Friday 31 July 2009

That's Better lol xxx

Call me sad, but I had to do one I liked - it was upsetting me!!!

So I did another challenge,and this time I joined in over at Friday Sketchers - a really gorgeous sketch I think. Just up my street.



So I thought for a change, I'd use a stamp I haven't used for a while, so I chose this little Sugar Nellie - sweet Daisy. You can get her at Funky Kits.

Of course, I still used me PMs and then gave her a bit of sparkle with the old faithful Glamour Dust. I can't help myself seemingly!!

Ohh, wishy washy editing here, sorry chicks!!!!

That gorgeous stripey paper is PP - Little Fleurs (one of my faves and sadly no more, sniff sniff!!), and the gingham is Mad About Cards.

The big pearls were from Creative Pastimes.



I made the flower using a small scalloped nestie.
It looks a bit weird here cos I didn't straighten it before I took the pic (so sloppy photography as well as sloppy editing lol xxx). The little button was in the bottom of my stash box.

And I know I said I was giving Martha Stewarts doo-dah a day off, but I changed my mind!! This is why the other one committed suicide I think, cos I just worked the poor sod to death.

So I am a bit happier now. I just wasn't fussed on the other one.

So I am off to watch Corrie. Once again, have a fab night and I won't pester you again - well not until tomorra.

See ya then xxxxx


Not My Best Attempt xxxx

Like I told Lols over at Simon Says Stamp, the only thing I am good at distressing is Richard when he sees the bank statement after one of my craft stash spending sprees!!!

Sometimes he goes puce lol!!!

So this week, there's 2 fab challenges which have this as a theme, and I was gonna shirk them but then I thought, no, it's a challenge at the end of the day, and you know me, warts and all. I will still put it on here even if I am not happy with it.

And I have to say that I am not too happy with this card.

But I had a go!!

So here's my card for Simon Says Stamp and also for Just Magnolia.

I coloured Tilda with PMs and a splash of the old blingy stuff and then I got hold of my scissors and set about distressing practically everything I could get my hands on!!!

I found a bit of Core-Dinations card and ran it through the Cuttlebug. And that gorgeous ribbon was from an old box of chocs.

The paper is PP - Stripes - and the beautiful blooms were from Simon Say Stamp. And yes, it's there, peeking out from under the edge of the image panel. Not the usual MSBP but I thought after it's triple doo the other day, I'd give it a rest!!

You can get these fabulous punches over at Dies To Dies For, and also there are some lovely Magnolia stamps over there as well.

So that's it.

I have to concede defeat and admit that distressing is just not my thing. I looked at the DT cards on both challenges - all gorgeous - and I just think I manage to make it look like a grand mess quite frankly.

So if anyone has any tips on how I can make it look a bit more like it has just sort of 'happened' and less like the wreck of the Hespress, then I would be ever so glad.

I am off to have another play with Photoshop because after much patience on her part, a good friend of mine who I won't name (but she knows who she is) has finally got through to my thick skull what she has been trying to explain to me for days. It worked chick and thank you sooo much for your help xxxxx

I had the cheek to think it was the software - when in fact, it was the soft mare (ie, moi)!!!

And on that note I'll be off. Have a fab day - it's Friday and the weekend is nearly here - woooohooooo!!!

Hugs xxxx


Wednesday 29 July 2009

Sweet As Sugar xxxx

I love using black and white and red together. It's one of my fave colour combis I think.

When I got my Anya stamps out for PTW, I stamped a couple out and this was one of them, so I thought I'd use it for this weeks Spoonful Of Sugar challenge which is a gorgeous sketch by my friend Caryn.

Here's me creation.

I coloured this fabulous little Miss with my PMs and then practically threw the whole bottle of Glamour Dust over her, and of course you can get your mitts on some fab Anyas over at Dies To Die For.


The papers are both from the wonderfully talented Summer Driggs - her Year To Shine collection. I found a scrap of white organza ribbon lying about and there was just enought to make the bow. I don't know where it came from though, - sorry chicksies xxx

And there's a profusion of MSBP here - 3 layers per side!!! It has to be a record!!

The snowflakes were another left over from a recent card (I must tidy up a bit more lol xxx) and the litle red stones were from Creative Pastimes.

And here's the last pic.


So that's it for tonight.
Oh last night's chicken and chips was lovely. I alway put pickled onion vinegar on me chips like the good Northern lass that I am. Pickled onion vinegar and Maldon sea salt is what I have. Call me a pleb (and plenty have lol xxx) but there is nothing finer. If you've never tried it peeps then you've never lived.

And in the murk that has been today, there was a chink of sunlight. Yes, Kyla rang to say hello - and just when I needed it most. I can't tell you how glad I was to hear that little voice. They are having a lovely time and I'm so glad - although I will be gladder when they're back (naughty grandma!!). She is ringing again tomorrow because grandad was not home and she wants to talk to him - awww xxxx


And after a good old chinwag with the sweetness that is Marcea, I feel a whole lot better :)

So I'm off to read my jewellery mag that arrived today. It's a bit addictive this jewellery making I have to say. It won't ever replace the old cards but it's a nice change sometimes.


Have the fabbiest of nights peeps and if anyone saw Corrie, perhaps they could fill me in cos I missed it tongiht and Joe is worrying me with his pain killer addiction lol xxx

Huggles xxx


Tuesday 28 July 2009

Double Papertake Weekly xxxx

It's time for another Papertake Weekly and I've done 2 cards this week. I was going to use TGF Hope and Grace - not sure which one this little sweetie-pie is. But you can get them for sure at Dies To Die For.

But then I got my new Wild Rose Studio Christmas stamps and well, I couldn't make up my mind. So I used both :)

It's a sketch and it's this one here ...

I've used the sketch, natch, but I rotated it for this first card.

And you know the usual blurb... PMs, Glamour Dust and MSBP - they are all in evidence. That cute lil bow in her hair is my fave US ribbon which really is very near the end :( And the big pink and little black pearly dots were from Creative Pastimes - can't remember who makes them though, soz!!

I've mixed the papers again and they are PP (Stripes), and Wild Rose Studio Spring CD (gorgeous gingham)

So that's the first card. And here's the second.

So now you see my dilemma cos how could you refuse that sweet little face? Well I certainly couldn't.

So again I used the good old bad boys and a generous sprinkling of Glamour Dust. The silver mesh bow was from our local floristry warehouse and the little domed diamond gems were from Creative Pastimes (they are Kars)

The papers are Mad About Cards - gingham - and PP (Stripes and Tis The Season)

And there ya go.

Same sketch but 2 different ways .

So do pop over to PTW and have a good old nosey at what the other girlies have done with it - some wonderful work as always. There is a fabulous Simon Says Stamp gift voucher up for grabs for another lucky girl as well.

I am off for my dinner now cos swine flu Richard has cooked it for me. We are having a 70s classic - chicken and chips, but not in a basket I hasten to add!!! Ohh it was all the rage once wasn't it. I was never that keen to be honest cos I always worried that they couldn't really wash the baskets properly and I am funny about that sort of thing!!!

But I shall enjoy this cos I haven't made it and it away tastes better when someone else does the cooking.

Meal times have been a bit strange without little Miss K filling us in on her day at nursery. I am starting to miss them and can't wait to see her little face again. So it's just the 2 of us, but we are not one of those couples who sit and eat and don't talk ( no chance of that with old gabbalot Phillips lol xxc)

We went out for dinner last week and sat next to a couple who were just a bit older than us and they hardly said a word to each other for the duration of their meal. They just sat and ate, dabbed their mouths with their napkins and then left!! Ohh, maybe they'd had a row :(

Anyway, his Lorship has just called and said that he is dishing up and if I don't get there handy he will nick all the chips, the beggar!!!

Have a fab night peepsxxxxx


Monday 27 July 2009

Fab Four For You & Tilda Too xxx

I've not done this for a while but I've managed to do one card for 4 challenges!!

You've probably gathered that Just Magnolia is one of them, and this week it is a gorgeous sketch by the ever so talented Tab.

But the other 3 are -

Cute Card Thursday - Eye Eye - and they want to see eyelets on your card.
Stamp With Fun - they want to see you use some pearls
and finally I decided to go with the colour theme at Colour Create which this week is blue and white.

I think I've ticked all the boxes there and hopefully haven't done one of my usual daft 'apeth things like getting the colour wrong or finding out that one of them wanted you to use ribbons.

I'm almost scared to go and look lol xxx

I haven't used this stamp for a while but I thought it went well with the colour theme. I coloured Tilda with the old PMs / Glamour Dust combi and I paper pieced her dress cos I thought that paper would look fab as a pretty dress :)

BTW, Tracy at Dies To Die has some gorgeous Magnolia stamps - you can see them here.


So here's the eyelets.
The little flower was part of my Simon Says Stamp prize and there's the good old faithful MSBP back in action after it's few days off!!!

The sentiment was from a Woodware set.

Bit of a mixture with the papers. The fabulous stripey paper is PP (the new Stripes collection, natch, and fab it is I think!!) and the gorgeous gingham papers are both from my Wild Rose Studio Spring CD.

And there are pearls on there as well.

So that's my fab four.

Now I have an update on one of our blog buds to share with you.

I was speaking to Ann - Madgesty - today and as you probably know, she has been a bit poorly and has had to give up The Next Level challenge. Well I rang her to see how she is and I have to tell you that it's good news and she is much better than she was.

She had been suffering from a really severe form of migraine which meant that she could not use her computer, as this makes the problem a squillion times worse. She is missing her cards and blogging but she obviously cannot contemplate getting on the pc for a good while yet. But she wanted to let everyone know that she is on the mend and she asked me to pass on her heartfelt thanks to everyone for all their good wishes and messages - they have meant a lot to her.

I really felt for her as I know how I would feel if I could not do my creating thingie. But at the end of the day, nothing is as important as our health I guess, and although we love what we do, if it isn't doing us any good then we have to stop. We were chatting about doing close up work and I have (half) joked in the past about turning into Donald Pleasance - it does make you think.

So this Mrs Magoo is off to give her eyes a rest and see how my swine flu ridden other half is doing. God he is stringing this one out I have to say (ohh what a nice nurse I am - not!!).

Don't forget to check out Papertake Weekly tomoorow cos we have a sketch for you, some fab DT cards and as it's the last week of the month, it is all sponsored by Simon Says Stamp.

See you manana xxxxx

Saturday 25 July 2009

Fabulous 2nd GD Spot - And Some FAB News Too xx

EDITED TO ADD
I hope I haven't misled anyone here - I think I might have but it was unintentional.
You see, I did check with firstly with TGF to make sure that it would be OK to start up a challenge blog using their wonderful stamps, and they were very happy that we did that, as long as we did not claim to be affiliated with either them or Club Anya, which of course we aren't. So when I said that I noticed that there was not a challenge for Anyas, this was not right, and I apolgise completely. I must point out that this has been highlighted to me NOT by anyone from Club Anya or TFG or Farm Fresh, but by another blogger and I would like to thank her for letting me know and I will be apologising for this to the people concerned. Once again I am really sorry peeps for the mis-information.
You can see the other blogs here -
Thanks
We'll do the news bit in a sec peeps :)

But first, I have the absolute honour of a second GD spot - 2 in one week, I cannot believe it and I feel so priviledged to have been asked.

Yes, today I am the guest designer over at the Allsorts Challenge. I did them a nice little sketch to use with Kirsten's gorgeous colour challenge of marshmallow & chocolate - how yum does that sound!!!!

Being ditzy dozy Dawny, I did not read the brief properly and went blindly along making my card ....using pink and grey. I was horrified when I saw the team's fabulous cards this morning!! Bless the loveliness that is Emma - she didn't have the heart to tell me when she saw my card - !!!!So it was a bit of a trolley dash to do another one.

I've posted both cards so you can see how they look different in the 2 colour ways. But first the RIGHT one lol xxxx

I used Mimosa On A Sheaf which is one of the lovely Bildmalarna stamps, and Tracy has these little darlings over at Dies To Die For - you can see them here.
I coloured her with my Pro Markers and gave her a sprinkling of Glamour Dust for good measure!!!

The papers I used are both PP - Stripes and Tis The Season. And I used another one of my MSBPs as the doily punch is having yet another day off. What a slacker !!!


The snowflakes are punched - sorry I don't know the name of the punch cos I've had it ages - and I just dipped them in the Glamour Dust - like you do!!! The bling is Kars.

So that's the correct version.

Now here is the first one I did - the Dozy Dawny version lol!! Everything is exactly the same and from the same sources as card above. I've even put them in the same order!!!






So that'll teach me to read the instructions properly!!!

Girlies I am so sorry for being a plonker!!
Pop over and check out the wonderful work that the girls have done - they have made my sketch look wonderful and for that I thank them all.



OK, do you want some news????



I think that lots of us love Anya and her friends, so I decided to start one up another challenge for her and her Greetings Farm friends such as Ian, Hope and Grace.

We have some of the team in place already and they are some of my wonderful teamies over at Papertake, as well as my Anya mad pal Marcea whose work I just love . But we want some more of you to join us.



So if you fancy it, then nip over and check it out ...

right here xxx


I need to thank the wonderful Steph and Sally-Ann who helped me with the set up - thank you treasures xxxxx


I hope you'll come and join us and help spread the word.

And finally, my sketch blog is up and running - you can see it here. There is no waffle, just the sketches and some examples which I hope will give you a bit of inspiration when rotten old Mr Mojo goes AWOl. There isn't shed loads on there as yet but I'll build it as we go, so more and more will be added.

If you've ever used one of my sketches and would like it to be included - subject to space of course - then please feel free to e-mail me a pic with a link to your blog.


Have the fabbiest of weekends peeps and see you soon. I'm off to nurse the swine-flu ridden being that is Richard now, so fun times to be had by all - not!!! Why is it that he has had it a lot worse than the rest if us????????

Mmmmmmm!!!!


Hugs xxxx

Friday 24 July 2009

Very Late - Naughty Piggy xxxx

Ohh it all went wrong yesterday!!!

And to top it all, I sat down after my dinner for 5 minutes before getting on the old puter to get this posted, and the next thing I knew, it was gone 10.30pm and Richard had just come in from work and was waking me up!! I cannot tell you how tired I was. So apols to Sharon and the rest of the team that this is on here late xxxx

And it's my last Willow Sketchie as well - sniff sniff!!

But we got here eventually, so if you could pretend that it's still Thursday, that would be fab xxx

So over at Willow Sketchie, this week it's the turn of the very lovely Heidi to do the honours,and a fab sketch it is too!! And we also want to introduce the cutest li'l download, Dear Santa.

This is my take on the sketch.

I'm afraid that I did not do a very good job with the old editing again!!

Included in the download is an image for you to colour and one that's already done for you, so the best of both worlds. I chose to colour mine with my beloved Pro Markers and Glamour Dust, and I also used some gems to give the snowflakes a bit of bling as well :)

The papers are a mixture of Willow Designs (pink spotty) and PP (the new Stripes collection), and I used my MS zig zag punch - I thought I'd give the doily punch a day off!!!

And there ya have it :)

As I said, this will be my last Willow Sketchie Challenge, as there is a new project I am trying to get sorted which I will hopefully reveal very VERY soon.

But I would like to thank Sharon and the girls for having me on the team and I'll keep following it and will join in as often as I can.

I hope you are all having a fab day. The heaven's have opened here and it we have some serious rain!!! The sky is as grey as I've ever seen it and I've even had to put the lights on in the house. Awful weather really.

Emma and Kyla are going back to Spain at the weekend for a week and I do wish I was going with them - even though I am a right old moaning Minnie when it is too hot lol :( Of course I will miss them loads, but it's only for a week.

We booked our tickets to take Miss Kyla to see The Wizard Of Oz at the Liverpool 'Phil' today so that will be a nice surprise for her birthday in January. She still loves it but we no longer have to sit through 10 showings every day!!!

I hope you are all having a fab day and I will be back tomorrow, cos I have the honour of being a GD for another fabulous challenge.

Wanna sneakie peekie ????


See ya tomorrow xxxxx

Wednesday 22 July 2009

My First Guest Spot :)x

How exciting!!

I was so thrilled when Lorraine invited me to do a guest spot over at Simon Says Stamp weekly challenge. Well of course, I said YES PLEASE, so this week the challenge is

And this is the sketch.

This is a fab challenge peeps cos there a Simon Says Stamp prize up for grabs - $25 to spend in the shop, and it is a fab shop, full of delish stuff. Not only that, but Heidi also pays for your shipping so you get to spend the whole $25 on gorgeous stash!!

And if that wasn't enough to wet yer whistles girls, there is hidden candy in the DT's blogs, but you have to go and visit them to find it. So pop over here and have a mooch and check it all out

So this is me card. I used one of my fave Tildas - love this one - and coloured her with the usual PMs and GD combi.

I'm sooo predictable, I know!!

All the papers are PP - my fave Little Fleurs collection which is sadly no longer available.

And my MSBP, well that got dragged out but I did something a bit different with it and used strips to create the offset background element. It reminds me a bit of those flapper dresses that they wore in the 20's (or was it the 30s? can't remember. Thoroughly Modern Millie style - I'm sure you know what I mean lol xx).

I've over-done the angle here but you can see thpunched strips hopefully :)
The ribbon was from the US - xxx and hugs to my friend for sending it to me xxx I am being very mean with it now cos there isn't much left.

Cry cry !!!

Here's the funny angle pic so you can see the dimension - plenty of that here!!

Don't forget to check out this challenge peeps cos there's some fab stuff up for grabs. I have to say thank you to Lorraine and the girlies for having me - I enjoyed it loads xxxx.

I'll leave you with a bit of a sneakie peekie for tomorrow's Willow Sketchie Challenge. It's a fabbie sketch by another lovely Heidi - the Crafty Goat Girl herself xxx

And there is another new download for you to feast yer eyes on..



Methinks it might be something Chrimbly :)
See ya tomorrow and have a wonderful day xxxxx