A stitch in time

 Afternoon all.  It's my choice of theme over at Make My Monday this time.  I would like to see some stitching on your projects please.  It can be real or faux.  I used to do stitched cards a lot.  It's nice to get back to it occasionally.

I've kept it simple in order to show off the stitches.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Silent Night

 Hello all.  With all the hustle and bustle coming up to Christmas don't you just wish for a little bit of peace and some silence.  Today, over at The Alphabet Challenge we are up to 'S for Silent Night'.  I'm going back to the very first Christmas for my silent night.  

I all looks very serene doesn't it. 

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Christmas for the Galz

 Afternoon all.  It's time for the new challenge over at Cardz4galz and, just like Tuesday's Guyz challenge, we are looking for 'Christmas' projects.  It makes no odds how many cards I make throughout the year, I still end up rushing about making more come December.  I'm using my very old stash for this one.

I need to do all my Winter cards in July so I can get a decent picture before the dark days.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Christmas for the guyz

 Morning all.  Christmas is getting ever closer so this week, over at Cardz4guyz we want a Christmas/Holiday card or tag.  I've gone with a super cute clip art image I had from Etsy for my Guy themed card.

I'm having a nightmare trying to light my photos now the nights are darker.  Sorry about the quality.  

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

...And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

 Morning all.  Can you believe it's December already! As it's the first of the month we have a brand new Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  We would like to see 'Christmas Songs or Carols' on your projects.  I'm hoping my card will speak for itself.

The image is a very old one from The Lovely Studio (no longer trading).  It came together really quickly and I'm loving the CAS feel of it.  Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Galz and Alphabet

 So sorry this is late again.  I'm struggling at the moment.  My life is going through changes.  We've move from one marina to another and my office is moving in the next two weeks.  Unfortunately, I don't deal with change very well so I'm apt to just shut down.

Firstly we are looking for your favourite colour combination over at Cardz4galz.  Mine change with the seasons but my first thought for this one was Pink and Green.

I cased the design from one on pinterest and I'm really happy with it.

My next card is for the Alphabet Challenge and we are at 'R for Round'.

This is my first rocker card I think.  I can't remember doing one before.  It was really easy to do.

Please join in with both challenges.  The DT have created some amazing inspiration.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Thankful for you

 Morning all.  Over at Cardz4guyz this week we have the new theme of 'Grateful, Thankful, Blessed'.  I have so much to be thankful for and I give thanks to the Lord every day.  Here's my card.

Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Cheers M'dears

 Evening all.  I'm running late again.  Over at Make My Monday we are looking for 'Food and Drink' on your projects please.  I just went with Drink for this one.  Cheers!

I had some paper left over from another card and just added the die cuts.  It came together really quickly but I'm pleased with it.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Two challenges

 Morning all.  I have two challenge cards for you today.  Firstly, The Alphabet Challenge are looking for 'Quick and Simple' projects.  I always think it's best to stay simple for Thinking of You cards.  This one would be suitable for a male (which I think is challenging for this type of card).

My second card is for my new theme of 'Christmas Florals' over at Sparkles Monthly Challenge.  I have a quick and easy decoupage pad and chose this cute house with Poinsettias on it.  I added a few extra bits of holly and a few flowers from a sticker sheet I've had for ages.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Texture

 Morning all.  Over at Cardz4galz today it's my choice of subject.  I've chosen 'Texture' for my theme.  I have some lovely textured designer paper for my card today.

I'm hoping you can see it on the photo.  The floral paper and teardrop panels have raised embossed flowers on.  The stripes are glittery.  The woodgrain is also textured and, for good measure, I distressed the edges.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

The Colour Purple

 Afternoon all.  I know I'm late, I moved to Mercia Marina over the weekend and we've just sorted the internet.  Today's theme over at Cardz4guyz is to chose your favourite three colours.  According to my son, who announced this when he was about 6, my favourite colour is purple.  I didn't think I had a favourite but he obviously knows much better than me.  I am also quite fond of blue and green.

I chose to use these colours for a thank you card I needed for the dog walker.  I've promised to fetch Rachel to the new marina for coffee, cake and some fuss from Ava. Unfortunately, she doesn't drive so can't get to us to walk Ava anymore.  

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn 

A wild reason to smile

 Morning all.  We have a fun new challenge over at Make My Monday  today.  We want to see 'Wild Animals' on your projects please.  I found a fabulous set of clipart over on Etsy from Cinematic Circle Clip art.  I couldn't resist a couple of smiley creatures for my card.  

Aren't they just adorable.  I originally wanted three images but my card wasn't wide enough so I have a gorgeous gorilla to make a further card with.

Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Sorry it's late

 Only two days late!  I'm having one of those weeks.  We are moving marina next week and things are a bit busy in preparation. As a consequence I am posting both friday cards today.  Better late than never.

Firstly, The Alphabet Challenge are up to P for Party.

The image is an old one from LOTV.  

My other card is for Sparkles Christmas Challenge where we are looking for 'snowflakes' on your projects please.  I created a wreath with my snowflakes but it's gone a bit squiffy at the bottom.

I think I needed to pencil in a circle for guidance. Oh well, I'm obviously still learning.

Please pop over to both blogs as we love to see your creations.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Pretty Patterned Paper

 Hello all. I nearly forgot it was Thursday.  Time for another challenge over at Cardz4galz.  I love this one as I have tonnes of pretty paper.  We are asking for you to 'showcase your patterned paper' please.  I decided to just let the paper shine by using a simple sentiment and no images or dies cuts.

Taking photos is getting really hard now the days are getting duller.  The paper is a really pretty blue/green.  

Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

A Taste of Autumn

 Morning all.  It's definitely gone a bit Autumnal around here and that's what we want from you over at Cardz4guyz today.  Our theme is 'a taste of autumn'.  Walking around the marina tonight there are so many pumpkins about ready for Halloween. I've just settled for popping a couple on my card.

I added a cute little fox playing hide and seek behind my pumpkins.

Please pop over and join in the fun. 

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Ocean animals

 Morning all.  I've gone a bit out of my comfort zone for this morning's card.  We are up to O for Ocean Animals over at The Alphabet Challenge.  I had a free stamp set from a magazine a while ago that had all sorts of ocean stuff in.  I'm really not very good at heat embossing and my ink blending isn't brilliant either, however, I decided that I would do both on my card.

I think, because it's not my usual style, I hated it to start with.  I did think about binning it but couldn't think of what else to do.  It's one of those that I left on my desk and kept coming back to and, every time I went back, I liked it a little more.  It's never going to be my favourite but I have put an insert in and given it an envelope.  My bin is fun enough!

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

 

Pick three colours

 Morning all.  Over at Cardz4galz we have a bunch of colours for you.  Please pick at least three from 'Green, Purple, Orange and Black'. I know that  these colours lend themselves to Halloween but I don't celebrate that.  Instead I decided to create a bright and striking floral card.

I'm really sorry about the quality of the photograph.  It was dark and I needed to upload it.  It's such a pretty card in the flesh.  The flowers are made from a spotty vellum that I've had forever.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Not Mush Room

 Morning all.  I hope you are ready for a new theme over at Sparkles Monthly Challenge.  It's perfect for this time of year.  We want to see 'mushrooms or toadstools' on your projects please.  I've noticed lots of varieties of mushrooms popping up around our area when I've taken the dog for a walk.  I'm not brave enough to pick them though.

I was a bit rushed for this one so, luckily, I had the perfect backing paper.  I just added my greeting and an autumnal Gnome.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

One for T

 Thank you to all those who joined in my Wheels challenge last time at Cardz4guyz.  I was so impressed by the variety of wheels on display.  We have a new challenge today.  We are looking for 'something beginning with T'.

Easy peasy as I had just the topper for a guy.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Just Kidding

 Morning all.  My themes are coming thick and fast at the moment.  I can't even remember coming up with this one.  Over at Make My Monday  I'm looking for 'Kid Friendly' projects.  I kept mine simple but went for colourful.

It's an added bonus that the papers came from my scraps pile and the stickers I've had for donkey's years. I'm trying very hard to reduce my stash and scraps as they take so much room.

Please join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Age is just a number Mum - just a really big one!

 Morning all.  We are up to the letter 'N' at The Alphabet Challenge and I have chosen 'numbers' for my theme.  It seemed fairly appropriate as my Mum had a big birthday coming up with a rather large number on it - although most people find it hard to believe - she's 80 years old.

To be fair, I'm quite glad she doesn't look or even act her age as we have been mistaken for sisters! 

Just in case you can't tell, she's the one on the left.

Please pop over to show me your numbers projects.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Round and Round in Circles

 Are you all ready for a lovely new theme over at Cardz4galz 'cause today we are going round in 'Circles'.

You can use circles on your project or, as I have, create a circular card.  This is my first ever circle card I think.  I can't remember ever doing one before.  It's a little bit small as my circle dies only go up so far and trying to cut a circle was not really working out.

As it's only small it did mean I could use some of my scraps.  I cut the birds from the backing paper and raised them up on foam.  I'm quite please with how it turned out.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

It's CHRISTMAS!

 Morning all.  As it's the first of the month we have a new theme over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  We want to see the word 'Christmas' on your projects please.  

I'm trying to make my Christmas cards a little bit 'more' if you know what I mean.  For this one I created a stepper with the sentiment overhanging and finished it with a glittery snowman.

With all that glitter and silver cardstock I had to pretty much sit on it until the glue set.  I'm quite pleased with it though.

Please pop over to join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

A Wheely Fun Challenge

 It's my turn to pick the theme for the new Cardz4guyz challenge.  I've choses 'Wheels' which should give you plenty of scope.  Anything with wheels on - or just wheels themselves - will do.

I've gone very retro with some sweet boys toys I cut from some very old backing paper.

I was sceptical when I started it but I love how it turned out.

Please pop over and give me something to comment on.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

In the Background

 Morning all.  Sorry I'm a day late with this.  I've had a very busy weekend and never got around to scheduling my post.  Anyway, over at Make My Monday we would like you to 'create your own background'.  As I was in a bind for time I chose to use some leftover papers from my masculine card to make a striped background.

I love these type of backgrounds for using up scraps.  These papers just go so well for a fella.  I just added the stars and 'dad' for the middle.  Simples.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

M for Masculine

 Ok, if I wasn't feeling the colouring option for Galz, I was definitely loving the idea of 'M for Masculine' over at The Alphabet Challenge.  I am really enjoying die cuts right now and I have some super cute Christmas Gnomes.  I used those dies and did a little fiddling to create a sweet guy with a birthday present.  I chose some guy type paper and created this twisted easel card.

I think he's super cute.  Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Watercolouring - when you don't have any

 Morning all.  I'm a little late with this post.  So sorry.  Over at Cardz4galz we are looking for 'Colouring - any medium'.  I was struggling with this one as I wasn't in the mood for colouring.  My alcohol markers are in the storage box as I've had a tidy up in the boat and my paints and brushes are in storage at work.  Ok, that left me with inks.  I dug out my distress inks and oxides but I didn't have a brush.  Out came my spectrum noir clear sparkle brush.  

As I wasn't feeling it I just chose a small butterfly image to colour.  I heat embossed it with white powder and painted it with my inks.  Unfortunately, my heat embossing went a bit all over the place and there wasn't much image to colour.  I stamped it again in black in and coloured it again.  I layered the two together and painted my greeting in the same pink and orange colours.

Not my favourite card but it worked out more or less as I had it in my head.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Do you want fries with that?

 Morning all. Today, over at Cardz4guyz, we are looking for 'Embossing - Wet or Dry' on your projects please.  I'm really not very good at Wet Embossing so I got out an old Spellbinders embossing folder.  It's always been my favourite pattern.

I kept it simple by adding some die cuts and a sentiment.  I love how it turned out.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

If you go down to the woods today...

 Morning all.  Apparently, it's National Teddy bear Day.  I didn't even know there was such a thing.  My teddies are now looking at me all aggrieved.  Over at Make My Monday we are celebrating by making Teddy bears our theme for this fortnight.

I found a set of Fuzzy Moon papers and toppers in a local charity shop  and they were perfect for this challenge.

Please join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Sepia Landscapes

 Morning all.  Over at The Alphabet Challenge we are up to 'L for Landscapes'.  My DT colleagues have created some stunners (please go and leave them some love).  I must admit I was at a loss as to what to do to match their creativity.  I decided to use some small images of landscapes on my landscape style card.  I kept it all fairly monochromatic to compliment the sepia images.

I like the result.  It turned out better than I thought it would and it's not my normal style at all.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

It's hip to be square.

 Well the title says it all really.  'Hip to be Square' is today's theme over at Cardz4galz.  You can use a square card or use squares on your card.  I chose to use a square card for my project.

I just love this lemon die and I think blue and yellow look really lovely together.  What do you think?

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Nauti but Nice

 Morning all.   Over at Cardz4guyz this morning we are looking for 'Nautical elements on your projects please.  My card may come in handy as we are cruising the canals this week.

I kept this fairly simple just stamping the anchors in red and blue and layering with the same colours.  Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Sentimental

 Morning all.  As it's the start of a new month we have an lovely new theme over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  We want to see your 'Sentiment' as a focal point.

I will admit to buying this beautiful paper from The Works.  I couldn't resist using it and all I did was add my sentiment and some snowflakes.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Feeling Beachy

 Morning all.  I was absolutely thrilled with the standard of entries for my challenge over at Make My Monday and it was so hard to narrow it down.  I hope we get as many good entries for this challenge - On the Beach.  I do still miss going to the beach sometimes - even though living on the water is so lovely.  There is a little beach by the river where I take Ava for a walk sometimes.  It's not the same as by the sea though. 

I used a set of small beach die cuts that I had bought from Amazon.  I cut them in white and either inked them or coloured them with markers.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Here kitty kitty

 Morning all.  We are up to the letter K over at The Alphabet Challenge

today and we are looking for 'kittens or cats'.  I decided to have my cat playing amongst the flowers.

I'm not sure if they are having fun.  He looks a little startled to me.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Pink Cadillac

 Morning all.  Over at Cardz4galz today we are going all girly with the theme of 'Pretty in Pink'.  The obvious thing to do was to go flowery and feminine.  So I did the opposite.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Watching the sun go down (or come up)

 Morning all.  Over at Cardz4guyz today we are looking for 'Sunrise or Sunsets' on your project please.  I do love to see the sun setting over the water here on the marina.  The sky paints in such gorgeous colours.  I do have a fond memory of sitting on the seafront somewhere and watching the sun go down beyond the horizon.  It was one of those rare moments of blissful peace.  Here's my take on the challenge.

Ink blending is not my usual style and this was the second attempt.  It's one of those cards that's grown on me, with the added bonus of using some designer paper I've had for donkey's years.  

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Flutter By

 Morning all.  Today, over at Sparkles Monthly Challenge, we are looking for one or more butterflies on your projects please.  I do have several butterfly dies but I have a favourite one from Memory Box.  I first cut lots of them in white and stuck them flat to my panel.  Over the top I added colourful ones with their wings lifted up.  Other than that I added a few white flowers and leaves with some gems to match the colours.

I love how it turned out.  It's so cheerful.  

Please pop over and join in the challenge. Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Show us some Metal

 Evening all.  Like a bride to a wedding I am late to my own theme over at Make My Monday.  I would like to see something metallic on your projects please.  I've tonnes of brads, eyelets and charms that I never use so I decided to chose the theme and get at least some out of the way.  

I love these sunflower charms and I just had to add a few bees buzzing round.

Please pop over and join in the fun or I won't have anything to comment on.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Having a Roarsome Time

 Morning all.  Over at the Alphabet Challenge today we have a fun new challenge for the letter J.  We want to see your projects for the 'Juvenile' in your life.  I'm lucky enough to have two gorgeous great nephews - as well as several great nieces - so I cracked out the dinosaur digi stamps I had from JoKavanagh on Etsy.

Aren't they cute.  I used the same set of bright colourful papers for both cards.  Reuben will be two later this year and Edwin will be one.  I'm all prepared for both of them.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Who's a pretty girl then?

 Morning all.  Over at Cardz4galz today we are looking for 'birds' on your projects please.  We love birds in our family.  My dad and grandad bred Yorkshire Canaries. My grandma always had budgies (the last one was called Cheeky) and my sister had a cockatiel.

I've decided to stick with budgies for my card.  Only because I had some in my stash.

This was one of those cards that I wasn't happy with whilst I was making it.  However, it's been sitting on my desk for a few days and it's growing on me.  It probably needs a sentiment but, for now, I am leaving well alone.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Campervantastic

 Morning all.  Over at Cardz4guyz this week we are looking for 'camping or other outdoor activities' please.  I miss camping.  I was never lucky enough to have a VW camper but I had a Mazda Bongo camper van and it was such fun.  Unfortunately, it wasn't very economical to run on a daily basis so we sold it when we bought the boat.  We do have a tent but it's not the same as the campervan.

I'm not sure about letting the koala drive.  I do love this stamp set from Tracey Hey.  To be honest, I love all her cute characters and I don't use her stamps often enough.  I buy them and then lose my confidence in colouring them.

OK, let's see what you all get up to outdoors.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Christmas Critters

 Morning all.  It's the first of August so, obviously, my thoughts are turning to Christmas - not!  However, as it's the first of the month we do have a new Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  We are looking for 'Christmas Critters' please.

Once again I turned to Hunkydory as their toppers make very striking cards.  

I realise that a mouse and a hedgehog aren't traditional at Christmas but I'm so glad the mouse has a snowflake cushion to save his behind from all the prickles.  I used the snowflake patterned card from the same set and just added extra snowflakes.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x