Shades of Blue at Allsorts

Happy Saturday everyone. I hope the weekend has good things in store for you...including crafting!!

Liz has chosen our optional SHADES OF BLUE theme this time at

I panicked a bit and actually thought I might have to buy some blue papers!! But thankfully my extensive paper mountain came to the rescue and I discovered a 15cm x 30cm paper pad that I bought in The Range years ago.

They had a distressed look so I tore the mat and used a doily and layers to add to the shabby style.

The Stamping Bella stamp and sentiment is one that I have used lots, it is so easy to colour (with Promarkers) and is the perfect size to be framed by a more busy card style.

One of my colleagues/friends will be celebrating her 70th next week so I wanted the card to be special so added a hidden tag that slides out from the mat. I heat embossed the 70 with glittery embossing powder and added a cherry cake charm too. 

I am so cross with myself that I didn't stick the spotty mat on straight, it looks like the card is wonky!! I might just have to do a rescue if the foam pads aren't stuck fast!! Ooops!!

It's worth sharing an entry or two because there are...

 Two prizes of Lavinia Stamps and stencil (photos not to scale). Please note, we (Lavinia) cannot provide exchanges/replacements/refunds for any products received through this third-party giveaway.

See you there!!

Folk Floral Birthday

Happy weekend folks and thank you for sharing yours with me. I am much enjoying preparing my Saturday posts to share my cards for

Our optional theme this week chosen by Dena is Birthday, of course it's also Anything Goes.

 You have probably noticed by now that if I am lacking mojo, I draw on the inspiration vault of Sam Calcott. This card is another one based on one of her brilliant tutorials here.

On a mission to actually use, at least some of my paper mountain,  I chose a Docrafts paper pack called Folk Floral, so pretty and unusual colours and teamed with teal looked lovely. The diamonds are attached to acetate so they really do look like they are floating. Another fab design from Sam.

Our sponsors this month are  Sizzix, AALL and Create, Aldridge Crafts, Lavinia and Ruth Hamilton Design.

We have had celebrations chez Wills this week. Hubby had a significant Birthday (shhhh 60) so I swapped my working week around so we could celebrate. We had a delicious lunch out on the day and have more eating to do this weekend. Thankfully I have some summer dresses that will accomodate a food baby quite comfortably!! I hope you all have a lovely weekend whatever you are up to.

See you on Monday with something cute. Until then take care xx

AYLI Spring or Summer

 Hello Friends. Can anyone tell me how it's May already!? At least for us in the northern hemisphere it might mean some warmer temperatures. I still haven't put my winter woolies away yet !!

On the subject of seasons over at

our theme this time is Spring or Summer.

I am not a fan of summer heat so it's Spring for me, when the bunnies appear and the garden bursts into life. I have used digis from our lovely sponsor

Amanda Jayne Designs

I used  Alphabet Bunnies and some beautiful papers from this set. Honestly if you've never visited her shop please do, there are some wonderful images and papers and she often has incredible offers too.

I made the DL card blank from kraft card and coloured the bunnies with Promarkers. It's for a friend whose Birthday is next month and LOVES pink here is one I made a couple of years ago for her (must get that stamp out again actually!!).

Thank you for your visit today. See you on Saturday xx

AYLI Masculine or Feminine?

It's a battle of the sexes at As You Like It Challenge today.

 I try, I really do, to enjoy making cards for boys and men but I struggle!! Even living in a house full of men has not helped over the years. So feminine it is, after all, I do have oodles of girly stamps, papers, dies and embellishments to use up!!

Our sponsor is Polkadoodles and I just happened to have a freebie waiting to be coloured so I used her. I am really not happy with how this card looks on the screen, it really does look better in real life, the paper doesn't seem quite so overbearing...honestly. She was coloured with Promarkers and I fussy cut her, leaving a white border so that she wouldn't disappear into the paper. I added some sparkle and glossy accents for some interest and raised her up on foam pads for some dimension. The sentiment stamp is one of those unknown ones that I happened to find and will probably become a favourite!!

I am really feeling right sorry for myself. Although the bruising to my derriere has disappeared, I have been left with a large, painful fluid filled lump so asked one of the Partners at work to take a look. He suspects a gluteal tear that might take up to six weeks to repair so no riding for a while yet. I did wonder if moving more might help but it just made it worse so I am having to take it easy, which I find difficult!! I simply cannot understand why these media stars want to have bigger butts, it's no fun at all!! 

Anyway, moan over, I hope you will share your masculine or feminine makes with us.

See you soon xx

Bright & Cheery

 Hello friends. As surprising as it is, I am here with a card that I made just for fun. That doesn't happen very much these days as my card making seems to be specifically for Design Team posts. I stepped back from the cute coloured images that I am so fond of and made this for a friend.

I wanted bright and cheery colours so chose this lovely collection from Marianne Designs and die cut the flowers and leaves using a Creative Expressions floral set and some snippets of blue cardstock for the teeny tiny ones. I inked the edges and shaped them for some dimension and stuck them along the wavy edge with Pinflair glue gel. The mahoosive layered "Birthday" die set is a Whimsy Stamps one that was a gift from a lovely blogging buddy and I paired it with a random Happy stamp. I am imagining this layout as a Christmas card with snowflakes instead of flowers...good idea Sarah!!

I hope that my card has lightened your hearts in a world currently full of  horror.

See you soon xx

Some Challenges

Allsorts Challenge #668 - Feminine

Crafty Calendar - Spots, Stripes or Easter (if there aren't enough spots please delete me!!)

Pixies Snippets Playground -  #424

Rose #2

 Hello friends, hope you are all managing to keep well. I managed to grab myself a spare few minutes yesterday so made this so that I can join in at Allsorts Challenge.

You might remember me saying here that I always felt intimidated by the petals on this stamp and have only ever coloured it the once. I decided to dust off my Lyra pencils this time with a bit of blending solution and surprised myself, it was so much easier than with my Promarkers. I still kept the card simple as she really does deserve to be in the spotlight doesn't she?! I found some little cut outs from a Julie Loves kit from way back and used those for the sentiment.

It's been a horsey kind of day today, the ponies had their feet trimmed and then Wills had a visit from the vet for his annual vaccinations so while waiting I took some pictures using my phone. He loves a selfie!! Not sure I am particularly pleased with my chins though!!

I reckon we have the same smile there!!

See you soon xx

Some other challenges

Crafty Calendar February - Anything Goes

CAS or Fussy at AYLI

 Hello everyone. How are you all doing? The weather has picked up a little bit here in the UK and that has certainly put a spring in my step!! Covid vaccination clinics are drawing to an end as we are doing the first Pfizer for 18-30 year olds this coming Saturday and have only two more second jab clinics to go. It has been hard work but equally wonderful to be involved in such an important event.

Another important event is the new challenge at As You Like It Challenge where it's 

CAS or Fussy

I am one of those people that doesn't really fall into either category as I love patterned papers far too much to favour CAS but like to keep my cards flat for posting so don't tend to add too many embellishments. For the purpose of this challenge I am a "little bit fussy" which suits the recipient of this card. It is for a work colleague, Eve, who absolutely LOVES pink and is incredibly girly.

I have been trying to use less cute stamps and bought this gem a while back. With pink in mind I found a Craftwork Cards Julie Loves pad and made a dutch fold card base. It doesn't quite sit on the supporting flaps but that can be our secret!!

She was coloured with Spectrum Noir markers for a change

and  used my trusty Mama Elephant tag and stamp set for the sentiment.

Just a simple seam binding bow and pearly flower ooh and a touch of stardust glitter too.

See you soon  xx

Rose

 Well, having no broadband was a stressful affair!! Two engineers later and we are back up and running. Our line goes through some trees and they had worn through the cable over the years apparently!! 

A couple of challenges caught my eye at the weekend and as I deserve a bit of crafty time I have just made this...

I bought this Stamping Bella beauty some time ago and have lost count of the times I got her out of the packet and promptly put her away because I didn't think I could do her justice. I conquered my fear and coloured her up with my Promarkers using the packaging as a guide. She looks just right with the simple dots I think.

We finally had some rain in the night and the temperatures look to be rising so fingers crossed we can dodge the showers over the weekend and get a few jobs done. Some grass seed needs to go in and I have seedlings in the greenhouse that need potting on.  

Thank you for stopping by and see you soon xx

These challenges inspired me

Little Red Wagon #599 - Smell the roses

Allsorts #621 - Any three colours of the rainbow (red, green and blue)

I love Promarkers #434 - AG +/- Girly

Passion for markers #589 - Sentimental

Twist and Pop Favourite Duo

 I have to say that it is rather comforting to be back into a crafty routine after the strange Christmas that was thrust upon us all and I am enjoying keeping a close eye on my DT Planner ( I am making good use of it Annette!! xx) to make sure I hit my deadlines. So I am here with my inspiration for

where the first challenge of the year is to share your projects featuring your favourite colour duo.

I am a big fan of pink/peach and turquoise together and made this...

The colours are so pretty and put together as nature intended.

I subscribed to the Craftwork Cards "Julie Loves" boxes and have quite a few in my crafty stash so used an embroidery themed set for my DT piece today. I spent a most enjoyable time putting this together while it was very grey and cold outside on Sunday and although very impressive, it was fairly easy to make. I used Sam's instructions here.

I hope the week is being kind to you and if you have time it would lovely if you could share your favourite colour duo xx

A Cutie Birthday Party!!

 Hello friends. My word aren't we galloping through September already and as it is the second Monday I am here to share my DT piece for

It is a special post this time as we are eleven years old and are having a right old shindig with lots of sponsors for our BIRTHDAY PARTY theme.

Here is my card

Once again I sorted through my paper mountain and came upon this lovely MME pad that was the starting point for this easel card. I coloured Spring Bloom, with Promarkers, to compliment the papers and added some touches of glitter. I borrowed an idea from my lovely buddy Annette and used a Crafters Companion Circle Sentiments die for the curved sentiment, it is amazing how PVA glue can make card bendy!!

I know it really doesn't scream PARTY, but due to the Covid-19 restrictions the little bunny is off to a socially distanced gathering for two without the bells, whistles and pom poms!!  If, on the other hand you do want an all out PARTY then please do come along and join us, all the details are here!!

See you soon xx

Purple and one other!!

I was a lazy moo this time and have used a pre-coloured LOTV Simply Prints for my card today!!

It is my DT piece for the new challenge at

and boy did this theme have me scratching my head!! 

Purple + one other colour.

I rarely use purple, it's just not "me" but I do love a splash of bright pink so I picked a shade that went with the pretty flowers and bingo...result!! Again, I wish I had made more than one but as the ingredients are still on my desk I might just put another together.

I hope you are all still doing OK.

 I wonder what plans are afoot for us, here in the UK, not too long to wait now for the big reveal. 

Enjoy the VE day celebrations tomorrow xx

His or Hers at AYLI

Hello peeps. Hope you are well today. 

I have my DT card to inspire you to join in at

It's His or Hers this time.

Here's mine and I went for "Hers"

I have soooo much girly stash in my collection that it just had to be. I am not  a pink person myself but my friend Eve is, so this was made for her upcoming Birthday. I also don't mind admitting that I am a tiny bit scared of making male cards and, no matter how hard I try, am rarely happy with the finished item. Anyway for this sweet girly card I used a Studiolight die for the base. The paper is from a 12x12 pad that I picked up in The Works some time ago. Such good quality it is too. 

The adorable Hoppy Poppy stamp was coloured with Promarkers and the flowers were made using one of the first MFT die sets I ever bought.

So...what are you waiting for?!! 

Well, my afternoon tea last week was delicious. Their scones were as light as air and I have never tasted anything quite like the blackberry choux buns!! A return visit is a certainty!!

See you soon folks xx

Some Challenges

Allsorts Challenge 520/1 -  Happy 10th Birthday

Passion for Promarkers #494 - Special anniversary Challenge

Penny Black and More - May challenge make it feminine

Eyes down, look in!!

Good Morning or Afternoon, depending on where you are in the world!!

We are playing BINGO this time at

here is the Bingo board, that was created by my clever Teamie Shona.

and this is what I did, completing column 1 and row three, plus another couple of squares for good measure!! 

MFT papers provided the colour in the background and I inked a long forgotten Bildmalarna rubber stamp and coloured her with Promarkers.

Thank you for stopping by. Hope to see you soon xx

Some challenges

Cute card Thursday #580 - Tie a bow
Crafty Catz #461 - Anything goes +/- Female
Passion for Promarkers #492 - Feminine

Tea anyone?

I was asked by one of my regular customers to make a Birthday card for her Sister. I am still rummaging in my stash and decided to use one of the free downloads from Making Cards.

This ties in rather nicely with the new challenge at

Which is buttons or ribbon  (remember to tell us why)

My "go to" finishing touch is definitely ribbon. When seam binding first became fashionable I think I bought every available colour and still have masses in my vast collection. It's so easy to tie into a perfect bow and always looks amazing. These days though I buy white and colour with alcohol markers as necessary!!

It is much larger than I would usually make (A5) so I filled it out a bit with complimentary coloured mats and cut a doily using my Gemini. The sentiments were stamped using stamps from a couple of free sets, so a freebie all round, except for the seam binding.

We are still without rain in our part of the UK. I am actually missing mowing my lawn  now and all  Bowie and Bumble's favourite streams, except one, have dried up. They do have a paddling pool but won't use it so it is becoming very useful for me on extremely hot days!! It has been a little cooler the last couple of mornings so Surprise and I enjoyed an hour out and about yesterday. Looks like it's hotting up again at the weekend though.
Have a good one when you get there xx

Some challenges

Crafty friends #88 - Food/drink
Double D Challenge - Tea and/or coffee

AYLI Favourite Celebration

My word, don't these weeks fly by? I am here again to encourage you to join in at

As You Like It Challenge

where we are sharing our favourite celebration.

For me it has to be Birthdays, boring, I know, but it is always a lovely opportunity to make a one of a kind card especially for "that" person. In this case it was for a friend who just doesn't "do" cutesy or fluffy!!

She does, however, love her garden, the content of which this year is pink and green so this paper pad from The Range was a perfect choice.

The jaunty angle here shows the dimension and detail on the die cut butterfly and stem.

See you soon xx

Some challenges

Try it on Tuesday - things with wings

Crafty cardmakers #215 - At least two dies or punches
( three different dies and a punch for the corners)
Pennys paper-crafty challenge #387 - Anything goes

Two's Company

Hello friends. I hope that you had a good weekend. It was Hubby's weekend off so we walked a lot, did a bit of repair work on Surprise's stable and ate out on Sunday which was a treat. It was nice to spend some quality time together outside of our hectic routines which seems to be commonplace these days!!

Anyway, I have a little card to share with you. It took me a week to complete but I was determined to play along with some challenges, particularly one inspired by

A Gem Of A Challenge,  which is currently spots and/or stripes.

The sweet image is one of Lili of the valley's digital images called Two's Company. I found the papers in my stash, they are double sided card stock that, I believe, were by  Creative Expressions many years ago. Lilac and purple shades are not ones that I regularly use but I became reacquainted with said colours when Bowie  chewed  got hold of my Promarkers colour chart and I had to download and re-colour another...thanks Bowie!! I think I shall be using them more often now!!

Thank you for stopping by. I hope the coming week will be a good one xx

Some other challenges

Passion for Promarkers #417 - Anything Goes
Crafty Friends #69 - Cute
I love Promarkers #345 - Birthday

AYLI People or Animals?

Hello everyone, I can't believe it's been a week since I have posted here.

Anyway, it's time for the every other Thursday dilemma for you.

People or Animals is the theme at 

Now, this was a tough one for me but after having a bit of a count, it seems that people are my favourite thing to colour. I like to have a play with my alcohol markers with different skin tones. That said, I still go back to using the same old three!!

I used Fairy Emma with Unicorn from our sponsor Paper Nest Dolls

She was coloured with Promarker pens. The backing paper is from another of the Craftwork Cards Subscription kits. To finish off I used a sentiment stamp from a Mama Elephant set.

Thank you for visiting me. I am not sure if I am going to be able to return the favour any time soon. I am at screaming point with work as our new member of staff has now resigned after only a couple of weeks so we are back to square one!! Hey ho...onwards and upwards!!

Until next time xx

Favourite colour Combo - AYLI

Hello friends, I have my DT card today for 

We would love to see your creations showing off your favourite colour combo.

Here is mine and they are pink and green which I suspect is one of Mother Natures 

favourites too...they just go!!

Our sponsor is Polkadoodles and I used an image from my own Winnie Springtime CDrom. My Promarkers were used again to colour her and the papers were from The Range. 

Thank you for your company this week. See you the other side of the weekend!! 

Some challenges 

Crafty Gals Corner #133 - Anything Goes 

Daydreamer challenges #1 - Anything Goes 

Happy Birthday Mia

Good afternoon/morning, depending where you are in the world!! Get the kettle on and put your feet up, I am in the mood for a chat!!

To start with it's my turn to share a project to show off  the fab designs by Naz of Sasayaki Glitter and this time my make features

 Happy Birthday Mia.

I CASEd one of  a card collection, by Paula Holifield, that is featured in a current magazine and used some very old paper, it certainly  came from  one of the very first paper pads I ever bought when I dipped my toe into papercrafting...I am now, well and truly, submerged right up to my neck!! I will definitely use this layout again. The unfussy design really appeals to me and yet there is still space for some pretty paper.

For more inspiration you can visit here and here.

Thank goodness it's Thursday, it's been bedlam at work following my annual leave but I don't work on  Friday so it will be time to catch up at home again tomorrow!! Then I am doing holiday cover for a fortnight...:0 (  I sometimes question the logic of working part-time. Having to cover holiday means you don't really get any holiday at all, the perils of a small workplace I guess!!

Anyway, last Sunday seems like a long time and we had a lovely lunch with Mollie and her Daddy and Mummy!! She was fighting sleep the whole time until Grandad took his turn...he must have a very comfy knee because this happened!!

So that is me for today!!
See you soon xx

Some Challenges

Crafty creations #344 - Anything goes
Digi Choosday #25 - Anything Goes goes 

AYLI Favourite Die

It's a special day today, a new challenge at As You Like It and my Aunty San's 70th Birthday, she sometimes visits here

So, Happy Birthday Aunty San!!!!

The new theme is Your Favourite Die and I have no doubt about that (apart from the circles that I use all the time) my "go to" dies are Spellbinders Floral Ovals and Elegant Ovals. They add a touch of pretty without too much fuss, which I like!!

My DT card is the one that I sent her and I had a fancy for making a twist and pop card and followed a tutorial. It was far easier than I expected and this was my first attempt...result!!

The cake and numbers were free with crafting magazines

as were the sentiments that fit perfectly on the oval mats inside, hope she likes it!!

Thank you for your visit today and continued comments, they are much appreciated.

Some challenges

Unicorn Challenge #21 - Special  Occasion
In the pink #118 - Birthday
Fab 'n' Funky #349 - Lovely Ladies
The Crafty Addicts #36 - Anything goes/Use die cuts