Whiff of Joy Challenge - Week 1/Papertake Weekly sketch

WHIFF OF JOY CHALLENGE 1

I finally got this card finished for week 1 whiff of joy sketch challenge. Papers were from Chatter box, lace from stock, the snowflakes are confetti with gems in the centre.

PAPERTAKE WEEKLY SKETCH

2 cards in one day, im doing well. Although i did cheat a little with this one, the image was sent to me by the lovely Sally-Ann its one of her own designs, isn't it adorable? It needed little colouring just some highlights to the flower and his nose! The papers are from a Colorbook block and the flowers are of course the beautiful Primas!

High Hopes Challenge/Happy Mail

HIGH HOPES - challenge 1

So i finally got another challenge card done, this time its for the High Hopes challenge, which was a birthday card but must have brads on it. This is my attempt, again a quick card, I seem to be making alot of them lately. Just not enough hours in my days, not nearly as much crafting time as I'd like! I have used paper from the DCWV Rockstar stack, the text is one of the word circles from Craftworkcards. I've coloured the image in using my pro-markers, as they say practice makes perfect, and im still practicing with them!!

HAPPY MAIL

Over the last week I have received some very happy mail, firstly this gorgeous wallet folder below was sent to me by the wonderful Zoe and its filled with some lovely images. Thank you Zoe I adore it, you are very clever!

The following day I received this gorgeous envelope from my lovely friend Tracey again with some lovely stamped images for me to play with. I am a lucky girl having so many talented crafty friends.

Then to top it all yesterday I received this wonderful package from my good friend Jill who has been spoiling me! She made me this adorable House mouse card (I love these stamps) and also all these yummy craft goodies. I have been desperate to get my hands on the two basic grey stacks that she sent me, she must be telephathic! Also she sent me a bag of charms and a promarker pen to go with the set she previously sent me, I missed these off the photo - sorry.


Look at this gorgeous organza bag full of ribbons, I so love my ribbon, a girl can never have enough ribbon as far as im concerned! or flowers!!

So thank you girls from the bottom of my heart, hugs to you all.

Christmas/Birthday 1 a week Challenge

Good morning, another week ahead, where did the weekend go? Weekends never seem long enough, and I never get as much crafting done as I plan to. Infact this weekend was even less productive, with only one card to show.

I made this card for my weekly christmas/birthday 1 a week challenge, run by the lovely Karin.
I have used one of my favourite Whiff of Joy stamps. The papers are a DCWV christmas stack, buttons from Basic Grey 2 scoops collection, ribbon from Poppicrafts and flowers are Prima.

I coloured in using the pro markers which im still trying to get to grips with and I used stickles to glitter her wings.

I really need to get my skates out today as I have a thank you card to make, 2 birthday cards and some images to stamp up. I want to know how some of you ladies manage to get so many beautiful cards made, almost daily?!

Blog Candy on offer

Han has some delicious blog candy on offer , celebrating 20,000 hits, go over and take a look its a great blog too, with loads of inspiration.
Go over to Allisons blog as she has some blog candy on offer.

Cute card Thursday - Sparkle/Dutch Dare- One For the Boys

Well I didn't get round to do any crafting this afternoon, so I have decided to use this card for this weeks Cute Card Thursday - Sparkle, which I made Friday. You will have to double click on the photo to see the sparkle on satnas hat and the jewels on the snowflakes. Rather a basic card but was short of time.

CUTE CARD THURSDAY - SPARKLE

Bazill card stock, Magnolia image sent to me by Maya, snowflakes and gems from my own embellishments.

This is just another quick card I made. I just adore these cute Magnolia images.

DUTCH DARE CARD - ONE FOR THE BOYS

Decided to use this card for the Dutch Dare challenge - One for the Boys, another basic card. The papers were sent to me by my good friend Vicki. The image was sent to me by Maya and the icicles are irridescent sequins from my own embellishments. Will try to make something a little more challenging later this evening for one of the other challenges. There are just not enough hours in the day!

