Monday Sketch Challenge

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

After a very relaxed and chilled out weekend I thought I'd go for a nice simple Sketch to continue the relaxed vibe.
I feel that this sketch could be used for anything from Christmas to Christenings!!
Remember to think outside the box, those circles could be flowers, stars, snowflakes, absolutely anything you fancy, your card just represents your interpretation of the sketch.
Now if you want to Challenge yourselves a little bit more how about making a Christmas card and any other card you choose, that way you are filling your Christmas card box up too!
I wonder who'll be first past the post this week?!! 
I will send out a little something to who ever gets their card in first!!

Wow, what a lovely weekend we had, I like the idea of shopping Friday and then not leaving the house for the rest of the weekend, it's been so relaxed.  For me it's seeing Paul sat nodding off in the garden, shoes off, feet up, totally relaxed.  We barbeque'd on Sunday lunchtime, before Matt left for work, which really made the rest of Sunday super chilled, usually as it gets towards five o'clock we have to start thinking about cooking dinner and then it usually takes a good two hours to prepare, cook and serve, meaning we usually eat at about 7pm, by the time we are done and sorted it's time for shower and bed!  I liked having Sunday Lunch and then doing the old fashioned Sandwich, cake and Ice cream Sunday tea!
Did any of you do that on a Sunday?  I remember helping prepare Sunday lunch as a child, we used to always make a jelly or a Bird's Trifle in the morning too,maybe boil some eggs for sandwichs too.  My Mum has always had lunch at 12 and tea at around 4pm.
Our typical Sunday tea back then was a Sandwich, followed by either a piece of Angel cake (layered pink,white and yellow sponge), or Battenburg, we would then either have Birds Trifle (how that fed 6 of us is beyond me), or jelly and icecream, sometimes we had a fun of fruit cocktail and Carnation milk (yuk), I remember we all used to argue over who got the cherry!!
Again how my mum made I fun of fruit cocktail serve 6 was a miracle!! Maybe we expect bigger portions these days, I just don't know.  We bought a Bird's Trifle a year or two back as a nostalgic treat, I was quite excited, got my best Crystal trifle bowl out and started making up the different elements, my lot were baffled by the dehydrated sponge blocks,they thought they were stale!! I poured the jelly in the bowl and I barely covered the bottom, same with the blancmange, when it came to to whipped topping it barely covered the blancmange, they had fun adding the sprinkles though,  the verdict wasn't good, they said it didn't taste of anything nice, just chemicals!!
I wonder why they would think to Vesta Meals, they were another weekend treat back then!
Did you all have similar Sunday tea times?  I would love to hear your stories.

Have a lovely start to the week ladies,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra
xxxxxxx

Your Celebration Challenge card

Good Morning My Lovelies,

I am absolutely blown away by the response to this challenge, the cards that you have all made are are stunning!
I am so excited to share them with you, I am also sharing the cards from the 'Stampin For all'  Fb group members.

 Brenda

Brenda has made 3 cards for this weeks Challenge, 

Janet 

Janet has also made 3 cards for our celebration challenge, its so lovely to see a card that is for something as lovely as 'An Invitation to tea', what a lovely idea Janet.

You have made 3 fantastic cards for this weeks challenge.

1. is an Invitation to  Tea - the background paper/creator card die are by Sara Davies 'Tea Party Collection'

2. is a Birthday Card for a little boy who will be 7 - the stamp is a Horse  by  Bee Crafty.

3. is an Anniversary Card- the Efolder is one from Crafters Companion (this came with my Gemini Machine)The Heart dies are from 'Waterfall Collection' by Tonic.

Thank you so much Janet, I know that you were busy packing up in Marigny, I am so grateful that you still made time to take part in the challenge.

I hope you and Jim had a smooth journey home.

XXX

 Karen

Two stunning cards from Karen this week, an absolutely beautiful Wedding card and a truly beautiful 70th Birthday card.

Here is Karen's description....

Card 1 is constructed with JL Sandwich Box dies and Spellbinder rose dies TL Flourishes from Centura Pearl card and Lidl paper edged with Enchanted Gold gilding wax.

Card 2: 8x8 card blank

SW Striplet Floral Meadow

SW Camelia flowers SW Pierced Flag HAPPY from Moonstone by Hunkydory 70th from Phill Martin Lilac card Lidl CE pva drops I hope the colours come out ok because it’s a very pretty lilac

Thank you so much Karen for two amazing cards,

XXX

 Lilian

Lilian has made a beautiful Celebration card using white and silver, the central die cut is beautiful, so delicate and the silver mat really brings that die cut to life.  The simple white flowers and beautifully delicate corner peel-offs really give the card that 'special' touch.

Thank you so much Lilian for another beautiful challenge card.

XXX

 Lynda

Lynda has made a beautiful 21st Birthday card, such a perfect card for a 21 year old card, what girl doesn't love shoes?!

Here is Lynda's description:

I used a 7x7 card blank. I stamped the Heartfelt Creations 'All Glammed Up' shoe on another piece of card & cut it out I glued it to my base card I made a frame with Sue Wilson Square die die put round edge I then made some of JL Bee Balm flowers out of some pretty shiny too shades of pink paper/card glued two together onto the shoe & put a pearl on each flower added 3 baby breath flowers around. Then added three more flowers in top right corner embellished the same. I cut the 21out of the same paper three times added a couple of sequins & went over the lines on shoe with clear sparkle pen.

Such a gorgeous card Lynda, I know that my girls would absolutely love this card.  Thank you for taking part and supporting my Challenges.

XXX

 Margaret

Margaret had embossed a few pieces of card with that amazing 'Apple Blossom' Embossing Folder before her fall, which made a perfect base for this gorgeous 50th Anniversary card which went with the beautiful Cross Stitch that I shared on yesterdays post.

Margaret added 3 pretty rolled roses, some pretty pearls and a 50th Anniversay Peel-Off.  You must have been so pleased with this card Margaret and thrilled to be making cards again.

Thank you so much for taking part in this weeks challenge Margaret.

XXX

Michele 

Two beautiful cards from Michele this week, both made from the free papers that were featured in Making Cards magazine.  I do think that that particular magazine has exceptional papers but I will say that most of us overlook them, Michele has highlighted just how beautiful a card you can make if you do decide to use them.

Thank you so much Michele for taking part in this weeks Challenge.

XXX

 Val

Val has made two fantastic Celebration cards, the first is a Wedding card, that could be used for any type of wedding, great thinking Val, you don't often see cards that are so versatile.  I love the colour scheme you have used and that Car topper is lovely.

I am the proud owner of many of Val's second card, 'Twin Birth Congratulations' cards are very few and far between, I can honestly tell you that I think we had many multiples of the same 'Congratulations on the Birth of Your Twins' cards, atleast 3 or 4 of the same few that were available in the shops, Hand made cards weren't such a big thing then, I always think about that when I am making a card for a celebration.  The customer that buys your cards Val know that they are buying something unique and nobody will receive a card the same. 

Your image is super cute Val and I love those beautiful papers that you have used.

Thank you so much Val for taking part in this weeks challenge, your cards are so inspirational.

XXX

The following cards are all from Members of the 'Stampin For All' Facebook group that I am on the Design Team for, they are all amazing cards and a great source of inspiration.

Sue Robinson

Sue has used some gorgeous retired Stampin Up! dies to create this amazing Celebration card, I absolutely love that arrangement of flowers that you have used Sue, I have these die and now my fingers are itching to grab them and start cutting!  Who says that snowflakes are just for Christmas?? you would never have guess that that pretty detail behind the sentiment is a foil snowflake from last years Christmas launch. A truly inspirational idea!!

Thanks for both taking part in the challenge Sue and inspiring me!

XXX

Carol Ann Pendleton

Carol has used Stampin Up! Detailed Floral Thinlits to create the gorgeous background for her beautiful challenge card, I absolutely love the colour combination that you have used Carol.

Thank you Carol for designing a stunning wedding card for this challenge.

XXX

Karen McClure

Karen has designed a fantastic 21st Birthday card for this Celebration Challenge, this would be a perfect 21st card for a Male, which can be a very tricky card to make.

Thank you so much Karen for designing a fantastic 21st card, great inspiration for a male card, love the colour combination you have used too.

XXX

 Debbie Harper

 Debbie has used Stampin Up! Petal Burst Embossing Folder to create the background for her beautiful, vintage style Wedding card. that stunning stamped image is from a stamp set called 'Very Vintage', Debbie has added some stunning, delicate lace to her card for a real touch of luxury, a few delicately coloured pearls finish this gorgeous Wedding card.

Thank you so much for taking part Debbie.

XXX

Elaine Spencer

A Lovely Celebration card from the lovely Elaine for this challenge, made using a combination of gorgeous, intricate dies, finished with those two beautiful flowers.

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

XXX

Helen Chandler

Helen has made an amazing set of Gift cards that have a fantastic matching Gift Box, I love the colour combination that Helen has used for her cards.

I will add Helen's Description below:

"My new favourite colour combination: Gorgeous Grape and Pool Party! This boxed set of six 3x3 gift cards is my offering for the celebrate challenge. I have put them in the album. Created using Cake Soiree and Sweet Cake Framelits, Celebrate You Thinlits, and the Envelope Punch Board."

Thank you so much Helen for taking part in my Celebration Challenge.

XXX

 Lorraine Turner

Lorraine has made 2 stunning Wedding cards for this Celebration Challenge.  You are so talented Lorraine, that little hand made wedding dress on your first card is so pretty and a great idea for using doillies. I love the darling little birds on your second card too.  The addition of the Initials on both cards at that little personal touch that you can't buy on the High Street.

Thank you so much Lorraine for supporting my first DT Challenge on Stampin For all.

XXX

So there you have it, what an amazing response to this Challenge, just look back at that amazing display of cards, they are all so different, all stunning too.

I am so grateful to all of you that took part in this challenge, both here on my blog and over on the Stampin For all Facebook group.  I would like to say that you ladies are more than welcome to come back and join in our weekly challenge anytime. xxx

I hope that you all have a lovely, relaxing Sunday,

Love and Hugs to all,

Sandra
xxxxxx

Mixed Up Saturday

Good Morning Ladies,

I was so confused with Paul being home yesterday, I was getting the cards uploaded for our usual Sunday post!  Totally missing out Mixed Craft Saturday! It wasn't until Paul said something about it being nice that we still had the whole weekend ahead of us that I realised, oops!!

Now this has to be the CUTEST opening photograph that we have ever had!  The cute couple are Karen's creations.

 Karen

Meet Georgina the Hippopotamus and George the Oppopitamus!, I think that George the Oppopitamus is the cutest, I just love his quirky face!

Karen has also made some fantastic Man cards, card genius idea, I will add Karen's description below.

"Here’s the cards I have made using the freebies from Papercraft Essentials It’s a bit of poetic licence in that it’s the chemical symbol for alcohol It doesn’t have the tannins etc I was inspired by Ali Reeve from years ago She did stamps for chocolate and coffee I think"

Thank you so much Karen for sharing your adorable animals with us and Inspiring us with those fantastic Man cards.

XXX

 Lynda

Lynda bought a couple of bargain dies from 'Wish' (a similar shop to Ali Express), both dies are really pretty, those shoes are gorgeous.  I love that pretty border die too and it looks like they cut perfectly, it seems that buying dies from these cheaper places works a lot better than buying stamps, stamps do seem to be a very poor quality as they are often made from just silicone, which doesn't carry the ink well enough to give a good image.  I am not saying that all cheap stamps are like that but more often than not, free magazine stamps used to be like it too, but companies have now stepped up and often want their stamps featured as freebies and why not, it's a great way to get their products out to a huge audience.

Thank you Lynda for sharing your fantastic bargain dies with us, I bet Michele has them in her basket already!!

XXX

 Margaret

Just look at this stunning cross stitch that Margaret has made for friends, there is so much beautiful detail, zoom in and look at the detail around the number 50, it looks as though the numbers are sat on top of the pattern, the stitched frame around piece is so pretty and so very delicate, I am in awe Margaret. I think this piece is absolutely gorgeous.  

Thank you so much for sharing your work with all of us.

XXX

 Michele

Hi Ladies,

You know me & bargains....well, looks what Postie just brought me.

The stamping magazine was to use to make cards for my Brother & Sister in Law as they’re always off travelling in their camper van.

The Happy Birthday Die was £3:00-I added this to the order (craftstash) to save paying P+P

The boxed set was reduced to £6:49. Inside you get a daffodil Die, a stencil, stamps & lots of pre-printed papers plus the magazine.I know it’s a spring themed one but the contents will keep....!! In fact I’ll probably put them away & forget all about them.

The Hunkydory Kit was just £2;99 postage as a Club member.

That’s all for now.

Michele

Michele, thank you so much for sharing your amazing bargains with us, I think I am going to have to give you my shopping list in future.
In fact maybe you should become our Blog Personal Crafty shopper!

XXX

That's it for this week's 'Mixed Up Saturday', thank you to all of you that took part. xxx

Val

Congratulations Val on meeting your Target at your Slimming club, that's a huge achievement, just in time for Bikini season!! I hope you got to go out for your celebratory meal afterwards.

XXX

Day one of the Air Tattoo went well, we did have to go out and the traffic was crazy, we also had these flash storms, the rain was running like rivers down the roads, you could almost see the flowers and grass springing back into life as they got their much needed drink.

I did feel a little sorry for the Air Show goers though as the rain was torrential for some time and they had paid a lot of money for their tickets. I think that the weather is set to be fine for the rest of the weekend though and we aren't planning on leaving the house either, it's quite a nice feeling as it rarely happens.

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend,

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxxx

Something 'Fresh' for Friday Card For Global Design Project

#GDP146

Good Friday Morning Ladies,

Well it's the end of another 'blog' week, they just fly by so fast, I have to say that I have really enjoyed every card I have made this week, some weeks I struggle to make cards to post, depending on how I'm feeling etc.  This week's cards have all been an absolute pleasure to make, I have literally sat at my desk and they just 'happened', no trawling the internet for ideas.  I think that the fact that I have made card for sketches or challenges helps as you have an idea in your head before you start.

I made today's card for the Global Design Project, this time it's a sketch challenge.  I chose to use a Stamp Set called 'A Good Day', as it has some lovely fresh summery images, perfect for this hot weather. I have tried to make it in mouth watering colours too, Lemon-Lime Twist, Mango Melody and Daffodil Delight. The backing paper is from the 6 x 6 Brights Designer series paper collection,
the base card is also Daffodil Delight.  I tied some Daffodil Delight Ribbon around my topper and added 3 tiny yellow pearls.

A Good Day Stamp set.

The image above is of the stamp set that I used, the little images are perfect for little tags, little 3 x 3 thank you cards, or grouped together like I have today.

The Air Tattoo starts today, well it actually sounded like it started yesterday, trying to have a conversation was difficult, so we are all going to learn a system of hand gestures very rapidly, I can see you all smiling, yes I can imagine the fun and giggles that it will cause too.

However noisy and frustrating it all is, I couldn't help but my blown away at the skill of the pilots of these aircraft that weigh goodness knows how many tons and they have them looping the loop and flying in the most amazing formations, it's an amazing thing to see.

I hope that you all have a lovely quiet weekend,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Simply Stamped

Insert

Good Morning Ladies,

How are we all today?! I am happy to say I am back up and connected to the world!!

You seriously don't realise how much you rely on electricity for every thing! 

They came over an hour earlier than they had stated which meant that the Dishwasher got switched off mid cycle, i had just washed my hair/ showered  thinking that i had plenty of time to dry my hair but no, I was a bit frustrated that they just went straight to the meter cupboard and switched it off without knocking and checking that it was ok! I am guessing that was because they were so early and didn't want to hear complaining! 

As soon as they turned it off the smoke alarms started beeping, I'm guessing the batteries ran out as they stopped after an hour.  My tablet died after half hour and for some reason my phone hadn't charged and was on 20%, our house phone is powered by electricity, so i felt really cut off.

I went outside to have a look at the aircraft displays only to find the electricity team watching it too! 

At around lunchtime the Foreman came over to say that he couldn't put pressure on his men in this heat, so it was highly unlikely that they would finish by 4pm.

By then Pat had arrived so the time passed quickly, we chatted lots, while watching the workmen, we held  our breath as the backed a HUGE crane up the side of our house. It waz entertaining  anyway,  Pat and i did some crafting, Pat did some beautiful colouring and I was finishing off a liad of cards, as i usually just make the card, I make the insert and envelope as I need them but with so many cards just sat in a box I am thinking of taking round to the village hall on a Thursday (Post Office day) to see if anyone is interested in them, they do have a box full of cheap market quality  type cards but nothing fancy, it's got to be worth asking hasn't it?

The electric did not get reconnected until well after 6pm, so it went from alnost silence to lots of beeping and whirring as the house  came back to life.  Such a relief after a very long dsy. 

Today's  card was the result of having a play with Stampin'Up  inks, to see how the blended to create a background, I am pleased to report that they work beautifully and i was able to acheive a lovely yellowy/orange sunset. I decided to use a tree that looks like you would find it on a Safari or something (no idea what its called). It's from Stampin'Up!  In a set called "Rooted in Nature".

I added a few birds to give some movement to the scene. I decided to keep the bottom black to go with the Silhouette look.

What do you think? 

Everything should hopefully be back to normal today, its Paul and the girls last day at work  because of the Air Tattoo, they have road closures and one way systems in operation in all villages around us so any kind of travel is going to be a nightmare.

It should be fun to watch though.

I hope that you all have a lovely Thursday, 

Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra

xxxxxx

Lynda's Challenge Card

Good Morning Ladies,

I am so excited to be sharing Lynda' 3D Challenge cards with you all today, I'm not sure if it was the heat or if I'm just losing my marbles but I totally forgot about them, Lynda sent them to me on Wednesday last week, I remember seeing them and commenting but after uploading and commenting on all of the others Lynda's had totally slipped my mind.  Funny thing is I checked the list twice and said to Paul 'I'm sure someone is missing'! 

Lynda's first card is one of Val's favourite cards to make (lol), a Pop-Up Box, after decorating the sides and flaps of he box with pretty paper Lynda filled it with John Lockwood's Gerbera Daisies that she had die cut in lots of colours to coordinate with the paper. Lynda then added Sue Wilson Butterflies to all of the flaps of the box.  Little pearls in the centre of the flowers give the perfect finishing touch.

Lynda's second card has the real 'WOW' factor, its a 'Z' Fold that she has decorated with some gorgeous paper from her stash, also die cutting some flowers from the same paper to layer up on the card, lynda finished the centres of these flowers with some rather posh looking gem stones.

The cleverly placed black pearls lead your eye in to the card.

Thank you so much Lynda for two absolutely amazing cards, I love both of them and I am sorry that I forgot to add them, especially after you went to so much trouble to create them.

The up side is that they get a day all to themselves. xxxx

Sue couldn't make it yesterday, so I decided to dedicate the day to filming tutorials, I had breakfast in the garden with the girls and then got all set up, I cut out all the bits to the card I wanted to share and as I was setting the camera up and group of VERY LOUD aircraft flew over and over and over, now I'm not sure whether they were preparing for the grand 100 plane fly past in London or if they were practising for the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford this weekend, it was so loud in the garden the girls came running in.  I know that the aircraft will have started arriving for the air show so its probably that.  

I was surprised at how many people have rented out their Driveway or become a temporary B&B for this weekend, there are campsites popping up in fields all around us too. We get a front row seat for the display as the field opposite our house is the 'holding point' for planes about to start their display, so if any of you have an aircraft enthusiast you are more than welcome to stop by.

I hope that you all have a quieter day than I do, enjoy it whatever you are doing.

Love and hugs to all

Sandra

xxxxxx

Floral Thank you

Good Morning Ladies,

I was asked to come up with a Sketch/Tic Tac Toe Challenge for a Facebook group, I did a TicTacToe that we have previously done but made a new card as it was while ago that we did it.

I used Categories: Floral/Free(ribbon)/Thank You

I used Stampin'Up! Share What You Love paper, on a Rich Razzleberry Card base, I then cut a rectangle of the Rich Razzleberry card and a smaller rectangle of Mint Macaron to form a base for my die cut 'Thank You', I stamped a few second generation inked flowers from the matching 'Love What you do' Stamp set.  

I die cut the Thank You in Rich Razzleberry card and another in Copper Foil and used that as a 'drop shadow'.  

To embellish the card a added two different ribbons, one is the 'Polka Dot Tulle', the other is 'Rich Razzleberry Velvet Ribbon.  I die cut some foliage in Copper Foil and them fussy cut a selection of flowers from the Designer Series Paper and arranged them in the bottom corner of my sentiment, I then popped on a few Faceted Dots, in the centre of the main flower and in opposite corners of the card. I final swoosh of 'Wink Of Stella' sparkle pen completed the card.

I hope you like it. 

I can honestly say that yesterday was just unbearable for me, it was just so hot and humid, Paul said that the car thermometer read 34 degrees!!  It hasn't bothered me that much up to yesterday, I went into my Craft Room to film two tutorials but after clearing my desk and preparing I was out of breath and had to go lie down with the fan on full power.  It clouded over later in the afternoon and cooled down very slightly.  It was still up in the 20's at 11pm last night!  Do you all manage to sleep with fans running? we have tried a few but the are so loud and it really dries you out but we just can't sleep without it though.

I was so thrilled yesterday as the Challenge card I made went absolutely crazy on Facebook, getting over 170 likes in one group with some amazing comments, it really does give your confidence a boost, ironically it was a relatively quick card to make.

I am looking forward to see Sue today, hopefully it will be a more bearable day, Pat is coming over tomorrow too although we won't have any electricity as they are removing a pole that's holding up the power cables through our gardens, the pole is actually in our neighbours garden but they can't into their garden so are having to use ours, they have said that the power will be off between 9 - 4pm, although I am hoping that it won't take that long as there will no FANS!

I hope that you all have a lovely day,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx