Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I'm back!! Recovered from my op, all went well although my consultant has said it was a very difficult operation and I lost a bit of blood. When I came round after the op I had so many tubes coming out of me it was unbelievable. Anyhow I haven't managed to do any crafting whatsoever since my op but shall ease myself back in very soon. I have managed to get my christmas shopping done though but really must start wrapping it all up...only 3 days left..arrrghhh!!

We have had tons of snow around here the past few days, it is so pretty but I really don't like driving in snow so my dad has been driving me back and forth to my hospital appointments. I took the picture above on Friday last week, it was taken just near to our house and is so pretty, the sun was just begining to shine through the trees.

I shall be blog hopping through your blogs to see what I have been missing, I am sure there are lots of lovely christmas cards to hop through.

Take care and have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.

Regards

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 36 - Sparkle

Ok so I have scheduled this post because I will be in hospital on Wednesday recovering from an op so fingers crossed this post does actually go live. This will be my last card for a few weeks, as soon as I am up on my feet and comfortably sitting I will get some cards made to pass the time.

This week's challenge over at Creative Inspirations is Sparkle. We want to see glitter galore on your cards so let loose and release the glitter lol, this could get messy!! I absolutely love glitter and especially at Christmas, all my cards are glittered to within an inch of their lives lol.

Our sponsor this week is Mo's Digital Pencil Too and she has sent us this wonderful digi image to use. Since receiving this image I have downloaded a few more because they are such great quality and are lovely to colour.

Hop on over to Creative Inspirations to see what the wonderful prize will be this week and please please please check out the DT members blogs to see their cards for this week's challenge.

The elements I have used for my card are:-

Image - "Skating" by Mo's Digital Pencil Too
Image coloured with Promarkers, Sakura Pens and Glitter
Papers - Papermania "Deck the Halls"
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Nesties "Labels One"
Scalloped Cardstock from Craftwork Cards
Snowflakes cut using a Cuttlebug Snowflake Die

Thanks for looking and I hope to see you all shortly when I am back on my feet.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 35 - New or Neglected

Hi, Sorry for the delay in posting this week's challenge, I have been very busy preparing for a craft fair which I decided to attend yesterday. I wish I hadn't bothered, the weather was terrible, it was pouring with rain and the wind was horrendous. A few people did venture out but not many. I sold 5 cards in all, 3 to my brother and 2 to an old school friend. However after speaking to other people there they also didn't sell much at all so I take heart from that that my cards are not complete crap lol.

Anyhow onto this week's challenge over at Creative Inspirations which is to use something new or neglected on your card. I chose to use one of my new Sugar Nellie stamps which I have had for a little while but have not used before. So you could choose something that lies in the bottom of your craft drawer that has been neglected as of late....go on, give it an airing and get it out and bring it back to life.

The prize this week is a $10 gift certificate from Digital Delights...wow, I want that!!

Please also don't forget to take a look at the other DT members blogs to see their wonderful cards for this week's challenge, you will not be disappointed.

The elements I used for my card are:-

Image - Sugar Nellie
Image coloured with Promarkers and glitter
Papers - Papermania "Rose Tinted Christmas"
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Pink Bazzill Bling Card edged with my Martha Stewart Lace Doily Punch
Oval Nesties

A lovely simple card I think you will agree and my brother actually bought this off me at the craft fair so someone is in for a treat!

Thanks for looking, cya next week.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 34 - Red & Black

Another great challenge over at Creative Inspirations this week. The theme we have this week is Red & Black. I couldn't decide what papers to use so eventually decided on using the spotted paper from Clare Curd's "The Big One" by Papermania, I love spotted paper. I had also just bought a few more new stamps including this one, isn't that little mouse so cute....I wonder what he has done eh? The stamp is called "Max Letter" by Stampendous. I coloured the image using my trusty Promarkers. The christmas trees are peel offs that I stuck onto dotted paper and then cut out. I love these peel offs as they are very sparkly and I love anything that sparkles.

Please have a go at this challenge and don't forget to check out the other DT members cards and blogs, they are so inspirational.

Well only another week before I go into hospital...yikes! I have my pre-op appointment tomorrow but luckily I have this week off as holiday and then I shall be off until after I have recovered from my op which will probably be in the New Year.

One good thing about being off is I have made about 5 christmas cards in the last two days, that is a lot for me, I can only usually manage one a day....I am such a slow coach. I am seriously considering having a table at a little Christmas craft fair that is taking place in Baldock next weekend. I always wonder if my cards are good enough that anyone would want to buy. I think I will see how much it costs and if it isn't too expensive I will give it a go and count my losses if I don't sell anything.

That's all from me for now, I will be on again before I go into hospital.

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Happy Halloween

I just wanted to say Happy Halloween to you all. I hope you all have a spooky day. It's my niece Shannon's birthday today and she will be 14 so Happy Birthday Shannon.

Hope we get lots of trick or treaters tonight....can't wait.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 33 - Decorate a paper bag

The fabulous challenge over at Creative Inspirations this week is to decorate a paper bag. Now if you are anything like me, I have never done it before and I am sure there are loads of you out there who haven't either. So come on gals, gather your bags and crafting tools and get started, you might even make something to put some christmas presents in this year instead of wrapping them, wouldn't that be great.

The prize this week is some gorgeous ribbons from our sponsor Crafty Ribbons. I totally love ribbons and I have used some on my bag this week.

Don't forget to check out what the the other DT members have come up with, all totally gorgeous this week I must say.

The elements I used to decorate my bag are:-

I got my bag from a sandwich shop lol.....there you go, didn't really cost me anything lol
Image - Digi Image from Mo's Digital Pencils
Image coloured with Promarkers and I have also added some glitter too.
Ribbon from stash I also used one of my Martha Stewart punches
Paper - Penny Black "Snowflakes"
I also used some off white Bazzil Bling

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 32 - Halloween

Hi everyone, another fabby challenge over at Creative Inspirations this week for you. Halloween is the name of the game...we want to see your lovely Halloween cards. Isn't Halloween getting really popular now, I love it, I love to see everyone dressed up in their spooky outfits, we always buy lots of goodies for the trick and treaters...can't wait.

There are two prizes for this week's challenge so hot foot it over to the Creative Inspirations Challenge blog and check them out.....click here to be taken to the blog.

For my card I made my first ever penny slider card...yay, I think it's fab, the little skull spins and slides from side to side.

Anyhow, the elements I used for my card are:

The penny slider card kit I bought from Create & Craft.
Image - Sugar Nellie - "Little Witch"
Image coloured with Prismacolor Pencils
Papers: Bo Bunny "Boo Crew Strip" and "Boo Crew Dot" both double sided
Skull and spider embellishments from My Minds Eye Sheet of elements

Hope you like the card.

for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 31 - Family

Hi and thanks to everyone who joined our challenge last week, all the entries were wonderful.

This week's theme over at Creative Inspirations is Family! Another easy challenge, Christmas is fast approaching so I am sure you are all getting busy making your family and friends Christmas cards, I know I am lol.

The DT cards this week are totally amazing so please go and check them out to get some inspiration for your entry this week.

The fabulous prize this week has been donated by Wags n Whiskers so make sure you check our what's on offer over at the Creative Inspirations Blog.

The elements I used for my card are:-

The stamp was purchased from from Craft Addicts. I have mislaid this at the moment so cannot give the name of it but will update as soon as I find it.

I coloured the stamp using Promarkers and I used glitter for his beard and the trimmings on his hat.

I used black card which I put through the Cuttlebug using the snowflake embossing folder. I also used red glitter board which I then used my Martha Stewart punch to make the zig zag effect. I then highlighted some of the snowflakes on the black card using a Sakura clear glitter pen.

"With love at Christmas" sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

Thanks for looking.

Joy x

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 30 - Sketch

Hello everyone, I hope you are all having a great week. It's time for another challenge at Creative Inspirations today. We have a lovely sketch for you all to follow this week and what a great sketch it is. I personally love sketches because I am always trying to think of new layouts but usually end up with an old one that everyone has seen before. Now Christmas is fast approaching so I decided to make my card on a christmas theme as I have many to make especially as I am going to be out of action for a few weeks before Christmas.

Please pop on over to the blog and see what wonderful prize we are giving away this week to one lucky winner and don't forget to check out the DT cards for inspiration.

