Birthday card off the in-laws!!!

Hiya Everyone,

It was my birthday a few days ago and I have been asked (told Lol) to share with you the birthday card made by my mum-in-law. She has been making cards for a while as a hobby and loves to make them for friends and family. I am really proud of her as she started her own blog up recently and started entering in the challenges. It was recently her 60th birthday so me and the hubby bought her a cuttlebug and a load of embossing folders. I'm really pleased she likes it and has just treated herself to some nesties! Please have a look at Sandra's blog and I'm sure she will appreciate a nice comment or two!

I have been asked for an up to date piccy of Tayla. I took this a couple of days ago after I found her playing with the empty box after I took my crafty supplies out. She's more than a little grubby, bless her but I couldn't resist sharing it with you!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

As promised.....a card!!!

Hiya Everyone,

Just while I'm waiting for some sausages to cook as my other half fancies a sausage butty, I thought I would quickly post a Joanna Sheen sample that I made with some of her wordy stamp sets a while ago. I used some papers from my bits box and made quite a small card for a change. I do like cards that have a sentiment as a focal point.

My hubby is now eating his sausage butty so I'm in the good books so I am now escaping into my craft room to finish off some new Joanna Sheen samples that I'm currently working on!

See ya tomorrow!!!

Paula. x

Fabulous news and Workshop details!!!

Hiya Everyone,

I have some fabulous news - I applied for a guest DT stint for Pink Gems Designs and got an e-mail from Janet to say that I was successful! I am so chuffed!!!

Janet designs some fabulous images and papers and often does some fab freebies so go check out her site if you're not familiar with her work. I'm really looking forward to working with her amazing design team.

Also check out the "Gem of a Challenge" blog!!!

As you may or may not now it was my birthday yesterday so I've had a right lazy weekend doing no crafting whatsoever so I need to get my finger out tomorrow as I have so much on right now. I promise I will post a card tomorrow as it's been over a week that I shared a card with you all which is awful of me!

Also, for anyone local to the Blackpool area I have a workshop on Saturday 3rd September at the Windmill Craft Centre. It is 10 till 12 and we are using very cute Wild Rose Studio Stamps. The workshop is £12 and includes all the materials to make 2 cards using 2 different stamps - one of which will be yours to take home. If you are interested in coming along please ring 01253 865866 to put your name down. I went in today to pick up some supplies and there are a few spaces left!

I found out today that Barbara who runs the Windmill Craft Centre has been very poorly so I wish her a very speedy recovery.

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Looking forward to Christmas so much!!!

Hiya Everyone,

Sorry I've not blogged for ages but I've got several lots of DT work on the go at the minute so I've been sooooo busy!!! I will have some cards to show you soon but a lot of what I'm working on I can't share yet!

I am really looking forward to christmas this year as Tayla will be 1 on the 1st December which means this year will be so much more exciting for us as a family in our fab new home. Even now, she's almost walking and is a righ stubborn so and so - I can't think where she gets that from! Lol

Does any of you want an extra christmas pressie this year?

Well if so, read on.

What I would like to do for one of my lovely loyal followers is to send out a christmas card and little pressie to one of you! When I say one of my loyal followers, I mean someone that actually stops by my blog on a regular basis and has a looky at what I've been up to and not the random people who follow me just to get their hands on my candy! It is sad but it does happen.

For any of you that are interested make a comment on this post and I will pick one person with the help of random.org.

PS. The cute piccy is of Tayla last year when she was 3 weeks old!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

It's time!!! Humphrey Decoupage sheets launch today!!!!

Hiya Everyone,

Todays the day where you can get your hands on the new Humphrey decoupage from Crafters Companion that are being launched today at 12 noon on C&C. This isn't just decoupage - this is reddy die cut decoupage and the quality is fantastic!!! They pop out so easily and the images are just stunning!!! There is a christmas set and an occaisions set and they will be offers up for grabs!!! If you are a member then you can buy direct from the Crafters Companion website from 1pm if you don't want to lose all those lovely points!!!

This image of Humphrey feeding the ducks is so cute. I decided not to jazz it up too much as it would make an ideal boys card. The embossed silver mirror card is terrible to photograph which make it look really dark but it was 1am when I was taking these piccies!!!

I cannot stress enough how cute these are. You are going to love these - Will they be a sell out? Probably, but we'll have to wait and see!!!

ThanKs for looking!!!

Paula. x

Another crafty car boot buy!!!

Hiya everyone,

Just a quick post to share with you another crafty car boot buy from sunday. This brand new sealed packet of pebbles was 20p. I have no idea what I am going to do with them but I couldn't leave them behind for 20p could I?

I'm a bit disappointed as the postie bought me nothing today but there's always tomorrow!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Another little Humphrey!!!! Sneaky peek!!!!!!

Hiya Everyone,

I'm sooooo tired today as I just couldn't nod off last night at all. Maybe I'll have a snooze when Tayla does later! It's all go in my craft room at the moment as I've got 3 separate comissions on and I'm due to get another one shortly! I had none for about a week and now I'm inundated with work but I love being busy. If I didn't do DT work I'd just have loads of boxes of random cards lying about as there's only so many you can give to friends and family. To be honest, I'm usully so busy that I don't get chance to make friends and family cards although I do try and make for my mum and my mum in law as they hate to receive a store bought card!

I have another card made with Crafters Companion Humphrey decoupage sheets to share with you but this time it's a "normal" one as apposed to a christmas one. The decoupage sheets in both occaisions and Christmas are the Pick of the Week on C&C tomorrow at 12.00 noon so tune in and check it out.

The papers again are from my bit box due to lack of time but I do remember that they are from a Summer Driggs freebie Freedom kit as I've used these papers so many times as I just love them! Check out all her other downloadable kits - they're all free but are so fab!!! The sentiment is off one of my Humphrey rubber stamp sheets but I can't remember which one as I just bunged all the sentiments in a box.

These images are so cute and the quality of the reddy die cut decoupage is second to none. If you fancy decoupage but don't have the time, patience or ability to do any cutting then these really are for you - the bits push out so easily. I actually like cutting out decoupage as I find it strangely therapeutic.

I suppose I'd better go and make myself some breakfast and wait (im)patiently for the postman. I wonder what goodies he will bring me today!!!


I will enter this into the following challenges:-

Cuddy buddly - Anything goes
Card makin mamas - Birthday cards
Fabulous friday - Animals
Catch the bug - Shabby chic
Craft your your days away - Birthday celebrations
One stitch at a time - Anything goes
Sparkles - One for the boys
Cards for men - Anything goes
Make it monday - Anything goes
Spoonful of sugar - Happy birthday
Try it on tuesday - Anything goes
Divas by design - Birthdays

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - Humphrey sneaky peeks!!!

Hiya Everyone,

Just a quick post as I'm about to go out and get Tayla weighed as it's been about 4 weeks since I last took her with us moving house. I was going to take her last wednesday but it was bucketing it down so I didn't bother!

This is another adorable Humphrey decoupage image which is soon to be available from Crafters Companion. It is part of a pick of the week reddy diecut decoupage set that is being launched on friday on C&C. Get in quick as this is sure to be a sell-out!!! I have added a little shimmery white ultafine glitter to the image and the papers are from a DCWV paperstack that I had knocking about. I only had a day to make my samples so I just dug out some christmassey papers dead quick as I can spend an ages deciding what to use and I just didn't have time!

I decided on an easel card as I like to do a mix of different styles!

I will enter this into the following challenges:-

Crafty Anns - Scallops/fancy borders
Cuddly buddly - Anything goes
Fabulous friday - Animals
Fuzzy wuzzy - Shaped card
Stamping with the dragon - Red, white and green
Wags n whiskers - Sparkly
Secret crafter - Christmas is coming
Chrismas card challenge - Christmas cheer
Gingerloft - Make it sparkle
I did it - Shaped cards
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Easel card
Heart song inspiration - Animal image or pleated ribbon
Make it monday - Anything goes
Paper playtime - Anything goes


Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

New Crafty goodies!!!

Hiya Everyone,

Well the postie's just been and I eagerly opened all my parcels. It was dead exciting as I'd forgotten what I'd bought so I had no idea what any of them were! Lol

I also received a brand new MS doily lace punch from MS as mine broke last week which was really quick so a big thumbs up for them!!! Excellent service!!!

Anyhoo, the crafty bits I received today are:-

MS butterfly border punch
House mouse stamp
3 Woodware super duper punches
3 bags wooden embellishments
Large bag of ribbon
Large leaf punch
Coffee archival ink pad

The piccy is a bit rubbish but Tayla keeps trying to steal my camera Lol.

All this with the money I made selling stuff I didn't want!!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Looking forward to a grey Christmas......it's Humphrey!!!

Hiya Everyone,

I am very excited to share with you the fabulous new die cut decoupage that have been brought out by Crafters Companion. I was busy making samples yesterday that have just been collected for the pick of the week show on friday. This one is my favourite of the ones I was sent. It is a pop up card that I based on the design of the La Pashe Trinitage cards as the square tubes fold flat. This was my first attempt at this style of card - I would do it a bit different next time but you live and learn Lol.

I decided to keep the majority of the card plain so that the decoupage image stands out more. This reddy die cut decoupage is soooo easy which is fab for anyone who either cannot manage to cut out all the bits or those who simply don't have the time.

As I didn't have very long to make samples I had another shufty around in my bit boxes as I thought it would take me too long to decide on papers if I used the papers on the Humphrey CD so I can't remember where this blue and white check paper if from originally. I don't often use mirri card but thought it would look ok seeing as it was a Christmas card. The sentiment is printed using the font "Hogwarts wizard" as it's the only funky font my hubby has on his computer as my laptop is still on a go slow so I'm using his.

I have loads of other samples to show you but you'll have to wait till tomorrow!

I will enter this into the following challenges:-

Fab 'n' funky - Christmas
Freshly brewed - CAS/less than 3 embellishments
Kelley's kids - Babies
Pixie dust studio - Boys will be boys

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Popcorn 1st Day at school!!

Hiya Everyone,

I hope you are all well and have had a fab weekend. I've spent most of the weekend at my old house which is now thankfully all but finished. I must say I'll be sad in some ways to see it go as it looks really nice with all the new decor, carpets etc. Having said that, our new house is soooo much bigger and it will be amazing when we get chance to do what we want with it.

I have loads of DT work to do which I haven't even had chance to start but I'm hoping my mum will look after Tayla for a few hours tomorrow so I can make a start on it. My samples need to be ready for collection on wednesday as they are for a pick of the week on Create and Craft TV so I need to get a wriggle on.

Today I have a Popcorn bear card that I made a few weeks ago that I realised I haven't yet shared with you. The image is a rubber stamp from Crafters Companion and is from the kids collection range called school days and is available here. He is coloured in with my spectrum noir pens using the 6 packs only. This was my very first Popcorn with the spectrum noir pens and I was very pleased with how he turned out as I'm not the best colour-innerer (if that's a real word Lol). The papers are from my bits box as I'm trying really hard to use up my odds and ends before cutting into new papers and cards. The ruler twill is from a fabulous little online shop called the Fruit Pixie which is great for quirky and more unusual crafty bits - especially if you are into Tim Holtz and altered art - check it out!

I will enter this card into the following challenges:-

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Fabulous new car boot find!!!

Hiya Everyone,

I haven't got a card to share with you today as I've been spending a lot of time going through the mountain of boxes that are still lying around after the house move. It's sooo boring but we've been putting it off due to the amount of work we've been doing on the old house. This weekend is hopefully the last weekend that we will have to spend there but there's only a few little jobs left to do. We were supposed to do it last weekend but we didn't get chance after the car broke down.

Anyhoo, before I go to the old house I wanted to share this fabulous buy I got at the car boot this morning. It is a rotating spice rack with 16 screw top bottles (originally from marks and spencer) that I got for......£2.00!!! I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with it yet but I really love it as I'm a bit bonkers when it comes to storage!!!

I have had a break from my DT work for a while due to the house move but I am am about to be bombarded with stuff so I will be very busy which will be a definate improvement on the decorating! I am expecting a parcel from Crafters Companion tomorrow (Oooh, can't say anything but......squeal!!!) I look forward to sharing my crafty makes with you all.

Be sure to pop back to see what I do with my fab spice rack!!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Buying and selling crafty stash!!!

Hiya Everyone,

On a sad note my MS doily lace punch just broke so I'm a bit gutted. Haven't had it that long either so I'll need to try get a replacement sorted. On a more positive note I just wanted to share with you the crafty stuff I have bought via facebook. There are loads of people selling their unwanted crafty stuff so I managed to get a few bargains. You can tell there's a recession on Lol as most people would normally keep everything "just in case" but now if they haven't used it in a while it's gone! I too have been selling some unwanted crafty stuff and with the proceeds I have been buying other crafty stuff I do want. I have tried to be good and only buy something that I really want or have wanted for a while.

This is what I have received in the last 2 days.

A chocolate monster stamp - So cute I just couldn't resist...can't wait to ink up that baby £2!!!
Dandelion rabbit stamp - Again, sooo sweet £2.50
Sentiment stamp - A garden without flowers is like a face without a smile £2
MS heart border punch - Been after this one for a while £9
Dienamics notebook top die - £5.50
Marianne icicles die - £4.25

I've bought so much stuff I can't remember what's still to come. Lol

I can't wait to see what the postie brings me today!!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Less is more challenge - Red and white!!!

Hiya Everyone,

I've noticed that I've gained loads of new followers in the last week so a big howdy to all my new and old followers!!! I hope you are all well and aren't too close to all the troubled areas in the UK right now. The mindless violence is just making matters worse and I really feel for those affected by all this....big hugs!!!

As my DT work is a little quiet right now (although I have lots lined up now...typical Lol) I tried my best to enter the less is more challenge as I do like to enter but don't always have the time. The theme is red and white as in the St George's flag or Red, white and blue as in the Union Jack. I had a rummage in my bit box so decided to use up a bit of red and white gingham paper and a little red card. The cherries from are a spin on a card I made ages ago and what I was going to make with the fruity theme last week that I missed.

It's quite plain and I'm not sure I like it but I'm not too worried as it didn't take very long to make. I haven't added a sentiment as I intend to keep it in my box so I may add one later.

I will enter this into the following challenges:-

Less is more - Red and white
Crafty pad - Gone fruity

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Car boot bargains!!! :D

Hiya everyone,

I hope you all had a good weekend. I ended up doing not very much after the car broke down although it's in today to be fixed! I did want to share with you all the fab goodies I bought at the car boot sale yesterday. I love going to the car boot sales and we have a really big one just round the corner from us. Normally I don't find anything crafty but there was a woman there yesterday who had decided to give up cardmaking so her whole stall was amass with papers, stamps ink pads etc! I had to be really good and only get things I thought I would use rather than just buy a load of stuff for the sake of it. I would have liked to have spent a bit longer looking but my hubby was losing the will to live! Lol

I ended up getting:-

Oval snellie die cutter
Rectangle snellie die cutter
Almost full 3d glossy stuff
Half full can silver spray and shine
Half full can of stick and spray
Almost full envelope glue
Full basic grey paperstack
Full DCWV paperstack
2 clear card stands
Corner rounder punch (different to the one I already have!)
Fiskars border punch
Roll lilac grosgrain ribbon

All for £15!!!!! Don't you just love a bargain?!? ***happy dance***

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Penny Black saturday challenge card

Hiya everyone,

I've had a bit of a lazy day today due to the car breaking down yesterday. It turns out we had just ran out or petrol as the petrol gauge is broken. We're taking it to be fixed on monday where it will get MOT'd at the same time. It gave me chance to have a play so I thought I'd ink up one of my Penny Blacks and enter the Penny Black saturday challenge as I've never had chance to enter it before - this weeks theme is "anything goes". I decided on my city divine girly stamp which I coloured with my promarkers. The papers are from a DCWV paperstack called blossoms and butterflies (some of which are glittered or foiled). I decided on pink and blue colourscheme as I tend to use a lot of pink and green so I thought it would be a nice change. I added a little glamourdust to her top and added a small diamante to her hair. The sentiment is also a penny black stamp that I've had for ages.

It really is a novelty just making a card for a bit of fun as apposed to the DT work as I'm normally so busy. I can guarantee all the DT will pile up on me all at once! Lol

I have also been having a good clearout of crafty stuff and selling it via a crafty buying and selling page on Facebook. The only thing is, I'm buying stuff as soon as I sell some of mine which kinda defeats the object Lol. I have bought stuff I've wanted for a while though (and several impulsive buys but we'll ignore those shall we?) :D

I will enter this into the following challenges:-

Penny black saturday - Anything goes
Craft your passion - Anything goes
Happileigh scrappin - Anything goes
Stampin scrappin fun - Summer
There she goes - Summer

Paula. x

SWALK sympathy card and Spectrum noir tutorial!!!

Hiya Everyone,

I hope you are all having a good weekend so far. Mine has been pants so far as our car broke down round the corner from our house so I had to ring my dad to help the hubby push it to the house. Hopefully, it's not a big problem but we won't know till the guy comes and takes a look at it.

Anyhoo, I wanted to show you a card I made with a cute (but sad) SWALK stamp that I made as part of a step-by-step colouring tutorial with the fab new Spectrum Noir pens from Crafters Companion. The card (I think) is called a joy fold card although I'm not too sure Lol.
I used the main image on the outside of the card and used the bunch of flowers off the same stamp sheet on the middle panel. The papers are from the SWALK papers CD (disc 2). I decided on a lilac colourscheme as I'd not used it for a while. If you click here it will direct you to the Step-by-step colouring tutorial that is on the Crafters Companion website along with several others by other members of the Crafters Companion DT.

I am really gutted as I've ordered the rest of the spectrum noir pens (the 4 x 24 packs in lights, brights, darks and pastels) and they are on back order and not expected back in stock till the end of September. Patience isn't a virtue of mine but I have no choice as they are not available anywhere. I think they really underestimated just how popular these fab pens would be at Crafters Companion!!! I can't wait to get them!!!

I will enter this into the following challenges:-

Crafty Ho's - Anything goes
Dream valley - Surprise
Stampactular sunday - Friends
Craft your passion - Anything goes
Creative stamp friends - Monochromatic
Happileigh scrappin - Anything goes
Incy wincy designs - Monochromatic colours
Make it monday - Anything goes
Nettie G's digital gems - Fancy folds

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

Harry Potter Birthday Card

Hiya Everyone,

I just wanted to share with you all a quick card I made for my mum as it's her birthday today - I only made it last night as I've been so busy. She loves Harry Potter so when I won some digis a few weeks back I made sure I got this as I knew she'd love it. As I'm using my hubbies laptop as mine is on a go slow/stop, I didn't have access to all my usual digi papers etc so I found this star paper which was a freebie (here) when I did a search. I used my inverted corner punch on the edges of the image and the base layer of the card which I am loving right now.

The image is called Har Repotter the chosen one and is by bugaboo stamps which is available from here. I love their stuff so don't forget to check out their other fab digis! I coloured him in roughly with my promarkers for a change as I'd not used them for ages. I also used my star embossing folder and a star punch that I edged in black stickles. The sentiment I did on the computer with a freebie font called Hogwarts wizard which is available from here. I added a little glossy accents to the lenses of his glasses and the eyes of the owl.

I will enter this into the following challenges:-

Sew many challenges - Anything goes
Totally papercrafts - Bling it up
Secret crafter - Monochromatic
Card cupids - Birthday cards
Craft your passion - Anything goes
Creative stamp friends - Monochromatic
Happileigh scrapping - Anything goes
Hooked on crafty - Cute and cuddly
Incy wincy - Monochromatic
Make it monday - Anything goes
Stamps r us - Happy birthday
Woodware USA - Anything goes
Celebrate the occaision - Kids birthday
Stamping boutique - Birthday card for young males
Ambers crafts and stuff - Sparkle and shine
Crafts and me - Anything goes
I love promarkers - Things with wings (owl)
Kelleys kids - Anything goes
Little red wagon - Put a critter on it
My mums craft shop - Monochromatic
Ai factory - Anything goes
Art impressions - One for the boys
Craft us crazy - Anything goes
Do you stack up? - Black with a pop of colour
Dutch dare - For the kids
Pixie dust studio - Anything goes

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

August Super-duper Birthday Blog Candy!!!!

Hiya Everyone,

As it is my birthday later this month I have some extra special blog candy for August as I'm feeling extra generous Lol!!!

Up for grabs this month is a set of 12 Tim Holtz Embossing Folders worth over £40!!! To be in with a chance of winning all I ask is you become a follower (or if you are already a follower - even better!), post the piccy of my candy in your sidebar and add your name to mr linky below - simples!!!

I will draw a winner on the 1st September and that person will have 7 days to contact me - if they do not, I will draw a new winner.



Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

New Summer Driggs digital kit!!!

Hiya everyone,

Just a quick post. I just wanted to let you know that Summer Driggs has uploaded a new freebie digital kit on her blog. If you are not familar with her work I suggest you go and check them out. Her papers and elements are amazing and I use them often on my cards. The new one is called Flipflop-sicles and you can download it here. If you have a better mooch around her blog you will find a long list of other kits that are all free to download that are just fabulous and even better cause they're free!!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

July blog candy winner!!!

Good morning everyone,

I have had the most terrible nights sleep as Tayla had to sleep in our bed last last as she kept standing up in her cot and kept yanking at her baby monitor - something she couldn't do the day before....arghhh!!! We couldn't lower her cot as all my hubbys tools are at the old house. He better not forget to bring the stuff home to fix it tonight!!! She literally only started crawling about 2 weeks ago and I think she'll be walking soon - she's only 8 months old today!!!

Anyhoo, back to the important matter in hand of announcing the winner of my July blog candy. The winner drawn by random.org is No.19 which is Claire from Cardz by Claire.

Well done hunny!!! If you e-mail me your address details I'll get the candy posted out to you in the next few days!!!

I will post my extra special August birthday candy up shortly after I take a piccy of it - you will not want to miss it!!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x

August Crafters Companion blog challenge card

Hiya everyone,

I have spent all weekend decorating and faffing at the old house although we have now ordered carpets so we have almost finished at long last. As I write this Tayla is asleep on the sofa with the hubby as when we put her to bed in her cot we found her stood up in it!!! We had no tools to lower it as they were all at the old house so she'll have to sleep with us tonight till we can sort it tomorrow. The little monkey will be walking before we know it - she will be exactly 8 months old today!!!

Anyhoo, I have my August Crafters Companion monthly blog challenge card to share with you. The theme for this month is glitter and glitz so I decided to use a summer poppy flower fairy from the fairyopolis CD rom which you can get from here. I actually made the card about 2 months ago just before I moved house as I wasn't sure if my craft room would be in any fit state although I'm pleased to say is starting to look pretty good. The fabulous decoupaged image and papers are both printed from the CD rom and I added some glamour dust to the wings. There will be a £30 gift voucher to spend on the site to one lucky winner which could be you!!!

I decided not to add too much sparkle to the rest of the card so the image was the main focal point of the card. It actually looks a lot better in real life but hey-ho. The extra flower is from a Joanna Sheen "rose" pressed flowers stamp set that I stamped directly onto the same paper. I decoupaged this too and added some black flock to the centre so it looked more like a poppy. I didn't know what I wanted the card for so I didn't bother putting a sentiment on it as I thought it might be nice to just have a card in for an emergency although I can add one later if I feel like it!

Be sure to check back later as I will shortly be drawing my July blog candy and posting new exciting candy for August which will be extra special as it's my birthday on the 27th August so I thought It would be nice to do a super duper candy to celebrate!!!

Thanks for looking!!!

Paula. x