told you the glitter would be back....

Hi Girls

Just a quickie tonight... as we've been out all day and am going to put my feet up in a tic!  We went across to Skipton to meet some good friends... and of course, on the way back, had to call in at my fav craft shop at Embsay (Samuel Taylor - Click on Crafts).  And (hmmmm of course), I just had to spend a little.... well, you've got to show willing haven't you?

Anyway, this was a card I made yesterday and didn't know what to put on as a sentiment.  And today I bought a Tim Holtz typewriter alphabet strip (think it's made by Sizzix), and it was perfect for what I wanted - young and funky!  The image on the card is from Funky Kits and is Manga Girl #1 - a Sugar Nellie design.  I've done my best at embossing and 3D'ing it like Debby does... but still have wrinkles!  The DP is from a Sweet Fairy pad by Prima... and there is bazzill card backing it.  I've used my nesties for the shape which was run through a swiss dots embossing folder, and distressed the edges and added stickles with EXTRA glitter (well I had to make up for the lack recently... didn't I??) 

Right, I think that's all.....  but just wanted to tell you all that as it's my birthday early next month, I'm gearing up to do some CANDY and have some nice things I've collected put by for it!  But I'll have to have instructions on how to do the linky thing etc...   Anyway, watch this space please!

Thanks all for looking - and a special welcome to my new follower Katy who gave me endless advice at Embsay today - her cards are absolutely FABULOUS and I'm now going to wander over to her blog to have a look!

Big hugs to all
Christine x

You won't believe this....

Hi Best Blogging Buddies...

Well.... what you won't believe is that I really couldn't find anywhere to put glitter on this card....  try as I might!  (although just a smidgeon did appear on the petticoat JUST before I photographed it... well only little tiny dots so they don't really count.. do they??)  So me..... with no glitter?  Heaven forbid!

Soooo the card is using a lovely image called Cherry Pip from Funky Kits.... isn't she gorgeous?  I coloured her in with my trusty pens... then embossed her to 'curve her edges' so to speak!  I then used 3D foam to raise her from an embossed nestie shape (labels 18), but as I was using the largest of the set, I had to draw around the outside of the nestie onto red card - and cut that out, to get the red outer frame.  Follow???  Hope so!  The DP I've used is from an October Afternoon Modern Homemaker 8 x 8 Pad which I got from The PaperMaze....  so yummy.. but it had to be used!  Then I've used a bit of red behind that, and also red (embossed with swiss dots) for the corners ... with a retro flower embossed and added to each corner.  And where could the glitter go?  I tried from all angles, but couldn't really justify it!  Will my glitter pot forgive me?  I think not!  I'll be excom-glitter-cated...... wahhhhhhhhh!!  Can't stand the thought!

We've had a lovely weekend....  we went out for a nice pub lunch yesterday  - and after going in and out of 3 different pubs and turning out noses up at the menu - settled for the one just down the road!  But it was really nice to spend some time just with each other, rather than thinking 'we must do this in the garden' or 'we must do that...'  Today we've just spent pottering in the before-mentioned garden..., and I've done things like changing curtains (when I fell off the chair.... and broke a lovely glass candlestick), then washed up after lunch (and broke my OH's favourite Black Sheep beer glass)!  Hmmmm... they say things come in three's?  Hope it's not my glitter pot!!!

Hope everyone is well and had a lovely weekend and that the sun shone for you at least a bit...

Big Hugs to all, and thanks for looking and commenting...
Christine x

I'm back...

Hi best blogging buddies.....

Well firstly, can I welcome my new followers.... it always astounds me that people want to take a gander at what I make... so to have some new members via the Docrafts forum makes me very happy!  So a big welcome to you... hope you like what you see..

Now....  Yes I realise I've been back from my short break for a week and haven't posted...  but I think my mojo stayed down on the Isle of Wight....  cos I haven't been able to do a thing this week (apart from spend money on my stash which is just SOOOOOOOOOOO easy!)  I've actually been doing 'that dreaded word that starts with an H and ends with  K'... to get out of going into my craft room and gazing at my desk!  What's the matter with me? Mojo hol??????

Anyways.... I decided as it was raining today there was no escape... sooooo i got in there!  I've had this delicious digi image from the Paper Shelter (In the 20's) for a little while now, so decided it was about time I gave her some colour!  I used my promarkers to colour her in, then added glitter (of course...), then used my embossing tool to curve the image and then 3D'd her onto an oblong of card textured with my swiss dots embossing folder.  This was all layered onto a slightly larger rectangle of bazzill.  The DP in the background is from a K & Co pad - Classic K Charlotte, and that's layered onto bazzill kraft card. 

I've used some seam binding for the bow etc... then added flowers that I made with an MFT Die-namics die called Flower Trio and Leaf Trio which I got from Simon Says Stamp.  I cut them out in pink - then wiped a pink versamark teardrop over them, and sprinkled glittery embossing powder on them and heated.... i LOVE glitter!  These were all then held together with a pearl brad from WOC.    Oh and I added glossy accents to her shoes and bag but it's not showing up too well in the photo...

So there you go...   Hopefully I'll be back sooner rather than later... provided the rain keeps up! (OK...... I'm really wishing for sunshine!

Hugs to all and thanks for visiting, and big thanks for those that comment...
Christine x
ps... Challenges: Divas by Design - Pastels
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

A quick hello..

Just wanted to let you (my best blogging buddies) know that I haven't fallen off the edge of the world.. But that I've been working, gardening, making curtains, getting to know my new piece of technology (yay!!) And today we're going away for a few days back to the isle of Wight to see our friends and then to see the grandchildren in Bournemouth!

Soo not a card has been made, not a punch moved, not a pot of glitter lifted.. I have only been able to glance longingly in the direction of my craft space every now and again...

But I have been commenting and looking at everyone's beautiful cards ... So I'd not completely disappeared! Like katina mentioned in a post yesterday, I'm not going to feel guilty for not getting a card made or posting a creation.. Thats not what blogland is about.. Yes?

Sooo hopefully when we're back next week, I'll get at my glitter (can't wait.. It's a serious addiction..) and make something for you to see! But till then, I'm taking my little machine with me(!), so i'll still be around...

Bye for now and big hugs to all my blogging buddies.. And thanks for visiting..
Christine x

It's back to the plain and (not so) simple for me today....

Hi Girls...

Well it's taken me all day to get these pics uploaded.... GRRRR to blogger!!  Anyway, they're here now, so I'm thinking sweet thoughts (honest), and not mumbling away like I've been doing for the last couple of hours!! hehe

Now..  I blame these cards on my good friend Lisa over at Mess2Magic!  When she came to visit me, she brought me a lovely lot of card-making mags for me to enjoy... apparently she has as much difficulty throwing things away as I do, so handed them on to me!  Sooooooo  I sat and went through them all, and pulled out articles or pics of cards I would like to have a go at....  and here's the result.   (By the way girls, I then gave the rest of the mags to the AGE UK charity shop I work in, and they sold like hot cakes - so don't throw away...)  The card above was a 'to do' project - giving the template for the flower (which for some reason, I'd thrown away!!)  So I set to and hand drew it..... looks so easy..... but is SOOO damn difficult to get the right dimensions etc....  Now if anyone wants the digi download, I can give it to you....  just email me.  (I drew it freehand and then scanned it into photoshop and played a bit). 

The card is pretty self explanatory - and I printed on the pink dotty paper for the sentiment - using CK Ali's Hand Font which I'd downloaded for free at some time or another.  Of course, I had to add a bit of glitter.......

