Look no Flowers!

But it does have pink on it and Butterflies so I get to use 2 out of 3 of my favourites !
The previous card was really meant for this challenge but when I had finished realised  it wasn't CAS so back to the drawing board again.

 

Digi  backing paper by Raspberry Road 'Autumn Splendor 014'

Pink paper using up scraps from yesterday. Details in post below.

Silk ribbon and cream  pearl from my stash.

Butterfly is by Cheery Lynn Designs DL 113AB.

Small butterflies using a Tonic Studios small punch.

Sentiment using Britannia word dies.

 

CAS with No Flowers. Simples!

 

Entering into the following challenges:

Cupcake Crafts #248: CAS with no flowers.

Through The Craft Room Door: Anything goes.

Crafts and Me #138: Anything goes.

Pause Dream Enjoy #13: Anything goes.

Polly Craft Challenges #1 Anything goes.

Pin and Tack #10: Anything goes.

Pixies Crafty Workshop: Use up your snippets. (pink paper).

Country View Crafts #4: Die Cuts.

Totally Gorjuss #190: Wings.

Sister Act #13: Anything goes.

 

 

 



 



 

Butterflies.

This is so not the card I started out to make which was going to be Sea Green card stock with a lovely paper by Raspberry Road  with a fern on it. It somehow changed (as butterflies do) into this and I have to say I rather like the result.

 

Digi paper by Rasperberry Road. 'Antebellum 015'

Stamp by  Crafty Individuals CI - 012

Butterfly die cut by Cheery Lynn DL 113AB

Lace, ribbon, thread and pearls from my stash

The heart bottom right is made with the spare antenna!

 

The discarded items.

I'm so glad it's the Weekend and I can have a drink!



 

Entering into the following challenges:
Sunday Stamper #263: Something with writing on.
Pile It On #25: Vintage or shabby chic.
Creative Craft: #13. A stitch in time.
Oldie but a Goodie: Butterflies. (lace and ribbon 15yrs+)
Everybody Art #242: Butterfly
Ruby's Rainbow #57: Things with wings.
In the Pink #23: Pink with wings.
Creative Inspirations #220: Anything goes + option of ribbon.
Bunny Zoe's Crafts #37: Wings
Crafty Calendar: Things with wings.

Mistletoe Kisses

I spent ages on this simple card. I just could not find a backing paper that worked with the Mistletoe image which was an old saved Christmas card that I wanted to use. Then the die I used was a tad too big when I cut it out so had to trim it smaller and do rounded edges. Having discarded the latest paper I had laid the Mistletoe and the green cardstock on the white card base whilst I went in search of other papers when suddenly a light bulb moment. It worked without any other papers needed!

 It all came together within 10 mins after that. I used some of the discarded frame for the corners faux stitching around the edge (to mimic the stitching already on the leaves ) using a gold highlighter and pearls /bow from my stash. Simples!

 

Entering into the following challenges:

Rudolph Day: Something Festive.

Crafty Hazelnuts #130: Christmas Greenery.

52 Christmas Cards Throwdown #26: Use sequins or pearls.

Crafty Hazelnuts Extra #6: Anything  goes.

Sparkles Christmas #29: Buttons & bows.



Homeless!

I'm late I'm late for a very important date namely Mrs A's Yarns. Changing tack this week and telling you about one of The Doc's  Mishaps and there have been quite a few so sit back grab a coffee and read on.
The Doc's Office  and mine were situated quite close together in town so most days we would meet up for lunch . This particular day was no different and having had lunch we were sauntering along the High Street when I noticed that he was limping. On inquiring what was wrong I was told "Yes its these shoes. When ever I wear them the right one is a bit tight". I asked had he checked if there was anything in it and was told he had and he couldn't see what was wrong. 
Later that evening I had a good look at the said shoe and put my hand into the toe to see if I could stretch the leather a bit. On doing so I felt a bit of rough leather and managed to pull on it and it felt like a piece of string so I gave it a good tug and out popped this object!!!!!!!
I have placed against a 50p piece for comparison.
Now heres the crux of the tail my cats do not have and never have had furry mice to play with. So where did this little chap come from?





We had been to visit Fluff and VUH about 6 weeks previously and Fluff's cats(that she had at the time) did have furry mice to play with. Loved them in fact! On inquiring Fluff confirmed that they were indeed one mouse down but she had thought it was around somewhere and would come to light in due course from whence it had been hidden.  The Doc had been wearing these shoes!
Can only assume that said mouse got chucked in his shoe during play and come home time The Doc had put his shoe back on without realising and pushed the mouse down into the toe. Hence the Limp.

 

Digi image from Digital Images 'Marvin mouse'

Backing paper from stash (hand cut to shape of card)

Xcut die cut 'Square Parenthesis'

Cheerylynn  B190 'Sentiment Frame #2

Sentiment created in word and colour matched to paper.

Digi coloured using Promarkers, chalk and silver highlighter pen.

Shirt paper pieced from snippet  in stash.

So if anyone has a shoe going spare I have a mouse here needing a home!

 



Entering into the following challenges:
Platypus Creek #35: Anything goes.
The Paper Nest Dolls #7: Feature an Animal.
Crafty Boots: Anything but square.
Artistic Inspirations #47: Fur or Feathers.
Cutie Pie challenges #47: Paper Piecing.
Sister Act #12: Anything goes.
Stampin For The Weekend #39: Anything goes.
Frosted Designs #55: Polka dots (backing paper and shirt).
One Stich At A time #169: Not Square.
Pixie's Crafty Workshop #78: Use your snippets (shirt paper).

U is for Upside down.

With twelve letters now competed my Alpha Book for the Craft Barn challenges is beginning to get quite full and look more like a book should. The current letter is U. Bit of a hard one this time but having looked through the dictionary I settled for Upside down. So that's what I did. Glued everything upside down, dictionary page included!.

The page has been given a wash with 'Willow Tree' matt paint from the match pot tester range. The images are from a freebie paper set called Florals and flutters from Making Cards magazine. The bakers twine another freebie and the shrink plastic butterflies from my stash

 

Entering into the following challenge:

The craft Barn: Alpha challenge letter U.



Ruffles.

This is the second card for the challenge this month over at Lady Anne's which is to use this digi image by Eureka Stamps. Details of the shop can be found here.
Again I coloured the image in  first and then went in search of a paper to match in my stash! Fortunately I found this holly one by Popcorn the Bear Christmas selection  (a freebie from Crafters Companion) which did just that. Phew!

I followed the sketch over at Merry Monday and used Glitter red card stock for the circle and the paper pieced heart on the digi. Berries are tiny 3mm gemstones which took absolutely ages to stick on in the right position. I nearly had a catastrophe right at the end as I dropped a gem (with glue on) and of course if fell glue side down just where I didn't want it and left a nasty glue mark!  Fortunately I was using a Martha Stewart fine-tip glue pen and after the mark had dried I was able to remove with an eraser. Double phew!! Ribbon from my stash and a play with my new Britannia Dies for the sentiment. They cut and turn out like a dream.



 

Entering into the following challenges:

Lady Anne's Christmas Progressive Challenge #5: Use image by Eureka Stamps.

Crafty Hazelnuts Extra #6: Anything goes.

The Shabby Tea Room #171: Ruffles and ribbons.

Merry Monday #67: Use sketch.

Eureka Stamps Challenge: Anything goes.

 

 

 



Sleigh Full.

This is the first card for the challenge this month over at Lady Anne's which  is to use this digi image by Eureka Stamps. Details of the shop can be found here.
I have used mirror card for the base (a feeebie  from a magazine) which like acetate is always incredibly  hard to take a photo of so I have turned slightly to avoid the glare as much as possible

 

Image has been coloured in using Promarkers, Distress markers, gold/ silver gel pens and pearlescent chalks. The sentiment is cut from an old Christmas card which I thought suited the image perfectly. Ribbon, red card stock  and pearls from my stash.



Entering into the following challenges:
Lady Anne's Christmas Progressive Challenge #5: Use image by Eureka Stamps.
Winter Wonderland: Christmas Presents.
Jingle Belles: Digital at Christmas.
Crafty Hazelnuts Extra #6: Anything goes.
Pixie's Crafty workshop #77: use your snippets (sentiment)
Eureka Stamps Challenge #44: Anything goes.

Excuses.

Sorry there was no story for you all last week but I had to go and search the Web for suitable images to go on the cards. Found loads so up  and running again now.
This weeks yarn finds me still working  for the Boss that I procured the big discount on the computer system (still can't think why!) from the previous story.
Settle back, put your feet up, grab a coffee and stop a while.
So Ladies we all know the drill. Before we can actually arrive for work we need to do
 'The School Run' and this particular day was no different to the rest.
 2 kids in back of car ? Yep
School bags, PE kit, lunch boxes, homework ? Yep
Car keys? Yep
Dress out of knickers ?  Yep. (Special check)
Ok. Off we go.
Fluffs school first as it is the farthest away and as I'm pointing the car away from work will need do a loop round to drop off Little boy at his school and then I'm facing the right way to hack it down the main road to get to work for 9.30am start.
Got this down to a fine art now as I can just idle up to the drop of points and the kids can leap out and away I go.  Fluff first, check rear view mirror all clear and away we go.
I'm just pulling up into the works car park when a disembodied voice pipes up from behind my shoulder saying
'Aren't I going to school today then Mummy?'  Don't you just love it when you suddenly realise you have forgotten to do something!!
My boss who happened to be looking out of his window watched in amazement as I threw the car into a spin on two wheels and shot back out the way I had come to arrive back 25 mins later in a rather harassed state.  Like my boss said if yer gonna have an excuse  for being late make sure its a goodun!!

