I hope your all having a much nice bank holiday weekend, weatherwise, than we are. It has been raining on and off all weekend so far, typical bank holiday weekend!

Well I finally have some news to share with you all. I mentioned it a fortnight ago, but I had since had second thoughts, the usual talking myself out of it, and then back into it again! does this sound familiar to any of you? But after much encouragement from friends and also my family I finally decided on Friday to go for it, and I signed a contract to open my own little crafting haven! Now , for those who know me well, you know I'm still very nervous about it all, worried sick I'll fail , but i gave myself a good talking to (oh yes , I am mad!).

I will be 45 on the 20th of this month, and I have spent my life doing absolutely nothingbasically because I have always been scared of failing, drawing attention to myself, or just general lack of self belief, but because of this, I'm left with a list as long as my arm (and longer) of what if's????

Life for me has been very difficult on and off for the last two and a half years, just when i thought things couldn't get worse, they did. Talk about being kicked when your down! I felt totally out of control of everything around me, I was not in a good place, and at the time thought it would never end. But, I was wrong, things slowly improved since about February and now we are at a stage, that I truly believed would never come ! But things happen for a reason and I know all these unfortunate times have made me stronger even though I didn't realize it at the time.

It's made me realize, certain things you can't control, and its pointless wasting energy and time on them, instead put that time and energy into something you can have an influence on. Life really is too short! So with giving myself a talking to (several times), I have decided to give it a go, yes of course I'm still worried sick I will fail, but if I don't try I will never know, and so what if I do fail. Yes of course , I'll feel bad about it, but at least there is not another "what if" to add to my already very long list.

My friends and family have all been so supportive and encouraging, so thank you all for that. I also wanted to thank Sarita, for her words of encouragement, I know she has also made a decision to go ahead with turning her fabulous designs into downloads and stamps. You will definitely be fine Sarita, you have an outstanding talent. I can't wait to see your next drawing!

So a little about my new venture. Don't get too excited ladies, its only a summerhouse, but its my summerhouse (have always wanted one in the garden), or at least while I pay for it! It is inside the premise of Bay Tree Farm Garden Centre . There are 5 similar units there, only 2 others occupied, a wool shop and a lovely glassware shop, but hopefully the other units will soon be taken, and they are planning to add more if it takes off. The units have been their since November so its a new venture and its still very quiet, but I believe that with better advertising it may take off. I have been to the garden centre at least 3 times since November, and did not realize they had the shopping village there!!!!

There is loads of things to sort out, but I am planning to have an official opening the weekend of my birthday , the 19th/20th June. There is so much to organize so i will probably be a little lapse with my blogging posts.

I really would appreciate any ideas you have for the shop. I want to offer so much more than just crafting stash, somewhere to come and share ideas, to learn new techniques etc, and to chat! I have lots to learn myself.

If there is anyone out there who ever visits my blog that lives nearby please can you email me , thank you.

My Little Shop - Jazzlins Designs

Crafting has been a bit lapse, but i have made these cards this week in between long sessions on the internet. Firstly a 50th Birthday Card for Kelly's Mum. An elegant card for an elegant lady happy birthday sweetie!

I just adore the Stampin Up Bird and branch post, perfect for a quick card embellishment.

A quick card used with an image that Jasmine had coloured in for me.

Have a fabulous weekend, look forward to catching up with you all again as soon as I can.

Hugs Linda x

LOTV Blog candy

The fabulous LOTV have an upcoming release , these gorgeous stamps will be available from Tuesday 1st June. If you would like the chance to win some of this gorgeous stamps go over to the LOTV Challenge Blog for the chance to win this collection. Hurry, you have till tomorrow night midnight to enter.

Hugs Linda x

Creative Cottage Challenge Week 12

Happy Wednesday to you all. I hope your not as cold as I am, its freezing here this morning. My daughter is still not well today and so I have her at home, with a temperature and sore throat, fingers crossed I don't get it! My poor son and his girlfriend have the week off work this week, its such a shame the weather is not nicer for them. They had planned going to Southend today, but alas the weather has made them re-consider.

Well I will be busy this morning, I have lots of things to get done, so I shall keep this waffling brief!

introducing
the

CREATIVE COTTAGE NEW RELEASE
DAISY CHAIN FARM

The kit

with additional paper packs

CREATIVE COTTAGE CHALLENGE WEEK 12
Blooming Charming

Being Wednesday again (already) its time for another fabulous challenge. I love this weeks challenge titled "Blooming Charming". For inspiration from my fabulous DT sisters please go to the Creative Cottage Challenge Blog where you are sure to be inspired!

For those of you who visit my blog regularly you will know my lovely friend Anna Marie, produces her own templates, originally in card they are now available to buy on a CD format.

I have had this flower template for a while, and until now not had chance to use it. So I have been thrilled to use two of my lovely friends products for my challenge this week. Anna's template and Tracy's fabulous Daisy Chain Farm Kit Digi Download that is available here.

I have used one of the ready coloured digi images included in the Farm Kit and printed it out on an A4 white card. Then traced round the template to form this lovely flower shape.

Have used some of the fabby papers inside and added sequin flowers and pearls to highlight the mat. The outside of the card coloured with my distress inks, and the addition of some of the flower embellishments included in the kit and a flourish border.

Added some retro punch flowers and the stems are some cloud 9 stickers i've had for ages.

I hope you will join us in this weeks challenge, I look forward to visiting your blogs to see your wonderful creations.

If anyone is interested in purchasing Anna-Maries flower template I am selling it for £1.00 plus p & p of £0.72.

More templates to follow and will be post up to 10 templates for the same Post and Packing cost.

Hugs for now Linda x

Another fabulous Release at the Creative Cottage and Sweet Pea Stampers - A Recipe

Creative Cottage has a new kit released today called The Daisy Chain Farm Kit, and what a sensational kit it is too. To see more cards from the fabulous DT members please go here. You will also find details of purchasing these fabulous kit, the papers are a joy to work with as well as ready coloured images which are great for quick cards.

I love piggies and these lovely pink papers work a treat with this image. There is also a sheet of embellishments including this adorable buttons, i have punched one out and covered it in glossy accents to give extra dimension. Im not sure where the black has come from on the piggy's head and body, i apologize!

This cow is equally adorable, and i love the floral papers, the corners were also on the embellishment kit and again ive glossy accented them for extra dimension.

Have also stickled the flowers and added some gems to the centres of the flowers.

Finally another card using the cute horse, and my favourite cuttlebug flourish die. Adding some flower sequins and pearls to finish.

I hope you will go take a look at this fabulous kit, and maybe join in the Creative Cottage Challenge this week.

Hugs for now Linda x

Creative Card Crew Challenge Week 51 - Pink and Green

Happy Tuesday morning to you all. The weather has taken a turn for the worse. Now I love the sun, but I am not a lover of the scorching temperatures we have endured over the last two days. So for me I have welcomed the cooler temperature, and who knows I might actually get some crafting done today!!

Another week well and truly on the way! don't the days seem to fly? It was my son Jamie's birthday yesterday, my little boy is not so little anymore, he celebrated his 19th birthday! I hope he enjoyed his special day, love you lots son, and am so very proud of you!

I also want to say a special hello to two very special ladies, who have their own trials and tribulations right now and I want them to know I am thinking of them, so waving and sending big hugs to SARAH and Jill.

Also I want to mention a couple of Challenge Blogs that I design for, firstly Sweet Pea Stampers. It is a fairly new challenge blog, but I am so enjoying being part of this great team. I am loving the Sweet Pea images, and although they look complicated to colour, they are in fact very easy. It would be great if more of you could join in with our challenge as its always a pleasure to see what you have come up with. This week our challenge is a recipe. For more details please check my post below. There are weekly prizes up for grabs, so it is well worth having a go, you could be the lucky winner. If you love these beauties but don't yet own any watch this space, as I will be adding some to my Birthday Blog Candy that I will be posting later this week.

Secondly I want to mention the fabulous Creative Cottage Challenge Blog. Another great group of ladies to work with and just amazing digi downloads to work with. I am thrilled to be part of Tracy's DT, and she has a new release due tomorrow. Please check back as you are sure to love it. As much as we would love to see your creations using any of Tracy's products, this is not necessary to join in with our weekly challenges. . I will be adding some of Tracy's fabulous downloads to my Birthday Blog Candy too.

Finally, my lovely friend Anna Marie has gorgeous templates that she designs, she sells them singly or on a CD, you may have seen her on Create and Craft on a show called "Templates with a Difference". I will be posting some cards made with them later this week, and again I will be adding some of these to my blog candy. You can use the templates with your favourite stamps as I will show you.

I apologize for my lack of commenting. I have a few spare hours today so will be trying to visit as many of the blogs I follow as I possibly can. I always enjoy catching up with you. I really must get myself organized, even more important now than before.

So enough of my rambling and on with today's card. I had made this card some weeks ago, when I had managed to get ahead with a few of my DT commitments! Its week 51 again at the Creative Card Crew.

Now this week the Challenge has been set by the lovely Pauline. This week challenge is Pink and Green. Now that was a simple one for me, as I just love that colour combination, and had the perfect frame printed already by Nit Wit downloads. If you havn't checked out these downloads you really should, they are fabulous. Now I purchased several sets, and can't remember which this one came from - sorry!

The fairy image is another download, again, the name escapes me. My memory is terrible, I would forget my head if it weren't attached to the rest of me!

The matting papers are from the Papermania range. I have stickled the fairies wings and glossy accented the flowers she's holding, the sentiment and the buttons!

The heart has been die cut from my nestabilities with a secret pocket.

A tag slipped inside, to add your greeting.

Hope you will join us again this week, its always a pleasure to see what you've been creating!

Back later with another challenge, big hugs Linda x

Sweet Pea Stampers - A Recipe

It's another week at the Sweet Pea Stampers and this week we have a fabulous recipe for you.
Your recipe is :-
4 papers
2 shapes
2 ribbons
1 button
1 sweet pea image


I have used this wonderful Sweet Pea image called Flowing in Blue. However as you can clearly see I have not used blue to colour my image. But what a beauty this girl is, I fell in love with these images the first time I saw them, and it is hardly any wonder is it? Go over to the Sweet Pea website to see all of the wonderful Sweet Pea Designs I challenge you not to fall in love with at least one of the fabby designs.

We have a fabulous prize this week for a lucky winner chosen by random org, you can win the fabulous stamp "Dance of the Butterfly" as well as a week as GD on the Sweet Pea Stampers.



I used a combination of pro-markers and copics to colour my image, but i'm still working on the shading and blending, I must go check out those tutorials again!

The background to my image was coloured using my distress ink pads in colours - spun sugar, and worn lipstick. Aren't those names just scrumptious???

I have used a combination of satin ribbon and some spotty grossgrain ribbon (dovecraft) with the addition of the flower button. Now I have no idea where those buttons come from but i would love to get my hand on more if anyone can help???

Again using one of my favourite Martha Stewart punches and the addition of some flat backed pearls, which i have been working my way through, it will soon be time to re-order, me thinks!
Have stickled around the butterfly, as I had to get some glitter in somewhere!

For more fabby inspiration go over to the Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge blog and see the wonderful work by my talented team buddies. We would also love you to join us this week with our challenge, its always such a pleasure to stop by your blogs to see what you've been creating.

Thank you for popping by will be back later with some more cards hugs Linda x

Tag You're It - A Paler shade of White

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend, its Sunday again, where do the weeks go? I say the same thing every week, but it amazes me just how quickly the weeks fly by. I am continually promising myself to get ahead with my DT work, and every week fail!!!! please someone get me organized!!!

Wow, the sun is out again, and its starting to warm up already, I know I shouldn't be complaining (but that's never stopped me before) but I hope it isn't quite as hot as it was yesterday. I ended up coming indoors to escape the heat.

I have my mum over for lunch today, hope she is not expecting a roast dinner as she will be bitterly disappointed, I intend cooking steak on the barbeque for dinner, unless I can persuade dear Hubby to take us out for lunch!

So another week gone and another weeks challenge at the Tag You're It. As many of you know when i joined the Tag You're It Challenge DT, it was certainly a new challenge for me, as I was not used to making tags. However, I am thoroughly enjoying this new venture. It makes me really think outside my comfort zone. I am finding it harder working on such a smaller space, and this weeks challenge was even more challenging. Sticking to white was very hard, and to get some texture and interest i decided to use a combination of embossing folders.

Have added some ribbon, lace and blooms, hope you can see the detail on here. You all know my photo taking is useless and although I've downloaded a new photo editing programme (thank you Jen) I still have not worked out how to use it !!! - typical of me, I'm a very slow learner!


We have some more news for you at Tag You're It. If you like swapping pieces of work (and in this instance tags), please read more here for information on our Tag Swap June. It is a great way of seeing fellow bloggers work of art, and what a fabulous way of maybe learning some new techniques.



I hope you will join us this week at Tag You're It. I look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing your fabulous creations.

Back tomorrow with my Sweet Pea DT card and another release from the Creative Cottage, Tracy has produced another fabulous digi download kit, its one of my favourites so far!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, put on your sun tan lotion!

Hugs Linda x

Ellephantastic Release - ABC Mice

Happy Weekend to my lovely blogging friends. It's Saturday again - yeah!!! and the sun is out and the temperature is better than it has been for weeks. I think I just might get my barbeque this weekend, fingers crossed.

A busy weekend ahead as its my sons birthday on Monday. Still havn't made his cards, and have to go shopping this morning for the rest of his birthday presents, yes, i've left it to the last minute again!

I just can't get myself organized, lots of things whizzing about my head, hopefully by next weekend ill have things straight in my head and can share my thoughts with you all.

Well another fabulous release from my lovely friend Helen at Ellephantastic. Please go check out the other DT cards here. I have coloured my digi image with my pro-markers and combined it with some papers from Colorbook, a Dena's Closet Paper Set.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend, and will be back tomorrow with another week at Tag You're It. Hugs for today Linda x

Good evening, its Thursday already, I'm not quite sure what happened, to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Now I don't know about you , but I am very disappointed with the weather, it hasn't been nearly as warm as I had been led to believe by the weather lady on TV am this week! I can see we will be falling out if she doesn't start telling me the truth! I still havn't had that barbeque that I had planned for last Saturday, fingers crossed we will get round to it this Saturday!

Well, I have not managed much crafting again this week, apart from one DT card that is not due for a couple of weeks, I made this quickie boy's card using that fabulous manga image. I have used what i believe to be some papers from K & Co and my cuttlebug number embossing plate. I have used my watercolour pencils to colour this one (very messily!!!).

Have made this for my son Ben's birthday, which is on the 3rd June, he will be entering his teenage years, oh the joys of parenthood! Its a busy month ahead. Monday my second son celebrates his 19th Birthday, oooohhhhh my goodness, do I feel old!! he has a telescope for his main present, and I still have to go out and buy some other bits and pieces, I struggle so much now they are getting older! no more cheap tat for them. Poor hubby always dreads June, what with my birthday being in the middle too it is certainly an expensive month for him.


I have some more photos of my lovely Bear and the bluebell woods to share with you, but i think ill come back tomorrow with those, along with a card that i made a while back for my nieces teacher.

Hope you all have a lovely evening, big hugs Linda x

Creative Cottage Challenge - One for the Boys

Good morning and and how is your week going? hope you are all having a creative and productive week so far. The weather has improved albeit slightly, maybe Summer if finally on its way!

Well its another week at the Creative Cottage Challenge, and this week we have a fabulous challenge its - "One for the Boys". If you are like me, you struggle with male cards, so this is a chance for you to stretch yourselves.

I have used one of Tracy's fabulous digi download kits - Lets Celebrate. Which is available to buy here.



I have actually used one of the new Funky Kit Manga images for my card. I love this funky guitarist! I have coloured him (not very well !!) with my pro-markers.

Have layered up the papers and cut out my image and decoupaged him onto the firework background paper. Some glossy accents to his sunglasses to look like glass (double click onto the image to see closer).

Have added stickles to the fireworks and the addition of a Sizzix sentiment "You Rock!". Using my star nestabilities and a peel off stating "wish".

The inside decorated with the remainder of the gorgeous papers.

Another card made earlier this week with the same papers and image. Thought i would share again in case you missed it.

Hope you will join us with this weeks challenge, and look forward to visiting you and seeing your creations. Last weeks entries were fabulous as always!

Have a wonderful day, hugs Linda x

Sweet Pea Stampers - Paper Piecing

Happy Monday morning and another week at the Sweet pea Stampers. Thank you for all of you who have joined us in our weekly challenge, it is such a thrill to visit your blogs and see what wonderful creations you have come up with. This week our challenge is simply paper piecing. I have paper pieced her hat. Have used a combination of border punches to decorate this card. My favourite Martha Stewart punch and the glorious flourish cuttlebug die.

Had you guessed that pink is my favourite colour? What girlie doesn't love pink?

Back later with some more sweet pea creations to share. Please join us at the Sweet Pea Stampers there are always wonderful prizes up for grabs, and the DT work very hard to inspire you with this beauties.

Hugs Linda x

Weekend Taggers/Manga at Funky Kits and Im Excited!!!

Good morning and happy weekend to you all. Well its been an exciting weekend, and I have alot buzzing around in my head just now. I can not share it just yet, as decisions need to be made and i need to do a little more homework first, but believe me as soon as I can share with you I most definitely will.

I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend, the sun is shining here today and im hoping to have the barbeque that we had to postpone yesterday! There is a wind still, but fingers crossed it will drop by this afternoon.

Unfortunately i have been behind with my crafting again, not enough hours in the day and not been helped this weekend by my head full of other things.

I managed to do my DT weekend taggers tag this morning took 30 minutes which im afraid might be a bit evident from the finished product - apologies. I promise I will be getting myself more organized!!!!

I have a few stamps on my desk that still havn't been inked, including one of the mangas from Funky Kits. Finally inked it up Friday. Hope you will like the card I made. I did the background by sponging my distress inks onto it, and then coloured in the image i had masked off to do it. Unfortunately my colouring is lacking that oooommmphhh, I have to practice my shading!

I have embossed the starts with the cuttlebug music note folder and cut out with my star nestabilities. The sentiment is done on my PC.

The papers i've used are from my lovely friend Tracy and her fabulous kit, Lets Celebrate available from the wonderful Creative Cottage! Please take a look at her fabulous download kits, they are such great value for money. I thought the firework display was perfect for this card!


Again, using my Martha Stewart Border Punches for the edges. If you like this watch this space for another similar card later this week for the wonderful Creative Cottage Challenge on Wednesday.

TAG YOU'RE IT
Vintage Romance

Can not believe another week has passed again and we are at the Tag You're It Challenge again. What a great challenge we have for you this week too, Vintage Romance. Hope you like my tag, i have used a photo of my mum and her brother when she was a young girl. Okay its not the perfect romance, but what a cute couple they look!!! I'm unsure where the ribbon comes from but the background of the stamp is just cream card, coloured with vintage photo distress ink and a flourish stamp added in frayed burlap. Some handmade flowers and leaves cut from my martha stewart punch. Flat backed pearls to finish. For more inspiration from the DT go here. Believe me, you wont be disappointed. We hope you will join us this week.


Finally a quick card I made using up some scraps from another project, that i will be showing later this week. Love the Lili of the Valley die cut images, they are perfect for that quick card!

What an adorable cat, and bringing flowers too, what more can you ask for???

Well my lovelies, that's it from me for today, have a great day and hope to catch up with you all again soon.

Hugs Linda x