ONLY JOKING

Needed to make a card for my friend who has been very ill lately and also having to cope with alot of other cr*p at the moment as well. I've been so engrossed in my own problems that I forget that other people have problems of their own to deal with, so thought this High Hopes image was perfect. This is another stamp I've had for a while but have never inked up! The image is called Valerie Nurse Angel and isn't that bear just the sweetest! I've coloured them with PM's and framed with doodling. Papers are My Minds Eye and the sentiment is from SU and cut out using SU punch. Flowers are Prima and button is from my stash. Used the Fiskars border punch on the bottom of one paper but it doesn't show very well! Distressed the edges of some of the papers and added some stitching with my machine. For anyone who was asking about where I got my mailboxes, I've noticed that Silly Monkey Crafts are selling chipboard ones for altering, although they are alot more expens...

It felt a bit peculiar making this card for the Stamp Something challenge as the sun is shining today and it's warmed up alot down here. However, couldn't find a stamp with the wind part so settled for this Tilda which is one of my personal favourites as she does look a bit cold!! I followed the Mojo Monday sketch for this one which is fabulous! Both images are Magnolia coloured with Promarkers and Glamour Dust added to Tilda's jacket and the tree stump. Papers are My Minds Eye and cardstock is from my stash. Used my Fiskars border punch and some "chocolate drops" from Craftwork Cards. So there we have it, another Christmas card completed......that must make a grand total of two!!! The card is actually more green than it looks....that's my wonderful photographic skills for you lol! The challenge this week is being sponsored by Whimsy stamps so I would strongly urge you to have a go!

The theme on Stamp Something this week is 3D somethings and I felt really bad that I couldn't join in with the DT work because of yet more personal problems!! However, Finley, the little boy next door is celebrating his birthday today so wanted to give him a few sweets with his card so decided on this. The template is from My Timeless Templates and is so simple to make. Just used some DP from Pebbles Inc., acetate, whole punch, gingham ribbon from stash and a stamp from Cats Life Press. Will show the card I made him at a later date as I've used it for a little competition and waiting to hear the results.

While I had the Panduro images and SU paper out yesterday, thought I would have a go at doing a few cards at a time which I've always had the best intentions to do but never really managed it! Anyway, loved the sketch on Friday Sketchers this week so thought I would use that for one of the cards. However, it was only when I was adding the link that I noticed I'd left off the two embellishments at the bottom - whoops!! This card has been made with the little flower girl image and have used the same supplies as yesterday apart from the Sakura glitter pen on the petals of the flower. I've got two more images coloured in so no doubt you'll be seeing much of the same quite soon!! Big apologies yet again for not visiting your blogs but I'm way behind on that front but will endeavour to catch up.

Sorry I haven't been posting for a little while but my mojo did a runner, plus I had alot of paperwork to sort through as well. Anyway, managed to put a card together this morning. I just love these stamps from Panduro and they're a joy to colour! Used my PM's (of course!) with the usual doodling around the edges and used my Sakura glaze pen on the balloons to give them a bit of a shiney effect, although you can't see it in this photo! Papers are from SU and I'm really lovin' them so you will be seeing alot more of them! Cardstock is Bazzill as is the brad and flower is Prima. Sentiment is Woodware and ribbon is from Hobbycraft. I have received another fabulous award from Debi ......thank you so much and sorry, once again, that it's taken me a while to add it to my blog. Also had some good news - I passed my Database exam on Saturday - 100%, no mistakes!!! I really knuckled down and did all the coursework in just over one day (and got 100% in that too!). Go...

Sorry, nothing to show today however, there's some fantastic blog candy on offer from two very talented ladies! Firstly, Nikki is celebrating her blogoversary and has five, yes FIVE wonderful prizes on offer. Happy blogoversary Nikki! Rach has some amazing candy on her blog and all for one lucky winner so pop on over and take a look!

The Whiff of Joy Challenge this week is a recipe - three different papers, two flowers and one brad or button. Decided to make myself a bookmark and this is what I came up with. The papers are a mixture of K & Co., and My Minds Eye, the image is Willow with Cocoa and the Magnolia stack of books, both coloured with Promarkers. There is one brad on the top flower and the other flower has a Papermania sticky gem. Used an SU jumbo eyelet and some ribbon from Hobbycraft. I haven't completed a challenge so quickly in a long time!!

Just thought you would like to know that my Valentine's mailboxes have been showcased on Elizabeth's blog (Elzybells). I was really chuffed when she e-mailed me to say she would like to do this, so thank you so much Elizabeth. Talking of the mailboxes, I have had a couple of questions about them. Firstly, I've no idea if they can be bought in the UK as mine were a gift from a friend, however, do know they are quite common in the States at places such as Michaels. I'm afraid I don't know the name of the shop I bought the sweets from....I did have a carrier bag from there and was telling Jilli, however, think I must have put it straight in the bin.....silly mare! Could be somewhere like Home Sense???? My other piece of nice news is that the lovely Debi has given me this award - Thanks so much Debi and sorry it's taken me so long to get around to putting it on my blog.....just had so much going on in my life lately. Michelle has some very yummy blog candy up for ...

It's the first time I've taken part in the Ismaki challenge but really liked the look of the sketch, so thought I would have a go! I've coloured this little cutie with Promarkers (what else?!) and framed her with doodling (again!). Used Basic Grey papers - sorry, can't remember which ones they are as I had all the pads out yesterday! Used my Cuttlebug swirls die and a sentiment from Woodware. Finally, added some sticky gems from Papermania. Off to start cooking the roast dinner now.....enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

As promised, here's my second post for the day. Sorry I haven't been posting much but really struggling a bit lately. However, was determined to complete this week's High Hopes challenge and have just got in by the skin of my teeth! This week's challenge is a sketch by Katharina and have kept to my New Year's resolution to use a stamp that hasn't seen ink yet! Sorry, the photo isn't too good, however, the image has been coloured with Promarkers and framed with some doodling. Papers are Basic Grey, ribbon and clip are from my stash. Hope you're all having a great weekend....we've even got a bit of sunshine here!!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Last week I made a little folder card for my boys for Valentines and mentioned that I would be making them something else. Well, managed to put something together very quickly yesterday which they have probably demolished by now! A little while ago, Alex kindly sent me two of these cute mailboxes and it wasn't until last week when I saw her submission on Stamp Something that I knew what I wanted to do with mine. The second one is a bit more "pinky" so have given that to Sam as being the youngest he wouldn't mind so much - just interested in what's inside! I've filled them up with bags of jelly hearts and marshmallow hearts. Both images and sentiment are from Elzybells and coloured with Promarkers with doodling around the edges. They've been matted onto Bazzill c.s. I've absolutely no idea who makes the papers as I've had them for a few years now. Used sticky ribbons, Papermania sticky gems and some ribbon from...

Friday again and Half Term has started! The boys finished school yesterday so hopefully, we've got a fun day together! The challenge on Stamp Something this week is chocolate - everybody's favourite! and there's one stamp I turn to when that word is mentioned. I've followed the sketch on Mojo Monday for this card. The image is from Penny Black and has been coloured with Promarkers. Cardstock is Bazzill Bling and papers are Doodlebug. Matted the image onto some c.s. which has been run through the Cuttlebug and threaded some ribbon through using SU slot punch. Finally added a brad from my stash . A big thank you to Jose for helping me with my images......love the way some of you girls have been putting a sneak peek at the top of your posts and Jose was nice enough (and clever enough) to explain how to do it. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Thought I would have another go with a Daisy image and I'm much happier with this one! This time I've used papers from American Crafts and a little bit of Basic Grey and used my SU punch to round the corners. Added a piece of lace to the side of the darker paper and coloured Daisy with Promarkers and doodled around the edges (which I always seem to smudge!!). Sentiment is from Woodware and flowers are from my stash with a Papermania pearl brad in the centre. Finally, added a little charm which is from E-bay and which you can see better in this photo. I just love these and was determined to fit it on somewhere on the card so attached it with a little bit of ribbon from my stash. Hope you all of a great weekend!

It's Friday already, thank goodness, which means it's time for a Stamp Something challenge, which this week is Valentines! I thought I'd make something for the two little loves in my life - Lewis and Sam - so I've made this. I've been wanting to make one of these for a little while and thought it was ideal to put a packet of Love Hearts in. I'll be making them something else to go with it but haven't got around to that yet!! The image and sentiment is from c.c. Designs and coloured with Promarkers - or should that be "one Promarker"!!! Papers are Bo Bunny and cardstock is Bazzill Bling, which has been run through the Cuttlebug with the Hearts Block folder. Used my Nesties to layer the little Grunter (!) and added a couple of wooden hearts from my stash and some sticky gems from Papermania. Just added some Creative Smooth c.s. to the inside with a double heart stamp from Hampton Art Stamps and some doodling. Think the boys will be more interested in...

I love High Hopes stamps and have been meaning to join in with their challenges each week but just haven't had the time. However, made a real effort this week and finally managed it! The challenge this week is to use lace on your card so this is my effort. I've used Leaping Juliette and coloured her with Promarkers, papers are My Minds Eye and K & Co, sentiment is from Lizzie Anne Designs and the embellishments are from my stash. Don't know what happened to the colour of the clip in the photo but it does actually match in real life!! Thanks for all you wishes, I'm feeling alot better now....just have to try and shift the headache!

Monday morning again and was sat here pondering what fun and games this week will bring! Had a great day yesterday, even though I wasn't feeling 100% (managed to get a stinkin' cold from somewhere). The boys had fun with Lewis and Paul while me and Vanessa did plenty of chatting!! We swapped some images and I got my favourite from her - Daisy which I couldn't wait to colour in. In fact, while the boys were in the bath, I coloured her in and put a card together but not completely happy with it. Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased with how Daisy has turned out but not sure about the papers I've used. They're Basic Grey Two Scoops. Added some flowers and a couple of sparkly brads but no sentiment at the moment. Just feel that maybe my choice of papers were a bit "busy". Not to worry as I've got plenty more "Daisies" on my desk and will have another go with something less fussy. We had our first little bit of snow this morning and wow, were t...

No card to show today and a quick posting as Vanessa and her family are coming to visit today, however, Amanda tagged me a couple of days ago and thought I would join in. Basically, you have to go into your Pictures file and pick the 6th folder and then the 6th photo and this is mine. It's my big boy Sam making a chocolate cake - this was taken last year sometime - he just loves baking (as does Lewis!) and in fact, Lewis was in the kitchen yesterday with his Dad making Drop Scones (although couldn't get over how quickly they whizzed through the recipe, must have been in a hurry to go somewhere pmsl!) - his own recipe! Delicious!! Now have to tag six people - I know alot of you have already done this so please feel free to not take part if you have already done so. My choice is Vanessa (ha! ha!), Jilli , Jackie , Denise , Erin and Jose . I would also like to show a beautiful card I received from Celine - she sent me some Whiff of Joy images as I only own three so thank you so ...