wk 49 at the JCBC Challenge, a sketch from Karin

Its week 49 at the Just Christmas and Birthday card Challenge. This has been scheduled and will be the last post this week. I love these Lili of the Valley images, as they are so great for quick cards. Some lovely friend brought me 3 of the new Lili of the Valley stamps launched at the NEC, i am looking forward to getting my hands on them and having a play. Although im not sure when in the future that will be.

This week we have a fabulous sketch from my lovely friend Karin. Thank you for such a great sketch to work with Karin.

Enjoy your week, you are all in my thoughts! hugs Linda x

Not so happy Weekend and some Cards/flowers

Its Sunday and another weekend has whizzed by, we are another week closer to christmas ladies, can you believe it?

Well its been a busy week for me with no crafting. I did these two cards that im showing you today last week. They are not my usual style but i have enjoyed doing them, and will be making more similar cards when i get chance.

One of my closest friends lost her father to cancer this week, and on top of that i have alot going on in my personal life. For that reason i have decided to take at least a week out from blogging. Possibly longer if needed.

I hate not being able to give one hundred per cent to anything i do, and at the moment i feel i can't spend enough time blogging and leaving comments to you wonderful people out there like i should. I hope when i return i can visit you on a regular basis. In the meantime thank you for all the lovely comments you leave me and i look forward to visiting you all again soon.

As you all know ive been doing a floristry course since the end of September, i have to say although i am enjoying it, im finding it hard to stay fully motivated. I think it hindsight i should have left the course for next year. Never mind, i will struggle through, and the upside is i have a houseful of flowers. I love fresh flowers.

This is an arrangment i did for my living room from some fresh dahlias i brought on the roadside, aren't they gorgeous?

This is the basket i did in fridays class for my mother in laws 70th birthday. Not a very good photo as it looks unbalanced, but there is another lily the other side!

Well ladies have a good week, sending you all big hugs and thank you for visiting.

Linda x

Quick Cards and an auction Site

Good morning to you all. Its a bright sunny morning, and yes, i have managed to do some blog hopping, i will be continuing with it this evening, so if i havn't had chance to visit you yet, i will do by the end of today.

I have to say ive missed my visits to your wonderful blogs there is so much inspiration and how talented you all are!!!

Well i may have had chance to blog hop, but ive not made many cards, the ones im showing you today are ones i made about a month ago, but havn't had chance to upload. I have no idea what the papers are, but if anyone knows could you kindly drop me an email and let me know as i would love some more!!!

I adore the gruffy bear images, and my postman asked for 2 cards suitable for men, after much deliberation, and scratching of my head! these are what i came up with.

He seemed happy enough with them, so thats one job done.

As you all know im always struggling with boys cards, but i was determined to get a few made for my stock pile. With having 3 sons, there is more call for boys cards than girls! yet i have a ton of girls cards sitting here! I have to admit i adore these downloads, they are just fabulous for quick cards and such trendy images.
You wont be surprised to learn that i have no idea again what the papers are! but they are really good for mens cards dont you think?

I am still struggling with my colouring but i see that the lovely Rach has some tutorials on her blog and i will be taking a look when i have more time.

THE AUCTION ROOM BLOG

My lovely friend Tasha, has come up with a brilliant idea. A stamp auction site. It has been called "The Auction Room" go take a look for yourself. Its a great way of getting your hands on a new stamp without actually parting with any money, all you have to do is offer a stamp you no longer want as a swap. I love this idea, and will be using it in the future, especially with stamps im unable to sell on.

Right then im off to make a start on a card, finally, time to craft! hope to be back with something to show you later this week, have a great day, big hugs Linda x

A Card for Jaimie - a great Cause!

One of the great things about Cardmaking and Blogland is that we can make a difference, so please read on.....

Today 2nd November and until next Monday 9th November there is a blog hop and Card Drive, set up by Denise Lynn and Erin at Stamp Something for Jaimie Spread the Love. (pop over and get the whole story, it is quite sickening, but unfortunately life can be so very bad at times) there is a link on my side bar, there are prizes to be won, but that is not the point off this blog hop please read below, and take part, send Jaimie a card in support of the awful ordeal that she went through, it just makes me go cold thinking off it,

On October 4^th, 4 teenagers armed with knives broke into a home in a small town in New Hampshire. Alone and sleeping inside were a mother and her 11 year old daughter. These 4 boys broke into this home with the intent to rob and kill anyone inside. They stabbed the mom, Kimberly Cates, to death and left her daughter, Jaimie, for dead in their driveway. It was a completely random act, their home was chosen only due to its secluded surroundings."

Our hope is that everyone hopping around today will stop for a moment and think about Jaimie and her father and what life must be like for them now. One moment in time has changed their lives forever. We are asking that everyone reading this message please take a moment to make a card and send it off to Jaimie. You can make something very simple or much more involved, but please share some words of love and comfort .

CCC Week 35- Ribbon and Gems

Its week 35 at the Creative Card Crew Challenge. This year is whizzing by, and im struggling to keep up with everything. You must be fed up with me uttering the same old words!! i keep thinking, ill get this week over and done and then ill be on top of things, but that never seems to happen. Am i the only one like this, or are there others of you suffering from the same?


For my card this week, i cheated, and used cards id made last year. I used to do alot of this iris folding, using my fabulous talented friend Anna's stamps. I have decided to get them out again this week, once the children go back to school. I do love the effect you achieve with this folding technique.

Please join in with our challenge this week, and have the chance to win one of the fabulous download kits from my other talented friend Tracy. Her work at the Creative Cottage is just fabulous, go see for yourselves.





Hope to be back later with some more cards.

Hugs Linda x

CCC Week 34 - Icicles

Its week 34 at the Creative Card Crew Challenge and im late posting my cards so sorry. This week with half term and hubby being on holiday i am so behind. I am rushing about this morning too, as im meeting my lovely blogging friend Zoe this afternoon. Will be back later with more cards and some chit chat.

Hugs Linda x

CCC Week 33 - Children and Babies Cards/Some flower arranging!

Good evening everyone, i can hardly believe another week is ahead, and its Wednesday again tomorrow !!! i am sorry for my lack of blogging, i didn't have a very good week. Last week i had terrible indigestion/heartburn for 2 days which was very painful. Then come the weekend i ended up with terrible monthly pains. I am still suffering a bit and feel absolutely exhausted. I can not tell you how much im looking forward to half term week and those lazier more relaxed mornings! Hubby has next week off so i suspect i will not be online much. Not that you will notice much different i suspect, as ive hardly been a good blogger of late!

By the weekend i will be posting on some more stamps that im selling and also some dies. I am trying to make some more space.

Well its week 33 already at the CCC, so on with my post!

CCC Challenge Week 33 - Children and Babies

Its week 33 at the Creative Card Crew Challenge and this week i wan to see cards for children or babies. I loved making cards for this, and hope you will go over the the Challenge Blog to get more inspiration from my fellow DT members.

Using more of those gorgeous Lili of the Valley die cut images. I just can't tell you how much i love these, they are perfect for quick cards! Not sure what the papers are but using my favourite fiskars border punch and ribbon from stash.

This time a christmas card for a little girl. I am loving these adorable Lili of the Valley stamps, i have coloured this image using my pro-markers. The snowflakes are punches, with the bigger one being the cuttlebug snowflake die.

Another one of the Lili of the Valley die cuts

And more die cuts!!!

Flower Arranging

I am on week 4 of my flower arranging course. Last week we did our first arrangement in class. This is what i did in class, again not as the tutors, but as they say practice makes perfect, so, i am getting in as much practice as i can!!

Came home and popped to the florist wholesaler to get more flower and have another go. I just adore fresh cut flowers, so now i have an arrangement in every room!

Made these little posies in some ordinary terracotta flower pots. Roses and carnations are my favourite flowers as well as gerberas.

This was my favourite arrangement so far, but the photo is very dark, i am going to take another one tomorrow and hope it will give you a better idea.

So sorry this seems to be a long post, hope you are not all bored. I am still behind with my blogging but hope to catch up a bit over the next couple of days and definitely over the weekend.

Hugs Linda x

CCC Week 32- Scallops

Happy Wednesday evening! i can not believe its almost the end of the week again. The weeks always seem to pass by quickly but this week has gone even quicker than previous ones. I am struggling to stay on top of everything. I have a list of "things to do" as long as my arm. No sooner do i tick one off , do i then have to add another 2!!! one of these days i will catch myself coming back for sure!!

Well as you will be aware its wednesday, and im late posting my CCC card for week 32 which is Scallops! i love scallops and have used my fiskars threading water punch which is one of my favourites and of course my nestabilities oval dies. Once again one of those fabulous die cuts from Lili of the Valley. They are so perfect for me at the moment as it saves me time on colouring! I hope you will join us this week at the CCC Challenge. Go check at the blog here for yourselves, where you will find even more inspiration from my fellow DT members, all very talented i must add, not sure why im involved to be honest!

I havn't made many cards this week, 2 male orientated cards that i hope to blog tomorrow or thursday, but for the time being more cards that i made last week.

Firstly one of those fabulous whiff of joy images, this is one of my favourites! and the papers are from SU. I love these papers, and have been putting off using them, but then i realized i had 2 packets - perfect!

I am always struggling with mens cards but i lvoe these dustin pike images and they are perfect for those mens cards, dont you think? papers im not sure what make they are, infact if anyone can enlighten me i would be very grateful!!

And another one of those gorgeous dragons! and more of the same papers!

Well i must get on with some of my to do tasks!! for anyone waiting for anything from me, i promise i will get round to it shortly!!!! please bear with me a few more days.

Hugs to you all Linda x

Crafting Life Pieces Challenge No 6 and some Christmas cards

Yes, its me again, this time with a card for Chelsea's challenge No 6. I am loving this sketch, and i hope you'll like the card ive made using one of Chelsea's own images!



Isn't this little girl witch adorable? i love her face, she is sooooo cute. I wish i had a broomstick to ride, it would save on the cost of petrol!


Using the cuttlebug web embossing folder (sent via a RAK) and a stick on spider, another RAK. The papers were also in a RAK from my lovely friend Wanda (thank you hunny), although i am not sure what make they are!

Then finally 2 christmas cards that i made at the weekend.

I love this manga girl and the papers again - unknown! how useless am i?

Last and not least one of Joanna Sheens fabulous Messy Rabbits, and papers from Basic Grey!!! bet you thought i didn't know huh?

Right thats it from me and im off to bed, speak tomorrow, hugs Linda x

Spooktacular Kit at the Creative Cottage

Hope you've all had a good day and enjoyed your start to another week. Well my lovely talented friend Tracy over at the Creative Cottage, has another freebie for you.

Firstly though, i want to share with you 3 cards that i have made using the forest friends papers and images. I love the colours in this kit and have made halloween cards using them. Firstly using this fabulous image from my other talented friend Chelsea, who has this image as a stamp. This image was a total dream to colour!

This card is using just papers and images from the Forest Friends download kit, go take a look here for yourself.

Again another card using just images and paper from the kit. You will find so much scope within this kit at the bargain price of £2.99.

FREEBIE

NOVEMBER FREEBIE FOR HALLOWEEN

You are going to love this freebie kit from Tracy. Its just in time for those halloween cards you http://the-creative-cottage.blogspot.com/have to make. You must go take a look on the Creative-Cottage blog and download this kit for your personal use. How generous is Tracy to offer another free kit? watch out for more releases over the next week or so!

Well my lovelies, thats it from me im off to put the children to bed. Enjoy the rest of your evening, back tomorrow, with the Creative Crew Challenge and some more quick cards.

Hugs Linda x

JCBC Challenge #47 by Mada

Good morning, and another happy week ahead for you all i hope! It is week 47 at the Just Christmas and Birthday Card Challenge, and this week we have a fabulous sketch by Mada.

I have used those Lili of the Valley die cuts again, its a fabulous sketch for using up those little die cuts, i shall be using this sketch again for sure.

This post has been scheduled so i will be back later, hugs Linda x

My Floristry Course, Jasmines Birthday and a few cards!

Good evening everyone, its sunday afternoon and six twenty six here, and its pitch black outside!!! i think winter has arrived, along with it the colder weather, i need my fleece!

Its been a few days since i last posted, and i have alot to share with you, so i hope your sitting comfortably.

Its been a busy weekend, infact a busy week, and im still suffering with this headcold. I am taking myself to the doctors this week if i dont pick up, my energy levels are at an all time low and im lacking motivation to do much at all.

Having said that last week i got a few cards made, and here they go, firstly i actually got my sizzix bird die finally out, and made this card, the papers are unknown, cant for the life of me
think what make they are, sorry.

Secondly a card using those daisy and dandelion stamps, i havn't made full use of these , but i enjoyed colouring this cutie and will be using it again very soon. I coloured the image and then sprayed it with glimmer mist, although its not very noticeable from this photo, then i passed it through one of my cuttlebug embossing folders, i am liking the effect this creates, what do you think?

Papers are from a pad i brought from Create and Craft an absolute age ago, im trying to use up some of my older papers.

Then finally for today, a card using those delicious Lili of the valley die cuts again, perfect for that quick card, and those images are just the most adorable! I am loving these gold colours, will be repeating this again soon, too.

So as many of you know, i started a floristry course 3 weeks ago and several friends have been asking me how ive been getting on. Well we havn't done any flower arranging in class yet, and last friday was the first time we saw our lovely teacher demonstrate. I have to admit i watched her eagerly trying to take in everything, and thinking ummm i think its a case of looking harder than it looks. Well believe you me, it certainly is!!!! i came home and brought some flowers to have a go myself, well let me tell you my display looks nothing like our tutors, and im just praying that practice makes perfect, because this attempt is far far from it!!!! so to give you all a little giggle here is my first ever attempt!!!

I tried to take it from another angle to see if it looked any better, but im afraid not, so here you have it. Maybe, i should stick to the papercrafting!!!

To change the subject completely thought you might like to see my lovely Rocky Bear asleep on his settee!!! - yes, he seems to have taken possession of the settee in the conservatory, there is certainly no room for anyone else when he is stretched out! Not a very flattering pose !!

On Tuesday Jasmine celebrated her 11th birthday, we went to Frank and Benny's for tea, here are a couple of photos. Yes, don't faint, i actually remembered to take the camera.

Jasmine and her friend Holly enjoying some colouring and quizzes! Thank goodness for goody bags, to keep them amused!

My eldest son Dean and his girlfriend Lauren.

Left to right, Ben, Jamie and Kelly

Wow this is a long post, you must be asleep by now! I am off to have a bath and when i come down ill be doing some blog hopping, i am so sorry its been a while since i visited some of you. I have been feeling not myself for some time, and im finding it hard to stay on top of things. I hope usual service will resume soon, please bare with me for the time being. I appreciate everyone who still visits me and leaves me comments, i appreciate each one, and everyone helps to cheer my otherwise dreary days!

Have a fabulous evening, hugs Linda x