Brenda's Challenge Cards

Going Morning Ladies,

I only received Brenda's Challenge cards yesterday morning, our internet is a flippin' nightmare, we did have bad thunderstorms on Saturday night but I didn't think that it stopped our internet.  I always check our email up until midnight before I publish the blog just in case there are any late entries.

The upside is that these two absolutely stunning cards get a day all to themselves!
Brenda's first card is stamped with the Inkyliscious Flourish XL Stamp and Stampin'Up! Berry Burst ink (i must have missed this stamp Brenda otherwise I Am pretty sure it would be in my possession!) .
It has stamped beautifully Brenda, the simple Berry Burst Foil Edged ribbon bow is the perfect finishing touch.
Brenda's second card was made using the 'Waves' mask with glitter paste through it, finished with Berry Burst Ribbon and a beautiful flower spray that features Brenda's handmade ribbon roses, some die cut leaves and a pretty wired pearl spray.
Two stunning challenge cards Brenda, thank you so much for taking part, I'm sorry I missed them on Saturday my lovely although I am so pleased that they get their own special day. XXX

I ended up going from having a boring day to having a lovely Mummy/Daughter date with Becca, we had some stuff to sort out for her first but then we went and had our nails done and had some lunch, it was a lovely treat, so nice just to have the time to have relaxed conversation.  I was going to have a conservative/ neutral colour but was easily persuaded to go for a deep red!  Well if your going to do i, do it big !!!

I hope that you all have a lovely day,

Love and hugs to all of you

Sandra
xxxxxx

Monday Sketch Challenge with Sneak Peek of New SU Suite...

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

 I hope that you all had a lovely relaxing weekend, the weather was very kind to us, we managed to get all washing dry on the line, which makes me happy, I smells so much fresher (to me)!

I have chosen (with Michele's help) a simple sketch for this week's challenge,  I think sketches are so helpful when you are struggling for ideas for a card.  This sketch would work for everything from Christmas to Christening card, Bon Voyage to Birthday!  You can use whatever you like, you can make your own background or use Patterned paper, embossing folders, masks, stencils, whatever you have to hand.

I have been Naughty and given you a sneak peek of some of the New Products that are in the Brand new Stampin'Up! catalogue, my .goodness there are some amazing new stamps and papers!!

I have used the "Share What You Love" 
which features some stunning Designer Series Paper that has pearlised elements, a lovely floral stamp set, there is also a luxurious Velvet Ribbon in Rich Razzleberry.
I stamped my focal piece in Rich Razzleberry, then used a blender pen with the same ink to colour the flower, the background is stamped in one of the new 'In Colours' Grapefruit Grove,  I stamped the first impression onto scrap paper to give just a hint of colour. I used the same background stamp to add colour to my sentiment, which I stamped I Rich Razzleberry and punched out with the Lovely Label punch
My card base is covered with Rich Razzleberry card that I embossed with the Petal Pair embossing folder and a piece of the new DSP, using such a small piece means I will go a long way. I added strip of ribbon down the centre to tie the two sides together.  I then placed my topper on an angle and added some coordinating pearls.
 I hope you like my card. xx

Love What You Do 

Stamp set

I hope you all enjoy this week's challenge and look forward to seeing your cards.

Have a lovely day,

Love and hugs,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Your Challenge cards

Good Sunday Morning Ladies,

We really have been treated to some glorious weather, our lawns have been mowed twice and it needs doing again already, the borders are really starting to burst into life, there are Primroses all over, in different colours too, there is a beautiful bush in the front garden that is the most glorious shade of pink.  We have tulips too and daffodils, there are lots of shrubs bursting through too, its going to be a real treat watching everything appear, outside the back door there is a border with Lavender, Rosemary,Thyme, sage & Chives, there is plenty of mint too, perfectly placed to pop out and pick to add to cooking.  I have would like to plant one or two things but we will wait to see what is going to grow where first.  We have loads and loads of pots as thats all we had to grow anything in the other house, I will plant some of the softer herbs too, we use a pot of coriander every week, mostly in Guacamole (as its Sophie's favourite) and I am happy to make it for her as its so good for you, up until two years ago we hated Avocado and Coriander but I made guacamole as part of a recipe for a meal and it was so delicious, the ready made stuff was awful in comparison!

Anyway enough of my waffling I know you want to see the Challenge cards.......

Janet

Janet has made 3 fantastic Challenge cards, to look at them you'd never believe that they were for the same challenge, that's the beauty of making your own backgrounds!

The first card Janet has made features her new Phil Martin Collage dies, this one is the music themed stamp, which works brilliantly with the old Gramophone and that perfect sentiment.

Janet's second card uses a stamped background featuring a script stamp, Oh my that beautiful blue rose that you have coloured is stunning and really gives the wow factor.

Janet's third and final card uses Sue Wilson Eternal Rings Striplet die and the Full Daisy die for those pretty flowers, cutting them from patterned paper really lifts them.

Three stunning cards Janet, thank you so much for taking part.

XXX

 Lynda

Now I knew Lynda would enjoy this challenge as she is the queen of backgrounds, using so many different methods and materials, I was really taken back to see FOUR challenge cards though, they aren't 4 super quick and easy cards either.

Card 1:  I used yupo card dropped distress inks on let it dry Cut JL Gerbera frame & Gerbera flowers

Stamping up sentiment amazing 

Card 2:  Visible image stamp

SW butterfly JL dragonfly the background i used Crafters Companion sparkle pens.blended 

Card 3:  Wendy vechi studio 490 stamps , Background I used oxide distress ink

With pixy powders & mica powders. & I stamped the flowers on top & matted with gold & black card

Card 4:  I stamped the background with Amazing you stamping up stamp set With distressed oxide First with fired brick then stamped again with Wilted violet

Thank you so much Lynda for 4 amazing works of art, you put so much work into every card. The one thing I love about receiving a 'Lynda' card is that every time you look at it you see something else, I love all of them but my favourite was the green shoe card.

XXX

Michele

Michele has made two fabulous Challenge cards this week, the first card uses that amazing Music Mask that Michele bought a week or so ago, it works so well with that China die, I have it but haven't used it yet, so I may well have a go at your card.
Michele's second card looks like an optical illusion to me, Michele has used 'Morris Men' Gilding Flakes to create the background, ( I never remember to get me Gilding flakes out), there are some lovely colours in that particular pot, now I though that it was pieced together but it is in fact a die!! Spellbinders Glass Effects die to be precise!  Its amazing, such a great die, Michele did admit she has had it a while and this is the first time she has used it, perfect first card though Michele!!
Thank you so much for taking part.

XXX

Margaret

Margaret created this background when she popped over mine a couple of weeks ago,  we sat and played with the Distress Oxides and this is one of the backgrounds that Margaret created, it teams perfectly with the Berry Burst Colour Theory papers that have been used to make the flower, which is punched using the SU Daisy punch.  Margaret has popped it onto a mat of Berry Burst card and stamped the Lovely Label stamp ink Berry Burst ink and punched it out with the matching punch too.

A fantastic card Margaret, thank you so much for taking part.

XXX

Another fantastic display of cards ladies, thank you to all of you for taking part, I hope you had fun created your own backgrounds.

Have a lovely Sunday,

Love and Hugs

Sandra

xxxxxxx

Mixed Up Saturday

Good Saturday Morning Ladies,

Bags, bags and more bags on show today, lots of other goodies too, some shopping too!
I hope that you all have a nice relaxed weekend planned and that the weather is kind to you.
I am looking forward to some of your Background Challenge cards arriving today, I have had some from Janet and Lynda and they are fantastic.

So here we go with today's show and tell......

Danielle and I did a 'Bag' swap recently and this was the bag that she made for me, it is a backpack style bag and its huge, she crammed it full of lovely little crafty gifts too.  The first picture at top of post is of my bag and a smaller version that Dannii made, I had trouble capturing a good shot of it.  Danielle made it out of  SU 'Painted With Love' Dsp, which has rich orange, purple and hints of gold, it really is luxurious paper.  The bag showcases the paper perfectly, it has so much detail, a lovely flap on the front, which is also a fantastic size, there are two stunning embellishments on the front of the bag .....

one of which is this gorgeous little cluster of flowers that Danielle created with the Daisy Punch, you wouldn't believe that if you saw the punch, Danielle added her magic touch, that fine gold thread adds a really luxurious touch.

the detail continued onto the back of the bag, that paper is so beautiful.

The finishing touch is this beautiful tag that Danielle has personalised and added a pretty foam rose,

a few glitter gems for sparkle and finished with gold ribbon and twine.

Dannii, I absolutely love the bag you made for me, it has pride of place in my craft room, you are so clever.  Thank you so much.  XXX

Danielle

Danielle made cute tiny versions of the bag she made me for our swap, she even hand stamped the paper to make them with.  I will leave a link to her blog post, so you can see how she made them....

http://craftingwithdanni.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/hand-stamped-gift-bag-stampin-up.html

Thanks Dannii, for the stunning bag, which I love and for sharing your smaller ones.

XXX

 Margaret

Margaret has been busy with her needlework, she recently finishes a long term project, a very special cross stitch piece that is Maria's, Margaret offered to complete it for her as Maria just didn't have the time to do it, it is extra special because the red building in the background is where Maria's Mum used to go dancing many years ago.  Margaret finished it and presented to Maria at Ally Pally, is was a beautiful moment to witness as Maria's face showed just how delighted she was as she opened it, i had a lump in my throat as I watched.  You did an amazing job Margaret, the photograph really doesn't do the piece justice, I can't wait to see if stretched and framed.

The second framed Cross stitch is a gift that Margaret made for Rick and Maria for their Silver Wedding anniversary, I am lucky enough to have one of these too, its perfect and such a lovely piece that you can keep out on display, unlike some Anniversary keepsakes, mine has pride of place on the display unit in the lounge.  I know that Maria and Rick will absolutely love it too.  I can see why you enjoy making them Margaret, they are like painting a picture with a needle and thread.

Thank you so much allowing me to share them.

XXX

Lynda

Lynda started a new project this week, apart from making four challenge cards that is!  This thing of beauty started life as........a coffee jar!!
Lynda delved into her lace draws (as in storage, not her frilly knickers)!! and chose a selection of gorgeous lace and dangle trims to 'upcycle' her empty coffee jar.  The combination of pearl trim on the first layer along with the pearl flower embellishments add some sparkle and give a pretty base for Lynda to add some beautiful lace, that pink dangly lace trim is so pretty and works so well with the white dangles hanging in between them.  The top is surrounded with a beautiful wide lace that Lynda has added pearl flowers to, the very top has a gorgeous flower applique on it, it is big enough to create those soft folds that almost look like petals.
I hope you are pleased with how it turned out Lynda, I bet you have the bug now, you will be adding lace and pearls to everything, LOOK OUT Terry, she will be 'upcycling' you while you sleep!
Thank you so much Lynda for sharing your jar with us.

XXX

Angela

Angela still looks in every day and she thought she would share these amazing cards that she made recently, they were for a 30th Wedding Anniversary and 60th Birthday on the same day.

Two beautiful cards Angela, I absolutely love your flowers, have you used Petite Petals to make some of them? I love that flourish on the Anniversary card too.  I bet the recipients were over the moon when they opened these, they are so much more than a shop bought card, aren't they?!

Thanks for sharing your cards Angela.

XXX

Michele

Michele has treated herself to some of Sue's new dies, I love the birdhouse die set, I can think of lots of occasions that you could use those for, New Home, Christmas, I think you could add lace and ribbon and make a lovely 3D project, some of the wood effect paper thats popular at the moment would work really well with these dies too.

The matching sentiment set makes the dies even better, its nice to have Fun sentiments to add to your cards, there are some lovely ones in that set too.

Now Michele you have Father's Day and Dad's Birthday sorted for the next few years, this set will be perfect for your Fund Raising tables at the Church fete too, in fact all of those dies would help build a great selection of cards, quite quickly too.  3 Great sets Michele, I can't wait to see what you create.

Thanks for sharing my lovely.

XXX

My Ally Pally shopping

I always forget to add my shopping to the list when I share the Ally Pally shopping, so I thought I would add them on the end here before I delete or forget about them.

Typically I wasn't really shopping for anything in particular other than some more Cosmic shimmer glue and some low tack tape, you can see from these photos that I bought neither.  I forgot about the glue as we ran out of time and the tape was a ridiculous price on a couple of the stands I saw it on, so I will just order that online.  I also needed the Craft knife and when it's just £1 you'd be daft not to get one.  I didn't bother with their scissors this time though as they seem to blunt after a few cuts, I have always wanted the Tim Holtz scissors and the Tonic stand had them for a really great price, they are amazing scissors, I love them and wish I hadn't waited so long. The Impression Obsession dies were 60% off so I got a few, although they didn't have many.  I couldn't resist Sue's Ava die, its so pretty!

I got some different foam for flower making, Silk foam, the flowers the lady made were so life like, it actually felt like a rose.  

I have wanted the Phil Martin stamps since I saw the launch on Hochanda, I managed to get them but I have to say that my first impression aren't great, they are big so I used my Tim Holtz stamp tool, but I tried and tried but couldn't get a good impression.  Lynda said she had the same issue and got better results by laying the stamp on the table and pressing the paper on to it, I will give it a try.

I also bought some lovely Inkyliscious stamps, one of which I have used on my challenge card this week. 

Thank you to everyone that took part in today's post, as usual we have shared some amazing crafts and shopping.

Have a lovely Saturday ladies,

Love and Hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

Something Floral For Friday

Good Morning Ladies,

Can you believe its Friday again?  What a beautiful day it was yesterday, we took Milo and Bella out in the garden for the first time, they loved it, Milo was a little more adventurous than Bella but he has escaped a few times and therefore is a little more familiar with the sights, sounds and smells.  I was waiting for Mr Pheasant to come strutting out, he is bigger than the cats so I'm not sure what would have happened.  It's lovely to watching them react to all the sounds and chasing after flies etc.  We did think that we would have trouble getting them to come in but Bella trotted in on her own and Milo came in when he smelt his dinner.  I think that they will we crying at the back door in the morning, raring to go again.

Today's card is a simple design, I used the Stampin'Up! Perennial Birthday Stamp Set, it has lots of different floral and foliage elements along with some sentiments.

Perennial Stamp set

I cut a piece of Whisper White card to 4 1/4 X 5 1/2 inches and stamped a random pattern of the stamps around the area that I had decided to place my sentiment. I chose Berry Burst as the dominant colour and added a few other colours to compliment.... Old Olive, So Saffron, Pink Pirouhette etc.

I then stamped the Happy Birthday in Berry Burst onto Whisper White card and placed on a mat of Berry Burst, I mounted the stamped card onto Berry Burst and then onto a White card blank.

I hope you like my card.

You will all be glad to hear that yesterday was stress free, everyone was out, I don't usually like being on my own  but it gave my head a much needed rest.  I couldn't shake that headache even over night.

Sophie has really long hair and the Dutch braids aren't the easiest to do on yourself, I don't usually mind helping them, well she only ever asks when she is either going to work or going out.  It was made worse by the string of events I think.  Actually Lucy and I were looking at cheat methods last night. It is pretty much the only thing that they ever ask me to do, I think as a Mum we hold onto that for as long as we can. 

I hope we have another bright and sunny day today,

Love and hugs to all 

Sandra

xxxxxxx

Pats Groovi Cards

Good Morning Ladies,

Today's amazing cards have all been designed by Pat, all three are absolutely stunning, so much work going into each design.  My favourite is definitely the first one, although I love the Boat scene very much too, especially having the extra detail of the compass, so much intricate detail to.
I think it's a combination of the pretty, delicate frame around the lily in the first card and the lovely colour and shading that you have achieved on the petals, the ribbon matches perfectly and I love that Linen look card that you have used.
Thank you so much for sharing your cards with us Pat, I can't wait to see the ones you were making today made up into finished cards. XXX

I'm afraid I sat all afternoon at my craft desk and acheived nothing, I just couldn't get motivated, my son was in a particularly bad mood as he was desperate to find a car and anything I suggested was wrong, I think that the stress he was causing just clouded my head, I had a stinking headache too, that was probably down to the fact that Matt's dog was restless all night (maybe because he'd eaten the frozen chicken I had defrosting on a plate on the draining board)!, He disturbed Milo (cat), who decided that as he was up he might as well have his breakfast, now I wouldn't usually give in to his demands but I didn't want him to wake Paul who has to be up at 5:45am. So at 4:10am, I was sharing a sachet of Salmon &Trout terrine between the two cats!! I went bathroom, had a glass of water and slipped back into bed as quietly as I could manage! I try to not make the involuntary ''ooh's and aah's" that seem to be coming more frequent as I get older,  mixed with the cracking and clunking joints I sound like a one man band!!! It doesn't seem to disturb Paul, thankfully.  Once in bed I played a quick round of solitaire, while my pain meds took effect and by about 5:20 am I am just about nodding off.  I was woken woken abruptly at 6:20 am by Sophie who needed me to get up NOW and Dutch Braid her hair as she couldn't possibly leave the house without! So I was up again, with all the hustle and bustle of them all getting ready to leave the house there was no chance of getting back to sleep! 
Fingers crossed for a quieter Thursday !!

I hope you all had a better day than I did, although I will add it was nice to have Pat here to distract me! X

Love and hugs

Sandra
xxxxxx

Another Background challenge card

Good Morning Ladies,

Happy 'hump' day, Wednesday always comes around fast but it takes ages to get from Wednesday to Friday for some reason, no two days go faster than Saturday and Sunday though.

I thought I would have another go at this weeks 'Background' Challenge, this time I chose my new
Inkyliscious XL Splatter Circle.......

I inked the stamp with some of my Distress Oxide inks, I used Shaded Lilac, Broken China, Cracked Pistachio & Twisted Citron. I then spritzed the ink with water mixed with some Mica powders.

(I had to use my stamp tool as the stamp is quite big) I closed the stamp tool and applied the ink to my paper. It's quite exciting, you never know what result you are going to get even if you use the same ink, both Sue and I got quite excited every time I opened the stamp tool.  

Once I had dried the ink I stamped the 'Thanks' (also an Inkyliscious stamp) into the centre and added clear embossing powder and heat set. I added some white gel pen around the letters to try and make them stand out from the background.  I used the small dotty stamp that comes with the large stamp to add some versamark around the outside of the circle and added some silver embossing powder, just to give a little sparkle.  

I hope it gives you another idea for this weeks challenge.

Pat is coming over today, so more crafting on the cards for me! yay!!

I hope you all have a lovely day, we are in for a treat with the weather for the next few days so make the most of it.

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx