Welcome to the world Monty

No craftiness in this post, I just wanted to tell you all that Kiki's baby brother Monty (Montgomery Thomas) arrived safely last night, weighing a hefty 9lbs. 13ozs. I haven't seen him yet, but will be going to pay homage later in the week.

George Flower for BBTB and Pink and Green for Cute Daisy May/Daring Cardmakers

This week on Bitten By The Bug there is a new contest sponsored by Shortcuts - be sure to pop over there to get the details. We were asked to use the flower from George, and I was sent some acetate to use. The papers are from the Que Sera Sera range by K & Co. I cut the large flower at 3", first in paper, then in acetate and added a sentiment circle and some metallic thread. I ran around the edges of the acetate flower with a krylon pen, then cut three similar little flowers at 1".

The challenge on Cute Daisy May this week is Pink and Green, the label shapes were cut with my Go-Kreate dies and the image was coloured with copic markers. This fits in nicely with the dare on daring cardmakers, which is Weather.

Gift Box for Polka Doodles

Another lovely sketch this week over on Polka Doodles. I decided to make a notecard holder (didn't have time to make the notecards though, but you get the idea). The box pattern is from The Cutting Cafe, and all the papers and embellishments are from the Sugar Birdies CD now available on pre-order from Polka Doodles. Pop over and see the gorgeous DT samples and join in the fun.

Wedding Card - Mojo Monday

I made this wedding card following a sketch on Mojo Monday. The scalloped card blank and bronze paper is by Craftwork cards, distressed with bronze cats eye ink. I stamped the flowers, from an old set by Stampin Up (mixed bouquet) in embossing ink then brushed with gold perfect pearls. The butterfly was cut at 2" from the storybook cartridge, first in gold and then cream, which I ran through the cuttlebug using swiss dots, and brushed with the bronze ink pad, then added a few swirls of pearls to finish it off. I made the tassel myself out of some metallic thread, thought it made a change from a bow.

I have had computer problems today, and spent the whole day sorting it out, I have been on the phone to Indian call centres for most of the day, then had to dash out and buy a new router. Now bear in mind that I have only a very hazy idea of what a router does, and Popeye the sailor man is still cavorting around the Greek Islands, so this was not an easy task. I discovered that standing looking helpless in the middle of the shop doesn't work any more (oh, where did my youth go, and when did I become invisible.....) Then I came home to call India again, only to find that I had bought the wrong thing. Back to the shop to give the spotty youth who served me a ********** (insert your own expletive here, it will be one I used I promise), and finally with much help from some patient internet thingy called a wizard (why not a witch I wonder..), got back online, but only the one computer works, the laptop should pick up the router signals and doesn't. I give up.

I have added a little search button to the blog, so if you are looking for a particular card, try typing in a word or two that you think describes it and it may bring it up for you, although I have my doubts about that - let me know if it works.

Cute Daisy May - Embossing

More papers from the We R Memory Keepers stack for this one. The challenge this week is to use embossing on your card, so of course, out comes my trusty cuttlebug. I think this folder is called tiny bubbles. The label shapes were cut with my nestabilities and the birthday letters are from a box I got on clearance in Michaels - it was all sellotaped together, and when I opened it there are about a dozen different alphas in there, hundreds of letters all crammed in, so what a bonus. To join in with the Cute Daisy May challenge, you don't even need to use a Daisy May image, just make sure there is some embossing on your card. Sorry about the flash on the card, bright light and photography doesn't go together for me.
There is a blog hop going on at Bitten By The Bug this week, blog candy being given away at loads of the design team sites, join in and have some fun, and a good chance of winning some goodies, plus some fabulous cards to see along the way. I didn't join in with this one, as I am 'on call' to dash down to London when my new little grandson decides he is ready to make his appearance into the world.

In the meantime, to save my nervous 'jumping out of my skin every time the phone goes' I am off to jetwash the patio. I LOVE using a power washer, it's so satisfying to see all that grunge wash away, must be pretty much on a par with the job satisfaction a dentist gets, although on balance I would prefer to blast stones than teeth.............

Just a Note

The papers used here are by we R Memory Keepers, and this was such a quick card to do. I cut the label shape out of a graph paper from the pad using my Go Kreate die, doodled around the edges a bit and stamped the sentiment. The flowers were cut from the pad, I distressed the edges with my fingernail as I don't have one of those fancy edge distressers, and freehand cut the stem and leaves. A button was definitely called for, and I found this huge orange one lurking in my button tin.
I was driving around the streets of Birmingham, hopelessly lost at 3.30am today - Mike has gone sailing around the Greek islands for a couple of weeks, and had to meet the rest of the crew at a sailing buddies house. We got there okay, well he was driving. Unloaded his stuff, said goodbye and off I drove into the darkness. My sense of direction is poor, well, let's be honest, it's non-existent. So there I was driving around, totally disorientated, peering out to see a familiar landmark.......the Brummies are a lively lot though, it was amazing how many cars were on the road at that time. So this hapless blundering went on for about thirty minutes before I remembered that I had a sat.nav (GPS) in the car, all programmed for HOME........ honestly, sometimes I think I shouldn't be allowed out on my own..

Challenge 2 on Polka Doodles

The first week on Polka Doodles was a resounding success, squillions of visitors and loads of great entries to the challenge. Another great sketch from Nikky this week, to join in go over to Polka Doodles to see what's going on......

We all used papers from the soon-to-be-released CD Sugar Birdies. I just printed out the cupcake ones that I wanted, the cupcake and cherries were coloured with copics, and glossy accents put on the cherries so they look just like those glazed cherries that my mum used to put on top of trifles at Christmastime! I followed this sketch quite faithfully, and used some more of the tiny making memories letter stickers for the sentiment, I have a bit of a love affair going on with them at the moment. The glitter is nice and even on the cup cake because I cut just the icing off another printed image and ran it through my xyron so that the front of the image was sticky, dump the glitter on top, then run it through again to make the back sticky. Perfect glitter every time.

Thank Ewe and Little Lady Bug - The Cutting Cafe

Regina Easter's latest set over on the Cutting Cafe site include backgrounds and a matching image, so I couldn't wait to do something with them. The little ladybug set included the background script that I printed out to cover the front of a scalloped card base. The ladybirds were cut from another printed sheet and coloured with copic markers. I found the googly eyes with eyelashes in the kids department of a craft shop, Jo-Ann's I think it was. I overstamped the little lady background with a scroll from a clear set by Inkadinkadoo. The ladybirds (ladybugs) were glossed with glossy accents. They look ready to fly away home....

For the second card I made a base card using the doily cut from wildcard, cut at 5", then printed the liner at the same size from the 'thank you' sheet, and again in black. White doodling on the black frame, a touch of copics and glitter to the little ewe and it looks so cute.
I went down to the local post office yesterday for the first time since my return to the UK, thought I was in the wrong town, it's a dreary building, always with a huge queue (line) of depressed looking people shuffling slowly forwards towards the counter. They have had a huge re-vamp. Now you take a ticket as you go in, and sit down on some rather stylish red leather curved sofas in the centre of the room, and wait happily until a disembodied voice tells you 'ticket 63 to counter E please'. You then go to counter E to be greeted by a member of staff in a brand new smart uniform, designed to match the decor, smiling happily and bending over backwards to help you............obviously whilst the floor was being installed the staff were all on customer relations courses. It was all rather pleasant, except that I have an almost overwhelming urge to go back just to see how it will work at busy times. Where will the endless queue sit when all the comfy red sofas are full - on the floor? Will it develop into a sort of party atmosphere with us all waving our little tickets and cheering when your number comes up? Will the famous British reserve disappear in this Disney-like atmosphere of jollity and friendly smiles? Will we sit on the smart red seats making new best friends................... I'll let you know.

Mermaid and Octopus

These cute ovals are the work of Sam the artist on Lily Boo's printable images. They were such fun to colour. The border punch is Martha Stewart, and the sentiment was a home-made rub on. (look under labels on my sidebar for instructions on making rub ons) I printed the octopus image twice and then cut him out and popped him over the main image for a bit of dimension. Both images were coloured with Copic markers.

This little mermaid is another image from the same download of printable stamps. The waves and starfish on the bottom were cut using the Cricut cartridge Life's a Beach. The sentiment was another home-made rub on. I used glossy accents a lot on this one to give it a watery feel.

Wedding Invitation

Here is the wedding invitation that I was struggling with shortly before going to the USA - if you remember, I had to cut loads of these butterflies (QK die) using the cuttlebug, and the paper I bought was just too thick. Anyway, in the end we got there. The folder is a taupe-brown linen textured heavyweight cardstock, the butterfly was cut in a ivory pearlescent card and the bottom layer run through the cuttlebug using the swiss dots folder. Three pale pink pearls and they were done. The result is a plain, but very striking invitation, just what Lucy asked for, and she is thrilled with them. They are all the more special as she and the rest of the family all got together in a mad conveyor belt of crafting to help make them - we got through a lot of coffee (and wine) that night.....

Memorial Day in the USA

It's Memorial day in the USA today, a national holiday, and a day to remember the sacrifices that men and women serving in the armed forces have made for their country. We remember on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month here in the UK, and wear a poppy with pride. I just had to share with you this lovely email that I got from one of the readers of this blog. Thank you Jan

En,

As I watch the tv and remember my years as a child during WWII and the Vietnam War more recently, I do not only think of all my friends and family members that have and are serving this country. I also remember the devastation and sacrifice of your own country and the other countries also. We did not have instant news during WWII and had to rely on late news in the papers and the newsreels at the movies. We have been so fortunate not to have any wars on own own land except in the beginning of this country and our own Civil War. So please accept my thanks to your fellow country men and women who served so valiantly.

Jan, Bradenton, Florida

I don't know what is going on with Blogger this weekend, I have been visiting my favourite sites and keep getting a page unavailable message, then the annoying windows message page. I have found that if you hit the back button, from this error page, it takes you back to the blog and it works perfectly. Bizarre. So if I haven't visited you, it's not for want of trying my friends x

Monotone for Cute Daisy May and Summer for Whimsy Stamps

Over on the Whimsy Stamps challenge this week, the DT were asked to use the theme of summer for their cards. So here is my BBQ invite. Sentiment is a studio G wood mounted stamp, I used raffia instead of ribbon to give it a rustic outdoorsy sort of feel and the pointy nesties came in handy again. I have to say that the pig looks a bit brassed off at being the main attraction at a barbeque though! The rules have changed over on the whimsy blog and you can now use any image for the challenge, it doesn't have to be a whimsy stamp (although it would be nice if you did use one :)

On Cute Daisy May, the DT were asked to make a monotone card. I coloured this little cutie in on the plane, so she was already to go. The papers are by Craftwork cards, as is the sentiment circle. The yummy embossed flowers are by Prima. Don't forget you don't need a Daisy May image to take part in the challenge, although for $3 (£1.99) why not download a page of cuties and have a go.

Bathtime Card for Daring Cardmakers

Another Loralie fabric card today, these bathtime images are such fun. I added a few gems, the black border is one of the roll on ones that daisy-D makes. She does look as though that bath is a bit small for her though! The dare over on DCM this week is Wet Wet Wet, so this fits in nicely - well you can't get much more wet than in the bath, and she looks as if she is going to be stuck in there for a while. for instructions on using fabric on cards, scroll down to labels, then click on fabric cards. Ooops, if you commented and don't see your comment on this post, I am so sorry, I clicked the wrong button and wiped out 10 comments.

Another reminder for you to get over sharpish to the brand new, all singing, all dancing PolkaDoodle blog and enter your name in the comments box for that yummy blog candy.

I have come down with the mother and father of a head cold, obviously another 'plane' germ, I seem to get one every time I fly these days despite using that airborne stuff that's supposed to stop all germs. It could be worse, there were loads of people around the airports wearing masks, although some of them hadn't quite got the hang of it and were wearing them slung around their chins.....

Circles from Lily-Boo

I so love these printable circle stamps from Lily-Boos Boutique. They are bold, fun to colour and only cost £1.99 for a sheet of 6 (about $3). The pointy nesties are growing on me now, and I love that bobble braid a friend gave me. The belated birthday sentiments are from a acrylic set by Inkadinkadoo. Both the cards were coloured with copic markers.

I printed the butterfly out twice, and decoupaged just the wings on the bigger butterfly, and the large sunflower. Added some glitter, and put a few fibres behind the nestability frame.

Back in the UK there seems to be a lot of sickness about here, everyone I talk to seems to have, or be getting over a strange bug which gives them horrible nausea. They have probably been reading too much about our wonderful politicians and their expense accounts............

Launch of Polkadoodles Challenge Blog

Today sees the launch of Polkadoodles brand new challenge blog, look at this fabulous blog candy that's up for grabs, worth over £80, so well worth joining in to be in with a chance to win. The design team samples are fantastic and I am a bit star-struck to be joining the mega talented bunch.

Here is my first DT card, the downloadables were a joy to work with, and the bold designs are so up-to-the-minute.
I used my new pinking edge nestabilities on this one, the jury is out about whether I like them or love them, but they do make a change from the scallops which I have done to death over the past six months. I was short of time with the long haul from the US looming, so printed out the birdhouse (already coloured) twice, and did a bit of paper piecing. I cut out the branch and suspended it over the house with silicone glue, adding a gingham loop and bow.

We made a rather jet-lagged dash down to London yesterday to pay homage to the new little man, who is totally delectable. Max is rather unimpressed with his new baby brother though, and clearly thinks that this baby business is greatly overrated........

The winner of the blog candy for the BBTB blog hop is

Janie in Canada

Congrats Janie, you win the candy box template and some fabric ladies for you to play with. Email me with your address/email

Introducing you to Baby Milo

Just a sweet little baby card for you to see today, the image is by Hampton Arts, coloured with copics, and the sentiment label was cut with nestabilities in the cuttlebug. Here is the reason why I posted this today -

Introducing you to baby Milo, the newest addition to our family, born on the 18th May at 11am. He is the baby brother of Max and weighed in at 7lbs 13ozs. Isn't he perfect? He was just two hours old when this photo was taken. We fly home to the UK on Tuesday and will be dashing down to London on Thursday to have cuddles and hugs with both Max and Milo. Thank you Edward and Lidia for this precious gift and sending love to you all

BBTB Blog Hop and Cute Daisy May Challenge

Today we have a blog hop going on over at Bitten by the Bug, hop around all the design team blogs, and every time you leave a comment you will be entered in a draw to win the download shown on each blog from the Cutting Cafe. The download to win here is this sweet Candy Box, it takes 12 mini chocolate bars, and the download even has the little wrappers on it. You can make it with a window aperture, or as shown here, plain. We all had to use this label from the Storybook cartridge as well, it's the one on the page with the number 3 on it. I used chipboard cherries from Heidi Swapp, and the sentiments are by studio G.

In addition to the download, I am going to send my winner 12 fabric cats/ladies as seen on my fabric cards. I know that some of you have had a hard time finding the Loralie fabric, so here is your chance to win a few. I will draw the winner by random org on Friday, 22nd May so leave your comment by thursday night to be in with a chance.

Now hop over to Heather's blog to see her take on the challenge, and to follow the blog hop

Cute Daisy May

Here is my card for the Cute Daisy May challenge this week. The theme is Springtime/flowers. I paper pieced Daisy (printed her out twice, once on white cardstock, then onto a pattern paper with a tiny floral pattern, cut out her outfit and pieced it onto the white base. I thought she looked a bit pensive, so I turned it into a Thinking of You card. The sentiment it from my faithfull studio G acrylic stamps.
I would be so thrilled if you can take part in the Cute Daisy challenge, Linnie the artist is such a lovely person and it would be so great to have entries from you. You don't even have to use a cute Daisy image, and you can combine it with another challenge or two. The winner each week gets the cute blinkie on my sidebar, and a free download of their choice. Hope to see you there....

Just A Note for DCM

On daring cardmakers this week the dare is to use anything musical. The paper here is Que Sera by K & Co which I only bought today, couldn't wait to try it. The music paper has been hanging around waiting to be used for ages, I tore it and inked the edges. I found a tiny metal music note, and the truly gorgeous flowers are by Prima. The crushed velvet ribbon was a dollar bin find at Michaels. The sentiment stamp was a cheapie from Walmart.

We are starting the big pack-up here. Mike has been and bought a ladder and all of a sudden is obsessed with doing stuff six feet in the air, so all the air-con filters have been changed, the light fittings washed etc etc, the trouble is all these jobs need two people and I just don't have the same fascination with the new ladders as he has. Maybe tomorrow he'll move on to a new toy.