Summer Is Nearly Here!

You can always tell when summer is on its way due to the smell of burnt barbeque offerings wafting through the weak and hazy sunshine air. And Bill's barbeques are no exception. He specialises in well-done sausages and burgers that would make ideal frisbees. He can never work out why all the food ends up so over cooked - its a mystery!

I've used Echo Park Summerdays paper for the sky and added my own Sizzix fence and grass.  BBQ Bill has been coloured with Promarkers and I've added him to the card with foam pads.  The sentiment has been cut with my Sizzix Girls are Weird alphabet - its great to use as it means I don't need to keep the letters straight!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Lexi's Creations:  Happy Birthday
Stamp and Create:  Use at Least One Die Cut
Tammys Scrappin' Corner:  Lots of Layers
Crafting When We Can:  Personalise It
Aud Sentiments:  Happy Birthday

Image:  Dr Digi, coloured with Promarkers
Dies:  Sizzix Girls are Weird alphabet, Sizzix fence and grass
Papers:  Echo Park, Summerdays

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 49

It's time for a new Fetch A Sketch challenge and here is the sketch for the fortnight:

We don't have a sponsor for the challenge so I was free to use what ever I wanted so I used the most recent Funky Hand download called I Love You Sew.  I've used two of the papers for the background and then the bunting is offcuts from previous projects that I've also layered.

I've added some doodling here and there and also inking and the embroidery thread is from my stash.  So a nice and simple sketch this fortnight but with plenty of room to add your own touch!  To find out more about the challenge, please visit Fetch A Sketch!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafts 4 Eternity:  3 or more Patterned Papers
Art Impressions Stamps:  Layer It Up
Crafting For All Seasons:  No Stamps Allowed
Fab n Funky:  Love


Papers:  I Love You Sew download from Funky Hand
Everything else:  My stash

Sixty Five!

I'm not one for conventionally keeping with tradition and I do like to see if I can make something a little different, so here is a slightly different way of making a wordbook that Anice and Funky Hand is so good at producing!

I've used the wordbook templates from Wishes and Kisses cd but I've printed the 'pages' and letters separately.   On one of the pc's I use, I don't have the Papercraft Factory cd's installed so I just use them as a standard cd and click on the 'open' option rather than 'run' when it loads up.

I'm not able to use any of the fancy graphics and the digi's on the Papercraft Factory cd's but I can still use all the papers, letters and wordbook papers - I just have to do it a little differently!

The pages of the wordbook are easily printed.  But the letters are a bit more difficult as they are not attached to anything and I have to be careful when resizing so that they actually fit the pages!

But once I got the hang of it, I found it quite easy!  I've added the letters with foam pads so that it gives a bit of depth to the card and then used glitter glue around the edges for a bit of manly sparkle (if Anice can use flowers, then I can use glitter!)

The smaller letters are cut with a Sizzix alphabet set and I've added a little bit of black ribbon and some green cord to finish it off.

This is actually the card that my Mum asked me to make for my Dad's Birthday.  Which is today!!

Don't forget to link up any creation you have made with any Funky Hand products via the blue frog on the Get Funky post - we'd love to see what you've made and you never know - it could be your lucky day!!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Crafters Circle:  Boys to Men
Creative Corner:  Clean and Simple
Aud Sentiments:  Happy Birthday
Papercrafting Journey:  Use a Sentiment

All papers:  Wishes and Kisses cd from Funky Hand
Dies:  Sizzix Girls are Weird alphabet
Everything else:  My stash  

Wish You Were Here?!

I'm trying to be really good and use up all the odd sized offcuts of printed papers that I have in my rather large and overflowing shoe box.  The cloud papers (Echo Park Summerday papers) I've had to piece together in the centre (don't look too hard!)  and I've cut down the waves one (Echo Park Splash papers) and printed on the reverse too and used that.

I've added two extra clouds that I cut from the remnants as I wouldn't be able to use them again as they were too small.

The image is From The Heart digi stamps and is called Tropical Chick - its been coloured with Promarkers and then cut out and I've added it to the card with some free thin foam pads that I got in a magazine.

And that's about it!  Wouldn't mind being that chick right now - I could do with a bit of me time and a break!!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

I Heart Sketches:  Sketch followed
Pumpkin Spice:  Nature
Sweet Stampin':  Anything But Birthday
Word Play Saturday:  Weather


Image:  I Heart Digital Stamps, coloured with Promarkers
Papers:  Echo Park, Summerdays and Splash
Everything else: My stash

You Drink Too Much!

I'm a week late with this again! This is the new release digi stamp from Jellypark and its called You Drink Too Much!  She also comes with the sentiment and I've coloured her with Promarkers and then cut out.

It really is a fab image and saying, and quite possibly one that I will use quite a lot!  I've used papers from my stash - I am trying to be good and use up all the offcuts I have and they are Cosmo Cricket, Early Bird.  The ribbons are from my stash (actually originally from Lidl and they had lovely beads and little wooden apples on them too - those have been saved for another day!)

The little scallops have been made with my trusty heart punch, a bit of inking, some doodling around the edge and some half pearls and the card is complete!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Deconstructed Sketch:  Sketch 97 followed
Crafts 4 Eternity:  3 or more Patterned Papers
Charisma Cardz:  Polkadots
Delightful Challenges:  I Appreciate You
Sassy Studios:  Special Lady

Image and sentiment:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Papers:  Cosmo Cricket, Early Bird
Ribbons:  Lidl
Everything else:  My stash 

Polkadoodle Tutorial - Flower Pegs!

We've started a new feature over on Polkadoodles and the Design Team will be sharing some tutorials just before the challenge post goes live each Friday.  I'm starting the ball rolling with a rather simple but pretty way of using pegs!

You will need the following:

Sugar Birdies cd
6 wooden pegs
Glue
Scissors
1 A4 sheet of thin white card
1 A4 sheet of clear vellum

From the Sugar Birdies cd, print off one of the flower sheets so that you get 4 sets on a sheet of A4 card.  Do the same with a sheet of clear vellum.  Put the card back through your printer and print a contrasting block colour on the reverse.
 

Cut out one set of the card flowers (6) and two sets of the vellum flowers (12)

Next, layer up the card and vellum flowers - keep the vellum layers at the top

Gently curl the petals to give them some dimension

 And then glue to the pegs - make sure you don't glue the bit where the spring goes!

 

You could add a button to the centre and thread some twine through - I was lazy and couldn't find any black buttons!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Shelly's Images:  April Showers Bring May Flowers
Crafting For All Seasons:  No Stamps Allowed
Hambo Hoedown:  Anything But A Card
Creative Card Crew:  Handmade Flowers
Unstampabelles:  Anything But A Card

Papers:  Sugar Birdies cd from Polkadoodles
Everything else:  My stash / under the kitchen sink

Simply Create Too Challenge 36 - Babies

It's time for another Simply Create Too challenge and we will also be welcoming our new Design Team members on 8 May!  The new challenge theme is:

Babies

I've used a pre printed topper from Lili of the Valley (which I don't think they do any more) and trimmed it down slightly to fit on the card blank.  The papers are from my stash and I've added some ribbons, half pearls and a little heart charm.

Around the edges of the card and image I've dotted a line of liquid pearls - gives it a bit of texture and I think finishes it off quite nicely!

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

365 Day Cards:  Day 114 - Soft
Crafty Ribbons:  Anything Goes with Ribbon
DRS Designs:  Pastels
Moving Along With The Times:  Baby

Image:  Lili of the Valley pre printed topper
Everything else:  My stash

Football, Medals, Karting, Trophies and Paramedics!

Weekends are always busy in our household and the last one was no exception!  Jacob played in a rescheduled football tournament that was postponed at the end of March when we had a lot of snow.  He plays for Junior Gardener Whites Under 7 team and he is the goalie. 

He started the season in defense but wanted a go at being a goalie and despite a rocky start he's really flourished and does quite a decent job!  They played 6 matches and won 2, lost 2 and drew 2.  Jacob actually kept a clean sheet in one of the matches and saved all the goal attempts!

Here he is post match with his medal for taking part! 

Now onto Sunday!  Samuel was testing a new engine all day Saturday but it was not for working so we were lent an engine so he could take part in the first IKR (Independent Kart Racing) Championship at the 3 Sisters race track in Wigan.  He qualified 9th (11 racers in total but 3 different engine categories) and then moved up to 7th place after heat one.

From where we stand as spectators, we can't see the start / finish line so we didn't know what had quite happened at the start of heat 2 until the red flags (race stopped) were waved and Samuel didn't reappear.  The short video below is onboard footage from the grid start and the tangle Samuel got caught up in (watch kart 6)

All this happens at around 50mph and Samuel usually manages to avoid spins and crashes that happen in front of him but this time he didn't as kart number 6 spun into the side of him and took him clean out.  Normally the driver gets out of their kart and stands in a safe spot by the tyre wall.  But Samuel was not anticipating the contact and was rather winded by the crash (plus his sidepod was punctured by kart 6 - it looks like a bullet hole!) so the paramedics who are on standby drove onto the track (lights flashing!)in the ambulance and took Samuel off to be treated.

He was totally fine - more winded than anything but at least his rib protector worked!  We had to get him declared fit to race for the final by the paramedics (who were fantastic!) Because he didn't finish heat 2 he started 9th on the grid but by this time it was raining quite hard and Samuel is rather good in the wet! It was an 8 lap race due to the rain and he managed to finish 5th overall and 2nd in the Honda Class! So he got a trophy!!

So here he is with trophy number 15 in just 16 months of karting at Cadet level!

And in case you are wondering, he is wearing a wetsuit over his normal race suit - but at least we can spot him on track with the bright yellow markings!

So it all ended well and he was fine for school on Monday!

Crimbo Crackers - Challenge 40 - Anything Goes

It's time for another Crimbo Crackers challenge and I've gone for an easy option this fortnight and the theme is:

Anything Goes

I'm sponsored by the very generous Anice from Funky Hand and a download will be the prize for one lucky winner!

I've used the Santa Baby Wordbook download and made this cute First Christmas wordbook.  The wordbooks are really easy to make and all I've added are some sparkly snowflakes, glitter glue around the letters and die cut letters to spell the word Christmas.

They are really quite quick to make and always look good!  Good luck with the challenge - for more details, pop over to Crimbo Crackers.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafting For All Seasons:  No Stamps Allowed

The House That Stamps Built:  Shaped Cards

Paper Pretties:  Fabulous Folds

Craft Room Challenge:  So Sentimental

Make My Monday:  Fancy Folds

Papers:  Santa Baby Wordbook download from Funky Hand

Dies:  Sizzix Round A Bout alphabet; Marianne Creatables Snowflakes

Everything else:   My stash

No Ball Games

It's Tuesday so time for the regular dose from Dr Digi!  Gus is so proud of his greenhouse and he keeps it spick and span both inside and out and he is especially proud of his hanging baskets.  This year, he is hoping for a bumper crop of onions - the old fashioned variety. 

Gardening Gus is available to purchase from Dr Digi for the bargain price of £1!  I've coloured him with Promarkers and cut him out then added him to the printed background of a greenhouse - purchased from CraftsUPrint.  I've added a patch of earth and the onion seed packet.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Lacy Sunshine:  Spring Fever
Scrappy Frogs:  Think Spring
Crafty Catz:  One For The Boys

Image:  Dr Digi, coloured with Promarkers
Background:  CraftsUPrint download
Everything else:  My stash

Pretty (And Quick) In Pink

A quick one from me today!  I've had a rather busy and eventful weekend - some highs and some very lows but all came good in the end!  More about football, medals, trophies, karting and paramedics later in the week!

I've used papers and an image from the new Fredericka cd from Polkadoodles - it is a pre coloured image as I was in no mood to start colouring but I wanted to join in with the I Heart Sketches current challenge!  The scalloped edges are made with my trusty heart punch, vellum, ribbon and flowers are all from my stash.

A bit of inking and some doodling with a black fineliner and the card is complete!  I'd like to enter the following challenges:

I Heart Sketches:  Sketch followed
Crafting When We Can:  At The Movies (Pretty In Pink)
Hobby Cutz:  Monochromatic
Totally Papercrafts:  Monochromatic

Image and Papers:  Fredericka cd from Polkadoodles
Dies:  X Cut fancy die
Punch:  Heart
Everything else:  My stash

Jellypark Challenge - Make Us Laugh and Smile

It's time for a new Jellypark challenge and the theme this fortnight is:

Make Us Laugh and Smile

I've used Dinosaur Boy and coloured him with Promarkers - this image always makes me smile! I've used Cosmo Cricket Mr Campy papers and they were all offcuts that I was wanting to use up hence the odd layout!

The image has been added with foam pads for extra dimension and I've cut the letters with a Sizzix Girls Are Weird alphabet die set.  And that's about it really!  Hope you can join in with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments:  For A Guy
Papercrafting Journey:  Use a Sentiment
365 Day Cards:  Day 107:  Imagine
Shopping Our Stash:  Text or Letters

Image:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Papers:  Cosmo Cricket Mr Campy
Dies:  Sizzix GirlsAre Wierd alphabet
Everything else:  My stash  

Polkadodle Challenge 16 - New Home

It's a busy Friday again!  The Simply Create Too challenge post is below and coming soon will be the Jellypark challenge post!  But for now its Polkadoodles and the new challenge theme is:

New Home

I've made a posh bottle tag for a change and used papers from Polkadoodles (I don't know which cd they are from but I found them in my Polkadoodle pile of scraps!)  I've used my fancy X Cut dies to make the shapes and added a dotted line around the edge with a black fineliner pen.

The tree and birdie image are from Sugar Birdies and I printed the sheet almost 4 years ago when I made samples for its launch!  I decoupaged the birdies and the tree and added stickles here and there.  I handwrote the sentiment with a Sizzix tag and the ribbons are generous donations from my cousin Claire and were left over from when she made her Wedding stationery!

Good luck with the challenge!  I'd like to enter the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks:  Trees
DRS Designs:  Bows
Hanna and Friends:  Anything But a Card
Crafting For All Seasons: No Stamps Allowed
Sisterhood of Crafters:  Animals

Papers:  Polkadoodles
Image:  Polkadoodles, Sugar Birdies cd
Dies:  X Cut fancy dies and Sizzix tags
Sentiment:  Handwritten 
Ribbons:  Donation

Simply Create Too Challenge 35 - Midway Extra - Use Your Stash

It's time for the Midway Extra inspiration for the current Simply Create Too challenge and the theme is:

Use Your Stash

I've used an 6x6 paper pack that I've had for over a year and rarely use - Dovecraft Sugar and Spice and used a fancy X Cut die for the shapes.  The stamped Penny Black image I've also had for quite some time and I can't remember where it came from as I've not got the stamp!  I've coloured it with Aquamarkers.

 

The ribbons are all from my stash and I've layered two across the centre.  I've made the hat pin and added seed beads to it and the half pearls are from my stash too.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Sisterhood of Crafters:  Animal Antics
Shelly's Images:  April Showers Bring May Flowers
Creative Moments:  Spring
365 Day Cards:  Day 106:  Welcome Spring
Try It On Tuesday:  Spring Has Sprung
Always Something Creative:  April Weather in Brown

Papers:  Dovecraft 6x6 Sugar and Spice
Image:  Penny Black coloured with Aquamarkers 
Everything else:  My stash

First Place!

Following on from last weeks success at Daytona Manchester and Jacob setting a new lap record the first time he's been in a kart for nearly 4 months, we decided to enter him into the Formula Bambino round 4.  Prior to being goalie extraordinaire for a local under 7's team, Jacob competed in each Formula Bambino rounds but his highest finishing position had been fourth, so not quite making it onto the podium.

There are two heats, each 15 minutes long, and the spectators don't get to see the times so you have to try and guage where your child is in relation to others when they are driving around the track to see if they are gaining or falling back.

Jacob had a really good first heat and lapped the other 3 drivers!  His second heat wasn't as good but he still kept pace.  The times from both heats are added together and then divided by two to get the average.

The hardest bit is waiting for the positions and names to be read out (in reverse order!) and when Tom read out the third place driver, I knew Jacob was on the podium!  So imagine my surprise when he came first!

Here he is on the podium with the other two drivers (apologies for the poor photo - I was shaking!)

And here he is with his trophy

And not only did he win the round and get his first ever karting trophy, he also broke the lap record (the one he set the week before!) again, knocking just over 1.3 seconds off!!

Samuel had a difficult weekend as it was his Championship too.  We ended up coming home early as his brake disc had shattered as the axel had moved.  So he was not a happy camper.  Wheras Jacob was boinging around!

Pipe Down!

It's Tuesday and that can only mean it's my turn to show and tell at Dr Digi!  Dr Digi is kindly sponsoring the current Fetch A Sketch challenge and as I rather like the sketch I'm showing another sample:

I've used the Pipe digi (only 50p), coloured it with Promarkers and used a fancy X Cut die to cut it out.  The sentiment I thought up myself and printed it on the pc.  Distressing is courtesy of a used tea bag and a bit of inking.  And I found the chocolate brown card in my stash along with the corrugated backing.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Mania:  Punches / Die Cuts
Cards For Men:  Anything Goes
Love To Create:  For The Guys
My Craft Spot:  Anything Goes

Image:  Dr Digi, coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment:  Computer generated
Dies:  X Cut
Everything else:  My stash

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 48

It's time for a new Fetch A Sketch challenge and here is the sketch for the fortnight - nice and simple!!

We are sponsored by a new digital company - Dr Digi!  The winner of this challenge will get to pick an image from the store!

 

I've worked with one of the Bits N Bobs images - the Paint Can is only 50p from the store!  I've kept it quite basic as I didn't want to over complicate the image - the sentiment I printed on my pc and I've coloured the image with Promarkers plus a little glossy accents.

I've used my fancy X Cut dies for the shapes and added a faux stitched line.  And that's it!  The challenge runs for 2 weeks - for more details pop over to Fetch A Sketch!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Challenges 4 Everyone:  Anything Goes
Gingerloft:  For The Guys
Glitter n Sparkle:  Stitching - Real or Not

Image:  Dr Digi, coloured with Promarkers

Dies:  X Cut

Sentiment:  Computer generated

Everything else:  My stash

Little Graduation

Here is the second card I've made from the CraftsUPrint Sassy Cheryl kit.  I bought 5 of the images - all pre-coloured in the kit for £3 which is pretty good value and great for when you need to make a quick card!

And again I've used the Samantha Walker A to Z Mega Kit which I bought from Jessica Sprague for $1 some time ago (retail is now over $25 so you can imagine how thrifty I feel!!)  There is loads in the kit - I've only used two of the papers on this card.

I've used a heart punch for all the scallops - I don't have many fancy dies and generally make the best of what I have so its a simple heart punch for me!  I've hand written the sentiment and added some Card Candi to the bottom.  It looks a little orange in the photo but its actually dark red!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Seems A Little Sketchy:  Sketch followed
Shelly's Images:  Scallops
Digi Stamps 4 Joy:  Anything Goes
365 Day Cards:  Day 100 - Discover (Learning)
Ladybug Crafts Ink:  Card for a Child or Teenager


Image:  Sassy Cheryl pre-coloured image kit bought from CraftsUPrint
Papers:  Samantha Walker A to Z Mega Kit bought from Jessica Sprague
Sentiment:  Handwritten
Everything else:  My stash  

Great Job!

I've bought another Sassy Cheryl kit from CraftsUPrint and this is one of the school day images from the kit.  It's a pre-coloured image (saving time!) and I've used a Samantha Walker kit - A to Z mega collection that I bought ages ago from Jessica Sprague when it was One Buck Wednesday - I got loads and loads for around 62p!!

I've added a line around the edges of the card plus added some Card Candi to the top corner and the other elements are from the kit.

I've another card to show you tomorrow using another image from the CraftsUPrint pack and also using the same paper mega collection!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

I Heart Sketches:  Sketch followed
Sketch and Stash:  Sketch followed
QKR Stampede:  For A Child
Sarah Hurley Challenges:  Projects with Character


Image:  Sassy Cheryl pre-coloured - bought in a kit from CraftsUPrint
Papers and elements:  A to Z Mega Kit from Samantha Walker
Everything else:  My stash 

Simply Create Too Challenge 35 - Use Your Stash

It's time for another Simply Create Too challenge and the theme this fortnight is:

Use Your Stash

I was asked by my cousin Claire, who got married last year to make an Anniversary card for her husband Ross.  They generously gave me all the left over card, ribbon etc from when they made their Wedding Stationery so that is what I've used for the card - plus the first Anniversary is Paper so I thought it quite apt!

I've double layered the card blank and added dotted liquid pearls around the edge.  I've layered two hearts in the centre and then punched lots of other hearts from the same card and also the vellum (inserts for the stationery).

I've slightly curled the vellum hearts and then added a half pearl to the centre.  The ribbon is also from the Wedding stationery (place cards) and the sentiment stamp is from Lili of the Valley.

Rather pleased with the card especially as I used virtually everything from their Wedding too!

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

365 Day Cards:  Day 98 - Transparent (vellum)
Little Miss Muffet Challenges:  Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafty:  White on White
Shopping Our Stash:  Not Your Normal Paper (all donated and recycled!)
Card Mania:  Punches / Die Cuts
Forever Friends:  Die Cuts / Punches

All paperbased items:  Donation and left overs from Wedding Stationery
Ribbon:  As Above
Sentiment:  Lili of the Valley
Punch:  Heart
Everything else:  My stash

Splashing In The Rain

This is such a cute image and the best thing is that it came pre-coloured!  So a nice and quick card to make!  I bought it as part of a crafters resource pack from CraftsUPrint - I got 5 different Sassy Cheryl pre-coloured images for only £3 which is a bargain!

I've used a Nestie to cut the image and also the two half circles either side plus used another Nestie for the scalloped edge layering.  All the papers are from Funky Hand - Rainbow Polkadots download and the ribbon (well, its actually upholstery trimming from the scrap store) is from my stash.

I've added some clouds and three tiny glass gems (which were left over from my cousin's Wedding last year!) plus a bit of stickles over the rain drops.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday:  Sketch Followed
Simon Says Stamp:  April Showers
Creative Card Crew:  Clouds
Tip Top Tuesday:  Boys and Girls Come Out To Play
Craft Your Passion:  Water
Digi Makeover Challenge:  Water


Image:  Crafters Resources from CraftsUPrint - Sassy Cheryl image
Papers:  Rainbow Polkadots download from Funky Hand
Dies:  Spellbinder Nestabilities
Ribbon:  Scrap Store
Everything else:  My stash 

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 39 - Vintage

It's time for another Crimbo Crackers challenge and the theme for the fortnight is:

Vintage

I'm sponsored by the fab Cardmakers Delights who are offering the challenge winner 5 sets of toppers from the store!  If you've not heard of Cardmakers Delights before, just click on the banner and have a wander through their store!

I was sent a very generous selection of Christmas themed toppers in preperation for the challenge and I've used one on my card:

The papers are a mixture from my stash - the 'falling dots' one is Prima - North Country 6x6 and the main background is Pink Paislee - Family Matters.  I've layered the topper - its printed onto to thick card and quite a perfect shape for using - onto some brown card from my stash and then used an old kraft folder to layer everything else onto.

The stitching is all faux and the snowflake charm is from The Bead and Button Company and the ribbon and embroidery thread are from my stash.

Good luck with the challenge - for more details, pop over to Crimbo Crackers!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Christmas at Sweet Stampin':  Kraft
Anything Goes Challenge:  Metal
Artistic Inspirations:  Anything Goes
The Crazy Challenge:  Add A Charm

Topper:  Cardmakers Delights
Printed Papers:  Pink Paislee and Prima
Layering:  Recycled stationery
Charm:  The Bead and Button Company
Everything else:  My stash

Reading

Here is the second of the two new release digi stamps from Jellypark - this one is called Woman Reading Book and its available to buy for only £1.25!

I've coloured her with Promarkers and watercolour pencils for the sky and the softer parts of the grass and I've used papers I found in my stash.

As it was a large image that I'd printed I went for a slightly distressed look and then added a dotted line around the edge of the image with a black fineliner.  I've also added a faux stitch around the edge of the card.

The green organza ribbon I've had in my stash for probably 5 or 6 years and I bought a rather large roll of it at the time so still have plenty to go at!  The hat pin is from my stash and I've added some pink sead beads to the top and bottom.

Quite a simple card and I did think about adding a sentiment but couldn't think or find one that I liked with the image!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Craft Room Challenge:  In The Library
LEJ Designs:  Show Us Your Ribbons
ABC Challenge:  Colour Challenge - Pink, Blue and Green
Melonheadz:  Girly
The Pink Elephant:  Spring Colours

Image:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers and Watercolour pencils
Papers:  My stash
Everything else:  My stash

Bookmark

This is one of the two new release stamps this week from Jellypark - this one is called Boy Reading Book and I've made a bookmark!  It seemed more appropriate to me than a card plus its nice to make something other than cards all the time!  AND I wanted to use up some scraps of card!

I've coloured the image with Promarkers and then layered him onto the bookmark (a scrap of card from cutting down an A4 sheet to make a card blank) and covered it with freebie papers from The Clip Art Fairy.  The stars have been cut with my X Cut die and I handwrote the sentiment.

I covered the reverse too and added some more stars - just didn't take a photo of it so you'll have to trust me on that one!

The image looks a bit like Jacob - he loves reading and is really quite good for his age and he'll read anything - cereal packets, roadsigns - anything!  Whereas Samuel will only read things he is interested in.  So that's basically F1 or racing!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Forever Friends:  Die Cuts / Punches
Crafty Embelies:  Anything Goes
Gingerloft:  For The Guys
Hotshot Crafts:  Anything But a Card
Stampin For The Weekend:  Anything But a Card
Craftroom Challenge:  In The Library

Image:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Papers:  Freebies from The Clip Art Fairy
Dies:  X Cut
Sentiment:  Handwritten

Knitting Champion

Knitty Nora, who once was the Knitting Champion of Kendal in 1953, is still very active in knitting circles and regularly donates all her finished items to a refuge for abandoned animals. These sad and neglected animals find great comfort in Nora's misshapen knits and her weird and wonderful colour combinations are most welcome to the chameleons.


So here is a snapshop of Nora in action, proudly displaying the Champion of Kendal 1953 trophy.

You too can have your very own Knitty Nora (with or without sparkly pink fluffly slippers) as she is available to buy right now. And to finish the scene, the trophy and coffee table have been added.  All available to buy from Doctor Digi!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Bloggers Network:  Anything Goes

Crafty Cardmakers:  Humour

Sparkle and Sprinkle:  Digital Image

Lacy Sunshine:  Anything Goes

Pile It On:  Wooden (floorboards!)

Main image, trophy and coffee table:  Dr Digi, coloured with Promarkers

Wall art:  Freebie stamp from a magazine

Papers:  Dovecraft Sugar and Spice 6x6 paper pad

Everything else:  My stash

Elegance

Just a quick one from me.  Image, papers and sentiment are all from the fab brand new mini collection cd from Polkadoodles - Fredericka.  I've used one of the pre coloured images from the cd - there are pre coloured (for those who are having a lazy streak!) and also ones that you can colour yourself.  Loads of papers and sentiments and a sheet of tag sentiments for all the girly occasions you can think of!

I've made the rolled flowers and added a large gem (pound shop) to the centre of each.  Ribbon is from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

I Heart Sketches:  Sketch followed
One Stop Craft:  Birthdays
Dutch Dare Card Challenges:  Birthday Fun

All papers, sentiment and image:  Polkadoodles
Gems:  Poundshop
Dies:  X Cut oval
Everything else:  My stash

It's My Birthday!

We took Jacob karting this morning to Daytona Manchester - he's not had a session for nearly 4 months and as football season has ended we thought we'd give it a whirl to see how he was after such a long break.

He was in the second of three sessions and set the fastest time in his session.  And for the day.  And it appears that he has set a new lap record too according to his time sheet!

He only managed 20 laps as he got hit quite hard by another driver who it appears (after reviewing the GoPro footage) did not brake when going into the hairpin and slammed into Jacob.  So much so that the chain came off Jacobs kart.  He was fine but rather indignant that he'd been hit!

If you are wondering why his times are a little erratic - he got stuck in traffic and has to wait for two sections on the track where the slower drivers are blue flagged and he can overtake them.  Laps 14 and 15 are almost identical - only 0.002 of a second split!

Quite a nice Birthday present for me!

Jellypark Challenge - All About Books

It's time for a new Jellypark challenge and the theme this week in honour of library week (in the USA) is:

All About Books

We want to see your creations that depict books!

I've used a wonderful decoupage sheet from Jellypark that was free in a magazine a while ago and it features The Owl and the Pussycat!  There are quite a few layers to the card hence the odd angle of the photo!

I've added some stickles here and there but all in all, it was a quick card to make!

Hope you can join in with the challenge!  There are two new digi stamp releases too today which are in keeping with the challenge theme; I'll be blogging those over the next few days or so.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments:  For A Child

Sarah Hurley Challenge:  Projects with Character

Crafting By Design:  Animals

Inky Impressions:  For A Child

Craftroom Challenge:  In The Library

Kit:  Jellypark

Polkadoodle Challenge 14 - Pink and Brown

It's time for another busy Friday!  If you are looking for the Simply Create Too Midway Extra inspiration then its below and the Jellypark challenge will be along soon but for now, its the Polkadoodle challenge!

The theme for the week is:

Pink and Brown

I've gone for an Easter theme and made this rather mad looking Bunny from various dies and papers.  The brown papers are from A Double Sprinkle of Kraft and the pinks are scraps left over from previous projects from Candy Doodles.

I've used X Cut oval dies for the pink parts - I cut round them for the brown parts (the next sized up die was too big) and also for the tummy part.  The round parts are Nesties and the teeth are punched from a heart.  Nose is the same heart but in pink (and covered with glossy accents) and the whiskers are twisty-ties...... I couldn't find anything else suitable!

Inspiration came from a recent cardmaking magazine - I'm not sure which one but I looked at the sample and thought I can do that too!

Good luck with the challenge - for more details pop over to Polkadoodles!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafting By Designs:  Animals
Creative Belli:  Easter
Inky Impressions:  For A Child
Sisterhood of Crafters:  Easter / Spring


Papers:  A Double Sprinkle of Kraft and Candy Doodles both from Polkadoodles
Dies:  X Cut oval and circle Nestabilities
Punch:  Heart
Everything else:  My stash (or the kitchen) 

Simply Create Too Challenge 34 Midway Extra - Animals

You would be forgiven for thinking that I've already blogged this card- we'll, I have, sort of - very similar but some differences - this is the green themed version - the original one is here!

It's the Midway Extra part for the current Simply Create Too challenge and the theme (there is a week left to get your entries in!) is

Animals

I've used the same Penny Black stamp from one of the clear packs and I've coloured it with Aquamarkers and used papers from Dovecraft Back to Basics 2.

I've added a faux stitch around the edges of the image and papers and made the bunting myself.  I cheated a little with the brads as they are Sharpie marker dots with a blob of liquid pearls over the top.

The sentiment is also from the stamp set and I've added ribbon and pearls from my stash.

Good luck with the challenge - we also have a Design Team Call running - pop over to the Challenge blog for more details!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafting By Design:  Animals
Papercraft Star:  Gardens / Seeds
Emerald Faeries Challenge:  Recipe - 1 image, 2 papers, 3 embellishments (ribbon, pearls and bunting)


Image:  Penny Black, coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment:  Penny Black
Papers:  Dovecraft Back to Basics 2
Everything else:  My stash

A Spot of Washing Up

All is well.  Dave is rather proud of his brand new shiny and squeaky clean kitchen.  It is not quite to his taste, however Dave does not look a gift horse in the mouth especially when it is a free kitchen.  He has been enjoying a lucky streak on the bingo down at the Legion on a Friday night and this is one of his winnings.
 

Flip Flop Fred who calls the numbers (down at the Legion on a Friday bingo night) said he knows a mate who knows this bloke's uncle's sister's boyfriend who works at B&Q.  And he got it cheap. So that was the prize a week last Friday.

And Dave is happy he can wash his dishes until they sparkle and shine when ever he likes.  All is well.

To purchase your very own Dishcloth Dave head on over to Dr Digi's House of Stamps.  Dishcloth Dave is unfortunately not free (like the kitchen) but for a nominal fee of £1 he can be your Dishcloth Diva.

Dishcloth Dave has been coloured with Promarkers plus a bit of stickle sparkle and liquid pearls.  The kitchen is right out of a B&Q catalogue (Jacob and I spent a lovely 10 mins or so checking out all the kitchen displays in B&Q some time ago so it wouldn't look suspicious taking some brochures.....!) and I found the retro poster by doing a google search.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Creative Inspirations Paint:  Anything Goes
Lacy Sunshine:  Anything Goes
My Time To Craft:  Old Newspaper, Magazine or Book (old B&Q catalogue!)
Cards For Men:  April Fools
Crafty Cardmakers:  Humour
Created With Love:  Funny Cards

Image:  Dr Digi, coloured with Promarkers
Background:  B&Q catalogue
Poster:  Google search

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 47

It's time for another Fetch A Sketch challenge! Here is the sketch for the fortnight:

The sponsor for the challenge is Funky Hand and Anice has kindly offered the winner a download of their choice!

And here is my take on the sketch.  I've used papers from Funky Daze which must be one of my most favourite and used Funky Hand cd's!  I've used my X Cut star die and made a slider card - the 'gap' thing is at a slight angle so that it rolls.

I've added kraft card and punched a few hearts too.  The sentiment is handwritten.  A bit of faux stitching and some dotting around the edges and the card is complete!

Good luck with the challenge and to find out more and how to enter, please pop over to Fetch A Sketch!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Gingerloft:  Kraft
Sketchy Colours:  Blue, White, Mint Green and Yellow
Crazy 4 Challenges:  Twist (the star twists round)
Hiding In My Craft Room:  Freestyle
Totally Gorjuss:  Something Blue


Papers:  Funky Daze from Funky Hand
Dies:  X Cut star
Punches:  Heart
Sentiment:  Handwritten
Everything else:  My stash