MSE Music Challenge Card

The challenge this fortnight on MSE is to make a card with a musical theme. This is my entry using my new Sugar Nellie Rock Idol stamp which is fab. The backing paper was perfect so all i've added is thread for the guitar strings and completed the greeting with peel offs. I've distressed all the edges as i'm really loving this effect at the moment and it's especially perfect for male cards.

Jackpot Bag Charm

The super talented CraftyJuJu has recently been producing lots of stunning handmade jewellery. Last week she put a gorgeous jackpot themed bag charm for sale but it sold before I got a look in! She kindly offered to make another one for me though and when I got home today it had arrived beautifully packaged. Thank you soo much Julie! Check out her Facebook Fan Page here.

Doodled Thinking of You Card

Now I know this card has been received by the lovely Rusty I can post it! She's been in a lot of pain recently and ended up in hospital last week, so I wanted to send her something to hopefully cheer her up a little bit. I've used a gorgeous Mo Manning stamp and Basic Grey paper but because it's quite busy couldn't decide what embellishments to use so went doodle crazy instead...

MSE 3 B's Challenge Card

The current challenge over on MSE is to make a card with three things beginning with "B" on. This is my entry, which is a birthday card using a cute black haired tilda dressed in blue from the new fairytale range. The backing paper is from Basic Grey and is matted on to pearlescent blue card. I've used black card candy and the sheer ribbon bow has been coloured black to match.

DIY Dad Birthday Card

It was my Dad's birthday on Friday and as he's a builder I made him this card. I found it really hard to make and it took me about a week in the end - I had an idea in my head of what I wanted but then it didn't look right! Cue attacking it with my Distress Inks to try and bring everything together lol. It hasn't turned out too bad and I'm definitely loving my new Woodware button punch.

18th Birthday Football Card

It's my six foot something "little" brothers 18th birthday on Friday, so i've made him this card as he's football mad. I got to play with Martin's Mum's Craft Robo at the weekend and i'm in love - it's soo amazing and the possibilities are endless! I cut out the pitch outline for this card, which would have taken ages by hand. I'll definitely be looking to buy myself one soon...

Altered Sweetie Dispenser

My colleague at work asked me a while ago if I fancied a commissioned project. Intrigued I said yes so he gave me an old metal and glass Jelly Belly bean dispenser. His request was for it to be "blinged out" with a Union Jack theme, as he wants to give it to a friend for her birthday. I spent all day yesterday sticking on about 1,500 4mm gems and this is how it now looks.

Striking Embossed Card

I just had to play with all my new stash from the NEC so made this card last night. The background was created by coating an embossing folder with ink from my new Big and Juicy pad using a brayer. I've then outlined the embossing, added pearls to the centre of the flowers and stamped a butterfly and dragonfly. The mini easel was a bargain for £1 from Tiger!

Hobbycraft Show at NEC

On Friday I was lucky enough to go the Hobbycraft show at the NEC, where I met up with 14 of the lovely ladies from MSE. I got gorgeous handmade gifts from some of them, so a huge thank you - they already have pride of place on my mantelpiece! Anyway there was soo much stash there and loads of great techniques being demonstrated. Here's what I brought:


I shall definitely be going to the one in November, though i'll be taking a trolley next time as my back ached like mad after carrying everything around all day!

Purple Doggy Birthday Card

It was my best friend's 21st birthday yesterday so we went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D. The film was brilliant and I think i'm officially hooked on the 3D effect as it's soo cool (even if you do have to wear goofy glasses)! Anyway I wasn't really happy with this card but, seeing as my friend's favourite colour is purple and she's just got a little Westie puppy, she absolutely loved it.

Homemade Sweets

This weekend I roped Martin into helping me make some handmade sweets for a "bake-off" we're having at work tomorrow. There's cherry cups, chocolate brittle and almond truffles all laid out on cute cupcake plates from Tescos. The recipes came from this great blog - definitely check it out as she's made some yummy looking things!

New Baby Girl Card

A family friend had a baby girl last week and we're going round to see them at the weekend, so i've made her this card. I brought the decoupage ages ago in preparation but then wasn't too sure what to do with it! It's quite busy for me but i'm pleased with how it's turned out - the little shoe charm is so cute and the roses very appropriate.

Butterfly Mother's Day Card

I haven't been doing very well with my cardmaking recently as I never seem to have time or am too knackered! This is my latest make and is obviously a mother's day card lol. My Mum loves purple and i've been itching to use these gorgeous Funky Vintage papers for ages. I die cut the letters, layered them on squares and then stuck alternate ones on with 3D pads to add dimension.


I'd like to enter this card into the Mother's Day competition over at Creative Craft World.

Poinsettia Stamped Candles

It was Martin's Mum's birthday yesterday and she absolutely loves candles and her favourite flowers are poinsettias. I decided to put together this arrangement after seeing this fab tutorial here for stamping on to candles. The candles/dish came from Tiger and the paper flowers from Hobby House. I've finished off with Anita's gold butterfly dimension stickers.

Valentine's Card

This is my Valentine's card for my boyfriend. As soon as I saw the Valentine Penny Black stamps I had to have them as they were so cute and I've put them to good use here! Martin has kept everything I've handmade him so far and treasures them (bless,) so I always try to make something a bit special and different. This card opens in an unusal way to reveal the message!

Little Musings Canvas

A little while ago I came across the blog of a really talented lady SJ. She does fantastic drawings called Little Musings, so I emailed her with a few photos of me and Martin and asked if she could paint a canvas for me to give him for Valentine's Day. This is the result and I absolutelty love it! The detail on his knecklace is amazing - I can't wait to give it to Martin and see what he thinks...



This is the photo which it's based on:

Boxer Get Well Card

I've made this card for my Granny as she's obsessed with Boxer dogs (I brought the dies especially) and has been in hospital for the last month with heart problems. She had a valve replacement and triple bypass on Tuesday so i'm going to visit her on Saturday. I wasn't happy with it at first then added the punched hearts and think it's growing on me.

Girls, Girls, Girls Card

I've been lacking inspiration for the last two weeks so figured i'd enter the "girls, girls, girls" challenge over at Passion for ProMarkers. This is my entry - i've used K&Co paper, a Miss Anya coloured with ProMarkers (15 colours, mix of old and new) and 3D letters from 24Studio. I'll be saving this to give to one of my good friends for her birthday in March!

Anniversary Celebration Card

This card was supposed to be for Martin's Aunt's birthday but i've since decided that it looks more like an anniversary card! The backing is vellum and I never know how to stick it without the glue showing through so cut little slits in the corners to hold it down instead. The Forever Friends stamp was free with a magazine and i've coloured it with ProMarkers of course.

Swirly Girly Birthday Card

My first card in 2010 is for my friend's birthday. I've used my new Miss Anya Love stamps, which are absolutely gorgeous and I've got loads of ideas for. The backing paper is K&Co and i've hand-written the sentiment (scary!). Hopefully i'm going to start building up a collection of cards i've made ready for when I need them, but have too many birthdays this month...