A couple of cards ....

...  I've very late getting around to this week's CASology - CAS7 challenge, where the cue word is GREEN.  As green is probably my most favourite colour, I had to play along.  My immediate thought when I saw the cue word was FROG and then PRINCE - and the rest was easy.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Heroines - Fairy Princess, WMS set from Help for Katie
Inks:  Distress - Peeled Paint, Bundled Sage; Memento - Tuxedo Black
Spellbinders:  Postage Stamps (S4-348) #3
Accessories:  Card from stash

I made the sentiment by editing one of the sentiment's Claire Brennan made for the Help for Katie set and printing it onto white card.  I love the postage stamp die and used the middle size to cut out a square, inked the edges and then stamped this cute Frog Prince in the centre.  I coloured the frog with Promarkers and used a Sakura Stardust pen to add some shimmer to the Prince's crown.  This is a small square card - 4" x 4".  And this card is for my very own Frog Prince - my darling husband Jonathan.

My second card is for two challenges:

• Colour Q - cQc151 - bright, vibrant colours
• Less is More - LIM82 - recipe: 3-2-1

I used my Promarkers to make colour gradients in the Colour Q shades and then stamped on the "bugs".  I don't have any goggle eyes, so I stamped the eyes again on white card, cut them out and attached them to each bug.    The Less is More recipe is 3 - colours, 2 - words in the sentiment and 1 - embossing folder to represent "spots" - as in chicken pox!!!  I love these Paper Smooch stamps - they're such fun!  I'm on a bit of a square thing at the moment; this is much bigger than the first card at 5¼" x 5¼".

Stamps:  Paper Smooches - Healthy Vibes

Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Promarkers (to match the ColourQ colours), Cuttlebug embossing folder; Card from stash

We have decided to have a very lazy weekend - still recovering from our holiday in California!!  Jonathan is catching up on UK football, Kathryn has been playing on the PC and I've had fun in my craft room.  I intend to play some more too!  Do check back tomorrow for my latest CR84FN61 card - the colours are lovely.  Have a super weekend.

Have you seen? ....

.... I'm catching up on some blogs and noticed some wonderful Blog Candy from Beverley at Uniko Studios.  Beverley is celebrating and she is offering the following prize:

* EVERY single digital product available to date from Uniko Studio

* A Stamp Set of your choice 

* 30% off your order from the website

(If you are a regular customer to Uniko Studio & have purchased all products available & you win the candy I will revise the prize)

Go visit Beverley's blog and check out the details - the link closes on 11th September.

Congratulations and celebrations .....

......  are sent today to my son Ben.  He got his GCSE results yesterday, and he is very pleased with his results.  Ben will be going to the college of his choice in September to do A levels in Maths, Chemistry and Biology.  So I've made a card to send to him and I've used two challenges to make it:

• Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC111 - sketch by Julia Aston
• Play Date Cafe Challenge - PDCC146 - love this one!

I used the chevron stamp to make the background pattern with one line of lime and then stamped the circles on a piece of white card, rounded the corners and stamped the sentiments.  I used Stazon for the sentiment as it shows up much more clearly on a pattern background.  I attached the sentiment panel with some dimensional tape to make it pop a bit.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Off Beat Backgrounds, Free Spirit Boy, Playful Pinwheels
Inks:  Stazon - Jet Black; Memento - Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! - Lucky Limeade
Accessories:  Card from stash

That's all for today.  See you soon.

Wedding wishes ....

.... There are no challenges involved in the making of this card; it is simply for Anne and Connor as they get married today.

My mate Buffy made the invitations for Anne, her daughter, and Connor, and I decided to use Buffy's card as the inspiration for my card to the Happy Couple.

Buffy told me that Anne's dress is Ivory, that her favourite colour is pale teal - so I've combined these elements and the gorgeous flourishes that Buffy used on the invitations, on my card to Anne and Connor.

I sent my card in plenty of time - it doesn't do to be late with cards for a wedding.  Buffy stamped the flourish in Baja Breeze.  I decided to use Baja Breeze card to make the base and top it with some lovely ivory paper with a beautiful damask foil pattern - also from Stampin' Up! but now discontinued.  I used the largest Floral Oval die to cut the topper - such pretty detail in this die.   I stamped this lovely sentiment in a darker blue, to echo the darker blue sentiment in Buffy's card, and then added the tiny flourishes above and below.  I used a Sakura Stardust pen on some of the flourishes - they look a bit grey in the photo, but in real life they shimmer!

