August ATCs for ATC swappers

I made these ATCs this evening for Paul's Monthly swap. The theme is Water and I wanted to do something a bit different so borrowed this really cute stamp from my Friend Petra. The images are coloured with Promarkers and the papers on the back are Daisy and Dandelion.


I used my new ATC stamp for the label on the back of the cards. I had a bit of a spending spree today. I was lucky enough to receive some vouchers from my Mum and Dad for HobbyCraft so I went to treat myself to some new papers, stamps and some more Promarkers. They have packs of 5 for under £5 at the moment, bargain!
Am hoping to make a card for a Challenge tonight and also the 3 ATCs I need for my own swap. Charlie the Puppy is fast asleep next to me at the moment. He is a bit more lively today, here is a cute little picture of him with his Ted.
What a cutie! I think I am going to get a lot less crafting time from now on!
Jane
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A card for a Special Godson

I got an order today for a card from my Friend for a card for her to give to her Godson who is 15 and into sports. What a headache this card has given me! I have made about 5 different versions of embellishments to go on the front but none of them looked right.


I have settled for this as it is late and I have to tidy up before going off to bed. I am still not sure it is right but thankfully the card is not due until Wednesday so I may have another go. Boys cards are so hard!
Jane
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Fruity ATCs

I made these ATCs this morning to take part in a swap on the Fiskarettes website.

The theme was 'Fruity'. I had a mini panic this morning as I committed to this one not realising I would have to make 9 and I have at least another 11 ATCs to make for swaps this month, card orders and various other bits and pieces so I thought I would get these out of the way.
I used some free papers, nestabilities, ribbon, heart gems and layered them on to my favourite kraft ATC blanks.
On another note, all the blogs I am following have disappeared from my Dashboard! Has anyone else got this problem, am slightly worried as it has taken me ages to find these talented bloggers and I don't want to miss out on their fabulous creations. No time to sort it right now so let's hope they magically reappear!
Jane
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Baptism card

We are going to the Baptism of my Best Friend's baby son soon so I made this card to give him tonight. I wanted the card to be simple and unfussy so used a paper from my new DCWV Blossoms and Butterflies stack.

I had the die cut bible shapes in my stash from a goodie bag I bought at the Alexandra Palace Big Stamp and Scrapbooking show earlier this year so I used them as a template to make one from the backing paper.
I made a cross from blue gems to add to the bible then layered up some glittered vellum onto white linen card cut with my Nestabilities.
I wrapped some ribbon round the card then tied a big organza bow, it took me ages to get this right...
I used Making Memories letter stickers for the sentiment, I bought these today from Hobbycraft and I really like them!
I now have to make a matching tag and wrap the pressies :-)
Hope you are having a good week!
Jane
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July ATCs received from swaps

I didn't make any cards today, I was too busy rushing around sorting out getting the car fixed, finalising the Addicted to ATCs swap and most excitingly going to choose our new Puppy! We are going to go and pick Charley up on Monday from the Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary, he is the cutest dog in the whole wide world! He will be 7 weeks old when we pick him up and he is a Heinz 57 but looks a lot like a black Labrador with ginger patches. I can't wait to get him home!

When I came back from my holiday two envelopes full of gorgeous ATCs were waiting for me and we also sent out the Addicted to ATC swaps today so I have my swaps to add to my collection.

The first three are from my Addicted to ATCs swap, the theme was about me and I have three gorgeous ATCs. I love these as they are really personal and I learnt a liitle bit about the person who made them. I love the little book on Anne-Kristin's ATC, the colouring on Claire's Elzybells ATC and the gorgeous stamping on Sarah's cat ATC. Thank you so much ladies! I love them!

The next two photos are the ATCs I received for taking part in Paul's ATC swappers monthly swap.
There were two themes for the swap this month, a sketch and a black and white theme. The standard of artwork in these ATCs is so amazing and I love the black and white cards. It was a real challenge for me following the sketch and it is great to see how the other swappers interpreted it. Thank you Paul, Hazel, Angel, Sue, Anesha and Cazz for the lovely cards!


Last but by no means least are the four swaps I received for taking part in the Monthly ATC swap run by Becky. The theme was flowers and I love the fact that all these ATCs are so bright and colourful. Thank you She, Becky, Hazel and the person who made the stamped rabbit holding the pink flower as this one did not have any details on the back. These bright and cheery ATCs really brightened my day.