We have had lovely weather today, bright sunshine and warm temperatures, you could almost believe its summer! David went to to work this morning so i took the opportunity to pop to a nearby craft shop, where I did some shopping not for myself, but for a friend, who's birthday is fast approaching. Then this afternoon David and I took a drive to a lovely suffolk village called Lavenham, famous for its large church, so my husband tells me! Its so peaceful there, I would happily move there tomorrow! I was in my element as we had a cream tea in one of the many tea rooms. Oh my, lashings of clotted cream, jam and butter, yummy!! and the menu didn't mention a single calorie!!

New Counter and 2 cars!!

Me again, twice in one day, sorry ladies. Well I have now installed a new counter onto my blog as my last one disappeared over a fortnight ago. I don't know where it went, but I couldn't find it, decided to finally install another one. I am therefore going to offer some blog candy when it reaches the 5000 mark, thats what I had initially intended to do. It was at about 3000 plus before, so it could take some time. However I will make it worth while, when i do finally get there, maybe in time for christmas, that would be great!

Also for those of you who know about the car accident and all the trouble with my insurance and the hire car, today the garage who are doing the repairs turned up with guess what? yes, a hire car!! So I have two hire cars on the drive as we speak and no inclination to drive either of them!!!! I was told the repairs will take at least 10 days, so im now feeling totally fed up about it all. I am worried about driving the hire car incase I scratch it, or have another accident. I seem to have lost what little confidence I had at the moment, never mind while im home I can spend more time crafting!

Enjoy your day ladies, I hope you have some sunshine wherever you are, here it is raining, dull and damn right miserable! Hugs Linda x

ISMAKI /MOJO CHALLENGES

What an awful week so far, roll on next week. I wish i'd had stayed in bed all week, although I can't sleep when I am in bed! Had an accident in the car on Tuesday on the way back from school. We were all okay but shook up. The driver of the lorry, who had backed into me was very aggressive which certainly didn't help. How I managed to stop the tears i've no idea, probably because of the children being there, after all I didn't want to upset them any further! Since then its been sorting out insurance, hire car etc, which proved more complicated than I hoped, after an hour on the phone to my insurance company yesterday I finally got things sorted, at least for the time being. I don't know about the rest of you ladies, but I don't usually get involved with these things, I let hubby do it, but yesterday he was away, and I had no choice. Made me realize just how much I rely on him!

Anyway didn't do any crafting yesterday but made this card the day before. I used some papers from one of the DCWV christmas pads, and the image is another beautiful whiff of joy designs.
The snowflakes are sequins and the christmas tree die cuts were some from a QVC TSV last year I believe.

I should have posted these on Tuesday after I made them, but with all that went on I didn't get round to it.

I managed to do two more challenges this week firstly the wonderful MOJO sketch, then secondly the Ismaki sketch. Both quick and simple cards a bit like me!

MOJO SKETCH CHALLENGE

I love this adorable stamp, the papers were sent to me by my friend Vicki. You can't see very well from the photo that the hat fur and bobble has been glittered, double click on image to see close up. The ho, ho, ho sentiment from some stickers brought from Poundland last christmas.

ISMAKI SKETCH CHALLENGE

Again the papers were sent to me from Vicki, the image is of course one of the fabulous Whiff of Joy images, the icicles are a x cut punch.

Well my loves, hope you are all enjoying a much nicer week, thank you for all my friends who have been giving me moral support this week, I treasure each and every one of you. Big hugs Linda x

Ive been tagged/Basic Grey Challenge - Distressed

Good morning and yes, I have actually managed to get another card done. Thank you for all those who left comments wishing my son a happy birthday and a nice evening. We all went for the birthday meal, which is the first time we've been out altogether since Jamies birthday in May! I love these family times and wished they were more frequent. Alas my boys now prefer to spend time with their girlfriends, than their younger brother and sister and parents. Yes, I am told this is perfectly normal, but hard nevertheless. The only upside to them needing me less is that I get a little more time to craft, this is such a treasured luxury! So this is what i've been up to since I posted yesterday.

BASIC GREY CHALLENGE- GET DISTRESSED
This is my entry into this weeks basic grey challenge. I used the papers from the Perhaps range, ripped and torn and the edges inked with brilliance inks. I have used the gorgeous Whiff Of Joy Image and coloured with my copics. The sentiment was printed on my computer. The beads were froms tock and the lace was from a local haberdashery shop. Small silk rose buds can't remember where they came from but paper flower prima of course. This was quite a hard challenge for me as I don't usually do the distressed look, at least not in my cards!!

I've Been TAGGED!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been tagged by the wonderful Donalda , Christine and Simone. The rules are:-

1. Link your tagger and list the rules on your blog.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4. Let them know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven facts about me, this can't be too hard, can it?

1. I love to get my papers out and stroke them, before putting them back, unable to bring myself to cut them up!

2. My husband, children and friends are the most important things in the world to me.

3. My favourite all time film is Greece.

4. Constantly amazed at peoples behaviour and always trying to work out what makes them tick, then I might be able to find out why I am the way I am!!

5. Completely lost now without my computer and internet access!

6. When im feeling low, I hop in a bath, can do this numerous times in a day - how sad am I ?

7. I believe making someone feel special and loved is the most important gift you can give.

Wow, finally 7 facts. That was much harder than I thought!

I would like to tag the following people Jill, Zoe, Tracey, Carole, Karin, Simone, Jo.

Thank you for taking the time to visit, will speak again tonight. Hugs Linda x

SPOONFUL OF SUGAR CHALLENGE - Christmas is coming and Christmas/Birthday card a week challenge

Well its raining here at the moment, no surprise there. I thought the nice weather couldn't last much longer. However, we should be grateful for the wonderful weekend weather, wasn't it great? the calm before the storm no doubt! I hope you all had a nice enjoyable weekend. I seemed to be busy with little time for crafting. We went to the circus Saturday and on Sunday I sent to see a psychic, which I found very helpful.

So finally today i got round to doing some crafting. This is my entry into this weeks Spoonful of Sugar weekly challenge - Christmas is coming. To be totally honest im not sure what image this is, it was sent by my wonderful friend Jill. The papers were free in one of this months magazines. The snowflakes are a punch and the greeting came with the paper set.
I used stickles for the angels wings and sakura glaze pen for the halo. I just adore this little angel.

I am also using the card for one of my christmas cards for Karins weekly make a birthday/christmas card a week challenge. Below is my second card for the challenge. Same papers as before and the snowflake came with the papers too.

I also made this birthday card for Karins challenge. I love the Whiff of Joy stamps, one of my favourite brand of stamps just now. The papers are K & Co boxer and i have used pro markers to colour in the image.

The wings are coloured with stickles. Ribbon trim is from Anitas and lace from a haberdashery shop.

Well thats me done for today, I don't think ill have much time for crafting this evening as its my eldest sons 19th birthday and we are all off out for a meal to celebrate. Hope you all have an enjoyable evening, big hugs Linda x

Quick Card for the Birthday Challenge - Karin

Well after two days of just stamping up images, today I actually got round to making some cards. This is one for the Birthday/christmas card challenge organized by karin. We are going to make 1 birthday and 1 christmas card each week. I am behind already, I have made 2 birthday cards now, but need to get on with the christmas cards. The first one is a Precious Moments image sent to me by the very generous Karin.
This card was made for week 17 swap card, this is on its way to my swap partner.

Finally this is the second birthday card for the challenge. I love this image and it didn't need much colouring which was a bonus!

Well thats it from me for today, hope to get my christmas cards done tomorrow, so I can post them Sunday. Enjoy your weekend!

Thank you - Anniversary Cards

It has been a productive day after all! I woke up this morning feeling somewhat deflated, for what reason I don't know. I should have been full of the joys of spring as it is our 21st wedding anniversary. I started the day finishing stamping up some images for friends. Then I decided it was time to take some photos of the wonderful cards I had received over the last couple of days. I had received this card through the weekly card swap organized by the wonderful Karin. This card was sent to me by Ria, isn't it lovely? I love the colours she's used. Thank you Ria.
The next two cards were made by the wonderful Tracey. The first was a thank you card for her birthday card and gift and the second was an anniversary card. I love both of them, she is such a talented lady!

This lovely card is from a very special friend called Vicki, who has been a tower of strength to me over the last month or so. Isn't this card adorable? loving the cute tilda images! She is taking a break from blogging just now as she is working so hard, but im sure we will all look forward to her blogging return!

Finally I received this lovely card from my special friend Jill, Jill you have been so good to me over the last few weeks, I don't know what I would have done without you, thank you so much. I adore this card and this image, one of my favourites. You are a star.

Well, I also had another lovely surprise in the post today it was a beautiful package from my American friend Simone. Another very talented lady you must take a look at her blog and see her designs. Thank you Simone, I loved what you sent me, you are indeed a very good friend.

Well thats me for now, I did get round to making several cards today but will have to post them later on as I have to get ready to go out. David is taking me out for a meal, wasn't really looking forward to it earlier, but im beginning to feel hungry now. I had some beautiful red roses from dear hubby this evening, so maybe the nagging over the last 21 years has finally sunk in! Hee! hee! I didn't get a broom Vanessa so that's a bonus!! Big hugs Linda x

Quick Makes

The newest members of our family, meet Sandy and Snowflake.

Where has the day gone? started the day by visiting your blogs and leaving comments, then had to start work with Benjamin. He has been writing a story about being a bearded dragon! Yes you did read that right, we got 2 bearded dragons from the rescue centre at the weekend, we've named them Sandy and Snowflake. As you may or may not know we lost "Speedy" about a fortnight ago, he had suspected kidney failure. We were all very sad about losing him and the empty viv made it worse. Not any more though, with our new family members we are a complete family again! Not everyones cup of tea I know, and the saying our pets have a resemblance to their owners is somewhat worrying!

While Ben was writing I stamped up loads of images for friends, still have a few more to do but im finally catching up. My staz on pad needs re-inking so will do that before I continue.

Finally managed to make a couple of quick cards. I used some new Inkadinkado clear stamps. I love this naughty little images. Double click on image to see detail clearer. I don't know what the papers are, some monochromatic pad I brought from my local craft shop. Will be using some of the other stamps later, so watch this space.

Before I go I want to wish Tracey a happy birthday for today. I hope you have had a wonderful day with lots of nice things.

Dutch Dare Challenge - Sketch

Christmas is Coming .......

Well, this is my final challenge entry this week. I have made this christmas card for the dutch dare challenge. I thought it was a good excuse to get on with my christmas cards. I have alot to make for myself this year and I am hoping to sell a few too. It is a Penny Black image sent to me by the lovely Jill and ive used some crystal lacquers to colour in his coat, stickles for his hat and scarf and the pro markers for his face and paws. The papers were froma DCWV christmas stack I brought last year. The icicles are a packet of irridescent confetti I brought last year too.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, hugs Linda x

Spoonful of Sugar Challenge - Sketch

I am on a roll today, this is my entry into this weeks spoonful of sugar challenge. I am just loving these beautiful Whiff of Joy Stamps, the designs are so adorable. The papers are from the DCWV Nanas Nursery stack (Boys) and the flowers and Prima (of course!), coloured with aquarelle pencils.

Mother and Daughter Challenge

This is just a quick card, made for the Mother and Daughter challenge. I just adore these little fairy pictures, or is she an angel? Yes, I think this is an angel, silly me. Anyway shes adorable whatever she is.

Another Challenge Entry at Last - Sketch Saturday

Good morning everyone, hope you are having an enjoyable weekend. Well I finally had a play with my lovely new pro-markers and came up with this card for this weeks Sketch Saturday. I have to say I havn't quite mastered them yet, but will continue to play. This image was sent to me by the lovely Jill - thank you.

Papers are from Basic Grey the Boxer design.

Spiral Whisper Competition/Surprise Post

I have had a lovely day, a bright morning always helps to set a happier mood. This morning I went to town with my husband who brought me an eternity ring for our anniversary next Friday, im especially pleased as it was totally unexpected, I love my husband but he is not the most romantic man in the world. It will be especially special to me as my wedding ring and engagement ring don't fit me at the moment, they are too small. So now I can't wait till Friday to wear it.

Then when i didn't think the day could get any better, I came home to find a package which I wasn't expecting. It was from silly monkeys and I began to think I was totally losing the plot! I couldn't remember placing an order with them recently, I am waiting for several deliveries but this wasn't one of them, unless my memory was worse than i'd thought! On opening the package I was amazed to find some pro-markers and a card . These were from my lovely and special friend Jill. I don't know what I did to deserve such a wonderful friend, but I feel truly blessed. thank you so much Jill, you are very special, and I absolutely love them.
While blog hopping I found another great competition. Go over to Spiral Whisper http://spiralwhisper.blogspot.com/2008/08/competition-time.html to enter their competition and get the chance to win a £15 voucher to spend on their website.

Will be posting again later tonight. Hugs to you all. Linda

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Cats and Dogs

This is my card for this weeks Cute Card Thursday Challenge. This is a new stamp that I got from www.elzybells.co.uk isn't it cute? Going to try and use some of the other stamps now while im in the crafting mood.

AWARD

This award was given to me by the wonderful Jill a while ago but I have only just been able to download the award. (im not computer literate!!)

Pop over to Jills blog as she does amazing work, a very talented lady. I would like to pass this on to all my blogging friends but am only allowed to chose 5, so in no particular order I pass it on to

1. Maddy http://madimaginations.blogspot.com/

2. Karin http://karinhoeve.blogspot.com/

3. Rosemary http://rosemarysblogspot.blogspot.com/

4. Katy http://katysbloggeroo.blogspot.com/

5. Simone http://fashionablecards.blogspot.com/

AWARD Thank you /More Happy Mail

I continue to be totally amazed at how many wonderful people there are in blogland. One in particular is Jill. This morning I received a lovely package through the post which contained this lovely card and some beautiful stamped images. I can not tell you how much it cheered my day Jill, thank you! Isn't this card simply gorgeous? how clever is she? I feel blessed to have you as a friend Jill, big hugs to you.

My day was made happy again when i received this award from Atty. Thank you. Atty has a lovely blog please go over and take a look http://thecountryrose.blogspot.com/

Here are the rules for this award:
1) The winner can put the logo on their blog
2) Link the person you received your award from
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Put links of those blogs on yours
5) Leave a message on the blogs you’ve nominated




I would like to pass this award on to the following.

1. Anita http://stampinwithanita.com/
2. Tracey http://wwwmycraftycorner.blogspot.com/
3. Simone http://fashionablecards.blogspot.com/
4. Carol http://cazzytime.blogspot.com/
5. Vicky http://juscosscards.blogspot.com/

Bright and Bold My time to challenge

I have decided to use this project for the Bright and Bold My time to challenge. The stamp is from http://www.diestodiesfor.co.uk/ and the papers are from HOTP.

The flowers inside were punched from the retro flower punch. The photo is not very clear im afraid, you can see it closer if you double left click. Thanks.

Birthday card/Happy Mail

BIRTHDAY CARD

I have had a more productive day than of late. I made this card for a special someone, can't say who other wise it wont be a surprise will it? The little turtle image is from www.diestodiesfor.co.uk isn't it adorable? I have coloured it in with aquarelle pencils with some crystal lacquer highlights. Quite a basic card but the mojo is slowly returning.

I also made a little something for a great blogging friend, but I will not post it here until she receives it, otherwise it wont be a surprise. We all love surprises after all dont we?

HAPPY MAIL

Now, as most of you will probably know, I have been not quite myself lately. Most of you will not be aware that Im going through some personal development therapy , so it's official, im a nutcase! I am having to learn to like myself for who I am, and I have to say this is not easy for me, but after a rollercoaster of a weekend, 3 sessions of therapy, and some very supportive friends both in person and through blogland, I am working my way through all the rubbish ive been carrying with me for years. I don't know if anyone else has been through a similar experience, but all I can say is it makes you realize that there are some really lovely people in the world, even those who don't know you can make all the difference with the odd word or gesture.

This morning I received this lovely little package in the post from Maya. Thank you Maya its simply adorable, and it really did cheer up my day and make me smile!! This lady is so talented I am totally in awe of her work. There is so much attention to detail, its unbelieveable.

I adore these Hanglar designs dont you? I can't wait to get some stamps when they finally arrive at Funkykits. This little insect design is one of my favourites!

I have to say if anyone who is passing by has a hard time of it for whatever reason please drop me a line, I am finding it so much help to share my feelings with others I think that in itself is therapy. Storing things inside does not achieve anything, storing up anger and resentment only hurts you and no one else. It is best to let go of all these feelings and if I can help anyone that will be therapy for me too. I hope this hasn't bored you all. Thanks for listening (so to speak!) Hugs Linda x