Chillax ....

.... I missed this month's Waltzingmouse Blog Party by a few hours.  I had planned to make my card yesterday but after posting my LIM cards, I ended up in bed with a migraine headache.   I was a bit better this morning  but had to go out to do some shopping.  So here's, the card I had planned for the Blog Party theme of The Great Outdoors.  I got my new stamps on Monday so I had to play with them.  I used two more challenges used in making the card, and they are:

• Colour Q - cQc146
• Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC106

I stamped the sun ray pattern twice and cut it out with my deckle edge rectangle die.  Next I inked up an acrylic block with kraft ink and stamped a background, cut out the wonky square and then stamped on the island, extending the beach with the "extra" bit in the set.  I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to position the sun shade and the large palms.  I finished with the fabulous chillax sentiment.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - My Island
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Spellbinders: Deckled Mega Rectangles Lg (S5-015), Wonky Squares (S4-289) #5
Accessories:  Card from stash

On Sunday we went out to the beach at Island Lake - it feels very strange talking about beaches inland!!  But there really is a lovely beach at Island Lake.  We got there, set out our towels and Kathryn headed out for a swim.  I had a paddle and it was just gorgeous.  I managed to get a few photos of us all out enjoying the sun and sand, but unfortunately we had to leave early as Mum became quite ill.  Fortunately, there were some EMTs there having a training session and they ended up with a real patient.  Mum spent the afternoon in the local hospital.  Mum had sunstroke!!  Everyone was so nice to Mum and really took care of her.  She is now being much more careful to drink a lot!!

It was much cooler when we went out this morning, and we even had some rain, but it's gone now and the temperatures are climbing again.  Take care - see you tomorrow.

In threes ....

... Good morning all - it's going to be another brilliantly sunny and very hot day here in Northville.  It's only just after 9.00am and it's already 26C (79F)!!!  I've made a couple of card for this week's Less is More - LIM76 challenge.  It's the one layer week and Chrissie and Mandi would like us to use three of anything on our card.  I've made two small cards (UK A7 - USA 2 15/16 x 4 1/8).

The first card is a thank you card; I've used one stamp and three shades of pink - it's really clean and simple.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Cute by the Inch (hostess set)
Inks: Memento - Angel Pink, Rose Bud, Love Letter
Accessories: Card from stash

I played a bit more with my second card.  I stamped this sweet sunflower in a vase three times and coloured the images with Promarkers.  I added some bling to the centre of the middle flower and finished off with a simple sentiment.

Stamps: Pink Petticoat - free with Simply Cards & Papercraft
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Promarkers; Gems and card from stash

I am submitting the second card to this week's One Layer Wednesday - OLW96 which is being hosted by Susan at Simplicity.  I really should read instructions properly too - Susan wants Birthday cards with Bling - mine is simply for my Mum, because I love her!

That's all for now - see you soon.

CR84FN58 - Happy Birthday ...

... hello all - it's CR84FN58 week 2 - these colours are really inspiring you all to make the most gorgeous cards, and there's still time to join in the fun.

I've made another birthday card for my stash.  I sponged a hint of colour all the way round the card and then stamped the border and flowers.  I stamped this fabulous butterfly on some plain white card and embossed with clear powder, I then added colour to the wings.  You can't see it in the photo, but I coloured the back of the butterfly too.  I finished off with a bold birthday sentiment.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Say It Loud, Nordic Winter, Nordic Spring
Inks: Distress - Mustard Seed, Barn Door; Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories:  Clear embossing powder, card from stash

For more inspiration cards from our guest designer Monika and the rest of the team - either go to the blog or click on the links below:

Mona Pendleton

Sue Lelli

Pauline Pollington

Andrea Matthews

Heather Jensen

Shannon White

Monika Davis - Guest Designer

Here's the beautiful graphic for this week's colours with super inspiration photos and that quote is just wonderful!  Looking forward to seeing your creations!

I told you yesterday that we were off to see the new Spiderman movie.  We saw it in 3D IMAX and it was absolutely amazing!!  I have a thing about heights - they tend to make me feel a bit sick and dizzy - one of the last scenes had Spiderman on top of a very tall building and jumping!!!  I felt terrible - it was brilliant!!  If you have teens who enjoy adventure films - they'll love this!!

That's all for now - enjoy the rest of the weekend and I'll see you soon.

Art Fair ....

.... it's been a super morning - we headed out early to get breakfast in our favourite place - The Cozy Cafe in Plymouth - it was delicious.  Then we spent the morning walking around the town where they are hosting the Art in the Park Festival - for the 33rd year!!  There are over 400 exhibitors with items ranging from painting, silk scarves, jewellery (all sorts), ceramics, pottery, sculpture and food stuff!!

In Kellogg Park I came across a group of children - 5 Kids 4 A Cure - who are on a mission to stop cancer - all cancers.  They have a brilliant idea of a dress which is decorated with the cancer ribbons - in all colours.  You simply donate $2 and pick a ribbon.  Once the dress is full of ribbons they plan to auction it off.  Enterprising, caring and fun - it's a super idea!  They still have a way to go - but they're getting there.  Here they are:

So it being a Arts and Crafts fair, we came home with food product - some sauces, mustard and jams - all just lovely.  I did get myself a lovely new pen made by Evergreen Mountain Pens - the stall looked so beautiful.  My pen has a silver finish and the resin is shades of green, purple and blue - perfect.  Writes beautifully too!  I did get s super photo of Kathryn cooling her feet in the fountain in Kellogg Park - it was very hot out!

And this afternoon we're off out to see the new Spiderman movie.  You would have thought that it would be just the sort of film that Ben would like - but NO!!  He's being a teenage boy and being totally anti-social and has decided not to join us.  Hey ho!!  That's kids for you.

Sorry not to have a card at the moment, but I do have one for you tomorrow and I've got an idea or two to share with you next week.  Have a super weekend.

Here's your chance to win ...

.... I've just been pointed in the direction of Annabelle Stamps Blog (an Australian site) - they are offering us the chance to win this lovely set of stamps called A Beautiful Day.

Check out Sue's blog to see her lovely card made with this set.  Check out the Annabelle Stamps blog for your chance to win this cute set.  Keeping my fingers and toes crossed :)

Cool Mojo Colours ....

.... Good afternoon - I hope you're all having a super day.  I've been busy this morning doing some housework - not a lot, just enough to make sure the place looks okay!!  I finally got into my craft room just after lunch and I've made a card for a couple of challenges:

• Mojo Monday - MOJO249 - a really lovely sketch
• Do You Stack Up? - DYSU80 - lovely cool, soft colours

I think it was the colours from this week's DYSU challenge that gave me the idea of making a new baby card.  Then when I saw the sketch and decided to use pink and blue on the background, I had to make it a card for twins!!  I don't know when I'll use this card, but it'll go into my stash for now.

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Bundle of Love
Inks: Memento - Grey Flannel
Spellbinders: Fleur de Lis Rectangles (S4-317) #3, Nested Lacey Pennants (S5-029)
Accessories:  Martha Stewart Punch; Staedtler Aquarell Watercolour pencils; Joanna Sheen Gingham Papers; Card from stash

I found this lovely gingham paper in my stash and decided to use that to make the background and, in order to use all the colours in the DYSU challenge, I used pink and blue - thus twins!  I stamped the pram onto white card and coloured it with watercolour pencils, the babies faces are coloured with Promarkers.  I added a simple sentiment and finished off with some faux stitching on the panel.

Edited:  Just realised that I forgot to include the challenge graphics - my brain must have been asleep this afternoon - sorry folks - here they are:

That's all for now folks!!  We're off out to dinner tonight - meeting up with Jonathan and all his colleagues from work - should be lots of fun!!  See you soon.

Bring me sunshine ...

... This card is for two challenges - one a familiar and favourite and one absolutely brand new:

• Colour Q - cQc145
• CASology - CAS1 - they give cue cards with one word - this week it's SUN

There were lots of ways I could go with the cue word "sun", and in the end I went with the phrase that was running through my head "bring me fun, bring me sunshine, bring me love!".  Now, if you're British you probably remember this from the song that Morecambe and Wise used to sing - so full of joy and laughter!  I made the sentiment on the PC and then coloured it by hand, cut it out with nesties and mounted it onto a Spellbinders frame.  I stamped the sun twice on two colours of card, fussy cut and glued them together and finished off with this sweet little heart.  

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Vintage Labels 18, Half Baked Gingerbread Joy; Sun stamp free with craft magazine

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzazz

Spellbinders: Ovals Sm (S4-112) #4, Labels 18 (S4-310) #4

Accessories:  Stampin' Up! card - Daffodil Delight, More Mustard; Card from stash

Here are the challenge graphics and, at the bottom of this post, I've posted a clip of Morecambe and Wise singing Bring Me Sunshine - this will bring a smile to your face and fill you full of joy!  Such a fun video!  Have a great day.

Pure gold ....

.... this week is a colour challenge at Less is More - LIM75 - and the colour is:

Gold!! 

I have gone for a simple, classic and elegant layout.  I've used textured card to make the card base and stamped this lovely tree on to white card and embossed with gold.  I've used two different shades of gold to make the mat layers and finished off with a simple sentiment - also in gold.

Stamps: Kanban - Garden Vistas Autumn Silhouettes
Inks: Versamark
Spellbinders: Rectangles Lg (S4-132) # 4 & 5, Rectangles Sm (S4-130) #5
Accessories:  Lakeland - Greetings Banners; Gold Embossing Powder, Card from stash

You can see the glorious warm gold tones better in the small picture below - but the layout better in the picture above.  It's the joy of using metallics in crafting!!

That's all for now - I've got a huge pile of ironing waiting for me in the utility room!!  And I really have to get it done - but it's going to be hot, hot, hot!!

See you all soon.

Surfer girl ....

.... I got the latest copy of Cardmaking & Papercraft (a UK magazine) recently and it came with a free pack of designer papers with a beach/surfing theme - very on trend this year!  And I've used it to make my card for this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC105.  The sketch was designed by Teresa Kline and it's just super.

If there's a single flower that makes me think of warm sunny beaches, surfing and summer, it's the hibiscus flower, and Claire has the sweetest stamp featuring this flower.  I used it to stamp some flowers on to my card base.  I used a few of the papers to make the layers and finished by stamping a birthday sentiment.  Kathryn really likes this card - so I think it's okay for a girl.  Here's my surfer girl themed birthday card.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Free Spirit Boy, Teeny Trees
Inks: Memento - Love Letter
Accessories: Paper - Fancy Pants Designs - Beach Babe (Free with Cardmaking & Papercraft);  SU Pen - Daffodil Delight; Card from stash

There are quite a few beach/summer/vacation challenges about at the moment, so I'm submitting it to the following challenges:

• Paper Pretties Monday Challenge - PPMC47 - Beach Days
• Cardmadfairy's Challenge - CMFC37 - Summertime
• Simply Create Too - SCT17 - Summer/Vacation
• Totally Papercrafts Friday Challenge - TPFC124 - Here Comes Summer

And my card is also just right for our St Luke's Charity Card Challenge - Teenage Kicks - to make a card for a teenager and, as this has passed the Kathryn test, I think it counts.  I decorated the envelope with this pretty die-cut hibiscus flower (I had planned to use the flower on the card, but it just wouldn't work).    There's still plenty of time to join in the fun!  Here are the challenge graphics:

Before I go I am very late welcoming some new followers to my Blog - so pleased to have you aboard!!  A big HELLO and WELCOME to Kim Heggins, Chris Carter, Sharon (Plumrose Lane) and E-Va!  That's all for now - wherever you are have a super day and be safe!

Metallic rock ....

..... Morning all - it's a wonderful day here in Northville - blue skies, birds singing and I have all my family here with me - JOY!!  I managed to get some time in my craft room this morning too.  This card came together really quickly - I think I had a dream about it last night :)  Anyhoo - it's for two challenges:

• Play Date Cafe Challenge - PDCC139 - love these metallic colours
• St Luke's Charity Card Challenge - SLCCC16 - where our theme is teenage kicks

I started with some Stampin' Up! very vanilla card and folded it to make my card base.  I inked up my favourite funky circles with Versamark, stamped directly on the card and then added gold and silver embossing powder to create a randomish pattern.  I stamped one of the graffiti images from Free Spirit on the card (using the second impression for a lighter image), over stamped the funky frame and embossed it.  I finished off by adding the simple sentiment "you rock".  I have a feeling that this might go to Ben!!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Free Spirit Boy, Compact Sentiments II, Holiday Labels 14
Inks: Memento - Toffee Crunch, Espresso Truffle; Versamark
Spellbinders: Labels 14 (S4-290) #3
Accessories:  Embossing powders - silver and gold; Stampin' Up! - Very Vanilla Card

I took another photo of the card so that you can see just how lovely the shine is on the embossed detail - looks fabulous in the sunlight!!

Here are the challenge graphics:

There's still plenty of time to join in with our St Luke's Challenge to make a card for a teenager.  My son is 16½ so I tend to make cards that are a bit more graphic, grungy - teen boy like!  But I'll soon Kathryn will be wanting more "teenish" cards - she's a bit of a goth princess!  And there's a super prize too - a £10 voucher kindly donated by The Ribbon Girl, so get out your stamps and join the fun!

That's all for now - see you soon!

Howdy partner ....

.... Good morning to you all - hope you've had a good weekend, it's been super here.  I'm popping in this morning with a quick post for a few challenges:

• Do You Stack Up? - DYSU79 - to feature the colour red
• CAS-ual Fridays - CFC60 - to use text in the design of your card
• Retro Sketches - RS19 - lovely sketch layout

Yesterday Mum asked me if I could make a birthday card for her step-son Anthony - of course I was more than happy to oblige.  I decided that I wanted to have another go at this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge to use text on a card and as I needed to make a guy card - I knew just the stamps to use!!

I wanted the card to have real texture and in my stash I found some lovely embossed card which I made into the card base and also used to stamp the banner of words.  I stamped the wood grain image lightly onto some card and then over stamped the sentiments and a row of stars.  I finished off the card by wrapping some string around the word banner and attached a cowboy on top!  Mum is really pleased with the card.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Back in the Saddle, Way Out West

Inks: Distress - Festive Berries; Memento - Toffee Crunch

Accessories:  EK Punch; Embossed card from stash

Here are the graphics for each challenge:

We had a reasonably quiet day yesterday - Mum and Ben woke fairly early but just about managed the day. It'll be better today. Yesterday morning we all watched the Wimbledon Men's final between Andy Murray and Roger Federer; it started so well with Andy winning the first set.  I was bouncing up and down and shouting at the TV - silly I know!!  In the end, Federer won a 7th Wimbledon title - a very worthy champion.  Andy did himself and the UK proud - the best finish for a Briton in 75 years!!!

And that's all for now - it's a really lovely morning and I'm taking Mum and Kathryn into Northville for some girly time this morning.  We might pop into the craft shop too :)  Ben has decided to have some time to himself - I think he simply wants to play on the PC!!!  See you soon.

CR84FN58 ....

... Hello All - it's time for CR84FN58; our colours are just lovely - bright, vibrant and very summery - yellow, red and neutral.  I'm trying to build up my card supply so I've made a birthday card for my stash.

Stamps: Hampton Arts - Willowy Sunflower; Waltzingmouse - Say it with Style
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Spellbinders: Rectangles Sm (S4-130) #4, Fleur de Lis Rectangles (S4-317) #3
Promarkers: Pastel Yellow, Canary, Lipstick Red, Moss, Khaki, Warm Grey 1
Accessories:  Gingham Paper - Joanna Sheen, Card from stash

The layout of my card is quite clean and simple; backing paper and some pretty die cuts to frame this gorgeous sunflower.  I stamped the image three times - once onto the white base card and twice more.  I coloured all the images with Promarkers and layered the sunflower for dimension.  I adore sunflowers - they are just so beautiful.  Here's the graphic for this week's challenge - you can see where I got the idea for a sunflower birthday card!!!  The photos are courtesy of Style Me Pretty - and they are just lovely!

Edited:  I took a close up photo of the sunflower to show how pretty the layering is - and I forgot to upload the image - here it is!!

The rest of the Design Team have created some awesome cards, and this month we welcome Monika Davis (M.A.D. Stamper) as our Guest Designer for CR84FN58 & 59, so click on the links below to check out the inspiration cards:

Mona Pendleton

Sue Lelli

Pauline Pollington

Andrea Matthews

Heather Jensen

Shannon White

Monika Davis - Guest Designer

We had a good run to the airport to pick up Mum & Ben - I think the heat came as a bit of a shock!!  It'll take them a couple of days for their body clocks to fall into Eastern time, so we're going to have a few lazy days - probably by the pool!!  But this afternoon I'll be watching the Men's Final from Wimbledon.  Go Andy!!  That's all for now - see you again tomorrow.

Thank you, it was fun ....

.... Good afternoon all, I hope you're all having a super day.  We had the most fantastic time in Chicago; we got home last night about 10.30pm and (apologies to my UK buddies) it was still 31C!!!  Today we had to get up early and return the hire car and get ready for our visitors - Mum and Ben!!!  But before we head off to the airport to collect them, I've had just enough time to make a thank you card for my friend Cheryl.

It was so, so hot yesterday that we headed out of the city and travelled up the lake shore for a while.  We found beaches in Chicago!!!  It was weird, but oh so nice.  I took off my shoes and paddled in Lake Michigan and Kathryn simply went for it - she was soaked, but so happy!!  Photos at the bottom of the post.  Cheryl lives in Kalamazoo (love that name) which in on the route home from Chicago; we arranged to visit on the way home. I saw Cheryl in November last year, so it was good to see her again.  I also got to see her daughter, Sam - the last time I saw Sam she was only a year old!  And now she's a mum to two beautiful little girls.  Gosh, time flies.  Anyway, here's the card I made for Cheryl and Geoff,

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Text-it, Join Us; Hero Arts - Layered Flowers
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral; Memento - Nautical Blue, Danube Blue
Accessories: Papermania - Portobello Road 6" x 6" papers; Card from stash

I used several challenges as the basis for the design of my card:

• Colour Q - cQc144 - just love the bright patriotic colours
• Clean & Simple Stamping - FTL197
• CAS-ual Fridays - CFC60 - the team would like us to use text in our design

The backing paper comes from a set celebrating all things British and as Cheryl and Geoff are British - it seemed appropriate!  

I made the flowers by stamping text in coral and two shades of blue, stamping the flowers and cutting them out.  I stamped this fabulous sentiment in dark blue to match the paper.  It'll be going in the post on Monday.  Here are the challenge graphics:

Here are a few photos from our trip to Chicago - check my other blog next week for details of our trip and lots more photos!

That's all for now.  I've just checked online tracking and the plane is on time, so we are about to drive to the airport to pick up Mum and Ben - they're here for the whole of July, and I can't wait to see them both.  Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the start of the new CR84FN colour challenge - it's super!!  See you then!