Hello Baby Connor!

He's here, He's here!!  :)

Our new grandbaby, Connor, born at 00:08 today, weighing 7lb 15oz.
Mother and baby both very well.
We almost shared a birthday, it was mine yesterday, but he wanted his own special day. Still, the best. birthday. present...... EVER!
I feel so blessed that I was there at his birth, and that I was asked to cut his cord. *So proud!*

He's such a handsome little chap, and absolutely perfect. I instantly fell in love again as soon as I saw him.
I'm sorry, I can't share any photos online, even though I would love to show you how beautiful my 3 grandchildren are.

I had this card made ready last week, so happy that I can now share it :)
When Connor's brother, RJ was born, I made this card for his arrival, and I wanted to use the same layout for Connor's card too...

I also decided to use papers that although aren't identical, they are from the same paper pad, oh and a stamp from Lili of the Valley too, although not the same image.
The stamp used here is called Sleepy Time. Unfortunately, the stamp is retired now though :(
I stamped with Memento black ink, and coloured it with promarkers.
The papers are from Snips & Snails, by Doodlebug.
'baby' is a word die by Clearly Besotted Stamps.

Baby cards

Heres a few cards made for new arrivals...

This first card was handcut using a dl card blank, to resemble a baby's bottle...

I covered the front with patterned paper (Nitwit, country meadow), then used a crimper to make the neck part of the bottle.
'baby' was cut using a Clearly Besotted Stamps word die, and 'GIRL' cut using Die-namics dies.
I finished the card with some organza ribbon.
I will add the baby's name as a little tag off the ribbon once she is born.
I'd like to enter this card Craft Your Passion's anything goes challenge.


This next card also uses that baby word die...

This time, I teamed the word die with the precious sentiment and image also from Clearly Besotted Stamps, Little Onesie. I stamped the onesie image twice, onto both plain and polka dot paper, so that I could paper piece it.
I'd like to enter this card at Less Is More (polka dots)


And following on from the Little Onesie set, I used the 'precious' sentiment on this card too...

I also stamped the word Granddaughter using a couple of stamps from the For Everyone stamp set, also by Clearly Besotted Stamps, but sadly not available anymore.
The image is from DigiStamp Boutique, called Baby Chicklet, and is coloured with promarkers. I added a couple of sequins and some pearls too. Then framed the image using a Nellie Snellen die.
The striped paper is really old, it's a dsp from a Stampin Up collection called Sweet Always.
I finished the card with a punched heart coated with glossy accents, punched & sponged flowers and punched gold shimmer-vellum leaves.
I'd like to enter this card in DigiStamp Boutique's monthly customer competion for March, also, The Ribbon Girl's any image challenge, and finally, the spring flowers challenge over at In The Pink.

Thanks for looking xx

For baby Skye

Good morning,
Today i'd like to show you this card, made to welcome a friend's new baby granddaughter, named Skye...

I hand cut the shape from a top folding card base, then used the shape to cut another piece from pink card stock.
The pink piece was then embossed on the bottom portion, using a Sizzix 'Candy Hearts' Textured Impressions embossing folder.
I decorated the edges using an open scalloped border die from Tattered Lace, and a Xcut scalloped circle die. Using the same dies again to make the apron part. The patterned paper is from a pad called Mr & Mrs from Lili of the Valley.
'baby' was die cut using a word die by Clearly Besotted Stamps
'SKYE' was cut using Tattered Lace alphabet dies.
I finished by decorating the card with the 2 smallest dies from Die-namics Flower & Leaf Trio, and sequins.

Welcome to the world baby Skye, health and happiness always xx

I'd like to enter this card at:
Crafting Musketeers - anything but square
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Crafting From The Heart - anything goes

Thanks for looking, have a great day xx

Richard Jnr is ONE!

WOW! How fast has that year gone?!

My baby grandson is a big ONE today, he's started walking, so is now toddling about as he gets more confident and strengthens his chubby little legs. He's so cute to watch :)
And, though I do wish that I could share a photo of him to show you how adorable RJ is, and how beautiful his little smile is (showing off his six tussy-megs), my daughter and son-in-law don't want to put photos of their boys online, so I will respect their wishes.

I can, of course, show you RJ's birthday cards...

I used a Lili Of The Valley stamp for RJ's card when he was born, so I wanted to use this LOTV stamp for his first birthday card. The stamp used on this card today is called Baby Boy.
Stamped first with Memento ink, I then coloured the image with promarkers.
The denim and spotty papers are by My Mind's Eye (On the bright side), and the plainer blue paper is by NitWit, and was free with a craft mag some time ago.
I punched out some stars and used my Martha Stewart Circle Cutter to frame the image.
GRANDSON and the scalloped border were cut using Tattered Lace dies, and the number 1 was cut using a Die-namics By The Number die.

I'm entering this card at:
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
The Ribbon Girl - any image


And this is the card from Uncle Jake...

This card was quick and easy to do, I cut out the circles from black and red cardstock, I cut the red one in half and added 2 die cut buttons (Tattered Lace) and a Die-namics By The Number '1'.
I printed the text out, coloured in the letters, then added everything to the yellow background piece (Doodlebug, Snips & Snails). Card done, told you it was quick and easy :)

I'd like to enter this card at:
Cardz 4 Guyz - button it
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes

Thanks for looking, have a fab day and a great week ahead xx

Baby Daisy

A lovely friend of mine went into labour with her first child 10 weeks earlier than expected.
Her little girl, Daisy Elizabeth, is, as you'd expect, staying in hospital for a few more weeks yet. Thankfully, little Daisy and her Mommy are both doing well.
I have made this card, and of course, there's daisies on it...

I used 'Little Onesie' by Clearly Besotted Stamps, stamped onto patterned paper and shaded with an almond coloured promarker, though that is hard to see that in the photo.
I also used their 'baby' word die too, which I cut 3 times and layered for a stronger result.
The pretty frame is a Lea'bilities die (Leane 005 Frame Curve).
The papers are all from 'Country Meadow' (Nitwit Collections) by Lili of the Valley.
The daisies were all punched, glued, the edges sponged, then finished with flat back pearls at the centre, which were each coloured with a yellow promarker. The leaves were punched from pale green vellum.

I'm entering this card at:
Crafting from the Heart - anything goes
Papertake Weekly - to die for
Crafty Catz - new beginnings
Creative Inspirations - flowers
Shopping our Stash - layer it on me

Thanks for looking xx

Baby Girl

I've made this card for a friend at work who has welcomed a beautiful addition to his family...

It was quite a simple card to make actually, once the shape was made, it was embossed then prettied up with die cuts, job done :)
So, I hand cut the card base from pink card stock using a circle punch and scissors, then embossed the front of the card with my argyle embossing folder.
The scalloped edges were made using the same circle punch followed by a SU scalloped circle punch, then using the scalloped edge punch (also by SU) for the bottom of the belly band and the ends of the arms.
The belly band uses a darker pink card stock which has been embossed with my swiss dots folder.
'baby' was die cut using a word die by Clearly Besotted Stamps, and 'GIRL' cut using Die-namics, By The Letter dies.
I added a small punched heart to finish the card.

I'm entering this card at:
2 Cute Ink - Baby theme
Simon Says Stamp (Weds) - clean & simple

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the rest of your day xx

My fave five of 2014

I have shared my favourite five CHRISTMAS cards for 2014,  and Debby has asked us to share our favourite cards for the whole of 2014 too. so here's mine...

HAN & LEIA...

Original post is HERE.
This was one of my first few card makes for 2014, and was made for my husband.
Love the image, love the papers, and I was happy with the brown foam/eyelet 'belt' that I made to compliment the image.
And hubby loved it :)



 SPIT HAPPENS...

Original post is HERE.
I chose this card because it uses my favourite Mo Manning stamp, Spit Happens.
I've coloured this image for both girls and boys, and for newborn cards as well as 1st birthday cards like this one. I also love how pretty the layout, papers and flowers work together on this card.



GRUMPS' BUDGIE...

Now, I couldn't do a favourite card list without including my favourite feathered dudes, the Birdbrains, could I?
I'd choose all of them for this list if I could, and my first Birdbrain card can be seen HERE, but I have chosen the following one for this list, as it still makes me giggle when I see the photo, and it was also the first Birdbrain that I coloured a little differently to personalise it especially for the recipient...

Original post is HERE.
I love how you can personalise the Birdbrains by just colouring them a little differently than the norm, and if you look through my BIRDBRAIN CARDS you will find some that show exactly what I mean.



 JUST ARRIVED...

Original post is HERE.
This card is special to me because it is the first card made for my new baby grandson, Richard Jr (RJ).



MY BATTY HERO...

Original post is HERE.
This card was made for my older grandson, Mikey.
He loves Batman, so this Tiddly Inks image was perfect for his card. I also love the cityscape die background that teams up with the image perfectly.

Well, that's it, my fave five for 2014. Here's to a happy and creative 2015!

Happy New Year everyone! xx

Just Arrived

This card is for the sudden arrival of my grandson, who was born today at 2:50am
He wasn't due for another 9 days, my daughter went into hospital with back pain, 20 mins later she was holding her baby boy!
He's perfect, so gorgeous, and i'm totally in love with him.
I can't share any pics online, sorry.
RJ is short for Richard junior, as he will be named after his daddy...

My husband paid for some new LOTV stamps for me, one of my wedding anniversary gifts.
Just Arrived was one of these stamps.
I coloured this adorable image with promarkers.
All of the papers are from the same pad, Doodlebug's Snips & Snails, the only others used were white and kraft cardstock.
'baby' is a word die by Clearly Besotted Stamps.
'RJ' was cut using Die-namics By the Letter dies.

I'm entering this card at:
LOTV's ideas to inspire monthly challenge - anything goes
Penny's Paper Crafty - polka dots
Creative Inspirations - anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes
Crafting when we can - name it


UPDATE: This card won a top 3 slot at Crafting When We Can! thank you :)

I'm completely in love with my grandson, and i'm so proud of my daughter.
Thank you Laura & Rich for our gorgeous little RJ, a baby brother for Mikey :)

Baby Baby

It's time for a new challenge over at Little Miss Muffet.
This time, as the title of my post suggests, we'd like to see your Baby themed projects please.
Here's my card...

I've used acetate across the front of this card, then embossed it with a cloud folder I received free with a craft magazine. I thought it would be an ideal backdrop for a baby washing line.
I die-cut the washing line using Clothesline Metal Die. You get extra pegs with this die, which I coloured with promarkers to make them look like wooden dolly pegs.
I've used images from Hanging Clothes Baby, and another image from Hanging Clothes Mother, fussy cutting them to hang on the clothesline.
I've used SU's eyelet border punch for the pretty edges. The green paper is by Nitwit.
'BABY BOY' was cut with Die-namics By The Letter dies.

Challenges entered:
I Love Promarkers - ribbons
Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes
Inky Impressions - anything goes

You'll find the challenge rules, a place to link up your entry and more inspiration by the other Little Misses on the challenge blog.
Please visit our Facebook Group or the LMMS page, where you can see other cards made by the Little Misses uploaded throughout the day.

Thank you for looking :)

Seeing Stars

Time for another challenge over at Little Miss Muffet Challenges, and this time we want you to go all starry eyed..... please use stars somewhere on your card or project.

I chose the adorable Superstar, available as a digi, I printed it out and coloured with promarkers, followed with a touch up using pencils. I paper pieced the star itself.
Both yellow spotty papers are by Dovecraft (back to basics), the plain pale blue cardstock was given a design and texture using an argyle embossing folder.

You can see more fantastic cards made by the other Little Misses by visiting the Little Miss Muffet challenge blog.

Following info taken from LMM blog...

NEW CHALLENGE RULES

JFF Entries: You are allowed to enter just for fun and use any stamp on your project, rubber or digital, and only one entry per challenge.  JFF Entries qualify to be spotlighted.

Winning Entries: You are required to use a stamp or metal die on your project from any of these companies: Little Miss Muffet Stamps, Pollycraft and/or Bugaboo!!  You can find a plethora of fantastic stamps and metal dies to choose from and there are even a few freebies!  Winning Entries qualify for comments, prizes, guest selection and/or to be spotlighted.  Plus these qualifying entries are unlimited!

KIDS: Kids are welcome to join too (Junior Crafters) and can enter once using a qualifying image. Junior Crafters are ages 16 and under, please include "JR" with your name when linking your projects.

Reminders: These are fortnightly challenges lasting two weeks. Link directly to your challenge entry on your blog.  In that post, include a link to the current challenge with your project details. New creations only and no back-linking. To help with commenting, please turn off word verification.

Happy Crafting!

I'd like to enter this card at:
Crafty Catz - Pick and Mix - embossing
Sweet Stampin - Cute and Cuddly
Here Come the Boys - let's go dotty
Crafting when we can - keep it simple
Cupcake - Not for flowers (CAS)

Spit Happens...

...that's the name of this adorable image from
Mo's Digital Pencil

I was asked to make a card for a little girl who will be having her first birthday next month.
I coloured this little cutie with my promarkers.

The heart paper is by Dovecraft (back to basics)

The pink scalloped frame around the image was made by punching several scalloped circles out and gluing to the back of the image - I don't have any fancy frame cutters :(

The white scalloped border was made using my eyelet border punch from SU.

The flowers were also made using SU products, but the leaves are a woodware punch.

The letters used are some new alphabet stamps, I don't know who they're made by though as they were just bare red rubber when I bought them.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

A spoonful of sugar - make a birthday card

Craft Us Crazy - anything goes

Kaboodle Doodles - ribbons

Truly Scrumptious - use mainly pink

Sweet Stampin - babies and little ones

Allsorts - you've been framed
Stamps R Us - anything goes

Thanks for looking xx

Oh Baby!

Available from craftsuprint.
These 3D baby shoes are not my own design, and no, i'm not expecting a baby *thank goodness!* but I saw them, thought 'how cute!' and decided I needed them incase I ever need to send something a little different to congratulate a new birth.
These would be awesome as cute little favour holders for a baby shower too don't you think?

Printed onto 200gsm cardstock and cut out, they came together quite easily.
I used double-sided tape to stick the 'upper' to the insole first of all, then used glue to stick on the sole and glue down the strap.


Both the pink and blue were made the same to that point.
Then I made 2 little daisy card buttons for the pink pair, and 2 little foam star buttons for the blue pair.


But they need something to sit inside don't they?
so I made an acetate box to fit around them (except I measured slightly wrong on the lid so it is a little bigger than it ought to be!)
looks ok though, right?

incidently, the yellow dotty paper is by Dovecraft 'Back to Basics' and the sentiment on the tag is by SU's 'Best Yet' set.

A couple of cards

For my first card, I've used this old stamp by sugar nellie/elizabeth bell, it's called sweet and sassy and is SO adorable...

I coloured this little cutie with promarkers, and stuck the image to the underside of an aperture cut out of the front of the card with an oval coluzzle.
The patterned paper is by Stampin Up (sweet always)
The flowers & leaves were made from white paper and cream cardstock using paper punches with added gems for a subtle bling. The same cream cardstock is the card base and also borders the oval too.
I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges...

Cupcake - in the garden
Papertake Weekly - bloom and grow
Truly Scrumptious - anything goes
Spoonfull of Sugar - anything goes
Crafty Catz - anything goes
Crafty Creations - flower, patterned paper and ribbon
Colour Create - white, cream and brown



My second card has been made for the aunt and uncle of my daughters boyfriend, who are expecting a baby boy in early June. I had already made a baby boy card which was similar to the one I made here, except that I put a tiny little sailing boat design on the front of the pocket instead of the star, and used a pale checked blue cardstock for the dungarees.
I didn't have time to take a photo of it though, because Emma decided she wants to send it, and has written it and sealed it in its envelope now.
She saw this card and now wishes she'd waited before writing the other one because she says she prefers this one...

I forget now where I saw this chest of drawers idea but it was on blogger somewhere so i'm sorry that I can't give credit where it's due, but I'm sure there a lots of cards along the same idea.
This is my first stepper card too :)
I drew the chest of drawers and made the drawer fronts to match, the whole lot being sponged beforehand with bashful blue SU ink. Then added brads for the drawer handles and attached with foam tape. The little outfit was hand cut from a scrap of paper that had been folded so that the bottom is still attached, I then glued around it, leaving the openings for the arms, head and legs. I made the coat hanger by twisting 2 head pins together that I took from my neglected jewellery making stash.
The spotty paper is by Dovecraft (back to basics 2), the sentiment was printed on the pooter, and the cute little image is of course by Magnolia, I coloured him with promarkers and when cutting him out I discarded the wings off the image.

hmmm, not sure if this applies but as it isn't exactly square, I will attempt to enter this card into the following challenges at...

MMCS challenge - anything but square
Totally Gorjuss - not square

and also the challenge at...
ABC challenge - unusual fold

New Baby Boy

NO! not me!! lol

My daughters friend has just had a baby boy and here is the card i've made...

The thing is, I had run out of baby blue cardstock for the dungarees! so I printed a sheet off with my printer, phew!The paler blue paper in the background was also made by myself, it does have a very subtle check design on it, although it is hard to see in the photo.
The buttons are card stock too, and I used white cotton to 'thread' them.
The other 'stitching' is paper piercing and a white gel pen.
The sentiment is from SU's fun and fast notes stamp set.

I'd like to enter this card into the challenge over at Cute Card Thursday, which has the theme 'monochrome'... i'm just in time to enter, deadline is 8pm today!
Also Totally Gorjuss have the theme 'cuddly' this week, now i've not used a cuddle image, but a new baby is lovely to cuddle so maybe i'm allowed to enter???
Another fab challenge is CES challenges, who don't want to see designer papers, well I have made my own on the pc so think that qualifies :)

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the rest of your day xx

my latest cards...

The card above is for my parents wedding anniversary in March.
My friend Karen put a link to a site that generates great background designs using different fonts, colours and images, it is called typoGenerator if you would like to try it for yourself. Now, as much as I enjoyed playing about with this program I just had to have a go myself on PSP (paintshop pro), I used lots of layers and came up with this background paper. I love it and it looks so fab that I'm going to make my own backing papers wherever possible now! I hand cut the large hearts and used a punch for the tiny ones, finished with a hand written greeting.
I just found a fab site and this weeks Papertake Weekly Challenge is 'hearts desire' so this will be my entry also.


Well I loved that colour scheme so much that I had to make another card! This is for a friends birthday - not gonna say who cos I don't want to spoil the surprise ;)
I used punched flowers to decorate, used the magnolia gift with flower stamp, then decided I wanted another gift but didn't have a stamp that I could use so I drew the rectangular gift by hand using the magnolia one as inspiration. I think it turned out quite well actually, pity I can't say the same for the wonky photo!...



The following card is for the new arrival in our family, yes I know I made a baby boy card lol, but that was because my hubby's niece said she was having a boy!
Baby (girl) Taylor was born 29.01.08
I have used one of the bunny stamps from Bootiful Stampz these stamps are so versatile!