blondcrafter

My Wonderful Mum x

2009-12-06T02:18:00.001-08:00

Karen here.....Eileens daughter. I am so sorry to inform everyone this way but mum passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday evening.
She loved crafting and loved her crafting friends. She spoke about you all so fondly. I just wanted you all to know that you meant a lot to her as she did to us. She was so so loved.

If you would like to contact me you can do so via here or email at kaz.murphy@live.co.uk

Keep crafting she will be watching over you all
RIP Mum xxx

Another Christmas Fair tomorrow!!!

2009-11-27T14:58:00.001-08:00

It's been so busy these past few weeks preparing for the Christmas Fair tomorrow, and fulfilling orders, that I have not kept my blog up to date. Now I have a Card Party to do next week too so the pressure is still on.
Here is one of my Smiley Snowflake decorations that I hope will sell well. The snowflakes are made from foam and the faces are done with Peachy Keen stamps. Just finished making up some Snowman Soup packs tonight and have now got everything boxed and ready for tomorrow.
I wanted to upload a photo of my A4 Art Deco cards but my batteries in the camera need charging tonight so hopefully I can take the pics tomorrow.

"Who Hoo It's Christmas" well not really but here's a card.

2009-11-05T03:05:00.001-08:00

I love this Owl die from GoCreate and decided to make him all white for a gate fold Christmas card. Just added a few snowflakes and some stickles to make him frosty. I have also used him on a brown birthday card for my brother.

My craft table at the recent Christmas Fair

2009-11-04T13:43:00.001-08:00

Here are some of my goodies that I made for a Christmas Craft Fair that was held locally. It was my first time selling to the public and I was very nervous, would my prices be too high-too low, would people like my cards etc., On the day I was not nervous but excited and also glad that my daughter was with me. The weather started out really wet and windy but by lunchtime people began to arrive.

Unfortunately my table was down a corridor from the main foyer, in a seperate room which I shared with a lady selling leather handbags and another selling handmade recycled material patchwork pictures. I was tucked around a corner and think that a lot of people looked through the doorway, saw the bags and did not bother to come into the room. So the day wore on, I had a few customers but did not sell very much, however I did learn about other craft fairs that were worth considering for next year. To make matters worse I was told that the middle Saturday of the 3 was always the best one - I only booked a table for 2 Saturdays- guess which one I did not book!!! They have got me down as reserve in case anyone cancels and I do have the last Saturday to look forward to, although that is normally the most quiet one. Oh well, put it down to experience, at least I am not a craft fair virgin anymore,lol. I may have a table at a school Christmas Fair at the end of the month and am told I should do well there, here's hoping.

So busy, no time to blog!

2009-10-07T14:40:00.000-07:00

I have been really busy making cards etc., for my Christmas Fair at the end of the month that I have totally neglected my poor little blog! I will take some photos of some of the cards this weekend and post them soon, I promise.

For my daughter who has just got herself a blog!

2009-09-13T15:18:00.000-07:00

This is for Karen who first got me interested in scrapbooking and has just got a blog http://kazcrafts.blogspot.com/ Good luck and well done, hope to see some of your scrapbook pages on there soon.

Christmas card for Karel's challenge VOTING NOW!!!

2009-09-13T14:56:00.000-07:00

This is a card that I have made without using my Cricut!!! The tree is cut from a template and the silver mirri card has been through the crimper. The other embellishments are some sequins, a star gem, some mesh and a peeloff sentiment. I have entered it in http://karelj.blogspot.com/2009/09/september-challenge-with-pictures.html
If you like it hope you will I hope you will visit Karel's blog and vote, the poll will be from 15th September on the sidebar of her blog. There is still time for you to enter too!

A new challenge and a new card

2009-09-10T06:41:00.000-07:00

It's the very first challenge on Sam's blog at http://lily-bootoo.blogspot.com/ and she is giving away a lovely house image to use. The recipe is from the kitchen of Enfys and the challenge is to use the house image, 2 ribbons, 3 flowers and 4 brads.
These step cards are quite easy to make once you know how. To make the card I printed out the house and one of Sam's Christmas Corner images, stamped the bear and cat on the sleigh and the snowman and coloured them using Copics. Then I used the Cuttlebug folder 'Swiss Dots' on white cardstock and did some tearing. The 2 ribbons are along the bottom of the card, the 3 flower are blue and the 4 brads are holding the sentiment. It is a little difficult to see but there is a Christmas tree in one of the windows. I quite like the effect where the sun was shining through my window when I took the photo.

ADDITION: IF you want to make one of hese cards here are a couple of links for you. I found these after I had worked out how to make one!!! Love this blog, be sure to check out what she does and leave her a message on her blog.
http://craftdoc.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/03/24/easter-side-step-card/949/
If you just need the diagram here's one.
http://yvonnestamps.typepad.com/Side%20Step%20Card%20Diagram.doc

Birthday card with Anya

2009-08-29T02:49:00.000-07:00

I saw this card on Create and Craft TV, and love the folds. This one was for a friend on the Cricut MB who had a birthday this week. I also made the same card in lilac for another friend.

Tri Shutter Christmas card

2009-08-17T02:43:00.000-07:00

This is my first Tri Shutter card and was very easy to create. The swirls are the cuttlebug folder Divine Swirls. I have realised that to take a decent photo when using mirri card you need to go outside. This week's challenge on the UK Crafters thread on the Cricut MB was to use swirls so this fits the bill and maybe I can find another challenge for using a cuttelbug folder.

NOTE:

Okie has a cut file on her blog if you are not sure how to make one http://okieladybugsscrapnmore.blogspot.com/

Bleach technique

2009-08-17T02:36:00.001-07:00

I have been trying out some different things this week and thought I would try the bleach technique. First I stamped the rose on pink card and then went over parts of it with a brush. Before I got halfway through the bristles on the brush had dissolved, obviously I was using the wrong type of brush! A cotton bud was the next thing to try and that worked well. The card and the scallopped mat are cuttlebugged with a Fiskars plate. This will be my card front for the September swop on the Cricut MB. AMENDED TO ADD it is better to heat emboss the image to make a ridge to stop the bleach spreading out where you do not want it.

Birthday Card for Rosy

2009-08-13T15:30:00.000-07:00

Rosy is 40 today so she deserved a special card. The corset is a cut file for SCAL, it is a bit flimsy to get off the mat but worth the effort. My sister-in-law had recently shortened a prom dress and given me some of the satin that she had cut off so I thought it would be perfect for this dress. The badge is something I designed in Photoshop and it does have a pin on the back so it can be worn. I found a great file to use in photoshop for doing circular text, you just enter your own text and it is all set up for you.

Another Polkadoodle challenge card

2009-08-11T06:48:00.000-07:00

I was so pleased that this week's challenge at polkadoodle was to use a flower on a circle card as I love making flowers. This one is made using circles and a bit of folding, I think it is one of the prettiest flowers you can make, the brad in the middle is green with spots although it looks yellow! The butterfly is an MS punch which I stamped and embossed then added tiny beads for the body and stamens for the antennae from my cake decorating stash. The card is from a Cricut cut file designed in Design Studio and the spotted paper is from Polkadoodles.

Anniversary card

2009-08-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

I am loving making these aperture cards although this gave me a few problems as the nylon thread would not stick, but I persevered and got there eventually!!! It is for my daughter and son-in-law whose 21st wedding anniversary is this week.

The apertures were cut with nesties, and for the hearts I punched 4 for each, stuck them together sandwiching the thread in between and stickled the edges. For the letters I used George and the Cricut and the tiny weeny bows were made using the 'fork' method.

On the inside of the card the words say 'Love brought you together as husband and wife and gave each of you a best friend for life', 'Happy Anniversary'.

Tortoise Penny Slider Card

2009-08-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

The image on the card is by Kate who was kind enough to send me a copy, thanks Kate, check out her blog for her fantastic cards http://www.craftybuggersunite.blogspot.com/
This is the first penny slider card I have made and it was so easy that I will certainly be making more.

This week's Birthday cards

2009-08-04T04:51:00.001-07:00

August is a busy time for birthdays! The first two are using the lovely Tara image, free from http://victoriacasestamps.blogspot.com/ , with the second card cut from the Wild Card cartridge. The third card was cut with my paper trimmer and uses the sweet hedgies from Penny Black stamps and papers from Papermania 'The Big One'. These hedgies were very naughty as I left them on my worktop to let the water droplets dry and they jumped down the back! I had to take the worktop off and pull out the drawer units only to find that I could have reached them with my tweezers!!!

Polka Doodle challenge card

2009-07-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

This week the http://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/ challenge was to follow the sketch, apart from that we could do what we liked, so to be different I put it on the inside of my card!
The background paper is Polka Doodles dark orange curves, I changed the colour slightly in Photoshop E, and also used it for the butterflies.
The centre scalloped oval and the small scalloped squares were cut with nesties and the MS butterflies are Swiss Dot-ted. What a job it was to get the butterflies to hang the right way round, they kept flitting every which way but I finally got them to behave. I finished with a bit of doodling on the white areas and punch on the top border to finish.

Over the Hill

2009-07-30T02:49:00.000-07:00

This is a card for my brother-in-law's 70th. I stretched the tortoise at an angle and cut him and the sign from WIMG. The '70' and the pattern in the shell are stamped with gold ink, there are also some birds in the clouds but they don't show up either! I have an 'Over the Hill' certificate to include in the card too. I feel the card is a bit plain but it is for a man, so!!!

It the men's turn!

2009-07-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Thought I would give the females a rest and work on some masculine cards. Gina aka GRIDDO has a card front swop on the Cricut MB and the theme for September is 'male' so this is my design for it. The background paper was designed by Liz Wagner and the image is from a collection called 'Boys and their toys!!' from http://lily-boosboutique.blogspot.com/ Some of the colouring I did in Photoshop and the trousers are done with a patterened 'brush' from that programme. The remainder was coloured with Copics. A bit of inking around the edges and a sparkly brad for the golf ball to finish.

Sure Cuts A Lot

2009-07-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

Wow, I have just bought the update to SCAL and Todd has done it again! Now you can group and ungroup, trace, layer etc., etc., and best of all have more pages. It's so exciting and I can't wait to try it out later today. I think it is well worth the $30 (limited time discounted price), for the upgrade. There are so many wonderful people out there who design and share their SCAL files also so many dingbats and fonts, all for free, that you really should check it out and if you are not sure then download the free trial first - you don't know what you are missing. Here's the link, http://www.craftedge.com/index.html and while you are there check out the forum and all the tutorials and free files you can get from there. Happy Buggin'.

Polkadoodle challenge card

2009-07-21T10:48:00.001-07:00

This week's challenge at http://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/ is to use the Tropical Bird download, with the option of using the sketch. I recently bought the striped paper and decided it would make a great fence, the flowers and greenery behind it are from Rubber Stamp Tapestry, these are such useful little peg stamps. The birds on the fence are decoupaged but it does not show on the picture.
Can you spot Lily crawling up one of the posts!
AMENDED - Oh, just watching Nikki again on C&C and realised it Lulu crawling up the post, sorry!!!

Another Girlie card

2009-07-16T05:15:00.000-07:00

I am on a 'girlie' trend at the moment! Here is another card using one of the girl images from

http://lily-boosboutique.blogspot.com/ These girls are georgeous and I love using them, can't you tell. The card is for the weekly challenge over on the Cricut MB, in the UKCrafters thread. We had to use plain cardstock and 3 buttons or brads. The stitching round the card is computer generated, I played around with Photoshop and made a brush. The colouring is Copic Caio's and the tiny weeny bow was made using the 'fork' method which is a bit fiddly but you can get such tiny bows.

I am going to be working on some boy/male cards next, for a change,lol, as I have some to make for a swop and Sam at lily-boos has designed just the image I need.

Design Team Call

2009-07-15T14:42:00.001-07:00

If you are interested in becoming a member of lily-boo's design team just click on the title above to take you to her blog where you can find all the information. You get to use some fabulous designs and there are a few freebies so what are you waiting for - get on over there and take a look.

Here come the girls!

2009-07-12T01:42:00.000-07:00

Here are my latest cards using some of the fabulous designs from Sam at
http://lily-boosboutique.blogspot.com/ I love being on her design team as I get to use all her images. If you would like to get some go to her blog, there are lots of wonderful desings to choose from and they are soooooooo reasonably priced. My girls are all coloured with Copic Caio except the last one, Betty, I had to use pencils for her hair and boots as I did not have any brown Copics. That problem has now been resolved as I just bought a few!

While shopping on the web I found a site that sells the plastic containers for the Copic pens, OK they are not cheap but I needed one. Now I will have to buy more pens as there is room in the new container, any excuse I hear you say and you are right, lol.

More Tildas

2009-07-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

I love making Tilda cards and especially using the swing. These are a couple of cards I made on holiday, using some stamped images from my friends on the Cricut MB, UKCrafters thread. The cards have already been bagged by my sister-in-law! I have been practising using my Copics and have found a great lady on YouTube, she is teaching me a lot about shading etc., her name is suzannejdean, and here is a link to her videos. http://www.youtube.com/user/suzannejdean

Also here is link to her blog http://www.scrapbitz.blogspot.com/

More cards to follow using images from Sam at Lily-Boo's Boutique, when I can get the camera to behave!!

72 Lovely Copics Blog Candy

2009-07-07T15:45:00.000-07:00

Check out this fantastic blog candy. I love Copics and need more!
Click on the title to go to the blog

3 Flowers Polkadoodles Challenge

2009-06-23T05:35:00.000-07:00

Seems I am up for challenges this week! This is my first entry in the Polkadoodles challenges http://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/
I designed the card in DS and cut it with the Cricut E. The flowers were cut from the patterned paper and coloured with Copics. The little birdie on the top scallop is from a lovely freebie, from Polkadoodles, which I printed on to the patterned paper.
Now I just need to practice my camera skills!

Christmas in June for Karel's Chllenge

2009-06-23T05:17:00.000-07:00

There is a great challenge over on Karel's blog, the winner of the voting gets a Cricut cartridge. Here is my entry. For this card I used a Dreamweaver stencil and copper embossing paste adding a sprinkle of glitter for snow. The card was designed with DS and cut with the Cricut E. I photographed it open so that the bow would show.

The challenge ends on 30th June so if you want to be in with a chance of winning just click the title to go to Karel's blog. And if not keep a look out for the poll she will be setting up for the voting and if you like mine please vote for me!

Fantastic Blog Candy

2009-06-17T14:33:00.000-07:00

Enfys is offering a huge blog candy, just click the title to go to her blog and if you have never been there before you are in for a treat as she is one of the best card designers I have ever met.
Hurry it ends on the 30th June.

Cards using Freebie paper from Polkadoodles

2009-06-16T03:15:00.000-07:00

The heart shaped card blank that has been in my stash for ages so I decided use it. Then I saw the challenge on http://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/ using a freebie paper from

http://www.polkadoodles.co.uk so I thought why not have a go! Wanting to use my new Boo on His Bum die from Go Create, I coloured him with Copics, then I added a flower and a butterfly.

Then I read the rules for the challenge properly!!!

OK, so I made another card as per the challenge but did not use a stamped image, you can't count the sentiment stamp can you. So I will not make the challenge this time round but I did enjoy using the paper. Pop over to the polka doodles site and check out the great paper freebies, they are under Generic.

I am into making flowers at the moment and the ones on my cards were made using Nesties and parchment which I swiss dotted. The ribbon is velvet and the butterfly is Martha Stewart.

Flowerpot Card

2009-06-10T04:59:00.000-07:00

I am in a swop on the Cricut MB for Flowerpot cards. Most of the cards I saw when I searched the Web were single cards but I wanted to make mine stand up on it's own. Then I found this one designed by Susan Edwards http://spartansusscraper.blogspot.com/ , her cut file and tutorial is posted on the Custom Crops Design Studio section if anyone would like the file.
I have made my set of cards with 3 different flowers but am only giving you a peek at one.

Diamond Fold Card using Copics

2009-06-10T03:24:00.001-07:00

This is my card for this weeks challenge on the UKCrafters thread on the Cricut MB. I used the lovely girl image from http://lily-boosboutique.blogspot.com/ and coloured her with my copics. It is the first card I have made using the pens and one of Sam's images and I am loving them both. I always find it difficult to photograph glittered cards so if anyone has any tricks please let me know.
If you want to make a diamond fold card here are a couple of links http://jillyscreations.blogspot.com/2008/07/tutorial-diamond-top-card.html
http://san3.u.yuku.com/gallery/ls/aid/88601

Golf card

2009-06-08T14:26:00.001-07:00

When I saw this card design by Enfys Cashmore http://going-buggy.blogspot.com/ in a recent Papercraft Inspirations I knew it would be a perfect card for my son-in-law. Then Liz Wagner http://ladybugcricut.blogspot.com/ asked me to try out her golf club background paper which she had designed. Thanks to both of you. I think Liz's paper is perfect for this card and I wish her luck if she decides to start selling her designs. The blue paper is on the reverse of the spotted paper, sorry but I do know who makes it.

