Literally Literature

 Hello again.  Today we have reached 'L for Literature' at The Alphabet Challenge.  We would like you to create something inspired by a book.  So many choices for this one.  Reading is a true passion of mine. I went through all my printed images and came up with so many options.  In the end I chose to use 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Arthur Golden.  It's a while since I read this one but I had some oriental papers and a pretty image from Tiddlyinks.  

I would have liked to add some pretty detailing to her outfit to be more accurate but my artistic skills aren't really up to it.  

Right, I'm off to see what Ava's up to as she's gone quiet.  It's just like being a new mum again.  I'd forgotten how exhausting a new dog can be.

Please pop over and join in the challenge. I'm always looking for book recommendations.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Time for Frazzled Parents Everywhere to breathe out

 How many parents out there are ready for your offspring to go back to school?  Why not send them off with a 'back to school' card or project.  I've chosen this as a new topic for the Make My Monday challenge.  My darling little one is now in his twenties and starts a new job tomorrow.  Good luck Patrick.

I've had this stamp of ages (Tiddlyinks) and I've only ever used it once.  I think it's so cute and it's nice to be able to get some use out of him.  He's such fun to colour.

OK, now you've got them packed up ready for school you'll have plenty of time to join in the fun.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Falling for you

 Morning all.  Are you ready for a new Make My Monday challenge.  We are looking for 'Autumn/fall' cards.  See, I did warn you there would be plenty of these themes coming up.  I did go to my one autumnal themed paper set but, instead of leaves, I chose to go with acorns.  

And where you get acorns you get squirrels.  This little cutie was from a set of critters at Tiddlyink (sadly now shut). I added a couple of gold leaves on my twine.  One is very shy and hiding behind the other.  A friend of mine has a squirrel in her garden.  She sits on the bench under the trees and shouts at it for digging holes in the ground to bury his nuts in.  Apparently, he takes not a blind bit of notice.

If only she could train it to dig holes where she wants to plant things.  It would save her so much hassel.

Ok, let's see your autumnal projects please.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Monochrome madness

 Morning all.  Cardz4galz has a monochrome theme for today's new challenge.  Now I don't know about you but I always tend to think male cards for monochrome.  Don't know why, it's just the weird way my mind works.  As a result I half created this card and let is sit for a while. I stencilled my background with London Fog ink, just because it was on my desk and I cut two layers from an old spellbinders label set.  One in white and one in grey.  And there it sat - and continued to sit.  You nearly got it as it was. I thought about just stamping a sentiment but it seemed like a bit of a cop out.  Anyway, whilst digging through my pile of pre-printed digi stamps I came across a three layer stamp from Tiddlyinks (no longer available). It isn't a typical Tiddlyinks image and I'd forgotten all about it.

Anyway, I gave it a dusting of the same ink that I used for my background and cut them out and shaped them.  I added a sparkly gemstone brad to make it really girly and uploaded it quick before I changed my mind.

As I obviously need persuading that monochrome is for the girls, I need to see you entries for inspiration. Come on, I'm desperate.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Oh Boy!

Morning all.  We have a new letter for you over at The Alphabet Challenge today.  B is for Boy.  We'd like to see you Boy projects please.  I struggled a bit for this one as nothing came straight to mind.  I went through all the digistamps I'd got printed out (I'm determined to get rid of some of my stash during this lock down) and still didn't feel it.  I started to colour a cute car image and totally messed that up so it went in the bin and I changed tack.  I have a love/hate relationship with my Cricut Explore.  It sits on my desk and stares at me and I get the courage up to use it and something usually goes wrong.  I am a nightmare at sizing the designs.  I can't get the hang of choosing the right material or my blade will need changing or the card slips on the mat.  The list of possible disasters goes on.  I'm not sure why I decided that today would be a good day to cut a project.  Anyway, I found a background that I'd used before and I knew it would be perfect for a Tiddlyinks image that I'd got on my desk - it doesn't appear to be available any longer but she has some fun stuff in her etsy shop.

As usual I messed up the sizing so I stuck it to a card front and added a sliver of red and some more blue at the bottom to cover everything up.  I'd like to say I designed it that way 'cause I really like how it turned out.  I'd be lying though.  It's a complete fluke that it works.

OK, I obviously need more inspiration for the Boys in my life.  Let's see what you've got.

Thanks for reading and please stay safe.

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

Do it Yourself

Morning all.  I hope you are ready for a new Cardz4guyz challenge as it's my turn to pick the subject.  No pressure, but I'm expecting you all to join in.  My subject is DIY.  Couldn't be easier for a Guy card surely.

I chose to use Carpenter Joe from Tiddlyinks for my DIY cards.  I can't actually remember why I purchased this one, or if I've ever used it before.  It did fit the bill though so I'm not complaining.  I also got to use a very old spellbinders die cut sign that has been sat forever in the box.  I think it was one of my first dies when I got my old wizard years ago.  I've used the tools but never the sign.  It just goes to show, if you hang onto it long enough, it will come in handy for something.

I even went daft and splattered some paint on my background - and you all know how I hate making a mess like that.

I used a few brads in the corners and flung some card candy at it (well, the middle bit looked too empty).

Right, your turn.  Pop over and see the fabulous DT inspiration and I'm looking forward to commenting on all your entries.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

Now come on, admit it.  You sang along with the title didn't you.  Well I did when I typed it.  And that's exactly what we want you to do for this week's Cardz4guyz Challenge.  Simples, right?

There has got to be loads of scope for this challenge so you have no excuse for not joining in.  I was spoilt for choice.  I couldn't decide between seagulls, beaches, boats or fish, so I went with a lighthouse instead.  I've had this sweet digistamp from Tiddlyinks for years and I think I've only coloured it once.  It may get a few more outings as I really enjoyed colouring it.  I think, when I bought it, I was a bit daunted as I hadn't been colouring long.  I'm really chuffed with how it turned out this time.  

The backing papers were in my drawer full of scraps and I just added the clouds and the wave for a bit of detail.  Originally I added a couple of eyelets but I hated them.  No points for guessing where I left the holes when I removed them.  I don't think you can tell and I'm pleased with the result.  Please pop over and join in the fun.  The DT have some wonderful inspiration for you.

Thanks for reading.

Love Dawn x