More Challenge Creations and Off to Paris

Just managed to get this card done before we go off to Paris tomorrow for the weekend. Not a romantic one but a visiting family one, lol.

Anyway, I am entering this card into the following challenges: MoJo Monday Sketch 127; Allsorts - using a tag; and Pile It On - get well card.


I've used Tilda in the rain and hand written the tag asking 'Feeling under the weather?' after I'd stamped stars in Versafine Smokey Grey.

I've coloured Tilda with Copic Ciaos.

The DP is Paper Pizazz Birthday range and I can't remember where I got the cloth brads but thought the pattern resembled the raindrops.

I've matted Tilda onto a chipboard framey coloured with a Colorbox cats eye pad in Peacock.


I hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2010/02/mojo-monday-127.html


http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/02/challenge-7-get-well-soon-sponsored-by.html

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2010/02/week-40-challenge-tag-ticket-or-label.html

Just Magnolia Challenge

I want to share my creation for the Just Magnolia sketch challenge 43.

I've just got this cute little Tilda and thought she was just right to announce a special delivery - a friend has just had her first grandchild.

I've coloured Tilda with the Copic Ciaos and the little flowers are from WildOrchid crafts.

I hope you like it and the challenge link is below, x

http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/2010/02/week-43-sketch-by-jayjay.html

Happy Birthday Sachmo

Okey Dokey here's another challenge creation from moi, this time I'm entering it into 3 challenges: Friday Sketchers week 90, Sunday Stampers #92 - theme Men, and Quixotic #15 - theme One for the Boys.

I've created the card for my son's respite carer who has a birthday next week and I've been challenge by DS to make him a birthday cake to take with him when he goes next weekend!!!

I'm sure the card is simpler, lol.

Hope you like it and the links for the challenges are below, x


http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/friday-sketchers-90-sponsored-by.html

http://quixoticpaperie.blogspot.com/2010/02/quixotic-challenge-15-one-for-boys.html


http://pinkleart.blogspot.com/2010/02/sunday-stampers-week-92-nowhere-man.html

LOTV and Playdate Cafe Challenges

I'm entering this card into 2 challenges. Lili Of The Valley has a sketch challenge and the Playdate Cafe had a colour theme of red, brown, and linen with a photo of coffee beans for inspiration.





The backing paper is from a lovely paper bag that I got with a fancy gift at some time.


The pearlised flatback beads are PaperCellar.


The vertical 'ribbons' are laser cut from a scrapbooking kit I had.


I've used red brads to centre the prima flowers.


Hope you like it and the challenge links are below, x


http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2010/02/challenge-47.html

http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/2010/02/play-date-cafe-challenge-pdcc17.html

Create4Fun and Theme Thursday Challenges

This is my second challenge card for today featuring 2 pretty little girls courtesy of Lisa's Altered Art.





The DP is Basic Grey from their Procelain Paper 6 x 6 pad. The flowers are prima with beads from WildOrchid Crafts.





I'm entering this in the Create4Fun sketch challenge and Theme Thursday's 'Girls' challenge.





Hope you like and the links are below, x


http://create4fun-challenge.blogspot.com/2010/02/challenge-week-08.html

http://themethursday.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/thursday-challenge-girls/

Sketch Saturday Challenge #91

Hello everyone. Another freezing cold evening with more snow landing as I write. Really getting fed up now. Can see me getting stranded at Leeds Bradford Airport on Friday....



Anyway, to take my mind off the weather I've made a couple of challenge pieces today.



This one is for the Sketch Saturday #91 challenge.

I've coloured Tilda with copics, my first more adventurous attempt, and I'm fairly pleased with the result.

The papers are from HOTP Paper Pizazz Vintage range (stuff I've had in my stash since the year dot).

The little 'hello' stamp is by Kolette Hall.



The link for the challenge is below. Hope you like, x


http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/2010/02/week-91-20th-february-sponsored-by.html

Truly Scrumptious Challenge

Apologies for the glare on the photo but I hope you can make it out OK.



I am entering this in the Truly Scrumptious Sketch Challenge.

The stamp is 'Building Bridges' by Penny Black. The faux stitching around the backing paper is because I forgot to distress it and it looked a bit bland. What isn't clear is the white buckle to the right side of the ribbon.



Hope you like it and the link for the challenge is below, x

http://trulyscrumptiouschallenges.blogspot.com/

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie.....

What can I say???

This is what happens when I go out to work to earn the money to feed the mutt!!!

Magnolia Lion - Roar!!!

I've made this card for a friend's son who has a birthday coming up.

I'm also entering it in the Create4Fun Sketch Challenge.

The backing paper is some wrapping paper I acquired. I think its brilliant for using with animal stamps. I think this Magnolia Lion is rather cute and I've coloured him with watercolours.

Hope you like it, x



The challenge link is below

http://create4fun-challenge.blogspot.com/2010/02/challenge-week-07.html

Bon Voyage

The creative juices are flowing again and here is my next card from the new Craft Zone.


I have made it for a friend over on one of my Yahoo Groups as I need to send some money for a trip some of us are going on.


The image is by Crafty Individuals and has the words Bon Voyage in the top corner. Very appropriate for this card.


I'm entering it in the One Stop Craft Sketch Challenge #67 and also the Totally Papercrafts Challenge which asks for spots to feature in the creation.


Links are below. Hope you like, x



http://onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/02/challenge-67-sketch-challenge.html

http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/2010/02/challenge-4-lots-of-spots.html

Music Man

Hi, this is the first card I've made since moving 'South' to my new Craft Zone. It took me twice as long as I couldn't find anything. I need to make a mess, lol

The image is by Stamps Happen and I love the effect you can get by layering it on a CD.

I've made it for DH's nephew's birthday next week but am also entering it in the following challenges:-

Sketch Saturday following their sketch challenge; Papertake by using a checked backing paper; Gingersnap by using 3 fave colours- black, white and red; ABC Challenge 'O' is for one paper by using just the one checked paper, and finally Saturday Spotlight by using bleach (household item) to shade the guitar.

Hope you like, x

http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/2010/02/week-90-13th-february-sponsored-by.html

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2010/02/jill-lols-sharon-donna-steph-sorry.html

http://gingersnapcreations.blogspot.com/2010/02/gc43-chestnut-color-challenge-colors.html

http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/2010/02/o-is-for.html

http://saturdayspotlight.blogspot.com/2010/02/sshp-around-house.html

Relocating Down South!!!

Sorry I've not blogged much in the last couple of days and I've not been entering the challenges....beginning to get the shakes now, lol.

However, as you can see I have been a bit busy.

At long last DH agreed for me to relocate South. Not technically South as in geographic blurb but South in the house ie from box room in the Northern Hemisphere to back extension room downstairs.

My convincing arguments eventually won over.

#1 the room has to be cleared this week anyway for new windows to be fitted;

#2 we can't keep accommodating DS in our room, on the floor, whenever our Grand-daughter or other visitors come to stay.

So why not combine the two and let me use the lesser required downstairs extension room, yayy!

The first picture is of the said box room once I

got the bit between my teeth.

This next picture is of the chaos that has spilt

over into our bedroom, and then into DS's room.

As you can see one of our cats' got in on

the action...

I've omitted the photo of the landing which now

looks like an army assault course, lol

Finally, this is how my new Craft Zone is shaping up.

Please don't expect it to stay tidy but at least there will

be more play room when fellow stampers come to play.

I can think of one person in particular who will be clapping

her hands with glee as she's wanted me to move it

downstairs for yonks. Not mentioning any names of course

but she lives in the North East, lol.

Hopefully I will be back to stamping and entering challenges before the week is out so watch this space, x

Grandma's Weekend

Sorry I've not blogged much this weekend but this is the reason why...isn't she adorable.

Our little Grand-daughter, Casey, came for a sleepover last night. We took her to the park in the afternoon. This is her wearing Grandma's hat. It fits her better than it fits me and she looks so good in red. She was a little preoccupied with her mittens to look at the camera, lol.

As for the laundry basket.....She just decided when we got back home that it was a good place to sit and was just the right size for her.

Unfortunately I had to take her home today with evidence of her stay, more war wounds. This time from our visit to the park. Poor little lamb bumped her mouth at the top of the slide and put her tooth into her lip. OMG, so much blood. She was so brave and Grandad's hankie came in handy.

So although I've done no crafting we've had a really enjoyable Valentine's weekend and hope you all have too, x

PS Does helping Casey paint with adirondack dabbers count as crafting???

My Card From Scraps

On our KC Yahoo Group the Challenge this month is to upload a card from scraps.

How indignant does this lady look when she thinks she's dressed in her finest!!! lol

Sadly this hasn't made even a small dent in my draw of scraps.....

Colour Create, Sketch Saturday and Lots To Do Challenges

Yayy! I've managed to combine 3 challenges this time. I've noticed some bloggers can combine 20+ challenges, can't see me ever doing that. Too much multi-tasking, lol.

Anyway the sketch was provided by Sketch Saturday; the colours of Red, White/Off White, Chocolate and Pink by Colour Create Challenge; and the Lots to Do Challenge was to make a background.

The background I created from firstly glueing old dictionary pages to card with PVA glue and then covering with Gesso. Using Claudine Helmuth's paints in Traditional Tan, Painterly Pink, Modern Red and Sable Brown I blended until I had the desired effect. I then used a TH Ideo-ology mask and sponged the brown and red again to give some depth and create a pattern.

The circle of paper is from K & Co Classic K Bailey Range. The circle border and the 'New Home' mount are chipboard, the circle being coloured in the Sable Brown. Stamp by PaperArtsy.

Hope you like it, x

http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/

http://www.colourcreatechallenge.blogspot.com/

http://lotstodocallenges.blogspot.com/2010/02/week-5-backgrounds.html

Just Magnolia Easter Basket Challenge

Well I'm afraid I had to raise the bar here. My container is part of a Fortnum and Mason's Chocolate Box, lol. I was finding it difficult to get the lighting right for the piccies so I hope you can see them OK.

Tilda licking her lollipop seemed appropriate to have on a basket full of chocolates. I've used watercolours to colour her in.

The paper is from K & Co Que Sera Sera range.

Hope you like.

http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/2010/02/special-monthly-challenge-easter.html

Occ Sketch and Lili Of The Valley Challenges

This is my submission for this week's OCC Sketch Challenge and the Lili Of The Valley Challenge which was Valentine.

The Stamp is by StampAttack, I absolutely love this stamp, and I've used tartan paper and ribbon as I intend to give this to my DH who is Scottish.

Hope you like it, x

http://ourcreativecornerweeklysketch.blogspot.com/

http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2010/02/challenge-46.html

Friday Sketchers and Theme Thursday

This is my contribution to the Friday Sketchers and Theme Thursday challenges, the latter has a black and pink theme this week.

I've used Adirondack dabbers in Pink Sherbert and Raspberry to colour the chipboard circle.

Lisa's Altered Art provides the cat piccie.

Hope you like, x


http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/friday-sketchers-88-sponsored-by.html

http://themethursday.wordpress.com/2010/02/03/thursday-challenge-pink-and-black/

Crafting Results from The Zone

Thought I'd upload this weekend's results from my Craft Zone.
Two Side Step cards: Italy has the folds to the inside and Beauty has the folds to the Outside.

Also my first attempts at Easel cards.

Hope you like, x

Blog News

I still don't know what I'm really doing on this blog stuff so I'm just letting you know I've posted a blog which I had written on Thursday called Love Life but only just uploaded it as I wanted to make sure it had been received by its intended recipient. If you want to go and have a peek just click on http://cockneyblonde.blogspot.com/2010/02/love-life.html.

Apart from that I've had a brill weekend including going to see Avatar at the 3d IMAX. It must be one of the best films I've seen in a long time.
I've also had loads of crafting time in The Zone so will upload some piccies for you later.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, x

I Believe in Fairies

This is my contribution to the Quixotic Challenge - I believe in Fairies. I've combined it with a birthday card for someone I know won't be looking at my blog but who does like fairies. I realised when I'd finished that the colours were a bit autumnal, but I like that.

Fairy stamp is by Stamptivity; Toadstools and Leaves by Lavinia. The leaves were stamped in Versamark and then dusted with Blonde Moments Festive Candy Lustre Pearl Pigment Powder.

The paper is by K & Co, Classic K McKenna range.

I wonder what she is looking for, hidden in the toadstools?

http://quixoticpaperie.blogspot.com/2010/02/quixotic-challenge-12-i-believe-in.html

Truly Scrumptious Sketch Challenge

Good Morning everyone. The snow has gone again but it has been raining all night and it is dismal and grey outside. Still gives me a good excuse to be in my Craft Zone.

You will remember that I was planning a couple of days crafting.......Say no more!

Anyway, eventually yesterday afternoon and evening I managed to get stuck in only for the camera battery to die on me. So its been on charge overnight and now I can show you my entry for the Truly Scrumptious Sketch Challenge http://trulyscrumptiouschallenges.blogspot.com/

I think it is self explanatory as to what I have done here but because the flower was too blue for what I wanted I added some shading with a Stazon Vibrant Violet inkpad. The little girl stamp I just adore but can't remember who makes it. I've coloured her in using watercolours and used a light watercolour wash to take the starkness off the white surround.

I did also find time to make something for our Yahoo Group's Valentine Mingle which is all set to upload. However I want to make sure it is with the recipient before I post it on my blog.

Hope you all have a good day, x

Love Life

On our Yahoo Group we have been challenged to make something for a Valentine Mingle. I decided to try a slide mailer but didn't want it to be too OTT on the Valentine front. However, trying to incorporate 'Love' was another matter.

Looking through my Lisa's Altered Art images I found these 2 little girls who just summed it up brilliantly - 'Love' 'Life'. How many of us spend too much time moaning about trivial stuff when we should be enjoying life no matter what it throws at us. The saying goes that whatever life throws at you if it doesn't break you it will make you stronger. We can all find stuff to whinge about but perhaps we should take a minute to think about the people in Haiti many of whom have had their lives cut short. So this mailer is not only representing 'Love', but also 'Life' and how precious it is.

I used Adirondack dabbers in Pink Sherbert and Juniper to paint the right hand side, and then overstamped using Hero Arts Fanciful Heart Filament from their Fanciful Set (I haven't used these in ages) coloured with Tombow pen 847.

The papers are K & Co Sparkly Sweet and I've finished it off with a Large Ribbon Brad with ribbon from the Blonde Moments (Art From The Heart) range, Paperartsy German Scrap, and Heart gems. The large heart on the back, used to secure the ribbon, is an Anna Griffin brass embellishment.

Hope you like, x

Oops

Don't know if any of you have been peeking at my blog in the last 20 minutes or so but if you were, and therefore were getting very confused, it was just me playing with my layout and backgrounds and not getting very far. So I've reverted back to the original, lol.
No cards to upload today as I've been busy getting a parcel of recycled cards ready to post out to our troops in Afghanistan tomorrow. Thought I'd do a few for Mothers' Day as before we know it that will be upon us.
Off to bed now but planning to have a few hours crafting tomorrow and then all day on Thursday as I'm not working....yippee!
Nighty Night, x