Jingle all the way

 Me again. 1st of the month means a new theme over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge. Our new theme is 'Jingle Bells'.  We would like to see bells on your projects please.  

As well as the clipart I've been purchasing from Dotwit on Etsy she also has fussy cuts.  The images have a line outside to guide your scissors.  I used this wreath, which I printed twice and decoupaged.  I am finding these images really easy to make cards I'm happy with.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Cool dude

 Morning all.  Over at Make My Monday we would like 'Embossing -dry or heat'.  It's got to be dry embossing for me as heat embossing is very hit and miss when I do it.  To ring the changes a bit I decided to emboss some patterned paper.  I used an old Tim Holtz embossing folder and pieced the squares back together before adding my 'cool dude' in the middle.  Isn't he adorable.  

I distressed my squares a bit and added a sentiment.  The image is from a set of clipart on Etsy by Orson Artistry.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

We're turning Japanese

 Morning all.  Thank you all for the fabulous entries to my 'Balls' theme over at The Alphabet Challenge.  We are up to 'C for Circles' this time.  I created this card for my Sister-in-Law she's been a few times to Japan so I thought these beautiful images would go down well.

The images are from Customized Bliss on Etsy.  I love how this one turned out.  It was a BIG birthday but I chose to not advertise the fact as I will be the same age later this year.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Brown and Green for the Galz

 Brown and Green is not a colour combo I would automatically go to for a Girly card but over at Cardz4galz we have 'Green, Brown and twine/ribbon' for our new theme.  Recently I had bought yet another set of images from Dotwit on Etsy. Funnily enough it was a set of cute Dog images but, scattered in amongst them, there were several images of plants and things.  They were perfect.  I am so obsessed with this Etsy shop.

I am so pleased with how these look.  The card turned out better than I imagined (which never normally happens).  I promise there is ribbon there.  You can just see the two layers of ribbon one either side of my images.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

A late card and a missing card

 I have my weeks all in a muddle.  I could have sworn it was next week this week.  As a consequence yesterday's Make My Monday card is late.  We would like you to 'say it with flowers' please. My favourite is Lavender so that's where I went with this one.

My missing card is from the Cardz4guyz blog.  I uploaded it last week and it has disappeared.  I have asked Caz to add it to the page so it may appear yet.  The theme is 'Squash it' basically it means 'use an embossing folder.  I hope Caz can add it to the page as the folder I used is my favourite.  It's an old double sided one from Spellbinders.  I'm so pleased by how this one turned out.

Please go and check out the other DT cards and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

You don't have to be mad to work here...we'll train you!

 Morning all.  Two posts in one day! Go Me!

We are on the 15th of the month so we have a new challenge over at Sparkles Monthly.  Our new theme is 'Trios'.  3 of anything on your project please.  My other half needed a leaving card for a colleague so I did this for him.

Not sure what's going off with my picture.  The central panel didn't look that wonky on the original.  I was looking for some manic, stressed out critters for the three images and found some lovely fun images on Orson Artistry (Etsy). I also added three sets of three gems.  Apparently, I nailed the brief and the other half was thrilled with it.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Oh Balls!

Morning all.  It's my theme over at The Alphabet Challenge today and I've gone for 'B for Balls'.  Doesn't matter what sort of balls.  One of the design team has come up with a brilliant idea and used gumballs.  Go over and check it out.  

I have gone for football this time.  I know, I'm a cricket girl at heart, but in a family of football fans (some Derby County, some Notts Forest - and yes we do still talk to each other) I have gone with the majority.  I even have a great niece who plays for the local junior girls team.  Go the Stanton Ironesses!

I have discovered a new clipart designer on Etsy and I am totally in love with their designs.  Dotwit is new to me but I had to fill my basket with some of their sets.  You will be seeing more of their work coming up.  It does make it easy to create when the artwork is so lovely.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Going around in circles

 Afternoon all.  Over at Cardz4galz we would like to see 'Circles' please.  It could be a circular card or project or something with circles on.  I have very few generic cards in my box as I use a lot clipart and dies.  I decided to do something about it with this challenge. 

I also managed to use some scraps so this was a winner for me on all points.  

Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

The Fourth is Strong with this one

 Morning all.  It's Make My Monday time and, as it's May 4th - Star Wars Day - we would like 'Space' themed projects please.  I have a very ancient printable from Crafts-u-Print so I went with that for my card this week.

I suppose I could have made a couple of cards with all the space travellers on the printout but I decided to fill the whole card with them.  I'm pleased with how this one went.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

2 for 1

 Afternoon all.  As it's Friday and also the 1st May you get two blog cards for the price of one.  Firstly,  over at The Alphabet Challenge we start another turn around the letters with 'A for Air'. Basically, if it's airborne it works.  Being a bit poorly earlier this week I've gone simple with this butterfly card.

Next up, for the first of the month, we are looking for 'Gifts' over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  I still have loads of these toppers so it was an easy one to make.

Please join in the fun on one or both blogs.  You get a whole month for Sparkles Christmas challenge.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

It's Buzzin' over at Galz

 Afternoon all.  I'm getting over a migraine at the moment so I will keep this short.  My theme over at Cardz4galz is 'Bees'.  Here's mine:

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

How could I forget the Guyz

 Sorry this is late.  Now Cardz4guyz is monthly I have to remember what date it's on.  This month we are looking for 'CAS' projects for the Guyz in your life.  I bought a fabulous set of clipart from Etsy for Patrick's birthday this year and I've used some of the images for this card as well.

I think the images from Tysartwork are brilliant for young males.  Most of my other stuff is snarky older men.  Sorry the picture isn't brilliant.  The camera on my phone is useless and keeps crashing.  I have to go with whatever it takes first.

Please pop over to join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Watch the Birdie

 Morning all.  I was thrilled with all the fabulous entries on my last choice for Make My Monday .  I hope we get as many entries for the new challenge of 'Birds and/or Eggs'.  I'm avoiding the subject of birds eggs at the moment.  There are 4 separate nesting geese on the little island next to our boat.  The arguements between them are driving us mad.  They keep trying to chase each other off.  I have gone for a species that I haven't seen around here - although I've heard a couple.

You may have noticed I'm trying to use up the scraps of this paper.  Whilst I had it out for the pastel challenge I made this card.    I'm much happier with this one.  

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Zzzzz!

 Morning all.  The end of another turn around the alphabet means we are up to 'Z for Zoology' at The Alphabet Challenge.  I have a fabulous set of Sporting Animal clipart from Pastel Kiddie on Etsy and could have pick any of them.  Here's the one I did chose:

I honestly think he makes a perfect rugby player.  I was so pleased with how he turned out.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Drip, drip, drop ...

 ...Little April Showers.  That's exactly what we are looking for on this weeks Cardz4galz blog.  We aren't just getting april showers at the moment.  We have had, over the last few days, early morning fog, frost, hail, high winds and (occasionally) a bit of sunshine.  

Here's my effort for the challenge.  I picked up some cute weather clipart from Digiwhimsies on Etsy and totally fell for this cute guy.

I am using a random number generator and a set of sketches to give me inspiration at the moment and this one turned out so well.  It's really helped my productivity and I'm getting down my scrap pile at the same time.

Please show us your 'April Shower' projects.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Pastel bunnies

 Morning all.  It's time for the new monthly theme for Sparkles Monthly.  We would like 'Pastel Colours and Rabbits' please.  We are also looking for new DT members so, if you've ever thought of giving it a go, please let us know.  We are a friendly bunch and can help you through the process if you have never done it before.

It turns out I have very few pastel coloured papers.  I managed to find some scraps with soft shades of yellow and pink but not a lot else. I have got an animal die set that does make a rabbit though.  What do you think.

I wish the papers had been prettier but I do like the design.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Monotone Monday

 Morning all.  I hope you all had a better Easter than I did.  Whilst everyone else was eating their body weight in chocolate I was in bed with a stomach bug, hench Monday's blog now being Tuesday's blog.  I am, for now, upright and dressed. #Little Wins

OK, Make My Monday is my choice of theme this time.  I would like 'Monotone' projects please.  Here's mine.

I did cheat a bit with the flower centres but I hadn't any teal ones.

Please pop over and leave me something to comment on.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

More flowers

 OK, I have more flowers for you today, although not spring ones.  Over at The Alphabet Challenge we are at 'Y for Yellow Flowers'.  I've gone for some sunny yellow flowers in a basket.

I've used these flowers lots in a variety of colours but I've never made up the basket before.  I'm so pleased with how it came out.  I'd be so happy if I received a basket of flowers like these.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Let's welcome spring with flowers

 Afternoon all.  It's a glorious spring day here and I have the duck hatch open on the boat.  From here I can see that one of the geese has laid a large egg on the little island. The geese and ducks are definitely feeling the effects of the season.  Over at Cardz4galz today we are more interested in the spring florals that the bird life.  We have 'spring flowers' as our new theme.

Here's my card:

I hope you can see the flowers on the topper.  It's hard to take a photo of a fun fold card.  I've had these papers and toppers for ages.  They aren't my favourite so I feel that I needed to do a fun fold to make it more interesting.

Let's see your spring florals guys.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Driving Gnome for Christmas

 Morning all.  It's Easter this weekend so it must be time to start your Christmas cards. We can help by providing inspiration over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  We would like elves or gnomes on your projects please.  Mine own gnome is ready to give Santa a hand dishing out the presents.

Please pop over and show us your elves and gnomes.  

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

My tribute to the Ilkon Hookers

 Morning all.  Over at Make My Monday we have the theme of 'Hobbies'.  Well, you all know my hobby is card making and I also love reading.  Today I am concentrating on my mum's hobby.  She runs a lovely, friendly little class for crochet at the Ilkon Cafe in Ilkeston. Ilkon Art Gallery hosts the cafe at the back and every now and then I pop in to see them.  Mum can teach anyone to crochet and one of the ladies takes her husband along.  He calls them all his 'hookers'.  Here's my card and also the Ilkon Hookers.

So, now you know what I do to pass the time and what Mum does to pass hers - what do you do for a hobbie? Create a card with it on and join in our challenge.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

X-ray Specs

 Morning all.  We are up to x for x-ray - black & white - on your projects over at The Alphabet Challenge. I've had these papers for ever and I'm glad they finally got a look in.

I think the flowers on the paper go well with the die cut flowers.  What do you think.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Did someone say splash (of green)

 Morning all.  Over at Cardz4galz we would like a 'splash of green' on your projects please.  Splash is a dirty word around here as it was just the noise I heard the other day when we were moving our boat.  I was two boats away and I just knew it would be my husband.  He's been in three times now.  That's another phone ruined but luckily he kept hold of his glasses this time.  Bless him, at least he didn't hurt himself.  

Anyway, here's my inspiration for the challenge.

Just lately, I've been going through my paper scraps and putting them together and, after that's done, I find something to use as a focal point.  These lemons were already cut in one of my storage boxes.  I must have done extras at some point.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

My Hero

 Hello all.  It's time for the fellas in our lives again.  Over at Cardz4guyz we have a colour challenge for you.  Please use 'light blue and brown' on your projects. I made a totally different card for this challenge and made this one from the scraps.  When I came to it I liked this one better.

The image is a freebie I got from Cinematic Circle on Etsy.  I have very few cards for kids so it's nice to get some new ones in my stash.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

With a Spring in my Step

 Hi all.  Well, between the showers, there are definitely signs that spring is with us.  I even came home in the light tonight.  We have tonnes of Daffodils on the marina and it's a pleasure to go out walking with the dog. Over at Sparkles Monthly we have 'It's Spring'  as our theme this month.  We also have a DT call so, if you've ever thought of going on a design team, please pop over and give Caz a shout.  The DT are a friendly bunch and monthly is a good way to dip your toe in. 

Here's my inspiration for this month's challenge.

This is the second card I did for this challenge but I posted my first attempt before remembering I hadn't taken a photo.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

All Tied Up

 Hello all.  We have a lovely new theme over at Make My Monday.  We would like you to use 'string, ribbon, twine or thread' on your projects please. I did a lovely card using ribbon in strips on a backing panel but, by the time I'd put a focal point on the front, you couldn't tell it was ribbon.  Oh well, back to the drawing board.

I was sorting my scraps into possible card layouts and found the sentiment on velum.  My ribbon, behind the flower hides the adhesive anchoring the velum. 

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Wildflower Wreath

 Morning all.  Just a quick post before Church.  I should have posted on Friday but life is a bit frantic at the moment.  We are up to 'W for Wildflowers' over on The Alphabet Challenge.  I have some lovely Wildflower dies and really enjoyed inking them up.  

I wasn't sure how they would look when I was at the messy stage but I'm really pleased with them.  I just added water to distress ink and smooshed the white die cuts through. 

Please pop over and join in the fun. 

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Em-bossing it!

 Afternoon all.  I'm just back from work and it's a glorious day here on the marina.  I have the duck hatch open and the fresh air streaming in.  It's one of those days when you feel energised to do something.  If you are looking for something to do then why not try our 'Embossing - wet or dry' challenge over at Cardz4galz.  Here is my inspiration card.

I've kept it clean and simple so the embossing gets to shine.

Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Frosty the snowman

 Morning all.  Another late post from me.  I've been down with a migraine so here's yesterday's post.  We are looking for 'Snowmen/women' on your cards over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge. They can be on there own or in a family group.  I dug out some old Hunkydory stuff for my card.

The image is so large it didn't leave room for much more.  I just added some holly in the corners and called it done.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

V for Volume

 OK, this is Friday's post...on a Friday! Get me being nearly organised.  Over at  The Alphabet Challenge we want 'v for volume' on your cards.  Think dimension and foam pads.  Basically, layers.  I dug through all my old decoupage sheets for this one.  I don't know why I'm holding onto them as I don't often do that anymore.  

All my butterflies are layered up.  The main one has three layers.  

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Just Checking

 Morning all.  I know it's Friday but this is Thursday's post. Time has run away with me this week.  So, for Cardz4galz this week we have 'things with wings' as our theme.  I've been itching to use this digital stamp for a while.  

The image is from Dr Digi's House of Stamps.  I'm quite pleased with how he turned out.  

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Monochrome adventure.

 Morning all.  Over at Cardz4guyz this month we have the theme of 'a monochromatic colour pallette'.  I have, once again, gone to my Stamperia papers as they just work so well for this.

It's been so much fun using these papers recently.  They fit in so beautifully with the themes.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Vintage - just like me!

 I'm not old, I'm vintage. To be fair, I might even pass as retro until next birthday.  Over at Sparkles Monthly Challenge we are looking for 'Vintage or Mixed Media' projects please.  I did try mixed media but it's a style I really can't do well. Instead I went with some lovely papers from Stamperia.  They are so beautifully vintage.

I distressed the edges and used a little distress ink. I then added a couple of ephemera pieces to finish it off.  I am much happier with the result for this one.  I'm never gonna be a mixed media gal.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

A challenge to die for

 Morning all.  I've got my weeks mixed up so here is yesterday's Make My Monday card.  We have the theme of 'use two dies' which is right up my street.

I, technically, used more than two dies as the circles are a set. Then I used the banner to finish it off.  I'm pleased with this one.  I think it would do for either male or female.  

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

A Perfect Life?

 Morning all.  We are looking for 'Uplifting' cards and projects today over at The Alphabet Challenge.  It could be an uplifting sentiment or the time of thing you would send to someone to lift there spirits and encourage them.

There is a lot of pressure on social media nowadays for everyone to have a 'perfect' life.  We see spotless houses with matching decor, perfect meals prepared and served and matching outfits in staged shots.  I have a small boat with next to no storage so it always looks a mess.  My kitchen is tiny and I can't fit one of my roasting tins into my oven.  I am trying to be more 'put together' in the clothing stakes but it's muddy on the marina and wellies don't go with every outfit.  I would not swap this life for anything.  It's a beautiful way to live and the wildlife on the water and surrounding areas makes me smile.

My life is a long way from being perfect but it is a beautiful life.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Give us a Hug

 Morning all.  We have a lovely new theme over at Cardz4galz today.  It's perfect if you are making Valentines cards this month.  We are looking for 'Hugs and Kisses'.

I bought a fun clipart set from 'DigitalMstudioArt' over on Etsy and was spoilt for choice with images. I was so taken with how well these two went with my more vintage looking papers.  I added some gold accents and I'm so pleased with it.

Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Oh Baubles!

 I have a friend who, when frustrated, says 'Oh Baubles' instead of swearing.  She's the inspiration for my choice of theme for this month's Sparkles Christmas Challenge.  Somewhere on you project I would love to see some baubles please.

I need to add a greeting  but my desk is a mess and I couldn't find my Christmas dies before I took a picture.

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Simply Moovalous

 Morning all.  We are going all CAS over at  Make My Monday this week.  I bought a fun set of clip art over on Etsy and had a ball creating these.  I'm going to do more when I get the chance as I think they are so cute.  

I'm not very good at CAS but I'm so chuffed with these.  The sentiments are from a set by Dr Digi and it was so easy to print them out along side the adorable Cows.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

A Corrugated Card

 Still catching up with this weeks posts.  This time we have 'T for Texture' over at The Alphabet Challenge.  I was lucky to have a couple of scraps of ridged card in colours that looked good together.  I used gold for my matting and die cutting and kept it very simple.

I turned out better than I expected.  I love those colours together.  Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Pink Posey Club

 Morning all.  Sorry this is late.  Over at Cardz4galz this week we would like some 'pink flowers' on your projects please.  I'd seen a lovely card on Pinterest a while ago that was very dark but had pink flowers on so this is my interpretation of it.

I used deep purples and blue for my background and gold for the accents.  I think the the pink looks stunning against the deeper colours. I'm so please with this one and I hope it will inspire you to join our challenge.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Let's go on an Adventure

 Morning all.  I hope you are all well and looking forward to a new 'Cardz4guyz theme.  We couldn't get more perfect for the men this month with 'Epic Adventure' for a subject.  I have some more fabulous paper scavenged by Howard from the recycling shed.  I couldn't believe my luck with this set as I knew this challenge was coming up.

I won't be short of ideas for the fellas for a while.  I think the papers are Stamperia.  They are certainly fun and full of ideas for adventures.

Please pop over and join the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Is it still snowing where you are.

 Well, we've had some very seasonal weather this week.  The water in the marina is frozen and the ducks are walking.  We've also had some snow - much to the delight of our dog, Ava.  She loves it and reverts to a puppy.  I'm not so keen.  I prefer paper snowflakes, which is good as that's just the theme of this months challenge over at Sparkles Monthly.

I'm so pleased with how this one turned out.  The pink and silver glitter card looks lovely layered together.  

Please pop over and join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Patterned Paper - You mean I have to break into my stash!

 Morning all.  Today we have the 1st Make My Monday challenge of the year.  We have the challenge 'Use Patterned Paper'.  If you are anything like me you will have more paper than you can use in a lifetime.  I chose to use some of the paper that Howard brought for me from the re-cycling shed. It's a Heartfelt Creations pad and has some lovely toppers too.

I did use scraps from my previous card but I broke into a new sheet as well.  I may have to go for a lie down now.  Breaking into a new sheet! I must be mad.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Let's be Square

 Morning all.  It's my theme over at The Alphabet Challenge and I've picked 'S for Square'.  You can make a square card or project or use squares on it.  I'm pleased with mine as I was able to use some of my scraps again.

I used part of an old Memory Box die for this one.  I have done something similar using textured card behind the die cut panels and put them down the centre of a DL card.  It works well either way.

Please join in the fun so I can visit and leave comments on your creations.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x