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:

Di Hickman - October #3

OK, so I'm a bit late with this sketch (#4 is now up and I'll be doing that one too) but it was such a fab sketch I had to use it!

I decided to make another Christmas card, the plan being make a few every now and then and I'll have enough by December - erm, maybe! LOL. This tied in nicely with Samm's blog candy challenge to make a holiday card.

The snowman stamp is by Penny Black and the "Merry Christmas" stamp is by A Muse (have I mentioned lately how much I lurve A Muse?! LOL). The papers are from the HOTP Cardmaker's Christmas Creative Pack.

Daring Cardmakers

It's been FAR too long since I last did any of the dares over on DCM, but this week I've managed both last Friday's dare and the little extra.

Last Friday's dare, in honour of DCM's 1st birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!) was:

The subject is, as in our original dare "friends", but this time the title is CIRCLE of FRIENDS and we'd like you to incorporate at least one circle into your card

For this card I used the Chalk Garden kit from Scrummy Stash cafe, the flowers with circle centres were perfect for this dare and were cut from one of the patterned papers and the stamp is by Doodlebug.

This weeks little extra was a sketch challenge, and rather than use the sketch for the overall design, I scaled it down and made this cute little button arrangement for a baby card. Papers are by Pebbles Inc, the metal embellishment is AMM and the brad and rub on are HOTP.

Pencil Lines #55

It's AGES since I did a Pencil Lines sketch! This one was such fun to do. I used the Chalk Garden Kit from Scrummy Stash Cafe. The journalling panel is Autumn Leaves French Twist and the chipboard swirl is Rusty Pickle, painted with black acrylic. The title was stamped with various different clear alphabet sets (less face it you can never have too many of those!! LOL)

Challenge time again!

This week it was Ruth's turn to set the challenge over on the Crop til you Drop blog and the challenge was to use up those scraps!

The paper scraps are from the HOTP 8x8 Christmas papers (as is the artwork) and the scrap of ribbon is from the lovely bundle of Strano ribbons I won on Beverley's blog.

I love 3 bugs!!

I'm a very lucky girl - Maria, owner of Scrummy Stash Cafe, asked me to be a Guest on her Design Team for her latest cardmaking kit, the gorgeous Chalk Garden range from 3 bugs in a rug.

Here's the first two cards I've created, aren't the papers just great?!

My ATC solution!

We do monthly ATC swaps over on the I Love Hot Off the Press forum and as much as I love making and receiving them, I never know what to do with them! So when Beverley got these little Provocraft band aid tins in stock I just HAD to have one (well I bought 2 actually!!)

I covered it with HOTP papers (from a really old Personal Shopper kit) and used doodlebug paper frills, ribbons and Alpha stickers to decorate - cute or what?!

An A Musing afternoon!

I've been playing with all my A Muse goodies this afternoon, and it's been great fun! I just love these cute little stamps, notecards, twinkle stickers and EVERYTHING!! They're quite hard to find in the UK, but Beverley at crop til you drop has a huge range right here!

My favourite has to be the little penguin, he's just adorable!

Di Hickman's Card sketch October #2

Here is my effort for the latest sketch on Di Hickman's blog, I never thought I'd take to card sketches, but Di's are fantastic!!

Apologies for the incredibly pants scan!!

It's only words!

Another fabby challenge over the on Crop til you drop blog. This week Katie set the challenge to use words on a LO or card. My turn to set the challenge again this week, so check out the blog tomorrow night at 6pm.

This is my first 8x8 LO and my first time of scrapping myself! The words are a little poem that Ash emailed to me at work one day last year to cheer me up - I THINK he meant it as a compliment!!

I used HOTP 8x8 Friendship papers and cardstock, american crafts ribbon, primas, and flower brads.

Happy Birthday Katie!!

Birthday time again over on the ILHOTP forum and last Sunday was Katie's birthday!

Here is the card I have sent to her, which may arrive if the Royal Mail ever get their act together!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE!

And this is my October card for the monthly card swap over on the same forum, themed Autumn - funnily enough!! (luckily I'm sending to Katie this month so they went in the same envelope - what tight me?!)

Birthday card made with HOTP Icy Rainbow Cardmaker's Creative Pack

Autumn card made from HOTP October 06 Personal Shopper kit

I'm back!!

OK, so a little later than planned, but I'm back and I'll be making a definite effort to post more often!

So, back to the tagging. 7 (semi) interesting facts about me:

1. I once appeared on Blue Peter (and yes I do have the badge to prove it!)

2. My favourite place in the world is Orlando, Florida

3. I am completely obssessed with accessories - I've got over 100 handbags, 40 odd purses and 80 odd pairs of shoes!!

4. I love boot fairs, charity shops and jumble sales (where most of the above come from!)

5. I collect anything to do with Eeyore and have over 500 items!

6. I also love Hello Kitty and have Hello Kitty steering wheel cover, seat covers and other bits in my car!

7. I am obssessively tidy!

So there's an insight into my bizarre little world!

Now, who to tag - not sure I know 7 people, but here goes! I tag Denny Charli Ruth and I can't think of anyone else at the mo!! Will add some more later

I've been tagged!

Beverley has tagged me - and its the first time I've been tagged!
I've got a really busy, special day today (will explain tomorrow!) so I'll be back to play along tomorrow!