My Favourite 5 Xmas Cards 2015

Hi,

Sorry i haven't been around for since before Xmas, but there is a good reason - Alan, Harrison and I flew to Dubai on 17th December, where we spent 3 nights, then we joined a cruise ship and visited Oman, Abu Dhabi and back to Dubai, where we flew home on 28th, and since then Harrison has been struggling with jet lag, waking up at somewhere between 4 and 5 every morning - i'll show you some photo's on my next post.

I'm entering the lovely Debby's annual Favourite Xmas Cards Of The Year

One - Scoop



I love the layout and i have used it again recently for Harrison's Birthday Card, plus i love kraft



Warm Wishes Reindeer



I have a real soft spot for old Penny Blacks and this one is from 1997


Waddle In The Puddle



I love the Monochrome look of this card and this image is also so easy and quick to colour in too

Angel Praying



Another Monochrome card, but i love using the Memory Box snowflake circles to frame an image

Cozy Cottage

Alan thinks this is the best card i've ever made, it was lucky it was sent to his Dad then ;-)

I hope you like the collection, i've come up with ?

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

Scooting Along

Hi,

I so hope this works, as i'm scheduling this post - due to the fact my son broke up from school yesterday (today is an inset day) and today we are out and about having fun. This is my last card for 2015, therefore i would like to wish each of you a very 'Happy Christmas'.

We are up to mid month at Penny Black And More where the Challenge is 'Anything Goes With A Stamp' and as usual we have some fabby sponsors :

Penny Black

Stamp Addicts

Sizzix

A Pair Of Tickets To : Stitch, Stamp And Sewing Craft Show At Manchester In February

I hope you don't mind but as it's Harrison's Birthday on 3rd January, i thought i would take this opportunity to make him a card, using a stamp, that i bought at the 2nd Hand Craft Sale : Penny Black - 'Scooting Along / 4128J / 2011', the image is stamped on ; Die-namics - 'Stitched Rounded Rectangles', the papers are : Echo Park - 'That's My Boy', the curved edging : Spellbinders - 'A2 Curved Borders One', the banner is : Die-namics - 'Fishtail Flags', the sentiment is : Woodware - 'Circular Greetings', the number in the middle is : Sizzix - 'Fruit Smoothies'

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

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

Gingerbread Treehouse

Hi,

On Saturday i went to see Matthew Bourne's Production of 'Sleeping Beauty', whilst the Alan and H went to Brick 2015 (Lego exhibition) at the Docklands and we all had a fabby day. I was supposed to go and see H's school production last night, but unfortunately i was unable to make it, as i had to go to the dentist, as a filling had fallen out and because they gave me an injection, which made me feel wobbly and tonights show is full.

This is my last Christmas creation for 2015, this tag nearly didn't happen, as i tried to make it about 4 times (thanks goodness i have lots of snippet white card !!) and i wanted to use this cute image : Penny Black - 'Gingerbread Treehouse / 918F / 1996', so i decided to make a tag (but it will probably be turned into a card), the sentiment is : Penny Black - 'Winter Wonders / 30-087 / 2011', embossed with : WOW - 'Silver Embossing Powder', the snowflakes are : free from Quick Cards and embossed with : Stampendous - Crystal Embossing Powder, I've distressed it with: Tim Holtz - 'Weathered Wood And Iced Spruce', the ribbon is from : The Ribbon Girls

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are : 

Stempelgarten  - where Challenge No: 44 is 'Christmas Time'

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

Stamping Sensations - where December's Challenge is 'Anything Goes With A Stamp And Ribbon'

Penny Black Saturday - where December's Challenge is 'Christmas / Holiday'

Crafty Catz - where Challenge No; 305 is 'Sparkle And Shine'

Pixie's Snippet Playground - where the lovely Di is up to Challenge No: 207

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

Cozy Cottage

Hi,

I normally schedule my post, but i have so much going on - last night i was at my Strictly Dancing Class Party and had a fabby time too, i took a bottle of wine expecting to bring it home and i did - but with only enough for a glass for Alan ;-) (and this is from a person who normally only has a glass of wine with dinner, when i'm on a cruise, as we usually have a drinks package included !!), plus i've been trying to pin down my best friend in OZ, as she is coming over for Xmas - yipee, as i miss her so much.

This month's  Challenge over at Penny Black And More is 'Anything Goes With A Stamped Image' and as usual we have some fabby sponsors too :

Penny Black 

Stamp Addicts

Sizzix 

A Pair Of Tickets To : Stitch, Stamp, Sewing Craft Show In Manchester In February

Today's card is for Alan's Dad and he is not keen on cute cards, i have had this stamp? Penny Black - 'Cozy Cottage / 945H / 1996' for a while and i wasn't sure what to do with it ? as i wanted to create a snowy scene and stamp and colour it in, in brown and green - so i used Distress Inks for a change : Tim Holtz - 'Brushed Corduroy and Peeled Paint', the snow on the cottage and in the garden is : Aleene's True Snow, the sky is : Tim Holtz - 'Milled Lavender, Stormy Sky and Chipped Sapphire', the snow is : Stampendous Frantage - 'Chunky White Embossing Enaemel' and the sentiment is : Penny Black - 'Friends And Family / 3991F / 2009' stamped in brown.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

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

Pixie's Crafty Workshop - where Di is up to Challenge No: 206 

Sweet Stampin' - where the Challenge is 'Snow Time'

Penny Black Saturday - where December's Challenge is 'Christmas / Holidays'

Fussy And Fancy - where Challenge No: 153 is 'Words'

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

Bedecked Antlers

Hi,

I hope you are all ok - gee hasn't it turned cold, even had to reach for my thermals !!, i'm taking full advantage this week of not having to pick H up from school at 3.15pm, for 3 nights with getting ahead with some cards i've got to make.

Today's card is using a stamp that makes me giggle: Penny Black - 'Bedecked Antlers / 2520J / 2002', card shape is a : Go Kreate, the papers are an old : DCWV - 'Rose Tinted Christmas Multistack', the snowflake border down the side is : Memory Box - 'Frostyville Border', covered in : Stampin' Up - 'Heat And Stick Powder, then Dazzling Diamonds', covered in pearls : that i won in Christine's House Mouse Blog Hop, the ornament is : Memory Box - 'Precious Ornaments', covered in : Stickles - 'Ice Crystals'

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

Clear It Out  - where the Theme is 'Holiday / Christmas' and the Stash is 'Glitter'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Take Your Pick' - I've used Sketch No: 74, Technique - Glitter It, Product - Baubles

Sparkles Forum Christmas - where Challenge No: 59 is 'Christmas Decorations'

Allsorts - where Challenge No: 338 is 'Use At Least 3 Die Cuts' - i've used 5

Penny Black Friends - where Novembers Challenge is 'Dies And / Or Punches'

Pixies Snippets Playground - where Di is up to Challenge No: 204

Scrappy Mo's Rudolph  - November Christmas Challenge

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

Make - Believe

Hi,

We are up to the mid month post at Penny Black And More and the Challenge this month is : Anything Stamped For Christmas and as usual we have some fabby sponsors too :

Penny Black

Crafts U Love

Crafty Ribbons

And one lucky person using a Penny Black image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month, 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.

Today's image is : Penny Black - 'Make - Believe / 4007K / 2009', cut with : Die-namics - 'Stitched Pierced Rectangles' and distressed edge with : Tim Holtz - 'Aged Mahogany' and the sentiment is : Penny Black - 'Holly - Jolly Transparent Set' / 30-039/ 2009', the glove die is : Memory Box - 'Precious Mittens', the papers are 8 years old !! : Dovecraft - 'Ho Ho Ho', the ribbon is from stash and the pearls are from : The Works.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are : 

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is - 'Let It Snow'

Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas - where Challenge - 'CHNC 255 Is Red And Green Must Be Seen'

Sweet Stampin' - where the Challenge is - 'Wrap Up Warm'

ABC Christmas - where they are up to 'W For Wild Thing'

Holly Jolly Christmas - where the Challenge is 'Ribbons And Pearls'

Creative Inspirations - where Challenge No: 336 is 'Festive Fun'

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

3 Bears

Hi,

I'm sorry if i haven't got to round to your blogs this week, only i had 5 migraines in 4 days over last weekend - i'm off to have it checked out today, as i seem to be getting a lot after my time of the month !! This weekend we are off to a Christmas Market at Singleton.

