Sketches! by Tamara #68

The weeks are just rolling around so quickly...... i'ts Thursday already, but of course that means time for another fabby sketch by Tamara.

For my design today i have used some of my 'older' supplies! it's all very well manufacturers and designers coming up with all the wonderful new goodies to tempt us all, but if you own up to your addiction (i would be the first with my hand in the air!!!) then you just have to keep providing yourself with the new stuff and the 'older' stash gets forgotten :(

These pretty butterflies are from a huge box of K& Co embellishments that were a TSV on QVC u.k. absolutely ages ago, also the chipboard sentiment is from the same kit. The black pieces that you see are Doodlebug paper frills(about two years in stash) and the ribbon is American Crafts, again this has to be at least 2 years in my hoard! However the gorgeous background papers are Funky Hand, which can be as new as you want because you just print them as and when needed! Pop over and visit another of my DT 'bosses' Anice, she has so many yummy things on offer and she ships worldwide for free!!! I've used some from the download Funky Little Christmas, and at only £3.49 how could you resist?

I do hope you can find some time to play along this week, and visit the rest of the DT girls to see some wonderful interpretations of this weeks sketch!

Hugs
Carol x

CSF #5

It took me a little time to sort this out as comments had been left in two places! I listed everyone in order of the time the comment or e-mails were left, then once i had the list, the random number generator chose number 7 which was........

KIMBERLEY

Congratulations, Kimberley :) please can you e-mail your postal address and then i can get your little bag of goodies out in the post!

Thanks to everyone who played along this time, and the next sketch will be up here on my blog on Wednesday 5th November! I do hope you can come back and join in with the new one ;-D

Hugs
Carol x

CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGE #5

The challenge this week is to emboss on a metallic finish. Pondered this one for a while as i don't really 'do' shiny!! and then i suddenly remembered this versatile copper sheet that i have had in my stash for ages. wasn't sure whether it would work with the embossing folders or not....... but as you can see it worked o.k!

Not sure why i was doubtful about it working because it's called Art Emboss, from American Art Clay Co, Inc www.amaco.com. You can get this in a range of fabulous colours as well as copper, aluminium, brass etc.
Other supplies used are some gorgeous papers from Basic Grey 'Ambrosia' 6 x 6 pad, and some black Bazzill cardstock, and of course embossing folders Swiss Dots, Perfect Paisley, D'Vine Swirl, and Script Texture.
I hope we are all inspiring you to crank up those handles! Thanks for popping in today, see you soon ;-D

BASIC GREY 'WASSAIL' ........Yay!!!!

I am sooooo excited!!!! Want to know why? Take a look here ;-D I am almost bursting, i am so happy..................

DCM Forever Autumn

I do love the bounty of colour that Mother Nature has to offer us at this time of year, so beautiful!...... So, i thought i would make a card for the current dare over at DCM which has been set by Sue, and yes.... i do remember the song, i was 18 that year.......... it seems a lifetime ago!!

My design is actually using up some scraps from a DT project made earlier in the week that will be revealed tomorrow, and whilst the "stuff'" was still on my table, i had the idea for this card :) I think i should try to do this more often as it would save time, and it uses up all the bits!!

The papers are from Basic Grey 'Ambrosia' 6 x 6 pad and the ribbons are American Crafts. The leaves are in fact real copper cut from a sheet of Art Emboss by American Art Clay Co, i punched them out with a Dovecraft Maple Leaf punch and then 'burnished' them with my heat gun, which of course changes the colour and the more you heat the more it changes! fun stuff to use and it comes in a fabulous range of colours as well as real metals. I have used four different Cuttlebug embossing folders to give my leaves some texture, Swiss Dots, Perfect Paisley, D'Vine Swirl, and Script Texture and my card is 144mm square.

Thanks for your visit today, see you soon ;-D

Hugs
Carol x

THIS GORGEOUS GIRL .......

.....is my Granddaughter Danielle striking a pose for her Daddy :) She is going to be three years old on Friday!! She has so much character and is such a happy child and i love spending time with her. She makes me laugh, and she is so polite and caring and such fun!
I never imagined being a Grandma would make me feel about her the way that i do, and i cannot begin to descibe the love i have for her, she is the light of my life. I feel so lucky that they live quite close, which means i get to see her a couple of times a week at least and i am so thankful for that.

Love you millions Sweetheart!

DT WORK Sneaky Peek!!

It's raining here in Bedford this morning, so a bit dull and dreary! I hope it's brighter where you are :)
I have no new cards today, but i do have a little sneaky peek at my upcoming destgn for Sketches! by Tamara, which will of course be revealed in full on Thursday when her new sketch is posted.
I have not had much spare time this past week to join in with any challenges. I do miss these, and hope to get back to some really soon,and back to some stamping as i haven't stamped anything for over three weeks!!! I'm starting to get withdrawal symptoms ;-D

Anyway, as there will be eight of us for lunch today! I best go and get my craft stuff tidied away, and get the mountain of veggies prepared!
Enjoy your Sunday, and i'll see you very soon ;-D

Hugs
Carol x

CSF #5

You still have a few days left to play with my latest sketch which can be found here

I have just received an entry via e-mail from my lovely friend Margaret. She has used the new BG 'Wassail' papers, and some lovely embellies from Prima. The stamp is from Rubber Stamp Tapestry.

Card design by Margaret Carr.

It's a gorgeous card, thanks for playing along Margaret ;-D

BASIC GREY 'Wassail'

My first design using Basic Grey's new Christmas line 'Wassail'. Stunning papers and elements in this fab set, i am warning you now.......you will be seeing a lot more of this over the coming weeks!!
Papers are from the 6 x 6 pad, along with the gorgeous chip sticker bell. Alpha stickers are from the Pheobe collection pack, and tone in really nicely with the colourways. Ribbon & 'jingle bell' are from my stash :)

I hope you have a great Friday, i am so looking forward to the weekend!! Thanks for your time today, and i'll see you very soon ;-D

Hugs
Carol x

WASSAIL HAS ARRIVED..........Yay!!!!!!!...

How excited am I.... :) My first! delivery of the gorgeous 'Wassail' has arrived... Basic Grey have cracked it once again, with this fab set! I've stroked it, i've sniffed it, and of course i've made a little card with it!

It's nearly 1am here in the u.k......so you will have to wait for daylight to see my first design....sorry, but i do like to take my pictures without flash! Only a few hours to go, i can't wait to see what you think, your comments do make my day ;-D

Hugs
Carol x

SALT & PEPPER .....

...is the name of the latest download over at Funky Hand. Great designs in this Achromatic set of papers from my talented & patient boss Anice. I say patient, because she never makes demands on me or moans when i don't get my butt in gear!!!...... and i have to confess that this is my first card made with these versatile papers. All the other DT members have left me standing!!!

My little flowers were made with the asterisks and the top half of the exclamation marks from AC Thickers,the 4U is from the same set as well. Gems are Mark Richards crystal stickers, and ribbon scraps from my stash. I've inked the edges with a Colorbox cats eye in Charcoal. My card is 5 x 7.

SKETCHES! by Tamara

It's Thursday, and time for Tamara's new sketch!

My design is very simple, and really you could say i've not used the sketch to it's full potential, but i so wanted to use my newest Basic Grey goodies, so that's exactly what i did!! :)
These gorgeous elements and papers are from the Urban Prairie collection, stunning colours as usual from BG, and the chip stickers are so easy to use, and very cute! I just want to kiss that little bird every time i see it :) The swirly stem and papers are from the 12 x 12 pack
The black scalloped card is Bazzill, and i've added some doodling with Zig and Inkssentials pens. My card is 5 x 7.

Try to find some time to play along, and check out the other DT girls creations for more inspiration,...... and most of all....... enjoy yourselves!! :)
Thanks for popping in today, see you soon :)

CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGE #4

Back to work, back to blogging, and of course back to my clean green Cuttlebug machine! :) for challenge #4, which is to emboss on patterned paper! I found this hard!! so i've kept my design very simple(the first couple of efforts went in the recycle bin!!!)
What's that saying..... 'less is more'...... Trudi,....you really are challenging me!!!!

I've cut my roses from a sheet of Basic Grey 'lollipop shoppe' Marzipan which i've backed with bazzill black cardstock, and run through the CB Swiss Dots folder. The ferns are made with my McGill punch(i think there is a similar Martha Stewart one!) The sentiment is a HOTP acrylic which has been inked with Ranger Archival black. Card blank is 158mm square, and i've edged it with Colorbox cats eye in Charcoal.

Hope you can find some time to play along this week, i would really love to see what you can do(better than me i'm sure!!) and don't forget to check out the other girls on the DT for their fab creations :)
Thanks so much for your visit :) see you very soon!

Cuttlehugs
Carol x

CAROL'S SKETCH FUN #5

Here is my sketch #5 for you to try!
This is my design for the sketch, and as you can see i've used some more of the yummy 'Figgy Pudding' papers by Basic Grey The cute little snowman is a Penny Black image called 'Snow Cuddle' which i've watercoloured with Distress inks.I would love you to join in with my sketch challenge, and you will have a chance to win this fab little bag of goodies!
There are 3 wooden tags, 20 Dress it Up Autumn themed buttons, 2 Prima flowers and a roll of ribbon, all in this cute little organza bag! :) Winner to be randomly drawn at 8pm on Wednesday 29th October.

Also, later today i will be posting my card for this weeks Cuttlebug Challenge, perhaps you can join me for that too!

Hugs
Carol x

JUST A NOTE.......

.....to remind you that my next sketch will be posted tomorrow, Carol's Sketch Fun #5! I do hope you will pop back and have a look and hopefully join in as well! :) I have a bag of goodies for the winner which will be drawn on Wednesday 29th at 8pm, so you have a week to show me what you can do!

Also, Wednesday is Cuttlebug Challenge. I thought this week was a hard challenge, so my card is very simple! but sometimes less is more don't they say? :) It would be great if you could join in with us, i would love to see what you create.

Hugs
Carol x

AN AWARD....

From my lovely friend and team mate Kath
I'm not sure if Kath knows that i absolutely love Autumn, with all the fabulous colours that nature has to offer, and it reminds me of going out to gather Chestnuts with Mum when i was a child :) and walking the dogs in the woods when my children were younger. We used to spend hours in the woods, and the best thing is, they all remember a different funny story from those times. Forget all the high tech stuff that kids seem to want or need these days.....you can't beat the great outdoors!!

I would like to say Happy Autumn to all my visitors, and if you would like this award, then please accept it with my love!

Hugs
Carol x

BACK FROM PORTUGAL!

Hi Everyone, i'm back from Portugal! We had a great time and the weather was super! Thank you for all your sweet comments while i've been away, i have missed you all and hope to get back on track really soon :)
I thought you may like to see a picture or two, so here they are....
View from our balcony.... 'Ponte Grande' hotel complex.

Our favourite beach 'Praia de Coelha' and yes, that tiny figure is me! We were lucky to find this piece of heaven the very first time we visited Portugal in 2002, and have been going back ever since. The building you can see is a super little restaurant, perfect for the hungry sunbathers!!
Some friends i made....having their tin of Tuna! on the way to the beach. (not so tiny here!!!midriff bulge or what!!!!)
Up in the mountains at 'Monchique'

Portugal is such a beautiful country, and the people are very friendly. I always hate coming home, but then i start to look forward to the next time, which i hope won't be too far away!

Thanks for popping in today, see you soon :)
Carol x

SKETCHES! by Tamara #66

Love the sketch that Tamara has given us this week! I knew instantly what i was going to do with it, and i'm really pleased with the end result too! I haven't made one of my ribbon flowers for ages(original can be seen here) so i thoroughly enjoyed making one for this card!

This card is 5 x 7, which is one of my prefered sizes at the moment, it gives more of a base to work on, where sometimes a smaller card just does not give the same impact! All other cardstock is Bazzill, and the white piece has been run through the Cuttlebug using Swiss Dots. The ribbon is from my stash, you just can't have too much ribbon can you? The centre of my flower is Making Memories from the 5th Avenue collection, with a Dovecraft gem brad. The sentiment and the button are also Making Memories.

I do hope you can find some time to play along this week and don't forget to check out the other fab designs from my team mates!

Thanks for popping in today, and i'll see you soon :) Take Care...
Hugs
Carol x

CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGES week 3.

Trudi has set the challenge this week, to make something other than a card using at least one embossing folder! As you are reading this, i will hopefully be lounging on the beach reading a book! Yes, i'm in Portugal!, so for my DT project, i decided to make a bookmark :)I've used D'Vine swirls, and one of the borders from 'Just my Type' to create my bookmark. I used a few different colours of Colorbox cats eyes to 'distress' the embossed pieces,some scraps of Bazzill cardstock, and fibres from my stash, along with some gorgeous flowers from Making Memories. The book in this picture is 'The Natural Hedgehog' by Lenni Sykes with Jane Durrant, and features one of my most favourite wild animals :)

I do hope you can join us this week, i love to hop around and see what everyone has created!

Cuttlehugs
Carol x

SKETCHES! by Tamara #65

Another fab sketch again from Tamara, although i have to say this one stumped me at first! I looked and looked at the sketch, but nothing was springing to mind, Mojo had nodded off methinks!! I have kept it very simple, and just used some fabulous papers and embellishments that we all love when brain goes into hibernation! :)
The gorgeous Poinsettia's and Leaves are from Prima's little bauble pots, so many in one little bauble and of course you can use the container when it's empty! Green gems are from Kanban, and yummy Basic Grey papers from the 'Figgy Pudding' collection. Sentiment is HOTP, and the lovely burgundy ribbon was a gift from my friend Margaret, who is a wonderful lady! :)

I do hope you can play along this week, and don't forget to check out all the other DT stuff!

Hugs
Carol x

CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGE

The challenge this week over at Cuttlebug Challenges is to make a Fall or Halloween card or project using at least one embossing folder.
For my Design Team project, i have made a Halloween Treat Jar. My gorgeous Granddaughter Danielle was born on Halloween, and this year she will be three! Time races by so quickly, it really doesn't seem long since i got the phone call to say she had arrived, and now i'm making things for her third Birthday party!!I've used one of my empty Yankee candle jars, which is holding a dozen M&S chocolate lollipops, that have all been given the Cuttlebug treatment! I had to attach them all to wooden skewers(points removed!) to get them to the right height for my jar, and then each one has a Cuttlebug 'sandwich' of cardstock. All scalloped circles cut with my Nesties from Bazzill card, and then run through either Swiss Dots, Distressed Stripes, or D'vine Swirls, once embossed, iv'e then distressed them all a bit with Distress ink 'Black Soot', and added a bat or spider!
The spider and bats are from the cut and emboss duo, and the jar is covered with papers from Bo Bunny 'Spooktastic' collection, fibres are from my stash.

I do hope you can join in with this challenge, and don't forget to leave a comment with a link to your work, so we can pop over and have a look! :)

Cuttlehugs
Carol x

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Just wanted to pop on and say that things may be a little quiet around here over the next couple of weeks as i am off to Portugal on Monday morning :) I have some sneak peeks for you now, and i am taking my lap top with me, so i may be able to connect at some point! I do hope so, as i will miss hopping around to see what you've all been up to!!!
I have not even decided what i'm going to pack yet(OMG!) as i've been spending today working on my DT stuff for Sketches! by Tamara(who is having major computer troubles at the minute!) and also for Trudi's Cuttlebug Challenges! I will have to pack tomorrow at some point, but my husband would tell you that i always leave everything till the last minute almost :) so what's new!!
I am going to schedule my posts to upload at the correct time for all the challenges, but in the meantime, here is something to tempt you with.........

If you would like to see more, then pop back on Wednesday for Cuttlebug Challenges, and of course Thursday for Sketches! by Tamara(all being well with computer!!)

Enjoy your crafting! and i'll see you real soon :)

Sketches! by Tamara #64

I had so much fun designing for the sketch this week!
When i first saw Tamara's sketch, i thought 'oh no it's circular, what on earth will i do with that'. After just staring at the sketch for several minutes, trying to decide how i would do it, this idea popped into my head!
I cut two 51/2" circles from white cardstock, and another from my Figgy Pudding 6 x 6 pad, all with the Cricut. I cut a portion from one edge of one of the circles and then placed the other on top, turned it over and made a score line on the other for the fold. Glue this part down, and then you have a regular opening card.
The Basic Grey paper was then glued on top. and scored and folded as before! I painted a Maya Road chipboard swirl with snowcap paint dabber and then glittered up with some glamour dust. I dabbed a small amount of paint all around the outer edge of the circle as well.
The gorgeous snowflake is of course a Cuttlebug cut & emboss duo, and i've added a tiny gem to the centre, the yummy pom pom trim is Bazzill and the sentiment is HOTP.

I would love to see what you can do with this week's sketch, so hope you can play along! Thanks for stopping by today, i do appreciate your sweet comments :)

Hugs
Carol x

SORRY.......

.....if you are wondering why a winner hasn't been announced for my sketch #4! I came home from work this evening feeling very tired and almost like i've been run over!!! I seriously hope i have not caught some sort of 'lurgy' just before my Holiday! I fell asleep on the sofa, and have not been awake long so i hope you will forgive me :)

Anyway, without any more delay....... the randomly chosen winner this time is...........

KATH

Thanks to the other ladies that joined in, and better luck next time :) The next sketch will be posted on Wednesday 22nd October, so come back and play along with that one! And once again sorry for the delay in announcing!

I hope you find some time tomorrow to join me and play along with Sketches! by Tamara, where i will be showing my design for this week's sketch, after teasing you with a little peek on Monday.

Have a great day tomorrow :)

Hugs
Carol x

DEBUT DESIGN FOR CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGES

Yay!!!! It's Wednesday and time for the very first challenge over at Trudi's fabulous new blog

CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGES

As a member of Trudi's new Design Team, it is time for me to reveal my card after teasing you with a little sneaky peek! :)
Our first challenge is to use three different embossing folders, and this little card uses Perfect Paisley, Swiss Dots(everyones favourite!) and Textile Texture.
I do love the effect that 'sanding' gives to the embossed pieces, which i've done on both colours. The white portion has been edged with my Threading Water punch from Fiskars, and i've cut around some parts of the TT design to create my flower 'petals'.
The sentiment is stamped directly onto the card using Ranger archival black ink. The button is Basic Grey 'Euphoria' and a tiny bit of ribbon from my stash!

I do hope you will play along with your 'bug' and show us what you can do with three different folders, and don't forget to check out the other DT members for their fab ideas too! :)
Thank you so much for popping in today...........

Cuttlehugs!
Carol x