BUSY, BUSY...

Very busy at the moment with lots of Design Team projects, so not much to show in the way of challenge entries! I do miss joining in with them, and when i've had my Holiday, i will get back to them :)

We are away on Holiday at the weekend until the middle of October, so i'm getting all my DT stuff done before i go!! that way, hopefully i can schedule the posts so you have something nice to look at while i'm in Portugal! :)
However, what i do have to show you is another little sneaky peek at my design for Sketches! by Tamara, card sketch#64, which will be up for you to enter on Thursday.
I know..... it's just a little tiny peek! but i thought it may inspire you to pop over on Thursday to check it all out!
Speaking of sketches, you may like to have a try at mine! I have some rub-ons for the winner :)

See you soon :)

Hugs
Carol x

ARE YOU READY.....

Get your 'bugs' at the ready girls for the brand new Cuttlebug Challenge blog, first one up on Wednesday!
Here is a teeny weeny peek at my card for the first challenge! Prior to being chosen for the DT(thanks Trudi :) i didn't use my little green machine nearly enough! and i'm guessing lots of you may be saying the same! If you are, then why not join us on Wednesday and get that handle cranking! :-)

Cuttlehugs,
Carol x

LAURA'S SKETCH 9

I almost thought that this would be my first time that i would miss out on designing a card following the great sketches that the girls put up for us every week! I love Laura's sketch this week, so i just had to squeeze one in at the last minute!!!
Time almost ran out on me, so i had to create a simple card this time, but actually it turned out o.k.! As you can see i rotated the sketch, and my first thought was a 'handbag' card, , and maybe the curved part could be the top opening, but then i changed my mind completely and made a baby card! :)
The pink is Bazzill cardstock and i've used one sheet from my Making Memories 5th Avenue spiral journaling book, along with some fun embellishments. Sentiment is HOTP.

I have family round later for roast dinner, so better go and get all the veggies done!! Have a great day,thanks for popping in, and i'll see you soon :)

{Hugs}
Carol x

BEEN SHOPPING!

Rhianna and I decided to go shopping today to Milton Keynes as we both wanted to get some stuff for our Holiday to Portugal.
However, i can't seem to go anywhere these days without 'just having a quick look' at the crafty stuff. The only store that we shopped in that sold anything remotely 'crafty' is John Lewis, but of course they do have a very comprehensive sewing department.............
.........and i just could not resist this!! :)
I have been thinking about getting one for ages, and then decided that i could possibly ask for one for Christmas, but today when it was right there in front of me, i just had to get it!
I will be leaving it in the box for today, because if i take it out i will be playing around for hours, and i do have to get some work done today!!! Hopefully i will get to grips with it real soon, and then maybe you may see some cards with stitching in the future, who knows! :-]

SKETCHES! by Tamara #63

Today i get to reveal my design for Tamara's new sketch after teasing you with a sneaky peek last Saturday! It's a little spooky.................

The sketch is so versatile this week, as always and could be played lots of different ways, but i decided to 'get creepy' with my design :)
Bo Bunny 'Spooktastic' papers have been used, along with some Basic Grey from the 'Ambrosia' collection. Cuttlebug bats, which i think are too cute to be scary! and some AC Thickers.

I would love to see what you come up with from the sketch, and i know all the other girls would love you to join in too!

{Hugs} Carol x

CPS #83

It's been absolutely ages since i last joined in with the fab sketches over at CPS so this week i thought i would give it a go!
Picture looks a bit wonky! sorry about that, i'm still getting used to my new camera :)
My design uses up some scraps of Bazzill and Core'dinations cardstock, along with the football stamp which is from Personal Impressions. I've watercoloured the image using Adirondack & Distress inks, and added a portion of a rub-on from Making Memories. The circular sentiment is Stamps Away.

This card is an order from a colleague at the office for her partner's Birthday on Saturday, and was asked to keep it 'fairly plain'..... i hope this will do the trick! :)

CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGES! and a **TooT**

I'm excited to tell you that there is a fabulous new challenge blog for our little green machines! and even more excited that i'm on the brand new Design Team :) :)

CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGES

I received an e-mail on the 16th, from Trudi, asking if i would like to be part of her new venture, and that she had also asked Jennifer.(fab blog!) Well.....i was extremely flattered, and when i had calmed down i mailed her back to say YES!

