Taking part in a challenge

Hello there!
I can't remember the last time I took part in a challenge but seeing as I'm back, I might as well be back all the way! This week at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge the challenge is "STAMP IT" using the SSS exclusive products.

Here is my card for the challenge:

I used a piece of Tim Holtz watercolor paper and smooshed three different distress inks on to the card - picked raspberry, milled lavender and twisted citron. After drying, I cut it out using the largest die from the Simon Says Stamp stitched rectangles dies. 

For the sentiment, I used the SSS/Hero Arts Prayers Stamp and Cut die set from the 2015 STAMPtember release. I stamped the sentiment "sending hugs and ......to you and your family" with Versafine onyx black ink and die cut "prayers" with the coordinating die from Bazzill black card stock. I then adhered the card piece on to a black textured side folding A2 card from DCWV.

I hope you like it :)

Big hugs,

Becca

Hello from me!

Hello again! I'm back after a few years break of not posting on here although I have still been doing some craft projects. I've had back problems and this year has been interesting with a hysterectomy and the Epstein Barr virus. My daughter got married last October and I was lucky enough to get her old bedroom as a craft room/office/guest bedroom. I can now craft to my hearts delight and not have to worry about the mess ;)
Anyway.......after getting my room organised and buying new stock, I've started making cards again. I'll post a few of them over the next few days. 

Here's my latest creation:

First off I cut a piece of watercolour card and used the Tim Holtz Splatters (THS009) stencil with three Distress Inks -  cracked pistachio, peacock feathers and salty ocean. I dabbed the ink on using a mini ink blending tool. Then I cut the card using the Simon Says Stamp large stitched rectangle die. 

The sentiment "hello" is a cut using the Hero Arts Hello Stamp and Cuts set (DC151) with black glitter card stock and adhered to the front of the card.

I used some gold heart washi tape, a piece of  black and white diagonal striped paper that I'd made with a self-made stencil cut out with my silhouette machine and a piece of gold glitter card stock. 

To finish off the card I sprinkled a few gold and aqua blue sequins from Dovecraft and adhered it to a top folding note card made out of turquoise Clairefontaine 270 g card stock.

I hope you like it :)

Here's to a new beginning.

Hugs,

Becca

More coaster calendars

These coaster calendars are so easy to make and everyone needs a desk calendar don't they?

Have a lovely weekend.

Hugs,

Becca

Lili of the Valley - Coffee Break 2

Hi!

Here's another card using the LOTV "Coffee Break" stamp. I stamped up two copies on to the paper and didn't want to waste it, so made this card. I love this paper pack from Dovecraft; the teas and cakes are mouth watering! ;)

These stamps are so cute and girlie. Lili of the Valley stamps are just darling.

It's funny when taking photos you never seem to see the colours as they really are. The green on the stamp here looks yellowy-green and doesn't match the papers at all but believe me, they are green! :)

Card recipe:
Background papers: Dovecraft "Tea Party" 6x6 paper pack
Cardstock: Bazzill / LOTV smooth white cardstock
Stamp: LOTV Coffee Break
Colour medium: Copic markers, Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils with Sansador

Have a great week!

Hugs,
Becca

Lili of the Valley "Birthday fairy"

Keeping in line with the clean and simple card I made with the LOTV stamp (Coffee Break) last week, I made these two cards with the "Birthday Fairy" stamp from LOTV along the same lines.

I love this stamp; it's so cute!

Card recipe: 
Card 1
Background Papers: Dovecraft "Tea Party" 6x6 paper pack
Cardstock: Bazzill / LOTV smooth white cardstock
Punch: Martha Stewart "Doily Lace" edger punch
Colour medium: Copic markers, Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils with sansador
Stamps: LOTV "Birthday Fairy" and LOTV Set 6 Dream Days circular sentiments

Card 2
Background papers: Dovecraft "Tea Party" 6x paper pack
Cardstock: Bazzill / LOTV smooth white cardstock
Punch: Martha Stewart branch punch, EK Success 1 3/4"  circle punch
Colour medium: Copic markers, Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils with Sansador
Dies: Spellbinders "Rose Creations"
Ribbon: Knorr prandell
Brad: Basic Grey

Thanks for looking.

Hugs,
Becca

Quick wedding card

I needed a card for a wedding and I needed it quickly and as I didn't have any suitable cards left in my stack (which is nearly empty as I haven't been making cards lately) I had to sacrifice an afternoon and produce something.
This is what I came up with:

Card recipe:
Papers: Bo Bunny "Crazy Love Collection"
Cardstock: Bazzill
Punches / Dies : Martha Stewart "Garden Trellis" deep border punch, Nestabilities classic scalloped circles, Nestabilities Labels 8
Stamps: Basic Grey "Wild Flowers", Lili of the Valley "Set 6 Dreamy Days Circular Sentiments"
Ribbon: Interio
Heart Pins: Anna Marie Designs

Hope you like it.

Hugs,
Becca

DIY Tile Coasters

I was looking on Pinterest one day and came across some coasters made from small bathroom tiles and thought to myself, "I can do that! They look easy enough!"

So I went shopping to get all the things I need to make these cute coasters.

 I already had enough scrapbook and card making paper that all I had to buy was the decoupage glue (you can't get Mod Podge here), the bathroom tiles (which I got a local tile dealer) and the felt for the bottom of the coasters. I got a box of 99 tiles (10x10cm) for CHF10.80 (about $10, £7.00).

I "painted" the tiles with the glue three times leaving them to dry for 20 minutes between each layer and then sprayed with a sealer to finish. 

All that was left to do after letting them dry for 24 hours was to stack them and tie with a ribbon.

What a quick, easy and cheap gift for friends or family.

Why don't you have a go at making these. You won't regret it.

Hugs,

Becca

Lili of The Valley - Coffee Break

Hello there! It's been a while (again), I know. 

I just wanted to show you a card I made last week using Lili of the Valley's "Coffe Break" stamp. I wanted a clean and simple card without a lot of layers but still pretty and eye catching. I think this fit the bill.

Card recipe:
Background papers: Dovecraft "Tea Party" 6x6 paper pack
Paper: LOTV smooth white cardstock
Dies: Nestabilities classic scallop cirlces, classic circle
Stamps: LOTV Coffee Break, LOTV Set 6 Dreamy Days Circular sentiments
Colour medium: Copic markers, Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils

I hope you like it.

Hugs,
Becca

Lazy Days

It's been a while, hasn't it?
I don't know why but somehow I'd lost the bug and I had absolutely no desire to create anything. The last cards I made were Christmas cards (which I forgot to take photos of) and I think I only made those because I felt I had to send home made cards.
I tidied up my office this past week (it took me 6 hours!) and it was lovely coming in and seeing everything clean and in its place. I know this helps me to create as I can't can be open to ideas when there is chaos around me.
I bought this cute LOTV stamp at last years NEC craft fair and I thought it was time I inked it up. It makes me want to go and lie down and take a snooze :) I find boys card really hard to make as I want to put flowers and ribbons on them but here less if definitely better!
I'm sorry it's a bit fuzzy.......

Card recipe:
Stamp: LOTV Lazy Days
Ink: Memento / Distress Inks pumice stone and old paper
Papers: Green background - Bearly Mine / Blue circles paper - Basic Grey Marjolaine / Blue Newspaper - Prima Botanical / Craft Basic Grey
Colouring medium: Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils with Sansador
Die cuts: Nestabilities Classic circle and Classic scallop circle large
Buttons: Doodlebug Designs

I'm entering this in Basic Grey Challenge: Spring Colours

Hopefully I'll be on here more often.
Until then....

Big hugs,

Becca

Love is the air

The wedding season is here and I want to show you a card that I made for my nephew (and now neice in law) who got married last Saturday. Sadly we couldn't go to the wedding as they live in the US but our thoughts and hearts were with them as they made their vows. Isn't love grand?

This Lili of the Valley image "Love Grows" suits the occasion just perfectly, don't you think? Aren't they cute together?
My husband will probably laugh at this image because when it comes to gardening, I suck! I just don't see what needs to be done and he has to drag me out of the house and tell me exactly what he wants me to do! But the symbol of the image is what counts - working together - come sunshine or rain and not forgetting that love needs to be watered and trimmed and looked after otherwise it will wilt and die.We wish the new bride and groom all the love in the world as they start their journey together!

Well, I'm off to get ready as we're going to a wedding apéro this afternoon - as I said, it's the wedding season and LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

Card recipe:
Stamp: LOTV Love Grows
Papers: Prima Sparking Spring 6x6 (DP) / Bazzill (CS)
Punches: Martha Stewart Heart Lace border, daisy flower punches, McGill branch
Die cuts: Nestabilities Classic square and Classic scallop square large
Ribbon: MeiFlower / St. Gallen Lace
Inks: Memento tuxedo black, Distress Inks forest moss,
Colouring medium: Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils with Sansador

Hugs,
Becca

Spring Swing

Hello fellow crafters!
I hope you are enjoying the lovely Spring weather? I definitely am! It's great that the weather forecast for Easter is sunny and warm as so many Easter Sunday's have been spent indoors due to the rain! We are having a mini drought here in Switzerland and the lakes are pretty low on water - so the rain can come next week when the kids go back to school :)
Today I took my youngest son (12 yrs) to the movies to see "Rio" while DH worked in the garden. That's a fair trade, isn't it? lol! We had a fun time together and we really enjoyed the film. We would both recommend it! :)

My card for today is an Easter card and what better way to showcase Easter than with a bunny! I used one of my new LOTV stamps from the March release called "Spring Swing" and I think he is just adorable!

Card recipe:
Stamp: Lili of the Valley "Spring Swing"
Papers: Nitwit Collections "Above and Beyond" maryfran / Bazzill
Medium: Caran d'Ache with Sansador (bunny) / Copic markers (swing, flowers and grass)
Die cuts: Marianne Design swirl / Magnolia Doohickey Tilda lace / Joy Crafts Butterfly
Embossing: Spellbinders Impressabilities-Flowers
Punches: Tonic flowers
Gems: stash
Ribbon: Meiflower

I am entering this into the following challenges:

LOTV - Challenge #93 "Easter"

Simon Says Stamp - "Emboss it!"

PaperPlay Challenges - Week #16 "Easter"

Creative Inspirations Challenge -  Challenge #57 "Easter"

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge #161 "No text"
ABC DT Challenge - "Easter Card"

Happy Easter everyone!

Hugs,
Becca

Honey Tilda

I can't believe it's taken me nearly three weeks to finish off and post a card! I just haven't found the time what with running the household, managing the kids and now easter holidays! My 12 year is constantly bugging me to get off the computer so he can go on!I don't know how other crafters manage to roll of cards daily! I do admit that this has been a rather long break but I hope to catch up soon.....

This stamped and coloured in image of Honey Tilda has been sitting "patiently" on my desk wanting to be made into a card and the reason why it has taken so long is because I  don't own many yellow papers. I finally had to get some digi papers to be able to finish the card!

I made my own flowers for this card! Can you believe it? I watched some YouTube videos and hey presto - self-made paper roses distress inked with scattered straw ink! Are you impressed? I am :)

Aftrer all this waiting, I hope you like it!  I do :)

Card recipe:

Stamp: Magnolia Honey Tilda

Papers: Shabby Princess - Sweet serenity digi papers / black and white cardstock

Medium: Caran d'Ache water colour pencils with Sansador

Dies: Nestabilities Label #1

Punches: Martha Stewart Doily Lace punch / McGill Pine branch / Tonic flower punches

Ribbon: Knorr prandell

Rhinestones: stash

Glitter: Stickles Crystal ice

Flowers: self made using Tonic flower punches

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, Becca

My stash from the NEC

A week ago today I flew to England for the weekend to see family and go to the NEC Hobbycrafts fair in Birmingham. Luckily for me my mum and sister only live 20-25 mins away from the NEC and so my sister and I were standing in line when the doors opened at 9.30 am! I was really excited! I'd made my list of things that I wanted to get and was hoping to get everything on that list - sadly I wasn't that successful. I did, however, manage to get a lot! :)
The times I've been to the NEC Hobbycrafts before have been on a Saturday and I am so glad we chose a Friday this time! So much better and not as many crowds. You could actually get into the booths without either been stood on or squashed. We were there for a total of 6 hours and it flew by!

I took my camera with me but totally forgot to take any pictures at the fair. I got so involved in looking at the goodies that it didn't even come into my mind to take pictures until after and then I kicked myself!

Bev Rochester served us at Lili of the Valley stand. I was really happy it was Bev as she'd kept some stamps by for me incase they sold out straight away. I got the very last Postcard stamp - lucky me (Thanks Bev)!

When I look at the goodies I bought on the table like this, it doesn't look like a lot, especially as I know how much it all cost! It definitely felt like I was carrying more! My birthday money sure came in handy though ;)
I was disappointed that there weren't that many 6x6 paper pads. There was one I liked but forgot to go back and buy it - silly me! I'll have to look online for the paper pads and for the things I couldn't get.

Now I've got to get around to playing with it all!

Unluckily for me, I got home on Sunday night and by Monday evening I was feeling terrible. I'd caught a tummy bug and couldn't keep anything down. It's Thursday and I'm now starting to feel normal again but I've just got off the phone to my DH and he is now feeling queezy - great eh?!

The only thing I've done this week is stamp up and colour "Honey Tilda"  and I hope to finish up her card sometime this weekend - isn't she a darling?

Hopefully see you all again here soon!

Hugs,
Becca

40th Birthday

I was born on Tuesday 16th March 1971 at 04.20 in Essex, England and this past Wednesday I turned the ripe old age of 40!
I had a fantastic birthday! I had an open house, and friends and family celebrated with me from early afternoon until nearly midnight, and it was the best birthday ever. I started my new decade on a high and am feeling pretty good at being the big four-oh! I have the best friends ever and I am so grateful for them in my life.
One of my best friends daughter was looking through my cards at the party and told me that she would like one. I asked her what her favourite colours were, so I could make a card to suit her tastes, and she told me they were pink and blue. She is 7 years old.
So today I got to work on her card and then tried to fit it into this weeks challenges. This is what I came up with:

My haul from SimonSaysStamp finally arrived yesterday and I got to play with "Tilda with balloon" from the 2011 You Are So Special collection. From the moment I saw her I knew I wanted her; it just took me ages to order her! The Martha Stewart heart lace border punch and the Hero Arts 3 Dotted Flowers stamp were from the same order. I had hoped they would arrive on my birthday but this way I got to open them on Thursday and it was like my birthday all over again :) I don't have to grow up now just because I'm forty, do I?! ;) (Wow, that sounds weird - f-o-r-t-y-!!)

After my failed attempt at colouring in Tilda's dress in my last post, I really made an effort to get it right this time. I feel it went alot better. What do you think?
But then again I can't really take all the credit. My other order from Lili of the Valley arrived yesterday as well bringing with it the Super Smooth Stamping Card that I ordered and it is brilliant, so I think it's the stamping card that made the difference this time. It is so smooth and the pencils and markers just glide over the paper. I definitely have to get some more when I'm at the NEC next week.....

I made the inside to match the colours on the outside -  I just reversed them.

Card recipe:
Papers: pink and blue - a paper pack from Hobbycrafts / DP BasicGrey sugar rush
Stamps: Magnolia Tilda with balloon 2011 You are so special collection
Hero Arts: 3 Dotted Flowers (the smallest of the three)
Die cuts: Nestabilities oval scallop large and circle large / Sizzix Sizzlits (chipboard heart)
Colouring medium: Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils with Sansador / Copic marker for her skin
Distress inks: victorian velvet, walnut stain
Punch: Martha Stewart lace heart / Gütterman leaf punch
Ribbon: Knorr prandell
Extras: Glossy accents, chipboard, glitter glue, flat back pearls

I'm entering this into the following challenges:
Just Magnolia - Week 98 Favourite colour combo
SimonSaysStamp - Simon Says......Happy Birthday
Friday Sketchers - Sketch #146 (I couldn't do a sentiment as I don't know what Safira wants to use the card for)
Bunny Zoe's Crafts -  Challenge #10 Happy Birthday....with lots of pearls
Totally Tilda - Challenge #18 Tilda with chipboard
Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Die cuts

It's the weekend again......how did that happen? How come the time is flying by so quickly?
I hope you all enjoy your weekend and that you are well relaxed.
Thanks for taking the time to visit and for your sweet, encouraging comments. I love reading them.....

Hugs,
Becca

Romantic Tilda

Two cards posted in one day! I must be ill?! lol!

I had a hard time coloring Tilda's dress today and nearly threw the whole thing in the rubbish but thought "what the heck, nobody is perfect!" and decided to post her anyway. I WILL master shading one day! lol! Do you have days like this too?
I have decided that I am BasicGrey paper junkie - I can't go long without using one of the papers otherwise I go into withdrawl!! :) They just call out to me "use me, use me!" and I can't resist! :)
I used one of Bev Rochester's sketches; it makes life so much easier to follow a sketch - half the decision making is already done for you!

Card recipe:

Papers: DP BasicGrey Kioshi, CS Bazzill

Stamp: Magnolia Romantic Tilda, Lili of the Valley  circular sentiments

Colouring medium: Caran d'Ache pencil with Sansador, and Copic markers for the skin

Glitter glue: Knorr prandell

Ribbon: Interio

Punches: Gütermann (leaves, flowers)

Die cuts: Magnolia Doohickey Tilda Lace

Brads: Stash

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

Sentimental Sundays - Go Green

7 Kids College Fund - Mardi Gras

Magnolia-licious - Green

Thanks for looking and leave a comment if you want so I'll know you've popped by.

You make my day.

Hugs,

Becca

Rosie with presents

Hey all,

I hope you had a great weekend?
On Sunday evening after Skyping with my sister in England I got to work and really challenged myself with colours that aren't usually ones I use. The challenge over at Colour Create was to use greens/olive green, brown, cream and black, and believe me it was tough!
Once I'd decided on which papers to use the rest kind of flowed.......
I used the sketch over at Friday's Sketchers 

Card recipe:
Papers: BasicGrey Capella, Bazzill
Stamp: Lili of the Valley Rosie with present
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Caran d'Ache watercolour pencils with Sansador, walnut stain DI
Die cuts: Nestabilities Oval and oval scallop large
Flower: Prima
Brad: BasicGrey Capella
Leaf punch: Gütermann
Black pearls: Hero Arts
Ribbon: Interio (25mm)

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

Colour Create - Greens/olive green, brown, cream and black
Friday Sketchers - Sketch #145
Lili of the Valley - Say it with flowers
ABC DT - Happy Birthday
The Shabby Tea Room - Party time

Hope you have a great start to the week. This week is going to be busy for me as it's my 40th birthday on Wednesday and I'm having an open house......I'm getting excited!

Take care and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs, Becca

Fruity Tilda

It's been two weeks since I made a card - I've been feeling out of sorts and a bit demotivated - but today while I was looking at the different challenges I felt motivated to make one.  I'm hoping I have my mojo back!

The sketch for this card is from the very talented Bev Rochester over at Just Magnolia Challenge.

Can you tell that Tilda is ready for Spring? Look at all that gorgeous fruit - strawberries and cherries - and her muffin is a fruit muffin, naturally!

 

Card recipe:

Papers: CS Bazzill, DP Bearly Mine

Stamp: Magnolia Tilda w/ cowberry muffin

Punches/Dies: Carl flower punches, Magnolia Tilda Lace, Nesties circle and scallop

Inks: Memento Texedo Black, Caran D'Ache with Sansador, Distress Inks - walnut stain

Embossing: Cuttlebug folder swiss dots

Brads, pearls and doily from my stash.

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

Totally Tilda - Fuity Tilda

SimonSaysStamp - Anything goes

Just Magnolia and hAnglar & sTanglar - Bev's sketch

ABC Challenge - P is for Pearls

It's Friday, people! It's weekend! Yeah!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, 

Becca

Rollercoaster week

Sorry I've been MIA. Last week was one heck of a week! First of all there was an earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand! Did I ever tell you that my brother and his family live in Christchurch? No? Well, he does.
Luckily for him (and us) he wasn't at work on Tuesday because he was off sick with gastroenteritis. My brother's work place is in downtown Christchurch and the earthquake destroyed his building trapping some  co-workers until they could be rescued. Two of his team are still missing! On the morning of the quake he was at the doctors with my sister-in-law and I am soooo glad that he got sick (so are they!) Atfer the doctors they had decided to go into town to the library to return a book, but my brother forgot to take the book with him so they decided to go to a their local library and check out the books there. This is where they were when the quake hit at 12.50 instead of the downtown library which got seriously damaged. Someone up there was looking out for them (twice) and I am really grateful! Our hearts go out to all those who lost loved ones!

Sadly, we had bad news this week anyway. On Thursday evening we got a phone call informing us that my husband's brother-in-law had just died of heart failure while playing sports, at only 53 years of age leaving four children ages 23-10 years old. This was so unexpected and we are still in shock!
The funeral will take place on Wednesday. I cannot grasp the feelings that they all must be having. It makes me even more grateful for what I have!
I've used all my condolence cards so have to make some more. I wanted something simple yet elegant and I thought about the lovely HA flower stamp that I bought last year (and haven't yet used) and started inking it up and this is what I came up with. I have two more to make.

Card recipe:
Papers: DCWV / HOTP
Stamps. Hero Arts Stencil Flower CG194 / Everyday Sayings CL342
Inks: Memento Tuxedxo Black / Copics: YG03 G82
Punches: Fiskars Lace Border
Ribbon: Knorr prandell
Flat back pearl and doily from my stash

Thanks for listening to my ramblings and wish you all a lovely Monday. Hug your loved one because you never know what is around the corner!

Hugs to you all,
Becca

Birthday card for my Mama

It's my mother's birthday next Saturday (Feb 26th) and I wanted to get her card done and sent off before this weekend was over. I'm always late and I didn't want to be this year. She will be 79! I am my Mama's baby - she was 39 when she had me (yes, you can all count - I'll be 40 next month!) - and I was quite a surprise for the family when I turned up eight years after the last and seventeen years after the first (we are five kids in total).
I've noticed that regardless how old you are, you will always be the baby of the family. I was pregnant with #3 before one of my brothers realised that I was an adult!! :) So this is why I chose this card for my mother, showing her that I am still her little girl........ pretending to be an adult! hehe!

I feel that this is my best card yet! I love the colours - pink and green are my favourite colour combinations and this stamp just screams girly pink. Don't you agree?

I used my last piece of this particualr design paper (BG Porcelain) and I don't know what I am going to do without it. I hope BG puts this collection on their digital kits soon so I can have it forever!

Here is my card recipe:
Cardstock: Bazzill (pink and green )
DP: BasicGrey Porcelain paper collection
Stamps: Lili of the Valley - Hello Cupcake (image) / Melissa Frances - Simply Said (sentiment)
Inks: Momento Tuxedo Black / Copic markers* / Ranger Distress Inks (walnut stain)
Die cuts: Nestabilities Labels #1 & Classic scalloped circles large
Punches: Gütermann (butterfly, leaves and flowers)
Ribbon: Knorr prandell
Gems: Basics by Kaiserkraft and Hero Arts
Doily from stash

*Copics:
Face and body: E000, E00, E21, R20
Dress and hat: RV10, R81, R83, R85
Hat, shoes, teacup and scallop circle: G21, G24

I am entering this into the following challenges:
Lili of the Valley: Challenge #84  - My favourite Colours
SimonSaysStamp Challenge: Make your own embellishment!
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Challenge #9 - Spring....Flowers everywhere!

Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment to let me know you were here! I appreciate you!

Hugs, Becca

p.s Barb - don't show Mum this post otherwise it'll spoil the surprise - ta! xx