LINANNA DESIGNS

Orange for a change

2011-10-28T19:29:00.004+01:00

Can not believe its Friday again already, where did this week go? Thought today I would share with you another card we made when we were away for the weekend. I used an image that had been coloured in by the lovely Heather, who was my weekend away partner! I made my own background using the wonderful Cosmic Shimmer Mists and then stamped the swirl which is part of the Creative Expressions plate, using the marmelade distress ink pad. Turned it into an easel card and the inside is pratically the same as the outside without the image!

Today we are Celebrating my lovely Bear's 3rd birthday, happy birthday my lovely baby, and thank you for bringing so much joy into my life.

Well ladies hope you have a lovely weekend, will be back later to share some more cards with you.

Hugs Linda x

MUSIC SAVES MY SOUL

2011-10-24T20:45:00.004+01:00

Good evening ladies, I can hardly believe I'm doing another post. This time not only a card but I am also taking part in the lovely Marceas - Music Saves My soul Saturday, which I came across this evening. Of course I realize its not Saturday but I am always late!

I am a huge Westlife fan and was very sad to hear of the break up this week. My favourite all time song is Flying Without Wings, which I decided to share with you.

Why not join in with this weeks Music Saves My Soul and share with us your favourite track.

Back tomorrow with another card to share.

Hugs Linda x

DIES MAD!!!!

2011-10-23T20:34:00.004+01:00

It has been a week since I got home from the crafting weekend, and other than a brief post, I did not get chance before now to show you one of the cards I made. If you have been reading the weekend blog, you will know we didn't get to craft quite as much as I had intended, far too much chatting going on, and a severe lack of inspiration on my part. This was the last card I made, and the one I was happiest with.

Using some of the fabulous gold/white greetings card and the embossed happy christmas card I made this take on an acetate card. I am just loving the use of acetate in my cards at the moment, and these dies lend themselves perfectly.

The wonderful bird cage die has been one of my favourites, I have used it in lots of my workshops, I will be back later this week with more of the cards Ive made using this beauty.

I love the Cheerylynn flourish die too which is soooo elegant and one of the Crealies flower dies too which I just find scream for gems to decorate! EK success flower punch dies and a gorgeous butterfly punch too which the lovely Sarah let me borrow. I think I've finally tracked one of these down now Sarah, can't wait for it to arrive.

I have used one of the nestabilities to cut out the frame, and embossed it with an embossing folder that I borrowed , and don't know which brand - sorry! You can not see from this picutre, but you can open the book to write inside your message.

I hope you've all have a lovely weekend, I will be back later in the week, with a few challenge cards (fingers crossed) and also the other two cards I made while I was away.

Hope you have a good evening, hugs Linda x

PS. If anyone wants any other details on the dies i've used, or to purchase, please email me at littlepopits@aol.com.

Crafty Weekend Away and Back to Blogging

2011-10-16T19:42:00.003+01:00

Yes, I have decided to go back to blogging properly! I have just returned from the Crafty Weekend break which was an absolute blast. Hello ladies (waving !) , thank you for making both Heather and my weekend so enjoyable. Only wish we hadn't had to rush off this morning! I hope all you wonderful ladies have returned home safely, and in good form, hows that head of yours Natalie???! Sorry, to have missed you this morning to say goodbye. You really helped to make my weekend, with your banter, I have never laughed so much!

Well, we didn't get as much crafting done as I'm sure was expected, but we had some lovely goodies from the sponsors to play with now we are back home. I will be doing a separate post later thanking those sponsors, once I get photos of the 3 cards I made this weekend using their fabulous goodies.

The weekend made me realize how much I had missed my blogging, and I will try to find time to blog again on a weekly basis, and share with you my latest creations.

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your evening, big hugs for now Linda x

AWOL - a Card and hoping to be back soon

2011-06-29T05:52:00.003+01:00

I am not sure anyone will read this, its been so long since I blogged. Infact, I can not believe just how long. Where has the time gone? I have had alot on with personal issues and my classes, and most of the time I feel im chasing my tail, but I have missed my blogging and you've always been near in my thoughts. I am determined to start posting again regularly, I have a lovely party to go to on Saturday, and a class on Friday, so have alot to do over the next couple of days, but intend to post here on Sunday, with some photos of the cards from the class and also of the party.

Here is a wedding card I made a while ago, thought I would share it with you. Have a ton of cards to share, but have had no camera to take photos of them, so am waiting on my lovely daughter or hubby to do it for me.

I hope everyone is well, will get round to your blogs very soon. Thank you for bothering to visit me.

big hugs Linda x

Craft Workshop and An Adorable Girl!

2011-01-31T14:23:00.002Z

Good morning, its Monday again and despite having a really bad head cold , it's a gorgeous day, the sun is shining and the temperature is high for this time of year! I have done nothing today, i had a craft day yesterday, and how I got through it I don't know, my head was thumping and I made more than one mistake, my ladies must have learnt very little!!! I will be back later with the cards that we made in class. In the mean time I would like to share with you a card I made with one of the absolutely Adorable digi downloads! I just love this little princess, how beautiful is she? and what I love the best is no colouring!! i have combined her with some of the lovely DCWV papers, which are just my favourites! The white lace leaves along the left hand side were from a bunch of lace collars I brought some time ago on the internet, finally a use for them!!!! corners were made using the Nellie Snellen flower die cut into quarters and stamped using one of the Stampin Up stamps from the vintage vogue set. I use these a lot.

I apologize for my lack of blogging these days, i just don't seem to find the time, I am however hoping to get back into things very soon. Please bear with me. Have a lovely afternoon xx

Happy Birthday to my Dad

2011-01-17T20:38:00.001Z

As promised i am back with a card that I have made for my dads birthday, on the 23rd January. It is using a digital download that I brought from the very talented Teri, some time ago. I love otters and this are a dream to use. Just click and print, how easy is that. Have used a combination of DCWV and GHD papers, both in black hues and totally stunning.

I still have stomach pains and also a head cold, so my creative juices aren't really flowing. I have some cards to share with you that I made for the christmas season, will share throughout the week.

Will come visit you all soon too, have a fabulous evening, hugs Linda x

So Long but back soon

2011-01-16T09:24:00.002Z

Happy New Year to you all. I can not believe just how long its been since I have posted on my blog. Lots of things have been going on this end, a new year brings with it hopefully new beginnings. I am looking forward to returning to my blogging, I have missed all my lovely friends on here. Unfortunately this is a short post, I have terrible stomach pains nothing more serious than those dreaded women's visits!! and I have managed to get myself a terrible headcold too. I am feeling very sorry for myself this morning.

I will be back later in the week with some cards to share with you. Hope you have a lovely weekend and will catch up with you soon.

Oh before I forget, I can not believe I have plans already for October!!! check out the link on my sidebar to the weekend away!

Hugs Linda x

Sorry for the Absence, Sweet Peas to Share and the chance of some Blog Candy

2010-11-08T15:28:00.007Z

Can you believe this awful weather, its raining cats and dogs and the wind is blowing a gale!!! what a start to winter, I am glad I didn't have to venture very far today!

I can hardly believe how long it has been since I last posted on this blog. I did post on Jazzlins yesterday, please go take a look here.

BLOG CANDY AT JAZZLINS

I am going to give some blog candy to a random follower of Jazzlins, when my followers reach 100, so to be in for a chance of winning some Sweet Pea stamps, 4 random stamps (my choice) , go and add your name to my followers list (found at the bottom of the page). If you want to add a link to Jazzlins about the blog candy you will get an extra gift if you win! but please leave me a comment saying you have linked the blog candy, thank you.

Well I went to the NEC on friday and what a lovely time I had, I managed to stock up on some of the new LOTV stamps and some more image cards which i just adore for that quick card.

Unfortunately the shop is keeping me very busy and im finding it very hard to fit in time to blog as I would like to, so I apologise for not visiting you all more, I hope things will settle down after my next craft weekend on the 20th/21st November.

I hope you will enjoy catching up with some of my makes from the last few months. Kicking off with a couple of the delicious sweet pea images. I just adore these fairies and they are such a dream to colour in. If you would like to purchase any please email me. At the moment I have some Sweet Pea Grab Bags on offer for £10.00 for 4 stamps my choice.

I adore this beautiful girl, what a gorgeous face and I have sneaked outside my usual pink colourways and gone for some blue!!! papers are from the DCWV range, the sentiment is a rub on from my stash. The flowers have been punched out with the whale of a punch daisy punch and a smaller woodware daisy punch.

Secondly another sweet pea card, and another gorgeous girl! this time in more neutral colours and a sentiment downloaded from the internet.

Using one of my all time favourite MS deep punches, available from my shop at £14.99 plus postage.

Lastly another card but this time a card made in one of my weekly classes. A simple sentiment and the addition of a few flowers, simple! pink managed to creep its way back in this time!

Well im now off to post on Jazzlins about the blog candy, hope to see you there soon, have a lovely day, big hugs Linda x

A NOSTALGIC CARD

2010-09-24T21:06:00.002+01:00

Happy Saturday Morning, hope your day is starting better than mine. My headcold has taken a hold and I feel like i've done ten rounds with Mike Tyson! its cold, windy and the threat of rain later, can the day get any better?????

Hope you are having a better day than me. I just wanted to come and share a card with you that I made for my lovely friend Jan's birthday.

I want to apologize to some other friends Tracey, Helen and Cami, as I realized I missed your birthdays. I hope you had a wonderful day, and the postman will visit you soon, I promise!

Yesterdays MacMillan coffee morning at the garden center was a little disappointing, I only sold 2 Martha Stewart punches, so will instead make another personal donation to the charity. Will also be running a blog candy on my Jazzlins Designs Blog soon for this charity. Please be sure to join in, by keeping an eye out here.

Here is the birthday card I made for Jan. I have used the DCWV Linen Closset papers, i love this pad, and i have used the Martha Stewartdeep lattice border punch. Some addition of lace and paper punched flowers to complete this course.

Hope you will come back tomorrow when I hope to share some more Sweet Pea cards.

Have a lovely day, hugs Lilnda x

MacMillan Coffee Morning at Baytree Garden Centre

2010-09-23T11:47:00.005+01:00

Happy Thursday morning, can you believe another week is nearly over? I am at home today instead of at work as my youngest son has had to have 5 baby teeth removed. He has been very brave and making very little fuss about it. Wanted to post on here and then we are going to settle down to watch Lord of the Rings together.

Tomorrow at Baytree Garden Center we have a coffee morning in aid of the MacMillan fund. There will be free drinks and a cake, but donations would be welcome.

The shopping village outlets are all donating a prize for the raffle and also a designated item in the shop will have a £1.00 donated for each of that item sold to MacMillan. In my case it will be any Martha Stewart of EK success punch. If any of you live near enough to join us we would be thrilled to see you there.

As you know I have a blog especially for the shop Jazzlins Designs. I will be running blog candy from the weekend, so please follow the link on my sidebar and follow me, so you do not miss it!

I have a few cards to show you, none that i've made this week, but cards we have made in my weekly wednesday class and also a project I did to highlight the fabulous sweet pea Stamps.

Firstly I love this sweet pea image and she looks gorgeous in more muted colours. Her wings were decoupaged and stickled and glossy accented to add extra dimension.

I have altered a clip board, I painted in with acrylic paints and then covered with some gorgeous MME papers. Added a few lovely flowers and beaded gems and of course some ribbon. All available from Jazzlins.

Secondly a card we made a few weeks ago using some sentiment rub ons and those fabulous fused pearl strings. I am just loving these at the moment and seem to be putting them on everything!

Turned this card into another easel card, as I am addicted to them still!!!!! oh and some more fused pearls and a lovely Martha Stewart border punch!

So remember girls, go take a look at Jazzlins as there is more inspiration there, not only from myself but some of my lovely DT girls.

Have a lovely day and will be back later at the weekend with more cards to share.

Hugs Linda x

Happy Weekend

2010-09-11T20:26:00.001+01:00

Jazzlins Designs

Happy weekend to you all. I hope you are all okay and having a great weekend. Its dull and miserable here with the threat of rain at any minute. I wonder what the week has in store for us.

As many of you know I have a new blog for my shop called Jazzlins Designs. I hope you will have go take a look . I am going to be updating my blog at Jazzlins probably more regularly than here, at least for the time being, so please become a follower here .

Jazzlins Designs will soon be having its own fortnightly challenge and my lovely friend Paula will be putting out a DT call soon, along with more details of the challenge blog. Hope some of you might want to join in!

So this week has been fairly quiet in my little shop, but it has meant I have had chance to do a bit of crafting. I have a couple of cards to share with you. A wedding card I made for a customer and an anniversary card for my sister in laws friend.

This wedding card has been very popular in the shop, I have reproduced it with different colours and slightly different layouts at least 10 times. I have actually taken this design out of the shop now as I am fed up with re-producing it!

Adorable LOTV wedding couple, one of my all time favourite wedding images and a simple layout again using my favourite easel cards.

Using my favourite heart Marth Stewart edger punch available from my shop and also my script embossing folder. Fused pearls used to decorate. The vellum is from my stash and unfortunately im unable to get any more. If anyone reading this has any they would like to sell to me, PLEASE get in touch!!!

Secondly an anniversary card similar layout as the wedding card, has anyone noticed how much I love that heart punch? and those flowers?

Again more of those fused pearls and my favourite heart nestabilities!

Well my lovelies, i hope you enjoy your weekend, I'm off to watch the rest of X Factor and to wait for my chinese super, I'm starving!!

Loving you all Linda x

September and Getting Organized

2010-09-06T18:06:00.004+01:00

Now I suspect not many people will be reading this, its been such a long time since I posted again, you've probably all forgotten about me by now.

I can not believe its September already, and only 3 more months till Christmas, I don't know what has happened to the rest of this year.

The shop is certainly taking up all my time and energy and i'm finding it increasingly frustrating that I am not finding the time to update my blog a little more regularly.

The shop is going well and I have met so many lovely new "crafters". I have two ladies every Wednesday for a class and it has eased me into teaching very gently.

I have now decided to have a craft day, as I have been asked about classes by lots of ladies, and I am limited in my little shop to only two/or three ladies at a time.

I am having my first craft day on October 10th, a lovely friend has allowed me to use her beautiful crafting barn for the day. If anyone is interested in joining us please either send me an email or contact me via this post. Leave your email address or phone number and I will get back to you with more details.

I have a batch of the new Martha Stewart punches and EK success punches on order which i'm expecting delivery of next week, so if anyone wants any please contact me.

My actual crafting time is very limited, and unfortunately I have had to step down from some of my DT positions. Thank you to the other Design teams for being so patient with me, I promise I will get myself organized and back to normality soon!!!

I have quite a few cards to share with you, that ive been making in my classes and for the shop. I am going to put out two wedding cards that were special orders and also a birthday card for my colleague next door (at work) for her husbands birthday. He loves sailing so I decided to put my iris folding boat stamp to use! Hope you enjoy seeing them.

Now I am hoping that a couple of the ladies who visit my shop will read this as I do not have their email addresses, and I wanted to let them know about the craft day. You will know who you were, you were in last week. If you are interested in the craft day please drop me a line.

So I hope i've not bored you all too much. I promise to get round to some ofyour blogs this weekend. I miss visiting you all.

Have a lovely evening, hugs Linda x

MISSING IN ACTION - TERRIBLE BLOGGER

2010-08-05T20:29:00.001+01:00

I can hardly believe how long its been since I last posted on this blog. I have been so busy with the shop, that i've had little time for much else. I am so sorry that I have not had chance to visit your lovely blogs, I promise to spend some time catching up with you over the weekend. I have to say although I am enjoying the shop, I never realized just how much time it would take up. I am barely getting chance to craft just for the fun of it. I have been making wedding cards lately, special orders for customers. If I am totally honest, I am a little sick of them just now.

I thought I would share one of those cards with you. I love the easel cards as you know and the customer wanted a card to matvh the colours of the bridesmaid dresses, so green and pink it is, one of my favourite colour combinations. Hope you like it.

Well back to work, hope to catch up with you all again over the weekend.

Hugs Linda x

Long Absence - Sorry Again

2010-07-14T07:13:00.001+01:00

Good morning to you all, its been a while since I last posted. I have barely been at my Computer since opening my shop. I dont know where the time goes, im constantly chasing my tail, but I have to admit, I am also enjoying it!

Unfortunately I have not had time to blog much at all and I am missing visiting all your wonderful blogs, I am sure you will have all completely abandoned me by now.

I have a new blog that will be running alongside my personal blog called Jazzlins Designs. I will be posting about the shop on my new blog and letting you know of new items I have in stock at my shop, and of course trying to offer you a little inspiration. I have a fabulous DT who are showcasing my products perfectly, thank you girls!

I hope to visit you all soon, will be back later with some cards I have made for special orders.

Enjoy your day, hugs Linda x

Sunshine and Hot, Hot, Hot!! and a Garden Show this Weekend

2010-07-01T06:27:00.004+01:00

Good morning ladies, I can barely believe its Thursday again, at the moment the weeks are flying by even quicker than usual. The shop has for the time being completely consumed my time. I apologize for the lack of blogging and visiting, I hope to rectify that soon. I also want to say a huge Thank you to the Challenge Blogs that I am on, for their understanding and patience with me just now, it means a lot.

Well as you know I am selling the fabulous Sweet Pea Stamps and have a delivery due in any day. If you would like any of these beauties please drop me a line. They are such a bargain at just £4.25 each. If you are able to visit my little shop you are sure to be inspired by the samples that my lovely DT girls have made. Thank you girls.

This weekend, infact starting from Saturday the Bay Tree Garden Centre has a fabulous Garden Show. It runs from Friday through to Sunday, and there is something for all the family. A Craft marquee, little laid out gardens, and to keep the children happy of course the resident Pet Centre. Entry I believe is £5.00 which includes entrance to the petting Center. Please dont take this as red though, i shall check tonight and confirm the price tomorrow.

So anyone living in the Braintree area, or within travelling distance, it may be worth a visit this weekend. Oooh forgot to say there is a fabulous restaurant and if you knit a wool shop next door along with another fabulous shop selling very reasonably priced glass, including drinking glasses and vases and candle holders!

Last weekend I had two visits from my lovely blogging friends, firstly from the lovely Zoe and her family, it was just a joy to see you again hunny and your gorgeous family. Thank you so much for making a special visit, you have been a true friend, much love xx

Secondly a lovely lady who I met through facebook named Rosemary came to visit, and I have to say she had me in stitches from the moment she arrived till she went!! you are a true character Rosemary and it was a total joy to have met you, i hope to see you again some time in the future.

Well my friends, I really must get on, another list as long as my arm, and not even made a start on it yet.

Have a lovely day big hugs Linda x

UPDATE ON JAZZLINS

2010-06-25T17:10:00.005+01:00

Happy Friday to you all. I hope you're all enjoying some lovely weather this week. It has sure been a warm one, and this heat is really getting to me. I am finding it very hard to stay awake, am I the only one who feels sleepy in this warm weather?

Well Jazzlin's has now been officially open for a week, and I am happy with the start I have had. It may seem possible for me to have a webshop up and running in the future which I am very excited about.

Also I have been given permission to advertise the fact that I am selling the fabulous Sweet Pea stamps. If you have not seen these beauties, please go over to the Sweet Pea Stampers challenge blog to look at these beauties. If you would like to purchase any from me please send me an email.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend to look forward to. I will of course be in the shop. Hopefully with lots of visitors.

Enjoy your weekend, hugs Linda x

Creative Card Crew Challenge - An Easel Card

2010-06-22T09:30:00.000+01:00

Its another week at the Creative Card Crew Challenge, and this week it was my turn to set the challenge. Now you all know how much I love easel cards at the moment, so any excuse to make one, and I take it, so this week I would love to see your easels. I have made a couple for this weeks challenge, the usual and the less usual. Hope you will get some inspiration from them.

The first easel card I made was a card for a blogging friend. I found this wonderful image at the Stitchy Bear Stamps site. This image is called "Reach" and is available to buy here. If you havn't visited it before please go take a look, there are a host of digi downloads and paper kits, something for everyone.

This was the sentiment I used inside the card using my PC. The words were of special meaning.

I used a combination of cuttlebug embossing folders and die cuts. The letters for the word 'REACH' were printed out on my PC and punched out using a small circle punch, I used my soot distress ink pad to soften the edges.

I used stickles and some glossy accents to her wings and the addition of a organza dotty ribbon.

The addition of some flower sequins to the die cut swirl border, that I added stickles to for extra sparkle.

The papers are from the black monochromatic colour capsule from Papermania, a stunning collection of papers.

Finally!!

2010-06-20T18:53:00.014+01:00

Good evening to you all. It has been a very eventful weekend. Yesterday was the official opening of my store JAZZLIN DESIGNS. Unfortunately the weather was terrible, and i'm sure it put off a few customers from venturing out, but still I had a nice day meeting some new crafting ladies. I have had a positive feedback with regards to the sensational sweet pea stamps that I am selling instore and I feel sure everyone will love them as much as I do by the time I have finished promoting them!

It was also my birthday today. At forty five years, I have finally taken a risk in my life, and I have to say as nerve racking as it is, it is also very liberating. Okay, it might not work out but in the process I am meeting lots of lovely people, and its giving me some life experience, as they say better late than never!! I had almost forgotten what it is to be anything other than a mum or wife, I have lost in essence my own identity, maybe this will help me re-find it. I know don't want to run my own shop forever, but maybe while running the shop, I will get some answers as to what direction I do want to take my life in.

Over the past three weeks since venturing on this journey, I have had such positive feedback from friends in blogland, and it has made me feel very humbled by your encouragement and kind words. I want to thank you all. You will never know what a difference your words have made to me.

So once again, I am rambling, bet you havn't missed that!! Now on with the reason for my posting, my little craft haven.

Finally Friday I managed to put up my bunting with the words JAZZLINS appliqued on it. Unfortunately you can not see very clearly from my rubbish photos on here. I am absolutely thrilled with it, thank you so much Lesley for making it for me. I just LOVE it! I have a host of very talented friends!!

So here you have it my little summerhouse! Welcome, and please come in ...........

I do not have much storage in here, so I have had to make use of every bit of wall space I can. There are more cup hooks up here that B & Q have!!!!!

As you all know I'm totally rubbish with my photo taking, but I have done my best to show you what I have inside my little store. It is not a huge shop, and I can't stock everything I would love to, but I can I hope offer that personal touch to my customers and I can order in much more than I have on my shelves! Have the fabulous cosmic shimmer range in, which I can't wait to play with, please contact me if you are interested in purchasing any of these fabulous products. Also stocking the fabulous martha stewart punches. Anyone interested im selling the border punches for £14.75 and the deep border punches for £18.99. The large latice heart or butterfly for £15.99 and the corner punches for £13.99.

My little colourful chest is full of double sided satin ribbons and handmade flowers. You can never have enough ribbons and flowers can you?

Have the basic collection of pro markers (8.99 a pack), and of course a selection of the fabulous Sweet Pea stamps.
My daughter taking charge of the money!!! she is expecting a share of the profits, I think she will have a long wait!!!!
More ribbons, 25 meter mixed packs for just £2.99 or 2 packs for £5.00 also have organza ribbons in the same deal. Can I tempt anyone???

I am awaiting stock of the fabulous distress ink pads, will be selling them at a price of £ £4.50 each or any 10 for £40.00. Also available distress ink refills and alcohol inks.

If any of you wonderful ladies get chance to visit me please be sure to say hello and introduce yourselves. I have already had a visit from the lovely Leigh (Charity Crafter) and Angie (waving at you ...) Hope to meet up with a few more of you wonderful ladies too.

So i've kept you all long enough. Just before I go, thank you to all you lovely friends who have sent me birthday cards and gifts, I will try and get round to emailing you all individually over the week. Your thoughtfulness never seizes to amaze me, you truly are the best!!!

Enjoy your evening, lots of love Linda x

Creative Card Crew Challenge Wk 52 - Thank you

2010-06-08T15:51:00.000+01:00

Happy tuesday again and welcome to another week at the Creative Card Crew Challenge. Hope you will join us with some "Thank You" card or projects. We will look forward to seeing your wonderful creations.

2010-05-30T07:31:00.007+01:00

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

2010-05-30T06:57:00.003+01:00

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

2010-05-26T09:00:00.003+01:00

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

2010-05-26T09:00:00.001+01:00

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

2010-05-25T08:55:00.000+01:00

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

2010-05-23T13:12:00.000+01:00

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

2010-05-23T08:15:00.000+01:00

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

2010-05-22T11:46:00.000+01:00

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

2010-05-20T18:20:00.000+01:00

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

2010-05-19T08:20:00.000+01:00

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

2010-05-17T09:13:00.000+01:00

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!!!

2010-05-16T08:41:00.000+01:00

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

Blog Candy Alert

2010-05-16T04:59:00.000+01:00

The ever talented Zoe, at Make It Crafty, has some fabulous blog candy up for grabs. Please go and take a look for yourself, and follow Zoe's 3 easy steps to be entered into her generous candy. You will be amazed by Zoe's work, she is very talented and her work is unique.

A fabulous card by Zoe . This just has to be my favourite posting. I just adore this card, its using one of my favourite images from Karen's Doodles, and the dimension is stunning. This is a very special pop up card, who wouldn't be thrilled to receive this beauty??? Wish I was having tea in the woods, especially at my gorgeous bluebell woods, its just gorgeous now, as you can see from my previous bluebell wood photo's. Go check out the full post of this project here, you will definitely be inspired.

This candy is open till the 31st May, so what are you waiting for?

Hugs Linda x

Creative Cottage Challenge - Fancy Fold/New Challeng Blog Starting 5th July

2010-05-13T07:32:00.000+01:00

CREATIVE COTTAGE CHALLENGE
Fancy Fold

Good morning its Wednesday again, and another week at the Creative Cottage Challenge, and this week our challenge is called "Fancy Fold". Please interpret this however you wish. For me i decided to make a gift box, crammed full with lots of gorgeous crafting goodies, that im sending off to a friend today.

I have used some papers from Tracy's gorgeous download - Bags of Style. Gorgeous papers in black and pink (my favourite colour combo) and co-ordinating bags and shoes. You can find the kit to purchase here.

Bags of Style Kit

We would love you to join us in this weeks challenge, and remember you dont have to use products from the Creative Cottage, although it would be great if you do. Also we have project/card of the month, so come visit us now, here.

NEW CHALLENGE BLOG
LAUNCHING 3RD JULY

Ellephantastic Challenge Blog goes live on the 3rd July. Please add this banner to your sidebar and join us when we go live. It's sure to be alot of fun!

Helen has some gorgeous blog candy up for grabs to launch the new challenge blog, go take a look here for more details.

Thank you for visiting me and I promise to get round to return your visit soon, hugs Linda x

Debbies Blog Candy

2010-05-12T21:07:00.002+01:00

The lovely Debbie is celebrating her birthday today, happy birthday hunny hope you had a fabulous day! to celebrate she has the fabulous blog candy up for grabs. You have till the 26th May to enter, so what are you waiting for? Go check it out here.

Hugs Linda x

e

Week 50 at the Creative Card Crew Challenge - a Sketch

2010-05-11T18:38:00.000+01:00

Good morning ladies, hope you are having a wonderful week so far. Firstly thank you for all the good wishes left about my hubby. We went to the doctors this morning and he has an inner ear condition, can't not recall the name but starts with "L" and is a little similar to vertigo, unfortunately it could take some time to clear up, apparently up to 3 weeks. He has some medication to help with the dizziness, which hasn't as yet taken effect. So I am chauffeur to him at the moment, and have even less time for crafting, which quite honestly has taken a back seat ever since I got back from Shepton Mallet. Thank goodness I got ahead with alot of my DT work before I went away. Hopefully will have at least one day today where I can play catch up.

The sun is shining, but again its very cold. I am out for lunch today with a friend, I had thought I might have to cancel, but to be honest, I am looking forward to a short rest!!

Well lets get on with why im here!

Another week at the Creative Card Crew and this week we have a lovely sketch for you by the lovely talented Emma. This week the fabulous Simon Says Stamps is sponsoring us.

I am using an image from the Creative Cottage, by my lovely talented friend Tracy called Baby Ellie and Family. Isn't she just adorable? this is a digi image of baby Ellie, she is the smallest of 3, which i've coloured (not very well it has to be said) in with my pro-markers, and added stickles. Now i'm not sure why I found a need to add the stickles and 'm not sure it works, maybe I should have used this for a Get Well Card for someone with Chickenpox!

Used the beloved flower punches and of course distressed the background of the image with my distress inks.

The bows have been glossy accented and flat backed pearls and added some googly eyes.

This is the digi kit that i used, there are a gorgeous selection of papers and as you can see from my previous post these are a dream to use!

This is the fabulous sketch and i'm sure you will enjoy using it as much as I do!!

I hope you will join us this week i will look forward to visiting you all! hugs Linda x

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards - Sketch #62 Georgia - May 10/Sweet Peas Challenge Green, Pink and Brown

2010-05-10T11:11:00.000+01:00

Good morning, can you believe another weekend has passed? where do they go. I actually got time to do a bit of crafting this week, not much but my DT cards, which as usual were very last minute. I hope you had a good weekend, with better weather than us. I have a busy week ahead so I am not expecting much time to craft. Also have a hubby who is not feeling too good, he is off to the doctors this morning, so hopefully we will find out why he keeps going dizzy and can't focus properly.

SWEET PEA CHALLENGE- Pink, Brown and Green

So another week at the Sweet Pea Challenge. We would really love to see more of you join in with our challenge, don't forget we have a card of the month prize, which means one lucky entry will receive some Sweet Pea Stamps, if your card is chosen for that month. So what are you waiting for? please join us, we would love to come visit you and see your creations.

Our challenge this week is a colour challenge, the colours this time are Pink, Brown and Green.

I have used some papers from a HOTP pad that i've had forever, and i'm loving this adorable sweet pea image. A simple layout, the image has been coloured with my pro markers.

Have added some glass baubles, and some hand made flowers mixed with some punched flowers and co-ordinating leaves. A martha stewart punched border and an elegant satin ribbon to complete.

The addition of stickles to the wings and some glossy accents to the toadstools complete this simple card.

Please join us this week, and for more inspiration visit the Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge Blog. Here.

JCBC Challenge Sketch 62
Georgia's sketch

It's week 62 at the JCBC Challenge, and what a wonderful sketch we have for you to work with this week.

I have really enjoyed doing this card.

You all know how much I love my easel cards, so you wont be surprised to see yet another one this week.

I have made a window and used the lovely magnolia wedding couple. what a totally adorable image.

Used some tulle to make some curtains.

Loving my nestabilities hearts, and found some fabulous gold rings in my stash, and with the addition of the dove, again hidden in my stash. A love embellishment and some gorgeous flat backed pearls, give simple elegance.

The inside has been decorated with some DCWV "Love" sentiments and some flourishes.

The last addition of some punched flowers and leaves.

Those of you who visit regularly will know i love flowers, and I am just adoring these lilac flowers, they smell divine and look gorgeous, dont they?

Georgia's sketch

This weeks Sponsor is Bee Crafty downloads and Merrigan is donating 3 of her digi-images of your choice to this weeks winner. You are sure to find something you love!

We hope you will join us this week, for more inspiration from the DT go here and take a look, and I look forward to visiting you and seeing your creations.

Will be back later in the week with some more challenge cards, thank you for visiting, hugs to you all Linda x

Tag You're It - Key to My Heart

2010-05-09T21:08:00.000+01:00

Happy Sunday, hope you've had a good weekend, I can't believe its over already. Another week at Tag You're It, and this week we would love you to make a tag - "Key to My Heart". We look forward to seeing how you will interpret this. I have used a magnet frame I brought from Poundland it was 1 of 6 in a packet, what a bargain. Have used some HOTP papers and some ric rac velvet ribbon that ive been holding onto!

The addition of a key brad and some candy!

Hope you will join us this week, for more inspiration visit the Tag You're It Challenge blog and see the DT's fabulous creations.

Thank you for stopping by.

Hugs Linda x

Elephantastic Release of Ellie and Rosaline - How gorgeous!

2010-05-08T08:02:00.000+01:00

Happy Saturday to you all, have scheduled this post in case I don't have time to blog at the weekend. I have absolutely loved this new image from Helen. The papers i,ve used are Basic Grey. Please pop over to Helen,s blog (found on my sidebar) to see the other wonderful creations.

Back tomorrow with another challenge, hugs Linda x

Bluebell Woods and I love Flowers

2010-05-07T06:59:00.001+01:00

Happy Friday morning. The sun isn't shining but it's not raining and no sign of the ash from the Icelanic Volcano, so a good day overall!

Unfortunately its been one of those weeks again, and i've barely had time to touch my crafting. I am showing you today a card I made for a friends retirement.

I am just loving the"flying stars" stamp from Penny Black, as you can probably tell, and i have used it again for this retirement card.

Have stickled the stars and also added some liquid pearls to give dimension. A very simple card.

Had fun doing the inside too. Addition of a Martha Stewart border punch and some ribbon to finish. The sentiment printed on my PC.
As you might have also realized i also love these easel cards, just fabulous!

BLUE BELL WOODS
Regular visitors to my blog will know how much i just love this time of year and especially because of all those lovely flowers springing up all over the place. I have no idea what these are, had intended to look it up, but not yet found the time. If anyone can enlighten me i would be very grateful. I am assuming they are either a wild flower or infact weeds, they are found at the edge of the roadside. The first stint of my morning walk!

This is a view of the field i walk round with Rocky Bear, there is a feeling of absolute calmness, and other than the birds tweeting and the trains that run behind the trees its very quiet. A time for me to think (maybe too much at times) and to appreciate the good things in my life. Very important especially as recently I have had so many bad things too!

This is a view of my bluebell woods from a distance, although it looks great from afar, it doesn't hint at the beauty that lies within!!!

This photo is taken from the outside of the woods looking in, I wish i was better with my camera as these photos really do not do justice to this heavenly place!Bear taking the lead, through our beautiful bluebell woods. It is simply amazing to see a sea of blue around you, I am never tired of this gorgeous site!!!!

Just proof of how naturally gorgeous this place is, fallen trees have not been cleared away,but add to the charm of this special place.

This is the tree I usually sit at, this is where I took the previous photos of the blue bell woods, love that tree trunk!

Ben sniffing around, he loves it there as much as I do, although he is often spooked at the odd sounds he hears .

Another sitting place a little further down.

Heading out towards the end of the bluebell woods, still a blaze of beautiful blue flowers!

The path through the woods

Another one of my favourite resting places, I am sitting on the log opposite this one taking this photo!

Well that's it my lovelies, hope you've enjoyed the photos of my special place! I have enjoyed sharing it with you.

I have managed to avoid the school run this morning, as my lovely hubby has taken Jasmine to school. I am still sat here in my nightie, i have to get dressed and walk Rocky Bear, and when i get back I have to get started on some DT work. Hope you all have a wonderful day. Looks like that sun might just come out its getting brighter already. Mind you that wind hasn't dropped at all.

Looking forward to some blog hopping over the weekend, apologies for my lack of blogging lately, but life just keeps getting in the way!

Hugs Linda x

Week 9 at the Creative Cottage Challenge - Food/Drink

2010-05-05T08:26:00.000+01:00

Good morning, its week 9 at the Creative Cottage Challenge, and we have another fabulous challenge for you. This week our challenge is titled "Food and Drink" this can be interpreted however you wish. Remember you dont have to use Creative Cottage products either, although it would be fabulous if you could! This week i have used the fabulous "Lets Celebrate" kit, which is available to buy here. A gorgeous selection of papers in my favourite colours! perfect for my card this week. I have used the ready coloured images with bear drinking champagne!

In this kit you get a pyramage set too perfect for an extra special card in no time at all. Add dimension like me by adding glossy accents to the balloons and some stickles.

Also a sheet of these ready printed starts, just cut out and mount, its as easy as that.

We hope you will join in with this weeks challenge, remember you can combine challenges and you dont have to use Creative Cottage products, look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you come up with.

Hugs Linda x

Sweet Pea Stampers - A Sketch

2010-05-03T11:17:00.000+01:00

It's another week at the Sweet Pea Stampers, and what a great challenge we have for you this week. We have a fabulous sketch by our lovely Anne. We hope you will enjoy using it as much as we did.

I have used one of my favourite all time Sweet Pea stamps, and chose lilac and purple as my colours. I ran out of time again for this weeks challenge and this was rather hurriedly put together, so my apologies for the lack of embellishments.

Please join us this week at the Sweet Pea Stampers.

Hugs Linda x

Week 5 at Tag You're It

2010-05-02T13:14:00.001+01:00

Good morning, and what a miserable Sunday morning it is. We had storms in the night and its pouring of rain. I've been up since 6.00am this morning, with the intention of getting my tag posted!!! I wanted it to be ready for the new post, but was unable to get an internet connection until about 5 minutes ago!!! very annoying. I have the sunday lunch on and almost ready, and am sparing a few minutes to get my tag posted albeit late!!

I have used one of the die cut self adhesive borders from the new papermania range, and some of their new papers too. Perfect as I had to get this tag done in super quick time, it literally took 5 minutes at 10.00pm last night!

I love this border, and I think ill be treating myself to some more later in the week. We would love you to join us in this weeks challenge. Go check out the Tag You're It Challenge here.

I am sorry but im still trying to play catch up since my trip last weekend to Shepton Mallet. I promise to get round to some blog hopping later this week.

Back tomorrow with a new Sweet Peas Challenge and this week we have a fabulous sketch for you to follow, be sure to join us.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your bank holiday weekend, hugs Linda x

Im Home and an Update

2010-04-30T13:19:00.000+01:00

Happy Friday to you all. I can hardly believe how quickly this week has passed. I had a great time at Shepton Mallet, more so because i met with 3 of my lovely blogging friends, Shirley, Mandy and Cazzy. It was a pure pleasure to meet you girls and you are all just as fabulous in real life as you are here in blogland. Just wish I had been able to spend more time chatting to you all.

As you all know I was very anxious about my trip, but you were all right, I did have a fabulous time, despite being homesick and missing a milestone in my daughters growing up (those who have been in touch via email, know what im talking about). However, the break did make me appreciate my home life, and absence definitely made the heart grow fonder. I felt far more relaxed on my return home, and life is looking pretty good just now, despite our problems.

We stayed in a wonderful small hotel called Bawlish House. we were infact the only guests for 2 days. Now you all know what a scatter brain I am and despite taking my camera with me, I forgot to take it out of my bag!!! hence I only got one photo of my time away, and this was the first night in the hotels glorious dining room. I will upload it later. The food was delicious, and any hopes of me losing a few pounds while away were truly dashed when I saw the evening menu!!! so for four nights i had delicious meals prepared for me, which always taste better than those you cook for yourself, true?

I managed to control my spending too, with just a couple of new distress ink pads, and a new Sarah Kay stamp. Are you impressed? well don't be, because on my return, I ordered some more distress ink pads from Oyster Crafts, after being told they were only £3.00 each!!! cheaper than what i paid at the show!

Well I am afraid since being home i've been trying to catch up with my laundry and also spend time with the family. I have not managed any blog hopping or crafting. With the bank holiday weekend I hope to catch up with you all. Please forgive me for my lack of blogging this week hopefully normal practice will resume next week.

Before i went away my lovely friend Ruth celebrated her 50th birthday. I had a tea party for her, and as part of her present brought a rather large teacup and saucer, which i filled with flowers, thought i would show you.

This was the beginning of my set up for the tea party, i forgot to take any more photos - typical of me! but my friend Ruth took some, and i hope ill be able to get some copies to show you later.

I did have to warn Ruth not to put tea in her tea cup, as there is a huge hole at the bottom!!!!

QUICK CARDS
I did make a couple of cards before i went away, firstly this gorjuss girl card for my niece who is 16 today! Happy Birthday dear Zoe xxxx

It was also my brother-in-laws birthday last Saturday, I always struggle with men cards, lets hope he likes owls!!!

