Trick or treat ....

WARNING - PICTURE HEAVY POST!

... I think that's the traditional greeting as the children go from house to house!  It seems that the kids in our village have truly embraced the spirit of Halloween this year.  Earlier today I posted that I'd made a pumpkin to go on our front porch - well, here it is! 

I got a pattern from the Internet, attached it to pumpkin - transferred the design with my pokey tool and then cut it out! 

Here are some pictures of the village children dressed up in their "finery"!!!  The first group is Kathryn and her friends.

Even some of the local lads from Kathryn's school joined in the fun - they look just fabulous!

A couple of the older girls - just goes to show - they might be in High School now, but they still like to play!

Don't you just love the pink skeleton?  Great devil too!

I think they have all had a great evening - and I've been really impressed with their costumes and the obvious delight they have all had walking round the village.  It helps that the local police issued notices that we could put in our windows to welcome the children.  And that really is all for this evening.  Do drop by tomorrow - it's the first of the month and that means it's time for the new challenge at St Luke's Charity Card Challenge - see you there!

Red and white, V2 ....

.... hi all, it's been a busy day.  I took Jonathan to the airport this morning and he is now en route to Detroit.  His plane is scheduled to land in Detroit at 16.50 hrs (US time) that's 9.50pm our time.  Once Jonathan clears customs and immigration he has to pick up his hire car - to say that he wasn't keen on driving on the right-hand side would be an understatement.  Still, he's done it before, so it will come back to him.  I don't think we're going to get chance to talk until Wednesday - Jonathan has to get a new power lead for his PC!!!

And this afternoon I've been carving a pumpkin!  I should have done it yesterday, but was getting Jonathan's stuff ready for packing.  Kathryn picked a nice easy design and I've managed to get it carved out okay!  It's not brilliant, but it's not too bad.  At the moment, Kathryn and her friends are all in fancy dress and are out "Trick or Treating" - there's a group of seven of them!!  Fortunately I have a good supply of sweets on hand!

But I did manage to get a bit of time in my craft room after Kathryn left - and I've done another card for One Layer Wednesday - OLW70, which is being hosted by Susan at Simplicity.  Susan wants us to make a clean and simple card using only red and white or red and cream.  I made a white and red card for this challenge last Friday - here!!  And this weekend I realised that I wanted to make the negative - so this time I've gone for a red and white card - a red card base and white embossing - the layout and stamps are exactly the same.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Nordic Winter
Inks:  Versamark
Accessories: Detail white embossing powder and card from stash

I really like the card white on red - it's really bold and bright.  And best of all, the sentiment is straight!!

That's all for now.  I plan of playing in my craft room this evening, so I will have a card, or two, to share tomorrow!  See you then.

CR84FN41 - Take care ...

.... it's week two for our CR84FN41 colours - blue, grey and yellow - and this time I've gone for a softer look.

Leslie of Creative Mint has provided our inspiration photos - and I think they're just lovely.  I think the middle picture was more my inspiration this time round.

I made this for my sister-in-law who is having a really tough time at the moment, we wanted to send her a card to show that we care and that we're thinking of her.  One of my favourite flowers is the agapanthus so I based my card on them.  The flowers were embossed in detail silver and I added some colour to the outline images, then I softened the edge by adding two shades of yellow.  The sentiment panel was made from striped designer paper layered onto some blue card.  I stamped the sentiment and embossed with silver, added "thinking of you" in pale grey - it shows up more in real-life! 

Stamps:  Stampendous - Agapanthus Cluster; Waltzingmouse - Say It Loud
Inks: Versamark; Stampin' Up! - So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue
Accessories:  Stampin' Up! designer paper; Silver embossing powder and card from stash

I used the Clean & Simple layout - FTL162 for my card - but I missed the deadline to submit to their blog! 

These colours are so pretty and we've already had lots of lovely entries, but there's still time to join in.  Check out the CR84FN blog to see more inspirational cards from the Design Team.  Our Guest Designer Cheryl Lea is leaving us this week, but she's made one more lovely card to share - thanks so much for joining us.

Our clocks go back one hour Sunday morning - a week earlier than in the US - and it's giving me a bit of a headache making sure I schedule the right time for this post!  Well, here's hoping it goes up at the right time.  See you all later.

Western stars .....

..... it's been a busy day - rushing into town to get some shopping, coming home and ironing all Jonathan's shirts (he's got to pack tomorrow) and finally getting some time to play in my craft room.  I logged on this morning to check out the challenge at Less is More.  The Less is More - LIM39 challenge this week is a lucky dip challenge as it's a five week month.  Chrissie and Mandi have invited a star guest this week - Vicky - who makes wonderful cards and to quote the ladies, "As Vicky is such a star, it gave us the inspiration for our challenge for this week!  It is...

*STARS*

I made the perfect card for the LIM challenge last week - check out my CR84FN41 starry card - I gave to Ben last week when he came to visit!!  However, I sketched out a couple of cards - and this is the first.  I've actually made it for my brother-in-law, he doesn't use the Internet much, so it's okay to share it with you now.

I started off by cutting out a star shape with my largest nestie.  I stamped the blanket pattern onto some paper and attached it behind the star.  Using my stamp-a-ma-jig I stamped the greeting into the centre of the star, and to finish off I stamped a line of stars with the horseman riding off the card.  Clean, simple and masculine.  I'm really pleased how this turned out.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Back in the Saddle, Way out West
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand
Spellbinders:  Stars (S4-092) #5
Accessories:  Card from stash

My colour inspiration comes from this week's Play Date Cafe Challenge - PDCC105 - they've called the colours kraft, flesh and cadet blue. 

That's all for this evening.  I'm off to get dinner for us all and then get settled for this week's Strictly Come Dancing.  See you tomorrow - I've another CR84FN41 card to share with you.  See you then.

Red and white ....

... I've just been checking my dashboard and found that Susan has posted details of this week's One layer Wednesday - OLW70 challenge.  It's a fun one - Susan simply wants us to make a card using Red and White or Red and Cream.    As soon as I saw the challenge, I knew that it was the perfect reason to ink up my lovely new Nordic Winter set from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  It's as clean and simple as it gets, and was very quick to make.  Oh yes, I should say thanks to Susan as I totally CASEd the layout of her card :)

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Nordic Winter
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Real Red
Accessories:  Card from stash

Please excuse the quality of the picture, I scanned it as I'm about to go out for dinner and don't have time to play with the camera!!  Also, I've just noticed that the sentiment is not straight!!!  Darn!!!!  That'll teach me to rush things.  I'll have another play tomorrow - the colour scheme is perfect for this stamp set!  Reminds me of jumpers I had as a child :) 

That's all for now.  See you tomorrow!

Craft time ....

....  it's been a good morning.  I've been able to play in my craft room and make a card for the current Ribbon Reel - RR13 challenge.  Clare has selected the inspiration photo - and it's really gorgeous, soft, pretty pastels and lovely flowers. 

I decided to make a wedding card - replacing the ones that my Mum had when she last went home.   I started off by embossing a border for the side of my card and I added some colour by gently rubbing pads over the embossed areas.  I matted the embossing onto some pale yellow and pale pink pearly card.  Next I used some of my borrowed nesties to cut out a crown-oval onto which I coloured with inks.  I found this lovely bride and groom stamp in my stash - and I think the last time it saw ink was about 3 years ago - inked up with Versamark and used detail gold powder.  I painted the groom's jacket with the same colour that I used on the oval, and painted his trousers with Twinkling H2Os.  For the bride, I lay down a thin layer of glue and added lots of sparkly glitter.  I tinted the flowers to match the inks used on the embossed panel, added a suitable sentiment and then tied a triple bow using all the colours in the card.

Stamps:  Anita's - Bride & Groom; Sentiment - free with magazine
Inks:  Memento - Angel Pink, Canteloupe; Stampin' Up! - Pool Party
Spellbinders:  Crown Ovals (S4-303) #4
Accessories:  Cuttlebug folder - Love's in the Air set of 6; Flowers, gem brads, ribbon and card from stash

The layout is based on last week's Just Add Ink challenge - sadly I missed the deadline for this one - such a pretty layout.

