Followers

Saturday 30 June 2012

Scallops, anyone?

Hello there blogworld

Here I am again, hopefully having finally caught up with all my commenting (am scheduling my post Friday evening fully intending to go visit everyone after doing this) and next week returns to normal in Chez Sarah - so I shouldn't get so far behind again.  For 16 days - then the school breaks up!!!!!!!

Anyhow - the real reason for the post is that it is a new challenge over at Sweet Stampin and this week we would like to see your 'scallops'.  Now I thought that I had plenty of stuff that I could use, but when I came to look I was short on scallops - I could only find one die so that got pressed into service.

We are sponsored this month by Joanna Sheen, with a £10 voucher:

Our weekly sponsor is Crafts and Me (who very kindly gave a choice of two digis to the Design Team to use)



This is my not very scallopey card:
Front shot:

Close up:

Afty farty side view:
I used:
Stamp:
Crafts and Me - Violet; coloured with my Pro and Flexmarkers

Dies:
Die-namics - Open Scallop Edge
Memory Box - Valerian Flourish

Papers:
six by six My Minds Eye - Paris & Co

Anything else?
Viva Pearls
wooden flower
ribbon (coloured with Promarker)
Craftwork Cards - sentiment
Pearls

So hopefully sometime this weekend I might even get to share the pictures from Emily's birthday party. Oooooh and I might, just might, be going to the cinema on Monday - going to be a saddo and go on my own at 10.30 in the morning, I wanted to see Snow White and the Huntsman - nobody else does so I'm off on my todd!

Cheerio for now,
Sarah

Finally, a challenge, or two:

Crafts and Me Challenges blog: Challenge #90 - Birthdays

Charisma Cardz Challenges: Challenge #25 - Anything Goes


Wednesday 27 June 2012

Part one of two

Hello blogworld

This is Emily's 5th birthday card, the personal waffle I'll keep for another post.

Front shot:

Detail of image:

Arty farty side view:
I used:

Stamp:
Lili of the Valley: Party Girl - coloured with my Promarkers

Dies:
Go-Kreate
Cheery Lynn - Fanciful Flourish

Paper:
scrap

Anything else:
Flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts
feather, sentiment and '5' from my stuff and so old I've no idea where they came from
Glamour Dust on her shoes, belt and party hat

That's all folks.

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

I love Promarkers: Challenge #123 - Anything Goes


Lili's Little Fairies: Time To Play (I figure she's off to a birthday party to play - it's what my Emily did!)


Totally Gorjuss: Challenge 137 - Something Yellow

Monday 25 June 2012

21 again!

Oh how I wish!  Tho, maybe not I had a lot going on when I was 21 - I think 28 was a better year for me.

Hello blogworld

So what's 21 got to do with anything?  Well it is the new challenge number over at The Cutie Pies and this time we'd like to see your boys cards as the challenge is 'One for the Boys'.

Our sponsor is:


And there is also a fab stamp prize up for grabs - pop over and check it out!

This is the card I made:

Front shot:

Detail of image:

I used:

Stamp:
The Greeting Farm: Oliver and Amelia - Surprise, coloured with my Promarkers

Dies:
Nestie

Papers:
K & Co: Hopscotch Boy

Anything else:
Craftwork Cards - sentiment
twine and eyelets - from my stuff

I'm sure that you'll all be pleased to know the party went off well, I'll be back later in the week with a full news bulletin!

Oh and I've noticed I appear to have lost a follower - obviously my waffle has put someone off!!!

Cheerio for now,
Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Sketch n Stash: Challenge 90 - free choice, I chose sketch 52


Here come the boys: Metal and/or embossing - now feel free to remove me if you need to, as I'm not sure if I completely stuck to the spirit of the challenge.  The only metal I've used is in the eyelets - is that OK?  If not, strike me off - and don't worry about it!!

Sunday 24 June 2012

Winging it

Hello blogworld

Aha double meaning there to the post - one as this is my DT card for the latest challenge over at Dream Valley and also as when this post appears (as I've scheduled this so am typing on Sat) I'll be winging it over at Emily's birthday party!

I think a party of 25 boys and girls from less than a year to 9yrs old calls for winging it from the parents!  Luckily the entertainer could do the full 2 hours - so a plus there!!

Anyway the theme this week is Things with wings over at Dream Valley - so anything with wings please.

The sponsor this time is:

and the prize is a $10 voucher

So what did I create?  (Lots of pictures here)  This!
Front shot:

Detail of image:

Side view:

 Opening up so you can see the surprise:

Internal gift box:

Phew! Pictures over.

I used:

Stamp:
Lili of the Valley - Little Dot 'Birthday Wish', coloured with my Pro and Flexmarkers

Dies:
Nesties
Shapeabilties

Paper:
Die Cuts with a View - The Garden Party

Anything else? Oooh yes!!

Ribbon and paper flowers from my stuff
Resin flower - My Crafty Heart
little heart - a free gift from Teresa at My Crafty Heart
stickles on her wings

I'm hoping that this has reached it's recipient in time so this post is not a surprise to her (but I'm not sure she'll be reading this today anyway).

I won't tell you what was put inside the little gift box, it was a bit silly (and I'm sure you'd laugh at me - hubby did) and I hope it got there OK without melting!!

So there you go - are you going to find some wings to enter the challenge, I do hope so!!

Cheerio
Sarah

A challenge, or two:

The Squirrel and The Fox: Challenge #20 - Make it Sparkle - Stickles on her wings / glitter on the paper.





Tuesday 19 June 2012

Don't panic!!!

Trouble is I keep asking why not???!!!

Hello blogworld

Well this is the first non DT post for awhile, again!, and it's going to be the last for a few days as well.

Life at chez Sarah is still hectic - and I ask myself how does one small person who is not quite 5 yet make life quite so manicy panicy!!!!  I do not know how those of you who have a child / children, work and play fit it all in!

OK - here goes, life since my last non DT post.  Well we missed the party - said small person decided that slapping mummy, writing on the bedroom wall, telling mummy that 'you've ruined my life', arguing with daddy and getting up herself (and therefore me or her daddy) at 5am every morning was worth not going to a friend's birthday party!

Said small person is now on a rewards chart - it worked fairly well last week and she got to go to another friends' birthday party.  We are now earning presents for her birthday on Friday - one present per good day.  Oh and a couple for reading well - she always amazes me with her reading she worked out 'circus' and 'gymnastics' on her own last night.

We have grandad coming to stay today - until early next week, the birthday on Friday (for which I've got to bake a cake for 30 kids/teachers), the party on Sunday (we moved it to a hall - it's going to rain!!!) - more baking / organising / panicking, a few DT and birthday cards to make and then, hopefully, calm will be restored.  Huh, I wonder who I'm trying to kid!!

Oh and Miss Miss Tinker - is definitely a Miss - she is expecting!!!  One too many wild nights before she came to live in the splendid isolation that is our house me thinks.  We aren't quite sure how many kittens, or when, but judging by the size of her - many and soon will answer those questions.

And finally a card - made in double quick time as I needed an awkward male person card.  So out came the rub-ons, nesties and paper and tah-dah!

Only one pic as it's sooooo boring!!!


I used:

No stamp
Rub-ons - whose don't know!

Paper
Whose? - it's a scrap

Anything else?
Nah, didn't have time or patience (that's me all over!)


So when next I write I will be the mother of a five year old - where did those years go, eh!!  It will be then creeping up to my birthday and I will be sooooo ooolllddd!!!!

I think I'm finally getting around everyones' blogs tho - if not bear with me, you'll have me rambling on your blog soon enough.

Hope you are all well,
Byeee!

Sarah

Hmm, can I find a challenge, or two, for this very plain card?

My Mum's Craft Shop: Challenge #61 - Clean and Simple

And that's all folks!

Saturday 16 June 2012

OK, so I thought it was working

but now I'm not so sure!

Hello blogworld

Me again - hope everyone is well and apologies for not getting around to see everyone (again!) it's just lately real life has somewhat taken over bloglife and so I'm behind with commenting!  I will try harder, just as soon as life at chez Sarah calms down a bit.

And so, onto business, I did think that maybe my last summery card was helping the summer to arrive, but I've been sadly mistaken it would appear.  Maybe this week's challenge over at Sweet Stampin and all the gorgeous cards that my Teamies have made will help tip the balance - especially as the theme this week is: 'Summer fun', you should see all the summery, gorgeousery, wonderfully happy cards that have been made.

We are sponsored this month, with a £10 voucher for the winner, by the wonderfullness that is:


and this week, with a $25 gift certificate for the winner, by the equally wonderful:


And here is my little contribution to the attempt to bring back summer:

Front shot:

Detail of image:

I used:

Stamp:
Sugar Nellie; Diane Duda - Upside Down, coloured with my Promarkers

Dies:
Memory Box - Marshmallow Clouds

Papers:
First Edition - Boho Chic

Anything else?
Kraft paper
Ribbon from my stuff
Craftwork Cards - sentiment
Viva pearls - cream

I must just give a big thank you to my wonderful bloggy friend and teamie Lisa of Wishcraft both for the inspiration on how to use the stamp and the cloud tutorial (tho I think I need lots and lots of practise to get to her level of cloud making!).  Hope you are feeling better soon, Lisa.

So - this is my attempt to bring back summer, want to have a go?  Then go visit the Sweeties and join in.  See you there!

Cheerio

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Moving Along with Times: Let's Get Krafty

Raise The Bar: Hello Summer

Creative Card Crew: Challenge 12 - Song Inspired : Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy (maybe the lyrics don't quite fit, but I thought the title was very apt!)

Wednesday 13 June 2012

Summer? Really?!

Hello blogworld

I would get myself out there quick if I were you - it's only due to last today, then we are back to rain, rain and more rain - that's according to the on-line forecast for our area anyway!

So I wonder if our boss lady had a bit of a day when she decided over the Divas by Design that the theme this week would be Summer!

Our sponsor this week is :



I, unfortunately, was still creating in chaos - so this isn't the best card I've ever made, but I think daisies are a very popular summer thing!

So here we go - here's me card.

Front shot:

Detail of image:

I used:
Stamp:
Stampavie - Sarah Kay: Rose's Garden, coloured with my Promarkers

Dies:
Go Kreate
Nesties
Marianne Creatables - for the butterfly

Papers:
Do Crafts - Tulip
I think the butterflies are Making Memories

Anything else?
Daisies from Wild Orchid Crafts
gems from my stuff

So, lets get those summery cards out and we'll see if we coax summer back then shall we?

See you soon,
Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Sketch Saturday: Week #211

Wild Orchid Crafts: Challenge 52 - Anything Goes (the daisies are from WOC)

Papertake Weekly: 3-2-1 ( 3: daisies (or gems), 2: papers, 1: the die-cut butterfly (or the image!)


Monday 11 June 2012

I always knew I was cute -

it's just no-one else could see it ;-)

Hello blogworld

I've got some good news and now I'm sure you must be thinking you've stumbled on the wrong blog - good news, moi?  Never!!  Well in actual fact - yes!!

I put my my name forward for the recent Cutie Pies DT call and you'll never guess what - I only went and got a place!  I'm really happy as I've been joining in with the challenges since the blog started and it's so nice to be on the other side of the fence, as it were, so thank you ladies for picking me, I hope you know you've let yourselves in for a lot of chaos with me!!!

So here we go, my official first post as a member of the DT at The Cutie Pie Challenge, it's challenge number 20 and the theme is 'Real or Faux Stitching'.

The great prize on offer is from:


 

The random prize is sponsored by:



- why not pop over, take a peek and pop an entry in - go on, you know you want to!!

And here is the card!  My first one as a Cutie Pie.

Front shot:


Detail of image:

I used:

Image:
Digi Stamp Boutique - Lil Pops, coloured with my Promarkers

Dies:
Nestie oval
Memory Box - Macarena Corner (new!)

Papers:
(are a real mis-mash)
Do Crafts - Tulip: the blue birds
Prima - Annalee: the red panel
First Edition Papers - Boho chic: the bluey/red/green panel

Anything else?
Ribbon - my stuff
Sentiment - Do Crafts, Forever Friends
Craftwork Cards Candy

And that's it folks!  Looking forward to seeing all your cute projects and real (or fake - like mine) stitching - see you at the Cutie Pies!

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Sketch N Stash: Challenge 89 - the new is the image, die, some of the papers and my stash is the ribbon, sentiment, other papers and candy

Cupcake Craft Challenges: Challenge 196 - Red, White and Blue

Quirky Crafts Challenges: Challenge 12 2012 - Up, up and away

The Ribbon Girl: Card challenge - use ribbon or lace



Sunday 10 June 2012

Not really what you'd expect...

for the new challenge over at Dream Valley when the challenge is 'That Special Guy', but as this is Emily's card to her her daddy for Father's Day I'd feel a bit odd making her one that had half-naked women, beer or cars on it!!

Hello blogworld

So there you go, do you think I'm peculiar for making a bit of a girlie card for a male challenge?  Probably am, but as the only other male cards I need right now are for Emily's little friends  I didn't think any of those fitted the 'Special Guy' criteria! In any case, this might end up never being used - she does like to make her own cards and I wouldn't put one of those up as a DT inspiration.  They are from Emily so they are special, but they are not really meant for anyone other than family!

So you are dying to see what this girlie for guy card looks like aren't you?  I can tell, the curiosity is just pouring through my lappy window at me!

So, just incase you haven't been over to the challenge yet (and why not?!) - you would find out that we have two fab sponsors this fortnight: One Stop Card Crafts who are offering a £10 prize voucher and Sassy Studio Designs who are offering four digis as the prize - here's me card:

Front shot:
Detail of image:

I used:

Image:
Digi Stamp Boutique - Lil Pops, coloured with my Promarkers
I think the sentiment was a freebie from DSB as well, but I'm not sure

Dies:
Nestie Circles
Whiff of Joy - Heart Banner Die, from My Crafty Heart

Paper:
First Edition - New Leaf

Anything else?
Gems from my stuff

So I do hope you like my take on the 'Special Guy' challenge, would love to see yours!

Cheerio
Sarah

PS - Hopefully this has scheduled and posted OK, as we are supposed to be at a birthday party right now - but Emily is now on her last warning before being stopped from going as a punishment for bad behaviour.  So who knows where I am right now - in Bedlam probably!!!

A challenge, or two,

A Die for a Sketch: Challenge #1 - great new challenge blog - best of luck with it ladies

Secret Crafter: Challenge #189 - Happy Fathers Day

Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge: Fathers Day or something masculine




Thursday 7 June 2012

Long time no see

Hellooo blogworld,

Bet you thought I'd vanished of the face of the earth didn't you!  I haven't, but I have been rather busy in real world, so no time to create or blog.

Firstly, a big hello and wave to my new followers.  Hope you like it here and apologies to everyone for not getting round any blogs, at the moment I'm barely keeping up with DT commenting let alone my own.  I will be doing a huge catch up early next week when I get back to normal.

Not been the best week ever, missed all the Jubilee celebrations - had to get the holiday place ready for guests for arrivals on the Friday and again on the Monday - so busy there.

Been nowhere at all - got a poorly hubby, a daughter who thinks it's OK to write on walls (so trips / treats cancelled) and poor weather = a very bored daughter, grumpy mummy and one of the worst holiday weeks I can remember!!  I wonder sometimes what goes on a small person mind, I mean love her to bits - but my goodness she can be a handful!!!!

Anyway, it will be over soon and I'll be able to get back to my routines and making cards!!

Just to keep you going here is a card I had to make for the weekend - another child's birthday party, got one every weekend for the next 3 weekends.  The last one is Emily's birthday party and we are fingers crossed for good weather, otherwise we are on the hunt for a local hall.

Anyways, me card:

Front shot:


Detail of image:




I used:

Stamp
Sugar Nellie - Little Farmer; coloured with my Promarkers
Sentiment - Blonde Moments

Papers
The spots is a random piece from my stuff
echo park - A boy's life

Die
Memory Box - Picket Fence

Everything else
Buttons from my stuff

So hopefully things should calm down at home soon and I'll get back to blogging and creating very soon.  Until then please bear with me and I'll try and catch up with you all soon.

Cheerio
Sarah

A challenge, or two:

The Sugar Bowl: Challenge 85 - Kiki's Sketch.  Sorry had to move the sentiment as I had a bit of an accident with the paper and needed to hide it!

Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes

and, for fun, Lisa's Wast not Wednesday - the stamp again.  Won it last year in the Sugar Bowl and not used it since.

Saturday 2 June 2012

Oooh so cruel!!

Hello blogworld

and how are we all doing today then?  I'm here with my post for the new challenge over at Sweet Stampin and this week our boss ladies have been very cruel with the choice of challenge.  They wanted us (and you!) to choose 'Your favourite stamp'.

This month's regular sponsor is Joanna Sheen with a prize of a £10 voucher.




This week's sponsor is Letraset with a set of Promakers for the winner.



Now this challenge caused me a severe headache - how on earth could I pick a favourite stamp?  They are all my favourite and I just couldn't pick one. So...........

I cheated!!!  I thought for a bit and wondered which one did I use the most and it came down to a Lili of the Valley sentiment stamp.  I then had a sort through which character stamps I use the most and, to be honest, I really truly couldn't decide.  So I went with a stamp that I'd used a lot a couple of years ago and teamed it up with a very pretty accessory stamp from the same range.

Here is the finished card.
Front shot:


Detail shot and trying to show how I cut out the image then popped it on 3d foam trying for some depth:

Arty farty side view (trying to show the 3dness of it):

I used:

Stamps:
Lili of the Valley - Dreamy Days Circular Sentiments
C.C.Designs - Swiss Pixies; Laying Nora and Butterfly Fence - both coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers.
Oh and I tried Lisa's cloud technique - not nearly as good as hers, but I can see it working with some practice, so thank you Lisa for the instructions.

Dies:
Nesties: Circle and scalloped circle
Memory Box: Maderia Corner and Bubble Daisy Border (new!)

Papers:
Making Memories - Butterfly
Docrafts - Tulip

Everything else:
Wooden flower (new!)
Brad (not new)
Stickles glitter glue on her wings

Just out of curiosity can anyone tell me why one of my Memory Box dies is in a packet that has a green strip (Daisy border) and the other (Maderia Corner) has a blue strip? 

So you can you pick a favourite stamp?  Or are you a true stampaholic (like me!) and love them all equally?  Which ever I'd love to know what and how you pick - so why not go see the wonderful inspiration my Teamies have created and then enter the challenge.  You never know, I might end up taking a gander at your creation.

Have fun and stamp!!!!

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Sketch n Stash: Challenge 88 - now I know I've turned the circle into the square, tho I do still have the other elements, so I'm not sure if I've gone too far off the sketch to take part?  If you need to delete it, that's not a problem for me - I just wanted to have another go at the sketch after that really bad entry earlier in the week!!

Crafty Calender Challenge: Flowers in Bloom

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge: Anything Goes

Crafting for all Seasons: #28 - Many Layers