Tagged twice!

Thanks to Marlou for both my tags! LOL! First one is this: and you can find the details here. Will have to have a think of who to tag as most of my faves are scrappers rather than cardmakers. The second tag is to list another 7 things about myself so here goes: 1.My hair is currently dyed red and halfway down my back. 2.I always wanted 4 kids but after the horrific labour with Jess 3 months ago there's no way I'll have another! 3. I always wanted to be a dentist but never did. My little brother is one now though. 4. I'm off on holiday very soon! 5. I hate flying and haven't been in a plane since 1980. 6. I have rather a lot of stash and a major love for stamps at the moment! 7. I used to be both bulimic and anorexic but am now fine! Again will have to have a think of wo to tag as most people I know have done this (and Jess has just woken up). Need to go and sort out washing ready for the hols too!

DCM - All Checked Out

Had a funny old day today - Jess has been really grouchy and sick a few times but is now tucked up in bed. Last night she managed to sleep for 7 hours before waking for a feed so hope she does that again tonight! Have done this week's DCM All Checked Out dare : using checks on a card.

I used: MAMBI Chester paper, MAMBI paper (old design), KI Memories Curly alphabet stamps, Brilliance black ink, KI Memories ribbon, Studio G stamp, Craf-T chalk and a Zig pen.

Off out for the day tomorrow - over to my parents house. Will be the first time Jess has been there so will be interesting to see how she reacts to different surroundings. Hoping to be back in the afternoon so we can have tea at home, get the kids to bed and I can have some crafting time!

Woo-hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to Di Hickman who has invited me to join the wonderful team over on her blog designing cards from her fab sketches! I only found her blog a few weeks ago and have really enjoyed using her sketches so I'm thrilled to have this opportunity - thanks Di!!! Congrats also to Cheryl who was also picked and makes the most gorgeous cards.

CPS #23

Also made a card for CPS #23 sketch

Yet another Christmas card!

I used: Black Bazzill cardstock, the new Dovecraft Christmas papers (gorgeous!), Rubber Stampede Retro Christmas stamps, Versamagic ink, Brilliance ink, Creative Begginings embossing powder and some old pink ribbon.

Di Hickman card sketch July #4

Had a go at Di Hickman's card sketch July #4 last night seeing as Jess was in bed at 9pm! It's wonderful when she has an afternoon nap and isn't overtired and screaming in the evening! Used: DCWV cardstock (8" x 8"), old Doodlebug paper, white card, Lakeland stamps, Colorbox chalk ink, Marvy pens, brads and a K&Co Beyond Postmarks sticker.

Aaaaarrrggghhh!!!!

Kids have broken up and it's now a constant case of fighting, arguing, bickering and whinging! Jess hasn't been too settled either and if she goes to sleep before 10pm it's a miracle! As for daytime naps - who needs them?!?!? Did manage to do a LO yesterday though while the boys were playing with Jess: This is the boys and some of the family on our annual bowling trip when about 20 of us descend on the alley!

Used: KI Memories papers, Cactus Pink stamps, Colorbox chalk inks, Heidi Swapp chipboard letters, Marvy pen, MM rub-on alphas, Dovecraft brads.

Received a Photobox order this morning so have loads of photos to put in various envelopes for family members. Am also starting to panic as we're going on holiday, to North Wales, very soon so I have all the washing, packing, list making and shopping to do in the next week! Wish me luck!

More cards!

Made another couple of cards last night as Jess was in bed by 9.30: This one was using up another MAMBI Soft Spoken sticker - I also used some Rob n Bob papers, old yellow card and some yellow organza Papermania ribbon along with black Impress ink.

This one was done for Di Hickman's July card sketch #3. Ok so I know I've already done a card for this before but I loved the sketch and had to give it another go! LOL! For this one I used some old card, the papers were free ages ago in an old cardmaking magazine and of course - another MAMBI sticker. The black text was done using old Letraset dry transfer lettering. I have a stack of that stuff as I bought 60 odd sheets a few years ago on Ebay. The boys break up from school today so I'm making the most of my last day of peace. I've been sorting out loads of photos to upload to Photobox as hopefully I'll get some time to scrap. I'm going to let the boys loose on some of my old stash as well asthey've each done a couple of scrapbook LOs already and enjoyed it.

Cheating cards

So I made some cards but cheated a lot by using a pack of MAMBI Soft Spoken stickers:

as well as the MAMBI I used: Rob n Bob paper, DCWV papers, Studio G stamp, EK Success stamp, Junkitz paper, unknown ribbon, white Signo pen, black Impress ink and my sewing machine.

Jess hasn't been napping very well during the day for the past few days so haven't crafted as much as I would have liked. Hoping to do some challenge/dares later if I can!

Woo-hoo!!!!!

Jess went to bed at 8.50pm last night and woke up for a feed at 4.10 this morning! What a star! Only problem is that after having a feed she was wide awake and just laid there smiling and cooing at me until I managed to get her back to sleep at 5.30! Have been out to do some shopping this morning but went via the local craft shop and bought myself a scalloped circle punch as I don't like the postage costs for buying just one punch on Ebay! Made a few cards yesterday but will post them later.

Going, going, gone!!!!

Jess found her thumb properly today for the first time! No fuss, no crying - wonderful!

Been tagged

I've been tagged by Louly for a Rockin Girl Blogger award - thankyou!!!!

I now have to nominate 5 other people for this award so I'm going for:

Christi , Paula, Trish, Karen and Heather.

If you haven't heard about it, it all started with Roberta

The weekend!

Kids have been playing outside this morning but then it started raining lightly so they came in. They're now sat playing with Lego and Jess is asleep (hopefully for a while). I made a gift tag this morning but won't show it as I've just emailed it for a DT call. The chances of getting on the DT are pretty small though with the amount of talent out there but I thought I may as well give it a go! Also made this card: This is for our 17 year old nephew who passed his driving test on Thursday, first time! Only seems like yesterday that he was a toddler with gorgeous blond curls!

I used: Ki Memories It's a Boy stamps, chalk inks, Scrapworks Rubz green alphabet, CI star brads, unknown brads, sewing machine and a blue Marvy pen. The card/paper was all unknown make that I've had for ages.

Feeling pretty inspired at the moment as I received 2 back copies of "Cards" magazine and one "Scrapbook Trends" during the week and I've had a wonderful time drooling over all the gorgeous stuff in them! Think I'm going to have to invest in some more (magazines and stash!)

One of each..

... card and a LO, that is!: A really quick LO that didn't turn out anything like I was hoping - one of the MAMBI monograms didn't transfer properly and left half it's colour on the backing paper and then I stuck the flower sticker down in the bottom right corner, decided I didn't like it, but it wouldn't come off!

Anyway I used: K&Co Dollhouse paper, DCWV cardstock, MAMBI monograms, SEI Be Bop stickers, MAMBI Chester stickers, vellum, Zig vellum pen and some ribbon.

I did this card for Di Hickman's July #3 sketch: I turned the sketch on it's side and used ribbon instead of the original piece of paper and took the ribbon across the whole card. This is one of my first "stamped" cards and I have a feeling I may be trying a lot more in the future. Materials used: Bazzill cardstock, DCWV floral paper, flower stamp from Hero Arts Clear Design "J" set, Marvy Le Plume pens, Sentiment stamp from Studio G by Hampton Arts, Brilliance pearlescent lavender ink, Deluxe Designs chalks, ribbon and Prima flower.

Been weighed again....

Just got back from getting Jess weighed - she's now 14lbs 13 oz (about 6.75kg) so doing rather nicely thankyou! Photos were taken this morning - I thought she looked really cute in this dress (thankyou Dolly!) and she hasn't had much of a chance to wear dresses recently with the weather being so bad! The only problem she has when wearing them though is that she grabs hold of the hem and pulls the dress right up so she can suck the material!

