Gorgeous Garnet

Hello Everyone!

I made a card this morning for the challenge over on  CR84FN. 
They havegiven us this fantastic inspiration,

Aren`t they just fabulous colours to work with?

I used the sketch from this weeks Less is More Challenge
 but I have flipped the sketch this time so I will enter this card into both challenges.

                                                                                           I`ve had such a faff about trying to get a half decent photo so I`ve shown 2. One with and one without the flash on to show the gorgeous colour of the
                                                                                       flower
                                                                                    
Anyway, I used cream card cut to a DL.
The sentiment is computer generated and printed directly onto the card.
The flower is handmade using deep red card stock.
The green DP is by Papermania Casule Collection in Verde and cut with a nestie scallop die.
I cut a piece of the red card with the scallop nestie and placed the DP onto it leaving a very narrow border.
I`ve added 1 green gem beneath the flower.

Now I need your help.
My eldest Grandaughter will be 15 next month and I haven`t a clue what to do with her card. She`s at that awkward age (when aren`t they?) where she`s too old for cute and too young for flowers and I just haven`t got any ideas whatsoever. She wants to be a hairdresser and is doing vocational training with school and a local hairdresser so if anyone knows where I can get a digistamp of a hairdryer that might help.
All advice would be gratefully recieved.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More #8 Take 2

Happy Sunday Everyone.

Hee hee I just couldn`t resist having another go at this weeks sketch at the Less is More Challenge Blog.
This is actually my 3rd attempt at this card, I just wasn`t happy with the first 2.

The first one I just put a strip of bright pink glitter paper behind the image and although it looked ok it just didn`t have the POP I`d hoped for. For the second attempt I stamped and heat embossed a Damask stamp across the bottom but it didn`t come out properly so that went in the bin. By then I was starting to get a bit grumpy. I think it`s because the clocks went forward last night and I`ve lost a whole hour from my day. Hate this changing the clocks lark!!!
Anyhow I came up with this one and I`m reasonably pleased with it.

Sentiment is computer generated.
DP is Pink Petticoat Damask from the Lola`s Boudoir collection.
Image is by Papermania from the Chatsworth collection, stamped in Versafine Black and blinged up with tiny pink gems.
A strip of bright pink ribbon to finish off.
I seem to have a thing about black and white cards at the moment don`t I? Lol.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More Challenge #8 A sketch.

Good afternoon all!

It`s saturday again which means a new challenge over at Less is More. which is a sketch this time.

I logged onto the challenge at 08;01 this morning and there were 11 people on line already which just goes to show, not only how popular it is, but also how much we look forward to a new challenge from Mandi and Chrissie. This challenge is going from strength to strength. Even though we all moaned last week about masculine cards, there were well over 200 entries. Keep up the good work girls.
I looked at the sketch, then went off to do my ironing. Now I hate ironing with a vengeance. I would sooner clean the loo than iron, but... it`s so mind numbingly boring that it gives me chance to think about what I`m going to produce that day. By the time it was finished I had idea`s for at least 3 cards so it can`t be all bad eh?
And also don`t forget there`s only 1 week til our new challenge blog opens it`s doors. I`m counting down the days and can hardly contain myself with excitement.

On to todays challenge then. A super dooper, easy peasy sketch I`m sure you`ll agree and it`s open to allsorts of interpretations. Here is my take on it.

This is my first card and I know it wont be my last this week.
I made a DL card in white card stock.
I printed off some music paper that I`d downloaded ages ago and can`t remember where from (sorry).
The image and the sentiment are both from Inkadinkado Rock Star set. Stamped in Versafine.
I stuck some of the sheet music onto some black paper after punching a strip with a fiskars punch.
The image is cut out with a nestie circle and raised using foam pads.
It wasn`t until I was photographing it that I realised I had the music paper upside down. If there are any serious music readers out there I apologise.

Thanks to all of you who helped with my smudgy ink problem the other day. I think I must have had a senior moment because I knew about Memento ink and have some in black. Just didn`t think to use it. Sorry I think it`s my age lol.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Daffodil..

Hello all!

Just a quick post from me today.
I finally got around to using some of my scraps and, what with the sun shining and flowers blooming, I thought, what better than a Daffodil.

 I love making these layered cards. They are so easy and yet look so effective.
White base card, white panel, slightly smaller and run through Cuttlebug Swirls folder. A piece of scrap paper placed along the bottom. Finished off with some ribbon and a bow.The whole panel is then placed using foam pads to give it some depth.
The image is by Fred She Said 
coloured with Promarkers, cut out with an oval nestie and placed using foam pads.
And that`s it, easy peasy.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Just a couple of reminders.

Afternoon all!

A couple of posts ago I showed a card with a handmade flower on it and a few of you asked how to make them.
I got the idea from Karen who had found a tutorial Here. Check it out, they are so easy peasy to make and can be adapted if you haven`t got the tools shown.

One more thing. Don`t forget to pop over to St Lukes Charity Card Challenge Blog. The first challenge is on the 2nd April so not long to wait. Become a follower or bookmark the site, then you`ll be able to join in when we go live. I can`t wait. The design team are all hard at work getting our first cards ready and I just know it`s going to be a success.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

The Shabby Tea Room # 54 Bingo!

Good evening all!

It`s been a fabulous day here in sunny Hull. Blue skies, sunshine and above all, warm. I keep trying to tell myself it may not last but the optimist in me is convinced that spring is here and can only get better. Boy am I in for a shock. It is, afterall, it`s only March. lol

It`s been ages since I managed to join in the challenge at The Shabby Tea Room so today I thought I`d give it a go.

This week we are playing Bingo, and using the this board, we are to create a project using 3 things off the board by going across or down, just like bingo. Alternatively we can use all 9 squares to be put into a draw.
Sounds simple right?..
Wrong!
I mentioned the other day that my mojo had chucked a sickie and that is still the case. He hasn`t gone away, he`s just not very co operative.

I had an idea I wanted to go with but everything I tried just wouldn`t come off. you know when get `one of those days`.

I started by stamping my image first giving it plenty of time to dry and settle down. I`d stamped with Versafine black but when I tried to colour with Promarkers the black ink bled. So, I tried again with Stazon, same thing.
In the end I went back to Versafine and used clear EP very quickly and it worked a treat. Then I couldn`t decide which papers to use. When I finally decided on Pink Petticoat Digi papers my printer decided to play up. Luckily I found some scraps in the box I`d sorted out the other day so I was good to go, humph!
Which 3 things should I embellish it with? In the end I went with what I once heard described as a Pizza card.
Everything on it bar the kitchen sink lol.

Here is how it turned out.

I used a new Papermania Cupcakes stamp that I bought on Saturday from the Range ( I love that shop) for £2. Coloured with Promarkers.
The DP are Pink Petticoat from my scrap box.
I`ve added loads of embellies and I`ll list them along with piccy`s.

The image is Heat EMBOSSED .
The nestie circle and scalloped circle are dry embossed DIE CUTS.
The cupcakes are GLITTERed
I have added GEMS to the tops of the cupcakes.

I have added FLOWERS and used BRADS for the middles.
The bottom panel has some LACE with RIBBON threaded through.
And I`ve finished off with some cute star BUTTONS.

So there you have it, my Pizza card.
I`m really pleased with how it`s turned out considering it took me the best part of a day. Maybe Mr Mojo is feeling a little better now. I certainly hope so.

Thanks for popping in ...Lynne xxx

Brand New Challenge Blog....with a difference.

Hello All!

My blogging buddy Tara over on Craftilicious 
is starting a new card making challenge. The difference between this one and other challenges is that it is in support of  St Lukes Hospice in Sheffield. Tara has already set up a blog page, St. Lukes charity card challenge
so pop over and check it out.

Not only that but she has asked little ol` me to be on the design team, how cool is that?

The challenge will be a monthly one, beginning on 2nd April ( was going to be the 1st but we thought you might think it was an April Fool lol) but then on the 1st of every month.
Basically what we want you to do is to make a card for that months challenge, post it to your blog and link it to the charity blog. Then you can send the finished card to the Freepost address for the hospice to raise much needed funds.
Personally I can`t think of a better reason to make a card, can you?
Pop over to the charity blog because Tara explains it all so much better than me and we look forward to seeing loads of entries when we go live on April 2nd.

Thanks for popping in ...Lynne xxx

Less is More # 7 Masculine.

Good afternoon and a happy saturday to you all.

The challenge this week over on Less is More is Masculine. Argh, there`s a reason people don`t make many man cards. It`s because they are so difficult. You can`t even dress them up with ribbons and gems to hide the fact that the images you have mean nothing to the man in your life lol.
Anyway, not to be outdone I`ve come up with a card. It probably won`t be my only one this week but we`ll have to see. I`m really out of my comfort zone with this challenge.

I`ve used Rubbadubbado A Year in Sport that I`ve had for years and hardly used. I stamped in black Stazon
and coloured with Promarkers.
The wickets have been cut out with a nestie oval and raised with foam pads. The bat and ball have been cutout by hand and also raised with foam pads. The grass is from a scrapbooking pad that I got ages ago.
The sentiment is by Anita`s.
I was reasonably pleased with this until the sentiment didn`t stamp as dark as I`d hoped. Next time I think I`ll do it on the PC.

I was back at the  doctors again on wednesday and she`s given me another fortnight off but to be honest it`s much, much better than it was. I think my mojo has chucked a sicky too though.
I decided on thursday that I would set myself a challenge to make some cards using all my scraps of DP.
Sorted through the, now massive pile, matched up with matching or contrasting card and ribbons and then...nothing. I tried alsorts to get my mojo into gear but failed miserably. In the end I packed it all away and watched Corrie.
There now follows a short rant.
One of the things that I think we all enjoy the most about the LiM challenge is the amount of comments we`re getting and the feedback from Mandi and Chrissie. M & C have never failed to comment on an entry as far as can see and lets face it, there have been hundreds. Now for the rant bit. In the past few weeks I have entered other challenges and not had a word from the DT. I think it`s bad mannered to say the least and a bit demoralising too. I don`t think my entries were THAT bad.
So, from now on I`m not bothering. If they can`t be bothered to at least acknowledge me, I can`t be bothered to join in. Rant over.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Sketchbook Saturday #2

Good afternoon...again.

One of the blogs that I follow regularly is Iwona Palamountain at Random Acts Of Creativity. A couple of weeks ago she started a new challenge called Sketchbook Saturday. This is just for fun and I really wanted to enter the first one but time ran away from me. I was determined to do something this week though as the sketches are so simple and the rules are more like guidelines lol.

Here is the sketch for week 2,

And here is my card,

I`ve changed the position of the flower and sentiment and realised too late that the flower should have been more towards the centre.

The Dp are both from Papermania Regency Collection matted onto deep red card.
I`ve used the same deep red to make the flower and added a green gem brad and some leaves.
The sentiment is from Flourishes Tag Lines which I`ve cut up (ouch) .
I`m disappointed with the position of the flower as apart from that I was reasonably pleased with this one.
I promise to do better next time :0

Thanks for popping in ...Lynne xxx

Feeding my addiction.

Good afternoon all.

I hope the weather is better where you are than it is here. Yesterday was glorious, warm sunshine, gentle breeze. Got all my washing dry which pleased me no end ( I`m a simple soul) but today we`re back to gloom and damp, yuk. Which sometimes isn`t such a bad thing because I`m having a bit of a crafting day today.

I have made my third and final ( maybe) entry for this weeks off the edge challenge at Less is More .
There have been some absolutely stunning submissions this week which I cannot hope to compete with but it has made me up the ante a bit for this one.

Here is my card,

Regular visitors to the loft will know that this is my favourite Flourishes stamp set and are probably sick to death of seeing it as I use it so often. It is so versatile though as Gerberas can be any colour you choose.
I have coloured mine with Promarkers using Maroon, Pear Green and Gold. The image is stamped with Versafine Black as is the sentiment which comes from the same set.

Right I`ve had my fix for today, I`m off to do some more crafting.
Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Foxgloves and fairies

Hello everyone.

First of all could I thank everyone for their comments, sympathy and advice on my back problem. I`m really grateful that you have taken the time to send me your thoughts and I`m working on some of the advice . Unless something serious happens I`m not going to mention any ailments from now, I promise. This is, after all,a craft blog not a health blog. Thank you.

As you might have guessed by now I am in danger of becoming addicted to making CAS cards for the Less is More Challenge.I have my second card for this week today and it`s only sunday.
There is a story behind this particular stamp and I`ll tell it you later.

This is my card,

And I did a pink one aswell, just for fun.





The stamp is from Artkure Stamping Systems and it cost me the princely sum of 50p. Yeah that`s right, 50p, in a clearance sale at fabric/ craft shop about 2 years ago.
I`ve tried colouring it in the past with promarkers but it didn`t look right and there is a tutorial on the Artkure site which recommends stamping with brushmarkers and then using them to watercolour. I did try this but I`m useless. I kept getting green onto the flowers and pink onto the leaves so the poor stamp has been sitting gathering dust along with 3 of it`s friends.
Anyway, while I was looking at my stamp collection yesterday to decide which one to use on my `off the edge` card, I thought I`d have a go at using it just as an outline image. I think it works.
The sentiment is from Flourishes Tag Lines ( ofcourse) .

Right, my little story. I`ve always had a thing about Foxgloves. Along with Aqualigia they remind me of fairies.
Quite a few years ago we took our caravan to Rosedale Abbey on the North Yorkshire Moors for a short break. Along a very windy road on the moors we came across a wild flower nursery that was selling, among other things, foxgloves. I only bought one because I wasn`t sure how would do in the soil in our garden but we planted it when we got home and it took off beautifully and flowered.
At the time my eldest grandaughter Charlotte was about 3 and when she came to visit one day I told her we had fairies in the garden. She looked at me as if I was a bit daft so I took her outside and told her that if we were really quiet we might see a fairy near the foxglove. The second I finished speaking, a bee flew off the flower and whizzed passed Charlottes head. She then did that thing that only small children do, you know when they get so excited that they can hardly breathe or speak, looked at me with wide eyes and said " I saw one Grandma, I saw a fairy".
For years she was convinced we had fairies in our garden. She`ll be 15 next month, I wonder if she still believes in fairies.
Anyway that is the reason I`ve used ` Smile ` as my sentiment because every time I think of that day, I have to smile, it was magic.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More #6 Off the edge.

Hello, happy saturday.

As it is saturday it`s time for a brand new challenge at Less is More and this week we are asked to make a one layer card with an image stamped `off the edge`.
I must admit when I saw this at 8 o,clock this morning I nearly went off the edge but I thought about it, decided which stamps I had that would work  and I felt  much better. So much better in fact that I think I might have another couple of entries yet this week.

Here is my card,

I turned to my old faithful Papertrey Turning a New Leaf stamp set for this one. This is the largest of the leaf stamps and I`ve used Versacolour Evergreen to stamp it onto Kraft card.
The sentiment is my go to set from Flourishes,Tag Lines.

Can I just say a really big thank you to all that commented on my cards from last week. I did try to get round to you all but if I missed you out I`m really sorry.

This wasn`t my first choice, the one I really wanted to submit just wouldn`t stamp without leaving gaps in the image. I`m going to persevere though `cos I refuse to be beaten and hopefully will post that one another time.

Just a quick word about my back. I hate to go on about it because I sound like a/ a moaning minnie and b/ a hypochondriac but...I have had a bad back for years, I have degenerative disc disease in the lower back and spondylosis in the 1st 2 vertebrae of my neck. As I say I`ve had this condition for donkey`s years and know my limitations, what I can and can`t do. Although extremely painful at times it`s not a disability.
This is different though. It`s in the spine but lower down, nearer the shoulders, just above my bra. The doctor said it was a pulled muscle but everything I`ve read says that muscles heal within a week or so, this has been nearly 3 weeks now. So I`m still non the wiser. The really sad thing is that it gets worse when I`m crafting or on the comp. It`s that bending slightly across the top of the back that does it. Maybe I need a higher desk or a lower chair. I`m back at docs early next week so I`ll see what she says.
All the time I`m typing this, I can`t get out of my head, the terrible scenes from Japan and how devastating it must be for the people involved. It sorta puts my niggling back ache into context doesn`t it?

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

PPC #51 x2

Good afternoon folks!

I`m getting a bit carried away submitting more than one entry into these challenges, I must have too much timeon my hands lol.

Anyway as I said yesterday I was thinking of doing another card for Picture Perfect Creations from this weeks colour swatch.

I`ve used the same card as yesterday and the DP is from the same Papermania collection but a different pattern.
This time I`ve used the cuttlebug and the swirls EF and a different stamp,
from Papermania Chatsworth Collection. The sentiment is from the same set.
Apologies for the crappy photo, I`ve tried to edit it but obviously not very well.

Got to rush, doing liver and sausages for tea, it`s Alan`s favourite so I`m keeping him sweet.

Thanks for popping in ...Lynne xxx

Picture Perfect Creations #51

WOW 2 posts in 1 day. Now that`s something I don`t do very often.

This is the colour swatch from PPC for this week. I`ve been mulling over what to do with these colours for days and finally had the chance to dig about amongst my stash today.

I`ve finally got my head around these colour combo`s I think. There`s always one colour that throws me so I`ve decided that, for me, it`s better to work out which is the " wrong " colour and then use it very sparingly. This week it was the blue. I tried all the different combo`s and the other 3 look so rich together, so the blue drew the short straw.

This is what I came up with,

I don`t think it`s one of my better efforts, now it`s done I think I might have been better with more layering and I might do another to see, watch this space.

I used pale blue card for my base.
The DP is  Papermania Capsule Collection Sunshine which just happened to have this red and mustard :)
I`ve layered that onto some kraft card before layering it onto the base.
The image is a Hero Arts Called Leaf Flourish Stamped in Red onto Mustard card and cut out with a nestie circle.
I cut a strip of kraft card and used a Flourishes Tag Line sentiment stamped in red.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More #5 x4

Hello All!

I hope your thursday is going well.

I`ve decided to enter yet another card into this weeks Less is More challenge.If any of you think that this is getting a bit obsessive then I think you might be right,lol.

After my first disaster, a redo then a badly photographed third attempt I thought I`d give it one last go. Trouble is, now that it`s done I`m not sure if it`s CAS enough or even pastel (ly) enough but I`m sure you`ll let me know.
I made two of these cards, one for my Mum and one for Alan`s Mum.

Both the same so only one piccy.

I did make a card very similar to this a few weeks ago but kept it white on white so this is a little different.

Really simple card, white base card, slightly smaller panel run through Cuttlebug Birds and Vine folder raised with foam pads.
Ribbon border is by Marianne designs with yellow ribbon threaded through.
Handmade yellow flower with clear gem brad.
Sentiment by Elusive images, cut up and cutout with nestie label die.


Well not much to report from the loft. Alan`s Mum is doing better although she`s still staying at his sisters house. My back is a bit better but golly I know when the painkillers are wearing off. and that`s about it really.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More #5 x3

Hi! Yes it`s me, back again with another entry for this weeks Less is More Challenge.

It`s been a strange week here in the loft. I keep coming up with ideas for CAS cards but then I`m a bit unsure once I`ve made them. Got lots to tell you but I`ll show you my latest offering first and then if you don`t want to be bored silly you can pass on the waffle.

I felt like doing something a bit whimsical this time so I printed off a Pink Petticoat `Eat Cake` image.
I`ve coloured it with Promarkers and added some Glamour Dust to the flowers.
The spotty paper is also from PP, from their Spring Collection, punched along the bottom with a scallop punch then matted onto some pink card also scalloped.
The sentiment is Papertrey.

Right first, I mentioned the other day about a lovely surprise from a fellow LiM blogger.
Sandra posted this card for the `3 squares` challenge.

After I`d commented on her blog saying how much I loved her card and that I wanted it enlarging to hang on my wall,she very kindly e-mailed me asking if I`d like to have the card.
Well I thought about it...for about 2 seconds.. and told her I`d be honoured. In truth I was chuffed to bits.
Anyway the card arrived 2 days later and is now in a frame hanging in my craft room. Then on saturday this card was chosen by Chrissie and Mandi to be showcased. How good is that?
Do you want it back now that it`s famous and might be worth a fortune in the futue Sandra?
Tough! It looks really nice on my wall rofl.
Thanks hun I really am over the moon.

Now for the waffle.
Just over a week ago I hurt my back at work. I finally went to the doctors on Saturday and it turns out I`ve torn a muscle in my spine. No flipping wonder it hurt so much. I am now taking so many anti inflammatories and pain killers that I rattle and have a 2 week sick note.
Then last monday Alan`s Mum was taken into hospital with fluid on her lungs. At first they thought it was pleurisy but it`s now been diagnosed as heart failure. Bless her, she`s 85 and really took some persuading to go into the hospital but after treatment she`s much better and was allowed home on saturday. She`s staying with Alan`s sister for now so we know she`s safe and being looked after.
I`d arranged with my daughter to help me move back into the loft a couple of weeks ago. I knew soon after taking over the only spare bedroom that it was a bad idea but it had taken me too long to do it last time. Anyway Angie said she`d help and we decided on last thursday. Then I hurt my back so couldn`t help much.
Poor lass finished doing most of it for me while I supervised. (as you do).
So, I am back crafting in the loft. Just have the spare bedroom to sort out now and we`ll be done lol.

I think thats all I`ve got to rabbit on about but I`m sure I`ll think of something else next time.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More #5 Take 2

Hi All!

After all the wonderful comments left for yesterday`s post for Less is More, I`ve taken on board what you all said and have redone my card.
I think I knew before hand where I`d gone wrong, at least I knew it wasn`t right and really shouldn`t have posted. This is what happens when you try to make a card inbetween the weekly shop and the sunday roast.
Anyway I`ve done 2 versions so you can decide which is the better of the 2. I prefer option 2, the lilac ribbon.

I didn`t notice until I`d posted this one that one of the gems had fallen off, doh!
Somehow I just don`t think this card was meant to be.











Anyway I stuck it back on quickly and redid this one in the thinner lilac and I`m happier with this one.
I`m going to make another card altogether though so I`ll see you all soon.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

Less is More #5 Pastels

Hello all.hope you are enjoying your Sunday.

We have a colour challenge of sorts this week at Less is More where we are to use pastels.

What I want to know is why, if I don`t have a problem with CAS and I don`t normally have a problem with pastels, am I finding this challenge so flippin` hard.

I have made a card although I`m sure I could make a better one and probably will this week but I need all the criticism I can get, good or bad I promise I won`t cry ( for long).

Here goes,

It`s one of those cards that seem fine in the preparation but once finished you`re not sure about.

White base card.
Same white card run through Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, Scalloped along bottom with Spellbinders Jumbo Scalloped Border, matted onto lilac card also scalloped.
Raised from base card with foam pads.
Image is Flourishes Sweetpeas coloured with Promarkers and cut out with nestie oval.
I`ve added a punched butterfly, some pale green ribbon for contrast and some lilac gems.
The sentiment isRubbadubbado.

Please let me know what you think and please be honest.

I`ll be back during the week with all my news and to tell you about the lovely surprise I got from another LiM entrant.

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx

PPC #50

Good afternoon all.

I hope I find you well. This is week 50 over at Picture Perfect Creations 
and we have another fab colour combo.

I always get a bit of a panic on when I see pink and orange on a colour combo because everything I was taught about colours clashing comes back and slaps me.
I took a deep breath and just went for it. Here is my card,

Biggest apologise for the photo, it`s the dullest day ever here today and it`s taken all the brightness out of the pink DP.

I used dark brown base card.
The DP are both by Pink Petticoat and are Daisies and pinstripes in Little Fleurs pink, matted onto white card.
I`ve added a border in white by punching with a Fiskars border punch.
The image is Stampendous Agapanthus stamped in  Versa colour Orchid and cut out with a spellbinders lacey circle die.
I stamped an Elusive Images Butterfly in Versa Colour Orange onto Parchment paper and cut it out then stuck it to my flower image.
The sentiment is Flourishes taglines stamped in Versafine Black.

The girls over on PPC are also asking for new design team members so I`m entering this card for that too although I`m not over confident. Still if you don`t try...

Thanks for popping in...Lynne xxx