AM I SQUARE OR NOT?

Hi Everyone

Hope all is going well with everyone .. .. .. I can't believe we are into October already.

They say time flies when you are having fun so I must be "having a real ball" because my time seems to disappear in the blink of an eye!  No sooner does one month start than it is ending.  

I know this because a new As You Like It Challenge has started already!!! and the theme this fortnight is "Square or Not and why".

Personally my everyday favourites are a choice between square and rectangular .. .. .. fancy card folds hardly ever feature in my day to day crafting .. .. .. not that I don't love them .. .. .. but because pressures on my time mean that my crafting tends to be quite simple when I do get chance.

I tend to plump for square cards .. .. but in a mixture of sizes.. .. .. .. although not too large as I am not a fan of big cards.  They freak me out a bit LOL!!!  For me it is a case of the smaller the better, with my favourite two being my standard "go to" which is 14.5cm square, or my "teeny tiny cards" that measure a whole 9cm square.  

So on that note here is my entry for this fortnight:

This used:

Sentiment Panel:  Woodware Clear Magic Singles "FRS147 - Birthdays"
Backing Papers:  Nitwits Collection "Farmhouse"
My Trusty Sewing Machine

Not many ingredients at all, but a few snippets used up.

AS YOU LIKE IT CHALLENGE - YOUR FAVOURITE DIE

Hi Playmates

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend as much as I am.

Yesterday I spent quite a bit of time in my little craft pod .. .. .. .. I can't remember the last time I was able to be in there for so long .. .. and I had great fun. 

One of the creations I made was for taking over to the As You Like It Challenge where they would like to know what your favourite die is .. .. and why?  

Quite a hard one really because I have so many favourites, but at this point in time it just has to be the butterfly on the card below (although the butterfly is made up of two die sets that marry together).  Hope that is allowed.

This used:

Image:  DigiStamp Boutique (another big favourite that is no longer trading)
Backing Papers:  Snippets from The Works and Pink Petticoat (again no longer trading)
Memory Box Dies:  Kaleidoscope Butterfly and Moonlight Butterfly
Corner Rounding Punch
Ribbon
My Trusty Sewing Machine

So now to answer why I have chosen this as my favourite.

Well a few weeks ago I lost these dies and I had been looking all over the place for them, and even reached the stage where I thought I might have to look if anywhere was still selling them.  I began to think I had perhaps left them at a place we spent a long weekend at a few months ago.

But then thankfully this week I found them .. .. quite by accident .. .. they were in a tiny little tin packed in a box that I sometimes use for taking things to Mum's.  I often take little die sets, (especially those that need layering), along with my tiny Sizzix Sidekick die cutting machine - perfect for having a little cutting/assembly session on a lap tray.  Mum loves to see multicoloured butterflies finished and all lined up ready for take off.  LOL!!

WISH BIG

Hi Everyone

I hope you have all had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend.

It has been a super busy week for me here, hence the lack of blog posts, but the next couple of days should be calm enough for me to make amends .. .. and hopefully play with some of the new goodies that have made an appearance recently in the "home of hearts" - mostly pre-loved, but not all.

The creation here doesn't showcase anything new, in fact it uses the very first Penny Black stamp I ever bought and it still has a very special place in my heart even though I have had it in my collection for well over 16 years

This used: 

Image Penny Black "1652J" wooden stamp "Cheesecake Wish"

Sentiment:  DigiStamp Boutique clear stamp (sadly no longer trading)

Backing Papers:  All from snippet mountain but originally from Pink Petticoat (also no longer trading)

ProMarkers

Hot Fix Nail Heads

Corner Rounding Punch

Punched flowers and die cut leaves from the "odds and ends" box

Ribbon

My Trusty Sewing Machine

I was asked in my previous post by my lovely blog buddy Eve,  whether I colour my images first or colour them after I have chosen which design papers I intend to use.

Well in answer to your question Eve .. .. .. I have always coloured my images first and then find papers that will tone later.  Mainly because I often take images and pens with me to have colouring sessions whilst Mum is sleeping, or whilst at home listening to (but not watching) the tv, and even on my holi-bobs.  Yes I am even sad enough to take crafting with me on the very rare occasions we get to go away, otherwise I get crafty withdrawal symptoms LOL!!!.  But the good thing about all these colouring sessions is that I have a box of coloured images sitting waiting to be turned into finished cards when life gives me the chance.

So this leaves me making my own "Big Wish" for a productive crafty weekend whilst my brother and sister are with Mum .. .. .. ..  and hoping to catch you at some stage with another new creation.

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY

Good afternoon everyone

Happy Saturday!

I hope your weekend is off to a good start.

Today I am heading over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge where the theme for this month is "spots and/or stripes" .. .. and as always there is the "anything goes" option (provided you showcase your Penny Black goodies of course).

So here we go:

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "3212K" Much Gifted  -  Wooden Stamp
Sentiment:  Penny Black "30-413" Birthday Love  -  Clear Sentiment Set
Backing papers:  Snippet Mountain,  but I recognise them as Pink Petticoat and Buddly Craft

Corner rounding punch

Hot Fix Nail Heads

My Trusty Sewing Machine

and that is me for today.   

Not very bright and beautiful weather wise here so happy to be confined to barracks today.

Have a good weekend everyone whatever you are doing.   

IT WOULDN'T BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT SANTA!

Hi Everyone

Happy Wednesday!  

I have decided that now we are well into September, Christmas makes need to be taken a bit more seriously .. .. and of course Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without that jolly old Santa making an appearance would it, and that is exactly who the Christmas Kickstart Challenge would like to see on our Christmas creations this time  .. .. .. so here we go:  

This used;

Image:  Stressed Santa from Fantasy Digitals via Etsy (one of lots of Santa images in the set)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Backing Paper:  Old 6x6 Design Pad from The Works years ago
Silver Glitter Ribbon
Icicle Stickles for dotting in Santa's Beard 
My Trusty Sewing Machine

and that is me for today.   

Posting this from Mum's after a lovely journey here, where I was safe in the knowledge that all of the roadworks on my journey are now complete!!  Woo hoo!!!

No potholes to avoid, no queuing at temporary traffic lights, no waiting in lines of traffic to use the alternative routes that everyone else has also been forced to use. 

Unfortunately though Mum is fast asleep on my arrival .. .. once again.  I think her 95th birthday must have worn her out because since turning this amazing age she has been sleeping for England both day and night!!!

UNDER THE WEATHER?

Hi Everyone

I hope all is well with everyone despite the huge mix of weather we are having at the moment.

In the past few days we have had everything except snow and fog in abundance!  Sunshine, wind, rain, hail, thunder and lightening. 

But this little character seems to be prepared:

This used:

Bugaboo digital stamp "Umbrella Mouse" (another place I loved that closed down)
Sentiment:  Computer Generated

Backing Papers:  From that mountain of snippets
ProMarkers

Ribbon

My Trusty Sewing Machine

and that is me for today .. .. .. .. except to apologise for making the heart on my last card so difficult to find .. .. but well done to those who persevered and found it .. .. especially you Carole.   But for anyone who gave up it was a stamped heart lurking in the water by the left hand fishing line.

It is a bit easier this time round!

LAYERED OR FLAT FOR AS YOU LIKE IT

Hi Everyone

I hope your week has been going well.

Many thanks for the lovely wishes for Mum's birthday .. .. I started writing this post earlier today whilst I was with her, and can't believe that her birthday cards are still on display.  

Five days of birthday cards!   Must be a world record!  LOL!!!

It has all been very busy in the home of hearts and I feel like I am yet again meeting myself coming backwards.  But I have managed a bit of time in my little craft pod to chill and relax which has been super lovely and this is one of the creations I made.

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "2062K" Fish are Jumpin
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Backing Papers:  Pink Petticoat (Sadly no longer trading)
ProMarkers
Corner Rounding Punch
Diamond Stickles for a bit of sparkle on the water .. .. but not showing up on the photograph
My Trusty Sewing Machine

I am taking this over to the "As You Like It" Challenge" where they would like to know what our favourite is:  Layered or Flat Cards (and why)?

No prizes for guessing that I love layered cards .. .. ..  mainly I think because I like to incorporate lots different layers so I can stitch them (but I do try to keep them postage friendly, unless the card is able to be given in person).  

Plus the layers help to reduce my mountain of paper and card snippets.

Enjoy the rest of the week .. .. .. where are all of these days disappearing to?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM

Hi Everyone

I hope you have all enjoyed a good week - it has been a super busy one here .. .. hence being a bit of a blogland stranger.  

Every day is special, but today is extra special and I will be heading to Mum to celebrate her birthday. She is a whole 95 today!  

She shared with me the other day that she was born in a thunderstorm .. .. .. which was weird because we have had thunderstorms this week.  Must be natures way of celebrating her birthday!  LOL!!

I love making cards for her and try to make each one special as I have now reached a stage where deep down I can’t help but wonder if it will be the last one I will get to make for her .. .. but thankfully she is still managing to clock up the years .. .. and long may that continue.

This is my offering for birthday number 95 (which will no doubt be in the bin come Monday) because she gets fed up with things cluttering the place up!  LOL!!  No soppy keepsake boxes in Mum’s world.

This used:

Apple Blossom Designs Die Set:  Perfect Puzzles "Heart"
Backing Papers:  All from Snippet Mountains (this die gobbles them up so nicely)
Sentiment Computer generated and die cut using an old die set from The Works
Ribbon and twine
Corner Rounding Punch
and of course My Trusty Sewing Machine

and that is me for today.  Off to see the birthday girl soon!

Have a good weekend everyone.

TEENY, TINY TUESDAY TIME

Hi Everyone

I hope you are all having a happy Tuesday.

I was up bright and early today and got all of the "quiet" chores done super quickly so I could enjoy an early guilt free session in my little craft pod before Mr Heart surfaced - and this was the outcome made using a couple of my Teeny Tiny card blanks which measure a whole 9cm square.   

These used:

Image:  Penny Black "2995F" Stocking!
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Card and Backing Papers:  From the snippet box (which is getting a bit too full but to be fair cards of this size don't make much of a difference) - even if I do make two LOL!!!!!!!
ProMarkers

Spellbinders:  Circle and Scalloped Circle Dies

Crystal Glamour Dust

Xmas Red Stickles
My Trusty Sewing Machine

So that is me for today with two more Christmas cards added to the box and hoping to return to the craft pod later to enjoy a bit more crafty time.  There are never enough hours in a day for me to achieve everything I want too that's for sure - no matter how early I get up and start !!!

Hope you are lucky enough to have a bit of crafty time today too.

SUNDAY SNIPPETS

Hi Everyone

I hope you have all had a good weekend.

Some of mine has been spent in the craft pod .. .. .. and part of that time was dedicated to making a snippet card for taking over to the Snippets Playground Challenge.  No theme to follow other than to use up some of your leftovers in your creation.

It was super good news to know Di is now well enough to rally us all round again after her tumble which injured her arm and hand.  The word is that she tumbled climbing up the ladder into the treehouse, but I have my suspicions that she may have been being a bit "over-zealous" on the trampoline (again) and was attempting after doing back-flips, to jump high enough to fling herself through the air straight into the entrance of the treehouse - avoiding the use of the ladder completely!  

Do we have CCTV in the playground?

Anyway, this is my offering .. .. .. 

This used:

Papers and card are all snippets .. .. .. but unfortunately I forgot to take a photograph of my "before" ingredients .. .. .. but there are remnants below which I have just dragged out of the craft pod bin or were floating round for future use. 
Sentiment: MFT Die-namics Die "Thanks"
Spellbinders Heart Die
Paper Bow:  Creative Expressions Die "Ribbons and Bows"
My Trusty Sewing Machine
The backing card and papers were already cut to size and were sitting in a box waiting to be used.

There is a tiny matching heart I managed to cut from the leftovers too.  I thought it would be nice tied to a thank you present sometime to give to someone along with my card .. .. .. .. .and that is me for today.

Off now to see if I can backflip and land in the treehouse to deliver my creation.  Wish me luck!  Always super magical in the tree house once it is dark .. .. all the fairy lights make it so magical.

Hope you all have a good week ahead.

RELAX

Hi Everyone

I hope your day has been a good one.

We have actually had some much needed rain in our neck of the woods today.  But nothing like enough to make a big deal of difference to our reservoir levels.

But what I have noticed this week is that the nights are starting to draw in now .. .. followed by a shock I got at the post office when I noticed they had tons of calendars and diaries for 2026!!!!!  Eeekkk!!!

Anyway a quick share of one of the cards I managed to make today.

This used:

Image:  Beach Hut Collection from TheMOGallery via Etsy (which when I went to link seems to have disappeared) .. .. hopefully not permanently as they had some beautiful images that print so well.
Sentiment: Computer generated
Backing papers:  Pink Petticoat (also no longer trading) plus a snippet from Snippet Mountain
Corner Rounding Punch
Hot Fix Nail Heads
Ribbon
My Trusty Sewing Machine

I am entering this into the Little Red Wagon Challenge where the theme is "for a gentleman".

Hope everyone's week is going well .. .. .. the weekend is nearly here!!

A CARD FOR TWO CHALLENGES

Hi Everyone

I hope you enjoyed your bank holiday weekend.

Quite a bit of mine was spent with Mum hence the lack of blog posts.  But I have enjoyed some crafty time today which has been lovely.

So, here tonight with a card for two challenges:

This used:

Image:  DoCrafts Forever Friends (a really old little wooden stamp that I just love colouring)

Sentiment:  Pink Petticoat (sadly no longer trading)

ProMarkers

Backing Papers from Snippet Mountain

Spellbinders Circle and Scalloped Circle

Corner Rounding Punch

Tumbled Glass Distress Ink Pad

My Trusty Sewing Machine

This is for two challenges:

1.  The As You Like it Challenge - where they want to know your favourite colouring medium (and why)

My favourite colouring medium is definitely my ProMarkers.  I love them very much and am so happy with them that I have never bothered to even try any other sort of pens.  I like that they have a big chisel tip as well as the bullet tip for those bigger areas. 

and

2.  The Red Wagon Challenge - where the challenge is "the circle of life".  So you need to include circles somewhere in your creation.

No shortage of circles .. .. .. a plain one, a scalloped one and a good few on the backing paper.

Enjoy the rest of your evening and hopefully I will be here again soon.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY LONDON KIDS

Hi Everyone

Today is a very special day in our family .. .. .. it is the Wedding Anniversary of our eldest son and his wife .. .. .. otherwise known as "the London Kids".

This is the card I made for them:

This used:

Image:  Penny Black "3338J" Long Kiss
Sentiment:  Computer Generated
Backing Papers:  A gorgeous 12 x 12 pad called "Rose Gold" by Artstudio  (The Range)
Rose Gold Metallic Card
ProMarkers

Ribbon
Corner Rounding Punch
My Trusty Sewing Machine

Sadly the rose gold doesn't photograph too well .. .. but I tried my best.

Must admit I am loving having my Penny Black stamps and ProMarkers back in action.  I have missed them. 

Hope you have had a good day London Kids .. .. .. Loves ya very, very, very much!!!!

CRAFT WITH YOUR KRAFT

Hi Everyone

I hope your week is going well - my time has been spent with Mum these last few days .. .. .. but today my brother has been with Mum so I have had a whole day at home to catch up on the dreaded housework .. .. with the reward at the end being .. .. spending whatever time was left in my little craft haven.  Surprising how quickly you can fly through the housework when there is such a lovely treat at the end!

The ladies over at Little Red Wagon have set quite a simple challenge this week .. .. .."to use kraft cardstock" so no excuse for me not playing along as I love kraft card very, very much.  

Pre Covid when I used to do tons of weddings every other couple wanted kraft based stationery .. .. so I have loads of kraft snippets to delve into and have created this (which used "just one" of the bits I have available LOL!!)  .. .. .. 

This used:

Kraft Card Snippet
Patterned Snippets:  All that Glistens - First Edition Paper  (Very Old)

Sentiment:  Printed Ribbon
Spellbinders Heart Die
My Trusty Sewing Machine
Random snowflake

Don't ask me where that tiny little snowflake came from, it was lurking in my snowflake box as was the tiny little silver glitter card dot that is in the middle of it .. .. .. might have to investigate my snowflake dies because it is super cute.

To keep the finished card thin enough to go through that super narrow slot on the post office measuring gauge I actually cut a strip out of the heart and stitched it either side of the ribbon.

Off to link up now and then hopefully have little blog hopping session.

Catch you again soon.

PENNY BLACK SATURDAY CHALLENGE - GUEST DESIGNER

Hi Everyone

Happy weekend!

Today is my last inspiration card for the current Penny Black Saturday Challenge where I have had the honour of being the Guest Designer for August.  

The theme is "Embossing" or "anything goes" .. .. .. but whichever option you choose does need to use a prominent Penny Black product.

This is what I have created:

This used:

Main Image:  "Whispers" Penny Black "3377K"

Background Image:  "Winsome" Penny Black "3811J" 

Sentiment:  "Loads of Love" Penny Black Clear Stamp Set "30-146"
Die for Main Image:  "A Pocket Full" Die Set Penny Black "51-053"

Tumbled Glass Distress Ink Pad (for distressing the main image panel)
Peeled Paint Distress Ink Pad (for stamping the "Whispers" stamp)

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Swiss Dots" for the embossed corners and also for debossing the paper-pieced sections of the main image (after having gently rubbed a black ink pad onto the raised side first)
White Embossing Powder for embossing the Winsome stamp to the background

Small Corner Rounding Punch

ProMarkers for adding extra colour to the stamped image.

Hot Fix Nail Heads
Flat Backed Gem
My Trusty Sewing Machine 

So that just leaves me to say a huge "Thank you" to the ladies on the Penny Black Saturday Team .. .. ..  I have enjoyed my time with you very very much.