Sock Monkeys - please don't laugh LOL

For Emily

This one looks like a grumpy gorilla.

I promise you that both legs are the same size, it's just the way he's sitting. :)

For Elysia

This one, 'in real life' is such a cutie (wonky ears and all). :)

I hope you don't mind me posting these here, I did try photobucket but it wasn't playing nicely and I promised to show the lovely ladies on the Thrifty thread (MSE).

Thanks for looking!

I wish you a very merry Christmas and a very happy, and healthy new year!!!

xxxxx

Most recent card

I've been a naughty blogger lately and have been neglecting my card making in favour of other things. Silly me!!!

Here is my most recent card.  I have made several with this design and similar DP's lately as I love this combination.  I hope you like it too!

xXx

What shall I make today has a £30 gift voucher to give away.

Claire at What shall I make today?  Has a £30 CNN gift voucher to give away.  Please look here for details.

A lovely blog award

I had a wonderful surprise this morning. I have been passed this lovely blog award by the lovely Angie (aka Pointofnoreturn).  Thankyou so much. xxx

I would like, in turn, to pass it to Flying Fresian, Susan, Kelly, Gemma and finally Louisa.

All the best card

I seem to have made a card for every occasion lately - Good luck, Sympathy, Birthday, Christmas and Grandparents Day.  The things I do to keep my bloggees from getting bored! :o)

Here is a different card again.  It's sentiment (although you can't see it very clearly) reads 'All the best'. It has been made for a friend going into hospital for a few days.  She's not 'ill' as such therefore a get well soon wouldn't be appropriate.

She is a young at heart person, likes fowers but nothing overly flowery, and is girly but not a pink girly girl. Therefore, I thought this image and choice of colours were perfect for her.

Thanks for taking time to look - I really appreciate it xxx

Sympathy Card

Sympathy cards, I've found, are not my forte - I mean, where do you start?

Having asked the lovely ladies of MSE for inspiration for images. Trisha (AKA Crafty Granny) sent me images of Calla Lillies (thanks so much), which I had intended to use, until Louisa (AKA DawnTeabag) pointed to a card she had made on her blog here. This gave me just the inspiration I needed (thankyou too xxx).

I have simply used two cuttlebug embossing folders, and placed ribbon to hide the mark the edge of the folders left. This is complemented by the scalloped oval nestie onto which the sentiment is mounted.  It's a very simple and understated card - but hopefully it is suitable.

The cardstock, paper, and sentiment are from Craftwork Cards.

Thanks for looking - Have a great day xxx

Grandparents Day 2010 card.

Sweet as Strawberries.

This adorable image is by Mo Manning and can be bought at Mo's Digital Pencil.

I downloaded this image especially today, as 1. it looks like my two girls when they were that age, and 2. I bought the My Minds Eye DP's only yesterday, as I liked it. It came as a 12 x 12inch cardstock with the dark pink edging, which I trimmed off to make the frame. The image has been coloured with my Promarkers. It was printed onto white card but it looked too crisp and fresh next to the yellow of the papers, so I coloured the white ivory to soften it a little. The pink flower had a pink glittered centre so I applied glossy accents to cover it and sprinkled over with red glitter.  The sentiment was printed on the computer and coloured over in ivory again, to co-ordinate. The outline was glittered to match the inside of the flower, and lace, a couple of pins and pearls finish off the look.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

SewManyChallenges  Anything goes,

Catch The Bug - Anything goes,

Stamp Something - Something to Celebrate

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays - Anything goes

Thanks for looking. Take care xxx

Good luck / thinking of you

Here is my latest card. I really like this card, it's so pretty.  I hope you do too.

The sentiment is thinking of you. My daughter is, as I type, taking her driving test, and this was made for her. 

The DP is from Craftwork cards and so is the sentiment, the cardstock is from WHSmith, the butterfly was a gift from Caroline (CT19720), and the ribbon was from Crafty Ribbons. The edge of the circle which the butterfly is mounted on is stickled and the gem in the corner has been recycled off an old shop bought birthday card.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Crazy 4 challenges - Bling
Incy Wincy - Anything goes
Creative Cottage - Bling it on
Penny's paper crafty challenge #39 - Circles
ABC Challenge Blog - E is for Easel cards.
Digi Doodle challenge #27 - 3D

Shabby Chic cards

The challenge this week at O.S.A.A.T is anything goes, and with this in mind I set myself a challenge to use my favourite Cosmo Cricket papers.  I have had these 18 months but this is the first time I've used them, as I didn't know what image would suit them.  Looking through Stitchy Bear Stamps store, I saw Christine Angel and thought she would be ideal to go with the vintage/retro papers.

(The flower at the top left hand corner looks pink but it is red and had been aged to match the chipboard flower, bottom right.)

On this card I also used my Crop-a-dile for the first time on a card!  Woo Hoo.  Two unused things in one post - can't be bad!  :)

I would like to enter both cards into the O.S.A.A.T. challenge - Anything goes - As you like it.
And the first one into Allsorts Challenge Blog - Keep it simple.

Mermaid

I have been a naughty blogger lately, and haven't made any cards.  Today I was itching to make one and came up with this:

The pearlescent paper is from Craftwork cards (and reminds me of kelp). The image is from Digistamps 4 joy. It is one of two I chose as my prize from their last challenge. The aqua cardstock is from Papermania capsule collection. The flat backed pearls were from Hobbycraft and the gold ribbon has been recycled off a giftset I had been given for my birthday. The punch around the page punches are by Martha Stewart. The bubbles, tail, eyes and bracelet have had glossy accents applied to give them a wet look.

I hope you like it.  Thanks for looking :o)

I would like to enter this into the following challenges: Digistamps 4 Joy - Recycle.
Digital Tuesday - All about the girls.

MSE Birthdays

There have been a few birthdays on MSE over the past few days. Everyone should have received their cards now (apologies to those who received them late) and now I can blog them.

For Uma  (aka Soma)

For Sally (aka Tired Mom)

Can you see a theme here? I loved my Black and White card for Fifi's challenge I made some more, with a variation on the theme.

And last but not least

For Tanya (aka Twinklelittlestar)

The colours are more vibrant in real life.  These were taken at night, so I could get them in their envelopes ready to post first thing. I hope everyone liked them.

Messy's Mini Missions - New kids challenge blog.

Someone in blogland must have heard me saying yesterday that Elysia loves to enter competitions on my blog (I usually pretend).  She entered her first 'proper' challenge yesterday and today I see there's a new challenge blog made especially for kids! Yippee!!!

Messy's missions can be found here.  The first challenge starts on October 1st but there is candy to be won if you let everyone know the fab news.

Elysia's entry to a Kiddie challenge.

Elysia is always drawing and making cards with me and I always pretend I've posted hers on my blog to enter some challenges. She runs out of school saying 'have I won today?'

I was pleased to see a challenge especially for kids at the moment, and would like to enter Elysia's card into it - Rainbow for Cameron at OSAAT.

Thanks for looking - She will be so pleased :o)

All the colours of the rainbow!

Here is my latest card.  I have made it with a few challenges in mind, the first being Digistamps for Joy

and the second, the extra special challenges at OSAAT and I did it creations.

I would also like to enter it in the following challenges:  Southern Girls Challenge, Your Next Stamp challenge, (anything goes) Fab 'n;' Funky (What Eva) and The Crafty Pad (rainbow themed)

The digi image is the freebie that DS4J is offering this month.  The DP was a free download with the theme of multi colours/rainbow in mind.  The multicolour and splashes of turquoise, lime green and dark pink are picked up from the challenge picture.

Over at OSAAT, the challenge, for Cameron, is to use the colours of the rainbow or have a rainbow theme.

Thanks for taking the time to look :o)

Not it's not WOWW!

No it's not Whats on your Work desk Wednesday!  Christmas has come early in the Bits 'n' Blogs household. I have been crafting at the Kitchen table and getting rather fed up carting my equipment up and down stairs. OH suggested a trip to Ikea, but I just thought we were measuring up.  Woo Hoo, Christmas has come early and we bought one!  Nearly had to leave Elysia behind to fit it in the car though. ;o)

Of course, I had to christen it, so during X Factor, I sat colouring.  :o) 

Thank you card

Just a simple card I rustled up last week for Caroline, to say thankyou for some butterflies, she kindly sent me.  They were designed by her husband and cut out on her Craft Robo.  They are lovely -  so lovely I don't want to use them. LOL.

The DP is from Dovecraft. The Ribbon from Crafty Ribbons. The image is from Pink Petticoats and the card candy is an Iced Gems pack from Craftwork Cards. 

Black and White Challenge

Black and White Challenge

   

        

Here is the Black and White card for Fifi Folle's challenge on M.S.E.  I sent it to Dragonllew for her birthday, I hope she likes it :o)

The DP's are Hobbycraft own brand.  The digi image was a freebie (but I'm not sure where from - sorry). The butterflies and crystal were from The Works.

I have a new watermark (see top photo) it was created by the lovely Lynn from Sentiments 4 You. She was so helpful so if you're in need of anything special, be sure to pop by and have a look in her sentiments store.

Magnolia Down Under challenge card.

Here is yesterday's card making effort.  I had a specific challenge in mind when I made this for a change. It's a recipe of 3 dp's, 2 buttons, and 1 ribbon - on Magnolia Down Under challenge #61.

I have used papers from Dovecraft. (star, hearts and dotty). 2 micro buttons from eBay, ribbon from Crafty Ribbon, sentiment from Craftwork Cards, and Image from a friend (thankyou Karen).

I would like to enter Tilda into the following challenges: Magnolia Down Under ,Aly's Sunday Sketch - Pretty in Pink Challenge, Oh Alice - girly theme, One stitch a a time - girly, Bee Crafty - Anything goes, Stampin' for the weekend - Anything goes ,Christmas Stamping - Anything but Christmas, Sarah Hurley - monochrome

New cards

Here is part of the stash I ordered today. The card shape is new for me, but I love it. This card is very plain and simple - Lili of the Valley stamp I ordered from eBay. Craftwork cards cardstock, ribbon and sentiment. Flower from The Works.

I would like to enter this card (the blue one) into the following challenge: Totally papercrafts - Clean and simple.

Here is the finished Indian Tilda that I coloured a couple of weeks ago. I like the centre panel because the pattern reminds me of Bindi's. I know the strips are wonky, its my trimmers fault! Payday today so I'm hunting for a new Woodware one later. *enter smiley face here* LOL

Have a lovely Bank Holiday Weekend everyone! Take care xxx

Paper piecing

After blog hopping and seeing lots of cards with paper peicing effects on, I decided to have a go myself. Spyder has a wonderful tutorial if you would like to try too. It's very easy and quite effective.

I love this fairy! She's so fun!!! She was a freebie from Beccy (she is available here). I was going to go with a funny sentiment but I decided she's ready to give a big hug instead.

I did make a mistake when mounting the striped paper behind - I wanted it to go horizontally, so I off set her so the fact that the costume matches shows up and not just blends in.

I stickled the outlines to her wings. (please excuse the wobbly line - it'll be ok when it's dry) :o)

Thankyou for looking, take care and have a nice day xxx

MSE card Swap

This is the card I made for Debbie (aka Paddingtondoo and Padster) for the MSE cardswap. It had a be a teddy on the front as Debbie adores bears. I had to place the sentiment inside as there didn't seem to be room on the front. It said - 'Just saying hi' which is exactly what the little mouse looks like he is saying (in my opinion anyway. LOL) The image was a digi freebie, sorry, I can't remember where from at the moment but I could always check if you would like to know. :o)

And this is the card I received this morning. Isn't he cute? I love this card - Thankyou Debbie, it is wonderful!

Red and Green - MSE Challenge

This is my entry for the MSE Challenge with the colours red and green. I hope it's ok. I have added ice stickles to the fur of the coat and silver stickles to the swirls on the design.

I would also like to enter it into the following challenges: A spoonful of sugar and Diecut dreams Christmas club - Tilda in Red.

Thank you card

My postman brought me a lovely thank you card today. It is from Karen (aka Flourgirl) who won the Tilda blog candy. Karen it is gorgeous - thank you soo much. I am so excited, I've only ever received hand made cards off the kids.

Chinese Tilda

Chinese Tilda - I made this, this morning. I love the writing and the cherry blossom DPs. These are mounted on black Kanban card (unlike yesterdays which was navy) to try and make her hair not quite so stark!

I did make a mistake though - and try and fit her in a nestie - it will fit, it will fit. I cut her out and chopped of some of her hair, only some mind. So this is Chinese Tilda Mark II. :o)
:

I have been a busy bunny and coloured these in too! I've got to make the most of the peace and quiet while the kids are still in bed. I haven't made these up as I'm at a loss as to which sort of backing paper and emellishments to use. Ideas anyone? I would me most grateful.

Japanese Tilda

This is the card I made today. I quite like the more unusual Tildas just as much as the more popular ones.

This is an easel card. I have rounded off the corners to the card too, to add a touch of softness. The Kanban card the DP is mounted on is a dark blue denim colour to pick up the exact shade of blue in the oriental pattern.

The photo is not too clear due to the artificial lighting (it's 9.30pm). It looks brighter and fresher in daylight.




This card is one I completed at the weekend. I saw the papers which are especially themed for a dog, and had to make it.

The image is from my new Sugar Nellie stamp. The sentiment is from Craftwork cards (I have coloured the edge with promarker) and the ribbon is from Dunelm.

Although I had everything co-ordinating, for some reason, I'm not very happy with it - I made the top section bigger and almost embellishment free so you can read the text, but I think I should have done the stripy section deeper. :o(

And the winner is.................................

