Alicia loves reading

December 2, 2012, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: Lucy Lou and Paddy

≪ Previous: Alicia Colouring

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Hi and welcome. I've another Alicia Alva digi for you today. Don't forget you can purchase Alicia's digis here.

Image - Alicia's Little shop - Alicia loves reading

Papers - My Mind's Eye 'Blink of an eye'

Sentiment - Lili of the Valley

Swirls - Memory Box dies

Seam binding and metal corner from stash

The image is coloured with Promarkers

Skin - ivory, blush, vanilla, oatmeal, baby pink

Hair - Burnt Sienna, caramel, sandstone

Jeans - French navy, aegean, sky blue

Top - Gold, saffron

Chair - Umber, walnut, terracotta, ginger, blender pen

Outline - Tea green

A sideways view to show the layers

I hope you are managing to find some time to relax as we hit the busiest time of the year. 

Happy crafting and I'll see you soon.

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Lucy Lou and Paddy

December 3, 2012, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: Christmas Teddies

≪ Previous: Alicia loves reading

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Good morning. I hope you are well this morning and getting more excited as the holidays draw ever nearer. A while back I coloured in a lot of digis and filed them away until I could find time to make them into cards. I'm using one of these images today from Sassy Cheryl - Lucy Lou and her bear Paddy. You will find them HERE for $1!!! That's right, they are in the bargain bucket right now. :)

Image - Sassy Cheryl digi

Papers - DaisyD - Attic Heirloom (I've had these since pussy was a cat!)

Trims from stash

Sentiment - Craftwork cards

Holly - Sizzix extended die - Festive Greenery

The image is coloured with Promarkers and Copics

Skin tones - ivory, vanilla, blush, oatmeal, baby pink- PMs

Hair - Burnt sienna, cocoa, caramel, tequila sunrise -PMs

Clothes - Burgundy, poppy, red, pine, forest green, pear green -PMs

Socks - pastel blue

Teddy bear - Brick beige E31, Sand E33, Chamois E35, Light walnut E57, blender pen -Copics

A sideways view - the inside is decorated to complement the front of the card

Sorry about the glare on the pics. The light was all over the place when I took them. One minute the sun was splitting the trees, the next it was overcast and raining cats and dogs. :)

It's turning bitterly cold too. Autumn went by in a flash, I think we've started winter already!

See you tomorrow and thank you for calling in today and for all the super comments you leave me. Thank you to everyone who takes the trouble to leave them, they really make my day!

Christmas Teddies

December 5, 2012, 12:00 am

≫ Next: Nordic look Christmas card

≪ Previous: Lucy Lou and Paddy

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Today's card is another for the Stamp Basket and I've chosen this gorgeous group of teddies to play with!

Stamp - Wild Rose Studio - Christmas Teddies

Papers - Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage

Dies - Memory Box - Frostyville wreath; Frostyville border

Ribbon - red satin

Pearls - 5mm snow white

Pearl brads - snow white

Gems - clear

Sentiment - Molly Bloom - Happy Christmas

Art Institute crystal glitter

Kraft cardstock from my stash

The image is coloured with Promarkers (PM) and Copics (C)

Bears - Putty (C), Pastel beige, satin (PMs)

Mummy bears hat and scarf - Sand, Chamois, Light Walnut (C)

Dad's scarf - Burnt Sienna, Walnut, Umber (PMs)

Baby bears hat and scarf - Burgundy, Berry Red, Poppy Red (PMs)

A sideways view to show the layers

I hope you enjoy today's card as much as I enjoyed making it. 

Just a quick Hello and welcome to my new followers. Thank you so much for joining me on the blog. 

Have a great day whatever your plans!

More good news from the Stamp Basket - until Friday 21^st December, there will be new items added daily to the Christmas offers section on the website…full details are on the blog http://thestampbasket.blogspot.co.uk/

 Special offers on Bildmalarna and Stampavie stamps have been extended, and a range of paper pads have also been added:

** 20% off 6” x 6” Prima paper pads

** 20% off 6” x 6” My Mind’s Eye paper pads

** 20% off A4 and 6” x 6” Papermania paper pads

Nordic look Christmas card

December 5, 2012, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: Hybrid cards

≪ Previous: Christmas Teddies

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Hi and good morning. Welcome along to the blog today. I've a quick and easy card to show you today, made from the latest Crafter's Companion download called 'Festive Fun' and available to all members of the new Club Inspire. 

