And the wait is over.... they're here!!

Hi Girls...

Well today's the day for the brand new Sugar Nellie Winter Wonders release over at Funky Kits...  you need to get over there NOW to see these fabulous new images...    And to celebrate, we've having a blog hop today - which is really, really exciting!

But.......  now as you know I'm a sentimental old lady... (ok I'll take the 'lady' bit off that sentence..).. and there's a few other Sweeties who are just like me....  So to cut a long story short, we felt a little bit sorry for the other little creatures (particularly the fairies, who we never like upsetting)...  in case they felt sad and neglected with the new little buddies pushing their noses out of joint...  Soooooooo  we decided to be different and do the hop with these instead!!

I got out one of my all time favourite Christmas images...  Little Apprentice... and decided to decoupage her properly.... with lots of layers!  And blimey... was I fed up with fussy cutting by the time it was finished??!! She was worth it though I think...  and I gave her loads of fairy dust to make her feel invigorated for this Christmas season coming!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Sugar Nellie Little Apprentice
• Dies - Nestie Circle and Scalloped Lace Circle
• Embossing Folders - Sizzix Holly and Spellbinders A4 Dotty
• Sentiment - LOTV Grungy Christmas Sentiments
• Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch
• Gems, twine and Glitter from stash

Now... on with the hop!  If you've arrived here from Jennifer's blog... you're in the right place...  and you should then head on to Vicky here..  but if you need to find your way or want to start from the beginning... here's the correct order with links.... or you could head over to the Sugar Bowl Challenge blog and start from there!

Lisa - Wishcraft
Lis M - My Craft Blogumentary
Janine - Crafting Crackers
Pat - Cards 2 Cherish
Susan - Mixamatoasties
Pam - Pami's Crafty Creations
Mina - PinkPuds
Wendy - Lolly Dolly Crafts
Fiona - Fi's Cards and Crafts
Jennifer - My Inky Hands
Christine - Handmade by Christine (ME - YOU'RE HERE)
Vicky - Vixx Handmade Cards

Now, there are gorgeous candy prizes to be had along the way if you leave a comment on each of the blogs - then make sure you get yourself over to

to check out the new release!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and a fab time blog hopping!

Thank you so much for any comments you leave..  and for popping by..
Big big hugs

Christine xx

PS..  Anyone eagle-eyed enough to spot one of my cards on the LOTV show on Thursday on Create and Craft?  More about that tomorrow!! x

Getting excited....

Hi Girls..

There's something exciting about to happen on Saturday at 10 am....  some new little cuties are getting ready for their debut over at Funky Kits...  and I can't wait!!

And to celebrate.... the Sugar Bowl Sweeties are having a blog hop!!  Why don't you pop over on Saturday and join in the fun?  

Big hugs

Christine x

Distress Inks... hmmm.... very distressing....

Hi Ladies...  

Today's theme over at Anything Goes is 'In The Garden' ... (with  butterflies).... and I had the perfect Tilda to use which was a gift from a special blogging friend on my birthday.. (thank you hon)... and then I decided as I was 'home alone' this weekend and had lots of time, I would try the Distress Ink colouring that I've been determined to have a go at for over a year!  In fact the materials have been waiting.... and waiting....  and waiting...

Sooooooo I gathered up all the info sheets that I'd collected, the very kind bloggers' emails.... the YouTube tutorials..  took a deep breath....  and tipped my paintbrush in the water!!  It took an hour on Friday afternoon to complete her face.... but I have to admit - I was relatively pleased with that...  then I went onto her hands and knees..... hmmmmm..... her knees look a little suntanned and different colours to each other!

Most of Saturday saw me colouring her dress and hair (definitely not got THAT right), and in fact everything else on the image.  I THEN realised that she's actually sitting down - but had nothing to rest her bottom on.... so I had to create a wall for her to sit on!   Regarding the colouring... I think that I should learn for next time that less is more...  and to try to make the colour I use blend further.  But even though it's not wonderful... (which I would have LIKED it to turn out to be... ), I really enjoyed the painting... and I WILL master it.... I will!

I've got to say a very big thank you to my blogging pal Elaine who has had endless patience giving me colouring advice, and also to a new blogging friend - Debbie Dolphin - who replied quickly to my 'HELP ME' email and was a great source of info and guidance.  No doubt I'll be bothering you both again with more questions until I get the hang of it!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Tilda - Princess of the Valley
• Papers - Kaisercraft Magnolia Grove - from Sammy T's at Embsay
• Colouring Medium - Distress Inks (yessss!)
• Dies - Nestie Rectangle, Whimsey Stamps Tabs 1, Grass - Joy Vintage Flourishes 6002/0137
• Sentiment - Whimsey Stamps Vintage Birthday Tabs 1
• Seam Binding, Button, Glitter and Stickles (on grass) from stash

Why don't you join us out 'in the garden' this time at Anything Goes...  the sun is shining (well it is at the moment....) and it's nice outside!!  Looking forward to seeing your fabulous entries...

A very big welcome to my newest followers...  I hope you like what you see and I'd love you to leave a comment if you do...  your words really mean a lot to me.. they make my day happier!

Big hugs

Christine xx

I made a Christmas Card!

Hi Ladies

Well, as today's challenge theme at Totally Gorjuss is 'Bows' - and as I have to do some more samples for Lili of the Valley using their gorgeous Art Pads, I decided to combine the two with this very simple card...

Recipe:

• Lili of the Valley Art Pad 13- Tis the Season
• Nitwits/LOTV Paper Pad - Classic Christmas
• Oval Nestie
• LOTV Christmas Handwritten Sentiments - Set 35
• Ribbon and glitter from Stash

Told you it was simple - didn't I?  And I can't believe that I'm making Christmas cards in August.... not like me at all!

Pop over to the Totally Gorjuss Challenge blog HERE and check out my teamies' creations using bows.. we are kindly sponsored this time by The Ribbon Girl - so you may just be able to win some goodies!

My lovely OH is working all this weekend including Monday... and my gorgeous daughter is away...  so I have the weekend to myself - guess where I'll be???  I have an appointment upstairs with some Distress Inks - I'm determined to master colouring with them!  Wish me luck..

Big Hugs and Happy Crafting...

Christine x

My second post today..now it's Sugar Bowl time!

Hi again girls... yep it's me again for the second time today (you'll be bored soon!).... this time it's for the new Sugar Bowl Challenge..

I had to put this card together quite quickly, as I'd got my dates mixed up (comes from being OLD!)...but I think it turned out quite well... at least I'm pleased with it... and there's no pink!  OK, OK, lilac is quite close to pink...  and it does have lots of glitter...  but what self respecting fairy would be without??!

Card Recipe:

• Image - Sugar Nellie Jasmine
• Colouring Medium - Copics and Promarkers - Lilac colours: V000, VO1, V04, O Blender, 
• Papers from LOTV - Nitwits Paper Pad - Promises
• Spellbinders Rectangle Die
• Papertrey Ink Tiny Tags Die and Sentiment
• Martha Stewart border punch
• Small butterfly punch
• Glitter and Ribbon from stash

If you check out the Sugar Bowl Challenge blog HERE- you will see that you can win four wonderful Sugar Nellie images of your choice if your card is picked.... and if we have over 100 entries, you get to win SIX! How good is that?!

Also, take a look at the lovely cards my lovely teamies have made...  some stunning work there!

Big, big hugs..

Christine xxx

Pink time again..

Hi Girls

Wowwww... time seems to be flying by so quickly...  I can't believe it's PINK time again...  where did those two weeks go?

After our fabulous birthday celebrations, this time at In The Pink... the challenge is KISS (Keep it Sweet and Simple)..  sounds easy?  Hmmmm I'm not so sure...  but fun to try!  I tend to over-think a design which takes me hours, BEFORE I actually set to making the card...   know what I mean??

Anyway... I'd seen this little lady on a card by the very talented Mary J a while back, and decided she was going to be my image for this card... she certainly fulfils the 'sweet' bit don't you think?  And she was sooo easy to colour...

Card Recipe:

• Image - Digi - Dilly Beans - Amalia's Daisy Crown
• Papers - Digi - Pink Petticoat - Dotty and Plain
• Colouring Medium - Copics and Promarkers
• Dies - Papertrey Ink Double Ended Banner (using one end only!), Nestie Circle
• Embossing Folder - Craft Concepts
• Sentiment - Paper Smooches - Sentiment Sampler
• Giltter and Stickles from stash

I do hope you'll pop over to In The Pink to see what the very talented Design Team have come up with this time...  there are some real stunners!  And then why don't you join in?  It's be lovely to see you there...

Ooooh and my 'Hidden Pink Candy' Winner is #14 - GranMargaret - could you contact me so I can get your candy to you?

I'll be back later today with a second post....  this time for The Sugar Bowl!

Big hugs to all and Happy Crafting..

Christine xxx

PS...A massive welcome my newest followers - it's lovely that you wanted to see my cards... I feel very honoured x

Just 'breezing' on by..

Morning ladies..

A 'just for the fun of it' card from me today... not for a DT - just one I enjoyed making and wanted to share...

This image is the fabulous 'Breeze' by Krista at Saturated Canary.... and she's just soooooo gorgeous to colour.. and yes, I had to use my pinks!!  Doesn't she just look like she's ready for her night out?  Of course, I had to give her some bling...

Card Recipe:

• Image - Breeze - Saturated Canary
• Colouring Medium - Copics and Promarkers
• Paper - Love and Marriage by Bella Boulevard from Sammy Taylors
• Dies - Spellbinders Floral Oval and Cheery Lynn Daisy Strip for the flower
• Gem, Feathers and Glitter from stash

I've just heard the weather forecast for this week and it's going to be warm...  I'll certainly be enjoying it if it doesn't get too hot again!

Big hugs and Happy Crafting..

Christine xx

Today it's an anniversary card...

Morning girls...

Well as the theme this week at Totally Gorjuss is 'Die Cuts and Punches'... I thought I'd show you this romantic card that I made for a lovely friend of mine recently for her anniversary.  I was really happy with the way it turned out..  the colouring seemed to go just right and matched the papers so well.  That only happens 'sometimes' with me!! LOL!  And my friend loved it...  

Recipe:

• Image: LOTV Anniversary Surprise
• Sentiment - LOTV
• Die - Nestie - Stately Circles
• Colouring Medium - Copics and Promarkers
• DP - Maja Designs Sofiero
• Ribbon, Glitter and Gem from stash

So pop over to Totally Gorjuss later to see what my DT buddies have come up with... and the sponsor this time is Heather's Hobbie Haven.

The weather forecast says it's going to rain today... but it's nearly 7.30 a.m. and there's no sign of it yet..   We'd planned a nice 'do nothing apart from what we feel like' day if it was pouring down...  errrm not that I'm wishing for it!

Big hugs and Happy Crafting..

Christine x

Anything Goes time... and a few pics I wanted to share!

Hi Ladies

Today's challenge theme at Anything Goes is 'By the Sea'....  and as I'd been inspired by a card I saw on the Pink Petticoat blog a couple of weeks back, I decided to 'have a go'!  As you know, I'm not known for my cards for men...  but thought I may be able to manage one.... and here it is!

Card Recipe:

• Pink Petticoat Beach Cottage papers and Bazzill card
• MFT Dienamics Pierced Circles (cut in half)
• Papertrey Ink Ric Rac Die for sea
• Li'l Inkers Stitched Banner Die and Stitched Square Die
• Zig Zags on boat cut with pinking shears
• Stampin Up Candy Dots
• String and cocktail stick (for mast) from stash

So.... no pink, no glitter, and no fairies anywhere... unless one has snuck on the boat and is hiding!

If you pop over to the challenge blog HERE - you can see what the lovely Anything Goes teamies have come up with..  and don't forget that lots of crafting goodies can be purchased at Lynn's Craft Den online shop.

Now...  I just wanted to share a couple of photos of my 60th birthday celebrations over the weekend... my birthday was Friday - I got up to find balloons and banners in the lounge - then my lovely OH and I enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Betty's Tearooms at RHS Harlow Carr..  and this is what they did for me when they learned it was my birthday!  I'd ordered Pimms to celebrate... and they brought the little cake out for me - complete with candle... how lovely was that?!

We then had a yummy Italian meal in the evening with my daughter Emma..  followed the next day by a get together for family and friends at a lovely little village pub close to us...  

I was very spoiled by both my lovely OH and my daughters (unfortunately Clare - my youngest - couldn't be there as she lives in Bermuda - but she's coming over in September so we'll celebrate again then!).   I am a very lucky lady too as I received some fabulous pressies from them - and then as the 'icing on the cake' so to speak.... I received fabulous handmade cards from lots of lovely blogging friends.... and wonderful gifts too! A massive thank you girls.... you know who you are - I don't know what I've done to deserve such fabulous friends!

Today I'm meeting up with a fellow WI member who has become a good friend, and we're going to an exercise class called 'Wiggle and Giggle' - sounds right up my street.... but I may still need oxygen as my body ain't used to exercise of any sort!!

Big hugs and Happy Crafting..

Christine xx

Time for a BIRTHDAY at In The Pink...

Hi Lovely Blogging Buddies...

It's time to celebrate at In The Pink.......  the challenge blog is ONE YEAR OLD today...  so there's big celebrations afoot at The Pink Palace...   excitement is in the air....  and there's wonderful prizes and candy to be had!

And.....  it's a double celebration as tomorrow it's a very BIG birthday for me......  one I've not been looking forward to...  but I suppose it IS only a number, and I'll still be the very same person.... I will just have to be ticking the last box when it comes to questions on forms relating to my age - I don't like that bit!!  Yuck!!  But I will get cheaper priced tickets for shows etc...  and free prescriptions.... so it can't be all bad!

We're having a 'bit of a do' on Saturday...  which I'm really looking forward to.... it'll be lovely to see family and friends together.

(Just to show the 3D effect)

And I think the card I've made will be MY card to ME.... cos I love that it's all pink and glittery...  you know when things go just right??  That's how this card made me feel!

Recipe:

• Image - LOTV Cake Glorious Cake
• Sentiment - LOTV Handwritten Sentiments
• Paper - Maja Design Sofiero from Live and Love Crafts
• Coloured with Copics and Promarkers
• Die - Go Kreate Large Frilly #6
• Frantage  - Shabby Pink Embossing Enamel and Silver and Silver Halo Mix Glitter
• Glitter, Ribbon, Lace, Gems, Stickles from stash

I'd love you to pop over to the blog HERE to join in with our Birthdays challenge...  it's an easy one that everyone can join in with..  and if you visit the fabulous creations by the DT.... you may find 'HIDDEN CANDY' along with way (and there's lots..)....  all you have to do is leave a comment to be in with a chance of being picked for a lovely little bit of pinkness!

And wonderful news too... we have two fabulous sponsors this time at In The Pink who've agreed to donate a prize to two of the Perfect Pinkies chosen...

A £10 Gift Voucher

a prize of two individual digi images of the winner's choice

Do check out the CHALLENGE BLOG for more details of these fab prizes!

Now.... I better go, and enjoy being the age I am today for another few hours at least!!

Big Hugs and Happy Crafting...
Christine x

A ten minute card...

Today it's time for Totally Gorjuss again - and the theme is Anything Goes Plus Pearls..

As I don't seem to have any energy still after this virus.... I literally threw a card together that honestly took me less than ten minutes.

I used Bazzill pink, a scrap of dotty paper....  a square nestie, a MB Butterfly die and a MB Fishtail die too.  And the sentiment is a Pebble rub-on.  I think you can spot the pearls!!

Hope you like - pop over to the TG blog here for more inspiration and to check out this week's sponsor too.

Big hugs and Happy Crafting..
Christine x

A little fun card..

Hi lovely ladies..

I've just popped in to show you this...  such a fun, quick and easy card to make....  and I've got to say, totally inspired by the lovely Hazel from Simply Me..  who did a card very similar to this last week for the Dies to Die for site here.  Anyway, credit where it's due - thanks Hazel.... but I just had to have a little go..... there are times I need a quick card for someone that doesn't do flowery etc - and this fits the bill totally.

Although I've done the sentiment separately and stuck the words on  here, I have now made a template so that I can print the image and the sentiments in one go.  Easy - Peasey  - Lemon  - Squeezy..!!

And the details.... the image is a digi and is called Balloon Peep from All That Scraps (colours with copics)...  I've used my Li'l Inkers square stitched die (it's going to be worn out soon!)...  then the sentiment is done on the PC.   Ooooh and I nearly forgot.... glitter on the copic coloured balloon!  I've just shaded around the image with pale blue (as Hazel did) to make it stand out.

Simples!!

Big hugs and happy crafting..
Christine x