Maddy's Card

Hello there - well I'm managing to make an early post today - so much to do though so mustn't prattle on for too long!

My card for today - well I made it in my attic last night - that's my craft room - I don't just enjoy crafting in weird places you know!!!! It came together gradually shall we say and I'm finally quite happy with it. What do you think?

I've used an LOTV image and the sketch from this week's Lili's little Fairies that I've turned on its side. I've coloured the image with promarkers and used a spellbinders nestability die and a me to you sentiment. The ribbons and blooms came from two different kits from Duck pond crafts. The papers were from my stash. I think it all came together when I put the faux stitching detail in - I don't know why it worked but I think it did!

I'd like to enter this colourful card into the following challenges:

Lili's Little Fairies: Sketch

http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Passion for promarkers: Cut it out

http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/week-146-theme.html

Do crafts Creativity Club blog; N

Crafty Anne' Stitching challenge - faux or real.

http://craftyannschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-64.html

As I said I've got lots to get on with - looking forward to the LEJ Designs challenge blog going live tomorrow - and the Mishelflo challenge blog too!

See you then!

Hugs Rachel xx

Congratulations!

hello all - well the rain you've all been experiencing has finally reached the NW with a vengeance today - it started at about 10am and hasn't stopped since! Typical isn't it? Still - we need the rain to make my poor asparagus grow - its not looking so good this year!

I have my second card from the trip to the playbarn yesterday to share with you tonight - hope you like it. I've made it for a friend who will be getting a really special award at the weekend - but its all a big secret so I can't say anymore - lest she happen to read this and I spoil the surprise.

I've used a stamp from Penny Black that I've coloured in using Promarkers. The background papers were from my stash (thanks Debbie) and the ribbon and flowers came from this months blooms kit from Duck Pond Crafts. The sentiment is from my stash.

I'd like to enter this cheeky little card into the following challenges:

Totally Gorjuss: Congratulations

http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-129-congratulations.html

Penny Black Saturday Challenge: Mayday

http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/penny-black-saturday-challengeweek199.html

Sweet Stampin Challenge: Anything but square

http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/anything-but-square.html

Secret crafters sat challenge: Cute 'n' fluffy

http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Joanna Sheen Challenge: Flower Power.

http://joannasheenchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/flower-power.html

I think that's all for tonight - here's hoping the good weather returns tomorrow!

Hugs

Rachel xx

Another pink Christmas?

Hello to all my crafty friends - well I've been reading all about the rain that you've been getting - and we've been lucky again today - I can't believe it! Still I know when its proper summer everywhere else it will be teaming it down here so I'm making the most of it!

This evening I've got another playbarn make to share with you - my daughter's both went to a birthday party at the usual playbarn at teatime - and I got two cards made! Whoop whoop!!!

So I've used my LOTV image which I've coloured with promarkes and followed the sketch on Christmas Challenges with sketches. I'd also like to link up for pink with this card and enter it into the following challenges:

Christmas challenges with sketches
http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-25-sponsored-by-elphine-house.html
winter wonderland: here come the girls
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/here-come-girls.html
CHNC Christmas Challenge
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/chnc-challenge-70-any-greetingsentiment.html
Craft your passion challenges: Photo inspiration
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-107-photo-inspiration.html


I'm off to another play barn for yet another party tomorrow - but this one's not so crafting friendly - wonder what I'll do?

Have a lovely evening!

Hugs Rachel xx

A card for my district commissioner's retirement

Evening all! Well its been a very busy day - and the sun has been shining here in Hornby! Haven't we been lucky? After a 4 and a half mile run (which killed me - three weeks off is not a good idea!!!) I did gardening club at my daughter's school then went and put my scarecrow on display at the Wray scarecrow festival. Finally I picked my daughter up from school and my youngest from nursery! Now they are asleep - yipee!

Anyway - I did get chance to nip into the attic and make a card for the retirement of my district commissioner from her post.

Gill's been the District Commissioner for a number of years so I thought I'd be cheeky and use a black and white image on the card! Most of the backing materials and others used come from the freebie from this months hunkydory magazine. The ribbon and twine are from my stash.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Divas by design: Buttons and Bows
http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-32-buttons-andor-bows.html
Paperplay Challenges: Monochrome and ribbon
http://paperplaychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/12-week-17-monochrome-and-ribbon.html
Aud Sentiments: Anything goes
http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/aud-sentiments-dt-call-and-anything.html
Little Claire: Doing the rounds.
http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/little-claire-monthly-challenge-20.html

I think that's all for now - nighty night - sleep tight!

Hugs Rachel xx

A crafty day out and a card

Evening all,

Hope you've all had a great Thursday? I've had a lovely day out at Aintree racecourse at Liverpool where there was a hobby crafts show. Lucky me got packed off with some birthday spending money (its my birthday in just over a month) and told to spend it then bring  back the goodies for my husband to wrap! Well of course - what else could I do? So I've had a lovely time spending birthday money on crafting goodies (3 memory box dies, LOTV stamps, Lavinia stamps, masks, indigo blu stamps, flitter glu and guilding flakes). Now I have to wait til June to get my hands on them!!!!!! My youngest daughter came with me and she had a wondeful time and bought some disney princess decoupage and some lovely pearls! Bless! Start them young!!!!

Now then I've got a photo to show you tonight before I put my card up - its of a scarecrow that we've made at Rainbows for the Scarecrow festival that starts on Saturday in the next door village. The theme is aniiversaries and the Rainbows are celebrating their 25th year this year - so of course we've made out own little rainbow!

She's called Olivia and is the one nestled between my two crazy girls! I have to put her in position tomorrow - so will try and take another picture then!

Anyway - finally - onto my card:

I've used Doreen's sketch on the sketch and stash challenge - my new stash are the freebie papers from simply cards and papercrafts, my neglected stash is my housemouse stamp.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sketch and stash: Doreen's sketch

http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/sketch-n-stash-challenge-86doreens.html

Housemouse and friends Monday challenge

http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/grab-some-tea-for-anything-goes.html

Little Miss Muffet: April Showers

http://littlemissmuffetchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-33-april-showers.html

Crafty Pad: Live on the Edge

http://thecraftypad.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-167-live-on-edge.html

Sweet stampin challenge: use two ribbons

http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/use-more-than-1-ribbon.html.

I think that's all for now - hopefully see you tomorrow for an update on the progress of the scarecrow!!!

Nighty night!

Rachel xx

Feeding Frenzy

Afternoon all - well the day is just going in fast forward - I don't know where time gets to! The Eagle eyed amonst you may notice that I've put a new badge up on my sidebar - Lyndsay very kindly asked me to join the DT over at LEJ Designs - I'm so excited and thanks Lyndsay for the opportunity!

I've got a card to share with you today using a stamp from sugar nellie that I picked up a few weeks ago now - its such a sweet stamp - and living in a farming community like I do is perfect for many of my friends! This card is my first go with it - its not come out quite as I was imagining - but its not too bad!!

I've used the layout from the sugarbowl challenge but added a few touches of my own.
I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:
Sugar Bowl: scrolls and Swirls
http://sugarbowlblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-82maria-theresas-sketch.html
Rainbow Lady's Challenge: St. Georges/patriotic
http://rainbowladyschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-201-st-georges.html
Secret Crafters Saturday Challenge: The silence of the Lambs!!!!!
http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

I'm off to Liverpool to a craft show at Aintree Racecourse tomorrow - with my mum and my daughter - is anybody out there going?

Hugs Rachel xx

Diamonds and Pearls

Afternoon all - I'm hoping you are all well and happy and enjoying your Tuesday - I've been to my usual toddlers session with my younger daughter this morning - and now I'm at my mums - my little Penny is currently enjoying 'beauty and the beast' so I've got a few minutes to talk to you all in blogland. I had some exciting news last night - hopefully by my next post I'll be able to share it with you!  What I have got to share with you is a card I made in my crafty attic last night. I didn't think I was going to be able to enter the diamonds and pearls for Lili's little fairies since I was out of pearls - and then I came across these monsters in my stash - aren't they just fab? I love them!!!

Anyway - the card - I've used a card blank from Dawn Bibby Designs and an all over the page punch from Martha Stewart. I've used spellbinders dies to cut the central portions and coloured the image with promarkers but added some glitter on the bears dress and shoes. The flowers came from my latest blooms pack from Duck Pond Crafts - they're just delicious. The brown ones are Prima flowers though I think. The bow was tied with ribbon from my stash.

I hope you like it - I love this one!

I'd like to enter my card for the following challenges:

Lili's little fairies - diamonds and pearls
http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
stampin for the weekend - sparkle and shine
http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-8-sparkle-and-shine.html
Fussy and fancy - punches and dies
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-61-punches-dies.html
choc, coffee and cards - pearls punches and flowers
http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-11-bingo.html
pile it on: Sparkle and shine
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/pile-it-on-17-sparkle-shine.html

Hoping to upload another post later! Speak to you then! Hugs Rachel xx

Boys toys

Afternoon all!  I wanted to share a little card with you that I made whilst my daughters were swimming with their dad on Sunday morning - yes even swimming pools can be craft havens if you get organised!

The papers are a combination of trimcraft and basic grey and the image is crafty sentiments designs. I've coloured in using promarkers and added tool brads to go with the theme of boys toys. I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

1. Totally Gorjuss: Boys Toys
http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.co.uk/
2. Do crafts Blog Friday sketch
http://docraftsblog.blogspot.co.uk/
3. Guylou's inimatability blog: brown, blue and cream.
http://guylousinimitability.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/crazy-cat-lady-color-challenge.html
4. Karen's doodles blog: Something for the kids
http://karensdoodleschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/
5. Here comes the boys blog: tiddly peeps challenge
http://herecometheboysblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
Hoping you have a wonderful day - off to pick up my youngest from nursery and take her to ballet!

Hugs Rachel xx

Pan pastel play time

Morning all! Hope you're all well and happy! I feel good after having had a good aerobics class followed by a very short run - and now its time to tell you about what I made last night. I finally got the time to have a play with my panpastel starter kit that I won from the challenge blog. I must say - I'm well impressed with it - it was so easy to go on - and I think the result is pretty striking!.

It was a very quick and easy card to make - I started with grunge paper - but I'm sure any card would have been fine, then I used a sponge to apply the red panpastel to the card, then the yellow and belnded it to make orange and finally added more yellow as the bottom part. Then I stamped straight onto it using archival black ink and paperartsy stamps. Once I'd created my topper I found that my fingers were still getting mucky so I decided to fix the pastel with spray and shine from crafters companion. Then I simply mounted it onto a card and added a charm butterfly - just for interest!

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:
Less is more - how charming
http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/week-64-theme-how-charming.html
Pan Pastel - add a flower
http://panpasteluk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-15-add-flower.html
Sunday Stamper: summer colours
http://pinkleart.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/sunday-stamper-week-202-summer-in-city.html
Stamping with Chrissy - your favourite colour combo (red and yellow).
http://sundayswithcrissy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-28-your-favourite-colour.html

I'm really impressed with the pan -astel and can't wait to get some more colours!

Have a good Monday - speak to you later! Hugs Rachel xx

Pop up try out

Evening all! Hope you've had a good Saturday - mine's been fab! We took the kids to Liverpool to the museum and to see the giant pupets that are over there this weekend - we managed to see the uncle from the titanic story - it was just amazing - I'm not sure how big the pupet was - but he towered over the buildings and was operated by these crazy people dangling from ropes to make him walk - incredible! If you can get there tomorrow - i'd go!


Anyway - onto my card for today. My mum went on a craft workshop at Kendal on Wednesday and she made a pop up card - so I thought I'd have a go - and here it is!

So its a Christmas card - with a LOTV image (coloured with promarkers) that pops out when you open the card up - I've decorated the card with papers from CMPC and buttons from pebbles. The card wrap is from kanban and the rest from my stash!

Here's a close up of the image:

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Make it pop at Pile it on

http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/pile-it-on-16-pop-it-up.html

All Buttoned up at Totally papercrafts

http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.co.uk/

Buttons and Bows at Winter Wonderland

http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Lets Go shopping at I love Promarkers.

http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-112-lets-go-shopping.html

Thats all folks - have a fabulous evening - see you soon!

Hugs

Rachel xx

Drinkie time tag

Afternoon all! Well I've had lots of fun in the garden - amazingly the weather has held and I've got lots done - and been to the gardening club at school in our village too where I help out most weeks. Its great to be outdoors for a little bit of time - I've been starting to feel a little bit hemmed in inside - so its just what I needed I think!

Anyway, onto my tag/bookmark. This is one for my husband - and it features the funny hillbilly moonshine from over at dudetime doodles. I think he's fab - and he's certainly having a good old giggle - I think hubby will like him - hope he's not offended - lol!!!

I've used grunge paper for this project - and distress stain (antique paper) and distress ink pads (broken china, chipped saphire, dusty concorde) plus radiant rain mists - red, blue and purple. Everything was built up in layers and spritzed with water inbetween applications and dried. I've added an adage label in the middle and tied on a clock charm. Around the edges I've added brads and ribbon at the top.

I'd like to enter this isnto the following challenges:
1. dude time doodles: make a tag
http://dudetimedoodles.blogspot.co.uk/
2. divas by design: anything but a card
http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-31-anything-but-card.html

I'll have to go and pick up my eldest daughter soon so thats all for now. Have a fabulous Friday and hope to see you again over the weekend.

Hugs Rachel xx

Spring butterfly

Morning all - now I have to be quick - I was expecting rain and the sun is shining - my peas, sweetpeas and cabbages really need to be getting out into the garden so I must make this a short one - who knows how long the sunshine will last? If its not too long - or if the work tires me out (LOL!!!) I'll be back with a tag later. But for now - I was lucky enough to win three stamps from crafty sentiment designs when they released them last week - and here is the first card I've made using them - thankyou all at crafty sentiments designs - they are beautiful and I'm sure will get used over and over again!

Isn't she just beautiful? I've coloured her using promarkers and used backing paper from docrafts capsule collection (pink). I've also punched a sheet of mirri board using an all over the page Martha stewart punch. There's ribbon and lace on there and pearls too - tiny ones in the top right hand corner. I've mounted her onto a square doily - thanks Teresa - and added a marianne designs butterfly. I'm pleased overall with this card - I think its pretty! Oh yes - and I followed Dawny's sketch from over at simon says stamp this week.

Challenges I'd like to enter:
Crafty Sentiments Designs: Spring Creations
http://craftysentimentsmonthly.blogspot.co.uk/
Passion for promarkers: pink, lace and pearls
http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/week-145-theme.html
Joanna Sheen: Someone special
http://joannasheenchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/someone-special.html
Simon says stamp: Dawny's sketch.
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/simon-says-follow-dawnys-sketch.html

Must got out and tackle the garden now - will probably be back later with a tag - whatever the weather!

Have a lovely Friday and thanks for sharing a few moments with me!

Hugs

Rachel xx

Happy Little Elephants

Morning all! Its a sunny interval amongst lots of showers here in Lancaster at the moment - I'm actually doing this post from my mums today - I got organised and uploaded my picture up to my draft so that I could get this post out today!

The card I've made includes a decoupage image from the original Humphreys corner DVD. I think its very sweet  - what do you think? I've teamed it up with Marianne dies ( butterfly, fence and little bird on the fence) and a swirly fluorish (sizzix). The papers are from docrafts. There are also pearls, gems and ribbon in there!

I'd like to enter this card for the following challenges:

Cutie Pie challenge Blog: Circles: http://cutiepiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
CYPC: diecuts and punches: http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Marianne design Divas: pearls and swirls: http://mariannedesigndivas.blogspot.co.uk/.
paperplay challenges: animal antics: http://paperplaychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Thats all for now folks - have a wonderful Thursday and I'll hopefully see you again tomorrow!
Hugs
Rachel xxx

Measuring time

Good morning all - I'm very excited this morning - I've just heard I've got the guest design team spot for May over at dude time doodles - really chuffed - its my first break - so thanks guys - I'm really looking forward to it!

Its a bit chilly and gloomy out there this morning - and I'm feeling a bit slobby so since my running partner is away I've decided to forego my run for a bit of blog time! I know I should be out there - but maybe Friday ?!!!!

I've got a male card to share with you today that's a time themed piece for an older gentleman - I think he's going to be about 80 - but not exactly!

Sorry about the soft focus on the verse - my picture isn't quite what I would have wanted!

Anyway, to make this I used Tim Holtz vintage shabby paper distressed with china blue distress ink, some measuring tape washi tape free from a magazine, the embossing folder on the left is one that I used at a Hels Shridan workshop a few weeks ago - I think its a Tim Holtz one. The stamps used were both from clarity - the verse and the fob watch. I've also used antique paper distress stain and the following ink pads: chipped sapphire, walnut stain, china blue, tea dye.

I'd like to enter it into the following challenges:

Sparkles Monthly challenge:men

http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Anything goes challenge blog: time or steampunk

http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/tick-tock-goes-clock-time-or-steampunk.html

Sunday Stamper: man

http://pinkleart.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/sunday-stamper-week-201-man-of-world.html

Let's ink it up:distressing

http://letsinkitup.blogspot.co.uk/

Lets get distressed: Crafty purple frog.

http://craftypurplefrogchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Still buzzing about the GDT - looking forward to finding out exactly what I've got to do!

Hugs and here's to a great Wednesday!

Rachel xx

Pretty in pink

Evening all - well its fab to see so many new followers joining me - and thanks to all who keep leaving comments - thats great! You're all very kind!

This evening I've got another little festive number to share with you - I'm pleased with it!

I've used the sketch from over at the seemsalittlesketchy site and the main image is penny black - I've coloured that with promarkers ad added mcs glitter to the hat. I've cut out the image using a spellbinders die and then mounted onto papers from kaisercraft, trimcraft, joanna sheen and docrafts. Along the bottom is a martha stewart border punch from which I've cut the extra snowflakes.

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Seems a little sketchy
http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.co.uk/
Winter wonderland
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
Penny Black spots and stripes
http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
Craft your passion challenges die cuts and punches
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-106-die-cuts-and-punches.html
dysu: glitter and bling.
http://doyoustackup.blogspot.co.uk/

Thanks for looking

Hugs Rachel xx

Row row row your boat

Afternoon all! Well the school holidays are over - but that means I get busy again! I suspect my posts won't be quite as frequent as the past fortnight - but I will try to keep up on news and challenges and leave comments as I go!

Today I've got a card I made last night - something is not quite right - but I thought I would post it anyway!!! I bought the stamp on the release - and I'm sure I can come up with something much better at some time in the future - but I was itching to play so here's the result!!!

I've used an embossing folder that features a world map and I was imagining that the girl bear had bought the card for the boy bear and was wishing him bon voyage! This was probably influenced by my lovely husband excitedly telling me all about this new post he's been asked to apply for that would mean him spending 4 months out of each of the next three years abroad! Whilst I want to support him - I would be very sad to see him go! Its a tricky one! Especially when you've got a four year old and a five year old to look after! Anyway, moving swiftly on,  I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Lili's little fairies: transport

http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Pan Pastel challenge: For the boys

http://panpasteluk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-14-one-for-boys.html

: Crafty Anne's challenge Blog: its a man thing.

http://craftyannschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Hopefully I'll get chance to make a post tomorrow - It never fails to amaze me just how many different challenges there are out there! Its incredible!

Hugs

Rachel xx

Rainbow girl

Morning all! Hope you all had a lovely Saturday night and do have a great Sunday! Things here are good - the sun is shining and I'm hoping to take my girls out on a bicycle ride along the prom at Grange over sands today - lunch is packed and I've just got to make this post then we can go.

I managed to make most of this card at the playbarn yesterday - yes we went again - its actually working out to be a good little crafting spot!

Yes I know I know - you need your sunglasses! Very bright - but then that's what I wanted - a rainbow coloured picture! I've coloured my tilda image with promarkers and cut her into a circle - I added the circle to a square of free paper from quick cards and added lace around the outside. I've followed a sketch from the sketchy challenges - although three clouds have turned into three flowers - and three clouds are sitting on top of each other at the top. The other items I've used to make this are the spellbinders die to make the flowers, a sizzix sizzlits die to do the cloud, rhinestones from kaisercraft and I think thats it!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Just Magnolia: Lace

http://justmagnolia.blogspot.co.uk/

Magnolia-licious: Inspiration colour challenge

http://magnolia-liciouschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/colour-challenge-17.html

Totally Gorjuss: Bling

http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.co.uk/

Sweet Stampin challenge: girly but no pink

http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/

The sketchy challenges

http://pinkinksketchchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/sketch-21-janines-sketch.html

That's all folks! Have a wonderful Sunday

Hugs

Rachel xx

The sewing Room

Evening all! Thankyou for your words of encouragement you've been leaving - it really means a lot that you take the time to leave comments for me!

Now this is my second post of the day - I'm pleased with this one - it came together well and I like it! Its going to be for a friend Morag up in Scotland for her birthday in June. I hope she likes it!

I started with an 8x8 card blank that I distressed with worn lipstick distress ink, added some ribbons  then I added a matt of brown DCWV rick rack card. I cut a piece of Tim Holtz distressed papers to fit inside the rick rack layer and distressed the edges again. Afterwards I added another layer of Tim Holtz paper that I had used a distress stain on. I cut three patches of paper - 2 docrafts and 1 Tim Holtz and used distress stain on them plus walnut stain around the edges. Then I cut the images using spellbinders, wound the cotton on the reel , stamped the lettering and made and added the flower! Not too much stamping involved but lots of distressing.

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Lets ink it up: distressing http://letsinkitup.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-22.html
Crazy Purple Frog: Lets get distressed http://craftypurplefrogchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-38-lets-get-distressed.html
Rainbow Lady: Vintage challenge.
http://rainbowladyschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/wow-its-challenge-200-yes-really-200.html

I think I'm going to have an evening in front of the television - maybe a glass of wine if I'm feeling really relaxed! Hopefully I'll have something else to post tomorrow!

Hugs

Rachel xx

Money Man

Good morning all - and a happy Saturday to you! Over at dude time doodles they've got a freebie this week  - its the money man - and using him and winning would get you the chance to be the Guest designer for May - can't be bad eh?  I've come up with a card based on the olympics - and the cost of it all!

Over the top of the money man it says - make it happen - you can't see that too well in the photograph. So I've used a papermani tent card and the image from dudetimedoodles and stamped the back image with a paperartsy stamp - the usion flag paper comes from Joanna Sheen's furry friends CD Rom and there are 3 Tim Holtz adage labels on the front. My card has mixed messages really - its a shame that we're spending so much when the country is in such a bad way - but the hope that the money spent will lift everybody's spirits and bring much needed income to the country and of course the dream that we may achieve lots of medals! I guess only time will tell!
http://dudetimedoodles.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/aprils-guest-designer-freebie-challenge.html
http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
So there you have it!

Hugs

Rachel xx

B is for Bear

Evening all - my final post for today - honest! Here it is:

I managed to make this card this afternoon in the local playbarn - my girls went for a rush around the equipment whilst mum got to sit and craft with a lovely latte! Can't be bad! I used martha stewart punch to make the patterns on the orange paper and backed them with yellow, the topper I made at home last night - its a teddybo image coloured with promarkers and glittered on the wings. I've backed it with lace. The card blank was a kanban one and I've added flowers per the sketch in this months ready teddy go challenge.  I'd also like to enter this card for the teddy bo challenge spring has sprung and for the totally papercrafts things with wings.
http://ready-teddy-gochallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
http://teddybochallenge.blogspot.co.uk/
http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/totally-papercrafts-challenge-112.html
I think that's me then - have a fabulous evening! Enjoy whatever you do! Hugs Rachel xx

House mouse bling bling sweeties (HMFMC117)

Now for my second Christmas post of the day! I must be feeling festive! Anthoos - this one is a real cutie from housemouse:

I just love these tent cards from papermania - I think they make for a really cool card! I hope you agree! I've used housemouse decoupage and teamed it with some festive treats papers from trimcraft. There's added glitter and sparkles so as well as entering this card for the house mouse challenge I'd like to also enter it for the DYSU glitter and bling challenge.

http://doyoustackup.blogspot.co.uk/

http://housemouse-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Hopefully back tomorrow with more goodies to share with you!

Hugs

Rachel xx

Robin's red and green card

Morning all - I've been making a couple of Christmas creations - and the first of them involves Hedgie with a robin - I adore this stamp its just so cute!

I've used the sketch from the christmas challenges with sketches site - I've turned it on its side but its all there! I's also like to enter this card into the fave colour combo at sparkles christmas challenge.

I'll be back soon with another Christmas creation!

http://sparklesforumchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Hugs Rachel xx

Playing with spellbinders

Evening all - well I got my new spellbinders through from create and craft the other day and finally, last night, I got chance to try out the flowers. The card I'm showing you is the result of my first play with the itty bitty flowers and the big spiral.

I love the verse - its a freebie from the crafty pad - and what do you think of the flowers? Two are from duck pond crafts blooms and ribbon kit and 5 I made myself with my new dies - for a first attempt I'm really quite pleased.

I'd like to enter this card into the Simon says challenge and also sketch and stash 84. ribbon and paper came from my stash and of course my spellbinders are my newest stash! Finally I'd like to enter this card into the monthly challenge over at the crafty pad and the handmade flowers April challenge over at the truly madly crafty challenges.

http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/sketch-n-stash-challenge-85kevins.html

http://thecraftypad.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/april-anything-goes-with-crafty-pad.html
http://trulymadlycraftychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/: handmade flowers

That's all for tonight - I'm very tired - my 4 year old had a bad night last night - so of course we all did!!!

Hugs

Rachel xx

Think of a number

Good morning all - well I'm very excited to have been awarded top blog for my captain whalen post for the dudetime doodles challenge - I love their images and they've got a freebie to use this week to try and win a guest designer spot for May - why not check it out!

Anyway - onto today - I've got a round card to share with you that I made for my friend's 30th birthday:

I've made this card using a round card blank from kanban and covered it with old paper distress stain. Then I splodged on distess inks - barn door and fired brick and splattered with water to create a patchy effect with beached out areas. After that I used tea dye around the edges and then once dry stamped a penny black stamp around the card outside. I made the central area using grunge paper that I stained as above then added barn door around the edges - the grungepaper numbers are coloured direct to paper with barn door. After adding the central sentiment I added flowers that had been wiped over with barn door and added two tim hotlz adage labels edged with fired brick. Finally I added my angel charm.

Had lots of messy fun making this and I think my friend will love it!

I'd like to enter this for the following challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge: Case it

http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Sunday Stampers Challenge

http://pinkleart.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/sunday-stamper-week-200-i-got-your.html

Craft your passion challenges: different shape.

http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-105-shaped-cards.html

Divas by design: Charmed I'm sure

http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-30-charmed-im-sure.html

Off to the science museum today - hope you all have a great day! And thankyou for stopping by and leaving me a comment.

Hugs

Rachel

You're so sweet

Morning all! Can I just say thanks to everyone for all the lovely comments you've been leaving me - I really do appreciate them - especially on rainy days like today!!! You make me smile! Thankyou xx

This morning I'd like to share a card with you that I made with a friend inmind who is always so sweet - its a just because card - because she is so sweet!

I've used a LOTV topper which I've cut using spellbinders dies. I've used the sketch from the simply gorjuss challenge and added flowers from MCS and ribbons and bows from my stash. I've also used a memory box die to cut out the shape for the sentiment and the sentiment itself came from a pack of free stamps from quick cards (i think!).

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Totally Gorjuss: Sketch

http://totallygorjuss.blogspot.co.uk/

Lili's Little Fairies: Ribbons and Bows

http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/ribbon-bows.html

Cupcake crafting: Spring is in the air

http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Karen doodles challenge: something spring.

http://karensdoodleschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-102-something-spring.html

I'd also like to say thankyou this morning to the lovely team at crafty sentiments designs http://craftysentimentsmonthly.blogspot.co.uk/ - they've just released some fantastic new designs and I've been lucky enough to leave a winning comment! So thanks guys - I'm looking forward to getting some new images!!!

I think that's all for now!

Love and hugs

Rachel xx

Sugar Nellie's sweet wee Angus

Hi there! Second post of the day for me - can't you tell its been a wet and windy day - lots to do in the garden but weather not permitting so I've been crafting - when the children permitted of course!
Straight onto my card:

I've made this card for my friends boy Conner, who is 11 in June - he's scottish so I thought he may like wee angus that I bought in the sugar Nellie sale. There's also a couple of challenges on including the sugar bowl: stripes or plaid and pile it on - all about s. So with these in mind I made the card - including some jars of sweets. So for the s's I've got wee angus, sweets, sporran, sugar nellie stamp!

I's also like to enter this for the sweet treats over at pan pastel this week and just die- delicious over at the crafty pad.

Sugar bowl: Sketch, stripes or plaid.

http://sugarbowlblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-81gayles-sketch.html

Pile it on: all about s

http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/pile-it-on-15-all-about-s.html

Pan pastel: sweet treats

http://panpasteluk.blogspot.co.uk/

The crafty pad: Just die- delicious.

http://thecraftypad.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/challenge-165-is-just-die-delicious.html

That's all folks

Hugs

Rachel xx

Tilda's Easter Encounter

Good morning all - first of all thankyou to everyone for helping me make it to the 50 followers level - the candy was won by Carole - looking forward to hearing from you Carole!!!  Hope you all had a good Easter Sunday - mine was fab - I went up the Blackpool tower with my husband and two daughters - we had a great time - and I got in the top 3 for winter wonderland, got to my 50 followers and won the pan pastel challenge - brilliant Sunday I think!

Well this morning is looking pretty gloomy here in Lancaster, and I've woken up with a head full of cotton wool so forgive me if I don't make sense! I've got a bright and cheerful card to share with you that I hope will lift your mood if your feeling under the weather and my mood too.

I've stamped Tilda with a rabbit - the rabbit as I'm sure you recognise is one of the nitwit stamps that came free with simply cards and papercrafts. The layout for the card came from the TOMIC #44 challenge which also specified a rabbit being on the card. I've used a memory box die so would like to enter this for dies and doodles at sweet stampin' challenge. The colours are very spring like - the papers are papermania and the image was coloured with promarkers. The flowers are from MCS - also diecuts.The lace came from dunelm mill.

I hope you like this one - I'm very happy with her!

So the following challenges I would like to enter this card into:

TOMIC #44: Sketch, rabbit and inspiration

http://officialmagnoliainspirationchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Just Magnolia and Hanglar Stanglar: Anything goes

http://justmagnolia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/week-151-special-monthly-challenge.html

Sweet Stampin challenge: Dies and Doodles

http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Secret crafters sat Challenge: easter

http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Little Miss Muffet challenges: Spring colours

http://littlemissmuffetchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Challenges.

Hope you all have a good Monday!

Hugs

Rachel xx

Blog Candy Winner

well its Easter Sunday and I made it 50 followers - thankyou all - and I hope you'll keep looking and commenting! I have a winner of my candy - its Carole http://carolerob-carolesown.blogspot.co.uk/ - I've left you a comment on your blog! Email me when you can and I'll get the candy posted out to you!

Hugs Rachel xx

Time to sew

Morning all: I'm writing this on Sat evening but will just get chance to post it on Sunday before we head out for a family day - hoping to go to Blackpool or Southport - will have to wait and see what the weather does! OOooooo and its now Sunday morning and I've just found out I've won the challenge over at Pan Pastel! How exciting - its going to be great to get their trial kit to have a go! Thanks Lyndsay for the heads up with your comment - I'm glad I didn't look at my phone last night - I woldn't have been able to sleep!!! There's a new one starting today - why don't you pop over and check it out!

Okay onto my card. First of all I'd like to say welcome to my new followers and hello to those of you who've been around a bit longer. I've got a card to share with you today that I've made for my sister who lives in Kaikoura in New Zealand. She runs her own craft business and has just started a course involving sewing - so I couldn't help myself in getting hold of the new spellbinders dies of the sewing room and swatches. Now I've seen lots of cards over the last few days using these things - and I'm sorry to say I don't think mine is as good as the one's I've been looking at - still - its a first go and we all have to start somewhere.

I've used a piece of gold mirri board and mounted a rick rack DCWV piece on top - the remaining papers are from docrafts and the black lace from dunelm mill. I've cut the swatches, sewing machine, cotton reel, buttons and thimble using spellbinders dies and the sentiment came from a kanban kit from QVC. I think my sister will like it - but watch this space - I'll be trying more out soon I'm sure!

I'd like to enter this for the following challenges:

cupcake craft challenges: sewing box

http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/cupcake-186-sewing-box.html

desmet designs: pins and needles

http://desmetdt.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/april-challenge.html

Guylou's Inimitability: sketch

http://guylousinimitability.blogspot.co.uk/

Well that's all for now - looking forward to a family day out! Lots of love Rachel xx

50 followers Blog candy

Evening all,

This candy has been won and the offer is no longer valid!!!

I've decided its about time I offered a little blog candy as a reward for my regular commenters and also an incentive to get more feedback. I've rooted around in my stash and come up with 2 x kanban stamp sets and 2x personal impressions stamp sets - I've seen both used really well - and hopefully you'll like them too!

They're all very festive - hopefully somebody will win them before it becomes time to make the mass of Christmas cards that we all do every year!!!!

So to be in with a chance of winning this candy you must:

1. become a follower

2. backlink to my site and advertise my candy on your sidebar.

3. Leave a comment on this post so that I know you're interested in winning the candy.

I will draw the name of the winner when I amass 50 followers!

I'm hoping this post will work - not sure how to make it sticky!!!!!

Rachel xx

Carole has won my candy - thanks for looking! xxx

Captain Whalen's big joke

Good morning all! Its Easter Saturday and my beautiful little girls are watching Peter Pan so that mummy can 'play on the computer!!!' That's what they call it!
We had a great day at the zoo yesterday but when we got home I was just itching to get this card made ready to upload this morning!

What do you think? Its for my nephew Henry who's going to be 9 soon. It incorporates my daughter Lucy's favourite joke of the moment! The reason it has that on it is partly because they're having a make us laugh challenge over at dude time doodles - so since I won captain whalen on a recent blog hop it really seemed rude not to use him! I think he's fab and will certainly be making a few more appearances I think in my upcoming male cards!
Other things I've used include two circle dies to create the lifebuoy ring - and the papers came from QVC years and years ago. The brads are tool brads from my stash and the shells came from the beach! The twine and netting are also from my stash and Captain Whalen is from Dude Time Doodles!

I'd like to enter his card into the foloowing challenges:
Dude time doodles: use a funny sentiment
http://dudetimedoodles.blogspot.co.uk/
Joanna Sheen - its a man's world
http://joannasheenchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/its-mans-world.html
Karen Doodles - make it for a male.
http://karensdoodleschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/challenge-101-make-it-for-male.html
Back with more tomorrow!

Easter hugs

Rachel xx