Friday 30 March 2012

Stamping on Kraft card

Good Morning  :)

I love the effect of stamping and colouring on Kraft card
so when I had the Elzybells stamp out for the thank you cards I made,
I whipped this one up too.

The sentiment is a Unity stamp inked with Elzybells white pigment ink
and stamped on a piece of scrap cardstock. 
 When the ink dried, I matted it directly onto the base card 
 and then I drew around it with an inkssentials white pen to highlight it.
I coloured the flowers with Koh-i-noor pencils,
then tied a bow with paper string from East of India
and added it to the card with a glue dot.


If I've scheduled this properly, then right now I'll be sewing
what I hope will resemble a large teddy bear!

So, I wish you all a very happy weekend
and I'll be back soon :)
Take care
Sarah x

Thursday 29 March 2012

Get well card using a Tiddly inks digi

Happy Thursday!

Oh it's nearly the weekend and the two wee ones finish school tomorrow for the Easter holidays :)
I know there'll probably be lots of disagreements but I love having them at home!

My card today is for Phoebe's best friend Ugne (O-gan-yah) who has been off school for two weeks.
She's Lithuanian and is such a wee sweetie :)
She lives just a few doors away from us so we're hoping to pop over and visit her later on today.

The image I've used is from Tiddly Inks.

The DP is K & Co - Berry Sweet
and the sentiment is computer generated using 'MTF playtime' font.
The image is coloured with Copics
(and I should have coloured inside the foxes ears pink! ah well....)
Skin - E00,E11,R20...Hair - Y11,Y21,E93,E95
Dress - RV21,RV23,RV34,R85...Fox - YR61,YR68,Y38,R17

I matted the coloured image on yellow and then pink card and raised them on foam pads.

~~~~

I'm so excited about this weekend.....
I'm going to a sewing retreat tomorrow and Saturday to make a teddy bear and some clothes for it.
There is one little problem in that I've been waiting for an MRI scan for my back and I got the appointment last week......guess when for?
of course - tomorrow morning!

So I'll just have to go to the class, leave early, have the scan and go back afterwards.... :)
Thank you to all who have left comments and a big welcome to my new followers!
Enjoy your day and take care :)
Sarah xx
I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Totally Stampalicious - critters
DDCC - cute and cuddly
Lollipop Crafts #73 - anything goes
DTC - Your favourite colour

Wednesday 28 March 2012

Hoppy Birthday - boy's birthday card

Good Morning!
It looks like it's going to be another beautiful day here again today :)
It was lovely yesterday being able to hang clothes on the washing line to dry
instead of putting them in the tumble dryer!

My card today is for a friend of Caleb's who is having a party next week.
It's not like me to be organised this early is it?  lol

Card size 6"x6"
The image is from digistamp boutique and I coloured him with Copics
Skin - E00, E11, E20......Hair - E50, E31, E33, E29, E49
T-shirt - Y11, Y15, Y21......Shorts - B12, B93, B95
Frog - G03, G06, G14.....Ground - C3, C5, C7
The papers are from a Basic Grey paper pad - Cupcake collection.

I thought he looked like he could balance a frog on his head
so I added the little frog which is one of the extras you get in the stamp set!

 The sentiment is printed and cut in a speech bubble shape with the Cameo
and then raised with foam pads.
I added the age 8 to his t-shirt with WordArt.
~~~~
Phoebe is recovering and will hopefully be back to school tomorrow
but yesterday she had me in stitches.
Because it was hard for her to eat with a sore throat,
I gave her (what I thought) a long list of yummy choices for her lunch.....
she listened carefully and at the end looked at me woefully and said......
is that all you've got?

Well......(as a last resort) there's tomato soup and bread for dipping...
.....I'll have that please!

They always want what I'd prefer they didn't have......lol

Thank you for visiting me today!
See you tomorrow
Take care :D
Sarah xx
I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Sweet Stampin - anything goes
Make it Monday #82 - anything goes
Love to Create - Masculine with optional sketch
Stampin' For the Weekend - anything goes
Pattie's Creations DC -anything goes
Pile it On - for/from a Man
Digistamp Boutique - March

Tuesday 27 March 2012

CAS Baby card

Another quick card today....it's all I've had time for lately!

The white card base is 12x12cms and I printed the sentiment using Delius font.
I used a square acrylic shape as a template and pierced holes around it.
Then threaded bakers twine through them and finished with a bow.


The button is by Fancy Pants and is attached with glue dots.

Before adding the button, I embossed a square just inside the stitched lines
using a Martha Stewart scoring board.

Just a quick post today....
Phoebe is off school again with a sore throat and this time she is losing her voice....

...and she is croaking with great effect to get sympathy!

Thank you for visiting today :)
See you tomorrow!
Sarah xx

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Less is More - Recipe (2nd entry) - wk1 pink/black/white, wk17 pick a square, wk25 button or ribbon
CAS-ual Fridays - pastels and black
Make it Monday #82 - anything goes

Monday 26 March 2012

Cupcake birthday card

Morning everyone! Wasn't it a beautiful day yesterday.
I hope you got to enjoy the sunshine :)

I had to whip this card up very quickly last night....I totally forgot it was Lydia's friend's birthday today.....even though she did tell me a few weeks ago and reminded me last week.
My head's like a sieve at the minute.

The cupcake is paper pieced and the stamps are Papermania Mix & Match cupcakes and the sentiment is Hero Arts.  The DP is American Crafts - City Park.



I covered the frosting with a Quickie glue pen and sprinkled it with Glamour dust then added an irridescent gem to the cherry on top.

I hope you have a lovely day whatever you're doing :)

I'm off now to make some traybakes for a prize giving event tonight - yum!
I think I'll start with mint aero fifteens......and then mars bar krispie buns....
Hopefully I'll have time for a little crafting too and I'll be back tomorrow with something...
Thanks for visiting!
Take care
Sarah xx

Saturday 24 March 2012

21st Birthday

Hello again :) There has been a distinct lack of posts here this week!
It's been really busy here, but here's hoping next week will be a bit easier..... :)

For the Less is More challenge this week we've been given a recipe. The choice is to combine any 3 past challenges. The ones I've chosen are - week 15 embossing, week 43 bling, week 55 die cuts.

I've made this card (which will be from Mum & Dad)  for my niece who will be 21 next week...
it seems no time since she was born... and I was only 19!

Edited:  oops! I've just realised I made a mistake in the spelling of granddaughter.... I've printed it again on card and taped it over the top.....not ideal but it's better than bad spelling lol.  This first photo is updated but I don't have time tonight to change the second.


It was very simple to make (so why did it take me all day??)
I printed the sentiment on the computer - patient paige font. The frame, number and crown were cut with the Silhouette and the paper is American Crafts - City Park.

 I embossed the frame with the Cuttlebug swiss dots folder and raised it on foam pads then added iridescent gems on the crown to finish!

 I was at a machine quilting class yesterday learning how to apply applique
and then embroider it.
It was a fun class and the tutor was brilliant.
This is what I made, although it is far from finished!
 
When the wadding is added and it is quilted I will have to decide if I'm going to make it into a cushion cover or keep adding more blocks to make a larger quilt.

It looks really dull and flat in the photo but I'll add a new one when I've finished and hopefully it will look much better :)
The back of it shows the stitching....can you see the missing bits.....!



In January I started a country style flannel quilt ('old fashioned' as Caleb called it!)
I've finally finished it :) hours of hand stitching later and here's a wee peek.....


I'll post 'proper' pictures of it later in the week.

Thank you for visting today :)
I'm off now to see what everyone else is up to.....lots of entries in LIM already!
Sarah xx

Sunday 18 March 2012

Less is More - Masking

Hi everyone :)
Another week gone and it's the Less is More challenge again!
This week Chrissie and Mandi are asking us to try masking.....
Oh No!
I did it last week for the script challenge and found it hard (usually the ink ends up where it shouldn't...)
But I gave it a go yesterday :)
 I stamped the sentiment first and then the butterfly. Then made a mask (with a post it note) for the tail of the 'g' and the butterfly before stamping over them both with the frame stamp.  I used SU inks and Unity stamps and used my stamp-a-majig for placement - I would be lost without this useful tool!


I matted the stamped card on melon mambo card and popped it up on thin foam pads.
The blue ribbon is May Arts and the tiny button is by Fancy pants.

I have to admit......I did enjoy making this card!
The ink actually went where it was meant to and I didn't trail my card through any ink pads :)

If you're celebrating Mother's Day today, I hope you're having a lovely day.
Three little faces appeared at my bedside this morning, holding a tray and looking a bit anxious.
I had breakfast in bed (toast & marmalade!) lovingly made and it tasted delicious :)
Best present ever!

Thanks for visiting today.
Sarah xx

P.S. I got another surprise this morning - I was chosen for the spotlight at Sweet Stampin' for my Mother's Day card for Mum - delighted :)

Friday 16 March 2012

Simple thank you card

Good morning!

I was asked to make a couple of simple thank you cards and these were super quick to make.


 I made the card base 6x6" and cut another panel 5x5" and embossed 3 lines near the bottom of it.
I covered the lines with a yellow post it note and using a stamp-a-ma-jig for placement
I stamped a row of flowers.
The stamps are Elzybells and I coloured the flowers with Koh-i-noor pencils (without blending).


I love the simple effect of twine and I tied it twice around the card and finished with a bow.
Then layered the stamped card onto the base card with foam pads.

I changed the colour of the twine for the second card,
and I also added a little bit of glamour dust to the flower centres.

Hope you have a lovely St Patrick's weekend
and thanks for visiting today!
Sarah xx

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
ABC DT challenge - springtime
Lollipop crafts - white and splash of colour
Ladybug Crafts Ink - anything goes 
St Luke's challenge - spring into spring

Thursday 15 March 2012

Fabric Tote Bag (handmade)

This is the fabric tote bag I made at a class on Saturday.
Unfortunately I couldn't even begin to tell you how I made it.....I was so tired after a stressful week last week and I was a bit of a zombie that day....... :o

Apart from that, I do love the bag and because it matches the baby quilt I made here, Mum has snapped it up and it's on it's way to Australia as a changing bag for my new niece who is expected in a few weeks! (Let's hope she doesn't turn out to be a nephew!)

I do hope the class tutor sends me instructions to make another one as it's lovely and roomy and I'd love to make another just for myself.
I stuffed it with bubble wrap to help it stand up for the photo, it wouldn't behave on it's own....
Why is it that handles always seem to have a mind of their own?.....lol.
I never know what way to put them!


There are two pockets on the front and two large pockets on the back.

 Another photo of the front with the handles 'flopped to the side'....


I would love to have been brave enough to stitch it with pink or green thread but I just wasn't confident I could sew a straight line and even a little wobble would stick out like a sore thumb!

The inside of the bag is quilted while the outside is plain.
There are two contrasting pockets on the inside, one of which is stitched down the middle to make a pocket for a mobile phone.

I'm scheduling this post for this morning as Richard is away to London with work and I've packed lunches to make (I'm spoiled in that he usually does it....)
Lydia has offered to make her own.....maybe she's afraid of what I'll put in hers.....I'm definitely not the cook in our house......I can bake though......when I have to!

My confidence was rocked yesterday when Phoebe said , 'I wish you were away to London'.........
before adding.........'So I can be the mummy of the house!'
I think Caleb rubs it in just a little too much that he's the 'man of the house' when daddy is away......lol

I hope you have a lovely day
and thank you for visiting!
Sarah xx

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Mother's Day

Good morning!
Hope you're all well :)

I was browsing the challenge blogs yesterday to try and get some ideas for a card for Mother's Day for my Mum.  This is way off the mark though as she doesn't like 'fussy' cards.....
but I hope she'll make an exception with this one :)
I couldn't help myself once I got started.....


The theme over at Sweet Stampin' is Layers with the option to use a sketch......which I did :)
I combined it with the challenge at Bunny Zoe's which is shabby chic/vintage. It's not my usual style so I hope it's ok!
Over at Papertake Weekly it's for girls/ or mum's.
At Creative Inspirations it's something for mum.
Celebrate the Occasion are looking for any occasion but you must use metal. I've used metal rose brads from American Crafts.
It's tic tac toe at Incy Wincy Designs,  I've used a  handmade flower, 2+ designer papers and sewing.
Make it Monday linky party have anything goes
and at Lili of the Valley it's ribbon and lace - hope I'm not too late for this one :)


The teddy bouquet image is stamped with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and coloured with Copics.

Bear - E51, E31, E33......Flowers - R32, R85
Wrapping, ribbon & ground- YG91, YG95, BG93, BG96

The papers are SU Springtime Vintage and the layers are machine stitched with off white thread.
I made the flower by cutting a rough spiral from pink paper and rolling it, then letting it loosely unwind and adding a metal brad (American Crafts Dear Lizzy collection) to the centre.
The lace is from Creative Treasures

The butterfly is Martha Stewart and the flourishes are Marianne Creatables.
It's all layered on SU naturals cardstock cut to a 6"x6" card base.

Thank you for stopping by!

I'll be back tomorrow with....I don't know yet.....
possibly some sewing!
I made a tote bag on Saturday in the same fabric as the baby quilt.

Take care :)
Sarah xx

Edited to add:  I needn't have worried about it being too fussy! Mum loved the card :) 


Monday 12 March 2012

Less is More - One layer 'script'

Hi everyone :)
I managed to get out to the craft room for half an hour this morning and I made this card for the Less is More 'script' challenge this week.
I did find it a challenge making this card and I'm not sure I'm happy with the end result....
but it's good to move out of my comfort zone!

 I cut out the circle card and the templates with the Silhouette Cameo.

Hopefully the photo below shows what I used to make it....
I sprayed the back of the circle butterfly template and arranged it on the base card.
Then using a Technique Tuesday script stamp I stamped over it with Color Box pigment ink.
I added the smaller die cut butterfly on top and inked around the edges with a lighter pink ink.
I removed those templates and added the butterfly body template over the top and sponged it with grey ink.
I stamped 'thank you' (Technique Tuesday stamp) in pink ink and added clear adhesive gems as a butterfly trail.

~~~~~~~

I'd like to say a special thank you to everyone who left a message on my last post - it really meant a lot to me :)
Phoebe has tonsillitis but is a bit perkier this morning!
Thank goodness for the Doctor on call and antibiotics :)

Thanks for visiting my blog today :)
Sarah xx

Sunday 11 March 2012

Quick Update

Good morning :)

I'm sorry I haven't been blogging for the past few days,
we've had a sudden family bereavement this week.

And this morning
we're heading to the 'out of hours doctor' with Phoebe.
She's been up most of the night with a throat infection and can hardly speak :(

......but I hope to be back blogging again tomorrow :)

Thanks for visiting!
See you soon.
Sarah xx

Thursday 8 March 2012

Little Lucy with flowers digi

Hi everyone :)
As you can probably guess.....I love Digistamp boutique images and this is Lucy.  Isn't she cute!
The papers I used for this card are, Crate Paper - Emma's Shoppe and I used a 6x6 paper pad.
One of the sheets had the patterned squares on it so I just cut them out individually and layered them on the base paper.

I coloured the image with Copics and fussy cut around her.
Skin - E00, E11, R20
Hair - E29, E31, E33, E49, E50
Dress - R20, R32, R35
Shoes - YR23, YR31
Flowers - BG10, BG15 (added stickles to the centres)
Shadow - YG11, YG23
The ribbon and roses are from Australia and I made the bow by folding the ribbon over at each end and wrapping wire around the middle to hold it together then I added the button using fine wire too.
The leaves were punched from matching paper with an EK Success leaf punch.

I sponged around the nestabilities die cut with orange chalk ink and then layered the image on dimensionals.
Thanks for stopping by :)
See you later
Sarah xx

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
The Pink Elephant - 3 layers or more
Catch the Bug - anything goes
Digistamp Boutique - use a digistamp boutique image

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Mini scrapbook using My Mind's Eye - Alphabet soup papers

Gosh, this morning has just flown by!
You know how time goes and you look back and think - what did I do all day?
You know you were busy but just can't list all that you were doing......

Today I have a mini scrapbook to share which I just love....mainly because it's so personal to me and isn't of any theme in particular.  It mostly contains photos of my own children, my nephews and great niece taken last year.

The book itself is made from one sheet of 12"x12" cardstock scored, cut and folded (and taped together).....if anyone would be interested in a tutorial...just email me and I'll see what I can do.
The front and back covers are chipboard covered in paper...you could use thick card instead though.
The tree, grass & title are cut with the Silhouette, and the monkey, bee & hearts are cut from a sheet of patterned paper. The ribbon is East of India...l Iove their ribbons....

I doodled around each of the embellishments with black pen to make them 'pop' off the page and then added glossy accents to the 'apples' on the tree

~~~

The completed size of the book is 4"x4" approx

The first pages are of Phoebe's 4th birthday.  I used rub-ons for the sentiment on the tag, stamped the crowns and cut them out, and the photo, frame and other embellishments were cut out with the Silhouette.

~~~

Climbing a tree.
Again the embellishments were cut with the Silhouette, rub-ons for the wording and I drew around the word 'memories' to be able to see it clearer.

~~~

My lovely nephews and great niece along with my own two at a local park in the summer.
I added some stickers, did some stamping along with adding embellishments cut out with the Silhouette.

~~~

We have a beautiful forest park quite near our home which we love to visit when we get the chance. It's a great way for the kids to let off steam without bumping in to too many people!
 There are buttons, stickers and rub-ons on these pages.
~~~

At the park there's a lovely landscaped area which has a bridge over a koi pond....it's always a favourite place to meet up.
 The banner on the left was stamped with a Maya Road mini set and the wording is individual letter stamps by Doodlebug. The inks are Stampin' Up. The shaped photos are cut using the 'print & cut' feature on the Silhouette. The acrylic letters (my girl) are by Queen & Co and I coloured them with Copics.
~~~

Collecting bluebells.....the girls weren't deliberately wearing matching clothes and Lydia is mortified with this photo.....
 The felt leaves are by Stampin' Up and the plain button has rub-on spots added to it.  The bloom sticker is by Heidi Grace. The flower and frame are die cuts from the Silhouette.

~~~

Riding their bikes :)
 The stars and flower are stamped and cut out (Maya Road) all the rest are cut with the Silhouette.

~~~

Fascination with Star Wars.....I just don't get it!
Caleb went with his daddy to the Star Wars exhibition in W5  in Belfast.
Thank goodness I didn't have to go! 
The envelope was cut out with the Silhouette and it's for little notes about his special day.
The rub-ons are by Kaisercraft.

~~~

The ribbon goes right around the book under the front and back covers and helps keep the book together.

Whew! that's it :)
I had planned on teaching this little book at a class last winter but I just didn't have time.
Maybe I'll get to do it in the next month or two.

Thanks for joining me today!
See you soon
Sarah xx
I'd like to enter this in:
Make it Monday linky party - anything goes
Dutch Dare Card Challenge - tic tac toe  (bright colours, bling, buttons/brads)
Ribbon Carousel Challenge - Felt & ribbon (felt is on the leaves of the flower)
Papercrafting Journey - anything goes

Monday 5 March 2012

Cupcake and mouse birthday card

Good morning everyone :)

I hope you all had a good weekend and if you didn't, I hope the week ahead is full of good things.

While looking at the digi images over at Sassy Cheryl's Digis I came across this little mouse and it sort of ended up in my basket along with the stamp that I really needed.
Well.....it is the kind of image you could use a lot......isn't it?...... :)

Do you know what I also really love digi stamps for?.....Colouring pages for my 5 year old, Phoebe!
I can make them full size on the page or squeeze in loads of images and it keeps her quiet for ages......

My card today is made using papers by Echo Park ~ Sweet Summertime.
The Happy Birthday ribbon is (I think) by Dovecraft.
 Coloured with Copics : Mouse - E31, E37, E50, E53, R20
Cupcake case - Y00, Y02, Y11, Y17
Candles - B00, B12, R05, R17, R27
Party Hat - YG03, YG06


I added Glamour Dust to some of the frosting on the cupcake after I took this photo (on Friday) but I can't get a decent photo of it today as it's not sunny enough and the photos are turning out very dark.
I'm sure you can imagine what it looks like anyway :)

Right.....the housework is calling
but so is the craft room.... wonder which I should answer.... ;)

Thank you for visiting today and for all the lovely comments:)
Hi new followers!
you're very welcome here and I'll come and visit you soon.

I'll be back tomorrow with this little mini book that I gave a sneak peek of months ago...

See you then
Take care!
Sarah x

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Sassy Cheryl's  - spots and dots
Divas By Design - spots and/or stripes
Bunny Zoe's - celebrations
Clearly I Stamp - anything goes
Craft us Crazy - colour me inspired
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
Not sure if it qualifies for this but if not, let me know! Cupcake craft challenges - yellow and red