Friday 30 December 2016

Happy Day

Hello friends!! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones. I can't believe that it's all over and we are running headlong into 2017. With that in mind I am here to share my last bit of Sasayaki Glitter inspiration for 2016. This time in the shape of Happy Day


As her name suggests I used really bright and happy colours by way of a new Lawn Fawn paper pad. She was coloured with Promarkers to match. I found some suitably matched coloured gems in my stash and unwrapped a die that has been sat in my unused pile for...ahem...years!! Better late than never!! While I am here I would like to wish you all a healthy and happy New Year and thank you for your continued support over the last one. 
 I have three resolutions, which I suspect will sound familiar to every single one of you!!

1)I will try to spend more time here next year.
2) Spend less money on crafty stash (yeah right!!) and
3) Use  what I already have or find a new home for it.

 I will let you know how that goes!!

Anyway, see you again on New Year's Day xx


Friday 16 December 2016

Flying Fairy

Hello again. It is my turn to share another lovely image from 


This time I have chosen to showcase Flying Fairy and I have coloured her with Promarkers as a Christmassy Fairy. The papers are from a Lawn Fawn pad.


Thank you for visiting today. See you soon xx

Thursday 15 December 2016

Favourite Christmas Carol or Song for AYLI

Hello friends. I am sharing inspiration for our new challenge at


We would love to see your work showing your favourite Christmas Carol or Song, in some way.

The Christmas song that means the most to me is " Have yourself a merry little Christmas"
When we were younger my Dad had a Johnny Mathis Christmas LP (remember those!!?) that he used to play during the festive period and I always think of him when I hear that particular song. 
"Through the years we all will be together, if the fates allow, Hang a shining star upon the highest bough, And have yourself a Merry Little Christmas now" always does it for me!!

This little lady is hanging her shining star upon the highest bough!!


I really hope that you will be able to play along.

See you tomorrow xx

Some challenges

Creatalicious Challenges #105 - Anything Goes +/- Christmas
Crafty Gals Corner #101 - Anything Goes
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - Inspired by a song

Monday 12 December 2016

A day in the snow

Happy Monday everyone and I hope this finds you well and getting organised for the Christmas festivities. I cannot believe that Christmas is only next week...eeeeek!!

Anyway, less of that and more of this

new style blog badge

Its new challenge time and the theme is

A day in the snow


I used an image from Bugaboo that I coloured with my Promarkers. 

Hope you will manage to take some time and play along.

Thursday 1 December 2016

Silver or Gold?

Happy Thursday everyone, not long until the weekend...yay!!
 Before then though I am sharing my DT piece for


where the new challenge is

SILVER or GOLD

It has to be silver for me especially on a frosty coloured Christmas card. 
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It is also a chance to showcase Happy Winter who is just one of the fantastic New Release images from Naz at  Sasayaki Glitter that will be available later, together with a 24 hour freebie on the Facebook page. She was coloured with Promarkers and I used a pretty paper with a scene that cut down nicely to position on the stepper card.

Hope you can spare a few minutes between  your Christmas shopping to join in with you gold or silver creations and remember to tell us why.

See you soon xx


Wednesday 30 November 2016

Flower Picking

Hello everyone, it's another of those weeks where you can't get rid of me!!

It's my turn to inspire you with another gorgeous image from



This time I have chosen Flower Picking which was actually where my Sasayaki journey started.


She was coloured with Promarkers to compliment the very old MME papers. No frills and fripperies from me except some stickles on the butterflies.

Must fly, I will be back tomorrow though...see, told you it was one of those weeks!!

Take Care xx

Monday 28 November 2016

Christmas with the Cutie Pies

     Hello everyone. It's such an exciting day today as it's the launch of the very first challenge at

Christmas With The Cuties

I am honoured to be part of this fantastic team and am proud to share my inspiration for the first challenge.


I think you will agree she certainly hits the spot in the CUTE stakes!! I found some very old Christmas papers in my hamper so used those lovely colours as a base for colouring little Rosie. She was coloured with Promarkers. I did a bit of "duffing up" with my distressing tool for a change and sparkled the snow with stickles. I liked my Gemini very much BUT now I LOVE it. The intricate snowflake border cut with one pass and, better than that, every single little bit came out cleanly !! Brilliant!!

Anyway, I do hope you will support Lisa and the rest of her wonderful team and come and pay a visit and join in, I am sure that there will be mince pies and mulled wine on offer...after all it is Christmas...with the Cuties!!

Before I go here is a recent picture of my hairy kids...


...when you are bored of watching Mum crafting!!

Until next time xx

Some challenges

Crafting With Dragonflies #71 - Whatever the weather...snow
Creative Corner Challenges - Winter
Winter Wonderland - Poinsettias or snow is falling
Crafty Catz - anything goes +/- a tag

Friday 18 November 2016

Christmas Couple

Hello crafty peeps, yes...it's me again for the last time this week, and what a busy one it's been. Martin and I have been on annual leave together this week, the first time in 28 years!!  The pups went to see the nice vet on Monday to have "the" operation, but I am pleased to report that, apart from being a little lighter, they are back to their normal boisterous selves as our usual 5-6 mile daily jaunts have had to be shortened for a few days!! We have also taken the time to tidy the garden, including remodelling our fence to further dog proof it, only for Bumble to manage to squeeze under the bottom rail...little blighter!! Looking forward to a quieter day today!!

Anyway my reason for being here is to share another card featuring an image from



This one is  called Christmas Couple 



I coloured them with Promarkers to compliment the papers.  I "borrowed" the design from my lovely blogging buddy Lucy

Anyway better get the hounds walked before it rains.

See you soon xx

Thursday 17 November 2016

Favourite Christmas Colours

Morning crafters, as promised here I am again. This time to share my DT inspiration for


Our challenge is just right for this time of year it's

Favourite Christmas Colours (remember to tell us why)


Our sponsor on this occasion is


and I used Polo and Oreo for my card. It's actually a CASE of one that I made last year for my buddy and DT colleague Annette. I was so pleased with it that I made it all over again, the only difference being I had to colour the edge of the card with Promarker as I didn't have purple cardstock to make the base.

Hope you will pop over and see what my team mates have made to inspire you and perhaps play along and add to your Christmas card pile!!

See you again soon xx

Challenges to join in

Digistamp Boutique Customer Competition

Whimsie Doodles - Anything Goes with a Christmas twist

Tuesday 15 November 2016

Christmas Amy

Hello my crafty friends. I know, I don't put in an appearance for weeks then turn up within  a couple of days...and there's more to come this week too!! 

My visit today is to support the new release at Sasayaki Glitter and this is 



I coloured her with Spectrum Noir Illustrator pens (which I liked very much, by the way!!) to match the pretty papers. I also managed to have a really good die cutting session with my new Gemini, which I also like very much indeed. Everything cut perfectly and I really loaded up the platform just to check it out!! 


 you can grab yourself a freebie for 24 hours so be quick!!

While I am here there are a few challenges that I would like to join in

Lovely to have you visit me. See you again on Thursday!!

Monday 14 November 2016

No Designer Papers

Happy Monday everyone!! Hope you are all well and raring to go on this lovely day!!

It's new Challenge time at The Cutie Pies 

No Designer Papers


My regular visitors will know that I LOVE my paper pads so this was indeed a challenge for me. However with the help of my cute little digi by our sponsor, 2 Cute Ink, and a rummage through my stash I came up with this little scene using dies and a new embossing folder. I coloured him with Promarkers and his little sledge was glittered with a Spectrum Noir sparkle pen.

Hope  you have a good week xx

Some challenges

Allsorts # 389  - Feature a creature
Fussy and fancy - Ice and snow
The pencil case #32 - Anything Goes
Craft Rocket #28 - White on white

Thursday 3 November 2016

Teddies or Fairies? AYLI Inspiration

Hello everyone. I have a card to inspire you today...I hope


Its time for another challenge at As You Like It and it's a real conundrum!!

Fairies or Teddies?

Now I've never been a fairy kind of girl, although they used to appear from time to time to clean the boys' bedrooms when they were younger!! For me it has to be teddies and in particular the lovely James from Lili of the valley. He is just adorable isn't he?!! This particular image is a digital "James Christmas Stocking"stamp that I coloured with my Promarkers.


I also used the very last bits of  my Winter Wishes taster pack and snazzed him up with some red ribbon to compliment his hat and stocking. 

I can't tell you how good it's been to actually snatch a bit of crafting time to myself. I treated myself to a Gemini die cutting machine and actually took it out of the box and used it for the first time to cut the little tag. Anyway thank you so much for your visit, I really do hope to return the compliment some time soon xx

Some challenges

Allsorts #387  - Let's make a start on Christmas
MAWTT #32 - Cute animals

Sunday 23 October 2016

It's beginning to look a lot like Cutie Christmas......

Hello friends, no card from me today, instead I am here to shout about the new Christmas Challenge that will soon be coming your way.

My lovely DT Leader, Lisa, is extending the Cutie Pie Challenge Family and starting



It will be a monthly challenge so a perfect opportunity to create cute Christmas cards all year round. She has secured some fantastic sponsors and is looking to extend the Design Team so if you fancy it take a look here for all the details.

Once again I am sorry for not being around,  believe me, I would like to be!! We have lost one member of staff at work and another is soon due to leave so with work, home and my four legged family, sadly crafting is last on the list and I have so much good stuff yet to play with!!

See you soon xx


Sunday 16 October 2016

Sasayaki Inspiration


Happy Sunday everyone. Hope the sun is shining wherever you are.

I have a little Christmassy make to share featuring another lovely digital stamp from Sasayaki Glitter. She is called So Cold.


I coloured her with Promarkers to compliment the papers and added a die cut sentiment that I found in my Christmas bits and pieces box (funny enough I discovered loads more that will get getting an outing soon!!). The tapestry frame is 7 inches in diameter so it's quite large. On Friday we are holding a Breast Cancer Awareness event at work, so I will take it along together with cards and other crochet goods to be sold in support of this fantastic cause.

Thank you for your visit xx

Some Challenges

Lil Patch Of Crafty Friends #44 - Anything Goes
Crafting When We Can #130 - No Square Cards
World wide Open DT Challenge #15 - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz #342 - All tied up (bakers twine)

Thursday 13 October 2016

Autumn Leaves

Hello crafters. I have an autumnal card to share today that I made for an October Birthday. The leaves aren't quite this colour in Dorset, but they are getting there for sure. I love walking or riding and hearing the crunch of leaves under foot. Autumn is always special to me as we married in November to fit around the farming calendar. It was after maize harvesting!!


Anyway, I used some of the items that came with the Crafter's Companion Autumn Inspiration Pack and was really delighted with the result.

Back to the theme of walking, I had better take Bowie and Bumble for their morning ramble before I go to work!! Have a good day whatever you are up to xx

Some challenges

Allsorts #384 - The colours of autumn
Crafty Friends #42 - Autumn Colours
Ooh La La #215 - Shades of Autumn

Monday 10 October 2016

Five of a kind, Cutie style




Hello lovely people, welcome to Monday and another new challenge at



This time the theme is 

5 of a kind...simple just include five of something on your cute card.

Here's mine...with five flowers and gems


I used an image from our sponsors All Dressed Up that I coloured with Promarkers to match the pretty papers that I found lurking on my desktop in a long forgotten folder. The finishing touch was a coordinating seam binding ribbon and, of course, five punched flowers and gems.

You have three weeks to join in so see you there if you are a fan of cute!!

Speaking of cute, here is a piccie of the hairy kids!!



N.B NO ANIMAL WAS ALLOWED ON THE FURNITURE DURING THE TAKING OF THIS PHOTOGRAPH!!

Have a good week everyone and thanks for sharing your day with me xx

Some challenges

The Ribbon Girls - October Challenge
The pencil case week #30 - Anything goes
The Ribbon Girls - October Card Challenge
I Love Promarkers #319 - Anything Goes


Thursday 6 October 2016

AYLI DT Inspiration #90

Hello everyone. Well, October is upon us as is a new challenge at


this time we would love to see your projects featuring your favourite flowers...
that is bought or die cut.

 Like many of you I have drawers full of bought flowers in various colours, shapes, sizes and types, however I tend to favour die cut flowers on my cards and projects. I think it is because you can use such a range of mediums to cut, in the case of this card foil and shimmery peal board.



I am not a massive fan of overly shimmery and shiny stuff but I was really pleased with how this one turned out, so much so that I made another one in a slightly different colour!!




Thank you for your visit and your continued support xx

Some challenges

Winter Wonderland- Tic Tac Toe
(Bottom left to top right, ribbon sparkle or shine and white)

Saturday 1 October 2016

Spooky Sasayaki!!

Happy Saturday everyone or rather what's left of it!! I am a little later than planned as today our youngest chick has fledged and left the nest, so I am feeling sad and thrilled for Connor and Laura in equal measure. Thank goodness for my four legged friends and Hubby of course!!

Anyway you aren't here to indulge my blathering so here is my project a cute Halloween goody bag.


The image is one of the new releases at Sasayaki Glitter. I coloured this spooky little family with Promarkers to match the papers, as usual.

A close up to show the cute characters. Sorry about the photograph I took it late in the day!!


Anyway, I had better go and get the feather duster out, I have another empty room to dust!! I've just had a lightbulb moment...it can house my work room overflow...now there's an idea!!

Thank you ever so much for your visit, it's always appreciated.

See you soon xx

Some challenges

Crafty Ribbons #169 - Ribbon or Lace (a selection of ribbons)
A Gem of a challenge ~179 - Halloween
Crafty Calendar October Challenge - Halloween
My Time to craft #330 - Anything but a card

Friday 30 September 2016

Sasayaki Inspiration

Hello friends. I have a pretty little card to share with you today.


She was made for Connor's Girlfriend Laura using another sweet image from


She is called Sweet Lily and I loved colouring her. I was even pleased with her hair which usually terrifies me!! The pretty papers are from a new pad from Anne Marie Designs and I have to say I am so impressed with the wonderful quality.

Anyway, as is the norm these days, I apologise for not being here to share anything very often, having said that I think I have another bit of inspiration for you tomorrow!! 

Until then, enjoy the rest of Friday xx

Some challenges

The Pencil Case #29 - Anything Goes
In the Pink #104 - Flower Power
Little Miss Muffet #147 - Anything Goes

Thursday 22 September 2016

AYLI DT - Your Favourite Colour Combination

Hello everyone...I know it's been a while again...what can I say?!! Our new arrivals are still filling my days for me and crafty time is still in short supply. Rest assured I have been keeping up with your work even if I haven't commented in a while.

Anyway I am here to share my inspiration piece for


the challenge this time is to share your favourite colour combinations.

Mine is pink and green, in any shade or tone. They just look right together!!

I decided to have a go at something a little bit different this time and came up with this.



I used some pretty Joy Crafts papers a punched flower and a free stamp together with some seam binding and a bit of twine. I even inked the edges for a change. I thoroughly enjoyed making this. Hope you like it!!

I'll try not to leave it too long before I am back.Until then take care xx

Some challenges

Pennys papercrafty challenge #296 - Anything goes
Little patch of crafty friends #42 - Anything goes
Crafting from the heart #128 - Anything goes
Craft your passion #330 - anything goes

Monday 12 September 2016

Happy Birthday Cuties!!


Hello friends lovely to see you. As it's the second Monday of the month it's time for a new challenge at...


...and this time it's a special one. 
The Cutie Pies Challenge is 5 years old so the theme is 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY


To mark the occasion we have FIVE...yes FIVE sponsors (full details on the challenge blog here), and I used an image from one of them Bugaboo. She was coloured with Promarkers and the the papers are Doodlebug Designs again, I think!!

I hope you will help us celebrate in style by sharing your cute Happy Birthday cards with us and as an extra treat one random person leaving a  comment on our challenge post and on our Mid-Month reminder will also be in with the chance of winning some digital images...go on...what are you waiting for!!

See you soon xx

I am playing along here

I love Promarkers #317 - Spots and/or stripes

Thursday 8 September 2016

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas....

Hello friends, it's time for a new challenge at


and this time we would like to see a project to showcase your favourite film or song.
Now I could have chosen quite  few films but decided upon one that I watch every Christmas and quite often throughout the rest of the year, it's White Christmas that inspired this card.


I just love this film, the costumes, the songs...just love it. 

Hope I have inspired you to come and join in this time, you will be most welcome.

Thank you for your visits and lovely comments xx

I am joining in at these challenges

..........

Friday 2 September 2016

Cara and Mouse

Hello everyone.

It's New Release day today at Sasayaki Glitter and this is one of them...


She was coloured with Promarkers to match the Marianne Designs paper bloc, Eline's Fresh Flowers. I was particularly pleased with my grass, although her hair...not so much!!

The new challenge at Sasayaki Glitter challenge blog is ANIMALS you have the whole month to play along. There are three images for the winner and each of the top three also win an image of their choice so it's well worth entering.

Hope you have something nice planned for the weekend, I am hoping to get a little crafty fix, without the pups, while the youngsters are still here !! They are patiently waiting for their two week warning on their new apartment then it will be all systems "go", the horsebox dusted off and filled followed by empty nest syndrome for us!! 

Anyway until next time xx

I am playing along here

Crafty Ribbons #165 - Anything Goes
Craft Rocket #23 - Anything Goes
The ABC Challenge - O for Open

Wednesday 31 August 2016

Congratulations Glam-ma!!

Hello bloggers. I can hardly believe it is the last day of August...how the heck did that happen?!!
Thank goodness I no longer have to panic about the length of school trousers and whether the back pack is up to scratch!! 

Anyway I am here to shout about Sasayaki Glitter and this image is available here.


I chose a round base for this card and used a paper printed from the Verity Rose CD rom from Crafters Companion . She was coloured with Promarkers to match. The message was made using a free stamp set that came with a magazine ages ago. Finishing touches were lace and some sweetheart blossoms.

Some challenges to play

Creative Moments #101 - Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts #23 - Anything Goes +/- Lace and pearls
Crafting By Designs - Anything Goes

See you later in the week...until then take care xx

Sunday 28 August 2016

When you see a Robin...

So, I managed to grab some time to do a bit of crafting last night and used these challenges for inspiration

Darnell's NBUS #7
Dies Digis - Anything with wings
Allsorts Challenge #378 - Use 2+ dies
I love Promarkers #316 - Use a die
Sweet Stampin' - No designer papers


We are blessed with lots of feathered visitors to our garden, one of my  favourites being the Robins,  who are such friendly little birds, so when I spotted .....at Little Claire Designs it went straight in my basket!! He is, of course, coloured with Promarkers.  The shaped card and associated die cuts are from a Couture set and the branch and sign are part of a Spellbinders set. I am delighted to say that these are all Never Before Used Schtuff so fit Darnell's 7th Challenge perfectly.

Right, time's up, something fluffy is looking at me in a hungry way so I had better
go and oblige!! Enjoy your Sunday (and Monday if you are in the UK and not working!!).

 Hope to be back again soon xx

Thursday 25 August 2016

Standard or shaped...what's your favourite?

Hello bloggers hope this post finds everyone happy and well.

Its new challenge day at


where we are dying to know what your favourite card shape is...

Standard or shaped? (remember to tell us why too!!)

Easy peasy for me...square...no question.


I love symmetry and order and generally a square card base indulges my need perfectly!!
Shame about the photographer though and I was quite sober when I took this photo too!!

This was a very quick make using a new paper pad from Craftwork Cards called Coastal. The stamp is Wavy Seascape  from Little Claire Designs that I coloured with pencils.

An up to date pup picture


Bowie (the biggest pup) had finally managed to get himself on the garden bench so we had to let Bumble join him!! Don't they look important!!

Before I go and link up at some challenges I want to thank you all for your kind messages about Suzy, they meant a lot.

Until next time xx

I am playing along here

Crafty card makers #171 - By or under the sea
A gem of a challenge #176 - Summer fun
Come and get it - Summertime
Penny Black and more - Anything Goes with a stamp
Crafty Calendar - Summer Fun



Tuesday 16 August 2016

Christmas Penguins

Hello everyone, it is my turn to showcase another fabulous bit of artwork from 


This sweet image happens to be Christmas Penguins and was coloured with my Promarkers to compliment the pretty papers. My Cheery Lynn poinsettia die got an outing to make the gorgeous bloom and I finished off with some liquid pearls for a change.



I am entering my card here...


Noor Design UK #21 - Christmas
ABC Challenge - N for Noel
Digi Choosday Week 33 - Anything Goes
Lemon Shortbread #22 - anything Goes

I actually have time for a chat as the pups are being entertained outside. It's been an eventful few weeks. Our trip to Cornwall wasn't great as I had my first bout of carsickness in about thirty years for which there was only one cure...to come home. However, we did manage to get to Port Isaac which was really lovely.


I think we were meant to come back early because on our return Suzy was poorly so a trip to the vet was necessary and didn't end well.


She is now at rest with our Darling Mog in our garden where, come the spring, they will both be covered with beautiful flowers. I miss her.

To cheer ourselves up we spent the night in Torquay last Friday and had a wonderful time wandering round the town enjoying the fabulous weather and generally lifting our spirits with copious amounts of ice cream!!


Bowie and Bumble are turning into fine young dogs although they haven't been allowed to visit my work room yet, not sure I want my Promarkers buried in the lawn!!

Looking forward to getting more crafty time very soon. Thank you for your visits, they are much appreciated xx