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