Thursday 31 March 2011

Cool Company

Hi,

The most fantastic bit about the clocks going forward is the fact that i can eat my dinner, then take Whisper out and get back before it gets dark,yipee - which means i'm not chasing my tail all the time and if son and i don't want to come home a bit later we can, as we are not rushing home now to walk Whisper !!

As 2 of my favourite challenges this week are based around 'Recycling' - it gave me a chance to use up an old lolly stick !! (as we are emptying freezer at the moment, in readiness for a new one, once kitchen has been installed in a couple of weeks) - i've used it as the arm (covered in snowflake paper), so you can pull it up to reveal the sentiment - photo will explain better.  It also gave me a good excuse to make another Christmas card, as i'm a little behind at the moment, on my plan to make 1 card a week !!

Todays Card and Challenges :

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where Challenge No: 144 is 'Recycling' - a used lolly stick

Basic Grey Challenges  - where Challenge No: 40 is 'Something Recycled' - papers used 'Figgy' - a used lolly stick

Secret Crafter  - where Challenge No: 127 is 'Christmas In Spring'

Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge - where CHNC Challenge No: 13 is 'Another Square Card'

Penny Black Blog - Embossing




Image - Penny Black - 'Cool Company'
Sentiment and Heat Embossed Snowflakes in White - Penny Black - Taken From Transparent Set 'Crystalline'
Papers - Basic Grey - 'Figgy' (6x6 pack)
Ribbon, Snow Brad all from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Descent !

Hi,

I think my cough is hopefully starting to get better - as i've been hacking for the last 3 nights !!! Whisper's paw is getting better, let's hope it stays like that this time and this afternoon i've cleared out the conservatory in readiness for my our kitchen to be delivered on Friday - it's not being installed until the 11th April, then the fun will start !!!

For todays card i was nearly stumped as there was a colour challenge over at Oldie But A Goodie - Pink / Blue and Brown, until i remembered this little cutie of a stamp, that i must have had for at least 2 years.  I also needed to make a card for my friend Sandra, who set the Challenge on Docrafts this week - Flowers, Ribbon and Gems, i've also turned it into a Mothers Day card to give me a head start on next years SOS Mothers Day cards (that i send off in January).

Right on to the Card and Challenges :

Oldie But A Goodie - where Challenge No: 15 is 'Pink/ Blue and Brown'

Ooh La La Creations - where Challenge No: 76 is 'Mothers Day / Special Friend'

One Stitch At A Time - where Challenge No: 55 is 'Mothers Day / or Babies'

Fuzzy Wuzzy - where Challenge No: 7 is a fabby Sketch, that must include an animal

Creative Inspirations  - where Challenge No: 56 is 'Mothers Day / Mum'

Stampin For The Weekend - where Challenge No: 6 is 'For Mum / Mothers Day'




Image - Penny Black - 'Descent' - Distressed round the edges with Tim Holtz - Spun Sugar
Sentiment - Personal Impressions
Papers - My Minds Eye - 'Quite Contrary' - came free with a magazine
Doiley - from ebay (user name : Pinkthoroughbred/2) - Distressed with Tim Holtz - Tea Dye
Punched Edge - MS - 'Floral Lace'
Flowers, Brads, Ribbon and Gems from stash

Edited - to say i'm still in total shock, but i have just found out i won this weeks Papertake Weekly Challenge

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x
 

Sunday 27 March 2011

It's Your Day

Hi,

Thank you for all of your kind comments about my left eye - good news it's ok and bar alittle bit of brown in the corner, you would never know anything had happened, i did keep my sunglasses on all last week though, especially as my eye was a bit more sensitive than normal.
Had to take Whisper back to vets on Friday (another £60) as her paw is not good again, not as bad as last time, but we weren't happy about it, hopefully another course of anti-biotics will nip it in the bud this time.
I now have a hacking cough that kept both myself and OH awake last night and gave me a thumping headache this morning - so i'm not popular at the moment !!!

With todays card i thought i would try a step card and fortunately for me the lovely Heather had a tutorial on her blog. I also wanted to use a stamp that i've had for a while and never used and it's the orginal wooden one (I have put glossy accents on all of the bubbles), as i find the one on the transparent set 'Bubbly' is just far too small, it also gave a good excuse to use the lovely My Minds Eye - Penny Lane glittery papers.

