Father's Day

I have been feelign a bit poorly the last few days - shivery, choked up nose and ears, and utterly exhausted - but feeling a bit more with it this evening so I have a couple of cards to share with you guys.  I read that Blogger is still playing up for some of us tho as far as I know I am ok to comment so will try to catch up with you all tomorrow.......

My first card is for Father's Day and follows Sketch Saturday's current sketch so here it is........

I have to laugh at the image because it looks SO like Graham and he does like golf tho he doesn't play as much as he likes to. 

Challenges:~

Passion for Promarkers Sporting Marvels;

Sketch Saturday;

Charisma Cardz Boy Oh Boy;

FabNFunky Whateva;

Lexi's Creations Fathers Day/Man's Card and

Everybody Art Challenge.

Ingredients:~

Freebie image from Bugaboo;

Promarkers ~ Ivory, Blush, Dusky Pink, Cornflower, Pastel Blue, Duck Egg Blue, Cinnamon, Caramel, Apple, Forest Green & Cardinal Red;

Papers were a gift so unsure what they are;

Ribbon from stash;

Scalloped Circles Nestie from Spellbinders.

Winking Student

Good evening my lovely friends in blogland and I hope you are still enjoying this marvellous weather wherever you are in the world. It has been absolutley gorgeous here again today so Graham and I have been out in the garden all day trying to get it in good nick for the summer.  Looking better than it was earlier today but not quite there yet.....

I made this card earlier this morning with another of my new Sassy stamps - ain't she a sweety?

I hope I haven't offended anyone with my sentiment - I wanted it to be funny so spelt the name of a national optician's incorrectly and also put the last few letters upside down....does it work for you as it did me?

As usual I coloured her with PMs and then, in order to qualify for four challenges I recycled by using clear nailpolish on her lenses and also on the apple and I think it worked a treat - the reason I had to improvise is that my local craft shop is c**p at stocking things like glaze, good DST, stamps - in other words if you want to decoupage you are all right he he - but I am hoping to get to Barleylands in Essex sometime over the Easter weekend and there is a fabulous jam-packed shop there with absolutely everything I could ever need (apart from Simply Sassy stamps).  Back to the lenses now - it is very hard to see in the pics but if you look closely you can see it shining. 

I am entering this one into the following challenges:~
Moving Along with the Times Recycle;

The Sugar Bowl Sketch and Buttons theme;

Charisma Cardz Jokes and Laughter;

Papercraft Star Recycle;

Creative Card Crew Recycle;

Try It on Tuesday 'Upcycle' and

Pile It On Smells Like Rubber.

Ingredients:~

Winking Student rubber stmap from Simply Sassy range at Funkykits coloured with PMs~

Ivory, Blush, Dusky Pink, Pastel Pink, Henna, Cinnamon, Caramel, Sandstone, Satin, Apple, Moss, Marsh Green, Burgundy, Dusky Rose, Blossom and Cool Grey 1;

Papers were a gift from Nic (aren't they just gorgeous so thanks again Nic!);

Buttons are recycled from old clothes (I take all the buttons off of clothes that are no goood to sell at local Charity Shop as they can always be used in my crafting he he greedy or what??).

Vintage Hippy Love

What a gorgeous day we have here in North London and my day was made extra special because my postie brought me a lovely little package in which there were 6 ever-so-pretty Simply Sassy rubber stamps that I ordered at the weekend - thanks so much Royal Mail (for a change) and also THANKS to the fab team at Funky Kits for such a speedy dispatch!!

This card I have pottered with all day in between sitting in the sun, stroking  my new stamps and helping Lynne with a Uni assignment!  Using the fabulous Hippy Love (another one I got in a gift from a lovely buddy of mine - thanks again), I coloured her in PMs and once again used my Nellie Snellen Oval Die (using Jenni's tip to cut around the die to create another oval shape).  I mounted her onto fabulous DPs I got from the same buddy (she is such a generous buddy to have so NO you cannot share her with me he he!!).  I used  perfect (well I thought so) 'With Love' clear stamp from Pink Petticoat (freebie see below) onto one of the Dps and mounted that onto the other DP then onto black card.  The wee flower I made using a Marianne Flower Die and a lovely wee pink button from my stash. I can see now the button is a bit bright but what the heck - I like it!!

I think I need to invest in some new PM colours as I have outgrown the ones I have and have a massive urge to go to Cowling and Wilcox (shop or website will do)as they are always on offer there - just need to decide on colours now!!

I am entering this one into the following challenges~

Totally Ladybug Anything Goes;
Pollycraft Vintage plus a Sketch;
Charisma Cards Pink/Black/Green Challenge and
Truly Scrumptious Vintage Challenge.

Ingredients:~
Image is rubber stamps 'Hippy Chick' from Simply Sassy range at Funky Kits coloured with PMs~
Ivory, Blush, Dusky Pink, Pastel Pink, Dusky Rose, Coral, Vanilla, Satin, Sandstone,Caramel, Meadow Green, Apple, Moss, Cool Grey1, 3, 4 & 5;
DPs were a gift so unsure what brand they are (gorgeous tho);
Sentiment stamp is freebie from Pink Petticoat in recent Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine;
Dies used ~ Nellie Snellen Oval and Marianne Flower;
Distressed edges with Whispers Archival Ink in Pine Green;
Black paper and pink button from stash.

Sara No 2

I told you I would be back with a different looking Sara and here she is ~

and from a different angle ~

I simply adore this new image from Jenni at Cardmadfairy Creations so if you are fond of Sara too, why not pop along here and get her for yourself?

I coloured her with my PMs and inked the edges with Tattered Rose Distress Ink, distressed the edges of My Minds Eye papes with my scissors, used a Nellie Snellen Oval Die where I added embroidery thread, made my own flowers and added those gorgeous white things (what are they called please so I can get some more?). The sentiment is a lovely stamp I got as a gift from Mandy.

I am entering this into the following challenges:~
Charisma Cards Mythical/Fantasy challenge (she has an air of this about her don't you think?);
Mamidoodles Flower challenge;
The Play Date Cafe Shabby Chic challenge.

Crafty Cardmakers DT card

Using Hamish in Kilt from the Sugar Nellie range at FunkyKits I made this extra-special Christmas card for my brother who lives in the Netherlands.  I wanted something with a Scottish Twist and this is perfect.  I followed The Sugar Bowl's sketch and dry embossed with a Sizzix snowflake folder the red card (not easy to see in pic but promise it is there), mounted that onto matt gold mirri board, coloured the image with Promarkers, matted and layered onto green and matt gold mirri, and cut the sentiment using my Ultimate Pro on white linen card and added a bow.  I then added a green border cut using an XCut  border edge and added a Happy Christmas ribbon.

As well as being my DT card for Crafty Cardmakers Spotlight Dry Embossing Challenge this week, I am also entering it into the following challenges~

I Love Promarkers Snowflakes;

The Sugar Bowl Challenge 47 and

Charisma Cardz With Love at Christmas.

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Ingredients:~
Hamish in Kilt from Sugar Nellie Home Grown range at Funkykits coloures with PMs~

Ivory, Dusky Pink, Blush, Caramel, Sandstone, Ruby, Apple, Meadow Green & Forest Green;

All card used from Papermill Shop;

Ribbon from Papermania.

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Autumn

Hello all,
Before I tell you about this card I have to tell you about our day out in London for my Birthday! Graham let me choose where to eat (opted for Chiquito's in Leicester Square which I adore) and then we went to see Shirley Valentine - the one woman show starring the fabulous Meera Syal (gran from The Kumars).  It is fabulous and very heart-tugging at times yet hilarious at other times.  She really pulled the audience in to the play as it was in the very intimate Trafalgar Studios on Whitehall.  If you get the chance to see it before it ends please do go or if you have already seen it I would love to know what you thought of it.

Anyways....onto todays' card.  Using the fabulous freebie image from the talented Inger Harding, I coloured her with Promarkers and matted and layered her onto pearlised brown and DP from Papermania's Hampstead range - I adore them just now - using a sentiment freebie from Rainbow Echo Designs which matches the image and DPs perfectly I think, I then added ribbons from my stash.  I distressed all the edges using a new (to me) technique - my tiny sewing scissors - and I much prefer the outcome of that than using my distressing tool that I recently purchased in The Range. I inked the edges too with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Tattered Rose.

This one is going into the following challenges:~
I Love Promarkers Autumn;
Charisma Cardz Vintage;
Moving Along With The Times Anything Goes (who are lucky enough to have Letraset as their sponsors this week!) and
Sentimental Sundays Distressing.

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Ingredients:~
Freebie image from Inger Harding coloured with Promarkers-
Skin - Ivory & Blush;
Coat - Caramel, Cinnamon & Sandstone;
Hair - Sandstone & Caramel;
Gloves - Spice;
Letter - Pear Green & Marsh Green;
Papers from Papermania Hampstead Range and pearlised from Papermill Shop;
ribbons from stash;
Sentiment freebie from Rainbow Echo Designs.

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Crafty Cardmakers DT card

Over at Crafty Cardmakers our challenge this week is 'Use a Freebie' - something that you got in a magazine or in a download for example. Be sure to tell us where your freebie came from.  The winner for this challenge will receive 2 background paper books by Crafty Individuals which are background papers 1 & 2 with 2 being Christmas. 

My freebie is the fabulous 'Penelope's Party Wagon' that came as a free download from the very talented Mo Manning some time ago. I do love her images but am not on Facebook so very often miss her lovely freebies now. I coloured her with my good old Promarkers, matted and layered her onto card and mounted her onto this lovely shaped sidestepper - do visit my DT buddy Vix if you would like to know where it comes from. I added a frill along the bottom using tissue paper that came in the box with new trainers - never throw anything away me!! Well you never know when you may be able to use it!! This side view shows the mechanics of the card - I do love the shape and the size of this and it is very simple to make.

I am entering this also into the following challenges:~

Passion for Promarkers Orange, Black, Green & Purple Theme;

Charisma Cardz More Than One Fold and
Sarah Hurley's Colouring In Challenge.

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Ingredients:~

Mo Manning freebie coloured with Promarkers:

Skin: Ivory, Blush & Dusky Pink;
Clothing: Meadow Green, Apple, Coral, Pumpkin, Honeycomb, Amethyst & Lilac;
Hair: Sandstone, Cinnamon & Caramel;
Image outlined in Cool Grey 1 to add depth.
Ribbon and sentiment from stash;
Papers from Daisy & Dandelion's Pumpkin & Aubergine range alongside purple and orange cardstock from The Papermill Shop.

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Maggie with Flowers

Hello all, We have had such a glorious day here in N London but the sun just never managed to peep out properly - such a shame! I hope is stays nice for the weekend so that we can get out for a long walk. The cats have had great fun today as they haven't been able to get out over the last few days due to the inclement weather here but it is so nice to see them out running around chasing leaves etc. I hope you have all had a good day weatherwise wherever you are.

Today's card is for 2 challenges:~
Charisma Cardz No 40 Autumn Colours and
The Sugar Bowl Autumn using a Sketch & Sugar Nellie image.

Using Maggie with Flowers from their Home Grown range (coloured with PMs), and following their sketch, I used BP from Papermania's Hampstead A Warm Welcome that I won in a recent blog candy from Sue. The papers are mounted onto brown pearlised paper and then onto cream linen cardstock which I edged with Whispers Archival Inks. Maggie's dress and bows are paper-pieced using the same paper and she too is mounted onto pearlised paper which was inked using same archival ink.
I also cut some of the pearlised paper using my new Xcut edger but it got stuck inside and tore a wee bit (its so obvious but I love the card so much I am not going to change it), and it was the last of my brown pearlised!! The sentiment is computer-generated using Angelina font in brown also edged in archival ink.

Ingredients:~

Maggie with Flowers rubber stamp from Sugar Nellie range at Funky Kits coloured with Promarkers ~

Skin : Pastel Pink, Blush & Satin;

Hair : Caramel, Cinnamon & Sandstone;

Clothes : Spice & Coral;

Flowers, Spice & Marsh Green.

Papers from Papermania Hampstead A Warm Welcome Linen range & Brown Pearlised from Papermill Shop;

Edging done using Whispers Archival Ink in Caramel Delight & Chestnut;

Computer-generated sentiment using Angelina font in Brown.

One Cool Cat

What on earth is happening to the weather - summer returned yeaterday and today it is raining cats and dogs here.......just have to suffer it I suppose as its the one thing we can't control (please everybody don't be offended by this statement as I am well aware of global warming etc and I do the BEST I can to help fight it but it takes more then me!!!)

This first card for today is for 3 challenges - 1 of which is new to me adn to Ribbon Girl - The Ribbon Girl Colour Challenge No1; FabnFunky 'Quote Me Happy' No 41 and Charisma Cardz Anything Goes Challenge. Now I have no idea what this shape of card is called but I used my Ultimate Pro - something I spent a lot of money on ages ago and have hardly ever used but hey presto - it came in useful.
I coloured in this cute freebie from Bugaboo and matted and layered him on orange and black card (had to ask Graham's help with measuring the front triangle - its great having a mathematician in the house), added sentiments and ribbon. I also used my paper crimper to jazz up the black under the ribbons.

I inked the edges of the image rectangle with Archival Ink to soften it up a bit.

Ingredients:~

Freebie 'Cool Cat' from Bugaboo some time ago (do pop along as she has Freebie every Friday and they are fabulous) coloured with PMs~

Honeycomb, Pumpkin & Spice;

Black & Cool Greys in 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5;

Papers from The Papermill;

Inked edges in Whispers Archival Black Ink;

Ribbons from stash;

Sentment I made myself using Croobie font.

Lovely long slim legs!

Well the weekend is almost upon us again! We have had a gorgeous day here in London but it is already starting to get a bit chilly as usual in the evenings.

This card is for 5 challenges:~ Charisma Cardz Sketch; Fab'n'Funky's Get the Photo Vibe; Totally Papercrafts Happy Birthday; Sarah Hurley Polka Dots and Circles and Polka Doodles Easel Card. Phew that was hard work! Its plain to see how it was made so I won't bore you with the instructions he he. But I WILL tell you where I got all the bits.....

Ingredients:~
Image 'Jessica' from Jenni coloured with PMs~

Skin - Blush,Ivory & Satin;

Hair - Sandstone & Caramel;

Dress and chair - Sandstone, Dusky Pink, Blossom & Dusky Rose;

Papers are freebies ~ My Minds Eye Quite Contrary Summer Papers and brown pearlised paper;

Felt flowers I made myself in Bigshot;

Pink flowers and butterfly from stash - originally from Papermania I think;

Sentiment stamp from stash.

Raindrops keep falling on my head!

Wow is this our Indian Summer coming - its a glorious day again here in N London and I have to post this card about rain - never mind she is happy despite the rain on her head! I handstitched all around the image - really must get my machine out but it is SO heavy to lift onto the table - but when I get into the front room (which is soon to be my craft room) I can get it permanently out ready for use.
This one is going to 2 Challenges :~ Charisma Cardz 'Inspired by a Song' Challenge (can you guess the title?) and Moving Along With The Times 'Stitching' Challenge.

Hoping you all have a fabulous day wherever you are!

Ingredients:~

All papers were freebies from magazines;

Image is from My Craft Studio CD coloured with Promarkers~

Skin ~ Ivory, Blush & Pastel Pink;

Clothing ~ Blossom, Cool Grey 2, Apple, Ruby & Poppy;

Hair ~ Sandstone & Satin;

Puddles ~ Cool Grey 1, 2 & 3;

Raindrops were made using GlitzIt Sparkles.

New stamp

This easel card is my first for nearly 3 weeks......not too happy with the outcome but way hay.... Using The Sugar Bowl sketch, I am entering into 4 challenges ~ The Sugar Bowl; Charisma Cardz; Get Funky and Crafty Cardmakers.

Ingredients:~

Brand new stamp (bought on recent trip to Elgin (home of Funky Kits shop!!!)called Poise from the Leanne Ellis range coloured with PMs;

papers from Funky Hand's Colour Me Happy CD - Merry Berry colour range.

This PC is slow tonight so I am not writing much more - my temper is seething now as it has taken me over half an hour to do this post!! See ya tomorrow!

Ain't she gorgeous?

This adorable wee bear can be found on My Craft Studio Pro - I think she is so cuddly but the look on her face shows either fear or shock! Maybe she has just been dumped on the ground and is looking for a new home....... This one is for 2 challenges ~
Charisma Cardz No 28 - Pink

Craftilicious No 4 - Birthdays.

Ingredients:~
Image from MCS Pro coloured with PMs ~
Apple, Dusky Pink, Pastel Pink & Coral and edged in Cool Grey 1;
Papers from stash (think gingham one is Pink Petticoat)
Ribbon from stash;
Lacy stripe made using Xcut scallop edger and long reach single punch from The Range;
Sentiment made on PC.

Tiny Tiddler from Sugar Nellie

For this card I used all the papers I got half price when Hatfield branch of Papermill Shop was closing down - some lovely lady from DC forum set up a thread otherwise I would never have know about the bargains there! Sorry too late now - it is closed!! Using Sugar Bowl sketch, Passion for PM's 'Think of a Number and Charisma Cardz 'Metal Mickey' this was the result ~

I created the cream text paper with the words of 'One two three four five, Once I caught a fish alive', tore the edges of the fab iridescent brown/green paper and added two metallic brads. The image is so sweet I think - really enjoying these now and hope to buy some more when I visit at the end of this month!

Ingredients:~
All papers from Papermill Shop;

Image Tiny Tiddler from Sugar Nellie coloured with PMs~

Satin, Blush & Dusky Pink for skin;

Sandstone, Buttercup & Ivory for hair;

Ivory, Caramel & Cinnamon for clothes;

Pumpkin & Honeycomb for her fish; and

Cool Grey 1, 3 & 4 for bucket and water.

Male card - so difficult we know!

This is a quickie as my back is hurting again now! Been crafting too long today I think! Its for Inspirational Card Sketches No 71 and Charisma Cardz 25 One for the Boys.

Using ISC Sketch and simply using 3 different brown cards and paper, patterned card from stash and strawlike ribbon I created this. Tried to distress it with my NEW distress Tool but I think I just made a mess of it in the end! Stamp is also new (see orev post re Papermill Shop closing).

Thanks for looking X

Wedding card for a special couple

This card is being sent to the very lovely CarlyAnn of Charisma Cardz who is marrying her best friend Rob on 7th August. They are running a FAB Challenge over there with a very lucky person (chosen by Rob after the wedding) winning a fabulously expensive prize!Using Pink Petticoat's Lola Rose Wedding Digi Image coloured with PMs, backed onto red glitterboard then Pink Petticoat's Shimmer Swirls Paper, I created this masterpiece only for it to be ruined by Sweepy (the 8 month old kitten) who walked all over it before the glitter pearlised glue ( for The Creative Cottage Challenge 16) had a chance to set properly! To say I screamed would be putting it very mildly but he is sorry!

I also used my new Marianne Design Creatables flowers and leaves (LR0106) and embossed them onto the same glitter card as the backing using my Bigshot to enter the I Love Digi Challenge. Aren't they adorable - they came out really well - pic doesn't do them justice. The stamped 'forever' is from my new Clear Choice stamp set (bought from Papermill Shop in Hatfield that is closing - half price sale on there at the mo). Love it!

Ingredients:~

Image Lola Rose Wedding, coloured with Cool Grey 1 & 2 and Poppy;

Grey backing paper is from Pink Petticoat in Shimmer Swirls;

Ribbon from stash;

Pearlised glue for flowers;

Red glitter card for flowers and green card used for leaves.

Bella Bling!

Well I am back after a few days of doing NO cards at all. I have been feeling a bit 'off' - just unsure what was wrong with me.

I made this card using the fab image I won from the fab Monika some months ago - I think its a Stamping Bella - pls correct me if I am wrong. BLING BLING and MORE BLING! That's what Charisma Cardz 24 are asking for so using Moving Along With The Times fab sketch I popped up with this result. I made the gift tag to match to fall into the right place for The Creative Cottage Challenge and used cool grey tones for Craftilicious Challenge No 2.

Ingredients:~

Black glitter card from stash;

Image was a prize from Monika coloured with PMs:~

Cool Grey 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5;

Text paper from stash - think its Pink Petticoat;

Blingy stones fab find in The Works;

Charm handbag also from The Works;

Sentiment made on PC.

My Friday Card

Well the weekend is nearly with us again! This card is for entry to 3 different challenges. I love the image from Cardmadfairy - All Dressed Up. She is just so confident.

As some of you know Lyne has tested positive for Glandular Fever so has been signed off work again and been sent for more blood test as her Liver Function one came back raised - no idea what that means but am not worried as apart from her severe fatigue she is well in herself.

Challenges are :~

I love Promarkers No 18 - following their sketch;
The Creative Cottage 'Pink' theme;
and finally Charisma Cardz 'Spots and Stripes'.

Ingredients:~
Papers from My Craft Studio and stash;
Image from Cardmadfairy coloured with PMs~
Shale,Caramel & Cinnamon for hair;
Blossom & Dusky Rose for dress and;
Blush, Dusky Pink & Satin for skin areas and whole image edged with Cool Grey 1.
Ribbons from stash.

New Manga Stamp

Well well, what an afternoon I have had. My 24 year old daughter has just tested positive for Glandular Fever after having blood tests done on Tuesday. I knew there was more to her illness than tonsilittis. She has to call our GP tomorrow morning to get some advice about it regarding work etc.

So I hurriedly made up this card for her to cheer her up - it is her 25th Bday on 7th June so this could not have happened at a worse time for her. We were planning a BBQ on Sat for her but may need to rethink plans now. Thing is we have all been in contact with her over the last couple of weeks anyway so if we are going to get it too we will already have it if you follow me.

If any of you fab people who visit my blog would like to send her a card to cheer her up please contact me and I will send you our address.

This card as well as being for Lynne is also going into 2 challenges ~ The Sugar Bowl No 36 'Pink, Black & White' and Charisma Cardz No 22 ' Flowers'.

http://charismacardz.blogspot.com/2010/06/challenge-22-flowers.html

Ingredients:~

Backing paper freebie from a mag months ago - floral and striped matted and layered onto black from my stash;

Image is 'Cheerleader' from Sugar Nellie (a prize that I won in a recent challenge) coloured with PMs ~

Shale, Cinnamon & Caramel for hair; Dusky Rose & Blossom for clothing; Black, Cool Grey 5 & 4 for pom poms and shoes and Ivory, Blush & Dusky Pink for her skin.

Manga Rock Chick for Charisma Cardz

Well I finally got around to playing with the Manga stamps I won in a recent Sugar Nellie Challenge. Following Charisma Cardz Challenge No 21 Recipe of 'Going Round In Circles', I cut 2 circles using an old fashioned compass!!, cut one in half and stuck them all together and added fab pink ribbon I also won recently from the fab Monika. On the front I used Sissix to cut very small circles to which I layered funky letters on which I used my Meltdust Platinum (also got to use my new heat gun!!). Font used is Amadeus.






You can now see my Manga - tried to make her look as mod as I can think!!










The close up is not in focus - apologies to you all for the eye strain caused by this!

Also used a fluid chalk inkpad in Pink Pastel (also from Monika) to distress the edges of the image (coloured with my PMs). Matted and layered on holographic mirriboard. All papers from stash.












This final pic shows the card CAN stand upright.