A tough decision

Good morning my lovelies, how are you all today? I have a day off today so will probably have a mooch around the shops and a bite of lunch with hubby.

I have some sad news to share with you all today. I have decided to step down from Penny Black Saturday Challenge and also Anyone for Anya DTs. I still have lots of work to do for my University course and I am wanting to spend a bit more time downstairs with my family. You all know how hard it is to get a balance between crafting and family and this is the only way I know how to do it I am afraid. I have loved my time on these two design teams and all the girls are just gorgeous and fab in every way and I will miss them all so much.

I just want to say a great big thankyou to Kath, Tracie and Dawny for letting me play with them for so long - you girls are the best!!!!!

I will still be around in blogland and am still on a couple of other DTs so I will not be disappearing (you can't get rid of me that easily). See you in a couple of days with my first card in a month!!!!!

Card blank question

Hi everyone, only me. I need to pick your brains please. I usually make my own card blanks and buy the envelopes seperately but this is proving quite costly really. I was wondering if any of you use bought pre scored card blanks/envelopes. I really only use 6x6 so would be interested in any recommendations you might have. Have seen a couple on ebay but would love your input.
Thankyou all so much
Byeeeeeeeeeeee

Fab sale at Pink Gem Designs

Hi everyone, I hope you have all had a fabulous Christmas! I have had one of the nicest ones for years and am really enjoying the time off work to spend with my family. We have a fun day lined up today with lots of games and then fun on the dancemat and singstar (I am a secret demon at this, lol) so I cannot wait. Gonna start organising a nice buffet so we can pick all day long and not have to worry about cooking meals.

Anyway, onto some great sale news. Janet has announced a great 15% discount of all the product ranges over at Pink Gem Designs and this will run until the end of January. There are also 10 brand new stamps which you can see here - some of these are perfect for Valentine's Day (yep, it will be here before you know it) so why don't you pop over for a little look.

I am planning my first day back in my craft room for almost a month tomorrow and am looking forward too it - I hope I can remember how to colour and make a card, lol ...... oh well I will just have to make sure I get plenty of practice over the next week or so.

Have a lovely day whatever you do xxxxxx

Light at the end of the tunnel!! EDITED - MADE IT THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE!!!!!

Hi there lovely bloggers, hands up who has snow!!! Isn't it gorgeous but heck, it is cold!!! So I have some good news (almost) to share with you all. My essay is almost finished. Just a few hundred words left and then the conclusion - happy days! I am hoping to get it finished before I go to bed tonight, even if it means I have to stay up until 3am. I want to be able to wake up tomorrow and know it has been finished. Let me tell you, I will be delighted to get rid of the dark cloud it has forced over me these past few weeks.

EDITED - WOOHOO ..... THE EVIL ESSAY IS FINISHED!!!!!!!

I can have a gorgeous shopping day tomorrow in York with hubby and perhaps a little treat to some lunch out too - well I have been a good girl. I will also have to get all my cards written and posted too so to all my lovely friends .... I have not forgotten you, Mr Mailman should be bringing you my card really soon :o)
My Magnolia winter kit finally arrived today, I must admit I was a bit worried that I was not going to get it but it is here so I can relax. Mind you, I would not have been able to ink it up anyway so probably just as well it has taken this long to arrive.
Just to let you know that my mum (Nicola ... Nicola's creations) is not around at the moment in blogland. She is in terrible pain (and I really mean dreadful) with her back/hip and cannot even get out of bed or anything. The hospital have been far from helpful and as soon as they ruled out a break just sent her home without any support. My poor old dad who is in his 70s is doing all he can to look after her butit is far from ideal. I am stuck here unable to help because they live in Spain so I really hope she feels better soon.
Right my lovelies, that is it from me for now - hopefully I will actually have a card on my blog at some point in the next week although now of course with christmas preparations who knows!!!! By the way, thankyou for the lovely messages and cards I have had this last couple of weeks - I am so lucky to have such great friends
I hope you all enjoy your weekend
See you soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Guess who has been crafting ....

...... not me that's for sure!!! I am having serious withdrawl symptoms though let me tell you!!! A couple of weeks ago I promised my little niece Emily that she could come and spend some time making cards with me and she made sure I kept my promise bless her. She has been so excited for over a week that I just had to put my work to one side for a few hours.

Emily let me know that she wanted to make christmas cards for her mummy, daddy and big sister Hannah - looked like some serious crafting was needed. I have been sorting a lot of my crafty stuff out for her and she has her own craft drawer now (along with all my stash at her disposal, lol) to play with.



I am amazed how straight this little cutie can place peel offs - she is only 5 and didnt even get tangled up in them!! Poor little Emily had a rotten cold too but she was determined to get her cards made!! I had to guard my copics with my life rofl, I love her dearly but use my copics - good taste but no way young lady!!!



Here she is with the finished products - how brilliant are these! I only helped with the MS punch and cuttlebug but she HAD to turn the handle, lol .... so independant! Interestingly she chose all Whiff of Joy images - they are so appealing to all ages don't you think.



As you can see .... more is more!!! Another embellisment addict - aahhhh, a chip of the old block. So funny too that Emily had to have flowers, brads and spacers on her cards - what can I say, she is a natural. After this photo Emily decided that the dog needed a card too so she made a quick one for Patch - what a pro, lol. We both really enjoyed our afternoon and are both totally shattered now.
I hope to be back crafting in another week - assignment due to be handed in next Monday. I cannot wait to be back here with you all ... missing you loads xxx

I am still here .....

... honest! Oh my word I am missing making my cards so much. I am getting on well with my assignment and it is due for submission in 2 weeks so then I will have my life back for a little while again. I hope you are all ok and enjoying your crafty time. Will try to visit when I can and catch up on all your beautiful creations. Try to behave and see you all soon xxxxxx

Just Magnolia Special Monthly Challenge

Good morning everyone and it is time for our special monthly challenge on Just Magnolia . It's a special time of the year and we all have special people in our lives so what you need to do to qualify for the amazing prize is make a card for Someone Special. That's it - nice and easy at this busy time of the year. The winner will be chosen by Random Generator next week so to be in the running all you need to do is ensure you have at least one Magnolia image on your card and link your card (not your blog) in Mr Linky and have your card posted by 10 pm UK time next Thursday 10th December.



More lovely new stash that I bought at the NEC - I have to admit I really do adore this years christmas collection - every stamp and each paper is just fabulous. I set myself a mini challenge and only used my 'E' copics - really pleased with the results - a nice change from my usual bright shades. I can't tell you who my card is for because she might read it here but she is an amazing lady and I am so happy to be sending her this card from me :o)



The old stickles is still in use (told you Kim that I would keep it going, lol) and I don't know if you can see the papers clearly but they show the music and words for Silent Night - my favourite christmas song. I am thinking that I may chalk around the edges of the image now just to take away the whiteness of the card - we'll see how I feel about it later.



Challenge list my card fits....
Papertake Weekly - Sketch #29

This is the last card you will see from me until next Friday. I am having a couple of weeks off Penny Black and Anyone for Anya. I have an assignment due in a few weeks at university and I need to concentrate on my writing instead of crafting :o(
It is very difficult to let the teams down but I really do have to put my studies first. You will still see cards from me for my 'official' DTs but that will be all. Can I just say a great big thankyou to all of you who visit my blog and leave me such wonderful comments. This really does mean so very much to me and I really do appreciate each and every one of you so very much indeed.
Have a fabulous week xxxxxxx

Lili of the Valley - A Sketch and chance to be our GDT

Morning - a real quickie cos forgot to sort my piccies out on my laptop last night so snatched this one from the post on Lili of the Valley. We have a really gorgeous sketch for you all to follow this week :o)

This is the first time I have used these sweet bunnies and I love how cute they are all snuggled up under the tree, this stamp is called Christmas Bunnies - Tree .


Pop over and have a peep at the rest of the DT's cards - they are gorgeous. Plus you can get all the details of how to apply to be Guest Designer too!
xxxxx

Pink Gem Designs GDT Card with a few challenges thrown in!

Morning to you all, isn't it chilly now we have entered December brrrrrrrrrrrr. Just waiting for the first falls of snow of the year and then we will know winter has properly arrived. In the meantime though what better way to stay warm than snuggled up in your craft room - perfect!


I have made this card using the ever so sweet Teddy & Mistletoe available from Pink Gem Designs . Janet has a fab sale on at the moment - a wonderful 10% off all winter/christmas images and sentiments!!!



I have coloured teddy with my copics and added fun flock to the fur and some little pearls for the berries. Not forgetting stickles for a little extra sparkle!


My card fits with a few challenges too ...

Kaboodle Doodles - Snowflakes
Pollycraft - Christmas
Stamp with Fun - Christmas
A Spoonfull of Sugar - Non-traditional Christmas Colours
Creative Card Crew - Christmas
Charisma Cardz - Christmas
Crazy4challenges - Punch Happy (MS punch available from DTDF
Sketch Saturday - Sketch #79
The Pink Elephant - Favourite colouring medium - Copics
Sketchy Colours - Purple/lilac

Anyone for Anya - a sketch

Good morning lovely people in blogland - how are you all today? I have just had THE best sleep I have had in ages and am raring to go. Hubby and I are planning a nice day strolling around York and taking in the atmosphere at the St Nicholas Fayre - I love York at this time of year :o)


Dawny has been busy creating another fab sketch for you all to follow on Anyone For Anya and it is dead easy to follow so pop over and have a look at all the gorgeous DT cards and not forgetting the great prize we have on offer!!

I have seen this gorgeous lady about quite a bit these last couple of weeks and I just had to buy her - I am such a sucker for Miss Anya, she is just so with it isn't she. Been using my scrummy MS punch again that I bought from Dies to Die For , pop over for a browse when you get chance.



Finished with some felt ribbon I have had for ages and a couple of little flowers. No stickles today but the snowflakes have a bit of bling on them so I feel ok, lol.
Have a great day and I will see you about in blogland xxx

PBSC and my candy winner

Hello, here I am ... better late than never. Phew, what a day I have had. Been working extra at work today vaccinating lots of our patients against swine flu - am shattered now, been a long day :o)
Can I just say a huge thankyou to everyone for all their fab comments and entries on last weeks Countdown to Christmas - are you a winner????? There are lots of you mentioned over on the challenge blog so pop over and see if it is you!


So here is my card for this weeks PBSC and we have a really great sketch by our lovely Beth - isn't it a useful sketch and so easy to follow too.



Sticking with nice bright colours for a change lol and these delish papers are from Tracy at Dies To Die For and are by MME. Oodles of stickles everywhere - everyone I know is hooked on this stuff now and again, you can buy this from DTDF.



Just one final piece of business left ....... the winner of my blog candy from last weeks hop.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE LOVELY SQUIRREL

Drop me an email sweetie with your tree in the woods and I will get Mr Pigeon to drop your goodies off for you hunny.

Have a lovely evening ... who is going tonight on the X-Factor????? xxx

Just Magnolia - Martine's sketch

It is a strange old week on Just Magnolia - we have some news, some sad and some good! Kim, Martine and Rach have sadly had to step down from the DT due to other commitments. Thanks so much for all your fabulous work and support ladies – you will be hugely missed. Which brings me to a little announcement. Jacque, Sheila and Jane have joined our team!! Welcome aboard ladies, we’re thrilled that you have agreed to join us. So that means lots of new styles to drool over which is always fab for the old inspiration!!


We have a really gorgeous sketch by Martine to follow and I just loved it so much - I am really going to miss your sketches sweetie. Unfortunately I have been battling with bad light due to finishing work late etc and even tried 2 different cameras (hence the slightly different colours of my pics) but nothing has helped. Will retake piccies if I get chance.



I love this image so much, I got her from The NEC a few weeks ago and am so happy I managed to pop some ink on her .... isn't she so pretty! More delish Magnolia papers too (you can buy lots of Magnolias and their papers from DTDF .... huge sale on right now on loads of products too!!)



My card also fits with these challenges ...

By the Cute and Girly - Winter Wonderland
Kaboodle Doodles - Buttons, Bows and Bling (hope the bow on my image counts, lol)
Pollycraft - Christmas
Creative Card Crew - Favourite Things All things Magnolia at the moment and of course my flowers and bling!
Papertake Weekly - Christmas Crackers
Crafty Creations - Christmas
Charisma Cardz - Anything Christmas
Colour Create - Green, Red and White
Crafty Catz - Angels and Fairies (Tilda is an angel)
The Pink Elephant - A Recipe

Phew .... that's your lot, lol ... not bad huh!
Have a lovely day xxx

Anyone For Anya plus the catchiest song for ages!!!

Hi there and welcome to another challenge on Anyone For Anya . This week we are sponsored by the fab Dies to die For so pop over to the challenge blog for details of this weeks prize!. The theme this week is ...

MAKE A FAKE



Still opting for the nice bright colours - I think we all need them with this dreary weather we have been having. Picked some of my fave Making Memories papers - so scrumptious! And just how cute is my Anya .... so very sweet. You can grab loads of them from HERE. I have followed the sketch over on Friday Sketchers and I love it!



I am loving my gorgeous large rose which I bought from my lovely buddy Tab - isn't it lush. I have spruced it up with some stardust stickles which is THE thing to have it seems this month. Tracy has just got a load in stock so head over and grab some before it all sells out. Also I am really excited to let you all know that Tracy is going to be stocking Copic Ciaos - I think she is putting them on the website this week. You can keep up to date by becoming a follower of the DTDF blog which gives you all the updates of new stock etc.

Before I go I just want to share this rather catchy tune with you all. It isn't often a song keeps me awake at night but I swear I was still singing this after 1am this morning (groan). I absolutely love, love, love it and thought I would try and keep you all up singing too ..... turn up the old volume and just wait for the chorus - you are gonna love it!

Penny Black Winter Wonderland BLOG HOP!!!!!!!!!!

Good morning to you all and are you all ready for a very special week here on Penny Black Saturday Challenge. We are all in a festive mood on PBSC and have lots of goodies to give away to you all. All the individual DT members have candies to give away plus we have a HUGE prize up for grabs on the challenge blog. Our theme this week is

WINTER WONDERLAND

Can you guess this well known Christmas Song

---O--- T-- --- N---- -----E--

a little clue......one of Santa's helpers

it has five words and we have given you another little clue by filling in some of the letters but to collect the rest of the letters you need to visit each member of the Design Team including our lovely Guest Designer for this month Debby......solve the puzzle and then e-mail your answer to Kath....kathinwesthill@btinternet.com

and please include in your e-mail a link to your blog

Entries will close at midnight GMT on Friday 27th November

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN A PRIZE...YOU NEED TO ENTER A CARD IN THE CHALLENGE

and all the lucky winners will be announced on Penny Black Saturday next Saturday

Here are my letters for the song D and H

Make sure you visit all the other DT members plus Debby our GD for the other letters. Check the main blog for all the rules please.

My candy is a secret candy but I can promise you there will be lots of scrummy goodies in there including images, embellishments, ribbons, charms and spacers etc - it will be fab!!!

To be in with a chance for the individual candies you must make a new card for this weeks challenge PLUS also comment on the DTs blog.

I followed the sketch for this weeks Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Just Magnolia - Masking

Good morning and it looks lilke another grey day is ahead of us here. I hope you are all safe and not affected cy the floods I have seen on the news. We stayed in yesterday and managed to almost complete the decorating in the bedroom - what a difference it makes! Onto our challenge this week on Just Magnolia and we would love to see some masking. I love the effect of masking even though I don't always get it right first time.

I have used 2 of the new stamps from this years christmas range. Remember to stamp the image you want at the front first and then follow with your 2nd stamp (after masking off your image). Magnolia really do make the most beautiful accessory stamps and this snowflake circle is too beautiful.



I have used more of my precious Magnolia papers too - I think I will always use these now when using my Magnolia stamps because they compliment the images so well. Tracy at Dies to die for has a fabulous range of Magnolia stamps and papers as well as MS punches etc so pop over for a little look.

Lots of stickles again - Kim ..... how did I manage without it? Your cards are such an inspiration! You know me, I just had to follow a sketch and I managed to find this pretty one over at Create4fun . That's it from me - dashing off to work again so please have a great day whatever you are doing xxx

Other challenges

Copic Creations - Golds

Creative Inspirations - Sparkle

Crafty Creations - Metal

PS Sorry about the piccie - was taken last night when it was dark - will replace with decent ones over the weekend x