Friday 31 January 2014

New Year Candy


This post will stay at the top until 31 January, please scroll down for other posts.

I am not going to be around for some of January to return your comments so I thought I would offer a little candy as a thank you to one of my lovely followers. I will have posts scheduled for every day though.  We are having a new heating system installed in January and I will soon be packing up most of my craftroom contents as the airing cupboard is in my craftroom and they need access to get the old tank out and install a new one.

So I have some Dovecraft Cupcake Boutique papers, flowers and baker's twine for one lucky person to win. A nice co-ordinating prize.

All you have to do is
Be a follower on Google Friend Connect, and preferably Bloglovin' too, though this is not essential
Display a pic of my candy in your sidebar with a link to my blog
Enter via Inlinkz below

Candy closes 31 January.



Happy Birthday to a keen golfer


Another challenge has come around at Winter Wonderland and it is another easy one, Digi Days. So as long as you use a digi you can play along, Christmas or non Christmas you choose for the first few weeks of the year, We have two sponsors this week, Kenny K and Digital Delights.


Image - Kenny K

Medium - Copics
Papers - First Edition Man Made
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Die - Sizzix grass
Other - baker's twine, charm

Challenges

The Ribbon Girl Anything Goes 
AGOAC For the boys
MAWTT Birthday boys

Thursday 30 January 2014

Skipping


We have one of my favourite challenges this week at Crafty Little Fairies, lavender and lace. I used one of my newest LOTV stamps coloured with Copics. Her dress looks rather blue in the photo but is actually lavender. I used to do coloured dots a lot but haven't used the stamp for ages, it is called Field of Sky by Stamp in the Hand and I used a dewdrop inkpad with it.

The papes are some very old Country Companions I had forgotten I had until I was rummaging in one of the paper drawers. I used some gauze from LOTV coloured with a Copic, lace from Crafty Ribbons, MB die cut swirly tree and butterflies and some tiny pearls from Meiflower.

Challenges
Lili of the Valley Anything LOTV goes
The Ribbon Girl Anything Goes 
Send a smile 4 kids Anything goes 4 kids

Wednesday 29 January 2014

All the fun of the fair


A friend asked me to make an anniversary card for her husband using some steam fair photos she had seen me use on a scrapbook page. The photos were taken at the Dorest Steam Fair a couple of years ago. I used an LOTV sentiment, some scrim from B&Q, La La Land heart banner and ME Dilly Dally papers.

Tuesday 28 January 2014

With Deepest Sympathy and pics of my holiday purchases


Unfortunately we all need sympathy cards at times and as I don't have any in my stock I need to make some. I like to keep thees fairly simple. You really don't want a fussy sympathy card. I stamped the Inkylicious flowers with Memento Rich Cocoa onto linen card and teamed it with a Craftwork Cards card blank, swiss dots ribbon from Crafty Ribbons and Bo Bunny Timepiece papers.

Challenges
As you like it Favourite C&S style and why (I love using stamps with no colouring and ribbon for CAS cards and love these shaped cards for added interest)
Delicious Doodles Use ribbon 
The Ribbon Girl Anything Goes

On a more cheerful note here is the stuff I bought on holiday. Apologies that the pics aren't great but the light was going and I wanted to take some pics. I hope I get time to put them away today but there is a mountain of ironing to start tackling and we need to go food shopping today. It may be later in the week before I find time to start crafting and catching up on blogging.

Items for altering and playing around with.


Scrapbook (£3, can you beleive it)


Mainly scrapbooking goodies


Lovely new stash

Have you entered my candy yet? I will have another shorty with some goodies I bought in Florida for one of my lovely followers.

Monday 27 January 2014

December 25th, surely not!


We had a great holiday in Florida. Today I shall be finishing the unpacking, doing loads of washing and cleaning the house. As you can imagine having the new heating system installed means the house needs a good clean. Hope to get the craftroom back together today. I have some new craft stash to sort and some for a new candy shortly too. I will catch up with you all as soon as I can.

