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