Crafting for all Seasons #59 "Tag It"

Good morning all. Well it's back to school today here after 7 and a half weeks off!
I've had a busy couple of days making the final samples for the first wedding, hopefully I'm seeing my nephew and his intended on Monday to get everything finalised.

Younger son is off backpacking for ten days on Friday...him and his friend are flying to Krakow, staying there 3 nights then catching an overnight train to Prague. After 3 nights there they'll catch a daytime bus to Berlin where they'll have a final 3 nights before flying home again. All their accommodation in hostels and travel tickets are pre-booked so hopefully all will go well!!

Today it's time for a new challenge at CFAS and this time the theme is "Tag It". We're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by A Day for Daisies who gave the DT images to work with. 

I choose to work with Christmas Tree Fairy and coloured with promarkers before die-cutting with a Spellbinder tag. Tag has been put through a Crafts Too embossing folder which I'd inked up with various DI. Large snowflake is a Spellbinder die set, fastened with a small button brad. Ribbon, raffia, sentiments and gold snowflake are from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the girls inspiration, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Creative Craft Challenges - not a square

Deep Ocean Challenge - odd shapes

Sweet Stamps - anything goes

Crafty Boots - Christmas

Come and Get it Challenge - things with wings

Gingerloft - bright sunshine yellow

Glitter and Sparkle - anything but square

Joanna Sheen - embossing

The Hobby House - Christmas

Card Crafter's Circle - winged things

Carol x

Happy Birthday

Good morning all.

I'm off grocery shopping today...the cupboards are bare, I don't know where it all goes to!!

I had to make some quick birthday cards last week so upcycled some earlier one layer cards which I wasn't happy with.

I do like one layer cards but I like them more with layers! Stamp is from La Blanche. Ribbon and gems are from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Great Impressions - square card

Pile it On - no designer papers

Brown Sugar - green, blue and white

Paper Shelter - ribbon

Carol x

Christmas Card Club - Playing Catch Up

Good evening all. I've spent a lovely lazy day crafting and managed to do some catching up with myself and some getting ahead!!

I've missed several of the challenges at our little Christmas Card Club lately due to holidays so set to today to catch up....I have cheated a little as I've only made one card to cover three challenges!!

The first challenge was from Claire was to use pastel colours and include a circle ; next came Karen and she wanted to see an origami or teabag folded topper; finally Asha gave us the theme "Oh Carol" - your favourite festive tune....I've gone for "Let it Snow".

The teabag topper is one I have had saved for a long time but don't know where it originates from; snowflake is a Christmas tree decoration; backing paper and ribbon are from my stash; dies from Spellbinders.

Sorry my photo is a little wonky!!

You'll find the rest of the girls listed on my sidebar if you'd like to pop over and see their creations.

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything goes

Delicious Doodles - Christmas in August

Christmas Cards all Year Round - fussy and fancy

Crimbo Crackers - it's snow business

Divas by Design - Christmas

Carol x

Christmas Challenges (with sketches) #86

Good morning all. 

Sorry I've not been around, trying to catch up on the dreaded housework which was sadly neglected whilst I was busy doing wedding work - thought I'd better do something about it before I start the next lot of stationery!

I'm off to see my niece today to help get her wedding plans off the ground...she seems to know what she wants though so we should make quite a bit of headway today.

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Snow Angels to inspire you this week and Nicolet has designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by Crealing.

Stamp is from Daisy and Dandelion, stamped on to a Kraft ATC blank and coloured with promarkers then highlighted with glamour dust, stickles and a white gel pen. Papers and sentiment are all from Do Crafts Christmas in the Country collection. Dies are all Spellbinders. Snowflakes are punch waste. Lace, string, pearls and gems are from my stash.

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out

 the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:
CHNC extra - anything goes
Bearly Mine - anything goes
Holly Jolly Christmas - glitter
LEJ Designs - furry friends
Stamp & Create - glitter
CHNC - picture inspiration (shape)
Sweet Stampin - kraft
The Hobby House - Christmas
Winter Wonderland - cute Christmas
Craftin Boutique Challenges - Christmas

Carol x

Rose

Good morning all.

   Thank goodness the weather had dulled over a bit yesterday....I managed to stay indoors and get some housework done!!

A card today for a swap with the theme of roses.

Using a topper from a card I wasn't happy with, the image is a rubber stamp (but as I can't find it atm I can't tell you who it's by) which I've die cut with a scalloped nestie. The dies for the layers are from Marianne Design. Pearls and bow are from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Lady Anne's Challenge - anything goes

Loves Rubber Stamps - anything goes

ABC Challenge - monochrome

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - pink and white

Card Mania - summer blooms

Crafty Boots - die cuts

Creative Creations Challenges - monochromatic

Penny Black and More - in the garden

Totally Gorjuss - anything goes with pearls

Marianne Design Divas - layer it up

Carol x

Crafting for all Seasons #58 "Something Hidden"

Good morning all.

I'm running late today with my DT post....had an unscheduled visit down home yesterday then my EHD wouldn't play ball last night when I wanted to print off the images for my project!! Been for my annual MRI scan this morning...quite surprisingly they found a vein first time for putting the dye in and I only had one set of scans with dye rather than one with and one without so I was in and out in double quick time. They've also installed a mirror on the cage so if you open your eyes you are looking through the glass to where the technicians are instead of just seeing an enclosed space....so much better for the claustrophobia!

Today it's time for a new challenge at CFAS and this time the theme is "Something Hidden". We're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by our DT member Jani's Kreativewelt who gave the DT images to work with. 

I've made a tag card which I copied from a birthday card I received from Janneke one of my lovely team mates from CCWS. Think I need more practise but didn't have the time today.

The images are by Jani and I've coloured them digitally. Dies are from Spellbinders. Backing paper is from First Edition. Pearls, button and ribbon are from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the girls inspiration, you won't be disappointed.

I'll be back later to add some challenges, I now need to get ready to go out for lunch with a friend.

Challenges entered:

Anything Goes - coffee break or food

Papertake Weekly - anything goes

The Crazy Challenge - anything goes

Challenges 4 Everybody - anything goes

OSAAT - in the summer

Carol x

No Rest for the Wicked

Good morning all.

We've enjoyed a lovely restful three weeks away with mostly gorgeous weather but all good things must come to an end! My niece got engaged last month when she and her partner were away on holiday so I didn't find out until after we had left home so I had to spend yesterday making her a card. My sister told me she was planning a shabby chic wedding so that set the tone for the card and luckily she loved it. So I've another set of Wedding Invites to do for next summer....I've also been told by my sister I can organise the wedding as she hasn't a clue what "shabby chic" is!!

So it looks like I'm going to be a busy bee for the next year at least!

I think a trip to the supermarket is on the cards for today as the cupboards are bare!! Then I need to get some DT work done and get some birthday cards made.

Backing paper is from Crafty Individuals; bird cage and bird dies are from Ann Marie Designs; heart dies are from Spellbinders; border punch from Martha Stewart; butterfly and corner from Melissa Francis; lace, ribbon, string and button from my stash.

I'm very pleased with the final card as shabby chic isn't really my forte but this one came together quite peaceably thank goodness!

Challenges entered:

Crafty Calender - anything goes

Bastel-Traum - shabby chic/vintage

Card and Scrap - anything goes

Really Reasonable Ribbon - things with wings

Craftin Boutique - anything goes

Paper Crafting Journal - punches or die cuts

By LORi Designs - designer paper

Crafting by Designs - anything goes

Crafts and Me - anything goes

Whimsy Stamps Challenge - ribbon and lace

Die Cuttin Divas - anything goes

Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes

Through the Craftroom Door - anything goes

Fashionista Challenge - things with wings

Carol x

Christmas Crafting (with sketches) #84

Good morning all.

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Snow Angels to inspire you this week and Miranda has designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by our very own Nicole.

Stamp from Stampavie, coloured with promarkers. Dies from Spellbinders. Papers, ribbons, snowflake and sentiment from my stash.

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out

 the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:

CHNC - snow people

CHNC extra - anything goes

Carol x

Crafting for all Seasons #57 Christmas in July

Good morning all.

Hope everyone is well. We're having a great holiday between the teenage gripes! Certainly can't fault the weather we've been enjoying. We're currently in Cornwall, near St Ives and move on to Devon on Friday.

Today it's time for a new challenge at CFAS and this time the theme is "Bingo". We're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by Whoopsi Daisy who gave the DT images to work with. 

I've used my favourite snowman image from sheet #380 which I've die cut with a decorative oval die from Spellbinders. Papers, ribbon, sentiment and gems are from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the girls inspiration, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything goes

Carol x

Whoopsi Daisy - at least two dies

Good morning all.

It's time for another challenge at  Whoopsi Daisy  and this week the theme is "Use at least Two Dies" or you can do Anything Goes if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image on your project. 

I made this card for an "Elegant Chic" card swap.

Using a pre-coloured image from sheet #460. Dies are all Spellbinders. Papers, ribbon and pearls from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from the rest of the team and remember if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image you could win 2 image sheets, 1 sheet will be awarded to a winner using any other image.

Carol x

Christmas Crafting (with sketches) #82

Good morning all.

Gosh I hate blogging on my IPad!!
We're in West Wales at the moment. We had some difficulty on Monday trying to find our property but made it eventually! It's fabulous here, as is the weather - so peaceful and quiet.

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Snow Angels to inspire you this week and Janneke has designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by our very own Nicole.

I

Stamp is from Stampavie and has been coloured with promarkers and glittered with Glamour Dust. Dies from Spellbinders. Papers are layered digitally in Craft Artist and are from a Daisytrail kit called Festive Cookies. Pearls and sentiment are from my stash.

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out

 the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:
CHNC Extra - anything goes
Christmas at Sweet Stampin - snowmen

Always Something Creative - Christmas in July

The Stamp Spot - Christmas in July (C5)
Cut it Up - Christmas in July

Carol x

Whoopsi Daisy Use Markers

Good morning all.

It's time for another challenge at  Whoopsi Daisy  and this week the theme is "Use Markers" or you can do Anything Goes if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image on your project. 

The digital image was one of Linnie's freebies which was offered recently. I've printed it several times, coloured with promarkers and layered it up to give it some dimension. Dies are from Spellbinders. Paper is from Wild Rose Studio. Hearts are from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from the rest of the team and remember if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image you could win 2 image sheets, 1 sheet will be awarded to a winner using any other image.

Challenges entered:

Party Time Tuesdays - things with wings

Creative Corner - anything goes

Digitally Sweet - anything goes with bright colours

Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes

Totally Papercrafts - things with wings

Aud Sentiments - two word sentiment

Southern Girls - no spoolin

Little Claire's - wedding/anniversary

Carol x

Proud Parents

Good morning all.
We had slightly cooler day here yesterday which was something of a relief after the scorching heat on Friday. 

A final page from the wedding album to share with you before we head off on holiday. We've to take the dog to the kennels at 10am, pack the truck and it's off over to the Lake District for the night before heading down to Wales tomorrow. So looking forward to the rest.

Created in Craft Artist using Peaches and Cream from My Memories alongwith a mask from Daisytrail "Dates and Photo Masks" CD.

This is my sister and her husband outside the church before the wedding. Diane looked stunning in her black and ivory outfit and coordinated perfectly with the men's suits.

I'm hoping to have internet access most of the time we're away so will probably be popping by occasionally and I have a few scheduled posts ready to go.

Take care and stay well while I'm gone.

Challenges entered:

Our Creative Corner - captured memories

Carol x

You Make a Lovely Couple

Good morning all. 

Isn't this weather glorious, long may it last although we could do with a little cooling rain overnight!
I'm off to the hairdresser's this morning then we have to pop down to see my FIL this afternoon as it's his birthday. I'm also going to take down to my nephew what will hopefully be the final sample for the next set of wedding invites.

Another scrap book page for the wedding album to share today.

Created in Craft Artist using Peaches and Cream from My Memories and Frames and Borders which I won recently from Craft Artist. The photos include a couple of out takes!

Challenges entered:

Little Red Wagon - monochrome

Bearly Mine - summer weddings

Can You Digi It - summer smiles

Our Daily Bread - love, wedding or anniversary

The Cheerful Stamp Pad - you make a lovely couple

Carol x

Amethyst

Good morning all.

It's a hive of activity here as we get ready to go away at the weekend!! Having just checked the long range weather forecast we appear to be going to head out of some unsettled weather here in the north to  good weather in the south...hopefully the weathermen are right this time!

Sharing today a birthday card I made for a friend a couple of weeks ago.

Image and paper from Kraftyhands. Dies from Spellbinders. Pearls, doiley and sentiment from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Crafts and Me - anything goes

The Paper Shelter - swirly girly

A Little Bit Crafty - dieing for it

Emma's Crafty Challenge - lace and pearls

Oozak - anything goes with a girly theme

Carol x

Favours

Good morning all.

I had a very successful day shopping yesterday and got my entire outfit bought at the same shop I got the last one, so that's me all sorted again :)

Sharing today the wedding favours which had the place names attached to them.

The favours were glass coasters with space for a photograph and there was a photo booth present on the evening which you could have a daft photo taken in.

Carol x

Crafting for all Seasons #56 Bingo

Good morning all.
I've finally caught up with the washing and at least I got most of it dried outdoors. I'm off out wedding outfit shopping today with my sister...I saw something nice a while ago so I'm going to try it on if they still have it in stock....if not I'll just have to scour the rails!

Today it's time for a new challenge at CFAS and this time the theme is "Bingo". We're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by Bugaboo who gave the DT images to work with. 

Image is Kidz Girl Hot Air Balloon which I've coloured with promarkers. Dies are from Spellbinders. Papers are a magazine freebie which I've had for ages. The dark blue base card is from Anne Marie Designs and I've used the same card for matting the layers. Gems are from my stash....I have straightened the top left ones!!

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the girls inspiration, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Creative Card Crew - the great outdoors

Paper Minutes - anything goes

Through the Craftroom Door - anything goes

Use it Tuesday - birthday (hoarded item - papers)

Digi Makeover - anything goes

Make My Monday - balloons

Carol x

Oh what a beautiful day

Good morning all. I hope you've enjoyed a very sunny weekend.

We had an absolutely fabulous day on Saturday at Stephen and Gemma's wedding...woke up to gorgeous sunny weather which set the tone for the rest of the day. The bride was late.....the wedding car broke down 5 minutes into their journey and they had to call a taxi to take them the rest of the way, much to her and her father's amusement. I don't think it did anything for the groom's nerves though! The service was beautiful with Gemma emitting an uncontrolled giggle whilst saying her vows. The venue at Alnwick Gardens looked fabulous in the sunshine and we had a superb afternoon and evening.

They had a sweepstake on the speeches, there were four in total - the Bride's father, Groom's father, Groom and Best Man. All four were very eloquent and they ran for just over 50 minutes from beginning to end!! 

Stephen managed to reduce me to tears though...he started by saying he had along list of people to thank - I was top of that list (which set me off straight away!), after thanking me profusely, complimenting me on my obvious patience and work I'd done he stopped and looked down at his notes again (that's it thought I next one's turn and started to compose myself!) when he looked up he proceeded to say how he'd not really known me very well before the wedding plans, with me living so far away but how great it had been spending time with me and getting to know me again...by the time he'd finished I was a gibbering wreck along with Gemma and most of my family! I then had to get up to go and collect a pressie from them, by this time the  tears were streaming uncontrollably and Stephen's mates (all Newcastle supporters) were apparently chanting "There's only one Aunty Carol". My brother came soon after on the list and he was preparing to stand up and say you'd better not make me cry when he did precisely that so he ended up in only a marginally better condition than me which of course had the effect of setting me off again!! Luckily my mascara was fully waterproof!!

Any way enough waffle, last night I just had to start scrapping some of the photos I'd taken and some which were being shared on Facebook.

Created in Craft Artist using a kit called Peaches and Cream which I got from My Memories, perfect for the album as these were the wedding colours.

The large photo is my Mum, me, two of my sister's, my niece and our other halves plus my eldest as we congregated to go to the church. From the left the smaller photos are me, hubby and son; Stephen (groom) and his two brothers; my brother and his wife; and my sister and her hubby (mother of the groom) who looked stunning in her black and ivory outfit.

This is obviously the happy couple taken at Alnwick Gardens by another guest. Gemma's dress was gorgeous and the men all looked so smart in their suits.

The night ended on a rather funny note for the groom's two brother's and their partner's who headed back to Wooler after the do to stay at the family home. My sister had given one of the girls the key to get in as neither of the boys had a key with them.....when they got there it was the wrong key...luckily it opened the garage door though and they managed to get a set of ladders to reach Christopher's bedroom window which had been left open....Graham being the skinnier of the two was elected to climb the ladder and Christopher took this brilliant shot!!

Luckily we've got it all to do again in February when the next one gets married .......which means I've got to try to get a final design done for the invites this week before we head off on holiday...happy days ahead :)

Challenges entered:

Lasting Memories - precious family

CRAFT - here comes the bride

Carol x

Happy Wedding

Good morning all.
I'm all packed ready to head down home so I can hand over the table plan today. Hoping to have a meal out tonight with my niece and one of my sisters then we'll meet up with the groom to be and help him celebrate his last night of being a singleton.....not sure that's such a good idea actually!! Hubby and son will join me tomorrow in time to get dressed for the wedding service.

Guess who came home yesterday and nearly ruined their pedicure kneeling down to wrap a wedding present up...yes that would be me. Both big toes were smudged although I managed to repair one, the other I had to completely re-do....didn't have any of the sparkly varnish to finish it off though so sprinkled some Glamour Dust on instead - it did the trick thank goodness, panic over!!

Sharing the wedding card with you today. I've made it fairly plain and simple using the same stash as I used for the wedding stationery.

Stamp is from Kodomo Inc and I've stamped in DI embossing ink and heat embossed with Detail Silver EP. Border punch is from Martha Stewart. Ribbons, pearls and gems were all from my stash.

The inside has been done to complement the front.

Enjoy your weekend whatever you're up to and here's hoping the weathermen have got the forecast right! I'll catch you all again on Sunday or Monday when I come back down to earth with a bump!

Challenges entered:

House that Stamps Built - monochrome

Lady Anne's Stamp Challenge - anything goes

Creative Card Crew - no designer papers

Loves Rubber Stamps - anything goes

Through the Craftroom Door - anything goes

Craft-Dee BowZ - anything goes with a bow

Fashionista Challenge - wedding or birthday

My Craft Creations - special occasions

Bearly Mine - anything goes

Carol x

Table Plan

Good morning all.

I'm off to have my nails done this afternoon and a bit of waxing!! I'm so looking forward to Saturday now that it's nearly upon us, the weather is looking perfect too.

I finally managed to get the table plan finished yesterday along with their wedding card and some samples for the next wedding in February.

Not the best photo with all the glare off the mirri card but I'm quite pleased how it turned out. The frame is an up-cycled white board which hubby spray painted silver for me. The bride and groom are expecting it just to be made of card, I do hope they like what I've done!

Challenges entered:

LEJ Designs - recycle, up-cycle or use household items

Carol x

Christmas Crafting with Sketches #80

Good morning all.

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Snow Angels to inspire you this week and Diana has designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by Scrap It & Wrap It.

Image is from Anita's Stamps and I've stamped with DI embossing ink and embossed with Verdigris Sprinkle and Sparkle EP before colouring with promarkers and adding Glamour Dust. Dies from Spellbinders. Papers are from My Minds Eye and were a magazine freebie. Brads, poinsettias and tartan bow are from my stash.

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out

 the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:
Amusing Challenges - anything goes
The Glory of Christmas Challenge - song inspired (Oh Christmas Tree)
The Squirrel and the Fox - Christmas in July
Christmas Card Challenges - anything goes
Card Mania - Christmas in July
Merry Monday - anything Christmas goes
Stamp and Create - Christmas in July
Sparkles Forum Christmas - Christmas trees
Holly Jolly Christmas - use something new (stamp)
CHNC Extra - anything goes

Carol x

Forever Friends

Good morning all.

We had a lovely relaxing day yesterday at the spa and all enjoyed our chosen treatments, a tasty three course lunch and a sisterly catch up...we really should do it more often.

My card today was made last week as it was the bride to be's birthday.

The decoupaged image is from the Black and Gold Forever Friends Collection, backing card is Kraft Core from Tim Holz, embossing folder is from Couture Creations, dies from Spellbinders, ribbon and gems from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Created with Love - for the girls

Love to Scrap - anything goes

Challenges 4 Everybody - anything goes

The ABC Challenge - Q for quite a few (layers)

A Little bit Crafty - die-ing for it

Carol x

Whoopsi Daisy - Girly

Good morning all.

I'm off for a spa day with my sisters and sister in law today, looking forward to a  Full Body Exfoliation and a Hot Stone Massage along with a good catch up and some relaxation...bliss!

It's time for another challenge at  Whoopsi Daisy  and this week the theme is "Make it Girly" or you can do Anything Goes if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image on your project. 

I've used an image from the Daisy & Friends at Christmas to make a birthday card. Dies are from Spellbinders. I printed the image several times and decoupaged it. Card is finished with a sentiment and some gems from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from the rest of the team and remember if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image you could win 2 image sheets, 1 sheet will be awarded to a winner using any other image.

Challenges entered:

Hiding in my Craftroom - freestyle

Paper Crafting Journey - anything but square

Whimsy Stamps Challenge - shaped cards

Crafty Boots - anything but square

Creative Creations - shaped cards

My Sheri Crafts - birthday

Joanna Sheen - don't be square

Carol x