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

Shake it ...

Hi,

I've been practicing my new found ninja skills today on my husband, that we were taught in our self defense class last night, and I think he's impressed but also a bit sore as I was a bit over enthusiastic demonstrating what we learned and forgot to mention that he may possibly get hit.  Oops!

Here's a christmas card I never got round to posting - it was for my lovely friend Gemma who helped us out last night.

It's a shaker card, I think I've made one before - so when I made it I decided I didn't need to look for any instructions - maybe next time I will as it took a while to figure out.  Gemma liked it though so that's good!

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

Tuesday Throwdown - Baby It's Cold Outside

Do You Stack Up - Pink

Lexis Creations - Anything Goes

Southern Girls - Show us your Sparkle

Thanks for looking!

Julie xx

Paper Piecing

Evening!

This afternoon I put together a thank-you card for one of my friends who cam to our rescue and looked after our children at short notice this evening as myself and my husband who never have a social life both had things to do this evening! I've been at our WI meeting and had a great time with a self defense lesson.

I had a go a paper piecing - I've been meaning to try it for a while and I wish I'd done it earlier - how fab is it?  I'm definitely going to do it again - it looks amazing.  As I mainly use digital images I wasn't to sure how to do it as all the tutorials I'd seen were for rubber stamping.  However the other day I saw this tutorial on the Card Crafter's Circle blog which explained how to do it with a digital image really simply.

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

Crafty Creations - Something New (New Technique!)
For Fun - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Spots and/or Stripes
Card Mad Fairy - Thank-you
Stamping For The Weekend - Out with the Old (It's all been lurking in my stash for a while!)

Thanks for Looking

Julie xx

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

and another snowman...

Evening all!

We've been watching Santa Claus the Movie this afternoon and my little girl was so excited screaming "Santa, Santa" at the top of her voice - it was so cute - but I think I may need to ask Santa for some new ear drums for Christmas!

I feel like I've used this snowman on practically every card I've made - but he's so quick to colour.

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

Freshly Brewed - Christmas
One Stop Craft Challenge - Traditional Christmas Colours
Winter Wonderland - Let it Snow
For Fun - Christmas Sparkle
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (with a Dangle!)
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes plus Glitter
Ladybug Challenge - Snowflakes and Sparkle
Craft Your Days Away - Snowmen
Stampin' for the Weekend - Christmas

Thanks for Looking

Julie x

Brrrrrrr!!!

Afternoon!

Is anyone else cold?  I'm sat snuggled on my sofa, covered by a blanket with my fire on full blast willing time to stop then I don't have to go out in the cold to the supermarket!

I hope all your Christmas preparations are going well.  I'm feeling fairly pleased with myself as I've only got 13 cards left to make - mainly for my best friends and family!  However I've run out of gems and pearls so it means a trip to the craft shop at the weekend.  That's never going to end well for the bank balance!

Here's my latest card, I've done a few in this format for speed - just varying the paper and the colour of the snowman's scarf and hat.

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

Pollycraft - Christmas Fun
Tuesdsay Throwdown - Celebrate the season
Freshly Brewed - Christmas
Crafty Creations - Christmas Sentiment
Simon Says Stamp - Photo Inspiration
One Stop Craft Challenge - Let it Snow
Aud Sentiments - Winter Holiday Sentiments
Crafty Calender - Cold and Frosty
Bizzy Becs - Christmas
Sunday's With Crissy - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking!

Julie x

37 to go ....

Evening,

I've got just a tiny bit of panic setting in that I'm running out of time to make all my Christmas cards!  I've made 22 and I've got 37 to go.  Not sure how that works with only about 3 weeks until last posting day, and I started off so well...

Last night I night I made 3 cards the same but different.  Not a great photo (for a change) they look much better in real life (or if you click on them and make the bigger) plus they all have plenty of sparkle on them.

 

So it's back to my dining room table to make a few more tonight!

I'd like to enter these cards into the following challenges:

Pollycraft Monday - Christmas Fun
Simply Create Too - It's all about Christmas
CardMad Fairy - Winter Wonderland

Thanks for looking!

Julie
x

Stepper Card

Hi,

It's the happy hour here - which means the children are asleep in their beds having an afternoon nap and I have some well earned peace and quiet.

Today I've had a happy crafting parcel through the doors in the shape of a deer die - I can't wait to give it a go, in fact once I've finished this post I'm off to crank up my big shot.  I got it from a site called Capture the Magic - and they sent a little unexpected freebie of some little train eyelets! So thanks very much for that!

Here is the card I made last night - I though I'd have a go at making a stepper card and was surprised at how easy it was.

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

Everybody Art Challenge - Christmas Card
Papertake Weekly - Christmas Crackers
Ladybug Challenge - Winter Blues
Sew Many Cards -Stair Steps
Aud's Sentiments - Winter Sentiments
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Winter Wardrobe
Little Claire's - Shaped Cards

Thanks for looking!

Julie

Pink Christmas

Happy Weekend!

I read somewhere the other day there is only 78 days till Christmas which sounded a bit close for comfort - but I've just checked and by reckoning there is only 73 - how has that happened?

So here is my latest Christmas card:

What my crappy photography doesn't show up is the fact I may have caused a world shortage of glitter!

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

Simon Says Stamp - Sparkle and Bling
Jingle Belles - Pink Christmas
Bah Humbug - Glitter and Glitz
Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes as long as it Sparkles
Crafty Cardmarkers - Anything Goes
Card Mad Fairy - To Early for Christmas
Bunny Zoe - Sketch

Thanks for Looking

Julie x

A touch of purple

Morning,

I've been a busy bee (for me anyway) this week 3 posts in 3 days!! Check me out!

Here's a card I was just having a play with the other night. I also managed to get a decent self stamped sentiment.

I'm going to enter this into the following challenges:

My Grafico - Monthly Challenge
Whoopsi Daisy - Anything Goes
Southern Girls - Black and White with a Pop (hope I've got the right idea!)
Paper Sundaes - Just Saying Hi

Thanks for looking - hope you all have a fab weekend!

Julie xx

Mr Snowman

Morning!

Just a very quick post from me this morning as I really should be getting ready for work! Here's another Christmas card from me.

I love this little snowman he's so cute!

I'm going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion - Favourite Season - CHRISTMAS - I love it!!!!!!
For Fun - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Christmas In August

Do It with Digis - Christmas in August
My Grafico - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking!

Julie x

Happy Friday...

Hoo-ray it's the weekend! Hopefully the weather will stay nice as we've had a lovely afternoon in the park today. Although my fitness levels leave something to be desired as I'm shattered from chasing my (almost) 3 year old round!

Here's my first card for August - a birthday card for my Aunty Anne - and I'm feeling quite proud of myself as her birthday isn't until Thursday which is exceedingly organised for me.

I've followed this weeks PollyCraft Sketch - the DP is Pink Petticoat ( a magazine freebie stack) and the image is a Heather Ellis Digi - not sure if you realised I like these stamps as I've only used them one or two (hundred million) times.

Here's my challenge list for this card:

Allsorts - Free and Easy
Creative Inspirations - Summertime
Bunny Zoe - Fun in the Sun
Sundays with Chrissy - Keep It Simple Stamper
Pollycraft - Sketch
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Summertime
For Fun Challenges - Anything Goes
Stamp Something - August Digi Day

And a big hello to my new follower Shannin!

Thanks for looking!

Julie x

Purple Christmas

Hello!

I remember last Christmas when I made all of my Christmas cards I felt quite sad at not needing to make anymore.  The pink Christmas card I made last week has got me feeling all Christmassy again so I've made another one!

It's very simple card but I really love the colours!

I'm going to enter this into the following challenges:

Tuesday Throwdown - Christmas in July
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (and Buttons)
Our Creative Corner - Christmas in July
Winter Wonderland - Buffet - Snowflakes, Ribbon, Buttons

Thanks for looking!

Julie x

Less than six months .....

....  until Christmas!!!!  I love Christmas, I can't wait to put my Christmas decorations up.  But as I'm not allowed to put them up until December I've settled for making a Christmas Card:

One down - about another 50 to go!
The image is from Heather Ellis and the DP was a magazine freebie!

I'm going to enter this into the following challenges:

• Ladybug Challenge - Christmas in June
• Winter Wonderland - Pretty in Pink
• Woopsi Daisy - Christmas

Thanks for looking!

Julie x

Pink!

Here's yet another birthday card from me. Everyone seems to be having their birthday all at once.  I've still got another two to go in the next two weeks! This time, though, it's for my mother-in-law - she is so lovely - not the like the dreaded mother-in-law everyone else seems to have!

However it's probably not the most grown-up card for a lady of a certain age.

I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:

• Everybody Art Challenge - Anything Goes
• CPS - Sketch
• Do it with Digis - Monochrome (ok so there is a tiny, tiny bit of blue and green among all that pink!  oops!)
• My Grafico - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie

A birthday card..

Morning!

I made this card last night as my friend's little girl is 4 next week.

 I'm going to enter it into the following challenges:

• Cupcake Craft - Orange, Yellow, Green and White (ok so only the little bird and the grass is green - hope it still counts!)
• Papertake Weekly - Sketch
• Do You Stack Up - Orange
• Stamp Something - Anything Digi
• Catch the bug - Anything Goes
• Bee Crafty - Summers Here!

Plus I have two new followers - Laura Jane Quick and Aussie Loz - HELLO!
Check me out - that's 18 followers now!!

Thanks for popping by!

Julie

Coming to a card near you ....

Morning!

I just though I'd take a quick picture of all the stamps I printed and cut ready for colouring.  So far I've managed to colour 13 out of 36! 

Although taking a better look at the photo I suspect my toddler has been poking around with the camera as it looks smudged.  And on closer inspection of the camera I have found one toddler size finger print on the lense!  

Anyway just in case you were interested where they were from:

Little Girl  / Snowman - Heather Ellis.  

Fairies - Card Making and Papercraft free gift.

And the ones below were found via Free Digital Stamps

Little Boy - Sliekje Digital Stamps

Birds - Blackleaf Studios

Giraffe - Limited Runs

Anyway thanks for looking - have a nice day! x

Cake not Cards

Hi,

I've realised I've not posted for ages, years even.  I'm not sure how that happened - but I seem to have had fate conspiring against me (my camera broke so I couldn't take any pictures of the few cards I have made and given to people) and being busy with life in general. 

I've just finished my maternity leave and have returned to work after a massive 14 months off (lots of holidays to use!) and am finding balancing working (even just the three days a week I do!), managing home stuff with a 2.5 year old and a 1 year old and fitting in time to craft challenging to say the least. But I'll get there - after all one of the amazing things about being a woman is the innate ability to do more than one thing at a time!

Anyway in all the time I've been away my baby boy turned one.  So I thought I'd share a picture of his birthday cake with you all.  If nothing more so you can have a chuckle at my feeble attempts. 

It's a lion - just in case you were wondering!

And for those of you out there who need extra laughs, then I though I'd share with you pictures of the cupcakes I made for my little girl's 2nd birthday way back in September.  I'd like to title this collection "Something went wrong at the Zoo."

I'm starting to get back into making cards - and for some fresh inspiration I bought quite a few digital images from Heather Ellis' website here, some were only 50p each which is a bargain - so I recommend you take a look. Last night I printed out lots and lots of digis to colour in so I can make some cards, and tonight I've coloured four little fairies, which in my book is big progress.  I'll take some photos with my fancy new camera later on this week so you can see all my images.

Somehow, while I've been away I've got two new followers, so thanks very much for that and hello to Angels & Diamonds and Sandra!

Also I was wondering if anyone has seen any good deals on Nestabilities Circles and Scalloped Circles?  If so would you be so very kind as to leave me a comment!! 

Cheers for reading!!