It's free to join and has loads of benefits too. Just nip over to Crafter's Companion, click on Club Inspire and join - all the details are on the web site.

I haven't had much chance to indulge myself in the latest Nordic fad but these papers really make it easy. There is just something really Christmassy about the patterns and images. 

Card base - Kraft from Stamping Up

Papers from CC Member's December download - Festive Fun

Sentiment plaque, flowers and buttons are also from the download .

Reindeer and 25 - Sizzix Mover and Shaper die by Tim Holtz

Tree - Marianne Design die

Glossy Accents for numbers

Inkadinkado snowflake stamp (for reindeer)

Rangers Antiquities Frosted Crystal ink - edging card and tree

As I said, very simple and easy to make. The paper was printed onto Crafter's Companion satin finish 100gsm paper and the elements onto Centura Pearl card stock.

Hope you like this wee one today. I'll see you tomorrow with a couple of dodgy digital cards I made with my Craft Artist programme. It's been a while since I used it!  :)

Hybrid cards

December 6, 2012, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: Joyful Christmas greetings

≪ Previous: Nordic look Christmas card

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Good morning. It's Friday - nearly the weekend again and I found time to play the other day with a long-forgotten programme -Serif's Digital Artist 2. I use it sometimes to resize digis but not very often. 

I treated myself to a kit from Nitwits 'Oh the Possibilities' and matching backing papers. It's the very first Nitwit download I've bought though I love them to bits. I just realised that I don't have very many lavender coloured papers and I loved the tones in this collection.

Now don't look too hard. The light was dreadful when I took these pics + they are printed onto Centura Pearl snow white (gold) cardstock so I find it difficult to get a good setting on my camera. Let me just say they glimmer and shine IRL and the colours are sharper too. :)

I had this quirky wee image from D'Arcy's Diaries 'Puppet on a String' printed already so I coloured her to match the papers with Promarkers and Flexmarkers and fussy cut the image before 3D'ing it onto the front of the card. She's on sale right now so it's a good time to explore D'Arcys and all the TeddyBo sites as there is 35% off all the images.:) 

The tiny heart is from a Cheery Lynn die, everything else is in the Nitwit collection.

I decided against posting the first attempt though it's no worse than this one. I just couldn't get the light right at all and no amount of fiddling with it made it look any better. 

It is far from perfect but I could see me getting very absorbed in the DSA 2 programme! They have a more recent programme out and you can do lots more things but I think I'll stick to this one for the time being.

Hope you are having a good day and looking forward to a great weekend.

Catch up with you soon.

Take care!

Joyful Christmas greetings

December 11, 2012, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: I'm still here

≪ Previous: Hybrid cards

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Hello and welcome to the blog today. It's my last GDT card for the Stamp Basket today and I've chosen to feature this cute Nellie Snellen stamp 'You like my star'.

Papers - Wild Rose Studio - Annabelle's Christmas; Teresa Collins Christmas Cottage

Kraft and DCVW green card stock from my stash

Spellbinders Labels 10 for sentiment; Labels 22 for mat

Peeled paint distress ink

Ribbon; twine and button from the Stamp Basket

Swirl die - Memory Box - Whimsical Flourish

Tiny snowflakes from Whimsy Ornaments Borders die

 Sentiment - Whimsy Christmas sayings

The image is coloured with Promarkers and Spectrum Noir pens

Skin - Ivory, blush, vanilla, oatmeal, baby pink

Hair - Caramel, sandstone, daffodil bloom

Hat/Scarf/Mitten - Holly, Olive, Pear and Lime greens

Coat - Burgundy, berry and poppy reds

Boots - TN 3, 6, 7 - Spectrum Noir pens

Star - GB 4, 7 SN's

Shadow - Tea Green

Hat Brim - Ice Grey 1, 2

A sideways view to show the layers

There we are. My final card for the GDT spot with the Stamp Basket, my thanks to Janet for asking me. The last six weeks have flown by.

