~ Welcome to Lou's Arty Crafty Blog ~

Garden antics and a birthday card for Dad!

2011-10-03T22:55:00.003+01:00

Hi everyone,

I am slowly getting back into the craft room these days after a very long break!!

Time is flying by and there always seems to be something to do! My current project is making my garden look respectable!! We have lived in our house for 4 years now and never really touched the garden apart from adding some decking and replacing some fallen down fences. It's so far been very hard work,
but very rewarding work! I can't wait until we get it finished, but unfortunately that is a month or so off yet!! We have to wait for our new shed to be delivered, so in the mean time I have been making a few cards!!
It's my Dads birthday today, but since he is on holiday with my Mum he will get it a bit later than usual! He has recently got himself a bright orange bike, and although he looks nothing like this biker dude in the image by KennyKDownloads, I thought this image was rather fitting!!! I love KennyK images right now and his latest additions to the Steampunk Burlesque girls!! Keep an eye out for some more cards with this guys images on!! ;oD

I am entering this card into a challenge over at St Lukes Charity Cards Challenge Blog.

Male themed cards are being called for, so this fits the bill!!

Custom Made Stickers anyone?

2011-08-04T17:30:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,

Custom made stickers for your cards/business.
Pictures are examples only.

Measurement of stickers are approx 4x2cm.
65 stickers per sheet.

First 2 rows with picture/website logo = £1.50 per sheet
3rd row without picture/website logo = £1.00 per sheet

Postage - £0.58 per sheet (UK only). If you're from abroad, please ask me for postage cost.

Combined postage if you order more.

Please leave a message if you're interested and want to know more.

Lou x

I'm back from my paradise honeymoon! Booo! AND Blog Candy Winner Announcement!

2011-06-29T22:28:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Me and the hubby are back from THE MALDIVES!!! Mark took me to an island called Meeru. It was so perfect!

We had an amazing time, and so wish we were still there, sunning ourselves!! We were so relaxed and it was basically how I imagined paradise to be! My hubby is the best!

BLOG CANDY WINNER - I'd like to congratulate http://myfirstblog-dora.blogspot.com/
">Dora who guessed correctly! Please email me your home address and I will pop your surprise in the post!

Thought you might all like to see a few honeymoon pictures:

I am going to get back into crafting once all the washing, ironing and wedding thank you's etc are out the way, so watch this space!!

Last few days to enter Surprise Blog Candy....!!!!!!!!

2011-06-09T23:38:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Have not had as many enteries as normal, so thought i'd do another post in hope you would see it in your newsfeeds!!!

If you have not already, please enter yourself into my blog candy, which ends 13th June!

Go here - http://lulus-cards.blogspot.com/2011/05/in-celebration-of-my-forthcoming.html

Best wishes,

Wedding pic for those who are interested!

2011-06-01T00:27:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Not got any offical photos yet to show off, but here are a few taken by family and friends of my wedding day on the 28th May:

Mark and I had a fantastic day and the rain held off when it mattered!! Thank goodness!

Big Thanks to you all..

2011-05-27T15:45:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to do a very quick post to say a big THANK YOU to those of you who have taken the time to send Mark and I a card and/or pressie. You are all so kind and we really appreciate it.

We have not opened any cards yet, as we are saving them for the Wedding Day/following day, which is why we haven't thanked you yet. We will eventually, I promise!!

Thanks also to those of you posting your well wishes on here.

I am currently feeling surprisingly chilled out, despite my big day tomorrow, so enjoying it while it lasts!! lol

In celebration of my forthcoming Wedding....BLOG CANDY TIME!

2011-05-07T18:56:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the severe lack of posts recently. Wedding preparations have been keeping me extremely busy, and I have had to take a short break from Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog, where I am on the DT, in order to finish off my Wedding stationary!!

Anyway! SURPRISE BLOG CANDY TIME!

I thought as it's my Wedding Day in 3 weeks time, and then my surprise Honeymoon organised by my wonderful Fiance, I would do a Surprise Blog Candy for all my lovely followers!

What I would like you to do is the following:

Guess where I might be going on my 2 weeks honeymoon using the clues below:

I have had to have 2 jabs consisting of, Tetnus, Diphtheria, Polio and Hepatitis A.
The flight is direct and between 1 and 24 hours long (not sure how helpful that is, lol)
It's somewhere I've not been before, so that rules out Tenerife, Orlando, New York, Chicago, Dallas, France, Portugal, Zante-Greece and Norway!

Become a follower if you're not one already.
Post the picture below on your blog with a link back to my blog for me
Post your answer below (maximum of 2 per blog please!) by the 13th June @ 12pm.

The first one to guess the location will win. I will announce the winner sometime between the 29th-30th June.

Lots of luck, and please feel free to give me any Wedding Day advice!! I am pretty stressed but excited about it! :o)

Mothers Day Challenge over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog!

2011-03-27T23:26:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

This weeks challenge is for you to make a card/project to do with Mothers Day!

Here is my DT card:

This week our sponsor is Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More and they will be offering the lucky winner a fab prize!

Please head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog to post your enteries before 4pm on Sunday and find out what you could win!

Good Luck!

2011-03-21T02:30:00.027Z

Hi everyone,

Challenge 41 is up and running over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and this week we would like you to make a Happy Birthday card/project!

I have soooo many birthday's coming up in the next few months, I am never going to have time to make them all with all my wedding stuff I still have to do!! Moonpig.com will be my saviour, as much as I hate buying cards....!

Our sponsor for this week challenge is CardMadFairy's Creations who very kindly gave the DT a few images to play with. I have chosen All Dressed Up, available over on our sponsors blog for a bargain price of 99p!

Here is my DT card:

Please pop over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog to find out what fab goodies you could win this week if you are the lucky chosen one!!

All enteries must be in by 4pm on Sunday, and you may submit up to 2 cards/projects only!

Good luck all and hope you have a fab week!

Happy Birthday Jack!

2011-03-20T20:40:00.002Z

Hi everyone,

A friend of mines son is 6 next week and she asked me to make him an 'Anng - The Last Airbender' birthday card for him, and this is what I came up with after scanning Google for quite some time!! Thanks to my rather handy Craft Robo I was able to cut out the writing! My Fiance Mark helped me make the 6 badge in Aangs hand on Paint Shop Pro, and do all these cool effects. I am useless with that program, far to many buttons!!!
I have used the decoupage craft for Aang so it looks as if he is popping out of the page. I am pretty pleased with it! I just hope he likes it too! Apparently it will be going up on his wall - bless.

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 40

2011-03-14T15:54:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Looks like the weather is getting nicer! Yay!! Not quite flipflop weather yet, but we are getting nearer and I just can't wait! I loooove my flipflops!

Well, Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog latest challenge is up and running and this week we would like you to produce a card or project to do with St Patricks Day!

Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig) is a religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It is named after Saint Patrick (c. AD 387–461), the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland. It originated as a Catholic holiday and became an official feast day in the early 17th century. It has gradually become more of a secular celebration of Irish culture.

Here is my DT card for this week:

I decided green would be a rather good colour to go with again this week! I have used my craft robo to cut out 'St Patrick's Day' and it took me a fair amount of time to pick the letters out of the sheet they were cut from, but eventually I managed it!! I also had some lucky clovers hanging around, and I know traditionally it's a 3 leaf clover, but I don't think it's a major issue! I embossed these so that they curled a bit and then covered them is some lush green glitter to make it sparkle.

This week we are sponsored by One Stop Card Crafts and they are giving the lucky winner a range of Liquid Pearls worth £10! Please head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog for more information and to post your lovely crafty creations!

Entries need to be in by 4pm on Sunday! I hope we have more than 4 enteries this week peeps!!!

Have a good week, and lets hope the sun stays with us for more than one day!!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 39 is....

2011-03-07T22:33:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

I have been seeing these lovely watermarks/signatures on everyones pictures recently and was wondering where they were coming from, so I finally asked one of the DT gals and found out they actually come from Whimsy Stamps! So if you were all wondering, thats where you get them from....but they do cost a little bit of $$!

I have a rather clever Fiance who helped me make my own one. Well two actually! I had to make one for when my name changes in a few months too..hehe! How organised, eh!?

Anyway, back to this weeks challenge over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog!!

This week for Challenge 39 - Sketch with a twist, we would like you all to follow a sketch, the twist being that your card must have gems on it. Please head over to our challenge blog to view the sketch.

We are sponsored by Crafty Sentiments Designs this week and the lucky winner will be getting 2 x digital images - Valentines Bear and Violet.

The DT had some lovely images to play with this week from our sponsor and here is what I did with mine:

Please get your challenge card enteries in by 4pm on Sunday.

Good luck!

Pear Tree Design Challenge 38

2011-03-01T22:28:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog, challenge 38 is up and running, and this week we would like you to create a card or project which has ribbon on it.

Here is my DT card:

We got some lovely papers to use from our sponsor, Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More this week and I decicded to go for this pretty floral green pattern, and teamed it up with Mo Mannings gorgeous digi stamp, Soaking Up The Joy. I just love the little girls expression!

This week, Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More is offering the lucky winner 5 x Digital Images (Of your choice) or 4 x Digital images and 1 x paper pack.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Good luck.

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 37 One Colour

2011-02-22T23:13:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Welcome to challenge 37 - One colour, over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog!

For this challenge we would like you to create a card/project that consists of using one colour only.
It can be different shades of that certain colour you use, for example if your colour was blue, you can use light blue, dark blue, baby blue, pale blue etc.....you can use the odd bit of white, but as long as we know you are only using one colour.

Here are my DT cards for this weeks challenge:

I decided to use Black as my main colour on this one card and Brown on the other. I have done a 3 layer pyramage for the picture which I just printed off in black/brown and white. I thought it was lovely enough to leave plain. It is such a beautiful image. I just loved working with it!

We are sponsored by CardMadFairy's Creations this week and she has given us some lovely images to work with, so thanks for that Jenni!

This weeks lucky winner will get 5 x digital images of your choice!

Please send your enteries in by Sunday at 4pm.

Look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Lou x

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 36 - VALENTINES!!

2011-02-14T13:11:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Hope you have all been spoilt and had a lovely surprise from your other halves! My lovely Fiance made me a lovely photocard and also bought me a new Xbox Kinect game - Zumba. I have wanted it for ages, as I go to a Zumba/Aerobics class each week, and have really got into it, and it's just such a good work out, especially for the ol' belly area!! Thanks you Mark, and I love you loads!! He is about to take me out to a lovely Italian in the next town to us for lunch, and i'm starving, so can't wait!!

Anyway, back to what this post is really about - Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog latest challenge - Valentines!

This should be yet another easy topic for you all to enter into, as I am sure most of you will have made the other halves a card or two (if they were lucky!) or even a special present!!

Please note it can be anything to do with love/valentines only!

Here is my DT card:

I made this card using some lush freebie pack from one of my many card magazines! I am not sure which one though - sorry! It was lovely to work with and I added some Glossy Accents to it as well to make it stand out a bit more!

This week we are sponsored by One Stop Card Crafts and they will be giving away a brilliant prize to the lucky winner!! Please head over to the Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog to see whats on offer.

