Construction Card

Hello, and welcome!

So sorry I didn't manage to get here, yesterday...........the best laid plans, and all that....haaaa!

Want to see what my lovely hubby had made for me, for my birthday?............'course ya do.........you're all as nosey as I am!

TA-DAAAAAA............

I absolutely adore patchwork quilts, and my fantastic hubby (it was our 43rd wedding anniversary, yesterday) commissioned our very talented Daughter #3 to make this for me, for my birthday.....yaaaaaaay!

This picture was taken with it spread on her own bed, which is a Super King size........our bed is just a double, so it drapes beautifully down each side..........

This one shows the back of the quilt.....I love that blue cotton!.......and that's 18 month old Millie.....how did she get in on the act?

Leigh-Anne has her own small business, making beautiful quilts, and other sewn goodies, and she can be found Here.  You don't have to be linked up to Facebook to view her shop.

She was under a teeny bit of pressure to get this beauty finished in time for my birthday, and says she's  not finished all the quilting that she wants to put on it, so wants it back........she may just have to break a few of my fingers, first.......haaaaa!

I am totally in love with it, and have vowed that no grandkiddles will be allowed anywhere near it.......it's all mine!!!

Selfish?......yeah!

Onto today's business........it's challenge time over at Card Crafter's Circle, and this week we are sponsored by the wonderful

http://milkcoffeestamps.blogspot.co.uk/

and our randomly chosen winner will receive 3 Milk Coffee images....but, there's more!........our Top 3 will also receive an image each....wooohooo!

The theme to play along with is

CONSTRUCTION CARDS

Oh......scary for me, this one......but, I bit the bullet, and here goes........

I've not made this kind of card before....not even sure what it's called....Shadow Box?

Pretty simple though, once I put on my Super Hero cloak, and got busy......my cloak makes me brave and intrepid...haaaa! 

I used some pretty double-sided cardstock from my stash, and blinged it up with a little sparkle from my trusty glittery Mod Podge......hard to see on the pics, though, but it's deffo there.........

Just two easy folds, each side, back and front, and an aperture cut from the front with a Nestie label shape....the image is cut out with the same shape, and two pieces of toning card on the sides, cut with a border punch.......Used a couple of Prima flowers and a coppery button to embellish the corner......

A small label shape with a rub-on sentiment, glittered with Mod Podge, and a very cute butterfly button added....cheeky!

The image is Lisbeth on a Swing , all coloured up with Promarkers, and a touch of glitter.....aawwww!

Once I'd got my head around it, I enjoyed putting this together, and may even try it again.....but don't hold your breath...heehee.

Now it's your turn......would love to see what you can CONSTRUCT!

In need of more inspiration?  Click on the links to see what the talented Design Team came up with....amazing stuff!

Am now going to have a snuggle with my beautiful quilt..........mmmmmmm.

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Fancy Folds

http://www.scrapbooksisters.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

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

http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/can-you-digi-it.html  Use a digi

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Just a quick pop-in to say a huge THANK YOU to those of you who have sent me birthday wishes.....and cards, in some cases...wooohooo!

I've had a fabulous day....up to now...haa!....and am about to be taken out by my beloved for a scrumptious meal.

Toodle pip for now, and I'll see you all tomorrow......wait 'til you see what my darlin' had made for me!!!

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Howdy Partner!

Hi, and welcome!

I would like all those of you who don't live in the British Isles to take a good look out of your window.....do you see sunshine?......it's quite easy to recognise.....it makes everything look brighter, clearer, and lifts the spirits......although I'm only going off hearsay, because we haven't seen any for too long!

So.......if  you are hoggin'  more than your fair share......play nicely, and share!!!

If you've been around here for a while, you'll know that I really do not like the heat,  but a little benign sunshine does everybody some good......even if it's just a dose of Vitamin D.....haaa!

I've mentioned that I've been struggling to get any crafty creatin' done, but I actually did manage to spend some time, today, getting one together for another grandson's birthday.

Spencer was my very own birthday present, born on my birthday 6 years ago.....our special day is this coming Wednesday, and here's the card I'm going to give him.........

I've not made many easel cards, so thought I'd try my hand.  I found a few sheets of this really nice woodgrain card when I was in Cornwall, and thought it would be good for a male card.  

I love Bugaboo images, and this one really caught my eye.......seriously cute! Edit:  This is actually a freebie from Dearie Dolls, NOT Bugaboo....sorry!

Coloured up with PMs, cut out with a circle punch, and mounted onto two layers of Nesties......a little ink around the image and a small wooden star with my hand-drawn and cut #6..........the papers are from my Portobello Road stash.......

I covered a larger star, and two ikkle ones, with more Portobello Road paper, added a sentiment rub-on  and Scrapmetal circles, and inked all the edges........layered onto two strips of the same paper......

The "Howdy Partner" sentiment is from a stamp set I've had forever, and the #6 was already printed on the paper....haa!....just went around the edge with a marker to make it stand out a bit more.......done!

Hee-haaaaa.......or whatever strange noise cowboys make........!!

hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://desmetdt.blogspot.co.uk/  For men/boys

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

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

http://cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  One for the boys

http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/challenge-21-anything-goes.html  Anything goes

Robot Birthday

Hello, and welcome!

Is there anybody there?

I really do hope so, but wouldn't blame you if you weren't..........does this mean I'm talkin' to meself?....haaaaa!  Wouldn't be the first time!

There has been an awful lot of other stuff going on in my life, but it's time to put it all on a shelf, and maybe it will sort itself out.........fingers crossed.

I had to apologise to my Teamies at Card Crafter's Circle........I just had no opportunity to make a Design Team card for this week's challenge, which is WEDDINGS, but they were very gracious and kind, as always.......and they made some absolutely gorgeous creations, so don't forget to drop in on the challenge blog and take a peek......this week's sponsor is   

and the randomly chosen winner will receive 2 sheets (8 images) from Linnie's fabulous range!

Well, I'm finally finding the time to show you a little, simple card I made for Finlay's 6th birthday (grandson #6), this week.  He is a gifted crafter....he makes scrapbooks, cards, and is a marvel at paper engineering!

His Mum, (Gillian, daughter #2), themed his party to Junk Modelling.....tons of cardboard, empty yogurt pots, egg cartons, glue, etc., and the kiddles had a whale of a time building weird and wonderful creations......I had a bit of a dabble, meself...just to be sociable...haaaa!

Gillian baked Finlay the most fantastic robot cake.....sorry, no pics...forgot me camera, duuh!.......and I carried on the theme with this little offering......

I started with an orange card base and layered a piece of  white, then blue card, and stamped random stars onto another piece of white card, and edged with orange ink.  I then embossed the stamped piece with a Cuttlebug folder, (wheels and cogs), and stamped a birthday greeting near the bottom of the card front.......

I love this ikkle fella.......he's a freebie from Melonhedz........and I really enjoyed colouring him up with my trusty Promarkers.....pure joy....haahaa!  He's popped onto foamies, for a bit of dimension.......

Didn't have any orange corrugated card, so scored this scrap.........a little wooden star was covered with a scrap of blue starry paper,  then a peel-off number to finish.

Finlay thought it was cute!

I'm hoping to be back with another boy card, very soon!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:
http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes
http://sendasmile4kidschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Birthday fun for Kids
http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes
http://frosteddesigns.blogspot.co.uk/  Make your own embellies (Tag and star)
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Boy Attitude

Feeling Sentimental

Hi, and welcome!

Our weather started out bright and sunny, and pleasantly warm, today........great!

But, this is England.........cue dark, heavy clouds, rain, thunder, and a whole lot of wet laundry, soppin' on the line!

I'm not a happy bunny.........

Okay, need to put it behind me, and hope for better times to come....haaaaa!

And what better way than to play in another challenge at 

Card Crafter's Circle

This week we have a challenge that is likely to be very popular.......

FEELING SENTIMENTAL

So, just create something and include a sentiment.......that's it!

Our random winner will receive two sets of images from the fabulous

http://kpmdoodles.blogspot.co.uk/

Here's my card, using one of their cute designs....... 

All the backing papers are from Nitwits, and inked around the edges........

The sweet image is coloured with the usual suspects (PMs).....just look at that cheeky iccle face!  I cut out the image with a nestie shape, then added another scalloped circle which I inked, for dimension.  I found these charming tiny flowers in my stash.......ooooh, it's like finding treasure, whenever I dig to the bottom of a drawer...haa!.....and added the green flat-backed pearls around the scalloped edge....lovely.....

I free-hand cut a piece of the Nitwits paper into a banner shape, and inked, then layered my sentiment (also from Nitwits) onto it.

The little tab shape was cut from pink textured card, and inked, and three cute buttons tied with ribbon are the finishing touch.

Hope you like, and want to play.....go on......you know you want to!!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/challenge-33-summer-fun.html  Summer Fun

http://emergencycrafterschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything with Wings

http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.co.uk/  Bugs/Butterflies

Forever Friends Birthday

Hello, and welcome!

Have you noticed that I'm not posting as many cards as I usually do?

So have I!

It isn't that I don't want to.......I really miss being on my little blog.......but I think I've been procrastinating, just a smidge, because it's dawned on me that it's THAT time of year again!

What is she on about, now?, I hear you mutter.......well, I'll tell you........

It's the Dreaded Male Card Season!!!

Yep......got 6 male birthday cards to make, in the next few days.....gulp! 

Oh well, maybe I'll just nip to Tesco, and buy some.....haaaaa!

In the meantime, it was recently my DIL's birthday, and as she loves all-things Forever Friends, I came up with this little cutie for her.......very girlie!

The card base is pink....of course.......layered with a piece of Nitwits paper......love the browns, pinks and greens in this!  The image is decoupaged and layered onto a strip of more Nitwits paper........

I added a brown swirly-twirly and a Nitwits heart.......pretty!  I made the pink flower by cutting a circle of card, laying thin strips of double-sided tape across it, then rolling a length of scallop-edged lace around and around......dizzzzzzy........and sticking the centre onto a big glue-dot.........

A strip of the same lace across the bottom.....yummy.......

