Melinda Hugging Heart Card

I've combined 3 challenges with this card. The challenge at Stamp Something is 'Birthday Somethings', to make a project on the theme of birthdays. I followed the fantastic sketch from the Friday Sketchers blog challenge 35. Last, but not least, the challenge at Secret Crafter Saturday 15 is a project with hearts.
I used the Whiff of Joy Melinda hugging heart stamp coloured with pro-markers. Brown bazzill cardstock. Papers are 7gypsies and other from stash. Martha Stewart lace punch used on centre strip. 'Happy Birthday' sentiment stamped with majestic blue versafine. Prima flowers and Dovecraft brads. Swirls are silver foil ones got free from mag, painted the white side in sepia, then added glaze. This was a real fun sketch to follow, and one i will use again.

Penny Black 32 and Dutch Dare 31 Challenges

I've combined 2 challenges with this card. The challenge at Penny Black Saturday Challenge 32 this week is 'dotty creations' and at Dutch Dare Challenge 31 it is to use the colours green, blue and brown. This card is mainly blue and brown, but some of the colouring of the image is green, so it should fit in with the theme ok. I used a PB hedgies stamp coloured with pro-markers. Sentiment stamped with vintage sepia versafine and framed, gems added. 7gypsies backing paper and HOTP flowers and brad. I was going to throw this image away as it had a blob of ink leakage next to it, but I managed to cover it up ok with the frame and sentiment.

Cute Card Thursday and ABC Challenges

I've combined 2 challenges with this card. The challenge this week at Cute Card Thursday no. 43 is to add some humour into our cards. It gave me a chance to use this fab image which was kindly given to me. The challenge at ABC is to add an X somewhere on your card or project. I interpreted this as a kiss.
I coloured it the image with pro-markers and stippled the edges with vintage sepia versafine. Added sentiment. Pink paper is DCWV matted onto brown cardstock. Backing papers were received in a swap. Again stippled edges. Brown and pink ribbon, and a brown Prima flower with HOTP brad complete card. I really enjoyed making this card, although it wasn't the easiest image to colour as I'm still trying to get used to my pro-markers.

Award!

Thanks to my friends May , Doreen , Rozzy and Katherine for this 'One Lovely Blog' award. I now have to pass it on to 7 people. Instead I'm going to offer it to any of the watchers of my blog, as they all have such fantastic blogs of their own that it's too hard to choose.

Daughter's 18th Birthday and Stamp Something Challenge

I thought I'd post my daughter's 18th birthday card. Her birthday was on the 9th Jan. She went out with friends that evening, but on the 10th she came out to a lovely little restaurant in Denham with myself, hubby and her bf. We had a lovely evening together, especially as we don't see as much of her as we'd like now she's older.
For the card I used green bazzill cardstock 12x12 folded to 12x6 to make a tall card. Added Heidi Grace chipboard numbers and frame onto a watercolour background.I thread silver metal letters through some fibres to say 'daughter'. Added chipboard flowers and ribbons. This was made quickly at midnight Jan 8th, I must get better organised this year.
I've decided to enter this card into the Stamp Something Challenge where the theme this week is to make a card with NO stamping.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge 31

The challenge this week at Penny Black is the colour scheme pink and brown. I've had another go with my pro-markers, (I'll get used to them eventually) on a lovely hedgies stamp. I used Bazzill cardstock with K & Co backing paper. HOTP flowers and brad. Gems and tag from stash.

Cute Card Thursday and Charisma Challenges

I thought it was time to get back into a couple of challenges. Cute card Thursday's challenge is to add something you received for Christmas on your cards. I've used a Martha stewart lace punch, and also some K & Co papers which I received for Christmas. The Charisma Cardz Thursday Challenge is to use the colour pink. Good luck to Charisma Cardz on their first challenge.
CS is Bazzill. I've used K & Co papers and Bazzill swiss dots. Ribbon from stash with a MM slider. Prima flower with Dovecraft brad. Handbag and butterfly charms. Image is Cuddly Buddly I think, given to me in a RAK. Other embellishments from stash. I've coloured the image with my new pro-markers which i found a lot harder to use than i thought I would, but then this is the first image I've used them on so it'll probably just take a while to get used to them.

3 Awards!

I've received 3 awards from katie at Bespoke Card Designer. Thanks katie for the Butterfly award, and the Encouraged and Fabulous blog awards. Katie has a lovely blog, so if you get a chance pop over and say hello.
For the Encouraged and Butterfly Awards all you have to do is: 1) Put the award on your blog 2) Put a link on your blog of the blogger who gave you the award 3) Nominate 5 other bloggers 4) Leave a comment on their blog notifying them

For the Fabulous Blog Award you have to also state 5 things you are addicted to...
1. crafting,
2. chocolate,
3. smoking (I know it's bad for you),
4. my kids and hubby
5. sleeping (I sleep loads)

Now I have to think who to give the awards to:

1. Claire : A lovely person I've made friends with through Trimcraft.
2. May : Another lovely person from Trimcraft who is Claire's mum. May decided to award me back as one of her 5 recipients. Thanks May. x
3. Kim : Her blog inspires me so much.
4. June : Her new jewellery blog is fantastic.
5. Maxine : How she manages to make so many lovely cards is amazing.

Blog Candy and new store

My friend June at Paper Jewels is offering some of her gorgeous hand crafted jewellery as blog candy to celebrate her new blog and opening of her store paperjewellery.net
The draw closes at the end of January. Good luck June, hope it does very well for you.

New Challenge Blog Charisma cardz

Carlz has started a new challenge blog at Charisma Cardz. New challenges will be set every Thursday.You can create a card, atc, scrapbook page or altered item using any type of image you like. This weeks theme is 'pink'.
Carlz has also got some gorgeous blog candy to give away at carlzcardz. It will close when her blog counter reaches 10,000.

I won some candy!

I received 2 lovely stamps from Spiral Whisper from their competition to win stamps from new designer Adam Clay. They're Buster the dog and wizard dan. They look fab quality, and I can't wait to have a play as they're perfect for cards for my 7 year old son and his friends. There are also some new releases from Kate Smith on the website too that look gorgeous for girls.

Happy New Year

I haven't made a single card since Christmas Eve, and am dying to get back into it. Doubt if I'll get much done next week as I have a couple of hospital appointments, but I must make a card for my daughter who turns 18 on Friday.( That makes me feel so old.) I thought I'd post a couple of my last Christmas cards and a candle I decorated that I didn't get round to putting on here, then it's onto birthdays and Valentines.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

New Releases from Spiral Whisper

Sorry, I've been neglecting my blog recently, but things have just been so chaotic here. Hope to start posting regularly in the New Year.
Spiral Whisper have some fab new stamps out by childrens illustrator Adam Clay,which are going to be released in January. there's a competition on the site to win some before the release date.

Whiff of Joy Advent Calendar

There is a Whiff of Joy advent calendar at Katharina's blog. If you leave a comment each day, there's a chance to win a surprise gift.

Friday Sketchers 30 and OCC

This week at Friday Sketchers the challenge is a sketch by Carole. You can add your sentiment and embellishments wherever you like. I've combined this with the OCC Challenge to incorporate snowmen or snowflakes on your card.
All paper and card is from the DCWV Christmas Glitter Stack. Stamp is Charlie building Snowman by Whiff of Joy coloured with H2Os. Magnolia 'Merry Christmas' stamp is layered onto green then red scalloped mirri card. Little deer embellishment is from K & Co. and some red snowflakes from stash.