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

Homely hues.

Hello all thanks for stopping by.
I haven't blogged for over a week - actually it's more like it 2 weeks. I don't usually get ill but I have been sooo unwell with some sort of virus.
I've been left with a horrid head cold and a hacking cough but I am def feeling alot better than I was last week.
So I am hoping to be all better in time for Christmas.

I didn't do any crafting while sick apart from finishing off this card which was all ready to be stuck down and tweaked and I actually only done that because our friends finaly moved into their new house !
So I was thrilled when I finally turned my computer back on and found that I'd got a top 3 spot at Ellephantastic in my absence and also that one of my cards had been picked as one of the favourites from the YEAR over at a crafty little place so thanks to them for brightening my day and my mood. It also kick started my crafty mojo and I set straight to work on a card which I'll show you in a couple of days - so pop back !

For this card I used some beautiful papers from Crate Paper and a digi frame from Whimsy stamps Dressed up shapes set 2 with a sentiment from Ann aka raindrop echo.
I also made a little lacy rosette by gathering up some lace and adding a button.

I love the colours of this card and it was refreshing to make something other than a Christmas project !

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

Allsorts Challenge Blog - Anything goes
Creative Card Crew - Anything goes
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - Your choice (# 38 Lets go digital)
CES Challenges - Anything goes

I hope you like it - thanks for looking x
((hugs)) Suzie xx

A Christmas cracker with Katie this week !

Hello yes I'm back again with my DT card for Cooking it up with Katie.
This week Katies recipe is a real Christmas cracker. Here are the ingredients you'll need ;

Make it Red
Add some Layers
Show us some Christmas!

This week we, at Cooking it up with Katie, are sponsored by Stamping Dragon Designs who very kindly provided the images which all the DT have used in this weeks challenge.
Please pop over and visit the rest of the DT girls and leave them some love - they have made some stunning samples for you this week x

For my card this week I have used papers from the super sweet gingerbread lane kit from The Creative cottage and some gorgeous gathered ribbon that I purchased from my local craft store - Capture the magic.
I also used the fab sketch over at Create 4 Fun - thanks for the inspiration ladies it is a gorgeous sketch x

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

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Christmas
A Spoonful Of Sugar - Christmas cards
Color Throwdown - Red, brown/kraft and green

Thanks for stopping by today - I hope you'll join in with us this week at Cooking it up with Katie x

((Hugs)) Suzie xx

Creative cottage challenge - In the bag !

Good morning I hope you're all feeling better than we are in my house !
We've all got heavy colds and coughs and Aidan, my youngest son, seems to be getting one thing after another - poor little mite x
So I'm keeping everything crossed that we are all healthy for christmas.

This week's challenge at the creative cottage was set by the gorgeous lindyloo and she has asked us all to create a matching bag and card set - perfect challenge with christmas just round the corner I'm sure you all have someone special you can make a gift for x

I have to admit to struggling, again, with this challenge as I don't usually make little bags etc and felt a little out of my depth but I (eventually) came up with this sweet little set which I am really pleased with. Here is a link to the tutorial for the little bag/treat holder - thanks good ole splitcoast !
I have used the super cute jungle fun Christmas Toppers (just 80p for 6 toppers !!) for my project and also paper from the gingerbread lane kit click on the links to find out more about these fab kits and find loads more too x

This is our last challenge before christmas so we'd love you to join in with us. I would also like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a fab new year x

I would also like to add this project to the following challenges:

The Shabby Tea Room - Create a holiday gift/gift set
Pile It On - It's all in the wrapping
Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog - Christmas gifts
Paper Sundaes - Gift it !
Mami Doodles - Handmade gift item

Thanks for stopping by again x
((hugs)) Suzie xx

Tagalicious recipe challenge !

Hello and first let me apologise for my extremely late post for this week's recipe challenge over at cooking it up with Katie.

This week Katie has challenged us with another fab recipe. Here are the ingredients :

Use some Green
Make a Card Set or Tag Set
Style it a little Vintage

I haven't made tags before and I'm not very good at vintage so I was a little wary of this challenge but I have thanked Katie for pushing me out of my comfort zone as I really enjoyed making these.
They were super quick to make and a fab idea to use all those little scraps of patterned paper so from now on I plan to make a gift tag to match the card when I give a gift !

This week at cooking it up with Katie we are sponsored by the fantastic Prairie Fairy who very kindly provided the DT with the fab images I have used on my tags - for more please visit my DT buddies - you will not be disapointed x

I would like to add this tag set to the following challenges;

Our Creative Corner - Tag you're it
ABC Christmas Challenge - Y for yuletide
Little Red Wagon - Christmas tag or bag
Bunny Zoes Craft Challenges - Christmas but not a card
Creative Craft Challenges - Tag it
Keep It Simple - Joy

Thanks for looking I hope you will join in with us at cooking it up with katie x
((hugs)) Suzie xx

Supplies
Tag die - Sizzix Bigz, Patterned vellum - scraps from stash, Images - Prairie Fairy, Coloured with - Promarkers, copics and copic spica glitter pens, Other stamps - Holly HOTP, Circle greeting personal impressions.