PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWERS BAR NOT APPEARING

Hi Everyone

Just a quick note - I have had quite a few people leave me a comment or e-mail me saying that they cannot see my Followers Bar and they want to join; this seems to be a problem with Blogger that hasn't been sorted yet.  The best solution I have found at the moment is to refresh you page a few times and it will appear - eventually :o( - so until the problem is fixed please bear with me.

Thank you for your patience.

Totally Gorjuss - Challenge 94 - Cute & Cuddly

Good Morning Everyone

I cannot believe it is Saturday already - where has this week gone too?

Apologies for being missing for a week - I have had my first week back at work after having a glorious three weeks off and to be quite honest I've come home every night pretty much cream crackered!

So without further ado this weeks challenge at Totally Gorjuss is Cute and Cuddly where we would like to see an animal on your card.  Make sure you get yourself over there and be inspired by what the wonderful DT ladies have created.  The prize this week is from Simon Says Stamp so get your entries in to be in with a chance to win.

For my card, how could I resist this little cutie from Mo Manning:

Check out little kitty's face - he or she is sooo not impressed - I just love it - it brings a real smile to my face.

The recipe for this card is as follows:

Stamp:  Digital Stamp from Mo Manning called "Patience"

Papers:  Nit Wit "Me-Wow"

Sentiment Stamp:  Whimsy Stamps "Everyday Mini Postage" from My Mum's Craft Shop

Buttons:  Cheery Lynn Designs Buttons #1 from Dies to Die For

The image has been coloured with Copics as follows:

Girl

Skin:  E11 E00 E000 R20 R30

Hair:  E47 E57 E34

Jumper & Shoes:  R02 R01 R00 E09 E08

Jeans:  B97 B95 B93 R01 R00

Cat

Fur:  E17 E15 E13 E11 E00 E000 E0000 R20

Shading & Outline:  W5 W3 W1 W0 Blender Pen

Everything has been edged in "Brushed Corduroy" Distress Inks.

Well that's it from me for today - I am busily working in the background on some commissions for a magazine for their November and December publications - Christmas will be hear before we know it :os!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Patties Creations Challenge #28 where the theme this week is Animal or Insect.
Art Impressions Challenge #28 where the theme this week is Anything Goes.

Just want to take this opportunity to say a big "Thank You" to all you lovely people who are now following me (and those that drop in every now and again) - 55 already I can't quite believe it in just one month - and all the lovely comments you leave, it really does help and gives me a real buzz - so THANK YOU so much from the bottom of my heart.

I hope you all have a great weekend whatever you are doing.

Take care and be safe.

Cheerio!

Totally Gorjuss - Challenge 93 - Round & Round

Happy Saturday to you all

And now for something a little bit different ...

It's the wonderful weekend and there is a brand new challenge over at the Totally Gorjuss challenge blog where this week the theme is "Round and Round" which is being sponsored by the fabby Crafter's Companion.  

Make sure you go and check out what all the wonderful ladies have created - they are awesome - and get your entry in to be in with a chance to win a £10 voucher to spend at their store.

Here is the card I made:

I think there is plenty of roundness going on there :o)  The background has been created using different sized circle punches and the monster has been stamped onto die cut circle.

Now for a confession (yep - another one!) - I had a little clean-up in my craft room this week and came across some stamps that I had totally forgotten about that have probably been in my cabinet for at least a couple of years and once again, not a spot of ink has been on them (hanging my head in shame - yet again - lol) and this is one of them.

The recipe for the card is:

Stamp:  I have no idea as its been tucked away for so long (sorry) but if anyone can tell me that would be great.

Cardstock & Circles:  All Core'dinations from Crafter's Companion (love this card a lot)

The image has been coloured with Copics:

Body:  B05 B04 B02 R24 R22 R21 E44 E43 E42

Shading & Outline:  W3 W2 W1 W0

Everything has been edged in "Weathered Wood" distress ink.

Yuk - can you see what looks like a scratch mark at the top of the image - well this was a tiny piece of a hair that was on my Big Shot when I cut this little monster out - just shows how good those machines are at picking up the tiniest of details.  I must admit though it looks worse on the photos then it does in real life.

Now for a little close-up of the scales:

To achieve this effect all I have done is wait for the image to dry a little and then using the Blender Pen, just pressed lightly so it disperses the ink - I was quite chuffed with the outcome even if I do say so myself - heh heh.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments where this week the theme is "Punches and Die Cuts".
Craft Us Crazy where this week the theme is "Anything Goes".
Stampin' For the Weekend where the theme this week is "Spots and Dots".
Craft Your Days Away where the theme is "Birthdays".
Moving Along With the Times where the theme is "Fantasy".

I hope you all have a totally fantastic weekend and thank you for popping by and having a look.

Take care and be safe.

Thinking of You

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all well.

What has happened to our Summer and where is our sunshine?  It's feels that cold that I've put my central heating on (although I will switch it off super quick before the other half gets home from his day on the golf course - heh heh!).  Typical though, I'm on my hols and all it's doing is raining - but on a positive note it gives me some time to create in my craft room (every cloud has a silver lining!).

I have a card to show you today that I used with an old Whiff of Joy Guardian Angel stamp called "Melinda Reading Book".

Now I have had this little stamp for probably around one or two years and this is the very first time I have actually inked her up - how bad is that - but I bet I am not the only person who is guilty of this am I (you all know who you are - rofl) - in fact I have had this stamp that long I don't think you can get her any more from the Official Whiff of Joy website!  (I am hanging my head in shame!)

So here is the finished version:

The recipe for the card is as follows:

Stamp:  Whiff of Joy Guardian Angel Collection "Melinda Reading Book"

Papers:  Prima "Madeline" Collection

Seam Binding:  Wild Orchid Crafts "Lite Mink"

Charms & Pearls:  The Hobby House

Flowers:  From My Stash

The image has been coloured with Copics as follows:

Skin:  E21 E00 E000 R20 R30

Hair:  E37 E35 E33

Top & Headbands:  BG13 BG11 BG000

Trousers:  E29 E27 E25

Book:  E55 E53 E51 E41 E40 E35

Shading:  W6 W3 W1

Outline:  BG10 BG000 Blender Pen

I have also used Walnut Stain Distress Ink for edging everything in sight!

I have had those beautiful Prima Madeline papers for quite some time as well, I just haven't been brave enough to cut into them - lol.  The good thing with this card though is that you only have to use two pieces of paper out of the set - phew!

I have used some Tim Holtz Picket Fence Crackle Paint on the silver corner, then once it is dry I have dabbed some Walnut Stain distress ink on top before going over it with Star Dust Stickles.  I really like the effect this has given as the Stickles has really brought out the Walnut Stain colour - although I don't know whether you will be able to see it well enough on the photo:

As you can see, another new fetish of mine is adding a little ink to the flowers before being given the Stickle treatment but this time I actually managed not to edge the seam binding with ink although I was sooooo tempted!

Here is a picture of those cute little charms from The Hobby House - Jill has some wonderful charms and spacers so if you need any go and check out her website.

So lastly, but by no means least, here is the final picture of the inside of my card - without verse as usual:

I am entering this card into the Sketch and Stash Challenge where this week the sketch is:

I am also going to enter this card into the Sir Stampalot challenge where this month the theme is "Whatever You Fancy".

Thank you so much for popping by - I really do appreciate it and I love receiving and reading your comments.

Take care y'all.

A Bouquet of Wishes

Hello Everyone

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

I have a card that I would like to share with you today using a Lili of the Valley fairy:

 Isn't she so pretty?  Here is my completed card:

The recipe for the card is:

Stamp:  Lili of the Valley "Fairies Bouquet"

Papers:  Basic Grey "Blush"

Flowers:  Wild Orchid Crafts

Ribbon & Lace:  From My Stash

I have coloured the image with Copics as follows:

Skin:  E21 E00 E000 R20 R30

Hair:  E47 E57 E34

Dress & Wings:  R01 R00 R000

Flowers & Ribbon:  R39 R29 R27 R24 R22 R21 YG67 YG63

I have also coloured around the edges of the card with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

I have used a cloud template for the stamped background and used Tumbled Glass Distress Ink with an Ink Duster to create this effect.  I got this idea from Bev Rochester and really enjoyed doing it (thanks Bev) - but I can tell ya, I was twitching like mad hoping that it was all gonna turn out alright as it took my a while to colour this little beauty in.

I have used Glamour Dust on the fairy wings and edged those beautiful roses in Walnut Stain Distress Ink before giving them the Star Dust Stickle treatment:

You might even catch a glimpse of my new favourite technique of edging ribbon with distress ink - again!  (Are you getting bored of this yet ;o) ) - I got so carried away I even added some ink to the lace!

Finally my picture of the inside of my card which follows the same layout as the front:

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Pink {INK} Sketch Challenge where this week there is a fabulous sketch to follow from Jeanette Comerford.
Lili of the Valley Thursday Challenge where the theme this week is Roses.
Anything Goes Challenge where the theme this week is Pick of the Bunch - Flowers.

Thank you all for stopping by and having a peek - and as always your comments are truly appreciated.

See ya all soon -take care.

Totally Gorjuss - Challenge 92 - Sketch

Good Morning and a happy Saturday to you all.

It's that time of the week for the new Totally Gorjuss challenge where this week all you need to do is follow this sketch:

This week's challenge is sponsored by the fabulous Joanna Sheen so get busy making those cards and get them posted to be in with a chance to win a £10 voucher for her store. The DT ladies have been hard at work with this sketch so do make sure you go and check out their fantastic creations here.

Here is the card that I created:

The Recipe for the card is:

Stamp: Sugar Nellie "Fragile Beauty"

Papers: Memory Box "Gossamer" from Quixotic Paperie

Sentiment Stamp: Raindrop Echo Sentiments "Friendship Ticket Sentiments" from My Mum's Craft Shop

Flowers: From my stash

Ribbon: From my stash

Butterflies: From The Hobby House

I've coloured the image with Copics as follows:

Skin: E21 E00 E000 R20 R30

Hair: E47 E57 E34

Top: YG11 RV10 RV00 RV000

Belt, Butterflies & Bow: RV10 RV00 RV000

Trousers: E27 E25 E23

Toad Stools: R27 R24 R22 E42 E40

Outline & Shading: W5 W3 W1 W0 Blender Pen

I have also used Cool Grey 90% Prismacolor Pencil to add a little shading and everything (including the ribbon) has been edged with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

I did say in my last post that I have discovered a nice new little technique that I am going to use over and over again which is edging ribbon with distress inks like this:

Such a pretty effect and really tones in well with the card. You will also spot my faux stitching (again!) - I seem to be going through some kind of phase with this but I just think it looks pretty and as you know - I cannot use a sewing machine!

A little lookie at the lovely flowers which I have edged with Star Dust Stickles:

Here is a picture of the butterfly that I have covered in Tim Holtz Picket Fence Crackle Paint followed by another dose of Star Dust Stickles:

And one final picture (before I bore you all silly) of the inside of the card where I have used the same sketch and papers - as always it awaits its verse which I personalise for whoever I send the card too.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend whatever you are doing and thank you so much for popping by - as always any comments are really appreciated.

Toodle Pip and take care.

Me & My Cat

Good Day to You All

Can you believe that it's August already!

Today I would like to share with you a card that I have made with a lovely Just Magnolia stamp called "Tilda with Cat".

Now just how cute is that cat?  As you may have gathered, my little feline friend is our Winston (piccy in my side-bar), who doesn't lavish me with love, but comes and gives me the odd face rub every now and again, particular when he wants something to eat.

I have poked holes all around the edges of the layers and then joined them up with a grey fine-liner pen to create a faux stitched effect - I am completely useless with a sewing machine and I just can't build up the courage to have a bash as I fear my project would be ruined!

The recipe for the card is as follows:

Stamp:  Just Magnolia "Tilda with Cat"

Papers:  Memory Box "Jubilee"

Coloured Card:  Core-dinations from Crafters Companion

Buttons:  Cheery Lynn Designs Buttons #1 from Dies to Die For

Papers Outlined With Distress Inks:  Tumbled Glass and Old Paper

Flowers:  Roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts and the others are from my stash

Image has been coloured with Copics:

Skin:  E21 E00 E000 E0000 R20 R30

Hair:  E29 E27 E25 E23

Jumper & Socks:  B00 B000 B0000

Skirt & Shoes:  YG11

Cute Cat:  N5 N3 N2 N1 N0 R20 R30

Shading:  W5 W3 W1

Outline:  B000 B0000

I've also discovered myself a new technique to get the ribbon to blend in with the card by edging it with distress ink:

I think you will be seeing that a lot more on my cards.  This piccy also gives you a close-up of how the stitching looks and that cute little paw charm.

Here is a final picture of the inside of the card:

As always there is no verse in there yet - I always do that at a later date so I can personalise it to the person who I am sending this card too.

I will be entering this card in the following challenges:

Just Magnolia & hAnglar & sTanglar Challenge - Week 117 - Buttons, Bows & Blooms
Stamptacular Sunday - Challenge #122 - Friends are Heaven Sent
Sunday Sketch & Stamp - Challenge #66 - Sam's Sketch

So enough ramblings from me today - I'm going off on holiday for a few days now so I will look forward to catching up with you all when I get back at the weekend.

Enjoy your week and thank you all for your lovely comments.

See ya.