My Favourite Christmas Cards Of 2012

Hi,

I would just like to wish all my followers a very Happy Christmas and thank you for all your wonderful support and fabby comments this year too.

The lovely Debby is holding her annual favourite Christmas Cards and i thought it was going to be easy this year, but i could easily have picked another 3 or 4 !!!

 

I love this image, it was one that i won, a while ago in a candyand i also got Top 5 in an Allsorts Challenge for it too.

 

 

The photo doesn't do the card justice, as the papers are embossed with glitter too and i gave this card to H's best friends family.

 

 

 

I love the fabby papers i've used 'Doodlebug' and i love it when 2 images can tell a story too. This card also brings back fabby memories, as i won my first ever Penny Black Saturday Challenge prize with it, thanks ladies.

 

 

 

This card is using an image that i don't own and is on my wishlist for the New Year ! - i am such a Muppet, as i didn't realised that i have it already !!!, it also uses another of my favourite companies 'Basic Grey'

 

 

And finally another image i don't have, but had lots of fun with and is also on my wish list for the New Year - although looking back now i wish i had glamour dusted the image as well, i also won the Oldie But A Goodie Challenge.

 

 

 

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Nose - Kiss

Hi,

Well H has finally finished school today - yipee, as by the end he was absolutely hanging, tomorrow we are going to see 'The Snow Queen', then he is doing arts and crafts with his best friend Chloe, at her church, on Sunday we may go down to Brighton Marina as the Coca Cola truck is making an appearance !!, we are going up to Yorkshire (well Castleford) on Boxing Day.

I don't know about you, but i've had enough of making Christmas Cards so i thought i had better start on the Valentines Day ones (as i have 10 to make for the troops in Afghanistan), i don't normally do CAS, as i always feel it's too empty, but i thought i would give it a whirl as Ready Teddy Go, have set it as their December Challenge and also i was looking for a challenge where i could show off the fabby Ribbon Girls ribbon to it's full potential, the image and sentiment are both PB - the image is 'Nose - Kiss' and the sentiment is taken from a transparent set 'Piece Of My Heart'.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Ready Teddy Go - where Challenge No: 17 is 'Clean And Simple'

Fab n' Funky - where Challenge No: 152 is 'Add Ribbon or Lace'

Stampin For The Weekend - where Challenge No: 24 is 'Anything Goes'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Pick Of The Year' - I chose Anything Goes

Penny Black At Allsorts - where December's Challenge is 'Your Choice'

 

Image - Penny Black - 'Nose - Kiss'

Sentiment - Penny Black - 'Taken from transparent set - A Piece Of My Heart'

Ribbon - The Ribbon Girls

 

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Let It Snow !

Hi,

Alan say's thanks for all the get well messages, he's feeling a lot better.  Yesterday we took H to Crawley where there was a Snow Globe, that you could stand in and have your photo taken, he absolutely loved it, then in the afternoon we went to a Garden Pride in Ditchling, where you pay £3 each (and all the money goes to a local hospice) and the first bit is an animated Santa's Grotto, then you walk through to find 6 real Reindeers and they were absolutely adorable, especially the ones that were only 18 months old.

I love this stamp, but don't use it very often as it's rather large and takes over a card, if you are not careful !!, the papers are Bo Bunny - 'Holiday Cheer', Snowflake punched border is MS, the larger Snowflakes are Marianne D and the smaller ones are brads, that i've covered in glamour dust - i'm not sure if the photo will show up all the glitter.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Simon Says Stamp - where the Challenge is 'What's Your Favourite ?' - mine is my nesties

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Snow White'

Cupcake Craft - where Challenge No: 222 is 'Merry Christmas'

ABC Christmas - where they are up to 'Y is for Your Favourite Punch And Or Die' - mine is my nesties and MS punch

Little Red Wagon - where the Challenge is 'We Wish You A Pink Christmas'

Cutie Pie - where Challenge No: 33 is 'Cute Christmas'

 

Image - Penny Black - 'Let It Snow'

Papers - Bo Bunny - 'Holiday Cheer'

Punched Edge - MS - 'Snowflake'

Large Snowflake - Marianne D

Pearls and Small Snowflake Brad from stash

 

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

The Perfect Snowman

Hi,

Well Alan has been dying from the head up or is it from the head down since Sunday - it looks like he's got this Norovirus, i think he's got it from travelling up to London every day !!

Today's image is one is sneaked into my basket, when i last did a LOTV order - it reminds me of H and Whisper (and at the moment H is desperate to make a snowman !!), the papers are years old Dovecraft - 'Ho Ho Ho', snowflake border MS - 'Deep Edge Snowflake Punch', snowflakes are Spellbinders - 'Snowflake Wonder', Sentiment, LOTV, snow is made using Aleen's True Snow.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 146 is 'One For The Boys'

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 237

Lili's Little Fairies - where the Challenge is 'Use 3 Punches or Dies' - i've used circle nesties, snowflake nesties and MS Deep Edge Snowflake Punch

Winter Wonderland - where the Challenge is 'Red And Blue'

One Stop Craft - where Challenge No: 208 is 'Christmas Friends'

Here Comes The Boys - where Challenge No: 42 is 'Anything Goes'

Sweet Stampin' - where the Challenge is 'Die And Punches'

 

Image - LOTV - 'The Perfect Snowman'

Sentiment - LOTV

Papers - Dovecraft - 'Ho Ho Ho'

Snowflakes - Spellbinders - 'Snowflake Wonder'

Snowflake Border - MS - 'Deep Edge Snowflake Punch'

Gems from my stash

 

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

White On White

Hi,

Well i'm so pleased the week is over, as i'm shattered, what with late night shopping on Wednesday - H's headmaster wanted as many children as possible to join in the singing on the high street, but to be honest it turned into a bit of a disaster as although we had the words to the songs, i couldn't hear what they were singing, so we couldn't join in !!!, then last night was H's school fete - where we waited for half an hour to see Father Christmas (even though we had a time slot of 6 - 6.15 !!), H made a hanger to put on his bedroom door and decorated a bauble.

Today's card is so far out of my comfort zone, but i thought i would give it a try - normally when i do WOW cards, the image is allowed to be coloured in, but there are a couple of challenges that want it all to be white - the sentiment (PB - 'So Very Merry') and the snowflakes (all taken from PB Transparent set 'Crystalline') have been versa marked, then covered in WOW embossing powder 'White Pearl' and heated, the frame is covered in Stampin Up - Heat & Stick Powder, then Dazzling Diamonds, the embossed piece is CB - 'Ice Crystals' with glitter brads added, the poinsettas are Marianne D covered in Crystal Stickles.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Cupcake Craft - where the Challenge is 'It'll Be All White On The Night'

Crafty Ann's  - where Challenge No: 80 is 'I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas'

Tuesday Throwdown - where Challenge No: 126 is 'White Christmas'

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where December's Challenge is 'Glitter And Sparkle'

Crafty Calendar - where December's Challenge is 'White Christmas With The Option Of Metal' - I've added white glittered brads

Creative Craft Challenges 2 - where the Challenge is 'White On White'

 

And a 2nd photo to show the sentiment, a bit better

 

 

Sentiment - Penny Black - 'So Very Merry'

Snowflakes - Penny Black Transparent Set - 'Crystalline

Both heat embossed with WOW - 'White Pearl'

Embossed Piece - CB - 'Ice Crystals'

Poinsettas - Marianne D

Glittered White Brads - Papermania, i think

Ribbon from stash

 

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Ho Ho Ho !

Hi,

I really think H's school is loosing the plot !! - yesterday he came home with a note about making and decorating a cupcake or making a christmas decoration for the school fete on Friday night ??, when last night he was swimming, tonight and thursday he's at after school care and Wednesday it is late night shopping in our village and they want the children to meet up at 6pm and sing - when they think he's supposed to have time to do it, i really don't know - i could do it, but then that's not the idea of it and i hate it, when kids go in with something they have made and it clearly shows they have played no part in creating it at all !!!

Today's image is taken from a PB Transparent Set ' Candy Cane Wishes', i bought from The Glitter Pot last year and although i have a couple of Santa's i rather thought this one would look good with the Echo Park - 'Merry Christmas' papers, the sentiment is 'Cuddly Buddly' and punched edge 'Stampin Up'.

Today's Card And Challenges :

ABC Christmas - where they are up to 'X for X Marks The Spot'

Winter Wonderland - where the Challenge is 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'

Christmas Cards All Year Round - where Decembers Challenge is 'Santa'

One Stop Craft - where Challenge No: 207 is 'Christmas For The Boys'

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 236

Bearly Mine - where Challenge No: 64 is 'Santa Is On His Way'

 

Image - Penny Black - 'Taken from Transparent Set Candy Cane Wishes'

Sentiment - Cuddly Buddly

Papers - Echo Park - 'Merry Christmas

Distressed - Tim Holtz - 'Peeled Paint'

Twine from stash

 

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Caroling Penguins

Hi,

I've had a fun week, not !!  - I rung up Outpatients, who informed me the next available appointment to see my Rheumatology Consultant was in March - I don't think so !!, especially after they cancelled on me, as the Consultant was sick and  I was promised they would set up a special clinic for those of us who were cancelled (well guess what they haven't !!!), so after a quick phone call to the Rheumatology nurse - they miraclously found me an appointment for Tuesday 18th December at 2.50pm.

When I saw Cupcake Crafts Challenge was Black, White Plus One, I had a rumage among my stamps and images and found this sweetie and although i don't own it, i may have to go and purchase it, as i had fun playing with it - the snow on the ground and on their hats is Flowersoft - Polar White Fine and Liquid Pearls - Pearl White for the falling snow. The papers are really old, I think about 5 years ??, they are DCWV - Black & White Prints and i have used them lots. The Ribbon is from The Ribbon Girls, Punched Edge MS - Snowflake, Snowflakes are Marianne D and i've covered them in glamour dust.

Cupcake Craft - where the Challenge is 'Black, White Plus One Other' - I chose 'Red'

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where December's Challenge is 'Glitter And Sparkle'

Simon Says - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Sketchie Free For All' - I've followed Dawny's Sketch

Oldie But A Goodie - where the Challenge is 'Let It Snow' - my oldie item is the paper and punch

Sweet Stampin' - where the Challenge is 'Snowflakes And Ribbon'

 

Image - Penny Black - 'Caroling Penguins'

Paper - DCWV - 'Black & White Prints'

Ribbon - The Ribbon Girls

Snowflakes - Marianne D

Punched Edge - MS - Snowflakes

 

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Whispers

Hi,

I do hope all my lovely crafty friends around the county (especially Devon / Somerset, as these seem to be on the news quite a bit) have not been affected by these terrible floods at the moment - all we have had here in Sussex is lots of rain and the ground is very boggy and Whisper is looking like a 14 colour collie, rather than a tri-colour collie, when we come home after a walk !!!

I was very fortunate last week to win the wonderfully talented Brenda's Timmy Candy and i can't wait to start playing with it, especially the 'Salty Ocean' Distress pad, as i nearly bought it the other week, as i had used it in a class at The Glitter Pot, thanks again hun.

Today's card is using a stamp, that i bought a couple of weeks ago, i have seen a couple of people using it and liked the effect, i'm hoping you like, what i have done with it ?, i've teamed it up with Dovecraft - 'Back To Basics' spotty lilac paper (i must confess, it's the only colour i have used from it), some very old Papermania flowery papers, Ribbon is from 'The Ribbon Girls', Sentiment LOTV and the shape tag is a punch from Stampin Up.

Today's Card And Challenges :

The Ribbon Girls - where Novembers Challenge is 'Shades of Purple / Lilac' - i prefer this colour to pink, so thank you.

Joanna Sheen - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes, except Christmas'

Moving Along With The Times - where the Challenge is 'Let's Go Dotty'

Fab N' Funky - where they are Celebrating Their 3rd Birthday with Challenge No: 148 - 'Happy Birthday and use 3 of something' - mine are pearls and 3 different papers

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 235

Ooh La La Creations - where Challenge No: 119 is 'Seeing Spots And Dots'

Sweet Stampin - where the Challenge is 'Flowers'

 

Image - Penny Black - 'Whispers'

Sentiment - LOTV

Spotty Paper - Dovecraft - 'Back To Basics'

Flowery Paper - Papermania

Ribbon - The Ribbon Girls

Distressed Ink - Tim Holtz - 'Milled Lavender'

Pearls from stash

 

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Flower Bear

Hi,

After the disappointment of last week of not getting Michael Buble tickets, I have managed to get tickets to 'Midnight Tango' to see Vincent and Flavia (from Strictly) at the Leeds Grand Theatre, next August - that way, as H is on summer hols by then, we can do a long weekend in Yorkshire visiting Alan's Dad and he can babysit, while we go out, yippee.

I thought i would do a non Xmas card today and after seeing the lovely Nikki's / Coops (thanks hun)amazing tutorial for a triple oval easel card on Crafts And Me, I just had to have a go and although i only have the Spellbinders Large Ovals, I will definetly use this idea again. The image is one I recently purchased, the papers are My Minds Eye - Tickled Pink (a combination of 6x6 and 12x12 papers), Swirly bit is Memory Box - Macarena Corner, as i didn't have a swirl that was small enough. Flowers are cut with a Fiskars punch, Sentiment - Stampin Up - Oval All, but not cut with punches, as i couldn't find the scalloped punch !!!

Today's Card And Challenges :

Penny Black At Allsorts - where November's Challenge is 'Any Die Will Do'

Fab N' Funky  - where Challenge No: 147 is 'Let's See Those Bears'

Simon Say's Stamp - where the Challenge is 'Thanksgiving / Thank You'

J And C Creations - where November's Challenge is 'Floral Delights'

Wags 'N Whiskers  - where Challenge No: 92 is 'Be Thankful'

Ready Teddy Go -where Challenge No: 16 is 'Don't Be Square' - sorry meant to add this last week

 

 

Image - Penny Black - 'Flower Bear'

Papers - My Minds Eye - 'Tickled Pink'

Sentiment - Stampin Up - 'Oval All'

Swirls - Memory Box - 'Macarena Corner'

Flowers - Fiskars Punch

Distressed - Tim Holtz - 'Spun Sugar And Worn Lipstick'

 

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Fantasy

Hi,

My Rheumatologist Consultant cancelled on me last Friday, for my appointment with him on Tuesday, so i guess now i won't see him till January - which will be 6 months since i last saw him.  H has got to go into school tomorrow wearing 'Spots' for Children In Need and as he doesn't have any spotty things to wear, so i've stuck loads of spots on an old t-shirt for him - also school sent him home with tasks to do and one of them was to make something using a recipe, so H has made a Carrot Cake, to sell at the Children In Need Cake Stall.

This card is going to be sent to Alan's Dad, and as he's not a cutesy kind of guy, so i decided to dig out 'Fantasy' (as it's so great for men) and have a play with my embossing powders too.  The papers are 'LOTV - Kraft Christmas', the sentiment is 'Cuddly Buddly', the scallop edge, round the papers is done using a Stampin Up punch and corner set - although the long piece, down the middle nearly didn't happen, as it took me 3 attemps to get it right !!

