Bubbles crafty corner

Charisma Cardz -Clean and Simple

2012-01-19T09:04:00.001Z

Good morning, time for a new challenge at Charisma Cardz and this week we would like to see the theme 'clean and simple'.

For this challenge the DT were given a choice of Stamp Fairy (our sponsor) images to use. I kinda think the sentiment goes with the image lol!!

Charisma Cardz -Happy Birthday to us!!!!

2012-01-12T08:51:00.001Z

Wowie can you believe it? We at Charisma Cardz are celebrating our 3rd birthday already!! I know I always say it but boy how time flies, it only seems like it's about a year ago Carly asked me to be a part of the team, Wow!!

So rather fittingly our theme for this week is 'Happy Birthday'.

For my card I have rounded off the corners of a square card, papers are from a freebie stack from one of my mags, ooooo they are yummy!!! Flowers, gems and sentiment from my stash and the topper is a freebie decoupage image which comes with the Docrafts Creativity mag which is out at the moment.

just to prove it decoupaged!

We have some super fabby sponsors with amazing prizes to be won. So please nip on over to the blog and join in the celebrations with us.

Merry Christmas everyone

2011-12-25T17:12:00.000Z

Merry Christmas everyone, hope it is truly wonderful!

you used to be able to see the living room lol!!!

Charisma Cardz ~Anything Goes

2011-12-22T22:59:00.000Z

OMG I am sooooo..... late with my post today, sorry! My excuse = I've had visitors on and off all day long, and I've also had excruciating back pains which make me feel sick so haven't felt much like doing a lot!

Anyhow the new Charisma Cardz challenge is SUPER easy and the theme is 'Anything Goes' and is going to last 2 weeks!

I've done hardly any crafting lately, what with feeling ill on and off, doctors and hospital visits, work, the puppy and christmas I just can't believe how quickly days are flying by. So the cards I have are ones that I made a few weeks ago, and was going through a 'round' card stage, I thoroughly enjoyed making these!

We as always have FAB sponsors with 3 lucky winners and also a lucky Facebook winner!

It's my babies 7th birthday tomorrow, bless her, so close to christmas!! We're off to the coast for a trip to the christmas circus, can't wait!!

There's a meerkat on it's way to our house!!!

2011-12-14T22:54:00.000Z

Just purchased dog insurance from Compare the Market (not meerkat!!), woohoo meerkat on it's way to our house lol!!! This little vid is such fun!!!

2011-12-08T09:21:00.001Z

Good morning one and all, it's been a while since my last post but to be honest I've not made anything for a while. As well as being unwell (again!) our time is somewhat preoccupied with the puppy and trying to get organised for christmas!

Well it's team Gem's turn to set the theme for this weeks Charisma Cardz challenge and we would like to see 'NO CARDS!'.

I saw a fabby decoration whilst blog hopping a while ago and thought I've got to have a go at that!! Well you know I got so frustrated with it, I had it pulled apart about 4 times before actually getting it round lol!! I must admit to not fully following the tutorial just trying to d it from memory, in the end I HAD TO follow the tutorial!!

if you would like to have a go at making one of these for yourself, you can find Sarah's tutorial and much better pictures HERE.

Here's anothe piccie, it doesn't look round in the piccie but I promise it is (now!), and for some reason the ribbon looks blue below, but it is green!!

Not so sure I'll be making any more, but who knows with practice they must get easier/quicker to make!!

We have fab sponsors with great prizes and lovely examples from the rest of the girls on the blog so please go take a look.

We have a mad day at work today, it's christmas lunch day, so we have over 300 to feed!! Then I have to dash to see my youngest in her nativity play, she is Angel no.3!!

Charisma Cardz - Snowflakes

2011-11-24T10:57:00.000Z

Good morning, boy it's been a while! I seem to have neglected my blog just lately, I've made a few bits and pieces but Jacobie (our puppy) is taking up my time, we do like our cuddles lol!).

It's time for a new challenge at Charisma Cardz and the theme this week is 'snowflakes', let's hope we're not seeing any of the real thing any time soon heh!?! Although it looks pretty, I don't like walking around looking like a dork in case I slip over, oh the embarrassment!!!

For my card I have used a ready coloured topper which I printed from my Newtons Law ~making greetings cards cd, easy peasy no colouring for me!!! paper is from the Daisy and Dandelion christmas collection pad, charm and ribbon are from my stash.

I so can't believe christmas is getting so close, it's scary and at the moment I just can't see us being ready!

We have fab sponsors offering super scrummy prizes (as always) so please pop on over to the blog and join in.

Charisma Cardz ~Cutesy!

2011-11-03T09:14:00.002Z

Good morning, can you really believe it's Thursday again so soon?! Which means it's time for a new Charisma Cardz challenge, our theme this week is 'Cutesy', which shouldn't be hard now should it?

For my card I have used some of my Forever Friends 3d stickers, which were on 3for2 in the Range. We have a local store now, so only 20ish minutes instead of nearly an hour is great!! Mind you it's a much more scaled down version, I managed to come away only spending £20 which I thought was very well controlled lol!!!!

We have fabby sponsors with great prizes as always, and we also have a mini DT call out, so pop on over to the blog and take a look.

Have fun!

Introducing our new family member ~Jacobie

2011-10-31T18:39:00.000Z

We picked him up yesterday lunchtime and he is simply adorable!! 10weeks old and a little bundle of fun, that is when he's awake!!!

posing in his lovely new jacket!! Very smart don't you think?

bringing me his new toy!

and this was my pair of sleeping beauties last night!!!!

he sleeps anywhere at the moment bless him! His fave place is at or on my feet, he is asleep on my feet now, and gets disturbed every time I have to answer the door to the trick or treaters!!

first jab was this afternoon and he was an absolute star!

Charisma Cardz ~Anything Goes

2011-10-27T23:23:00.000+01:00

Soooooo....... late with this post, but here we go!

This weeks Charisma Cardz challenge is 'Anything Goes' so yes you can make and enter absolutely anything you like!!

We were lucky enough to use Saturated Canary images (which you can get here)if we wished to choose and use one, and omg for me it was a must, these images are gorgeous!

I chose Nevaeh, she's so pretty and innocent looking! I don't know why I chose green for her dress but love how it's turned out.

Fabby sponsors and prizes so please check them out on the blog.

A good day doing nothing!

2011-10-24T23:48:00.000+01:00

Well it's been a lovely birthday day, I've been thoroughly spoilt, love all of my pressies and have money to treat myself with to. We haven't really done anything, except eat and watch a dvd, but it's been nice being all together!

Thought I would share a piccie or more!

Here is one of the 2 handbags that I received, this one is for fun days, the other is more grown up lol!!!!

My youngest and I spotted a lady in Morrisons with the exact same bag and we just loved it. Not being one for going up to strangers and asking them where they got things I managed to track them down on the internet, they are part of a range called Crazy Gang Guinnea Pigs and they are so much fun, may have to have a few more bits yet!!!

We just love our guinnea pigs, here are our 5 girlies!

Left to right : Denise, Tasha (Natasha), Boots, Fluffball and Baby Stripes! ~We also have 2 boys and 2 bunnies!

My birthday cake here was made by me, but decorated by hubby, it has choccie icing, mini rolos, white choccie chips and marshmallow pieces, very calorific and very yummy!!!!

so with eating the cake I will definately be needing to use my new toy! My vibration plate! I used one of these at our local beauty place several times before we went to Disneyland, and after finding out they weren't that expensive decided to have one of my own. Oooo... it shakes and wobbles every single part of you, fingers crossed it will reduce my wobblyness if only by a little bit! It does say 10mins is the equivilant to 1hr at the gym but I'm not so sure!

40th Birthday

2011-10-24T09:36:00.013+01:00

No not mine lol!!!! Although it is my birthday today, the big one comes next year for me!!

I actually share my birthday with my brother-in-law, but he arrived one year earlier than me!

So here is the quick easel card that I made for him. It's only very basic but gets the point accross!!!

Hubby and I went on our usual 'yearly' trip to Norwich, we normally go on my birthday but this year I got us tickets for the theatre and the show finished on Saturday. We went to see 'All the Fun of the Fair' starring David Essex aka Eddie Moon in Eastenders! I liked the show, but didn't get tingles like you do when a show is really fantastic. Although I must admit to welling up at one point when Levi (David)'s son was accidently killed by his friend (in the show of course!) and then they sung 'Silver Dream Machine' which I remember from my childhood and had everyone cheering! We were told that David would be signing programmes etc at the stage door afterwards, so yep you guessed it we had to wait. I mean when the chance is there you'd be daft not to heh!?! To me he didn't come accross particularly friendly, myself and another lady asked if we could have a quick piccie, but he wouldn't look at the camera's not even for a split second, saying he couldn't do all this multi tasking! I know there were several people there and he wanted to get as many signings done as possible, and they did have another show less than 3 hours later, but still he could've looked up!! But managed to get a few ok=ish piccies!

attempt at a picture with him lol!!

So with birthday shopping done, some more christmas presents purchased, we rounded off our day with a meal at our favourite restaurant Pedro's a mexican I have loved for many years and introduced Matthew to exactly 10 years ago. They never fail to deliver the most scrumptious food set in a fab atmosphere, such a shame it's not closer, but then maybe that's a good thing!!

a sneaky sangria!!!!!

Charisma Cardz -Embossing

2011-10-20T14:58:00.000+01:00

Good afternoon all, I'm a bit late with my posting today but you know what they say!? Better late than never lol!!!

Our new Charisma Cardz challenge is 'Embossing' this can be either dry or heat!

I don't do a lot of embossing, never gotten on with dry embossing with a tool, could never stick to the grooves!! Heat embossing is hit and miss and I find my cuttlebug involves faffing around! Saying that I am desperate for a set of 'labels' dies for my birthday lol!!! Best be ordering them as my birthday is on Monday, I'll charge them to my hubby lol!!!!

So luckily I had a few pre embossed sheets done from a previous project, and with inspiration from Jane Millards cards in the latest Quick Cards Made Easy mag, I made the following card which I just love!

The little couple are so cute, and what makes it even better is they were part of a 4 packs for £1 deal from The Range (think they are docrafts). I really loved making this card, and will be using this style for many more!

We have 2 wonderful sponsors offering great prizes for our winners and we have the special Facebook prize to. So please nip over to the blog, take a look at the other dt examples and get embossing!! Look forward to seeing your entries!

Charisma Cardz -Black and Orange

2011-10-06T10:26:00.000+01:00

Good morning, hope it's nice where you are, we have blue skies with white fluffy clouds but lots of wind to accompany it. Still at least the first school run of the day was dry, fingers crossed the next one will be too!!

Right, onto this weeks Charisma Cardz challenge and this week we have a colour combo of 'Black and Orange'.

For my card I've used a Meljen image, the paper was a freebie from one of my mags and as I thought the orange layer was a bit plain, I tried to replica the little swirls etc from the image!!

We have 2 great sponsors this week : Simon Says Stamp and Pink Cat Studio and don't forget there is a special prize for Facebook entries to!! Please check out the blog for DT examples I think most of us had the same idea with the halloween theme lol funny how a colour combo and that time of year can do!

Charisma Cardz -Love

2011-09-29T10:19:00.001+01:00

Good morning, it's team Carly's week this week over at Charisma Cardz and the theme is 'Love' I thought that as I had got a card made I would share it with you, not very lovey but at least the sentiment has some love!!

I have used an image that I printed from a freebie disc that came with one of my mags, these ones are really quite sweet, ready coloured and perfect for quickie cards! I have sliced the front off of the card diagonally from corner to corner and edged it with snowflakes, I think I like it!

for all prize details and to see the 'lovely' examples from the rest of the team please nip on over to the blog and share the love lol!!!

Charisma Cardz - Gift bag/box and card

2011-09-22T09:35:00.002+01:00

Good morning, new challenge time at Charisma Cardz and this week our challenge is to make a 'Gift bag/box and card'.

I had fun making these, my mojo seemed to come back for a weeks visit last week (gone again now!). The image is one from Digi Stamp Boutique, I love her big happy smile, she's so happy to be on her way to give the lucky person her gifts and card!

I've used the same image for the gift bag which started out as a plain white paper bag. I've used the same papers but added a couple more as it was a bigger area to decorate.

We have 2 fabby sponsors this week who have donated great prizes, for details of what these are and to see the wonderful examples from the rest of the girls please pop on over to the blog.

Charisma Cardz - Inspired by a song

2011-09-08T10:40:00.000+01:00

Good morning, new challenge time over at Charisma Cardz and our theme this week is 'inspired by a song' any song you like!!

I've made a scrapbook page using pictures I took of my eldest nephew on a day out at the seaside right at the beginning of the school summer holidays. I had bought a bubble wand from a cheapie shop and took it onto the beach with us, they loved it! Nephew got hold of it and started blowing bubbles, hence my song inspiration being 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' perfect heh!?!

I'm planning on making a page for my youngest nephew, with pictures of him rollerskating entitled 'Skater Boy' I would've made this as a 2nd example for the challenge but just haven't had the time!

I'll then let the boys have them to put on the wall of their new bedroom!

We have some fabby prizes up for grabs and the girls have made some gorgeous examples, so please nip over to the blog for a look.

As for me, I should've gone back to work yesterday but couldn't. I'm still unwell, I'm now into week no.5 and getting somewhat fed up with it now. Survived a weeks holiday at the Isle of Wight last week (JUST) was ill but just had to get on with it for the kids! Bless them I start couging and then it's as if my throat closes up and I fight to catch that first breath, they rush over saying "breath mum, breath" and come armed with tissues etc caus I'm bringing up yuckness and my eyes water every time. It's great when I have an attack when I'm out as it looks like I've been crying!!! I actually think these 2nd lot of stronger antibiotics might be working, although the doctor doesn't know what's wrong as when he checked my chest was clear and the oxygen in my blood re breathing is really good!?

A Spoonfull of Sugar - Party Time!

2011-08-30T09:14:00.001+01:00

It's a sad day for us all at A Spoonfull of Sugar as although it's new challenge time it's also our last challenge boo...hoo... Yes after this challenge A Spoonfull of Sugar will be no more, our lovely Nikki and Debbie who have run the blog for over 3 years now have made the very difficult decision to end the challenge blog. We back them fully, both are very busy with other things and as I say 'real life' must take priority!! I've been with the girls from the very start back in May 2008 and have only just recently missed a couple of challenges, it's been an absolute honor to be a part of this wonderful blog with such lovely ladies.

Anyhow now I've explained the situation, the challenge theme is 'Party time' as it's bank holiday this means the Nottinghill Carnival and who needs an excuse to party heh!?!

I used a forever friends topper for my card, it's so sweet, the party poppers, you've got to love a party popper!!! and sentiment (I think) were all part of the same set, I just added a couple of little gems to the sentiment!

For all prize details please nip on over to the blog and take part one last time, sent the blog out in style!!!

As for me I've have this annoying cough for the past 3 weeks, it's exhausting me, I've burst the blood vessels in my right eye which looks a real state, obviously due to all the coughing! I just can't catch my breath when I start. I've had a weeks worth of antibiotics and they haven't touched it, so what next I ask myself?!

Have a fun day!

Charisma Cardz challenge -Glitter It

2011-08-25T22:10:00.000+01:00

I'm late, I'm late!!! Seems to be the story of my life!!

Better late than never as they say heh!?!

Here is my card for the new GLITTER IT challenge over at Charisma Cardz. I have used a highly glittered butterfly that I got from Poundland many many weeks ago, these are soooo pretty!

We have 2 fabby prizes and also a prize for our Facebook winner so why not get the glitter out and take part.

Laptop has gone of to laptop hospital!

2011-08-15T16:37:00.000+01:00

I have a very poorly laptop!!

Anyone that knows me will know that not being able to access the wonderful worldwide web is devestating!!! My laptop decided not to co-operate with me last Monday, my sis-in-law who's a bit of a whizz with the old computers had a look and it took her 2 hours to try to get it to switch on!!!!!

Luckily I never cancelled the cover they talked me into taking out when I bought it, so I gave them a ring and with no success trying to fix things over the phone, my poorly laptop was picked up on Saturday and taken off to laptop hospital!!! I should hopefully get it back in good health on Saturday. They seem to think it's the hard drive that has gone and will need replacing!

Which means I have LOST everything I had on there, all my photo's (thankfully saved them to usb stick/cd up til March '11), favourites and worst of all, ALL OF MY CARDMAKING IMAGES which I had saved up and used some of quite regularly. This is soooooo gutting because a lot of them were free downloads which will no longer be available boo...hoo...... serves me right for not saving them........

Anyhow hope to be back soon.

Apologies to the girls at A Spoon Full of Sugar and Charisma Cardz whom I have let down by not being able to send in my DT cards.

A new look to Charisma Cardz challenges

2011-08-04T13:52:00.000+01:00

Hiya, just thought I'd nip by and let you know that Charisma Cardz challenge blog has got a brand new look and a couple of changes!

We have lots of new DT members and our main change (other than the blog design) is that we are now split into 2 teams! Team Carly and Team Gem, I'm on Team Gem! We will be doing alternate weeks with the challenges which gives us all longer to work on our pieces and a bit of a break!

This week is Team Carly's turn and the challenge is 'Bingo' where you pick a row on the grid given (it's self explanitary if you take a look!)

Rubbing shoulders with the famous! a fabby day at the beach! Picture heavy!

2011-07-29T16:35:00.001+01:00

Apologies if you are a Face Book friend as you will have already seen these!!

Yesterday my sister and I took our children to Great Yarmouth for the day, and what glorious weather we had too!! Hence me coming home looking somewhat like a lobster!!!

We had only just arrived and thought we would head along the promenade towards the Amazonia reptile place my nephews love going to. When we saw a crowd gathering on the opposite side of the road. Curious as to why we wandered over to have a look, only to find out that 'This Morning' was coming 'live' from the beach wow!!! Couldn't get any really good piccies but here are Brian Dowling (Big Bro winner, twice!) and Amy Childs (only way is Essex).

we hung around for a little while but went off for a wander knowing that they were going to be there for another couple of hours if we wanted to go back! Sis took her boys and Hollie to Amazonia but I'm not interested in reptiles.

Here's a picture of Hollie holding a tortoise, she also touched a snake, baby crocodile and a lizard!

Lillie and I went back to see what was going on with the This Morning bunch!

This time we went beach side, we couldn't really see what was going on on the beach, but we stood right by the barrier/walkway where they kept walking past to get on and off of the beach!

Brian

Amy

Lillie had her picture taken with Imogen Thomas

Matt Johnson is right in the centre of this piccie! He reports from the 'hubb' on the show and also present OK tv on channel 5. So disappointed though, I decided that instead of chancing the odd photo I would record the 'stars' using my camera, Matt came right up to my lense and waved at it was there for what seemed like quite a while, and my bloody camera wasn't recording ggrrr...!!

and here are 3 of the Overtones who sang/performed on the beach! what a handome bunch they are!!

the girls had a donkey ride! these 2 are my fave pictures!

Hollie's donkey was called Max and Lillie said "I know what mine is called" and laughed, as hers was called Willy (dirty child!).
Then no visit to Great Yarmouth is complete without a little while spent in Joy Land the mini fun fair, they just HAVE to go on the snails!!! We used to go on them as children it was the highlight of our trip!!!

at the end of the pier there are a few more rides, the kids love the slide, you pay once and go on it as many times as your legs will carry you up the steps!! I think the girls and their cousin managed at least 10 goes!! They had a blast! This is the only photo they came down side by side, all the other goes someone was always in front or trailing behind!

and finally, my dear little baby girl decided she would really like to have her ears pierced whilst we were there! My fault as I just happened to say "oh Hollie you could have yours ears pierced next door" (jewelery shop next door to the gift shop the others were in). That was it she said yes yes yes, I explained that it would hurt and that she would have to have both ears done however much the first one hurted, but she was set on it! She very bravely sat on the stool, felt tip dots alined, first ear lined up and bang, done, bless her her little face changed and she started to well up but very quickly bang, ear 2 done and it was over. She did shed a few tears which is obvious I remember it hurting, but after a while she said "it doesn't even feel like I've got them in, I LOVE them!".

Unfortunately later on in the day, she fell off of a stool in an arcade, as she was in the air the stool flipped over and she landed straight onto one of the legs and really hurt her tummy, bless her she sobbed and when later re-living it she told her sister that she actually couldn't breathe when she did it! Love her little heart, I nipped into a little shop on the way back to the car and got some calpol which seemed to help, but she says her tummy still hurts today which is understandable.

We left home at 8.45am and after dropping Lillie off at Nannie and Grandads for a few days sleepovers, we arrived home after 11pm.

Long day but a good one (even with the little mishap!).

Chairsma Cardz - 4 legged friends

2011-07-28T09:17:00.001+01:00

Good morning, we have a new challenge over at Charisma Cardz and this weeks theme is '4 legged friends'.

I've gone for 2 4 legged friends with an image from Beccy's Place it's a lovely pre-coloured image of a dear old teddy and his little mousey friend. I just love these checked papers and the raffeta was leftovers from the teachers pressies that I made up a couple of weeks ago!

Please check out the blog for all sponsor and prize details, you won't be disappointed!

Chairsma Cardz - sunshine colours

2011-07-21T09:16:00.001+01:00

Good morning, new challenge time at Charisma Cardz and our theme is 'sunshine colours'.

I kinda went for sunshine all round, with the (yep you guessed it) Lili of the Valley images, bbq's are great on sunny days aren't they, can't beat a homemade kebab!!

sponsor and prize info can be found on the blog along with the fab inspiration from the rest of the dt.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - 161 Create a Tag

2011-07-19T10:08:00.001+01:00

Good morning, time for a new challenge over at A Spoon Full of Sugar and we would like you to 'Create a Tag'.

In my case it was tags!!! Very basic ones to say the least, but I've had these sitting on my desk for a while now waiting to be written and attached to gifts! You see they are for the teachers presents that I have made up for the girls to give out. I found the topper on a blog a long while ago and HUGE apologies but I can't remember who from or where, sorry.

I had an ooppsie with one of my tags and decorated it upside down, so just cut it along the crease and turned it into an A6 card (A5 folded, think that's right!)

and here are those teachers gifts.

We purchased the cups from Wilkinsons (was going to Poundland but these were cheaper lol!) inside each cup is a sachet of latte some got 2, a sachet of nescafe, a pack of scottish shortbread fingers and a galaxy bubbly bar which I have sampled and are delicious!!!

This morning I very quickly took a picture of my girls holding a 'Thank you' sign and have put a small photo on the underside of the front panel of the tag, and written a brief thank you on the other part!

I should've taken Lillie's hair out of it's ponytail like I did Hollie but we were running short on time, and this is how she has her hair pretty much each day anyway!

For sponsor and prize details please nip on over to the blog.

Chairsma Cardz - it's in the stars

2011-07-14T09:21:00.001+01:00

Good morning, after a few weeks off I'm back and it's time for a new challenge over at Charisma Cardz, this weeks theme is 'It's in the stars' so anything with stars on it or star shaped would be great!!
A Lili of the Valley die-cut image as is always the case at the moment (explained in a previous post!), this was perfect for the challenge as she has the cute little stars on her hairband! I just added a wavy band of glittery star foam stickers down the side of the card, who doesn't like a bit of sparkle heh!?!

Please check out the blog for all sponsor and prize details, and don't forget we are looking for some new DT members!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - 160 Pink & Brown

2011-07-12T10:24:00.000+01:00

Good morning, hope it's nice wherever you are, it's a bit dull here today, fingers crossed it won't rain though as my little one hasn't taken her raincoat to school today ooppss!!

Anyhow, it's time for a new A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge and for this week we have a colour challenge of 'Pink & Brown'.

Surprise surprise yep I've used a Lili of the Valley die-cut image. The truth is my crafty mojo went walkies at christmas and has never really come back, I have no enthusiasm for colouring images, although I have LOADS (and several brand new un-inked stamps) therefore these die-cuts are a life saver, and they are just so cute to! Must get me some more!!

Here is my pink and brown card.

All sponsor and prize details can be found over on the challenge blog, along with the wonderful examples from the rest of the design team. Go take a look!

Pink & or Purple day at ballet

2011-07-11T21:34:00.000+01:00

Last week the girls were able to dress up for their ballet lesson, the theme was pink and or purple.

So out came the disney princess outfits!! and the obligatory photo shoot!!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - 159 Sewing

2011-07-05T09:01:00.000+01:00

Good morning, Tuesday again and time for a new A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge, this weeks theme is 'sewing', this can be interpreted in an image, or some real sewing, real stitching or faux etc

I have gone for a different style of card today, not too sure if I really like it or not to be honest! I 'lifted' this from a past issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft! It doesn't show in the piccie and I forgot to take a side piccie that the flower and butterfly add attacthed by foam pad just to add a bit of dimension to the card. As you can see I went for the faux stitching!

Sponsor and prize details along with examples from the girls can be found on the blog HERE.

Handmade flowers for hairbands/corsages etc

2011-06-30T09:06:00.001+01:00

Been playing again! This time making a couple of flowers. I love these and have put brooch pins on the backs so they can be added to a hair band as shown below or simply worn on a top/jacket/cardi etc

This one is pink satin layered with a kind of mesh material layer in between

and then an orange flower, the material for this is different so didn't curl up so nicely when the edges were melted, but it still looks pretty!

Oh and don't forget the new challenge over at Charisma Cardz, I've got a couple of weeks DT hol, but will still be looking!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - 158 Get Well Soon

2011-06-28T09:01:00.000+01:00

Good Tuesday morning, I hope the sun is shining! It's time for a new challenge over at A Spoon Full of Sugar and this week we are thinking of those who are poorly with the theme of 'Get Well Soon'.

Need I really say it? Yes, yet another of the Lili of the Valley die-cut images, I really am boring myself keep writing it but these are sooo sooo handy especially when time is lacking or you lack the enthusiasm to colour! A pretty basic card really, I added the sentiment to the top of the image, a sparkly foam heart sticker, striped paper scrap from my folder and the red layers are recycled envelopes!!

Prize and sponsor details as always can be found on the blog HERE

A new dress, therefore new necklace and bracelets!!!!

2011-06-26T11:44:00.001+01:00

A while ago with only Hollie home as Lillie was having a much loved sleepover at Nannie and Grandads, I decided that Hollie could have a bit of a fashion show!! It was a way of getting her to try on her new out-fits without the fuss!

Here she is in the new dress that Nannie bought her.

Now pretty as it is I thought it needed something around the neck as this was a little bit scooped, so I set to work with some beads and ribbon.

Below are the necklaces that I made, both slightly different.

close up of the beads

beads close up

Then not happy with leaving it at necklaces I made them bracelets to!!!

Minus the ribbon but with the addition of a large red bead!

and different again, 2 this time bringing the red in with the individual sead bead bracelet!

The bracelets are highly addictive and so so easy to make, so will be making plenty more. Bonus is you can make them to what ever size you like, as I find some shop bought bracelets are so tight if worn they cut of the circulation!!

Charisma Cardz - white + one

2011-06-23T09:15:00.001+01:00

Morning, I am actually on hol from the design team at Charisma Cardz this week but actually felt creative last week and made the following scrapbook page for this weeks challenge which is 'White + one'. So I went all monochrome!! The picture was taken on the beach after the in-laws surprise 50th wedding anniversary afternoon tea bash!!

Sad to see

2011-06-22T22:13:00.001+01:00

I am a big fan of Jackass, I think the guys are mental to do the stunts they do, to put themselves through so much pain, but it's compelling viewing. Especially as this is where I found my love for Bam Margera, and oh do I just love this guy, would like to re-model hubby but he won't have any more tattoo's lol!!
This is why the following video from Youtube breaks my heart when watching it, for Bam has just lost his bestest friend Ryan Dunn one of his Jackass bro's as well as being like a 'real bro' to him. I've watched them both umpteen times together in all of the Jackass movies, the series's, Viva la Bam, Bam's Unholy Union where Ryan was one of Bam's groomsmen. This week Ryan died in a car accident, in which it seems drink and speed were involved (which is oh so wrong on both counts), but still so sad.
http://youtu.be/cZ9mYjYlNS0 ooppss can't figure out how to add the video never mind here's a piccie
RIP Ryan Dunn and my heart breaks for Bam.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - 157 Ribbon and Bows

2011-06-21T09:01:00.002+01:00

Good morning, boy these weeks are whizzing by!! Time for a new A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge and this week we would like to see 'Ribbon and bows'.

No prizes for guessing where my image has come from lol, yep good ole Lili of the Valley die-cuts! I thought I would have another go at a zigzag style card, I've tried these a couple of times but never 100% successfully. I'm not too good at cutting straight lines with my craft knife so you may be able to spot the little angled cut top left! But I am pretty happy with how this has turned out.

view from the side

view from the other side

As always for all sponsor and prize details please check out the blog HERE

Chairsma Cardz - Pink and Green

2011-06-16T09:05:00.001+01:00

Good morning, Thursday again which means we are nearly through another week, it'll soon be christmas lol!!!!

New Charisma Cardz challenge time and we have a colour theme this week of 'pink and green'. Yep I've used a die-cut from Lili of the Valley yet again (I just don't have the passion to colour images at the moment and these are so so handy!).

For sponsor and prize info please check them out over at the blog.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - 156 Splish Splash

2011-06-14T09:01:00.001+01:00

Good morning all, new challenge time at A Spoon Full of Sugar and the theme this week is 'Splish Splash'.

I've interpreted this as a trip to the beach and a splish, splash in the sea!! So I've used a surf dude (image from SJ's Little Musings) and the surf board was sent to me a while back from my good friend Becky.

Sponsor and prize info can be found on the blog along with fabulous examples from the rest of the girls.

Chairsma Cardz - How Old??

2011-06-09T14:37:00.000+01:00

Oh dear, late again! I blame hubby, he's home from work poorly at the

moment!!

This weeks Charisma Cardz challenge was set my me and I chose the theme 'How Old'? I like to put an age of a name on a card, mind you these days I've lost all track of children's ages except for my own lol!!

I made a pyramid card for a change, haven't made one like this for a long time. Surprise surprise the topper is another Lili of the Valley die-cut, the football paper was a scrap I had in my file and luckily I had a couple of 1 stickers left on the sheet! I've made this card for my friends son, who is very much into his footy!

a different view

and another!

For sponsor and prize info please nip on over to the blog HERE

Ooppss A Spoon Full of Sugar - 155 Here Comes Summer

2011-06-07T20:45:00.000+01:00

Ooppss sorry for the long delay today in posting my card for the latest A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge. It's been a busy old day which has been spent mainly between the 2 schools in town! Yes it was the girls sports day today and with them being in Key Stages 1 & 2 meant one was in the morning and one the afternoon, oh the joy!!!

Anyhow more of that at the end of this post, first things first.

Our new challenge for the week is 'Here comes Summer' interpret this as you wish. I thought summer = picnics and yes I have once again used a Lili of the Valley die-cut image, oh these are so speedy, all I did was cut it into a circle!

For sponsor and prize details please check out the blog HERE

It was Lillie's sports this morning, unfortunately I set the camera wrong so although it was continuous shooting it only saved the first few which were mostly in the distance! Then when I had to leave early for work, leaving the camera with hubby he managed to take precisely 1 photo and Lillie wasn't even in it gggrrr.....!!!!! Must train him better!!!

She did quite well coming 2nd in the sprint and 3rd in the relay (I think!)

Hollie's sports were in the afternoon, so it was a mad dash from work to get to the school in time for the start, but I made it!

Hollie is our little athlete, and when packing her PE bag at the start of the week I asked her if her trainers were ok as her pink ones were on the rack, she said "oh they are my super fast running trainers I'll swap them" and fast they were lol!! She got 4 x 1st places (sprint, later for school, sack, obsicle)and 1 x 3rd place bat and bean(which would most probably been another 1st had the false start been restarted ggrrrr..!) bless her half of them started half waited for the word GO to which she was one of them, but she soon caught up a managed a place, but a little disappointing none the less!

Here she is in action in the obsicle race!

proudly showing off 'some' of her stickers!! They actually ran out of stickers can you believe!?!

They should also get certificates once they get them printed up, that is if they don't run out of ink lol!!

Chairsma Cardz - Things that Fly!

2011-06-02T09:05:00.001+01:00

Good morning, Charisma Cardz new challenge time and this week we would like to see 'Things that Fly'.

I'm showing a couple of my hairbands today, both using items from Poundland. The hairband itself comes in a bundle of 5 and the butterflies I think were a pack of 4 different colour ways.

I used 2 of the smaller butterflies for this one, I think these were a pack of 8 maybe 10 again different colours!

my baby girl is usually my model! She doesn't mind, well most of the time that is lol!!!

For all prize details along with the sponsor info and girls examples please nip on over to the blog, you won't be disappointed!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - 154 Flower Power

2011-05-31T10:27:00.000+01:00

Good morning, new challenge time at A Spoon Full of Sugar and this week we are going all 'Flower power', this can be 1 to 1000 flowers, flowered paper, image etc.

I went for a handmade lace flower!! I made a collection of these a while back when I was having a play! I've been having a bit of a go at the 'less is more' way of cardmaking (not that my card are overly fussy anyway) I think I like it! The paper doesn't show up too well on the picture, but the top is a mottled kind of effect, it's all one piece from the Papermania inspirations pad.

and here is a close up of the lace flower. I have a bigger version on 1 of my cardi's as a corsage! I love corsages and have a flower on my cardi right now!

Have fun with your flowers (which shouldn't be hard!) and please head on over to the blog to see the girls examples and for all prize info.

Chairsma Cardz - Boy oh Boy!

2011-05-26T10:20:00.000+01:00

Good morning, the weather is back to being dull and windy again here today, after having a lovely day yesterday I thought the sun was back! Hope it's nice where you are!

It's time for a new challenge over at Charisma Cardz and this week's theme is 'Boy oh Boy'.

If you are anything like me I find male cards be it for boys or men a challenge, but this card was a breeze!! I yet again used one of my Lili of the Valley die-cut images, scraps of paper and a sentiment I'd already got printed off in my little box of goodies!!

For all sponsor and prize details please check out the blog HERE.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - 153 Things with wings

2011-05-24T10:16:00.000+01:00

Good morning, we have a new challenge over at A Spoon Full of Sugar and this weeks theme is Things with Wings. This can be anything from bugs to areoplanes to angels (as I have used) etc.

I have used one of Sj's little musings these angels are just gorgeous and Sj shared some of them with us as freebies last christmas, she now has some designs available as rubber stamps! Papers used are from the Papermania spring burst pad, sticky ribbon and brads I've had for absolutely ages!!

We have our lovely Nikki sponsoring the challenge this week and she has kindly donated this prize for one lucky winner

Have fun!

Chairsma Cardz - Birthdays in Pink

2011-05-19T09:22:00.000+01:00

Charisma Cardz new challenge time and this week we would like to see lots of 'pink birthday' creations!!

I've used one of my new Lili of the Valley die-cut images, they are great 4 images on a sheet for £1, you can't really go wrong!

For all sponsor and prize details nip on over to the blog, take a peek at the girls examples to, you won't be disappointed as they are fab as always!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - 152

2011-05-17T09:05:00.001+01:00

Good morning, nice to see the sun back again today after yesterdays dullness! The new challenge at A Spoon Full of Sugar is 'Anything Goes' so yep you can make anything you like!

Now I had made something else to show, but was soooooo pleased with my first attempt of a ribbon/pearl necklace that I wanted to show it off lol!!! I had seen a tutorial for this style of necklace HERE and thought I would give it a bash. I ordered the pearls from ebay they dropped through the letter box and within less than an hour one necklace made! I didn't quite follow the tutorial as shown, I wrapped the ribbon around the bead and then threaded it rather than the measuring and gathering method, maybe I try that next time!!

It's been a big hit with those that I have shown and have already been asked for 3 so I'd best be ordering some more pearls!

not a great piccie, but here I am doing a spot of modelling lol!!!

For sponsor and prize details and not forgetting the girls examples please check out the blog.

Chairsma Cardz - Under the weather

2011-05-13T21:17:00.000+01:00

Well blogger has been playing silly beggars for the last few days so am adding this post again. This weeks challenge at Charisma Cardz is 'Under the Weather' this can be anything weather related or get well as I have done with my card!

I have used a die-cut image from Lili of the Valley which I've had for quite some time (using this made me go onto their website and order a few more different designs!!), the checked paper was a scrap from my pile, just cut around the edges with my x-cut punch to fancy it up a little, hand printed sentiment, gems and flower from Poundland.

For all sponsor and prize details please check out the blog.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 151

2011-05-10T09:08:00.000+01:00

Morning all, for the new challenge at A Spoon Full of Sugar we have a sketch to follow.

Last week I messed up by not reading our challenge properly so this week not only have I used the sketch but I've used white and 1 lol!!!!

here is the sketch

as always for sponsor and prize info please check out the blog.

Chairsma Cardz - No Cards Allowed!

2011-05-05T09:33:00.000+01:00

Good morning, it's one of my fave challenges this week at Charisma Cardz and it is 'No Cards Allowed'.

My card making except for my DT work has taken a back seat to making my own flowers, hair accessories, corsages etc!!!

Here is the hairband Hollie wore for both the school 'pre royal wedding' celebrations and the joint wedding and mums birthday celebrations. The 'rosettes' are made from recycled clothes (the red is from one of the girls old nighties, the blue from one of their of pyjama bottoms and the white from an old school t-shirt!)! A few mini gems and heh presto! Each of the rosettes has a brooch pin on the back so they can be swapped around or put on out-fits as a corsage etc

and this is the lace corsage that I made for Lillie to wear to the above mentioned celebrations! Just a strip of lace, a glue gun, a circle of felt and a gem, a bit of patience, a couple of burnt fingers and job done lol!!

and here is the proof that the girls actually did wear them!! Hollie is also wearing a rosette style lace corsage and Lillie has a red/white/blue lace bow that I tied and made into a hair slide in her hair!!

For all sponsor and prize details please check out the blog.

Really looking forward to seeing some different creations!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 150

2011-05-03T14:07:00.000+01:00

The new challenge at A Spoon Full of Sugar is 'White + One' other colour! Now being the divvy that I am I didn't read the challenge correctly and went ahead and made a card White/Black + One!!! The girls said it was ok and they've still put it on the challenge blog bless em!!

All sponsor and prize details can be found over at the blog HERE and don't forget to check out the rest of the girls correctly made examples lol!!!

Charisma Cardz - April Showers/Spring Flowers

2011-04-28T16:14:00.001+01:00

Oopps really late this week, I'll be getting the sack!!

New challenge time over at Charisma Cardz and this weeks theme is 'April showers bring May flowers'.

I have used a lovely Magnolia Tilda image that someone sent me absolutely ages ago.

For all sponsor and prize details please nip on over to the blog.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 149

2011-04-26T09:03:00.001+01:00

Good morning, I hope the easter celebrations were enjoyable for all.

~It's new challenge time at A Spoon Full of Sugar and with the iminent royal wedding just around the corner our theme this week is 'A Right Royal Knees Up'. This can be anything from castles, prince's, princesses, carriages etc

I have used I believe an Elisabeth Bell image and a layout which was in my latest copy of Quick Cards Made Easy, the papers are from a freebie pack from an early edition!

Check out the blog for sponsor and prize details and some royal examples from the girls!

Will you be watching the wedding? Are you having a party or going to one? It happens to be my mums birthday so we are going to have a little do, more to celebrate her birthday but I have bought union jack bunting, plates and cups lol!!!!

Happy 'hoppy' Easter!

2011-04-24T11:15:00.000+01:00

Happy or in the case of this post 'hoppy' easter everyone.

Sadly the weather seems to have turned slightly nippy today, still bright but the need of cardi's I think!

A couple of weeks ago I found a fabby blog where the lady made things with toilet roll inners!! So here is one of my loo roll bunnies!

and 3 more of her family!!

The girls gave these out to the family along with their easter cards.

I also made one about 3 times bigger out of a sheet of A4 rolled and cut, but it's a bit flimsy!

I also made up little easter packages of choccies and sweets for my friend's children. I had been stock piling various easter bits since they first hit the shops!

Have fun and try not too eat tooooo many choccies!!

A few Yorkshire holiday piccies

2011-04-23T23:18:00.000+01:00

We arrived back home last night from 5 days in Yorkshire. We had fabby weather, although we did have a nippy sea breeze each time we were at the coast. I upgraded the caravan 5 days before we went and it was so worth it, the caravan was lovely, could sleep up to 8, the biggest plus was it had heating in all rooms, very handy considering it was bitterly cold in the evenings!!
We usually use these 'sun' holidays as a base and go out each day spending very little time on site or in the clubs, but this year we thought we would do the opposite and spend more time at the site. This however didn't happen! We were in the middle of nowhere, even the locals used the club!! We now realize we are pretty spoiled with our coastal spots!
We arrived too early to check in on Monday so we headed towards Bridlington as we had been told we could find a Morrisons there, we wanted to get a few bits and some petrol. We saw a sign for the beach so decided to head there and have our pre packed picnic. It was a lovely beach and the first time I had seen sea fog, it kind of looked a bit earie

the girls having fun drawing around daddy's shadow

Tuesday the girls were going to join in the activities, it said in the timetable 'are you a sporty spark, a crafty spark or a smarty spark' thinking all 3 would be on the girls were eager to do the crafting (like mum!). Only to find out there was only the sports on which was rounders. Not wanting to partake we headed for the play area

We then went into Hornsea, spent a while in an arcade and left! So we thought we would try the club this night, but there was so much time waiting for the bingo, then the bingo and then only a couple of games and dances for the girls before it was break time and back to bingo! So that was a one off!

Wednesday we headed for Flamingo Land which is a theme park/zoo combi, we really did have a lovely day and couldn't believe how un-crowded it was, no queues for rides at all.

of course there has to be a piccie of a meerkat!!

Lillie and daddy on the monorail, I wasn't going to attempt this, I did on a trip to Gullivers and didn't think I was going to make it all the way round lol!!!

a quick piccie at Scarborough, before finding a fish and chip shop for tea!

Thursday the girls had more fun at the playground, then after lunch we headed back into Bridlington where we went for a sail on a 'pirate ship'!

Hollie loved this boat with her name on it!

We rounded off the day with a visit to the cinema to watch Rio which we thought was really good. Then back to camp to start packing!

Finished the packing in the morning, after breakfast and last checks that we hadn't left anything guess where we headed? Yep back to Bridlington lol!! We were going to go on a boat trip to see the puffins but sadly it had been cancelled due to fog which you could see as you followed the coastline. So we did a bit of shopping, and money wasting in the arcades, finished off with a '99' with flake and fudge stick!!!!!!!

and then it was time for home!

and oh how nice it was to not have to put the heating on to be warm and to sleep in our king sized bed!!!

Chairsma Cardz - Jokes & Laughter

2011-04-21T09:05:00.001+01:00

Scheduled post again and today it's new challenge time over at Charisma Cardz. The theme this week is 'Jokes & Laughter'.

Ages ago I bought some LaPashe Flippin images really cheaply but had never used them, so thought it was time to have a look through them. I thought this little chappy and the sentiment were quite fun, so started cutting them out (they are decoupage!). A very simple card as I wanted the image and sentiment to be the focus of the card, so simply doodled around the edge of the card and added a strip of sticky ribbon!

unsure really what to do with the back view of the image I simply stuck it to the inside of the front of the card, I held it up to the light to get it into the exact position, this can also be decoupaged but I used the single layer.

For all sponsor and prize details please check out the blog, and don't forget to check out the girls examples and have a giggle to!!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 148

2011-04-19T09:05:00.001+01:00

Good morning, scheduled post as I'm elsewhere!!

The new A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge is 'Celebrations' this can be any celebration e.g. wedding, birth, passing exam, first day at school........

For my card I have used an image that I've had for ages (apologies can't remember who it's by) but thought the ladies looked like they were celebrating something good!!!!!

For sponsor and prize details along with fab dt examples please check out the blog.

A fun time at the farm

2011-04-14T21:51:00.000+01:00

As mentioned in my previous post my youngest daughter and I were off to the farm to meet up with my friend and her son. We had a really lovely time, I thought I would share a few piccies with you.

There was a easter egg hunt, where you had to find the eggs around the farm and write the colour that matched the no. on the form. There was also a treasure hunt, where we had to find the clues and do certain things in the boxes on the sheet i.e. draw the farm logo!

Here is Hollie copying the logo!

having a ride on one of the many tractors, my friends little boy would've spent all of his time on these, that or in the sandpit lol!

we saw many lambs, oh how I would love a dwarf lamb as a pet!

we also saw piglets (and many other animals but won't bore you with the photo's)

I think the highlight of the day was the pony ride! Both Hollie and my friends son who is only 3 really loved it!

here she is showing off her prizes for completing both hunts

and finally a scenic piccie of the pond you pass heading towards and from the farm entrance, I just love how they are growing over the wall, so pretty!

Chairsma Cardz - Pink, Black & Green

2011-04-14T10:14:00.000+01:00

Good morning, very quick post from me this morning as I'm off to meet my friend and her little boy at the farm!! I'm down to 1 child as Lillie is having a few days hol at Nannie and Grandad's, and my friends boys are at their dads, leaving her with only 1, so we thought why not!!

New Challenge time at Charisma Cardz and this week we would like to see the colours Pink, Black & Green used. I've used a super cute easter Magnolia image that my dear friend Becky sent me ages ago, a few scraps of paper, some pretty ribbon also from Becky and a flower which I got from Poundland (they do them in a variety of colours!).

For prize details please check out the blog.

Right oooo-aarrrr...... we're off to the farm!!!!!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 147

2011-04-12T09:02:00.000+01:00

Good morning, this weeks challenge over at A Spoon Full of Sugar is 'All Creatures Great and Small' you can use any creature/animal you like!

I came accross this fab freebie image of an easter bunny at In A Scrap Creations there is a non coloured a coloured version, I like to use coloured ones for quick makes! I simply layered up a couple of papers, printed the sentiment out and attached a flower and bow from my stash! 1 easter card, I have actually bought my easter cards this year!!!

A great prize and great examples from the girls over at the blog.

I am actually going to enter this card into a challenge, shock horror, yes it's the first challenge I have entered this year can you believe it? I would like to enter this card into the 'easter' challenge over at Pollycraft.

Chairsma Cardz - Wedding/anniversary

2011-04-07T09:03:00.002+01:00

Warning! This is a photo overload post!!!

Firstly it's new challenge time over at Charisma Cardz and this weeks theme is 'Weddings/Anniversary', imagine my surprise when I checked to see what the theme was and saw this, I had just literally finished icing the golden wedding anniversary cake for the in-laws surprise party at the weekend (just gone).

So here it is :

I can't take credit for the topper, as I bought this but will be practising as it's my parents 'ruby' wedding anniversary next year so will be on cake duty again for that!

Please check out the blog for all prize details and to see the gorgeous examples from the team please check out the blog.

Here are a few more cakey pictures :

I was going to ice the cake, something which I haven't done in quite a while, but thought I would have a go at making a couple of sugarpaste roses, remembering I had bought some heart shaped cookie cutters around Valentine's day I got these out to cut the petals and tadah....... the idea of the hearts was born!! Next was what to do around the base, a quick experiment with the twisted rolls (similar to those I had on my wedding cake) and there it was, cake topper in position and cake complete!

Here is a close up of one of the roses with the pretty diamante's in the topper

and here it is being cut by the in-laws well just after lol!

We had arranged a surprise (well to MIL) afternoon tea party, sis-in-law and I had half a week of baking

and this is where I spent most of the afternoon, yep in the kitchen, either washing up or making the tea!!

It was a success, we had lots of cake left over, so we plated it up and then asked if anyone would like to take any home for a donation into the collection pot. You see they didn't want presents, let's face it what do they really want? With MIL having breast cancer 6years ago, being clear for 5 years and then last year being told she had secondary cancer of her liver etc she requested if people wanted to give them anything then please could it be a donation to the Macmillan nurses. In total they got £180 which was brilliant. At the moment MIL is taking hormone tablets which have reduced the cancer by 50% which we are all so pleased about, she was sooooo worried about having to have chemo, fingers crossed it's still under control the next time she goes for a check up.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 146

2011-04-05T10:14:00.000+01:00

New challenge time at A Spoon Full of Sugar and we are looking for 'Tons of Texture'.

For my card I have used my swiss dots embossing folder which has been buried in the bottom of my cupboard forever! I made the lace flower a couple of weeks ago, it was my first attempt and I'm really pleased with how pretty it is. I have a friend coming round later to see how to make these as she would like to maybe hace these as corsages for her upcoming wedding, using lace from her Grandmothers veil. The hearts are brads. A very simple card, yet really pretty in 'real life'!

We have a $10 gift certificate and lovely stamp as this weeks prize kindly donated by Michelle's Scrapbook and more.

Chairsma Cardz - Bling and Sparkles

2011-03-31T14:51:00.000+01:00

Hello, late post I know but been a super busy morning! This easter tag is for the new Charisma Cardz challenge which is 'bling and sparkle'. Now although the picture doesn't show it, the egg is shaker style and has lots of teeny beads, gems and glitter inside it! I bought these from Poundland probably 2 years ago now!! My mum loves cadburys cream eggs so I got her a box weeks ago when they were on offer in Morrissons so thought I'd wrap them and add this little tag! Now I've just got to find them lol!!!

I was down to be on DT hol for this weeks challenge but as I was in the mood to make something and the old mojo has still not returned since before christmas, I had a word with Carly and have swapped a couple of weeks for later on in the year!

We have great sponsors with lovely prizes and there is lots of bling and sparkle going on with the rest of the DT so please nip over and take a look!

I'm busy busy baking at the moment, just grabbing spare minutes inbetween cakes and school runs to catch up on here!!

You see it's the in-laws Golden Wedding Anniversary (well yesterday) but we are doing them a surprise 'afternoon tea' party for the weekend! So there'll be lots of cakes, lots of tea, and lots of chatter!! I've got cake in the oven and the 'main' celebratory cake to start icing this afternoon, then later my mum is coming over and we are going to be flower arranging! Yes we're doing arrangements for each table, my eldest can't wait to help she just loves flower arranging (it runs in the family, my auntie is a qualified instructor, my mum and other auntie are pretty good too! I can to a certain degree but take so long because it has to be perfect!). I will post pictures soon!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 145

2011-03-29T10:37:00.000+01:00

Good morning, it's new challenge time over at A Spoon Full of Sugar and this week our theme is 'Easter'.

For my card I used various papers from my Dovecraft back to basics pad, the topper is from a poundland pack that I think I've had about 2 years along with the little stickers which were from Tesco's again about 2 years ago I bought them cheap after easter!

Our prize this week has been donated by our own lovely Nikki Bunny Zoe Crafts

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 144

2011-03-22T09:34:00.000Z

Good morning one and all, it's new challenge time at A Spoon Full of Sugar and this weeks theme is 'Ribbon, Pearls/Rhinestones & Flowers'.

For my card I used an image that I'd had printed for a while, I think it's such a lovely image, very yummy! All I did was add lilac and purple gems to the choccie cupcake, a flower gem to the vanilla cupcake and a bow to the cherry cupcake. Silly me thought there was lace in the theme to, but I think it just takes the emptiness off of that side of the image.

a closer view of the cupcakes

We are sponsored by Whimsy Stamps who have kindly donated the prize below

Have fun!

Chairsma Cardz - To Die for

2011-03-17T10:40:00.000Z

Good morning, I'm running late with my post again! My excuse : I've been to the dentist, £16+ to tell me my teeth were ok come again in 9 months!!

So onto our new Charisma Cardz challenge and this weeks theme is 'To Die For' yes we would like to see any kind of die, be it shapes, borders anything.

I have used a Pollycraft image (I think!) which I paper pieced, don't know why it took longer to cut out than it would've to colour lol!! My die-cuts are the balloons and the number 8, also the pips.

Great prizes on offer as always, so please nip over and take a look at these and also the rest of the teams offerings.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 143

2011-03-15T10:39:00.000Z

Good morning, new challenge time at A Spoon Full of Sugar and this week we have a lovely sketch to follow!

For my card I rotated the sketch 90degrees and flipped it to put my sentiment on the opposite side! Apologies for not knowing the image designer off the top of my head, it was an image I've had coloured up in my box for a while. All of the papers are from the Papermania 'for him' paper pad, exept for the checked strip and that was just a scrap from my scrap pile!

Sonja's sketch

Our lovely Nikki aka Bunny Zoe Crafts is our sponsor this week and one lucky winner will win

Don't forget to take a look at the girls fabby examples.

Chairsma Cardz - Easel Card

2011-03-10T09:34:00.000Z

Good Thursday morning, another week nearly over (I'm already on countdown to halfterm lol!).

We have a fab new challenge over at Charisma Cardz which is 'Easel cards', I really do love these and hadn't made one for a while so this was nice to make for a change. I'm still struggling to find the 'urge' to craft cardmaking wise and can you believe I haven't entered a challenge on any blog since before christmas!?!

For my card I used an image that I had already got printed off, sorry don't know who it's by without searching my file. I tried to match the papers to Miss Toadie's bathing costume, doesn't she look glamorous! The sentiment is one I printed off of my pc, I always get a little space on the bottom of my page when printing images so fill the space with sentiments!

slightly different view

We have more lovely sponsors who have donated prizes and the girls easel examples are just fab, so why not nip over and take a look.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 142

2011-03-08T10:56:00.000Z

Good morning, the sun is shining!!

Time for a new A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge and this week we would like to see anything with a vintage/shabby chic theme.

Now I made a complete ooppsie last week, I made this card and then saw the challenge on the blog saying 'tags' OMG I'd got the wrong week lol!!! Serves me right for not reading things properly!

Anyhow, I struggle big time with vintage so went for the shabby chic theme, thinking florals, lace, pearls etc, the papers that I've used were freebies with one of my magazines, pearls and lace were in my stash and the organza flower is one of my latest experiments! Yes I'm making my own flowers and really loving it, and so is everyone that sees them (making a lot of hair accessories which are proving pretty popular, will show some piccies soon).

We have a wonderful sponsor who has donated a scrummy prize and the girls have as always made gorgeous examples, so don't forget to take a peek!

Chairsma Cardz - Four Legged Friends

2011-03-03T10:54:00.001Z

Good morning, I am full of cold, my nose is constantly dripping like a tap and I feel pretty crappy, but life goes on and -

We have a new challenge over at Charisma Cardz and this week the theme of Four Legged Friends was chosen by yours truly!

I used a freebie download image from SJ's Little Musings which was pre-coloured, I just pinked up the ears a little more.

We have some fabby prizes and the girls have made wonderful examples so please go check them out.

I had to pick Lillie up from school yesterday as she was apparantly 'unwell', but was fine once home. She does have that annoying dry cough that once you get it you can't get rid of it for ages, which is in turn pulling on her tummy and making that ache. But I have sent her in today despite floods of tears, some might say cruel i.e. my mum but she has done this twice before, once with me having to apologise and have the day off of work only for her to get home and be fine and want to eat all afternoon!! After telling her if she had a problem at school she should tell someone, she said she 'hated school and didn't want to go', it seems that being World Book Day her class are reading to some of the younger children and the last time they did this she was paired up with a boy who constantly hit her despite a teacher sitting near them! I've had a word with her TA and they are going to keep an eye on her and see how it goes.

Oh the fun of being a parent!

Right off to blow my nose! Lol!!!

Chairsma Cardz - black, white and 1 other colour

2011-02-24T15:06:00.000Z

I'm on DT hol this week but just wanted to let you know that there is a new challenge over at Charisma Cardz. The theme this week is to use the colours 'black, white and 1 other colour'.

Nip over to the blog for all prize info and to see the girls wonderful examples.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 140

2011-02-22T12:08:00.000Z

A bit late with my challenge post today but better late than never heh!?!

So, our new A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge for the week is 'birthday wishes' you can make anything birthday related.

For all prize details please check out the blog here and whilst there why not take a look at the girls fabby examples.

Happy 9th Anniversary to us!

2011-02-20T22:02:00.000Z

Today is mine and hubby's 9th wedding anniversary, yes 9 years ago we were at Gretna Green and got married at 2.02pm on the 20.02.2002. It was funny seeing Richard Madeley (Richard and Judy) on Something for the Weekend this morning as 9years and 1 day ago I was speaking to him via the telephone for the Richard and Judy show on channel 4!!!

We didn't have anything too exciting planned just nipped into town to do a few bits and then on to the Pizza Hut for lunch. How romantic lol!!! We did have the children with us and children still eat for free, so that was a big factor in the decisions!!

We started off the day with a bacon sarnie and would you believe that lying on the table beside hubby's plate layed this heart shaped bread crumb! I couldn't believe my eyes, and honestly this wasn't cut to shape!

We don't really do presents, but I did treat him to a mug and coaster set with the most awful moggie's (morris minors) on them, urghh he has one of these cars which he is itching to bring home from work and 'do up' but I've managed to keep it away for 10years lol!!! He gave me a pack of rechargeable batteries for my camera!!! I really did want them though, I've got holidays coming up!!!

Chairsma Cardz - Spring has Sprung

2011-02-17T10:18:00.000Z

Good morning, we have a lovely new challenge at Charisma Cardz and this weeks theme is 'spring has sprung'.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to use our sponsors image for my card as my printer has been playing up, then I worked out my ink had run out but it wasn't showing me so, I know I have some new inks but for the life of me can't find them. Typical heh!?! So I used an image that I already had printed off, this is a cute little girlie from Anne Bodil.

For all prize info and to see the gorgeous spring creations the girls have made nip on over to the blog.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 139

2011-02-15T09:01:00.004Z

Morning everyone. New challenge time at A Spoon Full of Sugar and this week we would like to see 'anything but a card'.

So I certainly did that lol!!! Here are the Valentine's cupcakes that I made! Red velvet (chocolate) with soft pink icing and various edible and non-edible hearts.

hubby and the girls all had one in their pack ups, and I must admit that I had one this afternoon after work and it tasted pretty alright to!!!

Lillie had a sleepover at Nannie and Grandad's on Saturday so when Hollie and I went to pick her up Hollie gave them both a gift wrapped cupcake as a little surprise!

To see sponsor and prize details please check out the blog where you will find the amazing 'non' cards from the rest of the team.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone

2011-02-14T10:29:00.000Z

This morning my eldest nipped downstairs to get something before getting ready for school, she came back up whinging that she couldn't go to the toilet because Daddy had stuck something all over the doorway and she couldn't get through!!!!

I headed downstairs to find, starting on the stairs a newspaper heart trail, which led down the hallway

to the kitchen, where the first garland hung (Lillie posing in the background!)

there were hearts all over the floor!

the offending garland (which Lillie couldn't get through!)

a message on the worktop!

along with another heart!

there were also a few more in the downstairs loo and on the doors!!

Hadn't Daddy been a busy boy!?!

He's gone to work with the usual 'hidden' chocolate hearts and love bugs in his lunch box, along with a card and Valentine's cupcake which I made yesterday afternoon!

We've bought each other token gifts which we'll open later, we are also going out for a meal.

Hope you are being spoilt to!

Chairsma Cardz - Mythical/Fantasy

2011-02-10T09:51:00.000Z

Good morning, Thursday already wow it'll soon be the weekend!

We have a new challenge over at Charisma Cardz and the theme is 'mythical/fantasy'.

I literally left my card until the last minute, I really didn't know what to do! Still think it turned out okay in the end. I used an image from Pollycraft, not sure if it was a freebie or one that I won!

We have 2 fab sponsors offering great prizes and the girls have made wonderful examples, so please check out the blog to see these.

Must dash, gotta get my sausage rolls out of the oven! Sadly none for us, I'm making them for someone else. Mind you, that's good for the waistline!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 138

2011-02-08T09:15:00.000Z

Good morning, new challenge time at A Spoon Full of Sugar, this week as we are so close to Valentine's day we would like to 'See some LOVE', this can be a love theme, add some hearts, have a loving sentiment etc.

I'm still lacking in creative flare, don't know where it's gone but it's been a while now! I didn't know what to do so in the end I googled 'love' images and came accross the one I used. I love these pictures that are predominantly black and white with 1 highlighted bit (umberella), I simply matched the colours with my papers, added a couple of gems and stamped the sentiment. To be honest I really do like this one!!!

We have a fab sponsor, to see details and the girls examples please check out the blog.

Chairsma Cardz - What? No embellies?!

2011-02-03T10:25:00.000Z

Good morning, time for a new Charisma Cardz challenge and this week was Leah's turn to set the theme, she chose for us to use : Image/Sentiment and Papers only! Now this certainly was a challenge because although a lot of my cards are basic I still add flowers or buttons or gems or ribbon etc but once I had found my image and then the sentiment it all fell into place.

The image that I have used is from Pink Cat Studio, the sentiment is a past freebie from the Sentimental Sundays blog, I just printed it out onto pink paper.

We have 2 wonderful sponsors this week, for all details of prizes and to see the girls fabby examples, remember with no embellies, check out the blog.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 137

2011-02-01T10:25:00.000Z

Good morning, new challenge time at A Spoon Full of Sugar and we have a photo inspiration this week!

For my card I have used a past Kenny K freebie image, papers and pips from my stash. Although the pink doesn't show too well it is there, her lips are very pink!!

As always we have a fab prize, for sponsor and prize details please check out the blog, and don't forget to check out the girls examples to.

Charisma Cardz - Valentine's/Love

2011-01-27T09:05:00.001Z

Charisma Cardz challenge time and this weeks theme is 'Valentines/Love' there's a lot of it around!!!

I decided to make an 8x8 card, used a layout that I have used many times before, especially at christmas, but it's so versatile!

We are very lucky to have 3 wonderful sponsors this week, so yep that means 3 fab prizes, check out the blog for the details.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 136

2011-01-25T09:32:00.000Z

Good morning, love is in the air this week at A Spoon Full of Sugar and our challenge theme this week is 'valentine'.

I have used a past freebie image from Meljen, I thought the little hearts etc in the background were perfect although I added a few more of my own as I had a couple of bare patches I needed to fill!! Everthing else is from my stash, the lace is gorgeous it's lace and organza with the gold organza hearts, I added a couple of layered flowers to the dogs flower for an extra bit of dimension. The sentiment is one I will never forget, when reading James Martin's (my dream hubby see pic on right!) book 'Driven' in the section where he mentions a past love, he says that they used to say this to each other all of the time, I just think it's lovely, true and just can't imagine him saying it lol!!!

Our sponsor this week are Whimsy Stamps who have generously donated the prize of 5 digital stamps of the winners choice.

The girls have made absolutely stunning examples so don't forget to check them out.

Chairsma Cardz - Magic numbers

2011-01-20T08:59:00.003Z

It's Thursday morning and time for a new Charisma Cardz challenge, this week our theme is 'Magic Numbers' so just add a number somewhere on your creation.

For my card I used a Bratz image that I found on a free colouring pages website, simply coloured the image to match up with the paper, added a few little glittery foam hearts and cut the 8 out of some glitter card. Hollie gave this card to Lillie on Sunday and she loved it!

For all prize details please head over to the blog.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 135

2011-01-18T09:07:00.002Z

Good morning, time for a new A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge and this week the theme is down to me, and is a colour theme of 'blue and green', the saying goes 'blue and green should never be seen' but I disagree I think they work well!

I have used a wonderful image which was a freebie digi from Anne Bodil and papers from a pad which I've had for ages. The sentiment is also a freebie from Sentimental Sundays.

It was my turn to choose a guest designer, I left it too late to expect anyone to turn around and create something for the challenge, so I asked my eldest if she would like to make a card. I think she did pretty well! I cut the papers for her but she put it all together herself, she went through my box of cards and followed a layout. She can colour a lot nicer but she was in a hurry to get into the living room as her sister was playing on the Wii and she didn't want to miss out!

We have a fab prize, please check out the blog for the details and to see the wonderful examples from the rest of the team.

My big girl is 8!

2011-01-17T21:35:00.000Z

8 years ago I was still in hospital in a lot of pain after having had a c-section, yes my first baby turned an unbelievable 8 yesterday. Here she is modelling her not so small badge!

she kinda knew she was getting a new bike as she was there when we chose and paid for it, but when it wasn't in the room and she couldn't find it in the garage she wasn't so sure she had got one lol!!

when we went to the Pizzahut on Hollie's birthday she decided that we could all go back there for her birthday!!

here she is with a whopping slice of pizza!! This is after she had eaten her meal and polished off her cousins leftovers!!!

she wasn't aware that we had asked her best friend to come round for a while and then come out with us for tea, so that was a lovely surprise for her. I've been having a little play with some photo's today, here's a poloroid look of the BFF's!!! (If I heard that once I heard that said at least half a dozen times lol!!)

and I had a little play with one of me a hubby! You might need your sunglasses!!

Charisma Cardz - Good Luck

2011-01-13T08:57:00.000Z

Good morning, wow what a wonderful response we had to our 2nd birthday challenge celebrations over at Charisma Cardz, all absolutely gorgeous entries!

This weeks challenge theme is 'Good Luck'. For my card I have used an image given to us by our sponsor The Stamping Boutique, the original image actually has a blank plaque, I added the sentiment via the Picnik website, ooooo I am getting clever lol!!!! A very simple card from me as I am still stuggling to create with a missing mojo!

We have 2 sponsors which means 2 prizes this week, please check out the blog for details, and for design team inspiration.

Woo Hoo I got the 'star' letter in Cardmaking and Papercraft!!!!

2011-01-12T16:57:00.000Z

Please if you have seen my crafty mojo could you tell it to come back?

I was thrilled to bits when I opened up an email at the beginning of the week which went a little something like this "strange request but one of our readers contacted us in regards to your 'shoes' as printed on our letters page, she wondered if there was any chance of having a copy of the template as she doesn't have the internet!". Well that was the first I knew that my 'shoe' was in the mag! Of course I obliged why wouldn't I, it wasn't my property I came accross it whilst blog hopping! Imagine my surprise when I bought a copy of the mag the next day only to find out mine was the STAR letter!!! Woo Hoo £50 or crafty goodies heading my way! Just hope my mojo turns up with the prize lol!!!!

Here is the article in the mag. it's issue 87!

In the end the idea I had in mind for the men didn't work out, so I made them holographic boxes and put their choccies inside, tied them with a ribbon and added a puffy sticker from Poundland!!

Oh and we only had my parents round for christmas lunch!

Sadly we were all (except dad) were ill, hubby got the cold/flu christmas eve, mine came on late christmas day afternoon, mum came down with it on boxing day and the girls were still suffering from symptoms since they broke up from school!! So not a great festive season for us really, but it was nice just all being together even if we didn't get up to a lot!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 134

2011-01-11T09:19:00.001Z

Good morning, time for our first challenge of the year over at A Spoon Full of Sugar and we would like to see 'Thank you's' very fitting for those christmas thanks!

I must admit I've still got to get lots done and sent out, I'm still stuggling big time with my crafting, my mojo has well and truly gone missing!

I have however got a card to show, admittingly I made this weeks ago but it was lacking a sentiment, so I just printed one out on my pc, I think it kinda looks like she is shouting out her thank you!! The image is one of Kenny K's fabby freebies from a while back.

We have 8 lovely new team members as some of our team have chosen to do alternate weeks, so we have lots and lots of wonderful inspiration (just wish some would rub off on me!).

For all prize information please check out the blog HERE

I would like to enter my card into the very first challenge over at Do You Stack Up? where the theme is 'cute as a button, they have a whopping 13 prizes up for grabs, unlucky for some fingers crossed lucky for me lol!!!!

Charisma Cardz is 2 years old!!!

2011-01-06T08:30:00.001Z

Good morning and a Happy New Year to you.

Boy it's been hard getting back into the swing of things, I don't feel crafty in the slightest and haven't touched any of my crafty bits since a quite some time before christmas! Still haven't gotten around to doing thank you cards for all of our pressies!

Well as you can see from my post header it's Charisma Cardz 2nd birthday/anniversary today, wow hardly seems possible. Pleased to say that I have been there from the start along with Vee and of course Carly (the boss!).

Our challenge quite fittingly is Birthdays & Celebrations, to gain a second entry add the no.2 somewhere on your creation.

We have 10 fabulous sponsors this week each donating a fantastic prize, for all of these details please check out the blog.

Now we are also celebrating by having a blog hop each of the team will have a particular word (which will be recognizable on their blog post) these will make up a full sentence when put together. Now my word appears three times in this post and is in bold print!!!!

I can't wait to visit your blog to see your creation!

Now you have to head on over to Jeanette's blog here for your next word!

Good luck!

Happy New Year.... 2011

2010-12-31T23:59:00.001Z

The countdown has begun

I would like to wish everyone a wonderful New Year, Happy 2011 to all

Merry Christmas everyone

2010-12-25T22:13:00.000Z

I know it's a bit late, but I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, I hope that you are having a wonderful day. We've had my parents here since just before christmas which is lovely. Unfortunately I have I have now gone down with the girls cold/virus so am feeling a bit pants! Getting no sympathy from hubs as I haven't been given him any as he has it to!

Chairsma Cardz - Pearls and Lace

2010-12-23T13:19:00.000Z

Good Christmas eve eve! Apologies for my lateness in this post, it's been a bit of a busy morning, wrapping and sorting pressies etc and most importantly my baby girls 6th birthday!

It's time for a new Charisma Cardz challenge and our last for 2010, the theme is 'pearls and lace'.

For my card I have used the '2 turtle doves' pre-coloured image which is part of the 'twelve days of christmas' images that the fab Beccy has drawn, see HERE for more wonderful images.

We have 3 fabulous sponsors which means 3 lucky winners, for all details of prizes please check out the blog.

Chairsma Cardz - New Year Celebrations

2010-12-16T10:16:00.000Z

Good morning, my turn to set the challenge at Charisma Cardz and I have chosen New Year Celebrations. Thought it would be a good idea to get something made in advance, I know myself I won't have much if any time for crafting over the festive period, I must admit I kind of cheated for this challenge!! It was very last minute, in fact I got it finished at 10.30pm tonight!! It's a very simple printed calendar page from a program I had with my camera years ago, I've once again used my musing and the picture it was drawn from, layered it twice on co-ordinating card and heh presto one calendar!

We have 2 fab sponsors this week which means 2 fab prizes, for details please check out the blog.

The girls have done much better examples for this challenge, so don't forget to check them out!

I've had a mad few days what with ballet all weekend, madly baking before work, then work, straight onto school to see Hollie's nativity, yesterday was the carol services for Lillie's year and then shopping straight after that! This is my first 'normal-ish' day, thank goodness!! I still have to write almost all of my christmas cards, and must do some ironing as I am running out of clothes to wear lol!!! and then there's the mountain of wrapping that needs to be done!

Heh ho we might get there before christmas day!

It's SHOW TIME!!

2010-12-12T10:03:00.002Z

Well the time has finally arrived for the ballet show! After months of lessons, extra lessons, rehearsals, full dress rehearsal today etc the big day has finally arrived!
We cannot believe it was less than 2 years ago that we were doing it for the first time, but we only had Lillie taking part, now it's both girls, which is better for us as it means they 'appear' on stage more!!
Lillie is part of 3 dances and Hollie in 2 dances, I totally up the time they 'appear' and it's approximately 10 minutes in total lol!!
I thought I would share a few pictures of the girls in their costumes which I took at Tuesday evenings lesson in their costumes.
First up is Lillie in her sparkly number! Funny how all the girls like this one!

Here we have Hollie as a 'flower' as part of the garden party

which is where Lillie is a waiter!

and then there is the picnic dance, Lillie is part of a family who are out in the park for a picnic

when along come the naughty 'teddy bears' who see the picnics and decide to help themselves to the families food whilst they are off playing!!!

I think this piccie is really cute, it's when Hollie is a hungry bear and spots the yummy picnic! (Well imaginary picnic at the time lol!!)

Fingers crossed it will all go well, they have 2 performances to do, so we are expecting very tired children at school on Monday lol!! I can't wait until tomorrow evening when we can sigh a big sigh of relief that it's all over and we can get back to some sort of normality!

Finally here are the good luck cards that I made for the girls using the fab musing that SJ drew for me.

2 weeks til Christmas aarrghhh!!

2010-12-11T15:15:00.000Z

Here I am with a couple of cards, first up is a card that I am entering into the Daring Card Makers 'snow much fun' challenge. I have made this for my step-daughter who is spending christmas in Portugal (at her aunties), I am going to pop a candy cane mouse inside and tell her not to open it on christmas day, so she gets a surprise with the piccie of her and her 1/2 sisters and also a little treat!!

Next up is my card for the Meljen challenge = red, green & gold. I have used the wonderful musing of my daughters which I comissioned SJ (SJ's Little Musings) to draw for me. As any one who reads my blog regularly will know I absolutely love SJ's images and use them loads, so just had to have a personal one done! The image is of Lillie and Hollie doing a ballet pose! They have their big show tomorrow, 2 performances, they are at their dress rehearsal as I type!! I left my baby in tears bless her, I think she is a little worried about it all, and me stressing whilst getting organized doesn't help matters! The girls are going to give this card to their ballet teacher, each year I make a ballet themed christmas card, this year it has that 'personal' touch!!

This is one of the photo's that I emailed SJ to work her wonders from! I have also put a copy of this inside their teachers card so that she realizes it's them on the front!!

Chairsma Cardz - A christmas gift

2010-12-09T09:44:00.000Z

Good morning, it's all frosty again this morning. We were up and about earlier this morning, getting organized for a day of madness lol! My eldest is off to a museum to see what christmas was like in Victorian times, she's all dressed up in long skirt, top, apron, shawl and bonnet!! Hollie has her christmas party this afternoon and we have 350+ christmas lunches to do today OMG it's going to be crazy!!!
Anyhow onto the new Charisma Cardz challenge and this week is a 'christmas gift' bag, box, envelope etc.
Now I misread the challenge and posted a christmas 'gift' but was told it was ok, thankfully as things have been a bit mad these past few days and I've not had a minute to make anything.
So here are my absolute favoutite makes of the year I think! Candy Cane Mice! Aren't they cute?! I first saw these on Karen's blog, she certainly has some wonderful crafty ideas!

I also made some snowman soup. A different set up to the ones I've made in the past, but far quicker to put together, instead of making toppers for the bags, I just printed out the poem (thanks again to Karen) cut it out, popped it in a cello bag with the soup ingredients behind it.

We have 2 fabulous sponsors this week, and the girls have made gorgeous examples and stuck to the actual challenge lol!!! To take a look at these please nip over to the blog HERE.

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 133

2010-12-07T10:17:00.002Z

Good frosty morning everyone, boy it's coooooolddd........!!!!!!!!!
Time for our last A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge of the year, and it's an easy peasy one to end on!! We would like to see some 'christmas cards!'
I need to count mine up and see if I need to make any more in a hurry lol!! Then there's the chore of writing them all ugghh..!!
Anyhow, here is my card for the challenge it's an 8x8 so a really nice size, this was made especially for my mum and dad from the girls or as written inside the card, their '2 little angels'!
The papers are papermania naughty and nice christmas, I added some glitter glue to each of the white dots as it needed a little something and I didn't want to add anything more i.e. embellies! The gorgeous angels image is on of SJ's musings (SJ's Little Musings) and I absolutely adore them, I so wish I had more time to create with them! The pointsettia is from a bunch of artificle ones that I got from QD, just added the pretty button as the centre.

We have 2 fabulous sponsors for this challenge :

Whimsy Stamps who have very kindly donated a $15 gift certificate.

Bunny Zoe's Crafts our very own Nikki has donated a £10 gift certificate. She also has a christmas sale on so go take a look!

I would like to enter this card into the Secret Crafter challenge = christmas and also into the Simon Says sketch challenge.

Christmas cuties!

2010-12-02T20:42:00.000Z

My card today is for the One Stop Craft - christmas cuties challenge. I thought this little image fitted the theme perfectly, I have this in my Pollycraft folder but I'm not 100% that it is so please don't take it as gospel! It doesn't show very well in the picture but the tinsel and star are coloured with metalic pencils, and the fir trim on the hat, gloves and coat are all glittered along with the snow, am really loving my white glitter at the moment!!

The cutest angels!

2010-12-01T21:32:00.001Z

Today's card is for the Secret Crafter challenge which is to use 3 snowflakes, 2 circles and lace.

As soon as I saw Sarah Jane's (SJ's Little Musings) angels on Friday I couldn't wait to get my hands on them, they are just the most adorable, cutesie images ever! I absolutely love SJ's work and have used many of her images, I have comissioned her to do a musing of my girls I soooo cannot wait to see it, it's soooo exciting!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 132

2010-11-30T09:33:00.000Z

Good morning, it's cold and crunchy outside here today, I've had to dig my trainers out the last couple of days to wear doing the school runs as none of my many pairs of boots have any grip lol!! Take care where you are!

We have a recipe challenge for you this week at A Spoon Full of Sugar and the ingredients needed are : 3 patterned papers + 3 flowers or buttons + 3 gems.

I didn't set out to use ALL of the ingredients but the card was lacking a little something so I ended up using the buttons as well as the flowers! The image I have used is a freebie from Bodil, I think she's such a pretty little thing and it made a change from making christmas creations!!

We are sponsored by Digital Delights who have donated the following prize

I would like to enter this card into the Friday Sketchers challenge as I have used their sketch.

Chairsma Cardz - One for the girls

2010-11-25T10:42:00.000Z

Good morning, it's 'one for the girls' this week at Charisma Cardz, so just make something nice and girlie!

I have used a wonderful Digi Stamp Boutique image, this one is called 'party time Zoe & Flo'. The gorgeous paper is some that my dear friend Becky sent me for my birthday, I nearly cried when I cut into it, oh and it was double sided to! I have recycled an M&S chocolate cherry liquer wrapper which I knotted, my mum buys me a box of these every birthday and christmas, they are sooooo delicious!!

For all prize details which are fab! and to see the gorgeous examples from the rest of the girls please nip on over to the blog for a look!

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 131

2010-11-23T09:40:00.000Z

Good morning, we have a new A Spoon Full of Sugar challenge starting today and it's an easy one this week because 'Anything Goes'!

I would've liked to have made anything other than a card but time seems to be getting away from me quite rapidly at the moment, so sadly a card it is!

I have used an old stamp for this card, it makes a change from digi images which I seem to use 95% of the time now!

I am pretty sure this is a Sugar Nellie image called 'hug a mug' but forgive me if I am wrong (as not 100% sure could be WOJ!).

This was an experimental colouring session for me using shades of grey, I was a bit unsure when I was colouring but think it looks ok.

We have a great prize donated by DRS Designs of a $10 gift voucher to be spent in their store.

I would like to enter my card into the Sugar Bowl challenge, fingers crossed my image is a SN! The challenge is to use black+white+1 other colour, and to use the sketch which I have turned on it's side!