Saturday 29 January 2011

Sky's The Limit

This is my first attempt at a sky using the old Copics,what do you think? I think it looks like this little girlie is sat on top of a mountain,up in the clouds,she should be chatting to goats instead of a humming bird. I picked up this lovely image as a 24hr facebook freebie on New year's eve,she's called Wonder by Mo Manning,isn't she just fabulous.

At long last I found a pattern for crochet flowers,I'd searched and asked all over the place but when visiting the amazing blog of Dorcas,I found a link.The pearly button looks scratched but it's a tiny thread of silicone glue that I hadn't noticed until seeing it large,don't you just hate it when that happens!

Thought I'd share a close up of the buttons,I threaded them onto embroidery silk then taped the threads to the back of the card. My lovely papers were a little purchase last week,they have a linen look and are V&A Hanoverian 8x8 paper pack.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
SSS93,Sketch 5.2.11
CC42,Copics plus new,31.1.11,
JUG's69,Make your own flowers,11.2.11,
Crafty Catz 67,Flowers,4.2.11
FFKC35,Flowers,3.2.11,
Paper Play 4,Layer it up,3.2.11,
FabnFunky 57,Digi,1.2.11,
TTT19,Flowers,1,2,11.
There's also a fun challenge going on at Make It Crafty where you have to give a definition for Aussie slang sayings,here's mine
You little ripper, the name given to the paper crafting technique of paper tearing.
Crikey,the nick name for cutting machine also known as a Cricut.
Ridgie Didge,alternative name for a ribbler,machine that makes multiple ridges in paper.
Bob's your uncle,My mum's elder brother who moved to Queensland in the 60s.
Good Onya,the twin sister of naughty Sonia.
Hoping you have a great weekend,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x


Wednesday 26 January 2011

Southern Girls Challenge.

It's week 11 at Southern girls and time for another challenge. The theme this time is to use Dry Embossing,how easy is that! You can enter using any of your paper crafting projects,not only cards,maybe I should have made a layout this time for a change!

The cute bride and groom digi stamp is by Digital Delights who are one of this challenge sponsors,I enjoyed colouring this one up using my Copics.

I used Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder on my scalloped frame,cut using Nestabilities and used the Snowflake embossing folder to emboss my punched flowers.

This gives a good effect,you just have to try out different flakes to see which works best with the flower shape. I used some dot stickers from Paperchase for my flower centres.


I tied a button over the centre of my bow. Sorry I can't share the manufacturer of the DP,it was part of a class kit a few weeks ago and I haven't kept the edge strip,it's rather scrummie though as it has lovely glittery detail on it.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Bunny Zoes 8,Love is in the air,23.1.11
Pile it on 4,Love is in the air,30.1.11
Secret Crafter 118,It's a couple thing,29.1.11
Raise The Bar 50 "N.E.W."28.1.11
TLT12,Plum +stitching 1.2.11(stitched look to DP)
PPCCB45,Anything goes,2.2.11,
Stampavie 126,Love,2.1.11.
Thanks for Stopping by,please scroll down for my earlier post,
Julie.x



Scrapbook Sisters Card Challenge

It's week 20 and this week's theme at Scrapbook Sisters is "Add a little friend" I coloured up my Dreamy girl by Sugar Nellie using Copics to tone with the papers, I've had in my stash for ages and have no recollection of who they're by. My "little Friend" butterflies are stamped from set Suzy 2 by Marij Rahder.

I used Scalloped Nestie circles and Revolution Nesting circles to create the central focal spot,adding dimention with pop dots and silicone glue. It doesn't show up very well but I also added a second layer to the hair ribbons.


Why not give this weeks challenge a go!
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Tuesday 25 January 2011

Bob's Your Uncle,Fanny's Your Aunt!