I have enjoyed trying out new images like Bildmalarna, Wild Rose Studios and Nellie Snellen and I hope you have enjoyed the cards I have made with them.

Have a good day!

I'm still here

December 14, 2012, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: Passion for Promarkers Mega Christmas Challenge!

≪ Previous: Joyful Christmas greetings

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Just a quick post today. I've been overwhelmed by the stuff I meant to do ages ago and now it's all catching up with me. I've treat boxes, table favours and loads of family cards to make, so apologies for not blogging this past few days. I've also been working behind the scenes and I hope I'll be able to show you the results in the New Year. :)

I'm sure you are all getting on famously with your preparations for the holidays, I imagine I'm the only one with next to nothing finished!!

My poor wee grandson has been ill all week and I just had to laugh at his description of how he was feeling. He told his Mum that his head was too big for his body. LOL He was all stuffed up and feverish. I thought it was a pretty good description until she told me the rest of it - 'I'm having issues with snot'!!! Ha, ha, ha!!! That's one way to put it I suppose. Totally priceless!

Well onwards and upwards - lots more to do.

I hope to catch up with you before the holidays but if not have a wonderful Christmas celebration and a peaceful and happy New Year. 

Passion for Promarkers Mega Christmas Challenge!

December 18, 2012, 12:00 am

≫ Next: Happy Christmas to you

≪ Previous: I'm still here

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Today I have another Passion for Promarker Challenge card. 

The theme for this challenge is to use the word 'Happy' on your card and it can be any occasion but I've chosen Christmas  - I'm still trying to get some cards into my box in time for the festivities. :) 

There are tons of prizes on offer so now would be a good time to get those Happy cards into the challenge!!

The whole PFP team joined in for this one. It was Team 2's turn for the last two weeks and now Team 1 get a chance to share some more cards with you.

I've used one of my favourite Saturated Canary images - she isn't associated with Christmas but I've coloured her to match the papers and I think she works. 

Image - Saturated Canary digi 'Thank you'

Papers - First Edition - Stocking fillers

Kraft cs - Stamping Up

Snowflakes - Spellbinders 'Create a flake 4

Icicle sentiment banner - Marianne design

Ribbon - The Craft Fairy

Charm - from stash

Sentiment - SeeD - Christmas messages

The image is coloured with Promarkers

Skin tones - ivory, blush, vanilla, oatmeal, baby pink, antique pink

Reds - Burgundy, red, lipstick red

Greens - Green, mint green, pastel green

Hair - Caramel, sandstone, daffodil bloom

Eyes - sky blue, indigo blue

A sideways view to show the layers. The snowflakes have been glittered with crystal Art Institute glitter.

I mentioned that there are a lot of prizes up for grabs and here is the list

See you over at Passion for Promarkers!

3 Collector's Sets (three prizes)

6 digi images

£10 gift voucher

7 digi images

$15 digi papers

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Happy Christmas to you

December 21, 2012, 5:27 am

≫ Next: :( Sicky bad, not well!!

≪ Previous: Passion for Promarkers Mega Christmas Challenge!

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I would just like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I hope that you will know the blessing of the season and the love of family and friends as presents are exchanged, food is enjoyed, games are played, and you watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' for the umpteenth time!

Perhaps you are missing a loved one especially at Christmas time. May the memories you shared be a real comfort to you.

Let's not forget the reason for the season in the mad dash to get everything ready in time. 

Hope was born at Christmas and that is the very best present of all.

Every blessing for a happy and healthy New Year and thank you for all the support you have given me throughout 2012. 

:( Sicky bad, not well!!

December 31, 2012, 4:01 am

≫ Next: A review of some of my cards in 2012 (Part 1)

≪ Previous: Happy Christmas to you

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It's New Year's Eve and I can't believe I've not posted in so long. My apologies if you have become bored waiting for something new from me. I've been feeling so bad this last week that I can hardly drag myself into the craft room. My mojo has disappeared meanwhile and I'm struggling!

Hopefully when this bug has had it's day and when I'm feeling a bit better the mojo will also return. My sympathies if you have also been laid low over the holidays - it's not pretty, is it? :)

I will take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy, Peaceful and Healthy New Year and thank you for hanging in there.

