Monday Challenge

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

A real variety for this week's challenge, it's a Challenge that you can choose either part of the challenge or combine the two.
So maybe you just fancy doing the Sketch part of the challenge, then that's great, or you may fancy doing a Colour challenge, I thought this particular challenge has some gorgeous summery colours in, you could almost make a rainbow!
You can choose any shades of the colours in the photo, I can feel some beautiful flowers coming up!!!   By the way you don't have to use all of the colours, just choose the ones that you would like to use.
You can also combine both the sketch and the colour challenge, which is what Dannii chose for her Challenge card.                           

You can use patterned paper that have those colours in if you like and use the ' flag' part of the sketch for your sentiment.                                                                                  Dannii very kindly allowed me to share her card to give you a little inspiration as I didn't get mine finished.  She used the Birthdays Blossoms stamp set to create her card, Dannii has used Vellum for the flag part of the card, it works perfectly.  I also love how Dannii has framed that sentiment, it really works.  An absolutely wonderful card Dannii thank you for allowing me to share your card. XXX                                                                                                                                                                                                         I can't wait to see what you all create for this week's challenge Ladies, next Sunday's post is going to be Amazing!!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             What have you got planned for this week?, What ever it is I hope you have a fantastic  week from start to finish!  Mine is a mixture of Birthday girls, Gas Engineers, Doctors appointments amongst other things!

Sending Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra
xxxxxxx

        

Your Challenge cards

Good Morning Ladies

Welcome to our favourite day of the week,  I just love to see how you all interpret the sketch or challenge each week.  

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend, I have been cold, we even lit the fire last night. Today's weather forecast has a yellow warning for rain with possible localised flooding.  I think I may get some craft time in. 

I have been trying to upload a video since Thursday, showcasing some of the new Stampin'Up! Goodies but the flaming internet keeps cutting out, so far it's got to 52%, 75% and 80%, so fingers crossed we might get past ,90%  tonight!! I am really trying to grow my YouTube channel, so the rubbish internet is a real hindrance!!

Dannii has a facebook page and we featured this week's sketch challenge on there too, I will feature a card that a lovel lady called Steph from Dannii's group made for the challenge too. 

Anyway let's get on with the show.......

Janet

Two amazing cards from Janet this week, the first uses Sue Wilson's Apron Die set, the colour theme you have chosen works perfectly.

Your second card is fantastic, I love that pretty frame you have used to showcase that pretty flourish and the bicycle, love that vintage background paper too.

Two lovely cards Janet, thank you so very much for taking part.

XXX

Lilian

Lilian, omg I really love your card my lovely, it may be a combination of two challenges but my goodness it was worth waiting a week for. The background you have created has so much texture, the colours work so perfectly with the Anemones in your topper, which is so pretty.  I am so pleased that you managed to take part this week, I absolutely love seeing your cards each week.

Thank you so much for taking part. 

XXX 

Michele

Michele has had a really busy week and still managed to make four challenge cards, which is amazing. Oh I'm not sure which one is my favourite, I love the vintage train card and the ond with the gifts on, the paper on that card is really pretty.

Thank you so much Michele, I hope Sunday turns out to be a lot more relaxed than yesterday day was, I hope that you weren't at the hospital with your Father in law too late last night my lovely, particularly as you had an early start with the Car Boot Sale.

XXX

Karen

Karen's Challenge card made for a 'Guinness' lover, it's testament to the brand that you just need to see the harp to know it's Guinness, I know that Michele's Phil would really appreciate this card! (Michele you could borrow Karen's idea for next year. Thank you so much for taking part Karen. 

XXX

Lynda

Lynda has made a beautiful challenge card for this week's Sketch Challenge, here is Lynda's description......

"Paper from Heartfelt Creations 'all Glammed Up' 3D embossing folder, Crafter' Companion Poppy stamp from stash coloured with water colour pencils xx"

I love the background of your card too Lynda, that paper is ok lovely.

Thank you for taking part sweetheart. 

XXX

Danielle

Danielle's sketch card is so pretty, made with  papers from the "Sweet Soiree" suite and the coordinating Memories and More pack, I love how you have offset the square of vellum behind your Sentiment piece. A truly lovely challenge card.

Thank you so much for taking part Danielle.

XXX

Cheryl

Cheryl,  your Sketch Challenge card is beautiful, I have these papers (they were free in a magazine last year), you have showcased the papers perfectly with this card, I may use your idea as I haven't used mine yet.  

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

XXX

Val

Wow Val, such a stunning challenge card from you this week, I love your stamped background (Val wanted to add a handmade background for last week's challenge)! 

That stamped background looks like a printed patterned paper and works beautifully with the colour theme of your card, which is one of the main benefits of creating your own .  

Your floral centrepiece is so pretty, is it Sue Wilson's Daisy die and stamp?  That pretty little Dragonfly is a lovely touch too.

Thank you so much for taking part Val, I really do appreciate it.

XXX 

Margaret

Margaret has made a stunning challenge card for us this week using the Stampin'Up! 

'Wild About Flowers' stamp set for the topper part of the card, the background features 'Delightful Daisy' DSP, which Margaret has combined with a soft pastel peach paper.  Adding the blue as a contrast colour was a genius touch and it works perfectly.  

Thank you so much for taking part this week Margaret.

XXX

Steph

Steph (Stoker) from Dannii's FB group made this absolutely amazing card for this week's Sketch Challenge, she used Stampin'Up! 'Petal Pallette' papers to create her card, using one of the Memories and More cards as the focal element of the card.  A strip of rhinestones down the left side of the card finish the card perfectly.

Steph thank you so much for taking part in this week's challenge, I really hope that you are able to join in each week my lovely. 

XXX

Another fantastic display of cards ladies, you are amazing!!!

I am off into my craft room to think about a challenge for next week,  hmmmm do I go for Sketch, TicTacToe, Colour challenge or a Theme??? 

Which would you prefer??

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, I hope it stays dry wherever you are, a few degrees warmer would be nice too! 

Sending love and hugs to each and every one of you,

Sandra 

xxxxxx

Michele's Magazine Review

Michele's Magazine Review

First up is Papercraft Inspirations which has a lovely free gift. A pack to make 2 Twist + POP Cards plus a sentiment Die.

 Diecutting Essentials has a fantastic set of Dies this month-perfect for making cards for men! Inside there’s a great article on cards for men, Embossing different materials

Making has some really cute papers & toppers with this issue.

 Cardmaking & Papercraft has a really pretty set of stamps & Fairy Dies this month. Two interesting articles inside are-10 ideas with watercolours and 6 ways with Gemstones.

 Simply Cards & Papercraft has some gorgeous papers & a great stamp +coordinating Die set. As usual there lots of ideas inside the magazine on how to use the free gift. Also inside is an article on how to make your own background using Sentiment stamps-a great way to get more value from those stamps!

Making has some really cute papers & toppers with this issue.

I bought this magazine for the stamp set-I think they’re going to be very useful. There’s so much inspiration inside the magazine just using the free stamps including some cards for the Ladies. 

Love Cardmaking magazine has a set Embossing Folder, Stamps & Dies Free with this issue. The theme is feathers and there’s some great ideas inside the magazine. 
 Papercraft Essentials has a brilliant set of Dies & Stamps this month-perfect for Fathers Day or just a Male birthday. Both CraftiPotential and Christina Griffiths have YouTube videos using this Stamp & die set showing some brilliant ideas.


That’s it until next month.

Michele  

Thank you so much Michele for a Bumper Magazine Review, it's so kind of you to go to so much trouble.
I hope the Boot Sale goes well today.

XXX

Karen's New Kitchen

Karen, what can I say, an absolutely amazing transformation, it looks top quality, you must be too nervous to use it it case you got it dirty.  Every little detail is finished to the highest standard.  It looks so clean and fresh and ultra modern!! You must be over the moon my lovely.
Thank you so much for sharing your photos with us Karen, it is a truly amazing transformation.

XXX

Janet

Janet has been a very busy lady this week, she has made CC's and these two Stunning boxes.  They are both stunning and and decorated with the most beautiful card and paper. The die is called kaleidescope Box Die comes with another selection of dies and stamps to embellish  the box with including a Sewing themed box die, which would is so detailed.  Janet you have decorated those boxes beautifully, the papers are stunning.

Thank you so much for sharing your projects Janet, they are absolutely gorgeous.!

XXX

That's is for this week ladies, thanks so much for this week Ladies, especially those of you that contributed.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend, 

Love and hugs

Sandra 

xxxxxx

Michele's Floral Friday treat!!!

Michele's 

Good Morning Ladies,

Here we are at Friday once again, which means we get to see a 'Something Floral' on display.
This week's Floral Challenge card has been designed by our very own Michele!! She has used that amazing Altenew Flower stamp that was a Free gift on a magazine earlier this year. You can also download matching flower images to use with the Free Die which is what Michele has done I think, I love the summery colours that you have chosen, I can see the Spellbinder Large Decorative Labels one die in the background which is the base for that lovely wreath of flowers (albeit square)!
I am certain that the recipient of this lovely card will be over the moon when she sees it.
Thank you so much for sharing your card and for helping me out last minute. xxxx

I decided I would do my "New Catalogue" Sneak Peek video as I am excited to share some of the Lovely new goodies that are featured in the Stampin'Up! 2018 - 2019 New Catalogue.  So I recorded it at about 2:30 pm and set it to upload, thinking that two hours to upload would be about right, Danielle had advised me a while ago to record in the lowest definition, which I had done, but sadly at 9:30pm it was only 40% uploaded!!!
So that one will have to be shared next week.

I am hoping that Paul will finish early today so that we can spend sone time together, since he has stopped shifts and works Monday to Friday, we have very little time to ourselves and its frustrating. I would quite happily stay home and watch a movie, without all of our Children , continually asking for things.

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend planned.

Love and hugs,

Sandra
xxxxxx 

Another Challenge card to inspire you

Good Morning Ladies,

Another challenge card to hopefully inspire you a little bit for this week's sketch challenge.
For this card I used some more new catalogue goodies, the base card is Mint Macaron onto that I added a piece of the New ' Delightfully Detailed Laser Cut Paper' , I only used a tiny piece as I love it and want it to last forever!  I then took a small stamp from the Detailed With Love stamp set that matches the pattern in the Laser Cut Paper' and stamped a pattern on the card base.  I then used the Trio punch to add ribbon threading holes into a narrow piece of the Mint Macaron card and weaved some narrow white ribbon through them. I placed that over the join of the card and then stamped my sentiment onto some Whisper White card and punched out with the Everyday Label Punch, I created a mat for the label with Mint Macaron card and used the edge of the ribbon threader part of the punch to shape the corners.
I finished with a ribbon bow and some tiny Mint Macaron Pearls.
I hope you like it . XXX

Pat and I had a lovely afternoon yesterday, we went to our local Garden Centre for lunch, I had a lovely ' Pulled Ham Hock and Welsh Rarebit panini which was lovely, Pat went for a Cheddar and Tomato sandwich.
We then came back here for some crafting, what more could a girl ask for?!!

My phone consultation with GP was very frustrating, I explained my situation with regard to frequent Water Infections, I told him what Antibiotics I usually have, he agreed that that was best, he then said "I will give you a three day course" I replied "Oh, I usually have 7 days" he said "we will go with three!" So Paul brings my prescription home and I open it in desperation only to find he has only given me 6 X 100mg tablets !!  I usually take 500mg 4 x a day for seven days!
So he hasn't actually given me one days worth!  I have been in this situation so many times, I know that come the weekend it will flare up again and I will be back to square one!  Why don't they listen.?!
I will be drinking Bicarbonate of Soda, consuming handfuls of Cranberry Tablets for the next two weeks!

I hope that you ladies are all okay,

I hope you have a lovely day,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra
xxxxxx

Hand stamped Background Detailed With Love card

Good Morning Ladies,

Ooh it's chilly, proper April weather, showers on and off, I had two loads of washing waiting to go out but it ended up on the airer!

Now today's card started out as a piece of white paper, I took all the little stamps from the 'Detailed With Love' stamp set and played with them creating different patterns, I lost about two hours and burnt one of the curries whilst playing but I really it was really therapeutic! 
For this pattern I chose the colours Berry Burst and Lemon Lime Twist, then added little tiny diamonds which I stamped in Versamark and added Silver Embossing Powder, just to add a little hint of luxury.
I then stamped my main sentiment piece and die cut it with Stitched Oval die, then mounted it onto the next size up in Lemon Lime Twist card then created a rectangle mat that I used the trio punch on, to round the corners and punch the little details.
Another feature of the trio punch is a Ribbon Threader Hole punch, I used this to create a border which I theaded Berry Burst Foil Edged Ribbon through, then added a bow which I topped with one of the new Embellishments in the Love What You Suite Embellishment kit.
I finished it off with a flower that I made using the Pansy punch, I popped a Glitter gem in the centre and used the Leaf Punch to make the leaves.
I hope you like it ladies. XX

Detailed With Love stamp set

(Sshhhh sneak peek)

I made my card patterned paper with the small bracket looking stamp and the little flower, the main sentiment piece was the oval stamp. A very useful stamp set with some nice sentiments.

Sadly Sue didn't make it over yesterday as she was too poorly, I hope and pray you feel better today my lovely, I am free for rest of week if you are up for a visit. xxxx

Lilian, I feel so frustrated for you, this has got to the point that it is having a significant effect on your health, both mentally and physically to the point that it's stopping you from doing the things that you enjoy. I do hope they can give you some positive news and get you back to your old self.  Sending love and hugs dear friend xxxx

Maria I was sorry to hear that you were suffering with a lot of pain, the medication that they prescribe is usually strong and can make you feel really rubbish, tired and nauseous.  These side effects sometimes where off after a few days, fingers crossed for you my lovely. xxxx

Val I hope your Terminator managed to deal with your nasty critters!  Oh the are horrible things, pointless bugs!  Just the thought of them has me itching! I hope the stuff the chap put down works fast. xxxx

Well ladies I have been trying to finish this blog post for today for the past two hours, I could scream as I have started with the symptoms of a water infection, I only finished my antibiotics a week ago today.  I will call GP this morning. I tried drinking Bicarbonate of Soda last night, it was super salty, I am still waiting for the results, so I can recommend this method to you.

Have a lovely day ladies,

Love and hugs

Sandra

xxxxxx

Brenda's Challenge Cards

Going Morning Ladies,

I only received Brenda's Challenge cards yesterday morning, our internet is a flippin' nightmare, we did have bad thunderstorms on Saturday night but I didn't think that it stopped our internet.  I always check our email up until midnight before I publish the blog just in case there are any late entries.

The upside is that these two absolutely stunning cards get a day all to themselves!
Brenda's first card is stamped with the Inkyliscious Flourish XL Stamp and Stampin'Up! Berry Burst ink (i must have missed this stamp Brenda otherwise I Am pretty sure it would be in my possession!) .
It has stamped beautifully Brenda, the simple Berry Burst Foil Edged ribbon bow is the perfect finishing touch.
Brenda's second card was made using the 'Waves' mask with glitter paste through it, finished with Berry Burst Ribbon and a beautiful flower spray that features Brenda's handmade ribbon roses, some die cut leaves and a pretty wired pearl spray.
Two stunning challenge cards Brenda, thank you so much for taking part, I'm sorry I missed them on Saturday my lovely although I am so pleased that they get their own special day. XXX

I ended up going from having a boring day to having a lovely Mummy/Daughter date with Becca, we had some stuff to sort out for her first but then we went and had our nails done and had some lunch, it was a lovely treat, so nice just to have the time to have relaxed conversation.  I was going to have a conservative/ neutral colour but was easily persuaded to go for a deep red!  Well if your going to do i, do it big !!!

I hope that you all have a lovely day,

Love and hugs to all of you

Sandra
xxxxxx

Monday Sketch Challenge with Sneak Peek of New SU Suite...

Good Monday Morning Ladies,

 I hope that you all had a lovely relaxing weekend, the weather was very kind to us, we managed to get all washing dry on the line, which makes me happy, I smells so much fresher (to me)!

I have chosen (with Michele's help) a simple sketch for this week's challenge,  I think sketches are so helpful when you are struggling for ideas for a card.  This sketch would work for everything from Christmas to Christening card, Bon Voyage to Birthday!  You can use whatever you like, you can make your own background or use Patterned paper, embossing folders, masks, stencils, whatever you have to hand.

I have been Naughty and given you a sneak peek of some of the New Products that are in the Brand new Stampin'Up! catalogue, my .goodness there are some amazing new stamps and papers!!

I have used the "Share What You Love" 
which features some stunning Designer Series Paper that has pearlised elements, a lovely floral stamp set, there is also a luxurious Velvet Ribbon in Rich Razzleberry.
I stamped my focal piece in Rich Razzleberry, then used a blender pen with the same ink to colour the flower, the background is stamped in one of the new 'In Colours' Grapefruit Grove,  I stamped the first impression onto scrap paper to give just a hint of colour. I used the same background stamp to add colour to my sentiment, which I stamped I Rich Razzleberry and punched out with the Lovely Label punch
My card base is covered with Rich Razzleberry card that I embossed with the Petal Pair embossing folder and a piece of the new DSP, using such a small piece means I will go a long way. I added strip of ribbon down the centre to tie the two sides together.  I then placed my topper on an angle and added some coordinating pearls.
 I hope you like my card. xx

Love What You Do 

Stamp set

I hope you all enjoy this week's challenge and look forward to seeing your cards.

Have a lovely day,

Love and hugs,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Your Challenge cards

Good Sunday Morning Ladies,

We really have been treated to some glorious weather, our lawns have been mowed twice and it needs doing again already, the borders are really starting to burst into life, there are Primroses all over, in different colours too, there is a beautiful bush in the front garden that is the most glorious shade of pink.  We have tulips too and daffodils, there are lots of shrubs bursting through too, its going to be a real treat watching everything appear, outside the back door there is a border with Lavender, Rosemary,Thyme, sage & Chives, there is plenty of mint too, perfectly placed to pop out and pick to add to cooking.  I have would like to plant one or two things but we will wait to see what is going to grow where first.  We have loads and loads of pots as thats all we had to grow anything in the other house, I will plant some of the softer herbs too, we use a pot of coriander every week, mostly in Guacamole (as its Sophie's favourite) and I am happy to make it for her as its so good for you, up until two years ago we hated Avocado and Coriander but I made guacamole as part of a recipe for a meal and it was so delicious, the ready made stuff was awful in comparison!

Anyway enough of my waffling I know you want to see the Challenge cards.......

Janet

Janet has made 3 fantastic Challenge cards, to look at them you'd never believe that they were for the same challenge, that's the beauty of making your own backgrounds!

The first card Janet has made features her new Phil Martin Collage dies, this one is the music themed stamp, which works brilliantly with the old Gramophone and that perfect sentiment.

Janet's second card uses a stamped background featuring a script stamp, Oh my that beautiful blue rose that you have coloured is stunning and really gives the wow factor.

Janet's third and final card uses Sue Wilson Eternal Rings Striplet die and the Full Daisy die for those pretty flowers, cutting them from patterned paper really lifts them.

Three stunning cards Janet, thank you so much for taking part.

XXX

 Lynda

Now I knew Lynda would enjoy this challenge as she is the queen of backgrounds, using so many different methods and materials, I was really taken back to see FOUR challenge cards though, they aren't 4 super quick and easy cards either.

Card 1:  I used yupo card dropped distress inks on let it dry Cut JL Gerbera frame & Gerbera flowers

Stamping up sentiment amazing 

Card 2:  Visible image stamp

SW butterfly JL dragonfly the background i used Crafters Companion sparkle pens.blended 

Card 3:  Wendy vechi studio 490 stamps , Background I used oxide distress ink

With pixy powders & mica powders. & I stamped the flowers on top & matted with gold & black card

Card 4:  I stamped the background with Amazing you stamping up stamp set With distressed oxide First with fired brick then stamped again with Wilted violet

Thank you so much Lynda for 4 amazing works of art, you put so much work into every card. The one thing I love about receiving a 'Lynda' card is that every time you look at it you see something else, I love all of them but my favourite was the green shoe card.

XXX

Michele

Michele has made two fabulous Challenge cards this week, the first card uses that amazing Music Mask that Michele bought a week or so ago, it works so well with that China die, I have it but haven't used it yet, so I may well have a go at your card.
Michele's second card looks like an optical illusion to me, Michele has used 'Morris Men' Gilding Flakes to create the background, ( I never remember to get me Gilding flakes out), there are some lovely colours in that particular pot, now I though that it was pieced together but it is in fact a die!! Spellbinders Glass Effects die to be precise!  Its amazing, such a great die, Michele did admit she has had it a while and this is the first time she has used it, perfect first card though Michele!!
Thank you so much for taking part.

XXX

Margaret

Margaret created this background when she popped over mine a couple of weeks ago,  we sat and played with the Distress Oxides and this is one of the backgrounds that Margaret created, it teams perfectly with the Berry Burst Colour Theory papers that have been used to make the flower, which is punched using the SU Daisy punch.  Margaret has popped it onto a mat of Berry Burst card and stamped the Lovely Label stamp ink Berry Burst ink and punched it out with the matching punch too.

A fantastic card Margaret, thank you so much for taking part.

XXX

Another fantastic display of cards ladies, thank you to all of you for taking part, I hope you had fun created your own backgrounds.

Have a lovely Sunday,

Love and Hugs

Sandra

xxxxxxx