Double challenge card!

Evening all and Happy Halloween!

With so many challenges and so little free time at the minute I have combined two challenges in this card. The sketch is from secret crafter saturday challenge and I have combined it with the cute card Thursday challenge to make a 'drinks' themed card!

The image is Stamping Bella which I received in a swap and has been coloured with my whispers pens. Doodle border added. Matted onto pink coredinations CS. Background paper is from my new Basic Grey sugared stack. Green paper has been embossed with divine swirls folder. Flowers are from prima and I have embellished them with a button tied with ribbon! Sentiment is from hero arts.

I have made this card fror my friend, but is not the colours I would normally use. Combined with the fact that there isn't much sparkle/bling on it I just feel it's a little unfinished and want to add a little something else, but I'm not sure what. So if you can give me any suggestions as to what you think is missing I would welcome your comments!

Hope you are all having a happy halloween and enjoy your weekend!

Hugs, Vicky x

Mojo Monday meets santa claus!

I've used this weeks sketch over at Mojo Monday to make another christmas card to add to my growing (not quickly enought though) christmas card box.

I stamped the Santa Collage image onto both white CS and acetate. I coloured the image on the white CS and then layed the acetate over the top, attaching with blue eyelets with my cropodile. I also added glitter glue on top of the acetate to the snowflakes and some of his beard. In retrospect maybe I should have put it under the acetate, oh well! Matted onto silver mirri card. Background paper is from dovecraft winter wonderland pack. I embossed some white CS with the snowflakes folder and matted again onto silver mirri card. I stamped the see D's sentiment onto the CS before I embossed it but used the debossed side so the sentiment was more prominent / readable. The snowflake felt embellishment is one of the larger one's out of the snowflake embellishement pack I got from The Range for 99p!

Well I'm off the fat fighters (weight watchers) tonight and I am hoping I have managed to lose 1.5 lb's this week, because if so I will have lost 2 stone so far! I've only 12 lbs left to lose to get to my goal weight (hopefully by christmas!). So please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Hugs, Vicky x

Elaine's Fab blog candy!

To celebrate her 4oth birthday Elaine is giving away some fab blog candy, 2 sets of promarkers! So what are you waiting for, pop on over and leave her a comment and a link on your blog before the 16th November to be in with a chance of winning!

I've been given an award....

.... by the very wonderful Tara!
Thank you so very much Tara, it really means a lot to me and thanks for your lovely comments!

Now who can I pass this on to who. I visit some trully inspiring and fantastic blogs out there so if you are reading this and I visit your blog regularly then this is for you!

But I would also like to individually give it to Sal who has a fantastic blog and has done several image swaps with me over the past few months, so thanks Sal. I would also like to give it to Stacey who also has a fabulous blog and is doing an image swap with me at the moment!

Have a great day everyone!

Vicky x

Sketch Saturday Stampendous Bee's!

This is my entry for this weeks sketch saturday challenge and a card I have made for my friends wedding anniversary!
The image is from stampendous and was kindly given to me in a swap by Sal, so thanks Sal! Coloured with my whispers and matted onto a scalloped yellow CS circle cut with my nesties! All background papers are from the papermania retro floral pack. Stamped sentiment is from a see D's set and ribbon is dovecraft! Glitter added to the bee's wings and antenae!

It' not exactly how I envisaged it would turn out but I'm quite happy with it!

Hugs, Vicky x

Something a little different!

Not a card today but a blessing box! I saw one of these on Rach's blog and thought I would give it a go. They are so easy to make and such a cute gift when filled with some chocolates!


The CS used for this box is from DCWV. The flowers and brads are from a set I got from The Range. You get 4 of these for 99p! Needless to say I got them in every colour they had! The white ribbon is from dovecraft. I haven't put anything in this box yet but will be adding some yummy chocs and giving it to my friend who is coming around for a meal tomorrow.

I got into the swing of these boxes and made another one in pink using some papermania double sided CS. I still need to finish decorating this one when I decide who it is for!

If you want to give these a go yourself you can find the tutorial here!

I've had the day off today so have had a chance to do some crafting, in between going to buy a new sofa and dare I say it, housework! Hope you've all had a good day!

Hugs, Vicky x

Two Halloween challenges in one!

I decided to take the something spooky option for this weeks Cute Card Thursday, as I have never made a halloween card before. I don't really have any appropriate halloween stamps so it was lucky that Vicki sent me some Kerry Jo images recently and the witch was one of them! This card also fits this weeks Spoonful of Sugar challenge, whose theme is 'halloween'.

Image was coloured with whispers pens and freehand doodle border drawn. Black and purple CS was cut with scalloped scissors. Spotty paper is from the K & Co Hopskotch pad. Sentiment was created with doodlebug rub on's. Black ribbon is from my stash, sorry I don't know where from. The spiders are my own design drawn onto white CS before being cut out and coloured in with black permanent marker. I was quite pleased with how these turned out. I am going to give this card to my 9 year old neice who I have also subscribed into card making so I hope she likes it!

Hope you are all having a relaxing weekend, whatever you're up to. I've just finished work and have the day off tomorrow so I'm hoping to get some crafting done!

Hugs, vicky x

Mojo Monday Snowy!

I used this weeks mojo monday sketch to make another christmas card using my new PB snowy stamp.
Image is PB snowy and coloured using my whispers pens. Glitter glue for added sparkle. The patterned papers are from last years DCWV christmas stack. Blue CS used is coredinations. Stamped sentiment is Elzybells. Snowflake ribbon is from Dovecraft.

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. The weather is foul today, cold, wet and windy. Perfect for crafting!

Vicky x

Friday Sketchers meets rugby!

This is my entry for this weeks friday sketchers challenge (just by the skin of my teeth again!). Sorry for the poor lighting but I only rustled it up this evening and the new challenge starts tommorrow, so needs must! I made this for my nephew who is 13 next week and is rugby mad, especially for our local team the Leeds Rhino's hence the colours used!

Image is Rugby Hamish by Sugar Nellie coloured with my whispers pens. Yellow CS is coredinations and has been embossed with the distressed stripes folder. Paper is a mixture of DCWV and papermania. Sentiment is from a HOTP clear stamp set. Chipboard numbers have been edged with blue ink and glamour dust/glossy accents added to finish! Not 100% sure about this card, think it's the numbers in the top left corner, dont think they look right but I needed something to go in this corner to fit the challenge! Hope he likes it!

This is the first birthday card I have made in a while as I am busy trying to get as many christmas cards done as I can, don't want to leave it until the last minute like last year! I've made 25 so far, plenty more to make yet but only 63 days left!!

Big Hugs, Vicky x

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge Card!

This is my entry for this weeks secret crafter saturday challenge, where the theme is "Blue, White and a little bit of snowflake!". I'm back into my comfort zone using blue on my christmas cards!

Image is from Elzybells and was coloured with my whispers. Cut out with nestabilities. Snowtex and glamour dust used for the snow effect (I know it's probably getting a bit boring now, but it works so well!). Patterned paper is from dovecraft winter wonderland pack. Blue CS is coredinations and the strip has been embossed with swiss dots folder. Sentiment is a vellum sticker from a Brenda Pinnick kit that I have mounted onto white CS. Felt snowflake is from an embellishment pack from The Range. Stitching added on my sewing machine! Getting better at this!! :-)

You'll all be pleased to know that my mojo is returning, but unsure when I'm going to get much crafting done as I don't have another day off for 11 days!! :-(

Hope you all have a good day,

Vicky x

Rach's whiff of joy candy giveaway!

The very talented Rach is giving away some simply gorgeous candy, including a whiff of joy Melinda hugging heart stamp. Pop over and leave a comment before the 28th October to be in with chance of winning!

Missed the boat with this one!

I made this card for last weeks sketch saturday challenge. However with me being a bit down in the dumps I didn't get around to posting it in time! Oh well never mind, at least it's another card in my christmas box.

Elzybells eskimo coloured with my whispers and snowtex/glamour dust added for the snow effect. Matted onto pink metallic CS. Patterned paper is from one of last years Dovecraft christmas packs. Purple CS is cordinations and a strip of it has been embossedw ith snowflakes folder. Sentiment is from a studio G clear set. Silver snowflake brads are from a papermania caddy with pearl adhesive dots in the centers. Stitching added with my sewing machine. Not 100% sure about this card, not sure I like the colours. I think I much prefer using blue's and the traditional red's/green's for christmas cards? How about you? What colour combinations are your favourites for christmas cards?

I have been feeling a little better these past few days. Was organising the storage in my new craft room yesterday after getting some furniture from Ikea, and I've also made a few quick cards which I will post over the next few days. I'm hoping my mojo returns quick smart as I'm expecting some stamps from sugar nellie this week, as part of my new DT duties and I don't want to dissapoint!

Vicky x

Julie's blogoversary candy giveaway!

Julie is giving away some scrummy candy to celebrate her blogoversary. If you don't already know her blog, pop over and see her fab stampin up collections!

No card to post today, sorry. I've been feeling a bit low these last few days so haven't really felt like doing much crafting. I'm hoping to feel back to normal soon so my crafting duties can resume!

Hope you're all having a good weekend!

Vicky x

PB Thanks a bunch Saturday Challenge!

This is the card I have made for this weeks PB 'Thanks a Bunch' Saturday Challenge. Not got it in mind for anyone specific, but you always need Thank You cards!

Image was kindly sent to me by Sal and coloured with my whispers pens. Doodle border. Top of the base CS has been embossed with the swiss dots folder. Patterned paper is from DCWV christmas stack and papermania sweet nothings range. Sentiment is from studio G clear set. CS is coredinations. Sorry I've not posted much this week. I'm really busy with work and my uni course so not much time for crafting or blogging this week!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, whatever you've got planned!

Vicky x

Friday sketchers christmas card!

Here is the card I made for this weeks friday sketchers challenge! Yet another cristmas card, well there is so many to make I tough I'd best get my skates on , only 70 days to go!

The image is one of my Elzybells dinkies christmas stamps, coloured wiht my whisers pens and snowtex/glamour dust added for textured snow effect. Background papers are from DCWV christams stack. CS used is coredinations. Sentiment is a vellum sticker mounted onto white CS, white organza ribbon and felt snowflake embellishements from The Range, 99p for an assortment of 6!

I have also been tagged by Karen, one of my fellow sugar babe guest DT members. I have recently been tagged and have posted some facts about myself and they can be seen here! Thanks Karen!

Have a good day everyone, I'm off to work now!

Vicky x

Spoonful of Sugar, pink and green challenge!

Just a quick post tonight to show you a card I made for my friend who has just moved into a new home. I also want to enter it for this weeks spoonful of sugar pink and green challenge.

The image is from Elzybells and was kindly given to me by Sal, so thank you. Coloured with my whispers pens, doodle border added and matted onto pink metallic CS. Background paper is from papermania, stitching added using my sewing machine and again matted onto pink metallic CS. Doodlebug black rub on's added to create the sentiment, Glitter CS flower was recycled from one of my birthday cards.

Hope you've all had a good day?!

Vicky x

Papertake weekly no stamping challenge!

I can't believe I went for the no stamping option for the papertake weekly challenge. I've been using stamping somewhere or another on every card lately so thought I would challenge mself to do a card without any stamping, not even a sentiment! I saw this idea for the snowman topper in a christmas magazine from last year and wasn't able to do it last christmas as I only got my cuttlebug on christmas day. So I dusted off my magazine and have given it a go. I actually really like this topper, he is soo sweet!

Snowman topper made by embossing several bits of different coloured CS with the snow sledding folder. I cut out the nose, body and arms and paper peiced them together. Chalk added for rosy cheeks and doodled black eyes. Small snowflake punched out of glitter CS and added to snowman body with an adhesive gem. Adhesive gems also added to snowflakes on the left of the topper. Snowman sentiment cut from blue CS and distressed with emery board. All CS used is coredinations. Background snowflake paper was free with this months papercraft inspirations. White organza ribbon across the center of the card. I was a bit stuck when it came to the sentiment, what with not being able to use a stamped sentiment. So I opted for peel off's. Now, I am not a big fan of peel off's, but I have loads from when I first started crafting (as I'm sure we all have!). I coloured the border peel off's with permanent pink and purple markers, and to be quite honest I don't think they look all that bad now that they match the colour scheme of the card. They won't be making a reqgular appearance on my cards though!

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend. My mum is coming to visit me this afternoon and she has just got a cuttlebug, so I have a feeling I will be giving her demonstrations on how to use the embossing folders and die's!

Vicky x

Sugar Babe!

I am so excited. I have been chosen as a guest member of the Sugar Nellie Design Team. I never in a million years thought I would be chosen when I entered! I am so honoured as I love Sugar Nellie stamps, they were my first purchases when I started stamping and I cannot wait to use some of their lovely stamps!

Big smile on my face all weekend I think!

Vicky x

Sketch Saturday Snowman!

I've left it a bit until the last minute to do this weeks sketch but I've made it with just hours to spare!

Image is one of my new Elzybells christmas dinky stamps, coloured with whispers pens and matted onto red and blue CS. Snowtex and glamour dust for snow effect. Background paper is from DCWV christmas paper stack. Blue CS has been embossed with snowflakes folder and distressed with an emery board. Sentiment is from a studio G clear set. Adhesive ribbon is from last years Dovecraft christmas range. Felt snowflake is from a pack I bought at The Range 99p for 6. The snowflake glitter brads are from dovecraft and stitching done with my sewing machine. Phew... finished!

Well it's friday night and it's officially the weekend! Hope your's is a good one, whatever you're up to!

Vicky x

Wallet card for a friend!

This is a quick wallet card I whipped up for a friend over on the do crafts forum. She had previously sent me some images , but I have been a bit of a bad friend as it has taken me nearly 4 weeks to get around to sending her's! Sorry Gina!

The image was kindly sent to me by Sal and I coloured her in with my whispers pens and added glitter to her wings. Doodle border added and matted onto pink coredinations CS. Base CS is lilac and white spots. Patterned papers used are from the sweet nothings paperania range. Sentiment is from Hero Arts, flowers are Prima with glittered brad centres.

Well it's my DO today, so have got a long weekend off! My OH is working so I have the house and my time to myself so I am going to spend some time in my craft room, in between some cleaning and shopping!

Have a great weekend everyone

Vicky x

Penny black Christmas!

This is my only PB christmas stamp and it arrived last week. He is absolutely adorable and I couldn't wait to ink him up and this is what I came up with!

I thought I'd stick with traditional christmas colours for this one. Image coloured with whispers pens, freehand doodle border and matted onto red mirri card. Snowflake was punched from silver mirri card with an x cut punch and adhesive gem center for added sparkle! Background papers are from last years DCWV christmas paper pack. Stitching done on my sewing machine. Sentiment is from Elzybells. I found the red organza ribbon in my ribbon box and was recycled from last years cristmas crackers!

Vicky x

Pass the penguin!

I have just picked up this little penguin from Katy. October is breast cancer awareness month so feel free to add him to your blog and raise awareness. I have quite a few friends and colleagues over the years who have developed breast cancer. Luckily they have all beat this awful disease but I know others aren't always so lucky. So pass the penguin on to raise awareness. 'Squish a boob, save a life'.

x

Elzybells Eskimo!

I just love this little fella! He's one of my newest editions to my stamp collection and I have used him so much already! Is it weird that I'm calling my stamp 'him'? At least I haven't named him though! :-) I coloured the image with my whispers and added snowtex and glamour dust (AGAIN) for the snow! Matted onto Blue CS and glitter card cut with scalloped scissors. Background paper is from the new Dovecraft Winter Wonderland pack. Sentiment is from a studio G clear set, matted onto a blue CS frame cut using my nestabilities. Organza ribbon to finish!


Still not got around to playing with my cosmo cricket kit, been a bit busy with work this week, but I've got a few days off at the end of the week so am hoping to have some craft time!

Hope your all ok. I'm trying to get around all your blogs but I'm a bit behind, please forgive me!

Vicky x

Happy Birthday Natalie!

It's Natalie's 18th Birthday today and this is the card that I made for her. It should be safe to post this as she should have received it this morning.


The image is from Elzybells and is the first time I've used my new stamp! Coloured with my whispers pens and I paper pieced the dress. Matted onto metallic pink scalloped circle frame cut with my nestabilities. Background paper is from papermania sweet nothings range and matted onto coredinations cardstock. Stitching done on my sewing machine. Swiss dots folder used to emboss the base CS. Die cut sentiment is from Craftwork Cards and Doodlebug rub on's added to personalise!

I added a little pocket to the inside of the card and put a little gift in there!

I decided to put in a Baby Millie stamp by Sugar Nellie that I got recently from Funky Kits. Paper again from papermania sweet nothings range, doodle stitching added. Stamped sentiment from a studio G clear set! I hope she likes it!

Vicky x

Cold nose, Warm heart!!

Here is another Elzybells christmas card. This was just a quick one, and I'm not entirely happy with it. I think it looks a bit basic, but it's a quick make and it will be ok for one of the boys at christmas I suppose!

Image from Elzybells, some of my new christmas stamps, coloured with whispers pens. Snowtex added with glamour dust for the snow. Sentiment is also Elzybells. Matted onto Blue and Red CS. Background paper is from one of last years Dovecraft christmas paper packs. Top section of base card embossed with swiss dots folder. Punched silver snowflake with gemstone center added to finish.

Not had much time to craft over the past few days, been really busy with work and I'm working this weekend, hence the early post on a sunday! My cosmo cricket kit came on thursday, and whilst I've had a quick look at it (I love, love, love it!) I haven't had a chance to use it yet! :-(

Enjoy your day everyone,

Vicky x

Beth's blog candy!

Beth is giving away some Forever Friends blog candy to celebrate reaching her 200th post! Pop over and have a look at her gorgeous creations and leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning!

Vicky x

Kimmie's blog candy!

Kimmie is giving away some fab Magnolia stamps blog candy to celebrate reaching 200,000 hits on her blog. Wow!! All you have to do is pop over and leave a comment telling her your middle name! Mine is Helen! If you've not seen her blog before it is well worth a visit as her designs are fab!

Vicky x

It's going to be an Elzybells christmas!

I am absolutely loving my new Elzybells christmas stamps! Just as well as I won a £5 Elzybells voucher from Elizabeth yesterday (the owner of Elzybells, if you didn't already know). She is having a giveaway to celebrate her 4000th customer. So it looks like I will be buying some more stamps very soon! Anyhow I digress, here is another of my Elzybells christmas cards. Hope you like it!

I found this image quite fiddly to colour in, I just hope I've done the image justice! Coloured her with my whispers, snowtex added around the window panes along with glamour dust. Background paper is from this years DCWV christmas stack. Red mirricard has been passed through my snowflake embossing folder. Sentiment is also from Elzybells, matted onto Green CS and red mirricard. Gold organza ribbon down the side to finish.

Just a quick post as I'm in university today, getting back into the swing of it, but it's difficult when I'm only there 1 day per week! Hope you all have a good day!

Vicky x

Papertake weekly challenge!

Well I had a very productive day yesterday (craft wise), what with it being craft day on QVC and my DO work. I had some lovely craft time and managed to make another 4 christmas cards. This one was made for this weeks papertake weekly challenge, following their sketch.

Image is one of my new Elzybells christmas stamps which I just love! Coloured with my whispers pens, snowtex added for that dimentional snow effect along with glamour dust for added sparkle. I have also addedd 3d clear gloss onto his coat buttons. The background CS is from the new papermania coredinations range and has been embossed with the snowflakes folder and distressed with an emery board to highlight them! Stitching done with my sewing machine (I'm starting to get the hang of this!). Patterned paper is from the new dovecraft winter wonderland paper pack. Sentiment is from a studio G clear set. Image cut with my nestabilities and matted onto scalloped glitter card. For the finishing touch I have added a felt snowflake embellishment which I have just bought from The Range, 99p for a sheet of 10!


Well back to work today. I'm having craft withdrawal already! At least it will be a cheaper day for me, as I spent a fortune on QVC yesterday! Have a good day everyone!

Vicky x

Craft day!!

Well it's craft day on QVC and I am so excited. IT's my DO work as well so can watch TV and craft to my hearts content. I have already ordered the Cosmo Cricket TSV. It is just delicious and have been waiting for this for months since I saw it on QVC America.

I love the vintage feel to this kit and such outstanding value. I just have to wait for it to arrive now so I can have a play! I am also considering getting the BIG BITE. I already have the original cropodile, but may just treat myself to an early christmas present! Decisions, decisions!! :-)

Well enough about QVC,here is another christmas card I have made with my new Elzybells christmas stamps. I am totally in love with them!

Elzybells image was coloured with my whispers pens, snowtex added again to create the snow effect. The stamped sentiment is from a studio G clear set. Matted onto green CS and red mirricard. The background paper is left over from the card I made the other day and was free from a magazine. Green CS embossed with cuttlebug folder, distressed with emery board to highlight the design. Snowflakes have been punched from silver mirricard with my x cut punches, adhesive gemstones added to the centers for added sparkle.

Well have a good day everyone, whether you're working, crafting or whatever you're doing. If you're watching craft day try not to spend too much money!

Vicky x

Jeanette's blog candy!

There is some fab blog candy up for grabs over at Happy Thoughts and Inkspots. Jeanette is celebrating reaching 10,000 hits after only a few months of starting her blog.Wow! Pop over and take a gander as her creations are just fabulous, hence the 10,000 hits!

Happy Birthday Vicki!

It is Vicki's birthday today, so this is the card I sent to her to wish her a wonderfully special day!

I also included some images of my new Elzbells christmas stamps by way of a present!

The image was kindly given to me by a friend on the do crafts forum and I colourd her in with my whispers pens. The background papers are both from papermania. Stitching added with my sewing machine. The sentiment is from craftwork cards and matted onto purple CS. Flowers are from prima. The sentiment on the inside is from a studio G clear set, papermania paper and my own doodle border!

I hope Tara liked her card and enjoys using her Elzybell images. Happy Birthday Tara!

Vicky x

I've been tagged..

... by Sally and Sarah. Thank you both.

RULES:
1: Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2: Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3: Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4: Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

Seven Facts about me!!!

1. I have recently moved house and bought my first home with my wonderful boyfriend
2. I am addicted to shoes and handbags (like most women!)
3. My favourite food is italian, closely followed by Indian (well most food really!)
   
4. I am a member of weight watchers and have lost 22.5 lbs in the last 16 weeks, still want to lose another stone, but have gone from a size 16 to currently a size 12/14. My final aim being a size 10/12
   
5. I am double jointed in my shoulders and can dislocate my shoulder blades!
6. I am doing a Masters degree in community nursing practice at Huddersfield University as well as working part time as a community staff nurse
7. I love going to exotic places on holiday, my favourite destination is the Maldives. Everytime we go I hope my boyfriend will drop down on one knee and produce a big diamond (but he never does!).

The seven people I would like to tag are:
Tara
Katy
Natalie
Vicki
Sandra
Rach
Bev

I love to visit all of these blogs, they are a great source of inspiration to me!

Vicky x

Winter Wonderland!

Well I seem to be on a roll with my christmas cards! I like to make different cards in different colours so seing as I've made a few in the traditional green/red/gold I wanted to make a blue one.

The image is one of my recent stamp purchases from Sugar Nellie and has been coloured with my whispers pens. The background spotty paper is from last years DCWV Christmas paper stack. The CS is from the new coredinations range. I love the coloured inner core, as you can see on the right where I have torn it! Blue CS also embossed with snowflakes folder and distressed with an emery board to make the snowflakes 'pop'. The sentiment is from a studio G clear set and the snowflake brads are from a papermania brad caddy and I have added a few pearl beads to the tops of the snowflakes.

I am going to visit some friends this weekend so may not be able to do much blog hopping. I will try and get round to you all when I get back tomorrow!

Hope you all have a great weekend, enjoy the glorious weather!

Vicky x

Cute Card Thursday!

The challenge over at Cute Card Thursday this week is 'lots of sparkle'! So this is what I created!

I decided to use one of my new Elzybells stamps that I got this week. I am in LOVE with them! This image is from the Christmas Dinkies set, coloured with my whispers. I have stamped some snowflakes on the background and added glamour dust to them. I then added snowtex (3D snow effect paint) and glamour dust again to create the illusion of snow.It's the first time I have used this and am really pleased witht the result. Here is a close up so you can hopefully see the sparkle a little better.

Doodle border added to the image and matted onto green CS. Background paper was free from a a magazine and matted onto green CS again. Right side of card embossed with snowflake folder, sentiment from a studio G clear set. The white snowflake brads are from the papermania brad caddy!

I am really pleased with this card, I love the colours and think it's really christmassy!

Thank goodness it's friday. Lie in tomorrow and no work until monday! Yipee! Enjoy your last day at work everyone!

Vicky x

Monkeying around!

I thought I would take a break from making christmas cards so here is a card I have made for my nephews birthday next month!

I have used one of my favourite new stamps, the changito birthday monkeys, coloured in with my whispers pens. Matted onto DCWV CS. The background paper is also from DCWV, corrugateddark brown card, and the sentiment was created on my dymo machine, matted onto CS. Three buttons, threaded with green satin ribbon to finish! Hope he likes it!

I start back at university today after the summer holidays. I am doing a part time Masters degree 2 days per week (as part of my job), but I also work 3 days a week, so there may be a little less time for crafting once they start handing out the essays! :-(

Vicky x

Quick Christmas Card!

This is a quick christmas cars that I have made, one that I can make in bulk for my general cards. This doesn't hapen very often lately, but you may have noticed there is no stamping on this card! It is also quite rare for me to make A6 cards, I've got a thing for square cards at the minute!


Christmas tree has been cut freehand from some DCWV christmas stack paper. Although if you have got papercraft inspirations this month (November) there are some free acrylic templates and one of them is a christmas tree! Matted onto red CS and gold mirri card and adhesive gems added for baubles! Background paper is also DCWV, matted onto red CS again. Gold snowflake brads are from a papermania brad caddy. Sentiment is a rub on from Traditional American Crafts. Et Voila, a quick christmas card for those multimakes!

I was busy last night playing with my new elzybells so will hopefully have some thing created with these gorgeous stamps to show you really soon!

Hope you all have a good day, thanks for stopping by.

Vicky x

Han's blog candy!

Han has some fab blog candy on offer to celebrate reaching 20,000 hits. You go girl! So pop on over and take a gander at her marvelous creations!

Just a quick post today, my Elzybell stamps have arrived today and they are soooo fabulous. I've had a quick play with them and they stamp so crisply. I can't believe I haven't bought any of these sooner. I will post a picture of them tomorrow!

Hope you are all well!

Vicky x

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