House of Cards End of Term Blog Hop............

Hi everyone!  Can you believe we've are at the end of our fourth term here at 

House of Cards?  Unfortunately we are saying a fond farewell to some of our DT members, including me. I've had a fabulous 2 years on the team but have decided to step down to make way for someone else as life is throwing lots at me at the moment lol!!! To say goodbye and thank you, HoC are celebrating with a blog hop!  You should have arrived here from Monika 

Here is my take on the inspiration.............................

So, are you ready to get hopping?!  We've got some fabulous sponsors to share with you!  Make sure you leave a comment at each person's blog along the way because the prizes are hidden and we'll be doing random drawings from the blogs where they are hiding! :)  After you're done, make a creation to share with us here, too, for another chance to win!

The patterned papers on my card came from this sponsor................

MHKDesigns

Prize: Any three products of your choice!

MHKDesigns is a vintage digital stamp Etsy shop owned and operated by Mynnette Kitchen from On A Stampage.  She creates vintage stamp sets and digital paper packs for all your crafting needs.  Contact her with any requests you have at mhkdesigns.etsy@gmail.com!

Now get to hoppin'!  Your next stop is Pat!  Don't forget to link up a project with us after completing the hop for an extra chance to win a mystery prize from one of our fabulous sponsors, too!

Have fun.
Ang x

House of Cards November Challenge....................

Good afternoon everyone. Hope you are all well.

Firstly, I must apologise for my absence from blogging/commenting. Its partly due to having to work extra days (7 days out of 9 so far) in a new store with longer opening hours and sadly, little Cid the kitten I mentioned in my last posts, has died.
She lived over the road but invited herself into our house every time the door or window was open and always enjoyed a tid bit and, mainly, lots of cuddles and fuss.
She was just about a year old and was lovely so although she wasn't ours, I have been so upset as it reminded me of when we lost our own beautiful feline girlie, Sam.

Now, onto nice things. Its a new month so its time for a new challenge over at House of Cards and this month its called Stamped Punch Window which is essentially, a stamped card with an aperture/s cut out of it.
So come on lads and lasses, lets see you enter with some super creations or at least pop over to see what the rest of the DT have created to inspire you.

I decided to try the triple stamping technique that Sue Wilson and John use but with a twist. Instead of building the layers upwards, I inverted them so that the layers for the aperture go into the centre.

Ingredients

White card

Purple card

Stampin Up Morning Meadow stamp (flowers) a blog gift from the lovely Donna Nuce

John Lockwood Cherry Blossom stamps (sentiment)

Presscut Extra Large Square die set

Memento Dew Drop in Sweet Plum as first and second generation colour

Lots of foam pads

It turned out just as I wanted it to, which doesn't always happen lol! Isn't it great when you see something your minds eye and it translates into card.
It doesn't have much in ingredients but it can be tricksy to assemble as you have to work from the centre outwards.

Hope you like it and it inspires you to enter the House of Cards Challenge.

Well, at work today and Tuesday and then I'm off for a few days..........thank goodness!!!
It will involve a visit to the NEC on Thursday with Nesta and meeting up with Christine and also Ann this year (Not sure that the poor girl knows what she is letting herself in for lol!!!)
If anyone else is going on the Thursday, just let us know.

Its sad that the Scottish Posse aren't coming down this year (I think Patricia said that she and Hazel are doing something nearer Christmas? and Kate has just come back from a trip) as it won't be the same for me and Mrs H not pootling up to the Arden Oak for dinner and frivolity.

Well, that's me for now. Hope you can forgive my absence of late. I hope that life is going to be a bit calmer work wise and emotionally from now on.

TTFN
Ang x

                                                                          Cid

R.I.P my little furry friend..................x

House of Cards October Challenge. . . . . . . .

Good afternoon everyone. Hope all is good with you all on yet another fine day.

Must welcome Donna to The Pond. Thank you for paddling chuck. I think there may be another follower too but Blogger is keeping them anonymous, so welcome, whoever you are.

Today is the start of October's challenge over at House of Cards and this month's challenge is...

                                                             Colour/and or texture

I would love it if you would pop over and take a peek at what the rest of the DT gals have created and if you join in the challenge as I know some of you love Autumn and its colours. 

I decided to be brave and get a bit messy in the craft room and go down the texture route, with a couple of the colours thrown in too. Sorry the photos are a wee bit dark but I was trying to capture the sparkle, which wasn't working in full on daylight.

I did my twist on Sue Wilson's paper grouting technique. I bought some CS Polar White texture paste and added some fine, coloured glitter to it. If you try this, don't add too much glitter as it makes the paste harder to spread. You need just enough to colour it. 

It started as a bit of an experiment (I have been tinkering with the black paste too) but I have been getting some great effects.

Now, this is a card that I sent to the lovely Pamellia, who is in the process of moving into her dream home (hence the sentiment) by a beautiful lake in Toronto. It had to have some messy crafting involved as Pamellia is a messy crafting kinda gal lol!!!

Ingredients

White card

CE Aqua card

Embossalicious Tumbling Leaves Embossing Folder

Crafters Companion sentiment stamp

SB Matting Basics A & B

HC Delicate Asters

SB Foliage 

SB Ivy Die D-lite

CS Polar White Texture Paste

Glitter Magic fine teal glitter

Tonic and Papermania Punches

Various Distress Inks

Various bling

It really would be lovely to see some more familiar names (I know some of you have been joining in) entering over at House of Cards.

No further crack of dawn sightings, thankfully. I don't think he did it for my benefit as my light wasn't on and I have blinds so he wouldn't have seen me. I think someone asked whether the back view was better than the front...................equally as horrendous I would say lol!!! (nothing Grand about his Calibur......)

Elaine, as soon as a For Sale board goes up, I'll let you know lol!!!

Enjoy the rest of the week and hope the Sun is shining where you are (no full moons hahaha!!!)

TTFN

Ang x

House of Cards September Challenge. . . . . Stitching

Good morning paddlers. I hope this finds your boos all tickety? 

Thank you as always for your kind comments on my last card. I'm giving you a short break from Christmas today.

Firstly, I must welcome Carol to the fold. Thank you for hitting the followers button (even if you may have just dropped a Custard Cream on your keyboard by mistake hahaha!!!) and hope you will visit often.

Now today is the start of another new month (where is this year disappearing to???) so its time for a new challenge at House of Cards and September's theme is. . . . . . . . . .Stitching!

Your stitching can be real or faux so it would be lovely to see you enter (this would be right up a certain Janice's alley, methinks lol!) My stitching is real. . . . . . . .(my stamping isn't wonky, just my camera work hahaha!!!)

Ingredients

Cream card

Fuchsia pink pearl card (Lime Tree)

Free flower pattern from www.stitchingcards.com

Embossalicious Tumbling Leaves embossing folder 

SB Grand Ovals die

John Lockwood Cherry Blossom Elements sentiment stamp

Card-io Dragonfly and butterfly stamps

Cotton from a Pound shop (no expense spared on this blog lol!!!)

Dovecraft pink bling

I did find the stitching very therapeutic and it didn't take too long but hopefully you find it as pretty as I do.

Please pop over to House of Cards to see what gorgeous cards my DT mates have created and why not have a go. . . . . . you know you want to lol!!!

Well, Hochanda (bless me!) has been interesting. After the first few hours resembling a remake of Victoria Wood's Acorn Antiques, it actually was quite good. I particularly enjoyed the fact that they let the guests demo without much interruption; a refreshing change from C&C. 

John was, of course terrific (I would have said marvellous but he only gave me a fiver lol!!!)

Glad you got hold of him Wendy. He can be like the Scarlet Pimpernel at times lol!!!

Maureen, you are a hoot lol!!!

After my extra days last week, I have just had Sunday and Monday off and boy did I need it. Normal week this week, barring incident so at least I can draw breath.

Wishing you all a great week and happy days.

TTFN

Ang x 

House of Cards August Challenge. . . . . . . . .Metallics

Good afternoon folks. Hope all is well with you and yours. 

Just to clarify Janice, it was John's idea to call you all Duckettes, not making the decorations lol!!! In fact, he mentioned pinching the decoration idea hahaha!!! Actually, a few of you mentioned about doing them yourselves and I am more than happy for you to run with any inspiration. . . . . . hey, I don't have that many good ideas so grab em while you can lol!!!

Today is the start of another month so, as well as being the lovely Nesta's birthday (cue fanfair. . . . . ) its time for another challenge at House of Cards and this months' subject matter is. . . . . . . Metallics!!!

So, lets see you all join in and have a go. Would be great to see some of you talented guys and gals enter.

Metallics put me in mind of Christmas (I know its only August lol!!!) so that was the route I went.

This is where the gilded gold funky foam decoration from my last post (here) ended up.

It started off like this. . . . . . . 

Sue's die cut out of funky foam 3 times, glued together and topped with card cut with the same die and gilded with gold flakes (Love this die!)

Ingredients

Cream card

Brown metallic card 

Brown funky foam

Brown card (Lidl)

Chariot of Fire gilding flakes (Indigo Blu)

Sue Wilson Snowflake Lattice embossing folder

Cosmic Shimmer Golden Pearl pearl PVA

Teeny gold bling (Mei Flower)

Larger bling - these were clear, so to make them brown, I coloured with gold Krylon pen then quickly dusted with brown mica whilst the gold ink was still wet. Leave to dry and you're good to go. 

This hopefully shows you the depth of the piece, yet it comes in just under the 5mm posting depth (guess it would depend on the thickness of the funky foam you have). Hopefully you can pick up the metallic nature of the brown card too.

Enjoying my time off although the weather wasn't great at first. No doubt there will be a blistering heatwave just as I go back into work.

Anyone going to the GBCF at Stoneleigh next weekend? I'm going on the Sunday and meeting up with the lovely Mrs H so if anyone else is going and fancies a cuppa at lunchtime, the more the merrier.

Anyhoo, this won't get the lady a baby as my lovely Mum used to say (don't know if its some weird Malaysian saying that's got lost in translation lol!!!)

So, get yourselves over to House of Cards and have fun with some metallics!

Happy Saturday all!

TTFN

Ang x

House of Cards July Challenge . . . . . . . . . . .Photo Inspiration

Good morning blogging pals. Hope everyone's tickety is very boo!

Welcome to Anne who has joined our happy band. I met Anne and Jan from Northampton last Thursday at John's workshop. Lovely ladies and definitely see you again tomorrow Anne, if you're on Sue's first session. Sorry Jan can't make it.

No more puddles found since Sunday, thankfully. Still, it could have been a lot worse (I'd rather find a puddle than a pile. . . . . . . .isn't that a Simon and Garfunkle song?)

Now, today its time for July's challenge at House of Cards. Fortunately, Mynn is happy for me to have another term on the team and this months challenge is a photo inspiration. . . . . . .

Food and/or colour

So please pop over and check out what the rest of the gals have done and join in the fun.

I remembered that I had some fruity paper (steady chaps!) that I was going to use for a MAWTT challenge but didn't as I had hurt my wrist (just before I was poxed. . . . . . .and yes, still using BB cream so I think my career move into modelling is over)

Anyhoo, I decided to use it here and try and use some of the colours too.

Ingredients

White card

Mint green card (Lidl)

First Edition Family Ties 12x12 pad (for the cherry papers)

Sissixs Square dies

John Lockwood's Cherry Blossom Elements stamps (had to be with the cherry paper)

Hobbycraft corner punch

Wendy's (Spanish Crafter) pretty pins

CE dazzler 

CE double sided ribbon

Memento Dewdrop Rhubarb Stalk ink

Antique linen DI

Pearls

I'm sure this will be a Marmite card but when ya gotta roll with a theme, you just gotta roll.

Karen, there is a shop on site at CE Towers so its temptation on a stick when I go to help John. If you're there for a workshop, you get 10% off on the day.

Hope you can join it over at House of Cards.

Have a great day.

TTFN

Ang x

House of Cards Blog Hop. . . . . . . . . .

Good afternoon dear blogging chums. Hope this finds you well.

I am feeling better. The itching has subsided and I should be back at work tomorrow or Wednesday as the infectious stage is over. Will be behind the scenes for a few days as my face is very badly marked and its impossible to effectively Touche Eclat a scab (Yes, I have tried lol!!!)

I don't feel on top form but I would rather be making myself useful at work than vegetating here. Sorry I haven't been giving more updates but didn't want to overdose you on spots as that would be enough to make you all start itching lol!

I would like to thank you again for all for your kind comments and advice, every one appreciated and to those lovely girlies who have cheered me behind the scenes with cards and  kind words, you have been an absolute tonic (no crafty pun intended lol!!!) and I'm truly grateful.

The birthday last Thurs was different but compared to what some poor souls in this world are going through, I have no real reason to moan. I shall do as some of you suggested. . . . .if its good enough for Her Maj, a second birthday will do for me, as long as I don't have to add yet another year on lol!

Now, its time for our blog hop at House of Cards to celebrate the end of our third term and we have some fantastic sponsors so I hope you can all join in the fun.

Ingredients

White card

Eclectic Anthology Berry Delicious paper from our sponsors

SB Reflective Moment die

John Lockwood Cherry Blossom Elements stamps

Stampin Up Morning Meadow "Happy Birthday"

Docrafts "Sister"

Fuchsia satin ribbon

Comic Shimmer Pastel Rose PVA Pearls

Memento Rose Bud and Pear Tart inks

Antique Linen THDI

Black Archival ink

Green heart bling

I chose to use the Eclectic Anthology paper for my DT card as I thought they were stunning. I love my First Edition pads but these are fabulous too.

Apologies for any blips but some of the fingers were still a bit sore when I was putting this together (a combination of the spots on finger tips and swollen joints that have been a complication)

I hope you can all go a hopping and see what the other gals have come up with and hopefully, win a prize.

Here are the hopping details,

 the photo inspiration, the list of our brilliant sponsors 

with their kindly donated prizes and the list of us DT members and the hopping order . . . . . 

We are saying a fond farewell to some of our DT members and feel so grateful to those staying on.  To say goodbye and thank you, we're celebrating with a blog hop!  You should have arrived here from Monika.  This hop will run FROM June 1ST AT 6:00 AM CST THROUGH June 15TH AT NOON CST,  ANY CARD STYLE is welcome and we've got a gorgeous photo inspiration for your crafting enjoyment! 

Here's our photo inspiration~

So, are you ready to get hopping?!  Yep, it's time, but first we've got some fabulous sponsors to share with you!  Make sure you leave a comment at each person's blog along the way because the prizes are hidden and we'll be doing random drawings from the blogs where they are hiding! :)  After you're done, make a creation to share with us here, too, for another chance to win!

Here are all of our fabulous sponsors.

Our team will be using a variety of products

from these amazing companies!

Deedee's Digis
Prize: Gift Card to the online store.

Eclectic Anthology
Prize: $50 gift voucher to the shop.

Great Impressions
Prize: Prize Package

Here are the stamps you could win!

(Three total--flower, leaf, and sentiment)

Inspired By Stamping

Prize: Gift Card to Store

Stitchy Bear
Prize: $10 gift voucher to the shop.

And now, here's your hop order~

 House of Cards Challenge Blog

Mynn
Sue

Barbara

Cohenna

Cornelia

Daen'Ys

Dana

Donna N.

Donna T.

Emily

Gracie

Judy

Katy

Lilian

Linda

Merethe

Michele
Monika

Mrs Duck

Pat

Rocky

Ruza

Tammy

Toni

Now get to hoppin'!  Your next stop is Pat !  Don't forget to link up a project with us after completing the hop for an extra chance to win a mystery prize from one of our fabulous sponsors, too!  HUGS and happy stamping to you all! :)

So, go for it folks and best of luck to everyone.

Happy hopping!!!

TTFN

Ang x

House of Cards May Challenge. . . . . . . Bokeh!!!

Good morning everyone, me again, just as you thought it was safe to come down for a paddle.

Thank you for the comments on my funky frame. Its the closest I get to mixed media lol!!!

Today is the start of another challenge at House of Cards and this month its BOKEH.

I hope that you will pop over and have a look at my team mates creations and it would be great if you have a go as this was good fun to do.

Now, I don't know what bokeh actually means. For all I know, I could be saying something very rude in Turkish. . . . . . Patricia will advise if that's the case as she is our resident expert on Turkish swear words (and a few Scottish ones no doubt lol!!!). 

The general technique seems to involve a sort of faded blurry blobby blending of inks (very technical me!) and originally came from a photographic effect. 

I was a bit daunted by it at first but when I got going, I absolutely loved doing it. Its a bit messy but such good fun (yes Pamellia, I had fun getting messy, whooda thought lol!!!). 

I did mine with a stencil I made from die cutting circles from acetate but there are different tutorials on line.

I'm happy to do some simple destructions if anyone is interested.

Ingredients  

White card

Purple card

Peacock Feathers DI

Dusty Concord DI

Mustard Seed DI

Dovecraft white pigment ink

Inkylicious sentiment stamp

Black Archival ink

Acetate

X Cut Circle dies

So give it a go folks. . . . . . . . . lets all do the Okey Bokeh!!!  (sorry, had to shoehorn that joke in somewhere but no knees bent or arm stretched rarara-ing as I'll probably pull a muscle lol!!!)

There was no brekkie with Nesta yesterday as my alarm (ie a phone call from Mr D) did not materialise and I was an hour late waking up.

When I rolled over and saw the time, I attempted, in my half asleep state of shock, to leap from the bed in my usual gazelle like manner but one of my feet was wrapped in the duvet and I twisted my ankle and nearly collided head first with the window!!!

So, I sounded like a semi comatose gibbering idiot on the phone to Nesta (no change there, I hear you cry) who luckily, was just about to set off to the cafe.

We are going to an NGS open gardens event on Monday so have decided to have brekkie before that instead (and Mr D has kindly offered to pay after his oversight. . . . . yes, he did pay with his ears too when I rang him after Nesta lol!!!)

Well orf to the shop for 1pm (later start on Fridays) so enjoy the rest of your day and have a good weekend.

Be good.

TTFN

Ang x