nicnakschat

Belated Valentine Project

2012-02-18T15:10:00.000Z

*sigh* I had such good intentions for this little creation, stitched in a jiffy at the end of last week. I really did mean to post on Valentine's day, hoping to spread the love and all that...

Somehow half term got in the way though & several playdates & 'fun centres' later here I am, with a little bit of time on my hands, jus' bloggin' ma owl...

The pattern & tutorial are from Moonstitches & can be found here. I just increased the pattern image by 150% before printing to get an owl approx 10cm in size & I handstitched rather than machine sewed. And please do trust me, if I can follow the instuctions then so can you!!!

As usual I introduced the parents to the latest of my crafty endeavours & was somewhat indignant at my Pop's response... "It looks like 'My first sewing project!'" he grinned... Well, he was completely correct in that it is my first sewing project I suppose (apart from the bottle-top pincusion ofcourse, but we have agreed never to speak of that....)

Anyhoo, I have Quirky Kits Lite to thank for the materials to make this owl, both the heart fabric & white felt are from the kits with other bits from stash.

As always, thanks for looking, I hope to be back with another paper pretty soon!

{hugs}
Nikki xxx

Never in a month of Sunrays....

2012-02-07T23:29:00.000Z

.... Did I think I'd pick up this blog again!

I think it's about time it got a bit of an overhaul, leave it with me... I'll get round to it eventually!

So lots of things have been inspiring me online, not least Julie Kirk's fab blog which is always such pleasure to visit & I felt the least I could do was join in with her Month of Sunrays & when the latest Quirky Kit Lite dropped through my letter box, it was clearly destiny!! (It's almost as if they know each other..!!) hee hee! ; )

So here it is... my lemon libation...my canary contribution...OK, OK I'll put down the thesaurus!!

There are loads of Scrappers out there using MME paper hearts at the moment and I fell in love with the LOs on Sarah Mullanix's blog so much that I well... shamelessly lifted the sketch & style... much to my annoyance I'm still failing miserably to find one of my own!!

So if you're still with me, thanks for reading, I'm sure I'll pop back at some point in 20 years when some of my children may have left home!

Magnolia Masking challenge

2011-08-13T23:27:00.006+01:00

I suddenly realised I'd have to make a handmade card for Mum's 60th tommorrow (bit of a special occasion & all that...) so I really got my head down & managed to create a little something to celebrate her day

I really wanted to enter the latest TOMIC challenge but I have to admit to sighing inwardly when I saw it was masking... lol!! Masking is hard work!

But the image came together pretty well once I'd had my lightbulb moment of using the piano (my Mom loves to play)& I am pleased with how the image looks.

I used MME Quite Contrary PPs, Promarkers & glossy accents on the shoes & champagne. Some freebie Molly Bloom's accessory stamps too. Apologies for the picture quality, I know it's awful!

Right then, I'm off to stuff this into an enevelope...

TFL!

This card is entered for the following challenges...

TOMIC - Masking

Edit - GUTTED!!! too late to enter!!! Hey Ho :(

Homemade Smashbook

2011-07-05T13:53:00.004+01:00

You know when you see a really good crafty idea & think, "I could do that for a fraction of the price..."?

I was wrong on so many levels!! However if you wanna take a look at my very homemade-looking actually rather expensive smashbook then be my guest!! :D

It was fun to make though & it was good to blow off the dust on my BIA & the many happy hours browsing the web looking for just the right products for my boy themed book were hours well spent (IMO!!)

So here it is, I'd love to know what you think!!

I used Crate Paper Toybox PPs, stickers & borders
other stickers from MME, OA & Thickers
Stamps are also OA Schoolhouse
BIA & accessories
a 7gypsies book band
Kraft & Cream card
& various stash bits & bobs...

thank you so much for looking, I'll try & post something again real soon!

{Hugs}

Nikki x

Punky Scraps Challenge

2011-06-16T14:31:00.004+01:00

I've been itching to make another LO & after a bit of mooching on UKS I came across a fab blog by Natalie who also runs a challenge blog called Punky Scraps so I thought I'd have me a go!!

The challenge is to create an LO taking inspiration from the picture below...

Well when I saw it I was immediately drawn to the cassette on the middle right (love those colours together!) and straight away thought of a sheet of Scenic Route PP I had in my stash... the circles remind me of speakers and the colours? well, maybe not exactly what I had in mind but close enough for me!!

So this is what I came up with...

I love these pics of 'Number 2'... they totally capture his personality & the way his hair has gone all static from the trampoline is too cute!!

So many thanks to Natalie for giving me the confidence & inspiration to try out some new painty, doodley techniques, hope you like it!

{hugs}

Nikki x

Magnolia Tent Card

2011-06-13T11:39:00.003+01:00

Been having another play in between nappy changing!! Connor is a very woebegone boy at the moment, he's covered in spots after catching chicken pox from his older brother, poor little mite...

I haven't used this Tilda before so it's about time she got an outing, I also used the tent card tutorial from the Just Magnolia & Hanglar Stanglar Challenge Blog and the flower tutorial from Magnola Ink Magazine

Papers are K&Co with lots of twiddly bits, glitter (which you can't see!!) & dimensional pearl to finish.

This card is entered in Magnolia Stamp Lovers "Anything Goes" challenge

TFL!!

Nikki xxx

Hanglar ragdolly's first outing

2011-05-18T14:01:00.004+01:00

Having a little girl's first birthday to make a card for was the perfect opportunity to ink up my gorgeous H&S Ragdolly...

It's been ages since I got my Distress & Inkadinks out, I'd forgotten how much I enjoy colouring in, boy I was out of practice though!! it took a few tries before I was finally happy with the result.

I would like to enter this card for the following challenges

Crafts 4 Eternity - Colour Challenge
Cupcake Craft Challenges - In the Garden
Papertake Weekly - Bloom & Grow

Many thanks for taking the time to look & comment,

Nikki xxx

Better late than never!

2011-04-26T17:08:00.009+01:00

Well the stork finally visited on the 26th March at around 3:40am, he was 5 days late but the delivery a complete success with no complications

Our beautiful little bundle was named Connor George & his two big brothers are very proud & protective of him.

There's nothing like a new arrival to get the scrapping urge going is there? I can't believe the last LO I did was in August 2009!! Since my mojo has been sadly lacking of late I used this week's sketch from Pencil lines (& a LOT of inspiration from the DT, fab work ladies!!!!) and the weekly challenge over on UKS to get me started.

I've kept the design nice & simple, I haven't got time to get elaborate these days!

PPs are MME Alphabet Soup Boy

TFL!!

Boys just wanna have fun...

2011-03-01T11:17:00.002Z

I am sharing a birthday card for my nephew today, I can't believe how quickly he's growing up, seven seems to have come along so very fast!

As it's a 'big boy' card I've kept embellishments down to the absolute minimum & used fab BG Archaic PPs with my LOTV image coloured with promarkers

Card is entered for the following challenges...

Simon Says Stamp - Coffee & Cream
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Anything but Square

TFL!

Nikki xxx

Altered Bingo Board

2011-02-21T12:01:00.007Z

My shopping list pad finally ran out, it was an Edwardian Lady M&S one I got for my birthday last year, stuck to a board with a couple of magnets on the back & a pen holder.

So I pinched the magnets & the pen holder & bought a Bingo Board & a pack of 4 jotter pads for the princely sum of £2.70!! (I suspect if I'd have gone to the pound shop this would have been even cheaper!)

Cue a bit of BG Recess PP, my FAVOURITE Tilda & a bit of Hanglar Stanglar for good measure...et voila!!

The letter stickers are doodlebug highlighted with white gel pen (lurve that funky font!!) & the stamping is done with Tilda brown Staz-on & Distress inks... a fairly quick project for me & something I will actually use on a regular basis! Yay me!!! :D:D:D

A close-up of Tilda...

The hardest part was making the hole for the pen-holder to fit in, I did this by using my crop-o-dile to make the general shape & filed down the rough edges with precision files.

I would like to enter this for the following challenges

A Spoonful of Sugar & C.R.A.F.T Challenge Who are asking for "Anything But Cards"
Creative Inspirations who would like to see "Plain & Simple" and...
Stamp Something who are looking for "Something Funky".

TFL!!!

Nikki xxx

Lots of Love

2011-02-08T12:15:00.005Z

Hello!!

Long time no speak! I'm 34 weeks now & it has gone so fast! I don't feel prepared at all, I finish work this week though so hopefully with a bit of extra time on my hands I can start preparing for baby & visit my craft room a little more often!

I only seem to make cards specifically for an occasion these days & this one is no exception - it's a valentine (as if you hadn't guessed!) for my lovely, but rather stressed, OH. He's under a lot of pressure at work at the moment & it doesn't help having a hormonal witch to cope with too!! (yes, that would be me!!) So this is my card to demonstrate that despite everything I love him loads...

I had a completely different idea for this card when I first started, can you guess what it was? I sort of imagined my two wee Hanglars as peas in a pod & scoured the internet looking for pea-related sentiments...

Finally settling for 'You Make Me Hap-pea...' I then embarked on my search for the perfect PPs in my stash... only to find... zip, nada...a big fat NOTHING apart from some very boring christmas paper in a shade vaguely relating to the colour I'd used on my image...

SO (deep breath) after much thought & over a couple of nights I FINALLY produced this... & yes, the paper piecing did take ages!!!!

A few challenges this week fit the theme of my card & I would like to enter it for

Cupcake Craft Challenge - Seeing Red
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Hearts gone wild!
Papertake weekly challenge - Have a Heart

Thank you so much for looking & hopefully I'll be back soon with another creation

{Hugs}

Nikki xxx

Altered snowflake decoration

2010-12-20T13:13:00.003Z

Have been working on this inbetween looking after a poorly infant & organising family gatherings...

I bought the snowflake from Hobbycraft & covered it with crackle paint, then brushed with gold acrylic & glitter round the edges & stamped a few snowflakes with brown chalk ink. Tilda was coloured with distress inks, her wings & star glittered & then she was triple embossed to give her a glazed, vintage look. A bit of matting. lace, ribbon & flowers later...

And here it is...

Oh my :( the terrible photo I took shows hardly any of the details I described, it has so much more depth IRL... I will really have to try & take a better picture, maybe tonight when the fairy lights come on (they're on a timer - blame my OH!!) it will sparkle a bit more....

So that's all from me & if this is the last time I post before the 25th.... Merry Christmas Blogland!!!!!

{hugs}

Nikki xxx

A Sparkly Snowman

2010-12-08T12:00:00.005Z

Hurrah!! For the first time in over a week I haven't had to defrost the car before the school run! My phut-phut does not like cold weather, the locks freeze, Jack Frost visits the inside of the car & the heating's packed in... blimmin' marvellous!

As I'm sure you can imagine, I have NOT been keen to venture outside unless absolutely necessary!

So to keep myself occupied I have been happily absorbed in colouring in & creating another batch of cards. This Magnolia Snowman is soooo much cuter than the other ones released more recently, at least that's my opinion! I bought him at the beginning of the year & he's been stroked lovingly over the months until the time came to use him...

My adorable Snowman has been coloured with promarkers with a few touches of glitter to make him SPARKLE. I have used freebie Kaisercraft PPs & a new snowflake punch which annoyingly is virtually no bigger than the cuttlebug snowflakes die I already own, it's a good job it wasn't that expensive!

I am entering this card for a few challenges listed below...

A Spoonful of Sugar - Christmas!
Passion for pro-markers - Anything goes
Sketch & Stash - Challenge 50
Just Magnolia - Sparkle

Thanks for looking! :)

{Hugs}

Nikki

Which one's your favourite?

2010-12-06T16:01:00.004Z

When I saw the LotV Challenge this week I knew straight away which image I was going to pick as my favourite although I must confess I have quite a few 'favourites' from their gorgeous collections over that last couple of years!

Baby's 1st Christmas is just sooo adorable though, I snapped it up within a few days of it's release & I'm so glad I've been finally able to ink him up!

Another clean & simple card from me, trying to keep the 'bellies to a minimum for ease of postage & as this is another batch of 4 I didn't want to make it overly elaborate.

I love my new ekSuccess punch, I hope to get loads of use out of it. I don't think I could do without punches...or buttons...or Kraft...or lol I could go on!!!

Thanks for taking the time to comment on my work, I love to know what people think :)

Brrrrr! it's SO frosty here - mind how you go!

S'no problem...

2010-12-01T22:21:00.003Z

Well what a difference a week makes!!

The snowy weather came as a big suprise for me and I certain never expected it to be this bad. Fortunately I do not live in a badly affected part of the country. I hope those of you who are lost underneath a big snowdrift have plenty of heating & supplies (craft & food!!) to keep you going!! :)

I have been playing with my promarkers again this week & I enjoyed colouring this Tilda, I even did blond hair! (I never do blonde!!) I followed the sketch from this week's Just Magnolia Challenge & chose non-traditional colours in keeping the totally papercrafts challenge. Can you tell I was inspired by the weather for the card theme? ;)

Not quite sure this card worked as a whole on the end though... nice elements, shame about the end result - Lol :D

Another batch of 4 finished though...really ought to start thinking about sending them now!!!

Thanks for visiting!

{Hugs}

Nikki xxxx

Long time no speak!

2010-11-23T11:51:00.002Z

Gosh, it has been a long time since I last posted anything here...

You know how it is, life takes over for a while & suddenly a month has flown by without even noticing!!

I have had a little time to play though, in between the annual bonfire bash, expecting my 3rd bambini & Christmas shopping...

This LoTV cutie is 1 of a batch of 4... I think this little bear is so, so gorgeous & suprisingly quick to colour too, especially with promarkers...I bought him last year so he's an old image but one I think I'll use again & again. My papers are new, bought last week from my local craft shop infact!

I'm going for the Clean & Simple with a (I hope!) scandinavian twist at the moment - so much quicker! Lol!!

I hope you enjoyed my card :)

Thank you for looking!

Nikki xxx

Card entered for Passion for Promarkers Blog Hop which runs until December 7th

Also entered for LoTV Glitter & Glitz Challenge as both Teddy's star & Santa hat are glittered to within an inch of their lives (although why this does not come across in the photo, I just don't know...*sigh*)

An Autumn Birthday

2010-09-14T23:35:00.002+01:00

Evening all :)

It is my pleasure to share another card with you today, I can't believe it! Two in one week!

This is a belated birthday card actually, I've been almost as rubbish at remembering birthdays as I have at making cards recently, I forgot my Mum's (I know - unforgivable!) & my niece's... dear Lord, shoot me now!!!!

Must try to do better & ensure I write birthdays on next years calendar!

As this is an autumny card I have entered it for a couple of Autumn challenges from PaperPlay & Wee Memories... However By the Cute & Girly are still hoping for an Indian Summer - Lol!!

I have used lovely Hanglar stamps, some ancient Sassafrass PP & yet more inspiration from the talented Anna...

Many thanks for looking & taking the time to comment on my work

{Hugs}

Nikki

Birthday Wishes

2010-09-13T10:11:00.002+01:00

Yay!!! I managed to fight my way out of the "Mists of No Mojo" just long enough to put a card together for my partner's niece...

I have to confess to relying very heavily on the creativity of someone else to get me started though & can take no credit at all for the design of this card!! the kudos of which belongs to Anna, her cards are so cute & have some gorgeous details. Thank you so much for the inspiration hun!!

This card is entered in the Stampin' for the weekend Challenge - Shabby or vintage

Thanks for looking!

{hugs}

Nikki xxx

School tomorrow!!

2010-09-06T20:42:00.002+01:00

Just wanted to share a couple of pics of my eldest in his new scool uniform, it's his first day tomorrow & he's been hyper all day today with excitement!!

The agreement was we'd take one smiley pic for Mummy & one cross pic for Adam,

haven't had time to photoshop them or anything so apologies for poor quality

Suffice to say I have now ironed out the creases in his trousers & sweatshirt... once I could prise it off him, he wanted to wear it all day!!

Will be back with some cards soon... I have been a very mojoless crafter of late but I coloured in a Tilda today & will try to put her on a card while I'm watching BNTM :)

Ciao!!

Nikki

A Card for Ruby....

2010-07-23T21:49:00.005+01:00

A wonderful friend of mine gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on Monday so I have been busy making an extra special card to celebrate, I do hope she likes it...

I've been itching to use this Magnolia cutie since I got her at Easter, I never did get round to making any Easter cards, Lol!!

I also got to use my new Doohickey lace border which I'm happy to say works brilliantly in my bug!!

I wanted this card to have a pretty vintage feel to it so I've distressed & inked most of the edges & I seem to have tipped an entire bottle of stickles over it too, which I bet doesn't show up in the pic!! The papers are BG porcelain & the pink gingham PP I've had for ages so no idea who's that is!

I'm entering this card for the following challenges....

Just Magnolia - Vintage
Basic Grey - Gingham
Stamp Something - Something Flowery

Thank you for looking!!

{Hugs}

Nikki

Donkey smiles across the miles...

2010-07-10T17:27:00.004+01:00

Hellooooo Blogland :)

Wow! I'm loving this weather... hope the sun is shining on you today too!!

The card I'd like to share with you today is for Michelle who, as you're probably already aware, had a terrible accident which resulted in the loss of an eye, this is what her friends have to say over on A Spoonful of Sugar...

