Cute Card Thursday Challenge 58 "Mirror Mirror"

This week over on the Cute Card Thursday Challenge Blog we have a theme of "Mirror Mirror", we want you to use something shiny on your card/project. For my card I have used a Magnolia stamp from the new Chasing Butterflies Collection and she has been coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Walnut Stain (Hair)
Peeled Paint/Tea Dye (Umbrella)
Broken China & Peeled Paint blended (Coat)
Peeled Paint (Wellies)

The papers are all WRMK "Tiffanys" and I have used some Core-dinations cardstock, which I have sanded the edges of for layering. For the shiny part of this weeks theme I have used some metallic origami papers that I picked up at HobbyCraft earlier this week, and I have run them through the cuttlebug using an embossing folder. To finish off the card I have added flowers by Prima & Craft Fairy, attached with spacers and Doodlebug sugar coated brads. I also added some leaves done with a Woodware punch, some Anita's teal ribbon, and some bling from my stash and a sentiment by Craftwork Cards inked with chalk ink. Finally I have added some Glossy Accents to the rain and the puddle Tilda is standing in.

As you can see I decorated the inside with the leftover scraps...waste not want not, as they say...LOL

We have two guest designers this week, Marcea and Sam. We also have a fab prize for one lucky winner. A Stampin Up set called Botanical Blooms. Jenny from Made on the Farm has kindly donated it and she has also made a card to show you, using the set.

If you would like to see the other DT's work, the GD's and Jenny's just pop over to the blog. Can you find it all here.

Today my new washing machine arrives...finally peace will return to the house, instead of a jet plane taking off and landing in my kitchen on a daily basis....LOL

I have been busy playing with my new Copics, and tomorrow I will add a card that I have coloured with them.

Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge "That's Torn It!"

This week over on the Tilda and Friends ATC Challenge Blog the theme is "That's Torn It!". We want to see some torn edges on your ATC. For mine I have used one of the Gorjuss Girls from set 2, she has been coloured with Copic using the following colours...
E21 Baby Skin Pink/R20 Blush (Skin)
E57 Light Walnut/E47 Dark Brown (Hair)
C1 Cool Grey 1/C3 Cool Grey 3 (Dress)
E53 Raw Silk (Bear)
R37 Carmine (Heart)
BG10 Cool Shadow(Shadow around image)
I have also used some Bazzill Black Cardstock, 7Gypsies Classic Paperie, which I have torn, and also my ATB Tape Writer to add the wording. To finish it off I have added Sakura clear glitter gel pen to the wings of them both.

I still need to practice more with my Copics and I have started a list of additional colours I want to get...LOL....Like 144 isn't enough.....

Be sure to come over and join in today with the challenge.....they are so quick, easy and fun to make.

Sketch Saturday - Sketch #48

Here is my card using this weeks sketch over on Sketch Saturday. For my main image I have used a Gorjuss Girl from set 2 sat on a sofa by Alota Rubberstamps. Both have been coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Walnut Stain (Hair)
Work Lipstick (Dress)
Peeled Paint/Walnut Stain (Tights)
Peeled Paint & Faded Jeans blended together (Sofa)
Antique Linen (Throw on back of Sofa)

The papers are by WRMK "Tiffany's" and I have layered them with Core-dinations cardstock which I have sanded lightly. I used my Martha Stewart punch to make the edge, I have finished off the card with bling from my stash, Prima flowers & also Craft Fairy flowers attached with spacers and Doodlebug sugar coated brads, Anita's sating ribbon in teal, and a sentiment my Craftwork Cards which I have used chalk ink on.

I have used up all my scraps on the inside of the card....
Thanks to the Sketch Saturday DT for the sketch and their inspiration.

Friday Sketchers - Sketch 49 by Mumur of France

Here is a card I made yesterday using this weeks sketch over on Friday Sketchers. I have actually used the sketch in mirror image. I have chosen a Tilda from the Shabby Chic collection and coloured her with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Walnut Stain (Hair)
Dusty Concord/Peeled Paint (Flowers in Hair)
Dusty Concord (Jacket & Shoes)
Peeled Paint (Trousers & Socks)

The papers are by Crafty Individuals book 1 that I got while I was at Ally Pally earlier this month, and I have also used some flowers that I got there, some are by Prima, others were from Craft Fairy, and the suede ones were from a kit that I got from Cleos Undomesticated Scrapping. I have attached them with spacers and Doodlebug sugar coated brads. I have added loads of buttons that came from my button mountain....I really do have that many...LOL Finally the thread was also from my ribbon.thread box and the sentiment is by Craftwork Cards.

I have also decorated the inside with some of the leftover scraps...
Thanks Mumur for the sketch and the DT for their inspiration. The team over on Friday Sketchers have said goodbye to Kristine of Norway this week.....so they are looking for a new DT member....not sure if I am brave enough to apply......will have to have a think....I woule worry that my sketches wouldn't be good enough.

We took David's 15 year old Astra for it's MOT today...and for the second year in a row it passed without needing any work....and without cautionary notices....YAY!

Just Magnolia Week 2 "Pink & Green"

It's week two over on the Just Magnolia Challenge Blog and the theme is "Pink & Green". For my card I have used a cute Tilda from the Pink Collection in 2008. She has been coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Worn Lipstick (Blush)
Tea Dye (Hair)
Peeled Paint (Dress)
Tattered Rose & Worn Lipstick blended (Tights & Rose)
Shabby Shutters (Stem of Rose)

The papers are all Basic Grey "Porcelain" and I have layered them with Core-dinations cardstock that has been sanded around the edges. I have also used some gorgeous green velvet ribbon from my stash, some blossoms that I got at Ally Pally attached with a spacer and Doodlebug sugar coated brad, and a heart pin. The petals are made with a Woodware punch that I got from Ally Pally. Finally I had added a sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

I have also decorated the inside with left over scraps of the Basic Grey papers and have also added some more of the flowers to the inside too.

It is lovely to have a Magnolia dedicated challenge blog again, as I was disappointed when the Magnolia one went on to incorporate Stampavie stamps......as I much prefer Magnolia's....but then that is just my personal preference.

Have been having a relaxing day so far...doing off chores and now I am watching the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix.....Go Button!

My Big News!!!!

Those of you who are regular readers of my Blog will know that I have been a temporary DT member over on Cute Card Thursday Challenge Blog while Lynn & Annie are taking a well earned rest. Well I had a lovely email from Deb & Andrea asking me to stay on.....so now I am officially a permanent member of the Cute Card Thursday DT.

I was so chuffed as this has always been among my favourite challenge blogs.

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Dawny's Sketch #13

This week over on Papertake Weekly Challenge Blog is another fab sketch by Dawny. For my card I have used another of my new Gorjuss Girls set 2 stamps coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Worn Lipstick (Blush)
Black Soot (Hair)
Work Lipstick (Dress)
Spiced Marmalade/Worn Lipstick (Tights)

The papers are WRMK "Tiffanys" and I have layered them with Core-dinations cardstock. I have also used some Prima swirl bling, and a sentiment by Craftwork Cards inks and layered onto an oval punched with my new Stampin' Up punch. The flower has been created with a WoodWare flower maker punch with Craftwork Cards shimmer paper, and the leaves are also a Woodware punch.

The inside has also been decorated with scraps leftover and a die-cut journalling block from a pad I got at Ally Pally (I got the papers etc all at the same time) from Capture the Magic.
Thanks Dawn for a lovely simple...yet stunning sketch....and to the rest of the DT for their wonderful cards.

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge #48 "Sketch by Caryn"

This week over on the A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge Blog there is a lovely sketch provided by Caryn. For my card I have used one of the new Gorjuss Girl from set 2 that dropped through my letter box yesterday morning. I have coloured her with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Black Soot (Hair)
Dusty Concord/Black Soot (Clothing)
Black Soot (Bear)
I have used Core-dinations cardstock which I have sanded the edges of and used my Nestabilities to mae a scalloped matt for her, and I have also used some papers from a pad I got at Ally Pally, and some shimmer paper from Craftwork Cards. I have also used some Maya Road Crochet flowers, Prima Swirl bling, and a sentiment by Craftwork Cards.

The inside has also been decorated with leftover scraps...
Thanks to Caryn and the DT at ASFOS for the fab sketch and inspiration.....

I also have an announcement, but will make a separate post later today.

The Sugar Bowl - Challenge 9 "Men!"

This week over on The Sugar Bowl the challenge is to make a Mans card. Now I don't know about you, but 90% of my cards are for females....so I always struggle with male cards. Anyway for this card I have used Cowboy Luca and he has been coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Tea Dye (Hair)
Faded Jeans/Peeled Paint (blended) (Shirt)
Walnut Stain (Boots)
Vintage Photo (Chaps)
Antique Linen (Hat, Trousers & Neck Scarf)
Black Soot (Guns)

The papers are all MME, and I have added a sentiment by Craftwork Cards, string to make a lasso, and a Sheriff badge cut with a QK die in my Cuttlebug.

I have also decorated the inside with scraps left over...
There is a mystery prize this week....wonder what Sugar Nellie goodies will be in there....hmmmm yummy sugar...LOL

Just Magnolia Week 1 "A Sketch for You"

This week is the first challenge over on the Just Magnolia Challenge Blog. For my card I have dug out a cute Tilda from last years Shabby Chic Collection and coloured her with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Vintage Photo (Hair)
Fired Brick/Faded Jeans/Peeled Paint (All Clothing)
The papers are Octobers Afternoon "Detours" and I have added some ribbon from my stash and some Prima bling to the centre of the flowers....all finished off with a sentiment by Craftwork Cards.

As always now, I have decorated the inside...
If you haven't found the Just Magnolia Blog.....check it out http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/
The DT is full of fab card designers from all over the crafting world....and their work is gorgeous. They also have one truly amazing prize this week......it is HUGE.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 57 "Getting Edgy"

This week over on the Cute Card Thursday the theme is "Getting Edgy". We want you to sand, tear or sew the edges on your card. For my card I have sanded the edges of all the papers and cardstock. The main image of my card is one of the Gorjuss Girls from set 1 by Sugar Nellie available from http://www.funkykits.co.uk/. I have coloured her with Distress Inks using the following colours....
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Black Soot (Hair)
Dusty Concord (Dress)
Peeled Paint/Dusty Concord (Tights)
The papers are all by Basic Grey "Wisteria" and I have also used Core-dinations cardstock. I have embellished the card with Prima Blossoms and other flowers that I got from the show at Ally Pally last weekend held in place with a Doodlebug sugar coated brad and a spacer. The leaves have been created with a punch by Woodware, and finally I have finished off with a sentiment by Craftwork Cards and some purple bling.

Here is a peek of the inside which I have decorated with the leftover scraps.

Please come over to the Cute Card Thursday Blog and join in the fun, it's such a pleasure for me to be a part of this team amoung such a talented group of crafters.

Red & White for St George

This Thursday is St Georges Day, so over on Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge Blog we have a theme of "Red & White for St George". For my ATC I went with the red & white and also added a knight in shining armour. I used a die from Go-Create to cut the bear out of Core-dinations cardstock and some shimmer paper that I got in a pad from Craftwork Cards, finally I added some wording using my ATB Tape Writer.

Why not pop over and join us....the interpretation of this weeks theme is very different between all of the DT members.

Friday Sketchers #48 by Kristine of Norway

his week over on Friday Sketchers there is a fab sketch by Kristine of Norway. For my card I have used a Tilda for the Magnolia Spring Club Kit, and coloured her with Distress Inks using the following colours...

Tattered Rose (Skin)
Walnut Stain (Hair)
Tea Dye (Basket & Boots)
Mustard Seed/Peeled Paint (Flowers)
Faded Jeans & Peeled Paint- blended (Underdress)
Fired Brick & Worn Lipstick - blended (Apron)

The papers I used are all Imaginisce "Twitterpated" and Core-dinations cardstock and I used my Nestabilities to created the scallop for the image. The ribbon was on a box of chocolates I got for my Birthday , the flowers are Prima attached with spacers and Doodlebug sugar coated brads, and finally I added a sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

Below is a picture of the inside which I have decorated with scraps...

Thanks Kristine for such a lovely sketch and to the DT for the inspiration.

Burning Fabric Flowers Tutorial

Ok, so finally I have a quick tutorial on how to make these flowers....seems like loads of you are keen to have a go. First I think I need to give you a supplies list....

1. Synthetic Fabrics
2. Tea Lights
3. Matches/Lighter
4. Tweezers
5. Beading Needle
6. Beading Thread
7. Selection of Seed Beads
8. Old Side Plate

Ok, so now you have gathered all the things you need the first thing you must do is choose your fabrics. I generally choose three different ones...either all the same colour, or ones that compliment each other, and also all different textures.

Once selected cut out five/six (or however many layers you want) circle decending in size. These can be roughly cut, there is no need for precision. Here is a picture of mine....

Next take the plate place the tea lights on it....to protect your work surface and light the tea lights. Take the largest circle and hold the edge close to the flame. As the fabric starts to burn and melt turn it so that the whole thing has been exposed to the flame. Now hold the under side of the circle over the flame....about 1-2 inches away from the flame, and melt the under side...this will cause the fabric to pucker up....here are mine all done using the same technique for all of them...
Now that all the circles have been burnt using the needle and thread sew all the layers together to create your flower. Then add your beads to the centre, I out 3 or 4 on each pass through the fabric to create dimension to the centre. Do this until you are happy with your flower, and then finish off by knotting behind.

Here is the picture of my finished flower...

It really is as simple as that. With the cost of large flower, you would be mad not to have a try....and it is such fun, and becomes addictive.......after I made this one for the tutorial.....I just HAD to make another...LOL

I hope this all makes sense, but if you have any questions....you can contact me using the email link to the right.

Scrap Onlne @ Paper Craft Planet

Last night I took part in my first Scrap Online over on Paper Craft Planet....thanks Karin, and this is the card I made from the instructions that Karin posted. I have used a Miss Anya from The Greeting Farm which has been coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Black Soot (Hair)
Peeled Paint/Faded Jeans (blended together before applying) Clothes
Black Soot (Clothes)

I have also added some Sakura clear glitter pen to her hair. The papers are all by October Afternoon "Home Town" and I have used some Core-dinations cardstock for matting. The flowers are all by Prima held with a spacer and PaperMania pearl brad. To finish off I used my QK Revolution die to cut some swirls, my Nesties to make a scalloped oval for the main image and my SU punch for the scalloped edge.

As always I have decorated the inside with some of the left over scraps...

I really enjoyed doing this last night....I was so unorganised and also started later than the others, I had no image pre-coloured either....so I am really pleased with it...considering the complete lack of pre planning. I also received a message from Karin asking if U would be interested in hosting a Scrap Online one evening.....

I have also entered the card in A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge Blog this week, as they want you to use punches or die-cuts and my card has used both.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 56 "Floral Fantasy"

Here is my card for this weeks challenge over on the Cute Card Thursday Challenge Blog, where the theme is "Floral Fantasy". For my card I have used two of the hAnglar & stAnglar Spring Club Kit stamps, and I masked the girl so that when I stamped the boy they were much closer together. The images have been coloured with Distress Inks using the following colours...
Tattered Rose (Skin)
Walnut Stain (Hair)
Weathered Wood (Wings)
Fired Brick/Spiced Marmalade/Faded Jeans (Girls Clothing)
Peeled Paint/Fired Brick/Faded Jeans (Boys Clothing)
The papers I have used are all October Afternoon "Detours", and I also used some American Craft ribbon and my Stampin' Up tab punch with a sentiment from Scrappycat. I really love this bright colour combo....so bright and cheery.

Below is a picture of the inside which I have decorated with the leftover scraps.
So of you love flowers (and who doesn't) come on over to the Cute Card Thursday Challenge Blog and join in the fun....there is a FABBY prize that one lucky participant will win.

First Ever Club Anya Blog Hopping Bash!!!

So the time is here....Blog Hop away. For my Anya project I have made a gift bag. The base of this is done by using a small paper bag, which has been trimmed down. I saw one of these on the hAnglar & stAnglar blog and just had to make one...or two....ok loads.

I want to enter this project into the "Smokin' Hot" category....I believe this fit the bill....I made the black flower by using a technique of burning fabric......these flowers look so effective (as you can see from the close-up if you scroll down). I even had my first go at beading by adding the little pearls to the centre of the flower to add dimension I thread three at a time. I also changed one of the Miss Anya stamps by cutting out the three shopping bags she was carrying a put a heart pin in her hand instead.

I have written a tutorial and will post it on Friday, so if you are interested make sure you come back then.

Here is the close-up I mentioned earlier in this post.....click on it to make it even larger.

So now I am off to Blog Hop around all the other 59 Anya & Ian addicts playing along tonight....not sure how long I will keep at it as it is the early hours of the morning here....and they are all in a different Time Zone.

Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge - "Recipe 1,2,3"

This week over on the Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge Blog we have a recipe for you to follow.... your ATC should include 1 ribbon, 2 flowers and 3 buttons. For my card I have used a cute image by http://www.dreams2stamp.de/. I have coloured my image with Distress Inks and added Stickles "Waterfall" to the ribbon part of the stamped image. For the flowers I have used some PaperMania flower buttons, and the super mini buttons were from a pack by Craftime....I think.



I adore this stamp....so much so that I was desperate to use it this week...but the bird box was on the other side of the image and hung down too far.....so I masked it off while stamping and attached it on 3D foam to the opposite side where there was more space.



Go grab a cuppa and head on over to the Tilda & Friends ATC Challenge Blog and see if we cannot inspire you to join us...