Well that's it from me for now, I will be back later with some more ramblings and hopefully some photos of my bluebell woods, now they are in full bloom!!!!

Enjoy your day, big hugs Linda x

Week 8 at the Creative Cottage Challenge - Circles

2010-04-28T11:02:00.000+01:00

Its week 8 at the Creative Cottage Challenge and this week we want "Circles". So to incorporate them in my card, i have used a circle die cut for the main image, and paper printed with circles and my circles embossing cuttlebug folder. Not forgetting circle - flat backed pearls!

The image and papers are from the Creative Cottage download kit "Baby Ellie and Family". I have to say this is such a versatile kit, and I absolutely adore it!! have printed off these papers and images, time and time again already, since the release on the 23rd April.

I've used the papers to decorate inside the card too along with one of the pre-printed flowers. I am using up some scrap card given to me, which makes perfect C5 cards lengthwise, I just love these at the moment!

Have used my martha stewart valentine border punch highlighted with stickles, and the flowers have been run through my circle cuttlebug folder to give extra dimension, i am amazed how much better they look like this. Have added paper roses to the centre and of course the fern leaves. Ellie has been decoupaged, these images are perfectly suited for this technique!

Looking forward to seeing your wonderful creations and hope you will join us in this weeks challenge. Remember although it would be nice you dont have to use products from the Creative Cottage, and you can combine your card with other challenges. So what are you waiting for?

Back later with another card, fingers crossed! hugs Linda x

I love Ellie!

2010-04-28T10:27:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post from me, again using one of the wonderful Ellie pre-coloured digi images from the Creative Cottage. I love these cuties. I have however used different papers this time, to show how you can use them with papers from the stash you already have! She is incredibly versatile!

The papers inside the card however are from the download kit, but because of the colour variations can be teamed with papers from your own stash!

Using my die cut nestabilities for the greeting panel.

And adding another Ellie inside the card, you can afford to do this as they cost next to nothing to print off.

Challenge 49 at the Creative Card Crew - April Showers

2010-04-27T11:21:00.000+01:00

Good morning and can you believe its Challenge 49 at the Creative Card Crew Challenge. This week the lovely Linda has set the challenge - April Showers bring May Flowers and this week our Sponsor is Crafty Addicts.

This challenge had me thinking, and I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do. Whilst sorting through my piles of images, I came across this wonderful Whiff of Joy image, thought it was perfect for April Showers, but left me aghast as to how to incorporate the May Flowers.

Now, I really had to think about the flower side, and decided to stamp my own background using my distress inks (surprise, surprise!), but then was left wondering how i could incorporate the rain. I cut out the image so needed to add my own rain drops. Found the perfect stamp in a "My Favourite Things Stampset called Rain or Shine.

Stamped a series of raindrops onto some acetate, and stickled and glossy accented the rain drops. Domed the acetate to add extra dimension.

Hope you like it! The matting is done with core-dinations cardstock and use of my favourite script embossing folder.

Well i hope you will join us this week with our Challenge, I am really looking forward to seeing what you come up with this time!

Have a lovely day, and hope you are not having any April Showers!!!!

Hugs Linda x

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Challenge - Sketch #61 Andrea - April 26

2010-04-26T11:17:00.000+01:00

It's week 61 and this week we have a wonderful sketch by Andrea. I loved working with this. I have used some Basic Grey papers from the Euphoria range, which i love, and used a ready coloured die cut from Lili of the Valley for a quick make.

Have added stickles and glossy accents to the flowers and butterflies for dimension.

This weeks sponsor is Simon Says Stamp and we have a $10 gift voucher for one lucky winner. You will definitely find something you love at this shop!

We hope you will join us at the JCBC challenge this week.

Hugs Linda x

Sweet pea Stampers - Under the Sea

2010-04-26T11:06:00.000+01:00

Good morning my lovelies, and here we are again another week at the Sweet pea Stampers. This weeks challenge is "Under the Sea". I have used one of the fabulous decoupage papers from The Crafty Purple Frog. This beauty is called "Red is My Passion" and is available to buy here for £2.00. These decoupage images were a delight to cut out and I have added highlights of stickles to the hair. I kept this card simple as I wanted the decoupage to be the main focal point.

We hope you will join us again this week, enjoy your day, hugs Linda x

Baby Ellie and Friends - Another Card!

2010-04-25T20:18:00.000+01:00

As you will have guessed by now, i just love the latest Ellie and Friends download kit by the Creative Cottage, I have enjoyed using these images so much, I keep making more and more cards!!

Here is the latest card. I have used my cuttlebug embossing folders and one of the pre-printed digi images. The flowers are also pre printed, i've just cut them out, layered them and run them through my cuttlebug script embossing folder for extra dimension. I love the effect this gives. The centres are diamantes.

I've used a sentiment from a pack i've had for ages, but can not remember where from.

Ellies bows have been glossy accented for added dimension and ribbon is from my stash.

You will not be surprised to know i will be back later with yet another card using these images.

Have a great day big hugs Linda x

Tag You're It Challenge 4 - With a Flourish

2010-04-25T15:36:00.000+01:00

Its week 4 at Tag You're It. This week our theme is "With a Flourish". So i decided to stamp my own background with my distress inks, a rubber stamp and added glimmer mist and stickles . Then i used my die cut flourish BIGZ for sizzix, added some die cut flowers and hearts.

Candy added to the flower centres, and some more stickles.

This tag making is still new to me, and i think i need plenty more practise. Hope you will join us this week.

Hugs Linda x

Ellephantastic - Rosaline Rabbit

2010-04-24T14:00:00.000+01:00

Happy Saturday morning, as you know im at Shepton Mallet still, so I have scheduled this post. I hope you've all had a great week, I shall look forward to telling you all about mine on Monday.

I am posting today the new release from Ellephantastic - Rosaline Rabbit. Isn't she a darling? and such a pleasure to colour in.

I have teamed her up with some Stampin Up papers and some card embossed with my cuttlebug folders. A simple layout with the addition of some simple embelishments.

If you would love to get your hands on Rosaline, then please go over to see Helen and purchase your image now, at the fabulous price of just £0.75.

Unfortunately Jilli had to leave the Ellephantastic Design Team due to personal commitments, we will miss you hunny. However, to replace Jill we have the wonderful Angie, who i'm sure will inspire you!

Have a lovely day and sending you all big hugs Linda x

Launch Day at the Creative Cottage

2010-04-23T10:44:00.000+01:00

I can not believe the lovely Tracy has produced yet another gorgeous download kit, this time a superb selection of gorgeous papers combined with the most gorgeous elephant images!!! These are just adorable - introducing the lovely Ellie and Friends!

The cute little Ellie images and the delicate papers make this kits a dream to work with, and little effort needed to produce fabulous cards!

There are ready coloured images like this little Ellie, which is perfect for a quick card, and absolutely lends itself to be decoupaged! have added three layers to Ellie to give her extra dimension.

Have added glossy accents to her bows and some googly eyes too to finish her off!

What an adorable couple here, perfect for an anniversary card, or maybe a birthday card for a loved one?

Added some embossing to a small piece of the plain coloured paper and glossy accented Ellies hair bows. With the addition of some flat backed heart pearls, its finished!

Hope you will love this new kit and look forward to seeing what you make using it.

Hugs Linda x

Week 7 at the Creative Cottage Challenge - Going Green

2010-04-22T07:18:00.000+01:00

Good morning its week 7 at the Creative Cottage Challenge, and the challenge is "Going Green!". You can either use green in your card or use something recycled,interpret this whichever way you wish!

I have decided to get a head with my christmas cards, and used the fabulous "O Christmas Tree" kit which is available to buy here. A gorgeous set of papers and images which are just perfect for quick christmas card makes!

I have added some flat backed pearls to add dimension to my tree and glossy accents on the star.

The Merry Christmas sentiment is from papertrey sentiment selection.

If you love the Creative Cottage Downloads, watch out later this week for the launch of a new kit, which i have to say is one of my all time favourites. Im sure you will love it too, so come back later!

Enjoy your day with plenty of crafting time, hugs Linda x

Week 5 at the Sweet Pea Stampers- Alice in Wonderland Inspired!

2010-04-19T13:47:00.000+01:00

Happy Tuesday morning, and welcome to another Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge. This week it is called "Alice in Wonderland Inspired!". We would love to see your creations using these fabulous Alice Inspired stamps or decoupage/pyramage papers, that are available to buy here. My DT pal Amy has lots of gorgeous decoupage/pyramage Sweet Pea images, please go take a look for yourself at the Crafty Purple Frog.

I decided to use the pyramage to make a little gift booklet/keepsake. Have used one of the images on the front with some glossy accents and stickles.

Just one layer and the use of some acetate.

The inside is the negative and positive pyramage that fits into each other when the booklet closes!

These pyramage sheets are a doddle to use just print, cut and stick, its as easy as a, b, c!!!

I am enjoying the challenge of the Sweet Pea Stampers, its such a dream to be able to use these beautiful Sweet Pea Images. We hope you will join us again this week, and we look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what you have made.

Now I am off to Shepton Mallet tomorrow, I am very anxious about it, being away from my lovely family will be hard, but i hope to meet up with some of my blogging friends. If you are reading this and planning on visiting the show, please pop by and say Hello to me, i will be on the Anna-Marie designs stand, which will be selling a gorgeous selection of templates! great samples too by my talented friend Anna!

I have a few more posts scheduled while im away, but i dont return till late Sunday evening, and I expect to be away from my PC at least until Tuesday. Look forward to catching up with you again then.

Big hugs Linda x

Tag It Challenge No 3 - Spring into Spring

2010-04-18T18:14:00.000+01:00

I hope your having a good weekend so far. I am not looking forward to the return of the school run tomorrow morning. I can not believe how quickly the holidays went. Of course im off to Shepton Mallet Wednesday to set up with my friend Anna. I have several posts scheduled for the time im away, but will not be back online until at least after the 26th May.

Without further to do onto the point of my post.

It's week 3 at Tag Your It, and the challenge this week is "Spring into Spring". I have used a bird punch from Stampin Up for my tag this week along with some gorgeous papers which i believe to be MME, but not sure, so if anyone can enlighten me that would be treat. Have decoupaged the bird for extra dimension. Hope you will join us this week.

Look forward to seeing your creations, thank you for your visit, enjoy your week, hugs Linda x

Scrap Pile Saturday Challenge 8 - Something Orange

2010-04-17T15:56:00.000+01:00

Wow, what a fabulous day, the sun has been out, and its very warm outside. So much so we have decided to have our first barbeque for this year. I have been trying to get ahead with all my DT work, and scheduling all my posts ready when im away next week.

We had breakfast at Frank and Benny's this morning as a special treat, and walked Rocky Bear in the bluebell woods. Thought I would share a few photos with you that i have taken, in my special place! The bluebell woods is about a 10 minute walk from where we live, and since the beginning of last week, i've visited it, pratically every day, I just love it there. Some of the bluebells are out, but by next week they should have produced a sea of blue flowers, I can't wait to get back from Shepton Mallet and go take a visit, along with my camera!

This is my lovely daughter Jasmine and Rocky Bear, looking for some wild deer!!

Me and rocky bear taking a much deserved rest, the dog felt a need for a more comfy seat than the log I was sitting on!!

Three of the 5 special males in my life, typically - they are all sitting down again!!!!

Hubby and Bear looking for the birds. Bear is spooked out by the birds singing when its all quiet!

With me going away in the week I decided to spend my time with the family, however, they had different ideas, so I did manage to make a card for one of my favourite challenges!

Its challenge 8 at the Scrap Pile Saturday Challenge. I love this challenge, its a great way to use up those bits of paper sitting in your scrap pile. The lovely Maria from Stampin Inspirations have challenge us to use something Orange this week from our scrap pile. I have had several bits of orange card in my pile and found some oddments of ribbon too. I have used my Penny Black stamp - "Flying Stars" and my distress inks.

I am still loving the easel cards at the moment, and thought it would be perfect for the retirement card i have been commissioned to do.

With the addition of some stickles and glossy accents, this was a very quick card to put together.

The sentiment was done on my PC and the mats are cut from my nestabilities.

If you havn't seen this challenge before go take a look, its a great way to clear your scrap pile.

Enjoy your weekend, look forward to catching up with you soon, Hugs Linda x

Creative Cottage Week 6 - Things With Wings

2010-04-14T09:36:00.000+01:00

Good morning my lovely friends. Its week 6 at the Creative Cottage already, and this week the challenge is "Things With Wings". You can interpret this however you wish. You know to enter our challenge you do not have to use Creative Cottage downloads, although it would be great if you do. I am using the gorgeous fairy download, which has ready coloured images and fabulous papers to co-ordinate. You can buy this kit here.

I have added some glass baubles and glossy accents to te toadstool.

The wings have been stickled too.

Another card using this fabulous kit.

We hope you will join us this week and look forward to visiting your blogs. Hugs Linda x

Creative Card Crew Challenge wk 48 - Birthdays

2010-04-13T08:17:00.000+01:00

Good morning to you all how are you enjoying this fabulous weather we are having just now? it really does put a spring into your step doesn't it? certainly has lifted my mood, and not before time. I have to say though i just wish the wind would drop a little as it has been a little too cold to sit outside in it. Can not believe just how quickly this Easter holiday is going too and i seem to be chasing my tail a bit. Off to see my sister later this morning, so no crafting from me today.

Now despite feeling quite upbeat at the moment I am not sleeping too well. Why is it as soon as you settle down to sleep your head starts filling up with worries? worries you hadn't given any thought to in the day?????? then you spend the next couple of hours trying to shift them with no avail!!!! I have to say last night I had a particularly bad night, worrying about getting old (something i've never really given much thought to in the past, at least for no length of time) and then worrying about something happening to my lovely hubby and being left on my own!!! now honestly, where did that come from????? All I know is it made me feel awful and it also made me think several things over and now im tossing things around in my mind!

Yes, I know im rambling on, but the point of me telling you this, is I realized I have once again got a little too obsessed with my crafting. So i have decided i will be cutting back on my crafting time even more than before and also clearing alot of my crafting stash. I've done it before, but this time I am going to be a little more ruthless.

Im off to Shepton Mallet next week, but on my return I plan to start clearing all those things i dont use, so if you are looking for anything crafty, watch this space, i might well have it for sale!

Enough waffling from me, your probably asleep by now, and down to business, its week 48 at the Creative Card Crew Challenge. This week the fabulous Janna has set the challenge - "Birthday".

We have the fabulous Stamping Boutique sponsoring us this week, if you have not yet seen their wonderful designs, please go take a look.

For my card i have used the chair and background image from Stamping Boutique, and added one of my favourite tilda images.

I have distressed the background with my distress inks and added stickle highlights.

I have added glossy accents to the flower and stuck tilda on with 3d pads for extra dimension.

The sentiment is from an Anna Griffin set, and i have used my swiss dot embossing folder to add extra dimension.

The papers are from the fabulous Papermania papers - Boutique. I love the classical designs of this design set.

Hope you will join us this week and i look forward to visiting you and seeing your wonderful creations.

Another Stamping Boutique Image

Made this card using another fabulous digital boutique image, how adorable is this little girl, i want a pram like that!

Enjoy your day and the sunshine hugs Linda x

Week 4 at the Sweet Pea Stampers - Acetate and Tag You're It Week 2 - I can See Clearly

2010-04-12T08:14:00.000+01:00

Good morning to you all, how was your weekend? I hope you have all had a wonderful one, with plenty of sunshine! I spent mine in the greenhous planting some seeds, and also a few more DT cards, oh girls, you will be so proud of me, im really getting organized!!! Mind you the trip to Shepton Mallet on the 21st has made me determined to get ahead of myself. I dont want to fall behind with my DT work while im away, and I want to spend the week before hand with the children, and not crafting. Remember if any of you are going to the show, please pop by and say 'Hi!' I will be working on the Anna-Marie Designs with my friend Anna. Drop me an email and let me know you will be going, it would be great to meet some of my blogging friends, and put a face to the name.

So enough rambling from me onto todays challenges.

SWEET PEA STAMPERS CHALLENGE 4 - Acetate

Its my second week at the Sweet Pea Stampers and im having a ball!! i am loving the challenge to work with these wonderful designs, they are all soooooo adorable.

This weeks challenge is to use some Acetate on your card/project. Now im not one for acetate generally as i find it rather hard to stamp with. I decided therefore to minimise the amount of acetate I had to work with, and just used acetate to stamp her wings again.

I used some stickles to highlight her wings and because it was difficult to use glue (without it showing, I have to admit to being a bit sadistic, and putting a slit between this lovely fairies wings and back and adding a tab to the wings which i could slip in and tape in place at the back!

Presto, no sign of the wings being attached! and with the addition of silicone glue underneath the tab managed to keep the wings out at an angle.

Glossy accented the stars and the flames on the candle. Lucky me, found some acetate flowers too that ive had in my stash for a while now, so thought they would be a perfect embelishment, along with some die cut fern leaves.

Satin roses added to the centre of the acetate flowers.

The image has been coloured with my pro markers and the background has been distressed with milled lavender distress ink.

It would be absolutely great to have you join us with this weeks challenge, please go check out the Dt's work here. I do not know how i have managed to join these talented ladies, maybe they got the wrong Linda !!!

Tag You're It - Week 2 - I can See Clearly

Secondly its Week 2 at the Tag You're It Challenge blog.

Now as ive already mentioned acetate is not my forte!! so this clearly was a challenge for me! i have used alcohol inks to colour my acetate and some flowers from the "Greenhouse" collection from American Crafts, which ive had yonks, but have never known what to do with!

I layered them up and fixed them with some pearl bead centres. The flourish has been stamped and i coloured some butterfly sequins to co-ordinate with the acetate. I decoupaged 2 butterlies together to give dimension and added some glass baubles for extra detail. The flourish stamp is a stamp, unknown brand im afraid. Finished with ribbon.

Now as you know tags are not my thing normally, so this is proving to be more of a challenge for me than I had anticipated, but I am enjoying it, so thank you girls, for inviting to be part of this team, you are all fabulous inspiration to me. For more inspiration go check out the challenge blog here. You will love what you find.

Anyway my lovelies, have a lovely day and back tomorrow with another challenge card!

Hugs Linda x

JCBC WEEK 60 - Kirstins Criss-Cross Card

2010-04-12T08:00:00.000+01:00

Good morning its Monday again, and I trust you have all had an enjoyable weekend. I can't believe how quickly it went, but the weather has been gorgeous. I managed to get some work done in the garden, but very little crafting unfortunately. Infact it was just before 9.00pm last night that I actually got to finish my DT card for this weeks JCBC challenge!

Its week 59 at the Just Christmas and Birthday Card Challenge. Hope you are managing to get ahead with your christmas cards this year. Now this week Kristin has sent the challenge as a Criss-Cross Card. If however you do not feel you want to make a card like this just use this as a sketch. We will look forward to seeing your creations!

I had planned on doing a Christmas card, but ended up with a Birthday one, as i have someone in mind to give it to! The image I have used is actually an image from this weeks sponsor Di's downloads.

As you may or may not know I just love bluebells, so thought this image would be great for a card this time of year! The image has been coloured with my watercolour pencils and i have only used some co-ordinating cardstock this week, no patterned papers at all! thank goodness for embossing folders to add some interest!

We have 5 digi-downloads as a prize this week from the fabulous Di at Di's Digi Downloads. Go check out her website, you will be sure to find something you fall in love with there.

I must be honest, i am falling more and more in love with digi downloads these days, we are absolutely spoilt for choice, and as well as not worrying about inking a perfect image , there is no need to make room for storing them! which is definitely an advantage!

Am having a quiet day today fingers crossed and finishing my DT work, so im ready for my trip to Shepton Mallet next week. Can not actually believe how quickly it is coming round. I don't know why I'm worrying about going, at this rate i'll be home before I know it!

Have a great day, back tomorrow with more DT work!

Hugs Linda x

Hope you have fun with our challenge this week and look forward to visiting your blogs. Hugs Linda x

Donalda's blog candy

2010-04-12T06:52:00.000+01:00

The lovely, talented Donalda, has some gorgeous blog candy from Wild Orchid Crafts up for grabs, take a look, aren't these flowers just gorgeous? and those pins too! To be in win a chance to win, go check out this post.

This candy closes on the 18th April, so what are you waiting for?

Hugs Linda x

Elephantastic - Ladybug

2010-04-10T12:38:00.000+01:00

Can not believe its the weekend again, so looking forward to some time spent in the greenhouse, I can't believe how wonderful it is to have a place i can go which is peaceful and quiet, and doesn't matter whether its raining! just as well, as im told tomorrow is going to rain again.

I am so enjoying the lazy mornings, what a difference no school run makes, to my mood and the length of the day. Not clock watching all the time, seems to lengthen the day, do any of you find the same?

Had a lovely day yesterday, despite having no electric till eleven thirty! The electric went off Thursday evening. I have never known it to be off for so long, and boy was i lost without my PC ! You kind of forget how much you rely on those electric currents! The plus side was i didn't have the PC to distract me from my actual crafting, and I did get some more DT work finished - I can't believe how organized im getting. Not before time either, bearing in mind it was my new years resolution, and we are now in April!

Today my car has its first service, my eldest son is off to his girlfriends tonight, my second son is going to Thetfords "Go Ape" sleeping over tonight in a travel lodge and daughter Jasmine is going to my sisters for a sleepover. That will leave just hubby, myself and Ben. It will be like having just the one child???!!? - how peaceful.

My cars off for a service this morning and I need some compost, so a busy morning ahead. Oh yes and the police are coming round this morning to take a statement from Jamies girlfriend Kelly, who had her car broken into Wednesday evening! Ferensics have been and taken finger prints, but Kelly has to make a statement this morning. Bear did bark on Wednesday at midnight, 3 times, but because we are all so stupid, no one actually took any notice. It would appear that Ben heard a car go off at about the same time as Bears last bark, so i would assume he did frighten them off. Shame none of us thought to get up and take a look, none of us have slept properly since!

So although maybe life isn't going swimmingly well for us still, I am coping so much better. Feel much happier in myself than i have for a while now, so long may it last.

Now once again i seem to be rambling, you've probably fallen asleep already and I havn't shown you my card yet!!

Firstly a card i've made for my friend Lesley, who's birthday is on Monday. Simply stamped image with a background made using my distress pads, and the image has been slightly stickled!
Loving the warm colours here. Not my usual choice of colours but will definitely be using more often in future!

and secondly onto my Ellephantastic Dt card!

More lovely downloads from the lovely Helen. I am loving this adorable ladybug - Baby Bulgia. I have coloured with my copics and added glossy accents to her spots! She is available to buy here for just £0.75 what a bargain!!!

Easel cards are still a favourite of mine, will i ever bore of them? - me thinks not!

Have decorated the inside using my nestabilities - those hearts are great, and they have been embossed with my swiss dot embossing folder.

Black and red is a favourite colour combo for me, how striking! and laybirds are my second favourite insect! Have to be honest im not a lover of creepy crawlies, but butterflies and ladybirds are sooooo pretty!

Hope you have a wonderful day and back later with some more samples. Hugs Linda x

Scrap Pile Challenge No6 and its Spring at Last

2010-04-08T17:20:00.000+01:00

It's week 6 at the Scrap Pile Challenge. I found this challenge thankfully when it first started, the very talented Maria, challenges you every week to use up bits and pieces from your Scrap Pile, how simple is that? and how useful too. This week the challenge is to make a paper bow flower. You can also follow her tutorial here.

So here is my card using one of these handmade paper bow flowers. Very simple to make, and effective dont you think? i have embossed the papers strips with the script embossing folder, its one of my favourites at the moment, as you may have noticed.

Have coloured my image with my pro-markers and copic sketchers, and used distress inks for the background and leaft stamp.

SOME AWARDS

Blogging friends are simply the best. I have received these awards recently from some of my blogging friends. The first blogging award was given to me by the lovely talented Claire. Thank you so much hunny.

The following two awards were by the ever talented Sarah Wright. If you havn't seen Sarahs work you should do, she is very talented and like Claire and so many others totally inspirational.

Thank you so much ladies for thinking of me, lots of hugs xxxxx

Week 5 at the Creative Cottage Challenge Blog

2010-04-07T09:52:00.000+01:00

Good morning hope your all having a good week so far. Can you believe it week 5 at the Creative Cottage Challenge. This week we want "Buttons and Bows". Oh yes, i love ribbon so bows is no problem, but buttons, thats another matter, i rarely use them! Have used some of the fabulous papers from the Birthday Wishes Kit.

I have combined the digi papers with a Lili of the Valley die cut image. I find them perfect for quick cards, and such adorable images too! I found these tiny lilac buttons that match these papers perfectly.

A sentiment done on my PC and of course using one of those fabulous Martha Stewart border punches!

I had some of these papers left over from my DT card so made this other little card, this time using another LOTV die cut image, but im afraid no buttons!

Have added flower sequins with flat backed pearl flowers in the middle. Another quick and easy make.

We hope you will join us again this week, and i look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing your marvellous creations.

Hugs Linda x

Sweet Pea Stampers - Fairies Live in the Bottom of the Garden

2010-04-05T08:35:00.000+01:00

Happy Monday morning to you all. I am still in shock that i made the
Sweet Pea Stampers DT! how did that happen??? I am absolutely thrilled to be able to take part in this weekly challenge, with the amazing DT members there, thank you so much ladies for letting me be part of your new venture. I hope I am not going to disappoint you!

Well this weeks challenge was titled "Fairies Live in the Bottom of the Garden" . I hope you like my interpretation of this. I Decided to make a garden scene using this fabulous stamp from Penny Black called "Flying Stars" and to make a box picture instead of a card.

I produced my old background using my alcohol inks and distress ink pads, and then stamping with my distress pad the flying stars. I have stickled the flying stars not particularly evident from this photo!

Unfortunately my pro-markers didn't colour too well onto this glossy card, but i hope it doesn't show up too much! I covered up the inperfect colouring with more stickles!!!

The roses have been glossy accented to add dimension.

We hope to see you join in with this weeks challenge, and I am looking forward to visiting your blogs and seeing your creations.

Thank you for taking the time to visit me, enjoy your day, big hugs Linda x

Are you going to Shetpton Mallet? and MAWT Challenge Card

2010-04-05T07:52:00.000+01:00

Good morning to you all, can you believe its Monday again already, where did the rest of the Easter Weekend go? Have got up early so i could make the most the day! and thought i would get a couple of posts sorted before everyone gets up this morning.

I love the Moving Along With the Times Challenge, and this week the lovely Heidi has provided a fabulous sketch to work with with the extra stipulation of using brown and pink (so not a problem, as its one of my favourite colour combinations), and to add ribbon (who doesn't love ribbon????) - it was purely heaven to work with!

I have used one of the fabulous Sweet Pea images, and stuck to a fairly clean looking card, hope you like it.
Loving this Sweet Pea beauty and had great pleasure colouring her in shades of pink, did i say before it was my favourite colour?????

The Cherish sentiment is a rub on from Stampin-Up as is the flourish in the corner mat. Ribbon and flat backed pearls from stash. Flowers punched with the whale of a punch retro flower and the smaller flowe using a marianne flower punch.

Have stickled and glossy accented her wings, stars, flowers in her hair and the candle for extra dimension

Are you going to Shepton Mallet between April 22nd-25th?

I have been invited to go along with my friend Anna-Marie (templates with a difference on Create and Craft), and after alot, and i mean ALOT of consideration, and gently pushing from hubby (is he trying to get rid of me for a reason?) I have decided to go. Now, i am looking forward to it. Never been there before, and lots of crafting heaven does have its pull as you can imagine!!!!

Now anyone who visits me regularly will know the last couple of years have been hard, and we are still not out the thick of it, but im hoping we may finally be on the way up. I have never been away from both hubby and the children for more than one night! so 4 nights away in a nice hotel, and in crafting heaven, is still a bit traumatic for me. Do you think ill cope???? You may smile, but seriously I am worried about being homesick, worse still, what if i like it???? might never want to come home ! - no, not likely, but it will be an interesting experience.

I dont think Anna was expecting me to agree to go as she knows what a homebird I am, but at almost 45 years old, I thought it was time I spread my wings!

Anway I seem to be rambling a bit, sooooooo sorry -

Now the reason for my question, is simply, if you are going it would be lovely (albeit a little nerve racking for me!) to have you pop by and say "hi!". Would be great to have a chat too if time allows, but with just Anna and myself on the stall not sure ill be actually able to leave it! I would just love to be able to put a face to the name behind my blogging world!

Are any of you actually working there too??? could maybe meet up afterwards if you are.

Well my lovelies, off now to get a coffee, ive been up an hour and not had a drink! must start the day off right.

Hugs to you all xxxx

The Re-Launch of Tag Your It! Challenge 1 - On a Bough!

2010-04-05T03:52:00.000+01:00

Happy Monday Morning and i hope you are all having an absolutely fabulous Easter Break. I can barely believe its nearly over, doesn't the time fly when you've having a great time?

Well im very excited, as today is the re-launch of a fabulous challenge blog called
Tag. Your It. To be honest i had never heard of it, till i was approached by the fabulous Anne, who invited me to join the DT. Week 1's challenge is called "On a Bough" so we would love to see birds and/or trees on your tags.

As many of you will know i have had a really bad time over the last two years, and i truly believe this invite lifted me out of the last low i was in. I have never made tags before, but was eager to get into this new area of crafting, and happily accepted the invite. Now like i say im new, so my first tag is a bit amateurish! (is there such a word???). I hope i will get better within time. But if you go over to the Tag It challenge blog, you will find some stunning inspiration from the other DT members who are all incredibly talented. I am looking forward to this new venture! and it will be great if you can join us.

I have used one of the inakinkadoo images and the background paper is a page i ripped out of a book. I used the branch of the main image stamp around the outside of the tag, and then added a tree stamp and embossed it for added detail.

The paper was coloured with my distressing pads and i have added some perfect pearls but you can't really see the shimmer from these rubbish photos! so sorry.

It would be lovely for you to join in with our first challenge, and remember you have to make a TAG, hence the name of the Challenge Blog!

Have a great day, and we look forward to seeing your tags, hugs Linda x

Happy Sunday - Friendship

2010-04-04T06:47:00.000+01:00

Good morning to you all, and how is your Easter weekend going? so okay, its not the best weather ever, infact its rather miserable, but for me, it's great just not to have to rush about in the mornings, and to take my time doing things. Have spent alot of the weekend tidying up, we had to clear the garage and make a start on the garden. We managed to clear the garage before the downpours on Friday and in between the showers hubby even managed to finish putting up my greenhouse (donated to me by a friend).

Laundry was up to date till last night and miraciously i have a full basket again, groan, moan!!!!!!!

Managed to get a card made last night but can't actually show that just yet. This card below was made last weekend, but i havn't had chance to post it until today.

Now you all know what a rubbish memory i have, so if anyone could enlighten me as to who's image this is and the link to their website, i would very much appreciate it!!! I have tried searching this morning, with no luck. I just adore this image infact fell in love with it when i saw it used on another blog, i immediately brought it but didn't get to use it till last week! I would like to go and check out the site for new images, if anyone can help.

This image was already coloured, how great is that?? perfect for me, as i often want to make something in a hurry and can't be bothered to colour, besides why worry, when it has been done perfectly foryou???

Double click the image the read the sentiment, its perfect!!! and i know ill be using this more than this once!

As you all know easel cards are my favourites just now, and pink and brown is one of my favourite colour combinations!

Making use of my embossing folders, that dont get out nearly as much as they should, and those wonderful nestabilities too!

My Martha Stewart heart punch had been idly sitting on my window sill to recently but now im just loving it.

I hope everyone has something nice planned for today. I have my mum for Sunday lunch and if we get chance we are off to the garden centre later to pick up some compost. I want to get some tomato plants in and also some strawberry plants if i can track some down!

Enjoy your sunday, big hugs Linda x

Sweet Peas Challenge - All that Glistens is Gold! and Crafts and Me Challenge

2010-04-02T08:43:00.000+01:00

Happy Good Friday to you all. I hope you all have a lovely Easter Weekend planned. I am just grateful that there is no school run for the forthcoming weeks!!

Well, as you know i just adore the wonderful Sweet Pea images, and the new Challenge Blog. This is my entry into this weeks challenge - All That Glistens Is Gold!! I love this particular image and have enjoyed colouring it with a limited gold colour pallet.

Coloured with my pro-markers and my brilliance gold ink pad. Layered onto different shades of gold and textured card.

The wings have been stickled and glossy accented, and i have stuck then onto 3 d pads to add extra dimension.

Can't wait for the next Sweet Pea Challenge, bring on more Sweet Pea gorgeousness!!

Enjoy your day, we have to clear out the garden and garage. We had a huge skip delivered yesterday im sure it wont take long to fill it. Have also promised to make cornflake cakes with Jasmine today, so can't see ill have much time for my crafting.

Also entering it into the Crafts and Me Challenge - Fairies and Wings

Big hugs to you all Linda x

Let the holidays Begin!!!

2010-04-01T08:03:00.000+01:00

Yes, its thursday and the school holidays have officially started. Lots of lazy mornings and late nights, horray!!!! you never know i might finally catch up with that hour i lost at the weekend. I still havn't found it, what about you?

The wonderful Creative Cottage have a freebie released for April, go take a look here and get it.

I have been using this fabulous little monkeys kit, from Tracy, which i adore, this is a wonderful kit with a selection of fabulous papers and elements. A quick and easy way to put together a card for that little boy in your life!

Have made a concertina style card, same fold as the easel cards that i love but opened on the side this time. There actually is a reason for this, it was not done on purpose! i actually stuck the panel on the wrong way round!!!

Isn't this monkey great? he is a cheeky little chap, not unlike my nephew, who this card is made for!

There is also a new release of this Birthday Wishes kit at the Creative Cottage today, which has some fabulous papers! how cute is this bear?

And this fabulous freebie, this card was made by my lovely friend Becky, how fabulous is it??? go pick up your freebie here.

Hope you all have a fabulous day, im going to get myself dressed ready to walk Rocky Bear while the sun is out, its meant to rain later, so best get my skates on!

Looking forward to having time to play this evening, so might be back later with a card. But with the children at home, im planning a visit to my sisters this afternoon. Ear plugs with me!!!

Hugs to you all Linda x

Week 4 at the Creative Cottage Challenge Blog

2010-03-31T11:45:00.000+01:00

Good morning to you lovely ladies, i can't believe we are on week 4 at the Creative Cottage Challenge Blog already! we are all thrilled with the number of entries we are getting. I am enjoying visiting your blogs and looking at your marvellous creations.

This weeks Challenge is "Pretty Pink", how simple is that? we want to see your pink creations. That was easy for me, as pink is my all time favourite colour, did you know that??? the wonderful Home Sweet Home Kit lends itself perfectly for this challenge. It is available to buy here. At just £1.99 for the complete download kit, can you afford not to buy it? All the elements in this card apart from the ribbon and pearls are from this wonderful kit. Great value and great quality too!

What yummy papers, combined with brown hues! delicious, almost good enough to eat! and as you all know im loving those easel cards!

So im afraid another easel card from me!!! The digi toppers are perfect for quick cards.

I'm particularly looking forward to visiting your blogs this week to check out your pink creations. Hope you will all join us. Hugs Linda x

Creative Card Crew Challenge - Vintage and Aged!

2010-03-30T08:11:00.000+01:00

Another week at the Creative Card Crew Challenge, and this week our challenge is "Vintage and Aged!" not unlike me! Now im not very good at this style, so you will have to excuse my effort this week. On the upside we have the wonderful Prairie Fairy sponsoring us, and what gorgeous downloads on this site! Including this fabulous one below. I just fell in love with this image and it was a pleasure to work with it. Infact i loved it so much i made 2 cards! Although i must admit the second was a bit of an accident, ill explain further down!

I found this fabulous papers in a QVC set that ive had in my cupboard for some time. I believe the papers are cosmo cricket, but am not sure. What a fabulous kit this was too, so many papers and other elements, which were invaluable for this card.

I coloured the image in with my faber castell aquarelle pencils, which ive fallen back in love with, ive used my distress inks to do the background and to distress the ripped edges on the paper. The cotton lace was coloured with my distress pad too.

Now for this card. This was the first image i coloured in for my card, i coloured it with my aquarelle pencils as above, but then covered the image with my sepia accents. I left it on the side to dry, then when i went to look at it, found something had fallen onto it before it had completely dried!! i carefully tried to detach the piece of paper that had fallen onto it, but unfortunately it ripped up some of the sepia accents from the image. Mumbling and grumbling to myself i shoved it to the side and coloured another image (the one above).

I wasn't completely happy with my first card and decided to see if i could salvage my original image. I took my distress ink pad and rubbed it over the image to find it gave this wonderful aged effect. So i then put this second card together, which i was happier with than the first. Hope you like it too.

I would like to say this effect was done on purpose, but you know different. I coloured the white lace flowers with the same distress ink pad and added pearl centres.

One image and two completely different looking cards. Hope you like them.

We would love you to join us this week at the Creative Card Crew, and look forward to seeing your fabulous creations.

Hugs Linda

Week 59 - JCBC Challenge - Vanessa's Sketch

2010-03-29T08:45:00.000+01:00

Some Blog Candy

as well as our usual Prize at

Week 59 - JCBC Challenge - Vanessa's Sketch

Good morning its week 59 at the Just Christmas and Birthday Card Challenge.

This week my lovely friend Vanessa has set the sketch. What a beauty it is too.

This week we are sponsored by Stretch and Bubbles, you can chose 4 digi-downloads if you win!

and as an extra incentive to get you to join in with our challenge this week, there are a couple of blog candies up for grabs.

Vanessa has some blog candy for you and I am offering you a surprise blog candy gift which will include:-

A stamp from one of my favourite stamp designers

Some ribbons

Some flowers

and a selection of stamped out images

to be in with a chance of winning my blog candy you must enter this weeks challenge and leave me a comment and link to you submission. The project/card must not have been previously submitted into any other challenge.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

This week i have used one of the digital downloads from Stretch and Bubbles. I loved this cupcake (infact i love any cupcakes!). I have combined it with some of the lovely papers from DCWV - Sweet selection. Have used glossy accents to hightlight the bubbles on the cake case and stickled the icing! The sentiment is a rub on from Quick kutz and ribbon from my stash.

You all know how much im loving these easel cards at the moment, i can't get enough of them!

Inside decorated with more delicious "Sweet" papers and some of those lovely glass baubles.

I enjoyed this sketch so much i made another card using one of my favourite downloads by Sally-Ann. I have this time rotated the sketch, which you are free to do too!

More papers from DCWV this time the Latte stack.

Downloads by the talented Sally Ann at the Digi-Stamp Boutique.

Vanessa Sketch

Looking forward to seeing your creations, hope you can play along this week.

Hugs Linda x

New DT post - Elephantastic Downloads

2010-03-28T18:54:00.000+01:00

It's Sunday again, an hour missing! can you believe that, there aren't enough hours in the day as it is and now ive lost one overnight, does anyone know where it has gone????

Rocky Bear woke us up at 7.00am this morning, it was really bright and sunny. I hope this weather is going to last as it does really life your spirits.

I have so far had a very good weekend, firstly after an absolutely gorgeous walk yesterday morning through the bluebell woods, we went to a nearby garden centre for an English Afternoon Tea, oh my goodness, ive never had such gorgeous homemade scones in my life. I shall be returning today given half a chance! and if not definitely next saturday!!!

Then we came home and i set to work on some DT cards, while my hubby started tidying the garden, and un beknown to me, started erecting the recently inherited greenhouse. It has spurred me on to think about summer and sorting out our much neglected garden! As you know we got Rocky Bear at the end of last May, a very wet winter has left the garden totally destroyed! we need to think about what we are going to do, starting with getting a skip and clearning the garage and garden of debris. We have planned to do this over the Easter weekend, even son Jamie has agreed to help!

