New Divas by Design Challenge

Good morning blogging friends...

Half way through the week already! That can only mean one thing ....

a new challenge over at Divas by Design and this week our challenge is

Something Snowy

and our sponsors are Bunny Zoe's Crafts

Since we're all busy making lots of Christmas cards this should be a nice easy one.

My card uses the super cute Winter Fairy Talva digi image by Mo Manning and she's been teamed up with Raspberry Road Victorian Holiday papers.

Copic colours used:

Skin : E0000, E000, E00, E11, R30

Pinks : R85, R83, R81, RV000

Wings : RV0000, R81, Y000, G20 & Glamour Dust

Hair : E35, E29, E25, E50

Outline BG000, Blender

Dies used :

Memory Box - Flowering Christmas Tree

Joy Crafts - Doily 6003/1002

TH On the Edge - Snow Flurries

The edges of the papers have all been distressed with  Walnut stain and the tree and snow flakes have had a liberal coating of shabby white frantage. The rhinestone sparklers are from The Hobby House as are the pretty flower organza ribbon and pearls. The sentiment is by Molly Bloom.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Bearly Mine - Christmas in Pink

Deep Ocean - Winter

Mo's Digital Challenge - Anything Goes

2 Sisters Challenge - Christmas Sparkle

CMC Challenge - Wintry, Frosty, Cold

Totally Papercrafts - Use Glitter (used Glamour dust)

Happy Crafting,

Hugs, Janine xx

Hobby House DT Inspiration

Good morning Blogging friends.....

I'm still busy decorating my craft room, which is why I've been such a bad blogger recently.

Just popping on today to show you the inspirational piece that I've made for The Hobby House.

It's a small gift bag which I've decorated using another of the lovely toppers which Jill sells at The Hobby House. They're so good to use when time is short!

The papers are by Authentique and are called Wonder.  I've used Magnolia's Heart die tag and Marianne's snowflake LR0185, which I've frantaged with aged white and shabby green.

Here is a list of all the Hobby House products I've used to embellish my gift bag.

Mo Manning Christmas Fairies topper

Bluebell Wood mat & layer

Roses

Cherry Blossoms

Rhinestone Sparkler

Red Jingle Bells

Pearl String

'JOY' charm

Organza Ribbon

Frantage

Thank you for dropping by I really do appreciate it.

Off to do some more decorating.....

Big Hugs,

Janine xx

The Hobby House - Half Way Reminder

Good morning blogging friends...

By the time you read this I shall be travelling back home from a weeks break and ready to finish off my craft room. Can't wait to have it all finished and move back in. I should be able to find everything again!

I'm back today with my card for the midway reminder over at The Hobby House.

Our challenge this month is 

Christmas

Why not make an early start on your Christmas cards and also be in with a chance of winning £25 (excluding postage) to spend at The Hobby House. A double whammy :)

I've used a Mo Manning topper from the Christmas Fairies sheet. She's called Christmas Holly Fairy. These toppers are great for making quicker cards as you cut out all the colouring time.

The papers are a magazine freebie and are My Mind's Eye 'Snowed In'. They've all been distressed and inked with Walnut Stain.

All the embellishments have been dabbed with 'Snowtex' and the snowflake die has also had a little frantage.

Dies used :-

TH Snow Flurries, DooHickey Vintage Tag, Go Kreate Large Frilly #7

Hobby House Products:

Christmas Fairies Topper (Mo Manning images)

Bluebell Wood Mat & Layer Kit

Mulberry Roses and Cherry Blossom

Ribbon & Lace

Small Silver Bells

Small Bobbins

Rhinestones and Sparklers

Frantage (in the shop)

Wow, that's a long list! Jill has loads of lovely embellishments, as you can see!

Hope you can join us :)

Thank you for dropping by. 

I'd love it if you could leave a comment so I know you dropped in and also so I can stop by your place.

Happy Crafting.

Big Hugs,

Janine xx

Anything Goes at Anything Goes Challenge

Good morning blogging friends...

Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful sunny weather we're having at the moment. Just hope it continues into the school holidays.

I'd like to give a big warm welcome to my new followers and thank all my visitors who take the time to write such lovely comments. This then means that I can hope on over to your place and return the compliment.

I'm back today with the new challenge over at Anything Goes, and this week it's

Anything Goes

A nice and easy one. So whatever floats your boat!

This is a card I've made for my Nephew. They're tricky these boys aren't they. How do you embellish a card when a 19 year old won't want flowers, ribbons and lace!

I chose Mo Manning's Johan as he loves playing the guitar. Not sure my sister loves it, especially when her hubby joins in on the drums!!

I've coloured him with my usual copics.

Skin : E0000, E000, E00, E11, R20

Case : C9, C7, C5, C3, C1

Coat : E11, E13, E15, E07, E09

Jeans : B91, B93, B95, B97

Jumper : E40, E41, E42, E43, B000, B91, B93

Bag : YG61, YG63, YG67

Hair : E21, E23, E25, E29

The papers are actually Christmas ones from Dovecraft Back to Basics Christmas. They've all been distressed with a TH tool and Walnut DI.

I've kept the embellishments simple by just using some twine, Wooden buttons, a guitar charm, a TH ticket and a Magnolia cloud die.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges.

Here come the Boys - Anything Goes

Pink Gem Challenge - Spots/Stripes or both

Sweet Pea Stampers - Men and Boys

A.R.T. Challenge - Masculine Birthday

Happy Crafting.

Big Hugs,

Janine xx

New Divas by Design Challenge - 'Charming'

Good morning everyone...

Hope you are all well and we're half way to the weekend already.

I'm back today to let you know that we've got a new challenge starting today at

Divas by Design.

We're sponsored by Stamp and Create  and this week our challenge is 

'Charming'

So we'd like to see charms on your lovely creations.

I've used the lovely 'Ragged Angel' by Mo Manning. She's just so sweet.

This is my first Christmas card of the year. Hopefully I'll get more made than last year, which was a pitiful 4 I think!

She's been coloured with copics :-

Skin : E0000, E000, E00, E11, R30

Greens : G99, G94, G21, G20  YG91, YG93

Jacket & Boots : E44, E43, E42, E41, E39

Skirt : E11, E13, E15, E07, E09

Wings : YR000, Y000, YR20, YR21, YR24

Hair : Y21, YR23, E57, E18

Tights & Top : E30, E31, E33, E35, E39

The papers are Back to Basics Christmas by Dovecraft.

I've also used a new die and stamp from Whimsy for the sentiment, they're Holiday Carols Notables 4.

The flowers, charm, ribbon, pearls and Whimsy die and sentiment are all from The Hobby House, except the buds which are WOC. I can't remember were I got the little dove from. 

Hope you can join us this week.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges :-

Crafty Sentiments - Christmas in July

LEJ Designs - Christmas in July

Holly Jolly Christmas - Tick-Tack-Toe (Pearls, Die Cut, Designer Paper)

ABC Challenges - Christmas in July

Card Mania Challenges - Christmas in July

Stamp and Create - Christmas in July

Mo's Digital Challenge - F is for (Flowers and Feathers of her wings)

Happy Crafting,

Hugs,

Janine xx

New Divas Challenge - Happy Birthday

Hello blogging friends...

Today sees the start of a new challenge over at Divas by Design. The theme for this week is a nice and easy

'Happy Birthday'

Our sponsor this week is Shape EZ by TLC (with Whimsy Stamps)

The DT got to choose a template to use and I chose the Cherry Cupcake.

I'm really pleased with the results. It's a lovely fun shape and something a little bit different.

The image on the front of the card is Mo Manning's Cupcake Thief. This is the first time I've coloured her and she was fun to do. She's been coloured in my usual Copics. 

When I get a little more time (lol) I must give Prismacolors a go. I've only ever used them on small areas over my Copics. There's been a lot of lovely coloured images in Blogland using them.

Copics used:

Skin: E0000, E000, E00, E21, E11, R21

Dress: R81, R83, R85

Cake bases: YR20, E11, E13, E15, E18

Frosting: RV000, R81, R83, R85 

                   R000, R01, E93, E95, E97

                 Y000, Y00, YG01, YG03

Cherry: R22, R24, R27, R39

Mask: C1, C3, C5, C7

Hair: E50, E53, E43, E57

The papers are First Edition 'Bird Song' and the sentiment is from LOTV Everyday Grungy Messages. I've added a gorgeous selection of flowers from WOC (did you bag a bargain in their 30% off sale?),rhinestones and a satin ribbon and slider from The Hobby House.

The big cherry on the top has been coated with Glamour Dust followed by a liberal coating of Glossy Accents.

I do hope you can join us. We love to see your wonderful creations.

Why not pop on over to Divas by Design and see what lovely creations my teamies have made.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Bunny Zoe's - Wings (on main image)
The Cheerful Stamp Pad - You're Sweet
Digi Darla - Fancy Fold or No Square Cards
Stamp with Fun - Green and Pink
Joanna Sheen - Spots and Stripes (rhinestones & paper)
In the Pink - Anything Goes with pink

Happy Crafting.

Hugs,

Janine xx

Mo Manning - Hatter...

Happy Easter everyone....

Hope your having a lovely long weekend and that you get lots of choccy eggs. Just the thing to nibble on whilst you craft :-)

I'm here today to show you a card I made recently for my Dad's birthday. Then I'm off to clear my craft room ready to decorate.

The image I chose was Mo Manning's Hatter. She has some absolutely fabulous images for all occasions.

I really enjoyed colouring him up, he's such a jolly chap.

The papers are from a Polka Doodles CD I've had for a while called Wonderland.

Here's a close up of the inside showing the cute paper with  lots of Alice in Wonderland images.

This close up of the image shows just what a great image he is. All that tea and cake...He would fit right into our household - the kettle's always on! Tea anyone?

He's been coloured with my usual copics.

Skin: E0000, E000, E00, E11, R21

Trousers: B21, B23, B26 V12, V15, V17

Hat: C0, C1, C3, C5, C7

Jacket: V12, V15, V17 G20, G21, G24

Waistcoat: E70, E71, E74, E77

Shirt: R81, R83, R85

Shadow: W00, W0, W1, W3

For the embellishments I've used the Tim Holtz Weathered Clock and Hardward Findings. The sentiment is Set 9 Mixed Circular Sentiments by LOTV and I can't remember where the cute little kettle came from.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Clearly Inspired Challenge #71 - Anything Goes

Totally Papercrafts #160 - Metal (metal tea pot charm and brads)

Copic Marker Europe - Card for a Man

The Paper Shelter # 105 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew #32 - Masculine

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Nana Vic's - Anything Goes

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Cool Men (Using blues, greens & Greys)

Ooh-La-La Creations - It's a Man Thing

Avenue 613 - Anything Goes

One Stitch at a Time - Use a Digi

Thanks for popping by I really appreciate your visit.

Have a very Happy Easter

Big Hugs,

Janine xx

Divas by Design - Babies and Toddlers

Good morning everyone...

Sorry I've not posted for a while, but life is just a little hectic at the moment, what with work and kids activities.

Had a lovely day at the Harrogate show with my Mum on Saturday. We both spent far too much (he he). Bought lots of new dies, some lovely papers and pearls from Hobby Craft, some ribbon and only one sentiment stamp from LOTV. I forgot to take a photo before trying to be organised and putting it away. Leonie still thinks I put it away quickly to hide the evidence!

Anyway onto my post for today. I'm back with a card for the new Divas by Design Challenge which is 'Babies and Toddlers'. We're sponsored by the lovely Bunny Zoe's. I chose to use a really cute Mo Manning image. It's called Bye Bye. I bought her a while ago just because she's so cute, but haven't had the occasion to use her.

The papers are a very old freebie from Cardmaking & Papercraft. They're My Mind's Eye 'Quite Contrary' and have all been distressed with Walnut Stain. I've decorated the card using Flower and Leaf dies. Still loving that rolled daisy.

I have coloured Mo Manning Bye Bye in my usual Copics

Jeans: BG70, BG72, BG75

Hair: E21, E33, E35, E37, E59

Coat: G20, G21, G24

Bike: R81, R83, R85,  RV91, RV93, RV95,  C00, C0, C1, C3, C5, C7

Shoes: C00, C0, C1, R83

The highlights on the spots of the ladybird bag and the flowers in the grass have been done with a gellyroll pen.

Here's a close up of the image and the rolled flowers.

Why not pop on over to the Divas challenge site and have a look at some more inspiration from my lovely teamies.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Crafty sentiments - Flowers Galore

LEJ Designs Challenge - Add a flower/s

ABC Challenges - Bring on the Flowers

Creative Creations Challenges #6 - The Letter B (Bicycle)

613 Avenue Create #11 - Anything Goes

Ginger Loft Challenges - The colour green

Thanks for dropping by and I very much appreciate any lovely comments which you may leave.

Hugs,

Janine xx

Love is in the Air...

Hi blogger friends...

Well unless you've been on another planet the last few days then you'll know that Love is definitely in the air!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I've made my Hubby a Valentine's Day card using one of Mo Manning's fabulous images. I bought quite a few before Christmas, but never got round to using them (Shh Don't tell him!). This one is called 'Ragged Romance'

I've used some lovely Pion papers which I bought recently (Rose Frame & Homing Pigeons). I'd seen lots of beautiful creations made with them and I just couldn't resist (hehe) They're even prettier in real life - I'll definitely be buying more.