I now have a long list of ATCs to make for August so I will have to get started soon as it is already the 10th of August!
Thanks again to all of you for the beautiful ATCs!
Jane
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Another Jolly Nation Christmas card

This is another Design Team card using the fabulous Jolly Nation Christmas decoupage pack. I used Carol's sketch from her latest challenge to make up a quick card.

I used a yellow card blank for the card and layered up Jolly Nation matching backing paper. The patterned pink paper is by Anna Griffin, I bought the pad ages ago when I won some Hobbycraft vouchers but this is the first time I have used it.
Why don't you pop along to Carol's blog and take part in her Challenge, she has a fab prize up for grabs!

Jane
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A Jolly Nation Best Friend Christmas card

I know it's a bit early for Christmas cards but this decoupage pack by Jolly Nation is just too tempting!
This lady snowed under with shopping bags reminds me of my Best Friend a lot! The card was very simple to put together and I used all the bits and pieces from one decoupage sheet to decorate the card inside and out.

I decided to cover the inside of the front of the card with some of the backing paper and matted and layered silver mirri board and white card which I then added some of the die cut shapes to.

The sentiment is fro a Christmas Papermania clear stamp pack I bought today on a flying visit to the Craft shop. I love the mix of fonts it makes it look a bit different.
I spent the afternoon putting together most of the decoupage sheets I have left so expect some more cards soon!
Jane
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Funky hand challenge card

I came back from my holiday in Cornwall yesterday, we had a lovely time and were lucky enough to see a fair bit of sun in the last few days. I visited a few craft shops and picked up a few goodies that I have yet to play with. Before I went I ordered the Funky Hand Wordbooks cd and it was waiting for me when I got back.

I printed off some papers to take part in the Get Funky Challenge on the new Challenge blog.

The Challenge was to follow Anice's sketch on the left. I feel my mojo is lacking at the moment so I hope I did the sketch justice. I made this card for my Best Friend's husband. It is his birthday on Thursday and we will be meeting up with them in Dublin at the weekend. I have a few more cards to make over the next week so am hoping to get my mojo back soon!
Why not pop over to the blog and take part in the Challenge. Anice has some fab freebie papers to download!
Have a nice Sunday! I may be back later with another card...
Jane
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And the award for the best dressed Post-it note goes to.....

I woke up very early today after going to sleep very late, thought I might manage a lie in but nevermind!
I checked blogger while still in bed and saw the Polkadoodles posting for the new challenge.
My Craft desk is in my bedroom and all the leftover bits from yesterday's project starting waving at me!


The Challenge this week is to make a gift. I had seen this idea a while ago somewhere in Blogland so have adapted it a teeny bit. I cut 2 chipboard squares with my Nesties and covered them with Polkadoodles paper on both sides. Then I bound them with my Bind-it-all taped a pink Post-it pad inside and made a cute little topper from Polkadoodles offcuts.
This is the inside, I love those Polkadots and look, they match my pencil! How cool!

I intend to make a few more of these, I am always losing my post-it notes at work so hopefully this will make them a bit easier to find!

Polkadoodles blog challenge card

Phew!!! I emerge triumphant and holding a gorgeous card after battling with my printer for what seemed like hours! I was adamant I was going to make a card with my Polkadoodle gorgeous downloads for the blog challenge but my printer had other ideas this evening, it seems a little goblin got in there and messed with all the settings but I got rid of him to print my papers!



The challenge this week was to follow this lovely sketch and I thought the cupcakes would be perfect. Let's face it, I have yet to find a situation for which cake is not perfect!
I indulged my love of polkadots with this card too. I think I deserve a treat and polkadots or stripes on a card always make me smile. The paper is a Polkadoodles download as is the cupcake image. The stamp is one I have had for ages and have never used and it fits nicely into the Nestabilities oval. Am off to bed now, it's suddenly got very late!
Jane
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A little Ballerina card

I made this card quickly tonight for a Friend at work to give to her Goddaughter Josie who will be 7 next week. The image is a digital stamp and is really cute but I am not that happy with the finished card.

I put it together quite quickly and I feel that the finished card does not look quite right. I think the image is too small for the card or needs more framing, the name does not look quite right either.
I don't have time to make another one or make any changes to this one as I have loads to do at the moment so I hope that Pauline will like it!
I don't feel in the right mood to make cards tonight and it's weird how that can affect my creativity. Hopefully will get my mojo back soon!

Jane
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A Big Thank you to Funky Hand Anice

I made this card toniy ght as a symbolic Thank You to Anice the lovely and clever lady behind Funky Hand.
I made the card for Anice for the following 2 reasons....
1. For inspiring me to get hold of a Zutter Bind-it-all after seeing her demos on the Telly, I was scared I wouldn't be able to use it but after seeing the demos and she made it look so easy I went ahead and it is probably one of the most fun craft machines I now own!
2. For giving us a fabulous freebie download of some gorgeous papers on her new Challenge blog launching on the 1st of August. The colours are gorgeous and when printed on lightweight card the papers were great to work with.
These are my first mini books I made with the Bind-it-all and the freebie papers. I love them and they were so much fun to make!
They look so professional and it was hard to stop at just two! So once again, Thanks for the inspiration Anice and the lovely pressie of gorgeous papers.

Please go and check out Anice's blog and play along on the 1st, I think I am going to miss the first Challenge as I will be too busy that Weekend and the following days to make any cards but I will definitely be there for Challenge no2!

Jane
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A special little Christmas gift from Jolly Nation

It was our Wedding Anniversary today, 12 years, can't believe how fast time is flying, hardly seems a couple of years since we tied the knot! We went out for a lovely dinner last night. Tomorrow is my youngest Son's birthday so we will have an early start so he can open his presents before I go to work.

I was in the mood for something Christmassy today but wanted to make a bit more than a card. I used my Jolly Nation Christmas decoupage pack to make this cute little Christmas scrapbook album.

The Fairy decoupage is so cute and quick to put together as all the decoupage sheets in the pack are die cut.
I cut the album with Nestabilities fand set an eyelet in the cover to hold the binding ring to which I tied some lovely red organza ribbon.
I layered a glitter circle on the cover before adding the decoupage and some gems to add a bit of Christmas sparkle.
To make the gift even more special, I decided to make a box with my Crafter's Companion scoring board.
I added a scalloped square of backing paper to the bottom of the box cut with Nestabilities.
Jolly Nation Christmas decoupage packaThe front of the box was decorated with some more backing paper, a decoupage tree and a Stampendous greeting stamp.

This was a really fun little project and makes a fab and fun gift for Christmas. IIt also shows how versatile the Jolly Nation decoupage sheets are and that they are great for decorating all kinds of Projects.

I was lucky enough to get a Bind-it-all as an Anniversary present, I hope to be making some more little notebooks and albums soon so watch this space!

Jane
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Walking boots card

I realised tonight that I still had not made a card to give to my Hubby for our Wedding Anniversary on Sunday! Luckily he works nights so he is at work tonight.

I have bought him some new walking boots, he chose them as is hard to get something like that as a gift.
I was racking my brains as to what to make him and remembered a booklet I got ages ago in Papercraft inspirations.
Once I managed to get my PC to work to print off the template it was all quite quick and easy. The stitching was a bit fiddly but I am really pleased with the finished card. I think it will make him laugh!
Off to bed now!
Jane
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Cute as a button!

One last card for today, I was browsing my blogger dashboard and came across the lovely sketch by Hazel
for the Moving Along with the times challenge blog.
The theme is 'Cute as a button' and has to feature at least one button.

I used some more papers from my Clare Curd Signature range paper stack.
The backing paper has some buttons on it and I used a button I found in a Charity shop. I love that button! It is a lovely shape and colour and I have 4 more still left to use :-)
The sketch by Hazel was great but I had to use a circle instead of an oval for my image which is by Stamposaurus and is just the cutest! I have ordered the Oval Nestabilities from the States, can't wait for them to arrive!
I received my order of Really Useful boxes today so I hope that eventually I will become organised at my Craft desk. Am off to have a sleep now, am still at home, my tests at the hospital showed I have Diverticular disease and I still have some persistent pain although it is a lot better, the worst thing is how tired I feel and keep having to put my head down for a nap but I feel I am improving every day.

Jane
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Addicted to ATCs gifts for participants

The deadline for the first Addicted to ATCs swap is approaching...I am so excited! We have already received some gorgeous ATCs and Petra and I are really looking forward to doing the swap and sending back to the lovely ATCs to participants.

Petra and I decided we would like to do something to Thank all the lovely crafters who are taking part in our little swap so we thought it would be nice to send them a little gift. We will be putting together a little pack of stamped images for each participant for them to use for future projects.
I have spent a happy hour stamping away with some of my favourite stamps and my stazon and quickly amassed a great collection of images! There is a little bit of everything in there...

Please take a look at the Addicted to ATCs blog for more details on our swap. There is still time to take part.
The theme for this Month is 'About me'. Email us at addictedtoatcs@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Have a lovely afternoon!

Jane
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One card......two challenges!

This is the first time I have made a card to take part in 2 challenges at the same time. I bought the Clare Curd Signature range paper pad and a set of stamps at the weekend and have been itching to use them. I decided to follow the Challenge on the Stampin Chic blog, I hope I have made it within the deadline! The papers are all gorgeous and such great quality, it was a real pleasure to work with them and I am so pleased with this card.

The Challenge is colour blocking so I used papers in the same tones of brown. All the papers are from the Clare Curd pack. I love the patterns. I love stripes and polka dots so I am really spoilt with this pack of papers as there are so many of them in different colours. The stamp is lovely too. The girl reminds me of my best friend Fi. She is very sophisticated and stylish...unlike me!

I used Carol's sketch from her challenge blog. Her sketches are always great and I really enjoy working with them. Check out her blog and have a play along, she has a lovely Popcorn the bear stamp for the winner.

The weather here today cannot make up it's mind, it is either raining and grey or bright sunshine. Every time I think I should put out my washing it starts raining!

Jane
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An englishman's home is his castle!

This card is in fact for a Scottish man and he would probably not like being called English :-)!

This is a quick card I made for my Mum and Dad. They have recently moved into a new House in Swindon after being abroad for nearly 30 years.

I made the card up quite quickly and I feel that the front is missing something but I can't think what!

The papers were all leftovers from my stash and the stamps are Elzybells.

Jane
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Moving along with the times Challenge card

I am at home this morning as I have to go to the Hospital this afternoon to have some tests to see why I have been feeling so ill lately. The tests are not going to be very nice so I thought I would make a card to take my mind of things...


I decided I would take part in the Moving Along with the times challenge this week. I missed last week as I wasn't feeling up to making many cards. The Challenge this week is a lovely sketch by Clare with the optional element of 'Anniversary'. My wedding anniversary is coming up but I couldn't find my Anniversary stamp anywhere and did not want to rummage through my stash in my bedroom too much as Hubby is sleeping in there having worked last night!
I decided to make a lovely card to give to my Hubby as he has been great while I have been ill. I flipped the sketch and used an Elzybells stamp which I coloured with Promarkers and Sakura pens. The stamp smudged a bit but hopefully you can't tell too much.

Am watching Create and Craft at the moment having just bought another stamp from Ebay, I did also tidy up my stamps today so am feeling very virtuous, just the rest of my Craft stuff left to tidy up now! Am thinking of investing in some 'Really Useful Boxes' in the vain hope they will make me more organised! I think the main reason it takes me so long to make a card is I have to rummage through so much stuff to find what I need, I can't bear to throw anything away though so I quickly become snowed under with leftovers and am really bad at using them up...
Am off now to tidy up before getting ready to go out.
Jane
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Elzybells blog challenge no 23 - Sketch

I haven't made any cards or blogged for aaaaaaaaaaaages! This is not really like me at all! I haven't been very well the past two weeks and have not made any cards. I am feeling a bit better but have to have more tests on Tuesday to get to the root of what is troubling me. I forgot to send piccies in for the Elzybells Sunday Showcase...we were away this weekend so on my return I decided to make a card for Elizabeth's current challenge.


The challenge this week was to follow the sketch above. I thought this would be a good card to get me started as I wouldn't have to do too much thinking! I decided to flip the sketch so I could use my chick trio stamp.


I needed a card for my Nanny to Thank her for something lovely she did for us recently. I had this background paper lurking in my stash and thought it was really pretty and perfect for a nice Thank you card.

I used one of the Elzybells Easter stamps with the cute little chicks on it. I wanted to show that these work well all year round. I just covered the little Easter Egg in the last box with a paper flower attached with a brad.

The pink ribbon is a vintage find from a shop in Kingston and the scallop trim is made from a Nestabilities square.

I really like this sweet little card and the chicks are so cute!

Am off to tidy my craft desk now, over the past two weeks it has just had stuff dumped on it and is a MESS!
I was going to show a photo of it on here but am too ashamed!

Jane
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Some Football Friend birthday invitations

A few invitations for a Birthday get together for my Son. We will be taking him, his brother and a handful of Friends to the Cinema and for a burger the Weekend after next. He is really looking forward to it!

They all want to see the new Harry Potter...

The stamp is from Elzybells. I coloured it with Promarkers. I tried outlining the image with a pale colour for the first time, I have seen a few stamping experts do this and thought I would give it a go. I quite like the effect it seems to make the image pop of the paper.

Jane
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ATCs for July and some lovely ATCs received for June

I made and sent off the last of my ATCs for July swaps today so am feeling all organised tonight. Paul's swap had two themes this month. Black and white, which I made a few days ago and a sketch. It's the first time I have followed a sketch to make ATCs and I chose to use my Elzybells robin stamps. I coloured the images with Promarkers and then framed them with my latest Nestabilities shape.

The theme for Becky's swap this month is flowers. I used my Elzybells teddy stamp coloured with Promarkers and I highlighted the flowers with Sakura pens. I punched some flowers from coordinating papers.
I realised I had forgotten to blog the ATCs I received for June so here they are!

These 4 were for Paul's Call of the Wild Swap, I love all of them but the Wolf is especially stunning!

The other 4 were received from Becky for her Summertime theme swap. I also won the Surprise free gift that Becky generously gives to a participant each month which was full of lovely goodies, flowers, stamped images and other treasures. It was a lovely surprise so Thank you so much Becky!

Jane
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A Jolly Nation mini scrapbook and shopping list holder

I haven't really had much Craft time this week as I have been feeling really ill. My IBS has flared up and I have suffered my worst bout ever. I have had a terrible week, had a couple of trips to the Doctors and I will be seeing a Gastroenterologist on Tuesday. I hope they can discover what is making me feel so ill.
While I was laid up I had plenty of time to think about future Craft projects. I put together a few of my Jolly Nation decoupage sheets from the Crafthouse Press. As they are die cut I could do them easily on the sofa.

I had die cut this book a while back so this evening I covered it and added the Gardening lady and a Woodware paper flower. This can be used as a mini Scrapbook or notebook. I really love the funky wellies!
Sorry the photo is not great, my camera would not cooperate this evening.
I thought the 'Shopping lady' would look good on a shopping list for the Fridge. I used my Xyron to add adhesive neatly to the backing paper then die cut some circles to put the decoupage on.
I added some magnets to the back so I can stick it on my Fridge.

These Projects were very quick to put together and I am really pleased with how they turned out. I particularly like the mini book. I am off to bed soon and hope that tomorrow I will feel well enough to sit at my Craft desk a bit longer so I can take part in some Blog Challenges. and finish my ATCs.

Jane
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My little Sunshine

I found this photo of my Son while tidying through some cupboards the other day and was inspired to make this scrapbook page.

I used ribbons to make the rays of the sun. I just adore this photo and I love the way it is set off by the bright colours on this page.

Jane
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Carol's sketch challenge card - Football crazy!

I was still in the mood to make another card last night but knew it had to be a quick one so I settled on using Carol's sketch from her latest challenge.


My trusty Jolly Nation decoupage pack came to mind straightaway and I made this card for my Son. It's his birthday at the end of the month. He loves playing football and is a HUGE Jolly Nation fan too. His photo is actually on the letters page of this month's Quick Cards Made Easy magazine holding a Jolly Nation card he made ages ago! We sent the photo in as he was so proud of how his card turned out.


As usual Carol's sketch was very easy to follow and with the addition of a ribbon, some red card and some football confetti to my Jolly Nation stash, I was quickly able to create a lovely card for my Son!

Now I just have to hide it!

Jane
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DT Call - Moving along with the times Sketch 2

After returning from the fabulous Stamp Fair in Newbury, I couldn't wait to get started playing with all my new goodies. I decided to use my new stamps, papers and flowers to enter the Moving along with the times sketch challenge. The lovely sketch was provided by Clare and it was a perfect way to use all my new stash!

Even though we are in the middle of a heatwave I decided to use Autumnal colours, browns, greens and oranges look so lovely together and this gorgeous stamp was perfect for paper piecing. The rest of the image was coloured with Promarkers.
Moving along with the times are looking for a new DT member so I am submitting this card as my application.

I have a bit more time this afternoon to for some crafting so am off to have another look through my bag of new stash!

Hope you are enjoying good weather where you are!

Jane
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Elzybells blog challenge - red white and blue

The Elzybells blog challenge on Thursday was to create a card in the colours of your country's flag - red white and blue for me...

I immediately thought of this cute boy in the snow stamp and this lovely sentiment for the front of the card.


I used some of my new Daisy and Dandelion Christmas stack paper and dug outs some of my Christmas snowflake confetti and embellished each flake with a small gem.

I embossed the stamped and coloured image with a Cuttlebug folder to make it look like it is snowing. I got this tip from Carol's blog and I think it is great for wintery scenes.

The image was coloured with Promarkers and chalks, I used some shimmer chalks on the snow but I don't think it shows in the photos very well.

Am off to Newbury Artstamps England fair today, then I hope to spend the afternoon crafting :-)

Have a lovely Saturday!

Jane
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