Tis the season to be jolly...

...fa la la la laa la la la la! I could not stop humming this song whilst making this card! I have made this card using the Ismaki challenge sketch and am going to enter it into Vicki's pins and needles challenge. She is giving away some gorgeous blog candy to celebrate 20,000 hits and her birthday on the 28th Sep! If you don't already know Vicki and her blog (which I'm sure most of you already do!), pop over and have a look at her fabulous creations!

This card blank is just slightly smaller than A5 size, I got a christmas colours CS kit from QVC a couple of years ago and have just discovered I have some left. Love this green, nice and traditional christmas colour. Stamped image is one of my new sugar nellie's and she has been coloured in with my whispers pens. I have stamped some snowflakes faintly onto the image background, not sure if you'll be able to see if you click on the image. Background paper is from a Brenda Pinnick christmas kit I got from QVC last year, CS is from the coredinations range, you can see the inner coloured core where I have torn it, love this! Sentiment is from a studio G clear set, snowflake brads are from papermania brad caddy, stitching around outer edges of card done on my new sewing machine and organza ribbon with hat pin through to finish. I just want to say thanks to Rach for advising me that the zig zag stitch is more forgiving, I much preffered working with this stitch!

I really enjoyed making this card, it took me long enough to make but I love the end result so it was worth it!

Back to work for me today :-( After 2 long weeks off work and crafting to my hearts delight I'm back to the daily grind of boring work! Oh well, I need to earn some epenies to buy all that lovely craft stash!

Have a good day everyone!

Vicky x

Sketch Saturday!

My niece is 2 in a couple of weeks and I have been meaning to make her card for a while. So whilst my OH was watching Golf yesterday I thought I'd use this weeks Sketch Saturday LO and make her card. I really enjoyed using this sketch, I just hope I've done it justice as I haven't done a sketch challenge in a while.

The image is Fairy Maggie from Sugar Nellie. I have paper pieced her dress with papermania paper and used watercolour pencils and whispers pens to colour her hair and face. I have added plentyof irridescent glitter to her wings, wand and stars on her dress, I just hope you can see it on the close up of the picture. The CS is from the new coredinations range and the spotty paper is from the new papermania sweet nothings range, I love these papers, so girly! The sentiment is a sticker from a QVC kit I bought ages ago. I don't normally like using stickers, but I couldn't find anything else to match and thought this went quite well. I have covered the chipboard '2' with paper (also from sweet nothings range) to make it match as it was previously blue, edged it with pink ink and then covered with 3d gloss for that lovely epoxy finish! The pink dots in the corners of my card were punched from the coredinations CS and 3d gloss added again!

I would also like to enter this card for Vanessa's candy giveaway as she was looking for a glittery card!

Well more of the golf on today so should be able to get some more crafting done before I go back to work tomorrow! :-(

Enjoy your Sunday!
Hugs, Vicky x

Lots of Candy giveaway's...

... at the moment.

Bev has a wonderful whiff of Joy Willow with hot chocolate stamp to giveaway, along with some ribbon and flowers. Pop over to her fabulous blog to be in with a chance of winning!

Beth has some really cute Forever Friends papers and a stamp up for grabs over at her blog, so what are you waiting for, head on over and check it out!

Vanessa is also giving away some 'bits and bob's' candy to celebrate her birthday and over 12,000 hits. All you need to do is make a card that incorporates glitter somewhere.

and finally Carole has some fab goodies to give away including a magnolia stamp, ribbons and papers. You need to visit her blog, not just to enter the candy but to take a peek at her fabulous creations!

Good luck everyone, Vicky x

Well and truly stitched up!

I thought putting stitching on my cards would be a relatively easy process. How wrong could I be! Having never used a sewing machine before how was I to know! After this, my first effort, I may have to go back to faux stitching, either that or just do a LOT more practising!

I'm not entirely hapy with this card. It probably wouldn't have been so bad without the stitching! I managed to get the stitching on the background paper relatively straight, However, on the image it's somewhat higgledy piggledy. My OH asked if I'd got parkinsons! Oh well, we learn from our mistakes!

The image was sent to me by Sally and coloured with whispers pens and irredescent glitter glue. The background paper is from last years DCWV christmas paper stack, and the white CS was embossed with the cuttlebug snowflakes folder. Sentiment is from a stugio G set and matted onto coredinations cardstock before adding anita's 3D gloss to give that epoxy finish!

On a brighter note I am really excited as I placed my first order with Elzybells yesterday! I don't have any of these stamps yet but have seen some of the fantastic creations out there. I hope they don't take too long to arrive, I want to play!

Have a great saturday everyone, whether you be cooking, cleaning or crafting!

Hugs, Vicky x

Birthday Bella for a friend!

This is a card I have made for my friends birthday next week. I wanted to try something slightly different for me and use a side tab to put my sentiment on.

The image is Bella and I have coloured her in with my watercolour pencils and whispers pens. If you click on the image for a close up you can see that I have added some irredescent glitter glue to the wine glasses and just above to give the illusion of bubbles! The background papers are from the new papermania sweet nothings range. The CS is from the new coredinations pack. All of the edges have been inked with black ink to add definition! 'Happy Birthday' is from a penny black clear set and has been stamped onto a Colorbok adhesive chipboard tab. The other sentiment is from a See D's set, the happy birthday on this stamp was masked off so I could just stamp the 'To a special Friend'. Finally flowers are from prima and the pearl brad is from papermania!

Hope you all enjoy your last day at work before the weekend, unless you're unfortunate enough to be working the weekend! Take care & happy crafting!

Vicky x

Have a holly jolly christmas!

Here is another of my recent christmas card creations. I am really pleased with the final result, very traditional colours, but I think the pink petticoat image gives it a modern twist!

The image was kindly given to me by Katy and coloured in with my whispers pens and matted onto red CS. The background papers are last years DCWV christmas stack. The sentiment is a rub on from American Traditional Crafts, matted onto red & green CS. The holly border is a peel off, unsure of the make, that I got last year from a craft fair and the LO is an old one from friday sketchers (several weeks ago) that I liked so much I used it again!

We had a lovely day out in Blackpool yesterday, the sun was shining and we had a real 'scream' at the pleasure beach. But boy were we tired when we got home!

I'm not back to work for another 4 days so am hoping to get some more crafting done. I am really enjoying being able to look at all your blogs again now I am back online. There is some truly inspirational blogs out there, so keep up the good work everyone!

Vicky x

I've started my christmas cards.

Well after seeing so many of you had started your christmas cards I was beginning to feel inadequate so thought I'd better get a start on mine!


I made this monochrome card first and was really pleased with how it turned out. My OH said he would prefer it if it were in more christmasy colours so I also did it in red/green as well, which he prefers. I think I prefer the monochrome card though, not as traditional but quite contemporary I thought!

The right side of the card was embossed with the cuttlebug snowflakes folder. The background paper was from a DCWV christmas paper stack that I got last year. I stamped the santa collage image (from rubber stampede) onto acetate. and attatched it to some irredescent glitter card with eyelets. Matted onto some foil card and secured to card with foam tape to give it dimension. Simple design but effective I though. I think I may do quite a few of my christmas cards in this design. They are really quick to do, ideal to make in bulk. I will make more special one's for family and close friends! I love this stamp. My OH bought it for me last year and I am so pleased he did as it appears to have been discontinued and the only way to get it is off of ebay. Most of these one's have been used and seem to be selling for nearly 3 times what I got mine for!

Anyway, I'd best get a wriggle on as we're going out for the day today. We are both off work for 2 weeks as we were going to go on holiday, but following the recent house move it has been postponed until early next year. Most of the past week and half has been spent organsing the house and decorating, so we thought we deserved a day out. Don't laugh but we are going to Blackpool! In the three and half years me and my OH have been together we have never been to Blackpool so we have wristbands for the pleasure beach and are going to scream ourselves silly on the 'big one' and stuff our faces with donuts and fish & chips! Mmmmm Donuts!

Hope you all have a good day, no matter what you're doing!

Vicky x

New nesties card!

This is my first card made with my new oval nestabilities which arrived last week from cut@home in the US. I already have the circle nesties and have seen lots of wonderful cards made using the oval's so had to mae these my next nesties purchase! Still have the square and rectangle to go though!!

The image was kindly sent to me from one of my buddies on the do crafts forum, Gina, so thanks Gina! I coloured it with my trusty whispers pens using a watercolour technique and matted it onto my nestie oval scallops cut from pink and green CS. The background paper is from the papermania retro floral paper pack, and the glitter strip of green card was cut from my DCWV glitter stack. Flowers are from prima, kindly sent to me by Tara in a recent RAK (thanks Tara!) and the sentiment is from craftwork cards!

Tfl, Vicky x

My new toy!

I've wanted a sewing machine for a while now as I've seen lots of stitching on other people's cards that looks fab. I was going to put one on my chrstmas list, nothing too fancy as I will only be using it for my crafts (I'm definately not a seamstress!). I'd seen one in argos for £49.99. But then yesterday afternoon I was in Tesco and saw this one!

It was half price at £24.98 and was calling out to me to be bought, so naturally I had to listen to my instinct and purchase it! I've had a quick look at the instructions and boy does it look complicated. I've never sat down to a sewing machine before (my mum will be sooo dissapointed with me!) so haven't the first idea what to do with it. I have a feeling it may take me a while to get the hang of it, so don't hold your breath waiting for any cards in the next few days!

If anyone has any helpful hints and tips then I would love to hear them!

Vicky x

I'm back...

... and not before time!I have been going stir crazy without my internet!

Hello everyone, nice to be back. The house move went well, we are still settling in, but slowly getting there. Lots of things still in boxes though. Not managed to organize my craft room yet but I've been in there over the weekend getting creative whilst my OH was putting up curtain rails and light fittings! Bless him!

Don't have anything to show you tonight as I still need to take pictures of them, but I just wanted to say hello. I'll be coming around your blogs and catching up on what you've been up to whilst I've been offline over he next few days!

It's so good to be back!

Take care, Vicky x

Must see blog candy!

Kristin has some amazing candy on offer over on her blog. Pop over and leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning! Oh and don't forget to have a look at her fabulous blog!

So long, farewell....

...for a while. This will be my last post for the next few weeks. It is only 24 hours until we move and we have so much left to do. So I just wanted to leave you with one last card of mine. Hopefully I'll be able to so a bit of blurfing this evening (my last fix!). I'm not looking forward to no blogging and no crafting for a while, but I suppose I'll have planty of other jobs and organising to keep me occupied!

This card was made using a challenge LO from a few weeks ago. I did it whilst I was disconnected from the internet so that's why I'm only just showing it!
I got this Bella image in a swap, but I'm sorry I can't remember who from! Coloured with whispers pens and watercolour pencils. I distressed the edges of the image with chalk. Background flower paper is from HOTP. Mink coloured CS has been embossed with swiss dots folder. Prima flowers. The sentiment is one of my new studioG wooden stamps that I got from The Range for 99p and has been stamped onto pink patterned paper! Three clear adhesive gems to finish, after all, you have to have a bit of sparkle!

Well take care everyone, I will be back soon and I will miss you all and your lovely comments!

Hugs, Vicky x

Scalloped circle card!

Don't keel over with shock but I haven't used any stamping on this card. I don't really know what came over me! But don't worry it won't last, I still have the stamping bug! I am happy with the result though and so was the recipient. I made it for my niece to say well done for passing her GCSE's last week! I took inspiration for this card from Sarah. I saw one of these circular scalloped cards on her fabulous blog. Thank you Sarah for letting me borrow your idea. Go over and check out her blog as she has some lovely designs!

The circular shaped base CS was made using the largest of my scalloped circle nestability dies.Background striped paper is from the papermania sweet nothings range. Spotty paper also from papermania. 'Congratulations' sentiment has been cut from a sheet of sentiments again from the sweet nothings pack, and attached with a metallic purple paperclip. Flowers are prima and I have added a button the the centre to finish.Dots of glitter glue were added around the scallops and the edges inked with a purple ink pad.

This card is smaller than a standard square card, but is that little bit different and was really quick to make. I think it would be ideal to adapt for large batches of cards such as thank you's or invitations!

Tfl

Vicky x

Friday sketchers card!

Here is my attempt at this weeks Friday Shetchers challenge. It's the last challenge I'll be doing for a while so thought I'd give it go!
The image was kindly given to me by Sally and I coloured it in with my whispers pens, glitter glue addedd to the centre of the flower. Spotty background paper is from papermania, not sure who the cream/flower paper is by as I got it in a kit from QVC. Sentiment from Hero Arts, the frame has been paper pieced with paper from the new papermania sweet nothings range and an adhesive gem added above the 'i'. Doodle border added around the edge of the card to give it some definition!

Well back to work today, as I'm sure many of you are. Have a good day!

Tfl x

B is for....

Birthday, Boy, Balloon and Bank Holiday Monday!! I am always short of male cards so thought I would make a special effort and do a male birthday card. I wonder why we all find male cards such a struggle?

This image was kindly given to me by Kerry and I have coloured him in with my whispers pens and watercolour pencils! I love sugar nellie stamps, my collection is ever growing but I don't actually have this one!Large spotty background paper is from my K & Co Hopskotch pad and the smaller spotty paper is from the dovecraft male pack. The blue CS has been run through my cuttlebug with the distressed stripes embossing folder. The sentiment is from Penny Black and has been matted onto blue CS before being added alongside the image. I have finished it with two metallic star brads from my stash . I have also added clear gloss to the balloon, although it doesn't appear very well on the picture (or it might be that I added it as an after thought after I'd taken the pic)!

Well it's official. No more crafting for me for a while. I have packed away all my craft stash into boxes ready for the move on friday. I have no idea when I will be able to get it all out and start crafting again as there is so much to do in the new house. So my only crafting fix fro the forseeable future will blogging. I'll continue to upload some projects that I have made and will look forward to visiting all your blogs to look at your latest creations and to keep me inspired! I also have my new craft room to look forward to, and I have been planing it's LO and what new storage solutions I will need already! Can't wait to have my own crafting space!

Enjoy your BH monday whatever you are up to!

Vicky x

Papertake weekly challenge - Katharina's sketch!

This is the sketch for this weeks papertake weekly challenge and has been designed by Katharina.I really enjoyed following this sketch and am sure I will use the design again so thanks Katharina for creating such a fab sketch!

I got the opportunity to use some of my new craft stash whilst making this card! The image is one of my new stamps that I bought from the Glitter Pot and is Changito Thankyou by Stampendous. I coloured it in with my whispers pens, and I paperpieced the flower. The butterfly was added from my PB clear stamps set. All of the gorgeous background paper and the spotty flower is from the new papermania sweet nothings paper pack. I love this new range, it is so scrumptious! Green CS has been embossed with swiss dots folder. Scalloped circle cut using my nestabilities and Doodlebug rub on's added to finish off the sentiment. Organza white ribbon tied down the right side and 'voila' the card is complete!

Tfl, hope you are all enjoying your BH weekend!

Hugs, Vicky x

My blog candy arrived....

.... yesterday. It's the first time I've won some blog candy and I was so excited as I opened up my box and looked in amazement at what Monica had sent me. She has even thrown in lots of extra goodies that weren't in the original candy! So thanks Monica you made my day yesterday!

I think you've managed to cover all bases with the selection of goodies that you've sent me! I have unfortunately had to pack it away due to the imminent house move but I will be playing with my new stash as soon as I can!!

Thanks again Monica x

Gorgeous Bella!

Morning all. What a lovely day it is. The sun is shining and I have 3 whole days off of work, which is a surprise as I normally get stuck working all the bank holiday's. My boss must have been feeling generous when she did this months off duty!

I made this card following a sketch that I found but it was a few weks ago before my intenet got disconnected so unfortunately can't remember which sketch, sorry!

The Bella image has been coloured with my whispers and watercolour pencils. Cut out with my circle nesties and mounted onto a scalloped circle. The background papers are from a HOTP kit that I got from QVC last year. The sentiment has been stamped onto one of the HOTP labels and is from Hero Arts. Bronze eyelets added to the tag using my cropodile. The flowers are Prima and brads from my stash.

I strayed away from using pastels and pinks with this card and went for richer, deeper tones for the background papers. A bit of a change for me, but I think I like how it turned out!

Well, I'm going to spend a few hours crafting today as my OH is at work and it might be the last chance I get before packing away all my craft stash in preparation for the move. I hope you all have a wonderful BH weekend, whatever you are doing!

Hugs, Vicky x

Mum & Dad's Anniversary card!

This is the card that I have made for my mum & dad's 30th wedding anniversary in a few weeks time. I would also like to enter this as the card for Kerry's blog candy challenge she is holding to celebrate 10,000 hits!

I have embossed half of the base CS with the swiss dots folder. For the left side I have embossed some pink/peach CS with the divine swirls folder and adhered it to the base card. The center topper has been cut with my circle nestabilities. The chipboard 30 are from a brenda pinick kit and have anita's 3D gloss and glamour dust added to them. The sentiment is from See D's and I have added an adhesive heart gem above the 'i'. Organza ribbon added to the bottom of the card and three pearl brads to the top left to finish. As it is their pearl anniversary I wanted to incorporate pearl onto the card somewhere!

Tfl x

I've been given two awards!

Firstly I have received the 'I love your blog' award from the lovely Tara and Julie. Thanks so much ladies! It means a lot to me!

The rules of this award are:
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you have nominated.

Secondly I have been given the Wylde women award also from Julie.

The rules are:
1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.
2. Link back to this blogsite (http://http://www.tammyvitale.com//) so Tammy can go visit all these wonderful women.and remember the Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

Wow this will be a tough one as most of the wonderful blogs I visit have already recieved these awards. If are reading this and haven't already recieved these awards then consider yourself awarded!

I have found a few people who have not received one or both of these awards so I would especially like to pass these on to Sally, Sarita and Monica (from across the pond). I love to visit these ladies blogs and have gained such inspiration from them so please accept these awards as a thank you ladies.

Hugs, Vicky x

Alota blog candy...

... over at Shary's blog. You have until the 22nd August to enter so pop over and se her fab blog (if you haven't already) to be in with a chance of winning!

Baby cards!

Just thought I'd share a couple of baby cards I have made using my new baby millie stamp from sugar nellie at funky kits. I don't have any occasion to make them but couldn't wait to use my new stamp so have put them in my card box. I like how by changing the colours it can be adapted for either a boy or a girl!

Image has been coloured with my whispers pens and cut out with my circle nestabilities. Doodled around the edge of the image to create a border and also doodled white swirls on the scallops with a sakura pen. Background CS has been partially embossed with my swiss dots embossing folder. Strip of paper across bottom of the card was a scrap of papermania paper I had left in my scrap box. Sentiment is from a Studio G set. 'Joy' was stamped onto white CS, cut out and coloured before being added to the bottom right of the card. Flowers are from prima and the pearl brad is from papermania.

Same image used but in 'boy' colours, shaded with whispers pens. Top half of CS embossed with swiss dot folder and spotty papermania paper added to the bottom half. 'Its a boy' blue Anita's adhesive ribbon added to hide the join. Sentiment from a Studio G set again!

Tfl x

I'm back!!