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Big Day Additions, Fancy Flourishes: Dots & Scallops
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Baja Breeze, Pacific Point
Spellbinders:  Floral Ovals (S4-356) #4, Classic Ovals Lg (S4-110) #5
Accessories:  Stampin' Up! - Bridesmaid Paper - Very Vanilla (now discontinued); Baja Breeze card; Sakura Stardust Clear pen

I love the elegant font that Claire used to make these Wedding sentiments - I'm hoping for some other sentiments in this font too!!!  I also decorated the envelope with the perfect sentiment:

You'll have to excuse my handwriting on the names - I have terrible writing!!!

We've been home for four days now and life is beginning to return to its normal routine; Jonathan is back at work and I'm doing homey stuff!  Kathryn is on the last two weeks of her summer holiday.  We headed out to the shops yesterday to get some school stuff for Kathryn and we also went to the movies to see The Odd Life of Timothy Green - a lovely movie!  It made us both cry :)  Today's job is to get the ironing done and, if I get chance, to play in my craft room too.

That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by - see you soon.

CR84FN61 - thinking of you .....

....   It's time for our new CR84FN61 challenge using these lovely colours - aqua, tan and cream - I think they make for a very elegant look!

Stamps: Stampendous - Festive Flower; Stampin' Up! - So Happy For You
Inks:  Memento - Richo Cocoa
Spellbinders: Squares Sm (S4-128) # 6, Lacey Squares (S4-295) #4
Accessories:  Promarkers; Glitter and card from stash

I started with a cream linen textured card base and in my stash I found a scrap of this lovely dark aqua paper, from which I cut the backing lacy square and stamped the flower image twice.  I stamped the flower image onto white card and coloured the leaves with Promakers.  I finished off the card with a touch of glitter on the flower and a simple sentiment.

This card went home with my Mum at the beginning of the month - I gave it to my Aunty Sue because she cares so much about everyone else and sometimes doesn't take enough time for herself.  So this is to let her know that I am thinking about her and thankful for all she does.

For more inspiration cards with these gorgeous colours click on the links below or go to our CR84FN blog for full details of the challenge:

Mona Pendleton

Sue Lelli

Pauline Pollington

Andrea Matthews

Heather Jensen

Shannon White

Here's the graphic for CR84FN61 colours - I think these photos (courtesy of Embrace Life Photography) are so beautiful, so restful!

We got home a couple of days ago - it was a fantastic trip - and Jonathan has taken loads of photos.  So I can't put it off any longer, I have to start some scrapbooks!  That's all for now - see you soon.

WMS Birthday blog party ....

.... well hello!!  We got home from our California adventure at 11.00pm last night, but I didn't want to miss this month's Waltzingmouse Blog Party - the theme of which is BIRTHDAYS!!  So I've made this quick and simple card using the lovely pinwheels and the colours from this week's Colour Q - cQc150 which are really bright and cheerful.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Playful Pinwheels
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party
Accessories:  Card from stash

That's all for now - once I've done the unpacking and some washing, I'll come back and check out the rest of the cards at the Blog Party.

CR84FN60 - magic ....

..... Hello again - we've had an amazing week travelling from San Diego to Morro Bay; the week has simply flown by.  Today I get to share with you my second card for our fantastic CR84FN60 colours of BLUE, GREEN and GRAPE.

Stamps:  Artistic Outpost - Quotes & Quotables - Soulful Quotes; Hero Arts - Thinking of You
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Wild Wasabi, Perfect Plum, Pacific Point
Spellbinders:  Floral Ovals (S4-356) #4
Accessories:  Sizzix Dies - Thinking of You (set with Hero Arts stamps), Card from stash

I love this quote from J K Rowling - "we all have magic inside us" - I think we do.  I wanted the quote to have centre stage on the card.  I cut the floral oval (so pretty) and while still in the die I stamped the quote and sponged on some colour.  Next I randomly stamped some flowers and leaves to frame the quote.  I stamped leaves on to the card base and finished off by added the die cut flowers.  This stamp & die set is super easy to use and will feature again soon!!

For more inspiration cards from the Design Team check out the CR84FN blog or click on the links on my side bar.

I have been meaning to share some photos of our trip along US Highway 1, but we've been really busy and I simply haven't had the chance.  Besides, while Jonathan and Kathryn have been using our laptop, I've been catching up on events at the Olympics.  But I finally got the laptop, so here are a few photos starting in San Diego, moving to Los Angeles and then Morro Bay.  Next week we are going to visit Monterey and San Francisco.  The weather has been just glorious - so hot and sunny.

San Diego Convention Centre from the Bay - check out the plane coming in to land11

Bridge connecting San Diego to Coronado - it's very high and I don't  much like heights.  Jonathan & Kathryn  found it  very funny as I held on tight!!

San Diego Zoo - the first time I've seen a Panda in real life.  Much smaller than I expected.  They have a new baby panda too, but we didn't see that one.

San Juan Capistrano - absolutely beautiful and so, so peaceful.

 

Kathryn and Jonathan on Santa Monica pier - with a view of the town.  Such a fabulous place.

Graumann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood - we got there early so didn't have lots of people in front!!  Took lots of photos of the names in concrete too.

View from the front seat of the car as Jonathan was driving along Highway 1 north  on  our way to  Santa Barbara.

View of the mountains from Santa Barbara seafront - wow!!!!

We took a detour off Highway 101 and stopped in a place called San Luis -  took a walk along their pier and found this colony of seals underneath - sleeping in the sun.

That's all for now - thanks for stopping by - see you soon.

Gotta love Pink .....

.... just a quick post this morning with a card for this week's Charisma Cardz Challenge - CCC30 where the DT would like us to use the colour pink and one other.  My other colour is black!!!

Stamps:  Artistic Outpost - Quotes & Quotables - Soulful Quotes
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black, Rose Bud; Distress - Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick
Spellbinders:  Square Swatches (S4-342) #5
Accessories:  Card from stash

I recently purchased a set of quotes made by Artistic Outpost and I remember that one of the quotes featured the word "pink" and I thought that it was appropriate for the challenge.  I carefully inked the word pink with Rose Bud ink, and the rest of the quote in black, stamped and cut it out with the largest square swatch.  While in the dye I sponged on two shades of pink and added some faux stitching.

When I showed this to Ben, he asked if he could have it.  I'm so pleased he likes it.  And that's all for now.

CR84FN60 ......

.... it's August already - this year is simply flying by - and it's time for our new challenge at CR84FN.  For the next week and a half you'll be playing with my very favourite colours - BLUE, GRAPE and GREEN.

I love shades of blue, green and purple and I think these photos (courtesy of Embrace Life Photography) are fabulous - just love the flower arrangements.  And its the flowers that gave me the inspiration for this birthday card, and that fact that the recipient loves gardens!!

Stamps:  Hero Arts - Layered Flowers; Stampin' Up! - Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess set); Waltzingmouse - Fancy Flourishes: Dots & Scallops
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! - Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi
Accessories:  SU Designer Papers - Pacific Point, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi; Card from stash

I really like these big flowers with clear lines, it makes it so easy to cut out the layers.  I stamped the various flowers onto SU designer paper, using alternate sides and then cut out the layers.  I stamped the lovely flourishes in the background and then attached the flowers.  I finished off with this pretty birthday sentiment - love the font!

For more inspiration cards from the design team click on the links below, or go directly to the CR84FN blog for full details of the challenge.  Really looking forward to seeing your cards with these fabulous colours.

Mona Pendleton

Sue Lelli

Pauline Pollington

Andrea Matthews

Heather Jensen

Shannon White

This week's challenge over at Do You Stack Up? - DYSU83 is to use polka dots!  What fun, the Stampin' Up! paper has polka dots on one side and text on the other, and as I showed both I'm submitting it to their challenge.  Just love this graphic - the shoe is fabulous, although there is no way I could walk on those heels :)

We are on holiday for a couple of weeks - doing the coast road from San Diego to San Francisco - a great adventure for us.  So it means that I won't be able to comment as much as normal, but I will try to pop in and check out your cards - after all these are my favourite colours!!  Bye for now.

Owl be watching you ....

...  Morning - hope you're all well.  This is going to be a very quick post as we have a busy day lined up.  It's Mum and Ben's last full day in the US!

This card has been made for three challenges:

• Less Is More - LIM78 to use a sketch
• CASology - CAS4 - to use a bird
• Play Date Challenge Cafe - PDCC143 - great colours

Here's my card - I got very inky making this one!!

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Asian Gardens; Kanban - Garden Vistas Autumn Silhouettes
Inks:  Distress - Evergreen Bough, Peacock Feathers, Barn Door; Stampin' Up! - Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Martha Stewart Punch; Card from stash

I made the coloured card panels using distress inks, water and acrylic blocks - great fun, but very messy.  I really like the shading on the top panel.  As many of you know I just adore owls, but for some reason haven't actually used them much.  This sweet owl was stamped onto white card using Cherry Cobbler and I added some colour with Barn Door, then I cut him out.  As he needed a branch to sit on - I stamped it directly on to the panel.  Finished off with a super simple sentiment.  Very pleased with how this turned out - but you should have seen my fingers!!!

That's all for now - just about to take Kathryn to her Theatre Camp - the show is tonight and we are all looking forward to it.  See you soon.

Pinwheel mosaic ....

.... Morning all!!   This card is for two challenges:

• Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge - WMSC108 designed by Belinda Chang Langner
• Colour Q - cQc148 

I really like Belinda's sketch but I was having a hard time trying to decide what to do with it - until I saw the inspiration photo on this week's Colour Q challenge.  The interlocking pattern on the bag is just fab and I knew that I could replicate it with my new pinwheel (we call them windmills in the UK) stamps.  Here's the card:

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Playful Pinwheels, Compact Sentiments II
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango, Poppy Parade, Pink Pirouette
Accessories:  Papermania - orange ribbon; Dotty brad and card from stash

It's so easy using these stamps to make the interlocking pattern - I did start off with the solid stamp, but it was much too heavy, so I used this fun solid and stripe pinwheel.  I made the tag from a scrap of white linen textured card from my scrap box.  I stamped the large outline pinwheel in red and then filled in with the stars and solid.  I attached the pinwheel to the tag with this dotty brad - so it moves too.  I found some dotty orange ribbon to finish the tag and stamped this simple sentiment directly onto the card.  It's going off in the post to a friend today.

I hope everyone has been enjoying the Olympics - I watched the Men's Time Trial road race yesterday and was delighted to see that Bradley Wiggins for Team GB won the gold!  That's all for now, I hope to be back tomorrow.

Edited:  Just uploaded my card to WMSC and found that I'm not the only one to think of using the pinwheels!!!  Great minds think alike!!!

Olympic Sports .....

.... Are you enjoying the Olympic Games?  I am!!!  The TV coverage here is good - although it is obviously focused on Team USA.  I would so like to see more of Team GB!!  I was so excited when London won the games.  So you can imagine being in the US, while it's absolutely fabulous, is a bit of a downer for me!!!    I have really missed the build up with the torch being carried around the UK.  The atmosphere in the UK, London particularly, must be fantastic!!  And what has sports and the Olympics got to do with cards and craft?  Well, it's time for the St Luke's Charity Card Challenge and this month our theme is:

Olympics/Sports

I've made two cards this month - and it will come as no surprise that my first card has an Olympic/London theme.

Stamps:  Papermania - Portobello Road Urban Vintage (PMA907126); Waltzingmouse - Freespirit Boy; Personal Impressions - 1st, Tennis
Inks:  Distress - Mustard Seed, Festive Berries, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Black Soot; Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories:  Clear embossing powder, Spellbinder dies to cut Olympic rings; Official London 2012 Logo; Card from stash

This is a large card, 10" x 7".  I started off by masking the edges of the card - 5cms in from each edge and then stamping St Stephen's Tower (often called Big Ben) and embossing with clear powder.  Then I sponged on colour, using my distress inks, in the order of the Olympic rings.  Next I randomly stamped images representing sports and London.  To cut out the rings I used #3 & 4 of the large Spellbinder circles, taping them together to keep the rings equal.  I cut the rings from foil card - you can't see the shine in the photo above, but I think it looks fab in the view below.  I was going to stamp London 2012 above the image, but I really like the official Games logo, so I printed it off, cut it out and attached it to my card.

My second card is perfect for a tennis fan.  It is really quick and easy to make too!!  I used some Kanban paper to cover the base of the card, then stamped the tennis racket, shoes and ball twice onto white card.  I used Promarkers to add some colour to the image.  I cut out one image in full and just the ball and front shoe from the other image, then layered them.  I finished off with a simple birthday greeting.

Stamps:  Hobby Arts - Happy Birthday; Personal Impressions - Tennis
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Promarkers; Kanban designer paper, Card from stash

We have a super prize this month - a full set of stamps from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  This lovely set, Blessed by You, is just fab with lots of wonderful sentiments and sweet images.

For more inspirational sporting themed cards, check out the DT's cards, by clicking on the links below or going directly to our blog for full details of the challenge and how to donate cards to St Luke's Charity Card Challenge.

Tara Cardwell

Jenny Mullens

Anne Forrest

Sylvie Colledge

Lynne Atkinson

At the time of typing this post (5.38pm) Team GB have four medals - two Silver and two Bronze.  Huge congratulations to the GB Men's Gymnastic team for getting Bronze!!  China and USA are tied on 23 medals each, but China have more Gold!!  Hopefully Team GB will get some more medals soon.  That's all for now.  

Edited:  Just seen that my cards fit in with the challenge at Paper Play Challenges - PPC30 - Sports/Olympics - so I'm linking up to this challenge.  Just been catching up with the Olympics - the US Ladies Gymnastic team were brilliant and I'm really pleased that Michael Phelps has got the record for the highest number of medals for a swimmer.