A review of some of my cards in 2012 (Part 1)

January 2, 2013, 4:29 am

≫ Next: Reprise of 2012 Part 2

≪ Previous: :( Sicky bad, not well!!

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It has become somewhat of a tradition to reprise the cards from the previous year before starting a whole new adventure in the new, fresh and shiny one. :)

Here are a few of my personal favourites in the first half of last year.

 D'Arcys Diaries image

LOTV Pompom stamp

D'Arcys Diaries image

D'Arcys Diaries image

Funky Kits Posy Pip stamp

Saturated Canary 'Alice' 

Sassy Cheryl image

Sassy Cheryl image - clothing coloured with one pink pen. I wanted to see how it worked with lots of applications - great if you only have a limited number of colours - you can get the impression of depth. :) 

See you tomorrow with the second half of 2012. :)

Reprise of 2012 Part 2

January 2, 2013, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: A little bit Sketchy

≪ Previous: A review of some of my cards in 2012 (Part 1)

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I really enjoyed browsing through my files checking out my favourites for last year. This is the second half of my selection and I hope you enjoy it too. :)

 

Saturated Canary image

My first card for Passion for Promarkers - Saturated Canary image

Sassy Cheryl image - I just love the exuberant vibe of this image.

My first frame card - sample for Crafter's Companion from Paintbox Poppets range.

I think it was partly the colours, partly the image and a big part of actually getting it together that made this one stand out to me. :) 

I adore snowmen images and this one from Crafter's Companion ticked all the boxes. :)

Saturated Canary image - I did this for a monotone challenge with 'odd' hair colouring. She's one of my favourite images from Saturated Canary but then they all are!! :)

LOTV die cut square - Wedding Day card for my daughter's friend.

The adorable Molly Bloom snowman image - I loved the rustic feel of this card.

Loved this cute pup from the Mulberry Wood collection at Crafter's Companion

Cute 'Wee Stamp' image free with a magazine. 

One of my favourite snowmen from Sassy Cheryl's digis - Flat bottomed snowman.

The gorgeous image of the snowman family from the gifted pen of Gayle Cook of Teddybo, Wonderland Stamps, D'Arcys Diares and FairyD images fame. 

There were a lot more cards that I just loved and also a lot that I didn't! :) I'm hoping 2013 will give me as much fun making cards as the past year did. Who knows what gorgeous imagery will be discovered in the months to come? 

I'm excited to find out. 

Thank you for joining me and for all the support you have given me all through 2012.

God Bless and here's to a wonderful new year. 

A little bit Sketchy

January 4, 2013, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: Faith

≪ Previous: Reprise of 2012 Part 2

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Good morning and welcome to the blog today.

Before Christmas I was delighted to be asked to make some samples for Crafter's Companion using the brilliant Sheena Douglass's 'A Little bit Sketchy' stamp range.

Today I am showing you what I came up with using the Peaceful Lakeside stamp set.

To say I was daunted about colouring it would be a huge understatement but I calmed myself down and got out the distress inks and set to.

I prepared the background first using tumbled glass, scattered straw, peeled paint and vintage photo DI's onto Neenah Crest card stock.

I stamped the image onto copy paper so that I could judge roughly where I needed the colours to be and checked that they were roughly divided into sky, lake and boats/shore. I spritzed the sky and lake lightly and let the water take out some of the colour. I let the card dry.

I then stamped the image onto the background using Staz On black ink.

I edged the panel with vintage photo distress ink after cutting it to the size I required for my card. 

I added additional colour using distress inks to bring out some of the detail in the stamp.

The sentiment is from the stamp set and I cut it with a Die-namics label die from the leftover background paper.

The edge of the card is punched using a Stamping Up edge punch.

A wee close up of the colouring detail.

I'll be back tomorrow with another Little bit Sketchy sample.

Hope to see you then! 

Have a great day whatever your plans. :)

Faith

January 5, 2013, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: Reminiscing and a little candy

≪ Previous: A little bit Sketchy

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As promised I'm back with a couple more samples from the Sheena Douglass 'Little bit Sketchy' range.

This one is called 'Faith' and it comes with the main image, a sentiment and the fir branch.

I used water colour card from Crafter's Companion for the card base and main panel and stamped the image with black Memento ink.

The image is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Bird - BT 3, 4 - LG 2 - DG 2 - LY 3 - TN 2

Bough - TN 7 - EB 4 - DG 3

Fir cone - EB 3, 5

I made a shaker card for my second sample using the fir bough stamp as a surround and backed onto an embossed background using the Embossalicious folder 'Regency swirls.' I did make these well before Christmas so forgive the either 'very early' or 'very late' Christmas themed card depending on your point of view! :) 

The bird has been coloured as a robin this time and is stamped onto Neenah card stock and coloured with Spectrum Noir pens.

The ribbon was one I purchased at the NEC and the button is from Stamping Up.

The 'snow' is polar white Flowersoft from my stash.

I've used Spectrum Noir pens in the following colours for the bird and bough

1G1, 2

EB 7 - BG4

DR 1 - CR 11 - OR 2

EB 4, 5

CG 2 - DG 3

Thanks for joining me today. Have a good one!

It's my youngest daughter's birthday today. Many happy returns my love -  have a super day!!

Reminiscing and a little candy

January 6, 2013, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: Passion for Promarkers Challenge #180

≪ Previous: Faith

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This post will stay at the top of the blog until the candy is drawn. Please scroll down for new posts starting on Saturday 5th.


Hi and good morning. Welcome to the blog today.

All that reprising of cards led me to wonder what has been the most popular card I've ever made. It wasn't hard to find. No matter how often I look at the 'Popular Posts' on the sidebar this one card 'Little Vintage Girl' appears time and time again.

I've no idea why - I wish I did, then I could perhaps repeat the formula!! :)

I thought it would be fun to see it again. I wonder what your most popular card has been? This one was made in 2010!  I still have it! :)

Now hanging on to things forever isn't a good plan when you need to keep freeing up some space, so if you like the card just leave me a comment and I'll post it out to you with a little something extra! How about Sugar Nellie's 'Fairy Cakes' stamp? 

I'll leave it for a few days and then have Mr Random.org do his thing. Let's say this will close on Monday 7th January at 9.00 pm.
If you would like to share this on your blog etc that would be great but you don't have to, leaving a comment will be fine. If you don't have a blog you can still leave a comment but I won't accept anonymous entries so please leave a name so that I know who to contact.

LOL after all that I hope someone does want it now. :)

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Passion for Promarkers Challenge #180

January 7, 2013, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: Lakeside Shore

≪ Previous: Reminiscing and a little candy

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It's time for another Passion for Promarkers challenge and it's the lovely Shelly T's turn to choose the theme.

This week's theme is PEACH and BLUE

The winner will receive a £10 voucher to spend in the LOTV shop so it's so worth having a go.

I've chosen one of my favourite LOTV images for this card today. She's called Pompom and you can find her HERE

Papers - First Edition Summer Breeze

Sentiment - LOTV Dreamy Days circular sentiments

Swirl - Memory Box

Ribbon from stash

Epiphany embellishment - Studio Oval 25 and epoxy accessory

X-Cut butterfly

Image coloured with Promarkers - my colour list got swept up in the 'after Christmas' clear up so I apologise for not having them handy.

A sideways view to show the layering.

We would just love to see what you come up with for the challenge so dive in and have a go.

Look forward to seeing your entries in the Passion for Promarker Challenge!

Don't forget the £10 voucher to spend at LOTV!

Have a great day and thank you for calling in. :)

Lakeside Shore

January 8, 2013, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: There's always a silver lining!

≪ Previous: Passion for Promarkers Challenge #180

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Today's card is the final sample from the Sheena Douglass 'A Little bit Sketchy' range that I was asked to do.

This one is called 'Lakeside Shore' and is available from Crafter's Companion.

I inked the background with distress inks and stamped the images with black Staz-On ink.

I removed some of the colour with a water pen to reveal the white underneath and then added some glitter to give the effect of the moonlight hitting the branches and foliage. The edges are inked with vintage photo distress ink to provide a frame for the scene.

It's a very simple card and one I think that would be suitable for a man's birthday. This particular set doesn't come with a sentiment but it would be ideal for any you have in your stash already.

That's me for today. Quick and easy card making - can't beat it sometimes for a change.

Have a lovely day and thank you for calling in. :) 

Before I forget I need to let you know who has won the card and stamp candy.

That would be you ..........

LOUISE PALSER

Mr Random.Org chose # 1 as the winner. It's not often that happens!

Just contact me via the contact button on the side bar Louise and I'll have the wee parcel on it's way asap!

There's always a silver lining!

January 10, 2013, 3:05 am

≫ Next: Blooming A-maz-ing!

≪ Previous: Lakeside Shore

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 Whoo hooo!!! I'm skidding in by the seat of my pants today. Better late than never at all, as they say. I had this card prepared yesterday, went to take the pics and found my camera out of juice. :(

It's all sorted now so let's take a look at 'Find the silver lining' from the wonderful Krista at Saturated Canary. 

I haven't coloured in for a wee while now so when I sat down and thought about colours, zilch inspiration. I hope this flat feeling passes soon, it's horrible. I decided to stick to greys and see what happened and this is the result.

The image is coloured with Promarkers

Skin - ivory, blush, vanilla, oatmeal, baby pink, antique pink

Outfit - Ice greys 1 -5, black Prisma pencil

Additional colours used - Cornflower, China blue (eyes)

Tea Green, Pear, Lime

The sentiment is from the digi image sheet

Papers - Prima 'Printery'

Heart - Cheery Lynn die

Swirl - Memory Box die

Stamping Up scallop edge punch

A sideways view to show the layers.

As I said before I hope this awful lack of mojo passes soon. In the meantime I'm enjoying visiting other blogs and soaking up inspiration. My thanks to my blogging pals for the beautiful work they post day after day. I wish I had the energy at the minute.:)

Take care, have a lovely day and I'll see you soon.

Blooming A-maz-ing!

January 10, 2013, 11:30 pm

≫ Next: Happy 2nd Birthday Teddy Bo!

≪ Previous: There's always a silver lining!

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Good morning blogging buddies. It's time to sneak peek a brand new CD and stamp collection from the effervescent Mr May. Over the next few days I'll be peeking samples from the collection and I'm starting today with the beautiful fuschia stamp set. 

The range will be launching live on Create and Craft from the CHA at 6.00 pm on 14th January. How cool is that?!! More info will follow closer to the time.

I've used papers from the CD - Co-ordinates Design 8 colour 3 and Design 2 colour 4  

The main image and sentiment are from the stamp set.

I coloured ivory seam binding with Spectrum Noir pens to tone in with the colours used in the fuschias.

The sentiment mat was cut using one of the dies from the Die'Sire 'Waltz' frame set

Cardstock is Core'dinations 

I've used Spectrum Noir pens to colour the image

DR 5, 6 - PL 2 - LV 2, 3 -DG 3 - CG 1, 2

I think it's a beautiful image and suitable for so many occasions. I hope you will join me for more peeks in the next few days.

The other girls (ahem! ladies) on the DT will also be showcasing this lovely collection so don't forget to pop over and visit - see the sidebar for names, blogs etc.  Check out the Crafter's Companion blog too for more ideas.

Happy 2nd Birthday Teddy Bo!

January 11, 2013, 8:58 am

≫ Next: Blooming A-may-zing - take 2!

≪ Previous: Blooming A-maz-ing!

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As you will know if you follow my blog I was on the TeddyBo DT a while back. It's one of the most friendly and fun teams around !
 As it's TB's 2nd Birthday today, Gayle asked old and new DT members to post their favourite TB cards on Facebook. Unfortunately I had cleared out my photo albums and couldn't access the earlier samples but I copied some from my Blogger posts and have popped them on here. I don't know how to get them onto FB to tell the truth!

There are a lot of pics but I found it hard to decide which ones were my absolute favourites so there's a plentiful selection.

If you have never discovered these gorgeous Teddy Bears - where have you been?!!

You can find them and all their friends right HERE.

Hope you love them just as much as I do. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEDDY BO!!!!

Thanks for calling in. Have a great evening. :)