My internet has finally been reconnected after 12 long days without it! I never realised how much I relied on the internet before now. The upside to not having the intenet is that I had more time to get some crafting done! It's good to be back though! It might only be a brief connection as we move house in 10 days, but c'est la vie, I'll just enjoy the time I have.

Here are a few of my latest creations I have done over the past few weeks. I will gradually upload some of the others over the next week!

This is the card I recently gave to Tara in the RAK I sent her. I'm so glad she liked it! The image was actually given to me by Tara and I coloured it in with my whispers. The background paper and brads are from papermania. The flowers are prima, and the sentiment is from hero arts which has been stamped out onto two different papers and then paper pieced.


This image was kindly sent to me by Sally and I coloured him in with my whispers pens (again!). The backgound CS has been embossed with my swiss dot cuttlebug folder and the patterned CS is from DCWV. The sentiment is from See D's celebration messages set. I have added two yellow adhesive papermania stars to the top right to finish. You might recognise this LO as I have made quite a few cards with it, I just like the results and I think if it aint broke, don't fix it! :-)

Nice to be back, hope you are all well. I am going to try and get around some of your blogs this evening to see what you have all been up to in my abscence!

Take care, Vicky x

Quick update!

I'm writing this from work so have to be quick. Just wanted to let you all know that I am hoping to be reconnected on the 19th, but it probably won't last long as we move on the 29th August so will be without internet connection again for roughly 10 days. Please don't forget about me, I hope to be back to normal in the next 3 weeks, so still drop by to see me! I will try and do some blurfing as soon as I can I promise!

Hope you are all keeping well and doing lots of crafting!

Take care

Vicky x

Internet Update!

I've managed to find out why we have no internet connection. Sky had cut us off in preparation for our move... in 3 weeks! I am so annoyed with them! My o/h telephoned them up yesterday and gave them a real ear bashing! They are reconnecting us but it could take up to 10 days!! :-(

So needless to say I am still feeling sorry for myself and am hating being cut off from all my buddies!

I am writing this from my SIL's but the next time I post will probably be when we get reconnected!

Hope you are all well and I will visit you all again soon! I promise!!

Hugs, Vicky x

I've not deserted you all...

... I promise. My internet connection is down at home and has been for 2 days now so I'm having to write this from work. It's soooo frustrating as I have some cards I have made this week to upload and I can't visit all your lovely blogs! So I'm feeling sorry for myself. Hope to be back online with you all very soon!!

Vicky x

Bold and Beautiful Maggie!

I have moved away from my comfort zone with this card and gone for more bright and bold colours!
This Maggie with flowers image from Sugar Nellie was one of the first stamps that I bought and it is still one of my firm favourites. I coloured her in with watercolour pencils (her dress is green but it doesn't show very well on the photo) and cut her out with my nestabilities, the green scalloped circle has been cut from DCWV CS. Pink stripe background paper is from papermania and has been matted onto pink CS that has been embossed with the swiss dots CB folder. Stitched flower borders are 'sew simple' rub on's from doodlebug. Stamped sentiment is from hero arts and has been paper pieced and then 3d'd with some foam. The background bright flower paper was free with a magazine.

I am struggling to get much crafting done at the moment as we are due to move house in 3 weeks and so we have been busy clearing out the loft, garage etc. So please bear with me if I don't post as much over the next few weeks. I can't wait to just get into the new house, where I wil have my own craft room. I have already been planning in my head what new furniture and storage solutions I will need. I feel a trip to Ikea coming on!

Hope you are all well. Thanks for stopping by to look at my blog!

Vicky x

Michelle's blog candy round 3!

If you don't already know this blog (which I'm sure most of you do) then pop over and take a look. Michelle has some fab inspirational designs and is currently offering some fab blog candy to celebrate the end of her nursing course!

A 'beary' happy birthday!

I have been dying to use this stamp which came free with the last issue of Quick Cards Made Easy and so I used it for my nephews 3rd birthday card.

I must say a huge thank you to Katy for posting about this stamp on her blog, if she hadn't said anything I probably would have missed out on this little Cutie, so thanks Katy you're a star!

I coloured padington in with my whispers pens and added some definition with my white sakura pen. Matted onto DCWV CS that has been cut with my circle nestabilities. I hope you're not getting sick of seeing these, they are my new toy so I seem to be using them for most things at the moment! Red CS has been embossed with the swiss dots cuttlebug folder. Background paper is Papermania and sentiment is Penny Black. The chipboard '3' is from some chipboard alphabet/number kits that I got from the pound shop, I added some anita's 3D gloss to finish!

I really had fun creating this card and I think he is soooo cute, I need to find more reasons to use him!

Tfl x

Two challenges in one!

This is a card I made last night for a girl at work who is finishing her placement with us next week and moving on to pastures new. I didn't want it to be a 'good luck' or 'goodbye' so I thought 'happy wishes' sounded better.

It also fits two of this weeks challenges. Michelle is offering some blog candy and to enter all you have to do is make a card using just one colour and a base card colour! So being as I like all things girly I have chosen PINK! I have also used this weeks friday sketchers LO, which I have to say I found a pleasure to work with.

The background papers are all from the papermania pastel pack. One of the pink strips of paper has been embossed with the swiss dots folder. The image is PB 'lazy days', my newest PB edition, and has been coloured in with whispers pens. Matted onto pink CS and a doodle border added. The sentiment is from hero arts and has been cut with my circle nestabilities and layered to make a topper, a pearl adhesive dot has been added to the center. Finally three adhesive crystal gems added to left hand side.

Good look if you are also entering these challenges and I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

Tfl x

Cheeky Monkeys!

It's the first time I have worked with these stampendous changito monkeys and I have to say I absolutely love them! They are soooo cute! This image was given to me courtesey of Sally over at pink sunshine, so thanks very much Sally!

I always struggle to think of ideas for male cards, but as soon as I saw these monkeys I knew they'd be perfect. This one is for my brothers forthcoming birthday.

I loved the recent papertake challenge LO so much that I had to use it again!The background paper is from dovecaft male themed paper pack. Ribbon is making memories. Half circle was cut out of white cardstock, embossed with cuttlebug distressed stripes folder and further distressed with brown chalk. Brother sentiment created with dymo machine. Changito monkeys were coloured with my whispers pens and matted onto blue & brown cardstock.

I am definately going to invest in some more of these changito stamps! If anyone know's of where I might be able to find them your advice would be greatly appreciated!

Tfl x

No stamping....

..on this card! It was a bit if a shock to the system as I seem to be addicted to stamping and find it hard not to incorporate it somewhere on my cards at th moment! Anyway I saw this idea for creating flowers by sewing organza ribbon onto cardstock in a magazine and thought I would give it a go.


I pricked out some holes onto white cardstock into the shape of a flower and then used organza ribbon to create the flower shape. I used green thread to create the stem and leaf and an amber coloured brad for the center of the fower. Background paper is papermania and was torn to give that shabby chic effect. The sentiment is a rub on from K & Co. I am going to give this to our friends fro thier wedding anniversary.

Well, a bit different for me but I am very pleased with the result and will definately be trying this idea again!

Tfl x

A bit of a change!

My o/h set me a challenge to make a card that was a bit different to the one's I've been creating lately. Here's what I came up with.

It was a stretch too far to move away from my square cards, so no change there. But I decided to go for an aperture card.

I cut the circle aperture with my nestabilitie circles and made a scalloped frame to go around it with cardstock from the DCWV Nana's kids stack. I love this sparkly pastel cardstock.
The sentiment across the bottom is a papermania rub on matted onto purple cardstock.
The image is one of my recent purchases, my PB lazy days stamp. Coloured with whispers and matted onto purple cardstock.
I added glitter glue to the white petals for adedd dimension and sparkle!

My o/h thought it was 'ok', but not different enough for him! Cheeky! Lol!

Tfl, Vicky x

More blog candy...

.... over at Jacqui's blog to celebrafte her 10,000 hits! Pop over to her wonderful blog and leave a comment and a link to your blog to be in with a chance of winning. If you don't already know this blog take a look at her fab projects whilst you are there, they are great!

Free craft goodies for a year...

...over at the funky fairy blog! Just pop over, leave a comment and a link on your blog to be in with chance of winning this fab candy!!

The wonderful Bella!

I simply adore this Bella image, I don't know why, but I do! Sally recently gave me a big stack of these images in a swap much to my delight!

I coloured her in with my trusty whispers pens and watercolour pencils. I've just bought a very small paintbrush so I can do finer detail when colouring so I don't overlap and smudge my colours! Some gliter glue added to the balloons. Background cardstock is from the DCWV Glitter stack. Bella image and sentiment matted onto pink and blue cardstock. 'Happy Birthday' sentiment is from the see d's celebration messages set. Three pink adhesive gemstones added to finish!

A little simple in design, I know, but in my opinion sometimes less is more!

(Sorry about poor quality photo, my camera is playing up!)

Tfl x

Papertake weekly challenge!

This is my entry for this weeks papertake weekly challenge, using Katharina's sketch!


I loved using this sketch!

This is the first card I have made with an elzybells image, which was kindly sent to me by Sally! The background paper is from dovecraft retro floral pack. The pink cardstock circle was embossed with the swiss dots cuttebug folder. The 'youre sweet' sentiment is from studio G clear set!

Tfl x

FIL's 60th Birthday card!

This is the card I have made for my father in law's 60th birthday in a few weeks!

I always find male cards really difficult! Probably due to the fact that I tend to use flowers, pastels, pinks and glitter on my cards usually. Non of which are particularly appropriate for men!

I used the new papermania men's papers to create the background. The circles were cut from DCWV cradstock and corrugated card using my new nestabilitie circles. The 60, is chipboard letters that I covered with versamark and heat embossed several layers of blue embossing powder onto. The happy birthday is from a PB clear set and DAD has been spelt using Doodlebug black beetle rub on's.

Not the best card I have ever made, but I'm happy with it, and more's to the point, so is my o/h!

Tfl x

Max & Milly blog candy!

Pop over to Janet's blog to be in with chance of winning her fab blog candy, including some of her fab new Max & Milly stamps. I know most of you probably visit Janet's blog regularly as her designs are so fab, but if not then you definately need to pop over and visit!

Vicky x

Blogging friends award!

I have been given this fab award by the lovely Sue! Thanks so much Sue I really appreciate it!


The rules of the award are:

1. Only 5 people allowed
2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog
3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.quite simple really it is a way of saying thank you to those who take time out for wonderful comments to boost your day.

I'd like to award this to:

1. Han
2. Sally
3. Katy
4. Tara
5. Monica - my someone who lives in another part of the world (Florida - USA)

You are all so talented and all of your blogs continue to be a great source of inspiration for me! I hope you enjoy receiving this award as much as I did!

Take care & happy crafting

Vicky x

I've done it...

I've finally managed to figure out how to upload a picture of myself! This picture was taken on my recent trip to Cornwall at the beginning of this month. I don't tend to have many photos of myself as I hate having my picture taken, so this is the best I can find at the moment! A few of you have recently uploaded pictures of yourselves on your blog's and I know how nice it is to put a face to a blog so though I'd do the same!

I have also just noticed I have reached 1000 hits on my blog. Wow that came round quickly, thanks so much everyone for visiting my blog and leaving all your lovely comments. I have to say I think the crafting blogging community is so friendly, I'm so glad I took many of your advice and started my own blog. I have met some fab friends and am continued to be amazed by all your wonderful blogs, designs and inspiration!

Vicky x

First Nestabilities card!

Well I managed to work out how to use my nesties and this is what I created! I love the crisp professional finish they give. You would never be able to recreate this look by hand

The image is PB and was kindly sent to me by Kerry in a recent swap, coloured with whispers and glitter glue added to the bee's wings. Half of the green cardstock was run through my cuttlebug witht the swiss dots folder. The paper is bo bunny and is a left over scrap from making my mums birthday card. Pearl brads are from papermania and the stamped sentiment is from my new hero arts clear set!

I can't wait to play some more with these and see what I can come up with. Should have some time tonight when I get home form work, s my o/h is on nights. I should really do some work fro my university course, but I know where my true piorities lie! :-)

Tfl, Vicky x

Yaaay.....

... my nestabilities have arrived. After 2 long months they have finally arrived from the states and I am soooo excited!

I ordered the circle set first as it is almost impossible to cut a scalloped circle with decorative scissors!
I got them from cut@home and was only £35 for all four sets including p&p. Bargain I thought!
I just need to figure out how to use them in my cuttlebug now! That's tonights challenge, to figure out how to use them and to make a card with them!

x

Wallet card for friend!

I made this recently for a friend of mine who was feeling a bit down. Needless to say this wallet filled with lovely images of sugar nellie's & PB's soon put a smile on her face!

Image is Lola with flowers from sugar nellie, coloured with my whispers pens. Little butterfly was added from my PB clear set. Matted onto DCWV cardstock, scalloped border added with decorative scissors and holes punched with cropodile to create a lace effect border. Backgound papers are from papermania retro floral pack. Stamped sentiment in form a HOTP kit. Flower is prima

The ribbon has been threaded through holes made with cropodile and set with eyelets. I love this range of Ribbon from Dovecraft. It's grosgrain and you get a 5m reel for 99p.Bargain! I have it in about 10 different colours!

Tfl x

My Mum's Birthday...

... is this week and this is the card I have made for her. It hasn't turned out exactly as I'd planned and I'm not 100% happy with it, but its growing on me! I think it's because I feel it's a little busy, my cards are usually more simple!

The image was kindly sent to me by Sally in a recent swap and coloured in with my whispers pens, with some glitter glue added to the centers of the flowers for added sparkle. The patterned paper is Bo Bunny, cardstock from DCWV, embossed with divine swirls cuttlebug folder. 'MUM' was spelt with Brenda Pinnick alphabet stickers and faux stitching added with a white sakura pen. Natural raffia ribbon and bow added to finish.

Hope you've all had a great weekend. I've been working so this is the only card I've managed to make. I've been itching to get creative but not much opportunity much to my dissapointment. Why oh why do we have to work! I'd love to be a kept women so I could stay home every day and craft to my hearts content!

Take care x

Candy Giveaway's....

... over at the following.

Donalda had a fab Magnolia stamp to giveaway to celebrate 10,000 hits, just pop over and leave a comment.

Deb has some blog candy up for grab's until midnight tonight to celebrate her blogoversary and reaching 30,000 hits so go and have a look!

x

Simple, quick cards!

Here are a couple of quick cards I made this week. They are almost an identical layout which was inspired by a LO in this months papercraft inspirations. I think they are simple, understated but very effective for everyday general cards. They also enabled me to use up some of my scrap bits of paper.


The papers are a mixture of DCWV, Brenda Pinnick and papermania. Stamped sentiments are from studio G clear stamps. Paper flowers bought from ebay attached to card with jumbo epoxy brads from making memories. I have added some doodle faux stitching with a black pen, which I think finishes off the card.

Well I'm off to work now so probably won't get much crafting done this weekend! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend whatever you're up to!

Tfl x

Marlene's Blog candy giveaway!

Marlene has some fab blog candy on offer, some hangler stamped images and this gorgeous unmounted stamp! Just pop over to her fab blog and leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning. I have only just discovered this blog, but WOW, I love it! What a talented lady, this is definately going in my list of favourite blogs!

x

Michelle's blogoversary sketch!

I've made this card for Michelle's blogoversary challenge part one! Pop over to her fabulous blog to see her sketch challenge and to take part.

I am really loving Bella at the moment. This one was kindly given to me by Sally in a recent image swap, I coloured her in with twinkling H2o's and whisper pens.
The background paper is from DCWV and the pink card stock has been embossed with the cuttlebug swiss dots folder. Flowers are prima, the brads in the center have anita's 3D gloss and glamour dust for added sparkle. The sentiment is from one of my new clear studio G stamp sets.

Tfl x

Bella birthday!!

I love this image it was given to me in a recent swap with Sally, thank you so much! I may have to buy this stamp myself!! I have coloured her in with whispers pens and then added some glitter glue for added sparkle. The background paper is from papermania and the sentiment was recycled from an old birthday card. The three heart gems are from a gem caddy that I got from the range.
This is one of my favourite cards that I have done in a while, so much so I don't think I can bear to give it away!

Tfl x

I've been nominated....

...for this wonderful award by Han, Tara, Pauline and Sally! Thank you all so much for your lovely comments.

I hope you don't mind if I don't pass it on but everyone I want to give it to has already received it. I think there are a lot of talented people out there and it shows in their blogs and the awards that have been given. Keep up the inspiring work everyone!

Tilda birthday.....

....one of several birthday cards I have made this weekend for various friends birthday's. I like to make lots of birthday cards, you can never have enough, and you always have one when you need one at the last minute!

This image was one that was given to me recently in a swap and I think she is so sweet. The colour scheme was insired by the backgound papermania spotty paper taken from the retro floral pack. The background cardstock is DCWV and I have dry embossed the edges with hearts. The flowers in the top right corner are plastic and from an old embellishment kit I'd forgotten I'd got. Sentiment is a pop out from a pre-printed sheet of sentiments.

I've also found some more fab blog candy, this time Jill is giving away some goodies to celebrate 2000 hits. Pop over and look at her great designs and leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning!

X

Even more candy....

.... just pop over to Maria's blog for a chance to win some fabulous goodies! There is some gorgeous flowers, papers and stamps to be won!

Also Maya is offering some Hangler and Stangler stamped images as part of her blog candy, just pop over and leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning these fab images.

I'm getting back on track...

... with my crafting that is! I have been so busy that I haven't had time to craft over the past few weeks, but I set aside a few hours this afternoon (after the housework!) and was just praying I hadn't lost my mojo. I made several quick cards for some upcoming friends birthday's which I will gradually upload this week.
Here is the first of today's creations.

Stamped image was kindly given to me by Tara in a recent swap. Background paper and adhesive ribbon are both papermania. Sentiment is a die cut from a sheet that I recently bought at a craft fair, decorated with glitter glue.

Hope you've all had a good weekend and have had the opportunity to get crafty!

Vicky x

More Candy.....

over on Fran's blog. She has a choice of 2 wonderful sets of candy, go over and check it out for chance to win!

Andrea's blog candy!

Check out Andrea's blog to be in with a chance of winning her fab blog candy. There are some great stamps from Magnolia stamps to be won!

Sorry I've not been around....

..... for a while. I've had such a hectic week with work following my week in Cornwall that I haven't had any time for crafting. I haven't been near any of my craft things for nearly 2 weeks!! That's shameful!! I have a free day tomorrow though as my O/H is at work and I don't have any plans so will try and get some crafting done, especially as my new hero arts clear sentiment stamps arrived from the US this week, about time, it's taken over 7 weeks. And whilst I'm having a rant my nestabilities still haven't arrived and its been nearly 8 weeks, apparently they've been out of stock!

Anyway moan over, I hope you're all well and enjoying your weekends and hopefully I'll have something to show you very soon!

Vicky x

I'm back...

... from my week in Cornwall, had a fab time but it was very tiring. Only got around to unpacking suitcase and cleaning house today so no time for crafting. I will apologise in advance as there won't be many posts from me this week as I am going away for a few nights with work tomorrow so I will have very little time for any crafting. I will try and post something when I get back.

Lol Vicky x