1st BIRTHDAY CARD/QUICK CHRISTMAS CARDS

Well i finally managed to make a few cards. I havn't felt very motivated for the last couple of days, down to this cold. Anyway enough of me feeling sorry for myself, i sound more like my husband!! I had been asked to make a first birthday card for my mums friends son. I went back to my favourite high hopes image and coloured him with my favourite pro markers. The paper was from some freebies in a magazine. Flames have been stickled and greetings are a quickutz die.

Like i say havn't felt very motivated, so have done just a couple of quick christmas cards, this is me being a good environmentalist and re-cycling some of last years christmas cards. Just cut them down, re-mounted, addings some glitter highlights , ribbon and there you have it 3 quick cards!

I can hardly believe its Friday again already. I am off to do the halloween trick or treat shortly. Its cold outside and there is rain forecast, i just hope it holds back till we get back. I hope you have all enjoyed your halloween capers whatever they might have been. Personally im not a halloween fan im afraid, i prefer christmas.


So hope you all have lots of nice things planned for the weekend. As for me, some crafting i hope, but i shan't bank on it. Jasmine has a friend sleeping over tonight, and said friend doesn't usually go to sleep very early and is up at the crack of dawn, so ill probably be trying to catch up with some sleep!!

Have a great weekend whatever you decide to do. Hugs to you all Linda x

BIRTHDAY CARD Commission

Well its been one of those days, woke up this morning feeling worse than i did yesterday. Thumping head, sore eyes and the same annoying cough!!! I am soooo fed up with this cold, but from what I gather im not the only one suffering with it. Have had visitors all day too, which although nice to catch up with everyone, has been very tiring. I was glad to close the door finally at 5.00pm!

Due to my visitors and this cold i have done little crafting over the last 24 or so hours. I was asked to make this birthday card on Tuesday for Wednesday! No pressure then! It was for a friend, so i didn't like to say no. I have to say i havn't been feeling at all creative and making this has been very hard going, can't say i was overly happy with the finished product either, but my friend took it and said she loved it. I shall never know whether she did or didn't, if she doesn't come back for anymore i will only be able to draw my own conclusions. I am never very good when it comes to mens cards, but having the photo at least gave me a focal point! As you can see have left it fairly simple, yep thats me all over - simple!

Anyway here it is.



For anyone else suffering from this blasted cold, hope you have a good nights sleep, me im going to have some hot chocolate and cream before i go to bed, it seemed to help last night. Hopefully will get round to a bit of card making tomorrow. Hugs for now Linda x

POLLYCRAFT /BASIC GREY CHALLENGE/CHRISTMAS CARDS/

POLLYCRAFT CHALLENGE - STRIPES

What a lovely day ive had! this morning didn't start well, and i didn't get to make any cards until later this afternoon, when the children were outside making the most of the autumn sunshine!! I made this card for the Pollycraft Challenge - Stripes. I used one of the adorable pollycraft rubber stamps and coloured her in with my pro-markers, her fur is glittered with stickles. Her shoes have been glossy accented! Ribbon, gems and snowflakes from my stash.

BASIC GREY CHALLENGE - SHAPES

This weeks challenge over at basic grey was to use different shapes, i've used triangles and rectangles. The paper is from one of my favourite two scoops pad! The image is a penny black stickeroo. Flowers are prima, the leaves are a McGill punch (i think) and the glass baubles are from my stash.

IRIS FOLDING CHRISTMAS TREE STAMP

The next two cards are made using an iris folding stamp designed by my good friend Anna. The first is a monochromatic card and i have to say is one of my favourites.

Secondly a more traditional coloured card!

And finally a quick birthday card, using one of the adorable Pollycraft download images.

So thats what i've been up to today. I'm a happy bunny that i actually managed to get 2 cards made , only another 30 to go!

Have a good evening, hugs to you all Linda x

Saturday Sketch Challenge and Birthday/Christmas card weekly challenge Wk 4/

Saturday Sketch Challenge

I am afraid I don't know what these papers ae, the image is a penny black one sent to me by one of my dear friends, i have coloured it in with my aquarelle pencils and then covered it in glossy highlights with some stickles highlights. You may need to double click on the image to get the detail. My camera is so out of date!! I never get a nice crisp clear image, sorry.

BIRTHDAY/CHRISTMAS CARD CHALLENGE 4

Can not believe its week 4 already, this weeks sketch is by the wonderful go over to the birthday/christmas challenge blog to see all the DT wonderful samples. I am sure it will provide you with plenty of inspiration.

My christmas card is using a topper downloaded from the wonderful Paulas Pollycraft Designs downloadable site. If you have not seen her wonderful work it is well worth a visit. The papers are from a DCWV christmas glittered stack. Gems and glass baubles are froms tock.

I apologise for the poor photo, my camera works even less in the dark, even with the flash on. My birthday card is again using a topper from the Pollycraft downloads. I have used some Anna Griffin papers which I adore and some of the prima essentials flowers that were sent to me by my fantastic friend Jill. Hugs to you Jill as I know you are feeling a little low honey.

MAGNOLIA CHALLENGE - RAINBOW /SECRET CRAFTERS CHALLENGE WK 3/MORE CARDS

MAGNOLIA CHALLENGE - RAINBOW

Well i chose this paper as it resembled a rainbow, that was till the card was completed, and now i think it looks more like a sunset, sorry about that, but it is supposed to be a rainbow!!

I coloured the tilda image in pro-markers and stickled her wings. stickled sun and diamantes for extra sunshine sparkle.

SECRET CRAFTERS CHALLENGE

This is my first halloween card. I thought i'd use this adorable Pollycrafts image and have coloured her in using pro markers. I have used a paper by karen Foster and then some of the Core-dinations cardstock from the elements collection. The jewels are from stock and the glittering around the scalloped edge is of course the good old stickles. The halloween themed ribbon is from Poppicrafts.

I decided to make another halloween card with the rest of the paper, not the same sketch, but very similar!

BLOG CANDY Juliet has some beautiful blog candy to give away, go take alook for yourself.

FRIDAY SKETCHERS CHALLENGE/CARDS FOR FRIENDS

FRIDAY SKETCHERS WEEKLY CHALLENGE

This is my entry into this weeks Friday Sketchers challenge, i have used one of the fabulous High Hopes stamps, this is going to be a birthday card for Daniel, his favourite colour is green so I hope this fits the bill. Again in not sure what the papers are they were sent to me by a wonderful friend. The ribbon and sentiment is from my own stash.

OTHER CARDS

This is a card wallet using the adorable whiff of joy stamp. I have coloured in using the SU Brush markers and glittered the wings with stickles. Again the paper im unsure of but I love this design so if anyone can enlighten me I would be very grateful. Untie the ribbon bow and lift the flap to reveal a folder full of images to colour. The flower is a punch then layered with a gold bell cap and diamante centre. The small gold flowers are also bell cups with a diamante centre.

The next two cards have been sitting on my desk half finished for well over a week, I finally decided to finish them today. They are both for friends who are at the moment going through rather difficult times.

This one is using my new Magnolia pink tilda, which i adore, and as you can see isn't so pink!!!! she's lilac, but pretend you didn't notice that. The flowers are punches, and then glittered using stickles again. The flourish is a quickutz die, one of my favourite ones.


This second card has a Pollycraft image, which i love. I love those cute freckles, my little Jasmine has freckles, she hates them but i keep telling her its a sign of beauty. The paper is by MME (my minds eye). I love these papers they are such great quality. I have used adhesive pearls around the inner circle and a stretchy lace round the main circle. Flowers are prima with pearl centres. Ribbon from Stash and coloured with SU brush markers.

So thats me done for today. Enjoy your weekend.

Dutch Dare Challenge - Sketch

DUTCH DARE CHALLENGE SKETCH

I am not completely happy with this card, i loved the sketch, but think i should have used a different shaped card, my mistake but never mind its done now. I have used one of the lovely High hopes stamps isn't the dragon adorable? I have coloured with my pro-markers with some crystal lacquer highlights. I have used yellow nailheads as embelishments and a greeting from a kit from QVC.

WALLET FOLDER OR CARD?

I made this card to go with some stamped images for a friend. Behind the coloured cracker image is some stamped up images of the same design. I am not sure what paper this is but I adore it, if anyone knows what make it is please email me and let me know. The image was coloured with my SU trush markers and the crown has been highlighted with rangers glossy accents. The large burgundy flower is a punch, and the gold flower inside is a bead cap, as too are the other flowers, with gems in the centre.
Crafty planet glitter glue baubles and the lovely Martha Stewart border punch doyley.

I actually managed to get a few other cards finished that ill post later. Got to go and get ready its the dread grocery shop today. Then I suppose i should do some housework, and some more laundry, before i sit back down at my craft desk!!

WHIFF OF JOY CHALLENGE /QUICK CARDS

What a beautiful morning it is, the sun is shining and it is a typical crisp day! I have just been to Jasmines harvest festival assembly, which was very entertaining. I am now home, making a cup of coffee and sitting down to craft. These cards I made last night, when I couldn't sleep. This cough is playing havoc with my sleeping pattern. Last day at school for Jasmine - horray!! I get to laze around tomorrow morning, hopefully extra time to craft.

WHIFF OF JOY CHALLENGE - SKETCH

What a beautiful sketch to work with this week, I actually got to use up loads of scrap bits of paper so thank you for that. I used this lovely whiff of joy image its one of my favourite christmas stamps. I am not sure what the papers are sorry! The flowers are the retro punch and the middle are filigree bell cap findings sent to me by my wonderful friend Jill. Ribbon from stash. I have coloured the images using the pro-markers, and glittered his wings with stickles.

A COUPLE OF QUICK CARDS
This is using the lovely Elzybels stamp, its one of my favourite christmas designs, isn't the teddy oh so cute? he has been coloured with pro-markers. The holly is a punch with crystal lacquer berries.

This was a ready made card from one of the Create and Craft Deals brought last year. I have used one of the gorgeous whiff of joy stamps as centre piece.

Hopefully will get a couple more challenges done today, and will post later this evening. Hope you have some sunshine wherever you are, happy crafting. Linda x

MORE CARDS /AWARDs - Thank you

Can you believe its Wednesday already? where has the week gone? I am struggling to find time to craft this week, this colds really takings its toll. I generally seem to be up all night one day and then in bed by 9pm the following day - totally exhausted. I've not been the only one not sleeping i've noticed comments being left at very odd hours in the morning ladies!! Putting my cold aside i have had a good week so far, still no accidents in the car (thank goodness) , and no really traumas from my eldest son this week (he is going through adolescence and has been the child from mars - completely unrecognizable!) . If anyone has any tips on this I would be really pleased to hear them, its come as a total shock to us, and we are not handling it too well I would appreciate any input ont this?!

Two more days and Jasmine finishes for half term week, im sooo looking forward to the more relaxed mornings, although we do seem to have a busy week ahead. Last night we had Jasmines parent/teacher interview. We are thrilled to hear that she is settling in this year. Last year we were told how quiet and reserved she was and how they would like to see her being more active within the class. This year she's gained confidence and is far more active within class discussions, and I must admit i've noticed her confidence growing in various areas. I can't tell you how pleased I am. A child of mine that actually likes school - brilliant!!

So amongst the coughing I have managed to make a couple of cards, although I am not completely happy with the end result of a couple of them.

This card was using one of my new Pollycraft stamps, which I absolutely love! If you havn't been over to the site its well worth a visit, with loads of beautiful downloads and a nice selection of stamps. I must add the service is second to none, I received my stamps within 24 hours! The papers were from prima and the ribbon and glass beads are from my own stash. I used mulberry flowers to add dimension to the stamped image flowers.

The next three cards were made using the same sugar nellie stamp and the same sheet of backing paper. The paper is a design from Chloe's Closet - Afternoon Tea. Flowers, ribbons and glass baubles are from my own stash.

So hope you all have a good day, and look forward to visiting your blogs later this evening. Hugs for now Linda x

AWARDS RECEIVED THANK YOU

I received this award from the lovely Debbie and Jo. I am suppose to pass it on to 6 blogs, but there are so many wonderful blogs out there I don't have the heart to pick just 6 so it is to each and everyone one of you that visit me. Thank you.

I received this award today from Donalda, thank you so much hun, its so kind of you.

The rules of the award are:

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 of those you’ve nominated

I have decided to give this award to everyone who visits my blog.


I also received this award from Diane. Thank you Diane I have to pass the award on to 6 people now this isn't easy, so I have decided to pass on to blogs I have only recently discovered, so they are:-

Rheannon
Mada
Heidi
Tanja
Amanda
Lesley

Quick cards

I hope you are all having a good week, im pleased to say no accidents this week so far! My head cold seems to have taken a grip and has forced my mojo to flee again. I didn't do any cards yesterday but I made these Sunday evening, so I thought i'd post them instead.

These cards are made using the fabulous images by Sally-Ann downloads. The papers are from the Colossal Paper Pack from Paper Mania and this layout is from the Friday sketches. I love this particular sketch. I have highlighted parts of the image with rangers glossy accents, which isn't so obvious from this photo. ( Double click on photo to see close up)




Another card using the lovely Sally-Ann downloads, again the papers are from a blogging friend and im not sure the make, sorry.

The silver flowers are actually bead caps with a little flat backed pearl in the center. Ribbon from my own stash.

This is a quick card again made with the PM simply Elegant papers and the wonderful Whiff of Joy image. Coloured with pro-markers. Again the flower is a bead cap. Velvet ribbon from stash.

This is a quick christmas card using the elzybels stamp, the bauble has been highlighted again with glossy accents. The holly is a die cut brought from ebay.

B-day, X-mas card weekly challenge 3/Friday Sketchers Challenge

FRIDAY SKEETCHERS WEEKLY CHALLENGE

I adore this weeks sketch over on friday sketchers. I have decided to use this sketch for a bunch of christmas cards that I am currently working on. This is my entry, I am not sure where the papers are from, they come from one of my very generous blogging friends. The image of course is one of the beautiful whiff of joy images, still my favourite stamps at the moment. I used my cuttlebug embossing folder for the cirlce and the flowers are of course prima. The star gems inside from paper cellar. The image itself coloured using pro markers.

B-DAY AND X-MAS CARD WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Good morning and hope you are enjoying the start of another week! Can you believe its Monday again already? Well you know what that means, another b-day x-mas card weekly challenge. This weeks its a simple sketch made by me, never done this before so apologies for the poor quality! Thought i'd keep it simple, as the idea of the challenge is to build up a stash of birthday and christmas cards, so we don't wan't to spend too much time on each one. Hope you like it and can do something special with it.

This card is using one of the Elzybels stamps, I love these adorable reindeers.

For anyone who hasn't used these stamps, I have to say I am so impressed with the crips inked images each and every time!

Have used pro markers to colour with some crystal lacquer highlights. Ribbon from Poppicrafts and papers not actually sure, sorry.

Isn't this dragon adorable? It is from a company called Lilac Lemon Designs there are other dragon designs amongst other innovative stamps. I have used papers from the simply elegant PM pack, I love the colours in this. Flowers of course from Prima and the glass baubles from my stash. Images coloured with pro-markers.

I hope you will join us in this weeks challenge. We have a small prize up for grabs so go over to the challenge blog and find out more. Here.


Happy crafting and thank you for taking the time to pop by my blog again. Hugs Linda x

SECRET CRAFTERS CHALLENGE WK 2/AWARDS

I have no idea where the weekend is going, its Sunday already and half way through the morning. I spent the evening crafting and managed to actually get two cards done, one of which is for this weeks Secret Crafters Challenge. I will post the others later today. I hope you are all enjoying the weekend, and having some lovely autumny weather. Have mother for lunch today so I don't think ill be getting much crafting done. Half term starts next Friday and I can't wait, no school run and a few extra hours in the day to craft!!! yiphee!

Have a lovely day ladies

SECRET CRAFTERS CHALLENGE WK 2

This is my entry into this weeks secret crafters challenge. I have used some embossed paepr sent to me by the wonderful Karin. The image itself is a ready made sticker that I brought from Poundland last christmas, as too are the snowflakes. Aren't they adorable? I don't usually use stickers but am trying to use up all old bits of stash. The jewels are from my stash.

AWARDS - THANK YOU
This award was given to my by Nikki and karin, Susie thank you very much I really do appreciate it.

The rules are that you can pass this award to only 6 blogger friends. This is way too difficult as I have so many friends who are deserving of it so I am going to pass this to 6 blogs I love which are fairly new to me.
Chris
Jo
Lesley
Simone
Elaine

Sally-Ann

This adorable award was given to me by my friend Emma. I love this so cute monkeys. Thank you Emma.

Thank you for taking the time to pass by my blog today. Linda x

THANK YOU

As most of you will be aware I havn't had the best of weeks. However, amongst the doom and gloom I had some lovely cards and packages from my dear blogging friends which have really helped cheer my days!

Thank you Jo and Amy for these wondeerful cards and the lovely package of goodies you sent me, im looking forward to colouring in some of the gorgeous images you sent me, and inking up that lovely Claires fairy image. The card on the left has been made by Jo's daughter Amy isn't it fabulous? thank you Amy you are going to give your mum some serious competition in the card making!!

My dear friend Jill is constantly supporting me and she sent me this gorgeous card, and also some lovely things she brought at a craft show. She is ever generous, thinking so much of others! Thank you Jill im looking forward to having a play with it all and I appreciate your constant support. You make sure you get some me time as you so deserve it my friend!

This gorgeous card was from my fairly new friend Emma, who also sent me some images to colour and other goodies, but for some reason the photo didn't load! i think she knows me too well already if the card is anything to go by!!! Emma has also been very supportive of me the last few weeks and I so appreciate it. She has also had a bereavement in the family recently, just want to say I am thinking of you hun and you know where I am should you need me.

Arent these just fabulous cards, using the fantastic Whiff of Joy stamps? The card on the left is from my lovely friend Zoe, who has been having a hard time recently. Her children have been poorly and now she is feeling a little under the weather. Despite that she still found time and made me this beautiful card and sent me some lovely images and papers. Thank you Zoe I loved it all and can't wait to have a play with it, get plenty of rest hun so you get back to your usual self and get back to your crafting! Big hugs to you and the little ones.

The gorgeous card on the left was from the talented Aija, and included were some gorgeous hanglar images, also she sent me some delicious finnish chocolates, which i've eaten already, they were delicious, how did you know I love chocolate Aija?

This is the inside of Aijas card, she always pays such great attention to detail!! I adore all her cards. Thank you Aija, there is something on the way to you as we speak!!

Finally I also received some lovely images from my friend Poppy, thank you Pops I really love them, and am looking forward to using them on some cards! I hope your water is all back to normal now and that you've managed to get plenty of crafting in!! Hugs to you too.

A week or so ago, I won this gorgeous tilda project on the adorable Annies blog. Isn't this the cutest little thing you've seen? and its all made from a toilet roll!!! Yes i will never look at an empty toilet roll in the same light again, im starting to collect them! Thank you Annie, as you know I was thrilled when I found out i'd won this, i shall find a special place in my craft room to display it, thank you.

Wow, thats it I think. I have to say I am totally overhwelmed by everyones kind words on my accident, and for the emails that I have received concerning it. To each and every one of you (you know who you are) I am grateful for your support and am sending big hugs to you all x