Made by Lucy, aged 8

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I just had to show you this wonderful card I received from my friend Pat.
This was made by her granddaughter  Lucy, aged 8.

I am so impressed with it - it is so well made and definitely deserves praise and encouragement.
Her family have commissioned cards made by her to send out this year and if this one is anything to go by the recipients will all be as impressed as I am.

Well done, Lucy :-)

What do you think of Lucy's card? Maybe you would like to leave a message for her - she would be one happy little girl :-)


Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears


x

16th Birthday

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Commissioned by DIL for her niece

Image - Charmed Cards
BP's -  free in September's Making Cards mag
Ribbon with silver edging from cheapo store 2yrs ago
Flower reassembled with a Laura Ashley brad

Challenge
Sketch n Stash #76
Totally Papercrafts #96 - anything but Christmas
Cute Card Thursday #194 - anything goes
Stampavie & More #157 - easel cards



Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears

x

With Love

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8" square  - A commission from my niece for her fiance.

I've really enjoyed making this. It took me a while to decide on the papers and finally went for these from the Fathers and Fedoras kit by Summer Driggs.


The inspiration for this was influenced by ..... a challenge sketch from here (this is not near enough to enter) and here  + a design by Sue of Particraft fame +  the gorgeous gold panel by Linda the Funky Junkie.
I got really mucky with DI's and ink pads and  I only just managed to save my kitchen worktop from ending up gold embossed, lol.

 I hand cut a hole in the top layer by cutting  round the inside of a nestie circle - the ring is also cut from the same set. The paper was rather flimsy so I stuck it to some card to give it some substance. This layer is popped up with foam tape.

I made the gold panel  inside the hole by inking up a circle, embossing it with gold EP,  further dry embossing with the texture folder and finally ageing it with copper and black ink pads until I was satisfied with the result. Actually I was very proud of it and then went and covered it up with the sentiment. This was made as usual in Publisher.

 Men's cards can be awkward to embellish and I didn't want to go OTT.  I hope you think what I have done suits this
I grunged up TH flourish die, and added a brad with the fiance's initial - chunky gold thread.- a square of burlap and the brown rose...I hope he doesn't think that is too sissy, lol.

Another view

Challenges
Crafty Cardmakers #57 - heat embossing - Proud to say this card was chosen as winner!!
The ABC Challenge - E is for embossing
The Paper Shelter #42 - anything goes
PCJ - anything goes
Lexi's #54 - one for the lads
DYSU #48 - ribbon or anything you can tie
Allsorts #132 - going round in circles
Penny Black - december challenge - happy birthday


Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears


x

First Birthday

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It is a relief to be back in business.  I was unable to get into my graphics programme and have had to buy a new version which arrived today, Saturday. I was getting right miffed that it took so long to get here - I ordered on Monday!!!! 

I have, at long last, got some LOTV images - hooray.  I took advantage of the sale and stocked up with die-cut images.

This sweet image is just right for this First Birthday card. The number 1 is handcut out of some free paper and matted on to mirri card. The same with the image.

The BP is a freebie too then I just added a little bit of ribbon and the computer generated sentiment

Challenges
Cute Card Thursday #193 - it's just a number
A Gem of a Challenge #35 - monochromatic
CCC - monochromatic
Diva's by Design #16 - anything goes
DYSU #48 - ribbon
Fab 'n' Funky #101 - anything goes
LOTV #123 - anything but a Christmas card
The Paper Shelter #42 - anything goes
PIO #48 - sugar and spice


Thank you for stopping by and the lovely comments
Cheers me dears

x

Tic Tac Toe at Crafty Ann's

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Crafty Ann's Challenge #55

Christmas Tic Tac Toe 
~ any line across, down or diagonally ~

 

I chose 3 down - ribbon & bow, bauble and gold - nice combination :-)

The plain white BG paper is embossed with CB snowflakes folder and I had to distress the edges of course, lol.

The frame and bauble, both from Ann's metallic collection, 

Finished with an extravagant organza bow and glittered punched snowflakes.

Other challenges I'd like to enter

Just Some Lines - tic tac toe - embossing, ribbon, punch

Digi Stamps 4 Joy #33 - merry christmas - no animals

Gingerloft #30 - Christmas and winter

Southern Girls #33 - ribbon madness

Diva's by Design #16 - anything goes

Fab 'n' Funky #101 - anything goes

Joanna Sheen #1 - Christmas wishes

The ABC Challenge - E is for embossing

DYSU #48 - ribbon or anything you can tie

PCJ - anything goes

CYP #86 - tis the season

Thank you for stopping by - I hope you will be able to play along with us for Crafty Ann's Tic Tac Toe Challenge this fortnight. The DT have some beautiful inspiration for you over on the challenge blog. We're all looking  forward to seeing what you choose

Cheers me dears :-)

x

Retirement

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8" square

This was commissioned by the friend I made the card for in the post below. The big day is not until mid December so I still have plenty of time to do my card for her.
I used a sketch for this but, what a divvy, I can't remember where from, duh!

The fashion images are a selection from the All Dressed up CD which I won from an Ooh La La challenge.
I chose this CD as I new it would be very useful
Jean's retirement list is what we think she will be doing now that she has time to herself.

Handmade flower. I made the background with cosmic shimmer mists - bronze blush & bilberry crush and sprayed over with glimmer mist which resulted in a lovely golden sheen which doesn't show in the pic.
I put the paper through a CB folder before I cut out the flower to add a bit of interest
I would like to get some more cosmic shimmer mists but I have such trouble with them. They are lovely but after a few uses the sprayer packed in and I ended up dabbing the colours on to the paper. Very messy but a nice result .

This is what I put on the box, lol. There is a reference to witches on the insert - requested by the friend who commissioned  the card :-)

Other stuff
Gorgeous lace from Linda, Funky Junkie's Etsy store
Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
Corner cut from gold mirri card
Handmade stick pin
Die cut circles
Ribbon and feather from stash

Challenges
Bearly Mine #24 - all my favourite things - flowers, lace,  ribbon, pearls
Alphabet Challenge - V for very vibrant
CYDA #34 - buttons or bows
Crafts & Me #62 - shabby chic/vintage
MAWTT - ribbons & bows
OLLCB #93 - bingo - pearls, flowers,lace
PCJ  #17 - anything goes

Thank you for stopping by today
Cheers me dears :-)


x

Take it easy

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For a friend who retires at the end of the month

Main BP - Crafty Ann's pale brown from the Polished Stone collection, overstamped with
Script stamp by Prima from Joanna Sheen
Rose Pink silk ribbon  - Linda, Funky Junkie's  Etsy shop
Pearls - MeiFlower
Aster daisy - Wild Orchid
Image -origin unknown
All words computer generated
Tag cut with the smallest scallop oval nestie and hung with
Gold thread



Challenges
Penny's PCC #67 - tie it on (the tiny 'enjoy' tag)
Anything Goes # 54 - a real sweetie
OSAAT #89 - anything goes


Thank you for stopping by and for your lovely comments
Cheers me dears :-)


x

Wrestling for Grandson

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Gone are the days of  Ballamorie, Spongebob and Ben 10 - now he is mad on wrestling and this is his favourite wrestler, John Cena :-/

I've gone entirely digital for these three cards.
These were not all that quick to make -  it took some time to compose them in Serif PPx2. I then printed on to photo paper. Only one layer - neat!

This one is from Mum & Dad - I personalised a medallion - big eh, the original was the same size - must be made of plastic, lol

This is from my DD, his aunty and family.

This one from us, grandma & Grandad - I made the background with a WWF logo  to keep with this years theme/fad

Challenges
Allsorts #130 - one layer card
OSAAT #89 - anything goes
Paperminutes #191 - childrens birthday


Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears


x

8th Birthday

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BP - free from crafting mag
Stamped flowers embossed with seafoam EP
Glittered strip with narrow ribbon
Computer generated sentiment


Thank you for stopping by :-)
Cheers me dears


x

75th Birthday

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Comission from my neighbour for her dad's 75th birthday

Handmade sentiment circle well distressed with vintage photo and cut around with pinking shears.
I went over some parts with gold pentouch. The diecut numbers fixed to the star cut from a stencil

Challenge
Bearly Mine #23 - one for the boyz
Craft Challenge #129 - stars in your eyes


Thank you for stopping by :-)
Cheers me dears

x

Crafty Ann's Challenge #54

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Crafty Ann's Challenge #54

Sketch and/or monochrome

Apologies for the short post but I've had  major computer problems but I hope they are solved now :-(

I do like to work with a sketch and also like monochrome so I am very happy with this challenge.

The main backing paper is from the funky collection. I used parchment for the four squares  and the main image - morning glory and trellis. The four small flowers are traced from the large image and coloured for the first time. I used bryunzeel pencils and alcohol - maybe not the method used by the experienced parchers but I am happy with the result. I added small pearls to the centres of the small flowers  and I've defined the four segments with satin ribbon

Close up of the centre panel.

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges -
CYDA #33 - embellishment bingo - peearls,  ribbon, flowers

Diva's by Design #15 - monochromatic


I hope you will play along with us and our sketch/monochromatic challenge



Thank you for stopping by :-)
Cheers me dears


x

80th Birthday

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A commission for the 80th birthday of a retired headmaster and my 500th post, whoopee :-)

I inked up a page from an old encyclopedia with vintage photo DI and layered it on to BP from For the Record  from Raspberry Road. The words at the bottom right are defintions of words to do with education.

I made a calendar and circled the date. I think the 'book' cover was a freebie from Dover but not sure - I removed the title and digitally replaced with the happy birthday message.

The die cut 80 is on a lovely flourishey frame from the shapeabilities fleur de lis accents set.

Challenges
Whimsey #13 - monochromatic - missed it!!

Creatalicious #27 - distress your edges
Let's Craft & Create #32 - reduce, reuse, recycle
My Partner in Crafting Crime #35 - use a freebie - book cover and used a page from a  book
For Fun Challenges - a very special birthday
CYP #83 - anything goes + brown
Crafty Catz # 107 - anything goes



Thank you for stopping by :-)
Cheers me dears

x

Parchment Lilies

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My very poor attempt with parchment. I really must try and get some tuition. There are some excellent online craft tutorials for lots of techniques, but I definitely need a hands on workshop for this parchment craft lark, lol.
I only have the minimum basic tools so that doesn't help, but if/when I improve I'll invest in some more.
The pattern I used was quite small so I had the brilliant idea of scanning it and enlarged it to A5 in my graphics programme - well, I'm pleased that worked :-)
I hope my friend doesn't look too closely to see what a bad job I made of this. I am not happy with it but gave it to her anyway 'cos it took ages and I was doing it especially for her.
The corner looked bare so I added a double organza bow and some stick on pearls to the flourishes.

Challenge
The Corrosive Challenge #136 - use a flourish
Dream Valley #19 - anything goes - 3rd entry
Papertake Weekly - anything goes

This one was less stressful.

And another similar to the one in a previous post

Thank you for stopping by.

Cheers me dears

x

Flower Frenzy - CACB #53

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Crafty Ann's Challenge #53

this fortnight is 

Floral Frenzy

For anyone who love flowers this is a super challenge and right up my street :-)

For the main BP I have used the pale brown  from the polished stone collection - I LOVE this colour :-)

The flowers are the short petal digi and are made from funky collection 1- and sooo easy to make. My way is to print the digi on to the back of your chosen paper, cut out, go around the edges with an ink pad, shape by curling the petals then layer together and put something pretty in the centre.

The frame is from Ann's metallic collection. I cut out the centre and layered it with silicone over the computer generated sentiment . All these can be found at Ann's digi shop here.

I've used three layers for the flowers and finished off by filling the centres with a liberal helping of cosmic shimmer glitter jewels - just a posh name for chunky glitter, lol.

I made a double bow with this pretty ribbon I found hiding at the bottom of the ribbon drawer. I needed a flourish so glamour dusted this one using the fab TH die. Distressed edges with vintage photo inkpad
Lace from my stash and a bit of bling and voila - a card for DD's friend's birthday tomorrow.

It will be great if you can join in and treat us to a Flower Frenzy because I'm looking forward to seeing your flowery creations.
If you are in need of inspiration go see my DT buddies super designs over at Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog 

 I'd also like to enter these challenges
The Corrosive Challenge #136 - with a flourish
Crafty Cardmakers #55 - colour combo - pink, brown, cream
Dream Valley #19 - anything goes
Papertake Weekly  - anything goes - plus a bit of bling
The Pink Elephant #123 - distressing




Thank you for stopping by and the lovely comments you've taken the time to leave on previous posts.
Cheers me dears :-)


x

Sympathy

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Sadly one of many I have to make this week.

Our 36yr old nephew died on Saturday and our friend's son who is also our DD's close friend's husband died on Monday. Two young men in two days :-(

When I have to make one of these sad cards I often use this digi from Pink Petticoat - I love it's simplicity.

The bakers twine is from my gorgeous winnings from the Pretty Little Ribbon Shop, for winning a Charisma Cardz  Challenge back in Sept. Not only beautiful ribbons but some buttons and heart pins too - just yummy - thank you so much.

Getting out the stash and making cards can be so therapeutic when you're feeling sad.


 Challenges
Charisma Cardz #43 - anything goes
Paper Crafting Journey #22 - use a digi


Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears


x

90th Birthday

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Commission for a 90th birthday.
I wanted to keep this simple and as it is for a gentleman, NO ribbon and No flowers  - but I did manage to find room for a tassel :-)

I made this BP to represent the regimental tie which is broad stripes of navy and silver. I was given photo's of the regimental badge and flags which I scanned and after some digital do-dah-ing made them usable for embellishments.

The badge is two layers - the first layer is printed directly on top of the stripes and the shaped 2nd layer fixed with silicone

I added a number 90 to the flags and matted it onto gold mirri card - this is secured with foam pads.

The scroll is made from some lovely parchment, the type used for certificates.

Challenges
MAWTT #122 - no girls allowed
Crafty Sentiments - no designer paper
OCC - fancy folds
Dream Valley #19 - anything goes


Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears


x

New Baby #2

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Challenges
CES #59 - new beginnings
The Paper Shelter  #37 anything goes
Our Creative Corner - fabulous faces
Crafty Ribbons #5 - bingo - punches/dies, flowers, ribbon
Charisma Cardz #43 - anything goes


Same baby - different card!!  and as it says on it, it is for the proud 'Nana'.
Another bad pic - I must try and adjust my camera settings to see if I can do better next time.

The heart was cut from a stencil, embossed with texture CB folder then inked the raised pattern. It took a while but I managed to give it a good coat of UTEE
I couldn't find any stripe pattern paper in my stash or digi collections so I made my own - I can do stripes :-)

Thank you for stopping by :-)
Cheers me dears

x

New Baby Boy

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Challenges
Sketch & Stash   #73  - sketch
Charisma Cardz  # 43 - anything goes
Crafts & Me #58 - use blue
CES # 59 - new beginnings


I was given the photo of the new baby especially to use on this card. Doesn't he look a little sweetie :-)
I had to amend  the sketch from Sketch & Stash to fit this A5 portrait format - but I think it still works.
The only new stash is the wide lace from my local 'button boutique'.

It's a shame I couldn't get a better pic - the blue is much softer IRL

Thank you for stopping by and for the lovely, much appreciated comments on my previous posts.
Cheers me dears


x

70th Birthday Butterflies

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Challenges
Flutterby Wednesday's #176 - open
The Corrosive Challenge #135 - flying things
Scrappy Frogs - something that flies
Crafts 4 Eternity #42 - use at least one metal embellishment
Crafty Catz #104 - birthday

A commissioned card for a 70th birthday.
The brief was....... a hexagon shape, yellow, flowers and butterflies.
I am pleased that I eventually accomplished the request, as yellow is not a colour I use often so it was a bit of a struggle and so was cutting a hexagon lol.

The digi papers are from For the Record and the goldy colour is an Eva Kipler design. The laser cut butterflies are part of a cupcake wrapper. The Nellie die cut is glamour dusted around the edge and the round sentiment attached with foam pads.
I am happy to use the lovely fleur de lis border again and finished off with a metal MeiFlower butterfly.

I made the sentiment in Serif PPx2 and love the embossed look.

A handmade stick pin and utee'd flower on top of crinoline, net and seam binding ribbon

I  used the same Eva Kipler paper, added the butterfly  and printed it lighter for the inside

Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears :-)


x

X Factor, Man City, Guinness.......

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...........and even Jerry Springer, LOL

A commission to include all of the above for a leaving card.
You may wonder why Jerry Springer?  He is included because his colleagues think the recipient looks like JS's double.

There is quite a bit of digital jiggery pokery involved here. I gave four of them a glass of the black stuff and I love the look on Gary Barlow's face. It looks like he is thinking - Hey! where's mine :-)
Well!! I thought it was funny.

I have really, really tried to get a decent pic but to no avail - this is the best I can do - but you get the idea dontcha.
I've still got problems with my PC - it has  taken HOURS to get this post posted, grrrrrrr.

Tentatively entering the following challenges
Cards for Men #21 - make us laugh
OCC - faces

Thank you for stopping by
Cheers me dears


x

Crafty Ann's Challenge #52

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 Crafty Ann's Challenge #52

Clean and simple is the theme for this challenge.

I used the CB  Swiss dots embossing folder on plain white paper for the background and lightly brushed it around the edges with a gold ink pad . The main image is one of Ann's new metallic butterflies which  I coloured digitally and then added this to a simple computer generated mat which is adhered with foam pads.

 

 The pic's really don't so this justice - the gold of the butterfly really shows up in real life.

I hope you will be able to play along with us for this CAS challenge. Inspiration from my DT buddies can be found at Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog  so nip over and see all their super creations



Other challenges I'd like to enter
 Flutterby Wednesday's #176 - open
Charisma Cardz #42 - embossing


Thank you for stopping by :-)
Cheers me dears


x