Papertake Weekly Challenge

The Papertake challenge this week is to follow Sketch 56. My card is a a small square blank from Craft UK. The striped backing paper is from a freebie pack from Papercraft Essentials. The two embossed papers are from my stash and only had to be trimmed! The image is a Stamping Bella stamp - Bud, isn't she cute? She's been stamped with Memento ink and coloured with Promarkers before being cut with a Spellbinders nestie and with the scalloped nestie behind. The lilac satin ribbon is from Australia and the three wooden flowers are from Create and Craft. I used WOC pearls as centres for the flowers. I'm using two photos as I'm not sure which one is best.

CD Sunday challenge

The CD Sunday challenge this week is Say it with Scallops. Here is my card and it has plenty of scallops! It's a scallop shaped card from Craft UK. I then cut pink pearlescent Papermill card and a backing paper from the CD with the smaller Spellbinders scalloped square The image is from Joanna Sheen's Ivory Cats CD. I cut round the lace shape and then backed it with more pink card and set it at an angle across the scalloped layers. 'I love you' and three pink buttons, all from Create and Craft, complete the design. The three buttons are all fastened with variegated pink cord from Hobbycraft.

Week 17 Recipe - Pick a Square

The LIM challenge card was a challenge as I haven't been feeling too good today. I've had a couple of hours sleep this afternoon so I've managed to make one this evening. I used a stamp that I bought in America I don't know how many years ago, but quite a few, it's by Inkadinkado. I stamped it in Memento and coloured with Promarkers before cutting with a Spellbinders rectangle nestie and backing with the scalloped nestie. The card blank is by Craft UK and the blue card is Papermill. The greeting is one of the first stamps I ever bought in a set by Dimensions.

Special Occasions Challenge

The Crafty Sentiments challenge is Special Occasions. It's a very special occasion when you're three years of age, isn't it? This is my small square card from Craft UK. The red Mirri card is from Joanna Sheen and the backing paper is from a freebie Papercraft Essentials pack from a craft magazine. The Stamping Bella image Timeout is stamped with Memento ink and coloured with Promarkers. It's cut with a Spellbinders nestie and backed with another. The Spellbinders Parisian Accent die cut holds the Spellbinders die cut figure 3 and Spellbinders hearts are top right.

For Fun

Today I've made a card just for fun. We went to see my sister in the Care Home and then went for lunch at our usual pub restaurant not far from the Care Home. On the way home we had to call in to the GP for a prescription for Eric's medication and then we called in to the Pet Supplies shop for cat litter. All the chores done for the day I was determined to do nothing at all for the rest of the afternoon and evening. The postman had been with my new Stamping Bella stamps from Joanna Sheen and then late this afternoon the post van arrived with scalloped cards and gel. I made this card but I wasn't thinking ahead and was stumped when I came to the finishing touches. Some times I lay out the card and know exactly what I'm doing but this time I didn't and had a mental block. No full description - I think you've got any information that you're likely to want, coloured with Promarkers as usual.

I hope you all have a lovely holiday weekend. I'm hoping that we'll have a quiet one after Eric's birthday celebrations last weekend. Number two son and DIL are coming for Sunday lunch but if the weather's good they'll cut the grass for us so that'll save me one job.

Simon Says Stamp Challenge

Simon Says this week - Stars and Stripes. My large square white card is by Craft UK. The pink pearlescent cardstock is by Papermill. The wonky striped backing paper I've had for ages and can't remember where it came from, sorry. Amy, a free digi, is stamped in Memento, coloured with Promarkers and cut with a Spellbinders rectangle nestie with the scalloped pink nestie behind. The scroll is a Marianne die and the stars are cut with a small punch that someone gave me.

CD Challenge

This week the CD Sunday challenge theme is Under the Weather. I used a large square white card from Craft UK. The greeny gold card is from Papermill and the backing paper is from a Desert Blooms pad. The image is from Joanna Sheen's Patience Strong CD. I've used my Spellbinders and Crealies dies to cut the leaves. The verse lends itself to this challenge, though it's not strictly speaking a get well card.

Less is More

The LIM challenge this week is Butterfly/Butterflies. After Eric's birthday weekend I'm back in the swing of things and so here is my card. It's a very simple small card, embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. Three lilac gem and silver wire butterflies are strategically placed! I bought the butterflies in Australia last year - I have pink ones as well. This is the first time I've used them.

LOTV Challenge 97

The LOTV challenge is Here comes Summer and here is my card. It's a large square white card from Craft UK. The blue spotted backing paper is from a huge box that I bought from one of the shopping channels a few years ago. The bright blue cardstock is from Papermill and I've used it for the Cheery Lynn doiley and the swirl is a Crealies die. The LOTV image is cut with a Spellbinders circular nestie, stamped in Memento ink and coloured with Promarkers. The sentiment is backed with a scalloped nestie and the wooden sun, from Create and Craft, is coloured with Promarkers. Three pearls from my stash are top right.

Back to normal

This is my first card for a few days because we've had our sons and DsIL here helping us to celebrate Eric's 70th birthday. Yesterday we had a BBQ and they've all gone home now so we are having a relaxing afternoon and evening.

The large quare white card is from Craft UK and the navy blue card is from Papermill. The grey/silver glitter backing paper is from my Desert Blooms pad. The corners and fancy bottom edge were cut with my Spellbinders Parisian dies. The image is by Sarah Kay, stamped with Memento ink and coloured with Promarkers. It's cut with an oval nestie and backed with a scalloped nestie. The navy blue organza bow and diamante buckle are by Joanna Sheen and the flower is from WOC.

The card is to be entered in three challenges:
Crafting for All seasons - Anything Goes
Simons Says Stamp - Sparkle and Shine
Crafty Sentiments - Childrens Cards

We're waiting

Yes, we're waiting for our number one son and daughter in law to arrive. They've just stopped at the OK diner for a meal. They have roughly another two and a half hours driving before they get here. We're all organised for our weekend and the good news is that I'll not be doing much cooking! We're out for a meal tomorrow evening, hurray! Saturday we're having the BBQ, weather permitting,  so the men will be cooking, though I'll be doing the salad, potatoes, buns, etc. On Sunday they'll be leaving so I'll cook them either a big breakfast or a bacon, egg and mushroom sandwich. They usually opt for the sandwich. We're looking forward to the fun. It's always hectic but number two son and his wife are funny so there will be lots of laughs. Enjoy your weekend whatever you're up to and I'll speak to you on Sunday probably. Stay happy.

No cards today

We've been at the hospital all day today while Eric had an infusion to treat his rheumatoid arthritis. He goes back in two weeks for the second one. He had the last one in October but it didn't work as well as they hoped. Even if it's only slight relief it has to be better than he's been for the last few weeks. We haven't had much sleep! We were in the hospital at 8:30 this morning and his treatment started at nine. It's very tiring for both of us even if we're not doing anything. He gets blood pressure and temperature taken every fifteen minutes and I was sitting beside him on a polypropylene chair, very uncomfortable!

We had a Chinese meal delivered when we got home, I couldn't face cooking. I'm not doing anything else tonight. I think I'll log off and go downstairs to watch The Apprentice. Stay happy and I'll be back when I can.

Eric's birthday is on Sunday and our son and daughter in law are travelling up from Kent tomorrow. We're out for a meal on Friday evening and then we're having a BBQ on Saturday - if the weather permits. Our other son and DIL will be down to visit on Saturday for the BBQ, they're not coming for the meal - they have pups to look after and don't leave them in the evenings. Keep your fingrs crossed for a good weekend, please.

Bloom and Grow

The Papertake Weekly challenge theme is Bloom and Grow. I've used a Molly Bloom image and some flowers so I've got this challenge covered. The image is stamped in Memento ink, coloured with Promarkers and cut with a Spellbinders oval nestie die. This is a Craft UK large, square, white card with Papermill orange card used for the embossed mat, background nestie and swirls. I used the lattice embossing folder, Marianne swirls and leaf and Crealies leaves behind the WOC flowers. The sentiment is by LOTV and it's set against a Spellbinders Parisian Accent.

The Ribbon Girl Challenge

The Ribbon Girl Challenge theme is Pinks and Lilacs and this will be my first card in this challenge blog. My card is a large square white card by Craft UK. The backing paper is by K and Company and this is matted on to cerise Mirri board. The Sarah Kay stamp by Stampavie was stamped in Memento ink, coloured with Promarkers and cut with a Spellbinders rectangle nestie die. The scalloped nestie is in cerise to back the image and two of  the Parisian Accents are used - one corner piece and one fancy die cut which I've used to back the sentiment. I've used two ribbons, a wide cerise organza from Joanna Sheen and a narrow pink one from Create and Craft. Three small cerise gems from my stash finish it off.

My first CD Challenge

I'm entering my first CD challenge and their theme is either Diecutting or Yeehaw. I've used both! My card is a large white square card from Craft UK. The black Mirri board is from Joanna Sheen as is the CD used - American Frontier. The backing paper and the image are both from this CD. I cut out the main image with a Spellbinders grand scalloped nestability. I've matted the backing paper on to the black card and raised it for depth. The thick cord is to give the idea of a lasso!

Less is More

I've struggled this week with the Less is More challenge - embossing! I thought it would be a doddle as I love dry embossing. However, once I got started, what a mess I made of my first two attempts. I decided I would confront my dislike of heat embossing and so I stamped and embossed an image - it worked beautifully, until I added the sentiment. It was cockeyed and not very well stamped into the bargain. Ugh! I started again this morning and decided to stick with my dry embossing. I used an embossing folder and my distress inks, again the embossing worked beautifully and my sentiment went all to pot. Third time I stuck to the embossing only and I haven't put a sentiment on at all - I think you can all tell what it will be. It's a Craft UK large card and I embossed with a Creative Expressions Mica mask Holly. It's coloured with Promarkers in Ruby, Grass and Forest Green. I didn't dare go any further or there wouldn't have been an entry at all from me.

Fancy a Punch?

The Papertake Weekly challenge this week is Fancy a Punch? I follow Katina's blog and discovered this challenge and it's right up my street, so thanks Katina. My large square card is by Craft UK. The purple card is by Crafter's Companion and the backing paper is from a Desert Blooms pad. Half of the papers in the pad are glittered and the other half are plain, they're all beautiful. The Sarah Kay image is coloured with Promarkers, is cut with a Spellbinders lacey circle die and the purple doiley is a Cheery Lynn die. The sentiment is from LOTV and is set on more nesties. Three little butterflies have been cut with a Martha Stewart punch.
I forgot to say that the lace is vintage - really vintage - inherited from Eric's mother's cousin. She's been dead for at least forty years and I've had her sewing box and contents since then. My cardmaking has found a use for the great hank of lace. I've used it on numerous cards so far and it will last for a little while yet.

Welcome Abigail Ann

The Simons Says Stamp challenge theme is Look what the stork brought - and it was Abigail! Congratulations to the whole family.

My card is a small white card from Craft Uk. The pink backing paper is from a freebie Papermania pack in a craft magazine and the pink card is from Papermill. The baby image is from Joanna Sheen and is stamped with Memento ink and coloured with Promarkers. The corners and top border are cut with my Spellbinders Parisian Accents (again!) and the image and sentiment are cut with nestability dies. The pink satin ribbon is from the stash that I bought in Australia. The pink pearls are from WOC.

Crafty Sentiments Challenge

The Crafty Sentiments Challenge is Buttons. My card is a small Craft Uk square card with  a matting and layering of Swiss Dots embossed white paper and pale blue Papermill card. I used my new (which I love) Spellbinders Parisian Accents dies to cut the border and the two corners. The Sarah Kay image has been stamped with Memento ink, coloured with Promarkers and cut with a rectangle nestie, backed with the scalloped nestie in the pale blue. Three small Create and Craft blue buttons are top right.

Lili of the Valley Challenge 96

The LOTV challenge is Ribbons and Bows. My card, which I finished late last night and then discovered that Blogger wasn't working, has been waiting all day. It's a large square white card from Craft UK with a red mirror card from Papercut backing the beige patterned paper from the Desert Blooms pad. This was the background for the LOTV image cut with a Spellbinders die and coloured with Promarkers. The red satin ribbon is from a gift box. I used my Spellbinders Parisian Accents for the corners, the top edge and the fancy backing for the LOTV sentiment. They are all cut out of the red mirror card.

Quiet day today

  I'm having a quiet afternoon because I did lots of ironing this morning and can't face any more housework. I have checked out Bev's blog and she mentioned the new LOTV stamps and Ribbon Girl charms so I hotfooted to check it out. The candy looks brilliant so I'm making a little mention of it here and keeping my finges crossed. I'm off now to order some stamps. LOTV/Ribbon Girl 

Lili of the Valley Challenge 95

The Lili of the Valley Challenge theme this week is Animal Antics. The cat image is the only LOTV animal I have so this is going to have to be it until I can buy more stamps. My card is a small square white blank from Craft UK. The animal backing paper is from a Papermania pack I received as a freebie in a magazine, perfect timing! I coloured the cat with Promarkers and cut it with a Spellbinders die and edged it with Versacolour ink. The LOTV sentiment is stamped with Memento ink and edged in the same yellow ink. The yellow satin ribbon is from Australia - I bought every colour possible when we were there last year. It's not that we can't buy it here but it was a very good price for a very long roll. I've scanned my image today because I think my machine has given up the ghost for reading camera memory cards.

