DP2 Challenge~

Hello Girls.
Wow this weather really is a bonus at the mo isn't it? It's a tad overcast today and I have been told that is going to stay like this for a while now (and on the Holiday's too) which is a shame, but we cannot complain as we have had it pretty good for March.
Cannot believe it is April tomorrow,....OMG how quick has that month gone!!

I won the Challenge over at DP2 last week, and as I adore Mo Manning images I was delighted. I popped over to the shop to have a look at her images and make my choice.
I picked a Christmas image from last year, made loads of cards using the "Toppers" so now I have my own image to colour how I want. Thank you so much Mo..

No surprise today's card is made for the latest Mo challenge (I already have my image picked out if I win again!!LOL)
This is another topper from Hobbyhouse, and I have used all my leftover papers,a few flowers and some card candy. Very simple but I do love this colour combo. Brown and Pink in this case, but Brown and Anything is perfect I think.

Entering into:

DP2--Photo Inspiration

Cute Card Thu--Easter

Creative Card Crew--Spring

Paperplay--Easter

Pollycraft Monday--Chocolate Colours


Debbiexx

New Stampotique Challenge~

Hello Girls~

Hope you are all well, and if you live in the UK, hope you are enjoying this gorgeous, if not a bit "freaky" warm to hot weather. I keep thinking it's got to rain sooner or later or we are in big trouble in the drought department!!

Oh how fun life is: Not only will we be walking everywhere (petrol tanker strike!!) but we will be doing it in torrential rain!!! LOL

Ever the optimist, that's me....I did not rush out and top up my car with gold...I mean petrol, I just thought what the heck, we are all going to end up with none in the end anyway. I have had my new car a month on Sunday and have only done 168 miles so far. My sister can do that many miles in a week!!!
I could literally do without a car if I had to....Well slight exaggeration but you know what I mean.

Onto today's project.
I have a new found love and it's called Art journaling, I just love it, it is so calming and therapeutic. If I have a bit of a Mojo failure, I just turn to the journal and off I go. It is so random and unplanned that it makes it such fun to do.
This photo shows you what I did tonight after tea.






I used Dylusions spray inks, masks, inks, gesso primer, Stampotique stamps, Dylusions stamps, and anything else I have to hand to make the backgrounds pop.

I was not too sure when I first saw these Stampotique Stamps, thought they were a bit odd and ugly, however they have really grown on me, and with the market at the moment being ALL cute and Girly, it makes a pleasant change!
They are just perect for this kind of crafting and go with the bright colours so well.
The big Mushrooms are called "Shrooms" and the funny little man is called "Daniel Torrente". My "Spring" sentiment is called Spring Magic and is by Penny Black.

Entering into:

Stampotique--Spring has Sprung

My Mum's Craft Shop--Stamp it

One Stitch at a Time--Anything Goes

Raise the Bar--In the Garden

Stampin' 4 the Weekend--Anything Goes

Simon Says Ch--Anything Goes

Totally Papercrafts--Humour

Debbiexx

A Day for Daisies (New Hat)

Hello Ladies

There is a Challenge over at Sweet Stampin today and it's nice and easy too....It's "Anything Goes".
Our sponsors this week are "A Day for Daisies". If you have never seen their digi stamps, get yourself over and have a looky at the gorgeous images.

This Image on my card is called "New Hat", isn't she splendid? I thought she was just perfect for a teenage girl's card.
I am also going to use her to make my Mother-in-Law some notelets. MIL does alot of "Snail Mail" and loves her notelets, so i thought I would stamp this image a few times and make some up for her coming Birthday in April.

I have use a sheet of Stella Rose paper (one of my favorites) and some brown co-ordinations cardstock. I have used a Nestie shape for the image, I like the shape of this one. The sentiment is a LOTV, and I have added some gems and a bit of ribbon from my box. The image is coloured with Pro-Markers.

Entering this card into:


One Stitch at a Time--Girly

Creative Inspiration--Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday--Anything Goes

I love Pro-Markers--3 Papers

Papertake Wkly--Eye's Down Look In



Debbiexx

One of Mo's Beautiful Girls~

Hi girls,

It is no secret that I LOVE Mo Manning images.
I have quite a few and love them all. The image I have used on today's card is not a stamped image it's one of Mo's toppers. I buy these from my friend Jill at Hobbyhouse, her craft items are lovely and her packs of pearls (which I use all the time, including on this card) are second to none, lovely quality.
Jill and her husband Mark are just so lovely, Angie and I had a nice long talk to them at the GNPE show at the weekend. They were so busy Saturday, we just acknowledged they were there, but Sunday was much quieter so we had a lovely time buying all the goodies and chatting away.

I have used the following products on this card.

Jillibean Soup Papers (in Lemon Colours)
One of Mo's Toppers
NS/Retro flower punches
Stickles and Pearls
Nestie Flower Shape


Entering into:


Dp2--Bling it on

Totally gorgeous--Spring

Paperplay--Spring

Kadoodle Doodle--How Cute is That

Anything Goes--Easter

Debbiexx

You couldn't make it up!!

Hi Girls,
It has taken me this long to blog after my weekend away as I have had to get all my jobs done and tidy up the mess my lot left for me!! How kind!
Mind you my two did get me a Blu Ray (Real Steel with Huge Jackman!!) and beautiful flowers for Mother's Day, so all is forgiven.

Did you see the title of this post? Well I am not joking...what Angie and I got up to in the hotel you honestly couldn't make up, I just don't know where to start to tell you, but this is the short version. (the long version I have sent to Steven Spielberg to see if he is interested in it!)

You will still need a coffee and a tranquiliser while you read it, it's pretty long..

On our first day away, Angie and I had a busy day shopping/driving eating and drinking, but ended up turning in for the night at about 11.30 (up the next morning at 6.30 so knew we would need some shut eye).
The next thing I knew was Angie waking me up to saying there was a horrendous noise coming from the room above us. It was 2.50am!! Well we waited and waited and it just did not stop. We rang reception, but as the hotel is a quiet pub type hotel no one was there.
We were getting really cross by this time, so decided to go up and knock on the room. We both popped on our dressing gowns, I put on my "Pig" slippers (Ye-I know!), Angie grabbed the room key and off we went. Well outside the room the noise was just awful, so loud (tv obviously). No answer, knock again, no answer.
On the phone in our room was an emergency number, so I decided we would call that.
As we started down the stairs back to our room, I noticed Angie had stopped on the stairs and when I looked back she was ashen white with a painful looking twist on her face.....She was looking at her hand...... The key she had in her hand belonged to the CAR not the ROOM!!! OMG, what a nightmare! We were LOCKED out.
Things got worse (I know, you are thinking how!)
Well we decided the only thing we could do was to sleep in the car, OR (my plan!!) Which was to knock on someones door, apologise and say we are sorry for waking them at this godly hour but, we are locked out of our room! It was about 3.35am by this time...
So I went to the door opposite our room, and as I went to knock on it, it opened...

Now this is how my mind works.....

I thought Oh great NO ONE IN IT, door open, we can kip in there until we can let someone know in the morning!
How wrong I was. I pushed open the door and put the light on so it was lit up like a Belisha Beacon...................Eh there was a couple IN BED!! Honest!
As it happens they were so drunk they did not even know we were in their!
Eventually we managed to wake the girl and in the end got her to ring the on duty manager who let us in our room and sorted out the tv upstairs.....To make things worse (Like that could happen!) The people who's room we invaded had been partying for the girl's Birthday, so that's probably one she will remember.....Sorry!!

Told you. Angie and I are not fit out TOGETHER, in future I am going to go everywhere separate from her. Wouldn't be any fun then tho' but we might not get into any Bovver!! LOL

I have booked Angie on a locksmith course just to be on the safe side, be prepared that's what I always say...

Debbiexx

Big Tag~

Hi Girls,
Thank you to all my followers for leaving such lovely comments for me, they are much appreciated.

I am away all weekend so this post is scheduled. I will hopefully be buying lots of new crafting goodies by the time this goes live, and no doubt Angie and I will have been in stitches laughing at something that has gone on....We cannot go anywhere without getting into a bit of bovver!!! In a nice way!
Everybody we know says we could have a good time in a garden centre in the middle of winter!!!! What do they mean?

