Some Little Notelets

I was totally rubbish with Christmas cards this year. I made about 4. Useless. So, I decided to make a few {super quick} notelets to send as 'New Year' greetings. {You can click to make them a bit bigger ;o) }

I was keen to use up some of my lovely, but older, Doodlebug papers. As most of you know, I am a complete paper fiend and am constantly eyeing up more papers. However, I've made a deal with myself that I can buy some new papers in February, as long as I start using up some of my older ones in January. That's a fair compromise, huh?!

I also had these mega cute Elzybells stamps which I bought yonks ago but which have never seen ink. What a travesty?! Anyway, I had loads of fun colouring these mega simple images. We all need simple cards sometimes, right?

And a few more, this time with a chocolatey theme.....!

I was going to enter these into a few challenges but have just realised that I have missed the deadline by about 4 minutes. Nothing changes does it?!

By the way, before I go, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the very warm welcome back that you all gave me! I really appreciated it and it has made me realise just how much I missed you guys during my blogging break :o)

 

ETA: Oh dear... I broke my resolution already. I didn't wait 'til February. I just bought 2 new papers pads!!! ARGH! Well, tell me, who can resist Cosmo Cricket and October Afternoon ON SALE?!?! ~♥~ Pin It

Copic Colour Challenge 45

Well hello my friends! Crikey, 2 weeks without a post?! That must be a first for me I think!

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and that Santa bought you all lots of craft related goodies! I did rather well really as, amongst other things, Ali bought me some more Copics (wahoo!) and the last bit of the Copic airbrush system I needed (long story, don't ask....!). AND, my wonderful parents bought me a Janome Sew Mini! I absolutely adore that little blighter, even if it did break on me this morning! Mind you, I think it was more user error than machine error....! Due to that little breakdown, don't look too closely at the stitching on my DT card for this weeks Copic Colour Challenge as it is pretty clear to see where the machine decided it hated me!

This is actually my Dad's birthday card and, whilst I am pleased with the zigzag stitching, I actually really dislike this card! Oh well, not bad seeing as it is my first card in a couple of weeks I suppose!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Elzybells.
Paper: Pink Petticoat.
Ink & Colour: Memento (Tuxedo Black) & Copic markers.
Tools & Embellishments: Machine stitching and adhesive gems.

So, thats it from me! I have a load of Christmas cards I haven't yet shared with you so I will hopefully be uploading them over the next couple of days.

Thanks for stopping by!

P.S. Does anyone else have the Janome Sew Mini? Do you have any tips or tricks? If so, I'd love to hear them! Also, I quite fancy getting a zipper foot (can see a mild bag making obsession looming!) - does anyone know if I can attach one of these to my mini machine or is that just for the big boys? ~♥~

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Papertake Weekly & CCT Challenge Combo

Well, whilst I haven't managed to get a photo yet, I'm pleased to report that the hair is a success! Hurrah! Although, it's not quite as short as I wanted as the hairdresser bottled it a bit. That's ok though as it still looks nice. It's more of a shaggy bob now with short layers on top and quite cut in at the back. I'm very pleased :o)

I thought that I would be making loads of cards during my few days off but I have been utterly useless! The will has been there but I've been hopeless actually putting stuff together. As I always do when I get like this, I've gone back to basics and made a really simple but fun card. In the process, I also managed to combine two challenges - Papertake Weekly (fab sketch by Dawny P!) and also CCT's theme of 'Animal Magic'.

I am totally loving this image! It was one I got in a swap ages ago from Sheila and it is adorable! Once I figured out how to colour my sheepies, I was away. I love this paper as well, so bold and fun and perfect for this image. And I have to say, isn't this sketch amazing? One I shall defo be using again. Thanks Dawny!

Goodie List........
Stamps: Elzybells.
Paper: Pebbles Inc.
Ink & Colour: Copics and ProMarkers.
Embellishments: Freehand border doodle, computer generated sentiment printed on to Safmat.

Right, now I'm back in to the swing of things, I'm going to go and try to make as many cards as possible before I have to go back to work tomorrow. Boo, hiss....!

Thanks for visiting! Take care peeps,
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A Late Mojo Monday #58

I'm a little late sharing this card with you I'm afraid as I completely forgot about it! And, it was made following a challenge sketch from last week, so I think I have rather missed the boat!
I made this card for Vicky with whom I did an image swap with last week. I mounted panels of Making Memories papers onto my card blank and added this fab Elzybells image. The girls are coloured with Promarkers and I tried my best to match this to the spotty DP. I made a circular sentiment using my nesties and a bargainous Studio G stamp set and finished the card with some Poppicraft ribbon.

Time for some good news. It is nearly Friday, which means that is nearly the weekend! Woo-hoo!

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I'm back!

Hi Folks! Well, as you have probably realised, I have returned from my trip away. We had a great time in Sheffield and Ali did really well at the National Masters Swimming Championships - 2 golds, a silver and a bronze. Clever boy!

I've been very busy since I got back as I was asked to make a few cards by my colleague at work. However, 2 out of 3 I loathed (she loved them luckily!) so I didn't bother taking pics of them. But, the 3rd and final card is alright so I thought I'd share it with you!

The brief was to make a card for a 7 year old boy who has just taken up rugby. So, I decided to use one of Kerry's gorgeous doodles which she kindly offers free on her blog. The only problem was that the doodle was holding a football rather than a rugby ball so I had to erase the football and draw in a rugby ball (which looks more like an Easter egg if you ask me!). I layered the image up using 3D pads onto some Kirsty Wiseman digi paper and paperpieced the shorts from the same paper. The rest is coloured using my beloved Promarkers.

The one really good thing to come out of this card is that I now have Paint Shop Pro X2 and even better..... IT WAS FREE!!! Basically, I threw my toys out of the pram royally trying to remove the football in MS Paint. It was hopeless! So, sick of my tantrums, Ali managed to get me PSP from work! Woo-hoo! Now I just need to work out how to use the blinking thing...... Any help and advice GREATLY appreciated!

I'll be back tomorrow with my next 'Am I a Scrap Addict?' DT card. Have a great weekend everyone!

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Am I a Scrap Addict? - Sketch 3

Well, after my hols, I've had no choice but to get right back into it. Why?! Well, I had my 3rd Am I a Scrap Addict DT card to make didn't I?!

I found this weeks sketch a little tricky so I rotated it 90 degrees and, all of a sudden, it became a lot easier to manage!

I matted Bazzill Bon Bon card onto a square card blank and added a strip of Doodlebug 'All a Flutter' paper, layered on Bazzill Bubblegum cardstock. On top of this, I added an embossed panel of Bazzill Swimming Pool card. The image is Elzybells 'Shopaholic' and is coloured with Prismacolor pencils and Sansodor. The whole card is finished with a Rubber Romance stamped sentiment, ribbon and some adhesive gems.

I so loved this Elzybells image that I used her again to make a little image wallet for a RAK I sent to my friend Sheila. The image and sentiment are completely appropriate for Sheila as she really is a complete (self-confessed!) shopaholic!

Thanks for popping by!

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Just Checkin' In...!

Hello, me again! I'm still in Corfu but wanted to share this colourful creation with you, just so you don't go forgetting all about me.... sob sob sniff sniff!

I began by layering up Papermania striped paper and chocolate Bazzill onto a square blank, snipping the corners with those funny scissors which are a complete nightmare if, like me, you are left-handed! I coloured one of my new Elzybells with Prismas and Sansodor and matted her onto Bazzill and DCWV cardstock. This panel was then layered onto the cardbase using 3D foam pads. I finished with gems and a Hero Arts sentiment.

I have mixed feelings towards this card - I love the colour scheme and the image but not the corners!

Well, I'm back tomorrow so no doubt the blog addiction will once again take hold and I shall be flying round all of your blogs, leaving millions of comments before you know it!


P.S. This card is my entry into Cammie's incredible candy which is worth over $1000 and is for a very good cause. All you need to do is to make a card for the carer of someone with Alzheimers. I have seen first hand the devastating effects of this illness so was really happy to support this cause. Pin It

What a Week..... Time to 'Espresso' Myself!

Phew. What a week?! I'm pretty glad it's over! The string of ropey luck all started last Saturday when we went to Thorpe Park. Unfortunately, we got a bit caught out by the uncharacteristically sunny weather and I ended up closely resembling a lobster. Things perked up on Monday when I finally sorted out my hideous hair and invested in a funky new do......only to have my trusty (and now essential!) GHD's blow up on me the day after! Argh!?! I must say, I am surprisingly delighted with the replacements which were a 1/3 of the price I paid for my GHD's! Everything then appeared to be picking up. Until this morning when I realised I could no longer walk.....damn that Davina McCall and her perky fitness DVD's! It seemed so much fun (and so easy!) at the time, who would have guessed that all those squats and lunges were going to make me walk like John Wayne? Things are sure to improve this week though as we are off to Corfu on Friday! Woo-hoo! Sunshine! I'll be sure to pack my suncream this time round ;o)

Anyway, on to more important matters and indeed, the reason I am guessing you are here....... I've made a card! AND, I'm pretty pleased with this one I have to say!

This card started off being for Mojo Monday, then turned into the Ismaki sketch but ultimately ended up being......neither! Just a Stacey special!

I coloured my Elzybells image with Prismas and Sansodor and then matted it onto Core'dinations cardstock. The blind is also made from more Core'dinations and the scalloped edging is cut with Fiskars Cloud scissors. I highlighted with a ribbon bow and added grooved detailing to the blind using a scoring tool and my Enveloper. The whole thing was finished off with an Elzybells sentiment.
Right, I'd best be off now - gotta start that dreaded packing sometime! I hope that you are all having a great weekend and that none of you have been flooded by all this hideous weather!

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Papertake Weekly Challenge

Morning everyone! Hope you are all well.

I've been a a bit disillusioned the last couple of days as I spent 4 whole days trying to make a decent wedding card for my Mum and Dad's friends. Unfortunately, I had a complete mental block which resulted in a lot of frustration and even more wasted craft stash. The harder I tried, the worse my efforts became. Why on earth did I have so much trouble? I have absolutely no idea. After getting very huffy, I rang my mum and told her she would have to do the unthinkable......she'd have to BUY a card. I know. It was awful ;o)

After all of this, my spirits were rallied somewhat when my new Prismacolors arrived! Woohoo! I got a brand new set of 48 for £12.50 from ebay - what a bargain?! Even better, I had super quick delivery too. I ordered last Thursday and they arrived from the States on Tuesday morning. I was very chuffed.

So..... once the arrival of the Prisma's cheered me up, I decided to get back into the swing of things and make a card. To help with the inspiration side of things, I nipped over to Papertake Weekly and was very happy to see they had a fab sketch from Katharina. So, here is my effort!

I used a combination of Bazzill and Papermania cardstock, coupled with my gorgeous new Basic Grey 'Cupcake' paper. The stamp is Elzybells 'Hugs' and is coloured with my lovely new Prismas and Sansodor. I used my new Cuttlebug Embossing folder on the orange panel (thanks Sheila!) and one of my sparkly new Stampin' Up 'Circle of Friendship' stamps which Aimee kindly sent me from the US. I seriously need to invest in a 1 inch circle punch for these little beauties as I am rubbish at cutting circles freehand! I finished the card with a little doodling, some ribbon and adhesive blue gems..... nothing new here then!

P.S. I'd like to say a massive thank you to Nikki for giving me so much help and advice when it came to the Prismacolors, I really appreciate it Nikki! Also, a massive hug is winging it's way to Sheila for sending me some paperstumps AND about a million stamped images! Thank you sooo much! ~x~

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My First Elzybells!

Despite having been off work for the last 2 weeks, I haven't done anywhere near as much crafting (or blogging!) that I thought I would. So, over the next couple of days, I am going to try and sort out that situation before I have to go back to work on Monday!

Below is the first card I want to share with you today. It's my first ever Elzybells! They are SUCH fun to work with - I love 'em!

As you can see, for this card, I cut an aperture in the front of the card and stamped the actual image on the inside of the card blank. I then framed the hole with a rectangular Nestie. I really like this effect and so you may see it more often from me! The paper is another digi freebie and the image was watercoloured with pencils. I finished the card with adhesive gems, a layered up flower and some ribbon. I still think the card needs a little something else but at this point I'm not sure what...... any ideas?! Sentiment maybe?

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