Give me coffee!

Hello lovely people,

Happy Sunday folks and I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend whatever you may be doing.

I have been enjoying a catch up with friends and just about to start my day with some yummy homemade banana pancakes with blueberries and maple syrup - mmmmmm :-)

While I tuck into those, I have a project to share with you using some gorgeous goodies from The Ribbon Girl.

I couldn't resist making another card with this beautiful paper pad and I have to admit that aqua is probably my fave colour after pink.

I also took the opportunity to play with yet another new stamp and this time it's an adorable little girl with a coffee cup...this could be me as I do need regular caffeine hits throughout the day to function properly!

I do love the shabby chic look and have admired many a card with cheesecloth and/or chipboard pieces on them but haven't really being confident enough to try these...until now!

I am really pleased with how it turned out :-)

I was clearly feeling very experimental with this card so also decided to pull out the stamens from the turquoise cosmos flower and replace it with a sparkler...ooooh, that is so sparkly and gorgeous!

I hope you all have a fab Sunday!

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

The Ribbon Girl products;
Lemoncraft Forget-me-not 6x6" paper pad
Scrapiniec chipboard Park Avenue round frames
15mm aqua no.78 Berisford satin ribbon
Cheesecloth fabric
Cream hip rosebuds
5mm sea charm mixed self-adhesive pearls

Other products;

Image: Mini Remix Brewtiful - The Greeting Farm

Other flowers: from stash

Dies: Large frilly frames #10 - Go Kreate, Mini sentiment tags - Mama Elephant

Sentiment: Mini messages - Mama Elephant

Copic colours;
Skin: E000/00/21/11/04 & R20
Hair: E41/43/47
Dress: BG45/49/09
Cup: W4/5/6

Favourite papers

Hello lovely people,

Gosh, it's been a few days since I last posted, but I got rather caught up in other things, namely a HUGE crafting project, that very annoyingly I can't tell you about!

It's safe to say that it was a labour of love and I am now mentally exhausted but very happy :-)

So, while I have a little lie down to recover, it's time for a new challenge at As You Like It and our theme is...

YOUR FAVOURITE...PAPERS
...and don't forget to tell us why they are your favourite!

Our sponsor this time is Crafts U Love with a £10 voucher

I don't think any of you will be surprised when I tell you that my favourite papers are Maja Design; I find it impossible to resist owning every single collection they produce!

The patterns are beautiful, they have a gorgeous vintage style and all the collections co-ordinate so I can mix and match them and know they will work perfectly together.

They are also very versatile...these Christmas papers also happen to be brilliant for masculine cards!

I can't believe it took me this long to play with my new adorable elephant stamps!

I've given this one a cute paper pieced balloon :-)

I cut several circular frames and layered them up, then wrapped the twine around a few times before adding the tag.

I also layered up the sentiment banner, but only with 2 layers, just to make it a little sturdier.

I hope you will pop over to As You Like It and check out the fabulously creative projects from the rest of the team :-)

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Card recipe;

Image: Adorable elephants - My Favourite Things (available from Dies to Die For)

DP: A gift for you - Maja Design (available from Live and Love Crafts)
Dies: Happy Birthday banner - Taylored Expressions, Stitched scallop edges - MFT Die-namics, Circle stax - MFT Die-namics, Nesting circles - Tonic studios (all available from Dies to Die For)

Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Tag: Family sentiment tags - LOTV

Copic colours;
Elephant: W1/2/3/4 & R0000/00/01
Ground: E41/42/43

A distressed angel

Hello lovely people,

I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend whatever you have been getting up to.

I did a few bits around the house, a little crafting including a last minute card for my Dad's birthday, which I forgot was on Monday - oops!

Last night I popped over to a friend's house for a girly evening and to design the table plan display for her wedding in 2 weeks time - we are both very excited!

After all that excitement, I am here to showcase some LOTV products as part of the Design Team and it's a little 'Something for the Weekend' so hop over to LOTV HERE for the PDF with step-by-step instructions on how to make this card, and tips on distressing and how to make the cute ruffled seam binding.

I showed a card (HERE) with one of the returning Christmas angels a few weeks ago and made this one at the same time but gave it a more distressed look.

Isn't she a little darling?  So serene...butter wouldn't melt!

My MISTI was a great help for stamping the details onto the corners of the DP as it enabled me to line up exactly the sections of the stamps I wanted to add.

It's not easy to see all of them in the photos but I added a scattering of pearls around the flowers and little clusters of them under the rolled edges.

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Card recipe;

Image: Christmas angel, praying - LOTV
Extra stamps: Grunge corners (discontinued) - LOTV

DP: A Gift for you - Maja Design (available from Live and Love Crafts)

Flowers and stamens: Wild Orchid Crafts

Seam binding: White - The Ribbon Girl

Sentiment: Christmas circular sentiments - LOTV

Dies: Holly vine - Memory Box
Pearls: from stash

Copic colours;
Skin: E000/00/21/11/04 & R20
Hair: E41/43/47
Dress: R27/46/89
Wings: W00/1/3
Holly: BG93/96 & R59/89

Summer swing

Hello lovely people,

I'm going to start with a couple of important announcements...

 Firstly I see I have picked up a handful of new followers in the last few weeks so thank you for joining me and hope you enjoy my combination of papercrafting and random ramblings!

Secondly, thanks to everyone who wished my Dad good luck in his Ironman distance triathlon at the weekend and he did it!

I'm going to share some photos from the event but if you are looking for my card then keep scrolling down!

I was never going to roll out of bed in time to see Dad finish the 3.8km swim section, but we arrived in time for the end of the 180km cycle ride and he was smiling!

 Then it was on to the run section...just a marathon...easy peasy - lol!

As you can see, it was a beautiful sunny day for us to laze around and cheer him on, but probably not so fun to compete in!

He finished in 14 hours 40 minutes and was STILL smiling and standing upright...what an absolutely inspirational and fantastic achievement :-)

Finally, I can report a productive week so far with lots of decluttering done (it feels so good to get rid of stuff!), a couple of completed Kit & Clowder lessons and of course, plenty of ice-cream eating!

But now it's time for a new challenge at In The Pink

Our theme this time is...

GET OUT YOUR RUBBER!

So, we want to see you using any kind of rubber stamp on your project and don't forget to use more pink than any other colour!

Our fabulous sponsor this time is Dies to Die For with a £10 voucher

I just had to use my favourite shaped base before I got withdrawal symptoms - lol!

I always seem to take wonky photos but am good at fixing them before they go on my blog, however, I think I didn't quite get it right with this one...it still looks slightly wonky to me - oops!

This is the first outing for the stamp...and I still have plenty more I haven't used yet!

I guess that's what happens when you are easily tempted by shiny new stamps all the time ;-)

I used a new die set for the foliage, which has a couple of slightly different styles of leaves included; I find you can never have too many foliage dies so you can choose what suits the design best.

I also really like ones like in this set that can be cut into sections as they are more versatile and I prefer to use just small bits peeking out from the flowers.

And yes, that's my new dies/stamps again for the tag...you will be seeing these a lot!

If you haven't already done so then do pop over to In The Pink and check out the gorgeous creations from the rest of the Pink Ladies.

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Card recipe;

Image: Together forever - LOTV

DP: Devoted - Carta Bella

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Dies (all available from Dies to Die For): Large frilly frames #10 - Go Kreate, Circle stax - MFT Die-namics, Bloomers greenery - Taylored Expressions, Mini tags - Mama Elephant

Sentiment (from Dies to Die For): Mini messages - Mama Elephant

Copic colours;
Skin: E000/00/21/11/04 & R20
Girl's hair: Y21/YR23/E35
Boy's hair: E53/35/37
Dress / bow: R83/85/RV19
Girl's socks: RV0000/000/R81
Shirt / boys' socks: W00/1/2
Tank top: E42/43/44
Shoes: E42/43/44/47
Swing: E40/41/42

Brewtiful gift boxes

Hello lovely people,

Scorchio!!
I am so not going to complain that it's too hot because we have been waiting a long time for some Summer weather and I am going to enjoy it!
Plus it's a great excuse to eat ice cream...I LOVE ice cream :-)

It's never too hot to stop me drinking coffee though, as I love it even more than ice cream, which leads me on to my project today...

I worked out the template for this pair of gift boxes so that the top section is just slightly bigger than the bottom section.

I used a new die that Sue *insisted* that I bought a few weeks ago at the Dies to Die For pop-up shop...to be fair, I didn't need a lot of persuading!

It is really lovely, and includes dies to cut out the 3 small shapes to place behind the main die cut.
 I coloured each of these sections with Copics to match the papers as I didn't have any plain papers in the collection.

I used a sentiment from my new Greeting Farm stamp set as it was the perfect fit for the coffee theme.
Oh yes, and I used my new MISTI tool to make sure it was perfectly positioned - yay!

For the top I layered up circles with the top one on foam pads and just taped the ends of the cord inside the box lid.

I need to crack on with a big crafty project today so if you spot me snoozing in the garden instead, give me a poke!

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Card recipe;

DP: XOXO - American Crafts

Dies (from Dies to Die For): Stacked coffee mugs - Taylored Expressions, Circle stax - MFT Die-namics, Scalloped circles - Tonic studios
Sentiment: Brewtiful stamp set - The Greeting Farm
Cord: from stash

Wee Cindy

Hello lovely people,

Today I will be in the Cotswold Water Park supporting my Dad as he undertakes his first Ironman distance triathlon...yep, my Dad is totally amazeballs :-)

While I am cheering on my Dad, I have my first official card as part of The Ribbon Girl DT to share with you for the new 'Any Image' challenge starting today.
I'm still grinning from ear to ear at being asked to join the team :-D

Here are the fabulous prizes on offer...

£10 voucher for LOTV

£10 voucher for The Ribbon Girl

Stamp and die from Marianne Designs

I have used some of my new Lemoncraft papers and let me tell you, they were almost left in the 'stroke only' pile because they are absolutely gorgeous!

Some are slightly more aqua-teal shades and some are a slightly lighter aqua-turquoise, which are the ones I chose for this card.

My tiny collection of Wee stamps is now doubled with the addition of this cutie and I know it won't stop there as I totally love them!

I feel slightly bad that I didn't give her sparkly wings but I liked how the spotty wings turned out and didn't want to risk covering it up with sparkle!  I guess I was being selfish - lol!

I really went to town with the pretty embellies for this card and I also used my new sentiment stamps and matching tags...LOVE these!

On top of the bow I added just one little section from the pearl trim; thanks to Debs for the tip about cutting the trim to make cute details!

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend whatever you are up to :-)

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

The Ribbon Girl products;
Forget-me-not 6x6" paper pad - Lemoncraft
25mm white 'Cheltenham' Guipure lace
Limoges blue seam binding
White cherry blossom
Cream hip rosebuds
Tiny white rosebuds
10mm white square pearl trim
Small butterfly charm
5mm sea charm mixed pearls
3mm white pearls

Other products;

Image: Cindy - Wee stamps for Whimsy stamps

Dies: Fancy flourish - MFT Die-namics, Mini tags - Mama Elephant

Sentiment: Mini messages - Mama Elephant
Gloss white Nuvo crystal drops
Other flowers: from stash
2mm white pearls: from stash

Copic colours;
Skin: E000/00/21/11/04 & R20
Hair: E21/25/29
Dress: B000/00/01/BG53
Darker bands on dress: BG09/57/53/B01
Wings: B0000/000/00/01/BG53
Flowers: B000/01/BG53
Envelope: W00/1/3

My 'trademark' - can you guess?!

Hello lovely people,

It's half way through the week and so far I have completed a few tasks;
- I decluttered our en-suite cupboard and organised the remaining items into some new plastic bins; I LOVE to have new storage for things!
- I ordered a new side table for the lounge
- I updated my Folksy shop with some new cards

Other than that I may have got a little sidetracked by crafting - lol!

While I try to get a few more jobs done today, it's time for a new challenge for you at As You Like It and our theme is...

YOUR 'TRADEMARK' STYLE...
...i.e. what defines your style 
...and don't forget to tell us why!

Our sponsor this time is Digi Stamp Boutique with a £10 voucher

My trademark has to be stitching since it is on almost all of my cards, no matter what style.  I love the subtle detail it adds and the way it 'finishes' the edges.
I also find it very therapeutic as I do all of it by hand!

The card is for someone leaving to have a baby and since they don't know if it's a boy or girl I went for neutral colours.

I was excited to play with my new co-ordinating stamps and dies for this card and I wasn't sure if paying extra for the dies would be worth it but it totally is!

I wouldn't usually go to the bother of fussy cutting the elements, but the dies make it so easy, which means I can create a design like this one where I have raised up the babygros slightly on foam pads.

I am continuing my current love affair with Frantage, but I do like to be quite sparing with it to add just a hint of detail.

I hope you will pop over to As You Like It and check out the fabulously creative projects from the rest of the team :-)

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Card recipe;

Image & sentiment: Little bundle stamps and co-ordinating dies - Lawn Fawn (from Dies to Die For)

DP: Vintage baby - Maja Design (available from Live and Love Crafts)

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Dies: Scallop circles - Tonic Studios, Circle stax - MFT Die-namics

Charm - Baby time charms and spacers - The Hobby House
Frantage shabby white embossing enamel

Peace on Earth

Hello lovely people,

I have just 9 weeks left of my career break and now my course and the USA trip are all done and dusted, I am suddenly feeling an urgency to tick off a few more goals for the year.

So, this week my plans include;
 - making serious inroads towards completing the Kit and Clowder skin/hair colouring class
- buying a few new kitchen items that we need; kettle, saucepans, hand blender
- start seriously decluttering the house

I have made a start today by sorting through all the accumulated stuff in the area behind the sofa in the cinema room and got rid of loads :-)

I did find time to play with some of the new release Christmas images from LOTV though.  I say 'new' but actually the image I have used today is one of our returning friends.

I never had this cutie the first time round (I'm shocked too!) but couldn't resist her second time around :-)

I was planning to colour her dress in white because...well, it's easiest!  At the last minute I decided to make life a little harder for myself and go for red instead because I thought it would match the papers better *sigh*

I often like non-traditional colours for Christmas cards but this Maja Design collection is so beautiful and it does suit the angel rather well I think.

The release date for all the images is...TOMORROW!!
As usual, I would get in quick if you don't want to miss out...there are some super cute new stamps and more fab returning friends :-)

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Card recipe;

Image: Christmas angel flying - LOTV (coming back soon!)

DP: A Gift for you - Maja Design (available from Live and Love Crafts)

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Tag: Christmas sentiment tags - LOTV

Dies: Fanciful trim - Creative Expressions
Charm: Holly leaves tiny - The Ribbon Girl

Copic colours;
Skin: E000/00/21/11/04 & R20
Hair: E41/43/47
Dress: R27/46/89
Wings: W00/1/3
Holly: BG93/96 & R59/89

Vintage Summer alliums

Hello lovely people,

Are you all having a good weekend?  I do hope so :-)

I have been having a little play in my craft room and despite the cloudy weather I have been bringing a little Summer to my crafting today.

I have made a LOTV card to support the challenge currently running on the LOTV Facebook page with the theme of SUMMER IN THE GARDEN.

I was sorting through all my paper pads a couple of days ago and removing the ones I am never going to use, but it also reminded me of a few oldies but goodies lurking in there...like these pretty Kaisercraft ones.

Colouring this image is very simple but you can still add plenty of detail and I added some very pale green dots around the flower heads and some white Nuvo drops around the whole image.

I made this feel quite vintage with inked edges, Kraft card and twine, and I layered up 3 of the word die cuts to make it stand out a bit more.

I'm now off for a cheeky afternoon tea as I have a couple of homemade scones that need eating up with some jam and clotted cream...yum :-)

Then Dr. Hubby and I are going to snuggle up and watch the latest Star Wars film in our cinema room...we haven't seen it yet so am rather excited about that!

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Card recipe;

Image: Allium panel - LOTV

DP: Tigerlily - Kaisercraft

Twine: Natural button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Tag: Sentiment tags - LOTV

Tag: Family sentiment tags - LOTV

Dies: Thanks word - Paper Smooches, Tiny butterfly set - Impression Obsession
Pearls: from stash

Copic colours;
Flowers: R81/83/85
Leaves / stems / around flowers: BG90/93

Tilda in the garden

Hello lovely people,

Dr. Hubby and I took a little trip to Bath yesterday for my Independent Prescriber graduation ceremony followed by a celebratory meal out.

Here I am receiving my certificate from the course director and yes, it was actually a lovely sunny Summer day so I wore a dress!

Today I am having a crafty play date with my lovely buddies Sue and Debs...yes, again!

While we get stuck into some crafting and chatting, and a cheeky cream tea (yum yum!), it's time for a new challenge at In The Pink

Our theme this time is...

ALL OR NOTHING!
So that's FUSSY AND FANCY
OR
CLEAN AND SIMPLE...your choice!
But don't forget we want to see more pink than any other colour!

Our fabulous sponsor this time is Little Miss Muffet with a $6 voucher

I love both FAF and CAS but I guess I probably lean a bit more towards FAF and I fancied trying my hand at a swing easel for this design.  I really like it...but I am always finding new fancy folds that I like!

I can't even remember the last time I used a Tilda so it was fab to get this one out and give her the pink treatment!

I can only dream of looking this stylish when I'm working in the garden!

Hopefully you can see the swing easel design a little better in this angled shot.

As with any easel design you can't really add too much on the bottom layer but I found plenty of space on the top to add flowers!

If you haven't already done so then do pop over to In The Pink and check out the gorgeous creations from the rest of the Pink Ladies...can you guess who will go FAF and who will go CAS?!

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Card recipe;

Image: Tilda in the garden

DP: Romance & roses, and Pastel dreams (available as digi papers from Nitwit Collections)

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Sentiment: For you circular sentiments - LOTV

Dies: Lovely fence - Magnolia Dohickeys, Beaded swirl flourish - Creative Expressions
Punch: Floral lace - Martha Stewart edge punch
Charm: Butterfly (small) charm - The Ribbon Girl

Copic colours;
Skin: E000/00/21/11/04 & R20
Hair: Y21/YR23/E35
Clothing: R81/83/85 & W00/1/3
Boots: W4/5/6/7
Spade: W00/0/1 & E53/55/57
Grass: YG03/25/17