Friday, 29 March 2013

Babies......again!

Hello, and welcome!

It seems that I've been wrapped up in all things baby this week....hahaaa!
I'm sooooo happy to  have at last finished the Blessing blanket for Riley's Blessing Day, on Sunday.......can't believe it took me so long, but it will all be worth it to see our beautiful new ganddaughter wrapped up, all snug and warm :)  Her parents haven't yet seen it, so I'll post pics after the blessing.

The challenge at Card Crafter's Circle this week is .........

BABIES!

And our sponsor is... Robyn's Fetish awarding our prize winner their choice of 5 images!

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More is proud to sponsor this challenge.  Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More, a division of I Did It Creations, was created and is owned by Robyn Weinrib.    Robyn offers a wonderful variety of digital stamps and digital papers, designed to meet the needs of all digital paper crafting addicts for every occasion.

So, this is my second baby card this week.........can't get away from 'em.....hahaaa!

I used the sweet Good Night Teddy for my vintage-style card.......

I used a kraft card base and rounded the right hand corners, then used a lovely piece of DP that was in a stack that my lovely friend Maria Rudolph sent to me.......thanks again, Maria!

I cut a paper doily in half and used it as a backing to the image.  I used my Spectrum Noir markers to colour up this sweet image, and sewed around the edges with pink cotton thread, adding a little brown chalk to the edges.......

I found a little spool of this cute ribbon in my ribbon box.......no idea where it came from, and don't even remember buying it......oops........but it's too lovely to stay at the bottom of that box, don't you agree?

I twisted a little bit of brown lace and stuck it onto a small card circle, then added the button and the flower gem........

First outing for this pretty Memory Box die......used a little brown chalk on it and added the sparkly heart gem......I like it!

A border of the pretty pink paper along the inside bottom of the card, and a die-cut message spot.......c'est tout!

My team mates would love you to pop along and see what they came up with this week......the challenge blog is bursting with inspiration!
Thanks for coming to see what I've been up to.....see you soon!

hugs,
Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

post signature

Wednesday, 27 March 2013

Brides or Babies

Hello, and welcome!

I am so late, getting my post up.....sincere apologies to one and all :)
I have spent the last few days almost setting fire to myself.......my knitting needles have been giving off sparks because I've been trying to finish the blessing blanket for 6 week old Riley's blessing....this Sunday!
It's become a tradition that I make one of  these Victorian inspired blankets for our newest grandkiddles, the first one having been made for our first, Hannah, who is turning 19 next month, and they take me forever!!!
I've pieced the 24 squares  together and now need to finish knitting the 140 inch border....then sew it on, and  weave in all the ends.  It looks like Riley will need it, too, because we still have way below zero temperatures and snow!
I'll try to remember to take some piccies to post here, when it's all  done.

Speaking of babies.......this week's challenge at Perfect Sentiments is a little cracker...........

BRIDES OR BABIES
All you have to do is make a card with or for either a baby or a bride....simples!
Just remember to make sure that there's a sentiment on the front of your creation, too.

Our sponsor is 
and they are generously offering 3 cute digi images to the randomly drawn winner...woohoo!

I decided that I would go with the baby theme and chose the oh-so-cute Little Owl image from the store.......

I wanted to keep the card quite simple and started with a scalloped card base, adding freebie papers with more white card to layer with the yellow gingham......I love blue and yellow for a baby boy.......

This little darlin' was coloured up with Promarkers and cut out with a Spellbinder's Nestie die.........the blue grosgrain ribbon is from my stash......

I'm not sure where I nabbed this lovely digi sentiment from......think I must have got it in the days before I knew that it was important to give credit to the artist.....but I love it!  I used a Nellie Snellen die to cut it out......

The little embellie is simply blue raffia twisted into a circle and stuck onto a small circle of card.....I've got a huge stash of sequins, and have noticed that lots of cards are sporting them, lately, so popped one on....I think I quite like it :).....

More of the same paper to layer inside, and a die-cut message mat....done!

I hope you'll take a peek at all the goodies that my Teamies have prepared for your inspiration on the Perfect Sentiment blog, then make a lovely card and pop it into the challenge....good luck!

Hugs,
Anne-Marie x

Challenges:
post signature

Friday, 22 March 2013

A Little Sketchy

Hello, and welcome!

Winter is not giving up easily, in my part of the world......oh, no indeedy.....we have gale force winds and SNOW, SNOW, SNOOOOOOW!
As much as I love the pretty, white and fluffy stuff, I'm very glad to be sitting in my lovely warm and snug living room....ha!

I'm really looking forward to the weekend because the Hubster and I will have Finlay (6) and his sister, Yvie-Grace (2) staying until Sunday afternoon.....yaaaaay!

This week's challenge at Card Crafter's Circle is a favourite with me.......I love a good sketch, and that's just what we have for you.........

This week is a our challenge for you is:

SKETCH CHALLENGE
Please follow this sketch for your card creation.  You are free to flip it, rotate it, stretch it, add to it, or subtract from it, as long as we can see our original sketch in your creation! 

(Colours are shown only for clarity.)

We are happy to welcome this week's sponsor ... Digi Darla's Designs! Our random prize winner will receive their choice of  FIVE images!

If you're lookin' for something that will bring to mind warmer, sunnier days, then my little card might be just the thing, ha!

I used the sweet Blowing Dandelions.....

The card base is white and all the papers used are from a huge K&Co. stack.......I left a tiny border of white before laying down the navy paper, then matted the pink with more white......a pretty paper doily was used as a base for the image stack......


You know I love the winter months......weird, I know :)......but it would be nice to spend a little time just sittin' in the warm sun (not hot!) and blowing dandelion "clocks", eh?
This pretty girlie is coloured up with a mix of Promarkers and Spectrum Noirs......the dark blue on the dress is Spectrum Noir, simply because I don't have a near colour in my PM collection......I used two different Spellbinders die labels, one to cut out the image (Deckle Edge) and the other to cut a blue background (Large Scalloped Rectangle).....

I used two large blooms (Prima) that I chalked with a touch of soft pink, then cut a circle of dark blue felt for the centre and popped up with a foam dot......

I ran a length of the same blue paper along the bottom of the card and topped it with pretty ribbon, then stacked the sentiment (freebie with a mag) on top.....

I used another doily on the inside of the card, on top of more of the blue paper and a strip of the pink along the bottom......I cut a circle of white card and chalked around the edges, then placed it in the centre of the doily........done!
So easy when you have the layout already planned for you.....so why not pop over to the Challenge Blog to see how my teamies interpreted this cute sketch?
I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.....thanks for popping in!

hugs,
Anne-Marie x

Challenges:


post signature

Thursday, 21 March 2013

Fairies and Butterflies

 Hello, and welcome!

Well, I did it again.......got my days mixed up and thought yesterday was Tuesday, which means I didn't get my post up for this week's challenge at Perfect Sentiments .....aarrrggghhh!
Would you believe that I have to take my dear old Mam to the Memory Clinic?  As the song says, "It Should Have Been Me!"....ha!

Without further ado.....other than to say we have a forecast for SNOW......(sorry, couldn't resist).....here's the details for the challenge .....

PSC71: Fairies or Butterflies
Create a card for the occasion of your choice using either a Fairy or Butterfly in your design. Using patterned paper or ribbon that includes fairies or butterflies does not count. Don't forget to include the sentiment on the front of your card
Our Sponsor
will award one lucky random winner 3 free digis of their choice!

Fairies and butterflies are happy little creatures, aren't they?  I think I must have smiled all  the time I was creating this sweet little card, lol......

I used Fairy Bella from Patti's store.....she reminds me of Disney's Tinkerbell.....and I started with a white card base  and used a piece of this pretty pink paper (K&Co.) for the background.....
She's coloured up with Promarkers with a touch of sparkly Mod Podge on her wings and on the starfall......the label is cut with a Joy Crafts die..........

I cut the fluttery flutterbys with a Woodware punch from blue and pink card stock, then cut three more from the same white flocked netting that you can see in the background.......pretty!

Another strip of flocked netting along the bottom and a freebie sentiment, raised on foam, and two little flower gems......

My new Cheery Lynn corner die....cute!  The flowers are from Prima and I added a pink brad to the centre....

A little titivating inside and we're done!

Why not feast your eyes on the wonderful inspiration you'll find at Perfect Sentiments, then make a lovely card that includes a fairy or a butterfly,  or both!

hugs,
Anne-Marie x

Challenges:
http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/  Card/project with a sentiment for a girl
http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes (with a sentiment)
post signature

Friday, 15 March 2013

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling!

Hello, and welcome!

There's been a distinct lack of blogging from this quarter, lately.  Suffice it to say that things have been afoot.....some of them good.....some of them not so good..... it's been a difficult week on more than one front......sigh......
Not to worry, eh?  It's the weekend, and I've got two bonnie grandsons staying over from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon....woohoo!
Spencer is 6 (we share our birthday!) and his brother, Adam, is 4 (he's a twin to Freya), and we have plans to have lunch out, then go to the cinema.  Granddad has been working away, all week, and won't be back until very early on Sunday morning, so I've got my two handsome chaps all to myself!  
On Sunday, our granddaughter, Olivia, will be baptised, so the whole family will be together....it's  going to be a wonderful weekend!

I have a little card to share for the challenge at Card Crafter's Circle.......
This week we challenge you to create a card with a theme of

ST PATRICK'S DAY!
(Shamrocks, Leprechauns, Greens and everything Irish!)

Some of you will  know that my dear old Dad was a Scotsman, but his family originally came from Ireland, back in the mid 1800s.  That's how I came to have an Irish surname, Coogans.  I have green eyes, as did my Dad, and he used to say that I had "Irish eyes"......I miss my Dad.


Our sponsor this week is the fabulous Melonheadz!  Their images are a fun and whimsical style, all hand drawn by Nikki.  At the Melonheadz Blog youwill find newly released sets which  can be purchased at the Melonheadz etsy store, and a staggering selection of freebies available to you .... pop along to the Melonheadz blog and see what you might find! At Melonheadz Exclusives you will find exclusive sets, and previous freebie bundles.  At Melonheadz LDS you will find LDS and Christian illustrations, primary hand outs, and soon there will be some items for purchasing as well.



Oh, and our winner, will receive their choice of a bundle of images from the Melonheadz etsy store!



Nikki very generously gave our Design Team some fun images to play with and I chose this sweet Leprechaun and the Erin Coin......




The card base is a lovely soft cream (from Docrafts) and both papers are from my scrap mountain.....I'm still waitin' for one of you to own up about sneakin' into my craft room and leaving more scraps, hahaa......

Is he not just the cutest little man?  He's poshed up with Promarkers......I've got legs like that......

I used Promarkers, again, to colour up the lovely sentiment and popped it onto a Shapeability die cut frame. Roughly translated, the sentiment means "Ireland Forever".....and so say all of us!

This cute little block is a sticker that's been in my stash for the loooooongest time....I think it's from K&Co......

I die-cut the fence and added a strip of hearts.....more stickers found in my stash.....I'm determined to use 'em all up!

Don't forget to take a peek at the cute and clever creations that the rest of the Team have ready for your perusal.....and get creating!

hugs,
Anne-Marie x

Challenges:
http://useittuesday.blogspot.co.uk/  Diecuts, punches, hoarded supplies (stickers and paper)

post signature

Friday, 8 March 2013

Vintage Flair!

Hello, and welcome!

I've spent the day making a list of all the things that need to be put right in our little house.......it's a long list ;(

We really need to install new windows.....and I do mean NEED.......because we have wooden frames and they are way past their best.....a lick of paint just won't do it, any more.....so, new windows it is.
We also need a new boiler......ours is serviced every year, but it was old when we moved in, almost 13 years ago, and I think it deserves a happy retirement after all this time, lol.
Well, I can at least tick the boiler off the list.....we're having the new one installed on Monday...woohoo!

The list includes new curtains for the living room; new blinds for all rooms; new living room carpet.....it does go on a lot further, but these are at the top......oh, and we have to finish paying the mortgage before the Hubster retires in 3 years.......no pressure then :D

Oh, well......on to a more pleasant topic!

Time for a lovely challenge at Card Crafter's Circle........


This week we invite you to create cards on the theme of:

VINTAGE FLAIR!
(Show us your vintage colours, images, and embellishments!)

Our Sponsor this week is Floppy Latte Digital Designs, and they are offering our challenge winner a $6 certificate to shop at the Floppy Latte store ....

 Floppy Lattes Digital Designs ::All Digital All The Time

I love the look of vintage creations, but I am definitely out of my comfort zone when it comes to trying to create something with this theme........but, I gave it a whirl, and here's the result........I went with a male card......

The image is called Ship #5 and I really like it......I used black card as the base for this masculine card, and added a layer of tan-coloured music sheet paper (it's actually wrapping paper from IKEA), which I edged with a rub of brown chalk.  The next layer is brown corrugated card which I rubbed over with a bit of white Gesso.......

I used some craft tape (from the Gorjus range) and extended it over the edge of the brown layer, then topped a wooden heart with a stamped birthday sentiment......a twist of thick twine was popped behind.......

I like buttons on masculine cards.....this one is threaded and tied with red button twine.......

The lovely image is on a Spellbinder's label,  with a black "shadow" behind it.......

Another piece of the music paper, and a label to write a message were stuck inside.....all done!

Of course, our clever Design Team have come up with some beautiful inspiration for you....and they are all very feminine Vintage creations, so are truly delightful.....pop over to see 'em....you'll love them all!

Thanks for dropping in on me.....I love to read your comments!

hugs,
Anne-Marie x

Challenges:
http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes (#2 entry)
http://craftuscrazy.blogspot.co.uk/  Anything goes
http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.co.uk/  Birthdays





Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Ribbons and Bows

Hello, and welcome!

If you live here, in the UK, I hope you've been enjoying the truly wonderful spring-like weather we've been lucky enough to have, the past couple of days..........it's all gonna change, tomorrow!  Buckets of rain are forecast, so don't put your wellies away too soon....hahaaa!

Twist of Faith are hosting another challenge, and this week we have Eureka Stamps as our generous sponsor........

Eureka

Our randomly drawn winner will receive their choice of five (5) digital images from  Eureka Stamps ... and we thank our sponsor for their generous prize!  This week our challenge theme is:

RIBBONS and BOWS (either or both!)
and a scripture, or uplifting verse or positive words of healing, encouragement, or support.

The Hubster and I were blessed to be invited to a very special occasion, last Sunday.......a young couple who recently had a gorgeous baby boy invited us to be present at his Blessing.  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we don't baptise our children until their 8th birthday, if they make that choice for themselves, but we have a lovely Blessing Day when the new baby is held in his/her Daddy's arms (or another man who holds the priesthood) and is encircled by other male members of the family, who also hold the priesthood, and the baby "receives" his/her name, and a special blessing of encouragement, hope for the future, and other wonderful promises is pronounced upon his/her head.......and I am always, always profoundly moved by these sacred occasions.
I made a little scrapbook that the parents can use to display the lovely photos that were taken, after the Blessing......might show that later in the week.......and this pretty little card, using the very cute Corner Baby....
I made the card base from white card and placed a piece of blue dotty paper as the background.....the paper is from the "Me to You" range from Tatty Teddy........

Isn't he sweet?  I used my Promarkers to give him a tan....hahaaa......

 This lovely sentiment has been lying in my folders for the longest time, waiting to be used....it was a freebie from Raindrop Echoes.  I printed it out, cut it with a Nestie, coloured it up with a little chalk, then popped it onto a beautiful Joy Crafts label.......
I just realised that I've put this cute footsteps ribbon on backwards......the footprints were meant to lead to the baby in the bush....hahaaa!

A little blue bow on top of the sentiment label, a little dressing-up, inside.....and it's done!

Pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from the rest of the Design Team, then pull out your ribbons and bows and come up with something lovely....and don't forget the "Twist"!

hugs,
Anne-Marie x

Challenges:

post signature

Friday, 1 March 2013

It's Only Make-Believe!

Hello, and welcome!

Do you believe in fairies?.....elves?......gnomes?.......sprites?  Let's say that I would like to believe that such poetically imaginative beings co-exist with us in this lovely world of ours......but.....and let me make this very clear......I do believe in Father Christmas!  Not a shadow of a doubt that he is real......nope......don't try to dissuade me......he is definitely, at this very moment, preparing to bring me something fabulous for next Christmas...hahaaa!
And he's got only 298 days to get it ready.....just sayin'....heehee!!!

We've got a fabulous challenge at Card Crafter's Circle this week....yaaaaaay!

This week we invite you to create cards on the theme of:

MAKE-BELIEVE!
(Elves, Fairies, Gnomes, Pixies, Sprites, etc)


This week, our sponsor is MICHELLE PERKETT STUDIOS! Michelle skilfully presents a huge collection of mermaids, fairies, people, and with various images in between!  They will delight you, so we hope you avail yourself of her designs!



Our random prize winner will receive their choice of one of the gorgeous images showcased by our design team in the challenge post! ( A Hint: Dream Dragonfly is not available in the etsy shop!)   We are thrilled to have MPS sponsoring our challenges... because the images are so beautiful... and because they will always bring a smile to your face!

As always, members of the Design Team were given some truly lovely images to use.......I chose this sweet Magical Birthday Sprite

I started with a white card base and placed a piece of pink card stock as the bottom layer.....the teal/blue flower paper, and the yellow paper are freebies from a magazine......I wish I could get more of them, because I love 'em!  The yellow label is cut with a Spellbinder die......

Isn't she gorgeous?  I really, really like this pretty sprite....how could you not believe she's real?...I coloured her with my 2 pink copics....yep....still own only the two....and Promarkers.  The little pink embossed circles are the "waste" from the punched border that runs under the image (Nellie's Multi-border).....well, they were far too pretty to put in the bin...hahaaa!

I found a pack of Glitterations in the 50p bin at The Range....result!.....and used a Marvy le Plume pink marker to change the silver glitter on this swirl and the flower, below......

The flowers are from Prima,  and I added the little pearls.....all Sprites should have some pearls about them at all times......fact........

A teeny butterfly edged with a bit of glitter.......butterflies are attracted to Sprites......another fact.......

See what I mean?

All done!

We all need a little magic in our daily lives, so why not help it along and join in the fun by creating something pretty?
For more inspiration, pop over to see the rest of the Design Team magic.

hugs,
Anne-Marie x

Challenges:
http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/challenge-25-yellow.html  Yellow (challenge blog does say a bit of yellow is okay, lol)