The Paper Shelter - Easter

Here I am again with my 2nd card …. as promised! This time it is my DT card for The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog – I am so pleased to have made my card because I had to miss it last time because of my poorly eyes. I have another review tomorrow at the opticians so fingers crossed they are on the mend.

So our theme is Easter so hopefully you all need to get some Easter cards made and you can join in. You do not need to use an image from The Paper Shelter but if you do you win more!!! Full details are on the challenge blog.

How adorable is this little bunny …. omg my heart just melted when I saw her. I am not normally someone who colours animal images but she was so easy to colour and I am happy with how she turned out. I love pink and aqua together, I think it is a really pretty colour combo.

A closer look at the little sweetie – this is available here and is rather appropriately called ‘The Most Adorable Easter Bunny’

I found these skeleton leaves in my stash last week whilst I was having a bit of an organise in my craft room. They are really lovely when they catch the light. Will probably use them quite a bit in the future.

Challenges:

CES Challenges – Photo Inspiration

Stampin’ for the Weekend – Anything Goes

Crafty Catz – Spring is in the Air

Cute Card Thursday – Anything Goes

Paper Play Challenges – Spring Colours

MAWTT – Easter Wishes

Creative Card Crew – Spring

Lexi’s Creations – Easter

The Pixie Cottage – Easter/Spring

Right then – back out in the garden I go….. we are in the middle of demolishing the workshop as I mentioned earlier ….. here is the progress so far, Toffee has the right idea by relaxing in the sun…..

Enjoy the sunshine folks xxx

Simon Says …. Anything Goes

Hiya, and wow, how amazing is this weather??? I can hardly believe it is only March! Even better because I have 3 whole days off so I am going to make the most of it. It won’t be all relaxing though because there is lots of work to be done in the garden. We (that is the royal we) are currently demolishing an old workshop at the bottom of the garden. A skip has been delivered this morning so poor hubby will now be going up and down the garden with a wheel barrow taking all the bricks and rubble. He is going to be shattered but I will keep him supplied with drinks and the odd encouraging word lol.

So I have 2 cards for you today ….. here is my first of the day. It is my DT card for Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog. It is time for our ‘ANYTHING GOES’ challenge again so I just know we are going to be swamped with entries – it is always very popular.

The design team are all showcasing MFT products so make sure you visit them all for some inspiration.

I am quite pleased with my card today for a couple of reasons. First of all I stamped in grey ink rather than black. It really does make it trickier than usual to colour although not as hard as using an even lighter colour. I think I am going to stick with this for a while because I do like the softer look it gives.

The other reason I am pleased is because I have tried to make my light source come from a different direction. I usually just opt for a central light source but I have tried to imagine the light coming from the left. I am pleased with the teddy and I am about 80% happy with the little girl’s hair. I have to just keep experimenting and practicing to improve my skills I think.

A different angle to show the gorgeous shimmer and bling on the cardstock and designer papers (don’t forget the links to all the products are below)

…..and if that is not enough one lucky winner gets a $50 voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp Online Store -  thanks Heidi x

So what are you waiting for – get your pens out in the garden and get colouring – you can’t waste all that fabulous natural light!

Products…..

Challenges:

Kaboodle Doodles - Circles and Squares

Pixie Dust Studio – Favourite Things (Everything!!!! Flowers, bling,punches, dies, ribbon)

Cute Card Thursday – Anything Goes

Stampin’ for the Weekend – Anything Goes

Stamptacular Sunday – 3 B’s: Bling, Bow, Border

Little Darlings Challenge – Outside

There you go – that’s it for now. I will be back after lunch with another card ….. none for ages then 2 in a day, lol. Going to try and post more often if I can, just never seem to have enough hours in a day …… I can only try though can’t I.

See you in a bit xxx

Music Saves My Soul Saturday

Hello, how is the start of your weekend???? It is a bit foggy here so I am hoping it burns off to leave a lovely day. I hope those of you at the NEC have been having a great time - I am all spent up after Harrogate last weekend so I better just stay away lol

Sorry I didn't post a song last week, I was just shattered after my shopping spree and then I was back at work on Sunday ...... hope I am forgiven.

So what song to choose, to be honest there are loads but ...... I have decided on an oldie from Pink .... 'So What!' ..... love her sense of humour

It would be great if you want to share some music with us. If you do just add it to your blog and then link your blog post below.

Have a great weekend!

xxx

Simon Says … BINGO!!!!

Hi everyone, sorry I am late with my post today – I had scheduled it but looks like blogger is playing up again, grrrrrrrrr.

So today we have a brand new challenge on Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog and our theme is BINGO!!!!!!!

The Design Team are all using Magnolia products this week so make sure you check all the other cards for loads of inspiration.

My colouring isn’t that good to be honest but it is the first I have coloured since my eyes have been dodgy plus I am getting used to using a magnifying lamp – it is really odd to use.

I am so loving this border die ….. details below on the clicky picky links!

Heidi has provided another fab $50 voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp Online Store so get playing along for a chance to win…..

Products I used …….

Here are my challenges that I am entering with this card…..

Kaboodle Doodles – How Cute is That

Papertake Weekly – Bingo (Diescuts/Free:Pearls/Glitter)

Oldie but a Goodie – Easter Wishes: Old stash stamp & papers

Deep Ocean Challenge – Butterflies

Flutter By Wednesday – Open Challenge

Creative Inspirations – Anything Goes

The Pixie Cottage – Easter/Spring

Little Darlings Challenges – Colours of Spring

Allsorts Challenge – 3 in a row (Pearls)

Totally Gorjuss – Spring

Have a great week xxx   

My lovely new stash from GNPE

Hiya, ooooh what a fab day I had yesterday in Harrogate at GNPE - OMG I shopped til I literally dropped!. I got there nice and early and popped to the see the lovely gang at Crafter's Companion whilst I was waiting for the gorgeous Rachel to arrive. It gave me time to catch up with Jacqui and Michelle and have a little caffeine fix before the serious shopping began. I also saw the lovely Liz too although didn't really have chance for a proper natter - next time hey Liz!

There is something I just love about the show at Harrogate, it is just a nice size to go around and there is always a nice atmosphere. I have to say that the food is rather overpriced - what a shame, never mind -  it didn't stop me scoffing though lol.

I usually tend to go round craft shows on my own but oh my, what a blast I had going round with Rachel. I do not know who was worse and I think neither of us needed much encouragement really. We were very good though and after almost buying a rather impulsive buy on a mountain of glitters we put back about £50 of sparkle between us, OMG what were we really thinking in the first place hahahaha.

So here is what I bought (you might want to grab a cuppa first lol) ...........

I am totally loving these dies. I have wanted some corner dies for a while and that marianne is absolutely gorgeous! You can't go wrong with leaves and butterflies too can you.

More dies..... rather than getting more nesties I really like the look of these pretty frame dies. I can't wait to use this delish border memory box die and I just NEEDED some tags lol. My little brain is working overtime.

Always need card blanks but bought some 8" square ones for a change as well as my regular 6" ..... wonder how I cope with all that space??? I was going to buy some shaped cards and steppers but they seemed too expensive at £7 for 10 cards in my opinion so I shall just make my own lol.

Now I wasn't planning on buying any stamps but I just couldn't resist these cuties. The sentiments look really fab too so can't wait to get inking these beauties.

Always need my pearls and bling - these were a complete bargain. If they stick ok I will be buying loads next time and having a good stock up.

Trying a few different things to my usual colours. Going to try stamping in grey rather than black just to see how it looks. Also bought a couple of other stickles rather than just Stardust (although I did get one of those too) however not quite sure how I ended up with 2 of the same shade - must have really liked it, hey lol. Going to try out a bit of glitter too on my cards so watch out for this making an appearance.

Got me a nice little stash of Kraft paper to play with .... going to have fun with this. Finally got a heat resistant mat too, not sure why I need it at the moment but I know it will be handy rofl. Loved the sweet little Nitwit sentiments - gorgeous colours with a little bit of sparkle.

A good chance to top up on tape plus I really think this punch around the page set was the bargain of the day. They were selling loads of them for only £18 each ..... should have probably bought a couple more but resisted!

A few little fun embellies, always handy to have in your stash.

....and now my ribbons (I had to stop myself buying even more than this .... think I need therapy) .........

These are so pretty, love the vintage feel of them - can't wait to use them.

More lushness - the one 2nd from the left makes beautiful flowers - well it did on the stand, lord only knows what mine will turn out - we will just have to wait and see.

Cute little ribbons in a lot of the colours I like to craft with usually.

Some more I bought with certain people in mind ...... there were so many fabulous ribbons this year. 

Hahahaha I couldn't resist these fun feathers - don't know if I will use them or not but they were cheap and just grabbed my eye so I bought them. Loved the square doilies ....... phew, that's it - all done thank goodness. 

I had such a brilliant day and was completely shattered at the end of it. All I need to do is pack it all away once I have finishing stroking it and drooling all over it hehehehehehe. Thank heavens my eyes are up to crafting again so I can play with all this yumminess. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the mummies out there. Have a fab day. I am going to work so let's hope it isn't too busy.

If you are at Harrogate today have a blast - you will love it, some really gorgeous things out there.

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee xxx

Crafty fun ahead...........watch out Harrogate

Off I go to Harrogate for a little bit of shopping and to meet up with some rather fabulous friends too .............

My money is burning a hole in my pocket already so I better get going - see you all later with pics of the day

MSMS will be here later ...honest

xxx

Lots and lots happening today……. missed DT news and eye update

…… and it isn’t fair because I am missing out on it all!!!!!

Yes, I am sulking but just because I cannot craft but doesn’t mean I can’t tell you what is happening. I have missed out on all my DT committments this week and I am just gutted about this. I am so fortunate though to have very understanding teams and fingers crossed I will be back for next week!

So where to begin …… well first of all I am sure you have seen that Crafter’s Companion are due to launch 3 new Beatrix Potter characters on Ideal World as Pick of the Day next Tuesday 20th March. Jeremy Fisher, Benjamin Bunny and Timmy Tiptoes will all be joining the Crafter’s Companion family as brand new rubber stamps and matching CD-Roms.

If you pop over to the news and inspiration blog there is a blog hop going on where you could win all 3 CD-Roms and stamps …… you got to be in it to win it!!!!!!! I have all the lovely stash at home waiting to be played with and let me tell you it is GORGEOUS!!!!!! Can’t wait to get all crafty again.

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Next up is to let you know there is a brand new challenge on Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog this week and our theme is ‘A bit o’ Green’ and the design team are all showcasing Hero Art products.

As always the lovely Heidi is offering one lucky winner a $50 voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp Online Store ….. thanks hunny x

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And finally there is also a brand new challenge over on The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog …. our theme is ‘For the Boys. The cards are just amazing by the DT and make sure you check all the new products over at The Paper Shelter website – they are scrummy.

If you win Veronica and Pedro are offering you a $20 voucher to spend at The Paper Shelter if you use one of their images. You still win 3 of their digis even if you don’t use an image from The Paper Shelter so you win whatever way you look at it!

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Can I just say a big thankyou to everyone for their lovely messages and best wishes. Just to let you know my eyes are feeling a little better. The pain has almost gone and I now just have an ache and some sensitivity to light. My vision still isn’t back correctly but I think it is improving so fingers crossed it isn’t too long before I am crafting again. I am back at the opticians on Friday so I will know more after my review.

Thankyou again, it means so much to know you are thinking of me xxxxxxxxxx

Something a little different….

Good afternoon folks, the sun is still shining here in Yorkshire and it is shaping into a rather nice weekend. It really feels like we are just about in Spring – I love this time of the year with all the signs of new life everywhere, you can’t help but be in a good mood.

Going to keep my post short and sweet because my eyes are playing up. That was short lived from this morning but I am sure it will all resolve itself soon. I am just going to post the basics just now but will pop back later and add some picture links for you.

Have you seen the new embossing folders from Darice? Sara from Crafter’s Companion was showing them earlier on Create & Craft and I was lucky enough to get some to play with …..  OMG they are amazing. They emboss so deeply compared to other folders I have used – I was seriously impressed.

This is using one of the beautiful borders ….. it is from the Flourishes set

It is a really simple card with just some ribbon and punched butterflies with a few pearls to complete it. The Core’dinations paper is perfect to use with the folders. I didn’t realise until today that Darice own Core’dinations – Sara is full of loads of info lol.

A close up to show the amazing depth of the embossing.

Ok, so here is another sample I made ….. even simpler than the last but this time using the 5” x 7” embosiing folders.

Layered using Core’dinations – there are so many gorgeous pads available now.

I have just added some ribbon with a couple of ribbon sliders, lots of pearls, stickles and a sentiment.

I will pop back later if I can to add the pic links – must admit I think they are really helpful when looking for products. Enjoy your weekend

 

Marcea ……. x