The Project

I have been thinking about a 'word book' for a while now, I suppose I just needed an opportunity. I had made a card for my daughters birthday already, but because its a 'special' birthday, I thought I would actually do it this time.

As a little girl she loved Sara Kay and Holly Hobby images (bedding, wallpaper, books etc.) so a good opportunity to use these stamps. I wasn't sure about sizes, so just played about with the various sizes of the card to fit her name, I think it worked out quite well and I'm really pleased with the end result!


















I inked and distressed all the card and paper edges. The papers are MME Wild Asparagus, the sentiments I found on the Internet, along with the the alphabet.
I used my Retro punch for the flowers so that they would lie flat.


When I finished this card, I thought I would use up some of the papers and image and enter the Simon Says Challenge which is a sketch this week.



It also fits the Papertake Weekly challenge - Cute

If your still with me after this marathon, thanks for looking.

Avril

House Mouse Challenge

The challenge over at House Mouse & Friends, is " B ". There are some fab DT cards for inspiration.
I have use Happy Hoppers stamp Bumble - 'Relaxing Bubbles' coloured with Distress Inks. I added Flock Glitter to the bubbles.

The 'Bs' on my card are - Bunny in the Bath with Bubbles on a Bathmat. Blue paper, Brown paper, Brown cardstock, punched Borders. Blue ribbon, knotted Bow. Blue pearls and a sentiment that reads 'Beautiful Birthday' - plenty of 'Bs' there!

The 'project' is almost finished - hopefully I will upload the pics tomorrow.

Thanks for looking and have a good week end.

Avril

Summer Cards

I have been very good this week, I am working on a project that I have thought about for a while, but its not yet finished! Next week is deadline!!

This card was made a couple of weeks ago for one the many summer birthdays that I need to send cards. Its an 'old' Sugar Nellie - Daisy - she may be 'old' but she is still one of my favourites.

I have coloured her with watercolour pencils for a change, the papers are from stash, can't remember who made them.
I am entering this card in 4 'new' challenges for me.
Allsorts Challenge 61 - Summer Days
Crafty Calender Challenge- Summer
By The Cute & Girly Monthly Challenge - Warm Summer Days
Crafty Cardmakers Spotlight challenge - Easel Card

LOTV Challenge

I have been trying to get this card finished all week for the LOTV challenge. I just love these cute stamps from Lili of the Valley and this was a great sketch to work with.

I coloured her with Distress inks, but made a mess of her flower in her hat, hence the ribbon rose and feathers! My papers are Papermania Capsule Collection, ribbon from stash. The sentiment is computer generated.

Thanks for looking,

Avril

Sweet birthday

Have had a busy week this last week, but don't really know what I have done - apart from meeting friends for coffee, visiting another friend for lunch and crafting friend Diane coming over(talking and not doing) - suppose that's why I haven't made any cards this week, too busy socialising! Fortunately, one of the summer birthday cards that I did make a few weeks ago fits the Papertake weekly challenge which is 'In the Garden'. I used one of my favourite Sarah Kay images which was coloured with, as usual, Distress Inks. The papers are Laura Ashley.

This card also fits the Wild Orchid challenge - Say it with Flowers - my flowers were punched from the same papers with a Retro flower punch and then scrunched up to within an inch of their lives, and then unfolded and attached with a brad.

So - for not having made a card this week, I am entering in 2 challenges - not bad!

You might want to check out Lorraine's Loft, she has some great House Mouse candy.

Thanks for looking.

Avril

Circle Card

Have had a peaceful night to myself, Daughter and Hubby are both out (Not together!)
I have been thinking about this card for a couple of days, I have never done a circle card, and although I have one of those circle cutter blades, I have only used it once! It actually cuts a decent circle - must use it more often.

The challenge on Sketch & Stash this week is a 'circle card' and I have made mine into an easel circle card, - had to try to be clever! I enjoyed this and it wasn't too difficult and it is different.

Creative Card Crew challenge this week is 'die cuts' and there are plenty on this card - Nestabilities large scallop circles, the flower and swirls are my new Marianne Creatables and the paper I have just downloaded from Summertime Designs, there are loads to choose from and all free!

This card also fits the Simon Says challenge, which was a picture of a 'Blue Lagoon' cocktail and the actual Lagoon which looks beautiful, the water is the most gorgeous shade of Blue/turquoise - blue papers.

The image is a swap from my craft buddy Diane, who like me loves the House Mouse stamps and this little mouse really does look relaxed! I have added some glitter to the blue water 'lagoon' that he is floating in. The sentiment is computer generated.

Thats it for now, hope its a good weekend!

Thanks for looking

Avril

Two in One

Just a short note today, getting organised to have a 'girly' night in with my daughter as she is home from university for the summer break, not that it's much of a break for her as she is working an 8 week Pharmacy student placement with a well known Chemist, better not advertise! Wine, DVD and nibbles - you know the sort of thing!

I have made a card for the House Mouse Challenge - the theme being 'Happy Birthday' and I used the sketch from Papertake Weekly, so I am entering there as well!

The image is Maxwell & Muzzy -Lip Stamp and coloured with Distress Inks. The papers are from stash.



The MS border has been run through a Xcut crimper (present from DD) which gives a lovely frilly effect - something different!

Off to watch the DVD now.

Thanks for looking

Avril

Pocketfull of Posies and more Birthday cards

A new Challenge has been launched this week - Pocketful of Posies. Bev Rochester "All the things I Love" mentioned it on her Blog. She has been asked to be a DT member. This weeks challenge is - One for the Girls. I made this card a couple of weeks ago for one of the many June/July birthdays I need cards for.

The image is Lili of the Valley and I have coloured her with Distress Inks and Twinkling H2Os and a 'touch' of Stickles - wings/dress/shoes/flowers you know what I mean! The papers are Papermania Rose Garden, I just love these papers, they all go so well together. The lace and ribbon are from stash.

I am also entering this card in Stamp with Fun and Everybody Art which are both 'Birthday'

Thanks for looking

Avril

House mouse Challenge and one for Simon Says

Well, apart from some overnight rain, the weather is still wonderful and sunny, and although I still enjoy being out in the sunshine, I feel I can spare a little 'time out' to make a card or two.
We were at a friend Wedding at the weekend and although I did make the card, I did a repeat of the tent card that I did for my son's Wedding Anniversary in April and just changed the sentiment - so not too much to think about there!

Yesterday, being a damp start, was an ideal opportunity to make this card for the House Mouse challenge.



The theme is 'new' and apart from this being a new stamp, its also a new baby! The image is so cute, and although this one is for a girl, I will also be doing one for a boy as my daughters friend is having a baby in the autumn, so she can use either one!
The papers are leftover scraps (just enough to make the card) and I have used a MS embossed scallop punch. Non of my little versa inks seemed the right colour for the sentiment, so I ended up using Worn Lipstick Distress Ink and quickly heat embossed with silver pearl, quite a good match!

I cut the image with the nestabilities Large Scallop Circle, and embossed the edges with a large embossing tool for a more defined line than the embossing mat gives, (I saw this tip on Ikki's Cuttlebug cupboard - this lady is just brill, she has some wonderful ideas and tips for Cuttlebug, Nesties etc.) I then chalked the edges. I don't think you can tell in the photo, but I added glitter flock to his tail, well you've got to have a fluffy tail!

This card also fits in with the challenge at Simon Says, good to do 2 inh 1!

Thanks for looking

Avril

3 Cards in One

What gorgeous weather we are having, too nice to be inside - well you don't really know how long it will last and it would be a shame to miss it!
Tonight was a bit chilly after tea, so a good excuse to make a card - not that I normally need an excuse. I had done my homework (checking out the challenges)earlier in the week, and have done 1 card for 3 challenges, make that 4 cause if also fits in with the Simon Says Challenge!

Penny black - Travel
Papertake Weekly - Sketch
Creative Crew - An Easel card
SimonSays Challenge - Friends

I have used 'Fly Away' image from Penny Black, which I have had a couple of weeks but its the first time I have used him, I used the sentiment that came with him in the 'Slapstick' pack.

The sketch on Papertake weekly was a nice one to follow but couldn't make my mind up between corners or brads or, which ones to use - how hard is that! It was easy to make into an easel card with the matching smaller check paper in the Blueberryhill paper pack.

Well I wonder if it will be nice again tomorrow?

Thanks for looking,

Avril

House mouse challenge

I have been trying to get this card done all week! I think its the fact that the weather has been so nice and its so tempting to be in the garden all day (whether busy or not!) Today has been quite cold and windy, so a great opportunity to finish this card. The House Mouse challenge finishes on Sunday night so I think I am just going to have time to enter!
The theme was 'sweet' so I have used 'make a wish' you can see all the effort going into blowing out the candle!! I have had the spotty paper for ages and don't know who made it, the 'cupcake' paper was a little gift from my 'crafty friend' Diane. I used a thick tacky glue on the cupcake before glittering, to give some texture to the icing, but you cant really tell in in the picture. The flower was made with my new Marianne Creatables, it is fab! I love the fact that you can emboss the petals. I didn't use the leaf that came with the set, thought it was too big for this card, so used a leaf punch instead.
Better hop over to House Mouse blog and enter this card quick.

Thanks for looking.

Avril

AN AWARD!!!

I received my first blogger award today - thanks Katina.



Now I have to tell you 6 fibs and one truth about myself. Can you guess which one is the truth?

1. I have 10 children
2. I don't like red wine
3. I don't like chocolate
4. I don't like shopping
5. I enjoy walking
6. I enjoy going for 5 mile runs
7. I have a great sense of direction

I now have to pass this on.

Making up for lost time

Well, after no posts in 2 weeks, 2 in one day!

I have made a card for Lili of the Valley Challenge following a sketch by Dawny P, which was really good to work with, and used my 'Lazy Afternoon' stamp. This little man looks so chilled out! I have coloured him with Distress Inks and the papers are MME Wild Asparagus. The sentiment is computer generated - great when you don't have the right words!

I am also entering this card in the ABC Challenge - Weather - and A Spoonfull of Sugar's Challenge - Sunshine inspired card (it certainly looks nice and warm on this stamp!).

Thanks for looking

Avril

Where does the time go!

I can't believe its 2 weeks since I last posted a card! in fact I've only just made one, I have been having withdrawal symptoms the last couple of days(or it might just have been one of those horrible summer colds).

The card I did make, but have just got round to uploading, was for my daughters friend, who has just moved into her first home.





I only have 1 'new home' stamp which is really only suitable for the inside of a card, and in the past have made a little 'patchwork house' cut from craft cottons.
I have been looking at buying a 'birdhouse' type of new home stamp, but as yet haven't seen the right one, so decided to have a 'play' and came up with my own paper option. I think it looks quite sweet with the punched flowers. I inked the 'roof' to give it a bit of definition. The base card was run through the cuttlebug with a swiss dots folder and I trimmed about 3/4" off the front of the card to show the punched flowers up the side.





Well now that I am feeling better, I think I will take a look around 'blogland' and find out what challenges I can enter and get the creativity going again!

Thanks for looking

Avril

House mouse & Friends Blog hop

I have been trying to find time all week to make this card, what with daughters visit last week and then catching up with 'normal' things like housework, and a busy Bank Holiday I thought I might miss this challenge, and what a shame that would be with such prizes to be won!

The theme is Goodbye. I have used my favourite HM stamp 'Fancy Pants', she is so versatile, and so girlie! I have gone for a purple theme with Papermania's Capsule Collection for the background and then some matching card stock embossed with Devine Swirls. I didn't have purple glitter card, so made my own with d/side tape and the same glitter I used for her bag and shoes. Again I just had to give her a 'pearl' necklace. The flower is one of the Marianne flower dies, which my crafting buddie Diane loaned me, thanks Diane!

Thats it for now, I better get on this blog hop before I run out of time!

Thanks for looking,

Avril

All the things I Love - Bev's Candy

I am always catching up on Bev's blog, I have followed her for about a year now, and although she doesn't know me - I feel as if I know her, her blog is so friendly, not to mention the fab cards she makes!

This week, she has some great candy to give away, so pop over and check it out.

Have a great weekend.

Avril

Lily of the Valley Challenge

Whew! what a hectic week, my daughter has gone back to Uni today and tonight I have had a 'me' night and guess what - I made a card! Not just any old card, but one following Bev's sketch on the LOTV's challenge - nice one Bev! The challenge has changed slightly - now you have to use a LOTV stamp to enter for a prize - and what a prize this week!

I have just bought my first two LOTV stamps about 3 weeks ago, I think I might be visiting their store very soon as the new release stamps are just fab! I have used 'Fairies on Tiptoe' this little fairy is just so cute! I have coloured her with Distress inks and Twinkling H2O's. The papers are Papermania's Rose Garden. I have used a MS Zigzag punch for the border and Nesties Large Scalloped Circle to cut around the image. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

The challenge closes tomorrow, so must dash and get my entry in!

Thanks for looking,
Avril

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

I seem to be having another busy week! My daughter is home from University for a week, before going on holiday to Ireland. I think I am looking forward to those two weeks to recover from this one! Although she will be home after her hols, it should be a bit more normal as she has a summer placement for 8 weeks before going back to Uni for her 3rd year.

I am so pleased I made a few cards when my hubby was away working a couple of weeks ago (end of May and June are the busy birthday months for me) and this one was made then. (Handy or what! considering last week it took me all week to finish 1 card and post it Friday night).

This week over at Penny Black Saturday Challenge its 'Lots of Dots' and this card certainly has that, so a pity not to use it! This is one of my favourite Penny Black stamps 'Tweet Talk' and the sentiment, another Penny Black 'A little Bird Told Me' goes so well, especially on an easle card. I have coloured her in with Distress Inks and gold glitttered her bracelet and necklace.
The papers are Wild Asparagus from My Minds Eye. I made another scrunched flower, I just love these flowers, and added a little glitter to that as well.







Back to another round of washing, pressing and organising - and I'm not even going on holiday!

Lanks for looking,

Avril

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Oh such a busy week - it was Tuesday before I even checked out this weeks Penny Black Challenge, and what a surprise - there was a list of winners from the Blog Hop and guess what - my name was there! I had to check that it really was me and click on AVRIL B just to be sure. I was so amazed - I think its the first prize I have ever won.

As I said a busy week, and it has taken until now to finish the card for the challenge which was to include flowers.




I have used my new Penny Black slapstick stamp 'Thinking of you' she is so sweet, with her teapot of tulips. I have used Papermania's Rose Garden papers and punched one of the layers with a Martha Stewart Pansey Edger - so 4 lots of flowers - papers/image/punch and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. I have coloured her with Distress Inks and distressed the edges of the image.



Thats it for now, thanks for looking.

Avril

3 Challenges in One

After a hectic week last week, this week has been totally indulgent! My hubby has been busy working away, so its only been me at home - and I have had plenty to time for crafting without feeling guilty. Back to normal tomorrow, must catch up on the housework!

I have made another card today (just as well as I have lots of birthdays coming up in the next couple of months).

I have followed the sketch on Simon Says. The Quixotic challenge was DIY flowers. I made these using my Woodware Retro punches, held them together with brads and then scrunched them up, I love making these flowers! Over on ABC challenge it was 'U' for unused stash, I have used my new BoBunny papers - Jazmyne Botanical they are gorgeous - all glittery! I have used a Sarah Kay stamp that hasn't been inked up for quite a while - I don't know why cause I love this image!

Wish I could get the colours right on the pics. they always look a lot paler than the card.

That's it for now, thanks for looking,

Avril

Celebration Birthday Card

Well last week - nothing, this week 2nd card so far!

Its my daughters birthday in August - well in advance I here you say! (if anyone does read this). She will be home from University in a couple of weeks time and I don't really want to be making her card with her around - silly me still likes to surprise her.

I have used the 'Glorious' dress from Stamps Happen and stamped with silver pigment ink and then heat embossed with silver embossing powder onto white card, and then again onto pink card. I also stamped and embossed with silver onto some silver embossed handmade paper. I cut out the dress in the pink card and then only the skirt of the pink handmade paper and layered them over the original white dress. I also added some glitter to the flowers on the pink dress. Whew - that was long-winded!

I layered the original 'Glorious' image onto pink and then silver cardstock. The sentiment is computer generated and then matted onto pink cardstock. The pink and organza flowers are from my stash.

I kept the card quite simple so as not to detract from the image.

I am entering this card into 3 challenges -
Papertake Weekly - Shiny, Sparkly & Special
Simon Says Stamp challenge - Birthday/Celebrations challenge
Stamp Something - Birthdays

Thanks for looking,

Avril

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Blog Hop

Don't know what I did last week, but I didn't even make one card!
When I looked at the Penny Black Challenge on Saturday and saw it was a sketch and a Blog Hop, I though I really must get my act together for this one.
I have really enjoyed working with sketches, and this one with 2 circles really made me think!



I have used the 'Angel Frame' stamp, then circle cut around the 'angel' with my new large scalloped nestabilities. I cut the 'Angel at Heart' sentiment from the top of the frame to use as my sentiment! She is coloured using Distress Inks.
The papers are the Papermania Rose Garden, just love these papers.

This is the first time that I have 'entered' a blog hop, I usually just browse through and not always in the right order!

Thanks for looking

Avril

House Mouse challenge

I just love the House Mouse stamps they are so cute! and there seems to be one for every occasion.
I usually like to have a get well card in store, 'cause you can bet when someone is ill, its the time you don't really have time to make a card and you need it quick. I made this one last week, the image was a gift from my craft buddy Diane. On looking I find this one fits the bill for the House Mouse challenge - Flower Power. The flower is made with a Retro Punch and then I gathered ribbon into a circle, and held it all together with a pearl brad and added punched leaves. The sentiments are computer generated - great when you don't have the right stamp.

Im still a bit new to 'blogland' and some things I just haven't figured out how to do, like linking in to challenges. I have seen lists of challenges under the appropriate days in the 'sidebar' but haven't a clue how to get them there, if there is anybody out there reading this, a hint would be appreciated.
Thanks for looking!

Avril

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Tent Card

It's my Son and Daughter-in-law's 2nd wedding Anniversary this week and I wanted to do a card that was a little bit different for them. I tried a Tent card a couple of weeks ago from the tutorial on the Magnolia Challenge blog and really enjoyed doing it, so that gave me the idea for this card. I scanned 2 black & white papers onto some pearlised paper and I was quite pleased with the effect, the hearts are cut using the Cuttlebug nesting hearts die with plain pearlised card, hanging from silver embroidery thread. The pearls and flowers and ribbon are from my stash. I even made a box using my 'new' Martha Stewart Score Board and Envelope maker, (love this piece of equipment!) I used the oval cut from the front of the card, with a smaller white oval on top for the name label.

On checking the challenges this week I see I can use this card in the Papertake Weekly Challenge - Do something different.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Have had a busy couple of days decorating - not my favourite hobby! So after all the hard work you have to have a little 'me time' and mine was to make a card for the Peny Black Saturday challenge - 3 flowers, 2 buttons and 1 bow. Finished the card and then thought ooops forgot the bow! but I think it looks OK by the sentiment.
The image 'Friends Rain or Shine' was coloured using Distress Inks and the papers are the last scraps of some Melissa Francis that I bought ages ago. (I always feel a little sad when I use the last of a paper - cause there is no more, does anyone else feel this way or am I mad!)
The sentiment is Docrafts that I haven't used much, but does seen to go with this image.
One of the reasons for my blog was to enter into the fun of challenges and to be challenged. Although I have a button box, I forget to use them and usually just take the easy option of pearls - challenges are making me think of different things to use - can't be bad.



This blog has also helped me improve my computer skills and my photography, feeling quite pleased with myself!

Thanks for looking