The image is coloured with my usual Copics. Here's a closer look.

Skin: E0000, E000, E00, E21, E11, R21

Boys Hair: E70, E71, E74, E77, E79

Girls Hair: E50, E53, E43, E57

Beige: E40, E41, E42, E43

Peachy Pink: R20, R21, R22, R24

Grey: C0, C1, C3, C5

Boots: E70, E71, E74

Shadow: W00, W0, W1, W3

The inside of the card has been decorated with the same Pion papers and has some cute cherubs, so appropriate for Valentine's.

I've used a number of dies to embellish the card along, with some rhinestone lace and seam binding from Live and Love Crafts.

The dies used are:-

DooHickey: So wrapped lovely heart, Leaf & Swirl, Heart swirl branch.

Marianne Designs: English Rose, Lamp &Leaf

Memory Box: Small Pinwheel Posie

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Hearts & Flowers

Craft Your Passion #149 - My Valentine

Creative Creations #3 - It Must be Love

Pink Gem Challenge #66 - Hearts/Valentine

One Stop Craft Challenge # 215 - Love Is In The Air

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge #169 - Love Is In The Air (feature a heart)

The Paper Shelter #99 -  Be My Valentine

Moving Along with the Times - Love is in the Air

Thanks so much for dropping by.

Happy Crafting,

Hugs, Janine xx

Checking FB...

Hi Everyone...

Hope you're having a lovely weekend, so far.

Well,  it was back to work for me this week. I had a lovely Christmas break but I have to admit I'm kind of enjoying be back in my usual, all be it hectic, routine.

The second coat of paint on the top landing has done the job. It doesn't look anywhere near as bad as with just one coat. It's not perfect, but the thought of having to put lining paper up and then paint was giving me shivers. Onto the middle landing now!

I've not made any New Year Resolutions as such but I've set some goals. I'm working on 3 at a time.

My first is to de-clutter my house. Which is no mean feat. I've given myself till the end of the year to complete it. Yes it's that big a job!

My second is to exercise 3 times a week. I've set myself till June to be in a regular routine of 30 minutes 3 times a week. So far so good - Monday 30 mins on an exercise bike. Tuesday 1 hour swimming and Thurs 30 mins Run/Walk and yesterday 45 minutes swimming
.

The third is to be more organised. I've put everything into a diary on my phone. That way it's always with me. I've blocked out chunks of time for blogging, housework, exercise etc. I want to plan meals too so that I don't open the fridge and think what on earth can I make for tea tonight! Hopefully, if I'm super organised I'll get more time to play in my craft room. Yay!!

Enough of my waffle ....here's today's card.

  

My card is made using a fabulous Mo Manning image 'Checking FB' which really reminds me of my very good friend Janice. She is so organised - she's a real whiz with spreadsheets. I've not coloured this image before, but when I saw it I thought of her immediately.

I've followed this great sketch from over at Addicted to Stamps.

She's been coloured with my usual Copics.

Copics Used :

Skin: E11, E00, E000, E0000, R30, R21, BV31

Nightie: YG63, YG61, G20

Purple: BV13, BV02, BV01, BV00, BV000

Peach: E97, E95, E93

Hair: E39, E37, E35, E33, E21

Background: W00, W0, W1, BV0000

The tag was cut using Vintage Tag from Doo Hickey and its sentiment is from LOTV A5 Verses.

The sentiment on the card is also from LOTV (Vintage Sentiments Occasions).

I've just added a few little flowers, from Live and love crafts and Wild Orchid Crafts) to the bottom left corner. It just looked bare without them. The leaves are cut using Marianne Creatables die LR0156.

Lastly the papers are by First Edition from their 'Daydream' 6x6 pad.

I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps #47 - Sketch

Mo's Digital Challenge - Something New (new digi)

Avenue 613 Challenge - Anything Goes

ATCs With Attitude #31 - Add a tag or sentiment/Anything Goes

Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes

Divas By Design - Anything Goes

Make It Monday #122 - Anything Goes

Fairy Talva and A Very Merry Christmas to you all ..

Good morning blogger friends...

I just wanted to show you another Christmas card before the Christmas festivities begin.

But first I would just like to thank you all very much for following my blog, supporting me with your lovely comments and helpful hints and tips.

My card uses a super cute Mo Manning image called Winter Fairy Talva and the design papers are Raspberry Road's Christmas Thyme.

I really enjoyed colouring her, she's just so sweet. I've also coloured her in pinks, but haven't made her into a card yet. She's coloured with copics.

Copics Used:

Skin: E0000, E000, E00, E11, R30

Turquoise: BG11, BG10, BG70

Wings, BV000, V000, BG10, BG70, C1, C0, C00

Hair: E34, E53, E51, E50

Chalks for the background

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley and I copied Jenny's great idea of making a little scroll. I thought this was such a sweet idea. I think it's also been used on pirate cards before too.

The snowball and wings have been given a bit of sparkle using some glamour dust.

Here's a little compilation...

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Mo Manning Challenge - Your favourite Mo creation

Joanna Sheen - With Love at Christmas

Wishing you all

A Very Merry Christmas

and

A Prosperous New Year.

Big Hugs,

Janine xx

Slam Dunk...

Good Evening Bloggers...

I know I've been a very bad blogger recently, but there just seems to be so much going on that crafting and blogging are having to take a back seat.

I have a card to share with you today that's for my son's birthday next week. I don't think he'll look at my blog - facebook and twitter are far more exciting than my little old blog.

It's a great image for a teenage boy and suits him just perfectly. If he's not swimming (which is most days) then he's playing basketball at school in lunch break.

Here is my card using Mo Manning's 'Slam Dunk' and a great sketch from CLP Challenge.

I've coloured the image with copics and distressed the edges of my papers using vintage photo.

The papers are Raspberry Road - Cowboy Cool.

Here's a close up of the image.

I used Doo Hickey flags and Tim Holtz Typeset dies to create the name banner at the top. The stars were made using Die-namics stacking stars dies. 

Here's a last look to show the 3d effect .

Card Recipe.

Copics

Skin: E000, E11, E00, R30

Basketball: W3, YR00, YR12, YR14

Blues: B000, B00, B91, B93, B95

Reds: R00, R22, R24, R27

Basket Rim: C1, C3, C5

Hair: E25, E29, E31

Tools

Doo Hickey Clouds & Flags

Tim Holtz Typeset

Die-namics Stacking Stars

I'm entering my card into CLP Challenge #52

Thanks so much for visiting and any comments you may leave.

Big Hugs,

Janine x

Computer Guy ...

Good evening bloggers...

Well isn't the weather just fabulous. Hope it holds out for the weekend so we can make the most of it :-)

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments. I do look forward to reading them when I log on.

My card for today is a male card so no flowers again. I think I might be getting withdrawal symptoms.

I've used a digital stamp from Mo Manning for my brother-in-law's card. If you knew him you'd think he'd posed for it :-)  He's a bit of a computer whizz so this is right up his street.

My sister will have a good chuckle when she sees this.

I've used First Edition Up, Up & Away papers. The blues and greens in this pad are perfect for masculine cards. The edges have been distressed in Walnut Stain ink.

The Birthday sentiment is from the new LOTV Vintage Labels - Occasions and is mounted on a sign cut with the Marianne Creatable sign and lamp die.

The tag is shrink plastic with a phrase from an old stamp I had from Clarity Stamps. Just love this saying for men. Mind you who are we to talk with all our craft goodies :-)

I tried twice to get the text clearer but to no avail - oh well.

The card has been finished with matching papers inside.

Card Ingredients.

Image : Mo Manning - Computer Guy

Sentiments : LOTV - Vintage Labels, Occasions & Clarity Stamp

Dies : Marianne Creatables - Lamp and Sign & Go Kreate - Concentric Tags #1

Copics :

Skin : E0000, E000, E00

Greys : C9, C7, C5, C3, C1, C0, C00, W7, W5, W3

Yellow : Y11

Jeans : B21, B97, B95

Browns : E44, E43, E42, E40, E79, E74, E70

T shirt : YG63, YG61, G20

Blue Screen : BG70, B00, BG000

Paper Tray : YG61,YG93, YG95, YG97

I am entering my card into the following challenges :

Mojo Monday - Sketch #242

SJ Crafts - Monthly Challenge #5 'All about the Boy'

Simon Says Stamp - Father's Days / Special Male (Thanks Mandy)

Ok. I'm off to bed now so that I can take my son Swimming training at 4.45am tomorrow. It's a tough sport - 4 early mornings (5 - 7.30am) and 3 nights (5 - 7.30pm). The things you do as a Mum :-)

I haven't been able to get around all your blogs recently, but I shall be paying a visit after work tomorrow.

Until next time. Enjoy the sun.

Hugs,

Janine xx