Sunday 31 May 2009

My first ever blog hop is completed Yoo Hoo

I have been having great fun this afternoon on my first ever blog hop at Stamptacular Sunday http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/. I hope I have done all I should have, I'm sure I have not missed any of the blogs I was meant to visit.
On Priscilla's blog http://skraptaculardesigns.blogspot.com/2009/05/stamptacular-sunday-challenge-blog-hop.html she has given us the option to enter for some bonus candy, I chose option 2 to make a card which includes chocolate so this is the card I have just made. The image is a Rubber Romance stamp coloured in with Promarkers, I'm getting used to them now!!, the flowers are by Prima, brads are by Papermania, the swirls are cut from my Sizzix bigz die. I would love to win the yummy candy, I've never won anything in my life boo hoo. Thanks for looking Julie x

Passion for Promarkers Challenge 1

Well here is my first attempt at using my new promarkers, I ordered the 8 for the next four challenges at Passion for Promarkers blog http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.com/ but also ordered skin tones and another couple of packs but had not got round to using them yet as I have been away. As their first challenge ends on Tuesday thought I'd better have a play with them today, I must say they are very nice to use. Here are the details for the card. I have followed the sketch by Sem at Sunday Sketch and stamp blog http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/. The image is a new stamp I have just received from Pink Cat Studio called Lily at the beach http://www.pinkcatstudio.com/, they are really adorable, backing papers are from CCSR The big one 12 x 12 paper stack. The pieces of card on the left were put through my distressed stripes cuttlebug folder, flowers and brads are by Papermania. The image has been cut out with my circle nesties and coloured in with the following 8 colour promarkers.
Hair - Vanilla
Skin - Ivory
Starfish - Pumpkin
Hairband - Pastel Green and Pumpkin
Bikini top, tail fin and top bit of tail - Pastel Green
Rest of tail - Cool Aqua and Blue Pearl
Rock - Pastel Beige
Sand - Pastel Yellow
I'm quite pleased with my first attempt with colouring an image entirely with Promarkers. Thanks for looking x

Can anyone tell me what has happened to basic grey challenges

I have just clicked onto basic grey blog challenge to see what challenge was set yesterday and got this message below

This blog is open to invited readers only

http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/

It doesn't look like you have been invited to read this blog. If you think this is a mistake, you might want to contact the blog author and request an invitation.

Has anyone else got that, or can someone tell me how to contact the blog author as I cannot get on the blog to see, thanks Julie

What an awful week !!!

Sorry for my lack of posts, I have just had the week from hell!!!. On Monday we arrived for our midweek break at a caravan park in Kent, the weather turned awful, the holiday park was awful, the caravan had not been cleaned, the fold up bed that hubby and I were meant to sleep on was broken, the linen service we had paid extra for took ages to turn up and then for them to get it right and the loo was leaking making the carpets soggy and digusting to walk on, we hated it so much we came back a day early as we'd had enough by then.
Tuesday we went to Dover Casle which was lovely although the keep was shut so we couldn't look around there which was a shame but the rest was good. When we came out of the underground wartime tunnels there was a voicemail on my mobile, my credit card company had aked me to ring them immediately, so I rang the fraud dept as I was asked and they advised me that someone had cloned my credit card and had used it in the Phillipines to get cash, OMG what a pain, they had cancelled our card immediately which caused us a problem and inconvenience, we are without a credit card for upto 10 days and we needed that actual card to check in at the prebooked machines for our Euro Tunnel trip on the Wednesday, anyway we managed to check in manually when we explained the situation and we could prove we had the card but had been told it must not be put through a machine as it would flag up as fraud.
As we left very early on the Wednesday morning to catch the eurotunnel train I fell down the caravan steps, god knows how but my legs got caught between the steps, I was beginning to panic I had broken both legs but I had just bruised and cut my shins badly, I felt sick and faint and hubby was not sure we should go as I was in a lot of pain but I didn't want to ruin the day out we had planned and just took some painkillers and felt sorry for myself.
We had a day of walking round the wargraves, the Menin Gate, museums etc which was very interesting and humbling but the weather was not kind to us and it poured down with rain but we perservered.
On Thursday we decided to come home, the journey home was not too bad but on the Thursday night my daughter started complaining of a sore throat, then mine started hurting and by Friday morning my throat was so sore and swollen I was having trouble to swallow, you couldn't even see the back of my throat so Friday morning I was off to the doctors and sure enough I had a nasty throat infection that needed strong painkillers and antibiotics so just as well we had come back that day early.
Today is the first day I don't feel like death warmed up, the brusing on my shins has turned a disgusting green/yellow colour but at least they weren't broken and my throat is very slightly better.
Anyway I won't bore you any more with the saga but I am glad the week is over, I'm glad to be home and am looking forward to joining in with some of the challenges this week. I hope everyone else has had a far better week x

