Handmade with lots of love

Hello ....

2009-09-25T19:00:00.006+01:00

Sorry I have not blogged for a while lots going on and not enough hours in the day .....

Card making has been moved to the back burner, I just don't have the time to craft as much as I used to so, for now, its all on hold - including buying - I cant even believe I wrote that as I loved spending as much as making.

I did have a good run at selling cards but then it dipped over the school holidays. I still get orders but I am struggling to keep up with it all (as you wil see why later)

So, whats been going on .....

The credit crunch has been effecting me, yet another door is closing!

I used to work for agnecy, although I was employed, my work is on an adhoc basis. I normally worked 3 to 4 days a week but on the run up to Christmas, our busy period, work dropped to once a week.

From Christmas I have only worked a few days - while i was on holiday we have all recieved letters informing us of lots of changes. My RM was being made redundant and our work would come from head office. Well I stuck at it a couple of months then I got a call from my RM to leave that company and go work with her on a new project.

So - I quit my job and went to work for her, more permanent job with regular hours, regular pay etc and I am, on the whole, a lot more happier for doing it. I was a bit daunted about changing jobs but I am glad I did.

Then Ive started at training academy for hair and beauty. On Monday I do hair - there is only 5 in our group, so its great. I am working towards my NVQ level 2, so far we have done just the basics but I am really enjoying it

Then on Tuesday I do beauty, again, I am working towards my NVQ level 2 and again, there is only 5 in the group. I am paying for private tuition that's why the groups are so small. I have started on eye treatments and manicures and I am enjoying practising on everyone at home - even my poor hubby cant escape me hehehehe

So my only free day's are Wednesday and Sunday - and they are catch up days.

I am hoping to get back to making cards, if only for family and friends but until then its defo on a back burner

Zoe x

Nutshells DT Call

2009-05-29T11:53:00.006+01:00

Using this image, exclusive from Nutshells and the sketch below, the challenge is to come up with a card for the DT call.

Fantastic sketch by Nikki

And here is my card ....

Papers from my stash

Prima flowers

Handmade bead/flowers for the flowers

X cut border die

Sentiment from D&D range

and here are three of my favourite cards ....

A spoon full of sugar challenge

2009-05-19T12:37:00.005+01:00

Once again I am like a bus - nothing for ages then three come along.

The challenge on A spoon full of sugar is a celebration card as they are one year old - well done everyone and congratulations.

I have a friend who is getting married so this challenge spurred me on to get the cards from the kids made. So I thought I might as well show all three off.

Paretake Weekly Challenge - Sketch

2009-05-19T12:29:00.003+01:00

This weeks challenge is a sketch - I really enjoyed doing this card it juts seemed to piece together so quickly and effortlessly!!

Papers from my stash. Image from Clare Curds men's stamp collection. Saw from Dovecraft buttons.

Do you like my easel!! I got it from The range, it was in a Pink painting set - with pink brushes and a pink case - I only got it cos it was pink!

Forever Friends - Challenge Birthday Boy

2009-05-19T12:12:00.003+01:00

I am a little bit like buses - none for ages and ages then along come two at once hehehehe

Here is my card for the Forever Friends challenge blog (sorry guys I havent been around for ages) I made both cards using FF 'Just for him' papers , the images are from the FF sticker collection. The drill and spanner are from Dovecraft (designer buttons). Sentiment and ribbons from my stash!

Blog Candy - Ellephantastic Cards

2009-05-13T20:34:00.002+01:00

http://ellephantasticcards.blogspot.com/

Pop over and see some wonderfull cards and maybe get yourself some blog candy

I have been blog hopping on this site for a while and just love everything on here

Zoe x

D&D Cards

2009-05-07T09:18:00.006+01:00

Wow time sure has flown ......

I have been so busy this last month. I have been making cards (not many tho) but its just flown by. Quick catch up. I am fully recovered from my op and I am back at work. I've been away to the East Yorkshire coast - craft shop hunting hehehe and now I think, I hope, I will have some more time to play on my blog and join in some challenges.

Here are some I have been doing for The Daisy & Dandelion Challenge Blog - come along and join in the fun. This week, to celebrate over 100 followers, there will be a prize.

Here is my card, we are following a sketch .....

These cards are from past challenges that I just didn't have time to add to my blog ....

With Love

Sketch by Clare

Razzle Dazzle

One Stop Craft Challenge - Torn

2009-04-13T15:34:00.002+01:00

The challenge on One Stop Craft Challenge this week is 'Torn' and here is my card. You cant really seen I have torn it - but I have (honest). I have in the past just ripped paper but I wanted this to be a controlled rip - so I ripped all the papers against a ruler. I quite like this effect and will use it more often.

Stamp - High Hopes - I love this little fella. I painted him with shimmering water colours.
Papers - New to me but not sure what they are as I opened them in the car home ..... to eager to have a peek at my new stash - and left the packaging in the car!
Ribbon from my stash.

D&D Challenge 5 - Sketch by Me!!

2009-04-09T19:41:00.001+01:00

I have attempted a sketch for everyone to follow this week on D&D. I hope people like following it. Here is my take on the sketch.

Zoe x

Some A4 cards

2009-04-06T13:13:00.003+01:00

Here are a couple of cards I have been asked to make ....

The first was for an 80 year old Dad who loves Laurell and Hardy. I kept it simple but its made out of A4, silver card stock and matted and layered onto silver card to give it a bit of class. The lady who ordered it loves it.

The second is for an hospice to say thank you for looking after a lady who recently passed away. The lady who passed away loved poppys and the dauhter wanted a card with poppys on. The lasses at the home where the daughter works are having a collection to send to the hospice along with this card.

Ive got some more cards to make so off to make them before I get totally snowed under

Hope you all have a fab day

Zoe x

P.S these A4 cards are really testing me after making square cards - i feel so out of my comfort zone and would like an opinion please

D&D Challenge 4 - Two by Two

2009-04-02T10:44:00.002+01:00

Here is my card for the Two by Two Challenge

Zoe x

Forever Friends - A gift For Someone

2009-04-01T10:38:00.003+01:00

Here is my gift for someone - ME! - its a jar for storing flowers. Its an old sugar canister - I stripped the writing off it, attached some sticky ribbon and added my ickle bear - I plan to add a few more over time.

Zoe x

Kids Cards

2009-04-01T10:00:00.003+01:00

A couple of quick cards made from Bubble pictures, mounted onto a circle cut with my nesties and mounted onto some balloon paper. I added some glitter ribbon onto gold mirror card and attached it to the bottom and added a round sentiment.

I made these as I send cards to my husband place of work and last week I sent something similar and the lasses were fighting over it and were asking if I could make some more - unfortunalty I couldnt so these are as close to it I could do it.

A Spoon full of Sugar - Sketch challenge

2009-04-01T09:55:00.003+01:00

Challenge 45 on A Spoon Full Of Sugar there is a sketch challenge. I have used my smirk stamp and a selection of papers from my stash!!

Easter Cards from Tinker & Co

2009-03-31T08:40:00.005+01:00

I got these images from Tinker & Co. These are just so yummy couldnt wait to have a play. I printed off a sheet of rabbits and just one sheet with all the backgrounds on (I am a frugal crafter) and teamed them up with some of my stash to make these , in my opinion, stunners!!!!

Pink Gem Designs - Blog Candy

2009-03-30T15:30:00.001+01:00

PINK GEM - BLOG CANDY

Our April release is now available at Pink Gem Designs! There are nine new stamps including four new baby designs, four new Mimi's & Dina Dragon (Denny's girlfriend)

To celebrate we are giving away four free stamps of your choice of any stamps from the Pink Gem Designs range to one lucky winner.

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment here with a link to your blog.........post this picture on your blog and mention Pink Gem Designs new April releases with a link back to this blog.

The names will be put in a draw and one lucky person will be picked at random on Monday 6th April after 6pm. Good Luck!

Funky Fairys challenge - Fruit

2009-03-27T17:37:00.001Z

On Funky Fairys challenge blog the challenge this week is Fruit or Fruity colours. I printed off the topper from Funky Fairys and hand painted it and used a selection of my stash papers to finish it off.

Thanks for looking

Zoe x

ABC Challenge - G is for Glitter

2009-03-27T13:43:00.001Z

Wow I loved making this - Ive not had the glitter out for a while. First of all bright pink glitter paper as backing paper, a piece of baby pink glitter card behind the image, Anya stamp, glitter paints and glitter eveywhere and anywhere ... lol. I added a couple of flowers and stuck a BIG BLOB of glitter glue in the middle!

Hope you like it

Zoe x

Stamp Something - Sketch Challenge

2009-03-27T13:24:00.002Z

Over on Stamp Something they have a sketch challenge - I just love sketches so I couldnt resist joining in this week.

Ive used a High Hopes stamp with a mixture of backgrounds from my stash.

I hope you like him

Zoe x

I went on to add a bit more to this card as I had been shopping and got a big bag of gold buttons - the reminded me of treasure!!! so I glued them on.

Daisy & Dandelion News ....

2009-03-27T12:55:00.002Z

I have taken over The Daisy & Dandelion Challenge Blog. The blog is not the offical blog as that is Erica's but she has given her blessing for the blog to go ahead with challenges of the cute range of stamps, decoupage and papers.

There are no prizes to be won but there is a chance to win a guest designer spot.

But in addition to this I am on the look out for some DT members, so if you fancy a chance to be a DT member - drop me a line and spread the word about both blogs. Please dont sit there and think my work is not good enough, yes it is, if you share a love of the cute range and own a couple of items from the collection then drop me a line

starangelofpeace@msn.com

Zoe xx

A spoonfull of sugar - Easter Creation

2009-03-27T12:24:00.002Z

The challenge on A spoonfull of sugar is an Easter Creation. Ive finally got to play with my blog candy and loved playing with him. He's from messy rabbit and he is so cute.

I'm using up some old, scraps etc of paper that I have had stashed for months, if not years!! You know the bits you save and never use again .... Ive even used some sticky ribbon (well I am surprised it was still sticky - Ive had it that long) BUT I think he has turned out lovely!

Zoe x

One stop craft challenge - tags

2009-03-27T11:19:00.002Z

Over on One staop craft challenge is a theme of 'tag'. Here is my tag card. I used a variety of papers from my stash - all th bits ive been meaning to use but never gotten round to it! I added a flower and a big brad.

My tag is a Sarah Kay stamped image and a hole punched and riddon threaded through it to nake a tag.

I hope you like it

Zoe x

Daisy & Dandelion - Friends

2009-03-26T06:00:00.000Z

These are my cards for the Daisy & Dandelion Challenge. The first is using Clare Curds papers with some glittered ribbon down the side. I stamped the image onto brown card and gave it a wash of brown watercoloured paint.

The elephant was stamped onto pearlescent paper and I used a red watercoloured paint to paint the inner ears and feet. The paper is K&Company and the ribbon is smirk. The dots paper is Clare Curd's.

Forever Friends Challenge

2009-03-25T17:38:00.006Z

The challenge on Forever Friends is to create a card for Mum! So me being me decided to put another take on it. My daughter is expecting and loves reading books about pregnancy and keeps loosing her place - so I have made her a book mark. On each of the books it says 'To', 'M','U','M' and I've added 'To be ...' in the corner. If you click on the pic you can see it larger.

Here she is ......

Easter Cards

2009-03-25T11:20:00.003Z

I'm not really a big sender of Easter cards but I have been asked to make a couple - so I kept them as simple as I could and used up some old, yellow PM papers and some new green ribbon - I have a fettish for ribbon and just added some flowers I bought off the car boot. I used some stickers I picked up for 25p and the sentiments were printed off the computer.

Papertake Weekly Challenge - plus Sarah Kay

2009-03-25T11:05:00.007Z

Over on Papertake Weekly Challenge there is a sketch to follow and I made this card for the challenge.

I went to the papercraft show at the weekend and I bought 2 Sarah Kay stamps and I have just fallen head over heals for her .... I've made a few cards and painted a few toppers, but she is just a delight to paint!

The papers are , mainly, scraps of papers Ive had laying around and just added them to the cards.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do ....

I found a butterfly in my stash - I mush have had these since I first started making cards - but it was lovely for her hat!

I found a broken bit of jewlery and attached some ribbon to it to finish her hat off.

I found some old buttons at my mums house and raided her tin for this button.

Some Men Cards!

2009-03-25T10:52:00.005Z

Its my son in laws birthday next month and I had strict instructions from my daughter what she wanted - the breif was a man fishing, but not catching fish, he has to be catching a 2 and a 1 as he is 21!

So, voila, with a lot of help from Clare Curds stamp range - I did it and she was thrilled to bits with it.

Ive re-added this card - I made it for a challenge card but thought it would be nice to add it to my men's cards - again this is from the Clare Curd range.

And the last of the men ... ok he has been made a while but I thought it would be nice to have all 3 men together! I made it for my husband, who is an handy man, but it got put in the for sale box and was snapped up! So back to the drawing board for hubbys card!

This on is for an order - brief - its for my dad who does nowt but sit in front of the TV and snooze! Its an image Ive had for a while but he's still cute and fitted the bill perfectly!

Another order - my son loves old cars, especially racing cars - can you make something? YES! I CAN!

Stampin Chic Sketch Challenge #2

2009-03-24T20:31:00.006Z

There is a challenge on Stampin' Chic to follow a sketch using something from the Clare Curd range - well as I am a fan of Clare and sketches - I couldn't resist joining in this week.

I've a thing about 'mens' cards - I am going through a phase of male themed cards and even tho I don't know any golfers I just had to use this cute fellow from Clare's stamp range.

I used a blue pearlised card black. I cut some CC paper and inked the edges and added it to my card blank. The image was stamped and coloured in using shimmer paints and gel pens. I added a little pearl gem as a golf ball. I mounted him on blue card from my stash and added him to the card.

I cut a band of paper as above and just cut a niche out of it, inked the edges and added this.

The flags are scraps of yellow card stuck onto a cocktail stick and the sticks cut to size. The golf ball - I used my nesties to cut a circle then ran it through a dots cuttlebug folder and distressed it with a black in pad and added them with silicone glue. The sentiment is from my stash.

