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Thursday 31 July 2014

Poppies

 
Good evening! I hope everyone has enjoyed such a lovely day as I have today!
All my five girlies came for lunch, my daughter, my son's fiancĂ©e and three gorgeous  granddaughters, wonderful! The weather was lovely, warm and sunny but not too hot so we were able to have lunch in the garden. Only one wasp joined in, he wasn't invited...or welcomed!
It is such a delight to watch my two older granddaughters with the baby, they really love their tiny cousin! Poor old Nanny (me!) doesn't get much of a look in when they're around!!!
My card today is 'just for fun ' card. The beautiful image is from Aurora Wings, coloured with copics.
 
 A bit of distressing, embossing, a little frontage and some faux stitching, and a scrap of lace make up the background, the lovely poppy die cuts are Memory Box.
Thanks for looking
Have a nice evening.
Chris
x
 
Challenges
crafterscafe use a digi
divasbydesign anything goes
thesisterhoodofcrafters die cuts/punches
diecuttindivas anything goes
digichoosday lots of layers
inkychicks happy birthday
shoppingourstash used lace, die cuts, embossing (wet and dry) rhinestones
disdigidesigns dies or punches
crazychallenge die cuts/punches
wedodoobadoo celebrations

Monday 28 July 2014

A different kind of blog hop!

Good morning! This is a different post for me... no card or creation to share, just a little bit about me!
I was surprised (very) and flattered (even more so) to be tagged by the lovely and very talented Sharon of  http://nellieshandmadecards.blogspot.co.uk/   to join in this 'blog hop with a difference'. I am always blown away by the beauty of Sharon's designs and a visit to her blog is a complete delight!
 I have to admit to being a bit lazy, and not over confident about being able to do this, but if you don't try anything new, life  can get a bit boring!
I then read some blog posts from other people who have joined this hop.... there certainly are some amazingly talented and very interesting people out there in craft blog land! I recommend that you hop backwards as well as forwards to read some of these wonderful posts...so enlightening to have a little knowledge of how other crafters work! I can't believe how sensible and organised some people are!

Now, you kind of get a list of questions to answer, although I think (hope!!!) it's ok to frame the post quite loosely around them!

One thing I always admire in some other people's work is how they have a definite 'style', I can pick out some cards from challenge entries and know who created them without looking at the name! The creations are different and original but always carry their creators "trademark".
Personally I don't have a style! I'm a dabbler! Cards, scrapbooking, altered art. I love stamping, colouring, inks and paints. I love to try new techniques and products (and buy new stuff:)) I get messy. I am slow....I can spend ages moving around a piece of paper or a die cut! My craft space is usually a tip....my husband has been known to stagger out, wild-eyed, muttering 'how can anyone make that much mess making a card?' -I can spend ages on something -and then file it in the bin!

I don't often have much of an idea in my head when I start to make something, sometimes I decide to use a sketch, but unless I need to follow one for a DT card or specific challenge my card rarely resembles the original sketch! I find colouring totally relaxing and can quite happily spend hours with my copics thinking that it will save time when I come to make a card....then I spend hours looking for the right papers to match....
I think my cards just evolve by themselves!

I do it because I love it!
 I believe there is something inside all of us that just needs to be creative in some form.

At present I'm not working on much at all. The weather is too lovely to be indoors, and we have to make the most of the sunshine in the UK! I've a couple of DT cards part made and I've also been playing with some beautiful Lavinia stamps.... was going to enter their challenge this month but doubt if I'll finish anything in time.... !

 
Now for the good bit....I have tagged my lovely friend and fellow crafter Julie of    http://julie-rainbowdays.blogspot.co.uk/                     
Not only is she an extremely talented and artistic lady, she's also funny, generous, kind and supportive ! I don't think I would have ever dared apply for any design teams if wasn't for her, so thanks Julie, I have had so much fun and met so many lovely people in blogland. Julie's work is amazing, she has her own beautiful and very distinctive style, but is never afraid to try something new so that everything she creates looks so fresh and original.

 Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post. I'll leave you with a more recent photo of my ' helpful ' craft buddy, Mathilda. (See Sharon's post!!)
Like me, she's enjoying the sunshine!


                                                                    Chris
                                                                        x

Saturday 26 July 2014

Time flies....

....it certainly does! Saturday has arrived once more at the speed of light! What happened to last week, I must have blinked and missed it:)! The new challenge at Sweet Stampin' is 'Take Flight' so we want to see those winged things on your creations. I used this amazing Steampunk Owl digi image from Aurora Wings. I wanted it to  look metallic, so it's coloured with a combination of gold and bronze Twinkling H2O's and metallic gel pens. It honestly does look better IRL, kind of shimmery and  metallic-y. The background is made by covering 2 pieces of white cardstock with shades of green pan pastel, stamping the gears in distress inks. A few gears stamped randomly with versamark and embossed in copper. A little frontage added to the edges of the bottom layer of card and scattered lightly over the top layer. The clock is Tim Holtz (still my favourite die!). The stamped sentiment attached with 'screw' brads. I had such a lovely time making this!
 
This is such a lovely challenge, the possibilities are endless....! I do hope you'll be tempted to join us this week, there is a lovely prize  from our sponsor Crafty Ribbons waiting for a lucky someone!
Just click here to enjoy the lovely inspiration from my teamies and to add your own  beautiful creation for us to enjoy!
Have a great weekend.
Chris
x
 
Some challenges:
artbymiran anything goes
craftycatz anything goes
pattiescreations for the birds
thepapershelter anything goes
simonsaysstamp embossing
craftysentiments hand coloured image
melonheadzfriends wings or tails
 

Thursday 24 July 2014

Mid Christmas

Good morning lovely bloggers! We're in the middle of a heatwave in the UK, so what better time to think about...Christmas! The new challenge starting today at Southern Girls is 'Mid Christmas' and here's my DT card! I made a side step card from a kraft base, the image is Candy elf, from Make It Crafty, our sponsors this challenge. I coloured the cute image with my copics, and fussy cut it. Papers are magazine freebies, Merry Christmas die from Memory Box. Candy canes a free image I found online, coloured and covered with glossy accents. Ribbon and brads from stash.
(Sorry photograph isn't good, I found this a real challenge!)
There are some lovely creations for you to enjoy over on the Challenge blog, so just click here to visit, we'd love to have you join us...after all Christmas is only 5 months away.....!
Have a lovely day!
Chris
x
Challenges
creativeknockouts Christmas in July
craftingforallseasons Christmas in July
lilredwagon Christmas
citycrafter Christmas
diecuttindivas Christmas
digichoosday Christmas
scrap-creations Christmas

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Simply Billie Bear


Good morning! A short and sweet post from me today as I'm on 'granddaughter' duty! It's my last day before the summer break, a bit sad because Ruby will be starting school in September and my 'childminding' services will no longer be required on such a regular basis, it's kind of the end of an era!
Ladybug Sally chose the theme for the new challenge at Ladybugs Crafts Ink and her choice is 'Clean and Simple',  the DT are all showcasing the adorable Billie Bear images. My image is called Valentine Billie, but as you can see he's suitable for other occasions too! I took some liberties with his balloon strings as I wanted to add a little dimension to my card! There's a lot of inspiration from the lovely Ladybugs over on the Challenge Blog, so why not hop over and take a look. We'd love to see your CaS makes too, you don't have to use a Ladybugs image to join in, although you have an extra chance of winning a lovely prize if you do!
After this challenge we'll be having a break for the summer, so be sure to join us on 2nd September for our new challenge...and some BIG news!
Thanks for calling by
Have a lovely day!
Chris
x
Challenges
withoutwords cute and fluffy
digi makeover punches/dies
thatcraftplace anything goes
savvyhandmadecards reach for the stars

Friday 18 July 2014

Anything goes with Delicious Doodles

Good morning! Hope everyone's looking forward to the weekend. I am, we're having a big family party to celebrate several 'big birthdays' this year... my sister and my nephew's wife turned 40, my brother and brother-in -law both 60 and my son was 30. My nephew will be 10 this year too, so insists on being counted in !  We're a huuuuge family, so the party is to be held in my Mum's large garden so that she can enjoy it too...I've just seen the weather forecast....stair-rods and thunder storms...terrific!!
My card today is for the new challenge at Delicious Doodles, the theme is 'Anything Goes' but you must use a Delicious Doodles image (available here).
I chose to use the beautiful Thorne, such a delight to colour! I kept the design of the card quite simple to showcase this lovely girl.
 Thanks for calling by, hope you like my card! There's some great inspiration to be seen over at Delicious Doodles Challenges, why not pop over for a look. You have 2 weeks if you want to join us...you could be the lucky winner of 5 of Teri's fabulous images!
 
Chris
x
Challenges:
charismacardz anything goes
bearlymine  lets go digital
fairytale use a digi
fussyandfancy all about girls
 
 

Saturday 12 July 2014

Merry Christmas!



OK I know I'm a tad early.....! Doesn't do to leave it all to the last minute, though! Our new challenge at Sweet Stampin' is 'Christmas in July' sponsored by My Creative Classroom and Flat Friends so now's your chance to get ahead and be prepared by making a Christmas card to join in!
I used a Stampin' Bella Uptown Girls stamp, I was lucky enough to buy in a January sale! I've been waiting for a chance to ink it up! The papers were a magazine freebie, tree and 'merry Christmas' dies are both Memory Box. The holly is a Sizzix Tim Holtz die. I enjoyed making this...no rush so I could take my time and not be thinking about the 99 other Christmas cards I'll be needing!
The Sweeties have made some fabulous cards for your Delectation and Delight, so just click here to pop over to the challenge blog to check out their festive creations.
Thanks for visiting
Have a great weekend
Chris
x

Challenges:
simplycreatetoo Christmas in July
Winter Wonderland 3 of 3 (Image has 3 girls)
movingalongwiththetimes Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
sassystudiodesigns Christmas in July
hambo hoedown Christmas in July
hobbybook Christmas in July
inkychicks Christmas in Julyu
craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Pram baby


Good morning! Once again, it's time for a new challenge at Ladybugs Crafts Ink. First of all I must say that I'm so impressed with the amount of entries, and even more the amazing standard of said entries for our last 'anything goes' challenge...everyone deserved a prize! Hope you've checked to see if you were a lucky winner!
This fortnight the challenge has been set by our lovely and talented Susan, and the theme she has chosen is 'Babies'. All the Ladybugs are using digis/stamps from the cute Baby baby collection which are available here for just £1.50 each.
I used Pram Baby Baby to make my card. Sorry about the naff photo, the colours are nothing like this IRL!
 Thanks for looking, don't forget to check out the Challenge Blog to admire the beautiful creations of the rest of the Ladybugs! Why not play along and share your own 'baby' card with us, you can use any image but you stand an extra chance of winning a prize if you use a Ladybugs Crafts Ink image.
Have a lovely day
Chris
x

Challenges
Digi Galore anything goes
Suzy Bee's anything goes
brownsugar anything goes

Monday 7 July 2014

a blue fairy...


Good evening. This is a very rare occurrence for me lately...I made a card....just because! Not a DT card, not a GDT card, just a card because I could. Life has been extremely hectic over the last few months, but hopefully now things are getting back to normal and I won't need to rush around so much, therefore having time to play!
Anyways, hope you like the card. The image is a lovely freebie from Time for Tea Designs,( thank you!) I don't think it's available as a freebie now, but there are loads of other gorgeous free digis to be found on this blog, very generous! I coloured the fairy with my copics, adding loads of stickles to her wings and the butterfly. The card base is a simple centre step, the die cuts are Mod Flower Border by Poppy Stamps, papers, ribbon, button and pearls from my stash.

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!
Chris
x
 
Challenges:
allsorts -fairies
leftofcenter fairies
addictedtostamps make your mark
craftycreations things with wings
pennyschallenges buttons, butterflies or bows
theeastwind use ribbon
tokbobok monochrome