Sarah C's Rambings

I've Moved

2010-08-09T05:40:00.004+01:00

I've decided to accumulate all my blogs into one. Might change my mind in the future, but for now, I can be found here:

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WHERE ART HAPPENS

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I hope you'll come over there with me.

Love, Sarah C x

Journalling in your own words

2010-08-03T15:55:00.001+01:00

Anyone looking for a journalling class? Look no further.

Head on over to Elle's Studio to find out more.

The Make and Create Shop

2010-08-01T22:03:00.002+01:00

There's a new on-line shop called

The Make and Create Shop

which is well worth checking out

I just love the Very Vintage kit

Me at 40

2010-06-28T03:24:00.006+01:00

I went to a crop in April and this was the class we took. I had the opportunity to use Bazzil InStitches for the first time too.

Thanks Steph.

Thanks for looking

Love, Sarah C xx

UKScrappers Monopoly Cybercrop ~ April 2010 ~ Challenges

2010-06-28T02:45:00.020+01:00

I wasn't able to take part in the latest UKScrappers Cybercrop which was based on the Monopoly game. Instead, I downloaded all the information to do at my leisure. I've managed to do every challenge LO and just have the classes to do. Here's the start of several LOs:

Regent Street

Use the sketch and scrap our favourite shopping experience.

Mine's the time I went to the Stamp and Scrapbook Show at Ally Pally.

The rub-on at the top says it all really

Vine Street

Use vines in some way on our LO

Water Works

A LO of a holiday we have loved and include something water based, either in the photo or a water based technique

I also used Pencillines sketch #168

Kings Cross Station

A LO with 4 photos and including some kind of cross or x X x 's

I didn't have 4 photos I wanted to use,

so cut a panoramic one into 4

Super Tax

LO using Posh Stash

I'd had some papers and die-cuts that I'd kept because "you never know when you're going to want to use it for that special LO". I used some of it for this challenge

Park Lane

Use a sketch of our choice and outside photos

I used Pencillines sketch #179

Marylebone Station

Scrap a journey (one-off, regular one, long, short, love, hate etc) with no other restrictions/rules.

I went totally different with my interpretation of journey

Picadilly

This was in two parts:

1) cup of tea photo in a posh cup in honor of The Ritz

2) a LO detailling a NEW tradition to the family

Jo's tea part hen party has sparked a tradition of posh tea parties as she had one on her birthday this year too

I've also used Pencillines sket5ch #180

Pass Go

Use an element from each team piece

For example:

THIMBLES ~ a stitching / sewing element

TOP HATS ~ a hidden element

CARS ~ a moveable / flap / pop up element

SHIPS ~ a metallic / shiny element

I've used:

THIMBLES ~ sewn the buttons together before sticking down

TOP HATS ~ more photos hidden under the front LO

CARS ~ the LOs are attached by hinges making a flap

SHIPS ~ the hinges are metal

Coventry Street

Use the sketch and do a LO all about FRIENDSHIP

I thoroughly enjoyed doing this and will be making a start on the classes soon, I hope.

Thanks for making it too the end.

Take care

Love, Sarah C xx

Let Them Eat Cake and The Chair

2010-06-28T01:28:00.004+01:00

I did a LO of the cakes my youngest sister made for her birthday tea party this year.

Made to make your mouth water.

I was going to enter a Design Team Call by Stuck?!. Unfortunately, I didn't get all the LOs required done in time, so was unable to enter this time round. Never mind, it obviously wasn't to be. I did do a LO based on the sketch they provided though.

Thanks for looking

Love, Sarah C xx

Baby Boy Card

2010-06-28T01:23:00.003+01:00

Just a quick make from me. My cousin's eldest son had his third baby nearly 2 weeks ago. Welcome to the world little one. Congratulations to you all.

Thanks for looking

Love, Sarah C xx

I'm Back

2010-05-15T09:35:00.004+01:00

Hi everyone, I'm back. For those of you who don't know, I've had a change of circumstances since March. I left the house I shared with my ex-husband and went to stay with my youngest sister and her husband for a few weeks. In that time, I did some serious saving and on 1st May got the keys to a flat rental. It's just the right size for me and my craft goodies and it feels like home already. I have done some crafting since moving in and will photograph it sometime soon. I also went to a couple of localish crops and will photograph those LOs too.

It's taken me until now to remember my log-in details for this blog which frustrated me as I had a couple of comments to allow publishing for. Sorry to the ladies that spent time to comment, they're now on here and thank you.

Hope you're all doing ok and see you here sometime soon

Love and hugs, Sarah C xoxoxo

Mother's Day, Dotties' World and an Easel

2010-03-14T11:24:00.003Z

Happy Mother's Day to all mum's reading this and especially to my Mum (who probably won't see this post), but who I'll be seeing later.

Last week's challenge on Dottie's World was to create either a bright or pastel card. This card is as pastel as I could get. I used a charmed download (as required) from the sugar and spice collection, which I coloured using my pastel brush markers. The card itself is an easel card suggested to me by my friend Hayley, simply decorated thanks to my friend Jane's suggestion.

Thanks for looking. Take care. Love and hugs, Sarah xoxoxo

My latest on-line class crafting

2010-03-12T11:38:00.002Z

If you haven't already seen my latest crafting, hop over to one of my other blogs here to see it. I've been rather busy this week.

Love and hugs, Sarah xoxoxo

Someone was 50 Plus A Stamped Male Birthday Card

2010-03-06T16:51:00.008Z

I made 2 cards this week. One for my cousin who was 50 last Sunday and one for my sister's boyfriend.

I used 2 stamps and the masking technique for this card. Annie sitting pretty and tree stump with bluebells are both designed by Lou and Karen and sold exclusively by Charmed Cards and Craft. Numbers are Basic Grey Two Scoops stickers

For this card, I used an image from Stampscapes Lakeside Cove unmounted stamp set. I stamped using dark blue ink and added rub-on letters for the sentiment.

Thanks for looking.

Take care, love and hugs, Sarah C xoxoxo

It's Been A Long Time

2010-02-19T03:59:00.025Z

My mojo took an extended holiday over the last few months, but it's slowly coming back. So much so, that I joined a CJ on UKScrappers this week. I'm looking forward to doing it as the circle's called All My Own Photos. The object being that we send photos with our CJ and these are what the others use in ours. I'm taking this opportunity of having a 6x6 album done of the wedding I went to last August. Had a job deciding which of the 130 odd photos I took to use in this, but I've got there. Just got to make my album and do my LO ready for the first posting day. I know I have a few weeks to do this, so that's ok.

So, what crafting have I done this year? The grand sum of 3 cards and zero LOs. That will change soon. I've used digi downloads from Charmed Cards and Crafts which are expertly drawn by Lou. Each download bundle gives you black outlined images plus those same images coloured. Some bundles give you backgrounds and sentiments too. I've used images from Sugar and Spice and Boy Oh Boy. You can go here and here to see more examples of how to use the images.

Here's my cards. One for a 2 year old boy and 2 for adult females.

(I scanned them and no matter what I did, it insisted on cutting the bottom off the female cards

plus the images are not this much brighter than the papers IRL.

They're raised on foam pads, so nearer the scanner bed)

I've used a Sakura glitter pen to add sparkle to the girl's bows and all the flowers and pink gems to the flowers the girl is picking.

Thanks for looking.

