BTYD #22 and SSC sketch

Haven't done a LO in a while and I had so much fun doing this and LOVED the way it turned out!

The sketch was this week's challenge on the Scrummy Stash Cafe blog, and the theme for the challenge on the Crop til you Drop blog was new beginnings, so I scrapped some pics of my NEW scrap room!

The paper is by 3 bugs in a rug, and I added plenty of doodling with a white gel pen on the black cardstock (bit obssessed with this look at the mo!) The "my" and "space" of the title were cut from the same paper using the Plantin Schoolbook font cartridge on the expression and the "new" was doodled to make it stand out more.

Di Hickman December #3

This one I AM on time with! LOL

Another fabby sketch from Di, and this time I used papers and chipboard from the Cloud 9 Design Sorbet range, along with a length of white organza ribbon - a nice easy peasy one!!

Di Hickman December #2

Totally late with this one, but who cares, it's a fab sketch!!

For this one I used the Creative Imaginations Renae's House papers and chipboard and the strip of ribbon was a magazine freebie, thus satisfying the current challenge on Daring Cardmakers.

SSC - Rip up your stash!

Not literally thank goodness! No this was the challenge over on the Scrummy Stash Cafe blog - to use ripping and tearing on your project.

For this card, I embossed a piece of Bazzill bling Cardstock with a Cuttlebug embossing folder then tore off the bottom edge. The papers and die cut flower are Basic Grey infuse and the bookplate was cut on my expression with the tags, bags, boxes and more cart. I added the sentiment with a white gel pen, then added a couple of crystal brads.

BTYD #'20 and Arty Girlz #14

Over on the Crop til you Drop blog this week, Charli set the challenge to use stitching. Now thankfully it didn't have to be REAL stitching (which I despise!!).

I used Love Elsie Roxie paper (which has faux stitching on) and then stamped some blue bazzill with a zig zag stitch stamp. The "thank you" stamp is by Heidi Swapp.

This also qualifies for this week's Arty Girlz challenge to use a word or words as the focal point on your project.

Scrummy Velvet!

Scrummy Stash Cafe blog set the challenge this week to use material on your card. I made this one using my December ribbon kit from Little Silver hat, which includes this gorgeous black velvet ric rac - I hope that counts as material!!

This also qualifies for this week's Daring Cardmakers dare to use stripes.

Arty Girlz Hand cutting

Here's 2 cards for this challenge! I hand cut the stamped trees (again from my Rusty Pickle Grinchmas stamps) and used the Scrapworks Seasons of Joy papers (they're nearly all gone now!)

Caardvarks - Rickrack challenge

Caardvarks set the challenge to make a card with rick rack on - now this wasn't difficult as I LOVE the stuff!!

Again, using the Scrapworks seasons of joy papers from Scrummy Stash Cafe.

Di Hickman Dec#1

A bit late with this one, as Di's just posted the next sketch! But here it is. I used the Scrapworks Seasons of Joy papers and the bauble stamp is by Rusty Pickle. Scalloped paper frills by Doodelbug.

SSC - colour it in

This weekend's challenge over on the Scrummy Stash Cafe blog was to "colour it in", which meant I just had to drag out my trusty Penny Black snowman stamp! I coloured it in with Brush markers (am rubbish with watercolours!) and used the Scrapworks seasons of joy kit from SSC.

DCM - buttons and bows

Daring Cardmakers little extra this week was to make a card with buttons and bows. Here's my effort using the Scrapworks seasons of joy papers and the chipboard tree is by K&Co.

The power of positive thought!

Remember this post, where I said "surely it's my turn to win soon"? Well I DID!! I won a £10 e-voucher for the Scrummy Stash Cafe - and Maria has just added some new kits - how convenient!!

Check out the Scrummy Stash Cafe blog for your chance to win too!

Di Hickman Nov #4

Here's my interpretation of Di's November #4 sketch - and what a fabby sketch it is! I used Rob n Bob papers, Queen and Co snowman felt ribbon and poundshop chipboard sentiment. Another Christmas card done - only another 30 odd to go!!

Difficult Scrummy challenges!

More challenges this weekend - and they're getting more difficult too! And surely it must be my turn to win soon eh?! LOL

Saturday's challenge set by Maria was to use Something old, new, borrowed and blue. I used the Seasons of Joy kit from the Scrummy Stash cafe (already sold out!)

Something old - card blank (probably about 3 years old!)
Something new - seasons of joy kit and parcel cut with NEW Joys of season cartridge on my NEW cricut expression!

Something borrowed - staples

Something blue - cardstock



And Sunday's challenge was to make a card using just one colour. I went for gold and embossed a pearlescent card blank with a cuttlebug embossing folder then die cut lettering (expression again!!) in the same cardstock and added gold ribbon.

A 3 in 1 challenge!

I think this may be the first time I've combined 3 challenges on one card. The sketch is CPS #41 and Arty Girlz challenged you to use squares, so I used a square card blank, square sticker and square buttons. The buttons also qualify for Di's embellishment challenge.

The papers and sticker are by Flair Designs.

CPS #40

Here's my take on the latest sketch from CPS. I used Dovecraft papers and buttons, and my faithful Penny Black snowman stamp!

Phew, what a busy day! Lots of lovely crafting time! Won't be around much for the next few days as it's my birthday on Sunday! So pampering tomorrow, dinner and show Saturday and family day on Sunday - perfect!!

Di Hickman Nov #3

This is my take on Di Hickman's latest card sketch, using HOTP and Dovecraft papers, some crochet sticky ribbon from the poundshop (gotta love them bargains!!) and another poundshop rub on (you can't see it too well in the pic unfortunately).

Arty Girlz - ribbons and fibres

I'm on a roll today with the old Chrissy cards! The latest Arty Girlz challenge was to use ribbons and/or fibres on your card.

For this card I used Bo Bunny Homespun holiday papers. The cardstock sticker is also Bo Bunny. I punched the 2 circles using Marvy Mega and Giga scalloped circle punches form the back of the 2 papers. The ribbon and velvet ric rac was a mag freebie ages ago.

Caardvarks - rub ons

The latest caardvarks challenge was to use rub ons on your card.

Here's my effort - plenty of rub ons here! All from the poundshop too! Papers are from HOTP Christmas Cardmakers Creative Pack.

DCM Little Extra - Baubles, Bells and Bows

Daring Cardmakers little extra this week was to make a card with Baubles, bells and bows - and here's my effort.

Paper is from HOTP Christmas Cardmakers Creative Pack, stamp is by Dovecraft, ribbon was free with a mag and 3d stickers are of unknown origing (i.e. found them in the bottom of my xmas stash box! LOL)

Scrummy Challenges again!

This weekend saw another 2 challenges over at the Scrummy Stash Cafe blog.

Saturday's challenge was a sketch challenge, and here is my interpretation of the sketch - I flipped it round to incorporate my landscape photo. I used the Basic Grey Mellow kit from SSC, and the letters are from the local pound shop (I do love a bargain!) I so love this photo - cute eh?

And Sunday's challenge was to use doodling on your project. Now, you know sometimes you do a LO and think, yeah I like that, and other times you think WOW - I love it! This is one of those LOs - not sure why but I love it and am so pleased with the way it turned out! I used the 3 bugs in a rug Chalk Garden kit from SSC (and finally finished it up!!) and then doodled 2 frames, and then my journalling around the edge of all the elements with a white gel pen.

CTYD Challenge #17

Ruth set this week's challenge over on the Crop til you Drop blog, and it was our first scraplift! I kept this LO really simple as it's such a beautiful photo, taken at Discovery Cove, Orlando in August 2002 (where have the last 5 years gone?! Don't we both look young!!)

The paper behind the photo is from an old HOTP Personal Shopper kit. The title sums up the day perfectly! The title and chipboard swirl are both by TLC, I inked them first, then covered with diamond glaze for a watery effect. I continued the watery them with the glass bead in the centre of the "O".

Don't forget to check the CTYD blog on Saturday at 6pm - as it's my turn to set the challenge!!

DCM - golden highlights and Di Hickman Nov #2

The dare over at Daring Cardmakers this week was to use gold on your card and the sketch for this one comes from Di Hickman's November #2 sketch.

I used a gold pearlescent card blank and papers and tag from the HOTP Christmas Creative Pack, some organza ribbon and a stamp by A Muse.

Another challenge blog!

I've found another challenge blog called a true friend and it's all about scrapping your pets, which is just perfect for me as I have hundreds of pics of Todd. The current challenge was to scrap some blurry pics -and most of mine are! You see whenever I try to get a nice picture of his face, Todd has to get waaaay too close to the camera!

This is the first LO I've done in a while, been all about the cards recently! For this one I used papers by KI Memories (aptly named Pet Shop!) and Chatterbox, the chipboard is Rusty Pickle and the ribbon is DCWV and random alpha stickers from my stash.

More Scrummy Challenges!

Here are my entries for last weekend's challenges over at the Scrummy Stash Cafe blog.

Saturday's challenge, set by Theresa, was to use felt and hand-stitching on your card. For this I used the Love Elsie Roxie papers and epoxy stickers. The felt frame was die cut with an Ellison thick cuts die and I stitched around the frame with embrodiery floss. This one also qualifies for Arty Girlz Challenge 9 to use hearts. (get me combining my challenges for the first time!!)


Sunday's challenge was to incorporate a pocket into your project. For this card I used SEI Auntie Gertie's garden papers and a stamp from Penny Black, coloured in with brush markers.

CPS #39

I'm on time this week I think!

This is my take on CPS #39, I flipped the sketch and used papers, rub-ons and chipboard from the Cherry Arte Princess range.

CTYD Challenge #16

Shary set the challenge this week over on the Crop til you Drop blog and it was to use at least 1 button, 1 bow and 1 brad on your project.

For this card I used Basic Grey Scarlett's letter papers and a Heidi Swapp clear stamp. The button is the flower centre, hidden underneath the bow, and with a brad either side of the stamped greeting.

Don't forget to check the CTYD blog every Saturday at 6pm for a new challenge!

CPS #38 - even though it's late!

Yep, another one I was late blogging - even though I made this card last week! Here's my take on the sketch #38 from CPS. I used the Chalk Garden kit from the Scrummy Stash cafe (and it's nearly all gone - although I'm gonna do my best to squeeze some more cards out yet!!)

Di Hickman card sketch Nov #1

Here's my take on Di's first November sketch, using English Paper Company papers a length of black ric rac and a stamp that I found in the bottom of my Christmas stash box!!

And here's another card using the October #4 sketch - just because I loved this sketch so much! This card uses the SEI Auntie Gertie's garden kit from the Scrummy Stash Cafe - just love these papers!!

DCM - Getting Corrugated and little extra

This week's dare over at Daring Cardmaker's was to use corrugated card. The papers are by flair designs and the wire tree clip is by Eco-Africa - chipboard is of unknown origin!! I swept over the corrugated card with a brown chalk ink pad to highlight it.

Now I know I'm late for the little extra, I completed lots of challenges on time last week - just didn't get around to blogging them! LOL

So for the DCM little extra of Snowmen and snowflakes, I produced these 2 cards. The first uses papers from the English Paper Company and the second is Dovecraft papers and my faithful Penny Black Stamp snowman stamp!

Scrummy Stash Cafe Challenges

The Scrummy Stash Cafe blog is now up and running and they've got challenges every weekend for a month!

Yesterday's challenge was to use Acetate. For this card I cut an aperture from the card and backed it with acetate. I then added some crystals and a hand cut flower behind the acetate. Then some hand cut flowers, ribbons and buttons to the front.

Today's challenge was to use scallops (not the fishy type you understand!). I used some Bazzill cardstock with an edge, and rubbed some white acrylic around the edges and doodled with a white gel pen. The stamps is by Doodlebug.

Both cards made from the Chalk Garden kit from the Scrummy Stash Cafe.

DCM - and CUT!

This week's dare was:

All styles are welcome but there MUST be an element of handcutting somewhere. It could be a greeting, a shape, letters printed on your pc and handcut, anything goes as long as you did it by hand.

I've made 2 cards for this dare! Both from the Chalk Garden kit from the Scrummy Stash Cafe. The flower papers are just ideal for handcutting out!

Di Hickman Card Sketch October #5

Di Hickman's latest card sketch is another cracker, and here's my interpretation, yet another Christmas card (and I'm steadily building up a good stock!).

The papers and sticker are by Flair Designs.

CTYD Challenge 15

We had a sketch challenge this week over on the Crop til you Drop blog, set by Charli, and what a fab sketch!

It's been a while since I've done a LO (following the mammoth exercise that was Garry's birthday album) so this was just the kick I needed to get me started again.

The photos are from last Saturday on the Big Cat photoshoot that Garry and I went to. I used Basic Grey Mellow papers (from the Scrummy Stash cafe kit) along with Queen and Co chipboard alphas and Rusty Pickle alpha stamps for the title, various ribbons and a bazzill bling blossom (also from the kit).

DCM - Wrap it in Ribbon for Christmas

Talk about cutting it fine!!

Here's last Friday's Daring Cardmakers effort - a Christmas card with plenty of ribbon!

The paper is HOTP and the stamp by A Muse. I used a ribbon slot punch around the 3 sides and threaded some spotty lilac organza ribbon all the way around. And then added some ribbon around the sentiment panel and 3 lengths of ribbon tied around the card.

More Challenges!

This week's challenge on the CTYD blog was to use acetate. This acetate card was made from my Chalk Garden Kit from the Scrummy Stash Cafe and I embossed the acetate with a cuttlebug embossing folder.

Then this card is using Di Hickman's October #4 sketch and also qualifies for the Caardvarks challenge to use die-cuts. The die cut snowflake was cut from the Accent Essentials cartridge that comes with the Cricut Expression - but as the expression is my birthday present I was only allowed to cut a couple of things when it arrived to check it worked OK, and now it's residing in the loft till my big day *insert sad pouty face* LOL

HS:MS

Today's prompt is Window: Choose your favourite window in your house. Show the whole window, the curtains and window decoration.

Not the best picture today I'm afraid (as I've just taken it and it's very dark!)

Now, this is not so much window as windows, and lots of them! and believe you me cleaning them is no fun - still haven't convinced the window cleaner to do the insides for me! As you can tell, this is one part of the house we haven't decorated yet (don't get me started on those curtains!!)

HS:MS - Show off Sunday!

It's been so long since I did any HS:MS, but I'm hoping that's all about to change and I'll be back on track. Today is a good day to start again, because oh boy do I have some photos to show off!!

Yesterday Garry (Ash's Dad) and I went on a big cat photoshoot at private cat sanctuary, organised by Linz from Crafty Pastimes and her husband Gary.

Firstly, huge thanks to them for the most amazing day! (and special thanks to Gary for all the technical advice!) I am so pleased with the pictures I took, I never thought I could take pictures like these, OK so they may not be perfect, but I LOVE them!!

Being that close to such powerful, gorgeous cats was breath taking, and now I've just got the task of wading through the 500+ pictures I took!! Here's a few of my faves: