Another busy day in my life

I made breakfast, we ate it, I washed up. I went out into the garden because the sun was shining and I spotted a basket at the bottom of the pond. We cleaned the pond out last autumn and one of the baskets must have got dislodged and fallen. During the winter I hadn't seen it but because the sun was shining in the right direction I saw it today. I put my rubber gloves on, got a plastic sheet to kneel on and stretched down. Eric can't do it because of his arthritis but he watched! When I stretched and couldn't stretch any further he said "wait, I'll give it a go" and I used my superhuman strength and stretched a little bit further and got it. A frog hopped back into the pond and the plastic sheet got soaked as I upended the pot, my trousers got soaked. Ugh. I discarded the pot into the bin after putting the contents into the garden waste bin. I then paid another visit to the bathroom to get washed and changed.

That was enough excitement for the day so I decided to prepare my cards for the table top sale. I'd started yesterday but gave it up as a bad job because it seemed never ending. I stuck coloured sticky dots on individual cards and the corresponding coloured dot on to a priced notice. I was so pleased with myself because I got them all finished before lunch time. I made notices, packed crates, baskets and everything is ready to pick up and load the car.

This afternoon, after I'd made lunch, we ate it and I washed up again. There seems to be a pattern to this job. I came upstairs to do some crafting - I made one Easter card purely because I wanted to make a card using the Precious Petals CD from Joanna Sheen that I hadn't used - and I've had it for months. Since then I've cut out various small nestie shapes that I can stamp greetings on to if I need any and I've played dozens of games of Spider Solitaire. I've made so many cards lately that I think I've scared my mojo into hiding. Hope your day has been a happy one. I've enjoyed mine.

Challenge 89 - Lili of the Valley

'Punch it' was the theme for this Lili of the Valley challenge. I've used Papermill's deep pink pearlescent card for the A5 landscape card. The sludgy pink paper is by Costco and the other was a freebie from a magazine - they've both been punched with the Martha Stewart border punch. A strip of Hobbycraft pink ribbon tops the papers. The MS butterfly punch was used to punch out ten butterflies and they were doubled up for 3D effect. I used a LOTV sentiment as the focal point because I thought this sentiment worked well with the butterflies. I hope this sentiment will count as an image. (Am I pushing it?) The sentiment was stamped on to a cream nestie label and edged in Versacolor stamp pad with a pink gem from my stash added.

Another attempt at LIM Challenge

After making such a mess of yesterday's card I decided to have another go at the Less is More Challenge sketch. This is my second attempt today! I smudged the lines at the edge so had to start again. I certainly like it better than the other card. I've scanned this one so hopefully it will show up better than my photography. I've used Papermill white card, Hero Arts sentiment stamp and EK Success daisy stamp. I used Whispers pens for the colouring.

Less is More Challenge

This week the LIM challenge was a DL size card sketch. I hadn't made any of this size card for ages and in the last two days I have made three and then this sketch, how peculiar. Trying to keep it plain was difficult because my others had been matted and layered with a large image. I eventually decided to settle on my punched sun and the LOTV sentiment. Quite plain and very simple. I'm not keen on this card. My photo isn't very good either :(

Roll on next week!

Crafty Sentiments Challenge - Amy

Crafty Sentiments set this challenge which was to use Amy - their freebie digi stamp. I decided to have a go and then couldn't stop. I've made three cards so far today and Amy is on each one! She is stamped with Memento ink and coloured with Promarkers. Card is from Papermill and folded into a DL card - first time I've used this size for ages. The papers I've had so long that I can't remember where I got them from, sorry. The purple Mirri card scroll is a Joys Craft die and I have two Spellbinder photo corners in the bottom corners. I'm afraid the photo isn't very good. The card was balanced on my computer chair.

Simon Says Stamp Challenge/Girlie

I've been working like mad to get items ready for the table top sale. They are all ready now, just have to be priced so I'm well ahead. Even if I come up with some new ideas I have plenty of time because the sale isn't until the middle of April. I've taken time out to make a card for Simon Says Stamp Challenge. I hope you like it. I've made it using a new Crafters' Companion SWALK stamp, coloured with Promarkers and stamped on to a Spellbinders nestability circle, with the scalloped circle behind. The maroon ribbon and gold sun are both from Create and Craft. The background paper is from Joanna Sheen's Precious Petals CD.

Different sort of Tuesday

Normally we have a quiet day on a Tuesday but today we went to visit my sister in the Care Home. We usually go on a Thursday but as Eric has to go to the hospital on Thursday we had to rearrange our schedule. We meet up with my other sister and then go for lunch after our visit so we did all that today instead. Lunch was delicious as usual so tonight we had no cooking, only a sandwich to make. I've got a table top sale coming up, in about three weeks time, at our local Residents' Association so I'm busy getting goods ready for that. I've already got some cards, grunge band bracelets, bookmarks, and beaded bracelets in packs. I've been making some notelets this afternoon and I'm going to put those in packs of six. I'm not sure that I'll be doing the usual challenge cards until I get these out of the way but I'm enjoying this challenge!!

Busy Monday

I've had a busy day after our normal food shopping this morning. I found out yesterday that I am booked in to a Table Top Sale in the local Residents' Association so I've been busy making more goods. I've made bookmarks and grungeboard bands to go with the hundreds of cards that I've already got ready. Just in the last few minutes I've finished an Easter card that I started last week for my sister. Papermill card, LOTV stamp coloured with Promarkers, Marianne die cut gold scroll and a gold peel off - shock, horror!

Frustrating day

I'm so annoyed I'm ready to throw all my craft things out of my room in a paddy! I was all set to finish off an Easter card I'm making for my sister. I stamped an image yesterday and coloured it. I mounted it on to a nestie scalloped rectangle and scored and cut my card blank. I had the layout all worked out but would my Martha Stewart doiley lace edge punch work, NO!! I tried punching through greaseproof paper, kitchen foil, double layer of paper, all the usual remedies suggested by various people. I've just tried WD40 and it's half heartedly cut once and then stuck again. I've given up for the minute. I might wait to see if the WD40 works after leaving it for a while. This card is not meant to get finished, I'd already attempted a border stamp and made a mess of it - the doiley punched edge was going to remedy that mistake. Oh well, just as well there's no immediate hurry for the card. It can wait a couple of days until I'm more serene. Happy days. Hazel

After having my regular weekly telephone chat to number one son this morning I've made changes to my blog. He told me that although he checks my blog he doesn't like the fact that some of the challenge notices encroached on either the writing or my card images. I've managed to make some alterations and I have to admit that it makes my whole blog look a bit more balanced.

Less is More Challenge - Masculine

This is for the Less is More Masculine Challenge set this week. At first I thought that I wouldn't be able to take part in this one because I wasn't sure that I would have any suitable images for the LIM type of card. However my Joanna Sheen owl stamps came into their own again, so thanks Joanna. The card blank is a beige coloured card from Papermill, the owls are stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa ink and the Happy Birthday sentiment is a Docrafts stamp. The flowers at the feet of the owls come from a border stamp that I've had for a few years and I think I got it as a freebie with a magazine. I actually like this card so I'm quite pleased with myself.

Get Well LOTV Challenge Sketch

We found out today that the young woman next door is in hospital. I decided that the card I made for the Lili of the Valley Sketch Challenge would be perfect for her but I decided to make some slight amendments. I altered the insert first of all and on the outside I added some Wild Orchid Craft flowers. I'll enter it again, in the challenge, showing the way it looks now. I think the flowers make it look better, maybe it was a little bare being such a large card.

LOTV Challenge 88

We've been to visit my sister today so I didn't get a chance to play until this afternoon. I've followed a sketch to complete the Lili of the Valley Challenge 88. It's a large square cream card blank from Create and Craft - I think.The peach card is Papermill and the backing papers are Costco. One of my new LOTV stamps is stamped in Memento ink on to a Spellbinders nestie circle and coloured with Promarkers. I also used one of my new LOTV sentiments which I stamped on to a nestie lace circle. The little woollen flowers are from Create and Craft. The centre band has a strip of beige seam binding, Wild Orchid Crafts, across to give extra texture. I've really enjoyed making this card although it took me a while to get into it. I kept stopping to have a game of Spider Solitaire - I know, I'm very sad but I needed a little relaxation. My brain hurts when it's trying to get creative.   :)

Funny sort of Day

I had finished all my ironing by the time I had breakfast this morning. Weird! After that I washed the breakfast dishes and then washed all the kitchen units down, doors, handles, the lot. Weird! I was expecting some craft goodies to arrive and I was really waiting for the postman. He did eventually arrive and brought them all, new magnetic sheets amongst them, so I spent the early afternoon reorganising my nesties and dies. I don't feel like making a card today, I'm a bit sickly, so I'm posting a card that I made last week, or maybe the week before. The puppies were a free digi image on DZ doodles and I did make a card for their challenge. This one didn't match the sketch so I saved it to show you at a later date. I'll show it today seeing that I haven't made a new card. Papermill card, Costco paper, free digi stamp coloured with Promarkers, stamped on to nestie oval, gems and ribbon from my stash. I hope I feel better soon because I don't feel too happy today. I hope you're all having a good day.

Fun day

Today I've finished off a card that I started last night. I'm not going to post it yet because it's still got wet Pinflair. I've just been catching up with other blogs and Carol told me about the blog candy over on this site . I've entered my details and now I'm keeping my fingers crossed until April - it's going to be very difficult making my cards now. When I got up this morning it was very wet and misty and it hasn't got much better. I was determined that I was going to have a day off from housework so I've been in my craft room since 10:30 - after reading the papers. Have a happy day.

Third in a Row

I've had a lovely day today. I did some washing early this morning and then since lunchtime I've been making cards. This is my third challenge card today and this one's for the Waltzingmouse Challenge. It's following a sketch displayed on their site. I spent a lot of time sitting at my workbench doing nothing but stare at the sketch and then I decided to make a very simple card. The base card, half and half purple and lilac, is Papermill cardstock. I've drawn faux stitches round the edges, not very good, but my age is my excuse:) The sentiment is from Joanna Sheen and is printed on green card with Distress Ink edges. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and the leaves are Crealie die cuts. It's a small card but is just big enough to cheer someone up on a miserable day. The flowers are very pretty.

Less is More

I've had a lovely day and managed to make two cards already and I haven't even had dinner yet. This card is for the Less is More Challenge - I bet you hadn't guessed by looking at it. :) Maybe I should add here, it's to be a one layer card with the further challenge of 'off the edge'. I used a base smooth white card from Papermill, a flower stamp that I got free with a magazine a few months ago. I also used two of Joanna Sheen's stamps, a dragonfly and a sentiment favourite of mine, saying 'Enjoy your day'. They were all stamped with a Memento Rich Cocoa ink pad. Enjoy your day.

Simon Says 'Anything Goes' Challenge

Here I am with a House Mouse Sunflower stamp for the Simon Says challenge. The base card has been shaped with a Grand Nestability using Papermill cardstock. The stamp has been stamped with Memento ink on to another nestie label die cut, coloured with Promarkers and edged with Distress Inks. The backing paper is Costco, the Sunflower was made with white flower shapes that I bought from QVC in a huge pack and at it's centre is Flowersoft. The 'Enjoy Life's Moments' sentiment is a Hero Arts stamp on another nestie die cut. Three green gems from my stash complete the design. I'm having a lovely weekend, crafting at home with heating on and cats beside me, husband is watching the Rugby on TV! It's too cold to go out. Have a good weekend everyone.

LOTV Challenge 87

I've decided to take part in another LOTVchallenge - Say it with Flowers - so here is my card - using the same stamp because, apart from the sentiments, it's the only one I have so far! I'll probably buy more, over the next week or so. My base card is made with Papermill stock and is cut with my new Grand Calibur and Grand Nestability. The image is stamped on to a lace nestie and coloured with Promarkers. It is backed with some maroon corrugated card.The backing paper is CostCo and the flowers are from WOC, leaves made with a Crealie die. The sentiment is LOTV. I've enjoyed playing with my new machine today but I need to make some cards now.

DZ Doodles Challenge

I was pointed in the direction of DZ Doodles blog and there was a free digi stamp of these lovely little puppies - thank you, I love them. There was also a challenge where this image could be used. I was so pleased with the image that I set to and made a card, without realising that there was a sketch further down the page!! I was really pleased with my card but it didn't follow the sketch so I've made this one and hope that it's OK. The base card is Papermill and the background paper is Costco, the image is printed on to a Nestability and coloured with Promarkers, the flowers are Hobbycraft and the sentiment is generated on the computer.

You could have knocked me down with a feather when I received the blog award from Jan, thank you.
Rules that apply are:
To accept and write about it.
To display it.
To pick three to five blogs and tell them they have won the award. The idea is to showcase blogs that are great, but not well known, so they should not have more than 3000 followers.

I'm passing the award to:

1. Linda at http://lindasrainbowcraftingcabin.blogspot.com/
2. Magshttp://nannygees.blogspot.com/
3. Wendyhttp://pixiehousedesigns-craftypixie.blogspot.com/
4. Fi http://sugarplumdoodles.blogspot.com/

With love, Hazel x

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge

Today I've finished off a card I've been making for the Waltzingmouse Challenge. After starting my blog I was looking at other blogs and discovered one that suggested where freebie digi stamps were available. Unfortunately, being new to the digi stamps scene, I didn't make a note of who donated this image. I'm very grateful as it has made a very cute card, so thank you to the unknown artist. The scan hasn't shown the red base card very well but it is there! A red tartan paper from Joanna Sheen's tartan paper pad is the next layer. That is  topped with a red paper freebie from a magazine, I cut that into a diamond and I've edged it with some tartan ribbon. I've put a red flower gem at each point of the diamond. The digi stamp has been stamped on to a wonky square Nestability, coloured with Promarkers and edged with Distress Ink. The sun is shining again today and I've made a challenge card so I'm happy. Enjoy your day.

Simon Says Challenge Card

This is the first time I've made a challenge card for the Simon Says Challenge Blog - I'm getting in to the swing of things now. I think this is my fourth challenge card! I started it yesterday because I knew number two son, Tim, and his wife Sarah, were coming for lunch today and I would get a late start. After they left all I had to do was the insert so it's completely finished and here it is. The challenge was to use plain card - blue from Papermill, 1 image - one of Joanna Sheen's series of Favourite Flower stamps, coloured with Promarkers and edged with Distress Inks,  2 patterned papers - pastel spots and pink and yellow striped, freebies from a magazine long ago and 3 different types of embellishments - cerise organza ribbon from JS, Nestability buckle die and flower embellishment from Australia. Today has been a lovely sunny day and we've had a happy day. I hope your Sunday has been just as good.

My Second Less is More Challenge

Today, after seeing Jan's entry which reminded me of the LIM Challenge, I went online to see what this week's challenge was to be. Pastels, oh, heck! I'm a bit heavy handed for pastels but never mind. I actually used Derwent's pastel pencils - probably hoping I could actually do pastel colouring with them. :) I stamped out a Joanna Sheen image of daisies with a Memento Rich Cocoa ink pad and then coloured with the Derwent pencils. I cut the image out with a circular Nestability and edged it with a pale pink Versa Color ink pad. The edge of the card is embossed with a Martha Stewart Scor-pal and a Hero Arts sentiment stamp is bottom left.

I've just looked at the card on the enlargement scan and seen a splodge to the left of the image - it's Flowersoft from a previous card, ugh!

In the Pink

This card isn't for a challenge, it's just because I felt like making a flower card. It's been quite a miserable day here with grey and overcast skies, yukky. I'm playing all day today because I'm not feeling 100%. Maybe crafting will help me relax. I hope you like this card 'In the pink'. One of Joanna Sheen's Favourite Flower stamps on a nestie, handcoloured with Promarkers and backed on to a Nestability rectangle in cerise coloured Mirri card. The backing paper is from Costco's huge case of papers. Hobbycraft's pink sticky ribbon is across the bottom and is topped by a Lili of the Valley sentiment stamped on to pink pearlescent card and backed with the cerise Mirri card. I'm reasonably happy today but would be much happier if I didn't feel sick, oh, well.

Thursday - Rest

Today I've not made a card! The first day since setting up my blog. We went to the Care Home to visit my sister and by the time we got back and had a coffee it was late afternoon. I came upstairs with my new Joy dies and cut some of those out, to test them, as you do. I've played Spider Solitaire this evening because I just can't get in to making a card. Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow. I've checked through all the blogs I usually follow and can't get any inspiration so I've given today up as a bad job. I've had a very happy day though, after getting good news about my sister in law, so I'm not too worried about missing a card. Hopefully I'll be back on track and there'll be a challenge card ready tomorrow. Have a happy evening.

March Challenge Crafters' Companion

This is my card for the Crafters' Companion monthly challenge, this month the theme is Easter. I've embossed three lines down each side with a Martha Stewart scorepal. The main image is from Joanna Sheen's Favourite Flowers stamp collection - the Flag Iris, stamped on to a Spellbinders nestie wonky squares shape. I coloured the background with a saffron Promarker before stamping the iris with a Memento pad and colouring with Promarkers. The edge of the wonky square was distressed with old paper Distress Ink. Three yellow gems are set in each corner of the embossed lines and in the bottom right is a small gold peel off cross.

Tuesday's Card

Today I've had a funny sort of day. I went to the dentist, painful! I came home and read the papers before coming in to my craft room to play. I decided I wasn't doing any housework today so here's the card I made instead. It's using Joanna Sheen's Patience Strong double CD. It has a bronze organza ribbon down the left and the image is backed with bronze Mirri board - all from Joanna Sheen's site. The smaller image of the bird is also backed with Mirri board. A very simple card with a matching insert.