Friday 29 May 2009

New stamps and Candy

Take a peek over at http://toodlesandbinks.blogspot.com/ to be in with a chance to win some lovely blog candy and to see their lovely stamps too. What are you waiting for!!Good luck everyone x

Sunday 24 May 2009

Nutcrafters-nutshells new blog

There is a new challenge blog called nutcrafters-nutshells http://nutcrafters-nutshells.blogspot.com/, the 1st sketch is fantastic and they are also offering 4 gorgeous stamps as blog candy, to be in with a chance of winning you must become a follower, leave a comment on their blog and post a link on your own blog, as simple as that, candy closes 5th June at 6pm. Good luck everyone x

Saturday 23 May 2009

Motivets Blog Candy up for grabs

Motivets Blog is giving away 7 new stamps here http://motivet.com/blog/?p=336 you have until 31st May to enter and winner will be drawn on 1st June. Good luck everyone and I hope everyone has great Bank Holiday weekend x

Thursday 21 May 2009

Friday Sketchers Challenge

I've managed to find some time to make another card for a challenge, this card is being entered into this weeks Friday Sketchers Challenge http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/. The paper is DCVW, image is a Sharing Sherbert clear stamp from Pollycraft design http://www.pollycraftdesigns.co.uk/epages/es110425.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es110425_es120586434945/Categories/STAMPS/%22Sharing%20Sherbet%22 coloured in with Promarkers. The ribbon is from hobbycraft and the butterflies have been punched from the new back and pink butterfly X-cut punch then I have added liquid pearls. Thanks for looking x

CCSR Challenge

Here is my entry for this weeks Clare Curds Signature Range challenge http://www.clarecurdsignaturerange.blogspot.com/. The image is a clear stamp in the Clare Curds Signature range coloured in with Promarkers. The backing paper is also from Clare Curds Signature Range also the flowers have be cut from the signature range 12 x 12 The big one pad, I love this teal colour, the black buttons are from the Papermania embellishment packs for £2.99, the brads are frm my craft stash. Thanks for looking x

Wednesday 20 May 2009

New challenge blog - starts 5th June Stampin for the weekend



There is a new challenge blog starting on 5th June called Stampin for the weekend http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/, challenges are being set on a Friday and there is some fab blog candy up for grabs so hop over now to be in with a chance to win it. Don't forget to become a follower to be kept updated.

Monday 18 May 2009

Digital Tuesday Challenge 6- Non traditional folding

























This week over at Digital Tuesday's blog http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ is the following challenge - Non traditional folding or non traditional shaped cards. For this challenge blog you need to use Digi stamps so here is my entry. Its a card for my little sisters birthday on 27th May, "Happy Birthday Zoe".
The digi stamps are from Pink Petticoat http://www.pinkpetticoat.co.uk/ and are called Too Tweet, I have coloured these in with Promarkers. I have then cut out the circles with my nesties, I just love them all, and used a scalloped background. The letters have been die cut using my Cuttlebug Olivia Alphabet which I think is the best alphabet on the market. The flowers have been made using 2 sizes of X-cut Daist punches and I have stuck green gems in the middle of these. The tag is cut from a Sizzix Original Red Die. I have taken photos of each side of the card so you get to see the whole card and not just from the angle in the 1st photo. Thanks for looking x
ps I forgot to mention the card is made from 1 piece of 12 x 12 Bazzill card, the colour it called Lily Pond

Eisbarins Blog Candy challenge - My entry

Eisbarin is offering candy with a twist on her blog http://eisbaerentraeume.blogspot.com/ all you need to do is make a card following her sketch or make her laugh out loud with a funny joke or anecdote. Closes 30th May so hop over to join in. Here is my entry. Backing spotty paper is from Making memories 6 x 6 pad, the image is from Clare Curds Signature Range and so are the flowers. The image has been coloured with Promarkers. The ribbon is from Hobbycraft. The tag has been punched out with my whale of a punch deckled tag punch. Brad and green gems from my craft stash. I threaded eskimo wool through the eyelet and finished off with a peel off. Thanks for looking x

Lorelies Blogaversary Yummy Candy

Lorelie http://mypaperadventures.blogspot.com/ is offering this yummy candy to celebrate her 1st blogaversary, congratulations Lorelie! Hop over to her blog by 19th May to be in with a chance of winning and to see her fantastic blog. Good luck everyone x

Sunday 17 May 2009

The next level - new challenge blog starting June 1st


Great news we will soon have a new challenge blog to follow, can't wait! http://thenextlevelchallenge.blogspot.com/ set up by Dawn and Ann. The blog challenges are starting on 1st June and they are asking for us all to spread the word about this new blog and the yummy blog candy they are offering. They are also asking for our input on what we could like to see on the blog. I wish Dawn and Ann the best of luck and hope they get lots of followers, I have just signed up and am number 6. I would love to win their yummy candy. Good luck everyone x

Saturday 16 May 2009

Dotties World Relaunch - An invitation


Hop over to Dotties World blog http://dotties-wonderful-world.blogspot.com/2009/05/party-time-please-read-carefully-all.html asap for a week of celebrations and to be in with a chance to win some yummy candy, prizes etc to celebrate the relaunch of Dotties World which is now 1 year old.
The winner will be chosen at random and announced on 23rd May. A picture of the prizes and candy with a link to their blog is in my candy bar on the right hand side of my blog.Good luck everyone x

Friday 15 May 2009

Sketch Saturday Challenge 50

I have made this card to enter this weeks Sketch Saturday Challenge number 50 http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/ We had a lovely sketch to follow this week and this is what
I came up with. The backing paper is by K & Co. The image is a Penny Black clear stamp coloured in with Copics and Promarkers. The gold swirl is cut from a Sizzix sizzlit die called scribbles swirls. Flowers are made with X-Cut small Daisy punch and Large Daisy punch finished off with Peel offs in the centres. I have finished the card off with a corner peel off in each corner. Thanks for looking x

Thursday 14 May 2009

Friday Sketchers Sketch 51

Here is my entry for this weeks Friday Sketchers challenge. I loved the sketch this week. http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/. The papers are from 12 x 12 papermania paper pad. The image is a clear stamp from Clare Curds Signature Range available through Docrafts stockists which I coloured in with my Promarkers which I am still testing out. The Daisy flowers have been made with 2 sizes of X-cut Daisy punches with silver peel offs in the centre. The swirls have been made with a Sizzix Flowers and Vine large die which I have added silver peel offs to. Thanks for looking x

Stamp Something Pink Birthday somethings

The weather is horrible here in Dorset today so I have sat down and made a couple of cards for some challenges. Here is the card I have made to enter this weeks Stamp Somethings challenge http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/ the theme being Pink Birthday Somethings. The backing papers are all by papermania, the image is a Little Claire image coloured in with my new copics. The pink card has been embossed with my swiss dots cuttlebug embossing folder and the D'vine swirls embossing folders. The flowers are made from X-cut daisy punches. The butterfly is punched out from the new X-cut butterfly punch and the stick on gems are from Anitas. The tag is punched from my Whale of a punch deckled tag punch. Thanks for looking x

Tuesday 12 May 2009

Stamp with Sarah Kay Challenge 42

This weeks challenge over at Stamp with Sarah Kay was to follow a sketch. This is what I came up with. The backing papers are from a 6 x 6 Easter/spring paper pack by Paper Cellar. Purple and turquoise card is from my stash embossed with my tiny bubbles cuttlebug embossing folder. The image is a Woodware stamp coloured in with my new Copics, not sure what I think of them really, I am taking time getting used to the brush type nib and finding it difficult to get into small areas without going over the edges, I have had a little go with the Promarkers and feel the nibs are better suited to me but will perservere. I then cut image out with my new Nestabilities Labels 2 dies and backed it with embossed pink card then chalked the edges with lilac fluid chalk. The lovely little buttons are from the 99p shop. Thanks for looking x

Monday 11 May 2009

Creative Card Crew Challenge 9 Everyone Emboss

This is the card I have made to enter this weeks Creative Card Crews challenge. http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/ Which was to emboss somewhere on the card. I have used backing paper by Papermania's Simply Elegant 8 x 8 paper, The embossing has been done with my cuttlebug divine swirl folder onto a burgundy card, I think this folder must be my favourite. I then cut them out with my new Peony nestabilities. The image is a Penny Black Stamp which I have coloured in with Prismas and then cut out with my new inverted scalloped circle nestabililtes. The flowers are Prima's with a stamen made by using the Woodware Blink punch, both finished off with Pearl Brads. Thanks for looking x

My Copics & Promarkers have arrived

On Saturday my copics and promarkers arrived but I didn't get a chance to play with them as I was out all weekend. I went to a great demo by Di http://www.demo-di.blogspot.com/ who works at our local The Range store, as usual came away spending far more than I should have done and then in the evening went out the a lovely meal with friends. On Sunday we went to see my Godson who was celebrating his 13th Birthday and had a lovely BBQ there so we had a great weekend.
I thought I would get some of each make to see what I got on better with. I would appreciate it if anyone could give me some tips as I have not used either before, does anyone know of any good sites with tututials on either at all. Hope everyone had a great weekend too and made the most of the fantastic weather.

Friday 8 May 2009

New Promarker Challenge Blog and Candy

To celebrate the launch of their new challenge blog http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.com/they have decided to give one lucky person a handful of proMarkers, which will come in very useful for our future challenges. The colours up for grabs are the first four weeks challenge colours and some extra skin colours too, so there is no excuse not to join in. If you would like to be in with a chance to win just leave a comment on their blog and add a link on your blog back to the challenge blog so that everyone can come over and have a go. The draw will close on 20th May 2009 Good luck everyone x Challenges start 26th May

Basic Grey Challenge 33

I have never entered Basic Grey challenges before as I have not any any of their stuff so I went out and bought some. I thought I must enter this one as my lucky number is 3 and as its challenge 33 I might have double the luck. Hee hee. So here is my 1st ever entry for the Basic Grey Challenges. http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/ The theme was Black, Grey and one other colour. I chose red. The grey backing paper is from the Basic Grey Boxer 6 x 6 papers which are scrummy. The image is by Dimension Fourth and has been coloured in with my Prismas, Ribbon is Anita's everyday ribbon, the ribbon slider is a die cut with my Cuttlebug slider die. The bits on the side are made with a woodware blink punch with a brad in the middle. Gems and brads are from my craft stash. Thanks for looking x

Thursday 7 May 2009

Just Magnolia Challenge 3

This is my first ever entry into Just Magnolia's blog challenge http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/ which this week was to follow a sketch. The image has been coloured in with my prismas, backing paper is by Crafts Too. Green card run through my Divine swirls cuttlebug folder, the buttons are from the new Papermania embellishment packs, a bargain at only £2.99 a set. I have added Glossy accents to the balloon, the heart on Tilda's trousers and her hair band, its not quite dry yet in the photo but I wanted to add it to Mr Linky before too long as a new challenge is being set tomorrow. The swirl in the top right hand corner is cut from a Sizzix Sizzlit die and daisy punched out with my x cut punch and finished off with a beige brad which came out of the same Papermania embellishment pack as the buttons. Thanks for looking x

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Stamps and Smiles Challenge 13

This is the card I have made for my neighbour Denise as her birthday is coming up soon, I am entering it into the Smiles and Smiles Challenge http://sasthefreshbatch.blogspot.com/ as I have followed their sketch for this weeks challenge.
The elephant is a clear stamp called Pickles from the Daisy and Dandelion Woodland gang and is available at Docrafts stockists. I have coloured him in with my Prisma pencils. Backing paper is from Papermania. You can't see very clearly in the photo but I have embossed the green card underneath the image with my new small embossing folders from cuttlebug, the two decorative corners are cut with a cuttlebug die. The daisy flower is an Ellison die called Daisy, the other is a fabric flower I got on the front of one of my magazines, the centre for this flower is a punch called Blink by woodware, both flowers finished with black brads in centre. Thanks for looking x

Elzybells Challenge 19

Here is my entry for the latest Elzybells challenge http://elzybells.typepad.com/my_weblog/challenges/ which was to follow a sketch. I have made this card for my Dad and Stepmums 18th wedding anniversary.
The image is a stamp called Raining hearts from www.elzybells.co.uk which I have coloured in with whispers pens for a change. Backing paper is from Forever Friends Love 6 x 6 pack of papers. I have typed Happy Anniversary in a circle, (thanks for your tutorial Donna http://granniville.blogspot.com showing me how to do this, brilliant instructions ) and then cut out with my nesties and stuck a champagne and glasses peel off in the middle of the circle. Thanks for looking x

Tuesday 5 May 2009

Janets Blog Candy up for grabs

Hop over to Janets blog http://corrosivecreationsbyjanet.blogspot.com/ to be in with a chance of winning with fab candy to celebrate her many hits and her birthday. You have until May 8th. to enter. Good luck everyone x

Dutch Dare Challenge 46

Why are mens and boys cards so difficult!!! My son Kieran turns 16 on Thursday, where have those years gone, they have flashed by. I am hoping he will grow out of the "Kevin" stage he started the night before he turned 13 in the next year or so. This is the card I made for him, Blue spotty paper is from Dovecraft, image is from the George and Dottie collection at Charmed Cards and Crafts http://www.charmedcardsandcrafts.co.uk/ coloured in with my Prismas, the blue buttons are from the blue embellishment pack in this months Docrafts goody bag. Ribbon is from Hobbycraft and gems are from my stash. I have followed this weeks sketch from Dutch Dare Card Challenges http://dutchdare-cardchallenges.blogspot.com/ so am entering it into the challenge. Thanks for looking x

Lili of the valley Challenge 26

This is the another of the cards I made today, its for my Godson Ryan who is 13. I followed this weeks Lili of the valley's sketch challenge http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ so am entering this card for the challenge. The image is a digital download from The Dottie and George Collection at Charmed Cards and Crafts http://www.charmedcardsandcrafts.co.uk/ coloured in with my Prismas, I have just doodled around the edges of the scalloped square cut with my nesties, I am no good at Doodling!!! the dotty backing paper is from Trimcraft, I used a Cuttlebug folder on the backing blue card, letters have been cut with my new Quickutz alphabet that came with my new Squeeze tool which I bought on Saturday. Gems and peel offs from my stash. Thanks for looking x

Creative Inspirations challenge 6

I actually had some time to make a few cards today so here they are. This is my entry for challenge 6 at Creative Inpirations http://cinspirations.blogspot.com/ The image has been coloured in with my Prismas, I have ordered some promarkers to see what the fuss is all about but they haven't arrived yet but it will be good to have a play with them when they arrive. The backing paper is from Crafts Too. Sentiment is a stamp from Cuddly Buddly, I have used Papermania brads and flowers from this months Docrafts goody bag and large flower on right hand side is a cuttlebug die and cuttlebug fancy corner die also used on left hand side of image. I think these colours went really well together.
Thanks for looking Julie x

Monday 4 May 2009

Ila's Blog Candy closes 12th May


Hi everyone, I hope you have all had a great bank holiday weekend. I have just come across this great candy and wanted to spread the word. There are two lots up for grabs so hop along to Ila's Blog http://artfullyila.blogspot.com/2009/04/time-to-celebrateblog-candy.html for a chance of winning. Candy closes 12th May. Good luck everyone Julie x