It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

...well not as much as I'd like but we're getting there slowly... I have made a few cards!!!  And I owe it all to Michael... Bublé that is (I am a little infatuated by him, not much ahem)... anyway Michael's on his way to my house right now... well the CD is anyway!!! That's got to get me in the Christmas Spirit... have a listen to the Christmas Album HERE... it's fab!!!

So here's my little offering for today... Polar bears... snowflakes... sparkle... snow... very Christmassy me thinks! I've used a cute Penny Black stamp called 'Santa Spotting'... coloured with Flexmarkers, I like him as a Polar Bear ;) The paper is Dovecraft Christmas Fancy from last year, the silver mesh from my stash. The embossed snowflake panel is done on the Cuttlebug. Finally I added the little sentiment, and a snowflake to embellish... fairly simple!

I'm entering my card into the challenges at:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Christmas/Snowflakes/Silver

Penny Black & More @ Allsorts - All Creatures Great & Small

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Sketch

I Love Promarkers - Glitter & Glitz

Well lets hope the Christmas momentum keeps going... I don't want to be rushing round on Christmas Eve doing my Christmas Shopping... last minute sounds like a bad idea!

If You Go Down To The Woods Today...

If you go down to the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to the woods today

You'd better go in disguise.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Right now that I've got you all singing... I'd better tell you why I'm ranting on about the Teddy Bears Picnic! Well today at Cupcake Craft Challenges the lovely Faye haschallenged us to make something with a teddy bear on it!!! Now I do love my teddies, so this was an easy one for me! I've kept my card C&S as I wanted to make the most of the lovely Penny Black image... it's such a cutie! The two bears are coloured with my Promarkers (still waiting for my flexmarkers boo hoo), I've used my Cuttlebug to emboss the heart background, added the digi sentiment with bakers twine, and finished with a few gems.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Monochromatic (for me browns)

Ok so what can you win... well there's the weekly sponsor's prize which is 4 fab digis from Sassy Studio Designs, and then the monthly sponsor, Bunny Zoe's Crafts, who are offering a £15 Gift Voucher! Definately worth digging out a teddy image for I think!!! Please pop by the Cupcake blog to check out all the other DT projects... the girls always come up with some fab ideas!

Finally I just want to say thanks for all the lovely comments, it really makes my day when I see I've had visitors!

The Creative Cottage Challenge 35 - Spring Has Sprung

Hello hello hello! Hope you're all well and enjoying a bit of nicer weather! Has Spring sprung near you yet? Well it has at The Creative Cottage Challenge... Donna has chosen the theme this fortnight, so we'd like to see all your lovely Spring themed creations! You could be in with a chance to win two kits of your choice from The Creative Cottage... so get crafting!

My card has been created using the 'Much Love Kit' from The Creative Cottage... the papers and image are from this lovely digi kit! I've added embossing too and a few other embellishments and the little sentiment is a Penny Black stamp.

I'm entering the following challenges:

The Crafty Pad - Buttons

Meljen's Designs - Green

Allsorts Challenge - Luck of the Irish (I've used the colour green as my inspiration)

Ok, I've now got a HUGE task on my hands... I have to sort out my wardrobe which is overflowing with clothes that 'might' fit me again one day (like in another life) and I've been putting the task off for AGES now, but as I've bought a few new bits and bobs lately (that do not have the wrong sizes on them) I need to make space! Wish me luck!!! Or even better, send Gok Wan around pronto!

Kitty Love

Helloooooo! Ok I know that Valentine's Day has passed already but I had the urge to add hearts to this card... I kinda went for it! The little kitty image is a new 'Pampered Pets' stamp by Docrafts, my hubby bought me a few of these recently (do you think he wants something... or maybe he just wants to keep me out of his way while he watches the footie?). All the hearts are cut by hand... I don't have a fancy heart punch. The background paper is a freebie from Funky Hand, where I'm entering their challenge Get Funky - Show Us Your Heart.

Right, better go and check if my homemade bread has risen... it'd better cos I'm counting on it for tea tonight!

Cupcake Craft Challenge 127 - Old MacDonald Had A Farm

Old MacDonald had a farm, eee eye eee eye ohhhh... and on that farm he had a tractor (a Case one) eee eye eee eye ohhhh... do you get the idea? At Cupcake Craft Challenge this week Faye has chosen a super theme for you all, where your card must include something you'd find on a farm! So I've gone for the obvious, not often I do cards with tractors on them but this one was for my Dad as he's a tractor fan! I've used a stamp set from Joanna Sheen, and coloured with Promarkers. The papers are from Basic Grey and the embossing is done using my Cuttlebug (script embossing folder) . Here's a little close-up of the tractor with the farm buildings in the background...

We're sponsored this week at Cupcake by Crafty Emma's Store who are offering some sentiments and ribbon to one lucky winner! Don't forget our monthly Icing on the Cupcake sponsors too...

Blue Jelly Stampin

Polkadoodles

The Paper Shelter

Have a little peek at the cards the other DT girls have come up with, there's a moo moo here and a bah bahhh there... sure to give you lots of inspiration!

Cupcake Craft Challenge 125 - Weddings

Morning peeps! Hope you're all well... sorry I haven't been around a lot at the moment but 'real life' is pretty busy at the moment and I haven't had much free time to craft or blog, so apologies for not visiting you lately!

Now this week at Cupcake Craft Challenge the lovely Liza has chosen 'Weddings' as our theme, to coincide with the launch of her rather delish wedding stationary business Stationery by Me, this is what Liza has to say about it...

"Stationery by me specialises in beautiful, handmade wedding stationery for your special day.Each of my collections feature save the date cards, invitations, all of your "on the day" stationery, favours, guest books and thank you cards, and they are all beautifully coordinated and finished to the highest standard.

All of my designs are made with high quality products and they are all individually handmade and are available in a wide range of colours.

I currently have an offer of 20% off all orders placed before the 31st January 2011, so if you or someone you know is getting married, please pop over to www.stationerybyme.com and take a look at my designs.

So we'd like to see your wedding themed projects... you can interpret this as you wish! I've done a CAS card using a Meljen's digi image coloured with Promarkers, and my heart Cuttlebug embossing folder. A few pink pearls finish the card off nicely.

This week we're sponsored by The Ribbon Girl... wow they have the most delish ribbons on offer here! They're giving away some yummy ribbon stash, check out the Cupcake blog for more details! Don't forget our monthly Icing on the Cupcake sponsors too... Blue Jelly Stampin, Polkadoodles and The Paper Shelter! And if you need some inspiration, check out all the lovely DT examples over at Cupcake!

Cupcake Craft Challenge - 124 Something New

Good morning peeps! Well I saw the first sunshine of the year at the weekend... it was 15°c here on Saturday, I even had to get my sunglasses to stop me squinting when I was driving! I hope this is the shape of things to come, but I fear a cold snap on the horizon... just seems too good to be true this January sunshine!

At Cupcake Craft Challenge this week Denise has chosen a fab theme... something NEW! It could be new baby, new house, new job, new stash...the list goes on! Well, I couldn't resist using my new toys I got for Christmas... papers (the green one is new and is from Wild Rose Studio, the other one MME), Nellie Snellen punches, Papermania leaf punch and finally the Lili Of The Valley sentiment stamp (hubby bought me these and they're lovely). I've cut out my sentiment with nesties (you're right Vicky, it is worth the effort), and coloured it with Promarkers to match the image. There's also some embossing done on my Cuttlebug with the Perfect Paisley folder.

I'm entering my card for the:

Lili Of The Valley Challenge as I've used the lovely sketch by Lena

Paper Sundaes Challenge - Circles

This week at Cupcake we're sponsored by Sassy Studio Designs who are offering 4 digis to one lucky winner! But don't forget we also have our monthly 'Icing On The Cupcake' prizes to be won... and this month we have three sponsors! Our very own Victoria from Blue Jelly Stampin is offering some lovely goodies, Polka Doodles are offering a craft CD rom and The Paper Shelter are giving away a $10 Gift Certificate! Just enter at least one of our challenges during the month to be in with a chance to win! Why not pop over to the Cupcake blog and get some fab NEW inspiration from my fellow DT buddies!

Cupcake Craft Challenge 124 White Is White

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!!!

So it's 2011 eh?! The first decade of the New Millennium done and dusted... already!!! I can remember seeing in the year 2000... and it doesn't seem like five minutes ago! Where does the time go?

Anyway this is my first post for 2011, and the first challenge this year for Cupcake Craft Challenge! To see in the new year the trés chic Catherine has chosen 'White is White' as the theme for this week, just in case you were missing the snow lol! You have to use mainly white on your card, easy peasy!

I've gone for a super simple card, no image, no designer paper, just some good old embossing and a bit of sparkle! I've chosen a french sentiment... in English it means 'Love rhymes with always'... hope you like it Catherine! The card was for my hubby on our Wedding Anniversary.

As always there's some fab prizes up for grabs... Simon Says Stamp are offering a $20 gift certificate to one random winner, and this month's Icing on the Cupcake is sponsored by our lovely Victoria at Blue Jelly Stampin who is offering some lovely Stampin Up products! And if you're short of ideas just check out the other DT cards, they're just fab!

Well, I'd better go unpack my suitcase... that's why my post is late today, I just flew back from the UK so have a mountain of things to tidy away... have a lovely evening... hope to catch up with you all during the week! Also I have a little digi freebie to share with you so will post that later in the week!

Cupcake Craft Challenge 121 - Non-Traditional Christmas

Good morning peeps! Cupcake time again! Before I get onto this week's challenge I just want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who joined in my Robin themed challenge last week! There were some really lovely creations... and so so cute! I had a hard time choosing my Top 5!!!

Ok, this week at Cupcake Craft Challenge our lovely Liza has chosen 'Non-traditional Christmas' as the theme! Well, I went with untraditional colours... and the image is not so traditional either (no santas or snowmen in sight). It's called Night Time Bear and is one of the lovely digi stamps from Mejen's Designs who is a fabulous sponsor this week! I've coloured him with Promarkers and added lots of glitter... shame it doesn't show in the photograph Hmmmpphhhh! The papers are from Dovecraft (Christmas Fancy), decorative corner is from Sissix and the sentiment is a fab freebie which can be found here (thank you). I shall be entering my card into the following challenges...

Friday Sketchers - Sketch by Beatrix

Passion For Promarkers - Mega Christmas Anything Goes

ABC Challenge - J is for Jewels/Gems

Stamp Something - December Digi Day

We're sponsored this week by Meljen's Designs (my image was kindly supplied by them too) who are offering 4 digi stamps to one lucky winner! Don't forget we also have Cupcake Madness (you have to join in with at least two challenges in the month) which is sponsored by Wild Rose Studio... they're offering two stamps to the lucky random winner! Don't forget to check out the other DT creations too!

Kraftin Kimmie Tag

A quickly made little tag for a friend's birthday present , I've used a cute Kraftin Kimmie image coloured with Promarkers, my Cuttlebug 'bubbles' embossing folder, paper roses and lots of glitter! It's for the challenges at Kraftin Kimmie Stamps 'Seeing Spots' and Wags n Whiskers 'Wrap It Up' where you have to make a tag, box, gift etc. Thanks for popping by!

How Adorable?

How adorable is this little fella? Hubby bought him for me to cheer me up after my little hospital stay last week, along with some other Lili of the Valley stamps! I was so chuffed I spent all last night sitting colouring them, and thought I'd make a card for Dawny P's sketch challenge over at Lili of the Valley Challenge. If you don't know these stamps then you really must get across and check them out, plus they have an offer on at the minute (although I wish they'd had it on when hubby bought me the stamps as there's sentiments too)!

Obviously the image is Lili of the Valley, coloured with Promarkers. Papers are Stampin' Up, embossing was done on the Cuttlebug, and I added a bit of ribbon, buttons and card candy for good measure. Thanks for popping by today!

Chocolate & Banana

Hi to all my blogging friends!

I made a very yummy Chocolate and Banana tart this week, which gave me some inspiration for a colour scheme! So here's my card, which is for two challenges..."Embossing" at Just Magnolia and "Polka Dots" at Passion for Promarkers...



* Stamp - Magnolia
* Promarkers - Cinnamon, Pastel Blue, Blush, Pastel Beige, Pastel Yellow, Forest Green
* Embossing - Cuttlebug Folders (Morrocan Screen, Swiss Dots)
* Swirl Stamp - Autumn Leaves
* Paper from old collosall pack Papermania
* Merci Stamp - Artemio
* Flowers (Prima), lace etc from stash
* Brown flower border is doodled

A little reminder, anyone who's interested don't forget to enter my blog candy before this weekend for a chance to win!

Thanks for popping by today!

Just Magnolia & Cute Card Thursday

Morning everyone! Well what a miserable week it's been weatherwise! The rain came on Sunday, and it's never stopped since! Oh well, I'll look on the bright side, at least my garden is getting a good watering!

I've made one little card for two challenges this week, using the lovely sketch by Rach over at the Just Magnolia challenge, and the theme this week at Cute Card Thursday which is "Nip & Punch" where we have to use dies and punches...


I've had to take the piccy indoors due to the rain, so the colours don't look as lovely as they actually are. Anyway here's what I used:

* Tilda with Rose Bouquet (Magnolia)
* Promarkers
* Nestabilities (Circle & Scalloped Circle)
* SU Scalloped Circle Punch
* Sissix Die (Ornate Corner)
* Perfect Paisley Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug)
* Ribbon, flowers and paper from stash
* Sentiment (RAK from Lyndsey, one of here own lovely designs)

Off to work now, see you later in the week!

First attempt with Promarkers!

Good evening everyone! Hip hip hooray, it's the weekend (well almost) and I've got two whole days off work! The housework is crying out to be done, and I just can't ignore it anymore, but I am definately going to give myself some "me" time this weekend. That means crafting, and maybe a tad of gardening too!

Ok, now for my card...and it's my first using my new Promarkers (I'm liking them... a lot). So here it is...


And a little close up of the image...


I used a fabby Miss Anya image kindly sent to me by Vicki (thanks hun), coloured with my new Promarkers. The colours I used are Pastel Pink, Grass, Magenta, Vanilla, Yellow and Cool Grey 3. I also used Cuttlebug Embossing folders for the swirly background and the sentiments. The coloured card and heart brads are from my stash. I'm entering my card into the Passion for Promarkers Challenge, which is "Anything Goes" for the first week. If you haven't already popped by this new blog and have some Promarkers, then do it quick as there are some fantastic prizes up for grabs for the first challenge! Congratulations to Denise and Gina on the launch of this great new challenge blog!

Well that's enough from me, off to get myself settled ready for Britain's Got Talent! Have a fab evening!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Celebration

Hi! Hope you're all enjoying the Bank Holiday weekend. In France we don't have the same Bank Holidays, shame as it's nice having that extra day off on BH Monday! Anyway, hope the weather is kind to you, it's so much nicer when the sun shines!

I've managed to fit in a card for this week's challenge over at A Spoonfull Of Sugar. They're celebrating their birthday so the challenge is to do a card for any type of celebration. I've gone for a new baby card, as a work collegue has recently given birth to a baby girl...


I stamped the image several time and decoupaged it, you can see the layers better here...


The image is Penny Black "basket case" coloured with w/c pencils, I've used Nestabilities and Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder. The papers, flowers and ribbon are from my stash and the sentiment reads "Congratulations" and is from Artemio.

Have a relaxing weekend!

Hello, it's Monday!

Hi everyone! Well that's the weekend over again, time always flies when I'm not at work! I did have a tiny bit of time this weekend for crafting so I made this card for two challenges, Cute Card Thursday where the theme is "Letters & Numbers" and Penny Black Saturday Challenge, Recipe 3...2...1 (3 flowers but I used stars as the card is for a boy - hope it's ok, 2 papers and 1 brad/charm - you can see my brad better on the close up piccy...


Little brad can be seen better here...


I had to do a large card as the stamp is a big one (from Penny Black), first time I've made a card with it. Papers are Basic Grey Cupcake, used Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder to emboss, Sissix corner die, brad is from Poppicrafts, Sentiment is a stamp from Artemio. It's for my nephew's birthday, hope he likes it!

Thanks for taking the time to pop by xx

Touchy Feely Card

Good afternoon everyone! The challenge over at a Spoonfull of Sugar is called "Touchy Feely" where you have to make something with texture. So here's my card for this, I kinda struggled at first as I don't have any puffy paint etc, but got there in the end...


I've used an Elizabeth Bell image from Sugar Nellie, coloured with watercolours (haven't used them for ages). The green paper has a velvet texture (not seen on photo) and the stitches are real! I've also added the sentiment which is embossed on the Cuttlebug using the "YOU" embossing folder. I've tried my new spacers from The Hobby House, which I love! I also added a little charm from my stash. Ribbon is Artemio. I've decorated the inside but forgot to photograph it, durghhh!

Moppet and Mouse

Hi All!
Firstly I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who visits my blog and takes the time to leave such lovely and encouraging comments, I really appreciate it! I can't believe the amount of comments I had on my last lot of cards, it really boosted me to try another of the stamps from the Beatrix Potter range that I wasn't so confident in doing (due to the lack of detail on the stamp). I thought I'd have a go at the little cat, which seemed quite daunting although not as bad as I thought. I've used the lovely sketch by Michele from the Truly Scrumptious challenge...


Here is a close up of the image when coloured using Distress Inks and Whispers markers...


And this is what the stamped image is like before I coloured it, see what I mean about lack of detail in the stamp...



- Stamp is from Inca Stamps "Moppet & Mouse"
- DP is Papermania "Nostalgia Warm"
- Sentiment is one of Lyndsey's own designs she kindly sent to me
- Used Cuttlebug "Swiss Dots" embossing folder
- Rest is from stash

I've decided that I now like these stamps, although they aren't the easiest to colour. I'm a sucker for Beatrix Potter and cute animals in general!

Well I'm now officially on my hols, what a relief!!! I'm looking forward to a trip I have planned to the UK next week, and as we're touring the south I think a trip to The Glitter Pot will be in order (eek say's my credit card)! Hope I get a bit of time before I go to visit some of your blogs, although I have a mountain of ironing to do before I can pack my case! Have a lovely Sunday evening xx

Gardening and the Rain

Thinking of the little rhyme " Rain, rain go away...come back another day..." Can you believe it, when I lived in the UK I spent most of the time wishing it would STOP raining, and now in France I'm always wishing it WOULD rain!!! My garden is needing a good watering as it's soooo dry (and it's only April), and so my wishes have come true, it's finally RAINING! I only hope it lasts more than 10 minutes, as we usually only get a shower!

In the meantime, I have been busy doing a few cards...all with new stamps that have seen ink for the first time. The first one is on a gardening theme, my hubby bought me the stamp for Easter and I wasn't sure at first as the impression isn't that detailed (only prints the outlines and no detail). I was a bit disappointed as he bought me three in this range, and all are the same, however after having a go colouring the image I have to say I'm fairly pleased with the result...




The stamp is from Inca Stamps, Wonderful World of Beatrix Potter. Of course this one is Peter Rabbit. I coloured it with Distress Inks and Whispers Markers. Paper is Basic Grey Boxer, also used Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder. Sentiment stamp is Papermania. The card is for the Stamptacular Challenge which is "This is for the birds" hence cute little robin.

Second card is for Friday Sketchers challenge, which is a fab sketch by Jacqueline...


Used Sugar Nellie image, Basic Grey Sugared paper, and bits 'n' bobs from stash.

Finally (phew I hear you saying) this card is for Cute Card Thursday which is "Chocolate and Marshmallows". I love the brown and pink, reminds me of eating Neopolitan ice cream when I was little lol!


The Gorjuss Girl stamp from Sugar Nellie is so cute, and I love the cat! Papers again Basic Grey, sentiment from CCSR Sentiments, rest from stash. Sorry for the naff photo but I had to take this inside as it's RAINING outside (yipee) lol!

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!!!