Tag It!

Hello, and welcome!

I am really craving a heavy snowfall, right now!

It is far too hot for this Celtic lady, and our electricity bill is goin' to be mahoosive, because we have two fans whirly-giggin around in every room, and I'm still meltin'.....sheeesh!!

In keeping with my mood for frozen frostiness, I've made a cute little Christmas Tag......yep.......never too early for the best season of the year, in my experience.....haaaaa!

The challenge we have at 

CARD CRAFTER'S CIRCLE 

this week is to create a tag, or a card incorporating a tag, and upload it at the challenge blog.......fun!

Our lovely sponsor this week is

and Mr. Random Org. will choose a winner who will receive 5 digi images of their choice!

Our Design Team (links in my sidebar)  came up with some really lovely creations, using some of the cute images from our sponsor....do take a look!

I chose to use this lovely one, and gave him pride of place on my tag.......

I used a large tag die, cut from brown Bazzil, and cut a slightly smaller one from tan K&Co. paper........then cut the same size shape from acrylic that has gold embossed Christmas trees.....all layered up!  I tore a piece of red and gold paper and lay it across the width of the tag, then a strip of tartan paper on top of that.......

The big man, himself, is coloured up with my lovely Promarkers, with some pencil for shading.  I used a little white texture paste on his hat and coat.......a little yellow gem on his poinsettia, just 'cos it's Christmas....haaa!

I cut the holly leaves with a large punch, and drew in the veins with an embossing tool......the cheery red heart looks as if it's got something white on it, but it's actually a reflection of light, lol.......

I added the extra little tag, which was cut from a HOTP page, and lay a word strip across, with two little gems, and a metal Christmas tree with a shiny centre brad......

I think I got this lush lace from our local market.........done!

I love tags, and am looking forward to visiting your blogs to see what you come up with, for this challenge......come on, join in!

Okie-dokie.....that's me for the next week.....we are off to sunny Cornwall for some much-needed lazin' around, and generally doing the good ol' British-on-holiday stuff.....haaaa!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Celebrating, Jubilee Style!

Hello, and welcome!

Another simply gorgeous day,  here in the good ol' UK........well, I never!

I've noticed some of our neighbours are putting out the patriotic bunting, Union Flags, and red, white and blue whatnots, and it gave me a kick-start to go off and make another patriotic card....haaaa!

I've also been puttin' some of my stuff on Pinterest.....but I feel as if I'm in an episode of Mission Impossible because I have to run in, drop my piccie, and skedaddle as fast as my flyin' fingers will let me, or I get totally tied down, in there......and lovely it is, too.......heehee......

I made this card with some of the Papermania "Portobella Road" goodies that I bought.......love 'em!.....

I think this kind of step card is the most simple to make.....just two scores, and fold.......

I used a navy blue card base, and layered red gingham onto white paper, and stuck to the back panel.....

navy and white spotty paper layered onto white paper, and stuck on the front panel.......

The sentiment is a clear stamp from the same range.....I just inked up with blue and red Marvy LePlume markers (they've not seen daylight for a looooong time!), cut out, and inked the edges........

Again, I'm  sorry about the quality of the photos.......the colours are much richer IRL.......

Introducing three of Her Majesty's finest.........Mr. Beefeater, Mr. Royal Guardsman, and Mr. Policeman........sweeeeeet!

I popped the sentiment onto a white circle (cut with a punch), then layered onto a red gingham scalloped circle, and then a larger Nestie shape in that lovely navy and white dotty........

A larger Beefeater die cut guards the whole creation....haa!

This card is destined for my 87 year old friend, Mildred.  Her birthday is on 4th June.......JUBILEE DAY.....yaaaaay!......and I thought something patriotic would be in order.

Mildred is the mother of my lovely friend, Jean, who died of a brain tumour, a few years ago.......Mildred and I were friends before Jean died,  but we've become closer.

She served in the Women's Land Army, during World War II, and I was honoured and privileged to accompany her, two years ago, when she at last received her service medal.

I know this card will make her smile!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.co.uk/  Add dimension

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/  True Colours (use your country's colours)

http://sassycherylschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Favourite colours (Because I'm feeling so patriotic, 

red/white/blue!)

http://crazy4challenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Birthdays

Gift cards!

Hello, and welcome!

What a glorious day we've had, here......up to 19 celsius, and clear blue skies with some sort of funny yellow stuff........think it's called SUNSHINE!  Mind you, any warmer and I'll be complainin'.......haaaa!

So glad you dropped by.....gets kind of lonely on me own....sigh......

Here's the little set of cards that go in the box I featured, yesterday........

Nothing special, just a set of six  4"x4" cards that DIL #1 can have ready to give, when the need arises........

I used the same card, paper and colour combination throughout.

I embossed the paper and black card strip for this one, and the cute sentiment was a freebie....just coloured up the windmills,  and added card candi.......

A little journal card, topped with a sentiment that is stamped and layered onto Nestie shapes.......

I embossed the black background, then added a piece of patterned cardstock, inked around the edges, and a journal spot with an added eyelet, tied with pink ribbon........

A Nestie frame, straight onto the white card base, with a Pink Gem sentiment, and bling......

I used the same Nestie and stamped an Anna Griffin sentiment onto an oval scalloped shape, and chalked in pink......

A different embossing folder used on the black background, with a simple rounded rectangle on top, and a stamped sentiment, layered onto a black Nestie shape.......still using the lovely pink ric-rac......

DONE!

Forgot to take photos of  the envelopes, but you know what envelopes look like, don't cha?

Okie-Dokie.....see you soon!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/challenge-24-anything-goes.html  Anything goes

http://lexiscreations.blogspot.co.uk/  Black, white and one other colour (PINK!)

A little Gift Set

Hi, and welcome!

This week is going to be busy, busy, busy.....got quite a few cards to make, and need to get organized for our annual week away, in Cornwall.....really looking forward to it,  but need the weather to settle down, and stop pretending it's November!

You've been leaving some rather encouraging comments for me, and I have to tell you, they really lift me........THANK YOU!!!

It's a pleasure to drop by, and see what you are all up to in your own little bloggy-spaces, too.......have you noticed I regularly steal use your ideas?.....haaaaa!

Our Daughter-in-law #1 recently had a birthday, and, knowing that she enjoys hand-made gifts, I made a little gift card set for her.........

I wanted to stick with a theme.......black, white and a little pink.......and started with her birthday card........

The base is black, and I embossed some straight lines around the edges.......added some black and white dotty paper, which I ran through a Cuttlebug folder, then another piece of black card, embossed with the lines........two pink pieces of Card Candi in the corners.......

The sentiment block is from Craftwork Cards, and I lightly chalked the flowers in pink.....had to add the pink bling, of course........

A double row of pretty East of India ric-rac completes.......

I've not tried one of these box sets before, and didn't have a tutorial, but knew it couldn't be all that difficult, so I just kind of botched as I went along.......haaaaa!  I hardly ever measure anything, which is what I think of as livin' dangerously!  Yep, I've lived a sheltered life.......

I stamped the white card which makes up the base of the box........I think the little flower stamp was a freebie.......then used the same layers as the main card to create the front........and how 'bout that funky flower?  The spotty one is from Papermania and the other two are from  Stampin' Up (a lovely gift package from a friend)....the top one was white but I coloured up with Baby Pink Promarker.......added a lovely black pearl for the centre......more pearls at the top and a little ric-rac.......

The front opens to reveal the box of goodies........

The front of the inside box.......you can see one of the cards, peepin' out......

A side view......

Are you bored yet?

I thought you may be, so that's enough for now.......try and pop back tomorrow, and I'll show the cute cards that are in the box.....complete with the envelopes that I actually made.......haaa!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://joannasheenchallenge.blogspot.ca/2012/05/happy-birthday.html  Happy Birthday

http://glittergeeks.blogspot.ca/2012/05/week-20-polkadots.html  Polka Dots

Sparkle, Sparkle!

Hello, and welcome!

I hope it's a bit warmer where you are!

Usually, at this time of year, we have all the doors and windows open, so that we can enjoy the gardens and the warmth and brightness of the sunshine.  Lookin' out of my tightly-closed window right now, the wind is blowin' a flippin' gale, the trees are bending sideways, and it's freezing..........spring-time in England....haaa!

Hope the weather gets better for when we go to Cornwall, this time next week......it's usually lovely, but ya never know!

Well, it's time to invite you to have a go at another challenge at 

CARD CRAFTER'S CIRCLE

and this week we want to see all your lovely creations that 

SPARKLE, SPARKLE

We are sponsored by the fabby

and Linnie is giving 2 sheets of her lovely digi stamps to our randomly chosen winner, this week!

Our Design Team created some absolutely gorgeous cards, and you'll find loads of inspiration if you pop over to the challenge blog to drool over 'em....haaaa!

Here's mine.....

I used two kinds of embossed scrolls paper (cream with white scrolls, and pink with gold scrolls) from Craftwork Cards, using a border punch to cut lacy borders from them, and then layered 'em up onto a white card base that I'd scored into a tent-fold.......

Believe it or not, this little lady is glittered to the nines, but I'm rubbish at takin' the photos......hangin' head in shame......but she's a darling. don't you think?

I used a Nestie label die to cut her out, and shaded just inside the embossed edge with a little pink chalk......of course, she's coloured up with Promarkers.......

I like the way the sentiment is shaded.......I have a sheet of these in different colours, but can't remember where I bought them, or I'd go get some more........brain cells have been on holiday for the longest time, so don't expect 'em back ....haaa!

The brown leaves are cut from some small pieces of wood veneer that I bought yonks ago, and have never found a use for.....now I have!

 

I cut a corner with a Martha's punch and layered a couple of Prima flowers with Card Candi.......they just had to be splodged with sparkly Mod Podge, now didn't they?

Three more pieces of Card Candi finish off my Sparkle, Sparkle card!

Over to you.....come on, you know you want to!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

thepapershelter.blogspot.com  Birthday card with sentiment

ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com  Anything goes

papersundaes.blogspot.com  Things with wings

whimsyinspires.blogspot.com  Anything goes

http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/girlie-time-and-dt-call.html  Girlie time!

Patriotic Birthday

Hello, and welcome!

Hope those of you who celebrated Mothers' Day, yesterday, were spoilt to the eyeballs!

It was a treat to visit lots of blogs and see all the gorgeous creations that have been made for mothers and grandmothers around the world.........and I'm sure there were lots of happy smiles around!

I've been doing a bit of surfing, to see what's new on the crafting scene, and the UK seems to be gettin' all fired up about all the patriotic celebrations that are happening, this summer.....yaaaaay!

There's a particular range that I really like called PORTOBELLO  ROAD and I got some of the papers with a magazine,  so just had to buy some of the stickers and buttons to go with 'em...haaaa!.....'twould have been rude not to, don't you think?

Here's a birthday card for a well-loved grandson, who is turning 9 at the end of the month......

The colours look a bit faded in the photo....sorry!

I layered the blue spotty paper onto a white card blank, and inked around the edges with dark brown chalk ink......all the elements are similarly inked......and laid a strip of the tan coloured paper across the middle........

Cute bunting, eh?  This was from the sticker sheet that I bought........

All boys love cars, right?  This little beauty is iconic in the UK, ....... I stuck a #9 on the bonnet and placed a Union Flag behind.......

I LOVE THE UNION FLAG, and think it is one of the nicest flags in the whole, wide world!!

The diddy stamp is a sticker from the same range......seriously cute!

Red gingham (from the paper pack) cut with a large circle punch, and inked.......love those sweet buttons!.....and the sentiment is also from the sticker pack, but I actually bought the stamp version....couldn't resist, lol......

So, what do you think?  Would love to know........

Just a quick word about my use of "Union Flag" instead of the more widely used/known "Union Jack".

One of my uncles was in the Royal Navy and always taught anybody who would listen that a "Jack" was flown from the "jack pole"......a pole that is in the bow of a ship.......and so when the Union Flag is flown in that position, it is known as the Union Jack.......on land, it is the Union Flag.....simple!

I just know that I am thrilled to see so many of my fellow Britons gettin' all patriotic because we have so much to be proud of, this summer........

We will celebrate the Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne!) of our wonderful Queen Elizabeth, on 4th June.....it's her "official" birthday, (and also my DIL's), and later, we'll be hosting the fabulous Olympics...........street parties, here we come!!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://lollipopcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/  Just for him

http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

http://thepapershelter.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/challenge-63-anything-goes.html  Anything goes

http://ceschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/sad-farewell-our-last-challenge-85.html  Anything goes

http://trulyscrumptiouschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  For a boy/man

http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/challenge-126.html  One for the boys

http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/totally-papercrafts-challenge-116_11.html  No pesky girls allowed

Card Crafter's Circle Challenge #22 - RAINBOW BRIGHT

Hello, and welcome!

I'm so glad you dropped by because today we've got a really cute challenge to invite you to join in with, over at  

CARD CRAFTER'S CIRCLE

and you are going to love it!

This week, we want you to share a creation with us that is 

RAINBOW BRIGHT

so pull out all those lovely markers, paints, threads, pencils....whatever!.....as long as you make something that is colourful!

We are back with the fabulous

as our generous sponsor this week, and they are giving 7 digi images to our randomly selected winner!

I do like to see bright colours on other people's cards, but I was a bit out of my comfort zone with this one......you might want to view this one through your fingers....you've been warned ......haaaaa!

Told ya!!  

One of my Teamies saw this and said I should have made it a slider card, so the li'l cutie at the top could take a ride down the rainbow....shucks!....never thought of that!  Must have been still squintin' my eyes from all the LOUD COLOURS!!

Isn't she sweeeet?  She's coloured up with my usual PMs, and I used a little glaze pen on her wings, bow and shoes......and a bit of sparkle on her wand and the little star.........

I hand cut the scallops, and the sparkle is glittery Mod Podge....love that stuff!......the different stripes of the rainbow were free-hand drawn, then coloured and glittered.....not perfect, but who says rainbows have to be perfect?

The sentiment was a freebie from Beyond The Fringe, and I used the PMs on it, added a  couple of buttons with twine, then cut the border with a Martha Stewart border punch..........RAINBOW BRIGHT indeed!

Over to you!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Happy Birthday

http://glittergeeks.blogspot.co.uk/  Wings and things

http://thepapershelter.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/challenge-63-anything-goes.html  Anything goes

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/  Cute, cute, cute

Summer Fairy

Hi, and welcome!

I'd  like to say a big HELLO to my new followers.....it's lovely to have you here, and I'll be paying you a visit, if I haven't already done so......you poor things...haaa!

It's another Bank Holiday, here in the UK, and we've had the weather to go with it........wind, rain and cold.....haa!

I've always thought we had a bit of a daft system for these extra holidays.........loads of 'em in the Spring, one in the Summer.......and then nothing until Christmas!

Hubby was working, so I had a chance to have a bit of a tidy in my craft room, and even got to make a card......yaaaaay!

I'm really falling behind with making family and friends birthday cards, so I'm hoping that I can carry on ignoring the huge pile of ironing that's taking over the dining room table....easy-peasy...heehee!

I used to quite enjoy tackling the ironing....just as well with 5 kids.....but, since getting lymphoedema in my arm, following radiotherapy, it's become a real chore.......much easier to craft, lol.

Here's a little something I came up with, today......

All of the papers are from a freebie stack that came with a recent magazine, and I started with a cream card base......the papers are all inked up with a soft brown fluid chalk, around the edges.......

I love this LOTV image....another freebie with a magazine....and coloured up with Promarkers.  Just for a bit of a change, I tore around the edges instead of using my usual Nesties,  and inked the edges with more fluid chalk......

I layered up some flowers from my stash.....not sure where I bought these......and added a button and some die cut leaves........I luuuuurve that pretty strawberry paper!

Another flower in the top corner, but this time with gingham ribbon, tied into a bow........thought the gingham would add to the "summery" feel of the card............

 

The sentiment circle is from Pink Gem....just added some red colouring around the edge.....and placed on top of a die cut red fence.....cute!

Thanks for stoppin' by!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.com  Anything Goes

2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com  Anything goes

stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com  At least 4 layers

craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com  Torn or Distressed (my image is torn/edges inked)

ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com  Anything goes

http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/  Fairies

Card Crafter's Circle Challenge #21/ MUM'S THE WORD

Hello, and welcome!

Another Friday has rolled around, and that means it's time for another great challenge at

CARD CRAFTER'S CIRCLE

and this week we want to see something for your Mum!

We in the UK, of course, have already had Mothers' Day, but that doesn't mean we can't make another little something for her, does it?

And with a lovely prize of a choice of three of the images used by the Design Team, this week, for our randomly chosen winner, what's there to lose?...haaa!

So......who is our sponsor this time............?

It's the wonderful DEARIE DOLLS

As an added bonus, there are some very cute freebies to be found there, too!

The Design Team chose some of the cutest stamps to play with, so don't forget to pop over to our 

Challenge Blog 

to see for yourself, and enter your very own creation!

Here's  my card.........

I used lots of bits from my scrap mountain for this one....didn't even make a dent, lol........and started with some brown stripy paper on the card base........all the edges of the pieces are lightly inked with pink .....sweet......

The sentiment is from my stash, and I thought it was perfect for this little card....it's layered onto another scrap that was cut with a Nestie label......layered onto a matching border piece that has been wrapped with pink ribbon......

As you can see, the paper was double-sided, and I simply turned back a corner and added a button, tied with more ribbon.......

The lace is a small paper doily, folded into quarters and pinned with a home-made pin....I really must use more of my bead stash!

The little flower was cream, so I coloured it with a Crimson Promarker, added a metal dragonfly charm, and centred with a small brad.....all placed on top of die cut leaves.........

And here's the sweet image....isn't she adorable?  Of course, all inked with PMs....love those shoes....haaa!

I really hope you will join in on the fun.........and don't forget to pop over to see what the rest of the Team have done!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.co.uk/  Feminine with Ribbon

http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.co.uk/  Mothers Day

http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes