My shining star

My shining star

Friday 30 November 2012

scrapbook stamp society post: reindeer for let it snow

Good morning all of you lovely people out there in blogland! Well - I'm feeling a little naughty - I didn't go to my exercise class last night - instead I sat around with my lovely family eating the lasagne that me and the girls made when they got in from school - it was just what I needed I think! Still - have to go today now - but that's not so hard - getting out on very cold dark nights is definitely a problem for me!!!!

Today I've got a card to show you with an image by Kim Gwin from the scrapbook stamp society called Reindeer - you can get it here. They have some amazing deals going on at the digi store this week including some multi packs of eleanor and pickles for only $5.00. Check it out!!!! At some point today the new challenge over at the scrapbookstampsocietychallengeblog will go live and its called ' Let it snow'. To enter you need to used a SSS image but they do have freebies -here.

My Card is here:

I've coloured the image in promarkers and cut it out - then mounted on an embossed background - a Me to you folder - Then I've matted and layered and added the sentiment ' Let it snow' from the LOTV grunge sentiments. Finally I've added extra Holly.

I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:
thesisterhoodofcrafters:Embossing
TPSthepapershelter: Christmas is coming
I love promarkersilovepromarkers: Anything goes
Creative Inspcinspirations: Trad Christmas colours
Totally stampalicioustotallystampalicious: Snow
Panpastelpanpasteluk: Frosty and bright
Totally Gorjusstotallygorjuss: Not square
scrapbookstampsocietychallengeblog: Let it snow.

That's all for today - thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again soon! Hugs rachel xx

Thursday 29 November 2012

commision card for Gabbi

Hello lovelies - well today I've got a card to show you that my friend Debbie commissioned me to make for her daughter Gabbi who is 15 - I think I've pitched it about right - the brief was that Gabbi is very girly and loves all things pink and sparkly .... what do you think?



The image is, of course, Fancy by Saturated Canary and I've followed the sketch from Saturated canary's current challenge - the bottom paper is one from an old kit by kanban and the top paper is one I've created by stamping with versamark using that free snowflake from craft stamper on some pink basil basics and adding white snow wow embossing powder. The image has been coloured with promarkers. The roses are by WOC.

This card should qualify for and I would like to enter in to the following challenges:

digitaltuesdaychallenge: Girly
PMSpapermakeupstamps: Christmas/holiday
comeandgetitchallenges: More than one fold
sweetstampinchallengeblog: Flowers
CHNCcraftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge: For someone special - made for a daughter!
Allsorts CBallsortschallenge: Bring on the bling (got my prize through from the pretty little ribbon shop courtesy of you guys - thankyou so much - its just gorgeous xx)
Saturated Canarysaturatedcanarychallenge: Sketch
Penny'spennyschallenges: More than one fold
stampinfortheweekend: Texture
Divasdivasbydesignchallenge: Glitter and sparkle.

Back tomorrow with a new image/ card from the scrapbook stamp society. Thanks for looking today and I hope to see you again soon! Hugs rachel xx

Wednesday 28 November 2012

More magnets and another scarf!!!!





Good morning lovelies - I hope you are well and ready for a new day? I'm feeling tired - I guess I'm just doing too much - but that's life isn't it? Anyway - onto today - I've been making more magnets and another scarf has miraculously been finished off too - fabulous! Here's some pictures:


Both of the stamps I've used are from LOTV - and the additions are made from Fimo clay - really loving this stuff at the moment - its so therapeutic molding the clay to make it fit whatever I'm creating! The colouring in in the top one was done by promarkers. Then I added the stamped images to paper and heat sealed them in a  laminator then added them to sticky backed magnetic sheets - hey presto.

I'd like to enter my magnets into the following challenges:

LLFliliofthevalleythursdaychallenge: Anything goes
craftpunked Best friends
Winter wonderlandchristmasblogchallenge: Food glorious food
CYPCcraftyourpassionchallenges: Holiday food
Tuesday Alchemytuesdayalchemy: Anything goes
LEJlejdesignschallengeblog: Favourite technique - got to be playing with fimo just now!!!!

And here's scarf no. 2 - beautiful!!! This is going to be given to a friend as part of her Christmas present.


Oh yes and just to let you know - if you don't already - they're doing a giveway at the Ribbon girl Blog - the items are from the Andreas rustic collection and look stunning - click here for the deets.

Have a wonderful day - I've got another busy one that culminates with the final rainbows of the year - its just going to be a party so hopefully that will be fun!!!!!

Big Hugs - thanks for visiting and hope to see you again soon!

Rachel xx

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Christmas Stamp by Morgan Fitzsimmons

Hi there lovelies - I've got a very traditional Christmas stamp by Morgan Fitzsimmons to share with you today - you can get the image here and its called Christmas BW 13. I've made two cards with it - the first is B + W +1 colour - I wanted to try using the image simply - the second uses the image again but this time I've coloured it in - a bit like a stained glass window. what do you think?




I must say the image is not one I would have chosen but having worked with it I think its really great. All of the colouring was done with promarkers.

I'd like to enter these cards into the following challenges:

Top card:

IDICrobynsfetishchallengeblog: Black and white +1
cupcakecraftchallenges: Black and white +1
artisticinspirationscrafts: Anything goes
addicted-to-stamps-challenge: Christmastime

Bottom card:

Whoopsi daisycutedaisymay: Use a digi
lexiscreations: Christmas
CBNcraftybloggersnetwork: Christmas anything goes

Back with some more magnets tomorrow! Hope to see you then and thanks for dropping by today! Hugs Rachel xx

Monday 26 November 2012

DT post for Seems a little Sketchy - sketch 27 and GDT for Here come the boys

Good Morning! Well its the start of another week and I'm hoping you've all had a good weekend - despite the awful weather that many have experienced! We had fun - the Christmas fair at school managed to raise a total of £538 for PTA funds so that's just fabulous! Only one more event to go now before Christmas - and that's a Christmas Craft evening - looking forward to that but still have to sort things out for it!!!!

Onto today - I've got that rare occasion when I should be doing two separate posts - but I thought I would combine them into one - I hope that's okay!

My first card is  a DT card for the new challenge starting over at seemsalittlesketchy today - here's the sketch:






 We're sponsored by My mygrafico and were supplied with an assortment of images relating to Christmas.


Christmas Stamps

This is what I did:



Its very much a kiddies card - but I think the images are pretty cute don't you? I coloured them with promarkers in good old traditional colours and used old papers from my stash and some red and green embellishmments also from my stash.

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

addicted-to-stamps-challenge: Christmastime
glitternsparklechallengeblog: Ribbon and/or lace
Osaatonestitchatatimechallenge: Fabric, ribbon or lace
emergencycrafterschallenge: Anything goes


My next card is a GDT card for herecometheboys where the challenge starting this fortnight is called - Birthdays Only - Here's what I came up with - this one is for my uncle Ivan:




The image is, of course, Bugaboo - as is the sentiment! Its coloured with promarkers and mounted on chevron paper with kraft layers.

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

joannasheenchallenge Anything goes but not Christmas
fabnfunkychallenges: Birthdays and 3 (3 buttons)
PIOpileitonchallenge: anything but a Christmas card

I haven't forgotten my award Pauline - just struggling to get things done at the moment - I will hopefully get organised for sorting that out sometime this week!

Thanks for dropping by - and I hope you have a fabulous day!

Love and hugs

Rachel xx



Sunday 25 November 2012

Christmas cuties

Hi there - its Sunday Morning and the Christmas Fair is over!!!!! Bliss. We had a really good day - not sure how much we will have raised but I'm hoping for around £400. We'll just have to wait and see! My girls had lots of fun too and so did all of the other children so I think that's what matters really!

My card for today includes an image from the Crafters Companion Mulberry Wood series - I think its super cute - love it.


I've coloured the image in promarkers and cut it out using mum's spellbinders die - The backing paper is from a free stack by raspberry road. The sentiment says Christmas is a time for family and friends - too true.

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

Crafters Companionccmonthlychallenge: Fave colour scheme - I've gone for the traditional red and green of Christmas.
Kraftyhandskraftyhandschallenge: Christmas in November
Incy Wincyincywincydesigns: Hip to be square (don't worry if you think this card isn't square - I know its based on a square shape but I guess it depends how rigorous you are!)
DTDdudetimedoodles: Happy Holidays
Whimsywhimsyinspires: Traditional Christmas colours
audsentimentschallengeblog bingo: ribbon, bling, snow.
CACBcraftyannschallengeblog: Birds and/or animals
Polka doodlespolkadoodle: any die will do
Delicious doodlesdeliciousdoodleschallenge: something that flies - there are two birdies in the picture!
2sisterschallengeblogWinter wonderland

Thanks for dropping by today and for any comments you leave - I do love to read your comments!

Big Hugs

Rachel xx



Saturday 24 November 2012

Thankyou

Good Morning all - I hope you are well? I suspect I'll be a bit rushed today as the day of the school fair has dawned - but I've got my fingers crossed that things will go okay! Will let you know tomorrow! It was certainly looking pretty good when I left it last night.

Today I've got a card to share with you made with a lovely image from Crafty Sentiments Designs - their challenge this week is 'Thankyou' and so with all things bright and positive in mind I thought I'd go for a summery card!





The papers were a free stack from a magazine by wild rose studio. The image has been stamped then coloured with promarkers. The flowers were then added and a few extra butterflies plus the charm and sentiment.

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

CSD:craftysentiments Thanks (GDT)
pennyschallenges: Thanks
craftsandmechallenges: Circles
Creative Inspcinspirations: Case it - I used similar colours
TSBthestampingboutiquechallengeblog: Thanks
Twisted Tuesdaytwistedtuesdaychallenges: Thankyou
Divasdivasbydesignchallenge: Use 2 or more patterned papers.
http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/give-thanks-challenge.htmlThanks


That's all folks - hopefully I'll be back tomorrow brimming with tales of a fun school fair! oo and I've got a night out tonight too - will be visiting an old work colleague over in Preston for her annual birthday party - just two months late this time! Thanks for visiting!

Hugs

Rachel xx


Friday 23 November 2012

A face and a scarf

Good morning Lovelies - wasn't it awful weather yesterday? Our boiler has packed up so we're without heating - so although the rain and wind are awful I'm just glad its not too cold!!! I had a bit of an adventure in the weather last night - I was going to a local farm to pick my kids up - they'd been to play with a friend after school - when I came across this vision - a tree had obviously partly come down in the rain and wind and was being chopped up by this lady with her chainsaw!!! A bit scary - but I helped her move the branches and then got on my way to the farm - when I was almost there it became obvious there was a huge wagon of hay being unloaded and I couldn't get by - anyway the man pulled the wagon forward and I plonked my car into this quagmire of mud whilst the wagon reversed and luckily then I could get up to the farm - only thing was I had to wait nearly 3/4 of an hour to get back out again! Not funny - but hey ho!!!Alls well that ends well!

Anyway onto todays Offering - its a tag - the challenge over at the sunday stampers this week is faces. So this is what I've made.


The stamp is from Inkylicious - some of the wooden bits are crafty emblies, the diecuts are spellbinders. The wording reads a stitch in time saves nine. I've used Distress stains antique paper and worn lipstick and spun sugar DI. Also wild Honey DI to stamp the face then overstamped in arcival black.

I'd like to enter my tag into the following challenges:

Sunday Stamperpinkleart: Faces
crafty-emblies: Vintage Shabby Chic
IDICrobynsfetishchallengeblog: Vintage
ABACanythingbutacard: A stitch in time
Southern Girls:southerngirlschallenge Pink and brown.

Finally I finished my scarf last night - I guess this is my stitch in time -  and I'd like you to see it - I'm well chuffed!

Its made with Krystal knitting yarn - one ball, one scarf. isn't it just delicious!!!! Now I've ordered more wool in an attempt to make a few for my friends for Christmas!!!


Thats all for today folks - hope you have a good day - thanks for dropping by and I hope to see you again soon!!!

Rachel xx



Thursday 22 November 2012

Nanny's Christmas box - all wrapped up!

Morning lovely blogland folk, followers old and new! I hope you are well and happy - I had a good time yesterday and even managed to catch up on most things and start to get ahead again - brilliant! It does make you feel better! I was also lucky enough to receive the liebster award from my friend and teamy at the crafty pad Pauline. Thanks Pauline - I will get onto that asap!

Today I've got my entry to Penny Black's Cute Christmas to share with you - I hope you like it.



Its a box from yellow moon that had spoons to decorate in it (for the rainbows) - I've turned the box inside out and found it was white - then used that snowflake stamp free with craft stamper magazine and stamped snowflakes directly onto the box using DI milled lavendar, worn lipstick and dusty concorde. Then I made the tag  - I used worn lipstick distress stain, dried then added DI milled lavendar and dusty conconcorde - spritzed and flicked with water and dried. Then I added my stamped image of Mimi and the glitter paper strip at the bottom and finally added the word Nanny. Then into the box I put the goodies that my girls have bought for nanny for Christmas and I tied it all up with ribbon.

My mum - who reads this blog - is going to be uber excited when she sees this!!!! She's like a kid at Christmas - its so lovely! xx Bless you mum xx

I'd like to enter my goodie box into the following challenges:

pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge: Cute Christmas
totallystampalicious: Non trad Christmas colours
mymumscraftshopchallenges: inspired by a song (deck the halls)
ribbongirls: Shades of lavendar.

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again soon!

Big Crafty Hugs

Rachel xx



Wednesday 21 November 2012

Shaun's sassy card

Morning lovelies - I hope you are well and happy - I'm looking forward to a bit of catch up time today - I did double exercise last night so I don't need to go today - wayhay!!!! I shouldn't say that really because I do love it - but sometimes getting to and from a class takes up a lot of time! I'm so impatient!!!!! or is it just busy?

Today I've got a card to share with you that I made yesterday at my mums - we had a lovely time again - cheers mum!!!! Its for Shaun - thats my husband - for Christmas - I hope he likes it!



My image is of course Bow by Kenny K - isn't she gorgeous? I'm hoping hubby will think so too! I hope he likes the sentiment too which I think goes well with the image. The image has been coloured with promarkers. the papers are LOTV and I've layered them with kraft and cut more kraft snowflakes out using spellbinders dies. The ribbon I've added is old ribbon from my stash - must have had it donkeys! I've also given the lady a little gem earring that matches her underwear. I've not put lipstick on her as hubby doesn't really like make up and thankfully neither do I! I followed a sketch from the 2 sisters challenge blog but flipped it on its side.


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

Whoopsi Daisycutedaisymay: Diecuts and punches
glitternsparklechallengeblog: Layers
Kenny Kkennykskraftykrew: Sassy Christmas
CHNCcraftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge: Use something more than 6 months old (ribbon)
2sisterschallengeblog: sketch
ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog: snowflakes
digitaltuesdaychallenge Blue, Kraft and white
bearlymine-challenges: Snowflakes.

That's it for today I think - thanks for dropping by - I do so love to read your comments and hopefully I'll catch up with commenting today too! Hope to see you again soon.

Hugs Rachel xx

Tuesday 20 November 2012

pudding magnets

Morning all - I hope you are well and ready for a new day - I think I'm getting over the hectic weekend and am now trying to get myself organised for the next one - we have our school fair on Saturday and as the newly elected chair of the PTA I'm in charge - scary!!!!!! It shouldn't be too bad though as I've got a strong team behind me! Thank goodness!!!

Onto today - something different for you - I've been making a few stocking fillers - and the first of these are Christmas pudding magnets - these are made using a stamp from a set of four christmas recipes from LOTV.



I'm rather pleased with them and will make some more with the other recipe stamps I think. The stamp has just been stamped and then the holly coloured. Then I stuck the image to red paper and laminated. The Christmas puddings were made using fimo and set hard in the oven.

I'd like to enter my magnets into the following challenges:

LLFliliofthevalleythursdaychallenge: Food Glorious Food
tuesdayalchemy: anything but a card
lejdesignschallengeblog: alterit/gifts
thesquirrelandthefox: Anything goes
sendasmile4kidschallenge: Anything goes
allsortschallenge: its a gift
Jingle Bellesjinglebellesrock: Christmas feast.
pinandtack: anything goes

That's all for today - thanks for visiting - and hope to see you again soon! Back with a saucy one tomorrow!

Hugs

Rachel xx


Monday 19 November 2012

Christmas penguin and tales of guiding

Good morning all - well I tell you what - I feel so much better for some sleep! Those of you that visit often will know I went away for the weekend with my two girlies on a guide/brownie 'holiday'. We stayed in a timberlodge that was pretty glorious - even had its own sauna - but it still had paper thin walls and was full of giggling girls! That aside it was a fabulous weekend - here's a couple of pictures to show you....


 The first picture shows Penny getting a 'swing' from a guide and a brownie - and the second one shows Lucy doing her first ever sewing - she made a rabbit glover puppet and then used it with some other girls to put on a 'play'. Fabulous fun was had by all - and would you believe I even got chance to try my hand at knitting - it was my first attempt in 28 years!!! Blimey! Anyway - I suspect I may be showing my make on here so you're just going to have to wait!!!!

Onto todays card - thankyou for your patience!!!! This little chap is a digi by Crafty sentiments designs and he's called Christmas Penguin:



Isn't he a sweetie pie? My card has followed a sketch at CC and CC. I've used LOTV papers and sentiment and the snowflakes are spellbinders. The image is coloured with promarkers.

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

CSDcraftysentiments: Christmas
TPSthepapershelter: Christmas Easel
Fat pagesfatpageswithattitude: winter
fussyandfancychallenge: feeling blue
fashionistachallenge blue christmas
Totally stampalicioustotallystampalicious: bling.

I got a nice surprise when I got home too - a parcel from the fabulous Elaine Wheeler of wheelerscraftiness - thanks Elaine - will email you! Also two stamps from the new CSD launch including the christmas dress one which I just loved to bits - so thanks guys!

I'm still trying to catch up from my weekend away - but I will get there! Thanks for visiting as ever and for any comments you choose to leave!

Big Crafty Hugs

Rachel xx


Sunday 18 November 2012

Post for the Crafty Pad: Its begining to look a lot like Christmas

Good morning all - well when this post goes live I should be happily ensconced in a timber cabin with my two chipmunks - oh and 37 others!!!!Hope its going okay!!! dibdibdib dob dob dob and all that!

Today - at the thecraftypad we have a new challenge called ' Its begining to look alot like Christmas - so basically we're looking for Christmas cards/themed items. Our sponsor this week is...craftyribbons


I've used the image from the Crafty Pad called snowglobe - and I've done something very simple - I've made a snowglobe shaped card and simply coloured it with promarkers.

I've added a ribbon and a charm and a sentiment from LOTV. Very simple but I think quite effective.

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

craftpunked: anything goes
craftycatzweeklychallenge: sparkle
charismacardz: keep your cool
sparklesforumchallenges: Christmas is coming
craftsandmechallenges: non-trad Christmas colours - blue and brown
mymumscraftshopchallenges: winter wonderland
LEJlejdesignschallengeblog: Christmas

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday and thanks for dropping by - I will try to catch up with commenting when I return this evening! Hugs Rachel xx

Saturday 17 November 2012

Birdy birdy tweet tag

Good morning all - hope you are well - and welcome followers and friends old and new!

As this goes live I will probably be running around trying to get my kiddlywinks sorted ready to go off to brownie/guide 'holiday'. We're off to the cheese factory in Hawes - and even though Penny and Lucy are not old enough to be guides/brownies we have been doing the Wallace and Gromit inventors badge at Rainbows so I think they'll feel pretty much like they know what's happening.

anyways - for today I've got a tag to show you - inspired by the challenge set by Hels Sheridan over at the Sunday stampers - this tag, I feel, is somehow unfinished and its destined to go on a card when I get the time - hopefully soon!.




My tag was made using an inkessentials tag that I stained with worn lipstick distress stain - then added faded jeans DI around the edges. I overstamped using papermania urban stamps then sprayed with spary and sparkle irridescent. The bird was stamped onto kraft card and cut out. The cage is a marianne die and the key is another urban stamp. The flowers were made using the small 6 petaled flower from the tattered florals die and then sprayed and added to the tag.

I'd like to enter my tag into the following challenges please:

cardcrafterscircle: Texture
willowsketchiechallenge theme - favourite colouring medium - distress inks and stains
inthepinkchallenge - punches and dies
pennyschallenges: Anything goes
divasbydesignchallenge: Anything goes
digidarlas: Die cuts
glitternsparklechallengeblog: Things with wings
Sunday Stamperpinkleart: Birds.

I'll try and get these linked up before I leave! Apologies in advance for not commenting this weekend - will try to catch up on Sunday night!

Big Hugs

Rachel xx

Friday 16 November 2012

Buttons and Bows at the scrapbook stamp society

Good morning lovelies! At some point today there will be a new challenge starting over at the Scrapbook Stamp Society. The challenge this fortnight is 'buttons and bows'. I believe you should use a Scrapbook stamp society one image! There are even some freebies you could use so check it out http://addicted-to-stamps.blogspot.co.uk/p/freebies.html

I've made a card using an image by Mitzi Sato Wiuff. Its called girl flower butterfly and is available here:



I think its a stunning image and I've chosen autumn colours to reflect the time of year! I've coloured the image using promarkers and added flowers, buttons and lace from my stash. The sentiment reflects the intention to send this card to a lady in the village who did most of the organisation for the Halloween party that we put on during half term.Behind the image I have used an embossing folder and sanded back to reveal the core colour of the card.

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

craftingforallseasons: Thanks
simonsaysstampschallenge: Thanks
digistamps4joy-sa: Thanks
thesisterhoodofcrafters:thanks
digitaltuesdaychallenge: thankflness
tuesdaythrowdown: Thankyou for you
lexiscreations: thanks
PIOpileitonchallenge: thanks
OSAATonestitchatatimechallenge: thanks
disdigidesignschallenge: autumn colours
scrapbookstampsocietychallengeblog: buttons and bows.
pixieduststudiopixiechallenge: Thanks

wow - that's a long list of challenges! I will be back tomorrow with something for the sunday stampers - it will be scheduled though as I'm off on a guiding trip this weekend with my two little chipmunks - we're heading for the cheese factory at Hawes - can't wait! And we've got on night in a timber lodge with 37 others! Should be interesting!

Hope you have a good Friday and I'll see you soon - thanks for popping by! Hugs rachel xx