Sparkles Christmas Birthday Blog Hop! - WINNER!

Hiya, crafty friends!

Today it's time to announce all the winners from our Sparkles Christmas Birthday Blog Hop!

Thanks to all who entered - I hope you enjoyed it - it was great visiting all your blogs.

The winner from all the fab comments left on my blog is.............no 6............Claudia

of http://kartenspassundmehr.blogspot.com/

and here's her FAB card!

Congratulation, Claudia, you have won 4 digis from Robin's Fetish!

If you go over to Sparkles Christmas Challenges

you will find details of how to claim your prize!!

Congratulations to all the other winners, too!

Jo x

Miss Magnolia (again)!

Good morning my blog friends and a big hello & welcome to my new followers!

Thank you too for all the lovely Birthday wishes - can't believe i'm 47 today!

And my gorgeous 3rd Son is 18 tomorrow - Happy Days!!

So, the card i want to share today was meant to be for a friend - until i checked my pre-blog photos and realised the card i made her last year was made using exactly the same image!!!!

Good job i checked, too, as she's also a card maker and keeps all the cards i make for her so she would have known for sure!

Oh well, back to the drawing board, i guess!

I do like this card, though, so it's no hardship looking at it for a while!

I stamped the two Magnolia images, coloured them with pro/flexmarkers then cut out Tilda and placed her in window. I used brown card and the paper is some i found when having a sort out - i've no idea what it is but it's so beautiful, embossed and glittered in lovely shades of orange/peach and brown - and it's double sided!

The flowers were all cream - i coloured odd ones with flexmarkers to match! The lace was just a scrap and the wooden flower is from a prize from Lisa -thank you, Lisa! A few pearls also coloured with flexmarkers, a computer generated sentiment and that's it!

Hope you all have a fab weekend, I'm off to eat Birthday cake!

Jo x

challenges

lace at Totally Gorjuss

fairytale Tilda at Magnolia stamp lovers

anything goes at Always crafting

anything goes at Lollipop crafts

#77 at Make it Monday

anything goes at Stamps R Us

colour challenge at Craft room challenges

2 papers at Crafty sentiments

lace & flowers at Stamp n doodle

make it cute at Paper crafting journey
at least 3 flowers at CropStop
pattern paper at Delightful challenges
lots of layers at Moving along with the times
Mothers Day/Female at Poodles Parlour
bingo(flowers,lace,pink) at Stampin for the weekend

Whats on your workdesk Wednesday? week 142

Good morning, WOYWW'ers!

Is it me or is it getting just a bit warmer? We haven't needed to put the heating on this morning. 

Can you believe it's Wednesday again? Time to stand up and admit "My name's Jo and I like looking at other people's desk's!" Sound familiar? Then pop over to the leader of this fine group, Julia, and link up for your weekly dose of desk's! I don't play as often as I would like but this week sees me up bright & early & raring to go!

 The only thing you can see on my desk today is my finished homemade promarker storage unit! Oh, and a little edge of my big shot up there at top left! My collection of promarkers is almost complete and now with the flexmarkers as well, I needed more storage.To be honest I couldn't really afford to buy one so thought I'd have a go at making my own - and I'm chuffed to bits with it! And you could also add to it if you wanted!

I've added a page at the top explaining how I made it!

 Time for me to go and brave the housework now then maybe an hour's craft time if I'm, lucky!

Hope you have a lovely day, I'll be round peeking tonight!!

Jo x

Monochromatic at Lexi's Creations - DT card

Morning friends, hope you're all well and have had a lovely weekend!

Back to school for some of my brood today so hopefully some craft time heading my way!

So, today it's time for our next challenge over at Lexi's Creations and this time the challenge is Monochromatic.

Now i know that doesn't mean just black & white but that's what i chose to go with as soon as i saw this fab image - i just pictured gorgeous black leather ankle boots with a soft suede upper - heaven!

Our sponsor this time is the fabulous and talented Marina Neira, owner/designer of The Stamping Bazaar, and the lucky winner of our challenge will have their choice of digi!

You have until 3rd March to play and don't forget you can make anything - cards, ATC's, bookmarks, etc.,as long as it fits the theme. I can't wait to see all your wonderful projects and don't forget to pop over to Lexi's Creations and have a look at all the fab creations from my lovely teamies!

Thanks for looking and good luck!

Jo x

Challenges

no designer paper at Sassy Cheryl's
favourite embellishments at Little Darlings
anything goes at Penny's paper crafty challenges
no designer papers at C.R.A.F.T
fav colour/embellies at Craft us crazy(ribbon&pearls)
anything goes at Digi Doodle Shop's best
layers at Do you stack up
Mother's day/Female at The Poodles Parlour
ribbon and/or bows at Totally Papercrafts

Liebster blog award

Morning blog friends!
Well, this week just gets better & better!
I've had 1 win, 1 top 5 and then -  my blog has been awarded the Liebster award!!
Not once but twice!!!!
TWO lovely bloggers have put my name forward!

The first lovely who chose me is Amelia(Mimi) and you can check out her fab blog HERE

Not only does Amelia make cards, she also bakes and takes the most fantastic photos!
The second is Karen, her fab blog is HERE
Karen is one of the nicest most understanding people I've met
and she makes fab cards too!

Thank you so much, both of you, i'm honoured that you've nominated me and of course
will proudly accept!

For anyone that doesn't know, the Liebster award is given to inspirational blogs with less than 200 followers.

Liebster is a German word meaning dearest or favourite and the tradition is that I would pass

 on the award to 5 

other blogs that have encouraged, inspired and motivated me.

To accept the award here's what you need to do:

1....Thank the person who gave you the award on your blog 

2....Link back to that blogger on your blog

3....Post the award to your blog         

4....Pass on the award to 5 of your most valued blogs (less than 200 followers)     

5....Leave a comment on those 5 blogs to let them know    

                        

I chose these 5 blogs/bloggers because they are fab crafters, they are so inspirational, they make me laugh, they leave lovely, kind, encouraging comments and they're blogs are just simply nice places to visit!

Here's my 5 in no order:

1....Maureen - http://scrapsoflifebyscrappymo.blogspot.com/

2....Sarah -http://createdbysarah.blogspot.com/ 

3....Joann - http://sassyraggedy.blogspot.com/

4....Glenda - http://gilbyscorner.blogspot.com/

5....Rebecca - http://becciscraftcorner.blogspot.com/

I'd be chuffed to bits if you accept my award but if you don't want to then that's fine too!

Thank you all for being fab blog friends!

Jo x

Sparkles DT card - Something with wings

Morning bloggers, hope you're all well and for those of you with younger kids, hope the half term

isn't too stressful!! And at least the weather's a bit milder!!

So, being the 15th of the month, it's time for the new challenge over at Sparkles challenge blog.

This time the theme is "Things with wings" and as we are a multi craft challenge blog you can craft anything you like as long as it fits the theme!!

Our sponsor for this month is the fab Lili of the valley and they are offering 1 winner a £10 voucher!

This time i decided to make a gift tag using this lovely Magnolia Tilda stamp - can't believe she's

 been un-inked  for soooo long! I've coloured her with pro/flexmarkers, cut out my own tag shape, used a scrap of flowered paper, some gingham ribbon, a punched butterfly and a few pearls!

If you're stuck for ideas hop on over to Sparkles and have a look at the fab creations

 from my teamies - as usual, they're fantastic!!

Don't forget you have a whole month to join us - would love to see you there!

Have a lovely day, whatever you're doing.

Jo x

challenges
I'm going to link my card up at Lisa's - Waste not ~Wednesday - can't believe it's week 7 already!
anything goes at Craft us crazy
anything goes at Simon says stamp & show
anything goes at Stamps r us
anything but a card at Cutie pie challenge blog
wings and things at Divas by design
anything with wings at Flutter by Wednesday's
tags at Simon says stamp

Flower power!

Morning all, hope you're all well.
Did you have a lovely weekend with lots of craft time?

Today i wanted to share with you my latest set of ATC's made for the swap 

over at Ali's ATC swap stop - want to know more?  Well, every month you make a set of 4 ATC's 

to fit with the theme Ali sets each month - they can be all the same or all different - whatever you choose.

Send them to Ali before the end of the month and then you will get 4 ATC's back! 

It's great, its something a bit different to cards and it's amazing how quick your collection grows!

And it's a fab way of using up all your scraps lol!

January's swap theme was "My way", the idea being to make your ATC's in your signature style!!

Hmmmm, i don't think i have a particular style - i just go with the flow usually so i decided to just open up my scrap box and see what happened - and these are the result!
Thanks for looking!
Jo x

challenges
colours of the rainbow at City Crafter
bingo at Creative Craft challenges(ribbon pink gems)
anything goes at Papertake weekly
fav embellies at Little Darlings(ribbon gems)
anything goes at Craft us Crazy
flowers at Atc's with attitude
rainbow at Totally Papercrafts
button centre at Just us Girls
buttons & bows at Love to Create

Help!!!!

Just been catching up with you all and been reading about this Friends Connect thing.

Now i don't really understand all this stuff, Vicky and Lisa can explain it much better, but i think we're losing the followers gadget on our blogs :( 

Then when i checked my email, someone else has said everyone on blogger/blogspot blogs won't be losing it!
At least, not yet!!!

So, i've followed in the footsteps of far more experienced bloggers than me, taken their advice and i've added the new Linky followers gadget or widget or whatever it's called.
I'd really hate to lose everybody so you would please follow me on the new linky and maybe get one yourself so i can follow you back.

I hope by doing this i've covered all bases cos i really don't want to lose you all so i'll be following everyone with the linky thing AND friends connect. 

Hope this makes some kind of sense!

Could someone tell me if i'm on the right track?

Jo xx

Waste not Wednesday on Thursday! - week 6

Good morning everyone, hope you're all well & warm, and a big thank you and welcome to my new followers - hope you find something here to inspire you!

Another chilly day here with more snow forecast in the next couple days and it's sooo cold - 

 I think the warmest room in the house yesterday was my craft room (honest!).

So, today's card is the last of the Valentine's cards i need to make and i've

 gone for my fav scallop circle easel card with some gorgeous bunting, red card, spotty paper, a hand rolled flower, some punched hearts, spotty ribbon, a few pearls and a fab digi image from Pollycraft (sorry don't know what its called) coloured with flexmarkers.  Everything used is from my stash and i'm going to link up over at Lisa's (Wishcraft) Waste not Wednesday - a fab challenge to use up all those un-inked stamps and un-printed digis! It's amazing - and slightly scary - to see just how much unused stash you actually have!

Go have a look - then come join us - it's fab!

Hope you all have a lovely day and thanks for looking!

Jo x

challenges

Hearts at Cardmadfairy's digi days
Valentine at Card makin Mamas
All loved up at Delicious doodles
Polka dots at Fussy & fancy
For a loved one at Mami Doodles
Anything goes at The poodle parlour
Valentine's day at Sweet n Sassy
Love is in the air at My Sheri crafts
For the one i love at One stop craft
Die cuts/punches at Stamp, scrap & doodle
Love is in the air at Come & get it
Valentine at Dream Valley
Love is in the air at Gingerloft
Valentines at Crafty Boots
Valentines at Lollipop crafts
Valentines/Love at Clear it out
Pinkor Red at Digital Tuesday
Valentines at Going grey with Scrap creations
Valentines at Party time Tuesday
Be my Valentine at Tuesday throwdown
Love is in the air at Crafting for all seasons
Love is in the air at Divas by design
Love is in the air at I love promarkers
It must be love at My Mums craft shop
Love is in the air at 4 Crafty chicks
Love at Delightful challenges
Love at Do you stack up

Lots of challenges again - think i'm addicted!!
Again, if i've missed any rules then sorry and please delete my entry.
xx

Lexi's Creations - DT card - Be mine!

Good morning everyone! Are you all well? I hope so.
Well, as forecast, just after 3pm on Sat it started to snow and when i went to bed about 11ish it was still snowing! It looks so pretty outside and strangely it feels warmer than it has the last few days!!

Today it's time for a new challenge over at Lexi's Creations and this week

the theme is "LOVE/VALENTINE"

We're sponsored this time by the fantastic Fairy Dust Crafts

and they are offering the winner a massive 5 digis!!!

You really will be spoilt for choice as all the images are FAB!

For my card i chose the cute "Be Mine" bear coloured with flex/promarkers. 

I used a 6 x 6 card blank, layered up red card and red spotty paper, i cut a red scalloped square and layered bear on top, tied red ribbon across the middle and added a couple of punched hearts

 and some pearls.

Don't forget to check out my teamies fantastic creations over at Lexi's Creations

and remember you have almost 2 weeks to play!
Can't wait to see your entries, its such a pleasure commenting and so inspiring, too!

Thanks for looking and good luck!

Jo x

challenges
anything goes at Die cuttin Divas
anything goes at Party time Tuesdays
love/romance/valentine at Stamp n Doodle
hearts at Tuesday throwdown
hearts/valentine at Creative Belli
polka dots at Little Darlings
love is in the air at the Paper shelter
love/hearts at Truly Scrumptious
love is in the air at Digi Doodles
anything goes at Do you stack up
have a heart at Moving along with the times
love is in the air at Crafty Anne's
polka dots at Fussy and fancy
love is in the air at Come & get it
valentine at Dream Valley
love is in the air at Gingerloft

Valentine Edwin

Morning everyone, hope you are all well.
A big welcome and thank you to my new followers-I really appreciate you taking the time to call and love visiting you back!

Does anyone know what happened to January?

Oh, well, won't be long 'til the days are a bit longer and a bit brighter.

And hopefully my pics will be loads better!!

So, here we are in February and it's time for another challenge over at
 Fairytale Challenge Blog and this time the theme is "LOVE LOVE LOVE"!
You can make cards, scrapbook pages, bookmarks, anything you like as long
as it fits the challenge theme.
You have 2 weeks to play and as usual, there'll be a fab prize on offer!
Sadly, this is my last challenge as part of the GDT, i've had a fab time and send big thanks
 to Bianca& the team for having me - it's been great and now i'll be able to enter the challenges lol!
Don't forget to check out the team's fab creations - you're sure to be inspired!

So, here's another Valentine's, this one for a friend to give to his other half!
 I'm quite pleased with how it turned out so hope they like it, too!
I started with a 6 x 6 card blank, layered up red card and spotty paper, then wrapped black check and red ribbon round a strip of card with a punched edge. The little heart charm is actually a punched heart using a tiny scrap of red card! The flourish is a die cut, the flowers are handmade and the leafs are punched!

 Poor Edwin hasn't been inked before and is coloured with promarkers and the balloon
 is actually shiny although you
 can't really tell what with the bad light and my poor photography skills lol!!
Would love to know what you think!
Thanks for looking and have a lovely day.
Jo xx

challenges
polka dots at Fussy & Fancy
for a loved one at Mami Doodles
one or more hearts at Allsorts
Valentine's at Di's digi designs
I heart you at Corrosive challenges
Edwin only at Magnolia down under
anything goes at Lollipop crafts
Valentine/love at Stamps R Us
have a heart at Oldie but a goodie(stamp is OLD!)
love/romance/valentine at Stamp n Doodle
Valentine's at the Stamping boutique
hearts/valentine at Creative Belli
love/hearts at Truly Scrumptious
love is in the air at Joanna Sheen
love is in the air at By the cute & girly
be my Valentine at the Emerald Faerie Garden
love at Fresh Brewed Design
challenge#142 at Just Magnolia
Wow, my card fits lots of challenges, i've checked the rules before entering but apologise if i've missed
anything and please delete my entry!
xx

WOYWW 139

I made it! 

My planned craft day went out the window about 9.15 this morning when school phoned to say my Rebecca needed to come home - she stayed home Monday not well, went to school yesterday, then home today - worst thing is she's due to go on a school trip tomorrow but it's about an hour's drive away so really don't think she'll be up to it.

Rebecca's asleep now so just time for me to join in and link up with WOYWW.

It's amazing how quickly you're drawn in - that weekly peek into everyone else's

crafty space becomes addictive very quickly lol! Hop over to Julia's at the Stamping Ground to join in - i promise you'll be hooked!

So, what's on my desk today? See all those crafty bits spread out on the white sheet?

There's a stamp, FAB chipboard flowers, gems, wooden flowers, buttons, butterflies, wooden shapes, pegs, card candy, metal embellie, some gorgeous doillies and some gingham!! And a beautiful card!

All in one surprise package from my lovely blog buddy Lisa for winning her weekly challenge!

Thanks, Lisa, it's made my day and is soooo appreciated!!

You might also spy the edge of a DT card, my spotty coffee cup (coffee just doesn't taste the same in any other cup) and some uninked stamps! That's it really, no works in progress but definitely lots of crafty goodness just waiting to be used!

Thanks for looking, will be visiting you back!

Jo x

p.s. thanks for all the lovely comments on little pots at the back of my 

desk - would you believe they only cost £1.

Sparkles Christmas Birthday Blog Hop!

Good morning, crafty bloggers and a great big welcome to the

 Sparkles Christmas challenges
 Birthday blog hop!

Can you believe we're into February already?

 Me neither, i think time definitely does fly when you're crafting!!

So, this month the theme is "anything goes" and you can make any type of craft creation!

but it must be Christmas!(check our rules on main blog)

For my post i chose to make a winter Birthday card as its our 1st Birthday using:

image - saturated canary

pro/flex markers

6 x 6 card blank

free paper from mag

pearls

framelits banner die

sizziz snowflake die

To join in with our fun Hop you need to start at Sparkles Chistmas and
following the hop order, hop from blog to blog leaving a comment on each of my teamies amazing creations then link up your project on the Sparkles blog to be in with a chance of winning. 

There's a FAB prize to be won at each stop so you never know - it could be you! 

One lucky person leaving a comment on my post will win an amazing 4 digis from:

If you've hopped over from Mel's blog then you're in the right place and your next stop
should be Amanda otherwise here's the hop order:
Sparkles Christmas Challenges

Lesley

Jacqui

Debbie

Shell

Jackie

Mel

Jo - you are here!!

Amanda

Shaz

then back to Sparkles to link up your entry!

You have until Feb 27th to play so have fun hopping!
Winners will be announced on Feb 29th.

Good luck!!

Jo x

challenges
punches and/or dies at Saturated canary
pink/green at Colour create
anything goes at Digi Doodles
winter wonderland at Delicious Doodles
winter wonderland at Jellypark challenges
a banner holiday at Jingle Belles
square at Craftyhazelnut's Christmas challenges
anything goes at Stamp, scrap & doodle
all about girls at Kaboodle Doodles
anything goes at Lollipop crafts
anything goes at my craft spot
punches &/or dies at Crafty sentiments
anything goes at Die cuttin Divas
anything goes at Party time Tuesday