Right onto todays Challenges and Card :

Simon Say's Stamp - where the Challenge is 'Mothers Day / Girlie'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'It's A Mom Thing'

Fab N' Funky - where Challenge No: 65 is 'Do It More Than Once'

Totally Papercrafts  - where Challenge No: 59 is 'Cuddly and Cute'

Creative Craft World - where Challenge No: 80 is 'Mothers Day and Bling'

Craft Your Days Away - where Challenge No: 16 is 'For Mum or a Special Lady'




Image - Penny Black - 'It's Your Day' - i've put glossy accents on all of the bubbles
Papers - My Mind's Eye - 'Penny Lane' glittery collection
Sentiment - Inkadinkado - 'Happy Everything'
Ribbon - Stampin Up

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Wednesday 23 March 2011

Spring Joy

Hi,

Ok i'm officially a disaster area !!! - on Monday son wanted scrambled egg on toast for lunch, so i put the egg in a bowl and put in microwave, i got it out went to put a fork in it to fluff it up and it exploded in my face - hurting my left eye lid and underneath, i phoned OH who came home from work with an Aloe Vera plant - I put 2 leaves on my face and it was a miracle it took all the heat away and fortunately i have not blistered - but all son could say was 'Mummy why have you got a plant on your face and why can't i go to the farm' - 4 year olds for you !!!

I must confess this is not a stamp i have, i was lucky enough that a friend of mine sent me some images to play with - as there was a challenge at the moment using 'Green, Yellow and or Pink' and i had some fabby Stampin Up papers that were just those colours, i thought i would join in and also this card will be going to 'Martins House Hospice' in Leeds, as somebody on Docrafts wanted some Easter cards, and as i don't send any i thought this would be a very worthy thing to do.

Right onto todays Card and Challenges :

Sir Stampalot Challenge  - where March's Challenge is 'Green, Yellow and / or Pink'

Penny Black At Allsorts - where March's Challenge is 'Welcome Spring' (2nd Entry)

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 147

Wags N' Whiskers - where Challenge No: 50 is 'Spring'

Scrap Creations - where GGSC56 is 'Spring Has Sprung'

Crafty Ann's  - where Challenge No: 36 is 'A Sketch and / or Spring' - i went for Spring




Image - Penny Black - 'Spring Joy'
Papers - Stampin Up - 'Tea Party'
Sentiment - Inkadinkado - 'Happy Everything'
Punched Edge - MS - 'Floral Lace'
Flowers - X-Cut Flower Punch
Ribbon - 'Stampin Up
Gems from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Sunday 20 March 2011

Spring Friends

Hi,

Whisper is well and truly better now, thank goodness - we knew she was getting better by Wednesday, as she spat out her anti-biotic tablet and pulled the stuffing out of her favourite ball !!!
I didn't manage to get my dinner out on Wednesday, as i forgot the tiler was coming round to price up our kitchen, as we are having a new one in a couple of weeks.  OH had a good time at the Cheltenham races, he was on his way to wining £120,000 (as he had done a 1st and 2nd placed accumalator), when his horse fell at the last fence and came in 4th - how gutted were we !!, as i was thinking great pay off some of the mortgage, but he was thinking 'Aston Martin' - i think he's been watching too much 'Top Gear' !!!, so probably good job he didn't win.

My lovely friend Susan over on Docrafts has set the challenge an Easter card with flowers and ribbon and as i hadn't entered her last challenge, i thought i had better enter this one.  I've also made a little card again and I've used the fabby Doodlebug papers - Petit Print again, sorry, but i just love them so much and as they are only 79p for a double sided 12x12 sheet, i think they are really good value. This card is also going to Martins House Hospice in Leeds, as a lady on Docrafts requested Easter cards to sell and give the children.

Right onto todays Card and Challenges :

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Triple Tastic' - I have used 3 flowers, 3 gems and 3 buttons

Sketch and Stash - where they are up to Sketch No: 57

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where Challenge No: 143 is 'Spring is Sprung'

Totally Gorgjuss - where Challenge No: 72 is 'Button It'

Stampavie and More - where Challenge No: 133 is 'Spring or Easter'

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 58 is 'Add Buttons'


Image - Penny Black - 'Taken From Transparent Set 'Garden Friends''
Papers - Doodlebug - 'Petit Print'
Sentiment - Woodware - 'Tiny Phrases'
Punched Flower - EK Success - 'Daisy'
Buttons - Papermania - 'Capsule Collection / Sunshine'
Ribbon and Gems from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Bibliophile

Hi,

As i'm unable to give Whisper her normal hour walk round the river bank, i decided to join the health walk in my village this morning and i thoroughly enjoyed it - maybe when son goes to school in Septemenber i will do it more. Ok i'm just debating about dinner tomorrow, as OH has another jolly (corporate event) on - this time it's Cheltenham Races, so i may take son out for lunch at Zizzis - well whilst the cats away the mices need to play, don't they !!!

As there are a few Men's challenges around this week and the fact that i needed to make 1 more card for the troops in Afgahanistan to send off in April for Father's Day - it gave me an ideal opportunity, i also used some fabby papers that i bought to make men's cards.

Right onto todays Card and Challenges :

Cards For Men - where Challenge No: 6 is a fabby sketch designed by Mandy

Incy Wincy Designs - where Challenge No: 85 is 'For The Boys'

Ooh La La Creations - where Challenge No: 75 is 'It's A Man Thing'

Moving Along With The Times - where Challenge No: 89 is 'Card / Project For A Man'

Crafty Emma - where Challenge No: 27 is 'Men Only'

Clear It Out - where Challenge No: 2 is 'Buttons'


Image - Penny Black - 'Bibliophile'
Sentiment - Inkadinkado - 'Happy Everything'
Papers - Making Memories - 'Cosmopolitan Collection'
Buttons from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Monday 14 March 2011

Patchwork Elephant

Hi,

For all of you that have been asking - Whisper is starting to feel a little better although we still have to drive her to the field and she will not wear a sock, to help in the healing process !!!

I really like the challenge Oldie But A Goodie, as it makes me use stamps that i've had for a while !!, but i nearly didn't enter this weeks as it's for a 'Baby', until i got an e-mail from a lovely friend of ours in Sydney, Oz to say she was pregnant, so it gave me a good excuse to use a stamp that i bought after a class with the lovely 'Francoise Read' (she designed the stamp too).  I got the inspiration for the style of card from the very talented Vicky who made me sit up and think about the nestie shapes i have and don't use very often - thanks hun.

Right onto todays Card and Challenges :

Oldie But A Goodie - where Challenge No: 14 is 'For A Baby'

Everybody Art Challenge  - where Challenge No: 132 is 'Baby'

2 Sisters Challenge  - where Challenge No: 30 is 'Oh Baby'

Stamping Vacation - where the Challenge is 'Monochromatic Creation Challenge - Pink'

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 57 is 'Shaped Cards'

Dream Valley - where Challenge No: 2 is 'New Beginings'

Simply Create - where Challenge No: 39 is 'Just A Little Monochromatic'

Just Tracys Craft - where Challenge No: 1 is 'New Beginings' - thanks Claire for telling me about this challenge


Image - Woodware - 'FRV008 Morris Patchwork Elephant'
Papers - DCWV - from a very old paper stack
Punched Edge - MS - 'Doily Lace'
Ribbon - Papermania
Charm from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Sunday 13 March 2011

Spring Air

Hi,

We had to do an emergency visit to the vets on Friday, as Whisper has managed to take some of the skin of off 1 of her pads, so vet has given us some anitibiotics and told us to give her easy walks for a week or two - so at the moment i have a 3 legged dog - until she sees a crow in the field, then she sets off like a greyhound and comes back limping !!!

I'm absolutely shattered today, but i'm grabbing 5 mins of me time to upload my card that i made yesterday, but couldn't photograph till this morning !!! OH got a corporate invite to go to Twickenham to see England v Scotland at rugby and i couldn't really say No, as he lets me go cardmaking whenever i want to !!!, so son and i left home went to an activity farm, then lunch in a pub and then a mini steam train at a garden centre, and now we have just walked Whisper round the field !!!

As there are quite a few 'Green' challenges around at the moment i thought i would participate in them and also i must admit, use up some scraps of paper that were left over from a card i made at The Glitter Pot about 6 weeks ago - gee it's amazing what you can make with not alot - i must admit though the card is only about 4.5 inches square, so alot smaller than i would normally make, but then the image is very small too - it is actually a wooden stamp!!, but you'd swear it was off of a transparent set, it's that small !!!

Right on to today's Card and Challenges :

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where Challenge No: 142 is 'Green'

Allsorts - where Challenge No: 94 is 'Luck O' The Irish'

Easy Craft Projects - where Challenge No: 33 is 'Green'

Raise The Bar - where Challenge No: 57 is 'Create Your Own G.R.E.E.N Acrostic' - G = Green, R = Ribbon, E = Embellishment (Flower), E = Embellishment (Brad), N = Nestie

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - where they are up to Sketch No: 92

Paperplay where they are up to Challenge No: 11 Week No: 10 'Shades Of Green / Good Luck'


Image - Penny Black - 'Spring Air'
Papers - Doodlebug - 'Petite Prints'
Distressed Edges - Tim Holtz - 'Shabby Shutters'
Ribbon - Anitas Sticky Ribbon
Flower and Brad from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Spring Greetings

Hi,

I'm really shattered today, as all i seem to have done is drive 4 year old son round the Sussex countryside today !!! - we ended up at an activity farm place and didn't get home till 5.30pm, so i'm quickly going to upload today' card and then have some well deserved chilling out time.

