A place for ME.

Happy Happy Birthday!

2011-04-26T21:48:00.000+01:00

A really quick post from me today.

I dont know what sort of card this is called, any ideas???
DP`s are from the Tim Holtz paper stack vintage shabby. Hinges are from Tim holtz. I cut them out using grungepaper and painted them with distress crackle paint picket fence.

Roses are from wild orchid crafts.

I am not overly happy how my bow looks. I used white vintage seam binding and distressed it with Distress ink black soot.

Image is Magnolia Edwin wants a hug he has been coloured with distress ink refills. I have added a Magnolia lace banner and hand written HAPPY BIRTHDAY! i didnt have a stamp small enough for the sentiment.

The stamps i used inside the card are from a set i got from verve.

And finally the back.

Challenges
bunny zoes crafts-one for the boys
wild orchid crafts-white + 2 with a twist
just magnolia-sketch

x laura x

long time no hear

2011-04-15T11:30:00.000+01:00

ok i know i have been rubbish at posting lately, but look at what i have to distract me.

This is Jake.

This is Diamond(we havent come up with a better name yet).
They were six weeks old on Wednesday. They are so cute, and take up alot of time. Sadly stripe passed away, he wasnt right from the start, the vet thinks he had problems inside. We tried our hardest to keep him alive but it just wasnt ment to be. So we made the hard decision to have him put to sleep, as we didnt want to see him in pain, he was very week, so sad. So my mum has decided to keep both these little cuties. I think they are going to be a handful(infact i know they are going to be a handful as they already are).

Now onto a creation i made for my mums birthday this week. I'm very proud of this as it is my first explosion box.

I cant find the name of this paper but it is by magnolia.

I have used magnolia-tilda blowing bubbles. I have coloured her with distress inks. The DP is again by Magnolia.

I added some butterflies that i punched out from the Martha Stewart 3-in-1 butterfly.

I made the little envelope from a dovecraft template. It has a little note in it.

Flowers are from wild orchid crafts. I have used white and pink roses. Sorry about the pictures, they are a bit dark.

Challenges
wild orchid -things with wings
just magnolia-happy birthday
paper take weekly-truly dimensional
by the cute and girly-cute and girly

x laura x

Edwin wants a hug!

2011-03-22T14:19:00.003Z

Stamp is magnolia edwin wants a hug. I have coloured him with distress reinkers. Black gem bling is from eBay. Main background paper is a freebie from HERE. I have stamped around the edges with the stemplglede grunge colllection. I have also added hinge like dies from spellbinders fancy tags collection.

Challenges
bunny zoe-happy birthday and bling.
everybody-art-challenge-happy birthday
justmagnolia-favorite colour combo(blues ATM)

x laura x

M.I.A (i have a really good excuse)

2011-03-12T18:56:00.000Z

Ok so i have been missing for a while now. My laptop is thankfully back up and running but i have 3 little reasons why i have not had time to craft or do anything really.

(2days old)

We have 3 little male cockapoo F2 puppies. Now for those of you that don't know what a cockapoo is, it is a Cocker Spaniel x Poodle. Bella(mum) is a cockapoo F1 so that means her mum was a Cocker Spaniel and her dad was a miniature Poodle. Bella was mated with another cockapoo, so her babies are 2nd generation(F2). These handsome little boys were born 2nd march. They are 10 days old today. We did have one that was a little slow getting started, so we had to help him out, he is now doing a lot better and is catching up with the other 2 quick. I have of course given them nick names, chunk, diamond and stripe. lol.
They take up a lot of time so havent done anything other than help my mum to look after them. Bella is a brilliant first time mum and is loving being a milk bottle(lol). I cant wait for them to open their eyes and start walking, thats when the fun will really start.

This is Diamond, you can just see his white diamond on his head. (10days old)

(10days old)
Bella and her pups(their getting really big already)

Chunk is on top(10days old) see his coat is wavy already, soo cute.

I have a good pic of stripe on my phone will have to upload it tomorrow.
Hope everyone is well and i will of course keep you updated on how the puppies are doing.

x Laura x

I am still missing

2011-02-18T15:41:00.000Z

Sorry guys I am still missing. I ordered a new laptop charger and guess what??? The incorrect one turned up. I have now sent that back and am waiting for a new "correct" one to turn up. I do have a few cards on the go and they will be ready soon to go up once i have my laptop back up and running(or i can pinch a lappy to use)

Hope you are all well.
x laura x

where am i????

2011-02-11T16:13:00.000Z

Hello all blogging friends and followers, just a quick note before i show you my card today. I have managed to pinch a laptop to use today to upload my card. I have not had a good week. Why is it that all bad luck comes at once. To name just one my laptop that i normally use that has all my crafting up dates, pictures and everything else on it has decided to stop working, luckily i have an external hard drive that everything is backed up on to, but it is a real pain. I think it is the charger that has stopped working so i have a new one on order to try, fingers crossed that will be the only thing wrong and will spring back into life soon(well when the charger arrives) Any way i don't want to bore you to much so on to the card.

I made this last week and really wanted to upload it before the challenge was over, hence me picking a laptop to get it done.

The image is from Belles n whistles beary big hugs. The main background DP is from Tim Holtz ideology paper pack vintage shabby. I made the music sheet from scotch. I stamped whimsy music notes on to white card stock using memento cocoa ink. I them distressed it using distress ink vintage photo. I have gone round the edges with a distress tool and vintage photo. Brown ribbon is from eBay. The image has been coloured with distress ink refills(i am practicing a few different technics and will hopefully update you soon on that). I have stamped around the edge of the image with stempelglede grunge collection.

I have cut a magnolia tag out distressed it with vintage photo and stamped a happy birthday message with memento cocoa ink.

All the flowers are from wild orchid crafts. Now i didn't have any vintage looking flowers and to be honest im trying to use my supple up so i can buy more. So i have taken different sizes of roses and sprayed them with my pro marker air brushing kit in different colourins of brown to give them the vintage look. I am pleased with how they turned out. I have used stickles crystal glitter on the girls headband to add that bit of bling.
Well i think that is everything, if you have any questions please ask away.

Challenges
Belles n Whistles-vintage
wild orchid challenge-love is(beary big hugs stamp)

x laura x

Flowers galore

2011-01-30T15:25:00.000Z

Afternoon all, just a quick post today. I am in the middle of re organising my craft area. Its a mess at the moment.
Over at loopy lous loopy thoughts she is offering some candy to 1 lucky winner. All you have to do to enter is make a card featuring a Magnolia image. Look att he candy, so sweet.

This is my entry.

I have used 3 Magnolia images magnolia tree, spring fence, tilda with three flowers. The images have been coloured with distress inks. I have added lots of stickles crystal glitter. The DP is from magnolia, magnolia tree(i cant find a link for them in UK at the moment). The flowers are all from wild orchid crafts.

Challenges
totally gorjuss-as you like it(flowers)
magnolia stamp lovers-glitter
loopy lous loopy thoughts-magnolia card

x laura x

Magnolia sketch

2011-01-21T18:39:00.000Z

Evening all, just a quick post as i have lamb shanks in the oven(my favorite) and a glass of wine in my hand. lol.

Image is Magnolia, champagne and candelabra. I have coloured with distress ink refills. Glitter is crystal stickles. Also added glossy accents to the glasses and bottle to give that glass look. Stamped around the edge with memento coco using the corner from stempelglede crunge collection.

Text is from a die cut by Tim Holtz, vintage market(love this). I have painted them with picket fence crackle paint.

The DP is a freebie(yes, i said freebie) from the lovely Donna over at bearly mine designs. I have again stamped round the edge with the stempelglede using the memento ink coco. I have added ribbon from eBay, white organza. The bow was tied using the bow-easy template. Gems in the corners are also from eBay.

Challenge
just magnolia-sketch

x laura x

Whiff of joy GDT call

2011-01-20T00:01:00.001Z

Evening all, you may or may not know that every 2 months on the 16th Katharina Frei from whiff of joy has a Guest Designer Team Call.To enter or find out more details click HERE.

This is my entry for the whiff of joy GDT. Hope you like it.

I have made a criss-cross card with a difference. Instead of gluing the criss cross card shut i have left it open. I have secured it with a tied ribbon. When you pull the ribbon it opens up the card. Ribbon is white organza from eBay. Im not sure where this DP is from as they were in my stash(ill get back to you on that one).

I have glittered around all edges with stickles crystal.

All images are from whiff of joy, wedding cake. All images are coloured with distress ink refills. DP is from Magnolia, sixpence. I have mounted the DP on bazzill silver cardstock. I was going to make a box as well for this card but i have run out of the silver cardstock :-(

Dove.

I have added a pocket to this so i can slide in a piece of card. This pocket stops the piece of card slipping out due to the fact i haven't glued the criss cross card.

Willow as bride, Oakley as groom. I have added pearl mist to the bride`s vale to make it sparkle, also added glossy accents to oakley`s shoes to make them shine. I stamped stempelglede grunge corner on the corners with memento rich coco. The tab at the top is the big die from spellbinders fancy tags. Added pearls from eBay.

This is the back of the insert so i can write a message to the happy couple. Punched border is from Martha Stewart called Quilted(i think).

Wedding carriage. I have distressed around the edge with brushed corduroy distress ink. Sentiment is from Magnolia, happily ever after. Silver corners are from a sizzix die i got off eBay.

I have my fingers(and toes) crossed very tightly. I love whiff of joy products and would love to be a GDT for them, not to mention working alongside the amazingly talented DT team they have.

Challenges
simon says-bingo(gems, glitter, ribbon)
cup cake craft-dum, dum, de, dum
wild orchid craft-lets get sentilmental(happily ever after)
paper take weekly-ribbon and pearls

Whiff of joy Guest Design Team call closes 23rd January.

x laura x

WARNING!! lot`s of photo`s.

2011-01-16T17:40:00.000Z

Evening all, I am really embarrassed to say i bought the Magnolia summer kit when it came out and have never(yes i said it, never) inked these poor little stamps up. I just cant quite believe it. Well i knew exactly what i was going to do with them, I have seen so many other people obviously have the same idea(i hope i have managed to do it a little different).

Magnolia, Seahorse as well as all other images on this card have been coloured with distress ink refills. Ribbon is from eBay, white organza, I coloured it with my bright orange promarker.

Little mermaid Tilda, Seaweed, Shells. I have covered the bubbles in glossy accents to make them stand out a little. The shells have been heat embossed with pink embossing powder, unfortunately that was the best colour i had(although nothing else is in pink) i did want them on the card though. I have added stickles crystal glitter around the edge of the card(i think it adds something to the card). Under the stickles glitter is a edging of picket fence crackle paint(you can mainly see it on the corners).

Well i know what your thinking this card is a bit plain and boring, don't you think? i do.
SO.....................................

I made it into an easel card :-)

Seahorse charm can be found HERE. Glitter is stickles waterfall.

Now i have a little confession about these shells, I live about 1 mile away from the sea front, Southend On Sea, to be exact(no stalkers please), but these sadly are not from Southend, their from eBay(holds head in hands).I`m so bad, i know. Also off eBay is the netting ribbon, can`t remember what it`s called(sorry).

Challenges
magnolia-licious-orange and green(hope my card counts, orange and green image)
creative card crew-fancy folds(more than 1 fold)

WOW, that was a long post, thanks to all that are still with me. lol.

x laura x

P.S My number 1 new years resolution is to ink up and use all my stamps at least once within this year.

I`m back, finally!

2011-01-14T21:27:00.001Z

Evening all. I`m finally able to get into my craft room and start crafting. YIPEE!! I am feeling a lot better now. Almost back to where i was. I have also finally got an appointment with the job-center to see their disability adviser about helping me get back into work. I am only looking for part time work that's all i can manage with my M.E, just got to wait and find the right job that suits me(something that doesn't involve using too much energy). I`m hoping to have a little news for you all soon but i`m keeping tight lipped just in case it doesn't happen.
Anyway onto the card i have for you today.

The image is from Stempelgledge and i have used one of the stamps from the grunge flourish hearts collection. I have also used the small edge stamp from that set to go around the border. On the opposite corners i have used the corner stamp the grunge collection. All have been stamped and heat embossed using a pink embossing powder, its from eBay(no name). The DP is one from Memory box gossamer collection. I have inked the edges, and the background of the heart with distress ink Victorian velvet. Glitter around the edges is stickles crystal. White ribbon is from eBay.

Challenges

sketch and stash-sketch(new stash is the image from the grunge hearts collection)(DT ENTRY)
cup cake craft-something new(new is the image from the grunge hearts collection)
bunny zoes crafts-love is in the air
stamp something-anything goes
cute card thursday-monochrome(pink)

x laura x

MIA!!

2011-01-11T13:13:00.000Z

Hi bloggers.

I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas and a brilliant New Year. I, like so many this year have contracted the horrible flu. I have been out of action since the day after new years eve. I was on the sofa for about a week and am now nearly back to normal(well as normal as i can be). I hope within this week i will be back with more creations.

In the meantime have you seen Magnolias newest collection??? they are avaliable for pre-order HERE.

x laura x

NYE

2011-01-01T18:01:00.002Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

x laura x

Merry christmas and a happy new year

2010-12-24T09:42:00.000Z

Morning bloggers, i am away for a little while now visiting family over the holidays. So just wanted to take the chance to wish all my followers and of course everyone else

A very Merry Christmas!

x laura x

Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T10:53:00.000Z

Morning bloggers,
I coloured these images a while ago. They were left in my to do pile and i forgot about them. I needed some extra cards so put them together this morning.

This beautiful image is by whimsy from the vintage christmas collection. Coloured with distress ink refills. Glitter is gold stickles. DP is from the papermania silent night collection.(same for both cards).

Challenges
simon says stamp-anything goes
abc-keep it simple

x laura x

My christmas tags

2010-12-21T20:29:00.000Z

Another quick post. Just wanted to show you my tags i have made for the presents i have wrapped. They are plain and simple to make.

The image and sentiment is from whimsy vintage christmas collection. They have been stamped using clear embossing ink and covered in gold embossing powder then heated.

Challenges
christmas blog-wrap it up

x laura x

Magnolia-licious

2010-12-21T20:08:00.000Z

Evening all just a quick post.

Pearls are from eBay. Glitter is stickles xmas red. Punch is MS aspen snowflake.

Sentiment is whimsy winter letter seals.

White ribbon is again from eBay. Bow made using the bow-easy.

Image is Magnolia candy cane. I have coloured it using promarkers. The glitter is glamor dust. I have also coated the cane in glossy accents. so it shines.

The DP`s are Magnolia from last years collection(i think)(will find the names and post them later).

Challenges
magnolia-licious-inspiration challenge
a spoon full of sugar-christmas card
paper take weekly-anything goes

x laura x

Lighting Edwin

2010-12-20T19:19:00.000Z

Last post today.

Image is magnolia lighting Edwin coloured with distress ink refills. I have stamped around the edge using the grunger splatter and the grunge corner from the stempelglede grunge collection. I have added glamor dust to the bulbs.

Ribbon is from eBay. DP is magnolia. Sentiment is whimsy winter letter seals. Red glitter is stickles. Bulb embellishments are from eBay, made by woodware. i have added glamor dust to them. I have gone around the edge of the DP with crackle paint, picket fence.

x laura x

Mini cards

2010-12-20T18:50:00.000Z

2nd post.

Ribbon is from eBay. Plain red card, stash. Image from whimsy tree in words stamped with clear embossing ink and sprinkled with gold embossing powder then heated.

Challenge
2sisters-christmas

x laura x

5 days to go!

2010-12-20T18:34:00.000Z

WOW only 5 days to go. Well i have almost everything done and ready. Just a few little things to do. I have 3 different cards for you today. I have been busy. I will do them in different posts.

Firstly this is the background i made for my card. I used a the green DP from Papermania-silent night collection. I stamped a magnolia snowflake using a clear ink then sprinkled white embossing powder on and heated it.
On to the finished product.

Glitter is stickles-holly.

Patterned paper is again form papermania-silent night collection. Punched snowflakes is martha stewart aspen snowflakes punch.

Sentiment is from whimsy winter letter seals. Ribbon is from ebay.

Image is from LOTV James the bear with cracker coloured with distress ink refills. Glitter on the image is glamour dust.

Challenges
sketch and stash-your choice(i have chosen the sketch from challenge 33, stash-magnolia snowflake stamp)
moving along with the times-let it snow
all sorts-anything goes

x laura x

Beautiful Edwin

2010-12-14T00:44:00.000Z

I have finally got round to posting this card i finished this morning. This will be my last card until the weekend as i have a busy week ahead of me. Tomorrow i am having my family round for dinner and i am cooking them a feast. Then on Wednesday ITS MY BIRTHDAY! yipee! I`m going to be a quarter of a century old(god that makes it sound old). On Thursday evening i`m going to be at the o2 arena in London to see the one and only LADY GAGA. So excited i haven't been to a music concert before.(should be a really good night). I`m giving my self a day off Friday as i will need it.
So on to today`s card.

I have used the beautiful lighting Edwin from Magnolia. I have coloured him with distress inks. I have also added glamor dust to the bulbs to make them sparkle. I have stamped around the border with 2 stamps from the Stempelglede grunge collection, called grunge splatter and grunge corner, stamped in memento ink cocoa.

A close up of the grunge stamps. I`m so happy i managed to get the grunge collection. i love it, such a good investment, I will be using it alot.

Sentiment is from Whimsy, winter letter seals. DP is Magnolia, red noel. Brown ribbon from stash. Red glitter around sentiment is stickles. Bulb embellishments(top left) are from ebay they are by woodware, i have covered them in glamor dust to make them stand out more. They are different colour`s but don`t show up in this bad light. I have also gone around the edge of the DP with crackle paint. I think that`s everything.

Challenges
just magnolia-a christmas card
magnolia down under-red, brown and cream
stamp with fun-X-mas
bunny zoes crafts-sparkle and shine

x laura x

Im on a roll

2010-12-04T16:24:00.000Z

just a quick post today, I`m on a roll(at last). My friends daughter is having a baby boy due early January. I know it is going to get even more busy closer to Christmas so thought i would get this card done now and out the way, so I`m not rushing.

Bow is a little big, i should of made it one size smaller but the ribbon is quite wide. Ribbon "its a boy" is from hobbycraft. Charm is from bunny zoes crafts.

Magnolia image cuddley horse. Coloured with distress inks. Stickles waterfall has been added to image and around the edges of the DP`s.

Pearls(big and small) are from ebay. DP`s are by flair design baby collection(not sure what the name is).

Sentiment and ticket die are both from papertrey ink called "just the ticket"(my favorite set).
And yes it is another easel card(love these cards)

Challenges
by the cute and girly-children
paper take weekly-sketch
just magnolia-anything goes with sparkle

x laura x

22 days to go

2010-12-03T17:54:00.000Z

Christmas is nearly here. Have you all done most of your Christmas cards? I am nearly there. My card today is focused on the belles n whistles sketch challenge they have at the moment. Over the last week i have found it quite hard to get inspiration, especially from my backing papers. None of them are jumping out at me and when i go to make a card i cant decide on which one to use. MOJO missing?? if found please return. I really wanted to join in with this sketch challenge as i received a new BNW stamp this week, jingle bells. I just had to ink him up.

I coloured the image in distress inks and added stickles to make it pop. Holly stickles for the present and for his hat crystal. I also added glossy accents to the gold bells to make them shine.

Red ribbon is from ebay. bow is made using the amazing bow-easy.

I added the magnolia candy cane as the backing paper had candy canes on it. I coloured this using my promarkers. I then added glamour dust to the green ribbon, only just received the glamour dust its my new favorite glitter item. Its brilliant how it lets the colour show through.

The DP`s are from a DCWV paper pack called christmas. The DP at the back was white but i wanted to settle it in to the background a bit more(if you know what i mean) so i used vintage photo distress ink to tone it down a bit, I distressed the edges with a distressing tool and again went over them with vintage photo. I wasnt sure about the card as i was going along but am glad with how it turned out. Love the little boy on the image, so cute.

Challenges
belles n whistles-sketch(flipped 180 degrees)
abc christmas-Y is for Yuletide(red and green)

Im off to make some more cards(hopefully MOJO will come back while im colouring in)lol

x laura x

Belles n Whistles

2010-12-02T13:08:00.000Z

Just a quick post.
Over at the belles n whistles blog they are having a give away everyday, yes EVERYDAY until the 24th December. Go have a look and join in.

x laura x

Blop hop event 26th November

2010-11-23T10:24:00.000Z

On the 26th November over at bunny zoes crafts there will be a blog hop event with lots of prizes and you wont want to miss out.

If you also want to be in the chance of winning £10 voucher, all you have to do is spread the news of the event and go pop your name on the link at the bottom of the page HERE.

x laura x

One for my dad

2010-11-20T15:43:00.000Z

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend what ever you are doing. Im having a wonderfully relaxing day all by my self. This is actually the only thing i plan to do today. My boyfriend has gone off to watch Southampton football match today so im all by my self, apart from the cat. I do love having quite days all to my self. I really should be doing some more Christmas cards but im feeling a little tired(ill do them tomorrow). I am hoping to go see the new harry potter film tomorrow(i love harry potter) in fact im watching him now on itv 1. My boyfriend would say addicted lol. Anyway enough dribble onto my creation. I made this yesterday but didn't have time to post it.

Yep its another twist box this time imade this one for my dad. If you would like to make one, you can find the tutorial HERE. The DP i have used is from dovecraft the winter wonderland pack. Glitter is stickles waterfall. Gems are from eBay.

Image is magnolia, peppermint cane. All images have been coloured with distress inks.

Sentiment is magnolia, merry christmas with holly post mark.

Image is magnolia, christmas lighting edwin.

Challenges
bunny zoes crafts-christmas but not a card
totally gorjuss-not so traditional
the secret crafter-handmade christmas gifts
just magnolia-white + one other colour
abc christmas-X is for Xmas

x laura x

Sledging Edwin

2010-11-17T22:48:00.000Z

Gosh i didn't relies how long i hadn't posted for, naughty me. But i do have a really good excuse, honest. I am currently looking for a job, went down the job center yesterday to sign on and they were actually really helpful. The lady i saw has made an appointment for me to see a disability adviser, this adviser will help me to find work and an employer who will help me get into work and stay in work. If you don't know i have M.E i have had it for 3 years and in that time have not been able to work. I have spent that time learning and trying to manage my illness and i am at a point were i feel i can at least do some work. Not sure what i can do but i can only try. It may take a while for me to find a job i can do, but at least i feel better knowing help is available from the job center. Anyway onto my card.
This card is another first for me. I have made a shaker card. I have to apologize for the really bad photos.

Gems are from eBay(as always). The sentiment is from magnolia, merry christmas with holly post mark. Just stamped the sentiment straight onto the DP.

All glitter is stickles waterfall. Charm is from bunny zoes crafts. Bow is made using the bow-easy. Ribbon is from ebay(again). Snowflake border is a Martha Stewart punch called aspen snowflakes.

Image is magnolia, Edwin riding sledge . Circle and scallop circle have been created using spellbinders nestabilites. I filled the shaker card with diamond dust twinklets. Image is coloured with distress ink refills.

All shaken up.

The papers are from dovecraft winter wonderland paper pack(love these). If you would like to make a shaker card you can find the tutorial HERE.

Challenges
magnolia-licious-shaker card
the pink elephant-sketch
wild orchid-blue christmas
simon says stamps-sparkle
polly craft-a glittery christmas

Well i hope you liked my shaker card.
Night all.

x Laura x

One for the other half

2010-11-11T17:14:00.001Z

Evening all, i have finally got round to making my other half a card.

Wish i had a body like this. lol. Image is from kenny k called mrs claus. Im not totally happy with my colouring on this one but it was the best out if the 4 i did. Due to the fact i colour with distress inks i printed this image onto my water colour paper, i had to leave it a couple of days to dry thoroughly. And even then when i used to much water the image run. I am getting a new printer for Christmas, and i cant wait to be able to print digi backgrounds and other digi images. Anyway back to the card. Poinsettia is from wild orchid crafts. The DP is from papermania a silent night collection. I added gold stickles to the dots to give it a bit of bling(took ages to do). Gems are from ebay.

Did you guess it would be another easel card. I have made and added a small envelope which will have a message inside. Red ribbon is from ebay. Bow is made using the bow easy(love it).

But wait there is more.

This is my first easel card with built in box. Yipee and i didn't follow a tutorial(very proud of myself) I added gold stickles around the edges for even more bling. The card measures 5"x5".

I have attached a "LOVE" charm to the handle to make it easier to pull the draw out. There is just one big draw.

I added gold stickles around the edges for even more bling.

Challenges
lili of the valley-Anything goes and any stamp can be used + a blog hop
the secret crafter- Red and gold
simon says stamps-Prince charming(mens card with a charm)
abc-H is for holiday
crafts and me-Glitter
everybody-art-challenge-116# sketch

Just a quick note to you all lili of the valley are having a new collection release today and have a blog hop on the go with goodies along the way so go check it out. Plus there challenge is anything goes and you can use any make of stamp you want.

Hope you enjoyed my creation today. Im hopping off now.

x laura x

Blog hopping

2010-11-10T22:43:00.000Z

Today is the release of whimsy stamps new collection. They are having a blog hop to spread the word and show case the wonderful release. Gosh they have a wonderful group showing off this collection, there really is some wonderful work. If you wish to go and join the fun start the blog hop HERE.

Oh and i nearly forgot there is prizes along the way . Yipee. I have everything crossed that i win 1 of the prizes(well a girl can dream) lol.

x laura x

Sale

2010-11-07T19:20:00.000Z

No card today. Just a little post to let you all know i am having a clear out and have listed some things on ebay. So if you are interested please take a look.

My Ebay

x laura x

twistin time is here

2010-11-05T17:26:00.000Z

Today i have my first, yes my first none card project. Yipee. I have wanted to do something like this for ages, then i came across a brilliant tutorial which i just had to do. You can find the tutorial i used HERE.
This is a twist top box. As this is my first christmas of making my own christmas cards and gifts i thought i would my this for my mum. I will make my dad one as well, but to be honest this has taken me a few days to complete due to my M.E. For some reason i have had headaches all this week. It has been a real pain, i have been popping so many pain killers on top of the tablets i already take, i think i may start to rattle soon.

Are you ready for lots of photos????

Image is from magnolia tilda on ornament. I have used stickles for the glitter called crystal. I have also covered the ornament in glossy accents to try and give it a little bit of a glass look. Tilda as always has been coloured with distress inks.

Image is from magnolia christmas party tilda. Again i have used stickles for the glitter and coloured her in with distress inks. Im afraid the pictures done quite do this justice.

This is a gem set that i have had for ages. I'm afraid i don't know where it is from. The papers are from DCWV called rose tinted christmas.

This is the bit that took me the longest. But i think its worth it, i didn't want just plain white showing at the top.

I have put purple tissue paper inside(i didn't have pink) I have glittered all round the edges off the box with stickles cotton candy.

This is the box open.

Challenges
crafts and me-make a christmas gift
cute card thursday-gently does it
just magnolia-anything goes
sir stamp alot-christmas traditions
everybody-art-challenge-untraditional christmas
charisma cardz-with love @ christmas

x laura x

52 days to go.

2010-11-03T23:49:00.000Z

52 days to go till Christmas. I have to apologize now for my poor photos, serves me right for leaving it till the last minute to photograph today's card.

yep its another easel card. The sentiment is magnolia, merry christmas with holly post mark. There is green glitter around it. stickles, holly. Gems and ribbon are from ebay.

Bow is made using the bow-easy. Charm is from bunny zoes.

The flowers are all from wild orchid crafts.

The image is from lili of the valley, james with pile of presents. He is coloured with distress inks. The green doily is by Marianne Design called designer doily. DP is from the paper pack by papermania called a silent night.

Challenge
pocket full of posies-winter bouquet
a spoonfull of sugar-relish to embellish
abc-g is for glitter
lil red wagon-use the colour red
wild orchid-classic christmas

x laura x

tilda on ornament

2010-10-31T18:18:00.000Z

Just a quick post today. I have a couple of things i am working on at the moment, so am quite busy.

My card today;

The blue dp paper is from the paper pack by dovecraft called winter wonderland, 100% my favorite christmas pack. The main background is a dp from basicgrey Eskimo kisses. Image is magnolia tilda on ornament, sentiment is also magnolia. merry christmas with holly post. I have added 2 snowflakes, that have been covered in diamond dust twinklets. Tilda has been coloured in distress inks and i have used stickles for the glittery bits.

Challenges
wild orchid challenge-pastels
sketch and stash-sketch

x laura x

a pink christmas

2010-10-26T14:35:00.000+01:00

Sorry i didn't get back to you sooner with this card i meant to post this card yesterday evening but i just came over feeling tired and had to go to bed there and then. But when my body says sleep i have to listen, i am feeling more refreshed today, slight headache but nothing i cant handle. So on to the card.

Image is magnolia, christmas party tilda. The papers are from DCWV paper pack called rose tinted christmas. The sentiment is also magnolia, merry christmas with holly post mark. The white ribbon is from ebay. I placed a pink bit of card underneath. The border punch is a martha stewart one called aspen snowflakes. I have coloured tilda with distress inks and added stickles glitter to her dress, the present and around the sentiment(hope it shows). The card is a criss cross card. If you would like to know how to make one, you can find a tutorial HERE.

The sentiment "merry christmas and happy new year" is from whimsy stamps vintage christmas. The tab at the top if punched out using a stampin up punch "tab punch". I used 2 different spellbinders nestabilities, classic ovals large and classic scalloped ovals large.

Challenges
a spoon full of sugar-die cutting and punches
my time to craft-pick a pocket or two
paper take weekly-sparkly and bright
just magnolia-think pink

x laura x

winter fun

2010-10-25T12:59:00.000+01:00

Over at lili of the valley challenge blog the theme is "winter fun". So on your project they want to see snow, snowflakes and plenty of glitter.

Ribbon as always is from ebay. The snowflake charm is from bunny zoes crafts. The bow has been created using a bow-easy.

The paper doily is a die-cut, found HERE.

The designer paper is from a dovecraft paper pack called winter wonderland. My card measures 6x6 inches.
The sentiment is from magnolia called merry christmas with holly post mark. The snowflake in the top right hand corner has been cut out from a spellbinders set found HERE. I have covered it in twinklets diamond dust.

Challenges
lili of the valley-winter fun

I have a few cards on the go at the moment, so you may see another a bit later on.
Hope you all had a wonderful crafty weekend.

x laura x

mulitple christmas cards

2010-10-23T15:29:00.000+01:00

Afternoon everyone, i hope you are having a lovely crafty weekend.
For a while now i have been showing you all my christmas cards i have been making. I am very proud that i started early and have made a fair few now. I am really into christmas already and wanted to come up with some quick and easy cards to send to people. For example my neighbours. I say hello to them when i see them but dont really know much about them. It took me a while to come up with an idea. A card that i could make lots of and quickly. I came up with these,

They are plain and simple. There is 2 designs. One has a poinsettia and the other candy canes.

The images and the sentiment are from whimsy stamps called vintage Christmas. I stamped them onto the red cardstock with a clear embossing ink pad. Sprinkled gold embossing powder over it and heat embossed with a heat gun. Then i just added some sparkly gold ribbon from hobbycraft.

I have made 6 in total so far. Took me about an hour. The hardest thing was trying to get the gold ribbon to stick to the card. I had to use glossy accents to stick it down but don't use too much as it shows through the ribbon in patches. Absolutely love glossy accents.

Challenges
totally gorjuss-sparkle
2 sisters-anything goes

It would be really nice and much appericated if you would leave a comment. I do love to read them and any constructive critism is welcome. What would you add or do different?

x laura x

ABC christmas challenge

2010-10-22T23:49:00.000+01:00

Evening all, quick post before i am off to bed. Hopefully i will get a lay in tomorrow, much needed.
On to my card and its another christmas one. I still have a few more to make but i think you can never have enough cards.

The background card i have made my self. I took a piece of green bazzill cardstock stamped the small poinsettia from this set with a clear embossing ink pad and used gold embossing powder and heat embossed it. The gems are as always from ebay.

The gems look blue but they are actually green.

Look at this little cutey. Tilda is from the new magnolia collection, tilda on ornament. Tilda is coloured with distress inks.

The striped paper behind tilda is from the papermania paper pack a silent night.

Over at abc christmas challenge blog they have a few things you have to include in you card to qualify for the prize. First thing is to use 1 of they sketch`s or both if you wish. Secondly you have to have 3 V`s included on your card.
1) vertical card
2) vert(green in french)
3) victorian velvet(i used this colour distress ink to colour tilda`s clothing)

I hope this makes me eligible for the prize draw.

x laura x

yummy blog candy

2010-10-22T09:08:00.000+01:00

Bizzy Becs is having a yummy candy give away. There are a couple of rules, so make sure you follow them all.

x laura x

another quick post

2010-10-21T21:10:00.000+01:00

Evening all. i have been feeling quite tired this week. No energy at all. So im afraid it will be another quick post today. Although i do have a few different cards on the go at the moment but they still need finishing.

I have used a distressing tool to distress the edges. The papers are from the papermania paper pack called a silent night.

Green ribbon is from good old ebay. Tree charm is from bunny zoes crafts.

Poinsettia is from wild orchid crafts. Gems again are from ebay. The tag is a magnolia die. Sentiment is from ebay.

I took this picture with the flash off as i wanted the sparkle to show up. The stamp is from the new Christmas magnolia collection, tilda hanging ornaments. I have coloured her with distress inks and used stickles on the 2 ornaments(hope you can see it).

I have an addiction to easel cards at the moment.

Challenges
truly scrumptious-(43) easel card and sketch
charisma cardz-(42) vintage

x laura x

merry christmas tilda.

2010-10-17T16:21:00.000+01:00

Another quick one today. I havent slept well over the last 2 nights, so have the headache of all headaches.

The poinsettias are from wild orchid crafts. They have been covered in star dust twinklets.

Sentiment is from magnolia. I have punched this out using a stampin up punch and edged it with holly stickles.

Ribbon is from ebay. Christmas tree charm is from bunny zoes crafts.

Gems are also from ebay(gotta love ebay).

Image is from magnolia, tilda with presents.

Papers are from DCWV christmas multi pack.

The tag die is from magnolia. The stamped images are from the new whimsy stamp set vintage christmas.

This is the underneath the card. This stamp is also from the new whimsy vintage christmas set. I will also add a stamped image of my personal stamp underneath.

Challenges
just magnolia-sketch
charisma cardz-more than one fold
delightful challenges-metal mania
allsorts-bingo (punch,tag,ribbon)
totally tilda-red and green christmas
magnolia stamp lovers-sparkling

x laura x

pile of presents

2010-10-15T14:05:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post today. My boyfriends sister is visiting this weekend so i have a lot to do.

The punch used for the border is the martha stewart aspen punch. The snowflakes have been covered in diamond dust twinklets.

Gems are from ebay. The glitter is stickles, waterfall. Sentiment stamp is magnolia, merry christmas with holly post mark.

Image is from Lili of the Valley, James bear with pile of presents. James the bear is coloured with distress inks and his hat has stickles glitter on.

Challenge
lili of the valley-sketch
a spoon full of sugar-winter wonderland
quixotic paperie-christmas
paper take weekly-3 of a kind(3 snowflakes)

x laura x

Shopping

2010-10-14T17:21:00.000+01:00

Hello Bloggers,
hope you are all well. This is my card for today.

The sentiment is by justrite from the just a note borders and centres set.

The hinge clip can be found HERE. "shopping list" has been written by hand. I used a punch from stampin up for the binder detail(left hand side)

Flower selection can be found at wild orchid crafts. Ribbon was white but i coloured it with a pink promarker to match the pink theme. Gems are from ebay.

Image is from whiff of joy, shopping willow. I have coloured her with distress inks.

The main DP is from my stash, sorry dont know what its called(came in a pack from ebay). The pink star DP is from Magnolia, pink starlit.

Challenges
whiff of joy-sketch
simon says-3 different types of embellishments, 2 patterned papers, 1 image
abc-F is for flowers
lil red wagon-something old(my image), something new(hinge clip)

x laura x

Autumn 2010

2010-10-12T14:58:00.003+01:00

Afternoon everyone.
Firstly i have to make a small apology for the lack of posts for a week. I have had a hard time with my M.E over the week.
But have finally managed to sit down and join in with the belles n whistles first challenge on their new blog. They have some amazing candy up for grabs for the winner. Oh did i say "winner", i meant winners, yes winners, there will be 2 winners how cool is that?!

The sentiment is a stamp and die set found HERE. I love this set and havent seen anything like it, so versatile. The orange and leaf border and background of the sentiment is handmade. I took a piece of plain white thin cardstock and coloured it using a distress ink spiced marmalade. The leaf stamp is from a set by stampin up called lovely as a tree. I stamped it using memento coco ink. The punched edge was done using martha stewart doily lace punch.

Flower is a Marianna design set LR0110.

The charm "made with love" can be found at bunny zoes. Ribbon is from my stash made with the bow-easy. I added a 10mm orange rose from wild orchid crafts to the middle.

Image is a belles n whistles stamp called beary big hugs. I have coloured the image with distress inks.

I have distressed all the edges with a distress tool. The DP`s are from Bo Bunny, kitchen spice rosemary and kitchen spice nutmeg.

Challenges
belles n whistles-fall colours
stamp with fun-sketch
secret crafter-distressing
sir stamp alot-autumn
bunny zoe-autumn love
charisma cardz-autumn

x laura x

tilda and edwin

2010-10-05T19:29:00.000+01:00

I have been looking at printers today. Wow there is so many out there i didnt know where to begin. I am looking for an all in one printer that i can use to print digi images onto watercolour paper and print out digi backgrounds. Also i need one that has cheap ink refills and good quality print outs. If any of you have a good printer or know of one could you let me know the make and model, it would be good to have a few to compare.

On to my card for today.

I have tried something new today. I have stitched around the edge. I don't have a sewing machine so have done this by hand. It took ages but i am glad i did it as it adds to the card. My base card is bazzill`s kraft card, then a layer of green card(i cant remember the name of it). The yellow gems are from a stash i got off ebay.

The flowers are all from wild orchid crafts. The red beads are also from wild orchid crafts and coloured them red to look like berries. I wanted them to look like holly with holly leaves. The punches used to cut out the leaves and branches can be found at crafts u love.

The ribbon is also from ebay. I do love ebay. And yes as you can see its another easel card.

The stamp is magnolia sister and brother. Love this stamp so cute. I have coloured the image with distress inks and cut out with spellbinders large deckled nestabilities.

I have added a pocket for a tag with a message.

The tag is the magnolia tag die cutter. The Merry Christmas sentiment is again from ebay.

The DP is a 12x12 paper by BoBunny called snowy serenade winter night. It is a very glittery paper but the picture doesnt show it up that well.

Challenges
charisma cardz-christmas
paper play-hidden extra
totally gorjuss-sketch
magnolia down under-blue, green, yellow and kraft
totally tilda-glitter and sparkle
magnolia stamp lovers-lace(i have a lacey doily)
wild orchid-stitch it up
polly craft-anything goes
a spoonfull of sugar-sparkle and shine

x laura x

baby girl

2010-10-03T15:23:00.001+01:00

well what awful weather we are having in the UK. I started this card on Friday but have been unable to post it due to going to Hampshire for the night at the last minute. I got back last night, so i finishes the card this morning. I love this card and im very proud of it. This is going to be one that i want to keep. I had no reason to make this type(baby) of card and i am addicted to making easel cards at the moment.
I think i will try and make a criss cross card next as i haven't made one for ages.

I love this sentiment and die cut set. It will be my go to set for a long time. You can find it Here.

The white ribbon is from my local hobby craft and all the flowers are from wild orchid crafts.
Large pastel pink flower is HERE.
Smaller 2 tone pink flower is HERE.
Small yellow roses HERE
I have used 3 different punches for the leaves and branches.
The branch is a Leone Em punch called Ash branch- 50mm.
Smallest leaves are from a mini punch birch leaf. What a bargin only £1.49. the leaf measures just 10mm from one end to the other.
The bigger leaf i got of ebay. It is just a bigger birch leaf measuring 16mm.
I dont know where i got the closed roses from but you can find an exact match HERE.

This selection of flowers is the same from above but has 1 extra addition.

Pointing upwards is a 2-tone mulberry paper gypsophila flower on a stem found HERE. I have used the yellow one out the bunch.

The bow was made with the amazing bow-easy. Pram charm can be found HERE.

Glitter around the edge is stickles cotton candy. The image is Magnolia cuddley horse. I have coloured this with distress inks. I had to re do this image about 3 times, my colouring was just not going to plan for some reason. The main colour is victorian velvet.

The papers are all by flair designs but unfortunately the website i bought these from looks like they are no longer stocking them. Which is a shame because i love these and wanted to get some more :-(
If anyone knows where i can get some more please let me know. x
*added later* I have found these papers HERE.

Nearly forgot i added a lace doily behind the small square to tie in with the sketch a followed. The doily was too large so i cut the corners off and stuck them behind the square section to fit. Lace doily can be found HERE.

Challenges
Friday sketches-sketch
Just magnolia-anything goes
Creative card crew-bloomin marvelous
Secret crafter-easel cards
2 sisters-animal fun

Well i hope you all like my card as much as i do and hope you have a wonderful week.

x laura x

untraditional christmas

2010-09-29T22:13:00.000+01:00

Oh my, i have just walked into my craft room to fetch this card so i can take pictures of it and my room looks like a bomb has hit it. I think i will be spending tomorrow tiding it up.

I dont know why but blogger has only let me upload these 2 pictures and it is refusing to upload any more so only the 2 pictures to show you today.

The stamp is from Lili of the valley james the bear with christmas cracker and coloured with distress inks. I have cut him out using spellbinders nestabilities deckled regtangles large and went around the edge with stickles black diamond. The papers are from DCWV Christmas multi stack tinted rose. The snowflakes are cut out from spellbinders shapeabilities create a flake 1 and spellbinders snowflake borderabilities i have then covered them in diamond dust twinklets. The ribbon was plain whaite organza ribbon which i have coloured using the promarker rose pink. The tag is magnolia doohickey tag and the sentiment i got of ebay. The gems are also from ebay and the glitter around the edge of the card is stickles cotton candy.

Challenges
lili of the valley-untraditional christmas
cinspirations-christmas in september
abc-E is for easel
friday sketchers-sketch

Thanks for looking.

x laura x

sketch saturday

2010-09-27T17:02:00.000+01:00

I have been having problems with blogger today, has anyone else? Well finally it is letting me upload this post. I have made this card for sketch saturday. I have turned the sketch 180 degrees.

Recipe
Stamp-whimsy stamps, cool ride
DP`s-dovecraft, winter wonderland
Punch-martha stewart, aspen snowflake
Glitter-stickles, crystal

I coloured the image with distress inks. I used fun flock on the white parts of the rug. I got my white fun flock from ebay, and if you buy it in a bag instead of a pot its cheaper(gotta love a bargin). For the ticket on the bottom left hand side, it was cut out using a die cut and i stamped the sentiment using the stamp set that coordinates with the die cut, you can find them HERE.

Challenge
sketch saturday-sketch

x laura x

its getting cold outside

2010-09-26T20:47:00.001+01:00

Wow its getting cold outside. I went out with a friend last night and it was so cold. And the weather hasnt been any better today. We have had to put the heating on this evening for the first time in a long while. I am going to have to start wearing my slippers soon.

Recipe
Stamp-wags n whiskers, zoe and gemma`s snow fun
DP`s-dovecraft, winter wonderland
Ribbon-stash
Gems-stash

The snowflakes have been cut out using a spellbinder die here, i then covered them in twinklets to make them twinkle. I also added twinklets to the bottom of the image. I have as always coloured the image using distress inks. I followed a sketch as a challenge but have just found i am too late :-(

Challenges
A spoonful of sugar-anything goes
totally gorjuss-christmas
charisma cardz-anything goes

Thanks for looking and please leave a comment(if you want to)

x laura x

pretty and pink

2010-09-25T09:48:00.001+01:00

My goodness i have a lot of things to do today. So i thought i would get my card done nice and early.

Recipe
Stamps-magnolia, jam tilda, slice of yummy cake
DP`s-sorry they are from my stash i have no clue where there from
Flowers-all from wild orchid crafts
Ribbon-ebay
Gems-ebay

As always i have coloured tilda with distress inks. Looking at that cake makes me feel hungry. yummy cake. yum. I have finally managed to get my hands on the magnolia doohickey die cut tag. I bought it 6 weeks ago on preorder from a company, i wont be telling who this company is because i have used them before and never had any problems. They kept telling me it would be in stock soon and sent out ASAP. Well i finally got fed up of waiting asked for a refund and bought it at bunny zoe`s as it was in stock. I got so jealous seeing everyone else using it on their beautiful creations. But i have it now and love it so much. I think i will be using it on every card i can. :-)

Challenges
cute card thursday-sketch
stamping for the weekend-tag it
crafts and me-easels
creative inspirations-2 or more stamps
wild orchid-ribbons and bows

x laura x

All yours

2010-09-24T21:04:00.000+01:00

Where has the day gone. I feel like its gone really quick today, maybe that's because it is the weekend :-)

Recipe
Stamp-penny black, all yours
DP`s-papermania, a silent night paper pack
Flowers-wild orchid crafts, poinsettias

I of course coloured the image in distress inks. The sentiment was from ebay, i heat embossed it and cut is out using spellbinders shapeabilites fancy tags.

Challenges
penny black-sketch
secret crafter-anything goes
totally gorjoss-animal

Only a quick post tonight, dinner is in the oven and my better half is hungry.
x laura x

Elisabeth Bell Candy

2010-09-22T09:47:00.000+01:00

The amazingly talented Elizabeth Bell is having a giveaway every week for 4 weeks. This week she is giving away candy from belles n whistles. Go have a look HERE and enter for her surprise give away.

x laura x

clean and simple

2010-09-21T17:42:00.000+01:00

Evening all.
Hope you are all well.
Im on a roll with cards at the moment and loving some of the challenges that are going on.
I really wanted to give the belles n whistles challenge a go, the challenge this week is clean and simple. I found this really hard, i wanted to keep adding things to the card. lol. But i managed to hold my self back.

Recipe
Stamp-belles n whistles, beary big hugs
DP-basicgrey, bitters sweet paper pack
Ribbon-stash
Sentiment-whiff of joy, 1001 nights
Colouring-distress inks

Challenges
belles n whistles-clean and simple
stamp with fun-stuffed animals
polly craft-cute and cuddly

x laura x

happy anniversary

2010-09-20T16:06:00.000+01:00

I still have my fingers(and toes) crossed for the whiff of joy GDT. I am very impatient(lol). I wanted to make a anniversary card today. I am a bit disappointed at the fact i dont have a sentiment that says
"happy anniversary", so i have had to leave it blank but will write it inside.(must add to list, i need some more sentiments). I love this stamp. Tilda and Edwin look so happy :-) Poor Tilda i gave her some dark roots in her hair, i think she needs to go to the hairdressers soon for a touch up. But of course she will say she is a natural blonde just like me ;-)

Recipe
Stamp-magnolia, loving bridal couple
DP`s-magnolia, sixpence, shoe ornament
Lace-wild orchid crafts, cream knitting lace
Pearls-stash
Glitter-stickles, platinum

Challenges
just magnolia-lace it up
friday sketchers-sketch

x laura x

whiff of joy guest design team call

2010-09-19T17:35:00.001+01:00

Its that time again when whiff of joy are looking for guest design team members.

The call is open for 1 week, until 23rd September. You can find all the details HERE.
The challenge is to make a bottle tag and being so close to Christmas i made a Christmas bottle tag.

Recipe
Stamp-whiff of joy, lizzie with muff
DP-dovecraft, winter wonderland
Punch-Martha Stewart, punch around the page aspen snowflake
Ribbon-ebay
Charm-snowflake from bunny zoes

Whiff of joy is one of my favorite stamping companies and it would be an honor to work along side them as a GDT.
Well fingers(and toes) crossed.

x laura x

christmas Tilda

2010-09-16T18:03:00.000+01:00

Another Christmas card for you today. I am really getting into making Christmas cards, only another 30ish to make. lol. I followed a sketch for this lay out.
Tilda has been coloured with(yes you guessed it) distress inks.

Recipe
Stamp-magnolia, tilda with a large christmas present
DP`s-dovecraft, winter wonderland
Ribbon-stash
Gems-stash
snowflake-spellbinders, shapeabilities create a flake 1

The snow flake has been covered in twinklets.

Challenge
the secret crafter-challenge 100 sketch
moving along with the times-christmas

x laura x

christmas is coming

2010-09-15T20:25:00.001+01:00

Hi all, sorry i didn't get back to you all on Monday. I meant to post another card. Unfortunately i had a little accident. I passed out and fell down the stairs(oops) I am OK but i have managed to badly bruise the base of my spine, which is not good as i am having trouble sitting down and standing up. I also managed to get a few other bruises. I have to laugh about it, one minute i was at the top next, i was at the bottom, quickest i have ever got down the stairs. lol. Anyway i managed to finish this card today and get it on here for you to see.

Recipe
Stamp-magnolia, christmas party tilda
DP`s-dcwv, christmas wishes multistack
Flowers-wild orchid crafts, poinsettias
Ribbon-stash
Punch-martha stewart, quilted border punch

Tilda is coloured with distress inks. Using a dauber i inked the red around Tilda, I then stamped and heat embossed around the edge using white embossing powder. The stamp i used is Magnolia new years swirl.

Challenges
card patterns-sketch
my time to craft-jeweled and DT
totally gorjuss-flowers

x laura x

whiff of joy

2010-09-12T15:43:00.000+01:00

Hi all, unfortunately i am still unwell :-( it has taken me a couple of days to finish this card due to being so unwell. So yet again this will be a quick post. I have another card that i am just about to finish but probably wont post it until tomorrow. So here is today's card.

Recipes
Stamp-whiff of joy, lizzie with muff
DP`s-dovecraft, winter wonderland
Gems-stash
Border die-spellbinders, snowflake bordabilities
Ribbon-stash

When i used the bordabilities die on the edge of the card, I then put a strip of the winter wonderland DP behind it.
Please see the post before for how i did the glittery snowflakes.

Challenges
whiff of joy-layers

x laura x

feeling a little pink

2010-09-09T15:34:00.000+01:00

My 2nd and last card for today.

Recipe
Stamp-magnolia, jam tilda
DP-magnolia, pink starlit
Ribbon-stash
Sentiment-stampin up, tiny tags set and punched out using the matching tag punch.

This card measures 4x4 inch. I made it for a hello note to send to my nan and grandad. I used the wonderful bow easy to make the bow. I attached the tiny tag using a 6mm jump ring and hooked it on the ribbon to secure. Tilda was coloured using distress inks.

x laura x

"ROAR"

2010-09-09T15:17:00.000+01:00

I felt a little better last night so made a start on 2 more cards, but i feel worse this morning(not good). But i managed to finish the 2 cards this morning. Think i might go back to bed soon. No sympathy from the boyfriend though :-(

Recipe
Stamp-magnolia, lion
DP`s-my minds eye, lush brown diamonds, cappella, timpani
Ribbon-stash
Sentiment-justrite, just a note borders and centers
Pearls-stash

As normal i have coloured the lion with distress inks. Can you believe i only used Brushed Corduroy on the body and the mane. I just watered it down more on the body. I am very pleased with how it turned out. I coloured the nose in black soot and then covered it in glossy accents to give a shiny look. It doesn't look to good in the pictures but in real life it does the job. The brown and white diamond DP is finished in felt so it has a different feel to it.

Challenges
a spoon full of sugar-animal crackers

x laura x

Winter Wonderland

2010-09-08T16:39:00.001+01:00

Quick post today as i have a cold and am really not feeling to good.

Recipe

Stamp-magnolia, edwin riding on a sledge

DP`s-dovecraft, winter wonderland

Ribbon-hobbey craft

Dolly-bizzy becs

I have coloured the image with distress inks and used broken china round the image using a sponge dauber. The snowflakes are cut out using a spellbinders die, snowflake border. I covered them in glue, i used glossy accents for this, then covered then in diamond dust twinklets.

Decorate like magic! The secret to Diamond Dust is that it is not just "plastic" glitter, rather it is finely ground glass that gives projects that extra sparkle!

Challenge

just magnolia-anything goes

sir stamp alot-distress

simon says challenge-holiday fun

Crafty creations -transportation (sledge)

x laura x

My cat has a confession

2010-09-04T16:43:00.002+01:00

Whats with the title? "my cat has a confession" well she does. Being only 7months old Lotti is like a typical cat at that age. Loves climbing and running around like a nutter. In my last post a showed you the first Christmas card i had made, well little Lotti managed to spill water all over it :-( I wasnt happy but i cant blame her (well not totally) i was the one who left water on the desk. Never mind.

Im hoping to get more Christmas cards done from now on as i have purchased some Christmas stuff. (its on its way). But Lotti is keeping me occupied at the moment and probably for the next 2weeks. Why? she went to the vets yesterday to get spayed. She is really not happy about the cone on her head, and it has to stay there for 2weeks. I tried letting her have a bit of time with the collar off but she is straight for the stitches.She has a "thing" about licking the side of it but i think that is because she cant groom her self properly.

Now on to the card.

Recipe

Stamp-Lili of the valley, James bear-pile of presents

DP`s-Papermania, silent night

Flowers-wild orchid crafts, poinsettias Large- Small

Glitter-stickles, crystal
Ribbon-stash

Sentiment-stampin up, from the season of joy set

Image has been coloured with distress inks. I have changed the middle of the poinsettias, i found a blog post by the very talented Bev on the whiff of joy inspirations & tutorial blog and loved what she had done to them, so go take a look. I used a different metal middle bit, the ones i used you can find HERE. I used the large and small snowflake filigree and then just stuck a clear gem in the middle.I have also used stickles on the bears Christmas hat.(hope you can see it)

Challenge

Lili of the valley-sketch

stamp something-something cute
crafts and me-gems and sparkle

x laura x

First christmas card

2010-08-31T14:40:00.000+01:00

This is my first Christmas card that i have made. It is a bit plain as i didn't realize how little Christmas stuff i have. (note to self stock up) Well i managed to scrape together some bits and came up with this.

Recipe
Stamp-lili of the valley, James bear with Christmas cracker
Flowers-wild orchid crafts, poinsettias
DP`s-both are Bo Bunny, 12" st.nick holly berry, 12" st.nick sugar plum
Ribbon-stash

Challenges
secret crafter-make a start on Christmas
lili of the valley-lets go dotty for circles

x laura x

Wedding card

2010-08-26T13:56:00.001+01:00

Afternoon all, I have to start with an apology to you. What for i hear you ask? well for the amount of photos i have taken for this card and box. I must say i am very proud of this card and i hope the wedding couple will love it as much as i do.(i dont really wanna give it away, lol) Anyway on to the photos.

Told you there was a lot of photos. Ok now i just have to remember where everything is from. If i miss anything just leave me a comment. Here goes:

Recipe
Stamp-whiff of joy, willow as bride, oakley as groom, wedding cake, wedding carriage,
magnolia, happily ever after
DP-magnolia, sixpence, Best creation, Mr & Mrs
Flowers-all from a selection at wild orchid crafts
Pearls-stash
Punches-Martha Stewart, heart lace, lace scallop heart
Glitter-stickles, platinum
Colouring-Distress inks
Grey corners-quickcutz, photo corner

I have never designed the inside of a card before and am really happy how it turned out, i think i will be doing this more. On the veil of the bride to give it a bit shine, i used ranger perfect pearls in the colour perfect pearl.

On the back page of the card you will see a little stamped image at the bottom which says "hand made by" and then has my name. I love this stamp and you can find this one and similar ones HERE.

Challenges
sir stamp alot-bring on the bling
wild orchid crafts-make it sparkle
crafts and me-petals and pearls
c.r.a.f.t -big celebration
the secret crafter-blue and cream

x laura x

horsing around

2010-08-24T20:36:00.000+01:00

HI all, im annoyed at my self today. I made a baby boy card as a neighbour has had her baby today. So thought i would do the neighbourly thing and make them a card. Why am i annoyed at my self? well i forgot to yake pictures and i was very pleased with it. Oh well next door is about to pop (lol) so will be able to make a card for them as soon as i know what they are having.
On to the card i had done this evening.

Recipe
Stamp- magnolia, riding tilda, brunte, floral background
Ribbon-stash
Paper-colossal paper pack(dont know the make)

I coloured the images with distress inks. I love these images, i bought Brunte and riding Tilda as i used to work with horses when i was younger. Loved the job but unfortunately it didn't pay well enough, so gave it up :-(

Challenges
by the cute and girly-animal antics
2 sisters-sketch

x laura x

4 you.

2010-08-23T17:14:00.004+01:00

Hi bloggers, how rubbish am i. I thought i would have been able to post more this weekend but haven't managed it, but i have been busy. I have been waiting for a few things to come arrive in the post so i can get on with my wedding card im making. Unfortunately, the shop i ordered the stamp from i am waiting for has sent out the incorrect one, so i am having to wait untill i can show you my card. It is almost down, if the stamp doesn't arrive before the weekend i will show you the card anyway, as the wedding is on Saturday.

Anyway i have put together a card this morning, it is small and simple so don't expect anything to spectacular.

Recipe

Stamp-magnolia, mini flying tilda

DP-stash

Ribbon-stash

Sentiment-stampin up, tiny tags

Punch-stampin up, tiny tag

Corners-quickutz, photo corner

Glitter-stickles, crystal

I coloured Tilda with distress inks and i have yet again used my bow easy to create this amazing bow. Just love it. I am putting bows on all my cards at the moment. lol. I am going to make this cute little card as a set of 5(i think) all different colours. I wanted to show this card today though. I havent got time to make the other little cards this week. I have alot to do and some other cards i want to make and to show you. The card measures 3x3 inches, so is very small.

Challenges

Allsorts-miniature 3"

just magnolia-lets get sentimental

stampin for the weekend-anything goes

paper cutz-anything goes

creative card crew-sparkle and shine
my time to craft-glitter and glitz
moving along with the times-glitter

x laura x

sailor edwin

2010-08-19T21:08:00.002+01:00

Hi all, i have been feeling a bit rubbish this week. But have been working on a wedding card this week which i will try and get finished and put it up soon(just waiting for a stamp to arrive so i can finish it).
On to the card i have done today. Its for my grandads birthday, Im not too good at men cards but im pleased with this one. Im afraid there is only one picture of my card today as my camera had low battery.

Doesn't Edwin look soo cute? I coloured him and the background with distress inks.

Stamp-magnolia, Edwin with binoculars, sea background
DP-magnolia, vintage peacock plaid
Ribbon-stash

Challenges
ABC -blue

x laura x

Baby time

2010-08-14T20:32:00.002+01:00

Hi all, Just a really quick post as i have another one to squeeze in tonight. I went through all the challenges i could find as i wanted to do a baby card today. I have a friend that is having a baby girl in September, so just in case i thought i would get this done, so it is ready.

Challenges
sketch and stash-sketch and the stash i have used is the baby girl ribbon, I have had it for ages and not got round to using it.
cupcake craft challenges-lace(hope my lacy doily counts)
creative card crew-cute and girlie
charisma cardz-easel card
the secret crafter saturday challenge-what are little girls made of

Ill be back in a little bit to give you all the recipe.

x laura x

Update
Ok i think i was being a bit to postive when i said i would be back with another card. I have just seen the time, no wonder i am feeling tired. Well i said i would pop back and give you all the recipe.

Stamp-magnolia, tingla
DP papers-flair designs, baby of mine collection
Ribbon-its a girl from hobby craft
Pearls-stash
Doily-a selection from bizzy becs
Glitter-stickles, cotton candy
Punch-martha stewart, heart lace

And again i used the bow easy for my perfect bow, this is my new love(until i find another)

x laura x

Home Sweet Home

2010-08-13T17:41:00.000+01:00

Hello Bloggers, sorry i have not managed to get a post out before now. As i said in my last post i had a week away with my partner and his parents. It was lovely, we went up to the Lake District as they have a time share there. I have never been to the Lake District before and it was a brilliant week although very tiring for me. James and I visted an animal park which was amazing, I love animals and never get tired of going to different places to vist them. I think it was called south lake animal park, a must if you are in that neck of the woods.
I got back on Saturday evening and have taken the last week to recover and and get back on top of things. James has a friend at work who is in the process of buying a house with his girlfriend, so thought i would get ahead and make them a card for their new home.

For this lay out i followed a sketch set by a challenge blog but didn't relies it finished this morning(silly me) I was waiting to show you this card as i wanted to add the bow before uploading it, I was waiting for my bow easy to arrive in the post. I got it this morning and love it, so clever. A perfect bow every time. You can buy one HERE.

Stamp-magnolia, wooden house
DP-my minds eye, complete boy
Ribbon-stash
Punch-martha stewart, quilted edge punch
Glitter-ranger stickles, baby blue

Dont forget to keep an eye on my blogs side bar for up to date candy for you to join in and win.

x laura x

update.

2010-07-30T14:40:00.000+01:00

Hi bloggers, just a quick post to let you know im off on holiday this week. I am goin to be away until 8th August so will not be posting for the week.
I hope you all have a lovely week.

x laura x

Dancing Tilda

2010-07-28T17:30:00.000+01:00

Hi all, I have been looking through the challenges this week and picked a few i wanted to join in with. I took a look at the just magnolia challenge and wasnt sure whether to join in. I am not normally very good at vintage theme, but after scouting through some of the amazing blogs i follow i thought i would have ago. I started this card yesterday and ended up very fustated, every time i tried to stamp Tilda it was going wrong. I hate wasting things, and ended up going through 2 pages of expensive water colouring paper, which annoyed me very much. I finally finished making my card today and thankfully today was a better day than yesterday. I stamped tilda with the latern first time(yipee). So i have a few photos for you. Im very pleased with this card.

Stamp-magnolia, mid summer Tilda and love lantern
DP-papermania, regency
Flowers-selection from wild orchid crafts
Ribbon and pearls from stash

The strip of brown coloured writing i made my self. I used stampin up En Francis stamp with memento cocoa ink stamped onto normal white card stock. I then distressed it using Tim Holtz distress ink in brushed corduroy. I also used Tim Holtz distress tool to add a bit of a rough edge. I added gloss accents to the glass on the lantern to give it a bit of shine, you can just see it in one of the pictures.

Challenges
just magnolia-week 65 vintage
friday sketchers-sketch 112
stamp challenge-something flowery
create4fun-flowers
raise the bar-distressed, torn, ripped, broken

Wishing you all a lovely weekend.

x laura x

Whiff of joy DT entry.

2010-07-22T21:05:00.000+01:00

Evening all. This post is being entered into the whiff of joy DT(design team) call. My very first stamp was a whiff of joy one, I adore them, I have quite a collection growing. So when i saw there was a DT call HERE i jumped at the chance to enter. Am i good enough? Im not sure but i thought hey if i dont enter i will never know. Now to enter i had to make a card using at least one whiff of joy stamp.
This is what i came up with:

I wanted to keep the card simple as i wanted all the attention drawn to the image and the background.

stamp-whiff of joy, queen charlotte, charlottes horse, magnolia, floral backgound
DP-papermania, henbury lane
ribbon-stash
coloured with distress inks

Challenges
magnolia down under-season themed card

Wish me luck and fingers crossed.

x laura x

whimsy blog hop

2010-07-20T10:16:00.001+01:00

Just wanted to do a quick post about the new whimsy collection. It is beautiful and there are some fab cards along the blog hop to view. If you fancy being in with a chance to win these:

Go over and start the blog hop HERE.

Remember to follow the blog hop carefully and make sure you leave a comment on each page to be in with the chance.

x laura x

just hanging around

2010-07-17T16:21:00.002+01:00

Hello bloggers, hows the weather where you are? Its lovely in Essex, UK not too hot not too cold, so just right for me. I received the magnolia summer kit this morning, I bought it off someone who didnt want it. So i just had to ink this one up as it made me chuckle when i saw it.

Stamp-magnolia, dangling sea Edwin
DP-magnolia, lazy summer days
Rest-from my stash

Challenges
daring cardmakers-we are sailing
allsorts-summer days
the secret crafter-summer holidays

Look at Edwin, doesn't he look soo cute, just hanging around. I have coloured him with distress inks(im addicted). If you have any questions at any time, about anything, just leave me a comment.

x laura x

anything but a card.

2010-07-14T21:22:00.003+01:00

Evening bloggers, Sorry my post is so late today i am still recovering from yesterday. I have had such a bad headache all day, so have been going in and out my craft room. I wanted to get this done today though as had some challenges it fits in with. You might of seen my post about the easel card i made HERE. I decided that i would give it to my boyfriends mother for her birthday. As i had added lots of flowers to it i was uncertain how to send it, so decided to make a box for it to go in.

Stamps-magnolia, longing tilda, tilda with gifts, mid summer tilda
Box-white 12x12 bazzill card stock
DP-magnolia, pink starlit

Challenges:
create4fun-anything but a card
the secret crafter-apertures
creative card crew-to die for
craftalicious-cute
2 sisters challenge-anything goes

I have coloured the tildas with distress inks and im pleased to say im getting better(at last) I am very happy with how this has turned out. I didnt want to decorate the front of the box to much as the card inside is decorated, so left it simple. I also didnt want to put a whole image on the front as that would be too much like the card. So came up with just using the top halfs. 3 fitted perfectly and im glad with how it has turned out.

Please leave any comments you have good or bad, love to know what you think.

x laura x

Belles n whistles card

2010-07-13T16:48:00.000+01:00

I have had a very busy morning so far. I wont go into to many details but a little over a year ago i was a witness to a incident that happened, so today i had to got to court as a prosecution witness. I was so worried about it, so worried that my M.E started to act up. Thankfully it didnt take to long so i was able to get home and have a nap. I wanted to get this post done today as i have another project lined up that i want to do tomorrow and show you.
So on to the card, unfortunately i have only 1 belles n whistles stamp(which you have already seen) and so wanted to join in with the sketch they have. I am very picky with sketches, as i dont like to put too many different things on my cards. The sketch is lovely just want i like, i have followed the sketch but have rotated it 90 degrees anti-clockwise to suit my stamp better.

Stamp-belles n whistles, beary big hugs
Flowers-a selection from wild orchid crafts
Spellbinders nestabilities large deckled rectangles
Dollies-a selection from bizzy becs
DP-both prima, shabby chic collection "sweets"(blue), watercolour rainbow collection "whimsy"(pink)

Challenges
belles n whistles-sketch
wild orchid challenge-say it with flowers

Hope everyone is having a good week.

x laura x

Well prepared!

2010-07-11T16:45:00.000+01:00

Afternoon bloggers. It has taken me a while to get going today as i went to a BBQ last night as a friends son is going around the world with his girlfriend for a year, sadly I wasnt told until yesterday that it was happening(boyfriends fault). So i wasnt able to make a card in time. I had a brilliant evening, good to catch up with friends i havent seen in a while. So due to the late night we had(home at midnight) my body didnt want to let me get out of bed straight away. Due to the fact i was not able to make a card, i wanted to be prepared for the furture, so have made a list(love my lists). First on my list is my nephew`s(my boyfriends brothers son) birthday card. He is going to be 2years old at the start of August. So here it is:

Stamp-the greeting farm, a happy day
Sentiment-justrite, just a note borders and centre`s set
DP-best creation inc, transportation

I wanted to show as much of the DP as i could so have left the card very simple. I love the the DP, i saw it and thought it was perfect. Also it has glitter on it so im happy. I have coloured the image with promarkers. The sentiment is a new set i found HERE. As you may know from a previous post i didnt have many sentiments, so this set gave me 10 sentiments(brilliant). I didnt buy the wood stamper to go with them though. I just use non permanent sticky tape and attach them to a stamping block(Saved £8.00.(bonus)).
Sadly there are no challenges(that i know of) that this would fit into. So it`s just the card today, but at least it is done. 1 item ticked off the list, now onto the next.

x laura x

Elisabeth Bell Giveaway!

2010-07-11T09:08:00.001+01:00

The amazingly talented Elisabeth Bell is giving away 36 stamps(jaw drops). Yes 36 amazing stamps. There are a few rules, so make sure you follow them carefully as you will not want to miss out on this.
You can find the give away HERE.
Closes 16th July.
Good Luck!

x laura x

secret crafter freebie friday

2010-07-09T14:21:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post to make you all aware of the secret crafter freebie friday give away. There is a couple of rules, so follow them carefully.
Good luck

x laura x

more challenges.

2010-07-08T12:24:00.000+01:00

Afternoon bloggers. Just a quick post this afternoon. I made a card to go with some of the challenges i came across.

stamp-belles n whistles, beary big hugs
dp-papermania, rose garden
roses-selection from wild orchid crafts
sentiment-whiff of joy, 1001 nights
pearls-stash
glittler-stickles

The image is coloured with distress inks. I am in love with distress inks, now i have got the hang of them. The ribbon was white organza ribbon which i have coloured with promarkers to match the colour of the dp i used. I am a little disappointed with the way the sentiment came out, i wanted it to be a bit brighter. Never mind you can still see it.

Challenges:
belles n whistles-glitter and pearls
yns challenges-challenge 20 flower power
magical crafts fortnightly challenge-challenge 18 flower power
crafty cardmakers-challenge 24 inky fingers

x laura x

summer

2010-07-06T21:01:00.001+01:00

Hi bloggers, Im on a roll with these challenges. My mojo is starting to return but it has taken all day. I have been backwards and forwards from my craft area today so many times i think i am wearing the carpet down. So onto the card:

stamp-whiff of joy, willow with strawberry basket
sentiment-stampin up, tiny tags and tiny tags punch
DP-magnolia, strawberrys and cream, papermania yellow capsule collection
ribbon-papermania yellow capsule collection
charm-strawberry found here

Now for the challenges:
sketch and stamp-challenge 31 sketch
by the cute and girly-july challenge. warm summer days
cute card thursday-challenge 119, lets get fruity
sir stamp alot-july challenge, lazy hazy days of summer
charisma cardz-challenge 26, metal mickey

x Laura x

challenges

2010-07-05T18:10:00.000+01:00

Hello, are you liking the weather in the UK? its so hot.
I had a look at some challenges today as my mojo has gone walk about(if anyone finds it can you send it back please) So i came across a few challenges i wanted to join in with and this is what i came up with.

stamp-magnolia. longing tilda, castle window, frog, im a prince kiss me.
sentiment- verve
DP-papermania, rose garden
card- bazzill, kraft, brown
water-blue card, blue glitter glue

The castle window was coloured with promarkers. I coloured the frog and tilda with distress inks. I ordered more distress inks and they arrived today and just had to use them. I did a better job this time as well. Still needs work but ill get there, just need more practice.

Challenges:
just magnolia-week 62, make a criss cross card
allsorts-challenge 59, create a scene
secret crafter-challenge 90, water

x Laura x

no longer a distress virgin!

2010-06-30T18:31:00.000+01:00

Hello bloggers, sorry i havent posted this week but i really still havent been to good with the heat this week. My M.E is messing about but feel a bit better today so thought i would shout out about what i have done today.
Now i have been very jealous lately, it seems more and more people are colouring and stamping using Tim Holtz distress inks. From what i have seen they are brilliant, so wanted to try them for my self. I have only 5 distress inks of my own these are:
-worn lipstick
-brushed corduroy
-dried marigold
-vintage photo
-broken china
One of my favorite stamp collections(due to elisabeth bell) is whiff of joy, i just love her designs, I came across their whiff of joy inspirations and tutorial blog. I try and go on there every other day to check out their blog posts and fab tutorials.
Well i came across this tutorial and jumped at the chance to have a go at this. I have seen other tutorials but they havent been as detailed as this one plus i was in the mood and had the energy to go to hobby craft to get supplies. I picked up a water colour pad and some brushes.
Now as i only have 5 distress inks i was limited in the colouring area but i had a go and different strengths of the colour. Please remember this is my first go at this, so to be honest it isnt that good.

This picture is with out a flash. As you can see i smudged the far right hoove with my hand(silly me) Also i think i used a bit too much water and that is why some of the colours have run. For the body i used brushed corduroy and i havent shadded it correctly but i was just practicing with different depths of the same colour and i was really impressed.

This is with the flash and shows the colouring depths better. I am pleased with it as like i said it is my first go at this. I am so happy i found the tutorial and want to say a big thank you to Ann who posted the tutorial, i found it so easy to follow. I am now going to add more distress inks to my wish list.
Stamp-whiff of joy, Charlottes Horse
Distress inks- from inkylicious (cheapest i have found in the UK)

I hope you like the post i found and if like me if you have never tried distress inks and want to have a go take a look at the tutorial.
I would love it if you could leave a comment, let me know what you think good/bad or any advice or tips you would like to share with me.

x Laura x

last post today

2010-06-25T14:24:00.000+01:00

I love my new magnolia wedding collection 2010 stamps. I wanted to use them with some of my older stamps. This is what i came up with.

Stamps- Magnolia, wedding rose arch, tilda with three flowers.
Sentiment-verve
DP-magnolia, pink starlit
Flowers-wild orchid crafts
Punch-MS, corner punch daisy
Spell binders nestabilities label ten
Colouring-Background(sky and grass) chalks, rest of image, promarkers

Hope you are all enjoying the UK weather at the moment! x

x Laura x

New stamp. yipeee!

2010-06-25T13:55:00.000+01:00

I have been searching for this stamp for ages. It has been out of stock for a while now, well it is a lovely stamp so there is no surprise there. I finally found a shop in Australia(i am in the UK) that had it in stock and i jumped at the chance of ordering it. It worked out around the same price to get it from Australia as it would to buy it from the UK. Mad isn't it. I was expecting to wait around 10-14days. I ordered it on Thursday and to my amazement it dropped through the door on Tuesday. I am amazed. It took the weekend. I sometimes have to wait longer for supplies to come from within the UK. As soon as i received it i just had to use it. What stamp i here you asking. WELL............

This is a belles n whistles stamp called beary big hugs. I love it, it is just so cute. I coloured this cute image with promarkers. Flowers are from wild orchid crafts. They have a new website now and so much more stuff. Ribbon is wide organza ribbon in white. I coloured the ribbon in with my promarkers to match the jeans in the image.

I added pink stickles to the edge of the flowers to make them sparkle, and blue around the image.
If you have any questions ever, just leave a comment and i will get back to you ASAP.

x Laura x

Where to start?

2010-06-25T13:17:00.000+01:00

OK i know i have been a bit slow on the posts this week but i havent been very well. I have ME and have had it for just over 2years now. Due to the lovely hot weather in the UK at the moment i have been very tired, so unable to do much.
Anyway i have managed to make a couple of cards today. So will have alot to show you. I think i may spilt this up into a couple of different posts(dont want to bore you lol!)
This is a card i made for my dad. A bit late i know. But better late than never.

My dad loves doing BBQ`s so i saw this image and thought it would be great for him. The image is a digital download you can find it here. I wanted to do more of a scene maybe trees in the background but run out of time. Papers are from my stash(they were loose and i dont know where from) I coloured the image with promarkers. Sentiment is from verve. I love their sentiments.

x Laura x

Happy fathers day.

2010-06-18T15:51:00.000+01:00

Hi all, I made a quick card today for my boyfriends dad, he is mad about golf. Every time i see him he is off playing golf. lol! I did rush this a bit have things to do. You can still see the glue around the pearls. I don't have time to wait for it to dry and disappear. Things to do!

Recipe:
Stamp-penny black golfing hedgehog, Sentiment,verve.
Papers- papermania, regency(brown spotty paper) Basic grey(brown paper at back) stash(stripey)
Ribbon-old stash
Bling/pearls-stash

Challenges:
totally gorjuss- one for the boys
crafts and me- family and friends
charisma cardz- all about bling
the cute and girly- something new(verve stamp) and something old(brown ribbon)

I hope to be back tomorrow with another card.

x Laura x

A girl can dream!!!

2010-06-16T20:34:00.000+01:00

I just had to do a quick blog update. I have been busy this week and just havent been able to do much crafting. I received my 2010 wedding collection magnolia stamps yesterday. I ordered 6, i was good. I just had to stamp this up and colour it straight away.

I took a picture with and without a flash, but the pictures just dont do it justice. I loved colouring this in i used chalks for the background and promarkers for the figures. I just love this scene and couple. The reason you ask, well this would be my perfect wedding. On a beach, me and my loved one getting married. And at the rate im going this probably will be the closet i get to it. So i think i will frame it and hang it up some where, maybe the craft room. I have already showed my boyfriend(hint hint) lol! Maybe i should frame it and put it next to my boyfriends side of the bed. Oh well a girl can dream. I was going to make it in a card, but have no one to give it to, so frame it, it is. I will be back soon hopefully with more cards using my new magnolia stamps.

x Laura x

sketch challenge

2010-06-10T12:10:00.001+01:00

Just a very, very quick post today. I came across a new challenge blog totally gorjuss. They had a sketch challenge for this week so thought i would join in. They have brilliant challenges so go check them out.

Recipe:
papers- papermania, mixture of the rose garden and henbury lane.
ribbon-papermania
stamp-magnolia, lady tilda coloured with promarkers
Glitter-stickles glitter glue
Pearls-selection from quixotic paperie

x Laura x

Longing Tilda!

2010-06-08T13:27:00.000+01:00

Hi all, Just a quick post today. I made this card this morning with some challenges in mind. Straight to the card.

I hope from this picture you can see the lace heart punch out glitter. I sprayed it with perfect pearl mist that i mixed together my self, using the powder, water and a mini mister. I do love it, but i find you have to be carful how much you use otherwise your project can get very wet(i had to wait a while for it to dry). I wanted to add some words to it, i was looking for something like "just thinking about you" "just sitting here thinking of you" something like that. I searched all through my stamps and have released i dont have alot of sentiments. If fact hardly any. I found this "thinking of you" in my sticker draw, but only had it in silver. It was the best i had so used it. You cant see it that well in the picture but its looks OK in real life.

I coloured this using my promarkers, still practicing my shading, its getting better.
Recipe:
papers-Tim Holtz, vintage shabby
stamp-longing tilda, castle window
Punch-MS, heart lace
flowers-selection from wild orchid crafts

Now onto the challenges i am entering this card into:
a spoonfull of sugar-floral delight
crafts and me-distressed
charisma cardz-flowers
cupcake crafts-dazzle
Fingers crossed.

x Laura x 

Sir stamp alot.

2010-06-06T20:58:00.001+01:00

I am back home now, and back to the craft room i go. I really didnt have a plan when making this card, so i am a little unsure about it. However i found that sir stamp alot have a new monthly blog, they have such good prizes i just had to join in. Junes challenge recipe is "Punch it". Find the challenge HERE.

Stamp- whimsy stamps "wings of hope"
Coloured in using pro markers
Punch- MS lace hearts
Paper- Blueberry hill by papermania

I coloured and cut out 3 stamped images and popped them up to give the card more dimension. This took my all day as i haven`t been feeling that good, I had to do it a little at a time. I think im going to have a early night. Fingers crossed for the challenge.

x Laura x

Magnolia

2010-06-05T21:08:00.000+01:00

Hi, just a very quick post. first of all i will be back home tomorrow so hopefully will be able to get back in my craft room and get started. secondly 1 of my favourite craft online shops has just got the Magnolia wedding collection 2010 for pre-order. (due in the middle of June). I cant wait i have already put my order in(i really shouldnt off as i cant really afford it this month) have now restricted my self from buying any more stamps(well for the rest of the month) you can find them at crafts u love. Im so excited. Really looking forward to them arriving, I will start stalking the postman! I hope everyone is well.

x Laura x

Distress!

2010-05-27T16:29:00.003+01:00

HI all, i managed to squeeze a card in today. yipee!! I had been waiting for some orders to come through over the past week, as i am widening what i use(if that makes sense). I have wanted to try distress inks for a while now. I bought some a while ago but didnt really know how to use them. So as i have not been able to make a card since saturday but still had internet i thought i would sit down and go through some blogs and find the different ways they can be used. Well i found some posts useful but not exactly what i wanted so went to you tube(i should of just gone there first) i found exactly what i wanted to know almost straight away. Amazing, i now love you tube. I had a look through different challange blogs to see what their recipes were. I found a few i thought i would take part in.

Cute card thursday- No design papers
A spoon full of sugar- Celebrations!
The secret crafter -No patterned papers
Crafty creations- Favourite stamp
Stamp something- 2 of something
Creative inspirations- Distress

So here is my finished card that i have entered into these challenges. I know that some challenges i have entered this card into say no patterend or designer paper. Well this background i created my self so though it would count. I used white card stock and stamped my Stampin up- En francais in memento ink-cocoa. I then took my distress ink-worn lipstick and distressed the page, this is the first time i have used distress inks and am quite pleased with how it turned out. Its not perfect but its good enough for my first try. I tried to make it darker on the edges and lighter in the middle, which it is but i still need to practice more. Anyway that is enough of me waffling on.

Recipe;

Stamp- En francais(background) Magnolia, flying tilda. Sentiment- verve

x Laura x

Quick update

2010-05-23T07:49:00.000+01:00

Hi, hope you are all well. Just to let you all know, i will be away from my craft room for about 2weeks. I am cat sitting for a friend so am unable to get to my craft room. I will if i can pop back maybe at the weekend to try and squeeze in a card(hopefully) but unfortunately i cant promise anything. I am really going to miss my craft room but when i do return i hope i will be raring to go. I will still have internet though so hopefully this will give me the chance to sort out my blog page better.

x Laura x

Package arrived

2010-05-20T17:59:00.001+01:00

Hi all, just a quick post this evening. I am in a rush but had to get this up. Sadly no card today but i just wanted to show you what was in the do crafts may goody bag. I had to wait for this until now as there was a delay in getting these goody bags in shops(or so i was told). I purchased this from craft super store. I love getting these bags you get £30 worth of products for just £14.99. I don't get them every month but i do try. I also think it gives me different things to try which i might not buy otherwise. Like i said quick post today. I'm off now to watch the new Jennifer Lopez film The back up plan.

x Laura x

Magnolia my new passion???

2010-05-18T18:20:00.005+01:00

Hi all, hope you are well. This is my first card using Magnolia stamps. I must admit i have not bought any Magnolia stamps as of yet, i am saving up to buy some(as they are not cheap) I love the background stamps they do(cant wait) So i bet you wonder where i got these from, well i did a stamped images swap with someone. Well i am now loving them. I have a few to keep me going until i can buy some. Yipee!
I have also been practicing my colouring, I have now got a wider range of promarkers allowing me to colour better i.e shading.
When making this card i didnt have anything in mind, so im now going to have a look to see if there are any challenges for me to enter this into today.
RECIPE-
stamp- Magnolia
papers- papermania the rose garden
flowers- wild orchard
gems- stash
stamp sentiment- verve stamps

Ill pop back tonight and add what challenges i am entering this in to.

x Laura x
Challenges-
-a spoon full of sugar- cute & girly HERE
-just magnolia- one for the girls HERE
-by the cute and girly- celebrations HERE.

whiff of joy challenge

2010-05-13T14:29:00.001+01:00

hi all, hope you are all well. Here is my take on the sketch from whiff of joy challenge. You can find the challenge page HERE.
I am also entering this into cute card Thursday, which can be found HERE.

x Laura x

strawberry theme

2010-05-12T17:52:00.003+01:00

Hi all, i really am on a roll today. I cant quite believe it. I am entering this card into;
- Saturday challenge- pop up HERE
- Your next stamp challenge- 3 embellishments, 2 papers, 1 image. HERE
- Passion for promarkers- stawberrys and cream. HERE
I used a WOJ image and popped the arm up to give it a little dimension(plus the challenge is pop it up) i went for a strawberry theme as i really wanted to use these cute charms i had in my stash.

x Laura x

a spoon full of sugar- challenge 103

2010-05-12T11:20:00.001+01:00

hi all, 2nd post (i am on a roll today) entering this card into; A spoon full of sugar challenge- 103. Recipe 3 designer papers and 3 buttons. I love this card. If you want to enter this challenge click here
Stamp- WOJ- sitting summer willow.

x Laura x

cute card thursday! boyz to men.

2010-05-12T10:43:00.000+01:00

hi, this is my first ever post. exciting!!! Im only just getting to grips with blogging though. I am entering this card into cute card challenge- boyz to men. fingers crossed.
stamp- c.c designs- balloon Trevor

x Laura x

great candy give away

2010-04-30T15:41:00.000+01:00

amazing give away!
i love the pop up card, amazing colouring gives the card so much detail and really makes it stand out from the rest.

Go check it out! http://www.makeitcrafty.com.au/news/big-news-giveaway-candy