What about this for a quick make,took me almost as long to find my brads as it did to put the rest of the card together. I used the Cricut and cartridge "Plantins Schoolbook" to cut 3 stars in graduating sizes and layered up some papers,I have no idea who they're by as I received them as blog candy a while back. A strip of ribbon,3 brads and Bob's your Uncle,Fanny's your Aunt.
An ideal card for an older male teenager,I hope my Nephew likes it.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
FTTC102,Add Hardware 1.2.11
CCH51,Dots and stripes,31.1.11
OLLC72,3 of a kind 7.2.11
ASC34,For the guys,29.1.11
Allsorts 87,Male card 29.1.11
That's it for me for tonight,be sure to call by tomorrow as I have two posts scheduled,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Monday 24 January 2011

A little Sunshine.

Do you ever wake up with a design in your head and have to make the card before breakfast? Well that's what happened yesterday. This is the sort of card I used to make before I discovered Copics as my cards were always made using die cuts. Can't say it's the best card I've ever made,far from it but I just had to get it out of my system.The flowers are Sizzix,the centres are cut using my Revolution nesting circles and the butterfly is Quickutz.


I'm using this card for the following challenges:-

Flutterby Wednesday 138,Open,26.1.11
Crafty Cardmakers 38,Flowers.7.2.11
Fairytale 6,Flowers,28.1.11
Crafts and Me22,Monochrome 2.2.11 Drunken Stampers 51,Sunshine.29.1.11
If this is your first visit to my blog,please take a wander round and see the kind of cards I tend to make now.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x



Sunday 23 January 2011

Just Purrfect!

This card makes me sooooo happy,I'm more than a little pleased with it. The image by Meljens I chose from my win there a few weeks ago. Thought I'd try my hand at "tabby" it's not quite right,it's more like ginger but I'd be happy to have a ginger tabby cat to cuddle! I also fancied giving a spotty background a go,I've tried it in the past,but googled "Spotty Copic Background" and found a You Tube demo where the lady starts using 0000 numbers,now I only have Ciao so thought I'd try the same technique but using my blender to pick up the various colours and then dot it onto my paper.
Obviously the dots aren't so perfect done this way but I rather like it anyway! Not sure of the name but the scrummie,colourful paper is by Bo Bunny. I cut a few of the flowers out to add interest and coated them with 3d glaze.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
TCSP9,Relax,26.1.11
CC42,What's new,New Digi,New technique,31.1.11
Secret Crafter 118,It's a couple thing,29.1.11
FFF44,Birthday,28.1.11
TFWC5,Animal anything goes, 4.2.11
Stamp Something,Cute something,28.1.11
Totally Papercraft 50,Add a heart,28.1.11
Digi Doodles 43,Anything goes,27.1.11
Fab n Funky 56,Animal Magic,26.1.11
I hope you've had a lovely,restful weekend,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Friday 21 January 2011

Stitched Up.

I know,the same papers again! can't help myself though,I love using them,I've seen them on cards from all over the world,though I must admit,the lovely lined paper with the bunting only at the top did have me a bit foxed.That is until I saw this card by Claudia,I've borrowed the placing of this paper but played around with the rest of the layout. The lovely image is Molly Blooms, what a find,there's a set including 2 larger images,this one and a boy with a balloon,a little cupcake stamp and 4 different sentiments free with issue 80 of Simply Cards and Papercraft. This isn't a magazine that I'd normally buy but with these lovely stamps on and at only £3.99 I couldn't help myself.
Check out the stitching,I've been meaning to get my machine out and give it a go. The papers are Fine and Dandy paper pack by My Minds Eye,I've paper pieced the gift and coloured the rest of the image using Copics.
I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
FFF44,Happy Birthday(28.1.11)
Fairytale Challenge 6,Flowers(28.1.11)
Fussy & Fancy 28,Sketch (28.1.11)
Delightful Challenges,Celebrate,(26.1.11)
PWC137,Paper piecing (26.1.11)*
TSOC,Birthday(26.1.11)*
StampFairy,Paper piecing(24.1.11)*
Crafty Pad 104,Something new(23.1.11)*
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Scrapbook Sisters Week 19

The theme for this week's card challenge at Scrapbook Sisters is Thank You and this is my DT card.

I love the Poppy Fields Gorjuss girl by Sugar Nellie,I coloured her using Copics to match the lovely "Tickled Pink ,Fine and Dandy" 6x6 paper pack by My Minds Eye. I used a stamp from my stash and distress ink to stamp first onto scrap paper then around the edge of the image without re inking it.

The border punch is by Martha Stewart. The centres of the flowers are stickers from Paperchase. Everything else used in the making of this card is available at Scrapbook Sisters.

Hope you come and join us with this week's challenge,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Tuesday 18 January 2011

In The Background.

Check out this fabulous new Digi by Gayle Bond,the image is called Fashion Lady 1 and is available exclusively at Scrapbook Sisters and is part of her recently released range of digis. I was playing about,trying to decide what size to print her out when I came across the idea of making smaller images of different sizes into a background paper,I printed them out onto some white pearlescent paper.I haven't a home for the card but thought it would be an ideal image for a new job which is why I printed out this sentiment. I used my Copics in shades of grey to colour the image and added some dew drop gems which I coloured black.
I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Design Dollies,Have a hand in it,stitching and lines hand drawn,
Crafty Pad 104,Something new,Digi,
OSAT45,New,
CC42,What's new,
CESC19,No designer papers,
CCT147,Monochrome.
Sorry,I'm still working on my Stylish blogger recipients,will post this later in the week.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Monday 17 January 2011

Simply Love You.

Isn't it funny how sometimes you can spend ages making a card and not be pleased yet another time an idea comes,you get it made quickly and it turns out exactly as you dreamt it would.
The latter is what happened here. Last year after visiting the lovely Brenda who does the most amazing brayer work,I purchased a "Speedball" for myself,I thought I'd use it lots,I had in fact used it only once! After visiting Brenda's blog yesterday I made a little promise that I'd give it an outing this week,then it happened,that little idea that sprung to mind,I abandoned the ironing,got out my stash and this is what I came up with.
I used my Cricut to cut a small heart from a piece of computer paper,used the remaining paper over the cream card to mask off the outside and used some Tim Holtz Distress ink and my brayer over the paper,covering the area where the heart was removed. Before removing the paper I used my favourite stamp from Gayle Bonds Flora and fauna set and the same ink and stamped around the edges of the aperture,the greeting is from the set Jane's Script by Woodware. I took some of the same cream cardstock and used a script embossing folder,I needed to move the folder and put it through the cuttlebug again as the card was a little wide, the join doesn't show as I was able to disguise it with a thin strip of ribbon,tied with a knot and a tiny gem to add interest. I layered the card with some lovely remnants from my drawer though I have no idea who they are by. The edges of all the layers and the embossed layer were all brushed over using a brown chalk eye.


I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Stamp Something,Anything goes,
Lexi 31,Say it with love,
Paperplaytime 34,Use the word Love,
Shabby Tea Room 45,White or cream/bright,
Pile It On 3,Anything goes,
Challenge Up Your Life 35,Clean and simple,
OSCC144,Card for a man,
RRRR16,heart and ribbon,
Now on to another challenge,last week Samara awarded me with the title "Stylish Blogger" Thankyou so much,now the hard bit,finding 8 facts about myself that you might be interested in and deciding which 8 blogs to choose out of all the lovely ones that I follow to pass the award on to,this bit might be left till my next post.
Fact 1, My Dad,who is no longer with is ,was my Hero! I inherited my creative side from him,he
was a carpenter and joiner by trade,dabbled in Oil painting and could run me up a dress on the sewing machine without using a pattern,I miss him.Love you too mum!
Fact 2,When I was at secondary school,I learnt to play the trombone,lol,can you imagine that,I gave up as I couldn't get,reading music.
Fact 3 My first job when I left school was in a Florist shop where I trained to be a florist, I went on to manage several florist shops but since having my first child I have only worked in this line to help out friends in their shops.
Fact 4, Apart from a little slip up when I mixed up my pots,I haven't eaten meat for 23 years.
Fact 5, When I was 8, I had mumps and spent my time knitting socks for my Barbies and making them all hats from fabrics. I had to stay in my room as my 2 older brothers and my dad hadn't had mumps
Fact 6, I love cuddles,I love to give them and love to receive them,my 3 children are trained in the art and give the best cuddles in the world.
Fact 7, I am hopeless at all things technical,I can't hold on to information for any length of time apart amazingly from keeping up my blog.
Fact 8,I'm a real homebody,I'd rather be home with my family than going out,anytime.
So that's me,dead boring but loves to make cards and drink coffee,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Saturday 15 January 2011

Forever Christmas?????

I loved using the Forever Friends Christmas stamps on my Christmas cards but no-one said a "Friend" is just for Christmas! thought I'd ink him up again and use him on a birthday card instead. I found a small best wishes stamp to stamp the tag with. I paper pieced the present, the My Minds Eye papers were free on a magazine months ago, now I see the photo on here,I think they look far too busy to have put together,still,I'm sure my friend will be pleased to receive it on her birthday. The flourishes were cut using a revolution die adding some self adhesive pearls to the dotted ends.
I'm using this card for the following Challenges:-
Meljens 41,Round or square card,
Stamp Something,Anything goes,
AIF64,Anything goes,
Stampin Bees 93,Use a die cut,
Oldie but Goodie 10,Bright and cheerful.
Now I need to share something with you,I've had around 170 blog visitors in the last 24 hours,that's bloomin good for me,I can tell you but there's a good reason for this,I had one of my cards on the Friday Followers Gallery at ikki's cuttlebug cupboard. If you have a Cuttlebug its an excellent blog to visit,you can find no end of useful hint's,tips and ideas for using your bug,well worth a visit.
I also need to thank Samara for the Stylish Blog award,I haven't forgotten about picking it up but I really need to think up some interesting facts about boring little old me:)
Thanks all for stopping by,enjoy your weekend,
Julie.x

Fancy A Bargain?

Just a quick post but I thought you might be interested that I've just returned from Scrapbook Sisters and there's some bargains to be had,Julie is busy changing some price tickets and if you're like me,you love a bargain!
I'll be back later with a card to share but I didn't want any of my lovely visitors to miss out! Get your credit card ready,lol!
Julie.x

Thursday 13 January 2011

Cutie Pie,

When I made this card the other week,ready for Southern Girls challenge "Totally Loved Up"I had never made a shaped easel card before, this one is only just over 3"tall,it was a labour of love,I played around with it nearly all day but I love the outcome.
I cut the hearts using the Cricut and Plantins Schoolbook,the text was achieved with the computer. The cute little image Lily Lovebug is by one of this challenges sponsors,Pink Cat Studios,I coloured her with Copics,cut her out,shaped her and popped her up using Silicone glue.

The banner was hand cut and layered onto Glamour card this doesn't show very well in the photo but its sticky backed glittery film a bit liked sticky backed plastic,it's LUSH! I added foam pads to the centre and scored the banner to act as a stop for the focal heart.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Scrap Creations,Love is in the air,
TTT17,Anything goes,
Woodware USA9,Anything goes,
OSAT44,Love and Valentine,
Allsorts 85,Fancy folds,
Paperplay 2,Cutie Patootie,
Claudia and Co 70,Shape it up,
Stamps are Us 12,Shaped Cards,
ASC33,Things with wings,
Sentimental Sundays 37,Anything with wings.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Southern Girls Challenge 10

It's time for another challenge at Southern Girls and Challenge 10 is Totally Loved Up.There's some brilliant sponsors this week and we have been spoilt with our choice of images so much so that many of the design team chose to make two inspirational cards. This is the card I made using the stunning Kellita by Tickled Pink, I will post my other card later in the week but you can take a look at it now over at Southern Girls blog hopefully when you enter your card :)I used Copics to colour the image,I must say I was a little scared about colouring the eyes as I've only ever coloured images with dot type eyes before. It wasn't half so tricky as I thought it would be but I did end up going over some areas with my blender to lift some of the colour,I'm rather pleased with the results though. The papers are by BoBunny and the hearts were cut using the cricut and Plantins Schoolbook Cartridge.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
CYDA11,Anything goes,
C4C69,Anything goes,
Make It Colourful 1,Warm or cool colours,
Stamp Something,January Digi Day,
Tickled Pink 1,Anything goes,
Scrap Creations,Love is in the air,
TTT17,Anything goes,
Bunny Zoes 8,Love is in the air,
Kaboodle Doodles 49,Do it with digis,
Lexis 31,Say it with love.
Please scroll down to see my earlier post today,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Scrapbooksisters Card Challenge 18

This week's card challenge at Scrapbooksisters is Hearts Desire, a perfect reason to play about with my new Calligraphy Collection Cartridge and the Cricut.
Please don't look too closely at the rough edges,I could say they're distress but the only real distress is the fact that I've misplaced my new blade for my Fiskars trimmer,these are like gold dust and I have to make them last as long as possible but would prefer not to end up with a rough edge. Anyone know if they can be sharpened?

The papers are by Bo Bunny,a gift of love. I cut the hearts out in triplicate because I wanted them to be strong enough to over hang the edge and not get spoilt in an envelope if posted,cutting them out in the DP,black Bazzil and the same card as the base card.

There was an excellent selection of amazing cards for challenge 17,hope that you are inspired to enter this one.
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x

Friday 7 January 2011

Thankyou!

Today's card is a virtual thank you to all of my lovely blogging friends but one in particular who helped me with my fantastic new blog header,thanks Lou! What a pickle I've got myself into over the last few days, I'm very lucky that I've got a blog left where you can visit me! Help has been offered far and wide and I really do mean far!!! New Zealand,America,Australia even England!I'd never have dreamt when I started my blog back in February last year that I would have made so many friends,I chat to some of you more often than I do my neighbours!
The papers are from My Mind's Eye 6x6 paper pack,Tickled Pink and the stamp is one of my favourite Gorjuss girls.The oval is embossed using Swiss Dots folder and the Cuttlebug and I added Stickles to the dots.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Sugar Bowl Challenge 50,Sketch,
Paper Sundaes 50,Something new,(My peel off dots)
Papertake Weekly,Anything goes,use lace,
Allsorts 84,Thank you,
Totally Papercrafts 48,Thank you,
Do You Stack Up first challenge,Cute as a button,
MOWTT80,Old and new,(new dots,old stamp)
Stampin B's 92,Old and new,
CCT146,Out with the old,
Sew Many Challenges 39,Flagging.(check out my paper!)
Thanks for stopping by and whatever you do this weekend,make if you fancy a nice easy challenge,Anything goes at Southern Girls and Scrapbook Sister's this week!
Have fun,Julie.x

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Anything Goes At Scrapbook Sisters.

It's the first challenge of the year at Scrapbook Sisters and it's a nice easy one so everyone can come and join in. Challenge 17 is Anything goes so come on, give it a go.

I used the Cricut and Plantins Schoolbook Cartridge to the cut 3 circles to achieve the Easel and to cut the 5 layers of the flower. The leafy swirls were cut using the Calligraphy Collection Cartridge.

The Papers are from the Fine And Dandy 6"x6" paper pack by My Minds Eye,all the edges are brushed with a chalk eye.


I used self adhesive pearls for the flower centres.

I hope you come and join us in the challenge,
Thanks for stopping by,
Julie.x



Saturday 1 January 2011

First Card Of The Year.

I coloured up this lovely Mo Manning image a while back using Copics. I can almost feel the sunshine on my face and smell the scent of the flowers,I can but dream! The papers are from the 6x6 Fine and Dandy paper pack by My Minds Eye. Th e flowers and title were cut on the Cricut using the "Calligraphy Collection cartridge. I just added some stickles and a few gems.

I'm using this card for the following challenges:-
Catch The Bug Challenge,Anything goes,
Die Cut Dreams 79,Girlie,
Mad for Markers,Anything goes,
Speedy The Cat 36,Use something new,(I used my new cartridge)
Digital Tuesday 91,Anything goes.
Thanks for Stopping by,
Julie.x