Anyhow here are the elements I used in my card:-

Image - House Mouse "Stocking full of love"
Coloured with Promarkers
Papers - DCWV "Rose Tinted Christmas"
Flowers purchased at Ally Pally Craft Show
Sentiment and Card Blank - Craftwork Cards
Papers matted onto pink Bazzil Bling Card
Glitter

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspiration - Challenge 29 - Letters/Numbers

Well are you ready for another challenge, we have a great challenge for you over at Creative Inspirations this week. We would like to see letters or numbers on your card. When I made my card I felt a bit of a fraud but "Boo" is letters right lol! Anyhow, I made my card using a fab die cut sheet by My Minds Eye....it had all the elements on it which I popped right out and put on my card. The backing paper is also by My Minds Eye although sadly I forget the name. I also managed to use my fab new Martha Stewart punch which I bought at the Ally Pally Craft Show on Saturday. I went along with my lovely niece Georgia and we had great fun, it was Georgia's first time in London and she loved the train journey there.

Oh I nearly forgot, this week's prize is by Paper Angels and they have given us some lovely animal templates....come on, you have just got to enter to win these beauties.

You might remember in my last post I said I was having some health issues and had a hospital appointment. Well I went for my appointment on Monday and sadly I need to go into hospital for an operation on November 16. I am going to be in hospital for 3 days and then off work for possibly 6-8 weeks. My consultant gave me a scan and it has been discovered that I have cysts on both ovaries, possibly two on one of them as well as some endometriosis. That would explain the excruciating pain I have been in at times. I did have a similar operation 8 years ago and never thought I would have to go through it again but I suppose you can never be too sure. I'll probably be laid out flat for a fair while because they cannot do it by keyhole surgery so I don't know how I am going to manage without being able to make cards. I am hoping I recover enough to sit so I can try and do a little card making otherwise I will be bored out of my mind.

Anyhow that's my news for now. I look forward to seeing your creations this week and shall be blog hopping to have a good nose around.

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 28 - Autumn/Fall

Firstly an apology, I have been a very bad blogger recently, time seems to run away from me, I only seem to have time to craft at weekends recently and then I just feel so tired. I am also suffering with excruciating stomach pains on and off. I am off to see a consultant at my local private hospital on Monday(thank god for private health insurance through work). I had a large cyst removed 8 years ago from my ovary and the gyne said I had a bit of endemetriosis so I think the pain is caused by this getting worse over the years. I am hoping he can help me get rid of the pain that I am experiencing preferably without an op but we will have to see. I will update my blog when I have some news so please bear with me if I am not on here as often as I would like.

Well it's the Alexandra Palace Craft Show this weekend and I cannot decide whether to go or not. I enjoyed it when I went earlier in the year but I am so undecisive. Hmmm what to do!

For this week's Creative Inspirations challenge we have another easy challenge for you, Summer is nearly all but gone so we would like to see what you can make with the theme of Autumn/Fall. I've never made a card with this theme before but I have had my papers for this card for well over a year lol so I finally got to use them yay!

Anyhoo the elements I used for my card are:-

Card Blank - Craftwork Cards
Papers - Karen Foster Design "Autumn Leaves" and "Autumn Collage"
Image - Magnolia (sorry not sure of the name as someone kindly sent it to me)
Image coloured with Promarkers
Ribbon from stash

The image was matted and layered onto Bazill Bling and Bazill Basics card

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 26 - Sketch with brads and/or eyelets

It's time for another challenge over at the lovely Creative Inspirations and this week we have a lovely sketch for you all to follow with the added task of adding brads and/or eyelets. That's easy peasy, we all love brads don't we, some of us love eyelets. I must admit I very rarely buy eyelets, I don't know why but I am always buying brads in all different colours.

Please hop on over to the blog and see all the lovely DT creations to give you some inspiration this week, they are all totally fab.

The elements I used for my card are:-

Papers - All by Paper Adventures "Green Stripe", "Green Butterflies" and "Natural Dots"
Image - Coffee Kiki La Rue (Digi Image from All That Scraps)
All matted and layered onto pink Bazzil Bling card.
Image coloured with Promarkers and Stardust Sakura Pens
Papermania Brads
Scalloped card blank and Sentiment from Craftwork Cards
Green Organza Ribbon from stash

Hope you like the card and thanks for looking.

Enjoy what's left of your weekend.

Joy xx

PCP September Challenge - Christmas

Well, this is Creative Inspirations second challenge over on Papercraft Planet and it looks like it might be our last due to there not being enough entries to keep it going. Oh well, we gave it a shot, it would have been nice to have a second challenge running on a monthly basis but it is not to be.

Now everyone loves Christmas, well most people, there are a few bah humbugs out there but I am sure they are far outnumbered lol. Us card makers love a bit of glitter and snow don't we!! I certainly love Christmas so hope you like my card. It's time we all started on our xmas cards so why not have a go at this challenge at the same time, come on, what ya got to lose eh?

The elements I used for my card are:-

Stamp - Penny Black "Majestic"
Papers - Craft Creations "Christmas Scrolls Blue/Grey" and "Crystal Snow" by Heidi Grace Designs which is manufactured by Fiskars

I layered the papers onto Bazzil Bling card in a colour called "Blind Date"

Sentiment by Craftwork Cards

I stamped the image using Stazon and then covered with black sparkly embossing powder and then heat embossed the image, it doesn't show on the picture but the tree is sparkly.

Thanks for looking and I hope to see you over at Papercraft Planet.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 25 - Blue & Brown

This week over at Creative Inspirations we have a colour scheme for you - blue and brown. I really like this theme as it also works really well for Christmas Cards as well as also making your cards look classy.

The prize we have for you is a selection of sheen ribbons from our lovely sponsor Crafty Ribbons. Why not pop on over to the Creative Inspirations Blog and see a picture of the ribbons up for grabs.

The items I used for my card are:-

Digi Image from The Greetings Farm called "Pretty Head Lily".
Image coloured with Promarkers.
Papers by Dream Street Papers LLC.
Liquid Pearls.
Sentiment and Card Blank by Craftwork Cards.

I look forward to seeing all the entries this week.

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 24 - Friendship Cards

The challenge over at Creative Inspirations is to make a friendship card. I love making friendship cards so this was always going to be easy. The prize this week is a one month guest designer spot at Creative Inspirations, how exciting is that!!

For my card the image is a download called KIKI La Rue from All That Scraps, isn't she great, you can also buy these images as rubber stamps but I wanted to get my hands on this image quickly so decided on the digi download. I coloured Kiki with my trusty Promarkers The paper I used is by Making Memories and is called "Ella Die Cut Flowers". I also used some blue and peach coloured Bazill Bling, the flowers are by Prima and the brads are by Papermania.

Please come and join in the challenge this week, I shall be blog hopping to see what you all come up with.

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

DT Card for Creative Inspirations - Challenge 23 - Spots, Dots & Circles

This weeks theme is Spots, dots and circles. For this Challenge we are being sponsored by Penny from Creations by Penny! If you havent already checked out her images you should do!! So we are offering one lucky winner 4 digital images from creations by penny of their choice!!!


For my card I have used the Manga Girl stamp by Sugar Nellie. I coloured my image with Promarkers. The spotty paper I have used is from "The Big One" stack by Clare Curd. I also used my fabulous new heart border punch by Martha Stewart. My scalloped card is from Craftwork Cards and the coloured card is by Papermania. The sentiment is also from Craftwork Cards.

I look forward to seeing your creations this week, don't forget to pop on over to the Creative Inspirations Blog to see the other design team inspiration.

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

I Love Promarkers - Challenge 2 - Sketch

I love this challenge, in fact I was a finalist in the first challenge but sadly didn't win but that's ok, taking part is such fun, I love the wonderful sketches.

This week I decided to use one of Willow Design's digi downloads...isn't it fab, my first christmas card for 2009! The download is called "All I want for Christmas is.......". I have coloured the image with my trusty Promarkers. I used some green Bazzil Basics for half of the card and the christmas tree paper is called "Festive" and it is by KI Memories. I punched the flowers out of green and red Bazzil Basics and added Making Memories brads and a spacer from my stash. I then added some red liquid pearls to the corners of my card to look like red brads. The scalloped card blank I have used is by Craftwork Cards and I bought these last week at the Stamperama Craft Show in Stevenage...I love craft shows, can't wait for Ally Pally next month! The sentiment is also from Craftwork Cards, you can never have enough sentiments on standby. I usually create my own on my laptop but I decided to invest in some for a change.

Anyway, I hope you like the card, thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 22 - Gift (Bag, Box etc)

This week we would like to see you create something that can be used as a Gift for someone. There are lots of different things you could come up with for this theme so I can't wait to see what you all make!

The prize is a collection of Maya Road Fresh Chipboard - Royalty Crowns. Pop on over to the blog to see a picture of the prize, it looks great. Don't forget to have a look at what the other design team members have come up with, they're all fab.

I decided to make a little gift box. The instructions for this box I found on the Splitcoast Stampers website here, why not take a look for yourself and have a go. I have never made a box before and I was chuffed with how easy it was and how it turned out. In fact my mum used it as a gift box the very same week.

I used white hammered card from The Papermill for my box. The papers I used for covering my box are by Dream Street Papers LLC. I then used my circle and circle scalloped nesties to make the topper and added a sentiment circle....ta da....easy peasy!

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 20 - Doodling

For this weeks challenge, we would like to see some Doodling somewhere on your card.

The prize this week has been donated by Louise over at Paper Angels. Here is a bit about paper angels;

Here at Paper Angels, we want you to not only have fun browsing our large range of craft supplies but also gain inspiration from our project gallery and make new crafty friends in our forum.

Whether your heart lies with scrapbooks, card making, rubber stamping, mini books or decoupage, you’ll find a wide selection of products at Paper Angels.

Paper Angels has donated an Animal Antics template, it includes 6 animals. Worth £14!!

Don't forget to check out all of the other design team cards for inspiration, they are all totally fab (although I am biased lol).

The elements I used for my card are:-

Image - Whiff of Joy
Image coloured with Promarkers
Papers - Dream Street Papers LLC
Flowers cut out with my nesties
Pearl Adhesive Stones

Please join us this week, it is a fab challenge, I know I never doodle on cards but I think I will from now on, it adds something a bit different, you can do whatever you like. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations Monthly Challenge at PCP

Hello Everyone!

I would just like to tell you that we have started our own group over at :-

PAPER CRAFT PLANET.

There we will be able to discuss each weeks challenges with you and offer any help or advice that you need!

Anybody who is member over there is able to join, and if your not a member then there's nothing stopping you now! lol

Also to make this group extra special we will hold a monthly Challenge for our blog exculsively on Paper Craft Planet for all those lovely people who join!

So what you waiting for?!
Click HERE to be taken there right away and join us! This months challenge is to make : An Everyday Card & Tag Set. A nice and easy challenge for us to start with! The prize this month is a mix of stamped Images & Various Embellishments!

My card and tag for this challenge were made using the boy Manga stamp from Sugar Nellie, isn't he fab, he makes a great boy's card and tag.

The elements I used are:-
Stamp - Manga - Sugar Nellie
Image coloured with Promarkers
Papers - Papermania Clare Curd "The Big One"
I also used blue Bazzil Bling and Brown Pearlescent card
Sentiment generated on my laptop
I also used my Martha Stewart zig zag punch
I used my nesties to make the tag and used the same papers and stamp too. I then added a piece of brown ribbon to the top and punched through it and added an eyelet to finish it off.

Thanks for looking and I hope you like the card. Please join us and have a go at this, I never usually make tags but they are a great idea.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 19 - Kickstand Card

It's that time again, challenge time. This week our challenge is for you to make a Kickstand Card.I love these cards as they look so different and really do make the image on your card get all the attention. Looking forward to seeing what you all produce!

The prize this week is one download of ANY choice from:-

For my card this week I have used:-

Image: Popcorn Bear by Crafters Companion coloured with Promarkers.
Papers - Papermania "The Big One" by Clare Curd.
Sentiment also by Crafters Companion.

Thanks for looking and I hope to see your entry for this challenge very soon.

Joy xx

I love Promarkers Challenge 1

This is a brand new challenge which I first saw on Facebook. There is a wonderful sketch to follow which is totally fab so I just had to have a go and to top it off there is a wonderful prize so you would be silly not to enter really eh!!

Here is my card and I had to use one of my brand new Sugar Nellie stamps, I can't wait for more of these, I have two so far and can't wait to get my hands on the others lol, I really need to stop spending money.

The elements I used for my card are:-

White hammered card from The Papermill
Blue Bazzil Bling Card
Image - Sugar Nellie
Image coloured with Promarkers
Paper - Cherry Arte "Tropics - Flower Power"
Sentiment - Crafters Companion

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 18 - Distressing

This week's challenge over at Creative Inspirations is "Distressing". Remember, it doesn't have to be a card, it can be anything you like.