Less is More Week 14

The LIM Challenge this week is White on White. I've attempted one but I might try to have another go at this one. The large square card blank is by Craft UK. The four corners and the centre piece are cut with my new Spellbinders Parisian Accents dies. The doiley is cut with a Cheery Lynn English Tea Party die. I stuck the corners with my Xyron and because there was sticky showing I sprinkled DecoArt Glamour Dust over them. A sticky backed pearl from Joanna Sheen is at the centre of the Parisian Accent focal point.

I'm on a roll!

After finishing my very pink card earlier this afternoon I've actually made another one, how about that? I decided to make a challenge card and I'm entering it in to Crafty Sentiments Challenge which is 'Flowers' and Simon Says Stamp Challenge which has the theme 'Paper Piecing' and I've incorporated both in the one card. The card blank is a small square Craft UK card and the distressed backing paper is from a freebie Serif paper pack from Simply Cards & Papercraft. The Magnolia stamp was inked with a Memento ink pad and her sweater and socks are pieced from the Serif paper pad in yellow and her dungarees are also from that pad in the orangey red flowered paper. (The rest of her is coloured with Promarkers.) This pad is going to be useful, the colours are lovely. The corner is cut with a Spellbinders die Parisian Accents Shapeability - I love these already! The roses are from WOC and the paper flowers are cut from the Desert Blooms glittery pad. These were much more difficult to cut than I imagined and I was pleased when I'd finished - the paper is very thick. The orange 'wall' is embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. It's a funny sort of card but Eric liked it!

Out for lunch

Today Eric and I have been out for lunch with our old friends. It was very nice to catch up with them. We usually meet up with them every month now that they are back in this area but we missed them last month because of my craft room redecoration! I was way too busy to lunch!

Today I've decided to show you a very pink card I have made. I wanted to use my new Spellbinders Parisian Accents Shapeabilities and I got carried away with the colour.

Busy Day Again

I was up bright and breezy this morning because I was determined to get lots of housework done. My ironing was piling up because of my time spent decorating my craft room and I knew that I needed to wash again. Ugh. I put one load of washing in and then did some ironing. I did the usual tidying up and then put another load of washing in and did another pile of ironing. I was finished one lot and then another pile of clean washing was being added. It seemed never ending. I stopped at 12 noon and there is still loads of stuff waiting for me. I shut the dining room door so that I couldn't see it! Tomorrow we are at the Care Home to see my sister so I'll not get anything done at all. Friday we're meeting friends for lunch so another day of zilch housework. I can't get motivated to make any cards because I'm so tired.

I'll just have another game of Spider Solitaire.

Challenge 12 Girls Birthday

The Crafters' Companion monthly challenge theme, number 12, is Girl's birthday. I've just finished this card which is for a friend's daughter who will be 21 at the end of this month. I've used a large square card by Crafts Uk, purple cardstock by Crafter's Companion and the spotted backing paper is from a Desert Blooms pad. The SWALK image is coloured with Promarkers and centred on a Spellbinders nestie and backed with the lacey circle nestie in CC purple cardstock! The flowers are from WOC and the cream leaves are cut with a Crealies die. The purple ribbon and the diamante buckle are from Australia. The silver 21 is  from a Spellbinders die set.

Thank you challenge card

My son and DIL breed Staffordshire Bull Terriers and they have had two litters in the last couple of weeks - ten in one litter and five in the other. Buffy had ten and five of her pups have died, they just stopped feeding so it was probably just nature playing its part. Anyway, they asked me to make a thank you card for their vet and it fits the bill perfectly for this Less is More Challenge. It's a large square Crafts UK white card. The Joanna Sheen Staffie stamp was stamped in Memento black ink and coloured with Promarkers. It was cut with a Spellbinders circle nestie and backed with a Papermill brown cardstock in a scalloped nestie. The sentiment was generated on the computer and set on nesties to match. I embossed a line down to the sentiment and up to the dog and then inked the embossed line with a Whispers pen. I've added both photos because the first looks a little blurred to me. I might have to brush up on my photography skills!!