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Friday 26 July 2024

Summer Colours...


 Good morning, today sees the start of a new challenge over at Crafty Catz,
Janet is hosting and has picked the twist of  'Hot Summer Colours' or you can join in using the 
 'Anything Goes' option.
Our lovely sponsor for this fortnight is 

My card features Charmingly Hippie, a sweet sponsor digi I already owned.
I've used my copic markers to colour.
The background is created with distress inks and stencils from various companies.

We're having a little break for the summer so this will be our last challenge until September,
we hope you can find the time to join in - if you need some inspiration there is plenty to see over at the 
challenge blog.
Thanks for visiting
hope you enjoy a lovely weekend.
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
MTTC #539
I spy with my little eye Summertime vibes

Wednesday 24 July 2024

Hello, I'm back.


 Hello, back from my travels, a few days spent in Bewdley, Worcestershire on the way to Blackpool to surprise my brother on his 70th birthday. he WAS surprised- and that's an understatement- when my sister and I, our husbands and another of my brothers turned up on his doorstep- 300 miles from our homes. We had a lovely few days together, so good to catch up. Not going to talk about the journey there- the roads are an absolute nightmare - much better on way home, we travelled overnight and the traffic was so much lighter. 
It's lovely to go away but I'm always happy to come home :)

I've been having withdrawal symptoms from my craft room, so time to make a card...
The image is a Mo Manning Patreon  digi,  just too cute! I've coloured her with Copic markers.. The papers are from my vast stash of scraps, stamped sentiments, the little stockings are coloured to match.
I used this sketch from Creative Sketchy Girls

Thanks so much for visiting
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
CSG #9
PFM #749
dragonflydreams July Challenge
SAS4kids Christmas in July
alphabet H (Christmas in July)
lovethoseprettypapers July Challenge

Thursday 18 July 2024

Mid month reminder for Stamping Sensations July Challenge


 Hi, a really quick post with a reminder for this month's challenge at Stamping Sensations - I'm off on holiday for a week and today has been hectic so a last- minute scheduled post! By the time it goes live we'll be thinking about coming back home.

A quick and easy card from me using another Poppy Stamps stencil and some Card-io stamps

The optional twist for this month is Christmas in July- but you can always enter with the 'Anything Goes' option - all the  details how to enter and the fabulous prizes to be won are on the main challenge blog- along with lots of wonderful inspiration from the rest of the DT so please be sure to check it out.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog, much appreciated.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

inkspirational #320 (Card-io, Poppy Stamps)

alphabet- H (Christmas in July)

CRAFT #728

creativeknockouts. #526

hollyandivy #165

daisychain #87

FQCCCB #10

MLCCB #57

Friday 12 July 2024

Make it cute!


 Good morning,  this is my DT make for this fortnight's challenge at Crafty Catz
sponsored by 
The optional theme chosen by our lovely Ginny is 
Make It Cute.

We were given some lovely sponsor images to play with - and they are definitely cute.
I used this little sweetie  from the Flower Puppies set
I printed it three times so I could layer it up for dimension, each layer is matted onto kraft card. I used my copic markers to add some colour to the greyscale image. No sentiment added as I thought the card could be used for multiple occasions..
Lots of lovely inspiration to be enjoyed over at the challenge blog.
Thanks for visiting and hope you have a great weekend.
Chris
x




Sunday 7 July 2024

It's July so Merry Christmas!


 Good morning, time for our July Challenge at Stamping Sensations,
as you may have guessed our optional theme this month is 
Christmas in July
or you can choose the Anything Goes option as long as you include stamping on the front of your project.
There are some lovely stamps as prizes, courtesy of Aall & Create our fabulous sponsor this month.
I used the Poppy Stamps bauble stencil along with Elements Inks in shades of Olive and Della Blue (love this combo!)and stamped the cute snow couple (Card-io) in Versafine Twilight (my favourite). I planned to stamp the sentiment but changed my mind and used this little die cut banner instead, I'm really pleased with the end result and plan to make it in other colours too.
Thanks so much for visiting, don't forget to check out the main challenge blog for details of the lovely prizes and some wonderful inspiration from the rest of the design team.
Have a lovely Sunday.
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
dragonflydreams Christmas in July
POE #67
stencilfun July- shades of blue



Saturday 6 July 2024

Christmas Post Box


 I'm back again with my second DT card for today, this one is for our July Challenge at 

Crafty Calendar

our fabulous sponsor for this month is Sheepski Designs, the theme is Add A Sentiment.

 I chose to use a lovely traditional image, Christmas Post Box , which I enjoyed colouring with  my markers, and inserted into a simple die cut and embossed frame.

There's more inspiration over at Crafty Calendar so please do hop over and see what my teamies have been up to this month, you can join in with anything you choose as long as you add a sentiment.

Thanks for visiting today

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

jinglebelles -embossing

leighsbdesigns #31

PFM #746

hollyandivy #165

CCAYR July Challenge

daisychain #87

pearlysparkles #97

sheepski #88


Dream big


 Good morning, I have two cards to share today, this one is for our new challenge at

Sweet Stampin'

the theme this fortnight is 

Things with Wings.

it's a favourite theme of mine because there are so many options, I went with dragons. The stamps I have used are from Pink Ink (the little red dragon) and the rest are Lavinia. I made a tent fold card with an aperture, a young dragon watching his hero hunting by the light of the moon and dreaming of the day  it would be his turn. The dragon boy is coloured using Distress Inks . The sentiment and borders are embossed.

Not a lot of crafting going on in this house just now, I'm far too busy watching the tennis!

Thanks for visiting - have a great weekend.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

creativefingers #281

artimpressions #382

creativeinspiration #16

kraftychicks #723

addictedtostamps #471

morgansartworld #78


Wednesday 3 July 2024

At the beach



Good morning, here's my DT card for our new challenge at Fab'n' Funky, hosted this fortnight by our lovely Pat K who has chosen the theme of 'Seaside' - perfect for this time of year! 

 My card was made some time ago, for my wonderful friend who's idea of heaven is a beach...and a good book! She has a 'thing' about beach huts too...not so sure if she's fond of seagulls! 
I made a stepper card with a combination of digis from different companies, the little girl with the big book looks very much at home sitting on the steps of the beach hut. Images and sand coloured with Copics, the sky and waves are stencilled the die cut is from Find It Media.

This will be our last challenge before we break for the summer so I do hope you can join us! Please hop over to Fab'n' Funky Challenges to check out the lovely cards my teamies have made to inspire you.

Thanks for visiting 

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

creativecrafters #77

thefourseasons July Challenge

hereisaplacetostart July Challenge

creativeknockouts #524

creative-creases #85

ilovepromarkers #562

PFM #746

TIOT Here comes summer

Friday 28 June 2024

Bubbles


 Good morning, Well it's been a amazing week weatherwise! Beautiful sunshine every day... mostly with a lovely breeze to make it very comfortable- especially sitting in the shade with a book or two to hand! I've even done a bit of sewing outside, dolly clothes for Charlotte, often easier to hand stitch them than get the sewing machine out as they are tiny and fiddly. 
My card is for this fortnight's challenge at Crafty Catz.
Our fabulous sponsor this time is 

The optional twist, chosen by Rhoda, is 'Embellishments'

I used a lovely sponsor image called Bubble Dreams, which I've printed onto a square panel of white cardstock and  coloured with Copic markers.
I cut the same size square from pinkish DP then  die cut circles to allow my image and stamped sentiment to show through, then used a bubble embossing folder. To embellish it I added a few tiny clear drops and printed some extra bubbles, coloured and fussy cut them, glued them in place and added glossy accents. 
As always there's plenty of inspiration to be enjoyed over at Crafty Catz - our challenges are always anything goes, would be lovely to see you there!
Thanks for visiting
have a great weekend
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
inspirationstation #62 Inspired by colours
CRAFT #725

Sunday 23 June 2024

Dandelion clocks


 Good evening, not often I make a post this late and not often lately that I make a card just because I can! I started this earlier in the week and then the sun came out and the garden called...