Sorry another 'Thank You' card today, this time using: Penny Black - 'Bear Blank 1 & 2 / 1450E & 1451F / 2006', cut with: Go Kreate - 'Large Scalloped & Plain Circles', the letters used on the images: Sizzix - 'Naturally Serif', the papers are : LOTV - 'Bear Necessities', the 'You' is: Penny Black - 'Wishes Die / 51-036 / 2014', the banner - Die-namics - 'Fishtail Banners'.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

Cuttlebug Mania - where the Challenge is 'Thank You'

Tuesday Throwdown - where Challenge No: 270 is 'Thank You'

Dream Valley - where Challenge No: 119 is 'Shaped Cards - No Squares Or Rectangles'

Make It Monday - where the Challenge is 'Many Thanks'

Penny Black Saturday - where November's Challenge is 'Dies And / Or Punches' - i went for dies

Pixie's Snippet Playground - where they are up to week No: 202 - the only complete piece of paper is the base one

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

Cheesecake Express x2

Hi,

Alan and i are going on a date night tomorrow, we are off to see 'Spectre' - the new James Bond movie, has anyone seen it yet ? and what if yes, what do you think of it ?

Card 1 - Sorry about the photos, only it's very miserable here today

I needed a couple of Thank You cards for males, the image is : Penny Black - 'Cheescake Express / 1685J / 2002', the die it's stamped on is : Die-namics - 'Stitched Rounded Rectangles', distressed round the edges : Tim Holtz - 'Weathered Wood and Tumbled Glass', the sentiment is : Penny Black - 'Salutations / 30-014 / 2008', the papers are : Basic Grey - 'Oliver', the background paper is cut with : Tonic - 'Scalloped Square Layering', the punched edge : MS - 'Modern Garland', the twine is : K And Co, the brads are from my stash.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

Sweet Stampin' - where the Challenge is 'Dies And / Or Punches' - I've used both

Fab N Funky - where Challenge No: 280 is 'Dies And / Or Punches' - I've used both

Simon Say's Stamp - where this weeks Challenge is 'Thanks / Thanksgiving'

Use Your Stuff - where Challenge No: 198 is 'Use Old Stash' - mine is the stamp, papers, brads and punch

Card 2 

The stamp, distress inks, sentiment, papers, scalloped die and brads are the same as Card 1, the embossing is : Cuttlebug - 'Clockworks', the banners are cut using : Die-namics - 'Fishtail Flags'.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

Eureka Stamps - where Challenge No: 65 is 'Give Thanks'

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Week No : 385 - I've chosen Sketch No: 293

Pixies Snippets Playground - where Di is up to Week : 201 

Crafty Cardmakers  - where Challenge No: 151 is 'Thank You'

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

Santa Quartet

Hi,

Tomorrow Harrison goes back to school, after a busy half term, where he has been to a 'Fun Food Academy', Drusillas (a play area, come small animal centre), Rugby (twice), a fun day at the Leisure Centre and on Friday night we went for a talk by 'Steve Backshall' (one of Harrison's hero's, the other being Bear Grylls) - the Deadly 60 guy.

I can't believe it's the first Sunday in November, which means a new Challenge over at   Penny Black And More and this month it's 'Anything Stamped For Christmas' and as usual we have some fabby sponsors too :

Penny Black

Crafts U Love

Crafty Ribbons

And one lucky person using a Penny Black image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month, 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 

This was a particularly hard image for me to finish, as i started colouring it in, in the morning of the day, we had to have Whisper put to sleep : Penny Black - 'Santa Quartet / 1273K / 1998', the papers are my favourite collection (so much so, i bought a magazine last year, as they were giving another pack away) : Bo Bunny - 'Silver And Gold Collection', the sentiment and the pearls have been embossed with : WOW - 'Metallic Gold Rich Embossing Powder', the sentiment is : Whimsy Stamps - 'Holiday Mini Postage Stamps', the twine is : Glissen Gloss - 'Sparkle'

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are : 

Sweet Sketch 2 - where they are up to Sketch : 'SSW2 -73'

Winter Wonderland - where the Challenge is 'Anything As Long As It's Christmas'

Fab N' Funky - where Challenge No: 279 is 'Anything As Long As It's Christmas'

52 Christmas Card Throwdown - where the Challenge 'Pick A Previous Challenge - I've gone for No: 16 - Santa or Father Christmas'

Allsorts - where Challenge No: 335 is 'Christmas'

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

Fairy Holly

Hi,

On Saturday i was invited to a 2nd hand Craft Sale, that was organised by Zoe Pierson in Crawley, i met my Glitter Pot buddy there - Louise and she introduced me to Cary Buckham, Natalie O'Shea (and Louise has persuaded me to go to Cary and Natalie's classes), Zoe Pierson and finally it was lovely to meet up again with Kim Fee (i have done a few of her classes in the past), anyway i only spent £33 and got all this :

I've wanted to use this image for a while, but i couldn't find a suitable layout - now i have, the stamp is : Penny Black - 'Fairy Holly', the papers are : LOTV - 'Snow Princess', distressed the circle : Tim Holtz - 'Milled Lavender', the sentiment is (it's first outing out too) - Whimsy Stamps - 'Holiday Mini Postage Stamps', the bell border is : Whiff Of Joy - 'Bell Festoon Die', that has been embossed with - WOW - 'Metallic Silver Embossing Powder', i've glamour dusted the die and image, the ribbon is from - The Ribbon Girls.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are : 

Crafting Musketeers - where Challenge No: 30 is 'Christmas With Ribbon'

Winter Wonderland  - where the Challenge is 'Jingle Bells' - there are bells on the image and the bell die too

Crafting By Design - where the Challenge is 'Getting Ready For Christmas'

Crafty Friends - where Challenge No: 17 is 'Your Favourite Colour' - For me, it's Purple either on it's own or with another colour

As You Like It  - where the Challenge is 'Brights Or Pastels - Favourite And Why ?' - Mine is Pastels, as Brights scare me

Scrappy Mo's October Rudolph  - where you have to make a Christmas card from 25th - 31st 

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

Coming Up Roses

Hi,

My RA has settled down, thank goodness and last Saturday our local group had a coffee morning, where our guest speaker was the very lovely and informative Dr Karen Walker Bone, unfortunately our chairperson had some bad news - that our branch was closing, fortunately there is another branch about a 15 min drive away in another village. Tonight Alan and I are having a 'Date Night', we are off to see 'Nina Conti' (for those who don't know her, she's a ventriloquist).

There are a few 'Pink' challenges at the moment for 'Breast Cancer' and i chose a House Mouse image that somebody had kindly stamped for me - i think the image is 'Hope Your Birthday Comes Up Roses', i've gently distressed the edge with : Tim Holtz - 'Spun Sugar', the papers are : Papermania - 'Rose Garden', the ribbon is from : The Ribbon Girls, the roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts, the leaves are : Sizzix - 'Flowers, Branches And Leaves Set', the embossing is : Cuttlebug - 'Roses', the sentiment is : Stampin' Up - 'Oval All'.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

In The Pink - where Challenge No: 80 is 'Pink Ribbon'

House Mouse - where Challenge 'HMFMC205' is 'In The Pink'

Cutie Pie - where Challenge No: 92 is 'Pretty In Pink'

The Ribbon Girls - where Octobers Colour Challenge is 'Pastels' - I went for Pink

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'All About The Base' - A Different Shape

Pixie's Snippets Playground - where they are up to Week No: 199

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

Oops!!

Hi,

Thank you for all your kinds words, so i thought i would just to let you all know, my RA is a lot better now, that i'm out walking Clio everyday. Today is the 18th and that means mid month, over at Penny Black And More and our challenge this month is 'Warm Autumn Colours' and as usual we have some fabby sponsors too :

Penny Black

Yours Or Mine Papercraft

Marianne Designs

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

Whilst looking through my list of Penny Black stamps - i came across this cutie and it fits so perfectly at the moment, as our lovely Clio - has a couple of 'Oops'!! 

a) took her to vets to get checked out, receptionists thought she was adorable, gave her treats and strokes and she thanked them, by pooping on their floor !! - how embarrassed was I !! (i did pick it up, but they had to wipe the floor)

b) ate my glasses - and will be picking my new ones up today

The stamp is : Penny Black - 'Oops!! / 1695H / 2000', the papers are : Basic Grey - 'Pyrus', the sentiment is : Stampin' Up - 'Circle Of Friendship', the brads are : Basic Grey - 'Archaic', i've used my fabby : Die-namics - 'Fishtail Banners'

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

My Time To Craft - where Challenge No: 306 is 'Autumnal Colours'

Wags N Whiskers - where Challenge No: 164 is 'Fall Colours'

Sir Stampalot - where the October Challenge is 'Autumn Colours'

Scrap & Craft - where Challenge No: 14 is 'Colours Of Autumn'

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

Catch A Star

Hi,

Three weeks ago i got very emotional as my Rheumatoid Arthiritis was starting to hurt me again and it hasn't done that in 3 and a half years, so we had a look at the dog rescue website - we found a brown and white collie (who was a year old), but when we got to the rescue centre she was gone, they asked us if we still wanted to walk a dog, we said yes and they came out with 'Clio', the first thing she did was jump up at Harrison and cuddle him, with that we were hooked and 12 days ago after a lot of grief from the home checker, she came home with us - (now the tissue time, sorry) she was found dumped in a ditch pregnant in Co Kerry, Ireland, she unfortunately lost the puppies and they still don't know how she survived, she also has a scar on her back, from being burnt, but she is the most loving adorable Labrador Collie X (she is 1-2 years old), you would ever want to meet and absolutely loves children and she has made our house a HOME again.

chilling out in the conservatory

Photo bombing Harrison's school project

Now on the card, the image is : Penny Black - 'Catch A Star / 2094E/ 2002', the papers are pearlescent : Craftwork Cards - 'Tis The Season', the circle shape is : Go Kreate - 'Plain and Scalloped Circles', the star circle is : Memory Box - 'Starry Wreath', the shooting stars is : Memory Box - 'Beloved Stars', the adhesive stones are from : Kars, the ribbon is from my stash.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are : 

Creative Inspirations  - where Challenge No; 330 is 'Stars / And Or Stripes'

Stempelgarten - where Challenge No: 42 is 'Dies'

The Ribbon Girls - where the Challenge is 'Any Image)

Crafty Cardmakers - where Challenge No: 149 is 'Circular Cards'

As You Like It  - where the Challenge is 'Monochrome Or Colour' - i find monochrome makes a statement and stands out and i like the way it does that

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

Fantasy

Hi,

Confession time, i didn't make the McMillian coffee morning last Friday, as my lovely friend Liz's, young son Luke had 12 seizures Thursday night (he is a very sick little boy, that visits the local children's hospice) fortunately he is a lot better now and apparently £505.17 was made at the coffee morning.