I have another Stamposaurus sample to share with you today using Father Christmas's house, coloured with Copics and dripping with stickles. The lovely die cut was made with a MB die.

Challenges
CCAYR Anything Goes
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Extra Anything Christmas goes

Sunday 26 January 2014

On my Way Home


Well if you are reading this on Sunday morning I am on my way home from 15 days in sunny Florida. Yes we arranged to have the new heating system installed whilst we were away on holiday. I hope you enjoyed my scheduled posts and thanks for all your lovely comments. I will be rather busy for a few days now, unpacking, washing and ironing, sorting out my holiday purchases, unpacking my craftroom and getting the house back to normal so I will be round to visit you as soon as I can.

Thankfully this wasn't our mode of transport home, lol, but another sample card for Stamposaurus. I coloured the narrow boat with Copics and made the banners with strips of papers which would otherwise have been binned.

Challenges
Without Words Spots and/or stripes
Bizzy Becs Anything Goes 
Heck of a Challenge New (new stamp) 
One Crazy Stamper Anything Goes

I hope you have entered my candy (post above), finishes in a few days.

Saturday 25 January 2014

Anniversary in Paris


I asked for some of the new Docrafts art deco toppers for Christmas as they make quick cards and are so popular at craft fairs. I teamed it with a sentiment and papers from the previous art deco collection and a die cut Eiffel Tower. A simple but striking anniversary card.

Check out my blog tomorrow for updated news explaining my absence.

Friday 24 January 2014

Get Well Roses


This is a card I made a little while ago using one of the LOTV art pads edged with DI Worn Lipstick. The butterfly and rose are Prima and the part die behind the image was a freebie from Dies to Die For. The sentiment is LOTV and I used a Viva Decor pearl pen and seam binding.

Have you entered my candy, post above?

Thursday 23 January 2014

Taking it Easy


Although it is blue fairy week and I am a pink fairy I just had to play along with this week's sport challenge at Crafty Little Fairies. I hope you will hop over and check out the other cards from the DT.
Image and sentiment  - LOTV
Medium - Copics
Papers - Echo Park a Boy's Life and Papermania Jewels
Die - MB clouds
Pearls - The Hobby House
Other - DI Weathered Wood

I would like to enter this into Lili of the Valley Anything LOTV goes

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Vintage Caravan


A completely different feel to my caravan card today, very different to the card on 5th January. I wanted to make a more vintage card.
Image - Stamposaurus
Medium - Copics
Papers - Bo Bunny et cetera
Circle - cut out from one of the wine tags I made using the large Prima tags
Other - hessian, metal embellies, vintage button, DI Vintage Photo.

Tuesday 21 January 2014

Wine and Roses


An 8 x 8 Wedding card today which you can also find posted on the Crafty Ribbons Inspiration Blog along with all kinds of wonderful makes from the rest of the DT.
Dies- Cheery Lynn couple, MB birdcage and butterflies
Ribbon - French Roses from Crafty Ribbons
Paper - from stash
Flowers - Wild Orchid
Punch - fern leaves

Monday 20 January 2014

Let's make a dress


I have used the new sewing set from Stamposaurus for another of their samples. This time I stamped it using Memnto Rich Cocoa onto some cream linen card and then used DI Vintage Photo. The dress form is from Craftwork Cards. I added some seam binding and vintage buttons.

Sunday 19 January 2014

Surprise!


A clean and simple card today and a very quick make. I used an image from one of the LOTV art pads, baker's twine, pearls, sentiment and an embossing folder. Very simple but I rather like the way it turned out.  Sorry it is another short scheduled post from me today. Thanks for all your visits and comments. While you are here, check out my little candy post above.

I would like to enter this into anything goes LOTV at Lili of the Valley

Saturday 18 January 2014

Picnic at the beach


I wanted to get a bit of a beach feel to this card, without making it too obviously seaside. I have coloured the Stamposaurus stamp with Copics and a little Sakura clearstar and golden star pens. The papers are MME, beach hut ribbon from Crafty Ribbons. I added some MB die cut clouds with sanded Core'dinations.

Don't forget to enter my little candy, post above.

Friday 17 January 2014

Walking the Dog


Time for another challenge at Winter Wonderland and our challenge today is A Dog is not just for Christmas.  You can choose whether or not to make a Christmas card and as you can see I decided to make a Birthday card. I bought this Sarah Kay stamp months ago and stamped her straight away but hadn't got round to colouring her. I am determined to use any neglected new stamps this year.
Image - Sarah Kay
Medium - Copics
Papers - MME Collectable Remarkable
Velvet ribbon - Crafty Ribbons
Sentiment - LOTV
Flower - from stash, bought in America
Punch - MS simple scallop border

So hop over and check out the rest of the DT makes and join in the challenge for a chance to win one of two fabulous prizes. 

or a goody bag from

Check out my card and lots more from the DT at the Crafty Ribbons Inspiration Blog.

Thursday 16 January 2014

Making Cupcakes


Thursday means another challenge at Crafty Little Fairies and our challenge this week is In the Kitchen. I could think of lots of different ideas for this one but in the end went for these cute LOTV mice making cupcakes. They have been coloured with Copics, paper is Dovecraft Cupcake Boutique. I added a doily and some pearls and used a Joy cuckoo clock and Marianne Designs corner with sanded Core'dinations. I hope you will join in the fun for the chance to win a stamp of your choice from our sponsor

Have you entered my candy, post above?


Wednesday 15 January 2014

Happy Birthday


I do love big sentiments and this one from LOTV has been stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa onto some lovely linen card I bought at the NEC. The papers are Papermania  and I added some naker's twine and card candi. I love the rich colours and the contrast of the shiny gold with the sentiment.

Have you entered my candy yet (post above)?

Tuesday 14 January 2014

New Home


I have used the same stamp as I used a few days ago for a retirement card but this time also used one of the sentiment stamps and made a  new home card. It has been coloured with Copics, the papers are First Edition Floral Pavilion. This is the other pack hubby chose for me for Christmas, a great choice. The ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons. I just didn't feel it needed any more embellishing.

Monday 13 January 2014

White Christmas


Today I am sharing a Christmas card I didn't get round to blogging before Christmas. I really love the Memory Box dies on this one, deer trio, traditional star and sentiment dies. The paper is First Edition Silent Night and I just added some pearls. Simple but effective.

Have you entered my candy, post above?

Sunday 12 January 2014

Happy Retirement


I am determined to try out some different styles of cards this year and cas is something which is actually quite difficult to do well I think so I am going to try more of these. This is yet another ample using one of the new stamps from Stamposaurus, coloured with Copics and a touch of Sakura Golden Star pen.  Other items used are Baker's twine and pearls from The Hobby House

Saturday 11 January 2014

On the Road


I am sharing another Stamposaurus sample with you today. The new vintage car stamp has been coloured with Copics. The papers are from the First Edition Man made which is one of the packs my hubby chose for me for Christmas, didn't he do well. I used a Sakura clearstar and golden star pens on the image too. Dies used were a Joy lamppost and Die-versions car.

Have you entered my candy yet, post above?

Friday 10 January 2014

Anniversary Ball


I bought the diecut of the couple years ago before I discovered stamping and decided to use it rather than leaving it lingering in my stash.
Papers - Prima Lyric
Dies - MB chandelier and precious hearts
Ribbon hearts and kisses from Crafty Ribbons
Sentiment - Stamposaurus
Pearl heart - Meiflower

Please hop over to the Crafty Ribbons Inspiration Blog where you will find this card posted today along with all kinds of wonderful makes from the rest of the DT.

Well my craft room is packed and various things have been moved to make way for the plumber to start the heating. I won't be around for a while but there are posts scheduled every day so please keep popping by and commenting, I really appreciate it.