Love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

52 in 10

2009-12-28T00:47:00.005Z

ScrapDolly has a new and exciting challenge for us for all of 2010 starting on Sunday 3rd January. Her aim is to get us to scrap a subject most scrappers shy away from ............................ ourselves. I love the sound of it and I'm sure you will too.

In her own words "I know that you won’t all want to do all 52 weeks. There are bound to be some prompts that just don’t inspire you or that you feel are not relevant. But that is the beauty of the

project. You can dip in and out as you wish. There is no time limit, no pressure to complete,

no onus to share. The whole project is about YOU. Do what you want when you want in your

own time."

So, in my words "why not have a go?"

Click here, see what it's all about, download the prompts and get ready to make 2010 a year about us.

Christmas Day Fun

2009-12-25T14:11:00.003Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

XXXXXXX

BOY OH BOY

2009-11-19T22:26:00.005Z

are these new digi stamps just the best ever?? I know I say it about every set Lou does, but these are. Making boy cards is usually so hard, but these digi stamps will make it so much easier for us.

Our Lou's a first class star.

Here's her preview

and here's where to get them.

Well??????????

What ya waiting for???????????

Christmas???????????

Go get yours NOW!!!!!!!!

Has it really been 6 and a half weeks since I blogged?!

2009-11-17T17:39:00.017Z

Well, the answer is YES!!!!!!!!! And it's that long since I did any crafting too.

UKScrappers had a CyberCrop this last week-end and I thought I may try and do one or two of the challenges/classes. I wasn't going to join a team as I didn't want to feel that I HAD to craft if I didn't feel like it, but with less than a week to go, I decided that if I was going to do even one of them, a team may as well benefit from it. Turns out that the team that came second only lost by the points gained from one item. So although that wasn't my team, I was right to join in. We came third by the way.

Turns out that my mojo had been waiting for something like this and came back with avengence. I felt like doing 15 LOs and managed 14 plus I did 4 other (just for fun) challenges. Here's proof:

Challenges (point scorers)

Just for Fun Challenges (one not photographed was to create a glittery title which I did too late for the points and is on my 'The Cottage' LO)

Classes

Saved the worst till last. We had an extra Wicked Witch challenge on Saturday at 8am to upload a photo of ourselves first thing that morning. I'd only just got out of bed and brushed my hair. I (like a lot on there) was still in my PJ's and in need of a cuppa. So, to make you feel grateful that you only see me when I'm alert and mostly in LOs, here I am first thing in the morning!!!

A huge thank you goes out to everyone involved in making this last week-end such a huge success and fun for me. No pressure, but when's the next one?? LOL

Thanks for looking

Take care

Colours of Autumn

2009-10-01T11:49:00.007+01:00

As promised in my previous post, here's the reveal of my LO done for Ribbon Mad. It can be seen in their gallery here. Check out the other projects too as they are simply amazing.

I was given the fantastic October 'SPOOKY' kit to work with and this is what I did:

1) I used the orange/black striped ribbon to create a border around the three sides of my photo.

2) By sticking DST to the top of the ladybird ribbon, I was able to pleat it as I stuck it down on the bottom of the photo.

3) I made flowers out of the orange organza and black/orange stitched ribbons, before stitching them together and adding an orange button.

4) I stuck black buttons onto the top corners and inked some *chipboard letters.

* the letters were from my stash, but all other items were from the kit I was given to work with.

Ribbon Mad

2009-09-28T11:06:00.004+01:00

I was asked by Emma at Ribbon Mad, to be a Guest Designer for next month to help showcase the October Ribbon Kit. The chance to work with fantastic ribbons? How could a girl say no?

Here's a sneaky peak to my LO.

The full LO will be on display here in a few days. What I can tell you, is that the ribbon at the bottom of the LO is simply gorgeous and my favourite. I'd've been getting the kit just for that! LOL

Catch Up

2009-09-11T14:24:00.015+01:00

This may be a long post, but I think I'm like some of my friends and have realised I've neglected my craft blog a bit. Here's a catch up on what I've done since I was last here.

Mojo's on a little holiday at the moment, so I've no idea when I'll be back here. Sooner rather than later I hope.

Circle of Friends

2009-08-28T23:54:00.004+01:00

The lovely Sian has given me this award today. Thank you so much for that Sian.

Here's the all important rules:

1) Make reference to the award blog and publish it on your blog

2) Share 5 things you like to do

3) Share with 10 blogs .. or as many as you wish to!

4) Notify those you choose

So, (in no particular order) I like to :

1) listen to music

2) take photographs

3) have a laugh

4) scrapbook

5) shop for craft supplies

As I can pass this on to as many people as I wish, if you're reading this, please take the award with my love and blessings.

Magic Card

2009-08-24T10:32:00.003+01:00

Thanks to Joyce (UKS's 2magpies) for her video tutorial for making one of these cards. I've used an image I was given by a friend to make a card for a 5 year old.

Thanks for looking

Wedding

2009-08-15T08:00:00.001+01:00

Hopefully this is posting on Saturday, as I'm at a wedding and am safe showing you the card I've made for the couple.

The heart and flower have been cut on my ROBO using a template from a very kind lady on UKScrappers, but I never made a not of who. It's meant to be on the edge of a card, but I've used it as a topper. If anyone knows who designed it, please let me know and I'll give them the credit they deserve.

I've also cut the couple's entwined initials from the backing paper.

I found the verse below on this website, that I've used for the inside and printed onto heavy vellum. The word husband in my version actually says man on the site

May you cherish these moments

For all of your life

As you step out together

As husband and wife.

May the vows that you've taken

Remain true and strong

As you start on life's highway

And journey along.

Thanks for looking

Awesome Tag Blog Candy

2009-08-12T23:46:00.004+01:00

Ingvild is such a generous lady. She has some awesome candy to give away. Not only that, but she has made a beautiful tag to go with it.

Check it all out here

Flip-Flop or Swing!

2009-08-12T14:41:00.009+01:00

That's Daring Cardmakers challenge for this week, to make a flip-flop or swing card. I had every intention of combining it with this week's Dottie's World challenge, but messed up, so I'll make another card for that if I get chance.

The image is a pre-coloured Scruff from the Animal Magic digi-stamps by Lou and from Charmed.

Everything else is Sassafras with the wording cut on my ROBO.

Thanks for looking

SLYMI week 32

2009-08-11T22:17:00.007+01:00

Write in white is Shimelle's latest Scrap Like You Mean It challenge on UKScrappers.

Here's my LO. Photo of my youngest sister after we'd been to the Rainbow vegetarian restaurant for her birthday.

The large swirl and thought bubble were templates from UKS members Lucille and Dan and cut on my ROBO. The writing in the thought bubble is "doesn't she realise she's getting wet too?"

Thanks for looking

Birthday Card

2009-08-08T16:50:00.003+01:00

Here's a birthday card I made this week based on the card I made here which itself is based on a card I found on DoCrafts by Twinkle*. Thanks again Twinkle*.

Thanks for looking

Bingo Anyone?

2009-08-07T23:40:00.004+01:00

No, it's not a game of Bingo unfortunately, but I have altered a Bingo board I bought on Monday.

To start, I coated all the sides with a mix of brown, white and black acrylic paint and used a crumpled piece of kitchen tissue to sort of stipple it. Then, I added some red ribbon and tied a couple of short strands of brown fibre near the knot.

