Taking a Break

For various reasons I've decided to take a break from blogging. I might be back sometime.

No Excuses

I know it's been ages since I last posted. I've had a lot on in life, most of which I don't really much want to go into. Unbelievably I ended up in hospital last Friday with a suspected kidney stone. After a CT Scan I was told I was suffering from an unusual condition called Epiploic appendagitis - lucky old me! Actually, it was kind of lucky because up until that point it looked like I was going to have to have some sort of surgery, the condition just needs plenty of anti inflammatory medication and rest. So another week of doing mostly nothing, I did make a card for my brother though, so I'm sharing it with you.

Clearly Besotted - Fancy Feathers/Happy Days

DI's - Gathered Twigs, Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade

Mister Huey's Color Mists - Warm Calico

Garden Twine - Wilkos

I hope you're well and thanks for popping by.

Crafty Cardmakers & More Challenge #115: It's A Bug's Life

Hello again. The challenge over at CCM&M this time has been set by the hugely talented Kim x and her challenge is "It's A Bug's Life". Which means Kim would like to see butterflies, ladybirds, dragonflies or any other type of INSECT on your project.

As always we have some great sponsors and prizes.

Hobby Art Stamps

with this brilliant stamp set 

CSO77D Butterflies

and

Di's Digistamps

 with a $12 gift certificate

I decided to use dragonflies as my insect and created this card:

 Sheena Douglass - A Little Bit Scenic: Flying Colours and Silhouette Country Lane

Indigo Blu - Script Background

My Favorite Things - Abstract Art

Distress Inks - Bundled Sage, Milled Lavender and Victorian Velvet

Perfect Pearls - Kiwi and Perfect Pearl 

I created the background with distress inks using the "Wrinkle-Free technique" and added interest with a variety of stamps. I stamped the dragonfly once onto the edge of the card with Distress Embossing Ink and used the kiwi perfect pearls on it. I then stamped the dragonfly onto acetate using Stazon ink, waited for it to dry and applied perfect pearls mixed with water to the back of the image. I used some frosted gems from my stash as a finishing touch.

I do hope that you will join in with the challenge, make sure you visit Crafty Cardmakers and More for inspiration.Thank you for stopping by.

CCM&M #113: You've Been Framed

Hooray it's time for another challenge over at CCm&M! This fortnights challenge is being hosted by the lovely and highly talented Jackie. She has chosen the theme "You've Been Framed" and would like to see a prominently displayed frame on your project. This can be stamped, die cut or made up of other materials; you could even decorate an actual frame.

We're sponsored for this challenge by 

Sir Stampalot

 with these fabulous prizes

 Singlz Embossing Folder

Square Frame Wood Mounted Stamp

Quick Frames Poinsettia Stickers

and 

Di's Digi Stamps

with a $12 gift voucher

I was a bit stumped about what to create for this challenge when I suddenly remembered that I'd recently talked with my niece about trying some simple decoupage. It so happened that my mum bought a Gorjuss Girls Mini Decoupage kit for her and the image had a frame in it! So yes, I stole the decoupage from my niece and here is the card I created with it.

 Gorjuss Girls Mini Decoupage - I love You Little Rabbit

Pink Petticoat - Perfect Papers set

Marianne Design Creatables - Swirl Circle & Button Flower dies

Ribbon, flowers and pearls from stash

Make sure that you visit the Crafty Cardmakers and More blog to check out the great inspiration there from my fellow DT members. I hope that you're well and thanks for visiting.

Not again

Well sometimes I feel that all I do is moan about things but I'm going to explain my blog absence once again.

Firstly, three weeks ago I got a bad dose of tonsillitis, it was very painful and ended up with my throat swelling on the outside too which was a bit scary. Just as I seemed to be making a recovery I got quite ill again, this time with an infection in both ears. I've been on antibiotics this whole time and today is the first day I've begun to feel better.

The second week I was sick, Pixie, my little tortishell cat became ill and sadly passed away last Saturday. As you can imagine this just added to the feeling of not wanting to post and be online.

Today is the first day in almost a month when I haven't felt completely rubbish so that's why I'm posting. I hope that you're all well and thanks for reading.

CCM&M #111: Anything But A Card - Winter and/or Slap it On

It's time for a new type of challenge over at CCM&M and this time it's the first of out "More" challenges! 

It's the first of our Mixed Media challenges, please check out the blog for an explanation and inspiration.

Mixed Media might sound a bit daunting at first but it's really all about experimenting, expressing yourself and most importantly enjoying what you're doing.

This challenge has been set by the very talented Yvonne. She has chosen a nice loose theme for this first challenge. She would like to see creations related to Winter and/or Slap it On, which basically means anything goes. So we would love to see your album covers, canvases, altered art - anything you can think of, as long as it's not a card.

Our sponsor for this challenge is 

Woodware Craft Collection

with a £12 voucher to spend at your favourite Woodware stockist.

So here is my creation. I went with a Winter canvas.

 

 

 I also went with the slap it on theme by using lots of different media. 

Please check out the blog for all the details and much more inspiration.

CCM&M Challenge #109: This is a Man's World

Our challenge this fortnight is being hosted by the very talented Carole. The theme she's chosen is "This is a Man's World" which means she would like to see your creations for a man or boy.

We are sponsored by

Flourish with a Bling

 with a $15 gift voucher 

and also by

The Stamping Boutique

 With 3 images of the winners choice. If however the winner has used a Stamping Boutique image they will receive 4 images

I made the card I'm sharing for my nephew's 19th birthday. The mustache and borders are stamped and the greeting was created on my computer.

 

Indigo Blu - Mr. Fantashtic

Kanban - Cavendish Ladies (Art Deco Border)

 DaFont - Gingerbread Victorian

My fellow design team members have some really wonderful inspiration for you over at Crafty Cardmakers & More, so please do check the blog.