Thank You Very Much!

Firstly I'd like to thank everyone who has left such lovely comments on my blog regarding my recent loss. It's heart warming to know I have some lovely blogging friends out there in cyber space! I've decided to make a memory book (idea from my friend Shannon, thanks hun) with all the beautiful photos I have of Pepsi. It's a bit too soon just yet, I'll wait a few weeks before I start collecting my photos together.

Secondly, I have just made the worst chocolate cake ever! I'm usually ok with baking, I don't do much but when I do things tend to turn out ok. But for some reason unknown to man (or woman) my choccy cake looks like a frisbee! I wanted to surprise my hubby when he came in tonight, shock will be more his reaction when he sees the "cake"! Never mind, it's the thought that counts. And yes, I did use self raising flour!

Thirdly, I promise I'm nearly at the end now lol! I've made a card for my MIL whose "Fête" it is tomorrow (Saint Huguette). I've combined two challenges, this week's Cute Card Thursday Challenge which is to make a card for someone in your family, and I've used the fab sketch from Friday Sketchers...


I used:

-Tilda in Cherry Dress image coloured with Distress Inks
-Sentiment stamp by Artemio
-Papers are Papermania Creative Tones
-Bazzil card run through Nesties Circles & Swiss Dots folder on Cuttlebug
-Flower is Papermania
-Ribbon etc from stash

The photo isn't great as my camera is on the blink so have used a different one, also the sun was shining through the window (it's lovely to see the sun). I think my MIL will appreciate it though.


Lastly I'd like to thank Tracy for passing on this fab award to me, thanks so much for thinking of me hun! If you don't know Tracy's blog (where have you been hiding), pop over and say hi to her, she will be so pleased you popped by! Plus congratulations Tracy on your blog's first birthday! Now I have to pass this on so I'd like to pass it onto all the lovely blogging friends who've left kind comments recently, I really do appreciate your support! Thank you all so very much!

Well, better go and see if I can rescue something out of my flying saucer... ooops... I mean cake lol!!!

Think Spring!

This week has been a really difficult week, what with the tradgic end to Mother's Day last Sunday. When we loose a loved one, it leaves a huge void in our lives which seems impossible to fill. I haven't been able to concentrate on anything, and losing my best friend has thrown me for six. I'm pleased to say that I'm starting to feel a little better, although I know it will take a long time to get back to "normal". Pepsi was such a big part of my life since I was a little girl, and I'll never forget all the good times we had together. Sleep well my darling xx

On a lighter note, I have finally managed to do a card!!!! I thought I needed to cheer myself up a bit so I've done a bright and cheerful Spring card. I used the lovely sketch from Truly Scrumptious and the card fits for this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is "Think Spring"...


I used:
- Penny Black "Bunny Kiss!" stamp
- Penny Black "A kind word" stamp
- Whispers markers to colour
- Papers and ribbon from stash (had these ages)
- Fiskars Lace Punch
- Cuttlebug "perfect paisley" embossing folder
- Little tulip button from Craftime
- Eyelets from We R Memory Keepers

I love this little image, it's one of my faves!

I have to confess, to cheer myself up I ordered some of the new Gorjuss Girls stamps from Funky Kits, I'm eagerly waiting for them to come now!

Thanks for all the lovely comments that you left regarding Pepsi, I was really touched by your kindness. Your friendship means a lot to me :-)

My Beautiful Pepsi

Apologies for not being around at the moment but this has been a very sad week for me. Sadly, last Sunday evening I had to make the heart wrenching decision to have my horse Pepsi put to sleep; she had reached the grand old age of 33. I called the vet as she was in distress and couldn't get up in the field. Her head was telling her to fight but her heart and body were just too weak. I couldn't see her suffer any longer and the vet said there was nothing more that could be done; I was with her when she slept away. She had been part of my family for the last 23 years. I grew up with Pepsi, and we shared many happy moments together. She was a beautiful and kind horse and will be sadly missed by all of us. Here are a few pictures of her as I'd like to remember her...

It's Friday Hip Hip Hooray!

Good morning all, just one more day and it's the weekend! (Not sure why I'm happy as I have to work sunday night :o( Anyway tomorrow the new Penny Black Saturday Challenge will be set, so I thought I'd better get cracking with my card for this week before it's too late! It's a fab sketch by Tracie, which is really versatile and easy to use, I'll definately be using this one again! My card is for a friend who recently had a little baby boy...


The image is called "basket case" from Penny Black, coloured with w/c pencils. I've used the Nestabilities to cut it out and frame it. The beige paper is from Paper Mill, brads are Dovecraft, sentiment is Artemio (I just got these stamps, I was struggling to find nice French sentiments and found these - they're clear stamps - I was so chuffed as they weren't really expensive unlike most crafty stuff in France). The ribbon is from my stash and the stars were kindly sent to me by Katy.

Well that's all I have to share with you all today, for any of you lucky people who are going to the Stitch and Craft Show this weekend in Olympia, hope you have a great time and get loads of goodies :o)

Mother's Day

Do you ever get one of those days when you've just finished work and all you want to do is put your feet up but unfortunately there's a pile of washing, ironing, not to mention an inch thick layer of dust to clean (I'm exaggerating a bit with the dust, there's only half an inch lol)!!! Well that's me today! So before I get started on the dreaded inevitable I thought I'd share this little card with you all. It's for my mam, for Mother's Day on Sunday (I really hope you don't look at my blog mam or you'll see this before time). The card is for the Magnolia Vs Stampavie challenge which is "Mother's Day"...


I used DCWV papers, Tilda is coloured with brush markers, the sentiment stamp is from Penny Black. I did the lace border using my Fiskars punch, and the rest is from my stash. I love the pink and green together, this colour scheme came from the paper, it's just lovely for spring, reminds me of pink tulips with their green foliage! I've also put a special verse inside for my mam, hope she likes it!

Has Spring Arrived?

Does several sunny days mean Spring has finally arrived? I hope so! Well I might be anticipating the arrival of Spring, but as the crocuses, daffs and hyacinths are all out in the garden I don't think it's far off! So a little trip to the garden centre was in order this weekend, and I just couldn't resist a few pansies to put in my pots and window boxes! I just love their little faces! But I did get time to do a few cards too, so here they are...


I used a Sugar Nellie stamp called "Penpal", she's just adorable don't you think? I've had her a while, but have never inked her up until now! She's coloured with Distress Inks, paper is Papermania Simply Elegant and Paper Mill, flowers are Prima, pearl brads also Papermania. The sentiment is stamped from Clare Curd's Signature Range. Ribbon and eyelets are from stash. For the card I used Carole's sketch over at Friday Sketchers, fairly simple but very nice to use.


This little card is for A Spoonfull of Sugar Challenge, which is a super sketch by Michelle. I used Papermania For Him paper, stamp is Penny Black "Fun Times" coloured with brush markers. Some of the stitching is fake and some is real (thought I'd get a bit adventurous lol). Sentiment is a stamp (Penny Black), stars are from Katy (merci)! I'm not sure about this card, simply because the papers look too busy and distract the eye, but ahm not ganna cry aboot it so divint worry hinnies!

Enjoy the sunshine, off to work so ta ta for now!

Back with a few cards!

Hi everyone! I finally motivated myself into doing a few cards, and I actually enjoyed it! So maybe it's not quite time to give up just yet? Perish the thought! I'm gonna make this post short and sweet as I have an early start and late finish tomorrow (I hate early starts!!!).

The first card is for Friday Sketchers blog, this week's sketch was by Murmur of France, a nice sketch to work with...


The image is from the Penny Black 2009 collection, it's called "sun dried". Coloured with brush markers, papers are from my stash so sorry I don't have a clue who they're made by. The sentiment is embossed using the Cuttlebug "Friend" folder.

The second card is for the Stamp Something "Favourite Somethings" challenge, as my favourite bear as a little girl (other than Care Bears) was Paddington...


The image was from a free stamp on a craft mag last year (can't remember which one - sorry), coloured with w/c paints. Papers are from Basic Grey Cupcake collection, ribbon is from Hubbihobby and sentiment from Clare Curd's Signature Range. The little paws are stamped using a stamp from Tanda Stamps.

The third and final card is for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge, this week it's a 3,2,1 recipe...


Three brads, two ribbons, one flower. Brads, ribbon and papers are from Papermania, ribbon is from Dovecraft. Embossing done on Cuttlebug using "swirls" folder. The image (which I think is so cute) is called "Rainin' daisies" from Penny Black. Sentiment is again from Clare Curd's Range.

Well that's it for tonight as off to bed now to get a decent night's sleep! Nighty night!

Mojos gone walkabout!

Good morning! Monday again, doesn't time fly! I went back to work yesterday (yup - Sunday) after two weeks holiday and it was hard to motivate myself to say the least! And that's not the only place my motivation is lacking! I don't know what it is but recently my ability to make a card is rubbish! I can't find any inspiration, and it takes me an age to get the most basic of cards made! Nonetheless I've had a go at a couple of challenges, the first one was supposed to be for the Forever Friends challenge, although this has changed today so I'm too late!


The papers are Basic Grey Boxer, image is of course Forever Friends (stamp). The sentiment is a stamp from the new Clare Curd's Signature Range from Do Crafts. I've tried a bit of paper piercing/stitching (real stitching), about the only thing I liked doing on this card!

The second card was the one I had to do for the Paris Saint Germain supporter. NO INSPIRATION!!! I struggled to say the least, and no footie embellies didn't make things easier. I ended up replicating the strip on one of the players, that was about as adventurous as I got! I used a Sugar Nellie stamp, and did some masking, which is this week's challenge over at the Secret Crafter blog...


Does anyone else ever feel like this? I really hope I my mojo comes back soon, otherwise what'll I do with all my stash :(

Off to make a cuppa now to see if that'll help matters...

Cute little kitty!

Hi everyone! Hope you're all enjoying the weekend! Weather here is miserable so I'm gonna stay in and do a bit of crafting (if I ever get off this computer lol). I've made a little card for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge, # 50 which is "Wine & Dine". You have to include food or drink on your card, mine's not exactly Cabernet Sauvignon but it fits, I think...


The image is a Sugar Nellie by Elizabeth Bell, coloured with Distress Inks and framed using my Nestabilities. Papers are Dovercraft "Pets". Sentiment is Cuddly Buddly (I think), sent to me from Tracy, thanks hun! I've used my Fiskars lace border punch and added ribbon and charm for detail.

Well, I've got a footie card to do now (YIKES) for an 18th birthday! I'm a bit stuck with it but have got an image to start with, it's gotta be in the colours of Paris Saint Germain. HELP!!!

Something Different (for me anyway)!

Well thought I'd try something a little different for a change. I bought some Staz On white ink whilst on my travels back in the UK and thought I'd do a little card by stamping onto acetate! Bit daring for me lol! So here it is...


A little close up of the Hippo (Penny Black) which I paper pieced...


The paisley design (Penny Black "Perfect Paisley") was stamped onto the acetate using the Staz On, I have to say I was quite impressed with the results as the ink really is opaque. I also stamped the sentiment (Penny Black "You are kind!") onto acetate and attached it onto purple card the white card with little heart brads. As I've torn the white card it fits with this week's Spoonfull of Sugar Challenge which is use torn edges on your project. Finally I added the Hippo and the ribbon to finish! It took a while to do the card but I like the effect so may try it again. Something different.

Scooting off to put the tea on!

Just finished my card for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge and thought I'd better be quick and post it seeing as the challenge changes tomorrow! The theme is "Animal Magic", you have to have an animal on your card. I've used a Penny Black image sent to me by Louby, thanks hun! He's coloured with Distress Inks, paper is from Dovecraft "Pets", used crop-a-dile to set eyelets, sentiment is one of Lyndsey's designs (thanks) and buttons from stash. The card also fits in with this week's Colour Create Challenge which is blue and brown (ok there's a bit of green in there too - hope that's ok), it's the first time I've entered this challenge...



Better scoot off and get the tea on now...tatty byeeeee!

Easter Eggs...Yum Yum!!!

I have to confess...I bought EIGHT easter eggs when I was in the UK (two of them aren't for me)! I just love the Cadbury's easter egg shell, not so fussed by the contents but LOVE the egg! And as I can't buy these in France I had to stock up a bit! I'm not going to eat them all at once of course, but once I tuck into and egg I end up eating the lot! Very naughty, I know :)

On the subject of Easter Eggs, this week's challenge over at the Penny Black Saturday challenge is "something to eat", so my card had to have...an Easter Egg!



I got the stamp for Christmas so this is the first time I've used it. It's called "easter goddess" from Penny Black. Paper and ribbon by Papermania, and Swiss Dots embossing folder for the embossed panel. It's a fairly quick card to make so might do a few more for Easter! And there's NO CALORIES in it lol!

Back off me Hols and Thanks Louby!

Phew! Just thought I'd take a break from doing the post holiday washing etc so I could catch up with you and share a couple things.




Firstly I'd like to say a big Thank You to Louby for the lovely card wallet that arrived just before I left for me hols! It's gorgeous Louby! And of course the wallet was filled with loads of lovely stamped images. Go check out Louby's blog if you haven't already visited, she does the loveliest cards! I didn't know where to start with the images but I did a quick card with one of the cute images in the wallet...


The image is Penny Black, "Just for You" is from Clearly in Love set, also Penny Black, paper is from an old pack of Papermania I have, rest is from stash.

Anyway, that's me hols over and done with (Boo Hoo), the time just flew by! It was lovely to see my family and friends but the time is so precious and 5 days just isn't long enough! But I got me new car picked up (drove it back to France yesterday), so really happy!! I've already washed it today, can't have squashed flies spoiling the look now can I!!! Hope I'll get a bit time to craft in the next couple of days before I go back to work! Better check on the latest challenges xx