Thursday 9 January 2014

Bird Houses


Time for another challenge at Crafty Little Fairies and it is one of my favourite things to use for diecutting, kraft. I just love kraft card and hope you do too. I wanted to use lots of different textures with this card.Play along for the chance to win 4 digis from

Image - Dreamees
Medium - Copics
Papers - First Edition Dreamcatcher
Dies - Joy
Other - spider's web stuff, crispy lace ribbon from Dreamees, leather strip, DI Vintage Photo, Viva decor pearl pen

As I was colouring the image one of my Copics ran out. I started with the Ciaos but as they run out I am replacing them with sketch markers. I couldn't afford to buy all sketch markers to start with but I do prefer them and they last longer. I ordered three pens from Cult Pens one afternoon and they arrived the next morning, what fantastic service.

Challenges
Ali-Craft Anything Goes 
One Crazy Stamper Anything Goes 
A Creative Romance Something New (new stamp) 
Delicious Doodles Layer Up 
AGOAC Something new (new stamp)
Papertake Anything Goes

Wednesday 8 January 2014

Which Way do I go?


I am so glad that you can still buy Pollycraft images at Little Miss Muffet as I think they are adorable and this is the first time I have used this little boy.
Image - Pollycraft
Medium - Copics
Papers - Echo Park a Boy's Life
Sentiment - LOTV
Punch - MS zigzag border
Dies - Spellbinders arrows
Other - glossy accents

Challenges
Little Miss Muffet Fab sketch 
Charisma Birthdays 
Cute Card Thursday Banish the blues (fun)
 Sweet Stampin' Sport and fitness
Without Words Spots and/or stripes
Papertake Anything goes

Tuesday 7 January 2014

A girlie card for a change


It seems a while since I shared a girlie card with you. This little fairy has been sitting waiting patiently on my desk for ages and I finally got to colour her and use her.
Image - Sugar Nellie
Medium - Copics
Paper - First Edition Floral Pavilion
Card blank - hammered card cut with a Go Kreate die
Flowers - Wild Orchid
Other - doily, Melissa Frances tag, circle offcut from a Prima tag when I made some wine tags, crispy lace ribbon, stickles, Sakura goldstar pen

Challenges
  Natalie and Amy One for the girlies
  The Shabby Tea Room So romantic (photo inspiration) and must use roses
Allsorts Free and Easy 
Ali-craft Anything Goes 
Bizzy Becs Anything Goes

I am off for a massage and haircut today. Yesterday the craft room was all packed up ready for the new heating system (see candy post above for more details). I have posts scheduled for every day though so keep checking back here for more cards every day.

Monday 6 January 2014

On the Canal


Another great stamp from Stamposaurus and and another sample card from me. These will be on the website gallery shortly.
Image - Stamposarurus
Medium - Copis, Sakura Golden Star pen
Papers - MME Collectable Remarkable
Dies - Britannia sentiment, MB banner
Punch - MS cherish border

Challenges
Simon Says Something new (new stamp) 
One Crazy Stamper Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Birthdays
Ali-craft Anything Goes 
Allsorts Free and Easy
Crafty Calendar Let's Celebrate

Have you entered my candy, post above?

Sunday 5 January 2014

Nice cuppa in the caravan


Isn't this a great new stamp from Stamposaurus, a vintage caravan. I am planning to use this for some cards to sell as caravanning is so popular.
Image - Stamposaurus Vintage Caravan
Medium - Copis, Sakura Golden Star pen
Papers - Echo Park Bundle of Joy Dots and Stripes
Other - Dovecraft wooden embellishments coloured with DI Faded Jeans, card candi, raffia lace and ribbon from stash

Challenges
Simon Says Something new (new stamp)
 One Crazy Stamper Anything Goes
Allsorts Free and Easy 
AGOAC Something new (new stamp) 
Bizzy Becs Anything Goes

Have you entered my candy yet, post above?

Saturday 4 January 2014

Sewing calendar


Today I am posting on the Crafty Ribbons Inspiration Blog so I would love it if you would hop over there and comment. You will find all kinds of inspiration there on a regular basis. This is another of the calendars I made for my December craft fairs. I used tape measure ribbon from Crafty Ribbons,  Prima Lyric papers, Papermania calendar, Craftwork Cards dress form, Prima butterfly and buttons and baker's twine.

Challenges
Simon Says Something New (New Year)
Totally Papercrafts New Beginnings 

Friday 3 January 2014

Santa Stop Here


It's the first challenge of the year for us at Winter Wonderland and as we usually do we give you the option of making whatever you like, Christmas or non Christmas as long as you meet the theme. I have chosen one of my favourite themes Teddy Bears. Judging by the panic some of you were in starting Christmas card making now for 2014 would be a good idea.
We have an amazing amount of sponsors lined up for 2014 and some weeks we have two or eve three sponsors so lots of reasons to play along. This week we are pleased to welcome a new sponsor

with a prize of a £10 voucher.

One of my favourite stores, ooooh love their range of dies, wish I could win.

Image - LOTV
Medium - Copics
Papers - Nitwits Woodland Wishes from LOTV
Dies - Doohickey fence, Dee's tree, MB traditional star and snowflake. Large snowflake was a freebie from DTDF
Ribbon - Crafty Ribbons
Border punch - Michaels
Other - Stickles, Viva Decor pearl pen

Challenges
Papertake  Pick of the year December - Christmas Creatures
Craftyhazelnut Starting all over again 
In the Pink Pink Christmas
Sentimental Sundays Pick from our favourite challenge (180 Warm and Cosy)
ALBC Celebrate 
One Crazy Stamper Anything Goes 
Creative Inspiration Celebration 
CCAYR Anything Goes

 Have you entered my candy, post above?

Also have you seen the amazing bargains over at Crafty Ribbons. £5 packs of ribbons for just £1!!!!
Be quick because they are selling out fast.

Thursday 2 January 2014

New Baby stamp


I couldn't resist this gorgeous stamp from the last launch from LOTV and it is the perfect image for my DT card for Crafty Little Fairies where my challenge is Starting Over. We have some fabulous sponsors lined up and this week we are sponsored by one of our new regular sponsors

Image - LOTV
Medium - Copics
Embossing - Crafter's Companion with sanded Coredinatins
Butterfly - Cheery Lynn die
Banner - MB die
Letters - bought from Facebook group
Other - frantage, ribbon from stash, glossy accents on balloon

Challenges
Crafts 4 Eternity Something new 
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards New beginnings 
Papertake Pick of the year January - Happy New (anything)
Sentimental Sundays Pick from our favourite challenge (140 celebrating the new) 
Bearly Mine Anything Goes 
TTCD Anything Goes
Simon Says Something New

My new year started really well. I received a fabulous crafty offer on New Year's Eve and accepted it yesterday. I can't say any more until mid February so watch this space.

Wednesday 1 January 2014

Top 5 cards of 2013 (non Christmas)


I am playing along as usual with Debby's fun challenge. This was even harder than choosing my favourite five Christmas cards. Although Debby doesn't say they have to be non Christmas I like to choose 5 other cards as I have already chosen my fave 5 Christmas cards.

I had to start with a purple card and I sold this one on its first outing at a fair. I remember as the lady who bought it wanted it for somebody who was wearing purple to a masked ball, what a coincidence.

My second choice is a male card as I love making these as much as girly cards. I was so pleased with my colouring and love the layout too.

A young boy's card this time and I embraced the clean and simple look here. I love to make a variety of cards and as well as my many layered cards you will also be seeing more cas cards this year I think.

Back to layers and the vintage look which I also love. Somebody bought this for an older lady which I loved as some people think cute cards are only for children, unlike us cardmakers who know they are for everyone.


My final choice is one I didn't really want to sell. Photos don't always do cards justice especially shaped cards and this one was so pretty. I love the delicate image and she was one of the first images that I began to feel I was getting the colouring right having changed from Promarkers to Copics last year.


Thanks to everyone who has visited my blog in 2013 and especially those who leave so many lovely comments. I feel very privileged to have such wonderful followers.

Happy New Year everyone xx