ICSketches #6 and #7

Well I got my head together last night and had a fab crafting session... cor what a mess I made though!! Wanted to catch up on a few challenges but blimey you'd think someone had gone through my room with a bulldozer this morning (couldn't be bothered to tidy up when I finished... that can ALWAYS wait till another day...lol) I always seem to want to use something that is in a bag... in a box... in a cupboard or drawer somewhere and I make more mess looking for it by the time I've pulled everything out than I actually do when I'm making something. Bet I'm not the only one either eh... come on own up... you all do it right :D

So anyway this is my card for this weeks ICSketch #7 followed by last weeks Sketch#6 cos I didn't manage to show it when I should've so thought I'd share them both together in this post.

On this card I used BasicGrey papers and stamp. This is one of my all time favourite stamps...just love it!! I have a confession to make though... the lace.... I think it was meant to be used for lingerie... you know Knicker elastic... but what the heck... you wouldn't have known if I didn't tell ya right. Just can't keep my big mouth shut rofl.
My cute little girly image is from Lisa's altered art and while I was struggling wif me stash I came across this crown which I got from Karen at Scrapz and I neeeeeeded to use it... little bit big for her little head but she wears it well :D
Had to add me little bits of 'bling' and a bit of ribbon with a ribbon slider to finish it off.

This is my card for last weeks sketch ... bit of tearing going on with this one, edged with felt tip pen... which I also used to colour in my image, ribbon and flowers. Honestly the humble felt tip is just sooooooo under rated AND cheap as chips :D If you buy white ribbon, and flowers you can alter them to co-ordinate with all of your other bits and pieces as quick as you like.

The papers used are from Funkyfairys papercrafts 'in with the old' I just love these colours.

The image I used was a freebie from Funkyfairies blogtrain giveaway that I grabbed a little while ago. I was sooooo patient too cutting round all of the leaves and branches... really need to get me some better glasses or some fine point scissors though cos it took me ages.

ooooooh did you see that..... more 'bliiiiing' rofl. I seem to stick it on just about everything don't I. Finally a few layered blooms and Bob's yer Uncle.... all done :D

Need a cup of coffee now after all that.... drink about a hundred cups when I'm making my bits and pieces and I'm suffering withdrawal now.... bring on the caffeine!!

ooooooh yes and before I forget to tell ya.... I'm well excited cos I've been featured on Inspirational.... yeeehaaa.... I love Inspirational :D

hugs

Chris xx

ICSketches#3

Hi all... my apologies first of all for not managing to visit you all over the weekend as I had hoped to do... unfortunately sometimes life gets in the way and at the moment I have some 'stuff' going on and I have decided that it would be better if I take a break from blogging for a couple of weeks until I manage to sort everything out.

So that in mind this will be my last 'proper' post for a while... although I have sorted out some digi freebie kits and some mini card making kits for you to download if you want them and have postdated the posts so there will still be a few goodies for you to see and grab while I am away :D

Before I disappear I wanted to share this with you though.... I should have put it up last week but well...it just didn't happen. This was my card for Dawn's ICSketch#3 challenge there is another sketch up now so if you love sketches pop over and see all the gorgeous DT cards for some inspiration and maybe join in yourself.
Once again the paper and stamps I used are by Crafty Individuals I love this pretty lady 'with love' stamp and you just know I adore wings.

I created her 'tiara' with a corner stamp... cut out and mounted on a 3d pad with a little bit of bling added too and paper pieced her dress and wings.

The purple border is an elegant lace effect stamp and the bottom edging was created with a Fiskars border punch.

Thanks for looking and for continuing to visit and leaving me your lovely comments. I will be back as soon as I can and will look forward to it.

HUGE HUGS

Chris xxx

BasicGrey challenge 21-Lets mix it up

Well I shared almost two days of fabby crafty time with my buddy Chriss although I woke up yesterday morning feeling like I had a London bus sitting on my chest... how come when I am eating healthier than ever before in my effort to get rid of some of the flab... that every germ known to man seems to think that my body is the perfect playground!!

Went to bed last night in my Jammie's AND dressing gown AND socks in an effort to stop the shivering and skin hurty... wrapping myself up like a mummy in the quilt and expecting to get up this morning feeling like I'd been swatted with a ten ton feather.

Instead I feel full of beans (not the ones that fill your belly with wind by the way..lol) although I don't think I'm out of the woods yet cos I'm still a bit achy.

Still I managed a few challenges with Chriss and it's always much easier to craft with two... swapping ideas and having a few giggles along the way and as I've been going to join in with the BasicGrey challenge for a while I started with this card. The challenge was to mix up two different ranges of BasicGrey ranges in your creation.

For the background I used an older line of BasicGrey paper called Phoebe and the arch, curled paper in the foreground and paper used for the flower is from the Archaic collection
The little girl is from Lisa's altered art and the flourishes are a stamp from The Artistic Stamper. I added some lace and ribbon, did some paper curling and sanded edges...

and finished off with this cute little crochet flower with a pearl centre that Chriss gave me... it just added a nice finishing touch... thanks pal :D

Hope everyone is having a fab day and I will be back soon with some more challenge creations.

hugs

Chris xx

Valentine challenge

If you love stamping just look at these lovelies up for grabs over at Karen's blog I meant to let you know about it earlier but better late than never. All you have to do for a chance to win is create a Valentines card/atc but NO red or pink and email it to Karen before midnight tomorrow... Sunday 29th... check out Karen's blog for where to send your entry :DGood luck :D

hugs

Chris xx

I've been a naughty girl,,,,

despite telling myself that I wasn't going to spend any more money on crafting goodies until at least January was out and my bank balance was looking a bit more sunny. Docrafts are having a sale and oh boy they have got some fabby Basic Grey stuff up for grabs and even though I tried to sit on my hands... they just kept nipping my bum till I got up and grabbed my plastic so I could get my hands on some of the lovelies!!! Shame on me :D Made me feel really good though... much better than chocolate which I have managed to deny myself since the New Year (aren't I a good lassie...lol)
I have to patiently wait until my stash is delivered though so in the meantime I had a play with another of my all time favourites... Cosmo Cricket :D (like you didn't know that eh!!) So for the first time in an age I made a Thank you card... don't know why I don't make more because there are always occasions to say it to fabby people IYKWIM.
I had a lot of fun inking the edges and adding my little bit of bling

and hand cutting and assembling the half paper flower. The background papers and thank you strip are from the Chemistry range and the paper I used for the flower is from Mr Campy.

So it seems my addiction to paper play is salved a little while I await my parcel and now I have to just dream about opening it when it arrives :D

Have a great day all

hugs

Chris xx

The joke's on me...lol

I think I mentioned that my cup this year was going to remain half full.... but that was before it developed a crack in it!!! I don't know if it started as an old wives tale but things certainly have a tendency to happen in three's don't they.

Over the last few days I've been ready for tearing my hair out on more than one occasion... thanks to my car battery going flat and needing nothing short of a bolt of lightening to get it going again. Being without wheels is not much fun when you are looking after an 8yr old with the attention span of a gnat for four days (much as I love DG patience has NEVER been his middle name...lol)

So that was my first hiccup...then my washing machine started to play the fool and with a finished load of washing stuck inside with a door that refused point blank to open... the steam began to build up in my ears, the final straw came when the bottom fell off the cooker.... sweary words came thick and fast and in sheer frustration I kicked it... like that would help eh...rofl

Anyway all's well that end's well... temper tantrums over (and me such a mild mannered person usually). DD managed successfully to jump start my car (after other attempts had failed and I had FORGOTTEN!! I had AA membership...lol) After re-running the washing cycle the door opened without so much as a sorry I upset you and I found the spring which had removed itself from the cooker bottom and all is right with the world again :D

This week I have finally managed to get myself into the mindset that chocolate will NOT help me lose weight... well that and the fact that I can't just eat one square... I'm a kind of all or nothing gal if you catch my drift. So I have emptied the cupboard and fridge of all things naughty and unhealthy and filled them with wholesome goodness to help me reduce the double chin I seem to have grown without blinking!! I do not see myself as being on a diet because staying power doesn't come easy to me and where food is concerned my willpower is sparse.... so I am going to eat healthily like a good girl and hopefully regain at least a little bit of the figure I know is hiding under the Michelin man guise it holds now...lol The deciding factor being that the scales groaned under me as I recently stood on them and screamed "GIRL YOU GOTTA BE KIDDIN' ME... !!"

So just to give me a little bit more of an incentive to keep the chocolate bars where they should be (IN THE SHOP) I am telling the world and his aunt and any one else who probably isn't tickled by knowing that I am now 14 st 12lb and am going to keep a running countdown for myself in my sidebar... just in case you are wondering what the heck it's all about.... wish me luck :D
Ok you had enough of me rattling on...heh heh
Anyone in the mood for Valentine's. Well I didn't think I was in that mode yet but couldn't stop myself from making this card...
More from the Cosmo Cricket Chemistry range... OMG I just luuuuurve the red!!! and the pop out die cut flower shape.
The flourishes on this paper just screamed to me for a bit of delicate bling
and no-one wants to be forgotten on Valentines day so the sentiment just fit so wonderfully along with more tearing from me and little flower bling (though it's not shining in the pic) added to the centre of the flowers on the paper too just because I could :D My apologies for the fact that I haven't managed to get round to commenting much on your blogs this week too.... I will pop by as soon as I can.
Have a great week
hugs
Chris xx

A little bird told me....

...it's 2009!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU MY BLOGGING BUDDIES !!

Thank you for your continued support... for the friendships I have shared with you and for the inspiration that I have gained in abundance from such wonderfully artistic people...

May it be a happy fun filled, healthy, prosperous New Year for you all xxx

I for one am looking forward to a year filled with all good things... my cup I hope will always be at least half full and I am thankful for all of the highs AND lows that last year brought... I believe the things that happen in our lives make us the people we are and for the most part I am happy being me... I am thankful for the fact that I have a healthy loving family, wonderful friends and all the little things that bring joy to my life... the things that money just can't buy.

oooooh turning into a slush attack now.... got me started and I better stop or I'll have you groaning...lol... sentimental fool I am :D

Okay now for my first card of the year... sorry for the pants photography... do not adjust your screen...the pics ARE blurry...lol Really need to practice my skills at the moment because a lot of my photos are ending up out of focus and I can't seem to stop it... not that I need to tell you that right :D Any tips gratefully received!!

Anyway this one is using the new Cosmo Cricket Chemistry papers and as my favourite colour is Red (you didn't know that right..lol) I am loving them, a combination of deep reds pinks, brown and a few other colours thrown in...yummy A bit unusual for me this one...
I went a bit overboard with my inking, tearing and layering on this card but I guess I just indulge in how the mood takes me at the time...

the image is a download from Pink Petticoat which is totally cute and I added some buttons ribbon and the inevitable bling (which I obviously didn't stick on too well as some fell off when I moved it to photograph it...lesson learned... be less frugal with the glue!!)

A little bit of news to share too... Clare Curd is launching her new Signature range on Feb 9th (well done Clare) and has started a new blog for news about it... I will be keeping my eyes peeled to see what fun things are in store :D

Have a great start to the New Year all and will be looking forward to popping by and seeing what you are all up to :D Well those who don't have a hangover that is...lol

hugs

Chris xx

One more sleep....

'till the big man with the beard and the red suit comes to visit and I'm sooooooo excited my tummy is full 'o' butterflies. Am I a believer... YOU BET!! Don't you know if you don't believe in Santa you don't get any pressies... I believe.. I believe... I BELIEVE rofl.
All shopping done... pressies wrapped and I am going to have a fun day today after I've had me a nice relaxing ... full of bubbles... nice smelling... warm as toast bath and put me glad rags on. May even do up me face to go visiting and pressie delivering :D
I am sleeping at DD's tonight because as DG says.... Santa won't come if I'm not there... awwwww bless :D
Okay 'nuff waffling and some bits and pieces to share specially as I didn't get round to blogging earlier cos of pressie buying, food shopping and the like, so much to do... so little time just like all of you probably.
So first of all some mini cards I did with my alcohol inks, and women stamps from The Queen's dresser drawers, the background text stamp was a gift from my pal Chriss so I don't know who's stamp it is but I love it.
Next the last of my Crimbo cards to share with you this year... I know you are probably sick of the sight of them by now heh heh!!
A girly one featuring Ellie from Cen's Crafty bits

with handwritten sentiment... bling :D ... and Christmas glitter...

and a more masculine one featuring Joe, watercoloured and holding his own Christmas star...

using some of my favourite Papermania papers and covered chipboard to add the sentiment to.

Now before I leave you in peace :D a couple of awards to share from some special girlies...

This one from Dawn

The rules are to give it to five others, who shall give it to five others.
Link the one you got it from, and also the ones you give it to - then let them know.
And there is more... You have to write down five things you are addicted to.

I award this to....

Beate , Sesga , Sandy ,Viola , Gayle and Heather

Ok Ok I know that's 6 but hey it's Christmas so I'm allowed...lol

and the five things I'm addicted to :_

Coffee ... keeps me awake

Bling!! ... makes me smile

Crafting... keeps me sane

Spending money on crafty bits....ooooer

My Grandson.... He puts the light in my life and fills it with fun :D

Finally I received this smashing award from the lovely Suzyb... "Gift of the Gab award"... speaks for itself doesn't it...lol

Well I really can't help the fact that I often have verbal diarhoea... I just can't stop my mouth or my fingers (when typing comments etc) from running away with me. Hey you should be inside my brain... I'm sure there are little fella's in there working overtime to make sure the cogs are well oiled and able to keep running :D

Suzy forgot the rules for this one...lol... so I've no rules to follow so I'll just pass it on as Suzyb did to fellow bloggers who have entertained me with their own chattering online and off and they are :-

Chriss , Terrieb , Sharon , Debbie and Kath

I could go on and on all day BUT I will have to stop there or else I won't get round everyone I've got to deliver gifts to today or have time to beautify myself in readiness for the big day... so I send you all a wish for a Fabulous day tomorrow and hope you all have heaps of fun :D

See you soon

hugs

Chris xx

Willow Sketchie and Artygirlz (favourite medium) challenges

I combined two challenges for my card today, Willow's sketchie challenge which I haven't managed to join in with for a few weeks and this weeks Artygirlz challenge which is 'favourite medium'. So just before I drown you in Christmas pics I thought I would share this with you and give you a break(would share the kit-kats with you too but I've eaten them all...lol)
I rotated the sketch because I found it fit better with what I had in mind to do, but that's the beauty of sketches to me... a starting block to get the mojo going and a lot of fun too.
My favourite medium... well I don't need to tell ya really do I... 'BLING A LING A LING' doesn't get missed off a lot of what I create does it :D I am really loving curling the edges of my papers and shapes too, though on this card I stopped with the shapes.

More of my favourite things with chipboard, ribbon and Silhouettes just had me in a happy place making this card and the reverse silhouettes from Cen's Crafty bits are some of my favourites... really cool and printed out on A6 photo paper they are just the perfect size to use with a circle punch..whooohooo easy peasy.... and my ribbon box is getting some hammer lately too... d'ya think I'm over my addiction to stroking and stashing it...lol

Ok just before I go I have to say a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to our well talented blogging buddy Kath who has recently won Simply Cards and Papercrafts magazine Card Designer of the year Competition 2008... really well deserved too as Kath's creations are stunning in every way. If you haven't paid her blog a visit... what are you waiting for :D

Kath is also having some blog candy giveaways in the lead up to Christmas... so pop by and say hello... I know she would be happy for you to.

Okay that's it for me tonight... am shattered after DG visit this weekend, 8yr olds have sooooooo much energy and I'm as sure as God made little green apples that DG runs on Everready (sp)batteries!!

See you soon

hugs

Chris xx

I've been a bad blogger....

this week things just seemed to get in the way... all the best laid plans and all that!! Sometimes I feel like I am on a great big merrygoround that just gets faster and faster and I can't jump off...lol So much to do and so little time to do it in. Although I get excited about Christmas it seems that there is so much to do and think about that everything else takes second place... no wonder that after Christmas Day I want to be a couch potato for a month... ok nothing new there then...lol I did finally manage to get some Christmas cards made and posted (wouldn't be forgiven for sending some people bought ones IYKWIM) every year I say I will start making them early but I just never seem to manage it ;-)
This one was made using Crafty Individuals papers and flourish stamp, along with word stamps from my SeeD's collection.

I enjoyed doing some embossing for the first time in an age and I had forgotten how much I love seeing the embossing powders melt... the first time I tried it I was so impressed I think I embossed on every card I made for a week...lol

I HAVE to use 3d sticky pads somewhere on almost all of my cards 'cos flat just doesn't do it for me so my little angel got the treatment as well as the wording and flourish :D

A bit of velvet ribbon for a luxurious feel and Bob's your uncle... all done and dusted.

Hope you all have a fab weekend and I'm off to catch up with you all now :D

hugs

Chris xx

Fun and Funky cards

Well I was hoping that by today at least I was going to be 100% over this bloomin' cold BUT it has got it's teeth well and truly into me and I can't shake it off so my apologies for not getting around your blogs this week... I am hoping to catch up with everyone over the weekend :D
Not much creating going on here cos I really just can't be bothered but I thought I would pop in and share with you a few cards I did a little while ago just for fun and to fill up my card box... seeing as my memory doesn't stand up to the birthday test quite often... I like to have a little supply of standbys.

This one was made using Kate Hadfields Halloween downloads ( I know Halloween is well gone!!)but I think the characters are so much fun and I enjoyed thinking of different ways to use them :D The little bubble stickers were from one of my £1 shop finds and I even used some ribbon... which I almost never do on boys' cards.

The next card was created from papers and sentiment from Willow Design Stamps (Occasions cd)... along with the obligatory bling...lol

Another character from Kate Hadfields Halloween downloads for my final card... well black cats are supposed to be lucky aren't they... with the addition of some Cosmo Cricket velvet and twill ribbons :D

I think I'll nickname this handsome cat Buddy cos he seems to have acquired a little following and made himself a couple of cute friends... courtesy of Photofunia... boy I love that site...lol

Tiny things please tiny minds eh...rofl

Okay that's all folks... will hopefully be back after the weekend with a tutorial for you and some colourful creations made with my new alcohol inks...whoooohoooo Yes they did arrive but I haven't played with them yet (now you KNOW I'm sick don't ya!! lol)

Have a great weekend all

hugs

Chris xx

Get well soon card

The last couple of days have been a bit of a worry for me because my Dad had an operation yesterday for his 4th knee replacement (no he hasn't got 4 knees... he's just had to have them both replaced twice :)

The last time he had the same op we thought we were going to lose him due to infection and complications after the op... so this time was more worrying because of that. It was necessary for him to have the procedure again because of his constant agonizing pain but sometimes the risks seem really high... because of other health problems he can't have general anaesthetic so has to have an epidural and be awake... although I must admit he seems to enjoy knowing what is going on and wasn't at all worried about the banging and other noises associated with having bone manipulated and foreign objects screwed into place ( though it makes me nauseous just to imagine going through something similar myself!! )

Thankfully so far everything has gone according to plan and seeing him today has made me feel better because although tired he seems quite chipper. Dad loves amusing cards and was made up with this one... suits his sense of humour to a Tee :D Who says Halloween stuff has to just be for Halloween!!

The papers are from Willow Design stamps (Occasions collection CD) and the image again from Kate Hadfield... a little bubble of computer generated text completed it nicely and Dad loved it :D So thank you ladies for your beautiful designs !!

My Dad isn't one to let things get to him and as long as he stays reasonably well... he will go all out to make sure he is home with us as soon as he can be. I know he would hate to think we are all worrying over him but I will just be so relieved when he is out of the hospital and well on the road to recovery. He isn't a young man and has had more than his fair share of pain and suffering so I'm hoping that when he is mobile again he and my Mam can look forward to a lovely happy holiday together... they really really deserve it.

See you soon

hugs

Chris xx

A little birdie told me...

that I would be very happy if I made a birdie card...lol I love all of the birdie paper and stamps etc that are out now amongst all of the other new designs which my pennies don't always stretch to. I keep slapping myself on the wrist for not using up the HUGE amount of stash that I've had for ages BUT there's nothing quite like the feel of a brand new piece of paper or the sound of something new the postie is dropping on the mat!! I loved these Papermania papers as soon as I set eyes on them aren't these birdies cute :)
A nice summery card which makes me feel good today after braving 2hrs of gale force winds at a bootsale this morning. Must be mad but it was quite good fun trying to play catch with some of my items...to save them from diving off the table and hitting someone around the chops...lol

I'd have been worth a small fortune if I had, had a penny for everytime the guy next to me shouted "Gloves a pound" and "scarves for two quid"... got on my nerves after a while but hey he did a roaring trade cos everyone was so cold, so he definately wouldn't have cared that I felt like wrapping one of the scarves round his own neck and pulling on it tightly.... eeeeeeeeh how wicked am I rofl... I'm a nice girl really honest!!

Anyway the highlight of the morning was coming home and making myself a huge sausage, onion and tomato sauce sarnie... oooooooh it was totally yummy, almost succumbed to the hot dog van while I was out but just knew my own would taste so much nicer in a stottie bun... especially as I had to wait for it, would have taken a pic to show you but my tummy wouldn't allow me to wait that long. I will be complaining when my thighs start wobbling more than they already do BUT right at this moment I'm thinking it was worth it....lol

Will be back a little later with my sewing for Linda and Rosie's challenge cos I didn't quite manage to finish it yet... so don't forget to pop back for a look... I'm quite pleased with how it is coming along even though I had a happy accident with it.... but that's another story:0

Catch you later

hugs

Chris xx