It's turned out to be absolutely beautiful here today - the sun is shining, but it's a bit cool.  However, that doesn't stop the children going out to play.  Kathryn was out earlier this morning with her friends, but it's lunch time now and all has stopped for food!!  She'll be out playing again this afternoon - making the most of the weather.  Ben, on the other hand, is being a proper teenager - he's still in bed, despite me trying to get him up four times!! 

Before I go, I must welcome a new follower - Dayna Sabrina - Hi, so pleased that you decided to join me.  And that's all for now - I'm off to get some lunch!

Hugs and kisses ....

.... I don't have a card to share with you this morning - but Kathryn does.  This is a card she's made for her aunt, who has had some rough news recently.  Kathryn used to have her own blog, but Blogger stopped access, so I decided to share this with you all.  I think Kathryn has done a brilliant job with the card.  She stamped the flower onto some plain white card, coloured it with her felt pens and then cut it out.  Kathryn really likes the way I used so many Spellbinders dies and wanted to have a play with some herself.  So we picked out some backing papers and then I let her lose with the Cuttlebug.  Finally, we found a simple sentiment to finish off the card.

Stamps:  Docrafts - Scribble Daisy; Waltzingmouse - Sweethearts
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Baja Breeze; Memento - London Fog
Spellbinders: Fleur de Lis Squares (S4-318) #4, Standard Squares Sm (S4-128)
Accessories:  Felt pens - Kathryn's; Card and gem from my stash

Just a quick update on the film - Monte Carlo - it was actually really good fun.  It's very much a girly movie, which was perfect as I took Kathryn and her friend Taylor to see it and they loved it.  And, to be fair, I quite enjoyed it too!  It's a light, frothy film and has a feel good factor, but I did have to smile at Selena's "British" accent :)  After the movie, we had to time to pop into Hobbycraft - I only got a few bits and pieces!!  And yesterday, Kathryn and I went to the local shopping centre - I had to get some new shoes.  I did quite well and ended up with three pairs!!! 

I hope to get into my craft room later this morning to make some cards - I've a few DT cards that need to be made (you'll get to see them at the beginning of November) and several birthdays coming up too.  See you later.

Love leaves memories ....

...  I heard yesterday evening that my friend's husband died - he had been ill for a while, and my friend had to close her shop to be with her husband.  Sadly, I didn't hear until I spoke to her yesterday.  So I've made this card for her and gave it to her this morning.

I CASEd my own card made for the For Your Inspiration challenge - I thought the leaves and verse were just perfect.  However, I did change the colours, my inspiration coming from Kim and Lynne (at the bottom of the post).  Actually, I can see this design working in other colours too - shades of brown, green, grey and lavender would all work beautifully.  And I think Claire's verse is just lovely.

Stamps: Penny Black - Japanese Maple; Waltzingmouse - Irish Blessings
Inks:   Kaleidacolour - Blue Breeze
Spellbinders: Classic Squares Lg (S4-126) die #7
Accessories: Martha Stewart punch; Card from stash

That's all for now.  I'm just about to head off to the local cinema to take Kathryn to see "Monte Carlo" starring Selena Gomez.  Kathryn absolutely adores Selena (she's one of the young actresses in the Disney studio) and it look like it could be fun.  Light, frothy stuff - a fun way to spend the afternoon.  Afterwards, we might even have a bit of time to pop into Hobbycraft for a quick look round - no buying of course!!!!

 

When I get home, I'll have some time to play in my craft room.  I've got a few cards I need to make - and soon.  Birthdays coming up!!  See you soon.

Dots - take two ....

... I'm rather enjoying the challenges from this week's Less is More - LIM38 - polka dots and the lovely layout from Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC70.

