A great welcome to everyone who takes a few minutes to visit my blog, and hope you will return. I started off scrapbooking, but making cards soon overtook and I really enjoy seeing the end results. I enjoy blog hopping to see the wonderful creations from other crafters, there really are some talented, friendly people out there.


My Crafty Followers

Thursday 29 December 2011

Sister's birthday picture

Hi everyone,

Hope you all thoroughly enjoyed yourselves and over indulged with yummy chocs and a glass of wine or two over Christmas.  I certainly have, but back down to earth this week with a big bump as I'm back to work.  It's my sister's birthday today and I've made her something a little different to the normal birthday card.  She keeps telling me to make her a card that she can frame for her bedroom wall.  So, her wish is my command - I've made a front only card so it will fit into a 10" x 8" photo frame.  I have used colours that match her bedroom; lemons, peaches and salmon colours.  I haven't posted it framed, but what do you all think.  I think it's a little unnusual to a normal birthday card.  Although it's her birthday today, we are not meeting up until tomorrow when we are going out for lunch so I will give it to her then.  I hope she likes it.....

Anyway, hopefully I will try and post a little more often if time allows, I do have a lot of family birthdays coming up, as usual so I'm going to be busy.  I was lucky enough to have a cricut for christmas off hubby and a table top easel to use when I photo my cards.

We are going to a fancy dress party new year's eve with my son, daughter in law and family members.  This will be the first time we've done fancy dress publicly so it should be fun.  I'll try and take some photos for you all to have a laugh at.



I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy new year, enjoy....  Dee xxx

Thursday 22 December 2011

A few More Christmas Cards

Hi everyone,

Hope you're all ready for christmas.  We've had a busy week trying to catch up with christmas shopping, trimming the house etc., but finally we've got there.  The decorating is finally finished, the new carpet is laid and it's looking quite nice now.  I just need to put the finishing touches to it after christmas, such as new lights, mirror and pictures.  I've been at work all week and finish tomorrow lunchtime (hopefully), so hubby has been left with finishing off everything and housework.....

I'm just posting a small selection of cards that I've made for family, as everyone else this year I'm embarrased to say has been given a bought card, something I haven't done since starting card making 4 years ago.  Still needs must this year.  I shall have to make the effort to start earlier next year.. (bet you I don't).....lol....

Anyway, the cards I made for hubby, son and granddaughter are amongst the bunch. 

I hope you all have a fantastic christmas and a very happy and healthy new year, and would like to thank everyone whose visited my blog during 2011 and the support you've shown me as a new blogger.

See you all in 2012.  Luv Dee xxx



Abigail - Our Granddaughters card





Hubby's christmas card - He loves pengiuns....

Sunday 11 December 2011

Sparkling Snowflakes Cards

Hi Crafty mates,

Wish I could say I felt better, I think someone's got it in for me over the past 2-3weeks.  First I came down with the dreaded stomach bug and had to come home from work, and now I've got a humdinger of a cold that's making me feel under the weather and a bit sorry for myself, basically I'm fed up with sneezing... now I know how Rudolph feels. lol .....  Plus to top it all off, my Son and DIL both came down with the stomach bug in the early hours of Saturday morning and felt really poorly, so my husband had to go and collect Abigail from their house on his way home from work, and she was really niggly all day and also started with it last night, so hence no card making has been done this weekend either!!!   Or decorating, present wrapping, or even getting the tree down from the loft..So I feel really behind this year.  Is there anyone else out there the same? 
So decision made I'm afraid only close family and a couple of close friends will receive handmade cards this christmas.  It has been decided at work that cards are not being sent, money is being given to charity instead, so at least that cuts down the volume a little. 

Well I've posted a couple of cards I made last week, the theme is snowflakes all glittery, red, black and white.  Mainly using a variation of die cuts, glitter papers and ribbon.   simples...
Be back soon.
Dee xxx


Sunday 20 November 2011

Shop til u drop 'dressy' birthday card

Hi, all, I'm back again, this time with a card I've made for a work colleague.  Like a lot of us girls she likes to shop, so I thought this card quite appropriate for her.  I love the way Sue Wilson gathers her ribbon on cards and thought it finished this one off quite nicely.  What do you all think, hope you like it!

I've been blog hopping the past week or so, and as usual Eileen is producing stunning cards, but I have to also mention  Poppy's Patch (Sylvia), Bev Rochester's blog, Fleur's blog, Stampin for Pleasure (Sandra), Cards Calligraphy (Shaz In Oz) and Addicted to Magnolia (Ellen) to name but a few, but I would also like to say a BIG Thank You to my new followers and everyone else who has left a kind few words and taken the time to look at my blog.  It's been nearly 12 months since I took the plunge into the blogging world and a big thanks to Eileen for her enthusiasm and encouragement.

