Sketch Challenge Cards

My Challenge Card

The Sketch

Janet's Challenge Card

Karen's Challenge Card

Lilian's Challenge Card

Lynda's Challenge Card

Margaret's Challenge Card

Maria's Challenge card

Michele's Challenge card

Val's Challenge card

Sonia's challenge card

Good Sunday Morning Ladies,

I hope you are all well, as you read this I should be having breakfast at Paul's parents house in Devon,  (or a local B&B if the stairs are too tricky) but fingers crossed all will be fine!  I am preparing this post on Saturday afternoon as I'm not sure how good the internet will be, hoping to get all the cards up ok.

In hind sight I think that this a quite a tricky sketch, but you have all done an amazing job......

Janet has used Spellbinders Borderabilities One and Creative Expressions Dainty Oval Frame to create her beautiful card, I love everything about your gorgeous card Janet, including your pretty handmade flowers, thank you so much for taking part this week xxx

Karen has used the Spellbinders Borderabilities die set too and Creative Expressions Pierced Tags to create her fanastic festive card, Karen I love the reindeer background paper you have used, such unusual colours for Christmas papers, I love them, such a change to red and green! That pretty proud Reindeer finishes Karen's card perfectly, thank you so much for taking part Karen xxx

Lilian, your card is so pretty, the background paper you have used is so delicate and pretty, you have embellished it perfectly with the crocheted lace you have used and the pretty Cherry Blossoms, a truly stunning card, thank you so much for taking part this week xxx

Lynda, such a gorgeous card from you this week, I love the colour theme you have used, that backing paper is so pretty with the dark red, with hints of green and gold, which you have echoed in your stamped image, your pretty poppy accents the whole thing perfectly, thank you so much for taking part xxx

Margaret, another fabulous festive card from you too this week, you have used the Creative Expressions Wise Men Mini Striplet as the focal point of your card, the star gold foiled background paper works so well in this design, I love the 'Peace On Earth' die you have used for your sentiment, a wish we all have at the moment! Thank you for taking part Margaret xxx

Maria, oh such a pretty Christmas card from you this week, your background paper is beautiful, I love those reindeers, so cute, the snowflakes that you have die cut and placed as falling snowflakes around your framed image work brilliantly Maria, a fabulous card, thank you so much for taking part xxx

Michele, I love the card you have entered for this weeks challenge, those teacups look so real, very pretty too, a perfectly designed challenge card, I hope to see more of your Mum in law's cards, she has a hidden talent xxx thank you both xxx

Val your Christmas card is stunning,in a beautiful red and gold, I absolutely love the verse you have used, I also love how you have framed it, your Poinsettias are gorgeous Val, this card will fly off the shelves for sure, thank you for rushing to get it done xxxx

Sonia, oh my goodness, such a pretty card, I adore those pretty girl toppers, I know that the Hobby House sell them, not sure if anywhere else does, her hair is just so gorgeous! The background paper you have used works so perfectly and that pretty punched edge gives it a delicate finish, your handmade flowers finished your card perfectly, i'm glad the weather was dull for you yesterday, this card was well worth it!! Thank you so much for taking part xxx

Another amazing collection of cards ladies, thasnk you so much for making time in your lives each week to take part xxx

Love and hugs
Sandra
Xxxxxx

Mixed Crafts Saturday and we get to meet Tollie

Anne's new puppy 'Tollie'

Janet's beautiful box

Front View

side view

Lynda's latest tag

Cheryl's Festive Candles

Good Morning Ladies,

Can you believe how very cute Anne's adorable new puppy 'Tollie' is? he is adorable, he looks like he could do no wrong at all! It's hard to get an idea of how tiny he is but I am guessing that the paving stones are a foot square which makes him tiny, his toy beside him looks too big for him to carry bless him.  We have a new puppy too (well my son does) he is a Border Collie puppy, my goodness he has some energy, he likes pulling up plants in the garden and emptying planters!  

