Pumpkin Time!

Hello, and welcome!

Got another Stretch 'n' Bubbles project to show you, today!

I used one of my favourite autumn images.......Pumpkin.......and had a whale of a time.......I love cutting things out...so relaxin'....ha!

I really like pumpkins.......the colours, the texture, even the taste.........and I think they look fantastic when we use them to brighten our homes, in the Autumn.........sooooooooo..........I made something i could use to decorate a piece of furniture.........

I printed the image onto different papers......

I used scraps of paper......mostly from K&Co......but the one above was actually from NitWits.......and I used a Promarker to add some shadowing......

Added a button to the stem of each pumpkin........stamped some leaves in the same colour tones, and added buttons to the tops.......

I clustered three leaves together before threading with string.....that's another word I like......clustered..........somehow reminds me of all things cosy.......

The faux stitching is already on the digi stamp, so there's very little to do with this cutie........this paper scrap was already embossed.......and I threaded some bright orange embroidery floss through each button......

I think it looks very sweet on my old pine dresser....sorry about the mess on top......ha!

Thanks for dropping in today.......

Challenges:

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Back to School

Hi, and welcome!

Sorry I've been a bit lacking in posts for the past few days......been one of those times when life gets in the way of crafting, lol.

Had a few things to deal with.....firstly, let me say thank you for all the sweet comments about my mammogram.  I went and did the deed, and am now waitin' with bated breath for the result.....should be in about another week.

Secondly, my brother-in-law, Kevin, is back in the hospital.  He has a nasty form of Muscular Dystrophy, and is now completely immobile....his lungs are packing up, and he has pneumonia.......his wife is my baby sister, Roseanne, and she depends on me to help out with her almost 12 years old son, and also to spend time with Kevin, so she can get a little respite.

He always needs somebody with him, as he can't feed himself, drink unaided, urinate unaided, or even ask for help unless you are used to the way his voice is now sounding....very whispery and low.

Roseanne knows that she'll be widowed, and it's so hard to watch her struggling with everything that is thrown at her.....but she copes....for now.

Because things have been a bit manic around here, I've not had much time to myself, so am going to show you a little something I made earlier.....Ha!

This is a little project that I made last year, around this time, as my grandson, Finlay, started his first day at "big boy" school.........

I think I found the template for this cute ickle rucksack on Splitcoast Stampers, and it was really easy and quick to put together.

This version is in colours suitable for a boy, but I have made girlie version, too, for grandaughters, but didn't take pics...oops....

I used sturdy cardstock from my stash for the outer part of the rucksack, and coordinating paper for the inside pages.......a length of grograin ribbon, threaded through eyelets, and knotted on the inside cover, serves for the handles......

I made a couple of digi pages to fit, and inserted photos of Finlay in his new school uniform....sorry about the photography tonight.....in a hurry, as usual, lol........

I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't got around to finishing all the pages, but they are there....ready and waitin'.......

 

It should look pretty good when I finally get around to finishing it.....haaaa!

Challenges:

http://diekreativenstempelfreunde.blogspot.com/ School

http://heartsonginspirations.blogspot.com/ Anything goes

http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ Anything goes

http://www.stampsruschallenges.blogspot.com/ Anything goes

http://creativecraftchallenges2.blogspot.com/ Anything but a card

http://craftuscrazy.blogspot.com/ Anything goes (2nd entry)

http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/2011/08/inspire-me-fridays-21-linky-party.html Anything goes

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

 



Oh Happy Day!

Hello, and welcome!

Before we get down to my offering for today, just want to clear up that my digi stamp on the Naughty Reindeer card was from Lyn, over at Spyder's Corner!
Claire spotted that it might be, and Lyn herself spotted it here, and confirmed.....and reminded me that I should have known by the ickle spider, dangling from the poor snowman's hat! 
Thanks Claire.....and thanks to Lyn for such a fab digi stamp!
By the way, he's not a freebie anymore....sorry!

It's that time of week again, when I get to play with a fabby image from Stretch 'n' Bubbles, and this week I played with this cutie.........

Click on the link above, and it should take you straight to it............

I wanted to keep the card very simple, and let the cute image take all the glory......I used some scraps of K&CO, and hand-stitched around the edges.....inked and coloured with trusty Promarkers..........

The frame is a free digi from Daisy Trail, and I did more of that stitchin' around the inner edge.........

Look at that ickle worm!  He certainly looks like he's enjoyin' that juicy leaf.....ha!  Gettin' his greens, lol............

I just love this flower, and I can see me using it on it's own in another creation.....easy to do with digi images.

I used a white gel glaze pen on the centre, for a bit of texture............

Ooooo.....aren't you impressed with how neatly I cut around that frame.....I've stunned meself....ha!

I'm thinkin' this card would be great for somebody who needs a smile.....or for any number of happy occasions........what d'ya think?

Challenges:

http://www.makeitcolourful.com/ Ground your subject (on the grass)

designed2delight.com/blog  Anything goes

onestopcraftchallenge.blogspot.com Bold and Bright

paperplaytime.blogspot.com Anything goes

ecpchallenges.blogspot.com Challenge 45

allsortschallenge.blogspot.com You've Been Framed

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x



Thank You Beary Much!

Hello, and welcome!

Oh boy....that's a very cheesey title, but couldn't think of a better one...ha!

I know it's only Monday, but I'm wishing for this week to be over and done with.........not wishing my life away, just have a hospital appointment, Thursday, that I'm dreading.

I really should not be dreading it, because it's a mammogram, and it was actually through having a routine mammogram that my two tiny cancers were found, 4 years ago..........very early detection that meant they could be treated and done with, and the hospital is taking really good care of me by giving me these yearly examinations.....but I still dread 'em!

Okay....enough of me and my well-upholstered aahhems........

Today's card was lovely to make.......very quick...very simple.......just the way I like 'em.........

Still on my mission to use up as many of my scraps as I can manage, so all the paper and card were pulled out of my mountain....every time I think it looks as if it's gettin' smaller, I blink, and it's grown another 6 inches higher....what's that about?......I used a Fiskar's heart border punch on the browny/orangey card, and cut a label background with a scalloped circle Nestie......easy-peasy.......

First time I've used this cute Meljen's freebie....isn't he cute?  I love autumnal colours, so decided to colour up those pretty flowers using earth tones (Promarkers).......no glitter, for a change.......(that won't last...ha!)

I cut these paper flowers from a free sheet that came with a magazine, and inked around the edges....a little decoupage.....and done!

Quick, simple....and mostly free....ha!

So, that's an Autumny card done......is it time for another Christmas card yet?......pretty please?

Challenges:

http://www.papercreationsink.com/  Flowers

ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com Anything goes

http://www.pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ Autumn colours

http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/2011/08/pcj-challenge-anything-goes.html Anything goes (2nd entry)

 

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x



Naughty Reindeer!

Hello, and welcome!

Hi, Vicky.....I see ya.....lol!

Vicky is my 57th Follower.....yaaaay!  Who'd have thought that that many people could be bothered to come and see what I'm gettin' up to?

Well, I think that deserves a reward, and I'm considering putting up a teeny bit of Blog Candy when I get to 60 Followers....yaaaay for me!

BUT .........remember the Appreciated Follower Award?  I really don't mind people becoming followers to be in with a chance of winning something, but it would be nice if they continued to visit here when it's over and done........just sayin'........ha!

Now, I've got to figure out the logistics of makin' the Blog Candy happen.....any suggestions?

Okay, I know it's still only August, but you would not believe the number of Christmas cards I send out every year.....and that's not counting the ones I'm asked to make for other people to send.......honestly, some people think I'm a branch of Hallmark Cards...ha!

So....here I am with yet another reindeer card.....can't resist reindeer.....or snowmen....or penguins.....or Father Christmas....or Christmas trees.......jingle bells......oh, okay, I give up.....I'm a Christmas Addict!

Even if I had only 1 person that I wanted to send a Christmas card to, I would still be producin' 'em by the dozen....what can I say?.........Christmas is not just for Christmas, it's for Life!!

Might make a car sticker out of that one....Haaaa!

Here we go..............

Oh, he's such a naughty boy.........that poor ickle snowman's nose....didn't know reindeer like frozen carrots, did ya?

The DP is from  Papercraft, and I used bits of red and green card from my nicely dwindling scrap mountain..........the lace is plain white card, cut with my Martha Stewart border punch........

All coloured up with Promarkers, and a little bit of sparkle from Sakura gel pens.........I love the expressions on both these cute faces!

I know that I snagged this freebie digi last year, but didn't make a note of from whom....if you know who that is, please let me know so I can give due credit....this artist definitely deserves it for this sweet image!

Don't think the gold lettering is showing up too well in the pic, but it looks gorgeous in the "flesh"....ha!  It's from my little box of Cosmo Cricket Chippies........ 

Again, the colour of the button isn't showin' up too well.....it's a mottled green, and I mounted it onto three torn paper circles...what could be easier than that?

Everything popped onto foam tabs,  just because I like it that way.....hope you like the result, lol.

Don't forget to let me know what you think about the Blog Candy........think I know what I can put up for grabs, but will leave you in suspenders for now.....HAAAA!!

Challenges:

totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com  Christmas in August

joyfulstamper.blogspot.com  Anything goes

http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/  Handmade flowers

http://designed2delight.com/blog/  Anything goes

http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/08/chnc-challenge-34-christmas-birthday-or.html Christmas card/Christmas birthday

http://www.doitwithdigischallenge.blogspot.com/ Use buttons

http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.com/2011/08/challenge-94-cute-and-cuddly.html Cute and cuddly (animal)

 

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

I'd Rather Laugh

Hi, and welcome!

Hope you've had a good day, up to now........mine has been a really nice one.....busy, but nice.

Nothing out of the ordinary, but I have a sense of having achieved something, and I like that feelin'!

Drove my ickle Corsa to Asda, after picking up daughter-in-law #2, Tanys, with her ickle babba, Bevan....he turned 10 months yesterday.....how did that happen?......and we had a good rummage in the sales bins......didn't find anything I wanted, but I did find a pack of dodies for Bevan (soothers, Birdie) .....a ladybird and a frog! 

Those of you who know Bevan's story will know how important frogs are to him (and us!).....so I was chuffed to ickle mintballs!

We came home, and went up into my lovely sunny and bright loft, so I could show Tanys how to use my antique Singer Featherweight sewing machine........she isn't a sewer, but has chopped up pairs of old jeans to turn into floor cushions for Bevan to play on, and I've been showing her how to get started.

I was a bit worried about how my ickle Featherweight would react to denim......she's only been used for my patchwork quilts, but she performed like the old work-horse that she is, and Tanys was thrilled to see her and Jonathan's cast-offs becoming hard-wearing play cushions for her babba.

Bevan sat on the carpet, surrounded by his fave toys, and was good as gold.....the loft used to be his Daddy's bedroom, and really is the nicest room in the house.....big, bright, warm, and cosy....and I love having time to sit up there and create.....got a flannel snowman (HA!) quilt half made, for Bevan, and another for Millie........have ya ever seen a pink snowman?

On to today's card......actually made yesterday, but you had Squared Reindeer to look at yesterday, and I didn't want to spoil ya....ha!........

I had an urge to make a pretty card.......should always follow those kind of urges, in my opinion...ha!

Used some freebie paper that came with a magazine........

I love this quote!  Marjorie Pay Hinckley was the wife of a past president of my church, Gordon B. Hinckley....she was a teeny-tiny lady, but had a HUGE personality, and was totally devoted to her husband....she died a few years before he did, when she was in her early nineties, and was still head-over-heels in love.  This quote was typical of her, and how she lived her life...she was an amazing woman, and had a smashing sense of humour!

I think this was a freebie, and is coloured with Promarkers, inked, and popped onto a background.........

Isn't the lace an unusual colour?  I get my lace from an old-fashioned knitting and haberdashery shop.....love that word......haberdashery .......or a local market stall, and they are way cheaper than craft stores, and have a much bigger selection....result!!

The flowers were cut from the same freebie papers, inked, with a little bit of decoupage for depth and texture...........

Sweet butterfly........this was from a pack that was gifted to me....just inked around the edges, and popped onto foam......done!

Would love to know what you think.....er.......but maybe not from Claire, who might get her own back on me....Ha!

It was rubbish,C........just sayin' :D

Challenges:

http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ Anything goes

http://craftuscrazy.blogspot.com/ Anything goes

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

http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.com/ Show us what you got!

http://stampinsanity.com/

 

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Squared Reindeer

Hello, and welcome!

Another Wednesday rollin' in, which means it's my turn to produce a Design Team card for Stretch 'n' Bubbles, and this week I had a wonderful time playing with a really cute Christmas digital stamp.......I have to tell ya, this ickle fella is way too cute.......

The image is called Squared Reindeer and you can click on his name to be taken to the store.......

And this is what I cam up with.............

You won't find this one fadin' into the background on your Christmas display of card....ha!  Loud and bold, and proud of it.........

I used some stash from last year (still stickin' to my determination not to buy new stuff...ha!), so the DP is from last year's Papermania collection, and I've had the jingle bells for years....it's a huge jar of 'em, sitting on my shelf......I coloured up the background with my trusty Promarkers, and added some golden Stickles to the pretty flourishes.......and that .....er......ahem.....little nose was just cryin' out for me to dob glittery Mod Podge all over it....haahaaaa!

I printed the sentiment on the 'puter........love that font....think it's called Joker............fits the bill here....ha!

Put a piece of the red ribbon (from stash) across the centre, threaded 3 bells onto thin gold wire (note to self: get more wire....it's so versatile!) and popped a hand-tied bow on top........

Popped everything up onto foam and it's ready to go..........and I really enjoyed makin' this little card....simple, but lots of fun!

Got a few challenges to pop it into:

bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.com Bring on the bling!

clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com Glitter it (use old supplies)

tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com Anything goes

ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com Anything goes

cutedaisymay.blogspot.com Anything goes

onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com Anything goes

digiswithattitudechallenges.blogspot.com Anything goes

tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com Non-stamped sentiment (mine was off the computer)

thecraftgarden.blogspot.com Bold bright and loud

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

 

Ben-10 birthday card

Hello, and welcome!

Ooooooh........how long has it been since I made a male card, then?........Not too long, I know....I know......but this one is for Rhys, my nephew, who turns 12 in a couple of weeks.

Rhys is really into Ben-10, and all his adventures..........so, went searchin' on the webby netty thingy, and found a freebie colouring page.....love it when a plan comes together......oh heck......never thought I'd quote someone from the "A Team"........used to watch it when I was a kid......smirk! ~~~

Here's the result...............

All the DPs are from Hot off the Press, and I inked the edges of everything to death....lol......

Coloured up this cute ickle fella with Promarkers, cut him out,  put him up on foam pads, added a brad to the pocket of his jeans.........Rhys has got a watch like Ben-10's, so I took the colours from that....ha!.....You can't see very well, in the photo, but I pricked holes all around the brown background, and around the green tag, too........

Added the tag with his age on....just in case he forgets how old he is.....lol........

Really liked these little elements......hmmm....did I put that green star upside down?.....it's a fallin' star....Haaaahaaa!

The Happy Birthday sentiment is from Craftwork Cards, stuck onto a Bazzil punched circle, and I added more of those cute brads........all done!

Like it?....Don't like it?.....Let me know......I know you want to.....ha!

Challenges:

tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com  Birthdays

craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com Make it Count (use a number)

divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.com  Birthday

aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com  Happy Birthday

http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/ Young male birthday

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x



P-p-p-pick-up-a-penguin!

Hi, and welcome!

I'm noticing that I seem to be surrounded by penguins, lately..........got another one for you on today's card, and yesterday brought me Happy Mail from my Papercraft Planet and bloggie friend, Maria, over in Germany, who sent me a gorgeously cute card.......the star of which was a ........Penguin!....and he brought lots of friends, too.........

Just how sweet is that?.....thank you,again, Maria.....I LOVE it!

Maria knows, as do most of you by now, that I really do not like hot weather, and would much prefer to live in a snow-bound landscape, every day of the year......Would it surprise ya to know that my favourite songs include "White Christmas" and "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow"?.....nope....thought not....ha!

Hardly want to show my effort after that ickle beauty....lol......but here he is.........went with a different colour of backing paper this time, but stayed with the red gingham ribbon, and red Christmas Rose.......just added lilac to the snowflake to blend with the background colours, and his fluffy lilac jumper.......looks very cosy.......

I'm just lovin' the expressions on these ickle guys faces.......do ya think his Mum got him wrapped up against the cold?.....ha!  that expression certainly reminds me how my kids looked when I did it........lol.......

 

Another arteeeeeesteeeec embellie, cut and made by my own fair hands..........

Not as many layers on this one, but they still give some dimension.........don't know if there are still any Christmas challenges goin' on anywhere, but ya never know!

By the way, if I haven't got around to your blog yet, and invited you to take my Fabby Follower award, please feel free to go to the relevant post (see sidebar archive) and take it........and don't forget to pass it on....but only to peeps who you consider to be true followers.....you know, the ones who take time and effort to leave comments, regularly.......they are the ones who make ya feel you're not just spittin' in the wind, but somebody is actually paying attention.....HaaaHaaa!!

Challenges:

fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.com  It's Christmas!

papertakeweekly.blogspot.com Grow Your Own (flowers)

http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/  Punches and dies (snowflake)

http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/ Clean and simple

 

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x



Leafy Tree

Hello, and welcome!

My turn, again, to get to play with another great image from SNB, and this week it was a really fun one.....got me feelin' all Autumny.....is that a word?....ha!

I chose to play with Leafy Tree which you can find in the store....just click on the name....easy-peasy!

Here's the nudey version, as it were....ha!.......

And here's the dressed-up version..........

Papers are from Hot off the Press.........did a little faux stitchin' round the base layer......and real stitchin' round the sentiment background......

Love the ickle birdy in his cosy nest....and the teeny heart....aawwww........everything coloured up with Promarkers.........

Used a sentiment stamp from a set and just cut into the corners to make a banner.....tagged with thin ricrac and a teeny brad......can ya guess what that is behind the sentiment?...........will tell ya at the end.....ha!

The cute flutterby is from a K&Co sticker sheet......yonks old!.....and changed the colours to match with PMs..........and the web behind the sentiment?.................................

.......................................................

..........................................................

Carpet Grip!!!!!

Found a big roll in the garage.....never been opened......just knew I could find a use for it.....ha!......and it's self-adhesive to boot........and .....it colours up with Promarkers.....yaaaaay!

Hubby will never miss it......lol!

Challenges:

stampchallenges.blogspot.com Something digi

onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com Use a digi

catchthebugblog.blogspot.com Anything goes (2nd entry)

 craftuscrazy.blogspot.com Anything goes (2nd entry)

corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com Earth Tones

http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2011/08/challenge-93-use-bird-on-your-project.html Use a bird (in the tree!)

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com Earth Tones

onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com Use a digi

catchthebugblogspot.com Anything goes (2nd entry)

craftuscrazy.blogspot.com Anything goes (2nd entry)

stampchallenges.blogspot.com Something digi

Goin' Vintage!

Hello, and welcome!

First of all, I want to thank those of you who have already accepted my Fabulous Follower Award, and to let you know that I'm still working on getting around to more of your blogs to pass on this well-deserved award.....I know it's not much, but it comes from the heart....and who knows....we might see it poppin' up all over Blogland!  So don't forget to pass it on....just sayin'!

I've been at Leigh-Anne's house all day....her infection seems to be calming down a little, and the antibiotics are kicking in, so she's on the mend......wisdom teeth?....who needs 'em?....Ha!

I learnt a new trick........how to pick up a 9 month old in one arm, while said 9 month old is squirmin' and wavin', and trying her best to get her head under your "funny" arm!! And all this while at the same time tuckin' a 4 year old into his prized Batman suit, answering 6 year old's question about "when are we havin' dinner?", and askin' 8 year old to turn down the sound on his DS.....AND.......still managing to keep an eye on Create and Craft TV, where they were demonstrating Steam Punk!!

Came home to find 11 year old Black Labrador (Bonnie) with lollin' tongue 'cos hubby forgot to fill her water bowl....what??!!....she drinks gallons, every day, and he's never noticed??

Thought I'd have a change, and try something Vintage.....no, not hubby.........a creation....ha!

I've always loved the look of vintage, but have rarely tried to get into it, mainly because I'm not really sure where to start....ha!.......but I won some beautiful Unity stamps, and was droolin' to use 'em, sooooooo...........this was the result!

The papers are from K&Co (of course....love 'em)......and I used a little Bazzil for the backings.........and I really love this flower stamp.....went straight onto the background.......scary....ha!.....

The background to the sentiment is another Unity stamp.....it's a really good size, and could be used in all sorts of ways..........and that sentiment (Unity again) is beautiful...........not sure about my Tim Holtz Distressing Ink, though....it was me that was gettin' distressed.......lol........

And how about that lovely heart?  The grommet was from my stash....was silver so I used a brown Sharpie to colour it up.........

Finished off with a Martha Stewart border punch on a scrap of paper which I grunged with those flippin' Distress Inks.......really not sure about this one......love the papers and those stamps are beautiful, but don't think I'm lovin' this look.........tell me what you think.....pretty pleeeeeze! 

I'm thinkin' there's something not quite right.....ok....apart from me.....ha!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

allthingsunity.blogspot.com Vintage using Unity Stamps