Happy Halloween Cards!

I've done two cards for two different challenges, one is for A Spoonfull of Sugar Challenge where the theme (until tomorrow) is Halloween, the other is for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge where the brief is "Bump in the Night". As I only have two Halloweeny stamps, both from Penny Black, I used them on both cards. My imagination was zero, so there's not a huge difference between the two. I also didn't have any Halloween type paper so I found the paper on the web as a free download on a site called Papercrave.com. I really like the skulls, they're quite funky. There's not many embellishments on them, a bit ribbon and pumpkin brads. The two stamps are called "Bare Trees" and "In the Woods". I distressed the stamped images with Distress Inks (Spiced Marmalade and Black Soot).



Incase you're interested, the sentiment on the french card reads "Cast a spell for Halloween". Thanks for looking x

Friday Sketchers - Sketch # 25

I'm on a roll with the Christmas cards this week (gotta get on)! So I've used the very user friendly sketch from Claudia over at Friday Sketchers for this card! Again I've gone for one of my cutie teddies from Penny Black, they're adorable! And so nice to colour! So here he is, checking out what Santa's left in his stocking!



I used:
- "Stuffing Stocking" stamp, Penny Black
- Distress Inks to colour
- Paper from Dovecraft
- Cuttlebug "Snowflakes" embossing folder
- Sentiment stamp from See D's
- Rest from Stash

I like the Christmas colours, but I think this is missing a snowflake or ponsettia embellishment or something. I've looked for online shops where I might find some nice Christmassy embellies, but not found much! Can anyone enlighten me - PLEASE! It's giving me a headache looking! If you know of anywhere, please let me know! Thanks x

Christmas Stars!

Christmas is getting nearer, so thought I'd better get a move on with the cards I have to do! The theme over at Cute Card Thursday this week is "Stars at Night", where you have to have stars or something spooky on your card! I've gone for the stars, be back later to do something spooky for another challenge.



I used:
- "Santa Spotting" (one of my favs) stamp from Penny Black
- Distress Inks to colour image
- Paper from Dovecraft
- Sentiment from See D's Christmas Messages Set
- Rest from stash

Tilda Challenge with another New Tilda

I thought I'd have a go at the Tilda & Co Challenge seeing as I've got a few new Tildas recently. This little Tilda was another surprise from my hubby, he'd better be careful as I might start getting used to these surprises lol! The sketch I followed is from last Sunday. I used my Distress Inks to colour her, which I really love now! The dp is Paper Mania Nostalgia Warm Collection, Swirl stamp is Inkadinkado, sentiment stamp is Woodware.



As I'm typing this post I have a snoring little cat sleeping on my lap, Réglisse - bless him! My hubby calls him my Crafter's Companion (he's seen Sara from CC on TV)!

Have a relaxing weekend, thanks for popping by x

More New Tildas!

Well I have to say I'm a fan of Magnolia stamps, although I only had ONE until last week! My hubby had done a bit of online shopping, and surprised me with FIVE new Tildas! Whey Hey! So this is Tilda chosen by my o/h, his taste's not bad for a man! No offence to any men reading this! I'll have to get some "scenery" stamps from Magnolia to compliment my Tildas now! Anyway, I made this little wallet card for my friend Tracy, and put in a few Tildas etc. I coloured the image with distress inks, I've only just discovered this technique but find it gives really nice results. The paper is from a Paper Mania paper pack. The words are embossed on my Cuttlebug, using the "You" embossing folder. I'm gonna do some more cards with this image, she'll come in handy for some Christmas cards!





The second card is for another friend who's been having a few worries recently, so this was just to say I was thinking of her! The stamp was again chosen by my o/h, she's adorable! I coloured her with distress inks again. The sentiment is from a See D's Christmas set.

Boo! Halloween's just around the corner...

I've made this little ATC for this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge. I went with a Halloween theme as the 31st is looming! I really want to do some Halloween cards but just haven't gotten round to it yet! Maybe this week?

I used two Penny Black stamps, "In the woods" and "Bare Trees". I'd almost given up on making atcs, still got loads unswapped so only do them now and again!

A New Award!

Just wanted to have a quick blogging session and noticed Tracy (Ella Bella) has kindly given me an award! Thanks so much for thinking of me, it's really thoughtful of you! I have to nominated six people for this blog award, but I think a lot of people already have it! There are loads of talented people out there, it's amazing how creative we all are! I love looking at everyones blogs, and get so much inspiration from so many people and places...so if you pop into my blog please feel free to take this award, I think it applies to everyone who visits my blog! Thanks again Tracy, hope you have a lovely week!

A quick hello

Just a quick hello today, hope you're all having a good weekend! I've heard that the weather in the uk isn't too great today, it's sunny again here so I'll try to send some sun over the channel! I'm posting my card for Friday Sketchers challenge, this week's sketch is sponsored by Unik Hobby, where there are two Rachelle Anne Miller stamps up for grabs! I've used another of my new Nellies, here he is...



I used:
-Sugar Nellie Stamp
-Distress Inks to colour
-Cuttlebug to emboss (Snowflakes)
-Dovecraft paper and brad
-Sentiment fom an old Papermania Sticker set

Thanks for your interest, have a great weekend!

Gold, Brown, Red, Copper...

Good Morning All! What a gorgeous, sunny autumn day it is here! A perfect blue sky, glorious sunshine but with a crisp bite in the air! And what lovely colours with all the trees turning all shades of gold and red! Hope it's as lovely where you are!

On to my cards, this week I so loving working in my new craftroom! And to top that my hubby has gone and spoiled me again! He suprised me with some new Sugar Nellies, Tildas and Distress Inks! How nice is that! So I've made use of my new goodies to create cards for two challenges. The first card is for Cute Card Thursday, where the theme this week is "Autumn", yipee! All those lovely colours...I've been experimenting with my new distress inks to colour with, I have to say I'm quite pleased with the result...


I used:
- Tilda in the Wind Stamp by Magnolia (Great choice my hubby made choosing her)
- Distress Inks to colour (Tattered Rose, Frayed Burlap, Mustard Seed, Black Soot)
- Bazzil Card (Rust)
- Sentiment stamp by Woodware
- Heart Brads etc from my stash (it's getting bigger by the day!!!)

The second is for A Spoonful of Sugar challenge, this week it's a fabby sketch by Lim. I used one of my new Nellies, isn't she cute?!


I used:
- Sugar Nellie Stamp from Funky Kits
- Watercolours to colour
- Paper is by Paper Mania (Secret Garden)
- Sentiment Stamp by Woodware
- Rest from stash

Well I'm off to enjoy the sunshine now, thanks for popping by. Have a great day!

What a miserable day!

Finally, the rains have come to France! It's one of those grey, drizzly days, where the rain seems to barely fall, but you still get soaked! I shouldn't complain as it's been really dry here so far this autumn, and my garden could do with some rain. So besides the weather, what have I been up to? Well apart from working, I have been able to fit in a card, it's for my BIL's birthday. I've followed this weeks sketch from Friday Sketchers.



I used:

-Penny Black stickeroo
-Bazzill Bling card (blue)
-Cream Ribbed card from Tesco's
-Ribbon RAK from Denise
-Sentiment done on computer
-Rest from stash

Thanks for popping by my blog today, it's great to hear from you all, and thanks for all the lovely comments you leave! Have a relaxing evening xx

A couple of cards in my new craftroom...ahh bliss!

Good morning everyone! I had a little bit play in my new craftroom last night (more like early morning cos I only started just before midnight), and I have to say I love my new space! Yesterday I received my Rachelle Anne Miller stamp which I won a couple of weeks ago on the Penny Black Saturday Challenge Blog, so I decided to have a go at making a card with her! I coloured Lily with Distress Inks (first time I've tried this) but as I only have three colours I had to limit the colours in my card, but I think it's ok. Here it is...



I used:

Rachelle Anne Miller Stamp "Lily - I love shopping"
Distress Inks - Old Paper, Tattered Rose & Aged Mahogany
Paper is K & Co
Ribbon etc from stash
Sentiment done on computer

The second card I made is for this weeks Penny Black Saturday Challenge, the theme is "Thanks a Bunch!"



The image is a Stickeroo, I bought these a while ago and have never used them until now! They're really quick and easy, and give lovely results!

Well, that's all for now, better get a move on! Have a great Sunday!

Happy Anniversary Mam & Dad!!!

Today is my mam and dad's 38th Wedding Anniversary! Happy Anniversary to you both! Only two more years to the BIG 40!!! Congratulations, you made a lovely couple 38 years ago, and after all these years you still make the perfect couple!

I made this little card for the occassion, using a Rachelle Anne Miller image (another RAK) which I think is adorable! I coloured the image with w/c paints as always (well almost always) and the rest is from my stash. I used the sketch from last week's Spoonfull of Sugar Challenge, I just love the scallops. I love the colours too (lilac and chocolate) but they don't show up that well on the photo. The card fits this week's Cute Card Thursday Challenge, which is "Buttons & Bows".



I added a lovely verse to the inside of the card which reads:

We never know
Or fully realize
How sweet and kind our parents are,
How gentle and how wise

We simply take for granted,
From day to passing day,
Each sacrifice they make for us
In their own loving way.

But then we grow and finally learn,
The way that children do,
How much their love has really meant,
How thoughtful they've been, too -

And so this comes with all the thanks
You both deserve and more.
For there aren't two dearer parents
Than the one this card's for

Happy Anniversary Mam and Dad

I found this verse on the internet, the site is called Verses 4 Cards. Go and see for yourself, they have some lovely verses!

Thanks for looking, have a fab weekend!

My New Look Craftroom!

What a lucky girl I am! As of today I have a new look, organised craftroom! Yipee! My craftroom before was ok but I had a small table to work at which was always cluttered and the room was a mixture of allsorts of furniture etc, basically it looked untidy. So to remedy this, last Sunday my hubby & I went to Ikea and bought a new, big desk and some shelves to match! And when I came in from work today, I had a fab surprise cos' my hubby had spent his day off work putting it all together! I then had the task to sort out all my stash, so that it could be stored in a half organised way! I even managed to put some pics on the wall (you can't see them in the photos). You can't see the window, but there's a skylight in the roof, above the smaller shelves. Sorry the photos aren't great but it's a difficult room to photograph. This is the result (so far)...







Even my little cat Réglisse couldn't believe how tidy the room was, and immediately took up position on the sofa! I'll just have to try to keep it this tidy now (a hard task but I shall try my best)!

Well I'm off to make something in my new craftroom! Thanks for looking, have a lovely evening!

Don't Take It For Granted!!!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! While I was doing a big of blogging I came across a post on Katy's blog about breast cancer. I think a lot of us probably take it for granted all is ok! I know I don't check nearly as often as I should, which is not good! I thought it was important to help raise awareness, so I took up Katy's offer to display the little penguin on my blog! This is a deadly disease, which can effect anyone, young or old! If you don't already check regularly, make a start now!

Pink and Green Tilda

Ok, this is for a Spoonful of Sugar Challenge this week where the brief is to do a card in shades of pink and green. I've used a Tilda stamp, K & Co paper, lace, and the little sentiment is from a stamp that I've had in my stash for ages! I like the softness of this card. This is the first time I've used lace on my cards so I'm afraid it's not very inventive, but I think it goes with the image and the papers.

Penny Black Saturday Sketch

This week's challenge at Penny Black Saturday Challenge blog is a sketch. I've used a cute little cat (sorry don't know the name of the stamp as it was a RAK). The papers are from Dovecraft (left overs from last Christmas), the dry embossing is done on the Cuttlebug with Snowflake motif. I used my Crop-a-dile to punch holes aroung the edge of circle, then threaded ribbon through. Et Voila! Thanks for looking!

Royal Mail Hegdie!

Over at Cute Card Thursday this week the brief is "Christmas Animals". I thought I'd use this little stamp from Penny Black called "Royal Mail", it's one of the stamps I got for my birthday and I have to say it's one of my favs! I just love the little hedgehog and robin, it's such a cute image and really makes me think of Christmas! I coloured the stamp with my w/c paints and used Dovecraft d/p. The buttons and ribbon are from my stash.

The Day After!

Well, it's official, my friends are now Mr & Mrs (or should I say Mr et Mme)! All went well, even the sun came out! The bride looked lovely in a gorgeous burgandy gown (no white or ivory here). After the ceremony we ate and ate some more (there was a whopping 6 courses) and then we boogied until the early hours! My feet were killing me in my strappy, heeled sandals (why do we insist in torturing ourselves for the sake of fashion???). I had a fab time but I have to admit that I was happy when my head hit the pillow! Félicitations Shannon & Patrice!

Thanks Tracy & Katy!!!

I just wanted to say a great BIG thank you to two special blogging friends, Tracy and Katy! This week I received two gorgeous cards in the post filled with fab images for me to colour! What a lovely surprise and so very thoughtful of you both! I've been feeling a bit under the weather this week and your beautiful cards and kind wishes made me smile!

Tracy sent me a beautiful pink card, with woven ribbon detail which is stunning! Here it is with the lovely images...



Katy sent me a really cute giraffe card wallet with some cute Panduro images, I don't have any of these so they're new to me! Here they are...



Well I'm off to make a card or two now, have a lovely evening! Oh and Happy World Cardmaking Day!

New Magenta Stamp

Well it's been a few days since I last posted, I've been feeling a bit under the weather so haven't felt up to posting anything! I'm feeling a bit better today so thought I'd share this little card with you all. In France each day is dedicated to a Saint and is celebrated by wishing "Bonne Fête" to the person who's name is the same as the saint...hard to explain but put it this way Monday 29th September is St. Michel (or Michelle) so this was my fête! As a little surprise my hubby had bought me a couple of crafty goodies, including this little stamp from Magenta. This is my first stamp Magenta stamp and I have to say it's lovely, the quality is really good and you get a really detailed impression. It's not my usual cutie stuff but I like it all the same! Why don't you check out when your Fête is?



I used:
Magenta stamp
Dovecraft paper (last year's leftovers)
Merry Christmas from Studio G
Rest from stash

French/American Wedding

Tomorrow I'm off to an autumn (or fall if you're American) wedding! My American friend is getting married to a frenchman in a little chatêau nearby! So I'll have to get my posh frock on, whey hey! Not often I get to dress up so it'll be fun! I've made this little card for the couple, I kind of struggled as I don't really have any cute images suitable for weddings etc, so I used a stamp I've had for a while, it kind of fits with the champagne glasses seeing as the wedding is in France! The papers are from the Nostalgia Warm Collection by Paper Mania, the rest is from my stash. Oh and the flourish (or swirl) is from Inkadinkadoo!



The wedding is due to go on right through the night, so I can see me being a tad tired by 6am Saturday morning! I'll let you know how it goes...