Hello cupcake

 Here's a card I made using one of the Lili of the valley images, Hello Cupcake and circular sentiments. I just love this one its so cute. I followed the sketch on Lili of the valley challenge #81 by Dawny P. I used my cuttlebug to die cut the image and couple of layers and put one through using the swirls embossing folder.

I coloured with Copics and used Distress inks around edge. Then I finished with flowers and ribbon.

I am entering this card into these challenges.

 Lili of the valley challenge #81 Sketch by Dawny P

Truly Scrumptious challenge #49 Brown, pink and green

Simon says stamp challenge Bingo - Die cutting, dry embossing and ribbon

What an amazing week ! I'm so excited....

Earlier this week I discovered that I had a card published in Simply cards and Papercrafts magazine. I thought that was good then last night even better news, I have been chosen as a DT member to join the very talented design team on the ABC challenge blog. I am absolutely thrilled and so excited. Can't wait to get started. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

Pretty in pink

 I made this card to enter into the Anyone for Anya challenge, this weeks is Pretty Bows.

I used a very pretty K & Co paper along with some plain blue card.

I stamped this pretty image and coloured with Copics, then cut her out with a oval nestie leaving her legs sitting out the shape.

I added a satin pink ribbon and bow, a sentiment from LOTV- Circular sentiments and 3 Prima flowers with gem centres.

I am also entering this into Colour Create Challenge #62 as the colours this week are -Pink, blue, white and grey with optional flowers and gems.

Pink sparkle ballet cat

 A quick card to enter the Penny Black Saturday Challenge They have a Card buffet on the table. I chose Patterned paper, ribbon, 3 gems and 3 buttons, but because I'm very greedy I added an extra button,(well they are only tiny). I followed Mona's sketch over at Stamp with fun challenge #94.

The cute Ballet cat from Penny Black was coloured with Sakura gelly rolls, pink glittery pen. See how she sparkles !

Card in a Magazine

Just a quick post to say apparently I have a card in the readers gallery of Simply cards and Papercrafts issue 80. I had no idea until this morning when I received a gift from them with a compliment slip. I had cancelled my subscription last month as I finished work and was trying to economise. I am on my way out now to find a copy and find out which card it is. Happy days!

Just Chillin

  I wanted to make a card for this weeks Kenny K krafty girlz  challenge  and also wanted to try out my new mini sewing machine.

I stitched the patterned paper to mirri card and thought it looked a bit like denim jeans, so I cut out a pocket shape and stitched around that too adding eyelets to the corners. I stamped the good times sentiment and ticket stamp, then used the die, to cut it out, all from Whimsy Stamps.

 I printed the Troublemaker digi image and coloured her using Copics.

Lastly I added a sentiment. I really like it, but I do feel there is something missing, not sure what.?
I would also like to enter it into Top Tip Tuesday challenge -All Sentimental 

In the words of Britney Spears 'Oops I did it again'

Will I ever learn? After spending an hour colouring in 'Grace standing' another digi image from Sugar Nellie, I cut her out with a Nestibilities die, after using sticky tape yesterday to hold the image and ripping it, I just carefully placed this one on my cuttlebug, no tape, and ended up cutting off the top of her head and ribbons. So then I had to run it back through using a smaller die to cut off her shoes and even it up. I must remember to cut out my images before I start colouring them.

I followed the sketch for the  Sketch Saturday challenge #138.

I am also entering this card into the Allsorts challenge #86 to use the colours Teal Blue and Brown 

and The Secret Crafters Saturday Challenge #117 -With Love

I coloured my image using Copic markers, I didnt have a teal blue, but this is as close as I could get.

The flowers are Primas with card candy centres and the ribbon is from stash.

The sentiment is LOTV circular sentiments.

A challenge card and something new.

I made this card following the sketch on Friday Sketchers challenge #137.

Also I am entering it into the  Cute Card Thursday challenge #147 Monochrome 

 I went with shades of brown, The papers are from a Papermania pad and the Penny Black image was coloured with Copics.
The sentiment stamp is another from Lili of the Valley - For You Circular Sentiments stamp plate. I used some Raffia Lace that I found when I was tidying up last week and a scrap of satin ribbon.

This is my new custom made stamp from Whimsy Stamps, isnt it fab? I feel so professional stamping this on the back of my cards.

Playing with Copics

My Copic markers arrived yesterday and I couldnt wait to play. I had also downloaded some of the adorable Sugar Nellie digi's stamps from Funky Kits, so decided to try them out too.

After spending an hour colouring the very beautiful Verity, I made the mistake of putting a little bit of tape on the edge of the nestie to hold the image in place whilst I cut it out, and when I removed it I tore the bottom of the card. Can you spot the strategically placed orange swirl ?

The paper is K and Co, I chose these colours because its so dull outside lately and they brightened up my day.
The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley and the flowers from stash.
I would like to enter this card into The Sugar Bowl challenge #51- this week its Kiki's sketch and the theme is Birthdays.
Also Stamp Something challenge as this week its Anything goes.
The Crafty Purple Frog Challenge who want to see what you have been making with your -New Things
Totally Papercrafts challenge #49 Happy Birthday
Totally Gorjuss This weeks challenge #63 Cuddly, who wouldn't want to cuddle this little sweetheart?
Copic Creations #42 - Whats New, both the image and all my Copics are new.

My first Kenny K krafty girlz challenge

 I have just downloaded some of these amazing digi stamps from the Kenny K range and couldn't wait to use them, so I am entering this into Kenny K krafty girlz Challenge #26 - Love You

I coloured using Promarkers. The papers are from Papermania, an old pad that I found in my stash. I found lots of patterned papers when I was tidying my craft room, and I'm determined to start using it up before buying any more.

I added some roses, rosebuds, a satin flower found in stash, some ribbon pieces and a couple of heart charms.

My first challenge card in 2011

 I made this card to enter into the Anyone for Anya - Colour Challenge and this weeks  Sketch Saturday   #137.

 This lovely Anya image was coloured with Promarkers.

 The sentiment is a stamp from Whimsy stamps, used along with the ticket die in my Cuttlebug.

Embellishments used were various size paper roses, a couple of punch out swirls and two pearl headed pins.

Woo Hoo !! Yippee !!!

I can hardly contain myself I have just ordered a load of Copic markers, I cant wait for them to arrive so that I can have a play.
I have been looking all over bloggy land and studying lots of tutorials on using them. I will be back soon to show off my efforts.

Just a quick post before bedtime

After a day of taking decorations down, cleaning the house and getting the childrens uniforms, etc ready for tomorrow, I only had a short time to craft. Really it wasnt even me making anything, I just helped my daughter to do a bit of jewellery making. Heres one of the bracelets she made, I think she did a good job for a first attempt.

A little crafted gift for myself

Here's a photo of  a lovely soft scarf I have just finished knitting for myself. I cant pretend to be a very good knitter, but I can just about manage scarfs. I recently made one for my daughter and it was so soft and snuggly, I decided to get some more of the same wool and make myself one.

Happy New Year ! My first post of the year and a quick tutorial.

Welcome to 2011.... I have promised myself that I will spend more time crafting, participating in challenges and keeping my blog upto date this year.

I decided to start by tidying up my craft room and getting it better organised.

 Ribbon Storage Tutorial

I usually keep scraps and shorter lengths of ribbon in jars sorted by colours, but its not a very convenient way especially when I want to take it with me to craft elsewhere. I looked on the internet for alternative ways and like the ribbon ring method, But as I am not working and trying to watch the pennies, I decided to make some myself. They were really easy to make,

• I cut card to 4cm x 6cm, and trimmed the corners off at one end to give a tag shape.
• Then used cropadile to punch a hole at narrower end, about 1cm in.
• Then I used a ribbon punch to make the slits, punching from one side then turning and punching from the other making sure they meet up.
•  I made the slits on some a little longer to fit wider ribbon.
•  To finish them a bit neater I used a corner rounder punch on the bottom corners.  

Once I have threaded my ribbon on, I will hang them on  large jump rings, organised by colour and hang up next to my crafting table.