I used Karen's masking tutorial to stamp the images (Annie collection by Lou and Karen and exclusive to Charmed) onto 260gsm card. Thanks for the instructions Karen, it worked a treat. These were coloured using my Prisma pencils and blending pencil. Not sure what I think to it, but I still haven't made some of the paper stumps. After cutting the images I stuck them down using foam pads. To make sure they stuck well, I added a drop of PVA glue to the side that would be sticking to the paint.

The wording was cut on my ROBO, stuck with PVA and doodled on.

The only sad thing, is that some or all of it will be covered with the paper I clip there reminding me of things 'TO DO'.

Thanks for looking

UKS Weekly Challenge ~ August 09 week 1 and Kim's SATC August Sketch Challenge

2009-08-05T23:28:00.006+01:00

Another 2 for 1 tonight.

The Scrapgoddesses set this week's team challenge on UKScrappers and challenged us to:

* Use travel or a journey as your theme (10 points) ~ journey to Scotland in 2000 and stayed at the Press Castle hotel on our last night

** Use handwritten / hidden journalling maybe in the form of a letter (10 points) ~ have handwritten a letter and hidden it behind the photo of me

*** Use ribbons (5 points) ~ pink organza

**** Use purple (5 points) ~ backing paper is purple

Full points for the Ruby Snippers and Gold Eyelets :D

I've also used the sketch Kim has made and challenged us with on Scrap Around The Clock for August

The floral PP and title have been cut on my ROBO.

Thanks for looking

SLYMI week 31 and Michelle's sketch challenge on SATC

2009-08-04T22:33:00.007+01:00

Yep, one LO, 2 challenges. Shimelle's Scrap Like You Mean It on UKS this week is to scrap "something old, something new, something borrowed or something blue". She said to use one or all and we could ignore the wedding connection if we wanted.

So, after realising that the photo I had wasn't quite what I'd remembered, I decided to scrap a copy of a school photo of my nan aged 11.

old ~ photo

new ~ flock paper which I've inked to make it a darker shade of blue

borrowed ~ the original photo so I could scan it

blue ~ Lo is blue and white

Michelle's sketch challenge on Scrap Around The Clock for July-August was provided by Pagemaps and I've turned it for my LO.

The brackets and swirls were cut on my ROBO which is now working with the Vista on my laptop :) I also got ROBO to cut the title out of the blue paper to allow the white to show through.

Thanks for looking

SATC August Blog Challenges

2009-08-02T15:00:00.005+01:00

Hi everyone, quick post today to reveal what I've done for the August Scrap Around The Block LO Challenge. Don't forget to check out the criteria for the LO and ATC challenges and have a go yourself to be in with a chance of winning a great prize.

Everything I've used here was in my Christmas Day parcel in the UKScrappers Advent Swap last year except the ink.

Thanks for looking

Award from Vicki

2009-07-31T15:49:00.006+01:00

The lovely Vicki has given me a blog award today. Thank you Vicki

So, what are the rules?

1) Copy the award and post it on your blog

2) Link it back to the person you received it from

3) List 10 things you love about blogging

4) Pass it along to 10 blog pals

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's my 10 things I love about blogging (in no particular order):

1) I've made loads of really lovely friends

2) I've learnt lots of different techniques and stuff

3) It and the lovely peeps out there, have given me the confidence to show off my (good and bad) work to the world

4) I've been brave enough to try out for design teams and be successful in some cases

5) I love getting comments from you all. It's encouraging that you take the time to look, read and reply.

6) I love seeing what others have done ~ crafty and non-crafty

7) Seeing your photos has helped me to broaden my horizons when I take my camera out.

8) I can ramble on here and I can't hear you telling me to shut-up or see you yawning!! LOL

9) I love being able to send you all hugs and love during your happy and sad times. It makes me realise that the world is full of nice people

10) I love blogging because of people like you

So, who am I tagging? Which 10 do I pick? Well, randomly picked, here's my victims:

1) Tee

2) Ruth

3) Honora

4) Brenda

5) Lea

6) Donna

7) Nicola

8) Debz

9) Sammi

10) Sammie

I hope you all accept this from me.

Crafty Muse Doodles With A Sketch

2009-07-31T13:03:00.005+01:00

I've loved working with Sammi and the rest of the team at Crafty Muse these last few months. Sadly the challenge for this fortnight is the last one for us.

Please check it out, see the fab cards the DT have made and join in with us to win a fab prize.

Here's my card to try and help give you some inspiration. I've used an image and sentiment from the Marriage download package by Sammi

Thanks for looking

Scooter Boy Mikey

2009-07-30T20:11:00.005+01:00

Using Scooter Boy Mikey from the Mikey download collection (available only from Charmed), I made a card for a male family member in his early 20's. I'll be using another Mikey image tomorrow for his older brother's birthday card.

I printed Mikey onto watercolour paper and used my brush markers and blending pen to colour him in before inking the edges and adding some PP, buttons and a sentiment I printed on my computer.

Thanks for looking

A LO 'Just Because' ~ sort of

2009-07-30T16:08:00.007+01:00

I had a go at doing a LO for a competition, but once I'd finished it, I decided it wasn't what the sort of LO I wanted to enter IYKWIM? So, here it is and I have the week-end to do another. Thinking cap's on again!

The 'Happy Birthday' is ribbon, the 'Now 11' is done by sticking tiny blue gems onto red ribbon. PPs are Basic Grey Cupcake and blooms are Green Tara.

Thanks for looking

Scrap Around The Clock ~ August Sneeky Peek

2009-07-30T15:54:00.004+01:00

Would you believe a month has nearly gone by since we challenged you on Scrap Around The Clock? That can only mean one thing ~ Get ready for the challenge reveals on Saturday and to see what the Design Team have done to help inspire you.

Here's a sneeky peek of my crafting for it

Thanks for looking

It's Nearly Crafty Muse Time Again

2009-07-30T15:49:00.005+01:00

And that means another sneeky peek for you.

Check us out on Friday to see what the challenge actually is and to see what the team have done to help inspire you.

Thanks for looking

Frame It!

2009-07-25T19:54:00.004+01:00

Tara set her first challenge on Dottie's World this last Sunday and has challenged us to "Frame It!" Here's what she said:

"I would like to see you creating some sort of a frame or border on your card. You could create a frame for your image, your card or both. Feel free to use the downloads for your frame, or you could try stamping elements, die-cutting, punching shapes, embellishments ............ anything goes really! Just remember to use one of our downloads for your main image too!"

I've used a couple of images from the Pixie Chicks collections and overlaid them before printing onto watercolour paper. I've cut a frame from a sheet of Bazzill and added some stitching detail, a couple of blooms and a sentiment.

Thanks for looking

SLYMI week 30

2009-07-25T16:24:00.008+01:00

Scrap Your Independence was the challenge for this week on Shimelle's Scrap Like You Mean It on UKScrappers. I bought the kit for it and lolved working with it.

Journalling down the right side of the photo reads:

"Independent before marriage, learning to be independent again"

Thanks for looking

Creative Scrappers #60 and UKScrappers July 09 week 3

2009-07-25T16:03:00.007+01:00

I've used Creative Scrappers sketch #60 to help my do the current UKScrappers team weekly challenge.

Set by the Blooming Pages, they challenged us to use:

A love theme ~ you've gotta love yourself

Pearls ~ 2 pearl brads

Something re-cycled ~ rope came from some storage thingy ages ago and I've added blue ink to the top of it.

Journalling reads "before others see the real you and can truly love you too. I'm working on it."

Thanks for looking

Scrapsketch #116

2009-07-25T15:57:00.005+01:00

Here's my LO using Scrapsketch's sketch #116. I used a photo I'd taken for the Whodunnit Cyber Crop on UKS this last February. Journalling is merely details of when and what for.

One of my teamies (Chelle) on UKScrappers, challenged my team to scrap using one of the Elvis song titles she provided us with, as the title for a LO. I chose "It's Midnight".

Thanks for looking

BASB #17 Part 1 and Scrapsketch #117

2009-07-25T15:24:00.005+01:00

BASB's latest challenge part 1, is to create a LO about summer. I've had this photo of my niece and nephew for a few years, so this was the perfect challenge for it. Journalling reads "Drew and Elise heading for ice-creams at Gt.Yarmouth". I've also used Scrapsketch's #117 sketch.

Thanks for looking

Going AWOL

2009-07-20T00:19:00.003+01:00

Just to let you all know, I'm going dog-sitting this week and I won't have internet connection :(

Hope you all have a great week and see you next week-end

Driving Mikey

2009-07-19T14:38:00.006+01:00

I had a male birthday to make for someone in their late 60's who's not really 'into' anything. It was a case of "HELP!!!!" until I put my brain in gear and raided some images I'd printed a while ago. A few brush marker strokes, a little chalk ink, a couple of Basic Grey Archaic PPs and a sentiment I printed a couple of years ago and voila. One card. I just hope he likes it.

Image is Driving Mikey from the Mikey collection by Lou and available exclusively from Charmed.

Thanks for looking

Copic Blog Candy

2009-07-18T22:56:00.006+01:00

I hate telling you about this because I'ld really like to win, but I must tell you because thems are the rules. Thanks for that Karen!!!! LOL

So, if you fancy battling it out with me to try and win 72 Copic pens, then hop over to Karen's blog. Or you could put the kettle on. That sounds like a fantastic idea to me!! Mine's a black coffee with 2 sweetners and a dash of cold water please LOL

Oh La La! Juliet Gets Distressed in France

2009-07-18T17:41:00.007+01:00

I've sent Juliet to France for the latest challenge on Dottie's World. Set by Lou she says:

"The 14th of July marks the French public holiday of Bastille Day so to join the French in their celebrations I would like us to make something with a French feel. It could be the image, it could be a French sentiment or it could just make you say Oh La La! It might even be just in the colours of the French flag (red, white and blue), it's up to you! Just have fun! Oh and don't forget to use one of the Charmed downloads!"

I had a Juliet image (from the Girls About Town download bundle from Charmed) already printed, so decided to colour her in using my brush markers and blender pen. I stuck to the colours red and blue. I also coloured a sentiment I had printed ages ago in blue. Rummaging through my PPs I found a French sheet, but the image was too bright and looked wrong with it. So, out comes my walnut ink distressing dauber and I covered both the image and sentiment plus I tinted a blue bloom with it. A piece of ribbon, a red bloom and an antique coloured brad and my card was done.

Thanks for looking

One Little Word #56 ~ WHY

2009-07-18T17:11:00.009+01:00

One Little Word's challenge this week is the word 'WHY'. This got me thinking deep and hard. Journalling is not 'pre-sorted' IYKWIM? I've journalled as I thought and laid a tiny piece of me onto paper. Photo was taken about 20 years ago when I lived with my parents. I was looking out of my bedroom window at the time.

Thanks for looking

SLYMI Week 29

2009-07-18T16:59:00.006+01:00

Gosh, the year's going too fast! Scrap Like You Mean It on UKScrappers is on week 29. Shimelle has challenged us to 'scrap with 3'. She says "Three photos, three big accents, the number three, three patterned papers, three colours...whatever you want to pick, we better find 3 of it!"

How many 3's could I get on my LO without it looking wrong? Here they are:

3 PPs (Basic Grey)

3 Blooms (Green Tara)

3 Rub-Ons (Basic Grey)

3 chipboard letters/number (no idea what make as they were a present)

3 colours (red, green, brown)

3 in the title

Thanks for looking

Mmmm .......... Strawberries and Chocolate

2009-07-17T13:04:00.003+01:00

Anyone fancy strawberries and chocolate? If you do, nip over to Crafty Muse as that's what Sammi's given everyone for the next fortnight. Inspired by the scrumptious colours, here's my card. The image is from Sammi's sisters and friends download collection and I've coloured it using my brush markers and a blender pen.

Thanks for looking

SLYMI week 28

2009-07-16T11:45:00.004+01:00

Stitching was Shimelle's challenge on UKScrappers this last week. I decided to stitch both the fabric and photo onto my backing paper. Photo is of the entrance to Warwick Castle in January 2001.

Thanks for looking

Crafty Muse Peek For Challenge This Friday

2009-07-16T11:39:00.002+01:00

It's nearly a fortnight since we set the sketch and recipe challenge on Crafty Muse, so that means it's time for my sneeky peek at the next one.

Come back on Friday to see what the challenge is and to join in.

Thanks for looking

Crafty Muse Sketch and Recipe ~ 2nd entry

2009-07-16T11:20:00.007+01:00

I've made a card using the current sketch and recipe challenge on Crafty Muse. You still have time to enter and you can use any image you want - not just Sammi's amazing downloads. I've used one of the new sisters and friends images and coloured it using my brush markers. Brads are in all four corners and the ribbon I've made into a small flower on the bottom right

Thanks for looking

Indigo Mills Kit Competition

2009-07-11T12:18:00.038+01:00

Indigo Mills set everyone a very interesting competition. Here's what they said:

"Our competition for you is to show us just how many projects you can create from one collection pack.... using the odd extra embellishment here and there, and of course your basic tool kit, how much can you really get from one kit? (No limit on plain cardstock!!!! It's a necessity and a way of life!)) Lets see just how good the value for money is."

I bought My Mind's Eye Garden Party Kit (£6.65) and wanted to see what I could do with that and minimal items from my stash. Here's what else I used:

Bazzill, SafMat, scrap card for journalling, cream card for the card bases and bookmarks, a little ribbon, a couple of brads, some stickles, a chipboard '2', journalling pens, brush marker, brown ink pad, magnetic sheet and used my Tag-a-Long to cut some letters (although I considered cutting by hand or writing them all). I used nearly all the PPs (have small scraps left now) including the small strips of designs on the cover slip that was in the kit and all the die-cuts. The 'sucking lemons & blowing bubbles' words were cut from the cover slip and scraps of the PP, but I used the reverse sides to get white letters. I even used the bottom strips from the PP as they had a gorgeous brown pattern on them and two of the 'EYE' words from the strips on my 'EYE 2 EYE' LO. Nothing goes to waste around here LOL

Here's what I did with it:

1) Maze Book (3 photos)

2) LO - we love uncle david

3) LO - lasagne

4) LO - sucking lemons and blowing bubbles

5) LO - shopping

6) LO - EYE 2 EYE

7) LO - What a View

8) LO - decisions decisions ...

9) LO - Scotland Lake

10) Card - Thank You

11) Card - Thank You

12) Card - With Love

13) & 14) Bookmarks (2nd photo shows magnetic bookmark opened)

I loved working with it so much that I've bought 2 more kits to take with me when I go to my Mum's to dog-sit in just over a week.

Thanks for looking and getting to the end of this long post

SLYMI week 27

2009-07-09T00:12:00.007+01:00

Wow, we're in to the second half of this and I'm still keeping up. Here's my entry for week 27 ~ scrap a happy story.

I've chosen to use photos from a month ago when Jo and I were in Cambridge. Journalling reads "There we were; in the middle of Kings Street Cambridge, waiting to go to the ADC theatre, re-touching our make-up. We'd just been for a meal at the Rainbow Cafe and were having such a laugh. I love times we spend together like this and thanks to photography, have pictures too."

I've used Scrap Sketch's #103 sketch for this LO

Thanks for looking

UKS Weekly Challenge ~ July week 1

2009-07-09T00:05:00.006+01:00

Set by The Snippets on UKScrappers, the weekly challenge this week was to:

* Have your title referencing summer ~ fun in the sun (10 points)

** Have a summer theme ~ playing with water bombs (5 points)

*** Use ribbon ~ red stitched ribbon near the bottom (5 points)

**** Use 2 pictures ~ Yep (5 points)

***** Have secret journalling ~ the leaf pulls out to reveal the journalling (5 points)

I've used Scrap Sketch's #107 sketch for this LO

Thanks for looking

Blooming Beautiful at Dottie's World

2009-07-08T23:47:00.007+01:00

Lou challenged us to create something 'blooming beautiful' on Dottie's World this week and to take inspiration fromm either our own or someone else's garden.

I've used this challenge to make my Mum's retirement card.

I've placed the pre-coloured Holly in the Garden digi-download from Charmed Cards and Craft, onto a photo of daisies from my garden. I faded the photo first, then printed it all onto photo paper. The wording is done using Word's WordArt and has been filled with the original daisy photo before being printed onto SafMat.

Thanks for looking,

Crafty Muse Sketch and Recipie

2009-07-03T10:53:00.007+01:00

It's Crafty Muse Fortnight Friday today and that means another challenge for you. We have a sketch combined with a recipie, so nip over there to see what they are.

I've used the sketch on top of a box I've made. The image is one of the new 'sisters and friends' download collections available later today.

It's Nearly Crafty Muse Friday

2009-07-01T16:23:00.003+01:00

It's nearly that time again. A fortnight's almost gone since our last challenge on Crafty Muse, but you still have time to do something for it.

Here's a peek at my crafting for the next challenge. Come back and check it out properly on Friday.

UKS Weekly Challenge ~ June week 5

2009-07-01T13:50:00.005+01:00

The challenge on UKScrappers this week was set by the Pink Glitter Gals and they challenged us to:

* scrap the preparations or aftermath of a celebration ~ my sister preparing for the nativity at her church

** include pink ~ journalling pen and the blooms

*** minimal journalling ~ I've kept it brief

**** use one of the two sketches provided ~ I used the one done especially for this challenge

Let The Sun Shine! on Dottie's World

2009-07-01T13:38:00.007+01:00

'Let the sun shine!' is Lou's challenge on Dottie's World at the moment.

Here's my card.

I've layered 3 images from the Pixie Chicks downloads available exclusively from Charmed, printed them onto photo paper and added a butterfly sticker. The sentiment is also printed onto photo paper.

July ATC Challenge on Scrap Around The Clock

2009-07-01T12:53:00.005+01:00

We have another 2 challenges for you on Scrap Around The Clock for July. It was my turn to make an ATC, so here it is:

I've layered 2 of the Pixie Chicks downloads available exclusively from Charmed and printed them onto photo paper.

Hop over to Scrap Around The Clock to find out what the challenges are and then show us what your interpretations are.

Scrapsketch #74

2009-06-29T15:10:00.004+01:00

I took these photos a few days apart, but together they show a typical British day. Journalling reads: "Who put the 'Great' into Great British Weather? Sunny one minute and pouring with rain the next. I'll never understand it, but it is good for the plants."

I've used scrapsketch's #74 sketch

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrapsketch #98

2009-06-29T15:06:00.003+01:00

Poppies on the industrial estate near Capture The Magic and Calico Crafts at Soham. LO is done using scrapsketch's #98 sketch. The large poppies on the bottom are cut from a napkin.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

SLYMI week 26 and Scrapsketch-challenges #4

2009-06-29T13:02:00.006+01:00

Shimelle's current challenge on UKS for her Scrap Like You Mean It, is to scrap with stickers. Everything apart from the PP, photo and journalling is done by using stickers. The one on the top left "Warning, giggles are contagious. May cause bellyache", top right corner "Life is about sharing smiles", top right of photo "Uncontrollable laughter" and bottom right "Finding fun in simple ways makes the happiest of days". Photo is of my brother-in-law and our niece when he was dared to sit on her!!

I've also used scrapsketch-challenges sketch #4, which I've rotated.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrapsketch Friday Challenge

2009-06-27T22:17:00.004+01:00

Steph at Scrapsketch decided to give us all a quick sketch challenge (Friday to Sunday). Here's my entry for it using photos taken on my birthday when my youngest sister and I went to Cambridge. Title "Friends by choice" is from Elegant Word Art and I've printed it onto vellum. Journalling reads "Take time to pout and pose".

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrappers Block #5, BASB #15 and ScrapSketch #1

2009-06-27T21:55:00.007+01:00

I've done a LO of my youngest nephew this afternoon and have used criteria from 2 challenge blogs plus a LO from another.

Scrappers Block #5 ~ Solo-Colour Competition

BASB #15 ~ Monno-chromatic (one colour)

Scrapsketch #1

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

2009-06-27T14:03:00.002+01:00

I have been tagged by Ann, one of my fellow DT friends on Scrap Around The Clock. Thanks for that Ann.

Right, here goes:

8 things I look forward to:

1. Seeing my family

2. Looking in on my cyber friends

3. Talking to my friends on the phone

4. Going out for lunch with my friend to Saucy Megs

5. Craft shopping

6. Pay day

7. Pizza boxes arriving in the post

8. Having my bedroom/craft room being decorated with better working space and storage

Things I did yesterday:

1. Got up

2. Spent too long on the computer

3. Took photos of my garden in the rain

4. Cooked dinner

5. Set off the smoke alarm ~ oops!!!

6. Watched Neighbours, Home & Away, Coronation Street and Ace of Cakes

7. Fell asleep on the sofa mid-evening

8. Printed loads of photographs and challenges to do this week-end ~ so why am I sitting here???

Things I wish I could do:

1. Get in the right mind for losing more weight

2. Win the lottery

3. Get a job

4. Have my own place

5. Have a room just for crafting

6. Not have to worry about money

7. Grow taller so I can reach the top shelf of the kitchen cupboard

8. Have a 3 minute trolley dash in a craft shop ~ more time would be nice, but I'm not greedy!!

What I have watched lately

1. The rain yesterday

2. The traffic while sitting in it

3. A neighbour's cat clinging onto the fence trying to get a bird ~ didn't have my camera handy :(

4. The news

5. Soaps

6. Ace of Cakes

7. Time fly by

8. Night turn into day

I'm tagging these 6 people if they feel like taking up the challenge:

Love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrap Around The Clock June CyberCrop ~ challenge 7

2009-06-26T13:59:00.006+01:00

An 18th Century Chic LO is Karen's challenge on Scrap Around The Clock's CyberCrop. She's asked us to use 4 of the following:

Layering of PP's ~ YES

Lace ~ MADE A LACE FLOWER

Ribbon

Feathers

Pins ~ HATPIN ON THE FLOWER

Hand Stitching ~ I'VE HAND-STITCHED THE LACE FLOWER

Flowers ~ DEFINITELY

Buttons

Bling ~ STICKLES ON THE TOP BLOOMS AND GEMS ON THE HATPIN

Oops, I've used more than 4!!

I've also used Pencillines Sketch #140

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Rosebud Pixie

2009-06-25T18:42:00.006+01:00

I've made another card using two pre-coloured images from the new Pixie Chicks collections only available from Charmed Cards and Crafts.

I layered Rosebud onto the Flower Arch before printing onto watercolour paper, matting and layering and adding ribbon and tiny gems. I've also used my Sakura glitter pen to glitter her wings and the centres of the flowers.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs,

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrap Around The Clock June CyberCrop ~ challenge 6

2009-06-25T18:23:00.003+01:00

Vintage ATC is Vicki's second challenge on Scrap Around The Clock. She's asked us to use:

1. A vintage theme

2. Ink

3. A title

Mine is called "Time Travel"

Thanks for looking
Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

The Difference A Printer Makes

2009-06-25T00:52:00.007+01:00

I printed some images on Tuesday evening using our Epson Stylus DX4400 Printer, but although the images were clear and bright, some of them came out with a couple of lines going through them. Even after head cleans and changing the black ink, it still happened. I reckon I've just about got away with it on this image though:

So, Wednesday afternoon, I printed them again using our Epson Stylus Photo 830 and although they came out without the lines, the colour is so different. Almost chalky looking.

Settings and paper were the same, it's just the printer that's changed and it's shown me that investing in a good printer is a must and I'm going to be saving up to get one to replace the 830. Until I got the DX4400, I always thought that the images and photos I printed were great, but now I know different. It's the first time I've actually had things side-by-side and able to compare.

Just thought I'd share this with you all.

Love and hugs,

Sarah C xoxoxo

Allsorts #6, Papertake Weekly, My Time To Craft #66 and Sketch Saturday #56

2009-06-24T23:59:00.015+01:00

1 card, 4 challenges.

Lou and Karen have put together two amazing new collections for us. Pixie Chicks 1 and 2. The images are so sweet, that it's so difficult choosing which to buy. I'd advise you to give up trying to decide and go for them both. You get pixies, backgrounds, sentiments and a card template in each set. The pixies and backgrounds come in black & white outlines and coloured. As always, I went for the GIF option so that I could print them onto anything I chose and also to layer them onto each other.

I've printed some images onto watercolour paper and made these 2 cards today. The first one is using Daisy 3 and Swing (both pre-coloured) which I layered before printing. This one is for the 4 challenges. The saying (life is beautiful) is a sticker which I've matted onto some scrap watercolour paper.

Allsorts ~ #6, Wings ~ Yep, Daisy 3 has wings

Papertake Weekly ~ delightful downloads ~ Both my cards have downloads on, but this is the one I'm entering into the challenge.

My Time To Craft ~ #66 In the garden ~ Daisy is on a tree swing - in the garden of course!

Sketch Saturday ~ sketch #56

Card 2 uses Water Lily and the Flower Frame pre-coloured images. I've drawn round a CD to get a circle before cutting the folded card. Lou I think gave us a tip a while back and said to cut off a small piece at the back to give a flat surface so that the card will stand. Thanks for that. The saying (wonderful) is another sticker that I've matted onto some scrap watercolour card. I've stuck the frame flat and added Water Lily using foam pads, then I've stuck gems to the frame and put some diamond stickles in the centre of the yellow flower.

Don't forget to check out Dottie's World for more ideas plus hints and tips.

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrap Around The Clock June CyberCrop ~ challenge 5

2009-06-23T22:31:00.004+01:00

The Austerity of the 40's is Vicki's 1st challenge for Scrap Around The Clock's June CyberCrop.

She says:

1. You can only use 1 sheet of CARDSTOCK

2. Only use SCRAPS of PATTERNED PAPER

3. You can only use BASIC TOOLS ~ craft knife, ruler, cutter, glues, tapes, journaling pens and scissors - ie NO die cutting machines, crop-o-diles etc

4. With regard to LETTERING - you can only use packs that are open, no NEW packages

5. Make your own embelishments - you CAN use things you would find around the house for this - ie buttons, thread, safety pins, string etc

6. You can only use 1 colour of ink - this can be any colour you choose

So, I used 1 sheet of green cardstock, patterned papers from my scraps draw, all the tools allowed except the cutter, opened letters, buttons and thread, dark red ink in my journalling pen which was also used for adding detail to the edges of some of the PP.

I've also used PageMaps blog's latest sketch

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrap Around The Clock June CyberCrop ~ challenge 4

2009-06-23T15:55:00.007+01:00

4th challenge on our cybercrop was set by SaraB and she challenged us to:

Create anything that is 80's related and to include:

Bright colours ~ yellow, pink and turquoise

Fabric or ribbon ~ 2 lengths of ribbon near the bottom

Some kind of stitching ~ fake stitching around the main PP and I've stitched the buttons on

Any stamped image or sentiment ~ I've used a corner stamp on the 2 right hand corners

Something relevant to the 80's ~ photos are printed from the net and lift to reveal more journalling relating to them.

I've also followed a sketch by sketchitout, but couldn't remember where I saw it. I couldn't find it on her blog to give credit where credit's due, so e-mailed to ask. I've since found it and it's the current challenge on Creative Scrappers blog ~ Sketch #51. That will teach me to only print the picture and not the details!!

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs,

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrap Around The Clock June CyberCrop ~ challenge 3

2009-06-21T15:46:00.005+01:00

The third challenge on our cybercrop on Scrap Around The Clock is to use a vintage embellishment. I've chosen to tie a St Christopher charm onto the ribbon. The charm was given to me 32 years ago when I was a bridesmaid. The photo is of something else vintage. It's a doll called Melanie I was given by my Nan for my second Christmas. Some people think she's scary looking as a child mum looked after when I was young poked one of her eyes out and she's been scribbled on over the years. To me though, she's as precious and beautiful as the day I was given her and is the only toy I still have.

I've also used ScrapSketch Challenges #1 sketch.

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

SLYMI - blue and green

2009-06-20T18:01:00.004+01:00

My nan was one of those who said "blue and green should never be seen". Sorry Nan, but on this occasion it should most definitely be seen.

UKScrappers latest Scrap Like You Mean It challenge is to scrap in; yep, blue and green! I chose to scrap a photo taken on a Norfolk Broads boating holiday in 2001.

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

UKS Weekly Challenge ~ June Week 3

2009-06-20T15:35:00.009+01:00

Set by the Paper Addicts, this week's team challenge on UKScrappers was to:

* Use this sketch (5 points)

** Do a LO based on the ladies in your life (10 points) ~ Mum, my sister's and my niece

*** Use whatever stash/tools/techniques you're addicted to (10 points) ~ My Mind's Eye Bohemian PPs, Green Tara blooms, Craft ROBO, cutting a title a few times and sticking/stacking together before inking, chipboard, chalk inkpad, hand-written journalling

**** Use yellow (5 points) ~ the centres of the brown flowers are yellow

Here's my LO and I've managed to claim full points for the Ruby Snippers and Gold Eyelets

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrapping Out Loud in Brown, Blue and Cream

2009-06-20T14:38:00.003+01:00

Scrapping Out Loud!'s current challenge is to scrap in brown, blue and cream (or white). Here's my take on this using a blue background and brown, blue and cream scrap papers with a little stamping.

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Crafty Muse's Sketch Challenge

2009-06-19T12:01:00.005+01:00

We have a sketch challenge for you at Crafty Muse this fortnight. If you enter the challenge, your name will be in a draw for a new, yet-to-be-seen, download collection. Use one of the many Crafty Muse downloads for your entry and you will be entered twice. How fab is that?

Here's what I've done with it. Papers and sentiment were magazine freebies last summer. The image is Angelique sitting which I've printed onto photo paper and I've added some turqouise Stickles to her dress and wings. I've edged everything with my new Colorbox Fluid Chalk Inkpad

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrap Around The Clock June CyberCrop

2009-06-18T22:39:00.015+01:00

Over on Scrap Around The Clock, we're on day two of our week long CyberCrop.

Melody set the first challenge and she's stepped back to 1970 for which I chose to scrap a photo of me taken either very late 1969 or very early 1970. Apologies for the flash on the photo.

Sketch is from Pencillines (#139), PPs are My Mind's Eye Bohemian range and from a mail order craft club I belonged to, pink Colorbox Fluid Chalk Inkpad (used around the edges and on the tag) is from ScrapShed, lace and ribbon from a local haberdashery and the blooms and Stickles from Calico Crafts. The Once Upon A Time title is from elegant word art and I've printed it onto SafMat.

I've set the second challenge and I've gone back to the 1950's to a time that I would have loved to live. The photos I've used are from the birthday party I was given this year. I've made a slight error on the bottom LO, but as I only bought one sheet of each PP, it's gotta stay that way.

Sketch is from ScrapSketch (#90), all the PPs and the pink Colorbox Fluid Chalk Inkpad are from ScrapShed, buttons and white Inkssential pen are from Charmed,

If you're wondering what the criteria is for these challenges and want to join in, hop over to our forum to find out.

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs,

Sarah C xoxoxo

UKS Weekly Challenge ~ June Week 2

2009-06-18T22:25:00.007+01:00

Last week on UKScrappers we had another sketch to help us create our LO. The rest of the criteria was:

* At least 3 different techniques ~ I've used paper tearing (squares), masking (using a Tim Holtz mask) and stamping (dotted line along the edge of the striped strip of PP)

** Assorted papers ~ I've used 7 different ones for the squares on the left

*** Title should include numbers ~ I've only used numbers

**** Sketch ~ definitely

Journalling reads: "Cambridge, 9th June 2009. Jo, me and my new camera. We tried to pose and look good while Jo took some photos. Why we took several, I don't know because we both liked the first one the best!"

I claimed full points with this LO for my team The Ruby Snippers and Gold Eyelet House

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs,

Sarah C xoxoxo

SLYMI week 24

2009-06-18T22:19:00.002+01:00

UKScrappers Scrap Like You Mean It week 24, was to scrap with felt. I have some gorgeous felt flowers and leaves I was given in the UKS Advent Swap last Christmas, so I've used some of the purple flowers with some of the leaves. The large flower in the top right came from material rescued from a bed base.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

SLYMI - self-portrait

2009-06-13T10:03:00.004+01:00

Last week's SLYMI on UKScrappers was to scrap a self-portrait. I chose to wait until after my birthday and scrapped a photo that was taken in Cambridge on my night out with my youngest sister.

Papers are from Basic Grey's Sultry range. Journalling reads "I've realised this week that I have all I need to be happy ... life, love, family, friends"

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Make It Holey

2009-06-12T00:24:00.006+01:00

Juliet's turn to do the challenge this week on Dottie's World and she's asked us to 'Make It Holey'. Here's what she says:

"I would like to see a hole or holes on your project this week - it could be an aperture card, cheeseholing or any other type of hole you can think of. And just to make it a little more interesting, add a touch of distressing too! Remember to include one of the Charmed downloads"

I've used a pre-coloured George image from the Rock and Roll collection for my card. I bought a sheet of card today that's covered with holes, so used a piece of that for half of my card. The other half is covered in distressed brown dotty PP. Sentiment is a magazine freebie from ages ago.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

BIRTHDAY CANDY WINNER

2009-06-11T21:20:00.004+01:00

I've not had 40 correct responses, so I've put numbers in a hat (well, a box to be precise) and asked David to pick out one. The lucky number is:

Congratulations and on checking, it's

-------->

TEE

I've had to go to comment number 6 as 2 and 4 do not start with the requested word of CANDY .

Congratulations. Please contact me so I can send the box of goodies to you.

Love as always

Sarah C xoxoxo

BIRTHDAY CANDY

2009-06-10T06:00:00.011+01:00

This post will stay pinned to the top of my blog until 10th June. Please scroll down for my other posts. Thanks!

It seems that not many of you wanted to enter so far, so I've changed it and am opening it up to everyone. The only rule now for entering is to start your post with CANDY.

CRAFTERS ONLY PLEASE - no CANDY ONLY blogs will be eligible to win.

Some of you will know that I have a milestone birthday coming up soon. Well, I have decided to treat one of you to some CANDY. I treat myself at the beginning of the year to some stash and doubled up on my order to give you the same as I got (plus I'll add some extras).

Don't forget that you MUST start your comment with CANDY.

After June 10th, the 40th comment with CANDY at the beginning will win. Comments will be kept under wraps until then.

You may enter as few or as many times as you like, but no more than once a day to give everyone a fair chance. If you comment here more than once a day, I'll only count your earliest correct comment for each day! IYKWIM? So, it's no good doing 40 comments now, then sitting back and waiting for the postie!!!

Here's what one person will get:

Patterned Papers

Bazzill

Prima Paintables

Rusty Pickle Chippboard Accents

Prima Daisy Crazy Blooms

Bag of Mixed PrimaFlowers

Pink Martini Rub-Ons

Basic Grey White Rub-Ons

Imaginisce Flashy Flourish Rub-Ons

Pink Pig Notebook

Ribbons and Lace

Buttons

Good luck to you all and feel free to spread the word

Love and hugs
Sarah C xoxoxo

Going AWOL

2009-06-07T10:57:00.002+01:00

I'm going AWOL for a few days now, so will catch up with you all after Wednesday when I return. Don't forget you can still enter daily for my candy giveaway.

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

BLOOM and grow

2009-06-07T10:32:00.002+01:00

I took this photo of my large bloom the other day and it's just as well I did. We had heavy rain and wind the day after, which destroyed it completely.

PP is Basic Grey. Isn't it just fabulous? It's so lovely, I didn't want to waste any, so I cut out the centre piece that would have been hidden by the photo to use on something else! Waste not, want not eh? This LO was done 'just because' but I've used ScrapSketch's #78 sketch. It had a lot of stitching on it, so I narrowed it down to stitching the frame to the PP and the PP to the Bazzill. Title was cut on my ROBO before inking, with the BLOOM word cut twice and layered.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxo

UKS June 09 Week 1

2009-06-07T10:19:00.006+01:00

I've used photos of Alexander Palace for the weekly challenge on UKScrappers this week. We were challenged to:

Use the sketch they p[rovided ~ which I've turned and flipped

Something handmade and acetate ~ I've combined these as I've glued tiny gems onto acetate to form the swirl

RicRak ~ I've used this instead of the journalling strips

PP once again is Basic Grey. At the rate I'm using it, I should have bought two packs of the offer, not one!

