My Favourite Cards Of 2013

Hi,

As this is my last post for 2013, i would like to wish all my lovely followers a very Happy And Safe New Year's Eve - and i hope you have fun, whatever you do - as i'm still struggling with a cough and cold, we will probably be watching Gary Barlow on the tv and cuddling Whisper at the same time, as she is scared of fireworks.

Gee picking 5 cards out of all the ones you make over a year, seems to get tougher and tougher every year, i could have easily have picked 10 !!, thanks to the lovely Debby for organising such a fun Challenge too.

'Loveable Mice'

I so love the old PB's and this one is from 1997 - 716E and i love making Valentines cards too, although i won't have to make as many this year, as i always send 10 Valentines cards to the troops in Afghanistan and it's fabby news that they are coming home.

Merci Bouquet

This was one of the hardest cards i had to make this year - it was made in memory of a lovely crafty friend Sandra, who sadly passed away and this card was sent to her daughter Jen.  I have to also thank my lovely friend Lou, who persuaded me to buy these gorgeous papers - especially as the rose paper say's 'Life Is Beautiful'

Yearning

When the lovely Brenda contacted me, to ask if i would like to be on the  Design Team of  Penny Black And More, i jumped at the chance, as for me, it was a dream come true, i would just like to thank the amazing team for having me and it's been my highlight of the year.

Sailing Boat

I so love the boys LOTV stamps and i was so pleased with this one, that i gave it to Alan for Father's Day from Harrison - i've teamed it up with the equally fabby : Maja Design Papers - 'Life By The Sea'

Man's Best Friend

This gorgeous image reminds me of Harrison and Whisper and i've also teamed it up with some fabby LOTV papers too - i've kept this card for Alan's Birthday for next year !

Thanks for looking and for any comments you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

My Favourite 5 Christmas Cards & Merry Christmas

Hi,

I JUST WANTED TO  WISH ALL OF MY FOLLOWERS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FOLLOWING ME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR :-) X

Well H has open all of his presents, we've walked Whisper in the woods - so as we decided to have dinner later and while H tries to construct his latest Chima / Lego and Alan and Whisper argue over the best position on the sofa and i listen to Paul (The Grinch, well that's what it's saying on the Sky header) O'Grady, i thought i would update my favourite Christmas cards and enter them into the lovely Debby's Challenge that she runs every year, thank you hun.

'Snow Fun'

This is a very special card, as i was fortunate enough to win a 'Joanne Sheen' Challenge, although i must confess i haven't used that MB - 'Snowflake Wreath' die since !! and of course we i've used the gorgeous Bo - 'Snowfall Collection' - you'll see there is a Bo Bunny theme in 3 of my cards !!!

'Joyful Noise'

I so love this little boy and dog and i love how it came together, i sent it to Alan's Dad (as he's into music) and i've used Bo Bunny - 'Midnight Frost' papers. I also got a Top 3 for this card

'Wonderful Christmas'

Some of my PB's seem to really take over a 6" x 6" card (like this one), so it's sometimes hard to know what to do with them !!, i love the gold element in this design and it was my first time of using those fabby Precious Ornaments' and of course my fabby new papers Bo Bunny - 'Silver & Gold Collection'.

'Wishing ...........'

I couldn't not add a dog card - especially as my 'Whisper' has made another Christmas, we think she is about 14 or 15, so every year is precious.  I love making shaped cards too and i sent this one to my best friend in Oz, as she is dog mad too.

'Stocking !'

To us, Christmas is not the same till we have seen our 'Robin' in the garden.  Yes another shaped card and i so enjoyed using the LOTV - 'Kraft Christmas' papers and super check ribbon, and i was fortunate enough to win the Challenge over at 'Moving Along With The Times' and the fabby prize was 2 PB stamps - gee i was in heaven.

Thanks so much for looking and for any comments you would like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Singing Angels

Hi,

I'm so sorry i haven't been able to visit all your lovely blogs in the last couple of days, but on Friday i went to bed at 6pm and have not really surfaced for 48 hours - i have had a head cold, and am still not feeling 100%, but am getting there. I was supposed to take H to see 'Frozen' yesterday with a friend, fortunately Alan took him instead (Alan hates going to kids movies, but he said this one was brilliant) and today H and i were supposed to go to Leeds Castle, instead H has gone to the local leisure centre, but looking at the weather, i'm glad we didn't go !!, tomorrow Alan is taking H to London, as his European Director throws a huge party for all the employees children.

I must confess i finished making this card on Friday and all it needed was photographing !!. Right note to myself, for the New Year - buy a new set of HM Christmas stamps as this is the one set i have !!, after seeing the Challenge on House Mouse And Friends - Silver or Gold, it gave me a good excuse to use my : Bo Bunny - 'Silver And Gold Collection Papers', the sentiment is : PB - 'Holly - Jolly Transparent Set', the holly is : Marianne D - 'LR0244' (for the larger one) and MS Punch - 'Holly' (for the 2 smaller ones), i've highlighted the berries with : Stickles - 'Burgandy', i didn't have gold pearls, so i just covered some with Versa Mark and Gold Embossing Powder.

Today's Card And Challenges :

House Mouse And Friends - where Challenge HMFMC 160 is 'Use Silver or Gold'

Sketch Saturday - where the Challenge is use any Sketch after 215 - i've used No: 288

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Last Christmas Card Of The Year'

Joanna Sheen - where their last Challenge is 'Make It Sparkle' - and what a shame too

Simon Say's Stamp - where the Challenge is 'Bling'

Image - House Mouse - 'Singing Angels Set'

Papers - Bo Bunny - 'Silver And Gold Collection'

Holly - Marianne D - 'LR0244' - for the larger one

MS - 'Holly' - for the smaller one

Sentiment - PB - 'Holly - Jolly Transparent Set'

Berries highlighted with - Stickles - 'Burgandy'

Thanks for looking and for any comment, you would like to leave would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Noel

Hi,

Well i can't believe we are already up to the 18th of December and H breaks up from school tomorrow (he has an inset day on Friday).

We are also up to mid month inspiration from Penny Black And More, where this months Challenge is Traditional Christmas Colours and we have some super sponsors too :

Penny Black

Classy Crafts

Flonz Craft

And One lucky person using a Penny Black Image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month and win a gift too. So pop over to Penny Black And More, check out the other amazing inspiration the very talented team have come up with, and join in the fun, but please do remember you can use any image you like, except Digi's.

And this is what i made :

And a close up photo of the sparkle - hopefully

Can you believe this stamp is 19 years old its - 'Noel - 194 F' from 1994, i stamped it up in Versamark and then added Stampendous - Crystal Embossing Powder, i've also distressed round the edge with - Tim Holtz - 'Aged Mahogany', i also decided i needed to frame it with something special, so i treated myself to the - 'Spellbinders - Timeless Rectangles' and i've teamed it up with some very old papers - K & Co - 'Christmas Cheer Holly Glitter Paper', the ribbon is from 'The Ribbon Girls' and the pearls are from 'The Hobby House'

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

Crafts And Me  - where Challenge No: 143 is 'Anything Goes'

A Little Bit Crafty  - where December's Challenge is 'Christmas Cheer'

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where the December Challenge is 'Christmas'

Winter Wonderland - where the Challenge is 'Ribbon And Pearls'

Thanks for looking and for any comments you would like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Cozy !!

Hi,

Well i survived the Christmas Fair - just !!.  I had a lovely day on Saturday - i met up with my crafting buddy Louise, we had a visit to The Glitter Pot and then we had a lovely lunch, yesterday we went to Ashdown Forest to the Llama Park, where besides Llamas, we saw Alpaca's and Reindeer and H told 'Father Christmas' what he wanted ??, guess what ?, - none of the things we have bought him !!.

I so love my Hedgehogs and i seem to have neglected them recently !!, i've used glamour dust for the snow, the papers are from a Doodlebug Cruicut Pad, i bought in America (5 years ago), the embossed wording is : Cuttlebug - 'Sledding' and i've distressed it with : Tim Holtz - 'Tumbled Glass And Faded Jeans', the snowflakes are : Marianne D - 'LR0125' and i covered them in : Stampin Up - 'Heat And Stick Powder and Dazzling Diamonds'

The Challenges I Wound Like To Enter :

Bearly Mine - where Challenge No: 116 is a 'Sketch' - and i thought it was just super

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Christmas Creatures'

Simon Say's Stamp - where the Challenge is 'Let It Snow'

Crafty Little Fairies - where the Challenge is 'Let It Snow'

Allsorts - where Challenge No: 237 is 'Snowflakes'

Crafty Calendar - where this Month's Challenge is 'Cold And Frosty'

Thanks for looking and for any comments you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Ginger Joy

Hi,

I hope your Christmas plans are coming together nicely - it's H's nativity tomorrow and his school fete on Friday and i'm looking after the Mulled Wine stall for 2 and a half hours, shame i can't have more than 1 glass though, as i will be driving :-(

Today's image is a sweetie i fell in love with and have not got round to using it - shame on me, and i distressed him all over with Tim Holtz - 'Tea Dye and Brushed Corduary' and only used my Twinkling H20's for the holly, so i've teamed it up with some Basic Grey papers - 'Nordic Holiday', the sentiment is PB - 'Candy Cane Wishes / Transparent Set', the ribbon is some, i simply had to have the last time i visited 'The Craft Barn'.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Crafty Little Fairies - where the Challenge is 'Candy Stripes'

Basic Grey - where Challenge No: 109 is 'Happy Christmas' - i've used 'Nordic Holiday' papers

Sweet Stampin' - where the Challenge is 'Ribbons'

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where December's Challenge is 'Christmas'

Creative Belli - where Challenge No: 184 is 'Candy' - i've used my old 'Candy Cane Brads'

Moving Along With The Times - where the Challenge is 'Time To Get Sketchy'

Crafty Ribbons - where Challenge No: 73 is 'Spots Or Stripes'

Image - Penny Black - 'Ginger Joy'

Sentiment - Penny Black - 'Candy Cane Wishes / Transparent Set'

Papers - Basic Grey - 'Nordic Holiday'

Ribbon from 'The Craft Barn'

Candy Cane Brads from stash

Thanks for looking and for any comments, you would like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Duck-Noel

Hi,

Well life is a little crazy at the moment, i have been quiet for a week, bar of course my 2 DT cards PB & More and Ready Teddy Go), but i spent 4 days putting 17 cards together for Harrison's Beavers to finish off (there is a picture of the card, if you scroll down), i chose the Bubble Star, but being a cardmaker, i wouldn't let them make anything i wouldn't want to receive myself - that was probably my first mistake !!, as it took me 4 days and 2 shopping trips to The Glitter Pot to make !!

I have used this stamp before, but only with orange card and paper, i'm loving it in Monochrome, with a hint of orange - the only problem is i love 'Black And White Xmas Papers', but can't seem to find anymore, if anybody has any ideas, i would be most grateful, as i have used the last of my DCWV - 'Black And White Prints', now on this card, Ribbon is Stampin Up and orange gems are from stash.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 287

Sweet Stampin' - where the Challenge is 'Black, White And Just One Other Colour'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

Creative Craft Challenges 2 - where Challenge No: 24 is 'Non Traditional Christmas Colours - No Red or Green'

Creative Inspirations - where Challenge No: 243 is 'Contemporary Christmas Colours'

Image - Penny Black - 'Duck-Noel' - covered in Stampin' Up - 'Dazzling Diamonds'

Papers - DCWV - 'Black & White Prints Paper Stack'

Ribbon - Stampin' Up

Gems from stash

And this is the card i made for the Beavers and this is the one H finished off (and i've just noticed he's left off a holographic peel-off !)

Thanks for looking and for any comments, you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Christmas Peace

Hi,

Today is also the start of the Challenge at Penny Black & More and this month it's 'Traditional Christmas Colours' and we have some super prizes for you too, from :

Penny Black

Classy Crafts

Flonz

And One lucky person using a Penny Black Image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month and win a gift too. So pop over to Penny Black And More, check out the other amazing inspiration the very talented team have come up with, and join in the fun, but please do remember you can use any image you like, except Digi's.

And this is what I made :

The papers are Echo Park - 'Season's Greetings', the sentiment is Penny Black - 'Christmas Banners', the punched edge is MS - 'Presents', the twine and charm are from my stash.

The Challenges I would like to enter are :

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

Stampin' For The Weekend - where the Challenge is 'Feeling Festive'

Christmas Cards All Year Round - where the Challenge is 'Stockings' 

Sparkles - where Challenge No: 50 is 'Animals'

Divas By Design - where the Challenge is 'Use Some Red'

Crafty Little Fairies - where the Challenge is 'Classic Christmas' - Marianne suggested i joined in, thanks hun

Please scroll down for my Ready Teddy post 

Thanks for looking and for any comments you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Aiming To Please / Ready Teddy Go

Hi,

Today is a sad day, as it's my last post for Ready Teddy Go, i will always be grateful to Julie Ann and Sally for asking me to be part of a fabby team, but after 6 months, i struggle some months to make any other cards except my DT ones and then 2 end up coming out on the same day - like today !!, plus the fact that i'm unable to use digi's, as i colour in with Twinkling H20's and i find they bleed, which i feel guilty about.

Challenge No: 29 this month over on  Ready Teddy Go  is 'Contemporary Christmas' and the lovely Sally is offering a fantastic prize for you to win too.

Now pop over to the Challenge and check out what the fantastic team has made.

Remember if you want to enter you must use a BEAR image, and this is what i came up with :

I've used a stamp, that i've had for a while and think is adorable, it's dated 2008, i've also used some papers and buttons that i bought last year at Hobbycraft in the sale (paper pack was £2), the sentiment is : Penny Black - 'Let It Snow Transparent Set', the ribbon i won from Crafty Ribbons in a blog challenge.

Today's Challenges :

Sketch And Stash - where they are up to Challenge No: 126 and it's a super sketch, that i was looking for

Oldie But A Godie - where the Challenge is 'Ribbons And Lace' - my old items are the stamp, the papers and buttons (last years), the ribbon 

Heck Of A Challenge  - where  Decembers Challenge is 'Colourful Christmas' 

Crafty Ribbons - where Challenge No: 72 is 'Anything Goes With Ribbon' - and i was fortunate enough to win this super ribbon in a blog Challenge from 'Crafty Ribbons' too.

Thanks for looking and for any comments, you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Christmas Dreams

Hi,

H absolutely loved 'The Lion King' and it was one of those 'Mastercard' moments too, especially when the animals were walking through the audience - ? for the tickets, ? for the train and meal, but seeing H's eye's nearly popping out of his head - priceless !!. The boys went to Wembley yesterday to see the Rugby League Semi Final and they came home tired, but gutted, as England lost the game, with 22 seconds to go.

This stamp reminds me of the nursery rhyme 'Wee Willie Winkie', and i have used Spellbinders 'Label 10', the papers are LOTV - 'Classic Christmas', the sentiment is LOTV - 'Merry Christmas Set Of 4', the holly die is Marianne D Creatables - 'LR0244' and highlighted with Stickles 'Green' and Tim Holtz - 'Distress Stickles, Barn Door', i've also distressed the image with Tim Holtz Distress Ink - 'Barn Door'

Today's Card And Challenges :

Bearly Mine - where Challenge No: 113 is 'Traditional Christmas Colours (Red & Green) And Using Die Cuts

Top Tip Tuesday - where Challenge No : 114 is a 'Borrowed Sketch'

Fab N' Funky - where Challenge No: 194 is Birthday Celebrations, where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

Sweet Stampin' - where they are celebrating their 4th Birthday and the Challenge is 'Celebrations'

Image - Penny Black - 'Christmas Dreams'

Image Stamped On - Spellbinders - 'Labels 10'

Papers - LOTV - 'Classic Christmas'

Sentiment - LOTV - 'Merry Christmas / Set Of 4'

Holly Die - Marianne D - decorated with Stickles - Green and Distress Glitter - Barn Door'

Pearls from stash 

Thanks for looking and for any comments you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Cat Bath

Hi,

A friend of mine, who was around and supportive of me 10 years ago when my first husband passed away - lost her own battle last week to Liver and Colon Cancer and this is the card i have made to send to her family - i don't do Sympathy cards, i do Thinking Of You and part remembering - hence the image, my friend had a house with a stream at the bottom of her garden and i remember every time i went over, you would see all sorts of birds (including ducks and kingfishers) and she had a cat, that her husband called 'Cooking Fat' - i'm sure you'll work out, what he really meant !!

Today's Card And Challenges :

Dream Valley Challenges  - where Challenge No: 70 is 'Clean And Simple'

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 193 is Clean And Simple'

Totally Gorjuss - where Challenge No: 210 is 'Use 3 Patterned Papers'

Image - Penny Black - 'Cat Bath'

Papers - Bo Bunny - 'Isabella'

Punched Edge - MS - 'Pop - Up Butterflies'

Pearls from stash

Thanks for looking and for any comments you would like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Wonderful Christmas / Penny Black & More

Hi,

This post is scheduled, as i'm probably feeling a little tired, as yesterday we took H to see 'The Lion King' in London for an early birthday present (as his birthday is the beginning of January).

We are up to mid month in November and that means it's Penny Black And More and the Challenge this month is 'Anything Goes', so you have no excuse not to join in ?? - but just please remember NO DIGI'S ARE ALLOWED. We have some fantastic sponsors too :

Penny Black

Crafts U Love

My Mum's Craft Shop

And One lucky person using a Penny Black Image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month and win a gift too. So pop over to Penny Black And More, check out the other amazing inspiration the very talented team have come up with, and join in the fun, but please do remember you can use any image you like, except Digi's.

And here's what i made :

This is a stamp, that just makes me giggle, as i can imagine cats / kittens up and down the country, making their own fun with a Christmas Tree :-), i have decoupage the ornaments and embossed them, i've also embossed the ornament dies and the pearls with : WOW - 'Metallic Gold Rich Super Fine WC04SF'. Every year i always succumb to a new paper pack (like i need anymore !!), and it's ususally Bo Bunny and this year is no exception, i fell in love with : Bo Bunny - 'Silver & Gold Collection' and i've mounted them on Pearlescent Gold card. The ornaments are : MB - 'Precious Ornaments', the sentiment is : LOTV - 'Christmas Tags' (i had to mask the tag off) there are 2 Ribbons - the sheer one is 'Bridal Inspirations' and the top one i bought after falling in love with at The Craft Barn.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

ABC Christmas  - where they are up to 'W for Wishes'

Penny Black Saturday Friends - where November's Challenge is 'Sparkler'

A Little Bit Crafty - where November's Challenge is 'Sparkle And Shine'

WOW Embossing Powder  - where the Challenge is 'Christmas And Winter' - i've used WOW - 'Metallic Gold Rich Super Fine WC04SF' on the ornament dies, the baubles on the image and the pearls (so that they matched the gold).

My Time To Craft - where Challenge No: 243 is 'Baubles'

Thanks for looking and for any comments you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Igloo Bears

Hi,

Am i the only one who cries when the 'John Lewis' advert 'The Bear And The Hare' comes on?, it so reminds me of 'Watership Down' and i think it's absolutely adorable and so perfect and i have already succumb to ordering the book for H for Christmas :-), - for those of you who do not live in the UK and have not seen the advert here it is :The Bear And The Hare, just click on the link.

The image i've used today is one i bought when i visited the LOTV shop and along with the LOTV - 'Sentiment Tags', i versamarked them, covered them in : Stampin Up - 'Heat & Stick Powder', heat it, then added 'Dazzling Diamonds', i've used : Cuttlebug - 'Ice Crystals' embossing folder, the corner die is : MB - 'Snowflake Corner', the pearls are 'Papermania'.

Today's Card And Challlenges Are :

The Ribbon Girls - The November Challenge is : 'Lili And Sparkle'

Allsorts - where Challenge No: 232 is 'White Christmas'

Crafty Little Fairies - where the Challenge is 'Christmas In November'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Snow And Ice'

Divas By Design - where the Challenge is 'Something Snowy'

Christmas At Sweet Stampin' - where Novembers Challenge is 'White On White AKA WOW'

Image - LOTV - 'Igloo Bears'

Sentiment - LOTV - 'Christmas Tags'

Embossing - Cuttlebug - 'Ice Crystals'

Corner Die - MB - 'Snowflake Corner'

Pearls - 'Papermania'

Ribbon from stash

Thanks for looking, and for any comments you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Merry Christmas Allover

Hi,

Well Alan and I are a very proud mummy and daddy yesterday, as H was the flag bearer for his beaver's group at the Remembrance Service today and he did himself proud too, he also got a very good school report from his new teacher of 8 weeks - saying he has settled in very well and that he is up to Phase 6 in Phonics and his spellings, reading, maths and writing is above average too.

Today's card is a little different for me as it's more CAS, then i would normally do, but felt the stamp needed it (the code for this PB stamp is 1892M and was produced in 2000), firstly i stamped it in Versamark and embossed it with : Stamp Stuff - 'Crystal' embossing powder, i then distressed the sentiment with : Tim Holtz Distressed Inks - 'Bundled Sage & Salty Ocean', i used : Tim Holtz - 'Barn Door' Glitter Glue (for the holly berries), Stickles Glitter Glue - 'Star Dust' (for the stars) and 'Green' (for the holly leaves) and finished it off with Bazzill Bling and White Sheer Ribbon.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Penny Black Friends  - where November's Challenge is 'Sparkler'

Totally Papercrafts - where Challenge No: 192 is 'Use Glitter'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes - with an emphasis on Xmas'

Simon Say's Stamp - where the Challenge is 'CAS'

Sweet Stampin' - where the Challenge is 'Christmas Is Coming'

I'm still not happy with these photos as the colours are more blue, than green !!

the 2nd photo, shows the glitter shimmer off better

Sentiment - Penny Black - 'Merry Christmas Allover'

Embossing Powder - Stamp N Stuff - 'Crystal'

Distressed Ink - Tim Holtz - 'Bundled Sage And Salty Ocean'

Glitter Glue - Tim Holtz - 'Barn Door'

Stickles Glitter Glue - 'Green and Star Dust'

White Sheer Ribbon from stash

Thanks for looking, and for any comments you would like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Bubble Bath

Hi,

We had a fabby time in Valencia and even managed to escape the bad weather too, - it's a city we visited, a couple of years ago for a day, when we were on a cruise and decided we would love to go back and it didn't disappoint either - we visited Oceangraphic (it's a sealife centre, but the size of 6 football stadiums), hired bikes,(although H can ride a bike without stabilisers, but in a strange place, we felt it was better to leave them), where we went down to the port and cycled round some of the F1 track !!, the Science Museum, the temp was 27-29C, which was nice to get the summer clothes out for one last time this year.

I had the Flu jab on Saturday and have felt rough very since(headaches and joint stiffness), been to see my Kinesiologist today and she has given me something to ease things - mind you i'm not surprised i feel rough when i found out, what they put in it :-(

Before today i have never made a centre stepper card and being inspired by the very talented Sue, thanks hun and decided to use a LOTV image, the paper is : Doodlebug - 'True Love Assortment' (one of the papers out of it), the heart die at the bottom : MB - 'Cherish Border' and the heart die going down is : MB - 'Twirled Heart' and i've used 'The Hobby House' 8mm White Heart Pearls, the ribbon is from 'The Ribbon Girls'.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Crafty Little Fairies -where the Challenge is 'For The One You Love'

The Ribbon Girls - where the November Challenge is 'See Your Stripes'

Sweet Stampin' - where the Challenge is 'Time For A Shaped Card'

The Hobby House - where Challenge No: 6 is 'Pearls' - i've used - 8mm White Heart Pearls

LOTV  - where November's Challenge is 'Pink And White'

In The Pink - where Challenge No: 31 is 'Ribbons And Bows'

And a side view :

Image - LOTV - 'Bubble Bath'

Paper - Doodlebug - 'True Love Assortment'

Die at the bottom - MB - 'Cherish Border'

Die going down - MB - 'Twirled Heart'

8mm White Heart Pearls - The Hobby House

Ribbon - The Ribbon Girls 

And a couple photo's of Valencia :

H at Oceangrafic, just before we walked through the shark tunnel !!

I think this is a classic photo - what do you think ??

The Science Museum and Oceangraftic

Thanks for looking and for any comments, you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Well - Wishers / Penny Black At Allsorts

Hi,

Well as it's the start of November and we have a new Challenge for you over at : Penny Black At Allsorts and it's one you can all join in with 'Anything Goes' and we have some amazing sponsors too.

Penny Black

Crafts U Love

My Mum's Craft Shop

And One lucky person using a Penny Black Image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month and win a gift too. So pop over to Penny Black And More, check out the other amazing inspiration the very talented team have come up with, and join in the fun, but please do remember you can use any image you like, except Digi's.

And Here's What I Made :

This is a stamp, i've had in my collection for a long time and never got round to using it, - i think the size of it has put me off, the sentiment is : PB - 'Salutations', the papers are : Dovecraft - 'Piece Of Cake' and the image was distressed with 'Spun Sugar and Victorian Velvet', Ribbon is from my stash.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

Crafty Ribbons - where Challenge No: 68 is 'Anything Goes With Ribbon'

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

Joanna Sheen - where the Challenge is 'Food For Thought !'

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - where October's Challenge is 'Ribbon'

Thanks for looking and for any comments you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Mr Fix It / Ready Teddy Go

Hi,

We are up to Challenge No: 28 at Ready Teddy Go and it's a nice easy one 'Embossing - Dry Or Heat' and we are sponsored by :

Di's Digi Downloads and you will have $10 to spend

Remember if you want to enter you must use a BEAR image, and this is what i came up with :

now go over to Ready Teddy Go and see what the rest of the amazing DT have made.

When i went up to the LOTV shop this is one of the images i bought and at the moment i thought it was a bit apt, as before we went to Valencia Alan and H were decorating H's room in readiness for his new cabin bed. The embossing folders are : Cuttlebug - 'Hi Voltage and Spots And Dots', punched edge : MS - 'Modern Garland', Sentiment : Inkadinkadoo - 'Happy Everything', Garland is : MB - 'Simple Banner' twine, charms and brads are from my stash.

The Challenges I would like to enter are :

A Creative Romance - where the Challenge is 'Add Some Metal' - mine is charms and brads

C.R.A.F.T - where Challenge No: 231 is 'For The Boys'

Creative Card Crew - where Challenge No: 48 is 'Teddy Bear's Picnic'

Stampavie And More - where Challenge No: 197 is 'Bear'

Moving Along With The Times - where the Challenge is 'No (Design / Digital) Papers

Thanks for entering for any comments you would kindly like to leave would be most appreciated too, Luv Sam x

Stocking !

Hi,

Sorry for the lack of post and commenting - only i have struggled a little this week, as we going away on Sunday for 4 days to Valencia (as it's half term) and i've had to do my DT cards for the start of November and time seems to have passed me by.  H has gone to Arundel Castle today with school and he was so excited about going, he woke up at 5.30am - eek, i guess he is going to ratty later, so he'll be going to bed early :-)

Today's card is using an image that i so love, but have never got round to using, the paper is : LOTV - 'Krafty Christmas', i dug out an old die cut for the large snowflakes : Cuttlebug - 'Ice Crystal', the punched edge is : MS - 'Skyland Snowflake Deep Edge Punch' - both are embossed with 'Crystal' embossing powder and highlighted with liquid pearls, the ribbon is from : 'The Ribbon Girls'.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Crafty Little Fairies - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

The Ribbon Girls - where Octobers Colour Challenge is 'Brown'

Moving Along With The Times - where the Challenge is 'Shape Up - any shape except Square'

Winter Wonderland - where the Challenge is 'Check It Out'

Addicted To Stamps - where Challenge No: 67 is 'Christmas Is Coming'

Here Comes The Boys - where Challenge No: 63 is 'Christmas In Brown And Cream'

Image - Penny Black - 'Stocking !'

Paper- LOTV - 'Krafty Christmas'

Large Snowflake - Cuttlebug - 'Ice Crystal'

Punched Edge - MS - 'Skyland Snowflake Deep Edge Punch'

Embossing Powder - Stamp Stuff - 'Crystal'

Liquid Pearls - 'White Opal'

Stickles - 'Cinnamon'

Ribbon - 'The Ribbon Girls'

Thanks for looking and for any comments you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Fragile !! / Penny Black And More

Hi,


Well we are half way through our October Challenge over at  Penny Black And More  this month which is 'Anything Goes', so if you haven't entered yet, why don't you join in, we also have some wonderful sponsors this month :

Penny Black

Crimson Cloud

Crafty Ribbons

Nicecrane

And One lucky person using a Penny Black Image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month and win a gift too. So pop over to Penny Black And More, check out the other amazing inspiration the very talented team have come up with, and join in the fun, but please do remember you can use any image you like, except Digi's.

Here's what i made :

I really like making Valentine's cards - that's lucky, when i send 10 every year to a charity, who sends them out to our troops in Afghanistan and as i'm a couple short, i thought i would make, the image is from 2000, (i much prefer the older stamps), i've mounted the image onto : Spellbinders 'Heart Circles', the papers are : Echo Park - 'Yours Truly', the decorative heart edge is : Crafty Sentiments Designs - 'Fancy Floral', sentiment is : PB - 'Love You' and the heart behind it is : Woodware 'Silhouette Punch', gems are : Papermania.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

Stamping Sensations - where October's Challenge is 'All Creatures Great And Small'

Stampin' For The Weekend - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

Bearly Mine - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

Creative Craft - where Challenge No: 21 is 'Anything Goes and they are celebrating their 4th Blogaversary'

Thanks for looking and for any comments you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Naughty Or Nice ?

Hi,

H has got his assembly on Friday and it's his first one, since he moved to his new school and i think it's on 'Dragons' he has also got a Halloween disco on Friday and i've had to buy Alan some beers, as bribery for him to go with us, as it's at the school - don't get me wrong, he's not unsociable just hates children's discos, i hope this one is not too loud !!!

Today's card is using a PB i so love but have never found the right sketch for it, but i have now thanks to Sketch Saturday and it will definitely be very useful for the other long PB stamps i have, although this is a larger sized card to the normal ones i do it's 8" x 6". The paper is Bo Bunny - 'Tis The Season', Sentiment PB - 'Crystalline', Snowflakes are Marianne D - 'LR0125'.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 280

Christmas At Sweet Stampin'  - where the Challenge is 'Cards For Men' - this one will probably be sent to Alan - as he normally ends up with a dog image - i wonder why !!!

Deep Ocean  - where Challenge No: 62 is 'Christmas Is Around The Corner'

Charisma Cardz - where Challenge No: 40 is 'Animals'

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - where Challenge No: 37 is 'Simply Christmas'

Image - Penny Black - 'Naughty Or Nice ?'

Paper - Bo Bunny - 'Tis The Season'

Sentiment - PB - 'Crystalline'

Snowflakes - Marianne D - 'LR0125'

Gems from stash

Thanks for looking and for any comments, you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Christmas Angel - Praying

Hi,

What what a rotten day, it is today - chucking it down with rain and doesn't look like it's going to stop either and H is supposed to be going on a Beaver farm walk and sausage sizzle too !!, yesterday was lots better we went to an Autumn Countryside Show at the 'Weald And Downland Museum' and whilst there we saw none other than 'Lord Crawley' - Hugh Bonneville.

I thought it i would make a Christmas card using some very old pastel papers they are K & Co - 'Swell Noel' and i've teamed it up with an LOTV stamp, round the edge of the image i stamped in Versamark, using the stamp PB - 'Snow Scroll', i then used Crystal embossing powder, the sentiment is LOTV and the snowflakes are MB - 'Precious Snowflakes'.

Today's Card And Challenges :

Card Mania - where Challenge No: 31 is 'Pastel Colours'

Totally Gorjuss - where Challenge No: 205 is 'Wings And Things'

Crafty Little Fairies - where the Challenge is 'Pretty In Pink'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'It Takes Two' - I have used 2 papers and 2 snowflakes

Lili Of The Valley - Ideas To Inspire  - where Septembers Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - where they are up to Sketch No: 227 and another super one, it is too, thank you

A close-up of the embossed snow scroll, as i wasn't sure the first picture showed the sparkle 

Image - LOTV - 'Christmas Angel - Praying'

Swirl on image - PB - 'Snow Scroll'

Papers - K & Co - 'Swell Noel'

Snowflakes - MB - 'Precious Snowflakes'

Sentiment - LOTV

Pearls - Crystal Stickers

Thanks for looking and for any comments you would kindly like to leave, would me most appreciated, Luv Sam x

Delicate Florals / Penny Black & More

Hi,

The October Challenge over at  Penny Black And More  this month is 'Anything Goes', so there is no reason why you shouldn't have a go and join in, we also have some wonderful sponsors this month :

Penny Black

Crimson Cloud

Crafty Ribbons

Nicecrane

And One lucky person using a Penny Black Image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month and win a gift too. So pop over to Penny Black And More, check out the other amazing inspiration the very talented team have come up with, and join in the fun, but please do remember you can use any image you like, except Digi's.

And Here's What I Made :

I recently went to a class held by the very talented Kay Carley and we used 'JoFo' stamps, but i decided to come home and play with my PB's and this is the result :

I stamped 40-103 'Delicate Florals' in the middle

next was : 3549F 'Love In Bloom' and i stamped it out on a piece of plain paper twice before i stamped it on the card - this is the one that looks like grasses at the bottom

then i masked off the hedgehog in 4057K 'Flutter- bye' and stamped the butterfly, i coloured them all in with Twinkling H20's,

then distressed the whole card with Tim Holtz - 'Weathered Wood and Bundled Sage' and then spritzed it,

I decided i didn't want the whole of 3947K 'Day-dreams', so again i masked half of it off and then stamped using 'Weathered Wood'

the sentiment is taken from 30-014 'Salutations'

I went round the edge with Stickles - 'Crystal' and mounted the card on to Bazzill Bling that i had embossed in the corners with CB - 'Victoria.

I must confess it did take me 5 attempts to get to this stage, but i'm so pleased with the end result though.

The Challenges I would like to enter are :

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

Cute Card Thursday - where Challenge No: 289 is 'Signs Of Distress'

Moving Along With The Times  - where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes'

A Little Bit Crafty - where the Challenge is 'A Little Bit Shabby'

Top Tip Tuesday - where Challenge No: 111 is 'Flowers'

Thanks for looking and for any comments, you would kindly like to leave, would be most appreciated, Luv Sam x