Shades of the same colour - CraftyHands DT

Hi all!

It's time for a new challenge over at CraftyHands, and the theme is "Shades of the same colour".

I bet you all know exactly what you're going to see next... Did you think LOTV in shades of brown? You'd be right, lol.

The image is of course one of the mini masterpieces, and the papers are Prima and a piece cut from a calendar that came with a craft mag last year! Flowers of course from WOC, and ribbons and pearls from my stash.

I do love the monochrome theme, and one of these days I might even go with a different colour... maybe! lol.

Now, if you hop on over to the CraftyHands blog, you can check out the rest of the teamie's creations, and then enter something of your own. You may even win this prize:

Hope to see you there!

Hugs,

Sammy-x

Valentines/Love - MilkCoffee DT

Good morning everyone!

This morning I'm sharing my DT project for the new MilkCoffee challenge with you. The theme is Valentines/Love  and to celebrate this, there are two gorgeous new digis available in the shop... They are aptly called "Romeo" and "Juliet".

Now, my project comes with a little bit of a back story...

For Christmas I gave my husband a present with a twist... 12 Pre-paid and pre-planned dates. One for each month of this year. I spent most of last year secretly saving and planning, and now that I'm finally starting to hand him envelopes on the first of each month containing the details of that month's date, some thought must go into the presentation, of course!

Now, February is of course Valentines, and for our date this month I booked us a table at a lovely restaurant, and I have the money put aside to pay for the meal. However, it seemed a bit naff to just shove a wad of cash into an envelope, so instead I decided to use these gorgeous new MilkCoffee digis and I made a money holder!

I tried to model them on hubby and me (meaning, they have similar hair colour, only her hair is far prettier than mine!).

The paper is course is from LOTV's "Antebellum" pad.

And a peek at the inside... Look, I even used a velcro dot to keep it shut!

So there you have it. My valentine's project. Now, my fellow teamies have produced some incredible works of art, so I strongly suggest you go and see for yourself. And while you're there, I hope you'll be inspired to create something "love"-ly of your own!

Wishing you a fantabulous day!

Sammy-x

Rhedd & Rosie's DT - Anything goes and some exciting news!

Good morning everyone!

Before I show you my Rhedd and Rosie's DT piece for this fortnight, I have something really exciting to announce!

Sandie, our intrepid leader over at Rhedd and Rosie's, is starting a new altered art challenge blog called "Rhedd's Creative Spirit", and she has asked me to be on the design team!

This will be an "anything goes" altered art challenge that runs monthly and awards some really awesome prizes! I for one am super excited to be a part of this, and I hope you'll all come and play along! The first challenge goes live on the 1st of Feb, so watch this space!

But in the meantime, you can play along with Rhedd and Rosie's challenge this fortnight, which is Anything Goes! So again, No excuse for not coming to play!

The prize this time is a $10 voucher for Stichy Bear's digi Outlet, and they gave us some fab images to play with! I chose the image "new jeans", and this is what I came up with:

I used Prima papers (mounted on ivory pearlescent card), and went to town with my distressing tool and my white gel pen to add faux stitching. The flowers are from WOC and the seam binding is from The Ribbon Girl. Lace and pearls from my stash, and of course the obligatory Stickles and my new love, liquid pearls.

And now it's your turn, but first, you must go see what my fellow teamies have been up to, because they're such an incredibly talented bunch!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Incy Wincy - ribbon and pearls
The ribbon Girl - anything goes
Craft-Dee BowZ - Anything goes with a handmade bow

Have a fabulous day!

Sammy-x

In stitches! - Sweet Stampin' DT

Good morning everyone!

Remember to go here for my candy and/or challenge! (photo of the first part of the candy coming later today!)

And now on to my Sweet Stampin' DT creation for this week. It's Team Fi's turn, and we're following the theme In stitches.

Now, those of you that have paid close attention to my blog know I don't do sewing machines, so for me this meant faux stitches! And it just so happens I have the LOTV "Little stitches" set! I used not one, not two, but three different ones on this card!

As you can see, I used a Magnolia stamp (Oh my! Yes, really, I do own stamps other than LOTV!) and I teamed it up with Papermania "Ahoy There" papers. Add some twine, blooms, gems, charms, brads and a sea shell, and this is the result! (I'm kinda fond of the whole nautical theme... And this is one of only 2 paper pads I have in two separate sizes!)

