Challenges...

I have been desperately trying to get some crafting time this weekend, and only just made it. I have entered this lovely wee card into the following challenges, and definitely into the Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge as I have used the lovely Robyn in the puddle stamp. This can be purchased from Ladybug Crafts Ink ( http://ladybugcraftsink.co.uk/wellies-robyn-188-p.asp) Their challenges run from a Tuesday until a Monday, this week has their blog hop in line with release of their new stamps. The current challenge asks for two papers, one image and three flowers. I adore glitter and just always feel that the umbrella cries out for it. The stamp is from Ladybug Crafts Ink and the paper is from Docrafts in their new range. I have used stickles around the side of the paper and also around the image, as well as a few sprinklings on the flowers, which I have purchased from Wild Orchid Crafts, ( http://www.wildorchidcrafts.com/ ) their flowers are absolutely stunning. This card has also been entered into the following challenges, thanks for looking...

Critter Sketch Challenge - use a sentiment - http://critterchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Sketchy Colors - use pink and beige - http://sketchycolors.blogspot.com/

A week to go...

Well, only one week until the craft show in Glasgow, looking forward to going along and seeing all those tempting goodies! Bethany and I will be there bright and early, and stop for lunch when the going gets tough, normally about midday, when for some reason, the halls fill up! I do prefer the October show, as all the Christmas goodies are there - but wouldn't miss the March one. One of my recent discoveries, and I love it, is Pinflair Photoglue (http://www.joannasheen.com/craft-supplies/glues-and-sticky-things/glues/pinflair-foto-glue-single-50ml-tube/) , it's brilliant (on my top list with my glamour dust). I have for ages struggled with lining up my papers using doublesided tape (fingerlift tape) and, you know, with one eye shut trying to get it in line. However, I bought some of the Photoglue, well, it's brilliant! Put it on, line it up, down it goes and after a wee shuggle, all is straight, and one of the best things, any excess glue just rubs off, voila! Needless to say, I will be stocking up on this. (I think the Collall photoglue is very similar, though I haven't used it). I love using the Pinflair Gel Glue for decoupage and adding embellishments (and holding my shower head together, honestly....).

Love is in the Air - Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge...and others too (phew)

Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenge - Love is in the Air...

I am entering this card into the Ladybug Crafts Ink challenge http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.com/?zx=f3c403824520947e) whose topic this week is "Love is in the Air". I have used the lovely Ruby stamp available from Ladybugcrafts Ink and coloured her with promarkers and added Glamour Dust to her wings. I have punched some lovehearts and added them around the card. My printer ran out of ink (surprise!) and I had to handwrite the sentiment! I used a red Sakura gel pen and tried my neatest writing, hope it works!

I have also entered this card into the following challenges..

Papertake weekley Challenge (http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2011/02/have-heart.html) - Have a Heart

Many thanks for looking...

My wee pal Bethany...

Unfortuantely I haven't been crafting too much recently, with one thing and another, although always find time to have a quick look at my favourite blogs. Kerry's Ladybug Crafts Ink is one of my favourites, and I had my friend's 11 year old daughter (I borrow her as much as I can...) on Wednesday for a "crafting night". I had offered her a choice from my stamp box and she promptly chose Ladybug Crafts Ink Ruby Fairy, which I might add I had only purchased the week before and never got round to using, so Bethany, who just loved the image, chose Ruby. (for sale from (http://ladybugcraftsink.com/daydreaming-ruby-133-p.asp) We sat together, chatted, ate choccies (not too many) and crafted. Here is her creation and, thanks Kerry's guidance, her introduction to Glamour Dust. (Kerry told me about this at a demo day and I promptly purchased and use it loads!). Bethany loved it too.

I had a wee box of the alphabets, only 99p and a great buy, and I broke off the individual letters and we spelt out "Happy Birthday" she patiently stamped and stuck them on (pure admiration for her patience)., and lo and behold her lovely card. I suggested taking a pic and as the current challenge was "a card for a child..." this fit the bill perfectly. I emailed her card and (thank you Kerry and your Design Team) Bethany's card was posted on blog with lovely comments. Let me just say, Bethany is thrilled and I actually think we are more chuffed to have this recognition that the challenge win gift! So, thanks Bethany for being a great crafting buddy, and to Ladybug Crafts Ink team for making a wee girl's day, much appreciated. (p.s. Bethany and I are going to the SECC in four weeks, our girls' day out and can't wait...).

Baby Boy Card for Challenges...

Hi there

I have made this Baby Boy card primarily for the Ladybug Crafts Ink challenge which ends on Monday 17th January 2011 at 9 a.m. (kinda close with the time thingy!). I really do need a new camera, as try as I do, the picture never does the card justice. I have added glossy accents to the bubbles, and added pale blue gems to the swirls on the card. I have also added blue chalk around the image and the sentiment, which I have written with Sakura Stardust blue pen, all of which don't show in the picture, boo hoo! The image has been downloaded from , Mo's Digital Pencil, (http://digitalpenciltoo.com/index.php/Babies.html) titled "Kai in a tub", the selection of images are outstanding and reasonably priced. I have only tried the digital thing a few times, unsure whether it is for me, I really do enjoy the inky stampy thingy!

I have entered this project in the following challenges...

Ladybug Crafts Ink (http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/challenge-10-baby-plus-new-release-blog.html) - baby

The Crafty Pad Stamp Designs - (http://thecraftypad.blogspot.com/2011/01/challenge-104-dt-call-reminder.html) - Something New (new baby)

Thanks for looking...

Go on, hop over to Ladybug Crafts Ink Bloghop...

My new year resolution of keeping the blog up-to-date will never happen, so I suppose I have to accept it as it is! Until Monday at 9 a.m., my favourite blog over at Ladybug Crafts Ink is running their weekly challenge as well as a bloghop too! (http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/challenge-10-baby-plus-new-release-blog.html). Give yourself a treat, take some time for yourself, and go over the bloghop, the design team are are so talented, and you can chill out and maybe catch some new ideas from their blogs. The current challenge is based on "baby", in line with the release of Kerry's new baby stamps, you can see them here, as well as Kerry's other stamps which you can purchase, http://www.ladybugcraftsink.com/baby-baby-245-p.asp, they are lovely. Her stamps cover so many topics and the quality is first class, love them! I have a few cards to share, hopefully get round to that soon, now I am heading to the bloghop whilst listening to my favourite dance tunes! Here goes...

Happy New Year and New Challenges...

Happy New Year to Everyone,

Well that's it over for another year, where did the time go to. I hope everyone had a lovely time and managed to find time to rest, and of course craft!

I have made this card, with which I have tried a few new things. I have used, for the first time, watercolour card from Crafters Companion, it is really thick, but did the job. I stamped using Black Soot Distress Ink and tried to draw out the ink with a damp paintbrush, probably needs a bit more practice but looks okay! I used some Sakura glue pen on the umbrella and sprinkled with glitter. The glossy accents on the puddle and raindrops doesn't quite show so well in the photo (sadly Santa did not bring a new camera, boo hoo). I have gone around the image with grey chalks to give a slight frame. The white card blank is Craftwork Cards and I have to say, they are such stunning quality. I wouldn't consider using any other card blanks, and anyway, at the rate I make my cards, the two packets I have will last me a few years!

I have taken the opportunity to enter this card into the following challenges:-

Ladybug Crafts Ink - Song Title (Raindrops keep falling on my head)

http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.com/?zx=f3c403824520947e

Crafty Cat Weekly Challenge - chose a previous challenge topic (Challenge 57 - Spots & Stripes) - http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/

City Crafter Challenge - Stamp it Out

http://citycrafter.blogspot.com/

Stamp Something - Glitter

http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/

Paper Sundaes - Something New

http://papersundaes.blogspot.com/

Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes

http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Oh, while I was browsing other blogs, I came across this one, Reasonable Ribbon blogspot, http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/ maybe worth a look as they are also offering some lovely candy...

Happy crafting...