Where's my creativity?

Hogs and kisses

2013-05-19T08:50:00.000+01:00

Happy Sunday all! I'm afraid this is going to be a quick one cos I gotta go get ready to do some shopping and lunch with the parents. I've got a card today using one of the new Animal And Sentiment sets by the newly opened shop Pollycrafts...

Isn't he the cutest piggy EVER?!! I love him! And he was such a pleasure to colour in too although I was a little intimidated at first on how to approach it! Here's a close up...

I matched him up with Lili of the Valley papers called Bonnets and Bowties (I LOVE their paper pads, only recently discovered!) and finished it off with some teeny tiny buttons! I used to be on the Pollycrafts DT so I'm re-applying for the DT call - wish me luck!

Okay, I gotta go but I'll be back later to see you on my blog rounds - ttfn!

You are so sweet!

2013-05-17T14:00:00.000+01:00

(Please scroll down for my There She Goes Again DT post!)

It's Bellarific Friday and this week we has a sketch to inspire us and here is my Bellarific Babe take on it...

As you can see, I flipped it on its side. I used Uptown Girl Claudia Has a Candy - another gorgeous girl from the collection! I used My Minds Eye papers and MFT Die-Namics Simply scallops medium die, topped off with a little organza ribbon.

The next challenge is get inspired by this photo...

Email your creations to Em by next Thursday 23 May for a chance to win $20 Bella Bucks (either by submitting a project or simply commenting on next week's Bellarific Friday post)!

Take a picture

2013-05-17T05:00:00.001+01:00

It's There She Goes Again week over at...well, There She Goes! During this week we visit some classics from the store and this time we have been focusing on Oh Snap, On The Move and ConGRADulations. Today, the Trendsetters have made all new makes and you can see my make on from Monday here using the On The Move set. Here is my new make for today using Oh Snap...

Such a sweet camera! I used a Quickutz polka dot embossing folder, Authentic Celebrate papers and MFT Die-Namics - Boy Meets Girl border die. Check out more Trendsetter inspiration over at the blog here!

Okay, I am off not but I will see you with my Bellarific Babe post - ttfn!

Let the sunshine in

2013-05-16T04:00:00.000+01:00

Hello all! Well, the UK's summer is still struggling to get here - it's been wet, cold and generally rubbish! But I hope this card will bring some sunshine to us!

I love Sunshiny Flynn! I used Echo Park Candy Shoppe papers and some puffy clouds. I wonder if it's too plain? Couldn't think of anything else to add to it so it'll remain as is!

Okay, I hope this encourages some sun into your life but for now I gotta go! Thank you for visiting!

Oh happy day

2013-05-15T07:00:00.000+01:00

Before I get onto my card today, I just wanted to apologise for not visiting you. Work is massively busy - but I miss my daily blog rounds to see your lovely makes! I hope to be back on track at the end of this week so please bear with me!

Today we are reviewing the sweet CC Designs May release and here is my DT make...

Isn't she pretty? This is Swiss Pixie May Day Birgitta used with a sentiment from the AmyR Stamps Sunny Sentiments set. I also used C.C. Designs Cutters Banner Day Die and matched up with Zoe Pearn Beautiful You papers. There is more gorgeous DT inspiration over at the blog here. I am entering this card into the Simon Says Stamp challenge for flowers.

Enjoy the rest of your day and thanks for visiting!

Fussy cutting hints and tips

2013-05-14T11:44:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone and I hope you are looking forward to a new week! Or at least not too depressed that it's four days to the weekend... Anyhoo, I am here today with some hints and tips on fussy cutting for All That Scraps. I've get a lot of questions about how I do it so I hope this will go some way to help. First off, here is my card where I used this technique...

Isn't she beautiful? This is Drozy's Darlings Letter For You and I also used a sentiment from the AmyR Stamps Sunny Sentiments set. As you can see, I have cut around her and also in between the gap of her leg and wing. Here are the tools I use...

In order from left to right:

Serrated scissors (Tim Holtz)
Craft knife (Xcut)
rounded sanding tool
flat sanding tool (a nail file is just as good)

I don't think I need to tell you how to actually these tools! But here are a few things I do to get a good result:

First of all, I always cut around the image, say 2cm all round so that I don't have large pieces of card getting in my way as I cut round.
Don't try to get a perfect cut out using your scissors the first time you go round. You can always go back to trim more off but you can't put it back!
Make sure your craft knife is sharp - you should be able to cut with quite light pressure. If you find you are having to press down hard to get a cut, they are not sharp enough.
Don't worry if the edges aren't completely smooth and rounded (especially around those tight corners) - this is where the sanding tools come in. For the outer side of the cut out image, I use the flat sanding tool to smooth it out. I use the rounded sanding tool in the inside cuts.

Here's a another look at my card...

That's it! I hope that was useful. I hope to do a video some time in the future so you can see the whole process. If you have any questions, leave a comment to this post and I will get back to you. I'm off now but I'll see you again for another Make It Monday in the future!

We're on the move!

2013-05-13T05:00:00.000+01:00

It's Monday and that means there's a new challenge over at There She Goes. This week the challenge theme is "moving on" so I thought it would be good idea to make a moving home card...

Of course I just had to use the TSG On The Move set for it. I love the cute images in this as well as the fab matching sentiments. I used October Afternoon Road Map papers and a Doodlebug zigzag trim. I kept it pretty simple as the backing paper was so busy.

Check out more inspiration and all the deets over at the There She Goes blog. I'm off but I'll see you later on my blog rounds - ttfn!!

I hope he turns out to be Prince Charming!

2013-05-12T04:00:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone! I'm here today with a card using the gorgeous and sweet new Whimsie Doodle's Frog Lizzie...

That frog doesn't look very happy! Perhaps he doesn't want to turn into a prince afterall! He he. So I matched her up with papers from the Lily of The Valley Bonnets and Bowties pad and used my Quickutz polka dot embossing folder. I used my Nestie heart die to do the cut out and some Pink Petticoat gingham paper to stamp the sentiment on.

Okay, that's it from me today - I'll be back tomorrow with my There She Goes DT post - ttfn!

2013-05-11T05:00:00.000+01:00

Happy Saturday everybody! I hope you have a lovely weekend planned. I thought I might do some gardening, but it looks like it's going to rain - what a shame (NOT!!). He he, I hate gardening so it suits me fine - looks like the craft room is calling instead!

So today I have a Bellarific Babe card to show you...

Oh, we could all do with a hug sometimes, huh? I love this stamp! It's called Belinda and Bernadette Bench Buddies and I matched them up with Zoe Pearn Beautiful You papers, C.C. Designs Cutters Grass die, a Cuttlebug embossing folder and a touch of grass. And I got to use up more alpha stickers - but I still have zillions left!

Thanks for visiting me - I really appreciate it! See ya later on my blog rounds!

On yer bike!

2013-05-10T05:00:00.000+01:00

It's Bellarific Friday and that means it's the end of another working week for me - woo hoo! Here is my Bellarific Babe card and this week we were challenged to use kraft somewhere on my makes so here is my take on it...

I originally thought about going nuts with the kraft but then I ended up going minimal with it! Not sure how that happened but I quite like the fresh look of this card. I added some glimmer by adding Stickles glue on her outfit, the flowers and then some iridescent sequins dotted bout randomly. This is really hard for me to do - I don't do random! Here's a close up...

The next challenge is to be inspired by the sketch below - I hope you can join us.

Email your creations to Em by next Thursday 16 May for a chance to win $20 Bella Bucks (either by submitting a project or simply commenting on next week's Bellarific Friday post)!

Day 3 of the All Tthat Scraps May release!

2013-05-08T07:00:00.000+01:00

It's the third day for the All That Scraps May release showcase and today we showcasing the new Sweet November Fairwees. Here is my DT make...

Isn't she adorable? This is Sweet November Mia's Kite and I matched her up with My Minds Eye papers and added a touch of Glamour Dust on her wings, shoes, cloud edges and kite bows. I am entering my card into the Simon Says Stamp challenge for things with wings.

Check out the blog here to see more inspiration and link up to Inlinkz for a chance to win some of today's cute stuff! Thanks for visiting and I will see you tomorrow with my Bellarific Babe card. Thanks for visiting!

Day 2 of the All Tthat Scraps May release!

2013-05-07T07:00:00.000+01:00

It's the second day for the All That Scraps May release showcase and today we showcasing the new Drozy's Darlings. Here is my make using new Missing You...

Awww, she's so pretty! I also used the C.C. Cutters Butterfly Border Die topped off with Doodlebug gems. For the background I used BasicGrey Urban Prairie papers and my Cuttlebug dotty embossing folder.

Check out the blog here to see more inspiration and link up to Inlinkz for a chance to win some of today's cool stuff! Thanks for visiting and I will be back tomorrow with day 3 of the new release!

Sweet little duckies in a row

2013-05-06T05:00:00.000+01:00

(Please scroll down for my All That Scraps new release post

with deets on winning prizes!)

It's a Bank Holiday in the UK so I've got one more day off before going back to the office - yay! And as it's Monday there's a new challenge over at There She Goes and this week the challenged is to paper piece. I love this technique and just had to use the TSG Polka Dots Pals set for it...

I really like how this card turned out, purely my accident than by design, lol! I used Pink Petticoat gingham papers and also papers from the Isabelline collection. I used My Favorite Things Die-Namics Button Border and Peek-A-Boo Trio die.

Check out more inspiration and all the deets over at the There She Goes blog. I'm off but I'll see you tomorrow with day 2 of the All That Scraps new release DT post.

Day 1 of the All That Scraps May release!

2013-05-06T03:00:00.000+01:00

It's the first day for the All That Scraps May release and today we showcasing the newbies created by ATS owner Christine. I have two DT cards to show you and here is my first...

SWEET! This is Meoples Beep Beep! and AmyR Sunny Sentiments. I matched this little lady up with Karen Funk So Happy Together papers. And next up is my second DT make...

I love this stamp - so much fun! This is the new Tumbleweed Zooming and the fab sentiment is from the AmyR Sunny Sentiments set. I matched her up with Valerie Brown Citrus Breeze papers and used My Favorite Things skyline die which I layered up using foam pads.

Check out the blog here to see more inspiration and link up to Inlinkz for a chance to win some of today's cute stuff! Thanks for visiting and I will be back tomorrow with day 2 of the new release!

You're a lifesaver

2013-05-05T12:53:00.001+01:00

(Please scroll down for my post with fabby Pollycraft news!!)

Have you seen the new releases yet in the Whimsie Doodles store? They are adorable - but I say that every month, right?!! But I really do think you'll agree with me again! Take a look at this cutie...

Cute, right? I just love this girl! This is Lizzie Lifesaver and the sentiment comes with the image. I added some red striped paper (can't remember where it's from, sorry!) and then used My Favorite Things Simply Scallops border die, sun and Flat Bottom Clouds die, topped off with a Doodlebug spotty organza ribbon. Voila! Check out other inspiration over at the blog here! I am entering this card into the Simon Says Challenge.

Well I'm off now but I'll be back tomorrow with a tutorial for All That Scraps - see you then!

Monster cuteness!

2013-05-05T04:00:00.000+01:00

Hey, did you hear that Paula, Pollycrafts owner and illustrator, has re-opened her shop? She closed it last year, what with having a baby and needing a break, but she missed drawing so much that she has decided to come back! You can check out her news here. She is only selling new digis (you can still get her older ones via Little Miss Muffet) and they are so darn cute! So, the old design team have created some samples and here are my ones. The first one uses Party Monster...

Look at the pleasure on his face - he can't wait to eat that cupcake! I used Echo Park Little Boy papers and stickers and my Craft Concepts star embossing folder. Here's my second card using Sweet Monster...

I loved this cross eyed cutie too! I used the same papers, a Paper Smooches sentiment and my Darice chevron embossing folder, topped off with a stripped ribbon from my stash.

You can check out more gorgeous inspiration over at Paula's blog here. Thanks for visiting and I will see you later on my blog rounds!

Is it hot enough yet for a BBQ?!

2013-05-04T11:08:00.000+01:00

Well, it's certainly warmer this weekend but it is overcast and now it's drizzling - where is the sunshine the weatherman promised me?!! I hope the weather is better wherever you are! Anyhoo, I'm here today with a card I made with my Stamping Bella stamp by Mo Manning called Big Man Grilling...

We were hoping to have a BBQ today but I think we'll scrap that idea and hopefully it will be possible for our Ban Holiday Monday (yay, long weekend!). I matched him up with Pink Paislee Happy Now papers and used a variety of stickers from my stash (yep, still trying to use these up!).

Okay, I gotta go and do something useful now. Not sure what that is yet - it was going to be gardening but now it's probably going to be ironing. Bleh!

Thanks for visiting and I'll see you later on my blogrounds!

Have a gr8 day

2013-05-03T04:00:00.000+01:00

It's Bellarific Friday! And it's an extra special Friday because we have a bank holiday on Monday! So without further ado, here is my Bellarific Babe card and this week we had a sketch to follow...

I loved using this guy so much in this post that I had to ink him up again! He is Mo Manning's Game On stamp and the papers are from the Authentique Celebrate paper pad. I got to use some more of those zillions of alpha stickers I have in my stash too! I am entering this into Mo Manning's challenge for anything goes.

The next challenge is to use kraft somewhere on your project. Email your creations to Em by next Thursday 9 May for a chance to win $20 Bella Bucks (either by submitting a project or simply commenting on next week's Bellarific Friday post)!

When the sun is out, it's happy time!

2013-05-02T14:00:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone, I hope you are having a good week. The sun is out here in the UK - long may it last! But I doubt it. Hey ho. Anyhoo, today I have my Doodlicious Diva card to show you using Whimsie Doodle's Lizzie's Wonderland...

Lizzie is so beautiful! I love her little kitty kat! I matched her up with Echo Park papers and a sweet Sizzix embossing folder. I used My Favorite Things dies for the sun and cloud. I am entering this card into the Simon Says Stamp challenge for their happy mail challenge.

I hope you like her! I will be back with the team on 5 May with our new release makes!

Swinging here, thinking of you

2013-05-02T03:00:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone! I'm here today with another make using up some of those gorgeous Quixotic Paperie goodies! Today I have a card for a friend who is going through a difficult time so I wanted to let her know she's in my thoughts...

I love this wistful girl. She is Stamping Bella's Matilda on her Swing by illustrator Amariah Rauscher. I stamped her on Make It Colour Blending card and coloured her with my Copics. I also used MFT Die-Namics - Fishtail Flags Layers STAX with the sentiment that also comes with Matilda.

Okay, I am off now. Thanks for visiting and I will see you again soon with another Quixotic Inspiration make!

All That Scraps feature in Whimsy Magazine!

2013-05-01T05:00:00.000+01:00

There is an All That Scraps Spring feature in the April edition of the Whimsy Magazine and I got to do a guest designer spot in it - it's on page 50 if you get a chance to take a look. Here is my card for it...

I used the very sweet and beautiful C.C. Designs Swiss Pixie Butterfly Nora Rubber Stamp that I coloured with my Prismacolor pencils. I also used a stamp from the Whimsy Spring Silhouettes Notables 6 sentiments collection and Whimsy designer grunge papers. I finished it off with a touch of Glamour Dust on her wings, dress trim and the butterfly and a touch of soft feminine lace. I am entering this card into the Simon Says Stamp challenge for their happy mail challenge.

You can check out more gorgossity in the magazine here.

Sweet girl

2013-04-30T16:00:00.000+01:00

(Please scroll down for my Tuesday Morning Sketches GD post!)

It's Tuesday which means it's By Lori Designs Inspirations Tuesday! I decided to use Puddle Jumper Sweet Girl...

I love her pretty dress and sweet necklace! I matched her up with Echo Park papers and the sentiment is also By Lori Designs from the new set called New Everyday Sentiments II.

Check out more of the gorgeous inspiration over at the blog here. I'm off but I'll see you on my blog rounds!

Birthday girl

2013-04-30T11:00:00.000+01:00

There's a new Tuesday Morning Sketch today and I am here with my next and last guest designer card. This week we are sponsored by the gorgeous Saturated Canary and here is my take on it using Party Hardy...

I matched this gorgeous gal up with Zoe Pearn's Birthday Girl papers and finished off with some gingham ribbon. I kept it all pretty simple as I don't think you need much to showcase these gorgeous images, but perhaps it's a bit plain as I normally see lots of embellishing by others who use SC images. Here's a close up of her...

You can check out more gorgeous DT inspiration and deets over at the blog here. Thanks for visiting me and I'll be back later with my By Lori Designs DT post!

You're a treasure

2013-04-29T05:00:00.000+01:00

It's Monday so there's a new challenge over at There She Goes. This week DT buddy Tangii has challenged us to make a card or project with an April Showers Bring May Flowers theme. So anything to do with flowers or water - your choice! Here is my make with my choice of water...

This is such an uber fun stamp set - such fab elements all created by one of my most fave illustrators Torico. This is Shiver Me Timbers and matched him up with Shawna Clingerman Little Bubby papers. I think this would be great for a thank you card for a guy - perhaps my FIL who owns a boat! I'm entering my card into the Simon Says anything goes challenge.

You don't have to use TSG stamps to enter either so I really hope you can play along with us this week for a chance to win TSG gift vouchers. Check out more inspiration and all the deets over at the There She Goes blog. I'm off but I'll see you tomorrow with guest designer card for Tuesday Morning Sketches and By Lori Designs posts. TTFN!

Mmmm....strawberries!

2013-04-28T04:00:00.000+01:00

I love strawberries, don't you? My favourite ones are from Kent in England - sweet and juicy! Shame they aren't at their best for another few months though. Still, I made my Bellarific Babe card today that reminds me of that sweet, sweet fruit...

Isn't this little girl the sweetest too? This is Tiddly Inks' Flynn's Berry Happy Day and I matched her up with October Afternoon Fly A Kite papers, used up some more Echo Park alpha stickers and topped it off with some satin ribbon.

I'll be back tomorrow with my There She Goes DT post. Thank you for visiting, I always love reading your comments!