Sweet Stampin Challenge

It's Saturday, it's 8am, it's........ a Sweet Stampin' Challenge ;) and this week the challenge is

Spring into Easter

And you also have the option of the sketch below. We are sponsored by Lili of the Valley who are offering a £10 voucher and of course our monthly sponsor is Joanna Sheen. Full details can be found on the Sweet Stampin' blog.

So this is my effort. Bit of a departure for me - it's quite bright!! I've used the sketch and remembered too late about a LotV image I could have used lol. Never mind, I quite like this really and it will be posted this week to my aunt.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew - Spring
Try it On Tuesday - Easter
Aud's Sentiment - Happy Easter
Fab n Funky - Easter
Penny's Challenges - Easter
Ruby's Rainbow - Easter
Paper Shelter - Easter
Charisma Cardz - Easter
Cute Card Thursday - Happy Easter
Paperplay - Easter

No new products were harmed in the making of this card! Use It Up 2012.

Image - Hello Little Friend, Funky Kits coloured with Copics, Sentiment, Penny Black
Cardstock/Paper - from stash
Embellishments - Ribbon and Daffs from stash
Tools - Border punch, Hexagon Nesties, Cuttlebug

Thanks for dropping by today. Don't forget to pop by the Sweet Stampin' blog to see gorgeous cards my fellow Sweeties have left for you as inspiration.

Have a lovely Saturday. I'm off to pack a boy's bag for camp!!!

Hugs. Susan xxx

First day down...

Well, first half day... of the Easter holidays that is! And we have come through relatively unscathed.

You'd think however, that my children were allergic to the sun with the amount of complaints I've had about having to go outside and play!!! 

Starting to get Craig's stuff ready to go to camp on Monday - he's off to Kirkham with the Boys' Brigade until Saturday and he's really looking forward to it. We've taken the week off too so that poor Scott doesn't get sent to the After School Holiday club while his brother gets to enjoy himself!

Onto today's card. I've made this for one of the girls at work whose last day it was today as she stops for her maternity leave. I used Ice Cream and Pickles from Saturated Canary - as soon as I saw this image I knew it would be perfect for the occassion. It's a pity she doesn't have Skittles on her ice cream too as Lynn really likes those ;)

Unfortunately I was off today as I went to the school service and then picked the boys up so I'm hoping she liked her card!

You will notice I've added an arty shot too - that's thanks to Cass, but this is the first time I've put one along with the main picture too.

Challenges I'd like to enter:

Poodles Parlour - Going Dotty
Fairy Tale Challenge - Everything Goes
Crafty Catz - Use A Digi Image
Card Mad Fairy's Digi Days - Die Cuts and/or Punches
Saturated Canary - Thinking of You
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Pollycraft - Chocolate

No new products were harmed in the making of this card! Use It Up 2012.

Image - Ice Cream and Pickles - Saturated Canary, coloured with Promarkers and Copics
Cardstock/Paper - from stash
Embellishments - Ribbon, cherry from stash
Tools - Border and Wonky Rectangles Nesties, Cuttlebug

Thanks for dropping by today. Enjoy the rest of your Friday. See you tomorrow with the new Sweet Stampin' challenge.

Hugs. Susan xxx

Creative Craft Challenges

There's a new challenge over at Creative Craft Challenges and this fortnight we're looking for

Anything But A Card

 

This fortnight we're sponsored by Some Odd Girl.

Here is what I've done - I've made a couple of notebooks for the boys. These are just a pack of 6 notepads from Poundland and I've made them into something better (well, I think they look better, the boys were a bit underwhelmed by them....)

I'd like to enter the notebooks in the following challenge:

Pixie Dust Studio - My Favourite Things (my boys!!)

No new products were harmed in the making of these notebooks Use It Up 2012.

Image - Karate Boy and Rugby Boy, LotV both coloured with Promarkers and Prismacolours on RB. Letters, Penny Black

Cardstock/Paper - from stash

Embellishments - Tim Holtz ticket

Tools - Label Nesties, Big Shot

Be sure to pop by the Creative Craft Challenges blog and check out the other inspiration the DT have left for you.

Thanks for dropping by today. Hugs. Susan xxx

Marvellous Monday (for a change)

Well what a beautiful few days we've had. It's been fab (apart from the resulting ironing pile because I've had a lot of washings dried!!) However, when you've lived in the West of Scotland your whole life you kinda get the feeling that this *might* actually be summer. Fingers crossed it's not though eh?

No card today but a couple of photos of Scott taken at yesterday's Minis rugby session at Cartha Queens Park RFC. What a glorious day they had :)

The first one taken by Carla Cavani is Scott scoring one of two tries -  and not as I suspected just having a lie down! (the other try was apparently in a game against the parents!!)

And this is an action shot taken by my friend Jill - he even looks like he might know what he's doing ;)

Back tomorrow with my creation for Creative Craft Challenges.

Thanks for dropping by today. Hugs. Susan xxx

Sweet Stampin Challenge

It's Saturday so it must be time for a Sweet Stampin challenge....

So this week we're sponsored by A Day for Daisies who are offering a $12 gift certificate to the winner and we have our usual monthly sponsor too and for March that's Joanna Sheen who are offering £10 to the monthly winner.

This week it's the turn of Team Fi to bring you inspiration and there are some gorgeous cards awaiting you over at the Sweet Stampin blog to help you on your way.

So what's this week's theme I hear you cry...... well, it's everyone's favourite.....

 Anything Goes

So what are you waiting for?! Go over to Sweet Stampin and check out all the beautiful cards created for you by the DT and leave them some love too :)

Have a fantastic Saturday.

Thanks for dropping by today. Hugs. Susan xxx

Where did that week just go?

I can't believe that I haven't posted anything since Monday. I haven't been very busy crafting, been busy with job applications and stuff so crafting has kind of taken a back seat.

I did however, have my usual crafty evening last night with Cass. Unfortunately I can't share anything that I made with you yet as they're cards for people in the next couple of weeks.. yes, I know, not running at the last minute!!

This is a card I made last week when I was round. Quite a simple card but I kinda like it. I had coloured this image in (well, hair and face) ages and ages ago but she always ended up getting put to the bottom of a pile. So here she is now on a card!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Tuesday Throwdown - Spring Cleaning - all stuff from stash
Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
Crafty Purple Frog - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Paperplay - Spring Colours
Stamping for the Weekend - Anything Goes


No new products were harmed in the making of this card! Use It Up 2012.

Image - LotV, coloured with Promarkers and Copics
Cardstock/Paper - from stash
Embellishments - Pearls and twine from stash
Tools - Nestie - Butterfly circle, Tag die, Go Kreate, Cuttlebug

Thanks for dropping by today. Hugs. Susan xxx

Gone Fishing

Well I see the weather has returned to type and it's raining again.  It was a lovely weekend and spring was most definitely in the air!

I was trying to do some tidying of craft stuff this afternoon but kinda got waylayed with my book, oops! Now the boys are home from school so am now in the round of snacks, homework and dinner as they have karate tonight at 6 and then Craig has Junior Section at 7.25! Mondays are busy in this house.

This is a card I made for a friend's birthday (which didn't start out to be a belated birthday card but ended up being one!).  I'm quite pleased with it - and have now added the Postage Stamp Nesties to my ever expanding wish list* - the one I used belongs to Cass and I think she might notice if I left the cabin with them ;)

* the list I have created to help Andy with birthday present shopping....

Challenges I'd like to enter

A Gem of A Challenge - Sketch
Allsorts - Three in A Row
Craft Your Days Away - Just For Men/Boys with a button
Stamptacular - Cute as A Button
Make it Monday - Linky Party
Crazy Challenge - Go Green
Paper Shelter - For The Boys
I Love Promarkers - Anything Goes


Image - Gone Fishing (no idea if that's his actual name), coloured with Promarkers, PrismaColours and chalks, Sentiment both from Lili of the Valley
Cardstock/Paper - From stash
Embellishments -Card Candy, Buttons, Charm, Twine from stash
Tools - Postage Stamp Nesties, Cuttlebug

Thanks for dropping by today.

Hugs. Susan xxx

Happy Mother's Day

and to those who don't have a Mum any more, do what I did and raise a cuppa to them!

Thought I would give my blog over today to photos of what the boys made for me*.  * you may require hankies.

First is a little box from Craig containing nothing but his love for me.

The poem reads

This is a special gift
That you can never see.
The reason it's so special
It's just for you from me.

Whenever you're feeling lonely
Or even feeling blue,
You only have to hold this gift
And know I think of you.

You should never unwrap it.
Please leave the ribbon tied.
Hold the box close to your heart,
It's full of love inside.
From Craig x

Did you need your hankies?

This next gift is a gift from Scott that he made at Anchor Boys. Now as I am an officer in the Anchor Boys and designed the craft and made it with the boys it wasn't much of a surprise but I know it was still made with love and it's beautiful. (and Scott doesn't like M&M's so I can eat them all myself apparently)....

So thank you boys. I love my gifts (and the flowers and chocolates) but these handmade ones are the most precious. I love you.

Whatever you are doing today I hope you have a good one.

Hugs. Susan xxx

Sweet Stampin Challenge

Good morning all, it's Saturday and that means it's time for another Sweet Stampin' challenge and this week we want to see your GREEN creations in honour of St Patrick's day! I thought green would be easy.... well, I had so many shades to choose from I didn't know which one to pick, so I've teamed it with some purple which is a colour combo I really like. Although you wouldn't know it. All the cards I've made recently seem to be orangey....

So this week we are sponsored by Emerald Faerie Garden

who were kind enough to give the DT some of their images to play with.

We also have our usual monthly sponsor in Joanna Sheen.

I was going to try and use my friend's Marianne swirly flower die (if that's the technical name for it) but it was all a bit foutery to me and I ended up with flowery buttons instead.

Challenges I'd like to enter:

Pile it On - Shades of Green
Make it Monday
Papertake - For Girls/Mum
Fab N Funky - The Luck of the Irish
Cute Card Thursday - Happy Birthday
DYSU - Favourite Colour
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days - Add A Sentiment
Simon Says Stamp - A Bit of Green
Fussy and Fancy - Fairies
Use it Tuesday - Green
Kaboodle Doodles - Green

Image - Isabella, Emerald Fairies, coloured with Promarkers, Sentiment, LotV
Cardstock/Paper - From Stash
Embellishments - Flowery buttons, lace doiley, button twine, ribbon and glamour dust

Don't forget to pop by the Sweet Stampin blog to see all the fab GREEN inpsiration my fellow teamies have left for you - and you could maybe even visit their blogs and leave them some love :)
Thanks for dropping by today. Have a fabulous Saturday whatever you're up to.

Hugs. Susan xxx

Phew. Made it.

It's the end of another week. And what a long week it has been. I know I only work 3 days but they seem to have lasted about 3 years this week! And there was no craft fair at the SECC to look forward to this week. 

I'm sure though, that my week hasn't been as long as the week my friend Pauline has been having. Baby Lumpy was due on Tuesday but appears to be too comfy in situ. We've started trending on Twitter in the hope that it will encourage some movement so #ComeOutLumpy.

All is not doom and gloom, however, as I had my usual Thursday night in the Cabin last night. And very busy little bees we both were! So I will have a few cards to share with you over the next few days!

Here is the first - now, I bought Romantic Dreamer from someone but I can't remember who it was. It may have been the lovely Pop's though. This is the first time that I have inked her up and I must admit I really like her :) but then I say that about all my Sassys!!
Now, I have made her using *whispers* some new stuff I bought at the SECC last week, including this new oval Nestie. I did have a £25 loyalty voucher to spend at Craftworld though so I made the most of it ;)

I said to Cass last night that I think next week my challenge should be to use red!! Just seems that I've been using a lot of the same colour so might be a good idea to go for something completely different next week.

Challenges I'd like to enter:

Cupcake - Spotty/Going Dotty
SN Facebook Group - Anything Goes
Totally Ladybug Tuesday - Anything Goes
Hotshot Crafts - Ribbons

Image - Romantic Dreamer, Funkykits, coloured with Copics
Cardstock/Paper - from stash and Boho Chic paper
Embellishments - Flowers, pearls  from stash crumb cake seam binding ribbon, Stampin Up

Thanks for dropping by today. Enjoy what's left of your Friday.

Hugs. Susan xxx

Creative Craft Challenge

Well, here we are my very first DT card for Creative Craft Challenges and boy was it a challenge to me..... more of that later.

We are sponsored by  Love to Stamp who are offering 1 Little Darlings stamp of winner's choice.

So onto to the challenge - it is to use the photo below as your inspiration. Our regular viewers will know how much I love one of these colours lol so I was a bit nervous. I decided I would use Little Goth Girl from Sugar Nellies and cut out a bright pink skull and cross bones to embellish the card..... best laid plans. Can I find her anywhere? No! She has done a runner. Maybe she heard what I wanted to do and got nervous.



Because LGG has done a runner I ended up using Little Miss Attitude instead. And yes, this is me as I was making this! I was annoyed I couldn't find the stamp I wanted and then I went to look for paper and didn't have anything suitable for that either!!

I am actually quite pleased with how she turned out even though she isn't what I set out to make!

Challenges I would like to enter:

I Love Promarkers - Ribbons and Bows
Simon Says Stamp - Mother's Day/Special Girl
Crafty Purple Frog - Pink and Girly (although there may not be enough pink to qualify!)
Make it Monday
Crafty Creations - Stripes

No new products were harmed in the making of this card! Use It Up 2012.

Image - Little Miss Attitude (coloured with Promarkers), Funky Kits, sentiment, Stampin Up
Cardstock/Paper -  from stash
Embellishments - ribbon and pearls (pink ones coloured with Promarkers) from stash

Pop over to Creative Craft Challenges and see the inspiration that the rest of the DT have left for you.

Thanks for dropping by today. Enjoy your Tuesday.

Hugs. Susan xxx

And here we are again

at the tail end of another weekend!

Andy and I have been catching up with some viewing tonight to try and free up some space on the Sky+ box. There has been wine too which was nice. And some cheese and biscuits which was even nicer!  Got the cheese at the SECC on Thursday.  There is a stall there (which I can't remember the name of) which is at every craft show and they make fabby cheese, I particularly like the cranberry version and the chilli version which has a bit of a kick! Cathy asked me what I had bought and I rhymed off a list putting cheese in the middle of it... she was a bit shocked!!

Anyway, onto today's card. Well, actually Thursday's card cos this is what I half made at Cass's but only got round to putting together yesterday. It's my first attempt at a large shaped card. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out though. What do you think?!

Challenges I'd like to enter

Paper Sundaes - Feminine Flair (hope this is girly enough!)
Paper Shelter - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Say it With Flowers
2 Sisters - Spring Colours

Image - Gorjuss Girl, Personal Impressions
Cardstock/Paper - from Cass's stash
Embellishments - Flowers, jewelled brad from stash (lace and pearls were bought at craft fair... sorry!!)
Tools - Go Kreate die, Big Shot pro

Thanks for dropping by tonight. Enjoy what's left of your weekend.

Hugs. Susan xxx

Sweet Stampin Challenge

It's Saturday again and that means it's time for a new challenge over at Sweet Stampin' .  This week it's the turn of Team Fi to bring you some fabulous inspiration to help you along. And this week it's "Lots of Layers", and if you go over to Sweet Stampin' you will find a wee sketchie to help you on your way.

You'll find full details of the challenge and sponsors over at Sweet Stampin'. Go on, you know you want to!


Thanks for dropping by today. Hugs. Susan xxx

It's the weekend.

Woohoo!

Can't believe that's another week gone whooshing by. I was at the craft show at the SECC yesterday. And despite my best intentions, I did buy some stuff. I didn't take much money with me though so I was quite restrained. I am, however, going back tomorrow with Craig so we'll see how that pans out.

Met up with some of the Sugar Nellie Facebook gang which was great :) Lovely to see Fiona, Lorraine and Karen again and great to meet Avril too. It was also lovely to see Cass (although to be fair, I do see Cass every week!!) and Janice.  So after a whole day craft shopping I went to the cabin for our usual crafty date.

Finished a card I started making on Tuesday. I may share that tomorrow and half did another. It's still to be put together but it's coming along nicely.

I did make this though which I am quite pleased with. No idea who or what it is for but never mind!!

Challenges I would like to enter

One Stop Craft Challenge - Button It
CRAFT - Inspired by a Song - Sailing by Rod Stewart (I so wish I had thought of another song, I hate Rod Stewart!!!)

Image - Sail Away, Stampin Up, (coloured with Prismacolours) Sentiment, Kaiser Craft
Cardstock/Paper -  from stash
Ink - Memento, Rich Cocoa
Embellishments - Buttons from Bouffle the dog set, Ribbon from Cass's stash.

Thanks for dropping by today. Hugs. Susan xxx

Terrifying Tuesday

No, it's not really but I couldn't think of a snappy blogpost title!

Was out at a Parent Council meeting last night and managed to leave my phone in the staff roomat school. What a numpty. I felt like my right arm had been cut off.  I've got it back now though and breathed a sigh of relief.

Anyway, onto today's card - in an effort to use up stash I have made this. I'm not altogether sure about it but I showed it to Yvonne earlier and she said it was nice (although she may well have just being polite).

I have soooooo many cards to make this week so really need to get a move on. You have my full permission to shout at me if you see me hanging about Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest...(clearly if I'm on the last one I'm just looking for inspiration, lol)

Challenges I would like to enter:

Simply Stampin' - Sketch

No new products were harmed in the making of this card! Use It Up 2012.

Image - Just Believe, Stampin Up

Cardstock/Paper - from stash, Stampin Up mostly

Ink - Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Spice Marmalade DI, Early Espresso, Stampin Up

Embellishments -  Whisper White ribbon, Stampin Up (dyed with Spice Marmalade DI), Pearls coloured with Promarker

Thanks for dropping by today. Hugs. Susan xxx

A card and some news...

What a busy old day today has been! 

Was on duty at communion this morning, then Scott had a rugby match and then after the rugby match he had a football party to go to! Scott was also at his friend's house last night for a sleepover and although I am assured they were quite well behaved I'm hoping he'll be so tired he'll fall asleep really quickly. I know I want to!!

So have you noticed anything different about my blog today. Glance over to the left, over there.... I've been asked to be on the DT at Creative Craft Challenges. I'm very excited and can't wait to get started.

The other night at Cass's I tried a spot of paper piecing, this is the first time I've ever tried it so I picked a simple stamp to start with but now I've tried it once I might just try it again very soon.... Watch this space.

Challenges I  would like to enter:

CES -Flower Frenzy
Dream Valley Challenges - Mother's Day (I know I don't have a Mum but the card is for my Aunt...)
Fairy Tale - Paper Piecing
Paper Play - Something Old, Something New (new technique - paper piecing, old stamp and papers etc)
Paper Shelter - Fancy Folds

No new products were harmed in the making of this card! Use It Up 2012.

Image - Just a Girl, coloured with Promarkers, Funky Kits
Cardstock/Paper - from stash
Embellishments - flowers, ribbon (dyed with Antique Linen DI), pearls, all from stash

I have a few ideas I want to try out tonight so I shall be off now to try them while I still have the energy.

Thanks for dropping by today. Hugs. Susan xxx

Sweet Stampin' Challenge

Wow. where have the last two weeks gone! It's the turn of Team Abi again over at Sweet Stampin' to provide you with some inspiration this week.

And what is this week's challenge I hear you cry. Well, it's.......

♥nature & bugs, bees & ladybugs♥


Our monthly sponsor is  Joanna Sheen who are offering a  prize of a £10 gift voucher and this week our weekly sponsor is Crafty Emma's Store who are offering this paper stack as a prize to this week's winner.

Here is my card. I was all set to use another image for this challenge when I remembered Jack doing his garden so I decided to go with this instead!

Challenges I would like to enter

Joanna Sheen - Spring
Crafters Companion - Spring
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Papercrafting Journey - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday - Signs of Spring
Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz - Punches and Dies
No new products were harmed in the making of this card! Use It Up 2012.

Image - Jack, Ladybug Crafts Ink coloured with Promarkers
Cardstock and paper from stash
Embellishments - Ladybug, leaves and flower pot from Cass's stash
Tools - Label nesties, Martha Stewart Border punch, Caterpillar Sizzlit, Big Shot

Remember to drop by the Sweet Stampin' blog to check out what my fellow teamies have come up with to inspire you on this week's theme. I know you're going to love what they've done :)
Thanks for dropping by today. Have a lovely Saturday.

Hugs. Susan xxx