A spoon full of sugar and Creative Inspirations Challenges

Hello everyone! Hope you are all well and not run too ragged by half term! Just a quick post today for 2 challenges. I'm sorry I haven't been posting as much as usual. Things are so hectic right now as me and my sister are managing my Dad's business and are going to be in the process of closing the main part of it down over the next month or so so crafting is having to take a back seat. I'm conscious that I haven't got round to everyone's blogs and also that I promised some blog candy soon- don't worry, I haven't forgotten, it will be coming!!

Anyway, today's post is for A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge and Creative Inspirations Challenge. A spoon full of sugar's theme this week is "lace" and Creative Inspirations Challenge is to use a favourite stamp.

So here is my entry. Apologies for the dismal photo but I took it at my Mum's so wasn't able to get the white background I normally use. Anyway, I hope you like it! The stamp is by Stampington, I really like it as it's so unusual. I coloured it with watercolour pencils and it's mounted on metallic cards. The papers are all by Laura Ashley. The lace was bought at a local haberdashery and flowers by Poppicraft. The swirl is a Boss-Kut die I got when I was in the US.

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Stampington); Watercolour pencils; Papers (Laura Ashley); Assorted cardstock; Die (Boss-Kut); Flowers (Poppicrafts); Gems (Joanna Sheen); Lace (local haberdashery)

A spoon full of sugar, Forever Friends & Sketch and Stash Challenges

Hi everyone! Hope you're all doing well. I've made a couple of cards today to fit 3 challenges. This first card is for the Sketch and Stash Challenge and A spoon full of Sugar Challenge. The Sketch and Stash sketch for the week is posted below. I really enjoyed this sketch so much so that I used it for my other card! The challenge over at Spoon Full of Sugar is to make a celebration card so this fits the bill on both counts.

The stamp I've used is by Paperbag Studio and I really love it as it's funky and quite graphic design-ish. The papers are all from my new stash by Basic Grey and I got them from Do Crafts last week as they've got a sale on. I really love the acidy colours. The jute is from Arty Miss (new) and I've played with my other new Martha Stewart punch from the Hobby House.

Here is a little close up!

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Paperbag Studio); Papers (Basic Grey); Punch (Martha Stewart); Sentiment (Elusive Design); Flowers (Poppicrafts and recycled); Jute (Artymiss)

Here is the sketch both my cards were based on- a great one from the Sketch and Stash team.

And here is my second card of the day and it fits all 3 challenges. This fits the Forever Friends Challenge which is to make a card for a "birthday boy", the Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge (celebration) and the Sketch and Stash Challenge cos I've used the sketch again!

The image, of course, is by Forever Friends and coloured in with watercolour pencils. I have paper pieced his crown. All the papers are from the Max set by Making Memories. Again I have played with my Martha Stewart punch and added a sentiment by Lili of the Valley.

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Forever Friends); Watercolour pencils; Papers (Making Memories); Sentiment (Lili of the Valley); Punch (Martha Stewart)

Here is a wee close up!

Have a great day! I'm off to do my bookkeeping homework!!

Friday Sketchers

Hi everyone. Hope you're all enjoying your Sunday. I haven't had a chance to do much crafting this week as my Mum's been ill so I've been staying at her's looking after her. I'm exhausted really and not feeling that great myself! Anyway, I have at least managed to do a Friday Sketchers Challenge which is the above sketch by Claudia Rosa.

So here is my take on the sketch- yes, I know it's another Stamping Bella! This time it's Huggybellas. I love them!! They are coloured with watercolour pencils and double mounted on card and paper. The papers are all by Basic Grey and the sentiment is by Hero Arts. The 2 circles are cut out using nesties.

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Stamping Bella and Hero Arts); Watercolour pencils; Papers (Basic Grey); Assorted cardstock; Flowers (Poppicrafts); Brad (Poppicrafts); Hot fix crystals (London Bead Co.)

I decided to do a bit of a close up because I think it's often hard to see the detail on my colouring because I use watercolour pencils and the effect can be quite subtle. So you can expect more close-ups in future!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend x

Cupcake Craft Challenge and some awards!

Hi everyone! Hope you're all well. I've a couple of cards for the Cupcake Craft Challenge this week. The theme is to make a card for a male- adult or child- so I've decided to do both! So first up is Grillafella. I love this stamp so much cos what man doesn't like to BBQ? I coloured him in with watercolour pencils and double mounted him on assorted cardstock that I'd corner punched. The papers are all from the Papermania male pad. Sentiment is Lili of the Valley.

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Stamping Bella); Watercolour pencils; Paper (Papermania); Assorted cardstock; Corner punch (Woodware); Sentiment (Lili of the Valley)

My second card is this little cutie stamp by Spiral Whisper. I coloured him in using copics and then masked him out whilst I sponged ink onto the background. I doubled mounted him with assorted cardstock. The paper I can't remember who it's by but I bought it from Banana Frog, I thought it'd be great for little boys' cards. I also cut out some rings using nesties just to add a bit of dimension.

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Spiral Whisper); Copics; Assorted cardstock; Paper (Banana Frog); Nesties; Masking tape; Pumpkin ink

Onto my 2 awards, I received these from the lovely Helen. These awards come with the following: "These blogs are exceedingly charming, these are the kind of bloggers who aim to find and become friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are proper gated, please give more attention to these writers."

It's so lovely to receive these from Helen as I'm glad to say she is a top blogging buddy who is full of encouragement and support! I'd like to pass these on to 8 lovely people who've left really supportive messages to me recently. They are:

Helen

Linda

Keryn

Jules

Jacqui

Michele

Louise

Carly

Thank you, ladies x

PS In the words of Britney Spears "oops, I did it again"! I've just bought another load of papers!!! I can't believe I did it!! I really don't need them!! Help!! Docrafts website are selling gorgeous gorgeous Basic Grey papers off very cheaply and I succumbed!! Oh dear.....

Jammybella and more Marie Curie cards

Hi everyone, hope you're all enjoying your weekend. I'm pretty exhausted as my sleep has been pretty terrible for the last 6 months. I hope it'll improve soon. Anyway, onto my first post and I've just realised I should've posted the sketch first- see, I'm half asleep!! So here is Jammybella for my take on Sketch Saturday's sketch (see below!) I thought she'd make a good "get well soon" card. I've coloured her with watercolour pencils and double mounted on some gorgeous papers (one has been Nestied). All the papers are from my newish Making Memories Kate set. The sentiment is from Elzybells and I've been playing with my new Martha Stewart punch! Hope you like her!

Crafty stash used: Jammybella (Stamping Bella); Sentiment (Elzybells; Watercolour pencils; Paper (Making Memories); Nesties; Eyelets (Poppicrafts);Punch (Martha Stewart)
Doh! And here is the sketch Jammybella is based on! (above!)

And here are some more simple cards I made for the Marie Curie Cancer Campaign. Sorry about the quality of the photos. This first one is Forever Friends image coloured with watercolour pencils. The background paper is from DCWV Retro stack and the brown strip has been run through my Big Shot using Cuttlebug Spots and Dots embossing folder. Sentiment from Pink Petticoat cut out with tiny rectangle scalloped Nesties.

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Forever Friends); Watercolour pencils; Paper (DCWV); Assorted cardstock; Sentiment (Pink Petticoat); Nesties; Spot and Dots embossing folder (Cuttlebug)

Forever Friends stamp coloured with watercolour pencils and mounted on double Nestied ovals. Paper is from DCWV.

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Forever Friends); Watercolour pencils); Paper (DCWV); Assorted cardstock; Nesties; Flower (Ebay); Gems (free); Brad (Woodware)

Last post is, yes, you guessed it- Forever Friends! Again coloured with watercolour pencils and double mounted. Paper is from DCWV Christmas stack.

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Forever Friends); Watercolour pencils; Assorted cardstock; Paper (DCWV)

Go on, make a card today for the Marie Curie Campaign!

ps I've reached 50 followers so I'll be putting together some blog candy soon. Hope you'll stop by and spread the word! x

Colour Create and The Pink Elephant Challenges

Hello! My first post for the day is for 2 challenges- Colour Create and The Pink Elephant. Colour Create's Challenge is to use red, cream and chocolate. I love this colour combination though I've never used it before but will definately use it again now! The Pink Elephant's Challenge was to use circles and scallops.

So I've used my new stamps from Hero Arts alot here and am experimenting with a slightly new style. I wanted to try a style of using more stamps for backgrounds and focal points plus wording rather than using image stamps as the focal point all the time. There are a few people who have inspired me like Sarita and Kath who really make their stamps work hard for them!!

So first to the sentiment, this is from Hero Arts and was stamped using brown ink and double mounted. The scalloped flower was stamped using the same ink and cut around. I then used my Nesties to cut a circle of Laura Ashley paper to layer over the top. I then stamped the script circle on red card with brown ink and cut out again. The little matching chipboard embellishment on the top is also Laura Ashley and finally I added a sheer ribbon. The background is stamped using a stamp from the clear Friendship set. Hope you like the new stylee!

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Hero Arts); Assorted cardstock; Nesties; Ribbons (Laura Ashley); Embellishment (Laura Ashley); Hot fix crystals (London Bead Co.)

Onto my second card. I couldn't really enter this into any challenges as I have a confession to make! This is the first card I made using my new stamps. As this is all quite a new style to me, I was seeking some inspiration so I went onto the Hero Arts website. And there was this card that I thought looked just stunning so I had to try out the design- so here it is! I have altered the colours and made a few adjustments (adding hearts) but mainly it is the same design. Hope you like!

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Hero Arts); Assorted cardstock; Paper (Doodlebug); Ribbon (Poppicrafts)

PS As I am nearly reaching 50 followers, I'll be offering some blog candy soon so watch this space!!

Penny Black Saturday Challenge, Elzybells Showcase and more crafty stash!

Hi everyone. I hope you're all enjoying the Bank Holiday weekend. I'm sorry I've not been visiting your blogs so much in the last couple of weeks, I've been really busy but I hope to catch up with all your lovely creations this week. I've been very naughty and have been ordering more crafty stash to cheer myself up- check it out below!

Anyway, here's onto today's first post. I've entered the Penny Black Saturday Challenge- the theme this week is to have 3 shapes on your card (not including the card and backing paper). I really enjoyed this challenge- can you spot my 3 shapes?! I coloured the image using watercolour pencils and added Stickle highlights to the roses. I then cut out using Nesties. The papers are all by Basic Grey (I love this pad!) The 2 stamped hearts are from my new crafty stash and are by Hero Arts, as is the sentiment. The bronze coloured tag is made using my tag maker and I added Prima flowers with hotfix crystals.

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Penny Black, Hero Arts); Watercolour pencils; Stickles; Papers (Basic Grey); Nesties; Tag (Making Memories); Flowers (Ebay); Hot fix crystals (London Bead Co.)

My second card I'm delighted to say is being featured on Elizabeth's Elzybells Sunday Showcase! I made this card cos I've been itching to use these stamps from Elzybells. I bought the set because one of my closest friends is moving to New Zealand later in the year for an unknown amount of time. I knew this set would be perfect as I'm going to miss her loads and loads. Anyway, I couldn't wait til later in the year to use them so I made a card now! Isn't she cute?!

The image stamp and words are by Elzybells coloured in with copics and cut out and layered with different Nestied circles. All the paper is by Making Memories. I totally love this paper set too! The layout is one I got from my card sketch book I got for Christmas.

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Elzybells); Copics; Nesties; Paper (Making Memories); Ribbon (Poppicrafts)

So here's my new crafty stash! Ooops, I really shouldn't be buying all this stuff! It's all from The Glitter Pot (by post this time- they're SO quick!) I got this absolutely gorgeous new paper pad from Basic Grey called Marrakesh- the colours and designs are so beautiful!), 2 woodbacked stamps and 2 clear stamp sets from Hero Arts and a couple of little inkpads. Watch out for these stamps over the next few weeks as I'm hoping to experiment with another new style!

My last post is the quickest card I've ever made. I wanted a romance card for my card stock and remembered I had this embellishment I'd pulled off a card we'd been given. Lo and behold, with some matching polka dot paper and some hot fix crystals and we have a card done in about 3 minutes flat!

Crafty stash used: Paper (Doodlebug); Embellishment (recycled); Hot fix crystals (London Bead Co)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed what you saw!! x