Quick Card Share and Vanessa's Blog Candy

The wonderful Vanessa is offering more candy over on her blog.  It closes March 3rd - be sure to check it out.

Quick Card Share - I must have spent at least one hour on Thursday trying to clean my camera... it is just so frustrating.  You come to the end of the cleaning process, look through the view finder and just feel like crying.  I LOVE my camera but the people at Canon have a lot to answer for with the 30D which doesn't have any self cleaning system!!!!  Surprisingly they introduced it on the next model.... was there a problem..... Sure was!!!! AARRRRggghhh... okay ... vent over! 

You can see the muck all over this photo - have spent more time yesterday cleaning and the results are slowly getting better.  My fingers are swollen from the cold at the moment so I feel like my hands are like awkward shovels which doesn't help with the delicate work of camera cleaning.

 

Supplies: Bazzill Swiss Dot Cardstock, PP by KaiserCraft, Gisela Graham ribbon,

Happy Birthday Peel offs coloured with a sharpie, numbers stickers from stak it - originally pale blue,

coloured with copics, machine stitching.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday.

Caardvarks Challenge - use stickers!

Another one I made for the Caardvarks Challenge.  It is sponsored by SRM Stickers this month and the challenge is to incorporate stickers into your new project/card.  Unfortunately I don't have any SRM Stickers - they are sensational - check out their blog here.

So I purchased some butterfly stickers in a store a number of months ago in pink and yellows (they were in a clearance basket!).  I think they were meant for a little girls bedroom as they are in various sizes. 

I stuck them on acetate and cut around them, stuck them to the card and added Papermania pearls to cover the glue dot, the sheer white ribbon is from papermania.  The letter stamps are from Heidi Swapp - stamped in Whispers mossy stone ink!.   This is another Mother's Day card (Mother's Day is March 14th here in Ireland).

I used my Martha Stewart border punch on the edge of the patterned paper.  I'm not sure who made the paper as it was received from a friend.

Paula over on Tales from Pollycraft is launching a new digital kit on the 1st of March.  She is giving away the set to 5 lucky people who post about it on their blog and leave her a comment.  She does the most AMAZING images and this set - Sweet Dreams Sprintime Retro is no exception.  Be sure to check it out here.  The chance to win finishes on Feb 28th at 11... so quick... check it out.

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

Paperplay Challenge - "For a Mother"

This week's challenge over on Paperplay is "For a Mother" - make a card, gift, layout or any other creation you are giving to a Mother this year - it can be your own Mother, aunt, Grandma, sister or daughter.  The challenge is sponsored by DT Member Mandy and here are the goodies up as this week's prize.  Papermania goodness - embellishment and paper pack from their Capsule Collection.

Mother's Day is celebrated during the month March in the UK and Ireland and this year it is the 14th March.  In the USA it is in May (so I try to swing Mother's Day twice!!). 

Made this card using stickers and am entering it into this month's Caardvarks Challenge - create a "new" card and use stickers.  This month's challenge is sponsored by SRM Stickers over on Caardvarks.... really wish I had some of them to use... they are stunning.  Check out their blog here.  Thankfully they now have a super online store...woohoo!!!!

Supplies: American Crafts Thickers (felt), Butterfly clear stickers from Dunnes Stores, acetate,

DCWV textured card blank, Martha Stewart border punch, machine stitching,

Textured cardstock by Papermania and Papermania pearls.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Happy Thursday!

Any occasion card!

I was playing with my Hero Arts Flower Wallpaper stamp making the St Patrick's Day card yesterday and I stamped this kraft cardstock with versamark as the base for this card.  I used another Pure Innocence digi image by Heather Ellis - just adore working with these. 

The pale blue paper was one of the freebie papers from Inspire Me that came with this month's CARDS magazine.  It has a raised, stitched pattern on it - almost like damask.  I used my Spellbinders Labels 8 set to cut and emboss.  Added ribbon I had from the Container store! and used my new Martha Stewart Pop up Water Lily flower punch.  Love how dimensional it makes the flower.  Of course I coloured with copics!!!

Shari Carroll from Hero Arts did a great show on QVC UK last night - well done to her and HA.  They put together sheets of a selection of popular/favourite stamps - Collage, Playful etc.  It was fun watching her explain her techniques and show her magnificent samples. 

She was quickly followed by Tim Holtz.  It was just hilarious how quickly all of Tim Holtz products sold out.  Dawn Biddy kept telling him that if it kept up he would have to sing and dance (to fill his slot of one hour!) - they even started to stick glittery flourishes to him to pass away some time!  Hee hee! 

I treated myself to this..... have to wait 3 weeks for delivery .... cannot wait to delve into it.

Thanks so much for peeking.  Hope your day is great. ♥

Hero Arts Challenge - Flowers and St Patrick's Day

My entry for this month's Hero Arts Challenge - Flowers and St Patrick's Day.  Closing date is this Thursday 25th Feb - full details are here.

I used the Flower Wallpaper Large Background stamp by Hero Arts to make the base.  I stamped with peeled paint distress ink on to watercolour paper.  I tried this a number of ways (1) misting the stamp with water when it was inked up, (2) misting the paper after stamping but decided I liked plain old fashioned straight stamping! for this card.

I then cut out a shamrock template from some of my watercolour paper scraps and stamped the Flower Wallpaper stamp with versamark clear ink.  I then used clear embossing powder, heated it and used my sponge applicator to apply the same distress ink - peeled paint on top of the embossing image.

I added Hero Arts smooth gemstones to the background flower centres (I think these look like little baby shamrocks - as shamrocks have three leaves/petals too). 

The term "shamrock" derives from the Irish word seamrog which translates as "little clover".  What's the difference?  Shamrock is smaller - they are both species of trefoil (genus Trifolium, from the Latin meaning - "having three leaves").

Supplies: Hero Arts Flower Wallpaper Large Background Cling, Fimo button by Jane, 

shamrock template found online, watercolour paper, Tim Holtz distressing tool, Distress Ink - peeled paint, clear embossing powder, Check ribbon by Gisela Graham, ric rac ribbon by Papermania,

Hero Arts smooth gemstones, pop dots and embroidery floss. 

I left the front of the card sentiment free but added this to the inside - an old Irish saying.  Just the perfect match to the shamrock on the front.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Grey and wet here today... so the photos aren't as bright as I would like. 

Cards for Kids Drive and Shari Carroll on QVC UK tomorrow

The very talented and kind Jennifer McGuire has just announced her new Cards for Kids (Round Two).  There are TWO new children - info here and the EIGHT children involved in the last Card Drive (info here). 

If you haven't heard about this incredible Card Drive I would urge you to check out all the information on Jennifer's blog here.  Jennifer and Jana Millen are truly inspirational.

The next shipping deadline is March 31st and there are new prizes.

For those of you that follow the Hero Arts Blog - you will know and recognise the very talented Shari Carroll.  Just to let you know that she is in the UK and is appearing on QVC's Craft Day along with Tim Holtz and Anna Griffin amongst others tomorrow.

Shari just got an update on her QVC UK time. Tuesday 23rd at 1:30 pm CST, and if you want to watch it live click on QVC uk then on Watch QVC Live. I think this is going to be the All Star Stamping segment ... but that is a guess? (about 7pm GMT). Check local listings to be sure.

Can't wait...... Thanks so much for stopping by.  Off to make cards for the Card Drive - will share later.

New Baby Boy Card

I made this card using Paula's amazing freebie available over on Tales from Pollycraft since Friday.  You might remember on Friday's post I mentioned that I was off to make a card with the image - as perfect timing I needed to make a card to Welcome Baby Kieran into the world. 

Here it is!  Loved working with this image called Willie.

Used copics to colour him - Frost Blue B00, Cool Shadow BG10 and Cool Gray No.1 C-1.  I used stickles on the stars and patterned paper by October Afternoon - three ducks in a row range.  Spellbinders Scalloped Circles - Large for the shape and Quickutz nesting circles.

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

Vanessa's Blog Candy and Quick Card Share

The super talented Vanessa is giving away these amazing nesties as blog candy.  Just become a follower on her blog and post/comment about it.  Fingers and Toes crossed!! LOL!!!

A quick card share - New Baby Girl / Christening card I was asked to make.  I used a stamp from Doodlebug Designs and added buttons from Papermania.  Pink textured cardstock from Papermania and a computer generated sentiment.

                                    

Thanks so much for peeking.  Hope your Saturday is going well.

Munch, Munch! and a Special Day

I know I will have one person peeping today to see if I have posted her Birthday Card !!  Happy Birthday to my SIL who is THIRTY today ... ha ha!!! Not going to post it until she receives it... and spoil the surprise (better go make one!!) LOL!! 

Today is also the anniversary of our move to the USA.  Nine years ago today we started on a marvellous adventure and loved every moment of it.  Hi to all our US friends - we still miss you loads and there are many days that we wish we still lived there!. 

My card share for today - after I added the Hero Arts sentiment - "Smile, Laugh, Giggle" to this card - I realised that I should have stamped - "Enjoy every moment"!!! and should have put it on kraft cardstock.  But cards don't always turn out the way you want them to.... and this is one of them!!  think I may "unmake" and redo this one.

Doesn't it really look like Louis is enjoying every bite?  This is an image by the very talented Maurie J Manning - Mo's digital pencil called Bronte and Louis.  She ran a blog hop for the week - this week - it finishes today to celebrate her six month anniversary.  Her Design Teams produced some AMAZING work.  If you haven't had a look - be sure to check it out - the blog hop starts here.  There are also fantastic digital images up for grabs... fingers and toes crossed!!

I coloured it with copics, added it to a blue scalloped circle and white card blank.  I cut bite marks on the scallop and card with a circle punch and hole puncher.  Munch... munch!.

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

p.s. Paula from Tales from Pollycraft has the most amazing baby image called "willie" as a freebie this week - get it here.  I am off to make a baby card with it right now!

It's a sketch!

This week's challenge over on Paperplay is a sketch.  I find these a little challenging!!!  - this is my DT Card for this week's challenge.

I used cardstock in orange and blue, an Anya digital image from The Greeting Farm, coloured with a mixture of copics and promarkers, (this image was in my stash coloured but unused!).  I added an orange button which Jane had sent me - thank you Jane (they are for sale here), a little one from MME and three blue fimo ones I made myself (I used a straw as the cutter... so they are tiny!).  I used the sentiment oval from Tales from Pollycraft (which were a freebie from Paula a number of weeks ago), which I coloured to match the image.

Thanks so much for visiting and I hope you will take part in this week's Paperplay Challenge.  Happy Thursday everyone!

Chocolate makes everything better!

Just heard that a friend is expecting her first baby and just had to use this image that Jodie Mackrell very kindly sent to me.  Jodie is the creator of Bugaboo Stamps and gives away wonderful freebies every Friday - be sure to check them out.  I love this image as it is next to impossible to buy "Pregnancy Cards" here in Ireland.

I positioned the card next to the rather LARGE bar of chocolate for the photo.  That is what I am mailing to her with the card.  I hope that she will enjoy them both!.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Happy Wednesday!.

My 100th Post

My 100th post...!! woohoo!!! Can't believe it - where does the time go?

Supplies: Pure Innocence digi image by Heather Ellis, Cuttlebug Stylized Flowers embossing folder,

prima flower, button from MME, embroidery floss, pop dots, copics and glossy accents.

Just wanted to share another amazing image by the very talented artist Heather Ellis.  Her images are available here and at her Etsy Store here.  I just LOVE working with these sweet images - so aptly called Pure Innocence.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Boys still on mid - term, so off to play.  Hope you have a great day.

Congratulations Card (tongue in cheek!)

Supplies Spellbinders Nesties Labels 8, Dovecraft Retro Card blank,

The Greeting Farm - Charlotte digi image, copics, misc gold ribbon

This is a Greeting Farm image - Charlotte, and I really think she has tremedous attitude.  So I matched the sentiment (computer generated) to her, printed and coloured her as a "Congratulations" Card to a special someone who may even be reading this post - so I won't say too much.  I just think the retro card blank from Dovecraft is a perfect match to her.  Hope the recipient enjoys it as much as me!!! So fun!  She just makes me laugh - a little cheeky!.  Saw this sentiment somewhere on my blog hopping over the past week or so and just knew it had to go with this image!.

Hope you had a great weekend and here's hoping a wonderful week ahead.  The boys are on mid term so I won't get a chance to visit many blogs for the next few days.  I will be thinking of you all though..... thanks for stopping by.

Happy Valentine's Day

I made this card for all my Hero Arts Flickr Friends - I used a Hero Arts Sentiment with My Mind's Eye die cut sheet.  I get such fantastic support and encouragement from all the group - this is my "thank you" and Happy Valentine's to you all.  Hope you all have a wonderful day with family and friends.

Did you know the history behind St Valentine's Day?

Saint Valentine's Day (commonly shortened to Valentine's Day) is an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The holiday is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The holiday first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.

Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards (not in the Hero Arts Flickr Group!!! LOL!!!).

I was inspired recently by Krysten's ability to make LOTS of cards with only 2 sheets of 12x12 - wow .... so I decided to try my hand at something similar and used two sheets from My Minds Eye (one was a die cut sheet) and managed to produce quite a few quick and easy (simple!) cards but not as many as the talented Krysten!. 

This one is for my hubby - another one with My Mind's Eye die cut sentiment, card blank from DCWV and the Forever Friends Bear stamp.

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

Encouragement Card! and Vanessa's Blog Candy

Supplies: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder dots large, pp by We R Memory Keepers - Hepburn range,

kraft cardstock, image from StretchnBubbles, Copics and machine stitching.

Just had to share this card with you.  It is the freebie image from Stretch n Bubbles this week.  Another amazing image by Alison Spelman.  I just laughed out loud when I saw it.  I plan on using it as a Congratulations Card but it could also double up as an Encouragement Card.

If you sign up as a follower to her blog Alison will give away 3 digital images when the followers list reaches 300 and 4 images when it hits 400 and so on..... go check it out here.

Vanessa is having a giveaway - as she reached 30,000 hits... Amazing right!  So she has some beautiful candy on offer - go check it out here

Have a great weekend and thanks so much for stopping by.

Card Share as promised

Two posts in one day!!!!!! wow!

I promised to post a card later in the day - so as promised!. 

My HA Flickr Friend Donna has made some incredible cards with amazing images by Heather Ellis - so I popped over and bought some a few days ago and had SO MUCH FUN with them.  They are just adorable.

Supplies: Red cardstock, Spellbinders Nesties - Blossom, Pure Innocence Digital image,

copics, Ribbon from Tesco, pop dots and glossy accents.

I used a new embossing folder and nesties which I bought earlier in the week too.  I put glossy accents on her wellies and on the heart on her watering can just to add some shine. 

Thanks so much for peeking.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Valentine's Freebies

Doesn't everyone love a freebie... then check out these cuties available over on Living Locurto

These wonderful freebies are available as PDF's too to help with the printing! so go check out Living Locurto for really cute downloadable Valentine's.

You will know that I am a HUGE fan of Paula of Pollycraft Designs work.  She does freebies on Fridays and oh wow oh wow... go check out today's here.  Paula also has a challenge running with this freebie - upload your creation in her Papercraft Planet group and you might win some more of her wonderful images.  Woohoo!!!!

I put my head down yesterday and made quite a few cards - phew!!!  Just want to finish them off and will post some later.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Happy Friday!

What's another candle!!

Paperplay Challenge time again - this week the challenge is to make a project/card based on "Birthday for someone special!".

Supplies: Image from Bugaboo Stamps, pp from KandCo, Martha Stewart border punch,

Freebie digital sentiment from Tales from Pollycraft, Black pen,

coloured with copics and glossy accents added to the candles, pop dots

This card is for a very special buddy - we ain't getting any younger !!! LOL!... The inside reads... "What's another candle!!".  She will thoroughly enjoy this card.

I used an image from Bugaboo Stamps (remember freebies every Friday!) - soooo fun and the sentiment is from Tales from Pollycraft (a freebie from a week or so ago) - again, very kindly Paula does freebies on Fridays too!.  Paula just started a group over on Paper Craft Planet - so be sure to check it out for updates, tips and tricks etc.  Jodie from Bugaboo has a group too but it was started a few weeks ago.  Best of luck to both of them.

Enjoy, and I hope you will play along with Paperplay this week.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Valentine's Card share

Another card which I have made as a request - if you are Kev! look away now!!! LOL!!!  I think there is little fear that "Kev" would be checking out this blog!!!

Supplies: A5 Card Blank, PP - Papermania Joyeux Noel Range, Spellbinders Labels 8,

Forever Friends stamp - coloured with copics, ribbon, fimo button (another one I made),

embroidery floss, pop dots, Sentiment is computer generated

I took this photo before I adhered the little hearts that I had punched and covered in stickles... but not going to retake the photo and upload at this stage!  Need to get stuck into creating and not blogging!!! sorry... couple of deadlines to meet.

Yes, if you looked at the supplies list above you will have spotted "Joyeux Noel!!" - this was left over patterned paper from a Christmas Range that Papermania released.  Don't you just love when you can use from your towering "stash"!!!  I think it is bold enough for a manly valentine without being too overboard!  Anyhow... better go put my head down and get some stuff done!

Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you are having a good week.

Ducks in a Row!

Supplies:  Freebie digital image from Pollycraft, pp by October Afternoon,

fimo button, embroidery floss, copics, textured cardstock from Papermania,

A5 Card blank by Anita's, Martha Stewart border punch, XCut corner rounder and glue dots.

Tales from Pollycraft has this amazing duck image as a digital freebie this week - I just had to share the card I made using it.  I printed if off on Friday and got colouring over the weekend.  I used the new papers from October Afternoon, which I think match perfectly. 

I coloured the image with copics and adhered using dimensional adhesive i.e. pop dots.  Also had a large fimo button that I made myself which matched the yellow ducks! 

Still not sure if it will be a "Happy Spring" card, "Easter" Card, "New Baby Boy" card... the options are bouncing around in my head.  At the moment it will remain sentiment free and get added to my stash!

Thanks so much for stopping by, please leave a comment as I really do love reading them all.  Happy Tuesday!

Hero Arts Monthly Challenge

Hey Everyone, I hope you all had a great weekend.

I have made another card for this month's challenge over on Hero Arts.  Check out their blog for more information or the FLICKR pool to check out the entries to-date.

Supplies:  PP from MME Spring Papers, Hero Arts sentiment CL129 and Hero Arts Flower set CG128,

machine stitching, old french/english dictionary, Spellbinders scalloped circles nesties,

fimo button I made and embroidery floss.

I used Dawn McVey's method for making the vintage puffy flowers (see her video/post here) added a fimo button that I had made, some embroidery floss and voila!  I found an tiny old French/English dictionary that I used a little while ago! in school/college so I used that as my text / old paper source.

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

A quick Birthday Card Share

Supplies: Cupcake stamp, textured cardstock by Papermania,

Hat pin by Oasis, HA smooth gemstones, MS loop punch border and corner,

Spellbinders scalloped circles, Quickutz nesting circles,

black pen to add the doodles and sentiment (handwritten), pop dots and stickles.

Made this using my new Martha Stewart loopy punches... so cool.  I had fun with them.  Just a quick share today. 

Thanks for peeking.

Hero Arts Challenge - Flowers and St Patrick's Day

This month's theme over on Hero Arts is Flowers and St Patrick's Day.  My SIL asked me to make a card for a very good friend who celebrated her birthday yesterday - so didn't post it until I knew she had received it!!!  I made a Miss Party Owl with a party hat/hair accessory!!!

Supplies: Hero Arts K5059 Big Owl, pp by K&Co, MS border punch, prima flower,

fimo sparkly white button made by me! embroidery floss, pop dots, pee wee glitter, glossy accents,

glue dots, HA smooth gemstones and copics.

The colours are a little off in the photo - very gray/grey and dull here this morning.  The face of miss owl is actually glittered with pee wee glitter.  The wings open back to read - Olivia, Happy 30th Birthday - have a hoot!.

Hope you are having a great weekend.  Thanks so much for stopping by and would love it you left a comment.  I love reading them all. 

Mo's Challenge #17 and digi freebies

Happy Friday everyone!

Firstly, thank you Mo for the wonderful prize from last week's Challenge.  I can't wait to get creating!. 

I made this for this week's challenge # 17 which is to incorporate "wood/would" into your project.  I just realised as I am going to upload this that one of the DT - Dawn Burnworth used the same image on her card/project - and it is AMAZING!!!  Going to enter it anyways....

Supplies: Mo's digital image, pp from October Afternoon - ducks in a row range,

Spellbinders scalloped circles, Quickutz nesting circles, MS loop punch, copics and pop dots.

The image I used is a free digi image from Mo's Digital Pencil Group called "home tweet home" over on Paper Craft Planet.  If you become a member for every 100 members Mo offers a new freebie so GO JOIN NOW.  I printed the sign twice and cut and adhered with pop dots which isn't very evident from the photo.  Gray and dull here this morning!.

Just a few things I want to share

Paula from Pollycraft Designs launched her new range of fairies this week which are amazing but also she has her freebie friday digital image available - cute cute ducks (just perfect for spring).  Check it out here.

2peas released new digital kits today which are amazing but there is also an AMAZING free one by Betsy Tuma called Glitterati : Cupid - just perfect for those Valentines cards and pages.  Check it out here.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Hope you have a terrific weekend.

Love Notes - Paperplay Challenge

It's Thursday so it must be Paperplay day...woohoo!.  Love this week's theme - "love notes" - make a Valentine's Project.  It is sponsored this week by DT Member Elisa from Mami Doodles. 

Elisa's images are stunning and I got to play with some this week.  Here is my DT card and I will share some more that I made over the coming days so be sure to check back.

Supplies: Digital image - Mr Mouse in Love from Mami Doodles, 

pp from Making Memories - Just chillin' range, brown and orange cardstock,

Offray 7mm orange ribbon, Prima Flower, Fimo heart which I made myself (has sparkles in it!!),

Quickutz circles and Spellbinders scalloped circles large, pop dots and some embroidery floss.

How could you not adore this cute image?.  So happy that I managed to get to use another prima flower -  I adore them.  Sentiment is on the inside of this card as I don't want anything additional on the front.  You would never guess that I love orange!!! LOL!!

Also entering it into Charisma Cardz Challenge this week which is "Love".

A great start to today  - got lovely messages from the Mo's DP2 group - thanks everyone, to say that I had won the "Shades of Gray" challenge...woohooooo!!! Doing the happy dance... okay, so it was via random number generator... but a win is a win!!!

I must do the Euromillions Lottery before tomorrow night.... it is €100 million +!!!! wonder will my luck hold!! LOL!!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope that you will play along with Paperplay this week.