Mixed Up Saturday

 

Good Saturday Morning Ladies, 

I hope that you are all having a lovely,  relaxed weekend, we haven’t decided what we are doing yet.  

No Magazine review this week but I have lots of other lovely things to share with you. 

First of all some of your 'Aperture ' cards.....

Karen 

Sonia

Brenda

I have shared a little more Inspiration for our 'Aperture ' card Challenge this week. How incredible are these examples?!  They are all Aperture cards but all include a stunning scene too. 

Janet's Bag

Janet I absolutely love your latest bag, I love the colours you have used and the quilting pattern too, I notice that its beautifully lined too, what a work of art, I would never want to part with this if I had made it, but my goodness what an amazing gift it would make. 

Janet's Description: This is the second bag in a set of three. Again the bag is a JUNE TAILOR SHOPPING TOTE. This bag isn't padded but has a square piece of plastic in the bottom to give it shape for ease of filling.

Thank you so much Janet for sharing your amazing bag with us XXX

Maria's Beautiful Garden

Maria thank you so much for sharing these beautiful highlights of you lovely garden. You have so much vibrant colour, your gorgeous Dahlia must be a competition winner for its beauty,  you definitely have green fingers.  Thanks again for letting us have a peek into your garden, I woukd live to be sitting in it having a cup of tea 🍵 XXX 

Karen's amazing Summer House

Karen's first attempt at growing flowers, Karen nobody would know that this was a first attempt if you didn't tell them,  the colour combination is beautiful and thats an amazing petunia! 

This is Karen's new Summer House,  you are so lucky Karen, its amazing,  I love the reupholstered Ottoman too! Your chairs look really comfy too, what an amazing space to be able to relax in  whatever the weather!  

How big has Oscar grown? Wow he has shot up, he is pictured here with his Sunflowers 🌻.  I wonder how big they will get, he looks very proud. 

Thank you so much Karen for sharing these beautiful photos with us XXX 

Thats all for today my lovely friends,  thanks to all of you for sharing photos and making todays post a special one. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra

xxxxxx

Your Next Challenge- Sue's Choice

 

Good Friday Morning Ladies,

I hope that you are all well and ready for the weekend,  sadly ours isn't going to be as fun as we were hoping as Danielle felt to poorly to travel, which is totally understandable, we all want to be close to where we know we can get help when we need it most.  Obviously we are all devastated as we wanted to make their weekend as special as possible, fingers crossed we can reorganise it.  

Your Next challenge - Sue's Choice

I asked Sue to choose this weeks Challenge and she decided on Aperture card.

I have shared some Aperture cards above and I am planning to share some of your Aperture cards from ptevious challenges on Saturday. 

You can make them into 'Shaker' cards like my second example above, you can even do a 'Faux' aperture card like card one, I have another Faux aperture to share with you too, so watch this space.

Thanks Sue, this will be a fun Challenge XXX

As always I can't wait to see what you all design for this challenge my lovelies xxx

I hope that you can all have a relaxed weekend, whatever the weather, 

Love and buge hugs to all of you, 

Sandra                                                                              xxxxxxx 

Prized Peony

 

Good Morning Ladies,  

Another week that seems to be whizzing by, can you believe that we actually would be leaving for our holiday 3 weeks tomorrow,  we still aren't sure what's happening though.   

I have a lovely weekend to look forward to though as I have  very special guests coming to stay.......  It's Danielle & Simon's wedding anniversary on Saturday and he offered to take her anywhere for a little weekend retreat, she said that she didn't really feel comfortable staying in a hotel so asked if she could come here from Friday to Sunday, we obviously said yes, I am so looking forward to seeing her again. 

Talking of special guests Sue came over yesterday,  we haven't seen each other for so long, we had a lot of catching to do, I think we will both be a little hoarse today after talking so much. It was lovely to sit and craft with someone, makes it so much more enjoyable.  

Today's card is my version of one that features in the latest Creative Stamping Magazine,  I used a SU stamp set called Prized Peony and stamped one of the smaller flower heads using Rich Razzleberry ink, I die cut with a circle die, then die cut a piece Rich Razzleberry card. I then took the stamped piece and cut it into 4 pieces, I added foam pads to the back and pieced the image back together onto the coloured card, leaving gaps between each piece.  I adhered the piece onto a little 4 x 4 inch white card base. I added the sentiment which I die cut in gold, to finish the card. 

That completes my week of Circle cards, I have to say that I really enjoyed this challenge.  

I hope that you all have a good day,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra                                                                                xxxxxx  

Another Circle die Card

 

Good Morning Ladies,

Thank you all for the lovely comments on yesterday's card, I really enjoyed making it, it's nice to sit and create something different, it was a bit fiddly creating the little petals of the flower but I quite like doing things like that. I will say that my first attempt wasn't as successful.  I am really looking forward to seeing what you have all created.

Today's card is my version of one I saw on Pinterest when looking at 'Cards made with circles', I couldn't find it went I went back the second time, so I just did my own thing.  That card also used different dies.  I bought a little bubble die on Ebay, it was only £4, I was bidding on a sizzix one but I didn't think I would win, I was surprised when I got an email on Monday asking me to pay for the die I had won so that was a surprise.  It's a bit bigger than the one I used for this card. 

So I die cut the 'Bubble' die a couple of times and arranged them onto my card so that I could decide where to add the words.  I used a letter die for the 'I' but stamped and embossed the 'Love & you'. I then stuck down the bubble die and cut off the pieces that overhung the edge of the card, I used the off cut pieces to add to the opposite corners. I die cut some tiny hearts and arranged them around the card. Then mounted the piece onto a white card base. 

I like to have cards like this in my stash as I am quite 'soppy' and like to pop little notes or cards in Paul's lunch box or in his work bag or sometimes under his pillow, just telling him how much I love and appreciate him, I know it's soft but I think it's important to let your partner and family know how much you love them, I do it with the children all the time too. 

So that's all from me today my lovelies,  I hope that you all have a good day, 

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra                                                                                                                                                              xxxxxx

Playing with Circles

 

Good Morning My Lovelies, 

I hope that you all enjoyed what turned out to be a glorious day yesterday,  we went out into garden in the afternoon and it was really warm, lovely to sit outside without being too hot.

Sophie has gone away to Longleat Centreparcs today with Lewis's family, she was really torn yesterday morning bless her, she had excitement because she was going away with Lewis but sadness that she was leaving her soul mate behind,  those girls have a bond like I have never seen before, it goes beyond any other relationship, they are literally two halves of one!! Lucy seemed OK last night, she has two days off now, we said that we would go to cinema to kill some time, I am hoping to encourage her to do some cooking too.  

Today's card ended up being a late night project, I think I finished at about 11 40 pm !  

I used an old 'My Minds Eye' paper pad as I wanted a small pattern with good colour contrast .  I punched 8 x 1 1/4 inch circles and folded the paper circles in half each way, giving 4 quarters, you then folded the sides of two quarters back and then back again.  I can add a step by step if any of you want to have a go.  Once you have your 8 folded circles you take a 2 inch circle and arrange the pieces around that circle making sure that the centre points all met up. I then used my Teflon folding tool to open up the petals so that the looked kind of symmetrical. I die cut a slightly larger circle to mount my flower on and then added a coordinating piece of paper on a 5 x 5 card blank and centred the flower on it, adding a couple of sentiments top and bottom.   The final Flourish was the pearl in the centre of the flower. 

I hope you like my card today. 

Sending Love and hugs to all of you, 

Sandra                                                                                  xxxxxx 

Playing with circles

 

Good Monday Morning Ladies, 

I hope that you are all well rested and ready for the week ahead, how was your weekend?  We really didn't see very much of the forecast rain and there wasn't so much as a rumble of thunder!   I hope that you all remained dry and didn't have too much rain.  We are growing our tomatoes outside our back door,  it's a real sun trap and the plants are all huge, the best we have ever had, we just need them to ripen up now, we are feeding them but they are all still green, we have quite a few varieties from cherry to plum tomatoes to some large spanish variety, a yellow variety too, I will add sone photos if they ever ripen! 

I would love to see some photos of your gardens too. 

Today's card was a result of a bit of playing about with a pile of circles, I saw some similar ideas on Pinterest so decided to have a play,  I simply die cut 3 white and 3 black circles, the white ones had a stitched edge and arranged them in an 'off set' pattern, I adhered them together once I had them in place,  I then added a white border upon which I added my sentiment.   See I told you it was easy.Its a bit bold and basic but will make a great Man card. 

I have a few more ideas that I want to have a go at today, so watch this space.

I hope you all have a lovely day,

Love and hugs to all,

Sandra                                                                                  xxxxxx 

Your Challenge Cards

Good Morning Ladies, 

I hope that you are all enjoying the slightly cooler weather, we have cloudy skies today but no rain or thunder so far, I hope you all stay dry and safe. 

Our Brenda chose Animals as her Challenge theme, I didn't find this one easy,  I soon realised that I have very few Animal themed craft supplies.  I am so excited to see what you have all designed though......

Janet

Janet's Description:

"For My first offering for this week's Challenge I decided to decorate a candle and so I used LABLANCHE -AUTUMN themed PUFFER STICKERS. These stickers can be removed and so used over and over again. The main feature is the Majestic Stag.

My first card for this week is made using STAMPERIA papers from their  FOREST set and shows a beautiful Fox and cubs.

For my second card I again went to STAMPERIA. This time I used papers from their COSMOS set. This features a beautiful Wolf gazing up into the Heavens."

Wow Janet those papers are stunning!!  Your candle is absolutely amazing,  what a perfect gift, the image has transferred perfectly.  Just look at the amount of detail in those cards, so beautiful 😍XXX

Karen

Karen's Description:

Card 1: Here’s a cc I was doing a bit of cross stitch for a change and as I was finishing it I wondered what on earth I would do with it So when the challenge came up I thought I’d turn it into card for my aunt The snowflake flakes are there to cover a glue smudge!

Card 2:  Here’s another ccI am still working on Gary’s .

It’s a simple SueW stained glass window die that I have paper pieced the robin and used wink of Stella on his tummy

The sentiment is an old SueW one

Card 3:

Here’s Gary’s Birthday card Alan has still to write the poem

Background inspired by Tracy Evans using Squeezed Lemonade and Carved Pumpkin DO and stamps

Serif image and sentiment Finished with a few pale splats of Mermaid Lagoon DO It has to be flat so that I can laminate it

3 absolutely stunning cards from Karen this week,  the first is a Gorgeous Cross Stitched Christmas card, such a cute image.  I think these make extra special cards, as so much work goes into them. 

Karen's second card is one of Sue Wilson’s 'Stained Glass' Window die cards that Karen has coloured beautifully,  just adding colour to the Robin makes it really stand out.  

The final card is an extra special one, Its Gary's Birthday card, Karen you have designed a perfect card for Gary, he would love that Ring Tailed Lemur image, the background is stunning too.  

Thank you so much for supporting Brenda's choice XXX

Maria

Maria's Description:

"Card 1, a card for my Son's girlfriend. Mrs /Mr fox with Happy Birthday in Portuguese. Isn't he cute?

Card 2, here I played around with putting together three little stamps with cats and dogs. Coloured it in with watercolour Pencils.

Card 3, Honkeydory have some lovely packs with Birds and Butterflies. A quick card with some glitter."

Oh Maria I can understand why Joana loved your fox image so much, its beautiful, the flowers all around her are beautiful too, she will love that you have personalised it for her too.  

Your Kitten and puppies card is super cute too, they look like they are full of mischief! 

Your 3rd card has such a pretty scene with the birds fluttering all around the flowers.   Thank you so much for designing 3 amazing cards for Brenda's challenge XXX

Michele

Michele's Description:

I absolutely love the bright and vibrant colours you have used as the background to your Tropical Giraffe card, the flowers and foliage echo that Tropical theme too.  Thank you so much for this and all of the other Animal themed cards that you inspired us with this week Michele XXX

Lilian 

Lilian's challenge card features a beautiful bird, coloured to perfection as always by Lilian, if you zoom in you can see the incredible detail in the birds 🪶 feathers, the black edging really makes the bird stand out from the background, Iove your background design too Lilian, such an amazing card.  Thank you so much for supporting Brenda's challenge XXX 

Sonia 

Sonia's Description:

Card 1:  I’ve used a LOTV stamped image, and coloured in with pencils. The sentiment is from LOTV too. The snowflakes are Memory Box.

Card 2:  I’ve used the Merry Christmas circle die from My Favourite Things and the Leafy Circle from Pinkfresh Studio. The reindeer is from Spellbinders. The tiny snowflake is a from a punch.

Card 3:  I love this elephant stamp - but can’t remember where it’s from, possibly Little Claire’s. I coloured with pencils. The sentiments are from the Stamp Market.

Oh Wow Sonia your cards are ao beautiful,  that super adorable penguin would melt anyone's heart, such a cute card.  

The deer you have used is one of my favourite Christmas die sets from Spellbinders,  I love this deer and the lovely border in the set too.  I have to say though that seeing the deer framed with that circular die just takes it to another level, beautifully designed card .  Your 3rd card just takes the award for most darling of images, just look at the little baby at the back, you have really made me smile with these incredible designs Sonia, thank you so much for supporting Brenda's challenge XXX

Cheryl

Cheryl's Description:

"My first pop and twist using Hunkydory pop up cards" 

Wow Cheryl your Twist & Pop card is so beautiful, I love the colours,  the beautiful imagery and the gold foiling, its gorgeous and it would definitely make its recipient feel very special. Thank you so much for supporting Brenda's challenge XXX 

Brenda

Brenda's Description:

Card 1:  Card 2

I spotted the stamp it Ally Pally,  I love using this one. If I remember correctly it was a Dimensions Forth stamp, I don’t think they’re in business any longer.

Card 2:

 I love this stamp, Is from Joanna Sheen, it’s great for anniversary cards 

Card 3:

The third card the cat  is silhouette I got at Ally Pall a long time ago, it is perfect for a quick card. The Pawprint paper I’ve had in my stash for ages.

Oh Brenda your cards are so beautiful,  I love the cute mice that feature on your first two cards, I love how you have coloured them too. You have captured the colour of the Sunflower perfectly.

I remember Dimension Fourth stamps, they split soon after I discovered them, he carried on for a while. She now does sewing shows on The Craft store.

The cat on your last card would work for so many different occasions,  I love your design, off setting the top layer really works, particularly with the angle of the cats head.  I love all three of your cards Brenda, thank you so much for choosing this weeks challenge and for 3 inspirational cards XXX 

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

I knew I would be blown away by your amazing cards this week.  Thank you all so very much for your inspiring designs.   Thank you to Brenda too for choosing this weeks challenge XXX 

I hope that you all enjoy the rest of the weekend and that the weather is kind to you all,

Love and hugs,

Sandra                                                                                xxxxxx

Mixed Up Saturday featuring Michele's Magazine Review

Good Morning Ladies,

Here we are at the weekend at last, not much happening here to be honest.  I need to dig around in my craft room to see if I can find my 'Mojo ' because it is 100% Absent Without Leave!! If any of you come across it please send it home first class!!

The gorgeous Girls above are Karen's Neighbours and they are modelling their latest craft project.  They have made the brightest most vibrantly coloured Tie Die T shirts that I have ever seen!! 

Girls you have done an amazing job, the patterns you have created are brilliant.  We had ago last year using bleach, if I show my girls these they will definitely want to have a go   

Thank you so much for allowing Karen to share your T Shirts with us, Iook forward to your next craft project XXX

 This is so True!

 

Michele's Magazine Review 

Hi Ladies,  

Simply Cards & Papercraft has a really lovely set of dies & stamps this month as the free gift. I’ve printed out the free background papers here.

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

First feature using the free gift.

Some more ideas.

More ideas.

This article uses brighter colours to give a very different look using the free gift.

Great ideas for cards for men using a simple sketch.

I’m sure we’ve all got edge dies or punches do we could create something similar.

More inspiration.

Great feature using buttons.

Doesn’t this technique create a stunning background??

Although everyone we might not have these stamps & dies, we could diecut from pastel colours to get a similar idea.

More inspiration.

Great ideas using hexagons.

More ideas.

This article is featuring punches but I’m sure we’ve got small dies so could easily recreate these fantastic cards.

More inspiration.

Using a Post it note to mask off areas -such a simple idea.

Look at the cards you can create.

That’s all for this week so
Happy Crafting

Love Michele

Some great features once again in this magazine,  I noticed a few great Inspiration for this weeks 'Circle' Challenge in some features too.  

The free gifts are lovely and the cards made to inspire are beautiful 😍  

Great ideas for different ways to use a sketch and I love the patterns that they have created with the Bargello Technique.  Those cards made from using Punches are so bright and colourful.  

Thanks so much Michele for another amazing magazine review. ❤XXX 

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend, 

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra                                                                                  xxxxxx