Card Crafter's Circle/Challenge #3 ANYTHING GOES

Hello, and welcome!

Well, ask me if I have had a good day.....go on....ask!

Okay, since you insist, I'll tell you.....did not really feel like traipsin' round the sales with one daughter, one 20 month grandaughter, and three grandsons aged 10, 8, and 5.......in the lashing down lane.....but I went......ok....ok.....I might have done it with gritted teeth, but I went.

Gillian needed to buy new trainers and school shoes for each of the boys.......she found bargains for each and every one, and even got the cutest pink ankle-strapped shoes, and a pair of pink baseball shoes for Yvie-Grace......and all for £84......so that's 8 pairs of shoes for the price of what she would normally pay for just two pairs of school shoes for her two eldest......bargain!

I was actually traumatised by this time, because I'd realised, after the boys' feet were measured, that my 10 year old and 8 year old grandsons actually have bigger feet than I do....how could that happen?!

It just might have something to do with the fact that their daddy is 6 feet 8 inches tall......even 5 year old Finlay has the same size feet that I had when I was 14 years old!!

I came home quite chuffed with my ickle self, though........I found the most lovely white shelf unit for my craft room....very pretty!....at T.K.Maxx........and a beautiful large glass mason jar, with a white metal top, crowned with a pretty white metal heart.....it's destined to be filled with pretty things, and will sit on my new shelf.

Ken has promised me new white storage units for my craft room.......my storage, at the moment, is a mish-mash of odd bits and pieces, and I'm fed-up of everything looking so untidy....time for a new start!

Okay.......it's Friday, so we have another challenge, over at the cardcrafterscircle.blogspot.com and this week  we are easing you gently back into your crafty mode by having an 

ANYTHING GOES

Challenge.....we are soooo good to you....ha!

We have a lovely sponsor this week.......

The prize for our random winner this challenge is their choice of three (3) Daisy Doodles images!

The Design Team have created some great inspiration for you, so go take a look at their creations,

Card Crafter's Circle

Here's my offering, using the BLOOMING POTTY image..........

All the papers are scraps....that scrap mountain just never seems to get any smaller!.......and I distressed all the edges, and rolled them a little........

 

I printed the lovely image a few times, so that I could layer up the foremost flower, and the bow on the pot.......added some sparkle to the layered flower.......also had to smooch some on the edge of the panel....(smooch? heehee)........

The extra prints allowed me to have this little bunch of flowers on the side....again, sparkled up with Mod Podge, and coloured with Promarkers.......took a while, but I like it........

Had to add some cute buttons.......

The lovely sentiment is from Cardcraft Cards, and was the perfect little touch.....it was originally cream, but I thought it would look better in pink...haaa!

I loved this image because it's one of those that could be used for so very many different occasions....and we all need somadem in our stash!

Hope you like!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://mymumscraftshopchallenges.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-37-anything-goes.html Anything goes (2nd entry)

http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/simon-says-anything-goes.html (2nd entry)

http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.com/ Anything goes

Nitwits Flower

Hello, and welcome!

Did you all have a lovely Christmas?  If it was half as nice as mine, then you had a fantastic time..........did I tell you I loooove the Christmas Season?  

I keep lookin' at all  the lights and decorations in my house, and can't bear to think they will  be comin' down, and be packed away, in just a few days......siiiigh.

I know people who are really into celebrating the New Year......my parents always held Hogmanay, [you know my Dad was a Scot, right?], and my middle sister still does, but apart from all the loud and out-of-tune singin' [loved that!], I wasn't really bothered.....I'd rather go to bed early and read a new book....haaaa!

We always get a good view of any fireworks that are let off, though.....from our loft window, we can see for miles......heehee!

Oh well.....roll on next Christmas........but I'm still hopin' for snow before the end of this winter.....just sayin'.....haaaa!

I dragged myself into my craft room, today........all the Christmas stuff is still out.........but don't worry, I'm not goin' to show ya a Christmas card.....although I did make one...heehee!  Well, t'would have been wude not to....ha!

Nope, I am finding it a bit bothersome to get back into making something other than Christmas, so thought I'd CASE something easy-peasy..........

Pulled out some Nitwits papers, and noticed a picture of a simple card on the back of the package........

VOILA!

Two sets of Nitwits paper hearts....a cream card blank......brown gingham ribbon........a little hand-stitching......

.......and I made mine a little different by adding a button threaded with the same gingham ribbon.....the original didn't have a button........

And we are done!

Might make a few more of these......just ring the changes with different papers and ribbon.......doddle!

Will be posting another Card Crafter's Circle Challenge creation tomorrow.....this week the challenge is ANYTHING GOES, so dig out those cards you've got stashed, or even make a new one.....I'll be lookin' for you!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Would like to enter these challenges:
http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-44-winner-of-43-and-dt-call.html Anything Goes
http://www.scrapbooksisters.blogspot.com/ Anything goes
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/ Anything goes
http://mymumscraftshopchallenges.blogspot.com/ Anything goes

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hello, and welcome!

If you are reading this, then you are certainly a dedicated blogger....haaaa!

I take it, then, that you have Christmas all wrapped up?.....No?.....Yes?

All I have left to do is make mince pies, tomorrow morning, with my grandaughter, Hannah.  She's our eldest grandchild......she's 17 now, but we have made mince pies together every year since she was 18 months old, and we serve them at the Christmas Eve buffet that I put on.

Before Hannah and I make the mince pies, I am taking a Christmas wreath and some red roses to the cemetery, for my lovely Dad, and for my brother-in-law, Kevin.

It's our second  Christmas without Dad, and of course, it's only 3 months since we lost Kevin.

It's going to be very hard for Roseanne and Rhys.....Thursday would have been Roseanne and Kevin's wedding anniversary.

 I am so lookin' forward to Christmas Eve!  I truly believe it is the most special night of the year....I love to read Luke's story, in the Bible, of how our Saviour came into the world.......and in Isaiah....."and His name shall be called Wonderful.......the Prince of Peace"..........

Do you remember this, from last year?.........

29 stockings waiting for Father Christmas to fill 'em........

Of course, Jonathan, Tanys and Bevan are in Ireland, but I will still be hanging their stockings....ha!

I'm not bothering to take another pic tomorrow night, because it will just look like this one...heehee.......

And do you remember this?  It was my first DT card for Stretch 'n Bubbles, back in July.....it's changed a bit.......

It's now a wall canvas, and it is destined for Joanne's Christmas stocking!

I still love this paper-pieced Father Christmas........

I used some toning DP to cover the background of the canvas.........added some diecut borders, done with a Martha Stewart border punch.........

Embossed a Marianne's Creatables diecut tree..........

.........and some branchy thingies........

Cute button on the metal tree.......

My handmade pin, stuck through my handmade lace doily and handmade holly leaves.....did I mention these were handmade?......ha......

I would dearly love you all to have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR.......and thank you all so very much for your friendship, encouragement, and inspiration!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie xxx

Card Crafter's Circle/Challenge #2 CHRISTMAS

Hello, and welcome!

Have you been as busy as I have?  Will take it as a given....haaa!

I'm hoping it's late on Thursday night, UK time, when this is posted....just can't trust Mr. Bloggie to get it right, so fingers crossed...heehee.

I want to post Card Crafter's Circle challenge posts at this time, every week, because Pauline (owner of the blog) is based in Australia, so I'm trying to tie in with her posts.

Well, it's our second challenge, and this week we have another fantastic sponsor.....

http://www.deariedollsdigistamps.com 

The Challenge theme is CHRISTMAS......woohoo!

The winner of this challenge will get to choose 3 digis.....how great is that?

I chose to play with this little guy.......you know what a push-over I am for snowmen, ha!


The image is called Snowman and Friend.......

I layered up onto red cardstock, and used some DP that I found in my stash....I don't think they are Christmas papers, but the colours seemed right......

I just love the expressions on those ickle faces.......they are coloured up with Promarkers, and have some sparkle added here and there....gotta have sparkle at Christmas........

I cut the swirl with my Spellbinders die, from white card, then coloured to match the image, and added the same sparkle....the red circle was cut freehand, so isn't perfect, but the yellow Nestie-cut frame hides a lot...haaa.....and the ickle pearls soften it.......

How d'you like this shaker snowflake?  I got a whole sheet of 'em, all the way from Denmark, from my lovely friend, Anne.....thank you, sweetie!  I backed it with a teeny red embossed Nestie shape......love it!

I love the "snowballs".....found them on a spool, and it would have been rude to leave them....heehee......

Hope you can pop over to the Challenge Blog and join in the fun....you could be our next winner!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

craftyourdaysaway.blogspot.com Snowmen

craftybootschallenges.blogspot.com Christmas

hookedoncraftchallenges.blogspot.com Christmas

mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com Winter Pals

sassycherylschallenge.blogspot.com Snowman with a Diecut

tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com Anything Goes

Card Crafter's Circle/Challenge #1

Hello, and welcome!

I have been so excited to get this posting done!

Why?.....because it is my first post for Card Crafter's Circle....woohoo!

There will be a new challenge, every Friday, and Pauline has lined up some fantastic sponsors.....

Our first sponsor is the wonderful 

bugaboostamps.com and the Challenge #1 theme is 

CELEBRATIONS

Our wonderful sponsors are giving the winner 7 digis of their choice, so click on the link, and enter one of your creations.......

My DT creation features a wonderful ol' guy........

Isn't he fun?  His name is Gus, and you can find him by clicking on the above link......and there's a great SALE at the moment, so don't miss out!

This card is destined for SIL #2, who has a birthday on Sunday....he's only 35 but is an old soul, and I think he's going to love this old-timer....ha!

Everything is coloured up with Promarkers, and I printed 2 images, and layered another trike on top to give a bit of dimension........like a bit of dimension, me.......and some of the backing papers are embossed.......

The funky sentiment comes with the image....great deal, eh?

I used a wooden stick (pinched from Costa Coffee, heehee) to stick the sentiment on.......

Layered on to red cardstock and did a bit of faux stitchin' with white glaze pen......embossed the tan strip with a Cuttlebug folder, and more faux stitches.......there are even some real stitches on the panels, too.....

Little wooden star, to match the wooden stick, and poshed up with a button.......done!

I do hope you will pop over and see all the really great creations from the rest of the Design Team....you won't be short of inspiration, I promise....and link up to join the fun!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges I'm entering:

onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com Use a digi

corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com Anything but Christmas

cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.com Use a sentiment

sarahhurleychallenges.blogspot.com Colouring

artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com Buttons

What's this, then?

Hello, and welcome!

We've had a weather warning.....strong gale force winds, and torrential rain.......and it's cold.

England in December.....what can I say?......ha!

I feel as if somebody has pushed my buttons, and I'm movin' in Fast Forward mode.......too much to do, and I'm thinkin' I'm never going to get around to it all.......but, I bet there's more than one or two of you who could say the same, right now, eh?

I've spent quite awhile working on a little something today......not saying what at the mo'........

but here's a teaser........ha!........

.........and another........

Deliberately not taken good pics........that's not hard for me, heehee!

So, because I've been busy with the above project, I grabbed  some good ol' Kanban stuff, and threw some diecuts together.......

I need about another 4 of these (for the spoilsports who don't like the hand-crafted look), and they are so very fast to put together, which is exactly what I need right now....lol.....

White and gold.....classic!

e b,

Lovely embossing, don'tcha know.......and that's another one to be posted out.....done!

Will hopefully be back tomorrow......and if I don't show up, send out the bloodhounds.....I'll be buried under wrappin' paper, cardstock and glitter....haaaa!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://www.cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/ Glitter/glimmer/shine/sparkle etc.

http://unstampabelleschallenges.blogspot.com/ Christmas - no stamps

http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/ Sparkle and shine

Penguin Love

Hello, and welcome!

This is my final posting for Stretch 'n Bubbles, which is sad for me.....I've been on the Design Team for the past 6 months, and have enjoyed myself immensely.....Alison really does draw some very cute images........but she's decided to close the store because she is embarking on a new venture.....but that means there is a MEGA SALE going on at the store.....so if you've enjoyed some of the images I've been using for the Design Team, you need to head over there, and grab some goodies.....when they've gone, they've gone for good!

So, my final offering is this ickle guy.......he's called Penguin Love..........

Isn't he adorable?  I love penguins!

Everything is coloured up with Promarkers, and I used Hot Off the Press papers......I really like those icy blues.......

Seemed right to add a matching tag, and I stuck on this pretty K&CO snowflake....yum.......

How d'you like my bow?....sweet, eh?

Want to know where I got the gorgeous ribbon?  

Well, those of you in the UK will know a store called PRIMARK........for those of you elsewhere, I bet you have a store that sells pyjamas......well, in Primark, pyjamas are sold tied with ribbon....very pretty ribbon.......and it's often just lying, discarded, on the floor.........

You know where I'm goin' with this, don'tcha?.........

NO.....I did not just steal it!!

I picked up a piece, took it to a sales lady, and asked if the ribbons were replaced when the sales people were tidying........she said NO......they don't have time for that........she said the ribbons are collected up, and THROWN AWAY.......aaaaagggghhhhhhh!

Yep, I asked could I have some, and I came away with blue ones, red ones, starry ones, Christmas tree ones, tartan ones.....TONS!

The lady said I should just ask, because it was a shame to throw it all away, and I told her, in my best Arnie impression that I'll be back....she can count on it.......haaaaa!

So, ladies, go get 'em........and show what you get....yaaaaaay!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://designed2delight.com/blog/ Tag (hope the tag on the card counts!)

http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ All creatures great & small

http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-69-christmas.html Christmas

http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-127-last-minute-christmas.html Last minute Christmas card (oh yes!)

http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/2011/12/pcjchristmas-challenge.html Christmas

http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/y-is-for-yipeee-christmas-is-almost.html Anything Christmas

http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.com/2011/11/december-challenge-already.html Anything goes

http://gingerloftchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/gl30-christmas-and-winter.html Christmas/Winter

http://craftybootschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-hop-anything-goes-lots-of-blog.html Anything goes

Kanban Christmas Card

Hello, and welcome!

I think winter has arrived here....gale force winds, sleet, hail, thunder....and sunshine!....haaaa!

Snow is forecast for tonight....woohoo!!....I just might stay up all night, and wait for it..heehee.......

I've been running around all over the place, trying to get the last of the gifts bought for everyone, so not much time for crafting, even though I still need more Christmas cards....I actually hesitated in front of a card display in the supermarket......eeeeekkk!.....but overcame the temptation, and rushed home to put this one together.....I am soooo glad I bought this Kanban kit, back in the summer, LOL.......

Another one for those who prefer a "shop-bought" look........

Everything is white and gold......such an elegant look.......

Diecut is popped onto foamies, and I added a pretty length of ribbon, tied in a bow........

Finished with an elegantly framed sentiment........done!

There are a lot of Kanban products that I don't care for, but when I saw this Christmas kit, I was impressed with the gorgeous foiling and the crisp designs.  

They could be blinged-up, but I like them as they are....all I have to do is decide on a layout....easy!

Tomorrow will be my final posting for Stretch 'n Bubbles....................

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://phindysplacechallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-85-clean-and-simple.html Clean and Simple

http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-112-anything-goes.html Anything goes

http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.com/2011/12/show-your-christmas-bling.html Show Christmas bling (not got a lot, but it's there, lol)

Three Stockings DT Card

Hello, and welcome!

How are you all doing?  Christmas is getting ever closer, but just in case you are as behind as I am, today I'm showing an image from Stretch 'n' Bubbles that just might give you a few ideas for a real quickie creation......

The digi stamp is called Three Stockings and was really fast and fun to colour up with my trusty Promarkers......I deckle-cut 4 scrap pieces of paper, stuck 'em onto the red cardstock which I'd sewn around, and inked all the edges.........

The stockings have a bit of Sakura glitter on them.......I cut the shape with a Nestie, and then ran the image through my Big Shot, using a Cuttlebug embossing folder....done!

Told ya it was quick and fun....if a little bright...haaaa!

Alison, the owner of Stretch 'n' Bubbles has decided to close the digi store just after Christmas, which means that there is a HUGE sale going on at the moment, so you should do yourself a favour, and get over there to bag a bargain!  Of course, this means that I have only one more chance to bring you a creation using a digi image from Alison.....sigh.......but I've had a really fun time being a member of her Design Team,  and working with all my Teamies.....thank you, Ladies!

You may have noticed that I've been sporting a new logo on the sidebar....it's for Card Crafter's Circle, which is a brand new Challenge blog.....and I'm on the team....yaaaaay!

Challenges will run every Friday, and there are some very exciting sponsors lined up, which means lots of wonderful prizes.......so do yourself another favour and pop over there to see what's happening.....I'll be lookin' out for you!

See you soon....

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com Christmas Fun

comeandgetitchallenges.blogspot.com Anything Christmas

kaboodledoodles.blogspot.com Colours of Christmas

hookedoncraftchallenges.blogspot.com Winter Wonderland

http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-68.html Merry Christmas
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/ Anything goes
http://digistamps4joy.blogspot.com/  Christmas - no animals
http://mymumscraftshopchallenges.blogspot.com/ Traditional Christmas

Squared Manger DT Card

Hello, and welcome!

It's cold and wet, here in my little part of the world....hmmmmpphh!

Don't mind the cold......heating's on, and the air is filled with the gorgeous scent of Yankee Candles (Christmas Cookies...what else?...ha!), so I'm in my ickle craft room, tryin' to put a dent in my Christmas card list......got two done, so far, so not bad........tryin' to stay away from the pile of ironing that keeps leapin' out of the basket, every time I pass it......where's Tanys when I need her?....she always did most of my ironing, so she has no business going to live in Ireland....wonder how much it would cost to charter a helicopter drop, once a week?

Anyways, I've got another DT card for Stretch 'n' Bubbles who happen to be having a HUGE sale, so pop along and snag a few treats, why dontcha?

This ickle gem is called Squared Manger.....

I love the way Alison drew such a simple image.........I wanted to keep it simple, so coloured up with the trusty Promarkers, and added a touch of sparkle.....placed the image on an embossed card base.....

added a few die-cut snowflakes with a little glitter, and some white pearls.......

And there's a really sweet ickle Christmas card..........aaawwww........lol.

Hope you are trawlin' on with your own Christmas makes........if you've got time on your hands, come and give me a hand...haaaa!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

clearlyistamp.typepad.com Christmas

sparklesforumchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com Nativity

totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com Let it Snow

sarahhurleychallenges.blogspot.com Christmas

mamidoodles.blogspot.com Make it Shine

http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.com/ All white except image

http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/ Pearls and Swirls

Jingle Snowman

Hi, and welcome!

Welcome to December!  It's officially the Christmas Season.....oh yes it is!

I've got the halls decked.......oh yes I have!

Had help from Jack, our 14 year old grandson.......he did a sterling job with our Christmas tree....and, since Jonathan now lives in Ireland, Jack helped his Grandad to put up the outdoor lights....love a bit of sparkle and twinkle......oh yes I do!

So, our home looks and feels very festive, (too tired to take piccies tonight, but will give you a peek, soon), and now all I need for Christmas is...........SNOW!........bring it on!!

Didn't have a minute to do anything crafty today, but here's something I managed to put together yesterday........

A Christmas card.....well, who'da thunk?.....haaa!

I've done it again......the image is a freebie, but must have snagged it before I understood you're supposed to give credit to the artist...sorry......so please feel free to let me know if you recognize this cheery fella......EDITED....he's from Bugaboo...yaaaay!

I used red cardstock as the card base, and used some freebie paper that came with a magazine.........cut a lacy strip with a Martha Stewart punch, and layered on some red glittery ribbon (thanks again, Shelly!)......

Coloured up with Promarkers, and added a bit of sparkle to the bells with a Sakura glitter pen......the green ribbon was from my local market....love the bit of gold glitter on it!

Used a scrap of red glitter card to cut a shape from a Nestie, and layered a diecut snowflake on top...added a bit of seasonal sparkle to that, too...heehee......

The sentiment is another freebie (I think it was from TLC), and I simply inked around the edges and popped up on foamies.........Merry Christmas!!

I think I like this one..........

Won't be popping up tomorrow because Ken and I are planning to visit the Christmas Market, in Manchester....some of our kids, and grandkids are comin'. too....should be fun!

Hope it SNOWS....haaaa!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://craftyourdaysaway.blogspot.com/ Buttons or Bows (I've got a bow)

http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ Winter/Holiday Sentiment

http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/ Let it Snow

http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/ Anything goes

http://www.southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/ Ribbon (I have 2 kinds)

http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/on-1st-day-of-christmas.html No Business like snow business

http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/2011/12/dysu-challenge-48-ribbon-or-anything.html Ribbon

http://scrapbooksisters.blogspot.com/2011/11/card-challenge-62.html Anything goes

http://digistamps4joy.blogspot.com/ Christmas but no animals

http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com Snowmen/snowflakes