Tag You're It Challenge

The challenge this week from Tag You're It is to make a circle shaped tag. I cut a circle with Fiskars Shape Cutter using a dotty backing paper from Cottage Linen Collection on "V Funky" CD from Funky Hand and stamped it using a Hero Arts stamp in Dark Brown Ink. Using a technique called spotlighting I then stamped the image three times and using the Shapecutter cut out different parts of the flower, coloured in those areas and then placed the circles on top of the original image using 3D foam pads. Inked all the edges, added a blue organza ribbon and punched out circles round the edge to give a scalloped effect. (the right hand one does look a bit out of line - sorry - I think I must have knocked it when I was inking the edge)

Two Surprises in One Day

Wow two surprises in one day..now steady this is more than the old gal can stand. I am still suffering with this b****y sore neck and this has cheered me up no end. I am thrilled to have received this award from Vicki..a very kind gesture and a great compliment...thanks Vicki. You must pop over to Vicki's blog and take a peep, she makes the most gorgeous handbags and great cards too.

And this award from the lovely Cass - our very own Scottish Rock Chick.....thanks Cass really appreciate it. Pop over to her blog to see some of her fab creations.
In the time honoured fashion, I need to pass these awards on and this is where it becomes really difficult to choose between all the talented folk out there...all of them an inspiration so I have decided to nominate everyone on my blogroll and if you haven't received these awards before please upload them onto your blog. Big hugs to you all.

Oh...the joys

Oh the joys of being self employed and working from home. Woke up this morning with a stiff neck...it's an old age thing..a trapped nerve which has bugged me on and off for years probably caused by my manic production in the card making department yesterday. But there are orders to complete and no boss to say...."you look awful..just go home to bed"...so must soldier on as they say.
These are some of the double sided papers from that fab deal from Costco. They are such good quality..really a cardstock with a white core as well and come in colour families which is great for getting that co-ordinated look. This is one sheet using both sides and the shirt actually looks suede. Cut out the wording using Pink Petticoat Monograms CD, added some copper brads. The sentiment topper is from "Now That's Funky" CD from Funky Hand.

This card was made using Dovecraft Masculine Papers and Embellishments, Lime Green Bazzill cardstock and Doodlebug All Mixed Up Rub-ons. It is actually much lighter but the old camera is having an off day a bit like myself. All done for the day am off to have a soak in a nice hot bath and try and sort my neck out for tonight...off to join my sister and some of her friends for an Italian meal, no doubt a glass or two of wine and a good old natter.

Happy Birthday Little Sis

Happy Birthday to my sister Maureen (we won't go into numbers - just to say it's the wrong side of 50.

The papers are from K & Co Hopscotch collection using Rhona Farrer Flourish stamp, Prima flowers, brads and "Love" "You" charms - inked the edges and added some faux stitching. This is becoming a bit of a worry - I am addicted to faux stitching. Do you think there might be a club "Faux Stitchers Anonymous". The sentiment was generated on the computer and then cut out the circle with Cricut and added a scalloped edge. A little tip I want to share with you - I didn't have the right colour of ribbon so I used a pale cream grosgrain ribbon and coloured it with my ink pad - a great way to get colour co-ordinated ribbon.

Granma's Brag Book

I have been making a Grandma's Brag Book this week for my sister's birthday.

Naked Chipboard Handbag Book;

Circles for handles cut out with Cricut George and Basic Shapes;

Front and back covered with Daisy Bucket Papers.

Flap and pocket - contrasting Daisy Bucket Papers

Brads; faux stitching; dotty writing ;"Brag" cut out with Cricut; Granma tag.
The outside is now completed......all the papers used inside are from Daisy Bucket....wording cut with Cricut George & Basic shapes and the fun part adding the photos.

Have really enjoyed making this book but it was very time consuming so I don't think I will be taking orders.

My Time to Craft challenge

This weeks challenge from My Time to Craft is "Pockets".

Denim Paper by K&Co which is distressed slightly adding white faux stitching and inking edges with brown inkpad. The cool dude is a doodle by Kerry which I coloured in with water colour pencils..

Added a tag in the pocket and chipboard letters coloured with a red ink pad, some large eyelets form We R Memory Keepers fitted with Crop-a-dile.