My second card today (yes two, don't fall over in excitement - they've taken me since Sunday to complete!) - is again CASE'd from a card I tore out of the mags, but I'm not sure there were instructions for this one.  Again, I had to draw it freehand and scan it.... but I think it looks really cute..... I made it for my OH - as we really are on Cloud Nine most of the time (but shhhhhh ... am not saying it too loud as he'll get a big head!!  And if anyone wants the digi image, just contact me and I'll send it.  I just hand wrote the sentiment and did the red heart with a glue pen and glitter (yes more glitter)! 

So there you go!  Hope you like them... and if not, blame Lisa!

We've spent most of the day in the garden today - it was my OH's day off so we tend to just potter around....  At least I'm saying I've been in the garden, but that was only when I wasn't  throwing things at my monitor all the time blogger wasn't playing ball.......

Hope you're all well and not being too depressed at the damp longest day we had yesterday...
Thanks for saying hello....
Hugs
Christine x

Hi...
Anyone having problems uploading pics to blogger???????  I've been struggling all day..... it pretends it's going to do it, thinks about it, then doesn't....... !! Any thoughts on what I'm doing wrong?  Or has this happened to anyone and you know how to sort it??

H-E-L-P!!!
Big Hugs
Christine x

A little change.......

Hi Girls...

Well after my trip to Doncaster on Sunday (you remember, the one where I wasn't going to spend anything - I was just going to get ideas....) - I thought I'd better try out some of the stuff I bought!  Ooooops - I've been a naughty girl again...  but I was pretty good - well, compared to the Harrogate show I was.... and I was round and away in 2 hours... that's a record for me!  My lovely OH was so patient - even searching out items that I was interested in - and even once, he went in a queue to pay - just so I could get onto the next stand!! LOL!

So without further ado... onto my card.  I used a Woodware Chrysanth stamp from WhichCraft at Doncaster (the people that laid on the show..).  I saw a card made using this stamp and thought it was really different for me to have a go at.  Well, different for me that is who's used to colouring everything in sight....

A sideways view to see the layers

It's stamped onto pretty DP two or three times, cut out (the tedious bit) then embossed (curled) and layered... think that's easy to see.  And then, well of course I had to add some glitter.......  agreed?  The card behind is very simple, as I felt I didn't need much more.

It's been a beautiful day here today - I went out for lunch with a lovely friend and sat outside to catch some rays and top up my tan...  Yes..... the gardening can wait until tomorrow..

Now....... I have to do lines.... one hundred lines of 'I really must NOT spend any more money on craft stash........  I really must NOT spend any more money on craft stash........ etc etc.......

Big hugs for all my buddies and thanks for commenting..
Christine x
PS.......  Confession:  Yes...... I DID buy some more nestibilities.......  and YES.... I DID buy some lovely Molly Bloom stamps.... (holding my hand out for a slap..)

Deja Vu.....

Hiya fellow bloggers

Just a quickie tonight as I'm just taking a quick break from feet-up time on the settee!!  This card is deja vu as it's the same papers that I used for my last card (Girls Paperie & Bazzill), but using a different Lori Boyd Puddle Jumper - this time it's Birthday Emma - which is apt as it's my daughter Emma's birthday this month!

Anyway, I've used the embossing tool again to curve the image - I really enjoy this technique and I think it makes such a difference.  I've used a nestie for shape - then shaded with a versamagic teardrop in wheat, while the nestie is still in place.  I've used cotton for the balloon ties.  I also used an MS punch for the trim under the ribbon.  Again, I didn't think it needed more embellies...  I'm definitely getting into the 'less is more' way of thinking.

Colours: Dress: Blossom, Pink Carnation, Rose Pink, Cerise, and Copic Rose Pink
for blonde hair (not shown)... Ivory, Vanilla, Pastel Yellow, Buttercup

Hope you like it... and thanks for commenting...
Happy weekend
Christine x
ps........  OH and I didn't mention the glitter.........   x

Puddle Jumper Darla...

Hi Girls

It's been a bit gray here today, so not a day for the garden - hence me ending up in the craft room!  My OH was at work from 3 today - he'll be home at 9, so I took the opportunity to go hide away up there for a little while and see what I could get up to!

Well I've loved doing this card..... and at last I think I've mastered the embossing technique used by Debby over at Scrapjourney! I've used a Girls Paperie DP, with trusty old Bazzill behind it.  The ribbons came from Fizzy Moon, and I've used my oval nesties and dotty embossing folder behind the image.  The sentiment is from Stamping Bella.  The actual image itself is one of the very talented Lori Boyd's PuddleJumper collection - it's Darla.... and she's gorgeous!  I used my promarkers to colour her and I've shaped her (as taught by Debby), with a large headed dry embossing tool and a deep mat.  I love this effect... so will be using it many more times I'm sure.  She's obviously then put on 3D foam pads to raise her from the oval shape and allow the edges to 'shape around'...  (sorry don't know how else to describe it!).  Of course, she has a touch of glitz with some glamour dust on her bow, flower and dress!.....  Well, it just wouldn't be my card otherwise, would it?

Now for a quick funny......  someone mentioned a couple of days ago the 'other' definition of a crafter.....  apparently the CRAFT stands for 'Can't Remember A F****** Thing - er!!  Kind of describes me to a tee! Don't be offended at the language please, I use 'flippin' for the F!! hehe!  It just tickled me - and I thought I'd share it!

Hugs and hope you're all having a good week......
Christine
PS.........  I only need another TWO followers to reach a massive (in my book!) 50!!!  Will have to check out challenges for this card to try to encourage a couple more LOL!
CHALLENGES: I love PROMARKERS - Sparkle and Bling
One Stop Craft Challenge - Texture
Stamp Something - Digi Day

Hi Girls...... i'm BACK!

Hi Girls
Well,,,,,,, I'm back in the real world now.... after a fabulous holiday (photos below for those that have been asking for them!! hehe)

Now, my card uses an image that's been coloured for a couple of weeks, but has not quite made the 'onto a card' bit till this morning.  It's a Gor-juss image - Puddles of Love.....  and I tried to use the embossing technique that Debby over at A Scrap Journey uses a lot - although I've not quite succeeded this time (mainly because I put glossy accents on it I think... which have tried to straighten out my lovely embossed shape!! LOL)  Thanks Debby for giving me some help on how it's achieved! I've used promarkers to colour, then added a puddle for her to dance in!  The sentiment is handwritten by me, from a saying that I saw somewhere in one of those forwarded emails... I thought it was apt!  Anyway, for some reason although I was happy with my colouring, I didn't really know what else to put on the card.  Everything I tried looked wrong, so eventually I left it be.  I've added a few splashes with the glossy accents from the puddle, but they can't be seen in the photo... shame!  I've uses some new magnolia paper....  mmmmm! 

Right...... now onto my holiday pics...  (I've put them last so that if you start yawning, you can just switch off now!! hehe)  There's also a pic especially for Mina!!  We really loved Kefalonia.... it's a fabulous place, and I was actually really proud of myself for getting there.... as most of you know, I've had a fair few difficulties over the last year which have stopped me getting to places....  but I DID IT!  (And Lisa..  I've also driven the M62 this week so will be coming to visit shortly!! hehe)

Looking for Tom Conteh



I WENT on that boat into an underground cavern!!





Especially for MINA




Our balcony




Shirley Valentine bit........

Soooooooooooo if anyone is thinking of going to that beautiful island....... don't hesitate!  It's is FABULOUS and the people are really friendly and welcoming....  most speak really good english (I would have preferred to try to speak greek, but hey ho...... !! And of course, I just had to bring the odd greek silver item back with me..........  well, you just have to, don't you???

Hugs to all and thanks for dropping by
Christine xx
PS.... Anyone going to the Doncaster Stamp Magic show next Sunday?

Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye........

And if you're old enough to remember that song.....  you're nearly as old as me!! LOL

Just to say that I'm going on my hols tomorrow.... off to Kefalonia for a week, so please don't do too many fantastic cards while I'm away, or I won't be able to catch up with you all!

I'll miss my daily blog fix......  but hope the sun, sea, sand and nice looking Greek waiters will make up for it... I've loaded up my Kindle - now all I need is a nice glass of wine.....
Big Hugs
Christine x

Less is More Embossing Challenge

Hi Blogging Buddies
Firstly so sorry for not posting much this week, I've had a really busy time and although I've kept up with my commenting, haven't be able to get at my cardmaking!

A real last minute one for me tonight - just getting it in by the skin of my teeth hopefully!  I did mean to do this card earlier in the week, but for one reason and another, didn't get to do it! Soooooooo hope I still can get it posted on the challenge!

Soooo I used the Flutterby Stamp from Stamping Bella..... onto some plain linen cardstock - which didn't take too well, as you can see.  Then the embossing bit!  I coloured the flowers with some embossing wet look pens that I've had for eons, put on clear embossing powder and heated.... and the result, I thought, looked quite good!  I did a bit of colouring on the main part of the butterfly with a prismacolour pencil and some gamsol..... fading it out, then (obviously!) added some glitter to my flutterby!  I drew the wobbly lines to frame - they're supposed to be wobbly! - and hand wrote the sentiment. 

As I say, a real rushed one - but hopefully acceptable!

We're off to Kefalonia on Sunday for a week, so I probably won't get chance to post again till after the bank holiday. As I've said before, I hate the working up to going - wish I had a star trek device that would just get me there with all that i need with me!! LOL...

So, see you all soon and thanks for dropping by! 
Hugs
Christine x
Challenge: Less is More

Just had to show you these...

Hi Girls
Just had to share these pics we took yesterday - we had a lovely day out with my darling OH's daughters and his grandsons.....  The top one is Leo and he is 10 months old - and the bottom photo is Haiden - he is 5 and at school.... he's showing his certificates from this week for being a Star Pupil!  We are just so proud of them both....  They're not my blood grandsons - but I feel like they are cos I love them so much!

We had a fab day out in the Midlands somewhere - we went to a place called Plantasia at Dobbies Garden Centre - I've got to recommend it - good value for money and so entertaining for the kiddies... and it didn't rain, although it threatened a lot of times!  But we're of the hardy variety - not scared off by black clouds!

Anyway... I'm going to try to get a card done later, but just had to show you these pics..

Hugs to all and Happy Sunday

Christine x

Wee Stamps - card for a friend - and a FREEBIE sentiment

Hi crafty friends

Firstly I'd love to welcome my new followers..... although I did lose one the other day, I've now added four more and I'm so thrilled!  Only another four to make the big 5-0!  Thank you for taking the time to follow me - it means so much.

Just a very quick post from me today - I feel absolutely shattered for some reason, so will be going to put my feet up in a little while... you know the feeling, eyelids heavy, body feels like a load of lead... kinda dragging yourself around.... well let's hope I feel different tomorrow!  Maybe I should blame the weather, we seem to blame it for all sorts of other things!!

Onto my card...  today I used a beautiful little image from Wee Stamps called Sweet Blossoms.  What a delight she was to colour!  She just cried out for pinks and lilacs...  well how could I refuse?  Soo, I coloured her with my lovely pens, glittered her in strategic places with Glamour Dust..., then matted her onto one of my fav Bazzill colours and some luscious Memory Box Gossamer DP.  I used my MS edger punch to create the strip down the side, and some seam binding for the ribbon and bow.  Some little organza flowers and some gems from MeiFlower and it was complete apart from the sentiment, which I did on the computer (free below for you) - then used my a new die from Bunny Zoes - it's a Nellies Choice Eastern Oval Die for the shape... (thank you Edna for that lovely idea!)

Hope you like it - will take a look at the challenges and see what I can enter it for later.

Bye for now and happy crafting
Hugs
Christine x