I think the first challenge will be posted on 1st October, along with the cards from the DT for inspiration, so i do hope you will join us all and play along! I also have a *toot* for my FH team mate Allison, who is also on the new team with me :) Cuttlehugs teamie! :)

Trudi has listed the names of all the other DT members over on the blog, so do go and check them out as well! As soon as i get time, i will have a list up on my side bar.

I hope you can pop back later today! to see my DT card for Sketches! by Tamara, and that you may also find some time to join in with my sketch challenge #4(see yesterday's post for that) I have some rub-ons for the winner!
Need to set my posts for tomorrow and then get my self to bed! look at the time!!!!! Thanks for your time today, and i'll see you later :)

CAROL'S SKETCH FUN #4

Here i am again with another sketch for you! I've moved this feature to Wednesday as those of you that have joined in before will know that i forget to draw a winner at the correct time, because i'm dashing out to run my workshop!!
This is my design for the sketch, which is also for an order. Needed to show this first as i can't draw ovals!!I will draw a winner on Wednesday 1st October at 6pm, to receive these Royal & Langnickel rub-ons!
Remember to leave me a comment with a link to your work, and if you don't have a blog then you can e-mail your entry! I do hope you have fun with CSF#4 and good luck for the draw :)

Hope you can pop in tomorrow as i will be revealing my DT card for Sketches! by Tamara...it would be lovely if you could join in with me again this week :)
Have a Happy Wednesday, and i'll see you soon :)

A COUPLE OF AWARDS....

My lovely bloggy friend Jilli has awarded me with these two lovelies......I say a big thanks to Jilli for these, it's good to know that my little crafty place brings a smile to the faces of my visitors, and i do love to share it all with you :) so many of you make me smile everyday with your generosity and kindness to others.....crafters are all such fabby people!

Edited to add:- Another very lovely lady, Shirley also gave me this one! Shirley has left me some lovely comments, which i truly appreciate :) Do pop over and visit these ladies and tell 'em i sent ya! :-]
However, i do know that these awards are 'doing the rounds' at the moment, but if you would like them for your blog. then accept them with my good wishes :)

RHIANNA'S BEEN CRAFTY AGAIN.......

My daughter Rhianna (nearly nineteen)has recently shown an interest in wanting to make some things of her own!
She has always loved the things i make, and always give a good honest opinion when i ask her what she thinks of my latest creation, unlike my husband who always gives the same response by saying 'that's nice'!!!
I have taken some pictures of her recent 'craftiness' to show you today, i think she is well and truly hooked now, and at the rate she's going she may well need her own stash of goodies to dip into!Altered notebook 'HOW much ribbon!!!!' Note to self:- buy more ribbons! :)
This is an ATC size tag, which she says she 'messed' up a bit. I think it looks fab! Love the colours :)

Something a little different now....if you visit often, you will know how much i love animals :)
Our own pets, wildlife, injured things that i find on my travels and try to mend!! Well..... i don't think you have ever had the pleasure of these two darlings :)May i introduce.... Pepsi & Splash, our two Indian Runner Ducks enjoying some time in their pond! Love these girls! :0)

Enjoy your Sunday, i'll see you very soon :)

PAPERTAKE WEEKLY & PENNY BLACK SATURDAY!

I do love it when i can combine two challenges for one card! The thing is, it also shows how far behind i get as the week progresses! PTW(monday!) have a sketch this week, and PBSC(today!) is to Decorate the inside of your card.My design uses a fab little PB image from the 'Holly Day Critters' acrylic set, and of course Katharina's sketch for the layout.
I always used to decorate the inside of my cards, and still do if they are for an order :) I've kept this one simple, by just using some more of the papers to echo the front of the card, another snowflake brad, and a sweet sentiment!Papers are from Basic Grey 'Offbeat' 6 x 6 pad, which only arrived this morning!! along with the 'pom pom' trim from Bazzill, also in my box of new goodies!
I used my Nesties to cut the scalloped circle, and my Cricut to cut the plain one, onto which i stamped my image and then coloured in using Adirondack and Distress inks.

I have been quite organised today, and i am trying to get a head start on my DT work for next week! :) I have completed my card for Sketches! by Tamara, although you won't see it until Thursday, i have to e-mail it to Tamara by Monday midnight! so sometimes i do have to get my butt in gear! :) here is a sneaky peek for you, and of course the whole design will be revealed on Thursday when the new sketch will also be available for you to play along
if you wish!Rather a long post today as i won't be around tomorrow! Our eldest daughter Chloe, will be 22 on Monday, so we are off to Rayleigh to spend the day with her, have a nice meal etc etc.
Thanks for popping in today, i'll see you soon :)

BASIC GREY CHALLENGE #2 Atc's

My lovely FH team mate Chris, is also a DT member of the new Basic Grey challenge blog! The current challenge is to make an ATC. I have never made one before, so here is my first ever Artist Trading Card! :)
The new challenge will be up on the blog tomorrow, so i couldn't do my usual 'thing' of taking the picture in the morning! I am squeezing in at the last minute, as i often do with challenges...but i do enjoy them :)

The papers i've used are from the 'Figgy Pudding' 6 x 6 collection, and the good thing about Atc's is the size!...you can use up all your little pieces of paper that wouldn't be big enough for cards! The sentiment is also Basic Grey, from the 'North Pole' clear stamp set. The dots on the turquoise tree are cinnamon Stickles, and the gems and fibres are from stash!

Do remember to pop over to see the new challenge!... wonder what it will be this week? maybe another 'first' for me :)

Edited to add...... tomorrow is today!!! best get to my bed!!!!

KAZAN'S SKETCH 9

I received an order for a card for an eight year old, that loves glitter & sparkle!, so i decided to use the current sketch by Kazan as my starting point!
I had an idea that i wanted to use one of my new Maya Road chipboard crowns on this card, and wasn't given any other information apart from the requirement for sparkle & shine! I just hope this little girl likes pink!!

The papers are Basic Grey, from the 'Sugared' 12 x 12 collection pack. I used a chipboard shape to cut the panel, and then added a doodled border. The crown and number were painted with 'pink sherbert' paint dabber and then blinged up with some Glamour Dust. Rub-ons from Letraset, and pink gems from stash :)

Thanks for popping in today, have a great Friday! Yay!!! See you soon :)

SKETCHES! DT WORK

Thursday already, which means it's time for another fab card sketch over at Sketches! by Tamara.
The past three weeks have flown by, and i can hardly beleive it's my third design since being appointed as a DT member!
I'm a massive fan of Basic Grey, but i hardly ever seem to use the Alphabet or Element stickers that are included in the 12 x 12 collection packs! so for my design today i decided to use some stickers from the yummy 'Two Scoops' collection :)
All other papers are also from the collection, with the addition of a small panel that has been embossed with the 'swiss dots' folder and my Cuttlebug. The sentiment is Hero Arts, that i was lucky enough to find in the bargain box at a local store, and the dotty organza is from my stash!

I hope some of my lovely visitors here will find some time to play along, and of course, do check out the other DT girls for more inspiration!

Have a great Thursday, and i hope to see you very soon :)

WHOOPS I DID IT AGAIN!!!!

I have dashed off again this evening to run my fortnightly class and forgotten to draw the winner of my sketch #3!!! I'm so sorry for those that have been waiting, but i've just got back home and got straight to it! :)


The winner, chosen at random is.....ALLISON


Thanks to all the other bloggy friends that joined in this time, i appreciate you finding the time to play along :)
As Carol's Sketch Fun always clashes with my class, i have decided to move it to Wednesday's from now on! (then maybe i won't forget to draw it at the correct time!!) so look out for CSF#4 on Wednesday 24th September, and the draw for that one on the 1st October :)

SNEAKY PEAK!!

No time to stamp today :( but i thought i would tease you with a little sneaky peek! of my design for the new sketch which will be shown on Thursday over at Sketches! by Tamara.
I love how some of my papercrafting idols put little portions of their new designs on view to keep me guessing as to what the whole thing looks like! So.... i thought i would do it too! :)
Check back on Thursday to see mine and all the other DT creations over on Tamara's blog, and of course i will be revealing all(of the card!!) on here as well.

Have a great Tuesday, and don't forget to check back to see who has won my current sketch challenge at 6pm this evening!

2S4Y LAURA'S SKETCH 8

I have realised again today, just how hard it can be to photograph certain things, even with my fabby new camera! One of those hard to capture things is gold embossing powder!! and Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink! However i've done the best i can with this photo, you won't beleive how many i actually took to get a half decent one! :)
This design is for Laura's sketch 8 over at 2S4Y. The acrylic stamps i've used are from HOTP and Anna Griffin, and i got in a bit of a pickle trying to position them all on the block, as they are all seperate little ones! The background card has been stamped with Brilliance and a tiny dot stamp, but again it just doesn't show very well :(
The leafy background paper is from Paper Adventures which i've had for an age!! the gems are Kanban and the gold organza is from my ever growing stash!! :)

Thanks for popping by today, i'll see you soon :)Edited to add:- Another picture! not sure if it's better or worse!!!

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY Week 13!!!

Yes i know!!! this is for last Saturday's challenge, and it's probably way too late, but i thought i would show it anyway!!
The challenge over at PBSC was 'One for the Girls' so i used my fab 'Ginger' stamp. I love the lacy panel at the bottom of her dress, and how you can make her look quite different each time!

Papers are Funky Hand from the 'It's Funky Too' CD, and i've watercoloured the image with Adirondack inks. Sentiment is Stamps Away, and all other items are from my stash. :)

SKETCHES! Sketch Challenge #61

This is my DT card for the current sketch over at Sketches! by Tamara. It would be really lovely if you could join in this week again! Thanks to those of you that played along last week, it was good to have your fab entries!For my design today i have used some more of the fabulous papers from Basic Grey's 'Figgy Pudding' collection. I purchased several! of the 6 x 6 pads and a few of the 12 x 12 last year, i love it so much that i don't ever want to run out of it, but i guess at some point that will happen :(
The snowflakes were cut with my Cricut machine from the Joys of the Season cartridge. I used plain white cardstock and then sparkled them up with some glamour dust!
A little bit of embossing with my Cuttlebug, and some AC Thickers for the wording. The trim is Papermania non adhesive felt ribbon.
I hope i have inspired you to play along with us, and don't forget to check out the other DT members blogs for more ideas, thanks so much for popping in and i'll see you very soon! :)

BASIC GREY 'WASSAIL'

OMG!!!I have just been viewing the gorgeous papers from this year's Christmas collection, which is called 'Wassail'. More gentle hues of colour than in previous lines, but oh so yummy!!! I think i must be one of the U.K's biggest fans of Basic Grey and i cannot wait to get my hands on it and start creating! The old 'plastic' is going to get a serious bashing when this baby hits our shores :)

If you would like to see just how gorgeous it is, then the link to their gallery is in my side bar. I am waiting for approval on another of my designs, so hopefully you may see that very soon as well! I am so excited about this new collection, i just had to tell someone! :) Look at the time!!!! my alarm goes off at 6am!!!!! Night Night :)

DCM & FUNKY HAND

The current challenge over at Daring Card Makers has been sponsored by Anice, owner and designer of all the fabulous goodies that are Funky Hand. As a member of the design team, i am provided with so many wonderful CD's, Downloads etc etc, and all Anice asks in return is some creations made with these gorgeous papers! When you love paper as much as i do, then it's like 'kid in a sweetshop time' :)
Firstly, i have to apologise for the photo, but i couldn't wait for daylight as i wanted to upload tonight!!
The prize for the lucky winner is a 'Shabby Saturday' download, and the papers i've used are from this gorgeous collection. The little duck and the circle were cut on the Cricut, and buttons, ribbon and rub-on sentiment are from my stash! I inked all the edges with a Colorbox cats eye chalk in 'Chestnut Roan' and gave him an eye with a tiny black crystal! :)
If you would like to see some gorgeous designs using the sketch and papers, then don't forget to check the blogs of all my fabbie team mates! Enjoy!! :)

CAROL'S SKETCH FUN Number 3 !!

Here is my sketch for Carol's Sketch Fun #3!
My design today uses the fabulous cupcakes from Hero Arts, which i've stamped onto watercolour paper, coloured using Adirondack inks, and cut out with a nestie scalloped circle.
The papers are from Basic Grey 'Euphoria & Eva' collections. I've also added some stickles in Cinnamon and a couple of Prima flowers, with the sentiment from the cupcake set. Brads & flowery things! are from my stash, sorry don't know the brand!!The prize for CSF#3 is a fab set of K& Company 'Wild Saffron' die cuts, and also this leaf stamp!I will draw a random winner on Tuesday 16th September at 6pm GMT (i'll try to be on time with this one!!)
Please leave a comment with your entry, and if you don't have a blog you can always e-mail it through! Good Luck everyone!

HOUSE MOUSE CHALLENGE #3 A Sketch!

Anyone that knows me will be aware just how much i love to work from a sketch! So much so that i've started my own sketch challenge! Be sure to pop back on Tuesday if you want to see what that's all about!!
However, back to the current challenge over at House Mouse & Friends, which is indeed a fab sketch! For my design today i've used the adorable 'Monica's Gift'. She stands so proud with her little cheese gift, all wrapped so beautifully, Just for You! :)

The papers i've used today are from one of the latest collections by Basic Grey 'Eva'. Gorgeous colours and patterns as always, and being such a fan of their goodies, i can hardly wait to see what they come up with next!! I used my Threading Water punch on the centre panel, but as you can see i cut it too short :( and it didn't fit properly!! The photo corners were made with square and circle punches and i used my new McGill 'pine' punch for the little leaves around the Prima flower. The gems are from Kanban!


While i am here i thought i would show you just a peek at my DT card for Sketches! by Tamara for the new sketch that will be shown next Thursday. I do hope you will join me and play along too!
Thanks for popping in today, my Granddaughter Danielle has just arrived! so off now to play with her! :) See you soon :)

KAZAN'S SKETCH 8

The girls have a gorgeous new header over at 2S4Y, to welcome the new season, along with a fab sketch of course from Kazan!
I decided to go along with the Autumnal idea, but to stray from traditional Autumn colours, and use these gorgeous elements from Basic Grey's 'Euphoria' collection! We have had yet another year here in the U.K. without a Summer!! a couple of good days here & there and that's about it! so i find it quite hard to move away from the summery colours into the warmth of the new season's colour palette.

My sandpaper went into top gear on this card, to give it that 'lived in' look :) (bit like me!) All papers and sticker elements are Basic Grey, as are the buttons, the flower is Bazzill and the jute from my stash! The sentiment is computer generated using Batang font!

Hoping to be back later with my House Mouse entry(sooo behind this week! ) so many challenges, so little time! Thanks for popping in :) see you soon!

BACK WITH THESE TWO!!

As promised i am back to show you the other cards i designed for a recent order. I have to say that i'm not overly chuffed with them, :( but i hope the lady who ordered them will like how they've turned out!Love this Core'dinations cardstock :) and the look you get if you Cuttlebug it and then sand it!

Trusty old Basic Grey papers here and a couple of stamps by Funstamps & Rubbadubbadoo.

I have already received more orders, but i have a couple of weeks before they are needed, so hopefully i can get back to some challenges in the meantime! Thanks for popping in today, i do appreciate your visits, and i'll see you very soon! :)

SKETCHES! BY TAMARA...My Debut Design!

I was very excited to be accepted onto Tamara's new Design Team, and very honoured to be part of such a talented bunch! I do hope you will have the chance to play along with us each week :)For my debut design i decided to use this gorgeous background stamp from Whispers! I used Adirondack ink in 'Cranberry' onto some white cardstock, which i then trimmed and matted onto black Bazzill.
I made my little bird house by dragging the inkpad over another piece of the white card, which i cut into shape and used a Woodware circle punch for the hole! The little wooden bird, i found in a pack of two at Coleman's warehouse, but i acidentally threw away the packaging, so unfortunately i don't know the manufacturer!! There were two in the pack for 99p!
The sentiment is HOTP and the ribbon is Making Memories, with a tiny bit of fine leather twine from my stash! The card size is 5 x 7.
I do hope some of my friends that visit me here will play along, i would love to see what you create with the sketches!

Thanks for popping in today, i'll see you very soon :)

SORRY I FORGOT!!!

I am so sorry i forgot to announce the winner of CSF #2 at 6pm as promised. I have to confess that i was loading the car with all my stuff, as the new term of my card workshops started again this evening!!!

Anyway....without further ado, THE WINNER OF MY SKETCH FUN #2 is......................................
....................................................... LYNSEY............. Congratulations Lynsey :) please let me have your full postal address, and i will get your Sunflower stamp out to you!

A big thank you to all the other ladies who joined in this time, and don't forget to check back for the next sketch on Tuesday 9th :)