Little Bird Design

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 76–Only myself to blame!

2012-01-26T09:00:00.001Z

Yes, it’s my turn to provide the sketch over at The Sugar Bowl, and so I do only have myself to blame!

To explain….

This card took a very long time to come together, it started life with completely different design papers (hence the colouring on the image) but, once it was all put together and just before I stuck down the main image I realised that it looked horrific and so, I was back to square one, starting all over again!!!

I think the main problem was that sometimes, it is just all about the stamped image….and I loves this little one, so very much that she needed to stand out from the rest of the piece!

So I left her exactly as she was, and had a rethink on the papers….subtle and tonal being the order of the day!

Trust me when I say, this looks much better than the first attempt…..I don’t know what I was thinking on that one…

Anyone else have those types of days????

So, my year is running away with me a little, and we are almost at my baby girl’s birthday, this is her card and I can’t quite believe she’s almost two?

So of course……we had to have the BIG number on the card!

I feel like I’m babbling today so, I shall leave you by telling you that my Sweeties have done a FABULOUS job, please drop by and leave them some love….

Oh, and we have a much loved and missed Sweetie back amongst us too….

SO EXCITING!!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Babies Delight)

Coloured Using – Distress & Bantock Inks

Sentiment Stamp – Little Claire

Design Papers – DCWV (Nana’s Nursery, Baby Boy)

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 75–Erika’s Sketch

2012-01-12T09:00:00.000Z

I have two privileges today….the first is being able to use my buddy Erika’s sketch for the 1st Sugar Bowl of 2012 and the second is….

Showing you the second Sneaky Peak for the Sugar Nellie ‘Puppy Love’ launch!

All combined into one card using……

Best Day Ever

Isn’t she just adorable? I am LOVING that little mouse too…..available from Friday 13th January!

Of course, the minute I had taken the photo I just had to add some crystal bling well, a crystal number to be precise,as this is my big girl, Madam Ava’s, birthday card for today!

We have a big day for birthdays in my house today, my Daddy is 80 years old today and his beloved granddaughter is 6 years old today!

Here they both are 2 years ago….

Anyway, I do hope you’ll join us tomorrow for ……..

Must hop myself now, much cake to eat today!!!!! lol

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Best Day Ever)

Coloured Using – Distress & Nick Bantock Inks

Sentiment Stamp – Just Rite

Design Paper – My Minds Eye (Ooh La La)

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 74–Maria Therese’s Sketch

2011-12-15T09:00:00.001Z

It’s time for The Sugar Bowl again and Maria Therese has given us a lovely sketch to follow for this challenge.

For our last challenge until the New Year it’s a nice simple sketch but, if you fancy a bit more of a challenge the option is for

‘No shop bought design papers’

Aaaaaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh!

My name is Gayle and I am a paperaholic!

Now, I was intending on making my own design papers but, time got away from me and so I’ve ‘gone without’.

Kraft card really has become the new neutral and I love the combination of kraft with red.

Very plain and very simple just with the massive bow for emphasis.

Well, I have to run today as I have a nativity play to attend. Last year was ‘The Hoity Toity Angel’ and this year it’s ‘Prickly Hay’….whatever happened to kids wearing tea towels on their heads????

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year and I shall see you on Thursday January 12th…..if not before!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Old St Nick)

Coloured Using – Prismacolor Pencils

Sentiment Stamp – LOTV

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 73–Cathy’s Sketch

2011-12-01T09:00:00.001Z

December already huh?

Is it a sign of getting old that one year seems to be melting into another for me?

I can officially be smug this year, my Christmas shopping is all done AND all wrapped!

I used to be this organised, and then I had kids….but, this year I was determined to get organised and perhaps be able to enjoy the festivities instead of being a stressed out maniac!

You hate me, right????

There is another reason to hate me today……

One of our newbies over at The Sugar Bowl, Cathy, has taken the plunge and given us her first sketch. and it’s a cracker!

However, I choose the theme…..

‘Do Something Unusual’

I can feel you all glowering now…..(ducking for cover)

So……I made a shaped card

Now, before you all decide to shoot me, here was my reasoning.

I wanted people to move a little out of their comfort zone, to be a little daring but, you can take it as far as you want to go with it.

Some of my Sweeties have tried out some new techniques, some have made their cards more, or less, elaborate than usual. I have made a circular card because I had never made one before. I also did something else I never do…I used one of the accessories that come in the paper packs as my sentiment. I always seem to have those left over as I never use them but, I may start as it was far easier than stamping out a sentiment and matting and layering etc. I just popped it up on silicone and added a jewel in the centre….simples!

You see, it can be as big or small a change as you feel comfortable with but, to grow as crafters it is good to try out new things now and again.

You never know, you might enjoy it, right?

Anyhoo, enough of my babbling, go and have a look at what my Sweeties have done, that will inspire you all to try something different for this challenge!

Have fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by…..x

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Wish Upon A Star)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Papers – Echo Park

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 72–My sketch

2011-11-17T09:00:00.002Z

Oh, I had the perfect excuse to ink up one of my mostest, bestest loved rubber babies….

My own sketch over on The Sugar Bowl and the perfect theme for him….

THEME – SNOW & ICE

I made a card for my girls to give their Dad for Christmas….even looks a tiny bit like him too!

Hmn....might be around the nose area?

I could wax lyrical about Mr Snow Cozy but, it seems that I don’t have to, as you all love him soooo much he’s currently ‘sold out’ over at Funky Kits.

Ya boo sucks! I hear you all cry….

Well fear not…he’ll be back!

Keep your eyes peeled…and keep your eyes peeled for some beautiful new stamps this weekend....

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Snow Cozy)

Coloured Using – Prismacolor Pencils

Sentiment Stamp – Papertrey Ink

Design Paper – Bo Bunny (Snowfall)

Sugar Nellie Country Cousins Blog Hop!

2011-11-12T09:00:00.001Z

Good morning all…..

Well, hopefully you’ve found your way here from the lovely Jenn’s blog, if not and you’re a little lost, just pop back to the Sugar Nellie blog and start from there.

It’s a beautiful day for a blog hop, don’t ya think?

Now to the main event…..

This is the delightful Chillax and she is available to buy from Funky Kits today!

I made this card as a thank you for the teachers at my daughters school, as they have all been utterly fabulous with her whilst she was incapacitated.

So I handed lots of tins of Quality Street and biscuits in as a treat for them all for bending over backwards to accommodate Ava, her wheelchair and her walking sticks!

Thankfully she is well on her way to normality but. I just wanted to let them all know their efforts were appreciated!

The tag inside the little pocket says it so perfectly….

Thanks also to you all for visiting and I shall now pass you on to the super talented

Tiets

As always there will be candy along the route of the hop so be sure to leave comments at each step to be in with the chance of some free rubber!!!

Mina – Pat – Jenn – Gayle – Tiets – Astrid – Vicky – Jane – Marianne

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Chillax (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using - Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamps – Waltzing Mouse

Design Papers – Maja Designs (Fika)

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 71–Erika’s Sketch

2011-11-03T09:00:00.001Z

The Sugar Bowl is a cracker of a sketch from the lovely Erika this time round, and she has given us the fabulous theme of ‘Patchwork’ too….

I’ve ran with a pink theme this time and unfortunately, as it’s a very pale shade of pink it doesn’t seem to photograph to well!

C’est la vie….living and learning all the time….

There is no doubting the beauty of little Rosie though, and all of you seem to think the same thing, as she is currently sold out over at Funkykits, keep your eyes peeled though as I am reliably informed that there are replenishments on their way, arriving VERY soon!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and please do have a go at the challenge this time, who can live without a little free rubber now and again????

Not I…..

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Rosie)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamps – MFT

Design Paper – Tilda (Panduro)

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 70–Maria Therese’s Sketch

2011-10-20T09:00:00.001+01:00

The Sugar Bowl challenge this week has caused most of us Sweeties, a large headache this week….

Clean and Simple????

What’s that????????

LOL!

Still, the theme fits Maria Therese's sketch perfectly

So here is my attempt…..

I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone but, clean and simple always takes ten times longer for me than a ‘normal’ card!

Still, that’s why we call them challenges after all….

We’ve had our fair share of challenges in this house recently and one of the biggest will finally be overcome today (fingers crossed)

My gorgeous girl has had her leg in a cast for almost two whole months now after fracturing her leg at ballet class (who knew?)

Hopefully the Doctors will give the ‘all clear’ to have it removed today… and I can finally get rid of the wheelchair that’s become our saviour!

However…I DO think she might miss decorating her legs now……lol

As always my Sweeties have done such fabulous work, please stop by their blogs and leave them some love!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Jasmine)

Coloured Using – Prismacolour Pencils

Sentiment Stamp – Papertrey Ink

Design Paper – Pink Paislee (Pop Fashion)

Sugar Nellie * Fairy Glen* Blog Hop–Day One

2011-10-08T09:00:00.002+01:00

Well today is the day….

Hopefully you’ve found your way here from Ali’s blog, wasn’t her ‘Let Them Eat Cake’ card stunning?

Today I’m showing you

‘Hazel’

Is it just me, or has she got a really cheeky face?

I think it was her mushroom (or is it a toadstool) that turned me all autumnal for this card!

Anyhoo, enough of my blethering….

You’ll be desperate to see the other cards along the hop and remember to leave your comments along the way as there is sweet rubber candy to be won!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and now I’m sending you on to see what delicious creation Fiona has made using ‘Pippi Longsocks’!

Home - Marianne – Jane – Elaine – Mina – Erika – Pat – Ali – Gayle – Fiona – Lilian – Tiets – Home

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Hazel (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Paper – DCWV (Crafty Stack)

Felt Flowers – Stampin Up!

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 69–My ‘sneaky’ sketch!

2011-10-06T09:00:00.001+01:00

It’s my turn to provide the sketch for the challenge over at The Sugar Bowl !

So, ever the one to multitask, I’ve been able to combine this with the honour of showing you the ‘Sneak Peek’ for today!

This is Pippi Longsocks and like all of the Fairy Glen range, she will be available from Funky Kits on Saturday October 8th!

Ain’t she a beauty?

A fairy with attitude methinks….a girl after my own heart!

Then again, they are all utterly adorable in this new range, it'll be hard to know which ones to chose!

I do so hope you will join in with The Sugar Bowl challenge this time around

AND

That you will join us for the blog hop this Saturday and Sunday!

We look forward to seeing you all there x

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Pippi Longsocks (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Papers – Tilda (Panduro Hobby)

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 68–Kiki’s Sketch

2011-09-22T09:00:00.000+01:00

Yes, it is officially autumn now…..

(although here in Scotland, it’s felt like it for around two months already!)

So over at The Sugar Bowl, we have a very appropriate theme to go with Kiki’s fabulous sketch which is', of course, Autumn.

I have a ‘go to’ stack of papers whenever the topic of Autumn crops up, and it is this one from DCWV!

This is very much ‘my’ colour palette, as I do love the rich tones of the greens and oranges!

I may also have just found my perfect ‘go to’ stamp also….but not just for autumn, I think you could use this little beauty for just about any occasion….she is such a cutie!

And as for those stripe socks…..I think I want me some of those!

Actually, with the temperatures here at the moment, that should read ‘need’ me some of those….

As always, I ask that you drop by my Sweeties blogs as they always do such a fantastic job for me but, I think they have excelled themselves this time! Everybody grabbed the theme and ran with it, and I am forever grateful to them!

Thank you Sweeties, and thanks to you too, for stopping by…..

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Hello Little Friend)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – Stampin Up!

Design Papers – DCWV (Crafty Stack)

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 67–Erika’s Sketch

2011-09-08T09:00:00.000+01:00

Is it me…or does The Sugar Bowl challenge seem to come around again very quickly?

I’m either very old or very busy….possibly both!

My lovely Erika has given us the sketch this time around with the option to use ‘scraps’

Now, I have to confess….I don’t ‘do’ scraps!

As soon as I’m finished the scraps go in the bin……I can’t bring myself to keep hold of them!

So no scraps from me but then, it is optional! (phew!)

So I’m back playing with my Prismas on kraft again for this card…..

Another of our gorgeous new releases over at The House Of Sugar all of which are now back in stock over at Funky Kits!

So grab them quick before they go again!

Please stop by The Sugar Bowl and see the fabulous work my Sweeties have done, yet again, such a variety of stamps we’ve all used this time too…

As always we have a fabulous prize on offer so….

What are you waiting for?

Go get inky…..

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Christmas Garland (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using – Prismacolor Pencils

Sentiment Stamp – StampinUp

Design Papers – MME Lost & Found Christmas

The Missing Link…..

2011-09-05T09:00:00.001+01:00

This is the card you were supposed to see during the second day of the Sugar Nellie Jingle Bells & Tinkle Bells Hippity Hop on Friday.

But, as Madam Ava seriously broke her leg at ballet class on Thursday night and I spent the entire night in the ER…the hop went ahead without me….

(I knew exercise in any shape or form was bad for you but, didn’t realise ballet was an extreme sport!)

Anyhoo….. I thought I’d show you the little lady that I made for Fridays hop anyway!

This is Knitted With Love and she was one of my favourites from this new release!

I coloured her using my Prismacolor pencils and she was, in fact, my very first ever attempt at using the pencils…..love at first try you might say!

I didn’t intend to ever use her on a card, as she was my practice piece but, I loved her when she was finished and decided to go ahead, of course then I had the scrabble of trying to find papers that matched her perfectly, as I usually do that before I start colouring.

But, I found an old pad of HOTP papers and they saved the day!

Thanks so much for stopping by, I’ll be back on Thursday with a new Sugar Bowl Challenge card!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Knitted With Love)

Coloured Using – Prismacolor Pencils

Sentiment Stamp – LOTV

Design Paper – HOTP

Jingle Bells & Tinkle Bells Hippity Hop!

2011-09-01T09:00:00.001+01:00

Such an exciting day for us all here at The House Of Sugar….the launch of a new range of stamps is always a BIG thrill but, for me, this one has been extra special!

The 'hippity hop' began on The Sugar Nellie blog and you’ve found your way here from

Cathy

and her fabulous card using Knitted With Love…..and I have a new one for you…this was not one of our sneak peeks and so allow me to introduce you to….

Warm Winter Wishes

Like all of this range this stamp will be available to buy from Funkykits at 10am this morning

Aren’t they just the cutest little penguins?

Regular readers of this blog will know that I am currently experimenting with my new Prisma pencils and one of the main reasons I wanted to try them was the ability to colour on kraft card with them…this was my second attempt ever using Prismas and my first ever on kraft card.

Loving those pencils!

Now, back to the business in hand….

I’ve been sandwiched between my two new Sugar Bowl Sweeties and so I am passing you over to

Fiona

Wait until you see the ‘star’ she has for you!

Please remember there will be candy for random comments left along the blog so please leave some sugar where you stop!!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp - Warm Winter Wishes (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using – Prismacolor Pencils

Sentiment Stamp – LOTV

Design Papers – HOTP

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 66–Marlena’s Sketch

2011-08-25T09:00:00.000+01:00

Ah, another week, another challenge over at The Sugar Bowl, and the lovely Marlena has given us another fabulous sketch!

The theme this time around was ‘One For The Girls’

So I’ve made a Christmas card and gone very pink….

Now, as you’ll all have read on the Sunday Showcase I don’t ‘do’ cats but, I may have been converted by this gorgeous little stamp!

This beauty came from our last release and we have another release of gorgeous images coming next week ….

BUT

This is….

So if you click on the badge you’ll be able to hop over and see the first peak of the new images!

Go on….I’ve teased you all enough already…….

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Puss In Boots)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – StampinUp

Design Paper – Kaisercraft

Back to School……for everyone!

2011-08-17T09:52:00.001+01:00

It’s been FOREVER since I posted anything here, other than my fortnightly Sugar Bowl card.

So it’s time for a change….

My ‘big’ girl is back to school today, her 1st day in Primary 2 and she is just as about excited as any 5 year old ever could be!

She thinks that makes her one of ‘the big girls’…..I have a sneaking suspicion she might be in for a little bit of a shock!

Here is ‘my girl’ dressed in her uniform on her way back to school….well, here is my depiction of her…you’ll see ‘the real thing’ a little further down the post!

In my title I said ‘back to school, for everyone’ as I have recently started learning to use Prismacolor pencils, and I find them such a joy after my Copic disaster. (Yes, they are still up for sale, see HERE, if you’re interested)

This little schoolgirl is actually my 3rd attempt with the Prismas. The other two are top secret….but, suffice to say you’ll see them here soon!

I’ve watched loads of YouTubes on techniques using Prismas, and am having a ball trying them all out….it’s not perfect yet but, the fun part is the learning, right?

I hope this little bird feels the same at the end of the today……

One things for sure, this is the last time she’ll be seen not covered in mud and yoghurt!

Thanks so much for stopping by……

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – LiliOfTheValley

Coloured Using – Prismacolor Pencils

Sentiment – Printed onto Safmat film.

Design Papers – First Edition (Up, Up & Away)

The Sugar Bowl–Challege 65–Maria Therese’s Sketch

2011-08-11T09:00:00.000+01:00

Well over on The Sugar Bowl we’re back from our summer holidays and Maria Therese has given us a gorgeous sketch and colour to use which, as you may guess is

BLUE!

Oh, how much I adore this little piece of rubber…..He may become my new rubber boyfriend (shhhh don’t tell Hamish) TOO CUTE…..

I’ve kept this very simple and tonal as I wanted the image to do the work….just a BIG bow…as this was a card for my great-nephew Matthews 1st birthday and I think it’s probably the last time I’ll get away with putting a big bow on this boys birthday cards!

Again he is coloured using my Distress Inks although, I seem to have acquired a set of Prisma Pencils (shhh don’t tell the bank manager) and am practising using those….so far so good!

Much better for me than the copics….

So, I have a full set of barely used Copic Ciaos now looking for a good home….any takers?

Please stop by and have a look at the fabulous samples for this challenge that my Sweeties have given us this time…some really beautiful work!

Mind you, I would expect no less from my clever girls!

=======================================================================================

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Worried)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Paper – Daisy Bucket (Rock Star)

The BIG news…….

2011-08-08T12:21:00.001+01:00

The big news here is that here at the House of Sugar I have a new job…

Design Team Coordinator!

So, without further ado, I shall get on with that job and tell you that I am looking for some fresh faces to add to our fabulous design team. So……

What are you waiting for?

As always….

You have to be in it to win it!!!

Sugar Addicts Showcase Sunday

2011-08-07T10:00:00.000+01:00

Now, why I ever agreed to this I’ll never know…well, actually I do know, I didn’t have a choice!!!

Because over on the Sugar Nellie blog, Elaine can be quite forceful when she likes!

‘Make a card for the ‘Sugar Addict Showcase Sunday’’ she said….well, she typed it actually because…I’m not sure she could say it….’cause I certainly couldn’t!!! lol

Yes, my love for Sugar Nellie knows no bounds….when I met Hamish all those years ago it was love at 1st sight…..Now, whilst Hamish was one of the very 1st Sugar Nellies, we’ve come a long way since then and this is one of the latest….

This is Festive Friends, one of the fabulous new stamps released just last month…

Coloured as always using my Distress Inks, although changes are afoot in that department too…

Now, I would like to thank Elaine very much for ‘inviting’ me on to the Sunday Showcase and for her lovely kind (?) words. She has actually made me sound like a nice person….I always knew she was just a little bit crazy!

But, I do loves her….

As Elaine has said there have been some major changes taking place at the House of Sugar and you will find out more over on Sugar Nellie tomorrow!

Happy Sunday everyone……thanks so much for stopping by!

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 64–Kiki’s Sketch

2011-07-14T09:00:00.000+01:00

Over at The Sugar Bowl we have a new challenge for you today…a beautiful sketch from Kiki.

With the optional theme of ‘LACE’.

I’ve gone all Christmassy again…

….and very pink!

Even managed to slip some gingham in there too!

I do LOVE this image from the last release.

The heart shaped doily has been ‘glimmer misted’ to within an inch of it’s life, using quite appropriately‘old lace’.

As always, we have the sweetest prize up for grabs but, there is one big difference…

You shall all have plenty of time to get your entries in as, this challenge will run for a whole four weeks, as we’re all off on a well deserved break!

Now, let’s hope the weather plays along…..

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Snow Buddies)

Coloured Using – Distress & Nik Bantock Inks

Sentiment Stamp – LOTV

Design Papers – October Afternoon (Good Cheer)

Ribbon & Lace from stash.

Sugar Nellie–Carnival Of Colour–New Releases

2011-07-02T09:00:00.000+01:00

Roll up, Roll Up….

Welcome to Day 2 of the Sugar Nellie Carnival Of Colour!

My blog posts are like buses…nothing for ages, then three all at once!!!

Once again many thanks to Donalda for getting you all here safely

Thank you so much for all of your lovely comments, yesterday was so much fun, it’s great to be able to do it all over again

Now, we had a slight glitch, in that the image I showed you yesterday had to be withdrawn at the last minute, due to quality issues but, I have been reliably informed it will be available to buy from Funkykits VERY soon.

Now, I have great pleasure in introducing the star of todays show

(which I know is in stock)

Peek a Boo!

I wanted a lovely bright celebration of a card for this gorgeous little lady, bright it certainly is, would anyone like sunglasses?

Once again my copic colouring is not up to scratch but, having coloured this image several times, it’s the best of a bad bunch.

Once again I am passing you on to…..

Lilian

Who will again knock your socks off with her tricks!

Remember to visit all of my fellow hoppers and leave some love along the way, there will be candy for selected comments, as we always say here…you have to be in it to win it!!!

TIETS – MINA – SARAH – MAYA – ELAINE – MICHELE – ERIKA

KIKI – DONALDA – LILIAN – ALI – MARIA – PAT – JANE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Design Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Peek a Boo)

Coloured Using – Copics

Sentiment Stamp – Heidi Grace

Design Papers- My Minds Eye (Tickled Pink)

Dies – Classic & Scalloped circles & rectangles

Embellishments – Ribbons, button & bakers twine from stash

Sugar Nellie - Carnival Of Colour– New Releases

2011-07-01T09:00:00.002+01:00

Roll up, Roll Up….

Welcome to the Sugar Nellie Carnival Of Colour!!!!

Surprisingly, at least in this little corner of Scotland, we have a glorious sunny day for the carnival coming to town!

Hopefully, if you’re following the blog hop you’ll have come here from Donalda’s tent! Thank you Donalda for showing us your beautiful work. I hope you all left her a lovely comment, as Karen will be dishing out candy to a selected few who leave comments along the way.

Speaking of Karen, we have another celebration today...Very happy 22nd Wedding Anniversary to you and Cameron!

Now without any further ado, the star of the show

Ladies and Gentlemen please allow me to introduce to you…..

FURRY FRIEND

How adorable are these two sweeties? I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one when I saw it a few months ago!

I sincerely hope you love them too?

Now you will have to forgive me, my preference for colouring is Distress Inks but, as I was working with a digi image I dragged my copics out of storage and gave them another try!

I would have to say I think the Neenah cardstock helped but, still not quite as I would have like it.

So any tips you would like to leave me for colouring with Copics would be greatly appreciated!

I would like to thank you very much for visiting my tent and I now ask you to head for a real Copic expert and general all round crafting genius…

LILIAN

Thank you so much for stopping by, and please do visit my other blog hoppers to see their amazing creations, and remember we will be doing an encore tomorrow!

TIETS – MINA – SARAH – MAYA – ELAINE – MICHELE – ERIKA

KIKI – DONALDA – LILIAN – ALI – MARIA – PAT – JANE

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp - Sugar Nellie (Furry Friend)

Coloured Using – Copics

Sentiment Stamp – HOTP

Design Papers – MyMindsEye (The Merry Days Of Christmas)

Dies – Spellbinders square & circular classics and scallops

& Marianne Design Creatables Die - Swedish Ice Star

Gem Brads - Dovecraft

Glitter - - Glamour Dust (Crystal)

Roll up, roll up……

2011-07-01T08:59:00.000+01:00

For all the fun of the fair….

Please join us for the launch of 18 super sweet Sugar Nellie stamps….

Every one, more delicious than the next!

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 63–Erika’s Sketch

2011-06-30T09:00:00.000+01:00

Another Thursday another Sugar Bowl challenge…

This time the sketch is by my Florida buddy Erika, it’s a lovely simple sketch which you can create a lot of different looks with…You only have to look at my fabulous Sweeties work…

All different and all utterly stunning!

So here is my humble offering….

The gorgeous Fashionista, from the Sassy range…just FABULOUS!

Love her so much…

I’ve stamped around the edges of the image using the grunge corner stamp, as it seems to fit in with the design papers I’ve used.

Our option this week is to ‘to make your own flowers’ no shop bought ones for us…

So I’ve used my well worn cuttlebug flower dies, I can’t tell you the amount of flower dies and punches I have but, I still wind up back using these!

However I did have some new stash to play with this week…..

Some of which you’ll see tomorrow!

Please remember to join us for the…

Celebrating 18 of our brand new stamp designs….all of them more gorgeous than the rest!

See you tomorrow…yes, this blog is like a bus….nothing for ages then 3 all at once!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Fashionista (Sugar Nellie)

Border Stamp – Stempelglede (Grunge Corners)

Coloured Using – Nik Bantock & Distress Inks

Design Papers – Bo Bunny (Gabrielle)

Embellishments – Cuttlebug Cutting Dies – Flowers

Buttons & Ribbons from stash.

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 61–Kiki’s Sketch

2011-06-02T09:00:00.000+01:00

Kiki has given us a lovely sketch for the challenge over on The Sugar Bowl this time around…

and a lovely sketch it is too…

The optional theme is ‘Wedding/Love’ well I’ve gone a little bit ‘heart; crazy on this card!

A bit ‘paper piercing’ crazy too….it’s a technique I, quite literally, never use but, the only thing that I’ve actually coloured on this are skin and hair everything else is paper pieced.

As always my girls have done me proud…please do stop by their blogs. Every single one of my Sweeties are super talented and a true inspiration!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Luvvie)

Couloured Using – Distress & Nick Bantock Inks

Glittered Using – Stickles (Platinum)

Sentiment Stamp – Waltzingmouse Stamps

Design Papers – Prima (Madeline)

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 60–Maria Therese’s Sketch

2011-05-19T09:00:00.000+01:00

I LOVE this sketch from Maria Therese over at The Sugar Bowl.

For once on my life too I have managed to make a card that I actually like!

(I think most of us crafters are our own worst critics sometimes?)

Well I dusted off my little Maggie who, like all of her other ‘incarnations’ is on sale at a VERY SPECIAL PRICE!!!

I am off to get all dressed up myself today, as it’s my birthday, my big sister is taking me out for lunch…it’s official ‘spoil Gayle day!’

Thanks so much for stopping by x

=======================================================================================

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Dress Up Maggie)

Coloured Using – Distress Ink

Sentiment Stamp – MFT

Design Papers – MME (Tickled Pink)

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 59–Erika’s Sketch

2011-05-05T09:00:00.001+01:00

The lovely Erika has given us the sketch for The Sugar Bowl challenge this time around and the optional theme which is ‘vintage or distressed’

Now, I just don’t do ‘distressed’ probably because I’m distressed enough already! lol

So I’ve gone a little vintage and unusually for me a little demure!

I LOVE this little Sassy girl but, unfortunately, like so many of my rubber babies she hadn’t seen ink since she arrived. So that just had to be rectified today…

I sent this card to the lovely Pops as it was her birthday a couple of days ago…Happy Birthday honey, hope it was a fabulous one!

Please drop by The Sugar Bowl as we have another fabulous prize on offer (even if you don’t have any use for watch cogs and clock gears it’s…it’s my medication that does it!!!lol)

As always my Sweeties have some AMAZING work on display…thank you, once again, my darlings!!!…

Gotta run…kids are off school yet again as we are having the Scottish elections today!

Oh, and I have to take my car for the dreaded MOT today.....ever wanna crawl back under the covers and just hide???? lol

=======================================================================================

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Romantic Dreamer)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – See D’s

Design Papers – Websters Pages

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 58–Marlena’s Sketch

2011-04-21T09:00:00.000+01:00

Time for another challenge over at The Sugar Bowl, don’t know where the weeks of my life slope off to at the moment!

Marlena, my little Dutch pixie has provided the sketch for this challenge….

Something a little different from me this time around…plain and simple (VERY) of course, there is always the touch of gingham somewhere!

I know it’s a little early but, I thought this would make a nice ‘Thank You Teacher’ card for end of term. Purely because I had to ink this little rubber beauty up as soon as I got my inky little mitts on her!

Please stop by and see what my ultra talented ‘Sweeties’ have created using this sketch!

We have a fantastic ‘sentiments & accessories’ prize to be won too…

=======================================================================================

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Winking Student)

Coloured Using - Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp - Heidi Grace

Gingham DP – Pink Petticoat

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 57–Maria Therese’s Sketch

2011-04-07T09:00:00.000+01:00

It’s Maria Therese’s turn to provide the sketch over at The Sugar Bowl, for the new challenge, she has given us the optional theme of ‘Purple & Green’ too.

I wanted to make a contemporary Easter card, and of course I had to use gingham …

I haven’t used flowers on my cards for such a long time, it felt quite alien to me to turn to them again but, I think they work quite well here…other than that it’s quite a simple card…letting the gorgeous Sassy image do all the work!

Please join us over at the challenge, we have some beautiful samples from the Sweeties and, as always, a FABULOUS prize on offer!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Bad Hare Day)

Coloured Using – Distress Ink

Sentiment Stamp – Hanglar

Design Papers – Making Memories (Emma)

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 56–Kiki’s Sketch

2011-03-24T09:00:00.000Z

Well…that was a VERY quick fortnight…

So it’s time for another challenge over on The Sugar Bowl.

A fabulous sketch from the lovely Kiki too…but, of course, I had to muck about with it!

Always the rebel!!!

So I’ve turned the sketch on it’s side…and then unintentionally put the embellishments in completely the wrong place!

Still, I think it works as it is…

Over on The Sugar Bowl, we have gone all PINK!

The theme is PINK , the prize is PINK and even the sketch this time is PINK!

So….THINK PINK…

Enter our little challenge and perhaps you’ll WIN PINK too!!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Bella Bunting)

Coloured Using – Distress Ink

Sentiment Stamp – Inkadinkado

Design Papers – Pink Paislee (Pop Fashion)

Sundays with Santa–Week 10–Gingerbread

2011-03-13T06:30:00.000Z

Our little Facebook Group has gotten to week 10, and I’m very impressed with myself that I haven’t missed one…..yet!!!

I had to choose the theme this week and so I chose ‘Gingerbread’.

Two reasons really…

One… I LOVE gingerbread…

Two…I LOVE this stamp!!!

I have LOADS of Christmas stamps that never see the light of day because I never seem to have enough time to make Christmas cards with them!

Another good reason to keep up with the Sunday challenges then!!!

I’ve wound up with an unusual colour scheme for this card, as I wanted the jelly beans and dew drops to have proper ‘sweetie’ colours so after I had coloured the image I had some trawling through to find a coordinating paper range! Then the purple just seemed to work for matting purposes.

I’ve left the embellishments to a minimum, just a few jelly coloured ‘Dew Drops’ as the main image really sparkles…

It’s a real pity my photography is not good….the gingerbread house icing was done using a pearl paint pen and then whilst that was still damp I covered it in Glamour Dust…so it twinkles it’s little socks off but, unfortunately you can’t see that!

Photography lessons added to the wish list …..lol

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Stampabilities House Mouse (Christmas Cottage)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

sentiment Stamp – HOTP

Design Papers – Websters Pages (Sweet Season)

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 55–Erikas Sketch

2011-03-10T09:00:00.000Z

A lovely sketch from my lovely Erika for this weeks challenge over on The Sugar Bowl.

The theme this time around is ‘Spring’…so, immediately this image and these papers ‘sprung’ to mind!

Did you see what I did there????

I have such an odd sense of humour sometimes!

One person who can vouch for this is my good friend Lorraine…this was her birthday card for this year.

It was rather a special birthday too (50…shhhh!)

I finally managed to get it to her at the SECC last week. Our Sugar Nellie stand was right next door to the Hougie stand she was working on.

Which was really handy as we stole it straight back from her to use as a sample to display the stamp!!! lol

We did give it back eventually though…thank you honey!

Whilst I’m blethering on about the SECC thank you so much to everyone who stopped by the stand to talk to us all…we had a great time nattering to you all and helping you with your purchases!

I’ve heard it said that there was a real ‘sense of community’ at our stand and we really felt it at our end of the counter.

I thank you all for making the exhibition a joyous event for us all…hopefully we’ll see you all again the next time we venture out on the road!

Please do take part in the challenge this time around, as the prize is amazing and, at the same time, intriguing!!!

Bet that’s got you all guessing!!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Bloom & Grow)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – Inkadinkado

Design Papers – MME (Bloom & Grow)

Sundays With Santa - Week 8–Pink & Chocolate

2011-02-27T11:29:00.001Z

More raspberry and chocolate in my case…

This was a really difficult one for me…I have no specifically pink & brown Christmas design papers…so just chose the richest looking equivalent I could find!

Have kept the layout very simple and just added the big ‘drama’ bow…

Still really enjoying making these on a Sunday…

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Image Stamp – Kraftin Kimmie (Antoinette)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – HOTP

It just occurred to me that I didn’t post last weeks card here so here it is…

The theme was anything goes…so if in doubt for me…it’s ALWAYS a Sugar Nellie!!!!

and another….

2011-02-15T06:02:00.000Z

Another Valentines card…

Although on first glance you wouldn’t really ‘twig’ it was would you?

No plethera of red hearts or flowers here….

Just Kraft card and my faourite ‘rediscovered’ papers of the moment!

I’m using them again even as I write this…

Odd the phases we go through in the creative process isn’t it?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Magnolia

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Samp – Magnolia

Design Papers – MME (Quite Contrary)

Ribbons & Cardstock - StampinUp!

Valentines….

2011-02-14T23:28:00.001Z

Thought I’d share this before the day is actually over…

I made this card for ‘little bird’ as obviously she couldn’t be left out of the action!

I loved this little Tilda the minute I saw her and she was a joy to colour…

I’ve left the layout quite simple as I don’t think an overly fussy card is appropriate for a 5 year old!

I’m happy to say she loved it…although

“Mum, why didn’t you put a ‘Roses are Red’ poem inside it????”

Very sorry I’m sure…..LOL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Magnolia (Tilda With Hearts)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – Stamping Bella

Design Papers – Panduro

Ribbon & Cardstock – Stampin Up!

Heart Brads – Papermania

Sundays With Santa–Week 6–Easel Cards

2011-02-13T19:28:00.001Z

Week Six of our little Facebook group…

This week the theme was ‘Easel Cards’

Now, I lvoe making easel cards but HATE trying to photograph them however, this seems to have turned out ok!

Really enjoying making the one Christmas card a week thing…might make it less of a grind nearer the time!!!

Also it’s using up all that forgotten about Christmas stash that I have a tendency to buy when I’m full of good intentions in September each year!!! LOL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – H&S

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – HOTP

Design Paper – StampinUp!

Snowflakes – K&co

The Sugar Bowl - Challenge 53–Marlene’s Sketch

2011-02-10T09:00:00.000Z

Time for another challenge over at The Sugar Bowl!

Lovely Marlene provided the sketch for this troublesome little project!

She has given us a fantastic sketch and a gorgeous theme…

…and she gave me one heck of a headache!!! LOL

Now, I loved the sketch and I loved the theme and has great visions of what I was going to do with it!

Putting it into practise was where the problems started.

I originally looked at the picture and thought

‘New England type shabby chic’

Immediately I knew the image I wanted to use…and that the basis had to be ‘kraft’ cardstock.

Hmn….a quick shifty through my design papers left me sadly lacking in suitable items!

No problem I thought…I’ll come up with some of my own!

Bad Idea!

…after much trial and error this is what I came up with.

Some ‘whitewash’ Coredinations cardstock both embossed using a texture folder and the smaller piece scored using my Scorpal.

The kraft stripe within the circle has been stamped using a french script stamp in white stazon ink.

So there is actually no printed design paper used here at all…

As for the pearls, they are actually almost perfectly ‘kraft’ coloured, why they have photographed peach…I’ll never know!!!

Ah the rubbish photography…I’ll save that story for another day!!!! LOL

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Tiny Tiddler (Sugar Nellie)

Script Stamp – En Francais (StampinUp!)

Cardstock – Core’dinations & StampinUp!

Pearls – Silly Monkey Crafts

Sundays With Santa Week 5–Family Christmas

2011-02-06T06:01:00.000Z

Another Sunday another Christmas card for our Facebook group…

This time around the theme was ‘Family Christmas’

Now my brain is a little literal at the moment….

Don’t seem to be very good at interpretation at the moment.

This is all I could come up with!

Still another one done, and already one more than I managed last year!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – LiliOfTheValley

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Paper – MME (MerryDaysOfChristmas)

Button Brads – HOTP

The Sugar Bowl–Marie Therese’s Sketch–VERY LATE!!!

2011-02-05T18:09:00.001Z

Firstly….sincere apologies to Marie Therese for the lateness of this

card sample!

It’s not that my card was not made, I just have not had a second to myself this week to blog it!

Of course, as it’s me, it had to be gingham!!!

Have recently rediscovered these papers and have been using them LOADS!!!

I loved this sketch and thought it was perfect for my baby girls 1st birthday card!

Just a quick post from me tonight…still chasing my tail!!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Bubbles (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Papers – MY Minds Eye (Quite Contrary)

Bling – Walmart

Sundays With Santa–Week3–Keep It Cosy

2011-01-23T11:42:00.001Z

Well look at me…

Posting before 12 noon on a Sunday!

I must have a baby who has decided she doesn’t sleep after 2.30am!!!

Week 3 of our ‘Sundays With Santa’ group over on Facebook.

The theme this week was ‘Keep It Cosy’

Now I will admit that blue is not normally considered a ‘cosy’ colour but, I chose this little Hanglar as I think she looks very cosy all wrapped up in her sweater, hat, mittens and scarf!

I’m going to enter this card in the Lovely Hanglar Only challenge for this week as the theme is anything goes…

Only one more week of ‘Santa Sunday’ and I’ll have beaten the amount of Christmas cards I made in 2010!!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Hanglar

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – Magnolia

Design Paper – Heidi Grace

Snowflake Stickers – Jolees

Sundays With Santa–Wk2–Pink!

2011-01-16T16:14:00.001Z

I admit I am fully responsible for picking this weeks theme…that’s probably why I had such a hard time making this card!

The ‘Sundays With Santa’ Facebook girls who don’t ‘do’ pink putting a curse on me!

I have had the image coloured and glittered for a couple of days but, when I went to make up my card, my paper trimmer slipped and missed the actual image by about 1mm! So I then had to trim around the image and think of another layout to use….

I am not 100% happy with it but, at least it’s another one done!

I LOVE these ‘Victorian Country’ characters from Penny Black, and I’m so glad to see them now coming out in the ‘Slapsticks’ range rather than the huge wooden blocks, so much easier for storing…although I do love my big wooden blocks and wouldn’t be parted from them!

Who is picking next weeks theme?

Cause it sure ain’t me!!! lol

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Penny Black (Kindness)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – HOTP

Design Papers – Dream Street (Wonderland)

The Sugar Bowl–Challenge 51–Kiki’s Sketch

2011-01-13T09:00:00.001Z

Well look at me….3 posts in one week…it’s almost like the old days!

As always over on The Sugar Bowl, we have a fabulous sketch, this time provided by the lovely Kiki…

I confess I am entirely responsible for the theme this time around, as I am inundated with birthdays this month!

Today is our nephew Kyle’s 15th, yesterday was my daughters 5th and my Dads 79th.

Don’t even ask about last week or next week…

So this card was my Dads birthday card, when the lovely Dougal arrived on my doorstep, the image I had initially coloured to use for this project was cast aside...

You see. we used to have a spaniel of our very own, he was my Dad’s dog, and as my Dad now has quite advanced Alzheimer's I wanted to take the opportunity to remind him of a happy time!

It’s the most horrible disease, and I treasure the periods of lucidity that we have with him, it’s good to still male some kind of connection.

As always, I’ve gone off on a tangent, my brain again…

Talking of my brain, just had to use the houndstooth check paper…I even had a little chuckle to myself when I cut into it! I think my sense of humour gets more warped with age!

What’s in the ‘mystery prize’ I hear you ask….

You’ll just have to enter to find out!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Dougal)

Coloured Using – Distress Ink

Sentiment Stamp – See D’s

Design Paper – MME (Landry Line Natural)

Embellishments – Card Candy from Craftwork Cards

My Dancing Girl….

2011-01-11T22:04:00.001Z

Yes, two posts in one week….don’t all faint at once!

(Yes Fidel, pick yourself up, you aren’t seeing things!)

So…my baby (well, my big baby) turns 5 tomorrow…

Really don’t have any concept where that time has gone, to make it worse, the baby has her 1st birthday in a couple of weeks!

Anyhoo…she has to have a birthday card, and as she is Dame Margot Fontaine in training, there could be only one image to use…

I have followed the LOTV CHALLENGE BLOG’s sketch, so the will enter this in the challenge!

Talking of challenges…I’ll be back Thursday with The Sugar Bowl’s next challenge…

See you all then!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – LiliOfTheValley

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Papers – BoBunny

Sentiment – Inkadinkado

Sunday’s with Santa Week 1–Sparkle!

2011-01-09T15:27:00.001Z

A small group of crafty friends, disgusted at their own inability to make Christmas cards in time for Christmas without rushing around like headless chickens, decided to set up a Facebook Group called ‘Sundays With Santa’.

I, of course, was one of them…and this is our first week, attempting to make a Christmas card every Sunday so that next year we will be a little more relaxed about the whole thing!

What else would I chose to start me off but a Sugar Nellie?

This gorgeous stamp is currently on offer at only £3.56 too!!!

I am a little ‘birthdayed’ out at the moment, with 5 very close family members having birthdays this week alone, so it was nice for a change to pull the Christmas things back out!

A lot of things I’ve had for a long time but never used, as the past 2 years Christmas card making have been shocking…pregnant and then just exhausted have been my excuses.

Not this year…I am determined!!! LOL

(We’ll see how long that lasts)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Santas Little Helper)

Couloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Papers – Websters Pages (Combo Pack, Waiting for Santa & Sweet Season)

Snowflakes – K&Co

Metal Embellishment – Making Memories

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 50 – Marlene’s Sketch

2010-12-30T18:55:00.001Z

It’s a very special occasion for us over on The Sugar Bowl, as it’s our 2nd Birthday!

It’s quite hard to believe that my baby is 2 years old!

Soon my other babies will be 5 & 1 respectively….they grow up sooooo quickly don’t they?

We have an extra special prize for this challenge too….or rather 2 extra special prizes…

Two lucky winners will have a lovely crafty start to 2011

Now to the sketch….which I have turned around….

Another ‘boy’ card from me…I do secretly enjoy them, I know I am in the minority in this respect, but we have such lovely ‘Nellies’ for the boys!

Scooter Boy is a HUGE favourite of mine… he’s such a cutie!

Have kept the matting in the toning colour, rather than go for a contrast ,and I really like how it’s turned out!

The star shaped brads I’ve had in my stash for years…nice to finally get a chance to use them.

Blethering on again….thanks so much for stopping by, and I wish you all a very Happy 2011, when it get’s here!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Scooter Boy)

Couloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Papers – Daisy Bucket (Rock Star)

Star Brads - Papermania

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 49 – Maria Therese’s Sketch

2010-12-02T19:28:00.001Z

Apologies for the lateness of this posting, Blogger officially does not like me today!

Over at The Sugar Bowl, the lovely Maria Therese has given us another fabulous sketch to work with…

A highly appropriate theme too, this week of Snowflakes…as the entire country seems to be snowed in at the moment.

I’ve used one of my favourite stamps from the Diane Duda range, I remember seeing a sneak peak of this one in Florida last year, and loved it instantly, but hadn’t used it at all…my old excuse of “too many stamps, so little time!”

I’ve coloured again using the Distress Inks…just love them again…will have to dust my copics off at some point though…funny how we all go through these little phases!

I’m utterly in love with these East of India ribbons too….utterly divine and excellent quality…they have gingham too, so needless to say I had to have them all!!!

For a change I’ve used some Jolees stickers for my snowflakes, again these came home from CHA with me last year, but hadn’t had an outing as yet!

So there we have it…probably my last posting until after Christmas, I am exceptionally disorganised this year, I’m normally all done and dusted by the end of October but alas, not this year!

I have extended the entry time for this challenge too, so everyone has tome to get their entries in at this busy time of year…

If I do not speak to you all before it…have a FABULOUS festive season, and I will see you all here on 30th December.

When my other baby ‘The Sugar Bowl’ will have it’s 2nd birthday!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Penguin Love)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – Whiff Of Joy

Design Papers – My Minds Eye (I Believe)

Ribbon – East Of India from Polkadoodles

Snowflakes – Jolees Boutique

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 48 – Marlene’s Sketch

2010-11-18T09:00:00.000Z

Once again it’s time for The Sugar Bowl, I can’t quite get my head around how quickly the fortnight goes by….must be a sign of old age!

My lovely little Dutch helper elf Marlena, has give us another fabulous sketch to work with

With the theme of Black, white and one other colour

So I’ve gone black, white and pale pink, for a teenage girls card!

I’m back on my gingham thing again…I think it may be becoming a compulsion!!!

I am utterly in love with the Simply Sassy range at the moment, this one is from set one, but having set 2 on my desk already, it’s hard to pick between them!

But then, Karen always picks us the best artists, I mean, have you seen what’s coming next?????

Not to mention the Alice In Wonderland stamps from Leanne Ellis, which you can win if you enter the challenge…go on, you know you need them!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Pillow Talk)

Sentiment Stamp – Heidi Grace

Design Paper – Craft Creations

Cardstock – Core’dinations Black Magic

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 46 – Marlene’s Sketch

2010-10-21T09:00:00.000+01:00

Over at my other home…The Sugar Bowl, my good buddy Marlene has given us this sketch…

Nice and straight forward right?

Now for those of you cursing Marlene for the ‘One for The Boys’ theme…DON’T!!!

The theme is entirely my fault….I needed to make a ‘boy’ card…and well, when you’re the one in charge, sometimes you need to pull a few strings!!!

Oh, and please do remember, the ‘theme’ is entirely OPTIONAL!!!

Now, unlike most other people I love making a ‘boy’ card, and there can be no better reason to make one than for my ‘surrogate sons’ 16th birthday!

Darling Hal turned 16 a couple of weeks ago, and I just can’t believe my little boy is all grown up…where did the time go??? (not really, he is my pretend surrogate son, and Elaine’s real one!!! only cause I said he could have his lip pierced, and Elaine said no, spoilsport!!!)

Hal strikes me as a Skull Boyz type of guy…and so I’ve run with it!!!

Please do stop by my Sweeties blogs and welcome the new girls to the fold…I’m sure you’ll agree they’ve done me proud!!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Skull Boyz)

Coloured Using – Distress Ink

Sentiment Stamp – HOTP

Design Paper – Basic Grey (Granola)

Screw Brads – Panduro

Ribbon & Charm – from stash

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 45 – Tiets’ Sketch

2010-10-07T09:00:00.000+01:00

My lovely Tiets provided the sketch for this challenge, over on The Sugar Bowl

Now, I have to admit, I first looked at this sketch and ran away petrified!!!!

However, I am not used to doing the more complicated sketches anymore, my brain can’t quite figure them out…but once you get your teeth into it…I LOVED it!!!!

It’s great to challenge yourself once in a while, and the theme of Autumn was right up my street…all my favourite colours in one theme….

A FABULOUS prize again, I think I need some of those dies…might need to buy them at the SECC, at the end of the month! Well, along with the rest of the show…I am a CHAMPION shopper!

Who else is going????

Please stop by and see my Sweeties gorgeous work, they are truly amazing!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Foxy)

Coloured Using – Distress Ink

Sentiment Stamp - Papermania

Design Paper – DCWV (Crafty Stack)

Pearls – Stamping Bella

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 44 – Lilians Sketch

2010-09-23T09:00:00.001+01:00

A phenomenal prize worth over £50 on offer this time, and my lovely Lilian has given us another fabulous sketch over at The Sugar Bowl…

Nothing too complicated here, as the option is a nice simple one too…A Birthday Card.

Now, let me explain something at the start, I’m taking some medication at the moment, which can be the only explanation for this riot of colour…..

I do love these papers, but feel that this combination is perhaps a little ‘too much’ for the less adventurous amongst us???

1970’s wallpaper anyone???

So, bearing that in mind, other than the ribbon, absolutely no embellishment whatsoever…

A fabulous stamp though, and one that until now hadn’t seen any ink…(so much rubber, too many children!!!)

I have however been playing quite a lot, and have lots to share, when I return to more regular blogging, which should be very soon….just gathering up a nice candy to share with you all!

We have bid a very fond farewell to Judy over on The Sugar Bowl, but please visit the rest of my Sweeties and see their amazing work….they are all far too clever!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stamped Image – Sugar Nellie (Painting Rainbows)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Papers – Making Memories (Emery)

Ribbon - HOTP

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 43 – Judy’s Sketch

2010-09-09T09:00:00.000+01:00

Judy has given us a great sketch for the challenge over at The Sugar Bowl…

a great one this, that can be ‘tarted up’ or ‘dressed down’.

The option this time around is ‘button’s and this gave me no problems, as I’ve been using rather a lot of buttons as embellishments at the moment.

I have gone, yet again for ‘dressed down’ it seems to be ‘the norm’ for me lately!

However, there is not a bit of gingham in sight today, which is novel!

I have chosen the lovely Miss Elf for this card, she was my absolute favourite from the latest Manga release, and one of those stamps, you actually just can’t wait to ink up! For once, I’m actually relatively happy with the colouring on this one too…please don’t ask how many attempts it took though!

I really wish we had ‘touchyvision’ as these papers are flocked, and absolutely lush…as I cannot possibly buy any more design papers…I’m trying to use some of the ones I have, so i think this is a couple of years old.

Two sheets down….60 million to go! That’s only a slight exaggeration!

Please remember I am looking for some new Sweeties to join us over on The Sugar Bowl…you can find all the details HERE!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Miss Elf)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp - HotOffThePress

Design Papers – Heidi Grace although,don’t quote me on that!)

Stickles - Platinum

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 42 – Lilians Sketch

2010-08-26T09:00:00.000+01:00

Phew….Lilian has given us a nice easy sketch over at The Sugar Bowl this time…

At the minute, my brain doesn’t do complicated, and I even had problems with this, mind you at the moment, I don’t seem to like anything I make…

Ever get that?

So, whenever in doubt…go gingham Gayle…

Honestly, I should have been born in the late 1800’s in Kansas, a la ‘Little House On the Prairie’…you’d laugh if you could see the amount of gingham that’s dotted around this house!

Put my umbrella up the other day, and my friend says

‘Only YOU could have a gingham umbrella’

Anyhoo….am I babbling?

I think so…

Back to the card, I seem to be making rather a lot of baby cards recently, and can think of no better stamp than this one to use…I love it!

Had great fun colouring this one, and I used ‘Rock Candy’ Distress Stickles to outline the big fluffy cloud pillow! Think I need a big fluffy cloud pillow myself at the moment…

This…

little monster, is loaded with the cold, and keeps waking herself up coughing at the moment, therefore Mama is also awake…the problem is she just grins at you…what are you meant to do?

‘The Hub’ keeps saying ‘they learn cute very early, to stop you eating them’

Talking of which, it’s our Wedding Anniversary tomorrow…’the hub’ no doubt will have forgotten…doesn’t read this. so I’m safe moaning here…

Enough of my babbling…

Thanks for stopping by, and for any comments you may leave, and please do visit my Sweeties , they have done such stunning work for me….as always!

Talking of which, I’ll be having a search for new Sweeties, starting this coming week…do keep your eyes open on the challenge blog for more news…

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stamped Image - Sugar Nellie (Vintage Baby)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Paper – Craft Creations

Pearls – Stamping Bella

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 41 – Marlene’s Sketch

2010-08-12T09:18:00.001+01:00

Sorry I’m a little late…I’ll explain later…

My lovely Marlene, gave us this sketch for the challenge…

Now I won’t lie…when I first saw this sketch, Marlene was called a few very unsavoury names!!! (you know I lurves you, don’t you?)

However, once I figured out how to get the points, I actually really loved this sketch!

It gave me the perfect excuse to buy the star nesties, which have been on my wish list for quite a while, and so fit in very nicely with the theme of

‘Something Old, Something New’

Actually this whole card is an amalgam of both…

Whilst Christmas Honey, is an older Sugar Nellie stamp, and has been in my collection for quite some time, I’ve never used her! Also the Poinsettias, were purchased last year in Florida, and again, never used, because no-one got a handmade card last year…I was far too pregnant, and far too ill to get round to it!

So I’m starting early to fit them all in this year!

Once again, many thanks to everyone who enters our challenges, and also HUGE thanks to my Sweeties, who always rise to the occasion, and produce such stunning work!

Now, why was I late?

My well loved, and truly very over worked laptop died last night!

(I won’t even tell you where I am writing this!!!)

So…any and all donations of new laptops are gratefully received…(just email, and I’ll get you the address)

Preferably this one!!!

Well I’d better scoot….As some of you may have read on the Sugar Nellie blog yesterday my Little Bird starts school very soon, and she only had so many days left to boss her Mama around!

Thanks for visiting and for any comments you may leave

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Christmas Honey)

Coloures Using - Distress Inks

Happy Christmas Sentiment - Making Memories

Design Papers – Basic Grey (Wassail)

Poinsettias - Prima

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 40 – Do It Yourself!

2010-07-29T09:00:00.001+01:00

We’re doing something a little different over at The Sugar Bowl…

A do it yourself challenge…

You get to choose your own sketch and theme, and you even get to choose your prize!

Hmn….what would I choose?

It’d have to be the Aquamarkers I think…I’m lucky enough to have almost every Sugar Nellie stamp ever made!

Judy created this lovely sketch recently for Challenge 38

I made this card for a good friends wedding…thought I’d show it again, as it was a great wedding!

Such a lovely couple, almost as nice as the real thing…

Ooh…now she really will kill me…

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Happily Ever After)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – Papermania (Anniversary Sentiments)

Design Papers – Basic Grey (Cappella)

Pearls – Prima

Lace and Heart Shaped Doily from my stash!

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge39 – Lilians Sketch

2010-07-15T09:00:00.001+01:00

Our lovely Lilian has given us the most fabulous sketch over at The Sugar Bowl this week…

Such a fabulous prize for the winner too…having seen the new super sweet Mangas, and I think I might need to get some of those Aqua Markers, to have a play with them!

I do love these simple sketches, as there is so much scope for them.

Mine has been left quite simple, as is becoming ‘the usual’ for me.

Ah, I remember the days when I had the time to embellish the living daylights out of everything….

It was a toss up, between ‘Tiny Bunny’, Pringle and Callum to use for this card.

This stamp won though…as he is just gorgeous…don’t you just want to eat him up? (metaphorically speaking of course)

This card is for my new ‘great nephew’ Matthew, who made his arrival last week.

Honestly, my nephews need to stop having kids, I can’t be a ‘great aunt’ at my age…

It’s not right!

Please stop by my ‘Sweeties’ blogs, and see how clever they’ve all been with this weeks sketch!

They never fail to amaze me!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Callum)

Sentiment Stamp – Papirloftet

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Paper – DCWV (Nana’s Nursery)

Ribbons & Buttons from stash

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 38 – Judy’s Sketch

2010-07-01T09:00:00.000+01:00

The lovely Judy has given us a fabulous sketch to work with this time over at

The Sugar Bowl… and like the rest of my Sweeties, I’ve turned it around…

The theme this time around was scallops and I’ve used the scallop nestabilities for this card…

I do adore this stamp, but have not had the occasion to use it until now. But, as one of my very best friends is getting married tomorrow, it’s about time it got an inking!

I assume lovely Lozzy, that you will be too busy to read this, or see this picture!!!

No pick’n’mix at the wedding reception then?

(She will KILL me!!!)

Ooh..best go and get the wedding outfit organised…dancing shoes on!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Happily Ever After)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – Papermania (Anniversary Sentiments)

Design Papers – Basic Grey (Cappella)

Pearls – Prima

Lace and Heart Shaped Doily from my stash!

The end of an era!

2010-06-29T10:11:00.002+01:00

I’m feeling a wee bit nostalgic this morning, so I thought I’d share it with you…

This…

was my ‘baby bird’ on her very first day at nursery school!

This….

was my ‘big bird’ when she graduated nursery last week!

Yes, we have been on school holidays for a week already here...

This is her at the graduation carnival…

How did that happen?

Where did the time go?

Now of course there is a card related to this…

Last Halloween, she was a ladybug…

(yes, I did make the costume…loved it so much I’m making one in my size for next Halloween!!!)

Ever since then all of the nursery staff call her ‘ladybird’ .

So…teachers end of term ‘thank you’ cards looked like this….

I made both of her teachers identical cards…and they got some lovely Philosophy goodies (no I don’t have shares in the company, although if anyone is offering!!!)

Thanks to ‘Fidel’ for supplying the stamp (I’m sure she had exactly this in mind, when she bought it for me!)

Although why I made this little ladybird blonde, I’ll never know!!!

I’m off now to buy her some ‘big school’ uniform…hence the nostalgia, seems like yesterday she was this little bundle of joy!

Thanks for sharing my trip down memory lane this morning…

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Ladybug Nora (CC Designs)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – Pink Paislee

Design Papers – Daisy Bucket (Playful Petals)

Wings are stickled to within an inch of their lives…and black self adhesive gems for her antennae!

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 37 – Marlene’s Sketch

2010-06-17T09:00:00.001+01:00

Yes, it’s that time again…where do my weeks go?

Honestly, at the moment, my diary looks like a car crash!

Some light relief then, in the form of Marlene’s lovely sketch…

The theme was girly and feminine, and this card started out as an idea involving lovely pastel colours, my thought process was along the lines of something for the Queen mother…I was using Basic Grey Porcelain etc… However, when I started to actually make it…it took on a life of it’s own!!!

It’s actually a card for my MIL’s 80th birthday which is this weekend…

Image Stamp – Miss Sweet Pea (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – StampinUp!

Design Paper - Bo Bunny (Jazmyne)

Pearls – Stamping Bella

Ribbon & Charm from stash…

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 36 – Lilians Sketch

2010-06-03T09:00:00.000+01:00

A new look, a few changes and two new faces over on The Sugar Bowl , after our little revamp!

A very special welcome to both Sarah & Elaine, who are joining our happy little team!

Still, some things never change and we still have a fabulous sketch….

And an even more fabulous prize on offer!

The theme that Lilian set for us, was pink, black & white…

I’ve gone all GLEE and gingham….two of my very favourite things!!!

I squealed with delight when I had a sneak preview of this stamp…I just loves her to bits!

On a personal note..I’d like to thank my own personal little Dutch pixie for helping me out on the revamp of The Sugar Bowl. Thank you my Sweetie…I don’t know where I’d be without you…you are a SUPERSTAR!

Talking of superstars, please drop by The Sweeties blogs…you’re sure to find some inspiration!

Image Stamp – Cheerleader (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp -

Design Paper – Craft Creations

Wishing I had waited….

2010-05-14T10:20:00.006+01:00

To post Wednesdays card….as the challenge this week over at

Cute Card Thursday this week is SOMEONE SPECIAL!

Also at PapertakeWeekly the challenge is Shiny, sparkly and special!

But as this card is was for the same person (my sister) I reckon it still qualifies!

‘Little Bird’ always insists that she has a separate card to give her Auntie, and there was a whole stramash when I told her the big card was from all of us…because, as usual, I had spent FAR too much time on the other card!

However, after a fair bit of nagging I agreed to make a very quick one just for her!

Whilst you're wandering around the World Wide Web....please stop by my fabulous friend Elaines lovely new blog...she has some fabulous candy on offer!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Magnolia

Coloured Using – Distress Ink

Sentiment Stamp – Whiff Of Joy

Design Papers – Basic Grey (Kioshi)

BIG!!! NO….HUGE!!!

2010-05-12T07:00:00.003+01:00

Thanks so much to everyone who left lovely comments on Monday, I really do appreciate them all!

Yesterday was my big sisters birthday…

So I wasn’t scared to go berserk with the embellishments on this card…

When it was finished, I asked ‘the hub’…. “too much?”

His answer…”For YOUR sister…NEVER too much!”

Now, this is a BIG card…an 8x8 easel card…and I’ve used several layers of glossy accents on the bubbles to make them look more dimensional…

Oh how I love this sentiment stamp..$1 at Michaels in Florida last year when we were at CHA. (Have I mentioned that we went to CHA last year???) LOL

Here it is open…

Thanks so much for stopping by, I’d love to hear your comments!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – Magnolia

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamps – Hampton Arts (Once Upon a Time) & Hero arts (Wishing You Laughter)

Design Papers – Wild Raspberry (K&Co)

Crystal Swirl & Flowers - Prima

I’m back….I think!!!

2010-05-10T07:00:00.002+01:00

I’m going to try to get back to blogging…how long this will last, I don’t exactly know!

Probably about as long as this little monster allows…

Yes, I know, she’s cute…but quite the little diva!

Can’t think where she get’s it from???

So to kick start my return to the fold…I will enter this card for the challenge over at

Cute Card Thursday – Boyz to Men

I do love a making a ‘boy’ card now and again…and this stamp is just as cute as a button, and ideal for my nephews birthday, as he rides his bike to work most days….even in the usual inclement Scottish weather!

I’ll be back on Wednesday with another card, and it’s a doozy….need to go now to organise some blog candy to mark my return to blogging!!!

This blog also needs a makeover...any volunteers?

I'm also in need of a new corner rounder...which would you all recommend?

I've been looking at the WRMK Corner Chomper and the Zutter Round it all , but as yet, I'm undecided!

Thanks so much for dropping by, I'd love to hear your comments!

Remember to keep checking back for the candy...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp – hAnglar & stAnglar

Coloured Using – Distress Ink

Sentiment Stamp – Heidi Grace

Design Papers – Making Memories (Emery)

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 35 – Marlene’s Sketch

2010-05-08T13:15:00.001+01:00

Grrrrrr…… Curse my Internet Service Provider!!! I’m UNBELIEVABLY late with this post….

I’ll make this quick, as I have internet for five minutes at a time, now and again whenever it feels like it!!!

Over at The Sugar Bowl, the lovely Marlene has given us another fabulous sketch….

The theme this time around is ‘RECYCLING’…

Well my poor baby addled brain had some trouble with this one….so in the end I just recycled some ribbon!

The ribbon came from a top, where it once lived as those loops you use to secure it to the hanger.

I look on in amazement at the things The Sweeties have recycled for this challenge..honestly they are geniuses!

Please stop by their own personal blogs and take a peak…

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Image Stamp - Sugar Nellie (Little Cotton Rabbits)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Design Paper – Cosmo Cricket

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 34 – Tiets’ Sketch

2010-04-22T09:00:00.001+01:00

A fabulous sketch for The Sugar Bowl by Tiets this time… and another fabulous prize!

6 gorgeous new Manga stamps…loving that cheerleader!

(Very 'GLEE' which I am unashamedly addicted to...it's my new guilty pleasure!)

Of course, I’ve had to be a little different, and have turned the sketch on it’s head…

I didn’t set out to be awkward, just being my usual dozy self…I had looked at the wrong sketch and picked a stamp which was long, rather than wide (IYKWIM?)…so I had to perform a rescue operation!!!

The ‘option’ this challenge is to include punches…so I had to use my new Martha Stewart Trellis punch which just happened to fall into my basket whilst I was buying the 12 new distress inks, which curiously enough seem to have made an appearance on this card also!

This is a card fro my Mother In Law who underwent surgery on her feet yesterday…I can’t tell you what exactly, as I am VERY phobic about feet, and whenever the subject would come up I would run away with my fingers in my ears singing LALALALALALALALALA!!!!!

I kid you not…

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Sweet’n’Sassy)

Coloured Using – Distress Inks

Sentiment Stamp – Justrite

Design Papers – Papermania (Blueberry Hill)

Pearls – Stamping Bella

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 33 – My Sketch

2010-04-08T09:00:00.000+01:00

Yes, finally I managed to figure out how to make a sketch using Photshop!

I won’t tell you how long I’ve been trying to figure that out…

So here it is…the new challenge over at The Sugar Bowl, my sketch….

With the ‘please include’ option of ‘Flowers’

I’ve gone for something a little unusual for me…vaguely vintagey and slightly distressed?

(just like myself!!!)

I also made more of those cuttlebug flowers that I love so much…

Do stop by and enter the challenge…we have an AMAZING prize on offer including stamps & Promarkers worth approximately £50!!!

Image Stamp – Sitting Pretty (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Sentiment Stamp – Autumn Leaves (Everyday Sentiments)

Design Papers – MME (29th Street Market)

Also Used – Cuttlebug Flower Dies & Textile Embossing Folder

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 32 – Your Choice!

2010-03-25T09:00:00.000Z

Something a little different over at The Sugar Bowl this time around….pick your own sketch!

I’ve set up a new Sketch Gallery, so that all of our sketches can be found in the one place…

I thought some people (including me) might find it useful to have a resource like that, when we’re stuck for inspiration?

Another fantastic prize this week too…6 brand spanking new Leanne Ellis Sugar Nellie stamps!

Anyhoo…my chosen sketch was Challenge 12 You can find my original post HERE

It’s always easier for me to chose the best things in other peoples work, but not my own!

So I chose this one as I was (relatively) happy with how the colouring had gone!

That’ll be the Distress Inks then…

Might need to dredge them out of storage again…oh and aren’t there some new colours???

Might need to buy those too!!! (any excuse)

Do stop by The Sugar Bowl and take a look at The Sweeties work, their ‘greatest hits’ are on display…and are simply stunning!

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Pen Pal)

Coloured Using – Distress Ink

Design Papers – K& Co (Roam)

Blossoms – Prima

Ribbon – Stash

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 31 – Judy’s Sketch

2010-03-11T09:00:00.000Z

The Jetsettingly (it IS a word I tell ya!) fabulous Judy, managed to set us a challenge before she headed off to The Philippines for a MONTH(I’m NOT jealous..I’m NOT!)

Oh my…talk about ‘baby brain’!!!

I started this sketch using this image, I even had some backing paper with stars on it…however, as I am now officially ‘brain dead’ add the fact that everything I do is punctuated by nappy changes and feeding times…I lost the original!!!

I think I must have thrown it in the bin in one of my ‘run around the house like a maniac tidying up’ phases!

So we start again…and this is what I’ve come up with! There is a ‘star’ there…you just need to look very closely!

I adore this little stamp and this is the first time I’ve used her (so much rubber, so little time)

I also love this paper from Paper Salon, unfortunately I don’t have any idea where it came from, and after an internet search I can’t even find the company. Perhaps they’ve closed in the recession??? If anyone has any idea…let me know!

I’d also like to take this chance to apologise to everyone I owe text messages, emails or phone calls to…I will try to get round to them all this weekend, but explaining that to a 5 week old is pretty difficult, as I’m sure you can all imagine!

Btw…can everyone who has my mobile number, please email or text your mobile numbers to me…my phone has been returned, repaired, but unfortunately devoid of numbers and everything else!!!

Please drop by The Sweeties blogs and take a look at the fantastic work they’ve done for this challenge…and my apologies to them also for my neglect!

Image Stamp – Elise (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using – Copic Ciaos

Sentiment Stamp – See D’s

Design Paper – Pristine (Paper Salon)

Flowers & Ribbons from stash

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 30 – Kathys Sketch

2010-02-27T12:15:00.002Z

Finally…I am able to show you my post for this weeks challenge at The Sugar Bowl.

Yes, my beloved laptop has been saved…amen! Now just the mobile phone to work on!

Anyhoo…back to business!

Kathy has given us another fabulous sketch…

The ‘please include’ option ‘Shabby Chic’ threw me a little, I must admit!

I am not the worlds biggest fan of distressing although I LOVE the look of it when done by other people, so I had to think, long and hard, about what my interpretation of ‘Shabby Chic’ would be…

So this is what I came up with…

For me…’Shabby Chic’ is all about fabrics which have faded and aged, and for me this design paper epitomises that!

I wanted an image which was quite ‘old fashioned’ too…so have gone back to my well loved (and well used) Windswept. I seem to turn to this stamp time and again…just LOVE her to death!

A touch of lace with the ‘lightly distressed’ doily and the addition of some pearls finish the card.

As always my ‘Sweeties’ have turned in some beautiful examples for this challenge, please drop by their blogs and take a peek…ladies, my thanks again!

Image Stamp - Sugar Nellie (Windswept)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Sentiment Stamp – StampinUp!

Design Paper – K&Co (Bailey)

Pearls – Stamping Bella

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 30 – Kathy’s Sketch

2010-02-25T09:00:00.000Z

Apologies…my card for this challenge is being held hostage by my virus stricken laptop…it will appear both here and on The Sugar Bowl blog, as soon as it can be retrieved!

Not a good week for technology at ‘Chateau Chaos!’ mobile phone is jiggered too!!!

Anyone have a nice shiny Sony Ericsson Satio or iPhone going spare????

One Good Reason!!!

2010-02-11T09:00:00.000Z

Well, actually two…my beautiful girls…

No The Sugar Bowl card, from me, for this weeks challenge because my baby daughter Maya decided to make her entrance two weeks late, and with lots of drama!!!

I’m sure I’ll tell you more of that, when I get the time to scratch my watch or wind my butt!!!

Suffice to say…we are all home, safe and sound and thriving…she’s gone from 7lbs 8ozs to 8lbs 1oz in ten days…a hungry little monkey…can’t think where she gets it???

Thanks to all who were waiting for news and to those who have already sent cards and gifts…we are overwhelmed by your thoughts and generosity!!!

I shall return…

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 28 – Marlene’s Sketch

2010-01-28T09:00:00.001Z

Once again, another superb sketch by the lovely Marlene for The Sugar Bowl….

Deceptively simple looking….I actually found this one quite tricky!

Mind you…probably more to do with my pregnancy addled brain, than a ‘difficult’ sketch!

On the 'news' front...there is no change, I have another midwife appointment today, so we'll see how that goes!

Another fabulous prize for this challenge….SIX STUNNING NEW MANGA STAMPS!!!

Please stop by and take a look at The Sweeties fabulous submissions for this challenge…as ALWAYS they are SIMPLY DIVINE!

Image Stamps – Sugar Nellie (Elizabeth Bell)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Sentiment Stamp – Inkadinkado (Chelsea Sentiments)

Design Papers & Accents – The Paper Salon (Pristine)

NEWS!

2010-01-14T19:17:00.001Z

Sorry…but the news is that, so far, there is none!

Everyone is asking…

Saw the midwife again today…

” It’s really unusual to make it this far with your second baby”

Yes, welcome to the land of Gayle…

Trust me, we have tried to shift this baby…to absolutely no avail!

Pineapple, curry, bumpy roads, clary sage oil…and other things that are unprintable!

I, point blank, refuse to go the castor oil road…

I guess it’s having a whale of a time in there…I’m glad someone is!!!

Will let you all know as soon as I can…probably best just to check the Twitter feed to the left of this post…

I am however, for a TOTAL change during this pregnancy, not vomiting or having any other problems at the moment…

Just a baby that won’t budge!!!

I’ll keep you all posted….thanks for asking, I truly appreciate it!

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 27 – Kathy’s Sketch!

2010-01-14T09:00:00.000Z

The very talented Kathy has set our sketch for The Sugar Bowl challenge…

And it’s another cracker, as you’ll see from The Sweeties examples, such variety from one sketch.

Of course I managed to screw mine up….I twisted the sketch to the left, and then completely miscalculated the size of my layers…I think I was panicking too much about the ‘distressing’ option! Regular readers of this blog (are there any left???) will know that I don’t ‘do’ distressing…so this is ‘distressing-lite’ a la Gayle!!! I promise you, I do try…but it’s like my fingers won’t let me!!!

Please stop by The Sugar Bowl, as we have a fantastic 6 stamp ‘pick’n’mix’ prize to give away…and please take a look at my darling Sweeties delicious work…they (unlike me) get it right EVERY time!!!

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Chef Hamish)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Sentiment Stamp - HOTP

Design Papers – MME (Wild Asparagus)

Cardstock – Nostalgia (Core-dinations)

Ink – Versamagic (Sahara Sand)

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 26 – Lilians Sketch

2009-12-31T09:00:00.000Z

Lilian has given us another fantastic sketch for ‘The Sugar Bowl’ again…

A nice simple one for us all, to ease us back into things…as has now become tradition, I just had to use Hamish for my card…and my new nestabilities ‘star’ die…

This little fella (in his kilt) was the whole reason I fell in love with Sugar Nellie, and what a change that has brought to my life…and such a huge number of new friends!

A year ago today I was awaiting the launch of The Sugar Bowl and now I await the birth of our new baby (yes, still no movement on that front!) It’s been a BIG year in this household…

I hope you all have a peaceful and pleasant start to 2010, and although I may not be around quite as much as usual, you will all be in my thoughts!

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Design Papers – Basic Grey (Cupcake)

Finally – The Sugar Bowl 25 – Lilians Sketch

2009-12-04T10:07:00.002Z

I am sooo sorry that this is so late!

My beloved Canon died, but fortunately, very late last night, a very clever friend of mine managed to revive it!

So my card photo hostage was finally released!

Hurrah!

Now on to the main event…Lilians fabulous sketch….for The Sugar Bowl…which has a simply spectacular prize on offer for the lucky winner…12..yes 12…Sugar Nellie rubber stamps! Donated by the Queen of Sugar herself…(who can’t sing, but who I love dearly all the same!)

Another cracker from my girls…another layout which could be ‘dressed up’ or ‘dressed down’

For my part I’ve gone all modern and minimalistic for my sample card, now everyone knows that my favourite colour is green, so I’ve gone with the mint option here and accented with pink and grey..not a colour combination I usually go for, but I quite like how it turned out!

I simply cannot tell you how much I LURVE this Leanne Ellis design….think she may well be my very favourite from all of the Christmas stamps this year…

Please stop by The Sugar Bowl and take a look at the FANTASTIC work done by The Sweeties for this challenge…my girls, NEVER let me down!

Image Stamp – Poinsettia Girl by Leanne Ellis (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using – Copic Ciaos

Stickles - Crystal & Eucalyptus

Design Paper – Craftwork Cards (Winter Wonderland)

Bling – Stamping Bella

The Sugar Bowl - Challenge 25 – Lilians Sketch

2009-12-03T09:00:00.001Z

Sorry...

My post will appear shortly…I have a busted camera!

My sample card is trapped inside!

Will, hopefully, be released at some time today!

Please stop by The Sugar Bowl and take a look at The Sweeties gorgeous samples for this challenge!

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 24 – Marlene’s Sketch

2009-11-19T09:00:00.000Z

Isn’t this another ‘cracker’ from the lovely Marlene?

Honestly, I HATE that woman…so clever, talented and great at everything…mind you, in person she’s a real ‘horror’!!!

Only joking sweetheart…you know I lurves you!

Is that rrong?

(I’d explain that to everyone, but it’s a Florida joke and we’d be here FOREVER!)

Talking of Florida…I had a sneaky peak at this gorgeous little stamp, whilst we were at CHA in July…and my inky little fingers have been itching to get hold of it ever since, so it was a real ‘no brainer’ for me when this arrived last week…

The ‘please include’ option is ‘ZIG – ZAG’ and so I’ve used some ricrac, which was lurking at the bottom of my ribbon box…of course, I HAD to have some ‘Stickles’ to add a little sparkle here and there!

We have another incredible prize of seven scrummy Sugar Nellie ‘Sugar & Spice’ stamps for this challenge from Funkykits, and one lucky winner will get the lot!

As always, my ‘Sweeties’ have done the most phenomenal job with this challenge, please spare a few moments to visit their blogs!

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Winter Birds)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Design Papers – MyMindsEye

Hardware & RicRac – from stash

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 23 – Judy’s Sketch

2009-11-05T09:00:00.000Z

The lovely Judy has provided another fabulous sketch over at The Sugar Bowl…

And here is my take on the sketch…

I’m having a little bit of a nightmare at the moment…my Mojo seems to have deserted me, as has any free time! Add to that a lot of domestic upheaval and you may understand my absence from blogland!

Hence, my need to turn to my ‘comfort blanket’ papers…Oh I’d be a rich girl if I had a penny for each card I’ve made with these papers…and I’m still not sick of them!

Please give my ‘Sweeties’ blogs a visit as they (as always) have done the most amazing work with this challenge!

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Blossom)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Sentiment Stamp – Hero Arts

Design Papers – Cosmo Cricket (Dutch Girl)

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 22 - Kathy's Sketch

2009-10-22T09:00:00.000+01:00

Another stunning sketch over at The Sugar Bowl, this time from the adorable Kathy!

Lordy, my ‘Sweeties’ are so talented…they always put my pathetic attempts at sketches (and everything else) to shame! Thank you so much ladies, your hard work is very much appreciated!

I’m the only one who hasn’t done a Christmas card this time, which should let you all know just how far behind I am with making them…

This card is for my utterly adorable great niece Olivia..she’ll turn two in a couple of weeks time, and I’m trying to be organised!

Note the word..trying!

I’m off now to spend lots of pennies at the SECC…No doubt I will be seeing some of you there!

Oh, and for those awaiting the ‘driving lesson’ update…parallel parking….SKOOSH!

(translation for non Scots… SKOOSH (adj) Easy, peasy lemon squeezy!)

Image Stamp – Winifred, the little cotton rabbit (Sugar Nellie)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Sentiment Stamp – StampinUp!

Design Papers – MME (Laundry Line)

More chocolate…

2009-10-13T19:42:00.001+01:00

Another of THESE ‘chocolate wrappers’ for you today…

Once again, I used THIS tutorial as the basis for this design, just changing the measurements to fit the appropriate chocolate bar, using my trusty ‘Scor-pal’.

This cat is part of the ‘Free Broom Rides’ set of stamps from Wild Flower Kids, available at Stamp Happens.

Now, I’m not a ‘cat person’ but, this little cat is for one of the teachers at the nursery school…she loves them, and she has a big glittery cat brooch, in these exact colours!

‘Little Bird’ called her ‘the cat lady’ for weeks when she first started nursery, and couldn’t remember everyone’s name…I’m sure most of the kids do!

So this seemed particularly apt for her…

I coloured the image and added a lot of bling with some stickles in ‘Black Diamond’ & ‘Platinum’

Please take the time to visit my fellow DT members blogs for further inspiration…

Alyssa ~ Donna ~ Jacquie ~ Leigh Ann ~ Sarabeth ~ Stephanie

and the Senior Design Team Members:

Beth ~ Julie ~ Tonya ~ Jen

Marlena’s Birthday

2009-10-10T12:12:00.001+01:00

“Today is your birthday a special day, it’s just for you, it;s just for you, today is your birthday and I’m so glad your day has just begun!”

I really need to stop watching ‘Baby Tv’…

Anyhoo, it’s a very special friends birthday today…the lovely Marlena…I do believe she’s turning 14 today (or did I accidentally invert the numbers? That’s the sign of a good friend!)

So this one is for her, I even managed to mail it in time…as she received it this morning!

How do you make a card for Marlene?

My answer was to keep it simple…and this little lady, just reminds me of Marlene, tiny, wild hair and a funky dress sense!

Loves ya babes…hope you have a fantastic day!

Thanks also to ‘Fidel’ who very kindly donated this little lady to my ‘rubber baby’ collection, aswell as a few others!

Loves ya too honey…and thank you for everything!

Image Stamp – Stamping Bella (Suzette Ketto)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Sentiment Stamp – Inkadinkado

Design Paper – Cloud Nine (Cocoa Mint)

Hmm…chocolate!

2009-10-09T11:10:00.001+01:00

That really needs to be said in the style of Homer Simpson..

Today I wanted to show you a little Halloween project, perhaps more suitable for adults than kids…well most adults love chocolate too…don’t they? I’ve made a few of these this year for the teachers at the nursery school…

I used THIS tutorial as the basis for this design, just changing the measurements to fit the appropriate chocolate bar, using my trusty ‘Scor-pal’.

I adore this pumpkin, which is part of the ‘Free Broom Rides’ set of stamps from Wild Flower Kids, avalable at Stamp Happens.

I coloured the image using my copic caios and added a little bling with some stickles. Then my Martha Stewart pumpkin punch…which is a little temperamental, sometimes it cuts the eyes out, sometimes it doesn’t! Maybe it’s just having one of those days?

What’s inside I hear you cry? Gayle’s favourite choccy of the moment…I don’t eat these…I ‘inhale’ them! Although I am rapidly running out of supplies…all donations gratefully received!

Oh and Mama Kath…you are so right…

“What numptie in their right mind would reverse around a corner anyway?”

Do you think I could just ask the examiner that, when he says “We’re going to reverse around the next corner”????

I wish…

As always, please take a look at my fellow DT members blogs for further inspiration…

Alyssa ~ Donna ~ Jacquie ~ Leigh Ann ~ Sarabeth ~ Stephanie

and the Senior Design Team Members:

Beth ~ Julie ~ Tonya ~ Jen

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 21 – Tiets’ Sketch

2009-10-08T09:00:00.000+01:00

Wow…our 21st challenge already…seems like yesterday I was the over anxious Mama waiting for the 1st Sugar Bowl challenge to go live on the stroke of midnight New Years Day…and now look at us!

Yes, I’m still the over anxious Mama, waiting for her own new arrival this time…although I still have a while to wait for this baby!

Anyhoo, enough of my babbling…Tiets has given us this wonderful sketch for this challenge…

It’s a real doozy…and with the option being Christmas…I’ve now made a start on my Christmas cards! Yee ha! One down six hundred to go…

Now, can anyone guess what Gayle’s favourite colour is? Doesn’t take a genius to work that one out does it?

The prize is fantastic too…my set of Country Cousins Christmas stamps arrived this week, so I may even go and have a play with those today…yes, just for a change, no driving lessons today.

“St Peter the patient” (driving instructor) was stuck with me for two hours yesterday(and Monday)…honestly, I have the three point turn down pat..but, the reversing round corner thing…if I was supposed to end up on the opposite side of the road, we’d be laughing!

Honestly, I’m amazed he has any nails left! Mind you, he still has parallel parking to go through yet!

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Hug In A Mug)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Sentiment Stamp - HOTP

Design Papers – SU! (Wintergreen)

Stamping Sistah – Clean and Simple!

2009-10-07T20:06:00.002+01:00

A nice ‘Clean and Simple’ card featuring the gorgeous Morgan the Stamping Sistah!

The last card I made using Morgan was quite complex lots of colours, swirls and bling, so I decided to keep this one quite simple, both is layout and in colour scheme!

Of course my favourite evah design paper had to make an appearance…and my ‘signature’ gingham is on there too!

Morgan and the sentiment used are by the lovely Beth at

and sold only by the equally lovely Tonya at

You will find lots of other projects using these delightful stamps at my fellow DT members blogs

Alyssa ~ Donna ~ Jacquie ~ Leigh Ann ~ Sarabeth ~ Stephanie

and the Senior Design Team Members:

Beth ~ Julie ~ Tonya ~ Jen

Image & Sentiment Stamp – Meet Henry & Morgan

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Design Paper – Dutch Girl (Cosmo Cricket)

To quote ‘The Buzzcocks’

2009-10-01T06:01:00.001+01:00

“Ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn’t have fallen in love with?”

I have fallen ‘BIG STYLEE’ for this gorgeous little fella…

Now I say, I shouldn’t have fallen in love with him, because, he is not a rubber stamp!

I am guilty of being a puritan sometimes, and the term ‘digital images' left me feeling cold…I like rubber…even those new fangled clear stamps don’t quite hit the mark for me!

However…

After this little man, I think I may be converted…he is from the gorgeous new ‘Autumn Splendour’ digital image release from…

Only available from

Please take the time to stop by the other DT members blogs, to see what they have created using the divine new images…

Alyssa ~ Donna ~ Jacquie ~ Leigh Ann ~ Sarabeth ~ Stephanie

and the Senior Design Team Members:

Beth ~ Julie ~ Tonya ~ Jen

Bramble the Scarecrow Digital Image – Wild Flower Kids Rubber Stamps

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Sentiment Stamp – Inkadinkadoo Chelsea Sentiments

Design Paper – Archaic (Basic Grey)

New ‘Digital’ Launch…coming soon!

2009-09-30T06:01:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow in my role as Stamp Sistah we have the launch of our first gorgeous set of digital images from…

Created by the very talented Jen and only available from my good friend Tonya’s delicious web shop…

Please tune in tomorrow to see what I’ve done with these gorgeous new digital images called ‘Autumn Splendour’ the images are just perfect for the approaching Autumn season, and there are also some gorgeous ‘Thanksgiving’ images too!

If you, like me, are very impatient though...you might just see some sneaky peaks if you click on the links below...

Senior Design Team Members:

Beth ~ Julie ~ Tonya ~ Jen

Halloween Henry!

2009-09-25T06:01:00.000+01:00

Boy…did this little fella make release day, by the skin of his fangs!

He arrived in my mail only a few hours ago…so of course he had to be inked straight away!

This is Henry, from the new Stamp Insanity stamp set ‘Halloween Henry’ isn’t he the sweetest little vampire?

I’ve used the lovely Dawny’s sketch from Papertake Weekly Challenge for this design.

I wanted to make the inside of his cape to be ‘striking’ so decided to completely cover it in my current favourite ‘Black Diamond’ Stickles.

There are some fabulous sentiments on this stamp set too…and there another two fabulous stamp sets being released today ‘Morgans Spell’ and ‘Morgans Love’, all from

and available only from

Please drop by the other designers blogs and see what fabulous projects they’ve made with these adorable stamps. They’re a HUGELY talented bunch!

Alyssa ~ Donna ~ Jacquie ~ Leigh Ann ~ Sarabeth ~ Stephanie

and the Senior Design Team Members:

Beth ~ Julie ~ Tonya ~ Jen

Image & Sentiment Stamp – Halloween Henry (Stamp Insanity Stamps)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Design Paper – Basic Grey (Scarletts Letter)

The Sugar Bowl – Challenge 20 – My Sketch

2009-09-24T09:00:00.002+01:00

My turn to create a sketch for The Sugar Bowl this week…

So you know it’s going to be VERY simple…

I mean, it couldn’t actually be any simpler could it? Still, that leaves plenty of scope for you to show us what you can do with it! It’s a 'sweet little ‘pick’n’mix’ prize for this challenge too!

For my part, I’ve gone with a black and pink theme as this card is for a friends daughter who is about to turn thirteen…

So I wanted something which was kinda cute, but also a little ‘edgy’ so my little Manga girl fitted the bill perfectly and as for the sentiment, is there any better advice that you could give a teenager?

Once again I am writing and running…another two hour driving lesson with ‘Saint Peter the Patient’ is awaiting me!

Image Stamp – Sugar Nellie (Manga Girl)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Sentiment Stamp – Autumn Leaves

Design Papers – Panduro (Tilda)

Blossoms - Prima

Stamp Insanity…new releases!

2009-09-24T06:00:00.001+01:00

Tomorrow in my role as Stamp Sistah I will be able to show you more exciting new releases…

Three new stamp sets called Halloween Henry, Morgan’s Spell, and Morgan’s Love from…

Created by my good friend Beth and only available from my good friend Tonya’s chic new web shop…

Please tune in tomorrow to see what I’ve done with these gorgeous new stamp designs!

However…if you’re a little sneaky, you might catch a glimpse or two today from our Senior Design Team Members

Beth ~ Julie ~ Tonya ~ Jen

Introducing Wild Flower Kids

2009-09-16T06:01:00.001+01:00

Today we have the launch of another gorgeous range of stamps……

Two beautiful Halloween sets called ‘Ghoul Friends’ & ‘Broom Rides’ Created by the very talented Jen and only available from my good friend Tonya’s delicious web shop…

I’ve used the set ‘Broom Rides’ as I just absolutely fell in love with this little lady! Of course she had to be a redheaded little witch, as we all know they make the best mischief!

I really must thank my friend Erika for providing the cobwebs and spiders, as my stash of all things Halloween is pitifully small! One email though…and I knew that the ‘Queen of Halloween’ would be able to help!

Again the layout has been left relatively simple and gone overboard on the spiders and cobweb which has been ‘stickled’ (Black Diamond) to within an inch of it’s life! This set also contains a rather sophisticated cat and a gorgeously cute pumpkin…more projects using those, coming very soon!

Please visit my fellow DT members to see what they have been up to with these gorgeous stamps…

Donna ~ Jacquie ~ Leigh Ann ~ Sarabeth ~ Stephanie

and the Senior Design Team Members:

Beth ~ Julie ~ Tonya ~ Jen

Image & Sentiment Stamp - Wild Flower Kids (Broom Rides)

Coloured Using – Copic Caios

Design Paper – Craft Creations