Best Friend Forever

 Crafting brings us together doesn't it?

After many years of card making now, I have made some absolutely fabulous and lifelong

friends in the crafting community, but there is always that special someone who you just

click with and the longer you know them, the more you discover they are more like family

than a friend.  A sister who I would have chosen.

I have one BFF who owns a large chunk of my heart, and I like to tell her that from time to time.

For this small, sweet, and simple card I have used

MFT Yuzu - Shout It From The Rooftops MFT-YUZU-003

Painted with Zig Clean Colour Brush Pens as watercolours

MFT Die-Namics Fine Finish die MFT-2147

and a left over sheet of pretty pink paper that I have no idea which pad it is from

Hugs

Happy (no, really) Birthday

 My favourite cousin and I are only 10 weeks apart in age (he's the eldest), and we've done a lot together over time - right through school together, learning to drive at the same time (I passed first), you get the idea.  And even though we are now heading towards a certain age, we still like to remind each other of how old we're getting.

I don't know why, but this just made me laugh - I hope he saw the funny side too.

A very simple card but I used

Stamping Bella Oddball Mom And Dad

Stamping Bella Oddball Family Pets

Stamping Bella Happy Birthday To You sentiments

Coloured with a mix of Distress Inks (ReInkers), Zig Clean Color Pens, and Polychromos Pencils

Honestly not sure what make the striped paper is

Hugs

AS You Like It Challenge (DT) Sketch

 Hello peeps, almost time for the Bank Holiday (UK) weekend, hurrah!

Now, before you all dash off to the beach or out to the barbeque, it's time for another challenge over at

 the As You Like It Challenge.

Our theme for this one is Favourite Sketch (and please explain your choice)

We all get stuck for ideas from time to time, of course we do, and it is so easy to repeat something over and over because you feel comfortable with it, so when I get stuck or need something fresh I pop over to the MFT Blog for a mooch through their library of past sketches.  I have used 2 or 3 of them a few times but this one is winning at the moment as my favourite.  It's very simple, but can be very effective with the right choice of papers and little extra details.

For this I have used

Stamping Bella - Mini Oddball Has A Present

Painted with Distress Inks (ReInkers) and Zig Clean Colour Brush Pens

Papers are Lawn Fawn 6x6 Flower Market

MFT Die-Namics Stitched Rectangle

Mama Elephant Mini Everyday Messages

Our sponsor for this theme is

Lee Holland

Hugs

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Favourite Primary Colour

 Hello peeps, hope you are all well.

Today, the new theme over at AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE

is for you to tell us all about your Favourite Primary Colour.

(if you are not sure, there are only three, Red, Blue, and Yellow)

I am rather partial to a splash of yellow, it is such a bright and happy colour, and it makes me think of Spring.

So, for this I have used

MFT Birdie Brown - Rain or Shine stamps MFT-BB-58

MFT DieNamics - Rain or Shine dies MFT-1308

Mama Elephant Mixed Wishes Greetings

MFT 6x6 papers - Poppin' Polka Dots MFT-EP-76

Images painted with Zig Real Color Brush Pens as watercolours

and the yellow matting layer is simply white card edged up with a Copic pen

Our sponsor for this challenge is

POLKADOODLES

So, what's stopping you, come on over and get colourful with us!

Hugs

Space Explorer (DT) Dies To Die For

With all this fuss about billionaires popping up into the stratosphere, I thought you could have a space themed card this time.

MFT Birdie Brown - Space Explorer stamp set  MFT-BB-43

MFT DieNamics - Space Explorer die set  MFT-1058

MFT 6x6 papers - Wallpaper Patterns  MFT-EP-75

MFT 6x6 papers - Poppin' Polka Dots  MFT-EP-76

Coloured with Zig Brush Pens

Sorry that my post is later than usual, we had a family bereavement at the weekend.

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

 

As You Like It Challenge (DT) CAS or FAF

When your scheduled post is actually a draft, SMH.

Hello peeps, it's time for another As You Like It challenge and this time the theme is Clean and Simple or Fussy and Fancy (CAS or FAF)

It's not hard to guess my preference from this sample.  The only thing FAF about me, is the faffing around I do when I'm making a card!

Pretty Pink Posh - Flower Bouquets stamps PPP-May21-5

and matching dies PPP-May21-6

MFT Bitty Birthday Wishes MFT-CS-398

Whimsy Stamps 6x6 Pretty Pastels

Image coloured with a mix of Zig Clean Color Brush Pens (flowers) and Distress Inks (ReInkers) leaves and flower pot

and our sponsor for this theme is

DIES TO DIE FOR

Hugs

Sitting Pretty (DT) Dies To Die For

  Hello chaps, hope you have something lovely planned for this super sunny Saturday!

Well, Spring is well and truly in the air now (you should have seen me scraping the frost off the car yesterday morning), flowers are blooming and the trees are greening

So for this floral explosion I have used

MFT Spring Wreath stamp - MFT-CS-559

MFT DieNamics Spring Wreath die - MFT-1983

MFT Birdie Brown Sitting Pretty stamps - MFT-BB-122

MFT DieNamics Sitting Pretty dies - MFT-1980

Sentiment from MFT Birdie Brown Polynesian Paradise stamps - MFT-BB-109

MFT 6x6 papers - Road Trippin' MFT-EP-71

I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens for the inking up on this one.  I'm not sure what's going on with the photo as my camera doesn't seem to like a particular shade of pink that I used for the right hand tulips and her t-shirt, IRL they are very definitely pink!

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

Bring Out The Sunshine (DT) Dies To Die For

 Well hello!  As we are now into Spring (don't forget to change your clocks tonight UK) I'm bringing you a Spring-feel card today, because we all need a little sunshine in our lives (well, you'd get rickets without it).

Lovely things used from DTDF

MFT Birdie Brown : Bring Out The Sunshine - MFT-BB-71

MFT DieNamics : Bring Out The Sunshire - MFT-1521

(Special Offer in store - stamps and dies £10)

MFT Clear Stamps : Mini Meows - MFT-CS-533

MFT DieNamics : Mini Meows - MFT-1905

Mama Elephant Creative Cuts : Hilly Hello - me-19-71

MFT DieNamics : Stitched Scallop Edges - MFT-545

and the papers used are a selection of

MFT 6x6 papers

Lawn Fawn 6x6 papers

Sunny Studio 6x6 papers

I used MFT Stitched Cloud dies (retired) but there are lots of similar available

I've used Zig pens again on this one.

Have yourselves a wonderful weekend

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Favourite Springtime Critter

 Hello, and welcome to Spring at last!

Here we are at the last Thursday in March (oh yes it is, next week is 1 April), and it's an 

AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE day.

Our theme for this time is Your Favourite Springtime Critter

(and please explain why)

Another tough choice!  I love Spring, the birds, the lambs, the chicks, the bunnies, they all make me happy, but, as we are so close to Easter, for me at this time of year it has to be chicks (although I am a little bit scared of adult chickens if I'm honest) with their significance of birth and renewal.

Looks like this little lady has a basket full of soon-to-be-chicks (hopefully not omelettes)

This is an older stamp that I've had a while waiting to be inked up

Stampavie (Penny Johnson) PEN81 Gretchen Collecting Fresh Eggs (retired)

Honey Bee Stamps - Eggcellent Sentiments HBST-166

and the matching Honey Cuts Eggcellent dies HBDS-166

MFT 6x6 papers - Perfect Pinstripes Pastel (retired)

I've used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens on this one this time, as the colours were a better match to the papers than my beloved Distress Inks

And our sponsor for this theme is

CRAFTY RIBBONS

Looking forward to seeing all your Springtime animal creations

Hugs

Floral Corners (DT) Dies To Die For

  Hello chaps, a very worried little Squirrel here today

Why am I worried?  I seem to be buying a lot of floral stamps lately, and that is sooooo unlike me!  I mean, where's the cute?