Have a good week all, and look forward to seeing all your lovely valentine cards/projects this week!

Pear Tree Design - Challenge 35

2011-02-07T23:13:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Another week has passed, very quickly!!!
Over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog, Challenge 35 is up and running and this week it's 'Free For All'!! Everyones favourite - I know! So the DT are expecting many enteries this week!!

Our sponsor, Crafty Sentiments Designs very kindly gave us a few images to choose from to use on our projects this week, so thank you very much for those!

Here is my DT Card:

I just love my Martha Stewart Butterfly and stamps punch!! They are so cute!

Please remember ONLY 2 ENTRIES PER BLOG PER PERSON! Anyone trying to enter more than 2 entries will be disqualified from the challenge altogether.

For a chance to have a extra entry (3rd one) and extra chance to win, go over to our sponsor's website, purchase one of their images and use it on your card(s) you are entering, as simple as that!

The lucky winner can choose 3 x digital images from Crafty Sentiments Designs store!

Have fun everyone, and make sure all your enteries are in by Sunday at 4pm!

Good luck,

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 34 - Flowers!

2011-02-01T20:57:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Been having issues with uploading pictures since yesterday....figured out why now though! It was me being a fool!

So, nice flowery challenge this week over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and here is my DT card:

This week we would like you to add flowers to your card/project, it can be 1, 2 or more as long there is some flowers added to your card/project! PLEASE DO NOT ADD MORE THAN 2 CARDS/PROJECTS PER CHALLENGE - Thankyou!

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More shop is full of digital images and papers, perfect for every crafter! They have loads of lovely images and the DT were lucky enough to have a play with a few for the challenge! Thanks very much Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More !

Have fun everyone, and i'm looking forward to seeing all your cards/projects.

Good luck!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 33 - Blue

2011-01-24T18:29:00.000Z

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Challenge 33 - 'Blue'

This week would like you to produce a card/project which is blue, the card/project can have a bit of other colour on it, but majority of it needs to be 'Blue'. Please note we are getting alot of people not following the rules and the challenge theme, so please make sure you understand before submitting your entry! One rule in particular that keeps being broken is not submitting more than 2 cards per challenge. Your entries will be deleted if this happens, so really what is the point? Only 2 cards per blog please! Thankyou!! x

Here is my DT card:

We are sponsored by CardMadFairy's Creations this week and they are giving the winner:

3 x Digital images of your choice

Good luck everyone, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 32!!

2011-01-17T23:46:00.001Z

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the late post, totally forgot...oops!! My excuse being that I am working on my wedding website/wedding stationary and basically in my own weddingy world! ahh!

So, this week it is everyones favourite challenge - free for all!!!!!!! So, basically, you can submit anything you like!

Please note we are only allowing max 2 entries per blog! Don't be greedy now! People submitting more than 2 entries will be removed altogether.

We are being sponsored this week by One Stop Card Crafts, who are offering £10 worth of Ranger Stickles.

Here is my DT entry for this weeks challenge:

If you would like to enter then please follow the rules on our sidebar over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and follow the challenge that has been set.

Please add your card/project to your blog and link it back to the challenge blog using the Mr Linky.
If you do not have a blog then you can still enter, just email your entry!

Good luck everyone!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 31 - We are Back!

2011-01-10T14:31:00.000Z

Good Afternoon everyone and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!

Over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog we have challenge 31 well on it's way, with a couple of enteries already! Great!

Before I get into the challenge, I just wanted to welcome my new fellow DT memebers, Katrina and Lou who were chosen from the DT call just before Christmas. Welcome girls, and looking forward to working with you!! xx

So, our first challenge of the year will be the theme 'circles', and we would like you to produce a card/project that consists of circles within your card/project. Easy peasy I would have thought!!

Here is my DT card for this weeks challenge:

I got this decoupage set free with one of the many magazines I supscribe to. Possibly Papercraft Essentials!? I thought it was really cute, and I am just loving these 'elegant square' shaped cards right now. I really think they add something special to the overall design of the card. What do you think?

Donna will be personally sponsoring this challenge for this week, and she will be giving the lucky winner a chance to win a 'GOODY BAG'!! A nice surprise then! So what are you waiting for? Enter our challenge before 4pm this Sunday for the chance to win!!

I can finally announce my fab news!

2011-01-09T21:45:00.000Z

As some of you will know, I have been on the Rosemary Conley Diet trying to get down to my ideal weight, which was 5 stones lighter! It took me 18 months and I finally managed it in July, so I decided to apply for a Slimmer of the Year 2011 competition, that I saw being run in the magazine by Rosemary Conley. I never thought in a million years I would get anywhere (which was probably part of the madness of me applying) but in October, while on holiday in Ibiza, I found out that I got through, along with 21 other men and women out of 100's of applications, and that I had to go collect my award THE DAY AFTER my holiday!! Stressed!!! I had to also buy a few new outfits for photographs, so as soon as I got home from the airport, fortunately in the morning, I rushed to the shops!!

I had a good day up in Leicester, where the Rosemary Conley 'headquarters' are, and had my hair and make-up done, due to having photographs for promotional work, and various interviews!!

Anyway, I have officially been crowned Regional Slimmer of the Year 2011, and I am so proud of myself (for once!) I feel like a totally different person, and on looking at old photos of myself, it's like looking at a stranger, and one I never intend to meet! I will not ever go back to the 'old me'.

This is what I used to look like:

And this is the new me, in my 'Marketing' photo for Rosemary Conley in my region:

I have had a few interviews, one being with Rosemary Conley , and the other with my local radio station, Heart FM, and they played my interview last Thursday afternoon, but I missed it, as I was told it would be the morning, as it was pre-recorded! Ugh! But they have put something about me on there website. So if you want to have a read of my story, take a look.

Tomorrow I will see for the first time, printed leaflets with the above picture on which have been posted all around my region (not at all embarrassing...! :oS) and my class instructor has asked me to post some out too, since I always do them for her! Oh dear! I was hoping i'd get out of it. I was wrong!

Please take a look at the overall 10 Slimmers of the Year 2011, if you need lots of inspiration, as some of these people have lost over 10 stone in a year!! OMG!! It can be done!

They were amazing people to meet, and so so lovely, as were the other 10 Regional Slimmers who all had amazing stories of there weight battle journey.

Even More Polar Bear Cuteness....!

2010-12-18T12:05:00.000Z

Well, after staying up rather late last night finishing off Christmas cards for people I was supposed to be seeing today, with a very sore neck, the stupid snow has ruined my plans!!! My family are unable to drive up to see Mark and I and go out for our yummy early Christmas lunch down at the local restaurant! I am SO disappointed! :o(! Never mind. I just hope it doesn't happen next weekend when we are due to go down South, otherwise, Christmas will officially be ruined for us! At least we have each other. But for me Christmas is about spending time with all of those you love.

Anyway, here are the 2 cards I made last night. They will have to wait to be given to the recipients on Christmas Day!

Can't wait to make some more later on!! Will cheer me up.

Thanks for popping over and please leave a comment as I love reading them! :o)

Polar Bear Cuteness!

2010-12-17T18:59:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

I am so pleased with my latest Christmas card that I have made using Prairie Fairy Designs - A Mother's Love!!
I have bought quite a few images from the store, and they are just so wonderful to work with.

I have used Stamp 'n' Bond with White Flock on the Polar Bears, so they are lovely and fluffy! I have also added Glitter Glue to the snow which I shadowed with my Arctic Blue Pro Marker. It's much more sparkley than in the picture!

I also used my Promarkers to shadow the fur with grey, and to give Mummy and Baby Bear rosie cheeks, I used my Blush Promarker. White Sukura pen is on the noses and paw to make them look shiny. I now wish I had added Glossy Accent too, but I've given the card to the recepients now! I'll do it on the next one for Marks family.

As I haven't used my Hot Foil Print Wizzard for a while, I decided to get that out and personalise the cards. I think it makes the card even more special.

Thanks for looking, and i'd love to hear what you think of my card.

Merry Christmas!

Final Pear Tree Designs Challenge of 2010...........Challenge 30!

2010-12-13T20:09:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Firstly, I'd like to say a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone and a massive THANKYOU to all of you who have taken the time to look at my blog, post comments and enter challenges at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog where I am on the DT. Also, I'd like to say thanks to Donna for allowing me to be on her DT during 2010, and I am looking forward to more DT challenges in 2011!

The final challenge is to create a Christmas Card! Anything relating to Christmas. All we ask if you follow the rules below:

1) Only Max 2 entries per person per blog

2) Please stick to the theme that has been set

3) All entries must be linked from your blog or emailed to me if you do not have a blog

4) All challengers must be a follower of our blog

5) All entries must be in before Sunday 19th December @ 4pm

Here is my DT card:

Our sponsor for this weeks challenge is One Stop Card Crafts and this week the prize is a £10 gift voucher to use on their online store.

Good luck everyone, and have a lovely Christmas 2010 xx

Stylish Blog Award!

2010-12-11T00:29:00.002Z

A massive thankyou to Heidi who has very kindly given me this award!! It has made my day, and I'm so grateful!

Once awarded this award, you are supposed to:

Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this.
Share 8 things about yourself.
Pay it forward to 8 bloggers you have recently discovered.
Contact those bloggers and tell them about their awards.

8 Things About Me:

1. I love anything to do with cardmaking and papercrafts! (who new!?)

2. I love shopping, especially for present for others!

3. I have lost 5 stone (70lbs for my american friends!) in the last 18 months through eating healthy and daily exercise, and very proud!

4. I am getting married next May to my goregous Fiance Mark who I love with all my heart!

5. I love to cook, but hate clearing up afterwards!

6. My favourite animal (currently) is a cow! I am obsessed with everything cow!!!

7. I like to make people happy!

8. I love my life and the 'new' slimmer me! :o)

I am passing this award to the following people (in no particular order):

Please let me know when you lucky 8 have picked up your reward!

Have a super weekend everyone.

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 29 - Winter Wonderland!

2010-12-07T17:14:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the delay in posting, but for some reason blogger would not let me sign in!! ARGH!

So, for this weeks challenge we would like you to make a card/project with a winter wonderland theme!! This should be easy enough, enter your christmas cards you are making!

Here is my DT card for this weeks Winter Wonderland Challenge:

This week we are sponsored by The Character Cafe and they will be giving the lucky winner $10 Gift Certificate to spend in there online store.

We also have a wonderful 2nd prize this week!!!!! All of us on the DT over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog have donated lots of lovely goodies for the luck winner to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and to say a big 'Thank You' to all of our followers, who have been following us and joining in on our challenges over the last year. Donna has very kindly put a list up of all the goodies so far, and she will be adding some more to it as well!!! WOW!

Good Luck everyone and I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 28 - Sketch with a twist....

2010-11-29T21:13:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the tad late post. I have been SO busy today, what with shopping and exercising and general house stuff!

So, Challenge 28 - Sketch with a twist...This week we would like you to follow the sketch below, but the twist is you must include gems somewhere on your card/project.

SKETCH:

Here is my take on the challenge, and a big thankyou to our sponsor this week, Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More , for letting us use one of their digi designs:

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More is happy to offer the winner of this challenge 5 digital stamps

or digital paper sets of their choice.

Please head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and enter your card or project before Sunday @4pm!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 27 - Colourful

2010-11-22T22:55:00.001Z

Hi everyone,

Challenge 27 - Colourful

This week over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog we would like you all to produce a card/project which is colourful! We don't want to see black, dark brown, purple etc....

Rules:

1) Please follow the challenge that has been set

2) Only 2 entries per blog allowed, other entries will be removed

3) Please make sure you are a follower of our blog

4) All entries must be in by Sunday 28th November @ 4pm

Our Sponsor for this weeks challenge is CardMadFairy's Creations and they will be offering this weeks winner a set of 4 x Christmas Digital Images!!! Lucky you!

Here is my DT card:

I am loving my new Glossy Accents which I bought from the Hobbycraft show a few weeks back!! I am using it on everything! haha Not sure you can really see it in the picture, but it looks pretty cool in real life, even if I do say so myself! :oD It brings a flat picture to life! I am also loving my Elegant Square card! I wish I had a die cut that could cut it out for me, as I had to cut the backing paper out myself, was a bit tricky, but didn't do a too bad a job I don't think?

Anyway, have fun with this challenge everyone!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 26 - Shaker Card...

2010-11-15T12:00:00.025Z

Hi everyone,

Challenge 26 is up and running over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and this week we are asking you to make a shaker card!

Making a shaker card is easy peasy, so if you have never given it a go before (just like me) have a look at this video below:

Art & Craft:
How To Make A Shaker Card

Here is my take on this weeks challenge:

We have a new sponsor this week, CardMadFairy's Creations. Welcome!

Please head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog to find out what you could win if you are the lucky winner!

I looked forward to seeing what you come up with. Remember your challenge cards must be in by 4pm Sunday.

Good luck.

Pear Tree Designs has been hacked......

2010-11-14T23:37:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Donna has asked the DT to let you all know that the challenge blog has been hacked into, as has the email account associated with it, and unfortunately Donna is unable to sign into either and sort out the winner of challenge 25 and put up challenge 26 for you all!

Please bear with Donna while she is trying to rectify the problem

Llook out for challenge 26 on my blog, and the other DT's blog's tomorrow, but you just won't be able to add your card until the challenge blog is sorted.

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 25 - A sketch..

2010-11-08T22:44:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Challenge 25 is up and running over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and this week we would like you to make a card using the sketch below:

You can go with any theme or style as long as we can see you have followed the sketch.

Here is my take on the sketch, which as you can see, is using a Christmas theme:

This week we are being sponsored by One Stop Card Crafts. The winner of this weeks challenge will receive a lovely goody bag!

Look forward to seeing all your takes on the challenge.

Please make sure your card is submitted by 4pm on Sunday.

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 24 - Bonfire Night

2010-11-02T12:13:00.000Z

Hi all,

Hope you had a great Halloween! We got no trick or treaters again this year, but to be honest, I'm fine with that!! I usually associate it with being egged...so I'd rather not open the door!

Anyway, back to this weeks challenge - Bonfire Night!! Anyone doing anything for this? I will be at the NEC Hobbycraft show so I might get to see a few Firework Displays on my journey back from Birmingham!

We would like you all to produce a card/project which is related to Bonfire Night/Guy Fawkes/November 5th! Please stick to this theme only otherwise your entry will be deleted.

Here is my challenge card:

I found a beautiful picture off of Google Images after reading one of my magazines showing different ways of scrapbooking images, and thought I'd do the same for a card! Unfortunately I am not very good at taking photos when using glossy paper, so I have a glare from the flash. I have used my fab glitter pen on the fireworks to add some sparkle.

We are being sponsored by The Character Cafe this week. They are a brilliant digital design website, providing excellent digital images. They are offering our challenge winner a $10 Gift Certificate to spend on their online store! Please head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and enter your card/project before this Sunday @ 4pm.

Have a good week, and good luck,

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 23........Halloween!!

2010-10-25T16:07:00.002+01:00

Hi everyone,

Another week has gone by so quick, I can't believe Christmas is only 8 weeks away!!! Who has started Christmas shopping yet? I have! If I had it my way, I would have my decorations up too! They make me feel all happy when the days get dark early and the weather outside is miserable! In my town they have just put up all of the decorations, so I can't wait until they get switched on, as they always look stunning.

Anyway, Challenge 23 is up and running over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and we would like you to make us a card or project with a Halloween theme!

Here is my DT card for this week's challenge using a Digi design by Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More called 'Five Pumpkin Friends'. A big thank you to them for letting us chose from a selection of fab Digis this week!

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More are offering the lucky winner 5 digital stamps or digital paper sets of their choice, so please enter your card or project before 4pm this Sunday to win! You can enter up to 2 projects too....

I have entered my card into the following challenges:

Paper Issues Halloween Party Challenge
Baby Bud Designs
Trimmies Craft Challenge
Ooh-la-la creations challenges
My Time To Craft Challenge

Have a good week all, and......

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 22....

2010-10-19T13:46:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone!!!!

Well I missed last weeks challenge as I was away on holiday, so I couldn't wait to start the DT card for this week for you all!

This week is Challenge 22 - 'Free for all'. We over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog would love for you to produce ANY card/project to your liking, it can be any theme you like...!

Here is my DT card:

We are sponsored by Lilac Lemon Designs this week and they will be offering our challenge winner a fab prize! Please head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog for more information.

Look forward to seeing your enteries which must be in by 4pm on Sunday 24th!

I'm Back from my weeks holiday with a blog candy WINNER....!

2010-10-14T13:27:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

I got back late Monday evening from my fab holiday in......IBIZA. That means that my Blog Candy winner is DARIA who had the closest guess of Spain. Please could you email me your full name and address and I will pop your surprise candy in the post ASAP! Congratulations!

Thanks to all of you that took part xx

Mark and I had a fab time in Ibiza, despite the storms we encountered for the last few days that were fun to watch!! Can't say I appreciated it much while trying to carry my suitcase down all the steps which was a bit like a waterfall on the last day though!! It was nice and sunny and pretty hot on a few days, so I did manage to get a tan. It was nice to sit on the beach and relax, listening to the waves.

Here are a few pictures of our time in Portinatx, Ibiza.

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 20......

2010-10-04T09:00:00.027+01:00

Hi everyone,

Challenge 20 is up and running over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and this week we are being sponsored by The Character Cafe. Please head over to the blog to see what you could win if you are the lucky winner!!

This week you are asked to make a card/project with a Good Luck theme, and Good Luck must be featured on your card/project somewhere.

Here is my DT card for this week:

I have used the Sugar Nellie - Catch a Falling Star stamp for this card and replaced the star with a 4 leaf clover covered in lots of lush green glitter to fit in with the good luck theme! As it happens, Mark and I went blackberry picking the other week and mark actually found his very own 4 leaf clover!! He was very excited about this, bless him. haha I have put it inside a book and its now drying in the airing cupboard. Unfortunately, its not the best looking clover,as it looks a bit eaten, but it still good luck right? Did you know that for every 4 leaf clover, there are 10,000 ordinary ones?

Anyway, I would love to see all your fab projects for this weeks challenge, but I am away on holiday for the week, so I wish you all lots of luck and a very good week ahead.

Best wishes,

Surprise Blog Candy up for grabs everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-10-01T23:28:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,

I am going on holiday on Monday and I would like you all to guess where this could be!!! I am only going for the week, so it's not too far away, but it's out of the UK! Thats all I'm giving away!!

The first lucky guesser will win themselves some lovely candy!!

For you to be in with a chance to win, I need you to do the following:

Become a follower if you aren't already.
Post a pic of my surprise Blog candy picture above on your blog with a direct link back to my blog to spread the word. This can be in your sidebar.
Post your guess of where I'm going on holiday in the 'Post a comment' section on this post.
You have until 12th October to do this.

Simple!

Good Luck.

Pear Tree Design - Challenge 19!!

2010-09-27T22:05:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Please head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog to enter your card in this weeks fab challenge!

This week, we are asking you do design a card/project for a celebration, whether it be new baby, wedding, anniversary.....As long as it is a celebration!

This is my DT card, which I have made for Mark's Sister Karen. She is definitely a shopaholic!!

I got this stamp as a freebie from Creativity! Magazine. They usually have rather good freebies! I used my beautiful Martha Stewart punch with a doily edge to split the background up, and made my own background paper with my new paisley stamp!

This week Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More will be sponsoring us, and the lucky winner will recieve either 5 digital stamps or 5 digital papers sets of their choice.

Looking forward to seeing your designs!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 18 - Sketch with a twist....

2010-09-20T13:11:00.000+01:00

Hello everyone,

Challenge 18 is now up and running over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog, so please head over there and enter before 4pm on Sunday! The twist is to put gems somewhere on your card.

Here is my DT card for the challenge:

I had to by myself Sharon Armstrong's latest CD called Walter and Winnie does Christmas!! It's super cute and a brill CD! I have been making my Xmas cards from it.

So, this week we are sponsored by Lilac Lemon Designs and they will be giving away something fab, but you will need to head over to the challenge blog to see what it is!

I would also like to welcome two new guest designers to PTD, and hope they both enjoy there time here with us!

Good luck everyone, and looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 18 - Pink Theme

2010-09-13T16:05:00.000+01:00

Good afternoon bloggers!!

Challenge 18 is now up and running over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and the theme for this week is PINK!! I think most of us girls love pink, so this should be a very easy one, and lets hope it's just as popular as our animal theme challenge last week!

Here is my DT card:

The flower is made up of 2"hearts which I have folded in half and then stuck together on the back of the yellow circle in the middle. It was great fun to make! It sort of reminded me of one of those little hand held windmill things that kids play with? lol

I have given this card to my lovely Godmother, Anne, who had Mark and I over for lunch a few weeks ago. We had a lovely day and to finish it off she handed us both a lovely cheque to help put towards the wedding. We are so grateful Anne, thanks so much again! xxxxx

So, back to the challenge! We would like you to create a card/project which is of Pink! The card/project needs to be majority of the colour pink, but some of the card/project can be of a tiny bit of other colours!!

This week's Sponsor is One Stop Card Crafts and they wil be giving the lucky winner a selction of Girly Craftwork Card Candy worth over £10.00!

Have fun, and look forward to seeing what you all come up with!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog - Challenge 16

2010-09-11T15:30:00.000+01:00

Head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog for this challenge 16! This week we want you to make a card/project with an animal theme. As you can see from my DT project, I have decorated a candle with a Daisy & Dandelion range image!

Pear Tree Designs Donna is going to sponsor this week and the lucky winner will get the following:

1 Month's Guest Designer Slot

Superise crafty goody bag

3 x digital images from my store

Good luck everyone!

I got a blog award!

2010-09-04T16:25:00.004+01:00

Hi everyone,

The lovely Susie has very kindly given me this blog award! Thanks so much Susie! I haven't had a blog award from quite a while now, what a lovely surprise.

I now have to pass this award onto 10 blogging buddies, and they are as followins, in no particular order:

Please leave me a message to let me know you have taken this award!

Some new Die Cut Decoupage sheets I've tried out....

2010-09-02T12:30:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,

Here are some decoupage designs from La Pashe that I was very kindly sent by someone from Imag-e-nation the other week!

My first card was made using Die Cut Decoupage - Wacky Wheelz - VW Golf. Love the image!! I have such trouble with male cards, and this just solves all my problems! The Die Cuts are also very easy to press out, and I have had so many in the past that rip as they have not been Die Cut properly! Thank you La Pashe!

My next card is from the same range and this one is called Die Cut Decoupage - Wacky Wheelz - VW Beetle. This was also great to work with and I love the wackiness of the car wheels!! I added some smoke coming out of the exhaust with my white Sakura Pens and I think it just made the picture!

For my next card I used of of the Die Cuts from Christmas Carols - The Holly and The Ivy & Ding Dong Merrily On High. I added some holly embellishments to this as I felt it needed something extra. I also added glitter to the bow at the top and the scroll and text at the bottom, but unfortunately it hasn't come out on the camera. I like this Die Cut. It's very traditional!

My final card for now is made using The Twelve Dames of Christmas - Nine Ladies Dancing. To be honest, I was not as keen on these as I thought I would be. I don't personally think they are christmassy enough, but that's just my opinion! I do think its a clever idea though!! I also added some glitter onto this Die Cut because basically, I love glitter and everything must sparkle!

If you like any of these, please click on the links i've provided and take a look at them on the Imag-e-nation website. All of these Die Cut Decoupages are 99p as far as I'm aware and if you spend over £5 you get free postage!

Also, before I go, I got sent an e-mail this morning about a free digi stamp you can download and also another way of getting your hands on another free digi or 2!! Take a look at the link!

Happy crafting!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog - Challenge 15!

2010-08-30T18:22:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Please head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog for challenge 15, which is now up and waiting for you to enter!

This weeks challenge is for you to follow a sketch:

We are sponsored by Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More this week and they are offering the lucky winner 5 digital stamps or digital paper sets of their choice!!

Here was my take on the sketch:

Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More let the DT use one of there stamps on our cards this week, and I chose this sheep as he make me laugh!! You can purchase this digital stamp here.

I used my Stamp 'n' Bond and white Fun Flock on my sheep here to make him look nice and fluffy, but it's not come up that well on the camera unfortunately! I also used my dew drop pearlescent stamps on the background for a change, and it came out quite well! The ribbon i've used here is from the 99p shop in town, and they have a lovely array of colours at a bargain price! However, don't try to iron them to get the kinks out as they will melt, as I found out the other day....oops!

Looking forward to seeing all your enteries.

Hope you have all enjoyed your Bank Holiday....rain as always!

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 14....

2010-08-23T14:05:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Challenge 14 is up and running over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and this week the theme is 'Wedding'. We would like you to produce a card that is of a wedding theme, this could be a wedding day card, wedding invite, anniversary card etc....As long as it is wedding related!

This week our sponsor is Cardmadfairys Card Creations and they will be giving the winner of this challenge a choice of 4 x digital stamps!

Also, this week we are offering a second prize - 1 Month's Guest Designer Slot! WOW, it's going to be lots of fun!

Please head over to the challenge blog and enter your card before Sunday @ 4pm.

Below is my DT card for this week. I decided to do an Anniversary card using my Kanban die-cut sheet.

Look forward to seeing all your fab cards everyone!

My first attempt at making a Rose from vellum....

2010-08-17T20:15:00.000+01:00

Well, I spent about 2 hours making this rose after looking at the instructions in the latest issue of Papercraft Essentials. If you would like to try and attempt making one, the instructions are here.

For my first attempt, I don't think it's too bad! You can tell its a rose at least, but it's no way as lovely as the one in the magazine!! Bit of practice, and hopefully I will get up to that standard!!

Hope you are all having a lovely week.

Lou x

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 13 - Best Wishes

2010-08-16T16:09:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Another week gone by SO quick I can't quite believe it!!

Challenge 13 is up over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog, so please head over and join in the fun!!

This weeks challenge is to make a card which has the sentiment 'Best Wishes' on it, so nice and easy!

Here is my DT card for this week:

I got this cute decoupage image and backing paper with my issue of Creative Cardmaking last month, so thought I'd put it to good use!! I also used one of my Poundshop doilies as I thought it looked cute behind my bear.

We are sponsored by the lovely Lilac Lemon Designs this week, and you will have to head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog to find out the prize!

Enjoy this week everyone, and looking forward to seeing your entries.

First Craftrak card!

2010-08-13T22:03:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

I have had these Craftrak cards for ages now, and haven't managed to actually make or send any off until now!! I recieved a card a few weeks ago from someone, and this has spurred me on to send my own! I have decided to do a series of cards to start with! This is no1 of 4 and they will be of the 4 seasons.

I recently bought the lovely Pansy Martha Stewart Around the Edge punch, and this is the first time i've used it. I think it's yet another beautiful punch by MS! I have quite a colleciton now. I bought this one from Craft Superstore as I thought it was a good deal as you also get for £24.99, 10 different 12" x 12" Core'dinations cardstock sheets. Bargain! Apparently altogether is worth over £40.

What is Craftrak?

Craftrak is a handmade card trading system which allows cardmakers to send and track their cards all over the world.

See how far your card will go!!

If you are interested in taking part in Craftrak, then you will need to purchase the proper Cards which have been reduced to £1.99 from £4.99 (a much better price!!) and the Envelopes which have also been reduced from £1.99 to 99p with free 2nd Class postage when you spend over £5! Bargain!

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 12.........Male card

2010-08-11T17:30:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Sorry for another late posting, same excuse again i'm afraid!! Good news is that I ordered my Wedding dress yesterday! Yipee! So excited, but won't get to see it until December....booo! I also need to loose a bit more weight to fit into it, but hopefully that won't be too much of a problem...:oS

Anyway, lets get back on track here! This weeks challenge over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog is to make a Male Card! Male cards are always tricky for me, and I did struggle a little bit, but got my inspiration from one of my many card magazines! The image is My Guy Ian from The Greeting Farm range and I recycled the backing paper from various packaging materials I found whilst clearing up my OH's bathroom! haha No point wasting it!

This week we are being sponsored by One Stop Card Crafts. They are a excellent shop selling loads of crafting supplies, and at the moment I believe that they have a 50% - 75% sale on, so go and catch a bargain!

This week they are offering the lucky winner the following fantastic kit:

This kit consists of:

Male Orientated Backing Paper
Coloured Card
Stamp Set

Looking forward to seeing all your male cards.

Good luck.

Lou x

My First Attempt at Stamping on Candles.....

2010-08-04T21:06:00.000+01:00

Attempt 1

Attempt 2

Well, I am rather pleased with my candles, actually!!! I am surprised they turned out as well as they did. They are not perfect though. The first one I didn't cut the tissue paper close enough to the image, so its a bit tricky getting it all stuck down, and the second candle I melted a bit too much with the Hair Dryer....oops! So it has a few dents in it! haha It's not too obvious though. Also some of the tissue paper didn't stick down again. Practise makes perfect, as they say!

I have been thinking of making these as my Wedding Favours, as it's nice and personal, and fun to do. Still not sure yet though! Got lots of ideas!

Anyway, if you fancy having a go at this, I recommend following Katie's Instructions, as that's what I did! So, thanks katie!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 11 - A Sketch

2010-08-04T20:46:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Sorry this is a bit late! I have been away doing some bridal gown shopping at my Mums! Finally narrowed my choices down to two dresses, so hard choices ahead for me in the next week or so!!

Above is my challenge card for Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and this week, you are asked to follow a sketch! Pop over to the Challenge Blog and take a look and maybe even have a go!? This week, we are sponsored by The Character Cafe and they are offering the winner 3 x Digital stamps of your choice from their online store!

Good luck all.

Challenge #10 over at Pear Tree Designs!

2010-07-26T12:00:00.038+01:00

Hi everyone,

Hope you all have had a lovely weekend! I have been busy preparing for my grandmother to come stay with me for the week! I'm one of these people that likes the house to be as neat as a pin when anyone comes over, and with a messy fiance, these things are never easy!!

This week over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog, challenge # 10 is up and running and this week's theme is Birthday.

Here is my challenge card:

I was browsing through one of my latest craft magazines, and really liked the idea of using scrap bits of ribbon to decorate a 'button stamp', which is what I did...sort of! Well I cut a circle out and used my hot foil wizzard actually! I also invested in a new flower punch and embosser to make these flowers; a cheaper alternative to buying flowers!

We are sponsored this week by Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps, and they wanted the DT to use one of their digital stamps. I chose the 'A Little Birdie Told Me' digi stamp. Isn't she cute!? They are offering the challenge winner a choice of 3 x Robyn's Fetish digital stamps.

Sadly Karen from the DT is giving up her position, so if anyone wants a chance to be on the DT, head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and see details on how to apply.

Hope you all have a great week, and as always, can't wait to see what you come up with!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge #9 - A Sketch with a twist!

2010-07-19T11:23:00.001+01:00

Happy Monday everyone!

Is it just me, or are the weeks flying by this year?? Before we know it, it's going to be Christmas!! Ahhh!

So, as always, Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog has a new challenge for you this week - A Sketch with a Twist! The twist is that you need to include ribbon somewhere on your project.

Our sponsor for this weeks challenge is Lilac Lemon Designs and they are offering the winner 2 stamps from their store (except A5 sheets). Why not head over and take a look.

Today is my Mother In Law (to be) Birthday, so I decided I would make this card for her! Here is my DT card for this weeks challenge:

Doesn't the cupcake look good enough to eat? I bought the die-cut in a pack from Die Cut Dreams and Susie has lots of other fab die-cuts featured in her online store!

Have a good week all, and I look forward to seeing all your challenge cards.

Paper Sundaes DT Call!!!

2010-07-12T18:34:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,

Paper Sundaes is calling for 2-3 new DT members!!! Please visit there website for more information.

I have decided to put forward a few creations and try my luck!

Here are my cards/projects for the DT call:

DT call closes Friday, July 23rd at 11:59pm.

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 8...and taking part in Race For Life 2010!

2010-07-12T17:18:00.004+01:00

Hi everyone!

Challenge 8 - Glitter/Sparkles is up and running over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and we have plenty of entries already, which is just fantastic!

For this weeks challenge we would like you to create a card that has some glitter and/or something sparkly on it! You can create any project you like as long as you follow the rules of this challenge.

This week's sponsor is:

One Stop Card Crafts are a brilliant store, which sells loads of crafty bits and are offering a beautiful crafty prize for the lucky winner of this challenge.

I love using my glitter pens on my cards, bu unfortunately my photo doesn't really catch the glitter too well!! At least you can see my sparkley ribbon! Here is my DT card for this week:

I have also entered this card into the following challenges:

Paper Sundaes - Challenge # 26 Lots of Layers

Flutterby Wednesdays - Challenge #112 Anything goes, but has to have a butterfly, fairy or angel on it.

Swee Stampin Challenge Blog - Challenge #34 Things with Wings.

Wild orchid Challenge Blog - Challenge #1 Say it with Flowers.

It was my best friend Claire's 25th Birthday on Saturday, so I decided to give this to her and she apparently loved it!! It's always so lovely to hear that your cards are appreciated isn't it? It really spurs me on anyway!

I tried out lots of layering this week on my easel card, and I think it looks really affective! I really struggle using my lovely papers, as they just seem to beautiful to use sometimes!! I bit the bullet this week though and went for it!!!! Does anyone else struggle with this? haha

I look forward to seeing what you all come up with! Good luck!!! x

I took part in Race For Life this weekend with my Bridemaids! We had a fantastic time and raised lots of money for Cancer Research!! I think it was roughtly around the £400 mark between us all. If you would still like to sponsor me, please click on the link as money can still be donated and it is for a really good cause. A BIG THANKS to all of you who sponsored me, you are all so kind. We will all be taking part again next year!

OLD & NEW Wooden Mounted Stamps FOR SALE

2010-07-07T16:07:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,

I have decided to clear out my craft room so I can put all my new stuff away (which is currently scattered around) and have a lot of Wooden Mounted Stamps that I no longer use or that are brand new that I don't want.

I have no idea what to price some of them at, apart from the brand new ones which are the 3 cream rubber stamps @ £4.00 each, the snowman @ £3.50, the 3 snowmen & £3.00, the xmas tree @ £2.50 and black landscape stamp (2nd in from the bottom right) at £2.00. If you would like to make an offer for any of the others, please let me know and I will get back to you. The Papermania Xmas embellishment kit I would like £4.00 for. I will need to get back to you on P&P costs.

I still have the X2 ProMarker Desktop Organisers for sale @ £6.50 each or X2 @ £11.00 + P&P if anyone wants them too?

I have sold the items below so far:

x4 season trees

Thanks for looking!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 7 - Animals......!

2010-07-06T10:24:00.000+01:00

Morning all!!

Over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog, Challenge 7 is up and running and this weeks theme is Animals!!! All you need to do is to create a card/project, which has to have an animal included on the card/project. Please note that if you are entering the challenge to follow the rules and to follow the theme as well.

Now everyone has an animal stamp, so I hope you will join in, as there is a lovely prize up for grabs thanks to this weeks sponsor, The Character Cafe. You could win a mixture of digital stamps from their lovely store!! Why not take a look at there fab images?

Here is my DT car for this weeks Challenge:

The sheep is one of Donna's designs which is available (along with many others) over at Donna's digital image store at the bargain price of £1.50.

Good luck everyone, and I hope you enjoy this weeks challenge.

CONGRATULATIONS........Surprise blog candy announcement!

2010-07-01T01:13:00.001+01:00

Well done to Katie, you are the Surprise Blog Candy winner!! Congratulations xxx

I will pop your surprise in the post on Monday for you!

Thanks to everyone who entered and please pop back and leave me messages from time to time, I love to read comments on my work, and who knows, I might have another blog candy again soon!!

Brand New ProMarkers and x2 Desktop Organisers FOR SALE!

2010-06-29T12:30:00.002+01:00

FOR SALE @ £1.75 + postage each, but if you buy 3 or more i'll sell @ £1.50 + postage each:

x1 of:

Tulip Yellow - SOLD
Antique Pink - SOLD
Pale Pink - SOLD
Pastel Pink - SOLD
Orchid - SOLD
Bluebell - SOLD
Grass - SOLD
Pear Green - SOLD
Khaki - SOLD
Caramel - SOLD
Grey Green - SOLD
Powder Blue - SOLD
Pastel Blue - SOLD
Sky Blue - SOLD
Petrol Blue - SOLD
Burgundy - SOLD
Walnut - SOLD

I also have X2 BRAND NEW Desktop Organisers for sale @ £6.50 each + postage or X2 @ £11.00 + Postage:

I will accept PayPal or Cheque, but will only send out goods once it has cleared.

PLEASE NOTE: I will do a straight swop for other Promarkers you have spare as I am looking for some of the original set still. Please leave a comment and i'll get back to you.

Pear Tree Design Challenge and more!

2010-06-28T10:00:00.051+01:00

Morning everyone!

Hope you have all had a fab weekend! As it was my Birthday weekend, I had friends over! We went to the lovely ASK Italian restaurant in town for dinner on Saturday, and on Sunday we had a BBQ!! I am also heading off to my Mums soon for another BBQ as it's actually my Birthday today.....I am a quarter of a century already! Time flies! This time next year I'm going to be Mrs Whitby-Lee!!! How exciting!

Anyway, moving on to this weeks challenge over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog. We are on challenge #6 now, can't believe it's gone so quick.....a bit like this year! You have until next Sunday to post your entries and the lucky winner will receive 3 x digital stamps of your choice from Robyns Fetish Digital Stamps, who are proud to sponsor this challenge and will be sponsoring us the last Monday of each month from now on! Their store offers a variety of images for all occasions.

For challenge #6 the theme is Summer loving! So basically, make a card to do with summer! I had real fun with this one this week, as we have had such a lovely sunny week, it's really got me in the crafty mood. What also helped was that I cleared my craft room up, as it was a total mess and was making crafting a bit difficult.....yes, it was that bad!!!!!

So here is my Gate Fold card.....never been tried before and I am very pleased with the result!

I needed to make a 25th Birthday card for my lovely friend, Heather who I saw this weekend as it's her Birthday soon too, so I thought i'd kill 2 birds with 1 stone, so to speak!

As you can see, I have used last years Summer Magnolia stamp, Tilda sitting in a rubber ring. I haven't used this image much, and I don't know why really as it's lovely. Really gives off the summery feeling doesn't it? I used ProMarkers to colour the image in, as always! I also got to use my brand new Martha Stewart Around the Edge Floral Punch too!! I LOVE MS Punches, they are just wonderful! The lettering was cut out using my Craft Robo (about the only thing I can do on the machine, haha) and the cute flowers I believe were a freebie from Quick Cards Made Easy Magazine a few months back....thank you very much QCME!

I have also decided to enter my card into a few other challenges, these are as follow:

365 Cards Challenge - 5 Favourite things:

1) Favorite color - Pink

2) Favorite embellishment - Flowers
3) Favorite sentiment - Happy Birthday
4) Favorite card shape and or/size - Gate Fold ( a recent favourite!!)
5) Favorite tool - Craft Robo

abc Challenge - Xtra Dimension

CCEE Stampers - Summer Card with flowers or floral ribbon.

Digi Doodle Shops Best - Anything Goes.

Sew Many Challenges - Anything Goes

Corrosive Challenges by Janet - Flowers

Please don't forget to enter into my Surprise Birthday candy (link is at top of page) which ends on Wednesday, so please hurry!

I will be back with some pictures of my Birthday weekend + 1 day, very soon!

Have a good week everyone,

Challege #5 over at Pear tree Designs Challenge Blog....!

2010-06-22T21:09:00.001+01:00

It's that time of the week again!! Challenge #5 is up and running over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog!!

This week you are asked to follow the sketch below:

As you can see with my DT entry, I have used my brand new Magnolia Tilda and Edwin Wedding stamp. Isn't it lovely? I could buy the whole set!! My image is coloured with Promarkers and a white Sakura pen.

Please head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and enter your card, and you could end up being the lucky winner of a fab prize from our a new sponsor this month, Lilac Lemon Designs who will be sponsoring us every 3rd Monday of the month!!

They will be offering a 2 great stamps:

.Ballet Shoes

.Plane

Good luck everyone!

Surprise Blog Candy!

2010-06-22T20:52:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

As it's my quarter of a century Birthday next Monday, I thought i'd give some lovely candy away to one lucky follower of mine!! As you can see it will be a surprise, but I guarantee it's well worth entering!! ;o)

This blog candy will close on Wednesday 30th June at midnight , and I will announce the winner sometime on Thursday evening.

All you have to do to win is:

1. If you're not already a follower, please become one.

2. Display this photo on your blog for all to see with a link back to my blog.

3. Leave me a message so I know you have entered.

If you don't have a blog of your own, please become a follower anyway, and spread the word to anyone you think might be interested!

I will post worldwide, so everyone is welcome to enter.

Good luck!

Happy 25th Birthday Emma xx

2010-06-19T00:22:00.000+01:00

Well, tomorrow I am off to Brum for my best friends Birthday BBQ! Can't wait!! Emma is a bit down about being 'so old' as she puts it so I thought this card would cheer her up, and I have also got her a personalised Birthday Cake! I will add a picture over the weekend as I need to pick it up on route tomorrow!

Here is the card I have made for Emma.

She won't be able to forget how old she is with this card and the Birthday cake, hehehe.......sorry Emz.....love you xxx

The image on my card is by Di's Digi Downloads, and I have spent a small fortune over there this week! More cards to follow this weekend, and also some BIRTHDAY BLOG CANDY!! Yup thats right, it's my birthday a week on Monday, so it's only right that I offer some yummy candy isn't it!

Have a fab weekend all, hope the weather brightens up!!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge #4!

2010-06-19T00:12:00.001+01:00

Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog has another challenge for you all!

The image on my DT card above is by The Character Cafe who are our new sponsors for the 1st Monday of every month!

For your chance to win a fab prize, head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blogand enter your challenge card by Sunday. For this challenge we ask you to produce a card/project relating to Father's Day.

For this challenge, One Stop Card Crafts are sponsering us and are giving the lucky winner this super duper prize:

Can't wait to see all your lovely makes!!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge #3!

2010-06-07T12:00:00.030+01:00

Hi all,

Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog now has Challenge #3 - A sketch with a twist, now ready for you to take part in!!

This week's sponsor is Pink Gem Designs, and they are offering the lucky winner this beautiful stamp!

Here is my DT card for Challenge #3, which must have flowers included somewhere on the project:

Looking forward to seeing what you all come up with!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge #2

2010-05-31T14:21:00.001+01:00

Hi all,

Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog now has Challenge #2 ready for you to take part in!!

This week's sponsor is Stitchy Bear Stamps, and they are offering the lucky winner x4 digital images from their store for the prize! Wow!

The DT were lucky enough to be given a choice of 4 images to work with this week by Stitchy Bear Stamps designer Claire. I found choosing just 1 out of the 4 images very difficult as they were all super!! I decided to go for the Floral Butterfly Image.

Here is my DT for Challenge #2:

Head over to Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog and make sure you get your entry in by Sunday 6th June @ 4pm!!

I wish you all lots of luck and can't wait to see what you all come up with!

My entry for Digi Doddles Shop....

2010-05-27T12:39:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,

What a lovely morning here in Bedfordshire!! I wish I could go outside and enjoy the weather but unfortunately I have got lots of ironing to do!! Boooo!

Here was my entry for Digi Doodles Shop! Unfortunately, I couldn't get Blogger to upload my pictures last night, so I've missed the challenge!!! :'o( Oh well, maybe next time!

I was asked by a friend of mine to make a Art Deco Wedding card and this is what i've come up with!! The wedding colours are Navy and Cream, so I hopefully have done that well!! It was quite tricky! I've added a bit of sparkle to the dress, and it's come out rather well in the photo! Yay! Doesn't always work out like that!

I can't get enough of these Easel Cards at the moment!! It's becoming an obsession!!

Thank goodness for that..................

2010-05-26T16:33:00.001+01:00

This cross stitch, everyone, has been the bane of my life for the past 11 months. I first decided to give cross stitch a try just over a year ago and did a mini flower sampler which I found relatively easy. I then found out a good friend was getting married, and decided I'd go from small to big! What a mistake! I gave myself 2 months to finish this particular 'project' in time for the wedding, but failed miserably as you can see....I have finished it nearly a year to the day! I was practically ripping my hair out trying to finish this in time,but the back stitch defeated me and I had to turn up to the wedding with just a card and an apology letter! I then shoved Tatty Teddy in a bag in the wardrobe and tried to forget about it for nearly a year! But it still haunted me! lol I then arranged to see the bride this weekend, last week, and decided that it was time to get the dreaded thing out of the wardrobe and finish it off, so I could give it to her. She has no idea what it is, only that I have made it!

Those of you on Craftbubble that have seen my stressed post and offered advice and encouragement, I just want to say a massive thank you to you all. I think I would have thrown it in the bin without you! I also would like to say a massive thanks to my Fiance, Mark, who has put up with miserable stressy me whilst doing this project!! He also did the wording for me, and I think he has done a spectacular job! I would love his patience!

Head over to Pear Tree Designs NEW Challenge Blog...

2010-05-24T17:35:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,

I am so excited to be a DT member over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog, which has just launched it's first challenge!

Here is my DT card for Challenge 1 - A Sketch.

Why not head over to meet the rest of the team and take part in this fun new challenge blog!

For this week's challenge there will be an excellent prize, which will include a 'Stampin Up Card Kit' and 2 digital images of your choice from Donna's digital image store. Head over to the Challenge Blog to see a fab pic of the prize and enter your card!

Sunshine Award!

2010-05-14T14:52:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,

Dora has very kindly given me this award! Thankyou so much! This my first award in quite a while, so it's even more appreciated!

The rules are that I link to the person who gave me the award and to nominate other blogs to award it to. As always, it's very tough choosing some blogs when so many are fab!

Here goes, in no particular order:

Take care all,

It's been a while.....but i've been busy getting engaged and going on holiday!

2010-05-13T21:28:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone,

Sorry it has been so long since I posted anything on my blog. Soooo much has been happening lately. I got engaged on the 28th March....so I have already started planning my wedding for next year. All very exciting! :o)

Here is our engagement photo:

I also have just come back from a 3 week holiday to Orlando, Florida. I had the best time and just didn't want to come home I can tell you!! I made the most of shopping while I was out there. Craft shopping of course! :oD I bought some Martha Stewart punches with 40% off vouchers, which took them down to just £10.50 each for the Punch Around The Edge ones!! BARGAIN! If only I had enough room in my suitcase, I would have bought so many more! hehe I also got some Inkadinkadoo stamps and other bits and bobs! Ooooooooh the paper stacks I could have bought....but too heavy. :o(

Here is a picture of my stash that I felt the urge to show off to you all! hehe:

Mark and I went to Universal Studios/Island Of Adventure, Busch Gardens, Aquatica and Sea World. We decided not to go to Disney this time as we went 4 years ago. Will have to do that when we go again sometime!! At Seaworld I got the chance to feed the Dolphins and Stingrays, which I loved so much! Especially the Dolphins. The Stingrays were rather strange! hehe

Can't say I enjoyed touching the fish much, but its a small price to pay for the enjoyment of getting so close to these wonderful animals!! I love them.

Anyway, keep a look out for some yummy blog candy soon. I will be posting some up very shortly!

My entry for the Fairy Fun Fridays challenge blog...

2010-03-28T00:18:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

I thought I would enter my first Fairy Fun Fridays challenge blog today! Head over and join in as there are some free digi images up for grabs if your the winners and they are all gorgeous!

Anyway, I had to make my good friend Gita a Birthday card as it's on the 2nd of April and I thought to myself, why not do an easel card!? I love them. They are so fun and so easy to make. Plus they are really affective I think!

Unfortunately, you can't see from the photo that the writing is in metallic pink! It looks groovy!! I used the good old Hot Foil Print Wizard ;o) Love that tool! In case you are wondering where the papers are from that I used, they were freebies from last months Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine. They always have beautiful papers as freebies. I used my brand new Martha Stewart Doily Lace Trim Double-Edge Punch too! And the butterflies are made with her punch and clear stamps too!

Hope you all like my easel card, I am pleased with the end result anyway!

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Tilda Notebooks and Easter Cards for Calladoodles..!

2010-03-23T17:36:00.000Z

Well as some of you may know, this month I started selling my cards and notebooks at a new handmade gifts shop in Carshalton, Surrey called Calladoodles. If you live near, go take a look! The Website is currently under construction, but you can at least see what the shop looks like here! Clare has done it up beautifully and I was lucky enough to go to the launch on the 6th March and the place was packed!! I'm sure it's going to be very successful.

Clare asked for some notebooks and Easter cards for the latest order which I spent all last week making, so here are some of the results for you all to see! I hope you like them, and I hope they sell well so Clare asks for more! haha

I always find male cards tricky, but I think these turned out well.....! The Hot Foil Print Wizard came in handy on a couple of these cards too!

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend, the weather was beautiful here in Bedfordshire!

My first Easel Card!

2010-03-15T22:43:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Well, this is my first attempt at an Easel Card. I absolutely loved making it. It was such fun!!

It's my little brothers 21st Birthday on Saturday, and my Mum asked me to make a special card for her to give to him, so I thought this would be perfect! I love it so much though that I want to give it to him instead! haha

If you have never given this style of card a go, you really must!! Here are some instructions for you to follow (I hope they make sense!):

1) Get yourself a nice square card and cut yourself a square out of some card to make your easel.

2) Fold one side of the square card in half so you have a mountain fold.

3) Stick some double sided tape on the front of the mountain fold so you can attach the square you have cut out.

4) Decorate!!!

5) Make sure you put a Gromet or similar in the middle of the base of the card so it supports the easel.

If that doesn't make sense, there are plenty of videos on youtube to watch and be inspired by! :o)

Anyway, bedtime for me!

Thanks for popping by.

Bumblebee Transformer Card for little Jack!

2010-03-10T17:49:00.000Z

Hi all!

I hope you all have had a wonderful week so far? I cannot believe it is the middle of the week already!

I was asked by a friend of mine to make a Bumblebee Tranformer Birthday Card for her 5 year old son, Jack. It was a mighty task!! She had seen a few of my cartoon cards on Facebook and liked the idea of them so asked me, and I was so pleased!

After trawling through masses of unsuitable decoupageable pictures on Google Images, I finally found this one I have used on Jacks card.

I hope you all like it. It took me a good afternoon to put it all together. My poor little fingers are a bit sore now after squeezing them into the decoupage scissor handles for the best part of 2 hours! LOL

Martha Stewart Daisy Fan Deep Edger Punch FOR SALE!

2010-03-08T13:41:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

I have been such a wally!! I have only gone and bought this punch twice haven't I!! As I got it from a Craft Fair, I can't return it so I am offering it to you for £20 P&P included!! I would ideally like payment via Paypal, but a cheque is also acceptable, but obviously I won't post the item until it's cleared..!

It really is a beautiful punch and you can do so much with it! Please e-mail me if you are interested. If I get no joy, I will be listing it on ebay.

An award!

2010-03-08T13:21:00.001Z

Hi everyone,

I have received a lovely award from Lori!! Thank you!! xx

Here are the guidelines for accepting this award:

1 Cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog.

2 Nominate 10 blogs that make your heart smile.

3 Link to your nominees within your blog post.

4 Comment on the recipient's blog to let them know they received the award.

5 Link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation.

So, it's a very tricky task to pick 10 blogs that make my heart smile.....there are way more than 10! I like Lori's idea.....so, if you visit my blog, please take this award and put it on your blog with the guidelines!

Thank you all so much for visiting my blog and leaving me lots of lovely messages :o)

Please help Bella walk...

2010-02-27T19:21:00.001Z

Hi everyone,

I am trying to help out a friend of mine whos little girl needs to fly to the USA for a £40,000 operation to help her walk, and was hoping some of you might be able to help if you can.

I had the pleasure of babysitting Bella and her twin brother Benjamin for the first 3 years of there lives, and would love to see Bella have this operation to improve her quality of life. She is a very happy child, despite her struggles in life and is loved by everyone who knows her.

Bella is 5 years old and lives with her Mum and Dad and Twin Brother Benjamin in Bracknell, Berkshire. Bella was not breathing when she was born, needed to be resuscitated and as a result was starved of oxygen to her brain.

She was later diagnosed with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy. One of the symptoms for Bella is that it causes Spasticity (tightness) in her leg muscles and stops her being able to walk independently. She uses a walking frame or crawls to get around.

Her parents are fundraising so they can take Bella to America at the end of April, for what they hope will be life changing surgery on her spine to help her WALK. So far, they have done an interview with Heart radio station and Bella will appear in the local newspaper next week, which will hopefully be successful in geting more funding.

The surgery Bella needs is called "Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy” or SDR and has been performed by Dr Park at St Louis Children Hospital in Missouri for over 20 years with great results.

For more information on how to send sponsor money please visit Bella's Fundwhere you will find details on the left hand side. There are also a couple of you tube video links on the site.

Thanks for reading.

Prima Ballerina

2010-02-23T23:21:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

I love my Prairie Fairy Digi stamp, Prima Ballerina which I have used on my card here. Isn't she just the cutest ballerina ever?!

Thanks so much to Lori who sent me this image after I won it in her blog candy last week, and for inspiring me with her beautiful card using this image! Pop over to her blog and take a look. All her work is simply stunning!

I used my Hot Foil Print Wizard to do the greeting, which i'm really quite proud of considering it's only my 3rd attempt at using it! If you have no idea what a Hot Foil Print Wizard is, take a look at my earlier post, here.

The backing paper was a freebie out of Simply Cards & Papercraft Magazine, who always have a great selection of papers! I coloured the image with my wonderful Promarkers and put the blender pen to use for the first time! I think I got the shading pretty good? I also used my white, and silver glitter Sakura pens for the first time and LOVE them! The pretty lace effect ribbon was made using my new Martha Stewart punch that I bought from QVC a few weeks ago when it was TSV. I punched one side, and then cut it the right length and punched the opposite side to create this effect.

I have made this card for a friend of mine, and I really hope she likes it!

Thanks for taking the time to look at my blog!

InStyle Stamps Blog Freebie!

2010-02-21T18:10:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

InStyle Stamps Blog are giving away one of the above little ladies!

All you have to do is post the picture of Miko and Lina on your blog to tell all your friends about the freebie (see blog for further details).

You have until 11:59pm to do this!

Fab Blog Candy - ends tonight!

2010-02-16T12:01:00.001Z

Hi everyone,

Head over to Rosette's Blog and enter her fantastic candy which ends 8:30pm Tuesday 16th February (tonight!)

Here is what you could win:

WOW, February has been a lucky one for me this year!!

2010-02-16T11:39:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Well basically this is a boast post! lol

I was delighted to find out that I won not 1, but 2 blog candys yesterday after participating in the Prairie Fairy Blog Hop which ended on Valentines Day.

I just want to say a big thankyou to Kelly and Lori for picking me! I am so pleased, and you have both made my week! Please pop over to their blogs and have a look as they are both wonderful and full of inspirational ideas.

I also found out that 2 of my letters had been published in my 2 favourite magazines this month! Simply Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine, where I won Star Letter and receive £50 worth of craft goodies, and Quick Cards Made Easy where I won £10 worth of goodies! WOW!

Photos of my new stash will be posted shortly! I can't wait to receive them all!

I hope everyone who celebrated Valentines Day has a good one and was totally spoilt.

My entry for the 'Moving' Challenge over at Floral Fantasies

2010-02-09T16:41:00.000Z

Hello to all my wonderful followers!

Over at Floral Fantasies there is a fun Sir Stampalot challenge and blog hop with fantastic prizes up for grabs!! Why not pop over and take a look?

The challenge is to make a project of your choice and to incorporate 'MOVING'. Your project can be a card, box, scrapbook page, and the theme is open to interpretation, moving home, kinetic card, vehicle or as simple as a dangling charm as long as it represents movement. You could win a Sizzix Big Shot! WOW!

The blog hop consists of 10 beautiful blogs to visit, and you can even win prizes along the way!

Here is my entry for the Moving Challenge:

I was making a card for my OH for Valentines Day and thought I would add some movement in order for me to enter this challenge!! I got my inspiration from Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine which had a feature on Valentine cards and I just made it into my own design. The heart, which spins around, is made up of 3 hearts folded in half and stuck together with a piece of silver thread running through the middle. I got my backing papers for free from Simply Cards & Papercraft Magazine. They always give away the best selection of papers! All in all, i'm quite pleased with the end result, considering it was my first ever movement card of its kind!

Hope you all like it, and if you enter this challenge, (which you really should!!) lots of luck!

Best wishes,

We Have A Winner!!!

2010-02-01T20:14:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

Well, I can't actually believe it myself, but Lori has won AGAIN! Well done Lori. I think I have your address still, if not I will e-mail you!

Please look back again soon and if you're lucky, more blog candy will be given away soon! ;o)

Hot Foil Print Wizard - my FAB Xmas pressie!

2010-01-22T16:55:00.000Z

Mark, my OH bought me this fab tool for Xmas, and after a few goes I think I have pretty much mastered it!

It really makes your cards look professional, you can buy it from these people: http://www.hotfoilwizard.co.uk/hot_foil_wizard_home_crafting_thehotfoilprintwizard.html

What you do (from top left to right):

Start with Wording printed on Vellum from computer, Special Silver Foil, Item you plan to print on which for me was velvet style card and of course the Wizard itself which is heating up!
Stick with tape,the layered vellum word, foil then card.
Start writing with the Hot Foil Print Wizard fairly slowly on top of the vellum.
Once you have finished that you get an indent in the vellum so you can see where you have been..or not!
Silver foil has been melted onto card.
Lift vellum and foil up to see what writing has come out like and if you have missed any bits! (I had'nt fortunately, but if I had you can stick it back down and go over the bits you have missed - fairly easy!)

Hope that makes sense! It does take some practice and shakey hands are not good! lol

Susie & Vikki's Christmas Club Challenge & Anyone for Anya Challenge entry!

2010-01-22T16:35:00.001Z

Hi everyone,

Susie and Vikki have a new blog called DCD Christmas Club where they have their first challenge 'Snow'.

The whole point of this challenge blog is to help everyone build up a good collection of Xmas cards for the following year and I for one am all for that, as it was a mad rush last year!!

Also, after recommendation from another follower (thanks Lauren) I have entered the card below into Anyone For Anya challenge this week too! A new challenge is set every Sunday - i'll be joining in that then!!

This is my entry, and I'm so looking forward to the next one on both challenge blogs!!

Recipe:

Snow stamp from the Rain Snow Shine The Greeting Farm Stamp Set
Promarkers (best pens ever!)
Silver Glitter pen
Black card
Red snow card recycled from an old Christmas card
Silver handmade paper
White Ribbon stitching
Martha Stewart scalloped edge and embossed punch
Xcut snowflake punch
Craftwork Cards scalloped edged card

Thanks for looking and dont forget to enter my blog candy to win the image on my card and lots more!

We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile Purple with Carry Case and Brand New Big Bite ll for sale!

2010-01-17T22:04:00.001Z

Hi everyone,

Just to let you all know that I have a Crop-A-Dile Purple with Carry Case and a NEW Big Bite ll for sale on Ebay. Listings end on the 27th January. Please take a look if you're interested.

Big Bite:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330396399484&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Crop-a-dile in case:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330396411435&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

New Year, New Craft stash!

2010-01-08T22:31:00.001Z

Hi everyone,

Well as i'm practically snowed in at the moment here in Bedfordshire, I got some proper crafting done today for the first time since before Xmas! Woo hoo!

I usually get the family to collect the Xmas cracker packaging over Xmas and New years so I can 'recycle' them in my cardmaking the following year. It doesn't always go to plan as I forget about them, but this year I did actually make my Thankyou cards out of them! What do you think? I don't think you would know at all!! hehe

I think it's a nice thing to do, sending thankyou cards. I know we all say it to our family and friends when we receive our gifts from them, but what's an extra token of appreciation? Plus, you get to show off what your best at - creating!

I also made myself and a few friends some 2010 diaries this afternoon using my new The Greeting Farm Miss Anya stamps. I am building up quite a collection now, I just love them, almost as much as Magnolia Tilda and Edwins!

Well, bedtime for me I think!! Don't forget to enter my blog candy below if you pop by.....!

Take care,

Lou x

CLOSED Happy New Year Blog Candy!

2010-01-07T16:54:00.003Z

Hi everyone,

I have some more lovely candy to give away for the New Year!!

What you will get:

- Miss Anya Love - The Greeting Farm Stamped Images

- Rain Snow Shine - The Greeting Farm Stamped Images

- Magnolia's StampClub™ WINTER & CHRISTMAS 2009 Stamped Images

PLUS...

- Magnolia NOEL Stamped Image

- Magnolia Tilda Santas Little Helper Stamped Image

- Magnolia Edwin Santas Little Helper Stamped Image

This blog candy will close at 6:30pm on Monday 1st February, and I will announce the winner sometime that very evening!!

All you have to do to win is:

1. If you're not already a follower, please become one.

2. Display this photo on your blog for all to see with a link back to my blog.

3. Leave me a message so I know you have entered.

If you don't have a blog of your own, please become a follower anyway, and spread the word to anyone you think might be interested! ALSO, dont forget to email me your e-mail address so I can get it touch with you if you are lucky enough to win!

I will post worldwide, so everyone is welcome to enter.

Good luck, and thankyou as always for visiting my blog!

My Christmas Card designs for this year!

2009-12-16T12:56:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

I have finally finished this years Christmas cards!!!! Woo! I will be starting a lot earlier than end of November in 2010 for sure! I am now so behind on everything else it's a nightmare! lol! I'm usually so organised, I really don't know what happened this year! It has definitely gone far to quick!!

Having said that, I have actually wrapped all presents up and they are under the tree ready for Christmas Day. Looks so pretty! Looking at it though, Mark and I have bought way to much as usual...oops. haha!

I still have to buy all the food and tidy up the house and re-arrange everything ready for the family to come over. I have 6 over on Boxing Day and then 9 over the following day. Where I am going to put all these people, I really don't know, but it's part of the fun, right?

I have had such a wonderful collection of handmade cards from people this year. It has really brightened up my fireplace compared to the usual shop bought cards, which are still lovely to receive of course!

I don't think I am going to have much time to post before Christmas, so I just wanted to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all and a VERY HAPPY 2010!

Lots of love,

I have been given the Kreativ Blogger Award!

2009-12-06T22:33:00.000Z

A big thankyou goes to the lovely Lori for sending me this award, which is very much appreciated!! It just so happens she also won my Blog Candy today too!!

Here's what I'm supposed to do:

Post a link back to the person who sent me this award!
Post 7 interesting facts about me!
Send this on to another 7 favorite blog sites and say why!
Let my fav bloggers know they've received this award!

I will do the rest of the above after i've published this post!

7 Interesting facts about moi are:

I have lost 3 stone since January through Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness - v. proud!
I can play the Piano fairly well..!
I cried like a baby when I ripped half my toenail off back in August and passed out twice!
Like Lori, I to am addicted to craft shopping and could quite easily do it all day, everyday!
I have always wanted to drive an HGV!!
When I was a baby I had Pyloric Stenosis, which has left a big 12cm scar on my tummy!
I am very interested in family history and have researched back to the early 1600's!

7 Favorite blog sites (in no particular order) I am sending this award to and why are:

Kat has become a really great friend to me, even though we have not yet met! I love her blog because its always has such funky creations!
Katie ,who I also consider a good friend, and whos blog is full of fantastic creations from cards to yummy cakes!!!
Hannah blog is so pretty and pink! She always has amazing cards.
Susies blog I probably visit the most as she has fantastic challenges that I always want to enter when I have time, and I find her creations inspirational! She's a lovely lady too!
Sharons blog is always fun to read and I love to hear about her adorable Collie, Ben who sounds like a little star! Sharon blog is also full of cute cards!
Jackie always has beautiful creations on her blog!
Lori has a wonderful blog which I am new to, but from what i've seen so far she has beautiful cards and i'm looking forward to having more of a look around!

Few! That took me way to long!!! Very difficult choices, I really have a lot more fav blogs than 7!!!

Thanks again Lori.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Who want's BLOG CANDY!?!?!?!?!

2009-11-26T16:35:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

I have some lovely candy to give away to one lucky follower of mine!! I thought it was about time I posted some candy to thank you all for visiting my blog and posting such lovely comments about my work.

What you will get:

- Jolly Nation Clear Stamps Set
- Gorjuss Girls Stamped Images
- Miss Anya Stamped Images
- My Guy Ian Stamped Images

This blog candy will close on the Saturday 5th December, and I will announce the winner sometime Sunday evening.

All you have to do to win is:

1. If you're not already a follower, please become one.
2. Display this photo on your blog for all to see with a link back to my blog.
3. Leave me a message so I know you have entered.

If you don't have a blog of your own, please become a follower anyway, and spread the word to anyone you think might be interested!
I will post worldwide, so everyone is welcome to enter.

Good luck!

Reigate Christmas Craft & Gift Fair takes place today!

2009-11-22T15:14:00.001Z

Hi everyone,

Well I have been such a busy bee these past few weeks making all my stock for the Reigate Christmas Craft & Gift Fair and having all these visitors over, I can finally relax today! Yipee!!

The pictures I've added on this post are examples of the stock that is selling at the Fair until 4pm today. I hope they are being snapped up by lovely people right now! It will be a good test to see how they will do in the shop opening next year!

The first picture is a Vintage style Lady Project Book. The second picture is a Vintage style Hardback Notebook. Third is an Eygptian Spiral Bound Notebook. Kanban Crafts really do have some lovely images, don't you think? Last but not least, the fourth is a Shopping list with Miss Anya Collection stamped image, by The Greeting Farm.

Please keep your fingers crossed for me and I will report back with news in a later post!

I was thinking earlier it's about time that I put up some Blog Candy! So, please come and visit my blog and look out for some candy soon!

Hobbycraft show @ NEC = super fantastic, but now bankrupt....LOL

2009-11-08T22:49:00.003Z

Oh my goodness! Me and my friend Madeline went to the NEC in Brum today to spend spend spend at the Hobbycraft Show and had such a fabby time!! I have never been before, but after going today I will definitely be going next year! I saw Joanna Sheen, Stephanie Weightman and met Leonie Pujol who is really sweet. I hadn't realised she had left QVC though, and was shocked to see her on the Create and Craft stand! haha! Lots of luck to her in her new job.

As you can see, I had many bags to carry and had to leave a lot in the cloakroom as it was just to heavy to carry around! I was there from 10:30 until 5! What a long day, but it went so quickly! I am going to ache tomorrow!!

I got an old QVC TSV at one of the stands for £20, and it has loooooooads in it, which is why I thought id photo the contents list to show you! Really good value I think!

Anyway, I hope whoever went to the show had a fab time, I certainly did. Did I mention that already......:oD?

My First Attempt using Tim Holtz Stamp!

2009-11-07T21:40:00.003Z

Recipe

Tim Holtz Stamp - Storytime Santa

Calendar Stamp

Music sheet Stamp

Holly Stamp

Brilliance Dew Drop Ink Pads - Black,Red, Green, Yellow and Blue Pearlescent

Scalloped Card from Craftwork Cards.co.uk

Well, I bought this Tm Holtz stamp back in 2006 in Florida, and never actually used it as I had not a clue what to do with the stamp!

I bought the latest copy of Simply Cards & Papercraft Magazine and what did I find??? A Tim Holtz Xmas stamp feature! I was really pleased!!! So basically this is an example from the magazine, with a few alterations! I am fairly pleased with it, not sure if I like it all that much as it is really different to my usual style! I don't own any Distress Ink Pads, so I have just used my Dew Drop ones for now. I am going to the NEC tomorrow for the Hobbycraft Show, hopefully I will see some there and i'll get a few!

Hope you are all having a fab weekend.

Candyfloss Xmas Easel Card

2009-11-06T11:06:00.006Z

Recipe

x1 Pinflair Novelty Easel Cards & Envelopes (Pack of 3)

Stamp 'N' Bond Powder

Icicle Glitter

X1 Die-Cut 'Santa's Little Helpers' Character Sheet - Candyfloss Character (QVC pack)

Pink Gem Stones

Pink Ribbon

Craft Glue

Mini Glue Dots

Mini snowflake punch

White & Pink paper

See D's Christmas Words Stamp

Silver Ink Pad

As you probably noticed in previous posts, I have been using these cute novelty easels to display my cards and bits on, but I decided to use them for what they are meant for this time! I am really pleased with how it's turned out, and it's just a completely different way of sending a Christmas card.

I have also decided to enter this into Susie's Sassy Challenge Blog this week, so wish me luck! The theme is 'Christmas'. I have had a look at the enteries so far, and they are all stunning as always, so it's going to be tricky to pick winners! Head over to Susie's Blog and enter one of your Christmas card's!

My first few Xmas Cards for 2009!

2009-11-04T11:34:00.011Z

I really must get cracking with these Xmas cards I need to make!! I sat in my craft room all day yesterday making up Daisy & Dandelion and Forever Friends Xmas decoupage and today is the day I need to use them on my cards.

I can't believe its 7 weeks until Xmas, I have hardly done any Xmas shopping - i'm starting to panic a bit now!!! So much to do, so little time!

As I mentioned in a post a few weeks back, I will be selling my handmade cards and other items in a shop called Calladoodles in Edenbridge, near Croydon in the new year. I'm really excited now! I have been asked by the owner, Clare, if I could make a few bits (mainly Xmas cards) for a stall she has got on Sunday 22nd November at Reigate Christmas Craft & Gift Fair 2009 which I have happily agreed to take part in. Hopefully it will be a good turn out and lots of money will be raised for Diabetes UK which this fair is in aid of.

I am also raising money for Diabetes UK with my Rosemary Conley Slimmers Club, and will be taking part in a 2 hour 'Aerobathon' on 2oth November 2009. I am really looking forward to it and since my dad has got Diabetes, I really want to take part.

So far, I have been sponsered £50 and I only got the form 2 days ago, so I'm feeling pretty proud!

Anyway, I am off to make a start on the rest of these Xmas cards, which I will try and post pictures of this evening!

Have a good day all.

Lou x

Art Deco Project Book

2009-10-23T11:43:00.008+01:00

Hi everyone,

Been having problems loading up pictures on here, hence the lack of posts - sorry about that!

This is my latest design. I wanted to try something a bit different from my cardmaking as I was having trouble getting back into it after a few weeks holiday and illness, and it seems to have worked out well! Crafty bug is back!

Recipe:

Spiral bound project book - Wilkinsons

Image - Kanban Crafts

Gems - Studio 24 Catalogue

Backing paper (main) - Making Memories Ruby Razberry Floral DS 12x12

Backing paper (behind image) - Payper Box

The Project Book originally had a different cover on it, which I replaced with lovely MM paper which is 2 sided. Trying to punch holes in the right place was a little daunting, but I managed it quite well! hehe

Hope you like it.

I'm Back!!!

2009-10-22T12:36:00.008+01:00

Well, it has been quite a while since I have posted anything! Sorry about that! I'm back for now, and I have quite a few things to show you, yipee! I have been a busy bee up in my craft room the past few weeks, as I have been asked (after volunteering myself) to sell my cards and other papercrafts in a new shop opening in Surrey next year. It's not set in stone yet, but hopefully will be by Christmas, so i'm rather excited! I'm meeting the owner of the shop-to-be this Saturday and i'm going to be armed with all my creations, so I hope she likes them!! hehe

I have started to take my pictures differently, as I think they look a bit more professional on the easel and with the side view to show off the design. What do you all think? I also stuck one of my stickers on the easel 'Lulu's Cards' which I stick on the back of everything I make as I thought it was good advertising for my website! hehe. I'm hoping to get my website up and running by the new year where I will be selling my crafty items, well thats the plan anyway!! Takes up a lot of time, as i'm sure most of you can appreciate!

I bought a new stamp this week, and thought I would show you what I have done with it!

Recipe:

Little Clare's 'Dream a Little Dream' stamp

Image coloured with Promakers

Papermania Scalloped Card Pack (White and Black)

Clare Curds Sentiments Stamp

Me and My Big Ideas Florette Open Stock Paper (C-17)

Friendship Exchange over at Craftbubble was a success...

2009-10-04T19:34:00.004+01:00

Over on craftbubble, there has been a Friendship Exchange going on and this was my gift to one of the lucky bubblers! I'm pleased to report that she loved it, which is always nice to hear and considering this was my first ever try at making a notebook, its even better to hear how much it's appreciated!

I popped into Tesco and they have a bargain section where I found 2 packs of plain notebooks for £1, and I just thought to myself, what a lovely gift for someone if I jazzed it up, and I might even make one for myself too! As you can see, I just covered it in really nice jazzy paper, by Me and My Big Ideas which I bought from www.artymiss.co.uk and used one of my favourite Tilda stamps which I coloured with Promarkers. I added a few buttons, cute flowers and some sparkle to the flowers on the paper. To finish it off I then added some bows to the spine and 'voila', finished notebook!

Hope you like it!

*~* Welcome to Lou's Arty Crafty Blog *~*

Garden antics and a birthday card for Dad!

Custom Made Stickers anyone?

I'm back from my paradise honeymoon! Booo! AND Blog Candy Winner Announcement!

Last few days to enter Surprise Blog Candy....!!!!!!!!

Wedding pic for those who are interested!

Big Thanks to you all..

In celebration of my forthcoming Wedding....BLOG CANDY TIME!

Mothers Day Challenge over at Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog!

Happy Birthday Jack!

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 40

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 39 is....

Pear Tree Design Challenge 38

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 37 One Colour

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 36 - VALENTINES!!

Pear Tree Design - Challenge 35

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 34 - Flowers!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 33 - Blue

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 32!!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 31 - We are Back!

I can finally announce my fab news!

Even More Polar Bear Cuteness....!

Polar Bear Cuteness!

Final Pear Tree Designs Challenge of 2010...........Challenge 30!

Stylish Blog Award!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 29 - Winter Wonderland!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 28 - Sketch with a twist....

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 27 - Colourful

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 26 - Shaker Card...

Pear Tree Designs has been hacked......

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 25 - A sketch..

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 24 - Bonfire Night

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 23........Halloween!!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 22....

I'm Back from my weeks holiday with a blog candy WINNER....!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 20......

Surprise Blog Candy up for grabs everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pear Tree Design - Challenge 19!!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 18 - Sketch with a twist....

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 18 - Pink Theme

Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog - Challenge 16

I got a blog award!

Some new Die Cut Decoupage sheets I've tried out....

Pear Tree Designs Challenge Blog - Challenge 15!

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 14....

My first attempt at making a Rose from vellum....

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 13 - Best Wishes

First Craftrak card!

Pear Tree Designs - Challenge 12.........Male card

My First Attempt at Stamping on Candles.....

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 11 - A Sketch

Challenge #10 over at Pear Tree Designs!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge #9 - A Sketch with a twist!

Paper Sundaes DT Call!!!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 8...and taking part in Race For Life 2010!

OLD & NEW Wooden Mounted Stamps FOR SALE

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 7 - Animals......!

CONGRATULATIONS........Surprise blog candy announcement!

Brand New ProMarkers and x2 Desktop Organisers FOR SALE!

Pear Tree Design Challenge and more!

Challege #5 over at Pear tree Designs Challenge Blog....!

Surprise Blog Candy!

Happy 25th Birthday Emma xx

Pear Tree Designs Challenge #4!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge #3!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge #2

My entry for Digi Doddles Shop....

Thank goodness for that..................

Head over to Pear Tree Designs NEW Challenge Blog...

Sunshine Award!

It's been a while.....but i've been busy getting engaged and going on holiday!

My entry for the Fairy Fun Fridays challenge blog...

Tilda Notebooks and Easter Cards for Calladoodles..!

My first Easel Card!

Bumblebee Transformer Card for little Jack!

Martha Stewart Daisy Fan Deep Edger Punch FOR SALE!

An award!

Please help Bella walk...

Prima Ballerina

InStyle Stamps Blog Freebie!

~ Welcome to Lou's Arty Crafty Blog ~

CLOSED Happy New Year Blog Candy!