Please look at the post above for more Clare Curd Stamp range cards x

Daisy & Dandelion Sketch Challenge

2009-03-24T14:41:00.003Z

There is a challenge on Daisy & Dandelion for a sketch challenge and a chance to win some goodies. Here is my entry.

I stamped the image onto brown PM papers and added a daisy on her with a little gem (cos she is a little gem!) I cut 2 circles, one larger than the other from D&D papers. The stri across the middle is from the D&D stamp set and I couloured it in using gel pens.

I got some purple paper from my stash and added a vellum border from my stash and attached the daisy ribbon and the topper. The bottom layer is some lace sticky ribbon from my stash.

I added 3 (I dont know what they call them) circle thingy-mi-bobs to the bottom and a flower and sentiment to the other corner.

I hope you like it

Zoe x

Digital Scrap - Funky Fairies Challenge (2)

2009-03-22T21:38:00.004Z

My son has started a diary at school and we have to put photos and written work into it every week. The sheets we have to fill in are A4 - so cogs started whirling here - there is a challenge on Funky Fairies for a scrapbook page - ok I know I cheated but Ive made a digital page but only because its going to go in my sons diary and its got to be flat, but I am quite pleased with it.

I used lagoona papers and kept the colour scheme the same - I did the editing in PSP

I hope my sons teacher likes it - and you too

If you click on the pic it makes the writing and pictures easier to see

Zoe x

Another lovely day

2009-03-22T16:22:00.005Z

Ive had another lovely day. I went to the papercraft show at the Metrodome, Barnsley. I met the lovely Katie & Colette from Nutcrafters and just fell in love with their stamps. I've made a card this afternoon while my kids sat and chatted. I got some Sarah Kay stamps and a couple of High Hopes stamps and bits and bobs from other stalls. It was a nice morning.

I've also took the challenge from Funky Fairy to use thier papers and over embelish a card - Ive gone mad and used 5 flowers ..... lol - Its harder than it looks to do it!

The background paper is from Funky Fairys and the stamp is the wondeful Sarah Kay stamp painted with pearly paints and added prima flowers attached with brads.

The kids got me some chocolates, flowers, a teddy and a plate for mother's day and we all had lunch together. It was a nice day

Zoe x

Daisy & Dandelion Challenge - Thankyou

2009-03-22T15:07:00.002Z

I almost forgot to add this as part of the challenge for Daisy and Dandelion. The papers and image are from th D&D paper ack. I inked the edges and added a ribbon and some brown (err no idea what they are called!)

Mojo Monday Challenge - Sugar Nellie Storage

2009-03-22T14:53:00.009Z

Inspired by Jo Austin I made this for the challenge over on MoJo Monday

The challenge this week is to follow a sketch, so I made this little, cute, stamp holder. The idea is to store all my Sugar Nellie stamps so I dont loose them and they are all in one place - well Ive only lost it twice !!! (I only made it yesterday hehehe)

This is the inside to show you the stamps .... top one messy and the bottom one, nice and neat. It holds all mine 9 but will hold a few more.

These are the side views to try and show the depth of the book/box.

Daisy & Dandelion Storage

2009-03-22T14:44:00.008Z

Insired by Jo Austin - I made this little book to store my Daisy & Dandelion stamps in. I just helps keep them all together and - hopefully - a bit more organised. I've only lost it twice hehehe

I've met a TV star and got her autograph!!!!!

2009-03-21T20:48:00.003Z

HEHEHEHE

Yes its true, today I met a TV star and got her to sign her autograph - I will add it to my blog in the morning as its too dark to take a pic!!!

I've had a really nice day today, this morning we went to the res to feed the ducks and have a little stroll. I met up with my daughter there, neither of us knew we would be going and as I havent been for a few years - well it seemed spooky to say the least!

We then had some lunch out - well I say lunch - it was a McDonalds but I've not had one for a while and I actually enjoyed it - I cant believe I said that!

We then had a ride to Donny for the Do Craft demo - these events need a serious health warning. I've been mad at it ever since I got home!

I met the ever so lovely Jo Austin, again, she is such a sweet heart! and a brilliant crafter. She has taught me a lot over the years - I'm normally pretty quiet at the demo's - well the last one I went to I came out of my shell a bit - but normally I just hide in the background.

Jo probally wont remember but at a previous demo she got me to do some stamping as I never liked it - the results were rubbish - but Jo took the time to show me how to stamp and how to blend - and now I love it! Its cost me a fortune but well worth it and I am ever so thankfull - hubby isnt - but hey you cant please everyone!

I've picked up lots of tips today, especially about blending on the edges of the cards - I love this effect but Jo's way is brill, so I will, well I HAVE used it already and will be using it again.

But the best thing today was some storage for my clear stamps - I was well impressed and as soon as my feet came in the house I was scouting for bit n bobs to make one for myself - I knew if I didnt do it today then it wouldnt get done.

So I've made TWO!!! I'll take some pics in the morning as its so bad light tonight but I am chuffed to bits with them.

So, who is the TV star I met - well it was Jo and she signed me one of cards cos she is going to be on create and craft in the next week or so, she is filming 2 shows on Monday and they will be aired soon after - its for the company that makes the Eazi score boards - so watch out for her!

My first Award

2009-03-18T09:17:00.002Z

I got this wonderful award from Dido's Designs. Pop over to Hazels blog - she makes fantastic cards. Thankyou for my award x

I'll pop back later to give the award to the next person(s)

I am a bit spaced out x

(see previous post for explination)

2009-03-18T08:57:00.002Z

Sorry I have been AWOL ....

I had my operation on Friday and have been 'spaced out' ever since!

I am, as my surgon says, sensitive to most medications. So anything I take from common painkillers, anti-biotics, even plasters has an effect on me, so well ... when I was on morpine - wow - I think it took me 3 days to come back down to earth!!! (I think I am still floating! hehehe)

I'm off the painkillers now, its sill sore and bruised but I would rather be in a bit of pain than spaced out, so I am taking it steady for a couple more days. I have a couple of days out planned and dithering if I am up to it or not. But the first is not while Saturday so I have a couple of days to decide.

I am also, off to the races .... Ive got tickets for the executive suite - so I wont be with the riff raff! hehehe wait till I make my entrance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ive got a dress but no hat!!!

Daisy and Dandelion - New Beginings

2009-03-12T10:25:00.000Z

The challenge on Daisy & Dandelion is New Beginings

I decided that a new begining was a new baby and as I am going to be a nana and a great aunt then these would be so suitable for the two babies. As neither of them know what they are having I've made one of each!

The Boy Card

I stamped the image onto some blue patterned paper and highlighted the muzzle, heart and feet with a white gel pen. I cut him out and mounted him onto 2 circles cut with my nesties, the smaller one was some gimgham from my stash, edged with blue ink and a larger white one.

I cut some flowers out of the patterned paper and layeryed them up and added a gem in the centre and attached them.

The bottom part I used some cream lace sticky border and adde some white card and then a gingham sticky ribbon. The circles at the bottom are something I got from the craft shop - not sure what they are but I bought them - painted them and stuck them on with silicone glue.

The top corners I used my nestie and cut a scallopped square and cut it in half. I edged the edges with a blue ink pad. I added 2 sentiments to finish the card off.

The Girl card

She was made in a similar way. I stamped her onto some forever friends paper and made the flowers and smaller circle from the same sheet. I edged this with a pink ink pad.

I highlighted her muzzle with white gel pen and the feet and heart with a purple gel pen (pink looked a bit lost) I added a sentiment at the top.

Pirate Card

2009-03-12T09:53:00.002Z

I just love this stamp from High Hopes. Ive sold most of my stock cards now so I am busy making more - I love it when they sell well but sad as I HAVE to make more - sounds daft but I am happiest when I DONT HAVE to make them.

I used some new paper I got from K&Company for the background, I added some red vellum at the side and some plain blue card. The ribbon (I think its PM) and added a sentiment from my stash!

The pirate was coloured in using pencils - I added to eyelets in the corner to finish the card off

Zoe x

Mother's Day Cards

2009-03-12T09:51:00.003Z

I used a mixture of PM papers and Daisy & Dandelion papers. The flowers are PM with a button I raided from my mums house! hehe shush! The ribbon is from a PM pack. The sentiment is printed from the computer. The stamp is Daisy & Dandelion - stamped onto brown card and washed in brown paint. I added a flower that came free from the Creativity mag!

The papers are from Clar Curds signature range (LOVE THESE PAPERS!!!!) The sentiment is a FF sticker - not sure if it came free with a magazine and another button in the centre of my flowers from my mums stash - shush again pls!

The papers are from Clare Curd (You will see these a lot!!) and the stamp is Daisy (You will see her a lot too hehehe)

Katie's Challenge Card

2009-03-12T09:50:00.002Z

This is a card made by my daughter Katie - she has recently been ill and I made her a card for when she was in hospital - she said it cheered her up when I was not there - well I am going in hospital tomorrow and she wanted to make me a card.

She never knows where to start so I pointed her in the direction of Papertake Weekly Challenge Blog and suggested she follow the sketch. So this is my get well card from her. The papers were from my stash and the sticker was free from a magazine.

I hope its ok to enter her card on my blog as I think she has done so well to say she doesnt normally like aking them and I am sure she would be thrilled if any comments were left for her

Ive not been able to add my card - so see the post below to see my card

Zoe and Katie xx

Papertake Weekly Challenge Card

2009-03-12T09:49:00.002Z

This is my card for PaperTake Weekly Challenge. I used some papers from my stash and a forever Friends sticker to make a simple male card following the sketch.

I hope you like it

Zoe x

Forever Friends Challenge

2009-03-09T13:26:00.003Z

Over on Forever Friends there is a sketch challenge ...

I used some paper from my stash for the background, some Daisy & Dandelion paper for the one running down the middle. The topper is a sticker from a magazine. I mounted this on pearlescent paper and mounted it on the reverse of the main paper. I inked all the edges. The sentiment is handwritten.

The flower was pinched from the main paper and layered up and a gem added then I added it to a PM flower

Hope you like it

Zoe x

Clare Curd, CCT & Friday Sketchers Challenge

2009-03-09T10:54:00.005Z

Ive combined this card for a couple of challenges....

Over on Clare Curd's Blog the challenge is paper piercing using something from her signiture range. The handyman stamp and the black spotted paper is from her fab range!

Over on Cute card Thursday the challenge is wine and dine - so my little fella has a whole keg of beer and a bottle cap in the corner!

Over on Friday Sketcher's - they have a sketch to follow.

I covered a square card with Clare Curds spotted paper and used some PM paper to cut a circle. I just used a dish as a template and cut it free-hand, then edged it in black ink. ON the right hand side I found 3 scraps of paper and added them. I put some silver eyelets at the top and bottom of the silver paper.

I used a bottle top from my stash. The topper is Clare Curds male stamps. I stamped him, cut him out and added him to black card. I made small holes around the edge and finished it off with a white gel pen.

Hope you like me card

Zoe x

2009-03-04T20:42:00.003Z

No cards from me today - sorry

Ive had a busy day ....

Dropped the little one off at school then went off in the lovely sunshine to the local market with my friend. I got 3 packs FF stickers, some papers and a topper sheet - bargain price of £7.00. The stickers alone should have been £7.50

Then we popped into my work - I needed to check the prices of some stock I am demonstrating on Saturday. I have some money off vouchers for these new i-motion sensor thingy-mi-bobs. The ones that spray a puff of stuff when you walk past - anyway I thought they were only £6 and the vouchers were for £6 but, anyway, they are not. I have vissons of me getting mobbed as they worked out to be free. So if anyone ants a voucher for £6 off one, drop me a line n I'll send you one

Then we went to the local craft shop - I was really good and only bought a couple packs of paper and some sentiments. I went to my friends house, who makes cards if you didnt guess, and we had a good natter and a few cuppa's, then it was time to pick the kids up.

I took my little en to the dentist, we needed to register, so we did that and got an appointment. Ive got a very bad phobia about dentists so I am being brave going ith my son. I just hope I am brave and dont pass on my fear, but going with him makes me feel better about going.

Got home and I had 2 parels, one was my lovely blog candy. I was thrilled to bits, the other was pickles and onion stamp set that I had ordered off the net yesterday - very fast, cheap and free delivery - cutting edge crafts - Ive been to there shop and think they are brilliant.

But I was more chuffed to bits with my blog candy - the poor ickle elephants didnt get a look in tonight.

I have been messing tho - Ive a couple of cards to make for the Daisy & Dandelion Challenge blog, which I am a DT member, so Ive been having a play and I think Ive got the first one done - well in my head its done - on paper its not hehehe. I will get it done tomorrow, its on my craft table ready and waiting.

Ive had a quick blog hop, quick read of my emails and now I'm ready for bed

Zoe x

My little grandbaby

2009-03-03T09:57:00.001Z

Here is a scan picture of my little grandbaby. We had a little scare yesterday so my daughter had a scan to reasure her

Zoe (pround nana)

Papertake Weekly Challenge and Mojo Monday

2009-03-03T09:46:00.004Z

This is my challenge card for Papertake Weekly Challenge and Mojo Monday

The challenge this week is pink, orange and brown from Paperake Weekly and there is a sketch to follow from Mojo Monday.

The background sheet is a mixture of browns and oranges - not sure where it came from. The ribbon is velvet/glitter from PM and its such a rich brown - it just reminds me of chocolate ....yummy! There is a little bit of pink ribbon on either side of the velvet/glitter ribbon.

The bear is from Daisy and Dandelion's new stamp range. I coloured the feet and heart in pink gel pen. I added some pink gems along the bottom and a small sentient in the corner.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Torn Edges

2009-03-03T08:26:00.004Z

Here is my challenge card from A Spoon Full Of Sugar

The challenge this week is torn edges ...

I mounted my card in PM striped paper, then tore some more paper and attached it with brads. I die cut a frame with my nesties and added a topper made from a Penny Black stamp.

I hope you lke it

Zoe x

One Stop Craft Challenge - Simply Stunning

2009-03-02T14:20:00.003Z

Here is my challenge card for One Stop Craft Challenge.

Its simply stunning. All you have to do is create your craft piece but don't use any designer paper on it.

I decided to make a spring card, I mounted the main part with some gold card and some different gold card was embossed with the 'happy birthday' embossing folder from cuttlebug. I added a teddy made from circles and some flowers from PM. The base has sticky ribbon and some peel off stickers.

That was hard not to use any papers but I did it

Zoe x

Funky Fairys Challenge - Swirls

2009-03-02T12:43:00.003Z

Sorry this is a bad photo ....

Here is my challenge card for Funky Fairy's Challenge

The challenge this week is to use Swirls - you have to use one of their papers but there is some great free papers to download and have a try - see my side bar for the link.

I decided to think differently with this challenge - its taken me almost a week to come up with something different hehehe

I used some background papers from my stash, made a parcel type cross using ribbon, added a daisy & dandelion sticker, mounted on to card stock. I added some spare ribbons on the edge, added some buttons and added a flower. I printed off some swirls from the doodlementals range and cut them out and added them to my card.

I hope you like my card

Zoe x

Cute Daisy May Challenge

2009-03-02T12:24:00.004Z

I stumbled across a blog today. Cute Daisy May.

They have a sketch challenge. Although they have items to buy you dont have to use there items to enter. As I'm a bit strapped for dosh I thought I would enter then have a browse later.

Here is my card ...

Ive combined new and old in this challenge. I really need to use up some papers that Ive got lying around, so they have been dug out. The card was covered in blue paper then I found some PM papers and thought they would look nice. I cut these papers to the same size and added them to the card. On the flowers I used the daisy border from D&D stamps. I coloured them in using gel pens. On the striped paper I used the sentiment from D&D stamps and added some sticky ribbon as a border (another thing on my to use up list!)

I stamped some stars from the D&D stamps and coloured them in with gel pens. I added 2 PM flowers and I painted a gem from my stash in blue.

The topper is from th new Dandelion & Daisy range. These stamps are so easy to use. I stamped the image onto brown card and gave it a simple colour wash using shimmering paints. I stamped the image again onto blue card and cut out te heart and flower and attached them to the main image. I stamped the centre of the flower onto some more brown card and cut that out and added it to the flower.

I hope you like my card

Zoe x

2009-03-02T06:45:00.003Z

I am a happy bunny today ....

First of all it was my wedding anniversary yesterday. I had dropped BIG hints about getting some Daisy and Dandelion stamps. I want the full set but as money is a bit tight I settled for just one pack - the bears (Bubbles and Squeak). So hints we given .....

I was working at the weekend, so on the Saturday he went to the local craft shop to see if they had any come in early - but she said they wouldnt be out untill Tuesday. I was chuffed to bits my hints had worked and he had tried.

On the Sunday, our anniversary, I woke up, came to my computer to find a CD and a card. I went on the computer and found I had won some blog candy from Lorraine. Pop onto her site, I often blog hop onto it for inspirations. I was beaming from ear to ear.

At work I got a text - Ive got you some stamps. I was on cloud nine all day.

When I got home there were 2 sets - the bears and the dogs, I was so happy. Here's what he told me ....

He went to The Range as he thought that would be the best place to go, after looking round he couldnt find them, so he asked an assistant if she knew where the Daisys and Daffodill stamps were. The assistant was in fits of laughter at this point and in between giggles asked him if he had just started stamping and how nice to see a male crafting. He swifly explained that there were for his wife - anyway she said they were not on display yet and that they should be out by the end of the day. My hubby must have given a worried look so she asked him if he would be in the bad books if he didnt get any. He explained that it was our anniversary and that the stamps were the only thing I had asked for. So she set about looking through all the boxes to find them - she said she couldnt see me unhappy on my anniversary - so 20 minutes later, in the last box, there they were .....

A big thankyou to the range staff for going through all the boxes and now I am one happy bunny. I had a play last night but I will be playing more today. They are brilliant, nice size, brilliant quality and they stamp brilliant - I just love them.

I'm going to sort the kids out for school and college, come home, make a drink and play - my phone will be off and I wont be answering the door hehehe

Hope you all have a good day

Zoe x

ABC Challenge - C is for Childs Card

2009-02-28T06:33:00.003Z

This card is for the ABC Challenge.

Scooby Doo came from some packaging my son got for Christmas - perfect re-cycling! The background is PM for the boys paper collection. I cut 2 circles using the nestabilities dies, one in turquoise (some more packaging) and one in gold and I just layered them up. I used the excess from the backing paper to crate a band across the card and added black gems and a sentiment from my stash.

I like to keep kids cards simple, especially for boys.

Hope you like it

Zoe x

2009-02-24T19:19:00.003Z

I've not had any time to make any cards today - mind you the days not over yet

I am job hunting at the moment. I love my job but unfortunately the work is drying up and I am lucky if I get a couple of days a month - the credit crunch is really effecting me - so I decided to start job hunting last Friday. I just cant live on the money I get - I cant get the craft stuff I need hehehe

I phoned up about 3 jobs and was offered an interview from one of them. That's where I have been today. So fingers crossed!

Oh well

Zoe x

2009-02-23T17:14:00.004Z

I am such a happy bunny at the moment ...

I can announce that I am a design team member for Daisy and Dandelion Challenge Blog. Come and join in the fun with me.

This is the new range due out on 1st March - you can get some free downloads and also you can get some free stickers with 'Creativity' magazine. Pop along to the blog for more details.

I've also got a date for my op - i will be so glad to have it done and dusted its on FRIDAY the 13th March - just over 2 weeks. My lucky day hehehe.

Ive booked 5 weeks off work, so fingers crossed I will be able to make it to the demo at the Range on the 21st March hehehehe

FF and JC&B challenge

2009-02-23T13:57:00.008Z

I am such a happy bunny - I entered this card into Just Christmas and Birthday Cards and I won this. Isnt she cute? You can buy her from Rubbernecker

I've done it again and combined 2 challenge cards

Forever Friends challenge is 'Black and white' with permission to colour the bear. I painted him silver then a wash of brown, then silver again, although you can bearly see the brown.

I am loving sketch cards so when I saw this one on Just Christmas and Birthday Cards I originally was going to make a Christmas card, then changed my mind.

The papers were all from my stash and I added stitching and doodled. Its quite different not to have any patterns or colours, but I enjoyed the challenge.

2009-02-22T15:03:00.003Z

I've been craft shopping - on a very small scale. I am waiting for the 1st March for some new goodies thats due out. So I am trying so gard to hang on till then!

I picked up the creativity magazine yesterday and it had some free Daisy and Danelion stickers on it. I dont normally go for stickers but decided to make them into toppers. I am trying to wait as I have some news to share later - bit excited about it to be honest but keeping mum! Anyway, back to the stickers - I made them into toppers and I was quite impressed with them. So Ive been out and bought some male themed forever friends stickers too. Ive a lot of male cards coming up soon, Fathers day and a few birthdays so these seem to fit the bill for everyone I want to make a card for.

I alos picked up some silicone glue - cant live without the basics - and thats all I bought, see I was very good.

Ive pre-warned hubby that next month will be a BIG spend as Ive got my eye on some new goodies coming out next month.

Zoe x

Penny Black - Get Well Soon

2009-02-21T14:43:00.002Z

Sorry - the light seems to be terrible in this photo.

Image - Penny Black Flower Bear.

I used some lovely, flowery velum, no idea where it came from and some left over Forever Friends paper for the background. I used some flower eyelets and set them using my crop-o-dile.

The ribbon in the middle is some sticky, glittery ribbon I picked up from Skegness and the bottom is some sticky lace, it was cream but I painted it with my shimmering paints. The flowers, large red gems and diamond gems on the flowers came from my stash.

The pink background with X's and hearts on is some tea bag papers from a magazine and the card behind the teddy is some pearlescent card from my junk box.

The sentiment is a sticker I picked up from Leeds.

This card will come in handy as I am waiting to have an operation sometime in March so I have given it to my hubby so he can send it to me ... lol

One Stop Craft Challenge - Oriental

2009-02-21T13:17:00.001Z

The theme is oriental. I fancied a change from a square card so done this size instead. I find these a little more challenging as its always harder to fill the gaps

Anyway I started with PM Exquisite paper pack and covered the card stock.

The ribbon borders I have used at the tops, bottoms and side and down the centre, are from PM. I bought them last year for valentines day cards but I never got round to using them.

I used some black card and used the X cut corner punch and added some gems from my stash.

The topper is from the PM oriental collection. I used my nesties to cut a circle out of black glitter and gold mirror card.

I add sentiments as and when needed on my cards, thats why you rarely see any on my cards. (just in case you were wondering)

FFC ABC & FF

2009-02-20T14:57:00.000Z

Multi-Challenge

I've not had a lot of time on my hands this week, half term, ill kids, ill me etc, so I have combined 3 challenges in one (sorry everyone)

The milk carton came from Funky Fairy's Challenge. There challenge was to use a milk carton template and a paper from their collection. The main carton is made from 'The Swirls' collection. See the banner on my side-bar to get your free papers, they also have an online shop to buy more or perhaps, join in a challenge and win your very own.

The second challenge was from ABC Challenge. There challenge is onto the letter 'B' and the challenge this week is blue and brown. Ive used all blue's and brown's on my milk carton.

The third challenge was from Forever Friends Challenge Blog. Although I am not sure if this one will count as its a general birthday using Forever Friends products - its quite a 'general' item hehehe

I used the template - see funky fairy's blog for more details - I printed it onto white card, turned it over and printed the swirls pattern on the reverse. I made up the carton (very easy). I punched holes in the top part with my crop-o-dile and threaded blues and brown ribbon. I used my scalloped nestie to make a blue background and stamped a FF image and painted it. It was really easy to make ....

NOW, if anyone can guess whats inside - I will send them the contents :-)

Spread the word - I will keep it open a week

2009-02-15T18:33:00.000Z

My daughter is back home from hospital - at last!

I've had a re-vamp of my blog. I enjoy 'messing' so gave it a new banner and a new colour!

I've not done anything today - apart from sleep, I feel drained, all the hospital visits have taken there toll on me.

Kids are off school next week, so its going to be a tough week, looking after the little one and the invalid and me! I am just hoping that I get the call from the hospital for my operation. Just to know when its going to happen will be a weight off my shoulders.

Zoe x

Daisy & Dandelion

2009-02-14T09:00:00.000Z

Here is my card using the new Dandelion & Daisy range. I printed off the 2 backgrounds and the decoupage sheet.

I used the brown spots as my main background and edged it with gold ink. I cut a small piece of the purple and edged that with ink. The flowers on the bottom were on the sheet so I used these to trim the bottom. I added some purple ribbon above it and gems on the flowers.

I cut the decoupage out and edged the oval with gold ink and added 2 prima flowers in the corner.

Perfect for lots of occasions

Cute Card Thursday - Music and Dance

2009-02-13T14:08:00.000Z

Here is my card for the Music and Dance Challenge.

I am trying out different layouts and have done a few sketches for me to try out. I had some lovely music paper from a paper pad I picked up a couple of years ago and some Happy Birthday vellum, so I added one bit to one side and another bit to the other. I used gold sticky ribbon down thr middle and down the edge.

I found some more music paper and added a band towards the bottom and edged it with some peach coloured sticky ribbon. I had some spare so I made 2 little tabs to go onto the topper.

I used my crop-o-dile to punch holes down the sides and set them with a large brown eyelet. I also did this to the corners of the topper but used gold eyelets.

The image is from the smirk range - I coloured her in using pencils and gel pens and added extra notes with a gel pen.

I added 2 flowers using a gold brad and added a sentiment from my stash in the bottom corner.

Ive got a poorly daughter at the moment. She woke me up Thursday morning (2 o'clock) saying she was in agony. Her stomach was killing her and her shoulder hurt. I didnt hang about n took her to hospital. Her appendix had burst and she was rushed to theatre. She had to have a blood transfusion and is, fingers crossed, back on the mend again. I dread to think what would have happened if she hadnt woke me up!

Zoe x

Funky Fairys Challenge - Faux Stitching

2009-02-11T20:23:00.001Z

I am a happy bunny. This card won the challenge over at Funky Fairys. I was given this download as my prize. Lagoona. Its fantastic, prints like a dream and is well worth buying

As part of the challenge you have to use Funky Fairys papers. You can buy from the shop or download - link is on my side bar. This week you have to use Faux Stitching. I have had fun doing this challenge this week.

I printed 2 backgrounds, the flowers and a circle on one A4 sheet of thin card. I didnt end up using the circle. But just goes to show what you can achieve with just one sheet of card. I added the backgrounds to my card, then edged the borders with sticky ribbon. I did origonally add a circle that I had printed off but it seemed so lost so I changed it to a black circle. I cut the flowers out and added a gem to the centres.

The image is a magnolia stamp. I coloured her in using pencils and gel pens and added a blob or two of glitter glue. I added 2 flowers onto the black circle - although you can only make out one of them.

Then out came the gel pen to do the faux stitching - boy did I have fun - I have more ink on my hands than on the card tee hee

I have chosen the lovely free doodlementals paper and flowers

Zoe x

ABC Challenge Card - A is for Anniversary

2009-02-11T18:08:00.000Z

ABC Challenge Card ...

Here is my Anniversary Card. Its a decoupage image, circles cut from my nesties. The first paper is cream and gold from a set of papers from QVC the larger circle is gold card from my stash.

The background paper from Papermania paper. I added a gold/organza ribbon and attached a sentiment.

2009-02-11T07:57:00.000Z

No card making for me today - Ive got to go to work - boo hoo

Ive to go into town and shop! then Ive to go to another town and shop - with a detour to 2 craft shops! My job is soooooooo hard hehehehe!!!! Yes, I do get paid to shop!!

Oh I had a giggle today! We were walking through the market and they were shouting out the fruit and veg prices, as they do, and these young lads shouted ' I like to shout too' I suppose you had to be there to see how funny it was!!!

I did my HARD work of shopping!! and my pleasure shopping - crafts, although I didnt actually buy anything, I had fun browsing the craft shops. I did ant to go to a particular shop but it started snowing so we headed home!

Probally not funny for the fruit and veg owner, but funny for me to watch!

Zoe x

Forever Friends Challenge - Valentine

2009-02-10T16:34:00.001Z

The challenge is to make a Valentine's Day card. Mine is aimed for our anniversary on the 1st March but is just about passable for Valentines too.

I used the Forever Friends paper pack 'Just for him'. I cut the teddy out and some of the backgroud paper. I doodle around the semi-circle with a gel pen and edged the topper with a brown ink pad. I attached some sticky border to the bottom. I wrote 'I love you' freehand with a gel pen.

The main background is PM's 'For him' paper pack. I covered the card and the left over bits I stamped 'Especially for you' in black ink. I inked around the edges and stuck it to the side of the topper.

The dotty paper is from an old PM paper pack. I inked the edges and added some more sticky border to the top.

I had some cream flowers so I used an ink pad to change the colour and attached them with a brad! The cream flower is in the display to show you.

One stop craft challenge 15 - Circles

2009-02-10T13:51:00.001Z

Here is my 'circles' card.

I used a smirk stamp. I stamped onto some dotted paper then again on some white card and decoupaged her. I used green dotted paper for the background as a a contrast I used some green gigham card. I cut 2 circles out with my nestibilties die and edged them with an ink pad. I used a circle sentiment from my stash and added 2 large round gems and 2 gold circles down the edge. The butterfly ribbon, from the smirk range, has dots on the background!

Circles and dots! I think it will make me dotty for the rest of the day hehehe

Funky Fairys Challenge - Dots and Ribbons

2009-02-10T13:23:00.000Z

I used the lovely free papers 'Christmas Pink dots' I printed it out as a square and left a border of white paper then mounted it to a square card.

I got some pink spotted paper from Papermania and rubbed a brown ink pad round the edges. I then used a brown gel pen to doodle dots around the edge.

I had some lovely shocking pink dotted sticky ribbon so I attached this to the lower half of the card.

I found some pretty pink ribbon and made a bow using my bow maker then added a bit of sticky ribbon around the bow. I added 3 gems.

The image is a magnolia stamp - she also has a ribbon in her hair. The background paper behind the topper is some free papers from a magazine - this has dots on too.

I used my nestibilities scallopped die to make more curves. I will be seeing spots all day hehehe

Oriental Splendour - Challenge from Daring Card Makers

2009-02-10T10:17:00.000Z

The challenge is to make an oriental card by NOT using black or red. Well apart from the little bits of black in th image - IVE DONE IT!!!

This is a purple pearlescent card. The background is vellum. Its from a paper stack I picked up in a craft shop. The topper is a decoupage sheet. I cut the sheet out using my nestibilities die and added the butterflys over it. It looks quite effective. The background is the square, scallopped die added at an angle with gems in the corners. I used sticky ribbon at the top and bottom to attach the vellum.

Hooked!

2009-02-10T10:03:00.000Z

I've only been blogging 2 days and I am hooked on the challenges and blog candy! Wow this blogging world is amazing and such an inspiration for getting me motivated to make cards again.

Anyway - off to get some more challenge cards done x

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Romance

2009-02-09T17:43:00.001Z

Here is my Penny Black Saturday Challenge. The theme is romance. You have to use a Penny Black image in this challenge. I have used the stamp 'Decent'. I felt it was romantic as the mouse was 'falling'. So I wrote on the image 'I've fallen for you ...'.

The background paper was free in a magazine. I never seem to use freebies but this seem just perfect for the card. The scallopped edge has gems and heart going all the ay around the card.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 37

2009-02-09T15:50:00.000Z

This challenge involved following a sketch - something which I am new to, and as this is only my second challenge card, well, I am loving it. I messed up a diddy bit and stuck the ribbon on the bottom instead of the side - but I just added another bit to it hehehe

I used High Hope's pirate stamp - I just love any excuse to use this stamp!

***********************

Here is the sketch from A spoon full of Sugar's blog

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 46

2009-02-09T13:40:00.001Z

I used lots of metalic things in this card, metalic background paper, brads, metalic ribbon metalic sentiment and gems. I hope you like my card

Zoe x

*************************************

Challenge 46

Metallica

Very simple one, use some metal on your card i.e. charms, wire, spacers, eyelets, metal coloured card, fabric or paper etc.

*************************************

We have a fabulous new sponsor this week,Emma from Something Sweet is a Stampin' Up Demonstrator and is offering us a fantastic prize!
A scallop edge punch, some designer paper and ribbon.
Go and check out her blog for more offers on Stampin' Up products!

(Text copied from Cute Card Thursday Blog)

2009-02-09T11:06:00.000Z

I've been playing with my new 'Smirk' stamps again. I stamped her on pink spotted paper then again on white card. I coloured her in using glittered gel pens and cut her out. I added her using foam pads. I cut the circles with my nestibilities die and edged them with an ink pad.

I used some green gingham glitter card from my stash and attached it to the green spotted paper from my stash. The ribbon is from the 'Smirk' range - 99p for 3 metres (Bargain!)

2009-02-08T20:57:00.000Z

A recycled Christmas card for 2009. I covered my square card from a Christmas paper stack. I cut out the image using the circle nestibilities die and a larger silver one to mount it on. I added some ribbon across the middle.

I made these cards as notelets. The decoupage sheet was large enough to cover the whole card and I used a few elements from the rst of the decoupage sheet to decoupage it. Simple but effective.

I covered the card in blue and white checked paper from my stash. I cut squares and scalloped squares using my nestibilities die. In each of the scalloped edges I used my crop-o-dile to punch holes. I matted and layered all the squares and added gems in the corners. The image is a decoupage sheet. I added ribbon and a sentiment from my stash to break the card up and another sentiment and blue buttons towards the bottom of the card. I finished it off with eyelets in the top corners.

Backing paper and butterflys from the 'Birthday Collection' kit. I added flowers and a sentiment from my stash.

I sut out a scalopped square and used my crop-o-dile to punch holes around the edge. I used sticky ribbon on the top and bottom of the card. The main image is a decoupage sheet. I finished it off with gems in the corner.

2009-02-08T20:16:00.000Z

Some very simple Christmas cards for 2009, simply decoupaged and matted onto gold card and added to a square card.

The backing paper is Forever Friends. I used a second sheet to decoupage it. I added an eyelet in the corner using my crop-o-dile. I've not added a sentiment as I am not sure if it will be a Father's Day card or a birthday card.

This backing paper is some I got cheap online. I covered the card and added gems to the centre of each flower. I decoupaged the main image and matted it onto gold card.

I covered a square card with black paper and added a Kaban image. I layered it onto a piece of silver scalloped card using my nestibilities. I added some left over borders from my Christmas stash and added a sentiment from my stash.

Another recycled card. I covered the card in some backing paper from a Christmas paper stack. Cut out the image using the circle die cut and added it to a gold circle. I put some green ribbon at the bottom and added a sentiment from my stash.

2009-02-08T19:33:00.000Z

This is a card for my Dad to give my mum ...

I used some silver hearts holographic paper (not normally a fan of this but it works well) The topper is a decoupage. I added some green and black shiny ribbon - it looks better in real life! Like scales of a dragon. Very simple card to make.

This one is recycled from a card I was given. I matted and layered all the elements onto a pearlescent card. I added some sticky ribbon to the bottom and some gems from my stash. I made a ribbon using silver ribbon with my bow maker (a very handy tool which doesn't get used as much as it should)

The background paper is from PM Love collection. The topper is a decoupage sheet. I added a gold, glittered flower. I attached it with a brad. The hearts were some padded hearts I found in my stash.

2009-02-08T18:29:00.000Z

Ive been a busy bee today - taking and adding photos to my blog!

Tinkerbell came from a decoupage book, the background paper was in the book too. I used pink gingham card, gold mirror card and some cream glitter card to make the topper backgrounds. I cut the squares using my nestibilities dies. I added some pink ribbon to conceal the join in the paper and added to gems and a sentiment from my stash.

The background paper was from a kit from QVC (I think!! I shared it with a friend and she ordered it) From the waste of the paper I made a band across the card, matted it onto gold card, and added pink gems from my stash across it. I cut a large circle out of gold card and mounted a decoupage topper.

The background paper was from PM Exquisite paper pack. I cut a circle out of the waste from the card above and mounted this onto gold card and attached the decoupage topper.

I put some ribbon across the bottom and added a sentiment and a bow from my stash.

This is a square card. The inside was covered with a range from PM - it was one of the first paper packs I bought. I added peel off borders to the edge and gems in the corners from my stash. The front of the card is from Forever Friends paper pack. I added it to card and cut round the bear, keeping the brown background behind him and attached him to the front of the card.

2009-02-08T13:54:00.002Z

Some more the men ...

I used a decoupage sheet for the topper. I used PM 'For the boys' for the background and used the excess to create a strip to break the card up and mounted it onto orange card from my stash. I added gems to the strip.

Again, for the boys backing paper. I used a decoupage sheet for the topper and mounted it onto orange and brown card from my stash. I used some more brown card to create a strip across the bottom and added a peel off.

The backing paper was printed off the Internet as I had no suitable paper. I used my nail file to scuff the edges to make the map look used and old. I attached it to the card using eyelets and my crop-o-dile to set them. The sentiment is from my stash. The pirate is a High Hopes stamp which I bought from a craft fair at the School for the Deaf in Doncaster. I coloured him in using glittered gel pens and shimmering paints.

2009-02-08T13:40:00.001Z

Some more cards ...

This one is from the Penny Black clear stamps. I just stamped it in black ink and left it! Easy peasy! I wrote 'I love ewe' freehand. The backing paper is PM (cant remember the name of the paper pack - sorry) I used nestibilities dies for the toppers and just added stitches with a gel pen. I used some plain, white paper to make a border and added 2 black gems from my stash.

I used the same paper pack as the sheep card. On one sheet I stamped and 'Happy Birthday' and embossed it to give it a shiny, raised effect. The paper had stars on the background so I added some other stars from my stash. The sentiment was from my stash, matted and layered on silver card. I added gems in the corner from my stash.

The backing paper came from the 'Birthday collection' so I used this as backing paper. The girl is a magnolia stamp - I painted her using shimmering paints. The paper she is mounted on is from an old range of PM paper (sorry don't know the name of the pack). I added flower eyelets with my crop-o-dile. The eyelets came in a PM set with ribbons, brads, flowers etc.

2009-02-08T09:09:00.000Z

This one was a collection of oriental cards I made, unfortunatley I didnt take any photos of the ones I sold. I managed to remember to take this one. I used PM 'Exquisite paper collection' backing paper and a decoupage sheet for the topper. I used some pink, shimmer card to mount the topper on. I cut it out using my nestabilities.

I have spares of this decoupage if you would like to buy it from me. I charge 50p a sheet and £1.00 for p&p but you can buy 10 sheets for the same delivery price.

This is another 'Smirk' card. I made this last night after 'blogging'. I used PM Inspirations Colossal Paper pack for the background paper. I stamped the image straight onto some more PM paper from the same paper pack and then stamped her again onto white card - I cut her out and decoupaged her onto the first image. I coloured her in using glittered gel pens. I added some PM ribbon and a PM flower. I attached the flower using a 'gold gem' brad.

This card, well I am not quite happy with it but I will show it anyway .... I used a topper from Kabban and its not as clear as I hoped it would be, the quality lets it down, which is a shame. I used some PM backing paper - its from one of the first collections of PM I bought quite a while ago now. I think its called The collosal' paper pack.

One for the men .... the topper is a dcoupage sheet, again I have spares of this image. I used my crop-o-dile to add some eyelets to this card as I think they just finish off a male card. I used PM 'For him' paper pack. I matted and layered the topper on brown card from my stash and added some to the edge of the card. I added a peel off (although I am not a peel off fan) I thought it just finished it off and went well with the eyelets.

2009-02-07T20:30:00.000Z

I thought it was about time I started blogging my card/craft journey ...

Me and hubby had a drive around today starting at The Range ... I got some of the new 'Smirk' stamps and I love them, my creative juices had dried up since Christmas but they are flowing again .... I also got 3 rolls of ribbon, 4 Smirk wooden stamps and the 'Naughty but Nice' clear stamps, some PM ink pads and a white gel pen. I was quite good today :-)

We then went to a garden centre that has a craft range but there was nothing that caught my eye - wow a first! I went to a craft shop and I didn't buy anything. I must be ill - help! hehehe

When we got home I started 'playing' straight away .....

The first card is from the 'Naughty but Nice' clear stamps. I only got one set of clear stamps in case I didn't like them - as soon as I can I will be back to buy the other set cos I LOVE em!!!

I started off with a blank square card and cut some plain pink card to fit, before adding it I attached some spotted PaperMania Love colossal paper pack. I edged the paper with a bronze PM ink pad. I them added some PM pink glitter sparkling trims ribbon and glued it to the underneath of the pink card. I then carefully added this to my card leaving a border around the edge.

I used nestabilities to cut the black scalloped paper from my stash and a plain circle of white from my stash. I stamped the image and added the sentiments from the set - I wrote 'BUT' freehand. I coloured her in using glittered gel pens.

This card as made using a wooden stamp from the Smirk collection - the 'Fairy Princess'. I backed my card stock in a pretty pink and white checked paper from my stash. I added a butterfly ribbon from the 'Smirk' collection.

I have some beautiful pink card, which I sadly cannot find in any shops anymore, so I used this to make the scalloped circle - again using the nestabilities dies. I used the same spotted paper from the Love collection. I stamped straight onto the paper, then stamped the image onto white card and the wings were stamped onto vellum. This gave it a 3D effect. I coloured it in using gel pens. I added 3 gems in the corner from my stash.

I've decided to start taking part in a few challenges - if anyone stumbles across my blog and see's anything they think I might be interested in, please feel free to leave a link for me to TRY and join in.

I hope you enjoyed my blog - be sure to pop back soon

Zoe x

Time to blog ....

2008-12-28T19:30:00.000Z

Welcome to my blog ....

I am hoping to do a journal of my craft-life and hope you enjoy the journy with me.

I hope you enjoy my blog x