This is my kind of fella!  He's big and cuddly, and brings cake......perfect!!

I cut a little pink tab, and added the Craftwork Cards flutterby sentiment, which I'd inked, and called it finished!

Watch out for those Tesco hand-made male cards, coming soon..........I hope!!

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

http://foreverfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/junes-monthly-challenge.html  Happy Birthday

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

http://justkeeponcreating.blogspot.com.au/   Anything goes and travel stories

http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes

Going Green!

Hello, and welcome!

I don't know about our gracious Queen, but, after all the festivities of the past week, I'm pooped!

How did she manage to endure enjoy all that sitting, standing, walking, and smiling without fallin' over with exhaustion?  The woman is an 86 year old marvel, and a wonderful example of service and commitment to duty.....long may she reign!

Okay, got that out of my system.....on with today's business.....and it's Friday (I think), so that means another fun challenge at

CARD CRAFTER'S CIRCLE

and we want to see your 

MONOCHROMATIC  creations, whether that be a card, altered art, sewing, whatever......as long as you stay with one main colour.

We have a lovely prize of 2 digi images from 

stamp-n-doodle.blogspot.com 

for our random winner, so do pop over and see what you fancy!

Our Design Team came up with a rainbow of inspiration, and got to choose GREEN!

We all had the same image to play with......she's called PROM QUEEN

I stamped a scroll image onto an 8"x8" shaped card base, using dark green chalk ink, then layered 3 different design papers, dividing the bottom two with pretty lace........the third layer is flocked, and I cut a scalloped nestie shape, embossed it with a Swiss Dots folder, layered a length of glittery green ribbon......

The dress is paper-pieced, and I added green Stickles and tiny beads to the dropped waistline, and Stickles to the hairbow and flower corsage.......the image is cut out with my new X-cut shape die....pretty!  The bottom border is cut with a Memory Box die, using a 4th dp..........

I had run a border of pricked holes around the edges of the papers, and all the edges are inked with green chalk ink.  Really not sure about that flower...  Looks more like a cabbage to me....haaaaa!  Certainly isn't to be found in nature, that's for sure.......

I used a stick pin, and tied a piece of that sparkly ribbon around it, and added the teeny key charm.........and left well alone!

Monochromatic is not my fave kind of card, but ho-hum.......Pauline (our Big Boss Lady) waves a big stick, and who am I to argue?....haaaahaaa!

(Not really......she's a pussy cat, but I'm hedgin' me bets!)

Hugs,

Anne-Marie x

Challenges:
fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.com  Go green!
4craftychicks.blogspot.com  Monochromatic
cropstop.blogspot.com  Monochromatic
doyoustackup.blogspot.com  Paper piecing
pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.com  Use 3 or more patterned papers
theprettylittleribbonshop.blogspot.com  Lots of layers

Stars and Stripes - British Style!

Hi, and welcome!

Well, this post was supposed to waft, fragrantly, into your Reader, on 1st June, while I was still on me jollies in Cornwall....but Mr. Blogger had other ideas.......haaahaaa!
Better late than never, as they say, so on with the show.......

It's time for another challenge at

CARD CRAFTER'S CIRCLE 

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

STARS AND STRIPES.........woohoo!

We are back with one of our favourite sponsors


and this week there are 4 digital images that will  be given to our randomly chosen winner.

This week,  I'm in celebration mode, so I chose to make something that included the theme of STARS AND STRIPES, but with a very British twist.....after all, you might just have noticed that our nation is blessed with a wonderful Queen who has reigned over us for 60 years, and we are honouring her with 4 days of celebration and pageantry....yaaaaay!

I'm the only Briton on our Design Team, and the other very talented members have come up with their own versions of this great theme.....go take a peek!

Here's my offering......

The card base is white and I cut off about the last quarter of the front of the card (I never measure anything...ha!), and used a strip of the red stripe paper on the inside back.......the red stripy is from an old Christmas pack......I used navy blue card for the first layer, leaving a small white border, and layered more red stripy on top......

Isn't the little teddy astronaut the cutest?  I coloured him with the usual Promarkers, cut him out, and layered him, using foam pads, onto a large star shape that I'd cut with a Fiskar's template, and layered with blue stars paper and a Union Flag-inspired heart die cut.....

I placed the star shape so that it became the "standing edge" of the card front......

A strip of Union Flag images, layered onto blue star paper, and inked.  I cut a small red tag and stamped the message, then fixed with the threaded button......

The sweet little Air Mail sentiment is another stamp from the Portabello Road series......and it's supposed to look faded, algthough this is how a lot of my stampin' actually turns out...ha!

A strip of tan paper, layered with a strip of blue crown-image paper.....I rounded the corners to soften........the bottom edge of the front of the card has been cut with a scalloped border punch, which I rather like!

And, there you have it....my  STARS AND STRIPES - BRITISH STYLE!

Hope you'll join the challenge, this week!

Hugs,
Anne-Marie x

Challenges:
http://herecometheboysblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes
http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.co.uk/  Use something that depicts an element of heaven (the stars and blue)
http://pinkleart.blogspot.co.uk  Her Majesty