Feeling Blue

Morning all.  Time for a new challenge for the new year over at Cardz4guyz.  We are looking for you 'Blue' creations this time. 

Last year I lost my dear friend La.  She was a beautiful, creative women who inspired all of her friends.  Her daughter gave me a lot of her crafting bits and pieces when she was sorting through her mother's things.  La had a lot of beautiful textured papers which are now in my stash and I've been itching to use them.  I found some thick, crinkly paper with a lot of sparkle to it. I wasn't sure what kind of a card to make but I hope she would approve of my creation.

I do miss her, but I did smile when I was creating this just thinking about her.  I hope this hasn't been to depressing a post as she wouldn't like that.  I was blessed with her friendship and I shall continue to remember her as I create with her things.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Happy Birthday to...Me! Well, nearly

Morning all.  I hope you have managed to finish all those last minute Christmas cards before the big day on Wednesday. I'm still colouring a few images as I'm not fed up yet.  The hope is to get a head start for next year.  Well, I can but dream.  In the meantime, we can go back to all the normal card making duties.  Today's challenge at Make My Monday is to make a Female Birthday Card.  I've chosen this subject as I know how difficult it is to get birthday cards once the Christmas madness starts.  I also know what it's like to have a birthday around Christmas time.  Apparently, I should have been born in January but, probably for the only time in my life, I was early.  You try organising a birthday celebration for the night before New Years Eve.  Everyone is either partied out or going out the next night.  Good job I'm not much of a party girl!

Anyway, I've made a card to give me a gentle reminder that Christmas is now over and I need to get back into the swing of things.

Yep,  back to Slimming World next week.  Not that I ever left but this last ten pound is proving difficult to shift.  I've used this brilliant image by Mo's Digital Pencil called 'Hoping'.  Just recently I don't even think I've bothered hoping. Never mind.  It will come off eventually. 

Let's see those girly images coming out ladies and gents.  I want to see what you've got to inspire me for the females in your life.

Please pop over and see what the DT have for you.  Their cards are always so inspirational.

Thanks for reading.  

Love Dawn x

A Bit of Sparkle for Sparkles

Morning all.  Today we have the last Sparkles Monthly Challenge of 2019 and, appropriately enough, we want to see some 'sparkle and shine' on your creations.

I have to admit to being pretty chuffed with my card.  As I am in the middle of trying to create my Christmas Cards for this year, and most people will be very surprised to get one as I am usually to late to bother, I have lots of bits of glitter card and metallic card left on my desk (and all over the floor and stuck to my clothing).  I gathered some of these scraps together and cut them into little strips and stuck them to some scrap card.  I then ran it through my die cutter with a stitched rectangle die and stuck it to a card blank.  I threaded a snowflake charm onto shiny silver thread and mounted it onto a black label that I had die cut.  Voila!  A simple card full of sparkle and shine made out of bits that would normally be thrown in the bin.

I really love how this turned out. I need to make more off cuts so I can do it again.  The picture isn't very clear but the black strips and some of the silver are glitter card.  I promise it sparkles so much in real life.

Please pop over and join in the fun.  After all, it's nearly Christmas so it's very appropriate to Sparkle.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

You Gnome it's nearly Christmas, right!

Morning all.  Time for an easy challenge over at Make My Monday.  Meg has given us 'Anything Christmas Goes'.  Time to get your last minute cards done and entered.  Well, what are you waiting for?  Oh, yes, my card!

I really love all the cute little Christmas Gnomes that are around at the moment.  I bought a whole set from the Digistamp Boutique before it closed.  I've popped one of them on a snowy background and added extra snowflakes.  I wish you could see the sparkle a bit better.  I used my spectrum noir sparkle pen on his beard.  Well, it is Christmas.  

OK, you've seen my effort.  Pop over and have a look at the DT inspiration.  They are stunning and very varied.  Then it's your turn.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Cute Christmas

Well, this week we have already had Christmas Critters at Cardz4guyz and now over at Cardz4galz we want to see your 'Cute Christmas' makes.  With all these Christmas Challenges you should be about ready to send everyone a Christmas Card.

I have to say that 'Cute' sent me scurrying straight for my LOTV images.  They are all so very adorable. I chose the little rabbit building a snowman.  Can't really get more cute than that - or can you?  The challenge is on.  Let's see what you've got!

I've used traditional colours again.  I really must try something different.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Christmas Critters

Morning all.  Time for my choice on today's Cardz4guyz Challenge.  I have chosen 'Christmas Critters'.  There is plenty of scope with so many cute and adorable Christmas stamps out there or even dies or woodland creatures.  Come on, surely there is some idea stirring in your mind.  

My card involves two cute little Christmas owls from Di's Digis.  I can't actually find it on the site but there are so many sweet images on there I'm sure you could find something - should you feel the need to buy more digis. Some of her Christmas images are on sale too.  I coloured the images with traditional colours and painted a little Spectrum Noir sparkle pen in places and just added to some simple background papers.

Come on guys, you know what it's like at Christmas.  I'm bored rigid with nothing to do!  You could keep me occupied and out of trouble (well, maybe not) by giving me lots of inspiration to comment on.

Pop over and see the stunning selection from the DT.  They've really outdone themselves.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

White and Gold Wonder

Morning all.  Are you ready for the new week? No, me neither.  I am ready for the new challenge at Make My Monday.  This time we would like to see your creations with 'Vellum'.  

A few years ago I bought a whole lot of beautiful white and gold printed vellum - I think it was Papermania.  I do have a few sheets left so I went hunting.  I chose one pattern to stretch diagonally across my card then cut a plain vellum poinsettia with some ancient spellbinders dies.  Unfortunately, the plain vellum just got lost so I went back to the original sheets and used a gold paisley patterned sheet which stood out much better.  I cut a few leaves from white glitter card and added a pearl and a sentiment. It was that simple.

I will admit to being super pleased with it.  Once again, the scanned image doesn't do it real justice.  In real life it is fabulous - if I do say so myself.  Modesty is obviously not a strong point with me this week.

Please pop over to the blog and join in the fun.  I have loads of vellum and usually struggle to know what to do with it.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

R is for Ribbon

Morning all.  Time for a new letter at The Alphabet Challenge.  We are up to the letter R, and R is for 'Ribbon.  I have had an idea in my head for a while for this one.  I was a bit reluctant to try it though as I was afraid it wouldn't translate.  I decided to weave some beautiful cream ribbon to be the focal point of the card.  It would have been easier if I had chosen to weave a square but that's not what I could see in my head.  As it happens I'm really pleased with it.  Yes, it was frustrating to weave around a circle and the gold frame does hide the edges where it became too difficult.  I just added it to an embossed background and popped on some foliage and pine cones.

I apologise for the quality of the scanned image.  It's so much better in real life.  I added a sentiment and a bit of bling but other than that I liked it simple.  I sort of wish that the glitter card I had cut my pine cones from was less of a greeny gold but it's all I had.  I am being super picky really 'cause I am pleased with it. I did use a bit of sparkle pen on the leaves.  After all, it is for Christmas.

Please pop over and have a go.  I have a massive box full of ribbon and I could use some ideas on how to use it up.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Elf on a ...Tree!

Morning all.  We have a nice new challenge for you today over at Cardz4galz.  We are giving you the opportunity to 'Get Ready for Christmas'.  I did have a lovely idea for a card involving an elephant and a mouse decorating a tree (watch this space - I may get around to it yet).  However, just for a change, I am running a bit behind so decided to decorate a tree myself with some images I'd already coloured. The elves are a design from LOTV and I printed them in different sizes so I could have a family of them in amongst my branches.

Just in case you are ready to put up your tree just remember IT'S STILL NOVEMBER!

I will allow the making of Christmas cards provided you pop over and join in our fun challenge.  I love to see what you create.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Ice, Ice Baby

Morning all. Time for a new challenge at Cardz4guyz and we are looking for your 'Icy Cold' creations.

Now, in my defence, I hadn't intended this to be my card.  I had a sweet little penguin and some frozen fish ready to colour.  However, I saw this image over at Whimsey Stamps and, with the sense of humour of a five year old, the little voice in my head said 'go on, you're probably on the naughty list already anyway'.  So I let the infantile me go for it.

And that is probably going to be the Christmas card that all my family will get this year.  Yes, they are just as childish as I am.

Please pop over and join in the fun.  There are some stunning pieces of inspiration from the much more grown up design team I promise.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

It's Begining to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Actually, it's beginning to look a lot like a bomb site.  I'm starting to panic now as my Christmas Fairs are coming close and I'm no where near ready.  This month's challenge at Sparkles Monthly did at least give me an excuse for another card.  The challenge is the same as my blog title - 'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas'.  Come on, join in, you know that you need an excuse to do more Christmas cards.  Well, this is it.

My image is from Bugaboo Stamps  and I loved colouring it.  You can't really see it on the photo but I've covered bits in sparkle pen so it shines.  

Why don't you pop over and join in the fun.  The design team have some fabulous inspiration.

Thanks for reading.  

Love Dawn x

An Unimpressed Penguin

Morning all.  Monday has come around far too quickly again.  Where are the weeks flying by to?  Time for a new challenge at Make My Monday and this time we want to see creations in Red, Green and White.  I have the oddest feeling that there will be a distinctly festive feel to most entries.

My own creation starts us off on the festive bent with a cute penguin from the Cool Yule Set from The Lovely Studio.  I love her sets of images and they are great value for money.  I have several of the Christmas sets and, when I have finished my blog post, I may go back for some more.

I've kept things very simple with a strip of patterned paper and some red foiled card.  I cut a snowflake from the foiled card and mounted my penguin on top.  Having scanned him into my computer I couldn't help but notice how totally unimpressed he looks.  Don't you think?

I can promise that the design team have some very impressive examples for you so please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

A flurry in a hurry

Hi guys.  I'm seriously having one of those weeks.  I usually sort my DT cards out over the weekend for the blog posts during the week.  This week I seem to have messed it all up.  I've literally just run in from work and flung a card together for the new challenge at Cardz4galz.  The new theme is - let's here you sing it - Let It Snow!

One of the reasons I am so unorganised this week is because I was preparing for a demonstration and craft session for the local NRAS group (for sufferers of Arthritis).  I have spent ages die cutting bits for them to play with but, luckily, I had some tiny little snowflakes left.  I dragged out an ancient stamp from Hot Off the Press and embossed it in silver.  I then masked a panel and blended some salty ocean distress ink over the top.  I flung a few of the snowflakes on there and added some bling and a sentiment. Voila!

I would love to quote Mr T here and say 'I love it when a plan comes together'.  However, there really was no plan.  Leg it into craft room, find a suitable stamp, fling some bits at it and there you go.  I bet I couldn't do it again if I tried.

Why don't you pop over to the blog and show us your creations.  I may need the inspiration for next week.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Wrap it up

Morning all.  Time for a new challenge at Cardz4guyz.  The theme this week is 'wrap it up'.  This could be anyone wrapped up against the winter weather or parcels ready for the big day in December or both, as I have decided on myself.  

I picked this cute little foxy guy from Lily of the Valley and coloured him up in traditional red and green colours.  I kept the layout simple as I wanted my image to do the work.  What do you think?

I did add a few snowflakes for a bit of interest and altogether I'm pretty pleased with him.  

Wait!  That's two posts in a row where I've been pleased with a card.  I'm on a roll!

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

More Poppies for a Monday

Morning all.  Time for our new 'Make My Monday' challenge.  We would love to see your Poppy Creations please.  Having recently done a poppy field card I have gone very CAS for this one.  I needed, in my own mind, to create something totally different to the last one.

The image is a very old one from Beccy's Place.  I have tried to find it but I don't think it's available anymore.  I masked a panel and stencilled it with worn lipstick distress ink and added my black lines and obsidian gems.  I think I probably should have used a smaller card blank but I'm being really picky.  I'm actually quite pleased with it.

What do you think?

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Poppy Power!

Morning all.  For anyone reading my yesterday's blog post, I can admit that one of the reasons I was late is because I'd got all my blogs in a twist (a very painful state of affairs I can assure you).  I have a list of subjects and the dates I need to get them done by.  I was so pleased with myself over this one for the Alphabet Challenge  I totally missed the other subject for yesterday.  It wasn't the only reason but I could have done without it.  

We have come to the letter P and are looking for either Poppies or Pumpkins.  I've had this poppy field stamp for several years but it's always been a bit daunting to colour.  I've never really been happy with the results.  This time I googled poppy fields on the internet and chose to us a picture for my inspiration rather than following the stamp picture, which was just a mass of red with little definition.  Yes, I do still have a mass of red but you can see a little of the green stems showing underneath.

I am much happier with the result this time.  I wanted to frame the image but struggled to find a suitable oval shape.  Using this leaf frame was a bit of inspiration from out of nowhere really.  I'm pleased with the result - even if it does look wonky on my card blank.  Go on, you can't not see it now I've mentioned it can you?

Please pop over and play.  It's the right time of year for pumpkins and poppies.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

I'm Late, I'm Late...

So sorry guys.  I should have had this scheduled for this morning.  I'm having a horrendous week.  Today we have a new challenge over at Cardz4galz.  Caz is asking to see something beginning with 'S'.  Having discussed this with a friend at work she mentioned Sunflowers and I had great plans for colouring an image in orange and yellow and really going to town on it.  However, everything went out of the window for one reason or another.  

In the end I went through my stash and found a topper with a shoe on it.  I threw it at a card with some pink and black paper and this is the result.

To be fair, I'm actually quite pleased with it. It's a sort of triumph in adversity moment.  I'm not sure I could do it again so I need to get back on track.  

Please pop and see what the girls have for you.  Oh, and we are looking for new DT members too.  I love  being on the team and would recommend it if you are looking to go into the design team business.  We are very friendly and helpful so there is no need to be shy.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Cheers Me Dears

Morning all.  Cardz4guyz has a fun new challenge for you all today.  We want to see your 'Food/Drink' projects.  Having done a fruit card recently I decided to go for a drink - what do you mean you're not surprised!

I've used my gin and tonic glass from Crafter's Companion and popped it on a simple layered background.  The sentiment is from a Neat and Tangled set I can't remember the name of.  I think the glass looks a bit lost on there and probably should have made a smaller card.  I was a bit last minute though.  Sorry.  Organisation is really not my thing.

There is a little shimmer in my glass but the picture doesn't show it up, unfortunately.  What do you think?

Please nip over and join in the fun.  I promise the girls have some fab cards for inspiration.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

It feels like it's been forever autumn

Morning all, this week it's my turn to host the Sparkles Monthly Challenge.  When I chose my theme I hadn't realised just how many blogs would be doing Autumn cards.  I seem to have made loads lately but I think this one is my favourite so it must have been meant to be.  I'm really surprised at how pleased I am with this card.  I had no real clue what to do but I found a leaf stamp I'd not used before.  The stamp set didn't have a name when I bought it so I can't credit it - sorry.  I found some brown pearlised paper and randomly inked the stamp with several shades of brown, orange and gold.  Once I'd done that I stamped a sentiment from the same set with the same colours and clear embossed it on velum.  I then wrapped it around the paper I'd created and finished it with some gems.

This is so not like my usual stuff but I love how it turned out.  What do you think?

Please pop over and join in the fun.  I would love to see how you interpret my theme.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Feeling Fruity!

Morning all, time for a new challenge over at Make My Monday.  The theme for this fortnight is 'Fruit and/or Veg'.  I have to say I really wasn't very inspired by the veg option so I must have been feeling more fruity.  I bought a very cheap stamp set for a friends leaving card from the Range.  I can tell it won't really last that long but it only cost me a pound and it had the image in that I wanted for Jenny.  As a bonus it also had some fruity images so That's what I've gone for.  I stamped a few and coloured them with promarkers.  I was quite chuffed with how they came out.  I still hadn't got a clue what to do with them though. Out of habit I fussy cut them but I wish I'd planned this out better and done a one layer card.  I found an old freebie sentiment which I stood up from the card base and then just threw the fruit at it and glued it where it landed...ish.

It did look a bit boring so I found some little gems that reminded me of fruit pips and threw them at it as well.  I'm still not sure whether to mess with it so I'm leaving it to see if it grows on me.  What do you think?

Please pop over and see what the girls have created.  I'm sure you will be inspired.  

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

50 Shades of ...Brown!

Morning all.  Are you ready for a new challenge.  Well we may just have the thing for you over at Cardz4galz.  We want to see shades of Brown on your cards.  I may have lied in my title (it's getting to be a habit).  I only used a couple of shades of brown and then watermarked my card with versamark. Although the different pressure on my stamp each time does make the shades appear slightly different.

I was at a loss as to where to go with this card.  Then I discovered that I have an embossing powder called coffee and the rest just fell into place.  Well, I say fell into place.  The idea was there but this is about the fourth attempt at getting it right.  My stamp is from a brilliant set called Coffee with a Splash from Altenew.  I'm pretty obsessed with their stamps and I love this whole set.  My hubby will be set for coffee themed birthday cards for years - coffee being his one vice.

What do you think.

I couldn't find any brown card to mat my panel onto so I used vintage photo distress ink to colour some paper.  I'm quite pleased with the result.  It's the first time I've done the watermark thing with the versamark - unless you count the three previous failures.  I don't think it will put me off.  I like it.

Please pop over and play along.  I promise the Galz have a varied selection of inspirational cards for you.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Spooky

Morning all.  Time for a new challenge over at Cardz4guyz.  This week we want to see your spooky creations - but just in case you don't really do Halloween (I know, me neither) we have an option for you to use orange on your cards instead.  Even though I don't celebrate Halloween - I prefer to celebrate All Saints day on the 1st November - I have gone with a kind of spooky card.  I've chosen to use a skull die on a purple inked background.  I have to admit it looked a bit boring when I'd finished so I added a few stamped sequins in the background.  To be honest, I wish I'd left well alone.
What do you think?

He needed a little something but I'm not sure this was it.  I did also give him a little face lift with a sparkle pen but you can't see it on the photo.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Falling Leaves

Morning all.  The weather is definitely turning at the moment.  I think we had the last decent weeks for our holidays.  Go on, blame me.  We always go away at the same time of year and we always get the last of the good weather.  

As the seasons are turning we would like to see you Autumn/Fall cards over at Make My Monday.  I seem to have been doing a lot with leaves and trees just lately so this time I went looking for a quote.  Good old Google came up with this one and I absolutely fell in love with the idea of it.  I printed it onto some card stock and inked it with various shades of distress ink.  I then cut some leaves and stuck them around the quote.  I kept three back to pop up in a small bunch and added a bow made of embroidery thread.

I am a little bit chuffed with this.  I'm not sure what I'll use it for but I don't really care.  I love how it came out.

Please pop over to join in the fun.

Thanks for reading. 

Love Dawn x

Prosecco Made Me Naughty

Morning all.  It's my turn to pick the theme over at The Alphabet Challenge and I've chosen N for Naughty.  Let's see your naughty side at work.  I'm back to work after two glorious weeks off so I could do with a laugh.

Having chosen the theme I was a bit stuck for ideas so I've had a dig about and found a digi stamp and a clear stamp in my stash that I've never used before.  Having decided to use them both I couldn't believe how well they seem to fit.  The digi stamp is from  Redonkadoodles.  I think I intended to use it for one of my sisters but never got around to colouring it in.  The clear stamp is one of several drink themed stamps that I bought from Crafter's Companion.

What do you think?

I'm so pleased with how this came out.  I may colour it again for my sister's birthday this year.

Right, it's your turn.  Please pop over and join in the fun.  

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Pretty Bows all in a Row (OK, I lied, it's a Circle)

Morning all.  We have a new challenge over at Cardz4galz this morning.  I hope it appeals to your creativity as much as my Autumn challenge.  You all kept me very busy on that one and I loved the variety and standard.

This week our challenge is 'Pretty Bows'.  We want to see bows on your projects please.  

I wasn't sure where to go with this as I find bows a bit bulky and so I don't use them often.  Inspiration struck when I was looking through my dies.  I've had this wreath die for ages but I was never very pleased with it when I cut it from coloured card stock.  This time I decided to cut it from card that I'd blended with distress inks, to give it more interest, and it more than exceeded my expectations.

The die (Xcut - I think) came with all sorts of fancy bits to decorate it but I chose to just use the large bow from the set and then used a small bow from another die to decorate it.  I flung a few gems at it and that was that. What do you think?

Please pop over and join in the fun.  See if you can convert me to using bows more often.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Sympathy Tree

Good morning all.  It seems like ages since I last composed a blog post.  I had to schedule a few whilst I was away for a holiday.  Anyway, we are back to normal now with a new challenge at Cardz4guyz.  The challenge is to use leaves or trees - or both.  I have a beautiful tree die (I think it's spellbinders but don't quote me).  I decided to use it for this card.  The only problem is that whenever I get it out it just screams sympathy card to me.  I don't think I've ever used it for any other type of card (suggestions gratefully accepted).  Anyway, as sympathy cards for men are also problematic, I figured I may as well use the opportunity to create one for my stash.

I kept it very simple.  I find this is usually the best for sympathy cards.  What do you think?

Please pop over and check out the rest of the design team projects.  The girls have some fabulous inspiration.

Thanks for reading.  

Love Dawn x

Cosy Colouring

Morning all.  Are you feeling all Autumnal yet?  This week's Challenge at Make My Monday got me in that way.  Strange really as it's not an autumnal image.  Alli has chosen this pretty image for a colour challenge:

I'm not really one for a colour challenge.  Not sure why but I gave this my best shot.  I think I was partially influenced by an embossed piece that I'd inked with two of the main colours.  I'd done it for another challenge and then didn't used it.  As the colours were right I used it as my starting point.  The pattern reminds me of a knitted jumper so I dug out an adorable image from 2 Cute Ink ( I tried to link but the Etsy shop is down as I write this).  I gave him a cosy green jumper and a hot chocolate in Costa colours. I suppose I could have gone pink with the jumper and given him a Starbucks instead.  It has to be hot chocolate as I'm not a coffee lover, unlike my hubby who is so obsessed he has a hand grinder to grind beans when we go camping!

What do you think?  I'm not sure if I should colour the greetings strip or leave it white.  Now, I'm off for a hot chocolate.

Please join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Back to Skool

Morning all.  We have a new theme over at Sparkles Monthly Challenge this morning.  Perfect for September, we are looking for your back to school cards. My own son left school years ago but my Nephew, Charlie, started senior school this year and two of my great nieces started nursery.  Personally, I don't think you are ever too old for school and I've done loads of courses and exams since leaving all those long years ago.  My last one was a NVQ in business admin at a college in Nottingham which I took last year.

I had an idea of what I wanted to do with this card and was lucky to find some digi images that were a magazine download about a million years back.  I'd forgotten I'd got them.  Not sure what on earth prompted me to go looking but I'm glad I found them.  I've got some fab Christmas images in the same folder.  Bonus!

I die cut lots of ink splodges and coloured three of them in to match the sweatshirts on my little kids.  I had such fun colouring them.  You can't really see it on here but I gave the ginger kid some cute freckles.  My favourite has to be the grumpy one in the middle.  I just love his face.

Anyway, now it's your turn.  Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Driving me Nutty

Morning all.  Time for my choice of challenge on Cardz4galz.  Don't ask me why I picked Autumn.  It must have seemed like a good idea at the time. And, to be fair, I had some gorgeous, colourful skeleton leaves that I wanted to use.  That also seemed like a good idea at the time.  However, I totally blew it with the leaves and it ended up in the bin.  So, here is plan B.

Plan B involves a sweet little squirrel  that is part of a set of Fun Animals from Tiddlyinks.  They also come with little odds and ends, like the acorn.  My friend has a squirrel in her garden.  Apparently, the cheeky little thing (not what she calls it!) will sit digging holes in her garden about four foot from the bench where she is sitting.  It's not at all bothered by her.  I'm not sure she's keen on the holes though.

Please pop over and join in the fun.  I'm sure you will have loads more ideas for this than I did.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Controversial?

Morning all.  We have a new subject for you today over at Cardz4guyz.  Jane would like you all to be inspired by the songs of The Beatles.  My heart did sink a little at this one.   I may court a little controversy here but I'm not really a Beatles fan.  I don't mind their music and individually I quite like what they've done.  However, I was put off in my teens by a boyfriend who was obsessed.  

Anyway, I digress, the subject is what it is so I'd better get my thinking cap on.  Now, having said that I wasn't a fan, one of my all time favourite tracks is 'While my Guitar Gently Weeps'.  I knew that George Harrison had written it so I wondered if it would count.  Anyhow, I've done a little research and it was on The White Album, yeah.

When Patrick moved to University he started teaching himself to play the guitar.  One of my favourite things is that he rings me up and plays to me down the telephone.  I have given him a wish list of songs I would like him to learn and this one is on the top.  I'm not holding my breath.  He's still playing Hendricks and Jonny Marr.

For my card I used a fab image by Dr Digi and mounted it on the stencilled background.  I've just discovered texture paste and added a few droplets to the background using a stencil I created from a raindrops die.  I'm really pleased with the result.  I think it fits the bill quite nicely considering.

And now, for your listening pleasure:

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Shape Up

Morning all.  Time for my choice of challenge at Make My Monday.  I do have a reason for choosing to 'Use Shapes' on your card.  I've been looking for an excuse to use the Shattered Triangle die from Altenew.  It was one of those 'see it and need it' purchases and then it just sat staring at me from the corner of my craft desk.  Anyway, I decided to use it for this challenge no matter what.  I will admit to shamelessly nicking the layout from this gorgeous card that I found on Pinterest. I love the layout as I have a million scraps of backing paper and I'm always on the lookout for ways to use them.  

In hindsight, I wish I'd embossed the background for added interest.  Oh well, I still have a million scraps to use.  Maybe I'll do it again.  The stamp is from a set I won long ago by Lawn Fawn.

Please pop over to the blog and play along - otherwise I won't have anything to comment on.

Thanks for reading. 

Love Dawn x

Lemonade Anyone?

Morning all.  Time for a new letter over at The Alphabet Challenge.  This time we are going for L for Lemons/Limes.  To be fair my image only involves a lemon but it was all I had at the time.  The image is from Doodle Pantry but it seems that they are no longer trading so I can't link the image.  I originally went one layer for this (I know, I really will never learn).  However, I got so far and decided to cut it out. My background is one that I put together from scraps.  I had a habit of putting papers together and stitching them when inspiration was in short supply.  I have a whole basket of card fronts waiting for me to colour images and put together.  This was one of those images.

Since doing that I have remembered a whole pad of backing paper with citrus fruit all over it.  Oh well, I did at least get rid of one of my blank card fronts. When life gives you lemons, you just gotta go for it!

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading. 

Love Dawn x

I See Through

Morning all.  These challenges are coming around very quickly at the moment.  Or at least they seem to be to me.  Today we have a new challenge from Cardz4galz.  Debbie has chosen Vellum for this one.  I do like Debbie's challenges.  She picks some lovely subjects.  And, as a bonus, for this one I got to use some unused stash from ages ago.  I was lucky enough to be given some stuff by a neighbour years ago which I was unsure what to do with. I did give some of it to a friend who was just starting on her card making journey.  However, I kept some lovely vellum hearts and flowers.  For this card I chose to use the flowers and leaves on an acetate card blank (another blast from the past).  I'm sure I've got some acetate with the same flower design but it proved elusive this morning so I used the dotty pattern instead.  I just stamped the sentiment and chose to keep it very simple.

I hope you can see it clearly enough.  I didn't think about the logistics of scanning a see through card when I started making it.

Please pop over and join in the fun.  I have a stack of unused vellum that I could do with inspiration for.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Let's Celebrate Guyz

Morning all.  Hope you enjoyed the bank holiday weekend (if you were in the UK) or just the weekend (if you were elsewhere).  A long weekend does at least give me time to catch up on the design team work for this week.  This week's subject for Cardz4guyz is to 'Celebrate' the guyz in your life.

For my card I chose one of my favourite stamps from 2 Cute Ink (Heidi's shop is still down so I can't link the image).  I just love this cute little penguin and he's always celebrating something.  I kept everything else pretty simple with red, white and blue bunting but I couldn't resist using this new Congratulations Circle die from Crafter's Companion.

He pretty much did everything I needed for a celebration card so I've left him at that.  Please pop over to the blog and see what the DT have come up with and we'd love it if you'd join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Love to Dance

If you love to dance then maybe this is the challenge for you.  Dance is the theme for this fortnight over at Make My Monday.  I do love to dance when I get the opportunity but I'm much better at it after several G & Ts, lol.  When I was little I did go to a couple of ballroom classes but the only thing I remember is the waltz.  Oh, and of course we all loved the country dancing sessions in PE at school. (I do hope the sarcasm translated in that last sentence).

Anyway, onto my card.

I've had this image from The Paper Shelter for a while.  I think she's very '80s - which, coincidentally, is when I was in my prime.
Not sure the old joints would stand much of a Knees up nowadays. Oh, my gosh, listen to me!  I'm only 52!

Anyway, please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Winged Things

Morning all.  Time for a new challenge at Cardz4galz.  We want to see things with wings. Should be fairly easy don't you think?  Well, I thought so and, although my card isn't as originally planned, I'm quite pleased with the result.

I chose a stamp set I'd had free from a recent magazine.  I have to admit that I rarely buy magazines.  They are getting to be as expensive as a book and - given the choice - books are always going to win.  Anyway, I was going on a road trip to see a friend of my Other Half.  It involved engines and electrics so I was seriously in need of a distraction - hence the magazine.

My original plan was to go one layerish.  I would probably have created a one layer panel and stuck it to a card but you get the idea.  However, things didn't go to plan.  Having spent an age colouring my fox glove I messed up the background so this is how it turned out instead.

We have foxgloves in the garden and the bees go crazy for them.  I added the bees on foam tape for dimension and I'm liking it better than my original idea.

Please pop over and see what the girls have made.  There is some lovely inspiration.  We would love to see your take on the theme too.

Thanks for reading.  

Love Dawn x

Typically Tropical

Good morning all.  Had enough of the summer sunshine yet?  We have a fantastic summer theme for you at this month's Sparkles Challenge.  We want to see your 'Tropical' makes.  

I'm not sure I could stand too much tropical.  I wouldn't mind a little bit of tropical in a glass though or, failing that, a coconut shell.  I found this fabulous tropical drinks digi stamp set at Sweet Siren Co on Etsy.  They are a new company to me but I loved this set so I will probably be back for more.

I stencilled the leafy background with peeled paint distress ink. The coconut is coloured with pro markers but then I went over bits of it with pearlised paint to add a bit of sparkle.  I'm not sure what's in the cocktail but I'm imaging white rum or Malibu (now that takes me back to my drunken youth).  

Please pop over to the blog and join in the fun.  There are some wonderful cards to inspire you.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x