Crafty Ann's #73 Turquoise/Aqua plus Purple/Lilac

It's time for another challenge at Crafty Ann's and we have a choice for you this time - either a monochrome card in shades of turquoise/aqua, or lilac/purple or you can do a duotone card using both of these colour palettes. These colours only please, this isn't a general monochrome challenge." . I've chosen to do a layout.

The papers and elements are a mix from Imperial Purple, Tempting Turquoise and the Pretty in Pink scrap kits which are all available from  Crafty Ann's Digi Shop. The photos were taken on holiday 16 years ago when the boys were just 5 and 3. Gary spent two whole weeks snorkelling - he hates water now! We always laugh when we see him in his first pair of glasses though, they were real Dennis Taylor ones (only those of a certain age will know what I mean lol ).

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see Ann and the teams creations, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

OLLCB - all at sea

The Crazy Challenge - anything goes

Challenges 4 Everybody - anything goes

Opus Gluei - me and my camera

Creative Mondays - kids

Carol x

Aud Sentiments #62 Christmas/Holiday sentiment

Our next challenge over at Aud Sentiments is to use a Christmas or holiday sentiment.  We're being sponsored by Robyn's Fetish. The DT were given images to work with.

I've chosen to make a gift bag with my fabulous snowman image. I've coloured him with promarkers and fussy cut with a Spellbinders circle die and matted onto a scalloped circle. Papers are from Wild Rose Studio, sentiment from LOTV, snowflake border punch from Martha Stewart and ribbon from my stash. I've finished off with some stickles.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see my team mates take on this challenge, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

A&T Emerald Faeries - punches and dies

LEJ Designs - anything goes

ClearlyiStamp - circles

I love Promarkers - anything goes

Carol x

Christmas Challenges (with sketches) #39

 It's time for our next 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 Snow Angels turn this week and Nicolet has designed the sketch this time. We are being sponsored by Crealies.

The image has been stamped with versamark and embossed with detail silver EP then coloured with promarkers and highlighted with stickles. Dies are from Spellbinders, embossing folder from Cuttlebug. Ribbon and sentiment from my stash.

I'm still struggling with my mojo but luckily Nicolets' sketch was very easy to work with.

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:

Craft your Passion - emboss it

Tammy's Scrapin Corner - lots of layers

The Crazy Challenge - anything goes

Totally Stampalicious - anything goes

Secret Crafter - white on white

Crafty Catz - ribbons and bows

Creative Card Crew - Christmas

Bearly Mine - anything that glitters

Carol x

Christmas Card Club - four small cards/tags

Good evening all, hope you've enjoyed your Bank holiday weekend. Today has been an absolute washout here!

My mojo is still running amok elsewhere so I'm running behind with my Christmas Card Club project. It was Debi's turn to choose the theme and she asked us to make 4 small cards or gift tags. I've chosen to do gift tags.

Using my Spellbinders baubles dies, some snippets and some of last years Christmas cards along with some ribbon and bows. It's ages since I've been to the playground to join Di and the other snippet ladies so I'm taking this opportunity to remedy that.....pity everything is so wet though!

You'll find the links to the other girls in my sidebar if you'd like to pop over and see their creations.

Challenges entered:

Pixie's Crafty Snippets - #35

Robyn's Fetish - anything but a card

Allsorts - it's a gift

Challenge up your Life - Christmas in summer

Moving along with the Times - shape up

Carol x

Mongol Rally Montage

Good evening all. Not being a very good blogger at the moment I'm afraid. My mojo has taken a hike somewhere, I know not where!

I've been having a play this afternoon with some of Gary's photos and those been shared by the friends he made en-route.

Made in Craft Artist using a Mye de Leon kit called Ticket to Ride. I've used Cutout Studio for the first time, I still need a bit of practise but I'm quite impressed with how well this works.

Challenges entered:

Craft your Days Away - anything goes

Divas by Design - anything goes

Papercraft Star - phot insp + holiday/vacation

Tando Creative - travel

That Craft Place - vintage

Carol x

Crafting for all Seasons #35 Stitching real/faux

Time for a new challenge at CFAS and this time the theme is Stitching and we don't mind whether it's real or faux, we're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by Meljens, The Stamping Boutique and A Day for Daisies. I've used an image from Meljens on my card.

I've part digitally paper pieced the image then reprinted and coloured the mice with promarkers and decoupaged them. Card is simply finished with some faux stitching and pearls and a sentiment 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:

Bearly Mine - anything goes

Tuesday Throwdown - use squares

Forever Friends - anything goes

Hooked on Challenges - let's celebrate

Lollipop Crafts - anything goes

Stamp and Create - stitch it up

The Crazy Challenge - anything goes

Carol x

Surprise!!

Good morning everyone, I wonder what the weather is going to do today! Yesterday we had intermittent very heavy showers with lots of sunshine in between.

Last night we had a "surprise" visitor to the door! Eldest and his mates had decided to wind everyone up and arrive home "out of the blue" - I'd rumbled them after noticing a cash withdrawal in London yesterday on Gary's cashcard account!! It's lovely to have him home again although he's says he's now got a lust for travelling. 

Hubby and I had a lovely night on Monday at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Luckily it was a very mild evening so the hoolie that was blowing was quite warm! It's the first time I've been and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Love the massed bands, I could listen to them all night (and watch them parading in their kilts lol). We had a fabulous view straight up the Esplanade to the castle.

I'll be back later with my DT project for Crafting for all Seasons.

Carol x

Whoopsi Daisy - add a sentiment

It's time for another challenge at  Whoopsi Daisy  and this week it's team A's turn to share their inspiration with you. The theme this week is to use a sentiment on your creation.
Before I show you my project I must tell you about the new CD of Linnie's artwork, Daisy & Friends at Christmas. Full of Christmas friends, fairies and angels both pre-coloured and outlined with a range of backing papers to compliment.
The CD is available from Joanna Sheen.

My card this week uses an image from sheet #367.

Image is coloured with promarkers and highlighted with a gel pen. Backing paper from Prima, dies from Spellbinders, flower from Prima, ribbon from Crafty Ribbons and pearls from 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:

Delightful Challenges - punches and dies

I Love Promarkers - gardens

Paper Pretties - square cards

Whimsy Inspiration - lots of layers

Party Time Tuesdays - garden delights

The Poodles Parlour - die cuts

Craft your Days Away - anything goes

Carol x

Crafting when we Can #25 Rainbows

It's time for a new challenge at CWWC and this time we the theme is rainbows - so lets see lots of colours on your projects. We're being sponsored by Di's Digi Downloads.

Using an image and backing paper from Joanna Sheen's Enchanted Dreams CD. Fibres from Inkylicious, flower from Prima and pearls from stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the creations of my team mates.

Challenges entered:

Paper Crafting Journey - anything goes

For your Inspiration - photo inspired

Bearly Mine - anything with wings

Little Red Wagon - animals

Crafty Catz - animals

Fairy Tale - song inspiration (Over the Rainbow)

Totally Papercrafts - insp by a song (Over the Rainbow)

A Gem of a Challenge - animals

Carol x

Proud Mum today

Had news this morning that the lads have made it to Ulaanbaatar a fantastic achievement for them! The car was a little worse for wear I believe with a few parts missing but still got them to the finish line. The lads are having a well earned drink now and no doubt will party well into the night!

My younger son had his place at Heriot Watt University confirmed yesterday and was also accepted onto a level two counselling course, so I'm chuffed to bits about that too.

So proud of my sons (and Gary's two mates) and can't wait to hear all about the trip. 

Think I'm gonna have a lot of photos to scrap!

Carol x

Crafty Ann's #72 Christmas in August/Winter Olympics

Another fortnight gone and it's time for a new challenge at  Crafty Ann's and our theme is Christmas in August/ Winter Olympics.

I'm showing another page from my Christmas in Dubai album. Papers are from the Traditional Christmas kit available from  Crafty Ann's Digi Shop. My layout has been done in My Memories Suite.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see Ann and the teams creations, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Lasting Memories - special celebrations

My Time to Craft - Christmas in August

Carol x

Aud Sentiments #61 Use a Number

Our next challenge over at Aud Sentiments is to use a number and a sentiment.  We're being sponsored by Digi Darla. The DT were given images to work with.

Image from Digi Darla's and coloured with promarkers. Backing paper from Me to You. Tags and peel offs from my stash. The bow and charm are recycled from my daughters bra!

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see my team mates take on this challenge, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

The Stamping Boutique - show me the presents

House of Gilli - add a sentiment

Paper Pretties - anything goes

Just Some Lines - lots of layers

Wags n Whiskers - birthdays

Carol x

Christmas Challenges (with sketches) #37

 It's time for our next 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 Snow Angels turn this week and Sandra has designed the sketch this time. We are being sponsored by Inky Impressions.

Image from Pink Gem Designs, coloured with promarkers. Papers are from Summer Driggs and have been digitally layered. Card is finished with some pearls and a bow.

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:

Celebrate the Occasion - Christmas in August

Papertake Weekly - spots and stripes

Critter Sketch - use a digi

OSAAT - anything goes

Christmas Stampin all year Round - anything goes

Stampin with the Dragon - Christmas in August

Tabitha's Designs - Christmas in July - August

Carol x

Christmas Card Club - Kerry's Sketch

Good morning all, hope you're having a good weekend. 

My weekend got a little better at teatime yesterday when Gary finally phoned - they'd been held up at the Mongolian border for 48 hours awaiting the import payment being made for the car.  Unfortunately the organisers are only able to get so much money per day so when lots of teams arrive at the border at the same time it can take a while to process them all. Luckily he phoned just after 4pm so was able to catch the fraud department at BOS before they went home at 5pm and his money was back in his account by 5.10pm. So all is well once more!

He was holed up for the night in a yurt complete with wifi in the western town of Olgii.

Onto today's card, it was Kerry's turn to pick the theme over at the Christmas Card Club and she gave us a sketch to work with. My mojo has been awol somewhat since I got home from holidays and this is my first make.

I've made this digitally using a kit from Raspberry Road. Unfortunately I can't get a photo of the actual card atm so I'm showing the digital version.

Challenges entered:

CHNC - festive food and drink

My Mum's Craft Shop - Christmas in August

Just Keep on Creating - Christmas

Creative Mondays - food

Carol x

Bon Voyage

Good morning all. Well summer has continued here this week, hope it stays a little longer!

Not sure where the lads are at present  - obviously without a phone signal as I haven't had an update since Wednesday. They were last heard of camped out within a few hours of the Russian/Mongolian border. I imagine they got to the border on Thursday at some point and should have arrived in Mongolia on Friday at the latest.

I found out yesterday that Gary's bank account has been used by A.N. Other to the tune of about12/1300 pounds over two days!! Luckily he has a Cash Passport card too so he still has funds. I managed to add credit to his phones from here so he has the means to get in touch when he gets a signal. I'm so annoyed about it as it looks like it's been done by someone in this country! Typical it should happen when I can't contact him too.

Any way today's share is the two digi scrap pages I used to make their good luck card before they left (unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of the card itself and it's en route to Mongolia!)

The pages were made in My Memories Suite using a kit called Ticket to Ride from Mye de Leon which I bought a while ago. The sentiment on the second page is a freebie from Dee at Dees Designs,

Challenges entered:

Crafty Catz - anything goes

Pixie Dust Studio - vintage

Sassy Cheryls - all about the boys

Crafty Boots - postcards

Willow Sketchie - warm colours

Sugar Creek Hollow - vintage travel

Creative Belli - vacation/travel

Carol x

Crafting for all Seasons #33 Bright Colours

Time for a new challenge at CFAS and this time the theme is Bright Colours, we're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by Bugaboo. I've used an image from Bugaboo on my card.

I've gone fairly CAS on this card. The image has been digitally pieced using papers from Crafty Ann's Abstract range, I've die cut with a nestie square and matted onto green, yellow, blue and red card stock.

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

Challenges entered:

Crafty Sentiments - clean and simple

Deep Ocean - anything goes

Papertake Weekly - anything goes

The Stamping Boutique - balloons

Try it on Tuesdays - anything goes

Forever Friends - something new (image)

Paper Pretties - use scallops

Corrosive Challenges - birthday

Creative Inspirations Paint - clean and simple

Crafty Calender Challenge - teddy bears parade (opt lots of layers)

Carol x

Whoopsi Daisy - Dies Cuts or Punches

It's time for another challenge at  Whoopsi Daisy  and this week it's team A's turn to share their inspiration with you. The theme this week is to use Die Cuts or Punches.

I've used an image from sheet #284 and coloured with promarkers, stickles and a gold gel pen then mounted it 3D to the largest star nestie. I've had the star nesties for some time now and this is there first airing! The backing vellum paper is mounted onto a gold nestie square. Card is finished with a sentiment and some gold trim 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:

Christmas Card Challenges - something new (image)

Dream Valley Challenges - die cuts and punches

That Craft Place - things with wings

Clearly Inspired - things with wings

Totally Papercrafts - monochrome

Stamps + Fun = Creativity - Christmas in August

Love to Create - punches and dies

Carol x

Crafting when we Can #24 CASE It

It's time for a new challenge at CWWC and this time we'd like you to CASE It - so CASE any of the DT projects, for example using the layout, colours or theme for your inspiration. Please tell us in your post which DT you're casing and what your inspiration is. We're being sponsored by The Stamping Boutique.

I've used a Caroling Snowmen image from The Stamping Boutique and coloured with promarkers and highlighted with a gelly roll pen then die cut with a circle nestie and mounted onto a scalloped nestie. Backing papers is from My Minds Eye, lamp die is from Marianne Design, bow from my stash. I'm loving these papers from My Mind's Eye this year and the colours are becoming a firm favourite for Christmas.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the creations of my team mates.

Challenges entered:

Marianne Design - anything goes

CHNC - favourite colour/s

Catch the Bug - anything goes

Challenge up your Life - anything goes

Simply Create Too - anything goes

Crazy Amigo - die cuts and punches

Die Cutting Divas - anything goes

The Stamping Boutique - anything goes

Carol x

Good News

After a lovely three weeks away I'm finally home! It took a while to get through the mail yesterday which included about 40 birthday cards for me! My MRI scan results finally arrived too and this was good news - no evidence of residual or recurrent meningioma  reported. This means that the base of the tumour which had to be left when they operated has disappeared over the last year so I'm one happy, relieved bunny now :)

The lads are still progressing well and had arrived in Almaty, Kazakhstan yesterday where they treated themselves to a night out! They now need to head north back into Russia before crossing into Mongolia. The first team appears to have reached the finish on Tuesday but they took a very short route as presumably they were working to a strict time schedule. Two other teams (that I know of) have been involved in crashes and their vehicles written off but luckily no serious injuries. One lad has been mugged in Hungary and lost his passport and another team had all their paperwork etc in one envelope and managed to lose it! So all told ours are doing okay having only paid the odd bribe and fine! 

I'd also like to say a big hello and thank you to all my new followers. I hope to catch up with everyone over the next few days as I get back into the swing of things.

Carol x

Happy Scrappers #4 Sports

I can't believe we're onto our fourth challenge here at Happy Scrappers (please remember we accept scrap layouts only and they must contain at least one photo). This month the challenge has been set by Jo and she chose Sports.

My layout was done in Craft Artist using a kit from Daisy Trail. I was struggling to find photos for this theme until I thought of Facebook and nipped in and pinched these photos from my brother in law! So here is my nephew Thomas in all his footballing glory. I'm sure he eats, drinks and sleeps football! I used a sketch from Creative Scrappers for my layout.

Challenges entered:

Craft your days Away - Olympic dreams

Carol x

Crafty Ann's #71 Circles

In nod to the Olympics the new challenge at  Crafty Ann's is Circles.

This was one of those layouts which just evolved as I went along! The red, white and blue papers are from the polished stone collection from  Crafty Ann's Digi Shop. I put the background together in Craft Artist and added the flags and ribbon. I then exported as a Jpeg and imported into My Memories Suite as a background and added the stitching, title, journalling and the Olympic circles and photos.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see Ann and the teams creations, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Scrappy Frog - red, white and blue

Totally Stampalicious - sporty

True XOXO - of Olympic proportions

Pixie Dust Studio - inspired by Olympics

Carol x

Aud Sentiments #60 Welcome Baby

Our next challenge over at Aud Sentiments is Welcome Baby.  We're being sponsored by Stamp Fairy. The DT were given images to work with.

Image is coloured with promarkers and die cut with a square nestie and mounted onto a scalloped one. Backing paper is from Wild Rose Studio. Ribbon, button and sentiment from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see my team mates take on this challenge, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Bearly Mine - anything goes

Craftrom Challenges - buttons and bows

Digital Tuesday - monochromatic

Party Time Tuesday - anything goes

Crafty Boots - babies

My Craft Spot - oh baby

Carol x

Guest Design Spot

This is my second post today, please scroll down to see my DT card for Christmas Crafting with sketches.

Still on my jollies and hoping to be spoilt today as it's my birthday. We're up in the Lakes now for a final few days before we go home on Friday.

I was lucky enough to be given another Guest Design spot from Chris at Crafting Heaven to showcase her new digi venture. This week everyone is showcasing the Rose digi which is absolutely gorgeous.

Image is coloured with promarkers and die cut with a nestie circle and mounted onto a scalloped circle. Backing paper from my stash. Border die cut from Marianne Design, lace, ribbons and button from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Bunny Zoes - swirls and lace

Paper Playtime - anything goes

OSAAT - use a digi

Phindy's Place - button it

Marianne Designs - anything goes and a DT call

Carol x

Christmas Crafting (with sketches) #35

Good morning all. It's my birthday today :) so I'm hoping to get spoilt all day!

 It's time for our next 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 Snow Angels turn this week and Marion has designed the sketch this time. We also have a recipe for you to use - at least 3 DPs,  flowers and a charm.  We are being sponsored by Elizabeth Bell.

I decided to upcycle a box for this challenge! I've used three different tissue papers to cover the lid and a paper from Papermania for the triangle. The image is from La Blanche and I've stamped with silver ink and mounted onto silver mirri card. The flower arrangement and ribbon were rescued from a Christmas cake. Charm, holly ribbon, sentiment and buttons from my stash.

It wasn't easy to get a good photo of the box!

A close up of the flower arrangement and charm.

Challenges entered:
CHNC - tie a ribbon
Sweet Stampin - Christmas in July
The Crafty Pad - things with wings
Addicted to Stamps - Christmas in July
Paper Pretties - 2 or more DP's
Lexi's Creations - Christmas in July
Incy Wincy - anything but a card
Get Hippity with Ippity - Christmas in July

Carol x