Christmas trees and flowers

 Sorry this is late.  I came back from my hols with mum and promptly went down with the lurgy.  I had cards done but never got near the computer to be able to post my blog posts.  Firstly, we are looking for 'Christmas Trees' over at Make My Monday  I chose a lovely tree image I'd had from Etsy and used some backing paper covered in foil trees for my card.

I added extra sparkle and shine using red foiled card and gold glitter card.

Next, over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge we are looking for 'Poinsettias' please.  I used a couple of sheets from an old Hunkydory pad and decoupaged my poinsettias.  I'm quite pleased with the results.

I was a bit dubious about how this one would look but I'm really chuffed.  I, again, added extra sparkly using gold glitter card.  The tiny bits out of the die cut frame I reused in the flower centres.

Please pop over to the blogs and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

To Quote a Bear of Little Brain

 OK, I'm nearly caught up.  Today's theme over at The Alphabet Challenge is 'Q for Quote'  I actually dug out a really old stamp set for this one and did some real colouring!  

I love this quote and I'm glad I found the stamp set again as my great nephew has a birthday next month and he loves Pooh Bear.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

It's going to be a cute Christmas

 Hello all.  Having had a fabulous week away with  my mum I came back to Will's cough and cold and I've been in bed all week, hence my late post.  Over at Cardz4galz we are looking for a 'Cute Christmas'.

I found a really sweet set from Clipartprintdesign on Etsy.  I have a whole bunch of super cute images to use.  I hope you like what I did with this one.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Birthday wishes with a little purple

 Over at Cardz4guyz today we are looking for 'A birthday card with some purple'.  Should be a nice easy one.  I went through my purple scraps for this one.  Once I'd found some I liked I stuck them together and popped a printed topper on.  

The image is from a set on Etsy from by Digimonarch.  He looks like he's having a good birthday, doesn't he.

Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

So Grateful - Thank you

 How often do you count your blessings.  When you do you will realise how much you have to be grateful for.  Recently, a couple of friends have found themselves in situations that no one would want to go through.  I hope that I have been able to help in some small way with both of them.  It has made me realise that I have so much to be thankful for and not to take things for granted. Thank the Lord that I am in a position to help others and not in need of help myself.

Anyway, it brings me neatly on to our new theme at Make My Monday. We are looking for 'Grateful/Thankful' cards and projects. 

I also have to be thankful to the person who left these gorgeous papers in the recycling shed and to Howard who rescued them for me.  

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Quilting a thank you

 Morning all.  Aren't the months going so quickly.  We have a brand new theme for you today over at Sparkles Monthly Challenge.  We would like to see your 'thank you' cards.  I made my card for my clever sister-in-law who went to Japan earlier this year.  She's a talented artist and was visiting lots of out of the way places to view Japanese arts and crafts.  She sent me a small box of beautiful washi paper.  I've used some of the papers on my project and done some Japanese Paper Quilting with them.  

I quilted some petal shapes and used them as a background for my large 'thanks' sentiment.

I hope you like my project and are inspired to join our challenge.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Pick up a pumpkin

 Morning all.  We are up to 'P for Pumpkin' over at The Alphabet Challenge.  Such a seasonal topic for us this week.  I had to dig through my stash for some foam stickers I'd got for this one.  I kept it fairly simple and used autumnal colours.

I'm really happy with this one.  I hope you will join in with your pumpkin cards and projects.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Shake it up

Afternoon all.  We have a fun new challenge for you today over at Cardz4galz . We would like you to 'build a snowman'.  I literally built mine from a decoupage sheet I had lurking in my stash.

Sorry about my picture. Dark nights mean I have to take photos in artificial light. I think he's kind of cute though.

Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

  

Catching up again

 Sorry, I'm catching up again.  It was my sisters' birthdays yesterday so it was quite handy for the 'colouring' challenge we have over at Cardz4galz.  I did have another image coloured for my other sister but it disappeared so she had one from my stash.

It was nice to get out my pens and do some colouring with some old Kenny K images.  I'd forgotten how much fun it is.

My card for today is 'O for an Oval and One Word' over at The Alphabet Challenge.  I had intended to use the other image I'd coloured but I've no clue where it went.  Instead I used this really happy dog.

I hope he makes you smile like he did me.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Fernily enough

 Morning all.  We have a colour challenge for you over at Cardz4guyz this month and, funnily enough, I've been inspired by one of last month's cards.  Check out the beautiful blending on Donna's card.  I just fell in love with it.  As we are looking for you to use 'orange, black and purple' - at least one or more of those colours - I decided to have a go at something similar, on a much smaller scale.

I blended the colours first then looked for something to silhouette in front. I thought these ferns would look lovely and I think I was right.  I didn't want to detract from the panel so I've gone very CAS.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Not a Halloween card

 Morning all.  Over at Make My Monday we are wanting you to use 'Halloween Colours'.  To be honest, I really don't like halloween and I wouldn't send a card for it so my halloween colours have been used for a floral card instead.

I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  It's simple but so vibrant.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Nights are drawing in

 And so we come to today's post for the new theme from The Alphabet Challenge.  We are up to 'N for Night'.  I don't know what it's like in your part of the world but her in England it's getting darker quicker and not getting light until later in the morning.  Poor old Ava isn't getting to chase the balls about in a morning before I go to work.  You can't chase them if you can't see them.

I've gone Christmassy for my Night card.

I really only had to add the frame and die for this one as the papers did all the work for my night sky.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Running behind.

 Sorry I'm a bit behind with this week's posts.  I'm still decorating my craft space so things are a little upside down.  Firstly we have the theme of 'pumpkins and autumn leaves' over at Sparkles Monthly Challenge.  I've used a very old card blank with apertures in it for this one.

Next I have a card for Cardz4galz with the new theme of 'for a girl'.  What little girl wouldn't go mad for this little Pegasus image.

The images on this one are from Crafty Mama Creators on Etsy.  

OK, that's caught up for now.  Keep an eye out for my real friday post for The Alphabet Challenge.

Thanks for reading 

Love Dawn x

A Crazy Month of Celebration

 Morning all.  Well I'm glad that October is here as I need a rest.  My Mother-in-Law reached a significant birthday this year and we've had two weekend's of celebration - one on the marina and one in Hampshire (a joint occasion for the 40th wedding of an Aunt and Uncle).  I've also had a friend to stay over and last weekend we had the Church to decorate for Harvest Festival.  I have to say the whole village came together with donations for the Padley YMCA.  Local businesses and organisations did us proud and the nursery across the village green - as well as food donations - provided us with art work from the children.

Anyway, for today's new theme at Cardz4galz - which is 'Green and Purple' - I am happy to share the card I created for my Mother-in-Law.  It's mostly purple but the flower stalks are green.

I was diplomatic and chose to leave the age off the card. I'm not sure she would have minded as she had a couple of large gold balloons.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn 

Feeling Blue

 Good morning all.  I don't know where the year is going.  October already!  First of the month means a new theme over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  The new theme is 'Non Traditional Christmas Colours'.  I found a die cut gnome in my little box that I put together last year and didn't use.  This played a big part in the decision to go with a Blue Christmas.

I found a couple of blue snowflake scraps in my folder.  The bottom one matches my Gnome as I cut it out of this sheet last year.  I felt that it needed a touch of white as the top paper had white snowflakes. The one good thing about decorating your craft space is that you find stuff you haven't used in ages.  I've had that fancy edge for years but it doesn't get an outing much.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Love letters straight from the heart

 Morning all.  The Alphabet Challenge this week is looking at 'L for Love Letters'. I have some lovely images from Etsy for this one and I've layered them together as a centre piece.

The geometric patterned paper made it really hard to line up.  It made my eyes go really funny. I'm happy with how turned out though.

Please pop over to join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Dies and punches

 Morning all.  If you have been here before you will have noticed my tendency to use dies on my cards. You can imagine how happy I was with this week's theme of 'dies and punches' for Cardz4galz.  I was recently sent some butterfly dies instead of the dragonfly ones I thought I'd ordered so here they are being put to good use.

Please pop over and join in the fun.  We love seeing your work.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

A single bloom

 Morning all.  It's that time of the month again. We have a new challenge over at Sparkles Monthly.  It's my turn to pick our theme this month and I would like to see 'A Single Flower - floral image' on your projects please.

I decided to go mad for this one and create a diamond staggered pillar card.  I did want to add some bees on acetate flying up from the pillars but I'm revamping the craft area on my boat and I can't find the acetate.  This was so easy to do.  I recommend this video from Iced Images she's very easy to follow.  

Please pop over and have a go at my theme.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Jolly, Holly Christmas

 Morning all.  We have a lovely new theme for you over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge. We would love to see some 'Holly' on your projects please.  I'm trying so hard to get rid of some of my old stash so, for this one, I dug out an old Dufex decoupage sheet.  I find the old decoupage images hard to make look right on a card.  I think they often look stuck on as an after though.  However, I'm pleased with this one.

I've taken the photo flat but it's one of those that have the bottom half standing proud when it stands up.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.  

Love Dawn x

Up, Up and Away...

 Yep, you are all singing it aren't you?  At least all those of my approximate age that can remember the seventies.  Over at Make My Monday we would like to see your 'hot air balloons' please.  

I dug out an old stamp set for this one.  I've gotten out of the habit of using stamps.

Please pop over and join in the fun.  You can even sing along. Everybody now 'Up, up and away in my beautiful balloon'...

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Jumping for Joy

Morning all.  Are you in the mood to do something silly.  When was the last time you jumped in a puddle or kicked up some leaves.  I know it's probably the wrong season for either but, over at the Alphabet Challenge, we have 'J for Jump' so that's what I chose to do.

The image was from Etsy and I love it.  Doesn't he look like he's having the time of his life.  Oh to feel that joy again.  Wouldn't it be fabulous.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Versatile Vellum

 Morning all.  Thanks to everyone who joined in my theme over at Cardz4galz.  I was so impressed by all the pretty scenes you created.  We have a brand new challenge for you this fortnight and we want to see 'Vellum' on your projects please.  I was lucky enough to receive a lovely booklet full of floral printed vellum from my mum and I've used one of the sheets for my card.

I cut the floral corner piece a little larger than my panel and wrapped it around so I could stick it at the back.  That way my adhesive didn't show.  I cut a beautiful butterfly from another sheet and added it, along with a greeting.  A few simple gems finished it off.

I am so pleased with how this turned out.  I might make a few more with my other sheets.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Messing about in boats

 Messing about in boats is exactly what I will be doing - God willing - when my blog post goes live on Tuesday.  I have two glorious weeks off work so we are heading off down the canal on the narrowboat we live on.  Isn't it appropriate that I chose 'Boats' for this month's  Cardz4guyz challenge. 

I also thought it would be ideal to get out my narrowboat die and give it an airing.

I'm really pleased with the result.  I've got another boat cut out but I was running out of double sided sticky tape so I may make another one of these when I've been shopping.  I've sold some of my cards on the marina at a couple of charity events and I think this one may appeal to the other boaters at the next event.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

The Eyes have it!

 Today is the start of a new theme over at Sparkles Monthly Challenge.  Usually 'CAS' themes leave me struggling.  However, I'm really chuffed with how this card came out.

I have some card blanks with an aperture already cut in so I just embossed a dotted square around it and added the image behind it.  I did feel that I ought to do more so I added googly eyes to the image and added a sentiment.  Ta Da! Nailed it.

Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x 

Snow! In August

 Hello all.  Over at Make My Monday this week we are being rather unseasonal.  We are looking for 'Snow' on your cards please.  Having previously enjoyed the bit of decoupage I did for my last card, I had a dig about in my old stash for some Christmas decoupage sheets.  

I used some vintage papers for the background but, having stared at it for a while, I wish I'd added another layer under the circle but over the strip.  

Ok, I've added an extra layer.  I like it better.  What do you think?

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Enjoy the scenery

 Hello all.  I have the choice for today over at Cardz4galz.  I have chosen 'Create a Scene' for my theme.  My card uses a lovely oriental image and I've decoupaged the cherry blossom frame.  I can't remember the last time I decoupaged anything.

I have to admit it did take forever to cut around those fiddly blossoms but it was so worth is.  

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

One, Two, Tree

Hello all. 1st of the month brings a brand new theme over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  We are looking for a Tree on your projects please.  Me - I've gone for three.

I've had these puffy stickers for the longest time so this seemed the perfect card to use them for.  

Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading

Love Dawn x

Man oh Man

 Morning all.  Over at Make My Monday this week we are looking for a 'Masculine' project. I know that Golf isn't just for men but I've used masculine papers with my topper.  It's a simple design but I like how it turned out.

I've had the decoupage topper sheet forever.  I'm trying very hard to use up what I have.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Home is where you moor it

 Hello all.  Once again I am late posting this one and, shame on me, it's my theme over at The Alphabet Challlenge.  I am determined that next week I will get my proper days off.  Yes, I know I've been saying it all month but...

Anyway, over to the theme of 'H is for Home'.  I was so tempted to do a narrowboat for this one as that's exactly what my home is.  However, I figured it would be a bit niche for a new home card.  I opted for simplicity instead.

I used a digital stamp from Rachel Vass Designs on Etsy and just added a paper strip and some gems.  I am so pleased with it.  CAS isn't always easy for me so when it works I'm so chuffed.

Please join in my theme and I promise I will comment on all the entries.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Having fun with fun folds

 Morning all.  It's time for a new challenge over at Cardz4galz.  We are looking for Fun Folds. I'm really enjoying fun folds at the moment so this was just up my street. I think this sort of thing really makes an impact for a special occasion. A friend asked for a special card for her mum so here it is.

I'm so pleased with this one.  Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Confused! Sorry

 OK, so things have changed a little over at Cardz4guyz.  We are now a monthly challenge (the third Tuesday in the month) instead of bi-weekly.  And I managed to forget this for our first monthly challange.  'Summer Holidays' is our theme for this month.  I've used another one of my beach clipart images as I do love a beach in summer.

I hope you will support us by joining in now we've gone monthly.  It gives you plenty of time to get inspired.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Summer Daze

 Morning all.  I'm a couple of days late for this month's Sparkles Monthly Challenge.  Sorry, I've been doing extra at work. We have the theme of 'Summer Days' for you this time.  I have some sweet clipart images from Pixel Popsicles on Etsy.  It's a full set of more 'mature' beach bodies.  I think they are so much fun.

The real tragedy is they've all got better beach bodies than I have!

Please pop over and show us your 'summer days'.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

So simple

 Morning all.  Over at Make My Monday we would like 'embossing - wet or dry' on your projects please.  I chose to dig out a small strip embossing folder and emboss it three times on my panel.  I then added three different coloured gems to the flower centre.  I do think it will look better with a sentiment but I couldn't decide what to do so I will add that later.

I hope you like my project and will pop over to check out the challenge.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Hey there Girlfriend!

 Morning all.  We are up to 'G for Girlfriend' over at The Alphabet Challenge.  I'm really into using clipart at the moment and I found the perfect set on Etsy from The Ink Pot Store.  I have had so much fun with these images I've made multiple cards with them.  

I really love how these have turned out and there are so many more images in the set.  

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

 Morning all.  We are in the middle of Wedding Season at the moment and all the brides must be so pleased with the weather.  Over at Cardz4galz we are looking for your 'Wedding' cards or projects.  I'm on a mission to get rid of my old stash so you've got bonus cards from me as I just kept creating until I'd used three sheets of 12 x 12 paper. I have a couple of Gnome images left but they will be turned into cards soon.

I made the two fun folds first using the opposite cuts of paper and created the smaller card with some off cuts.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Just add sparkle

 Morning all.  First of the month means a brand new Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  And that's pretty much it.  We want 'Sparkle' on you Christmas Projects.  I found a topper with a little glitter added and some gorgeous sparkly snowflakes but it's so hard to photograph.  You have to believe me, it's so sparkly in real life.

I distressed the edges of my papers and used silver card for my greeting and behind the image.

Please pop over and say hi.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Fun in the sun

 Morning all.  I hope you are all enjoying the warm weather.  Keeping cool on a narrowboat is difficult.  I'm sitting here with the duck hatch and all the doors open but the windows covered.  What I need is a quick dip in a pool - just like my critters in todays Make My Monday Challenge.  We are looking for all sorts of 'fun in the sun' projects.

Aren't these little sea creatures just adorable.  I bought the clip art from Cinematic Circle on Etsy.  I added a sentiment and a couple of seaside die cuts and I love how it turned out.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Alice

 Morning all.  Over at Sparkles Monthly Challenge this month we are going a little whimsical.  We are looking for 'Fairytales or Story books' on your project please.  I have some Alice in Wonderland clipart from Etsy so I've used that. You really need to pop over to the blog to check the DT projects. I am totally in love with Vicki's inspiration.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

E for Embossing

 We are up to E for 'Embossing' (wet or dry) over at The Alphabet Challenge.  I will admit to never having much luck with dry embossing to I turned to my trusty embossing folders for this one.  I had printed my sentiment out and centred it in the middle of the folder.  The only issue is, the side I could see the sentiment through was the back.  So you have the debossed side of an embossed pattern on my card.

I always think that sympathy cards need to be simple to be effective.  I am really pleased with this one.  The sentiment does all that needs to be done.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Easy Easel

 Afternoon all.  We have the lovely new theme of an 'Easel' card for you over at Cardz4galz.  I do love an easel card.  It's an easy showy card.  I chose some pretty girly papers and decorated mine with a trellis and some florals.

I backed the trellis with vellum so it mutes the pattern but you can still see it.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x