A Scrapjourney

I'm so pleased how this card worked out using BG Origins and Friday Sketchers Sketch this week. I have turned the sketch and used the usual suspects ribbon and punched flowers with roses and of course not forgetting the stamped Sarah Kay image.
I have to report I was disappointed with the Make it show and I really have to think hard whether next year will be worth its ticket price. It is possible we've just got too much stuff and we've been crafting for a few years so we not easily impressed but I still manage to buy some stuff and most of my list was all brought.
So I managed to buy glue, dst, chalkpads, acylic blocks, new home sentiment stamp and not on my list some PB stamp two of which were in the £2 off baskets and a couple of A5 set of stamps from Jenny of HobbyArt and a large pad of Bazzill paper which I now wish I brought more.
Then we popped down to the Art of Craft which is only a hop, skip and jump away from the show, they were having a second hand craft sell, where they sell your unwanted craft stuff and 20% goes to the charity sorry I forgotten which one it is. So I managed to buy some stamps most were PB and Cricut pens so maybe a successful day after all.
If you're planning to go to the Make it Show today unfortunately they've cancelled because they're expecting strong winds.
One thing we did do was to book ourselves on a Copic class with UK Copic Certified Tutors on the 25th April at Farnborough Hants in fact its at the Holiday Inn or the Queens Hotel if you're local. It being arranged by Stamps and Memories so hopefully I will be able blow the dust of my copics.
I've waffled enough now signing off.
Oh just wanted to Wave to Sarah aka Crafty Little Minx, lovely to meet you.

I really must pluck up courage to use a sewing machine, this card took ages just because I hand stitched all the mats. The reason for the stitching its the challenge today over on Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge and we also welcome the two Vickys as permanent members of the DT.
Do go and check DT's creations, some of them are much braver than I actually used a machine.
So I've got my money, my list and the tickets, so what are the odds that I bring home stuff not on my list!

There's a couple of challenges calling for easel cards one of them being Everybody-Art-Challenge. I love making them but haven't for a while, also Bev has a fab sketch on WOJ challenge so I brought them both together. I did have to alter the flowers on the sketch since they would be in the way of the dress. Of course I used one of WOJ city girl collection and the fab Wisteria pack from BG, I've only got the not so nice papers left. Flowers are the funky flower punch and the border is a Fiskars punch.
All I wish now that these easel cards weren't so hard to photo.
Well it's the Make it Show at Farnborough this weekend and there's no way we're going to miss it since it's on the doorstep. Sis has sold some of my cards so I've an extra pot of money but I'm going to try and be good, I don't need any papers, or stamps (too many uninked already)I do have a list but on it is boring stuff, like glue, inkpads etc.

There's a great challenge on Simon Says Stamps group over on PaperCraft Planet, its a colour challenge. Brown, Vanilla (cream) and Teal, I immediately thought of the Basic Grey papers I think could be Offbeat but I've long since lost the front cover. My main prob was the cream was white in the papers so I picked papers with a small amout of white and used cream cardstock for everything else . The papers came out of a kit and I was just going to put them with my other flowers but they're perfect for the colours. Sweet Tilda and yummy chocolate ribbon with some MS butterflies to finish.
There's plenty of time to join the challenge and Simon says stamps are giving away a prize to the winner.

I wasn't going to miss out on the Penny Black Saturday Challenge although the colours Pink, Green and Yellow pretty much has me stumped till I remembered I had a papermania card pack that would work.
Since the shade of colours I had choosen pretty much screamed Spring I found a PB Easter stamp that I brought last year. My MS doily punch had an outing along with my funky flower punch. I was really pleased to find an Easter sentiment on a Woodware set.
I'm keeping this short and sweet since my index finger is sending pins and needles up into my hand, doesn't hurt but it does feel quite bizarre!

Now I'm sure they're trying hide behind words over at Simon Says Stamps Challenge lets not call it distressing lets call it Vintage, Now I see Vintage as old stuff or new stuff made to look like old stuff and to do that you have, thats right, you have to distress it. Don't tell anyone but I'm really pleased how this turned out. The papers are My Minds Eye, distress torn with a contrast piece underneath the torn bits and I used my pokey tool to make the pinprick holes and to finish a sweet Sarah Kay image with a bit of lace and ribbon.
Now we're show casing Prima Flowers this week, well thats a story in it self, first my flowers are in colour all mixed up with various makers, so I brought myself a marvellous set from Prima from Simon Says Stamps. It has bright sunny flowers with buttons etc all to match and its fab but I do suggest that you read what challenge they're for before you buy them cos they don't work for Vintage.
Lucky for me I remember Lols sending some prima flowers for Christmas and although they're colour coded I do remember these fab hydrangeas which I had to DISTRESS to match the card and the fab pearls are Papermania from my stash.
Now don't forget to join us at Simon Says Stamps Challenge and you can win shopping voucher for $25 all postage paid. They've just added Greeting Farm and CC cuties too you can see them here.
I had a fab day yesterday my friend came for the day and after a long chat, we craft and stopped to watch Sir Tim on QVC. But I'm suffering a bit today, a case of a punch too many.

Simon Says Stamps are stocking Greetings Farm stamps and as a member of the DT I will be able to show case them on their challenge blog. I've only a few of these stamps since I wasn't over pleased with my results and thought they work better with copics but I thought I would give them another try. I brought this one because she is wearing my coat I had in the seventies when I thought I was cool. The fluffy stuff is from Woodware which I had to use it just wouldn't look right if I didn't. I've used the sketch from Sketch Saturday this week but I had to turn it. The papers are Papermania that they've brought out for the Daisy and Dandelion collection.
I'm really please how she turned out but do feel I may have to improve the shading with her face.
Well I had a busy day yesterday, someone forgot their dentist appointment, good job Hubby had it his diary and since he had to take me he knew what time etc. Then it was trip down to Furniture shop and brought all the bits we wanted for living room. Had to get the smelly salts out for Hubby when it was added up. Trip to Sainsburys before getting home for Hubby's friend whose going to improved my fireplace which I don't want changing not matter what everyone keeps telling me. Phew I think a nice quiet day is in order crafting.

Who else loves those free papers from one of the craft mags I know I am and I'm going to be really disappointed when they all go.
There's a fab sketch from Jay Jay on Just Magnolia although I have turned it. This poor Tilda rarely gets used so it was nice to blow the dust off, not sure about the blue easter egg. Prima flowers with Wild Orchid roses and MS butterflies and border punch.
Well my front room has been re-plastered so it's down to Hubby, so confident is he that it will done soon we're off to buy some new furniture, this could be fun. Hubby's a traditionalist and I like a touch of modern so the trick is to find something in between.
The reason for todays title its pouring with rain that even the ducks have gone into hiding.

The second card is using the Mojo Monday sketch, I was inspired by the DT cards and was going to put a star under the sentiment but decided against it and just used some pretend brads. I cheekily added a fancy paper clip so it would work for the Cute Card Challenge this week but I think it breaks up the plainness that you get from having to make boys cards.
My nephew is here plastering my living room, I'm off to hide.

My turn to choose a challenge on Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge and now Valentine's day is over the next important date is Mother's Day, well it is if you're in the UK. So my theme is a card for Mum whether Mothers Day or Birthday, or a female card for someone special.
My card is for my Mum's Mother Day and she loves busy cards, it has to have everything on it and even though I couldn't workout where to pu tsome glitter, the roses have been sprayed with glimmer mist to make them shimmer.
I'm not too sure if she will like the images my Mum doesn't quite get cute but likes flowers so hope the roses make up for that.
I've used the lattice deep border punch and the butterflies from MS, the images are WOJ. I only used one sheet of patterned paper from papermania there was enough going on without using lots of layers.
I've been asked what size cards I use, I make mine all from A4 linen card that I buy in bulk and for square cards they are 14.5cm and the card I used today is 14.5cm by 20cm.

If you looking for Mr Linky to link your card for the Simon Says Stamps Challenge blog it's
here

You can see I'm still struggling to make cards and given that this PB puddy cat is quite a large image it didn't leave much space to decorate. The challenge on Penny Black Challenge is for Valentine but since thats been and gone and my Wedding Anniversary is creeping up I thought I make it for hubby.
The papers are Scenic Route and of course I had to use my MS heart punch, the sentiment is from Simon Says Stamps sentiment set.
Should be an interesting weekend, my nephew is coming to sort out the walls in our living room so we can decorate and so he can have an early start he's staying at my Sis along with he's wife and children. So she won't be able to go to Scrapbuddies on Sunday.

If only I finished this card earlier yesterday I would have been able to photo it in sunlight but this morning its so dark and wet but it better than that white stuff.
Can you believe it but I've had no inclination to make a card and even though this dragon from High Hopes is so cute I had to force myself in my craft room to make it.
I think its because my room is in chaos which as overflowed into the dining room and needs a thorough sort out but till the warmer weather I've got to live with it.
To make my card I knew the sketch from Sketch Saturday would be perfect and the papers are those citrus ones from DCWV, the circles are a bubbles quickutz die and the dragons bubbles had to be glossy accented.
I am still doing other things like the Indian Maiden I started to cross stitch last year I'm now doing the outlining which is a pain but it really comes alive.

Looking for Simon Says Stamps Challenge blog hop, you're find it here

We are still in celebration mode :-) and to continue the BIG welcome of our new team members we have decided to cook up a fun Recipe Challenge and Blog Hop !!! :-)

This week the Design Team are all showcasing the Stampabilities range of stamps -
House Mouse, Happy Hoppers and Gruffies :-)We do realize that not all of you have any of these stamps so we have a Recipe for you all to follow :-)

3 TYPES OF EMBELLISHMENTS
2 PATTERNED PAPERS you can also use coordinating cardstock :-)
1 IMAGE
If you do have any Stampabilities stamps we would love to see them on your creations this week :-)

The Hop starts HERE :-)

At each blog, there will be a MYSTERY LETTER – collect all of the letters, unscramble them, and post your answer at the end.
Be sure to follow the blog hop all the way to the end, for a chance to win. When you get to the Simon Says Stamp Blog, leave a comment that you hopped to all blogs, and the mystery phrase and you will be entered to win.
At each blog, you need to leave a comment or a direct link to your challenge entry with Mr Linky – this will get you a chance to win your choice of 1 Cuttlebug embossing folder at EACH blog, AND an entry into the GRAND PRIZE!!!
Be sure to follow the blog hop all the way to the end, for your chances to win. When you get to the Simon Says Stamp Blog, leave a comment that you hopped to all blogs, and you will be entered to win this SIZZIX BIG SHOT OR a $50 VOUCHER to the Simon Says Stamp Store,
The choice is YOURS !! :-)

YOU MUST ENTER THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE TOO TO BE ABLE TO WIN !!!! WE WILL BE CHECKING :-)
So if you've arrived from Dena Blog you're on the right track if not you need to pop back to Simon Say Stamps Challenge.

There's a sketch on Moving Along with the Times and I thought it would perfectly with these images, not sure whether you consider them cute companions though. I was going to do it as a Mans card cos of another challenge, now I can't remember whose it was and since I've popped on a 6 in the star it's not a mans card anymore. The images are the fab Dustin Pike stamps from High Hopes and the papers are some Scenic Route that was in my stash such a shame they're no more they were one of fave papers.
Yes I was a bit worse for wear yesterday not so much because I over indulged, well maybe a bit but I had an awful night sleep, one don't drink a lot of water to keep you sober you'll spend the night going to the loo and two strong cups of coffee will mean once you're a wake you'll have a job going back to sleep!
The next few weeks we're furniture shopping for the living room which is going to use up valuable crafting time but means must.
Looking for the results of the Mega Challenge see below or visit Brenda, Floral Fantasties

Sir Stampalot challenge winners and even more exciting news

So now on to the winners of this challenge and blog hop:

Challenge winners are:


Blog hop winners:

Winner of the Blog Hop solution which was "We have Moved"

Debbie M - Hampton Art stamp, embellies & ribbons

Congratulations to you all, please all mail me brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full names and postal addresses. Everything is packed and ready to go and as soon as I get all your details I will book a large lorry to get everything to the Post Office !!

And finally a little message to all my blog buddies who have been so kind and understanding of my lack of visits recently.......hopefully normal service will be resumed this week.

I've copied this from Brenda's blog so not sure if the links will work since I've only copied and paste, so if it doesn't do check back to Brendas.

Whilst buying the new LOTV stamps maybe one or two old ones dropped into my basket and this little chap was one of them, he's so cute. The words on the oval panel I think they're Hero Arts but the packaging as long since gone, love that the clear stamps can be manipulated so that you can curve them a bit.
The sketch is Friday Sketchers and if you use Button and Bows it works for Totally Papercrafts challenge so using the Kaiser papers I made my own buttons.
Oh heck I've just noticed the orange backing tape, how annoying and I don't have time to re-photo, putting my party clothes once I've done this post for Mr Blogger to schedule.
Hope your love ones give you a Valentine today, Hubby decided its a waste of money and brought me two craft magazines instead now that's what I call love!

The day we have all been waiting for has eventually arrived and all can be revealed. As you all know the sponsor for this very special challenge and blog hop are Sir Stampalot who are celebrating their move to a spacious new shop in Peterborough.

We have lots of fun planned and some super prizes. The First Prize for the challenge which I estimate is valued circa £160 is a Sizzix Big Shot withe extended cutting platform, plus dies including two of the fabulous Sizzix Bigz dies which cut boxes and shaped cards.
I told you it was a Fantastic prize.

There will also be two runners up prizes for every stop of the blog hop which include stamps from all the best companies such as Hero Arts, Penny Black, Stamps Happen, embellishment kits etc., So enough of the blurb here's how you can win.
The challenge and blog hop will run for two weeks closing at Midnight GMT on 13th February 2010.

The Challenge theme is





These pics are just to prove that my see-saw does indeed see-saw.

Wasn't sure what do with the inside panels and I probably would have been better of stamping in red but I used a Hero Arts clingy stamp that I got from Simon Says Stamps. I do love the effect I can see myself using this one again.
Do check out the DT they're were much more adventurous then me and lots of love to teamie Gina who as had to step due to personal reason.
I've got myself in a pickle and I really must get on top with my list of things to craft and with being out tonight to celebrate Chinese New Year (they've celebrating Valentines tomorrow so they brought it forward one night) and beening worse for wear not much is going to get done this weekend.

I was having a bit of a dilemma in choosing my title today, should it be Froggy Friday or Take Three cards, as you can see the frogs won. I was asked to make some New home cards and immediately it became a chore, but since I ordered this stamp from Simon Says Stamps specially for the purpose, I coloured a few in. I thought I would have a go using the Mojo Monday sketch, the papers were scraps.
Then I thought they would work with A spoonful of Sugar Recipe Challenge, the embossing folder is in fact from Crafts Too which I think you will find available from The Art of Craft, I think this one is nicer than the cuttlebug new butterfly folder but that's just my opinion.
I still had a set of frogs left so this time I used the Sketch and Stash sketch and the fab papers from Citrus pad from DCWV.
I'm now bored with the frogs need to find something else now!

Ahhh back in my comfort zone, Penny Black mice and lately the citrus colours that I'm loving at the moment bringing a touch of spring on my blog. I can't believe I nearly didn't buy this DCWV pack cos it seems to be my constant companion at the mo.
I'm not too sure about the pin and flowers, quite like the curly bits which are the wire I cut off the roses and I've seen on other crafters blogs. The heart pearls are from Hobbycraft which fell into my basket the other night while buying something I needed for my Secret project. The sentiment is Woodware by Jane Gill, they're two stamps put together.
The sketch is from Truly Scrumptious and there's a reason for the using a Pin and Pearls that would be the challenge on Penny Black Saturday Challenge.
Janet over at Pink Gem Stamps has these fabby candy including the Sprinkles with attitude that I used the other week but honestly you can chose the 6 your fancy providing they're in stock.

I've also received this yummy award from Lesley from Grenouille Greetings, many thanks.