So watch this space over the next couple of months, where hopefully you will see my creativeness taking a new direction!

Now im waffling, and on with the reason for my post today. I received some fabulous news last weekend, I had been offered to join a new DT. I am absolutely thirlled to be given this opportunity, and it has helped to lift the dark cloud that has been hanging over me for sooooo long. This along with other happenings lately has made me feel positive for the first time in a long while!

My lovely friend Helen has been creating her own digi-downloads. This is a fairly new project for Helen, who also creates lots of other crafty items, including her famous knitted dolls that have infact been hitting the television shows of late. Please go take a look here at all the wonderful things she makes. She is a very clever lady! Anyway, im waffling! Helen has decided to put together a DT to promote her digi-images, and i feel honoured to be asked to join her. The other DT members are Jilli, Jane, and Heidi, all a lovely talented group of ladies, whom im thrilled to be working alongside. Please go take a look at their wonderful cards im sure you will be inspired, as i am, each time i visit their blogs!

I hope you will enjoy the images and my cards! I have to be honest this is my favourite image of this adorable easter rabbit - Roger!

I have coloured in roger with my pro-markers and he is a dream to colour. Have used just plain cardstock which ive embossed and punched. The sentiment is a Stampin Up stamp that I received in a RAK ages ago, I love the font!

Border punches are fiskars apron strings and a x cut scallop border punch, a bargain at £3.99!

My second card has been made using again basic cardstock that has been embossed and also some MME papers, im afraid i dont know the design.

The Easter wishes sentiment is a stamp by Papertreyink. Another gorgeous font and the set is called Mixed Messages Vol1 No29. Which has a selection of very useful greetings!

Go check out other gorgeous downloads by Helen, im sure there will be something to tickle your fancy!

Now i have waffled on for far too long already, i hope you enjoy your sunday I will be back tomorrow with a card for the JCBC challenge!

Hugs Linda x

SCRAP PILE CHALLENGE NO5

2010-03-28T12:09:00.000+01:00

This week Maria has set a very easy challenge. You have to use a minimum of 3 pieces of scrap paper. Knowing how big most of our scrap boxes are, im sure you will all find this easy! I have also got another one of those lovely fairy images ready to be used! everything ready to go, so another quick and simple card in the making. Go check out Marias blog for more lovely inspiration and details on joining in with the marvellous Scrap Pile Challenges.

Have used one of my favourite Martha Stewart deep puches and added pearls and ribbon which ive had an eternity.

Have glossy accented the flowers and stickled her wings. Running out of frosted lace stickles, otherwise would have completely stickled her little wings!

Thank you for looking have a lovely weekend, hugs Linda x

An easel Card and more

2010-03-26T15:38:00.000Z

Happy Friday afternoon, i hope you are all well and that you've had a good week. I can not believe another weekend is before us, and that we are putting the clocks forward this week. It will be good to have lighter evenings, which in turn will hopefully make the days seem longer, and consequently give me more time to craft!!!

I am desperately trying to get myself organized. Ive spent the last year or so just muddling my way through life in general. As many of you know i have had a rough couple of years. Things are still up in the air but finally we are seeing some movement in the right direction. It is very hard at times to stay positive with so much rubbish being thrown your way. Just when you start to recover from one crisis another one is thrown in your direction. It has been very gloomy for me, but i finally feel as though there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I must be totally honest, its my blogging friends and my crafting that have kept me going. Least of all the recent DT posts i have held, as it has given me some purpose in my life, something i needed and still do. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have been so supportive of me, and to thank you for all the lovely comments you leave, which mean much more than you will ever know. Also special thanks to two ladies who have been phoning me recently and really brightening my days , you know who you are.

I have decided to really try and get organised, which means getting my DT work done a month in advance, and im pleased with how well im doing so far. Not quite there yet, but over the weekend i should reach my goal!

I have a couple of cards to show you that ive made recently but not got chance to post. Firstly using one of those fabulous new Lili of the Valley die cut images, aren't they just fabulous?

Have done another easel card, sorry for those of you who are sick of seeing them! kept the colour plain and the layout simple. Silver and gold looks fresh and fit for a wedding celebration, dont you think?

I love these Martha Stewart heart punches, but havn't used them nearly as much as i should do!

Stickles on the flowers of the brides head dress and the martha stewart flower punch for the flowers and foilage.

Then secondly a christmas card that i made quite a while ago, but didn't post, and couldn't get it to fit in with any of the challenges id looked at! Papers are from HOTP.

Thought i would also share with you a couple of photos that were taken a couple of months ago, of two of th 5 special men in my life! as you can see they have their feet up relaxing!!! nothing new there then!

Do you think they're comfortable????

Well im off to start the tea, no putting my feet up just yet. Have a lovely evening, back with you over the weekend, with hopefully some more cards to share.

Hugs Linda x

Marias Scrap Pile Challenge No4

2010-03-25T16:38:00.000Z

Its week 4 at Maria's Scrap Pile Challenge and this week she has another great sketch for us to work with! I love this challenge, its great digging into my scrap box and actually using up those odds and sods! Thank you for inspiring me to do this Maria.

Papers are from my scrap box but digi downloads from The Creative Cottage. Im not sure where the image is from, so if anyone can enlighten me i would be very grateful.

Might be back later with more cards using this sketch! Enjoy your afternoon hugs Linda x

Creative Cottage Challenge Blog Week 3 - sparkle

2010-03-24T11:05:00.000Z

Good morning to you all. I can not believe its week 3 at the Creative Cottage Challenge already. This week our challenge is - Sparkle! that should be easy for you all. Im loving all the Creative Cottage Downloads and particularly this cupcake collection. Aren't these papers adorable? and this cupcake images are great to decoupage up for more dimension. Everything except the ribbon and diamantes and stickles is from the kit.

We are thrilled with the number of you joining in with our challenge, we hope you will join us again this week. We look forward to visiting your blogs and looking at your wonderful creations. Remember you dont have to use Creative Cottage products to join in, although it would be great if you could.

Pink and brown is one of my favourite combinations, infact pink full stop!!! i love PINK. Hope you have a fabulous day hugs Linda x

Sweet Pea Stampers - a new Challenge Blog

2010-03-22T20:39:00.001Z

Its Wednesday afternoon, and now its raining!!! can you believe this is the second post from me today? I am trying to get myself ahead, makes a change from last minute rushes!!!

At the weekend i came across a post about a new Sweet Pea Challenge. Oh my goodness a challenge devoted to those gorgeous Sweet Pea images, how wonderful. There is also a DT call.

If you love the Sweet Pea stamps then you will also love this new Sweet Pea stampers Challenge blog. I have never before wanted to make a card to enter a DT call , but have decided its time to take the plunge.I don't for one minute think ill be chosen, but i need to do this for myself. Always scared not to do things incase im rejected at 44 years old is ridiculous, so here goes!!! These stamps are gorgeous and who what better way to make use of your sweet pea stamps. So here is my card for the DT call. This is the first time ive used this fabulous image, again a beauty to colour in!

These papers were in my stash, but i have no idea where they come from! i cut out the acetate dragonflies from a sheet i had from a Dawn Bibby set! yonks old, and about time i used it!

Right i must go and pick up Jasmine from school before im late. Hugs Linda x

Digi-Stamp Boutique Images - Fabulous Boys!

2010-03-18T16:15:00.000Z

I have always admired Sally-Anns work, but i have to say her latest releases are just adorable. What gorgeous images she is releasing, and this is a favourite of mine. I had made it for my nephew to give his mum on mothers day, but unfortunately he had already brought a card, so am now keeping it, im sure it will come in handy sometime soon! These papers are from the Papermania design pack - Boutique. I just love the classical prints by Jesse Edwards, just stunning. Will be using some more of these beauties later this week.

Putting my heart nestabilities to work, i dont use these dies half as much as i should. I am trying to use some of my embelishments up too, and these heart flat backed gems have been in my pot for ages, barely touched. Reminder to myself - no more buying flat backed pearls of any description! (not easy, they looks like sweeties on the websites - sooooo tempting!).

This fiskars apron strings border punch has unlike my nestabilities been used time and time again, definitely one of my favourites!

Hugs Linda x

Marias Scrap Pile Challenge No3/Cards for Men challenge Happy Birthday

2010-03-18T07:28:00.001Z

Good morning its week 3 at Maria's Scrap Pile Challenge you must use 3 circles with the option of using another great sketch! i just adore this challenge blog, makes me use up all those bits and pieces ive had laying about! As you know im trying to build up my boys cards, so using one of the ready coloured images from the lovely Sally-Anns designs. There is a link to her blog on my previous posts. Her designs are fabulous!

This was the sketch you could use ifyou wish, but the actual challenge this week is to use 3 circles! easy!

Am also entering into this weeks Cards for Men, which is titled Happy Birthday!

Hope you are having a good day.

I have just got back from the hairdressers. Got up this morning and thought i would try and get an appointment if hubby would pay. Hardly opened my mouth and he smiled and shoved some money in my hand. Had the most lovely lady ever cut my hair called Denise. She just added a few layers and cut with what i would call precision. She got me to tip my head back and dried it, and i could not believe how great it looked with such little effort. However, i wanted to br able to curl it, so she showed me how to do it with my GD straighteners. I have it curly at the moment, but will keep it straight most of the time. I feel a little brighter now. I can truly say its the first time ive ever come out of a hairdressers totally happy with my new hair do, so thank you Denise!

Tucking into some lunch now, a lovely smoked saveral and humous sandwich, then off to walk my poor Rocky Bear who only had a short walk earlier, and is giving me the evils!

Hope you are having a wonderful day.

Back later with another challenge. Hugs Linda x

Creative Cottage Challenge Blog Week 2 - Flowers

2010-03-17T08:54:00.000Z

Happy Wednesday morning, Wednesday again, can you believe that? where did Monday and Tuesday go? It was a gorgeous spring day yesterday, with lovely sunshine and no need to wear a coat! unfortunately today hasn't started off so well, its much cooler, and as yet the sun has yet to make an appearance.

I have to do the grocery shopping this morning, lucky me - NOT!!! why does everyone eat so much??? Might have to treat myself to some nice cream cakes, to lift my otherwise low mood. Comforting eating isn't good for you - but it tastes nice!!!

I can not believe we are half way through March already, and i have lost my urge to get ahead with my christmas cards, i must find some inspiration somewhere, please help!!! otherwise i can see it being another mad dash in December, with me having to buy some ready made brought cards - gasp, horror!!!

Right im rambling, onto business,

Its week 2 at the Creative Cottage Challenge Blog, we are thrilled with the response that we have had so far to our new challenge. Becky has done a marvelous job at getting this blog up and running and we hope to see you join in with us each week. As you know you do not have to use the Creative Cottage products, but of course it would be a bonus if you do!

I have used one of my favourite Creative Cottage Kits called Bags of Style. Available to buy here.

These papers are just great, in tones of pink and black! my favourite combination.
I have made this card for my friend Sally's birthday which was yesterday. She loves bags and shoes, this card has a bit of a twist!

As you know i love these easel cards, who doesn't?

If you life the handle of the bag, you pull out another small bag/purse.

The first bag has been put on 3d pads to give dimension and to take the additional bag/purse!

This purse opens and has been embossed with my cuttlebug embossing folder to make it look like leather!

And although i havn't shown it here, ive added a Marks and spencers voucher inside.

I hope you like my card this week, and will join us with week 2 at our challenge blog.

I look forward to visiting you and seeing what you come up with this week, enjoy your week, hugs Linda x

Creative Card Crew Challenge #46 - Going Dotty

2010-03-16T07:07:00.000Z

Good morning its week 46 at the Creative Card Crew Challenge, and this week our challenge is called "Going Dotty" interpret this however you wish.

We would love to thank everyone who joined in with our birthday celebrations last time, we had a ball looking at your creations.

Also a big thank you to everyone who entered my blog candy. I am sorry you can't all be winners, but my daughter chose My BLOG CANDY WINNER therefore is Bev from Bev's Creative Crafty Moments. Please can you contact me via my email littlepopits@aol.com so i can get your prize out for you. Thank you. If i do not hear from Bev by Saturday then i will draw another name.

Onto another fabulous challenge this week for which I have used one of these dragon image which i think is High hopes, but may stand to be corrected! Have used some MME papers i believe, and used my prisma colour pencils to colour the image and distress inks round the image.

Well its tuesday and i have to get ready for walking rocky bear and the school run. Its my friend Sally's birthday today so we are having a light lunch out. Im sure it will do me good when i get there, but as i feel at the moment i would much rather stay tucked up indoors and asleep! im so tired, and this awful low mood has returned, although maybe it never really went. Finding it very hard at the moment to stay motivated, but hey ho, on with the day!

Hugs for now Linda x

Week 58 JCBC Challenge - Karins Sketch

2010-03-15T07:44:00.000Z

Happy Monday morning to you all. I hope you had a lovely Mothering sunday yesterday for all my UK visitors. I have to say we had a nice relaxing day, we were going out for lunch but could not get in. So hubby cooked a roast lunch for me and my mum and the children of course, it was lovely. Had lots of nice cards and presents and feel totally spoilt, unfortunately no crafting goodies - sob! sob!

I didn't get much crafing done over the weekend, ran out fo time. Have a couple of DT cards to get done today so after ive done the morning school run will be getting my thinking cap on.

I have already walked Rocky bear this morning, Jasmine came with me we were out the door by 6.45am this morning, i think Bear thinks its his birthday!

Right must be getting ready for the school run, so down to business.

Week 58 - JCBC Challenge - Karins Sketch

Can not believe its week 58 at the Just Christmas and Birthday Card Challenge, thank you for all of you who are supporting us. I hope you are all getting ahead with your christmas cards this year. I am still behind, so thought i would use this sketch to get myself a head a bit. Unfortunately i ran out of time, so i only managed to get one card done, but will be back later with some christmas samples using Karins fabulous sketch.

Using the wonderful birdie image from Sally-Anns digi-stamp boutique store.
Go take a look for yourself there is sure to be something you will fall in love with. Again papers are from the DCWV Latte stack which i just adore!

Right, must dash, hopefully back later with my christmas cards, have a fabulous day , hope the sun is shining where you are.

Hugs Linda x

An award thank you

2010-03-15T07:09:00.000Z

Good morning ladies. I want to say a couple of thank you's this morning, firstly to Helen, who gave me this lovely award. Thank you hunny it means alot. Things are still hard at the moment but having such good friends really does help!

Secondly thank you to Katrina, who sent me a surpise RAK yesterday totally unexpected and much appreciated, it really did bring a smile to my face. Thank you.

I will be back later with the CCC challenge for this week, enjoy your day hugs Linda x

Cards for Men Challenge 5 - Paper Piecing

2010-03-13T09:11:00.000Z

I dont know about you but i always struggle with cards for men. I love the Cards For Men challenge Blog for this reason. This week they have a fabulous challenge - Paper Piecing! and you have the chance to win some of the fabulous downloads bythe Digital Boutique.

At the moment i am loving the digi downloads by the talented Sally-Ann. Anyone who has been to my blog recently will know how much i am loving these designs. Go check them out for yourself here. I love this image, great for that special little boy in your life!

This is such a fun image from Sally-Ann, and i have paper pieced the rocket. Hope you like the layering and the easel style card.

I have filled in the helmet with glossy accents to give the appearance of the glass. Double click the image so see this more clearly.

Decorating the inside of my card with my Martha Stewart zig-zag punch and stars cut from my nestabilities.

Another Easel Card - and Sally Anns download

I've absolutely fallen in love with this owl image. I have paper pieced the owls body and then coloured the rest of the design with my pro markers.

What an adorable face! i have glossy accented his cute little nose and the hearts.

Again the inside decorated with the heart nestability die cuts and some ribbons from my stash.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog again, i always appreciate the kind comments you leave me. They mean so much.

Hugs Linda x

Happy Friday and some Cards

2010-03-13T07:40:00.000Z

Happy Morning to you all. Thought i would share with you a few cards ive been putting together this week , not for any challenge, but to use up some of my oddments of papers and some odd images! I am trying to clear the decks (so to speak) to make way for all my crafty others day gifts! Lol - wishful thinking!!!!! my hubby and children refuse to buy me any crafting goodies this year as they say i have too much already - now im sure you will all agree this is an impossibility!!!!! I am however waiting delivery of a new Carl cutter, as my beloved cutter of 4 years has started to cut out of line, making it impossible to get even matting!

Hope the rest of you will be lucky enough to get some nice new crafting stash, there is certainly enough out there to be tempting the tastebuds. I see that the lovely Kimmie stamps have some new releases later this month, and that Lili of the Valley, are not leaving us alone, with yet more gorgeous releases in mid-April.

I have also been buying some more of the gorgeous Sally-Ann downloads from Digi-stamp Boutique. I will be back later with some cards made with these beauties!

Well enough rambling for me, and onto the cards.

Firstly, i have no idea where this image came from, but its the last one i have, and if anyone can enlighten me i would be thrilled, as i would love some more of these adorable bears!!!

Papers from a Dena closset Colorbook stack, i hated cutting into it, but now am almost finished with the pad, what gorgeous papers, and delicate colours!

Absolutely adoring these easel cards still, and have seen some variations to try at the weekend!

A quick card using up some of the remaining Lili of the Valley die cut images i have, simple card, but im loving simple at the moment!

Finally using up one of those gorgeous Sally-Ann downloads that i have had printed off. I just adore her style, what a very talented lady she is. Please go check out her boutique, if you havn't already done so. Loving this DCWV pad, this is the last of the 8 x 8 pad i had, but still have a smaller stack to use up!

I have more cards to show you later, hope i havn't bored you from coming aback.

Have a wonderful day, big hugs Linda x

Scrap Pile Saturday Challenge 2/Sketch Saturday and Lili of the Valley Challenge

2010-03-11T09:41:00.000Z

Happy Thursday morning, where did Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday go???? Hope you have had a lovely week so far. I am scheduling this card as i intend to be doing my grocery shopping first thing in the morning (if i can face it!). I must make my apologies for not being visiting your lovely blogs as much as i should do. I am struggling with motivating myself at the moment and finding that extra time! As many of you know i have had lots of ongoing personal problems for some time now. Last night we had for the first time some promising news, so i am keeping my fingers crossed that things are finally turning round for us. I am almost too frightened to allow myself to heave a sign of relief, but here's hoping! I know many of you have also been having a hard time of it recently, and i hope things are on the turn for you too.

Spring is on the horizon and i believe we can all do with a ray of sunshine! those bright long days can truly lift your spirits, roll on Spring!

As my motivation and MOJO is not residing with me at present i ave been looking for inspiration from some of the wonderful sketch challenges. Hope you like what ive done.

Enjoy your day and here goes.

Sketch Saturday

and

Lili of the Valley Challenge 40 - An easel card

Can you believe its mothers day on sunday? where has the time gone this year? I have combined this mothers day card for my Mother-in-law with two fabulous challenges. Loving these fairy images by Lili of the Valley and decided to give it a vintage look.

Coloured in with my pro-markers. The papers are from a colorbook range called "Dena's Closset" just love the colours. Lilac is my MIL's favourite colour! Love flat back pearls and my stickles as you can tell!

Scrap Pile Saturday No 2

Loving the Scrap Pile Challenge by Maria, it makes me use up those scraps of paper ive been sitting on! Also using one of the fabulous Sally-Ann downloads that i've had printed off for some time. Have a blue image too that will be making up tomorrow for another challenge.

I have glossy accented the leaves and printed the sentiment. More pearls and fabulous double satin ribbon. Papers are some scraps from one of my favourite DCWV stacks!

Thank you for taking the time to visit and i will hopefully be back with more challenge cards! Have a lovely day , big hugs to you all. Linda x

Creative Cottage Challenge Blog Week 1 - NEW

2010-03-10T08:32:00.000Z

It's the launch of the Creative Cottage Challenge Blog, we hope you will all join us this week. The challenge for you this week is to use something new. That means to use anything you have new in your stash. It is not necessary to use downloads from the Creative Cottage, but it would be lovely if you could. There are some lovely free downloads available here. Or to browse the Creative Cottage shop for other downloads look here.

This week we have this fabulous prize up for grabs the lovely Bags of Style download. You will adore the papers in here.

I decided to use some of the new papers from the soon to be released downloads Little Monkeys Pirate Adventure. The images are perfect for little boy cards and fabulous matching papers to go with them. I have used only ribbon and card from my own stash, everythng else is donloadable from the kit! Back with more samples from this fabulous kit shortly.

I am really loving the easel cards at the moment and can't resist using this style for just about anything i can!

HOME SWEET HOME

I also made these cards using the fabulous Creative Cottage Download kit called Home Sweet Home, and is available here to buy for the bargain price of £1.99

Another easel card, using the birds to hold it up. These papers are just gorgeous, i love the pink and brown combination, so these are right up my street.

The flowers on this card have been printed from the kit , cut out and glossy accented. Have only used my martha stewart leaf punch additional to the kit, and a couple of pearl flat back gems.

Have actually used a punch for these flowers and leaves, and added diamantes on the top right hand tree. The sentiment is in the kit.

Ribbon from my stash.

Again flower has been printed and cut out, the only addition not included in the kit is the ribbon and gems.

I hope you will enjoy our new challenge blog and we look forward to visiting your blogs and seeing your wonderful creations.

Have a happy day hugs Linda x

Week 92 at Friday Sketchers

2010-03-08T13:18:00.000Z

FRIDAY SKETCHERS WK 92

It is week 92 at Friday Sketcher and what a fabulous sketch this week too. Here is my attempt. Its my nephews birthday Wednesday so decided to make this for him. I love this greeting farm image, fabulous for the boys in your life!

Happy Monday to you all, where did that weekend go? i have no idea, im sure i must have slept through it or something! Can't believe we are back to Monday morning again. I had not done much crafting over the weekend, just a DT card ready for Wednesday. But this morning i had to get my skates on as its my nephews Birthday wednesday and i hadn't yet made a card. As he is a little special to me, i didn't feel i could use a card already in my stash, so the decided to use the friday sketchers sketch to inspire me. The papers are from Making Memories, i just adore them.

I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend, with some lovely weather, i hope spring has finally arrived. Its lovely and bright here albeit still very cold. But no rain, and im grateful just for that.

I an really struggling to motivate myself at the moment, i think ill have to do some blog hopping to get my creative juices flowing again. Have my sister arriving any minute, so best get this posted, and put the kettle on. Enjoy your monday, big hugs Linda x

Simon Says Challenge and an Award

2010-03-03T20:44:00.000Z

Simon Says Challenge - Mothers Day/Girlie Card

The Simon Says challenge wanted to see some girlie cards, so i decided to use one of my favourite Lili of the Valley images again, and a simple layout. Im loving these more simple layouts at the moment.

Finally, another male card for my collection. Using one of the die cut decoupage sheets and some Greeting Farm papers.

AN AWARD - Thank you

I received this lovely award from Nina. I have recently discovered Nina's blog and she makes the most amazing cards, please go and take a look for yourself, you are sure to be impressed. Thank you so much for this award Nina, it means alot .

Enjoy your evening everyone, and maybe back tomorrow. Hugs Linda x

Happy 40th Birthday (Quixotic Challenge) and my Candy

2010-03-03T13:33:00.000Z

Happy Wednesday to you all, what a great week it has turned out to be weatherwise. So okay, the sun isn't out today and its a little cooler than the last two days, but not a drop of rain in sight!!! so yippee, spring is on the horizon!

Now dont forget we are celebrating our birthday on the Creative Card Crew Challenge this week, and we would love you to join in with the celebrations.

I will have some fabulous candy up for grabs, however to enter you must join in with our challenge this week, and leave a link on this post to your card. Your card/project must be a new one and not one you have previously posted. I will be picking a winner on the 16th March.

I look forward to seeing your creations!

This morning i have been concentrating on my friends 40th Birthday card. I have been thinking about it for weeks, but as per usual left it to the last minute to actually make. The mojo has gone walkabouts, and apart from knowing i wanted to do an easel card, i hadn't a clue what i was going to do!

I had the lovely Rose Garden paper pad from Papermania unopened, and decided to use this as my inspiration. As our CCC challenge theme this week is celebration i looked for an image to tie in with this. I love this whiff of joy mouse and cupcake, one of my favourite all time stamps. I have coloured with my pro-markers and highlighted with glossy accents and stickles.

The Quixotic Challenge this week is called "Leave it Out" and the challenge is to use leaves on your card/project. So i am entering this card into this challenge. Ive used the Marth Stewart fern leave punch.

Forgive me for such a terrible photo but the light in here is not good today.

I have personalized the card with chipboard letters from my Brenda Pinnock set that ive had for ages, im so pleased to actually be using up some of the components!
Also using the martha stewart punch that i received in my QVC pick of the day last month, and decorating with liquid pearls.

Flowers are punched from my Nellie Sneddon flower punches and accented with prima pearls and stickles.

To complete i have made a matching box to house the card, a little more impressive than my usual envelopes.

I hope my friend will like her card. Now have to go and wrap her presents.

I hope your all having a good week so far, can you believe how quickly the weekend is approaching? I am struggling to keep on top of things at the moment the days just fly. It will soon be spring - yeah!!!!

Hugs to you all, Linda x

Creative Card Crew Birthday Challenge # 45 - Celebration!

2010-03-02T08:48:00.000Z

Creative Card Crew Challenge

Birthday Celebrations

Its the CCC challenge number 45 and its also our Birthday! can't believe the challenge blog has been running for a year. We are so pleased to have so many followers and to celebrate we have set this weeks challenge as "Celebrations" this leaves it wide open for you all to interpret however you see fit. We hope you will join in the fun.

Because its our birthday we have several sponsors to the challenge this week including the fabulous Simon Says Stamps, Bunny Zoe's, and Sunshine Stamps.

CCC BIRTHDAY BLOG CANDY

Some of the DT have some blog candy to celebrate our anniversary. Now my blog candy is going to be a surprise, but lets just say if you havn't seen the delicious "Sweet Pea" designs yet go take a look here where you will see works of art made using these fabulous designs. I feel sure you will fall in love with them like me, just as soon as you see them.

To be in with a chance of winning my blog candy you have to join in with our CCC challenge this week and leave a link on this post with your card. I will draw a winner on th 16th march.

Please go visit the other DT members to check out their cards and blog candy:-

Victoria

For my celebration card i have made this card using the fabulous Greeting Farm image, and papers. As many of your will know i always struggle with boys/male cards and am trying to stretch myself, and build up a supply of them, as there are far more males in our family.

Also done this quick male card using just a single Lili of the Valley image, i believe this is now discontinued, but i am trying to use up my older stash. The stars are brads again very old stash!

Have fun, hugs Linda x