Really exciting news!!!!!!

Morning! I've got some really exciting news to share with you today.....for those of you that don't know, I had to give up work in 2006 after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer - of course, every cloud has a silver lining because it was through being ill that I discovered my love of crafting!! Before giving up work, I worked for an advertising agency in central London and last week, someone I used to work with (who I've stayed in touch with), sent me an email asking how I was doing and if I would be interested in going back to work. So - I went for an informal chat and realised that despite my ongoing health problems, there was a possibility that I might be able to make it work. Then I had an interview last week with the two Directors of the company and yesterday, I was offered the job!! From next week, I'll be working at Dawson Walker Communications, who are a PR/Marketing/Advertising agency in London. Obviously I won't know until I try whether it really will work out for me, health wise but they've agreed hours to suit me - I'll be working from home, 2 days a week and from 10am to 3pm in the office, 3 days a week. I'm really excited, but a bit nervous so keep your fingers crossed for me!! My first day is on Tuesday!
Anyway, enough waffling about what's going on in my life. It's the second week of the challenge over at the Friday Sketch Challenge, so here's my reminder card:

I've used a Saturated Canary image, coloured with promarkers and spectrum noirs and I've used Docrafts Kraft Note papers. The shape in the middle and the corner, were both cut with my Slice, I used a Memory Box die to cut out the butterfly and a Marianne Design die for the flowers, then added some twine, a charm and buttons from my stash. I hope you like it - I do love the colours in these papers.

If you've made it this far, thanks so much for sharing my good news! Sending hugs............xx

Super Sweet Penny

How's the snow in your part of the country? In London, it hasn't stopped today since about 8am and looks set to continue. I love it when it's thick on the ground and the view from my window overlooking Blackheath, looks so very pretty.
So - it's Sunday, which means there's a new sketch over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp and this week, it's a good 'un from Claire! Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Saturated Canary coloured with Promarkers and Spectrum Noirs.

Papers, Ribbon, Button, Gems/Pearls - Dovecraft 'Garden Party'.

Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts.

Other - Scalloped Card Blank - Craftwork Cards, MS Butterfly Punch.

I'm going through a bit of a Saturated Canary phase at the moment - I've always loved Krista's images right from when the Simply Sassy's were released and I own pretty much every image that's ever been released but I've not made up any cards with them for ages but the last three cards I've made have been SC - so keep an eye out for the others! I've also used another of my current faves on this card - Cosmos Daisies from WOC! They're so pretty! And I used some of my Christmas and Birthday money to have a bit of a splurge at Wild Orchid, so have lots of lovely new blooms!!
I'm also going to enter my card into the following challenges:

• Stampin' for the Weekend - Something Girlie.
• Simply Create Too - Challenge #29 Anything Goes.
• Dream Valley Challenges - Challenge 49 Girls, Girls, Girls.
• Allsorts Challenge - Flower Power.
• Inspire Me Fridays - Anything Goes.
• Crafty Calendar - What's New!? (Cosmos Daisies!)

I think that's about it. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think and don't forget to hop over to Sunday Sketch and Stamp to check out my teamies cards and join in! Stay safe and warm........xx

SomeBunny Special

Hi Everyone! It's time for a new challenge over at Friday Sketch Challenge and this week, we've got a fab sketch from Mariska to work with. Here's my attempt at it.....

Ingredients:

Image - Saturated Canary coloured with Promarkers and Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - First Edition.

Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts.

Hearts - MeiCrafts at My Crafty Heart.

Other - Sentiment from xx, Lace and Pearls from stash.

OMG - I've just discovered the fine tips for Promarkers (yeah, I know it's kinda late in the day!), they are fantabulous!! Makes things so much easier when you're trying to get into the tiny corners!! And how lush are these papers? They're the newest ones from First Edition - Rose Garden and my current faves!!

I'm also going to enter my card into the first ever challenge over at Inky Chicks and also In the Pink's Challenge #11 Luscious Lace (and Pink of course!!)

Hope ya like it! Don't forget to hop over to Friday Sketch Challenge and check out my teamie's cards and join in, of course!! TTFN..................xx

The Princess and The Frog

Morning! There's a new challenge starting today over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges and this week, we want to see your cards inspired by 'Fairytales'. Here's mine:

Ingredients:

Image - Saturated Canary coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Imaginisce.

Ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Twine - Bunny Zoe's.

Brad - Wild Orchid Crafts.

Flowers and Spacer - The Hobby House @ Ally Pally.

Dies - Magnolia Doohickey border.

Other - Bazzill Basics pink card, Charm from stash.

This image makes me laugh cos the Princess looks like she kissed the frog expecting him to turn into a Prince but is really p***ed off that he didn't!! Sometimes a frog is just a frog - I read that somewhere once, maybe it was a bumper sticker?!
I'm also entering my card into the Willow Sketchie Challenge cos I followed their fabby sketch - and theme as it happens cos I've used a die too! And I'm also entering it Bunny Zoe's Challenge 23, which is Ribbon or Twine, and I've used both!
Right, I think that's about it from me for now. Have you been watching the new SWALK shows over on Create and Craft? I've been waiting for these stamps to be released since I started seeing the previews so I've already bought mine!! Bye for now, lovelies..............xx

California Girls

Morning! There's a new challenge starting today over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges and this week, we want to see your cards inspired by songs or movies. My card, as the post title suggests, is inspired by 'California Girls' by The Beach Boys, and here it is:

Ingredients:

Image - Saturated Canary coloured with Spectrum Noirs and Sakura pens on her earrings and sunglasses.

Papers - DCWV.

Dies - Fringed Perennial Dienamics (from Ally Pally!)

Other - Free sentiment from someone in Blogland (and I'm really sorry but I can't remember where at the moment!), Pearls and Kraft card from stash. All edges distressed with Antique Linen DI.

I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

•  Friday Sketch Challenge - Sketch #15.
• Cardmakin' Mamas - Gettin' Girlie.

And I think that's about it! Hope you're all having a good week so far! Don't forget to check out my teamie's gorgeous cards over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges and join in!! Bye for now, my lovelies.....xx

Throw Us Some Shapes!

Morning! Today's challenge over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges is 'Throw Us Some Shapes' - so we want to see anything other than square/rectangular creations! I was asked by my neighbour to whip her something up for her niece's 18th and she said she's a 'girly girl', so I thought it would be a perfect oppotunity to make a double easel. Here's my card (get ready for lots of pics - soz!):

Ingredients:

Image - Saturated Canary coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Card Blank - Double Easel Kanban.

Papers - K & Co.

Sentiments - Craftwork Cards.

Other - Nesties and Cuttlebug used to cut image/number mats. Slice used to cut out numbers/letters. Letters and numbers covered with Glossy Accents, numbers then covered with glitter. Gems from stash and positioned with Bazzill Basics Jewel templates. Flowers cut with MS punch.

Hope you like it! Thanks loads for popping by - I'm trying to get round and visit everyone over the next day or so. And don't forget to check out my teamies amazing creations over at MMCS - and join in with the challenge of course!! TTFN......xx

Love Letters Straight from the Heart....

Afternoon!! The challenge starting today over at The Crazy Challenge is 'Flowers' and we've been lucky enough to be sponsored by Saturated Canary. Here's my card:

Ingredients:

Image - Saturated Canary 'Love Letters' coloured with Spectrum Noirs.

Papers - Fancy Pants 'Love Story'.

Black Card (for matting) - Bazzill Basics.

Flowers - Duck Pond Crafts coloured with versamagic ink pads.

Brads - Papermania.

Ribbon - Free with some pyjamas lol!

Now - what do you think of my card? Honestly?!? The reason I ask is that it's quite unusual for me to use such a mish-mash of patterns on my DPs, etc. In the end, I felt quite pleased with the overall look but you know when you just have those niggling doubts about whether it works or not?!
I'm also entering my card into the following challenges:

• Divas by Design - Challenge 19 Sketch.
• Daisy Doodles - Challenge # 52 Romantic theme.
• Crafty Boots Challenges - Inspired by a Song Title (see my blog post title, think it's a Patsy Cline song?!?)
• Paper Make Up -Digi Makeover Challenge # 21 Valentines.

Right, that's it - don't forget to hop over and check over my teamie's gorgeous creations and link your 'Flowery' projects up over at The Crazy Challenge for a chance to win some Saturated Canary images!!

Keeping Warm....

Heeeeeellllllllooooooooooooo!!! There's a new challenge over at My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges starting today and it's 'Keeping Warm'. I thought this image would be perfect the way she's warming her little paws on her cocoa with marshmallows - and it just so happened I had the most perfect paper......

Ingredients:

Image - Saturated Canary Digis coloured with Spectrum Noirs and Promarkers.

Papers - K & Co.

Ribbon - Free with magazine.
Other - MS Swirling Lace PATP punches.

I can't believe I lost out on the chance to stock up on the Saturated Canary digis that I'm missing when Krista had the most amazing sale yesterday - just my luck that it was the day before 'pay day' and I literally didn't have a penny to my name :-( Oh well, at least I'll be getting my birthday (and Christmas!) money very soon!!
I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Tuesday Morning Sketches - Sketch #122.
• Kaboodle Doodles - Challenge #95 Bundle Up for Winter.
• Make It Monday - Anything Goes.
• Saturated Canary Challenges - Challenge #5 Anything Goes.

Right, that's it from me! Don't forget to join in with the challenge and of course, check out the other DT member's fabby cards!! Mwah..............xx