 

Digi image from Bugaboo Stamps

Backing paper form my snippets pile

Sewing thread and pearls from my stash

Digi coloured using Promarkers

Diecuts by Spellbinders ' Majestic Elements'

& Cheery Lynn Designs ' B190 Sentiment frame#2'

Sentiment produced in Word.

 

 

Entering into the following challenges:
Southern Girls #70: Use a punch or die cut.
Sister Act #11: Anything goes must be a card.
Card Crafter's Circle #79: In stitches real or faux.
Hiding in My Craft Room #102: Die cuts
One Stitch At A Time #168: Use a digi.
Challenges 4 Everybody #22: Anything goes
Pixie's Crafty Workshop #77:  Use your snippets ( Offcut of design paper).
Melon Headz: Die cuts.
Oldie but a Goodie: Stitching real or faux (old stash = design paper, thread, promarkers).
Through The Craft Room Door: Anything goes.


P.s. No I don't own a pink car it just goes with the backing paper!!

Sitting on the Fence.

I missed the deadline over at The Craft Barn for the letter F but decided to play along anyway otherwise I would be a page short  for my Alpha Book a the end of the year.The challenge was to use a disctionary word between the letters FE to FR and I have chosen the word Fence for my page.

The fence die cut was kindly sent to me by my blogging friend Nicola of Sunshine Reflections some time a go and was perfect to use here.  The page has been given a wash of 'Willow Tree' tester paint pot  matt paint. (They were on offer at several outlets at 3 for £ but not sure is this had finished now.) The flowers die is C.C. Designs 'Flower Border' and the  grass die by Die- namics 'Fresh cut Grass'. The butterflies were looking for somewhere to settle on  so added them to the page too! (Punch by Tonic studios.) Letter  F is from a freebie site and can be found here and I used a Spellbinders label 4 to cut out.
The next letter chosen is the letter U for this weeks challenge and I think I have a good word sorted so watch this space as they say!.

Fathers Day.

I'm usually  stuck for making a male card but I have had this idea  in my mind to do for quite some time and thought it would  work perfectly here. Faux Tiling.  I found a good tutorial on
the technique from Split Coaststampers. For the picture I have used one of my oil paintings that I did a while back. I had already taken a photo of it  and had it stored on my computer  so I resized in word and then printed off onto heavy GSM cardstock. You can see the original here.  I found that I still needed to glue the cardstock to cardboard though as I found that the glossy accents made the tiles buckle.

 

After adhering the tiles back onto white card I attached blue card stock to the card front and placed on top. A simple sentiment printed off in word  and pearls to match finish the card.

I needed to keep fairly simple as Dad doesn't see too well now and as they have this painting hanging in their room at the Home hoping he may just recognise it.







 

 

Entering into the following challenges:

Crafty Card Makers #93: Fathers Day.

Lexi's Creations #92: Fathers Day.

Tammy's Scrappin #66: Fathers Day.

Anything Goes: #94 Fathers Day.

Bearly Mine #90: Anything goes.

Creative Belli #171: Fathers Day.

Creative Inspirations #218: Fathers Day.

Simply Create Too #39: Fathers Day.

Totally Papercrafts #171: Feeling Blue.

Pixie's Crafty Workshop #76: Use up your snippets. (pieces of white card from stash)

 

 



 

 

Desk Tote.

I recently did a sewing swap to make a material desk tote and as my partner in Australia had now received it I am free to show. Mandy loves and I do mean loves the colour blue so nothing else would do. I delved deep into my material stash and found strips of material 3" wide with assorted flower and patchwork designs which I sewed together in order to cut out the shapes I needed for the box. 

I then delved into my felt stash and found some dark blue/light blue which I had left over from making an embroidered fish box for another blogging friend (Sherry) a while back.  You can see the lining and box sides here with the start of some appliquéd flowers being added before the bottom was stitched in place. 

The completed box. I forgot about felt having a tendency to stretch so I added embroidery thread ties to the sides to pull back into a box  shape.   

A close up showing the finished flowers.

MIL used to work in a shirt making factoring so I inherited a very large box of buttons I assorted sizes so I used some on the flower centres .

I also used up some seeds beads too.

Entering into the following challenges:
Artistic Inspirations#45:Stitching real or faux.
Handmade Harbour#120: handmade Mondays.
Simon Says: The button challenge.
Crafts and Me #136: Something old(materials,buttons,beads).
4 Crafty Chicks#145: Flowers.
Charisma # 22: Tons of layers.
Hiding in my Craft Room#101: Super scraps.
Challenges 4 Everybody#22: Anything goes.
Pixie's Crafty Workshop#76: .Use up your snippets.

Fabric and Lace.

This is a card I made for a recent swap which has now been received by my partner in Australia.  The theme was to use lace and pearls. the fabric is a snippet that had been on  my desk for ages along with the sentiment which came free in a magazine. The rose on the sentiment matched the fabric perfectly so I rummaged into my pile of lace to find  a suitable piece. This bit  reminded me of the old lace curtains at windows so I used my Sizzix Framelits 657936 to cut a window in a piece of pink card stock and stuck the material behind. Lace was added and then the whole matted to the front of the card.Heart and butterflies from my stash along with the pearls. The sentiment was created in word and then coloured with a Promarker to match.

Entering into the following challenges:

Pixie's Crafty Workshop #75: Use your snippets.

4 Crafty Chicks #145: Flowers.

Cutie Pie #45: 3 2 1 (3butterflies,2 heart shapes, 1 die cut).

Make My Monday challenges: Use ribbon or lace. 

Tammy's Scrappin #65: Anything goes + texture (Material).

Craft Room: Use your scraps.

The Paper Shelter #115: Flower Power. 

Ribbon Girls: Add a Die cut. 

In The Pink #21: Anything goes in pink. 



Good Impressions.

Time for another Of Mrs A's Bloomers or as Darnell puts it  'time for a visit to Mrs A's Yarn Shop' so pull up a chair and make yourself comfy.

I'm going back this week to a job I had prior to last weeks tale. I was there for 7yrs and after 3yrs I was given the task of buying in a new Finance Software package and complete new computer network system to run it on. Having found a company I rather liked I arranged for a rep to bring some hardware out to our office and demo the system to my boss.  

I was bright and early come the morning of the demo but even so found Jason (the rather dishy rep) already waiting in his car in the staff car park, so I pulled up along side and hopped out of my car. I  endeavoured to look very professional and having collected my bag from the passenger seat  invited him to follow me into the office. 

I was just asking Jason if he would like a coffee when Sarah the office Manager  rushed up behind me and whispered that I might like to take  the the hem of my dress out of the back of my knickers!  Didn't I  wish the ground could just open up beneath me? Oh yes indeed I did!! 

But do you know what my boss bought the system and strangely we got rather a large discount too!! 

I always check now  before leaving the house of a morning as well.

My card to go with the story is below but the pink unmentionables is where the similarity ends. (The fact that I may have had a blue skirt and knitted  tank top at around the same time is purely coincidental).

Digi by Digistamps4joy

Multi spot paper by Alison Butler.

Blue spotty a freebie from Simply Homemade magazine.

Digi coloured using Promarkers and edged with a Papermania gold pen.

Given the once over with matching Pearlescent chalks.

Nesties used  Spellbinders and Sizzix.

Ribbon and pearls from stash.

Entering the following challenges:

Make It Monday #143: Paper Crafts.

Pixie's Crafty Workshop #75: Use up your snippets. (Brown ribbon)

Created With Love #44:  Anything goes.

Creative Card Crew #37: Punches and dies.

Bearly Mine Challenges #89: Dies/ punches.

Papertake Weekly: Anything goes.

Sister Act #9: Anything goes.

Totally Papercrafts #169: Anything goes.

Allsorts #209: Here come the girls.

One Stitch At A Time #166: Anything goes.



Alice.

I have just completed a card swap where we had to send out two cards to our partners that had something on the front beginning with the letter A.  My cards have been received by my partner in Australia so I am free to show them to you. This is the first one.

A is for Alice.

The base is red and blue cardstock layered up. The letter frame is left over from a previous project and is die cut using Sizzix Framelits 657905.The paper for it  came as a freebie in a magazine originally.  Alice is a digi freebie from here. The letter A was in my stash and came from a blogging friend in America. Image has been coloured using Distress Markers and pearlescent chalks.

Entering into the following challenges:

Pixie's Crafty Workshop#75: Use your snippets up (Word frame).

Make It Monday#143: Paper Crafts.
Creative Moments#18: Lots of layers.
Simon Says: Anything Goes.
Stamp-n-Doodle: 3 or more layers.
Whimsical Designs: Recycle it (letter frame recycled from a previously made tag).
4 Crafty Chicks #144: Recycle reuse. (Letter frame cut from a previously made tag).
Crafty Catz #185: Story book theme. (Alice in Wonderland/Through the looking Glass).
Sister Act #9: Anything goes.
Splendiferous Creations: To die for.
Totally Papercrafts #169: Anything goes.
Crafty Friends #1: Anything goes.
One Stitch at a Time #166: Anything goes.
That Craft Place: Dies & Punches.