Monday 30 December 2013

STEAMPUNK STYLE CHIRSTMAS CARD FOR JEMMA

Hi there bloggers out there - I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas celebrations, we did although we all ate too much - by all, I am including Blossom and Donnie - naturally!  If you live in those areas that were subjected to the awful storms and lack of power, I do hope you are getting back to some degree of whatever passes for normality nowadays.   I'm sending you all big virtual hugs and lots of love!!

I thought I would post one of the Christmas cards I made for my ex colleague.  He particularly liked the Steampunky stylee birthday cards I made for his twin daughter and son and asked if I could bear that in mind for their Christmas cards.  Now this really did stress me out, I am almost, almost comfortable with Steampunk style birthday cards but a Christmas card .... or two!!!!  I started looking for an image and found a gorgeous one by Jade Dragonne, I love this lady's work and her images are free (with a couple of conditions of course).  You can find her site here.  Despite the fact that I love colouring, my time really was running away with me and in order to get this finished I actually printed off the coloured image, I made a mask and blobbed my sponge over the image to add a little bit of colour.


 I thought I would show you a close up of the Christmas Tree because I loved making this - in fact I made another one with a different tree die - for Adam's card!!

In actual daylight the tree really stands out because I have Star Dust-ed it before I added the little watch cogs, springs and 'bits'.


Ingredients
7" x 7" White Card Blank - Anna Marie Designs
Steampunks digi (pre-coloured)  - Jade Dragonne 
Sentiment - Craftwork Cards
Joyful Peace paper pad - GCD Studios
Christmas Post paper pad - Craftwork Cards
Grand Decorative Ovals die - Spellbinders
Grand Oval die - Spellbinders
Frosty Border die - Memory Box
Snowflake Tree die - Memory Box
Mini Rolled Roses die - Die-namics 
Small Clock face - my stash
Watch Cogs, springs etc - Ebay

Well, that's enough from me for now, I won't say that I am making any NY Resolutions because I loathe NY with a passion and will be in bed before the chimes of midnight.  Even though this is unusual for me!!!  I might just put a 'possible motion' out there to blog more frequently - not a resolution you understand!!!   Yup I'm still going to carry on waffling as well - can't put out a 'motion' to stop that now can I??

Thank you for all your comments over the past year, I have loved reading them, you have given me so many uplifting comments and have wished me well when I have been ill (on so many occasions)!  When Suzie created my blog, she did me the biggest favour I could have ever asked for, even when I have been unable to blog I have known it was there waiting for me to feel better and/or get my mojo back!!!

Lots of love and hugs to you all, thank you so much for stopping by and for checking out my cards.  I do hope you can all enjoy your crafting next year, and that your Mojo stays at home and doesn't nip off on holiday!

Take care of yourselves and Happy New Year!!!

SUE xxx

I would like to enter my card into the following 10 challenges


Krafty Girls Challenge No 8 - http://4kraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Tuesday 24 December 2013

MY FAVOURITE FIVE CHRISTMAS CARDS/CREATIONS FOR 2013


Hello there peeps, I have just been checking out some of your blogs and have noticed that Debby (A Scrapjourney)  has set a little challenge for us to join in here.  She has put forward a marvellous prize, what a generous lady!  I started thinking about my fave five and came up with the following and I will be adding my link to her blog.  I have linked these cards back to their original posting via the link underneath each card.






I made all of the above as a member of the Christmas Card Club and I must admit this has been really enjoyable because I made them throughout the year - so, without the fortnightly challenges,  I could have been much worse off in the last few weeks with even more on my plate and more cards to make!!   These aren't my only favourite Christmas cards though, another huge favourite is the one I made after seeing it on Debby's blog, mine is called 'O Christmas Tree' and is white on white.  My mojo was on her holidays again, and Debby's card really really inspired me, I felt I just had to make one like it.  Mine isn't exactly the same because I used some different dies.  

Oh and here is some really good news  - Donnie who came to 'live' in the garden with Blossom last March, has been coming into the house, finding a quiet spot and going to sleep.  He still won't come too near us but seeing as he wouldn't come into the house two or three months ago, this is progress indeed.  He is being watched, not only by us, but by his 'wife'.  We have to keep an eye on him because, as I have mentioned before, he hasn't been neutered and we don't want him spraying anywhere!!!    Blossom went to sleep near him today so that's a thumb to the nose for both me and the hubster - lol!

Anyway this is me finished for a couple of days - where have I heard that one before???  Seriously though hubby, Blossom and Donnie are going to have my undivided attention with no crafting or blogging for a wee while.  

Love and big hugs to you all!!

SUE xxx

JUST A QUICK NOTE TO YOU ALL

Hello there peeps - I am really sorry that I have been missing for so long, if I had tentacles - yes I said tentacles - like an octopus, I would be able to manage things loads better!    I think everything is now sorted, well apart from the leak in the bathroom which is dripping through into the kitchen!   Oh, we can't find out where the water is coming from by the way!   

Thank you so much for the brilliant comments on my last card, I really do appreciate them and it is surprising how uplifting they have been.  I am now feeling loads better in body, mind and mojo!

Well following that, I thought I would post a piccy (just to whet your appetite a tad) of the 100 follower Candy I am going to put forward in January.  I will be offering this up in a post, alongside a card, to all the followers I have at present (107) who regularly comment on my blog.  I will probably ask Blossom to help out - you never know, she just might go along with it.  Here it is -



Apologies for the stamps being of the Christmas variety, I wanted to sort this last month but it fell through the grid!!!!  I hope you like the look of it.

I am also posting a Blossom Selfie!!!!  Well hubby said she insisted and who am I to doubt him - he is almost as daft as moi - guess it must be rubbing off after all these years - ROFL!!!


Do you remember that I told you she would sleep on my desk on a cushion, well after she had her stitches out following her 'op', that was it - she became a daddy's girl.  She follows him around, sits on his knee, on the arm of his chair, sleeps in her bed on the floor near his feet and I don't get a look in ...... apart from the four days when he works and mummy is suddenly creme de la creme!   This one sure is fickle!   Having said that, she is still gorgeous, and at least I can craft in peace now.

I do hope you all have a good Christmas, without any untoward incidents - and a great New Year.  I have some cards to ready post and will do them as soon as I can.  Please take care and keep well, if you are a little off colour at the moment, please get well soon.

Love and hugs to you all   

SUE  xxx

Sunday 15 December 2013

CCC - SUE W'S THEME - GET YOUR SKATES ON, CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!


Hi there peeps, I have just made this card, the only once since my last posting!  I am in a panic because I have to make some more for my ex-colleague so I am getting my thinking cap on!

This is a short post but I will be back very shortly to add more waffle!  I am just going to schedule this for Sunday morning.




The pics were taken at different times of the day so the lighting is different.

Ingredients
7" x 7" White Card Blank - Anna Marie Designs
Marianne Design stamp - Don Skating
LOTV papers - Krafty Christmas and Winter Wishes
Spellbinders - Star Circle die, Grand Circle die, Grand Decorative Circle die
Cheery Lynn - 4"x 4" Snowflake plate die, Merry Christmas set die
X-Cut - Circle die
Memory Box - Rizza Snowflake die
Impression Obsession - Snowflake Plate die
Elizabeth Craft Design - Sprig with berries die
Magnolia Doohickey - Fence with hearts die
Floral Punch - medium and small (maker unknown)
Promarkers and Copics
Stardust Glitter
Pearls from stash

Big hugs to you Sue xxx

Monday 2 December 2013

CCC - DAWN'S THEME - O CHRISTMAS TREE

Helloooo there peeps.  I am so sorry I have not been around lately but I have been a tad poorly, first of all my back condition flared up more than usual so I thought I would be clever and work it off by (gently) tidying my Craft cupboard.   This has worked in the past - not this time though.   This, in turn, brings on other problems which you don't need to be bored with .... yawn!   I am beginning to feel a little better now and the Mojo Fairy is just starting to twinkle.  I knew I had to make some cards for an ex colleague and also for the Christmas Card Club so I combined the two and have made this card for my ex colleague and also for the CCC.  This fortnight it is Dawn's theme and she picked 'O Christmas Tree'.  Thank you for this lovely theme Dawn.

A few months ago I was trawling through blogland and found some cards made by a lady called Debby, she had made some white on white cards for Christmas and I was really taken by them.  Whilst I was wondering what to do I suddenly remembered these and thought I would take inspiration from her.  This is based on her design but I have used different dies on mine, although the trees are the same.  You can find Debby's blog here.


Ingredients
7" x 7" White Card Blank - Anna Marie Designs
Spellbinders 'Garden Lattice' Embossing Folder
Spellbinders 'Opulent Ovals' die
Dee's Distinctly 'Stacker Tree' die
Poppy Stamps 'Angel Corner' die
Poppy Stamps 'Fremont Pine Landscape' die
Sizzix 'Christmas Dots' Embossing Folder
Martha Stewart Punch
Martha Stewart Glitter
Ribbon, Pearls, Silver Embossed backing card from stash

I hope you like this one, I do admit it isn't one of my ideas, but when the Mojo Fairy needs some help, you gotta do what you gotta do.  Debby has some gorgeous inspirational cards, so beautiful.  Thank you Debby.

Big hugs to you all and thank you for popping by after all this time, please forgive me if it still takes me a while to get around your blogs, I have to make some more cards for my ex colleague and also the OSAAT  DT so I am hoping for a little more Fairy Dust for my Mojo Fairy ........... pleeeeeease!!!

SUE

Sunday 17 November 2013

OSAAT DT CARD - CHALLENGE NO 190 - USE A DIGI

Good afternoon peeps, thank you so much for your comments on the Christmas card I posted yesterday and for your thoughts concerning Dahlia (pronounced Dallier).  It certainly is a worrying time for us.  I will of course let you know when I hear anything further.

This card is my creation for the OSAAT DT - Challenge No 190 - and I am using a digi called 'Fancy Free'  from Barbara Jensen at the Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet.  Once again this Challenge is 'Anything Goes' and if you use a digi from Stitchy Bear you can win all the digis we used in Challenge No 188!  You can still win a prize if you use another digi, so please have a go!!



Ingredients
7" x 7" White Card Blank - Anna Marie Designs
Barbara Jensen digi at Stitchy Bear Outlet
LOTV - Sentiment stamp
LOTV - Country Lady Collection paper pad
Spellbinders Timeless Rectangle die
Bakers Twine
Promarkers
Extra card and buttons from stash

Thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving a comment if you have time, I really do enjoy reading them.  Now, don't forget to enter the OSAAT challenge it's lovely seeing your cards on there.

Loads of big hugs to you

SUE xxx

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges -
Crafty Girls Challenge No 6 - http://4kraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Saturday 16 November 2013

CCC - CAROL'S THEME - PRETTY IN PINK!

Good afternoon dear blog friends and followers - I seem to be permanently busy at the moment and despite having a poorly back, I am trying to carry on regardless!!  Graham is so proud of us both (us being me and Blossom of course).  She had her stitches out today and was a good girl, no biting, hissing or growling - as for Blossom well she er.............. only kidding!  She was sooo good although we could have managed really well without the 'singing' in the car!  Auditioning for 'Cats' she was not!

Anyway I am having another tidy up - huh, take out some items, sit down, put them neatly in their new container, put them back, sit a little longer, stand up and stretch (if possible), take a few more out etc etc.   I haven't managed one shelf yet but it doesn't matter, I am taking my time.  Oh and I made a couple of cards in between. 

The one I have made for this post is for the CCC, Carol has chosen the theme 'pretty in pink'.  Now, I had one of those moments - you know the ones you get every millennium or so - lol - well you do if your name is Sue Pxxx and you're on another planet half the time.   Some time ago I was hopping about the blogs leaving a few comments and I saw this card on Di's blog (Pixie's Crafty Workshop) here.  I must admit I really liked it for it's simplicity and CAS-ness!  I had my light-bulb moment and pictured a version of this in pink!!  I also wanted to play with my Frantage because I have never had the courage - until now - that is.  So here we are!


Before I did anything else I took a card blank and sprinkled some Shabby Pink EP on the front - I didn't use any ink beforehand because I wanted a random splash!  It was fun trying to balance the card so that the bloomin' stuff wouldn't fall off all over the shop, then I heated it from underneath.    I am quite pleased with my nebular constellation pink wormhole (just a few words I have strung together that sound good!)!  I added a few snowflakes in my constellation - pink of course.   The bottom part of the card is a die-cut from a gorgeous die by Memory Box - when I saw Di's card, I just knew that I needed this one - lol.
 
Ingredients
7" x 7" White Card Blank - Anna Marie Designs
Papermania - Glitter Paper Pad
Stampendous - Shabby Pink EP
Memory Box - Grand Merry Christmas die
Memory Box - Lindeman Snowflake
Poppy Stamps - Giovanna Snowflake die
io-dies - Snowflake dies (asstd)
 
 This is my first really CAS card methinks and I am sure the majority of my cards has an image somewhere or other.  This could be another first - yay!  I really am itching to add something else but I don't know what, and I am sure it would be OTT.
 
I hope you like it, as this is a big swerve for me, let me know if it is OK, or whether you think it needs something else!!  I shall really love reading your comments, but don't be too cruel!  ROFL.
 
Thank you for stopping by and having a peep at my bits and bobs.  I really will do my best to drop by your blogs as soon as I can. 
 
 Before I go I am sure, like me, you are thinking of all the poor souls in the Philippines struggling after that horrendous typhoon Haiyan.  We have our 'adopted' daughter there, we met her when we were on holiday on a tiny island in the Maldives and she was one of the Receptionists.  We used to chat every day and she told us that she and her husband had been trying for a baby for ages and she thought that she might just be pregnant!   (she was pregnant and has since had a truly beautiful daughter) We were her lucky charms and she called us her 'adopted' mum and dad!  I haven't been able to contact her yet, but I have to keep trying and hoping that she is OK.
 
Big hugs to you all and take care of yourselves. 
 
SUE xxx
 
I would like to enter my card into the following challenges -
 
Creative Moments Challenge No 30 - http://carabbiemomentsofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/

Tuesday 12 November 2013

BIRTHDAY CARD FOR A SPECIAL BLOG FRIEND!

Good morning peeps, and a huge hello to my FOUR new followers, thank you so much for dropping by, I do hope you are all well, or at least getting there!  I haven't forgotten about my '100 followers blog candy' but I've had a couple of trials and tribulations with my back this week although I am not complaining 'cos I am still here ... and with Blossom to keep me company!

Graham is out at work this week (well four days to be precise - and that is per month!!!) so I am keeping Blossom on the straight and narrow.  She has had her op and, following a check up on Sunday, she is fine (no longer constipated - thought I ought to let you know Sue J!!).  She doesn't have to go back until next Saturday for stitch removal - can't wait to be honest, the vocals from her in the car are to die for .... not!  She was feeling very sorry for herself on Saturday and I said "Cheer up, 'cos you can go out and have safe sex now Bloss"  She looked at me as if to say "Do you think I still have the inclination after all that?"   Sorry sweetie, that was the idea.  Oooh cruel mummy!  LOL.

Anyway enough of the lurid sex life of my little fur baby - this is a card for a special blog friend because it is her birthday today - Happy Birthday Christine (Harrop).  I hope you have a lovely day and manage to do something really special.


I do like LOTV digis and this was in the Fairies Black and White Sketch Pad No. 6.  I know that Christine likes these colours (just like moi) so the choice of papers was so easy.
 
'Cos this is a special card for a special friend, I decorated the inside as well - yay!  I used one of my new Spellbinders Die D'Lites for the flower, it reminds me of an Osteospermum, some of them have little 'spoon' shaped petals and are beautiful.
 

Ingredients

7" x 7" White Card Blank - Anna Marie Designs
LOTV - Cute Fairy from Sketchpad 6
LOTV - Happy Birthday Sentiment stamp
LOTV/Nitwit Paper Pad - Promises
Spellbinders - Opulent Ovals Die
Spellbinders Die D'Lites - Blooms One Die
DI - Dusty Concord
Promarkers/Copics
Sakura Clear Star Pen
Stardust Stickles
 
I am just hoping that this card pops up on my blog when the Postman has been, this is why I am scheduling it for after lunch.
 
Hope you like it, thank you so much for visiting me and for leaving any comments (if you have had the time).  I really do appreciate reading every one, even the maestro pops in to check them out.  Bless him.
 
Oh and I do hope I haven't offended anyone with my lurid stories of Blossom's past life, when she was a sex goddess.
 
Thought you might like to see a picture of her and her husband Donny (aka Don Juan) he really is a lovely soul but much more frightened of humans than his wife!!  Just look at Blossom's face - pure lust!  Now look at Donny's face - he looks as if he is thinking "Oh not again!!!"
 
 
Big hugs to you all and good luck to you if you have entered any challenges recently!
 
SUE xxx
 
I would like to enter my card into the following challenges -
 
 

Sunday 3 November 2013

OSAAT DT CARD - CHALLENGE NO 188 - USE A DIGI

Hi there lovely peeps - I do hope you are well and having a good weekend.  This is a DT card for the OSAAT challenge this week and we would love to see your creations entered on there.  You can win all of the digis the DT used in challenge number 186!  I should remind you that the only 'rule' to win all of these is that you should use a digi from the Stitchy Bears Digi Outlet.  You can still win a prize if you use a digi from another store though - check out the OSAAT site for the very simple rules.

The image is called Christina and is by Delicious Doodles on the Stitchy Bears Digi Outlet.

 
I decided to make this into an easel card and I thought the embossed white paper, despite being flowery, looked quite like snowflakes.  I used a 7" x 7" square card and made it into a round card using my Grand Circle Spellbinder die.  The circle where 'Christina' is placed is a Grand Decorative Circle.  I do love this decorative die!  I matted a piece of the embossed card on the top and then glued some gorgeous holographic fibre around the edge.  You will have to take my word for it that it is holographic because it just wouldn't show up on the pic.  The trim around her red top is covered in Polar White Flowersoft - something else I found in the cupboard!
 
Ingredients
 
7" x 7" White Card Blank - Anna Marie Designs
Digi - Christina by Delicious Doodles at Stitchy Bears Outlet
Pearl White Card - Crafters Companion
White Snowflake Embossed Card - C & C
Grand Circles Die - Spellbinders
Grand Decorative Circles One - Spellbinders
 Holly Motifs Die - Spellbinders
Poinsettia Die - Spellbinders
Stamen Punch - L-Em.com ??
Promarkers
Edging Fibre - Fancy Yarns
Glitz Sparkles - glitter glue
Polar Soft - White Flowersoft 
Sentiment is one I stamped out and kept in my stash
 
Anyway I did warn promise you an update on Blossom's progress.  Well, she went to the V-E-T's on Tuesday for her second injection so at least that is now done with until next year.  She complains louder than any other cat we have had and we have certainly had some vocal fluffies!  Our vet is Portuguese and is wonderful - we were discussing about whether or not she had been spayed, of course you can 't tell unless you can see a scar under her fur!!!  Have you ever tried - I have and have the claw marks to prove it.  Anyway I said we would watch to see if there were any signs that she was coming into season and we would then make an appointment.  We couldn't make an appointment for 7 days anyway because of the injection she had just had.  Something to do with building up immunity etc etc. 
 
I am sure you have all heard of Murphy's/Sod's Law and this happens to us in spades - I tell you no lies!!!   Wednesday evening she started behaving really oddly, Graham was with her out on the patio and she was crawling towards Donny (aka Don Juan) with her lady bits in the air (hence the new name of Dirty Gertie, Sue J) she was also singing to him - she has a wonderful voice, a bit like Tiny Tim on acid (do you remember Tiptoe through the tulips??).  Anyway hubby managed to capture her and brought her in - she wasn't pleased at all!  I had already asked the V-E-T what would happen if she had any carnal knowledge with Donny and he said not to worry because she could still have the operation.  Anyway she has been out since and even went to wake him up, boy she is a lusty little Dirty Gertie!  Naturally he was chuffed to bits and his little eyes lit up, I really thought he would pop in afterwards to ask if we had any ciggies for him to have a smoke - LOL!!!   (We don't smoke!!)
 
At least she has an appointment for next Friday now, so we will have an eventful few days methinks.  It's a little odd that she hasn't been pregnant before though!   I forgot to tell you that Donny lives in the garden as well, he joined us in March with Blossom but doesn't appear as vulnerable - once Blossom is sorted out he may have to move in, providing he is happy to be neutered !!!   Ooooooeeer!  Then again he might move on if the love of his life has a permanent headache! 
 
Roll on next Friday!
 
Thank you so much for checking out my blog and if you have managed to get through the above without nodding of, I am in awe of you!
 
Don't forget to check out the OSAAT Challenge and enter if you have the time.
 
Big hugs to you all from me and Dirty Gertie (aka Blossom)
 
SUE xxx
 
I would like to enter my card into the following Challenges -
 

Saturday 2 November 2013

CCC - CHRISTINE'S THEME - A RELIGIOUS CARD

Hi there my lovely blogging friends and welcome to my two new Planet Susie followers, you are all stars!!!   

I am so sorry I haven't posted for a while, I've made a couple of cards but they are only just due now.  I have been popping around a few blogs to leave a comment here and there though.   Anyway this one is for the CCC, and it is my blog buddy Christine's turn to choose a theme so she asked us all to make a Christmas card with a religious theme.   As a non-religious person I thought I would have trouble finding a religious stamp in my collection, however I looked in my stamp drawer and found the silhouette of the Three Kings (someone had given me this many many years ago and I had popped it away in my filing system)!  I remembered a card Sheena had made some time ago using a rooftop stamp and Distress Inks, I had made one very similar and loved the technique so thought I would use it again.  I stamped the image then used Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans and Dusty Concord to make a 'night sky' background. A few little dots of Sakura 'Clear Star' pen added to the starry sky.  Everything else I used is detailed in the Ingredients list below.

I bought some new dies recently amongst them were the Star of Wonder die and the Starburst Die.  The majority of my dies I buy from Dies to Die For  and I really cannot recommend Tracy highly enough.  There is a little box on the checkout form that asks for any additional information.  I often ask if there is a particular die in stock and she rarely fails to find an extra one for me - even when it is marked as OOS.  Not only does she send out your order really quickly, she also pops in a few die cut samples!  This lady is sooo helpful, I told her I was going to mention her in dispatches and NO - my fiver is not in the post - LOL!

The first pic is with the window almost closed, the paper is white and I have used lilac satin Mirri card to mat and layer.  All the stars are cut from silver holographic card.
This one, with the windows open, shows the colours of the night, starting with the Stormy Sky then the Faded Jeans and then the Dusty Concord.  I have just remembered that there is a tiny smidge of Black Soot right on the top edge.
 This is the last one and I liked it because it shows off the lilac matting layer really well plus the windows.  I also typed the sentiment and printed it in purple - I lurve this font.

Ingredients
5.25" x 5.25" White Card Blank - stash
Rubber Stamp - unknown
Lilac Satin Mirri Card - C & C
White Dotty Embossed Card - C & C
Snippet of Coconut White card - C & C
Star of Wonder Die - Memory Box
Window Four Die - Spellbinders Die D'Lites
Starburst Die - Joanna Sheen Signature Dies
Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Dusty Concord and Black Soot DI
Clear Star pen - Sakura
 
I hope this card fits the theme, I am pleased with the result though, and must admit to it being one of the smallest cards I have made but the stamp would have been lost on anything bigger.  I had been wanting to use the window die for a while and thought this was a good opportunity.  It must be Murphy's Law that this one has used a snippet and I am too late for Pixie's Crafty Workshop Snippet's Challenge!   Darn!!!!!!
 
I hope you like it, and I would really love it if you have the time to leave a little comment.  Never worry if you can't because I understand.
 
Oh - thought I would give you a quick warning, I will be giving you a Blossom - or Dirty Gertie as she is now known - update on my next post !
 
Please take care of yourselves and keep well.
 
Hugs to you all -
 
SUE  xxx
 
I would like to enter my card into the following challenges -