Monday Sketch Challenge

Good Morning Ladies,

Firstly I would like to apologise for not getting  my sketch card finished to post with the Sketch today, I just completely ran out of time and energy, I will it ready for you tomorrow though.  I am sure you don't need my card to inspire you anyway, it's nice to see someone's idea though.  

I have chosen a fairly straightforward sketch, something that you can all manage quite easily, in the meantime if you need any inspiration just type.. 'Paper Players Sketch 138' or PP138.  That should bring up previous cards made for that Challenge.

What have you all been up to this weekend? We had quite a busy one, Saturday we went over to Gloucestershire to a camping shop to buy a new light and some heavy duty tent pegs,  because the ground is like rock and normal pegs bend like the are made with card!  We went and had a look at the tents while we where there, it's so easy these days as tents are inflatable, they have beams of air going across them rather than poles.  So you get your tent out spread it out and after 10 minutes pumping it's up!!   Paul said he would have to see reviews in a year or two's time to see how reliable the air beams are.  It would mean that we could continue camping on our own, as the main issue now is that I can't hold poles up, so it takes Me, Paul and the girls to put it up.  We will see I guess, I'm sure they have gone through all the issues and ironed them out. It makes you wonder what they will think of next, I quite fancy a tent like they had in Harry Potter, where you swish your and and it's up, when you step through the door it has everything in place, including a working fireplace!
Yesterday we went and did the main bulk of the food shopping, which just leaves fridge stuff to get on Thursday, so we are getting there, still have three long lists though!!
We have Doctors today with the girls and hair cut in the evening, so hopefully get some more cards made in between!

Have a lovely day whatever you have planned.

Love and hugs

Sandra
xxxxxx

Your Challenge cards

My challenge card

any shade blue/patterned paper/rhinestones

Also my challenge cards

Any shade if green/patterned paper/ thank you

The challenge

Good Morning Ladies,

Welcome to the best day of the week here in the blog, why?? Because we get to see what you have all been making this week!

As usual you have absolutely smashed this Challenge, creating some incredible cards, I cannot wait any longer so here we go.....

Lynda

Lynda managed three absolutely stunning cards, the first card:

Shades of Blue/Patterned paper/ pearls, rhinestones

Second card : Any shade of Pink/ patterned paper/ Happy Birthday

Third card:  Any shade of Green/ patterned paper/ Thank you

Lynda these are some of your nicest cards, made with papers from your £1 shop paper pad, you would never guess that from looking at the cards, they are just stunning!!! Thank you so much for taking part my lovely.  (I love your new photo spot)! 

XXX

Janet

Janet has also made three gorgeous cards, just look at that pink one, a real WOW!!

First card: Shades of Pink/ Embossing/ Pearls or Rhinestones

Second card: Shades of Green/ Embossing/ Happy Birthday

Third card: Shades of Blue/ Ribbon/ Happy Birthday

Janet you have made three stunners this week, that pink card is a real show-stopper,

With those hand rolled flowers and stunning flourish.  The second card is amazing, in my favourite colour, the simple Embossed pattern works perfectly with the shape of your card, the beautiful cameo adds the perfect finishing touch.  The third card is so perfect, that stunning shade of blue you used for that die cut oval edged with tiny pearls, looks amazing, you topped that with an incredibly detailed die cut, you then finished the card perfectly with that rolled rose trim and a gorgeous hand tied bow.

Three stunning cards Janet, thank you so, so much for 'smashing' this challenge!!

xxx

Margaret

Margaret loved the Challenge this week, so much she made two cards, 

First card: Shades of Blue/Happy Birthday/ Ribbon

Second Card: Shades of Pink/ Patterned paper/Happy Birthday

Two stunning cards Margaret, you have become a truly inspirational member of the Stampin'Up! community, I am proud to share your cards, being able to say "My team member made these cards"!! 

Your first card was made using 'Blooms & Wishes' stamp set which you used to create your own decorative paper, Stampin' Up! 'Lots of Labels' Framelits frame your sentiment perfectly.  I bet you are glad you bought them, I think they were one of my best buys! 

Your second card was made using  SU Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper in Berry Burst, and "Label Me Pretty' stamp set for your sentiment!  

Two gorgeous cards Margaret, thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed the challenge.

XXX

Karen

Karen 2 absolutely amazing cards from you this week, completely different in every way, I love them both, that bunny is absolutely adorable.

First card: Shades of Pink/ Pearls /Embossing

As always here is Karen's Description..........

So I've gone for ink-pearls-embossing

I used a TL charisma die cut bunny -
Spellbinder square dies
Pink card
EF a bargain from Ally Pally- can't remember name or company
White pearls.

Second Card: Any shade of Blue/Patterned paper/ Rhinestones or Pearls

Again here is Karen's Description........

Patterned paper is from a Serif digikit
Marvellous Squares Sue W/Spellbinders and Les Papillon Sue W/Spellbinders dies and tiny blue bling So my tictactoe line is
Any shade of blue-patterned paper- rhinestones or pearls

Love both cards Karen, I was amazed that you managed one given what you had on your mind this week, this makes me even more grateful.

Thank you so much my lovely.

XXX

VAL

Oh Val such a cute card, I love that cute kitty!

You chose: Shades of Pink/ Pearls, Rhinestones/ Embossing

You have used such a pretty Embossing Folder, it looks like really decorative butterflies, your delicate backing paper work so beautifully with the card you have used for your to die cut your corner flourishes. All finished off with a circle at sparkly rhinestones and that cute cat topper.  

How you have managed to be so creative in the extreme heat amazes me, I hope you were in your 'usual' craft room uniform 😉😉 and had the fan on!

Thank you so much Val.

XXX

Michele

Michele I adore this 'Clean and simple ' card style, you have chosen : Shades of Green/Patterned paper/Embossing 

I know you have been under such pressure at work Michele and on top of that you  have had the worry of your Dad having major surgery and having to support him through his recovery. On top of that you have had the worry of Phil's job!  

When you messaged me saying 'this is all I can manage this week' it bought a tear to my eye Michele, I am so grateful for any card anyone makes but when any of you go out of your way to make a card it really gets to me, the fact that your loyalty over rides any problems you have going on amazes me.  You should be so proud of yourself for being able to create something so lovely despite being preoccupied.

But please never feel like you have to apologise! 

Thank you my lovely, so very much.....

XXX

Brenda

Brenda was asked to make this card, it's a fantastic example of a 'pesky man' card !! 

Brenda chose : Shades of Blue/ twine/Happy Birthday

I love this clean and simple, tone on tone card, the simple addition of the twine gives the card a more 'rustic' feel, I love that label die with sentiment you have used Brenda, it works so perfectly cut simply for this 'man' card, yet the addition of a few flowers and embellishments would transform it for a girly card too.

Thank you so much for taking part Brenda, I hope you enjoyed your night out last night. 

XXX

Pat

Pat has chosen : Shades of Blue/Embossing/Happy Birthday

Although she probably didn't realise she had chosen those categories of that she had entered the challenge this week!! (pat emailed me 5 or 6 cards that she had finished)!

This one ticked all the boxes so I thought I would enter it on her behalf!  

I hope you don't mind Pat, lol !! 

This card was made using Sue Wilson's Shadow Box collection, such a fantastic card, thanks Pat for sharing your card. 

XXX

Thank you all so much for taking the time to take part each week ladies.  

I am going to go and prepare tomorrow's Challenge, if there is any way you could get the cards made by Thursday night/Fri morning  that would be great, however if that isn't possible don't worry, we have WiFi in our hotels on route so I should be able to add any on those days.  I am fully intending keeping the blog running as per usual, I would miss you all way too much if I didn't check in each day.

Enjoy your Sunday my lovelies,

Love and hugs

Sandra 

xxxxxxx

Mixed Craft Saturday

Mixed Craft Saturday

Good Morning Ladies, 

I hope that you are all well and ready for a relaxing weekend, we had really high

Winds here yesterday, it just feels so chilly and damp.  But I can also

Sympathize with Val, knowing how hot and humid it was here a few weeks back,

Just those few days were unbearable, as you say Val there was just no air, 

Even the smallest task left you exhausted.

We have a very varied mix of topics today, some fantastic photos, 

so let's get started:

Karen

Here is Karen's description:

I have just finished these Amigurimi crochet projects
The first is a Kerry Lord kit that was half price in my local John Lewis - Kate, the boxer (couldn't turn that down)
The second is a Minion that I have made for a work colleague who is Minion mad. It is partly a freebie pattern I found on Pinterest and partly my own design with a touch of Kerry Lord techniques I found the pattern quite confusing to follow and it was American stitches I.e. their single crochet is our double crochet
Hope you like them
Karen

I love both of them Karen, you are amazingly talented!

Thank you so much for sharing

XXX

Pat

Such lovely photos of you and Pete, Pat!

The first one is Pete taking Pat for a ride in his new car

at Beaulieu, it's so lovely to see Pete smiling.

The Mad Hatter's Tea Party is also at Beaulieu, 

Such an amazing feature, Topiary at its finest.

The last photo is if Pat and Pete at Tuckton Bridge.

Lovely photos for your family Album Pat,

Thank you so much for sharing

XXX

Margaret

My lovely Team Mate Margaret has been doing some pre-ordering

from the New Stampin'Up! Autumn Winter Catalogue, 

we both had vouchers to use up so it would have been rude not too!

The first photo is of the card that Margaret made for Alan's birthday

using Stampin'Up! stamps of course, the ever popular 

'Lovely as a Tree's stamp, The Fox and amazing sentiment

Is from a stamp set "The Wilderness Awaits" stamp set.

Absolutely amazing card Margaret,

The stamp sets Margaret has bought are: 

'Touches of Texture'

An amazing collection of background stamps.

'Season Like Christmas' and 'Snowflake Sentiments'

Two amazing Brand New Christmas stamp sets from 

The new A/W catalogue, I have ordered the 'Snowflake Sentiments'

myself along with the matching dies set, I can't wait to get them, just 

look at those lovely sentiment stamps, I love the fonts used too.

'Woodland' Embossing Folder,

Perfect just as an Embossing Folder of can be used with the 

Letterpress technique to create a fantastic card.

Last but not least is a 'Pretty Quick' die, such a beautiful

stained glass effect stamp.

Margaret I can't wait to see what you make with all of your new things

Thanks so much for sharing

XXX

Thank you for all taking part in today's post.

XXX

We are off to a Camping Shop today to get some more heavy duty tent pegs

and a camping light, we haven't been for a couple of years so I am quite

looking forward to having a look around.

Have a lovely day whatever you are up to.

Love and hugs

Sandra 

xxxxxxx

Wishing you happiness xxx

Good Morning Ladies,

Oh my this weather is so frustrating, I'm pretty sure our washing got travel sick yesterday it was in and that much, it was mostly towels so I wanted to get the dry outside before a quick fluff in the tumble dryer!  I think we can safely say that there won't be a hosepipe ban this month!  By stark contrast Europe are experiencing record highs, it must be terrible to have work in that heat, Val you must be about melting my lovely, I hate card making when it's that warm, you get sweaty handprints all over your card, plus it's so much harder to be creative, my brain would shrivel up in that heat, let alone my creativity! 

Today's card is one I started when Pat was here but never got to finish so I finished it yesterday using,..xxxxx

Lots of labels Framelits for the sentiment

Background paper is from Delightful Daisies, it's such a pretty paper that has lots of flowers on.

The coloured Matt is Calypso Coral, the stamp sentiment is from 'Better Together' xxxx

How are you all getting along with your Challenge, it's actually quite straightforward, I can't wait to see them all.

Have a lovely day my lovelies,

Love and hugs

Sandra 

XXX

Awesomely Artistic Birthday!

Good Morning Ladies,

I want to start today by wishing out lovely Karen well for her procedure today, we will all be there with you in spirit my lovely, I'm sure you're glad it's only 'spirit', can you imagine all of us in one room, mind you it would take your mind off of
What you are having done!!  XXX

Lilian, I hope you are feeling better my lovely,  this place just isn't the same without your daily input, I had your tablets are starting to take effect xxx

I'd like you to all join me in welcoming Sharon to our blog family ladies, it was so lovely of you to pluck up the courage to pop in and say Hi yesterday, I saw that you had met our Maria,
She is so lovely, I'm so happy that you took up her invitation.
Please feel free to take part in Mondays Challenge, I will share your card on Sunday if you do take part, it's a great 'mojo' booster and Challenges to step outside of our comfort zone too.
I'd love to know where you are from and what crafts you enjoy.

Today's card was made using Stampin' Up! 'Awesomely Artistic' stamp set, it's my new favourite, I love that stunning flower burst and the foliage. I coloured the flowers with 'Sweet Sugarplum' ink and ,'Pear Pizazz' ink and layered the card with 'Sweet Sugarplum' card too. I just added different background elements of the stamp to my card front, I quite like the results, I hope you do too. XXX

Sue was too poorly to make it yesterday which was sad as it is a special time for the three of us, I am hoping that I  will get to see you before we go away Sue XXX

We usually go out to lunch to celebrate our friendship anniversary but Pat bought HUGE cream cakes instead, meringue with a mountain of cream and strawberries, they were yummy, I was still full up at supper time, hahaha!

Well I'm off to tick some more things off my list, I am expecting Mr.Brown (UPS) Today too, with my latest SU goodies, which is always exciting !!!

Have a lovely day whatever you are up to, I hope the weather doesn't hamper your plans, Val, how many visitors can you cope with????? 😉

Love and hugs

Sandra
xxxxxxx

Fresh as a Daisy

Good Morning Ladies,

Summery colours were the inspiration for this card, well Wednesday to see the. Somewhere, it was another dark and dismal day around here, the sky was so many different shades of grey it was unbelievable, we had the lights on inside from early afternoon, it's just ridiculous at this time of year.

I have to say I feel so sorry for those people that are holidaying at the moment, I just couldn't think of anything worse than sitting in a cold, damp tent or caravan with children, we always found things to entertain ours but they still get a little 'stir crazy' after a few ours. Camping is huge at the moment and we love the relaxed atmosphere and lifestyle of camping, mainly because our lives have almost regimented, when we are away we have no set meal times, we eat when we are hungry, getting dressed up for dinner at a given time in an overcrowded restaurant is not relaxing to us, we tend to get up and have a good breakfast (there is a bakery on site, so fresh warm baguettes, croissant and pastries are irresistible), my other luxury on holiday is having really top quality butter with flakes of sea salt, omg it's delicious, local preserves are yummy too!  We take a picnic to the beach, mainly snacks and fruit, greengages are in abundance there and the girls love them along with nectarine, oranges and watermelon of course.  Paul will generally pop and get an ice-cream.
Dinner happens when we are done with the beach, the seafood around there is amazing and very reasonable too, so girls are in heaven, they will say just about anything from the sea, well probably apart from Jellied eels or whelks, eww, yuk!!
But sadly, camping here doesn't have the same appeal, we have camped everywhere from Hayle in Cornwall up to Scarborough and many places in between, we may have been lucky once or twice but the majority of those years were wet ones !!!
Also the cost here is so high compared to Europe, my Cousin Alyson and I were having this discussion last night, she was trying to book a long weekend away with her grandson, she was quoted £900 for 5 days in North Norfolk or £500 for 4 days in a caravan at Walton-on-the-Naze, which believe me is nothing special !! Our campsite costs way less than the first quote and that's for 3 weeks!  

Anyway on to today's card, I stamped this card using the Stampin'Up! 'Daisy Delight' stamp set, I used different elements of the stamp set to build up the image in "Pear Pizazz', 'So Saffron' and a hint of 'Peekaboo Peach' .  I then ties a piece of SU Pear Pizazz Ribbon around the card and stamped my sentiment.  Quite a quick and easy card, but I kind of like how it turned out.

I have stowed the Soapbox away after my little rant on holidays!!!

I hope you all have a lovely day, I am hoping to meet up with my two very dear friends today!

Have fun whatever you are up to!

I hope that everyone that is suffering with pain or illness is starting to feel brighter, gentle hugs on route.

Love and hugs

Sandra
XxxxxxX

Shades of Blue Challenge card

Good Morning Ladies,

How are you all this morning?? I'm not sure of my mood today, I am excited that August is here as we only have 10 days until our holiday, which I'm really looking forward to but I also turn 50 this month, 50!! It doesn't seem 2 years since I turned 40!  Well my body feels like it's about 90 but my mind is in its twenties !! Hahaha

Today's card is another Challenge card, it actually fits two different lined on the 'Tic Tac Toe Challenge board:
Ribbon/Any Shade Blue/Birthday
Or:
Any Shade Blue/Patterned Paper/Pearls or Rhinestones
I used Pool Party card and Ink, 'Whole lot of lovely' designer series papers and 'Sending Love' stamp set (heart).
Pool Party ribbon with  narrow satin ribbon on top, I then finished the card with a few tiny rhinestones.
I hope you like  it. X

This week will be the 3rd Anniversary of Sue, Pat and I meeting up.  We all met and started chatting on Sue Wilson's blog, we then discovered we all lived close to each other so organised a meet up in my local Co-op  store Coffee shop, we were just going to have a coffee, but 3+ hours later we were still in deep conversation.  That day changed my life, I gained two of the most amazing friends that anyone could wish for and I am thankful for that everyday.
I look forward to our craft days together every week, those two ladies make my week, they are the only people I see, which makes their visit even more important to me.
Thank you Sue and Pat for all you do each week, it means the world to me xxx

I hope you all have a lovely day ladies,
Love and hugs

Sandra xxx