Inspirational Card Sketches #51

We're sponsored again over on Inspirational Card Sketches by our lovely Teamie Heather.  She has her own shop born from her love of coffee which you can find {here}.

This was Dawn's Sketch:

And this is my card using Heather's fab image:

Materials:
White: 5 1/4" card.
Spotty Paper: My Minds Eye, Bloom & Grown.
Image: Fresh Brewed Designs.
Pens: Letraset Promarkers.
Stamps: Adornit Stick 'Em Stamps.
Inkpad: Stazon.
Gems: Stash.
Ribbon: Stash

Crafting for me!

My daughter had a sleepover at a friends house on Saturday night.  The boys had a film that they wanted to watch which wasn't to my taste so I took myself off upstairs to my room, sat my iPod on the docking station, pressed play, turned up the volume and crafted FOR ME!!!!!  It's so lovely sometimes to not have a deadline and it worked wonders for me too as I managed to get 4 layouts made!!!!  This brings my daughter's album right up to date now.  The kids each have their own album with nursery & school photos in and apart from her current photo which is in the lounge I have nothing to catch up on with her.

These are what I created...

My Flowerpot Angel:

Pretty in Pink:

 

Nursery Friends:

Year 3:

Materials:
Cardstock: Papermania. Adhesive felt: from stash, sorry, I've forgotten the manufacturer.  (no manufacturer detailed).  Flocked paperStamps: BasicGrey.  Inkpad: Stazon.  Blooms: Aunty Sarah's; Prima.  Gromlet and photo corners: We Are Memory Keepers.  Journalling Pens: Stabilo & Sakura.
Cardstock: Bazzill.   Patterned Papers: Bella! Sarah-Jane Paperz.  Ribbon: John Lewis.  Gromlet: We Are Memory Keepers.  Stamp: BasicGrey.  Glitter Glue: Stickles.  Bloom: Dunelm.  Journalling pens: Stabilo & Sakura.
Cardstock: Papermania & scraps.  Rubons: Scrapworks.  Paper: Scraps.  Tag: Stationery store.  Brads: Stash.  Gems: Stash.
Cardstock: Bazzill.  Frame: Cut on the Craft Robo from Scenic Route paper.  Tags & Brad: K&Company.   Flowers: Studio Calico kit.  Alphas: Thickers.  Rubons: Doodlebug.  Glitter Glue: Stickles.  Paper ribbon: Sassafrass

No flying allowed - due to low cloud!

What a shame for Jacob.  He got up at 6.30am (after ignoring his alarm at least once).  Got dressed.  Gave his shoes a quick buff up.  Had his breakfast.  Did all his ablutions (as you do!).  Then he and Will set off for the Cadets venue for the coach to pick the Cadets by 7.30am up to take them to RAF Wyton near Huntingdon for a day's flying.

The phone rings at 9.30am with the following request:

"Mum, can you pick me up in about an hour as we can't fly today because of low cloud."

To say I was gutted for him was an understatement!  They had waited to get updated news from the Met. Office but the cloud cover was still at 500 feet; 800 feet and 1200 feet.  In order for Cadets to fly they must have clear visibility at 1500 feet.  So a march round the base to the Spar shop, a march back and an hour in the coach home again was his day out yesterday!

Hopefully (fingers crossed) they'll get another chance at the end of the month to try again.

Think Jacob was double gutted yesterday - no flying and NO LAY IN!!!!! Hahah!

Rosie D's Challenge No. 63 - Sponsored by Delicious Doodles

I'm pleased to say that we have yet another FANTASTIC sponsor this time around over on Rosie D's Challenge Blog:

Have given the DT 3 fantastic images to work with, and are offering our winner the same files too!  They're gorgeous and fantastic to work with!

You can see a sneaky of such a cute little fella here.  You'll have to pop over to the challenge blog to see what he looks like in all his glory along with the fantastic creations of all the DT.

Jacob goes flying

My son joined the Air Cadets the day after his birthday in November last year and is absolutely loving it.  We were so proud of him when he got enrolled in his uniform.  My parents, one of my sisters and our best friends came to see him on parade.  More than one wet pair of eyes I can tell you!

He has been given the fantastic opportunity to go flying this Saturday.  He was initally going on a day walk but the opportunity of a stint in the air has won him over!