The image ( Mo Manning of course) is an old favourite of mine, one of the first digis I ever bought - she looked so much like my eldest granddaughter I just couldn't resist! Olivia is 17 now, very much a young lady but this image still makes me smile. My colour choice was influenced by her favourite colours at the time- anything pink or purple was a hit with her! She even managed to convince her younger sister to choose blue as her own favourite- that meant that Liv always got the pink one! 

Image was coloured with markers, I played with some dandelion stamps (Lavinia) and inks to make the background papers.

This is the sketch I used from Cheerful Sketches


Thanks for stopping by, have a good week.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

PFM #744

cheerfulsketches June Challenge

polkadoodle #25

cardz4galz. #227

craftrocket #115

mmm #228

pearlysparkles #96


Wednesday 19 June 2024

Golden Anniversary


 Good morning,  here is my DT make for this fortnight's challenge at 
the theme is Anniversaries, chosen by our lovely Buffy.
I made this for some  very dear friends' 50th Wedding Anniversary. 
This is a Tuxedo fold, which is simpler than it looks (lots of tutorials online). I cut all the pieces of gold paper to size and embossed them using a swirly EF (it's old- I don't know the brand).
 The flower stamps are from Honey Doo, stamped onto white vellum and gold embossed, fussy cut and layered together with gold colour gems in the centre (my friend loves a bit of bling!), a few die cuts and a stamped sentiment.
There's plenty of lovely inspiration from the rest of the team over at Fab'n'Funky Challenge blog so be sure to pop over and check it out. 

Thanks for visiting,
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
cyhtp  (ATG)
unicorn #99
tictactoe TTTC249 (middle row)



Tuesday 18 June 2024

Pixie Boot


 Good morning, I'm here a with a reminder for our June Challenge at 
Here's a reminder of the OPTIONAL mood board,  should you choose to use it.
Our challenges are always anything goes as long as there is a stamped element on the front.

I took my inspiration from the colours, butterfly and flowers.
The stamps I used are all from Lavinia, apart from the 'Imagine' stamp.

Please do check out the Challenge Blog for details of how to enter, the fabulous prizes on offer and lots of lovely inspiration from the team.
Thank you for visiting today.
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
HQFCB #6
welovestamping. June Challenge


Friday 14 June 2024

And all that jazz...


 Good morning,  I originally scheduled this post for this morning- should have been on our way to Germany for a river cruise - unfortunately the holiday has been cancelled due to the heavy rains that Europe has had- the boat we should have been on is stuck somewhere impassable.
We only found out late Wednesday evening so still sulking about it- I was looking forward to a whole week of not cooking!
At least I hadn't packed, that would have made it even worse.

This card is for our new challenge at Crafty Catz, the optional twist chosen by Bridget is 
'Masculine'
our sponsor for this fortnight is 

I used a pre coloured digi I already owned, he's one of a set called Musical Rabbits, and just so cool!
I printed him onto a music sheet background, added a die cut 'Happy Birthday', the rest of the sentiment is computer generated. A quick and easy make for a music loving friend!
Please check out the Challenge Blog to enjoy the lovely creations from the rest of the team.
Remember Crafty Catz is an Anything Goes Challenge, you don't have to follow the theme to join in.
Thanks for visiting
Chris
x

Saturday 8 June 2024

Early morning walk


 Good morning, time for a new challenge at 

The theme for this fortnight is 
Father's Day/Special Man.
Today is my hubby's birthday so it seemed appropriate to share the card I made for him.
I've used Lavina Stamps to make the woodland scene, the silhouette of the man with dog is by Nellie's Choice. The sentiments, white embossed onto dark green card are Tim Holtz.
Geoff's favourite time to walk Marvin is early in the morning, often leaving home before it's properly light (alien!!!) and he loves to see the sun rise over the Banks and through the trees. 

Please hop over to Sweet Stampin' Challenge blog for some fabulous inspiration from my lovely teamies, then why not join in- we all have men in our lives and they like receiving cards too!
Thanks for visiting, have a great weekend.
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
CRAFT #722
avenue613 June Challenge

Wednesday 5 June 2024

Going around in circles....


 Going around in circles is a very fitting title for this post! I wrote it yesterday and scheduled it to publish at 9 am this morning...but unfortunately on the wrong blog- what a donut! I thought I was going bonkers when I turned on my computer and the post wasn't there...but lo, there it was, happily smiling at me from the Fab 'n' Funky Challenge blog- just hoping no one noticed! 

Anyway, it's here in the right place now, as you might have guessed it's my DT card for this fortnight's challenge at  Fab 'n' Funky- the theme chosen by our lovely Pat - is CIRCLES.

I had a square panel of card with a green and blue circle in the middle of it left over from a session with the gel plate, so I added a few more circles using a couple of stencils. The stamp is from Aall & Create, there are several circles there too. I added colour to 2 of the butterflies with watercolour paint. 

For more inspiration check out the lovely creations from my teamies over at Fab 'n' Funky

Thanks for visiting today

Chris

x


Challenge entries:

ellibelle- crafty wednesday June/July

dreamvalley  #317- (greens and blues)

mmmchallenge #227 B for butterfly, blue

tripleb- June Challenge

kraftychicks #719


Sunday 2 June 2024

Lady in blue




Good morning, hope you're enjoying a lovely weekend.
My card today is for our June challenge at Stamping Sensations.
These are some fabulous prizes on offer-
                              Two prizes of Lavinia stamps,  Scout trio and large Pixie Boot- 
I wish I could enter the challenge myself!

The theme is as always 'Anything Goes'- with stamping as the focal element, there is also  another lovely mood board for anyone who chooses to use it.


I was inspired by the beautiful blue dress on the mood board.
To make my card I covered a white card base with glittery printed acetate. 
The focal image is a stamp I bought years ago at a class I used to attend at Scrapbook Sisters, the artist is Gayle Bond.
I used my markers to colour, added a stamped sentiment and a few pearls.
Thank you for visiting my blog today
Chris
x

Challenge entries


Saturday 1 June 2024

Hello baby


 Good morning, the 1st of June and time for a new challenge at Crafty Calendar
This month we have a lovely new sponsor, Rachelle Anne Miller, RAM stamps.
The theme for this month is 'For a Child'

The team were given some sweet images to work with, I chose to use Giraffe & Bird and made a tag to add to a gift for a baby.
I coloured the cute image with markers, added a stamped  greeting and lightly stencilled the background. I die cut it into a tag shape and matted it onto brown cardstock. I cut a small strip of the brown card to fit the bottom of the tag, embossed it and added the die cut letters and hearts. Some faux stitching and a ribbon to finish.

Please check out the main challenge blog to see what my lovely teamies have created with these adorable images.
thanks for stopping by- have a great weekend
Chris
x
Challenge entries:



Friday 31 May 2024

Fetch!


 Hello, another wet day here and those paw prints on my card are looking a very familiar sight- unfortunately the ones here are a lot bigger...and muddier, hope the sun decides to make an appearance soon! 

The card is for our new challenge at Crafty Catz, which is sponsored by the fabulous Dr Digi It's my turn to host this fortnight and the added twist I chose is 'Use a stencil' t as always the twist is totally optional. The fun dog is Fetching Fido, courtesy of our lovely sponsor, he looks so happy with his ball, which made me smile thinking of our Marvin and his 'precious'. He just loves a ball! We don't give him tennis balls as apart from the fact that they don't last him 5 minutes and get disgustingly soggy, they're not particularly good for dogs- but that doesn't stop him finding them nearly every time we go out- he retrieves them from the depths of undergrowth and brambles- the more revolting the ball, the happier my dog! He proudly carries them, along with his own ball for the rest of the walk, it's amazing how much he can fit in his mouth at once...

Marvin with Precious

Anyway, the image is coloured with markers, I've stencilled the sky, stamped some grass and given him a smart die cut kennel and a fence to keep him safe. The paw prints are stencilled too.

Thanks for visiting, hope the weather is better where you are.

Chris

x





Sunday 26 May 2024

Snow one like you


 Hello,  here's something rare from me these days- a non DT card! I've made very few Christmas cards so far this year, I know I'll regret it later on! I made this to join in with the May Rudolph Day Challenge.

I made a tent fold card with a circular aperture, DP from the Works. Snowflake frame has lost it's packaging so not sure of brand but could be Studio Light? Tiny gems to decorate the frame and a stamped, embossed sentiment.

The stamp is from Whipper Snapper, coloured with Copic markers, I tried to match the snowy sky as closely as I could to the DP. 

Hope you're all enjoying a lovely weekend, we're just off out for lunch now-

no cooking- happy days!

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

peaceonearth #64

MTTCC #87

CRAFT #721

ilovemarkers #559

PFM #740

rudolphdays May Challenge

Wednesday 22 May 2024

It's a boy!



Good morning,  there's a new challenge starting today at Fab'n' Funky
The theme for this fortnight is 'Square'- that's it, couldn't be easier..
I'm sharing the card I made for my lovely friend Sue, who is the very proud grandmother of a new baby boy. I did have another card in reserve in case baby hadn't arrived but little Ethan made his entrance last week- and the card has been received.
I used a cute Mo manning digi, Copic markers to colour,  my favourite baby boy papers (Echo Park) and followed a sketch from Cheerful Sketches.  
I made a girl version too as we didn't know which sex the baby was :)


Well, that's it from me today, thanks for stopping by and please do take the time to check out the fabulous cards from the rest of the DT over at Fab 'n' Funky

Chris
x  

Challenge Entries :
allsorts #781
PFM #740

Saturday 18 May 2024

Firestarter


 Good morning, here's a mid month reminder of our May Challenge at Stamping Sensations.
Sponsored by AALL & CREATE

This is the optional mood board


I took my inspiration from the colours and the toadstools.

The stamp I used is part of a set from Pink Ink, I've used Copic Markers to colour the image and background and added a stamped sentiment.

You still have plenty of time to join in, please visit the main challenge blog for more inspiration, details of how to play along and the fabulous prizes on offer.
Thanks for visiting.
Happy Weekend!
Chris
x
Challenge entries:

HQFCB #5
allsorts #781





Friday 17 May 2024

You shine...


 Good morning, hope you've had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend. It's been pretty good here- a mixed bag weatherwise, ranging from lovely warm sunshine to yet more rain, but can't complain. I've been home alone again- just me and my dog - he was such a good boy and we managed to dodge most of the rain so not too many muddy paws to deal with! Hubby is back home now and I have to say I am not missing the 6.30am breakfast slot, he's more than welcome to it!

My card today is for our new challenge at Crafty Catz, sponsored this fortnight by

 LeAnns World 101.

 The optional theme of  Dots &Stripes was chosen by Billie our lovely host this time.

The DT were given some sweet images to play with, this one is Lindsey, she's coloured with Copic markers. My dots and stripes are on the dp which I've used to represent curtains and stage. I've added a stamped, embossed sentiment , some music notes and  a few die cut stars.

As always, there's plenty mor inspiration using these sweet images over at the main challenge blog- remember, the theme is always an option if you would like to play along.

Thank you for stopping by- I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

CRAFT #720

unicorn #98

creativecrafters #76

polkadoodle #19


Thursday 16 May 2024

Guest Design at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2- mid month reminder


 Good morning, here's the second card I made as a guest designer for Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

This is the sketch I used 



I used a little wood- backed Whipper Snapper stamp of a teddy bear, he's coloured with Copic markers.  The sentiment is part of a set from Paper Smooches. Papers and ribbon from stash, a few little die cut flowers to finish. 

There's more inspiration and more sketches to use over at the challenge blog.

Thanks for visiting today

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

ilovepromarkers #559

cutiepie #194



Saturday 11 May 2024

Guess the country!


 Good morning, wow, haven't we had some lovely sunshine this week!! Just what I've been wishing for, so I am one happy bunny!
I'm making the most of it while it lasts and spending as much time as I can in the garden.
My card today is for our new challenge at Sweet Stampin'
This fortnight we want you to choose a country and make a card/project inspired by it- the colours of the flag, food, culture- whatever springs to mind. 
I chose Japan. The stamps I used are both quite old, the branch and blossom are Penny Black, no idea of the make of the little girl stamp. I rediscovered it recently while looking for something else, I was so pleased as I thought it was one that Marvin had eaten during his puppy days. 
The background is smooshed inks and I used Perfect Pearls and a brush to colour the blossom. The panel is matted onto black cardstock and gold printed vellum.
Please hop over and see which countries inspired the rest of the Sweeties, then why not play alon, we'd love to which country you choose.
Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend.
Chris
x

Wednesday 8 May 2024

For Emily

Good morning, it's my turn to host this fortnight's challenge at Fab'n' Funky which means I choose the theme- and as it's my granddaughter's tenth birthday today I chose
for a child, baby or teen


 This is the card I made for Emily, I picked this Krista Smith image because Emmy loves cake, and coloured it to look like her (Copic markers).  For the background I die cut six squares of white cardstock, stamped 3 of them with a Uniko birthday stamp and stencilled gingham pattern on the other 3 using the same ink pad. The sentiments are stamps from various companies. I added 10 die cut candles to the inside. 

As always there are some fabulous creations from my teamies over at Fab'n' Funky so do hop over to check them out- hope to have you play along this challenge.
Thanks for visiting
Chris
x
Challenge entries:
avenue613 May 2024
dragonflydreams May 2024
allsorts #779
I prefer to use bold bright colours when making cards for kids

Sunday 5 May 2024

May mood board


 Good morning, it's time for a new challenge at Stamping Sensations and once again we have a lovely mood board to kickstart your inspiration.

Our sponsor for this month is AALL & CREATE with some fabulous prizes on offer for our lucky winners .
I made a CAS card taking inspiration from the lilies and colours of the mood board. 
The stamps I used are Aall & Create Heliotropic (915) and a sentiment stamp from a Stamping Up set. I used my Copic Markers to colour the flowers and added a little background stencilling. 
For full details of how to enter this challenge and the lovely prizes on offer please visit the main challenge blog.
Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Chris
x

Challenge entries
tripleb May 2024
dragonflydreams May 2024
MAWTT May 2024

Saturday 4 May 2024

May Challenge at Crafty Calendar


 Good morning, it's time for our May Challenge at Crafty Calendar.
Our sponsor for this month is 

The theme for this month is Anything Goes
I made a CAS card featuring the cute Buddy in the Garden, he's coloured with markers, fussy cut and placed on top of a green die cut that looks a bit like a trellis! 
I scored some lines to make a simple border, added 2 tiny buttons and a stamped sentiment...and that's it! 
Please hop over to the challenge blog for more inspiration- hope you can join us this month.

Have a good weekend
Chris
x
challenge entries
cutiepie #193


Friday 3 May 2024

Sweet strawberries


 Good morning, time for a new challenge at Crafty Catz.
 This fortnight we are sponsored by the fabulous

Aunty Sue is our lovely host this time and the theme is Anything Goes-

with an  optional twist of Summer.

I used a very sweet  sponsor image, Strawberry Patch, after all what says summer better than strawberries! 

I've used my Copic markers to colour and added some lightly stencilled clouds to the background. The design paper is from various companies, matted onto white card. The die cut strawberries are also coloured with Copics. 

There are some lovely creations  from the rest of the team using these sweet sponsor images over on the main challenge blog, I hope you can find the time to check them out and that you will be inspired to play along with us this fortnight. 

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

cutitup #303

cardz4galz #224

aperfecttimetocraft #5

alldressedup #150

classicdesign #4


Wednesday 1 May 2024

Guest Designer at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2



Good morning, I'm honoured to be a Guest Designer at 
This is the lovely sketch I used to make my card
Sketch #277

As you can see I followed the sketch quite closely, The stamp is  from CC Designs, coloured with Copic markers. The papers are old, carefully hoarded ones from LOTV, Diecut circle fames from Tonic Studios and tiny die cut flowers (un-named die). The sentiment is computer generated. 
Please do take the time to hop over to the challenge blog to see what the ladies on the Design Team have created this month, I always find it fascinating to see how other people interpret the same sketch and how varied the results can be.
Thanks for visiting
Chris
x
Challenge entries:
ilovepromarkers #558 Anything Goes
digichoosday #17
PFM #737