Sketch Saturday Challenge 44/Sugar bowl 7

This is the for Sketch Saturday Ch 44. and also Sugar Bowl (spring or easter). It's a nice one isn't it? and there is a prize on offer too, at SS, so why not pop along and have a go, get involved, you never know you may win.I really enjoyed getting stuck into this sketch and as always the DT always have wonderful examples to get you started, if you need a little inspiration.
I'm getting used to my camera and feel getting better photos this last week or so. Once I realised that it's not costing anything to practice, like with the old film cameras, it's a lot easier to see what you have done right away and if you don't like it? erase it. So get to grips with the manual of your camera and try all the different functions available.

Now to the items used: PP. Papermania 'SweetNothings' & Basic Grey 'two scoops' Buttons Papermania, (wooden) Heart 'Hobby craft', Ribbon & letters from stash, And the wonderful 'Anna Griffin' stamp makes yet another appearance ;-) Please feel free to look around my blog. Why not leave a comment? or become a follower, that way you Will never miss a posting from me. Love Dawn xx

Basic Grey challenge 28-sketch

This weeks Basic Grey sketch, is a nice sketch to follow if you would like to join in just pop along all are welcome. I keep entering these challenge blogs as you get lots of new ideas and you never dry up of inspiration as the DT always give great examples. You never know one day I may even win one lol.

Cup cakes seem to be every where at the moment so I thought I would follow suit. I have had these elements from papermania for ages and thought I would use one here. Basic Grey lovely cup cake paper goes so well with it. As usual I hope you like my projects please feel free to comment on any of them, why not put your self as a follower and never miss a project.
Now to the Items Used: Patterned Paper 'Basic Grey 'cup cake & Obscure' Papermanina 'element cup cake' Stamp from 'Hobby Craft' Punch 'Fiskers threading water' and nestabilites die. I hope you enjoy scrolling through this blog and do come back soon.

Whiff Of Joy Ch23

This is the WOJ sketch for this week I really enjoyed working with all the layers and as always the DT are full of inspiration A fab sketch that I will no doubt use again & again.
You can see, a lot of work goes into these projects as with more layers comes more work lol good luck to all the participants who get involved.
Now for the Items Used: Claire Curd patterned papers, stamps 'Sugar Nellie Artist' & 'Whiff of Joy sentiment' Card stock 'Core'dinations' Cuttlebug EF 'Blessed Child' that's about it, I do encourage all who visit to pop along to WOJ It's full of good ideas, and they have some great stamps too!

Paper take weekly Challenge sketch 11/Cuttlebug 14

I have had a busy week and not entered as many as usual I can't believe it's Saturday already. I love this image from PTWC sketch 11 there is no prize for entering, saying that it does get the creative juices flowing and I always keep the sketches for inspiration at a later date. I also want to put this in with the Cuttlebug challenge 14 I would advise any one to go to any of these sites. Especially cuttlebug the designs that are there along with tutorials and prizes now and again too, I never miss stopping by. (too afraid I miss something) lol

This is my effort, the DT'teams off these sites never let you down for inspiration. I ordered this lovely Anna Griffin stamp a few days ago and it arrived yesterday so I had to use it, this brings me to Items Used: Stamp 'Anna Griffin' Cuttlebug EF 'divine swirl' & 'Texture Textile', Button butterflies 'Crafttime', Patterned Papers 'Kanban' Card stock 'co-ordination's' and last but not least is Ranger's 'Glossy Accents'.

I love adding this as it gives a lovely shine. I have made some cards this week for young lads with a Sugar Nellie stamp 'rock star' I think it's called and I used the glossy accents to do the guitar after colouring and it does give a fantastic finish, it's like making your own epoxy sticker, if you haven't used it, why not give it a go? As always thank you for looking at my work why not leave a comment or become a follower of this blog, it's always active and just a little hint in advance, I will be giving away a free gift soon for one lucky person!

Monochrome

Just because I saw something similar and I thought it made a good colour combo. I think I will do more like this I particularly enjoyed doing inside as I don't normally but have made a start, and it does make all the difference to a card they are so pretty inside and out. more CCRS big block of papers as I said very versatile

Sketch Saturday Challenge 43

So the Saturday sketch Challenge I found it a little difficult this week, all those squares lol Well I decided to use a photo of my cats (Axel & Slash) who have since have passed away. I am doing a scrapbook of the pets I have, and have had in the past. Any one who has lost a pet will know, it's like loosing a family member so what better thing to do than have a tribute scrapbook, I have been doing this book for about a year and continually add to it, as we have Hunny (my cat) and Dita (the akita (Dog)) who is a rescue dog we have had her about three years now, she was getting on in years when we got her but she is full of life. It isn't suprising to me what a little love can do for an animal who gives everything in return.

I had some photos put away ready to scrap and the black & white one gave me the Idea to go all monochrome, and yet again CCSR stamps! and some black & white 8x8 from papermania & brads

Basic Grey challenge 27 Texture

My friend, Emily (Critch) to some ;-) and her family in America are so cute. These photos were taken from a Christmas Post Card they sent us with photos of the family on, how could I not scrap this beautiful family. So I cut these up and decided not to go all Christmas with them. I decided to just use the colours Red and white.

I put this is in for the challenge over at Basic Grey The challenge is to create texture and you must use at least one BG product. It's not hard for me to use BG I love the papers and you get a sheet of all the matching accessories as well as letters, which are wonderful.

The Items Used: Patterned papers Basic Grey 'Boxer' Rub on's and lettering also Basic Grey 'Two scoops' The satin roses are from 'Hobby Craft' Epoxy shapes are 'Making Memories' love the colours in this packet, yummy to work with too!

CCSR Challenge 2

This week challenge is super so please pop over to CCSR.

The more I use the paper & stamps from the CCSR the more I fall in love with them. I have used them so much this week, They are so versatile.

For the challenge I used: a freebie Sticker on the front of last months Creativity Magazine, the lovely papers from Picnic range to match.The ribbon is from my stash and the lovely felt additions are from Making Memories animal crackers 'Jack' I coloured the butterfly in with Whispers watercolour pens and added some Glossy accents to it after to give it that lovely shine. I have to say I am really enjoying the challenges at CCSR And the DT have such insperation for every one.

Parcel Arrived

Well been spending yet again! I can't help it lol, This is a small sample of what I have purchased over the past month. This came this morning though. Can't you tell I've bought a bind it all last week? :-) I also intend doing more scrapbooking, in fact some of the challenges I have done have been scrapbook pages instead of cards, well I thought it had been ages so I was (in the zone) yesterday and I made quite a few things some of which will be posted later, so watch this space.

Baby James comes to visit on Mothering Sunday

Pity I didn't take more photos we had his mum, Ashleigh me, Grandma and my mum, Great Grandma. I didn't take a photo of us all (d'oh) but I did get some great video footage of him chuckling, his mum was tickling him and I just love that sound a proper baby chuckle. He is the apple of his grandma's eye, my mum (great grandma) thinks he looks just like Richard my eldest son (his dad) when he was that age and he so does lol so altogether now AWH he's my 'baby James' I won't get away with calling him that for long lol BIG hugs from Grandma xx

Cuttlebug challenge 23

This challenge is a Cuttlebug Challenge 23 I found this interesting to do. The challenge was to use punches in an unusual way and of course a cuttlebug product, the prize is an amazing hand made camera strap made by Shealynn a photographer from Arizona, I do like the challenges and the DT members have some great examples, very inspiring. The close up shows I used a heart punch and stuck them all together to make this lovely flower and there are two smaller flowers in the corners, I feel the basic grey papers have worked well (pity I can't use it for their challenge too)!
Here are the Items used: Quite a few this week! Patterned papers, 'Docrafts' daisy collection, 'Basic Grey' Perifery & 'K&Co Classic Charlotte. Cuttlebug (EF) 'Divine swirl', flowers (hand made) with heart punch from stash, Gems 'Pearlfect stickerz'Die cut 'Go Create' Purr the cat (110028)

Bind it all mother's day gifts

Oh I have been spending this week I bought the dream cuts and the bind it all this week, The new pink versions I bought mine from Cutting Edge Crafts, well I have been looking at them for ages, and now I am actually going to sell my crafty items I thought I may as well buy these as I can now justify it to my self (she says) lol. Any way I hope to improve with experience but these are my first efforts the pink one is for my mum, for mothers day and the green one it for my daughter-in-law as she is a mum now too. I thought they would both love these little note books handy to pop in your bag when going out any where I hope you like them and watch out for lots more Bind it all (BIA) projects to come.

Felt Dresses

Oh so busy these days, look at these divine little dresses, are they not just the cutest things? I love them so much. These like the dotees can have scented oil on them or fill with pot puri either way a great gift for any female.

Very simple make doesn't take that long but look at the detailing you can always go more over board I'll certainly be making more I think I could also put one of these on front of a card with some scented oil on the stuffing a great pressie for a mothers day card (don't for get it's this Sunday) have a go at it if you would like more details of how to make this little cutie then just leave me a msg. Love Dawn xx

Sketch Saturday Challenge 42

I really enjoyed this challenge with sketch saturdayI have fit it in with a card I was asked to make for a family member (two birds with one stone lol) He is really into his music and loves to play his guitar. He's in his twenties so hope he likes it .

It's decorated in side too! not really fancy (well he is a man). As you can see it's full of guitars and plectrums to fit in with his passion! and the .sketch saturday challenge

Items used: 'Making Memories' patterned paper 'falala' and 'papermania' Stamps 'Whiff of Joy' & 'Papermania' some emboss powder and some distress ink from 'ranger'

I hope you like my effort. Why not leave a comment/become a follower and keep up with all my crafting experiences.

Dotee

Morning every one, lovely weather here in the North west of the England. I was on the Do Craft web site when I saw some of my friends creations. Sue, she is a lovely lady, made these amazing little dotees, well I had never seen them before, and I thought they were adorable. So I asked Sue how to make them she directed me to her blog here have a look, she is so cleaver. Any way that was yesterday now I have created my own! these make great gifts, you can put some scented oil on and make you draws/wardrobe smell nice or you can put moth balls in them and put them with clothes you store a way like a wedding dress, or you can make decorations out of them for the Christmas tree! they are lovely don't you think?
The amazing thing is you can be as intricate, or plain as you like, I have put some chain stitch on here and some lovely adhesive gems to create a little sparkle. You can put more stiching on, or if you like you can make a charm to dangle on the bottom of the dotee, (this will also act as a weight) you can make them out of felt, fleece or cotton. I filled these with light weight filler (for stuffed toys) but you can put wheat in them or dried beans. That's what I love about this the possibilities are endless. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.

COMIC RELIEF RND

Did you watch BBC one RND last night? I've never blubbed and laughed so much, it was a fantastic mix of laughter and fund raising. The films that were shown were so moving just £5 can save a child from malaria thus save a life £5

The children in this country who care for a sick parent, if a child cares for a parent they receive nothing , no counselling, no help of any kind,and this we call a civilized rich country. These children have so much responsibility for their young years, they don't get to be children. I feel very strongly as I'm sure every one of you do, that children should be out playing laughing having fun with no cares. However, sadly it's a fact that millions of children though out this would are struggling, dieing and have no one to look out for them, so I urge you to click on the heading and donate something.

It was amazing to see last night that despite the credit crunch, comic relief beat the last total by 15 million last I saw on TV, they will far exceed that when all totals are brought in. Not all the people out there are bad some like you and me care and love our fellow man. It doesn't matter how hard things are here for us just five pounds of our money can save a child's life please give what you can Thank you.

Paper take weekly Challenge

Hi, yet another challenge, they are good fun and if anything they do make you focus on your designs. So this week I decided to go a little oriental. I went off one of the DT member eg. as she sat her stamp on something and I thought "hey good idea" so here is my little effort for Paper take weekly challenge.

Items I used: Patterned paper 'Papermania' Stamps 'Sugar Nellie' & 'Whiff of joy' Emboss folder 'Cuttlebug' coloured with 'Whispers water colour pens' glossy assents 'Ranger' flowers &ribbon from stash.

Whiff Of Joy ch.21/Cup Cake ch.30

I so enjoyed doing this it took forever! So I have entered this in to two challenges Whiff of Joy & Cup Cake

Items : Patterned papers 'Kanban' card stock 'Co-ordinations' flowers 'Prima' stamps 'papermainia' and some 'Stickles glue by Ranger' to finish. i hope you like my efforts and pop on the links if you would like to join in too!

Sugar bowl challenge 6

This weeks challenge is a cracker! I really enjoyed doing this especially when you think it could be a winner of this special challenge that there doing over in the Sugar Bowl Where the prize is some wonderful Sugar Nellie stamps so pop over and have a go and good luck!

Some mothers really like quality time to their self and in the garden is one of the best places in the spring, planting out new things for later in the year and watcing the new spring buds opening to fill the garden with colour. Items used Accessories 'Papermainia' & 'Inspirations' Patterned paper 'American Craft'(al a carte 2) Note paper 'Making Memories' Stamps 'Sugar Nellie' ,'Wiff of joy' & 'Laura Ashley' flowers 'Prima' and finally charm by 'Creative Charm'

Pin Cushion

I have been so busy the last couple of days, it was my Mums birthday on the 10th Tue. so been gadding about. However, that hasn't stopped me making this cute little thing ( I had to do something I was having withdrawal symptoms) it only took about an hour but it's all I have had time for, and it kept those awful symptoms at bay, phew. I hope you like it. Why not leave a comment, or if you have any questions why not ask? I don't bite lol.

Scrapping until 5am

This Photo was taken by my niece Elizabeth (budding photographer) and it's one of my favorites of us together (me & hubby)
I went a bit O.T.T on this I think.
Items used: Bazil card stock (pearlized) patterned paper 'Basic Grey', enamel charms 'Making Memories'. clay phrase 'Li'l Davis Designs', Letters 'American Crafts', roses, rose buds and lace stash.

This was when I had my niece last year she always tires me out but she is such fun to have. I couldn't wait to use this stash I love the 5th avenue stuff from MM

Paper, die cuts ,tags, journal note paper, 'Making Memories'(MM) Brads 'M.M' and 'Papermania' Letters 'Basic Grey' Ribbon 'Hobby Craft'

This was such a fun day out and it didn't cost a fortune either which makes a change '' Apple Jacks " (Cheshire) we all had the best time even when it started raining lol. (I'm nothing to do with AJ) some times I look at photos and wonder where they were, so I though I would tell you.

Items used: Papers 'Bo bunny' & 'DCWV' 'card stock 'co-ordinations' journal paper 'MM' Skull and heart from a haberdashery shop

Sketch Saturday Challenge 41

I went a bit mad spending this week, well I don't do it weekly, maybe just every other week lol. Any way I got quite a bit of the new Papermania stuff loving it I have to say and really good price. Any one can join in the challenge if you like just click HERE

Items I used:Papers and stamps 'Papermania', emboss folder 'Cuttlebug', sentiment stamp 'clear stamp' and ribbon from stash

Basic Grey challenge 25-sketch

This was a challenge. lol However it gave me a chance to look through the BG stash I have bought, wow so much well it is good quality stuff and so varied. (I'm after some bittersweet papers not seen any any where yet so if you have seen some leave a comment and tell me pls) I also used some rub ons I bought to match. I enjoyed doing this I have to say, why don't you pop a long to have a look at the challenge yourself?HERE

Items I used:Papers and rub ons 'Basic Grey' Metal corners 'American Craft' stamp 'Studio G' Flowers 'Prima' and one of my own and the ribbon was 'Dove Craft'

Followers

Hi and thank you to all those who have already stopped by. Can I encourage you to add your self as a follower, all you have to do is look down the left had side and there is a button that says follow, just click on this and then you can pop back easily as you can't forget the address lol I know I do all the time. You can also put this blog on to your favorites just click the star with the plus sign on and this blog will be added. I hope this helps as I am also very new to blogging and any tips can be very helpful. I have been doing this blog for about a week and it's not the easiest thing to do if your a bit of a techno phob, but I'm getting by and I'm also getting lots of help this is a very friendly community. So if you have any tips comments about this or any thing else please leave a comment, thank you Dawn

Boo the bear

Looking at yesterdays card for the challenge I thought it looked a little bare so had another go on a similar line with my new oval nestabilites that came yesterday. Items used: 'Go create' die cut (110025) boo the bear 'cuttle bug' emboss folder, stamp 'rubber stampede' fl0wers from stash

Truly Scrumptious Challenge

You can click HERE and you will be lead to the callenge.

Items used: Papers 'Basic Grey' (obscure) Stamps 'sugar Nellie' & 'Rubber Stampede'

Basic Greys cardpack

I Have never tried one of these so I thought I would give it a go, well this pack was on sale from £10.99 reduced to £7.99 I thought well I can use the papers for another project I love 'Basic Grey' papers, but to my surprise there were three sheets and all die cut to make the cards pictured, including cards, envelopes and rub on's. So I followed the instructions and made all these cards in under two hours. This is because all you have to do is pick out the die cut you need and stick it to the card, then add the sticky die cut, rub on accessory. Now I have to say are not for me. However, you do get eight beautiful finished cards. I like to create my own style or follow the latest trends in magazines. However, I can see where these would be good perhaps for a beginner to see how to structure cards or if your in a hurry they are a great idea (me I have hundreds of cards I have made in the house lol) so I don't think I will be needing a card made in a hurry lol.

Sugar Nellie Challenge/Cup cake Challenge 29

I thought I would give this a go and the sugar bowl looks very good fun so here is my entry. This challenge is for March 'Cracked glass' effect please click

HERE for the details I hope you do it is really good fun to try a new technique that perhaps you haven't used before.

If you like cake go and have a look HERE some lovely challenges and inspiration.