Today card has caused me several headaches !!! - i found a fabby circle step card on someone's blog and in theory it looked fabby and easy - in practice the paper copy ended up in the bin !!!, anyway i decided to do a twist on a gate fold card that i had seen on 1 of the several You Tube videos i watched yesterday !!! - where by the image and frame are separate from each other and i love how it has turned out - i will persevere with a step card, so watch this space.

Right onto todays Card and Challenges :

Basic Grey - where Challenge No: 39 is 'Wings' - i chose a bee and Basic Grey papers - 'Kioshi'

Penny Black At Allsorts - where March's Challenge is 'Welcome Spring'

Cuttlebug Blogspot - where this week's Chalellenge is 'Oh So Charming'

Wags N' Whiskers - where Challenge No: 49 is 'More Than One Fold'

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where Challenge No: 141 is 'More Than One Fold'

One Stitch At A Time - where Challenge No: 52 is 'Use A Charm'




and the inside

Image - Penny Black - 'Spring Greetings'
Sentiment - Penny Black - 'Bee'u-t-iful
Papers - Basic Grey - 'Kioshi'
Embossed Bit - Cuttlebug - 'Victoria'
Leaf - Sizzix - 'Flowers, Branches & Leaves Set'
Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
Ribbon and Bee Charm from my craft stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Monday 7 March 2011

Duckie & Hedgies

Hi,

Sorry i've been a bit awol for the last week, only i did a 2nd hand childrens sale on Saturday and we decided to try and declutter our house and sell some of sons old toys - so we spent most of last week sorting through, cleaning and pricing them up - fortunately we did really well and have earnt enough money to pay for son's new bike, so it was worth it.

Todays card is in colours i don't normally put together - Silver and White, my inital inspiration was some ribbon i bought from Tescos !! and some silver snowflake brads i had - once i found the fabby sketch and i was off - including having a play with my new PB 'Snow Scroll' stamp that i got at the NEC last year and also the Papermania Christmas strip embossing folders i bought in The Glitter Pot sale for 75p !!!

Right onto the Card and Challenges :

ABC Christmas - where they are up to 'E for Embossing and Embellishments' - i went for heat and embossing folders - the embellishments are : ribbon, brads and gems.

Winter Wonderland - where this weeks Challenge is 'Snowflakes'

Bah Humbug - where Challenge No: 9 is 'Embossing'

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 145

Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas - where Challenge No: 10 is 'Embossing'



Image - Penny Black - 'Duckie & Hedgies'
Heat Embossed Section - Penny Black - 'Snow Scroll'
Sentiment - Cuddly Buddly - 'Christmas Greetings'
 Embossed Section (at the bottom) - Cuttlebug - 'Ice Crystals'
Middle Embossed Section - Papermania
Ribbon - Tesco's
Brads and Gems from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Hoppy Day

Hi,

It's so cold here, is it just generally very cold throughout the country ??

I was thinking of using this stamp for the Penny Black Saturdays Friend - Men's Cards Challenge last week, but in the end decided on 'Scooter Dog', but after seeing a couple of challenges this week for 'Paper Piecing' i'm glad i hadn't, as this image blends very well to it - i have Paper Pieced' the waistcoat, the scarf round his neck and his trousers. The papers i have used i bought at a show last year and have been itching to use them, i originally bought them as one of them has a row of frogs on it, but it proved to big for the centre strip of the card :-( !!

Right onto Todays Card and Challenges :

Penny Black Blog  - where this week's Challenge is 'Paper Piecing'

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 55 is 'Paper Piecing'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes' with the option of something old - the sentiment Clare Curd Signature Range

Scrap Creations - where GGSC53 is 'Kids'

Friday Sketchers - where they are up to Sketch No: 143

Fussy and Fancy -where this weeks Challenge is 'Embossing and / or Paper Piecing' - i chose 'Paper Piecing'




Image - Penny Black - 'Hoppy Day'
Sentiment - Clare Curd Signature Range
Papers - Three Bugs In A Rug - 'Snips & Snails'
Punched Edge - MS - 'Modern Garland'

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x