What a cutie!

Good morning blogworld,

Would you look at that Monday's only gorn and rolled around again.  I'm still slightly in shock at how fast this year is going - SWMbO breaks up for the Easter holidays on Friday, two whole weeks at home!  Am not sure whether that's a good thing or something to be worried about!!  Then when she goes back we are in the last term before the summer holidays. My goodness me!

Anyway my worrying about where this year is going has nothing to do with the real reason for this post - it's time for a new challenge over at The Cutie Pies with the theme this time 'Dies and Punches'.  Of course, as always, we'd like to see your cutest images as well!

Our sponsors this fortnight are the lovely:

and

prize: 3digis of choice

The DT were very kindly allowed a pick of images from A Random Fan, my goodness they have some serious cuteness over there!  I can feel a new obsession coming on!!

And here is my card:

Front shot:

Close Up:

I used:

Digi stamp:

A Random Fan: Little Miss Sassy

coloured with Copics and Graph'It pens

Papers:

echo park paper co - Be mine

Dies / punches:

Nesties - oval and scalloped oval

Martha Stewart - border and small hearts

corner rounder on the sentiment

Craftwork Cards - sentiment

That's it folks, I'll be back very soon and am still seriously behind with commenting.  Please forgive me and I'll try to have a run around everyone's blogs very soon,

Cheerio

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Crafting when we can: #66 - For a child

Allsorts Challenge blog: Week 252 - use those dies

A little bit of fairy magic

Hello blogworld,

I really can't believe how quickly this year is going - can you believe that we are nearly at the end of March already??

It's also Tuesday and so a new challenge over at Papertake Weekly and I'm still GDT (still super excited about it as well!) this time it's 'Sketch time'!

So either use the sketch below or pick one from the archives - there is, as always, a fab prize on offer and wonderful DT inspiration.

The sketch:

My creation:

Front shot:

Her close up:

I used:

Digi Stamp:

All Dressed Up - Fairy Magic

coloured with my Copics with DI for the background

Papers:

First Edition - Blank Canvas

Dies:

Memory Box 

Anything else?

Craftwork Cards - sentiment

For once I'm not going to complain about one of my cards - shock horror, on the whole I like it!!!

Right I've gotta run as my exercise class starts in 30mins (am scheduling this post) and I've gotta go get changed!

See y'all soon,

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Crafting from the Heart: Challenge 11 Anything Goes / Spots or Stripes

Craft your passion challenges: Mother's Day / For the ladies (it's a female card - hope that is OK)

Digi Sketch Challenge: Fantasy

All Dressed Up

Hi blogworld,

Just a flyer from me, we've had a busy day today - went to Lincoln and did the touristy thing visiting the Cathedral and Castle and I'm about ready to crash.

Tomorrow me and SWMbO are off to see Tinkerbell and the Priary Fairy - again!  Different friend coming with us this time, but it will be the fourth time we've seen it!!!  This time I'm definitely taking my Kindle with me!

Right waffle over - the real reason I'm here is to remind everyone of the current challenge over at the All Dressed Up challenge blog.  It's a really easy challenge - use a button - and there are freebies on the blog if you want to join in.  I'm getting super excited about next month myself when my DT duties start!

See you next week,

Sarah

Such a pretty photo

Good morning blogworld,

So here we are it's Thursday again, and my last DT post of the week.  Don't think I'll be able to squeeze in another card before the end of the week, but you never know - I suppose I could always leave the hoovering!!!

And, as it's Thursday it's a new challenge over at MAWTT,our hostess this week is the wonderful Pami who has picked a photo inspiration challenge for us.

This is the photo:

and this is my card:

Front shot:

Her close up:

Another one that looked better in my head than in reality and my colours have not really matched the image either.  Hmmmm, a hide it card methinks!

My teamies have done much, much better than me so please pop over and see, you'll be well impressed - I promise.

I used:

Stamp:

Lili of the Valley - Pretty Bouquet

coloured with my Copics

Sentiment also Lili of the Valley - Sentiment Tags

Wot no dies?

Lots of corner punching tho

Papers:

Papermania - Blueberry Hill

Anything else?

Viva Pearl Pen

Wild Orchid Crafts - flowers

Pearls - from my stuff

That's all folks - I'm about all talked out and to be honest the most exciting thing that happened this week is that one of the cats has had to go to the vets.  It would appear that he (the cat not the vet) has a gum disease and so, after about 50 quids worth of blood tests to check all is OK, he's back in next week to have some teeth taken out.

Hope y'all have a lovely weekend and see you next week.

Sarah

Sketch Saturday: Week #301

Mum's the word

today as well!

Good morning blogworld,

You'll have to excuse any typing errors with this one, I'm just back from an exercise class and am ready to drop - it's a combination of aerobics and dance = great fun but exhausting!  Today, amongst other exercise, we were dancing to 'The Floral Dance' (here's a link to it on YouTube if you're not familiar with it) while waving pom-poms about - probably not a sight anyone else would want to see!!

Anyways, moving on, my GDT spot continues over at Papertake Weekly and this week the challenge is 'For mum', so we'd like to see your projects either for mum or for a female (if Mother's day doesn't apply for your circumstances).  As always there is a fab prize on offer and gorgeous projects from the Design Team to inspire you, so go on join in!  You know you want to!!

Here is my card:

Front shot:

Close up:

I used:

Stamps:

CC Designs - Swiss Pixie Birgitta 

coloured with Copics

Lili of the Valley - swirls

Dies:

Nesties for the circles

Memory Box for the hearts

Papers:

Papermania - Blueberry Hill

Anything else?

Pearls and ribbon - from my stuff

Just while I'm here, as much a I'm loving the Copics (and believe me I am!) I'm still not finding a soft / pastel pink combo that I like.

Would any of you lovely peeps out there have a favourite soft pink combo you would be willing to share?  I'd be most grateful - so much so that I might even stop wandering over to your blog and waffling on at you!  Ooooh, now there's a promise!!!

See you soon,

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

In the Pink: Challenge #39 - Mother's Day / A Special Lady (is it pink enough?  Hope so!)

Stampin' for the Weekend: Anything Goes

Crafting When We Can: #65 - Hearts and Flowers

Cute mums!

Good morning blogworld,

It's Monday and time for a new challenge over at The Cutie Pies with the challenge this fortnight to make something cute for 'MUM'. 

And listen to this folks - we have two wonderful  sponsors for this challenge, so more chances to win! 

We welcome Bunny Zoes, who are with us for the first time and will be offering an amazing prize of

to our DT chosen winner........and that's not all as -

our lovely friends at Bugaboo are also offering a prize of

to a randomly chosen winner!! 

The DT were very kindly allowed to pick a Bugaboo image and this is my card using that image:

I wasn't very impressed with my colouring on this one - so you only get the one picture!

I used

Digi stamp:

Bugaboo - Girl Teddy hug

coloured with Copics and ProMarkers

background of the image is Distress Inked

Dies:

Nestie - for the sentiment

Die-namics - for the circle behind the flower

Papers:

My Mind's Eye - Wild Asparagus

Anything else?

MDF flower, lace and pearl hearts - all from my stuff

Right well that's all from me folks, you'll be seeing a lot of me this week so I'm going to try and keep the waffle to a minimum.

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Ooh la la creations: Challenge #152 - To a special lady

Sentimental Sundays: Challenge 198 - Cute and Cuddly

That Craft Place Challenge: Flowers and/or Mother's Day

A Gem of a Challenge: Challenge #115 - Mother's Day/Female Birthday/Special Lady

How exciting - again!

Hi blogworld,

Just a shortie as I'm away up the stairs now, but had to share something I've been not telling for a little while now and it's been tough keeping this secret - but I did it!

Guess who got asked to be on the All Dressed Up Design Team?  Why only lil' ol' me!

Never been asked to be on a DT before, always had to apply and it's a lovely feeling to have someone just ask out of the blue.  What a confidence boost and thank you for asking me I hope I do y'all proud!

Nighty night,

Sarah

Chocklit

Hi blogworld,

So it's like feast or famine with me isn't it!! Last week was the famine - next will be the feast!

I can't stay on long - little person is either elbowing me in the ribs to get off the computer or wants help making cards, either way I'm getting interrupted quite a lot!  She's currently found my corner rounder punch - 20 corners and counting!

I've also been to see Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy for the 3rd time this morning and tomorrow we have a cinema birthday party - 9am start!!!! - to see Mr Peabody and Sherman.

I did, though, want to pop on and wish a very nice bloggy friend a very happy birthday! Very Many Happy Returns of the day Faye - hope the card arrived safely.

Which, talking of cards, is here:
Front shot:

Close up:

Side view:

I will be back (when I'm allowed) to give you the details on the stamp and papers - I know it's a My Favorite Thing - A la Mode stamp and it was coloured with my Copics - but I'm currently being called again!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend, maybe a bit quieter than mine tho?

See you soon,

Sarah

Bingo!

Good morning blogworld,

So this is my quiet week!  Only this post for the new challenge at Papertake Weekly and any other cards that I manage to squeeze in.

The challenge this week, as you may have guessed, is 'Bingo'.  This is the bingo card from which you can pick any line - across, up, down or diagonal:

I went in a diagonal line and picked Gems, Free, Lace (with my free being the stamped image).

Front shot:

Her close up:

I used:

Stamp:

The Greeting Farm - Twinkle Tots: Madelynn

coloured with my Copics and Distress Ink for the background

Dies:

Nestie

Papers:

BoBunny - Country Garden collection

Anything else?

Lace and gems from my stuff

Craftwork Cards - sentiment

Hope you like,

Fancy hearing a conversation between me and SWMbO from this mornings' school rush?  I found a 20p in a corner in my bedroom so, very generously, gave it to SWMbO and then went downstairs to get shoes, coat, book bag, juice, etc ready to go and shouted for said child to follow me.

Said child then trots downstairs with this 20p in a plastic bowl and said:

'Give me money if you like me'!!!!  

She obviously has a fine career in begging to look forward to!

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Sketch N Stash: Challenge 134 - The stamp is very old, I didn't realise how old until I tried to find out what it's called, and this is it's first inking so that's my old stash - the paper pad is very new.

Stampin' for the Weekend: Sparkle and Shine

Crafty Sentiments Designs: Lots of Green

Just a little different!

Hello blogworld,

So this one is a bit different to my last few cards - blame it on the photo inspiration!

Today we are Thursday, anyone notice?, therefore it's a new challenge over at MAWTT.  This week the lovely Debs is hosting and she has picked the theme 'Moody Blues' and (as hinted at above) a photo inspiration.

Look at this lovely piccie:

So I saw this and thought, aha blue, lace, flowers, pretty - and this is what I came up with:

Front shot:

Side view:

I used:

Stamp:

Sugar Nellie - Leanne Ellis : Be One Traveller (but I can't find it in the shop)

coloured with my Copics (and Pros for the greys)

Fiskars - sentiment

Lili of the Valley - corner swirls

Papers:

Very old stuff from Craftwork Cards

Everything else?

Wild Orchid Crafts - flowers

Lace, tulle and charm - from stash

Create and Craft - bling swirls

Darned card will cost a fortune to post it's so loaded!  This is a hand delivery for sure!! I've no idea why I went a bit over the top with it - it just seemed to evolve.

OK then, why not pop on over to the challenge blog, have a little peep at the gorgeous cards my Teamies have come up with and pop a card in while you're there.

Have a nice weekend and I'll see you all next week.  Oh, before I go, this posting every day lark is difficult on keeping up with commenting - I'm behind!  I will catch up with you all over the weekend,

Cheerio

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

The Sugar Bowl: Mother's Day or a Special Lady

Deep Ocean Challenge: Just for a girl

The Paper Shelter: Challenge #148 - Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday: Challenge 311 - What a gem

Almost there!

Good morning blogworld

Well that's nearly the end of my busy card sharing week - only got one more to go and then you don't see me again till next week.

Thanks for all the very kind comments on my cards, you surely know how to make a girl feel good about herself!!

Here is another one for you to look at.  I saw a brilliant sketch at Sketch Saturday - which I will use again - but I couldn't get it to look how I wanted on a square card (I make my own blanks which are touch under 6x6") so I ended up investigating other card sizes.  I have loads of envelopes and came across packets that are 5x7" and then found cards on the 'net  that are landscape fold for these envelopes.  I like cards that are folded across the top (what's that tent fold?) so I've ordered a few. Fun isn't it having the Internet ;-)

Anyways, here is the culprit for a tiny wee crafty spend up:

Again, it's quite a plain card so no close up.  I'm not entirely sure about the amount of white I've left around the image, I've got a feeling it might be too much and why the sketch didn't quite work, but hey ho I quite like it!!

I used:

Stamp:

My Favourite Things: a la mode - Big Birthday Wishes

coloured with Copics

Dies:

Die-namics: Blueprints 1

Papers:

BoBunny: Alora Collection

Anything else?

Chipboard flower - very old stash!!

Oh and before I go - thanks also for the kind thoughts for SWMbO - we did get an appt on Monday to see the Nurse.  No probs am happy to see a Nurse - earache is a bit trivial for Docs ain't it.  Anyways, Em's ear is still inflamed but no infection.  It's probably because I took her swimming right after her antibiotics and water has got in her ear, behind wax (urgh!) and stuck there.  So she is now having Olive oil drops in her ear every night for a week.  Hoping that fixes it.  

Nurse suggested ear plugs for when she goes swimming, to stop water getting in / repeat infections. I never had ear problems as a child (mine was, and is, migraine) and I've never had to think about ear plugs, headbands, swimming caps before - it's quite a large amount of stuff to trawl through isn't it!!

OK am off now and will see you in the morning.

Cheerio

Sarah

Sketch Saturday: Week #299

Crafty Sentiments Design Challenges: Spots or Dots

Home made flowers, hmmmm

not the best ones I've ever made!

Good morning blogworld,

Isn't it wonderful what a couple of days of sunshine can do, I feel almost positively positive!  One might even say cheerful - hang on there a second, me cheerful?  It won't last!

Anyways enough burbling from me onto my card.

This is my second GDT for Papertake Weekly and this week the challenge is 'Anything Goes, with an optional extra of making your own flowers' hence the title of this post.  Overall I quite like the card, but the flowers are fairly pitiful!  I realised while making this card, after digging around in all me drawers and cabinets, that I have hardly any flower dies or punches.

Can anyone recommend a flower die / punch that they particularly like?

So here, is the card for you to make up your own minds:

Only the one pose today - the image is quite large so it didn't seem worthwhile doing a close up.

I used:

Stamp:

Stamping Bella: Uptown Girl - Bianca loves her big cake

coloured with Copics

Papers:

BoBunny - Alora Collection

Dies:

Impression Obsession - Build a Flower

Anything else?

Ribbon and pearls - from my stuff

American Crafts - Thickers for the number (my goodness these are sooo old that the sticky back was no longer sticky!!)

Bit of stickles glitter glue on the cake

Ooooh and can you see I'm attempting pleats - I think they are too severe, but I'm learning and everyday in everyway I'm getting better and better!  Ha!!

See you soon,

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Totally Gorjuss: Challenge 225 - Happy Birthday

Craft Your Passion challenge: Challenge 203 - Birthday Bonanza

Penny Black and More: March Challenge - So sweet

The Ribbon Girl: Birthday

The ABC Challenge: G is for Girls

Very swirly not so pearly..

Good morning blogworld,

And what are we all up to on this wonderful Monday morning then?  I should currently be dropping SWMbO off at school while hubby is trying to get through to the Docs to make an appt for her.

Poor thing is still complaining of her ear hurting and this is four days after the antibiotics finished so off to the Docs we go again, if, as complaining above, we can actually get an appt.

I will let you know!!

In the meantime, and on a more cheerful note, as it is Monday it's time for a new challenge over at The Cutie Pies.  This week, along with your super cute images, we'd like to see pearls and swirls on your creations.

Our lovely sponsor for this challenge is Di's Digi Downloads:

and one lucky winner will win a $10 gift voucher to spend on their gorgeous and adorable digi's in the online store

I've decided to try and use some of my 'proper' stamps (rubber that is!) as I always seem to go for digis at the moment and me poor rubbah is feeling neglected!

So here you go - my swirly but not so pearly creation:

Front shot:

Her close up:

Hmmm, looks a bit like she's floating above the swing doesn't it!!  Masking abilities are not wot they used to be!
I used:

Stamps:

Pergamano - Fairies 2 (but I'm not entirely sure.  I've had all these sets of fairies for years and could never get them to stamp properly finally got them to do it now after sanding the actual stamp - very scary thing to do!  And in me panic I'm not sure I  put the right stamp back in the right packet!)

C.C.Designs - Sugarplums: swing

coloured with my Copics / background with chalks

Papers:

Bo-Bunny - Country Garden

Dies:

Nesties - square and scalloped square

Memory Box - swirl

Anything else?

Hobby House - pearls

flowers and ribbon from my stuff

Stickles in her hair (tho why I bothered, it just looks like dandruff in these pics!!!!)

Righty-ho that's your whinge for today- tomorrow's whinge is already being planed. Promise if you enter the challenge and you get me as your commenting person, I won't whinge at you, really I won't.  Mwahh!

Cheerio

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Crafting from the Heart: Challenge 8 - Anything Goes / Punches or Dies

Created with Love Challenge: Think Spring - OK so maybe the image isn't strictly Spring - but the colours give me a Spring feeling!  Hope this qualifies me!  Otherwise no problems if you want to remove my entry.

Sweet Stampin' Challenge: Cute