White Slopes

Hi,

I had physio today and she's happy with the way i'm progressing - even though i feel so frustrated and starting to get cabin fever !!!, H is being taken to school in the mornings this week by a friend and i'm picking him up in the afternoon, but i must admit, it seems to be taking me twice as long as normal !!

It's funny how i'm like a child in a sweet shop, i get a new stamp and i want to make a card with it, leaving ones (like the one i've used today) that i've had for 2 years in the box !!!, i've teamed it up with some fabby Bo Bunny papers and i've gone glitter mad with my Stampin Up heat & stick powder and my dazzling diamonds !!

Todays Card and Challenges :

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - where Challenge No: 175 is a 'Sketch'

Bah Humbug - where Challenge No: 43 is 'Die Cuts'

Fun With Shapes And More - where Challenge No: 95 is 'Animalistic Christmas'

Jingle Belles - where Challenge JB44  is 'Not A Creature Was Stirring'

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 90 is 'Glitter It'

A Gem Of A Challenge - where Challenge No: 33 is 'Cold & Frosty'

Image - Penny Black - 'White Slopes'

Papers - Bo Bunny - 'Tis The Season'

Large Snowflake - Cuttlebug - 'Ice Crystal'

Smaller Snowflakes - Spellbinders - 'Snowflake Wonder'

Punched Edge - MS - 'Snowflake'

Gems from stash

Thanks For Looking, Luv Sam x

Duckie & Hedgies

Hi,

I was reluctant to put my signature on my cards, but i have received a couple of spam comments from somebody using my card designs for other things, so because of this, they have forced me to do something about it and i would recommend to anybody else to do the same - I would like to thank the lovely people at Docrafts forum for helping me out with it.

The swelling on my knee is starting to go down, thank goodness, but there is still a sharp pain on the left hand side of it, oh well i better keep doing the exercises, as i'm going back to see the physio on Monday.

For todays card i have dug out some very old Papermania papers and a stamp that i've had a while, but there is something sweet and adorable about it, i've also used my faithful MS Snowflake punch and a sentiment stamp i got in the sales last year.

Todays Card And Challenges :

Totally Gorjuss - where Challenge No: 103 is 'Pastel Christmas'

Christmas Card Challenges  - where Challenge No: 47 is a 'Recipe' - 2 DP's - Check/ Ribbon - Check/ & Bird - Check

Die Cut Dreams - where Challenge No: 101 is 'So Charming'

Papertake Weekly - where this weeks Challenge is a 'Sketch'

Image - Penny Black - 'Duckie & Hedgies'

Sentiment - Penny Black - 'This And Every Year'

Papers - Papermania - 'Contemporary Christmas Colossal Paper Pack'

Punched Edge - MS - Snowflakes

Ribbon - The Range

Charm and Brad from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Before The Snow

Hi,

Ok this is going to be a very quick post tonight, as i'm absolutely shattered - OH drove myself, H and his mum to my lovely friend Celias for 9am and we only got in 20 mins ago !! - H and MIL went to see 'Numberjacks' with Celia, Chloe and Joshua, then they had a Halloween treasure hunt and poor Celia has cooked us all lunch and dinner too.

Todays cards colours are a little different for me - green and gold, but i thought they were good for a Male Christmas Card, plus i wanted to have a play with some unused items - the stamp and the embossing folder and also combine both types of embossing - dry and heat. Sorry about the quality of the photo, but the light really doesn't seem to like the Metallic Gold Card.

Todays Card and Challenges :

Bah Humbug - where Challenge No: 42 is 'With Men In Mind'

Charisma Cardz - where Challenge No: 42 is 'Embossing Heat Or Dry' - did both

One Stop Craft - where Challenge No: 154 is 'No Designer Papers'

Crafting When We Can - where the Challenge is 'Christmas Come Early'

Fairy Fun Fridays - where Challenge No: 64 is 'Wet Embossing'

Image - Penny Black - 'Before The Snow'

Embossing Folder - Cuttlebug - 'Winter Trees'

Ribbon from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Born Wild !

Hi,

Yesterday i went to see the Physio ( they managed to find me an appointment, as i was an urgent referral from the hospital), so she has given me some exercises to do - with one of them i have to use son's sledge, slide it across the floor trying to encourage the knee to bend.

Todays card is a little different for me, as i have used my Nesties - Labels 8 to make the shape of it, but i thought the stamp fitted it well, i've also used some old Doodlebug papers, (if you need something plain and co-ordinating you can always rely on them) and to finish off a motorbike charm and a computer generated sentiment.

Todays Card and Challenges :

Sentimental Sundays - where Challenge No: 77 is 'Fancy Folds' - I went for an easel card

One Stitch At A Time - where Challenge No: 84 is 'Shape Up' - I've used Nesties / Labels 8

Tuesday Throwdown - where Challenge No: 71 is 'Shaped Cards' - I've used Nesties / Label 8

Celebrate The Occasion - where Challenge No: 35 is 'Male Birthday (must use metal)' - I've used  a charm

Paperplay - where they are up to Week No: 42 'Use Black'

Image - Penny Black - 'Born Wild !'

Nesties - Labels 8

Papers - Doodlebug - 'Beetle Black Boutique Assortment'

Sentiment - Computer Generated

Twine and Charm from Stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Ski Patrol

Hi,

At the moment i'm struggling to get the temperature and swelling down on my knee - even though i'm resting it and using packets of frozen peas !!! I went to the fracture clinic on tuesday and what a waste of time the doctor and nurses were - the doctor said my name, but reckoned i lived in Littlehampton !!, which is about 15 miles from where i do live !!, then the nurse said she wanted my crutches back - how she thought i was going to walk i don't know - you wonder if they actually read your notes ???, it's a shame really as A & E were superb and i couldn't have asked anymore from them.

As i'm a little behind on the Xmas card pile, i thought i would do another one, plus i'm not really into Halloween !!. This time i have used an image that has been kindly sent to me, some fabby Doodlebug papers, my MS punch that doesn't get used as much as the snowflake one and i loved the idea of doing a banner greeting - i have embossed the banner with the Cuttlebug snowflake folder.

Todays Card and Challenges :

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - where Challenge No: 173 is 'On The Move !'

Christmas Stamping All Year Long - where the Challenge is 'Seeing Spots'

Secret Crafter - where Challenge No: 156 is 'White & One Other Colour' - I chose 'Blue'

Ooh La La Creations - where Challenge No: 91 is 'Let It Snow'

The Sweetest Thing - where they are up to  Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge / SSSC139

Christmas Inspirations - where Challenge No: 35 is 'Die Cuts / or Punches' - I chose MS Punch - 'Icicles'

Image - Penny Black - 'Ski Patrol'

Papers - Doodlebug

Sentiment On Banner - Penny Black - 'Holly Day Critters'

Embossed Banner - Cuttlebug - 'Snowflakes'

Punched Edge - MS - 'Icicles'

Snow - Flowersoft - 'Polar White'

Twine from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Beary Balloon

Hi,

Good news head and arm are now a lot better - knee not so good and apparently according to my lovely OH (he who knows best, well that's what he says !!!), i was a Muppet last night as i went to bed with a cushion under it, thus putting more pressure on it, he says i should have used a pillow, as this would have distributed the weight more !!! It was H's first review at school yesterday, so OH and i went along and he seems to be doing alright, which is good news and early days !!!

Well todays card was not supposed to be a CAS / Heart card, it should have been a Christmas one, but silly me forgot i only had 9 Valentines Cards to send to the troops and i like to send 10 and as they have to be sent very soon, i thought i had better get on with it - anyway it gave me a good excuse to use a very sweet but old (1998) PB stamp ( i was going to use it as a childs birthday card, but i think i prefer it as a Valentines card) and my new 'Heart Circles' from Spellbinders, that i embossed onto card and then cut out a template and distressed the outside circle,  i have also covered the balloons in glossy accents, but not sure if it shows up in photo.

Todays Card and Challenges :

Less Is More  - where Challenge No: 36 is 'One Layer With Hearts'

Allsorts  - where Challenge No: 124 is 'Bear With Us'

Creative Inspirations - where Challenge No: 133 is 'Single Layer Cards'

Forever Friends - where the Challenge is 'Use Sentiment'

Sweet Stamps - where Challenge No: 36 is 'Clean & Simple'

Image - Penny Black - 'Beary Balloons'

Sentiment - Penny Black - 'Love You'

Spellbinder - 'Heart Circles'

Distressing Ink - Tim Holtz - 'Barn Door'

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Hedge Delivery

Hi,

Firstly thank you all, for your kind words,  i've decided that i'm just going to say hello to them, but that's it, and yes my trip to The Glitter Pot did help.  I'm like a walking disaster at this week yesterday morning i did yoga and ever since i've been in agony with my knee, pulled the boot of my car down on my head and i now have a nice lump !! and my left arm hurts from the Hep A jab i had yesterday, for a trip we are going on later in the year.

I've made todays card for my box of, just in case cards !!! I've used a fabby stamp, that i must confess i don't have, but i was fortunate enough to have a couple of images sent to me. I've also used some very old K& Co papers, that are great for boys cards and some little bicycle buttons, that i had forgotten i had. I'm hoping also my distressing is a little better as i have now bought the proper felt pads, instead of using the foam ones.

Todays Card and Challenges :

Here Comes The Boys - where Challenge No: 12 is 'Wheely Nice'

The Squirrel And The Fox - where Challenge No: 2 is 'Make It Sporty'

Penny Black  - where Challenge No: 172 is 'Age Is Just A Number'

Pollycraft - where Challenge No: 114 is 'Boys, Boys, Boys'

Addicted To Stamps - where Challenge No: 14 is a fabby sketch

Southern Girls - where Challenge No: 29 is 'Slugs & Snails & Puppydog Tails'

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 87 is 'Animals'

Image - Penny Black - Hedge Delivery

Papers - K & Co - 'Hopscotch'

Sentiment - Woodware - 'Circular Greetings'

No: 5 cut out with - Sizzix - 'Fruit Smoothie'

Bicycle Buttons from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Sparkly Fairy

Hi,

It's offical i HATE the school run - i'm so fed up with other mums speaking to me when they are on their own and yet when they get into a group, i seem to have invented 'Invisibility', as i just get ignored / blanked !!!, so to cheer myself up last week i drove over to The Glitter Pot and treated myself to a couple of things including the Tim Holtz dies 'Elegant Flourishes'.

On a more positive note, i've just found out that i have been picked to be a 'Cupcake Cutie' - thank you so much, this is just the positive pick up i needed.

So today i decided to dig out a stamp i have had for at least 2 and a half years ( in fact it brings back fond memories of my weekend in Blackpool with some fabby Docrafting ladies) and with a few Sparkly challenges around i thought i would also have a play with my Stampin Up - heat & stick powder and dazzling diamonds.

Todays Challenges and Card :

Cutie Pie - where Challenge No: 2 is 'Bingo Board' - I chose - Charm, Something With Wings, Ribbon or Lace

The Secret Crafter - where Challenge No: 155 is 'Anything As Long As It Sparkles'

Simon Say's Stamp - where this weeks Challenge is 'Sparkle & Bling'

Flutterby Wednesday - where Challenge No: 174 is 'Anything Goes'

Oldie But A Goodie - where the Challenge is 'Wings' - i've had the stamp for over 2 years

By The Cute And Girly - where they are celebrating their 2nd Birthday with 'Anything Goes'

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge - where R #40  is a 'Recipe Sketch'

Image - Pink Gem Designs - sorry don't know name, as it's not on the packaging

Papers - Basic Grey - 'Euphoria'

Punched Edge - MS - 'Traditional Scallop'

Ribbon, Charm and Gems from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Let It Snow

Hi,

Well what a difference a couple of days make !!, one minute i'm in my shorts and teeshirt, the next i've got my waterproofs out !!!, today i've done Yoga and then went for a Reflexology treatment, so i'm all chilled now.

I bought todays stamp in the Sir Stampalot sale at Christmas and wondered what i was going to do with it, until i saw the Challenge at Cupcake Craft, i knew exactly what i wanted to do - so i stamped it in versamark onto black card, sprinkled it with white embossing powder, then heated it, embossed snowflakes onto the other black card and layered it onto white bling card (i'm not sure it shows up on picture) and finished with a ribbon.

Todays Card and Challenges :

Cupcake Craft - where Challenge 162 is 'Black & White Christmas'

Bling It On - where Octobers Challenge is 'No Patterned Papers'

The Ribbon Girls - where the Challenge is 'Jingle All The Way To Christmas'

Paperplay - where Challenge No: 39 is 'White & One !!' - I chose Black

Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge - where CHNC No: 40 is 'For A Man'

I wasn't quite happy with the first photo, so have added another one.

Image - Penny Black - 'Let It Snow'

Embossing Folder - 'Ice Crystals'

Ribbon from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Much Gifted !

Hi,

I must confess that although the lovely warm weather has been nice, i'm now glad that it's going to cool down, as H has been beside himself, i'm so glad we went to the theatre yesterday (which although not my cup of tea, H loved) and when we got to Chloe's house, her mum got the paddling pool out and the kids had so much fun.

The stamp i've used today is the very first PB i ever bought, and it's so right for a 'Down On The Farm' theme,  the colours are unusual for me, as i usually colour it in, in more softer girly colours.  I've used a paper pad that i've never opened, only stroked !!, i loved the zigzag paper so much, as it allowed me to use my trusty punch, that is so fabby for male cards.

Todays Card and Challenges :

Penny Black  - where Challenge No: 171 is 'Down On The Farm'

Basic Grey - where Challenge No: 54 is 'Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales' - i've gone for 'Old Mcdonald Had a Farm' and the papers i've used are : 'Oliver'

Crafty Catz  - where Challenge No: 102 is 'Things With Wings'

The Crafty Pad - where Challenge No: 141 is 'One For The Boys'

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 175 and it's another fabby one

Cute Card Thursday - where they are up to Challenge No: 184 which is 'Animal Crackers'

Image - Penny Black - 'Much Gifted !'

Papers - Basic Grey - 'Oliver'

Ticket Stamp - Imaginisce - 'Animal Crackers Collection'

Sentiment - Sentiments 4 You

Punched Edge - MS - 'Embossed Zigzag'

Distressed Ink - Tim Holtz - 'Pumice Stone'

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Football Crazy

Hi,

Well hasn't the weather been fabulous - took H to a farm activity centre yesterday (when he was on Inset Day), today he has been swimming and tomorrow we are going to a children's show 'Way Back Home' with his friend Chloe and her mum has kindly offered to cook us dinner afterwards.
On Thursday night i went for an MRI scan, as my migraines seem to be getting worse, so to reassure me more than anything i requested one - i tried it with just shutting my eyes, but i just freaked, so the nurse kindly gave me an eyemask and with 'Kylie' singing in my ears i felt alot better - i should know the results in a couple of weeks.

This card has been made for one of H's school friends who is going to be 5 on Thursday - initially i was going to use just plain old black and white buttons, till i found these fabby football ones in a drawer ( i must confess i had completely forgotten about them), they came with 2 American Footballs (that could double as Rugby ball) and 2 Baseballs. The sentiment i got in a bundle of other stamps, whilst purchasing 2 PB stamps, but i thought it worked well with the image. I've had the stamp since last November.

Todays Card and Challenges :

Lili Of The Valley - where Challenge No: 114 is 'Button It'

Oldie But A Goodie - where Challenge No: 27 is 'One For The Boys'

Simon Say's Stamp - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes' - where they are hoping to get 1,000 entries.

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

One Stop Crafts - where Challenge No: 151 is 'Just For Men'

Image - Lili Of The Valley - 'Football Crazy'

Papers - Papermania - 'It's A Man's World'

Sentiment - Anita's 

Buttons - Making Memories - 'MM Kids Buttons / Max Sports'

Ribbon - 'Crafty Ribbons'

Distressed Ink - Tim Holtz - 'Barn Door'

Embossed Section - Cuttlebug - 'Spots And Dots'

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x