Con-GRAD-ulations

Here is a card I made for a friends son who has just graduated and is now a doctor - the third generation doctor in the same family - well done Cameron!

This card was made to my husband's specifications, he found the image then left the rest up to me.  The image was then printed multiple times and the various collars and tie layered up to add dimension.  the stethoscope was then given the glossy accents treatment and a real button added.  The rest of the card is plain so as not to distract from the image.

Challenges;
Crafting For All Seasons - One for the boys
Hobbycutz - Male
Joanna Sheen - Male
Pan Pastels - Male
Brown Sugar - Graduation - He graduated in MBChB
Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Thanks Ann

This is one of the thank-you cards I made for one of Colin's teachers, who has helped and encouraged him over the last two years.  Fingers crossed, with her help he get's the grades he needs.

My card uses a Bugaboo image called, AKV Schoolboy available here.

Paper is Lilybee Design - Memorandum, perfect for the text-book look!

Challenges;
Stella Says Sketch No 138 - Hopefully I'm close enough - not quite 3 dots and sentiment as on sketch!
Charisma Cards - Use A digi

Stitching

Over a year ago, Craig bought me 3 boxes full of second-hand crafty goodies.  I'm still using new stamps from it & this one is one I can't believe I didn't use before now!

I've never heard of Art-Kure, but boy do they make lovely stamps! This one is called Bearded Iris, and I just love the image.  I think I delayed using it, as I knew it would be a tricky one to colour, but with my Promarkers & Flexmarkers at hand I think I did the image justice.

So this old stamp was used for the current challenge over at An Oldie But A Goodie.  Set by Helen, as

Stitching 

Please also use an item older than 6 months on your card and state what it is.

This is something I don't often do on cards, as the sewing machine spends most of its life in the bottom of the wardrobe boxed away and is a job to get out, but when it does make a rare appearance I have to admit, stitching does look rather nice!

So my card is a real special this time, made early for my Mum's birthday at the end of Aug.  Hope she likes it and that she's been good and stayed off my blog for a bit and doesn't glimpse it before then.

The prize this time around is the chance to  join our DT for a 3 month slot.!

Challenges;
I Love Promarkers - All stitched up
The Paper Shelter - Flower - both on image &  die cut
Crafting When We Can - Mad About Markers - Promarkers
Stamping Sensations - Summer Blooms
A Gem Of A Challenge - Emboss It
Allsorts - In The Garden
Charisma Cards - Tons of Layers

Now check out the rest of the DT makes as we haven't all gone for cards this time!

Finally I just want to say how sad I am that Laurie has left our DT - your cards are brilliant and your contributions to the team will be greatly missed, Jx

The Lawn Ranger

I can't believe it's been over a week since I posted a card on here - think that must be the longest break I've had since my blog started!  Card production was down so much I didn't even have challenges to check over the weekend to see if any of my cards got a mention.

The break was down to the good weather, gardening and the boys being around.

The last couple of days have been cooler again and all bedding plants are now in so I thought I'd make a card tonight for a treat.

I do so love Art Impression stamps at the moment - I bought a few a while back and this is the first one I have to show.  He's called The Lawn Ranger and is just perfect for my neighbour - who drives a sit on mower, once even into his lake! Oopsie - he said the bank gave way!

The card is a simple design, text computer generated then the grass made using my Die-namics die - with a bit cut off where the mower has been.  Finally I popped a couple of brads onto the wheels to be the axils and that's about it.

Challenges;
Art Impressions - Use brads/eyelets
Allsorts - In the garden
Cards For Men - Boys will be boys - why use a push more when you can drive a machine!
Papertake - Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp - Male card

Happy Father's Day

This is the only Teddy Bo image I have, but after seeing the lovely cards which Laurie makes with them, I thought I'd dig this fella out again and have a play.

Papers are from my LOTV Nitwits pad, colouring by Promarker and the scarf paper pieced.

Challenges;
Papertake - Sketch
Cards For Men - Dad
Jx

Chillaxing!

Well come tonight there will be plenty of that! Alan finished his last exam yesterday, and Colin today, so yipee, the exams are over with at last, now we can enjoy Summer - hopefully with the sun and chillax!

First however I must tell you about the current challenge over at Moving Along With The Times, set again by   Hazel and this time it's a super little sketch - I do so like sketches to follow!

So here it is... simples!

So for my card, I used one of the new LOTV images, some LOTV Nitwits paper and kraft.  The card is then finished with Die-namics grass, buttons & a ribbon.  And here it is;

Challenges;
Cupcake Crafts - Boys
Kaboodle Doodles - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Happy Birthday
Here Come The Boys - Buttons
Passion For Promarkers - Add Ribbon, Lace or twine - I chose ribbon
Paper Pretties - Embossing
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Finally, a little bit of MAWTT news to share with you all... the challenge is going to take a well earned Summer Season break, so this will be the last challenge for a bit.  We plan to re-launch 3rd October so will see you all back in the Autumn, Jx

Tie A Ribbon

Not round the Old Oak Tree this time though!

Couldn't resist that one! And I also couldn't resist joining a new design team...

I'm a Diva now too!

Yup folks, I'm thrilled to announce I'm now a paid up member of the Divas By Design DT and just couldn't wait to join in on the fun over there!

This week, the challenge is set as

Tie A Ribbon

And the fabulous sponsor is, 2 Cute Ink,

and boy are their stamps cute! I love my cat's as you know, & they have a super range of kitty images.  So I chose to work with Cupcake Kitty available here

Papers this time are again LOTV Nitwits and colouring by Promarker.

A simple little card to begin with, as I find my way as a Diva - prepare for more flamboyant cards as my time with them increases!!!

Challenges;
Sketch n Stash 114 - Their sketch + new LOTV paper & a new image.  Old kraft & ribbon.
Card Crafters Circle - Food

31st May
Today I noticed I'd won at Card Crafters Circle with their food inspired challenge. The prize being a digi bundle from Melonheadz.

Wedding Day

This week, my boys are finishing off their exams, Alan finishes first on Wed night, then Colin on Thurs, so after a really busy spell at their books, it will be great to spend a bit more time with them.

Can't wait till the weekend, and neither can they!

Today however sees another challenge at An Oldie but A Goodie, chosen by Francesca.

Weddings

For this challenge, the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop are sponsoring us and are offering our lucky winner this lovely embellishment set,

Remember when entering our challenge to use something older than 6 months and to tell us what it is.

In my case, everything bar the die cut hearts is over 6 months old.  The papers are Wild Rose Studio, Wedding Bells,  the stamp by Sugar Nellie and the ribbon & pearls bits & bobs I had.

Challenges;
Sugar Bowl - Anything goes with Sugar Nellie
Crafty Catz - A fancy fold or two - Easel card
Lady Anne's Challenge - Easel Card
Stamp With Fun - Wedding
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me - Lots of Layers

Please also have a lookie at the rest of the DT's great cards on the main blog.

Peek-a-Boo

Think I might as well apologise now - heading into a LOTV phase!  Been saying it for a while now, but what with the LOTV candy from Debs followed by a LOTV prize win, I seriously have loads of their stamps I've never used!  Not all are the new release, but they are new to me and I intend to use them for a bit!

Today's card uses the fab Peek-a-boo image available here.  It's been given a little Promarker colour using the warm grey set, then the card was completed with Basic Grey paper & kraft.  Again it's papers from that Little Black Dress pad that are finding their way onto male cards!

Challenges;
Basic Grey - Inspired by a song - Your My Best Friend, Queen
Lili's Fairies - Spots & Stripes
Sketch Saturday - Sketch 259
LOTV - Boy oh boy
Southern Girls - Going Spotty/Dotty
Jx

CaS - Stamping on Designer Paper

I do love CaS cards and one of my favourite CaS challenges at the moment is CASual Friday.  This week their challenge was to stamp on designer paper. so I whipped out an old MME sheet and this is what I made.

The stamps used are from a Hero Arts clear set bought a few years ago.  The card is finished with a doodle border.

Challenges;
CASual Friday - Stamp on design paper
Sweet Stampin - Oodles of Doodles Jx

26th May
Yipee! My card was in the spotlight over at Sweet Stampin and won me a £10 voucher over at Crafter's Companion.