New baby, New Year

It's Saturday peeps, which must mean it's time for a new challenge at Allsorts and this week the lovely Emma is hosting the theme which is "New Beginnings", what better theme to start off the New Year.

So I figured a baby card would fit the bill along with a recent order I needed to fulfil and as is so often the case nowadays they knew it was a little girl well in advance.................I really do have mixed feeling on that, call me old fashioned, but to me waiting for the birth to know the sex was always part of the excitement.

I used the pretty little bootee image from A Passion for Stamps  printing it first onto the base card and again onto some DP from stash, but pretty sure it's Daisy Bucket. After cutting out the bootees, I ran a ball tool over the back of them to give a bit of dimension and added some lace. The background is embossed with a Sizzix folder, a bow using seam binding and the sentiment is Darkroom Door.

Happy New Year to you all and I hope you enjoy whatever you have planned this evening.

Morning peeps, hope everyone is OK.

A quick couple of shares which I made earlier this week, both using the same image from A Passion for Stamps, but different techniques.

The one at the top has been paper pieced onto a Nestie Fleur de Lis frame and Scribble Scrabble DP. The border is also a Nestie from the Fleur de Lis accents.

The image on the second card had been coloured with Aquamarkers and decoupaged on to frames cut from Nesties Labels 20. I ran the top piece through the cuttlebug and inked the edges with TH marigold. The DP is Daisy Bucket.

All go at Sir Stampalot

Ciao peeps. Hope you all had a good weekend. Ours went according to plan and I think my hubby might be in demand as a Derby mascot as they beat Peterborough 3-0. And the way our team Liverpool are playing this season he might be converted, although in reality I doubt it.

Saturday Jules and I had a whale of a time........what better way to spend the day than at Sir Stamplaot unpacking boxes of the new Hero Arts stamps and other goodies and stacking them all onto racks.........drool, drool........I was able to introduce Jules to most of the gang and it was such fun helping Andy and Janice with the move to their new store which is just amazing. And even better was seeing customers faces light up when they saw the fantastic new shop and all the space. And Louise was doing a Copic demo and showed us how to make her flowers which we decided were a floribunda/wild rose - thanks Louise.

I have lots of new Hero stamps and inks which I need to get creative with, but for now I have one card to share for this weeks Penny Black challenge which has the colour combo of Blue, Cream and Gold and I have followed the sketch at Stamping for the Weekend designed by Fiona.

I created a background with Brilliance gold, Mediterranean blue and sky blue by dabbing the inks onto a silicone sheet, spritzing with water and rubbing the card into the mix. I part dried it with a heat gun then spritzed with Glimmer Mists midnight and gold. Next I stamped Penny Black 3817K Tigress using versfine black and detail clear embossing powder and coloured in with Twinkling H2 0's. The circles are all cut with Nesties through the Big Shot and the greeting PB3419D in the same way using a Nestie ribbon slide. The DP's are Daisy Bucket and Basic Grey. Borders and corners are Martha Stewart double loop.

To create two of Louise's roses I spritzed a piece of plain paper with the same Glimmer Mists and gold brilliance, scrunched up whilst still wet and then punched out when dry and made up the flowers. Louise used the Copic air gun system to colour hers, my method was rather messy by comparison.......but you know me, if I don't have mucky fingers I'm not having real fun.

Allsorts challenge 30

By the time you read this I should be deeply emersed in demonstrationg at Sir Stampalots Big Demo Day........if you live anywhere near or in driving distnace of Peterborough, then it really is the place to be today with lots of different live demonstrations taking place, demo day special offers and refreshments as well.

We had another week of fabulous entries again at Allsorts, it seems you really are enjoying our challenges and we are all so pleased to welcome you each week with your wonderful creations. Gro has selected the theme this week which is "Colours of Advent" where she would like to see the colour purple on your creations. The DT have been treated to images from this weeks sponsor Stretch and Bubbles.

My images from our sponsor are the Christmas tree which I printed three times and glittered liberally using Art Institute dries clear glue and ultra fine glitter. The reindeer was cut from Cricut Christmas Solutions and stamped with Inkadinkado ?? using versafine purple and clear iridescent embossing powder. I used the same stamp and ink to stamp across he corner of the mat which I run through the Bug using the new snow folder. The DP is Daisy Bucket.

Penny Black Challenge

Wooo Hoo, I won at the Penny Black's Challenge blog hop. Never entered one before so you can imagine how surprised and excited I was to see I was one of the winners. I get to choose $25 Simon Says products, so a shopping spree awaits.

And this week they have a great sketch to follow. It's not unlike one I quite often use so feel really at home with this one. I have used Daisy Bucket DP's on the base card and inked a mat using my very watery swish and swoosh inky technique with Tim Holtz Frayed Burlap, Peeled Pain and Broken China. The main image is Penny Black 3822K which I stamped with versafie sepia and embossed with detail clear and highlighted with stickles. The sentiment is Stamp by Judith SK-LG-207 and the border and corner punched with Fiskars Threading Water.

Sir Stampalot Demo Day

I can't beleive it's Friday already and I can't really identify what I have done all week. Apart from 'proper' work, my spare time seems to have drifted by in a haze preparing for various DT work and my demo day at Sir Stampalot this coming Saturday - 10 through 4, free refreshments and demo day special offers.

I will be stamping with Penny Black, Hero, Inkadinkado and more and of course some nice messy background techniques, brayers and distressing.......mind you by the time they get rid of me Andy and Janice might well be the distressed ones after putting up with me all day.

Here are just a couple of the cards from the sample boards I have made up ready for Saturday. The first is very simple with a moon created by masking and using Tim Holtz broken chine and brilliance silver. Stamped with Inkadinkado 98396/97513 using versafine back and detail clear embossing powder.

The second card has a background created with Tim Holtz spiced marmalade, dusky concord and peeled paint.......now for some of my peronal technical crafting terms...... all 'splodged' onto a non stick sheet, spritzed very liberally with water then watercolour card 'swished around' in it. The image is Penny Black 3982K stamped with Versafine imperial purple and embossed with detail clear, then stamped again offset with the residue left on the stamp. The DP is Daisy Bucket, all well distressed and tattered round the edges, with cord and handmade roses made from the same matting paper.

Everybody Art Challenges

Good morning folks, it looks like being one of those days when I don't know if I am on my ---- or by elbow ! Just completed my card for this weeks Everybody Art Challenges which is a great sketch by Tina, went off to take a piccy of it and what do I find, I had already done one yesterday, so as I can't decide am posting both.

And if what was enough, I found I had even screwed up on my card for my own challenge coming up at Allsorts this Saturday.......now you would have thought taking so much time to prepare my theme I would at least have remembered what it was...... and the worse bit is, I only realised when I went to post it ready for Saturday. So a second take on that as well.

Back to this challenge, both cards totally different. The one with the birds which is yesterdays take is using Daisy Bucket DP's and a background brayered on to gloss cardstock using Tim Holz dried marigold, spiced marmalade, fired brick and mustard seed. I masked the sun for the initial brayering, then after removing the mask rand over it again with the mustard seed. The image is Penny Black 3837H and the sentiment from Woodware FRCL128 stamped onto white shrink plastic. The border is Fiskars and gems added to finish.

My second attampt is using Hero CL105 stamped with Hero shadow in soft apricot and green. The PS's are My Minds Eye and the border Martha Stewart doily lace. I ran one of the panels thought the Bug using the daisy folder to match the daisies on the image. The greeting is a section of Hero E4509 placed iside a tag cut on Cricut fabulous finds (I think - I borrowed the cartridge and ran off a stock of buckles and tags). Enblellised with some flowers, ribbon and brads.

Rosie Dees challenge

Another scheduled post, this time for Sunday afternoon and a new challenge theme at Rosie Dees with a fab prize on offer from The Cutting Cafe, so do go check it out. Also the reveal of my card from this week.........and apologies to everyone and especially my teamies at Rosie Dees for their understanding as I have been unable to create anything for this weeks challenge due to ill health. But I am on the mend and will be back next week !

The theme for this card was Stars and Stripes. My stripes are in the form of DP from Daisy Bucket, two Christmas trees simply cut from brown cardstock and a pale blue pearlescent and run through the Bug using a swirly folder. A border punched with Martha Steward Embossed Zigzag, some velvet ribbon, a pearl ribbon slide and some star gems on the trees. Two stars atop the trees are from a punch and glittered with Stickles. The greeting is Penny Black 3995F.

Passion for Promarkers & Everybody Art Challenges

OK then, Christmas done for now........all this seasonal activity gives me the heeby jeebies so early but needs must and all that. So back to my botanical comfort zone and this weeks Passions for Promarkers using lilac, lavender, amethyst and aubergine using yet another gorgeous sketch from Bea at Everybody Art Challenges.

My main image is this so oh versatile image from Magenta 14315-0 which I have stamped twice onto white linen cardstock with versafine and embossed with detail clear and a third time onto acetate using stayzon black. The flowers stamped onto the linen have been coloured with the Promarkers, one image cut with oval Nesties through the Bug, the second and acetate images have had the flowers cut out, decoupaged and fixed with pearl brads. DP is Daisy Bucket and the greeting Art Impression G3130. Ribbon, a corsage of flowers and pearl stems added to embellish.

And I need to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Lorraine a lovely blogging buddy for giving me this awad and such a pretty one at that.

Rosie Dees Challenge

Think I messed up a bit with my sheduled posts for our hols as seems I did not do one for this weeks Rosie Dees challenge, so sorry everyone, but am putting things right now with the reveal of my last card and this weeks sneak peek.

The theme for this one was "The Beach". The image I used is one I have had for years and although it's wood mounted has no identity I'm afraid. The background was created with Glimmer Mists, denim, grey, seafoam, pineapple and sunflower. I added some 'waves' using Inkssentials opaque pen, stamped Judikins 'sand' across the lower section to give the effect of dunes and Art Impression AA1038 (stones) and AA1378 (grass). The girl is coloured with Promarkers and her dress overstpamped with Art Impression B3023 flowers then decoupaged. Birds are Art Impressions G3235. The corner has been punched with Martha Steward embossed scallop, gems added and Daisy Bucket DP.

And finally, here is a sneak peek of this weeks new challenge. Do pop over and see the DT's fab inspiration and look forward to seeking your creations.

Stamping for the Weekend and Friday Sketchers

Afternoon all, bit light on the postings afraid this weekend and apologies that I've not been doing my blogging rounds as I should, but spent good deal of time at hospital yet again, not going into details suffice to say not nice and painful. And looks like more rain and if the BBC can be relied on it won't be much different for the next few days........ only upside as far as I can see is for the horses, the grass it growing like a triffid. And I guess it's just what the Aussies were hoping for as we had them on the rack at the weekend (I'm on cricket now) and now they smell a draw. (Update - we won !!)

I'm combing two challenges here, this weeks nice sketch from Friday Sketchers and Stamping for the Weekend which is based on "Rock and Roll and offers three song titles and you must depict one in your card - I have gone for Tangled Up in Blue by Bob Dylan........confess I don't remember this one, but in the 70/80s I had other things on my mind apart from music - try a new baby or four for starters ........ but ask me about Queen and some of Freddy's greatest moments and there would be no problem........strutting his stuff at Wembley in those oh so snug white shorts with frayed edges (yes I was there) that yellow tee shirt and not forgetting the white skin tight jeans, ermine cloak and crown, oh my, what Freddy couldn't do with a mic stand isn't worth remembering........oh I could go on for ages on this one, not that I'm an eternal fan or anything you realise......... put it like this, if Verdi or Andrea Bochelli's not on my i pod, Queen is the rest of the time.

Now, anough waffle and on to my card, the image is a Sarah Kay which I have coloured with Promarkers. The DP is Daisy Bucket and Sandylion. Leaves are cut on Cricut storybook, inked with Tim Holt china blue and heat embossed with iridescent powder and the Hero Arts flowers have been inked with the same TH ink and versamark then embossed with detail clear giving them Always About Colours Chris's 'peanut' treatment.

Allsorts challenge 9

Goodness me, it's week nine already at Allsorts, time flies when you are having fun. This week Debs has set the challenge with a great sketch and there's some super dupa candy on offer from our newest sponsor Stamp Addicts, who also have a new show due to be aired on Create and Craft this week ........ scary I know but it's a Christmas one.

Following Debs sketch I have created a card using a set of Inkadinkado inchies - 98852. I stamped them with versafine majestic blue onto a piece of Basic Grey DP and embossed them with detail clear, then matted them onto a piece of dark blue cardstock. The borders are using my new Martha Steward doily lace punch........isn't this just the prettiest one in the range ? The greeting is Penny Black salutations and the circles cut with nesties on the bug. Main background DP is Daisy Bucket and the striped one again Basic Grey. Finished off with some ribbon and buttons.

Passion for Promarkers & Spoonful of Sugar

I'm combining two challenges together on this one, Passion for Promarkers there the challenge is to use Cocoa and Cornflower Blue and A Spoonful of Sugar which ask that you use hearts on you projects.

I have used Art Impression T3094 (Sir Stampalot) as my main image stamped in versafine black and embossed with detail clear. To incorporate the hearts I used a Stamps by Judith (Stamp Addicts) stubby stamp to decorate her dress, colouring the hearts with the cocoa and the cornflower blue for the main part of her dress. As I have said before, I have problems with solitary figures, so my little girl is walking across cobbles stamped with Art Impression L3297, has some chalked clouds above her and some little birds using part of Art Impression G3234. My DP's are Daisy Bucket and Doodlebug, the top panel was run through the bug using the hearts folder to carry the theme and finished off with three flowers and some swarovski crystals.

Everybody Art Challenges

Good morning, a bit more air about today, but still some rain lurking - we need it my hubby says !

This weeks Everybody Art Challenges is a sketch from Tina. I have used a new stamp from Magenta 41017K stamped in versafine sepia and embossed with detail clear onto a background created by sponging sunflower, citrus and pumpkin Stayzon onto glossy cardstock, then spritzing with Tim Holtz blending solution which makes the colours bleed. My DP is Daisy Bucket and the scalloped strip has been created by stamping an unmounted border stamp (sorry no idea of origin) onto the offcut from my main image ...... I was once accused of overstamping this one, but the dots and lines are all part of the stamps rustic look ! Circles were cut with nesties on the bug and some brown dots added to finish.

Two challenges in one

Well, anyone who knows me can have a good giggle because they will know just how hard I found this one. I struggle with busy and cutsie and like nice symmetrical cards. Challenge 57 for Cute Card Thursday is "Getting Edgy - tear, sand, distress or sew the edges of your card". That on it's own wasn't a problem but time being short I wanted to try and combine it with this weeks Friday Sketcher which has a nice sketch by Murielle from France, but quite busy which is where I have problems.

Anyway, I started with a GM'd background (gold, terracotta and sunkissed peach) and tore the edges and distressed with TH vintage photo, then stamped all over with a crackle background stamp from Magenta 32090M using brilliance cosmic copper and as usual if in doubt rely on good old favourite Stampendous P107 stamped with versamark and embossed with detail copper. Then my problems really started, lots of embellies needed to fit the sketch, so flowers, buttons, gems, ribbon and so on. Finally a greeting from Stampsmith and background paper is Daisy Bucket. Done !

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 28

In anticipation of an early start tomorrow to go to Ally Pally, I am posting tomorrows card this evening. The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge is to create a scene and as I was planning on doing some more samples for Stampaddicts with the new JudiKins stamps that featured on their latest C&C show, I have used the rainy day girl as the main feature. Stamped with Stayzon and the park scene built up with Art Impression stamps inking with Marvy pens. The greeting is Woodware FRCL128, the circles cut on nesties and the girls brolly, hat and coat stamped onto Daisy Bucket paper.

Friday Sketcher Week 47

This is my first card for the Friday Sketchers Challenge. I quite like the idea of having a template sketch as the thinking is done for you and all that's left to decide is what stamps and elements to use. On this one I have gone with Poppies a favourite from Penny Black 3949H (Sir Stampalot), coloured simply with Marvy pens, diamond glazed with a touch of stickles in the middle while still wet and lightly chalked. The background paper is Daisy Bucket, the corner swirl Magenta 1205C and greeting Woodware FRC128. Oval mounts are cut on the CB with Nesties.

Three pooches

Two cards using this cute dog H197 by Stamps by Judith (stampaddicts). The first card has been masked and stamped three times with Stayzon black and coloured in with Marvy pens. The greeting is a favourite of mine Penny Black 3419D (SirStampalot). The background paper is from Daisy Bucket which I have overstamped around the borders to give a bit more dimension to the card with JudiKins 3345F using Versamark and embossed with gold detail. The dogs noses and collars have been diamond glazed to make them shine which shows up better in the close up picture.

The second card has been very simply stamped and embossed with versafine black and clear powder. The mats are cut using nesties labels as is the greeting which is stamped with C98 also by Stamps by Judith. The ballons are cut on Cricut Stretch your Imagination and the base card overstamped with a paw stamp (afraid no ide of origin) and the dog image coloured in with Marvy pens.

Coming up on TV tomorrow

Here's another sneak peek at the stamps coming up on Ideal World at 11am tomorrow in Stamp Addicts live show. Stamps are all from JukiKins. The card and mats were cut on the Cricut using Plantin Schoolbook, and mounted on Daisy Bucket paper and coloured with Marvy and Sakura pens.

Just one more for today

I created this one using Daisy Bucket, Bazzil and K and Co papers. I like the simple design which can be altered to suit the recipient. The card itself is 144cm square which is ideal for the nine squares each cut to 4.5cm. I have run some squares through the cuttlebug using Swiss dots and overstamped others with Hero CL284 & CL300. The butterfly was created with a cuttlebug cut and emboss set. The greeting was cut on Cricut Wild card which I then embossed with clear powder to give a gloss finish.