So there you have it. And if you'd like to be in the running to win our weekly prize, which this week is from Di's Digis, or our monthly prize from Cuddly Buddly, then make sure you enter something that corresponds with the theme, and remember... It must include stamping! (rubber or digital)

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Simon says stamp - "A" is for... Ahoy!
Bunny Zoe's crafts - Stitching
Crafting when we can - Challenge 61 (1 image, 2 twine, red, white and blue colour scheme)

Have a fabulous day my dears.

Sammy-x

The Crafting Cafe DT - Anything goes

Hi all,

First of all, you all still need to go and enter my candy! And/or join in the challenge! All the details are here.

This morning I'd like to share my DT project for this month's The Crafting Cafe challenge.
The theme is Anything Goes, so once again you've NO excuse to not join in the fun!

For my card, I used the digi "Umbrella Whimsy 2" from The Stamping Boutique.

The paper is from the Prima "En Francais" pad, as are the large ticket I mounted the image on, and the two little tags. I also used dark brown card, lace and pearls from my stash.

Now I'd love to see what pretties you will create and link up!

Have a fabulous day!

Sammy-x

Crafting with Dragonflies DT - Anything goes!

Gooood morning blogland!

First of all, thank you so much to all of you that have commented on Kayleigh's first digi. She's super thrilled with all your lovely comments and really excited to see what people will make with it!

If you haven't joined the candy and/or challenge yet, you can find it here.

And now, on to my first Crafting with Dragonflies DT post of 2014! We had an extended break over the Christmas period, but we're back, and ready to ease you all back in gently with an easy "Anything Goes" challenge.

And if anything indeed goes, is it going to take a lot of figuring out what you might find on my card? No, thought not.

I used the stamp "Party Girl" from Lili of the Valley and teamed her up with their "Always and Forever" papers.

Isn't she just adorable?

I also used flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, a couple of pins, and some cheesecloth, lace, pearls and liquid pearls to add texture. The balloon is completely covered with Glossy Accents, though it doesn't show in this photo (I was having soooo much lighting trouble, so sorry the picture isn't great).
You know, I just realised that there are no Stickles anywhere on this card! I assure you all, I am feeling fine! Not sure what happened there! Hehe...

So, now it's time to pop on over to the Crafting with Dragonflies blog, so you can see what my fellow Dragonflies have been up to, before linking your own creation...

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

LOTV Ideas to Inspire - anything goes (3rd entry)
One Crazy Stamper - anything goes
Natalie and Amy's - for the girlies (2nd entry)
Passion for Promarkers - Ribbon, lace or twine
Challenges 4 everybody - anything goes
Great impressions - Use something new (stamp, papers and liquid pearls for starters!)

I hope you all have the most wonderful day!

Sammy-x

Digi freebie, special challenge and CANDY!!!

Hello my dears,

By now, most of you will know that my little girl (who is not so little any more!) is a bit of an artist. well, after some prodding by myself and one or two bloggy friends (you know who you are...), she has designed her very first digi stamp, which she wants to offer up to you all as a freebie. All she asks is that you credit her (Kayleigh at Mad Hatter designs) if you do.

So without further ado... Meet Neko:

"Neko" is, according to my Japanese-loving daughter, Japanese for "Cat", so she decided it would be an apt name.

Now, I mentioned a special challenge and a candy draw, didn't I?
Entering is simple... If you want to be in for a chance to win my candy (full contents to follow, but there will be several stamps - including LOTV - paper, washi tape and more!), just pop your details into the linky below, and link to your blog, not an individual post.

The candy:

However... If you would also like to be included in a special draw to win a £10 voucher (or equivalent in other currency) to a crafty shop of your choice, we would like to challenge you to make a card using the Neko digi, and link that up too, linking to the actual post.

So, there are two chances to win. One for the candy, and one as a special one-off challenge (because Kayleigh would be completely over the moon if people were to make something with her digi!). You can enter either one, or both if you want.
The rules are simple! Anyone can play along (even if you won something recently. Please don't let that stop you!), and though we'd appreciate it if you are or become a follower of our blogs, it's not essential. In addition, we would be so very happy if you could help spread the word, so we can get a few entries!
NO candy only blogs please, and while you are very welcome to link up as many projects as you want, you'll only get one entry into the draw.

This challenge/candy will run until my birthday, which is the 17th of February!

Now, no challenge is complete without some DT work, right? So here is Kayleigh's first ever DT creation...

And here is mine:

Your turn! ;-)

Have a fabulous day everyone!

A lovely day for Lili...

Hi all,

After spending the past few weeks trying to get ahead with DT makes, I decided to take a little time out to simply make something for fun! And what better to do this with than a new (to me) Lili of the Valley image!

I chose "Blossom", which I picked up last week, and chose some more of the First Edition "Spring feast" paper, some core'dinations cardstock, and some mint green flowery paper from Prima.

I added in some Papermania blooms, some satin ribbon, gems, liquid pearls and gold Stickles. And of course a LOTV sentiment. And there we go! Fairly simple, but I just adore the peach/mint green/lavender colour combo!

Most importantly of all, I really enjoyed making this one!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

LOTV Ideas to inspire - anything goes (2nd entry)
Graph'it challenge - Anything goes/spring lilacs 
Aud sentiments - any sentiment
Crafting by designs - Anything goes

Hope you're all having a fabulous weekend!

Hugs,

Sammy-x

DT call at Sweet Stampin' !

Hi all,

Before I disappear off to bed, I just wanted to let you all know we're having a DT call over at Sweet Stampin' . So, if you fancy joining a fabulous team of only slightly mad individuals, and you love rubber or digital stamping, then this is your chance!
Pop on over to the Sweet Stampin' blog for the details on how to apply.

Sweet dreams my dears,

Sammy-x

Put a tag on it - CraftyHands DT

Good morning bloggers!

It's another Friday, and once again time for a new challenge at CraftyHands! The theme this fortnight is Put a tag on it, which is easy peasy, no? Just to clarify, we're looking for a tag on your creation. Not just a tag in itself!

I took the opportunity to have a play with a recent LOTV purchase, and a First Edition paper pad I'd not had a lot of chance to play with yet. These papers ( the Spring Feast pad) are so very delicious, expect to see a lot more of them!

Anyways, here it is:

The tags were also in the paper pad. The flowers are The Hobby House (roses) and WOC (everything else). I didn't have pearls in the colour I wanted (I'm pretty sure that particular shade doesn't exist, lol), so I used the same Promarker that I used for the main green parts in the image to colour them in. Throw in a bit of lace, some liquid pearls, Stickles and a heart embellishment, et voilà.

This is one of those cards that has kinda snuck up on me. When I first finished it, I really didn't like it. No idea why, I just didn't. It was late, so I went to bed and left it on my desk. The following day I kept glancing over at it, thinking I ought to decide whether to photograph it, or start again. It grew on me. Now, it is actually one of my favourite makes this month! It just goes to show... sometimes first impressions aren't everything, lol. The Apple cider / Soft peach colour combo seems to have gotten under my skin, and I'm constantly having to stop myself using those same colours on everything!

Oh well, enough from me anyways, it's your turn! How would you like to have a chance to win this scrummy paper pad?

I know I'd love it! But I shall simply have to live vicariously through one of you instead! What are you waiting for? Go see what the rest of the DT have cooked up for you, then join in the fun with a creation of your own!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

LOTV Ideas to inspire - Anything goes
Sassy Studio Designs - Shabby chic or vintage
Crafty girls - Anything goes
Paper Crafting journey - vintage/distressed/shabby chic
Penny's paper-crafty - Embellishments
Sparkles monthly challenge - Show us your new stash (stamp and papers, amongst other things!)

Be excellent to one and other!

Sammy-x

Monochrome - Milk Coffee DT

Good morning my darlings,

It's that time again, where I get to share the latest of my Milk Coffee DT makes with you! And this fortnight, the theme is Monochrome.

Now, I love making monochrome cards, but I do seem to always end up reverting to the same colour palette. Hey, it works, and I like it, so it's all good, no?

Anyways, I used the image "Vintage Baby Carriage", pulled out a lovely vintage sheet of paper from Crafty Bitz and came up with this design:

I also used some WOC flowers, liquid pearls and pearls from Hobby House and made up the word "baby" with letter stickers from Grace Taylor (finally figured out where they were from!). The lace I've had for quite a long time and came from a local habby.

So, there you have my monochrome make. Be sure to go see the rest of the DT's makes, as they have prepared some gorgeous examples for you in so many lovely colours!

Hope you'll join us this challenge!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Paper pretties: Monochromatic
Country view crafts - Monochrome
Digi Galore - Monochrome
Fussy and Fancy Friday challenge - Monochromatic

Have a fantastic day!

Sammy-x

No white! - Rhedd & Rosie's DT

Good morning bloggers!

I've got something different for you today... I made a tag! The theme over at Rhedd & Rosie's this fortnight is No White, which it turns out is actually easier said than done!
I managed it in the end though :-)

The background paper is from the Prima "Delight" pad, and is in fact a pale pink, just in case you were wondering why  it looks white, lol. The picture of the girl was cut from the same pad. The roses are Hobby House, seam binding from The Ribbon Girl (Who, by the way, are having another fabulous giveaway over on their challenge blog!) and a Papermania eyelet. Finally, the sentiment was made up with some letter stickers. Unfortunately I can't remember where I got them from!

I quite enjoyed making this! I normally prefer making mini cards for tags to put on gifts, but this made a nice change. I did find I had to ink the edges (with Tattered Rose distress ink), in order for it to work, but either way I'm quite pleased. And, apart from the creamy yellow roses, the WHOLE thing is pink! (I feel I should apologise to Susan... lol)

Anyways, it's your turn to make us something without white in it! There's plenty more DT inspiration over on the blog if you get stuck for ideas, and look at the fabulous prize you could win!

I totally wish I could enter myself!

Over to you guys!

I'd like to enter this tag into the following challenges:

Inky chicks - Anything goes

Lexi's creations - Anything goes

All crafts challenge - Anything goes (no cards)

The Hobby House - Ribbon

In the Pink - Anything goes

Have a great one!

Sammy-x

New James!

Howdy folks,

I know, I know... I am awol for a bit, then suddenly two posts in one day! lol.

But I *had* to come and share my make with one of the brand new James the Bear stamps I picked up at the LOTV shop this morning. As a matter of fact, yes I did get one of each of the new James ones... And if that surprises you, you're obviously new to my blog! lol.
I also picked up some more mini ring binders for my stamps, as I've far more than fit in the ones I have!

So, after I got back, I set to decorating a binder for my animal stamps, with one of my new purchases on the front. I decided to go with the adorable "James laptop"...

And here he is:

Isn't he the second most adorable bear ever? (The most adorable being my baby bear, who escorted me to the shop this morning, but elected to wait in the car with his dad, lol)

And now I'd love to go make stuff with the rest, but I have stuff that unfortunately needs to get done first!

Oh, and I also picked up an extra James stamp, which I will be offering up as part of a candy for my birthday next month! Watch this space!

Have the very best of days!

Sammy-x

Girlie but no pink - Sweet Stampin' DT

Goooood morning all!

By the time you're reading this, I shall probably be getting ready for my monthly pilgrimage to the LOTV shop. I shall be worshipping at the altar of cuteness, and will refuse to come home without a new James or six two to accompany me... ;-)

In the meantime, I have for you all my DT card for this week's Sweet Stampin' challenge. The theme this week is Girlie but no pink. Now, I've been on a bit of a pink spree recently, but there's not a scrap of it to be found here!

The image I used is "A Special Gift", which I coloured with Promarkers, and I used one of the "Handwritten Phrases" for a sentiment. Isn't she sweet? I loved her shoes, which I decided had to be the black lacquer type ones that every little girl desperately wants (including me when I was that kind of age, and I've never been a shoe person! lol), so I covered them in glossy accents. The dress of course has been liberally attacked with stickles.
The gem dots I got from My Mum's Craft shop, and they're brilliant! I really want to get some more, but they're out of stock! *sob*
Now, silly me, I didn't do my blog post as soon as I'd finished the card, so I can't for the life of me remember where the papers are from! I'm tempted to say they were magazine freebies, but if you recognise them, holler!

Anyways, I know you all want to join in and have a chance at winning our weekly £10 voucher for The Ribbon Girl

And the monthly £10 from Cuddly Buddly!

So I'll let you go now to check out what the rest of the DT have been up to, and I look forward to seeing your entries!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Pea Stampers - Anything goes
Delightful Challenges - Patterned paper
Crafty Girls Challenges - Anything goes
Sister act - Anything goes (#39)
Tando Creative - Bold and Bright

Have a fabby day, see you all when I get back from my favourite shop! :-)

Sammy-x

MIA...

Hi all,

Sorry I've not been around much. Between Blogger playing silly b*ggers and Mr. Mojo finally making an appearance for the first time since before Christmas, I've not been able to do much blogging or commenting these past few days!

I've made a heap of cards and other items the past couple of days, but can't show any of them yet, as they're DT work, but watch this space!

In the meantime, I suggest you all go have a looksee at the new challenge blog for The Ribbon Girl, as they're having another fab giveaway!

Promise I'll be back properly asap!

Have a fantabulous day!

Sammy-x

CraftyHands DT - Anything goes!

Goooood morning Blogland!

I'm really, really excited to be able to share my DT project for CraftyHands with you today.

The theme is Anything Goes, so you all have no excuse for not joining in! For my project, I decided to take the "anything goes" literally, and do something very much not card-like... I decorated a wooden box! It's my first attempt at such, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

It was a great opportunity to break out the Chalk paints I bought a couple of months ago, and have a play with those, so that's exactly what I did. As the paints I have are off-white and pink, that rather dictated the colour of the project! Anyways, here we go:

I decided to go with a shabby chic feel, as that went well with the colours, and of course used a Lili of the Valley image (coloured with Promarkers). I used a selection of dies from Spellbinders, La-La Land and Memory Box, Two different types of lace (one from Hobbycraft, the other from a local Habby's...). There's also seam binding and charms from the Ribbon Girl, and the flowers are mostly WOC, except for the pink felt ones, which I got from The Works. Oh, and let's not forget the cheese cloth! (picked that up at the LOTV shop!)

Naturally, there's a whole heap of Stickles and liquid pearls too (my first project with liquid pearls... Now I understand what the fuss is about!).

In this last image, you get a slightly better look at some of the details... As you can see if you enlarge the image, I first painted the box in the off-white, and then roughly went over it with pink. The majority of the box became pink, but there are some areas (like the top right corner) where some of the white still comes through. I also sanded the edges, in some places right back to the wood, though this isn't really visible, as I then went and covered it all in lace, lol.

So there you have my project. A shabby chic keepsake box. And now I strongly urge you to go see what the rest of the team have come up with, as they have put together some incredible creations!
And then come join in the fun, you have no excuse not to, and you'll have the chance to win this lovely prize:

See you there!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

LOTV Ideas to Inspire - anything but a card
Heck of a challenge - New  (the lace on the lid, the liquid pearls, the felt flowers and the Memory box dies are all new stash!)
Altered Eclectics - Anything goes
C.R.A.F.T challenge - anything goes
Crafty Creations - anything goes



Sammy-x

There's a moose loose...

Hi all,

No card, but just swinging by to let you know my daughter Kayleigh has now set up her very own blog! Please, do feel free to go take a peek and I know she'd be really pleased to get some followers besides her mum! lol.

See you all in the morning with my CraftyHands DT project! So excited I'll be able to share this one with you all!

Hugs,

Sammy-x

Milk Coffee DT - Celebrations

Hello all,

Hope 2014 is treating you well so far!

First of all, go check out the Ribbon Girl Challenge Blog... They have a fab new givaway! I just adore The Ribbon Girl! don't you?

It's time for the first Milk Coffee challenge of the year, and the theme is Celebrations.

I chose to use the gorgeous image "Tiffany Partying", and figured she needed a Little Black Dress to chime in the new year with... Ok, so the dress isn't exactly little, but you get the idea... I decided to go with a relatively "less is more" approach in terms of embellishments to try and give it an elegant feel.

After colouring her with my Promarkers, I thought the dress could do with jazzing up a little. So out came the Stardust Stickles (yes, as a matter of fact I do seem to use this on everything, lol). Her shoes are covered in glossy accents too, as is the glass, of course.

And this is what the dress looks like at an angle:

The paper and the gemstone letters came from The Works, the ribbon, brad and gems are from my stash.
The black mat is glittered card from Dovecraft. Trust me when I say the whole thing shimmers and sparkles in person!

So, after you've all been to see what my fellow teamies have prepared for you, you can come and join in the fun, no? Yes. And remember we love it if you use a Milk Coffee image, even though it's not essential.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

A Little Bit Crafty - Celebrate
Digi galore - Girly
Natalie and Amy's - One for the girlies
Party time Tuesdays - Party #153
Sparkle N Sprinkle - January challenge

Have a fabby day my dears,

Sammy-x

Going dotty! - Rhedd and Rosie's DT

Hi all,

Happy new year! It is 2014, which is of course one year more fabulous than 2013! I'm so looking forward to a fantastic year filled with crafty goodness!

Anyways, for the first creative sample of the new year, I have my Rhedd and Rosie's DT creation to share with you. The theme this week is Going Dotty, and I decided to go the non-card route with this one.
I know! Straight off the block with a non-card project... I wonder what this will spell for the rest of the year?

Well, here it is:

I took a pair of MDF hearts and covered them in spotty paper before sanding the edges down and applying vintage photo distress ink.

The flowers are WOC, though the trio of small ones started their life off yellow... I gave them the vintage photo distress treatment too, and love how it turned out.

This creation is currently hanging in my kitchen, and has already received much admiration for my daughter. Well, you know teenage girls and hearts! lol.

So, how about you? I'm sure you're all a bit dotty too... wink. So why not join in the fun at Rhedd and Rosie's and make us something to suit?

I'd like to enter this creation into the following challenges:

Altered Eclectics - Alter Something

All crafts Challenge - anything but a card

Have a fabby day folks!

Sammy-x