Today is the first Sunday in October and that means a new Challenge over at Penny Black And More and this month we would like to see 'Warm Autumn Colours' and as usual, we have some fabby sponsors too :

Penny Black 

Yours Or Mine Papercraft

Marianne Designs

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

I decided i would use an image that is great for lots of different things, including men's cards - Penny Black - 'Fantasy / 3880K / 2008', i started by cutting 2 pieces of card the same size, then cutting a circle in the centre of one of them and then sticking together, i stamped the image with : Versafine / brown and covered it in : WOW - 'Clear Embossing Powder' (i also embossed the sentiment too)and then distressed it with : Tim Holtz - 'Barn Door / Spiced Marmalade / Scattered Straw' and at the end added some tiny brown beads, the sentiment is : Penny Black - 'Thanks, Thanks / 2915F / 2004'.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

Penny Black Saturday - where October's Challenge is 'Embossing'

Alphabet  - where they are up to 'Q Is For Quick And Simple'

Cute Card Thursday - where Challenge No: 393 is 'Masculine'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Take Your Pick - i've picked : Colour Theme, Technique Theme and Product Theme'

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

Angel Praying

Hi,

I'm scheduling this post, as i will be at a Macmillan Big Coffee Morning, a few of us from the school have decided to go, as one of the mum's who has a 7 year old daughter, was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in February and who sadly passed away last week - i didn't know her very well, but my friend Liz did, so i'm going to support her.

Last weekend we went down to the New Forest for some cycling - we did 12 miles on Saturday to the Deer Sancturary (going pass the ponies / horses en route) and 5 miles on Sunday, as we met up for lunch with a friend, who lives in Eastleigh.

I thought it was about time i used one of my LOTV images and this one is 'Angel - Praying', i've covered the wings in Glamour Dust and i've edged it with : Stampendous - 'Shabby Pink Embossing Enamel', the round snowflake die is : MB - 'Frostyville Wreath' and the corner die is : MB - 'Precious Snowflakes' - both are covered in : Stampin Up - 'Heat And Stick Powder, then Dazzling Diamonds' and decorated with pearls from my stash, the papers are : Bo Bunny - 'Holiday Cheer'.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are : 

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 379

Allsorts - where Challenge No: 329 is 'Sparkle'

Papertake Weekly  - where the Challenge is 'It Will Soon Be Here - Christmas'

Fussy And Fancy - where Challenge No: 148 is 'Fantasy'

ABC Christmas - where they are up to 'S is for Silent / No Sentiment'

September Rudolph Days - i so love entering this fabby Challenge is it's run by the lovely Mo

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

Things To Do !

Hi,

Thanks for all your lovely comments about my holiday snaps, i'm glad you loved them, as much as we enjoyed Vancouver, Alaska and San Francisco - we found that Alaska got under our skin, so don't be surprised if you hear that we have gone back in the next couple of years !!

I can't believe, we are up to mid month at Penny Black And More, this months Challenge is 'Anything Goes' and as usual we have some fabby sponsors too :

Penny Black

Stix 2

Sizzix

And one lucky person using a Penny Black image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month, 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.

I have no 'Thank You' cards left, after our holiday/ cruise, as i took 5 with me, to give to our waiters, the girls in Fun Factory (kids club), the guys that cleaned our room, so i thought i would start on the cards for our next cruise (that we booked, whilst on the ship this time !!), the stamp is : Penny Black - 'Things To Do ! / 1683K / 2000' (that i haven't used, for 4 years), i've stamped the sentiment : Penny Black - 'Salutations / 30-014/ transparent set' in black versafine, then embossed it using : WOW - 'Clear Embossing Powder' and then distressed it and the embossing section (Cuttlebug - 'Bubbles') with : Tim Holtz - 'Old Paper', the papers are : LOTV - 'Country Gent', the strips are cut using : Die-namics - 'Fishtail Flags' and the tops are : Whiff Of Joy - 'Notebook Border'

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are : 

Sketch Saturday - where they are up to Sketch No: 378 

Cardz 4 Guyz - where Challenge No: 88 is 'Embossing Heat or Dry' - i've done both - sentiment heat embossed and strip dry embossed

As You Like It - where the Challenge is 'Your Favourite Die and Why' - mine is Fishtail Flags, as they are so perfect for men's cards and give a different shape to a layout

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Animal Magic'

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

Hedgehog Birthday

Hi,

Well what can i say - we had the most amazing holiday ever (and i can see us going back before long), we were in Vancouver for 3 days, then we joined a cruise ship for 12 nights to do the inside passage way of Alaska, with Victoria (Vancouver Island), Oregon, finishing off in San Francisco, where we stayed for another 36 hours - meeting up with Alan's friend Chris and his family - i've added some photos at the bottom, some different ones to those on Facebook (if you follow me)

As the lovely Squirrel is doing one of her challenges, it was rude of me not to enter and it's also helped me get back into cardmaking, as the last 3 cards were made at the beginning of July, the image is : Penny Black - 'Hedgehog Birthday / 40-016 / 2010', papers : LOTV - 'Promises', the sentiment is : Woodware - 'Circular Greetings', the flowers are : Sizzlits - 'Tattered Flower Garland', the ribbon is 'The Ribbon Girls' and the buttons are from my stash.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are : 

Squirrels Purple Friendship  - where the Challenge is 'Purple Friendship' - where you have to use purple and have a friend

Sweet Sketch - where they are up to Sketch No: 'SSW2 -67'

The Ribbon Girls - where the Challenge is 'Any Image And Ribbon'

Allsorts - where Challenge No: 328 is 'Buttons'

Crafty Ribbons - where Challenge No: 126 is 'Happy Birthday With Ribbon'

As promised some photo's of my holiday ;

At the treetops at Capillino Suspension Bridge, Vancouver

Alan and Harrison Sea Kayaking in Sitka, Alaska - i was in the other kayak with the guide

Alan and I at Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska

Davidson Glacier, Skagway, Alaska

Harrison on the bridge of the Cruise ship with the Captains hat on !! (thank goodness we were in port at the time)

Me being 'Attacked' by a puppy, after we had gone Dog Mushing - believe you me, i offered to stay and work for free to look after the puppies ;-) 

Taking a break from cycling in San Francisco, to have our photo taken, with the Golden Gate Bridge, in the background

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

From The Heart

Hi,

I'm scheduling this (so i hope Mr Blogger doesn't play up), as our flight from San Francisco doesn't land until 1.15pm and by the time we get home from Heathrow, all i'll be fit for, is bed !!

Today is the first Sunday in September, so that means a new challenge over at Penny Black And More and this month it's an easy one 'Anything Goes' and as usual we have some fabby sponsors :

Penny Black

Stix 2 

Sizzix

And one lucky person using a Penny Black image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month, 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.

I've made today's card for Alan's Dad, as he used to play a guitar in a band and the sentiment will appeal to his Yorkshire sense of humour !! The image is : Penny Black - 'From The Heart / 2874F / 2004', the sentiment is : Penny Black - 'Croaking ..... / 2472E / 2002', the papers are : Three Bugs In A Rug - 'Snips And Snails', the twine, charm and buttons are from my stash.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

Penny Black Saturday  - where September's Challenge is '3 Or More Patterned Papers'

Stampin' Royalty - where Challenge SR#293 is 'Circles'

Allsorts - where Challenge No: 327 is 'Lots Of Layers'

Sweet Stampin' - where the Challenge is 'Let's Get Musical'

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

Petal Party

Hi,

I'm scheduling this, so i hope Mr Blogger doesn't mess me around. Today is the mid month point at Penny Black And More  and the Challenge is 'Summer Flowers' and as usual we have some fabby sponsors too :

Penny Black

All Occasion Dies

Crafts U Love

Marianne Designs

And one lucky person using a Penny Black image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month, 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, as long as it's not a Digi

I've seen quite a few of these 'Triple Stamping' cards around i wanted to give it a go, so i stamped : Penny Black - 'Petal Party/ 30-113 Transparent Set' and embossed in : WOW - 'White Embossing Powder', then distressed with : Tim Holtz - 'Spun Sugar' all over and coloured in the flowers with distress inks : 'Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry', the sentiment is : Penny Black - 'Salutations / 30-014 Transparent Set' the centre of the flowers are candy dots and the twine is from my stash.

We just wanted to thank everybody, who has left us kind words - re the passing of 'Whisper', it has meant a lot to all of us (Alan and H too), as it's been summer hols I have not spent a lot of time in the house, the hard bit for me will come, when H goes back to school in September ?, we took Whispers lead, towels and food to a rescue centre and they asked us, would we like to walk a dog, so since then we have spent every Saturday morning walking lots of different dogs, which has been lovely, it will take us a while before we get another dog, but we will.

I must confess, i'm a bit of a nightmare, when i'm upset, as i get my credit card out and  for those of you, who don't follow me on Facebook, here is my new craft purchase : 

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

Star - Inspired

Hi,

As today is the first Sunday of the month, that means a new Challenge over at Penny Black & More and this month it's 'Summer Flowers' and as usual we have some fabby sponsors :

Penny Black 

All Occasion Dies

Crafts U Love 

Marianne D

And one lucky person using a Penny Black image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month, 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.

I must confess this was not my favourite Challenge, as it was out of my comfort zone - I firstly stamped : Penny Black - 'Star - Inspried / 4156K / 2011' (i've added brown beads to the centre)  in brown ink and embossed it with : WOW - 'Clear Embossing Powder', then i used : Tim Holtz - 'Bundled Sage' and inked up the card, i then inked up : Penny Black - 'Letter Background / 1999L / 2010' with : Tim Holtz - 'Shabby Shutters' and stamped all over, the sentiment is : Woodware - 'Tiny Phrases'

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

RIP Whisper

Hi,

Besides my Penny Black At Allsorts DT cards, i'm not sure if i'm going to be able to make a card until September -

Last night we had to make the difficult decision to let Whisper go to Doggy Heaven ( she didn't want her breakfast, then around 5pm last night i noticed Whisper's back legs had swollen to double the size) - the vet offered to take her into the hospital, but we decided she would only get stressed and we always said we wouldn't let her die alone - so after 11 years and 1 month (she was a rescue dog), we said our goodbyes - it are all feeling incredibly numb at the moment and of course every time i log on, it will remind me of her.

11 years is a long time, she came with us, when Alan and I moved into this house, so this is the first time there has been no Whisper and the house seems so empty and doesn't feel like a home at the moment - we are going away in a couple of weeks to Alaska, so that will help.

RIP My Baby Girl Whisper x

Mighty Wishes!

Hi,

This week has been a bit a roller coaster -  H came home with his school report and it was really good, he got Excellent for Maths, Science and Games (oooo what a surprise !!), the disappointing thing for H though was they are asked to pick 2 friends and he didn't get either of them in his new class !! I've also had a tooth extraction this week, so i've been a bit all over the place !!

Today we are up to mid month at Penny Black And More and the Challenge is 'Anything Goes With A Sentiment' and as usual we have some fabby sponsors :

Penny Black

All Occasion Dies

PPR Papercrafts

Whimsy Stamps

Marianne D

And one lucky person using a Penny Black image will be picked to be Guest Designer for next month, 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.

I don't normally enter competition's, but as Crafts U Love are a sponsor of Penny Black And More, plus it's a great shop too, they are celebrating their 9th Birthday next weekend.  The image is : Penny Black - 'Mighty Wishes! / 2074J / 2001', the papers are : Dovecraft - 'Tea House', the sentiment is : Woodware - 'Circular Greetings', the number in the middle is : Sizzix - 'Fruit Smoothies', the scallop die at the top is : Joy Crafts, the banner is : La La Land Crafts - 'Heart Banner', the ribbon is from : The Ribbon Girls and the pearls are from : The Hobby House.

The Challenges I Would Like To Enter Are :

Stempelgarten  - where Challenge No: 39 is 'Happy Birthday'

Papertake Weekly - where the Challenge is 'Don't Be Square'

Simon Say's Stamp - where the Challenge is 'Get In Shape'

Creative Inspirations  - where Challenge No: 322 is 'Let's Colour'

Allsorts - where Challenge No: 320 is 'Banners Or Flags' - i thought i had better enter this challenge, as my fabby buddy Susan has set it and i'll never hear the end of it, if i don't - he he he ;-) x

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