You have all that excitement to come Anne, he looks like he will keep you busy, thank you so much for sharing a photo of him, it will be lovely to watch him grow xxx

We have the last of Janet's altered keepsake boxes up next, I think you saved the best until last Janet, I beleive that the paper you have used is a 'LemonCraft' floral paper, (i have them too, but don't want to use them).  You have added some doillies to create some focal points upon which You have placed a little resin fairy inside that pretty frame (both from Crafting Insomniac on fb), you have embellished the frame with some pretty daisies and a little key. A lovely metal peacock sits next to the frame in all his glory.  On the opposite side you have created a lovely spray of flowers, with some pearlised leaves and a floral/pearl strand trim.  The sides of the box have been expertly covered with he most beautiful laces, a ribbon threaded lace around the top and a stunning tassel lace around the bottom part of the box, a row of pearls finished the lid.  Janet, this box is absolutely stunning, you have really inspired me to have a go at altering a box myself, thank you so much for sharing xxx

Lynda, a pretty. altered tag from you this week, I love that stamped girl you have used, she is very pretty, you have used Creative Expressions Beaded Flourish die cuts to add some texture and interest in the background along with some lovely Metal charms and stunning flowers, also a little vintage seem binding, the background looks really pretty and colourful too Lynda, how have you acheived that effect?  A totally amazing tag from you again Lynda, thank you so much for sharing xxx

Cheryl's gorgeous Christmas Candle trio is the last of our Crafts for this week, 3 lovely candles placed in a pretty dish and decorated with pine cones, dried berries and nuts, fir sprigs,cinnamon sticks, pot pourri and small Christmas decorations, a quick burst of spray snow gives them a real Christmassy look, I will share some others next week, thank you so much for sharing xxx

Another gallery of gorgeous goodies this week, Tollie wins the Cute factor though, thank you so much ladies for sending in your mixed crafts for me to share xxx

Please keep them coming, it can be photos of something you have made or baked etc or something that your grandchildren have made, I look forward to seeing them.

I hope you all have a lovely Saturday,

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

Pretty Pleats

Good Morning Ladies,

Just a quick post today, as yesterday's was a bit of an 'epic', mind you that's only because I like to give do each card justice, you all take the time and effort to make your cards so its only right that I give a little time explaining what you have used and how you have created your cards.  Anyway, I will keep this post as brief as possible.

I tried a new technique for this card, I saw a card some time ago and have been wanting to create it, so I started playing around with design of the card on Wednesday with Sue,  we both enjoyed having a go at the technique, however we did get ourselves into a 'hot mess' when we had a go at extending the design, so much so that we gave up! Not sure if it was the weather or 'Mother Nature' to blame for our sweat beaded brows!! Hahaha, one thing I will say is that whenever we all try and make something new together we have such a giggle!  

I used Creative Expressions Stitched Lattice Frame dies (outer two) to make the base of My card and the white layer with the decorative section on, I also used CE Scalloped Lattice Buckle Bar die to create the pretty decorative section across the middle of my card, the top section was embossed using CE Heart Lattice Embossing Folder, to which I added a few tiny pearls. The decorative bottom section is the new technique that I tried, Pleating the paper in such a way that you get to see little hints of the pattern on the reverse of your double sided decorative paper, you can also do it with single sided paper (so that reverse didn't show). 

I used paper from my Floral Pavilion paper pad, which worked really well with the pretty pink polka dot pattern on the reverse. The 'Happy Birthday' is a Britannia Die set from Joanna Sheen.

Now, would you like me to do a step by step tutorial on this technique for you to follow?  If so please just let me know in the comments below.

I hope you have a lovely weekend planned, I think that Paul and I may be driving down to Brixham on Saturday evening to visit his parents before we go on holiday.

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra 

Xxxxxx

Butterfly Challenge Cards

My Butterfly Card

Anne's Butterfly Card

Brenda's Butterfly Card

Maria's Butterfly Card

Janet's Butterfly Card

Karen's 1st Butterfly card

Karen's 2nd Butterfly Card

Paint colour charts for Karen's card (above)

Lilian's Butterfly card

Lynda's 1st Butterfly Card

Lynda's 2nd Butterfly card

Margaret's Butterfly card

Michele's Butterfly Card

Phoebe's Butterfly Card

Sonia's Butterfly Card

Sue's 1st Butterfly Card

Sue's 2nd Butterfly Card

Val's Butterfly card

Good Morning Ladies,

Well ladies, I don't know what to say, I have been absolutely astonished at how many butterfly cards you lovely ladies sent in to me, so many in fact that I have kept some to show another time, (I hope you don't mind) x  

Anne's card I have uploaded from an old challenge, I hope you don't mind Anne, I know how busy you are with little Tollie and your family visiting, I know that Anne created this card by using the Gelli plate, I would love to know what your thoughts are on the Gelli plate Anne, thank you for your card xxx

Brenda, I have uploaded your card from an old challenge too, it's such a pretty card that its worth a second look, a gorgeous sparkly card Brenda, thank you xxx

Maria, I love your stamped card, it looks like a Inkyliscious stamp (but I'm not sure that it is), I love that sentiment too, ''the best things in life are Wild and Free'', your graduated colour background is gorgeous Maria and works really well with the stamp you have used, thank you so much for taking part xxx

Janet, such a beautiful butterfly card from you too, a true 'kaleidoscope', I love how you have decoupaged some of the butterflies for dimension! A stunning butterfly card Janet, thank you xxx

Karen, 3 cards from you for this challenge, although I have only shown two, (i hope you don't mind, I wanted to keep one for a day of its own).  The 1st card has been made using Spellbinders Les Papillions Dies, positive and negative die cuts, the pretty background paper was created on Serif, the 2nd card is pure genius, Karen's 'Kaleidoscope' of butterflies in graduating shades of pretty pink was created using Paint Charts from DIY stores, what an amazing idea, perfect shades already worked out for you, I wouldn't suggest going in and 'cleaning them out' of samples, but I'm sure they wouldn't notice one or two different colours being put to good use, I am thinking about how fab a good selection of greens would be for foliage die cuts!!  Shame Paul's at work tomorrow otherwise we would be paying B & Q a visit! hahaha, thank you so much Karen for taking part in the challenge xxx

Lilian, I used an old challenge card of yours too, I love the watercolour wash effect in the background of your card, it's so subtle and pretty, the pretty butterflies are such a pretty finishing touch Lilian,

thank you for creating this pretty card Lilian xxx

Lynda, oh what beautiful cards from you for this challenge, I know how much you love butterflies and that really shows, your first card is so pretty, you have used a gorgeous butterfly paper and Creative Expressions Butterfly striplet die for added interest, the 2nd card has been created with the Spellbinders Butterfly (les Papillions) die too, with a larger Spellbinder butterfly die cut for the focal point, a lovely verse finishes the card perfectly, thank you so much Lynda for your gorgeous cards xxx

Margaret's card is so very pretty,  I love that pretty backing paper you have used, the perfect subtle backdrop for your 'Kaleidoscope' of graduating sized butterflies leading up to that beautiful butterfly resting on the flower, what makes this card extra special is the fact that Alan had an input into this card too, isn't it lovely when our partners show an interest too! Thank you so much Margaret and Alan for a fabulous card xxx

Michele, oh such a pretty card from you, I love the delicate colour of your card and the Pictor Die by Creative Expressions has made the perfect frame for your butterfly embellished sentiment, a gorgeous card Michele, thank you so much xxx

Phoebe (Sue's Granddaughter) has entered her first challenge card, made entirely by herself using Spellbinders layered Butterflies die set, Phoebe you have made such a beautiful card, such pretty coloured butterflies, decorated with pretty glitter glue, you are such a fantastic card maker Phoebe and I look forward to seeing many more of your cards, thank you for sharing your card xxx

Sonia, I absolutely love your card, that Moroccan looking background is so lovely and the perfect base for your gorgeous butterfly, which looks like it could be a Marianne Butterfly 3 die, so delicate and pretty in pink, thank you so much for creating another gorgeous card for us Sonia xxx

Sue, well what can I say Sue, you sent me about 8 different butterfly cards, each one is so beautiful, I have shared a couple of them and saved the rest for another day, your first card has been made using Creative Expressions Delicate Garden Frame die, with a pretty butterfly in the corner, I love the contrast of the blue and white, it really works, your second beautiful card has been made using a scalloped circle, decorated all the way around with beautiful butterflies in graduating shades, such a gorgeous card Sue, thank you so much for sharing so many pretty cards xxx

Val, a pretty kaleidoscope of butterflies in flight across your card, in such delicate shades, I know that you have used Cosmic Shimmer Colour Clouds to colour your butterflies and create your pretty background, the delicate little sequins add just enough sparkle to lift the card, thank you so much for creating this beautiful card for us Val xxx

Well ladies, my fingers are about to drop off, all that remains for me to say is a HUGE THANK YOU, for being so HUGELY supportive when it comes to my challenges, it means a lot, you are all amazing xxxx

Love and Hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

The 2nd of Janet's Vintage Card series

Good Morning Ladies,

I am pleased to tell you that Matt was released from hospital yesterday, the technical term for his condition was Pyelonephritis (Acute Kidney infection), the explained that he must have had the symptoms of urine infection during last week, it probably progressed so fast due to his lack of immunity.  He has been given  a 2 Week course of antibiotics, (longer than I expected) but apparently that was due to severity of the infection.  Anyway it was good to have him home, he wanted to return to work today but I put my foot down and told him he needs a couple of days to rest and recuperate.
He has ask me to thank you all very much for all of your get well messages.

Now onto today's stunning Vintage themed card from our Janet,  I absolutely love this card Janet, the image is beautiful and your embellishments are just stunning, please let us know what die you have used to create that exquisitely delicate frame that you have used around your image, it's beautiful.
The gold applique is stunning too and you have enhanced its beauty with your ribbon bow, with stickpin and tassel.  The flowers are perfectly placed as it that pretty little resin heart.
Janet you have created another stunning Vintage master piece, thank you so very much for sharing it with all of us xxxx

Now I would like to just say a few words of thanks to my very dear friends Sue & Pat, it was the second anniversary of our friendship, I can still remember the stomach churning panic I felt just before meeting up with Pat and Sue for the first time at our local Co-op for coffee, that lasted a good few hours, we just all clicked as friends straight away.  We got to know each other first on Sue Wilsons 'Particraft' blog, got chatting and arranged to meet up.  We all feel that we have known each other for years.
I cannot thank either of you enough for the happiness that you have bought into my life, you have both bought sunshine back into my life, my week used to be very long and very lonely, but now I have our Wednesday get togethers to look forward to each week and I really do look forward to them.
I just know we will be life long friends, so here's to many, many more anniversaries!
I love you both very much xxxx

I would like to add that those feelings extend to the rest of you wonderful, kind caring ladies, you have know idea how much I look forward to looking in every day to see what you have all been up to, there may only be a handful of us, but what a wonderful handful it is, you are very special friends that as I explained above bring a little sunshine into my life everyday, being housebound can be a very dark and lonely place, starting my blog was the best thing I ever did, as it has led to me meeting the most amazing friends, so thank you all so very much xxxx

Love and hugs
Sandra
xxxxxx

Lilian's Challenge card & Joseph's stone for his mum

Joseph

Joseph's Stone for his Mum

Good Morning ladies,

Firstly I will give you a quick update on Matt, he is still in hospital, he seems to be starting to respond to the IV antibiotics, but his temperature is still a little erratic.  I can't remember if I mentioned but he takes complex meds for his arthritis that are designed to reduce his body's immunity, I think that this is why this Infection has developed so quickly and is so severe.  It is always so incredibly painful to see your children in pain, it doesn't matter how old they are, hopefully he will have a good day today and will be able to come home, although I would prefer he stayed put until he is fully recovered.

Thank you all so very much for your wonderfully supportive message, this is what makes our blog so unique, I could not wish for a lovelier group of friends xxx

Now onto today's gorgeous card, I has been designed and created by our Lilian for last week's challenge.

Lilian has used Creative Expressions Petite Striplet 'Jubilee' to create the background of her card,

I believe one of the Spellbinders Blossom dies has been used to place that gorgeous stamped image on, Lilian has also added stamped pretty detail all around the edge of the card too. I love your card Lilian, thank you so much for taking part, despite not getting home until the weekend. I hope you have managed to unwind after your journey home xxx

Cheryl kindly sent me a photo of Joseph and the lovely stone he painted for his Mum, such a lovely thoughtful young man.  

Joseph your stone is fantastic, I can see that you have used paint, glitter glue and pearl drops to decorate your stone, your writing is so neat too, its really hard to write with those pearl drops too, you have done an amazing job, I bet your Mum was over the moon,  thank you Cheryl for sharing yourt's photo's with us xxx

That's all for today ladies, thank your for your love and support, it means the world xx

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

Monday Sketch Challenge

 My challenge card

This Weeks Sketch

Good Morning Ladies,

I managed to get a sketch up and a quick card made before dashing off to the hospital yesterday! 

As always you can add your own flare to the basic challenge card shape! 

I use Ultimate Crafts Magnolia Lane papers for my card, fussy cutting the flowers from the papers to embellish my card, a few pearls and some lace was the only thing I added. 

I hope it gives you a little inspiration.

Love and hugs

Sandra 

Xxxxxx

Sketch Challenge Cards

My Sketch Challenge Card

The Sketch

An older Challenge card of mine

Brenda L Challenge Card

Janet Challenge card 1

Janet Challenge card 2

Karen's Challenge card

Lynda Challenge card

Margaret Challenge card

Maria's Challenge card

Michele's Challenge Card

Michele's 2nd card

Sonia's Challenge Card

Sue's old Challenge card

Val's Challenge Card

Good Sunday Morning Ladies,

Another assortment of amazing challenge cards from all of you again this week.

Brenda, your stunning card has been created by using the Spanish Border die as the background, it works so well with the hammered card you have used.  You have finished your card beautifully with those pretty handmade flowers and ribbon.  thank you so much for taking part xxx

Janet, 2 beautiful cards from you this week, the first card has been made using Creative Expressions Embroidered Striplet die and the second using the Delphinus Gemini die, both embellished beautifully too, with lace and mdf embellishments on the first card and a resin fan and ribbon on the second, thank you so much for taking part Janet xxx

karen you have used Creative Expressions Mini Snowflake Striplet and Snowflake to create your amazing Christmas card, you ladies are all going to be so organised this year, thank you so much for taking part in this weeks challenge xxx

Lynda you have created a stunning, super sparkly Christmas card with the Creative Expressions Eternal Rings Striplet, studded with sparkly stones! Thank you so much for taking part Lynda xxx

Margaret, a gorgeous Christmas card from you this week, I love those die cut snowflakes creating that perfect background with out actually using a stiplet style die, very resourceful, using what you have to make something, proving that we crafters can all make the most of our stash.  I love the way you have used a bauble shaped sentiment too, a fabulous Christmas card Margaret, thank you so much for taking part xxx

Maria a stunning card from you this week, you have used Creative Expressions Bevelled Glass Striplet and Melbourne Die from the Australian collection, they work so well together, embellished with that pretty ribbon, a gorgeous card that you could use for different occasions, thank you so much for taking part Maria xxx

Michele you have created a gorgeous Christmas card using the Eternal Rings Striplet Die and a pretty snowflake, with that lovely ribbon! 

Your second card has been made using decorative christmas paper, a pretty filigree bauble to embellish Your SW Pierced Flag sentiment!  Your mojo returned just in time and was on top form! Thank you for being patient enough to take part this week my lovely xxx

Sonia, I love your card, using Spellbinders Mary Border Strip die to create your background and a complimentary Spellbinder die for the centre, I love how you raised the centre of the background die cuts up to give a little dimension, those pretty pearls give the card an elegant finish, thank you so much for taking part Sonia xxx

Sue, such a pretty card created by you some time ago, using ribbon to create the stripped background effect and that pretty topper that you have decoupaged and trimmed with lace as well, I have added this one is as I you were suffering with a migraine again at the end of the week you may not have got yours finished, although there is still time! thank you Sue xxx

Val, such a gorgeous christmas card from you this week, your have used the Quilted Blocks Striplet die for the background and the new Ornate Holly Framed Peace die (both by Creative Expressions) to create your card, using sumptous gold card and vellum to create your stunning poinsettia is a real exquisite touch, the gorgeous ribbon is the perfect finishing touch, thank you so much for taking part xxx

Well ladies, what an incredible array of cards once again this week, you have once again blown me away, I am so very proud to share your cards.

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx