Feeling green...

This card is/ was intended for the current 'My Time to Craft'challenge: Green. I think though I am a little late uploading it (I've been a little under the weather with flu - perfect timing for Christmas:))

I made the paper by combining some lovely coloured paper by KSharonk with music frippery (sort of digital confetti) from the wonderful Tracy Ann (TADA) , and chalking the edges with black and blue. The sentiment reads: You make my heart sing (in MA Smiles font).

I am so in the mood to play with pretty papers and twiddly bits following my enforced abstinence over Christmas - just think: Valentine hearts, Easter eggs and bunnies, Mothers Day and flowers and of course Spring in all its wonderful colours are all not too far off... Hooray!

Hope Santa was kind to you!

Sx

Heart sequins: Doodlebug Designs
Ribbons: Ribbon Oasis
Wire & seed beads: local craft shop

New challenge and another Christmas tree!

I have discovered a new challenge blog via Sarah's fab blog. Its called My Time to Craft Challenge.

Their current challenge is ' Contemporary Christmas', and I think this card fit the criteria nicely.

I doubt you'll be shocked to know that the paper is by Pink Petticoat! There are silver stars scattered across the card, but they are very difficult to see in the photo I'm afraid.

By the way, have you ever investigated Tracy Ann Digital Art site? She's reduced prices store wide and I guarantee you'll be oooing and aahing over her papers ...and just wait to you see the 'frippery' (I guess you'd call it digital confetti but with beautiful style and imagination).

I'm off for a nap - our son was up at 3am and would not go back to sleep. Still it gave me time to tidy my kitchen drawers... woohoo.

Sx

Paper: Pink Petticoat
Ric rac: Ribbon Oasis
Black ribbon for tree trunk: Poppicrafts
Beads and felt from local craft store
Stars (they really are there, honestly!): freebies

This Thursday & Cosmo Cricket

This is my 'naughty and nice' card for the final This Thursday challenge of the year.

I love Christmas pudding - hence the nice - but sincerely wish it was less naughty (I really should be a good girl and not eat it, but hey, its Christmas!).

I made this card for my son's class to sign and give to their classroom assistant - its difficult to see on the photo but the snowflakes are punched out, 3 at the top and 3 at the bottom.

The card below is the one for their wonderful teacher Miss Porter (who most of the boys plan to marry!).

...maybe what is inside the gift is nice or just a little bit naughty too!?

I hope my number is chosen by the random generator, 'cos all I want for Christmas is the Cosmo Cricket prize (and some nice smellies, and an ipod, and just a few other bits and bobs!).

I'm off to help at the school again - its Christmas lunch today!

Bye for now,

Sx

Pudding card:
All papers: Pink Petticoat
White sugar coated card & rub-on alphas: Doodlebug Designs
Bloom & button: Poppicrafts
Organza ribbon: Ribbon Oasis

Gift card:
All papers and black & white border: Pink Petticoat
Ribbon: Poppicrafts
Button: Doodlebug Designs
Wire & beads from craft shop.

Runner-up! ...and lots to say.

I had intended to mention this on Thursday, but somehow its now Saturday, and I'm not very sure how I lost the time - I was lovely and organised for Christmas, but now I'm in a bit of a spin about it!

Anyway, my good news: I am a runner up in this years Card Maker of the Year Competition, with the wonderful Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine! Hooray for me - I'm feeling quite proud of myself - but determined to be back next year to win it, so look out! The winner (Kath Stewart - you should check out her lovely designs) and all the runners up are in issue 53 of the magazine. The card of mine that was shown was called 'Party Girl'.

Believe it or not, this was the first time ever I forgot to take pics of my cards before sending them out. Two of the cards (the published one and one I called 'Us') were second incarnations so I have pics of my first attempts, but the third was completely new for the competition - complete with a little pic of my son on... Heed my bitter lesson, everyone!

This is the first incarnation of 'Party Girl' - the competition entry was even more girly (this original card was made as a commission for my brother again - hence less frills!). Forgive the rubbish pic, please! Do you like my home-made 'cocktail list' paper?

The next card was made for a friend to give to her sister for her 40th - I redesigned my competition entry to have 'Us' on the front. The sentiment at the bottom says: "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful". This is a Mae West quote and I love it!

I love the paper and '40' - all from The Shabby Shoppe 'Wild Love' kit. They are having a sale this weekend too...

As I said, there is no pic or forerunner of my last card, which again used papers from the Shabby Shoppe, and was scrapbook-ish and messy in a cute way (I thought!), but this was the picture of my son. The card was called 'Big Kiss' - you can guess why:

My boy just can't help being cute....

Enjoy your day.

Sx

Cocktail Card: Background paper made/ designed by me using MA Googly Bear font again!; Heart & dotty paper by Kay Miller Designs (Love Bug kit); Cocktail drink paper by Karen Foster Designs; Pink starry paper by Grazieli Niclass aka Lili of ScrapArtist.com (Once Upon a Time kit), Bloom from Poppicrafts, black card and free gem.

40th: Black background paper by Nancy Kubo, All other paper and alpha by The Shabby Princess, organza ribbon from Ribbon Oasis, Silk flower and button by Doodlebug Design, wire, beads and other elements from local craft shop. Quote by Mae West!

One for my brother

My brother is a very particular person - he does not like fussy cards or the obviously feminine. He wants cards that reflect his tastes. ...and I think I got it right with this card he commissioned - he paid me for it with a smile on his face, which is always a good sign!

I think its quite a 'clean' and simple card - and is a hybrid production of digital and physical embellishments.

I have some brilliant news to share with you tomorrow...

Sx

Blue paper and Alpha: Tara Dunstan Designs
Green background paper: lauraskathi
Circle frame: Debbie Fisher
Sequins and rub-ons: Doodlebug Designs
Seed beads, black pen

Sneaky peek... and some Fancy Pants

A quick sneaky peek at the latest cards I designed for the very lovely Michelle of Poppicrafts. She lets us indulge our imaginations and create whatever we want without restricting us to a theme - so I tried this time to avoid Christmas, though there is a wintry card amongst my 5. You'll be able to see my new cards in full very shortly in Poppicrafts gallery, but you should check it out regardless for the gorgeous work by the amazingly talented Debs, Dawny, Sarah, Tracie Jane and Hannah.

Did you see my previous creations for Poppicrafts?


... I am rather pleased with my ribbon bee in particular - I plan to redo him again with lighter Spring colours, so look out for him buzzing around again!

By the way Michelle is having a final sale before taking a break for Christmas - on some lovely Fancy Pants merchandise. Check out the mini kits, she has compiled which are a fab way of sampling lots of things at once! I'm trying the Rough & Tough kit 1 and Sweet & Pretty 2, so don't be too surprised at what elements some of my future cards include!

Got to go - we're off to see Father Christmas now!

Sx

This Thursday...its my turn!

This week its my turn to be guest designer for the challenge blog - the theme is 'Mistletoe & Wine'. I made two cards, the first is above, with a matching tag, and is my favourite ('cos it has lots of pink and lime!). It was nice and easy to make: each loop of the mistletoe is a separate piece of ribbon initially secured together with a glue dot and then with a sugar-coated white brad, which obviously acts as the berry and helpfully hid all the ribbon ends too!

The second reminds me of cosy evenings together, and is wine coloured with a lovely Pink Petticoat image coloured with watercolour pencils and a touch of chalks. I have added seed beads to represent bubbles and to add sparkle too (all stuck on with the amazing Diamond Glaze):

I hope you like my creations!

Sx

Mistletoe card & tag All paper:Corina Nelson Designs; White sugar-coated card (for frame & punched snowflakes) & brads: Doodlebug Designs; Ribbon: Poppicrafts; Pen: Sakura; Gems: Lakeland Ltd

...to us card All paper: Natalie Braxton; Image: Pink Petticoat; Ribbon: Poppicrafts; Rub-ons: Doodlebug Designs; Watercolour pencils: W H Smiths; Chalks: Dovecraft

Lime, pink & chocolate - yum!

Oh, I really didn't think I was going to make this challenge on time - I ran out of glue! Fortunately my husband saved the day (and his own sanity as I was most upset at this predicament as I'm sure you will appreciate), and here we are!

This is my chocolate, lime and pink challenge card for the lovely This Thursday...

I love these colours, and was determined to make a non-Christmas card with them, although paper for the 'cake' is from Funky Fairys wonderful kit 'A Chocolate Covered Christmas'.

Keep an eye out for the next challenge on This Thursday... and you might just notice some more of my work!

Sx

Cake paper: Funky Fairys

Background papers: Pink Petticoat

Ribbon, gorgeous brad and bloom: Poppicrafts

Beads and wire: Local craft store

Floral Birthday

What a hectic couple of weeks it has been, made worse by colds and a mild dose of man-flu (poor dear!), and with Christmas rapidly approaching its only going to get more busy. I rely on my calendar so much - but I am often still rubbish at remembering things... like my friends birthday. This is her card, which I have posted a day late. Sorry Julie!!!

Sx

Paper & sentiment: Pink Petticoat

Blooms: Poppicrafts

Button & Sugarcoated black card: Doodlebug Designs

Ribbon: Ribbon Oasis

This Thursday...No.22: Paint!

This Thursday's current challenge is to produce something involving paint. Since its been a while since I attended my watercolour classes (I plan to rejoin in January - if I can get myself organised) and I've been wanting to paint a peg for a while - and who doesn't - I decided to indulge myself and play!

I'm rather pleased with the results - I love simplicity combined with bright colours, particularly pink and green (with a dash of orange for variety). I attached all the elements with Diamond Glaze. I cannot praise this produce enough: its so useful, though you do have to be quick!

Wrap up warm...

Sx

Flower and butterfly felt ribbon: Poppicrafts
Gems: Doodlebug Design
Stickles glue, own peg and freebie magnets on reverse
Paper: Traci Murphy Designs (available at Funky Playground Designs)
Paint: Crown paint in 'Shocking Pink' - I want this in my bedroom, but my husband isn't too keen for some reason.

A little snow

This card is for this weeks Papertake Weekly Challenge: Snow! ...which is apt as we've finally had the threatened white stuff overnight (and it looks like we're in for a lot more!).

The images, boarder and paper are all of Zoe Pearn's design - you can find her beautiful and very feminine designs at Sweet Shoppe Designs. The flakes are punched from household foil and I stitched my beloved pink seed beads onto the trees for a special finish.

I am now off to ice and decorate 50 mini cakes for my son's birthday party this afternoon - a fancy dress party for thirty-plus 5 and 6 year olds...

Keep warm,

Sx

This Thursday...Challenge 21

The card above is my entry to this weeks blog challenge by the lovely ladies of This Thursday...

The theme is 'marvellous metallics' - and being the mum of a car-mad boy, I naturally had a go at making a car out of kitchen foil. Humm - not as easy as it sounds as my (very cheap) foil tore in the most unanticipated directions… The final result wasn't even worth mounting onto a card - but it does represent another challenge in itself, which I vow to crack one day!

I then decided to make snow flakes punched from my foil (which did work!), but finally chose to make a night time card. I used some metallic silver mini-stars, metallic silver sequins and a lovely (you guessed it!) metallic eyelet charm to represent to moon. I really love the pea-pod baby image, which I coloured with chalks.

I can't wait to browse the other challenge entries.

'til next time...

Sx

Image: Scrap n Fonts, ; Papers: Lauraskathi (Alicia kit); Eyelet charm: Poppicrafts; Organza ribbon: Ribbon Oasis; Rub-ons: Doodlebug Designs; Dovecraft chalks; free stars & sequins from a magazine; Little Days font.

Wishing you a {very} pink Christmas...

I hope you like this girly pink card which I made as part of an order for my Mum.

Its been a bit hectic this week and I have missed adding to this blog, entering a couple of challenges and host of other things - but all for very good reasons: my husband had to go to Paris for some meetings (he claims this to be a hardship... hello: Paris!); helping with the school Christmas fair and, most importantly, it was my son's much anticipated 6th birthday! He was so excited to be 6, and can't wait for his party next week, which he's sharing with his best friend (and thirty 5 & 6 year old guests - it seemed like a good idea in September...).

You've seen the invites, so I thought I would also share these digitally-prepared thank you post cards for my son to send:

Enjoy your weekend.

Sx

Christmas card
Paper & image: Pink Petticoat
Sequins, card & ric-rac: Doodlebug Designs
Stickles glitter glue

Postcard
Background paper, frames and images: Heather Roselli (Construction Zone kit)
Notepaper: Traci Murphy Designs
'sequins' on notepaper: Tracy Ann Designs

Simple and bright

I promised a lime green and in-your-face pink card, didn't I? I used double sided tape to attach the (slightly overlapping) ribbon to my card template, and sealed the edges of the trimmed ribbon with some Diamond Glaze (amazing stuff). Its not so easy to see on the photo, but the snowflakes are punched out, so you can actually see through the front of the card - I like doing this.

Is anyone else humming 'Rain, rain go away'?

Sx

All ribbon and button: Poppicrafts; Paper: Pink Petticoat; Stick-on gems: Lakeland Ltd (they've stopped stocking them unfortunately - though you should check them out for their excellent blank cards).

Daring Card Makers: Scaredy Pants challenge

Ok, so may be Halloween was so last week, but here is a cute and spooky card regardless. It is my entry to the current challenge by the Daring Card Makers.

The spider image originally came with its own legs, but I ruthlessly (!) chopped them off and added wire ones which can be bent into any configuration - I also added a blob of diamond glaze for a more 3D nose (do spiders have noses?). I really like my 'boo' too - though I do think the web I stitched should maybe be a little thicker or darker... I live and learn.

I'm really enjoying the challenges I'm starting to enter - keeps me on my creative toes! Thanks for the encouragement, Dawny.

Have a good day!

Sx

Spider & papers: Nitwits ('Can I be Frank' & 'Eeriesistable' kits respectively); Sequins: Doodlebug Designs; Bloom: Poppicrafts; Sheer ribbon: Ribbon Oasis; Other products: Stickles, craft wire, free alphabet beads, DMC thread, Diamond Glaze.

This Thursday...(No.20)

I am so pleased with my card for this weeks challenge! As directed, I followed the blog trail to my fifth, which lead me to Tammy. Believe it or not, I found a challenge she had set - to use orange, purple, green and black for a Halloween themed creation. As Halloween is so last week (!), I decided to take these fab colours and make a non-spooky card - and here it is!

Take a good look at the wonderful orange background paper - just what's needed on yet another grey day.

Sx

Mini Blooms and brads: Poppicrafts ; the really gorgeous orange paper: Tracy Ann Digital Designs's 'Something fab' kit; Ric-rac and sheer ribbon: Ribbon Oasis ; green paper: lauraskathi's 'Gabs' kit; rub-ons: Doodlebug Designs.

Digital cards

I thought you might like to see two 'cards' I recently made. I put them together using digital papers and elements in Photoshop - though I have used Word reasonably successfully in the past - my main niggle with Word is it can be difficult to angle elements.

The first is an invitation for my son's birthday party later this month. I printed the image out as postcards for each child. I'm really pleased with how it has turned out - and will definitely make postcard invitations like this again, especially for young children.

The second is a digital card I'm sending to the son of a friend. It has been a little experiment to see if I like this means of card making. Truth be told, whilst it was fun messing about with the images on screen, I didn't find it nearly as enjoyable to make as the more tactile cards I usually produce.

I do plan to have a go at digital scrapbooking, but as for cards... I'm going to continue to print and play as usual!

Sx

Invite:
All elements and paper (except fancy dressers): Nitwit Collections
Fancy dressers: Kate Hadfield
Font: MA Googly Bear by Digital Design Essentials

Pirate card:
Pirate, ship, hat and map: Kate Hadfield
All other elements and sky paper: Kay Miller Designs (Dino-mania, The Blue Lagoon & Jungle Boogie kits)
Sparkly felt paper by Two Sister Designs

Bright flowers

I originally made this card intending it to be a sort of example for the Poppicrafts blog challenge, but I've just re-read the challenge parameters and completely blown the colour palate! Ooops.

...still its a pretty card with no images so I thought I'd show it to you anyway!

I'll just have to have another go (though I'll be out of time) using the black, white, green and pink palate as instructed. Lime green and a little in-your-face pink I think....

Term restarts tomorrow!

Sx

Mini blooms & brads: Poppicrafts; Paper: Nancy Kubo; Alpha beads (stuck on with Diamond Glaze) were free with an old craft magazine.

How to make a happy boy...

I couldn't resist adding this photo of my son today. I simply ironed on a printed image he chose from the 'Happy Haunting' kit by Pink Petticoat onto a t-shirt, and... voila!

Sx

Image: Pink Petticoat; hp iron-on transfer paper (readily available from stationary shops); and the cute bat toy is from Thorntons!

Happy Birthday Dad

It's my Dad's birthday on Monday, and this is the card I've made for him. A little flowery, but in Autumnal colours so I think he'll like it. I used sticky foam pads to raise various parts of the foliage to give a 3d feel to it - and added seed beads too. I love using them as accents - I only have clear, black, blue and pink ones and to date they have sufficed for all my creations, but my collection will increase I have no doubt!

I've almost survived half-term, though my son is being a bit of a pain. Its been harder work than the summer holidays for some reason. Its good job he's so cute....

I received a wonderful pick-me-up in the post yesterday. I had ordered the mini blooms from Poppicrafts, and oh my, the pictures just didn't do these lovely creations justice! You must indulge when Michelle is back from holiday on Monday!

Finally - and please excuse my appalling photography - a small taste of the cards I recently made for Poppicrafts. They will be appearing in full on Michelle's web site in the near future:

Happy Haunting for tomorrow!

Sx

Paper: Amber Clegg Designs at The Lilypad; Flowers & leaves: Kate Hadfield Designs, Font: Rebecca's Birthday; Seed beads, black card & paper: local craft shop

This Thursday challenge

This will be my first entry into my first on-line weekly challenge blog! So: ta-da!

As you may have guessed, I'm a big Pink Petticoat fan and regularly check out the site's blog. A posting earlier in the week by Liz (the lovely founder/ creator of all things Pink Petticoat-ish) mentioned a challenge she's sponsoring with This Thursday, and I thought I'd give it a go!

All papers are (no surprises) by Pink Petticoat. I added seed beads and punched holes as additional embellishment; the font is Rebecca's Birthday. I tried to make the loopy arrow look 3-D by chalking in the appropriate places, and mounting with foam pads - I think it's worked (?).

My cousin and her family have just emigrated to Australia, hence the sentiment.

I'd love to know what you think...

I'm going to have a go at other weekly challenges - the incredibly generous and helpful Dawny suggested it too. I'm hoping it will give my often sluggish creativity a workout. All I have to do now is remember the dead-lines!

Sx

Amazing cakes...

Take a look at Pink Cake Box's web site. They are US-based cake designers, so please don't get your hopes up for ordering one of their creations, but please do take the time to browse.

The teams ideas and colour combinations are spectacular and inspirational.

You never know from where your next card's colour palate may come from!

Sx

Christmas card ideas

A couple of easy Christmas cards for you today - the type you can do multiples of but still have some fun creating by playing with the colours:

• The first uses the random snowflake paper and cupcake image from Pink Petticoat, coloured with pens. The ribbon is fixed so that the 'decoration' will actually swing.


• The second card uses paper by Zoe Pearn (available from Sweet Shoppe Designs), which inspired the felt tree embellishment - Christmas doesn't always have to be red & green!

Sweet Shoppe Designs is well worth a look, especially on a Saturday when their new kits etc are added and are usually 20% off for the day!

I love the digital world: it brings new designers to our PC's from all over the world, without having to pay P&P! (though whether my Visa bill agrees with me is another matter... so many pretty things and so little time).

More Christmassy ideas to follow - watch this space!

Sx

Christmas Treat: Paper & image by Pink Petticoat; ribbon by Poppicrafts; card by Bazzill, image coloured with pens from Woolworths; Jewels from local craft shop

Fa la la la la: Paper by Zoe Pearn ("Silly Season" kit from Sweet Shoppe Designs), zig zag trims and rub-ons by Doodlebug Design; felt, stars and seed beads from local craft shop.

Inspirational and pink!

Aren't these taster pictures simply gorgeous? How can you resist popping over to Poppicrafts to have a proper look at these designs (and more) by Sarah and Hannah - you'll find them in the gallery.

Michelle from Poppicrafts has added even more irresistible items to her stock... let's face it - this what the Visa card was created for.

Keep popping back to the gallery on Poppicrafts over the next few days as more inspiration and ideas will be added - including some by me! Wow - still can't believe it.... I'll add some taster pics of my cards later, as I have to pop to B&Q to look at lighting now - woohoo!

Sx

Home-made wedding paper

Have you ever had a go at making your own paper? I wanted some wedding paper to make a card that was a little more male than female, and when I couldn't find any that appealed, I made my own! It is very simple:

• Create a new document in Word and using a font of your choice type random words & phrases relating to the subject of your card - for my card I used 'champagne', 'bride', 'something new' etc in Courier font.
• You must 'print preview' your document to check for regular space patterns in your paper as these draw the eye away from your main card focus.
• Try changing font and background colours too.

To finish the above wedding card I make a simple cake from contrasting card and stitched some seed beads on - and even though I wanted a more male than female card, I couldn't resist some blooms and alittle ribbon.

Hope you like it!

Sx

Flowers and ribbon: Poppicrafts

Mini flowers & sugar-coated card: Doodlebug

Doodle trim: Pink Petticoat

Cake paper: lauraskathi.de

Pearls: Lakeland Ltd

Seed beads: local craft shop

Source of inspiration

For those moments when you need a birthday card in a hurry but are stuck for inspiration, you have 2 easy choices:

1. Check out PageMaps templates and cards both for ideas for cards and scrapbooking pages. The above card was made with one of their card templates.


2. Even better: have a look back through photos of your own work. It is so useful to have a photographic record of all your cards (and easy to maintain in this digital age) as they provide a fantastic source of template, colour and embellishment ideas. It will provide you with the chance to improve and develop your own designs too. The only thing is, you have to remember to take the photo before posting the card! ...been there, done that.

Sx

Paper & large flower: Doodlebug

Ribbon: Poppicrafts

Small flower & brad: Prima

The easiest hot pudding in the world.

I am a big fan of the BBC's Good Food magazine. Their web site is a godsend when you're stuck for ideas and so simple to navigate - take a look via here.

They often include recipes that you don't need to find your inner Delia to make, and that are so easy that my six year old enjoys making them. My current favourite is for Cookie Dough Crumble:

• Tip a 500g bag of frozen fruit (I like Salisbury's dark sweet cherries) in to an oven proof dish. Top with pieces of a whole 350g packet of cookie dough (try Saxby's chocolate chip) and then pop into a preheated oven for about 25 minutes at 220C. Heaven for your children with vanilla ice cream.

Sx

Have a look...

...at the Slider displays of my cards. I hope you like them!

The first is dedicated to cards made (almost!) exclusively with Pink Petticoat papers and images. If you haven't taken a look at Liz's wonderful web site you must do so - but be prepared to become a PP addict!

The second is of cards made with other designers papers and images including Kay Miller, Nitwits, Shabby Princess,and Doodlebug.

Should there be any papers or elements you would like further source information about, just leave a comment and I will get back to you.

Finally, I hope you like the new card above: "Time for a little indulgence"

Sx

Bloom, ribbon & flower clip: Poppicrafts

Image: Pink Petticoat (coloured with watercolour pencils)

Charm: Local craft shop

Paper: Kelly Panacci

First posting!

Being the first post on my spanking new blog, I should announce my good news - and the primary reason for this entire blog!!

I have been asked by the lovely Michelle of Poppicrafts to be one of her creative design team! Even days later, I am still feeling incredibly proud, pleased and not a little stunned at her selection of me as one of her designers. Wow.

If you haven't done so already, I would highly recommend a visit to her on-line shop - just take a look at the lovely blooms and ribbons - its all so hard to resist, so don't!

I hope you like the first card posting too - nice and simple.

Sx

Blooms & button from Poppicrafts

Paper and border from the wonderful Pink Petticoat

Rub-on text by Doodlebug Designs