Now distressing is something I have never done before, never even attempted it. I made this card in a bit of a rush, I was late home from work due to problems on the tube so that made me miss my train :o( However I am quite pleased with how it turned out. If you've never tried this before please have a go, it isn't as difficult as you might think.

Please hop on over to the Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog to have a look at this week's prize, I am sure you won't be disappointed and make sure you check out the other design team members cards this week, plenty of inspiration for you there.

The elements I used for my card are:-

Image - The Greetings Farm
Image coloured with Promarkers
Papers - Paper Pizazz "Blue/Brown Dots"
Buttons from stash

I inked the edges of the white base card with Tim Holtz Tea Dye distress inks and I inked the brown card with the Tim Holtz Walnut Stain distress inks. I also used the Tea Dye distress inks to ink all around the image and even over the top of the image a little to make the colouring look a bit older if you know what I mean.....Promarkers are so vibrant they needed to be toned down a little. I used a make up sponge which I wiped across the ink pad to achieve this effect.

I ripped the Paper Pizazz paper to rough it up a little rather than giving a straight edge to it, I think that gives a good effect.

Hope you like the card. I look forward to seeing all the entries this week, give it a go even if it is a first for you.

Take care.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations Challenge 17 - Stitching Real or Faux

This weeks challenge is another easy one, this week we would like to see you include stitching on your creations. Now this can be done by either machine or if you fancy cheating ... by hand..like I have lol, I cannot use a sewing machine (I did try) to save my life.

The prize we have for you is a lovely selection of Sparkle Ribbons from our sponsor

CRAFTY RIBBONS.

Aren't they just gorgeous?!

The elements I used for my card are :-

White Hammered Card - The Papermill
Image - The Greetings Farm
Image coloured with Promarkers
Papers - Tinkering Ink
Flowers - punched
Heart Adhesive Pearls

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Rockstar!!

Hi again, just popped on to show you another card I have made. I ordered some more Greetings Farm stamps yesterday and they arrived this morning yay so had to have a play straight away. I am loving this stamp, what a rockstar she is!! I literally just used Papermania light blue and red card and the dark blue card is something I bought from Hobbycraft. The star gems I have had a while and they are also from Hobbycraft. I got good use out of my nesties for this card and the image I coloured with Promarkers but made her glasses sparkly by using Sakura Stardust pens.

Thanks for looking, hope you like the card.

Joy xx

Cards made by my nieces with some help

Hi, I just wanted to show you a couple of cards made by my gorgeous nieces Shannon and Georgia. Shannon is 13 and Georgia is 10. I stamped the images out and they coloured them in themselves using my precious Promarkers. I also helped them out with the sticking etc but I think their colouring is excellent...don't you, especially as it is their first time. They are coming to stay with me again on Friday night and they have asked to make another card so I am going to let them do it all themselves with as little help as possible and I will show you the results.

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Truly Scrumptious Challenge 11 - Black, White & one other colour

Yay I have time to enter another challenge and this is a challenge I have never entered before. The brief this week is to use black, white and one other colour and I decided to use this scrummy green. There is also a sketch to follow which is great. Black and white looks great with anything doesn't it so this is a great challenge. You also get to use colours for the skin and hair...that doesn't count. Here is my card and I hope you like it.

The elements I used for my card are:-

Image - The Greetings Farm "Dahlia"
Image coloured with Promarkers
Papers - Papermania - Clare Curd Signature Range "The Big One"
Green card is also Papermania
Prima Flower with Making Memories Crystal Brad
Leaves are punched out of Papermania green card

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations Challenge 16 - Gems & Pearls

Hello again, it's time for the Creative Inspirations Challenge and this week's them is Gems and Pearls, now we all like a bit of bling don't we, I know I do.

This week Wendy from Louby Loo has kindly donated a $10 gift voucher to spend!!! here's a short paragraph Wendy sent us about Louby Loo:

"Digital Delights is a magical place filled with little digi creations from all walks of life. Check back often to see what is in the works!! I hope you have fun using my images. New Images are being added all the time!! My Design Team & I look forward to visiting with you!!"

Go and have a look at the Design Team cards to give you some inspiration, they are great.

The elements I used for my card are:-

Image - Miss Anya
Image coloured with Promarkers
Hammered white card from The Papermill which I layered onto some purple pearlescent card. I also used my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.

I added some Prima flowers with Papermania pearl brads. I also added some gems for the buttons on Miss Anya's jacket and then a couple of pearl adhesive hearts to the top of the card.

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 67 - Stitch in Time

It's been a long time since I had time to enter a challenge but as I am off work this week...yay...I decided to have a go at the Cute Card Thursday Challenge. This week they want to see some kind of stitching on your card whether it be real or faux. I haven't mastered my sewing machine yet so I stuck to the faux stitching option which I am also bad at lol.

Anyhow here is my card, hope you like it.

The elements I used for my card are:-

Image - The Greetings Farm "Annika"
Image coloured with Promarkers.
Papers - Papermania - Clare Curd Signature Range "The Big One".
Papermania Brads.
Flowers were cut out from the Papermania papers as above.

Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations Challenge 15 - Masking

Well this is a first for me, never tried masking before in my life so if I can do it, you can do it too!! It did however take me about 4 attempts to get the stamps all lined up and make it look like Tilda is actually sitting on the bench rather than hovering above it lol. If you're not sure how to do this technique, Natalie has a step by step tutorial on her blog which you can find here.

The prize this week is:-

The prize we have for you this week is a gorgeous collection of Embellishments donated by our sponsor Create & Celebrate! You can see a little piccie of these on the Creative Inspirations blog, so hop on over there and feast your eyes lol.

The elements I used for my card are:-

Images - Valentine Tilda and Bench
Images coloured with Promarkers
Papers - Dream Street Papers LLC "Cafe Chic - Lounge" and "Cafe Chic - Lotsa Java"
Flowers - Punched
Adhesive Pearls

The white card is hammered card from The Papermill and the aqua card I have used to matt and layer is by Papermania and is from the Textured Coloured Card pack.

Thanks for looking and I can't wait to see what you all come up with.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations Challenge 14 - Anything but a card

This week we would like to see you make anything BUT a card! This means you could create a bookmark / Hangar, Decorate a box or stationary, Customize a Candle ... Anything you would like!

The prize we have for you this week is to be :-

Guest DT Member for the month of July!

I would like to welcome Aunty Sue to the Design Team but as you know Kellie has had to withdraw from the team so I would like to wave a fond farewell to Kellie. You never know we might see her back someday. I can't wait to see Sue's wonderful creations. Now I struggled with this challenge because I have only ever made cards before, I have never attempted anything else really so I decided to take the easy option and I made a bookmark. For this bookmark I used the Smirk Naughty and Nice products. One side of my bookmark is naughty and the other side is nice. Simple eh!! It comes in so handy because I never have a bookmark and now I do....I just need to find a good book now so I can use it lol. Anyway I cannot wait to see what you all come up with, I look forward to seeing your creations.

Ta ta for now...cya soon.

Joy xx

PS. I have a week off next week so hopefully should get lots of crafting done for a change...I can't wait.

Creative Inspirations Challenge 13 - Paper Piecing

Hello you lovely crafters, just popping on to tell you about this week's challenge over at Creative Inspirations. This week the theme is "Paper Piecing".

This is where you include patterned paper in your stamped image. For example if you stamped Tilda on plain cardstock you would then stamp her again on a piece of patterned paper, cut out a part (e.g. dress) and then stick her dress to the plain stamped image of her.

This week we have a great prize generously donated by Dotty About Crafts!!



Dotty about crafts is a family run internet business located in Norfolk, England. They stock a great variety of crafting products that will satisfy any beginner or skilled crafter.

So up for grabs is a clear stamp 'together', Three bugs in a rug rub-ons 'Family and Doodlebug designs chipboard butterfly.

Visit the Creative Inspirations Challenge blog for a piccy of the lovely prize on offer this week.

Please also take a look at all the Design Team Members blogs to see their wonderful cards this week to hopefully give you some inspiration for the challenge.

As usual we will be blog hopping around your lovely blogs and leaving little comments. I can't wait to see what you all come up with this week.

For this challenge I used one of my lovely new Miss Anya stamps, she was so lovely to colour. I coloured her using my Promarkers, I love using them, they give such a great finish.

I cannot for the life of me find out what paper I used for the background and Miss Anya's socks, clothes and headband, I always keep the bit with the name on but have mislaid it so if I find it I will update this post some other time. I also used some gold pearlescent card to matt and layer onto for this card.

