a limit of 2 entries. Hmmm so I might find another favourite card to post!

I would like to enter this card in the following Challenge:-

Stamps R Us - 'Encore Presentations' Challenge (ends 21st August 2011)

Thanks for visiting!
Take Care
Love n Hugs!
Sue xx

My Holiday Memories!

Hi peeps,

I was looking for a photo few weeks ago and found these scans of all my holiday slides.

So ... I thought I would treat you to some rare piccies of me on my holidays!  I might regret this but

Me and mum at Llandudno age 2 or 3 

Bless, I look like I was born in the saddle !! LOL

Me and my Brother and mum at Llandudno

Ooh those ginger curls !! LOL Mum made this dress and I  later used it on one of my dolls called Julie!

Dad and I on Great Orme Llandudno - I loved my Golly and took him everywhere!!!

I also loved my sailing boat! Erias Park, Colwyn Bay. Now wouldn't that dress pattern make lovely retro Designer Paper LOL!!! 

Erias Park, Colwyn Bay on Cycle Track

Not exactly Molly Blooms am I? Remember vividly I had a tooth missing at front and was trying to smile with my mouth closed! 

Dad and I outside 'Woodcote' 21 Coedpella Rd, Colwyn Bay where we stayed regularly

Oh dear! the teens have set in !!! LOL look at that wedge haircut and those socks!!! rofl Oh that is my darling Border Collie who was called Floss. She was such a sweet and gentle dog.

Looks quite cold here! I remember thinking this fur coat was quite cool at the time and wouldn't take it off LOL

Tegg's Nose, Macclesfield, Cheshire

Me and my School Pal, Nicola at our annual Fair! Whatever am I wearing?

Hope you enjoyed! I know I did - blast from my past!!!

Ok gonna Publish now before I chicken out !!! LOL

Love n Hugs
Sue xxx