All About The Boys at International Art and Soul

Good morning and hope everybody is well and happy.  My card today is for IAAS.  We are a Just For Fun challenge blog and we post every second Sunday.  The DT take it in turns to choose the theme and this time it is the turn of my good friend Planet Susie.  Unfortunately Sue is unwell and unable to take part in her challenge so I hope we have done her proud.  She wants to see cards for the men or boys in our lives.

Please scroll down to previous post if you are looking for my 

Christmas Card Club card.

My Card

Recipe

6" square kraft card base.

papers -  Father Knows Best (disc) LOTV

Banner dies - The Works

Nesting Star dies - Sweet Dixie

sentiment - computer generated

It's always good to have a masculine card tucked away in your box of cards I think.  These dies from The Works are such good value and cut beautifully.

Of late my cards have all been very simple but I guess that's not always a bad thing.  My mojo went walkabout months ago and hasn't found his way back yet. Until he does I'll just plod along producing what I can when I can.

I spent a few hours in the garden on Saturday so the beds are all ready for the bedding plants to be planted up.  I also used the weed killer on the gravel borders and all the patios. Now I remember why I always leave this job for John !!  Gosh my shoulders are letting me know how heavy that flipping back pack set up is!!  John is on antibiotics for a chest infection so isn't feeling 100% so Mrs H to the rescue.  If I'd remembered how heavy it was I'd have left it for him when he was better ... lol!!  Just kidding!

Please pop across to the blog and see what my teamies have produced and maybe you will feel inspired to join us.

Take care and enjoy what remains of the weekend.

Paper Piecing at IAAS

Good morning and I hope this finds you well.

My post today is to showcase my paper pieced card for International Art and Soul.

My Card

Recipe

7" x 5" base card - ivory pearlescent card

quilt die - cheap die from China

papers - Christmas papers

silk flower from stash

I diecut the die three times in different papers - I used Christmas papers (I think from LOTV) although they don't really look Christmas-sy. Then came the fiddly fun part of putting it altogether and gluing the pieces.  It means I can now do another two cards in a different pattern.

We are a Just For Fun Challenge Blog but we would love you to pop over to the blog and check out what my DT sisters have made. I think we all had fun with this.

Take care and see you again soon.

  

Animals at Winter Wonderland

Good morning and hope this finds you all well.  Having had two beautiful, warm, sunny days on Sunday and Monday, when I actually got out into the garden, it's now back to rain, more rain and hail stones. The vagaries of the British weather.

Well it's time for another challenge at Winter Wonderland and it's the Snowflakes Team's turn to make cards showing animals, which was the choice of  Jackie.

Our sponsor is Pink Gem Designs and the prize on offer is  two single digi images or two card topper kits of the winner's choice.  Please cross over to the blog and see what the other Snowflakes have created and then why not join in the challenge?  Remember it is Christmas cards only but it is never too early to make a start on your Christmas cards.  And the rate this year is disappearing it will be here before we know it.

My Card

 

Recipe

6" square base card - Rymans

Image - Jingle Bells Penguins from Pink Gem 

DSP - Frosty Christmas LOTV - discontinued

blue backing card - Limetree Craft

snowflakes - The Works

Sentiment - computer generated

This is actually a card topper kit but I just took the image and cropped it to make a topper and added the sentiment. A very simple flat card - very necessary since the postage costs have shot up once again!!

Well that's all from me today.

Take care and have a lovely Easter weekend.

Entered into: 

Water Cooler Challenges

Star of Wonder

Good morning. This is my DT card for Winter Wonderland and I am very late I'm afraid but I got there in the end.  The theme is "Stitching - Real or Faux" as chosen by Pat K.  Our sponsor is
 Little Claire  Designs. 

My Card

Recipe

6" square blue base card - Hobbycraft

backing paper - LOTV (discontinued)

image Star of Wonder  - Little Claire Designs

frosted pine tree - Memory Box

frosted spruce tree - Memory Box

sentiment - computer generated

 

Why not pop over to the blog and check the rest of the DT's creations.  The prize on offer is three digi stamps of your choice so it is certainly worth joining in the challenge but please remember it is Christmas cards only.

Thankfully the snow is well on the way to being gone. I was a bit concerned when it started snowing again yesterday but it didn't last too long fortunately. 

Take care.

Entered into : The 12 Months of Christmas

Zed Fold Card

Good morning, and it's a really beautiful one here in Oxfordshire.  John and his friend have gone off for a walk and I will be picking them up later this morning when they ring me.  Such a nice change after all the rain of late.  I had a great day yesterday when I met up with some ex-colleagues for lunch.  We meet up every three months and have a great time putting the world to rights.  The food is more or less incidental!

My card this morning is for one of the ladies in our WI "Craft and Laugh" group who is going through a bit of bad luck at the moment.  Her husband was in hospital for a week with a very bad foot infection and then she fell and broke her ankle and foot!  She was also in hospital a few days (mainly because there was nobody at home to look after her) but now they have both been discharged - Janice on crutches and Paul with walking sticks. She has already had one surgery to pin and plate but is awaiting further surgery.

My Card

Recipe

white cardstock - Hobbycraft

backing papers - LOTV "Promises" (disc)

Fleur De Elegance die - Spellbinders

Large rose die - Memory Box

Sentiment - computer generated

This is the first zed fold card I have made and it is so easy.  I'm sure I could have done a much better job but I was in a desperate hurry to get it off to her.

I also sent her another card from our little craft group.  It was one I already had in stock which I posted some time ago and I just changed the sentiment tag, but it was absolutely perfect as you can see. 

Well that's it from me today.  Take care and enjoy your day.

Penguin Pals

Good morning. and I hope this finds you well.

This is my DT card for the second challenge at http://do-allkreatives.blogspot.co.uk/

My Card

Recipe
6" x 6" square base card Hobbycraft card stock
blue card stock - LimeTree Crafts
 Penguin Pals - Sponsor's image
papers - LOTV Frosty Christmas (discontinued)
trees - Memory Box Frosted spruce and fir
Merry Christmas die - Yvonne Creations
Promarkers to colour

A nice simple flat card so fine for postage.  I have decided that all my cards that need to go via Royal Mail will be flat because the cost of stamps is just so high.

Please pop over to the blog and check out the creations from my teamies. We are sponsored for this challenge by Sheepski Stamps  who are offering the winner three digi stamps.

Take care.

Lots of Sparkle for OSAAT

Good morning and I really hope everybody is well. Today it is time for challenge # 277 at OSAAT "Anything Goes with .... lots of Sparkle".

Please scroll to previous post if you are looking for my CCC card.

My Card

Recipe

6" square white base card

blue card - Limetree Crafts

papers - LOTV "Frosty Christmas" (disc.)

digi image -Digi Blessings "Snow Family "

sentiment - LOTV Grungy Christmas Messages

die cut - Spellbinders Damask Accents

Card Candi - Craftwork Cards

Promarkers to colour

Lashings of glitter

Well I certainly went to town with the glitter! I didn't set out to make a monochrome card but that's how it turned out! Such a smiley snow family!

Why not pop over to the blog and see what the rest of the DT have come up with.  Maybe you will be inspired to join in the challenge and maybe win the prize of $10 to spend instore at Stitchy Bear Digital Stamp Outlet.

Take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Recycling for OSAAT

Good morning to you all and I hope this finds you well. Today's post is my DT card for the OSAAT challenge "Recycling".

My Card

Recipe

6" square card  made from Rymans dark blue card

backing paper - LOTV Frosty Christmas (discontinued)

image - Lake in Winter Stitchy Stamps

sentiment stamp - Penny Black

recycled ribbon

I really love this image. It actually comes black and white but I changed it digitally to blue to convey the icy, wintry feel. Lashings of glitter added to the feel.  I felt the image was so serene that I didn't want to add embellishments and spoil it. My sister saves lots of bits from cards, gifts etc that she receives in case I can use any of it and this is where the lovely navy and silver ribbon comes from.  Thank you Jeanie!

Please pop over to the blog and see the inspiration from the rest of the team and maybe you will be inspired to join us. You could win $10 to spend instore.

Take care and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Snow Angel

Good morning.  It's time for another challenge at Winter Wonderland and the theme, chosen by Anet, is "Snow Much Fun - things to do in the snow". The alternate theme is to add three embellishments.  That means you can use either theme, or even combine the two.  Mine actually combines the two - although if I'm honest that was by chance rather than design.  When I had finished my card I realised that I had added pearls, a snowflake and a row of icicles.  Anyway, I'm sure you will be able to make a card to fit - but remember Christmas Cards Only. 

My Card

Recipe

6" square base card - cardstock from the Range

 Papers - LOTV "Snow Princess"

purple pearl card - Hunkydory Adorable Scorable

Embossing folder - Snowflake Lattice Creative Expressions

Image - "Snow Angel" from The Paper Shelter

Icicle die - Joy!Crafts

Sentimetn - computer generated

Pearls - Hobby House

Snowflake - was already die cut in my box so not sure which it is

Promarkers to colour

 We are sponsored this time by Crafts U Love who are offering £10 to spend instore.

Hope this finds you all well. This post is sceduled because I am off to the NEC today  I was given a complimentary ticket so I thought I would go and see what this new show is like. The emphasis is on Stitching and Sewing I think.  None of the usual papercraft/stamping companies.

Well that's all from me so take care.

Stitching - Real or Faux

Good morning  friends.  I hope you have been enjoying your weekend so far. The theme for the  One Stitch At A Time challenge today is "Anything Goes with Stitching - Real or Faux".

(Please scroll down if you are looking for my CCC card.)

My Card

Recipe

6 " square base card

backing paper - freebie from "Create With TLC"

Umbrella and raindrops - Spellbinders

Double stitched circle dies - Crafts Too (Presscut)

green paper - LOTV

faux stching - white gel pen

Sentiment - computer generated

Image - "Splash" from Stitchy Stamps

Promarkers to colour

Glossy accents on the rain puddle

Please pop across to the blog and check out the cards from the rest of the DT.  Perhaps it will inspire you to join  in the challenge.  There is the chance you could win $10 to spend in the store.

Take care and enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend.

MAWTT - MAN OR BOY

Good morning.  Thanks for dropping by today.  Hope you are all well.  Before I go on to my post for today I just want to say a few words about my wonderful parents.  Today they would have  been celebrating their 90th birthdays - rather unusual to have exactly the same date of birth.  They met the day they  started primary school and the rest, as they say, is history. So together with mum's twin brother I think the three of them will be having a wonderful party up in heaven! I wish they were here to be able to celebrate with them!

Today it is time for another challenge at Moving Along With The Times. The theme is man or boy and was chosen by Wendy who is our leader and also our host this time.

My Card

Recipe

6" square Kraft card base - Hobbycraft

Navy pearlescent card stock - Brothersleep

Image  - LOTV Art Pad "Vintage Boys"

DSP - LOTV Paper Pad "Father Knows Best"

Banner Die - Joanna Sheen Signature die

Hessian - from stash

Card Candi - Craftwork Cards

Sentiment - computer generated

I made a right hash of this! It all came together so easily and it was made in no time.  Then I tried to open it!!! - I had only attached everything upside down!  Grrr!  The only thing I could do was cut off the back and then add a hinge to make a tent fold card.  What a wally!

Please pop across to the blog and see what the rest of the design team have come up with. Perhaps you will be inspired us to join us!

Take care.

Entered into :
Stamps and fun = creativity
Color Throwdown

Little Red Wagon

Final Reminder For Crafty Time Challenges

Good morning and thanks for popping by.  This card is a final reminder for you to join in the very last Crafty Time Challenge ever!  Sadly after this challenge is over the challenge blog will be closing down.  It has been a good year but all things end eventually. The challenge is "For The Kids".  This could mean for a child, featuring a child, or perhaps even made by a child. So why not have a go?

My Card

Recipe

6" square card - made from The Range cardsock

purple pearlescent card - Penniesworth

backing papers - LOTV "Snow Princess"

peeloff greetings - very ancient stash!

snowflakes- Papermania palm punch

pearls - Hobbyhouse

Promarkers to colour

Well I hope you have a good day whatever you have planned.

Take care.

First Post Of The Year For Crafty Time - "Make It Sparkle"

Happy New Year to you all!  I hope everybody had a lovely Christmas and New Year - if you celebrate it.  I'm getting old I'm afraid and was in my bed.  Best place to be.

This is my DT card for Crafty Time .  As you can see from the title our challenge is to make it sparkle.  What could be easier than that? Please pop over to the blog and check out the cards from my teamies.

My Card

Ingredients

6 inch square base card

aqua pearlescent card - from stash

backing papers - LOTV "Pastel Dreams"

aqua glitter card - from stash

silver leaves and beaded flowers - from stash (had for many years)

crocheted flower - from Wendy, Spanish Crafter

pierced squares - Creative Expressions

Promarkers to colour

I sprayed the beautiful crochet flower, (which was the perfect colour!)  with glue and then drenched it with glitter before adding a jewelled brad to the centre.  It looks much nicer in real life.  Thank you Wendy!!

Our sponsor for this challenge is Morgan's Art World and the winner will get three digi images so we would love you to join us for this challenge.

 Hope you are all well and keeping dry and warm.  My heart goes out to you if you have been affected by this dreadful weather.  When I was up north with my sister I drove to my nephew who lives in a little hamlet near Whitby.  The roads were very badly flooded and my heart was in my mouth driving through the floods.  Fortunately there was another route home, albeit further in distance, because I would not have wanted to attempt that in the dark, especially since it had continued to rain all that afternoon.

Take care.

Moving Along With The Times .... Use Both Hat And Scarf

Good morning. I am very excited today because this is my first day on the DT for Moving Along With The Times.   Today's challenge was set by Janice and she asked us to include both a hat and a scarf..  The only images I could find with both of these were Christmas images so I was forced to make a Christmas card ... lol!  I just love making Christmas cards so I was in my element.

My Card

Recipe

Red card stock - Christmas Red from Lime Tree Crafts

Backing Papers - "Woodland Wishes"  Lili Of The Valley

Image - Christmas Art Pads "Tis The Season" LOTV

Poinsettia - Brittania Dies 

Corner Accent - Spellbinders Parisian Accents

Lace, Ribbon, Pearls - from stash

I made a 6 inch square card base from the Lime Tree card and I also used the same card to mat the image and green paper and die cut the corner accent. In the photograph it looks more pillar box red when in fact it is darker and richer. I cut the sentiment from a scrap of paper in my bit box because the colours matched everything so well. After adding the lace, ribbon and pearls all I needed to do was add some glitter to her outfit and job done!

Please pop over to MAWTT  and check out what the rest of the DT have come up with.

Take care.

Must Use Stars - Get Creative Challenge # 19

Good morning.  Here I am for the third time in a row.  If you have ever waited ages for a bus and then two or three come together you will know why I liken my posts to buses!!  This is my DT post for Get Creative Challenges. Our sponsor is  Cute As A Button  and my fabulous image can be found here

My Card

Ingredients

6" x 6" card - made from cream card stock

Backing papers - all from Father Knows Best  by Lili of The Valley

Star brads - ancient stash

Sentiment - computer generated

Promarkers to colour

I have so many brads which have never seen the light of day for years so I decided to correct that with my last few cards.  Actually I haev removed the legs and attached them with a hot glue gun.

Well that's it from me for now.  Hope you are all okay.

OSAAT Challenge # 239 Anything Goes ..... Men

Good day to you all and I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.  I love weekends because it is a time when I truly relax.  All housework and shopping done in the week and we never go out on trips etc - save all that for during the week when it is quieter.

The challenge at One Stitch At A Time this time is to make a project for the male of the species.   I used to be filled with horror when it came to making male cards but I'm fine with it now, although I still prefer to make for females as most of us do I think.  My image is "Oh Boy" from My Hearts Pieces and you can find it here.

My Card

Ingredients

6" sqare card from Papermania card stock

DP - "Father Knows Best" from Lili Of The Valley

Blue Sapphire pearlised ard - Brothersleep 

Embossing Folder - Seasonal Music Diesire Embossalicious

Virtuoso Music die - Memory Box

Promarkers

Candi - Craftwork Cards

Sentiment - Computer generated.


June Prize Pack for winner

It's always nice to add some male cards to my box.

Well that's all for me for today.  Take care.

Entered into :
Crafty Boots Challenge
Creative Corner Challenges
Suzy Bees Bloomin' Challenge

Celebrate In Style

Good morning to all my friends and fellow bloggers.  Thank you for dropping by today.  If anybody has arrived by chance then I hope you like what you see and leave a comment for me.

My Card

Ingredients

5" x 7" tent fold card made from Papermania cardstock

Aqua pearlescent card from stash

DP - "Promises" from Lili Of The Valley

 Die cuts - Heirloom Legacy from Spellbinders

Die cut leaves - Marianne Dies

Sentiment - Grand Sentiments from JustRite Stampers

Silk flowers - very old stash

Ribbon and pearls - from stash

I ended up by covering up most of the DP so I used it inside too together with teh aqua pearlescent card.

I love the Heirloom Legacy Card Creator and I don't use it nearly often enough so I'm hoping to remedy that.  I even have an idea at the back of my mind for a male card - but whether that works out is anybody's guess.  I saw something that gave me the idea on Pinterest but I'm blowed if I can find it again. Watch this space.

We have had a mixed bag of weather these past few days but at least it has been dry which is something.  I just wish it would get warmer - and stay warmer!

Hope this finds you all well.

Take care.

Away In A Manger - Rudolph Days

Good morning.  I keep promising myself I will make a card for Scrappymo's Rudolph Days and then never get around to it.  Well, this month I finally managed it, hurrah!

My Card

Ingredients

6" x 6" card base

Stamp - Lili Of The Valley

Spellbinders  Labels 16

Flower and leaves - Marianne Creatables 

Papers - LOTV Petal Fresh

Promarkers to colour

Pearls from Stash

Sentiment - computer generated

I love making Christmas cards; I think I could happily do it all the time. 

Well yesterday was a lovely day.  I think spring has remembered that she is supposed to be here.  I spent some time sorting stuff out in the garden so I had a few aches and pains last night.  Oh the joys of getting old... lol!  Still, if that's all that's wrong with me I cannot complain.  I hope everybody is feeling well and not suffering, but if that's not the case then please get well soon.  Virtual hugs to Mrs Duck - and I also sent her some virtual scratch mitts ... lol!

Take care everyone.

Brand New Challenge Blog

Good morning everybody.  I have some exciting news this morning.  Today is the launch of a brand new challenge blog Crafty Time Challenges and I am thrilled to be a member of the design team.  We are a monthly blog and we publish on the first of the month. We would be so pleased if you could join us and enter one your fabulous creations.  This first month we are sponsored by Sherri Baldy Designs and you will find her super creations  here.  The theme of this first challenge is "Use Something New".  Now this could be new image, paper, die etc - anything from your stash that you have not used before. My "something new" is my Tonic Square Trellis die which I have had for about six months and not used.  Slapped wrist ... lol!

My Card

Recipe

7" x 7" card from Anne-Marie Designs

Tonic Square Trellis die

Sue Wilson - Bow die

Backing paper - Lili of the Valley "Pastel Dreams"

Raspberry pearlescent card from stash

Pearls from stash

Ancient peel- off balloons!!!

Here is what you could win - what are you waiting for?

First Place - 3 digi images
Second Place - 2 digi images
Third Place - 1 digi image

Sorry I have been AWOL for a while.  I went up north to visit my sister.  We are very close but don't see each other often enough since we live so far apart.  As you can imagine we had a great time and lots of laughs - did both of us the power of good!  Nothing like a good laugh to make you feel better about everything.

What a change in the weather.  It is so cold here that I'm sure it will snow.  We have had some hail stone flurries over the past day or two so let's hope it doesn't get worse.  I will get round to some blog visiting later today and I'm sorry for neglecting you all.

Get Creative Challenges # 13

Good morning to all my friends and fellow bloggers - and if you have just wandered here by chance I hope you like what you see and drop by again.  The challenge this time at Get Creative is to use purple, pink and green - perfect colours for me.  Our sponsor is Lacy Sunshine and the prize is three images of the winner's choice.  The image I have used is from the Flower Pot Pretty range "Crystal Chrysanthemum".

My Card

Recipe

7" square card from Anne-Marie

Backing papers from Lili of the Valley - Snow Princess Solids

Pink pearlescent card from stash

Sentiment circle - Craftwork Cards

Spellbinders - Marvellous Squares

Sue Wilson - Faux Quilled Leaves

Promarkers to colours

Pearls from stash

I think I went a bit overboard with the leaves ... lol!

I hope you are all well and have been enjoying the lovely weather. Yesterday was very bright and sunny but pretty chilly and we had an overnight frost, but the sun is shining again this morning and it seems a bit warmer.  

Take care.