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxo

Coffee & Cream on Spots & Stripes

2009-06-07T09:29:00.005+01:00

I'm late uploading my card, but this was made last night for the last challenge on Dottie's World ~ Coffee & Cream on Spots & Stripes.

I've used a Mikey image, printed him onto watercolour paper and coloured him in using pencils. Stripey background paper, a few buttons and a sentiment printed on my computer completes my card.

Thanks for looking

Take care, Love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Freebie Wedding Car Challenge at Crafty Muse

2009-06-05T17:50:00.006+01:00

Sammi is giving away a freebie image on Crafty Muse for you. All that's asked, is that you use it in a craft project this next fortnight. You have the chance to be a Guest Designer if you have the winning creation. Crafty Muse is also on the hunt for more Design Team menbers, so please remember to let us know if you are interested when you post a comment. If you are chosen to join the Design Team, you will be given FREE digi-stamps to work with. Sounds great doesn't it?

I made a digi-card for this week's challenge. I've removed the car from the background using PictureIt!, coloured it using Paint.NET and added a background and sentiment using PictureIt!

Digi-stamps are so versatile. You can:

* print them 'as is', add your own colours using pens/paints/pencils/chalks etc and use papers and embellies to complete your craft project

** colour them in using computer software, print and use papers/embellies

*** do your complete project using computer software (as I have done this week)

The other great thing with digi-stamps is that unlike rubber stamps they can be re-sized; before printing, to fit the project you're working with. The car here fits an A5 card, but the image I water-coloured the other month is almost A4 in size.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

CANDY

2009-06-03T14:51:00.018+01:00

Just reminding everyone that I'm celebrating my forthcoming birthday by giving away blog candy to one of you. All you have to do is leave a comment on the post pinned to the top of my blog with the word CANDY. You can enter up to once a day until June 10th when the 40th comment with CANDY at the beginning will win a box of goodies containing:

Prima and Other Flowers

Buttons

Ribbons and Lace

Basic Grey, Imaginisce and Pink Martini Rub-Ons

Pink Pig Mini-Book

Prima 6x6 Paintables

Rusty Pickle You've Been Framed Chipboard Accents

{brackets and photo corners}

Patterned Paper

Bazzill

Good luck

Love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Male Summer Birthday Card

2009-06-03T10:05:00.006+01:00

Why are male cards so hard to make? Because we don't feel or know we can't really use ribbons, flowers, glitter ......... They're not so bad if the guy in question is into anything, but when they're not or you don't know, what do you do? I had one of those to make this week and decided to search the gallery of DoCrafts to see what others had done. I'm so glad I did as one card jumped out and I've based my card on it. Thanks Twinkle* for that.

Thank you for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

New Camera and Candy Update

2009-06-01T15:28:00.004+01:00

If you don't already know and haven't noticed by the poor photos recently, my camera has been away for repairs. Or so I thought. Somewhere the communication between Argos and Kodak broke down and two weeks later, I'm not sure where my camera is, but it hasn't even been looked at by Kodak.

Argos have generously (?????) offered to give me vouchers to equal what I paid for it as they don't stock it anymore. So, I'm now looking to buy a new one with those and to top it up with some birthday money I was given early. I have a total of £90 to spend (I know it might not seem like much, but it is to me) and am thinking of this one. Anyone know what it's like? Or any other they have to that amount? Thanks.

Also, I'm here to remind you of my birthday candy. I've altered the criteria, so you can spread the word around too. If you're not in it, you can't win it.

Love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrapping Out Loud ~ layer

2009-06-01T13:00:00.003+01:00

The current challeng on Scrapping Out Loud, is to layer your embellies. I whimped out a bit and went safe, layering my blooms. The photo is from The Rose Garden at Clacton-on-Sea.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Scrap Around The Clock June Challenges

2009-06-01T01:27:00.008+01:00

Well everyone, the time has come for Scrap Around The Clock to give you the challenges for June. You can either do a LO or an ATC. Criteria for both are here.

Here's my first DT entry for them

I've pieced together 2 photos to create the view of London as seen from the grounds of Alexander Palace. The photo isn't very good at showing the bling, but I've used Stickles around the arrow (which I've hand-cut from PP) and on the title lettering (which has been cut 4 times on my ROBO, layered and inked) On the green paper (under the photo) are the words 'An Alexander Palace view of London, September 2008' also written in Stickles glitter.

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs,

Sarah C xoxoxo

Engagement Card

2009-05-31T01:31:00.005+01:00

We've recently had an engagement in the family, so I decided to make a different style of card for the young couple.

I've used the Mikey and Madison image from the Mikey download collection available exclusively from Charmed. The flowers were also from Charmed ~ flowers in a tin (small ones) and Prima Can-Nection.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Pencillines #136 and UKScrappers Weekkly Challenge May week 4

2009-05-31T00:16:00.006+01:00

Pencillines sketch #136 and UKScrappers weekly challenge for the current week, were both used to create this LO.

UKScrappers criteria was:

something old ~ bunch of flowers which were bought a year ago

something new ~ the Basic Grey PPs bought this last week

something borrowed (given to you or non-scrap related) ~ flowers on the tag and top right corner are actually nail art transfers

something blue ~ bottom paper is blue

secret journalling ~ tag behind the photo

ribbons ~ on the tag

I'm claiming full points for the Ruby Snippers and Gold Eyelets.

Photo is of my mum looking at postcards when we were in Cheddar Gorge

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Creative Scrappers #53

2009-05-31T00:01:00.005+01:00

Creative Scrappers gave us a brilliant sketch last Sunday and I finally got to work with it this Saturday. I chose to scrap a photo of my friend when we went to a local carnival last August. I used a bottle of stamp cleaner to draw round for the scallops before cutting them out. The journalling frame was kindly given to us (as a ROBO file) on UKScrappers by Lindyloulou.

Thanks for looking,

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Sketch and Stash (#10) and One Stop Craft Challenge (#30)

2009-05-26T01:46:00.011+01:00

Sketch and Stash are a card challenge blog and their criteria is that you use their sketch and some new stash. I'd printed last week's sketch and used it this evening in my crafting, although I didn't meet their criteria at all. Why? Because 1) I did a LO not a card and 2) I didn't use any new stash.

I did complete the latest challenge (#30) for One Stop Craft Challenge's VINTAGE challenge as I used vintage papers and some lace.

Here's the LO. These are not her wedding, but I love this photo of her and wanted to do a soft LO for a different album I'm doing.

and here's where the journalling is hidden.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Creative Scrappers (#52) and SLYMI (#21)

2009-05-25T20:15:00.007+01:00

I got my sketch dates muddled for Creative Scrappers and scrapped today using last week's sketch (#52)!. Loved working with it, so the fact that I've missed the deadline doesn't matter.

Also, the current Scrap Like You Mean It challenge (#21) on UKScrappers is to use a song title. I chose Winter Wonderland to go with a photo I took outside my Mum's when we had a sudden snow fall.

I used an acrylic paint dauber to draw round for the scallops and cut them out before adding holes (with my crop-a-dile) and some white doodling.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo