About Me

My photo
Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
I have been crafting since May 2008, when in desperation to find an unusual birthday card for my Mum, I gave up looking in the shops and decided to have a go at making my own. I soon realised that crafting is addictive and I haven't brought a card since. In 2011 I completed my certificate in papercrafting as a result of the work I did as part of the course I started entering challenges on line and in magazines. I applied for design teams and also started making samples for Ooh La La Creations for their shows on Create and Craft. I have now completed my Diploma in professional crafting and most recently been runner up in the Papercrafter of the Year 2013 a competition run by Papercraft essentials magazine, I don't have a particular style I like to use elements from lots of styles and techniques, although I do love all things vintage. In 2014 I started to move more towards scrapbooking to take care of the huge family archive of photographs that were stored in my attic. I have continued cardmaking and Scrapbooking through 2015 and 2016 but have also become interested in off the page projects. I hope to be able focus on these in the future.

Monday 23 November 2015

Let it Snow at Ooh La La Creations

Hi Everyone, Once again thank you to everyone who entered our 'Pearls and Lace' Challenge there were some gorgeous entries and to see if made the top 3 please check the Ooh La La Challenge blog

Our theme this time is ....

Let it Snow

For my design this time I have used 'With help from my Friends' on the 'Christmas Presence' CD. You can purchase a copy by clicking on the image below.



I used a snow globe template to make my card blank. Once I had printed off the image I used the template to mark and cut the image in a circle that was slightly larger than the aperture. I added some glitter to the image and whilst this was drying I covered the front of the snow globe with one of the backing papers from the folder.

I didn't have any acetate in my stash so I used a cello card bag which I stuck behind the aperture and then trimed and sealed the open edges using super sticky tape but leaving a small opening at the top. I put half a teaspoon of flower soft polar white and crystal glitter into the bag and then sealed the top. I used double sided sticky foam all around the edges of the bag and once the glitter on the image was dry I stuck this to the back.

I die cut several snow flakes from white glitter card and a silver snow flake border and arranged these around the aperture. I finished off with the Happy Christmas tag and bows tied using an ice blue organza ribbon.

Monday 9 November 2015

Pearls and Lace at Ooh La La Creations

Hi Everyone, Once again thank you to everyone who entered our 'Embossing' Challenge there were some fabulous entries and it was really difficult to pick out the top 3 to see if you made it please check the Ooh La La Challenge blog

Our theme this time is ....

Pearls and Lace
I used an image from Wedding folder on The 'Yesterday's Memories' CD 
To purchase a copy please click on the image below



I love this image and have used it on several cards and projects. 

I printed off the image and the page curl backing paper and a contrasting paper from the same folder and the sentiment was taken from a quick card on the same CD.

I matted the page curl paper on a plum coloured pearl paper and adhered the panel to the an ivory card blank. I decided to use paper lace as well as real lace in my project and die cut the Celtic heart and the heart corner from the same plum coloured paper. I also cut lacy bunting from the contrasting paper. I used the contrasting paper on the corner of the card to look as if it has been revealed by teh page curl.

I added a strip of real lace across the centre and then matted the image onto plum paper and a cream scalloped oval. I used dies to make the lacy flowers and added shell pink pearls to the centres. The Pearl swirls are from a selection available in the Ooh La La shop.

Monday 26 October 2015

Embossing at Ooh La La Creations

Hi Everyone, Once again thank you to everyone who entered our 'Pretty in Pink' Challenge there were some gorgeous entries and to see if made the top 3 please check the Ooh La La Challenge blog

Our theme this time is ....

Embossing
That can be dry, heat embossing or even faux embossing so long as embossing is featured on your project I have used all three on mine.

I used an image from the bonus images folder on The 'Yesterday's Memories' CD 
To purchase a copy please click on the image below




I printed the topper and the matching backing paper onto white card then cut a square of the backing paper to fit an 8x8 card and matted this onto gold pearl paper and trimmed it to leave a narrow border.

I used ranger embossing ink around the edge of topper and heat embossed it with fairy tale gold embossing powder from 'papermania'.  I then matted it onto the gold pearl paper and trimmed it to leave a narrow border. 

I cut a panel of cream pearl paper and embossed this using the 'chains' embossing folder from Tattered Lace and I wrapped a piece of red satin and red velvet ribbon round the panel and matted it onto gold pearl paper.

I layered the panels up and tucked the corner of the topper under the ribbon.

The ornaments and bell are faux embossed they are actually die cut lattice ornaments layered onto the same colour of paper to give an embossed look to them.I threaded them all with sparkly thread and 'hung' them at different heights fastening the loose ends of thread over the back of the main panel before securing it to a cream  card blank.

I added a red organza bow and some red gems. I added red Gems to the topper and finished off with die cut and embossed Christmas roses and some pine branches leaves and pine cones.

Saturday 17 October 2015

Halloween Treats at My Sheri Crafts

I am absolutely delighted to have been asked to join the team as guest designer for this weeks challenge. It's all about creating treats or bags for Halloween cute or scary it is up to you. for more inspiration go to the My Sheri Crafts Blog 

So here is my project


Front 


back

 I don't really do Halloween but having scrapped some photos of the grand children from last year I had some lovely Graphic 45 papers called 'Once Upon an Eerie Tale' in my stash. I also had a few foam shapes so I used these to make two panels which I then stuck to the front and back of a plain white bag. I added some dangling bead and charm embellishments that I made from old bits of Jewellery that I had found in local charity shops.

The small 'Day of the Dead' skull was made from a plastic tree ornament from my local supermarket it had blue LED lights inside so I just used some decopatch papers from my stash to cover it.

Below is a close up of the panels for the bag


 Front 


Back

 I will fill it with small packs of sweets to be offered to any little ones who knock on our door on the night.

Monday 12 October 2015

Pretty in Pink at Ooh La La Creations

Hi Everyone, Once again thank you to everyone who entered our 'Lets Get Krafty' Challenge there were some really great entries and to see if made the top 3 please check the Ooh La La Challenge blog

Our theme this time is ....

Pretty in Pink

For my DT piece this time I used the Paula Oakley Collection CD and you can purchase your copy by clicking on the link below.


Latest CD

This is actually one of the sample pieces I made for the launch of the CD on Create and Craft 



I used the image from the Hearts and Laces folder on the CD and the plaid backing paper is from the same folder the pink 'textured' paper is from the bonus papers folder.

The bag was one I had left over after making the gift bags for my two youngest grandsons' Christenings

I started by cutting the pink textured paper in two and sticking it top and bottom of a plain white A 4 card that I had run through a patchwork embossing folder. I resized the image to make it larger and used a large oval die to cut it out and used double sided foam tape to stick it to the centre of the panel.I die cut the lettered bunting from white card and backed this with green card before arranging it underneath the oval and securing it. The teddy and 'baby Girl' were cut from white card stock and added to the panel.

Once I had completed the panel I stuck it to the bag using super sticky tape. I then positioned the bunting along the top and cut a length of lace which I secured behind the bunting and then stuck this along the top panel. The flowers and heart pins are from my stash.


On the back of the bag I used another of the backing papers from the Hearts and Laces folder and wrapped ribbon threaded lace top and bottom before securing to the bag. I added a strip of white card that had been embossed through a Patchwork embossing folder. I die cut three hearts in decreasing sizes from white, and green card stock and the plaid backing paper and hen attached this to the centre of the patchwork strip.

I added a die cut sentiment to the heart and then covered a plain white tag with the plaid paper and added a die cut teddy bear, before looping the tag round one of the handles. I added some white die cut butterflies and tied pink and white organza ribbon bows around the base of the handles on each side.


I am entering this into the following challenge
http://myshericrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ - Pink and Pretty

Monday 28 September 2015

Lets get Krafty at Ooh La La Creations

Hi Everyone, Once again thank you to everyone who entered our 'Ribbons and Bows' Challenge there were some gorgeous entries and to see if made the top 3 please check the Ooh La La Challenge blog

Our theme this time is ....

Lets Get Krafty

I have to say I loved this challenge, I love working with Kraft card as it is so versatile so decided to try something a little different. So I came up with a note book for all my inspirational jottings. I used the 'Say It With Words' CD for the image on the front cover on my book but as you will see as you read on I used something from every Ooh La La CD in the project. You can Purchase any of the CD's by clicking on the image below 



I knew I wanted to incorporate a technique I had seen Sheena Douglass demonstrate on Create and Craft some time ago so after much searching I found her tutorial on making Faux Leather from Kraft card on You tube you can find it here. 

A basic summary of the technique is that you use a small mister bottle and put approx 1/4 of the bottles volume of glycerine inside then top it up with water and give it a good shake.

Then take a piece of Kraft card and starting in the centre spray the water and glycerine mix on the card a little at a time rubbing the mixture into the card so that the fibres soak it up. The card will start to soften ( it's also great for making your hands soft too). Keep going until you have covered all the surface area of the card and got it really nice and soft. Once you have got it to this stage start to crumple the piece of card into a ball in your hand. This should be really easy and you should be able to get a really tight ball without the card ripping. Having given it a really good scrunch you very carefully unfold it and you are left with lots of creases in the surface.
 using distress inks ink the surface to make the creases stand out - I used 'Frayed Burlap' 'Aged Mahogany' and 'Tea Stain' on my project. Once I was happy with the colour I used a heat tool to dry it, you can just leave it to dry naturally but it takes several hours.                          
                   
 To complete the look of old leather I then passed mine through and embossing folder and sealed it with spray and shine. You don't have to emboss it but you need the spray and shine to seal the surface. 
I then used a tiny amount of gilding wax to give it a faded gilt effect in patches on the surface.

I had a book I had bought from a local supermarket for my jottings so I decided to use the 'leather' to cover it.

The book had elastic attached to keep it closed so I slit the 'leather' to allow the elastic to pass through. The book is slightly larger than A5 so I had to use two pieces of the 'leather and I covered the front and back and overlapped the pieces on the front just to the left of the spine and covered the join with self adhesive lace. to secure the leather in place on the inside of the book I used wet glue - double sided tape doesn't work as it doesn't stick to the leather very well.

Once I had the book covered I went to town decorating it.

I started by using a really appropriate image from the Say it with Words CD and also printed off the matching book mark to place over the ribbon already in the book. I made the tags using the blank tickets that are also included in the CD, and used one of these tags for the title. The flowers are from the embellishments part of the CD and the rest of the embellishments rare from my stash.

The little wooden buttons I have used on mine are also available from Ooh La La creations.




Once I was happy with the cover design I turned my attention to the inside and having found appropriate papers for the front and back inside papers I started to search all my Ooh La La CDs for appropriate bits to add. The page tags are also from Say it With Words.


I found the bookmark on the 'Boys to Men' CD and it had a wonderful quote from John Locke about reading so I then raided the 'Kidiwinks' CD to find the books with the sailing ship on to add to the front page. I made a pocket for useful bits and pieces like my colour wheel. The Kraft tag was in my stash already stamped with the sentiment so I added that.

Then to make sure if I ever lose the book that it will be returned I printed off a piece of stationery from the 'Yesterday's Memories' CD to put my contact details on. I added some die cut Kraft butterflies and the hats and a tailors dummy and then added the boot and the hats from the 'Passion for Fashion' CD embellishments folder.

I love Art Deco and these gift cards on the 'Yesterday's Memories' CD have a really Deco feel to them. I finished the page off with a posy of flowers from the 'All Dressed Up' CD



Whilst searching for suitable elements to include in the decoration of the book, I found a number of beautiful quotations in the various bookmarks folders across the CDs. I grouped three of these together from the 'Fleur D'imagination CD, all are about nature so the de cut leaves and butterflies worked really well with them.

Red is one of my favourite colours and cherries are one of my favourite fruits so the book mark from the 'Shoes in Bloom 2' CD worked really well with the ribbons, bows and jigsaw pieces from the 'Fairies in Bloom CD. I have a sundial in my garden so I added a die cut sundial to make the page really personal to me.






                                                  Another 'Shoes in Bloom' image this time from CD 1 featured Poppies one of my favourite flowers and had a wonderful quotation about friendship so I teamed it with the bright red border from the 'Faithful Friends CD'

The book mark from the left hand page is from the 'Boys to Men' CD and it really worked with this border from the 'Teentastique' CD.


The book marks sections of the CDs turned out to be a real inspiration for this project and I used this one from the latest 'Paula Oakley Collection' CD because it was all about leaves I added the die cut branch and leaves to the page.

I really do love my coffee and cake so I used this topper from the 'Everyday Occasions' CD and added the die cut cake stand and coffee pot. It is actually been made into a little pocket so I can keep bits and bobs inside the book.The little ribbon strips are more of the 'Teentastique' ribbons.


I use the 'Shoes in Bloom' CD a lot and this is one of my favourite images from it. Called 'Dance Petticoat' it always makes me think of 1950's rock and roll. The purple border is from 'Teentastique' and the Pink Butterflies are from 'Femme Fatale, The die cut is one I use a lot and the cage is empty but this tiny bird from a Joanna Sheen die set fitted perfectly.

Of course there have been a number of Christmas CDs from Ooh La La and I did wonder how to fit these into the project, without them seeming out of place. It took quite a while but then I thought about what I like about Christmas, being a bit of an ageing hippy it is the ethos of love and peace that most will buy into at Christmas when maybe it seems unfashionable to do so the rest of the time, and certainly since my five grandchildren were born it is that unquestionable magic that is founded in believing. So with this in mind I got out the Christmas CDs, I didn't have Festive Funnies but when I told Wendi the owner of Ooh La La what I was trying to do she generously sent me the images via drop box.

The image of Father Christmas is from 'Christmas Presence' I chose this one rather than one of him in a red coat because I prefer him in his traditional Green Coat before he was put into a red suit by cartoonist Thomas Nast for Harpers Weekly in the 1870's.

I took the Believe image from 'Yuletide Wishes' as I love the teddy bears. Peace and Love are from 'Festive Funnies' in the sentiments section. The Peace tag is already to print out but the Love one I adding by adding text to a blank tag in the folder. I love these rosettes as they look really dimensional but are actually printed flat. The little lantern I added is actually a bird house from a collection from dies by x-cut.


The 'Shawn Jenkins' CD is one of my favourites and right from the off I was always going to include this bookmark in the design. I love butterflies and I think the colours are stunning but I also really like the quotation 'If nothing changed there would be no butterflies' It was something I would regularly quote to a former work colleague who didn't handle change at all well and it would always make her smile.

The lovely buttons are from the embellishments section on the CD and the little tag at the top is from a topper in the Christmas section of the CD.

I added another die cut butterfly from my stash.



This page on the right has items from 3 CDs all working together. I printed off a mini envelope from the 'Nursery Times' CD to make a pocket that I could slip items into. As there was a frog on the corner of the envelope I decided to add another of the bookmarks from the 'Fleur D'imagination' CD which I snipped in half and layered both halves onto the envelope. I added another bookmark behind the envelope from 'The Boys to Men CD' and finished off with a die cut feather and a wood pecker - pecking the side of the book mark.

I am not particularly into Astrology but I do know my birth sign is Cancer and I do have several of the typical traits of those born under the same sign, It therefore seemed appropriate to represent this in the book. To enable me to do this I turned to the 'Dreams of Tranquility' CD and printed off the book mark. I made another mini pocket from a mini envelope and added the sunset silhouette and the pink butterfly from the 'Silhouette Magic' CD.

Having decorated the pages at the beginning of the various sections of the book all that was left was the inside back cover.

I started by using a striped paper from 'Say it with Words' and then made another pocket for the back cover using paper from 'The Paula Oakley Collection' CD and an off cut of the paper on I had used on the inside front cover.
I slotted in more bookmarks including this gorgeous image of poppies from the 'Carnival of Colour' CD. Some self adhesive lace and some images from 'Passion fo Fashion' and a fussy cut key hole from my stash completer the back cover. The facing page has been decorated with Postcards from 'Yesterday's Memories' one of them forming a pocket and further elements from the 'Passion for Fashion' embellishments folder.

So all that remains no is for me to fill my little book with things that inspire me. It currently has pride of place in my craft room and looks so much better than it did in its original red plastic cover.
                         
I am entering this project into the following Challenge
http://myshericrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ - Tic Tac Toe   - I choose the colour brown - Kraft card to make the faux leather, Metal embellishment - The butterfly and leaf on front cover - and lace both on front cover and indide.

Monday 14 September 2015

Ribbons and Bows at Ooh La La Creations

Hi Everyone, Once again thank you to everyone who entered our 'Signs Of Autumn' Challenge there were some gorgeous entries and to see if made the top 3 please check the Ooh La La Challenge blog

Our theme this time is ....

Ribbons and Bows
I used the 'Fleur D'Imagination' CD for my card and you can purchase your copy by clicking on the image below


This year in my garde I have grown Siberian Irises the plant has been in the garden for a few years but I moved another plant that was crowding it and the irises rewarded me with a gorgeous display. So this image reminds me of the lovely spring and early summer show they put on in my garden.




I started this project by finding the ribbon I wanted to use out of my stash I love the vivid blue of this organza ribbon and it makes gorgeous bows so it was just perfect. Then I searched the CD until I found an image that would work with blue.

I also had some dark Blue card blanks and matching card stock left over from last years Christmas cards so I used one of the blanks wrapped the ribbon round pretty backing paper and stuck it directly  onto the card blank. I added a white doily and when I cut out the topper I left a narrow white border of card and matted this onto the blue card stock. I stuck this to the card overlapping the doily, and then die cut the iris twice using blue and green card stock I cut the blue flower off and stuck it over the green one to give me the green stem and leaves.

I cut the sentiment from the blue card stock using a Tattered Lace die and stuck it onto white card then matted this onto more of the blue card. I tied a double bow in the organza ribbon and added a small ribbon flower to the centre then stuck it to the card. I then finished off with some blue gems and the metal butterfly.



The inserts inside the card are on the CD as DL inserts but by shrinking them slightly using MCS they are perfect for the inside of the card.

Monday 31 August 2015

Signs of Autumn at OOH La La Creations

Hi Everyone, Once again thank you to everyone who entered our 'One for The Boys' Challenge there were some superb entries and to see if made the top 3 please check the Ooh La La Challenge blog

Our theme this time is ....

Signs of Autumn

I used the Paula Oakley Collection CD for my Card this time. Paula is incredibly talented and her paintings have an almost photographic quality to them.

Latest CD

I thought Autumn Catnap was just perfect for this challenge.


The backing papers are all from the same folder and I matted them all onto black card stock before sticking them to an Ivory card blank. I matted the image onto black then ivory and then added this at an angle. I made the sentiment by shrinking the backing paper down to compress the colour banding - using MCS and then added the wording. I matted it onto black then ivory to match the image and then added 3 small gems. The flowers were made by using pages from an old book the paper was very thin so I glued several pages together and coated them in Mod Podge before I cut them out using a Tim Holtz die and used gems in autumn tones for the centres. The leaves are just peel offs that I put onto ivory card stock and then cut round and I added a real skeleton leaf to finish.

Monday 17 August 2015

One for the Boys at Ooh La La Creations

Hi Everyone, Once again thank you to everyone who entered our 'Nautical' Challenge there were some fabulous entries and to see if made the top 3 please check the Ooh La La Challenge blog

Our theme this time is ....

One for the Boys

I used images from the Paula Oakley collection CD and I have to say it has some wonderful male themed images on it. To purchase your copy click on the image below.

Latest CD

The folder I used is called 'Bull Dog Blues'.



I have a number of male friends who are musicians so this image was perfect for me. Especially as I will soon be off to Liverpool International Beatleweek to spend a wonderful week with friends listening to some amazing bands from all over the World playing Beatles Music Live in the City where it all began.
I Layered up two of the patterned papers and added a strip of ribbon and rather than a bow I used a blue enamel dot to secure two tails to the ribbon strip. I added die cut musical staves and then added the topper and the two sentiments.


I made my own inserts using another of the backing papers and using the digital Punch function on My Craft Studio to create the circles and frames which I overlaid onto the backing paper before printing out I added a die cut treble clef to finish


On the back of the card I added another die cut treble clef just to finish it off.

Monday 3 August 2015

Nautical but Nice at Ooh La La Creations

Hi Everyone, Once again thank you to everyone who entered our 'Christmas in July' Challenge there were some gorgeous entries and to see if made the top 3 please check the Ooh La La Challenge blog

Our theme this time is ....

Nautical

I used the gorgeous Femme Fatale CD for the topper for my creation. click on the image below to purchase your own copy.


The papers were from the Kidiwinks CD and the Fleur D'imagination CD



I found the topper in the ATC section of the CD and used the digital punch facility on My Craft Studio to cut her out in an oval. I then overlaid this on to a background from the Kidiwinks CD before printing off. The  seagull paper is also from the kidiwinks CD which I matted and layered onto silver pearl card and black card. I stuck the background to an 8x8 card and then added a strip of paper from the Fleur D'imagination CD across the centre. I mounted my topper on black card before adding it to my design. The wording is cut using an x-cut die from black card which had had silver gilding wax applied randomly over the surface. I had the pirate embellishments in my stash and added them to finish the card along with 3 white enamel dots.

Monday 20 July 2015

Christmas in July at Ooh La La Creations

Hi Everyone, Once again thank you to everyone who entered our 'All That Glitters' Challenge there were some gorgeous entries and to see if made the top 3 please check the Ooh La La Challenge blog

Our theme this time is ....
Christmas in July

I know some people groan when Christmas is mentioned this early in the year but if you make something for this challenge that's one thing less to do nearer the big day.

I used the Shawn Jenkins CD to purchase your copy click on the image below.


I decided to try something a little different for this card so rather than printing off the lovely backing papers and matching topper, I just went to the embellishments folder on the CD. The lovely image of the ice skates is already there in the form of a bauble so I took that as my starting point.




In addition to the Ice skate bauble I also printed the snowflake bunting and the diamond patterned bunting. I added the letters to the diamond pattern bunting using my craft studio. I printed one topper from the Believe folder.

I cut out all the elements the two baubles in the background and the blue bow at top centre were cut from the Believe topper. I added glitter to the two baubles and bow and also added glitter to the ice skates.

I embossed white pearl card with a snow flake folder and then matted this onto white glitter card and a pale lilac pearl card.

I used strings of silver sequins to 'hang' the baubles, then added the bunting and the glittered bow across the top. I raided my die cut box to see what embellishments I had, the leaves flowers and snow flakes were all left over from last year's Christmas crafting and were cut using a mixture of Tattered Lace and Joanna Sheen dies. I then just played around with what I had until I was happy with the design The Happy Christmas Banner was one left over from a pack from about 5 years ago which I bought at 'Lakeland'. Once I was happy and all the flowers were stuck down I added Gem and pearl centres to finish.

I am entering this card into the following Challenges
http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  Christmas in July
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Extra - Anything Goes
http://papercreatorscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ _ Christmas in July
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ - Christmas/winter in July
http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ -Christmas in July

Monday 6 July 2015

All that Glitters at Ooh La La Creations

Good morning everyone in blog land. Firstly thank you for entering our Happy Birthday challenge at Ooh La La Creations there were some stunning cards. To check to see if you were in the top three pop over to the  Ooh La La Creations Challenge blog.

The theme for the next two weeks is...

All That Glitters.

So get out your glitter and gems and show us your creations.

I used an image and backing papers from the Shawn Jenkins collection to purchase a copy of the CD click on the image below.




I printed off the backing paper and mounted it on purple glitter card then wrapped glittery silver ribbon around a contrasting strip of backing paper and stuck this across the middle. I then added self adhesive lace from do crafts over the ribbon to tone it down slightly.

I added the words With Love to the image before printing it off and mounted it on the same purple glitter card before adding it to the card. I added the glitter gems and used stickles glitter glue on the large flowers in the image.

from the scraps of purple glitter card I cut the large flower using a 'Tattered Lace' Trio die. he small purple flowers were cut and embossed using a Sheen Douglass 'Sweet William' die. I also cut some vellum flowers and some leaves using 'Tattered Lace' trios and layered the flowers up before adding the gem centres. The little silver birds and the silver flourishes were from my die cut box - They were all one piece but had been bent in the centre so I snipped away the damaged part and cut the rest up to make the flourishes and birds.

I am entering this card in the following Challenges
http://cdsundaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk Flitter and Flutter Challenge 

Monday 22 June 2015

Happy Birthday at Ooh La La creations


Hi everyone and thanks to all of you who entered the last challenge of 'Here Comes Summer' there were some lovely entries and it was really difficult to pick the top three to see if you were chosen head over to the Ooh La La Creations Challenge blog.
This fortnight the challenge is
 'Happy Birthday'

I used the 'Say it with Words CD' to order your copy click on the image below

                                                 



I kept the card fairly simple and used one of the backing papers from the CD mounted on Kraft card for the background I added a strip of a contrasting backing paper and a panel of sequin mesh. The image was also mounted on Kraft card and I added the sentiment cut using the Brother Scan 'n' cut.

Monday 8 June 2015

Here Comes Summer at Ooh La La Creations


Hello everyone in blogland. Firstly thank you for all your entries in our last Challenge 'Circles and Squares' there were some superb entries and to find out if you have made the top three pop over to The Ooh La La Creations challenge blog.

It's my turn to choose a theme this time so I have chosen 

Here Comes Summer

So whether you look forward to long sunny days at the beach, spending time in the garden or even up to your knees in mud at a music festival we want your summer themed cards.

Here's mine 


I used the latest CD from Ooh La La Creations 'The Paula Oakley Collection' Paula is a wonderful artist and the CD really does have something for everyone and every occasion. You can obtain a copy by clicking on the image below.

Latest CD

As soon as I saw this image when I was sent the CD to create samples for Create and Craft I was immediately transported to a holiday in 2001 with my dearest friend and her daughter to Weston- Super-Mere. One evening after dinner My friend, Diane and I decided we wanted to walk along the beach so the three of us set off. We hadn't gone very far when we noticed rather a pungent aroma. Diane's young daughter, Lyndsey asked what the smell was and trying to be polite I described it as being 'what the donkeys had left behind' Diane suddenly piped up 'You can put it on your rhubarb you know'. I just looked at her smiled and said 'really we always put custard on ours' 

Well that was it we looked at each other and started laughing and in that moment it was the funniest thing in the world - much to Lyndsey's utter embarrassment. So we continued along the beach with Lyndsey getting more and more frustrated that the two 'adults' in the party could be so childish, every time we started to get ourselves under control one of us would just say 'custard' and the whole process would start again. 

Even now the mention of 'custard' makes us laugh so these two delightful donkeys reminded me of that summer evening.

The card was really simple to make I used the backing papers and mounted them on pale blue and pale pink satin mirror board. I added a strip of contrasting backing paper and die cut bunting from blue card to add along the top.

The envelope is from the CD and I tucked it behind the image which had also been mounted on blue and pink satin mirror board. I added the sentiment and a bow and some pink gems.

I printed the bookmark from the CD and tucked it into the envelope making sure it could be removed as a keepsake.

I liked this image so much that I used it on my friends birthday card in May and of course there had to be a silly poem about 'Rhubarb and Custard' inside. It was slightly different in design to this one but on the day when I phoned her to wish her happy birthday - I could hear the laughter in her voice as she told me she loved the card.

Monday 25 May 2015

Circles and Squares at Ooh La La Creations

Hello everyone, Thank you for your entries in our last challenge to use a pre-coloured image to find out if you have made the top three check out the Ooh La La Creations Challenge blog.

For the next fortnight we are looking for your designs using

Circles and Squares

I have once again used the gorgeous Shawn Jenkins CD click on the image below to order your copy 





I started with the topper as the boxes were a mix of circles and squares. From there I used a checked backing paper (squares) and the basket weave paper (squares). I added a doily (circle) and then used the card candy type embellishments from the folder on the CD (circles) and the buttons from the same folder (squares).