Craft Your Days Away - Teddy Bears

Morning!!

It's time for a new challenge at Craft Your Days Away  - this fortnight our challenge is Teddy Bears!

This time we are sponsored by the Stamp Fairy with an amazing $10 voucher as a prize for the lucky winner!

Here's the card I made for this challenge using a lovely stamp fairy image - this card is for Aunty Ruth - it's her birthday next week,

It's a bad photo from me for a change!! But how lovely is that spotty yellow ribbon..  The papers are from a new stack - First Edition, Family Ties!

Really hope you can join us, there are some fab creations from my teamies - why not take a look.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Bingo (Ribbon, Die Cut, Buttons)

Aud Sentiments - Bingo ("Happy", Ribbon, Die Cut)

Card Mad Fairy - Girly Challenge

St Luke Challenge - Furry Friends

Thanks for looking - have a great weekend!

Julie xx

Morning!!

Actually I'm still in bed and this is a post I scheduled last night as it's my turn to have a lie in this morning.

I haven't posted for ages - partly due to the fact I've been away on holiday with my family which was wonderful, and partly due to a tea cosy and the WI taking over my life.  It was our County Fair this week and I entered a crocheted tea cosy.  I was up until 2am one morning hand stitching about a billion sequins on it!!!!  I didn't win anything but got some good feedback.

I've actually had chance to sit and make some cards today and realised I've really missed it.  Tonight I've been trying out some decopatch and decorated a photo frame, unfortunately I think I may have found a reason to buy even more beautiful paper.

Anyway today is Saturday and it's time for another challenge at Craft Your Days Away.

Today the challenge was set by me and I chose a bingo challenge. I feel ever so important as I get to choose a top three!! Here's the grid, it's a fairly easy one, I hope!! :

This challenge we have a fabulous sponsor:

So here's my card - hope you like it.  I though it was about time I used one of a my faviourite Heather Ellis Images.  The sentiment is a freebie from Birds Card - there are tons of freebies on this site - it's amazing!

I've gone for a line down the centre: Pearls, Ribbon/Lace and Glitter.

Once again though my rubbish photography has let me down as the Designer Paper is covered in glitter and is so lovely and sparkly, as well as a just a bit more glitter round the sentiments and some on the bird just to top it off.

Really hope you can stop by and join in with us this fortnight.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Aud's Sentiments - For a Child's Birthday
Southern Girls - Things with wings (The little bird, plus butterflies on the DP)
Little Miss Muffet - Rainbows, Clouds or Wings (The little bird, plus butterflies on the DP)
Bizzy Becs - Colour

Thanks for looking:

Julie

Craft Your Days Away - All Creatures Great and Small

Morning!!

This week has been so hectic so it was quite a nice break to just sit down and do some crafting.

It's time for another amazing challenge at Craft Your Days Away!!!  Yippeeeeeeeee!

This fortnight our challenge is "All Creatures Great and Small" and we are sponsored by the amazing Meljen's Designs, who were very kind and gave us some beautiful images to work with.

So here's my card - how cute is that cat!!!

We would really love for you to come and play along with us too - so why not stop by and join in!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Cute Cute Cute

Lexis Creations - Lace and Ribbon

Sketch and Stash - Sketch (it's all been in my stash for a long time!! Apart from my lovely new image!)

Creative Craft Challenge - Anything Goes

Really Reasonable Ribbon - Mother's Day / Feminine + Ribbon

Simply Create Too - Mother's Day / Feminine

Stamping for the Weekend - Layer Upon Layer

Thanks for looking - have a great weekend. Let's hope the sun hangs around so we can go on a nice family picnic!!

Julie xx

Birthday Girl

Hi,

I've had a busy weekend, yesterday we had our first WI cake stall, we did great and could have easily sold twice as much!

Today we've been to a birthday party for my friend's two year old, which was in a children's gym.  My two had a great time and have had a nice early night tonight!!!

Here's the card I made for Dot - the birthday girl.

I got a new pad of paper on my outing to The Range this week and I've used it here for Dot's card.  It's by Grace Taylor, and is called Playtime (and it was only £9.99 for 100 sheets!).  It's perfect for children's cards!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion - Use Die Cuts and Punches
Our Creative Corner - Butterflies
Paper Sundaes - Let's Get Cute
My Grafico - Fun and Games
Ladybug Crafts Challenge - Shapes
Di's Digital Designs - Let's meet your animal friends
Sassy Cheryl's - Butterflies

Thanks for looking! Hope you have a great week!

Julie xx

Birthday Boy!

Evening!

Hope you're all good - I love Wednesday's as it's the end of my working week - WOOP WOOP!   I'm especially excited about a trip to The Range this week as I've been led to believe that they have a good craft section!!

Here's a card I made at the weekend for my friend's super-cute little boy Jake - he is one!

This bugaboo image is so cute - I'm going to use this for my little boy's birthday at the beginning of May!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Everybody Art Challenge - Card for a Man
The Stamping Boutique - Anything Goes
Saturday Challenge - A Mans Card
Our Creative Corner - Boys and Their Toys
Sketch and Stash - Sketch (New Digi and Seam Binding / Old Papers)

Thanks for looking!  Enjoy the rest of your week!

Julie x

Christening Card

Hello!

I've got a nice evening of catching up blogging planned!

Today we've been to a lovely Christening for one of our friends little girl.  She is almost two and so looked so cute wandering around in her beautiful dress.

Here's the card I made for her:

Hopefully it's appropriate for a christening!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Catch the Bug - Photo Inspiration - I loved all the yellow
Sketch Saturday - Sketch
Paper Sundaes - Anything Goes
Sundays With Chrissy - Favourite Colour Combo
Bunny Zoe - Ribbon or Twine

Thanks for looking!

Julie xx

Craft Your Days Away - Use Metal

Happy Saturday Everyone!

I've been a terrible blogger recently - but I seem to have had no time at all to just sit and have a good nose round everyone's beautiful blogs!  So if I follow you and have been neglecting you recently I apologise!  Hopefully after this weekend - things should calm down a bit!

Anyway it's time for another design team card for the fabulous Craft Your Days Away!  This time our challenge is to Use Metal and we are sponsored by Sassy Studio Designs.

Here's my card for the challenge:

So it's time to dig out those charms and metal embellishments - it would be really fab if you could join us this fortnight - I can't wait to see what you create!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenge:

Sassy Cheryl's - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking

Julie x

Hi Tweetie

Morning! 

It's my second and final week as a guest designer at For Fun Challenges.  Thanks for letting me be part of your team!


This weeks challenge is Buttons and we are sponsored by Clear Dollar Stamps and the amazing prize is a $15 gift code for digital images!

They have very generously let us choose a beautiful image to work with.  I chose Love Tweet Love and so here's my card:

How sweet is this image?  Although you'll have to forgive my "rustic" sewing as my new sewing machine has made it's début on this card.  I think I need a bit a lot more practice!  


The papers are a magazine freebie and the buttons are some I've had in my stash for a while now!  I've also used my favourite Stickles on the flowers and a couple of dabs of glossy accents on the beaks and heart.

Anyway it's time for me to go and have nose round to see what everyone has created.  It would be lovely if you joined us too!
 
Also I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes
Freshly Brewed - Spring Fever
Paper Sundaes - Spring Blossoms
Stamping For the Weekend - Anything Goes
St Luke's Charity Card Challenge - Spring into Spring


Thanks for looking! 


Julie xx


(edited to add challenge entries!)

For Fun Guest Design - Western Theme

Morning!

Hope you're all having a good week so far!

The lovely people over at For Fun Challenges have let me guest design for them this week and next week!  Thanks!!!

This weeks challenge is Western and here's my card:

This cute little guy is from Bugaboo, the sentiment was done on my computer and I've distressed some Core-dinations card.  I was um-ing and ah-ing about what to embellish it with - I never seem to have anything good for guy type cards as the usual pearls and gems don't really work!  However I was thrilled when found these star shaped brads that I bought ages ago in a sale and had forgotten about.

I can't wait to see what other people have made - I love having a good old nose round other peoples blogs, and it would be great if you joined us this week too!

Thanks for looking!

Julie xx

Gold...

Evening!

Just a quick post from me tonight as I am shattered!

I made another Christmas card last night while I was having a play. The digi is a freebie from Bits N Bobs. The gold baubles are cut from some gold tags that I've had lying around for ages.  I think they look good!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Bingo:  Die Cuts, Free (Free Digi!), Glitter.

For Fun - Circles

Winter Wonderland - Fairy or Angel

Aud Sentiments - Song Title (Hark the Herald Angels!)

Jingle Belles - Neutral Noel

Righto - I'm off to bed.  Thanks for looking! 

Julie xx

Mothers Day

Hi,

It's been ages since I last posted a card - our whole house has had the lurgy over the last week or so, I'm much better but still only have half a voice!

Here's my latest card - its for my lovely Mother-in-Law for Mother's Day.

I love this little person dressed up as a Bee, it's a Birdie Brown image, if you don't have any of these images you really should pop over and check them out! I also love my new Bee ribbon it's so cute.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Cupcake Craft - Going Dotty
Papertake Weekly - One of the Girls  / Mum
One Stop Craft Challenge - Mother's Day + Ribbon
Lexis Creations - Mothers Day
Ladybug Challenge - Anything Goes
Card Mad Fairy - Mums the Word

Thanks for looking!  I'll probably be back later on to share with you all the card my little girl made this morning for her Grandma!

Julie xx

Some Presents, Some Exciting News and a Card

Hi,

I have had an amazing week!  Firstly it was my birthday (21 again!) and I got a new all singing and dancing paper trimmer from my husband (I picked, he paid, ha ha!).  The girls from work were amazing and I was given a little sewing machine so I can now do stitching on my cards. I have made the rather large assumption that I will be able to take it out of the box and be a pro right away... so it may be a while before you see any stitching on cards!

Yesterday I got the exciting news that I had been successful in the DT Call for Craft Your Days Away!  I'm so pleased - especially as there are so many talented crafters out there!  My first card for them will be on the 17th March - I can't wait to find out what the first challenge is!  Also my card got picked for their top 3!

So here's a card I made last night - it's for my Sister-when-my-brother-in-law-finally-puts-a-ring-on-her-finger-To-Be.  It's her birthday next week.

I used the sketch from Papertake Weekly, I think I'll add that to my file to use again as the card came together quite quickly!  The image is from The Stamping Boutique and the papers are MME.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sassy Cheryl's - Spots and Dots
Everybody Art Challenge - Monochrome
Papertake Weekly - Sketch
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Paper Sundaes - Circles
Lexi's Creations - Monochrome
Ladybug Crafts - Pink and Girly
Catch the Bug - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking!

Julie! x

Getting Ahead ...

Evening!

Thankfully I don't need to make an emergency 70th Birthday card tonight as my husband has checked with his mum and Uncle Brian is 69 this year - so the card I made last night has gone safely in the post today.

I've just finished this years first Christmas card, as with every other year the intention is to get ahead - we'll see.

I think I'll try and swap this picture tomorrow as it's a really nice colour - but it never picks up properly in the evening.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Lollypop Crafts - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Winter Blues
For Fun  - I Love Snow
Winter Wonderland - A Christmas Card
Sketch Saturday - Sketch
Di's Digital Designs - All About Snow

Thanks for looking!!

Julie xx

Birthday Card for a Guy!

Evening!!

I've had a very productive couple of days and got loads of stuff crossed off my to-do list. However my list of cards I need to make is starting to grow as I've got a lot of birthdays coming up over the next couple of weeks.

I also have two new followers - so HELLO to Kath and Vicky!! 

I wanted to share with you this evening a card I've made for my (Husbands) Uncle Brian.  Although we've just been debating the possibility that Brain is actually 70 this year which will means tomorrow night you will find me hurriedly making a different card which acknowledges this great age, rather than this "young at heart" card I've made for him.  My money is on him only being 68, however my husband will be making an emergency call to his mum tomorrow to check!!

The cute little tickets were a freebie I got from Free Digital Stamps ages and ages ago and are by mudmaven.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes

The Pixie Cottage - Sketch

Paper Sundaes - Birthdays

Aud's Sentiments - Use the word "Happy"

Stamping For the Weekend - Colour Combo

Thanks for looking!

Julie

New Baby Girl

Evening!!

Is anyone else cold??  I'm frozen!

I just wanted to share with you all my first commission ... actually, calling it a commission sounds far to exciting. I was showing off the gift box I made the other week to people at work and one of my colleagues asked if I could make a card for her friend who is having a baby girl. So here it is:

The image is a new digi I bought especially for this card from the DigiStamp Boutique.  I also made a quick and simple tag to match it using the same image and pink scalloped circle as on the card with a quick eyelet and a spare piece of ribbon.

I've gone for some simple paper piecing - my new favourite technique!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Pollycraft Monday - Favourite Things (Paper Piecing - my new favourite!)
Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes
Passion for Promarkers - New Beginnings
Do You Stack Up - Ribbons
Saturday Challenge - Ribbons
Sketch N Stash - Free Choice Sketch  (Number 75! + New Digi) -


edited to add:  oops I forgot to add the picture of the sketch I used!! My Bad - sorry!

Thanks for looking!

Julie x

Birthday Cake..

Hi!

Just a quick post from me to share my latest card.  I've used some of my fancy new Marianne dies that I've bought in the last week or two.  I don't have an embossing mat for my Bigshot so I've just been using an embossing tool with the paper still in the die to help create the texture.

I love this paper and the little cake - it's so cute!

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Cupcake Craft - Something New
Papertake Weekly - Die Cute Challenge
Saturday Challenge - Let Them Eat Cake
Crafty Cardmakers - No Floral Embellishments
Ladybug Challenge - Show Us Your New Stash
Simply Create Too - Layers, Layers and More Layers
Bee Crafty - Celebrations + Balloons

I'd also like to say hello to my new followers: Katrina and Victoria!  I can't seem to see a link to either of your blogs (probably because I'm doing something wrong) - so if you can leave me a comment with your blog address and I'll be over a good old nosy on your blog!

Thanks for Looking!

Julie x

Thank-you

Hello!

I don't think my postman likes me very much any more as I've had three parcels today!   I'm still waiting for one though - but apparently big companies like Sizzix don't need to dispatch their parcels anytime soon after you place your order they just send it out at their leisure!

I also just want to say thanks to Brenda - I received my blog candy today and I'm a very happy girl!  Thanks very much.

I've managed to persuade one of my work colleagues to come and do a self-defence talk at our Woman's Institute next week.  I know I can hear you say - "you're far too young for the WI!" but ours is a younger group and is all about eating cake rather than making Jam.  So I made him this card to say thank-you!

I put some glossy accents on his weapon, it looks cool!  The black and silver card were both left over from my brother-in-laws birthday card last year.  The black card is lovely - it's kind of shimmery/shiny effect.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Passion for Promarkers - Thank-you
Tuesday Throwdown - Shiny New Year
Aud Sentiments - Use Your Scraps
Bizzy Becs - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking!

Julie x

Under the sea

Evening!

I'm feeling quite excited as I've had an email today to tell me that one of my rather large sale sprees has been despatched - can't wait to dive in - hopefully it will arrive tomorrow!

Here's my latest card - I had something else in mind completely but somehow this happened. Not to sure about it - it's a bit random.  I think the pink hello doesn't work - I might change it later on.  I really like this mermaid though she's so cute, I bought her new in the bugaboo sale!  Everything else has been lurking in my craft drawers for a while!

I'm also getting a bit fed up with the weather it impossible to get a decent picture at the minute - especially as it's dark and gloomy. How do you all manage to get better pictures?

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Paper Sundaes - Something Old, Something New

The Stamping Boutique - The Number 12 - 12 Starfish!

Freshly Brewed - Use Something New 

Sundays With Crissy - Beat the Midwinter Blues

Simon Says Stamp - Use Something New

Thanks for looking at my very random card!

Julie xx

First Card of the new year!

Evening!

So here's my first card for this year.   I'm trying to use up some of my stash as I accidently bought loads of stuff in the sizzix and docrafts sale - oops!  I can't wait for the postie to arrive this week so I can look at it all.  I suspect the only problem will be not knowing where to start!

The friends sentiment was a pain though - it's from a sizzlits strip - but it doesn't cut cleanly or completely.  Although I suspect this is user error - the card may have been a bit thick!

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Winter Wonderland - Red and White
Pollycraft - Punch It
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Card Crafters Circle - Anything Goes
If The Shoe Fits - Use your Stash

Hello to my new follower - Sylvie!

Thanks for Looking

Julie x

Grandad

Evening

I'm so full!! I've just got back from my work's Christmas Dinner and it was yummy. I decided to be a bit crazy and not have turkey - but went for Moroccan Lamb instead and a nice chocolate cheesecake for pudding!!

Here's the card I made for my lovely Grandad - he's very old now and not entirely with it - but I'm hoping it cheers him up a bit!

I've used some more of my lovely Dovecraft Paper.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sassy Cheryl's - Snowman with a Die cut
The Pixie Cottage - Sketch / Someone Special
Catch the Bug - Baby It's Cold Outside
Craft Your Days Away - Snowmen
Little Claire's - Family Christmas

Thanks for Looking!

Julie xx