Mother's Day, Dotties' World and an Easel

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

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

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

Charmed To Join In With Dottie's World

Juliet set the challenge on Sunday on Dottie's World and said:

"Charmed - this week's challenge is to add a charm to your project. It can be anything as long as it dangles (oops sorry, does that sound too rude?) and, of course include one of the Charmed downloads too!"

So, I raided my charm box and found a flower. Having decided to make it into a phone charm, all I had to do was make a card to hang it from. One of the problems with this is that the card still needs to look right when the charm's taken off for use. I hope it worked. I've used an image from the Girls About Town collection, printed onto watercolour paper and coloured with my Prismacolour pencils.

Don't forget to hop over to Dottie's World to grab your invitation to the party next week.

Thanks for looking
Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

BIG BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS FOR DOTTIE'S WORLD

Where do I start? Would you believe Dottie's Wonderful World is nearly a year old? No, me either. To celebrate, there's loads going on for a week starting this Sunday (17th May). Bad news is that the site's closing for a couple of days this Friday to allow changes to happen. Sounds exciting doesn't it?

Blog candy (random draw taking place on Saturday 23rd May)

Here's my invitation, you need to go and get yours now.

DOTTIE'S WORLD ~ WHERE IT'S ALL GOING ON

All Things Bright And Beautiful

Juliet set the challenge at Dottie's World today and challenged us to make a project using 'bright and beautiful' colours along with at least one of Lou's downloads.

I've used the pre-coloured Rocker-Gothic Dottie from the Rock & Roll collection to make this card which looks much brighter IRL.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxo

You'd Better Shape Up

It was Lou's turn to set the challenge on Dottie's World on Sunday and she said,

"You might have spotted that I'm a bit addicted to making shaped cards so I've decided to go with what I love and challenge you all to make a shaped card using one of the Charmed digi stamps. When I say shaped I mean it can be any shape except the usual square or rectangle."

So, I went to Mirkwood templates and downloaded one for a hexagon petal card. After cutting it out using double-sided card stock, I punched a hole in each petal with my crop-a-dile and threaded ribbon through to enable me to tie it together.

I used a pre-coloured hippie Dottie from the Rock & Roll collection and stuck it inside with foam pads and added a sentiment that was a magazine freebie ages ago.

My message is written on gold glitter paper stuck on the back.

Everyone who enters will be put in a draw for some fab goodies :D

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxo

Twice as Nice

Adele set the weekly Dottie's World challenge on Sunday and said:

Twice as Nice.......

I would like you to use two or more charmed downloads on your creations this week. You can mix and match, duplicate an image, re-size, whatever you fancy but I need to see two or more images.

One of my sisters has a birthday next week, so I decided to make her a tri-fold card. I used 3 images from the Holly and Madison World Tour collection and my Prismacolour pencils.

Holly in Spain is a tag (for One Stop Craft's Tag It challenge). It's held in an acetate pocket edged with ribbon, so it can be used as a bookmark.

The wording inside the card reads "On your birthday and every day, may your dreams take you to the places your heart desires". Wonder where she'll choose?

Thanks for looking.

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxoxo

Dottie's World Sketch Challenge

Karen set the challenge on Dotttie's World last Sunday and is giving away a fabulous prize too.

Here's the sketch she's told us to use:

and here's my take on it:

I used my new ROBO to design the scallops and cut the poppy paper, but had the paper the wrong way up. If you look hard enough you'll see that I've turned and flipped the sketch and elements a bit so that everything fits in.

The image from the Girls About Town Collection, has been coloured with Prismacolours. I got brave and tried them on a card I'm giving away. I need more practice, that's for sure.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love to you all

Sarah C xoxo

Five In One Challenge Card

Once you start making a card, it's surprising how many challenges it sometimes ends up being suitable for.

I made a card last night (Sunday) and used the sketch from the JUST CHRISTMAS AND BIRTHDAYS blog, after turning it round. I'd already coloured the Holly image in using watercolour paints and realised it fitted with PAPERTAKE WEEKLY's pink/orange/brown, MY TIME TO CRAFT's hat and adding the right sentiment meant that it fitted with ONE STOP CRAFT CHALLENGE's sorry challenge. After photographing it, I also found that I'd completed DOTTIE'S WORLD's get the feeling as I'd used ribbon and velvet brads.

I'm late uploading it for some of the challenges, but never mind. I made it because I wanted to, adding in the challenges was a bonus. The Holly image is available for download as part of a collection exclusively from Charmed. While you're there, look out for the latest utterly amazing collection ~ Holly and Madison's World Tour.

Thanks for looking

Take care, love and hugs

Sarah C xoxo

Inspire Me!

I was at my youngest sister's yesterday waiting for a delivery for her and her husband-to-be and spent the morning happily colouring in some of Lou's amazing images that I'd printed onto watercolour paper. It's amazing the difference that the correct paper makes. I must get some more paper as I've run out of it now. Still, I have plenty of images to keep me going and some still need to be coloured. I've used one of those images for this weeks challenge on Dottie's World.

Juliet set the challenge on Sunday and gave us this photo saying:

"You can take whatever you like from the photograph: you could focus on the colours, use a cupcake on your work or make a cupcake shaped card - it's up to you. You must include one of the Charmed downloads on your project and please tell us how the photo inspired you in your make ... "

I took the colours and made a card using one of the new Holly and Madison downloads that I've watercoloured using watercolour paints. When I cut a large flower in half  it reminded me of the chocolate colured icing on the cakes. I was horrified when Mellie said she'd cut a flower ages ago, but now I know why. In doing so, we get to use the flower twice which is a great bonus!!

Thanks for looking.

Take care, love and hugs to  you all

Sarah C xoxo

Blast From The Past!

Over on Dottie's World on Sunday Lou set the weekly challenge and said:

"This week I want you to look through your photos of cards you've made in the past, find one you really like then recreate it using the exact same layout but with different papers and embellishments! Of course there must be a Charmed download image in there too!

When you've finished, put both cards on your blog so we can look at old and new together and leave a comment here so we can go for a look."

I trawled through my blog to see what caught my eye and several did. But I decided to go with this one, so here's the past and present versions of my card .

the past

the present

Why not have a look at your past cards and see what you could re-create using a Lou download? All entries receive a FREE Cowgirl Holly image too!

Thanks for looking.
Take care, love and hugs
Sarah C xoxo

WOWeee Lou

Hop on over to Dottie's World to see what Lou's latest dowload collection is. It's just simply an amazing work of art. It's totally Back to Front. Go on then, what are you waiting for?

Dottie's World - Pure and Simple

Adele has challenged us on Dottie's World to keep it Pure and Simple. She said "No patterned papers, just clean, fresh and simple. I don't want any fuss on our creations this week."

So, heres what I did using builder George from Charmed.

My sister's O/H (Gav) is well known for his non-existent DIY skills, (if you're reading this Gav, you know you're great at lots, just not DIY), so the wording reads:

D.I.Y. - destroy it yourself

From the dictionary courtesy of Gav

-x-x-x-

Tip#1 - Step away from the toolbox

Thanks for looking

Take care. Love and hugs,

Sarah C xoxo

Challenges galore

I've had a crafty couple of days and managed to make a couple of LOs and cards. In doing so, I've joined in with a few challenges too.

On UKScrappers, Shimelle has started a year of challenges. Titles 'Scrap Like You Mean It', she's setting a different challenge each week. Here's my week 1 - scrap in your favourite colour. The smaller photos are passport ones and they certainly show the changing faces of me since 2005. Drag yours out and have a look at how you've changed. You may be surprised.


This LO is done for 2 challenges. On UKScrappers, the weekly challenge was a simple one to ease us into the new year gently. They challenged us to scrap a celebration using 12 of something and buttons. I've scrapped the couple I was a bridesmaid for 25 years ago at their Silver Wedding party and used 12 blooms and buttons.

Ruth's members challenge on 3C's was to use the sketch she provided, re-cycle Christmas wrapping/cards and add hand journalling. I hope the re-cycle bit's ok as I've written on the acetate window from a box of dairy and nut free chocolates I was given at Christmas.

Dottie's World challenge was set by Karen who said "Start the New Year with a Laugh" . I simply want to see "something funny" on your project, what you use and how you make it is up to you. Oh and of course you must use one of the Charmed downloads." I've used one of the pre-coloured Sarah images from Girls About Town and added the background using a programme I have on my computer. The sentiment says: He did say "Buy yourself some shoes". How was I to know he meant 1 pair? All entries get a free Scruff in the tub download.

One Stop Craft Challenge - totally missed the buttons or brads part so I can't enter the competition, but I did follow the sketch.

Sketch Saturday have a sketch competition.

Scrummy Stash Cafe have challenged us with the theme of NEW. I've used my NEW easter stamp so I hope that counts.

Thanks for looking.

