Look who's having fun?

 

 Good Evening ladies, todays photos were taken while we spent a day at the Dick Whittington Farm Park its got facilities for the boys not only to slide but also trampoline and climb through all sorts of climbing frames, they also spent time as you can see playing with a table football game, which they really enjoying doing.

We arrived in Littledean where this Farm is at 11.23am and left at 2.45pm so you can tell they throughly enjoyed themselves, we also took a picnic and sat in a area thats been put by for this and I should also say they have a restaurant as well.

After their lunch they were back on the table playing before you could bat an eyelid, when they got bored of that we walked around the farm visiting all the animals, there were all kinds ranging from farm animals to wallabies, llama's, parrots, owls, reptiles, including snakes, spiders and small pets like chipmunks, gerbils, mice and even tropical fish in the old outhouses.

When they had finished walking around and seeing everything we took them across to the gocart track and they then spent about 30 mins rushing around chasing each other, all in all they had a fabulous day, though I must say that Nan and Gromps are feeling a little shattered and a little ratty, maybe we are just tired out.

Never mind the boys behaved so at least we carnt blame them, it must be that Im beginning to feel my age.

Well thats all for today, take care with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxx

A visit to the Butterfly Farm and the Maze at Symonds Yat

Good Afternoon Ladies, I promised you some more photos so todays are from the boys visit to the Butterfly Farm and Maze in Symonds Yat, as you can see both Daniel and Oliver had a fabulous time, and even managed to conquer the maze, so far Ive not attempted it but Im sure with those two showing me the way hopefully I wont get lost.
This afternoon we are taking them swimming and probably tomorrow we will be going to a play centre which will give them a chance to go crazy, it will be our first visit so not sure whats on offer, but Ive been told theres swings, slides, ball pools, and a gocart course and some petting animals, anyway if I get the chance and the photos are worth posting I will be back again tomorrow.
With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxxx

A visit to Slimbridge

Hi Girls, just thought youd like to see a couple of photos taken yesterday while visiting Slimbridge, the boys Daniel and Oliver really enojoyed visiting the centre and feeding the birds, it was quite a walk around all the ponds and seeing such a diverse collection of different ducks, swans, flamingoes and even otters, and also my grandsons favourite a kingfisher.

They really enjoyed their day out and it turned out a fabulous place to visit. Today we took them to a local attraction called Puzzle Wood and I took loads of photos but all but a very few came out muzzy so they wont be displayed here Im afraid as Im really embarrised about them, I tried to do them in natural light and it didnt work as well as I expected, I will try and find just one that might excite you to come to the Forest of Dean to visit a really enchanting place, its stunning.

As I said my grandsons face is a little fuzzy in the background but I hope it doesnt spoil your enjoyment of it.
Well I will be back again if I get the chance. With love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxx

Talk About Black Monday or is it Black Wednesday

Good Afternoon Ladies, sorry Ive not posted anything now for a couple of days but I thought that I would post a photo of the two grandsons that we are of to pick up on Friday from Norfolk, to bring back here for a weeks holiday, they are on the left Daniel and on the right Oliver, they are now 10 and 9 respectively. They are the two sons of my youngest daughter Clare who unfortunately suffers with MS, shes very determined not to allow it to get her down, and regularly works part time in the local charity shop, and also edits and prints the MS news for her local area. But as I dont get to see my grandsons very often we now have them to stay for a week in their summer holidays, not only to be able to get to see them properly but also to help their mum and dad have a break from the responsibility of not only keeping them occupied through the holidays but also a break for them both.

Ive also got some other not so good news, my desktop computers systems harddrive gave up the ghost this morning, (remember last week it was a new Monitor) so hubby has been to Bristol today to buy me a brand new one, but of course we now have to completely rebuild it, and put on all my programes that I regularly use plus hopefully keep your fingers crossed those with licence keys, that they work first time and I dont have to ring up the companies to get them to unlock them for me, which I hate with the Cricut one.

Ive decided now to call my desktop computer Black Widow as she doesnt deserve to be called Cherish, which I have called all my desktops in the past.

Well I think thats all the news for today, I will try and post a photo of my second set of grandchildren in a weeks time when we are due to pick them up from Towcester on the 1st August, they are also coming for a weeks holiday, I should warn you that Im not going to be able to visit you and leave comments as I wont have access to a desktop only my laptop and notepad so its going to be a bit difficult to write long sentences on the them, so dont think Ive forgotten you I will be back as soon as I can probably in 3 weeks time.

I will be posting my next DT card on the 2nd of August as its already scheduled, so you will find that if you pop by then.

Take care and enjoy your time with your families, with love and hugs Shirleyxxxxxxx

Cards for Men - Challenge Fifteen - A Receipe One Image, Two DPs, 3 Embellishments

Well here we are at challenge Fifteen, mind you I seem to have lost one somewhere but never mind Ive been assured that we are now at fifteen, and thank you so much for those who took part in Fourteen it was a really well supported. This one is being sponsered by One Stop Card Shop and they have offered us a prize of a £10. voucher (approx. 15$) to spend in their shop. The challenge is a no holes bared one but it must contain the following :- One Image, Two Design Papers and finally Three Embellishments, Im sure you will be able to come up with a really fabulous card, but dont forget it must be for a Male or a Boy these are the only stipulations.

This is what Shelly the shop owner says about her shop:-

At One Stop Card Crafts we have a big range of ever changing discount card making and cardmaking craft supplies.

We are always adding to our range of craft supplies which are ideal for making handmade greeting cards, do-it-yourself invitations scrapbook pages, altered items and much more.

 Our card making craft supplies include free UK postage* and our popular discount scheme and quick service means our customers keep coming back for more. 

Our prices are very competitive and this makes us an ideal place to buy your cardmaking supplies online.

And she is kindly offering you a 10% discount during the period of this two week challenge 19th July to 31st July:-

Dont forget to enter this Voucher code: CFM2010 when you check out your basket.

Heres my card for the Challenge, Ive used one Phindy's Designs from http://www.phindysplace.com/ for my card, this little lad seems to trying to copy his dad, lets hope he doesnt get into any trouble.

Ive printed him onto white card and then used my copic pens to colour him, Ive then used my Nestabilitie Die No.12 to cut him out, after which Ive drawn around the die edge onto blue card to create a mount for him. The sentiment is one from my craft stash, this was mounted onto a double ended tag, another of the Nestabilite die cuts.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of dark blue card, on top of this I have used two papers from the Male papers from Papermania, the first one is a blue background with stars on, on top of this I have layered up another of the papers but along both the edges Ive used a dinosaur border punch from EK, this was stuck down the centre then on top of this Ive stuck my mounted image. The sentiment was then positioned at the botton on the right and fixed to the base layer with two tool brads. To finish of Ive stuck three tool buttons down the left hand side.

Before I finish I want to wish a very hearty welcome to five new Design Team members to our Cards for Men team, they are Kym, Mandy, Rainmac, Kitty, Alison and also Issy who Ive not mentioned before shes only been with us for a short time but Im sure that all of you girls will be a great asset to our Team Leader Donna especially as Im going to be out of action from the 23rd July for about three weeks.  So I sincerely hope that you will all pop across to our Challenge blog http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/ and see what fabulous and fantastic creations these girls have made for you, Im sure it will inspire you and hopefully you will also take part in the challenge. 

Im also going to enter it into the following challenges:-

http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com/

http://www.phindysplacechallenge.blogspot.com/

A Card for a New Challenge - Kenny K's Krafty Girlz - A Sketch

Afternoon Ladies, well I do so hope you are enjoying your Sunday, its been raining of and on here today, its not that it matters really but my hubby had said first thing it wasnt going to rain, and I told him it was but his answer was that the weather forecast definitely says its not going to, but I had the last laugh as it has most of the day that fine stuff that soaks everything.

Anyway todays card has been created for the second Challenge of Kenny K's Krafty Girlz and this one is a sketch by my very special friend Donna of Bearly Mine Extreme Designs, so to honour her Ive used three of her papers for my card. Ive used this funky young lady from Kenny and coloured her with both my copics and my promarkers and then cut her out with my oval Nestabilitie die, and used a scalloped one for the mount. The sentiment is one that I have in my stash and this was also mounted on to a piece of blue card.

The base card is a 6"x 6" white card with a first layer of blue card and my first pattern and all over flower design on a blue and white background, the second paper is a stripped one of several colours and Ive used one of Martha Stewart border punches on both edges of it. The third and last mount is another of the patterns this one a plaid and this has been layered onto a blue card mount and then stuck across the centre.

The mounted image was positioned just to the left, and the sentiment in the centre on the right.

To finish of Ive created two sprays of several sizes of roses from Wild Orchids and Mulberry Flowers and stuck them on some punched out fern leaves.

This card is to be entered into the following challenges:

http://kennykkraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.com/

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

Good Morning Ladies hope you all enjoy your weekend, its the last free one for me and hubby for at least four weeks, so Im going to enjoy the peace and quiet before all hells let loose, next Friday we are of to Norfolk to pick up the first two grandchildren to bring back for a weeks holiday, I do so hope the weather improves as it will make taking them out and about a bit more pleasant than its been for the last week.

Anyway todays card has been created for this weeks Just Magnolia Challenge which is a "Sketch by Bev", and Stampin for the Weekends "A Receipe, 1 Ribbon, 2 Flowers and 3 Gems or Charms" I have taken it litterally and although Ive put most of their requirements into the mix, I have actually added an extra flower as it looked a better with it.

The Tilda image is one of the new ones from New Arrivals Set. I got this one in my Stamp Club collection on Thursday, isnt she sweet hanging on for dear life to that Anchor, I do so hope she doesnt fall of, anyway Ive stamped her onto white card before colouring her with my copic pens then used two of the large Retangle Dies from the Nestabilitie range, the sentiment is also one of the new ones from the same set and Ive cut this out with a tag die and mounted it onto a piece of blue card the same as my image.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white card with three papers from Kay Miller downloads, they are from three different sets, High Seas, Ocean Adventures and Cape Sands, the first layer is a blue swirl one that represents the sea, and this was mounted onto blue card, the second layer is a shells and sand pattern and Ive used the shell border punch from Martha Stewart along both edges, this was stuck across the bottom layer, on this is the third mount of blue card and I have stuck a paper with a slightly smaller wave design on top. I then wrapped a piece of ribbon around the bottom and attached it to the back of the first mount,  Then my mounted image was stuck towards the left as the sketch shows and my mounted sentiment at the top on the right.

To finish of I have stuck some silver gilt seahorses and shells in the centre, and arranged three roses at the top on the right with some punched out ash leaves. I have taken a bit of liberty with moving the flowers but I sincerely hope that JM does allow me to do so, as I feel it balances out better this way.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:-

http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/

http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/

One Card for Two Challenges

Good Morning Ladies, well I asked for some rain but I carnt remember asking for so much, my poor hubby walked into town yesterday morning to pick up my magazines, and he was just about eight houses away from home when the heavens opened and he got soaked through, bless him I was grateful I hadnt had to go out in it. Anyway todays card has been created for two Challenges Mo's Digital "Masculine theme" and Cute Card Thursdays "Get  a Head Start" which means a early Christmas Card. I decided to use this charming image of a little lad our with his dad collection ferns for decorating his home for the holiday season, Ive used both my promakers and my copics on this to colour them both then cut it out with my Nestabilitie Die Label No.4, the mount has been created in red card by drawing around the die then cutting out by hand. The sentiment is one I had in my stash, I coloured the leaf with my copic pens, then cut it out with my rotatrim and mounted in onto red card.

The base card is actually a 6"x 6" white card with a first layer of red card, and three papers from the Nitwit Download Collection "Comfort and Joy", this first paper is a all over red pattern with white swirls, the second and third mounts are three pieces of card across the middle, and on these Ive put a white and green swirl with holly leaves, this has been put on the two outer pieces and the middle one is a all over sentiment pattern on a red background. Over these I have wrapped a red ribbon with holly leaves on and attached it to the back of the first mount.

I then positioned my mounted image on the card towards the top and my sentiment at the bottom on the right hand side. To finish of Ive stuck three poinsetta's with punched out fern leaves under them down the left hand side and then drizzled some stickles around the petals.

Im entering this card into the following challenges:-

http://mosdigitalchallenge.blogspot.com/

http://www.cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/

A real Sassy Lady

Good Morning Ladies or should I say Afternoon, its a bit late for morning, I have no doubt you are all experiencing the rain, its been heavy showers here in Gloucestershire, and my hubby says theres more on the way. Anyway todays card has been made from some fabulous goodies that I received from Enfys, I won them in her blogcandy and have only just got around to mounting them onto card. Im hoping she will approve of what Ive done with this particular sassy lady, Ive actually created a card for a friend with it.

The card is my now famous 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of orange card and one of three papers from the Nitwit collection of papers this one is called "Buds n' Blossoms" and this first paper is a all over friendship sentiment, on top of this is a 5"x 5" square of a flower pattern not that it shows to well, but Ive used one of the arch border and corned punch on it and set it in a diamond shape. On top of this are two strips with a stripped pattern on and then Ive stuck a ribbon across this and attached it to the back of the first layer.

The mount is a Nestabilitie Labels No.10 which I have punched out of the same orange card and stuck it in the centre and off set my sassy lady. The sentiment is a Stampin Up one thats been positioned at the bottom on the right.

Ive then created a spray of roses at the top on the left with punched out fern and rose leaves, and the final flourish is the three gems at the top and bottom of opposite corners.

A Card for a New Challenge - Kenny K's Krafty Girlz - "Pastels"

Good Morning Girls I dont know about your area but this one has had some strange weather here, one minute sun then the next cloud and even a bit of rain. Anyway todays card has been created for the brand new Challenge from Kenny K and it has to be in "Pastels", I suspect youve seen some these images around on other girls blogs, and I did refrain from being tempted, then I decided as I have two granddaughters one in her teens and the other just eleven it would be more appropriate to give them cards with these images they are definitely more their kind of thing. Anyway Ive used this little miss whos got herself a MP3 player and Ive coloured her for the first time for me anyway as a blonde, with my copic pens and promarkers, Im apt to use them both if I carnt quite get the right colour for the shade I want. Ive then cut her out with the Nestabilitie Label 10 and Ive drawn around the edge of the die to create a mount for her. Now I have a confession, when I fist cut her out the damn die moved and choped through her foot, so rather than waste my coloured image I cut her out completely and then mounted her up on another printed image of the same size, cheeky dont you think, the only thing you notice is the cut through her left shoe. Anyway Ive used on of the CC stamps as a sentiment and cut this out the same way as the image, I should say that I inked the edges of both with a pale pink inkpad.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of pink card, and one of three papers from my friend Donna of Bearly Mine Designs, these are her Flowers, Plaids and Spots design papers, the first one is an all over rose and pink paper, with the second a plaid and the third a spot, these two were stuck on two piece of pink card and set at angles on the base layer. Across the centre I have stuck a piece of lace (not that its easy to see) and a harlequin pink ribbon across the top. Then positioned my mounted image in the centre with my sentiment at the bottom on the right.

I then created a flower spray from three roses, one 40cm and two 25cm and four white asters and two pink rose buds, these were stuck in the corner with some silicone glue and some punched out rose leaves in the gaps. To finish of Ive put a swirl of gems in the bottom left hand corner, these were purchased a £1. shop while were were in Scotland, and they didnt have any instructions as to how to stick them to your card, I really did have some fun getting them of the carrier sheet as they started falling all over the place.

Im entering this card into the following challenges:-

http://kennykkraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.com/

A card for the Just Magnolia Challenge - "A Receipe 1 Ribbon, 2 Design Papers and 3 Flowers

Hi Ladies hope you not suffering to badly with this hot sticky weather its a bit to much for me Im afraid, well todays card has been created for this weeks Just Magnolia's Challenge "A Receipe, 1 Ribbon, 2 Design Papers and 3 Flowers" and Ive used this lovely image of Tilda with her bridesmaid. I stamped them onto a piece of white card then coloured the image with my copic pens, after this Ive used a few pearl drops on her necklace and hair piece then cut her out with my Nestabilitie Die No.4 afterwards I created a mount in the same way as Ive done before by drawing around the die onto a pieace of card then cutting it out by hand, for this image Ive used some pink card. The sentiment is another of the Just Magnolia stamps and this was stamped and mounted in the same way as the image but this time cut out with my rotatrim. I should say that I used a swirl stamp and a pink inkpad to stamp around my image and my sentiment just to take away the white background.

My easel card is a 6"x 6" one, and Ive used two pieces of pink card as the base layers and one of two papes from the Confettii range of Papermania papers, this first one has an all over pattern of paisley shapes with roses on a pink background, for the inside Ive used a strip of pink card and my second paper which is a white background with butterflies on it, this was stuck across the card with my sentiment stuck on top.

The outside of my card has the same base layer but the second one is a 5"x 5" square piece of the same butterfly paper but this time Ive used a butterfly border and corner punch on it and stuck in the centre of the first layer, then across these two Ive stuck a ribbon with hearts on.

On top of these two Ive positioned my mounted image, and to finish of Ive created with three roses a corner spray of flowers.

Im entering this card into the following challenges:-

http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/

A Card for the Lili of the Valley Challenge - Sketch by "Dawny P's"

Good Morning Ladies, hope you are enjoying your weekend and todays card is for this weeks Lili of the Valley Challenge, a sketch by Dawny P but with a Christmas theme, Ive used this image from last year for my card, not quite sure what the little animal is but its definitely a cute one. Ive stamped it onto white card and coloured it with my copics and promarkers, I find the red promarker is a lot richer than the one in the copic range. Ive also put some glitter on all the fluffy bits then cut it out with my Nestabilitie Die number four after I cut it out I used the die to draw around to make the mount, this was done on some red card. The sentiment is one I found in my stash I think its a JM one but not totally sure.

Ive created a 6"x 6" card with a first layer of red card and one of three papers from the new Papermania Silent Night pattern range, a pretty red and green design on cream paper. The middle mounts are of equal size but Ive used two papers for this one, the outer two are a cream based paper with a holly pattern on, the centre strip is an over sentiment one. Then across all three Ive stuck a green ribbon and attached it to the back of the first layer, then stuck my mounted image on top of the card with the sentiment at the bottom in the middle. To finish of Ive arranged three poinsetta flowers in the top left hand corner.

I will be entering this card into the following challenges:-

http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.com/

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

Good Morning Girls, sorry Ive not been by for a couple of days as you know Ive been waiting for a new monitor which arrived yesterday and its brilliant, and the smell from the old one was a bit much. Anyway todays card has been created for Mo's Challenge "Beach/Summer Scene and Cute Card Thursdays "Schools out for the Summer" and Ive used this lovely little lad of Mo's relaxing with his dog in a paddling pool, I could have done with one of those the other week when it was so hot.

Ive printed him onto white card and coloured his with my copic pens, after which I used my Nestabilitie Label die eight to cut him out and with the die I drew around it on a piece of blue card for the mount. The sentiment is one of Just Magnolia's one and Ive done the same thing with this as I did my image.

The card is 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of blue card and one of three papers from the Kay Miller downloads, this first pattern is an all over fish design on white in pink green and blue, my second paper is a yellow textured paper that Ive cut into a 5"x 5" square and used my beach corner and border punches from Martha Stewart, the third mount is a corner one with a striped paper on another piece of blue card. After Id layered up the base card I put my mounted image in the centre with my sentiment to the right hand side at the bottom. To finish of Ive popped three buttons down the left hand side.

I will be entering this card into the following challenges:-

http://mosdigitalchallenge.blogspot.com/

http://www.cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/

http://creativecraftchallenges.blogspot.com 

Two Fabulous Awards to Pass On

 

Have you ever had a day when you wish it had never been started, well today has been one of those days and I dont suppose my bad luck has finished even now as its still got another 8 hours to go. So far today my monitor has decided to smell something cronic and its humming like mad in the speakers, and after my hubby came inspected it he decided that some compacitor has burnt out and thats why its smelling like it is. Anyway Ive turned of the speakers and Im struggling along with it for today as Ive got a brand new one arriving tomorrow, so whos a lucky girl. Anyway my next foopah is I made the most terrible mistake in congratulating people to our DT for Cards for Men, when in fact Id gone and picked the wrong list and should have been congratulating the same people on their achieving the top three places with their cards for the last Challenge we had, what a daft person I am, a definitely a Senior Moment for me today, I have been and apologised and confessed my stupid mistake to my team leader and the same people, so Im sincerely hoping that they will all forgive me, but I do feel bad about it. And the third thing thats been going on here today is the weather has caused no end of problems with our internet broadband speed, its been going of and on all day and its playing havoc with my hubby he doesnt know whether to laugh or cry, as if you pay for good download speed you dont expect to receive halve do you, but who do you complain to thats what Id like to know?

Anyway lets get away from all this, as I said its been one of those days, but my next thing is I want to thank a very special lady Laura from http://misellopersonal.blogspot.com/ who gave me the top two Awards, she has the most beautiful and clever blog that Ive come across, she creates wonderful scenes with figures it must take her an age to do, but they stunning. Anyway these two awards come with the usual demands that I pass them onto worthy followers and their fantastic blogs, I know this is one of the most difficult things to do to leave out some of the ones youd really feel should have them to, when you are restricted as to how many you can give it to, anyway I want to apologise to you all (again) as I feel that all of my followers deserve these and so I try to pick some that I havent picked before:

So here is my list:-

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

Donna - http://donnasdenofcrafts.blogspot.com/

Josephine - http://josephinesrainbow.blogspot.com/

Christine - http://christinesplace-christine.blogspot.com/

Elaine - http://atechnophobesblog.blogspot.com/

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

Patricia - http://rubberstampingismygame.blogspot.com/

Celia - http://celia-thecolorofmydreams.blogspot.com/

Riven - http://diebesonderekarte.blogspot.com/

Cami - http://captureaheart-cami.blogspot.com/

Heather - http://joemamainks.blogspot.com/

Angela - http://sparklycards.blogspot.com/

As Ive already said its always difficult to pick all the blogs youd like to pass them onto so please forgive me if I havent passed them to you this time, Im sure I will next, and I hope girls that you will accept these awards with my love and enjoy receiving them.

A Card for Crafters Companion Monthly Challenge - "A Sketch by Leann"

Good Morning Ladies, todays card has been created for this months Challenge from Crafters Companion and this is a Sketch from Leann. Ive used one of Jayne Nesterenko's gorgeous Cute Companions stamps and stamped her onto white card after which Ive used my copic pens to colour her before cutting it out with a Oval Nestabilitie die, Ive then used some pink card and cut out a Scalloped mount for it to be mounted on. The sentiment is one from my stash and this was cut and mount with a circle die.

The base card is a 6"x 6" white card, a bit unusual size for me, but as the image is so small I found a larger card would have swamped her. Ive used two of the Cute Companion papers for this card, a very pretty all over flower pattern on a pink background and this was then stuck to a piece of pink card, the second layer is a pink gingham pattern and this also was stuck to another piece of pink card.

The mounted image was then positioned in the centre, I then created a spray of flowers around the oval with roses of different sizes and then stuck on top of some punched out fern leaves. To finish of Ive punched out some small butterflies and popped them on the mount to make it appear that the little mouse is trying to catch them.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:-

http://ccmonthlychallenge.blogspot.com/

Cards For Men - Challenge Fourteen - Christmas in July

Wow girls here we are at Challenge Fourteen and this one is going to give you a chance to get your Christmas cards started, as its "Christmas in July" and we are being sponsered by Roberta of Prairie Fairy Designs, and she has kindly offered 5 digi stamps as a prize.

This is what Roberta says about herself:-

Hello! I am Roberta from Prairie Fairy Designs. I am a new digital stamp company featuring artwork not only created by me but also my two kids, ages 8 and 11. They are featured on the site as the Fairy Princess and the Prairie Prince.

I have been an artist for as long as I can remember and have always loved to create. Two years ago my sister-in-law invited me to a rubber stamp party. I laughed and said "Maybe I will buy something if I can use it to stamp on canvases.". Needless to say, I was hooked! Two years later and a lot of learning about computers, I have finally accomplished my goal.

While digital stamping is relatively new in the papercrafting scene, it is what I believe to be such an amazing tool. Printed images have such clarity and vibrancy and gone is the need to re stamp an image because you didn't press hard enough or maybe you pressed too hard! They are also a lot easier to store and they can be reprinted over and over again. The fact that you can rotate and flip files, print them off the size of a postage stamp or as large as a scrapbook page makes them such a versatile medium. It is my sincere hope that I can help anyone who has hesitations about using digital images to embrace these amazing creative tools. If you have any questions about going digital, check out the site and the blog for more information. So head on over to http://www.prairiefairydesigns.com/ and check it out!

And heres my card that I created with one of Roberta's fabulous designs :-

My eldest daughter is a great fan of penquins and this is why it attracted me to it so guess whos going to receive this one for Christmas. Ive used this gorgeous little fairy with her friends as my image and printed it onto white card before colouring it in with my promarkers then used my Nestabilitie die No.8 to cut her out then with some red card Ive drawn around the edge of the die to create a mount for it, before sticking them together Ive used a red inkpad around the edge, I can see I smudged it on the left, hope it doesnt spoil it to much for you. The sentiment is one that I found in my stash, this was mounted onto a red double ended tag.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of red card, then one of three papers yet again from the Nitwit downloads, this one is a blue one with an all over sentiment pattern on, the second layer is a red one with snowflakes on and the third the same in blue, but on both of these Ive used my snowflake border punch from Martha Stewart, these were then stuck across my card in strips.

To finish of Ive created some snowflakes with some left over white card and dipped them into twinklets crushed diamond glitter and with a few snowflake sequins theyve been stuck across the top of my card.

I sincerely hope that you will be taking a look at the fabulous work that my fellow DT team members have done over on http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/ and take part in this fortnights challenge.

I also want to welcome two new team members to our happy team, and they are Mandy of Crafty Fox, and Kym of Nanakeepsakes. welcome girls I hope you will enjoy working with us.

Donna has some fabulous new Digi Papers for Sale

Donna of Bearly Mine Blogspot has some really fabulous new digi papers for sale, they will be available from tomorrow, please pop across to her blog and see for yourself, they are really gorgeous to use.

A Card for the Lili of the Valley Challenge - Sketch by "Dawny P's"

Hi Ladies hope you are enjoying your weekends, this card has been scheduled to appear while Im doing my most hated job the monthly shop. Anyway Ive created this card for this weeks Lili of the Valley Challenge "A Sketch by Dawny P" and Ive used this gorgeous image that I one in my blogcandy win from Elaine, bless you love this image is so cute that I thought it was ideal for a Get Well card. Ive stamped her onto white card and coloured it with my copic pens, after which Ive cut it out with a Rectangle Nestabilitie die, and used a Scalloped one for the mount. The sentiment was one from my stash and Ive stamped and mount this in the same way.

The card is a 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of aqua card and one of three papers from the Kay Miller downloads, this first paper is a very pretty all over flower and leaf pattern, the second mount is a striped paper with the same colours in in stripes and the third layer is a all over blue paper with flowers on to, across the middle Ive stuck a piece of lace with a ribbon on top and attached them to the back of this layer.

The card has been made up as the sketch requests and my image was then stuck towards the left handside and my sentiment down the side of the image.

Ive then arranged three flowers in a corner spray, a rose and two crochet flowers with two layers of Hydrangea flowers and a pearl brad through the centre, these were stuck on top of a couple of leaf sprays with the rose in the centre. The last flourish is the corner pearls arranged in a L shape in the two opposite corners.

Im entering this card into the following challenges:

http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.com/

Well another Card to cover Two Challenges - Totally Tilda and Stampin for the Weekend

Hi Ladies, well I had a hell of a job to photo this card it kept making the image look blury I even asked my hubby to help and this is the best we can do. Anyway this card has been created for two challenges the new Totaly Tilda "Cream and Chocolate" and Stampin for the Weekends "Christmas in July" I sincerely hope that both these challenges will accept my card.

I used an image that was sent to me in some blogcandy and the paper is a bit different to what I normally use so I suspect thats why I was having problems with the blur on the image, anyway Ive coloured her with my copic pens and cut her out completely.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of brown card and one of three patterns from the Nitwit Downloads, the first one a very pretty all over leaf pattern in a couple of shades of brown on a cream base, the second layer is a plain paper with an embossed pattern on and Ive wrapped some beautiful lace around this piece that I received in my blogcandy from Chris, and the third a small brown and cream gingham, both these were stuck to brown card. I should have also said that Stampin for the Weekend had a sketch to create to and as much as I can I have, because the image is a sitting down one Ive created a frame for her to sit in, this has been done by punching a deckle edged rectangle with a plain piece for the mount, but Ive used some small peg stamps on this to take away the plainess of it and then stuck my image on the edge of the bottom to create a seat.

To finish of Ive created a flower spray with one Prima flower and some punched out leaves, this was stuck at the top on the right. The last thing is my sentiment which was positioned at the bottom on the left.

I will be entering this card for the following challenges:-

http://www.totallytilda.blogspot.com/

http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/

A Card for Two Challenges - Sir Stampalot and Penny Black at Allsorts

Hi Ladies, hope you are all looking forward to a relaxing weekend and lets hope the weather improves. Todays card has been created for two Challenges Sir Stampalots "Lazy Hazy Days of Summer" and Penny Black at Allsorts "A Burst of Summer Colour" and as I know that its necessary to use a Penny Black image Ive used this gorgeous little Hedgie relaxing in a hammock between two daisies, if only if were possible for us to do this but Im more like to crush the daisies just walking over them than relaxing in a hammock between two.

Anyway Ive stamped in onto white card then coloured it with my copic pens, after which Ive cut it out with my Nestabilitie square die, unfortunately it looks as though I used a bigger one that I should have as the scalloped mount Ive stuck it on is a bit small, never mind Im sure weve all done that at sometime or other.

The base card is a 7"x 7" card with a first layer of a turquoise card and one of four fabulous paper designs from Kay Miller Downloads, she does create some gorgeous patterns, if youve not been to visit her its certainly worth clicking on this link to few them http://www.kaymillerdesigns.com/shoppe/.

The first paper Ive used is a very pretty all over flower design and the other two are a varied orange stripe and a lime green paper on these Ive used one of my Martha Stewart border punches along the edges and layered them one on top of the other, across these Ive wrapped a piece of grosgrain ribbon with a ribbon tag on it with a sentiment from my stash.

The mounted image and a further square with yet the last of my papers have been arranged in a diamond shape at the top, and two flowers with some punched out leaves were arranged in two opposite corners. My final flourish is the two sets of aqua pearls at the top and bottom on the left and bottom right hand sides.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:-

http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/

http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/

A card for the Just Magnolia Challenge - "A Pocket Card"

Good Morning Girls, well the rain did come last night and my garden is very happy about that, today has been rather cloudy but the sun did peek out for a little bit but not for long so not sure what our next lot is going to be rain or sun so we shall have to wait and see.

My card today has been created for this weeks Just Magnolia's Challenge "Pocket Card" and Ive used this gorgeous image that I received in my blogcandy from Crafty Chris, bless you my love and thank you, also a big thank you to Phillip as well as it seems he rather likes my blogspot name and thats why he chose me.

Anyway Ive stamped the image onto white card and coloured it with my copic pens after which Ive cut it out with my nestabitlitie oval die, the mount is cut out with the large scalloped one and stuck together with some foam tape.

The pocket card has been created with the tutorial that Just Magnolia have on their blogspot this week and its a really simple design and easy to create, Ive used three papers from the Papermania's Rose Garden set, which Ive used two on the two triangles on the two flaps on the front and one on the insert that goes in the pocket. Ive also used one of my Martha Stewart border punches for the trimmings on each of the edges. The sentiment is another of the Magnolia stamps and this was stamped onto white card then cut out with a Frame die from Spellbinders, inked around the ends and then stuck on the insert.

Ive created the pocked by overlapping the front two pieces and then stuck them together, then wrapped two lots of ribbon around the whole card and attached them together under the mounted image. I then stuck my image in the centre and created a spray of roses in the corner on the left hand side.

This card is to be entered for the following challenges:-

http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/

One Card for Two Challenges - Just Magnolia and Cute Card Thursday

Good Morning Ladies well its certainly cooler today and we are expecting some rain later on so lets hope it does come as my poor garden is really dry and the grass is very brown.

Anyway todays card is to be entered into two challenges, Mo's "Fabric" and Cute Card Thursday's "Lets get Fruity" and Ive also decided that Im going to use it as a thank you card to send to my daughters ex-partner who gave me a beautiful basket of Bizzie Lizzies when we were on holiday in Scotland last week, when I received it I wasnt sure I would get it back home in one piece but like a Triffid its grown enormous and is quite spectacular.

The image Ive used is "Fat Man growing Tomatoes" so I think it covers the Fruit title, and as this friend of my daughter is a nurseryman its ideal for my card, though I must say hes not fat hes a runner and not a bad looking chap. Anyway Ive printed him onto a piece of card and coloured it with my copic pens, after which Ive cut it out with my rotatrim and mounted it onto a piece of a green card. The sentiment is the Hero Arts one again and Ive stamped and cut it out with my circle nestabilitie dies.

The base card is a 7"x 7" white card with a first layer of green card and one of three papers from the Nitwit downloads, a patchwork pattern is the first pattern Ive used and for my second one Ive used a check pattern and the third is a orange leaf pattern around which Ive stuck a piece of the raffia ribbon strip, to cover the Fabric challenge from Mo. These were then layered up as shown and the mounted image was stuck in the centre with the sentiment at the bottom on the right.

To finish of Ive found a material flower and stuck it at the top on the right hand side.

This card is to be entered into the following challenges:-

http://mosdigitalchallenge.blogspot.com/

http://www.cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/