Feel Better

Hello, my friends. Just a quickie from me. I made this card for a friend who's under the weather.The plan was to make a simple card but then I was possessed by the spirit of anti-CAS. I fought back, spun my head and hurled out pea-soup ... alas! All in vain.  My card looks like this:

I started by sponging the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass in the top half and Tea Dye in the bottom. The flowers and leaves are stamps and dies by Clearly Besotted. I adhered the design piece on a stripy panel which I made by stamping Diagonal Stripes with Tea Dye ink on kraft card.

You can see in the close-up below that I did some inlay die-cutting for the 3 pink flowers. The purple flowers an the leaves are all die-cut and adhered on the card.  To finish and put little dots if Liquid Pearls all over. So much for doing CAS! :) And to think I was inspired by Happy Little Stampers March CAS challenge where Sponging in the theme this month!

Challenges:
Happy Little Stamper March Sketch
The Shabby Tea Room #247: Pop Of Pink
Eureka Stamps #131: AG
Craft Your Passion #252: AG
Crafting From The Heart #50: AG
Bunny Zoe's Crafts March: Spring Colours
Through The Craft Room Mar 10: AG

Products used to make this card:

Thank you so much for stopping by. We're expecting a beautiful day today - blue sky, sun shine, birds singing and all that. I love March, don't you? Hope you're having a fab day too.

Beijinhos!

CASE-ing Christmas #10: Mynn

I guess it's time to welcome you to another round of  CASE-ing Christmas - a weekly challenge devoted to creating  holiday cards all year long. Today we're starting Challenge #10.

Here's how you play along. Each week you'll be given you a card to CASE and ... you CASE it! It's as easy as that. If you've never CASEd a card before, here's how you do it:

• Look at the photo of the card to CASE; 
• Be inspired by some elements of the card - the colours, layout, image, embellishments, etc 
• Make a card based on that inspiration and link it up at CASE-ing Christmas Challenge Blog by Noon (Central) / 6pm (UK) on Thursday,  12th March 2015. 

And that's all there is to it. Our CASE card this week is this gorgeous creation by Mynn. Lots of ideas here and I can't wait to see how this project inspires you.

I pretty much stuck to Mynn's original card - colours, bauble, dots, stripes, sequins and white space. This is, after all, a CASE challenge and today that means COPY And STEAL EVERYTHING! And that's exactly what I did... 'cause my Mama taught me to do as I'm told! lol.

I'm using Waltzing Mouse stamps for my card. I embossed the background with the Swiss Dots folder and used Tim Holtz Sizzix Difusser to clear some space for my greeting. For some festive shine I added 3 sequins, just like Mynn! Talk about being original... NOT!

The bauble is heat embossed in gold. I don't have washi tape, so I cut out banner tails on bits and pieces of scrap paper and passed them off as washi tape! I am not happy with this card. Somehow it doesn't look or feel right. Maybe stealing isn't such a good idea after all! :)

Challenges:
Sister Act Challenge #96: AG
Jingle Belles: A Very Vibrant Christmas
Holly Jolly Christmas: Dies & Punches - ornament die
Christmas Card Challenge #13: Winter Hues / AG Christmas
CHNC Extra March: AG Christmas
CHNC #218: Cut It Up
Completely Christmas #52: Twist - Add Texture

Products used in this project:

Now it's your turn to make a Christmas card by CASE-ing Mynn's creation. And if you played along last week, the Winners of Challenge #9 will be announced on Wednesday, 11th March 2015.

You'll find more ideas over at the DT's blogs: Mynn ... Donna ... Ellen ... Pat ... Steph.

Thanks for dropping by and Happy CASE-ing. I'm looking forward to seeing your take on Mynn's card. Have a lovely Friday, friends.

Beijinhos!

Polka Doodles #10: Ribbons & Lace

Can you believe it's Friday already!!! Where has the week gone? Still, there's comfort in knowing that the weekend starts this evening ... and you still have another week to play along in Polka Doodle's "Ribbon and Lace" challenge. Over at the Polka Doodles Challenge Blog, the design team is putting up quite a show.

My inspiration project this week is this girly girl birthday card made with material from the adorable Pretty Sweet Mini CD collection. Calling it Mini is an understatement! This CD is packed with the prettiest, sweetest, most darling images and papers. I used little Maddie as my focal image and she was a delight to colour. The only extras to this card are the gingham ribbon and cotton lace.

Here's a close-up of little Maddie. I coloured her with Graph'It markers, fussy cut and adhered to the card. Maddie with Present is also available as a single download digistamp.

Challenges:
Scrapping 4 Fun #37: AG
Seize the Birthday: AG Without Topping
Crafting With An Attitude #1: AG
Hanna and Friends #217: AG
Crafting For All Seasons #97: Girly Girls
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Special Lady / Girly
Fussy & Fancy #134: Ribbon & Lace
Chocolate Coffee Cards #86: For A Child


Products used in this project:



Now it's over to you, my friends. Create any project - card, tag, lay-out, box, bag, etc. You have until Noon (UK Time) on Friday, 13 March 2015, to link up your entries over at the Polka Doodles Challenge Blog. You don't have to use Polka Doodles products to enter, but if you have it, by all means, flaunt it! One randomly selected winner will receive a Download of the utterly adorable Work & Play 9 - Love & Kisses Collection which includes 16 digital stamps.  Now that's a prize draw you don't want to miss.

Here's another thing you don't want to miss: the brand new Eden Collection by Polka Doodles. It is available as a CD or downloadable files.

Time for y'all to get creative. Thanks for stopping by and I can't wait to see your projects. Have a fabulously crafty weekend, friends!

Beijinhos!

February Card Chain Challenge

I'm back with another card! Daily blogging... it's a first for me. Today's card is a one I made for the February Card Chain Challenge organised by the talented Debbie Nolan. It's a fun little challenge where we send out cards to one person on the list of entrants.

If you grew up in the 60s and 70s you'll remember pen-pals from an era when people actually put pen to paper to communicate with faraway family and friends. The children's television program Big Blue Marble had a pen pal program and I remember writing to them for one. Now, how many of you remember that?! LOL

Back in the 21st century, I received a card from Carol Durham of Scotland. Head on over to Carol's blog to see the the lovely card she sent me. And if that wasn't enough, Carol also included some gorgeous ribbons and I cannot wait to show them off. The full reveal of cards created and sent out by all the participants can be seen here.

So, this is the card I sent Helen Gullet from Ohio. I hope she liked my attempt at CAS, using various stamps from Clearly Besotted. I've picked the "Friendship" theme for my card.

Here's a closer look at the wacky little guy. I love his eyes. Keeping it simple and relatively flat. He's got to fly a long long way from Portugal to Ohio... excess baggage not required. :)

Challenges:

Word Art Wednesday #173: AG Uplifting

Addicted To Stamps #134: CAS

Little Red Wagon #279: Birds Of A Feather

Stampin' Royalty #269: Embossing

Cute Card Thursday #363: Die Cut / Punches

Sparkle & Sprinkle March: AG + Loose Glitter, Embossing Powder or Flock

Products used in this project:

Hope you're having a fab day. We're expecting lots of sunshine today. I'm hopeful the weatherman will get it right this time! Thank you for stopping by and a HUGE thank you for the encouraging, comforting and supportive emails regarding André. Growing old is tough.

Beijinhos! 

Chocolate Baroque: Crocus and a Spring Bird

Hello friends! Just a very quick post from me today to share 2 cards from Chocolate Baroque's brand new March release stamps. There are 3 DL stamp sets: Spring Bird Crocus, Spring Birds Tulips and Spring Bird Daffodil.

Today I am playing with the Spring Bird Crocus set and whipped up 2 cards coloured with Graph'It alcohol markers but with 2 distinctive looks. You'll also find this card over at the Chocolate Baroque Design Team Blog, where there'll be more ideas from the rest of the team.

My first card showcases the beautiful crocuses from the  Spring Bird Crocus set. I stamped a cluster of the taller ones from the set and coloured them with Graph'It alcohol markers. Then I coloured and fussy cut the smaller cluster and adhered in in front. And to fill all the gaps I added some die cut grass by Clearly Besotted which, coincidentally match the leaves of the crocuses! The greeting is from Butterfly Easter and the butterfly is from Harebell Butterfly.

Here's a closer look. I went a little mad with the Wink Of Stella Clear Brush.

On to my second project. This time the spotlight is on the nesting bird from the Spring Bird Crocus set. I've moved away from fresh bright colours and used warm neutrals instead. As before the image is coloured with Graph'It alcohol markers and fussy card before adhering to the card base. I've also used the greeting and the itty bitty accent stamp from the same set.

Well spotted! More Wink of Stella Clear Brush action! And some Wink of Stella Silver on the eggs. Can't get enough of the stuff!

I love how this one set of stamps gives 2 different looks - garden fresh or warm & cosy. I dare say this set will get some use in the Autumn months too.

Challenges:
Creative Moments #63: AG / Spring Greens
Inspiration Destination # 23: AG
Wonderful Wednesday: AG
Word Art Wednesday #173: AG Inspirational
Crafty Sentiments: Spring Colours
Paper Weekly: AG

Products used in these projects:

Furbabe Update:

I am falling behind on my visits. So sorry about that. Our old boy, André, has Canine Cognitive Dysfunction and the past couple of weeks have been very trying for him and for us too. He is needing so much attention and with Rosie being poorly too, it's pretty hectic at home.

Over the past 8 months we've watched André change from a sweet, overly affectionate dog to a grumpy, grouchy old man who sleeps all day and becomes increasingly restless at night.
The symptoms of CCD are the same as Alzheimers in humans. He is on Anipryl, the stuff used to treat Parkinson's in humans, and there is some improvement, but nothing substantial.

If your old dog exhibits signs of senile dementia it may not just be age related. Having the ol' faithful properly diagnosed means the right treatment can be given. CCD is incurable but there are medications, both conventional and holistic, that can help with the symptoms. A head start in treatment can make a difference in the quality of life ... for both! :)

Enough depressing stories. Thank you for stopping by and I'll make another effort at visiting without falling asleep over at the keyboard! See ya tomorrow!

Beijinhos!

Tuesday Throwdown #234: Circles

Good morning, friends! Welcome to another Tuesday Throwdown Challenge. And we are kicking off the month of March with an easy theme "Circles". Our sponsors this week is Robyn's Fetish - purveyor of adorable digis and stamps.

Today I want to show you this square card, with no shortage of circles, featuring an apple with a cute little wriggly smart worm. You can get this little guy here. If you look close, you can see that I stitched a few circles on the patterned paper ... yep, I am certifiably looney!

Here's a close-up of the little guy. Isn't he adorable?! I've used Graph'It markers to colour and applied lots of Wink of Stella Clear glitter on him.... he's a glow-worm now!

Challenges:
Crafting From The Heart #49: AG
Craft Your Passion #251: AG
Mema's Crafts March Challenge: AG
Scrapbook Stamp Society #61: AG + Stitching
Alphabet Challenge: A for Apples

Products used in this project:

Now it's your turn to create a project based on this week's theme: "Circles". For ideas and inspiration, take a peek at what the rest of the DT members have made. Remember to link up your project at the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge Blog by 3pm Pacific / 11pm UK Monday, March 9th.  And the most important requirement: Have Fun!

Beijinhos!

Stamplorations Guest Designer

To say I'm chuffed would be an understatement. Here I am Guest-ing for Stamplorations' first fortnightly sketch challenge in March. I have to say it's weird to see my little card nestled in a blogpost of amazing work. Giddy? Heck, yes!


As always, we have a lovely sketch that allows for plenty of artistic licence. Personally, I sometimes find sketches too restrictive and that usually squashes my creativity... it doesn't take much for me to throw in the towel!

I turned the sketch around 180º. My card features a digi flower (a prize from Stamplorations), which I printed in the background.  Instead of the circles, I'm using butterflies hovering around the flower. The sentiment is from Stamplorations' versatile It's All About You set - it's the only set I own... for now! :) Here's my card:

I coloured the flower with Graph'It markers and added a few flicks of Wink of Stella Gold. A few purple bling on the butterflies complete the look.

The design isn't properly centred.... looks like the whole thing is about to fly off the top of the card. Oh well.... I did say I was (still am) giddy!

Challenges:
Dream Valley Challenge #101: Mother's Day
Craft Your Passion #251: AG
Jelly Park Friends (Last Challenge): One For The Mums
Sentimental Sundays #248: AG + Sentiment
That Craft Place: Mother's Day / AG
Country View Challenges: AG

Products used in this project:

That's all from me today. Thank you so much for stopping by. If you want to play along, Sketch Challenge #29 is on for 2 weeks, starting today. Have a fab week and I'll see ya tomorrow with something wriggly!

Beijinhos!

Eclectic Ellapu March: Anything Goes

Hello, friends! We have a brand new year of challenges starting over at  Eclectic Ellapu. As you know, we now have a big DT family and that means MORE crafty inspiration for you.

As always the 2 teams - Pinks and Purples - are playing together, but they have own themes. The Pinkies have everybody's favourite theme of "Anything Goes" and the Purplies want you to "Go Green".

As a Pinkie, I made a cupcake box 3-1/2" to fit a standard sized cupcake or muffin... with topping. This is a birthday gift for a friend's daughter whose fave colours are green and pink - a real girly girl. The patterned paper is an old out of print Doodlebug paper from my stash. I have no idea what it's called.

I made a matching tag and secured the box with soft green satin ribbon.

The box opens like a pizza box and to facilitate removing the cupcake, the sides are flaps that open out. The cupcake itself will sit snuggly in the base - no moving about, no mess.

In the front is a window for a peek at the sweet delight inside inside. To soften the look of this cube, I rounded  the corners with the 1/2" Corner Chomper.

Challenges:

Crafty Cat #268: Use Your Dies / Punches

Jo's Scrap Shack #77: AG

As You Like It: Anything But A Card

Hanna and Friends #216: Little Gifts

Southern Girls: Girly

Products used in this project:

Now it's your turn to create and link up your labour of love over at the Eclectic Ellapu Challenge Blog. Remember, we have 2 concurrent challenges: "Anything Goes" for the Pink Team and "Go Green" for the Purple Team. You can enter one or both challenges as many times as you wish, but make sure you link up your projects by 11:59pm UK time on 31 March 2015.

Thank you for stopping by today. The weather man says that it will be cloudy, windy day today.  March winds bang on schedule and that must mean Spring is almost here. Woohoo! Have a beautiful Sunday, friends!

Beijinhos!