Its been a while since I last posted as I,ve been so busy, why does life seem to take up so much of my crafting time ?
Over on http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/ this weeks challenge sketch caught my eye, I,ve used the site for inspiration before ( they have all old sketches together), but this is the first time I,ve entered a card I,d stamped a load of Tildas months ago when Hollie and I were having a craft afternoon and I love this image she looks so cute I wanted to make a card with her for my friends 30th birthday so heres the sketch


and this is the card that I made..

Once again the photo is pants but Monica sent a link to a great tip on taking better pictures of my finished projects, I just need to find the time to read it.

I love the bright colours of this card they really stand out just a shame you cant really see it.

This exploding mini book, has taken me ages to finish, I started it just after xmas, but with the move and everything else, I,ve just not had time to put the finishing touches to it.

It uses 2 12x12 sheets of cardstock and can hold lots of small photos of one occasion, so as I always take loads of pics on christmas day I made it my theme for this album, I used DoodleBug papers and cardstock stickers, and the large ribbon was off a box of chocs that I had received as a gift,(I knew my hoarding would come in handy), and the rest of the ribbon is from Papermania I think.

You cant see very well but there is 6 little tags pushed behind the pockets of the paper.

Just need to pick from the hundereds of pics I have now then I can complete it.

Hope you all like it.

I made this album for my friends birthday, its so hard to find a present that actually means something to the person its for, especially when the girl in question has more than enough acessories and hand bags (although a girl can never have enough) her tastes have changed for the finer and more expensive brands and the latest chloe bag was way out of my budget so I thought why not make her something, I,ve made a few paperbag albums now but never given one away, and I really loved the finished book, luckily she loved it too, the colours are very her and she has already put some photos in so I,m pleased she loved it as much as I did.
Heres a couple of the pages,

I,ve been busy entertaining the kids while they are off school, so not had time to do much in the way of crafting but I have lots of ideas I want to get on with, just need to find the time.

I,ve signed up for the on-line classes over on Stamp With Us, and I,m also waiting to hear when the next Art From the heart class is, they look great fun and it would be bliss to have a full day creating. Cant wait.

Morning all, The first challenge is up over on Stamp with us, this week it was a sketch to follow,
I like sketch challenges it gives you an easy starting place, heres my card, Monica had sent me some lovely papers and card when I signed up to become a demonstrator and I knew they would be perfect for this challenge, I used a stamp from the Botanical Blooms, and my new favourite things the Stampin Pastels.

Once again my bad photo makes it quite hard to see the delicate colours, but I,m really happy with it, I still need to photograph the box and cards I made to go into the box but will get round to it soon.

I have a house full of children today, so wont get much crafting done but theres always tonight...

Using my Stampin Pastels

This is my first attempt using the Stamin' pastels, I,ve never really used pastels or chalks, and was unsure of how to do so, but you learn by your mistakes, and I made a few with this card I actually messed the first one up, I did want to make a square card, but I ended up having to trim it down, but for my first go with pastels I,m really quite pleased with it, they give a real muted depth of colour and I can see me using them a lot more, just need a few more finger daubers as they really are the best way to apply.
I used the Garden Whimsy stamp set, the butterflies are so pretty, and how cute is the little snail, I think he would good on a penny slider card, actually think I might have a go at making one next.
I,ve also just signed up for the on-line classes over at Stamp with us (to visit just click on the blinkie to the right), I do fancy going on their retreat, but dont know if I can really afford to go, and Hollie is away at her first brownie camp that weekend so I might even get ropped in to help with that.
Back later x

One of a Kind

I,m loving all the goodies in my kit, I made this yesterday, using the One of A Kind stamp set, its a shame I,m so useless with my camera that you cant really see how pretty the colours are together, I think up to now my fav colour has to be the gable green, it just goes with any other colour you put it with.

I made a lovely scallop edged box to hold some more cards I made last night while hubby was out watching the England match, will have a go at taking some photos and pop it on later

The new Stampin' Up! catalogue is live

I have some exciting news the new mini catalogue is now live there is some beautiful new stamp sets in there so make a drink and have a look, to view the mini click on the picture at the top the page, Have fun browsing and to place an order just drop me a e-mail and I,ll be happy to help.
Back soon x