Colour and Ink

Happy Birthday

2012-01-26T13:19:00.003Z

Supplies: Kissing Booth pp - Basic Grey, Canson rose cardstock,

Sentimental birds - Sweet Stamp shop, Frame it Sentiment - Waltzingmouse

Stamps, X-Cut corner punch L, Memento Ink - Tuxedo Black, Adirondack

Earthtones - Cranberry ink, border punch - Martha Stewart

and gems for stash.

When I saw this sheet of paper in the Kissing Booth 6x6 stack yesterday I knew I had to buy it. Love the colours!. Decided to crack it open along with my new stamps from Sweet Stamp Shop - Sentimental birds to make some Birthday Cards.

Challenges
Lily Pad Cards - Virginia's View Challenge (photo inspiration)

Charisma Cardz - Pretty in Pink

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Striped Paper

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for peeking - hope you have a great day.

Giveaway over at Purple Onion Designs

2012-01-25T13:17:00.001Z

Michele is having a giveaway on her blog - the deadline is Wednesday January 25th at 11pm PST. Quick... go check it out here. One comment per person - but more comments more goodies!! - spread the word.

Sorry I have not been posting on my blog - I have been busy with some stuff and trying to fit a quick swim into my mornings before the daily madness!

Don't worry - I will be back shortly. I have been crafting just haven't had time to post.

Ribbons Every Which Way

2012-01-19T09:00:00.016Z

Supplies: Papermania Ribbon, buttons from stash, SRM sentiment

sticker in white, machine stitching, Anita's kraft card blank.

Paperplay Challenges day and this week the challenge is "Ribbon every which way" and we are kindly sponsored by the Ribbon Girl.

I used ribbon scraps from the "same family" and stitched them directly to the kraft cardstock. Then I added buttons to the top so they look like flowers. I adhered the ribbon and hey presto - clean and simple (well... relatively!) card done.

I wanted to show you what you can do with some ribbon scraps - hope you have a few minutes to check out what my teamies made here.

Challenges

Divas by Design - New Beginnings and/or thanks

Card A Day - Thanks

Papertake Weekly - Buttons, Bows, Bling and Blooms

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a great day (and maybe some time to take part in our challenge this week).

Welcome Little One!

2012-01-18T11:51:00.002Z

Supplies: Noah's Ark digi - Jane's Doodles, pp - Nancie Rowe Janitz collection

Fancy Pants Designs, computer generated sentiment, copics, pop dots, Ocean

Tides ribbon and button - PTI, Spellbinders Labels One, machine stitching,

6x6 card blank - Anita's, embroidery floss and roller adhesive.

Friends of ours just added a beautiful baby boy to their family. We are so thrilled for them. Made this card to include in a package I am mailing today.

I used Jane's wonderful digi from Squigglefly called Noah's Ark to create this fun baby card. I rotated/ flipped the image horizontally to "make a change".

I coloured the image using copics to reflect the colours in the patterned paper. Adhered layers using pop dots after tearing and machine stitching!

I know that the boat hull looks bright in the photo - it isn't that vivid in real life!

I am entering this card into the Moxie Fab World - Cool Tools Week - Die Cutting Challenge (have you seen the fun challenges that Cath has going over on Moxie at the moment?).

Other Challenges

Squigglefly - Button it up

Whimsie Doodles - new event in life (BABY!)

Creative Craft Challenges - the colour blue

Cardabilities (sketch below)

Thanks so much for peeking - hope you have a wonderful Wednesday.

You're a wee dote!

2012-01-16T09:16:00.002Z

Supplies: TGF - Forest Friends rubber stamp, Sentiment - Frame it set

Waltzingmouse Stamps, copics, Memento black tuxedo ink,

Anita's A6 Card Blank, adhesive.

dote - shower with love; show excessive affection for; i.e. Grandmother dotes on the twins"

I love the term "dote" - it is a real term of endearment and is frequently used in Ireland. So when I saw that Claire Brennan of Waltzingmouse Stamps had included it in her "Frame It" set, I knew I had to have it!.

I teamed it up with this adorable critter from the Forest Friends set by The Greeting Farm. I fussy cut it out and then layered it on an A6 Card blank.

Challenges
The Squirrel and The Fox - Critters
Wags 'n Whiskers - White on White +one colour (grey)!
Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Goes
TGF Farm Fresh Challenge - Let's get Sentimental

Thanks for peeking - hope you had a great weekend.

I {heart} you!

2012-01-14T05:30:00.005Z

Supplies: Hearts on the Brain PDF by BacktoPaper.com, 4x4 card blank - Anita's,

copic, glossy accents.

Fun, quick {heart} card.

I found this fun Freebie PDF called "Hearts on the Brain" on Linda's blog called "Back to Paper". I printed the image directly onto a (mini card) 4x4 card blank and then spot coloured just the heart.

I added glossy accents and job done!

I entered this into the Wee Memories Mini Card Challenge.

Thanks for peeking - hope you are having a great day.

Edited to add (I got an honorable hoot!) woohoo

Make a wish!

2012-01-13T12:56:00.002Z

Supplies: OA Happy Day rubber stamp - The Greeting Farm, pp - Bubblegum

Hill Collection Kaisercraft, die cut element (tab) - Bubblegum Hill collection,

A6 card blank Anita's, copics YR000, E33, YR68, E18, E77, E57, RV69, Y38,

RV29, 0, YG91, BG23, Memento Black Tuxedo ink, pop dots, machine

stitching, sentiment - SRM sticker, and roller adhesive.

A fun, bright, cheery card for a dull, grey Friday the 13th!.

I had this Greeting Farm image - "Amelia" stamped, fussy cut out and sitting on my desk. I grabbed some copics last night and coloured her having made the card base for her to "sit" on. Hope you don't need sunglasses to view this one! LOL!

Challenges

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Spots/Stripes

Flutter by Wednesdays - Bright Colours (butterflies on pp)

Anything Goes - Anything goes at Anything goes
Stamp and Create - Anything Goes

Hope you have a wonderful Friday and upcoming weekend.

Get Well Soon!

2012-01-11T13:20:00.002Z

Supplies: Poorly Chester digi from Tales from Pollycraft, Freebie sentiment

from Marit (scrap-a-licious-times blog) , copics, machine stitching,

pp Kaisercraft - Class of 87 collection, dark blue textured cardstock -

Papermania, pop dots, roller adhesive - Tombow,

A quick card share today - my brother has been unwell and I created this card whilst thinking of him (it's not the card I am sending as I feel it is probably more appropriate for a younger person!). Not saying he's not young.... but he is my older brother! LOL!

The sentiment is by Marit and is a freebie and is the perfect match to Poorly Chester digi from Pollycraft.

Entering my card into this week's challenge on Simon Says Stamp - "spots and/or stripes".

Other Challenges

Paper Makeup Stamps - Get Well (must use digi)

Thanks so much for stopping by - hope you have a great day.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-05T09:00:00.012Z

Supplies: Penny Black - Stuck on you stamp set, computer generated sentiment -

font scrubble, copics, Spellbinders star dies, purple cows guillotine, pop dots, black memento ink

and two A6 white card blanks.

Happy New Year everyone - thank you so much for your visits/encouragement and support during 2011. Let's hope 2012 is fun of fun, laughs, friendships and some papercrafting thrown in for good measure!

It's Paperplay Challenge time again - and this week our theme is "Happy New Year" or as it is a new year we would like to see you create a project with the theme of NEW year/baby/job/house/etc

Use something new from your stash. Now's your chance to show us what Santa brought you :) . We are very kindly sponsored by Simon Say Stamp.

I created my card by printing the computer generated sentiment directly on to a card blank and a scrap card blank. I ran the second one through my Big Shot using a star die by Spellbinders. I also cut additional stars using some smaller dies. Lots of layers with pop dots to create dimension. I left the stars plain - was tempted to add some stickles... but decided against it in the end!

My little guys are still on school holidays - so my time at my computer is limited. I am keeping up to date using my phone but it's not the same for leaving comments! Normal routine will resume next week.

Challenges
Simon Says Stamp - New Something
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes with "new" as a theme
Color Throwdown - colors

Thanks so much for stopping by. Check out the other DT creations here.

Farewell to 2011

2011-12-31T12:43:00.000Z

Last Day of the Month

Last Day of the Year

Last Day of 2011

Looking forward to....

the First Day of 2012

Winter Walks in cold, crisp conditions

Winter stews

Completing my December Daily 2011

the remainder of the boys school holidays

Family Time together.

Thanks so much for stopping by today and indeed every other day. I really appreciate your visits/comments and encouragement.

Wishing you and yours a truly happy and blessed New Year

and continued health and happiness throughout 2012.

Gift Ideas - cookie mix in a jar

2011-12-23T09:26:00.000Z

I am always looking for fun Christmas gifts instead of the usual chocolates and tins of biscuits. Came across Cowgirl Cookies on Bakerella's site and knew I would have to go in search of jars and ingredients to make my own.

The photo above I took just after packing!.

Here are jars packed with M&M Peanut candies and smarties. Pink Smarties are available in most large supermarkets in tubes at this time of the year. Grab them while you can! I bought pink and white gingham and suede cord for wrapping around the tops but it is difficult on these type of jars as you are not working with a screw on lid!. Some of the ingredients shifted/moved on packing - but I think they still look great and are a fun/novel idea.

I picked up the Kilner Jars in Brennans Cook Shop. They are approx a quart, 2 pints/1litre jars.

Full instructions are available on Bakerella as to how to pack/cooking temps etc. I cooked two batches to test! I have a fan oven so put them in at 170C (instead of 350F).

Yum, yum!! Thanks so much for stopping by.

Shortest Day of the Year! - Christmas baubles and subway art

2011-12-22T09:30:00.008Z

My stars were made using sheets of A4 plain paper printed with music (or you could stamp with background music) then I inked with tea dye using my blending tool.

Last year I saw adorable paper stars on Purple Onion Designs (made by Michele) created to look just like the Pottery Barn Paper Music Star Vase fillers (below)

I made a stash in various sizes and never got around to posting about them.

This year I decided to change out my mantle arrangement and went away from the traditional (photo - 2009)

and used the wonderful subway art on Eighteen25 to create this mantle.

I filled my vases with gold and red baubles and used the stars to fill in the spaces. Would you like to know how to make them? Check out the easy step by step instructions here or here.

3 days and counting! Hope you have a wonderful day.

December Daily - Day 17

2011-12-21T13:02:00.002Z

My December Daily for 2011 is not as complete as I would like - I am doing a digital version!.

I wanted to share a photo from Day Seventeen - Santa arriving by water - delivered by the local RNLI.

We had such a fun day - lots of excitement.

My 2009 December Daily arrived on Day Six - I decided to convert it to digital and print it with My Publisher. Love the packaging - TA-DA! Got two books for the price of one. One for each of my boys.

Thanks for peeking. Hope you are having a great day.

Hello Monday

2011-12-19T16:34:00.001Z

Hello Monday!

Hello Christmas Week!

Hello to the list making, present wrapping, cookie making and school concerts.

Hello to the not "so-fun" stuff of groceries, cleaning, tidying and chores!

Hello to the running around for "last minute" stuff even when you are totally organised!

Hello to putting up the Nativity figures, lighting the Christmas candle and aroma of christmas cooking.

Hello to preparing for Santa's visit - so exciting!

Hello to time spent with family and friends- can't wait.

Crafting Ireland - issue 6

2011-12-15T20:28:00.000Z

Open publication - Free publishing - More 2012 calendar

Issue six of Crafting Ireland has just been released. I was thrilled when Nicole contacted me a while ago and asked if I would like to be featured in the publication - see page 66!.

Of course I said "yes" - thanks to the Crafting Ireland Team - check out their blog here.

Enjoy the issue - I hope your week is going well. I am working my way through my to do list!

Looking for cute December Subway art? Check out Eighteen25 - I got this printed at my local photo developers today and have it on my mantle. Will post a photo!

Thanks for stopping by.

Christmas stocking stuffers and gift ideas

2011-12-11T12:45:00.000Z

I just have to share some of the wonderful things I have found around blogland.

First up are these wonderful crayons (above) made by Amber on Sew Totally Smitten. You can find out how to make them right here. She is using them as stocking stuffers.

Another fave is the Five Finger Snowman Ornament by Full of Great Ideas.

This is so fun and so easy - going to make them today with my two little fellas.

Frozen reindeer treats - aren't these amazing?

Step by step instructions are available over on howdoesshe?

Finally - check out Bakerella

Cowgirl Cookies anyone?

Step by step instructions together with packing instructions can be found here.

Hope some of these tickle your fancy! Hope you have a blessed Sunday. Thanks for stopping by.

Paperplay - Snowman using freebie digis

2011-12-08T09:00:00.035Z

Supplies: Cosmo Cricket - Jolly by Golly pp 6x6 Mini Deck, Sentiment by Aga,

Snowman digi - Torico's Digital Gallery, Gems - Hero Arts (coloured with copic),

Diamond stickles - Ranger, copics, machine stitching, red cardstock for

matting and layering, Anita's white card blank and adhesive - tombow.

Paperplay - yeah... snowmen... yeah! .... want a little row of Snowmen?

I love how they are all lined up in a row.

This is a quick and easy, clean and simple card. I used two freebie digis to make it - firstly the little snowman is by Torico and is available here. If you are going over to nab it! be sure to say I sent you over and say "thanks!".

The second digi is the sentiment which was designed by Aga and is available here - again remember to let her know you love it!

I kept the colouring quite simple and added my favourite embellishment at this time of the year - Diamond Stickles!.

Just have to enter this into this week's Tuesday Trigger on Moxie Fab World

Other Challenges

Creative Card Crew - Tis the season
Creative Craft Challenges - Faux or real stitching
Top Tip Tuesday - Let it snow
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Christmas photo montage inspiration

Thanks so much for peeking - hope you have a wonderful week.

Cheerful Happy Birthday to Virginia

2011-12-07T12:40:00.001Z

Supplies - Cosmo Cricket pp - Social Club 6x6, Crate Paper

farmhouse chipboard, A6 Card blank - Anita's, SRM sentiment sticker.

Happy Birthday to Virginia Lu - she is due to celebrate a birthday v.v. shortly and is having a party celebration right here. This card is a nod to her wonderful creations using SRM Stickers (she has been on the SRM DT for 2011). Love what Virginia creates and she is a super nice gal too. Hugs to you on your birthday Virginia.

This is a real clean and simple card - I teamed a chipboard shape by Crate Paper with some Cosmo Cricket pp and got a fun graphic card. Sentiment is a sticker by SRM Stickers.

Thanks for peeking. Hope you are having a good day.

Playing with felt - a very pink post!

2011-12-03T20:13:00.000Z

I got a packet of raspberry fizz felt from Papertrey Ink during the Summer and it has sat on my shelf like a forbidden fruit - I dare not touch it.

Last week I was doing a card demonstration in UCC and decided I would add some colour (non festive) to proceedings and ran a piece of the pink felt through my Big Shot with Rose Creations dies by Spellbinders. I then added two Papertrey Ink buttons stacked on top of each other and loved the result.

I am thinking that these adorable flower could go on a hair clip or hair band to adorn a little cutie's head or on a brooch clip. I haven't decided what it is going to be when it grows up yet! LOL!

Then, since I had cut into it... I got very brave and cut two stars using my Spellbinders largest star die and a piece of leftover canvas fabric. Firstly I stitched the canvas to one layer of felt and then blanket stitched the two together, stuffed with filling as I stitched and produced this fun, girly, very pink ornament!.

I added two raspberry fizz buttons for the finishing touch along with a hanging loop.

Thanks for peeking, I hope this encourages you to look at your supplies in a new way - go have fun!

The Second

2011-12-02T12:16:00.001Z

I promise I am not doing my December Daily via my blog!

This morning there was a "pep" in the boys steps on the way into school.

Why? Because I had just shared with them that tonight is the night that the The Late Late Toy Show is on tv.

This year's theme / set design for the show is Toy Story and the presenter is going to dress up as Woody! The Late Late Toy Show is an institution here in Ireland and guests tonight include Olly Murs and Jedward.

Spot the presenter? Here they are in rehearsals.

Now ... onto a creation.

Have you seen the Christmas tag challenge on Waltzingmouse Stamps? Well, I knew I had to play along. I made a 3D hanging tag that can then be used on a tree!

This started out life as a Cheerios box which I ran through my Big Shot with last year's Vintage Ornament dies by Spellbinders. I found that Cheerios / Nestle do the whitest cardboard in their cereal boxes.

Supplies: Vintage Ornaments - Waltzingmouse Stamps, Seasons of Love - WMS,

Spellbinders - Vintage Ornament dies, oval and heart dies, Memento Ink -

Bamboo Leaves, White gel pen, Tea Dye distress ink and blending tool,

gingham ribbon - Gisela Graham, mini bells - Paperchase,

adhesive and glossy accents.

I cut out first, then stamped then cut out the ovals, then distressed, glued and hey presto a tag for my hubby's gift this year. Below is a shot of the production line for distressing!

Thanks for peeking. Hope you have a great weekend.

The First!

2011-12-01T10:58:00.000Z

Ah, The First.

The 1st of December.

The First "real" day of the Festive Season.

The first Christmas song is played on the radio - 2fm by DJ Larry Gogan.

The day the boys open their 2011 Advent Calendars for the first time. Such excitement.

The First Day of December Daily 2011. * (this year I am doing a digital daily album)

Time to start thinking about doing Project Life for 2012.

First Day of Tim Holtz 12 tags of Christmas.

Time to get my Holiday Cards for the USA written and posted!

The First Day of a "To Do" list! and The First Day of Countdown!

* December Daily - Full details on Ali Edwards blog.

Season's Greetings

2011-11-30T07:00:00.007Z

Supplies: Seasons Greetings Collage Digi kit by Hero Arts, sentiment by Hero Arts,
copics, red cardstock, Anita's card blank, black tuxedo memento ink,
glossy accents and adhesive.

Quick card share today. Had fun with the Hero Arts digital kit - Seasons Greetings. I coloured with copics and added two layers of glossy accents to the berries to make them "pop". Cannot believe it is the last day of November?

Countdown starts tomorrow! I have taken an idea I read on Ali Edwards blog and wrapped up the boys favourite Christmas storybooks and other favourites (as I didn't have 25 Christmas ones!) and am going to have some "story" time each day. Most probably after dinner just before bedtime. The surprise is which book we end up reading as they are all packaged in the same Christmas paper.

Thanks for peeking. Happy Hump Day! and boy is it a hump in this house!

Christmas On Campus - UCC

2011-11-29T18:55:00.102Z

I was invited to give a card making demonstration in University College Cork for "Christmas on Campus" Week.

So today I got to meet a lovely group of ladies and share my love of card making with them. I focused on "Christmas" and made some cards and tags.

During the demonstration I was asked if I would do a list of supplies - so here it is!

A6 card blanks with downloaded sentiments - sentiments are available from PaperCrafts Connection. Click here for Christmas/Holiday free downloadable sentiments. Embellished with bakers twine, pearls, stickles - diamond, enamel accents, glossy accents and "fluffy" stuff - Woodware.
(no photos available as these cards were raffled! sorry ladies).

Supplies: My Minds Eye - Lost and Found Christmas 6x6 Paper Pad, MME Lost and Found die cut shape from sheet, A6 kraft card blank, cork, Tim Holtz scattered leaves die which was run through the Big Shot, Basic Grey button, embroidery floss, adhesive tape runner and foam dots.

Supplies: A6 White Card Blank, Cuttlebug Embossing folder - Holly Ribbons, Spellbinders Labels Fourteen dies, Sentiment - Waltzingmouse stamps - Seasons of Love, Barn Door distress ink (red), X-cut corner punch (large), Making Memories Christmas Blossoms - Poinsettia Cranberry and foam dots.