Arty Girlz Challenge # 36

The challenge this week from Arty Girlz is "Wings". This is a card I made for Jozza who won the blog candy on my "100" posts inspired by the colours of the "Sex and the City" cards...no not really couldn't be bothered tidying away what I had left and decided to use it up for this card.

Hot Pink Bazzill card for the flower petals and butterfly wings cut with Quickutz die and doodled. Sentiment again using Doodlebug All Mixed Up Rub-ons and some extra doodling in white. Quite a productive morning.....probably because the weather is awful....heavy rain and very windy..so I am quite happy to be indoors and crafting.

Sex and the City

I was asked recently if I could make 2 cards with a "Sex and the City" theme and although I am a big fan couldn't think what to do. But it seems I am on a roll today...the production line is going full speed and long may it continue.
The New York image is from a Clip Art CD resized to fit and cut out with a white edge to stand out from the black background. The Sex and the City image I lifted from the Internet and matted onto Hot Pink Bazzill card. Sentiments are Doodlebug All Mixed Up Rub-ons and the name is cut with Cricut George and Basic Shapes. Just added some pink self adhesive stones to bling it up a bit.

Fab's Christmas Challenge

Can you believe it's time for Fab's Christmas challenge again...this is my first card and I am going to attempt to do the 5 this month..according to Fab that's the "nutter" option - need I say more!!
The background paper is from Pink Petticoat "Doodle-icious Christmas" CD and the word from "Playful Monograms". I glittered the holly leaves and added red self adhesive stones for the berries.

A special card

I was asked to make a card for a very special man - Dr Lloyd from the Special Nursery at Foresterhill Hospital Aberdeen. He will be retiring on 5th June and I am sure will be missed by all his colleagues and patients alike. There must be thousands of families who will be forever indebted to him for the dedicated work he does with the babies in the Special Nursery and I wish him a long and happy retirement. A little personal rant...these are the people who should be rewarded in the Honours List not "the famous for 5 minutes so called celebrities"...sorry about that but it's a bugbear of mine.

A bit of a challenge this one as there was no information about hobbies or the like so I thought I would go down the doctor route and note there is no doodling or faux stitching on this one.

Another glorious day

Another glorious day in Aberdeen and just got back from our walk through the forest (our little treat at lunchtime) .... 100 acres of unspoilt woodland teeming with wildlife -squirrels, rabbits and red deer. I love the peace and solitude here and it is so beautiful in every season of the year - the wonders of nature. Lots of folk walk their dogs here but it is so vast that you very rarely meet anyone. Buddy has a great time chasing around after rabbits and the occasional stick which he then chews to bits while I am probably walking along thinking of my next card project.

Once we're home again, it's the life of riley for some, snoozing all afternoon in the garden. Pity some of us have to get back to work - I am working on a special project this week but can't share it with you until Thursday.

"100" Post Blog Candy...and the Winner is........

Thank you all for leaving a comment on my "100th Post" Blog Candy. I loved hearing who was your Crafting Hero or who inspired you and spent many an evening visiting their blogs and yours. Can I just say that you are all truly inspirational - so keep on producing wonderful creations and giving us all the opportunity to view them on your blogs.

Enough waffling woman I hear you say

The Winner is...................









Well done Jozza........need your address and I will get your goodies off in the post this week.

By the way...must mention My HERO again - go take a peek at his blog and see the stunning photos of his Alaskan Crafting Cruise - can't wait to see the project photos...coming up soon.

Bargain..bargain..bargain

What a glorious day it's been and I've been out in the sun for most of the day at a Car Boot Sale with my little sis and my niece....it's a hard life and hey I made a wad of cash to spend on more craft goodies. No cooking for me tonight so set off to my local Costco to buy one of those ready-cooked chickens - so yummy and guess what I found.....a great bargain...if you live near a Costco get yourselves over there.
300 Sheets of 12 x 12 Double Sided Cardstock (4 each of 75 designs) in a Zippered Crop Case with a removeable accordion file with 30 index tabs - all for the princely sum of £19.96...so that's some of the car boot money gone. They are great quality and fabulous designs - very Cosmo Cricket/Basic Grey so if you like those companies, you would love these.

DCM Challenge

The challenge this week from Daring Cardmakers is to create a card with beads in the design.

Flowers and dotty paper are from Little Fleurs Collection CD from Pink Petticoat. Pearl beads make up the centre of the flowers and are also threaded onto the wire adding dotty ribbon to complete. I love Black and White cards.

Tag You're It Challenge

Don't believe everything you read.....this morning I was going to have a no crafty day but...finished my chores well ahead of schedule and managed to fit in a couple of challenges.
The challenge this week from Tag You're It is "Our House"and as the garden at this time of year is filled with birds...I thought I would do a birdhouse for my tag...using Bazzill Cardstock, some Heidi Grace flowers and brads, cute stamped image coloured in with Sakura Gel Pen and a little bit of doodling.

No Crafty Day Today

Hi Folks - it's going to be a no crafty day today. OH and son are off to walk up Lochnagar for charity so just me and the dog. Up since 6.00am, dog walked, washing done and out and by the way I don't want to make you all jealous but it's a gorgeous day here.....house cleaned top to bottom, lawn mown and now am off outside to sit and have a coffee and read the newspaper before it's time for our forest walk catching up with our squirrel, rabbit and deer friends. Us crafters have such a hard life. Am off to the Car Boot tomorrow with my little sis and niece, trying to declutter my life and my craft stash....so this afternoon will be sorting everything out and then loading up the car for an early start in the morning. It's great fun meeting lots of super folk and having a laugh and hopefully coming home with some cash to spend on more crafty goodies.
Just one more day until I draw the blog candy winner, so if you haven't left a comment yet....what are you waiting for!!!

DCM Anniversary/Stamp Something Challenge

P. S. I have also entered this card for the Stamp Something Challenge which is to create a faux effect - faux quilted effect by embossing diagonals and then inking.
The mid-week challenge from Daring Cardmakers is the fourth in the series of their Anniversary challenges and this time it's "8th Anniversary - Bronze, Pottery, Linen and Lace.
I chose linen and this may not be immediately obvious but the cardstock in White Linen and the photo doesn't pick that up very well. I gave the background a quilted effect by scoring lines at regular intervals both ways on the diagonal. Then lightly inked over the squares to pick up the texture with Colorbox Warm Olive. The stamps are from Hero Arts and I've had them for yonks so don't ask the names. Stamped the solid flower in Colorbox Warm Violet - 2nd impression and then stamped the outline flower in the same colour. Added circle dots, faux stitching and some lime green dotty ribbon.
I've had a real fun day today - no work just playing and catching up with all the challenges in between walking the dog and doing a little bit of the dreaded housework. Who was the idiot who invented DUST!! Off now to do a bit of blog hopping and catch up on what all my favourite folk have been doing.

Fab blog candy

Some fab blog candy up for grabs at the moment........from Heather (one of my FunkyHand team mates)Emma - (a fellow North East of Scotland crafter) who is celebrating 5000 hits on her blog and her birthdayLainy (another Scottish mate) who wants you to create something for Father's Day .......Lil Deb has amazing blog candy to celebrate 2000 hits on her blog.....pop over to their blogs to see their fab creations, leave a comment and who knows you may be lucky.

Arty Girlz Challenge #35

The challenge from Arty Girlz this week is to find something to recycle and create something with it. Well I chose a Paint chart from the local DIY store and made a "New Home" card just adding a key charm, some alphabet letters and even the dots are punched out of the chart.The charts are great for using to punch out small flowers and shapes because the colours all match and there is a terrific range of colours...so get yourselves off to your DIY store this weekend and stock up.

Di Hickman Sketch Challenge

This is the sketch challenge this week from Di Hickman.

Made this last night while watching "The Apprentice" - what a quickie - using scraps I had left over from "Shabby Saturday" papers available to download from Funky Hand and a little bit of inking and doodling.

Fab's Christmas Challenge

wow where is the year going? Only realised it was the 22nd of the month this morning when I was doing some form filling...yikes, I still have one more card to do to complete the challenge of 4 cards this month on Fab's blog. Got out my trusty Ultimate Christmas Paper Pack from HOTP, brads and ribbons I think were from another HOTP kit and hey presto done and dusted.

