Let It Snow !!

Hi,

Well for this card, i've been rooting around again and i've come up with some very old Papermania papers - that i'm sure i bought in the very very begining and as they were a pack of 100 sheets, that's why they have lasted a very long time - bar buying some distressing inks and some papers that were in a sale,  i've been very good lately - gee i don't know what's the matter with me, could it be the fact i'm saving my pennies for next weekend as i'm lucky enough to be going to Birmingham !!, anybody else going ??

On to todays Card and Challenges :

Allsorts Challenge - where week No: 75 is 'Spots and Stripes' - i just simply had to enter this challenge, as the sponsor this week is a lovely lady called Jackie who owns The Crafty Garden over in Seaford and it's a fabby craft shop.

The Crafty Pad - where Challenge No: 94 is 'Christmas Theme'

Sunday Sketch and Stamp - where they are up to Sketch No: 39 by 'Maggies Cards'

Stampavie and More  - where they are up to Challenge No: 114 'Christmas'

Gingerloft Challenge - where Challenge No: 4 is 'Winter'

Winter Wonderland - where this week's Challenge is 'Mousey Christmas'

Docrafts - Snoflake Challenge No: 43

Image - Penny Black - 'Let It Snow'

Papers - Papermania - Contemporary Christmas

Border Snowflake Punch - Friskars

Large Snowflake - Woodware Punch - covered in Stampin Up Heat and Stick Powder, then Dazzling Diamonds

Snow - Flowersoft - Polar White

I've glossy accented the pond, to make it glisten

Gems and Ribbon - from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Mouse Sleigh

Hi,

So how are we all coping with half term ? Fortunately for me son is in a nursery that is open 51 weeks of the year, but i did take him out Monday afternoon as the weather was so nice and we went to a farm for their Halloween activities (so glad i did, as weather has been horrible since !!), today i've taken him to a soft play and lunch at Zizis as OH is having dinner at 'The Dorchester' hotel in London, tonight and Friday is Rugby training in the morning followed by lunch and a play afternoon as his best friends house (as it's supposed to be raining again !!).

With today's card i've decorated the inside too, something i don't do alot of i must admit, i've used a cutie image i've had for a while and it's also the first outing out for my new Martha Stewart punch 'Presents'.

Todays Card and Challenges :

Delightful Challenges - where their Challenge is 'It's Begining To Look Alot Like Christmas'

Christmas Stampin All Year Long - where Challenge No: 68 is 'Something Metallic'

Winter Wonderland - where this weeks Challenge is 'A Recipe' - 2 papers, 1 charm, 1 ribbon and 1 snoflake

Caardvarks Challenge - where the Challenge is 'To Decorate Inside And Outside'

Fussy and Fancy - where Challenge No: 22 is 'Let's See Your Winter Wonderland'

Docrafts - Snoflake Challenge Week No: 42

Image - Penny Black - 'Jolly Follies' Transparent Set

Sentiment and Snowflakes - Penny Black -'Crystalline' Transparent Set

Papers - K & Co - 'Peppermint Twist'

Snowflake - Spellbinder Shapeabilities - 'Snowflake Wonder'

Punched Edge - Martha Stewart - 'Presents'

Snowflake covered in Versamark then covered in Heat & Stick powder heated, then covered in Dazzling Diamonds - both powders by Stampin Up

Charm - The Works

Ribbon from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Daffodil / Butterfly Hedgie

Hi,

Now for those that know me well - you will know that i don't do Butterflies !! (I think it's because when i started card making 5 years ago, that was all we did for a year !!!), so when i saw a challenge and it involved Butterflies, i thought oh no what do i have - but as all the rest of the challenges seem to be about Halloween and i dislike that even more, as i think it's a money making exercise brought over to the UK from USA by the shops and luckily for me 3 year old son doesn't really know anything about it.

Fortunately for me i did find something butterfly and also i had had it for ages - the papers were part of a pack that i was supposed to use at the Blackpool Retreat in January (but unfortunately couldn't go, as OH was ill), the grand adhesions to match the paper i've had at least 2 years (as i also have the 12x12 papers of this set too), the stamp is ages old too and the MS punch i bought on a shopping trip to Pontefract, Yorkshire whilst i was visiting OH's family in April - so in future in this time of economic climate, i'm going to have a longer route around for items before i do a challenge.

