Coffee time..

Morning girlies

Time for a quick coffee break...  in fact, time for another challenge at Anything Goes - and this time the theme is Coffee/Food.  This fabulous LOTV image (Coffee Break) sprung to mind straight away...  and I thought I'd ignore pink for a change and  have a go with lilac....  a colour I also love.

I used copics and promarkers as usual...  and these two little ladies look like they're sharing some good gossip...  Don't we all love to do that - have a lovely coffee and a natter with a good friend?

Not a great deal else to tell you about the making of it - a square Nestie for the shape... Crafters' Companion dotty paper... Pebbles and Co rub on for the sentiment - and a layer of Bazzill too.... then of course, the 'have to have' glitter!

Why don't you pop over to Anything Goes to see what my teamies have come up with?  I know one of the lovely ladies and I have duplicated this image (great minds think alike)... but we've used totally different colours and styles.  The you should check out the Craft Den website for lovely crafty goodies - they're still being made-over, but can take phone orders..

I'm actually thinking of popping to the LOTV shop today to say hello to Lisa and co - I promise I won't spend too much!!

Big hugs and happy crafting
Christine x

Time for Totally Gorjuss..

Hi Girls

A quick card from me today - this time for our Christmas In July challenge at Totally Gorjuss.  I think you can tell I'm not 100 per cent well yet as I'm not very happy with this... in fact it may well end up in the bin!  But I didn't know what else to do!  Maybe I'll add a sentiment and see what it looks like, maybe not...

Anyway... it's using an image from one of our delightful sponsors... Krista at Saturated Canary.  Our other sponsor is The Ribbon Girl.  This image is called 'Nutcracker' - and I coloured her as usual with a mix of Copics and Promarkers.   Then I just used the largest of my Li'l Inkers Square Dies with the faux stitching.... mounted it on red card, added a bit of red yarn, and called her done.

Don't forget to pop over to the blog and see what the other Gorjusette have come up with...  you may find better inspiration there!! LOL!  Then you could win a lovely prize from our sponsors.

Hope you've all got a nice weekend planned.... I'm going to try to get out and do a bit of gardening, if only trimming the roses.  My lovely OH is at work, so it'll be a quiet one.

Big hugs and Happy Crafting
Chrisitne x

And then another comes along.... (like buses)

Hi Girls

And I'm back again with another card.... this time for The Sugar Bowl Challenge.  I decided this time to use a Leanne Ellis Design from Sugar Nellie.... she is called 'Poise'.... and she has that in bucketfuls!!

I coloured her with Copics and Promarkers, then I chose some gorgeous vintage papers to match her... and used some vintage seam binding also for the bow with some pearls to complete.  The word die is from Simon Says Stamp.

Why not enter this fabulous challenge..... the prize on offer is FOUR Sugar Nellie gorgeous pieces of rubber of your choice.....  and all you have to do is enter USING A SUGAR NELLIE IMAGE on your creation.  Simples!

Big hugs and Happy Crafting..
Christine xx

A card from me at long last..

Hi Girls

Well...  I'm back - at least for a while.... I've had a pretty awful virus type thing that has really washed me out... I have absolutely zero energy, and didn't go over the doorstep for nearly two weeks.... all I could do was try to rest on the settee and stay cool...  or on some days, try to stay warm with a fleece over me!  So much for the hot weather!  Anyway - it's easing now, but has left me really shakey - a feeling I don't like at all!

Onto nicer things.... it's In The Pink time again.... and this time the challenge theme is HOT PINK!  I tried to find some photo inspiration to help here... and this is what I came up with:

Don't you just love these fab vibrant shades?

Anyway...my card...  I used a lovely little LOTV image called 'Best Dress'...  coloured with Copics and Promarkers, then I used a rectangle Spellbinders die.  Glitter finished off her dress and gift...  and then a bit of ribbon to match the paper I'd used (sorry, I have no name for the paper!)

It's a relatively simple one for me.... as it was the first time back in the craft room for two whole weeks - and I just didn't have a lot of energy.  Hope you like - and that it'll inspire you to join us at In The Pink.

Big Hugs
Christine x

Sweet... (and Simple!)

Hi ladies..

Hope you're all coping in the heatwave...  I must admit, it's getting a bit hot for me!  I could just do with a bit of a breeze too... just so there's a bit of air movement.. but won't complain too much in case we lose the sun again!

Today, I have a very simple card for you...  as it's Totally Gorjuss time again.  The theme this time is 'Sweet' - and I thought I couldn't get much sweeter than a cupcake!!  I've had this image for a few years now, and often use it for a quickie card.  I 3D the icing, so it stands out a little..

Materials used:

• Image - Pink Petticoat Cupcakes
• Colouring Medium - Copics
• Paper - Pink Petticoat 'Perfect Papers'
• Dies - Marianne Creatables Circle and Flower Stitch, Memory Box Banner, SB Grand Circle
• Sentiment Computer Generated
• Glitter, Gems, Glossy Accents

Our generous sponsor this time is Crafter's Companion so you could win a voucher to spend on something nice!

Why don't you pop over to the Totally Gorjuss blog... check out my teamies' sweet creations, then see what you can come up with.

Big hugs and Happy Crafting..

Christine x

Yes.... it's me... with another Tilda!!

Hi Girls

Hope you're all coping well with this heat....  I know we're always complaining, but it gets a tad TOO hot at times, doesn't it??

Now, it's time for our next challenge at In The Pink...  this time the theme is 'Pink and Pearlie'...  so I decided to make it very girlie too (poetry there methinks)...  and to play with one of the new release little Tilda's I bought a few weeks back.  (Yes..... I do have a little stash of Tildas now.... I own up!!  But these new ones were very hard to resist..)

I've been seeing some cards around blogland with the 'no lines' technique, so decided to try that too...  but as I didn't have a pale Memento ink, I just stamped a couple of images first, then used the next one which was by then, pale grey - to colour.

I think I'm OK with it... but not totally sure as it's so different from normal for me....  I will have to practice some to get better!

Materials Used:

• Image - Tilda with Spitz Pocket
• Dies - SB Opulent Ovals, La La Land Crafts Banner, PTI Double Ended Banner
• Papers (swoon..) - Maja Design Sofiero (Limited Edition) - sooooooooo difficult to cut into
• Colouring Medium - Copics, Flexmarkers, Promarkers
• Cosmic Shimmer Pearl Glue for Dots
• Shading - Adirondack Lights Shell Pink
• Ribbon, Pearls, Glitter Card and Stickles from stash
• Sentiment - done on PC 

I'd love you to join in with this challenge...  pop over to In The Pink to see what the lovely Pink Ladies have come up with for wonderful inspiration...  then get out your pink pens and paper, and enjoy some pink time - I mean.... we all love a bit of pink.... don't we girls???

Big hugs and Happy Crafting..

Christine x

Round, like a circle in a spiral... like a wheel within a wheel...

Hi Girls

Bet you'll all be singing that today now... at least those of you old enough to remember the song...  it's funny how a tune gets in your head and won't go... no matter how you try!

Today the challenge at Totally Gorjuss is Anything Goes plus Circles... time to dig out my new stitched circle dies from Li'l Inkers I thought!  I used a little freebie image from Whimsie Doodles (just go to their website and click on the freebies sections... some fabulous images there)  then I wrote the sentiment by hand.. The other dies used are Li'l Inkers too...  stitched squares...  and a stitched sentiment flag die.    I just used a small Martha Stewart Flower punch and a glittery brad to finish.  Hope you like this different take on a circle.. even though it's an 'off the edge' one!

So glad we have the sun (for a few days at least).... though for the tennis followers that have to look at the sun through the window... it's difficult!  I must admit although I'm not a sports fan, I have watched Murray's progress...  and wish him luck on Sunday.

Have a good weekend all.. hope wherever you are, you enjoy some outside time...  for us.... it's gardening today!

Big hugs

Christine x

I fancied a bit of gingham...

Hi lovely blogging friends...

Firstly - I'd love to say a very big welcome to my newest followers.... thank you for choosing to follow my little bit of blogland...

Now - time for another challenge at Anything Goes...  the theme is 'Checks, Stripes and Flowers' ..... well I've cheated just a bit.... and used a gingham background from Pink Petticoat (it actually is plum but looks blue-y purple on the pic)...  and for the stripes - check out her trousers and hair-band....  and the flowers - well - she's carrying them!  Not sure if I'll be put in the naughty corner for this one...

The image is actually a fab pre-coloured Wee Stamps Card Topper called Silver Fairy... and is available from The Hobby House.  All I added was a bit of glitter......

The dies I've used are Li'l Inkers Stitched Scallop Border, and La La Land Crafts Stitched Tabs ...  and the sentiment is computer generated.

Do pop over to Anything Goes and check out the inspiration from my fellow DT members... they've come up with some stunners.  And don't forget, lots of fab crafty goodies can be obtained from Lynn at The Craft Den.

Big hugs and Happy Crafting
Christine xx

Wings time at Totally Gorjuss... and no pink in sight!

Hi Girls

Another week has gone by .... too fast for my liking, and today it's time for another Totally Gorjuss challenge... and by total coincidence, it's another 'Things with Wings' challenge.  Out came my lovely new Sugar Nellie Fairy Glen stamps... and I set to work.

Now this card was for my daughter's birthday - which was Wednesday, so I had to have it ready quite early!  She loves anything aqua or purple, so I thought I'd combine them both and leave my pink pens alone this time.

Materials Used:

Sugar Nellie Fairy Glen Image - Live Laugh Love

Coloured with Copics and Promarkers

Papermania Dotty Paper

La La Lands Filigree Corner Die

Gems, glitter and organza ribbon for bow from stash

oooh I did 3D the flowers, but you can't really tell from the photo...

My daughter loved the card as much as I loved colouring it.... so I was happy!

Hope you'll pop over to the Totally Gorjuss blog and have a look at what the teamies have come up with.. and the generous sponsor this time is Bunny Zoe's Crafts... so if you enter, you may well win a lovely voucher to spend in their store!

Big hugs and Happy Crafting..

Christine x

Something a little different..

Hi there

I'm here again today.... (yep... nothing for a week, then two come along together!)... this time with the next Sugar Nellie challenge...

I decided to have a change and to make use of one of the MDF pencil holders I bought at the Harrogate Papercrafts show.  A very good friend of mine ADORES Pippi Longsocks...  so I decided to make this for her birthday- so that Pippi can keep an eye on her craft desk for her while she's not there.... making sure the other fairies don't get naughty and start spilling her precious Distress Inks etc while they are dancing on her desk..

I used some Pink Petticoat digi paper and some kraft card to cover the holder - then added the Pippi image - and of course decoupaged her wings.... then added lots of sparkle....  I mean to say, a self-respecting fairy HAS to have a sparkle, doesn't she??

And that was it!

We'd love you to pop over to the Sugar Nellie Challenge Blog to check out what the other lovely sweeties have come up with... they are fabulous! And don't forget, if you enter, one lucky winner will get to choose FOUR lovely pieces of rubber from the fabulous..

Big hugs and Happy Crafting..

Christine xx

In The Pink - Things with Wings...

Hi Bestest Blogging Buddies..

It's been another mad rush week...  we had a few days away last week (down to the Isle of Wight to see lots of friends and then to Dorset to see Barry's grandsons - we had a lovely time)...  so I've spent this week catching up with what I should have been doing then! (does that sound Irish?  follow if you can!)

Anyway - it's time for another challenge at In The Pink - this time the theme is PINK WITH WINGS - easy for me you would think as I have sooooooooo many fairy stamps and images..... and then I had to choose...... hmmmmmm....  I don't do decisions... so it took me some time!  Anyway... I decided to use a Lili of the Valley image - as I always love these little cuties!

Materials used:

Image - LOTV - Fairy with Dove

Colouring - Promarkers and Copics

DP - Pink Dotty - Crafter's Companion

Square Doily from stash

Flower Die - Cheery Lyn Miniature Rose 

Ribbon, glitter, gems from stash

I had a bit of an accident while we were away - believe it or not, in the soft play centre we took the grand-kiddies to - I tripped over a pair of shoes... turned my ankle and went headlong forward - thought I'd righted myself half way (you know the feeling?), but hadn't.... so went (log like) full length on the floor!  I have a really nasty bruised leg (good for some sympathy?), and a VERY bruised pride!!  But it could have been worse - there was a metal girder about 2 inches away from where I fell.... if I'd have head butted that, it would have split my head open!  Barry scooped me up quickly and got me out of the limelight fast... I was becoming an instant attraction - Nanny Christine on the floor!

Now - quickly - I'd like to share a couple of pics.  The first is of a fabulous rose I found in my garden this week.. (you may have already seen it on Facebook - but Jackie - this is for you!)..

And the second couple of photos are of the grandsons I mentioned above...

Cuties aren't they?  But then again... I'm a little biased!

Big hugs and Happy Crafting..
Christine xx

Totally Gorjuss time again...

Hi Girls..

Just a quickie from me today....  as I'm in advance of myself and scheduling again!!

It's Totally Gorjuss challenge time......  BOY those weeks come around quickly!!  This time the theme is 'Happy Birthday'...  and our sponsor is the fabulous Whoopsi Daisy Digital Images.  I chose Sheet 451 - which gives you two pre-coloured images and two that you can colour yourself.... such good value... and perfect if you need a card in a hurry!

Not a lot I can tell you about the card.... the paper was a scrap piece from my stash with no name...  the embossing folder is a Cuttlebug Swirls one.... the sentiment was done on the PC and punched with a large oval punch... and I added some gems for the sparkle as this lady looks like she LIKES a bit of sparkle!  Of course, I gave her some glitter on her dress........ and I must admit, I did add a 'touch' more colour!

Hope you like it and that you'll pop over to the challenge blog to check out the inspiration that my fellow Gorjusettes have come up with...

Big hugs... have a fabulous weekend!
Christine x

Lace, Pearls and Buttons at Anything Goes

Hi Girls

Today's new theme over at Anything Goes is to use Lace, Pearls and Buttons...  and this is what I came up with...   I've been dying to use this digi image for a little while...  she is by Sherri Baldy and is one of her Besties... can you believe how gorgeous she is with those big eyes?  And she was so fab to colour.... I've tried the best I could to match her to the paper I'd chosen for her (yes.... unlike my usual habit, I chose the paper BEFORE I did the colouring!)  I used a mix of Copics and Promarkers..  with a Flexmarker thrown in too!  I was really thrilled with how the colouring turned out...  t'was nice to do some green - I need a change every now and again from my lovely pinks!

I used a Spellbinders Rectangle Nestie for her shape...  some lace,  pearls and glitter from my stash... and those ever so teeny-tiny buttons were in my bottomless button drawer.  The paper is by My Minds Eye - Collectables by Jen Allyson.

I hope you'll pop over to the challenge blog HERE to see what my lovely teamies have created...  and don't forget you can get lots of lovely goodies from Lynn at her Craft Den shop online HERE.

Looking forward to seeing your entries..

Biggest of Hugs

Christine x

More LOTV Sample cards

Hi Bestest Blogging Buddies..

I'm here today with some more Lili of the Valley cards that I completed last week...  samples made this time from Art Pad 7 - Just for Girls - and papers mostly from LOTV - they are the Nitwits Paper Pads 'Bonnets and Bowties' and Promises.  So less words, and more photos...  sorry if it's picture heavy...

I was going to give them each a separate post.... but then decided to keep them all together - fairy party style!!

These Art Pads are absolutely wonderful if you need a card in a hurry... as they're pre coloured... so all you need to do is cut them out.... and in my case, add a little glitter!!  Head over to the LOTV shop to check out the others available too.

Hope you like....  they'll be on their way to the LOTV shop today for display in the shop and at shows...  which is a really nice thought!!

Hope you all have a good week... and that the sun shines..

Big Hugs and Happy Crafting..

Christine xx

PS.... I'd love to say a big hello and welcome to my newest followers...  I'm really thrilled that you've decided to join me in my little crafting space..