I hope you like today's "Crafty Make"....I had a little go at cutting with my New Tim Holtz "Birdcage" alterations die.
I have had it a few weeks now, and was dying to have a go with it. I decided to try and put it over the top of Tim's other alterations Die, the "Sewing Room", I saw this technique in a magazine, I am really pleased at how it has turned out too.

I started by using Grunge Paper and cutting out the dress form.
I then cut it again in this gorgeous pink paper by Glitz Designs, I cut the birdcage in this paper aswell.
As this is double sided paper, I used the other side (which is blue) to cut out the bird and a couple of tiny flowers. I have made a banner with a bit of old book page, added some pearls and ribbon and I found this neutral braid in my box, thought it went with this quite well. All the edges are inked with Walnut Stain. I finished the form with a set of wings which were stamped, inked and covered in glossy accents.
I then mounted it onto a large "Postcard" style big tag by Crafty Individuals. The colours these tags come in are just gorgeous, and this one just needed the edges inking with Walnut stain and it was done.

Entering Into:


Bunny Zoe--Shabby Chic

Creative Card Crew--Vintage

Charisma Card Ch--Alter It

Crafty Sentiment Designs--Things with Wings

Ladybug Crafts--Anything Goes

Sarah Hurley--Steampunk


Debbiexx

Scoot the RAT!

Hello Ladies, hope I find you all well today.
I am going to be missing for the next few days (Fri to Mon) as I will be having a spend at the GNPE in Harrogate with my lovely friend Angie, we are so excited and cannot wait now!
When I return I hope I will be able to show you some of my nice new stash!


Onto today's project. I have a Scrapbook page to show you today, and have followed this super sketch, but unfortunately I cannot find it now. My sketch is very much like the challenge sketch, that had these circles, but I cannot find it now!


Now.....If you look closely at the photograph you will see my Son at age 10, and if you look even closer (If you dare!!) you will see his pet.....his "Girl" Scoot, the RAT! (She is just nestling in his hood).
Now please before you run away screaming and jumping on the chair, let me tell you about our girl's...Oh yes Girl's in the plural! We had two pet rats one for each of the children.
My children were both at the age when they were pestering me for a pet. We don't want a rabbit said my daughter, or a hamster or a guinea pig, and we know we cannot have a dog, but we want a pet that will play with us and we can play with them!!

After some invaluable Internet research and a talk with my local pet shop owner I grew more and more sure the best pets for the children were pet rats.
I have never been one who is afraid of mice or spiders or snakes (but I don't like anything that flies, like bees, wasps, moths and AEROPLANES!!), so I knew I would not be afraid of them and OMG...they were the most fantastic pets EVER!

Not only did they just love to be out of their cage playing, they were clean, so sweet together, and the children could play with them from the minute they came in from school 'till they went to bed.
Matthew would play loads of funny games with Scoot, he would roll a malteeser along the settee and she would bring it back to him...not eat it, play games with it, she was incredibly intelligent and even my friends who said they hated rats fell in love
with her, she was just so adorable.
I used to sit her on my shoulder and sing to her, she used to go in a trance almost and just sit with her little face against My cheek.
I know she would not have been every body's cup of tea, but our local Vet said that they make the perfect pets. Unlike a hamster that would make a run for the nearest exit if they were allowed to (you would never see it again!) Rats are happy to go back and forward in the cage with no care to escape. We had a bird ladder coming from the door to the settee arm and we would just let them come and go all the time.
They slept together in a terracotta "Plantpot" and ate food like a hamster + vegetables which they loved.
There was one downfall, unfortunately they are not with us very long and have a maximum lifespan of 3 years, our girl's were only just 2 when they died, so very sad they did not live longer.
Hope you like her...Say you do! It's ok if you don't 'tho. Lol

Entering into:


Anything Goes--Boys/Men

Crafts and Me--Circles



Debbiexx

I Love "Green"!

Hello Ladies,

It's no secret that my favorite colour is "Green"...

I remember my first ever house (over 27 years ago now). I had the most gorgeous Bamboo Green wallpaper, It was the "In" wallpaper at the time (I was not the only one who had it on her walls, I think half the town did too!!) BUT I loved it so much, I ended up having it in three of the five rooms!! I know, pathetic isn't it, but I was only 24 years old and it was the 80's!
That's my excuse and I am sticking to it....lol

Back to the "Green" card in question.
I have chosen this sweet LOTV image, I have only stamped it once, so it was about time it had another outing!






My papers are Stella Rose, flowers are a Nellie Snellen punch, and lovely little ticket Sentiments are Whimsy Stamps, very useful little pack of stamps.
The image is coloured with Pro-Markers. The border punch is a MS, one of my favorites, Pansy Flower I think.

Entering into:

Allsorts--Say it with Flowers

Cupcake--Dotty

Crazy for Ch--Spring

Critter Sk Ch--Green

Kadoodle Doodles--Show us Green

Simon Says Stamp and Show--Anything Goes

The Sweet Stop--Sketch

2 Sisters--Spring

Sassy Cheryl's Ch--Green

SweetStamps--Spring

Totally Papercrafts--Favorite Things

Debbiexx

Oh No it's ME!

Hi Girls,

A quick thank you for all the lovely comments I have had recently, you are all so nice, thank you so much, it means such alot.

I am a bit excited here today.....It's only 5 more sleeps before my friend Angie and I go off to the GNPE craft show!!! OOooo Sooooo Excited. It seems to have come round quickly since Christmas, but it's nearly here and we both have our lists of goodies ready!!

I have another Scrapbook Layout to show you today.
I am defiantly on Scrapping mode at the moment, but it is my first love so I am not apologising for it!
I love to scrap all my lovely old photo's, and the one's of my children playing on day's out are some of my favorites.
Now! today's LO is a different matter! It has, dare I say it, ME on it! Oh no, not a LO I would have chosen to do, but when I went through my photo's it was one of the ones that did make me smile, that might be because I am dressed up (I am a secret "Dress up" queen really!!)
As I wanted to enter this months "Once Upon a Sketch" I had to use a photo of me, so thought what about that dress up one, at least I like it, so here it is!

I have had these papers for ages, they were bought as part of a "boys" kit, however with some clever paper covering the boy words are gone!
I have made a paper flower out of 3 decreasing circles and have added a glitter brad to the middle. I have used one of my journalling blocks to add some words.

Entering:


Once upon a Sketch--Sketch and All about Me!

Debbiexx

Under my Umberella, ella, ella hey, hey~

Hello Girls,

Go on have a sing....I am!!

Goodness me it's March 10th already....Stop the world I want to get off!!

Today is another challenge over at Sweet Stampin, we are sponsored by "Sew Sweet" and "The Stamp Fairy" and the theme this week is "Lots of Layers"...So what you waiting for, go on over and have a go!
This is the card I have come up with, I hope you like the lovely sponsors image as much as I do, she is so cute isn't she?




I have used lots of bits of leftover papers, a couple of Kaisercrafts brads and a hero arts sentiment, and this super little image.

Entering this wee one into:


Stamp with Fun--Pink & Green


Pollycraft Monday--Spring has Sprung


Craft Your Passion Ch--Anything Goes

Debbiexx

Spring Colours~

Hello Girls, Hope I find you all well. This weather is a tad confusing at the moment. Hubby got soaked going to work and I got blinded by the sun when I went out!! I know which one I prefer!

I am on full Spring mode, like most of us at the moment...
As I love the colour "Green", when I saw the challenge at Flutterby Wednesday for "Spring and Wings" I thought Spring to me means "Green"....Well that's the way my brain works anyway!





I have chosen this gorgeous LOTV image as the "Wings" part of the challenge, she is a delight isn't she?
I have used some MME papers and a MS border punch, some flowers from American Crafts, and a Greeting Farm Sentiment. All finished off with hobbyhouse pearl/gems and a pearly flower spray. The image is coloured with Pro-Markers.

Entering this card into:


The Sweet Stop--Sketch

Allsorts--Spread your Wings

Creative Inspiration--Green

C.R.A.F.T Ch--Inspired by a Song (I believe I can Fly)

Crafts and Me--Things with Wings

Crafting for all Seasons--Green and Lemon

Flutterby Wednesday--Spring

Kadoodle Doodles--Spring & Flowers

My Mum's Craft Shop--Spring

The Pixie Cottage--Things with Wings

Debbiexx

Beautiful Giraffe's~

Hello Ladies~

A big thank you for all the lovely comments you leave for me, they are so very welcome and so nice to read.

I have just had some of my older photographs from my cd's printed. I decided a couple of weeks ago to get all the cd's out and go through them, it was lovely to see all those "memories" come flooding back of when we used to go on our "day's out" with the children.......Alas not any more, I go shopping with them now, but gone are the trips to the beach with a bucket and spade and the local Zoo.

This is the page I came up with today.
I have followed the lovely sketch set by "Frosted Designs" and after a good look through my photo's came up with these two taken of the Giraffe's at the local Zoo.
I could just watch them all day, I still cannot believe these creatures have a neck that long! It just defies gravity doesn't it?




I have used 2 sheets of Bo Bunny "Back to Back's" cardstock, a Doohickey Swirl and a row of Tim Holtz tickets (which I have stamped on with a double bird stamp and added some glossy accents, all coloured with Pro-markers). I added journalling to the lines on the paper at the bottom left hand corner.

Entering this Layout into:


Frosted Designs--Sketch

Cute Card Thursday--Sign's of Spring

Crafters Companion--Spring

Delightful Sketchers--Spring

Fussy & Fancy--More than words

Paper Sundae--Green

Saturday Ch--Go Green

Stamptacular Sunday Ch--Text Me

Debbie xx

Kate's Calender Page for March~

Hi Girls,

I have been following the very talented blog of Kate Crane for a while now and I love her style. If you don't know her yet, get yourself over to The Kathrine Wheel and see her fab "journaling" style.

Kate makes a journal/calender page each month, and since January this year I have been desperate to have a go. Unfortunately I have been busy making other craft items and not had chance to have to do it......So last night whilst watching American Idol (which is good by the way!) I had a go and I am really quite pleased with the way it has turned out.




I inked the plain pages with Tim Holtz inks (spiced marigold and barn door), and then I used some circle sequin leftovers to create a mask to ink through. I have used the lady image from the Stampotique range, stamped her and coloured her with pro-makers.
The little 1"x 1" date squares are all cut from a sheet of lined paper. I have handwritten "March's" date's on them.
All the other embellishments are stamped, and I have used some acrylic white paint. I have used a cork, pen top and splats for the circles. What great fun I have had doing it and cannot wait to have another go in April.
I am going to post it over at Kate's blog as she asks to see them.

Entering at:


The Kathrine Wheel--Calender

Anything Goes--Alter It

Creative Inspirations--Anything Goes

My Time to Craft--Circles

Phindy's Place--Distressing

DebbieXx

Scrapbook Page~

Hi Girls,

Yesterday I had a little spend...And NO it was not on craft!! What I hear you say, what else could you spend money on!....Hubby and I bought a new car.

Ooo it's lovely, and because today was such a lovely sunny warm day (hope it was where you were too) we decided to have a bit of a "Go" in it.
I have been driving for 33 years yet I felt a bit anxious in a new car and it is so much bigger than my last number! However I loved it, and within a while I took to it ok.

Thought I would share with you a LO I have made using a photograph of my daughter when she was 5.
We live in a gorgeous part of the County, just 25 minutes drive and we are in the heart of the Lake District. This photograph was taken on board the Lake Windermere Steamer Boat the "Teal". It takes about 25 minutes on the boat and you get off at Windermere Peer, it's a lovely way to travel and my two children used to love it. This photo was taken when Eve was having a little lie down during the ride....I love it, she always had the most gorgeous quirky little smile.

(Not a very good photo sorry, the colours look much nicer in real life!!)





I have followed the sketch from March's "Scrap 365" Scrapbook magazine, a fabulous magazine with some great Layouts.
I have used a sheet of black bazzil cardstock, then lots of leftover bits of paper. The lovely flowers and made using my new die from Tim Holtz called Tatty floral strip, isn't it fab? I have also used one of my all time favorite border punches, this one is from Fiskers and is called brackets.
Done.

Entering into:

Creative Inspirations--Anything Goes

Crafty Catz--Punches and Dies

Delicious Doodles--Song Title (Take That-Patience)

Simon Says Ch--Anything Goes

Play Date Cafe--Colour Combo

Debbie XX