Clean and Simple

Hi again!
Forgot to post this picture earlier and it's such a lovely card I thought I'd give it its' own post now instead of adding it to the last one!
I made this using an Altenew Stamp - Christmas Rose, and kept it clean and simple.
I guess it doesn't have to be a Christmas card really. The image is just floral so could be used for any occasion and the sentiment isn't occasion specific either so it'll be sent at some point in 2017 for some reason to somebody!!!
I also used a sparkle pen to make the rose shine - hope you can see it.

TTFN
L xxx

Flowers in bloom!

Good morning all!
Today, I have a lovely card to share with you which I made using the Flower Cart stamp by The Dreamees.
I fussy cut the whole image out and, using foam pads, I've layered it onto a brick wall background  which I made using a brick wall stencil as I don't have a suitable embossing folder!
The whole thing was then adhered to floral paper from my Docrafts paper stash.
The sentiment stamp is from Clearly Besotted and I've added sequins and some Nuvo drops for added interest.

I've entered this into the Flower Power Challenge at Quick Cards Made Easy!

Hope you all like it as much as I do!

Happy. Boxing Day!

Hi all!
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
I've managed to hide away in my craft-room for some much needed alone time so I thought I'd post a quick card which I made earlier! Well, when you've more than 20 minutes to spare, why not make a card and pop it into the stash for next years birthdays/events!!!
So, this is a shaker card which I've made using the free gift stamp set with my magazine, Quick Cards Made Easy, issue 161.

I hope it looks as simple as I wanted it to - I didn't want to over-fuss it but, as it's a smallish card, it may seem cluttered. What do you think? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Have a great Boxing Day.
TTFN
L xxx

Christmas is upon us----again!!

Hi all!
Well, if you haven't been shopping, prezzie buying or generally panicking, then it isn't Christmas in your neck of the woods but it is here!
For the first time in my living memory, I have actually done all my present buying and wrapping and I'm actually ready for the big day in advance and I'm looking forward to jetting off to Spain for a week 3 days later!!!
Go me!
He who works is home already (we have a funeral to go to today, sadly) but no more work for him until the 8th January! I give him 5 days and he'll be bored and wanting to go and do some! Lol!
As far as crafting goes- I'm pooped!
I have been making all my Christmas cards and Advent calendars and allsorts of bits and bobs and I've had no time to blog at all so, I'm going to post a few piccies for you to look at and hopefully you'll like them as much as I enjoyed making them.

This first one is a card I made last night and I'm entering it into the Tuesday Colour challenge over at  Outlawz Challenges.

White on white with a Christmas Rose in soft blue.

This is the selection I mentioned earlier : First -  Christmas Cards

Second - A fun bedroom door plaque for a friend

Third - Christmas decs

Fourth - A gift box

Finally - Advent Calendars

Hope you all have a wonderful, happy and healthy Christmas and I'll see you all back here in 2017 (hopefully I'll have some Spanish sun with me!)

TTFN

L xxx

Happy Tuesday :)

Hi all!
Tuesday is here again only this time I had to go to the dentist and have a crown fitted - and now it feels like there is a huge marble stuck in place of a tooth! It feels so strange i just hope it settles down soon or the dentist will have to start again!
I've been busy doing "stuff" for the past week or so and I don't yet have any photos of my lovely creations to post so they'll have to be on an I.O.U!
Yesterday I was suffering from Mojolessitis!!! I had no inspiration in me at all, so, I looked on one of my fave blogs, craftipotential, and found a couple of shaker cards to make without having to "think" about it for once!
The lady who runs the blog, Christine Smith, is brill! I love how she makes lovely cards from such simple ideas. I'm very jealous!
I'm currently tucked up in my nice, warm, cosy bed watching a craft channel and hoping my mojo will settle in again for tomorrow! I could do with a spurt of enthusiasm right now.....and some toast and jam..........:)

TTFN
L xxx

LOTV challenge

Hi all!
Well, today is absolutely frickin freezing!!! I know it's nowhere near as cold as say...Canada, the Arctic or Mars but....seriously! I was so cold this morning I haven't warmed up yet! Had to sit by the radiator all day and still I'm chilly!
Anyhoo, enough of this frivolous whingeing!
Today, I'm entering this card into the challenge at Lili of The Valley Facebook event.

I purchased the digi image "The Workbench" directly from the Lili of The Valley shop and used the challenge colour palette with Aqua and Spectrum Noir markers.
The contrasting DSP is "timbergrove" by Fancy Pants Designs (which I've had in my stash for ages!).

Hope you like it!

TTFN
L xxx

November again!

Hi all!
Well, I did promise I'd return with some piccies and updates so here I am!
How is everyone this beautiful,sunny, autumnal morning?

I have won a cardmaking challenge on the Cardmaking and Papercraft blog this month, which is lovely! It was the hallowe'en card challenge and here it is :

I also won the same blogs' baking themed challenge in September too :

So, onto more mundane stuff!
I've been very busy with the lawn mower today - on account of having 17 million----yes, 17 million!---leaves on my lawn! I have the most HUGE oak tree in my back garden and, this year, it has dropped  zillions of acorns and the usual  17 million leaves (honest, I've counted them!!!) all over the grass and as leaves are good for the soil if left to mulch down, they're not too helpful to the lawn so...UP they came!
Trouble is, once you go to all that effort to "hoover" them up, the darned tree just does it again! And, don't get me started on the tree in the front garden!
Anyhoo, hopefully the sun will stay shining brightly and I'll be able to do it again in a few days when the grass has again disappeared under uber amounts of foliage!
By the way, the oak tree does have squirrels living in it (occasionally) but, the little darlings (!) don't seem to want to eat or store ALL of the acorns. There are so many you'd think they'd have them stashed safely for the spring by now - picky little devils!
I have some flowers which are hanging on to summer by any means possible too! Alot of them are looking quite sorry for themselves but there are a few hardy blooms which just WON'T give up and snuggle down for the winter yet! Good for them I say!
Oh yes, and this morning, after the mowing, Mr.Robin came flying down to feast on any worms, bugs etc, which the vibrations of the mower on the grass had brought to the surface! He had a very good feast but didn't leave a tip - how rude!
Here are a few photos of my day so far :

Isn't Mr.Robin just sooo cute? I did have some other pics of him but they're not as clear as this one!

So, back to the crafty stuff.

Here are a couple of cards I've been making this past few days - dabbling really!

I've entered this monochrome card into the challenge at Cardmaking and Papercraft - their "First past the Post" article!
I used black and white cardstock and the free stamps which came with the latest issue of the mag.
I stamped the background with black Stazon using the poinsettia stamp, stamped the Merry Christmas stamp onto some white satin ribbon and used black sparkle embossing powder on the stamped flourish panel - also on the sentiment in the middle!
In fact, there's alot of faffing about with this but I think it came together really well.

This wreath was created with the free gifts with the latest issue of Papercrafts Inspiration magazine - but I didn't like it! 

To be honest, I didn't enjoy making it and it shows!

The 3d stars are made using a Tim Holtz die and the greeting is also from a Tim Holtz die set.

Still, maybe I can use this as a "trial and error" item! (Error being the operative word!!!)

That's it for now folks.

I've spent so long on this post I've actually forgotten what I'm going to craft today,so, I'm going to make a coffee and have a think!!!

TTFN

L xxxx

WOW!

Hi all!
I cannot believe how much time has passed since I last posted!
Life gets in the way sometimes and I just can't remember to do everything I need to do!
So, this blog is usually the one thing I forget about and I now feel guilty!
Anyhoo, today I do have lots of pics to post of cards I've made but I just don't have time right now! I think I'll have to do it over the next few days.

I hope everyone out there is doing ok.

TTFN
L xxx

Birthday Week!!!

Hi all!
As the post title suggests, it has been a special week for me----my birthday! I'm not going to remind you of my age but, if you know me, then you'll remember my 50th was 3 years ago................
Anyhoo! On to better things!
I've been making one or two bits and bobs this week for Christmas. I'm STILL struggling with my card theme this year and I've managed to put myself in a bit of a tizz so I'm just going to pinch a little inspiration from other crafters until my mojo returns!

This is one I found in a mag (can't remember which one :( ) and I tweaked it a tiny bit to make it my own as I don't have the supplies used in the original make.

These next two are shaker cards using the same paper collection as above! Peppermint Forest by Craftwork Cards. Love the colours of this collection.

This final one is a wedding card for a friend of mine including the box envelope. Her theme is burgundy and white so the card follows suit!

That's my lot for today folks!
Hope you all have a lovely, crafty weekend.
See you next week :)
TTFN
L xxx

Crafty birthday!

Hi all!
I've had a busy day or two (and weekend) and haven't made alot this week except this card, which I'm entering into a competition over at Crafters Companion for their 11th birthday celebrations!
The company labelling/logo is purple so that's the colour I've used to make this birthday card.
Along with die-cutting, stamping and heat embossing, I've incorporated photography with extra light to highlight the card better! In other words, I used a table lamp without the lampshade to give brighter light when capturing the image (which I don't usually bother with!) and I think it worked!
Something I'll have to do more often methinks.

So, here's my entry into the comp :

Add caption

It's a tent-fold base with a large aperture in the front.

Hope you like it and I hope Crafters Companion do too!

Have a great week, crafty peeps!
TTFN
L xxxxxxxxx

Winner!

Hi all!
Here's a link to the post on Cardmaking and Papercrafts' blog where I won the "baking" challenge!

Baking themed challenge.

TTFN
L x

Spooky Starts Early!!!

Hi all!
Today I have a couple of spooky (!) hallowe'en cards for you!
They are both intended for the Hallowe'en card challenge at Cardmaking and papercraft mag.

The first is a stepper card and I've used the Graphic 45 Rare Oddities collection, with other little bits n bobs from my stash!

This is my "Grown-up" card!

My second is my "fun" card!
I used different papers to create the two pumpkins ( spot the mini one hanging down the side!)

The background is actually red but showing up as pink on here! The card papers are black and orange.

Well, that's my lot for today.
I've been to the GP this morning and had my flu jab - ouch! This afternoon I'm off to weigh-in at Chubby-Club (Slimming World!!!) so wish me luck as I don't think I've done any weight losing this week!!!

TTFN
L xxx

Kalo Mina!

The post title translates as "Good Month" which is a Greek saying and that's what I'm wishing for you all :)
I haven't been able to do much crafting this weekend on account of having a social life - sometimes, fun just gets in the way!
We went to a 40th birthday and I did make a lovely card for the birthday boy but I took 2 photos (in a rush) and they're not very good so I'm not putting them up for derision!!! lol
The following day I couldn't have crafted if you'd paid me to. I was a tad under the weather!!! Tired!
I have made a lovely card this morning to send to my sons' Nanna as a "hello" card, and just to let her know we love her- ahhhhhh, I'm such a softy!

I used the papers which were included on the CD rom in the latest issue of Crafters Inspiration magazine and added some little acorns from the oak tree in my garden!

The weather's glorious at the moment so I'm off to put some more washing out on the line and make a coffee!

TTFN
L xxx

Bless Ewe!!!

Hi all!
As it's that time of the year where we all start with the sniffles and sore throats (me included) I just had to use this super cute digi image from Tiddly Inks and make a tissue packet cover with it!
I already used the image on a get well card earlier this month and thought it perfect for this!
I'm entering it into the Anything Goes challenge at the Tiddly Inks Challenge blog.

(It's a pity you can't see the sparkling gem inside the flower....oh well!)

That's all for now!

TTFN
L xxx

Autumn again!

Hi all!
Here are 2 more cards for the challenges at Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine!
Yes, I know, I've obviously got too much time on my hands - but, as they say, idle hands do the Devils' work so I think it's best to keep busy or I might get up to mischief!!!

This first one is called "rakin' the leaves" - It's a digi stamp by From the Heart Stamps and it's the birdbrain chicks who are uber cute and funny!

This next one is, again, the pumpkin pigwit image from the same company! I love their stuff - Faith Skrdla is the artist behind the images and I think she has a real talent for the quirky and whimsical!

That's all for today folks!
 I'm suffering with a sore throat and I think a cold's coming on so gonna dose myself up with copious amounts of vitamin c to ward it off (ie- I'll eat an orange!!!)

Have fun x

TTFN
L xxx

Christmas?

Hi all!
It's a little bit soggy here in Leyland this morning! It's quite mild though so not cold enough to stop me from going to the shops and spending his money!
Today's post is just to show the type of Christmas cards I've been making recently. I'm not sure, yet, which style to use this year and this is just 4 I've been playing with!

This first one is a modern card using "Sparkly pink"!!! Lol

I thought it might make a change to be non-traditional, but now it's done, I'm not sure! Still, there's 3 more to follow!

The second one is a stepper card and I used Graphic 45 A Christmas Carol paper collection.

The final one is a little simple card with a tag front - I quite like this as it's quick to make.

So, there you go! Three cards made, not sure which style to use, if any, but there's till time to play and make some more and what is it that crafters like to do most??? PLAY!!!

Have a great day
TTFN
L xxx

Just a little update...

Hi all!
I realised I haven't blogged about anything other than papercrafts for some time now so I thought it might be nice to fill you in on my daily (that'd be a bit boring) weekly (that too....)  even general stuff which happens in my life!!!
I've recently returned from another lovely holiday in Zakynthos where I spent some thime with my pal Bettyspaghettilegs. Yes, silly name I know, but there's a reason for this. She's over 6 feet tall and I'm 5'3" short!!! We do make an odd pair when out and about and a hug's a nightmare - I end up in her armpit.....move on......
Anyways, we had yet another brilliant week. I went with "He who works", my daughter and her hubby and our bezzies Jay and Shellbell. The sun was hot, the booze was chilled and the food was yum!
What more can you ask for in a holiday? Another one to recover from the last, that's what!!!
I'm still knacked and we've been home since sunday (6 days!).
I've also been on a diet!
I joined slimming world in January of this year and I desperately wanted to lose 3 stones (42 pounds) before we went away and.....I DID!!!! Three days before we flew, I received my award for hitting my target! So chuffed and, even after all that food and drink on holiday, I went back to Slimming world on Thursday only to find I'd lost 2lbs!!! Holidays must be good for me - sun and alcohol seem to work!
So, in a nutshell, life rolls on in much the same way as ever! Albeit with a couple of holidays thrown in and I'm thinner!
So, as far as papercrafting goes, yes, I'm still in the craftroom every day having a go at this and that and, at the moment, I'm deciding what my Christmas cards ought to look like. Can't decide what theme to use so I think a mooch around Pinterest for inspiration is in order.
I have won a few bits and bobs this year - also had a few items published in different cardmaking mags, which is nice! I would love to organise my head a bit better for next year and take my crafting up a level. I'd like to join a couple of new design teams and enter more comps, so, I'll have to put my managerial skills to the test and start managing my days and time better!

Anyhoo, on that note, I think I'll sign off for now.

Before I go though, here's a Christmas card I made for Papercraft Inspirations magazine using their free gift (issue 157)

Supplies - Free Embossing Foil from Papercraft Inspirations magazine
                 Free embossing folder from Papercraft Inspirations magazine
                 Patterned paper downloaded from Papercrafter magazine
                 Glitter
                 Ribbon
                 Sentiment die - free from Papercrafter magazine
                 Gold mirri card

TTFN!
Lesley xxxx

Autumn Challenge

Hi all!
Today I've posted a card which I've made using the pumpkin pigwit image from From The Heart Stamps which is one of my favourite digital image shops!

I'm entering this cute little hammy into the Autumn themed challenge at Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine.

Supplies - Spectrum Noir markers
                 Kraft card
                 Paper choices printed from USB stick - Craftwork Cards
                 Rhinestones
                 Sizzix border edge die

 Hope you think he's as cute as I do!

I've also made the following autumn themed card for the same challenge :-

Supplies :- Cream 7 x 5 cardstock base
                   First Edition Falling Leaves 8x8 paper pad
                   Paper Roses/flowers
                   Acorn husks/stems from my garden!
                   Pearl stems/ flat back pearls
                   Crochet cream ribbon
                   Glossy accents

Hope you can see the little acorn husks, which I added glossy accents to, in the bottom piccy!

TTFN
L x

Winner!!!

Hi all!
Here's a quick follow-up to the last post!
I won the cardmaking challenge over at Quick Cards Made Easy for my :
Baking themed card

How lovely is that! When the postie arrived this morning with a pack of goodies I had no idea I'd won anything so it was a great start to the day - well, not quite true. It was a bad start because I'd dropped my mobile phone in the washing up bowl - again!!!

Thank heaven for basmati rice!!!! (make of that what you will.....!)

Have a great day 

TTFN

L x

Bright and Cheerful pair!

Hi all!
Just a quick post (again) to show 2 cards which I'm entering into two different challenges this month - something I haven't done for a while but had the urge to have a bash!

This first one is this challenge through QCME magazine Pocket challenge
and a pocket must be on the card somewhere in the design.
 I've coloured  a Tiddly Inks digital character with Spectrum Noir markers, fussy cut it out and popped it onto a tag which I then added to the pocket on the front.
I wanted a mish-mash of patterns for impact and haven't used many embellishments otherwise it would be uber fussy.

The second card is for the challenge through Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine here
Baking themed challenge
and it's to celebrate the beginning of the new Great British Bake Off on TV so a baking themed card is required.
Again, I've used a Tiddly Inks digital character with dramatic modern paper which was a free download from Crafts Beautiful magazine   to set the image off.

                                                     

I enjoyed the freedom to "just create!" It makes a change doing something for me as lately I've been busy in other directions.

Anyhoo, hope you're all well and I'm excited to be going on a holibob soon so I may be bringing fresh inspiration home with me........as well as a tan!!!

TTFN
L x