Take care
Love and hugs to you all

Girls About Town

My ultra talented friend Lou has amazed me once again and left me speechless for more than one reason. She's the creator and designer of Dottie, George and their animal friends. These and the new collection are available for download exclusively on Charmed.

Well, a new collection has become available and it is so different from the rest. Called 'Girls About Town' you really do need to check it out. Being downloadable (as are all her images), unlike stamps you get it in as many sizes as you want and that your printer will allow. I have an A3 printer, so that's one very large image if I want! Hmmm............... maybe not, or maybe?????? You get girls in b&w plus coloured in and backgrounds and sentiments. A huge bundle for a small price.

There's 6 girls named in this bundle and I was gobsmacked when Lou contacted me today to say that the Sarah ones (yes, there's 2 of them!) were named after me. I just wish I looked that gorgeous with the long legs and such LOL A huge thank you to Lou for that honour and I hope I haven't put off potential customers with that information. Here I am in the pre-coloured format I look fantastic, even if I do say so myself :D Love ya heaps for this Lou.
Thanks for looking. Don't forget to head off and get your downloads now (after you've left me a comment so I know you've visited of course! LOL).

Take care,

Love and hugs

Three Challenges And A Birthday

Well, I've not done as much crafting as I hoped I would and so far this week have managed the grand total of TWO Christmas cards! HELP!!!!!! I have done some crafting though and here it is in all it's glory - although photos identities have been protected.

UKScrappers weekly challenge - use sketch, theme of new beginnings, stamping and white ribbon or flowers ~ all components met, so full points for my team The Ruby Snippers

Member's Sketch Challenge on 3C's set by Tee - (ATC done previously) Christmas card for someone special and including ribbon ~ LO using torn/ripped paper and hand-journalling. Once again all components met so full points for me.

Card

LO

Dottie's World Sunday Challenge set by Adele - textural - ribbon and lace ~ must use some of at least one on your creation. I've used silver sparkly ric-rac ribbon. Picture is a download by Lou and available from Charmed and it's finished with a stamped greeting, some Stickles on the sowman, snow and Dottie's dotty boots and a K&Co snowflake


Birthday Card - stamped image with jewels and flowers highlighted with Diamond Stickles. I've used pink/white lace down the side over some floral paper and stamped the greeting.


Thanks for looking

Take care
Love and hugs

Seaside Fun

I went to warmer and sunnier climates for the challenge on Dottie's World. Karen set the challenge last Sunday and said:

"I would like to see a download, or downloads, interacting in some way with a picture of either the recipient or "something else". So it doesn't have to be a picture of a person but it must be a real photograph, and not just clipart etc. You could of course just do a layout and that would cover the requirements; it's up to you."

So, using a sketch from Pencil Lines, and photos from the 70's I came up with this

The tag goes behind the third photo and just needs the year adding, which I'm hoping Mum can remember.

Thanks for looking

Take care

Love and hugs

A Little Crafting

Hi everyone. I managed a little crafting yesterday. Here's what I can show you for now.

First, a card which combines a challenge and a competition:

Dottie's World challenge this week is to use one of the downloads and flowers.
Friday Sketchers competition was to follow the sketch

Over on 3C's, Tee set the members' challenge which was to use the sketch she chose and her added extras to complete a LO, Card and ATC. For the ATC she told us to use whatever theme and extras we wished so here's mine. I have yet to do the LO and Card, but have just over 2 weeks to finish them.

Thanks for looking.

Take care
Love and hugs

Challenges and more

One longish post from me again today everyone. I did some crafting on Saturday and came down poorly on Sunday, so never got it all photographed until today. A little too late now for one of the competitions and some of the challenge deadlines but never mind.

UKS weekly challenge last week - only managed 20 of the 30 points as I mis-read the main part and included the word FREE in my journalling not the title. Oh well, I tried!
Sketch This - LO using the sketch provided which I turned clockwise

Creativity Life - Competition to do a LO using scrumptious chocolate shades

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards - I managed to make the Christmas card this week using the sketch

Dottie's World - Last Sunday's challenge (told you some were late!) Fur or Feathers ~ image is by Lou and available exclusively from Charmed

Arty Girlz - Using a poem or verse on the front of whatever you craft

Papertake Weekly - Competition - Let It Snow
Cute Card Thursday - Competition - Snowflakes
DoCrafts - Last week's weekly card sketch challenge

My Time To Craft - Challenge - It's Raining, It's Pouring ~ image is one Lou kindly gave us on her blog a while ago
One Stop Craft Challenge - sketch which I turned (as usual!!)

Thanks for looking

Take care and I hope you are all well

Love and hugs