Today's Card And Challenges :

Crafty Hazelnut - where Challenge No: 98 is 'For A Man or Boy'

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 233

The Stamp Man - where November's Challenge is 'Emboss It'

Craft Room - where the Challenge is 'Punches And Dies'

Crafty Cardmakers - where Challenge No: 79 is 'More Than 1 Punch / And Or Die Cut'

 

 

 

Image - Penny Black - 'Fantasy' - versamarked then embossed

Papers - LOTV - 'Kraft Christmas'

Sentiment - Cuddly Buddly

Ribbon and Pearls from stash

 

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Cool Company

Hi,

I know i am sad, but i really like Michael Buble (have managed to see him 3 times in concert) and i so wanted tickets for next July at the O2, but try, as i might i have been unable to get any at the Face Value and i'm gutted - but although the concerts are all sold out, you can get tickets but they are 3, 4, 5 times more than the Face Value and i refuse to give anyone more than their costs, just so they make a profit out of a true fans misfortune of not being able to get tickets.

I have used this stamp before, but i don't think with quite so loud colours !!! and so minimal too, the papers are My Minds Eye - Colourful Christmas, i've cut out the image and pinky paper with Labels 8 Nesties, the snow is Aleen's Snow (from The Glitter Pot) the sentiment is LOTV, and the pom pom is from The Ribbon Girls.

Today's Card And Challenges :

ABC Christmas - where they are up to 'V is for Vibrant Colours'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes - with the option of Christmas'

Sweet Sketch - where they are up to Sketch No: 179, but are recycling and are using No: 109

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where November's Challenge is 'Cute Christmas'

Without Words - where November's Challenge is ' Whizz Bang (Bright Colours)'

Penny Black At Allsorts  - where November's Challenge is 'Any Die Will Do'

 

I've added another photo, as i don't think the first one shows up the snow

Image - Penny Black - 'Cool Company'

Papers - My Minds Eye - 'Colourful Christmas'

Sentiment - LOTV

Pom Poms - The Ribbon Girls

 

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

The Manger

Hi,

Half term, how crazy was that !!, H did lots of great things including : an event at the library, playing Victorian games at the museum, doing a Halloween trail, watching 2 firework displays, going to see 'Madagscar 3' at the cinema (and silly mummy booked us into the 3D showing !!) and meeting up with his friends - the only slight mishap we had was we had to rush Whisper to the vets Tuesday night, as she was gagging - it turned out whilst eating her dinner a firework went off and as she gulped her food (as she was scared), some of it got stuck in her throat, so they gave her a relaxation / calming drug, so she was a bit out of it for a couple of days.

Today's image is one kindly sent to me by my crafting buddy Janice and i thought i wanted to keep the layout and embellishments simple, so i have used my all time favourite Christmas papers Basic Grey - Figgy, 3 Craftwork Cards Candy Dots and some brown gingham ribbon from the 'The Ribbon Girls', all matted on to Kraft card and all the edges have been distressed with my Tim Holtz distressing tool.

Cupcake Craft - where Challenge No: 217 is 'Get Krafty'

Basic Grey - where Challenge No: 80 is 'Anything Goes'

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 141 is 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Christmas Star'

Winter Wonderland - where the Challenge is 'While Shepherds Watched or We Three Kings'

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where November's Challenge is : 'Cute Christmas'

Sweet Stop - where they are up to Sketch No: SSS183 and i've turned it round 90 degrees

Image - Penny Black - 'The Manger'

Papers - Basic Grey - 'Figgy'

Candy Dots - Craftwork Cards - 'Chocolate Drops'

Ribbon - 'The Ribbon Girls'

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Warm & Cold

Hi,

It's been one of those weekends (and that's the reason why it has taken me 4 days to complete this card !!) :
a) H got poked in the eye with a pencil at a Halloween party on Friday night - he's ok, but it took me about half an hour to calm him down and the mother of the child that did it, just spoke to me, so matter of factly, where i would have been absolutely mortified !!
b) I've gained a hacking cough - i think it's something to do with the fact i've had the flu jab !!
c) My next door neighbours husband got taken into hospital on Friday night and his wife was Phoned by the hospital (can you believe it) on Saturday morning, to say he had passed away in the night.

I liked the idea of Winter Wonderland's Challenge where you have to use 3 punches and as i had seen at PaperArts in Gloucester (when i visited there in June), where you could make a circle out of the MS - Skyland Snowflake, i decided to have a play with a circle card, the other 2 punches are MS - Snowflake Border and an X-Cut Circle, that i used to stamp the greeting on.  The papers are Craftwork Cards - Frosty Christmas (that i got for half price), the background card is pearlescent white (but not sure if camera picks this up) and i've coloured  the scarf and the ear muffs on the image with Stickles.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Winter Wonderland - where the Challenge is to use '3 Punches' - i've used MS - Skyland Snowflake / MS - Snowflake Border / X-Cut Circle Punch

Charisma Cardz - where Challenge No: 42 is 'Don't Be Square'

ABC Christmas - where they are up to 'U is for Up To You'

Christmas Stamping All Year Long - where Challenge CSAYL No: 34 is 'Circle'

Sir Stampalot - where October's Challenge is 'Punch It Out'

Stamptacular Sunday - where Challenge No: 187 is 'Not Just An Ordinary Card'

Image - Penny Black - 'Warm & Cold'

Papers - Craftwork Cards - 'Frosty Christmas'

Border Punch - MS - 'Snowflake Border'

Snowflakes Round The Edge - MS - 'Skyland Snowflake'

Sentiment - LOTV

Stickles - Crystal and 

Ribbon from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Sharing Spring

Hi,

Well Legoland was fabby - H's words, the only thing that let it down for us, was the fact Royal Ascot was on the same day and it was Frankel's last race (and Queenie went too), so it took an hour to get out of the car park, so our idea of going for something to eat after, didn't happen, instead we came straight home - getting in at 8.20pm and boy were Alan and i shattered the next day !!!

I wanted to make a card with bright colours as the weather is so dreary, today's stamp is one i've had for a while, but never got round to using (but i don't know why !!), the papers are DCWV - 'Blossoms & Butterflies', the border punch is MS - 'Pop-up butterflies', Flowers WOC, Butterfly - Cherry Lynn Designs - 'Exotic Butterfly small'.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Creative Craft Challenges  - where they are Celebrating their 3rd Blogoversary and you have to include 3 things - mine are pearls on butterfly, 3 different papers, 3 different colours of flowers

C.R.A.F.T - where Challenge No: 177 is 'Use Metal On Your Card'

Penny Black At Allsorts  - where Octobers Challenges is 'Animal Magic'

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where Octobers Challenge is a fabby sketch by Helen - that i will use again

The Crafty Pad - where Challenge No: 193 is 'Use An Animal'

Image - Penny Black - 'Sharing Spring'

Papers - DCWV - 'Blossoms & Butterflies' - the white paper is glittery embossed, but i don't think the photo shows it up !!

Flowers - WOC

Butterfly - Cherry Lynn Designs - 'Exotic Butterflies Small'

Distressed Ink - Tim Holtz - 'Scattered Straw'

Gems and Charm from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Scooter Boy

Hi,

We had a parents evening on Wednesday, to find out how H is getting on in year 1 - he is doing excellently in Maths, Reading and Spelling, but doesn't like sharing the toys - but name me a 5 year old who does !!  Tomorrow we are off to Legoland, so here's hoping the weather is good.

I bought this image, as it's so like H and Whisper (well except Whisper is black and white), as they the pair of them, never seem to be happier than when they are playing together (usually with a ball !!). The papers are Doodlebug pad - Boys Only, the sentiment is LOTV and all the stars have been cut using the Spellbinders Star set.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Lili's Little Fairies - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

Cupcake Craft - where Challenge No: 214 is 'Two's Company'

Tuesday Morning Sketches - where they are up to Sketch No: 168

Crafty Ribbons - where Challenge No: 30 is 'Children's Birthday'

Fussy And Fancy - where Challenge No: 74 is 'Anything Goes'

Image - LOTV - 'Scooter Boy'

Sentiment - LOTV

Papers - Doodlebug - 'Boys Only'

Twine from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Merry Kitty

Hi,

We had a lovely weekend, both weather wise and doing things.  I have one very tired 5 year old at the moment and half term cannot come soon enough.

I loved the picture over at Winter Wonderland and it inspired me to make a card using contemporary colours - i found this cutie stamp playing with a bauble, then had a look at my Xmas papers and found DCWV - 'Rose Tinted Christmas Stack', the border is by Memory Box - 'Frostyville Border' highlighted with Papermania Gems, the snowflakes are Marianne D and the middles are Dovecraft brads.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Simon Say's Stamp  - where the Challenge is 'Dies or Punches - i went for Dies'

Christmas Stamping All Year Long - where Challenge No: 32 is 'Anything Goes'

Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas - where CHNC Challenge No: 94 is 'Snowflakes'

Winter Wonderland - where the Challenge is 'A Photo Inspiration' - I went for Purple, Bauble and Sparkle

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 229

J And C Creations  - where October's Challenge is 'Contemporary Christmas'

Image - Penny Black - 'Merry Kitty'

Sentiment - Penny Black - 'Crystalline'

Papers - DCWV - 'Rose Tinted Christmas Stack'

Border - Memory Box - 'Frostyville Border'

Gems - Papermania

Snowflakes - Marianne D

Brads - Dovecraft

Purple Stickles and Ribbon from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Hedgy Gift

Hi,

What a difference a day makes - yesterday it was freezing and pouring with rain all day and today we have sunshine and hopefully i'll be able to dry some washing !! I recently gained a bit of a problem on a blog i was following 'Stamps R Us Challenge' - somebody had taken it over and was running it like a soapbox and it was cluttering up my reading list - so i found out from the ladies on the Docrafts forum, how to delete it and while i was doing so, i got rid of another 50 blogs, that had been inactive for the last year - mostly Challenges , that have since shut down.

Today's stamp is one that i bought at The Glitter Pot in the sale and have never used !!, but as there were several 'Autumn' challenges around, i thought it would be ideal, as it reminds me of Alan and H and the 5 bags of cooking apples i now have sitting in my kitchen, that the boys picked, when they were invited round to Alan's old bosses mini orchard last weekend !! The papers are another item that i bought, because i liked them at the time, then i thought the other day why did i buy these !!, now i know why !!, they are - Basic Grey 'Pyrus'. The plain paper has been embossed with - CB 'Victoria', Punched edge - MS 'Modern Garland', Flowers- 'Wild Orchid', Leaves- Sizzix die, Gems - Hobby House.

Today's Challenges And Card :

J And C Creations  - 'Are Celebrating Card Making Day with some candy and you have to make a Friendship Card'

Cupcake Craft - where Challenge No: 213 is 'Autumn'

Joanna Sheen - where the Challenge is 'Down In The Garden'

Penny Black At Allsorts - where Octobers Challenge is 'Animal Magic'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'All Creatures Great And Small'

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 228

Image - Penny Black - 'Hedgy Friends'

Sentiment - Penny Black - 'Teddy & Co Transparent Set'

Embossed Paper - CB - 'Victoria'

Punched Edge - MS - 'Modern Garland'

Leaves - Sizzix Die - 'Flowers, Leaves & Branches'

Gems - The Hobby House

Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts

Distressed Ink - Tim Holtz - 'Peeled Paint'

Ribbon from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Snuggle Buddy

Hi,

All the best laid plans since Wednesday night, have not happened as H gained a temperature, runny nose and hacking cough and was therefore unable to go to school on Thursday and Frinday - so he was unable to go and meet Julia Donaldson on Friday and was also unable to go to a party yesterday (as it was a football party and a lot of running around, and that's when he starts coughing), he is fit enough to go back to school today.

I decided to have another play at making a different shape - this time i was a little dictated too, as i had a couple of scraps of this paper left and they were just bigger enough for the smaller circles - the paper is Basic Grey - Bittersweet, this is the first outing out for the Memory Box - Twirled Heart Border (thought i would have used it lots before now, but i'm not as happy with it, as i thought i would be), Ribbon is from 'The Ribbon Girls', Gems are Papermania and Lace is from Castleford Market.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Basic Grey - where Challenge No: 78 is 'Ribbon And Lace' - I've used Papers - 'Bittersweet'

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 137 is 'Let's See Those Shapes'

Dream Valley - where Challenge No: 42 is 'Go Pink'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes and they are celebrating their 5th Birthday'

Come And Get It - where the Challenge is 'Hostess Choice Pick 3' - I chose Ribbon, Circles, Scallops

Ready Teddy Go - where Challenge No: 15 is 'Brown, Pink And Cream'

Image - Penny Black - 'Snuggle Buddy'

Papers - Basic Grey - 'Bittersweet'

Heart Die - Memory Box - 'Twirled Heart Border'

Ribbon - The Ribbon Girls

Gems - Papermania

Lace - Castleford Market

Image Distressed with - Tim Holtz - 'Victorian Velvet and Spun Sugar'

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Jumping Party Robot

Hi,

Well i have only just got over the excitement of the weekend - WOW didn't we do well against the Americans in the Ryder Cup, i must confess on paper we didn't have a cat in hells chance of winning, but i'm so glad we pulled it out of the bag.  Alan took H and I out to dinner on Saturday night as he wasn't round much last week and it's continued this week too, as yesterday he flew to Frankfurt, but fortunately he's home tonight.

Well surprise surprise H has another party on Sunday, for a boy this time and as i had purchased a couple of   High Hopes Robot stamps, i thought i would use one along with some My Mind's Eye - 'Lil' Robots' papers that were starting to gain dust, as they have never been used !! The star ribbon loop was a pressie from my Canadian Pen Pal, embossed strip was Cuttlebug - 'Stars' and it's the first outing for the Memory Box - 'Simple Banner' too.

Today's Card And Challenges :

My Mum's Craft Shop - where Challenge No: 76 is 'Stars'

Crafty Ribbons  - where Challenge No: 29 is 'Anything But Square'

Cute Card Thursday - where Challenge No: 236 is 'Letters And Numbers'

Charisma Cardz - where Challenge No: 38 is 'Something For The Guys'

Stamptacular Sunday - where Challenge No: 183 is 'It's Your Birthday'

Pile It On  - where Challenge No: 40 is 'For A Child'

Do You Stack Up - where Challenge No: 91 is 'Scallops'

Image - High Hopes - 'Jumping Party Robot'

Papers - My Mind's Eye - 'Lil' Robots'

Star Ribbon Loop - Quic Kutz

Embossed Strip - Cuttlebug - 'Stars'

Banner - Memory Box - 'Simple Banner'

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Stitchery Santa

Hi,

I'm so glad it has stopped raining and for the first time this week the sun is out here - but i better say it quietly as it might hear and rain again !!, i feel really sorry for those people hit by floods at the moment, i know where my Father In Law lives in West Yorkshire say's it's really bad (fortunately he's not been flooded).

I bought this stamp on a well known auction site, but as i love the old fashioned PB stamps, i just had to have it, the date is 1997.   I've used some fabby Bo Bunny - 'Mistletoe' papers that fell into my basket, while i was ordering some double sided tape !!!The tree is a Marianne D Creatable and i'm using it for the first time, even though i've had it for a while !!.

Today's Card And Challenges :

ABC Christmas - where 'S is for Santa Claus is coming to town'

Sweet Stampin' - where the Challenge is 'How Charming'

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to 'Sketch No: 226'

Penny Black At Allsorts - where September's Challenge is 'Early Christmas Makes'

Simon Say's Stamp - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

Image - Penny Black - 'Stitchery Santa'

Papers - Bo Bunny - 'Mistletoe'

Christmas Tree - Marianne D

Charm - Pink Gem Designs

Ribbon - Stampin Up

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Me And My Cat

Hi,

Gee what a difference a day makes - on Saturday we were basking in glorious sunshine, fortunately we went out and took full advantage of it and yesterday we were struggling to miss the rain !! We've moved H's swimming from a Saturday morning (to free up our weekends more) to a Monday at 5pm and his first one is this afternoon.

H has 2 girls parties on Sunday and this is for one of them. I've used another free Lili Of The Valley image that came with a magazine a while ago and i've teamed it up with First Edition - 'Summer Breeze' papers, on the plainer paper i embossed it with Cuttlebug folder 'Daisy Pattern'(and glittered the centres), the brads are  Basic Grey and that i've covered them in glitter,  flowers are cut from a E K Success punch and the sentiment is Papermania 'CCSR'.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Lili's Little Fairies - where the Challenge is 'Flower Power'

Sunday Sketch And Stamp - where they are up to Sketch No: 125 - Francesca's

Simon Say's Stamp - where the Challenge is 'Emboss It'

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 135 is 'For A Child'

Stampin For The Weekend - where Challenge No: 18 is 'Feeling Floral'

Moving Along With The Times - where the Challenge is 'Make It Girly, Girly Prim And Proper'

Image - Lili Of The Valley - 'Me And My Cat'

Papers - First Edition - 'Summer Breeze'

Brads - Basic Grey

Flowers - E K Success Punch

Sentiment - Papermania - 'CCSR'

Embossed Brown Paper - Cuttlebug - 'Daisy Pattern'

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Hedgehopper

Hi,

We went to our local fire station last night, as they had an open evening, which H loved - shame the time was 6.30 - 9 though, it would have been better if it had started earlier, as we had to leave by 7.50pm !! This will probably be my last card this week, as H has an inset day on Friday and i'm having a tooth extraction and a filling on Thursday, oh joy !!

Today's card is for a friend who gave birth last Wednesday, but didn't name the baby till the weekend 'Ethan Charlie' and i've used a versatile stamp - it's actually for Valentines, but i've used it for Father's Day and now new baby.  The papers are K & Co - 'Itsy Bitsy', sentiment is Woodware - 'Tiny Phrases', the twine and brads are from my stash.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Dream Valley - where Challenge No: 41 is 'Celebrations'

Here Comes The Boys - where Challenge No: 36 is 'A Recipe' - 3 papers, 2 buttons or brads and 1 image

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 134 is 'Use Your Favourite Stamp'

Creative Craft - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

Hooked On Crafts - where Challenge No: 24 is 'Cards For Men'

Image - Penny Black - 'Hedgehopper'

Papers - K & Co - 'Itsy Bitsy'

Sentiment - Woodware - 'Tiny Phrases'

Twine And Brads from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Hedge Delivery !

Hi,

Well we had a fun day out yesterday, thanks to one of H's friends mum, who took us to where she works as they had an open day for friends and families, which was really interesting, as they make components for the latest Mclaren sports car (unfortunately it wasn't there, but there was some amazing photos of it though), JCB diggers as well as lots of other cars, motorbikes.  Later today we are off to our local villages 'Big Picnic', where they do trails, games and feed us Bacon Sarnies !!!

Well can you believe H has been back to school 10 days and he has invites already to 3 parties, so as the girly cards were a bit short, i thought i would make one.  There are quite a few hexagon challenges around, so decided to have a go at making one - now i don't have a Cricut or Hexagon Nesties, so had to resort to printing off a hexagon from the internet, then going to our local stationers and having a play at reducing the size of it.  The papers are from a very old DCWV pack 'Text Prints', ribbon from 'The Ribbon Girl'.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Charisma Cardz - where Challenge No: 36 is 'Shaped Cards' - no squares or rectangles

Simon Say's Stamp - where the Challenge is 'We're So Trendy' - you have to choose Neon, Hexagon or Chevrons

Crafts And Me  - where Challenge No: 101 is 'Pink'

In The Pink - where Challenge No: 3 is 'Pink And Anything But Square'

Celebrate The Occasion - where CTO Challenge No: 79 is 'Getting In Shape' - no square or rectangles

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where September's Challenge is 'Buttons And Bows' - my 2nd entry, i hope this is ok

Image - Penny Black - 'Hedge Delivery'

Papers - DCWV - 'Text Prints'

Ribbon - 'The Ribbon Girl'

Flowers - E K Success punch

Buttons from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Bear-ly Inspired

Hi,

Wow, what an amazing week so far, what with the fabby Olympic and Paralympic float parade in London and Boris's speech was simply superb and then Andy Murray finally wining a Grand Slam - wish i had stayed up to watch it now !!

I've used an image today from a company that I've not used before (High Hopes), but i thought was so apt for a 6 year old boy though and to make things even better it was in the sale, the papers are First Edition - New Leaf, that i just had to buy after seeing several bloggers using them, i've finished it off with some raffia lace and buttons.

Today's Card And Challenges Are :

Here Comes The Boys - where Challenge No: 35 is 'Teddy Bears'

Ready Teddy Go - where September's Challenge is 'How Many Fingers' (to include a number)

By The Cute And Girly - where September's Challenge is 'Boys / Men'

One Stitch At A Time - where the Challenge is 'For An Under 18's Birthday'

Ooh La La Creations - where Challenge No: 113 is 'Teddy Bear Antics'

Dream Valley  - where Challenge No: 40 is 'Something Old And Something New' - Old is buttons and raffia lace, New is image and papers.

Diva's By Design - where Challenge No: 52 is 'For A Child'

Image - High Hopes - 'Bear-ly Inspired'

Papers - First Edition - 'New Leaf'

Sentiment - Woodware - 'Circular Greetings'

No:6 - Sizzix Die - 'Fruit Smoothie'

Raffia Lace And Buttons from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Sled Ride

Hi,

Well today is the last day of the summer holidays for H, he is back to school tomorrow and i don't think it's dawned on him yet !!

I had half a day free yesterday, as H was at kids club, so I decided to give Quilting ago (for the stitching i've used my Cuttlebug hole puncher and a thin black marker) and had some ideal papers to help me - DCWV - The Winter Matstack, as they are 6.5" x 4.5", so not suitable as a base for a card, but are great for cutting up and i love the colours.  I've used my Memory Box - Snowflake Corner and added some blue pearls (it's amazing what colours you find stashed away !!), the sentiment is from Penny Black Transparent Set - Let It Snow.

Today's Card And Challenges :

ABC Christmas Challenge  - where 'Q is for Quilting'

Winter Wonderland - where the Challenge is 'Walking In A Winter Wonderland'

Secret Crafter - where Challenge No: 201 is 'Animal Antics'

Christmas Cards All Year Round - where Septembers Challenge is 'Christmas Presents'

Penny Black At Allsorts - where Septembers Challenge is 'Early Christmas Makes'

Image - Penny Black - 'Sled Ride'

Sentiment - Penny Black - 'Transparent Set - Let It Snow'

Papers - DCWV - 'The Winter Matstack'

Corners - Memory Box - 'Snowflake Corner'

Ribbon And Pearls from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Things To Do !

Hi,

We are back although a bit jet lagged !!, for those of you who don't know where we went on our holiday, here are some clues ? Whilst away we tried to feed our 5 year old son to some of the natives !!! (only joking of course :-) )

1) The Humpback Whale - just flipped him back
2) The Crocodile at Steve Irwin's Zoo - didn't want to know, as he wasn't meaty enough
3) The Roosters and Tigers  were more interested in busy fighting with each other (they are 2 NRL teams)

For those of you who haven't guessed yet, we went to Australia, to stay with my best friend, who lives in The Hunter Valley - 2 hours outside of Sydney and we had a Superb time.

To help me get over my post holiday blues, i found out yesterday that i have won a prize on last month's Penny Black Saturday Friends and i'm so chuffed, thank you.

Today's card is for my friends son who starts school on Wednesday, i've used a stamp, that i've previously used for the same thing. I thought for a boy twine with a bow was more appropriate and the buttons are from a pack of Craftime themed ones, the papers are from a very old Making Memories pad, and i couldn't find an appropriate sentiment, so instead i opted for a Special Day Stamp from LOTV and marking the date for him.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Sketchie Free For All' - I chose Sketch No: 59 from 30th August 2011

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where the Challenge for September is : 'Buttons And Bows'

Crazy Egg Challenge  - where Challenge No: 105 is 'Back To School'

Oldie But A Goodie - where the Challenge is 'Paper Piecing' - i've paper pieced the notebook - paper, buttons and stamp are old

Fussy And Fancy - where Challenge No: 70 is 'Back To School'

Image - Penny Black - 'Things To Do !'

Papers - Making Memories - 'Cheeky Collection - Emery'

Sentiment - LOTV

Buttons - Craftime Themed Ones

Twine from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x

Aiming To Please & All Yours

Hi,

Well this is my last post for a while, as we are going on holiday, so i won't be around for a couple of weeks to have a nose at your blogs, but i will enjoy catching up, when i get back.

As there are quite a few fabby challenges around at the moment, i thought i would fine time inbetween packing to come up with this cutie :-) and yes another Xmas card for a change i thought i would do a gate fold card, something i don't do very often and i teamed the images with some fabby Doodlebug paper, my MS 'Present' punch, some ribbon and a charm.

Today's Card And Challenges :

ABC Christmas - where 'O is for Open It Up'

Ready Teddy Go - where Challenge No: 13 is 'Anything Goes'

Sparkles Christmas - where Challenge No: 19 is 'Punch It'

The Ribbon Girls - where August's Challenge is 'Bingo' - I've gone for image, bow and charm

The Secret Crafter - where Challenge No: 197 is 'Gifts'

Penny Black Friends  - where August's Challenge is 'Double The Trouble'

The Sweet Shop - where they are up to Sketch No: SSS170

Crafty Calendar - where the Challenge is 'Teddy Bears Parade'

And The Inside : 

Images - Penny Black - 'Aiming To Please & All Yours'

Papers - Doodlebug - 'All Wrapped Up & Holiday Trimmings'

Punched Edge - MS - 'Presents'

Gems - Papermania

Ribbon & Charm from stash

Thanks for looking, Luv Sam x