Alex's birthday and Greg's Valentine

 Hi all, here this evening with a birthday card for my lovely niece who turned 16 yesterday. Hard to believe, it feels no time since she was a wee tot! I had to do a last minute addition of the heart border as I cut my base panel of pink totally wonky and could not get it straightened, and that kinda threw my placement of the silver 16 so it looks more squished than I had planned!  She a Valentine's Day baby, so there's always a heart or two on her card.  Stamp from Lili of the Valley, coloured with polychromos. 

Addicted to Stamps #510 - dies +/or stencils 

Word Art Wednesday #738/739 - anything goes 

We love Stamping February - hearts

And this is Greg's Valentine using a real oldie Whipper Snapper stamp.  I had gone on the hunt through my stash for a pack of red card and came across a pack of kraft card that I had absolutely no recollection of buying! The love die is from Penny Black.

As you like it - cute or elegant - I'd say 90% of my stamps are cute so an easy choice for me!

Sweet Stampin' - no designer paper

Let's Craft and Create #228 - from the heart

Crafty Calendar February - love is in the air

 

We've had nothing but rain all year so when a sunny day coincided with a day off work, we treated ourselves to a wee trip to the beach and fish'n'chips by the sea. It was absolutely Baltic though, and snow on the Antrim Hills on the way up, definitely not a day for a paddle! It must have been a very rough high tide as the beach was covered in sandy foam (and not a sinner on it but ourselves!)

Cards for Sandra, Betty and Ryan

 Hi all, I've been missing in action again ... but I've been flat out making an order for 50 Christmas cards. Thankfully I'm on the homeward stretch now, so hopefully I'll be sharing them soon.  (And then I need to get a shift on with my own Christmas cards!!) I've also squeezed in a few birthday cards too so I apologise for not having any blogging time!!... 

This one is for my friend in work, my buddy for almost 35 years! I've used this tasty looking image from Lili of the Valley, coloured with polychromos and clear gloss added to the cherries.  I got my gold metallic paint out for the splatters in the background, spots on the wrapper and then touched up my die cut flowers too. 

Word Art Wednesday #724/725 - anything goes 

Seize the Birthday #316 - birthday+ fall treat (well a cupcake is a treat any time of the year LOL)

Just Us Girls #800 - anything goes 

This one is for my sister in law with this Gina K stamp - I love it, but it does take me an absolute age to colour...

This one is for my nephew (who works for an aerospace company) - I would have liked a more grown up image but this was all I had LOL 

A three-fer!

 Here's 3 cards for the price of one LOL!

I made a card for my Aunt Jean, liked how it turned out, so amended it for my card to my sister, and then Mum was looking one for her friend (also called Ruth) for her 80th.  It's not very often I'll make cards virtually the same but figured I'd get away with it as none of them were likely to see the other's cards! 

My image is an LOTV stamp, coloured with polychromo pencils and then popped up on foam pads.  I've also added some splatters to the background with silver metallic paint.  For the numbers, I stuck an extra set together to make them a bit stronger and then covered them with gloss and lots of glitter. 

 

AAA Birthday #75 - summer birthday 

Word Art Wednesday #706/707 - anything goes 

Let's Craft & Create #221 - use a die

Seize the birthday #309 - food or drink

We've had a glorious few days with wall to wall sunshine and temps kicking 30 degrees - a nice change as we're usually on the wrong side of the Jetstream and miss all the sunny weather!  Molly was a nightmare though, no matter how much shade we created in the garden she'd find the sunniest hottest spot and cook there until we chased her into the house! Here's a rare moment of her in the shade... Back to normality tomorrow though as it looks back to usual and rain due. 

Ruth's birthday card #1

So this is card #1 for my sister's BIG birthday, requested by my BIL. 

I thought for ages and ages what I could make and then the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches made me think of birthday candles.  I knew I had some digital images of candles from Lili of the Valley, so all I had to do was print some out. Easypeasy. Right? WRONG!!! Every time I printed them they were too small.  I must have printed them maybe 7 or 8 times - each time I'd start colouring and cutting them, only to realize they were still too small, so I'd have to go back and edit the images to make them longer. Of course I turned my laptop and printer off every time in between LOL.  I think I spent 8+ hours making this, good job I don't charge by the hour! 

Ah well it was good exercise climbing the stairs to the printer and it's done now and I do like how it turned out. 

Freshly Made Sketches #693

Snippets Playground #510 - my little stars were cut from some leftover sparkly card that I cut my numbers from

Word Art Wednesday #706/707 - anything goes 

Haven't shared a pic of Miss Molly for a while, so here she is on a recent trip up the beautiful Antrim Coast road.  She absolutely LOVES the beach, the more smelly seaweed on it the better! 

Greg's valentine and a wee birthday card

Hi all. Here to share Greg's valentine card, a wee quickie as Valentine's Day just kinda snuck up on me! I think it took maybe 45 minutes to make!  I used a wee LOTV digi, coloured with polychromos and then went over the white bit with my sparkle pen.  I thought it maybe needed something so die cut a few wee hearts for the background.  We didn't do very much to celebrate the day , other than Greg cooking us some lovely steaks for our tea! 

CAS on Friday #302 - valentine

Little Red Wagon #794 - red alert

My Time to Craft #553 - hearts

It is great to finally have some mojo and actually have another card to share this evening, just a wee birthday card for my stash, using a LOTV stamp.  When I first stuck it together it was totally wonky and had to pull it apart, ripping the coloured card slightly at the bottom, so needed a rescue, thus the flower die cuts! Clear gloss added to the flowers and clear gloss + glitter to the spots on the vase. 

Snippets Playground are celebrating their 500th challenge so I'm delighted to play along.  My snippets are my flowers which I cut from a scrap after cutting my square base.

Alexandra's birthday card

 How can it be the middle of February already, and how can my niece be turning 15!!!! It really is no time at all since she was a wee tot!  

Her card was a bit of a rush job, so I used one of the Lili of the Valley images that came as part of a bundle offer.  Coloured with polychromos; stencilled clouds; clear gloss added to the flowers.  (I usually put some hearts on her card somewhere as she's a Valentine's baby, don't always remember to though!)

Next job is to make a Valentine card for Greg, a bit lastminute.com so it's not going to be too fancy LOL!! 

Seize the Birthday #299 - add a heart

As You Like It - stamps or digis - I know I've used a digi here, but I'm definitely a Stamp girl!  It just seems a lot less faff to get the inkpad out rather than trip upstairs to my 'office' where the printer lives! 

Word Art Wednesday #687.688 - anything goes 

Addicted to Stamps #486 - make your mark

Birthday cards for Priscilla and Jean

Hi all, isn't it great seeing the evenings starting to get a wee stretch, I hate those dark days of winter so much. Glad our snow and ice didn't hang about long, a week of that malarkey is enough for me!! 

Anyway, here's a couple of cards made for mum to send to my aunts.  Both use Lili of the Valley stamps and coloured with polychromos.  This first one was a pleasure to colour, I've added some clear gloss and glitter to the flower centres and the spots on the vase for some sparkle 

Fab'n Funky #608 - all things bright and beautiful 

My Time to Craft #551 - use a sentiment 

And this one I faffed about for a long time with, feeling it needed something, until I added these die cut flowers and a few sequins and figured that was enough! Bunnies popped up on foam pads and sparkle added to their tails.

Daisy Chain challenge #92 - no designer paper

Addicted to Stamps and More #484 - any occasion 

Mum's birthday card

 Hi all, well that's Christmas done for another year!  Doesn't it just fly by, can't believe it's nearly back to work time after being off for a fortnight. We've had a chilly spell this past few days, I don't mind a skiff of snow but hate it when it melts and freezes - no good for a wee dog who likes her walks and 2 slaves in danger of breaking hips 🤣!  

Anyway, I'm here to share mum's birthday card using a new Lili of the Valley stamp - I love their images as most of my enjoyment from card making is actually the colouring in! 

Coloured with polychromos; sparkle added to the flame, clear gloss to the cherries and chunky glitter to the bunny's tail.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - something new (my stamp)

Addicted to Stamps #483 - birthday

Word Art Wednesday #681/682 - anything goes 

Just Us Girls #756 - use a die

Molly had a great time on Christmas morning and had a blast opening her presents!  Think she is glad to see all the decorations down though and everything back to normal!

Baby card for Patsy

 I think baby cards are one of my favourite type of cards to make, and made easier now I know how to personalise it with my printer instead of having to cut or stamp all the words!  (In case you're wondering, her name is Irish and pronounced eefa) This little baby image from Lili of the Valley is an old fave - coloured with polychromos and a wee touch of clear gloss added to the lettering on the label. I managed to find a scrap of pink card for the die cut hearts the same shade as my sentiment, one of those little things that just makes you happy! 

Crafty Calendar November - anything goes 

Addicted to Stamps #481 - make your mark

Word Art Wednesday #673/674 - anything goes 

The Cutie Pie challenge #200 - special occasion 

I haven't shared a pic of Miss Molly for a while, so here she is having a great time crunching through the leaves. 

A birthday bear for Sandra, and Betty's birthday card

Evening all!  Well such a beautiful bright sunny Autumn day we had today, made a nice change!! And I doubt it will be like it tomorrow with Storm Ashley on its way and gales and rain due.  We've had lots of Brent Geese arriving this past while, so hopefully the wind doesn't blow them off track!  I absolutely LOVE to see them flying in formation overhead, honking away to each other. 

Anyway, I haven't been very inspired recently so was pleased that I actually enjoyed making this card!  Image from Lili of the Valley, coloured with polychromos.

Layout from Tuesday Morning Sketches #778

Addicted to Stamps #479 - any occasion 

Fab'n Funky #602 - fur or feathers

Word Art Wednesday #669/670 - anything goes 

And just sharing this one for my own records, but it's very similar to another I made a while back... 

Ruth's birthday card

 Hi all, here this wet cold summer's day to share my sister's birthday card.  I can't believe it's almost the middle of July and we're STILL having to put the heating on!!!  Mind you, looking at the heatwave in America I don't think that would please me either! 

I've used my bunny alpha's from LOTV - coloured with polychromos and clear gloss + glitter added to the letters.  

Colour theme from MFT Colour challenge #240, a shame that they're stopping their challenges ☹️

Addicted to Stamps #471 - make your mark

Cut it Up #307 - critters

Snippets Playground #484 - my flowers were cut from some leftover card

Andrea's Birthday card

 Hi all, I can't believe it's been over a month since I last blogged.  I have made a few cards (forgot to take pics) but my mojo is sorely lacking so there hasn't been a lot created!  I'm blaming the weather - our summer so far has been rubbish!  I think we had 3 or 4 days of shorts weather ( which I spent fence painting!) and since then it's been fleeces and raincoats!  Awful that it's almost mid-summer's day and we still have the heating on!

Anyway, here to share this card I made for my sister-in-law.  I bought a few sets of these LOTV stamps in the sale, so you'll be seeing more of them, they're always a pleasure to colour.

Colour theme from MFT Colour challenge #238

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - bright and cheerful 

Make My Monday - B is for Birthday Bear

AAA Birthday #62 - cute

And seeing as I haven't shared one for a while, here's a wee pic of Miss Molly enjoying a snooze in the garden...

Guest Designing at AAA Birthday (Aunt Renee's birthday card)

I'm delighted to be Guest Designer over at AAA Birthday, and this month's challenge is a nice easy one ...

You can play along at AAA Birthday, hope to see you there!

For my card I've used this lovely cupcake stamp from Lili of the Valley, doesn't it look good enough to eat!  (I thought my entire life that I didn't like cherries and then last year tasted one and it was delicious!!). A wee bit of shading to the background, a few metallic splatters and a leftover diecut flower was all it needed to finish it.

Snippets Challenge #479 - my snippet is my flower which was cut from a little scrap of yellow card

Word Art Wednesday #645/646 - anything goes 

Simon Says Stamp Monday - feminine 

Mother's Day card

Hi all, popping in with my Mother's Day card which I almost forgot to share.  I've used my lovely new bunny alphas from Lili of the Valley, aren't they the cutest! I added gloss and lots of glitter to the letters so it was really sparkly in real life.  I did have a green bank behind the bunnies but didn't stencil it dark enough and they kinda look like they're floating there 🤣

(PIN)spiration #311 - glitter

We Love Stamping March - feminine 

Daisy Chain #83 - animals

And sorry I've been on the missing list ... I've been taking colouring classes from Kit & Clowder and they have taken up my spare time.  One of the few New Year resolutions I've actually followed up on!  Here's a couple of my recent bits of homework...

Cards for John, David and Gertie

 Hi all! A few spring Thank You cards to share this evening.  These were for a couple of volunteers in work just to mark their long service.  They've always volunteered in the same team together and I wanted to make them both the same but different, so out came my Lili of the Valley daffodil stamps.  

Allsorts #770 - Spring

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - anything goes 

 Little Red Wagon #745 - stencil power - I've used my cloud stencil on both but it's not a great photo     

And this one is for a lady who has just had an operation on her foot, so this oldie from Helz Cuppleditch was just right for the job.

Layout from MFT Sketch Challenge #687

Retirement cards for Gareth, Gerard & Marlene

 Hi all!  Well it finally feels like Spring is almost here!  We finally got out to our back garden which has been sodden for months to get bushes pruned, dead stuff pulled out, grass cut and some lovely bright primroses planted up in my hanging baskets! It is so good to see the evenings on the stretch, I absolutely hate the long dark days of winter 😁

Anyway, just wanted to share some retirement cards for some ex-workmates of Mum.  The first two are for brothers so I kept the same vibe for them both.  So first up is this one using a Penny Black stamp...

Just Us Girls #715 - anything goes stencil week 

Word Art Wednesday #635 - anything goes 

I was hunting for a different hot air balloon stamp for this one but of course it was nowhere to be found, but luckily came across this unknown oldie instead.  The house border is an old MFT die

Allsorts #769 - things that fly

CAS on Friday #277 - male/boy

And finally, a nice bright spring card using one of my favourite Lili of the Valley stamps (I still have this one out to make a thank you card so you'll be seeing it again very soon!). I added some clear gloss to the daffs to make them pop a bit. 

Simon Says Stamp - beautiful blooms

Layout from Freshly Made Sketches #624 (just noticed my yellow panel should have been longer)

Snippets Playground #474 - my butterflies were cut from the leftover bit of yellow