♥~♥ Merry Christmas ♥~♥

Time went so fast yesterday that I didn't manage to get on here to post, so I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Day and are enjoying Boxing Day x

We had a lovely family day here, with my mum, sister and her hubby too. Dad was very much missed in person, gee it was so strange without him, but he was never forgotten and with us in spirit. Emily and Katieann were away at their dad's too, so we'll just have to do Christmas all over again when they get back on Tuesday!! :)

Well, Kayleigh and Daisy are playing tennis on the Wii...George has finally given in and gone off for a well earned nap...and Mum is knitting...so I thought I'd nip on here quick :)

This is a card I made with the gorgeous December digi image from Elisabeth Bell...

Make It Crafty - Blog Hop!

Well here we are!! The countdown is complete and the big day is finally here! Nooooooo...not THAT big day....THIS one!!! The Make It Crafty Blog Hop day!! :0)

It's been a manic week here so huge apologies while I type and post at the same time x

Hopefully you arrived here from Irina ...but if not then you can start the hop at the Make It Crafty blog. If you're on track then the next person to visit is the fantabulous Mag's ...

Our hop today is to bring you the BRAND NEW images from MIC , designed for Spring & Love x

As you 'hop around the World' (our design team has members all over the globe) the girls have the most fantastic and inspiring projects to show you.

I have used the image named 'Stairway to Heaven' and merged it with Sapphire sitting ...then whilst shuffling stuff around my desk I found Mo Manning's gorgeous little Jack from the 'They Grow So Fast' image, who just fitted the scene perfectly x

There are many wonderful goodies that you can win so be sure to read all the details ... it could be YOU!!!! :0)

Along the way you will find some puzzle pieces...but not on everyone's blogs, so keep your eyes peeled!
Here is puzzle piece No 2!

Mo's Challenge # 62

STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *.*

I'm sooooooooo NOT ready for Christmas yet!!! 365 days notice just isn't long enough!!!!!

I have taken advantage of Mo's challenge this week to get another much needed Christmas card made! The theme set by our dear friend Lisa ... is Fantasyland! Invite all those princesses, fairies and elves to play! I've used the gorgeous Bella Loves Christmas on my card and coloured her with Prisma pencils.

Wonderous Stories - Yes

I missed last weeks 'Music saves my Soul' with Marcea...and almost missed today's too!! But I'm still up, so I'll class it as Saturday! lol

I'm going for an absolute classic this week...enjoy!

Mo's Challenge # 61

I can't believe it's Thursday again!! Own up...who pinched the other days of the week????? *.* Mind you, I'd me more 'miffed' if someone stole Thursday, as we'd have no Mo challenge...and that won't do! :)

This week, my fabulous teamie Lisa, has chosen Winter Wonderland as our theme. I was going to do something completely different and then... on Tuesday our choir from school went to our local 'old folks home' to sing them some Christmas Carols. As Katieann is in the choir I offered to drive some of the children there, and stayed to listen. I hadn't even given it a thought, but of course seeing all the elderly people with smiles on their faces, and some singing along, just reminded me of how much Dad loved seeing my girls :( But I managed...and the children sang beautifully! They were rewarded with a drink and a scrummy piece of chocolate cake...made by one of their 'award winning' chefs! But that wasn't all...they were then ALL handed a huge tube of Smarties or a big chocolate Santa...including Daisy!! Speaking to our Headteacher afterwards, I offered to make a Thank You card for them...we were supposed to be going to give them a treat after all!! lol

This is the result...a Christmas themed 'Thank You'...with of course the perfect Mo image...Choir!

Have a lovely week...and be careful out there xx

I have entered this into

Papertake Weekly - Red and Green must not be seen

Creative Card Crew - Anything goes

Spoon Full of Sugar - Christmas Cards

Creative Inspirations - White Papers

Simon Says - No red or green

Just Inklined December Hop!

Morning! And a very chilly one it is too...So the best way to warm yourself up is to go for a hop! :0)

The Just Inklined team's hop for this month has the theme of 'Stitching' ... this can be real or faux.

I have used the gorgeous 'Christmas Wreath - Pinecones' image.

If you arrived at my blog via our fabulous Guest Designer 'Jeni' ...then you've probably just about finished your hopping ... and your cup of tea! If not....then head on back to who is at the starting post! Oh...and don't forget your tea! :0)

Mo's Challenge # 60

Good morning all... or shall I just leave it as 'morning all'??? Lol ...Not so much of the 'good' if you're all snowed in, huh?!! Here in the South East, we've had such a lucky escape as we'd only had a couple of cm's of snow...and most of that had disappeared with the sunshine....

That is until....NOW!!! As I type this at 1.45am it's snowing madly out there, and with a couple of inches down, there looks like another couple of feet up in the sky!!! Eeeek!

Sadly, I missed all of the challenges I set at Mo's over the last month...but I'm back to join this weeks, set by Lisa x

Lisa chose Glitz/ glimmer as a theme for this week...and I have used the BRAND NEW freebie image ' Hanging the Star' (available if you are a fan on Mo's Facebook page for a very short time!) ...but the glitzy bit hasn't shown up very well. I'll try taking another photo tomorrow/later today!!! When the light might be better! haha ^.^

Have a good day all...and stay safe xxx

I'm entering this into By The Cute and Girly challenge this week - Children

Dad x

02/01/1924 ~ 03/11/2010

As so many of you have sent thoughts, prayers and best wishes to Dad...and the family, especially over the last few months... I just needed to let you know that sadly he lost his battle with cancer yesterday.

Missing him already xx

A Late Treat!

Time seems to be running away with me at the moment, but I've finally managed to get my Halloween swaps out for the Craft Swap forum. We have an annual swap where we send and receive cards to/from each other...but we never know who they are coming from until they arrive...a bit like secret santa!

Anyway...I've used an image from a brand new digi company...Stamp Fairy...run by the lovely Gerda, who draws the most gorgeous little cuties.

This is from the Chubby Halloween collection...and I've made a penny spinner card with him.

School run calls, so I must dash! Have a lovely day all x

Just Inklined November Blog Hop!

I can't believe we're in November already!! The months keep going faster and faster...it really doesn't seem that long ago that all the snow was here!!

This month's Just Inklined hop is hosted by...........ME!!! Yay!! And my theme choice is to use at least 2 punches on our cards.

My chosen image is the most gorgeous 'Corner Poppy' image...and instead of using it in a corner, I've used one the right way and flipped one so they're back to back. This is such a fabulous image...and perfect for this time of year.

I am at the beginning of the hop, so you haven't missed a thing! Next, hop along to the fabulously talented Debbie who I just know, will have something fantastic to show you.

Thanks for stopping by...and enjoy the journey x

Music Saves My Soul

I've often seen this gorgeous image about, but not really had a chance to investigate where it comes from. I followed the link a few days ago and found that it goes to Marcea's fabby blog :)

I can't live without my music... I think my biggest bookmark file has to be 'You Tube Music', so this is great!

Well...it's been really hard for me (and the family) this week. Dad is struggling to battle with his cancer, and my life, if there was ever a time that I wished I had a magic wand...it's now.

This song is a 'double A side' for me...My Dad is the only man who has always been there for me...and at these sad and trying times...I'm doing my best to be there for him xx

Pick a Season!!

Morning!

We're whizzing through half term here in the UK! ...Slow down... I've still got heaps to do!!! Lol

This week for Mo's challenge, Dawn has set us the challenge of 'Pick a Season'! So... you can choose!

I have gone for a Spring themed card, and have used the gorgeous 'Spring Fairy Puddle' image.

I have also added one of my favourite techniques to it too...the 'hair gel pond' ... only this time I added a drop or two of green food colouring, which makes it look a bit like weed...and the frog has been paper pieced.

I am entering this into...

Creative Card Crew - Punches

Digital Tuesday - Use a non craft item -- I've used Hair Gel

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Punches

Cute Card Thursday - Something transparent

Allsorts - Spots & Stripes

Paper Pretties - Square

Make It Crafty - Sketch

Morning/afternoon/evening to you...depending on where in the world you are! :) The lovely Zoe and 'Make it Crafty' are based in Australia, so are at the other end of the day to me...but apart from posting times, it really doesn't make any difference at all :)

We have a fabulous sketch for you this time...and if you add a bit of vintage/distressing that would be even better!! Having had a hectic week with a poorly Dad, my brain cell (singular!) seems to be under strain...and I neglected to read the vintage bit until adding the final charm!! Eeeek!! So, with scissors in hand the edges got a bit of distressing...but I'll also class my Zombie as 'vintage' 'cause he looks as if he's been around for a while!!! Lol

I have merged the Crooked Picket Fence image with the Halloween Zombie (quick...he's a freebie at the moment!! ) image, in Word. I then made a mask for them and using my new 'colour duster' brushes, made the background. I also used a 1 1/4 circle punch to mask the corner to make a moon, then used my new Mica powders to fill it in.

You have until the 9th November to enter ...and the winner will get 2 brand new RUBBER Santa stamps!!!!!

Have a fab day x
I'm entering this into ...

Cards for Men - Anything Goes
Simon Says - Punch!

Hanna and Friends - Halloween

Stampin' for the Weekend - Halloween/Fall

Stamptacular Sunday - Orange, Lime green, cream & Plum purple

Elisabeth Bell Challenge #1 !!!

It's here!!! The very first Elisabeth Bell challenge! These challenges will be monthly, and you may use absolutely ANY of the wonderful images from Elisabeth...stamps or digital.

This month's challenge is to make a 3 x 3 boxed note card or tote set.

I have made two projects...one of each!!

The first is an adapted version of the 3 x 3 box set...I have made mine larger. The image I've used is Lizzie with Muff from Whiff of Joy.

This is my 2nd project which is the 3 x 3 tote bag...this time using the adorable Willow with Toddler stamp. I have stamped part of the image onto watercolour paper using Tim Holtz distress ink, and then lightly brushed over the outline with a water brush to give the image a slight colouring. The background to the bag and notelets have been made using a Stampin' Up! stamp set and ink.
You have until the 22nd November to enter the challenge...

I'm entering the box set into

Allsort's challenge of - Spots and Stripes

Christmas Stamping All Year Long - Something metal - metal brad and snowflake charm

Marks Finest Papers - Diecuts/punches

Tuesday Throwdown - Anything Goes

OSAAT - Any Celebration

Next Best Thing!

Katieann went to one of her friends' birthday party tonight...with the theme of cupcakes! But after the day I've had, it got closer and closer to her going and I still needed to make a card! Well...the next best thing to a cupcake is... an Elisabeth Bell 'Ice Cream Sundae'!!

I just love this image, and for a 9 year old girl, it's perfect :)

I'm entering this into

Stamp Something - Use a Digi

Tip Top Tuesday - Anything Goes
Crafty Purple Frog - Anything Goes

Fall Colours with Mo....

I was going to say that the colours of this weeks theme fit nicely with the look outside...however...white would be more appropriate today!! Every where is covered in frost...and we have swimming today - in an outdoor pool!! Eeeek!! Last one until next May though, and I have to say that the children are fine...they have a water temp of 32degrees+ and sweltering changing rooms...it's just us that freeze on the side of the pool, Lol

Anyway... this weeks challenge at Mo's has the theme of 'Fall Colours' ... it doesn't have to be a autumnal scene...you just need to use the colours we associate with Autumn/Fall.

I have used the gorgeous little 'Kai is One' image and given him a yummy choccie cake!

Three Trees....

A day perfect for this card!! Autumnal, with a blast of sunshine to give the colours I've used on here.

The image is Three Trees from Just Inklined, and the leaves that I've used to edge the tree matt are from a tapestry set.

After a lengthy rummage in the depths of my punch drawer, I found two leaf punches, and used them on various coloured Stampin' Up! cardstock to make the very simple 'look of falling leaves' border... and a ribbon finishes it off x

It's Here!!!!

Something that all Elisabeth Bell fans are going to love!!!!!!!! Her very own Challenge Blog!!!!!! YAY!

It'll be a monthly challenge...with a difference...AND...it all starts NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!

So nip across, take a peek and become a follower... you don't want to miss a thing!! :0)

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A Sketch for Mo's Challenge...

Morning all x

What a fabulous achievement! 33 Chilean miners all back up to the surface! If they have the lottery over there, they really need to be picking numbers!! :)

A fantastic blog hop for Mo's 1st anniversary last week...thank you all for joining in, and your wonderful comments x

This week we have a sketch for you at Mo's , and I've used the gorgeous 'They Grow So Fast'. The background was done with a brayer and SU! inks.

Pop over to the challenge blog to see what wonderful things the rest of the team has created x

Mill Pond Skating...

This is another of the gorgeous La Pashe Trinitage cards that I've made. These are just so simple, but effective. If like me you're determined to make your own cards, but only have a few minutes here and there to sit and make them, then these are just perfect.

Mo's 1st Anniversary Hop *winner*

Just a 'late' post to announce the winner of Mo's 1st anniversary hop!!

Meesh has won a digital image of her choice from Mo's huge collection! Congratulations Meesh...if you email Mo with your choice, you'll be colouring in no time x

Many thanks to each and every one of you who kindly left messages on my violet exploding box...they are all much appreciated x

Adding A Digital Image To A Candle...

Hi there...

Some of you may have come to know, that I like to get the most from my digi images! Much as I love my rubber stamps, you're limited with their size. I think many crafters feel that digi's don't give you the flexibility of rubber...but I am going to try and show you that they do! A digi image will give you a large image to print onto a T shirt or bag... and yet it will go small enough for you to be able to add a whole or part image, to the inside of your card for instance.

One thing I really wanted to be able to do was add a digi image to a candle, as I think the effect of matching candles and cards as gifts are just something else! So...last year I set about it. After many sheets of tissue paper, several attempts of rebuilding my printer after getting the torn, screwed up and jammed tissue paper out...I did it!

I mentioned to Elisabeth that I was making a candle/card set for the October digi launch, and asked if she'd like me to do a tutorial for the candle...'Yes please' came the reply! :) And since the launch I've had several people ask how I get digital images onto a candle, so here we go with an updated version using Elisabeth's gorgeous new October digi release ... Eden's 2nd Christmas ...

You will need...

A plain candle

White tissue paper

Wax or Greaseproof paper

A piece of average A4 cardstock

Low tack tape

A digi image

A printer

A heat gun

Oh...and colours and decorations!First, lay tissue paper over a piece of A4 cardstock, and wrap it over the edges, sticking it down with low tack tape to stop it getting caught in the printer! You can guess how I know that!! :)

Print your image onto the tissue paper in the same way you would onto cardstock.

Gently colour your image, being careful not to get it too wet so as it tears...

I used Copic Spica and ProMarker pens on mine...

When you've finished colouring...cut it out...making sure you leave just a small margin of tissue paper around the image...

Lay the image over the candle at the place you'd like it...

Then lay a piece of wax (or grease proof) paper over the top...

Ensuring that the paper is long enough to wrap completely around the candle AND for you to hold onto to keep it tight.

Then wave your heat gun slowly over the image. Keep the gun moving at all times or you will cause 'dents' and 'runs' in the wax.

The image will take on a shiny look as you go...this is fine...just keep moving!!

Carefully peel back the wax paper and check to see that all the tissue paper has adhered to the wax. If it has patches, as it has in my picture by the arrow, that haven't 'disappeared'...then put the wax paper back...pull it tight and heat gently again.

Remove the wax paper completely when you're happy with it...embellish...and you're done!!!!

**You can add most things to decorate them, as candles usually burn down the centre and not down the edge...BUT...you must use with caution and not leave them burning without supervision.

I am in the process of making a gift box to put the candle in...so watch this space!!