Another Challenge Card - Just Magnolia Mina's Sketch

This is my last Challenge Card for 2009, its the Just Magnolia one, using Mina's Sketch. Ive used one of the new Christmas stamps from Magnolia and coloured her with my copic pens, then cut her out completely ready to mount on my oval. This was done with the large oval Nestabilitie dies, Ive used a yellow embossed card for the first one and a red card for the scalloped one. The circular sentiment is one of the Just Rite stamps and cut out with my circle Nestabilitie dies, Ive then used the larger scalloped one from red card for it to be mounted on.
The base card is a 8"x 8" white card with a first layer of green card, and one of two papers that Ive used for this card, the designs are by Kaban called Seasons and they come on a cd. For the second layer Ive used a red pattern and mounted this onto red card, then Ive used a red ribbon to wind around the two layers and stuck it to the back of the first mount.
Ive then stuck my oval mount in the centre of this and mounted my cut out Tilda on top, then Ive used three Poinsetta flowers for down the edge around the oval and have stuck the greeting between the top two flowers, there wasnt room to put the fourth one.

A Card for Two Challenges - Calendar and New Year

Good Morning to you all, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and Im sure you are all suffering with a weight problem as I know I am, and Im going to have to be very strict with myself to try a loose some of this extra poundage that Ive put on over the holiday. We had a wonderful day with my daughter and her four children and she cooked a really splendid meal, even the weather was kind to us and we didnt have any problems driving to her house, and last night the rest of the ice and snow was washed away with a downpour of rain, thank goodness.

Im a bit slow in posting all my challenge cards so I thought Id get one posted today, this one is for the Stampin for the Weekend Challenge, a Calendar and Im going to also enter it for the Cute Card Challenge, New Year, its a bit of a cheat but I hope it will qualify for both. Its one of the new Magnolia stamps that I received in my Club kit, its a young teenage looking Tilda and Ive stamped her onto white card and coloured her with my copic pens. Ive then cut her out with my rotatrim and mounted her onto a piece of pink pearlescent card, before doing so Ive distressed the edges with a pink inkpad.

The base card is an easel card and Ive used two designs from the Bearly Mine Designs, not that its easy to see the second paper as its pink as well.  The first design has also been mounted onto two pieces of pink pearlescent card and one is stuck to the front and one to the inside of the card, on top of this I have used my second design for both the front and inside, with this one I have used my all around border punch by Martha Stewart and have stuck it in a diamond shape on top of this base layer, as I said its not easy to see, the camera seems to have rather made it invisable, over the front part I have stuck a piece of white lace across the centre with a pretty ribbon, and for the inside Ive used the same ribbon but no lace, then stuck my calendar to this page.

To the outside I have stuck my mounted stamped image and created a flower corner with some roses and some babys breathe and some wired gems. I can see Ive moved the ribbon slightly when I attached the mounted image, but I hope it doesnt spoil your sight of it (I didnt realise this had happened till after looking at this photo), Ive also stuck three pink pearls at the bottom on the left hand side.

To finish of this posting I want to thank all those lovely girls that have sent me some really gorgeous Christmas cards and ecards, its been a wonderful Christmas and its through your friendship thats made it a real blessing and extra special, thank you so much for that and Im looking forward to continuing being special friends with you in the New Year. With love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxx

A Wonderful Christmas Wish and a Very Happy New Year to you All

I want to wish all my very loyal followers and visitors a Wonderful Christmas and a Very Happy New Year, as you can see from the photo we have had our first shower of snow, luckily its not to deep but it is very icy.

My dear husband went for a walk this afternoon to find some beautiful photos for you to see the snow at its best advantage, and this one was taken in our local park about 10 mins walk away from our home.

Anyway I wont be posting any more posts till after Christmas itself, as like everyone else weve got quite a few things to do, and to get ready to go to my daughters for dinner on Christmas Day, I just hope this weather doesnt get any worse or at least not until we get back on Boxing Day.

So Happy Christmas to you all, and a very big Thank You, take care with love and huge hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxx

A Card for Mo's Manning Challenge - All shades of White

Todays card has been created for this weeks Mo's Challenge, it has to be all in white except the image, so Ive used this lovely image of Bella and Bronte which I think is quite apt in the circumstances in some of the areas of the UK. Anyway Ive coloured her with my copic pens, and the glittery bits were created with my Sakura glitter pen, and then cut her out with my rotatrim and mounted her onto a piece of white pearlescent card, the greetings is again the Hero Arts stamp this also has been mounted onto a piece of white pearlescent card.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, and for my first layer I have used a piece of white card and run it through my cuttlebug with the snowflake embossing folder, because the size was to big to put through the cuttlebug I cut it in half then joined them together covering the seam with a piece of white lace across the middle. On top of this I have used some white pearlescent paper, and with my snowflake flurry all around Martha Steward border and corner punches created a square to stick to the base layer, Ive also used a smaller piece of the same paper and again punched it all round and then positioned this one in a diamond shape. Then on top of these layers I have stuck my mounted image.

To finish of I have created four snowflakes from eight punched out pieces from my Martha Stewart punches, dipped them into Diamond Dust and then layered them up in twos, and stuck them either side of my stamped image, and the greeting was positioned at the bottom on the right hand side.

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Aperture Card

Todays card has been made for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge, Aperture Card. Ive used a 8"x8" white card and measured a window size in the front and cut it out with my craft knife. On top of this I have placed one of the Dovecrafts "Tis the Season" papers a red snowflake one, and then punched out two strips of another of the same set of papers with my new Martha Stewart border punch and run it through my Xyron to put glue on the back and then ive stuck them not and bottom of my card. The greeting is a Hero Arts one that Ive used quite a lot this year, its been mounted on a piece of white pearlised card and stuck at the bottom on the right.

For the inside I have used the gorgeous Tilda and Edwin Skating stamp, that I have coloured with my copic pens then cut it out completely. To give the appearance of them skating on a pond I have used one of the themes from the Cute Companions Cd by Crafters Companion, and stuck it to the inside leaf and then positioned my skaters so they appear through the window.

To finish of my card I have stuck three pionsettas in the top left hand corner.

Another fabulous Photo of two of my Grandsons

Heres a photo that I received from my youngest daughter today of two of my grandsons, Daniel whos now 9 and Oliver whos 8, and I thought you might like to see them, arnt they handsome.

They are the two lads who came and stayed with us for a week in the Summer Holidays, they are two lovely lads and Im really proud of them.

With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxx

Wishing you All a Wonderful Christmas

Good Morning everyone, I just thought for a change I would post an extra special photo of our two Granddaughters, the one with the serious face is Seraphie, Im not sure she was enjoying the photo session, shes now 8 months old, and the other little one is Danu and she is now 17 months old.

They are their granddads pride and joy, and we felt youd love to see how well they are coming along, and to have something different as a Christmas Card.

With love and hugs to you all Shirleyxxxxx

Two Fabulous Awards to Pass On

Recently I was given two lovely awards, the right hand one is for Acquaintance from Gisela http://mueppis-bastelwelt.blogspot.com/ and the left hand one was from Christa http://scrappies-van-christa.blogspot.com/ and this one has to have 10 people to pass on to. But firstly I need to give you five of my secrets, thats quite difficult as Ive already disclosed a lot of them already, so I suppose I will have to try and give you some more.

1. I raised my three daughters and my eldest grandson for many years on my own, about 20 years before I remarried.

2. My youngest daughter suffers with MS, she has two sons, and copes very well on her own.

3. Although I hold a full driving licence I dont drive very often which frustrates my hubby a lot, thats why weve just bought a new automatic car, hes hoping I will start driving again, we shall see.

4. I love Teddy Bears, and have a collection of some quite beautiful ones.

5. While on my own I did all my own decorating and even some electrical work so Im a bit of a Jack of all Trades, master of none, luckily I dont have to anymore as my hubbys pretty good at the electrical work himself.

Now I need to pass on these awards to firstly left handed one (the lady with the dog) to ten of my fellow bloggers and they are:-

Gisela - http://mueppis-bastelwelt.blogspot.com/

Aud - http://audcards.blogspot.com/

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

Christine - http://dolcreations.blogspot.com/

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

Janette - http://little-boscraftyplace.blogspot.com/

Nikki - http://nikkiscards.blogspot.com/

Jessie - http://jessicafitzhenry.blogspot.com/

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

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

Now for the five for the right handed award, the Flower One:-

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

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

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

Christa - http://scrappies-van-christa.blogspot.com/

Jacqui - http://jacqui47.blogspot.com/

I sincerely hope girls you enjoy receiving these awards as much as I have, I would have liked to have been able to pass them onto more of my very loyal followers but unfortunately that is not allowed, but I would like to thank you all for your loyalty and to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas, and a Wonderful New Year.

With love and huge hugs to you all Shirleyxxxxxxxxx

Tagged by Trudette

Trudette has tagged me to disclose some of my Christmas traditions, so here they are :-
1. Have you started your Christmas Shopping?
  Yes, but I try to buy bits all year around.
2. Tell me about one of your special traditions,
 Dont really have any.
3. When do you put up your Tree?
 I normally put it up the weekend before Xmas as I put it on the cupboard in front of the window and it rather blocks out the light.
4. Are you a Black Friday Shopper?
 Sorry we dont have these in the Uk, but I do try and buy when I see sales on line.
5. Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay at Home?
 Normally we stay at home but this year we are spending it with my middle daughter and her family.
6. What is your funniest Christmas memory?
 I carnt remember one, unless my children consider my tipping my chair over when leaning over the side of it.
7. What is your favourite Christmas Movie of all time?
 My all time favourite is Bing Crosby's Holiday Inn, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vPfOjAw5Z0 if you click on the link you will be able to watch him singing the title song White Christmas.
8. Do you do your own Christmas Baking, whats your favourite treat?
 I do make my own mince pies and sausage rolls, my favourite treat is Baileys Irish Cream.
9. Fake or Real Tree?
 I love real trees, but carnt stand the mess the make so we use a artificial one.
10. What day (as a mum) does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
 I take things as they come.
11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
 Sometimes, but I normally wrap them as I buy them.
12. What is your favourite family fun time at Christmas?
 Watching the Grandchildren open their presents.
13. What Christmas craft do you like the best?
 Creating the display that I like to put on top of my TV.
14. Christmas music, Yes or No, and if yes What is your favourite song?
 I love Christmas music but my hubby doesnt, so I have to ration myself to just Christmas Day, but I do love to listen to Once in Royal Davids City, it sends goosebumps down my back.
15. When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
 Most of mine is done, but if I need any extras I will pop out on Christmas Eve to pick up the fresh things, like Veggies, Salads and Fruit.
Now Ive got to pick some people to tag, so heres my list:-

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

Avril - http://avrilannwatson46.blogspot.com/

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

Gisela - http://mueppis-bastelwelt.blogspot.com/

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

Sorry girls, good luck, with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxxxx

Another one card for Two Challenges

Again I have cheated and created one card to cover two challenges, the Just Magnolia Challenge, Christmas Card and Stampin for Weekend Challenge, blue and brown. I made a bit of a fopah when I started colouring my image I thought it was green and blue, so we have a green parcel so sorry about that. Anyway Ive used one of the new Magnolia Christmas stamps for this card and coloured her with my copic pens, after which I cut her out with my rotatrim and mounted her up on some blue pearlescent card. The greeting is one of Hero Arts stamps that Ive stamped onto white card and mounted it in the same was as my image.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card with a first layer of dark blue card and one of two design papers that Ive printed from the Nitwit downloads, the first one is a all over snowflake design in blue and white. For my second layer Ive used a pretty brown paper with springs of leaves all over it, this was mounted onto brown card and stuck at an angle across the base layer. For my third layer Ive used a dark blue pearlescent paper with my new Trellis border punch by Martha Stewart, Ive done a double sided strip and layered a piece of ribbon across the centre and stuck them to the back of my first mount.

The stamped image was then stuck to the centre of my card and the greeting to the right hand side at the bottom. To finish of Ive created two flowers from some more of the same design papers and some silver spacers were popped through holes in the centres with some pearl brads with a sleigh charm hanging from the bottom one, after which I have stuck them onto the card with some silicone sitting on some punched out fern leaves.

One Card again for Two Challenges

Todays card is to cover two Challenges, Mo Mannings "Thank You Card" and Cute Card Thursday "Beads"

Ive used this sweet digi image of this ballerina taking a bow, and coloured her with my copic pens then cut her out with my rotatrim and distressed the edges with my pink cats eys inkpad, after which Ive layered her up onto a piece of pink pearlescent card. The greeting is one of my craft stash stamps that Ive stamped it onto a piece of white card then punched it out with my Blossoms Nestabilitie die, drawn around the edge of the die and cut it out of pink card as well. Both this and the image were attached to their mounts with some foam tape.

The base card is a 8"x 8" white card, onto which I have layered up a piece of pink card with one of three papers from one of my Nitwit Downloads, the first one has a pink base with a heart pattern on, the second layer is a pink paper with spots Ive punched around the edge with my new Martha Stewart border punch, and done the same with the third layer a cream paper similar in design as the first one. These were layered on top of one another a stuck to the centre of the first mount. Across the centre I have stuck a piece of lace that Ive have sewn some pink beads at intervals along the two edges, this was stuck to the back of the first layer.

On top of this I have positioned my mounted image, and my stamped greeting to the right hand side at the bottom.

Ive then created four flowers with the Nellie Snellen punches with some of the left over paper, and stuck them to my card on top of some punched out fern leaves, on one of them Ive have hung two beads that Im using as charms. To finish of I have stuck another bead flower in the corner on the left hand side.

Creating Mens Cards

Im sorry I havent been around much this week, but for the last couple of days Ive been creating some mens cards for the family and friends. Ive got quite a few with birthdays in the first three months of the year and I thought as its likely Im going to be a bit busy in the next few weeks Id better make a few cards and keep them in reserve ready for them.

These Marvel comic characters seemed exactly right for them, the range from Spider Man, the Hulk, Captain America, X men, Silver Surfer and several others, and I know that a lot of men seemed to like them and I felt they were exactly right for the age range that Im catering for. I bought these decoupage and backing sheets from Create and Craft a couple of months ago, and Ive been meaning to get them out and start using them, but just dont seem to have have the time to do so. Anyway what Ive done is pick the main topper and a corsponding backing paper and a coloured acetate sheet for each card.

Ive created each of the cards around a A5 size base card, which is folding an A4 piece of card in half, then for the main front I have layered up a piece of the backing paper onto a piece of Silver Mirri board and stuck this to the card front. Over this I have stuck the coloured acetate, which was again a A4 size folded in half to stick it to the fold Ive used some vellum glue down the fold.

Ive then cut out the decoupage sheet and stuck the main image onto another piece of Silver Mirri board and stuck this on the front of the acetate, and then built up the decoupage on top, this was stuck to the base layer with some silicone glue. These sheets come with greetings and Ive cut one of them out and mounted this also onto a piece of silver mirri board and stuck this actually to the inside under the acetate wrap.

My Husband and his new Scarlet Lady

Theres a new lady in my dear Husbands life and hes absolutely over the moon with her, so I thought you might like to see what Im talking about, weve just been to collect our new car, a bright scarlet Skoda Octavia Estate and as you can see my husband is throughly in love with her.

I dont mind really at least hes carnt be unfaithful to me with her, and it should give him a few years service, plus which weve now decided to have an automatic, hes hoping I might do a bit of the driving also, not particularly interested really but you never know. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxxxx

Just Magnolia Challenge Card - A Card for Someone Special

Todays card has been created for the Just Magnolia Challenge, a card for someone special, Ive used one of the new Christmas stamps this one has Tilda holding a Christmas present, Ive stamped her onto a piece of white card and coloured her with my copic pens, and my clear glitter pen on the hat and cuffs. Because shes quite a big stamp Ive used my Martha Steward circular cutting tool to cut her out, and used a larger hole for the mount, Ive used a red card for this.

For the base card Ive used a 8"x 8" white card and for my first layer Ive used a piece of the same red card and one of two papers from the Dovecraft "Tis the Season" set, this one has a red background with a design of snowmen and fir trees on, the second mount Ive used another piece of red card and this time Ive used white design paper with a selection of fir trees and flourishes, this was positioned in the centre at the top of the first layer.

I then stamped a greeting onto white card and punched it out with one of the ribbon tag Nestabilitie dies, with a red mount, then threaded a ribbon through the two end holes and positioned across the bottom of my card. I mounted my stamped image in the centre of my card.

I then created three flowers from some left over paper from my mounts, these were punched out with my flower punches then I moulded them with a ball tool, then popped a pearl brad with a silver spacer through the centres and hung a stocking charm from the bottom one. I then arranged some fern leaves in a circle and my stuck my flowers on top.

One Card for Three Challenges

Well todays card is to cover three challenges, mainly because Im feeling rather lazy but I hope that it meets all their criterias, so here we go, Mo's Digital Challenge for "Someone Special", Cute Card Thursday Challenge "Swirly Girly", and finally Stampin for the Weekend, "Red, Green and Gold".

Ive used one of Mo Mannings gorgeous Bella and Bronte images for this card, I love these two they are so cute and so lifelike, Ive printed her onto a piece of white card and coloured her with my copic pens after which I have cut her out with my rotatrim and mounted her onto some red card. The greeting is one of my stamps from my crafty stash, this was also stamped onto white card then cut out and mounted onto red card.

My base card is a 8"x 8" white card and for my first layer Ive used a piece of the same red card, and one of three papers from the Dovecraft "Tis the Season" papers all from http://www.donnasdenofcrafts.co.uk/, Ive used these a lot lately as it seems appropriate for this time of the year and the colouring is ideal for these Challenges, Red, Green and Gold, theres even a bit of blue on my third paper. These were cut and layered up as follows, the second mounts are two squares stuck at opposite corners and the third mount is stuck down the centre, over these I have placed a red and dark maroon holly leaf ribbon with a gold edge to the back of my first layer. This has loads of swirls on.

I then stuck my mounted image to the centre of my card and my greeting to the bottom right hand side, after which I have arranged three poinsettas to the top left hand side with a little bit of stickles on the white one just to give it some sparkle. To finish of I have stuck three red pearls down the right hand side.

A Christmas Card for a Dear Friend

I must apologise for not posting anything since Monday, but both my hubby and I have been suffering with one hell of a cold/cough bug, its really been a bummer and we still carnt see an end to the damn thing. One of our dear granddaughters happily passed it on while we were visiting them two weeks ago, and to be honest its the type of present I would prefer to do without, I dont usually succumb to them but its hit me with a force for sure, anyway you dont want to hear about my problems so I will shut up and start telling you about my card.

Todays card was created for a dear friend of mine, hopefully in the next few days she will open the envelope and know it was meant for her, she sent me one gorgeous birthday card and Xmas card recently and she probably already knows who she is. Anyway the stamped image is one of the Blue Egg designs from Whiff of Joy, isnt it gorgeous, Ive stamped it out onto white card and coloured it with my copic pens, after which I have distressed the edge with my red inkpad and mounted it onto a piece of red card. The greeting is another of my stamps and I have done exactly the same with this.

To make up my card Ive used a 6"x 6" base card, and for the first layer Ive used a piece of red card and one of two "Tis the Season" papers from Dovecraft, given to me in my DT pack from http://www.donnasdenofcrafts.co.uk/ for the new Cards for Men Challenge, this one is a green paper with a red and green pattern on, for the second mount Ive used another piece of red card and the second paper, this one is a red paper with snowmen and Xmas trees on, this was positioned to the left handside of my base layer, over this I have put a wide red and gold holly ribbon and attached it to the back of the first layer. This was then stuck to the base card, and my mounted image was positioned on top in the centre, and my greeting to the right handside at the bottom.

To finish of I have stuck some Poinsetta flowers in opposite corners around my stamped image, and three red pearls down the right hand side at the top.

My Very First Card for the New Cards For Men Challenge Blog - A Xmas Card for a Male either for a Man or Boy.

Today is the launch of Donna's new Challenge blog http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/ and as one of a Design Team who include Viv Holden of http://craftinghaven.blogspot.com/, Lisa Nowacki of http://wishcraftcards.blogspot.com/ and Patricia St. Martin of http://rubberstampingismygame.blogspot.com/, we would like to invite you all to take part in the Challenges. They run monthly at the moment and if you click on the link it will take you to the blog and you will be able to read about all the rules and regulations.

My card for this first Challenge has been created for my husband from some lovely DT goodies that Donna sent me to play with, you will find all of these on her website http://www.donnasdenofcrafts.co.uk/ she has some lovely goodies for sale and Im sure you will be thrilled at exactly how much she does have to offer.

The stamp I have used for this card is one of Joanna Sheens Messy Rabbit series, hes dressed as Santa Claus I coloured him with my copic pens, after which Ive cut him out with my rotatrim and distressed around the edges with a red inkpad. The sentiment was created on my computer and printed out, then distressed in the same way, both of them were then mounted on to red card.

For my base card I have used a 8"x 8" white card, and for the first layer I have used a piece of red card and one of the lovely Christmas papers from Donnas shop, they are called "Tis the Season" by Dovecraft, Its a lovely red paper with snowmen, trees and snowflakes on, around the top and bottom of this layer I have attached two ribbon strips in white with a tree pattern on. For my second layer I have cut three pieces of green card all the same size and used the second of the pattern papers, a lovely white one with yet more trees, presents and flourishes on, these were then positioned across the base card at equal distances from each other.

My mounted stamped image was then positioned on top of these mounts with the sentiment at the bottom right hand side. I then punched out some snowflakes from white card, dipped them in glue and then some Diamond Dust glitter and when dried I positioned them at the top of my card on both sides of my stamped image.

And the prize for this first Challenge is Crafters Companion Ultimate Pro, wow how about that for reason to take part in the Challenge.