Also I've been busy trying to make christmas cards, but the past few days have not been fruitful, as I came home from work early on Thursday with an upset tummy, I couldn't believe how quickly it hit me at work and by the time I drove home I was like a wet lettuce, good for nothing, so Friday was a wash out too.  Didn't feel anything like myself until saturday and today I had family over for lunch so good job I was feeling better...  I'll post again later in the week with a couple of christmas cards I've put together.

I've also posted a couple of photos of goodies I bought at the NEC a couple of weeks back, I forgot I hadn't posted these yet.  As usual spent more than I was going to, but enjoyed every minute watching a couple of demos too..  See you all soon.   Luv Dee xxx


Cordinations card stock white and back
plain red card stock
White spotted organza ribbon
dress die cuts Bazzil On the Edge card
SB Labels 17
red jewelled brad
small coloured gem stones
Die cut sentiments
Inside of Card designed similar to front.





Tuesday 8 November 2011

Christmas gem baubles & Christmas Cheer

Hi Crafty mates  I've been having a play the last few evenings and have made a couple more christmas cards.  I try and get my close family cards made first if possible and then follow on with other family, friends and work colleagues.  This year for some reason I seem to be finding it a challenge to make cards for everyone, including work colleagues but I'll see how it goes....  I always take a look at Eileen's blog and couldn't believe the 3 cards that she has made, they're wonderful as usual, but coincidentally one of the cards I'm posting is a similar version to one of Eileen's posted last christmas using the woodware stamp set and gems. It was Eileen's offering that motivated me to also make a similar card.  I have listed the materials below the card.

My second posting is using the large Christmas cheer stamp that I absolutely love, it is so versatile according to which colours you use.  I will probably use this stamp a lot again this year.  Again the materials used are listed below the card.  Sorry about the quality of the photos I seem to have a shadow on the bauble card.
Thank you to all my crafty friends who have left such lovely comments on my blog, they are so appreciated.  Have a nice evening - Cheerio for now.  Dee xxx 


Woodware Baubles stamp
Selection of Gems from stash
Red satin ribbon
Holly corner punch
Martha Stewart branch leaf punch
White, Blue & /Red /Cardstock
sentiment typed on computer.


Christmas Cheer stamp
Encore Ultimate Metallic Inkpad (embossed)
Purple organza ribbon
White, purple and teal card stock

Saturday 29 October 2011

Musical Christmas Wreath Card

Hi fellow crafty mates,

Today I am posting my first christmas card for 2011.. Yippee.... It isn't quite finished yet , still need to add a couple of bits on the front and a sentiment and complete the inside but thought it would be nice to share it with you.  It's an 8" x 8" card BTW.

I've listed all the materials used underneath the card.

 Musical Christmas Wreath

SB Grand Calibur Scalloped circles
Adirondack Inks Butterscotch
Big N Juicy - Spice
TH Distress Inks Forest Moss
Stickles Lime Green
SB Corners - Christmas from 2010 range
ribbon
Pearl card and papers
Die cut musical bell for centre
SB Pointsetta will be added later at right hand bottom and sentiment.

I've also got a couple of links to blogs that are well worth a look as there are some lovely cards to see.
http://crafty-lou.blogspot.com/
http://causewaycrafts.blogspot.com/

Back soon with more christmas offerings I hope....

Dee xxx

Wednesday 26 October 2011

The Garden Gnome

Hi, Well after a long wait I'm finally posting my garden gnome card, made for my son's birthday at the end of September.  Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of it before giving it to him and I've now finally got it back to take the infamous picture.  (this is especially for Eileen as she borrowed me the die to make it).  I do agree with you Eileen it is a bit of a faf putting the pieces together, and I did lose my patience a couple of times....lol.  The inside is decorated very similar to the front of the card.

I made the card using:-

Cuttlebug gnome die
Quickcutz photo corners
SB Labels 8 dies
SB Nesties scalloped circles large
SB Stars 5 die
SB Crown dies
Crafty Individuals paper pad
Other papers from stash.



Saturday 22 October 2011

Vintage birthday cards

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't posted for a while trying to catch up with birthday cards through to December so that I can concentrate on getting started with christmas.  Here are a couple of birthday cards vintage fashion that I really enjoyed making.  The first card I made for my sister in law's birthday and the second was my nephew's birthday which is today.  Both are decorated inside in a similar design to the front. I've listed below items used to make them in case any bloggers like the style.  Hope you like them.
Be back soon with a couple more, and hopefully the promised gnome card for Eileen G..... all for now.  Dee xxx



HOTP papers
La Blanche Stamp
Grand Calibur Plain & Scalloped Oval SB dies
Distress inks
MC flower button die
Cuttlebug corner die
twine
button
SB labels tag die
lace ribbon
coloured card stock from stash


HOTP paper stack
plain cardstock from stash
SB label dies 8, 16 & 21
map of Uk downloaded from net and aged using TH distress inks
Clarity minature stamps
creative expressions bike stamp
metal cogs
SB Edgability
sepia & glossy accents
sentiments using pc



Thursday 29 September 2011

Paradise birds

Hi everyone,  life seems a bit hectic at the moment, so I just thought I would post a quick card that I made last year for a friend's husbands birthday, but never posted.  It's monochromatic using Kanban die cuts and cardstock.  I've also used some mirri board from my stash.  I must try and find the time to start my christmas cards, otherwise I'll be on the last lap again. See you all soon. Dee xxx


'

Thursday 8 September 2011

An Array of Cards

Hi fellow crafters,

Well the Autumn seems to be creeping in on us doesn't it, and the nights are getting darker, pity we didn't have a better summer but never mind at least we haven't had hurricanes and the like, have we...

I'm glad to see Eileen G back blogging again, bringing us some more super duper cards.  I have done a little bit of blog hopping and left some comments, some really pretty and unusual cards are being posted. It seems to have gone a little quiet the past few weeks, perhaps now winter nights are drawing in crafty mates will again start to post again.  I'm not sure if it's because I've changed my blog name but everything seems to have gone quiet.....

Anyway,  this posting consists of a couple of wedding cards for a friend and her sister, whose son is the lucky man.... also a couple of birthday cards, one for my Uncle, again more of a vintage and distressed feel to this, I do love making this type of card, and also a card for my little nephew who was 5 on 4th September.

On the wedding cards I used SB labels 1 small and 9, Grand Ovals plain and scalloped. Ribbons tag trio 3, Marianne  Creatables flower, LOTV wedding stamp, Penny Black Bride & Groom stamp, Pearl gem stone swirls, textured card stock and bits from my stash. 

For the vintage card I used a crreative expressions air ship stamp, Clarity vintage tiny stamps, TH cog wheels which I cut out of card and covered in Alcohol inks to look like metal.  The paper is Bo Bunny Time range, and bits and bobs frfom my stash.

My nephews card was a LOTV die cut I (I cheated a bit, as I didn't have time to stamp and colour in), plus, gro grain ribbon, paper is from my stash, sorry can't remember what make, and craftwork cards, card candy.

Hope you like them.  See you again soon.  Luv Dee xxx








Monday 22 August 2011

ALL AT ONCE OR NONE AT ALL !!

HELLOO..... I hope all you nice crafty people haven't forgotten me as it seems such a long time since I last posted, and I don't seem to get too much time to leave many comments on other blogs, but please don't think I've forgotten all my fantastic followers, I'm so grateful to all of you.

Well, Summer has come and nearly gone again and I hope you've all had a good summer holiday (even with the kiddlewinks) At the end of the day that's what summer is all about isn't it, spending precious hours on the beach with the children, I loved it and wish I could have ny time over again.

Well, back to crafting.... I'm posting 4 retirement cards for work colleagues who are all retiring from the health service within the coming few weeks.  They are a mixture of vibrant colours to try and lighten the mood a little.  I've used various materials from decoupage, coloured card and paper, various dies, SB, Marianne Creatables and Cuttlebug.

See you all Soon

Luv
Dee xxx









Saturday 6 August 2011

Crafters Block and Time !!!

Hi everyone,

I just thought I would let you all know that due to both work pressures and family commitments I won't be posting as often for a short while.  I will try and post twice a month so please keep a look out for anything new.  I really appreciate everyone who takes the time and effort to pop over and take a look at my designs, but I think at the moment because I'm feeling some pressure and a bit stressed I'm struggling with ideas and also time to feel relaxed crafting.  I will also try to continue taking a peek at all your lovely blogs and the wonderful cards you produce, especially the people who have taken the time over the past few months to support me in my card making adventure and look at my blog.  I have 3 retirement cards on the go at the moment which are orders for work, so will post these as soon as I've completed them.

See you all soon,  best wishes, Dee xxx

Sunday 24 July 2011

An Assortment of Cards

Evening everyone,  hope you've all been enjoying the good weather this weekend. I've got crafters block at the moment, since coming back from hols, I can't seem to get my brain working, so whilst I finish iff a couple of cards I have on the go at the moment,  I've posted a small selection of cards I made last year but never posted just to keep the juices flowing, so to speak...  Here goes then, dive in .....




Be back soon, Dee xxx

Saturday 16 July 2011

30th Birthday Celebrations

Just a quick posting today, as I am trying to finish a couple of cards for birthdays.  This is a card I made for my daughter in law's 30th birthday at the end of June. It's 8" x 8" and madde up of various SB Dies, crystal embellishments, cuttlebug corners, papers from stash and organza ribbon.  The inside is decorated in a similar fashion.

Be back soon - have a great weekend
Dee xxx