Merry Christmas

Firstly, I would like to wish all my followers and everyone in blog land a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, as I think this may be my last post before Christmas or else it is not going to happen in this house!! I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments and encouragement that you all give me and for helping me with my confidence. Thank you all so much!!

Secondly, conservatory update, it's not going to be this Christmas, that's all I am going to say as I am so disappointed!! But to be fair the weather has been against us since we started.

Now down to this card, it's Hubby's Christmas card!! As he is a fanatical fisherman, how could I resist this stamp!!

I can enter this one into the Sophisticat Challenge Xmas theme - Anything goes

and Simon Says Challenge - Merry Christmas

Image is High Hopes Fishing Santa

Sentiment is Cuddley Buddley

Coloured with Copic Markers

Spica Glitter Pens, Crystal, green and red

Papers are DCWV

Nestabilities Circles and Round Scallops

Crystal Glamour Dust

Card and charm from stash

I hope you like it!!

Hugs Jo x

Guest DT Copic Colour Challenge 44

Over at the Copic Colour Challenge this week it is my turn to be one of the Guest DT. I was so chuffed that they gave everyone a chance, thanks so much ladies, it means a lot!! As you may or not know by now, I lack so much confidence but Adele from the Design Team has been brilliant, encouraging me in the first place, so much so that I made a second card. Thanks Adele!!! So here

they are!! Why not pop across and have a look at the other DT cards, they are fab!

The colours that we had to use this week are

Y15, BG05 and E47

This little cutie is Daisy by Sugar Nellie, one of my fav images and an absolute joy to colour with Copic pens.

Top - Y11, Y15 and Y17

Jeans - BG01 and BG05

Grass - YG11 and YG03

Flowers - G07 and Y15

Hair - E47, E43, E33 and E35

Flesh - E00, E21, E51 and YR0000

C1 to shade

Sentiment is Papermania

Petaloo Flowers

Nestabilities labels Two and Deckled edge rectangle

Martha Stewart Leaf and Loop Border Punch

Card, Ribbon and Gems from Stash

My second card is Elvin on Sleigh by Magnolia, I won this stamp from Bevs Blog. Thanks Bev!! Another lovely stamps to colour with Copic Pens.

Jacket - Y11, Y15 and Y17

Trousers and Hat - BG01, BG05 and BG09

Flesh, hair and sleigh - E47, E35,E00, E21, E50 and E51

Boots -E11 and E43

Runners - C3 and C5

Papers Blue Christmas

Nestabilities labels One and Four

Hobby Craft large Snowflake Punch

Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch

Snowflake Cuttlebug folder

Glamour Dust

Clear Spica Glitter Pen

Sentiment from Impression Obsession

Card and Gems from Stash

Hope you like them

Hugs Jo x

Whoohooo!!! I made the top 5!!!!!

Well what can I say, I am so surprised, shocked in fact!!! Thank you soooo much ladies! Will some one please pinch me!! I lack so much confidence and something like this means the world to me. Thank you again!!

Hugs Jo x

Happy Christmas Charlotte!!

Oh my gosh, I didn't realise how long it has been since I blogged, I'm really sorry folks!!! I just don't seem to have anytime to do anything these days. I came home early today as I have the lovely cold virus that is going about and feel absolute rubbish, a nice way to spend your birthday!! Yes, tomorrow is the big day when I enter my 50th year, what a thought!!! Can I go backwards now? Please . . . . . At least I have the day off and will be able to do a bit of catching up with writing my Christmas Cards and wrapping, that's if I don't fall over the conservatory in the process!!! Yes it has been delivered but is now spread about the house!!! It is everywhere. I have told hubby that I'm not eating my Christmas lunch off of window frames!! How many of you would put up with this?!!

Anyway enough of my complaining, I have made this card for Charlotte for Christmas and it fits in with five challenges.

Sketch Saturday

Allsorts challenge which is purple

A Spoonful of Sugar which is monochrome

Simon Says Challenge which is a charm

Cute Card Thursday which is Swirly Girly

Stamp is Bear and Robin by Gillian Roberts from Stampevie

Coloured with Copic Markers

Papers are DCVW
Martha Stewart Loop punch

Hobby craft Snowflake punch

Polar Flower Soft fixed with Glossy Accents on the snowflakes

Crystal Glamour Dust on Teddys hat and snow

Card, brads, gems, spacers, charm and ribbon from stash

Hope you like it

Jo x

Another Blog award

yay, I have received another award and this time I would like to thank Marianne so much.
These are the blog award "rules."

1. Copy the award to your site
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award
3. Identify seven things about myself.
4. Nominate 7 other bloggers
5. Link to those on your blog
6. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated

So seven things about me, could be difficult and I hope I don’t bore you!!

1. I have been crafting on and off since I was about 8 years old, having been taught to knit by my Uncle and taught to crochet by my Aunt who were both left handed and I am right!!
2. I inherited my dressmaking skills from my great-grandmother and Mum, who used to dabble by making my clothes when I was little.
3. I have made 5 ballgowns, 8 wedding dresses, 42 bridesmaid dresses, 5 page boy outfits and 3 christening gowns for family and friends for the love of it!!
4. I can’t draw for a toffee!!
5. I have an awful fear of flying and spent the whole trip to Australia looking ahead watching the route map!!
6. I was involved in a head on collision, cut out of my car and airlifted to hospital 2 years ago. I was more concerned with being in the back of the helicopter than being strapped to the spinal board!!
7. All I want in life is for us all to be happy, healthy and the world to be at peace, and to retire so I can craft to my hearts content!!! Oh and just thought of another thing, for my conservatory to be finished before this Christmas!!

Hope I haven’t bored you all too much!!
The eight bloggers that I would like to give this award to, in no particular order, are
Michele, Joey, Jacqui, Jeanette, Mandy, Debby, Kath and Sem.
These people give me so much inspiration and encouragement to carry on making cards. How they manage to produce so many cards, to such a high standard is beyond me and I would like to thank them all. There are so many other people out there that also inspire me so if you would like this award please take it.

Thank you all so much
Hugs

Jo x

Penny Black and High Hopes Challenges

Firstly I must apologise for neglecting my blog and all of my blogging buddies. Life has been so hectic this last week at work, I have been working long days and have just had no spare time to craft :( Christmas is approaching far too fast for my liking and I still have stamps that haven't been inked, shame on me!!! I have managed to put a couple of cards together today, nothing spectacular but two more for the pile.

This first one has been made using a sketch for the High Hopes Challenge
I absolutely adore the Snowmen and Snowladies stamps that they have.

The image is coloured with Copic Markers and Spica Glitter pens

The papers are from a Joanna Sheen CD but I'm not sure which one

The snowflakes have been made using the Large Hobby craft Snowflake punch

and Martha Stewart Snowflake punch.

Nesties Labels Four

Cuttlebug Dots Folder

Glossy Accents

Glamour Dust

Gems and Card from Stash

The next card has been made using a sketch for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge

I love this little image but I'm afraid I haven't a clue what this gorgeous kitty is called, as it is one of Wendys that I stamped whilst visiting but I do know that it is a Penny Black!!
Sentiment by Cuddley Buddley
Coloured with Copic Markers and Spica glitter Pens
Papers are by Kaisercraft
Flowers are from the HobbyHouse
Nesties Deckled edge Rectangle
Ribbon, Gems and card from stash
Stickles

Hope you like them!!

A little peek at my mud bath in the back garden!! Not good, why on earth I agreed to this building work at this time of the year I shall never know!! The man in the photo is my 80 year old father in law, who is making a fantastic job of the brick laying!! Apparantly there are another two layers of bricks to go, so we may be done before Christmas!! What more could I ask for but an extra craft room!! Fingers crossed!!

Well folks that's me for today, I have a day off tomorrow to try and tackle the Christmas present shopping which I am not looking forward to, especially as the day could have been spent crafting!!!

Take card everybody.

Hugs

Jo x

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!

Just a quick blog this evening as it is late. You will have to excuse the terrible photo, I will try to take a better one tomorrow. The light in my study is dreadful, I have asked for a change of lighting but as I've said before I haven't got feathers!! The aviarys have daylight bulbs in the sheds!!! What more can I say!!!

This card is so sparkly and it's such a shame that you can't see it
Anyway it fits three challenges, probably more if I cared to look, but all this blogging doesn't get the cards made!!

The One Stop Craft Challenge is snowflakes
Allsorts Challenge is Christmas Carol or Song Title

Create4Fun Challenge is a sketch

The image is one that I stamped at Wendys, definately Stampevie, may be a Rachel Anne Miller
Sentiment Impression Obsession

Coloured with Copic Markers

Spica Clear Glitter Pen

Papers are Dovecraft Blue Christmas?

Nesties Labels Two and Three

CuttleBug Snowflake folder

Hobbycraft Large Snowflake punch

Martha Stewart Snowflake punch

Flower soft Polar White

Glamour Dust

Card and Gems from Stash

Phew, I think that's it.

Hugs Jo x

I couldn't believe the difference in these photos, it just shows how much we need daylight!!!

Another forgotten birthday!!!

Another card I can hear you say, another forgotten birthday more like!! I hate this time of year, the birthdays start at the end of October and go right through to January!! Being a right misery now aren't I!!! Sorry, stressful week hence the number of cards!! Conservatory update - we are up to damp course level, slow but sure but the weather has been atrocious and I have been told that you can't build in the rain so there is just no hope!!! I'm really convinced now that completion date is next Christmas, am so glad that I didn't agree to the storage in the living room!! Well on to todays card, this one is for the Copic Colour Challenge and I have used the sketch from the Sophisticat Challenge

This is one of my new stamps, I have always loved her and have now treated myself.
Sugar Nellie Elizabeth Bells Daisy, she is an absolute joy to colour.
I have used Copic pens as follows:
E00, E11, E21, E31 and E50
YR0000, YR00, YR02 and YR04
YG00, YG03, YG06 and YG11
Y21 and Y28
RV21 and RV23
C-1 and R20
Spica Clear Glitter Pen
Swirl Cuttlebug folder
Martha Stewart Border Punch and leaf punch
Nesties Labels Two (I think)
Not sure of the sentiments that I have used, sorry
Don't know what the paper is, sorry again
The flowers are made out of punches that are sets that emboss too ,but I have thrown the packaging away, sorry again but I got them from Wendy at Stamps and Memories!!
Gems, cards and brads from stash.

Hope you like her, she is my favourite stamp ever!!!

Hugs Jo x

I have now taken another photo in the daylight not perfect as I had to nearly stand on my head to do it, trying to get the light from the kitchen window!!! Excuse the stuff behind it on the worktop. Still when I get my new conservatory ...................................

Just a quick card

Sorry folks just a quick blog today, have made this card for my dear friend for her birthday and need to get it in the post, left it to the last minute again!!

I have used the sketch for the Mojo Monday challenge

Stamp is Whiff of Joy from the Willow Autumn collection

Coloured with Copic Pens and Spica Glitter Pens

Papers are MME Bloom and Grow

Circle and Deckled edge Nesties

Swirl Cuttlebug folder

Card, flower, ribbon and gems from stash

See you soon, have a fab weekend

Jo x

One card for lots of Challenges!!

I really don't know where the time is going, only five weeks left until Christmas and I have made a few cards and nothing else!! Not quite into panic mode yet but it's getting close!!

Conservatory update is they wanted to deliver next Tuesday, Hubby had ideas of storing it in the living room whilst the brickwork is completed!! With only three rows of bricks down I was having none of it, I have come across his "it will be ready for Christmas" before, he never says which Christmas. I agreed to a delay in delivery of two weeks, so my builders have to get their act together!! Watching Neil and his Dad together is so funny, what one isn't doing the other is thinking about, a right pair of characters and I wouldn't want them any other way!

I made this card over the last two nights, not very good am I, so have found a few challenges to enter.

Crafty Catz - sketch

Allsorts challenge - Card for a child

A Spoon full of Sugar - Pre school card

High Hopes Challenge - A recipe

By the cute and Girly - Winter wonderland

Susies Sassy Challenge - Pink and Sparkly

I have used High Hopes Snowlady Stamp

Sentiment is Inkadinkado

Coloured with Copic Markers and Copic Spica Glitter pens

Martha Stewart Loop Punch

Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch

Hobby craft Snowflake punch

Round Nesties

Large Pinked round Nesties

Quickcutz corner die

Paper is Kaiser Craft Christmas Spirit Cheerful

Glamour Dust

Card and Gems from Stash

I think that's it, hope you like it.

Must go now, am shattered!!

Hugs Jo x

Flower Power

Last week end was Charlotte our DD's birthday, but with a funeral etc we didn't manage to see her : ( so we arranged to go to visit today. Whilst talking to her last night I was made feel very guilty as I had committed the biggest sin ever and bought her a birthday card!! Three hours plus later and in the early hours of the morning, my finished product!! If you knew Charlotte, this is so her, I can see her one day living in one of these Camper Vans!! She is so not flowery but this card was a hit, after all how could I not put flowers with this image. This is one of the lovely Little Claire stamps which I don't use as much as I ought and should because it is fab to colour with Copic Markers and I can use loads of Glossy Accents too!!!

Hope you like it!!

Hopefully I will get around to entering some challenges this week. Just don't seem to have enough hours in the day and desperately need some time at home after spending nearly seven hours in a car today, it took us four hours to do a two hour journey because part of the M25 was closed!!! Deep joy!!!

Anyway, hope everyone has had a fab weekend and has a good week.

Hugs Jo x

An Evening with Wendy!!

Due to Hubby being "sacked" from his new job for not turning up with a horrendous sickness bug on Saturday would you believe, and yes he was working in a food distribution depot for a very reputable food store, I had an unexpected visit to Wendy's last evening!!! And what a creative evening we had too. Wendy had got in a couple of sets of punches to try, one for Wend and one for Jo of course, we have to try these things out first as they might not be any good!! Well I just loved them, I managed to make these beautiful flowers and now so want to make more!! So watch this space for more easel cards and flowers as I love them both!! he he!!

I have decided to put this card into two challenges:

The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge which was to make an easel card

Allsorts Challenge which was to Bring out your Bling

Stampevie Sarah Kay Stamp The Joy of Giving

Sentiment is Impression Obsession

Papers are Colour my World Winter Wonderland, which are metallic and shine

Image is coloured with Copic Markers

Flowers are hand punched with Ticker Tape 12 x 12 Paper available from Stamps and Memories

Gems are Papermania

Thought you would like a close up of the flowers to show the bling on them too!!

Hope you like it

Jo x

Blog Award

Firstly, I'd like to thank Vicky over at Kips Cards for this lovely award. Thanks Vicky!!! Vicky has created her first tutorial today on making a gorgeous card, why not pop across and have a look. It's fab.

Now I have to answer these questions with one word and pass it on to more blogging buddies!!

1. Where is your cell phone? Handbag

2. Your hair? Hi-lighted

3. Your mother? Kind

4. Your father? Heaven.

5. Your favourite food? Chinese

6. Your dream last night? Bizarre

7. Your favourite drink? Tea

8. Your dream/goal? Retirement
9. What room are you in? Living Room

10. Your hobby? Crafting.

11. Your fear? Several

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here.

13. Where were you last night? Wendys

14. Something that you aren't? Thin

15. Muffins? Lemon

16. Wish list items? Nesties

17. Where did you grow up? Wiltshire

18. Last thing you did? Drive

19. What are you wearing? Lots

20. Your tv? On

21. Your pets? Menagerie

22. Your friends? Fabulous

23. Your life? Busy

24. Your mood? Stressed
25. Missing somone? Charlotte

26. Vehicle? Mondeo
27. Something you're not wearing? Footwear

28. Your favourite store? Wendys

29. Your favourite colour? Lots

30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday

31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

32. Your best friend? Wendy

33. One place I go to over and over? Work

34. Facebook? What?

35. Favourite place to eat? Home

Phew!!!!!!!!

I know I have to pass this on but feel free if you want to take it!

Wendy is a definite, thanks for being a fab friend

Marianne who has a lovely blog that is updated faster than I can look!!

Lol who I haven't known for long but creates lovely cards and lots of them!

Beverley another new blogging buddy who creates lovely cards

Julia whose blog has me in fits of laughter, it is a delight to read!!

Linda whose blog is fantastic makes most wonderful cards and is one of the kindest people I have come across in blogland!

Thank you all

Jo x

I Remember You

As I said "Goodbye" to my Uncle on Friday, the last of my Dad's generation and it is the time of year that we remember, I thought I would do something with a totally different meaning to the everyday birthday card or a card for the fast approaching Christmas festivities. This card is now sat on my mantelpiece to remind me of my relatives and friends who have now left us and for those who fought for our country to give us the quality of life that we have now. Not forgetting those that have been lost in the more recent conflicts.

One of my childhood memories is of my dear gran, singing along with Frank Ifield singing I remember you at the top of her voice, as he was her favourite. As this weeks Penny Black Challenge is a song title, this is the only stamp that I have that I can make a song out of!!!

So Gran wherever you are, this card is for you. x x x

I have kept this very plain, as I thought that more appropriate.
Penny Black Stamp called Poppies, I think.
Coloured with Copic markers (sorry about the markers in the background)
Card, paper, pearls, flower and brad from stash.

Hope you like it

Jo x

Rest in Peace Uncle John

One Card, three challenges

This is the most glittery card I have ever made!!! If ony you could all see the real thing!! I just love glamour dust!!! I have been missing out so much having only just discovered it.

Love, love, love it!!

This little cutie is going into three challenges:

High Hopes challenge this week is Snowflakes

I have used the sketch from Sketch Saturday

Sophisticats is buttons and ribbon

I hope you like her!!

I have used one of the fab High Hopes Snowladies stamps, they are all so gorgeous and coloured her with my Copic markers with lots of glamour dust to add just a tadge of sparkle!!

Paper is from the Christmas Blue Collection from Dovecraft

Labels Four Nesties

Hobbycraft Snowflake punch

Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch

Ribbon, Buttons and card from stash

Back later

Jo x

Happy Birthday Ryan!!

Not late with this one but whether our postal service will get it there on time is another matter......................... This card is for our godson Ryan, the brother of Beca, our goddaughter whom the previous card was for. And it is Charlotte, our daughters birthday on Sunday too. I think I may be a bit restricted on my trip to the NEC at the weekend, well just a little perhaps!!

This weeks Copic Challenge 38, colours, I had them all!!!

Here is Ryans card, I hope you like it.

I have used Jolly Nation Football Man

Copic R59 and R85

B02, B00 and B05

G02, G05 and G07

C-1, C-3, C-5 and C-7

E00, E11, E21, E31 and E33

Nesties Deckled edge rectangle

Papers are so old, I can't remember

Card, footballs and sentiment from stash

Back soon

Jo x

Happy Birthday Beca!!!

Sorry Beca, Auntie Joanne is late again!!! Poor Beca, I am always late for her birthday, bless her, she's used to me by now though. I came across this gorgeous Digi stamp on Wendy's Digital Doodling blog and it's a freebie. All you have to do is post anything that you make using the image back to her, become a follower and link back to the blog. I think her designs are fab and she designs purely for enjoyment and gives the odd design away but unfortunately they aren't for sale. Why not pop across and take a look and help yourself to the design, her work is fabulous. She is a very talented lady.

Image from Wendy's digital doodling

I have coloured with Copic markers

Papers are DCWV Nanna's Nursery Girl

Nestilbilitie Labels

Cuttlebug Happy Birthday Folder

Matha Stewart Leaf punch

Crystal Glamour Dust

Card, ribbon, flowers, gems, charms, brads and spacers from Stash.

The sketch I have used is from this weeks Crafty Catz Challenge

Hope you like her, she is so cute!!

Jo x

The end of another week!!

Another busy week and not a lot of crafting done again!!! The footings are dug and concreted for the conservatory, bricklaying next. That will be a challenge for Hubby. FIL is going to help as he is more skilled than Hubby at bricklaying, the only thing that worries me is that he has had his 80th birthday this week.....................

I have had a visit to Wends this week but the cards were a combined effort so they are for the Stamps and Memories blog. I came away with a few goodies though!!! Whoops!!! I just needed the new stamps that she has, not been inked up yet and I have now discovered Glamour Dust!! I'm quite a sparkly person anyway, but this stuff is just fab, now that had to be tried out!!!! So here we go!! This card covers five challenges..........

Winterwonderland challenge 22 open theme

Mojo Monday Week 10

Simon Says ......All that sparkles

Penny Black Challenge White on White

Copics colour Challenge 37

I have used a Penny Black stamp that I have had for a couple of years but is so cute

Coloured with Copic markers

C00, C-1

W00, W-1

YG0000, YG00, YG03 and YG06

YR0000, Y00 and Y02

E00, E33, E43, E50, E51 and E53

R20, R22 and R27

Nestibilities Round and Round Scalloped

Swirls, snow flakes and snowdots (I think that is what they are called)

Cuttle bug folders

Hobby Craft large snowflake punch

White liquid pearls

Glamour dust

Ribbon, card, pearls from stash

Not sure about this one, didn't enjoy the white and not happy with the ribbon but it's the only white ribbon in my stash. It sparkles beautifully though!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Jo x

Yay, I made the top 5!!!!!!!!

How excited am I!!!

Thanks to the lovely ladies that chose me!!

Back later

Jo x

A whole week's gone by!!!

Oh dear, where has the week gone, am so sorry I just haven't made contact with the craft room for nearly a whole week and then it has taken me two evenings to make this card!! Not good!! Well our week, old conservatory has finally come down, wall has been knocked down, bricks and building materials have arrived. And all been carried through the house as we have no back access to the garden anymore, all one thousand bricks by wheelbarrow. Good job I'm a patient wife!!! And guess what, Hubby has got himself another job!!! Good news, be it only temporary until Christmas, but what about my nice new conservatory (summer craft room)?? I suppose the bricks will be there for a long while now, oh well, I can always put some plant pots on them in the summer!! So folks, watch this space ...................

Anyway this card that I have made and am actually going to use, fits in with a few challenges. I've totally lost track so hope I'm in time for these!!

Sketch Saturday challenge 74

Crafty Catz challenge 5 Buttons and Brads

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 83 Candy Corns

SophistiCats week 8 Pink, Brown and Flowers

Magnolia Tins and Tilda with Lolly Stamps

Sentiment from Woodware set

Black Tuxedo Momento Ink pad

Coloured with Copic Ciao, Sketch and Spica Pens

Deckled edge rectangle Nestibilities

Martha Stewart Doily and Leaf Punch

Flowers are Hobbycraft and Prima

Papers are Papermania

Glitter, Card, brads, buttons and pearls from stash.

Now off to visit all your lovely blogs

Jo x

High Hopes challenge 49-Untraditional Christmas and A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 74

Oh my goodness, have you ever seen anything like it, what ever possessed me to choose purple!!! Nikki from High Hopes Challenge wanted an untraditional Christmas card with red and green kept to a minimum so I thought a challenge, don't use them at all. As I think the High Hopes images are my favourite ever, I just had to have a go!! There was a lovely simple sketch over on A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge this week too which I thought would be perfect for me as I do simple, especially as my crafting habits seem to be after 9pm!! So here is my creation, hope you like it!!

Snowman Stamp by High Hopes

Sentiment by Impression Obsession

Coloured with Copics Ciao Pens and Spica Clear Glitter Pen

Paper is Daisy and Dandelion

Felt Snowflakes by Hero Arts

Card by Papermania

Glossy Accents

Gems from Stash

That's all for today folks

Jo x

Winter Wonderland Week 21 The Christmas Stocking and Allsorts Challenge Week 23

I decided at 9 o'clock last night that I needed to make a card!! It was nearly 7pm when I got home from work too!! But the need was there. So what to make!! I managed to create this below which will go into two of this weeks challenges.

Over on Winter Wonderland this weeks challenge is The Christmas Stocking and

The Allsorts Challenge is a sketch and Monochrome Christmas.

(Notice I have just discovered how to link, it was a case of what's that button for!!)

I eventually went to bed around 1.30am and I'm sorry I didn't have time to blog!!

Took a couple of piccies this morning and then decided it needed a bit more on it, so I have finished and sorry but it's now OTT!! Just don't know when to stop!! I love my little gems!!

Any way hope you like it!!

Stamp used is a Leigh Hannan design from Impression Obsession, my new one from Saturdays show!

Sentiment from Impression Obsession

Coloured with every shade of blue Copic Ciao!! I now have them all He He!!

My favourite Labels Four Nesties

Martha Stewart Loop punch, another of my favs at the mo!

Felt Snow Flakes are Hero Arts

Card is Bazill Basics Dotted Swiss Neptune Trio

Glossy Accents

All of the above are available from my friend Wendy at Stamps and Memories

Flower Soft Polar White

Gems, Paper and Brads are from Stash.

Catch up with you all later!!

Jo x

Sketch Saturday 73

Wow, what a hectic day yesterday!! Spent the day with Wendy and Karen at the Stamps and Memories Christmas Extravaganza in Kintbury, exhausted or what!! But can you believe, that after all that, we went back to Wendy's and made a card just for the sake of it, trying out Wendy's stamp and my new nesties!!! Mine is below, have kept it nice and simple this week just about qualifies for the sketch but as this paper is really busy, I thought it best not to overcrowd it. So Wend, where is yours?!!!!!!!!

This is where the problem starts!!

I haven't a clue what the stamp is other than Stampevie and it's gorgeous,

I think the sentiment is from Papermania

Don't know what the DP is (from Wendy's stash!)

I have coloured with Copic Ciao and Spica Pens

Labels two nestabilities (I think!)

Card from Wendys Stash

Pearls from my stash!

http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/

That's it for today folks!!

Jo x

Copic Colour Challenge 35 and Simon Says ....Sketch

Another card this week, that's three, I'm doing well. It's the stress!! Major works going on here and the place is a mess, just matches my craft room now! Well the old conservatory is down, everything looks so bare and the garden looks huge but it will be all worth it. We now own every brick and tile, mortgage was paid off last week, and what a relief that is too, especially with hubby being out of work but we'll get there in the end!! Let's hope a job will become available for him soon.

Anyway, I thought I would have a go at the Copics Colour Challenge again this week, I'm not convinced that they actually look at any cards, but it's all for fun isn't it and we are all busy people. I have used the Simon Says Sketch so that I can enter that too. I always look at other peoples cards and feel that mine are never as good as theirs, but practice makes perfect and I think I have improved a little!!

The colours above are the ones that have to be used if you have them and I have them all this week, so here it is!!

The stamp I have used is a Sarah Kay stamp called Noel Charity
Copics used are:

Hair - E33, E35, E37 and E71

Shoes - E35 and E37

Parcel - E33 and E43

Step - C1, C3 and C5

Door - R22, R27 and R29

Flesh - R20 and E00

Coat - G00 and G02

Scarf and Hat - E43 and E50

Dress - BG01 and BG05

Martha Stewart Snowflake and Loop punch

Snowflake cuttlebug folder

Papers by Kaiser craft Waterberry

All the above are available from Wendy at Stamps and Memories who is holding a Papercraft Sale at Kintbury Village Hall on Saturday 17th October 2009 from 10am to 4pm.

See you there

Ribbons, flowers, pearls, card and spacers are from stash

http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/
http://copicscolourchallenge.blogspot.com/

Back soon

Jo x

Have you seen this?

Marianne is giving away her first blog candy.

Mariannes Blog candy is running until 31 October, check it out here

http://mariannescraftroom.blogspot.com/

Sketch Saturday 72 and Copic Colour Challenge 34

Another post for today, a very quick one at that as it is now the early hours of the morning!! I will post later and catch you with all of our news but for now here is my next card. How gorgeous is this one?!! Another fantastic image from High Hopes, yes one of my favourites!

Stamp is Holly by High Hopes

Sentiment by Cuddley Buddley

Papers Unknown

Coloured with Copic Ciao as follows:

Tunic, ribbons and bows R35 and R37

Shoes YG 91, YG 95

Holly YG 63 and YG 67, R37

Belt C1, C3 and C5

Hair E31, E33 and E35

Flesh E00, E21 and Y0000

Ribbons, card and flowers from stash

Hope you like this one, must go

Jo x

Have changed the piccie on this one too, taken in daylight so not so yellow looking.

AllSorts Challenge 22 and Simon Says Boo! and Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge 13

Oh, I am so sorry folks for neglecting my blog, I have spent so much time looking at your fab blogs that I have forgotten my own!! My mojo has gone missing and I am having severe problems creating anything at the moment, apart from being really busy too.

Any way this little gem of an image I found whilst blog hopping one evening. Isn't she just gorgeous. She is an image by Inger Harding and is so cute, even though she has no mouth!! Anyway if you pop across to http://www.ingerhardingdesign.blogspot.com/ you can see the other fantastic designs that she has created.

I have coloured her using my copic ciao as usual and used this lovely loop punch from Martha Stewart and I haven't a clue where the papers came from as I have had them for ages. This is my one and only Halloween card, so I hope you like it.

Bye for now

Jo x

I apologise for the poor quality picture but had to take it this evening!!

I have now swopped the piccie for one I took earlier outside, there was a little bit of daylight left when I got home!!

Winter Wonderland Challenge week 19 Sleighbells ring

Two cards in one day I hear you say!! I have had this image coloured in since July!! Since Newbury Show to be precise, I just couldn't resist it!! I had real difficulty with this card as the paper that I wanted to use because of the words on it, was square and the image was a huge oblong image. I have cut it down as small as I dare, as unfortunately the paper wasn't big enough to use on an A5 card. It looked a bit too much but needed something else if you know what I mean!! I think the snowflakes work especially as the words say "think of snow, think of sleigh bells". I do hope you all like it?

Yes, another High Hopes Stamp called Santa's Sleighride coloured with Copic Ciao Pens ( I really ought to give something else a try!)

Sentiment by Cuddley Buddley

Crystal Glitter

Spica Clear Glitter Pen

Spica Gold Glitter Pen

Glossy Accents

Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch

Gems, paper and card from Stash

That's all for today folks, as it's getting on for midnight and I have to go to work in the morning

Night, night

Jo x

High Hopes challenge 47 - Lotsa Layers and ABC E is for Embossing

Well today has been a good day, the nice man came and measured for the new conservatory and said it will be here in about 3 weeks. Poor Hubby nearly passed out, as the old one has to be taken down and new footings dug!! It's a good j0b he is still between jobs as he hasn't got time to go to work!!! No, to be fair we have decided to delay until Neil has done the work in his time or else it would be one mad panic and that's just not fair, not only that, we have a lot of sorting to do!! I decided to have a little tidy of my craft room today and it will last for the next few weeks I think. I really need to be ruthless and chuck out but you know what us crafters are like!!! It does look a little more organised, thanks to a few pine spice racks found in the local kitchen shop, ideal for keeping reels of ribbon and stickles etc on. Really pleased with how that idea worked out.

Well another new stamp and I just love her. I have another two of these to go yet, I am addicted to these gorgeous High Hopes Snowmen or Snowladies whichever you want to call them!! And I can't wait for the release of the Wags'n'whiskers stamps!!

I am putting this into the ABC challenge and High Hopes challenge.

Stamp is Snowlady Surprise by High Hopes coloured with Copic Ciao pens

Sentiment is from Cuddley Buddley

I have used Spica clear glitter pen on the fur on the coat to make it sparkle

I have used Snow Dots Cuttlebug folder, round and round scalloped nestibilities.

Martha Stewart Snowflake and doily punches

Glossy Accents

Flowers, spacers, gems, paper and cards from stash

Hope you like her

Jo

Simon Says 24 hour card for Paige/girly challenge and Sketch Saturday challenge week 71

A busy day today, we are nearly celebrating paying off our mortgage, sometime this week and are being measured up for a replacement conservatory tomorrow. Yippee, a craft room with daylight!! Or should I refer to it as my weekend craftroom and keep the other one for the evenings. I can't wait, more room to spread my stash!! Anyway as today is World Cardmaking day, I told hubby that I was going to participate when we got home from shopping. This card covers two challenges. Sketch Saturday also requested pets as an extra and the Simon Says 24 hours challenge is a card for Paige, a young girl in the States that has lost an arm due to a boating accident, bless her. Check it out as there is a link to her story and this is where this card is going.

This stamp is Dog and Flower from the Wild Rose Studio as is the sentiment

Coloured with Copic Ciao Pens

Gorgeous Papers from Nannas nursery Baby collection

Labels One, round and deckled oblong Nestibilities

Martha Stewart Doily and Leaf Punch

Card, ribbon, flowers, brads, spacers and gems from Stash.

Hope you like it, may be back tomorrow!!

Jo x

Sketch Saturday Challenge 70

Another card, yes I'm on catch up!! This card has taken me all week to make would you believe!! It's a bit of a variation on this Saturday sketch but I think it just about qualifies!!

More of my new stamps and I just loved colouring these tins, how sad am I, but it's true!!

And it's another Tilda but ...........you can't see that she hasn't got a mouth!!

Stamps used are Tilda with Lolly and Tin Boxes by Magnolia

Coloured with Copic Ciao

Spica Clear Glitter Pen

These gorgeous papers are DCWV Nanas Nursery Baby Girl

Martha Stewart Leaf Punch

Glossy Accents

Pearls, Brad, Flowers and Card from Stash

Isn't she gorgeous, hope you like her!!

Jo x

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 71 - Christmas and Simon Says Stamp Challenge Red and Green

I just love this card, I am really into Christmas cards at the moment, though I must confess to having made this one last week!! Am having problems with inspiration at the mo and have needed to make cards this week too, so have been unable to get rid of my stress. Never mind it's nearly the weekend!! This is another of my new stamps, yes I have loads but don't tell everyone, especially hubby!! And I have just realised that it will fit in with two challenges this week. A Spoon Full of Sugar is Christmas and Simon Says Stamp is red and green so here it is!!

This stamp is called Charley Elf and she is from Cuddley Buddley and I just love her!!

Stamped on Creative Smooth cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink

I can't remember what the papers are as I have had them some years.

Coloured with Copic Ciao Pens

Square and Square Scalloped Nestibilities

Snowflake Martha Stewart Punch

Simple Scallop Martha Stewart Punch

Polar White Flower Soft

Gems and Card from Stash

Hope you like her

Jo x

Wags and Whiskers Blog Hop and Release

Have you seen this? Nikki and Lacy have joined together with Crissy (High Hopes ex designer) on a new venture. I just can't wait to see their new stamps!! Watch this space for the excitement when they are released as I just love Crissys style and they are doing a blog hop too. Release date is the 9th October but check it out with the link in my sidebar!!

Jo x

Cute Card Thursday challenge 79 - Buzz Off

Another card from Jo, I hear you say, she must be having a bad week!! You guessed it!! Trouble is it makes me so late to bed so am now exhausted too!! Just can't win. Another challenge that I haven't entered before but it happens to be one of my favourite colours, yellow! I just love yellow, it is so cheerful and we all need a lot of that!! In "real life" this card is beautiful so sparkley and very bright but I haven't got a good light to take the piccie in, apart from the daylight bulb in my husbands birdshed and I'm not going out there at this time of night!! Me, I have to put up with eyestrain but as long as his birds can see, that's OK!!!

My favourite stamp from Stamping Bella - Eloise Greengrass coloured with Copics
Papers from a Hot off the Press book, I think!
Labels Four and One Nestibilities
Martha Stewart Leaf Punch
Prima Flowers
Crystal Glitter
Spica Clear Glitter Pen
Brads, Spacers and Card from Stash

Night night, may see you tomorrow but won't promise! Hoping for a good day!!

Jo x

Edited post: I have now changed the piccie of the card as I have photographed in daylight, and what a difference it makes!! Jo x

Copic Colour Challenge 32 and Cutie Sunday 60

As Hubby was watching the footie on the TV, I decided to be creative tonight!! What an excuse to craft, not that I need an excuse just didn't want to share watching Man U with him!!! Not that I'm not a supportive wife, it's just sometimes he needs time to himself too!! Well that's my excuse anyway!! This one covers two challenges and a challenge that was too!! I just loved this weeks colours and had all three but did I use a lot of pens or what!! This sketch looked really simple for Cute Sunday but it wasn't as easy as I thought with the stamps that I wanted to use!!

So here it is, I have used my new Magnolia stamps for the first time ever, not really sure that Magnolias are for me though. I didn't get the colouring right at all and as for the face well, I will have to pay a visit to the blogs for some tutorials on colouring Magnolias!! I also have a big confession, I bought this one because you can't see that she hasn't got a mouth. This really bugs me and that's why I haven't used them before!!! Sorry folks!! I do like all of the beautiful cards that are made with them though but they're just not for me!!! But saying that I have got another, you guessed the new one with the lollypop!!

Stamps Tilda with Ice Cream and Icecream by Magnolia
Sentiment from Woodware desserts set
Copics used
E00, E02, E21, E31, E33, E35, E50, E51, E53 and E71
R00, R02, R35, R37 and R59
B23, BG23, V06, V91 and V95
Spica Clear Glitter Pen
Martha Stewart Doily Punch and Leaf Punch
Papers from Papermania Exquisite Paper Collection
Spacers, Pearls, flowers and Brads from Stash
Polar White Flower Soft
Glossy Accents

That's all for tonight, am off to my bed now!!

Night Night

Jo x

Allsorts Challenge Week 19 - Snowflakes in September

As I am in the spirit of making Christmas Cards, how sad is that in the middle of September, I thought I would give this challenge a go this week!! Sorry it's not too good a picture, it really looks a bit wishy washy but I can assure you it sparkles a good one. LOADS of glitter and Spica Clear glitter pen!! And have you noticed the message from the Snowfamily? So cute.

The stamp is the Snowman Family by Cuddley Buddley
Coloured with Copic Ciao pens
Spica Clear Glitter Pen
Papers are Christmas Spirit by Kaisercraft
Martha Stewart Snowflake punch
Nestibilities Circles and Large Pinking Circles
Sentiment by Impression Obsession
Crystal Glitter
Gems, charm, card and ribbon from stash

I have had real troubles posting this tonight so I hope it looks OK to you, I have even taken another piccie but the light is not good, sorry. Hope you like it anyway!!

Jo x

Copic Colour Challenge week 31

This weeks challenge I loved, my colours. I just love these combinations and I could use my favourite papers again. Bet you're all getting fed up with these papers but I just love them so tough!! I only had one of the colours this week so have substituted and tried to keep in with the Autumnal feel. Had a bit of trouble with the old Glossy Accents today, the cat decided he was going to give me a hand or a paw and decided to jump on the table just as I was carrying out the most delicate operation!! Bless him, and yes he has got it on his tail!!

Anyway, here's my card, hope you like it.

Stampavie Rachel Anne Miller Stamp is Giving Shelter

Sentiment Stamp by Cuddley Buddley

Copics used:

C-3, C-5 and C-7

R02, R05 and R20

YR02, YR04 and YR07

Y28, Y31 and Y38

YG95

E50, E51 and E53

G000

Papers are My Minds Eye Bloom and Grow

Nestabilities Label 1

Martha Stewart Leaf Punch

Flower, spacer, brad, ribbon, gems and card from stash.

Glossy Accents

I may be back later, happy crafting!!

Jo x

Winter Wonderland Challenge week 16 - A very vintage Christmas

It's Friday!!!! And I have managed to get a card made before the weekend!!!
This weeks challenge really stumped me, didn't have a clue, in fact the only thing I had was a bit of old lace!!! The rest, yes you guessed, I raided Wendy's stash!! I absolutely love this stamp, I'm not sure what it is called but I do know that is definately an Impression Obsession one. Sorry it's a bit boring folks but it's all I could manage!! Better luck next time!!!

I'm now going to see if I can produce something a bit more creative!!

See you soon

Jo x

Penny Black Challenge and ABC Challenge - D is for Die Cuts

Another card and it's still only Sunday and yes it covers two challenges again. It's a bit OTT for me again but I needed to put die cuts on it and I thought using the nesties labels was a bit boring so went for something else too. And as it is another Christmas card it has to have a bit of bling on it!! And another thing, no Glossy Accents!!

I can't tell you what stamp or papers I've used as they came out of Wendy's craft cupboard, Wend we need a comment with details!!! Please!!!

Martha Stewart border punch but don't know what it's called as I've thrown away the package!! (Wendy will know though because I bought it from Stamps and Memories!)

Martha Stewart Snowflake punch

Nestibilities Labels 4
Sizzex decorative die

Gems, pearl and card from stash.

I hope to be back before next Sunday but who knows, bye for now!!

Have a good week everyone, don't work too hard!

Jo x

PS. I may have an evening with Wend tomorrow!!

Copic Challenge Week 30 and Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge 11

Sorry I have been so bad at blogging lately, just don't seem to meet up with my craftroom very often these days!! Still hubby went out with his dad this morning so have had time to myself and have managed to create a card that will cover two challenges, not like me to be this organised. There are loads more challenges that I would like to do but we'll have to see, if only I had more time!!!

This weeks copic colours were way out of my comfort zone again, really really bright, but when I got going I loved it and I actually had all three!!

So here's my little creation!!!

This stamp is another of my new ones that I just had to have as the little girl is called Charley!

Charley with Sal stamp by Cuddley Buddley
Hat - Y15, Y21, Y28 and YG41
Top and Shoes - R22, R29 and R59
Waistcoat and trousers - BG01, BG05 and Y28
Socks - Y11 and Y15
Sal - EO2, E33, E35 and W-3
Flower - YG41, Y11 and Y15
Flesh - R20, E50 and E53

Martha Stewart Daisy Punch
Large Deckled Rectangles Nestabilities
Petaloo flowers
Charm, gems and papers from stash
and of course not forgetting the Glossy Accents!!

See you later!!

Jo x