Challenge #11 - It's Christmas!

Hi friends, hope you're all well and warm....it's ever so cold here

which I suppose adds to the Christmas feeling. Wouldn't it be lovely if we had

a sprinkling of snow......just from Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day though!

Well, we made it all the way to December & if you haven't got your

Christmas craft on yet what are you waiting for? I'd love you to come join

me for my last challenge of the year where the theme is........

CHRISTMAS

My make this time is a little card on a stand........there's a little die cut stand

attached to the back so it will stand on it's own. I used die cut layers, a topper

matted onto some gorgeous teal coloured card then finished with a die cut 

sentiment and some faux gems.

This month I have my lovely blog buddy Chris from

and here's one I made earlier joining me as Guest Designer and oh

my, she's made a beauty this time. Chris always makes the loveliest cards 

but her make this time is so, so lovely........a Christmas album for her

DIL.......what a lucky lady!

I love the colours too.......a gorgeous combo!

Rules

1 - You must follow the theme set

2 - One entry, new makes only

3 - You must be a follower of this blog

4 - Please link your entry post back to this blog

So whether your style is frilly & fancy, CAS or even grungy & gritty you

can enter your make.....and as usual, there'll be a surprise prize for the

lucky winner. And if you fancy joining me as a guest designer then just add

GD after your name!

Good luck!

xx

p.s - I'll be back tomorrow with last month's winner.......also, I will be closing this challenge a little earlier than usual........Dec 28th, 10pm.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

I'm In Making Cards Magazine!

So excited to tell you all I'm in the December issue of Making Cards magazine!

My penguin cards won Star Letter.......I'm so chuffed and I'd like to say

thanks so much for a fabulous prize!

Now I'm not just saying this but Making Cards really is my favourite magazine..

......as a card maker I think there's always so much to learn & Making Cards

is packed full of hints & tips, gorgeous inspirational makes.....and freebies!

We all love a freebie and in the December issue there's lots - a craft paper collection, a

 free digi stamp download, a bonus download available through the website or

Facebook.....and this time the cutest stamp set - Pablo the Penguin!

There's still time to get the December issue if you hurry.....and why not subscribe

like I do then you'll never have to worry about missing an issue.....plus, you

will get your copy before it's available in the shops!

You can find Making Cards here:

https://www.facebook.com/MakingCards/

www.twitter.com/makingcards

www.pinterest.com/makingcardsmag

www.instagram.com/makingcards

Challenge #10 - Tags & Trimmings Winner!

Hi friends, it's time to announce the winner of #10 Tags & Trimmings!

 Thank you so much for all your gorgeous entries..... I'm so chuffed to have such

 support for my little challenges.............and blown away by the number of entries!

So, without further ado..........the winner of  #10 is.............

****It's you Shell of The Camels Hump****

and here's what Shell made........

How sweet is that image.....and a gorgeous tag shape too!

Here's a pic of your prize......

.......a 4 piece die set from Creative Expressions.....

and I'd love to invite you to join me as Guest Designer next year.

If you send me your snail mail details I'll pop your prize in the post

asap.............and could you leave me a comment on this post please, so I know

 to look out for your email.

And here's a badge for your blog......

Well done, Shell....and thanks again to everyone who entered, hope you'll

join me  for #11 It's Christmas.............see you there!

xx

Challenge #10 - Tags & Trimmings!

Hi friends, hope you're all well.

It's time for challenge #10 and as we're into November already....(where

did the year go?) I thought we'd go with the theme of......

TAGS & TRIMMINGS

Tags.......can be simply gift tags or maybe a tag on a card just so long as it's

obvious.......and trimmings........I'm thinking decorations for the tree, bunting,
wreaths..........or anything you might make to decorate your home!

I made a few things for inspiration this month so first up is a little tag......a 2 in 1 I think

because if I changes the string for ribbon I could hang this on the tree!

Layers of distressed paper raised on foam pads, some die cut foliage, a little heart,

poinsettia with a faux gem centre then I sprinkled the whole lot with frantage.

Once I started making I couldn't stop so I'll probably be back with more inspiration

throughout the month.

This month I have my lovely blog buddy NanaConnie from Grammy's Attic

joining me as Guest Designer

 and here's what NanaConnie made......

Look at his little face......

Isn't that the sweetest Panda you ever did see?

Thanks so much NanaConnie, your tag is adorable.

Rules

1 - You must follow the theme set

2 - One entry, new makes only

3 - You must be a follower of this blog

4 - Please link your entry post back to this blog

So whether your style is frilly & fancy, CAS,or even grungy & gritty you

can enter your make.....and as usual, there'll be a surprise prize for the

lucky winner. And if you fancy joining me as a guest designer then just add

GD after your name!

Good luck!

xx

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Tags & Trimmings Inspiration

Hi crafty friends, hope you're all well.

Just popping on to share some more inspiration for my 'Tags & Trimmings'

challenge here. Super quick & easy, I simply die cut the pockets & decorated them

with a die cut snowflake. I then die cut the tags......finished with some paper

string & a faux gem in the centre of the snowflakes....plenty of space to add your

own little message........or even stamp something. 

Another make using only dies..........can you tell how much I love them?

Thanks for calling......have a lovely weekend!

xx

Tags & Trimmings inspiration

Morning lovelies, hope you're all well.

Ooh, I feel full of the joys of Spring this morning, not sure why 'cos it

feels like the middle of Winter today but never mind......I'll just go with the flow!

I have a little inspiration for my Tags & Trimmings challenge which you can

find here. My first make was a little shabby, maybe a little bit vintage so my next

make just had to be the opposite......and these are totally opposite! All die cut & quite

modern looking, I think......they took me about 10 mins to make!

As with my first make, simply swap out the ribbon for a loop & these could

hang from the tree too!

Rightio, better go.......I really need to make a start on the Christmas shopping...I'm

usually almost done by this time but it's been a funny old year.....oh well, there's

still time! Thanks for calling & for any comments you might leave..........and

whatever you're up to......have a lovely day!

xx

Thankful with Crafty Cardmakers!

Morning friends, hope you're all well & had a lovely weekend.

We have a new challenge starting over at Crafty Cardmakers today.....the theme

as chosen by our lovely Lin is......

*

THANKFUL

*

As usual, we love to see any & all makes just so long as you stick to the theme

and if you're low on inspiration we can help you with that too.......just 

pop on over to the main blog!

A topper from me today.....apart from the base layers everything is die cut!

I love this time of the year and the warm colours are right up my street.

Don't forget, my TAGS & TRIMMINGS challenge is here.

Thanks for calling......have a lovely day.

xx

White on White

Hi friends, hope you're all well.

It's ever so windy here today.....no rain yet but it looks s though it won't

be too long.......perfect weather for crafting. I switched my Ottlite on

earlier and........nothing......I checked it was switched on at the wall......

......nothing.......checked the fuse.....working fine in another appliance..

By then I was wondering how quick I could get another one! I put it all

back together, plugged it in, switched it on.......and it worked fine!!

So for today I have a topper to share.......I love the look of white on white

on other people's makes but on mine I'm not so sure.....anyway, here it is.

White hammer card turned into a topper using only dies & finished with

a couple of faux gems. Super quick & easy and a great use of scraps!

Rightio, that's me for today. Thanks for calling & whatever you're up to I

hope you have a lovely day.

xx

Don't forget, my TAGS & TRIMMINGS challenge is here.

Challenge #9 Halloween Winner!

Hi friends, it's time to announce the winner of #9 Halloween

 Thank you so much for all your gorgeous entries..... I'm so chuffed to have such

 support for my little challenges.............and blown away by the number of entries!

So, without further ado..........the winner of  #9 Halloween is.............

****It's you Caz at Caz Crafty Bits****

and here's what Caz made........

Isn't it fab? Although I think I'd have eaten those Kit Kats long

before Halloween!

Here's a pic of your prize.......

No tricks, just treats.......Sweet Treats Decoupage set & Sweet Treat

alphabet stamps.........

and I'd love to invite you to join me as Guest Designer next year.

If you send me your snail mail details I'll pop your prize in the post

asap.............and could you leave me a comment on this post please, so I know

 to look out for your email.

And here's a badge for your blog......

Well done, Caz....and thanks again to everyone who entered, hope you'll

join me  for #10 Tags & Trimmings.............see you there!

xx

Christmas is Coming!

Hi friends, hope you're all well.

The rain is back, good job I'm not going anywhere today, a nice lazy crafternoon is planned before Asher comes for tea.......oh my, can that boy eat!! Not sweet things though, he prefers savoury and he loves Grandma's home cooked meals...and I love feeding him.....he sits in his highchair & holds my hand while he eats......melts my heart every time. I love being a Grandma!

So back to crafting......today's cards are just a few I made with the free kit that came with

 the latest issue of Crafts Beautiful magazine - Poinsettia Perfection by Crafter's

 Companion. A beautiful kit, there's so much in it.....I did some simple mating & layering.....I 

added just a couple of die cut embellies & some faux gems then adhered the lot to 5x5

card blanks. I have to say though they look so much prettier in real life.

Rightio, off back to my desk.....thanks for calling & have a lovely afternoon!

xx

 

Challenge #9 - Halloween!

Good morning crafty friends, hope you're all well.

I can't believe we're about to start the 9th challenge.....doesn't time

 fly when you're having fun.....and I sure am having fun! I thank you all

 so much for taking the time to join in with my challenges.

I love this time of the year......the cooler weather, the darkening nights,

 hot chocolate, Christmas prepping......and ......Halloween!

..

So, this time the theme just has to be......

HALLOWEEN

Now I have to be honest.......the card I originally made for the challenge

had a bit of an accident with a mug of coffee!! The coffee was fine,

unfortunately the card was a soggy write-off and with no time to make

another I'm sharing a card I made a while ago. My favourite style with

lots of layers & a beautiful image from Oddball Art coloured with Copics.

Lots of die cut embellies, some Tim Holtz words & faux gems to finish.

This month I'm so chuffed to have my lovely blog buddy,  Meg from

BITS AND PIECES

joining me as Guest Designer..........

 Hi from the beautiful rural North East of Scotland. Happily retired after a long career in the NHS I now have plenty of time to indulge in paper crafting , gardening and walking the dog, my three passions. Sadly there still aren't enough hours in the day to fit everything in. Thank you to Jo for asking me to join her as Guest Designer this month.

and here's what Meg made......

 I love the circular shape, Meg does this style of card so well.

Fab embellishments too & look at that little ghost peeking out from

behind the pumpkin..........brilliant! Do pop over to her blog, you

will be most welcome. Thanks so much for joining me Meg, hope you

all can too!

Rules

1 - You must follow the theme set

2 - One entry, new makes only

3 - You must be a follower of this blog

4 - Please link your entry post back to this blog

So whether your style is frilly & fancy, CAS,or even grungy & gritty you

can enter your make.....and as usual, there'll be a surprise prize for the

lucky winner. And if you fancy joining me as a guest designer then just add

GD after your name!

Good luck!

xx

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Halloween with Crafty Cardmakers!

Hi friends, happy Monday.....hope your week has gotten off to a good start.

We have sunshine today..........a welcome relief from the rain of the last 3 

days.....we had that much I thought it was time to start building my ark!

So, today we have a new challenge for you over at Crafty Cardmakers where

the theme, this time is......HALLOWEEN!

As usual, we love to see any & all crafty makes just so long as you stick to

the theme....you have 2 weeks to play & if you're low on inspiration then please

do pop over to the main blog.....you won't be disappointed!

I made a square card topper (would look just as nice in a frame) a distressed paper

 layer (my favourite at the moment) then I adhered the die cut panel to the orange

 layer, raised it on foam pads & added faux gems to the corners. 

Lots to do today so I'll love you & leave you.....thanks for calling & whatever

you're up to.....have a lovely day!

Don't forget, there's still time to play my HALLOWEEN challenge here.

xx

Give a Cat a Box......

What is it with cats & boxes.......doesn't matter what size or shape it

is......a cat will fit itself into it!

 Here's Kimi......will she fit?

 She made it!

Ollie was a bit too big so decided to go for the longer box.....

.......in front of the radiator next to Thor!

Tom didn't want a box......he waited til I put the chairs up to wash the floor

then jumped into the chair base!!

All that money spent on cat beds and they'd go for the box every time!

xx

Sweet Skulls

Hi friends, hope you're all well.

I'm sat in my crafty room watching the rain, it's rained all night long......but it's so

 very peaceful, still and quiet I could sit here all day!

I made a couple of very quick cards yesterday, just 2 simple layers....not a gem

in sight! I did fancy decoupaging some of the flowers only my hands 

weren't up to cutting. No sentiment as I thought they might be useful as notelets

but it would be very easy to add one if required.

Nothing much planned for today........something nice for tea & then Strictly on tv is

as exciting as it gets for today......I do have a nice new stamp to play with though.

Thanks for calling & whatever you're up to......have a lovely day!

xx

Don't forget, my HALLOWEEN challenge is here.

Christmas Wishes

Hi crafty friends, hope you're all well.

It's another damp, grey day here....we've had a little rain but not too much.

Usually on a Friday my gorgeous Grandson comes for the day.....but not today,

poor little fella & his Daddy are not feeling too well so they're staying home.

So I've found myself with a couple hours so spare and you know what that 

means........crafty time for me!!

Today's topper is made with all things Hunkydory from the Festive Flourish kit

only instead of using one of the beautiful foiled toppers I used an offcut of

the patterned card......it was far too pretty to waste so I layered it onto gold mirri

then onto more cardstock. The gold bauble is a die from the same collection

& I finished with some faux gems and a gold bow.

Rightio, better make the most of this free time while I can......thanks for calling

& whatever you're up to have a lovely day.

xx

Don't forget, my HALLOWEEN challenge is here.

challenges
Rudolph days at Scraps of Life by Scrappymo
anything goes at Crimbo Crackers
anything Christmas at Crafty Hazelnut's
anything Christmas at Holly& Ivy

From Our House To Yours.....

Crafting time has been in short supply this week.....and I had a crafty

itch that needed scratching! Two 4x4 Christmas card blanks, 2 chipboard

houses, a sentiment stamp & some faux gems to finish......job done!

Sometimes the simplest cards are enough.........I do love lots of layers and

lots of my lovely paper frosting but just sometimes quick & easy is enough.

So that's my lot for today....hope you're managing lots more crafty time than me!

Thanks for calling......see you soon.

xx

Don't forget, my HALLOWEEN challenge is here.

A Change From Christmas!!

Hi crafty friends, hope you're all well.

It's a dull, damp & grey day here.....perfect weather for a crafternoon and

a warm, comforting slo-cooker tea......and Strictly on the tv tonight!

Do you have anything nice planned?

So today's card is not Christmas!!!! I know, I know...that's all I've done lately &

 so this card came about when I found the little topper in the scrapbox........a

quick root around & I came up with enough scraps to make this card. Gone are the

 days when I could walk in shoes that high....give me comfort over style every

 time nowadays!

Black card topped with distressed paper layers & decorated with some die cut

flowers & banners........finished with some faux gems & mounted onto

a white card blank.

So that's me for today....whatever you're up to have fun.....thanks for calling.

xx

Don't forget, my HALLOWEEN challenge is here.

Add Some Sparkle with Crafty Cardmakers

Wow, can't believe it's Wednesday already, time is going way too fast & I 

seem to have got myself in a right pickle with my Dt makes! So, huge

apologies to my Crafty Cardmaker teamies, this post should have gone live

on Monday for the new ADD SOME SPARKLE challenge.

Lots of die cut elements, some raised on foam pads....my favourite distressed

paper layer....a silver foiled background.....silver snowflakes........all

finished with a sprinkle of glitter & some sparkly faux gems!

There's still plenty of time if you fancy joining us.....any & all makes are 

welcome so long as you stick to the theme.....and if you're low on

inspiration then there's lots over there!

Thanks for calling.....hopefully, I'll see you tomorrow!

xx

Don't forget, my HALLOWEEN  challenge is here.

'Tis the Season

Hey lovelies, hope you're all well.

I think today's the day I realised I have a little problem......I can't stop making

Christmas things!! Cards, mini albums, home decor....you name it I've had

a go at making it!! And soon it'll be Christmas food although maybe I should

stick to crafts & leave the food to Son no 4 as he's a chef!

Anyway, I recently bought an A4 docrafts/papermania ultimate die cut & paper

pad - Merriest Christmas and oh my, it's fabulous! It's packed full of papers, 

toppers, vellum, bunting, alphabets, decorations, gift boxes....ooh, the list goes

on......and the colours are beautiful.....reds, soft greens, white.

So the 1st thing I have to share is a topper....just under 6x6 I started with a white 

card base then added a distressed paper layer. I die cut the wreath 3 times for

a little extra dimension, raised the topper on foam pads them embellished

with some die cut poinsettia's, a bow & a sentiment banner....and a few faux

gems in the centre of the flowers.

So that's my lot for today.......thanks for calling & I'll hopefully see you

tomorrow......have a lovely evening.

xx

Don't forget, my HALLOWEEN challenge is here.

challenges

ribbons/bows at Christmas With The Cuties

Christmas/Winter at Cute 'n' Crafty

Christmas at C.R.A.F.T

anything goes at Crimbo Crackers

Christmas at Crafty Friends

anything goes at Merry Little Christmas

For The Kids Challenge Winner!

Hi friends, it's time to announce the winner of #8 For The Kids!

 Thank you so much for all your gorgeous entries..... I'm so chuffed to have such

 support for my little challenges.............and blown away by the number of entries!

So, without further ado..........the winner of  #8 For The Kids is.............

****It's you, Chris at and here's one i made earlier

and here's Chris's card......

Just brilliant! I love round cards, especially easel cards and I

bet Ruby was thrilled with it!

Here's a pic of your prize

and I'd love to invite you to join me as Guest Designer for December's challenge.

If you send me your snail mail details I'll pop your prize in the post

asap.............and could you leave me a comment on this post please, so I know

 to look out for your email.

And here's a badge for your blog......

 

Well done, Chris....and thanks again to everyone who entered, hope you'll

join me on for #9 Halloween.............see you there!

xx

Winter Wishes

A beautiful day here on the Yorkshire Coast......bright blue skies, sunshine...but

just enough of a nip in the air to remind us that it's October!

Today's card could be Winter or Christmas.....the image was a little bit of

card left over from a previous project, way too pretty to ignore & worthy of

being the focal point, I thought. So I kept it simple...just 2 layers, a die

cut sentiment & finished with some faux gems.

 Don't you just love that robin?

Lots on the agenda today so I'll leave it at that.....thanks for calling & whatever

you're up to I hope you have a lovely day.

xx

Don't forget, you can enter my HALLOWEEN challenge here.

challenges

anything goes at Merry Little Christmas

anything Christmas/Winter at Cute 'n' Crafty

Happy Birthday!

Hi friends, happy Monday......hope your week's gotten off to a good start!

I was having a little sort out in the craft room & came across a pack of die cut

flowers & patterned paper sheets....ever so pretty, done in a water colour effect 

in such lovely colours, I think they were a freebie with a magazine.

I needed a break from Christmas crafting & so this is what I came up with.....

I started with a base of white, added a distressed gingham paper layer. I stamped

the sentiment on vellum & heat embossed it then wrapped it around the gingham

 layer. I arranged some of the die cut flowers, raising some on foam pads &

finished with some faux gems.

Not my usual style of card but so fresh & pretty....and so enjoyable to make!

Thanks for calling & for any comments you might leave........I love reading them.

xx

Don't forget, you can find my HALLOWEEN challenge here.

challenges
anything goes at Crafting by Design
feminine at Watercooler Wednesday
anything goes at QKR Stampede

Challenge #8 - For The Kids

Good morning crafty friends, hope you're all well.

I can't believe we're about to start the 8th challenge.....doesn't time

 fly when you're having fun.....and I sure am having fun! I thank you all

 so much for taking the time to join in with my challenges.

I love this time of the year......the cooler weather, the darkening nights

......oh, and the kids going back to school & college!

So, this time the theme is going to be......

FOR THE KIDS

A pair of decoupaged toppers from me, both the same size, the same layout

 and both from the same collection........Whiz Kids from Trimcraft. A fab

mix of papers, decoupage toppers, sentiment banners, gems, ribbons..

.....and a few more, I'm sure! I started with my favourite base of black,

added some distressed paper layers, a decoupaged topper then finished

with a sentiment & some faux gems.

This month I'm so chuffed to have my lovely blog buddy, Michelle from

LAUGHING DUCKS

joining me as Guest Designer..........

Hi - I live in Buxton, Derbyshire with my fella, son Brandon and naughty but cute cat Sybil.  I started my papercrafting journey with scrapbooking after my son was born in 2006.  Not long after I started making cards and was hooked.  I love colouring digi stamps and turning them into cards but I also enjoy cross stitch and adult colouring.  There's just not enough hours in the day for all that I enjoy doing!

and here's what Michelle made......

isn't that just adorable? Michelle makes the prettiest card.....why not

pop over to her blog.....you won't be disappointed.

Thanks so much for joining me Michelle.......hope you can join me too!

Rules

1 - You must follow the theme set

2 - One entry, new makes only

3 - You must be a follower of this blog

4 - Please link your entry post back to this blog

So whether your style is frilly & fancy, CAS,or even grungy & gritty you

can enter your make.....and as usual, there'll be a surprise prize for the

lucky winner. And if you fancy joining me as a guest designer then just add

GD after your name!

Good luck!

xx

p.s - pop back Thursday to find out who won last month's challenge!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter