I'm Still Here

I can't believe how long its been since I last posted. Unfortunately since that time I have lost my other very dear Auntie and no sooner had we had the funeral that my Mum became very poorly, and this is what is taking all my time at the moment.
I have been trying to do some crafting, as and when, and in a moment of looking for inspiration I decided to recycle an old clip frame by creating an ATC collage. All the pieces of artwork are by the talented ladies over at Katys Corner UK. There was no preference of style or artist in selecting the ATCs, purely the colour combo I was trying to achieve.
Just thought I would share it here with you all.
Hopefully I will be back to blogging more regularly soon.

By the Seaside

Evening Peeps. Sorry no cards at the moment. We've just got back from a week away in our caravan. What fabulous weather we had. We spent a few days on the North Berwick coastline and this top piccie is our beautiful labrador Etta doing what she loves best.

I didn't want you to think I'd forgotten you all but we came home on Sunday, I had a birthday on Monday and then its back to the old work routine :(((

We've also got a few family problems at the moment but all being well I'll be back to my crafting asap.

This next piccie is of both our 'girls' playing in the sea. Joss doesn't go in as far as Etta but she still likes to have a little play.

The coastline along that part is so beautiful with clean beaches and clear waters. Unusual for the UK I know but we enjoyed every minute of it.

Hope you all had a good long break with the extra bank holiday and also enjoyed good weather.

Back soon, x

A Fond Farewell

It has been a trusted friend for over 21 years, the best of its kind.

Never letting us down, never seeking attention from outside the home.

Always performing to its full ability.

Never shying away from its duties.

So its with sadness and a tear we say a fond farewell to our microwave...

 Ha!

Got you all going there, lol

This is the only piece of domestic equipment that has lasted the time including 4 house moves. Can't be bad. Of course it had to go 'poof' the night before we're going away so its replacement can't be sought until we return but so what.

Anyway, I shall use our week away to write an appropriate eulogy and then we will have a full sombre ceremony with the appropriate 'burial'.

Perhaps I've had a bit too much sun!!!

Anyways, hope you all have a lovely Easter weekend, don't eat too many eggs and I'll be back with you in just over a week, x

Christmas at Easter

Evening Peeps. Just wanted to get this evening's card uploaded before the computer decides to bed down for the night, lol.

I'm back to my Christmas cards and this time I've used the 'Spotlight' or 'Hotspot' technique to fit in with the current ABC Christmas Challenge. The image, sentiment and papers are all Henbury Lane by Papermania. I stamped the image twice, cutting out the full image with a nesties scalloped circle. Then using a smaller circle I cut out a part of the main image and coloured it with copics in RV34, YG63, 67. Finally I edged both circles in black.

The curly gardenia (not very Christmassy but the colour matched) is from Crafty Emma's Store and the leaves I've punched using a Martha Stewart border punch. The pearls are from The Hobby House.

Hope you like it and I'm entering it into the following challenges:-

ABC Christmas Challenge - 'H' for Hotspot
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/04/h-for-hotspot.html
Cupcake Crafts #138 - Lots of Layers
http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/04/cupcake-138-lots-of-layers.html
Allsorts #99 - Sketch
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/04/week-99-sketch.html

On top of the world

Evening Peeps. What another beautiful day here in West Yorkshire. Got the washing pegged out, got it dry and then the line broke!!! So its all back in the wash tomorrow:(((
That'll teach me to do domestic stuff instead of crafting.

Anyway, here's one I made earlier, well yesterday to be precise but the computer has been having a 'slow' day today so its only just decided to let me upload it.

The cute digi image is by Designed2Delight called 'Ladybug Balancing Act', and I've coloured with copics:-
R00, 02, 24, G21, 28, C5, 7
I distressed the background with Antique Linen to take the starkness off, and added a large pearl brad to the flower which I got from the Meiflower stand at the Harrogate Show.

The scrummy DP is from a Webster's Pages pack which I got from the brill Crafty Emma's Store.

The circles are cut with scalloped nesties and the 'flag' shapes are from my new Spellbinders shapeabilities 'pennant' set. The top sentiment is by LOTV.

I hope you like it and I'm entering it into the following challenges:-

Designed 2 Delight Challenge - Ladybug image
http://designed2delight.blogspot.com/2011/04/ladybug-balancing-act-free-stamp-of.html
CES #32 - sketch
http://ceschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-32-sketch.html

'Hope'

Yep, that's the name of this cute digi image by those clever folk at Sugar Nellie courtesy of Funky Kits. I've only used her head and shoulders for this card using my scalloped nesties to cut her out and frame her. I've then matted both layers onto a doily. I've coloured her with copics:-
skin - E21, 00, 93
hair - E31, 33, 35
lips - R22
YG00, 03, V12, 15

The flowery DP is by DCWV and the lime green is from Kanban

Ribbon by Meiflower and pearls by The Hobby House.

I've made this for my friend's little girl who will be 5 next week. Can't believe she's at school already.

I hope you like it and I'm entering it into the following challenges:-

The Sugar Bowl #57 - sketch + purple and green
http://sugarbowlblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-57maria-thereses-sketch.html
Simon Says - For a Child
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/04/simon-says-card-for-child-challenge.html
Fussy n Fancy - For a Child
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/04/fussy-and-fancy-friday-challenge-card.html
Bling it On - Use a digi image and bling
http://blingitonchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/03/challenge-2-and-winners.html

Ladybird, Ladybird, fly away home...

Evening Peeps. I hope you've all had a good weekend with plenty of sunshine. Hasn't today been glorious. I managed to fit in a riding lesson (been a very poor attender since Christmas) and also loads of gardening. End result...can hardly move as my back is killing. Undone the effects of the massage yesterday. Hey! Ho!

Believe it or not this card is for my hubby. Its our Wedding Anniversary tomorrow and as per usual I left it until the last minute to make his card and then couldn't think of what to do. However, I've teamed it with one of my own little verses inside which reads - 'Sometimes you can bug me, but I still love you loads'. I'll give you all a minute to finish with your buckets before I continue, lol.

The image is by Digital Delights and I've coloured it with copics: 100, C5, 8, R24, 27, 29, E00, 21, 93. I've also added some glossy accents to the toes of her shoes.

I hope you like it and I'm entering it into the following challenges:-

Crafts & Me #30 - ribbon
http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-30-ribbon.html
Create4Fun - sketch
http://create4fun-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/04/challenge-april.html