Monday Challenge

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope you have all had a lovely weekend, fingers crossed that this will be a good one for all of you.
We have a busy one, hospital tomorrow for me to have my heart mobitor fitted, then Eye hospital for Lucy on Wednesday, it's not great having appointments on consecutive days as it's not easy for Paul to get time off now that had job has changed but you have to take appointments when you get them, I wish it was Lucy's diagnostic appointment we were going to, but we have to wait until the 26th of June for that, hardly a 14 day referral!!

I think Paul enjoyed his Father's Day, we spent most of the day in the Garden, potting on Strawberries that we rescued from the allotment, as the patch had been over taken by buttercups, we had some veg plants to log on too, quite a productive afternoon.  It was lovely to have all four of our children home for the afternoon/evening.  Paul chose steak for tea, which was a huge hit with everyone, followed by Eton mess or Millionaire Cheesecake.  I think the highlight of Paul's day was opening his 'Log Maker', it's a press thing that you put paper that has been soaked in water in, press it to extract water and leave to dry, you then have paper logs that burn for about an hour, so all of our old, unwanted mail will be chucked in a bucket and turned into fuel!! He was delighted, he had anticipated getting one and had a bucket of soaked paper ready, the look on his face when he came to show me his first paper log was priceless! He also got socks, pants, cider and Toblerone which is a ritual, every birthday, Father's Day and Christmas, he has to have a Toblerone and asks for nothing else.

On to today's Challenge, I went for a TicTacToe grid this time, its quite a simple one, floral is always a simple selection, Metallic can be anything from Mirri card to a metal looking charm, Die cut or Punch is something we all have, Stripes can be embossed or striped paper, in the centre you have a FREE Square, this gives you a free category, so if you only want to use say Striped and yellow from the grid you could put Stripes/yellow/free as your choices and as long as the other two are featured on your card it's perfect.
The most important thing is to have fun, I look forward to seeing your cards.
By the way if you need any inspiration type ''Tictactoechallenge.com' then search for .challenge 045.

I hope you all have a lovely day,

Love and hugs

Sandra
xxxxxx

Your Challenge Cards

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope that you are all wellband enjoying the weekend, ours didn't have the super relaxed theme I was hoping for, we had to drop the girls at work and collect them so Paul decided it would make sense to spend the day at the allotment as it's not too far from the girls work, so that's what we did, we weeded on and off for 5 hours, when I say 'we' I really mean Paul, he did most of it but I did my share, I went prepared, all bare flesh covered by a decent thickness of clothing as we had to tackle some rather large nettles, we were making great progress, can you guess what happened next???

A 🐸 yes another bloody frog lept out of border across my foot!! This caused me to kind of jump back and the nettles made contact with the only bit of exposed flesh on my body...the bit that hangs over the top of my trousers 😭, ouch!!!! 

We did manage to get loads done, we also dug up a load of our strawberry plants and bought them home, they had been taken over by buttercups and weren't doing anywhere near as well they should have been, Paul will pot them into larger pots, so hopefully we will get a good crop next year, we seem to get an excellent crop of Raspberries twice a year, which pleases me as I prefer raspberries to strawberries.

I am hoping for a slightly more relaxed Sunday but as it's Father's Day I will do my best to go along with whatever Paul chooses, nothing gives me greater pleasure than making that man happy 😍!!

Now let's get on with the main event, here are your AMAZING cards.......

Brenda

Brenda went for Tim Holtz Crazy Birds in some super bright and cheerful colours, which are Stampin'Up! 'Pineapple Punch' and 'Call Me Clover' (two of the new In-colours), they certainly work with the 'crazy' theme!! That 'Happy Birthday' is fab too!

Thanks so much for taking part Brenda despite having a really busy week and weekend. 

XXX

Janet

Janet made two fantadfan cards for this week's challenge, the first card is a lovely decoupaged card featuring a Horse and it's owner and a cute little dog, your decoupage is perfect Janet, such a lovely scene.

Janet's second card is a modern take on a bear, a clever idea, I haven't seen anything like that before Janet, it's fun, the paper you have used is really pretty too.

Thank you so much for taking part this week my lovely.

XXX

Lilian

Lilian your cards always look like a piece of artwork, your blending is seamless and using that Linen card gives the effect of painting on canvas, I really love everything about your card, what make is the linen card you use please? 

Thank you so much for taking part in this week's challenge.

XXX

Maria

Maria it was such a lovely surprise to open up your email and find three amazing challenge cards, all three cards have been coloured beautifully and the images are so cute.

Thank you for coming straight back from holiday and taking part in the challenge, I am so grateful my lovely.

XXX

Michele

Two fantastic challenge cards from Michele this week, the first is an image I always associate with Michele..Scotty Dogs! I am not sure why, you must have told me at some point that you like them and it's stuck, hedgehogs are the other thing.

I think the idea of using the banner die to create cats was a genius idea, such a fun set of cards!

Thank you Michele for choosing this week's challenge and for making two cards from it! 

XXX

Karen

Karen has made two cards for this week's challenge, the first is one of Karen's speciality Serif cards, I keep saying that I will sit and play with it so I can make personalized cards, or funny cards, particularly as Paul always ends up buying a card for his dad and brothers as he prefers funny ones to ones with the sloppy messages in them! 

Karen's second card is made with a Spellbinders Butterfly on topof a topper created in Serif (including the faux stitching), the Banner was cut on Scan & Cut. Such a fantastic card Karen, keeping it monochrome really makes it !

Thank you so much for taking part, you too have had stressful week.

XXX

Val

You can tell Our Val likes an animal card! Three fabulous cards for this week's challenge, omg that Otter is adorable, such a cute card, when Paul used to go away on detachment I used to write or send a card every day to wherever he was In the world,

That Otter card would have been perfect for sending him, it's really hard to find cards that aren't for a specific occasion.

The way you have designed the Dog card I really clever, I love the footprints up the fence behind! 

The third card is brilliant, but then I am a crazy cat lady!! 

Thank you so much for three fantastic cards Val.

XXX

Lynda

Lynda has used a beautiful image from a Pollyanna Pickering CD-ROM, that lady is an incredible artist, her Paintings of animals look like photographs, so sad that she passed away earlier this year.  Lynda has made a stunning card with that gorgeous red squirrel, such a rare sight these days, sadly.  We have grey squirrels in the garden and one was making the worst screeching noise I have ever heard on Thursday morning, it was because Milo was curious and got on top of the wheelie bin that has our weeds in, he was stood stretched out like a Meercat trying to get a closer look at the squirrel, the squirrel got quite aggresive and started smacking it's tail really hard against the tree, I ended up going out and getting Milo in as I thought it was going to attack him, it stayed in the same place for about an hour after I had removed Milo from the situation! There is too much wildlife for me to cope with at this house!!

Anyway thank you Lynda for such a lovely challenge card, adding that black mat really makes the image stand out. 

XXX

Victoria

Victoria is one of my Stampin'Up! Team mates, such a lovely lady who I was lucky enough to meet at our recent Team meet up in Birmingham, she is an amzamaz crafter, she made a beautiful wreath for our display table, I will ask her if I can share it next Saturday.  I love the cute little dog you have used Victoria, the stitched squares look fantastic too, the Thank you is from the new Stampin'Up! , 'So Detailed' stamp set.

Such a lovely card Victoria, I hope that it's the first of many challenge cards from you.

Welcome to my blog and thank you so much for taking part in our Challenge.

XXX

WOW Ladies, what can I say, apart from my usual HUGE, heartfelt thanks?!

You are all amazing and I appreciate each and every one of you! 

I hope that you enjoy the rest of your Sunday, we have double celebrations today as it was Becca's birthday on Friday but she went away with friends so we are celebrating today with Father's Day too!

We have another Celebration today too........

Happy Anniversary

💕 Brenda & John 💕

Happy Anniversary to a very special couple, have a lovely day celebrating with your family xxxx

Love and hugs to all of you

Sandra

xxxxxx

Mixed Craft Saturday

Gift Tag Tutorial

Good Saturday Morning Ladies,

I have another video tutorial today, I know you must be sick of the sound of my voice by now but a video tutorial is the best way to show how easy these super cute little gift bags are.  They measure 4 inches by 4 inches, so they are a good size for popping some jewellery in or some sweets and a gift card, what girl doesn't like a hand bag?!

You will need a piece of card that measures 9inch x 4 inches
Score this along the long side at:                   4 ich and 5 inch

The bag side pieces measure: 1 1/2 inch x 5 inch
score along the long side at :  4 inch
and along the short side at   :  1/4 inch and 1 1/4 inch, also mark a tiny line at halfway point (3/4 inch)

The decorative papers were cut at 3 3/4 on both sides, but see the video for full details.

The rest of the Tutorial is easier to follow along with video rather than me trying to explain in text.  You will love how it turns out, you can use up small bits of decorative paper for this or from as little as a 6x6 pad.
I would love to see your designs, so remember to send them in!!!

Now onto your crafts and shopping.........

Lynda

It was Harry's 4th Birthday this week, which I cannot believe, it barely seems five minutes since his 1st Birthday!  Anyway, Harry is a PJ Masks fan, (I think it is one of the popular Kiddies TV show at the moment).  So Lynda found some images and created that stunning card, I bet his eyes lit up when he opened it Lynda, you are so clever.  I honestly think that that gorgeous little boy will be a Model when he is older, he is such a handsome little chap with hair to die for!

Lynda's second project today is absolutely stunning, omg I love it so much, here is Lynda's description........

"It's just a frame from pound shop I covered the back with gesso then put a piece of pretty napkin it some slap it on over it. Stamped a few birds &cut them out glued on . Put some building wax on frame made bunch flowers. Easy peasy xx"

Lynda bought some stamps this week too, WOW that Lady stamping is stunning, I can't wait to see it given the 'Lynda' treatment!! 

A lovely sentiment stamp set which has a lovely Font, the other stamp set features two stunning Scenery stamps, I am really looking forward to seeing the cards you make with your new stamps Lynda 

Thank you so much for allowing me to share your card, stunning Frame and your shopping Lynda.

XXX

Karlie

Karlie is Dannii's daughter, she is 13 and loves papercrafting, particularly Origami, she has sent me this absolutely gorgeous box that she has made using those beautiful 'Dreaming Florals' papers (picture above).  Karlie your box us so pretty, the two papers you have used work perfectly together.  Your box is beautifully made, your corners are so neat, you are a very talented crafter Karlie and I cannot wait to see more of your work, keep sending your projects in and I will gladly share them.           Thank you so much for allowing me to share your Box.

XXX

Michele

Michele treated her to some a couple of magazines yesterday, Love Cardmaking and the Apple Blossom Box Kit, (picture above), I think that treating yourself to a magazine is better than chocolate as a treat as it's great to click through but it can also be the thing that inspires your next great project.  That Apple Blossom mag is fantastic, you get loads for £12:99, I love the stamps and dies.                                    Those alphabet dies will be really useful Michele and that lattice effect background die is amazing, it gives a Tartan look to the card.

Michele made this absolutely gorgeous card for a colleague that was leaving yesterday, the lady was so thrilled she came over to thank Michele for her card, so kind and I think a little gesture like that is a huge boost to your confidence.           Thank you so much Michele for sharing your work and shopping.

XXX

Danielle

Danielle and her family are going on holiday in just over a week and she decided to make an Album for her youngest Daughter Layla, she used "Grace Taylor' Forest Friends papers and accessories.   I will leave Dannii's explanation below.....................

"Were going on holiday in less then two weeks. My youngest daughter Layla has Autism so has a lot of repetitive behaviors. One being she can sit for hours looking at photos on my phone or laptop of our family over and over again not sure how she never gets board lol. So I thought I would make her an album to put some of our holiday pictures in. That way she can look at them when ever she likes. Layla loves animals most of all owls. I only had a bit of owl paper. Anyway here is how it turned out. She absolutely loves it." 

Thank you so much for allowing me to share your Album Danielle.

XXX

Thanks to everyone for taking part in today's blog post, I genuinely love these weekend posts that feature your work, shopping etc, I think it's one of the things that makes our blog great.  Thank you to all of you once again XXX                                One thing that is frustrating me with the blog right now is the mixed sized fonts, omg it's driving me crazy, it does it automatically and it won't let me change it!!!  So annoying!          I hope you all enjoy the video tutorial, I have really enjoyed making the videos, they are light-hearted and fun and hopefully informative and helpful in some way.      

 Have a lovely weekend ladies,

Love and Hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

Something Floral for Friday with a stamping tip.

Good Morning Ladies,

I made today's card to show a quick Stamping Tip using a stamping tool, I have made a card in these colours before but it was slightly different.
I used the Stampin'Up! Garden Impressions 6x6 Dsp for the background, I then punched two Decorative Ribbon Borders to cover the join of my card, I then Coloured a piece of 1/8 sheer white ribbon and coloured it with Daffodil Delight Stampin Blend pen.
The video will show you how I stamped and coloured my image, I share a tip that will help you stamp in any ink and colour with anything. So worth a quick look.
I used the Love What You Do stamp set for my focal point.
I hope you find the video useful, I love that I can stamp in any colour and not have to worry about the ink bleeding.

The Original Colour Stampin Blends are now available on Stampin' Up! Website, the new colours are due in any time.

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/cotswoldcrafter/

While you are there check out the Clearance Rack, there are some great bargains to be had.

Lucy has one more exam on Monday and then they are both finished all of their A levels, I cannot wait to see them both relaxed.  Sophie received her written confirmation of her Unconditional place at Coventry University for next year, It was quite a relief that they let her defer the Unconditional offer.
Lucy is still undecided, I think that once the exams are over she will be able to relax and think a bit more about what she wants to do.  Whatever they choose they know that Paul and I are both very proud of them.

This weekend is the first weekend in a long time that Paul and I have nothing planned, something that we both need. What are you all up to this weekend.

Have a lovely day ladies, thanks in advance for watching my video, if any of you are able to share it that would be so helpful too.

Love and Hugs to all of you,

Sandra
xxxxxx

Pat's Stunning Groovi card

Good Morning Ladies,

How stunning is Pat's gorgeous card, she made it for her Granddaughter Sophie, the Irises look almost 3D, the frame that you have Embossed into the design is stunning, it looks like exquisite lace. I am sure Sophie absolutely loved it.
Thank you for allowing me to share it. XXX

You will all be relieved to hear that we had a Frog free day and night, mostly becausei was paranoid and checking everywhere just to be sure.
The funniest part of the whole situation was watching Sue roll about the sofa, crying with laughter as she listened to the message i had sent to Dannii just as i found the frog (as Dannii and i were in mid conversation on messenger when it happened), I was crying with laughter watching Sue cry with laughter! It really is the best medicine!!

I finally got Lucy's appointment booked, I am really frustrated though as the earliest they  can see her is 26 June!! That is not within 14 days.  I called themback yesterday to ask if they can move ig forward but apparently they can't, i triede every reason i could think of.  I just want her mind put at ease really.

Ladies i am absolutely loving our garden ar the moment, i was struggling to identify some plants but Sue and I discovered an App where you photograph your plants and it tells you what they could be, in our herb border beside patio there are two large areas of dense foliage that looks a bit like cannabis, we have it in front garden too, its already at about  4 1/2 foot tall! Anyway ut turns out to be 'Golden Rod' and we can cut it down by half to reduce its height and encourage better growth. (Listen to me)!
We have the  most beautiful Peony that i have ever seen and all of our roses are scented! There is also a waxy white flowering tree thats just opening its flowers and its sweet fragrance is lovely.
It makes you want to be outside!
I may share some photos with you.

Have a lovely day ladies,

Love and hugs,

Sandra
xxxxxx

Another Challenge Card

Good Morning Ladies,

I have made another Challenge card to inspire you all.  I think that when we see animals as a theme we think 'cats, Dogs etc' but i did say that you could use any form of God's Creatures, Birds (i think we all have some kind of bird), Bees, Butterflies, fish absolutely anything.  I hope that helps those of you that were still unsure of what to use.

The butterfly die I used is from a new set in the Stampin'Up! Catalogue, it comes with a stunning corner die too! Its called 'Springtime Impressions Thinlits' 

I die cut the Butterfly out of a piece of Whisper White paper and then i took the piece of paper I die cut it from and embossed it with a Butterfly embossing folder. I then took a piece of white paper a fraction smaller and swiped all five of the New In Colours: Lovely Lipstick, Grapefruit Grove, Pineapple punch, Call Me Clover and Blueberry Bushel across the paper to form a stripe. I mounted the embossed piece on top of the inked card and placed the die cut back in to the place i die cut it from, i popped a couple of dimensionals on the body of the butterfly to raise him off the page slightly do that  the rainbow stripes shining brightly behind the Butterfly.

I added three different sized Glitter Enamel Dots to the body of the Butterfly and covered all of the butterflies with Wink of Stella Glitter pen, i couldn't capture the glitter effect on camera  though Sorry. 

I hope you like my card and that you are slightly clearer about the challenge.

We had another Frog incident on Monday night/Tuesday morning!  We had gone to bed and Paul  was pretty much asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, I am still suffering from our long journey, so I was still awake at 1.45am, for some reason Milo had just jumped off of our bed  and i could hear him playing in the corner of our bedroom. I turned my tablet around and shone it on him to see what he was  doing, at first  all i saw was a clothes label tag, so I let him play, he then  made a funny noise that i remembered from earler in the day, so i shone the light on him again to see what he was getting frustrated about, that's when i lost my composure, i watched him teasing another bloody Frog, in our bedroom, how the heck did it get there?!!

I woke Paul who remained calm apart from one point when it jumped really high, he jumped on the end of the bed because I screamed!!!!

Looking back it was funny, althougjh I was terrified at the time.

I had  a lovely day with Sue yesterday and i get to do it all again today with Pat!!!

I hope you have a lovely day today too, 

Love and Hugs 

Sandra

xxxxxx

A new fun tutorial....

My YouTube Tutorial

Good Morning Ladies,

The Baby Wipe technique I did at our Team retreat was so popular that I thought I would do a YouTube video so that everyone could share in the fun.                                     The card above was made using the technique, the spotty background with the Sheltering tree foliage stamp and the balloons were made using the 'Swipe' part of the technique, watching  the video will make it clearer.                                                      If any of you have Brusho's I used those in this technique too, I haven't seen them used this way before, it's great to find new uses for products we already own.               If you enjoy the video I would be really grateful if you have it a Thumbs up!                  I am trying to grow my YouTube channel so every little helps.

Ladies, I had the most frightening experience of my life yesterday, I heard Milo yowing just after lunch, I called him but didn't see him, about half an hour later I went into the lounge to check the progress of my video uploading and noticed Milo in the corner, I thought he had had an 'Accident' on the carpet, so I went towards him to see if he was ok, I thought that this was why he was crying esrlier, as I put my hand out to stroke him the 'Pile' JUMPED!!!   Bloody cat must have either bought it in or chased it in through the patio doors!! I am absolutely terrified of frogs, so my first insticint was to call Paul and tell him to come home!! After a few seconds I began to compose myself and went and got a box to put over it, a clear one from my craft room (so I could see exactly where it was), Paul told me to put a piece of card underneath but there was no way I was risking it hopping out on me, so I carefully pushed my Hougie Board underneath, I then grapped the handles on the side of the craft storage box to hold it down securely, all this time Milo and Bella were going crazy trying to get at the frog.  I managed to pick up the box with the board clamped tightly to it, made my way slowly to the patio door, out onto the patio and then I just 'Tossed' the box, board and frog into the border, Mr Frog hopped happily away,  I needed to have a lie down!! I am so grateful that it was this week and not next when I will have my Heart Monitor on!!                                                                                                  There is never a dull moment in our house!!                                         

I hope that you enjoy the tutorial ladies, it's great fun! 

Have a lovely day,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx