Wednesday 30 April 2014

Wot no paper!!

Morning crafty bloggers. Hope you are well  and that the weather is being kind.  

Before I get to today's creation I would just like to share this...


...a real bluebell carpet. I think they were probably past their best but you get the idea!! 

Anyway, back to Christmas!! 



This is the first inking of PB's Sweet Snowman, the first of many I suspect!! He was coloured with Promarkers to match the.....wait for it...STAMPED background. That's right NO papers!! I used my Inkydoodles set to create the gingham check with rhubarb stalk and lady bug momento inks. I added faux stitching to add to the home spun look too. The background was embossed and then rubbed over with gilding wax for some sheen. Card candi to finish it off.


He was made with these challenges in mind...

Holly Jolly - Christmas Embossing
Completely Christmas #9 - Anything Goes
Christmas Card Challenge #22 - Anything Goes
Winter Wonderland - No sentiment
Sweet Stampin' - No papers

Thanks for your company today and see you soon xx

Tuesday 29 April 2014

Where did you get that hat?

Morning my crafty friends and I hope you are well this Tuesday.

I am here to share my DT creation for our new challenge at


Our lovely Janice chose the theme this time and it's HATS



I could not resist using  "Country Goose" a Meljen digi that I recently won. I coloured her with Promarkers to match my chosen papers which are a mix of  MME, that are several years old. The ribbon and button were from my stash.

I do hope you nip over and take a look at the head wear my team mates have showcased. You will be very welcome and should you decide to play along don't forget that something on your creation must be older than six months!!

We are heading off to play at these challenges...

Milk Coffee - Use bright colours
Stampin' for the weekend - Buttons & Bows
Alphabet Challenge Blog - F for feathers
Craft your passion #211 - Things that fly

Thanks for sharing your day with me xx

Monday 28 April 2014

April Showers bring May flowers

Monday morning again and another challenge starts at


This time it's "April Showers Bring May Flowers" 

I think I speak for many when I say I'm thoroughly fed up with the amount of "showers" that were bestowed upon us in the last six months so have firmly gone with the May flowers!!



I used a MFT stamp and coloured her with Pro/Flexmarkers. The papers were free with a magazine and I found some lovely ribbon in my stash that was a perfect finishing touch. I followed a LOTV sketch #9. I recently bought the Tag Along Stamp and Dies sets from Clearly Besotted, and this is their first outing .

Some challenges to play along with

Simply Create Too #60 - Stack 'em up
Brown Sugar #91 - Anything Goes
Creative fingers #33 - BINGO
 (Top L to Bottom R diagonally . Die cut, image, ribbon)

Thanks for your lovely comments. They mean a lot xx

Thursday 24 April 2014

Furry Friends

As promised I am back with my DT card for

Crafty Little Fairies whose theme this time is "Furry Friends"



The adorable LOTV stamp was coloured with Pro/Flexmarkers to compliment the lovely Craftwork Cards paper. The sentiments are also LOTV.

I am taking this delightful pair to play along here

LOTV - 10th Birthday card
Sweet Stampin - Lots of layers
Feeling Crafty #27 - For a child
Incy Wincy Designs - Furry Friends

My team mates have lots of furry friends to share with you so go take a peep!!

Bye for now xx

Something recycled

We are sharing some favourite recycled items today at


and would love it if you came to share your projects with us.

Our sponsor is


I am rather partial to a certain kind of snacks that, once devoured, leave you with  a rather nice 
container which is perfect for storing crafty items like pens, pencils, embossing ball tools and so on.

Before


 and after!!


The sweet little image is Friendship and was coloured to match the pretty papers that were free with a magazine (I think!!). The pom pom trim was lurking in my stash and I thought it added a rather nice touch. So that's what I did!! I hope you will pop over and see what clever peeps my team mates are and then do a bit of crafty recycling yourself!!

We are going here to participate!!

Creative Inspirations #262 - Cute Characters
Addicted to stamps #92 - Make your mark (Promarkers)
Inky Impressions #156 - Recycle it

I'll be back later with a card to share with you so cheerio for now xx

Tuesday 22 April 2014

They call me mellow yellow....quite rightly

Those of you born on the more recent side of 1970 won't have a clue what I am on about!!

As a little girl I remember my Dad singing this to my Sister and I...happy days!! I know the underlying meaning of this song was considered  a bit dodgy back then so I hope he'd not had experience of the "mellow yellow" !!

Anyway the reason I am here is this yellow creation...



Shame I don't use (or wear!!)  yellow much as it's really cheery. The papers were from different pads and I PAINTED (yes painted!!) the lovely Ava to match.  To my shame when having a bit of a tidy of my work room I found a sandwich box that contained my long forgotten Whispers pens which, with the aid of a water brush, produced a rather lovely watercolour finish.
 Ribbons, pearls, flowers and some pretty die cuts to finish.

I am taking her to join in at these challenges

The Ribbon Girl - April colour Challenge Yellow/Lemon
The Squirrel and The Fox #68 - Dies and punches
Papercrafting Journey - For that special lady

Thanks for calling, you are always welcome xx

Monday 21 April 2014

Spring bloom...no watering required!!

 
Happy Monday Folks!!

A visit from me before I get out in the garden, the rain has done wonders for the soil so should be nice and easy to dig. We also have a few docks appearing the the paddocks so they need attention too. Added to that I can burn off the calories I consumed yesterday!!

One of our patients, at work, left a home crafts magazine in the Waiting Room. 
I don't buy these so was interested to see what projects it contained. There was a rather nice fabric flower so I skimmed the instructions and came up with this. Whoever she was I do hope she will bring the next issue for me to have a peep at!!



I used a saucer to cut seven circles, then using embroidery thread did running stitch about 1/2" from the edge. My assistant held the fabric while I put a ball of stuffing (NOT sage and onion though!!) in the middle and then pulled the stitching tight. I actually stitched the petals to the centre but I'm sure  a hot glue gun would work just as well. The stem is a chop stick covered in ribbon. The flower pot actually contains a citronella candle so for "demonstration purposes" I stuck the chop stick into it!! Ta dah!!

Ooh...playing along here

Anything But A Card - Spring Forward

Cheerio for now.
Thanks for sharing your day with me!!

Sunday 20 April 2014

Krafty christmas

Happy Easter everyone!! Hope the Easter bunny has left lots of choccy goodness!! 

Spring and Easter creations seem to have been the order of the day lately so my Christmas card drive has taken a back seat. However, to redress the balance I have thrown one together with a few current challenges in mind and this is what I did


I had a challenge win and chose this adorable little owl as part of my prize and coloured him with Pro/Flexmarkers. I embossed the kraft card with an old Cuttlebug folder and then rubbed gilding wax over the raised snowflakes. The twinkle is by Glamour Dust and liquid pearls. I've had the burlap/hessian ribbon in my stash for ages so thought it was about time it saw light of day. 

I was inspired by these challenges

Brown sugar #90 -  Use Burlap
Allsorts #255 - Birds & Feathers
Christmas Fun - April challenge
ABC Christmas Challenge - H for Home (I'm thinking homespun?)
Scribble and Scrap #16 - Anything Goes

Have a lovely Easter Sunday and BH Monday. Martin is working this morning but we are hoping to have a drive out this afternoon.

Thanks, as always, for coming to see me  and for your kind words. xx

Friday 18 April 2014

A patchwork dog this time!!

Morning all and Happy Good Friday to you. 

I have been dabbling with the sewing machine of late and so I have a bit of patchwork to share with you today. The pattern was in a C&C magazine and looked fairly simple and here's the result...

First of all having a mooch about the garden!!


having a rest on the bench after Suzy gave him the run around!!



It's nice having two dogs again!! I don't miss Mog every day now, but certain activities remind me that he's not here. Mowing the lawn for the first time was heartbreaking as he used to painstakingly follow me up and down, up and down for the whole hour it takes to mow our lawn.


One way......


...then the other!!
Suzy on the other hand will attack the mower once or twice and then lie down!!

I am taking my scottie to play here...

All Crafts Challenge - April/May

Anyway reminiscing over...have a lovely, lovely Easter weekend and I'll see you soon xx

Thursday 17 April 2014

Spot the dog...?

Hello my dear crafty buddies, hope it's sunny where you are and that you are enjoying the Easter Holidays if you have little (or not so little) ones!! I have had an indulgent morning and made a card just because I wanted to!! Here it is...


I found this adorable stamp among my stash and coloured her with my Pro/Flexmarkers, the spots were added with white pen. The papers were lurking in my mahoosive scrap pile. 



I added a concealed tag for a change and embellished it with ribbons, fibres and twine for a bit of texture, there is also a little heart charm too, although it's hard to spot!!






Hope you like her. We are off to play here...

I Love Promarkers #215 - Cats and/or Dogs
Passion For Promarkers # 243   - All creatures great and small
MAWTT - A card containing the word HAPPY
My Mum's Craft Shop #16 - Anything Goes

Have a lovely day whatever you are doing and thanks for calling to see me xx

Tuesday 15 April 2014

It's Easter OBAG DT Card

Hello folks, I hope the sun is shining on you this Tuesday morning.

I am here with my Oldie But A Goodie contribution today.

Our challenge theme this time is......It's Easter and was chosen by Anne-Marie.

I decided to make a twisted easel card for a change as it rather suited the oval frame.

I dug out " Does my bum look big in this?"  (you can see last year's creation here)
and coloured her to match the pretty papers papers.









Here is a closer peek.

I had perfectly matching sweetheart blossoms too!!








I am taking her to play along at these challenges

Open Minded Crafting fun #8 - Easter or pastels (both...pretty much!)
Crafts 4 eternity #171 - Easter
Creative Fingers #31 - Anything Goes
Addicted to stamps #80 - Fancy Folds

That's it from me for now. We'd love you to come and play along, just remember that something on your card must be older than six months!!

Thanks for stopping by and for your encouraging comments,
 they are always welcome and much appreciated xx

Monday 14 April 2014

Eggstra, Eggstra!!


Happy Bunday peeps...get it?! OK I know it's that Monday feeling but I'm here to cheer you up with my latest offering for 


...and this fortnight it's Easter Bunnies. However, to ring the changes we would like you to share anything BUT a card. Still has to be cute though and with the array of cute bunnies out there you just can't fail!!

 We are sponsored my Meljen Designs

Meljen's Designs :: Digital Stamps by Melissa Jenkins


 and the DT were kindly given some bunnies to play with.

Here's mine...


Easter Bunny was coloured with Promarkers. I did add a fluffy tail to add a bit of texture too. 
 I printed some coordinating Nitwits  papers on both sides of some glossy photo paper, for a change, in order to make the goody bag. Using a SB oval die I cut the aperture and secured some ribbon before attaching  acetate. It will be filled with eggs but I wanted you to be able to see the reverse of the paper. To finish off I tied some zingy ribbons to a bulldog clip.

I am entering these challenges

Moving along with the times - Easter/Spring
Divas by Design - Easter Spring
Crafting with dragonflies #23 - Make something for Easter

Do "Hop" over and see what my team mates have done to inspire you, in my opinion they have made an eggsellent job and that's no yolk!! Ok, I'm off to work now!!

Cheerio!! xx

Saturday 12 April 2014

Spring at Mallows

Hello peeps just popped by to share a bit of spring time colour with you.

Firstly a pair of cheeky devils that have been frequent visitors to my garden, of late.

First of all this Woody,


.....I'm sure the little sparrow is telling him to get a move on and share nicely!!

and...


...this  little tinker  is a bit partial to my grape hyacinths, his parents devoured my crocuses previously and have obviously taught him well!!

 N.B. I have, apparently, stolen credit from my wonderfully gifted and talented Son (his words, not mine!!) who took this photograph!!!

And here is my colourful card!!


A simple affair really, I used my majestic labels die to cut the background and the corresponding blank for my stamp (coloured with Promarkers). The adorable little ladybird is a die cut creation.

I am joining in with these challenges

Sweet Stampin' - flowers
Allsorts #254 - Spring Blossoms
Papertake Weekly - Spring has sprung
Craft Your Passion #208 - No designer papers

Enjoy the rest of the weekend whatever you are up to!! xx

Thursday 10 April 2014

Button Up!!

Hello again!! as promised I am back with my DT card for

The Crafty Little Fairies

where the theme this time is Buttons.

Here is my contribution...



A CAS card this time using the sweet bunny that is Flower Arranging and I have to say that is about as far as my floral arrangement skills go...plonk them in a vase for the natural look!! Anyway, I digress, the banners were cut from Doodlebug papers and the complimentary button came from my stash.

Open Minded Carfting #7 - Animal antics
Simply Create Too #58 - Easter or Bunnies
That Craft Place - Buttons
Ladybug Crafts April challenge - Here comes Spring
Polkadoodles #14 - Animal Magic

My lovely team mates have made some fabby cards so please go and take a peep!!