1. Tomsmom
2. Flourgirl
3. Gemma
4. Crafty Granny
5. Scatty Jan
6. Uma
7. Dragonllew
8. CT19720
9. Rainmac
10. Fifi Folle
11. Happy Days
12. JLJ Designs
13. Card Making Nut Jo
14. Marg
15. Angie

The winner chosen by Random.org on 15/08/10 @ 9.00pm is.......................................................



Very well done Flourgirl. Thankyou to everyone who entered - you have all given me so much inspiration!

Julie xxx

Before I go any further, I would like to thank all the ladies on the M.S.E. forum for their helpfulness and invaluable advice. THANKYOU.

I now have five things I have to do.

~1~ Thank the person who gave it to me. Thankyou Jennie (AKA The Wife). I was so surprised.
~2~ Paste the award on your blog. Done! It's the lovely picture above.
~3~ List three things I like about myself. I adore my family and am terribly proud of them. I have had past troubles but they made me who I am now. I would help anyone in need of it. Sorry it's boring but that one was hard!
~4~ Post a photo you love. I know I should have posted a photo of both my girls but even Emily will approve of my choice. Below is the famous Elysia (of elysia2003) posing as if she's Britain's next top model!

~5~ Tag five people who you would like to have this award ~ I have tried to give this award to people who haven't had one yet. I wish I could have given everyone one!

1. Fifi Flutterby Fififolle

2. A load of olf Blogocks!

3. Kelsmakes KMS26

4. My craft card creations TomsMom

5. The crafty OAP Artydoll

Thankyou all so much for going the extra mile in helping me, and also giving me much needed inspiration xxx

New Home card

Here is today's card. I cheated a little, the decoupage came in a kit with the backing papers and sentiment, but I chose my own K&Co DP instead. I also mounted the sentiment on some turquoisey green card. The ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons and the pearls are ones from my stash.

Candy

Following my error in purchasing two Magnolia Tilda stamps with the same design. I have decided to give one to the lucky winner of this competition.

The theme is bling - I am having trouble blinging up my cards and they are too plain. I would like some inspiration from all you clever people. Please copy and paste the URL in your comment so I can find your card. Oh, and don't make a card especially. Just choose a card that you are particularly proud of, that has lots of sparkle etc. :o)

I would never be able to choose a winner, I couldn't! I will put all the entrants names in a hat and Elysia will pick one out.

The name will be drawn on Sunday evening at 9pm.

Be Lucky!

Julie xxx

Cross stitch

After saying in my profile that I love all crafts, so far on my blog I have only made cards!

Here is today's project. I have two of these on the go. They were started 18 months ago, and I'm fed up of seeing them uncompleted. They both need to be personalised with name, date of birth, and weight, then ironed, and properly mounted. I will have to post them to the recipients too. Working out the spacings of the letters is the fiddly bit that takes the time. This is why they haven't been finished - I'm not keen on that.

Hopefully, seeing this here will give the oomph to do it at last! LOL

I must had a flash of inspiration yesterday, and I made four cards! The one above was a freebie image (the seller put in some extra's to tempt me to buy more LOL). I had coloured the image first and then found the perfect DP in my stash. Talk about lucky! I just need to add a sentiment - something along the lines of - It's your birthday, take it easy! :o)

My first Christmas card - woohoo!

I'm not to happy with this card now I'm looking at it on the screen - It does look better IRL. I received a set of Daisy & Dandelion decoupage, pyramage and stickers and peel off's from my eldest daughter Emily (19) for Christmas. I covers all the holidays - birthdays, halloween, Christmas etc, so I've had lots of fun with it. I'm just not too happy with the Paper Cellar DP's. They are just too busy! I used silver stickles on the wand and halo, and crystal ice stickles on the wings.

Baby cards

Here are two baby cards I made yesterday. I purchased the images from eBay.

The Dp for the girl one is Rose Garden from Papermania. The card is from Coredinations. I can't think of the maker of the sentiments sorry. I bought a big variety selection from QVC. The butterflys were from The Works - £1 for 8 (bargain!)



This card is as above but the DP is K&Co.

(I had asked the ebay seller to stamp them in mememto, but she obviously forgot. This is the reason for the slight smudging to them.)

Yesterday's cards

Here are the cards I made last night. I haven't done any all week due to the kids and trying to decorate at the same time. I was literally itching to do some. The card above was quite a struggle to do. I had worked out the image and the colours to use, yet it morphed from a 7 x 5 card into an easel card midway. I'm pleased with the results though. You can just see the glitter card (a home bargains find) and it blends perfectly as the glitter has just the tiniest hint of green too it, picking up the green in the embellishments and the flower.

I like the fresh summery colours of this one. The prima flowers were purchased from ebay and arrived on the morning, hence, I couldn't wait to use them. This is the first time I used the cuttlebug to actually emboss the card. I usually emboss the matting etc. I hope it has turned out well.