She sells sea shells on the seashore !

Yay another Wednesday -another challenge at cooking it up with Katie.

Our yummy recipe this week is super sunny ! We want to see your projects that include the following ingredients;

Swirls
Sunshine
and a Sentiment

This week we are lucky enough to have not only one but two fabulous sponsors. They are Meljen's designs, who treated all the DT to the lovely images we used this week, and pizzazz a plenty.

If you've visted me before you may have seen me use this technique once before - but I just had to use it again (because I love it and it was so apt to this particular challenge !!).

It is a great way to use use up scraps and I love the effect.

All of the scraps were cut then distressed with an orange ink pad before being glued down.
My image is coloured with my promarkers and I added some pearly doodles to accent some of the shells and sand. I also used my chalks to add the clouds and blue sky - ahh I could do with a day on the beach with a good book !

Well since that is not going to happen {!} I would like to add my card to the following challenges;

Stamp something - Beachy colours
Delicious doodles - Let the sun shine (Hi Teri xx)
Challenge up your life - Recycling (scraps)
The cheerful stamp pad - Colour my world (promarkers/chalks/pearly doodles and ink pad !)
Stamps R us - Going digital
Jac-inks Papercraft challenges - Warm colours
Clear it out challenge - Colouring (promarkers etc)
Scrap-creations - Use at least 3 DP's

Thanks for visiting I hope you'll play along this week at cooking it up with Katie x
((hugs))) Suzie xoxo

Ruffle-icious !

Last night I made a card that I was so happy with that I just couldn't wait to jump out of bed to photograph it and get it posted so that I could show you all !

None of my friends share my hobby and that is why you, my crafty friends, are so important to me. Your comments give me encouragment and I take so much joy from them - thanks for being such a great bunch.

Ok I'll stop now ! Onto my card - I returned to my current love the pink paislee butterfly garden paper line.
I cannot put these away into the craft drawers and everyday I feel them pulling me towards my craft table {commonly known as the dining table !!} - I hope you are not getting bored of seeing them ! There is one paper in there which is so lovely that I haven't yet thought of a project worthy of it so that one is being saved for absolute genius - needless to say you might have to wait a while {or a lifetime !} to see that one !

Now tho I love this paper stack it is only a 6 x 6 so I always have problems when it comes to making my fav' size card which is 5" x 7".

So this is how I got round it. I cut a peice of scrap paper the size that I wanted my finished patterned panel to be then decided where I was going to put a border/ribbon. Then I cut the paper where it wouldn't be seen (underneath the border/ribbon) then stuck the peices onto the backing guide (scrap piece) lining up the corners so that I knew it would look like continuous strips once the border/ribbon was added.

Now my gap was too big for the seam binding that I originally wanted to use - but talk about a happy accident because I had to improvise and that is when my ruffle was born ! And just let me tell you that I adore that little ruffle !

I love adding stitching but since I don't have a sewing machine found it a bit daunting until I purchased a sew easy tool - let me tell you that before I found that, especially with a zig zag stitch, it was difficult to get my stitches to look uniform - problem solved with my new tool I would reccomend it to anyone {and no I am not on the payroll !}.

I also added an embossed panel which is embossed with my sizzix texture plates and sanded then inked to show the pattern a little more.

Those beautiful flowers (and butterfly) were found hidden in a drawer full of decoupage sheets. I used to decoupage alot when I first started making cards but not so much anymore but I just couldn't put these back into the drawer so they made there way onto my messy mat to await a worthy project - voila !

Better stop rambling on now this is turning out to be a marathon post !

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

Joyful stamper inspire me Friday - Thanks I just love looking at all the projects it's a great source of inspiration x
Crafts & me - Anything goes with kraft
Crafty creations challenge - Flowers, patterned paper and ribbon
Creative belli - Something begining with S - stitching
Flutterby Wednesday's - Open (didn't use the optional sketch but wanted to share my butterfly with you !)
Paper pretties - Flowers
Pixie dust studio pixie challenge - Vintage

I would like to sincerely thank you all for visiting my blog x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Don't be blue - bling it up !

Ok so I am here today to share with you my very 1st DT card for stampin for the weekend.

I was super pleased to be invited to join such a talented bunch and I look forward to many happy challenges with both them and you - you will play along too - won't you ?

This fortnights challenge (yes you get 2 whole weeks to get your projects in !!) is hosted by the lovely Jan who is challenging you with a crafty recipe. She wants to see your projects with blue, buttons and bling. The winner will win an fabulous stampin for the weekend candy box !!!!!!!

For my card I used a digi image {agapanthus} and sentiment from the doodle pantry which I layered twice in microsoft word before printing and colouring with my Lyra aquacolors. Wow it is ages since they saw the light of day and I remembered just how much I enjoyed using them.
I must revisit more of my forgotten stash it really is criminal to just let it stagnate in my {dusty !} cupboard !!

I added touches of glitter to the individual blooms which you can see if you click on the picture and see the larger view.
For more bling I added a beautiful pearl swirl - I just adore these things, I wish I could wear them myself on special occasions !

The rest is all from stash - I hope you enjoyed my card and that you will come along and join in with us at stampin for the weekend - I mean what else would you do this weekend !!

Thanks for visiting me today x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Don't bug me !!

Now it's not time for a new challenge yet at paper crafting journey but I came across this digi I had (another one which I purchased and didn't use - naughty me) and thought just how perfect it would be for our challenge - So I thought I'd add it to maybe give you a little more inspiration and hopefully encourage you to get out your stash and play along with us.

I used a 12 x 12 paper that has sat in my paper storage for over a year - but isn't it just perfect ? And the little ladybirds that are escaping from the corner are from a love elsie clear stamp set.

I coloured the image with my promarkers and applied a thick layer of glossy accents to the jar, when it was dry I rolled the image around my rolling pin and left overnight so it sort of has the shape of a jar too !

I left the rest pretty clean and simple with a double twine bow and a couple of brads.

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

Clear it out challenge - Colour it with markers (promarkers)
Lexi's creations - Spots/stripes (my bugs have both !)
My partner in crafting crime - Use twine, jute or string (twine)
Stamps r us - Going digital (digi stamp)
One stitch at a time - Anything goes
Sparkles Forum challenge - Recipe - 2 papers, 1 ribbon or BOW, 2 embellishments (brads)
For fun challenges - Get well card

Thanks for visiting me today
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Roll up, roll up it's recipe time.

Happy Wednesday everybody !

Here is this weeks cooking it up with Katie recipe sponsored by Digital delights

Sketch it up (use any live sketch)
Make it for a child
add some buttons

You can use any live sketch but don't forget to let us know which sketch you used. I have used the gorgeous sketch from card patterns - I will definitely be using this one again - into my sketch file it goes !!

I've had this stamp years and never used it but I'm glad I gave it a run out today and I will definetly be using it again.
I wanted to create a circus/carnival feel and stuck to the primary colours - I actually really like the clean feel it has x

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

Card Patterns - Super duper sketch - thanks again girls x
Bows And Berries - Circus comes to town
A Spoonful Of Sugar - Anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - For a child/baby
Top Tip Tuesday - One for the kids
Paper & Such Challenge - Happy birthday (congrat's on your 1st challenge x)
My Partner In Crafting Crime - Use jute, TWINE or string
Desert Island Crafts Challenge - Ribbon, die cut and a button.
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - Use your old stash (old never used stamp !)
The Corrosive Challenge - Birthdays
Creative Craft World - Anything but square

I do hope you will join in with us at cooking it up with Katie this week x
Thanks for visiting x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Lazy Sunday - yay !!

Well this morning I set myself a challenge - to make the children a train track that would hold their interest long enough to get some crafting done ! This was the outcome and I can say that it worked {well when then got bored I told them to go jump on daddy who was still in bed which is always fun !!!}.
I love spending as long as possible on a Sunday in our jim-jams it is one treat that I will never grow out of !
OMG just noticed then huge pile of ironing on the chair behind Issac - oops - well a girl has to have priorities and I certainly have mine and the ironing is never one of them !!!!

Anyway on with the reason I started this post and that was to show you my card. I started the morning finishing off a couple of DT projects but I can't show you them just yet - you'll just have to wait !
But when I'd finished them I decided that it was time to make a card which wasn't for a DT just for fun so here it is......

I used my butterfly garden papers from Pink Paislee which I am still totally in love with and I just can't bring myself to cover them up with loads of stuff so I kept it simple with a quadruple bow, buttons and a chipboard sentiment.
Before I scrunched up my seam binding I spritzed it with a light spray of diluted bleach - not enough so that it smells {!} but enough to give it a mottled 2 tone effect - do you like it ?

I hope you like my card - I know it's simple but hopefully you agree that it's pretty too x

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

Daring Cardmakers - Darling bug's of May
Fab & Funky - Buttons and bows
Crafts For Eternity - Colour challenge (I used the green !)
2 Sisters Challenge Blog - How does your garden grow
Joyful Stamper - Inspire me friday (thanks - I love looking at all the creations x)
Dream Valley Challenges - Use something old {chipboard sentiment} with something new {Paper}
Creative Belli Blog - Use something begining with S {seam binding}

Thanks for visiting x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Get well soon x

Thursday is here - hooray not only does that mean that we at are really close to the weekend but as an added bonus, just for you {!}, it is also time for another challenge at paper crafting journey.

This week our theme is Get well soon - and I have to say I could do with a bit of that today as I feel horrible. I've a terrible sore throat and "fluffy" head and really just want to cuddle up on the sofa and doze - yeah right like thats gonna happen !!!!!

We are sponsored this week by Meljens designs and I know we're not meant to have fav's but Melissa's image are so uplifting that I can't help it - I just love to colour and create something with them.

Don't forget to check out the paper crafting journey blog to see the fabulous projects the other DT girls have been working too then I hope you will join us and play along. As always you have 2 whole weeks so no excuses !!

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

Cupcake Inspirations - photo inspiration {mmm yum!}
Everybody Art Challenge - Flowers
Top Tip Tuesday - Flower frenzy
Creative Card Crew - May flowers
Diva's By Design - Anything goes

I am now off for an early night - hopefully I can sleep this cold off x
Thanks for popping in for a visit - leave a comment so I can repay the favour !
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Let's cook it up !

Good morning I hope you are all well this morning.

Well I'm a little late with my post this morning but boy have a I got loads done this morning !

I've deposited children at school and nursery, done the grocery shopping, hoovered the house (downstairs only tho !), found cheaper electricity and swiched over, upgraded my phone to a iphone and collected Aidan from nursery !!
And I even found time for a cuppa in there too - although it was cold by the time I got to it but all mums will, I'm sure, be used to that !

Anyway today is, of course, time for a new challenge over at cooking it up with Katie.

This week the recipe is

Start with some Brads

Include some Letters
Stamp an Image (rubber or digi)

Our sponsor today is Sassy studio's

Do pop over and see what the other DT members have created this week on the blog- you will not be disapointed I promise.

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

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - Add a sentiment
Stamp Something - Digi day
The Crazy Challenge - Anything goes
Make It Monday - Anything goes
Ooh La La Challenge Blog - Tres chic

Thanks for popping in today I hope you'll join in again with us at cooking it up with Katie this week x

((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Another recipe with Katie x

I know I'm late again - sorry all these bank holidays are messing with me - I really thought it was Tuesday today !

Anyway on with todays {wednesday !!} business and that is of course this weeks new challenge over at cooking it up with Katie.

Our recipe this week is this

Use Green (a little or a lot)
Add some Punching
Make it a Double (use two of something)

We are lucky enough to have not one but two sponsors this week. Firstly we have gingerloft digital stamps and secondly 2 cute rubber stamps.

My card uses an image from 2 cute and aren't these penguins just too cute !
If you look close enough you can see that the little lady is holding a diamond ring to which I have added a little extra bling !

On the base card I used a striped embossing plate one way, then inked, then turned the card 90 degrees and ran it through, and inked, again to make the cross hatch pattern - I really like the result and will def do this again.

My punch is a trusty MS around the page set with the edge punch and the corner (love these) and my papers are from a mind minds eye 6 x 6 paper pad.

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

Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Celebration
Diva's By Design - Anything goes
My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges - Cute and girly
Try It On Tuesday - Use something old (papers) and something new (image)
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Something begining with C (cute, card, Couple, corner punch)
One Stitch At A Time - Emboss it

Thanks for visiting today, please join in with us at cooking it up with Katie this week x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

Mending my mojo x

Ok I admit it - my mojo has been awol for the last couple of weeks and I have found it especially frustrating.

I have been finding it difficult to find time to craft and I have been feeling so tired in the evenings which is when I usually play - I guess lack lustre is definitely the phrase that would describe my state of mind.

So I set to off around blogland to try and inspire myself with as many challenges and inspiration sites as possible !

Here is the result

My papers are from the Pink paislee line botanical garden as are my stamps {small doily & butterfly}.
I didn't have a scalloped circle die large enough so I used the edge of a bowl for a template and added a "just the edge" scalloped cardstock strip around the edge.

All edges were distressed with sepia ink to age and pink brilliance ink to give a little sheen, and the pearls were coloured with a promarker to make them the perfect colour.

Now here is the list of super challenge blogs which inspired me to make this card and recover my mojo - thank you to you all ! x

Card Patterns - Oh what a gorgeous sketch x
Etsy Inspired Challenge - Inspiration this week is Imagine studio in particular this pic.
Crafts & Me Challenges - Vintage/distressed
Joyful Stamper Inspire Me Friday - Anything goes
Just Add ink - Just add a flower
4 Crafty Chicks - Distressing
CCEE Stampers - Add a butterfly
Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog - Take a country break (or you can choose town or city !)
Crafts 4 Eternity - Anything goes

I do hope you like my card - thanks for visiting today x
((hugs)) Suzie xoxo