Pink Gem Challenge - Special Birthdays 1, 13, 18, 21 etc,

My card for this special birthday challenge is a 13 birthday card for a young lad just starting his teens, and Ive used this lovely image of Miki in his football gear and coloured him with my copic pens then I cut him out with my oval nestabilitie die, I also created a mount with some blue pearlescent card and my scalloped die. The football badge is another of Janets stamps and the sentiment is a Hero Arts one with gold numbers stuck in the middle.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of blue card and one of three papers that Ive printed from the "Kick it" Nitwit download set, the first layer is a green paper with a football field drawn on it in white, the second paper is greetings paper with all sorts of messages for a footballer, and the third is all over football design, Ive used a border punch on both of these and stuck them across the middle of the first layer afterwards I stuck a football ribbon around to the back of the first layer.

Ive then stuck my image to the left hand side and my sentment and badge to the right. To finish of Ive stuck two footballs and boots along the bottom of my card.

And before I go I want to wish you all a wonderful weekend I hope you all enjoy yourselves, but I do hope the weather improves and we get some of that lovely sunshine we had at the begining of the week, take care

Just Magnolia Challenge - Bev's Sketch

Hi Girls, talk about starting one card then ending up creating one for another challenge, thats what happened to me today, the problem was I printed these lovely papers and decided it was just right for this image and of course like most ladies I got side tracked into this Challenge for Just Magnolia and this week its a lovely easy sketch by Bev.

The image was already for me to use as Id stamped it and coloured it awhile back and had never used it, and as Ive still got two challenge cards to create I cheated and decided to use this one for my Just Magnolia challenge this week. Ive actually masked Tilda to sit her on the honey pot, then cut around the bottom of it to use the mega ovals to cut her out. I did colour her with my copic pens and the sentiment is a lovely one from Stampin Up, a set I bought from the lovely Angela whos just become agent for them, and Ive been itching to try out these lovely flight stamps, though its actually a butterfly in the box Ive used it as a flight for the bumblebee.

The papers are some really lovely ones from the Karen Miller Designs, she has a 40% discount over the bank holiday so its worth a trip to discover some of her beautiful designs. Ive used this pretty orange and yellow paper for my first layer and Ive mounted it onto orange card. The second layer is a orange check design and Ive used the Flower border and corner punches from Martha Stewart to create this square.

Over the top Ive stuck some lace and bright orange and white ribbon across the centre and attached it to the back of the first layer, this was then stuck to my base 7"x 7" white card, the image was then stuck in the centre and I created a flower from some of the left over papers. This was then stuck to my card on top of some punched out Maidenhair fern leaves. To finish of Ive used some pretty gems in swirls at the top and bottom of my card. I do hope you like the end result.

Im also going to enter this card for LOV Challenge - Here comes Summer.

 

A Card for Two Challenges - Mo's and Cute Card Thursday

Good Afternoon Girls, sorry Im late posting my card today, but Ive been rather busy this morning and didnt get around to making the card till after we had our lunch. By the way its also pouring of rain in Gloucestershire so Ive no doubt the garden will be the best thing to benefit from it. It seems such a shame that the lovely weather we have been getting used to seems to have gone. Oh well such is Life.

I created my card for two challenges this week, Mo's "Masculine" and Cute Card Thursdays "Anything Homemade". Ive used this lovely little image of a little lad in his first car by Mo titled "Zoom" and coloured it with my copic pens afterwards I used one of my Nestabilitie dies to cut him out. The sentiment is one of Hero Arts one and I thought it was quite appropriate for this image.

The three papers Ive used on this card are from the Beep Beep Collection from Nitwit Downloads, oh while I think of it, theyve got a good sale over the May bank holiday if you are interested in picking up a good bargain. The base card is a 7"x 7" white card with the first layer of blue card with my first patterned paper, the centre two, which arnt straight deliberately are firstly a blue and white check paper with a second red and white check paper positioned on top, for this one Ive used the family punch around all four edges.

The mounted image was stuck in the centre of my card and my sentiment to the bottom on the right hand side.

To finish of Ive created two windmills, and by gum they were tricky to create because they were of a small size, but I found the tutorial on the internet and it was to say the least extremely useful. Hope you like it.

Challenge Card for LOV - Sketch by Bev Rochester

 Good Afternoon Ladies, Im so sorry Ive not been around for the last couple of days, weve been busy again and this morning we really went to town and dug up my once lovely bottlebrush plant, unfortunately it died in all that nasty cold and freezing weather we had during the winter months, so I swopped it for my hardy white fushia bush, I just hope that it survives being moved, as they arnt that easy to obtain.

Anyway I thought for a change I would create a card for the Lili of the Valley challenge, its the first time Ive done it, and I used this gorgeous image that my lovely friend Claire sent me in my blogcandy that I won about a month ago. Sorry Claire for taking so long before using it. Anyway I stamped it onto white card and coloured it with my copic pens then cut it out with my circle Nestabilitie die and created a mount for it with some pink card and a circle Scalloped die to. The sentiment is one of Hero Arts this has been stamped and mounted onto a ribbon die cut.

The base card is 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of pink card and one of two papers from the Papermania Pink Parfait paper pack, a pretty all over flower pattern, the second piece is a pretty pink paper and I used the new Daisy Flower border punch along both the two edges. On top of this I popped a pink and white ribbon thats been threaded through the ribbon die cut and fixed to the back of the first layer.

The flowers were created from some of the left over paper and a dark pink/red paper from the same paper pack, these were stuck to the card on top of the leaf punch outs and on top of this Ive stuck some flower buttons which I have threaded some narrow ribbon through the holes and tied into bows. The last thing is the two heart gems stuck to the top on the right hand side. I also used some stickles on the winges, flowers and her tiara.

Cards for Men - Challenge Nine - "Monochrome/Anniversary"

Wow here we are at Challenge Nine, and for the last challenge we had over 50 entries, well done girls hope you enjoyed taking part, this one is a little more easier or at least I think so, you need to create a card that incorporates " Monochrome" but to help you Donna also decided to add the Wedding Anniversary aspect as well, so good luck hope it doesnt cause you to much difficulty if it does you will have to blame her.
Donna is also sponsering this challenge and she has offered to give a £10. voucher as a fabulous prize, also if you read what she says herself you will discover that she is also offering a 10% discount during the time of the Challenge,

and here is the link to her webshop.
Here is what Donna says about herself and her fabulous shop :-

At Donna's Den of Crafts we stock a wide range of products from Dovecraft, DCWV, Spellbinders, Crafter's Companion, Crafting with Stephanie, Joanna Sheen and so on. We are a small home-run business and pride ourselves on customer service. We have a fixed P&P of £1.00 regardless of the size of order. Most orders are sent out within 24 hours of payment subject to stock levels.

It's quite hard to do when it gets to my turn as I never know what to say. A reminder of the challenge, the theme is 'Monochrome' and the challenge will run from 26th April to 9th May. The prize will be a £10 gift voucher to use at Donna's Den of Crafts and there will also be a 10% discount voucher valid for the term of the challenge. The code for this will be CFM0410.

Im sure you will be delighted and thrilled at what you can obtain from her webshop.

Here is my card for the Challenge, Ive actually created it for a very dear pair of friends of mine, they are quite young and funky so I felt although its supposed to be basically masculine this also does well as a couple card as well.

Ive used my Just-Rite stamps for this card, the  main image is a beautiful Poppy image which I have coloured with my Faber Castell Prisma pencils and the sentiment is another of the same make of stamps, both were cut out with the circle Nestabilitie die punch and the mount which I have used a lovely beige card was cut with the scalloped die.

The base card is a 6.50"x 5.50" size card with a first layer of the same beige card, and one of three papers that I received in my Making Cards magazine this month, I really felt the colurs went down well for this card. I know Ive not totally kept to the same colour tone on the colouring but your hardly likely to find a beige/brown poppy so I hope I get forgiven by my leader for taking liberties.

Anyway I hope you take part in this fortnights challenge and enjoy it to.

Mo Mannings Challenge - "1 Ribbon, 2 Buttons or Brads and 3 Designer Papers"

Hi Girls, well if was a very busy day yesterday and I even managed to get one more Challenge card done to.

I got my pillows of my bed washed and back on my bed by 6 oclock and two sets of curtains washed, ironed and hung back up to, so Im gradually getting the Spring Cleaning done and with this beautiful weather it certainly helps to.

Anyway this card is created for this weeks Challenge from Mo 1 ribbon, 2 buttons or brads, and 3 designer papers. And Ive used this gorgeous young lass Jordon "Multitasking" and we ladies know all about that dont we? Ive printed her onto white card and used my copic pens to colour her, sorry Im back to using them again. Anyway I then used my Nestabilitie Label Die 9 to cut her out and created a mount by drawing around the edge of it, I also used a sentiment I had in my stash, this one is a Stampin Up one. Ive cut it out and mounted it the same as a my image.

The base card is a 7"x 7" card and Ive used a Teal coloured card for both the mounts and the first layer on my card, Ive used three papers from my Nitwit Downloads for the card, I scouted around all my downloads to find the right colour combinations. The first one is a ring type pattern and the second is a leaf pattern, on which Ive used a Martha Stewart border and corner punch and then stuck this on top of the base layer. The third layer is a strip that Ive punched along both edges with the same border punch and this was stuck down the card with a ribbon mounted on top and attached at the back of the first layer.

I then stuck my mounted image on top, and my sentiment to the bottom on the right. The flowers are some from my craft stash, and the two buttons have then been threaded with some sparkly green cord tied and stuck to the top on the right hand side.

One Card for Three Challenges - Just Magnolia, Cute Card Thursday and Stampin for the Weekend

Good Morning Girls, well I did eventually get around last night to creating a card for three Challenges, the Just Magnolia's "Anything Goes" and Cute Card Thursdays "Sketch",  lastly for Stampin for Weekends "Create Yourself", you can use a book and Im going to use Robin Hood.

And Ive used these two new images from Just Magnolia, a Tilda Princess and Robin Hood, I decided although shes not actually Maid Marion she certainly will get away with standing in for her. Ive stamped them onto white card by masking the princess so that I can stamp Robin Hood behind her, then this time I used the Promarkers which Im still having problems getting the hand of them, they dont seem to have the same colour range that the Copics do, but I will persevere with them, I did cheat and use the Copics for the skin tones as Im used to the combination for that.

Anyway after cut them out Ive mounted them onto two shades of pink card. The sentiment is one of my craft stash one, its probably a Hobby Art one or even a Pink Gem one, sorry I carnt remember of hand. The base card is a 7"x 7" white card and another piece of dark pink card for the base layer and one of two papers from my Nitwit Downloads collections, a very pretty pink flower paper and the second is a green base paper with lots of hearts on it. I then stuck across the card two pieces of ribbon and attached them at the back of the first layer, my mounted image was stuck in the centre and my sentiment at the bottom on the right.

To finish of Ive used some of the left over paper to create a flower from them this I Ive placed at the top of my card on top of some punched out maidenhead fern leaves. The last thing I did was pop some pink heart gems in certain places.

A Day at the Seaside

Good Morning Girls, sorry I wasnt around yesterday we went to Shepton Mallet to the Craft Show down there at the Bath and Wells Show Ground, it was a beautiful day and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, much as my hubby daughters and granddaughters did at the seaside last Sunday.

As I havent got a card to post today I thought you might like to see these photos of just how much the little ones enjoyed their day out with their respective mums, to me it looks a little chilly but they probably didnt realise it.

Hope you like them will be back hopefully later with a card if not it will be tomorrow.

A Birthday Card for Luke

Morning Girls, well the sun has gone to sleep at the moment lets hope it wakes up again as it looks quite cloudy outside. Hubby is just of to post a couple of parcels things he sold for me on Ebay so they will be on their way presently.

I got a bit of a shock at the weekend, as I have four of my grandchildren coming to stay in the summer holidays, the two boys of my youngest daughter Clare for the first week, and my middle daughter Sarah's two one boy and one girl are due to come for the following week. The two boys will go onto their other grandparents, luckily they will come and pick them up. But to be honest this means complete turmoil in my home, I have to clear my craft room out for them to sleep on the futon settee, and of course we also will have to clear my hubby's office as well so that the lad can sleep on a mattress on the floor the second week. So my answer is to try and get all my birthday cards sorted before they come, and thats what I did yesterday, I picked out from my stash all the right cards put inserts into them and then put them in envelopes all ready to post, guess what Im now all ready upto September, pretty good dont you think?

Anyway enough of my woes, my card today has been created for my friends grandson who will also be two in September, and I felt this other Mo's "Terrible Two's" image was ideal for him (some of you might like to find these images heres the link for you Mo's Digital Webshop), Ive printed him onto white card and coloured him with my copic pens. The base card is a 8"x 8" white card as its rather a bigger image than I normally print, I needed the extra room, the papers are from the Beeb Beeb downloads from Nitwit Downloads, a really vibrant set of papers.

I used a sketch I found amoung my stash sorry I carnt remember where I downloaded from but thank you who ever it was, the first paper is a white design which has multi sized spots on, and the second and third papers were punched along the edge with the party hat border punch from Martha Stewart, the final mount is a striped paper mounted onto blue card and stuck across the other two. My mounted image has been stuck on top and the sentiment is one I created on my computer and then punched out with one of my label dies and two brads popped through the two holes. Ive finished of with some buttons, two blue ones and one teddy bear one, and some confettii HB stuck randomly on the blue check paper.

Finally thank you Lyn for pointing me in the way of the "Wish you were Shirley" font and I hope that you all have a wonderful day, guess what the suns just come out again.

A Birthday Card for a Granddaughter

Good Morning Girls, isnt this weather strange it went really cold last night then this morning the sun came out, but I can see quite a few grey clouds in the sky so I suspect we might be in for something later on. I had a lovely chat with my eldest granddaughter she was 15 yesterday and quite the young lady, Id sent her one of my home made cards and I wasnt to sure how she'd feel about it, anyway she thanked me for it and said that she'd taken it into School to show her friends, I was thrilled to hear that, and I also said to her that I was glad she liked it and thought it was cool to receive a home made card. So you can tell Im glad it went down well, Id hate to embarrass her.

Anyway the card Ive posted today is for one of our younger granddaughters Danu (shes the little girl in the photo below in blue), she will be two in August and of course this is one of Mo's gorgeous "Terrible Two's" and I think weve all come across little girls of two and their likes and dislikes, I certainly did with three girls. Anyway Ive coloured her with my copic pens then cut her out with the mega oval from the new Nestabilitie range of dies, Ive also used the scalloped one as well to mount her on. The sentiment was created on my computer and Ive used the smaller ovals to cut this out.

The card is a 8"x 8" white card mainly because the image is larger than normal, and it fitted better on the bigger card, Ive used several papers from my Nitwit downloads, and created firstly a layer of pink card with a pretty flowery paper on, and the second and third layers are in mauve and pink, Ive used one of the larger border punches on these then stuck them down the centre with a mixture of ribbon and cord this was wrapped around the card and stuck to the back.

The image was then stuck on top and the sentiment to the right hand side at the bottom. Ive created two flowers from some of the left over paper and then popped a pearl brad and silver spacer through the centres with a couple of charms hanging from the bottom one, before sticking them to my card Ive stuck a circle of punched out leaves and my flowers on top. There are three little roses on the sentimet to cover a rather large white patch and two heart gems at the top.

An Anniversary Card for a Dear Friend

Good Morning Girls, well the sun is out again though it does look a bit hazy, not sure if thats the Volcanic ash or just because weve had such lovely weather recently. I looked in my box of premade cards last week and discovered that I had no Anniversary cards, and I thought Id better get a move on and make some as Ive got quite a few friends whos Anniversarys all seem to come together, and this is the first one I made on Saturday though I do still have a few more to make as well, but thats for another day.

The image is one of the Just-Rite Circle Stamps a beautiful Hydranga image and Ive actually coloured it with my Faber Castell prisma colouring pencils as I felt I had more control over them, and as the mop heads dont all have the same colour at any one time, I though it would be easier to get the colour range with the pencils.

I then cut the image out and the sentiment which is another of the same make stamps with my Nestabilitie circle dies, and made two mounts out of blue pearlescent card with the scalloped ones.

The card itself is a 6.50"x 5.50" size, and unusal one for me, as the image is rather small it looked really lost on a bigger card, I used the sketch that was published for this weeks Mos challenge as it seemed to fit the card design better, and the three papers Ive used are from left over bits I had in my stash box, they are I believe all designs from the Nitwit Downloads.

The image was then mounted in the centre with the sentiment to the left at the bottom, Ive also popped some white gems down the right hand side, and a gorgeous Daisy flower that I picked up at Hobbycrafts in a sale, the punched out leaves are from a new Leonie Em Maidenhair leaf punch, I love it, its so dainty.

Well I suppose Id better get on, Ive been washing windows and nets a bit of Spring Cleaning each week hopefully will make the house smell a bit cleaner. So take care enjoy the sunshine.

Two Cousins and one Birthday Party

Hi Girls, wow it looks as though its going to be a lovely day, and we are of for a walk into town in a moment, but I thought as I dont have a card to post today you might like to see a photo of my hubbys two granddaughters,(they are cousins) at the younger ones birthday party on Easter Monday. Seraphie was actually one on Wednesday so its more appropriate to post it today. Danu is now 20 months old and is quite a princess as well. Seraphie actually took her first steps at her party to the great delight and surprise of everyone there, but I love this photo with them both trying to catch and watch the bubbles from one of those bubble machines.

Hope you like it, have a lovely weekend, with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxx

One Card for Two Challenges - Just Magnolia and Stampin for the Weekend

Hi Girls, the sun is out but its still a bit windy and rather cold but at least its dry and it makes you feel a bit better than yesterday when it was so dull. Anyway todays card has been created for two Challenges, Just Magnolia's "Mina Sketch" and Stampin for the Weekend's "Ribbons and Bows". And Ive used the new Magnolia Stamp Club stamps that I received this week in the post.
The first one is Tilda, Ive stamped her onto white card then masked her to stamp the window behind her, then coloured her with my copic pens and some ice stickles on her dress and bow in her hair, after which I cut her out with my Oval Nestabilitie die, and created a mount from beige pearlescent card. The sentiment was created on my computer and printed then mounted on another piece of beige card.
The base card is 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of blue card and a pretty paper that I found in my stash, the second layer is a piece of lighter beige card with a rose patterned paper stuck to it, this was then posititioned on the first layer. I then tied a bow onto two pieces of ribbon and attached them to the back of the first layer, after which I stuck my mounted image over the second layer. The sentiment was stuck across the corner at the top on the left.
I created a bouquet of flowers for the bottom with two white roses and one blue and some pearl sprays, these were then stuck below my image with some silicone glue, and three pearl studs were stuck at the top on the right hand side down the edge, just to balance up the card.
I want to thank you so much for all the enquiries about my health, Im now back in full swing and even back to swimming again, also doing my Wii Keep Fit jogging in the morning, mind you its a good job you carnt see me, as even my hubby smiles when Im jogging along with the little Mii people. Anyway thanks girls hope you all have a wonderful weekend, with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxx

One Card for Two Challenges - Mo's and Cute Card Thursday Challenge

Hi  Girls, guess what Ive actually created a card today as I promised and this one is for Mo's "Sketch" and for Cute Card Thursday, "Touchy Feely" Challenges. Ive used this lovely image of "Danielle and her baby Muffin," not sure Muffin is to happy with whats going on but you know what little girls are like they love pulling their pets around to play mum and baby and it looks as though hes likely to end up in the pram at some point.

Anyway Ive printed them onto a piece of white card then coloured my image with my copic pens, then cut it out with a circle Nestabilitie die, and the mount from a Scalloped Circle as well. The sentiment is one of my stash stamps probably a Hero Arts one I think.

Anyway the card is a 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of pink card and a paper from the Honey and Hugs Papermania pad, and the two pieces of different pink card were put through my cuttlebug with two different flower embossing folders, these were then positioned as the sketch plan, and over one corner Ive used a piece of lace.

The mounted image was placed in the centre and the sentiment was put towards the bottom on the right. I then used some of my crochet flowers and some punched out leaves to create the bouquets either side of the image, and some white pearls down the two edges one on the top of the right hand side and one on the bottom left.

Some of my Garden Flowers

Good Morning Girls, well what a dark, chilly and cloudy morning, well I thought as I havent got a card to post yet today Id post a couple of photos I took this morning, now I know they arnt really sunny but at least I hope they make you feel a bit warmer than the day is.

I love my Camillia bush and its just coming out as you can see its a gorgeous pink colour, and Im a great lover of Hellebores to, and I was begining to think they were never going to flower, but as you can see this particular bush has gone absolutely mad this year. I do hope that they cheer you up. Im just going to make a start on a birthday card for my nephew but I wont be posting it as its not the usual type I post its a decoupage superhero design and I particularly think they are a bit boring but I hope my nephew likes it.

So see you again hopefully tomorrow with a new card, have a lovely day with love and hugs Shirleyxxxx

Cards for Men - Challenge Eight - Fancy Folds

Well here we are at Challenge Number Eight Fancy Folds, and weve had some really lovely followers who keep coming back and entering our Challenges and Im so hoping that they will enjoy taking part it this fortnights challenge as well, as I do so enjoy visiting them and seeing their fabulous creations.
This fortnights Challenge is being sponsered by Freshly Brewed Designs, who have kindly agree to offer a fabulous $10 gift voucher to the winner.

Here is what Heather says about herself and her company :-

Hi. I am Heather Dennis. I am a homeschooling mother of 2 wonderful children, the wife of 12 years to the love of my life, a Christian and the owner of Fresh Brewed Designs. I have loved to draw and create ever since I was a child. My daughter has inherited my love of art and recently inspired me to start creating again.

All the images in my shop are hand drawn. I offer a wide range of images from coffee, cute and inspirational.I also love to create custom drawn images, so if you are looking for anything in particular, please feel free to drop me an email.http://shophandmade.com/store/joemama

I have for my card used Heathers "Surfer Tommy" :-

My card was created by using a A4 piece of white card, but before folding it into three, I created the basic card design into three, by masking of the sky with some plain paper and the sand by tearing along one edge and sticking it to the bottom to give the elusion of sand. Then by using my brayer and Adirondack Sailboat Blue inkpad, I firstly inked up the brayer and ran if over a piece of scrunched up paper to create the water effect then ran it over the middle of my card, trying not to create lines, which isnt easy. After it was dry I then took of the sky mask and using a lighter blue inkpad and ran it along the top.

The two images were created firstly by taking the image into my graphics program and flipping it to create the mirror image then printing them onto white card after which I coloured them with my copic pens and cut them out completely. These where then stuck at the bottom on the sand then I spread glue across and sprinked some bright yellow flock on top to give the illusion of sand (it did make a bit of mess as it went everywhere), anyway I then left it all to dry.

I punched out a circle for the sun then popped it at the top before then folding the card into three, I used a piece of foam and a white inkpad to create some clouds in the sky and foam on the sea, after which I also used a snow writer to dribble in place on the sea for foam and along the sand edge just to give it some dimension. I stuck a seagull button at the top and the sentiment was created on my computer before printing it and mounting it onto a piece of blue card, then stuck it to the top on the left hand side.

Just Magnolia Challenge - Punch Outs

Morning Ladies, the sun is out once again and Ive got to move myself this morning as my hubby wants to go to Cheltenham to get some bits from Maplins, so Id better get my fingers out and get a move on.

Todays card was created for the Just Magnolia Challenge, and this week its all to do with punch outs, Ive used this lovely Tilda image in her bridesmaid outfit or is it her prom outfit, I carnt remember, anyway I originally coloured it for my last Just Magnolia card then didnt use it. Anyway Ive coloured her with my copic pens then cut her out with the new Mega Oval Nestabilitie dies and use the scalloped one for the mount. The sentiment is one of CC stamps that I bought from Nikki a couple of weeks ago in her sale, its got lots of girl things in the set and I felt this one was right for this card.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white one with a first layer of pink card and one of four papers from the Pink Parfeit set from Papermania, and Ive also used a pink paper on the second layer, what Ive done is stick the first layer to the card then layered up the rest of the four papers, Ive used my new pansy border punch from Martha Stewart on all the edges then stuck them together at staggered intervals.

On top of this, down the side edge Ive stuck a flower lace strip and my mounted image by the side, the sentiment was stuck at the bottom, and I created two flowers with my retro flower punch with the left over pieces of paper, moulded them and then attached them together with a pearl brad and silver spacer, then arranged some punched out leaves in a circle and popped my flowers on top.

Anyway Id better go now, hope you have a wonderful weekend with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxx

One Card for Two Challenges

Hi Girls, I do so hope that you are experiencing the beautiful weather that we are in Gloucestershire, for the last two days its been gorgeous and todays temperature is 25 degrees outside, and my garden has suddenly taken on a spurt, the beautiful daffs are also out, its lovely to be alive isnt it? Im so glad that Im now recovered from my nasty Tummy Bug that I had last week and I can at least enjoy it and guess what? we even got to do a bit of gardening yesterday and cut the grass, not that you can call my grass that, its more moss than grass but its green, and the blackbirds enjoy turning it over for grubs and the such like.

Anyway I just wanted to thank you all for the lovely get well wishes and for being such wonderful friends at a rough time. I also want to welcome back and say Im so pleased that Rachel Jakes is back blogging and creating again, I know so many of you love her work and have missed her dreadfully,  so WELCOME BACK  Rach, we are thrilled to see you back.

Todays card has been created for two Challenges, Mo's Black, White  and Kraft and any other colour you like, Im afraid Ive taken that litterally, and Cute Card Thursday is Mono, so Ive almost stuck to that one to. Anyway Ive used this gorgeous little fairy riding a frog, its one of Mos latest creations and I do love it, he looks so happy doesnt he?

Anyway Ive printed him onto white card and coloured him with my copic pens, the extra background was from some stamps I bought just recently, sorry I carnt bring them to mind where I got them, but it was from the US. Anyway I then cut it out with my Label Die No.4 Nestabilitie Die and drew around the edge to create the mount for it, the sentiment is one of Stampin up ones, I think I bought it on Ebay but carnt remember. This was also mounted onto a piece of grey pearlescent card.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white card, with a first layer of grey card with one of two papers from the Papermania black and grey pad, this is a lovely flowery paper that looks like weeds in a pond, the second paper Ive also mounted onto grey card, this has a little flower pattern on white paper, the third layer is a piece of grey pearlescent paper that Ive used the new Bird on a bush Martha Stewart Border punch, the bird is actually on the corner punch so its just branches on the border punch if you are wondering. After which I wrapped a beautiful piece of the ribbon that I got from Jacqui in my blogcandy I won last year around the middle and fixed it to the back of this mount.

The mounted image has then been stuck to the centre of my card and the sentiment at the bottom on the right hand side. I then created two flowers with my Nellie Sneden Flower punch and some left over flower paper and even used the middle punch with some of the left over grey paper, then stuck them together by layering them up and popped a little gem in the centre before sticking it to my card on some punched out leaves.

Ive changed the photo to one I took this morning as I thought you might be able to see it better.

Sir Stampalot Challenge - "Fantasy"

Todays card has been created for this months Sir Stampalot's Challenge "Fantasy", and Ive used this gorgeous Lili of the Valley Fairy stamp, Ive stamped her onto white card and coloured her with my copic pens, then used one of the Label dies from Nestabilities. Then stamped my sentiment onto another piece of white card and cut it out the same way as my image, then Ive drawn around both the dies I used to punch out the image and sentiment then cut it out with a pair of scissors.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white card and for the first layer Ive used a piece of aqua pearlescent card, and then used three of the fantasy papers from Dovecraft set for my card, the first one is a very pretty fairy paper in yellow and other colours, the second mount is a blue paper and Ive used my new butterfly corner and border punches from Martha Stewart, Ive also used it on the third layer as well, and then put the mounted image on top towards the top and the sentiment at the bottom on the right.

To finish of Ive tied a fairy charm on some ribbon and tied a bow, after which Ive stuck it to the card with the aqua coloured rose positioned on top.

Just Magnolia Challenge - Fancy Folds

Hi Girls, well I hope youve all enjoyed your Easter, and that youve at least had some nice weather over the weekend, the sun is out today so lets hope its the start of some better times to come. Ive got to thank so many people for the really lovely get well wishes that have been left in my comments, Im getting there and I thought Id better get a move on or this week is going to gone and nothing is going to be achieved.

Ive used this lovely new image from Magnolia, I was going to make a several shutter card but decided against it as the images werent all the same size and would look a bit of out proportion so I cheated and decided to just do this one instead, not sure what you call it, but its a sort of large gateleg card. Ive stamped this pair onto white card and coloured them with my copic pens, I was going to use my promarkers but decided against it this time, I must thank Angela for her stiring me to a good tutorial site, but havent as yet tried their good advice out. I also used a swirl stamp with a  pink inkpad around the edge.  Anyway Ive then cut the image into a square and mounted it onto two pieces of two shades of pink pearlescent card.

The base card is a 7"x 7" card, but with a staggered front, and on to this I have layered up pieces of pink card with two of the beautiful papers from the Papermania Cakes and Confettii papers, the first one is a pretty butterfly design, with the same colour scheme used all through, Ive used a paisley pattern for the smaller front on the right. The inside is a further pattern of roses. Onto the front I have stuck my mounted image in the centre at the top, and my sentiment beneath towards the right both just over lapping the opening.

I have created my flower bouquet from some of the flowers I bought from Cuddley Buddley recently, and even created some swirls down the narrow front with some clear gems.

One Card for Three Challenges

Hi Girls, thank you so much for the lovely get well wishes you left me in your comments, Im so grateful for them, although Im still struggling to recover I decided today to make an effort to try and create a card, and instead of making several cards for the different challenges Ive made this one. I do hope that Mo, Cute Card Thursday and Stampin for the Weekend Challenge will accept it to cover all the design elements of the three, which are Pastels, Eggs and Ribbons and Bows.

Ive printed this sweet image again and coloured it this time with my promarkers, they are a little more difficult for me at the moment as I havent quite worked out the right combination to create the skin tone, I suppose with time and effort I will get that right eventually. Anyway Ive punched the image out with my No.12 Label Nestabilitie Die, then created a mount by drawing around the outside edge of the same size die and cutting out by hand. Ive done a similar thing with the sentiment which is one I bought recently from Nikki of http://bunny-zoes.blogspot.com/ as shes got a good sale on at the moment.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white card, with a first layer of pink card and one of three papers a pretty all over Easter egg paper in pink from Nitwit Downloads, this was then covered with a blue second paper and Ive used my new Martha Stewart border punch along both outside edges and threaded some ribbon through them, and stuck two little bows on top with some sticky dots. The third layer is a yellow card with a lovely little rabbit paper stuck on, and this was stuck over the second layer.

I then positioned my mounted image in the centre and my sentiment to the botton right hand side. The flower was created with the new Nellie Sneden Multi flower punches and some ribbons woven through all the holes, after which Ive popped a beautiful pink pearl brad through the centre with a silver spacer, before sticking it to the card I stuck some green leaves in a circle and the flower was then put on top, and the last thing is the pearl gems stuck down either side of the image.

Sorry Ive not been around

Good Morning Girls and a Very Happy Easter to you all, Im so sorry for not being around for the last few days but Im still not fit enough to spend to much time on the computer and Ive definitely not been well enough to attempt any crafting, so I want to apologise to all my lovely followers for not visiting you.

I thought for a change I would post a photo my daughter sent me yesterday of my youngest grandson Oliver in his Easter Play at School, hes the cheeky little elf at the the front of these four children, I thought it would bring a bit of a smile to your faces as it did me. It seems he had a wonderful time and enjoyed it no end.

I sincerely hope it wont be to long before Im back and creating but I hope you will be patient with me in the meantime. Bless you all and have a wonderful holiday, with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxx