Your Next Challenge - Lynda's Choice

 

Good Friday Morning Ladies,

I am so relieved that this week is almost over and I don't really know why, some weeks just whizz by and I can't believe its Friday but this week I really struggled, probably a mixture of pain and no sleep causing me to feel low.  I know that you ladies are only ever a message away and that gives me great comfort, I am so blessed to have so many amazing friends. My only wish is that we all lived on the same street, although I think that none of us would get anything much done, apart from crafting of course. 

Nothing planned for us this weekend, which is exactly what we need I think, mind you even when you want a lazy weekend there is always plenty of garden jobs that need doing. 

What have you all got planned, are you meeting up with family and friends now that there are no restrictions?

Your Next Challenge

Lynda's Choice

I asked Lynda what she would like to choose for this weeks challenge, I love giving you all the chance to choose a theme.

Lynda suggested that we all use Circles as this weeks theme, now I don't expect you to use simple circles, you can use scalloped circles or any fancy style circle or Wreath style die or stamp.  I think this is a brilliant challenge as it will work for literally any style or occasion card.

Thank you Lynda for choosing this weeks theme.

I am looking forward to this weeks challenge. I am also excited to see what you all create.

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend,

Love and HUGE hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Michele's Menagerie of Animal

 

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope that you are all well,  hopefully the extreme heat will be breaking today and the temperatures should come down slightly.   I heard on the news that a lot of Urgent care places were overwhelmed with people who got severely sun burnt, I guess that makes a difference to Covid symptoms!  I would say that people should be more careful but Soph got burnt legs so quickly on Tuesday even with sun cream.  Lord knows how people got on laying on a beach all day.  

We were woken with two more power cuts through the night Tuesday,  the first one lasted about 45 mins with smoke alarms peeping every five minutes, which drove me 🤪 crazy!  The first thing we noticed was the fan stopped running,  wow what a difference it made, in fact the girls were so hot upstairs they came down to sleep on the sofa, which gave Paul quite a shock when he went in first thing Wednesday morning! The second power cut lasted way longer but for some reason the smoke alarms didn't beep this time, which was concerning.  I was expecting to find defrosted freezers etc but all was well, we think power was off for 2 hours or so. Hopefully there will be no more. 

I was all animaled out this week so Michele offered me some of her Animal themed cards to share with you for inspiration, I really must look at getting an Ella’s Design CD-ROM or something similar featuring animals because the cards are so cute and so many people have pets these days. 

The expressions on some of those Dogs faces are hilarious and would make anyone smile, so you could send those cards for just about any occasion. 

The cute fox looks decoupaged,  so cute, lovely childs birthday card.

The final card today is almost definitely an Ella’s Design card, the papers all match perfectly and Michele's matting and layering is so precise! 

Thank you so much Michele for helping me out today and inspiring us all. XXX 

That's a for today Ladies, 

I hope that you all have a good day,

Love and Hugs to all of you,

Sandra                                                                                xxxxxx 

A Fun Cow Card for a Lovely Friend

 

Good Morning Ladies,

I hope that you are all managing in this extreme heat, first time I have heard of the UK having Amber warning for High Temperatures, we didn't get any thunder ⚡ or rain ☔ that some of you did and at 8pm last night it was still 29 degrees.  We did have a better night on Monday night though, I think it was down to being so exhausted from no sleep previous nights.  Sophie sat out for about an hour earlier with sun cream and got burnt legs, bless her. So she is slathered in cooling aftersun.

We have a busy day today, Lucy has a hospital appointment this afternoon and then we are going to collect our new car, all being well, Sophie is doing all the driving today bless her as Lucy is still not driving because of her thumb!  She is using a sling on the advice from the Fracture Clinic as she still has swelling, she is icing it too.  Lets hope this fixes it.  

Today's card is an oldie, I made this card for our Pat a few years ago, the image reminded me of Me, Pat & Sue, Pat is definitely the one with earrings. The stamp is a wooden block stamp that I have had for years, the paper in the background is Anne Marie Dotty card, the foliage is a Impression Obsession die, the border is a punch with a piece of lace on top that has green gingham ribbon woven through, I added the little roses to make it extra special. I can't remember what I coloured the image with. The card still makes me smile today.  

I hope that you all keep cool and have an enjoyable day,

Lilian I hope that you are feeling better today XXX

Sending Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra                                                                                                                                                          xxxxxx

Peaceful Reindeers

 

Good Morning Ladies,

How are you all managing in the heat, my goodness me it was a warm night here, it was still 25 degrees when we got into bed, it is so frustrating when all you want to do is sleep.  A bowl of ice ❄ in front of the fan does help to cool the room but the ice doesn't last long.  Sue I hope that you had a slightly more comfortable night, it must be so much worse if your have your own 'hormonal heater' on full blast too! Sending you hugs XXX

Yes I have another 'Soapbox' moan!!!...... I am appalled at the Government / news referring to the relaxing of restrictions as 'Freedom' day!!  Freedom is something that is fought for, be it through War or Personal Struggle, the simple act of removing a Face Mask and being allowed to go to a nightclub does not deserve the title of Freedom Day!!  Sorry about the rant ladies !!!

Now onto today's card, I have to tell you that I hadn't realised that I don't have any 'Animal stamps, apart from the Hedgehog I used yesterday and Reindeers, I am going to have a rummage through my Magazine Freebie box to see if I can find any in there.  Is this a good excuse to go shopping????

I used the Starry Sky background from the Bokeh Dots stamp set to create a background for my little scene, I stamped it in Grey ink and added some clear sparkle pen to make it look really starry.  I then stamped the Christmas Tree from the Lovely As a Tree stamp set in Misty Moonlight ink, the Reindeers are from an old stamp set called 'Dashing Deer' I used Misty Moonlight for these too.  I used a water brush to add some colour around the bottom of the tree and the Deer.  I couldn't decide on a sentiment for this peaceful scene, all of the Merry/Happy Christmas ones just didn't seem right, so I went with the 'Peace on Earth', I wrapped some sparkly Misty Moonlight twine around the bottom of the card and popped the sentiment on top.  I matted and layered the card onto a mat of Misty Moonlight and then onto a white card base.  I hope that you like my card XXX

I hope that you all manage to keep cool and comfortable today,

Sending love and hugs to you all,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Adorable Hedgehogs

 

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

Well all I can sat is....phew, what a scorcher!!  It was so warm yesterday, our car gave the outside temperature of 30 degrees which is crazy hot, we drove Matt down to Bristol to collect his new Truck and our old lady's Air Conditioning has stopped working so we were melting, it only took us about an hour to get there so not too bad, he wanted us to wait though, after an hour and twenty minutes we went to find him to say we were going to drive back as we were just hanging around in that searing heat, he was almost finished with his paperwork so he was happy for us to go.  We got back home, Paul set our chairs out under the shade and a bowl of cool water for my feet, we got some cool drinks and I chopped up some watermelon and we sat and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon, which is all that we can do in this heat.     I left if until early evening to go into my craft room to create a card for today but even with both windows open and a fan on (which is ideal in a messy craft room) but totally essential, it was just too hot, every time I picked a piece of card up my sweaty fingers left a mark, so I have left my idea ready to start today and had to turn to my 'archives' to find a card that featured an animal. once I saw these adorable hedgehogs 🦔 I Just couldn't resist.  So I will add the details below.

I just couldn't resist using these adorable Hedgehogs for my challenge card this week.

I stamped them in 'Soft Suede' ink (SU) and added a little 'Early Espresso' with an water brush to their tummy.  I coloured the flower with my Blender Pen and a little 'Real Red' ink.  I then took a piece of 'Crumb Cake' card and stamped the flower from the 'Hedgehugs'  stamp set, randomly over the bottom section using Soft Suede ink.

I took the Ticket Tear Border Punch' and cut to border strips, I added one to the top and one to the bottom of my Whisper White card, I then coloured some narrow white twine with Crumb Cake ink (by touching ink pad on glass mat, adding a few squirts of water and then squishing twine into ink, I dabbed excess onto kitchen towel and the dried with my heat tool) and wound this around the bottom of my white card.

I added foam tape to the back of this section and stuck the crumb cake card onto a card blank made from Soft Suede card. 

I stamped my sentiment onto Whisper White card and added the flower which I coloured direct onto stamp with Blender Pen using Old Olive and Real Red ink. I then matted this onto a scalloped circle of Soft Suede card. 

I hope that you all manage to find some shade and stay cool as temperatures are going to be high again today my lovelies,

Love and 'cool' hugs to all,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Your Cards for Maria & Lilian's Challenge

 

Good Sunday Morning Ladies, 

Wasn't it  glorious day yesterday,  Paul and I sat out on the patio for most of the day, it was so peaceful,  apart from an impromptu fly past from the Red Arrows. The only sound was from the birds, such a pleasure. 

What did you all get up to?  Where you able to enjoy the garden?  Or did you venture out?  I hope that you had a lovely day either way. 

It seems funny seeing so many Christmas cards on such a gloriously sunny day!! Let's see what you all decided to make for Lilian & Maria's Red & White Christmas Challenge. 

Lilian 

Maria

Maria's Description:

Card 1: I started with making Glitter cards, White for the card and Red for the words.

It looked a bit empty so put a Bow from my stash in one corner and cut a Bell out of

white card and a bit of the glitter red for the middle.

Card 2;  I used a old piece of Embossed White Card. I then used a Candle Stamp 

to Heat Embossed it in White on Red Card and finished it off with some Red Crystals.

Card 3;  I Stamped the Skiing Penguins again in White Heat Embossing on Red Card. Tied a Red Ribbon to section them off. Cut the corners and attached it onto a white card . Looked empty so went on to put a Felt Poinsettia in the middle.

Hope you like them and a reminder to everyone : shut your windows before using

Embossing powders ! !!

Oh my goodness Maria, four amazing Challenge cards from you for this weeks Red &White Christmas Challenge. A lovely combination of cards too from the Traditional scene with the beautiful candles and Christmas foliage, to that stunning Sue Wilson style card with the Netted Star background, then onto those super cute Penguin stamps, so much cuteness and fun in one card.

Thank you so much for choosing a Challenge and for inspiring us with 4 lovely cards XXX

Janet

Janet's Description:

The First CC was made using CRAFTER'S COMPANION dies WINTER VILLAGE again these dies were released a good few years ago.

The Second CC was made using TONIC dies in their CHRISTMAS set from a few years ago.

Two beautiful cards for our Red & White Christmas Challenge.   Both cards have so much incredible detail,  I thing these intricately detailed dies are so useful for Christmas cards as you really don't need to add too much else to them.   Thank you so much Janet for two lovely Challenge cards.  I hope that Jim is well on the road to recovery now, 1 down, 1 to go, Paul couldn't believe the difference it made. XXX 

Karen

Karen's Description:

Card 1: A quick and simple challenge card

I don’t particularly like the sentiment Happy Christmas but wanted to use my new die

Just shows you how big it is This is a slightly smaller 6x6 card blank

Card 2:  I’m not keen but it will do for a male friend I wish I’d done Bah Humbug in this font

It’s the Tracy Evans Snippet Alphabet

Card 3:  is a lovely wreath card, using SW Snowflake Lattice Embossing folder in background  and has sentiments stamped inside the wreath in gold.  The pretty white snowflakes are interspersed with gold too.  

Oh Karen I love the modern look  of your Red & White Challenge cards this week.  The first card has the look of the American 'Varsity' style,  really modern font that would work perfectly for the younger age group for either Male or females. Your second card is again so modern,  very 'on trend ' as they say also a great way to use the All & Create  Alphabet stamp.  Your third card is so lovely,  you can't go wrong with a wreath card as far as I am concerned.   Thank you so much Karen for supporting this weeks challenge XXX

Michele 

Michele's Description:

Two stunning Challenge cards from Michele for our Red & White Christmas theme this week.  As always Michele your cards are beautifully finished,  your first card is beautifully Embossed and the added red gemstones embellish your card perfectly.  A gorgeous Clean & Simple card.   Your second card is equally beautiful,  I absolutely love the wreath and the cute bird and foliage finish this card perfectly.  Thank you so much for two stunning cards Michele XXX

Sonia

Sonia's Description:

Card 1: Took inspiration for this one from a card on Pinterest. All the dies I’ve used are from Memory Box. The sentiment is from my stash.

Card 2:  I found a piece of printed acetate from Kanban amongst my stash and thought it too pretty not to use, mounting it on a piece of red card. The Merry Christmas circle die is from My Favourite Things and the snowman image from The Lovely Studio.

Two amazing Red & White Christmas cards from Sonia for this weeks challenge.   Your first card is a lovely clean and simple style card, I love that sentiment too.  Your second card is gorgeous,  Like you I 😍 that piece of acetate,  I think I have some similar from years ago!  It works so well with that cute topper.   Thank you so much Sonia for two gorgeous challenge cards. XXX 

Cheryl

A lovely stamped Christmas card in Red & White perfect for this weeks challenge.   Cheryl has stamped the background top and bottom with a pretty Snowflake Border die, then added a lovely red layer with tone on tone stamped snowflakes. The pretty little sentiment label is the perfect finishing touch for this lovely Christmas card.

Thank you so much Cheryl for taking part.  I do hope that you have managed to keep your foot elevated and that some of the swelling has eased my lovely,  sending hugs XXX 

Brenda 

Brenda's Description:

Both cards were made using a Sweet Poppy Stencil and Embossing paste, finished with a delicate bow. Both are awaiting a sentiment as most sentiment dies were too big. 

Brenda I love these Christmas cards, I think that once you get a product line set up you could get a good few cards made, I think batch making cards for Christmas makes so much sense. Thank you so much for taking part XXX 

********************

Ladies thank you so much for supporting Lilian & Maria's choice for our weekly challenge.  You have made some incredible cards this week. So much inspiration again this week.   XXX 

I hope that you all enjoy the rest of the weekend,  we are taking Matt to pick up his new truck today apart from that not much planned.   

Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra 

xxxxxx

Mixed Up Saturday featuring Michele's Magazine Review

Good Saturday Morning Ladies, 

I hope that the sun is shining for you today my lovelies, I could tell it was going to be  glorious weekend, not because the weatherman had forecast sunshine 💛, because every supermarket that we visited had no Salad and no Burgers/Barbecue food, not that we were shopping for Barbecue food,  Paul doesn't really enjoy cooking a barbecue and to be honest by the time you have prepared all of the salads and sides you could have cooked a roast dinner!  We do cook outside on holiday though.  I have always fancied taking a little BBQ onto the beach with simple sausages and fresh baguette, mostly because late afternoon is my favourite time on the beach, the sun isn't too hot and the sea is calm and most people have left the beach,  we haven't gotten around to doing it yet but I have hope. 

Michele 

Michele made this amazing card for her Dad's 80th Birthday, I really like these cards, the script background that you have used Michele works perfectly, giving great texture without taking away from the design.  If you have to make a card for someone that isn't into sport or beer these cards are perfect.  As always Michele your matting and layering is perfect.   Thank you so much for sharing your Dad's card with us XXX 

 

Michele's Magazine Review 

Hi Ladies 

Diecutting Essentials has a fun set of Dies as the free gift this month

Here’s some ideas of what’s inside the magazine.

This is the 1st article using the free gift.

More ideas using the free gift.

More inspiration & not just cards.

Great article explaining how you can create these lovely backgrounds.

Faux letterpress technique with an ombré finish.

Fun makes using flower dies

More ideas.

I love the effect this die has created.

More ideas.

Great feature using cork paper.

More inspiration.

Different way to use circle dies for modern look.

Great way to use your dies-embossing with them!

Use your embossing folders to create a patchwork effect.

More ideas.

Ideas using Heart dies.

More inspiration.

That’s all for this week so
Happy Crafting.

Love Michele

Thanks for this weeks review Michele,  there are so many great features.  I love the freebie dies and papers. The inspiration cards that have been made are fantastic too, especially the stationery items.  Great ideas for using embossing folders and heart dies too.  I do love this particular magazine, oh Michele,  another magazine on my wish list!  Thanks again my lovely XXX

Shopping 

Michele bought these dies for a bargain £4 on Ebay,  there are so many useful little elements in this set, those lovely little birds and butterflies will be so useful on their own, the birdhouse is lovely too. 

I look forward to seeing what you create with it. XXX

Karen couldn't resist these two lovely stamp sets from Tracy Evans latest release. The Poppy Seed Heads are so lovely and so realistic, the Ticket Snippets will work perfectly with the Poppy Head and many of Tracy's stamps, such  brilliant designer, who creates some incredible inspiration. 

I am so excited to see what you create, thank you so much for sharing XXX

That's all for today my lovelies,  

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend, 

Love and hugs to all of you 

Sandra 

xxxxxx