Ribbon Madness at Southern Girls.

It's  Lou's team challenge this fortnight at Southern Girls and the theme for "Challenge 33 is Ribbon Madness!"
Now,I generally use ribbon on my cards but for some reason I couldn't think of how I was going to incorporate ribbon on this one, I was just so taken with the gorgeous Lil Little Lolita Ivy by Tickled Pink that I didn't want to over do it on the ribbon  front so I decided to punch holes and tie various ribbons between them. Tickled Pink are one of the 3 sponsors for this challenge,be sure and check out the "Southern Girls"  blog for full details of the challenge and sponsors!

I slightly shaped my cut out image and raised it slightly with Pinflair glue. I then wrote "Hoppy Birthday using a white gel pen and added a few hand drawn "stitches".

 I'm using my card for the following challenges:-
Creative Craft Challenge, Free for all,
PTT44, Anything goes,
Crafty Boots, Anything goes,
MIM65, Anything goes,
SWF 139, Stitching,
VOC22, Ribbon,
Birthday Sundaes 37, Birthday sentiment,
KCG71,Stitching,
TP47,Hand written sentiments.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Anything Goes Wednesday

The theme for this week's challenge at Scrapbook Sisters is "Anything goes", how brilliant is that as it means that for my DT card I was able to make another Christmas card for the pile using another of Gayle Bond's images,I used a stamp from last year but they are available as Digi's and are available exclusively at Scrapbook Sisters.
 

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Creative Card Crew,Monochromatic,
Going Grey WSC,Christmas,
CYPC 86, Tis the season,
Kaboodle Doodles, Bundle Up for winter,
CCC147,Sentiment/Christmas,
Divas by Design 16,Anything goes.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

WOW!

It's Pami's challenge this week at Ladybug Crafts Ink and her theme is "White On White"  let's face it when you are using  a brilliant image like "Dear Santa" you really don't need anything else to look at,  and that Jack is such a cutie I so love to colour him! I kept my DT card really simple, just some photo corners made using my square nesties and some photo paper off cuts, some layering of die cuts  and some Ikea ribbon with the wire removed.

I added some glossy accents to the baubles on the tree and drizzled some stickles around the image.

I'm using my card for the following challenges:-
Craft Your Passion 86, Tis the season,
PCI, Christmas,
Addicted To Stamps 18,Christmas Card,
GL30, Christmas,
Stamptacular Sunday 140, Anything Christmas.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Blinging Saturday And News Of A Guest Designer Call!

I was so excited when I saw the theme for this week's LIM challenge as I knew exactly what I wanted to do,the only trouble was I didn't yet have the image, but that really isn't a problem when it's a digi, I just put in a quick order and within a few minutes The card was started! I even attempted a few things I've never done before as the tree,star and baubles are all separate digi's combined to make a one off image, you can find them here at LCI along with the other amazing images in the set. Oh and a quick heads up, you still have a couple of days if you fancy becoming a Guest Designer with the Ladybugs!

The other first for me was printing my Sentiment directly with my image, I couldn't believe how easy it all was! If anyone can help me with how I save a complete image and sentiment so that I can reproduce it, I'd be very grateful if you could share :) I came totally unstuck when I attempted to do this  lol!

Anyway, the LIM challenge theme is "A Bit Of Bling", I just added  three gems a few drizzles of Stickles and a bit of glossy accents. 

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
LIM 43,Bit of bling,
My Sheri Crafts,Decorate for Christmas,
OCC,O Christmas Tree,
TPFC94, Christmas,
Aud Sentiments 42, Holiday Sentiments.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Seeing Stars!

I thought I'd share another number card, the numbers are cut on the Cricut using Plantins Schoolbook,

I think the rest of the card are pretty self explanatory.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
DDCC140, Recipe,
JFF, Favourite shapes,(stars),
Sarah Hurley 54,Buttons,
Cooking it up 85, Piece of pie,(inked edges,stamped sentiment),
Penny's 67, Tie one on,
Cupcake 169,Teenage boys,
GHW1 10, Embossing.
 Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Christmas Time!

It's time for another card challenge at Scrapbook Sisters and the theme for this week is "Christmas Time" and for my DT card I used one of Gayle Bond's stamps from last year which is now a  Digi images and available exclusively at Scrapbook Sisters,I just added the Heart greetings stamp which I hung from the snowman's arm. Love It!

I'm using my card for the following challenges:-
Little Red Wagon 108,Christmas,
CES62,Snowflakes,
Oldie But Goodie, Let it snow,
PTT43,Snow us what you've got,
SOS27, Christmas,
MIM64, Anything goes.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Winter Blues At TLT

The theme for this week's challenge at TLT is "Winter Blues" pretty apt really as poor Laurie is ill in bed and it's her challenge,enough to make her feel blue lol! It doesn't show too well in the photo but I matted my rather gorgeous image on to blue mirror card and added a blue layer along with the silver of the snowflakes. If you like this image you are going to LOVE the Stamp of the Month image where Nikki and Buttercup are building a snowman and it's available at half price,can't be bad! Now,onto some exciting information to go with this week's challenge:-

  As an added prize this week the Lovely Ladybugs are looking for 3 Guest Designers to join them for the Month of December (that's 3 challenges so 3 projects to make) If you would like to be considered,  just enter the challenge and add GD after your name .

I'm using my card for the following challenges:-
Forever Friends,Christmas,
Hooked On Crafts 12,Die Cuts and Punches,
HOG21,Flourishes,
MIM64,Anything goes,
PCI13,Christmas,
Pollycraft 120,Christmas Fun,
Whoopsie Daisy,Christmas,
FFC9,White Christmas.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

In A Heartbeat

Ok,I have to be honest,I'm so not sure about tonight's LIM card.I got my speedball out for a quick roll,note to self,must try harder! maybe a little trip to the lovely Brenda's blog,she is the queen of the speedball lol! I haven't ever used a silhouette stamp before but when I looked through stamp collection I found this  Santa and sleigh stamp so thought I'd show it some ink. Can anyone share with me which is the best kind of ink for a silhouette stamp, I tried a multitude to get these results but I'm sure there must be an ink specifically for the purpose. I added a touch of stickles to the moonlight just to give my boring card a little  "Christmas"

LIM 42,Silhouette.
I'm hoping I get a little time to make another LIM entry as I've had an idea for a card that's more up my street  since making this Saturday.
The reason for the post title? If you ever watch the Programme "Heartbeat" keep an eye on the Opening Title's skyline as Father Christmas can be seen flying across the sky in most of them! apparently they added it in for a Christmas episode and then forgot to remove it! It might be the closing title's now I think about it??? just take a look anyway:-D
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

View With Squinted Eyes Only!

Ok,I'm sure I'm not the only one to make a card,take a photo then put the card in the post before checking the photo was ok. If it's not happened to you,let this be a lesson! The bling was all the same shade and went beautifully with the lilac flowers,yes,they really were lilac,they went lovely with the bright design paper as did the ribbon and button!  Check out my gorgeous LCI image,bath tub Nikki though,isn't she a stunner! She was my birthday pressie from Kerry, Love you Kerry!!!! Just look at the centre of my card and ignore everything else lol! even Picassa couldn't save me!

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
CWWC,Female Birthday,
OSAAT89,Anything goes,
Sweet Stampin,Birthday.
So lovely crafters, the moral of the story is," Always check the quality of your photos before putting a card in the post!"
Have a great week,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

A Gift Of Money.

I was asked at work to make another money wallet to put a birthday money collection in, it's to give to one of my friends and I wanted to make it a bit different from my usual designs. Anyway,you know what us crafters are like,an idea springs to mind in the middle of the night and you cant wait to get to work.

This clutch bag style wallet actually started it's life as a large tag cut on the Cricut using Plantins Schoolbook, a 12x12 sheet of double sided paper gives a perfect result to slot the notes into.

 I folded the tag twice to make the wallet and used some thin strips of 3d foam to stick the edges,giving a little extra depth to slide the notes in easily.The self adhesive magnets are the type you can buy on line to make fridge magnets with. I tried to just use a large brad but it didn't give enough surface to grab the magnet sufficiently but luckily the large flower type brad thingy (not sure what it's called but it's got about 6 legs instead of the 2 on a traditional brad)  I put this through a circle of card which I stuck over the hole which would have been the top of the tag then placed a diecut flower on the front. I hope this makes sense,if enough people are interested maybe I'll make a tutorial to explain it better.

I'm using this for the following challenges:-
FBC73,Anything goes,
Whimsie Doodles,Tag you're it,
Crafts and Me 61,Simples,
Creative Craft,Minimalistic,
EAC168, Little gift,
Papertake Weekly,When is a card not a card,
Hooked On Craft 12,Punches or Diecuts,
Karens Doodles 89, Anything but a card,
Make It Monday 63,Anything goes.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

To Have And To Hold.

It's time for another challenge at Scrapbook Sisters and the theme for this week is Christmas Wedding. Ok,I know my card could have had a sprig of holly or some crisp white snow but the truth is..........

I read my email wrong!  At least it's a Wedding card, I got that bit right! (Sorry Team.) I suppose the glittered edges could save me ;) Just a bit of stamping,colouring with my Copics,cutting, embossing,inking,Diecutting and punching,a touch of stickles along with some fake stitching and my card is done!

I'm using my card for the following challenges:-
My Time To Craft 166, Take Two,
Heart Song 25, Gold or Glitter,
Hooked On Crafts 12, Die cuts and punches,
MIM63, Anything goes,
TPE125, Embossing,
Stamptacular Sunday 138, Punch it.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

I Believe In Fairies!

Well,did you enjoy the Ladybug's blog hop last week? there are going to be lots of happy faces some time soon,there were so many lovely prizes on offer and they are just waiting now to be claimed!.
 So,today being Tuesday means it's time for a new Ladybug Challenge and this week it's being hosted by Queen Ladybug herself,Kerry. The challenge theme is Fairies!  As I didn't have a Ruby fairy,I had the difficult decision of choosing which one to purchase,my oh my,they are all so gorgeous,I think I made the right decision though Shopping Ruby is a stunner isn't she, and sooooo gorgeous to colour!

A bit of a different colour scheme for me today as I made this card for my gorgeous niece who's birthday it was last week,her favourite colour is turquoise,least it was,hope that's still the case!

The papers are from my hoards,can't believe how much I enjoyed using these colours together,really made a change. The ribbon needed a little something and luckily the sequins matched my scheme perfectly. I'm trying hard to be good and use up things from my stash at the moment rather than buying new just for the sake of it. Boy it's hard! I'm hoping Santa will reward me for being good ;) 

Love the blingy wings,isn't Stickles just the best! Check out that Ruby's new heels too,couldn't you just trip the light fantastic in a pair of those!

A rather huge bow,a bit of decoration to the inside and the card is complete! Happy Days!

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-

HOCC12,Die Cuts or punches,

MIM63,Anything goes,

SFC124,Happy Birthday,

Stamps R Us,Bling it on,

Crafting When We Can,Female Birthday,

Let's Ink It Up 17,Favourite Technique,Copics and diecuts,

2 Sisters 65,Anything goes.

Now,onto the bit that all of last week's blog hopping commenter's have been waiting for, and the winner of my blog candy is....................

Nancy In Iowa 

Congratulations Nancy,message me your email address and I'll contact you for your snail mail address,either that or contact lcichallengeblog@aol.com

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Still Time For Some Hopping Fabulous Candy!

Just a few quick reminders in case you're doing a bit of blog hopping this evening whilst watching X Factor! There's still a few hours left for you to enter
 The Ladybug's First Blogaversary Blog Hop! !!!!!
There's loads of prizes and candy on offer, just to tempt you,here's my candy! 

So,what do you think,tempting?

So,take a quick squiz at my card for this evening and head off and take a look at what else is on offer!

I used the lovely Stamp of the month image  "Nikki and Buttercup building a snowman" to make a quick Christmas card.

I'm Using my card for the following challenges:-
Penny Black and More Nov,Creatures Great and Small,
Catered Crop FTR25, Winter scene,birds,layers, Christmas,
Lets Ink It Up 17,stamp and fave technique,(Copics)
Bird Is The Word,Adore, Sketch (I'm hoping I'm allowed this one as I think Nikki is Adoring playing in the snow with Buttercup!,
Challenge Up Your Life 56,Friendship,
Floweret 8,Christmas,
Jellypark,Non traditional colours,Christmas.
What are you waiting for,off you go and get hopping!
Thanks For stopping by,
Julie.x

 

Plain And Simple

Morning campers,Hi de hi!
I'm back this morning with my other LIM card from yesterday. I really liked it when I made it but looking again today, I'm not so sure, there's just something else needed, perhaps I should have added some tiny red gems instead of the red stickles.....oh well, I'll know for next time!

LIM 41, One layer,leaves,
2 Sisters 65, Anything goes.
Thanks for stopping by today,
Julie.x

Leaf It Out!

It's Saturday and time for another LIM card, Saturdays shall be known forever more as my less is more day lol! So a couple of forgotten stamps,some brown inks, a square Nestie to draw around,a brown fibre tip pen and job done. 

LIM41,One layer,leaves.
I've even had time to make another card to enter though I haven't had chance to photograph it yet so I'll post it tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Julie.x

Tag,You're It!

I thought I'd share the card I made for last weekend's "Birthday Boy" I used my Cricut and Plantins Schoolbook to cut the tags that I used together to form my card along with the scallops. I used a calligraphy set cartridge to cut the hearts. I stamped the right hand edge using brown stazon and inked the edges to distress them. 

"Husband" was cut from some scrapbook papers and a couple of recycled buttons from my button tin and some sticky back ribbon I've had for years. A selection of ribbons and string was added through the hole before I glued the front to the back of the card. I'd also kept a spare calendar which I distressed a placed onto my card.

Now I've been asked how I do my fake stitching a few times, sometimes I just pen them on but other times I like to use the tool below. It's a dressmakers pattern making tool,I've had it for years but I'm sure you can still get them. I just place my card onto some foam and using a ruler I press firmly and roll it along. Sometimes the tool will pierce the paper but other times it just marks it enough so that when I use my pen it dots ink into the dip.It also makes it easy to space the holes if you want to go back and use a needle to pierce through. Hope this makes sense

I'm using my card for the following challenges:-
AIS40,2 more ribbons,
CCEE1145, 3 different shapes,
TTT,Inside counts,(you can just see I've decorated mine with a heart and papers)
Crafts and Me 60,Birthday,
Belli 130,Piercing,
PWC179,Buttons,
Paper Variety,Family.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Baby Baby.

Oh my word,what an amazing amount of talented card makers joined the Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge for a fortnight of anything goes! Apologies for not getting round to everyone for a close up look,but even from the thumbnail photos I could see the talent shining through!
The challenges are back to weekly now that Karen and Julie  have had time to recharge their batteries and the new theme for this week is "Baby Baby"

My card was a real easy make. Just a small card cut with my Nestabilities and Cuttlebug,I keep toying with the idea of a die cut machine to cut the Grande Nestabilities, any recommendations would be gratefully received. I coloured my old favourite image by Pink Gem, using Copics,It's a gorgeously easy image to colour!

The Hello stamp is hand cut and check out my lovely woolly bow, I picked up a skein of darning wool ages ago,does anyone actually darn anymore?  I hope I can find some more,I just love the look it gives. I then just tied some knots of ribbon to the die cut ring before adding a bit of inky stitching,some 3d pads and some teeny tiny buttons.

I'm using my card for the following challenges:-
Pretty Little Ribbon Nov4,Buttons and bows,
Crafty Sentiments,New Baby,
Oldie But Goodie,Buttons and bows,
MIM62,,Anything goes.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

It's Time For A Ladybug Party!

It's time to join the Ladybugs in a celebration today as we are officially One Year Old!!! Yayy!!!
Kerry also has a new Digi Release,Double Yayyyy!!!!
And Just for the fun of it,we are celebrating with a blog hop and along the way,you just might get the chance to win some candy, how many Yays are we up to ????

The name of the new digi release is called "Love and Marriage" so if you want to join us in the challenge this week, the theme for this week or Anything goes or Love and Marriage.

You should have found your way here from Kerry's Blog,if not and you want to join in with the hop and the chance of winning some prizes, you need to make you way back to the beginning where you will find all the details and rules of the hop. I was so pleased when I received my digis to play with,the first image is just perfect for me to make a special Christmas card for my lovely niece and her new husband,the added bonus is that she looks just like the beautiful image. The digi when printed has 3 little hearts just above the couple's heads,I replaced them with a die cut mistletoe and 3 flat backed self adhesive pearls. I kept my layout really simple,just embossed my background,layered up my card stock and added a little printed ribbon greeting(bought from M&S on a roll!) I forgot to mention that I used my nestie circles to do the "out of the box" cut of the image,this took a little time but it was so worth it! I Love this card!

The Image is called "The Kiss" isn't it just perfect for the Newly Wed Love Birds!

The other image I was given to play with was this gorgeous cake,or "The Cake" if you want it's official title lol!. Soooo easy to colour up,I admit the layout is simple again, but I was running short on time. This image would be just perfect for anyone making their own Wedding invitations it's a bit classy don't you think! Sorry the colours look a bit off,I edited the photo on picassa as it was a little dark,unfortunately the purple die cut now looks blue :( 

Now here's the chance of winning some candy,some of my favourite braids,buttons,bling,blooms and brads along with some hand made papers and other bits I like to use, I might add a few extras gems just for the fun of it too :)
All you need to do is leave a little comment mentioning the celebrations and check back in a weeks time to see if you've won, you don't even have to be a follower but I would love it if you were!  The next stop on the Hop is Tams! Have fun!

I'm using my cards for the following challenges:-
BBB13,CAS,
Crafty Boots,Young at heart,
DDCC,Anything goes Digi,
Heart Song 23,Anything goes,
MIM62,Anything goes,
CIPaints,Anything goes,
Dream Valley 19,Anything goes,
I Did It Creations 80,Christmas,
OSAAT87,Digi,
Sentimental Sundays,Wedding,
Little Claires 14,Christmas,
Crafty Catz 107,Anything goes.
  You can find the NEW DIGI RELEASE! Love and Marriage here...there are 6 Digi images to choose from. They'll be on sale immediately for £1.75 each or £9 for the entire set. What a bargain!!!
I Hope you join in with the fun,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

 

Remember!

This is a usual, quick post with an entry to this week's LIM challenge. For week 40 the theme is Red and Orange. I coloured up my rather gorgeous Woodware poppy and I think the term is called "feathered" my colours together  from my palest YR00 to myR59 using a couple of shades between to help with the blend.

It does seem to show up more orange than red in the photo but believe me,the centre near the pepper pot is unblended cardinal red! I did add a thin black matting layer just cos it needed it and a few dots of glossy accents.

I'm entering my card in the following challenges:-
LIM40,Red and Orange,
Catch The Bug November,Anything goes,
Crafty Catz 107,Anything goes.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x
P.S. Please scroll down for my earlier post!
Just remembered lol,the reason for the title,well several really,
Remember,remember the 5th of November,Gunpowder,Treason &Plot!
Also,it'll soon be remembrance day,"Lest we forget"

Major Excitement Coming Your Way!

Morning Lovelies,I had every intention of sharing a card with you this morning to go along with the exciting news but I'm afraid that it just didn't happen! I never managed to finish it off last night so instead I'm just going to share a bit of news. I am a bit excited with my card for Tuesday's blog hop so please be sure to check it out on the day, in fact I'm really rather hoping that you'll grab the Blog Hop Poster and add it to your side bar just to remind you and to get as many people joining in as possible!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Can't Stand Losing Ewe!

It's time for a new challenge at Southern Girls and also time to say a big welcome to the new members of the design team,it's going to be great getting to know you all!
So without further ado,the new challenge theme for this fortnight is "Song Theme". As usual we have some brilliant sponsors,be sure to check out the challenge blog for the full details. For my DT card I'm using the rather gorgeous Bo Peep digi by one of the Sponsors,Meljen, of which I am a big fan,I just adore their swirly,stitched designs.
I  thought I'd make a card as a virtual message to my lovely former teamies at Southern Girls, Alicia, Sue and Karen. It's been lovely getting to know you over the last year and I'm going to miss you so the Song Title,a favourite from my youth by the Police is "Can't stand losing you!" just like Bo Peep and her sheep lol! I must say that it's only the song title that fits,the rest of the words certainly don't fit.

So I thought I'd make an easel card,I decoupaged the sheep's heads which I think makes them look extra cute! As I cut the image out,I also made the butterfly 3d but hand drew some stitching trying to echo those on the digi.

I'm using my card for the following challenges:-
Anything goes53,Stitches,
MIM 61,Anything goes,
Come And Get It,Anything goes,
Dream Valley 19, Anything goes,
Lollipop Crafts 55,Anything goes,
Card Makin Mamas 32,Die Cuts.
I hope you call by and leave some love to all the new  design team members,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

A Pinch And A Punch,New Stamp Of The Month!

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge at Ladybug Crafts Ink but before I get to that bit let me share with you this month's bargain buy at LCI

A fab reason to treat yourself to a new stamp to make some of those Christmas cards with. Just in case you need any convincing to buy one,the Ladybugs have all been given the stamp to create their DT cards this week so make sure you check out all of their cards and hopefully pick up some inspiration along the way!
So onto this week's challenge, the theme is either to use Non Traditional Christmas Colours, Use Distressing or Both.
Me,I got totally distressed,ripped my papers,faked my stitching even rubbed some paints on my cardstock, so out of my comfort zone but then that's why it's called a challenge.Love the colours though and check out my lovely snowflake,cut using a birthday gift from one of my lovely teamies. A bit of embossing,some glitter added to my image coloured with copics a bit of ribbon and bling and the card
is complete. Thanks Sue for hosting this week's
challenge.

I'm using my card for the following challenges:-
Forever Friends,Animal and bling,
OLLCB92,Stitching,
Pollycraft, Anything goes,
TPE123,Distressing,
Craft Your Passion 82, Bingo(bottom line),
Dream Valley 19, Anything goes,
PPUKCB6, Distress,
Little Claires 14,Christmas.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x