The flower and the leaves are just punched out. The brad is by Papermania. The ribbon is something that was tied around a craft order that I received in the post, I didn't want to throw something so precious away and the colour fit this card perfectly.

Anyway, I am hopping off again now, I hope you like the card. Get crafting you lot, I want to see your wonderful creations.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 12 - Four different papers on your card

Hello y'all, sorry I haven't been around much, I don't know where my time goes, I have had a few orders to make but I don't seem to get a lot of time to craft at the moment, mainly weekends and that is it. However, all of that will change in 3 weeks time when I get a week off work and the house all to myself. My nieces Shannon and Georgia are coming to stay with me for the weekend and Shannon has said she would like to try crafting and so I plan a day of card making for us all, I can't wait, I will have to show you what they make.

And now onto the Creative Inspirations Challenge for this week. The theme this week is:-

4 DIFFERENT PAPERS ON YOUR CARD!

Now it doesn't matter whether the papers are patterned, embossed or if you do like I did and have 2 of them in the form of paper flowers! As long as we can clearly see that there are 4 different types it is acceptable! :)

The prize this week is a gorgeous selection of ribbons from our sponsor CRAFTY RIBBONS.

I recommend you check out their site as their ribbons truly are gorgeous!

I can't wait to see what you all come up with this week, I shall be hopping around your blogs and leaving little messages. Good luck to you all.

For my card I used one of my new Anya stamp from The Greetings Farm. It is called "Dahlia", isn't she delightful? I coloured her with Promarkers and used some glossy accents on the flower in her hair. I also used some Sakura Stardust pens to highlight certain parts of her clothes but it doesn't show in the picture. I mounted the picture onto some shapes cut out with my lovely nestabilities, I don't know what I would do without these, they are such a must have. The flowers I punched out and the brads are by Making Memories. The papers I used are all by Cherry Arte. I used both sides of the paper called "Princess Heather", another is called "Princess Corinne" and the last is called "Princess Sheri".

So that's it from me this evening, I hope to have more to show you very soon.

Hope you like the card and good luck to you if you join in with the challenge this week.

Joy xx

Baby Card/Creative Inspirations Challenge 10 - Cards for Males

I so love making baby cards. A young lady I work with asked me to make this card for her. Her sister is due to have a baby boy early next week...what an exciting time. She stipulated what she wanted it to say on the front and said I could do what I wanted. I just had to use this lovely Penny Black stamp "Baby Hammock", it is so darn cute. I coloured the image with my trusty Promarkers.

The papers are downloads from Pink Petticoat. I find these spot papers very universal, I have been playing around with these papers a lot recently, so many colours to choose from too.

Overall it is a very simple card but very effective I think, I know I love it.

This card also doubles as my DT card for the Creative Inspirations Challenge this week. We would like you to make a card for a male be it your grandad, your boyfriend or a baby boy, the choice is yours.

This week's prize is a $20 Voucher for 'Simon Says Stamp' and they have said they will also cover the P+P Charges, a great prize! Woohoo, come on guys get crafting and let's see what you all come up with.

I hope you like the card. Thanks for looking.

Joy xx

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 9 - Sketch

Wow...how fast are the weeks flying by, I cannot believe we are nearly in June. I seem to be so busy at the moment, life seems to be hectic, I barely have time to craft during the week however I have had a few orders recently and I am just getting to the end of them now thankfully, I might actually get to enter a few challenges, I miss that so much. So anyhow, I have a couple of cards to show you, one being my card for this week's Creative Inspirations challenge. There is a lovely sketch to follow this week. My mojo seems to have escaped me at the moment cos I made this card but wasn't happy with it really but I don't think I could have done any better this week...I don't know where my mojo's gone..do you? Hopefully it has just gone on a short vacation and will be back very soon lol...fingers crossed.

This week we have a prize with a difference:-

GUEST DT MEMBER FOR JUNE!!

Oh how exciting, I can't wait to see who wins, who will be joining us for June.

Ok, well here's my card, the elements I used are:-

Image - Gorjuss Girl
Image coloured with Promarkers
Papers - Cherry Arte
Flower - Prima and also one punched flower
Brad - Papermania
Pearl Hearts from Hobbycraft

Hope you like the card, thanks for looking.

Joy xx