Monochrome at Anything Goes Challenge #85

Hi Girls

Well I hope you're all managing to stay dry and warm in the horrible weather we've been having... My heart goes out to the people that are having more floods...  our garage is flooding with all the ground water that's not able to get away, and that's bad enough as we've had to move everything higher...  but it must be absolutely devastating to have your house flood.

Now... onto the reason for today's post.... it's new challenge time at Anything Goes... this time the theme is 'monochrome' and OK, I admit... I had to google it, and this is what was found!!

"Monochrome -  the tints tones and shades of one colour"... as in:



So there you go!  Not sure if my card is too 'in your face' purple.....  but I'm relatively happy with it..

As far as I know, we're also allowed to use skin and hair colouring......  (which I obviously did..), but don't quote me as I may get into trouble with the other DT memebrs!

Card Recipe

• Gorjuss Girl - Daisy
• Colouring - Copics and Promarkers
• Pink Petticoat printable papers
• Bazzill cardstock
• White gel pen
• White Cosmic Shimmer Pearl Glue (for dots around image)
• Flower Die - MFT Die-namics Flower Trio
• Photo corner Die - MFT Die-namics
• Gems from Stash

Pop over to Anything Goes to check out my lovely teamies' creations... and don't forget you can find lots of fabulous crafty goodies at the Craft Den.

Looking forward to seeing your monochrome creations..

Big Hugs and Happy Crafting 

Christine x

Two in a day??? Not like me....

Hi all

Yes... I'm here again ... twice in the same day, not like me at all!!  I'm just popping by to show you this quick and easy card (and it's a just for fun one which is nice!).  I saw a card similar to this on Pinterest pinned by my good friend Sylvia... the original card was pinned and made by Loll.  This is my take on it - which I thought you may like to see.  I am still playing with my SU goodies that I bought a little while ago through Sylvia... and this little embossing frame is so useful, I think I'll use it over and over.

I decided to put my flowers actually in the frame itself... with the sentiment lower down..  I also embossed the base of the card with dots, and added a grosgrain ribbon bow.  I think I went a little two heavy handed with the centre of the flowers - next time I think I will either use little pearls or gems in a toning colour.

Materials:

• Stampin Up Textured Impressions Frames Embossing Folder
• Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing folder
• Martha Stewart Hydrangea Punch (hoping they look a bit like violets!)
• Martha Stewart Leaf Punch
• Stampin Up Word Window Punch
• Sentiment - Pink Petticoat
• Grosgrain Ribbon from stash

The whole card took me about 10 -15 mins in total... from looking at a plain sheet of white card!  I already had the sentiment (and lots of others) printed out, so didn't even have to run downstairs to the printer!  Anyway, hope you like!

We went to the fab Berwick Kayler panto in York with Emma last night... a bit of a tradition.. but came out of the theatre to find the deep snow!!  So Emma left us at the theatre and disappeared off to get her car and bring it to the entrance...  then took us back to her flat (at 10 mph) and made sure we stayed there overnight ... in her bed, while she slept on a camp bed in the lounge!  She even made me a hottie bottle!!  Soooooo  this is one of the nice things about getting older....  you get to be the one being looked after!!

Hope you're all keeping warm and dry..

Big hugs

Christine x

Totally Gorjuss - Flowers - Challenge 167

Hi All

Time for the next weekly challenge at Totally Gorjuss...  this time we had a lovely image from Bugaboo to choose, and I went for a cute little girl ...  I imagine she's carrying those flowers for her mum!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Bugaboo Kidz Girl Roses 
• DP - Echo Park - Hello Summer
• Martha Stewart Border Punch
• Li'l Inkers Stitched Sentiment Die
• Pebbles Rub On Sentiment
• Velvet Ribbon
• Various gems from stash
• Tiny Woodware flower punch

And here are our lovely sponsors...

Pop over to the Totally Gorjuss blog HERE to check out my lovely teamies' creations.... then we'd love to see your fab floral creations!!

Big hugs and Happy Crafting
Christine x

Soooooooo Distressed!!

Hi Girls...

Guess what it's time for again?  Does the colour of my card give you a clue???  (And yes it IS pink... just a plummy-dusky-type pink!!)

WELL... the weeks are rolling by, and it's time for another In the Pink Challenge...  and this time the challenge is to use some sort of distressing.  As there are a lot of different techniques that are known as distressing, I thought this would be nice to do.... and I was right... I very much enjoyed making this card... even though I have been bunged up with a nasty head cold...  our house smells of Olbas Oil and cough pastilles!

Card Recipe:

• Image - A Day for Daisies - Braid in My Hair
• Paper - Maja Designs
• Colouring - Copics and Promarkers
• Lace and Ribbon from Stash
• Crystal Stickles around image
• Cosmic Shimmer Pearl Glue - dotted around image
• Distress Ink - Victorian Velvet

I used an oval nestie to cut the image shape.... then used the blade of my scissors to distress the oval edge.. after I'd used the distress ink to shade around the oval.  Then finally I added Crystal Stickles to add glitter to the distressed edge.  I also used the Distress Ink for the edge of my square DP.

Hope you're all staying warm in this chilly weather... the snow seems to be disappearing a bit here, but sounds like we may get more before this cold snap is over!  I'm off to the hairdressers today to get rid of my grey... (!)... hope it doesn't snow while I'm out!

Big hugs to all and Happy Crafting

Christine x
PS... Don't forget to pop over to In The Pink... and get all distressed with us!

Craft Den Workshops 2013

Hi Girls

Just a quick post to let you know there are some fab workshops going on this year at the Craft Den in Sheffield....  See below for details!

Craft Den Workshops 2013

Friday 8th March '13 - 10:00am- 4.00pm

All day workshop with Jean Hardy from

Crafty Individuals House shaped printers tray. £35

----------------------

6th April '13 - All day workshop with Hels Sheridan

Altered Mirror £35

-------------------------------------------

Sunday April 14th - All day workshop with Andy Skinner £37

------------------------------------------------------------------------

4th May '13 - Demo Day withHels Sheridan

6th July '13 - All day workshopHels Sheridan

Project to be arranged when we have the new goodies from CHA

-----------------------

Saturday 18th May '13 Full day workshop

with Kate Crane Project to be arranged

--------------------

Please contact Lynne at the Craft Den for further details - on 0114 2340732.

Big hugs

Chrsitine x

I'm SO excited....... and I just can't hide it... (Join in if you know the song!)

Hi

Got you all singing??  Hope so!!

The reason for my excitement is that I've been asked to do a Guest Design spot for the totally fabulous Totally Gorjuss Challenge Blog!!  It took me all of a nano-second to say yes...  LOL!

For this week, the challenge theme is "K.I.S.S"....  so a simple card was required.... and you know how difficult they can be.. LOL!  But I battled on....  using some of my nice new stash...  and you can see the result.. hope you like!

Arty Sideways shot

Close up of the L'il Inkers hearts

Card Recipe:

• White and red cardstock
• Stamping Up Textured Impressions Embossing Folder - Adorning Accents
• L'il Inkers Of The Heart Dies
• Red Twine
• PC generated sentiment
• Tiny red gem

Pop over to the challenge blog for more details and to check out my super talented teamies' creations...  then I can't wait to see what KISS cards you come up with!  And our generous sponsor this week is Crafter's Companion... so you could be in with a chance of winning £10 to spend in their online store!!

Another reason for me to be very excited is that I have now  reached the 200 followers mark...  YESSSS!!! A big welcome to my new followers - hope you like what you see!

Big hugs and Happy Crafting......  ohh and stay safe and warm in this chilly weather!!

The view of our garden this morning!

Christine x

It's Buttons and Bows at Anything Goes..

Hi Ladies

See my poetry in the title?? LOL!  It's time again for another challenge at Anything Goes... and this time the challenge is all about Buttons and Bows...  so as I have a drawer full of ribbon to tie in bows, and another drawer full of buttons collected over years... I enjoyed doing this card... though think I now have dots before my eyes!  When I took a peek at my recent cards...  LOTS have dots!!  (see?  poetry again.... haha)

Card Recipe:

• Image - Be My Sunshine from Tiddlyinks
• Dies - Floral Oval Nestie, Large Ovals
• DP - Kaisercraft Marigold Collection - Maple
• Copics - Dress and Hat: BG10, BG 72 and a touch of BG93
• Seam Binding, Buttons, Twine and Glitter from stash (yes it does have glitter but not obvious for once..!)
• Cosmic Shimmer White Pearl PVA (for dots around the image)
• Edge Distressed with Versamagic Aqua Mist

Please pop over to the Anything Goes Challenge Blog where you will meet some lovely new DT members... and also see more inspiration from my fab teamies!  Also don't forget to visit the Craft Den where you will find lots of crafty goodies for sale.

Can I just say a big welcome to my new followers too...  lovely to have you in my little bit of blogland.. hope you like what you see and do leave me a comment if you do - they are appreciated so much and often make a dark day brighter!  And look....  I only have a few to go before I reach the magic 200!!!  Small steps as they say..

Big hugs and happy crafting

Christine x
Challenge:  InkyChicks - Anything Goes

Luscious Lace!!

Hi Best Blogging Buddies

It's time again over at In The Pink for a new challenge...  Luscious Lace!!  Well, as people that know me well know, this is right up my street, as I have a drawer crammed with lace of all types... so I really enjoyed putting these cards together. 

The first, I think is a bit vintage-ey...  using a Sarah Kay image and decoupaging it to give a 3D effect.  I think I may have to send this one to myself as I was really please with the result... 

Materials:

• Stamp: Laura and Henri - Sarah Kay Stampavie (bought at Samuel Taylors)
• Papers: Maja Design Vintage Summer Basics 1922 (double sided so used both)
• Lace, Pearls and glitter from stash
• Copics and Promarkers

And onto my second...

This one is totally away from the vintage feel...  but I still love it just as much!  It's using a sweet little digi image from Whimsie Doodles which I fussy cut and 3D'd.... I love their images and they can be resized so easily, so can fit any size card you choose!

Materials:

• Image:  Whimsie Doodles - Fairy
• Papers: Best Creation Inc - Sweet Baby, Personal Impressions - Snowball (Raspberry)
• Lace:  Bought from Sammy Taylors at Embsay
• Gems, Buttons, Twine and Glitter from stash
• Sentiment - computer generated
• Sentiment Die - Fishtail Banner - Dienamics

I've got to admit that I really enjoyed making these cards and am happy with both of them... maybe Mr Mojo has made a visit back to my craft room....  mind you, it's not easy for him to find space in there with so much crammed in...  he'll have to perch on the corner of my desk!  I read on someone's blog the other day that they have a 6ft x 3ft desk..... but can only ever manage to craft on 6 square inches of it..  How true that is of mine...!

The sun showed itself yesterday here in my bit of Yorkshire... and what a difference it makes.... I feel GOOD!! (and I know there'll be people of the same age as me out there singing the rest of that song now!!)

Big hugs to all and Happy Crafting..

Christine x

PS... Do try if you can to pop over to In The Pink... we'd love to see more people sharing our pink passion!

Another challenge for my cards:
Inky Chicks - Anything Goes

A Christmas card I forgot to blog... Ooops!

Hi all

A quickie from me tonight.... I forgot to blog this card before Christmas...  just found the pic in my 'to do' file on the 'puter...  so here it is.

I used the Country Landscape die from Memory box for the shape (d'oh.. obviously)...  Coloured the little houses and trees...  used a Cuttlebug embossing folder for the embossed snow effect on the white, a snowflake paper (can't remember the name) for the background... which I've sponged with some Distress Ink as it got towards the horizon.  The sentiment is from Pink Petticoat... cut out with a Stamping Up Word Window punch..  then I added a green twine bow.  The finished touch was some bigger than normal glitter to give the effect of snow... not sure if that worked.

So there you go...  I didn't get to use it much this year, but think I'll definitely be using it next year!!

Big Hugs and Happy Crafting
Christine x
PS.... I had a tooth 'fall out' this afternoon (well one of those that's 90% filling and 10% tooth).... and all I did was eat a little Bounty sweet from what was left of our tin of Celebrations!!  I've got to admit, it's been wobbly for about a year or so, so needed to be got rid of... I just wasn't expecting it to be that way!! LOL!

Challenge:  Without Words January - Baby it's cold outside

Oooooh Papertrey Ink Stamps and Dies...

Morning bloggers..

Well I was a very lucky lady at Christmastime, and one of my gifts was some fabulous Papertrey Ink stamps and dies from a very lovely person ... so I've been practising and practising - and here's what I came up with!!  What do you think?

They do take some getting used to..  positioning the die over the stamped image is a bit tricky.. but they are soooooo effective when it's done.  I just used a bit of pink dotty (yes it had to be pink!) from my stash... a pc generated sentiment... a woodware corner rounder..  and of course the stamps and dies..  which are Rosie Posie from Papertrey Ink.  Oooh and a little touch of glitter finished the roses off...

Now I just wanted to share these pics of my youngest daughter - who was in Las Vegas over Christmas...  They are entitled 'How to Give My Mother Nightmares/a Heart Attack'...  (and look away if you're squeamish...)

On the last one - she's actually standing on the very edge of the Grand Canyon!!!!  Seems they don't have health and safety over there............  And as I hate heights, my toes curled when I looked at it!!   She had a fabulous time as her birthday is on Christmas Eve also... and she was with a group of friends so celebrated in style..

Big hugs to all and Happy Crafting..
Christine xx

An unashamed Wedding CASe!

Morning All

Well........  what can I say about this? I needed a wedding card in a hurry for my daughter's friend... and I knew the very place to look for ideas...  my friend Mandi from Enchanted Occasions and LIM produces such fabulous wedding cards..  and I found one very similar to this.  Sooo, all credit to Mandi... all I did was change colours to what was required.  As I totally respect her design, I will not be entering it for any challenges etc.  Mandi is a lovely lady who I used to know when I lived on the Isle of Wight.. in fact we shared a card stall at craft fairs... so I'm sure she wouldn't mind me being inspired by her.  I know she's now got a fabulous wedding shop in Ryde, which I can't wait to visit next time I'm over.  Anyway - THANK YOU hon!

Card Recipe:

• Cheery Lynn Flourish
• Small Daisy Punch
• Computer Generated Sentiment
• Turquoise Pearl Maker
• Cosmic Shimmer Pearl Glue

Hope you've all had a fabulous start to the new year...

Big hugs and Happy Crafting

Christine xx

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to all my lovely blogging friends!

Hope you had a fabulous night if you were out revelling...  and if you spent a quiet one like Barry and I, I hope you raised your glasses at midnight!  Here's to a wonderfully happy, healthy 2013!  I would love to hear some of your New Year resolutions and whether you've kept them or not!!

Now down to the reason I'm here.... it's time again for another Anything Goes challenge... this time the theme is 'JUST GOOD FRIENDS'...  and what could be better for that theme than one of the gorgeous LOTV images...  I chose 'Coffee Break' - and really enjoyed colouring these two little ladies with my copics and promarkers.  I love to share a coffee and a natter with good friends.... but I would definitely not be the one with the big hat!! LOL!

I used MME Blush DP... using both sides (the gingham is the reverse), and mounted onto Bazzill.  I cut the image with a nestie square, did a little computer generated sentiment, added a Memory Box Corner Bow die, and some flat backed gems... and it was done.

Don't forget to pop over the the challenge blog HERE to see what my gorgeous teamies have come up with to give you inspiration... and then maybe over to the Craft Den to see what goodies Lynne has on offer in her sale!

Take care all and again.... Happy 2013!!

Big hugs
Christine x