Beautiful courage x

Hello happy Thursday to you all !!

I am here with a quick post to show you a card I created, for my teenage neice, with a couple of the new stamps which I bought with some money my sister kindly gave me for my birthday (watch this space more creations with more yummy stamps will follow !)

I have been inspired to purchase some {ippity} stamps by the super talented Lucia from poppits cupboard who makes amazing original cards in her lovely little cupboard - so thanks Lucia for pointing me in the direction of this great original stamp company x

I used papers from my Victoria 7 gypsies paper pad and worked with an amazing sketch over at CPS card sketches. I often look at the sketches there but this is the first time I have joined in with the fun - so to them I would like to say thanks for a great sketch and all the fabulous inspiration you provide week after week x

Once I had chosen my papers I cut out the circle (with my trusty nesties) and trimmed it to size before stamping the flowers in the background on it, and the super sentiment over the top.
I done a little paper piercing around the edge to make my circle pop a little more and inked the edges of both the DP's and card base too.
I felt that my card needed a little something else so I diecut the cute little crown using my nesties and bigshot and added a gem.

Really that's all it needed - this paper is so beautiful I loved the sketch for it as it didn't call for me to cover it all up !

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

CPS Card Sketches - fab sketch - thanks x
Ooh La La Challenge Blog - Pink, pink and more pink !
Creative Craft Challenges - Card for a teen
Incy Wincy Designs - Use punches or dies
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Spots and dots
Paperplay Challenges - Get sentimental
Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog - Shabby chic

Thanks for taking a look - hope you liked it x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Peachey keen !

Hello to you - I had scheduled this post but I just realised it wasn't posted so I checked and I'd scheduled it for tomorrow - so I apologise for my tardiness once again ! (see I am not good at being organised !)

My card today is for this weeks yummy recipe over at cooking it up with Katie.
Our sponsor this week is Limited runs digital stamps and all of the DT were treated to the beautiful butterfly on my card so pop on over to the cooking it up with Katie blog and check out all the fab inspiration there x

This week Katie has another inspired recipe for you - here it is;

Use some White
Add some Wings
Finish with Wishes!

Can't wait to see what you'll cook up for us this week.

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

Desert Island Crafts Challenge - Choose 3 items from Juanita's itinerary (Monochromatic, sparkle and swirls)
Incy Wincy Designs - Use punches or dies (swirls)
KB Cute Monday - Use glitter
2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Embossing
Challenge Up Your Life - Monochrome

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the rest of your day x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Hi flower ! x

Hello last night I felt the need for some crafting therapy and so I grabbed one of my fav paper pads from cosmo cricket and got to work using the fab new sketch over at unscripted this week x

After taking about half an hour choosing which papers to use (so many beauties in this pad !) I cut my panels and inked the edges up with some sepia ink to soften the hard lines a little.
Once adhered to the card base (bazzill) I set to making a flower. I have seen these flowers all over blogland and adore the shabby chic look of them so I decided to have a go as a change to the scrunched flowers I have been making recently.

They are so easy to make, I diecut the circles with my bigshot and nesties circles then distressed the edges. then I scrunched them up and inked with the sepia ink again.
Then I just layered them up and cut out a couple of leaves to finish it off.

I added the "Hi friend" using my sizzix take it easy alphabet set.

I hope you like it - I love the colours of these papers and I'm always happy when I use them and with a sketch like this I can use the scraps so I don't waste any !

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

Unscripted Sketches - Fantastic sketch - thanks girls x
Anything goes Challenge Blog - Distressing
Sweet Stamps Challenge - Flowers
Lexi's Creations - Flowers
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Inspired by nature
Crazy 4 Challenges - Use dies (circles and alphabet dies)

Thanks for taking a look at my card today - I hope you enjoy the rest of your day x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Classy & fabulous

Well hello again I am back to show you the end product of some experimenting that I done yesterday !
I got some alcohol inks for my birthday and wasn't too sure how to use them (and I am still awaiting delivery of the blending tool and blending solution) so I thought I'd just try painting it onto an image. I had stamped onto watercolour paper so of course it drank up the ink like a sponge and gave a rather uneven finish - but I have to say that I love it !

I think it has given the dress a fabric look - like taffeta. This is why I love experimenting with stuff although I don't have much time for it lately.

I added the double border with just a ruler and a black biro !
This is the first time I have used this stamp and sentiment which are both clear stamps from Kanban. The gorgeous vintage inspired paper is another birthday present - from my mum and dad, it's the hanoverian linen paper pack from the V & A.

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

The ABC Challenge - O is for old fashioned
The Res-Q-Challenge - Something that makes you happy (fashion - this dress would make me V happy!)
A Day For Daisys - Very vintage

Thanks for taking a look I hope you'll pop over again sometime x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

PS if anyone has any hints and tips for using alcohol inks they would be greatly appreciated, please leave them in the comments section or feel free to email me x

Simply special

Hello blogging buddies I hope you are all well. My internet connection is still totally fried but my lovely neighbour has let me piggyback onto their connection until I get sorted - it's a little slower but hey at least I can get online.
I'm sure you have heard the phrase about bad things happening in 3's and I can tell you that # 2 is that my printer isn't working now either - GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR - considering the amount of digi papers and images I use this is as much a pain as not getting online so I'm just waiting for a 3rd breakdown now and I'm just hoping it's not the laptop !!

Anyway that's enough moaning for now, I actually came on to show you a card that I made last night while hubby was watching avatar.

It is def a clean and simple card and was super quick to put together but my mum and dad got me some new ink pads for my birthday so I wanted to use them (or one of them !) and I am loving my embossing folders at the moment and wanted to experiment with embossing just a portion of my card.
The stamp is an old one from my drawer and I have no idea which brand it is - sorry.

I must apologise for the picture - it is another grey day here today, if it's better tomorrow I'll try get another and update it x

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

Phindy's Place Challenge Blog - Monochrome
Stampin' For The Weekend - Monochrome
Fabulous Friday Challenge - No patterned paper
Challenge Up Your Life - Monochrome
Shannons Sentiments - Sentiments only (no images)
2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Embossing

I do hope you liked my quickie for today - thanks for popping by x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Spring style with Sarah Paris

Good morning – thanks for popping in !

This morning is my very first DT card for paper crafting journey – how exciting !

This week our 4th challenge and it is a nice easy one – anything goes - so no excuses for not joining in with us!

Our super sponsor this week is Sarah Paris style and she provided the DT with the gorgeous image stamps we’ve used on our cards. Hop on over to the store as there is an early bird bonus freebie which is available today only (17th Feb 2011) and projects using this stamp in our challenge can link their project twice - so you can double your chances of winning !

As if you need more tempting there will also be another freebie available for the length of this challenge and if you use that freebie you can also double your chances by linking twice !

The gorgeous heart I’ve used is one of 7 included in the Bollywood hearts set available here at Sarah Paris style I’ve printed the heart stamp onto that lovely DP which is also a Sarah Paris, that I've had a while, from the spring papers set as is the backing DP.

My sentiment is a clear stamp from Kanban.

I’ve accented everything with lilac glitter to really make it glimmer and sparkle.

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

For Fun Challenges - Birthday
Forgotten Scraps - Spring or flowers
Crafty Cardmakers - Hearts
Cupcake Inspirations - Photo inspiration

Thanks for taking a look at my card today – I do hope you will come and play along with us at Paper crafting journey this week x

((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Blue buttons and bling !

Hello I'm sorry this post is sooo late but my internet connection has not got any better and I've spent half the day running to the loo (Issac's bug is spreading thru the house !).

Anyway enough of that on to the important stuff !

Today being wednesday is the day we get a new recipe over at cooking it up with Katie so here is what you need for this weeks dish !

Use a little Blue
Add a few Buttons
Finish with some Bling

Our fabulous sponsor Stamping dragon provided the design team with our images to play with this week - to see what the other lovely DT girls have created just head over to cooking it up with Katie.

My card this week uses papers from nitwit and the cute image from stamping dragon has been coloured with pro markers .
I have cut the paper along the harlequin pattern to create a shaped border and added my bling to highlight this. When I added a bow it didn't seem to look right so I just looped a couple of short lengths of ribbon and added a button to the centre to finish of the card and the recipe !

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

Claudia & Company - About a boy
Desert Island Crafts - Choose 3 items from list (Sparkle, red and buttons)
Cards For Men - Recipe 1 image, 2 DP and 3 embelishments (button, bling and ribbon)
Karber Weekly - Birthday with a digi stamp
Card Cupids - Red, white and blue

Thanks for stopping by and looking at my card today I hope you will pop along to cooking it up with Katie and join in with us this week x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Fabulous florals please !

Good morning hope you are all well. I seem to have caught the bug which Issac had last week so I’m not feeling too hot unfortunately !

And I have spent hours on the phone to technicians who don’t seem to be able to get my Internet connection sorted – it’s driving me crazy - actually I am typing this in word on my computer as I can’t get online – ahhhhhhhhhh !

As well as all that my printer doesn’t want to work either so I can safely say that I’ve had better weeks !!

Anyway onwards and upwards !!

Well today is Wednesday so it is of course it is time for the new challenge over at the creative cottage challenge blog x

This week it was my turn to choose our theme and I chose fabulous florals – so we want to see those flowers especially if you’ve pushed the boat out and made them yourself !

For my card I have used a DP from the gorgeous poppy delights paper kit available here at the creative cottage store - just £1.99 for 12 digi papers !

I added some bling swirls which I have been saving for a special card ! My flower was made using the spellbinders dahlia die and a habitat store bag which I have also been saving with this flower in mind – I love the natural look it lends and I love using recycled items on my craft projects. I have used a tri-colour brilliance ink pad to give the flower a pearlescent sheen

The sentiment is a rubber stamp from do crafts I’ve had it ages and love it and that beautiful butterfly is a metal accessory that I got from a local floristry trade store.

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

Digital Tuesday - Use a die cut

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Putting on the glitz

Bunny Zoes Crafts - Spring flowers everywhere

Paper Sundaes - Flowers and distressing (both on the flower)

Pile It On - Use some plaid

Quirky Crafts - Recycled romance

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Make your own embellishment

Paper Issues - Birds, bee's and butterflies

Well thanks for stopping by I do hope you will join in with us at the creative cottage challenge blog this fortnight - I can't wait to see your blooming creations !

((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Hi Butterfly x

Before I start I want to say a special thank you to Anne who helped me (the technophobe) and made me this lovely watermark for my photo's - Anne you are an absolute *star* xo

This card I made about a week ago (maybe more actually) using a sketch over at CPS (# 202) and a colour combo challenge (# 39) at sentimental sundays - of course it is too late to enter it into these challenges now !
I do this all the time but it doesn't matter to me - I really like the card and the colour combo challenge made me dig out one of my fav paper pads from cosmo cricket which always brings me joy !

I tried to leave it really clean but I couldn't help adding that sentiment tab which I felt helped to balance it.

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

Catch The Bug - Anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge - Red, orange and yellow
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Bling bling
Paper Issues - Birds,bee's and butterflies

Thanks for popping by - I hope you like it ! x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Romantic robot ?!

Well I am finally back ! It feels like I haven't "blogged" or crafted for months but it is actually only a week.
My eldsest son has had a horrid sickness bug and when you're poorly only mum will do won't she ?!
He was all set to go back to school today but was terribly sick again last night so that'll be another two days off school ! I'm hoping he'll be better for my birthday - or I'll have to eat more cake myself !!!!

I have some exciting news that I have been bursting to tell you - I am joining the DT over at papercrafting journey a fairly new challenge site with new challenges set fortnightly - so no excuses for not joining in !
I'm not on the DT yet so I thought I'd add this card to their current challenge which is love is in the air why not pop over and add your valentines creations too !

Anyway onto my card - this stamp from whiff of joy arrived on Friday and I've been waiting for it to make a valentine for Issac - isn't he cute ?.

I have used the sketch over at Eat, sleep, stamp a lovely simple sketch with plenty of room to add as many embellies as you wish.

The papers are from the sugar rush basic grey pad which I purchased just for these papers ! but there are loads of other yummy papers in there too !
I've coloured the stamp in with my promarkers and I added the gems for a bit more pizazz - I guess they are not usually added to "boys" cards but I know Issac will love them.

I am also adding this card to the following challenges;

Papercrafting Journey - Love is in the air
Eat, Sleep, Stamp - Great sketch - thanks Tracy x
Whiff Of Joy Challenge - Love is in the air
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Love love love
Basic Grey Challenges - All hearts
Cards For Men - Valentine/love
Ooh la la Challenge Blog - For someone special (my son)
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Bling bling

I hope you liked my card - thanks for stopping by and looking around x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

More butterflies !

Yes it's another post - i know three in one day is blog over kill but since my internet connection has been so terrible I haven't posted any of the cards that I made at the weekend yet.
Since fiddling with my dsl cable (!!) I have surfed happily all evening so fingers crossed all is well again !

This card I made using this weeks sketch at clean and simple - it was one of those times when you just know you have to use the sketch and use it NOW ! I saw - I rummaged (thru craft cupboard) - I created !

I've had this mat stack from DCWV for ages but not used it because I love it too much ! But I think this sketch is truly worthy of the beautiful butterflies and metallic accents so I took a deep breath and cut into it !!
The colours haven't photographed true to life as the DP's are much more vibrant and they are mounted onto a lovely peach coloured card.
And the sentiment is half of a new stamp (actually says "hello friend") from sizzix.

I hope you like it - I'm super pleased with the result.

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

Clean and Simple - Another fabulous sketch - thanks x
Sisterhood Of Crafters - Anything goes
Anything Goes Challenge Blog - Butterflies
Totally Gorjuss - As you like it
Paper Issues - Birds, bee's and butterflies

Thanks for popping in x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Butterfly kisses x

Hello again I'm back with another (late) post this time to show you my DT card for the new challenge over at Creative cottage.

This fortnights theme has been chosen by the super talented Shelly and her challenge for us all is to use words of love. The sentiment must be the main focus of your card so you can put your image stamps away for this one !

For my card I have used the gorgeous butterfly paper from the lavender sky paper kit available at the creative cottage shop which seemed to match perfectly with the sentiment (raindrop echo designs).
I used my cuttlebug embossing folder to create the background - I have an absolute love of anything paisley, always have, I can remember a pair of huge wideleg trousers my best friend used to have, during our teenage years, which were covered in the most absurd paisley pattern ever and I used to go green with envy every time she wore them - ah good times !!!

Where was I - yes my card !! I also used the sketch over at Annabelle stamps - super sketch which I will def be using again.

Do you like the flowers - yes I made them all myself they are super easy and so satisfying to create with the added bonus that you can make them to match every project ! - if you want to have a go here is a link to a tutorial on you tube.

All that was needed was some extra bling and voila !

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

Annabelle Stamps Blog - Sketch #ABSC034 Super go to sketch - thanks x
Southern Girls Challenge - Dry embossing
Crafty Catz - Flowers
Just Us Girls - Create your own flowers
Anything Goes Challenge Blog - Butterflies (paper & sentiment)
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything goes & optional flowers
Forgotten Scraps - Anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today I hope you liked my card and I hope to see you joining in at the creative cottage challenge blog this fortnight x

((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Lovely lovebirds x

Hello I am sorry that my posts are late today - I have had terrible internet connection for the last 3 days - and I'm getting super frustrated with it !
Being a techno-phobe I'm not sure if it is a problem with my modem or whatever but I have no idea where to start to fix it so if anyone has experience of these things any advice would be appreciated x

Right now boring stuff aside lets get on with the fun stuff !

This card is my DT sample for our new challenge over at cooking it up with Katie who this week wants to see some metal, some brown and 2 designer papers.

We are sponsored this week by Robyns fetish who provided all the DT with some great digi images to play with so make sure you visit the other DT girls to see their fantastic creations you can find links to all of their blogs over at cooking it up with Katie.

I have used the sketch over at cards and things and my yummy MS border punch that my sister got me for Christmas, also a big flower brad which I have been saving - don't we all have products that we buy and don't want to use !!! and also some little prima flowers with papers which I think are K & Co.

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

Try It On Tuesday - Feel the lurve !
The Pink Elephant - Red brown and pink
Cards And Things Challenges - Sketch

Thanks for looking I hope you like it - sorry for the rushed post - got to dash off and get Issac from dodgeball now !!

((hugs)) Suzie xx