Sketch Saturday #92 (DT card): Wonder Woman & Batman!

Hello everyone!

This week over at Sketch Saturday we have another great sketch by the very talented Jo (thanks hun!).  We are being sponsored by The Craft Barn, who have just been voted "BEST INDEPENDENT RETAILER - SOUTH OF ENGLAND" at the recent Craft Awards! Congrats to Sandy, Ian and the rest of the team!!!  (Sorry I'm a day late with my card - as hard as I tried I could not get my piccies to upload on Friday or yesterday as our internet connection kept dropping every time I starting uploading... grrrrr! - it seems to have settled today though - yay!).

As soon as I saw this sketch I just knew it would be perfect for my TGF 'Amazing Duo' stamps (which I coloured and cut out as soon as they arrived after buying them from the lovely Elaine at Quixotic Paperie!).  I turned Jo's fab sketch 90 degress to the right to accommodate 'Wonder Woman' and 'Batman'!!

 

 

I did the tiniest bit of altering to turn the female superhero into 'Wonder Woman' - all I did was add a line under her bustline so that I could colour her top red and gold, and then added a line on her wrists so that she had her gold cuffs:

I always pick my papers and then colour my images to match.  But as I had already coloured these superheroes BEFORE choosing any paper, I then took ages pondering what would match best!  In the end I went with October Afternoon papers from 3 different lines.  I only have one star punch, and when I'd adhered the 2 black stars to the card it just didn't look 'finished'...and then I had a "a-ha!" moment and remembered buying a small packet of puffy fabric gold and silver stars about a year ago! After much hunting, I eventually found them, and decided upon adding the silver ones on top of the black punched out stars.

This stamp set comes with 6 sentiment stamps.  I stamped the "Pow!" and "Bam!" in yellow ink onto white card, drew around the letters with a black fineliner and then cut them out leaving a small white border.

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

1. Polllycraft Monday Challenge ... #34 Double-Up: They want you to use 2 separate images, and the prize for this challenge is a full set of Lilybean Fairies *drool*!
2. Daring Cardmakers ... Here comes the sun : They want to see cards full of reds and oranges and yellows - or with lots of circles on them - or rays - anything that says sunshine!  So I hope that my red, yellow and lots and lots of circles and dots count! :o)


Well, I suppose that's it from me for another day, LOL!

Be sure to pop back on Wednesday, as Your Next Stamp are having another Blog Hop - just in time for Mother's Day and Easter *wink wink*.

Thanks for dropping by and have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Ingredients
STAMP: The Greeting Farm - Amazing Duo
COLOURING MEDIA: Copic Ciaos
PAPER: October Afternoon - 'Farm Fresh: Farm House (B)', 'Cherry Hill: Sunday Dishes (B)', 'Night Light: Jack (A)'
CARDSTOCK: Core'dinations 12x12 ColorCore 'Nightfall'
TOOLS: Paper trimmer, Scissors, PVA glue, 3D foam pads, Woodware inverted corner rounder punch, Woodware 1" star punch, 4mm flat back gems

Look what I received today....

I was completely gobsmacked when these arrived this afternoon from Interflora:

They are now sat in pride of place in the middle of our living room windowsill:

Thank you so, so, so, so, so very much Shelia!!!  Words cannot express how I feel.....

Hugs,

Sketch Saturday #91 (DT card): Whimsy Owl

Happy Whimsical Wednesday!

Today I'd like to share with you my DT card for last weekend's Sketch Saturday Challenge #91.  So sorry I'm so late with posting my card, but I'm still suffering big time with my teeth (I even ended up at the dentist on Monday morning and received emergency treatment - ouch!).

Anyway, enough about my blooming teeth!!  We have another fab sketch from the wonderful Jo, and this week we are being sponsored by Stamp & Create :

It's my dad's 65th birthday on Friday, and whenever I make male cards, I always reach for my wonderful Whimsy animal stamps.  For this card I chose my Whimsy Owl stamp, as I felt it fitted the sketch perfectly!  I also took a break from my Copics and used my Whispers pens to colour this fab image.

I'm really sorry if the colours look weird!  We had a power outage last week (the PC was on at the time), and every since then there is a pink hue to the screen.  I've fiddled around with all the colour settings, but I can't get it to disappear properly. So.... I don't know if what I see on my screen is what you see on your screen!!  The colour of the cards are burnt orange, chocolate brown and cream.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenge:

1. Cute Card Thursday ... Challenge 100 - Metal Mania : CCT want to see cards/projects that feature something metal on them - I've used metal cream-painted brads and metal jewellry spacers to embellish my flowers!

I'm also posting this card over at the Whimsy Inspirations Blog.  Be sure to hop on over there to check out my fab Whimsy DT sistahs' gorgeous work, plus enter our 'Spread the Word' candy draw (open until 28th Feb).

Thanks for popping by and have a fabulous, Whimsical Wednesday!!

Hugs,

Ingredients
STAMP: Whimsy Owl
COLOURING MEDIA: Whispers Dual Tip Brush Pens
PAPER: Basic Grey 'Mellow' 6x6 paper pad
CARDSTOCK: Core'dinations 12x12 ColorCore 'French Roast' CC040
EMBELLISHMENTS: Prima flowers, Flat-back pearls, Brown satin ribbon, Versamagic Dew Drops 'Pumpkin Spcie (GD-61) and Juimbo Java (GD-52), Papermania brads. Silver bead spacers (from Ebay).
TOOLS: Paper trimmer, Scissors, PVA glue, 3D foam pads, Woodware corner rounder punch, Woodware Daisy punch

Sunday Sketch & Stamp #22: Wild Sprout Reeta

Hello!

Today over at Sunday Sketch & Stamp it's my turn to set the sketch, and we are being sponsored by Crafty Ribbons:

For my card I used my uninked (gosh, I'm so naughty, but I have promised to use all my uninked stamps this year!) TGF Wild Sprouts Reeta stamp.  As soon as I pulled her out of her packet, I knew I had some perfect OA paper to match her checkered skirt!

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

1. Anyone for Anya? ... Something Completely Different : This week AFA would like us to do something out of the ordinary, something we don't usually do or use. For example, we could use a new image or paper, or use a card fold or a technique we don't normally use. I've never used my Reeta stamp, OA papers and Bazzill cardstock before, so I hope this counts?
2. The Pink Elephant Challenge #54 ... Ribbon : Simply to use ribbon, which I have done! :o)
3. Papertake Weekly ... Check This Out : They want to see some gingham or checks included in your work, and both my stamp and my DP has a checked pattern!
4. ABC Challenge ... O is for One Paper : I have used just one paper (and one side of it too!).

Thank you so much for popping by, and thank you so everyone who have left me such caring messages - I don't mind admitting that you brought tears to my eyes!! Sorry I'm being such a bad blogger at the moment, but I promise that when all these dental problems get fixed for good, I'll make it up to you all!!

Big hugs,

Ingredients
STAMP: The Greeting Farm Wild Sprouts 'Reeta' (sentiment is Simon Says Stamp)
COLOURING MEDIA: Copic Ciaos (E51 E55 E00 E02 R20 YR00 YR02 R59 R29 R27 R32) and ProMarker 'Rose'
PAPER: October Afternoon 'Detour's 12x12 - Garden Path #PP019
CARD: Bazzill
EMBELLISHMENTS: Crystal Stickers 3mm Lt Pink Pearls #2504, Organza ribbon, 4mm Raspberry pearls
TOOLS: Paper trimmer, Scissors, PVA glue, 3D foam pads, Bow Easy

Update on my dental problems....

Hi everyone!

Rather than send around individual messages, I thought it was easier to post a quick message on here to update you all on my situation regarding my ongoing dental problems.

Since October I've had 2 root canals (one of which failed and was redone 5 weeks ago, and is now failing again!), one failed tooth extraction (which after waiting weeks in agony, was finally successfully extracted by another dentist just before Christmas), 1 botched filling, 2 successful fillings, 6 courses of antibiotics.

Unfortunately, I now have a new problem with a different tooth - my lower-left 2nd molar. I have been in agony since Wednesday morning. The pain is so bad that it is referring down my neck and up into my ear!  I went to my dentist this morning, who x-rayed the tooth and told me I have pulpal damage - this means another root canal or extraction. :o(

To look at my teeth, you wouldn't know I had any problems, although to read about them, it certainly sounds like I don't take care of my teeth!  My 'problem' has been the dentist I was with up until just before Christmas - someone who always told me I didn't have any problems during my check-ups! - combined with a problem I have with my jaw, bite and size of my teeth.  I have a very skilled new dentist now, and hopefully I will have a fab new mouth by the end of it all, but unfortunately, the end is not nigh ... well, not very close anyway! LOL!

If I had a spare £30k or so, I'd have them all ripped out and replaced with a full set of implants, but as I don't even have enough cash for one tooth (and Dr Dorfman isn't a close personal friend, LOL!), I'll have to settle for what I'm given and cross my fingers that once all my treatment is over, that'll be the end of it for a very long time!

This is not a moan, but an update to let all my DT bosses and teamies know of my situation.  Also, to let all of my wonderful crafty friends and followers know, so that you can forgive me for being absent and not visiting and commenting as I used to.  I'm really, really, really sorry!  I WILL continute to craft, as I refuse to let this beat me completely, but if I'm intermittently absent or late with a post, you'll know why.

Hugs,

Whimsy Stamps New Release Day: Magical Mythical Tour

Hello everyone, and welcome to the Whimsy Stamps 'Magical Mythical Tour' BLOG HOP! The DT have some wonderful new Whimsy stamps to show to you today from the new Whimsy Mythical Collection.  These new stamps are available to buy from today in the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites!

If you'd like to participate in the hop, then you're in the right place, as my blog is the very first stop on the hop!

The hop starts today (Wednesday 17th February at 12noon EST) and ends on Friday 19th February at midnight EST (that's 5.00am on 20/01/10 for us Brits!).

As always here at Whimsy, we have a fab grand prize for you to win at the END OF THE HOP! One winner will be randomly chosen from the Whimsy site Mr Linky entries to receive the complete new release set of stamps (total of 4 image stamps and 3 sentiment sets) and an assortment of flowers and charms. The winner will be announced on Saturday some time.

We also have an additional prize chance over at our new Whimsy Inspirations Blog. This candy chance will be open from today until Sunday 28th February at noon EST.  All the details of how to enter are posted on the Whimsy Inspirations Blog so be sure to pop over there after you've finished the hop!

For my blog hop/new release card I have used this wonderful stamp called 'Splashy Sabrina':

Whenever I make cards using mermaid images, the blue/green/purple colour combo always cries out to me, and so the Basic Grey 'Euphoria' paper pad was perfect for this card!  I spent ages fiddling around with different layouts, extra DP, flowers, gems, swirls, glitter etc. etc. but in the end I felt the card looked best fairly clean and simple!  I just added a punched border, a few lilac and green pearls, and used my fab Bow Easy to tie the bow!

Sorry for the 'grey' photos.  When I photographed this card, it was dull and overcast.  I've done my best to lighten it with my free photo-editing software, but the colours are not as gorgeous as in real life!  You just can't beat the sunshine!! Roll on Summer!

So now it's time for you to continue along the Magical Mythical Tour to the wonderful Ann's blog ... but of course I'd love it if you left a comment first!! ;o)

Thanks so much for hopping along with us today!

Hugs,


Ingredients
STAMP: Whimsy Splashy Sabrina
COLOURING MEDIA: Copic Ciaos
PAPER: Basic Grey 'Euphoria' 6x6 paper pad
CARD: Core'dinations 12x12 ColorCore - GG010 Grassroots & LL040 Harlequinn
EMBELLISHMENTS: 6 Green 4mm halfback pearls, 4 Lilac 4mm halfback pearls, Green grosgrain ribbon, Versamagic Dew Drops - GD54 Perfect Plumeria & GD37 Sea Breeze
TOOLS: Paper Trimmer, Scissors, PVA glue, 3D foam pads, Bow Easy, MS Scallop Dot border punch

YNS Challenge 10 meets Sketch Saturday 90 (DT cards)

Hello everyone!

Today we have a brand new challenge for you over at Your Next Stamp Challenges! It's YNS Starlet Angela's turn to set the challenge this fortnight, and she has chosen the theme of 'Spring Colours'.

For my challenge card, I decided to use my Dancing Princess stamp and MME papers, as they matched perfectly with the flower design on her underskirt!

Sorry this is short, but we are having terrible trouble with our internet connection at the moment - it keeps dropping every 5 secs - eek!  So I'm keeping the chat to a minimum, and hoping this will actually publish, LOL!  Also, our PC screen has now suddenly developed a pinkish tint, so I have no idea whether what I see is what you see - apologies if the colours of my card are weird!!

This is also my Sketch Saturday DT card for this week's challenge (#90).  Simon Says Stamp is sponsoring us and one lucky winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to spend in their fab store!  I know I'm a few days late, but we've had a very ill household since Friday, and with a sick hubby and daughter to look after, my crafting time has had to take a back seat!  Here's this week's GREAT Sketch Saturday sketch:

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

1. PaperPlay ... Week 6 Birthday for Someone Special : This card was made especially for one of our daughter's very good friends.  She doesn't go to school with her, but she has been friends since they were very young, so it is definitely a birthday card for someone special!
2. Allsorts ... Week 39 A Recipe with a Difference : Allsorts want to see you use a recipe of 3-2-1, but you can decided which elements!  I've used: 3 flowers, 2 patterned papers, and 1 image, so I hope this counts!
3. Crafty Angels ... Week 22 Fantastic Flowers : Caz has set the challenge to use flowers, and I definitely have plenty on the DP, image and actual flowers!

Thanks for popping by, and be sure to pop back later today (5pm GMT) when I'll have my Whimsy New Release Blog Hop card to show you!

Hugs,

YNS New Stamps Release Day!

Good morning everyone!

Today is an exciting day for Your Next Stamp as we are releasing some scrummy new stamps - 4 new fun Franfrou Animal stamps and a new range of Fhiona's 'Pets & Treats!

Instead of holding a blog hop for this new release, Karen is running a little contest on her blog.  So make sure you hop on over to http://yournextstamp.blogspot.com/ to be in with the chance to win $20 in YNS stamp bucks!

For my new release creations, I have made 2 cards using 2 of the Franfrou Animal images.  For my first card, I used this cute Henrietta the Hippo stamp. I know Hippos are grey, but I really wanted to make a zingy springy card, and so Henrietta became a pink hippo on her way to the beach for a day of sunbathing, paddling and fun! I've had this (unused ... *blush*!) Doodlebug 'Tutti Frutti' 12x12 paper for ages, and when I was rifling through my papers, the colours immediately jumped out at me! I spent ages unsuccessfully trying to find a 2nd contrasting paper to use, but then I happened across this fab really wide lime polka dot ribbon in my scrap bucket - perfect!!

For my second card, I used this fun Vacation Don stamp and took my colour palette from the fab Teresa Collins 'Boardwalk' range of papers:

Happily, this was one of those cards that evolved on its own (love it when that happens), so not much 'pondering time' required, LOL! I added the black and white pearls to echo the 'ying yang' symbol on the surfboard of the DP, plus coloured my bear's surfboard yellow/blue to match one of the other surfboards of the DP.  I found some great black ribbon in my scraps bucket that has a flower motif 'embossed' onto it, which you can just about see in this pic:

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

1. ABC Challenge ... N is for New : I've used my brand new release stamp!
2. Sweet Sketch Wednesday ... Sweet Sketch #36 : I followed this great sketch (minus the sentiment) for my Hippo card!
3. Our Creative Corner ... Something Old that's NEW : They'd like us to use something that we purchased ages ago but never got around to using - I bought the Doodlebug DP (used on my Hippo card) when it was first released and never used it before now!
4. Pile it On ... Challenge #6 Let us see Flowers : I've added hand-punched flowers to my Hippo card (not to mention my flowery DP!).

Be sure to check out all the other YNS Starlets blogs today (links are in my sidebar ---->), as we are all showcasing different stamps from the new release, and I can promise you won't be disappointed!

Have a great day everyone!

Ooh, and Karen is giving away a FREE Stamp or Stamp Set of your choice with all orders of $60 or more!! So hurry along to the YOUR NEXT STAMP online store because this offer ends at midnight (EST) on 17th February!

I'll be back on Wednesday with my Whimsy Stamps new release blog hop creation, plus a new YNS Challenge!  Phew, it's all go this week, LOL!

Hugs,

Sketch Saturday #89: Hope & Grace - Snuggle

Hey everyone!

Today over at Sketch Saturday it's the wonderful Ria's turn to set the sketch, and this week we are being sponsored by a New Canadian Scrapbook Manufacturer called KIKI ART:

I have used my brand new TGF HG Sunggle stamp and my brand new Bow-Easy bow tying template that were both bought from Elaine at Quixotic Paperie!  I've wanted this stamp for as long as I can remember, and I am so glad that I've finally got it.  She so reminds me of our dd, who is soft-toy MAD, and will not sleep without cuddling at least five, LOL!!!

And you do NOT want to be without the fab Bow-Easy, as it helps you tie PERFECT bows!!

Do pop along to Sketch Saturday and have a look at my wonderful team-mates' fabulous cards - you won't be disappointed!

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

1. Sweet Stamping Challenge ... #12 Floral Frenzy: My DP is flowery, plus I've popped a few flowers on to embellish (the Sweet Stampin Challenge blinkie and link are in my Fave Challenges page).
2. Pile It On ... Challenge #4 Enough of Winter Colours: Pile it on want to see no winter colours this week, so I hope my springy, summery card fits the bill!
3. ABC Challenge ... N is for New: ABC want to see you use some of your new stash - I've used my brand new stamp and Bow-Easy!
4. Simon Says Challenge ... Photo Inspiration: Simon Says has a photo of a pink rose for inspiration this week, so I used this to choose my gorgeous MME DP which has pink rose-type flowers on it!
5. Cute Card Thursday ... Challenge 98 Spots & Dots: I've used spotty DP!

Have a great weekend, and thanks for popping by!

Hugs,

Ingredients
STAMP: The Greeting Farm - Hope & Grace 'Snuggle'
COLOURING MEDIA: Copic Ciaos (Hair-Y00 Y02 YR20 E21; Skin-E00 E02 R20; Dress-RV29 RV23 RV21; Bunny-G00 BG23 BG15; Socks-YR02 Y00 Y02)
PAPER: MME 12x12 double-sided Pretty Please 'Cheery Flowers' #PP1003
CARDSTOCK: Core'dinations 12x12 ColorCore 'Heartfelt' BR030
EMBELLISHMENTS: Prima flowers, Flat-back pearls, Pink organza ribbon, Versamagic Dew Drop 'Persimmon' GD-33
TOOLS: Paper trimmer, Scissors, PVA glue, 3D foam pads, MS Scallop Dot border punch, MS butterfly punch, Woodware corner rounder punch, Woodware butterfly punch, Bow-Easy bow tying template

YNS Challenge 9: Use a Charm!

Hello everyone!

Today we have a brand new challenge for you over at Your Next Stamp Challenges! It's YNS Starlet Maureen's turn to set the challenge this fortnight, and she has chosen the theme of 'Use a Charm'.

I'd also like to say a big welcome to our February Guest Starlet, Suzie. She has made a beautiful card for today's challenge - thank you Suzie, we're so happy to have you!

For my challenge card, I decided to use my 'Prince Charming' stamp (the set also comes with 2 sentiments - I've used one on my card - and 2 accessory stamps):

I decided to try something new with this card - using white card instead of a 2nd coloured card as a 'border'.  I've seen this done many times around blogland, and really love the clean, simple look that it gives, but I don't think I've been particularly successful, LOL! I think I need to stick with 'my style'! :o)

Also, for the very first time I used cardstock as the background DP, embossing it with my Swiss Dots CB folder.  Again, I'm not sure it's 'me'! ;o)

I have a rather embarassingly small supply of charms (a bag of hearts, a bag of strawberries, and a few random charms my blogging buddies have been kind enough to send me), so I've just rectified that situation by ordering a few different charms from Elaine at Quixotic Paperie!  (And of course a few TGF stamps just had to fall into my basket, LOL!).

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

1. The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge Blog ... SSS41 : I've followed their fab sketch!
2. BasicGrey Challenges ... Week 12 Animals : My blue DP is called 'Sencha' and is from the BG Marrakech 6x6 paper pad.
3. Cupcake Craft Challenge ... Challenge 74 Four legged & Furry : Okay, so horses aren't exactly 'furry' but they are four-legged animals, LOL!
4. Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge ... Challenge 68 Hearts : I have used my MS border heart border punch!

Have a great day!

Hugs,


Ingredients
STAMP: Your Next Stamp 'Prince Charming'
COLOURING MEDIA: Copic Ciaos (E00 E21 E33 E35 E37 B05 B00 100 C-7 C-5 C-3 C-1)
PAPER: Basic Grey 'Marrakech' 6x6 paper pad
CARDSTOCK: Core'dinations 12x12 Colourcore (BB020 and FB040); basic white card
EMBELLSHMENTS: 4mm and 5mm white pearls (coloured with Copics), white grosgrain ribbon, black satin ribbon, heart charm, Versamagic Dew Drop