Come and join us for a cook up !

Good morning to you all, I hope you are all well and feeling good and ready for another recipe challenge with Katie.

Yes it is wednesday again already - it seems that the weeks are moving by quicker than ever - although spring and summer still seems like a long way off here in the uk !

Well this week katie is challenging you to;

Choose a sketch from another current challenge
Add some texture
Finish with a Punch!

My card uses the fab sketch over at card patterns. I really love this sketch and will be keeping it to use again - flipped over and on the side too.
My texture element comes from the card base itself which is ribbed and also the velum which I stamped with white ink and paper pricked to add even more texture. Actually in real life the velum looks way more sheer on this card but seems to have photographed whiter for some reason !

The gorgeous image is from our super sponsor this week gingerloft digital stamps and I just love the old style romance it depicts and it made me want to try ANOTHER new style for me so I was going for more of a collaged feel with this card not too sure if I quite did it but I quite like it anyway !

I love the papers which were a freebie kit from Two peas called All u need I am lovin the kits over there at the mo - so many kits so little time ! I really wish I could digital scrapbook but I have no idea where to start and I'm pretty sure that I would end up throwing my laptop in frustration !!

Back to my card and I really wanted to add a red rose but didin't have any so inked up a white one that I had in the cupboard and like the contrast it gives. The last ingredient I needed to add was of course a punch - enter my trusty little MS butterfly punch and more velum.

I do hope you like it and will join in with us at Cooking it up with Katie this week x

I would like to add this card to the following challenges;

Card Patterns - Fab sketch
Alphabet Challenge Blog - L is for ladies
Totally Papercrafts - Add a heart
Saturday Challenge - It's a couple thing
Craft Your Days Away - Love
Pile It On - Love is in the air
Lexi's Creations - Valentines

Thanks for looking and thanks for all your lovely comments they really brighten my days x
((hugs)) Suzie xx

Love heart x

Hello here is my 2nd post for today with yet another valentines card to show you - goodness knows what I will do with them all, but I am def in a romantic cardmaking zone at the moment !

Please accept my apologies for the terrible photo - not sure why it is so bad !

This card uses a paper that I used in last weeks Cooking it up with Katie DT card and I am making full use of the whole 12 x 12 sheet as I adore it and can't get anymore so if you check back another day I'm sure you'll see it again !
The sentiment stamp which I have never used but had totally forgotten about is stamped onto pink card diecut with my nestie labels and layered on to kraft.
The beautiful flower is of course Prima and I added another little splash of my DP to the centre and some gorgeous heart pins too before adding a pink lace bow with a button brad.

I would like to enter this card it to the following challenges;

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - A forgotten stamp (found this one at the bottom of my stamp drawer !)
Totally Papercrafts Challenge - Add a heart
Southern Girls Challenge - Totally loved up !
Crafts & Me Challenges - Monochrome
Freshly Brewed Challenges - Spread Some Love
Craft Your Days Away - Love

Thanks for stopping by and looking at my card I hope you liked it x
((hugs)) Suzie xox

Vintage romance x

Morning I greet you bleary eyed this morning - why is it that my youngest son sleeps 'til 8 all week then wakes up at 6.30 at the weekends ? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr
He is now sitting happily on the sofa with about 1000 teddies watching the polar express (he is unwilling to let go of christmas !) with a box of apple juice so I thought that I'd make the most of the peace and post one of the cards I made yesterday.

I actually made 3 yesterday - but they were all simple designs so quick to put together and all of them romantic.
This one is a wedding card made using the gorgeous sketch over at clean and simple - I have made a card using there sketch for the last 3 weeks and not posted it on time to join in so I thought I'd get it done early this week !

I used one of my Sizzix texurz boards to get the embossed hearts background and distressed them with some sepia ink for a more vintage look. Then added the beautiful flower sprig (is it cherry blossom ?) from my Rhonna Farrer digital rub on kit (had this years and not really known how to use it !). I printed it on to craft card - again for a more vintage feel and rubbed it over with a very pale pink brilliance inkpad which has given it a lovely shimmer I also done this on the sentiment which I stamped with a kanban sentiment and added some pearls to make it more weddingy !

I would like to add this card to the following challenges;

Clean & Simple - Another lovely sketch - thanks x
Cupcake Craft Challenges - Weddings
Simon Says Stamp - Bingo (lace, flowers and embossing)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - Go big (my card is 7" x 5")
Crafty Sentiments Design - Vintage
Do You Stack Up ? - Pink
Papercrafting Journey - Weddings with lace and pearls (and DT call
Phindy's Place Challenge Blog - Lace and Pearls

Thanks for looking I hope you like it x
((hugs)) Suzie xox

Cute cooking with another recipe x

Hello again here I am back again with my 2nd post of the day !!!!
Issac is at school and Aidan has been safely deposited at nursery so I have a blissfull 2 hours (well actually only got 1 left now !) of peace to get some bits and pieces done !

I am back to share with you my DT card for this weeks recipe challenge over at Cooking it with Katie.
This week Katie set us another fab recipe challenge. Here are the ingredients you'll need to include;

Make it Cute
Use some Green

Add a few Brads

My card is distinctly spring like and this def' reflects my need for some warmth - I really am longing for spring !
I have used papers from nitwit's Still joyful hearts collection and the image, coloured with my promarkers, is from the fantastic Meljen's designs who is our sponsor this week at cooking it up with katie for this, and all her other gorgeous digi's, just click here.

Please pop over to the other DT blogs and have a look at their cards and projects they will not dissapoint x

I would also like to add this card to these challenges;

Karber Weekly Challenge - Use ribbon
Pollycraft Monday Challenge - Sweet pastel colours
Quirky Crafts Challenges - In the spring garden with pink and green
Anything Goes Challenge Blog - Eyelets and brads
Bearly Mine Challenges - 3 flowers, 2 DP and 1 image
I Love Promarkers - Keep it sweet and simple

Thanks for looking - I hope you'll come and join in with us this week at cooking it up with Katie x
((hugs)) Suzie xx

Shape up !

Good morning to you all. Well after a few mild days (we actually saw some sunshine yesterday !!) the cold is back and everythying is white with frost this morning - I know we shouldn't wish our lives away but roll on spring !

This morning I am here to tell you about the fab new challenge over at the creative cottage challenge blog. Challenge 31, chosen by top boss Tracy, is to show us a shaped card.
We were inundated for our last challenge with a record number of entries and I hope you will all join in again - we love to visit and be inspired by your cards and projects.

For my card I just couldn't resist using by brand spanking new nesties and created a crown fit for a queen using the regal red paper from the jia Li good luck kit and loads of bling !

For more inspiration pop on over to the creative cottage challenge blog to see the rest of the DT creations x

I would also like to add my card to the following challenges;

Ooh La La Creations - Bling it on
Stamps R Us - Shaped cards
Crafty Pad - Something new (nesties)
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Anything but square
Simon Says Stamp - Bingo (Gems, glitter & ribbon)

Thanks for looking I hope you will come along and join in with us at the creative cottage challenge blog this fortnight x
((hugs)) Suzie xx

Oh how I long for the sunshine !

Hello I am just popping on to quickly show you the card I made with The sweet Sunday Sketch - Which I may add I just fell in love with again.

Karen's sketches and cards never fail to inspire me and this week it has inspired me to try another new style - what do you think does it work or is it a bit too "homemade" ?!

I actually really like it and had such fun making it too. I've used a new digi actually it's a freebie by TLC creations and another new addition to my crafty stash - yes more digital paper this one's by Stephanie Fizer called Sheltering tree available to download here at MFT.

I coloured the image with my promarkers and some chalk and that cute branch border is of course a MS punch !
The "sunshine" was made with a circle nestie and some doodlebug paper frills and the chipboard button is from K & Co.

Simple and super quick to make x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges;

The Sweet Sunday Sketch - 100th fabulous sketch well done Karen x
The crafty Pad - Something new (image and papers)
Raise The Bar - O to be a kid again
Stamp Insanity - Let it all hang out (embelish over the edge !)
Paperplay Challenges - Cutie patootie
I (heart) Promarkers - Punches
One Stitch At A Time - New (image and papers)
The Crazy Challenge - Buttons

Thanks for checking out my card today - I hope you liked it xx
((hugs)) Suzie xx

Happy hearts

Good morning I've got my Cooking it up with Katie DT card to show you today and yes it's a day later than usual - that's because we got to use the new release's from digital delights, our fantastic sponsor for this week which were not released until today so we couldn't spoil the surprise could we ?!

Katie's recipe for this week is a romantic one, here are the ingredients you'll need to use

Make it for someone you Love
Use any form of Embossing
Add a little Pink

I have used the new Valentines sentiment from digital delights - it's gorgeous isn't it and perfect for the cards I'm sure we are all busy creating at the mo - I diecut it with a scalloped oval nestie.

I got this beautiful paper from the bargain section of my local craft store can you believe it was only 25p ! I just adore it and I'm hoping there is still some left next time I pop in so I can get more. Unfortunately I can't tell you what brand it is as it doesn't say !

I used the spellbinders heart nestie to get those uniform hearts and inked them up with some sepia versafine ink. The embossed panel is from some packaging - waste nothing ! which I embossed with my swiss dots cuttlebug folder and inked over with a pink ink pad (not sure which one).
And I've had this lace ages and not found the right card for it until now - but I think this paper and this lace were made for each other !

And there you have it another simple card from me x

I would like to add my card to the following challenges;

Woodware USA - Hearts
One Stitch At A Time - Love and valentines
Lexi's Creations - Say it with love
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Love is in the air
Scrap Creations - Love is in the air

Thanks for looking I hope you will come along and join in with us this week at cooking it up with Katie x
((hugs)) Suzie xx

Ready for another crafty recipe ?

Hello again I'm back to show you my DT card for this weeks challenge over at Cooking it up with Katie.

This week Katie has another super recipe and here are the ingredients you will need to join in

Use a Button or two
Add a little Ribbon
and show us an Animal!

I used a sketch from Unscripted who this week are allowing us to choose our fav from last years sketches - I chose number 8 here it is;

As we have no sponsor at cooking it up with katie this week we were free to use whatever we liked ! I have used the super cute and brand new (to me) "Sheep Dreams" digi stamp from the doodle pantry and one of my fav DP "fluffy clouds" from pink petticoat don't they look like they were made to go together ?!

I've highlighted the clouds with some white glitter and they look beautiful although you don't get the true effect on camera.

The little buttons are from papermania and the larger one from mums stash - thanks mum x
At first I wanted to ruffle up loads of ribbon through the middle but I thought it hid too much of the beautiful paper and settled with a strip of metallic ribbon (thanks again mum ! x)

A joy to make - I just need one of my friends to have a baby boy now !!

I would like to add my card to the following challenges;

Unscripted Sketches - Choose your fav sketch
My Time To Craft - Up in the air (my leaping little lamb!)
Try It On Tuesday - New beginings
Tuesday Throwdown - Add some embossing
The Crazy Challenge - All things new
Woodware USA Clear Stamps - Use something new
Pile It On - Brand spanking new (digi stamp and new baby card !)
Prairie Fairy Fridays - New beginings
Doodle Pantry Digi Doodles Blog - Use a doodle pantry image

Thanks for stopping by I hope you'll join us on Cooking it up with Katie this week x
((hugs)) Suzie xx

Creative cottage's 1st challenge of 2011

Good morning to you and happy Wednesday !

Today see's the return of the creative cottage challenge after a little christmas break.
We are back with a great challenge for you chosen by the fabulous Sue. She has asked us to create something with the theme "new".

The possibillities are endless with this one - you can make a new year project, new baby, new home, job etc etc or you could use some new stash (did father Christmas bring you some ?) or a new technique the choice is yours - so no excuses for not joining in this week !

My card ticks several "new" boxes. Firstly it is obviously a new baby card but it also uses my new stamps (the B A B Y inside and also the sentiment on the front both of which are from my new Clearly Hand stamped set by Crafters companion) and I have also pledged (yes - a NEW years resolution) to try and finish my cards on the inside rather than waiting until I write in them and then hurredly stamp a sentiment inside - blowing on to it so it doesn't smudge when I put it in the envelope !!

That lovely blue DP is from the Summer mornings paper pack and available in the Creative cottage store here an absolute bargain at just £1.99 for 12 - yes 12 digi papers.

I would also like to add this card to the following challenges;

Crafty Hos Challenge Blog - Babies
The Crazy Challenge - All things new
Try It On Tuesday - New beginings
Woodware USA Clear Stamps - Use something new
Prairie Fairy Friday - New beginings
Pile It On - Brand spanking new

Thanks for looking - I hope you'll join in with us this fortnight at the creative cottage challenge blog

((hugs)) Suzie xx

Fabulous floral fancy !

Well hello again I am back with another card to show you. I am feeling refreshed and raring to go after my little crafting break - yes my mojo is seriously fired up !

While browsing through some of my most favorite blogs a few days ago I came across this sketch over at The sweetest thing and knew I had to use it just take a look for yourself


When I saw that circle I just knew I wanted to fill it with a lovely big handmade flower and I had been further inspired by Katharina over at whiff of joy tutorials blog who reminded my of my twinkling H2O's that have not seen the light of day for goodness knows how long !

So I found some tissue paper (saved from Christmas) and got to work giving it a colour wash with the H2O's then added a little more shimmer with some of the Cosmic shimmer mica powder that my lovely mum and dad got me for Christmas.(During this process I managed to spill the entire contents of the tiny pot all over my dining table and let me tell you that a little def goes a long way with this stuff and although I cleaned and cleaned it my whole family now shimmers like fairies - which my hubby just loves !)

When dry I used my dahlia spellbinders dies to make my flower shapes and screwed them up for a wrinkled look and layered together with a little brad. Then I touched the edges of the petals with some wet glue and sprinkled on some gold glitter. When that was dry I sprayed the whole flower with spray and shine - 'cause it needed more glamming up !!

For the background I have used some papers which have been at the back of my craft cupboard for well over a year - found them while having a rummage last week - they are from a HOTP paper pad and that gorg border punch is of course MS. The swirl is from sizzix and I added MORE glitter and sort of rubbed it off while it was still drying for a worn shabby look - like it's peeling.

This is not my usual style but I am feeling more and more like a crafting chameleon and I love trying on my different colours !
Sorry for the long post - I have rambled on a bit !

I would like to add my card to the following challenges;

The Sweet Sunday Sketch - Beautiful sketch Karen - thanks x
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Thank you
Craft Your Days Away Challenges - Punch it out (border punch, flower die and swirl die)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - Flowers
Bunny Zoes Crafts - Sparkle and shine (this most def fits the bill !!)
Phindy's Place Challenge Blog - Give Thanks

Thanks for visiting today, I hope you liked my offering x
((hugs)) Suzie xx

Thanks a bunch !

Hello thanks for popping in today. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and new year - are any of you longing for the normality of everyday life yet ? Not too long now and the hubby will be back to work and Issac back to school and I can set to organising the house again and getting it back to normal !

I did get a bit of time to craft over Christmas so I opened a kit, from cosmo cricket, that I've had ages but not really used yet - I love the muted colours and prints in this range and thought that these handmade flowers really suited the feel of the papers perfectly - I've also used my Martha Stewart flowers border punch which I 've had a while and not yet used either.

I would like to add this card to the following challenges;

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Photo inspiration (I mimicked the roses) on the beautiful dress and the romantic feel too.
C.R.A.F.T Challenge - Thank you
Cute Card Thursday - Thank you
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Anything goes
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Thank you
Phindy's Place Challenge Blog - Give thanks with scraps (my flowers are made with scraps of the backing papers)

Thanks for looking - I hope you liked it x

((hugs)) Suzie xx