Dragonflies.

Thought I'd share a quick, simple card made using a magazine giveaway  butterfly stamp and die.

A bit of embossing, some twine and a florish with a few sequins completes my card,

DOC106, monochrome.

LRS157, Use a die.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Add Flowers For Lavinia.

It's time for a new challenge theme at Lavinia and the theme for December is

"Add Flowers"



I used one of the gorgeous new dies for my first card, adding a little sponging and stamping to my background and a few punched flowers to the silhouette.

I thought I'd show you a real side on view so that you can see how I treated the wings. I cut the image three times, trimming around the wings on two and sandwiching a trimming of sheer lilac ribbon between them. I then shaped the wings and glued the rest of the silhouettes together. If I was going to be sending this card through the post, I might add a squeeze of silicone glue up close to the body just to help them stay fluttery. 

The next card is just a masked and inked background  and the poppy stamp inked in two colours.

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

DDC11, Girlie/diecut,
AGOAC 133, Kraft and a colour,
Allsorts287, Milestone birthday,
Little Claires, Shaped card.

Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Texture For Team Lou!

It's time for a new challenge with the Southern Girls today, and this time the theme is 

"Texture!"

As usual Lou and Trace have lined us up some great sponsors, the gorgeous

 Fairy Magic is by All Dressed Up 

One of the sponsors this time, you can  find out the full details of all of the sponsors on the challenge blog.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
CIOCB, Embossing and Stash (buttons),
CCC68, Embossing,
CMC53, Birthday Party,
Eureka 102, Wings,
SNS August, Anything goes, glitter.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Blog Hop With A Difference.

Good morning all, what a great day to craft but then isn't every day?

I've been asked by the lovely Chris from

 Here's One I made Earlier, 

to take part in a blog hop with a difference, it's all about us crafters getting to know one another, giving a little insight into what makes us tick and showing you around a few of our friends spaces.

 I got to know Chris when we both attended the same Scrapbooking group a few years back. Chris has amazing talent in the scrapbooking department, I however used to sit and chat and sing, not much crafting was ever done by me!

So here goes, a bit about me and a few photos to help explain. I'm hoping that I don't bore you too much!

Q 1. What am I working on at the moment?

At the moment I am doing my best to work through the bits that are cluttering up my work bench.

When LCI had the Eunice and Ramsey release a while back, I somehow managed to print out several pages of the lovely "Ewe and Me" digi by mistake so they have been turning up not only together but also seperately on my cards lately. Here's a couple I made the other day!

I do rather love Eunice and Ramsey! it's a good job as I've still one page of them printed still to use!

Q 2. How does my work differ from others?

I don't really know, you tell me lol! I know I like a clean look. Saying that I love what others do, for instance, I love how some crafters are able to put lots of elements on their cards and make them look amazing, this is something that I struggle with so I've just stopped beating myself up about it and have found a clean style that works for me.

 I do like to create some interest with my

 trusty pattern makers tool!

I always resort to using it instead of a sewing machine, sometimes with a pen, it's easy to squiggle some stray threads lol!

 I've also got a bit of a thing for bunting, not the kind that requires a die but one that I've developed myself that involves hand cut triangles, inky stitching and rather more baker's twine than is probably necessary.

Oh, and tiny tags, tiny tags are a must have in my world. Hand cut generally!

Q 3. Why do I craft?

That's easy, if I didn't craft I wouldn't be me! I'm the person that at the bottom of my bag has a box with needles and thread, a crochet hook, a packet of Sharpies, odd bits of ribbon and buttons and a phone full of photos that anyone  would think belonged to a mad woman, snaps of odd things to inspire me to create at a later date. 

I'm lucky enough to work with pre-schoolers and share my love of craft with them which would also explain away the two potatoes and bag of wine corks that are at the bottom of my bag. (We did printing a few weeks back)

Q 4. How does my creative process work?

I have no idea, I can go to bed thinking about something I want to create, spend the whole night tossing and turning, making it and remaking it in my head then in the morning I can wake with a completely new idea and go with that. 

If I'm struggling, I like a wander around Pinterest, not to lift ideas but to find that spark to set my creative juices flowing again!

Well, are you still awake?

If there's anything else you'd like to know, feel free to ask!

 Please take the time to visit my friends and next Monday, they will be sharing their crafting secrets and friends

 with the rest of us too.

The Crafty friends I nominate to join in with the hop are:-

 "The lovely B of Floral Fantasies!"

 I started following B way back, not long after I started my blog. B inspired me to buy my first "Speedball Brayer" I may not have ever mastered it but I gave it a go! 

"The Lovely Sally of  Scallywags"

Sally does amazing colouring and is always willing to share tips and advice, she's brilliant at CAS and has also started blogging another of my loves, crochet.

Last but by no means least is my lovely friend
"Nancy from The Fibre Bubble"
Now what can I say about Nancy, she has an amazing way with words. I found her purely by accident many moons ago, her talent for writing just draws you in, in fact the very first post of hers I read was an amazing tale about her dear mum and her hanging basket tomato plants, I clicked on "become a follower" even before I'd seen any of her wonderful card making, she writes the sort of posts that have me openly laughing aloud!

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Billie Goes CAS

Morning, hope you're doing good today!

It's time for a new challenge theme at

Totally Ladybug Tuesday

The theme chosen by the lovely Sally is

Clean and Simple.

If you know me, you'll know that I love clean and simple cards so this one was right up my street!

I used the gorgeous 

"Watering-Can-Billie",

 colouring her with Copics and Polychromos.

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

DDD, Dies or punches,

SOSS12, Brads.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

70 Today!

A quick post to share the card I made for my cousin, I used the strangest Copic colour combo to colour the wings:-

R85, YR16 and Y21. I love the look it's given!

Some stamping, paper piercing, embossing,

And a whole lot of die cutting complete my card.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Dragonfly Dreams, Wings,
TCC, Crop/cut it,
CMCB14, Stamped image,
CAM149, Wings,
CC64, Happy birthday,
Scrap it June, Wings.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

To Ewe Both

Just a quick post with a little card to share with ewe! Another of the fun Eunice and Ramsey images,

"Ewe and Me"

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

Craftitude, Use a die,

Crafty Catz 232, Embossing,

Fun With Shapes,161, Animals,

Doodle P46, Digi

Ruby's Rainbow 79, Animals,

OBAG, Anniversary,(old dp and embossing folder).

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Lavinia's Birthday Girls.

Morning, with the new start date of the second day of the month, it's time for a new theme at 

Lavinia Stamps.

The theme this month is

"Birthday Girl"

My first card was made simply by using the scraps on my desk, inking them and stamping, the remains of a die cut that just begged to have the gorgeous Lavendar stamped onto it.

I had some fun making this card,stamping the gorgeous 

Zen Butterfly with a clear versamark randomly over a piece of A4 card and using clear embossing powder.

I then used a selection of ink pads and sponges to gradually build up a lush colourful background. 

I've got a board on pintrest where I pin colour mixes and these colours were inspired by one of them.

I then just stamped into the spaces using a bright pink ink pad and the tiny stars 1 stamp. I just couldn't bring myself to throw away the colourful offcuts after making this card so instead, I cut them into 2.5 cm squares and glued them around the edges of a 10 cm square of card, added inky stitching and popped it onto foam pads after removing the centre to form a patchwork effect frame. I've used this technique in the past, it makes me happy lol!

 The butterfly was stamped and fussy cut before I sponged its wings to match the frame.

 I LOVE THIS CARD!

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

STB Birthday,

SOC, Wings.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

First Ladybug Challenge Of The Year.

Time for a new Ladybug theme,

"For The One I Love"
I used the lovely "Birthday Billie", trimming her away from the rest of her present pile

I'm so sorry for the short post, I'm feeling under the weather but didn't want to miss out on my first post of the Ladybug year.

I'd like to add to the MIM 177 challenge, Anything goes.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Embrace Your Lumps And Bumps

That was a close one, I've been so busy that I forgot that today's the day for a new theme at Southern Girls.

For this fortnight's challenge Lou wants us all to 

"Embrace Our Lumps And Bumps!"

Mine aren't all on show here lol!

I couldn't possibly share them all!

Anyway, I made this tag book as a birthday gift for a friend, it's decorated simply with washi tape and tiny hearts.

The lovely die cut on the front is by Marianne Createable, one of the sponsors this time. Please check out the challenge blog for full details of all of the sponsors this time!

I made the envelopes for my tag book using my wonderful new gadget, an "Envelope Punch Board" by Stamping-Up.

My oh my, if you think it's only for making envelopes, think again. I can't wait to get time to play properly with it and share some of the other things you can make using it.

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

TTCRD, Anything goes,

Use It Tuesday, Brown lace,

CDD20, Tags,

MIM168, Anything goes,

SCH74, Tags or boxes.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Skinny Malinky Continued!

Morning, it's time for a celebration!

Today is the second half of the new release at 

"Ladybug Crafts Ink"

So let me introduce you to

Kera

I'm half thinking that Kera is short for Kerry but the chief Ladybug assures me that it isn't so I will have to take her word for it ;)

I really fancied using some design paper for a change but I am so out of the habit that this card took me an age to make, I have a desk covered it tiny off cuts where I kept trying to get clever with my mix and I almost went back to my usual CAS style.

Anyway, here it is!

Don't forget to check out TLT to see the rest of the new release and if you've time to join us in a challenge, the theme this time is

Anything Goes!

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

HIMCR120, Colour,

C4E31, Anything goes,
TT243, Fussy cut,
MIM163, Anything goes.

Thanks for stopping by, 

Julie.x

What A Lovely Weekend.

I've had a lovely weekend, on Saturday I went to 
"Begonia Crafts"
 first ever crop. It was great to catch up with some old friends, make some new ones and spend the day crafting. Then yesterday we celebrated our 29th Wedding Anniversary, I say celebrate, well, we don't actually bother too much, but we acknowledged the day, maybe we will do the celebrating bit next year lol! 

Anyway, I made a few Christmas cards, this one using a Nitwits magazine giveaway stamp from last year.

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

Less Is More 139, Sketch,

Cut It Up28, In circles,

Totally Papercrafts 186, Stitching,

Crafters Companion, Embossing.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Another Cricut Birthday

Jut sharing the card I made for our nieces birthday today, this time I used the Calligraphy Cartridge to cut the numbers.

Jut added a charm along with her name.

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

SC, Birthday,

CMM72, Monochrome,

MCC, Emboss it,

TTT106, Spooled,

2TC55, Bingo,

AI51, Embosing,

BZC, Pink and white,

LAC, Monochrome,

MIM150, Anything goes.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Slightly In The Shadows

I wanted to make a good luck card  for a teacher who has taught at the local school for many years, 

As she grows sunflowers I "grew" my own from a scalloped circle, the flowers centre was cut, embossed over part of a snowflake embossing folder and shaped it well adding it using silicone glue, lol, it's so domed that it cast a shadow on the lower part of the bloom. I used washi tape for the stem, adding some to card scraps from which I then cut leaves. 

I wanted each of my children to be able to write their own personal message so on the inside of the card I made pockets to slide tags into. 

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

CIO ,with washi tape,

CVCC5, Summer,

AI51, Embossing,

LIM129, Hand made flowers,

TSATF48, Spooled.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Reasonable Ruby's!

Evening all, now before I show you a card, you need to read this!

Please grab the poster and add it to your side bar, I have to say that the image that I've got to use is fantastical, I can't wait to show you!

Anyway, on to today's card, made some time ago but up until now I haven't been able to share as the recipient has only just received it. The image reminds me lots of her daughter and as the little girl's favourite colour is pink, I thought it would be a good choice, least I hope so as I know the recipient does't share her daughter's taste in colour!.

My gorgeous "Shopping Ruby" is still available whilst stocks last, in the 70% off stamp sale at LCI, it's not every day you get to buy a ruby for only £1.95.  

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

TG190, Wings,

CR 50, Anything goes with ribbon,

PCJ, Not square,

TPDC, Colour recipe,

CFAS55, Girly,

RR57, Wings,

MIM146, Anything goes.

Thanks for stopping by,

Julie.x

Going Dotty With Team Lou.

 Team Lou are leading the way this fortnight and the challenge theme is

"Going Dotty"

Great Sponsors again this time, and the image I used is by one of them,

Lollyrot by Lollyrot

Now, I have to be honest here, This isn't my usual style of image and I panicked at first, that was until I got out my pens and coloured her up, I absolutely love her.

She seemed to magically whisper and all of the elements fell into place easily.

Maybe I should have left the flower without the flitterglu and guilding flakes, I might decide to replace that element.

I recycled a page from a battered book, it looked pretty fab with the guilding flakes and I'm sorry, actually I'm not going to appologise for my bunting, it's my indulgence lol!

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

CIO, Stash/2 or more papers,

DOC51, Sparkle,

SOS101,Scraps,

CYP162, Children at play,

CC99,Pick 3 Embossing,distress, home made flower,

CC242, Lots of layers,
Fashionista15, Vintage or shabby,
MIM140, Anything goes.

Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x