Male/Father's Day

Today I am delighted to announce that I am Guest Designer for Oh La La Creations for the month of June and that today see's the start of a new challenge.  (Thank you so much Anne for asking me onto the team, I'm loving working with your files.)

The theme is

Male/Father's Day

So I think we'll see loads of entries this time around.

For my card, I used files from two different CD collections by OLL.

My first card is made from items off the Boys To Men CD - available here.  The sentiment was computer generated and a few extra die cuts were added.  The image is a gorgeous harbour scene which I love.  The layers on this one were diamond cut and stuck together with tape.  Papers were also from the CD.

Next I worked with the Shaun Jenkins Collection - Garden Shelf and a lovely bright bird box image.  Again decoupaged but this time in rectangles and set up on foam pads.

I made both cards just to play around with the decoupage technique then didn't know which one to use, so I've included both!

Now if like me, you've never crafted from a CD before please give it a try.  Before I started on my cards, I asked around and googled things, and if you're interested, see the post below for tips on working from a CD.

Finally for anyone interested, the super new OLL "Say It With Words" CD launches today on Create & Craft at 3pm.  Think I'll be watching that one and perhaps some of you may wish to tune in too? Jx

Challenges;
Sentimental Sunday - 210 - Anything Goes & Include a sentiment
That Crafty Place - Men
Crafty Bugs - Something for the boys
Crafting at The Weekend - Anything Goes
Digi Galore - Nautical or Blue - first card, harbour/nautical, Second Blue.
City Crafters Challenge - Nautical - Harbour Scene
Creative Card Crew - Nautical - Harbour
Papertake - Anything Goes
Hobby Cutz - 51 - Fathers Day/Masculine

Decoupage Tips

Now I am by no means an expert on working from a CD or doing decoupage, so before making my GD card for Ooh La La, I asked around a bit and looked things up.

Here are just a few of the things I found useful;

When printing images from a CD don't use too thick or absorbant a card to make cutting out easier and to save on ink.

Once your images are printed, cut then out with big scissors trying to cut whole sides in one cut (- you get a straighter edge when not doing lots of  little clips.)

When cutting out layers make sure non of the white surrounding card is visible on the cut image as it spoils the end image on the card.

Layers can be stuck together with a silicone glue or pads. I used Docrafts Stick- It glue and 1mm foam pads
- if you use deeper pads your card ends up very fat - I learned that!

Finally, you don't have to use all the layers printed if you don't want - again cards can end up too fat or too busy!

That's all I can think of  for now, but feel free to add more tips as comments and I'll add them to my post.

Jx

Oh Crap!

Who would have thought there was a poo image out there that we could buy to stick on a card...and who would have thought somebody would actually go and use it!

Well that somebody was me and the image a Bugaboo available here - with a variety of sentiments although I made up my own.

I won't go into details about the reasons behind this card, but I will say it was very well recieved and put a smile on the recipients face!

Papers are LOTV, colouring by Promarker and the bug wings given a blob of glossy accents.

Challenges;
Catch The Bug - June Anything Goes

Pearls in My Hair

Sorry I never got back to the previous post, just never got time on Tues! My Dad underwent an op on Tuesday and got home early evening in a considerable amount of pain.  Glad to report now that after a few nights sleep he is doing really well and is much more comfortable.  Now all we need do is keep him out of the garden for the next two weeks! (He's not one to be an invalid for long!)

Back to my card now and it's another Day for Daisies image that Colin gave me for Christmas.  Again everyone else seemed to use it over a year ago, but that's me just getting round to it now!

She's called Pearls in my Hair - Available here.  Colouring is by Promarker & I added liquid pearls to her hair - as instructed in said title! Papers are the lovely Bo Bunny - Pincushion Collection and the sentiment LOTV.

Challenges;
I Love Promarkers - Use a Digi - ADFD
As You Like It - Favourite Embossing technique - Why? Tried both powders and folders but have to say folders are my preferred option as there are just so many great folders around whice create such super backgrounds and strips.
ADFD - Kraft - 2nd entry - please say if this isn't allowed?
Sketch Saturday - Blast from the past - SS -228

I'm quite bad for doing this!
Once I see my card on the computer screen once I've photographed it I want to make changes! Above I thought the embossed border was just a bit broad and needed to be broken up.  Couldn't cut it to make it thinner.  Couldn't add ribbon as it was all stuck down - so went with buttons!

Pretty Purple

Sorry this is the quickest post ever - will add more later but must dash as I'm taking my Dad to hospital today!

Challenges;
SSW2 - loved it - 192

ADFD - Kraft
Jo's Scrap Shack - Happy Birthday

What Was Your Holiday Job?

So, today Colin starts his new holiday job...which is in an Ice-Cream Factory - how good is that!  Yup, for the whole of the summer, Colin will be working at Mackie's Ice-Cream plant in Rothienorman, doing...I'm not quite sure what, but I'm sure over the coming weeks I'll be able to tell you more.

So with his new job in mind, I thought an ice-cream themed card would be appropriate and luckily enough I have the PB stamp Hedgy Flavour and MME papers with cones, perfect for the occasion!

I then got to thinking, what did everyone else do for holiday jobs, anything exciting?  Mine was pretty good too, I worked as a beach lifeguard for several summers, but before you think Baywatch, just remember I live in the North East of Scotland and the North Sea is a tad colder than the Pacific Ocean!  Anyway I'd love to hear what you all did so please let me know.

Challenges;
Papertake - Sketch
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Glitter n Sparkle - Cute
Chocolate Coffee & Cards - Embossing
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
Creative Knockouts - Summer's coming

Training Update
Feeling heaps better again now so training has resumed, still rubbish at running though so it will be intensive training from now on - the race is in 3 weeks, YIKES! Jx

The Coppice

Today, for the very first time, I used ink dusters.  Lisa who I used to be on a DT with used to use them loads and I was always so impressed with what she did - so I got some...and they've sat on my desk for over a year!

So nothing complicated about this card, but I like CAS so it suits me!  An image, a dusting of colour & a sentiment, end of!

Sorry that it hasn't photographed too well, my white cards never do!

Challenges;
My Time To Craft - No design papers
Hobby Cutz - No Design papers
Fussy & Fancy - Outdoors

Wellington Bear

What a gorgeous day today is - Merlot Mogs woke me just after 6am, and I got up to brilliant sunshine, hope it lasts the day and I get out in the garden t tidy up.

So, what does one do at 6am when the rest of the house is sleeping - including said cat that just woke you? Make a card obviously, so that's what I did!

It's been ages since I did any decoupage, so I gave that a try again when I uncovered old Docrafts Wellington Bear sheets.

Papers are also by Docrafts. The punched border is by Martha Stewart and the card finished with candi and a die cut bow.

Challenges;

Ooh La La - Bears

Sketch Saturday - Sketch 311

Craftitude - Pop it Up - Add dimension

Delightful Challenges - It's a guy thing

The Paper Shelter - Manly

No Images

So, Colin has finished his exams, leavers form not signed yet but he's now taken up residence in my car- driving test soon so he's getting as much practice in as he can before the actual test.  Before I head out on yet another lesson with him I want to tell you about today's challenge...

Today it's the turn of Carole to pick our theme at Moving Along With The Times and she has gone with;

No Image 
- Just a sentiment as the focal point.

Now I have a few sentiment stamps - quite a few digi ones, but in the end I went with this Penny Black rubber stamp.  It's a while since I've used it so I thought it deserved an airing!

Paper this time is Basic Grey - Little Black Dress, a lovely pad and despite the feminine name I think I've used it on more male cards than female!

So that's it for today folks, as always there are loads of super cards on the challenge blog so check them out and leave the rest of the DT some love and check back next week to hear what Colin has got planned for his super long Summer Holidays! Jx

Challenges;
Di's digi's - Make it Masculine
Suzy Bee's - One for the guys
Wags n Whiskers - One for the boys

Christmas Shopping

Evening everyone, just a quick post tonight as I want to upload this weeks Christmas card - hopefully that's me back on track again, well for a wee while at least!

Tonights card uses an old Tickled Pink image called Christmas Ivy - don't know if you can still get her cause I'm not sure Tickled Pink exist any more?

Anyway, this is her first use - had her a while, but I thought she was perfect for the Winter Wonderland Christmas shopping themed challenge.  Papers are LOTV and colouring by Promarker.

Challenges;
CCWS - So sorry to see this challenge go, I've loved it over the last few years.
Winter Wonderland - Christmas Shopping
Completely Christmas - Anything Goes
Christmas Stampin All Year Long - Anything Goes

It's Your Day

Hopefully today will be another sunny day, it was lovely yesterday in the end wasn't it?  It's been a case of out by day and craft by night in our house!

So today's card uses an older Penny Black stamp with a great cat and mouse image.  Clearly if it has a cat on it, it's a winner as far as I'm concerned.

Papers this time are MME - Be Amazed and the image is mounted on a piece of embossed Co-ordinations card stock. Finlly the goldfish bowl was given a coat of glossy accents and the card finished with twine and a little LOTV sentiment tag.

Challenges;
PBSC - Use your favourite stamp - well it's taken me almost the whole month to pick, but I'm happy with my choice!
Cutie Pies - Emboss & Cute
Crafty Catz - Emboss

Filigree

I can't quite believe it, after 13 years of schooling, Colin sits his final SQA exam today and that will then be him left school once his leavers form is signed.  So no more homework, no more school bus to catch, no more parents nights and no more letters home from school - the end of a chapter in all our lives.  But just wait till next week as that's when Colin's new adventure begins...

Back to today first and the latest challenge at An Oldie But a Goodie ...which is...

Filigree

(Remember also to use an item older than 6 months on your project and to tell us what it is)

One that kinda had me stumped till I thought of my little La-La Land corner filigree die! You can however use twirly papers/dies what ever really as long as we get the general idea!

My oldies this time are the ribbon and my gorgeous Hannah Lynn digi.The papers are new Bo Bunny Avenues Collection , the filigree die is by La La Land and my colouring as always by Promarker.

Challenges;
Allsorts - Happy Birthday
A Creative Romance - Girly cards
Craftitude - Anything goes & use a die - filigree corners
Cut it Up - Include a bike & a die cut - filigree corners
Graph It - Oranges & lemons - kinda more oranges, soz!
Sami Stamps - Anything goes
Stampin for the weekend - Girls
I Love Promarkers - Anything Goes

Fun In The Sun

Morning all, not that sunny here again today but at least the rain has stopped!  I'm heading off to work in a bit, but first a holiday card,

I love this Stamping Boutique image - perfect for putting you in the mood for holidays and hopefully sunshine. Talking of which, Colin goes on Summer holiday tomorrow - lucky dog!  Paper this time is Fundamentals, Forget me not Daisies.

Challenges;
Cupcake Inspirations - Colours
Jo's Scrap Shack - Life's A Beach
Crafters Cafe - Girly
Simon Says Stamp - Vacation/Travel

Top 3 @ Jo's Scrap Shack

Christmas Card No 18

Remember the enthusiasm I had for Christmas cards at the beginning of the year...one a week I said, hmm. When last did you see a Christmas card on here?  Well the calendar says it's Wk 21, hey and I'm on Wk 18 - not as bad as I thought then!

So here's todays offering

I followed the super simple sketch over at Christmas Challenges with Sketches, coloured with Promarkers and added card candi to the corners.

Challenges;
CCWS - Challenge 124
CHCE - Anything Goes
The Stamping Boutique - Use a doily

Purple Rain

Hasn't the weather turned cold...and wet ...and miserable?

It certainly has with us, so no outdoor projects will be undertaken today.  It's also an exam day for Colin again so I'm not wanting to be too noisy about the house...

So what does that leave me able to do?  Why make cards obviously!

So today's offering uses one of the gorgeous new Lili fairies - Fluttering, available here.  Just love these new releases, so had to use one on todays card.

I followed the SSW2 sketch, used Doodlebug papers, coloured by Promarker then finished the card with Pippa butterflies, glossy accents, ribbons and a sprinkle of Glamour dust.

Challenges;
PB@Allsorts - Anything Goes
Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
Ribbon Girls - Lilac & Purple (Daisy charm from my Ribbon Girl Prize)
Papertake - Oh so cute
I Love Promarkers - Anything Goes
Passion for Promarkers - Use Die Cuts - Pippa Butterfly
Allsorts - Purple Passion
Cutie Pies - Cute, bring on the bling - glamour dust, glossy accents & a charm
LOTV - Fairies
SSW2 - Super sketch

Finally, I'd just like to thank The Ribbon Girl for giving me a £10 prize in their yellow challenge a month or so back, below are my goodies I selected for my prize,

and with the LOTV voucher I got the sentiment tags I've been wanting for ages.

Thanks to both companies, Jx

Box Card

This must be a first - me doing the latest crafty trend item!  Normally these projects come and go and pass me by, but not this time!

Welcome everyone to the latest challenge over at Diva's by Design, which is

Anything Goes

and we are sponsored by Bunny Zoe Crafts this week so there is a fab prize up for grabs.

But first, back to my project - a box card made after my blogging friend Ann insisted I have a go as they were so easy! (It was the last bit that swayed it for me!)

And here is my little work of art!

So Ann, the instructions you sent me were perfect, the box was easy to put together and there were only 2 things I didn't like.

No 1 - I don't have stamps and dies that work together, so all my flowers were hand cut which took a while & worse than that, it meant the hoover had to come out as I made a mess with paper clippings!

No 2 - was fair delighted with my floral arrangement till I tried flattening it and puting it in an envelope... my creation is a bit wide so the secateurs will have to come out!

So for those of you who haven't yet had a go at one of these, I urge you to do so - here are Ann's basic instructions which are simple to follow,

Score an A4 card in landscape at 7, 14, 21 & 28 cm.
Turn to portrait and score at 7 & 15 cm.
Cut off at 15cm and use this bit to make 2 inside supports approx 2cm deep for inside the box.  These should be 7cm wide + a 1cm scored tab at either end so they can be glued in place.
Next, cut the 4 shorter scores (7cm) so the crease line to create the box flaps and glue together.

I know this sounds a bit complex, but honest it's not.  Once you start working with the card and visulise the finished product the folds and cuts make sense.

Challenges;
Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
Stampin With The Dragon - Flowers
A Little Bit Crafty - Flower Power
4 Krafty Girlz - Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz - May Flowers
Crafty Little Fairies - In the garden
Creative Knockouts - Lots of Layers
Top Tip Tuesday - Here comes Summer

Finally, I just want to thank my fellow Diva's for having me on the design team this last year.  I've loved working with you all and am sure our paths will cross in the future.

Training Update
Well folks, I hang my head in shame, the schedule has gone to pot, there has been no exercise for days as I have a horrid cold and cough.  I'm breathless just going about the house so to try and run would be pointless. Hopefully training will resume before the week is out!

Fit Friends???

Right, no card today, but a cyber challenge...you'll love this,

As you all know, I'm following the 6 week training program designed by Tesco in preparation for the Race for Life 5k run on the 22nd Jun in Aberdeen.

Marked down today it says I have to do a 21 minute session;

 2mins gentle jog + 1 min fast run ) Repeat 7 times = 21 mins

Ok so there's not much change in pace as far as I'm concerned - I'm just pleased to be running 21 mins without stopping!

Now here's where you lot come into it...

It says,

"Why not squeeze this into your lunch hour and get the girls in the office to join you?"

But I don't work in an office so girlies - who wants to take the challenge.  Be it walk or run, how about 21 mins of exercise this lunch time.

Leave me a comment if you manage to join me - I'd love it if you did?

If anyone does join me today I'll keep you posted of the next team challenge - and share some of the scheduled treats with you too.  I know we can all say we are too busy and find an excuse, but we also all know how good exercise is for both the mind and the body, so please look out those trainers and get moving. Jx

I Heard It On The Radio

The sun is out, the sky is blue and today I have a new challenge for you!

Yup it's back to team A at Moving Along with the Times, and our great boss has set the theme as...

I Heard It On The Radio

And by that she wants a card inspired by a catchy tune - so if you ain't singing said tune in your head as you make the card, you haven't nailed the theme!

Now I don't know how many songs I've thought of for this challenge, stamps I've picked then...changed my mind!  In the end, I went with my brand spanking new Stampendous stamp - bought from 123 Stitch.com.  Remember last week I said I needed more Art Impressions stamps, well this cling stamp followed them over too - must have got stuck on the back of the pack cause I can't remember ordering it !!!

So, back to the card;

Papers are Basic Grey, the paw print is actually from a Andrex puppy pack years ago and the colouring by Promarker.

And my song... What's New Pussy Cat by Tom Jones! - dedicated to Merlot, obviously!

Challenges;
Sketch n Stash 139 - Think I'll use this one again! New stamp & old papers.
Addicted to Stamps - Inspired by a song
Come & Get It - Birthday
Crafting At The Weekend - Anything Goes
Open Minded Challenges - Use Ribbon

As for training - so far so good.  Been out running twice this week, had a day of rest and today is just exercises.  In 6 weeks I'll be like a whippet out of it's trap!

Get Well Soon

I've needed a couple of get well cards this week, and the ones I have all relate to catching bugs or broken bones so I needed another style.

I've ended up making a CAS card using this weeks Friday Freebie from Bugaboo.  It's double printed then the flower heads raised with silicone glue.  The card is then finished off with liquid pearls.

Challenges;
Catch the Bug - Get Well

Happy Anniversary

Morning all you Oldies and Goodies (won't say who falls into which category - I'll let you figure that one out yourselves), but what I will say is that there were a lot of goodies in my Hat challenge last time around and I must thank you all for your super entries.

Today it's the turn of Fran to set the latest challenge over at an Oldie But a Goodie - and she has chosen the theme of,

Anniversary

(Remember also to use an item of over 6 months on your project and to tell us what it is.)

In my case it was the cat stamp, made by Stampelkallan - which funnily enough I won over here at an OBAG before I was on the DT.  It's also a great theme for me this week as my 26th Wedding Anniversary is tomorrow.

My card also uses more lovely Bo Bunny papers - this time The Avenues Collection and is finished off with die cut hearts.  

It's also a handy card for me to have as it's our 26th Wedding Anniversary tomorrow - but I can't decide whether to send this cat card or my tic-tac-toe card from last week...which do I pick?

Challenges;

As You Like It - Feather or Fur - Fur obviously - Merlot cat would look daft covered in feathers!
Chocolate Coffee & Cards - Circles & Squares
Cute Card Thurs - Paw Pals
PB@ Allsorts - Anything Goes
Crafting for All Seasons - Lots of Layers
SSW2 - sketch 

Finally, I just thought I'd let you know that I've added a link to my Just Giving Page for the Race For Life, supporting the charity Cancer Research UK.  I have to admit, neither training nor fundraising have gone particularly well this year.  I've only raised £20 from an unknown sponsor and I still can't run the distance - so unfit!  Further to that, the race has been brought forward by a week as it clashed with the Commonwealth torch relay, so now things are serious.

The six week training plan starts today...and MUST be followed!  Progress reports will now appear weekly and once Colin finishes his exams I'll get him to help me personalise my Just Giving Page - can't do that either!!! Jx

Told Ya!

The other week I was lucky enough to win a couple of digi's from Kerry over at Lady Bug Craft Inc - love the stamps and happened to say to Kerry the owner that I don't use them often enough but I promised to use the ones I won rather than just filing them on a disc - so here is my first LCI card for a while!

The image is Tic-Tac Love and as well as being perfect for Valentines Day - when I think it was launched, I also thought it would work well for Anniversarys.

So here is my CAS easel card.

Coloured with Promarkers with shadows added to the symbols and lots of glossy accents added every where else!  Finally I popped on two little tags using a brad onto the ribbon - for you with love - stamps I won on last monthe Ribbon Girl Challenge so thanks both companies - Ribbon Girl & LOTV for my prize.

Challenges;
LCI - Easel cards
Sketch n Stash - Super sketch 138
Crafty Catz - Black, White & Another - Red
Papertake - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Fancy Folds

Bookworm

Today's card uses my brand new Hannah Lynn digi called Book Worm Fairy - available here.

I got her as a gift last week from Crafts & Me after there was a mix up with an order of mine.  So I have to say, after a little hic-up everything was sorted and I was delighted with the service I recieved... and over the moon with my free digi's!

Thank you Teresa, I will most certainly be shopping with you again.

Back to my card now, coloured with Pro/ Flexmarkers and set upon my fav Bo Bunny Primrose Collection papers with a die cut bow & butterfly to finish.  (& some glossy accents!)

Challenges;
Allsorts - Butterflies 2nd Entry
Sweet Stampin - Fairies or Fantasy
Clear it Out - Favourite Product - Those Bo Bunny Primrose Collection papers - can't stop using them!
Krafty Hands - Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafting - 2 or more papers
Curtain Call Challenge - Pretty & Pink
Fab n Funky - Pretty Hair
CRAFT - Birthday
In the Pink - Fluttering by

In The Pink

Morning everyone, and what a lovely morning it is, the sun is out and I'm just back from a run - have to start the training again as I've signed up for the Tesco Race for Life again this year & I'm not one of those people who can just run 5k without a bit of practice!  Anyway, the challenge this week at Diva's is

In The Pink

So I chose to make a baby card using this gorgeous little Wee Stamp image and my Pebbles - Special Delivery papers.

Sponsoring us this time are Live & Love Crafts.

Challenges;
Crafty Bloggers Network - Pink & Ribbon
Digi Makeover Challenge - Anything goes & Digi
My Craft Creations - Anything Goes
Come & Get It - Anything & Digi
2 Sisters - Baby
Graph it Fun - Pink

The Happy Gardener

After using my Uptown Girls stamp last week I decided to use my Lawn Ranger one this! I so love the Art Impressions stamps, it's just they are not that easy to get a hold of in the UK at reasonable prices.  For that reason I went to 123 Stitch in the US and ordered another couple - naughty I know, but I only had two AI stamps and I thought they were lonely!

Anyway, back to todays card.  It uses old Basic Grey papers and a couple of dies.  Colouring is by Promarker and the sketch a super one from Papertake.

Challenges;
Art Impressions - Male card
Papertake - Sketchie
Penny Black & More @Allsorts - Anything Goes
Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes
The Male Room - Give us a giggle

Say It With Flowers - Thank-You

Morning everyone and welcome to the May holiday weekend.  Hope you've all got something nice planned.  Not up to much here as Colin starts his exams on Tues, so I think it will be a tidyup/crafty weekend and possibly a run.

Today's card is to close my spell as Guest Designer over at Catch the Bug with Bugaboo Stamps.

Boy was that a quick month - but very enjoyable digging out old and new Bugaboo stamps again.

Today's card is just a thank you to Jodie, Min and the DT over at Bugaboo for inviting me to play along with them and for all the fantastic Bugaboo stamps I picked up along the way.  Thanks you guys!

 This card uses Bugaboo Thank you Tulip Block .  I double printed it then cut out and raised the flower heads using silicone glue to add dimension to the card.  Colouring by Promarker.

Challenges;
Catch the Bug - May,Anything Goes
Stamp & Create - Spring Flowers
Allsorts - Butterflies

Pretty Pastels

Gosh, this post almost went live with just a card and zip else!  Must attend to that now.

Morning all and welcome to this weeks challenge over at Moving Along with the Times.  Today Kelly has chosen

Pretty Pastels

as our theme - a theme that wasn't too well received by some of our design team - but we all got there in the end and if you pop over to the main MAWTT page I'm sure you'll agree the selection of cards is delightful.

For my card, I went with a super Art Impressions stamp called Girlfriends - Uptown Girls - I think these ladies are perhaps the Mums/Aunties of the Stamping Bella Uptown Girls - what do you think???

So the pastel Promarkers made their mark on this onw and because the stamp is so large, there wasn't much room for anything else apart from an MS doily trim and a couple of buttons. Papers a 12x12 Craft Creations sheet.

Challenges;
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
Pink Elephant - Pastel Colour Combo
Penny's Paper Crafty - Pastel colours
Scrappers Delights - Pretty Pastels