He's been told to take his camera to take a snap or two of the plane and his amazing journey which I'll share with you at the weekend.

He'll be doing his rifle training soon too!

What amazing opportunities for a 14 year old who wants to be an RAF Pilot when he's older.

The Range comes to town!

I've seen confirmation that The Range is coming to town.  Currently my nearest one is in Coventry; 32 miles away.

Can't wait!

You gotta feel sorry for him!

My hubby is a bit of a cycling nut at the best of times!  He thinks nothing of going out for a 30 mile bike ride 'for fun'.  Since having his new bike at the end of October last year, he's already clocked up over 1000 miles on it!

He cycles to work at least a couple of times a week (recent deep snow, torrential rain or bright sunshine).  It normally takes him about 25 minutes door to door on the way there and by using a less dangerous road via villages and country lanes on the way home, about 40 minutes.

Yesterday was a bike day.  Uneventful on the way there but on the way home he found one of the back roads blocked by a Police car due to an accident.  A 5 mile, 20 minute detour then has to be made up two long hills.

Needless to say he didn't have a funny expression on his face when he got in last night!

BasicGrey goes digital

Heaven.... I'm in heaven..... la la la la la la la la la la laaaaaa!

Have you seen the new look BasicGrey website?  I adore BG paperie and all things they produce.

But.... when I visited them and found that they've gone DIGITAL too I may just have to brush up the digi skills again.

Oh how the downloads may just start happening from this glorious site!

Papers... rub ons.... brads... alphabets.... fabrics.... digital.... *sigh!*
x

Passion for ProMarkers

Cocoa and Cool Aqua were the colours for last week's theme on Passion for ProMarkers.  I made my card but never got round to posting it.  I know it's late now, but I still like it, so I'm going to show it anyway!

Materials:
White: 5 1/4" pearlescent card.
Patterned Papers, image and sentiment: Patti Picklicious from Kirsty Wiseman.
Pins: Stash.
Colouring: Letraset ProMarkers.
Pen: Stabilo.

Daring Card Makers - Hole in One

No the dare from the DCM is not a golfing one, but they DO want to see some kind of hole or aperture in your card.

I punched a flower out of the front of mine and embellished the inside with the same shape in two different sizes.

Materials
White A6 card.
Paper: My Minds Eye, Bloom & Grow.
Ribbon - PJs from Primark.
Punch: Woodware.
Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Paisley.
Ink: Versamagic.

I Love Promarkers Challenge

I'm on a roll with my challenges at the mo - I must have had a share of Mojo for Christmas.  I'm not complaining though.  I love to create cards and scrapbook pages and at the mo with my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome it's easier for me to create than it is to type or browse the internet.

Anyway,  I've not taken part in an I Love Promarkers Challenge in an age and when it popped up in my watched blog list I thought the sketch was simply fab and had to have a go.

Materials:
White 5 1/4" square card.
Image: Lindsay's Stamp Stuff
Scallop: Bazzill Just the Edge.
Colouring: Letraset Promarkers.
Letter: American Crafts.

Allsorts Challenge

On the Allsorts Challenge Blog they want to see creations using Pink and Brown so when I found this picture of my daughter in her pink coat on the 'log' flume with my parents it seemed just perfect!

I just love my dad's face- you can almost hear him scream.  Then again, mum's not looking too impressed either and seems to be holding on to Freya for grim death!

Materials:

Bazzill Swiss Dots card.
Felt leaves: Queen & Co.
Flowers; Prima.
Flower centres: Stash.
Heart: Opitec.
Journalling strips: computer generated.
Punch: Fiskars.
Pens: Stabilo & Sakura.

Inspirational Card Sketches #50

We had so many wonderful creations from last weeks sketch at Inspirational Card Sketches.   There is some real talent out there!

We have a fantastic sponsor this week, our very own Heather is sponsoring with her Fresh Brewed Coffee images. This girl is very talented and her images are just the cutest. The winner of this challenge will receive a $10.00 voucher to Fresh Brewed Coffee.

Wednesday Fresh Brewed Coffee will be having a 'new images release'. So remember to go and take a look.

Materials:
5 1/4" square white card base.
Papers: My Minds Eye, Bloom & Grow.
Image: Fresh Brewed Designs.
Pens: Letraset Promarkers.

2 Sketches 4 You

Laura's Sketch #43

Oh, I'm on a challenge roll here guys!  I've made ANOTHER card for ANOTHER challenge.  Sheesh!  Where is all this inspiration & mojo coming from?!

materials
White pearlescent 5 1/4" card.
Corrugated card: packaging from new camera lens.
Paper: MME Bloog & Grow
Tag: Stationers.
Lettering: Adornit and Making Memories.
I can't believe they're not brads: Clever Cut
Bird cut from paper bought from Indigo Mill.
Glimmer (on bird) Perfect Pearls in water, lightly sprayed.
Bling: Stash.

Inspirational Card Sketches #49

I'm late posting this one up today as my dad's a diabetic and was eating chocolates last night and sweets today - not a good combo if you don't want your blood sugar to go sky high and to take a funny turn! Consequently I've been running around. But, if you can't do it for your parents, then you can't do it for anyone. Only point I have to make though....DAD stop being a bugger and do as you're told please!!!!!

Anyhoo, I didn't get a chance earlier to send my card to Dawn for Inspirational Card Sketches this week has only just been sent over to her (complete with an apology).

Materials:
Pearlescent   5 1/4" square card.
Papers: MME Bloom & Grow.
Lace: Ribbon Mad.
Letters: BasicGrey

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I've been to the doctor tonight and he's 90+% sure that I've got Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in my wrists, the right being much worse than the left.

I've been referred to the hospital for nerve conductivity tests to confirm the diagnosis and have to go the chemist tomorrow to order wrist splints to wear at nights.

Does anyone out there live with the syndrome and can you give me some tips on what to do or what not to do please? All tips very gratefully received.

Thanks
x

Finished a project

I started to make a lovely acrylic hanger whilst at Kirsty's in mid December.  It was all finished apart from the photo and has been hanging from my notice board since I got home.  I was looking through some photos yesterday to scrap when I came across an adorable one of Freya taken when she was 25 months old.  I just had to use it; can you see why I love it so much?

I just had to add the bling around her and some punched circles to scallop the edge of the photo to mirror the scalloped acrylic.

I HATE flash photography for my cards & projects.  I may have to take this one again in daylight and replace it.

Materials (all courtesy of Kirsty's studio - THANK YOU!)

Clear acrylic frame.
Cardstock: Bazzil Bling
I can't believe they're not brads (Clever Cuts)
Acrylic flower and butterflies from Kirsty's stash.
Bling around the pics from MY stash.

Basic Grey Challenges

My third challenge blog that I've neglected since what seems way before the ice age is the BasicGrey Challenges.


They're on week 11 since they've been back and this is my first time I've been with them since their return (see, I said it was before the ice age!).

This week saw photo inspiration in some wonderful colours.

Materials
White C6 card.
Embossing folder: Cuttlebug.
Paper & Lettering: BasicGrey, Figgy Pudding.
Rub on: BasicGrey, Boxer.
Felt embellishment: Prima.
Button, ribbon: Stash.
Inks: Versamagic.

2 Sketches 4 You

Another challenge blog that I used to take part in each week but that I've neglected for ages is 2 Sketches 4 You.

Kazan set sketch #43 and this is my interpretation of it.

Materials
The pp came from a Studio Calico kit ages ago.
The acrylic overlays came from packaging (a stamp I think).
Beads and tag from stash.
Lettering: 'a' & '2' Pink Paislee from Indigo Mill.

Daring Card Makers

This week's Daring Cardmakers Challenge is on the theme of Monthly Birthstones - January being GARNET.

Now it's been such a long time since I took part in the DCM challenges, and I've missed their inspiration, so I'm trying to get back up to speed with my challenges.

I've never made an easel card before but they're so simple!  This paper has been kicking around in my stash for so long and I stuck it down before I made a note to look who made it.

Materials
Cream A5 card.
Double sided tape sprinkled and rubbed with Garnet coloured glitter.
Felt embellishment: Prima.
LOVE letters Bella! from Indigo Mill.

Rosie D's Challenge No. 61 - Sponsored by In Style Stamps

We had a totally amazing amount of people join in with us for Digi Sparkle's challenge over on Rosie D's  Thanks to everyone who took the time to join us.

Just a wee sneaky peek of my card for the new challenge.  We're kindly sponsored by In Style Stamps this time round.

I went all digi on this one, even creating my own background and patterned 'ribbon'.

We also have the new DT joining us this week so it'd be lovely if you could pop over say hello and congratulations to them on making the team!

x

Weekend in Wigan

I've been such a bad, bad blogger over these past couple of months. These have been sitting in my 'To Upload' folder on my computer since mid December when Freya and I headed up north to Wigan to visit the lovely Kirsty, Mark and Ellie Wiseman.

We'd been trying to sort out this visit since she stayed with us in January (so, not long then!) We had a lovely 2 days, albeit rather chilly indeed!!!! We laughed, ate and the girls made a wonderful friendship that I hope will last. They are so similar; two quiet very caring girls.

We went out on Saturday afternoon so that we could get some fresh air to the Three Sisters Park just round the corner from Kirsty's house. The girls had a little play in the new park there while Kirsty and I snapped off a couple of shots. Of course hers were better than mine - but I like these two:

This one isn't in focus but I like her slutty pose HAHA! (She's gonna kill me for that comment for sure!)

This is such a lovely picture of Kirsty and Ellie together.

Our girls:

Told you it was cold.  We found the wetland area lake frozen over.  The girls (and the K-meister!) had such fun smashing the ice with sticks.  I did laugh when she nearly fell in trying to retrieve this bit though, a right slippery little bugger it was!!!!

Ellie was so kind to Freya, we went to the local balloon shop and Ellie chose a lovely reindeer balloon for Freya as a present.  It's rather deflated now, so I need to go and get him gassed up again!

Cold out there!

I managed to get out earlier with the new lens on the camera on the excuse I was going to Morrisons for chicken!  On the way I managed to get these photos of the lake near my house.  The sky was so gorgeous and rich in colour that I just couldn't resist taking my camera with me for a little detour.

New DT for Rosie D's

We have two 'old' faces joining the team at Rosie D's and three 'new' ladies too.

Please take a hop over to them and give them a warm welcome!

Thanks!

x

Got one of these....

I've just treated myself to one of these with my Christmas money - and I LOVE IT!!!!!

I can't believe the bargain that I managed to get either.  Normally this baby retails at the £230 mark, but I found a great site just before New Year who were selling it (and no, it's not a fake, a grey import or second hand) for £155!!!!!!!!  Needless to say the £75 I saved will be going towards something akin to either a lens for portraits or a 70-300mm lens with VR - but they're £400+... I'll keep saving!

With being at work I've only managed to fire off a couple of shots indoors using the flash so far but I have to say, it's bloody awsome!  I can't wait to get out in daylight hours to play properly.  The depth of field is fab, and with the VR (Vibration Reduction) you can go a full 2 stops down on your speeds and STILL handhold it, without having to ramp up the ISO to compensate low light situations.

No doubt, when I actually get a chance to play with it properly (and if we get any snow like the load we had before Christmas) then you may just end up seeing a piccie or two.... be prepared! MWAHAHAHAHA!

Inspirational Card Sketches #48

Over on Inspirational Card Sketches, Softpencil's owner, Elizabeth is sponsoring with a $10.00 voucher to one very lucky winner this week.

All you need to do is use the sketch below. You can rotate, stretch, flip or anything your ♥ desires with the sketch.

This is Dawn's sketch



And this is my card...

I've used Kirsty Wiseman's Patti Picklicious CD for my papers.  I initially embossed a plain, 6"x4" white card with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug die.  The background 'trees' are then printed onto some acetate.  The PP at the front has a lovely pearlescent finish, although sadly you can't see that in the photo.  The greeting is also from Kirsty's CD.

Happy New Year

My very best wishes to everyone who has taken time from their busy lives to read my blog throughout 2009.

May 2010 be a healthy, happy and prosperous year for us all.

I spent "the bells" with my closest family; wonderful husband, handsome son and gorgeous daughter.  My PERFECT New Year!

However... the bloody fireworks play havoc with stressing my dawg out. I can understand setting them off at midnight to celebrate as the clock turns to a new year, but from 10.30pm through to past 1.00am........ WHY???????

Today we're off to my parents for dinner (yummy!  Mum's a fab cook, she taught me everything I know!)

Lots of love

Rosie
xx