This card was made using a kit by Heather Roselli called 'Big Spender'. The kit, I think, was partly intended to reflect the current economic climate, but I couldn't resist 'filling' the bag element with gifts and other goodies. I made the tags below using the same kit, and I think I'll make another tag to match the card sometime in the future too - the bag would lend itself to this perfectly, don't you think?

This Thursday will be 'Card Day' over on the Girl Talk blog (Dani Mogstad's team blog). This month I am showing off 3 new cards - and if I get the thumbs up from Dani, a little freebie too... so fingers crossed for a 'yes' :)

I am also doing another article for that blog on the 5th May - 'cos someone else beat me to the card day slot for next month - humph ;)

You know, I never thought I get frustrated being on a design team - but I do, 'cos when you make something you want to show off immediately to everyone, you inevitably have to wait to pop it on the team blog first! Still, I wouldn't stop doing what I do for the world, and as long as the teams want me, I'm theirs - believe me, I know how lucky I am, and constantly wonder just how it happened?

Sx

Other elements used in the cards & tag design:

All blooms & most ribbon: Poppicrafts

Green ribbon on card: freebie snipped from a top I bought (the ultimate in recycling!)

Heart sequin, sugar coated card & rub-on alpha: Doodlebug Designs

Dovecraft chalks & flower brads

Ranger stickles glitter glue

Raffia, ink, craft wire, gems & seed beed: local carft shop

Staples

Fonts: 'Born to' is in Gorillaz1 and 'Everyone needs a little' is in Cupcake

Feeling Springy

The sun is shining, for once I'm organised enough that my washing line is full of clothes blowing in the breeze and I'm feeling quite content with the world... it must be Spring!

I love my little dragonfly on the card above. He's based on a template by MissTiina, but I made his wings out of petals from paper blooms. I think they worked beautifully :)

I was feeling soooo pleased with the result that I made the hanging decorations below for my Easter tree - but they would make a perfect mobile addition too (hummm, I think that may be a near-future project!):

I made the decorations a little more robust by laminating them.

I'm off to sit in the sun and read the final book of the Twilight series - I just couldn't resist the hype about them...

Sx

PS Don't forget to check out the latest challenge at Poppicrafts! Its all about using skinny/ thin ribbon and you could earn yourself £20 vouchers - just think of all the dragonfly wings that would make...

Dragonfly template: MissTiina (at Funky Playground Designs)
Blooms: Poppicrafts
B&W border, flower paper and alpha background paper: Pink Petticoat
Blue spotty paper: ‘Flip’ kit from TADA
Acrylic alpha: Shawna Clingerman (at Sweet Shoppe Designs)
Pink gem & rub-ons: Doodlebug Designs

Chocolate and orange

I've another (belated) daft quiz for you this evening: 'What Easter Candy Are You' - feel free to substitute 'sweetie' for 'candy' if you're feeling very British today :)
This was my result:

You Are a Chocolate Bunny

A traditionalist, you secretly want to dress up like a bunny. And not just on Easter.

What Easter Candy Are You?

Its fun, free and doesn't require knowing who you are, so why not have a play?

I just finished this digital layout using a free template from the Sweet Shoppe community forum, and I love the colours I used (I've been using a lot of blue recently for some reason) - in fact I'm wearing a matching t-shirt right now (the shade of orange that nearly makes your eyes water). Its true what they say about colours affecting your mood, 'cos I'm feeling quite chirpy even though Alex and I have butted heads quite a lot today (its still half term!):

I've made some lovely cards recently (I think!?) that I will be able to share with you here after tomorrow when the first issue of the e-magazine of the new DSA site is available. Do you remember me mentioning it?

Do go and have a peek even if you favour paper and glue to the digital world - there is so much to see, try and take inspiration from. Take from it only what you want and then simply enjoy the community spirit. I dare you :)

Sx

Credits for the LO:'Please Refrigerate' kit by Lauren Grier & Mikkel Paige; 'Button it' by Lauren Grier; 'Give me more Arrows' by Shawna Clingerman and the font is DJB RachelM by Darcy Baldwin. All from SSD.

The wonderful world of Digiscrapping

Hello - and is it raining where you are too? The British weather can always be relied on at holiday times :)

I have some really great news to share with you: I have been asked to join the design team for a new online digiscrapping publication! ...excuse me while I do a quick happy dance again!!

The publication is brand spanking new, and if you have access to a PC (hello!) and you like seeing the latest papers & designs, enjoy freebies, love competitions & challenges then I recommend taking a look at:

This fabulous forum also includes tutorials, encouragement for aspiring designers and a wonderful gallery to glean inspiration from, plus there is an opportunity to subscribe DigiscrapAddicts' first monthly newsletter, The Enabler!

Did I mention the freebies and money-off vouchers?

So, if you are just beginning to dip your toe into creating with digital products; are a seasoned digiscrapper, or like me, want access to wonderful new paper and element designs that you can print out and use to your hearts content again and again and again - then this new forum is an excellent place to explore and use.

Hope to see you there!!

In the meantime, have a lovely Easter weekend with your friends & family.

Sx

A few Easter treats

Today I added another post to Dani Mogstad's design team blog, that I'm fortunate to be part of - and got to show off all of these Easter themed bits and pieces. The first is my favourite 'cos I am so proud of how I made the bunny ears!:

I made this card for my friend Michelle (of Poppicrafts fame - where else would I get my blooms from?), and as per her excellent advice, here is a close up:

The 'basket' was made by twisting a piece of raffia in to shape and then securing it with diamond glaze (which had the additional advantage of making it hard and shiny). I am particularly pleased with the wire headband on which 'Lilli' has her ears mounted! Her image is coloured with chalks.

I recently made some Easter decorations for Poppicrafts (which I don't think I've shown here - something to rectify - but can be seen in the shop's gallery), and realised just how many digital kits include elements just crying out to be used similarly:

Each image was printed twice, the second copy being a mirror image, then cut out and glued together. Add a little sparkly glitter and a thread to hang by and there you are! These images are from two of Dani's kits: 'In Your Easter Bonnet' and 'Pop Goes the World'. The latter kit in particular, has lots of images perfect for snipping out and mounting onto cards :)

I made these little baskets as gifts for Alex's teachers, and I'm making more to send to some of our family (I just have to work out how to package them so they survive in the post...).

Finally, this is the mini gift I made for my Mum for Easter. The coaster is from YellowMoon.org - which if you have children is well worth a look at. They sell some wonderful crafty things, educational tools and games and even party bag gifts, and a percentage of your purchase goes to your child's school/ nursery too. Hooray!

Finally, if you have a go at making a mini basket (and I do recommend it 'cos they're very cute), they can carry a remarkable number of Cadbury's Mini Eggs. Alas however, they do not take a full packet - especially if you put shredded pink tissue paper into the basket simply because it looks pretty - and you will be obliged (!) to put the last few out of their misery and eat them. You have been warned...

Sx

All background papers and most digital elements: Dani Mogstad (all available from Sweet Shoppe Designs)
Templates for mini bags: Heather Roselli (also available at Sweet Shoppe Designs)
The lovely Lilli image: Pink Petticoat
All blooms, ribbon and the pretty flower clip: Poppicrafts
Alterable coaster and tissue paper: Yellow Moon
Plus Dovecraft chalks, craft wire, Ranger Stickles glitter glue, DMC threads, raffia, Diamond Glaze and the pink sweeties were from M&S! My Easter tree was from the late and sadly missed 'The Pier'.

Too much temptation...

Two of my favourite on-line stores have had huge sales, and its all been just tooooo tempting. I confess to having spent just a little here and there...

Unfortunately, the Weeds & Wildflowers 2nd anniversary sale ends today - but do check their blog for some really lovely quick pages they're giving away to celebrate.

On the other hand, starting yesterday, the Sweet Shoppe designers are simply killing me at the moment with their Gone, Gone, Gone sale for this week only - 50% off, and then some of my favourites vanish forever! How could they do this to my credit card?? ;)

In the meantime, I 'made' this digital Easter postcard to print, add our own messages and post to friends and family for Easter. I used a free quick page, altered the sentiment, added Alex's picture et voila!

The digital world can make life so easy sometimes when you need to do things in large numbers and quickly! ...they're great for thankyou's too.

'til the 7th

Sx

'Walking on Sunshine' quick pages: via Traci Reed's team blog; Font: MA Googly Bear