Walkies!

Hi there
Today sees the new challenge over at Friday Sketch Challenge blog.

This is challenge #77 and the sketch was created by DT Carole and the sponsor is Flat Friends Boutique who have a  fab prize in store for the winner of the sketch challenge.
Oh! and before I forget (!), here's the sketch!




And here's my DT entry

Hope you can find the time to join in the challenge!

TTFN
L x

Hello!

Good evening everyone!
Bank Holiday Monday has been its' traditional self - wet! Yep, it's raining now but, to be fair, it wasn't too bad today.mNot that it mattered much anyhoo as I didn't go anywhere for it to be a problem!
Ended up with a 'tired' head today as I may have imbibed a little too much alcomahol last night!
Hey ho!

Anyway, onto the post title - hello - which is the theme for my CAS card today!
I love it!
Sometimes a creation just 'pops' more than others I think and this one is deffo a favourite of mine!
It surprises me how I can make something as lovely as this when I'm not even trying very hard. An idea 'pops' into my head and then really good stuff follows! Yaaaaay! Toot-toot (that's me blowing my own trumpet!)

I've only used a few items to keep it CAS (my favourite challenge!)
White cardstock
Grey paper from Dovecraft
Butterfly stamps from Kaisercraft
Stazon Ink for the stamps
hello sentiment from Pink Petticoat
1 small pink gem

I layered the butterflies to give a little depth to the images and added a little sparkly gem to the 3rd one. I've also used little foam pads on the white cardstock and beneath the 'hello' sentiment.
This is being entered into these challenges :

The Outlawz - Sunday CAS 'Hello'
Simply Create Too - #68 monochromatic - grey and white
QKR Stampede - #102 monochrome - grey and white
Glitter n Sparkle - #99 Use Butterflies

TTFN
L x

Tiddly Inks!

Hi everyone!
It's a beautiful summer/autumnal day here today so, yes, I've got loads of washing out and on the line!!!!
Hahahaha, and the best of it? It isn't even mine! My daughters machine has died so her hubby brought me 2 loads yesterday as he knows just how much I love it!
Tee hee :)

Anyhoo, today has been a little disappointing as we had planned on doing a car boot sale this morning because for the first time in aaaaages, we (me, Kristin and Dale) were all free this morning and we were to borrow Micks van but, as these things happen, he won't be home until later on today. It was disappointing enough yesterday as he ought to have been coming home then but.....hey ho, that's the way things always go around here!

So, I decided to do the washing, clean the bathroom and the loo room too! And now I'm catching up with a little blog about my Sunday morning and about this lovely card I've made for a couple of challenges this week.

I have used a stamp and an embossing folder from Tiddlyinks. I got these free with my latest issue of Quick Cards Made Easy.

Items used :

Kraft cardstock
LOTV Krafty Christmas paper pad
Core'dinations coloured cardstock
Martha Stewart border punch
Sizzix snowflake dies
Ranger Aged Mahogany Distress Stickles
DecoArt Glamour Dust
Spectrum Noir Markers

               

The challenges I'm entering are 

STAMPlorations challenge blog - August challenge

Winter Wonderland challenge blog - Anything goes for Xmas

Completely Christmas challenges - #26 Anything goes

Brown Sugar challenge blog - #108 Let's Get Krafty

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - #15 K is for Kraft

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas challenge - #191 merry and bright

  So, now I'm feeling really Christmassy so I think it would be a good idea to plan my Christmas cards for this year....or I could just go and make some breakfast! Tee hee xxxx

TTFN

L x

Dig Deep!

Hello all!
How are we all today? Hope you're all feeling crafty with loads of mojo to spread around!
I've been very busy making fab creations for the various DTs I'm on and this card is for this fortnights' challenge at Crafty Creations Challenge blogspot.
The challenge is hosted by DT member Marlene and sponsored by Craft Classes Online who offer a whole range of online crafting classes throughout the year.

The theme of Hazels' challenge is to 'Dig Deep - Use old Stash'!

So, after I'd chosen this really cute bunny image, I had a mooch around and found a piece of ribbon which I cut from a dress over a year ago and a little flower which had been squashed into the bottom corner of my flower box!

I used LOTV papers and a Somebunny to Love stamp to create the card.

Have a go at the challenge! You might just surprise yourself  :)

TTFN
L x

Autumn!

Good morning all!
Yes, I think summer has finally come to an end and Autumn is slowly creeping in! Although, looking outside this morning, it's lovely and sunny if not a little cooler than recently.
Oh well; there's always another summer next year!
So, onto todays post!
This little card is for Quick Cards Made Easy magazine after their shout out on Facebook for some autumnal style cards.
Couldn't wait to use their free downloadable paper with these cute stamps from Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine.

I hope you like it!

TTFN

L x

FaeryInk!

Good morning all!
Today I'm displaying a card I've made for the challenge at  Friday Sketch Challenge # 76.
As a DT member, we are using the images supplied by FaeryInk and mine is Honey Latte Big Face Cute Coffee Girl .
This is the sketch to follow , designed by DT member Andreja Lampe.



I thought Coffee Girl would be ideal for this challenge! Bright and breezy image = bright and breezy colours!
There are lots of lovely images on the FaeryInk Etsy shop. Plus, there are lots of freebies available on the website too so...............what ya waiting for? ! Lol!!!

Here's my card :-

Items Used - 

Image supplied by FaeryInk
Martha Stewart lattice punch
Sentiment (Scriptalicious) from Pink Petticoat
Generic patterned paper and bling!


I hope you all have a fab weekend xxx

TTFN
L x

Things can only get better!!!

Good afternoon blogland!
Here at 'Crafty Towers' life continues to mooch along at a leisurely pace. Washing, ironing, cooking and cleaning.........my son's work is never done!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahahaha, only joking - If he could get out of bed before noon now and again it might be easier for me to remember what he looks like :)
He who works should be home later after working in the Midlands this week and I really hope he's hungry because not only is it Friday, it's also CHIPPY TEA!!!!
Nothing wrong with a chippy tea once in a while and I'm looking forward to it!

Anyhoo, here I am blathering on when really I thought I'd quickly write a post and give you all my good news (hence the posts' title)! I am to be published in QCME magazine in October (with accompanying photo- oh dear :(.... (! ) and I am also to be contracted to show something in the Christmas issue (secret cannot be unveiled I'm afraid -----muahahaha!).
Isn't that just fab? !!!
Gotta be honest, I love what I do and I love being recognised for it too. Everyone needs a 'slap on the back' and a 'well done' now and again and I'm no different. When it comes to crafty stuff, I am very self critical so it means even more when my creations are thought of as good.

So, I can't put a pic of my creation for the Christmas issue on here until after Christmas, but, if you buy issue 132 of Quick Cards Made Easy (!) you'll find my mush looking back at ya probably on one of the farthest from the front pages!!!

What I do have is this bright card which I'm entering into the challenges at :
Cardmaking and Papercraft - Summer brights
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges #190
Fan-Tastic Tuesday #48
PINspirational Challenges #120 - You CAN be Queen for the Day if you want!
Through The Craft Room Door

 Die Cuttin Divas #178 - All my favourite bright colours in one place!

TTFN
L x

Cute!

Good morning all.
This morning the new challenge at ScrapbookerPhd goes live and here's my entry for the Design Team.
The challenge, #14, is to use 3 dies and some sparkle. Easy peasy!!!
I chose this uber cute LOTV stamp image and sentiment and coloured it with Spectrum Noir pens.
I die cut the image and added little gold brads.
The backing paper is from First Edition - Blank Canvas - as is the die cut lattice band across the centre.
I also die cut the butterfly and the sentiment backing from more gorgeous paper from the Blank Canvas pad.
Flowers, pearl, ribbon and glamour dust finished it all off!

TTFN
L x

LOTV Wednesday!

Hi all!
I am super pleased with the postie today! I had my new Lili of The Valley Christmas Stamps and paper pads delivered!
I have been putting off opening the packet all day and, now that I finally have, I can't wait to start creating.
But, it will have to wait until tomorrow as it's too late in the day to start now and I'm off out for a meal with friends this evening. Grrrr! and Mary Berry's bake off is on the tv too!
Which muppet organised a meal out for tonight eh?.................oh, that would be me!
Hahahahaha!
Oh well, tomorrow will soon be here and I can record the TV - phew! Problems solved!

So, this morning, I finished this card which I started last night.

I've made it for the challenges at :
Promarker Challenge Blogspot - 259 Button It
Loves Rubber Stamps #115
Fantastic tuesday blogspot #47
From The Heart Stamps #75
Deep Ocean Challenge blog #83
Crafty Sentiments Designs blog

Items used -
Striped paper - Fancy Pants Designs Beach Babe pad
                      -       Echo Park Paper Co
From the Hearts Stamps 'Sick Chick'
Spectrum Noir markers
Sentiment - Pink Petticoat
Buttons and pearls!

TTFN
L x

Lovely Polly!

Good morning everyone.
I hope you're having a nice morning. Upto now I've lost (and re-ordered) my bus pass, re-arranged 2 healthcare appointments, done a little housework and made this card!
Well, I did get up at 6.30am as 'he who works' came home late last night but had to leave again this morning; so, it was only fair I got up and made him a coffee!
Anyway, onto this card.
I love using Polly images and used her again for this card which is for the challenges at :-

Sketch Saturday Challenge blog
Craft Dee Bowz
Paper Make up Stamps Blog
Robyns Fetish Challenge blog #223
Crafty Calendar Challenge blog - Anything goes
Inkspirational Challenges #62

Used : Fancy Pants Designs Beach Babe paper pad
Sassy Cheryls 'Polly and Butterscotch' digi stamp
Spectrum Noir markers
Pink Petticoat digital sentiments
Martha Stewart punch
ribbon, pearls and flower.

TTFN
L x

Happy Monday

Hi all!
Well, back to Monday. It soon comes round doesn't it? Seems like only 7 days since it was Monday last week.......lol!
Have you done that "This time last week......" thing?
I'm doing it now - this time last week I was feeling horrendously knackered after travelling all night!!!
Thankfully, all that's behind me now and I'm hoping to have another holiday before the end of the year so I shall have to send whispers in 'his' direction!!! Tee hee!
Yesterday I found a fab challenge on The Ribbon Girl Blog for anything but a square card.
As I'd received my LOTV goodies the day before I decided to have a go and make a pop up box card (I've made them before but it's been a few months).
In the middle of July I won a challenge which gave me a £10 voucher towards goodies from The Ribbon Girl Online Shop and the items I chose are beautiful! Also, they didn't take long to arrive and I've already used some of  them in some goodies I made!
It's really worthwhile having a look at their online store because it isn't just about ribbon and there's lots to choose from to top up your stash with!

So, onto the creation for the challenge.
Items used : LOTV nitwit collections Bonnets & Bowties paper pad.
                   LOTV Love Grows Rubber Stamp and sentiment
                   Forever in Time lilac ribbon
                   Spectrum Noir markers
                   Martha Stewart flower punch
                   generic adhesive pearls

TTFN
L x

Ironing marathon!

Hello everyone.
I have excelled myself already today by deciding to iron just one blouse of mine and ending up ironing EVERYTHING in my drawer and wardrobe! Not only that, I have ironed the other halfs stuff too! ALL OF HIS CLOTHES! (Which, compared to mine, isn't so many! LOL)
That little lot took me 5 1/2 hours and I now find myself in my craftroom sorting my post out which came earlier. You may have noticed but, yesterday, I posted how I'd won a draw on LOTVs FB page? Well, the gorgeous stamp came this morning and, earlier in the week, I'd bought 2 more LOTV stamps online and they've come too so here's the photo of my goodies!

I am so tempted to start making stuff RIGHT NOW with these fab stamps but, and it is a big but, (hahahaha) I have other projects to get down to so they'll have to wait a little longer!

I hope you're all having a lovely saturday(10 weeks and 5 days til Christmas.....) and planning a lazy sunday too.
I've been abandoned by my other half as he'll be away til next week so I have to entertain myself for a few more days yet - which really isn't hard to do as I LOVE my craft room!!!!

I almost forgot!
I made this card for the challenge at From The Heart Stamps!
Each month, provided you use their 'monthly' free image the previous month, they email the next months' image to be used in the new challenge! Phew! And this month it's Hamlet Pigwit and pumpkins! He is ever so cute and, as always, I give a huge shout out to the FTHS team for their wonderful images - deffo one of my fave digi sites!

I decided to use Kraft card to give this the 'earthy' feel.
Orange spotty paper from echo park paper co.
I used an embossing folder (free gift from a recent craft-mag) for the border, which I then fussy-cut.
Some paper flowers, button, twine and ribbon brought it alltogether!























TTFN
L x

WIN WIN WIN WIN!!!

Happy Friday everyone!
Today, nobody could be more happier than me! I entered a competition on the Lili of The Valley Facebook page and from what I can tell there must have been almost 500 entries and yes-------I won one of the 3 prizes available!!!
Waaaaheyyyyy! As you all know my favourite stamping product is LOTV so I just had to enter and now I am over the chuffin moon!
Follow this link to the new set which will be winging their way to me!!!
I can not wait for them to arrive! My Christmas cards are going to be so special this year.

Speaking of Christmas cards, I haven't started mine yet so winning the new stamps is very timely. I do know alot of crafters have already begun theirs so It's a good job I'm always on the last minute.

Today, it is raining...alot.
I haven't seen so much rain for about 3 weeks.....hahahaha x

Wouldn't mind being lazy round the fab pool at the fab villa I was at this time last week in Kefalonia.
Oh well, I guess we'll just have to start planning another hol for September (my other half wants to go in October but I prefer that little extra heat in Zakynthos during the day).

Now, my second news for today is my uber favourite mag  (I subscribe because it's brill!) are looking for guest DT members for each monthly issue and do you know what? I think I'll have a bash at it!!!

This is the Facebook call out :-

Quick Cards Made Easy magazine

29 July

Do you want to be part of the Quick Cards DT? We're looking for three talented crafters each month to make a fabulous card using our bonus papers. You'll receive the papers before the magazine goes on sale and your card design will feature in the issue to inspire other Quick Cards readers.

If you'd like to be considered, email photos showing three examples of your cards to catherine.dean@immediate.co.uk - we can't wait to hear from you!

Here are 3 of my favourite cards : -

TTFN and wish me luck!

L x

Like

3 Summer Girls - Friday Sketch Challenge

Good morning all.
Today is the 1st of August - where has this flippin' year gone?
It only seems like yesterday I was opening Christmas presents and not the 8th of March....those of you in the know (see March posts) will understand!

It has been a lovely week for crafting and this week I've made a beaut of a card for the Friday Sketch Challenge #75.
This challenge is sponsored by All Dressed Up who have a wonderful digi online store over at Etsy,com.
Highlight the link and it will take you straight to a store of goodies!

The sketch to follow for this challenge is this lovely one from Wendy - DT member.




I have used the '3 summer girls' image which is available from the Etsy store.

The papers, the sentiment and the cut-out ice creams are from a pad called 'Ice cream sundae' which was a free gift with the Papercraft Inspirations magazine a few months ago! (freebies should never be ignored!)
These were layered onto white and pink card and I used a black fineliner for the faux stitching.
I coloured the image with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.
I used a Martha Stewart punch for the ribbon effect and threaded it through with cream ribbon from my stash.
Some K&Co sparkly flowers, a small white pearl, glamour dust and glossy accents gel finished the whole card off.

Hope you liked my card!

TTFN
L x