It's taken me all day .....

To sort this blog out and I'm shattered lol. Not a single card has been made today which is disappointing to say the least. Never mind there's always tomorrow before work. Yes it's back to work for me and hubby tomorrow DS doesn't go back to school until Thursday. I have to say that he's looking forward to it, which ism a bonus.

Well I'm off to watch a bit of telly I think. Don't even know what's on lol, am sure I'll find something. Might treat myself to a cup of coffee. Can smell it already.

Felling very proud of myself

For 2 reasons. Firstly I got Woman of the year for my group at Slimming world group. I've going nearly a year and lost nearly 3 stones with them. It's my year anniversary of joining in 2 weeks and have 5 lb to loose to get my 3 stone award, it's going to be hard work but I'm determind to get it on that day. Keep everything crossed for me. I know I can't go through to national level as I'm not at target, but I feel so flattered that my group voted for me. It's such an honour.
This is what I wanted to share yesterday but had to go out

And secondly I got top 3 on Sunday sketch and stamp challenge 215 with this card. I love this stamp and it's fairly old now and very well used, but always produces a wonderful image.
Congratulations to the lovely Debby 4000 and Karen C for being the other 2 in the top 3.
Please take a look at their blogs as they are both wonderful crafters.

Both things are equally important to me as they have restored some of my confidence in my crafting and in myself. And, for anyone that knows will know that my lack of confidence is an ongoing journey.

Thank you for visiting my little blog and please feel free to come again. Visitors are always welcome.

Just because I can ...

This is one of my all time favourite stamps which I get asked for time after time for wedding, anniversary and engagement cards. So simple yet so affective.
I found the components to this card in a cello bag while I was sorting my envelopes out the other day. So I thought I couldn't just leave it and this is what I made.
I love the neutral tones as it will go with any wedding colour scheme

Off to do a bit more creating.

Just a quickie .....

I've got something to share with you later but first I have to pop out. Looks like it's going to be a busy day.

Off to stock up on biccies and might even treat you all to a cream sponge, seeing as I'm celebrating !

Last one for today ....

and it's a very simple Christmas card for the ABC Christmas challenge, which is Q for quick and easy.

The snowflake is the die that is free on this months Creativity magazine and the sentiment is by Chloe's stamps from last year. I just added a gem to the middle of the snow flake.

Off to get some food. I know i put that earlier but I've still not eaten lol. Too busy in my lovely craft room, listening to the radio, gigging about to 80's hits.

A man's and woman's best friend ....

My lovely little Cairn terrier which I think was  freebie absolutely yonks ago from Pink Gem. The paper is by paper cellar and everything else is from my stash. The sentiment is by Personal impressions.

I'm entering him for 2 challenges. 1. C.R.A.F.T - Animal or pet and 2. Love to create - Mad about plaid.

Off to get something to eat am starving. Will be back tomorrow after weigh in. Keeping everything crossed for a loss.

Back to school .....

for some children this week. My nephew's and niece's have gone back in Leicestershire. Mine doesn't go back until next Thursday. Having said that I do think this summer holiday has gone really quickly.

Onto the card. Isn't he a handsome little man ? Those of you that know me well know that I just love Mo's images, Oooo that reminds me I need to pop in and have a browse. That could be expensive so don't tell the hubster lol.

The paper is We are memory keeper's - Travel light, think it was free off a magazine ages ago and Paper cellar - Checks.
He's for 2 challnges, 1. DP2 - Back to school and Sister Act - Anything goes.

Better crack on, not had my shower yet. Back later ro fill the beverages and biscuits up. You like those chocolate Hob nobs don't you ?

Just love this stamp ...

I have used it so many times for so many different occasions. Everything in this card is made from bits n bobs from my stash. There is a bit of glamour dust on the rose but it doesn't show in the picture.

This simple elegant card is and for 2 challenges. 1. Pile it on - Best wishes / Congratulations and Mojo Monday - Tall and skinny with a sketch. The cards had to be 3.5" by 5.5" or 3.5" by 6". Mine is 3.5" x 5.5".

Thanks for popping in.

Love this image ....

even though she's fairly old now, she's still a cutie. I love the bright yellow, I wasn't sure it would look right but it's turned out lovely. Everything is from my stash and the wheel was cut on the cricut. Even the image has been coloured for a while.
She's for 2 challneges, 1. Allsorts - Bright, summery colours and 2. Cute card Thursday - Anything goes.

The weather has certainly turned and the nights are drawing in, that can only mean 1 thing. Yes it'll be Halloween and Bonfire night before we know it. Don't really do Halloween but just love Bonfire night. Last year we went to one that had traction engines, it was lovely. The smell of the engines was great. Enough rambling best get on and get something done.

Thanks for popping in, off to do a bit of blog hopping and research. I'm thinking of changing my blog decoration.

Finally blogger has decided to work !

I've been trying to get my reading list up for the past hour and finally it's decided to play ball. Thought I wouldn't be able to share this card with the 3 challenges it was made for. So, here goes. 1. Cute card Thursday - Back to school, 2. The Pink Elephant - Anything goes and Sketch Saturday was the lay out.

Both images are Mo's coloured with pencils and sansodor, the paper is by the British paper company and has been in my stash forever, the sentiment is by Wild Rose and the circle and tag are off by cricut and the stars are punched.

Have been craft shopping today which was lovely as I've done any for ages. Will photo my loot later to share. Tonight my friend nominated me for the ALS ice bucket challenge so that's tomorrow mornings task.

Off to get a drink and the rest of my syns for today. Au revoir mon aimee's.

Something for a little girl's birthday ...

and for 3 challenges. I love Mo's images and this is such a cute one. That's my first challenge over at DP2 and that's for a girls birthday card. 2nd is Sketch n Stash where they ask you to follow the sketch and use neglected or new bits from your stash. The new is my Cricut which I used to cut the greeting and the number.  Also the ribbon is new too. The old is the paper which I got off a magazine a while ago and never used. The lace and gems I've had a while too. And number 3 is Sister Act where Anything goes this week.

Brrr isn't chilly I think the weather is definately on the turn and the nights are drawing in. Autumn will be here before we know it. Oh and then oh yes it'll be that "c" thing at the end of December. This year is going way to quick for my liking.

Well I'm off craft shopping in a bit, off to the Range and Hobby craft at Nottingham. I know we have both in Derby now but both stores are bigger in Notts and it's a trip out. I think there may be a few moans and groans from a certain 10 year old but he'll just have to grin and bare it lol.

Off to get ready see you all later. Ta for popping by, help yourself to the biscuits.

Got myself a bargain .....

from the £1 shop. Couldn't believe it the last one I bought from this collection was £9.99. Love 'em as they go with the postcard one. Loads of ideas going round my head now. Good job I'm off next week lol.

So, if you live in or around Derby nip to the big £1 shop where Woolies used to be and get some. Great for a quid each, but hurry cos they didn't have many left.

Off out shortly to celebrate my friend passing her exams so I'll be back tomorrow.


TTFN
Love Karen
xxxx

Well what a week ....

it's been. I've been so busy with work and chores that I've not had chance to do any crafting. Oh hum.

Anyway next week myself and hubby are on holiday so lots of time for crafting. Woo hoo. We are off to seaside one day, got the boys new school shoes to get and a few other bits and bobs and then it's me time. I've even persuaded hubby to go craft shopping to get some craft essentials. Well as we all now ladies and gentlemen, EVERYTHING in the shop is essential lol.
Hope the weather stays next week, especially the day we go to the seaside.

Weigh in tomorrow and keeping everything crossed for another loss, although it's hard to balance on the scales with your legs crossed lol.

I'm offski to get ready for work. Have a good and happy day what ever you're up to.

My first Christmas card of 2014 ....

and it's for 4 challenges, yes 4.

1. CRAFT challenge - Christmas. 2. Cute card Thursday - Clean and simple. 3. Crafts 4 Eternity - Something old ( my old faithful Stampendous Poinsetta stamp ). 4. Sunday sketch and Stamp - Sketch

I love this stamp and I've made cards with this stamp so may times in so many styles and colours. It always looks so lovely.

Am off to bedfordshire in a mo so see you all tomorrow.

Wedding season ....

card for for a friend of mine that's why there's a random bit of paper stuck to it. It's also for 2 challenges. Mojo Monday - Sketch and Papertake weekly challenge - Spots and Dots ( very subtle on this piece of lovely wedding paper by Paper cellar ). The flowers are cricut cut and hand punched, inked with pale pink. Everything else is from my stash

I've had a busy weekend, going out yesterday and out visiting today. Not enough time in my craft room today so another card before bed me thinks and a bit of crafting in the morning before work.

I'm making a crafty shopping list as I'm off again in a couple of weeks and I'm hoping hubby will take me craft shopping lol. But keep that between you and I ssshhh Mum's the word.

Thank you to those that have visited lately it's good to see you.

Good afternoon ....

One and all. Hope you're having a lovely weekend so far, I know I am.

Went to weigh in this morning and lost another 2lbs which I was thrilled about. Half a stone to the 3stone bling and 4 weeks to do it in. Keeping everything crossed.

Today we've been out for lunch with my brother and my nephew and niece. It was lovely because we haven't seen each other since Christmas. A lot has happened in months since then. My niece has turned 16, had her prom, I've changed jobs and lost weight. Lots to chat about, including that my nephew wants to be a giant, fluffy penguin in his gap year. Oh well whatever makes him happy lol.  We had a good old catch up at one of our favourite places to eat, Cosmo's. Lovely food from all over the world. I made wise food choices but did treat myself to a dessert yummy !

Well I'd better crack on as I want to get some cards started and I have a wedding card order to do. Back tomorrow with pics.

This work business is ........

Seriously cutting into my craft time, but at least it pays the mortgage and my addiction. Although, I haven't really bought anything crafty for a while. Think a trip out somewhere may be on the cards lol.

Well the weather can't decide what it's doing today. Half hour ago it was brilliant sunshine, then we had a heavy shower of rain and now the sun's back out. It's still very warm though, so bonus on that score.

Oh well guess I need to start and get ready for work. Am trapped in the office this week, no tripping round the countryside for me. May be next week if I'm a lucky. At least my new jobs gives me plenty of time for crafting. One happy bunny lol.

Drum roll please ........... Ta Dah !!!

!

And this is NOW and I'm loving it. Just got the bits under the PC to go through and my draws and it's finished for now. #workstopsprogress lol.

This is what my craft room looked like before Sunday ...

I think a tidy is well over due, don't you ? Will be back later with the after pics. #6hourmakeover without Peter Andre.! Well a girl can't have everything lol.

Cute boy card for passing his Karate belt ...

I've used this Mo Manning image for 4 challenges. He's coloured using crayons and sansodor, which I love using. The paper is K and Co Hopscotch and the card and ribbon are all from my stash.

Onto the challenges: 1. C.R.A.F.T challenge which is Congratulations or Well done, 2. Love to Create's challenge is something inspired by a film, book or song ( Karate Kid films ), 3. Pile it on would like us to use Primary Colours and Sketch Saturday is a sketch.

Hope the weather hasn't been too bad where you are. We had the torrential rain Saturday and the high winds yesterday and today. The sun's out so not complaining.

Later or tomorrow I'l show you what I was up to yesterday. Some of you will be shocked lol.

Well I'm off to get ready for work. Back covering my old job this week, which I'm not happy about but never mind.

TTFN
Love Karen
xxx

This is what happens ...

when these 3 innocent looking fur babies decide they have waited long enough  for me to finish getting showered and ready for the day ahead.

Bertie the little white one can open the living room door. The other 2 follow him in and the mischief begins. In former life there was 2 magazines, an embossing folder and 2 stamps on my sofa ! Not any more.

In fact I can hear them up to no good down stairs. I'l just go and investigate. Yep they've got an old t shirt and started redesigning it. I think it may be bed time she sighs.

Back tomorrow.

Man's card for 3 challenges ...

I needed to make a card for my brother's birthday next week so I thought I'd coincide it with 3 challenges.
The stamps are Papermania. The postcard is from the Urban range and the globe is from their Chronology set that I got free off a magazine. I managed to get them to my craft room before the fur babies saw them lol.
I have no idea what the paper is I bought it so long ago.
Everything else is from my stash.
So onto the challenges.

1. Crafts For Eternity, 2. Penny's paper crafty challenge,  3. Sister Act. All are themed at Anything goes this week.

Thank you for taking  a look at my tiny bit of cyber space, please feel free to pop in any time. We love visitors.


TTFN
Love
Karen xxx

A little disappointment and full of determination .....

Got back from SW and have gained a pound ( from now on will called guinea pigs ), which is ok has I do feel bloated today. My next bit of bling is 3 stone ! So this week I'm on it. Be gone you little furry creature never to return.  I'm determined !

Rant over lol. Off for some inspiration.

Morning !

Just a quick post before I pootle off to Slimming World for my weekly weigh in, chat and laughter. I've lost 2 stones with them so far after going for nearly a year. I'd like to be at target by my year anniversary so keeping everything crossed lol.

Will be back later when I've got something to share with you all. I've a few ideas in my head, transferring them to paper is another issue lol. I had some fab ideas for the embossing folder and stamps I got free on a magazine until the fur babies decided they didn't like them and ate them ! Oh hum back to the drawing board.

Off to get ready.

Anyone for Golf ?

With this fine looking gentleman by the La Pashe who's coloured using crayons and sansodor. I've highlighted the foam on his pint as he looks so proud of it lol. Well it'l quench his thirst after 18 holes. The sentiment is from the same set, the papers are by Paper Cellar and the pile of golf balls are Craft work candy.

He's for 2 challenges, Sunday sketch and stamp and The Alphabet challenge which is M for Men only.

I'm loving being back in my craft room again and having the time to create. Although I do feel a little bit out of practise lol.

Thank you for popping by and feel free to drop in any time the red carpet is always out.

First challenge card in an absolute age .....

And here it is. I followed the sketch over at Sunday sketch and stamp but wasn't sure if you could use digital images so I'm not entering it for that one.

I am entering her for Mo's challenge which is " Things with wings " and The Allsorts challenge which is your favourite things, which for me is the flowers and this image.

The image is coloured using pencils and Sansodor, highlighted on the wings and water with glamour dust. I think the paper was free off a magazine and the flowers I cut using my cricut.

Thank you for taking a look and please pop by again soon.