Twine Time

Morning all, Diva time again, and although this card isn't very Divaish, I am quite pleased with it & I think the dangly football is kinda cute!

So, first things first, the challenge this week at Diva's by Design is

Twine

And the fabulous sponsor back with us this time is my all time favourite Bugaboo, who are offering our lucky winner 7 free digi's of their choice.

For my card, I chose the digi Bugaboo Brat Sports - Soccer Boy available here.

It's a simple card, no inner diva appearing this week, but it's for a boy so he wouldn't want flowers & fuss. Instead he has a 3d arm and a football you can ping! I think this would appeal to a boy more.

Challenges;
Crafting Musketeer's - Challenge 4 - Sketch
Heck of A Challenge - Summer holidays
Drunken Stampers - Twine
One Stop Crafts - Add stripes
Artistic Inspirations - CAS
Make My Monday - Childs Play
Crafty Sentiments - Colourful
Creative Craft Challenges - Not a square

So that's my take, now over to you, but first, I highly recommend you visit the main DT page as you won't be disappointed by what you see.

Have a good week you lot, Jx

We Three Geese

Morning all! How is everyone today?  Our house is a bit subdued - the school holidays are over and Colin is heading back for his final year!

Can't believe it really, his school days coming to an end and a new chapter in all our lives.

But before I get too deep and thoughtful I have a new card to share with you for the new challenge over at an Oldie But A Goodie.

The theme this time is

Embossing

(Remember also to use something older that 6 months on your project and to tell us what it is)

And here is my card;

The sponsor today is Rick St Dennis, and he has very kindly agreed to give the winner some lovely digi images of their choice.

He also very generously let us DT ladies pick an image of choice, & I'm very pleased with my selection of "We Three Geese", available here.

Don't those geese have the funniest of faces? I loved them as soon as I saw them!

Anyway, my card uses Crafters companion papers pearls and a ribbon - the papers are my oldie and the colouring is done by Promarker.

Challenges;

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch 219

ABC Christmas - P for polka dots, pearls, present, pale blue and Promarkers
Card Crafter's Circle - Winged things
Delicious Doodles - Christmas in August
Christmas at Sweet Stampin - Winter Animals
The Hobby House - Christmas
Come & Get It - Things with wings
Paper Playtime - Use Pearls
Cutie Pies - Anything Goes
C is for Challenge - Animals - Geese
Crafty Boots - Christmas in August
The Crazy Challenge - Animals

That's my take on the new challenge, now over to you.  If you need more inspiration, hop back to the main blog to check out the rest of the DT cards.  Finally a warm welcome to our new DT members, Sarah, Anne-Marie & Kelly.  I know I said this 2 weeks ago, but I didn't realise they weren't being officially announced till today!

Back into the garden for me today - the annual hedge trim begins - can hardly wait! Jx

22nd Aug
Great news, my geese came Top 3 in SSW, and won at ABC Christmas, thanks you guy.  I now have a lovely LOTV voucher to spend., Jx

25th Aug

This card is certainly ticking the boxes - just won at Come And Get It too! Thanks ladies and thanks Jodie for the super Bugaboo prize.

Birthday Granda

Quick post today as I'm hoping to get outside to wash the car & cut the grass.

This was for a neighbour, it uses a Bugaboo image and LOTV papers.

Challenges;
Here Come The Boys - Square - square card & square tartan papers
Sketch n Stash - Sketch 119 - Old image, but first time used!

Beach Bum Mum!

Sometimes it's just nice to make a card, not for an order or for a DT, but just because you like an image and want to!

After taking much crafty time off this summer, I wanted to make this card just for fun, the image is from Meljens Designs and is available here.

Papers are craft companion and the shells mostly off the local beach, although there is one fancy one which must have been bought.

Challenges;
Meljen's Designs - Shades of Blue, Down by the sea
A Creative Romance - Beach Babes
Digi Haven - Life's a Beach
Crafts Too Challenge - Fun in The Sun - you can't beat a day at the beach in my book!
Just Inspirational Challenge - Beach Picture below

Digi Makeover Challenge - Summer theme
Without Words - Seaside
Papertake - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion - Sea Theme
Jx

21st Aug
Just Inspirational challenge picked me as their winner and my prize...more Bugaboo images! Brilliant, Jx

7th Sept
Top 3 at Without Words - Seaside

Diva's Play Bingo

Morning everyone and welcome to a new challenge over at Diva's by Design.  This time we're playing bingo, so select a line from the grid below & off you go!

Sponsoring us this time is the fabulous Delicious Doodles, a company new to me, and surprisingly right on my doorstep as the owner, Teri stays in Elgin, less than an hour's drive from my home!

The image I chose for my card is a local scene - I recognised the viaduct at Cullen as soon as I saw it, so thought it was the perfect one for me!  It's called Harbour Scene and is available here.

The image has been slightly shaded with Promarkers before use and my edges have been distressed & inked.  One of the panels has been embossed with little boats, but I think you may just have to take my word for that as it's not that clear from my pic!

Finally the card is finished off with a ribbon and gems to complete the first column of the bingo grid.

Below is a real life photo of the above scene.  I didn't quite get the angle right, but you can see it's the same location - just I wasn't on the right spot on the harbour wall! Oh yeah, and the tide was out on my visit.

Challenges;
613 Avenve Create - Anything Goes
That Craft Place - Monochrome
The Ribbon Girls - Birthday Card
The Squirrel & the Fox - Nautical/Sea Life
Sweet Stampin - By The Seaside
Craft Your Passion - Sea Theme

For more inspiration hop back to the main Diva's blog to see the lovely creations by the rest of the teamies. Have a great week, Jx

11th Aug 13
So pleased to see my card in the spotlight over at Sweet Stampin this morning - thank you ladies, it is an honour.

Boy/Male

Where has this year gone?  I can't believe we are now in August and it's SQA results day!  Today's the day Colin finds out how well he did in this years exams.  I know he tried his best, so that's all you can ask, so this card is for him, to say well done.  He's now heading in to his last year of school, then who knows what...time will tell.

This card is for the current challenge over at an Oldie But A Goodie, which begins today where the theme is

Boy/Male

(Please also use an item older than 6 months on your card & tell us what it is)

And the sponsor this time is Robyn's Fetish who are offering our lucky winner 5 free digi images.

My card uses a lovely stamp by From The Heart, which is available here.

The ribbons are my oldie - bought in Germany last summer and the image is coloured by Promarker and set on kraft.  Papers by MME  - Everyday Flair.

Challenges;
Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch 217

Delightful Inspiration - August Image Challenge
2 Creative Chicks - Anything Goes for kids
Card Crafters Circle - Dotty for Spots
Southern Girls - Animal Antics

For more inspiration head back to the main OBAG blog , and finally, I'd like to wish a warm welcome to Sarah, Kelly & Anne Marie, our new DT members.

PS Colin got an email at 2.30 this morning then the envelope through the door at breakfast - he passed all his highers, so pleased for him, Jx

With Sympathy

Never anyone's favourite card type to make, but sadly they are needed from time to time.

My CAS card is made with another of those hand-made button/twine flowers that I so love.

Hope you are all enjoying your Sunday.  A quiet day here as it is pouring with rain and the boys are both working.

Challenges;
My Time To Craft - Sympathy
Aud Sentiment - Sympathy
Glitter n Sparkle - CAS
Charisma Cards - Make Your Own Embellishments - My flower
Papertake - Die-ing for a punch - My leaves are cut by a die
Crafting When We Can - Floral

Croatia 2013

Another year & another holiday ticked off.  Croatia was our destination this year and a fantastic resort run by Radisson Blu. The apartment we stayed in was beautiful, 2 en-suite bedrooms and an open plan kitchen /lounge.

Breakfast was served daily in the outside dining area for guests, then there were a variety of eateries to pick from at night.  At lunch we tended to snack on items from the grocery store on site.

Overall the temperature was hot - high 20's- low 30's daily - too hot to do anything major, so we chose to relax by the pool, read, and swim.  We also used the leisure club for table tennis and Alan went to the gym daily.

One day we did bus into Dubrovnik, to visit the old town.  It was incredibly picturesque, but I have to say, we found the heat too much and didn't explore to any great extent - instead we headed back to the resort & the cool waters there.

The View From Outside the Apartment.

 Swimming in the sea - off rocks.

A meal out.

Colin being ...Colin!

Where ever we go, we always find TT!

A Sunset To Close

All in all, it was a lovely holiday and I would certainly recommend it to anyone who likes it hot.  The sea swimming was brilliant & it was nice to spend family time away from computers and phones (briefly boys!)  For me however, much as I enjoyed it, the best bit was coming home to a cool grey day in Aberdeen! There's no pleasing some folk!!! What am I like?

And that's it for my take on Croatia.  Finally, a big thank you to everyone who continued to visit my blog and leave comments while we were away.  As always, your comments were appreciated, & I hope to get round all your blogs before the weekend's through. Jx

Anything Goes

Quick post as we are still away.

Back to DT work and today sees a new challenge over at Diva's By Design.

Today we have an

Anything Goes Challenge

So I think we could have a few entries here!  The sponsor this time around is the fabulous Dilly Beans who are offering the winner the prize indicated on the Diva's blog.   Us DT girlies were also lucky enough to get some images to play with - thanks for these as they are lovely images to colour.

I chose Anna Framed available here.

Hopefully you'll be able to join us on this challenge & for more inspiration please head back to the Diva's blog.

Challenges;
Crafty Cardmakers - Birthdays
That Craft Place - It's A Girl Thing
LCI - Birthdays

Bugaboo Christmas In July - Day 7

So today is the last day of the Bugaboo Christmas in July event.  As I'm away, this is my last scheduled post and I managed to use the Friday Freebie - available on the Bugaboo site as Tammy was kind enough to send me the file ahead of the challenge when I explained my absence - thanks Tammy.

So today the challenge was to follow the 4 step recipe, using a bow, layers, glitter and cream, all of which are evident below!

Challenges;
Bugaboo Christmas in July Day 7 - Follow the recipe
Fab & Funky - Christmas in July
Allsorts - Fun or Feathers - Bear fur!
Card Mania - Pearls or Gems
Cutie Pie Challenge - Cute & Cuddly

So that's it from me today from sunny Croatia.  Before I go, I'd just like to thank the Bugaboo team for putting together an amazing week of challenges.  Having been on the DT the last time they ran a week long event, I know how much work goes into it and what a huge star Tammy is for co-ordinating it all.  Well done the Bugaboo DT, you have done an amazing job again,

Also, for any of you thinking of Christmas cards & selecting images, have you considered shopping at Bugaboo?  Throughout July, all Christmas stamps are half price so why not begin early and take advantage of this great bargain, Jx

Bugaboo Christmas in July - Day 6

A change from a card today - it's a tag! I was going to make a gift tag as Bugaboo have some great circular stamps, perfect for the job but at the last minute I decided to go for a bottle tag instead as they are so handy.  Who needs to wrap awkward shaped bottles when you have a supply of these to pop on the neck of bottles?

So, a very simple design, a strip of card - scored on the 3 & 6 lines and a circle cut out using a Spellbinder die.  The neck hole was then finished off with a scalloped ring also cut using dies.  The front of the tag decorated with this Bugaboo Snowman Broom, and the back left blank for a personalised message.

Challenges;

Bugaboo Christmas in July - Day 6 - Tag, you're it!
Stamp & Create - Christmas in July
Creative Stamp Friends - Tag
Paperplaytime - Tags

Bugaboo Christmas in July - Day 5

How's everyone today?  Well I hope & still enjoying the sun.  Today is my jetting off day as we head to Croatia with the boys for our summer holiday.  As this post goes live I think I'll be flying high - but hopefully not as high as the reindeer below!

Before I go on, this is the intended format of my card  - let me explain!

The challenge today at Bugaboo is make a funny card, so in keeping with the Blitzen theme and the "Spirit of Christmas!" I thought the upside down papers would be the perfect match!  My image, Christmas Blitzen is available here.

A simple card, full of the "Spirit" of Christmas, he he!

Challenges;
Bugaboo Christmas In July Day 5 - Funny Card
Here Come The Boys - Anything Goes
ABC Christmas Challenge - N -No embellishments

Bugaboo Christmas In July - Day 4

Missing mojo?  Shortage of Christmas cards??

READ ON...

Why not kill two birds with one stone, (what a horrid expression!) and join in the Bugaboo fun with their Christmas in July - Week long event.

7 Days, 7 cards - you up for it?

Today's challenge is to work from a bingo grid whilst making your card.  In my case I went for the option of using a ribbon, a Bugaboo image & a sentiment, and here's my card;

And the best bit about this for me is that these are all scheduled posts!  I did all the hard work last week and Mr Blogger is taking over running the show!

My image choice today is Winter Bird - Friends available here.

Challenges;
Bugaboo Christmas in July - Day 4 - Bingo
Sketch n Stash - July sketch No 13, (this is a new image for me and old papers from last year.)
Addicted To Stamps - Lots of Layers
Paper Players - Christmas in July
Merry Monday - Anything Goes Christmas

As for my holiday destination - tonight we drive to Edinburgh - fly out tomorrow... to?

Bugaboo Christmas in July - Day 3

So, Day 3 of the Christmas in July Challenge over at Bugaboo - any of you keeping up & joining in?  This is my 3rd time I've done their week long challenges & I have to admit I find them loads of fun and enjoy the challenge of a card a day for a week - even though these were made on a different week!

I have a good reason though for jumping the gun and that's cause we are all on holiday now...to...
on second thoughts, I'll tell you tomorrow!

Back to today's challenge which was Chocolate cream and raspberry - a brilliant combination for a Christmas card not to mention a rather scrummy desert suggestion!

So, here's my card;

This Bugaboo Reindeer is called Rudolph - Ornament String and is available here.  Papers are the lovely St Nick by Fancy Pants and the baubles & nose have been given a blob of glossy accents to make them more prominent.

Challenges;
Bugaboo Christmas in July - Day 3, Chocolate cream & raspberry.
A Gem of A Challenge - Spots/Stripes
My Craft Spot - Christmas in July

Bugaboo Christmas In July - Day 2

Today's Christmas in July challenge with Bugaboo stamps is to use the sketch provided for your project.  Now, as is often the case with me and bold coloured Bugaboo images, I tried a variety of papers on my card, and in the end thought the best look was to go with white - in this case embossed.  So here is my card,

The image is available here, JJ Christmas Cheer - Me Naughty

Challenges;
Bugaboo Christmas in July - Day 2 - Sketch challenge
Simply Create Too - Christmas in July
Crafting When We Can - Christmas in July
Charisma Cardz Challenges - No design papers
Holly Jolly Christmas - Tic-Tac-Toe - Embossing, Ribbon & Die-cuts
Christmas Card Challenges - CCC33 - Embossing

Bugaboo Christmas In July - Day 1

How are your Christmas cards getting along this year? My supplies are shocking and it is for that reason I'm using the Bugaboo Christmas in July week long event to kick start 2013 production.

The last 3 years, I have made Christmas cards throughout the year, but by this New Year I felt I needed a break and would be fresher for my Christmas projects if I left them till later in the year, so this is it, the start of Christmas 2013 with the help of Bugaboo.

The challenge today was to take inspiration from a sunbathing Santa picture.  I went along with Santa & used an AKV Santa - Snow image I won last year in the Christmas in July event by completing the blog hop.

So, my card is actually a gift wallet - a simple design, but I have to say a very popular one and one that sells very well at craft fairs when people want to gift money or gift cards.

Challenges;
Bugaboo Christmas in July - Day 1 - Inspiration from Santa picture.
CAS on Sunday - Christmas in July
Crafty Sentiments - Christmas in July
Christmas Cards All Year Round - All about Santa

Simply Charming

I can't seem to get my timings right at the moment with all my DT cards - I either make them way in advance or it's a rush to get them finished! No rush job however this week for Diva's as we switch back to Team B and a new challenge of

Charming

This week we are sponsored by the fabulous Stamp & Create.  To find out the prize on offer, hop back to the Diva's By Design page.

For my card, I went with a gorgeous Hannah Lynn image from Crafts and Me.  I really am trying to work on my inner diva here and have tried to banish plain Jane in favour of a more decorated card.  So not only do you have lots of layers and a flower, you also have a charm, twine and die-cuts!  Papers are by MME, my favourite Paris & Co pad. And, I even managed to paper piece her clothes!

So that's my take on this Charming challenge.  For more inspiration, head over to the main Diva's By Design page where you can feast your eyes on some gorgeous cards, then hopefully join us in this challenge.

Challenges;
One Crazy Stamper - Kraft
Allsorts - Favourite things - Hannah Lynn Stamps, MME paper and paper piecing
Di's Digi Challenge - Paper Piecing - her outfit
A Gem Of A Challenge - Lots of Layers
Papertake - Old, New Borrowed & blue - Well I got 2! Old papers and a new stamp for me.  The blue could even be the bird... and the borrowed, my time as I really should be holiday packing not card making!!!
Crafting For All Seasons - Bingo - Digi, Flower & pearls

Heather's Leaving

One of my husband's work colleagues is leaving this month and so my husband asked for a card, last minute, as they do!  Anyway, thank goodness for pre-coloured images and sketch challenges - makes it as easy as 1-2-3!

So here's my card, using a Paper Shelter image and Craft Creations papers, quite pleased with it actually!

Challenges;

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch 213

In The Garden

Hi there everyone, Summer holidays in full swing in Scotland, the sun is in the sky and most days I'm in the garden.  That's why I chose

In The Garden 

as the current theme for the Oldie But Goodie Challenge.

(Remember when entering to follow the theme and to use something older than 6 months on your project and  tell us what it is.)

Sponsoring us on this challenge is the super Ivanovachest, where the lovely Natali is offering our luck winner
the prize shown on the main blog.

For my card, I used a lovely new image by Digi Stamp Boutique, available here.  It's coloured with Promarkers, & the carrot border was made using a DSB image which Colin resized and flipped for me (- he's  a good lad!)  So, my oldies - struggling a bit here as my card is pretty CAS, but I'll go with the orange card & glossy accents, both much older than a year.

So, that's what I did - check out the rest of the DT works here then I'd love it if you joined in with this challenge over at an Oldie But A Goodie.

Challenges;
Digi Stamp Boutique - Use a DSB image
Digi Sketch Challenge - Summertime
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew - The great outdoors
Shopping Our Stash - Summer theme

10th Aug

Was delighted to see my card won the July DSB challenge and I was to get a super prize of £15 to spend in store - thank you so much Sally Ann, Jx