Supplies: MME - Lost and Found Christmas scraps of the patterned paper, Kraft tags by Papermania, SRM Sticker - {MERRY}, Spellbinders Rose Creations dies, Tea Dye distress ink and blending tool to ink the edges of the flower petals, Basic Grey button and foam dots. (sorry about the shine on the sticker - too dark to take the photos without the flash).

Supplies: Snowman Stamp - Hero Arts (handcut), Papermania kraft tag, sentiment - Waltzingmouse stamps, coloured with Promarkers, pearls used for the eyes (coloured with sharpie / permanent marker to make them black), Martha Stewart Snowflake punch, large pearl in the centre, adhesive and hand torn paper to create the snowdrifts.

Supplies: Foil gift cards with ribbon - Paperchase, Santa stamp and sentiment - Waltzingmouse Stamps - Santa's coming to town set, StazOn Black Ink, Stamp press, Crackle Accents - Ranger Industries and foam dots.

(Left to right above) - (1) Mini Decoration (pack of 10) Tesco, adhesive to adhere to foil gift card. (2) Christmas tree from Free Digital Stamps, coloured with copics and glossy accents on the heart. (3) supply list as above.

Supplies: Little Snowman digital image - Torico's Digital Gallery (freebie), Papermania kraft tags, Cosmo Cricket Patterned Paper (scraps), Spellbinders Oval dies and Scalloped Oval Dies, Stickles - Diamond, copic markers to colour, wood clothes peg covered in scrap of patterned paper, adhesive and scissors.

Other tools I used
Heat Gun
X-Cut Corner Punch (large)
Big Shot
Guillotine

I know I haven't posted everything I made today but most of the products double up on the cards - I hope these photos and lists are helpful.

I have provided links to some of the items that can be found in Cork Art Supplies/Cardz 'n' Scrapz but if you click here it will bring you directly to the online store and you can peruse at your leisure.

Inspirational Places I visit
Moxie Fab World
Paper Crafts Connection
Hero Arts Blog
Penny Black Blog
Tim Holtz
Jennifer McGuire

Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope your day was great too.

Monster Birthday

2011-11-28T13:26:00.000Z

Supplies - Spike digi from Pollycraft, BG Oliver pp, copics, black tuxedo

memento ink, Spellbinders oval dies, White card blank - Anita's, glossy accents,

Number Five stamp - Papermania and tombow runner adhesive.

You know that I am a big fan of Pollycraft - and love what Paula creates. Here is a fun monster "Spike" from her Critters range available here.

Made this card for a 5th Birthday. Stamped the "Five" on the reverse of the pp and cut it out and mounted it behind the card aperture which I cut using an oval die.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Happy Birthday

2011-11-26T07:00:00.003Z

Supplies: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Free Spirit Boy , PTI sentiment and guitar,
Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Kraft card blank - papermania, Quickutz
cookie cutter circle dies, black cardstock Canson, and
glossy accents - ranger industries.

It is all girl birthday's this weekend but I have a boy card to share!

Yeah - I know, it's just the way things work out.

My son needed a card for a 9 year old friend last week and I made this fun one - all stamps from Waltzingmouse and PTI.

Thanks for peeking - hope you have a wonderful weekend. Huge Birthday wishes to Bláithín, Karen and Anne (might even get a chance to share their birthday cards next week!).

Happy Thanksgiving - Being Thankful

2011-11-24T09:00:00.001Z

Supplies: PTI On the Couch, PTI Chocolate Brown carstock, Memento

Rich Cocoa ink, Staz On Fuchsia Pink, Canson Pink Cardstock, pop dots,

Fiskars threading water border punch, Purple cows guillotine,

scissors for fussy cutting and tombow adhesive.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone Stateside - I wish I was there to celebrate this great holiday with our friends. Sending hugs and holiday wishes to everyone.

This week's challenge on Paperplay is very apt - "Being Thankful". I made a card that really typifies what I am thankful for this week. It is a clean and simple card with dark chocolate brown and fuschia pink.

Be sure to check out what my teamies created right here. We are sponsored by Bunny Zoe Crafts this week.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day/weekend.

Happy First Birthday

2011-11-22T21:46:00.001Z

Supplies: Duck with cake Digi by Pollycraft, Computer generated

sentiment - Carrotflower font, copics, Ducks in a row pp -

October Afternoon, machine stitching,

glossy accents, pop dots and tombow adhesive.

You know I am a huge fan of Paula Lee over on Pollycraft Designs.

So when I had to make a first birthday card - I automatically reached for a fun digi - duck with cake (which I picked up as a freebie a while ago). Paula has a new freebie since yesterday - be sure to check it out. She also has huge mega deals going on right here.

I added a layer of glossy accents to the cupcake to create the shine of icing. Coloured the image with copics after fussy cutting it.

Thanks for peeking. Hope you have a great day.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Joy!

2011-11-15T12:18:00.001Z

Supplies: Vintage Ornaments and Basket Additions by

Waltzingmouse Stamps, Memento ink - New Sprout, Copics, Memento

ink - black tuxedo, A6 card blanks - Anita's, Green textured cardstock

- Papermania, adhesive and Purple Cows guillotine.

This month's Christmas Card Challenge over on Waltzingmouse is a clean and simple trio! So I made this trio for the Challenge.

I didn't have enough of the green cardstock to mat and layer all three so there are some variations in the cards for a touch of individuality!

I ran each matted image through my sewing machine to create a row of even holes to show the ornament "hanging".

Thanks for peeking - you can check out the WMS Challenge here. Hope you have a great Tuesday.

Guess who's coming to town?

2011-11-14T17:16:00.003Z

Supplies: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Vintage Ornaments, Santa's coming

to town set, Memento Black Tuxedo ink, Spellbinders Vintage
Ornament Dies 2010, Clear embossing powder, versamark ink, Tea dye
distress ink and blending tool, pop dots, adhesive, kraft and black
cardstock - Folia, mini bell - Paperchase, Anita's A6 card blank
and embroidery floss.

This week the challenge on Paperplay Challenges is "Cracked Glass" and I have this santa's silhouette stamped and "cracked" for the past few weeks on my desk and hadn't manage to make anything with him. So here is my card using non - traditional Christmas colours and various techniques.

This is an upclose shot of the "crackle/cracked glass".

Waltzingmouse Stamps have had a Christmas Card Challenge running since the beginning of the year and I have taken part in April's one but really wanted to do more. Going to add this card to February's Challenge which was "quick pick" - use something on your desk (mine was the cracked glass silhouette lying around begging to be used!).

Also entering this card to the following Challenges

Delightful Challenges - Snowflakes

Jellypark Challenges - Non traditional Christmas Colors

Cards for Men - Christmas Cards for Men

For my Godmother

2011-11-12T09:00:00.011Z

Supplies: North Pole Employee digital stamp by Mo Manning,

computer generated sentiment - CK Tate, copics, Diamond Stickles,

red cardstock, textured green cardstock - Papermania, Anita's white card

blank and adhesive.

When I saw that Mo Manning had teamed up with Penny Black was I an excited girl!. However, I just don't have the patience for the stamp to ship and decided to buy the digi version from Mo and get colouring. This comes in a package of 2 (wonderful North Pole employees #5533 and #3355).

I had so much fun colouring this and making a fun card for a wonderful Godmother for Christmas.

Challenges
Digital Tuesday - Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Christmas Goes
There She Goes - Holiday Projects
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Never seen ink
Crafty Catz - Use a digital image

Thanks so much for peeking.

Monster Birthday on 11/11/11

2011-11-11T09:00:00.004Z

Supplies: Monster digis by Torico's Digital Gallery, computer generated

number, black cardstock, Purple Cows guillotine, adhesive, glossy accents,

googly eyes in various sizes, green cardstock, copics and SRM sentiment sticker.

It's 11/11/11 - and my son has a friend celebrating his birthday today.

You know I am a huge fan of digis and love playing with them!.

I got these fun monsters from Torico's Digital Gallery and they are freebies - available here. If you go over to nab them make sure to say I sent you and say "thanks".

I coloured them with copics, added glossy accents, goggly eyes, some black enamel and hey presto - fun card for an 8 year old. Added a fun SRM sentiment sticker, some matting and layering to finish it off.

Challenges
Sassy Studio Designs - Kids Card
Cards and Me - Birthdays

Thanks so much for peeking - hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Paperplay - Cracked Glass

2011-11-10T09:00:00.006Z

Supplies: Whiff of Joy digital freebie - Spider Henry, pp .... SRM sentiment

sticker, Black cardstock, Tim Holtz distressing tool, tea dye ink and blending

tool, copics, Crackled Accents by Ranger, scissors for fussy cutting,

Quickutz Cookie Cutter circle dies, pop dots and adhesive.

Paperplay Challenges time of the week again. This week we are very kindly sponsored by Whiff of Joy and I decided to use their freebie digi - yeap... that's what I said... freebie digi - "Spider Henry". You can find him here.

After roughing up the pp and cardstock I assembled the card - I partially cut out the image and used the die run through my Big Shot to do the rest. I then coloured him with copics and added a layer of crackled accents to the "circle" for the cracked glass effect.

After it was finished, photographed etc I decided to add a layer of crackle accents to the sentiment strip too!

All very distressed - perfect card for a little boy.

Challenges
Crafting for all Seasons - Texture
Bearly Mine Challenges - One for the Boys
Lily Pad Cards - Texture
Stampavie and more - Anything Goes

Thanks for peeking - hope you get a chance to play along with this fun challenge this week.

Holiday / Winter Card

2011-11-05T16:27:00.002Z

Supplies: Seasons Greetings Collage Digital kit by Hero Arts,

glossy accents, cardstock - Folia, Envelope Pattern background stamp - Hero Arts,

copics G21 G28 G29 blender 0 Y000 R37, pop dots, Anita's white A6 card blank,
barn door distress ink andtea dye distress ink and blending tool.

I have had this card in my head for a few weeks following Jill's wonderful tutorial on partial colouring over on the Penny Black blog.

I didn't want to use the entire Hero Arts Digital Collage stamp for this card. I don't own the HA classic holly stamp I decided to just print the holly section, colour it, add glossy accents and do some distressing.

Kept it sentiment free - think I will stamp the greeting inside.

Have you seen the Holiday Card Making posts over on 2peas? Check them out here.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge

2011-11-04T16:53:00.003Z

Supplies: Waltzingmouse Stamps - Vintage Ornaments,

Seasons of Love and Festive Foliage, Tim Holtz tea dye, peeled paint, fired brick

and walnut distress ink pads and blending tool, white gel pen, twine,

glossy accents, Spellbinders classic oval die and

eucalyptus stickles by ranger.

Made a card for this fun challenge and posting a link before it closes in 9 minutes!!!
Phew - made it... now some deets!

I decided to use stamping to complete this card - after playing around with baker's twine and buttons first!

I decided to hang the ornament from the foliage by pushing a sewing needle through the kraft at regular intervals. I adhered the twine bow to the card using glossy accents as it holds up so well in the mail.

I also decorated the kraft envelope but due to failing light didn't get a chance to photography yet.

I thought it needed a touch of sparkle and the eucalyptus stickles did just the trick carefully "swept" across the delicate foliage. I added the white dots to the ornament after stamping and it really makes the ornament "pop" in real life!

I added the greeting in the ornament centre on pop dots to add some dimension.

Thanks so much for stopping by and having a peek.

Celebrate your Day!

2011-10-31T09:00:00.006Z

Supplies: Glittered pp - Kaisercraft, Kraft card - Papermania, Stampin up

Butterflies die, embroidery floss, button - PTI, Memento Black Tuxedo ink,

X-Cut scallop border punch, machine stitching,

adhesive and pop dots.

I know I should probably be sharing a spooky or haunting card today ... anyhow!!! none made/all shared already! sooooooo

Here's a quick card share for today - it's a three day holiday here in Ireland - yipee!

A Birthday card made using some Kaisercraft googies and the wonderful Stampin' Up butterfly die. Yeap, still absolutely adore this die.

Challenges
Simply Stampin' Challenge - Sketch

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Rain, winds and all that jazz!

2011-10-29T08:37:00.007+01:00

Photo taken with my iphone! Friday afternoon

Lots of rain here this morning accompanied by high winds. Last day of October League Racing - so hubby has headed off to the high seas!!!

Jazz Festival has started and the city is filled with jazz fans. Caught some jazz yesterday on the street while running errands.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend - it's a three day weekend here in Ireland and the schools are closed for the week for mid-term break.

Paperplay - Halloween/Witches!

2011-10-27T09:00:00.016+01:00

Supplies: Make it crafty digi - witchy wanda, BG pp - Eerie, Fiskars Upper

Crest border punch, BG Jovial buttons and buttons from stash, copics,

pop dots, embroidery floss, black ribbon by Paperchase, Boo sentiment

from Papermania and tombow runner adhesive.

Another Paperplay Challenge today - this week we want to see Halloween / Witches.

We are very kindly sponsored by Make It Crafty and I got to play with this fun digi "Witchy Wanda".

Check out what the rest of the DT created right here.

Challenges
Sentimental Sundays - Halloween with a sentiment
Basic Grey Challenges - Autumn/Fall/Halloween
Skipping Stones Design - Sketch Challenge

Hope you get a chance to play along with us this week. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Look who's TWO!

2011-10-22T05:30:00.003+01:00

Supplies: Fluffy digi by Pollycraft, pp K & Co, glittered chipboard -

American Crafts, copics G14, RV14, kraft card base by Anita's.

Whilst creating the wedding card for yesterday's post I noticed that the Challenge this week on Pollycraft Monday Challenge was "girls, girls, girls". I knew I had to print out "fluffy" and do a girly monster card.

I just adore Fluffy - I tried to leave him looking "fluffy" when colouring him with copics. Don't have a recipient for this card yet - just makes me smile, so I will add it to my stash!.

(Message on the inside - also from Pollycraft)

Thanks so much for peeking, hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

Wedding Congratulations

2011-10-21T11:21:00.001+01:00

Supplies: Digital image - Cuthbert & Kiki Wedding - Pollycraft,

Quickutz cookie cutter circle dies, Spellbinders scallop die,

stick pins - Making Memories, Computer generated greeting - Aquarelle,

Scrubble, Diamond stickles - Ranger industries, white ribbon -

Paperchase, X-Cut scallop border, textured grey cardstock - Papermania,

special vellum glitter embossed paper - Papermania, vellum adhesive,

card blank by Anita's, copics C1, C3, C5 and popdots.

Quick card share today - used one of Paula's fab digis - available over on Pollycraft here.

The glitter on the underlaid vellum isn't very evident in this photo but is really very glittery! I matched the image by using diamond stickles on the bride's headpiece and flowers. Used my copics for shading - kept the colour on the image to a minimum.

Raised the sentiment/greeting off the card with dimensional adhesive (pop dots!)

Challenges

Creative Craft Challenges - Congratulations

Forever Friends - Use an animal

Thanks so much for peeking, hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Season's Greetings

2011-10-17T17:09:00.000+01:00

Supplies: MME Lost and Found Christmas pp and die cut, Tim Holtz

Tattered leaves die, Papermania kraft card blank, tea dye distress ink and

blending tool, BG Jovial button, emroidery floss, pop dots, adhesive, cork

and machine stitching.

You will probably realise that I am loving the "Lost and Found Christmas" range by MME and the second thing at the top of my "hit parade" is cork! It's yummy, soft, pliable and goes through my Big Shot like butter.

Added a leaf to this die cut after inking all the edges with tea dye and machine stitching to the kraft card blank.

Challenges

CR84FN

Christmas Inspirations - Die cuts or punches

Crafting When we Can - Christmas

Thanks so much for peeking.

Cupcake - Get Well!

2011-10-14T05:30:00.003+01:00

As you know the challenge that kicked off on Paperplay yesterday was - Cupcake!. So I decided to make another card using kraft, some stamps, one punch and very cute ribbon by May Arts (BT-90).

The wonderful sentiment and cupcake/border are all by Waltzingmouse Stamps - you can find them here.

Thought that this would be a good card to send someone with some homemade treats to cheer them up. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a "sweet" weekend.!

Paperplay - Cupcake!

2011-10-13T09:00:00.024+01:00

Supplies: Pink Petticoat digi image and sentiment - Cupcake, Quickutz

scallop square die, Big Shot, red ribbon from Tesco, Cosmo Cricket pp, Canson Black

cardstock, Anita's card blank, pop dots, glossy accents, diamond stickles,

copics - Y000, W0, W03, R27, G9, tea dye distress ink and blending tool.

This week's challenge over on Paperplay Challenges is "Cupcake". We are very kindly sponsored this week by Little Darlings. Be sure to check out what my teamies came up with right here.

I decided to make a fun holiday card featuring a cupcake with the adorable sentiment "Sweet Christmas Wishes". The sentiment and image is available from Pink Petticoat here.

Challenges

Die Cuttin Divas - Any type of dessert

Hope you get a chance to play along with us this week. Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Moxie Fabber of the Week

2011-10-10T17:05:00.001+01:00

When I got an email from the wonderful Cath Edvalson of Moxie Fab World recently I thought she must have mistyped the email address of someone she was actually looking for!!! but shock, horror... no - it t'was me she wanted as a "Moxie Fabber of the Week". So I did a restrained happy dance ('coz I still reckoned she must have made a mistake!) and replied.

And here we are October 10th, 2011 and I am featured this week over on - where else but Moxie Fab World. So you will be staring at my ~~mugshot~~ headshot all this week on the sidebar of their blog - woohoo! Let the happy dance commence.

And then comes the pressure - what card do I post on this auspicious day?

I reckoned it had to be a "thank you" card.

I am entering this card into one of the Moxie Fab World current challenges - "Textured to perfection" - check out the details here. Lots of texture on this card - cork, dry embossing, layered sentiment etc.

Thank you to Cath for featuring me, thank you to Moxie Fab World and Papercrafts Connection for the daily inspiration and wonderful challenges/features. Lastly a HUGE thank you to you my fellow crafters who give me daily feedback on my cards, words of encouragement, support and friendship.

I treasure and thank you all. Hope you all have a blessed week.

Thinkin about ya!

2011-10-08T18:56:00.000+01:00

Supplies: Summer Fairy Finna Digital image by Mo Manning, Sentiment by

Waltzing Mouse Stamps, pp by Martha Stewart - Travel mat pad, copics, memento black

tuxedo ink, Quickutz cookie cutter circles, glossy accents and runner adhesive.

I needed to let a friend know I was thinking of her and had this image all coloured and "glossed" and decided it would be perfect themed with the reflective pp by Martha Stewart.

You can see that I added some glossy accents to the wings after colouring for added dimension. I think this fun sentiment is just perfect with this image because it really looks like Finna is thinking about you!

Thanks so much for peeking - hope you are having a great weekend.

Jolly! - Holiday Card

2011-10-06T13:43:00.001+01:00

Supplies: Penny Black Star inspired flower stamp (4156K), SRM sentiment sticker,

Spellbinders Labels 14 dies, mini bells, gold organdy ribbon by
Europa Imports Inc, Kraft cardstock, MME Lost and Found Christmas
6x6 pp and ribbon, machine stitching, Doodlebug gems, Copics - R22, R35 and 0,
pop dots, tea dye distress ink and blending tool.

A few weeks ago Penny Black featured a wonderful tutorial by Jill showing partial colouring of an image. I decided to try this technique with this fun star inspired stamp on a Holiday Card.

I added an SRM sentiment sticker and used a fab (new to me!) PB stamp - star inspired.

Challenges
Simon Says Stamp - Sparkle and Bling

Quick post today as I seem to be playing catch up this week!. Thanks so much for stopping by.

World Card Making Day 2011

2011-10-01T05:30:00.020+01:00

Supplies: Penny Black musical background stamp, Dark Chocolate

Cardstock and buttons - PTI, ribbon by MemrieMare/Etsy, embroidery floss,

cork, Tim Holtz on the edge scallop die and leaves die, Flowers by Prima Marketing,

Walnut stain and tea dye distress inks and blending tool.

Happy World Card Making Day and welcome to my blog.

Did you know that the origin of exchanging handmade greeting cards can be traced all the way back to ancient Chinese culture.

Today we celebrate World Card Making Day and there is a blog tour list here that you can visit to see who is taking part in this big celebration.

Hope you have a fun day and get some time to craft and create today. I am attending a Canon Photography course this morning and a night shoot tonight - can't wait!

Thanks so much for stopping by and celebrating WCMD 2011 with me. Catch ya later!

Paperplay - White + One!

2011-09-29T09:00:00.018+01:00

Supplies: Websters Pages pp, Tim Holtz trimmings, Spellbinders label die,

machine stitching, computer generated sentiment, Aquarelle - font,

pearls, textured cardstock - Papermania.

This week on Paperplay Challenges the challenge is set by DT member Céline and it is "white plus one". I went for white and black! Love this pp by Websters Pages - thought it set off the uncoloured "trimmings" by Tim Holtz beautifully. I also added tiny pearls to the pp but this isn't evident from this photo! Click on the photo to view larger image.

We are very kindly sponsored by Bunny Zoe Crafts this week - be sure to check out what the other DT members created here.

Thanks so much for peeking.

Quick Birthday Card Share

2011-09-27T07:53:00.001+01:00

Supplies: Some Odd Girl digi, CB Embossing Folder - Number collage, Papermania

number stamp, Stazon Ink, copics, pop dots, gems from stash

Quick share this morning. Have to get the boys out to school - so I will drop back later and expand on the supplies list.

Challenges
Lexi's Creations - Card for a Child
Some Odd Girl - Colour Inspiration

Thanks for peeking - hope you have a great Tuesday.

Autumn Leaves

2011-09-22T09:00:00.008+01:00

Supplies: Papermania 12x12 kraft collection, WMS sentiment and frame,

cork, Tim Holtz leaves die, bakers twine - the twinery, Labels Fourteen -

Spellbinders, Big Shot, memento black ink, button - stash,

X-cut corner punch - large, glue dots and pop dots.

This week's challenge over on Paperplay is Autumn Leaves. It's not my week! but I am just popping in to share a card I created using kraft and cork! Am loving how cork cuts in my Big Shot/Dies.

This card was quick and easy - the pattern is already printed on this kraft cardstock!.

Challenges
Ooh La La Creations - Punches/ Dies
Crafting for all Seasons - Fall Colours
For Fun Challenges - Anniversary (no cake or bells)
Little Darlings - Brown and red
Simon Says Stamp - Dies or punches
Truly Scrumptious - Clean and Simple

Thanks for peeking - hope you have a great day.

Pops of colour at Fort Camden

2011-09-21T12:13:00.000+01:00

So I have been playing with my new camera and decided to share a few photos here. The shot above was taken during a recent visit to Fort Camden.

It is a classical coastal artillery fort that was let go into decline. Fortifications on the site originally date from about 1550, it was added to in 1600 - 75% of the fort is underground!

However, it was taken over in 2010 by the County Council and then Rescue Camden - a group of local volunteers who wish to see it brought back to it's former glory.

It is mainly a 19th century construction, with a defensive moat 40 ft deep. There are underground tunnels, underground magazine, artillery batteries, musketery galleries and a brennan torpedo site.

Every small boys dream!

(above) Entrance to an underground magazine.

Art installation using found objects during the clean up

Re-enactments taking place on the day we visited.

Thanks for peeking, hope you enjoyed today's "unusual" post!

Happily Ever After

2011-09-20T13:26:00.000+01:00

Supplies: LOTV - Wedding couple, PTI Love Lives Here sentiment, Papermania

aqua gems, Textured cardstock - Papermania, 6x6 Card Blank - Craftworkcards,

machine stitching, copics, diamond stickles, Ranger white enamel and adhesive.

I love this couple from Lily of the Valley stamps. I paired them with the sentiment from the "Love Lives Here" set by Papertrey ink. I kept colour to a minimum - love the touch of diamond stickles on the wedding gown and some white enamel touches around her bouquet!.

Had hoped to share an anniversary card today - but it turns out I didn't photograph it very well before it went in the mail yesterday .... oops!!

Happy Anniversary to my inlaws!

Challenges

Wee Memories - no patterned paper

Thanks so much for peeking - hope you are having a great day.

Paper Smooches - Sparks Challenge

2011-09-18T14:32:00.000+01:00

I have seen some amazing creations in blogland using Paper Smooches stamps/digis and went to invesigate to find a fun challenge here called "Sparks Challenge".

This month's challenge is to use this photo as inspiration.

Here is what I created using the colours and shape as my inspiration.

Supplies: Quickutz Cookie Cutter circle dies, Papermania white vellum,

Papermania gems, Papermania textured cardstock in orange and peach/pink,

X-Cut scallop border punch, Photoshop, Purple Cows guillotine, adhesive,

glue dots and white cardstock base.

I printed the freebie digital sentiment in lime green on white vellum and printed the freebie digital flowers in aqua/blue on the same sheet of vellum. I cut out and accented the centres with green/blue gems. I also offset the scallops in orange and pink.

Be sure to check out the wonderful freebie digital images that Kim has available on Paper Smooches so that you can play along with this fun challenge.

Thanks so much for peeking.

Paperplay - Punches and Dies

2011-09-15T09:00:00.038+01:00

Supplies: Buttons from assorted bag - Cork Art Supplies,

Anna Griffin K&Co pp , embroidery floss, washi tape TGF?,
Beautiful Butterflies Stampin' Up die, Tombow adhesive, cork and SRM sticker.

I love this week's challenge on Paperplay - Punches and Dies.
We are very kindly sponsored this week by Whiff of Joy.

Here is my DT card - I dug out my new Beautiful Butterflies die by Stampin' Up and ran it through my Big Shot machine with cork. I then put some pink washi tape (TGF) on it to cover any cracks that appeared as the butterfly had to be cut by folding the cork! I stacked two buttons and adhered everything to the cardbase with embroidery floss. The buttons hide a multitude!!! LOL!

You can check out the challenge and fun DT creations right HERE. Hope you get a chance to play along with us.

Challenges
Flutter by Wednesday's - must include butterfly, fairy or angel
Bearly Mine - Button it up
Papertake Weekly - Things with wings

As always - I really appreciate your visit and comments, thanks so much.

Critical issues and some more holiday cards!

2011-09-14T13:06:00.001+01:00

Supplies: Martha Stewart Christmas Punch Pad - 2peas, Tim Holtz

on the edge die, Spellbinders Large Oval dies, blending tool, tea dye

distress ink, machine stitching, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, buttons from

assorted bundles - Cork Art Supplies, Kraft blank - Papermania, embroidery

floss and adhesive.

A very quick post and in case you don't hear from me for a few days! My computer is having "Critical issues!"... argh - trying to ascertain where the problem lies at the moment. Wasted 2 + hours!

Quick share using another fun digital sentiment by Raindrop Echo Sentiments available over on Whimsy Stamps.

~~Will hopefully post supply list etc a little later!!!~~

now posted above and another card / variation on the theme!

This card includes an SRM sentiment sticker.

Thanks for peeking.

Holiday Card

2011-09-13T14:44:00.007+01:00

Supplies: Jolly by Golly pp - Cosmo Cricket, Martha Stewart snowflake punch,

ribbon from MemrieMare - Etsy, Making memories stick pin,

500g assorted bag of buttons - Cork Art Supplies, tea dye distress ink,

blending tool, Oval dies by Spellbinders, embroidery floss,

pop dots and copics.

Another holiday card share!

I purchased this digital sentiment over on Whimsy Stamps. The sentiment is one from a set by Raindrop Echo Designs called Christmas Sentiments. You can find some of their wonderful free sentiments over on Sentimental Sundays together with fun challenges each week.

I had fun distressing the edges of the Cosmo Cricket pp, die and punched snowflakes with tea dye distress ink.

Challenges

Woodware USA - Happy Holidays

Christmas Card Challenge - Vintage

Thanks so much for peeking.

Guest for Tiffany Doodles Blog Hop - Day 3

2011-09-11T13:00:00.009+01:00

Welcome to Day 3 of our Tiffany Doodles Blog Hop!

I was delighted when Tiffany asked me to be a Guest on her Blog Hop. We hope you had a great time on the previous 2 days, and perhaps found some inspiration along the way!

In case you missed yesterday, click here to catch up from Day 1 and Day 2! Be sure to participate everyday by commenting on each post & following every blog to be eligible for all prizes. Full details of prizes available here.

On today's Hop we are featuring cards made with Bird images by Tiffany Doodles!

Supplies: Cutebird - Wings Digital Stamp - Tiffany Doodles,
Plain White Vellum - Anita's, Orange and Pink

cardstock - Folia, Epson DX8450 printer, Raspberry Fizz

Vintage buttons - PTI, scallop die - Tim Holtz, Nesting Circle Dies

- Quickutz, Tombow adhesive runner and embroidery floss.

I used this wonderful Cutebird digital stamp. I printed the sentiment and digital image on vellum (changing from black to pink first) I then cut a circle in the cardstock to form a window for the vellum. I used the buttons to adhered the vellum sentiment to the cardstock - no need for adhesive!

Next you are hopping on to Anette - you will love what she has created for you.

Here are you blog hop links for Day 3....

We remember

2011-09-11T09:57:00.002+01:00

Today we remember -

we pause,

we reflect,

we look at the date - 9/11/11

and remember where we were ten years ago.

We think of everyone affected by that day ten years ago that has shaped all our lives forevermore.

Still makes me happy!

2011-09-10T14:39:00.002+01:00

This is my second post today (I know... shock, horror!!) - to see my Season's Greetings card - please scroll down! or click here - thanks.

Still makes my heart happy to log into 2peas and find one of my little creations perched under "Top 3 by Views" or "Featured project" etc. You can check out my "Best Wishes" card here.

Ah, the simple things - and my hubby just bought me this as an anniversary pressie (I traded in my 30D but held onto my existing lenses)

Battery is in the charger.. cannot wait to go and play!

Season's Greetings

2011-09-10T05:30:00.001+01:00

Supplies: MME Snowed In pp and chipboard shapes free with this

month's edition of Cardmaking & Papercraft, 500gm assorted button bag - Cork Art Supplies,

Memento Ink pad - Bamboo Leaves, embroidery floss, cardstock in

aqua and blue, Tea dye distress ink and Tim Holtz blending tool,

X-cut Scallop border punch and adhesive.

Picked up a copy of Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine on Wednesday and there were free papers and chipboard shapes by My Mind's Eye - yipee!

I just had to open them and make a card - I inked all the edges with tea dye using my Tim Holtz blending tool to give an aged look. Also inked the edges of the chipboard shape. I then stitched the buttons to the card after assembling and added the tree topper button with a glue dot.

Should really be featuring an Anniversary Card here as today is our 13th Wedding Anniversary! Maybe later!

Thanks so much for peeking.

CARDS/Create Blog - Woodgrain Challenge

2011-09-09T08:21:00.000+01:00

Supplies: Hot pink Cardstock - folia, orange textured cardstock -

Papermania, pp - Pina Colada collection - Kaisercraft, PTI

vintage button - ocean tide, Fiskars upper crest border punch,

Tim Holtz embossing folder, kraft cardstock, embroidery

floss, Beautiful Butterflies Stampin' Up die,

Tombow adhesive, cork and SRM sticker.

My card for this week's challenge on CREATE (formerly CARDS blog). This week's challenge was "Woodgrain". I decided to incorporate the woodgrain in embossing rather than stamping. Made the card using bright colours and some fun pp.

Was delighted to see my card in the CARDS gallery (after Virginia told me it was there! - thanks Virginia).

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day and wonderful weekend.

Heartfelt Thanks - Tuesday Trigger

2011-09-07T13:13:00.000+01:00

When I saw the photo for this week's Trigger over on Moxie Fab World - I knew I had to go and make a card right away!

I have quite a number of Thank you cards to make - so decided to use the colours and flowers in the photo as my inspiration.

Supplies: Websters Pages 6x6 pp, Pina Colada pp - Kasiercraft, SRM

Sentiment sticker, cork board, runner adhesive, Stampin Up

Beautiful Butterflies die and PTI butterfly die (top butterfly - black) and

machine stitching.

I put three layers on the butterfly - mixing the Beautiful Butterflies die by Stampin Up with the PTI die from the Love Lives Here Collection. I secured the butterfly to the card by machine stitching through the pp and cardstock.

I added a sentiment sticker by SRM and it layered beautifully on top of the patterned paper by Webster's Pages.

Thanks so much for peeking.

Water Babies!

2011-09-05T11:33:00.000+01:00

Thunderstorm downtown Chicago - August 2011

I am drawn to water. It can be falling from the sky, in a lake, sea or ocean.

My DH enjoying the water in MI - August 2011

I wonder is it because I grew up next to a large harbour that started my love of water?

When I moved 3,658 miles away from that harbour I managed to locate next to another large body of water - Lake Michigan (which is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume!).

Thankfully my hubby and boys love water as much as I do (evidence above!)

I spent some time on the water this weekend and captured these cuties off Cape Clear Island

I think I can count 5 seals - but there may be more!

and also captured the shots below during the 1720 European Championships (Racing - Day 3)

1720 European Championships - Baltimore, West Cork

Busy at the leeward mark! (above)

Lots of action on the water.

Fun weekend with great sailing, great company and time on the water!

Hope you have a great week and thanks for stopping by.

Hooray for you!

2011-09-02T09:00:00.007+01:00

Supplies: Kaisercraft pp -Pina Colada Collection, Papermania orange

textured cardstock, PTI sentiment die and vintage PTI button, Folia

pink cardstock, machine stitching, cork, Stampin up Butterfly die,

embroidery floss, white ink, pop dots, stapler and adhesive.

I entered this card into the Paper Crafts August 2011 Gallery Challenge over on Flickr on Wednesday night. I had lots of fun making this card.

I love the texture and look of cork on a card/project and had got a lot of it a while back and had been saving it... what for you ask? Good question - so I opened it up and got cutting.

I got a Sizzix Big Butterfly die by Stampin' Up whilst on holidays in the US (it is only available Stateside). I have admired it for so long and am so thrilled to have it in my stash now.

I layered the cork with some of the reverse side of the patterned paper by Kaisercraft and added a PTI Raspberry Fizz button. Thanks so much for peeking.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Paperplay - Make your own flowers

2011-09-01T09:00:00.001+01:00

So this week on Paperplay Challenges - it's "make your own Flowers!"

We are very kindly sponsored by Simon Says Stamp. Check out all the details and DT creations here.

When I saw Mary Dawn over on My Pink Mexico create these fun flowers a number of months ago I knew I would have to give them a go. So I got creating when this challenge came along! I cut long "splits" to create larger flowers.

The sentiment/paper is by Kaisercraft - Bubblegum Hills Collection and the felt is from my stash. I decided to make an orange leaf and glued the flower/leaf onto the card with glossy accents.

Challenges
Moxie Fab World - Fabulous Felt

Thanks so much for peeking. Hope you have a great weekend.

I'm back!

2011-08-29T10:41:00.001+01:00

Hi there everyone. I am back!!! after two and a half weeks in one of my favourite places - Chicago!

We spent time visiting our old neighbourhood, showing the boys places we used to bring them, visited best friends in their lake house in Michigan and had one of the most memorable weekends of fun and frolics. My boys thought it was "the best".

We watched the Chicago Air and Water Show.

We visited the Shedd Aquarium.

The "Jellies" exhibition was amazing.

and of course... we had to visit Wrigley Field and support the Cubs.

and I took lots of photos! (my reflection taken in the "Bean" in Millennium Park, Chicago).

We had such an amazing vacation - hope to post some more photos, but for now want to try and catch up with things in blogland and the laundry!

Thank you for stopping by my blog and special thanks to Lin, Barb, Wendy, Elizabeth, Donna, Simone, Alexandra, Jane, Joey, Anne, Dawn, Virginia, Ger, Jessie, Yvette, Chelsea, Ren-Yi, Tiffany, Maggie, Kathy, Emma, Sally, Sheila, Judy, Heather and Petti for leaving sweet comments on my posts while I was away - I really appreciate them all.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a great week.

Welcome Baby Amelia

2011-08-24T09:00:00.002+01:00

Supplies: October Afternoon pp, MemrieMare ribbon on Etsy,

A Day for Daisies digital image, Spellbinders Labels Die, pink

cardstock for matting by Canson, Docrafts Card blank, copic markers,

computer generated sentiment and font - Aquarelle.

I made this a while ago for a friend to welcome her new Baby Niece into this world. I paired a pink ribbon with a softer tone of pink to create a contrast (I'm not really a pinky girly girl!).

I used a beautiful digital image by A Day For Daisies. If you are not familiar with ADFD be sure to check out their site here and they also have a group Paper Craft Planet and Simply Scrapping Crafts.

Thanks for peeking and I hope you have a wonderful blessed day.

So Sweet!

2011-08-20T09:00:00.004+01:00

Supplies: Docrafts white card blank, brown and red textured

cardstock, SRM sticker and sentiment.

Quick Summer time card share - I adore strawberries and as soon as I saw this yummy strawberry sticker by (SRM) I knew I wanted to create a CAS card to showcase it.

Thanks for peeking - hope you are having a wonderful Summer's day.

Paperplay - Recipe

2011-08-18T09:00:00.042+01:00

Supplies: Kaisercraft pp - Bubblegum Hills collection, Imaginsce flower and pearls,

I-Rock heat setting tool, JSL freebie digi, buttons from stash, pop dots,

Stamp runner adhesive by Tombow, Lace from Craft Brulee, and Daler Rowney

Bristol Board for printing digi image.

It's Paperplay Challenges time again.

This week the challenge is set by Céline and she wants us all to use a Recipe - 3 different embellishments, 2 patterned paper and 1 lace. We are very kindly sponsored by Just Some Lines.

I used a freebie image from Just Some Lines called "Modern Flowers" and selected a portion of it to print three times.

I then cut it into 2.25 inch square, added embellishments (buttons, pearls and flower/section of lace) and matted them on orange cardstock. I decided to create a tall card for this challenge as I hadn't made one in a while.

You might recall I also used this freebie image back in February to create a fun set of clean and simple cards here.

Thanks so much for peeking. Hope you get a chance to play along this week. Be sure to check out all the deets and DT creations here.

Wedding Card

2011-08-16T09:00:00.001+01:00

Supplies: AC ... Papermania pink ink, Papermania Sheer Ribbon,

Black and hot pink Canson tinted board cardstock, Quikutz Polka dot

embossing folder, Papermania pearls, Memento tuxedo black ink,

Spellbinders heart dies, Maya Road flower stick pin, heart shaped stick pin

X-Cut scallop border punch and pop dots.

Quick share - a wedding card because we are well and truly in wedding season here in Ireland now.

This is a 6 in x 6 in card (finished size). I used hot pink (non traditional!) with black for a punch of colour. I picked up a set of American Crafts stamps - Boutonniere collection. I created the graphic pp by stamping black ink on the pink cardstock.

Thanks for stopping by - I really appreciate it. Hope you are having a great week.

Thank you for being YOU!

2011-08-13T09:00:00.004+01:00

I love this sentiment - it is a freebie available from Marit right here. I love what Marit creates and she has some adorable sentiments for download available.

I needed a friendship Thank you Card! and here is what I made. I adore the fab "trimmings" by Tim Holtz and I left them "naked" / uncoloured for this card. Used this wonderful BG pp and clear gems that I coloured with a copic marker (YR23).

You know me.... I have to add machine stitching! I added the stitching in a pale green thread. Thanks so much for peeking and I hope you have a great day.

Thanks

2011-08-11T09:00:00.003+01:00

Supplies: Papermania Textured cardstock, PTI Dark Chocolate ink and

chocolate cardstock, Papermania Stamp set, SRM Sticker - Thanks, fine

detail cutting scissor, Fiskars Upper Crest border punch, Docrafts card blank,

machine stitching, clear embossing powder and versamark ink.

I was playing around with clear embossing powder and decided to create an embossed background for some "furniture". Not very evident in the first shot - so here's a close up.

I dug out my Chatsworth Collection stamp set from last year featuring this furniture by Papermania, stamped with Dark Chocolate ink and cut out. Added some machine stitching (slightly wonky straight line!! oops!)

Thanks for peeking, hope you are having a great day.

New Baby Girl

2011-08-08T09:00:00.003+01:00

Supplies: BG pp and chipboard bird - Sugared Collection, Canson pink

cardstock, computer generated sentiment, Spellbinders Blossom Dies,

Embroidery Floss, X-Cut scalloped border punch and machine stitching.

Quick card share today - Baby Girl card I made a while ago to be sent to Australia!. I used some of my stash - BasicGrey Sugared Collection pp and chipboard bird. Added machine stitching on to pale pink Canson tinted board cardstock.

Thanks for peeking, hope you have a great day. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Bó Trace in the Irish Examiner

2011-08-06T11:45:00.001+01:00

My photo (above) is in the Irish Examiner today as one of the two featured Readers Photos. They captioned it Bó Trace! (Bó is the Irish for cow).

I took the photo last Monday of boats racing under Sherkin Island and The Beacon, Baltimore, West Cork during Baltimore Regatta/Calves Week.

Hope you have a wonderful day - thanks for stopping by.

Happy!

2011-08-05T14:13:00.000+01:00

Supplies: Penny Black Hedgehopper, PTI clouds die, Sentiment - SRM Sticker,

Textured cardstock - Papermania, Kraft card blank, copics,

Tombow adhesive tape runner, pop dots and glossy accents.

This cute hedgie just makes me smile!

For this card I cut off the trailing hearts, added glossy accents to his glasses/goggles and the spinning propeller. I adhered the plane and one of the clouds on pop dots for added dimension. Love how large this SRM Sticker is - you can find it here.

Thanks so much for peeking.

Paperplay - Christmas in August

2011-08-04T09:00:00.024+01:00

Supplies: CB Embossing Folder - dots and stars, aqua, kraft and pink

cardstock - Folia, Spellbinders pinking circle dies, Kraft card blank,

SRM sentiment sticker, Digital image - Mia Skating by Jane Beljo, pp -

Cosmo Cricket, stickles, crackle medium and glossy accents - Ranger,

Cloud die - PTI, pop dots, copics and adhesive.

It seems so strange making Holiday cards in August! but that's the challenge over on Paperplay Challenges this week.

We are very kindly sponsored by Simon Says Stamp.
The random winner will receive a $15 gift voucher for the online store.

I used a wonderful digi "Mia - Skating" by Jane Beljo for this card. Layered and cut cardstock with my Big Shot for the background. I then used a cloud die by Papertrey ink to create a glittery cloud - "full of snow".

I first used crackle accents and added peewee glitter to it. After it dried the glitter was still very "loose" so I added a layer of glossy accents on top to "seal" it. Also added a layer of glossy on top of the stickled heart on Mia's t-shirt and ice skates.

Challenges
Simon Says Stamp - Christmas in August
Wee Memories - Dare to Colour (no less than 4 colours)

Thanks so much for peeking, hope you get a chance to play along this week.

By Lori Designs - amazing August Release

2011-08-03T17:44:00.001+01:00

You will know that I am a huge fan of By LORi Designs/Lori Boyd - her August release is just amazing. She has created the most amazing Summer Lollipops! (shown above). Even the names make me smile!.

This month she has released Family Blessings Bundle, School Days Bundle and lots more of absolutely adorable digis that you know you want!.

Be sure to pop over to her blog or shop and take a peep and let her know I sent you. There is lots and lots of eye candy and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by.

Calves Week 2011

2011-08-03T12:49:00.002+01:00

Racing at Baltimore Regatta/Calves Week 2011 got underway on Monday with lots of spectators (and others) having a bird's eye view from The Beacon. The view is across the channel to Sherkin Island.

Couldn't resist this shot - it was all set up when I got there, a small herd of cows lying on the grass surrounded by cliffs enjoyed the humid air and little bit of sunshine.

The Beacon, Baltimore, West Cork

One of them even posed for a photo!

Thanks for peeking - hope you are having a good week.

Welcome Baby

2011-07-25T21:42:00.001+01:00

As you know I am a huge fan of Jane's Doodles and purchased this image over on Squigglefly a while ago and have made a few cards with it. When I saw the DT use it on Jane's Doodles new blog - I reprinted and got colouring.

It is such a fun image to colour/paper piece etc. I had to make a baby boy card and personalised it be running the patterned paper through the printer before running it through my Big Shot and machine stitching.

I was going to add ribbon/buttons etc. but decided to let the image and wonderful pp colours do the work. So in the end I just layered it on a white watercolour card blank. I added Ranger black enamel on the eyes after colouring for added dimension. I added layers of torn paper including kraft into the card and matted/layered on kraft which I cut by hand.

Challenges

Squigglefly - Kraftastic

This card was similar but I didn't machine stitch and added an SRM sentiment sticker - keeping it in my stash as I think it could be used for a boy or girl.

Thanks so much for peeking. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Welcome Home!

2011-07-22T08:30:00.004+01:00

Supplies: Docrafts kraft card blank, Papermania acetate with design,

Tim Holtz die, Papermania textured cardstock - pink, PTI sentiment,

clear heart gem, tape runner, PTI cloud die and adhesive.

Those of you participating in Summer Card Camp 2011 will have seen the wonderful video that Jennifer McGuire posted earlier this week with stamped acetate as part of the card front. It inspired me to make this card for my SIL who returns today from Toronto (having lived there for 4 years). I wanted to have a card made so my boys could welcome their "Auntie" home.

I added the strip of green leftover pp for a pop of colour and to "ground" the row of houses.

Thanks so much for peeking and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Paperplay - Ribbons, Lace & Buttons

2011-07-21T09:00:00.020+01:00

Supplies: Pink Petticoat digital image and sentiment, lace from stash

(may be May Arts!), Bazzill dotted swiss cardstock, Card Blank,

Gisela Graham ribbon, vintage button from Nancy, embroidery floss,

adhesive copics and glossy accents.

Thursday - Paperplay Challenges day - welcome to another fun challenge sponsored by Bunny Zoe Crafts.

This week's challenge was quite obviously not set by moi as it is "Ribbon, Lace and Buttons!".

I used a fun digital image by Pink Petticoat which I selectively coloured in pops of red and added glossy accents on top. I then paired this with fun ribbon by Gisela Graham and a beautiful red and orange vintage button which I got from Nancy (thanks again Nancy) a while ago and didn't want to use!.

I love this orange / red colour combo - hope you get a chance to play along this week with us.

Challenges

Everybody Art Challenge - dots

KB Cute Monday - Use a digital image

Thanks so much for peeking.

Baby Boy!

2011-07-20T15:37:00.001+01:00

Supplies: Lime Twist by MME pp, Sticker by MME, Baby digi freebie

from ByLori Designs, White cardstock, copics, Papermania pearls and pop dots.

Still playing around with the colour palette from Summer Card Camp 2011. Adore this beautiful image by Lori Boyd - which she gave as a freebie to her group over on Papercraft Plant (I think!) or was it Digital Crafters - anyhow... one of her fun groups.

Had the image printed and cropped - so just went ahead and coloured and added it to this fun paper by My Minds Eye.

I am turning my craft room upside down and inside out looking for my second PTI cloud die... has that ever happened to you? I am afraid that I may have thrown it out.. fingers and toes crossed it will turn up!

Thanks for peeking.

Fly with Me!

2011-07-19T16:18:00.003+01:00

Supplies: Fly with Me Slapstick Cling Stamp - Penny Black , Folia blue cardstocks,
MME Lime Twist pp, X-Cut scallop border punch, machine stitching,
white cardstock, Stickles - Diamond,Ranger Black Enamel, PTI cloud Die, pop dots,
adhesive and copics B00, BG34, YG03 and B12.

Didn't manage to get a card made last week for Summer Card Camp even though the colour combo is one that I tend to use a lot!. This week I decided I had to play along - don't these colours shout out Summer to you?

I know... I know... a blue cat! but maybe she/he got a new "hairdo" for the Summer holidays like a lot of teenagers do now? Make sense? Hope so! Cannot believe it is Week 4 of Summer Card Camp already - don't know where the four weeks went.

Challenges

Penny Black - Summer

Forever Friends Challenge - Not Square (must include an animal)

Squigglefly - Hang Ten

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for peeking, hope you are having a great week.

A Day for Daisies Blog Hop & Challenge

2011-07-10T20:20:00.000+01:00

Did you see the digital freebies that Tammy is offering this week over on A Day For Daisies?

I am a HUGE fan of ADFD and adore all the beautiful delicate images that Tammy creates. This week they are having a wonderful Summer Blog Hop and the challenge is a "triple" challenge - hence my three cards above.

On this card I let the little cupcakes take centre stage and added colour with copics and diamond stickles. I then matted it on purple cardstock and adhered it to the kraft using pop dots for some dimension.

I used an SRM sentiment sticker and hand cut the digital image and then added a layer of colour with copics. Of course, I had to top it off with a layer of glossy accents to make the "frosting" shine! The punch is a pansy border punch by Martha Stewart.

On this card I used a fun sentiment by Create with TLC which was a freebie a while ago, I printed both the image and sentiment on Bristol Board by Daler Rowney (doesn't bleed when you use it with copics). Then added a layer of glossy accents on top of the pink to create "frosting/icing". Matted and layered on coloured cardstock and used pop dots for added dimension.

I had so much fun creating this set of cards. Thanks for peeking and be sure to pop over and check out the wonderful blog hop and challenge - there are prizes!!

Hope you have a great start to your week.

Trudy's Party Dress

2011-07-09T19:55:00.002+01:00

Supplies: Trudy's Party Dress by Mo Manning, SRM sentiment stickers,

Daler Rowney Bristol Board, Martha Stewart loopy border punch, copics, pop dots,

MME - Lime Twist "Happy Go Lucky" Collection pp, machine stitching,

pink cardstock - Folia, Green Vellum - Papermania, Spellbinders

Labels 14 and adhesive.

I need a birthday card for my hubby's niece who celebrates her sixth birthday in July and when I saw the wonderful freebie digi by Mo last week I knew it was perfect for a beautiful little girl. I printed it and cut it out twice. The second doll I put as an insert into the vellum pocket on the inside of the card so that the birthday girl can go colouring and creating herself!.

I coloured the image with copics and used this wonderful pp by MME to create the card. I love how it turned out and it brought me back to my childhood of paper dolls and all their wonderful outfits. Thanks Mo!.

I am entering this card into Mo's challenge over on her Facebook Group (deadline today!) - so hence two posts in one day!

The stickers are - as always! SRM!

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Summer Card Camp 2011

2011-07-09T18:09:00.002+01:00

If I was being graded for Summer Card Class 2011 - I would be totally flunking!!! Never managed to get a card made last week! so this week just had to try and finish a quick one before tomorrow night's deadline.

Made this card with a fun freebie digi from A Day for Daisies who are having a wonderful blog hop at the moment. Check it out here. You have to create a triple or trio of creations. So whilst I am sharing my first one here - I am off to make two more before I link up to the challenge on ADFD!

I coloured the printed digi with copics in the five colours above and then added an SRM sentiment sticker and diamond stickles (as sprinkles!).

Thanks for peeking - hope you are having a terrific weekend.

Wedding Card

2011-07-08T17:39:00.000+01:00

Supplies: Special Vellum Glitter Embossed by Papermania,

WMS - Vintage Labels Two, computer generated sentiment -

Aquarelle font, Black cardstock - Folia, X-Cut scallop border punch,

Hero Arts gemstones, pop dots, machine stitching and craft knife.

Met a friend this morning who asked me to make a Wedding Card for her brother. So I came home and dug out this beautiful glittered vellum that I had bought a while ago and decided to use it on this Wedding Card.

I used the wonderful Waltzingmouse Stamp set Vintage Labels Two. I printed the sentiment on white cardstock first and then stamped around the sentiment. I then stamped a second time and cut this out along with the oval aperture.

Beautiful shimmer off this in real life! I then added little Hero Arts gemstones along the scalloped border. I always find vellum tricky to adhere given that a lot of adhesives will show through! I solved the problem here by machine stitching through the vellum onto the card base.

Challenges

A spoon full of sugar - Sewing

Jac-inks Papercraft Challenge - Die Cuts plus texture

Top Tip Tuesday - Wedding or Anniversary

Thanks so much for peeking and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Paperplay - Fruity!

2011-07-07T09:00:00.024+01:00

Supplies: Vintage image and sentiment - Create with TLC,

Black cardstock - Folia, Green textured cardstock by Papermania,

copics, pop dots and adhesive.

Happy Thursday - it's Paperplay Challenges Day.

This week Céline wants us all to make something on the theme "Fruity!". We are very kindly sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and the random winner will receive a $15 Gift Certificate for the store.

I printed the image twice and detail cut one of the images to layer on top to add dimension. The sentiment/image is a freebie from Paulette over on Create with TLC.

Hope you get a chance to play along with our "Fruity" Challenge this week. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine - thank you!

2011-07-06T12:56:00.001+01:00

Happy Day! I missed a mail delivery on Monday so off I trotted to the Post Office yesterday. The package turned out to be the Kaisercraft goodies I won recently on the Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine facebook page.

Supplies: Kaisercraft Bubblegum Hills Collection pp and die cut elements,

Papermania and Folia cardstock, X-cut scallop border punch,

Walnut Stain Distress ink and blending tool, SRM Stickers and pop dots.

I need to make a couple of card sets and thought that this bright, cheery and glittered patterned paper would be just perfect. It's called "Bubblegum Hills Collection" - isn't that just the cutest?

Thanks to Alice and the Team at Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine for the wonderful Kaisercraft goodies.

Thank you for stopping by today - I need all the cheering up I can get - it's July 6th and RAINING!. Seriously! Where is our Summer????

Challenges
Wee Memories - Summertime (reckon you can't get more Summer than butterflies!)

Hope you have a wonderful day and it's warm where ever you are!

Paperplay - Anything but a card

2011-06-30T09:00:00.001+01:00

So the challenge this week on Paperplay is "Anything but a card!"

We are very kindly sponsored by La La Land. Check out all the details and DT creations here.

The flower I made uses the Tattered Florals die by Tim Holtz. I used an old French - English Dictionary for the petals. I added some Papermania coloured gems in the centre. I glued it together using glossy accents. I needed the flower to cover a sticker on the packaging I was recycling!

Covered the other packaging sticker with Fancy Pants Designs - "Delight" collection patterned paper which I stamped on with a Waltzingmouse Stamps "say it loud" set.

Close up of the packaging.

Fun! Tim Holtz Flower using an old dictionary - gems in the flower centre.

Mini Album close ups.

Made a mini meander album to co-ordinate. The tutorial to make this little creation is on the SRM blog here.

Thanks so much for peeking. Hope you have a great weekend.

Congratulations Card

2011-06-29T08:00:00.001+01:00

Supplies: MME - Lime Twist pp, heart shaped fimo button made by me!,

JSL digital image, sentiment - WMS, XCut scallop border punch, embroidery floss,

pop dots, copics and adhesive.

This weeks' challenge on Just Some Lines Saturday Challenge is "spotty dotty".

I used a fun digital image by JSL for this Congratulations Card.

Short post today - kidlets finish school tomorrow for the summer holidays and trying to get all last minute errands done! Woohooo! May not be around blogland over the coming months (July/August) so I apologise in advance but will make it up to everyone on my return in September!. So much happening and hopefully the weather will be nice and we will all be outdoors.

Happy Summer to everyone.

Thanks for peeking. Hope you are having a good week.

A Day for Daisies - Pastels no pink

2011-06-28T07:38:00.000+01:00

Supplies: A Day for Daisies - digi image (freebie last week),

AC ribbon, vintage buttons from stash, Aqua cardstock - Folia,

copics, stickles - diamond, adhesive, pop dots.

I adore A Day for Daisies wonderful digital images. They are so delicate and adorable. This was the freebie available last week and I used it to make a card for this week's challenge - "Pastels but no pink"!. I kept my colour palette to a monochromatic look rather than mix a range of pastels. I used aqua (pale green) as my foundation.

Thanks so much for peeking and be sure to check out the ADFD website here.

Happy 21st Birthday

2011-06-27T10:13:00.000+01:00

Supplies: Pink Paislee Soiree Collection - pp, stick pin, labels and die cut,

8x8 Card Blank, SRM sentiment stickers, Fiskars Crest Border punch,

machine stitching, gems from stash, Silver stick pin by Oasis,

AC Thickers adhesive and pop dots.

Don't know if I ever made a 21st Birthday Card before! How strange is that? I was lucky enough to win an amazing package from Pink Paislee over on Moxie Fab World a while ago and have been just staring at it for weeks! unopened!

I dug it out last night and created this large (8x8) 21st card using my sewing machine, stick pins and my go to sticker company - SRM.

Challenges

Wee Memories - Party time

Hope you all have a terrific week - Online Card Class starts today - so exciting.

Thanks a "latte"

2011-06-26T08:30:00.000+01:00

Supplies: 5x7 printable freebie by Jamie Carter (eighteen25),

Caribbean Baker's twine by The Twinery, coffee sleeve from Starbucks,

Aqua cardstock by Folia, stapler, pop dots and purple cows guillotine.

We are all looking for thank you gifts for teachers/helpers/coaches etc. at this time of the year.

I came across a very very fun blog on Wednesday - Eighteen25 with these adorable cards - thanks a "latte" with a printable freebie available here. The girls over on Eighteen25 have full instructions on how to assemble.

I decided to scale the printout and put 4 on an A4 sheet and ran through my colour printer - it worked a treat. Still room for the gift card to be slid into place behind the coffee sleeve (but warning - it will obscure a little of the sentiment! at the top and bottom) but it was worth the downsizing as I need to make a few of these!.

Thanks for peeking, hope you like this idea as much as I did. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

Ocean to City Race 2011

2011-06-25T08:30:00.063+01:00

First Place - Harbour/Landscape Category (above)

Second Place - Sports Category

Ocean to City Race 2011 - what is it?

A gruelling 15 mile/24 km row from Crosshaven - out to the mouth of the Harbour (Roches Point) around two navigational buoys and then back up the River Lee to the City.

Some boats didn't follow this track but headed straight up the River from the start line in Crosshaven (depends on the boat/class).

When did it take place?

Saturday 4th June, 2011

What type of boats are in the photos above?

The boats above are currachs (spelt Curach in Irish). Currachs are an Irish boat with a wooden frame, over which animal hides/skins were once stretched, though now they are made with canvas.

You can see in the photo above the sun shining through the "skin" of the currach revealing the wooden frame.

Currachs are called naomhógs in Cork and Kerry and a "canoe" in West Clare. Depending on where they are built they size/design/shape can vary.

Stuck in the Mud! Waiting for the start - Currabinny Pier (above)

(above) One of the fun images from the day - Dragon Boat!

This year the Ocean to City Race organisers held a photo competition on the day with three categories - Harbour/Landscape, Sports/Action and Faces/Images of the Day. They awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each category and I was lucky enough to win two prizes (details at the top under my winning shots!) Woohoo!!! So thrilled.

The winning photos will be on display in Cork City Library from 4 - 8 July.

Hope you enjoyed my captures of the day - the sun shone and over 200 boats took part. All participants utilised the wonderful amenity on our doorstep - Cork Harbour, which, is the second largest natural harbour in the world.

Thanks for peeking - hope you have a wonderful day.