Papertake Weekly Challenge

Firstly I'd just like to say thank you very much to Kerry for making her sketch of this cool little dude available as a freebie, I hope you like what I've done with him Kerry! This is the first time I've taken part in this challenge, I'm getting to find out about different challenges through other people's blogs which keeps me out of mischief! The theme is 'One for the fellas' - my card is for my nephew's 10th Birthday in June. The background paper is from Paper Mania, ribbon and eyelets from my stash, 'dix' was hand drawn and cut out and the wording was done on PC - voila!

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Patterned Paper

Thought I'd have a go at this challenge as I enjoyed doing the last one! This time the theme is 'Patterned Paper' so I used papers I printed out from my Pink Petticoat Doodle-icious CD. The ribbon I used was from my stash and the flower accents were stamped then cut out (stamps from Gaia). The card has been made for my friend's mum, hope she likes it!

My Paper World Sketch # 10

Done this today using my new Cuttlebug! I think it's a bit plain but wasn't sure what else to use? Anyway, I used the sketch from My Paper World, I don't think I've done it justice though.

I've been tagged!!!

Well today's my day off so thought I'd do a bit of blogging, just as well cos I've been tagged by Diane! This is another first for me so here goes...

The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1)TEN YEARS AGO
Well after finishing Uni and not knowing what to do with myself I was working in admin for a company in Newcastle. At night I was doing youth work at a local high school...and the weekends were spent partying with friends!

2)5 THINGS IN TODAYS "TO DO" LIST
A few loads of washing!
Tidy house
Write a report for work (maybe I'll start it today arrgh)
Make a curry for tea
RELAX (or in my case craft)

3)SNACKS I ENJOY
I prefer savoury stuff but crisps are fattening so I'd have to say Fry's Turkish Delight (can't get it over here so have to keep a few for emergencies he he)!!!

4)THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WAS A MILLIONAIRE
If only...suppose it would be seeing my family were ok, and buying a nice house back in the North East cos I miss it a lot!

5)PLACES I HAVE LIVED
Northumberland
Staffordshire
France - moved over with my o/h who's French, weather's good but it's not all it's made out to be in "A Place In The Sun" and other reality TV shows! Unless of course you are one of the lucky people mentioned in question 4 (millionaire that is - not my family), or retired! C'est dure je te le dit! Or maybe I need to radically change things, I'm working on it!

Ok I have to pass this onto 5 people (don't know many bloggers yet so will only do 3 so hope it's not cheating), at random I'm gonna say:

Crafty Wanderings
Tracy at Ella Bella
Katy at Katy's Bloggeroo

Penny Black Challenge U is for...

This is my effort for this weeks Penny Black Challenge on the Do Crafts forum. I went for a rather british theme, thought it'd be appropriate (Union Jack, United Kingdom ...), and I used my new Crop-a-dile! The extra challenge was to add peel offs so they are there, just visible on the side of the flag border. The papers were freebies I found on a website ages ago (activityvillage.co.uk). Not sure if this works, U was fairly difficult and I just couldn't get my head around it.

NEW TOYS HAVE ARRIVED!!!

Whey hey! My parents have been visiting from the uk and when they came they brought some goodies with them that I had ordered...firstly my new Crop-a-dile complete with eyelets and case which I ordered from QVC on Craft Day at the beginning of May! I've only used it once (on my Bonne Fete card) but have to say I'm impressed as it certainly beats the old hammer technique! I'm not knocking the old way as it's useful to put eyelets into the middle of cards etc (as Crop-a-dile has a limited reach), but the new way definately makes a neater job! Secondly, after a long wait I finally got myself a Cuttlebug machine (from Craft at Home)!!! Yep, up until now I've been admiring from afar! Now I need to save my pennies (or cents/euros he he) to get me some fab dies and embossing folders! I did invest in the 'horse die' and 'You embossing folder' so can play a little bit, plus a die/mini embossing folders included with machine. What dies or folders can anyone recommend?

What do you all think?

My o/h reckons my blog is too bright! I get his point but can't decide what to change it to...what do you all think?

YOU ROCK MY SOCKS AWARD

Yipee!! You Rock My Socks Award has been given to me by Tracy at Ellabella, what a fab surprise! Thanks so much for this, I'm fairly new to all this blogging stuff and this is my second award! I've already met some fantastic, talented, not to mention kind people through blogging, it really has made a difference to my life! I don't feel quite so isolated over here in France now! Thanks ladies xx I'm going to forward this to a new found friend who I think ROCKS, is very talented and kind, Katy at Katy's Bloggeroo!!!

Circle of Friends Award

Wow!!! I've been awarded the Circle of Friends Award from the lovely Katy at Katy's Bloggeroo, how chuffed am I!!! I've been busy all week as had my parents over visiting from the uk so no blogging, no crafting etc for a week, then I logged on before and saw I'd been awarded this - MY 1ST AWARD! Thanks so much Katy, I'm truly honoured xxx

As I don't know many other bloggers yet (billynomates or what) the 2 people (it's supposed to be 4 I think) I'd like to pass this onto are:
Diane at Pink Sunflower
Tracy at Ellabella

Penny Black Challenge T is for...

Just done this week's card for challenge (on Do Crafts card making forum). The stamped image was one I received which I coloured with watercolour markers. It's for Mother's Day (which is on Sunday in France). Anyway more soon as up early for work...

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Vacation

This is my first go at this blog challenge, the theme is vacation. I've gone for a citrus colour scheme, I don't often do cards this bright but I think it works. The image I used is one from the blog candy I got from Katy. Backing paper from Paper Mania, added buttons, ribbon and rub-on. The photo's not great, flash has made the image look a bit washed out (which it's not).

New Goodies New Card

Ok it's really late but I couldn't help trying out my new goodies. Firstly Bazzil cardstock just arrived from Happy Stampers, Hippo image from Diane, die-cut flower from Katy! The hippo is coloured with Faber Castell watercolour pencils, Blossom backing paper from Pink Petticoat, Rik-Rak ribbon and stamped sentiment from my stash. Phew! I love the hippo, I've called her Henrietta, she's so cute! And I have to say first time I've used Bazzil card, very nice.

Katy's Blog Candy

Yippee! My postman has just been and left me a parcel... my blog candy from Katy at Katy's Bloggeroo has arrived! WOW! What a fab selection of goodies, I've really been spoilt! The pretty card wallet was packed with all sorts of images (Penny Black, Magnolia...) and not only that but there are also a selection of brads, pegs, glitter, flowers... I'm overwhelmed! I just know once I get started my o/h won't be seeing much of me, I'll be tucked happily away in my little craft room playing with all my new toys! Being in France I do miss some of the 'home' comforts, Katy kindly included a bar of Thornton's choccy in my parcel, how thoughtful! Thank you so much Katy for your generousity! I'll post soon to pass on the kindness!

Image Swaps!

Hi! As I didn't have time to go into detail last night I've posted a piccy of the lovely card wallet and images Diane sent me! There are 14 fab Penny Black cuties I can't wait to have a go with as soon as I get a minute. What a great idea of yours it was to swap Diane! Thanks so much! x

A quick hello!

Hi, I've not been on much this week as full of busy at work arrgh! Good news is I'm off now for 2 days so will try to do a card or 2 tomorrow! I'll also post a pic of the Penny Black images Diane at Pink Sunflower so kindy sent me, can't wait to have a go with them, thanks Diane x

Penny Black/Stamp Something Challenge

Well this one is a double whammy! It's intended for two challenges; firstly for the Penny Black Challenge (S is for...) on Docrafts Card Making forum but also for the Stamp Something Challenge (first somethings... for me it's 'shaker card' cos I've never done one before). I've just come across this blog recently so will be keeping an eye on it as I love stamping. Check out the link...

My Paper World Sketch # 9 Entry

Good evening all! This is the first time I've entered a blog challenge so here goes... my entry for sketch # 9 on My Paper World. The image is from Penny Black 'Bubbly' set, it's coloured with watercolour pencils then I added glitter for sparkle on stars. The border was stamped using one of my first ever stamps bought using pigment ink then embossed. Added stitched buttons and gems. The layout I used was from sketch # 9, thanks for taking a look!

Craft Day Excitement!

This is what Réglisse thinks of Craft Day on QVC! Well he is a very experienced crafter so is obviously bored by all the tips etc lol! The tv's been on all day so it's sent him to sleep! Besides he's got no pocket money left to spend on crafty goodies lol!!!

What a beautiful day!

Good afternoon! It's Bank Holiday here in France (hooray!!!) and a gorgeous sunny afternoon! I'm not in the garden today cos got burnt yesterday (even though I was at work, so made this card in between watching Craft Day on QVC. Went with a really bright colour scheme, paper printed from my Pink Petticoat Doodleicious CD (which I love). I have a feeling that this weekend is going to be a productive crafting weekend! Take care x

Latest card for Ben

Morning all! Just a quick post as off to work soon (Bank Hol in UK but not here unfortunately)! I've made this card for Ben, it's his 7th Birthday at the end of the month so for once I'm very organised and not doing a last minute rush job. The card is made from patterned card I bought at Aldi (a pack of assorted card and vellums dead cheap but good quality). I used Penny Black cat as he loves cats, hope he likes it. I'm not sure if it's too busy for me but maybe it'll appeal to a 7 year old? That's all for now, enjoy the Bank Holiday x

Penny Black Challenge R is for...

This was a real toughie this week! NO GLUE! No way! Ah but my trusty sewing machine was lurking in the shadows of my craft room, fortunely with a cover otherwise it would be covered in dust (can't remember the last time I used it)! Well I managed the card with a bit of difficulty (partly due to the sewing and also cos I chose to do a male card - argh!), so here it is... oh yeah R is for... Red, rouge, running stitch, reluctant (to sew), ribbon, rectangles and Rover the dog - phew!

Reglisse

Just thought I'd share this photo with you, it's my little rescue cat Reglisse. I found him on the road last October when he was about 6 weeks old. He was in a really bad state, skinny, riddled with fleas but full of love! Having just lost my cat Tetley at the time I took in this little bag of bones and he settled in no probs! He's 8 months old now and is a real "pot de colle" as they say in France (pot of glue), he sticks to me and follows me everywhere! He even waits outside the bathroom door when I take a shower!

Penny Black Challenge

Salut again! Just thought I'd get up to date with my space! What a hectic week this has been, work, work, work!!! I was even at work today (yep it's Bank Holiday in France but not for me boo hoo) so haven't had much time to do anything with my blog... but I did look at my comments and just wanted to say a big thanks to all the nice welcome messages you've all left me.

I've uploaded my latest card for the Penny Black Challenge, Q is for... I have to say it's a bit uninventive but then again it's been a long week. I've not done much quilling, bought the kit months ago but only managed to do 2 cards with it and then it's been hid away in a drawer until today...