Moving house!!!

Hiya Everyone,

Massive apologies as it's been ages since my last post but I went away for a very long weekend away for easter and we have just bought a new house. The house we live in at the moment has only 3 bedrooms (One's our bedroom, one's my craftroom and the other is only a boxroom) which isn't anywhere near big enough for a growing family. The search is being done on tuesday so if all goes well we could be moving in a few weeks so I've been really busy trying to get everything sorted out. Our new house is a 4 bedroomed corner house so it has a nice big garden so it's ideal especially if we're hoping to have another baby within the next 12 months.
I've had some new Joanna Sheen samples to make and I've made my May Crafters Companion blog challenge card but apart from that I've been busy concentrating on the move. One of my priorities is to decorate my craft room at the new house then all my stuff can be moved quickly and easily from one to the other - fingers crossed!!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Joanna Sheen samples - Pressed flowers 6

Hiya Everyone,

Yet another of my samples from the new pressed flowers stamps from Joanna Sheen. I decided to make an easel card for this one just to mix it up a bit! Although I love square cards I don't want to send Joanna Sheen 9 square cards and try really hard to do a good mix of shapes and styles.

I used a scalloped card blank as my easel card base and the papers are actually a funky fairy digi paper that I printed onto white pearl card. The lilac paper is another download from funky fairy but it wasn't quite the right shade I was after so I coloured over it with my orchid promarker! The sentiment I printed out straight onto the white pearl paper (font is Harrington) and I used my sizzix scalloped oval die to frame it. I used the viola,pansy and leaf images from the stamp sheet and coloured them in with my promarkers. I was really pleased with how well they turned out as I haven't done lots lots of blending with 2 different colours. I cut the images out and layered them up for depth. I also added a butterfly (Martha stewart punch) to the corner as it felt a little empty and definately looked better with it!

I added a swirl of purple gems as there was naturally one in the design of the paper so I thought why not? Lol! I attached a basic sentiment to hold up the card and added a few more pansies to the base as I had some left over.

I will enter this card into the following challenges:-

Flourishes - Flowers
Passion for promarkers - Make your own embellishments
Tuesday throwdown - Bling and sparkle


Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Joanna Sheen samples - Pressed flowers 5

Hiya Everyone,

2 posts in a day - I'm doing well Lol! This is another of my Joanna Sheen samples made with the new pressed flowers stamp sheets. This card is made using the daisy set and I think it looks like clematis which is why I made a trellis style card. I stamped out the image several times and coloured them in with my promarkers. The image is layered with a smaller cut out of the original flower. I then used my glue pen and added some brown flock which added some extra interest. The leaves are punched onto white card (martha stewart punch) that have been coloured with my marsh green promarker. The card itself was a right faff as I cut a rectangle aperture out of the front and weaved strips of white hammercard and stuck them to the front. I inked all the edges with tumbled glass distress ink for extra definition. Once the trellis effect was finished I weaved some paper cord (that I also coloured in with my marsh green promarker) around the trellis. Again, I secured the ends on the front edge as I then covered up this with a rectangle frame which covered up all the bits I didn't want on show. I know I could've used my craft knife and cut out a trellis design but I wanted it to look more natural and prefer the woven look.

The sentiment is another of my dad carboot buys for next to nothing! I attached the sentiment and added some stardust glitterglue. I added the leaves to the flowers before attaching the flowers to the front of the card. I attached a piece of piece of light blue washed paper to the inside as you can see it through the gaps. I would have put a verse on it had I been giving it to somebody myself but left it plain as it was a sample.

I will enter this card into the following challenges:-

Crafty pad - Spring
Sentimental sunday - Treasure memories
Make it monday - Anything goes
My partner in crafting crime - Layer it up
Anita be stampin - Anything goes
Flourishes - Flowers
Papertake weekly - Truly dimensional
Passion for promarkers - Make your own embellishments
Tuesday throwdown - Sparkle and bling
Creative card crew - Spring
Art impressions - Anything goes
Aud sentiments - Anything goes
Pals paper arts - Flowers
Paper romance - Paper flowers
Rainbow ladys - Springtime
Sassy studio - Spring
Stamping insanity - Flowers
Digis with attitude - Spring has sprung
Inspire me friday - Anything goes
Totally papercrafts - Springtime

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Windmill Craft Centre - 1st workshop today!!!

Hiya Everyone,

Today was my first workshop at the Windmill Craft Centre which is based at Marsh Mill in Thornton (check out their fab on-line shop!!!) I decided to do 2 spring themed cards - a standard square and an easel card based on the same set of papers. It went very well as I did a lot of preparation in advance which I think made it flow better. The workshop was 2 hours long and people were just finishing up with around 10 minutes spare so the timing was good. I think next time I will make 2 of each sample so one can be placed at opposite ends of the large table as the one card kept getting moved around which I think made it difficult for people to see what needed to go where although I did a handout sheet of instructions which they liked. I did a little prize draw at the end which went down well too.

If any of you ladies that attended are reading this - I hope you all enjoyed it and I'll hopefully see you next time.

My next one is Saturday 21st May so I just need to decide what I am going to do!!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Joanna Sheen samples - Pressed flowers 4

Hiya Everyone,

This is another of the samples I made for the launch of the new pressed flowers stamps available from Joanna Sheen.

There were 2 ivy stamps that I decided to use as I thought it would be a bit different. I stamped them, coloured them in with my promarkers and cut them out. I made a different design of card type to as this fitted what effort I was hoping for. The sentiment I thought was great for this as it's the main feature of the card with the ivy being used as embellishment. The font I used is called schoon which is a fab vintage handwriting style. I used an olivey green light washed paper which I inked the edges of with crushed olive distress ink. A little bit of leaf embossed gold mirror card and there really isn't much to it. I attached the ivy along the upper left corner to the bottom right corner, firstly with DST then added a few with foam pads for the impression of depth. It's different to what I normally do but it was the kind of effect I was aiming for.

I will enter this into the following challenges:-

CES - Monochromatic
One stop craft - Monochromatic
Papertake weekly - Truly dimensional
Anita be stampin - Anything goes
Stars and stamps - Layers (no glitter)
Aud sentiments - Anything goes
Dutch dare - Fancy folds

Paula. x

Joanna Sheen samples - Pressed flowers 3

Hiya Everyone,

This is another of my Joanna Sheen samples that I have made with the new pressed flowers stamps. This is from the rose set (there is also daisy and narcissi). I decided though to colour the flowers in red to give them the impression of a poppy for a bit of a change and to show how versatile they are. They are £9.99 each set and are P&P free from Joanna Sheen.

I stamped the image out 3 times and cut the card into 3 squares so that the flower was roughly in the middle. I then coloured them in with poppy and cardinal red promarkers and a bit of grey for shading and in the centres. I then used a bit of glossy accents in the centres of the flowers, popped some clear seed beads on which I then went over with my black promarker when it was dry. I mounted these squares onto black card I cut a square of black and white spotty paper, inked the edges with my old black inkpad then mounted onto black card. I then attached all the bits to my card and I printed a sentiment off the computer – font is Harrington. I think the combination of the bright red with the black and white is very striking.

I will enter this into the following challenges:-

Some odd girl - CAS
Fairy tale challenge - Happy birthday
Fashionista friday - Spring
2 sisters - Spring
Stamp, scrap and doodle - CAS
Make it monday - Anything goes
Anita b stampin - Anything goes
Flourishes - Flowers
Tip top tuesday - Spring has sprung
Amber's crafts and stuff - Favourite things (my promarkers)
Creative card crew - Spring
DZ doodles - Black, white and one other colour
The paper variety - Flowers
Your next stamp - Texture (seed beads and glossy accents)

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Joanna Sheen samples - Pressed flowers 2

Hiya Everyone,

This is the 2nd of my Joanna Sheen samples that I made for the launch of these fab new pressed flowers stamps. This is from the daisy set (there is rose and narcissi too) - they are £9.99 with free P+P from Joanna Sheen. I was really chuffed as this was the first card shown on create and craft TV out of all the samples!

As soon as I saw the daisy sheet I knew I wanted to do a "he loves me, he loves me not" idea and decided to go very clean and simple with it although it took ages as the cutting out was very fiddly. I stamped my image 6 times and coloured in the stems with marsh green, the ends of the petals with (I think) baby pink, and the centres with tulip yellow promarkers. I cut 3 out fully and the heads only off the other 3. I then cut off a few petals off the first one and then a few more and a few more again. I then stuck the full flower onto a small rectangle of white hammercard and mounted it onto basic yellow card. On the heads only I added a little glue pen and added some yellow flock to the centre for a bit of texture although I'm not sure if you can really tell from the piccy. I decided on a DL card as it fitted what I was doing better and a DL card is a bit of a rare find at the minute isn't it? It took several attempts to get the wording in just the right place with my printer but eventually managed it. I stuck my 3 rectangles onto the card above the writing and then added the flower heads with a foam pad. It took longer to make than some of my fussier cards but I like the end result so I think it was well worth it!

I will enter this card into the following challenges:-

Creative cottage - White space
Fresh brewed - Flowers
Scrapbook sisters - Yellow
Simon says stamp - Spring colors/easter
Craft us crazy - Spring/easter
Dutch dare - Spring has sprung
Shelley's images - Flowers (esp daisies), bling (I used flock) and/or stitching
Some odd girl - CAS
Alphabet challenge - White and one other colour
Crafts 4 eternity - Inspirational picture (yellow/flowers)
Fashionista friday - Spring
2 sisters - Spring
Allsorts challenge - Anything but a square
CES - Monochromatic
Little claires - Spring theme or colours
One stop craft - monochromatic
Stamp, scrap and doodle - CAS
Crafty pad - Spring
Creative cowgirls - Spring
Incy wincy - Flower frenzy
Lexis creations - Monochromatic
Make it monday - Anything goes
My partner in crafting crime - Layer it up
Stamping vacation - Monochromatic yellow
Woodware USA - Anything goes
Claudia & co - Monochromatic
Flourishes - Flowers
Karen's doodles netherlands - Anything goes
Promarker challenge - Make your own embellishments
Tip top tuesday - Spring has sprung
Papertake weekly - Truly dimensional

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Joanna Sheen samples - Pressed flowers 1

Hiya Everyone,

Apologies for being a bad blogger recently but I have been busy doing stuff that I couldn't blog about although I now have 9 Joanna Sheen samples that I can now share with you so I'll probably upload one every day or so till I've finished otherwise it's a nightmare trying to link them all up into challenges!

Anyhoo, the card I'm showing you is from a new set of pressed flowers stamps that were launched on saturday on create and craft TV. There are 3 sets altogether:- Rose, daisy and narcissi. This card is made using the narcissi set. They are £9.99 eash set (free P&P) and are available from Joanna Sheen.

I used the narcissi stamp and coloured the image with my promarkers. I stamped each image 3 times for a bit of depth with the centre being the top layer. I curled the petals lightly with my fingers too. The papers are from a daffodil paperstack that I've had for ages which I think was a K&Co one. The sentiment is a wooden stamp that my dad got me on his car boot travels. A few green diamantes and a bit of ribbon and that's pretty much it!. I do try not to use too much stuff on my DT cards as you want the main focus to be what you are displaying so I try not to go OTT on punches and diecuts etc.

I will enter this into the following challenges:-

Spoonful of sugar - Tons of texture
Everybody art - Easter
Tip top tuesday - Thank you
Tuesday throwdown - Spring
Fresh brewed - Flowers
I love promarkers - Easter
Scrapbook sisters - Yellow
Simon says stamp - Easter/spring colours
Ai factory - Easter
Craft us crazy - Easter and/or spring
Dutch dare - Spring has sprung
Rubber cafe - Spring/Easter
Fashionista friday - Spring
Delicious doodles - Ribbons for easter
Floweret - Easter
Phindys place - Easter
Crafts 4 eternity - Inspirational picture
2 sisters - Spring
Card creations - Spring related
Little claires - Spring theme and/or colour
Stamping vacation - April
Card cupids - Use 2 colours only
Crafty pad - Spring is in the air
Creative inspirations - Easter
Let's ink it up - Easter
Sparkles forum - Easter
Crazy challenge - Easter
Incy wincy - Flower frenzy
Lexis creations - Monochromatic
Make it monday - Anything goes
My partner in crafting crime - Layer it up
OLLCB - Easter
Pink elephant - Easter
Pollycraft challenge - Easter
Stamping vacation - Monochromatic yellow
Stamps R us - Easter
Woodware USA - Anything goes
Catch the bug - 4+ layers
Do you stack up? - Use lots of yellow
CES - Monochromatic
One stop craft - Monochromatic

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Quick and easy Mother's Day card

Hiya Everyone,

As you all know I have been really busy so yesterday I made 2 quick and easy cards for my mum and the MIL for Mother's Day. This took me about 10 minutes to make but is simple and effective. The papers are a pink petticoat download called fanciful flowers that I attached to a papermania scalloped card blank and added clear diamantes to the centre of each of the flowers. I then printed and added a sentiment - font is saginaw. I always feel bad if I don't give a handmade card to those close to me as they do come to expect it don't they? I've had a lovely Mother's Day as I stayed at my mum and dads last night and then we went to visit the in-laws for a lovely dinner this afternoon. This Mother's day is even more special to me as it's my very first one. I received a handmade card, 2 pretty "mum" charms for my pandora bracelet and a years cardmaking magazine subscription of my choice.

Didn't I do well! :o)

I will enter this card into the following challenges:-

Tuesday throwdown - Florals
Tip top tuesday - Nature inspired (flowers)
Paper pretties - Bling
Scrapbook sisters - Mother's day or special lady
Charisma cardz - Bling and sparkle
Colour create - Pastels with optional easter
Crafty sentiments - Mother's day
Papercrafting journey - For the ladies in your life
Paperplay - Mum
Paper romance - bling
Rubber cafe - Spring flowers
Daring cardmakers - Daisies or sweet peas
Delicious doodles - Mothers
Digis with attitude - Anything goes
Fabulous friday - Use bling
Fairy fun fridays - Oh so spring
Fairy knoll - Whatever
Catch the bug - Anything goes
Creative inspirations - Mother's day/mum
Little claires - Spring celebrations
Corrosive challenges - Pastel colours
Crafty pad - Flowers
Creative cowgirls - Spring or easter
I did it creations - Anything goes
Creative inspirations - Spring

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Less is more challenge card

Hiya everyone,

I haven't entered this challenge for a couple of weeks due to being dead busy but I was just about to make a couple of quick Mother's Day cards and I noticed the challenge was a touch of red so I found this fab poppy decoupage that I think was originally a colouring book image that was coloured in with copics by a crafty friend of mine. I mounted it onto black card and added a strip of black card, a few black diamantes and a sentiment done on the computer - font is harrington. Talk about killing two birds with one stone Lol.

I will enter this into the following challenges:-

Less is more - Touch of red
Allsorts - Blooming blossoms
Creative inspirations - Mother's Day/mum
Crafty calender - April showers bring forth may flowers
Delicious doodles - For mum


Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Crafters Companion April DT card!!!

Hiya everyone,

Finally a card I share with you all Lol! This is my DT card for the Crafters Companion challenge blog. The theme this month is a "brown and aqua" colourscheme which I love. The stamp is obviously a fab SWALK stamp which you can buy from here. It is the thank you stamp but I used my own stamped sentiment instead of the one that comes with the stamp.

The papers I have used are from two different Summer Driggs downloadable kits and I have distressed the edges with my Tim Holtz distressing tool and brushed cordouroy distress ink. The image has been coloured in with my promarkers as well as the (originally white) hydrangea flowers which are from Wild Orchid crafts. I also added a little crystal stickles glitter glue to the top flower.

I will enter this into the following challenges:-

Creative cowgirls - Spring or easter
Creative inspirations - Inspired by flowers
Scrappy frogs - Flowers and lace (lace punch)
Sentimental sunday - Cute and cuddly
Incy wincy - Sparkle and Shine
Make it monday - Anything goes
Paper playtime - Anything goes
Stamping scrapping challenge - Sparkle
Tip top tuesday - Inspired by nature
Tuesday throwdown - Florals
Ambers crafts and stuff - Use a flower
Cooking it up with Katie - Sparkle, shimmer, shine
Fab and funky challenges - Shabby chic
I heart promarkers - Emboss it (script embossing folder)
Charisma cards - Bling and sparkle
Delightful sketches - Flowers
Dutch dare - Distessing



Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

April blog candy!!!

Hiya Everyone,

April's blog candy is a fab Pink Parfait Forever Friends special collection. This includes papers, wooden stamps, stickers etc and is really pretty (and pink Lol). I bought it especially from the Glitterpot to give away as blog candy so I hope you like it. As usual to be with a chance to win, become a follower (if you're not one already), post the piccie of my candy in your sidebar and add yourself to Mr Linky. It is open to anyone, anywhere and will close at the end of the month.

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

March blog candy winner!!!

Hiya everyone,

I have just used Random.org to pick a winner of this candy and the winner is number 45 which is Jlaine of not a shopoholic blog. Please email me with your details and I'll get your prize out to you!!!

If I have not heard from the winner within 7 days I will re-draw the blog candy!

Congratulations Jlaine - I will post April's blog candy soon!!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x