No cards - a few photos ....

.... It's been a busy morning doing household stuff - had to go out and get some food in - it is still so, so cold!  Fortunately it's only a short run from the car to the door of the shop!!  And once in the warm I decided to play.  But I don't have any card to share with you today - I've been playing with photos instead.

I told you yesterday that Jonathan and I were going to the Auto Show - it was such fun.  Tuesday was Photographers' Day which meant that we were able to get in the show an hour early.  So much easier to get photos without lots of people about!  I took many, many photos almost twice as many as Jonathan!!  I'm on  huge learning curve and thought this would be a great opportunity to play. 

I've gone through some of the photos already and have uploaded them to Flickr if you click on this link you'll see photos from our first circuit of the show, and this link goes to the dancing girls - at the VW Beetle stand they had a small disco!!  I've included a few photos here:

I'll be back tomorrow and I should have a couple of cards to share with you.

Ice Festival .....

... Good morning - it's absolutely freezing here - quite literally!!  At the time of typing this message it's -19°C and counting in the wind chill factor it feels more like -29°C.  Brrrr!!!  And we're off to the Auto Show at Cobo Centre today - going to take more photos.

I told you that we went to the Ice Festival in Plymouth last weekend. Well I've finally processed the many photos I took.  I've attached a few below, but if you want to check out all the photos cllick on the link here - you'll go directly to my Flickr account.

It's so cold here that many of the schools are closed, but at the moment that doesn't include Kathryn's school! The weathermen are giving lots of warning about making sure you're completely covered with hat and gloves and scarf!  This is something we're really not used too!

That's all for now - I'll see you soon.

Citrus fresh ....

.... just a quick post with a small card made with this week's Colour Q - cQc172 colours - so bright and fresh.  I used these colours last week when I made a card for my daughter Kathryn, and I had some card left over so I had to use it. 

Stamps: Hero Arts - Curly Flowers: Waltzingmouse - Frame-It
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Basic Grey
Accessories: SU Card - Summer Starfruit; SU - Melon Mambo Ribbon; Promarkers - Magenta, Poppy, Lime Green; White card and gems from stash

I kept this one really clean and simple.  I made a 4½" × 4½" card from the bit left over and cut a white panel to go on top.  I stamped the flower in grey and coloured with Promarkers, adding a few gems for some glitz.  I finished with the ribbon wrapped around the panel and this sweet sentiment.  The card will go into my stash for when I need it.

The snow finally stopped just before lunch, so Jonathan and I went out to clear the drive and footpaths - looks okay now.  But it's so, so cold!  That's all - see you soon.

So glad ....

.....  Hi, a quick post this morning to share a card that I've made for a friend of mine in the UK.  I found out yesterday that she had some jewellery stolen last year, she's very sad as not only was her house violated but she lost pieces with lots of sentimental value.  I know just how she feels, about 20 years my whole jewellery case was stolen and I lost items that I'd inherited from my Great Grandmother - still feel sad about that.  So I thought I'd make a card to let her know that I'm thinking about her. 

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Bloomin' Marvellous
Inks: SU - Rich Razzleberry
Dies: SU/Sizzix Framelits - Apothecary Accents
Accessories:  SU Design Paper - Sycamore Street; Card, ribbon and gems from stash

I decided to use some of my new Sycamore Street design papers from the Sale-a-bration leaflet - love these papers.  I added a pale green ribbon to hid the join and then stamped this sweet sentiment onto plain white card, using the Framelit to cut it out and added some piercing using the coordinating paper piercing kit.  The butterfly and flower are from the same set, I stamped them and used my circle punch to cut them out.  I stamped the images again, cut them out and layered them onto the stamps.  I finished the front with a few gems.  I kept the inside simple making a mat layer in Rich Razzleberry and stamping another image and sentiment on to the white panel.  This will going off to my friend tomorrow, as I've discovered that today is a holiday and there's no post!!

I used the sketch from this week's Freshly Made Sketches - FMS69 for the layout, and I was going to enter into this week's Less is More - LIM103 challenge where the theme is "Friendship".  But this is obviously much MORE than LESS - so I'll have another go at LIM later this week!!

It started snowing this morning - so very pretty, but horrible to drive in!  Kathryn was not happy this morning as it's not heavy enough for a snow day!!  Still coming down now though.  Anyway, that's all for now - see you soon.

CR84FN70 - Welcome Baby ....

.... Sadly, this is the last CR84FN challenge.  The challenge has been running for two years and I've the privilege and pleasure of being on the team from the start.  I've been able to work with a hugely talented group of ladies and I'd like to thank Mona for inviting me to join her in this venture.  Now it's time to move on to new challenges and opportunities, but in the meantime, here's my last card for CR84FN70 with our pretty colours of Aqua, Tan and Light Yellow.  This week I've made a new baby card - I don't have any in my stash and these colours are just right for a baby card.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Gingham & Co; Stampin' Up! - Bundle of Love, Classic Stars (discontinued)
Inks: Memento - London Fog; Distress - Squeezed Lemonade
Dies: Spellbinders - Lacy Circles (S4-293) #4, Standard Circles Sm (S4-116) #6; Cuttlebug - Welcome Baby
Accessories: SU Card - Crumb Cake; Cuttlebug EF - Swiss Dots; Promarkers - Cool Aqua, Soft Lime, Pastel Beige, Khaki; Ribbon and white card from stash

I used Crumb Cake to make the card base and the lacy circle.  I created my own background paper using a mixture of stamps from Stampin' Up! and Waltzingmouse.  I added a touch of colour to the stars and the tiny baby elements.  I cut a plain white circle, added some colour while still in the die and then embossed the dots.  I finished off by added this sweet little onesie and sentiment.  The ribbon was originally white but , using my Promarkers, I coloured it to match the onesie.  I decorated the inside too - but kept it really simple.

For the layout I used this week's sketch at Mojo Monday - MOJO276, and I'm also submitting this card to the Moxie Fab World: 75 Creative Card Challenge to make my own background paper - MFCCC#49.  This is the first time I've submitted any card to a Moxie Fab challenge - don't know why!  For more inspirational cards using our fabulous CR84FN70 colours - click on the links on my sidebar or go directly to the CR84FN blog.

Before I go I'd like to thank Lisa for her wonderful creations as our Guest Designer for January.

That's all for now - I'm looking forward to checking our your creations.  Have a super day!

Birthday Blues .....

..... Evening - I'm very late with a post today but that's because we spent the day at the Plymouth Ice Festival.  Once I've edited the pictures I'll post a few.  It was a really fun day - the only issue being that it was rather warm!!  It was about 7°C (44°F) and that meant the ice sculptures started melting!!!  But more of that later.

I'm popping in with a birthday card that I've made with a couple of challenges in mind:

• CASology - CAS27 - the cue word is "BLUE"
• CAS-ual Fridays - CFC86 - to make a card with one long side and one short

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Heirloom Patterns; Personal Impressions - Words PICS066
Inks: Kaleidacolor - Blue Breeze
Dies: Spellbinders - Sprightly Sprockets (S5-048)
Accessories: Cuttlebug EF - Diamonds in the Rough; SU Card - Night of Navy, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise; White Lustre card

I used the measurements given on CAS-ual Friday blog and made a card base 6" × 3", then I cut a white panel slightly smaller onto which I stamped the pinstripe pattern and a birthday greeting.  Next I embossed the top of the card with this rough diamond pattern.  I attached the panel to the card base using dimensional tape.  For some added interest I die cut three sprockets and arranged them to one side.  Clean, simple - just right a guy!  This card will be in the post on Monday - hopefully it will get to the UK on time!!

ETA:  Just realised that as it's Martin Luther King Jr Day today there's no post - so this card is going to be late.  I've added this to the inside:

Stamps: Uniko Studio - Extra Time, Wonderful Washi
Ink and card as above

Okay, okay - here's a sneak peak at a couple of the ice-sculptures I saw today!! I took these photos just after 8.30am this morning - the sun was just coming up and it really made the ice glow!!

That's all for today - I'll be back tomorrow with my CR84FN card!  See you soon.

Purple and silver ....

... I'm back!!!  I've another card for this week's 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown Challenge - 52CCT2-13, where the team have a colour challenge for us.  The team want us to make cards using Purple, Silver and White - I think these colours are just fabulous for Christmas.  My first card was predominantly white with purple and silver as the accent colours.  For this card, I've switched it!

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Serene Snowflakes (discontinued); Waltzingmouse - Compliments of the Season II, My Favourite Things - Seasonal Sentiments
Inks: Versamark; Distress - Dusty Concord
Dies: Spellbinders - Marvellous Squares (S4-383) #5
Accessories: SU Card - Elegant Eggplant; Silver embossing powder and white card from stash

 
I made the card base from SU Elegant Eggplant which is a lovely shade of purple.  I used my new Marvellous Squares dies to cut the white panel - love the scroll corners which go so well with the scrolls on the snowflake stamp.  I stamped the snowflake on the panel in Dusty Concord, and twice onto white card which I embossed with silver.  On one image I painted the cross purple using my aquapen and Distress ink, cut it out and adhered it to the panel.  Then I cut out the central circle, left it white and adhered it to the main snowflake.  I decided not to use dimensional tape to attach these layers and I need to be able to post it and thin is better!!  I finished the front with a simple Christmas sentiment.  For the inside I cut a panel of white card and stamped a Christmas greeting in Dusty Concord.  Two very different looks with these super colours.

Before I go today - I'd like to thank everyone for the very kind comments they left on my Wedding Picture post - it really was the most wonderful day.  Jonathan and I smiled so much that our faces actually ached the next day!!  Also thanks for the lovely comments about Kathryn's card - she'd like to think that she's the Sheriff in our house :)  And that's all for today.  See you tomorrow!

Purple Christmas Star .....

.... I've a Christmas card to share with you this morning and I've used a couple of challenges to make it:

• 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - 52CCT2-13
• Clean & Simple Stamping - FTL222   

 
Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Scandinavian Season (discontinued); Waltzingmouse - Flourishes Scallops & Dots; My Favourite Things - Seasonal Sentiments
Inks: Versamark; Distress - Dusty Concord
Dies: Spellbinders - Resplendent Rectangles (S5-147) #5
Accessories: SU Card & Design Paper - Elegant Eggplant; Kraftwork Cards - Sentiment label; Silver embossing powder and card from stash

It's a colour challenge at 52CCT and I just love them - elegant purple with silver and white - fab!  And I think I've been quite faithful to the sketch.   I stamped the star twice onto white card, embossed with silver powder and cut them out.  I painted the flower with my aquapen and Distress ink, cutting out one flower and layering onto the other star - you can't really see the dimension in the photo.  I made the elegant frame using the largest of the Resplendent Rectangles and cut it to fit the card and layered it with the coordinating design paper.  I stamped the largest flourish directly onto the card and embossed with silver powder.  I adhered the purple panel, attached the star and finished off with a simple sentiment.

For the inside I cut a purple mat layer and white layer, on which I stamped a bold Christmas sentiment in Dusty Concord.

That's all for now - but I think I'll be back with another card for the 52 {Christmas} Card Challenge - just had an idea.   See you soon.

Waltzingmouse Blog Party ....

.... Wow, where has the time gone - it's already 17th of the month.  That means it's time for the monthly Waltzingmouse Blog Party.  This post gives all the details about the party and this month the theme is LOVE.  What does love mean to you?  Family, friends, pets, religion, country - well I might be a bit obvious, but I've gone for love of family - specifically our daughter.  Here's the card I made:

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - My Heart, Sheriff, Say It with Style, Half Pint Heroines
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Summer Starfruit, Melon Mambo, Poppy Parade, Basic Grey; Versamark
Accessories:  SU Card - Summer Starfruit; SU Ribbon - Melon Mambo; Silver embossing powder and white card from stash

I used this week's Colour Q challenge - cQc172 for my card - just love them, so bright and vibrant.  The layout is based on the current Mojo Monday - MOJO276 sketch.  I made the card from SU Summer Starfruit card.  On the white panel I stamped the lovely wood grain leaves down the side and then randomly stamped hearts and sentiments over the rest of the panel.  I attached the ribbon and then attached the panel to the card with dimensional tape.  Next I took a photo of Kathryn (taken in San Diego last summer) and sized it to fit inside the Sheriff Star.  I stamped the Sheriff Star in Versarmark and embossed with silver powder, then cut it out and adhered it with dimensional tape.  For the inside I used a mixture of My Heart and Half Pint Heroines, but kept it really simple.

Now I'm off to have a party!  Enjoy!!

Wedding picture ...

.... Darnell asked me to link my wedding photo to the thread on Ardyth's blog - but I can't work out how to change the picture - so here's another one from my wedding:

The little lad in front of us is Ben - he looks so cute!!  You can just about see my Mum (in the magenta dress) behind me.  Good fun was had by all.

Anniversary Wishes to Darnell and her Mister ....

....   Many of us follow Darnell's blog, enjoying her unique view of our hobby and life in general.  Ardyth suggested that we surprise Darnell with an anniversary card to celebrate the day and I'm more than happy to join in.  Here's my card:

Stamps: Stampin' Up! - Simply Soft (Hostess set); CAS-ual Fridays - Truth Is; Waltzingmouse - Frame It
Inks: SU - Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: SU Card - Crumb Cake; SU Marker - Certainly Celery; White card from stash

I used a couple of challenges putting this card together.  For the layout I used this week's Retro Sketches - RS46 design and the colours are from the current Dynamic Duos - DD35 challenge.  I like the soft colours and thought they'd be perfect for these stamps.  I cut a panel of Crumb Cake card to place behind the image and then stamped the flowers onto white card.  I used a SU marker pen to colour the leaves.  I finished the front of the card with a simple anniversary sentiment.

For the inside I cut a backing layer of Crumb Cake and on the white card I stamped the blossom branch twice and added a sentiment that I think is just lovely.

I have it on good authority that Darnell will be sharing a few of her wedding photos today.  I really enjoy looking at wedding photos - people always looks so happy.  Here's a photo from my wedding day:

This was taken after we'd spoken our vows and signed the register - everyone was smiling and clapping.  It was wonderful!  Almost 12 years ago!!

That's all for today - do drop by Darnell's blog and leave some love.  See you soon.