LIM - Things that Move!!

Happy saturday everyone!!

I've has a lovely day out in Leeds, shopping and lunching with my aunty and cousin today!! How else can this day get better?? Why its the day the new LIM challenge is launched of course. Saturday's have never been the same since I started participating in this challenge!! I love to wake up and log on to see what the new challenge is!!

This week Chrissie and Mandi want to see projects with a theme and the theme is.... things that move!! Now, I though outside of the box a bit with this theme and came up with a football. Now I know technically they only move once they have been kicked, so fingers crossed, I hope it counts!!

I made a football themed card for my hubbie and used the colours of the team he supports.... 'Leeds United'.


An arty farty close up shot of the sentiment....

...and the inside shot. I made another wallet style card so I had a little slot to put some money in. My husband is so difficult to buy for, so I learnt years ago, it's just easier to give him money.. and to be honest I think he prefers it!! Love this cute sentiment as well, it matches the theme perfectly!!


I loved making this card so much that I decided to do a few more, very similar one's for my father in law's and brothers birthday's. They both support Leeds United too, so perfect!!


No wallet style inside this time..... just plain and simple decorating!

Materials

CS: SU Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White, Textured card from my stash

Stamps: SU Cheer and Wishes, Football stamps from Elzybells (Retired)

Tools: SU Scalloped border, Circle and Decorative Label punches, SU Square Lattice Embossing folder, Versamark and Versafine Onyx Black ink pads

Misc: Sentiment from Craftwork Cards

Sorry for the photo heavy post, hope you've managed to stay with me and like my cards for this weeks LIM challenge!! I can't wait to see what you all create for this weeks theme!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Less is more - one layer & ink!

Good morning all!

It's taken me a few days to get round to posting it but here is my entry for this weeks LIM challenge. This week Chrissie and Mandi want to se a one layer card using ink! It was suggested that we use the ink in a way we haven't tried before.... or by using our favourite technique.
Now, I love creating shapes using the sponging technique and a shaped stencil, so this is what I went for...

Materials

CS: SU Naturals Ivory

Stamps: SU Just Believe, Vintage Vogue

Tools: SU Stamp-a-ma-jig, Cho Chip, Crumb Cake, So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie ink pads

Misc: Sponge daubers

I love the simplicity of this card and it was unbelieveably quick to make, less than 10 minutes, so perfect for those quick cards you need last minute, just a change of sentiment and it's suitable for any occasion!!

For those of you who have noticed I haven't decorated the inside of this card I apologise. Time is precious this week and I thought better to get a card done for the beloved LIM challenge with no decorated inside than no card at all!! I will be decorating the inside though before I give this card away I promise!

Well thanks for stopping by today! Must dash, got to get off to work!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~


Well

Birthday Wishes for Mum!

Good morning all!

It's finally friday after what has seemed like the longest week!! I am so looking forward to a lie in in the morning and an evening out with friends tomorrow night!!

It was my mums birthday a few weeks ago and my dad asked me (very last minute I may add) to make a card from him for my mum! So this is what I came up with.


A close up shot of that beautiful frame...

... and of course the decorated inside

Materials

CS: SU Basic Black and Confetti White

Papers: Real Red Designer Series (Bright stack)

Stamps: SU Sincere Salutations, Four Frames, Flower stamps from Elzybells

Tools: SU Decorative Label punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Real red, Old Olive and staz on ink pads

Misc: Sponge daubers

I loved making this card. I had these Elzybells flower stamps that I bought when they closed down and have never used them, so I dug them out and decided to use the poppies. Love the bright colours!! I am also loving the four frames set. You get four stamps of decorative frames in the set, but this is my favourite!!

If you would like to order any of the items I have used for todays card or any other Stampin Up products you may want, just drop me an e-mail. Don't forget, if you place an order of £75 before the end of August you receive the free gift of a cosmetic purse (exclusive to SU), pack of 24 silver clips and a reel of grosgrain ribbon. I just love a freebie, don't you?!

Well I hope you all have a fab weekend, whatever you're up to and thankyou for stoppping by!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

You're Invited - Week 27 LIM!

Happy Sunday one and all!!

Sorry I haven't been around since last week. I have tried to stop by your blogs and see what you've all been up to. I have been very busy at work and I am experimenting with my hobbies!! Still crafty types of projects, but I've decide to branch out from solely papercrafts and I am delving into the world of knitting and furniture renovation. I have already knitted several scarves and am currently in the middle of knitting a cushion cover. I am also busy renovating a couple of chests of drawers with seagrass baskets that I found at a garage sale at my local hospice, I though they would look nice in my ensuite, they just need a bit of TLC and a lick (or two) of paint!!

I haven't participated over at LIM very regularly these past few months (slap my hands), due to my hectic schedule. However, I always look what the new challenge is every week and try and participate where I can as I love the LIM style! So this week Mandi and Chrissie want to see cards using the colours of your nations flag.

So I went with the colours of the Union Jack.

A close up of the focal sentiment....

and the inside....

Materials

CS: SU Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy and Naturals Ivory

Stamps: SU Sincere Salutations, Four Frames, Musical Notes (Wheel)

Tools: SU Decorative Label Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin around Handle

Misc: SU Ink in Cherry Cobbler and Night of Navy, Versamark

I needed a wallet style card to put some tickets in for a friend of mine. I have bought us some tickets for a concert and wanted to present them in something a little more special that the envelope they came in. I love making these type of cards. They are so easy to do and are perfect for adding a little money, tickets or vouchers in the pocket on the inside. I thought the musical notes wheel was the perfect touch for this occasion and it was the first time I have used the 'You're Invited' stamp from the sincere salutations set. I LOVE this set, it was my first purchase from Stampin Up and I still use it as much today as I did when I bought it 3 years ago!!

Well I hope you like my entry for LIM this week. I promise to do my level best to try and stop by and say hello this week!!

Hugs, Victoria

~x~

LIM week 25 - Ribbon!

Morning all!

It's friday, so that means it's nearly the weekend, yay! Today is my day off and I can tell you it is much needed as I haven't had a day off in 7 days and I have been super busy at work this week! I have a long weekend of relaxing ahead of me though as I am going here today for a 2 night spa break with my best friend. It's a little treat I bought for her birthday as we are both busy people and it will do us good to spend some quality time together and be pampered!

So today I have a card to show you I made for this weeks LIM challenge. A little late in the week I know, but better late than never! This week Chrissie and Mandi have given us a recipe challenge, to use either a button or ribbon (or pleurals thereof). Now I have plenty of both ribbons and buttons in my stash, so what to choose??!! I eventually settled on ribbon so I could use some of my new seam binding ribbon stash, love this stuff!!

Here is my card...



and of course the simply decorated inside...

Materials

CS: SU Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Stamps: SU Sincere Salutations,
Four Frames, Vintage Vogue

Tools: SU Decorative Label punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Misc: SU Melon Mambo adn Basic Black ink, Seam Binding Ribbon from stash

I just adore seam binding ribbon at the minute. I love how you can wrinkle it up as I have in this card to give extra dimension and texture to your cards.

Well I hope you all enjoy your weekend whatever you're up to! I'll be be back on Sunday, hopefully feeling all refreshed and relaxed!

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Happy Birthday Mum!

Good morning!

Today, it's my mum's birthday and she follows my blog so I want to wish her very a happy birthday!!

It's only apt that share with you the birthday card I made for her, and it's safe to do so as she will have opened it by now!

The decorated inside...

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Confetti White, Baja Breeze

Papers: Pear Pizzaz Designer Series, In Colour (Hostess Gift)

Stamps: SU Broadsheet Alphabet, Curly Cute

Tools: SU scallop trim border punch, Scallop Trim corner, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Circle Punch,

Misc: Adhesive Pearls

I just love this Broadsheet Alphabet set and haven't used it since I made my place settings for my wedding reception. So, I dug it out to create 'Mum'. As you can see I'm still using the In Colours (that's three cards in a row!), this time it's pear pizzaz, love this green colour! I hope my mum likes her card and has a wonderful day.

Well I must dash, got to go to work. I'm going to my friend Jules tonight for tuesday night craft class and I'm looking forward to it after the last few days at work that I've had! It'll be god to see all the girls.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

More in colours!

Good morning all!

I have a day off today as I am working this weekend. My husband has to work so that means I get some time to myself today to get crafty!!

The last post I showed you was using the 'In Colours' from SU and I enjoyed making the card so much I made another, you guessd it, using 'In Colours' again!

I decided to dig out my beloved butterflies for this card and I also wanted to use my large 'friendly' stamp for the first time!

This is what I came up with ...

A closer shot of the beautiful embossed butterflies...

... and the decorated inside, apologies for the blured photograph

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Concord Crush, Poppy Parade and Whisper White

Stamps: SU Friendly background, Simply Said, So Happy For You (Sale-a-bration)

Tools: SU Decorative Label punch and scallop trim border punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Beautiful wings embosslit Die,

Misc: SU Markers, Adhesive gemstones

I really am enjoying using these In Colours, but equally I am looking forward to the release of the new In Colours in October!

I had a lovely afternoon at the create and Craft show with my mum last sunday, and amazingly I was very restrained and came back with some of my money! I feel a crafty session with my new stash coming on this afternoon!!

Well thanks for visiting today and for any comments you leave, I love reading them and knowing you've stopped by!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

In Colours!

Good Morning all!

What miserable weather we've woken up to this morning, kind of makes me glad I'm working today! Mrs Mojo has reappeared (for a brief period) so I have a card to share with you today. Now I haven't really used this years 'In Colours' from SU very much, so I challenged myself to make a card using these and some of my new stash from my last craft splurge!

Here's the final result...


A more detailed shot of the 3D flower and the embossing....


and of course the decorated inside....

Materials

CS: SU Crumb Cake, Concord Crush, Blushing Bride, Poppy Parade and Whisper White

Papers: Designer Series Paper In Colour (Level 1 hostess gift)

Stamps: SU Ocasional Greetings, Whimsical Words (retired), So Happy For You (Sale-a-bration)

Tools: SU Square lattice, Perfect Polka Dots and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folders, Fun Flowers Die, Sponges for distressing

Misc: SU Markers, Adhesive Pearls

I really enjoyed making this card and I love the bright colours and all the texture created by the embossing folders!

Well I suppose I had better get off the computer and go and get ready for work. I am only working today though as I am going to the Stitch and Creative Craft show tomorrow with my mum at Doncaster Racecourse. Not that I really should be spending anything! I have a huge mountain of stash that I should use first. I don't know about you, but I think there is something exciting about getting new stash to coo over!!

Have a great weekend, whatever you're all up to and thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

I'm home!

Morning all!

I got back from my Honeymoon in Mauritius last friday afternoon. It has taken me a good few days to recover from the travelling and I have not yet regained my craft mojo. But I though I would say hello and share with you a few pictures of the resort I stayed at!

This was the view from our apartment...


The view from reception over the infinity pools...


The main swiming pool...

View down the beach from my sun lounger...


and the other direction....

and last but not least an arty farty photo of my hubby I took whilst laid out on my sunlounger...


It was my first day back at work yesterday and I am wishing I was back in Mauritius. Roll on the weekend!!

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope to be back soon with something crafty to show you, thats assuming I can find my mojo!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Happy Fathers Day Dad!!

Morning all and Happy Fathers Day to everyone here in the UK!

I am working this weekend so unfortunately cannot spend the day with my dad as he lives 30 miles away. I did however, manage to get over on thursday night to see him and drop off his present and card. So what better day to share this card with you.

Again, I used some of my new stash on this card. I am so impatient, I dn't know about you but I just need to use as much new stash as I can, as soon as I can after it arrives!!

I left the inside void of a sentiment inside and just decorated it simply as I wanted more space to add a personalised message myself.

I also made a quick and simple matching gift tag for my dads gift....

With a little sentiment on the other side and just enough room to write who it's from...

Materials

CS: SU Choc Chip, Cherry Cobbler, NIght of Navy and Naturals Ivory

Papers: Retired designer paper sponged with cherry cobbler ink

Stamps: SU Occasional Greetings, Solid Stripes, Afterthoughts, French Foliage

Tools: SU Square lattice embossing folder, SU Scallop Border Punch, Sponges for distressing

Misc: SU Markers, Choc Chip Grosgrain ribon (retired)

It wasn't until after I'd finished the card that I realised it had a very American feel to it, what with the colours and the striped background. I used a stamp from French Foliage to create the subtly ink splodged background. I just love this ink splot design stamp fom the french foliage set. If I'm honest, I only bought the set for this stamp and the french script stamp and at only £13.95 for the clear set of 6 stamps it is such a bargain I just couldn't resist.

Well I hope you all have a great day with your families. I only have 3 more sleeps until I go on my belated honeymoon (we got married in March) on wednesday. I am sooooooo excited I can't wait. So if you don't see me around blogland for a few weeks, please forgive me as I'll be on a beach in the Indian Ocean, sipping cocktails with my gorgeous husband!!

Bye for now.

Hugs, Vitcoria ~x~

Fathers Day!

Hello All!

This weekend it's Fathers Day here in the UK so today I have a fathers day card to show you. We had a male themed card class the other week at Julie's so I made a card for my Father in Law. Now like some of you I really struggle with male cards, they are definately not my forte. So here's what I created.

...and of course the inside, simple and to the point!

Materials

CS: SU Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Papers: Pattern Designer series papers - Regals

Stamps: SU Cheers to You, Something to Celebrate, Basic Phrases

Tools: SU Square lattice embossing folder, SU Tag Punches, Decorative Label Punch

Misc: SU Markers

The challenge over at Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge is a 'Male Card' so I'm entering this there!

Thanks for stopping by today. Short but sweet post. I'm not feeling too good so think I'm going to have an early night.

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

LIM 19 - One Layer in the frame!

It's sunday, so that means one thing, the new challenge over at LIM came out yesterday! I don't know what I did before this challenge came out! I, like most of you other Limette's am addicted!!

I was working all day yesterday but for most of my shift my mind was wondering to the challenge and thoughts of my design. I had sneaked a peak at the challenge theme before I went to work. Maybe next time I should wait until I get home though as I didn't get a whole lot of work done!!

So this week it's one layer week again with the added challenge of 'in the frame', where chrissie and Mandi would like to see a frame of some sort or something in a frame.

So I let my thoughts run away with me thinking of various ideas and designs. My new Stampin Up stash arrived on thursday, so I knew I definately wanted to use some of that. I decided I wanted to make some little notelet sized thankyou cards (after all, you always need thank you cards right?). After a little playing around, this is what I came up with!



I loved this simple design so much, I repeated it with a different sentiment, from my new 'Thank You Kindly' set.


I loved the spotty 'frame' I'd created as the background but wanted to use my new 'Four Frames' stamp set, which obviously is perfect for this weeks challenge. Et Voila....

... this is what I came up with. I had to use a lot of masking and post it's to create this. I decided I liked it but thought it needed a bit more defininition around the edge's of the background. So I made another and came up with this...
By this point I had got a bit carried away and wanted to use another of my new sentiments from 'Thank You Kindly'. So I made this one....

Again lot's of masking and post its!! I decided on yet another version of this but again with softer edges and with the help of some more post it's low and behold I created a frame in a frame!

Materials

CS: SU Naturals Ivory

Stamps: SU Dot Dot Dot, Just Believe, Thank You Kindly,
Four Frames, Oval All (thank you sentiment)

Tools: SU Stamp-a-ma-jig, Decorative Label punch, sponges for distressing

Misc: SU Stampin Write Markers

Now, I wouldn't have been able to make any of these notelets without two key items. My trusty stamp-a-ma-jig and Stampin Markers. By using both of these items you can create so many different looks from the same stamps. I want to say huge thank you to Vicky, a fellow SU demo, as she has been a real inspiration for me for getting more than one look from your stamps and thinking outside of the box.

Well thanks for sticking with me through today's mammoth post and I look forward to seeing what all you other Limette's have come up for this week challenge!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Monochrome Take 2!

Morning all!

I am loving the LIM challenge this week, so much so I decided to make another card, this time one with more white space as there was very limited white space on my last cards.

One of my work colleagues lost her mother recently so I made her a card to let her know I was thinking about her. Not the easiest of cards to make, but I used my new 'Thanks for Caring' set from the SU mini catalogue which I think is just beautiful.

A change of location for my photography for today's card. I used the dark tile backdrop in my kitchen to show off the card better!



and the decorated inside.... this stamp set has a lovely sentiment perfect for use on the inside of the card.

Materials

CS: SU Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Stamps: SU Thanks for caring

Tools: Butterfly wings embosslit, Circle Nestabilities, Sponges for distressing,
SU Stamp-a-ma-jig, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder

Misc: Adhesive Pearls, Blender pen, SU Baja Breeze ink

I used lots of lovely products from the Stampin Up mini catalogue for this card. I am just loving the embossing folders and these adorable Butterflies from the emboslits die.

If you would like to enquire about any of the products I ahve used then just drop me an e-mail.

Thanks for stopping by today, must dash and get myself off to work now!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Monochrome!

Hello all!

Today I have a much needed Day off, so I have been and done a little shopping and then got crafty and made my card for this weeks LIM challenge where the theme is 'Monochrome'.

Now when I think of monochrome I usually think of black and white. So I had a bit of a think about the design and colours and came up with this... Monochrome in green

...and of course the inside!

Well I liked the result so much and it was created so quickly and easily I decided to make another, this time in Oranges/Rust colours...

and again the matching decorated inside...

Materials

CS: SU Wild Wasabi, Really Rust (Retired) Whisper White

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes, Cheer and Wishes, Thanks for Caring

Tools: SU Stampamajig, Sponge Daubers

Misc: Stampin Markers in always Artichoke, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzaz, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, More Mustard and Peach Parfait.

I think I'm going to make a few more of these cards with different sentiments and in different colourways. They would make the perfect gift if you did them as little notelets in a set. Now there's an idea!!

Well that's all for today. I'm off now to have a hop round blogland and see what you've all been up to.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Cute Card Thursday!

Evening all!

Phew it's been a scorcher today (well by UK standards anyway)! I was glad to get home, take off my uniform and hop in the shower I can tell you!

Well today I have a card to show you that I'm going to enter over at Cute Card Thursday, where the theme this week is Embellish it! I have used some adhesive pearls on my main image, so this is my embellishment!!


and of course the decorated inside.... I know how some of you like to see what I've done to my interior as much as what's on the outside!!

Materials

CS: SU Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry

Paper: Designer paper from the bright paper stack (Melon Mambo)

Stamps: SU Itty Bitty Buds (Retired), Elzybells sentiment

Tools: SU Stamp-a-ma-jig, Scallop Trim Border Punch, sponges for distressing

Misc: SU Old Olive, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry Ink, Adhesive Pearls

Love these colours together, not too girly but still feminine.

I've been having a hippity hop around blogland and there's some fab creations out there that have really inspired me, so a big thanks to you all! I am off to my friend Jules Big Shot class tomorrow and I can't wait to meet up with my crafty buddies. Seems ages since we've got together (in reality its only probably a few weeks!).

After a hard week at work I have a lovely 3 days off work now & I can't wait til monday when I have the whole day to myself to craft up a storm!

Have a great weekend everyone & enjoy the sunshine!

Hugs, Victoria ~x~

Just for You - Pick a square!

Happy Bank Holiday to you all!

What rubbish weather. Woke up to drizzle this morning. So much for wanting to put my washing out! Typical Bank Holiday weather really, don't know why I'm surprised!

This week over at the LIM challenge, Chrissy and Mandi want us to pick a square.


So, I have to say I chose the easy option and went for the centre square. A real quick CAS card, literally took me 10 minutes to make.

an arty farty angle to show you the dimension of the flower...


and of course to finish it off I decorated the inside...

Materials

CS: SU Very Vanilla, Rose Red

Paper: Springtime Vintage Designer paper from the SU mini catalogue

Stamps: SU Vintage Vogue, Oval All

Tools: SU Stamp-a-ma-jig, XL Fancy Flower and Scallop Trim Border Punches

Misc: SU Crumb Cake and Rose red Ink, Adhesive Pearls

I suppose you could say I also chose the bottom right square to decorate the inside! :-)

I hope you're all enjoying your extended BH weekend. I'm just pottering about today, in fact I'm still in my dressing gown (Gasp!!).

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Victoria ~x~