Tiny Treasures Tiny Canvas!

Hi everyone!

I starting doing things to my computer the other night...ie. security scans, disc cleaning and defragmenting, to see if I can make it go a little bit quicker.  All I have left to do now is take a back-up.  Why do all these things take so flippin long?!!  Maybe if I didn't leave so long between doing them it wouldn't take so long.

Anyway, working on the computer delayed me in getting my post done for the new challenges that have started at Eclectic Ellapu.

The Pink teams challenge for this month is...

Hearts!

And not forgetting the Purple teams challenge is...

Lady's Birthday!

Here's what I did for the Pink teams challenge;

I wanted a little easel a while back and got this one but it had a tiny little canvas with it that I didn't really want so it has been floating around my craft room for quite a while, so I decided to do something with it.
My lovely cousin had a baby a few weeks ago so I thought I'd make a wee door/wall plaque for the new baby.
I started by painting the little canvas with 2 shades of pink pebeo paint and I tried to graduate the colour from one corner to the other.  I also used white paint to help with the process.
I had a packet of wooden heart outlines and I painted one of the hearts with some pearl paint and stuck some matching ribbon to the back of it.  I attached the heart to the canvas and filled it in with lots and lots of glue.  I placed three little vintage flowers in one side of the heart and then filled the rest with tiny pink and white beads.
Then I waited for it to dry.  That's another thing that takes flippin' ages!

I typed the baby's name and date of birth using the font "I'm bored" and cut the name with my guillotine and scissors and used an x-cut punch (one of a set of 3 that I won on a challenge blog!) for the dates.  I attached the dates to some pink wire which I also added some beads to and attached to the canvas with staples (which I painted to blend them in with the background colour) and I did the same with the wire (minus the date hearts) for a hanger at the top.  I shaped the name piece and stuck it to the canvas along with a wee diamanté heart buckle with a little bit of ribbon in it.

Please do join us over at Eclectic Ellapu for either of our challenges - we do spoil you don't we?!  Check out what the design teams have been up to as well, for a bit more spoiling!

Thanks for looking!
 

A Baby Girl

Hello to you all and Happy Christmas Eve!

What a rough night we had to bring in Christmas eve, the winds were mighty!  I've seen some snow falling but nothing lying here... yet!  I would hate to have to go to shops or anywhere today, it's much nicer staying in in that weather!

We have our last challenge of the year today at the Creative Card Crew and we are being sponsored by The Scrapping Center

The challenge we have for you to enjoy over the festive season is a really hard one, cos we really wanted to challenge you, it is...

Anything Goes!

Oh, no, that's not too difficult!!  Lol!  We have an extended challenge this time and it's lasting for 3 weeks, so plenty of time to enjoy Christmas and enter the challenge! ;)

So, here's my card which I made for my best friend after she had her first baby:

I made a circular easel card - and I made it with pearly card so it was a pain to photograph!

The image is by Sugar Nellie and I coloured it with the following copics: Skin; E21,13,00,0000,R20. Hat & blanket; R24,22,21,20. Background; E42,41,40.  I was always a bit intimidated by this image cos it's so realistic and I was afraid to colour it, I'm not sure if I did it justice, but at least I tried!

I used Spellbinders Grand Nestibilities Circles for the base of the card and an ordinary small one (although the biggest one in that set) to cut out the middle of the moon to make the crescent shape.  Other dies used are heart and scallop heart and labels 14 (all Spellbinders).
After I inked the edges with Worn Lipstick and Tattered Rose distress inks, I used a Umount swirl stamp with super sparkle holographic embossing powder to add a bit of interest and that all-important bling!  I then added pink Frantage embossing powder around the edges and sprinkled some through the middle and heated from underneath so it didn't go everywhere!

The sentiments are all computer generated and the font is Lainie Day.  All the sentiment pieces got the same ink/frantage treatment as the base.  I used a couple of eyelets and jump rings to attach the heart to the moon.  I also added a wee diamante swirl on the base of the card where you can see through the crescent shape when the card is closed.

 The inside of the card got the same processes applied to it with space left for my greeting.

So please pop over to the Creative Card Crew blog to take part in our last challenge of the year and to see what the rest of our talented DT have made!

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

4 Crafty Chicks; Distressing
613 Avenue Create; Anything goes
Bearly Mine; Anything goes
Crafts 4 Eternity; Anything goes
Crafty Creations Challenges; Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday; Celebrations
Divas By Design; Anything goes
Drunkers Stampers; Embossing
A Gem Of A Challenge; Anything goes
One Stitch At A Time; Anything goes
Party Time Tuesday; Anything goes
Simon Says Challenges; Anything goes
Stamp & Create; Anything goes
Stamp N Doodle; Anything goes
Stamin' For The Weekend; Anything goes
The Pink Elephant; Anything goes
Twisted Tuesday Challenge; New Beginnings - new stuff: Pink Frantage

I'd like to wish you all the Very Merriest of Christmasses and if I don't see you before then a Wonderfully Happy New Year!

Thanks for looking!
 

Special Delivery!

Good morning all!

I hope the world is smiling at you today.  I can't believe it's October already!  Where did the rest of the year go??!  Dark mornings and dark evenings are going to be the way from here on in, but to tell you the truth, I don't mind the winter!  I've always had a theory that because I was born in the winter (in December) that I'll always be fond of that time of year.  In saying that, I do enjoy a bit of sun, but not too much!

We have another challenge for you today from the Creative Card Crew and our sponsor for this fortnight is the fabulous Birdie Brown!

I love their cute wee images and they're offering one lucky winner 3 digi images!

So our challenge theme is...

Tag!

We would like to see you make a tag or have a tag on your project!

I did a bit of both - here's my card:

I made a pop-up card with the up bit being a tag!  The image is by Birdie Brown and has been coloured with the following copics: Bear; E44,43,42,40,blender. Clothes/balloons; B00,000,0000. Grass; YG11,13,95.  I added the wording to the balloons on the computer before I printed the image and the font is called AR Carter.

The papers are some of the left-overs from the quilted card I made last week and are by Pink Petticoat - Gingham in Pebble.  I also used kraft card stock for the base of the card.  I dry brushed some white acrylic paint over the edges of the kraft to soften them.  I used my Stampin' Up! scallop border punch for the front panel and used a small tag die that I've had for ages (and have no idea who made it) for the sentiment.  The pearls, ribbon and charm are all from my stash.

The back of the tag is where I have left for the greeting.  I'm going to send this to another of my cousins (in London) who just had a wee baby boy the other day!
I've added 2 tiny pearls to the back to hold the card in the open position for added strength.

Here's the card when it is folded flat to fit in an envelope.

So I do hope you can join us this fortnight at the Creative Card Crew - pop over to see the rest of the DT's fab makes for more inspiration!

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

Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge; Something blue
Crafty Creations Challenges; Split it up
Creative Belli Blog; Ribbons & pearls
Cute Card Thursday; Pretty ribbons
Drunken Stampers; Die cuts
Fussy & Fancy Challenges; Punches & dies
Here Come The Boys; For a boy
Papercrafting Journey; For a boy
Patties Creations; Animals
ABC Challenges; W for words

Thanks for looking!
 

Soft As A Babies Bum!

Good morning everyone!

I hope you're all well?  I'm not :(  My chest infection/flu took a hold and I've been unwell all week.  Thankfully I had a better nights sleep last night and I think (touch wood!) that I'm starting to feel a little bit better today :)
On another note, I can't believe it's a year today since my accident, it really doesn't seem like a whole year though!

We have a new challenge today at the Alphabet Challenge Blog and our lovely Jennifer has chosen the theme for the next fortnight.  She has chosen...

Q for Quilt!

I was a bit stumped as to what to do for this challenge as I don't normally do that kind of thing, but then my cousin became a daddy last week and I thought that it would be a great technique to use on a baby card, cos it could look lovely and soft!

Here's what I did:

The papers I have used are all Pink Petticoat in 6 different designs and all in the colour Pebble (or the new version is Pebble Lagoon)  I printed out a couple of plain coloured sheets in the same colour for my matting and layering.  I cut the papers into 3.5cm squares (to fit the 14cm for my card.) and arranged the squares to suit the patterns.  I then took a firm foam pad and a large ball embossing tool and shaped each of the squares.  I attached the squares to my card (I lightly drew a grid on the card to make sure I got the squares lined up properly) with foam stickies, so my quilted background looks and feels soft and springy!
The dies I used are Spellbinders circle and large scallop circle, Marianne Design "Baby" and Memory Box Precious Hearts.  A few diamantés and pearls were added to finish it off.

The image I have used is also from Pink Petticoat and I paper-pieced the elephant with another Pink Petticoat paper.  I used a few copics to fill in the gaps - BV23 and YG11,13 for the grass.  A little gem in the centre of the flower was added for a bit of bling!  The sentiment comes along with the image.

The inside got the same quilting treatment and a plain circle for my greetings.

Here's a close up of the quilting.

I do hope you can join us at the Alphabet Challenge Blog this fortnight for this challenge and I hope you have as much fun with it as I did!  Check out what the rest of the DT did for more fab inspiration!

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

Bunny Zoe's Crafts; Something blue
Charisma Cardz Challenges; Inside
Crafty Ribbons Challenge Blog; Monochrome
Deep Ocean Challenge Blog; For a baby
Divas By Design; Monochrome
Here Come The Boys Challenges; Baby boy
Papercrafting Journey; For a boy
Patties Creations Challenges; Animals
ABC Challenges; V for Very cute
Totally Gorjuss; Dotty

Thanks for looking!
 

The Baby Boom Continues!

Hi everyone!

It seems as if there is a major baby boom going on at the moment, I know so many people having babies and a few that have already been born.  There will be 5 additions to my extended family on one side alone!  So it looks like there are going to be quite a few baby cards needed for the next while, so get used to it! lol!

We have a new challenge today from the Pink Team at Eclectic Ellapu and the lovely boss lady herself, Elaine, is hosting.  The challenge for us this week is...

Anything goes!

Simples! :)

So sticking with the baby theme I thought I'd share what I gave to my best friend for her birthday and as she's up the duff with her first bambino I thought I'd try to make it special.

I made her a gift basket, with all stuff for her when she's pregnant, and not for the baby!

In the basket I included: Magazines (trashy, of course!), stretch-mark cream, cooling foot spray, face masks, pregnancy book, baby name book, a mummy mug, a bump gift pack (including bubble bath, pregnancy shampoo (??  I don't know what's different in it to ordinary shampoo!) and a couple of other bits and bobs), a wee pot of vaseline, choc dip, tea-light holder, "baby powder" tea-lights (they smell gorgeous!), a wedge pillow and most important of all - a box of chocolates!

And, of course, I made the tag.

The image is one I've had for years and had never used called "Baby Bump" by Sassy Studio Designs.  I coloured her with the following copics:  Skin: E21,13,00,0000,R20. Hair: E31,29,09,08. Top: R59,39,37,29,27. Trousers: 100,W9,7,5.
The sentiment is computer generated using the free font called "Rebekah's Birthday" and a few bits gone over with a red copic. 

The papers are from the Carta Bella book "Giddy Up".  I mounted it on white card that I doodled on and then on a hand-made kraft tag that also got some doodling treatment.  I used a Tim Holtz Alterations die for the scallops on the tag and the ribbon is from my stash.

The back of the tag has a Pink Gem Design sentiment stamped on it and a bit more doodling by yours truly.

So there you go, I hope you liked it and that you'll pop over to see what the rest of the talented Pink Team have got up to this week at Eclectic Ellapu!

I'd like to enter my tag in the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create; Friendship Day
All Sorts Challenge Blog; Kraft it
CRAFT Challenge; For the girls
Craft Your Passion; Happy birthday
Crafty Ribbons Challenge Blog; Anything goes with ribbon
Eureka Stamps; Happy birthday
Papercrafting Journey; Die cuts
ABC Challenges; R for roses are red
Top Tip Tuesday; Spooled items

Thanks for looking!
 

Another Baby Boy

Hi everyone!

I hope you're all well?

Great news about the New Royal Arrival yesterday, another baby boy born in the same week (just!) as my new wee nephew!  Oh such different lives they shall lead!  Good luck to all and any new Mummys and Daddys out there!

Another new arrival today sees a new challenge at the Creative Card Crew and we are being sponsored this fortnight by the Scrapping Center!

and they're offering $15 to spend in their store to one lucky winner!

So the challenge for this fortnight is...

Baby!
or Lot's of blue
(to celebrate the new Royal baby boy) 

or Lot's of pink

(to celebrate the birth of Mari's new granddaughter!)

So we expect loads of new arrival cards this fortnight!  Or if you don't have a baby card to do you can still enter as long as your card has either lots of blue or lots of pink!

I needed a card for a boy, so it's a baby one, but not too pink - and I haven't made one for my brother yet as they haven't totally decided on a name yet!  Here's what I did:

I made an easel card

The gorgeous image I used is Baby Christening by Lili of the Valley and I coloured him with the following copics:  Skin: E21,13,00,0000,R20.  Everything else: BV00,0000,E41,40,W3,1,00.

The papers are Pink Petticoat and I printed them onto pearl paper, so the card was a nightmare to photograph as no matter where I placed my lamp, it glared off the paper!  But it looked lovely in real life!  Dies used are Spellbinders Fleur De Lis squares, Fancy Tags, Labels 3 and circle.  The ribbon is from Stampin' Up! and the pearls, buckle and lace are from my stash.  I made a box to complete the gift and scored the top panel with my score board to match the card.

and the inside with the computer generated sentiment.

So I do hope you can join us this fortnight at the Creative Card Crew - pop over to see the rest of the DT creations for some fab inspiration!

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

4 Crafty Chicks; Let's hear it for the boys
Crafts 4 Eternity; Inky fingers
Crafty Sentiments Designs; Bling it on
Dream Valley Challenges; Fancy folds
Here Come The Boys; Anything goes
Patties Creations Design Challenge; Monochromatic
The Corrosive Challenge Blog; Fancy folds
The Squirrel And The Fox; Use something spooled
Top Tip Tuesday Challenge; Spooled items
Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenges; Ribbon & lace

Thanks for looking!
 

Bibs And Heffalumps

Hi Everyone!

I hope you're well.
Hasn't the weather been atrocious!  There was even reports of snow a bit further north from here yesterday!  We've had plenty of rain and hail and wind with the odd break of sunshine to lull you into a false sense of security that the worst is over! lol!

So why not take the good of the horrible weather and stay in and craft!  Sounds like a plan to me!  And to help you in this matter, how about a new challenge?  A new fortnight at the Alphabet Challenge Blog and the turn of Team A to host the challenge!

Our theme for you for the next fortnight is...

G for Glitter And Gems!

So lot's of sparkly bling for us!  Yay!

At this point I'm gonna tell Laura to look away as I have made this card for her and even though it should have been sent off ages ago, it's still sitting on my desk!  But I'm hoping to get it posted at some point today.

So here is my card:


Just making sure Laura isn't looking?...


OK, here it is then!

I made a bib card!  The image is a real oldie by Stamposaurus called Elle No. 3.  I coloured her (?) with the following pro & flexmarkers: Salmon pink, Pastel pink, Pale pink, Apple, Emerald, Olive green, Bright green, Shale, Lilac, Spring lilac & Pink lavender.  I used Milled Lavender and Dusty Concord distress inks around the image and then a white gel pen for a bit of interest.  I added some glamour dust to the elephants ears and the flower.

I saw this tutorial ages ago and have wanted to make one ever since so I more or less followed it.  I added a panel onto the back so as it stands up.  Queue weird photo of the back of the card!

The papers I have used are Echo Park Country Drive.   I used Spellbinders Grand Decorative Circles One and Go Kreate XXL plain circle for the base of the card and Spellbinders circle and big scallop circle for the image and the little collar at the "neck" of the bib.  The sentiments are computer generated and I added loads of swarovski crystals.  The ribbon is from my stash.

 So go take a look at what the rest of the DT have done at the Alphabet Challenge Blog and have a go yourself - remember, we now pick a top 3, so it could be you!

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

Anything Goes Challenge Blog; Shaped, but not square
Crafts 4 Eternity; Tic Tac Toe - 3rd column: pink, 3 sentiment strips, bling
Crafty Boots Challenges; Use a stamped character
Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge Blog; Use a sentiment
Dream Valley Challenges; No squares allowed
Forever Friends Fortnightly Challenge; Pastel colours
Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge Blog; Oh baby
Southern Girls Challenge Blog; You can say that again!
ABC Challenges; M for make is sparkle

Thanks for looking!
 

Phew!

Why does everything take so long to do?!
My antivirus program expired yesterday so I decided to renew it today.  I know there are free programs available but I'm not entirely convinced by them yet and I'm sure you have to put up with adverts etc, which I couldn't be bothered with!
I had un-ticked the automatic renew thing last year and I'm so glad I did - they would've charged me £60 to renew but by buying the product as new I got it for £25!  From the same place!  It was a bit of a nightmare to install though as I didn't think to un-install the first one and then it wouldn't install the new one and then it installed a free trial one instead of the one I paid for but I eventually got it sorted out.  And I made sure to go back in and un-tick the automatic renew thing again!
Computers, who'd have em!

Anyway, how about a new challenge to get you going for the start of the week?
It's time for a new one at Eclectic Ellapu and it's the Pink teams turn this week, and the lovely Laurian's turn to host.  The challenge she chose for us this week is...

A Recipe; 1 die cut, 2 patterned papers,

3 embellishments (can include digi)

and ribbon!

So, here's what I did;

The image is a digi from Paper Pretties called Snuggle Bunny and I coloured it with the following promarkers: Aubergine, Plum, Amethyst, Lilac, Cyan, Denim Blue, April Shower, Powder Blue & blender.
I edged the image with Decoart snowwriter for a bit of glitteryness!

The papers are DCWV, Nana's Kids.  I love this paper cos it's so textured - the glitter you can see on the bottom and the spots at the top are embossed too. 
The sentiments are by Pink Petticoat called Tiny New Baby which I printed onto safmat and attached to the image.  The buttons are gorgeous and are from House of Zandra, but I got them at the NEC.
And my die-cut is a Simple Banner by Memory Box which I've hand-written the name of the new arrival onto.

The inside has the same elements as the front including the ribbon from my stash and a button charm.

  
So take a trip to Eclectic Ellapu to check out what the rest of the Pink team did and have a go too!

Oh and can I just say that I have been having some trouble leaving comments.  On some blogs when I click to post my comment it goes to the white "503 error" page.  I have tried several times to leave comments and have even opened up Chrome to try there (even though I don't really like it!) so apologies if my comment didn't go through or if you've gotten several of the same comment from me!
I wish blogger would sort out all these issues - life is just too short! 

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

Crafty Ribbons: New beginnings
Divas By Design; Anything goes 
Dream Valley Challenges; Anything goes 
A Gem Of A Challenge; New beginnings 
613 Avenue Create; Anything goes 
Joanna Sheen Challenge Blog; New beginnings 
One Stop Craft Challenge; New beginnings 
Papertake Weekly; Happy new ? 
Totally Gorjuss; Spotty 
Totally Papercrafts Friday Challenge; Ribbon 

Thanks for looking!
 

You're A Star!

Hi all!

Only 3 weeks til Christmas - are you all ready for it?  I'm not!

Time for a new challenge though at the Creative Card Crew and for this fortnight we are being sponsored by the fabulous Simon Says Stamp

They're offering one lucky winner a very generous $20 voucher for their shop!

So the challenge theme this time is....

Star!

Here's what I did:

I made this card to match the tag I shared a few weeks ago.  The image is "Sweet little donkey" by Meljen's Designs and I coloured it with the following copics: B95,93,91,YG07,05,03,R08,05,02. Background;YR02,00,E40.

The papers are DCWV "Nana's Kids" and kraft card. I used Spellbinders circle and big scallop circle dies for the image and X-cut stars for the, erm, stars!  The banner die is by Dienamics.  The sentiments are computer generated except for on the banner where I had to hand-write it - it would've taken forever for me to line it up on the computer!  A bit of Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon and a few swarovski crystals finish it off.

The inside uses the same elements as the front.

So pop over to the Creative Card Crew challenge blog to see some fantastic pieces of inspiration by the rest of the design team and join in the fun!

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Crafts & Me Challenges; Ribbon or trim
Crafty Boots Challenge: Anything goes
Jackson's Digital Expression; Inks & such
Joanna Sheen Challenge Blog; Anything goes excluding Christmas
Kaboodles Doodles; Use circles
One Stitch At A Time; Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Challenge; Anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge Blog; Anything goes

Thanks for looking!