A VERY PROUD MUM

Hi everyone! Hope you are all well and enjoying the glorious sunshine - if you are getting the same weather as us! I just popped on to let you all know my wonderful news. My daughter Kimmie was asked to be a guest designer for Crafty Monkeys blog. This was a fantastic opportunity for her and she gladly accepted the invitation. The whole family is extremely proud of Kimmie - she is an excellent card maker - and I would also like to thank Hannah and Zoe for inviting Kimmie to join them this week. Both girls are also very talented and they all should be very proud of themselves.

You can check out the blog and see all the girls fabulous creations HERE!

Thanks again Girls and well done Kimmie!

Hugs
Suzanne x

3 Challenge Combo

Oh my word! What a lot going on in that title! Hope everyone is well and getting plenty of crafting done. I seem to have slipped again. Too much blog hopping - me thinks! I did do all the housework today though so at least thats done! Anyway, onto the card. I am entering this card into three challenges:

1.) Stamp Something - Sketch Challenge;
2.) ABC - P is for Pearls;
3.) Cute Card Thursday - bit o' bling.

I think that it should qualify for them all ok. I have used the sketch, I have added pearls - plenty of them, lol! Thats because these were also my 'bling' but just incase... I added some sparkly DP too for the sentiment and coloured the image (Dress up Maggie by Sugar Nellie) with watercolour and inktense pencils and Twinkling H2Os. My photo is terrible I know but I took loads and this is the best one. That's what I get for making a card so late at night!

For the inside, I added another bit of DP, CS, more Pearls and more 'blingy' paper. Used the label nesties and the bug.

I hope you like it because I'm quite pleased with it. Also, over at Stamp Something there's a blog candy contest on so pop over and check it out. You have till next week to enter. You can find it here.

Did you all see my previous post with the brilliant birthday cards my son made for his friends? If you have a spare minute you could check them out here and maybe tell him what you think

Hugs
Suzanne x

Two Fabulous Birthday Cards

Hi everyone. I just wanted to show you two fabulous birthday cards that my son has made for his friends. Jack is 9 and doesn't make a card very often. Usually, he is too interested in football, wrestling, computers and trampolines, lol! Typical 9 year old!

He made these cards on his own whilst I was making some things of my own. He done all the stamping, colouring, cutting and sticking. He even printed his greetings on his own.

This one says "It's yer birthday..."

And, inside - "Dae a wee jig"

This one says "Ahoy Matey...It's your birthday"

On the top card he has added a picture of mens shoes inside and on the bottom card he has cut a stirp from the front right of the card and added a border peel off to the inside down this strip.

I think these are brilliant and am really proud of him. I think he is very proud of himself too as he asked me if I could take photos and post them for him.
I'm sure he would love to read your comments if you stop by

Hugs
Suzanne x

Boxed Baby Gift Set

Hi everyone. Just a quick post to show what Ive been up to recently. Not a lot, lol!! Actually, I haven't been up to much in the way of crafting really, I have been very busy at home and I am also looking for work at the moment so I am quite busy all round.

I have managed to make a wee thing though. This is for my mum to give to a friend at work who is expecting a baby boy soon. She wanted to give her something a wee bit different so she bought this wee set and some socks and I set to work, lol!

I just made two wee 'cakes' and arranged the items and cakes together then I made a wee box for them to go in. My mum has made a baby card and also some wee thank you cards that the friend can send out after so I made the box for the gift and also made one to match for the wee notecards. It was all done with the same coloured CS and DP so that it all matches up.

Hope you like it

Hugs
Suzanne x

Four in One!

Hi everyone! Can you believe that I have managed to make a card for four challenges?! No, neither can I, lol! There are so many fabulous challenges out there and just not enough cardmaking hours in the day. I definately think that we should not have to clean, tidy or shop - unless craft shopping, lol! We should just be able to wave a magic wand and those things would be done for us and then we could craft all day long, lol!

Anyway, the four challenges I am entering this card for are:

1.) Just Magnolia - A Sketch by Naoual;
2.) Basic Grey - Ice Cream;
3.) A spoonful of Sugar- A Card for a Celebration;
4.) One Stop Craft Challenge - Pink & Brown.

Phew! That's that done. Now, for the card, ingredients and instructions, lol!

I have coloured my Tilda image with Distress Inks and cut round her. She has been mounted on foam pads onto the square. All three squares have been through 'The Bug' in the 'Swiss Dots' folder. I have added a piece of pink net ribbon stuff for my strip down the side and have used Basic GreyPorcelain DP's. (These papers make me think of strawberry and chocolate ice cream - my avourite, lol!) The sentiment is Hampton Arts again - I think. Flowers are done with the three smallest daisy punches and have a small gem added in the centre. I have added a wee sticky backed gem in each corner of the card too.

For the inside, I cut another square of the DP and punched all edges with a Fiskars border punch. Cut 2 bits of CS with 'Label Nesties' in 'The Bug', then embossed the edges whilst still in the die cuts. But, I will have to show you the inside later as I have forgotten to take a picture of it - DUHH! Will pop back on at tea-time and edit post.

Hope you like it.

Hugs

Brand New Challenge Blog

Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you all know about a brand new challenge blog that's starting up real soon. It looks like its going to be a great lot of fun and provide lots of info too.

This is what Dawn and Madge the owners) have to say about it:

The Next Level is the exciting new concept of Dawn (All Pink Girl) and Ann (Madgesty - Love to Create) probably better known as blog name Madge. Our aim in designing this new informative style of blog is not only to produce really creative Weekly Challenges that are not tied to any specific brand, but also to explore new avenues, ideas and techniques with a completely fresh approach.

The Next Level will not only be a fun and informative place to hang out for card crafters and scrapbookers of all levels, but it is hoped that it will also become a valuable source of information, hints and tips, tutorials, downloads and much more. We want to cover the craft of traditional card making but also add in a touch of digital, not too much to scare anyone away, but enough to explore the magical world out there at your fingertips for anyone wanting to venture.

Now, doesn't that sound fab?! Well, if thats not enough to get you over there, then check this out...

The Next Level is looking for 4 Guest Design Team Members.
Initially the new guest team will join us for around 8 weeks and then we plan to invite new DT members to join us as the Seasons’ change, to give more people a chance of sharing their creativity. Any level of card maker can apply and no previous design team history is necessary - we would also love to encourage people from the UK and Worldwide. If you are interested in joining our team, please send an e-mail (see link in sidebar) to register your interest together with a link to your blog.

And, finally, there is also some absolutely fabulous candy on offer to.

So what about the fantastic Blog Candy that is offfer. Below are the photos of the two stunning prize packs that will be awarded on Launch day, Monday 1st June. Anyone who has registered as a Follower of The Next Level and who also supported us with the promotion of the new blog and prize candy on their own blogs will go into the prize draw. The two winners will be announced as the new Challenge goes live bright and early on the Monday morning.

Phew, what a long post but, I thought it was easier to let you all read it for yourselves. Now, there are a couple of rules so make sure you hop over to the blog and read the ull post properly. You can jump over here.

Hugs
Suzanne

The Sugar Bowl - Challenge #10

Hello everyone. Hope your are all well. This card is for The Sugar Bowl Challenge #10 which is a sketch designed by Marlene. This was a great sketch to work with. In fact, over the course of the weekend all the family will have done it, lol! I decided I wanted to use 'Hamish Fixin' (coloured with Distress Inks) by Sugar Nellie for this one and my new papers which are from Nitwit Collections - Assembly Too Selection.

The challenge also has a 'Please Include' and this week it was buttons. So, off I went to B&Q this afternoon and bought these tiny wee nuts to add to each corner of my image. And, I also cut out some small circles, pushed a couple of holes through them with a pin and threaded some blue thread through for 'proper' buttons. The greeting was done on the pc and circles cut with nesties on the bug.


For the inside, I decided I wanted a large nut to match the design on the front. I drew one myself and the circle is meant to be a screw head, lol!

Hope you like it. I loved making it - was great fun to make and I am really pleased with the way it has turned out.

Hugs
Suzanne x

Baby Boy Card

Hi! Just a quick post to show a card I made for a my mums neighbour who has had a baby boy.

I have used papers and a decoupage image that I bought in Perth ages ago. I think it is from Create and Craft but not positive. I started to use the sketch from last weeks Sketch Saturday but mucked it up, lol! Added some gems and ribbon from my stash.

On the inside, a scrap of paper punched with a punch from Hobbycraft and some Label Nesties. Added a greeting and a small image from the book I used.

Hope you like it
Hugs
Suzanne x

Creative Card Crew Challenge 10 - Minimal

Hi everyone! Looks like it might be a bit nicer outside today - hopefully! Hope everyone is well. This card is for the Creative Card Crew Challenge 10 which is 'Minimal'. I made the card for my daughters friends mum. She is getting married today.

I have ran a piece of card through the bug with the textile folder. I added four wee gems to the corners of the piece. I put this on my base card and sat it to the right so that I could tie a bit ribbon round and not cover any of the embossed effect. I added a white flower with beady bits on at the bottom left of the card. I cut 2 different sized Labels Nestie shapes and mounted together onto foam pads and printed the names and date of the wedding onto this using the pc. The ribbon and flower are from Hobbycraft and gems from my stash.

On the inside, a piece of vellum with wedding bells on it. I just pushed this under the ribbon to hold it as I didn't want to be able to see any tape or dots, etc.

Hope you like it.

Hugs

An Award

I am delighted to receive this award from Lorraine. It is always nice to know that other people appreciate the work we do. I love it when I get something like this or even just when someone takes the time to leave a wee comment. It gives great encouragement and makes it all worthwhile. Thank you so much, Lorraine.

Now the 'Inspirational Award' you can nominate as many as you like to receive it, put the award on your blog, leave a comment and last but not least and this is the twist is to tell of a fact about yourself that no-one else knows and put it on your blog.

Well... did anyone know that I belong to a generation of at least 4 cardmakers -my daughter, me, my mum and my gran. There may be more that we don't know about yet, lol!

I find it very difficult to choose who to pass these things onto so I would like to give this to anyone who visits my award as a wee thank you for supporting me.

Thanks again, Lorraine

Hugs

Babys Cupcakes

Hi everyone. Hope everyone is doing ok and enjoying their Friday Night. I have been quite busy tonight and have managed to complete three projects. Steven took the children to visit his mum and dad tonight so I had a bit of peace and quiet for 2 hours. It was bliss.
Tonight I wanted to show off my wee cupcakes. I have seen these done by other people and thought they were excellent but never got round to trying it till now.

I have made the 'cake', fitted it into a 'case' , punched a wee flower and added the flower with a coloured pin. I have only made a couple to fit into the wee box I made the other day.

These are not very good photos because its so late and the light is really bad in here. And, I know they aren't amazing cupcakes either but, not bad for a first attempt - even if I do say so myself, lol!

Hope you like them

Hugs

I AM A WINNER

Oh my goodness! I got up this morning and sat down to check out the challenge blogs for today and... I am a winner. I couldn't believe my eyes. I won the fabulous prizes that were on offer over at Friday Sketchers Blog last week. I am so so pleased. This is the first time I have won any of the challenges that I enter and I am absolutely over the moon.

Here are the prizes that were on offer:

A $25.00 gift voucher to spend on some gorgeous crafting goodies from



and from




these fabulous little beauties



So, thank you so much to Friday Sketchers for choosing me and thank you to both companies for these fab prizes.

Now, I just need to contain myself a bit till they arrive, lol!

Hugs

A Lovely Gift

Hello again. Definately something wrong here, lol! 3 posts in one day!

I just came on to show this beautiful card that I received yesterday from Helen. Check out her wondeful creations here.

I think it is fabulous and it was filled with some gorjuss stuff too.

Thank you for this, Helen!

I am sure I will have lots of fun.

Hugs

ABC and A Spoonfull of Sugar

Hi everyone. I am back with another one today. Very unusual for me and you probably won't see me for about a month now, lol! Just joking! This is a small gift box for a baby. I first seen this box on someones blog. I really liked it but when I went to go and do it, one of the kids had closed down the page and I coudn't find it. So, I found the tutorial over on Splitcoast Stampers and had a shot.

I decided to make it for a baby as I have lots of these Forever Friends papers and I have never used them yet. The image is colored with watercolour pencils. Cardstock and buttons (Making Memories - I think) are from my stash.

I am entering this into 2 challenges again:

1.) ABC Challenge - N is for Not A Card
2.) A Spoonful of Sugar - Buttons Galore

I hope you like it

Hugs

Friday Sketchers and Just Magnolia

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is ok and enjoying the brighter weather. Still not hot but at least its dry. Am I tempting fate again?

This card is for
1.) Friday Sketchers #51 - A sketch
2.) Just Magnolia - In Stitches

It's Friday Sketchers One Year Anniversary this week and to celebrate they have two fab prizes on offer and also... each DT member is giving away the card they have made for the challenge and also some RAKs. Be sure and join in the fun.
Just Magnolia has a fab prize on offer to and since it can be combined with any other challenges then its a good way to catch up with all those fab challenges that we never manage to fit in.

Anyway, for the card I have followed the sketch using papers from Nitwit Collections. I have stitched round each layer and Tilda has been cut out as she was too large for the sketch otherwise. She is coloured with Distress Inks and Cosmic Shimmers. I have added a punched swirl at the top left of the image just under my punched flower. The flowers at the bottom left are punched also with the exception of the one in the middle. Mini brads added to centre of punched flowers and a Papermania brad in the other one.

On the inside, a square of design paper, 2 punched swirls, 2 punched flowers with mini brads in the middle and a Label Nestie cut on the Bug. The sentiments are from a set by Hampton Arts - I think.

Theres a lot on this card for me - I'm usually a clean and simple kinda girl, lol!

Hope you like it.

Hugs

Dotties Worlds Birthday Party

Oh my word! Have you all seen this? You have to get over there and join in the fun. To celebrate Dotties World's First Birthday, there is going to be a party. Not just any party but.... wait for it..... A WEEK LONG PARTY!!!!!!

They are closing on Friday for two days so that they can be organised for the relaunch and all the fun starting on Sunday 17th May. Don't miss out on the fun and games. Click the party invitation for your chance to win some of the fab candy below

Now don't miss out on this fun. Be sure and hop over there before Friday to get full details.

Hugs
Suzanne x

Sketch Saturday Week 49

Hi everyone! Phew what a job to get this one finished in time! Not that it took long to make but I didn't start it till about 3ish this afternoon and then had to take photos and deliver it to my sister for her birthday card from the kids before I could het a chance to post it, lol!

Anyway, another fantastic sketch over at Sketch Saturday this week and I had great fun making this one. A really nice and simple sketch to follow and a fantastic result - even if I do say so myself, lol!

The image is one of my new Daisy and Dandelion Stamps. Got these a while back but this is the first time I've used any of them. I think these ones are 'Candyfloss and Marshmallow' and coloured with just one watercolour pencil and one Twinkling H2O. The papers are Basic Grey 'Bittersweet'. The cardstock is from my stash and the ribbon is from my mums stash, lol! Have used a Fiskars Border punch on the pink piece and the flowers are punched with brads in the middle.

For the inside, I have used the flower stamp from the same stamp set and the other rabbit stamp in the centre on the left side. On the right side, some more design paper and one of the greetings from the stamp set. All the circles and scalloped circles are cut with Nesties on the Bug.

I am really plaesed with the way this one turned out. Hope you like it. Any comments are greatly appreciated

Hugs
Suzanne x

A 3 Challenge Combo Birthday Card and Gift

Hello everyone! At last a decent day to get the washing dry - hope I'm not tempting fate, lol! This card was one that I thought I was never going to get finished. It was supposed to be for 4 challenges but I was too late for one of them.
The three challenges are:

1.) Just Magnolia which is another fabulous sketch
2.) A Spoonful of Sugar which is 'Touchy Feely' - embossed oval, flowers and flower soft on the wee heart.
3.)Secret Crafter which is to use flowers.

And, the card:

I have used a Christmas Tilda and cut round her to get rid of the wee bits of holly in her hair. She is coloured with watercolour pencils and mounted on foam pads to sit on the edge of the ovals. The ovals are cut on the Bug with Nesties and the white one has been put through in the 'Divine Swirl' embossing folder. The papers are Bo Bunny Back to Backs although I'm not sure what name exactly as I have thrown out the end with the writing, DUHH!!! The swirl is cut on the Bug with the wee shape nestie thingys and I have added some stickles round it for a bit of sparkle. The gems are from my stash. I have used some 'Sweet Pea Flower Soft on the heart shape.

On the inside, I have used the same papers, a fiskars border punch and some more Bug cut ovals. I was going to add a wee strip to make a folder for some money but I liked the paper on the right too much to cover it up so I left it like this.

And, last but not least, my gift. This is a chocolate bar wrapper that I seen on Bev's Blog ages ago. I went back to look for it and gave it a shot. You can find the Bev's tutorial here and she is right... it is very simple, and fun, to do.

I have used the same for this as for the card so that they were matching. The bit ribbon is from my stash which, I may change to bright pink if I can get a bit when Im out today.

This is for my sisters birthday. She loves this paper and bought two sheets just the other day so I thought it would suit her.

I have really enjoyed making this card. The sketch was fab to follow and it was good to be able to combine it with other challenges too. Also, thanks Bev for the tutorial. I love this and will use it again and again for other people.

Any comments are very much appreciated

Hugs