Shoes, Shoes and more Shoes

Shoes, shoes and more shoes - hey we can all identify with that statement and the last time I looked I think I could give Imelda Marcos a run for her money but yet I wear the same old Timberlands I bought in New York 4 years ago - they just last and last and last.
Well back to the card - the background was stamped using ...guess...Rhona Farrer Flourishes and the edges inked with black and a little faux stitching. The words are from Pink Petticoat Monograms CD and the papers from their Little Fleurs Collection. Just added a tag, sentiment printed on the computer and a few gems.

Background Technique

Had another go at the resist background technique - a card ordered for a young girl going off with her fiance to travel around the world - some folk have all the luck.

This time stamped the words "travel" and journey" all over the white linen card with

Black Staz-on...then stamped Leaf Flourish from Rhona Farrer - I did say you would be seeing a lot of these stamps - and embossed with white. This time I used Tim Holtz Distressed Inks -starting off with Tattered Rose in the centre and Antique Linen around the edge blending the two together and it has really picked up the texture of the linen card although that doesn't show in the photo - a lovely soft effect which goes perfectly with the Neutral Prima flowers. The sentiment was created on the computer and cut out with the Cricut.

I don't have a scalloped punch large enough so punched lots of small circles and fixed them to the back to create a scallop effect - us crafters never stick, do we. More punched circles for the centre of the flowers and brown ribbon to complete. Can anybody spot the mistake.... forgot to add my faux stitching and a little bit of doodling...brain cells not with it today!!

Join the Fiskarettes

Hi folks - a little bit of a shameless plug for Fiskars - join their new blog for inspiration, fun, competitions and general chit chat.....click HERE

Circle of Friends

I've been tagged by Lainy with this fun Circle of Friends and I wonder which one I am - probably the one with the big bum. I now have to choose 4 others to send this to .......a difficult one but I've chosen (and not because they too have big bums)
Lorraine
Allison
Georgie
Sharon

New Kid on the Block

Now listen up everybody we have a new "Kid on the Block" - my bestest crafty mate and fellow Fiskars Demonstrator - Lorraine - so why not pop over to her blog and welcome her to the wonderful world of blogging but a little word of warning - DO NOT believe anything that she may let slip about me...I'm a good girl me.

Stamp Something Challenge

The challenge this week from Stamp Something is to create a "little something to say Thank you". This is a fairly new challenge blog and my first entry. I love stamping but when you are making lots of cards to order, it's easier to go with embellishments and the like. This morning was me time and I've been having a ball playing and decided to try a couple of challenges...sadly this afternoon it's back to work and the card orders again.

I used this technique many years ago and had completely forgotten about it until I saw it again this week on Shari Carroll's blog.

To create the background I stamped with Docrafts Love stamp in Black Staz-on all over the background. Using my new Rhona Farrer Flourish stamps which I think you might be seeing a lot of and versamark pad, stamped at random and then embossed with white embossing powder. Dabbed Green and Brown Ink onto a silicon sheet and spritzed with water.

Then lay the card onto what you can only describe as a puddle, press all around and lift off carefully. When it is dry wipe over with a kitchen towel to remove the ink from the white image. Added some of my Artful Collage flowers from Prima - something else you might be seeing a lot of. The sentiment is from a set of clear stamps from HOTP with a bit of ribbon added.

DCM Challenge - Animalia

The challenge this week from Daring Cardmakers is "Animalia" - create a card with an animal on it. Of course, for me it had to be a dog. Stamped and watercoloured the image (don't know where this stamp came from - I have had it for so long. For the paw prints, I used a punch and then using as a stencil inked through with a Dark Brown inkpad. Added ribbon for the collar and lead attaching them to the circular sentiment which comes from "Now That's Funky" CD from Funky Hand. Added chipboard alphabet from a Brenda Pinnick kit.

"100" Posts

100 Posts - it's hard to believe that I only started blogging at the end of February. Most of it has probably been me waffling away in my little crafty world with a few cards added in here and there for good measure. Can I just say that I am honoured that you have taken the time to pay me a visit and thank you all for the kind comments - they are really appreciated. I am truly amazed by all the talented folk out there and I love visiting your blogs too - I am blown away by the kindness and generosity of you all and it's been a privilege to get to know you. It's great fun but a tad addictive - am usually found blog hopping when I should be cardmaking. As a little thank you I am giving away some blog candy but there is a catch......leave a comment on my blog and tell me who your Crafting hero is/or who has inspired you and also kindly put a link on your own blog.
Well I have 2........
Can you guess.......The Maestro himself...the one.....the only....wait for the drum roll......the legend that is.......MR TIM HOLTZ.....and can I just add that I wouldn't mind being marooned on a desert island with him either and what a bonus if he brought along his crafty goodies.
AND....
from Hero Arts....SHARI CARROLL......I love her style, very talented lady.

The winner will be chosen at random on Sunday 25th May at 7.30pm. so get those commenting fingers working.

Blog Candy Give-away

Some fab blog candy up for grabs at the moment........
from Heather (one of my FunkyHand team mates)
and Emma - (a fellow North East of Scotland crafter) who is celebrating 5000 hits on her blog and her birthday.......pop over to their blogs to see their fab creations, leave a comment and who knows you may be lucky.
I haven't forgotten about the blog candy for my 100th post but have been a little busy today putting up some new shelving in my craft workshop but will organise something for tomorrow - so watch this space folks.

Oliver's Birthday BBQ

No crafting this weekend - it was Oliver's 1st Birthday on Saturday and all the family were invited for a BBQ. The weather could have been better but at least it stayed dry and the kids had great fun. Oliver tucking into his cake - he does like his grub

Even the big kids found something to amuse themselves with - my little sis in the playhouse.

Tag You're It Challenge

The challenge this week on Tag You're It is "Pretty and Feminine".

I thought with all this nice weather we've been having, maybe summer is on the way so I made my tag sort of flip flop shape and decorated it with some Prima flowers and self adhesive gems.

Special Friend

A card for a special friend .............using "Shabby Saturday" download available from Funky Hand

Gorgeous papers (just love these colours) overstamped with my new Rhonna Farrer Flourish stamp - knew it wouldn't be long before I just had to use it, faux stitching round the edges of the panels. The flowers are also from "Shabby Saturday" cut out and faux stitched. Finished off with a circle sentiment and a little bit of ribbon.

goodies have arrived

This is my favourite kinda day - when goodies arrive. My parcel from the US.....yippeee!
Rhona Farrer Flourish stamps and Prima Artful Collage flowers in neutral and patterned from Cut Above Scrappin'. Excellent service - delivered in 10 days, postage of about £5 (let's face it that's around about what the shopping channels charge) and a 10% discount voucher off my next order. Will definitely be shopping here again.The patterned flowers are absolutely gorgeous and at £2.50 for a box of 65 - what a snip... these are the ones that Tim Holtz is using on his Alaskan Crafting Cruise..can't help dreaming...a week on a boat with my hero...sheer bliss - did I mention that before. The colours are lovely and muted and would go perfectly with the new "Shabby Saturday" papers from Funky Hand - can't wait to play but will have to find some time from somewhere first - anybody got some spare going!!
Can't believe that I have made 100 posts on my blog - most of it probably waffle but to celebrate I will be giving away some blog candy - will have a root around over the weekend - watch this space.

Pink Petticoat - Lots of Dots Competition

These are the two cards I have entered for the "Lots of Dots" Competition at Pink Petticoat.

The background paper is black & white polka dots. On White Linen Cardstock, I cut out various sized circles with Fiskars shapecutter and then went round each one punching out small holes with a hole punch - very laborious but quite effective. I then inked all the edges with black inkpad and tied pink organza ribbon between 2 of the cut out shapes.

Some of the circles have Big Dots paper circles placed in them and in others white circles with dotty writing. Added hearts cut with the Cricut in Pink Bazzill cardstock and small adhesive gems. I then attached this to the black polka dot paper with 3D foam pads to create height and finished off with my favourite of the moment - a little bit of doodling.

This was using "Big Dots" which is available as a download from Pink Petticoat, comes in loads of colours, positive,negative and a background solid. The flowers are from "Big Bloomers" CD and have been printed off on paper from the "Little Fleurs" CD - Rose Dotty. The centres were punched out from the solid colour matching the background paper. Just thought it needed a little something extra, a little bit of doodling round the edges, faux stitching on the flowers and a smiley face.