This award is for all my friends, especially the ones on the Cricut MB who have enabled me and kept me busy, but most of all for being my friends.

2009-06-05T15:46:00.001-07:00

I made this 'blinkie' award today using Photoshop for all my friends, especially the ones on the Cricut MB. I hope they visit my blog to collect this award. The violets in the pot image are from http://www.pccrafter.com/ Please leave me a comment when you have collected it.

ATC's for UKCrafters challenge

2009-06-03T08:19:00.001-07:00

I love making ATC's and so when Loopylou suggested ATC's for this weeks challenge on the Cricut MB I just had to do it. The little girl on the first one is a stamp that I bought in the Paper Mill Shop at Springfields, Spalding. My dear sister-in-law spotted a load of stamps at reduced prices so, of course, I had to buy some. The scalloped rectangles were cut with my new nesties.

Off to visit family

2009-05-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

Hi, I am off tomorrow to visit family around the country and it's possible I will not have internet access, boo hoo! In case you leave me a message I will not be able to get back to you for a couple of weeks.

And the winner is ???????????

2009-05-14T16:07:00.001-07:00

First I would like to thank all those who have posted on my blog in the last few days, I really appreciate your comments. Tonight I have had friends round to dinner and it was decided that I should put all the names in a hat and get one of them to pick one out.

And the winner is ---------

DEBE

Congratulations Debe, I hope you will like the goodies. Please contact me with your address and I will get them in the post to you.

Card for this week's challenge on Cricut MB

2009-05-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

This week we were to create a card using a butterfly image downloaded from http://lily-boosboutique.blogspot.com/. I am quite pleased with the way this card turned out. In the centre is a doily that I purchased from http://www.ribbonbox.co.uk/ where they sell little doilies in different shapes and sizes. The stamp in the top left corner was one that was sent to my by my dear friend Elaine and although I know it has nothing to do with butterflies I used it just because, lol. I used stickles and gems to embellish the card.

Cards For Swops on the Cricut MB

2009-05-12T02:23:00.000-07:00

Just getting my blog up to date and found some of the cards that I have not posted before. Here is a selection of cards that I have made for various swops on the Cricut MB.

RAK for reaching 2000 posts on MB

2009-05-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

Cannot believe I have made 2000 posts on the Cricut Messageboard, although those who know me know I love to chat, so I decided to do a RAK in honour of the occasion. I will leave this open until Thursday 14th May 12 midnight UK time so be quick and leave a comment below. The goodies include 35 - 12 x 12 K & Company papers, tearing rulers, tags, stickers and a set of stamps from the Glitter Girls Keepsake Card Craft. Good Luck everyone.

Easter card

2009-05-09T10:52:00.001-07:00

OK, I know Easter is long gone but I have just found this picture of the card I sent to Gina aka GRIDDO on the Cricut MB. The two bookmarks were for her children and have their initials on them. This is one if the first Tilda's I did.

My first Guest Designer layout

2009-05-09T01:44:00.000-07:00

I am really nervous about this! Once a month I go to a local scrapping club and for this month I am the designer of the layout. In the kit was a large brown patterned scallopped circle which I was not keen on so I decided to cover up the centre by cutting a circle out of another sheet from the kit and placing it over the top. For the border strip I cut small lengths of brown ribbon and attached them alternately through the border holes and then wove in the blue ribbon. The tag idea came from a past issue of Papercrafts Inspiration. All the shapes were cut with the Cricut E. The photo is of my Grandchildren. Wish me luck tomorrow!

Great blog candy

2009-05-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

Click the title to go to marceas great blog with some wonderful blog candy, hurry it ends soon.

Black and White card for UKCrafters Challenge

2009-05-08T09:34:00.001-07:00

This weeks challenge was to make a card using only Black and White. I started off by embossing the card using the Swiss Dots folder in the Cuttlebug, then I used a scallop circles cut file from Carla's blog, (Scrappedlives.nl) to make the flower, the white sections I dotted by hand. My new nesties had not arrived when I made this card so I used the cut file and it worked out well.
The scallop borders are from a cut file by HimmyKitty. Thanks to both of you for sharing your files.

My card for the Card Swop I hosted

2009-05-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

The rule for my card swop was that each card had to have a decorative edge somewhere on the card. I used Design Studio to make my card using Plantin Schoolbook and machine stitching the zigzag around the blue mat. I dyed some clear 'skittles' with alcolhol inks to match the card mat. If you would like the cut file please leave a comment below.

Here is a link to the MB where I have posted all the cards in the swop. There are cards frm the US and the UK. I really enjoyed hosting this swop and will certainly be doing another one.

http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=4517532

Cards for the men in your life

2009-04-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

This weeks challenge over on the UK Crafters thread on the Cricut MB was to make a card for men/boys and include a button or buttons. My first card is one that I made in October last year for the Addicted to Cardmaking swop on the Cricut MB. I thought I would show it as I did not put it on my blog at the time.

My second card, which is for the challenge, was a difficult one for me as I am not known for using dark colours. However, I found these paper, which were a freebie from CraftsBeautiful, when I was sorting out my craft cupboard and thought they would suit this card. I used a stamped image of Edwin that a friend gave to me and coloured him with a mix of pencils and Whispers Brush markers. Then I added glossy accents to the chair buttons and the handmade button. In the end I enjoyed making this card and am now going to make another one with the leftover paper.

The cut file for the chair is available from http://ruelysicreativecards.blogspot.com/ Ruth is an amazing designer, stop by her blog and see what she creates and please don't forget to leave her a comment.

Happy Birthday Sammy

2009-04-18T15:26:00.001-07:00

Hi, Sammy I hope you see this. Here is your birthday card, I hope you like it and I will save it for when you come home. I have also added the photo of you in your sari, in India. You look lovely and so happy too. Have a wonderful Birthday wherever you are in Australia. I will try to put the card on Facebook but not sure I know how. Love you lots, Nan xxxxxx

Wedding Card for Challenge

2009-04-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

Here is my wedding card for this weeks challenge on the Cricut MB for the UK Crafters group. http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=4064758

The card is from a cut file from http://mesharingwithu.blogspot.com/search?q=Diamond+Lattice and is part of her Lattice card file set. I love this design and use it often, thanks Linda. The paper is from a set that I bought from Create and Craft some time ago. I printed out the hands and flowers on the computer, they are from the House of Lime and are dingbats. Added some stickles to the flowers and after colouring the leaves I added glossy accents. All I need now is for someone to invite me to their wedding!

Cute Bear

2009-04-15T07:29:00.001-07:00

On the Cricut MB Design Studio recently Gary and his wife, aka CrowsnestScrappers, shared a fabulous cut file for this cute fuzzy bear. Not only did Gary design the bear but his wife did the artwork. Thank you both for all your hard work, I made this card for you as a thankyou.
If anyone gets this file they will see how much work they put into making it. I used some paper from the Crafters Companion Papercrafts Set 2 for the flowers and title. I love this little bear, he is so sweet.
Here is a shortcut to the post http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=4364191

Easter card with chick

2009-03-25T16:01:00.001-07:00

I made this card using a cut file from MagicWanda, here is her blog - she has some wonderful designs http://myscraphappyplace.blogspot.com/ When you visit don't forget to leave her a message! I adapted the file for the egg shape and added the chick image that a friend sent me.
I tried to make the chick 'hang off' the ribbon.

Easter card with Tilda in aqua

2009-03-25T15:53:00.001-07:00

Here is another card using the cut file from MagicWanda, details of her blog are posted on the chick card. My dear friend Enfys sent me some stamped images of Tilda and I finally plucked up the courage to use them. She has started me collecting Tilda stamps and I did buy 3 at the craft show in Olympia at the weekend. One day, and with a lot more practice, I hope to be able to colour the images as good as Enfys.

Easter card with Tilda in pink and purple

2009-03-25T15:51:00.001-07:00

This card is using the same cut file as above but I used different colours on Tilda's clothes. I did buy 3 new stamps but forgot to get this one - next time,lol - and now I need to get some of the other stamps in the Magnolia range. Don't forget to visit MagicWanda's blog http://myscraphappyplace.blogspot.com/ and while you are blog hopping
visit Enfys blog at http://going-buggy.blogspot.com/ You will love both blogs.

6 step stair card

2009-03-25T15:40:00.001-07:00

I made this card for my nephew. The cut file was from Capadia, but I needed an extra step and it was quite easy to add another. So a big thanks to Capadia for sharing her file. The sentiment is not clear but says 'Hope you have a TOADALLY wonderful day'.

http://rosaswelt.blogspot.com/2009/03/hudge-magnolia-blog-candy-give-away.html

2009-03-25T03:16:00.000-07:00

Check out this awesome blog candy of Magnolia stamps on Claudia's blog. Click the link in the title of this post to take you there and, while you are there, have a look at her great work. Good luck to all including me!!!

Red, White and Blue

2009-03-16T15:46:00.001-07:00

This was my take on the Red, White and Blue challenge on the UK crafters thread on the Cricut message board. The rose is a die cut that I recoloured and added stickles to the edges of the petals. Inside the card is a photograph in a frame.

Floral Easter Egg card Front

2009-03-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is a card front I designed for a swop on the Cricut messageboard. The main front is a mesh of flowers, with the individual flowers fixed on top. Each flowers has a stickled centre. If you would like to make one I have added a link to the cut file below. You will see in the file that the base for the card front is the on the first page, along with a tab to enable you to join it to a card back, the position of the tab is showing in the photo. The reason I have made it this way is because it was for a card front swop. I have placed each flower type on seperate pages with a matching egg shape on the last page. I hope you like it and will leave a comment below.
You can get the cut file here :- http://www.mediafire.com/?52rymmeyxj2

Daisy and Dandelion

2009-03-05T09:09:00.000-08:00

These pups are so cute and if you go to the Docrafts website you can download some FREE decoupage and background papers. I love these pups and if you are in the same card swop (GRKIDDO one) as me you might get a card using them soon! Check out the other cuties, loving Candyfloss and Marshmallow too. Click on the title to go to the website.

Great blog to visit and she has a blog candy giveaway

2009-03-05T09:06:00.000-08:00

If you want to see some lovely cards go visit Nikki's site and make sure you scroll down and see the card she made with Daisy and Dandelion. She also has some blog candy up for grabs.

My first stamps cut with the Cricut

2009-03-04T10:07:00.000-08:00

I finally took the plunge and cut some stamps using the Cricut stamp sheets. Firstly can I say you must have a really sticky mat or, as someone on the Cricut MB did, spray the back of the material with repositional glue otherwise the material will move, I managed to stop the machine before any real damage was done!!! The settings I used were Pressure - 4 -high, Speed - 3 med, and Blade depth 6 although it would have cut using 4 - or 5. The results were quite good, it cut like butter, but I made the mistake of putting the designs too near the edge of the material so the scallopped edges are not perfect. The flower was cut using the cuttlebug and a small Sissex Bigz flower die, so if you are too nervous to cut with your Cricut then use your dies as they were much easier. The shapes above will be useful as background stamps. I only bought the refill stamp material set so I only have one sheet left but I will definitely be buying more.

Christening card for Great Nephew

2009-03-04T10:02:00.000-08:00

I do not have the Wild Card cart yet! so I made card this using SCAL. The back of the card is Aqua and I used the Swiss Dots folder, ny favourite, on the mat and balloon. Teddy is a stick on that I have had for ages and I added a tiny bow to his neck.

Cheers - Beer card

2009-03-04T09:53:00.000-08:00

Here is a card I made for my nephew's recent birthday. The glasses were cut out of (*acrylic*)sorry I meant acetate using the Cricut and SCAL, then coloured with alcohol inks - I think I used Rust. To make the froth I used Liquid Applique which my dear friend Elaine sent me from America. Heating the liquid with my heat gun to made it frothy. This would be a great technique for sheep. The wording was computer generated. Hope you like it, cheers.

My Beautiful Granddaughters

2009-02-27T04:49:00.000-08:00

I am so proud of my granddaughters (they are cousins not sisters). The first layout includes a picture of Hannah taken last year. Hannah is at university in London studying art and design. She has just been selected out of 2,500 students for a degree course. Only 6 out the total students applying get on this degree course. She is a fantastic artist and I know she will do well. Congratulations Hannah.

The second layout features Sammy who is at present travelling the world. Sammy has just spent a month in Africa helping out at an animal reserve. She has posted several photos, on her Facebook travel site, where she is among the lions and they will make great scrapbook pages and I intend to make her an album for when she returns home. She is now in India for 2 months helping out at a school for young children and has seen the Taj Mahal among other wonderful sites. I am so proud that she has taken on this venture and wish her well in her travels.

My Card Swop on Cricut MB

2009-02-27T02:38:00.000-08:00

I love making cards so I have set up a card swop on the Cricut MB. Please come and join us. Here is the link to the post
http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/tm.aspx?m=4080325

Look at the crochet flowers Bev had made and she has Blog Candy!

2009-02-21T04:34:00.000-08:00

Check out these lovely crochet flowers on this blog http://bevscrafts.blogspot.com/
and she has some great candy up for grabs including the Stewart Lace Doily punch. I so want this punch! Click the title of this post to take you straight to the blog.

SemiCircle Bag Book

2009-02-14T16:03:00.000-08:00

When I saw this book in a magazine and decided to make one using DS and the Cricut E. The card stock I used was 260gsm which was covered with a flowery paper, but I cannot remember the maker. Some of the embellishments are K & Company and the flowers on the front are from a bag of mixed handmade paper flowers that I have had for so long. The butterfly is from a girls hair decoration, I use these a lot as they are cheap to buy.

There are 4 pages and on each a photo of my friend's children when they were younger. The embellishments on each page were cut on the E using various carts. The holes were punched with the Crop-0-Dile and the rings are the kind you hang keys on. This book was for my friend's daughters birthday.
I hope you like it.

If you would like the cut file here is the link, and I would appreciate you leaving a message on my blog.
http://www.mediafire.com/?nmmq2rydzih

Handbag card

2009-02-14T14:50:00.000-08:00

This is a card I made for my MB secret sister. I designed the bag and cut it from brown card with the Cricut, using SCAL. The flap was cut by hand and stamped it with Cotton White Stazon ink using a stamp from the Lace set from http://www.thestampman.co.uk/ called Aspects of Design 09 Lace Sheet 1, adding some stickles and a few flowers.

Here is the cut file if you have SCAL.
http://www.mediafire.com/?gjmtmqkndte

Lunch with Enfys

2009-02-12T01:28:00.001-08:00

On Monday I met up with Enfys. We had a lovely time chatting away and found we had so much in common. It was very interesting to hear about what is involved with her card designs for Papercraft Inspirations, there is a lot more to it than just sending a card for publishing. Look out for the next issue as she promises something special. We both agreed that it would be lovely to live nearer each other so we could craft together but we are going to stay in touch and hopefully meet up again next time she come 'down South'. Thanks for a lovely day, Enfys.

Christmas page for 8" x 8" baby Album

2009-02-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

It's the first time I have made an 8 x 8 album and only my second baby album, it is also the first page that I have finished for the album. I have used the tree from the SU Snow Swirled stamps that I bought from Gina, aka GRKIDDO, and a dear friend, who is an SU demonstrator in the USA. First I stamped it on vellum with Stazon Cotton White ink, then added gold pen to the dots.

A neat tip I learnt from Stephanie of CreateandCraft.TV was to cut a V in the wedged nib of a Calligrapher pen, it makes it so much easier to put a border round the page. I only have Gold and Silver pens at the moment but will certainly be investing in more colours

I must add that I scraplifted the page idea but can't remember where from.

Further pages will be added as they are completed.

Thanks for looking.

Valentine Wedding Card

2009-02-02T06:12:00.001-08:00

My niece is getting married on Valentines Day so I made this card for the occasion. I used the Wedding cart for the dress and hand made the tuxedo. The hearts on the insert were cut using PS and then I embossed the edges and added a computer generated verse.
Thanks for looking.

Check out this blog for some great designs and Blog Candy

2009-02-02T06:08:00.000-08:00

Lovely stamps blog candy here http://grammashouseofcards.blogspot.com/2009/01/its-time-for-fun-its-time-for-valentine.html

ATC Waterfall

2009-01-21T03:35:00.001-08:00

I made this Waterfall ATC for my dear buddy Elaine who I regularly swop ATC's and cards with. The background is handmade with spritzing inks which is great fun to do even if it's a bit messy! It would be a great file to use when you get all those 'inchies' in the swop on the Cricut MB. I used the square on the Plantin Schoolbook cart but if you do not have that cart you could replace the shapes using the cart you do have. For the folds you need to crease as follows :- measuring from the T shape end at 1.25" - 1.75" - 2.25" If you have any problems assembling the waterfall please leave a message and I will go through it with you.
I have also included a cut file for a waterfall to fit an A6 card.
To get the file just click the title. I would love to see what you do with it.

2009-01-11T14:21:00.000-08:00

I was given this award by Lillie, thanks so much, this is a first for me. When you've finished here go over to her blog, she has some wonderful ideas and is so creative. http://d-swat.blogspot.com/

So now I have to list 5 addictions, and then pass this award on to 4 more of our wonderfully creative bloggers.

1. The Cricut Messageboard.

2. Paper, can't get enough of it, I could start shop!!!

3. Chocolate, the darker the better.

4. Freebies from websites, I have downloaded so many papers etc.,

5. Fluffy rabbits.

I am sending this award to the following favourite bloggers:

http://leahfung.typepad.com

http://papasuecreative.blogspot.com

http://mesharingwithu.blogspot.com

http://sweetpeaspapercreations.blogspot.com/

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-01-01T05:02:00.001-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-24T15:49:00.000-08:00

Have not had time to update my blog lately but just wanted to say MERRY CHRISTMAS to anyone popping by.

Great blog for svg files and info

2008-12-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

She has some fantastic things on her blog, go check it out you will be amazed.

My favourite LO - for scrapbook.com challenge GHI

2008-11-24T08:06:00.000-08:00

This is my most favourite LO. I love the K & Company background paper and it goes so well with the pink pearlised card, another favourite of mine. The Jornalling says "IMAGINE what changes Mum saw in her life and what changes Sammy will see in hers". My mum was born in 1919 and Sammy in 1989.
I have entered this LO into the GHI challenge over on the scrapbook.com, but as I am a newbie I do not expect to win. The criteria was to use G = gold, H = hexagon and I = the word Imagine.

Enfys has some great blog candy

2008-11-02T15:52:00.000-08:00

Click the link to go to Enfys blog, going-buggy.blogspot.com, for great blog candy and while you are the look at all her beautiful cards.

My Favourite Sister in Law

2008-11-01T04:36:00.000-07:00

This LO was done for another challenge on the Scrapbook.com website. The LO had to have Weaving and a title to include a Verb. Weaving the paper took some time but the effect was worth the effort. The circle was cut from Accent Essentials and embossed using the Stylized Flowers Cuttlebug folder, and then chalked to match the backgound paper which I also chalked.

Added a couple of layered flowers and some stickles. This LO is one that will go in an album I am making for her Birthday.

Super Star Rock Star

2008-11-01T04:24:00.000-07:00

This LO is for a challenge over on the www.scrapbook.com website. The challenge was to do a layout using X - shape, Y - yellow patterned paper and Z - zoom in on part of a photograph.

I had a few problems getting this LO done, first I ran out of printer ink so had to go and buy a new cartridge, them my camera was playing up but I finally managed to get it all sorted and posted on the website. If you are looking at this today please go and vote for me at http://www.scrapbook.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/1484061/post/9205173/hl//#9205173

Note: I cut the film strip using SCAL.

My Little Christmas Tree

2008-10-16T07:51:00.001-07:00

I used the snowflake from the Accent Essentials cartridge, cutting the bottom one at 5 and half inches, then reducing the size by 3/4" for each subsequent cut. Use cardstock at 200 gsm or more to make it sturdy.
Punch a hole through the centre of each snowflake. The main stem is dowel, but a kebab stick would be easier as it is not so thick. Then roll and glue 1 inch wide pieces of card to go between each tier.
I cut 2 of the smallest size snowflake for the top and stuck them together, leaving enough room to fit on the point of the stick.
When it was all put together I sprayed it with photo mount adhesive and showered it, (and myself, lol) with glitter.
The holder is a candle votive, I pulled out the wick and inserted the dowel in the wax ( candle sand or Oasis works well too).
The whole tree can be unassembled for storing until next Christmas.

Fall card for US 'Addicted to cardmaking' swop

2008-10-12T16:43:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to try triple embossing and stamping onto the mat while the embossing was still hot. So when the I had to make Fall cards for a swop I thought I would give it a try.

I am really pleased with the result.

Here is how I did it:-

First heat emboss the mat twice with clear embossing powder I do not have any UTEE (ultra thick embossing powder, I expect you knew that) but if you have you only need to do it once) .

Make sure the mat is hot by keeping the heat gun over it and sprinkle patches of copper, bronze, gold and silver embossing powder on it, heat emboss and repeate the procedure until happy with the colour and depth. While the powder is still hot press the rubber word stamp onto a clear embossing pad and stamp on the mat.

You will need to leave the stamp on the mat until it is cool, don't worry it won't stick.

If you are doing 3 panels you need to cut them first then put them together for the embossing. They will just crack apart easily when you are done. The leaves are heat embossed as above, but I added some red powder on to some of them. As I do not have a leaf stamp I left them plain but if you have a stamp use the same procedure as the mat.

I also made some cards but using alcohol inks for the mats but forgot to take a photo of them.

I got this idea from my favourite website ;- www.thestampman.co.uk. Go and look at their Gallery it is full of great ideas. While you are there check out their stamp sets, I just bought the Lace set and can't wait to try them out.

Pink and Sassy card for UK Card Swop

2008-10-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

Kazz, over on the Cricut Messageboard put up a card swop. The criteria was it had to be Pink and Girly. I cut the hat from Paper Dolls Dress Up and the hat stand was the snowglobe from Joys Of the Season, which I put through a brayer to give it some dimension. I made the flower following a tutorial I found on the Internet.

One of my ATC's for the 'Winged Things' Swop

2008-10-11T03:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peek at two of my ATC's for a swop on the Cricut MB. I have made several in different colours and styles and will post some more once the swop ends.

For the background paper I used Pearlescent Pastel Colours, from the USArt Quest watercolour palette, on ordinary printer paper. While it was wet I scrunched it up then straightened it out and left it to dry. The idea came from The Stamp Man site, one of my favourite sites.

You cannot see the effect but it is very shimmery. I added some ribbon and hearts and used the negative of a peel off on one and the positive on the other.

Hello Kitty

2008-10-10T06:03:00.001-07:00

My granddaughter loves Hello Kitty and as she is now at an Art and Design University in London I decided to make her this birthday card. I used a dingbat and SCAL for the kitty and cupcake, and sentiment all cut with the Cricut Expression. Then I added some stickles for the bling. Adding a handle to the card made it look like a portfolio. She loved the card and did not mind that one of the whiskers was drooping!

Love these little girls-Magnolia stamps

2008-10-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

I love these little magnolia girl stamps and the cards Jeanette has made with them. She is giving away some fantastic blog candy. Go the her site by clicking the title of this post for a chance to win. I hope I do!!!

Hurrah for holidays

2008-09-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

What a lot to do before my holiday. I have been lucky enough to be invited to stay in a french farmhouse, for free! It's in the middle of nowhere, but it does have a swimming pool.
With 4 card and ATC swops, not to mention the 'buddies' swop, on the go I need to get organised. So I'm busy getting some things together so I can take my crafting with me. Luckily most of the cutting can be done before I leave, then I can sit in the sun and craft to my hearts content-bliss. Well, I'm hoping for sun!!! it can't be any worse than our summer. I may even go looking for a French craft shop, already been on the Web to check them out.

Wedding Card - Cricut Wedding Cartridge

2008-09-04T07:03:00.001-07:00

I have used my favourite pearlised card for the bride's dress and the side panel. The overdress dress and veil are cut from embossed vellum and some stickles have been added to the flower centres, collar and wrist. Pearly decorative gems are used on the buttons and tiara and I have added hidden wire to the couples arms and hands to strengthen them.

The groom's suit is pearlised grey card, I added the left foot as it does not appear on the cartridge.

The inside is made up from peel off stickers, ribbon and decorated letters.

The card measures 8.75 x 8.25 inches.

Blog Candy at going-buggy

2008-08-21T15:54:00.000-07:00

Enfys has blog candy up for grabs, so go visit her fantastic blog for a chance to win and to see her lovely designs. http://going-buggy.blogspot.com/

International Swop Buddies- Cricut MB

2008-08-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

This month my swap buddie is Shan (MomofKtimes2). We have been exchanging messages and among the things I sent to her was this butterfly that I made. I stamped the butterfly on to parchment paper using Stazon Opaque Cotton White ink, then embossed the pattern. Although it does not show on the right wing I pricked through the vellum. (you can see it on the left wing)

The antennae were made using wire and beads and the body has pearl beads along it. I then added a bit of 'stickling' to finish.

I love working with parchment and although it can be time consuming the results can be amazing.

2008-08-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

This is the other card for the Christmas in July swop.

Christmas in July Card

2008-08-20T06:50:00.001-07:00

Here is my card for the Addicted to Cardmaking Monthly Swap on the Cricut message board http://www.cricut.com/messageboard/fb.aspx?m=2335764
I cut the circular card using the Cricut Expression and added a peel off around the edge. Then I cut the flower petals from vellum using the teardrop shape from TBBM, stickled the edges and added a ribbon. To make the card stand up I trimmed a tiny bit off the back of the card.

2008-08-20T06:38:00.000-07:00

I have been away for so long and thought it time to update my blog!

Been really busy finishing a scrapbook for my youngest daughter and her husband's anniversary. Did not have time to take any photo's of it and now they are on holiday so I will have to wait till they return. Now I am working on an album for my SIL's 8Oth birthday in October.

I bought some Flowersoft recently and have been using it on the October cards for the Addicted to Cardmaking swop on the Cricut message board.

I really enjoyed making the August and September cards. I think the September ones (FALL) are one of my best attempts but I will not put them here as the others in the swap have not got theirs yet and I don't wan to spoil their suprise.

2008-07-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

And then I spent a week on the Isle of Wight and visited the Lavender Farm at Staplehurst Grange. The perfume from the flowers was amazing.

2008-07-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

I visited my sister-in-law.

It's been a busy month

2008-07-18T08:25:00.001-07:00

My stepson John married Maria

great blog

2008-06-28T02:34:00.000-07:00

http://whiteribboncards.blogspot.com/
I love her style. Susie has blog candy which ends today, but go look at her site it's well worth a visit.

18th Birthday card with champagne bottle

2008-06-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

This was my first attempt using Paper Dolls. I cut the hair from velvet paper for texture. The lapels are glittered and cut from the Wedding cartridge. The bottle, a dingbat, it is 9.5" high and was cut with SCAL and the label is computer generated. (I forgot to put the wire on for the photograph).
The boy and the bottle are free standing, although they look as if they are on card.

Lacy's Shoe

2008-05-14T10:59:00.001-07:00

This is my design for Lacy's shoe challenge. I enjoyed the challenge as I did not have a cart with a shoe on it. Scroll down for a shoe cut file. Sorry I cannot find the original file for this shoe.

OOYCZ 2nd Challenge

2008-04-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

When I saw these photo's on my daughter's fridge I knew I had to use them on a scrapbook page. Thanks to his dad I got copies. My daughter wrote the tag for 'Smiley Riley' and I did one for 'Love me Love my boots'. The papers were made using Photoshop Elements and the embossing was done with the Cuttlebug Paisley folder. I copied the boot and as there was only the left one showing I matted two to look like a pair. I was supposed to use ribbon but the embroidery silk matched so well I used it. All the cutting was done with my Cricut E.
I think I managed to fulfil the challenge except I did not use my alcohol inks. (maybe next time)

My Layout for OOYCZ challenge on the Cricut MB

2008-04-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

The first page is a picture of me and my brothers and was taken at my youngest brother's wedding. I love the way one brother has his jacket buttoned up wrongly, and the way my hair was fluffed out by the wind. The groom's long hair and my older brother's pose as he was trying to keep his tie down. The second page has school photographs of my brothers and an older picture of me outside Hampton Court Palace.