A new blog from me

Hello there.
As I've been having lots of problems with my laptop and also passwords I've decided to stop using this blog and set up another one. I have a new laptop now and it seems to be the best way forward for me.
My new blog is..designsfromtheloft.blogspot.com

Please check it out and follow me, I'd love to keep up with all you blog friends.
Thank you for being with me on my journey so far X

Simply Less is More #403

Hello there,

It's Lucky Dip week over at Simply Less is More and this time it's Metallics.

As I'm in full Christmas mode atm I thought I'd have a go with one of the designs I have in mind for some of my cards.

I've used a dark card for my base. It's a beautiful slate grey with a shimmer finish that I've had for years. In fact I've had it so long I can't remember where I bought it. I think it's from a card & paper mill in Hull but I'm not sure. They do some gorgeous card in unusual colours but they're quite expensive which is probably why I've held onto it for so long.

I started by cutting out a rectangle from apiece of scrap card to use as a mask. Then I used a Memory Box stencil with clear EI and silver EP for my background.
 The trees are a set from Amazon, cut from snippets of white card and triple embossed in silver.
The sentiment is Sentimental Christmas from Winnie & Walter also embossed in silver.

I'm pleased with this card and if I can bare to use more of this card I think I'll make a batch

Thanks for popping in X

Less is More # 402

Hello there,

Time for another challenge at Simply Less is More and it's the dreaded one layer challenge this time.

Although I no longer dread the one layer challenge I always think my cards are a bit too simple and would like to add to them. I suppose the beauty of these is that once they've been entered into the challenge, you can add bits and bobs. I think I might add some small gems or sequins at a later date.

Stencil is by Alexandra Renke.
Versa Color ink in Canary, Lime, Mint, Cyan, Heliotrope and Pink.
Sentiment by Flourishes stamped in Versamark Onyx.

Thanks for popping in X

Simply Less is More # 401

Hello there,

The weeks seem to be flying by this summer and it's time for another challenge at Less is More,
and it's a colour challenge this time.

I love a colour challenge and with this one having Tangerine as one of the colours I was in my element. Teamed with Aqua was a bonus too.

I'd found some Christmas card idea's on Pinterest using a stamp similar to the circle one so already had them out to give it a try. Now I've practised on this one I'm all ready to go .

The circle stamp is by Inkadinkado Stamped in Versa color Orange
 The butterfly is from a freebie set, stamped in clear ink and embossed with Sky Blue EP onto a scrap of parchment.
I simply fussy cut the butterfly and used a slither of foam pad to adhere to the card.
Sentiment is by There She Goes

I do like to send thank you cards, I think it means more than just a spoken thanks. So if I don't have an occasion to make a CaS card but still want to join in with the challenge, I tend to make them thank you cards so I always have  a stock of them to go to.


Thank you for popping in x

Ruby's 11th birthday

hello there,

Today is my grand daughter Ruby's 11th birthday. She's going up to high school in September, where does the time go?
She is now well over a year cancer free and doing extremely well apart from some health issues due to the after effects of treatment but nothing too serious.
 We also had some amazing news ealier in the month.  Ruby got very good results in her SAT's and the highest result recorded at the school for spelling and grammar. Not bad for a kid that missed roughly 3 years of schooling due to ill health and hospital stays.
To say we are very proud is an understatement, this child never ceases to amaze us. She truly is a super hero.

I knew I wanted a pretty, vibrant card for her but not too over the top as she isn't really a girlie girl. So I've tried to keep the flowers to a minimum, quite difficult for me sometimes lol.

Papers are by The Shabby Princess.
 Flowers fromWild Orchid crafts.
Doily die by Marianne designs.
Sentiment is PC generated.


thanks for popping in x

A place to start July 2019

Hello there,

I'm just sneaking in before the end of the July challenge at A place to start.
This month it's Anything Goes so I thought I'd share some knitting with you.

I always knitted for my children when they were young and even knit myself a couple of jumpers  but then once the kids grew up and I went back to work full time I just stopped. I started again when my eldest grand daughter was expecting the twins 3 years ago.  Our 6th grandbaby Emilia was born in May and the twins mum is expecting a girl in November so I'm getting plenty of practice in.

It's not the best pic as it's actually Lemon but looks off white.  I'm knitting larger sizes for Emilia as it's far too warm at the moment for cardigans but gives me plenty of time to build a collection for the winter months.

Thanks for popping in x

Simply Less is More # 400

Hello there,

I hope the weather where ever you are is being kind to you. It's a bit too hot for me here this week,30 degrees and rising so nothing very energetic getting done by me. I did however find a slightly cooler spot in the craft room for the latest challenge from Simply Less is More.
This time we have been asked to use our smaller images, less than 2 inches.

After a bit of oohing and aahing I decided on this cute little image from Penny Black

I coloured the flower in a hot pink with a Spectrum Noir pen to give it a pop of colour.
The rest is coloured with Promarkers and the image is cut out with a Spellbinders circle nestie.
The leaf stems are by Simply Graphic.
The sentiment is by Papertrey stamped in Versafine Onyx.

Thanks for popping in X

Mum in laws 94th birthday

Hello there,

It was Alan's mum's 94th birthday last Monday. She has kidney failure which causes audio hallucinations that are causing some problems, mainly for the rest of the family. But apart from that she's doing really well for an old bird. We normally all take her for a meal to celebrate her birthday but she doesn't seem to want to leave the house much so we all popped in to see her over the weekend. Great to have a catch up with the in laws.

I got a bit carried away with the flowers on this one but she's worth it. I think it would also make a good wedding card.

Backing paper from Pink Petticoat ( now the Lovely Studio) but sadly now retired.
Frame is Spellbinders.
Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Thanks for popping in X

A snippets birthday card

Hello there,

It was my grand daughter Ami's 7th birthday on Saturday. She started dance classes a few months ago and last week had her first exams. She proudly showed off two certificates for Highly Commended when we went to see her for her birthday and luckily I already had dancing in mind when I made her card.
As this one is made up of mainly offcuts and snippets I'm entering it into this weeks challenge at Pixie's snippets playground

The backing papers are both from Pink Petticoat/ The Lovely studio. The hearts are left over from Emilia's card and the Roses are an offcut that I've been hanging onto for ages as this design is now discontinued and I stupidly forgot to save it to disc DOH!
The banner is made from the leftover piece that you get when you make an A4 sheet of card into a 15cm x 15cm square card with a little piece of the hearts behind.
The butterflies are cut from a piece of pink glitter card that has more cut outs than card left.
I found the image on Google images. It's really difficult trying to find a dancer of colour for some reason but as soon as I saw this one I loved it, it's Ami to a tee.
The sentiments are computer generated.
The number 7 is from a sheet from The Works
The gems are from my stash.

This is Ami with her new baby sister Emilia

I'm so lucky, I get lots & lots of cuddles

Thanks for popping in X

Less is more #399

Hello there,

It's time for the latest challenge at Simply Less is More and this time it's,

We've had quite a busy weekend so I've made a really quick and simple card.

I used a piece of smooshed card from my stash, cut into diamond shapes with a Spellbinders nested set.
 The Celebrate die is cut from silver glitter card using a Britannia die.
Finished off with a few tiny gems.

Since I made this card I've had another idea that, time allowing , I'll do during the week.

Thanks for popping in X

80th Birthday card...and a day with Emilia.

Helllo there,

It was my friend and neighbours 80th birthday a couple of weeks ago so I had to make her a card didn't I? 

I've kept is soft and pretty with pastel flowers from Wild Orchid crafts
The papers are from the Lovely studio in Willow green..
The leaves are from dies by the Works and Simply Graphic.
The doily is by Marianne Designs.

Yesterday my daughter in Law went to see Pink at Wembly and my son and hubby were building a fence in their garden so I had Emilia all to myself for the day.

Considering it's been quite a time since I had a baby for so long  (11 years since my last grand baby) we got along just fine. 3 feeds, 3 nappy changes and lots of wind and a few smiles and grins that I swear weren't wind. She was a little angel once we'd decided that she needed to sleep now and again and I loved every minute. I also slept like a log last night and had a lay in this morning.






Thanks for popping in x

Less is More # 398

Hello There,

Time for another new challenge at Simply Less is More. 

The now not so dreaded one layer challenge has come around again and it's a fun one, Spots.
I like spots, well on my cards anyway.I was going to use a patterned stamp with spots but then I found this one that I'd almost forgotten I had.

 I've been to my son & daughter in laws this morning for cuddles with my new grand daughter Emilia so I must have had babies on my mind. I've made this one a little boy though as he looks quite boyish to me perched on his little duck.

Stamp is by Lily of the Valley, coloured with Promarkers and Spectrum Noir pens.
Sentiment is part of the set.

I enjoyed playing  with this one,I really should do more stamping.

Thanks for popping in x

Another new stencil

Hello there,

I'm still feeding my obsession with stencils and texture paste and treat myself to 2 new ones from Alexandra Renke this week. I couldn't wait to start playing and, luckily, it's my sister in laws birthday tomorrow so I had the perfect excuse.
 For this card I've used the oval stencil,

I coloured the texture paste with a tiny bit of Cerulean Blue acrylic paint and after removing the stencil I gave it a liberal sprinkling of Glamour Dust.
 The sentiment is PC generated and I managed to find some gems in the same shade of blue to give it a little pop of bling.

I'm having lots of fun with these and no doubt I'll be back with more. There are just so many colours to try lol.

Thanks for popping in x

Simply Less is More #397

Hello there,

It's a colour challenge at Less is More this time, with the colours being,

I normally love the colour challenges but I've struggled a bit with this one. They are not colours I would normally put together but then, that is the beauty of a challenge. So I've made a card but I'm not 100% happy with it.

I'm still a little bit obsessed with stencils and texture paste so I used a little for this one
The stencil is by Studio 75 and I've coloured the paste with a tiny bit of cerulean blue acrylic paint.
The dragonfly is a die from Amazon and I used a scrap of plum coloured card.
I then swiped all over with a clear embossing pad and covered it with Moon Glow two tone embossing powder in Plum/Gold.
After heating it to melting point I sprinkled more EP on and heated that.
I sprinkled a little Glamour Dust on the wings to finish.
The sentiment is PC generated.


Thanks for popping in x

A new to me challenge blog

 Hello there,



 My blog friend Carol is a guest designer for this months challenge at A place to start.
This is a new challenge blog for me but the theme this month is to use your favourite stencil and, as I'd just photographed my latest card, it fits perfectly.

It's my neighbours 60th ( Diamond) wedding anniversary on Thursday and I've made them a card using my stencil from Alexandra Renke.

I began by printing an A5 card with the sentiment on my PC
I used homemade texture paste coloured a pale grey with acrylic paint and after removing the stencil, covered the image in lots of ultra fine silver glitter.
Once dry I added quite a few diamonds ( gems) to the design.

A close up of the glittery finish.
I adore this stencil as it leaves a lovely crisp image and can be used for lots of occasions.


Thanks for popping in X

A book card and a new grand baby

Hello there

On Friday31st May my daughter in law presented us with our latest Grand baby, a beautiful girl called Emilia. She is my sons first baby so he is chuffed to bits.

 I've been to see her and we have enjoyed cuddles. Oooh I just want to squeeze her.

Anyway I made a book card for Emilia. I like to make  these as they're more of a keepsake and I love to put some information in them, date, time and weight

Backing papers are Tiny Treasures by Lemoncraft
Doily die by Marianne designs
Flowers by Wild Orchid crafts

Thanks for popping in x

Less is More # 396

Hello there,

It's time for another challenge over at Simply Less is More and this time it's,

So many different ways to emboss your cards and I think I've used quite a few of them on my entry

I used a stencil for the background.
I cut a circle using a die from a scrap of copy paper and placed it over the stencil, then used texture paste to cover it. Once the stencil was removed and the paste was still wet I sprinkled some white embossing powder over it and left it to dry. Once dry I heated it with my heat gun until I had a lovely shine.
The large leaf was cut from some sponged card that I made ages ago. I used a dark green Versa colour ink pad just along the edges of the leaves and sprinkled some clear EP on and heated it.
The rubber Plant leaf is cut from some smooshed card from my stash and I dry embossed the veins using an embossing tool.
The other leaf was cut from plain white card. I ran a lighter green Versa colour pad over the die cut until well covered, then sprinkled clear EP over and heated it. Once the EP had melted I sprinkled some more EP over and reheated it. I did this 3 times altogether until I finished with almost an enameled finish
I added a simple sentiment to finish.

A closer look at the finish

Leaf dies from the Works
Stencil is Memory Box Zippy Dots
Sentiment by Flourishes

Thanks for popping in x

New Stencil.

Hello there

I recently treat myself to a new stencil from Alexandre Renke. I couldn't wait to start playing with it.

I belong to a support group for Grandparents of children with cancer. The lady who started the group is called Pat and as today is her birthday, this one is for her. She really is a super lady and works tirelessly to raise awareness of children's cancer, side effects of treatments and long term after effects. Some of the stories that have been shared are horrendous.
Pat has had meetings with the Leader and members of the Scottish Parliament and this last week was at Westminster Palace to meet with English MP's to discuss awareness and treatment.

Luckily Ruby is doing really well and, as yet, is showing no signs of long lasting damage

I used my handmade texture paste coloured with some blue acrylic paints. Because the paste is made using talcum powder, ( I use baby powder) it smells gorgeous too.
I sprinkled some Creative Expressions glitter over it while still wet. The glitter has slightly holographic properties so gives a deeper shade depending on the light.
I've finished off with some irridescent gems and a sentiment from There she Goes.

I've just received a thank you on Facebook and  Pat is really pleased with it.

Thanks for popping in x

Less is More #395

Hello there,

Time for another challenge at Simply Less is More which is,

A nice easy challenge, except...
I trawled through all my stash, stamps, dies and papers...nothing. I know I had some wine glasses that were part of a set but I'm sure I donated them to a craft charity last year. I also know I have cups & saucers and at least one tea pot as digital images but they're on my old PC and it's broken. So I resigned myself to not being able to join in this time.
But yesterday I just happened to pop into The Works, just for a look around, honest and I found these.

As a self confessed caffeine addict these stamps are perfect for me and the challenge and look at the price, a quid, bonus.

And this is what I've done with them,

I stamped the cup and coffee beans in Memento black ink and also made a mask.
I stamped the splodges (Kaisercraft) in Versa Colour, Orchid, Heliotrope and Cyan.
I used Promarkers to colour the images. The sentiment is stamped in Versa Mark Onyx.

So a nice easy card that took me about 10 minutes to put together. Sometimes it's the little things that make me happy.

Thanks for popping in x

Less is More # 394

Hello there,

It's time for another challenge at Less is More and this fortnight it's the dreaded one layer card.

I'm actually quite comfortable with the OLC now depending on the theme and this one seemed a nice easy one for me. Or so I thought.
My first attempt looked a bit too twee, my second card turned out well enough but I wasn't happy with the colouring, so this, I hope,is third time lucky.

The I've used is from Flourishes. I've had it for years and it's still my favourite floral stamp. It's so versatile and I think it's beautiful.
For this card I've stamped off the edge in Versamark Onyx and embossed with clear EP
I've coloured with a mix of Promarkers and Spectrum Noir pens
The sentiment is by There She Goes.

I have a friend, Vanessa, who, although suffering some quite nasty health issues, spends all her spare time making things to either donate to or raise money for various charities. She a lovely lady and one of the most caring people I know. This card is going to her to show her some love and appreciation.

Thank you for popping in x

Less is More # 393 Take 2

Hello there,

I'm back with a second (and 3rd) card for the challenge at Less is More which is,

Although I was very pleased with my card yesterday for this challenge, I got to thinking what I could do for a change. I've been looking at cards using texture paste and, although I do have some stencils, they are all quite basic and I fancied something a bit fancier.
I'm always banging on about crafting on a budget and I do have to be careful how much I spend on crafting goodies so I tend not to jump in and buy things on a whim. 
So I experimented. This is probably something lots of you have already done but it was a first for me and I'm quite chuffed.
As I said, I do have some stencils.I also have a few brass stencils to use on a light box. They've been put away in drawer for years and I just wondered if they'd work as good as the plastic stencils. It turns out they do.

I used quite a small simple stencil.
I had some homemade texture paste that I made a couple of months ago and coloured some of it with Distress Inks in blue, green and pink.
I'm really pleased with the result and will probably bore you all to death with my ramblings and experiments for weeks ( I'm joking, honest)

Thanks for popping in x

Less is More #393

Hello there,

Well the past 2 weeks have flown by and it's time for another challenge at Less is More and this time it's a colour challenge.

I made a quick (ha) and simple card today. When I say quick I really mean a good 2 hours faffing about choosing my colour scheme,dies and design and about 5 minutes putting it all together.

I had a good rake about in my handmade background bits box and came up with 2 pieces that I thought were subtle enough. Most of it is bright,vivid colours.
For the frame I used  a piece that I'd smooshed using Cosmic Shimmer paints in blue with a touch of lilac and pink.
I cut the frame using 2 square dies from Spellbinders and Die-namics.
The leaf is an unnamed die from Amazon cut from some green and yellow smooshed card.
The sentiment is also unnamed from Amazon and cut from the same card as the frame.
I've added some very pale blue/grey pearls to finish.


Thanks for popping in

The Colour Purple

hello there,

It was my eldest grand daughter's 23rd birthday yesterday. How on earth did that happen? It's not possible seeing as in my head I'm still 35 :)
Anyway it seems I'm deluding myself as Charlotte is all grown up now so I made her a grown up card.

She's always loved the colour purple so that's what she got.
Hand painted ( smooshed) using Cosmic Shimmer paints in purple with a touch of blue here and there..
The die cut topper is by Sweet Dixie with a sentiment by Flourishes
The scrolls are by Papertrey stamped and embossed in gold EP. Some gold thread to tie it all together.

With hindsight I think I maybe should have made a wider border but I'm pleased with the result.

Thanks for popping in.

Mother's day card

Hello there,

Sadly this was the first Mother's day without my mum. It felt strange only making the one card.
Fortunately we still have hubby's mum with us although at 94 and very frail we don't know for how much longer. The family, which is hubby, his 3 sisters, their partners and me took mum in law for a meal yesterday. It also meant that we all got a mothers day without the hassle of cooking a Sunday dinner and no pots to wash either. Bonus!
Ofcourse I made a fussy card with spring colours and lots of flowers.

I used tiny hearts from The Lovely Studio in Dainty Daffodil for the background
The frame is a Spellbinder Die, Gold Labels 4.
Flowers are all from Wild Orchid Crafts.
The sentiment is by Flourishes
I made a larger card than I usually do, an A5 instead of a 15x 15 square and the frame fits very nicely on it.


Thanks for popping in x

Less is More #392

Hello there,

It's Saturday  so that means a new challenge at Less is More and this time it's...

There's some great inspiration from the team on the blog,  I've used a sentiment to inspire me.

The diamond part of the sentiment 'spoke' to me so I just went with it and did my own thing.
The diamond shapes are cut from silver glitter card using a Spellbinders die.
 The sentiment is by Wplus9
 I've added a single tiny gem above the I to finish.

It's Mother's Day tomorrow and we are taking my Mum in law out for a meal,along with her 3 daughters and their partners. I love our family get togethers and not having to cook is a bonus too. I hope all you Mums out there have a lovely day aswell X

Thanks for popping in

Less is More #391

Hello there,

It's time for another challenge at Less is More and this time we have;

e.g. take 3 words or 3 images or 3 colours, or 3 patterns (something where you have 3 of an item)

I've gone a bit mad with the 3's on my card.

So, I've got 3 die cut leaves from Simply Graphic
3 shades of green all cut from snippets from my stash
and 3 words on the sentiment which is from Papertrey Ink Autumn Abundance set
The circle is from another snippet of a paper from Lemoncraft Tiny Miracles set die cut with a stitched circle.

I'm also entering this into Pixies snippet playground because of the snippets I've used and also because I promised myself weeks ago that I would start joining in the fun again.

Thanks for popping in x