Monday, 31 August 2009

A Card for the Just Magnolia Challenge Ribbons and Bows


Good Morning everyone, hope that you are enjoying your bank holiday, though we have rain here in Gloucester this morning, but hopefully you are experiencing something better where you are. Ive already been up defrosting my freezer this morning, putting a load of washing on, and setting of my breadmaker, so at the moment Im feeling pretty good about myself.

Anyway back to business, todays card has been created for this weeks Just Magnolia Challenge, Ribbon and Bows, Ive used one of the stamps that were released earlier with the safari set, this one has Tilda sitting with her cat. It was one that had been given to me in a RAK and unfortunately because of its size I wasnt able to put a background behind it, so thought it might work as a cut out image positioned over a diecut. Anyway I coloured her with my copic pens then cut her out completely.

The base card is my usual 8"x 8" white card, and onto this I have layer up a piece of dark pink pearlescent card and one of three beautiful designs from the new Bearly Mine Extreme designs Vol.III cd, the second and third layers I have used one of my Marth Stewart border punches on, then layered them up over the first layer. The fourth layer is another piece of the same pearlescent card but again Ive put it through my cuttlebug with one of the recent released embossing folder, I love this one with beautiful leaf design. Before sticking it across my base layer, Ive wrapped two piece of the same ribbon across and attached them to the back, and then I have attached a bow on the bottom one.

On top of this layer I have put my stamped image, but firstly I punched out a large blossom die cut with one of my Nestabilitie die, and then cut a smaller one out with another of the papers from the cd I used earlier, stuck them together then posititioned my Tilda over the bottom edge. Around at each point I have stuck a pearl. I also stamped out a greeting with a red inkpad layered it up of another piece of the same card, and positioned it under the bow at the bottom.

I then created two flowers from Hydrangea petals and popped a pink pearl brad and spacer through the centres, these were aquired from my friend Mandy or Sparklybits, and I also hung a cat charm from the bottom flower. I then created a little swag from a piece of the same ribbon that was left and with some silicone glue, and punched out leaves, I have created two places on the card to then stick my flowers on top. I must apologise for the flaring on the pearlescent my camera seems to enjoy doing this on anything thats got a shiny surface, I hope it doesnt spoil your being able to see it properly, Im not the best photographer very much an amateur at this game.
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Friday, 28 August 2009

One Card for two Challenges


I have decided to enter this card for both the Cute Card Thursday Challenge and the Stampin For the Weekend Challenge, as both are asking for a baby card, and hopefully they wont mind accepting this one for both.

I have used one of the Whiff of Joy New Parent and Wedding Stamps that were released a little while ago, to be absolutely honest this is the first time I have actually managed to stamp one of the up. This one is of Willow with her new baby, and Ive decided its a little boy. Ive coloured her with my copic pens, then cut her out with one of my new Nestabilitie dies, this one is the new Label Eight, I rather like it as it does allow you to get all the image inside of the diecut, I then used a the same die and drew around it to create a mount from a piece of dark blue pearlescent card. The sentiment is another of the same set of stamps and this also was stamped on to white card and cut out with my rotatrim, then mounted up onto a piece of the same coloured blue card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, with my first layer of blue pearlescent card and one of two designs from the Nitwit downloads, both of these have hearts on, and I thought they might be more appropriate than usual baby papers. The second layer is a white patterned paper again with hearts on and Ive used my Heart Border punch by Martha Stewart, this was then stuck directly on top of the first layer. I then used a piece of paler blue card and ran it through my cuttlebug with one of my embossing folders, this also has a small heart design on, this was then stuck across the centre of my first layer, and a blue satin ribbon was then stuck around the centre of this card and attached to the back of the first layer, which was then stuck onto the base card.

The mounted image was then positioned in the centre with some foam tape to raise it a bit, and the sentiment was stuck to the bottom on the right hand side. I then created two flowers from a further pattern paper from the same set of designs this one has flowers on, I punched out four large retro flowers moulded them with my ball tool and then cut two smaller flowers out and did the same with these, they were then mounted up together with a pearl brad and spacer, which I aquired from my friend Mandy of Sparklybits, she has some lovely bits and pieces for your cards and is certainly worth a browse, with a little pram charm which I have hung from the bottom flower. Before sticking them to the card I punched out some fern leaves and arranged them in a circle with some silicone glue, and then put my flowers on top. The last thing I did was to stick a few pearls along the top and the bottom of my card.
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Ive been given a really lovely Award from Andie


Ive been so very lucky in the last couple of weeks to have been given some really lovely awards, and this one today was from Andie of http://andie66.blogspot.com/, and I want to thank her for considering me for it. Shes such a creative lady so please visit her blog and see what beautiful cards she creates.

Rules only if you want to:1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.3. Link the person who nominated you for this award.4. Name seven things about yourself that people might find interesting.5. Nominate seven Kreativ Blogger and let them know. Im afraid after admitting last week to so many revealing sins I can't think of anything interesting about me so if you dont mind I will just nominate seven fellow bloggers.


I do so hope that you will enjoy this award girls as I find your blogs really inspirational and enjoy visiting as often as Im able to. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxx
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Thursday, 27 August 2009

Well Done Thomas


I image many of you out there have been waiting for your children to open their results from their GCSE's and today my second eldest grandson Thomas, who was just 16 on the 21st August, was also waiting for his.

Thomas suffers with Aspergers Syndrome and he doesnt find things very easy, and I know for sure there are several of you who also have family who suffer with this and maybe some of you waiting to have someone statemented. My daughter was extremely worried about Thomas a few years ago and eventually this was what was diagnosed, and since hes been statemented hes had lots of help with his School work and todays results from his GCSE's are prove of all the hard work hes put into achieving such splended results.

Well now I will give them to you, he got an A for his maths, and he also achieved 5 B's, 2 C's, and 2 D's, and I am so proud of him that I wanted to share with you his achievements, and also to prove to you that your child may also do the same.

He now wants to go onto College to study IT and Im sure he will achieve his ultimate goal in this as well. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxx
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Wednesday, 26 August 2009

A Card for Sugar Nellie


I read on the Sugar Nellie blogspot this morning, that they were looking for Christmas cards using one of their stamps, so I thought Id give it a go. Ive used these two little ones in their sleigh. Ive stamped it out onto white card and coloured it with my copic pens, I then cut it out using the new Nestabilitie Label dies, this one is number eight, its a really nice size as it actually cuts out bigger images than some of the other ones. I did afterwards distress the edges with my chalk inkpads, and then cut a larger size of the die for the mount, though I should say what I actually did was draw around the outside of the die with a pencil and then cut it out by hand, as the next size up would have been far to big for my mount. I also did a similar thing with the sentiment, and this time used one of the new ribbon tags, and mounted a greeting onto the punched out tag.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card and the papers Ive used this time are from the new Bearly Mine Extreme Designs Vol.III from Donna, these are the Xmas designs, and Ive used two of them for this card. The first mount is on dark blue pearlescent card and Ive used a snowflake design for this one, and then Ive cut out a 7"x 7" inch square from a snowman and fir tree design, and used my new snowflake border and corner punches to create a mount to go on top of the first layer. The third mount is a piece of pale blue pearlescent card that Ive put through my cuttlebug with the snowflake embossing folder, this was then stuck down the centre of the base card.

I then positioned my mounted image in the centre of the last layer, and then threaded some ribbon through the tag ends which I then fastened to the back of the first layer, then stuck this all to my base card. Ive also punched out some snowflakes and dipped the ends into glue then into some of the Twinklets Diamond Dust to create a really snowy edge to them, these were then stuck around the top of my card.

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Tuesday, 25 August 2009

A Retirement Card for my Hubby


This Friday is my hubbys retirement day, although officially its the day hes been made redundant but as he was due to retire next March I think you can more or less accept that this is probably more likely to be his retirement day. Hes not really looking forward to it, and is a bit depressed about not having to get up and go to work, though hes always worked since he left College so its going to be a big change in his daily life. Lets hope he finds something to bridge that gap and starts to enjoy the fact he hasnt got to drive so many miles or go out in extremely horrible and nasty cold weather.

Well Ive chosen to use the Meercats that I bought as a digi download a we while ago, hes very fond of Alexander and has it as his mobile ringtone, plus of course he loves the catchpraise "Simples" so I hope that he likes what Ive created for him. I printed the digi stamp onto white card and coloured it with my copic pens, then cut it out with my rotatrim and distressed the edge with a chalk inkpad. The greeting is something I created on my computer and printed that also and mounted them both onto red card ready to put on my base card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, with the first layer of brown pearlescent card, and Ive used this time the new papers from Donna's Country Set of Papers, these are a download from Donna, and if you are interested in buying them please contact her on her blog http://bmd-creations.blogspot.com/ you will also be able to browse some of the designs there. The papers Ive chosen are firstly a brown and red split paper, and on top of this I have made up two mounts the first one a square one made with the same brown card with a retro flower pattern, and the second is a scalloped heart punched out with my Nestabilitie die with red card, and on top of this has been stuck a striped paper.

I then stuck them to my base card towards the right hand side, and my mounted image was stuck to the left, I then positioned my sentiment at the bottom on the right.
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And Yet another Award from Lorraine


Oh girls you make my day with your comments, I had a feeling that I would be setting the cat amoung the pigeons admitting my very naughty sins, yes we are all guilty of the ones Ive admitted to and a few more as some of you wrote down in your comments. But Im so glad that I dont have to carry these on my own or feel guilty when you are around, its a bit like Crafters Anoymous we all confess but dont want to be cured, definately not a good example to show anyone suffering from addictions, as this is one we dont want to give up, Oh Well you know what they say "what carnt be cured, has to be endured" though I dont think for one minute it was meant for the likes of us, but for poor people who have to endure a illness.

Anyway today Im posting yet another lovely award that my special friend Lorraine - http://coldwaters2.blogspot.com/- has given me, poor Lorraine suffers terribly at times and she herself will tell you that she often has a low esteem of herself, but I think shes the most quietly talented lady that I know, and shes such a sweetheart, so please visit her and tell her so.

I will now try and again pass this onto some of my lovely followers who I hope will enjoy it as its another new one that Ive not seen before.


I sincerely hope girls that you enjoy this award as much as I had receiving it, take care and thank you for your loyalty and your lovely comments. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxx
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Monday, 24 August 2009

An Award from Gisela


I have a big apology to give to Gisela of http://mueppis-bastelwelt.blogspot.com/ she gave me this award a couple of weeks ago and I didnt pass it on then as Id just been given one that needed me to give my secrets away and this one also asks that you give five of your secrets away as well, so I thought Id hang on till I could tell you them without doubling up on ones Id disclosed earlier, mind you they havent changed but hopefully you girls will understand.

My first naughtiest sin, is that Ive spent far to much on my craft stuff, now I have boxes and cupboards full of it, just as well as my poor hubby's being made redundant this Friday and Im not going to be able to do that in the future. Mind you he was supposed to be retiring next March anyway, but its still really stressful for him.
My second sin, is maybe I spend more time crafting that I should, but I suspect you do as well so that maybe one that we all relate to.
My third sin, I probably should spend more time with my hubby instead of crafting, but I do so enjoy it, and he likes TV programes that dont interest me.
My fourth sin, I should do more housework, but that again I think you can relate to.
My fifth and last sin, I know I should do more exercise, Im sure it doesnt do me any good sitting crafting all the time, I do walk into town but perhaps with my hubby being home all the time we will start making an effort to go for a walk everyday instead of when I need to.

Now I have to pass this award onto ten of my lovely followers, as again as usual we all find this extremely difficult, so please if Ive left you of this list, you know what I say, its not because I want to its because Im limited to how many I can give it to.


Thank you so much girls for your loyalty and I hope that you enjoy receiving this award. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxx
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Ive gone International - It means A Friendship Award


Good Morning everyone, and yes the weather did stay dry yesterday for the christening, mind you it was a hour long service and the little ones were really noisy and bored by the time it finished, but I think they had good fun running around the church while we were singing.

Today I have received a lovely award from Laura - http://misellopersonal.blogspot.com/ she lives in Mexico, and Ive left it upto my husband to try and translate what it says, but isnt it gorgeous. Thank you Laura so much its so kind of you to consider it for me, I now have to award it to 4 people to pass it onto, so heres my list:-

Ive decided to try and give it to those lovely followers from other countries as well as one from the UK, thank you so much girls for visiting me so often, I do so hope that you enjoy receiving
it as much as I have done. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxx
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Sunday, 23 August 2009

Just Magnolia Challenge - Rach's Sketch & Friendship Challenge


Well Im up early and posting this because we are of to a Christening at 10.30 this morning, and at the moment the weather is not looking very promising I do so hope it improves or we might be in for a soaking.

Anyway todays card is for the Just Magnolia Challenge, and this is Rach's Sketch, Im also entering it for the Friendship Challenge as well, as I thought it was quite appropriate. Ive stamped my Tilda onto white card then Ive masked her to stamp the scene behind, after which Ive coloured her with my copic pens and then cut her out with my rotatrim, before mounting her onto the dark blue pearlescent card Ive distressed the edges with a pale blue chalk inkpad. The two sentiments are one from Magnolia and the round one is a Just-Rite one, cut out with my Circle Nestabilitie dies, these were also mounted onto the same dark blue card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card with a first layer of the same dark blue pearlescent card and a paper I found on one of the Crafters Companion Cds, the second layer is the circle which I punched out with my Circle Nestabilitie die and Ive used a small flower paper on this, the third layer is a piece of light blue pearlescent card and this has a text paper on, I should say that the last two papers are from the Nitwit Download designs.

I have layered up my base card to Rach's Sketch and then mounted my image in the centre with the two sentiments mounts as instructed on the sketch. I felt that the card was a little plain as I had originally designed so I cut out one of Donna's new Dotty Flowers and moulded them with my ball tool, and punched out some fern leaves with two shades of green paper, arranged them on the larger circle and put the flower on top, I then put some orange stickles in the centre. To finish of I found a anchor button and but it at the bottom on the right hand side.
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Friday, 21 August 2009

Stampin for Weekend Challenge - Pink and Grey


My card today has been created for this weeks Stampin for Weekend Challenge, it has to be in Pink and Grey. Ive actually used a digi stamp by Mo Manning, this one is a beautiful one of a little girl cuddling her dog. Ive used my copic pens to colour it then Ive cut it out with one of my Nestabilitie dies, I then cut another out of pink pearlescent card and twisted it and mounted them together with some foam tape. I then stamped out the sentiment and punched it out with one of my new Nestabilitie tag dies, and cut around the white edge and mounted it onto another tag Id punched out with pink card and mounted it with some foam tape.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and for my first layer I have used some pink pearlescent card and papers from Donna's new Bearly Mine Extreme Designs Vol.III, the first one is a pink floral paper, and Ive then used another of the papers and my loop Martha Stewart Boarder punch along the two edges, this was then stuck down the middle of the base layer, and on top of this I have stuck a grey piece of pearlescent card with yet a further paper from Donna's new Cd.

Ive then stuck my mounted image at the top of this middle layer, and at the bottom I have put my sentiment tag, firstly threading through some ribbon and sticking it to the back of the first layer.

I then printed out the New Spotted Flowers from Donna they are absolutely gorgeous onto semi-gloss photo paper, and then Ive cut them out and moulded them with my ball tool and mounted the three layers up one on top of the other with some foam pads. Before sticking them to my card Ive punched out some fern leaves and arranged them in some silicone glue then stuck my flowers on top, I also put some yellow stickle glue in the centres of them. To finish of Ive stuck three grey buttons at the bottom on the right hand side.
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Thursday, 20 August 2009

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Lazy Days


Todays card has been created for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge, Lazy Days. I was lucky to receive from Lyn some lovely Penny Black images and this one I felt was ideal for this Challenge, its of a Hedgie in his hammock and I love it. Ive coloured it with my copic pens then cut it out with my rotatrim after which I have layered it up with two mounts one yellow and one beige. I stamped the sentiment onto a piece of white card and mounted this in the same as the image.

The base card is a 7.50"x 7.50" white card onto which I have layered up a piece of yellow pearlescent card and one of three papers from the a Spring Collection from Nitwit Downloads, this first one has lots of little hearts and leaves on a yellow background. The second mount is another piece of the yellow card, and onto this I have stuck the second pattern paper this one has a checks in pinks, whites and greens, and the third layer has been mounted onto a piece of the beige pearlescent card and this paper also has a check pattern in a beige colour. These were then stuck to the base card in a L shape.

Before sticking the first layer to the base card I have stuck a green and pink spotted ribbon around the bottom of the card across the beige paper. Then I have stuck my mounted image to the left hand side at the top and the mounted sentiments to the bottom right hand side.

I then created a large flower with some of my silk flowers and stuck a silver spacer and pearl brad through the centre with a bee charm hung from the back. Before sticking this to the card I punched out some fern leaves and arranged them in some silicone glue and then put the flower on top. To finish of Ive stuck two flower buttons on the ribbon strip.
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Wednesday, 19 August 2009

My First Halloween Card


Well its certainly been a busy morning, Ive just finished mowing the grass and Im absolutely shattered, anyway I thought it was time I posted a card, and Ive chosen two of the new Halloween Pink Gem Designs from Janet Roberts, the little lad is called Devil Max and Ive also given him Witchy Cat, and I felt it was a good combination for one of my grandsons.

Ive stamped them out onto white card and coloured them with my Copic Pens, after which Ive cut them out with my rotatrim and with some dark blue inkpad distressed it around the edge. After which Ive mounted him onto a piece of dark blue pearlescent card. I then printed a greeting from my computer and done a similar mounting with this.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card with a piece of extra dark blue pearlescent card and one of three Halloween papers from Nitwit Downloads, the first one is a text one, and the second layer is a bat paper and with this and the third paper a star paper Ive used the Bat border punch along the edges, these two were stuck across the centre and down the middle of the base layer.

Ive then stuck my mounted image onto the centre panel, and the greeting below on the right hand side at the bottom. To finish of I have stuck some star gems down the either side on the bat paper panel.
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Wow see what I received from Lyn - Weekly Blogcandy


Today I received a wonderful surprise, it was from Lyn of http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com/ its her Weekly Blogcandy, there are so many gorgeous goodies that I carnt tell you how excited I am at the thought of using them. Lyn must have worked hard stamping up all those images and the pocket card she has created to keep them in, is absolutely stunning. THANK YOU so much Lyn Im so thrilled and gobsmacked with your blogcandy.

And if I were you girls, Id pop over to Lyns blogspot and see how fantastic a creator she is of some gorgeous and stunning cards, she always brings smile to my face with all her adventures, its a joy to visit her believe me.

With love and huge hugs Lyn, Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxx
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Tuesday, 18 August 2009

My Gorgeous Grandson and his Fiance


I thought you might like to see this gorgeous photo that was emailed to me last night from my future granddaughter-in-law, I was so thrilled with it I thought that I would share it with all my lovely followers.

My grandson is 29 and hes my pride and joy, but because hes in the services, I carnt give you his name, but I love him so much and Im so proud of what hes achieved I just want to shout it from the highest mountain.

He got engaged at the begining of the year and his fiance is the most beautiful and lovely girl he could have found. I want to wish them all the love and happiness in the future. The photo was taken at a friends wedding and of course they are both dressed up for the occasion. I sincerely hope you dont mind me sharing this photo with you, with love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxx
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Monday, 17 August 2009

Yet Another Wonderful Award from Avril


Ive been really indulgent today, Ive ordered myself some more copic pens, I must admit I do have quite a few already but I suspect like me you girls find just when you think youve got a good selection of shades you carnt find the one you need. Anyway with hubbys say so I did order quite a few more.

But the big thing today has been two wonderful surprises, firstly the above award from Avril of http://avrilannwatson46.blogspot.com/ and the other is from Lyn of http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com/ I won her Weekly blogcandy, Im so gob smacked I carnt put into the words how I want to say how thankful I am to these and all the wonderful girls that leave me awards and blogcandy, all I can say is THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Since starting blogging last November, I have found the most loving and generous people in the world, and all I can say is thank you for accepting me into your world, and giving me the most enjoyable hobby and letting me be part of it.

Now this award from Avril comes with some conditions and they are I have to give you seven interesting things about myself, so I suppose Id better try and see if I can relay them to you.

1. I love and adore my hubby, whos the most generous and loving man I know.
2. I love my family very much, unfortunately I dont get to see them very often as they live quite a distance from me
3. I enjoy blogging and meeting such lovely people seeing their creations, and being inspired.
4. I really love crafting, I find it so absorbing it gives me so much pleasure.
5. I love my garden, it gives me such joy when the flowers come out.
6. I enjoy listening to audio tapes and the radio while Im crafting.
7. Lastly making new friends and chatting to them by email, and Ive made some really lovely friends while Ive been blogging.

Now I have to pass this lovely award onto seven of my fellow bloggers, and again this is not an easy thing to do, so please forgive me if your name isnt on the list, as I consider you all worthy of it.

Well girls I hope you enjoy this award and I will be looking to see what your interesting things are, with love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Saturday, 15 August 2009

Just Magnolia Challenge - Friendship


This weeks Challenge for Just Magnolia is called Friendship, so I decided to use this Butterfly Tilda with her arms out as my image for the topper. Ive stamped her out and coloured her with my copic pens, after I had finished her I wasnt happy with the result of her dress so I decided to try and bit of paper piecing, and have used a piece of one of my papers to stamp and cut the dress out and stick it to the image. I should have also said that I used my Sakura Glitter pens on her wings. After which I used my red inkpad around the edge and mounted her onto a piece of pink card. I also at the same time stamped my sentiment onto another piece of white card with the same red inkpad and used it around the edge in the same way as my stamped image. I then mounted this also onto a piece of the same pink card.

My base card is a 8"x 8" white card onto which I have layered up a piece of pink pearlescent card and then one of three patterned papers from the Nitwit Collection Affection, this first one is a very pretty rose pattern, I then used a striped paper on which I have used the new looped Martha Stewart Border punch, as yet I havent got the corner punch so I just used the border one instead. By the way these new punches are a dream to use, so easy.

The third layer is another piece of pink card and the third paper which is a very small pattern of pink, grey and white leaves, its the same paper that I used for her skirt. I then arranged it on my base card to the top left hand corner and the other paper to the bottom right hand corner. Around the middle I have stuck a piece of pretty white and pink spotted ribbon.

To finish of I have created two flowers with some of the papers from Nitwits, and my Retro flower punches, Ive moulded them with my ball tool and put a pearl brad through the centre of them. I then punched out some fern leaves with my Martha Stewart leaf punch and arranged them in some silicone glue before sticking the two flowers on top.
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Friday, 14 August 2009

Stampin for the Weekend Challenge - Days gone By


This weeks challenge means that you have to create a card with a vintage look, Ive tried to colour my Sarah Kay image with some distressed inks, not sure its been to successful but Im not going to worry about it to much (her hair is a rather striking red colour, dont you think), I also used some of the ink to distress the edges. After colouring her Ive cut her out with my rotatrim and mounted her onto a piece of dark red card. I also stamped a greeting onto white card and mounted this in the same was as the stamped image.

The base card this time is a 7.50"x 7.50" base card, and onto this I have layered up a piece of the same red card, and one of the Bearly Mine Designs, these are from the first Extreme Designs Cd. I have actually used four of the papers, and the first one Ive used whole, and stuck this to the base mount. The other layers have all been torn along the edge and layered up and with the last one Ive used a pink inkpad just to finish of the edge.

I then stuck some lace around the base layer and stuck it to the back. The mounted image was then stuck in the centre, and the sentiments was positioned to the right hand side at the bottom of the card.

To finish of Ive created two flowers with some punched out leaves, which were stuck to the card with some silicone glue and two mulberry flowers from Hobbycrafts, which were stuck on top.
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Thursday, 13 August 2009

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - At the Beach


I have created todays card with a couple of the new Magnolia Summer Collection Stamps, Ive used Tilda with her surf board and the sea background. I had to mask Tilda to get the sea background behind her, but then Ive coloured them both with my Copic Pens, and cut it out with my rotatrim and mounted her with foam tape onto a piece of Orange Pearlescent Card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and for the first layer I have used a Yellow Pearlescent card and one of the Nitwit Downloads, these patterns come from the Splash collection, and I thought the designs quite useful for this theme. The second layer is another of the papers but this time I have used one of my EK success border punches, this one is of the called the Beach, the third layer is a piece of the yellow pearlescent card with a strip of a blue patterned paper stuck onto it, and this was then layed on top of the base layer, with the second layer stuck on top.

I have then attached a piece of the ribbon across the centre of the cord webbing strip and attached them around then to the back of the first layer, which was then stuck to the card. The mounted image was then position in the centre of this ribbon. The greeting is also one of the Magnolia Summer stamps and this also was stuck onto a piece of the same coloured card with foam tape and stuck to the right hand bottom side of the card.

To finish of I have stuck some shell and seahorse embellishments to the blue strip of paper, and created a flower with my Hydrangea petals and hung a seahorse charm from the back, before sticking it to the card I punched out some leaves and stuck them first to the card with silicone glue, then my flower on top.
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Wednesday, 12 August 2009

Copic Buzz Challenge - Mo Mannings Digi Stamp


Today Ive decided to try another Challenge and this one is with the Mo Manning free download from http://copicbuzz.blogspot.com/. I have printed this gorgeous image of a little lad watering his plants, then coloured him with my Copic Pens. Afterwards I cut it out with my Octagon Nestabilitie dies, one plain and one scalloped then mounted them together with some foam tape. I have also stamped a greeting from one of my stash and I thought this one was quite appropriate, Ive also used the Rectangle dies this time and mounted it in the same was as the image.

The base card is 8"x 8" white card, and with some pale blue pearlescent card I have mounted up the first layer with one of the Nitwit downloads, the second layer is another of them but this time Ive used my Martha Stewart Border punch, and the third layer is a triangle shape with another piece of the same pale blue card, and Ive put another patterned paper on top of it. Along the edge of the two I have stuck a piece of ribbon and made up a bow and stuck this at the bottom.

The mounted image was then stuck to the left hand side, and the greeting at the bottom. Ive made up two flowers from my Hydrangea petals and hung a flower charm from the bottom one, before sticking them to my card, Ive punched out some leaves and stuck them underneath the flowers with some glue gel.

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Caught in the Act


For quite awhile each time my hubby and I walk up the steps to our back gate, weve noticed that someone or something has been turning and pulling up the moss on our lawn, if you can call it that, because we have a high fir hedge, grass just doesnt grow in my garden, so its turned itself to moss.

Anyway getting back to my story, we were sitting in the garden yesterday afternoon enjoying the sunshine, (guess what today its cloudy and no doubt it will rain again) and looking up onto the grass we watched the culprit having a rare old time, it was a blackbird and enjoying itself. My hubby rushed indoors to find my camera and I took a photo of him, mind you by the time Id taken it hed jumped up onto the fence and was away, but I thought youd like to see what hed been upto. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxx
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Tuesday, 11 August 2009

Beautiful Lilies


Hi everyone, again today I am posting yet another of my flower photo's, this one is of my gorgeous lilies which are now just coming out. I love them and the perfume of them I find is so hypnotic and its also the favourite flower of my mother, who also had them in her garden.

I want to thank Jules for her lovely comments yesterday, about not feeling compelled to post a card daily. I have been making cards but not for posting but for Christmas, they are just for the locals so they are the quick turn around type which I dont feel are good enough to post, so it maybe a couple of days before I find I have enough time to create one for posting.

Thank you all for your love and loyalty, with hugs and kisses, Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Monday, 10 August 2009

Update on my Orchids


I must apologise but Im havent got a card to post this morning, but I thought you might like to see another picture of my orchids, I now have quite a few that have come out and the display is really something.
Theres about two different yellow ones and three pink ones, one white another cream one and a very dark red one, that yellow one in the front there actually has a lovely scent and I wasnt aware that orchids did have a perfume, but that one does.
I sincerely hope you enjoy and like them. With love and hugs Shirleyxxx
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Sunday, 9 August 2009

A Christening Card for Luke


I have been trying to design a Christening Card in my head for a little lads Christening on the 23rd August, and as hes now almost a year old I felt that some of the images that you normally see were just a bit young for him. As Luke has an older brother I thought that the most appropriate image I could use is this one by Mo Manning, of two brothers sitting side by side and the older one reading him a story, I sincerely hope you like what Ive come up with.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, with a white and silver foil design for the first layer, on top of this I have layered up another piece of silver mirri board with a embossed white card, this was stuck to the right hand side of the card. For the other mount I have used another smaller piece of mirri board and wrapped two pieces of ribbon around it and stuck them to the back, this was then stuck to the left hand side of the card, then I tied a knot with a smaller piece of the same blue ribbon around the smaller one.

For the main image I have used the Mo Manning image and coloured it with my copic pens, after which I cut it out with my rotatrim and mounted this onto silver mirri board, this was then stuck on the white embossed card on the right. For the sentiment I have used a appropriate greeting and using silver embossing powder embossed it onto another piece of white card, cut it out and mounted this also onto silver mirri board which was then stuck below the main mount.
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Saturday, 8 August 2009

Stampin For the Weekend Challenge


I never seem to get my photo's straight, it doesnt matter how many times I take a photo they always seem to come out crooked, mind you I have to take my glasses of to take them and that maybe the reason why.

Todays card is for the Stampin for the Weekend Challenge, and this week its a sketch by Vicki, I hope she wont be cross for me taking a bit of licence with the sketch, as it seems Ive made a bit of a mistake with the length of my image mount. I have printed one of the Mo Manning Digi stamps and coloured it with my copic pens. If you ladies havent been to see these gorgeous images you certainly are missing a treat, so if you'd like to see what Im talking about click on the side bar tab and take a look.

The base card is a 8"x 8" inch white card, on top of this I have layered up a piece of red card and one of the papers from the Nitwit Downloads, this one has a heart design, the second layer I have used a pale mauve card and a second patterned paper this one is a pretty leaf pattern. The third mount is a round one cut out with my Nestabilitie dies, a red pattern paper for the centre and a red scalloped circle for the mount, these were then stuck to the base card, over the mauve layer.

Ive then stuck my mounted image at a angle as required in the sketch, but I did firstly distressed the edge with some red ink, rather over doing it, and of course its smudged a bit, so I do apologise about that. Ive then cut some oval mounts again with the Nestabilitie dies, and stamped a greeting on the white one, I also run the edge around with some of the same red ink.

The next thing Ive done is create three flowers with my Hydrangea Petals, two tone pink/red ones, and a purple one, before sticking them to the left hand bottom corner I have stuck some punched out leaves to the card with silicone glue then popped the flowers on top. Ive then punched out some flourishes with yet a further piece of patterned paper, and arranged them in the two top corners, before sticking some little gems amount the curls.

Ive actually redone this post and tried to correct the photo, but its still not as clear as it should be, probably because the original drawing was in brown. Sorry about this.
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Friday, 7 August 2009

Just Magnolia Challenge


Im sorry for not getting around today visiting my fellow bloggers, its been one of those days. Ive been really busy and Im still trying to catch myself on the way back. Anyway heres my card for the Just Magnolia Challenge this week, I did take a few hours getting it created and finally finishing it of, so I do apologise for that.

The images are from the new Tilda Summer stamps, actually they only arrived this morning and they needed mounting before I could use them, thats one of the reasons I got so behind with everything. I used the sea background, which I stamped onto a separate piece of card to the surfing Tilda, and coloured both with my copic pens. The brief for this card was that it had to have a pocket in the front to pop a tag behind, so after Id coloured Tilda I layered her up on a piece of blue pearlescent card and then cut around the top to make it stand out. I then used some foam tape and attached it to the background leaving a gap for my tag.

The base card is another of my 8"x 8" cards, this was created from a A3 piece of card, I then for the first mount used a piece of blue card and (I used the Nitwit download papers, these are called Splash) the first paper, the second layer is another of the patterned papers with another piece of the same blue card. For the third layer I have used a yellow design and my beach EK Success border punch and then stuck the paper on top of the second layer.

The stamped mounted image was then stuck in the centre of this paper, and underneath I have stamped a greeting and cut it out with my oval Nestabilitie die, inked it around the edge and then cut a large oval for its mount.

To finish of the card I have used some paper flowers with some pretty brads through the centre's, on the middle one I have stuck a yellow rose, to try and give it a bit more height. The last couple of things I have done are, firstly to stick some pearl gems to two of the corners, and made up a quick tag with a bit of left over paper, and punched out tag with a ribbon through a hole at the top and popped it in the pocket behind the image.
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Thursday, 6 August 2009

Cute Card Thursday - Red and Teal Colour Scheme


Well todays card is rather a striking colour scheme but this is what Ive come up with. Ive used another of the Mo Manning Digi Stamps, this one is absolutely my hubbys favourite, he loves anything to do with trains, so thought this image was ideal for a birthday card for him.

Ive printed the image out and coloured it with my copic pens, then cut it out with my rotatrim, but before mounting it onto teal coloured pearlescent card I distressed the edge with a teal coloured inkpad. I also at the same time printed a sentiment greeting in teal from my computer and mounted this also onto a piece of the same coloured pearlescent card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, with a piece of red pearlescent card for the first layer I have used one of the three papers from the Bearly Mine Cds that I printed off to use for the card. The second layer is a Teal coloured one and Ive used the engine border punch from Martha Stewart, on top of this is a third layer, this one is of another piece of the red card with a red piece of patterned paper stuck on it.

On top of this third layer I have stuck with foam tape the mounted image, under this I have also put the greeting. To finish of I have stuck four engine buttons across the bottom.
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Wow another Award


Ive been so very lucky this last week I have been awarded a number of awards, and its so very moving that you lovely fellow bloggers should consider me and my blog good enough to award them to me, this one has come from Lyn of http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com/.

She has the most inspiring blog that Ive come across, not only does she make the most gorgeous cards, but she takes us on journeys with her photos and I cannot tell you how I love to visit and absurb her tales of adventures.

She is also starting up a weekly blogcandy from now until the end of September, it will be for her followers, no one knows what she's got on offer so its going to be a really lovely surprise, so if youd like to click on the banner on my side bar, you will be able to see what Lyn is up to.

Now this award comes with some conditions, firstly I have to give you five things that I like to do, and then pass it onto five people, so here I go with my five things. 1. As you know Im a craft Alcoholic, carnt get enough of it. 2. Spend to much on craft Stuff, which I also like. 3. Adore my hubby, and the way he puts up with me. 4. Adore all our Grandchildren, and love to visit and take photos, hence my nickname. 5. Love visiting all my followers Bloggers and leaving comments, and really enjoy reading theirs on my work. Now my list of people Id like to pass it onto are as follows.


Well girls you know what you have to do, enjoy it. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxx

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Wednesday, 5 August 2009

Anthony on his Hobby Horse


Todays card is yet another of Mo Mannings gorgeous digi stamps, and again I have coloured it with my copic pens. Ive then cut it out with my rotatrim and distressed the edges with some blue catseye inkpad, then mounted it onto blue pearlescent card.

The base card is my usual 8"x 8" white card and for the first layer I have used another piece of the same colour blue pearlescent card and some papers that I printed from the Sue Bottles Country Classic's Cds, its a cd that I bought on Ebay, and she has some really lovely papers on several of her cds. Ive used three of her patterns for this card, and the first one is a dark blue check one, the second layer is a white background and blue star pattern on, and the last one is pale blue paper with white starts on. Over these three mounts I have stuck a blue gingham ribbon and attached it to the back of the base layer.

On top of this I have stuck my image onto the base card with foam tape, and also stamped a greeting onto another piece of white card and layered it up with the same pale blue card, this was then stuck to the left hand side at the top with some foam tape. To finish of I have stuck some cowboy boots and saddle to the left hand bottom side and a couple of Sheriff badges at the top on the right.
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My Third Award


This is the third award and this also was from Linda, I have to apologise to her for taking so long to post it, as I wasnt sure if it was actually meant for me, I saw my name in her list but not my blog address, so sorry Linda for the time its taken for me to thank you.

I would like to pass it onto everyone that visits my blog today and please take it as I consider you all my blogging friends, with my love and thanks, I really carnt pick anymore from my list, as I want you all to have it and to accept my love and grateful thanks for giving me such fantastic support since I started blogging last November.

I am gradually collecting things for my Bloganniversary in November, and Im hoping that you will still be with me when I post it. Anyway THANK YOU again, with love and Huge Hugs Shirleyxxxxx

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My Second and Third Award


My second and third award are from Linda of http://simpleandsassycreations.blogspot.com/, she has become a very special friend and I want to thank her for considering me for both of these awards, bless you my love and hope that you will all pop by to see her fantastic creations and her very special love of Edward of Twilight fame.

I will have to deal with these award separately as this one only allows me to pass it onto three people so I will deal with that one first,
This is the really difficult part - the award rules:
1. Only 3 people are allowed (to have this passed on to them).2. Two have to be dedicated followers of your blog and the other one has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.3. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.

I have given it to three people who have become dedicated followers of my blog, and Gisela is a new follower from Germany, so thank you so much girls for your support it really does give me such a buzz when I read your comments. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxx
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Today I have been given Three Awards


I have been given three awards today from two different people and I carnt say THANK YOU enough to Linda and Kimmi, for considering me good enough to receive them. As I dont know how to split the pictures up I will have to do them separately so please forgive me for that.

I will do Kimmi's of http://poppy-petal-designs.blogspot.com/ first as bless her I did receive this award from Avril last week and as its such a special award I want to thank her for considering me for this award as its titled a Circle of Friends, and for this I would like to pass onto some special people who like Kimmi have become special friends as well as my fellow followers and bloggers, so here is my list of people I would like to pass it onto.


This is a way of thanking you girls for being such fantastic followers and for leaving such lovely comments, Thank you so very much Kimmi for passing it onto me and for allowing me to thank just a few more of my friends. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxx
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Tuesday, 4 August 2009

Follow your Dreams


Todays card has been made with another of the Mo Manning Digi Stamps, this one is Claire which is the name of one of my daughters and as she is due to move soon, I thought it was appropriate for her.

Ive printed her and coloured the image with my copic pens, then cut it out with my rotatrim and mounted it onto two shades of pink card. The base card is created on a 8"x 8" white card, and the papers are from the Summer Driggs Free Downloads, these I thought were right for the colouring on the image.

I used my first paper and stuck it to a piece of pink pearlescent card, and the second and third layers have been punched with one of my Martha Stewart border punches. The forth mount is a piece of the same pink pearlescent card but Ive put it through my cuttlebug with one of the new embossing folders, I have inked the edge with a cats eye inkpad.

On top of these I have put my mounted image and stamped a sentiment onto white card and layered up in the same way as the mounted image, and this was stuck below the image with the foam tape.

To finish of I have created two flowers with some of my left over papers and with pearl brads and a charm I hung from the bottom one, I have stuck them to my card with some silicone glue and some punched leaves arranged under them.
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Monday, 3 August 2009

Danu's First Birthday Party



My husband went yesterday to his granddaughters first birthday party, it was a picnic in the park for her and her little friends. Unfortunately I didnt go for personal reasons, but by the looks of things I did miss a lovely time from what the photo's show.

Ive made this card for her as a sort of apology and to show how much I think of her as a wonderful mother to her daughter. The card has been made using the new Digital Pencil Downloads by Mo Manning, they are absolutely beautiful and I carnt tell you how lovely they are to work with, if you click on the side bar you will be taken to the website to look at the images for sale.

Ive used the Summer Baby one with the Accessories, I printed it then coloured it with my copic pens, it was then cut out with my rotatrim and mounted onto dark blue pearlescent card. The base card a 8"x 8" size white card and was created from a sketch I found on one of blogs I visit, hope they dont mind me pinching their ideas.

Ive used the Nitwit Downloads papers this one is called Splash and I felt it was appropriate for this image, Ive used four of the designs and mounted them using green card, pink pearlescent and more of the dark blue pearlescent card. Then Ive stuck them to the base card using glue and foam tape, after which I have stuck two pieces of ribbon across and down the card.

The sentiment was printed from my computer with a message I felt was right for the card. The top photo shows my husband with his daughter and granddaughter.
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Sunday, 2 August 2009

Another beautiful Award from Avril


Ive been so lucky since I started blogging last November, Ive met some really lovely people and their comments have always given me so much encouragement to create my cards and hopefully improve my efforts. Todays award is from a very special lady and who has become a real blogging friend, so I want to thank Avril of http://avrilannwatson46.blogspot.com/ for this and to say that its a great honour to receive it, and I will pass it onto some even more worthy blogging friends to.

My first friend I want to pass it onto is Rachel Jakes she has been one of my original followers and without her friendship and inspiration Im not sure Id be where I am now. Also wonderful Mandy for getting me into blogging, without her pushing Im not sure I would have been here today.

All these lovely ladies have been very influencial in one way or another in helping me, and some of them have become more than that, they are my email friends and we hope one day to meet up and really put the world to rights. Thank you everyone for all your help and believe me without it, I would be a very poor person, also thank you so much Avril for giving it to me.
With all my love and big Hugs Shirleyxxxxxx
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Saturday, 1 August 2009

My Gorgeous Eldest Grandson


All week I have been posting photo's of two of my youngest daughters sons, but this post is about my eldest daughter's son. Hes my eldest grandson and will be 30 next March, he's in the RAF and Im not allowed to give you his name or where hes posted so please forgive me for that. This photo was taken earlier this year while he was on holiday and just after he rang to say that he and the beautiful young lady in the photo had just become engaged, as they are not expected to get married till 2012 Im glad that Im not at the moment at the risk of becoming a Great Grandmother.
I just wanted to with you this gorgeous couple I hope you enjoy seeing this photo. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxx
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My Second Thank You is to Avril


I want to thank a very special lady Avril of http://avrilannwatson46.blogspot.com/ she also sent me a PIF Award its such a gorgeous card and the most beautiful bookmark, the wording on it is so lovely, that I just wanted to share it will you all. Thank you so much Avril you are one very special lady, please pay a visit to her blog and see what beautiful creations she makes. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxx
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I also have two other Thank You's to give




The first Big Thank you is to Lisa of http://allissa-designs.blogspot.com/ she is one of the most sweetest people I know, and is so very generous not only with her lovely comments but also with her weekly gift. I won one two weeks ago, and because of being so busy I have been very slow in posting the lovely goodies that she sent me, so Thank You Lisa for such a lovely surprise.
I do so hope that you will visit her blog and take part in her weekly surprises. With love and huge hugs to Lisa, Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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A Big Thank you to Lyn and Lorraine


Well Im back but Im not quite ready to post a card, to be really honest I havent even got around to even thinking of making one, its been go, go, go since the boys went at lunchtime, you know what its like trying to get everything back to normal, and trying to find all your bits and pieces.

Anyway I have a few thank you's that Id like to make first before I even think about crafting, and the first ones are to Lyn of http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.com/ and Lorraine ot http://coldwaters2.blogspot.com/ for the above award both of them sent to me, so I want to thank them personally for the lovely comments on their own blogspots and on mine. Please visit both their gorgeous blogs and see what beautiful work they both achieve, I am very envious of both their talents.

My next problem is to sent this lovely award to 12 people which really isnt fair as there are so many followers of my blog and I really dont want to leave any of you out, so I suppose Id better try and do my best,

I hope you girls will enjoy this award as much as I have in receiving it, thank you again Lyn and Lorraine for the honour you did sending it to me. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxx
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