Allsorts Challenge #27 - Something for a Child

Hello again girls. Thanks for joining me today in blogland. I hope all goes well with you and that you find something here that will whet the appetite for crafting.
I made this card for this week's Allsorts Challenge where we were to make something for a child. I used this super new stamp from the latest Crafty Sentiments collection and she is called "Lulu" and coloured her with my Copic Ciaos and used Flower Soft in polar white for the trims of her coat. The paper is from Stampin Up SE1 - "Christmas Mint/Raspberry Truffle" and is mounted on to a pieceof green Bazzil. The snowflakes are cut with Nestabilities set No. 2 and the bell and ribbon are from my stash. The sentiment is from Crafty Sentiments Christmas Set.
I hope you like this one and would love to read any comments you might have time to leave.
Thanks for your visit.
Hugs,
Fiona x

Friday Sketchers #78

Morning girls. It's getting late in the week again and time to post a card for Friday Sketchers where I really liked the look of the sketch they provided.
I used a new stamp, "Christmas Eve Tilda" by Magnolia and coloured her as usual with my Copic Ciaos. The paper is "Falling Flakes" from the Colourful Christmas range by My Mind's Eye and I used ribbon from my stash to create the stripw effect across the card. The flowers are handmade and the fronds are cut with a Martha Stewart punch. The sentiment was done on my laptop using Microsoft Word.
If you have time why not leave me a comment telling me what you think of this one. I really get a lot out of reading your opinions and it would be a pity not to record the fact that you visited.

Two Blog Awards

What a surprise I got today when I visited Gez at GezzyBs Crafty Bits, her wonderful blog, and found that she had given me two awards. The first one:

requires me to give 5 facts about myself that you may not know, so here goes,

1. I am in the 40th year of married life with my best pal
2. I have been on crutches for over 2 1/2 years after back surgery
3. I have two daughters-in-law and they are both called Sarah
4. I do most of my cardmaking through the night when I can't sleep
5. I was a nurse in Sick Childrens Hospital in Edinburgh (many many moons ago)

The second award I aready have but I am thrilled to be given it again.

Thank you so much Gez for thinking about me. I will have to give a lot of thought to who to pass these on to so I hope you don't mind if I wait a couple of days before I do.
Well girls, that's it for today, so thank you for visiting my little corner of blogland.
Hugs,
Fiona x

Cute Card Thursday #86 & Charisma Cardz #45

Hi all, thanks for popping in to see me. I hope all is going well for you and that your creative juices are flowing. I am of course still involved in the Crafty Sentiments Blog Hop and really enjoying it. Have you joined in yet? If not, why not give it a go. The details at at the top of my blog.
Anyway, this card was made to enter into 2 challenges. Cute Card Thursday, where the theme was "Glitter me Silly" and Charisma Cardz where the Theme was "Merry and Bright".

I used the Whiff of Joy stamp "Henry with Bauble" and coloured him with a combination of my Copics Ciaos, Gold and Silver ink and glitter. The papers are My Mind's Eye - "Rooftops" and Stampin Up - "Merry Moments". The embellishments and glitter are from my stash.

I do hope you like this enough to leave me a comment. I really enjoy reading them and appreciate the time you take to leave one. Thanks.

Hugs,

Fiona x

Simon Says ...."Thinking of You"

Hi everybody and thank you for coming to visit my wee spot in blogland. I am so glad you popped by. I hope you find something to make your visit worthwhile. I haven't had a very good day today healthwise and haven't managed my usual round of visits to the blogs I follow, I promise to catch up tomorrow.
Fortunately a few days ago I made this card for Simon Says where the theme was "Thinking of You". I tend to post my entries for challenges a couple of days before the deadline although I make them when the challenge is published. Well last Wednesday/Thursday through the night I just could not sleep. I had made a couple of attempts at colouring this new Tilda (bought by my DIL Sarah at the NEC for me) during the day and both had ended up in the bin so I decided at 02:15am that I was as well trying again rather than tossing and turning. Hubby sleeps the sleep of the dead anyway so it wasn't going to disturb him. Well by 04:15am the whole card was done and dusted and I felt great. That's the great thing about this hobby - you can do it any time, day or night. I really enjoyed doing it and felt so much better for not having wasted time trying to sleep.
The stamp is Magnolia's "Tilda with Mistletoe" coloured using my trusty Copic Ciaos. I think she looks as though she is wishing that Edwin was there to get the benefit of the mistletoe and she is no doubt thinking about him. The paper is Winter Wonderland (Frosty) from Crafts House and the flowers are homemade. The ribbon and other bits and pieces are from my stash.
I hope you like this card enough to take the time and trouble to leave a comment for me. I really enjoy reading them. Do have a creative day and go carefully.
Hugs,
Fiona x

A Spoon Full of Sugar #77 - Create a Scene

Hi girls glad to see you back to my little blog again. I hope you have all had a great weekend. I had a great day yesterday with the Crafty Sentiments Blog Hop that is still on until Wednesday so if you haven't had a go yet why not start off with my post at the top of my blog. I had a bit of a problem at the beginning of the day since Blogger managed to make the text on my post so small it couldn't be read and it had been posted for 3 hours before I was aware of it. Anyway I managed to fix it and the rest of the day went quite smoothly. I had over 100 hits worldwide but only 39 comments which I thought was a pity - particularly since it was a blog hop - I hope my card wasn't that bad!!!

Anyway back to today's business. I am aware that in the last week or so I have made quite a few cards with shades of blue as the basic colour. Strange, because I prefer pastel shades but I think blue is a Christmassy colour. This card is being entered into the latest Spoon Full of Sugar challenge which asked us to "Create a Scene". I used a Crafty Individuals stamp to create the scene and mounted it into a Nestabilities frame I purchased after a class at Stampaholics in Perth where we created a similar style of card. The backing paper is "Blizzard" by Doodlebug Designs Inc. and I have embossed snowflakes in silver onto this paper. The sentiment is also from Crafty Individuals and the embellishments are all from my stash.

Hugs,

Fiona x

Crafty Sentiments Blog Hop

This post will stay at the top until 6pm on Wednesday 18th November.

Welcome to my little corner of Blogland. I'm glad you took the trouble to visit.
I am not entering this card into any challenges because it is solely for the purposes of the blog hop. It was made using stamps and sentiments from the Crafty Sentiments range. The image is "Daisy" coloured using my Copic Ciaos. The background is Bazzil Linen and the wavy paper is from GCD Studios 48 Sheets Collection Pack - "No Worries". The flowers are handmade and the embellishments are from my stash. The arched border is cut using a Martha Stewart punch. I hope you like what you see. If you have come from Bev's blog you are obviously on the blog hop. If not I need to tell you that this is a circular blog hop and there is candy somewhere along the way. You may start here and just continue on to the next name on the blog. The end of the blog hop is when you land back on the blog you started on. You don't have to hunt for the blog candy! We want you to enjoy the hop so to be eligible for the blog candy you MUST do 2 things.
1. You MUST be a follower of the Crafty Sentiments Blog, and
2. You MUST leave a comment on every blog (6 comments in total).

The blog hop is to formally launch new sets of Stamps and Sentiments available only from Crafty Sentiments and to introduce you to that new blog if you were not aware of it before. So please join in the fun. Leave a comment here and then hop to the next blog.

The next blog to visit is Kim

Happy Hopping and please spread the word to other bloggers you visit.
Hugs,
Fiona x

Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge #15

This card was made to enter the Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge based on the sketch that they provided. The only other stipulation was that stamping had to be included. I used an old Inkadinkado stamp by Lyn Dillin called "Snow Friends". It was one of the first stamps I ever bought. The papers are Eskimo Kisses - finial and Eskimo Kisses - rooftop by Basic Grey. The sentiment is from one of Suzette's Christmas sets over at Crafty Sentiments. The embellishments are all from my stash.
It would be great if you felt like leaving a comment just to record your welcome visit to my blog and to let me know your opinion of this card. I look forward to reading them.

and now, as they say, for something different:
There is to be a Mini Blog Hop over at Crafty Sentiments starting at 06:00am on Sunday and finishing at 18:00pm on Wednesday. This will be a circular blog hop and you will be able to start on any of the 6 blogs to be visited. Why not start with me here. There will be candy somewhere on the way so why not join in.

and lastly,

Believe it or not, I was given this award by both Tracy at Country Mouse and Angela at Sparkly Cards on the same day. How fortunate am I?

Now the stipulations with this award are quite extensive. I have to pass it on to 5 people and I have to answer a longish list of questions (in one word if possible) so here goes;
I am giving this award to

Linby
Jem
Amanda
Kim
Joey

and as for the questions, well here goes.

1. Where is your cell phone? - in hubby's pocket
2. Your hair? - Brown
3. Your Mother? - In Heaven
4. Your Father? - In Heaven
5. Your favourite food? - Curry
6. Your dream last night? - didn't sleep long enough to have one.
7. Your favourite drink? - Peach Lift
8. Your dream/goal? - To get rid of crutches
9. What room are you in? - Family Room
10. Your Hobby? - Card making
11. Your fear? - Anything happening to hubby
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years time? - with hubby
13. Where were you last night? - at home
14. Something you aren't? - confident
15. Muffins? - No thanks
16. Wish list item? - Good Health
17. Where did you grow up? - Midlothian
18. Last thing you did? - visited hospital (appointment)
19. What are you wearing? - top & tracky bottoms
20. Your TV? - you mean HIS TV!!!
21. Your pets? - a one eyed Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
22. Friends? - faithful
23. Your life? - Blessed
24. Your mood? - Contented
25. Missing Someone? - yes
26. Vehicle? - Peugeot 308SW
27. Something your not wearing? - Makeup
28. Your favourite store? - Stampaholics in Perth
29. Your favourite colour? - Pink
30. When was the last time you laughed? - today
31. When was the last time you cried? - about a week ago
32. Your best friend? - Hubby
33. One place I go over and over? - Perth
34. Facebook? - No
35. Favourite place to eat? - Home

Hugs,

Fiona x

Allsorts Challenge #26 - Bring out your Bling

Hi to everyone out there in creative cyberspace. Thank you for calling in to my little corner. I am so glad you took the time and I hope you find something of interest.
They say timing is everything. I had been asked by my friend Sally, the Avon Lady, to make a glitzy pink card for her youngest daughter Anna's birthday the very morning that Allsorts Challenge published this one to "Bring out your Bling" and since her birthday would be past by the time I would post this (I always post late in the challenge week) I had my card for the challenge.
The image is Sugar Nellie's "Postbox" by Elizabeth Bell and is coloured using my favourite Copics Ciaos. Unfortunately I have no idea what the pink flowery backing paper is called. I returned to an old file I created some time ago on my Cricut Design Studio software to get the merged border for this card and glued it round, then sprinkled some glitter to cover the excess glue. The sentiment and charm are from my stash.
I decided to make this a very special card so I did a folded insert.


This insert is based on a design I picked up at a course taken by Irene at Stampaholics in Perth a long time ago. I have learned some great techniques there. It is made from a 12"x12" paper folded so that the card can close but it opens out as the card is opened. Very clever. After folding the paper is decorated with sentiments, butterflys and bling and I included a panel with the "Fairy Tink" image from The Greetings Farm, coloured using my favorite Copic Ciaos. A central soft fabric flower finishes the whole thing off.
I really enjoyed making this one and Sally loved it so I'm pleased. I hope you like it and would love to hear your opinions so please leave a comment if you can spare the time.
Hugs,
Fiona x

Friday Sketchers #77

Hi all, thank you for visiting me here on my blog. I trust that everything is well with you and yours.

I'm really getting into Christmas cards now and this challenge over at Friday Sketchers was another opportunity to clock another one up. It's a fairly simple card. The backing paper is a blue spotted Bazzil and I cut a large Snowflake out of white glitter card on my Cricut Expressions using the Christmas Cheer cartridge and stuck it on top.The red snowflakes were cut using a Nesties set and I cut white glitter snowflakes using an Alpine punch to put on top. The red petals were cut using a punch. The ribbon is from my stash. The sentiment is from an Inkadinkado Holiday sentiments set. The image is by Forever Friends and coloured using my Copic Ciaos.

I hope you like this and I would be so grateful if you took time to leave me your comments on it. I really do value them.

Have a creative day.

Hugs,

Fiona x

Colour Create Challenge #31

Hi girls, thank you for taking time to visit my contribution to crafting blogland. I hope you find something to please the eye.
Well the good news is that my Copic Refills arrived - the bad news is that they were not in time for this card which is based on the colour combo of Blue, Silver and White with the added option of Winter & Glitter for Colour Create's latest challenge. I have modelled it on a design that didn't need any colouring I picked up on a course at Stampaholics in Perth about this time last year. I am really grateful for Siobhan's coaching when I first took up cardmaking - she was and still is a great inspiration. I have lost the name of the set that this stamp came from (way before my blogging days). The image is embossed with Detail White and mounted on card that had a turquoise and Pale Blue watercolour wash prior to doing the tree. The snowflakes are cut from Silver Mirra board and White card using a Nestie Snowflake die with an added flake punched with an Alpine punch from white glittercard. An extra glitter flake was added to the bottom of the card. The papers are Bazzil Bling in Turquoise and White cardstock put though my Sissix in Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Snowflake Folders.
I hope you think this card works and I would love to hear your views if you have a minute to leave a comment. I love going through them and really find them helpful.
Have a good day.
Hugs,
Fiona x

Simon Says .... "Give Thanks"

Thank you for coming over to visit my blog - I hope you find something you like. The weather is definately changing here in this part of Scotland. Heavy frosts in the morning and a distinct chill in the air. Nothing else for it but to turn on the craftroom radiator and snuggle up with my goodies and get creative.
For this challenge for Simon Says the theme was "Give Thanks" and I decided that peach would be the order of the day so I chose as my image Magnolia's "Peachy Tilda", coloured as usual with my Copic Ciaos (still no sign of my refill inks in the mail - I'm beginning to get a bit concerned). The striped paper is from Rayher Hobby Gmbtt and I don't have a name for the other one I'm afraid although I thought it went well and was quite pretty. I made the flowers from scratch and the other embellies are from my stash. I quite enjoyed this one because I wasn't working from a sketch and had to come up with the layout on my own. I hope you like it enough to leave a comment for me. I do enjoy reading them and it's nice to know who is visiting my wee blog. I hope your day goes well for you.
Hugs,
Fiona x

Papertake Weekly Sketch #27

Hi girls. Thanks for visiting my blog if this is your first time, or even better, for coming back if you have been before. I hope you like what you find here.
Well the weekend is over and it's time to start another round of challenges. I had a great weekend and found out that I had won the weekly prize over at Crafts4Eternity - I'm really chuffed.
Well enough of that let's get to the card. I liked the look of the sketch for the Papertake Weekly challenge this week and decided on a Christmas theme. I took the chance to use my recently aquired Inkadinkado Holiday Sentiments Set No. 99507 and used the christmas tree and the sentiment. The card is very loosely based on a card I made a few weeks ago at a class at Stampaholics in Perth (where else I hear you ask) taken by Siobhan.
The backing paper is from Doodlebug Designs. I cut a scalloped narrow rectangle out of Dark blue card and used that as a backing for another Nestie rectangle cut out of white glitter card. Mounted on that is the stamped design on white card edged in blue. The sentiment is on white card, cut with a Nestie, edged in blue and is mounted on blue ribbon across the bottom of the card. All the card and ribbon are from my stash. The snowflakes were cut from Snowflake Nestie No.2 and the Alpine Snowflake punch.
I hope you like the overall effect of this card enough to find time to leave a comment. I love reading your comments, they are so encouraging and helpful.
Hugs,
Fiona x

Cupcake Craft Challenge #64

Thank you for taking the time to visit my little corner of crafty blogland. I reckon many of you will be worn out with your toils at the NEC (can you sense the envy - all those goodies 350 miles away!!!). My DIL, Sarah, tells me that she has bought me some Christmas Tildas - she's a good girl.

This card was made for Cupcake Crafts challenge where they provided a sketch to follow. I delved into the new paper stocks and came up with some from the Designer Series - "Perfect Plum" by Stampin Up. I thought they would suit the layout. The image is of course Magnolia's "Rainy Day Tilda" coloured in using my Copic Ciaos which are now fast running dry. I am waiting for an order of refill inks to arrive so until they do I may be limited in my colour choices. The flowers I made by cutting out petals from the papers with various sizes of punches and using a brad in the middle to hold them together. The brads and ribbon are from Stampin Up (handy having a DIL who is a demostrator) and the fronds and sentiment are from my stash.

If you have time I would love it if you left a comment. I value your opinions and it's such a shame not to leave a record of your visit here.

Hugs,

Fiona x

Crafts 4 Eternity - Recipe #5

Hi all. Hope everything is well with you and that the weekend will be dedicated to crafting, or for those of you who live near enough, browsing (and of course buying) at the NEC.

Hubby and I were out for a meal last night with some of his old pals (and wives) from his Gas Board days. Goodness, its 12 years since he left there. It's nearly 3 years since we were all together the last time so it was good to catch up. There were 15 of us so we had a good time.

The challenge this week over at Crafts 4 Eternity was a recipe that required us to use their Sketch and add at least one Paperclip and 2 Ribbons. I used a new stamp from Inkadinkado, No. 98177.P, (bought at my favourite shop, Stampaholics in Perth). Not my usual style but I hope to use it on "man" cards. The papers are Coffee Dot from Bo Bunny, an unnamed Cream with Brown Spots and Brown Shimmer from Meridian Import Company. The embellishments are all from my stash. There are two ribbons, a narrow brown one on top of a wide net one and the round metal swirls are fancy paperclips. The sentiment is one from a set available from Suzette over at Crafty Sentiments - why not pop over to have a look at what's available.
I would love to know what you think about this one because I was slightly out of my comfort zone. If you have a mo to spare please drop me a comment. I love reading them.
Hugs,
Fiona x

Penny Black Saturday 73 - White on White

Morning again girls - I trust you are all well as the weekend approaches. I know many of you will be heading for the NEC and I hope you have a great time - spare a thought for those of us so far away that we can't go.

When I saw this latest Penny Black challenge I must admit I was taken aback. Everything white except the image! - now that really had me going for a while. Where was my mojo, it didn't seem to be at home. However eventually I came up with an idea.

I put a sheet of white brushed silk paper through my Sizzix in a Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder and used a Nestie to cut out a frame. I used a piece of white card on which I embossed trees from a Stampin Up set. (I bought this set recently because I think it will make some great "man" cards - I have always had a block with these). I stamped the Penny Black image "Coming your Way", coloured using my Copic Ciaos on top of the trees and placed the frame over the top. The flowers are handmade from shapes cut out with a petal punch using the instructions in the new fabulous Magnolia magazine - If you haven't got it then get it, it's brilliant. The white ribbon is from my stash.

I really enjoyed doing this card and I hope you like it enough to leave me comment if you can find the time. I really appreciate your visit to my blog and value your opinions.

Hugs,

Fiona x

Just Magnolia - "Monochrome"

Good morning girls. I really hope that you are in good health and that your mojo is overflowing. At this time of year when the eather is not too good and the dark nights are with us it's great to be crafting.

I must admit to being a bit confused about the ongoing debate on what is meant by "Monochrome", the theme of this weeks challenge over at Just Magnolia but I have chosen to define it as different shades of one colour (with a hint of white).

The papers are The Paper Company Studio, My Mind's Eye - Fun Lovin and My Mind's Eye - Pure Joy. The image is Magnolia's "Tilda with Hearts" coloured using Copic Ciaos. The flowers are handmade and the ribbon is from my stash.

I enjoyed making this card once I got used to the monochrome idea and I hope you like the outcome. As always I would really appreciate your feedback if you have time to leave a comment. I get a lot out of reading your views. Thanks for joining my blog today and have a good day.

Hugs,

Fiona x

Charisma Cardz Challenge #43 - No Backing Papers

Hi everyone out there in the land of blogs. All is well with you I hope. The weather continues to be very wet and windy so there is nothing for it but to shut myself in the craftroom and make some cards.

The requirement for this challenge from Charisma Cardz was that there were to be "No Backing Papers". Sounded odd but when you think about it you can do a lot with card and ribbon to create patterns so it was an enjoyable project.

I have mounted turquiose bazzil bling onto white card and stuck white card that has been through a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder on top of that. Then more turquoise with a punched Martha Stewart Arched border. I have added a decorative ribbon along the bottom just above the border. Mounted on that is a cream card that has been through a Cuttlebug Snowflake folder. Finally I have mounted the images from Inkadinkado set No 99466 - Holiday Sillouettes stamped onto white card.

Thanks for looking at my blog, I really appreciate it and would love you to leave a comment if you have time.

Hugs,

Fiona x

Simon Says....All That Sparkles

Well it's the start of the week and I'm feeling a bit more up for it today. Sad that the family are back home in Solihull but glad they were able to come up for a few days.
This card, made for Simon Says .... All that Sparkles, is an adaption of a card that I made at a class at Stampaholics in Perth taken by Jean. I hope to use it in various forms as one of my Christmas cards this year.

The image is an amalgamation of two Magnolia stamps - "Sitting Santa" and "Chimney". The paper is unknown and predates my blogging days, sorry. I used white glitter card and put it through my Sizzix in a Cuttlebug snowflake folder. The flowers I made using a pattern from the new quarterly Magnolia magazine (really top quality publication, if you haven't got it I would recommend it) and the ribbon and bells are from Stampaholics. I put some glitter on Santa's hat band, beard and boot tops and the snow on the top of the chimney (you might have to zoom in to see it).

I quite enjoyed making this card and I hope you like it enough to let me have your opinions. I really appreciate you taking time to leave a word or two.

Hugs,

Fiona x

Copics Colours #37 & Papertake Weekly - "Spots 'n' Stripes"

Thank you for visiting my blog, I hope you like what you find. I hope this finds you all well in blogland. The start of a new week and, guess what, no aquatherapy this week, I'm now left to get on with the routines on my own at our local pool ( 400 yards away) instead of travelling into Perth.
But on to business. There are two subjects for this post today.

Firstly, I made this card for 2 challenges,
Copics Colour where the colours are R20 - Blush, YG 06 - Yellowish Green and E33 - Sand and
Papertake Weekly - where the theme is "Spots 'n' Stripes".

The image is Magnolia's "Tilda with Presents" coloured as usual with my Copic Ciaos. All the papers are from My Mind's Eye - paper pad stack and the ribbon and flowers are from my stash. The bottom border was done using my new Martha Stewart Arch Border Punch.

Secondly,

Award from America

I was given this award by Linda at Payne Holler Cards a few days ago but the way things have been I am late in acknowledging it - Sorry Linda and thank you for counting me as one of your friends. Linda has been a faithful follower of my blog since the beginning and has been a great encouragement. She is wonderfully creative so why not give her a visit. In America when you are given this award you are asked to list 5 facts about yourself - so here goes.

I am a Christian and have been for nearly all my life and have been wonderfully blessed by the Lord who never fails me.

I have been married for over 39 years to my best friend who supports me in everything I do.

I have 2 grown-up sons, John and Andrew, who are both married to Sarahs, and have 3 lovely grandchildren, Jonathan (13), Ellie (6) and Daniel (9 months).

I have tried most hand crafts over the years but am now well and truly hooked on cardmaking.

I have a one-eyed Cavalier King Charles Spaniel called Amy who at 10 years old is still a playful puppy and cuddly lapdog.

I have decided to pass this award on to the following people,
Avril Ann - I've recently found her blog and love her work,

Teri - she has been a regular on my blog and is a great encouragement, and

Gez - I love her work which is so varied and always interesting.

Over to you girls,
Hugs,

Fiona x

Cupcake Craft Challenge #63

Hi bloggers. I trust you are all well. The last two days have been a bit of a write off I'm afraid. I probably did too much earlier in the week but I wanted to enjoy the family visit. We did enjoy the time we had together but didn't get to do all that we wanted. I really am grateful for the concerned comments you have left me - It's nice to know you care. Thanks.
I had this card almost finished at the beginning of the week so have topped and tailed it for the Cupcake Crafts challenge. The image is Magnolia's "Tilda with Dalecarlia Coat" coloured using my Copic Ciaos. The papers are from Stampin Up's "Bloom and Grow" collection and the flowers are handmade.
I hope you will find time to leave a comment if you like it - I love reading them. I am off for a good nights sleep and intend to catch up with my own blog visiting and comment leaving after that.
Hugs,
Fiona x