But when they are this pretty, I just can't resist them

Pretty Pink Posh - Floral Corners stamp set

Pretty Pink Posh - Floral Corners die set

Impression Obsession - Happy Easter die io-DIE1092-T

I've painted the flowers with Zig Clean Colour Real Brush pens as watercolours.  They give a brighter effect than Distress Inks, and sometimes that's just what's called for.

Background plain papers are from Trimcraft.

One made, several to go .... and not much time, best get busy.

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

As You Like It Challenge (DT) Favourite Occasion/Reason

 These weeks are galloping past, how is it possibly another AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE already?!

Well, it is, and this time our theme is

Your Favourite Occasion/Reason for Sending A Card

(please explain why)

So, the majority of the cards I make are for birthday, but my favourite reason to send cards is for friendship, there is nothing quite like receiving a card out of the blue from someone who cares about you.

MFT Birdie Brown - Mice Day to Celebrate

MFT-BB-120 (stamps) MFT-1938 (dies)

MFT Slimline Stencils - Clouds (ST-149) Hills (ST-150)

MFT 6x6 papers - Road Trippin' (MFT-EP-71)

Coloured up with

Mouse - Zig Clean Colour pens

Background - Distress Inks and a finger dauber

Our sponsor for this theme is

POLKADOODLES

Hugs

Long Time No See (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, happy weekend to you.  Now that we are in to September, my crafty mind has gone into panic Christmas mode.  Why do I always leave it so late?!

I crocheted the husband a bobble hat earlier in the year.  Despite very careful and repeated measurements it came up rather large, it will certainly keep his ears warm, and probably his knees as well - a bit like this one.

Do penguins have knees?

Gerda Steiner - Long Time No See stamp

Lawn Fawn - Mini Snowflake dies

Taylored Expressions 6x6 - Playful Patterns - Holiday

MFT Sentiments - Bitty Holday Wishes MFT-CS-417

Penguin coloured up with Zig Clean Colour brush pens used as watercolours

All I can say is thank heaven for "Stick It" adhesive sheets, I would have got in a real mess with that delicate snowflake without it.  I discovered the joy of it some time ago and used to be really sparing in how often I used it, but I must be getting lazy in my old age as I find myself reaching for it time and time again these days.

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

Rain or Shine (DT) Dies To Die For

I'm here today, with another little sprinkle of Birdie Brown!

It's my dear mum's birthday the week after next (no danger of her seeing this, she doesn't have internet out in the wild end of Suffolk).  Because she is a garden lover, her passion is so weather dependent, so if she had a rainbow umbrella she'd be set for rain, or as a sunshade.

Ingredients used:

MFT Birdie Brown - Rain or Shine (stamps) MFT-BB-58

MFT DieNamics - Rain or Shine (dies) MFT-1308

MFT Clear Stamps - Purr-fect  MFT-CS-388

MFT Stencil - Rolling Clouds  MFT-ST-143

MFT DieNamics - Grassy Edges

MFT 6x6 paper - Woodgrain Whimsy  MFT-EP-62

MFT 6xt paper - Party Plaid  MFT-EP-67

Images coloured with Zig Clean Colour Real Brush pens and Distress Inks (ReInkers).

It's been a funny old week.  I have been working right through lockdown from the back bedroom/study and initially I really struggled with it.  However, somewhere along the line my mind adjusted and I have been relatively content, especially as the commute to and from work has been so short.  This week we had been told that our department will be returning to the office soon, and I admit it, my anxiety kicked into overdrive.  Am I really so scared to go out there again?  Actually, yes, I am terrified.  I know I need to get it into perspective, and this county has one of the lowest infection rates in the country, but that doesn't stop these irrational feelings of fear and trepidation.  I simply do not want to be mixing with people again!  I know that once I have actually done it, I will feel a bit better about things, but honestly, there are several sleepless nights coming up!

Anyhoo, enough of my ramblings, off you go and enjoy your weekend.

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

Lessons In Love (DT) Dies To Die For

Yes, I know I'm late again........ sorry!  I didn't sleep well last night, and then managed to oversleep this morning.  Isn't that just the way of it?

I do love me a versatile stamp - this one was designed with teachers in mind, but I think

she makes a great secretary/PA

Things used:

MFT Birdie Brown - Lessons In Love  MFT-BB-82

MFT DieNamics Lessons In Love MFT-1601

MFT DieNamics Stitched Basic Edges 2 MFT-1014

MFT 6x6 papers - Positively Peppy MFT-EP-63

Image coloured with Zig Clean Colour Pens

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

Cats or Dogs (DT) As You Like It Challenge

Hello peeps, I hope this Thursday finds you well and that life is being kind to you.  We all need a little kindess.

There is a new themed challenge at AS YOU LIKE IT today, and that theme is Cats or Dogs (your favourite, but please tell us why).

I've had cats in my life since I was born, literally - Sam, the farm tabby, used to sleep under my pram in the garden and wouldn't let anyone near, he was a fierce guard cat!  I can't imagine being without one now, with their cuteness (when they want), their calming purrs, their antics, scheming, mischief, all in all life would be dull without a furry feline buddy.

For this bundle of fuzz, I have used:

MFT Birdie Brown - Cat-Astrophe stamps MFT-BB-104

and the matching dies

a mixture of MFT and Honey Bee papers

a Whimsy ribbon slider die

Two sentiments - one from the cat stamp set, the other from Personal Impressions

and, shockingly, a beautiful piece of rainbow organza ribbon from Fantastic Ribbons

Kittens all coloured up using Zig Clean Colour Pens

Our sponsor for this challenge is

POLKADOODLES

Looking forward to meeting all your furry friends!

Hugs

The Gnome And The Bird (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all.  What's it like where you are?  It's a bit dingy here, I think we might be in for some much needed rain today.  I only hope it lets my towels get dry first!

There have been a lot of gnomes about on the crafting scene for a while now, and many of them are super cute.  However, when Stamping Bella released their new batch of Gnome stamps I am sure

you will have heard my squeal about 500 miles away.  The only thing about them that scares me are the beards!

Stamping Bella - The Gnome and The Bird

Memory Box - Nottingham Border die

MFT 6x6 papers - Buffalo Brights

Sentiment comes with the Gnome stamp.

Sparkly yellow dots from stash.

Image coloured with Zig Clean Colour pens and a Derwent grey ink drawing pen.

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG

All The Cupcakes (DT) Dies To Die For

Morning all, here I am, on time for a change, and officially another year older than I was last week!

Let's face it, it doesn't matter how old you are, there is no better way to celebrate a birthday than with a great big cake (or lots of  smaller cakes).

And the lovely things used for this are:

MFT Clear Stamps - All The Cupcakes stamps MFT-CS-489

MFT DieNamics - All The Cupcakes dies MFT-1781

MFT Clear Stamps - Big Birthday Sentiments stamps MFT-CS-133

MFT DieNamics - Stitched CU Comp Vertical MFT-767

(I used the cover up die cut as a stencil for my background inking)

Vertical die has gone from website now, but the Horizonal one MFT-768 is still available

As mentioned above, I used the die cut as my stencil, and then inked up with Distress Inks and my Picket Fence brushes to get that soft marbled effect.

All the cakes were watercoloured with the Zig Clean Colour Pens.

We didn't do much for my birthday on the day, but we did take a trip to the seaside yesterday, got a fish and chip takeaway and sat down on the seafront to scoff it.  On the way back to the car, I caved in and got my first Costa Flat White in four months, it was like nectar!

Anyhoo, that's me for today, see you soon.

Hugs

DIES TO DIE FOR ONLINE STORE

DIES TO DIE FOR INSPIRATION BLOG