The Card and Challenges are :

Crafters Companion - where this months Challenge No: 5 is a fabby sketch, thanks

Oldie But A Goodie - where Challenge No: 4 is 'Add A Butterfly'

Simon Say's Stamp  - where this weeks Challenges is 'Simon Say's ---- Give Thanks'

Penny's Paper Crafty - where Challenge No: 40 is 'Anything That Flies'

Marks Finest Papers - where Speedy The Cats Friends Challenge No: 26 is 'To Use A Die Cut and or a Punch'

Image - Penny Black - 'Seeing Your Face ----'

Papers and Grand Adhesions - K & Co - Daffodils

Sentiment - Stampin Up - Circle Of Friendship

Punched Centre - Martha Stewart - Doily Lace Trim

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Rugby Mad !!!

Hi,

Well 2 and a dog are Rugby Mad in this house - me being the only one who isn't - i like it but not to the extent that our 3 year old (he's being taught Rugby by the 'Little Rugby Academy') and my OH does, well what did i expect really living with a Yorkshire Man (who is a Castleford Tiger and Sydney Rooster fan) !!!, who played Rugby League for 30 years !!!, so i know that the Sky Plus has already been set for 11am tomorrow morning for OH to record England verses New Zealand in the 4 nations Rugby League - it's being played in Sydney.

Right onto todays Card and Challenges :

Cards For Men - where Challenge No: 21 is 'Happy Birthday'

Everybody Art Challenge  - where Challenge No: 113 is 'Green, Blue and Brown'

Cute Card Thursday - where Challenge No: 135 is a 'Sketch by Lynn' and i loved it, thanks

Stars and Stamps  - where the Challenge is 'Maculine Cards and no glitter'

Top Tip Tuesday - where Top Tip No: 7 is 'Anything Goes'

Image - Lili Of The Valley - Rugby Boy

Sentiment - Hero Arts - 'Small Greetings'

Papers - Dovecraft - Masculine

Photo Corner - Martha Stewart - Basic Photo Corner

Distressed Around Image and Sentiment - Tim Holtz - Tea Dye

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Golden Santa !!!

Hi,

When i bought this Santa - it was a case of i need to have a Santa in my stamp collection, but he is now turning out to be a very versatile Santa - as this is the 3rd time i've coloured him in, in different colours and everytime he looks good.

I must be getting 'Tight' in my old age (not long ago i would have just gone out and bought a gold charm, but no not now !!!) as i wanted a gold charm for this card as the background papers are gold, so i found 6 Santas i had bought from 'The Works' for 99p (so i thought if it's a disaster, i've not lost much), i versamarked 1 of them then covered it in my (not used in a very long time) gold embossing powder and heated it - yipee i now have a gold and not silver charm.

The Card and the Challenges I'm entering are :

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where the lovely Debby has come up with a fabby sketch for Challenge No: 123

Delightful Challenges - where the Challenge is 'Metal Mania'

Sisterhood Of Crafters - where the Challenge is 'All Things Known As Bling ----'

The Corrosive Challenge  - where Challenge No: 86 is 'Get Rid Of The White'

Sweet Stamping - where Challenge No: 48 is 'Ribbons'

The Penny Black Octoberfest Challenge - where you have to make a card using an image out of the 2010 catalogue

Docrafts - Snoflake Challenge No: 41

One photo shows the shine from the pearlescent papers, better than the other one.

Image - Penny Black - 'Antique Santa' Slapstick

Background Card - DCWV - Metallic Stack

Designer Papers - Crafts House - Plum Pudding - they have a pearlescent finish to them

Charm - The Works

Ribbon - Stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Teddy With A Heart !!!

Hi,

Although the heart to me looks like a huge box of choccies !!!, oh that would be nice - but then i do have to think of my waistline !!

Yes i know another Valentines card, but you'll be pleased to know i now have 9 made and only 1 to go before i send them to Joy at SOS for our troops abroad - such a wonderful idea.

I also took the plunge this week and finally made a purchase from 'Wild Orchid Crafts' and gee i so wish i had done it sooner.

I made this card yesterday afternoon whilst OH took son out to a rugby game and 'Toysrus' - they were supposed to be looking for things that 3 year old son might like Santa to bring him and they came back with a rather large plastic helicopter - they are now both banned from going again, in fear of what else they might come back with next time !!!

Right on today's Card and Challenges :

Truly Scrumptious - where Challenge No: 43 is a fabby sketch

Simon Say's Stamp  - where this weeks Challenge is a 'Recipe' - 3 Embellishments ( I went for Buttons, Flower and Ribbon), 2 DP's and 1 Image

Our Creative Corner - where this weeks Challenge is 'Embellishments - The More The Better'

Allsorts Challenge  - where Challenge No: 74 is 'Let's Play Bingo' - where you have to choose a line and add it to your card - I chose Buttons, Flower and Stickles (on the hearts on the choccy box and on the flower)

Tuesday Throwdown - where this weeks Challenge is '3 Of Something' - mine's Buttons or 3 Different Embellishments

Image - Penny Black - 'Heaven Knows !'

Papers - Bo Bunny - Love Bandit Tweetheart

Punched Edge - Martha Stewart - Valentine Lace

Flower - Wild Orchid

Brown Leaves Around Rose - Sizzix - Flowers, Branches and Leaves Set

Distressed Edge - Tim Holtz - Victorian Velvet

Ribbon and Buttons - From Stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

The Love Tree !!

Hi,

I've been playing this week with the some of my Tim Holtz Distressing Inks, that i received in the post - and today's card is darker than i would normally go for, I like it but not sure if i distressed it too much, what do you think ?, i've also done colours that i would not normally put with a Valentines card - but it's good to be different sometimes and allows me to use non hearts paper !!! It also means i have now made 8 Valentines cards and i only have 2 to go, yipee !!!

This week i was also very fortunate enough to win the lovely Nicolas's Blog Candy, thanks hun, i look forward to using it.

The Challenges i'm entering are :

Penny Black At Allsorts  - where this months Challenge is 'Autumn Colours' and this is the 2nd card i'm entering into this challenge

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 38 is 'Autumn'

Stampavie and More  - where Challenge No: 112 is 'Autumn'

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - where Challenge No: 5 is 'Autumn Love'

Papertake Weekly - where this weeks Challenge is '3 Of A Kind' - i've gone for 3 DP's and 3 Punched Hearts

Image - Penny Black - 'T.L.C'

Papers - Papermania - 'Henbury Lane'

Punch - Martha Stewart - Valentine Lace

Distress Inks - Tim Holtz - Dried Marigold, Spiced Marmalade, Tea Dye and Brushed Corduroy

Gems - From Stash coloured orange with an old Whispers pen

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Bears In Love

Hi,

Well i did pre-warn you about Valentines cards (For those that don't know i've promised Joy at SOS - support our soliders that i will send her 10 Valentines cards in November, but i'm a few short at the moment) !!!

This is the first time i've tried an round easel card and although i finally found a circle large enough (an old X-Cut Shape Cutter, they really are not like my Nesties, where you don't get such a large gap between backing card and DP, i did find a mug to draw round, but i really wanted something a little wider !!, will have to get the old compass from school out !!!

Right onto todays Challenges :

Penny Black Saturday Challenge  - where Challenge No: 122  is '2 Or More Penny Black Images'

Totally Gorjuss  - where Challenge No: 51 is 'Not A Square'

C.R.A.F.T - where Challenge No: 71 is 'Shaped Cards'

Freshly Brewed  - where their Challenge is 'Anything Goes / Girly'

Image - Penny Black - 'Snuggle Buddy'

Sentiment - Penny Black - 'Hugs' Transparent Set

Papers - Basic Grey - 'Bittersweet'

I distress the image and sentiment with a Brilliance Chalk Pad

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Fishing For Love !!!

Hi,

I usually send 10 Valentines cards to SOS for the troops and as Joy wants them by November and at present i only have 5 made - i'm sorry but the next couple of posts will all be love related !!! - my OH thinks somebody from the Para's will have this card, as it's their colours.

Today's card is using a technique i have never used before !, but i rather like it and would definetly use it again - it started out as a challenge over on the Docrafts Challenge section and it was set by the lovely Angie Babes and Teresa - we were forwarded to this amazing blog Hanna's Hobby, where i was then forwarded on to another blog Stampartic, where one of their tutorials showed you how to make ribbon frames - i must admit i did end up using a lot more ribbon, then i had antcipated though !!

The other challenges i'm entering are :

Delightful Challenge - where this weeks Challenge is 'Red, Green and White'

Pennys Paper Crafty - where Challenge No: 39 is 'Circles'

Paper Playtime - where Challenge No: 19 is 'Ribbon, Buttons or Rhinestones'

2 Sisters - where Challenge No: 8 is 'Animal Fun'

Stamp Something - where the Challenge is 'Something Punchy'

Image - Penny Black - 'Found Love'

Sentiment - Personal Impressions

Papers - Bo Bunny - 'Love Bandit Bee Mine' & 'Sweetie Pie Sigh'

Punch - Martha Stewart - 'Valentine Lace'

Gems - from stash

My internet has been playing up today, so i'm hoping it will be ok, while i link up the challenges.

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

A Different Shaped And Folded Card

Hi,

It was a funny day on Monday - great delight followed by complete and utter unfairness that has left me totally miffed - but i guess that's life for you !!!

Right on to nicer things - i've had the template to make this card for a while (i don't know what it's called, but i'm sure someone will kindly let me know), but never got round to it, till now - i've also had a little play with my new distress inks (that arrived yesterday) - round the image to take away the harsh whiteness - have just noticed they are not showing up that well though in the photos, sorry.

 Penny Black Saturday Friends with Challenge No 121 'Don't Be Square'

Charisma Cardz  - where Challenge No: 39 is 'Christmas Crafting'

The Craft Den - Anything Goes - where Challenge No: 19 is 'Christmas Has Come Early'

Papertake Weekly  - where they are celebrating their 3rd Birthday and you can choose and theme over the last 3 years - I have choosen 'Cool Yule Challenge'

Papersundaes - where Challenge No: 38 is 'Something From Your Stash' - I've chosen an image' papers and flowersoft  that i've had for a while

Docrafts - Snoflake Challenge No: 40

Image - Penny Black - 'Winter Snuggles'

Papers - DCWV - 'The Christmas Stack'

Sentiment - Penny Black - Taken From 'Crystalline' transparent set

Distressing Ink - Tim Holtz - Shabby Shutters

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

An Advent Easel

Hi,

Well i'm back and i'm glad to say that the Europeans beat the Americans, by 1 point in The Ryder Cup and it came down to the last game, unfortunately i missed the winning putt as i had to go and pick son up from nursery !!!, typical

I must confess i did start this card in Somerset, when i went for a crafting day with the girls and have only finally managed to finish it today !, it was a challenge set by the lovely Kay, thanks hun, i don't think i would have been brave enough to do it on my own - special thanks on this card also goes to Angiebabes who kindly let me use her stamp and papers, thanks hun.

The Challenges and Card :

ABC Challenge  - where they are up to E for 'Easel'

The Secret Crafter - where Challenge No: 103 is 'Easel Cards'

Winter Wonderland  - where their Challenge is 'Male Christmas Card'

Crafty Emmas Store Challenge  - where Challenge No: 6 is 'Get Ahead, Get A Hat ___'

Docrafts - Snoflake Challenge Week No: 39

Image - Cuddly Buddly - don't know name sorry

Papers - Anitas - 'Classic Christmas Blues' - thanks Angiebabes for letting me know.

Sentiment - Penny Black - 'Christmas Flourish'

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x 

Playing With Leaves

Hi,

This is going to be a quick post as i want to go and watch 'The Ryder Cup' final day - son is in nursery till 3pm !!!

Ok todays image did not start off with leaves in the air - in fact it was flowers (it was an image i had been given in a swap, otherwise i could have just added the leaves!!), but i have hopefully cleverly managed to cover these with leaves - I was going to buy a leaf punch, till i went routing around in my box of tricks and found a very old X-Cut punch and i personally think it has done the job.

Right on to the Challenges and Card:

Penny Black At Allsorts - where Octobers Challenge is 'Autumn Colours'

Simon Say's Challenge - where this week they have a fabby photo for inspiration and it so reminds me of the fabby time i had 'Leaf Peeping' in New England - 7 Years ago and their title is also 'It's Autumn'

Friday Sketchers - where they are up to Sketch No: 122

Stamping For The Weekend - where Challenge No: 48 is 'Autumn Inspirations'

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - where Challenge No: 79 is 'Layer It On', it must be a least 5 layers and i've counted and mine has 7

Image - Penny Black - 'Hedgehog Joy'

Papers - Doodlebug - Don't know the name of them though, as they came in a 6" x 12" pad and they have called it 'Doodlecharms'

Leaf Punch - X-Cut

Ribbon - Stampin Up

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Starstruck

Hi,

This is the only card i have managed to do this week as i've been struggling with a head cold and blocked sinuses !!!, plus i did 2 classes this week.

This card is for my latest DT position at  Valentines Monthly Challenge (where you only have to use 1 Stamping up product) and when Clair said this months Challenge was 'Starstuck' - I knew exctly what i want to do and i've been inspired by the lovely Paula Pascal  who taught me how to make 'Gap' cards, i also wanted to incorporate it with the some fabby autumnal colours.

The other challenges i'm entering are :

Cards For Men - where Challenge No: 20 is 'Autumn'

No Time To Stamp  - where Challenge No: 59 is ' Something in 3's' - Mine are : 3 different colours and 3 different sized stars

Stamp Something - where the Challenge is 'Celebrations'

Stamptacular Sunday  - where Challenge No:78 is 'Seasons Change'

Craftalicious  - where Challenge No: 9 is 'Harvest Festival / Autumn'

The Stampin Up Ink Pads I used are : Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip

Sentiment - Stampin Up - 'Circle Of Friendship'

Punch - Woodare - 'Stars and Dots'

Tiny Star Stamp - Stampin Up - Sorry i don't know which set though

Stars - Nestabilities

I know it's a bit controversial but - Go Europe In The Ryder Cup, sorry my American followers, but i am a Brit.

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x