I can smell the chocolate

There is a new release and freebie today at StampFairy called Barry Easter 2 so I couldn't resist making a project using one of the cute new digis.  I made a card and matching yummy goodie bag

I'm actually surprised that I had enough will-power to put the mini eggs in the pouch, and not in my mouth. I love mini eggs, but they are soooo addictive.  One is never enough.  But I was proud of myself because I didn't eat any, even though the smell from the pouch was oh-so-delicious !!!!

Of course my abstinence may have been related to hubby supervising me, to ensure that no mini eggs strayed away from the bag.  I'm sure he has eyes in the back of his head.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Barry Easter 2 from StampFairy
• Sentiment - One of my own Freebies
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Shimmer chalks
• Nesties - Lacey Circles, Labels 18
• Cherry Blossom, 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash -  Ribbon, glossy accents, pearls, Stickles

Here's a preview of the set being released today:

I've been inspired by:

• Wild Orchid Challenge - Get in Shape
• Allsorts - Say it with Flowers

Happy Crafting

Girlie Oval Box

StampFairy are sponsoring Papertake Weekly today, and so I've made a girlie gift box to support the challenge.  The theme is something for the girls, or Mother's day and I've used Clementine Spring to make an oval shaped (boy that was hard work!) gift box in pink.

I've used my pencils (again) to colour the image, and made the box by cutting a base, then cutting a fringe on a strip of coloured card, and then sticking the fringe to the base so that it forms the oval shape.  I then covered the sides with pretty paper, and added a lid made in the same way as the base.

Project Recipe:

• Image - Clementine Spring from StampFairy.com
• Papers - First Edition Sweet Owl
• Colouring - Promarkers, Pencils, Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Nesties - Lacey ovals
• From my stash -  Glossy accents

I've been inspired by:

• Crafty Ann - Not a card
• Gem of a Challenge - Perfect pastels
• Crafter's Companion - Spring

Happy crafting.

Fancy a Cuppa?

This fortnight's challenge at Top Tip Tuesday is Mother's Day.  There's also a fab tutorial and template on the TTT site showing how to make a teapot card, so I've decided to have a go at following it, and it was really easy.  What do you think about my attempt?

Card Recipe:

• Sentiment - Typed, traced onto patterned paper, and overwritten with Sakura Stardust pen
• Papers - Whoops, I can't remember !!! (maybe Laura Ashley?)
• Nesties - Labels 18
• Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash -  White gel pen, Colour Box chalk pad

Please pop on over to the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge Blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

We're sponsored by :

I've been inspired by:

• Lexi's Creations - Mother's Day
• Simon Says Stamp - Mother's Day
• Crafty Catz - Mother's Day
• Craft your Days Away - Mother's Day

Happy crafting.

Springtime Flowerpots and some photos

The sun's been out today, so Spring is definitely on the way (Yay!).  I got myself in the mood by creating a bright orange springtime card using my favourite bunny Clementine from Stampfairy.  I didn't have many orange embellies, as it is not a colour I use much, so ended up colouring cream flowers with an orange copic!!  Inventive huh!

This card is available to buy on my eBay listings




Card Recipe:

• Image - Clementine Spring from StampFairy.com
• Sentiment - One of my own Freebies
• Papers - Summertime Designs
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens, Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Nesties - Lacey circles, Labels 3
• Cherry Blossom, 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash -  Ribbon, gems

Because the sun was out, we walked from home to the harbour for a yummy lunch treat (trying out a new Thai style restaurant !!!) and then wondered back home along the seafront with an ice cream.  Perfect afternoon.  I took a few pics (sorry about the quality, they were taken on my phone) .....

I live in a huge sheltered bay, this is looking across from one side to the other side.  The sea was so calm today, it looked like a mirror.  

Hubby decided it would be funny to pop his head in each picture just as I pressed the button, so I've got quite a few with his head in the way.   Grrrrrr!!!!

I've been inspired by:

• Wild Orchid - Get in shape
• Crafter's Companion - Spring
• Papertake - Anything Goes

Happy crafting.

Easter (and a freebie)

The evenings are starting to get lighter so it must mean that the clocks will 'spring forward' soon. I really hate the cold dark evenings, so am so looking forward to the longer evenings.

Although Easter isn't for another month, there's no reason to hold off making a couple of Easter cards.  Plus there's a cute new Barry bear release and freebie today at StampFairy called Barry Easter 1 (I think that is a hint that there may be a Barry Easter 2 soon!).  Anyway, when I saw the cute Barry bear, I couldn't resist making a card with him. I've also used today's Stampfairy freebie to decorate inside.

Plus, as if one freebie isn't enough, I've also got a freebie of my own to share with you, being an Easter circle sentiment that I've used on today's card (collect it below)

This card is available to buy on my eBay listings

Card Recipe:

• Image - Barry easter 1 StampFairy
• Sentiment - One of my own Freebies
• Papers - Nitwits
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Nesties - Lacey circles, Go Kreate large scalloped circles (card base)
• Dies - Magnolia leaf and swirl
• Cherry Blossom, 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash - Seam binding, pearls, corner punch

Freebie:

As promised above, here is my Sentiment freebie that I've used above.  You're free to download it if you like it; click on the image for a larger version, then right click and 'save picture as' to save to your own computer.

My conditions are as follows:

1. Please become a follower, then you will see more freebies as they are posted,
2. Please leave a comment on this post to let me know you've downloaded it, and
3. Please don't share my freebies directly with other people, but please send them over to collect it themselves.

I also adore seeing your creations using my digi sentiments, so I'd really love you to send me an email with links to your creations so I can pop over for a peek!

Please pop on over to StampFairy to see the newly released digi images.

Here's a preview of the set being released today:

I've been inspired by:

• Wild Orchid Crafts - Get in Shape
• Papertake - Anything Goes
• Paper Sundays - Green

Happy Crafting

Daffy Barry

StampFairy are sponsoring Fab 'n' Funky today, and so I've made a card to support the challenge.  The theme is to make Yellow your focus, or use a daffodil, so I've used both!!!

This card is available to buy on my eBay listings




Card Recipe:

• Image - Barry Throughout the Year (March) from StampFairy.com
• Sentiment - One of my own (will be a freebie later this week so pop back on Friday)
• Papers - Nitwits
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Leaf Die - Magnolia Leaf & Swirl
• Nesties - Lacey circles & Grand Labels 1
• Cherry Blossom, 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash -  Glossy Accents, pearls, ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Wild Orchid Crafts - Get in Shape (circle, rectangle+square, fancy shaped card)
• Papertake - Anything Goes
• CMC Copic Challenge - Fuzzy Wyzzy Furry Animals

Happy crafting.

Girlie Birthday

I used a sketch yesterday from Sketch Saturday and really liked it, so decided to try another variation on it.  This time I've used a beautiful girlie image and created a birthday card.  I've used a doily on this card, so I'm also entering the Saturated Canary challenge of Doilies.

This card is available to buy on my eBay listings



Card Recipe:

• Image - Nevaeh from Saturated Canary
• Sentiment - Typed
• Papers - First Edition Sweet Owl
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens, Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• From my stash -  Liquid pearls, ribbon, gems doily

Happy crafting.

Mother's Day Jake

It's Mother's day soon, so I thought that I'd better get a card made for my MIL.  Her favourite colour is turquoise, so I picked out some of my lovely new glittery papers, and complemented with some cheery springtime yellow and orange accents.

I coloured this cute little bear, Jake, from Stampfairy, using my pencils and sansodor, but I'm still a novice with the pencils and struggle to colour something that I'm happy with.  Despite that, I don't think my colouring on this bear is too bad. Perhaps the browns are easier to blend than other colours!!

I'll never be as good with pencils as the extremely talented Larissa.  She's definitely my idol when it comes to pencils, and I'm definitely the student!!

Card Recipe:

• Image -Thank You 4 from StampFairy
• Sentiment - Typed
• Papers - First Edition
• Colouring - Pencils and Sansodor, white gel pen
• Nesties - Lacey circles
• From my stash -  Pearls, ribbon, glossy accents, brads

I've been inspired by:

• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Critter - Colour challenge (blue, orange, yellow)
• Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
• CRAFT - Mother's Day
• Paperplay - Something old (ribbon/brad/pearls) something new (papers)
• CMC - Fuzzy animals
• Crafty Calendar - Punches and dies
• 2 Sisters - 1 Image, 2 papers, 3 embellies (brads, ribbon, pearls)
• Craft Your Days Away - Mother's Day

Happy Crafting

Let's Party

After my attempts at stitching earlier this week, I've caught the bug, and have had another attempt.  Today's stitching is somewhat easier than Tuesday's uber-fancy tag shape, this one being a plain old square!!!  For my project, I've used a new release image and freebie today from StampFairy called Barry Numbers.  I've also paper pieced the number, which is something else on my 'to-do' list, being a technique that I rarely try, and haven't done for ages and ages.

This card is available to buy on my eBay listings



Card Recipe:

• Image - Barry Numbers from StampFairy
• Sentiment - freebie from StampFairy
• Papers - Nitwits
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens, Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Nesties - Lacey Ovals, Labels 18
• From my stash -  Seam binding, pearls, glossy assents, white gel pen

Please pop on over to StampFairy to see the newly released digi images.

Here's a preview of the set being released today:

I've been inspired by:

• Craft your passion - Paper piecing
• Die-ing for a challenge - Anything goes
• Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Happy Crafting

It seemed like a good idea at the time ...

This fortnight's challenge at Top Tip Tuesday is stitching which is something that I've been wanting to do for ages.  I've seen it on some fab cards, especially my talented Stampfairy teamie Deanne, who uses stitching on most of her awesome creations.  Pop over to her blog if you want to see some stunners using stitching!

If you want to know how to get started, Janette has also written a fab tutorial on the  Top Tip Tuesday blog today.  I've only just got my sewing machine (well I've had it a couple of months but I've not had much time to play with it yet), so I'm still working out what all the dials and knobs do (and usually getting the dials for stitch width / length the wrong way around).

I should really have started with something easy, huh. Walk before you run, right?  Ha ha, not me !!  Making the fancy tag shape seemed like a good idea when I started out, but was a BIG mistake considering I was going to have to stitch around it (I had forgotten the requirement for stitching when I decided what I was going to make).

Well, who wants an easy life, right !!!

Despite the fact that it took me flippin' ages to sew around, I was really pleased with the end result. It is big too, about 18cm (7") tall, so I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with it now!

What do you think?

I used Sakura stardust pens on her wings, so they really do sparkle. And the seam binding was a bit pale, so I gave it a little bit of treatment with my copics to darken it up a bit!  You can see the seam binding at the top of the tag is a different colour - well that is the original colour cos I forgot to colour that bit!!.  The bow on the bottom is the same stuff, but after the copic retouch!

I've also made a matching card in a fancy shape.


Both the items in this posting are available on my eBay listings

And finally, the picture below of them both together shows how big this tag is ! ...

Top Tip Tuesday have some fab prizes this week, check out the sponsors below:

Card Recipe:

• Image - Whispy from Saturated Canary
• Papers - First Edition Sweet Owl
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Nesties - Labels 18
• Swirl - Magnolia Leaf & Swirl set
• Tag template - Krea Teja Freebie Download (bottom right pdf "Workshop Patterns Label")
• From my stash -  Pearls (coloured with copics), ribbon, seam binding (also coloured with copics!)

Please pop on over to the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge Blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:

• Saturated Canary - Not a square 
• Crafter's Companion - Anything Goes
• Die-ing for a Challenge - Anything with dies
• Sparkles - Things with wings

Happy crafting.

Just for Fun - Pretty Molly

I had such fun making the Centre Step Card last week, that I decided to make another one with sweet little Molly from Stampfairy.  With most of my shaped cards, I like to keep the embellies to a minimum, but seemed to still manage some die cuts, pearls, stickles, ribbons, bow and flowers on this one !!!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Molly Throughout the Year (October) from StampFairy.com
• Papers - First Edition Sweet Owl
• Colouring - Pencils & Sansodor and Copics
• Dies - Leaf & Swirl die from Magnolia
• Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash - pearls, Anita's ribbon, stickles

I've been inspired by:

• Die-ing for a challenge - Anything goes using a die
• Crafter's Companion - Anything Goes
• Delightful Challenges - Use Pattern paper
• Stampin' for the weekend - Bingo (Ribbon & bows, Glitter, Flowers) 

Happy crafting.

Linda Spring

There is a new release today at StampFairy called Linda Spring so I couldn't resist making a project using one of the cute new digis.

I made a little wallet for putting a post-it note pad inside, and added a tag, my image, some embroidery thread in 3 shades of green and some pearls.  I'm not really pleased with my colouring on this image, I've not got the dress pleats quite right, but the shading on the actual bear's face and legs are ok, it is just the dress I'm disappointed with.  "D-, must try harder" LOL !!!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Linda Spring from StampFairy
• Sentiment - Typed
• Papers - First Edition Summer Breeze
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics
• Nesties - Labels 18
• Tag - Magnolia
• From my stash -  Pearls, ribbon, embroidery thread, post-its!

Please pop on over to StampFairy to see the newly released digi images.

Here's a preview of the set being released today:

I've been inspired by:

• There's Magic in the air - All Critters Great and Small
• Papertake - Get Krafty
• Truly Scruptious - All Creatures Great and Small
• CMC Challenge - Bold bright colors
• OSAAT - Digis

Happy Crafting

Bedtime Reading

I've got another 'just for fun' card to share with you today.  This time I've got another image from Krista Smith, the beautiful Books and Bedhead.   I'm not really sure I've got the colouring of her hair quite right on this first attempt, so may have to have another try again soon.    I coloured the light bulb with Stardust pens so it really sparkles.

I love shaped cards, and try to make them whenever I have time to be more creative.  I admit that I really like this card.  After yesterday's break from my traditional designs, this one is soooooo my style.  I love the pretty glittered papers, pink & brown colour scheme, and despite the image taking up most of the card space, I still managed to sneak in some flowers and pearls.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Books and Bedhead by Saturated Canary
• Sentiment - One of my own Freebies
• Papers - First Edition Sweet Owl
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens, Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
• Nesties - Lacey circles & Grand Labels 1
• Cherry Blossom, 10mm & 15mm roses - Wild Orchid Crafts
• From my stash -  Pearls, ribbon

I've been inspired by:

• Cute Card - Flower Power
• Saturated Canary - Not a square
• Crafty Catz - Favourite Things (shaped card, pink, flowers)
• OSAAT - Digi
• The Ribbon Girl - Pink Brown & Cream
• Paper Sundaes - Birthdays
• Really Reasonable Ribbon - Pink & Brown with ribbon
• Crafter's Companion - Anything Goes

Happy crafting.

100 Today - Birthday Card

My next door neighbour is 100 today, so I've made her a little card. She's having an open house this afternoon with tea and cake, but it finishes at 6pm and unfortunately I don't think I'll be home from work before then.  :0(

This card is really different for me as it has no image.  I admit that I was a bit stumped for inspiration, but a search on Google unearthed a really pretty card made by Amanda, and it seemed perfect, so I made my own version.  I think mine is a bit of a pale imitation of Amanda's, but not too bad (especially considering I had to make this card in super quick time, because I didn't realise it was her birthday tomorrow until earlier this evening!)

The sentiments are typed, printed straight onto the pretty paper in brown font to match the colour scheme.  Unfortunately I can't remember what the papers are.  They were bits I've had for ages and don't have the front page any more.  I also didn't quite have enough paper to cover the top half of the card either, so I used two strips, and covered the join over with a length of ribbon.  (I actually use this trick quite a lot when I use scraps of paper, but shhhh, don't tell anyone !)

Finally I added a brown flower, some leaf die cuts, and some pretty pink pearls in the corners.

Card Recipe:

• Sentiments - Typed
• Papers - Can't remember, can anyone help me with this one?
• Nesties - Labels 18
• Cherry Blossom  - Wild Orchid Crafts
• Border punch - Martha Stewart Lace Doily
• From my stash -  Dark brown ribbon, Marianne leaf die, pink pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Delightful Challenges - Use your scraps (papers)
• Paper Sundaes - Birthdays
• Sentimental Sundays - Let's get Sentimental (focus on sentiment)
• The Ribbon Girl - Brown pink and cream
• Really Reasonable Ribbon - Brown and Pink with ribbon
• Crafter's Companion - Anything Goes
• Bunny Zoe - Celebrations
• OSAAT - No image

Happy Crafting

Whoops, I forgot the embellies !!!

StampFairy are sponsoring Birthday Sundaes today, and so I've made a card to support the challenge.  The theme is Stair Step Cards, so with a fancy fold shape, I've kept my card quite minimalistic in terms of embellishments (ie none, apart from a few die cuts!).

Card Recipe:

• Image - Molly Throughout the Year (April) from StampFairy.com
• Sentiment - Typed font
• Papers - Shabby Princess
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Corner & Fence Dies - Memory Box

I've been inspired by:

• Die-ing for a challenge - Anything goes using a die
• Crafter's Companion - Anything Goes
• Allsorts - Anything Goes

Happy crafting.

Just for Fun - Nevaeh

It is rare that I get to create just for fun, but this afternoon it has been peeing down with rain, so after a brief trip out this lunchtime where I got soaked (too windy for an umbrella), I settled at my craft desk to dry out and decided to make something 'just because'!!

It is quite a simple card, but I love creating shaped cards, so decided to use a pretty paper and a lovely teal and brown colour scheme.  I decorated the inside to match, and added some pearls and a sparkly bow.  Other than that, it is quite plain (for me).  Well the paper was glittery, so I didn't want to cover more of it up with embellies, because the image was fairly big (well I just had to print this beauty out quite  large, just to do her justice).  Isn't she pretty!  I love her sad, puppy-dog-eyes expression.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Nevaeh by Saturated Canary
• Papers - Isabelle Glittered Papers by First Edition
• Nesties - Spellbinders Label 18 and Go Kreate large scalloped circles
• Colouring - Copics & Sakura Stardust gel pens
• Ribbons - Fantastic Ribbons
• From my stash -  Pearls

I've been inspired by:

• Saturated Canary - Not a square
• Creative Inspirations - Brown, Blue, Cream
• Stampin' for the Weekend - Colour scheme
• Totally Papercrafts - Ribbon / Bows
• Die-ing for a Challenge - Anything Goes (with dies)
• Allsorts - Anything Goes
• OSAAT - Anything Goes
• Crafter's Companion - Anything goes

Happy crafting.

Springtime Clemantine

There is such a CUTE new release today at StampFairy called Clemantine Spring.  She is sooooo adorable, so how was I meant to resist making a project using one of the cute new digis.

I've also attempted some stitching (inspired by my fabulously talented teamie Deanne)  I'm quite pleased with the result, but will have to experiment more, methinks !!!

Tip : I didn't have pearls in the same colour to match my card, so I coloured some pale cream ones with my copics, let them dry and voilà!!!  Perfect match !!

Finally, I have tried Flower soft for the first time ever.  And doesn't that stuff just get everywhere!!!  Eventually some stayed on the card, and looks kind of cute too!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Clemantine Spring from StampFairy
• Sentiment -  Clemantine Spring Freebie from StampFairy
• Papers - Nitwits
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• Nesties - Lacey Ovals
• Cherry Blossom - Wild Orchid Crafts
• Border punch - Martha Stewart Lace Doily
• From my stash -  Glossy Accents,  pearls, ribbon

Please pop on over to StampFairy to see the newly released digi images.

Here's a preview of the set being released today:

I've been inspired by:

• Incy Wincy - Recipe
• I Love Promarkers - Nature
• Crafters Companion - Anything Goes
• Stampalot - In the Garden

Happy Crafting

Have a Magical Day

This fortnight's challenge at Top Tip Tuesday is Mystical & Fantasy.  We're sponsored by 3 fab companies, one of which is my beloved StampFairy so I'm delighted to be able to dig out one of my digis, and of course it had to be Barry Bear !!

I've followed today's fab J-Fold tutorial from Elaine on the Top Tip Tuesday blog and I must say that I'm rather pleased with the result.    Plus, (and it is a bit plus as far as I'm concerned) I've managed to use some gorgeous purples, which I've missed a bit with all the pinks I've used lately on the Valentines projects.  Ahhhhhh, I'm feeling better now I've had my purple fix !!! LOL  Hope you like my card.

Card Recipe:

• Image - Barry Halloween (without the pumpkin!) from Stampfairy
• Sentiment - Typed
• Papers - Nitwits
• Colouring - Promarkers, Copics, Sakura Stardust Gel pens
• From my stash -  Pearls, Glossy Accents

Please pop on over to the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge Blog to see the other creations by the talented design team, and to enter our challenge.  I look forward to seeing your creations this week.

I've been inspired by:

• MAWTT - Cute Critters
• Allsorts - Free and Easy
• Sweet Stampin' - Clean & Simple
• OSAAT - Anything Goes

Happy crafting.