So I had another go  - I've taken a few liberties with the sketch this time.  I stamped some doily images off the edge of the card at the top left and bottom right and then used some of the flowers I had left over from yesterday's card.  Finally, I added a simple sentiment to say thanks.  I think you can still see the general layout of the sketch.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Dainty Doilies 2 Small,  Dainty Doilies Large; Chocolate Baroque - Big Flowers
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Wisteria Wonder (another of the new in-colours)
Promarkers:  Orchid, Honeycomb, Cocktail Pink
Accessories: Polka Dot Parade - Papertrey (download); Glass gem and card from stash

We had a fun time at Camera Club last night.  I finally selected my two images to submit for judging and eventually settled on titles - now I've got to wait two weeks to hear what the judge thinks!  It was Jonathan's last night at the Club - he flies to America next Monday - so people kept stopping by to wish us luck.  I had to explain that I'm not going - yet!  Anyway, that's all for now.  We have a busy(ish) day lined up, but should still have time to play.  See you soon!

Play Date Cafe ....

... I've finally manged to make my card for this week's Play Date Cafe Challenge - PDCC104.  It's their second anniversary challenge and they have the most luscious colours!! 

I missed last week's challenge but just had to play along with these colours.  I am in need of some baby cards - you may recall that I told my Mum to help herself to some cards from my stash and she cleared me out of wedding, baby and sympathy cards - so this is by way of getting some baby cards back in my stash!

And it has also given me the opportunity to play with my new Stampin' Up! baby stamps.  I've gone for a clean and simple design because I want to show off these cute babygros!!  I think in the US you call them onesies!  They were printed using my jumbo roller - Baby Tees and I picked just three to use on the card.  I cut them out and water coloured in the edges and some detail on each babygro, adding some sparkle with my Sakura clear stardust pen.  I made a mat from coordinating card, attached to the card base and added some decoration behind the babygros.  Finally I stamped this sweet sentiment.  I love the Baby Tees and will be using them again.

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Jumbo Roller - Baby Tees, Bundle of Love
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Lucky Limeade
Accessories:  Stampin' Up! card to match inks; Sakura Stardust pen clear and card from stash

Craft class was lots of fun this morning.  I stamped up some reference sheets for my Stamp Catalogue (the ones above) and my new stash from Waltzingmouse.  Kathryn was on a roll and she made three cards for her Christmas card collection - and they're really super too.  After class I had to go hunting for a curtain rail end stopper - as I've managed to lose one and couldn't hang my curtains this weekend.  I finally got one to fit my rail after visiting three shops - who would have guessed it was so hard to get end stops!! 

It's rather dull and grey here today, but that hasn't stopped the children making the most of their half-term hols.  Kathryn has been in and out with her friends - going to each other's houses and to the park too.  On the other hand, Ben decided to invite his friends to the house - and they've been having an X-box fest!  Still they're happy and enjoying themselves which is exactly what I want.

I've been trying to pick some photos to enter into the Camera club competition tonight.  The theme is people in the landscape - it's quite tough picking pictures which are going to be judged.  Still I'll get there - still two hours before we have to be at the club!!  That's all for this evening, see you tomorrow.

Dots before my eyes ....

... I do try to have interesting titles, but sometimes they're just silly!!!  Anyway, if you've seen this week's Less is More - LIM38 challenge you already know where this post is going.  The Ladies Chrissie and Mandi have a recipe for us this week, our card needs to be clean and simple (of course), but must feature

POLKA DOTS

I decided that this challenge would be perfect for my Swiss Dots folder (and I'm sure many of the LIMettes have thought the same) but it is just perfect.  But I wanted more polka dots - and I was surprised to find that I don't actually have much paper with polka dots.  So I surfed the net and found that you can "try before you buy" on Papertrey - so I had a hunt through their papers and found the lovely Polka Dot Parade so I printed off a sheet of the swatches.  For the card layout, I used the lovely sketch from Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC70 - designed by Kelly Schirmer, it's basic with so many possibilities.

I have gone for a very literal interpretation of the sketch - well, it works for me so well.  I layered some white card which I'd embossed with Swiss Dots, onto turquoise card.  I stamped a pretty flower onto a polka dot swatch and then cut it out.  I used Promakers to add some colour to the stamp details and finished off with a large gem to match.  For the sentiment label I stamped a pretty doily and then the greeting.  Clean and simple, and I'm really pleased with this.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Afternoon Tea Sentiments, Dainty Doilies 2 Small; Chocolate Baroque - Big Flowers
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! - Pool Party (one of the new in-colours)
Promarkers:  Moss, Soft Green
Accessories:  Polka Dot Parade - Papertrey (download); Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, gem and card from stash

We had a very lazy day yesterday - Ben and Kathryn played on the X-box, I got into my craft room (yippee) and Jonathan went out for a photo shoot - it was lovely and relaxing.  And today I'm taking Kathryn to craft class for the morning and Ben plans to go out with his friends.  And I've got another skip being delivered today - smaller than the last one - but we still have a bit of sorting out to do - and I'm taking it a bit slower than the last couple of weeks.  No decorators today - just me slowly putting the house back together.  That's all for now.  I'm off to get read for class - see you later!

CR84FN41 - good to see you ....

... it's almost the end of October, and for me this month has simply flown by!  And it's time for our new colour challenge - CR84FN41 - steel blue, grey (silver) and yellow - so different to our last colours.
 

Our inspiration photos are courtesy of Creative Mint and they are just super.  I love the swatches on the left and they are sort of the inspiration for my card.  I felt the colours would make a great card for a guy - specifically for my son Ben.  Ben arrived yesterday for a week's holiday - and it's great to see him.  And that's pretty much how this card came to be. 

I used my jumbo roller wheel - Classic Stars - to create the banner across the card.  I inked up with Versamark and embossed with detail silver powder - that's my grey!!  Next I stamped stars randomly over the card base in blue and yellow, as well as stamping some onto blue and yellow card and cutting them out.  I layered the silver star strip onto blue and yellow card and attached to the card base.  Finally I added a simple sentiment, made on my computer - the font is Matisse ITC, layered it onto yellow and blue card and added a few stars. 

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Classic Stars (jumbo wheel), Seeing Stars - sadly both these are discontinued)
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Marina Mist, So Saffron; Versamark
Accessories:  Silver embossing powder and card from stash

For more inspiration check out the blog of our Guest Designer, Cheryl Lea at Ink Up. And don't forget that the rest of the Design Team have also made some gorgeous cards - so drop by and leave some love:

Sue

Andrea

Stephanie

Suzanne

Heather

Mona
Lisa

That's all for today - I'm off to spend some time with Ben and Kathryn - not sure what we're going to do, but we might go to the cinema.  Have a good day and see you tomorrow.

For your inspiration ....

... I've missed the last couple of challenges from For Your Inspiration - I just seemed to run out of time.  Anyway, I decided that this time I would get my card in early - and the photo inspiration for FYI#16 is just magnificent - ladies you do pick wonderful photos.

I think the colours in this photo are just amazing - the reds, oranges and blues - so gorgeous.  I've made a Thanksgiving card for the challenge - it seemed the most appropriate.  I started off by using a set of stamps that hasn't seen ink in years!!  I selected a number of leaves and stamped them randomly on the card - overlapping to give the impression of falling leaves.  I used my favourite ornate square die to cut the mat layer and then cut a square in white card.  I added colour with distress inks and then stamped the greeting.  I stamped three of the leaves on plain card and coloured them with a wash of distress ink and then cut them out.  I added some raffia ribbon and bow to the card and finished off by attaching the leaves with an apple button. 

Stamps:  See Ds - Leaves #50052; Waltzingmouse - Say It Loud - Winter Holiday
Inks:  Distress - Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Barn Door, Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade, Dried Marigold; Memento - Rich Cocoa
Spellbinders:  Fleur de Lis Squares (S4-318) #4, Standard Squares Sm (S4-128)
Accessories:  Button, raffia ribbon and card from stash

I must apologise for the quality of the photo - now that we're into autumn my lovely window ledge is no good for taking pictures in the morning - still too dark!!  I've used my spotlight to illuminate the card, but the colour cast it gives does mean a bit of work in Photo Gallery.  I'll try to take a better shot later today.
We have another very busy day lined up today.  We're off to Mold so that Jonathan can get his hair cut - it's going curly because it's getting so long!  And we have to go to the dry cleaners to drop off three sets of curtains and to pick up two sets.   So you can guess what I'm going to be doing this afternoon - yes!  Rehanging the curtains!!  Hopefully, once that's done I'll be able to play in my craft room and get some more challenges done!  See you later.

One - for two ....

... unexpectedly, I managed to get a couple of hours in my craft room this evening and so I've made this card for two challenges.  The first is the colour challenge at Colour Q - cQc107 and the second is One Layer Wednesday - OLW69, this week being hosted by Jennifer at Styles Ink.  Jennifer want us to use stripes on our card.

I really like these colours and I've just got the new "in-colours" so I can play with all the colours!  Yea!!  I've made a really simple card - I found some love stitch style stamps in my stash - I can't remember the last time these saw ink, so I decided to play with them.  I simply stamped each colour in a different stitch and then added the sentiment - a bit punny, but fun!

Stamps:  Hot off the Press - Stitch stamps; Waltzingmouse - Sewing Box Hugs
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories:  Card from stash

Jonathan and I have just watched the first episode in Season 2 of The Walking Dead - it was brilliant!!!  Rather gory, but excellent.  And I think it's now time for bed.  I'm so pleased that I managed to get a card made after all.  That really is all for this evening - see you tomorrow!

Decorating finished ....

... I simply didn't get time to make any cards yesterday, so nothing to share with you today.  However, I did go through the cards in my stash and realise that I do need to have a sale soon - I can't take them all to the States - so I'm going to have a stall at the School Fair in November.

One thing I did do last night was count up the Christmas cards I've made - and I think I said earlier that I'd done over 70 and was well on my way to the 150 I need.  I checked my Christmas list and realised that I don't need as many as I thought - only 103!!  But I've actually made less cards than I first thought - only 58.  So I think I'll be making Christmas cards for various challenges in the next few weeks.

I'm delighted to say that my decorators have finished.  There are still two rooms that need to be done - the office and my craft room, but both these rooms have so much in them that we've agreed to paint them once the house has been packed up.  In the meantime, the rest of the place looks fabulous.  And we'll soon be rid of the paint smell!! 

All that I've got to do now is finish off putting everything back together.  Ben and Kathryn will be helping me go through all their books and toys, as we still have some serious decluttering to do in their rooms.  I think spring, sorry, I mean autumn cleaning is good for a general sense of well being!!   It's a good thing it's half-term next week - we have plenty of time to finish the sorting and hopefully get in some day trips too!

That's all for now - hopefully, I'll have a card to share with you tomorrow.

Waltzingmouse sketch challenge ....

....  the sketch for this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC69 - is really fun.



My first thought was - a witch's hat!!!  And off I went to make a witch's hat.  But I thought about it a little more and ended up with something entirely different.  I remembered the lovely tall hats and veils worn by women in Medieval times  and decided to do a birthday princess version of that!



I started off by stamping the ornate vintage banner and cutting it out with the matching nestie.  I die cut some vellum and a snowflake to go into the circle on the banner and added some gems.  Next I found some pink shimmery fabric from my stash and made a ribbon to go along the base of the hat and added some to the apex as the veil.  I covered the base of the card with dark lilac card and added a castle and princess carriage that I'd cut out of a matching sheet of paper.  I attached the hat and veil to the card, added some roses and a simple birthday greeting.  A card fit for a princess!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Vintage Banners, Eat Cake
Inks: Brilliance - Twilight; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Spellbinders:  Nested Pennants (S5-028), Classic Inverted Scallped Circles Sm (S4-1950 #2, 2010 Snowflake Pendant (S4-286)
Acessories:  Paper - Best Creation Inc - Once Upon A Dream; Fabric, rose, card and gems from stash

When I showed this card to Kathryn - she said that it was lovely and would be perfect for a six year old!!  Don't you hate it when they grow up so fast!!  So I guess I'll make a box for this one - far too much depth to go in an envelope - and keep it for one of Kathryn's younger friends! 

That's all for now - I'm off to sort out the kitchen and utility rooms and get everything back in order.  See you later.