Papertake Weekly

Papertake Weekly has come up with the challenge this week of using spots or circles in your design... Perfect for my requirements...

This is a little birthday cake card for a very special young lady who is going to turn 3 very soon. For this card I decided to play with some funky foam for a change seeing as I was doing a childs card. The shapes have all been cut from a Fiskars shape template. The flower embellishments are from Cardology and the orange confetti came from a stack pot from Telfords Direct.

This was such a fun card to make and something away from my normal so hopefully that will get the mojo going again...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

The challenge this week over at Daring Cardmakers is "Thank You" so quite apt for me as I have rather a few of these to do over the coming weeks.

This one is for my mums friend Sandra who has done all of my ironing for me over the last few months as it's one of the things I'm not allowed to do yet. Hence this little elephant lying in a hammock was quite appropriate I thought, as many a time I've been lying in bed whilst she's been bustling around about me.

Image is Lazy Ellie from Stamposaurus

Coloured using Sakura Glaze Pens

Backing paper by Funky Hand (shabby saturday collection)

Sentiment using See D's alphabet

Flowers are a magazine freebie

Well I'm off now to look out my blog candy...

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

I'm so unloved

Do you ever encounter one of those days when at the end of it all you just feel so unloved by those around you???

Well I have come to accept that feeling as a part of my everyday life... here are some pics to let you see a typical evening in my home...

Whilst the cat is having his evening nap on top of one of the beds, curled up with the duvet of course, the little Buddy comes out to play. He has his mad running, jumping etc session then a lay on the hearth to recover, after that it's a mad dash over to daddy, and a big jump into his arms for some cuddles... I've never know a bunny to love his cuddles as much as this little guy... time for bed now...

After Buddy has gone to bed & Smithy wakes up, well it's time for some more daddy loving to be given out... up jumps the Smithy onto daddy's lap, bum on lap, paws reaching for the shoulders and oh Smithy is now in kitty heaven... Daddy gives him big rubs, warms his lugs as they get cold while he's sleeping, then we need to have a jaw rub as these become sore through eating all his biscuits.

After all this loving has been done it's time for daddy to retire to bed & mummy is left to do some crafting...

Hope you enjoyed hearing of our cosy evenings in & is it any wonder that we don't go on holiday very often... the animals simply won't allow it....

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Candy Alert

My sincerest apologies my lovely bloggers but I have been without internet access for most of the day as apparently I ended up on the wrong telephone exchange frequency for my modem...

I often wonder what little elves enter into our technology and become absolute little devils whilst hiding in there....

Fortunately I did manage to visit some people this morning before my major crash happened & for those of you who I didn't manage to visit I do apologise...

Well I've been kept entertained anyhow as my mum was over dusting & hoovering around me as well as washing my windows... silly old thing that she is, the flaming water froze on the outside of my windows so she created a huge job for herself... her friend was also over catching up with all my ironing... I beg to ask, what am I going to do once I'm fit & well to do all this work by myself.. think I'll have to hire a maid as I'm really quite used to it now.

Anyway, hubby is due home from work in the next half hour so must go get the dinner sorted now and will craft away tonight so there will be uploads tomorrow again, unless the elves return... hopefully not.

Am also having a look through just now to see what I can give away for some new year candy so watch this space over the next few days....

Till tomorrow, happy crafting.

Lorraine xxx

Penny Black Challenge

Firstly I have to thank my dear hubby for taking this photo for me. As you know my pics haven't been the best around lately so he's been kind enough to do the honours for me the past few days.

Now that we're all getting into the new year with a true blast of challenges (yippee), Penny Black has also kicked off with their first challenge of the year which is based on embossing.

What a quick simple card this was, biggest thing to do was the colouring.... done using Koi water colours.

I do so love this bunny stamp as I am a major bunny lover as you will most probably know, seeing as I have 8 rescue bunnies who live with me. Yes it looks so cute peeking out of the plant pot but trust me there's no way those pansies would survive around the real thing, they would be in the mouth & down the throat quicker than you could blink an eye...

Well off to do some housework then on to another challenge. If you haven't already joined in the Penny Black fun get on over there for some inspiration & get embossing then share your creations with all us other bloggers.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Surprise Card

Well folks here is the card I promised to upload for you all to see...

This was such a surprise for me as it arrived in the post yesterday from the lovely Stephanie Weightman.

I do feel honoured to have received this card as I do know that she works on a very busy schedule. Poor soul is on the go by 5.30am most mornings, hey that's about 4 hours after I've actually made it to bed.

Stephanie has many talents which started to shine at a very young age, from textiles & modelling to painting. She did infact start her first company around the age of 17 designing clothes & for those who attended the first Create & Craft Experience they will also confirm what a gorgeous model she was. One of those people who the camera takes an instant liking to. Lucky her....

Stephanie also does fabulous paintings with a great wrist technique & you never know perhaps some day she will run a workshop or two on how to paint this way & I can go along... Now that would be cool.

Well hope you all enjoyed this brief little chat.

Lorraine xxx

How's your mojo doing ?

Well folks another new day has dawned in 2009 and how is your mojo doing this year?

I think after all the christmas cards, gift tags etc that everyone was worn out a bit & the old mojo's can only take so much.

Alas we have our saviours as always with all our lovely challenges getting up & running, providing us with much inspiration as always and working us hard from the very beginning... what else can we say, except THANK YOU to all those wonderful DT's out there who have worked over the festive season all for our benefit.

Today, after my hubby has dragged me off to the shops as he's so bored having been stuck in the house over the festive season, I will be tackling my next 4 challenges... what do we have on the list well! We have Tag You're It, Daring Cardmakers, Stamp Something & Penny Black... Oh the juices are flowing already, but as I say, I have to hold on to them until after our shopping spree..

In true timely fashion, we always have something electrical goes over the festive season and this year it was my bathroom light... both bulbs blown & when Rob tried to change the bulb, well what can I say apart from he ended up with a handfull of glass (whole may I add), but the remainder of the bulb stayed in the light unit. Hence 1st thing on the shopping list today is a new light for my bathroom... have had to venture in there in darkness the last 2 nights so it will be nice to see where I'm going tonight.

I've just had a lovely surprise card arrive in the post today but as hubby is now biting at my heels I will have to upload it later for you all to see. Oh the initials of the card designer are SW... can you guess who it is???

Back soon & happy crafting in the meantime.

Lorraine xxx

Rainbow Ladys Challenge

Firstly a very big welcome back to the land of blogging for the lovely Cynthia, who has started her challenges already even although she is still recovering from surgery so well done you.....

The challenge this week over at Rainbow Lady is new ideas or new stamps.... well as I had to invest in some Sugar Nellie stamps over the festive period I decided to use one of my new stamps for the challenge.... I hope you like...

This little girl is so cute & I just love combining her with bright colours although she would look every bit as delightful done in more soft muted colours...

Come on girls get crafting & join in the fun.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Sugar Bowl Challenge

Yippee........... Sugar Bowl challenges have kick started the action this year nice and early i.e at exactly 1 minute past midnight on New Years Day. What a way to start.....

If you don't have any Sugar Nellie stamps well may I suggest that you get your fingers working and purchase some as this blog promises to bring lots of excitement your way over the coming year... the images in their own right are absolutely gorgeous too & perfect for every occassion.

The first ever Sugar Bowl challenge is based on a sketch by Tiets and guess what there are goodies up for grabs too in the form of not 1 but 3 packs of Letraset Promarkers from Funkykits... what are you waiting for!!!

I must admit I've had great fun starting this years challenges with this lovely cutie combined with some yummy colours & sure look forward to much more fun on this challenge blog.

Hurry hurry hurry over to the sugar bowl now.

Happy crafting one & all

Lorraine xxx

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL....................................

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A FANTASTIC & MEMORABLE EVENING & THAT YOUR FESTIVITIES CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

MAY WE ALL RAISE A GLASS FOR A HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR DURING WHICH TIME MAY WE ALSO REMEMBER THOSE OF WHOM WILL NO LONGER BE JOINING US IN THE NEW YEAR. MANY OF US HAVE LOST SPECIAL PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR SO LET US REJOICE NOW FOR THE AIR THAT WE ALL BREATHE TODAY.

CHEERS EVERYONE!!!!!!!

LORRAINE XXXXXXX

2009 is fast approaching !!!!!!

A very good morning to all of you wonderful people out there in blogland.....

Another apology from me for not having blogged over the last few weeks but life ended up in turmoil before christmas as it does for all of us but you will be glad to know I did manage to do some christmas shopping (immediate family only this year) but I also managed to make around 80 cards which was good going for me... In addition to that, the week before christmas I was at the hospital 3 days in a row, nothing bad, Mon for my shoulder, Tues for my post op check & Wed for hubby. You know how long it takes when you visit the hospital though so these visits ran into hours. In addition to that on the Tuesday I had my final workshop to run so time was really not on my side that week.

Alas christmas has come & gone for yet another year and I so hope that you all had a marvellous time with your friends & family. Was Santa good to you???? Since christmas I have been resting up as all the running around beforehand didn't go down well with my stomach which decided to swell up & stay up so have been getting it back under control again as I plan to have a very busy time of it in 2009. Too much of this year has been lost (1st admitted to hospital on August 21st) hence I've basically been sat on my back side for 4 months now with lots of restrictions on my movements. Time to move on now me thinks although I do have to be careful for another 6-8 weeks as according to the surgeon that is approx how much longer my internals require to heal....

This has been a good year for me in some ways as I have been accepted as a demonstrator for Fiskars & Marking World (Sakura) but due to my ill health I will be glad to put this year behind me know. For all of you out there who have had health problems also I sure hope that 2009 is better for you. Stay strong & stay well....

Well now that you all know I am still in the land of the living and not been abducted by aliens I will bid you all a fond farewell for 2008... May 2009 be a much healthier & wealthier year for one and all...

Remember the new Sugar Bowl kick starts tomorrow so make sure you all come along & join in the fun...

In finishing off my speech for 2008 may I close by saying a huge huge thank you to all of you out there who have supported me through my ill health. Both my hubby & I have been left amazed at the messages of support I have received on my blog, by email & by gorgeous handmade cards.... It even continued through to the Christmas cards and may I tell you that these cards all have pride of place in my living room and my visitors have a ball looking at them all in detail.

THANK YOU & HAPPY NEW YEAR WHEN IT ARRIVES.......... speak to you all in 2009.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Merry Christmas 1 and all

Apologies

I do apologise for not getting back to you all yesterday with pics of some new cards but it turned into one of those days... had lunch then a visitor arrived, by the time she left late afternoon & I got some housework done I ended up completely shattered lying on the sofa... later last night I had to muster up the energy to do some stamping as I had 6 new Sugar Nellie stamps arrived & I was desperate to try them. Ended up on the sofa with my images & water colours watching tv.

Will try to be a better girl today & something uploaded but in the meantime I hope you are all working away hard & getting organised for crimbo.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Good Morning

Just popped on to say good morning to everyone & what a glorious day it is here... Yes there is lots of frost lying on the ground but currently we have a gorgeous blue sky scattered with some fluffy white clouds... I'm sure it's freezing outside but currently in my big pink housecoat so that don't matter.

Workshop was fab yesterday again & next week we are going to be working with sketches so that will be really cool for them. I must admit that they have progressed well over the last few weeks & one lady in particular has got almost all of her cards made now which is fantastic for a complete beginner...

Currently I am considering whether or not to phone the hair dresser & see if I can get in for a dry cut today. Never had a dry cut before but have no option this time... can't slouch back in the chair else I stretch my belly too much & can't bend over to have it washed as it pushes on my belly too much... Hell this whole belly op stuff creates a whole load of inconvenience... will let you know later what I decide but hey if it don't happen today it will be very soon as the old mop hasn't been cut since late July early August so I'll leave your imagination to work on that one... Must ensure I look pretty for the festive season you know, special friends coming to visit & let's not forget I must look good for Father Christmas.

Happy crafting & will be back later today with some pics...

Lorraine xxx

2 sketches 4 you

Now what a fabulous we had to work with this week over at 2 sketches 4 you and I did start out with the best intentions of working to the sketch but I ended up altering the layout slightly.. it really does give a completely different look yet all I done was moved the ribbon down so that it all shows instead of it being behind the image... so I really didn't alter much of the layout... even better is the fact that my OH loves this image (makes sense as we have 8 rescue bunnies) so I think I can say that I now have his Christmas card made. So that's 2 made yesterday only another 100 to go...

Images are Joanna Sheen Messy Rabbit
Ribbon from stash

The image has been coloured using brush markers & the little "Wish List" on the left hand side is infact raised using silicone. Sorry my photos are crap at the moment as my camera is heavy & I find it difficult to balance the weight in order to get a good pic.

Ok I'm off again as I've got a workshop to host at 1pm & currently sitting here in PJ's, sipping coffee...

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

Our Buddy

This here is the latest addition to our family & he just managed to acquire the name Buddy due to the fact that on the day he arrived my OH kept speaking to him & calling him Buddy... funny how things stick ain't it!

Well this little man arrived 2 weeks past on Sunday. The family he was with originally had loved him then when they became bored they shut him in a shed... thankfully someone went to check on him & found him in a shed approx 3 inches deep with his own dirt, no food & no water... poor wee mite was nothing but skin & bone... the girl who found him decided no way was this poor bunny staying there so she simply lifted him & left taking him to her own home for a week and giving him loads of love. She was unable to keep him herself as she has a ferret so asked if we would oblige by taking him in... well we did have a spare cage & find it oh so hard when someone asks & we don't have anywhere to house them. Well when this wee darling arrived he was still well underweight & done nothing but eat & sleep and that is no exaggeration... he would actually wear out just with eating food...

Now I am glad to report that 2 weeks on from coming to live with his new mummy & daddy, he can tell a much different story. Weight has been gained, we can now stay alert during the day although we do still love to throw ourself onto our side for a long deep nap & then in the evenings he loves nothing more than to come out & have a run around the living room chinning everything in sight...

I really do wish that people would realise the extent of care that these wee animals require, they are not made to sit in a cage all day long with nothing but straw... they require regular exercise to maintain their health & also a well balanced diet & clean environment...

Hope you love Buddy as much as we do.

Lorraine xxx

Penny Black Challenge

Firstly I do apologise about the lighting whilst taking this picture but it is now extremely dark outside & really didn't want to wait till tomorrow.... already 2 days behind.

Well this week over at Penny Black we were challenged to work with a sketch which I do love... I actually like this one so much that I think it will be used for a lot of this years cards as counted them up today & I have over 100 cards to send out & not a single one made yet... think I may have to raid the challenge cards to get me started but this is such a quick & simple layout that I could really batter these cards out in no time at all.... Thanks so much for that.... Image coloured using brush markers... snow using stickles & hats with cotton wool....

Image & sentiment : Penny Black

Papers : DCWV

Ribbon : Stash

Ok must dash now as dinner just about ready to come out of the oven & I'm starving....

Happy Crafting

Lorraine xxx

Tag You're It Challenge

What a fab challenge this week over at Tag You're It... Triangle Tag... this was great fun & simply complemented the style of the Christmas trees...

The tag was put through the cuttlebug then some torn & inked edges on the papers, the green trees are laid flat with the pink mounted on foam pads for depth. The dots have been highlighted with some stickles just to add a shiny snow effect. Also added to the trees...

Papers & trees from Funky Hand (Funky Christmas Time & Funky Little Christmas), both are available as downloads costing only £3.49 each & both sets have fab alpha's & toppers as well as gorgeous backgrounds...

Ribbon from my stash.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Good Morning Just

Well just a quick note to say good morning to everyone on this yet another fine british morning... if anyone has sunshine please let me know so I know that someone somewhere is not looking out on dark clouds...

Currently sat here in my pj's & fluffy housecoat paying bills & trying to do some online christmas shopping. Due to my operation I have the best part of cancelled christmas this year as I don't have the energy to deal with it all the moment but you do always have those presents that must be bought & now I'm worried that I won't find what I want... Thus for a few hours today my bum is going to be sat here putting stuff in shopping baskets (hopefully the companies will gift wrap too)....

Silly me also lost my challenge list yesterday so alas no cards made at the moment to upload but I have now got my list again so will get something posted later...

Off to shop in my slippers & pj's now, back soon.

Happy crafting

Lorraine xxx

Papertake Weekly

Over at Papertake Weekly where we were given the recipe for our card...

1 Ribbon

2 Rectangles

3 Small round embellishments...

Well here goes with my effort.... very simple & nothing to it...

Papers by Laura Ashley

Ribbon & gems from my stash

Green stalks & flower centres have been highlighted with a Sakura clear glaze pen but unfortunately you can't see it in the pic because of the poor light I have today... Sorry

Happy crafting everyone

Lorraine xxx