I have a bit Apology to give to Lyn

Im so sorry Lyn of http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com/ for taking so long in not only acknowledging the lovely award you left me, but for not thanking you for it. Im afraid I must have missed it while visiting you, not sure how but it looks as though I must have.
Its such a lovely award and I appreciate it very much, and in return I must pass it onto ten deserving people in return, so here is my list

Kim - http://craftymakes.blogspot.com/

Brenda - http://stamping-fantasies.blogspot.com/

Kirsten - http://rockstardj1.blogspot.com/

Linda - http://linda-wright.blogspot.com/

Riet - http://rietsblog.blogspot.com/

Linda - http://simpleandsassycreations.blogspot.com/

Jamee - http://pink-beach-ball.blogspot.com/
Lorraine - http://coldwaters2.blogspot.com/

Linnie -http://linniepink.blogspot.com/

Teresa - http://treesawardincrafts.blogspot.com/

Thank you girls for the loyal support youve been giving me, and I do so enjoy visiting your blogs, so I hope that you will accept this award with all my love and hugs, Shirleyxxxxx

Whiff of Joy Stamps - Guest Designer Call Challenge

This card has been created for the Whiff of Joy Stamps, Guest Designer Call Challenge, this is to be for the release of the new stamps on the 25th July, as Katharina is looking for people to take part in a bloghop. Although Im going to take part in this Challenge, I wont unfortunately be around on that date as Im of to Norfolk to pick up my two grandsons for a weeks holiday the day before.
I have used Katharina's sketch as requested to create my card. I have used a flexiable ruler to create the curve, then cut it out. I have put some green pearlescent behind the curve, and on the piece of card that Ive left, I have used a patterned paper for the curve to lay against.
The papers I have used are from several of the Nitwit Digi collections. I have used a basic 8"x 8" size card, and for the first layer Ive used a pale blue pearlescent card, with my first paper, this one is a pale blue one with a pretty leaf pattern on it. For the second layer I have used a pale green pearlescent card with a very pretty rose patterned paper, before sticking it down, I have used a bit more of the paper thats been stuck to the inside and used my Martha Stewart border punch to create a lace edge, these were then stuck to the base layer.
The stamped image is one of the Whiff of Joy Summer Design images, I have stamped it onto white card and coloured it with my copic pens, I have then cut it out with my circle Nestabilitie die, using a masking technique that Rach Jakes uses. I have used a piece of the pale green pearlescent card for the scalloped outer mount, they have then been stuck together with some foam tape. I have also used one of the Whiff of Joys greetings stamps this was cut out with a tag Nestabilitie die, trimmed around and stuck to the green mount.
To finish of I have created four flowers using the papers that I had left, and some green paper I also printed, I have moulded them as shown in Bev's tutorial, and Ive stuck some pearl brads and silver spacers through the centres. To stick them to the card I have punched out some fern leaves, and with some silicone glue arranged them on the base card with the flowers stuck on top. The final thing is the blue pearls stuck to the curve of the cut out edge.

A Ruby Anniversary Card

Todays card is a rather belated Ruby Anniversary card, as I wasnt aware that a couple of friends of mine had already celebrated it, but I thought Id try and make up for that and get one ready to take around to her house later today.

This card has been made with the Glitter Girls Bookoftricks embossing board, I have embossed three different sizes, firstly in a red mirri board that has a heart pattern on it, the second layer is a silver mirri board one, and the third layer is a white card one. I have stuck a silver border around all the embossed edges, and stuck corners on as well. The top layer has also got further silver boarders down the centre with a silver leaf design as well.

I then stamped the greeting to the left hand side, and created a heart topper for the right side with one of their large heart peel offs, stuck onto red mirri board. Ive then stuck some flowers onto this heart with some silcone glue, left it to dry and then mounted onto the card with some foam tape. The final thing I have done is stuck some heart gems onto a embossed heart pattern Id embossed down the side.

I also created a box for the card, from some silver and red holographic card.

Just Magnolia Challenge Card - Bev's Sketch

This weeks Just Magnolia Challenge is a sketch by Bev, so I have used one of the Valentine set of stamps. I have stamped Tilda holding a envelope onto a piece of white card and coloured it with my Copic pens, then cut if out completely.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, on which I have placed a piece pale green pearlescent card on top of which I have used one of the Making Cards papers, I have also the same design in pink and stuck this to the second layer, a piece of pink pearlescent card.

The third layer is a strip of the green pearlescent card that I have put through the cuttlebug with a embossing folder and stuck a piece of scalloped lace to the bottom and stuck the ends to the back of the first layer.

I stamped a greeting onto white card, and with a label die I have cut it out, then used it on a piece of pink pearlescent card as well. I trimmed around the edge of the white cut so it would fit on the pink label, which I then attached to the card with some brads.

The mount for the stamped image is one of pictures that I have enlarged from the Making cards magazine, I have printed it out onto card and with the circle die cut it out, Ive then used both of the pearlescent cards and cut out a further two scalloped edged circles for the picture to be mounted onto with some foam tape. The stamped image was them mounted onto the picture.

To finish of I have created two flowers from the two paper designs, and using Bev's tutorial I have embossed them and moulded them, then poked a hole in the centres and put two pearl and spacer brads through the centres. These were then mounted on the card with some punched out leaves under them.

My own Popcorn Bear

Today I havent been able to create a card, as Ive been to Abergevenny. While we were there my dear husband bought me yet another bear, this one is so sweet, and I thought you might like to meet him, Ive christened him Popcorn after the stamp I used yesterday, on my Challenge Card.
I also want to thank you for all the lovely comments that you left me on my Wallet Writing Card. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxx

Stampin for the Weekend Challenge - Wallet or Pocket Card

This weeks Challenge is to create either a Wallet or Pocket Card, Ive created a Pocket card with a Wallet inside.

Ive used the papers from the new Crafters Companion Cd Popcorn the Bear, I have used a piece of A3 card, and folded it half, stuck one of the corners to help with holding it square, and put it through my printer and printed it on the two sides, then folded up the bottom by making the base card a 8"x 8" size. After this I printed two more papers of the same design, which I used on the inside. I then stuck up the folded part with some thin foam tape to create a pocket for the envelopes I printed and the notepaper.

I then stamped the Bear (which is one of the new sets of rubber stamps) image onto a piece of white card and coloured it with my copic pens, after which I cut it out with my rotatrim, and mounted it on a piece of teal coloured pearlescent card. The greeting is one that I had in my stash, and I also stamped a duck image at the end of it, which was also coloured using the copic pens.

These were then stuck to the front of the card, and a piece of spotted ribbon around the middle which I stuck down on the inside of the pocket. To finish of I have made a bow with a bit of the ribbon I had left, and with a flower stuck to the centre a pearl gem in the middle, Ive stuck it to the ribbon.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - "Wheely Good Fun"

Todays card has been created for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge, "Wheely good Fun!, Ive used one of the Rachelle Ann stamps, shes such a cutey pushing her teddy around in the cart. Ive stamped her onto white card and coloured her with my Karisma colouring pencils, then used one of my Nestabilitie label dies to cut her out, I created a larger one with some salmon coloured pearlescent card and stuck them together with some foam tape.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and I have layered it up firstly with some of the salmon coloured card and one of the Bearly Mine Extreme Design papers, this one has butterflies on it. The second layer is a lime green pearlescent card with a similar colour patterned paper on which it has swirls, the third and last layer is another piece of the salmon coloured card and this time I have used a small star pattern paper, these were stuck to the base card, and then Ive stamped and punched out a greeting with one of the ribbon label dies, and threaded it onto some pretty ribbon I found in my stash, this was attached to the back of the first layer. The stamped image was them positioned in the centre of the card.

Ive created three flowers from Hydrangea petals and some very pretty crochet flowers I bought from Wild Orchid webshop, I put a pearl brad through the centre and hung a bear charm from the bottom flower, before sticking them to the card I punched out some leaves and stuck them down with some silicone glue, and attached the flower on top.

The finishing touch is the punched out flourishes that Ive stuck down the right handside and put some pearl gems amoung them.

Max and his Snowman

This is another of Janet Roberts Pink Gem Winter Designs, and Ive stamped it onto white card and again coloured it with my copic pens, then cut it out with my Nestabilitie label die, because the image is to big for the smaller dies, Ive created a mount with some pale blue pearlescent card and with Bev's tutorial, drawn around the large die and cut it out. Then Ive mounted the stamped image onto it with some foam tape.

The base card is a 6"x 6" white card and I layered it up firstly with a piece of light blue pearlescent card, on top of this I have used another of the papers from the Making Cards magazine, this one has a greeting pattern all over it. On top of this I have layered up a piece of darker blue pearlescent paper and used the star border punch along edges again, this was arranged and stuck down the card. The last layer is a darker blue pearlescent card which I have run through my cuttlebug with a snowflake embossing folder, this was stuck to the card with a edge over the last one.

Ive then stuck my stamped mounted image in the centre of the card, and with a piece of the same greeting ribbon that I used yesterday, Ive stuck it around the bottom of the card. To finish of I have punched out three snowflakes and dipped the ends into some glue and Twinklets Diamond Dust, then arranged them across the top of the card with little blue gems stuck in the centre of them. I have also used the Sakura glitter pen on the stamped image again, just to make it glitter a bit.

Mimi and her Snowman

Todays card is my first Christmas card and Ive used one of Janets new set of Christmas stamps, if you like to click on her name it will take you to her webshop, as you will probably be aware she has had an article printed in this months Quick Cards Made Easy magazine, its also has a stamp give away with Janets stamps.

I love this one of Mimi and her snowman, Ive stamped it onto a piece of white card and coloured it with my copic pens, and then cut it out with my rotatrim and inked around the edge with a chalk inkpad. Ive then mounted it onto a piece of dark blue pearlescent card.

The base card is a 6"x 6" white card onto which I have layered up dark blue pearlescent card and a paper from my Making Cards Magazine, this one has snowmen all over it, then on top of this I have layed a piece of pearlescent paper but Ive used a Martha Stewart star border punch down both edges. On top of this I have stuck the stamped image.

I have then wrapped a piece of greeting ribbon around the bottom of the card (I couldnt find my Christmas greeting stamps so will have to have a good look and thought this was a good alternative) and stuck it to the back of the first layer, then to finish of I have punched out three snowflakes and dipped the ends into glue and Twinklets diamond dust, and stuck them around the card across the top and then stuck some little blue gems in the centres, I have also used my Sakura glitter pen in several places on the stamped image.

My Second Mimosa Card - Little girl sitting of the Fence

This is another of the beautiful Mimosa stamps that I bought from Nikki, again I dont really know what the stamps title is but to me she looks a little Molly sitting on the garden fence, not that it looks particularly comfortable.

Anyway Ive stamped it onto white card and coloured it with my copic pens, as the image is a bit to big to use a Nestabilitie die I have cut her out with my rotatrim and mounted her onto a piece of dark blue pearlescent card, but before doing so Ive distressed it around the edge with some foam and a pink inkpad. I also stamped out a greeting that I thought went with it and mounted this also onto a piece of the same colour of pearlescent card.

The base card is my usual size of 8"x 8" white card, and onto this I have layered up a piece of pink pearlescent card with again one of the Bearly Mine Extreme Designs (I should say that my printer is still not in a good state it looks as though its going to the boneyard as at the moment the chap is unable to repair it, and so Ive pinched my hubbys printer instead) layered it up and stuck it to the base card. On top of this I have put two further mounts and on one Ive used the dark blue card with a blue design and another piece of Jacqui's beautiful ribbon, this was stuck to the left handside of the card with a another piece of patterned paper but this has been punched along both edges with the Martha Stewart border punch. The other mount layer is a piece of the pink pearlescent card with a pink and blue paper, and it was stuck across the other layer in a angle.

Onto this I have stuck my stamped mounted image, and stuck the greeting to the left handside of the card at the bottom. Ive then created two flowers again with my Hydrangea petals and two smaller roses this time, and before sticking them to my card I have arranged some punched out leaves in some silicone glue, and then hung the charm and stuck the roses to the centre of them. To finish of I have stuck a few buttons appropriate to the scene.

New Mimosa Stamps - Little girl paddling in a Tub

Ive created todays card with one of the new Mimosa stamps that I bought from Nikki's webshop, this image is so sweet paddling her feet in a metal tub, I suspect her mum hasnt bought her a paddling pool.

Ive stamped the image onto white card and used my copic pens to colour it, then used one of my Nestabilitie label dies to cut her out, then cut another in dark blue pearlescent card and rotated this and stuck them together with some foam tape. While I had the die out I stamped a greeting and cut this out with the smaller one and then again with the dark blue pearlescent card and rotated it like the stamped image.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, on top of which I have layered a piece of dark blue pearlescent card and one of the Bearly Mine Extreme Designs, then used two more of the patterned papers and my Martha Stewart border punch, these were then layered up one of top of the other and stuck to the base card. For the second layer I used another piece of the dark blue card and stuck a fourth patterned paper on it, with a piece of the lovely ribbon that I won from Jacqui in her blogcandy Ive wrapped it around the middle and stuck it to the back. I then stuck it in the centre of my base card, and mounted the stamped image on it, I also stuck the greeting to the right handside at the bottom.

I then punched out some of flourishes with my EK punches and stuck them to the left handside of the card and positioned some pink pearls amoung the swirls. To finish of I created two flowers from my Hydrangea petals and with some large roses stuck them in the middle of them. With some punched out leaves and some silicone glue Ive arranged them on my base card and put the flowers and charm on top. I also punched out a few butterflies with my Martha Stewart punches and arranged and stuck them to the righthand side of the card.

Stampin for the Weekend Challenge - "Wait, Mr Postman"

This card has been created for the Stampin for the Weekend Challenge, and this week its is to create a card with a theme from one of three songs, and my choice is "Wait, Mr Postman" from the Marvelettes, though I have no doubt its been sung by other groups as well.

Ive stamped my Tilda image onto white card then masked her and used the butterfly background stamp to create an image behind her. Then I have coloured her with my copic pens, after which I have cut her out with my rotatrim and before I mounted her I cut around her hand and stuck a vellum envelope in her hand, then mounted her onto some teal coloured pearlescent card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, on top of this I have layered up a piece of teal coloured card and one of the papers from the Bearly Mine Extreme Design Cd, and then Ive used a pink pearlescent card for the second layer and another of the designs from the same cd, and Ive used another of them to create the last layer, but Ive firstly used one of my Martha Stewart punches around three of the edges.

I have layered up the card with the second layer then the third layer, before sticking the stamped image on to the card I have stuck a piece of Rikrak ribbon across the centre and attached it to the back of the first layer, on top of this I have stuck the stamped mounted image. I printed out the greeting from one I created on my computer then mounted this also on a small piece of the same teal card, and stuck it to the bottom of my card on the right hand side.

The final thing I did was to create a couple of flowers with my Hydrangea petals and some roses, before sticking them to the card I arranged some punched out leaves in some silicone then stuck my charm from the bottom one and then attached the flowers on top of this.

The New Stamps from Magnolia

If there is anyone out there who's looking for the new Magnolia stamps, my friend Mandy has some on her website http://sparklybits.com/( just click on the link), why dont you pop over there and take a browse, and if you spend over £10. you will get everything postage free, (providing you are in the UK), Mandy also posts to countries abroad but the postage will be more, and she's also extremely quick getting them to you. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxx

Just Magnolia Challenge - Summer

Todays card is for the Just Magnolia Challenge titled Summer, Ive chosen a Edwin stamp and the dock. Ive stamped them onto white card and coloured them with my copic pens, and as he looked a bit lost I decided to stamp in some bullrushes as well just to give it a bit more depth. Ive then cut it out with my rotatrim and mounted him onto a piece of dark blue pearlescent card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and onto this I have layered up firstly with a piece of dark blue pearlescent card, then two pieces of paper from the Pocket full of Posies pad, as the second one resembled water I have cut in in a wave shape and pasted it to the middle of the base paper, it might not be to clear on the photo as both papers are rather dark, I have then stuck a piece of jute ribbon just below the edge to try and show you where it is.

I then stuck mounted stamped image onto the card to the left handside, and then typed a greeting onto photo paper and mounted this also onto the same colour pearlescent card and then stuck it to the right handside bottom of the card. To finish of the card Ive stuck some leaf and branch buttons to the top of the right handside of the card.

Guess What I won the Stampin Up for Weekend Challenge

Guess what I won my first Card Challenge today, the Stampin Up for the Weekend Challenge, Im so gobsmacked I dont know what to say, though I really ought to give my hubby a big thank you as he helped me with the greeting. I thought you might like to see which of my cards did win, and its this one.

Thanks Donna and Kimmi and all the team on the Challenge for the honour youve given me in winning this week. Thank you and Bless you, with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxx

Ive had to amend my stupidity as I put the wrong Challenge Heading on this posting, Im so sorry to Donna and Kimmi, I think I was getting confused with the Card I had just posted, please forgive me for the mixup.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Tag, your it

Todays card has been created for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge, Tag, your it, Ive created mine as a sort of parcel, with the tag on top.

Ive stamped the new Tilda image onto white card and coloured her with my copic pens, then cut her out with my Label Nestabilitie die, and then with some foam have distressed the edge with some pale mauve ink. Then I created a larger label using Bev's tutorial from a piece of dark mauve card and then attached them together with some foam tape. I created a large tag from a piece of odd card, and shaped the top before using a punch to make a hole, before putting my piece of cord through Ive again used some pale mauve ink and the piece of foam Ive distressed t all around the edges, then used a greeting from the Papermania set and first with the pale mauve stamped it onto the tag, and again using a darker colour have done it again, its given it a sort of shadow effect, I was pleased with that, never tried that before. After this I threaded some cord through the hole and attached my stamped image onto it.

I then created a 8"x 6" base card, and onto this I have layered up a piece of pale mauve pearlescent card on top of this I have used a patchwork piece of paper which I found in my craft stash, and around the middle I have attached a wide Organza mauve ribbon, and then stuck the mounted tag across the centre at an angle. The two flowers are the same as the ones I created for my card yesterday that I had left over, but firstly I stuck some punched out leaves on the card and stuck them on top, the last thing I did was stick a bird button on the right hand side at the bottom.

Tilda and her Cat

Well Im still without my printer and have no idea when Im likely to get it back, so Ive been sorting through some of my papers and found these really striking Dovecraft ones, they are a bit louder than I would normally use but I hope that you like what Ive done with them.

Ive used one of the new Magnolia stamps, this one is Tilda and her cat, and I have her sitting on a chair, Ive stamped Tilda first and then masked her and stamped the chair afterwards. Ive used my copic pens on her, though I think I may have overdone things with the pink this time, but as its on a really striking pink paper it doesnt seem to matter quite so much. After Ive finished I used a inkpad and rubbed around the edge with some foam, though I think even that got a bit overdone. Ive then cut it out with my Label Nestabilitie die, and created a larger one with the salmon coloured pearlescent card and Bev's tutorial then stuck them together with some foam.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and on top of this have layered up a piece of salmon coloured pearlescent card and the first of the papers Ive chosen to use, the second layer has another of the papers, as has the third mount. Ive pinched one of the sketches and layered it up in the way its been drawn, then wrapped a piece of jute ribbon across the centre, under which I have also put a piece of grosgrain ribbon and attached them to the back. Then stuck it to the base card.

Then I have stuck the stamped mounted image to the centre and also used one the Magnolia greeting stamps mounted and stuck this to the bottom right hand side. I then created some flowers using another of Bev's tutorials and with a pink pearl brad with spacer in the centres and hung a kitten charm on the one which Ive used for the bottom one. Before sticking them to the card I have punched out some leaves and arranged them in some silicone glue under where the flowers would be stuck, and the last thing I have done is poke four baby's breath flowers under them.

Two wonderful Awards from Rozzybee

I have been given two wonderful awards from Roz, of http://rozzyb.blogspot.com/ you really should pop by her blog and see her beautiful and creative work, you will love what she makes.
I have been asked to pass these two awards onto five people so heres my list, thank you girls for all your lovely comments and for being such regular visitors to my blog.

Lorraine - http://coldwaters2.blogspot.com/
Brenda - http://stamping-fantasies.blogspot.com/
Riet - http://rietsblog.blogspot.com/
Julie - http://julieeastwood.blogspot.com/
Kimmi - http://poppy-petal-designs-shop.blogspot.com/
With love and hugs Shirleyxxxx

Sample 6 - Scrapbook for Sarah

Still no printer, rung the company this morning and it seems there is more wrong with it than we were expecting, not just the tray for collecting waste ink. But I do hope we will have some news later today as I really miss it.

Anyway this will be my last sample post for Sarah, this one is a Scrapbook and Ive used all the 12 desigsn for the 8"x 8" scrapbook pages plus a few duplicate extra ones to make up the book. Ive used a stiff paper/card 250gsm for the backing of the papers so as to give it some substance. On the first page Ive put it through my printer and Ive listed several dates for all the details we ladies like to keep about our babys stages in their first year, like first tooth, first smile, sittin up, all that sort of thing.

I then held all the pages together in the way I wanted them to open and then used my Zutter machine to punch holes for the binder wire. I then printed the alphabet sheet from Sarahs designs and cut out my granddaughters name, Danu then stuck it to the right handside of the cover page. After which I have printed out lots of photos to put in the Scrapbook though Ive not filled it completely so when its given to the hubby he can add any more photos he really likes to fill up her first years progress.

To finish of I have tied strips of ribbon and thread along the binder edge, just to give it more colour.

Sarah's sample No.5 - A Card for a Princess

Ive got a big problem at the moment as Im waiting for my printer to come back from being serviced so Im unable to make any new cards at the moment, and as I hadnt finished posting all of Sarah's samples I thought you would mind my doing that today. But I would firstly like to thank you all for the lovely comments on my Rose and Peony. I also have a very small garden, the back one is on a slope, its L shaped, 27ft long by 18ft wide, thats at its widest, but we have two sheds and a back porch in the L shape and a patio with my garden furniture on, and steps going up the middle to the back gate. The front garden is small as well and that is 18ft by 18ft, but I do cram a lot of plants in both of the small areas.

Anyway back to the card sample, Ive used another of Sarahs designs, this one is a little pony design and its called Princess, as we have a habit of calling our daughters that, I felt it was appropriate to use it for a birthday card for one of them. Ive printed out a A4 white card with one of the background designs and also printed the same design onto vellum, then punched along the edge of this with one of my Martha Stewart border punches, I then used a little vellum glue along the folded edge to fit them together.

Ive also printed an insert and stuck this to the inside of the card. For the topper I have printed out one of them from the topper sheet and stuck it to a piece of glitter card, then stuck it on top of the vellum. Ive then used one of my graphics programes to put a greeting onto one of the ribbon strips, then it was printed and cut out and fixed to the bottom of the vellum wrap. To finish of I have made up a little bow and hung a crown charm from it, then made up a flower with my Hydrangea Petals and a spacer and pearl brad through the centre and stuck this just above the greeting strip.

My Very First White Peony

For as long as I can remember its been my dearest wish to be able to have white Peonies blooming in my garden, as Ive been in this house since 1982, I have had lots of red ones, but each time Ive bought a white bush nothing has come of it. They are extremely fussy plants, and dont always like where you put them, but my luck this year has changed.

Last year it had a bud and I was so looking forward to it coming it out, but all it did was shrivel up and die on me, but this year success, Ive got my first white one, mind you weve had some thunderstorms since this morning and its not looking quite so happy, but I did manage to get this photo before it happened, and I think its absolutely gorgeous.

Youve been asking about that rose, its enormous, its 5 inches across and 3 inches deep and believe me the scent coming from it is really gorgeous. Claudia asked about my rose plants, actually the bush this one comes from isnt all that big and isnt really happy where Ive got it, but the few buds that do manage to survive I bring indoors as they are coming out so I can enjoy them. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxx

A Old Fashion Rose from my Garden

I just had to share this gorgeous Rose with you, its an old fashion one called Charles Austin, and the smell is to die for, its really got a heady one. I hope you like it as much as I do. I have actually got it on my desk near my computer and every so often I get a waft of it. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxx

Jamee has given me a lovely Award

Today I have been given the Lemonade Award from Jamee, and I really appreciate that as she is such a creative young lass, and I think its such a privilege to have received it from her, Thank You Sweetheart so much.

I gather "The Award has to be given to 5-10 people you feel show, great attitude & gratitude," which isnt easy as there are so many I would love to give it to, please accept this girls with all my love and appreciation for your being so regular in visiting and leaving such lovely comments.

Julie - http://julieeastwood.blogspot.com/

Bev -http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/
Marcea - http://marceascraftingcorner.blogspot.com/

Linda - http://simpleandsassycreations.blogspot.com/

Mandy - http://sparklybits1.blogspot.com/

Chris - http://sketchingstamper.blogspot.com/

Kimmi -http://poppy-petal-designs.blogspot.com/

Lia - http://myscrapworks.blogspot.com/
Denise =http://deniselovesstamps.blogspot.com/

Enfys - http://going-buggy.blogspot.com/

And I do so love visiting your blogs as well to see your gorgeous creations. With love and hugs to you all. Shirleyxxxxx

Just Magnolia Challenge - Paper Piercing

Todays card is for the Just Magnolia Challenge, and this week it has to incorporate paper piercing. I have stamped my image onto white card and used a mask to be able to stamp the garden bench behind the main image, then coloured it with my Copic Pens. After which I have cut it out with my rotatrim and mounted it onto a piece of pale mauve pearlescent card and then stitched a zigzag stitch down all the sides with my sewing machine, after which I have layered it onto a piece of pink pearlescent card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, onto which I have layered up a piece of the same mauve pearlescent card and one of the Bearly Mine Extreme Designs cd patterns, then I have used a further three more designs to create 3 layers of punched edged papers to lay on top of the base layer, over these I have put another piece of the same mauve pearlescent card but have put it through my cuttlebug with the paisley embossing folder first, and wrapped a piece of stark pink rikrak brad around the lot and stuck it to the back.

On top of this I have stuck my stamped coloured image, and I have also stamped a greeting onto white card and layered it up in the same way and stuck this to the right handside of the bottom of the card. I then punched out some flourishes from a piece of left over paper from the layered up ones, and arranged them along the folded edge and across the bottom on the left handside, and popped some pink pearls amoung the swirls.

To finish of I have created two flowers with my Hydrangea petals and two roses, Ive then punched out some leaves and stuck them to the card hung a flower charm from the bottom flower and stuck these also to the card.

Fabulous new Stamps from Whiff of Joy

Tomorrow is the release date for the beautiful new Whiff of Joy Stamps - Womans Delight, I am sure they will be a grand success, and I sincerely hope that you will all pop across and discover how beautiful they are. The are to be on sale from tomorrow 14th June, 2009. With love and hugs Shirley

Stampin for the Weekend Challenge - Digi Stamps

Todays card has been created for the "Stampin for the Weekend Challenge", this week you have to use a digi stamp. With this one I have used several free ones that Ive downloaded from http://dustinpike.blogspot.com/ I have used the ship background, the barrel, chest, cannon balls and the Pirate. Ive then printed them out onto my printing paper and then coloured them with my copic pens, I was surprised how well it coloured on ordinary printing paper.

Ive then used a 8"x 8" base card, onto which I have stuck a piece of medium blue pearlescent card, then one of the Bearly Mine Extreme Designs Papers, Ive then printed another of the designs and used a beach border punch from EK punches and punched down the edges of it, I have then stuck it to the centre of my card.

I then printed another of the papers and stuck this to a dark blue piece of pearlescent card, and stuck this down the middle on top of the punched paper. The digi stamp picture was also stuck to a piece of the dark blue pearlescent card, and stuck across the middle of the card.

I then printed a greeting onto semi-gloss photo paper, cut it with my rotatrim then stuck onto a small piece of the dark blue card, then mounted it onto the base card at the top right hand side. To finish of I have stuck some pirate buttons that I bought from Hobbycrafts along the bottom.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Quotations

My card today has been created for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge, Ive used one of my Penny Black stamps and stamped it onto white card and coloured it with my Copic Pens, then cut it out with my rotatrim and mounted it onto a piece of teal coloured pearlescent card. The quotation is a Penny Black one which I have also stamped onto white card and mounted this also onto a piece of the same pearlescent card, but I used one of the my Nestabilitie label dies to cut it out.

The base card is a 8"x 8" card, and onto this I have layered up a piece of pale teal coloured Pearlescent card, and used one of the Bearly Mine Extreme Designs from Donna, then on top I have put a piece of pink pearlescent card, with another of the designs from the same cd. The third layer of card is another piece of the same teal card but it has been put through the cuttlebug with one of the embossing folders, this one is all swirls.

I then stuck these two mounts to my base card, and then wrapped a piece of pink and teal coloured ribbon around the middle of the card and fixed it to the back of the first layer. On top of this I have stuck my mounted image. Then stuck the mounted quotation to the top left side of the card. I punched out some flourishes from the some of the second patterned paper and arranged them in two of the corners, and in between the swirls I have stuck some teal coloured pearls.

To finish of I have created two flowers from my Hydrangea petals, and used pink and teal again in layers with a silver spacer and a pink brad in the centre to hold them together, then with some punched out fern pieces have stuck them to the bottom left hand side of the card.

Sarah Hallams New Cd - "Teddies Friends Special Edition"

I am at last able to give you a preview of Sarahs new Cd, this is the one I have been making samples from, I have copied a photo from her website which is http://www.spanglefish.com/peerlessdesigns/newreleases.asp. If you would like to go and visit her and see her new cd and all her other beautiful cds you will be most welcome. Her next appearance on Create and Craft is to be the Tuesday 30th June, at 11am.

Sample Four - Teddies in the Park

Todays sample has been created with Sarahs Teddies in the Park design set. I have printed the base card using one of the background papers, there is 5 different background papers to each of the design sets, and there are actually 10 different design sets. All have inserts designed to go with them, plus Alphabet sets, toppers, decoupage and twister toppers, there is lots of choice with this Cd.

I have also used the same background design and printed it onto vellum, I then punched along the edge with one of my Martha Stewart border punches, then used a tiny bit of glue along the fold line to stick the two layers together, Ive also printed and stuck the insert sheet inside. I then printed a topper sheet and picked a size which I thought fitted the the front, but even then I cut around the middle circle design and mounted this onto red mirri card, and cut round this as well leaving a small margin around the edge.

This was then stuck onto the vellum wrap. I then bought up the tag sheet on my computer, which has an assortment of tags and ribbon strips, I took it into my graphics program and put text onto it, after which I printed it and cut the strip out, it was then placed across the bottom of the card cutting it to fit. I decided to add a couple of embellishments, the first is a hydrangea petal with a rose stuck in the centre, and the other is a bow to which I have attached a teddy bear charm, I have also stuck a few little pearls along the punched border edge.

Sample 3 - Blue Teds Birthday Party

Todays card is sample number three, and this design is called Lets Party, so Ive used it to make a birthday card. I have printed one of the backing paper designs onto a piece of A4 white card, and then printed two more designs onto paper, I also printed out the insert design onto another piece of paper.

I then used a piece of printable Acetate to make the outer cover and printed a fourth design on to it, this was then folded in half to make the base card, the white printed card was then punched along the open edge with my Martha Stewart train border punch, Ive also used it on the first layer of the patterned paper, but left the last one whole, then layered the three pages on top of one another, and fixed them inside the Acetate wrap with Ribbon, I have also printed one of the tags with a message on and hung this from the ribbon bow.

The topper is one of the topper sheet, cut out and mounted onto a piece of dark blue pearlescent card and stuck under the acetate wrap onto the first card layer.

Second Sample for Sarah - Word Book Card

This second sample for Sarah, is my first attempt at manipulating pictures on my computer, and after several attempts I eventually got it right. I opened one of Sarah Alphabets PDF files and then surrounded the letter, click to copy image and pasted it into My Word program, this is the basis of all the letters I have chosen.

The next thing I did was to find the right colour backing paper that went with the Alphabet, which was where I was going wrong, as I origninally picked out the colour I liked and found that the Alphabet colour didnt go with it. Anyway to cut a long tedious story short I ran 4 piece of white card through my printer, printing two different patterns on each side of them, then I printed out the letter individually, cut them out and stuck them to the end of each of the pieces of card. I should say that this little character on these Alphabet letters is absolutely gorgeous and is a favourite with my husband.

The next thing I did was cut around the letters carefully, arranged them in the name of my hubbys granddaughter, then cut the end of. Then I used my binder machine to punch the holes through that end, and counted the holes to find out the length of binding wire I would require. After which I fed the lopes of wire through the holes and put it in the other part of the binder that squashes the wires together.

The last thing Ive done is printed a label with a greeting on, and tied ribbons and threads onto the wires.

A Wonderful Surpise from Lorraine

Tonight I have been given another award, this one is a rather special one from Lorraine its to thank you for the support with your blog, and Lorraine http://coldwaters2.blogspot.com/ has written the most beautiful comments on her blog that I find extremely moving and kind. I want to THANK her for that. Bless you Lorraine you are a very creative person your cards are quite beautiful, and its lovely to see you back again and your mojo back in harness.

The list of people I would like to pass this onto is a huge one, but unfortunately I dont think that is allowed, so I will list ten people who I want to thank for their continued support, they keep coming back and leaving the most encouraging comments which certainly help to keep you alive and kicking.

Julie - http://julieeastwood.blogspot.com/.blogspot.com/

Saskia - http://lusaro-snippers.blogspot.com/

Carole - http://stardustgemsandribbon.wordpress.com/

Jacqui -http://jacqui47.blogspot.com/
Rach - http://papercraftsbyrach.wordpress.com/

Poppy - http://poppy2splace.blogspot.com/

Sue - http://scoopysstuff.blogspot.com/

Janet - http://pinkgem-janet.blogspot.com/

Denise - http://deniselovesstamps.blogspot.com/

Claudia - http://rosaswelt.blogspot.com/

Thank you all for your valued support and comments, with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxx

First Sample for Sarah - Birth Announcement Kit

I have been asked again by my friend Sarah Hallam of http://www.spanglefish.com/peerlessdesigns/ if I would help her make some samples for her new "Teddies Friends Special Edition" Cd, which is to be previewed on Create and Craft towards the end of this month, I told her I would be happy to give her a hand. Because of the nature of this cd a lot of the designs lend themselves towards new babies and young children, so I suspect most of my samples will go down that route.

Anyway this is my first sample, and Ive tried to create something to help a new mother annouce to family and friends all the details that we ladies love to know and tell them about.

For this kit I have used the Bedtime Design papers, I have printed two of the backing papers onto Silver Mirra Card, obviously not of the silver side but have turned it over and used the white card backing, and its surprising how well it prints on to it, and it does give a fantastic effect when you open the box. Ive then trimmed of the edges and created the box with my board, then cut the corners and stuck them into place.

The envelopes are already created on the program and all you have to do is print, cut and stick together, no hassle there, the announcement papers were a little more complicated. I actually used My Word to create these, I typed the announcement details in two separate columns then after printing 5 pieces of one of the backing papers with a design along the bottom, printed the details on top of this by putting the paper back into the printer again. After its been printed I have cut the paper into two and this made up the 10 papers. I then wrapped a piece of ribbon around them, and with the 10 envelopes I split them into two lots of five and again wrapped the ribbon around those also.

I then printed out the tags and labels sheet onto white card, then with a little bit of manipulation printed a greeting onto one of them to act as a label which I have punched and threaded a ribbon through, then stuck it to the lid of the box. I also resized the same backing paper that I used for the announcement papers into a smaller size, and printed it with a resized insert as a congratulations card to give with the box.

To finish of I have wrapped a ribbon around the box and stuck a layered Retro Flower (I used some of the left over paper), with a pearl brad through the centre on top.

Stampin for the Weekend Challenge

I was challenged to make a card for the new Card Challenge by Donna, whos the one who started the whole thing of, I hadnt decided to take part in it, but I think I probably owe Donna something for all the beautiful cds shes created and that I have been using regularly. So Donna this is for you.

The image Ive chosen to use is a Tilda one, and because shes holding a thisle I thought that it was appropriate flower to colour purple that this challenge was asking for, its a purple and yellow challenge. Ive stamped the image onto white card and coloured it with my Copic Pens, I seem to be getting better each time I use them, or perhaps I should say Im begining to feel more at home with them. Ive then punched it out with one of my Nestabilitie Label dies and used a piece of mauve pearlescent card, then cut out another one to rotate and use as a mount. At the same time Ive used one of the Magnolia greeting stamps and also used the smaller die to punch this out and mount it.

The base card is the 8"x 8" card onto which I have layered up a piece of patterned paper from one of Donna's Bearly Mine Extreme Design Cds and a piece of mauve pearlescent card, the second layer is a piece of yellow pearlescent card with a yellow design, round which I have stuck two ribbons, a wide Organza one with a narrow silk spotted one. This has then been stuck on the base card to the left hand side, the last mount is another piece of the mauve card with a further patterned piece of paper and stuck nearer the bottom of the card.

On top of this I have stuck my stamped image and greeting, then created a flower with some silk flowers from my crafty stash and with some punched out leaves arranged it on the card at the top left hand corner, I also hung a little girl charm from it. I have then punched out some flourishes and arranged them in two of the corners then stuck some yellow pearls in and around them, and the last thing Ive done is make up a smaller flower and stick this to the bottom on the left.

Just Magnolia Challenge Card

Before I start, Ive got two very big and I mean big thank you's to say to Denise and her beautiful daughter Jamee, they send me a really lovely surprise this morning, a gorgeous card from Jamee and a fantastic and stunning notebook from Denise, THANK YOU BOTH for really making me feel so loved and appreciated.

My card today is another one for the Just Magnolia Challenge, this one has to be created from Rachel's sketch, I hope she approves, I have even used my copic pens this time. I stamped the image twice, then one of them I have masked and used the butterfly background on top. I have then coloured them both with my copic pens, using Rach's fail save tutorial. Ive then cut out the single one completely, and the other I used the circle Nestabilitie die. I also used a larger circle for the mount in blue pearlescent card, then stuck the cut out image on top so the legs hang over the edge.

The base card this time is a 7"x 7" card, onto which I have used again the Bearly Mine Extreme Designs from Donna, the first patterned paper is a soft tartan, the second layer is a butterfly paper, this was also stuck onto a piece of blue card. I have then punched a hole in the stamped image and fed two sizes of organza ribbon through.

This was positioned below the centre, not a easy thing to do as you have to get the right tension on the ribbon, then I have stuck the stamped image down over the ribbon. The greeting is stamped onto white card and cut out with my rotatrim and then mounted onto a piece of the same blue card.

The flowers are some of my Prima Hydrangea Petals layered up with a pearl brad and some punched out leaves arranged and stuck under them, I have also hung a butterfly brad from the bottom one. The final touch is the punched out flourishes that Ive stuck in the corners with some little pearl studs stuck amoung them.

I received the new cd from my friend Sarah this morning, so Im going to be, in the next few days making some samples for her to show on her next Create and Craft program at the end of the month. She has kindly given me permission to use them on my blogspot, so you will be able to see and judge for yourself how beautiful the new cd is.

A Wonderful Surprise from Avril

I have been awarded another fantastic award today, from Avril-Ann it came as a really big surprise and I want to thank her so much it really did give me a lovely warm feeling when I saw her comments as well. Please call and visit her blogspot, she really is a fantastic card creator.

I gather the rules of this award are as follows, "The Award has to be given to 5-10 people you feel show, great attitude & gratitude," that as you can imagine its not going to be very easy, so please dont feel offended if I dont list your name, as I would love to be able to pass it on to you all, as you really do give me so much love and pleasure, and not only because of your continued support but also for your beautiful comments, and then being able to visit and enjoy all your work as well.

Bunny-Zoe -http://bunny-zoes.blogspot.com/

Riet - http://rietsblog.blogspot.com/

Lorraine - http://coldwaters2.blogspot.com/

Claire - http://clairebsd.blogspot.com/

Linda - http://linda-wright.blogspot.com/
Donna - http://bearlymine.blogspot.com/

Trudette - http://trudette.blogspot.com/.blogspot.com/

Spyder - http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com/

Vanessa - http://designsbyvanessa.blogspot.com/

Michelle - http://extremelycrafty.blogspot.com/

Thank you so very much for being such regular visitors and for the beautiful comments you leave me. With love and great bit hugs to all. Shirleyxxxxxxx

Two Young Loves - Cute Card Challenge Card

I want to thank all those lovely get well comments left yesterday, they were so nice to read and really made me feel very accepted in your crafty blog world, I really dont know how to express how much I appreciate that. Although Im still unfortunately suffering from the infection, I do seem to have regained my voice today, so hopefully its now on the turn and it wont be long before I begin to feel myself again.
I did manage eventually this morning to finish of a card I started yesterday to enter for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge. The stamped image is one of the Penny Black ones, I have stamped it onto white card and coloured it with my Karisma prisma colouring pencils, then cut it out with one of the Nestabilitie Label dies, and used another one in a pale blue pearlescent card for the mount.
The base card is a 8"x 8" card, onto which I have layered up a piece of pink pearlescent card with one of the Bearly Mine Extreme Designs papers, the second layer is another of the designs but with this one I have used one of my Martha Steward border punch, the design is the Valentine heart one. This I have layed across the middle of the base card, and on top of this I have put a strip of the same pink pearlescent card, but I have put this through my Cuttlebug machine with the heart embossing folder.
I stamped a greeting onto white card and with a piece of blue pearlescard card used one of the ribbon label dies to cut it out. I then trimmed around the greeting and stuck it to the blue mount with a small piece of foam tape, then threaded through the holes a piece of spotted blue ribbon. This was then stuck to the piece of pink embossed card, which was then mounted in the centre of the last layer. Then stuck the stamped mounted image to the right hand side.
The flowers have been created with my cosmos punches, Ive used three different sizes cupped and moulded with my tools then layered them up to create four flowers, these were then stuck with some leaves to the card, they had been punched out with my fern and dusty miller punches.
The final touch was the heart gems stuck across the bottom of the card on the printed heart pattern paper.

Photos from my Garden

I must apologise for not being able to post a card today, my dear hubby has very generously passed on a nasty chest infection to me, and Im not exactly feeling to good at the moment, so I havent been upto making cards for a couple of days, so I hope you will accept my apologies and enjoy a couple of photos taken from my garden.

The second photo is my Rhodendrum bush, its gone absolutely mad this year and is full of flower, the top photo is of my Clematis, these are just three of many I have, and are planted against a piece of fencing near my kitchen window. They are actually situated on the edge of my patio, and are only just coming into bloom.

I do hope you like the photos and I will try to get a card made presently to post tomorrow.

Three Little Mice enjoying themselves

Todays card has been created with another of the images that my friend Julie gave me, unfortunately I dont know what this one is actually called but I think the design is quite appropriate considering the hot weather that weve been enjoying the last few days.
Ive actually pinched the sketch layout from one of the blogs I found while bloghopping, so I hope you will forgive me. I have coloured the stamped image with my Karisma colouring pencils and cut it out with my rotatrim, then mounted it onto green card. I also stamped the greeting onto another piece of white card and mounted this in the same way as the stamped image.
The base card is a 8"x 8" one, and I have layered it up firstly with a piece of pale green card onto which I have layered a piece of paper from one of Joanna Sheen cds, the second layer half way down the card is a piece of yellow card punched along the top with one of my Martha Stewart border punches, on top of this is a piece of script paper from the Bearly Mine Design cds, on this I have stamped a flourish and embossed it with a green embossing powder.
I then stuck my stamped mounted image to the right hand side and the greeting above, I then stuck buttons in two of the corners and one on the greeting. I also found the wateringcan button in my box and thought it went well.
As the card looked rather bare on the top left hand corner, I made up some flowers from my Prima Hydrangea petals and threaded through the centre a pearl brad with a spacer, and hung an umbrella charm from the bottom flower. I then punched out some leaves again and arranged them under the flowers and stuck them onto the card with silicone glue.

Summertime Milly

Todays card is another made with one of Janet Roberts new Stamps from Pink Gem Designs, this one is Summertime Milly, Janet has created a gorgeous card from this particular stamp and if you like to click on her name it will take you to her blogspot for you to see her card.
I have stamped out the rather large image onto white card and coloured it with my Karisma Pencils, after which I have cut it out with my rotatrim and mounted it onto a piece of Pink card. I have also done the same thing with the greeting.
The base card is another of my 8"x 8" cards, onto which I have layered up a piece of pale green pearlescent card with another of the Bearly Mine Extreme Design papers. I have to be very honest here I pinched a sketch from my dear friend Linda to use for my layout design, I hope she will forgive me. The second layers are two piece of embossed card, the first the pink one was already embossed with the little spots, but I cut it out with my circle Nestabilitie die, and used another of the Bearly Mine Design papers and cut out a Scalloped piece to fit underneath the pink card.
The green piece of card was put through my cuttlebug machine with one of the embossing folders, this and the pink mount have been stuck in the way the sketch was drawn, the third layer is another piece of the same green pearlescent card with a piece of pink embossed paper paper stuck on top. I have then fixed my stamped mount to the base card on top of these layers, with the greeting positioned along the left hand side.
The flowers are again my Prima Hydrangea petals, with punched out leaves arranged around them and a little girl charm hung from the bottom one. To finish of I have stuck small pearl gems around the circle and pink flower gems in different corners of the card.

Fairy Sprinkles with her Teddy

Firstly I want to thank all those lovely people who have been leaving me such lovely comments, I try to return it by visiting yours, but I just wanted to give you an extra thank you as I do so appreciate you calling by and leaving me your comments. I also want to say hello to some of my new followers who have joined my blogspot recently. Secondly I hope that you all enjoyed your weekend, its been so lovely that Ive just been taking things easy and relaxing in the garden, hopefully youve done the same.

Todays card is another of Janets gorgeous new Pink Gem Design stamps, this one is a favourite, as I do collect teddy bears so you can understand why. I have stamped her onto white card and coloured her with my Karisma pencils, with also a little bit of Sakura Glitter Pen, just to give her a bit of extra sparkle. I have then cut her out with one of the label dies from Spellbinders, and then cut another one out of mauve pearlescent card to mount her onto.

The base card is another of my favourite size 8"x 8" white card on top of which I have layered up mauve pearlescent card with a paper from the Pocket full of Poses stack, its not to easy to see as I have put a piece of embossed vellum over the top. The second layer is another piece of mauve pearlescent card with another of the mauve patterns from the same stack, but has been stuck to the base card in a diamond shape.

I have mounted the stamped image in the centre of this mount with the mount at the same angle as the last layer. I have then punched out some flourishes and stuck them to two opposite corners, one with a star gem in and the other a teddy button. For the greeting I have used another of my Just-Rite stamps and cut this out with my smaller label die and have again cut out another in the same pearlescent card and rotated it like the stamped image, then attached it to the card with a bit of foam tape.

The flowers are some of my prima flowers layered up and with a pearl brad and a silver spacer through the centre of both, on the bottom one I have hung two charms, one a fairy and one a teddy bear, a bit frivalous but just thought it did warrant it. Before sticking them to the card I have again punched out some leaves and arranged them underneath the flowers and stuck them to the card with silicone glue. The final touch was the star gems which I have stuck in three of the corners.