"We would like to share some sad news today, some of you may already know from her blog, our design team member Michelle had an accident about two weeks ago, which has left her with the loss of her right eye and a long road of recovery ahead. In an effort to cheer her up and raise awareness for what happened to Michelle we are holding a card drive in her honor. We have many generous companies and individuals helping us with this special card drive and we hope you will help too!

We are asking that everyone please create a card in dedication to Michelle and mail it off to her. We would love nothing more than to flood her mailbox with well wishes from around the world. Michelle has shared so much of herself on her blog and in her design team work and this is a just a small way for us to give back to her.

****************************************************************************
Two of Whimsy Stamps lovely Artists Melissa Jenkins and Ann Vento have teamed up together to bring us a very special donkey image and matching sentiments, these are all available to download for free from the Whimsy Stamps store page."

What a kind & generous thing to do, how could I not take part & spread a little happiness in the direction of someone who really needs a smile right now? This touched my heart especially because my Grandfather lost an eye when he was a child, he had a glass eye which he kept in a glass of optrex next to his bed at night...

And how adorable is this Donkey?! I really enjoyed making this card even though I'm a bit scared of digi!! I used promarkers to colour the image & I think some of my printer ink kinda got mixed in on the paler parts, I didn't think that was supposed to happen?!

I got all experimental & tried to create something a bit different from my normal style (which is?! - answers on a postcard please!) I used LOADS of glitter to edge all the layers, not that you can tell from the Pic!! & crackle paint on some edges too, all the papers are K&Co & the flowers are prima. Nesties used for the oval & label mat.

There are two buttons on this card, the little heart is shrunk plastic & the button flower centre is a clear button with K&Co paper stuck to the back

Which brings me to the challenges I would like to enter this card for today

A Spoonfull of Sugar - Card drive for Michelle
Creative Card Crew - To die for Challenge
Crafty Creations - Make your own button

Thank you so much for looking!

{hugs}

Nikki

Another box...

2010-07-01T17:07:00.006+01:00

Hello Again...

I've recovered sufficiently from my Hanglar funk to finish another little box...!!

I used the same template as before but this one is embellished in more of a modern style

A look at the inside...

Tilda is coloured with distress inks & the sentiment is also magnolia, the paper is from Daisy Bucket; Perfect Harmony range. I have used a MS 'spooky fence' Border punch & a tiny butterfly punch I got from the NEC for £1!! The clouds are a dingbat printed onto Kraft cardstock with buttons & braid from stash. The stitches are stamped with timber brown staz-on.

I have entered this box for the following challenges...

Bunny Zoe - Nice & Girly

Papertake weekly - In Stitches

Pocket full of Posies - One for the girls

Thanks for looking :)

{hugs}

Nikki xxx

In mourning.... (not for the pic subject though!!!!)

2010-06-27T13:26:00.005+01:00

Sob!!

My H&S stamps are gone :( :( :(

I've turned my craft room upside down & they're nowhere to be found... conclusion? My naughty little 18m has been in my craft drawers & posted theWHOLE of kit 4 in the wastepaper basket which was emptied & tipped last week, I've only inked up 2 of the images ****wail!!!!!!****

Could you forgive this face.............................................?

Hmmm....yes well I suppose you could......

If anyone see's 'em up on ebay lemme know....

I'm too depressed to create!!!!

A Pretty Box ....

2010-06-16T22:43:00.003+01:00

Oh I do like making boxes! I've recently invested in a Scor Pal so I hope to make a few more... this box wasn't made with one though, I couldn't wait to get started after being so inspired by some beautiful projects online, in particular this by Kirsten...

I do hope she takes it as a compliment that I have kept so faithfully to her original design & huge thanks to her for posting the link for the box template :)

I haven't decorated the inside as this is more of a practice run & not really for anything as such... Mooching about on the web much earlier in the week I came across Hanna & Friends who were asking for boxes made using Spellbinders & that was it... my fingers started itching!!!

This box does use a spellbinder labels die but only for the closure so I'm not sure if it would've counted & as this is such a last-minute post I've missed the entry deadline anyway... Doh!

I'm not fussed though, just happy to share!!

Hope you like what you see :)

Til the next time,

Nikki xxx

Passion for Promarkers rediscovered...

2010-05-27T11:40:00.005+01:00

Hello!

I don't know about you, but for me life feels good today - I'm not sure why! As a rule, life is generally good anyway but today it's extra good!! I've got enough to go round so if anyone wants some... I'm happy to share!!

And talking of sharing I made a card last night with one of my LOVELY new H&S stamps, I'm sooo happy they're available in the UK now, I check ebay constantly to see if any new kits are up - I'm very tragic - Lol!!!

To make this card I used sketch #103 from Friday Sketchers, Cosmo Cricket PPs (Early Bird), my SU! punch (again!) & the sentiment is Magnolia. The book text frame was made with Nestabilities & the border punch is Fiskars. My image was coloured with promarkers (the colours I used are pictured below) - Passion for Promarkers are offering some absolutely FANTASTIC prizes for their first Blogaversery this week with a theme of 'Anything Goes' which was a great incentive for dusting my pens off....

And aren't I glad that I did? I'd genuinely forgotten how much I enjoy using these & what pleasing results they provide - thanks to Andie for the inspiration & many congrats on your DT appointment hun!! xxx

So that's it from me today - thanks for looking at my work :)

Nikki xxxx

Just Magnolia

2010-05-24T14:20:00.004+01:00

Afternoon all, it is a beautiful sunny day here in the midlands, I'm on leave from work & I should be sunbathing!!

Unfortunately my back garden is a building site at the moment, with builders still actually in it... I don't know about you but I just don't feel very comfortable exposing my wobbly bits to middle-aged men I'm only just on first name terms with!!!!

So regrettably (lol! I so don't mean that!) I've been holed up indoors creating, I fancied the Just Magnolia sketch challenge this week, and this is what I came up with...

Now, in my head this was going to be a lovely fresh feeling card with lots of zingy lime & turquoise colours but it's actually turned out looking a bit grubby to me, Lol!! Hmm, maybe it's a lesson learned that trying to vintage up retro PPs is never really going to work... must write that down somewhere...

Anyhoo hope you are all enjoying your mondays :)

{{{hugs}}}

Nikki xxx

Father's Day theme continued...

2010-05-19T22:35:00.000+01:00

Good evening all!!

I am so pleased to be able to share another Father's Day card with you made with an adorable Lili of the Valley image I picked up at the NEC Stitch & Craft show...

The stamp isn't my newest piece of stash though, I am SO loving my new SU! Heart to Heart punch but I think I've got to think of a few more ways to use it, Lol!!

The PPs are BG archaic again & I've eked out the corrugated card from a cup holder a little further here too... the cute little fishy is a cuttlebug kids die from an alphabet set I've had for aaaaages. The embossed button border is also from cuttlebug & the sentiment is computer generated.

Image coloured with distress inks & I can't believe my glittering actually shows up for a change!! This card is from my 2 babies to their daddy, I think he'll be pleased with it, he loves fishing xx

Made using the sketch from this week's challenge at Sketch & Stash

Thank you so much for looking!

Nikki xxx

HAnglar StAnglar stamps on ebay....

2010-05-18T17:40:00.000+01:00

Hi girls,

Just a quickie post to let you know kit 4 is available on ebay as of 17:41pm GMT

Good luck!!

Back in Blogland!!

2010-05-15T15:13:00.000+01:00

Sheesh!! It's so good to be back!!

Nearly 2 months of crafter's block has kept me away, no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't summon up the energy to be creative. I really don't know how on earth some of you manage to create, post & comment daily. There should definately be some form of blog award for the huge committment it takes to run a successful blog.

As for me, I think I'll probably continue at my normal snail's pace until both the kids are at school!! Lol!!

How lucky did I feel when I managed to snag a whole HAnglar & StAnglar kit on ebay last week? And just in time for father's day too, I hope he likes the card I made. I wish I hadn't bothered with the stamping round the edges though, I don't think it looks right! I tried to blend it in a bit with some cinnammon stickles, which you can't really see in the pic, most of it ended up on my fingers!

The papers are BG Archaic, & I have used the MS spooky fence border punch & SU! Heart to Heart punch.

My card is entered for this week's Basic Grey Challenges.

Going round in circles!

2010-03-05T14:12:00.000Z

Hello Blogland :)

I'm feeling very guilty about how badly I've been neglecting you but my energy levels are so low I'm wondering if maybe I should be taking iron tablets! Seriously, just getting to work in the morning is such an effort these days, I'm so glad it's sunny today, I think the winter has just been too long this year.

So it's taken me a few nights to complete this project using the sketch from Mojo Monday this week & the theme of circles from Cupcake Crafts. This card meets the 'Anything Goes' brief over on Lexie's creations too.

I used lovely wild asparagus papers & "Tilda Wrapped" coloured with Inkadinks & Distress. To make the background I masked off Tilda & sponged distress ink over the image & then overstamped with a text stamp using the same ink. I was inspired to use this technique by Dena's fabulous vintage card here.

I hope you enjoyed looking at my creation, please tell me what you think!

A card for Mum...

2010-02-25T15:43:00.000Z

Hello! Blogging again after what seems like ages...there really aren't enough hours in the day for what I'd like to achieve... mostly because one of my main aspirations is just having a few hours to sit in front of the box & CHILL... it's my primary objective in life!!

However I managed to drag myself off the sofa and create something for Mother's day which meets the challenge over on Secret Crafter. The sketch is from this week's Sketchy Colors challenge.

The light is so dull at the moment isn't it? I couldn't even take a decent pic with a halogen lamp blazing about 6 inches away from the card!! Mind it's probably to do with angles or summink as to why it still looks so dark, I really know nothing about photography!

The cutest Sarah Kay image from Stampavie got an airing for a change, with papers from K&Co & a few paper flowers which also qualifies this project for the Totally Gorguss challenge.

Many thanks for taking the trouble to look & comment on my work,

Have a good day!

A sweet treat....

2010-02-18T00:05:00.000Z

Another chance to win a Hangler Stangler stamp from Stamptacular Sunday Challenge this week which is to create a project that includes a sweet treat.

Janneke's DT project for the challenge was a cute teabag creation & as she helpfully posted directions to the instructions for making one I couldn't resist having a go myself. A couple of sachets of hot chocolate just about fit inside but there isn't a lot of room for anything else!!

I got to use lovely sugary colours & one of my favourite Tildas, I wasn't sure about the blue & orange at first especially as I didn't match the blue on Tilda's dress too well. But I think it works OK & I even had a go at some arty photography - I was inspired by Janneke here too - I love the effect she has used to create a border around her projects & may try this too - with permission of course :)

Thank you for looking at my project - I really appreciate your comments

Nikki xxx

Choose happy!!

2010-02-15T14:42:00.000Z

Hi all!!

I would just like to share with you this little project that's been rattling around in my head for the past week or so. Made for the Magnoliaink competition with the theme of spring & a challenge to use your stamp in a different way. This made me think straight away of making a little door-plaque with an inspirational saying on it, & with my So Spooky Tilda stamp in mind I set about looking for spring-cleaning quotes.

There were a few I liked... "Please don't feed the dust bunnies!!" and, "My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance" but I needed something shorter. So the Japanese proverb I found was perfect, apt & most importantly...short!!!

So here she is, So Spooky Tilda all prettied up in pinks, I'm going to hang her on my door in the craft room & always remember that spring cleaning the heart is far more important (& interesting) than housework!!

Stamptacular Sunday!!

2010-02-07T20:00:00.001Z

As I was browsing earlier this week I came across this adorable Tilda & somehow she just fell into my virtual shopping basket!! Whoever invented online shopping is an evil genius!!

I think I fell for her because she reminded me of a particular Hangler & Stangler stamp I've been lusting after but can never hope to own...

So imagine my delight when I came across the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge this week. Not only are they offering a fab H&S stamp as their prize (not the stamp - but beggers can't be choosers!!) but if your card follows their theme 'Love is in the Air' without using any hearts you get entered in the draw twice!!

Now I'm wondering if Tilda's antennae count as hearts... I hope not, I thought about covering them up but I couldn't bear to alter her - she's too cute!!

Tilda is coloured in distress inks & the paper is K&Co Wild Saffron, sentiment is computer generated.

Thank you all so much for looking,

Nikki xxx

Just because...

2010-02-04T16:39:00.001Z

Oh I haven't been a very good blogger lately have I? I find it so difficult to find time to craft & this week has been no exception!! But here is something I managed to put together today (in between trips to the loo after DS2 kindly passed on his tummy bug to me - thanks poppet!!)

Sweetheart Tilda is sitting atop some ancient Daisy D paper & coloured with distress inks. I agonised for what seemed like hours about what embellies I was going to put on this & after trying about a hundred permutations of floral arrangements threw my hat in & left it plain!!

Photo looks a bit dismal, wish I hadn't photo-shopped it now - Hey Ho!!

TFL Nikki xxx

Calendar for 2010

2010-01-26T23:32:00.000Z

Hiya!

Just thought I would share what's been keeping me busy these past few nights... I bought this calendar kit from Quirky Kits way back in 2009 when it first came out & the beautifully packaged pink box it came in has been staring accusingly at me ever since!! So I metaphorically rolled my sleeves up & delved in & y'know once I got going it wasn't that hard & I have to say I'm pleased with the result.

Unfortunately the kit is now sold out but there are others to choose from (and the rumour is a new one is due out fairly soon!!) & I do love them... I think they're eclectic & edgy... something I aspire to but may never achieve, Lol!!

The intention is to use the mini-book to record important moments through the year, things that I want to remember & look back on & hopefully it will become a record of treasured moments in 2010!

So, you've seen the cover, now for the inner pages...

I hope you enjoyed looking at this, a totally different approach to what I've been blogging in recent months but I'm still trying to find 'my' style...maybe I'll be able to write about it in my new book - Lol!!

Thank you so much for looking...

Nikki xxx

Layers... & a sketch

2010-01-22T11:55:00.001Z

Made for my darling OH for Valentine's Day, this card fails to work on so many levels & yet I LOVE it!!!!

I don't know if it's that cheeky little mouse, the funky PPs or the fact that I managed to keep a steady hand throughout the entire perfect pearls undertaking... (& yes, I went a bit mad with the perfect pearls but when you're on a roll...!) I just like looking at it...I think it's definitely Henry :)

So this is for a couple of challenges... following the Quixotic Paperie sketch (oops... a bit late for that one!!) & using layers over on A Spoonful of Sugar

So that's all folks - hope you are keeping well & thanks for visiting!!

Nikki xxx

Simon Says...Shabby Chic

2010-01-16T20:46:00.001Z

It's my eldest boy's birthday tomorrow so I've made him a card using the best little boy stamp I have seen yet from Squiggle Stamps - complete with sentiment too, I just love this image, cute but definitely not girly! Why oh why did I colour the balloon orange though? It should have been red *kneels on floor - arms upwards, outstretched and wails...."NOOOOOOooooooooooo!!"*

Ahem...sorry about that... I am entering this card for Simon Says Stamp shabby chic challenge this week, the camera doesn't pick it up that well but the paper is distressed - honest!!

Thanks for visiting...

Nikki xxx

Hot Chocolate...Mmmmmm!!

2010-01-13T00:23:00.000Z

I got a coffee machine for Christmas and now I can make espresso, cappuccino & best of all, frothy hot chocolate, to my heart's content!!

So I was especially pleased to see that a few card challenges this week used this theme as the inspiration to make a card, the colours of hot chocolate are just yummy, marshmallow, cream & brown, it's making me want one just typing about it!!

This card, apart from the sentiment, uses stamps from the 2009 winter magnolia collection & I think it looks a little bare however this is deliberate because as soon as there's a big 'O' birthday to celebrate I'm going to whack it straight on the heart in great big glittery numbers!! Lol!!

So onto the challenges...

Simon Says Stamp & Quixotic paperie are both running with a Hot Chocolate theme...
Charisma Cardz are asking for cards in a pink, brown, toffee, cream combo...
Just Magnolia are asking for cards with paper pleating for their special monthly challenge...

Ooh it's so late, it's taking me soooo long to make cards at the moment I don't know what's up with me, so just a quickie post tonigh to I can get me some shut-eye...

TFL!! xxx

An Edwin Christening card

2010-01-04T22:50:00.000Z

My Sister asked me to make a Christening card for her as she is going to be a God-mother, (again!! - Her friends must think she has exemplary morals!! Lol!) and here it is...

I kept it fairly simple as she wanted one in a similar style one I made for her a few years ago but my goodness how I've moved on since then!! So I felt a bit stuck at first because my current passions were conflicting with my old style of cardmaking but I think I've managed to reconcile the two to my satisfaction. (Although what my sister will think of Edwin I'm not sure!!)

The papers are K&Co & the sentiment is computer generated, the punch is Martha Stewart - not just for Halloween - Lol!!

Card submitted for Cupcake Challenge #72 who would like to see baby cards this week.

TFL!!

My 1st card of 2010...

2010-01-02T13:05:00.000Z

Hellooo!!

And Happy New Year!! - Is it tragic that I was working on this card on New Year's Eve?! Well maybe so, but I was perfectly content in my little crafting bubble although I did pop outside at around midnight to watch everyone else's fireworks & chinese lanterns go up... Needless to say there will be another article in our local rag about 'UFOs'...

This is the first time I've given the Winter Collection Tildas an outing too, I must admit to being a little disappointed when I first got them, they didn't seem like a 'collection' at all but after taking a look at a few blogs and seeing the beautiful cards made with some of the images I've decided they're definately a 'grower'.

So inspired by these blogs & in particular the scandinavian style of crafting, ( have you seen this blog? - OMG Camilla, your work is amazing!!) this is what I came up with...

Lots of lace, distressing, some fancy flowers & a bit of play-doh stamped with a tiny heart to make a 'seal', Tilda is Coloured with distress inks - my favourite medium - and the sketch is from ICS.

So the challenges I'm submitting for this week are ICS, Roses on paper and Charisma Cardz who have a Blog Hop which runs until 6th Jan.

*Sigh*...after all the christmas crazyness it's good to be back to normality again, TFL!

Nikki xxx

Ready for next year...

2009-12-27T21:12:00.000Z

I've had this Belles N Whistles image - Star of Bethlehem - coloured up for a few days now and I couldn't let her go to waste because they both look so pretty!! So I made up a quickie card all ready for next christmas... I hope you like it, as for me, I wish I'd continued the border along the bottom of the circle mat & I definately wish I hadn't coloured baby sister in a pink nightgown!!

I wonder though what will be in vogue next year, there are quite a few on trend elements to this card at the moment, think tulle, charms, pearls & embossing... but how many of these will still be popular in 12 months time & what new trends are going to emerge? I'm the first to admit I have absolutely no idea but it will be quite exciting to find out...

I didn't make this card with any particular challenge in mind but lucky for me there are a few 'free for all' challenges running at the moment one over at the Creative Card Crew and another over on... well okay I guess I was too late for that one, oops!!

Image coloured with promarkers, DPs Golly by Jolly...TFL! xxx

Crafts 4 Eternity #13

2009-12-27T10:43:00.001Z

Good Morning!! I hope you're all enjoying christmas! With the sun shining outside & the snow all gone it almost seems like a distant memory for me, how wonderful to have a proper white Christmas for a change though, I hope you did too.

So, if you don't fancy braving the sales today & you're not nursing a hangover like my OH, why not try the latest challenge from Crafts 4 Eternity? As always it's a recipe challenge & today's ingredients are to follow the sketch, use a song title & use a tag.

This is the final ATC in my series of four & don't forget you have a chance to win the whole set if you enter the challenge this week (everybody say, "oooohhh!!!!" - Lol!!!!)

Look forward to seeing you there...

Crafts for eternity Challenge #12

2009-12-21T16:46:00.000Z

Oops!! A bit late with this post but things have been manic this weekend with final preparations being put in place for Christmas. Cue fevered Christmas shopping, wrapping, Christmas Party getting-readying, Son's first Birthday - family round, house a mess - chaos all round *deep breath*

Still, that's all in the past now because today I broke up from work and I'm not back 'til 6th Jan...WOOHOO!!

So, onto Sunday's Challenge over at Crafts4Eternity and number 3 in my series of shabby Christmas ATCs, I have followed the recipe & used the sketch, a journalling spot & netting on the ATC.

Why don't you come on over and play? There's a totally gorgeous stamp up for grabs from Crafty Sentiments this week, take a look at it here

*sigh* Wish I could win it!! Lol!!

Belle N Whistles Advent Calendar - Day 15!

2009-12-15T18:45:00.000Z

Oh oh oh!! she's sooo cute don't you think standing up on tippy-toe to reach the christmas door? I would love to have a wreath like that hanging on my door but it's never been a tradition of ours to put out a wreath, I think I will have to look into it for next year, I feel a crafty project coming on, lol!!

But thinking of family traditions at christmas, it got me pondering about the goodies families leave for Santa on Christmas eve... Now I grew up firmly believing that Santa enjoyed a sherry & a mince pie after his trip down the chimney at each house so each year we set out a glass of Mom's favourite & a homemade pie... it only occurred to me in much later years that this might not be true of every home, afterall, some Moms don't even like sherry & may not have it in stock...!!

Why don't you hop on over to Belles N Whistles and tell us what you leave for Santa on Christmas Eve? There's a chance for you to win a goody bag every day this month, you gotta be in it to win it (heh heh heh!!)

Roses On Paper challenge

2009-12-14T20:32:00.001Z

Good Evening Bloggers!

Today is the start of another fab Roses on Paper challenge, I do hope you can join us!!

A colour challenge this week, using the rich, traditional shades of christmas, hunter green, cranberry & gold...
We would love to see your card, tag, box or bag creations incorporating these colours!!

My submission this week was made using the utterly gorgeous Two Turtle Doves stamp from Belles N Whistles Christmas release II. I just adore this image, it reminds me of a fairytale illustration, so whimsical & pretty, it completely appeals to the little girl inside me!

My project is a bottle-tag treat box from Splitcoast stampers, don't be afraid to try this one out... I used the most basic of tools (think ruler, mouse-mat & ball-tool!!) & it really did come together quite easily.

Thank you so much for looking, see you soon!!

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge

2009-12-13T19:57:00.000Z

Only me!!

And over at Crafts 4 Eternity this week there's another recipe for you to try.

Simply follow the sketch, use red & green & use a stamp over a year old. I have to say, I love the sketch this week, it comes together beautifully! There are some fabbie digi-images up for grabs if you enter, adorable little christmas elves, sooo cute!!

I'm continuing my shabby Christmas ATC theme and expect there to be a set of four by the end of my guest design spot so I've decided that I will be giving this set away to anyone who enters a C4E challenge in the month of december.

Simply leave your entry over on the C4E blog and I'll randomly select a winner using the very technical 'names in a hat' technique at the end of the month.

Hope to see you there!!

Nikki xxx

Only 2 weeks 'til Christmas!!

2009-12-07T16:01:00.000Z

EEk!! Starting to panic yet?! There seems to be so much still to do & not much time to do it in! Fortunately I managed to get a significant proportion of my shopping done this weekend & the decorations are up too, no christmas cards written up yet though & I suspect wrapping will be done christmas eve!!

I was so good last year *sigh* almost all my cards were handmade & I custom-wrapped all the gifts for my close family. I was on maternity leave though so I had lots more free time than I do this year...

Still, with the free time I do have I'm just about managing to squeeze a few cards in, and this little Christmas Hearth image has to be one of my favourites, how cute do these two look peering up for Santa? I have to say that if I allowed my youngest anywhere near the fireplace he would be chomping on the charcoal, infact now I come to think about it my eldest was quite partial too..

and here is the evidence!!

Awww... butter wouldn't melt eh? Rubbish picture though, taken pre half-decent digital camera days!!

Anyhoo back to crafting & christmas... have you checked out Belles n Whistles lately? Don't forget our advent calendar giveaway!! Look forward to seeing you there! xxx

Crafts for Eternity Challenge #10

2009-12-06T16:13:00.001Z

Hi all, I'm returning to Blogland after a brief spell away... goodness doesn't Chrsitmas get in the way of crafting!?!!

However I mark my return by proudly announcing that I am a guest designer for Crafts 4 Eternity for the month of December!!

This weeks challenge is to follow a sketch, use brads & a santa image, I don't know if you can spot my santas hidden away under all that inking but they are definately there I promise!! And talking of Santas, Michelle has provided a free Santa digi-image for you to download, how cool is that?!

I fancied getting a bit shabby for this challenge which for some reason I feel more confident about when I work in minature so this is an ATC. Made with papers from Michelle's gorgeous November kit & paper artsy stamps.

Thanks for looking, I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Altered Advent Calendar

2009-11-25T16:27:00.001Z

I'm so excited to show this to you! I've been working on it periodically for a few weeks now & I'm really pleased with how it's turned out. Over on UKS there's been a real buzz about these little calendars, so much so they're quite difficult to get hold of now. For anyone who's interested, these calendars are (were?!) available in Tescos at a fiver. They are ready-painted in bright primary colours, so to achieve the same look as mine overpainting will be required. I didn't bother sanding it down first though, a few coats of emulsion was all that it took.

The papers I used are MME but virtually everything I used for this project is available in the form of a kit from Crafts 4 Eternity & there's still loads left over for other projects too!!

I could have put loads of twiddly bits on the drawers & such but I think this project is in for a little rough handling! Already my nearly-four year old can't keep his hands off it, he really enjoys playing with the drawers & counting out the numbers & there's not even any chocolate in it yet!!

A closer look...

And a back view...

I do hope you enjoyed looking as much as I enjoyed making & I really look forward to reading your comments, leave me a link if you've made one too, I would love to see how other people have interpreted this item!!

Submitted to this month's Lets Get Shabby Challenge.

It's Belles n Whistles Blog Hop day!!!

2009-11-22T17:37:00.000Z

Good Morning all & welcome to the exciting Belles n Whistles Blog Hop!! If you've arrived from Lil's Blog then this is good, you are well on the way to the chance of winning a fantastic prize, the full set Elisabeth Bell's newly released Christmas stamps!

However if by chance you have wandered here for another reason & would like to take part in the Blog Hop then please start HERE

This little beauty is called Gingerbread Corner, isn't she just so cute? An absolute dream to colour too...

And a side view...

with thanks to Tab who provided the inspiration & know-how to create this box!!

In order to be in with a chance of winning this stamp & the others you see on this hop simply leave me a comment and go directly to Rosette's awesome Blog it's that easy!

Christmas release II is available to buy from today & will be shipped at the beginning of next month.

And that's it!! Happy Blog hopping ladies (& gents?!?!) thank you so much for visiting,

{{{Hugs}}}

Nikki xxx

All wrapped up

2009-11-21T17:39:00.000Z

Hi all!!

A gift box from me today, more of a prototype really. I was so inspired by Quixotic Paperie's challenge this week & couldn't wait to use kraft & red! Simon Says Stamp is looking for projects with animals which gave me the perfect excuse to play with "Jingle Bells" another fabulous image from Belles 'n Whistles Christmas collection I, with number II on it's way very soon - watch this space!!!

Roses on paper - Sweet November

2009-11-18T17:11:00.001Z

Evening all!! Hope you are all well on this blustery day! I've been busy creating for Roses on Paper where the challenge this week is to make something inspired by the words 'Sweet November'. Well, this little image is so sweet how could I not use it? And I'm slowly adding to my Christmas card selection too although it's gonna have to be someone extra-special to deserve this little Rockin' around cutie!!

I played with my promarkers for this one too, I really love the clarity of colour you get with this type of medium but I think I need a lot more practice & a few more colours!!

The papers are Bo Bunny & the sentiment is computer generated.

Happy Wednesday!!

PS I'm getting sooo excited about an advent calendar I'm working on, it's coming together beautifully & I can't wait to show it off!! I'd love to work on it tonight but I'm going to the Pub with my darling OH but secretly.... I'd rather be crafting!!! Shhh, don't tell him!! :P

Oh Christmas tree...

2009-11-16T22:28:00.001Z

I'm getting right into the christmas spirit now, I even managed to get in a bit of christmas shopping at the week-end. I'm never usually this organised, it must be the process of making seasonal cards bringing the time of year to the forefront of my mind which can only be a good thing!

And what better way to get in the mood than a christmas carol in front of the tree? This card is made up of 2 stamps both available from Belles 'n Whistles (Belle's Carols and The Christmas Tree) and are coloured with distress inks. A little glitter on the baubles, another handmade poinsettia and we're good to go! The DP is Basic Grey & I used Mirri-board! I haven't had that out for aaaaaages!!!

I used this week's sketch from Friday Sketchers, I love how it came together, a lovely simple layout making the adorable image the focus, just as it should be! The addition of glitter also means I can enter this card for Cute Card Thursday

I hope you like it :)

Ooh Looky Looky!!

2009-11-14T10:09:00.000Z

Good Morning!! Well I'm feeling quite chirpy considering I was up into the wee small hours... My gorgeous Belles 'n Whistles stamps arrived yesterday afternoon & they looked at me pleadingly throughout the rest of the day until I got the children into bed & took them out to play!!

I was rather brave with my DP choices, not a single one from the same collection. The baubles are last years Basic Grey, October Afternoon for the music manuscript & I'm afraid I have no idea where the Christmas text DP came from!! 'Gingerbread Love' is coloured with distress inks & the poinsettias were created from a Craft Stamper freebie stamp (stamped on the reverse) with little snowflakes for the centre.

Thanks for looking & I hope you are enjoying your weekend so far xxx

An Announcement...

2009-11-12T22:17:00.000Z

A few weeks ago I posted a card which I entered for the Roses on Paper Guest DT call. With hand on heart I truly never thought I'd be successful however sometimes things just don't work out the way you expect them to because guess what? I am very very proud to announce that for the months of November and December I will be a guest designer for both Roses on Paper and Belles 'n Whistles

And I'm champing on the bit to get started, there's such exciting stuff planned for you over the next few weeks & I need to be a part of it so watch this space for some creations using some gorgeous Belles 'n Whistles stamps with maybe just a little Magnolia thrown in (gotta love those Tildas!!)

*Yawn* I've just spent a very pleasurable few hours visiting my fellow teamies Blogs & I hope you get the chance to too, their work is just awesome (Lol!! I don't know where the US accent appeared from all of a sudden!) Shhh!! there's a blog hop on it's way...

Just Gorguss...

2009-11-11T23:29:00.000Z

A simply embellished card for a simply gorguss girl tonight. I'm loving this colour combination too, she looks so pretty & feminine!

I have used the sketch from Create 4 fun, with stitching around the main image to qualify for Kraftin Kimmie & Quixotic Paperie's challenge & it's been a while since I entered the Simon Says challenge too which is 'Thinking of you' this week.

Ooh it's late so I think I'll leave it there for tonight, thank you all so much for looking I'm genuinely touched by each & every comment I recieve xxx

Back to normality

2009-11-09T23:57:00.000Z

I've been laying low for the last week or so, most of my spare time being taken up preparing for our annual bonfire party saturday just gone. It was a fantastic night and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves, our best turnout yet (about 70 adults & 35 kids incase you were wondering!) & even better the weather stayed fine all night. However I think next year I shall be needing considerably more sausages & also be charging an entry fee [wink!]...

But now it's over, I can craft again, yipee!! This is my entry for the Crafts 4 Eternity challenge this week, using their sketch, punches & holly combined with Cute Card Thursday's call for primary colours. Out came little Henry again & are you impressed with my bling flourish? I am!! Another bargain from the discount store near me, 99p for 2 swirls!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed some pearl ones might appear someday!

Going for a Hat Trick

2009-10-27T23:35:00.000Z

K&Co's Wild Saffron papers are so perfect for the season that I just keep picking 'em up! Over at Kraftin Kimmie the card challenge this week is to use Brown, Rust & Green or Yellow...Ah what the hell I thought & used them all!

The sketch is from Cupcake Craft & the addition of the charm qualifies this card over on Crafty Angels too.

I also had another bash at Michelle's handmade flowers there's a tutorial for them somewhere but I couldn't find the link, :-( I didn't distress the edges of the petals enough again, note to self...more contrast required!! I used eyelash fibres & beads for the flower-centre & again I'm pleased with the effect but not with the contrast.

I'll keep practising!

Thank you so much for stopping by xxx

3rd & Final Halloween Card!!

2009-10-24T22:41:00.000+01:00

Lol!! Are you bored of her yet? Did I mention I only own one Halloween stamp?! Well that's not strictly true as I was sent some lovely digi-images to play with as part of a fab prize card-kit I got from Crafts 4 Eternity unfortunately I forgot you can't use water on water-based printer ink and...well you can guess the rest!! Everything else is from the kit though, the word spots (which are a freebie!!), papers, buttons, fibres & even the creepy-crawlie!!

I'm also entering this for the C4E challenge but I forgot the felt!!!! Sorry girls, I'll stick some on I promise!! The frustrating thing is I've got some orange felt ribbon which would have been perfect for this project & I even had it in mind when I made the card, I'm gonna have to blame the nappy-brain!

Anyhoo.... I'm doubling up on challenges & submitting this card for the Secret Crafter too. They would like to see orange on our projects this week.

OK this is the last Halloween card now, I promise... can't wait til next year though!

'Tis near Halloween...

2009-10-19T23:14:00.000+01:00

...and out came So Spooky Tilda for the second time this week (well, she never actually made it off my craft table, and to be honest she's the only halloween stamp I own!) It was such a trauma printing the sentiment though, our printer really does not want to play at the moment, I love the font though, it's called Beyond Wonderland & you can find it here.

This is for the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge who do not allow combining challenges under their rules which means I may have to create another card as there are quite a few Halloween challenges running this week.

Ack! What a hardship! I mean, Halloween cards are just soooo boring....NOT!!!

And I tell you what, I've got my eye on that little Devil Tilda too, she'd be brilliant for hen cards!

Roses on Paper Guest DT call

2009-10-17T23:05:00.000+01:00

Another combined Challenge from me this evening using the fab sketch from Simon Says Stamp in conjunction with the colours Brown, Orange & Green from Roses on Paper who are inviting entries for a guest design spot for the months of November & December. I've been brave & decided to enter, who knows what may come of it?

I was lucky enough to win $25 to spend at Simon says Stamp last month and this little sweetheart Tilda was part of what I spent it on. I was very impressed with how quickly it was shipped, thank you so much Heidi! xxx

Yawn! It's getting late so just a short post from me tonight, sweet dreams Blogland!

Spooktackular Fun!

2009-10-16T00:30:00.001+01:00

OK, I admit it, I'm a stashaholic!! I lusted after the Magnolia So Spooky for....oooh...at least a week before succumbing to temptation (lol!), I bought this image because she's not too witchy & therefore a bit more versatile than some of the others in the range & look how adorable she is!!

I'm entering her for 2 challenges this time, following the sketch, using both dry & heat embossing & the colours black & purple over on Crafts 4 Eternity. And using a tiny button in the flower centre & bling (honest!!) in the Skull's eyes she qualifies for the challenge this week at Crafty Angels.

Other products used - DPs: So Spooky, my new favourite toy...McGill Pine branch & a Grungeboard Skull.

Thanks for looking!!

Have you ever....?

2009-10-14T21:49:00.000+01:00

.....found a challenge online, created the card & then been unable to find the challenge blog in which to enter said card?!!

If anyone recognises the sketch I followed for this little cutie please enlighten me! Lol!

Not to worry, I got to use lots of new stash creating this, Cosmo Cricket DPs, WOJ Henry Mouse & McGill Pine branch all being recent additions to my collection! I also tried my hand at affixing charms to a card, just too late to enter the cute card Thursday challenge, but hey another day another challenge as they say!

Edit: Yay found it!! the sketch is from A Spoonful of Sugar and very nice to work with it was too!!

Long time no see!

2009-10-11T21:42:00.000+01:00

It's been a while since I last blogged mostly because it's been a while since I last created something I felt was worth blogging. Yes dear friends, I am afflicted with what every crafter dreads most, the loss of my mojo.....

This little book mark pleases me in parts though, I'm rather proud of the tassel & I like the distressed edges of the floral paper which have been inked & glittered a la Kim. The book text peeking through the back is kinda cute...hmm, maybe I should have made more of that....

So this is it, no challenge, no sketch, just a little inspiration from those wonderful blogs I continue to view & maybe, just maybe my mojo might come creeping back....

It better, it's fecking christmas in 2 months!!!!!!

Win a TILDA of your choice!!

2009-09-27T18:46:00.000+01:00

Actually not my Blog Candy at all, but I just thought this post needed a bit of extra oomph so I copied it from Lorraine's Blog - hope you don't mind Lorraine!!!

It's easy to win, just enter the Simon Says Stamp Challenge this week (ends this wednesday so there's still time!) & advertise this in your blog not on your side-bar.

The only problem is which Tilda to choose?!

My New Tilda!

2009-09-25T21:49:00.000+01:00

I managed to get my hands on this adorable Tilda from Stampeezee at the beginning of the week & I've used her twice already! I've seen so much of her on other Blogs I'm afraid just fell in love & it turns out she's an absolute dream to colour too, happy days! I suspect the poor thing may already be overused to the point of saturation but I don't care, I think she's gorgeous!!

So, which challenges have I selected this week? A Spoonful of Sugar for the sketch & both Roses on Paper& Simon says Stamp asked for stitching on their weekly challenge so a triple whammy for this little cutie, lol!! Considering the card was made over three nights I think that the Karmic balance is satisfied, at least on this occasion! (I should, at this point, mention that I know nothing whatsoever about Karma...)

Other materials: Wild asaparagus papers, Fiskars Effervesence border punch & other stashy bits including some rather cool raffia covered wire for my curly bits. I picked this up in my local discount mega store which intermittently stocks some pretty good craft stuff - but mostly stocks absolute ba-ba....

C4E challenge - my interpretation!!

2009-09-20T11:59:00.000+01:00

So, the Crafts for Eternity Sketch Challenge for this week also requests that the colours orange & brown are used, erm... well Tilda's hair is brown!

This is what comes of being far too impatient!! You see, the only thing I had to work on at the time was Michelle's entry to the challenge so my card has ended up an interpretation of her design.

Which in itself is fairly cool ( I think there's a chinese-whispers round-robin type thing you can do on the same principle) but not really in keeping with the brief for C4E!!

But there you go, 'tis done now & I'm much happier with this effort than I was with the last one :)

A moment of self-doubt...

2009-09-17T22:10:00.000+01:00

Gosh, It doesn't seem like I've been away for long but the last time I posted was over a week ago!

I must confess my mojo went walkabout for a while & I'm not sure is fully in gear yet but I've been working on a card for the Truly Scrumptious & Spoonful of Sugar nonetheless...

To be honest I'm not happy with the card, Tilda went a bit Skew-whiff & yet again I used a card blank all wrong for the sketch so I've had to play about with it to make it fit. I used distress inks to colour the image & it looks okay but not brilliant. The stamped flowers are too big & don't really work ...Lol... I could go on!!!

I see some of the amazing, talented bloggers out there and the truly fabulous work they do I just can't help comparing my own stuff & feeling something's not quite clicking yet...

So what do I need to do? Well I feel like I haven't really identified my own style & I could improve my colourizing technique & also how I size & place embellishments needs work. How am I going to do this? PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE and hey if I need a few more products along the way who am I to argue?!

I put a load of old, unloved stash on ebay this week specifically with the view of buying lots of lovely new stuff with the proceeds, I've made about £40 so far... I feel a spree coming on!

So should you come across this frankly altogether too wordy & self-pitying post please don't feel you need to comment just to make me feel better I'm honestly not looking for that, however any hints on the issues I've identified of myself (& any that I haven't!!) would be genuinely appreciated.

Thanks for reading xxx

A Spoon full of Sugar

2009-09-09T23:14:00.000+01:00

The challenge sketch on A Spoon Full of Sugar this week is lovely, too bad I didn't really think about the layout of my card before I put knife to paper, hence a rather loose interpretation of the sketch but I think it still qualifies...just!!

The image is funstamps & the papers are from stash. The stitching is done by hand using rather lovely embroidery floss made of pure linen, you can't really tell in the picture, but the effect is quite matt & textured, completely different from the normal kind.

I am lucky enough to have a bona-fide cross-stitch designer as a close friend & she sorted me the entire range of threads from DMC because I helped her with some stuff for a Craft show at Olympia earlier in the year :)

Truly Scrumptious Challenge

2009-09-07T22:11:00.001+01:00

On the theme of Indian Summer & following a sketch, this is my submission for the Truly Scrumptious bi-weekly challenge (bi-weekly is that a word?! - Lol!). I used K&Co Wild Saffron papers & the adorable deer is... *runs downstairs to look* ...We R Memory Keepers. The buttons are actually clear with some stamped PP glued on the back with dimensional glaze.

Fun Challenge, especially loved the theme, I dug out my gold-leafing pen especially!

Friday Sketchers Challenge

2009-09-06T10:50:00.000+01:00

I really enjoyed making a challenge card yesterday afternoon. So much so that I made another one in the evening!! This is one for the Friday Sketchers challenge. It's only the second time I've used this magnolia stamp, my first attempt was rubbish and I'd pretty much decided to give it up as a bad job, mostly because I had nothing to sit her on! But after spotting Jacqueline's gorgeous DT card from the previous week I was inspired to have another go.

I've made lollipop flowers with diecut leaves and used D'vine Swirls coloured with distress inks on Tilda's background. The papers are BG Porcelain & the ticket is a freebie from Craft Stamper Magazine.

Card Challenge

2009-09-05T15:25:00.000+01:00

Ooh it's all about the cards at the moment!! I'm loving the promarkers, infact you might say I have a passion for them, Lol!! Trouble is I seem to be going through a 'girly & cute' phase at the moment, but who am I pass these cards on to?!

I should have had girls....

I've decided to enter a card challenge this week, well two actually as this doubles up using the sketch from Sketch Saturday and the theme from Passion for Promarkers (geddit now?!) Glittery & Girly.

It's certainly taken my mind off this rotten cold I've contracted from the kids!

I'm speechless!

2009-09-03T19:33:00.000+01:00

OMG I can't believe it! I won the Studio's August Challenge! Lol! and now I just can't stop smiling....

Mouthwatering Blog Candy! Check it out!

2009-09-01T21:34:00.000+01:00

OMG you have to check out the gorgeous candy on offer at the Squiggle Stamp Blog it closes on the 26th September & you gotta be in it to win it! I'm so hoping it could be me!!

Birthday Treat!

2009-08-31T15:16:00.000+01:00

After weighing up the pros & cons, (or should that be PRO-markers & CO-pics?!) I decided to invest in a selection of Letraset promarkers with my birthday money. I've been admiring some fabulously talented cardmaking blogs recently & quite frankly I could resist the urge no longer... I had to have me a go!

So I've been playing with my pens for a few days now, it takes a bit of practice & I'm by no means an expert but I'm very pleased with my first effort at making a card using this medium. I've also had a go at making my own flower embellishments utlising a variety of punches & dies, some bead spacers & a few pearls. The stamp is 'Dahlia' from the Greetings Farm & the papers are MME Ethan.

Berry nice...

2009-08-24T16:23:00.000+01:00

Not only did I get some lovely gifts for my Birthday, I got some inspirational handmade cards too. So inspired was I, that I got straight down to making a card for my niece whose birthday it is next month. The image and greeting is stamped & the flourishes are hand-drawn & stitched with a little pearl popped on the end. Result!!

Happy Birthday to me!!

2009-08-24T16:16:00.000+01:00

Well, it was my Birthday on the 21st and what should arrive on my doorstep? Only the most fantastic gift from my amazing, generous friends on UKS. Honestly, there's no other gift that could make a crafty girl like me happier!! But I guess you already knew that? .... Lol!!

A New Do...

2009-08-20T16:12:00.000+01:00

Well it was back to work for me this week after 9 months of maternity leave and to 'celebrate' I treated myself to a new haircut with highlights & everything!! The pics were taken while it was all looking Salon-fabulous, why can't I make it look like that at home?? Lol!

The papers are from the Scrap Like You Mean It Kit supplied by A Trip Down Memory Lane plus a few epoxy's from Love, Elsie (finally got to use a few, been holding onto those for a while!!) & the sketch was lifted from something I saw in Scrapbook Trends Magazine.

Oh....being back at work means so much less available scrapping time, how will I cope?!

You don't know why you love them but you do....

2009-08-12T09:58:00.000+01:00

This is my submission for The Studio's August challenge where you had to incorporate borders, combine journalling with Stamping & use a non-scrapping item on your page. I used a PaperArtsy stamp for the stamped border & a cuttlebug die to cut the tiny circle frames which make up the lace border. The journalling spot is part of a stamp set by Banana frog. The non scrapping item is a piece of packaging material & book text cut into a scalloped circle.

All embellishments (apart from prima flowers) are handmade & the title is handcut. A technique I've always been scared of because I didn't think my scissor skills were up to it! but this is something I'll definately try again. All other die-cuts are either sizzix or nestabilities, and papers are K&Co (Urban Rapsody - I think!).

Replenishing the Card Stock

2009-08-05T16:08:00.000+01:00

Well, with all the scrapbooking I've been doing recently I'm afraid I've had to resort to (gasp!) buying cards for special occasions. Well enough's enough! since I spend so much on stash the very least I can do is save myself the couple of pounds it costs in a card shop & make a few cards ready for use in the future.

So I've made a start with these two made with scraps left over from a couple of projects I've finished recently. They're fairly simple & they would have been quick too had I not spent hours procrastinating over each stage of the process. I really must learn how to speed up. Tips anyone?

My Latest Project

2009-08-03T14:21:00.000+01:00

I made this little storage box using instructions from this month's Craft Stamper (Sept 09). Many thanks to Joanne Wardle for sending them in! You've got to take a look at her blog, not only is her work gorgeous but she's multi-skilled too, I'm very jealous, lol!

It is designed to house the freebie stamps you get with each issue of the magazine but I made little laminate squares for all of my tiny acrylic stamps & my little unmounted rubber ones too! (Tip - use another bit of laminate to cover the front of the stamp too, it stops them sticking together!)

I'm not 100% happy with my design though which is the perfect excuse to make another one! The instructions are as follows:

"Cut lots of 2"x2.5" white card. Stamp Images & laminate & store the stamps on the back of these.

To make the box, cut a rectangle of card 6.5"x7.5", score along each side at the A6 gatefold line of any standard scoring board (or 2" in from side), cut along the scoring lines of the long edges, fold up to make box and glue flaps in position. Cut a 2" strip from a 12x12" piece of decorative paper, decorate with stamped images and glue around box. Finish the top of the box with ribbon, affixed with glue or double-sided tape, to cover untidy edges"

Now I found with my box that a 12" strip did not quite go round, I suspect it may be my measuring at fault but I'm just wondering whether shaving a couple of mil off each side might rectify the problem...?

A little something....

2009-07-31T23:26:00.000+01:00

On the theme of summer, here is a series of ATCs made for a swap with my lovely friends over on Uk Scrappers. Nothing special in themselves but I think they look quite cute together as a little group.

The stamps are a mixture of Paperartsy, Woodware & the swirly square is a Craft Stamper freebie that looks sooo pretty with glitter or liquid pearls dotted all over! The papers are a freebie too from this month's Scrapbooking magazine, a really nice set this month based around Crafty Pants' Sumer Soiree range, I just love that blue & orange together!

Scrap your Independence

2009-07-29T11:27:00.000+01:00

Had a go at the Scrap Like You Mean It challenge this week. Mostly because, reading Shimelle's intro to the challenge, I spotted this kit which made me think immediately of a pic of me with my very first car.

Gosh did I struggle with the kit though! It looked so pretty in it's untouched state but it was quite hard to put something together with it in my opinion!

I'm pleased with my little wheels creating a visual triangle, the inspiration came as I watched Adam throwing a tiny, round, non-slip mat around in the garden. I looked at the mat & suddenly thought of some faux leather material I had in my craft box, a few cuttlebug moments later I had little textured discs in which to place eyelets, bingo!

Sorry about the picture quality, it's so damn miserable outside at the moment, there's not a scrap of light to be found anywhere in my house today!

Look, Pink!

2009-07-25T13:52:00.000+01:00

Yay! I got to use a bit of pink for a change and doesn't she look cute? Taken on holiday, for some reason my niece chose to adopt this pose for every photo, much to the amusement of my sister!!

Can you spot my easel? I got it today, there was a letter inside from the chap who made it. It said he had a crisis of conciensce about it being too crude & so he put two in. How nice is that? Of course, part of the reason I bought the easel was because of its rustic style, I'll definately have to give him full points on ebay!

Just so annoying...

2009-07-24T21:48:00.000+01:00

When you want to share a layout only there's no decent light left anywhere to take a picture!!

Still, hopefully I might be able to take a picture tomorrow using my recent purchase of a driftwood easel. A bargain from ebay at only £3.13 including P&P! You like?

I shall be stalking the postie tomorrow no doubt!

Two little boys

2009-07-22T21:54:00.000+01:00

Mmm chaha, mmm chaha...all together now!!

Oh I'm so depressed!! I've been working all day to produce a layout for The Studio's challenge this month & all I had to do was include a song title & use old stash...or so I thought... Looking again I've noticed it should include pleating too ...

Never mind, looking at the other fantastic entries I don't think I would have stood much of a chance & I still enjoyed making the layout. Especially as I forced myself to use those DCWV retro papers which I won in a raffle at a craft show about 3 years ago & have never really liked!

Still, I doubled up on the UK scrappers weekly challenge so all is not lost, and there's always next month!

Another Offering!

2009-07-16T15:58:00.000+01:00

I've had this one on the go for a while, I got a bit stuck after sticking down the background papers and applying the tree!!

I'm really pleased with the result though, the kit I used was from Crafts 4 Eternity the butterflies are sizzix & the flowers are from my stash. The tree was copied from a template I found online which you can find the hyperlink for on my entry for Sat 11th July.

I love this picture, it was a traumatic shoot as Adam was not in the mood for being photographed, but we did manage to capture a few lovely images of which this was one.

A tree template

2009-07-11T11:53:00.001+01:00

I've been searching for ages for a nice tree tem plate to go on a layout I'm working on, I'm posting it just incase I never find it again!

My latest LO

2009-07-09T16:03:00.001+01:00

This is something I did this week with a fab little mini kit from Bellaboo & a few ribbon & felt scraps from my stash. Unbeknownst to me I managed to nab the last one heh heh!! I love page kits, you can usually get more than one layout from them & they seem so much better value than the bigger ones on the market in my opinion!

The photos were taken at the nursey DS1 attends, I was very naughty & scanned the pics before sending them back! The pull tab has DS1s progress report from nursery completed around the same time as the photo. A little piece of family history preserved...

Umm...hello world!!

2009-07-09T15:51:00.000+01:00

Well this blogging lark isn't quite as complicated as it looks is it?

Ofcourse there's a fair bit of work to be done yet, like tecchie up the title a bit. Unfortunately this involves many frustrated hours messing about with the Jasc software accompanied by much furrowing of brow & muttering underbreath. Mostly because I haven't a clue how it works so I employ the click & hope method-ology which sometimes gets me the result I was hoping for!

Anyways this is a site primarily for sharing my love of scrapbooking & papercraft with fellow enthusiasts so off we go!! ....