Toodles for now xx


Just a note...

Thursday again... and another weekend looming. Where do the weeks go!?

Anyway, as it's Thursday I am here to share my DT card for


We have a bit of stitching going on this time and we would like to share your favourite kind, real or faux...it's up to you but remember to tell us WHY.

Here's my contribution...


I rarely add real stitching to my cards, simply because it's a palaver getting the sewing machine out, however, I have recently been trying my hand at patchwork so the machine has been set up ready to go, so I had no excuse this time.


I have to say I am really rather pleased with myself, so much so I have included a close up of my handiwork (don't spend too long looking though, I'm really not that good!!)




I used the lovely Parisienne Blue papers and followed another LOTV sketch. I embossed the circle with a freebie that came from a magazine, as it had an appropriate pattern and sanded it back to reveal the core. The pretty jug was a freebie from Jelly Park. I coloured it to match the papers with....wait for it...Spectrum Noirs (I am really trying to master these!!).

I am playing here

Fan-tastic Tuesday Challenge #30 - Anything Goes
Just Inspirational - Embossing
Rhedd & Rosie #30 - Anything Goes

That's it for now, but as it's two card Thursday I will be back a little later with another creation!!

See you then!! xx

Monday 7 April 2014

A Cinderella Spring Clean

Morning my crafty friends. Doesn't Monday come around quickly?!

A quick share today...


...and quite elaborate for me!!

Now, I don't know about you but, to me, Spring means being able to open all the windows, let the fresh air in and have a jolly good Spring Clean (not at the moment though...it's pouring)!! 

 The aptly named "Tidy Up" was coloured with Pro/Flexmarkers to match the pretty pastel papers that were a recent magazine freebie. I coloured my seam binding to match and added  mesh ribbon for some texture. I rarely use flowers but these are relatively flat and still fall within the small letter thickness. Finally a tag and some butterflies as finishing touches.

We are off to play here

Ribbon Girl - Spring
Totally Papercrafts #213 - Pastel colours
Crafty Catz #225 - Spring time
Fab 'n' Funky #210 - Once Upon A Time (Cinderella)
Divas by Design - Anything Goes


Have a good Monday and see you soon xx

Saturday 5 April 2014

Prickly Christmas

Happy Saturday everybody!! Hope you are all well.

To keep on track AND to use a lovely new stamp, I have another Christmas card to share with you today.



This lovely stamp was coloured with Pro/Flexmarkers and I used an obscene amount of glamour dust for the snow and that my friends is it.

We will be joining in at these super duper challenges...

Christmas Card Challenge #18 - Favourite colouring Medium (Promarkers)
ABC Christmas - G for Glitter
4 Crafty Chicks #188 - Colour a stamped image

I don't think I will be doing very much outside this weekend as the forecast looks ghastly. Never mind though I have some recipes I want to try out and some cards to make so it's not all bad!!

Thanks for coming to see me and for your continued support, it's much appreciated.
Enjoy your weekend xx

Thursday 3 April 2014

Peeping James!!

Hello peeps. A flying visit to share a simple card that I have made to add to the stock box.


James is coloured with Pro/Flex markers. The papers are from my scrap box and I stitched the sentiment on with my sewing machine for a change. I added the border to suggest a canopy...nifty huh!?

James will be at these challenges...

Divas by Design - Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps #163 - Dies (Border)
Crafting from the heart #12 - Cute and Cuddly
Thanks for spending time with me.

Toodles for now xx


Tuesday 1 April 2014

April Showers...

Happy Tuesday and it's challenge time again over at

Oldie But A Goodie.

I was responsible for choosing the theme this time and I do hope you will like it...

April Showers Bring May Flowers

interpret it as you wish, rain, spring, flowers just as long as something on your creation is older than six months we would love to see what you've made.

Here is my contribution...


I used a freebie digi set that I coloured with Promarkers (no change there then!!). The wonderful papers are
Raspberry Road Sweet Summertime and I used a really old tonic punch for the flowers and equally aged pearls in the centre.

I am taking my boots here

Sister Act #50
Papercrafting Journey - Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter # 151 - Spring Delights (April showers in the UK!!)
Creative Inspirations #258 - It's a girl thing (Oh yes, boots & shoes!!)

Have a good day and I hope you will take a peep at what my teamies have been up to xx