CPS #22

Another card today, this one for CPS #22 :

I used Bazzill Bling cardstock, the black/white papers are DCWV and the stripy one is, I think an MOD by Autumn Leaves one. Ribbon is cheap stuff from a local discount shop and the sentiment is a Studio G stamp. The gems were bought on Ebay yesterday and arrived today!

Will be back later to post some pics of Jamie at the school Celebration Evening last night.

On a roll!!!

Jess has been asleep for about an hour and a half so I've done another LO! Have got Matthew home today as his eye is all puffy again - he's dosed up on anti-histamines and has been happily working his way through all the jigsaw puzzles! This evening we're off to the boy's school for Celebration Evening. Jamie is performing a song and dance with some of the other kids and then he is receiving a prize for numeracy - the highest achiever in Year 2!!! I'm so proud of him -will be there with cameras flashing away! Seeing as it finishes at 7 we're picking up a Chinese afterwards , just for a treat!!! Anyway here's the LO: Used DCWV cardstock and some Scenic Route Cape Town papers. The title was stamped with Banana Frog Steelfish stamps and Brilliance pearlescent beige ink and then outlined with a black Sakura pen. I added MM rub-ons and some DCWV brads. Journaling was handwritten with a Marvy pen.

A 10 minute LO!!!

Yay - Jess had a sleep this afternoon (usually a rarity at the weekends as the boys make so much noise!) so I grabbed these 2 photos to scrap. As per my resolution post I decided to scrap it without adding loads of bits and trying to make it look like it used all the latest papers and embellishments - this LO is for me!

I used some old dark green Bazzill which I think was from the Preppie pack, a pink Zig chalk writer, Cactus Pink seeds stamps and pearlescent beige Brilliance ink. The title was done with CI Sonnets Antique fleamarket stickers which have been sat in my stash for ages.

It won't win any awards but I like it and that's all that matters! I've also decided that from now on I won't be uploading my LOs to online forum galleries but only on to my blog and my own Webshots Gallery as to me it seems like forum galleries move too quickly and the only things that tend to get commented on are LOs which use either the latest products, are by well-known scrappers or have threads started by the OP along the lines of "ooh, look at my LO!" I know I scrap just for me and my family but it can be a wee bit disheartening when you do something you love and get very few comments. From now on - if I like it that's all that matters!

There! Jo will now step down from her soapbox!LOL!

Buttons!!!!

This week's dare over at DCM was to use something found in a haberdashery department so out came my buttons!!!(To say I have a few would be an understatement!) I used K&Co Hannah and K&Co Addison papers and just a few red buttons! The letters are K&Co Letters to Go and then the trim was the leftovers from an old UKS DT kit from a while back. All the buttons were sewn on by hand.

Valentino?!

Well, having a busy day today but have completed one Lo so far. Have also taken Jamie to get on the coach for his trip to the zoo, taken Matthew to a birthday party, done some shopping for my neighbour and picked Matthew up from the party. Just got to go and pick up jamie in 2.5 hours. Also Jess laughed properly for the first time today and I'm desperate to hear her do it again - it was toooo cute! Anyway here's the LO using the #22 sketch from Sketch This :

This is Jamie posing with his red rose he bought for his "girlfriend" last year.

I used DCWV cardstock and paper (from the Spring Stack). The title was done using some old Doodlebug stickers and I used my wonderful white Signo pen to draw the outline.

Another Sketch This LO

Loving the Sketch This LOs at the moment as it means I don't have to use all my spare time planning my LOs and can get on with them instead! Maybe when Jess is more into a routine I'll find scrapping a bit easier?!? Anyway here's my LO for Sketch This #21 :

I used Crate Papers Twirl collection (my first time of using Crate Papers) for this one. the title was done with Chatterbox stickers and then just added some Primas. the photo is Jess at 18 days old.

Hoping to do some more LOs tomorrow - Jamie is out all day visiting Paignton Zoo with his Beaver and Scout group and Matthew is off to a birthday party in the morning and over lunchtime. As long as Jess is OK I shall be sat at my desk happily moving stash around!

What housework?!?

Well, following a cr*p night when Jess didn't go to sleep until late today got considerably better! She slept for 3 hours through lunchtime so instead of hitting the housework - I made cards! Had a go at Di Hickman's July #2 card sketch and came up with these 2 cards: For the first one I used the free Junkitz papers that came with the Scrapbook Magazine a while ago along with 2 different pieces of paper from the new Papermania inspiration packs. The ribbon (I think) is May Arts and the rub-on stitched flower was from a pack from the Pound Shop. Another one of the gorgeous Studio G stamps was used and then of course I had to get the sewing machine out! I liked this sketch so much I decided to make another card and of course it had to be another Christmas one! Used some of the older Doodlebug Christmas papers, Doodlebug ric-rac, American Crafts ribbon, a Scrapworks Rubz (tag) rub-on and down in the corner is a little MOD rub-on. The greeting was stamped using the "must have words" stamp set from Lakeland.

Off to finish a LO I started earlier now!

CPS #21

Another fab sketch this week over at CPS for sketch #21 and yet again I decided to go for the Christmas card option:

Used DCWV cardstock (8" x 8" folded in half)and the diamond paper was from a MAMBI Scrappy Chic pad I've had for a while. Candle pic is a Melissa Frances cut-out mounted on green corrugated card and the greeting is a MM rub-on. Ribbon and brads have been in my stash for ages so couldn't tell you where they're from!

May have to have another go at this sketch but in a different style as I have loads of ideas now for smaller cards. Thankfully Jess has slept today (following her jabs) so I've had a chance to relax and get my cardmaking head on!

Photos as promised

More photos of Jess taken yesterday: She now has the most gorgeous long eyelashes! Have been to the Dr's and she's had her jabs and is now sleeping, bless her. Hopefully she won't be as badly affected as she was when she had her first lot.

Growth spurt!

No news to report today and no cards or LOs to show either! Jess has been having a growth spurt so today has been a case of feeding her every hour on the hour and her not sleeping from 7.30 this morning until about 15 minutes ago! Tomorrow we're back at the Dr's for her second lot of jabs in the morning then the baby clinic in the afternoon to have her weighed and then in the evening it's Jamie's parent's evening! Hoping to post some more pics of her tomorrow as I took a fair few today seeing as she was awake a lot!

Tagged!

I've been tagged by Cheryl and Marie to reveal 7 things about myself and then tag 7 other bloggers - that may be a problem as loads of people seem to have done this already! Anyway-here goes: 1. I once went through a full prison-officer riot training course (for my job in a detention centre) and loved it! 2. I used to be a rock-chick --- tight leggings, stiletto boots, black leather jacket etc.... 3. I have, in the past, been the proud parent of 9 pet rats! 4. I met my OH through the penpal section of Kerrang magazine back in 1991. We got engaged, bought a house together, split up, got back together after 6 years, got engaged again!, have 3 kids but after being engaged for 7.5 years this time around we've yet to tie the knot! 5. I hate heights with a vengeance! My knees go wobbly and I can't move! Took the train to the top of Snowdon but couldn't manage the last few steps to get to the summit. 6. When I was at school I wanted to be a dentist but ended up being a student nurse, dental nurse, factory worker, supervisor and storekeeper followed by a detention officer then a toll collector. My little brother ended up being the dentist. 7. I'm a speed freak and love to drive fast! There you go - can't think of anyone to tag at the moment so will have to come back and edit this later!

A quick LO!!!

Starting and finishing a LO in one day?!?!? Unheard of - LOL!

It did take me a while to look through my papers to find something I could use with these photos but eventually I found this MOD paper. The cardstock is DCWV (just for a change!). Title was stamped using Brilliance Pearl Crimson ink with KI Memories bubbletter and a Lil Davis Printer's Block stamp. The heart down in the corner is from the Lil Davis Love Affair stamp set and then added a couple of brads.

Off to pick the boys up from school in a few minutes and then hoping I get a chance to do the new CPS card sketch later.

Shannon's birthday card

Youngest DS (aged 5) is off to a birthday party of his classmate Shannon next week so I used Di Hickman's July #1 card sketch to make her card. It's not my usual style as I wanted it to be a "Shannon style" card.

I used some ballet paper (can't remember the make) and some really old HOTP paper. The "5 today" was done with a Scrapworks Rubz and DCWV alpha stickers. Ribbon from my very large collection, Primas, Dovecraft brads and Royal & Langnickel rub-ons for Shannon's name.

Just got to buy her a present now - I'm not used to uying for girls but I'll have to get used to it!!! Jess is now 12 weeks old today and I'm sure I'll have to start buying her girly toys at some point!

CPS #20

Finally managed to finish this card this morning for the CPS #20 sketch .

For this one I used both DCWV cardstock and papers along with my trusty sewing machine and then cut the star from some sparkly gold paper from a Lidl craft pack. Lettering down in the corner was done with Royal & Langnickel rub-ons and then I drew an outline around the card with a gold pen.

Two birds with one stone

Well, I've just finished this card which takes care of both the Sketch this cards #19 and the DCM text message challenge.

It's a 5" X 5" one using DCWV cardstock and MAMBI Scrappy Chic paper. The star was cut from Doodlebug vellum and then I wiped it with the Essential Glue Pad before brushing over with some Interference Blue Pearl-ex. The stickers are MM Boho Chic and Doodlebug Just my Type. Had another go with the new sewing machine too!!!

Off to have a lok for some more challenges now before my parents turn up (yes- I have done the cleaning!)

Nowt to report

Only went to the local shops this morning to run some errands for my neighbour and then when we came home Jess slept. Instead of taking the opportunity to do some crafting I sat and surfed the internet for ages and then sat down to watch Wimbledon. Took my neighbour to the hospital at lunchtime and then stopped off at Tesco on the way home to buy "a few bits" but ended up spending £30 - mind you £5.50 of that was for 2 pairs of trousers for jess (for next year though!) Finally managed to get my act into gear this evening and have made a start on a card for the Sketch this blog challenge so hopefully will have that finished in the morning. I intend to stay at home all day tomorrow and craft while the washing machine is going. Saying that, my parents are coming over in the afternoon and then buying us tea from the chippy, to save me cooking, as they haven't seen the kids for a while and now it's summer (well-supposed to be!) they tend to spend a lot of time away in their motorhome.

A non-challenge item!!!

Woo-hoo!!! I actually managed to do some crafting without following a prompt or challenge from a blog! I was looking through my ready-printed photos today and came across these ones of my grandparents house and felt like it was now the right time to scrap them. Sadly, I didn't take these photos as I haven't been to the house since my Grandma died nearly 4 years ago so I "borrowed" the photos from the estate agents details I found when the house was sold.

I used some old Paper Reflections cardstock that I bought in a massive pack years ago and Scenic Route Cape Town paper. The title was done with MoBe Passport, Carbon-14 and Beatnik stamps and some old Deluxe Designs stickers. I also used some American Crafts rub-ons and a Creative Imaginations sticker and one of my trusty Sakura pens to journal.

I'm hoping to do some more crafting tomorrow after I run a few errands for my neighbour (who has a broken ankle) and then I have to take her to the fracture clinic at the hospital at lunchtime. With any luck Jess will sleep in the afternoon and then I can sit down and play!

Brother's birthday card

So Melissa set a challenge to make a card incorporating red, something edible, a bit of bling and a star so here's my very quick effort made last night and already in the post to my brother (as I nearly forgot his birthday!)

OK so it was slightly fortuitous that I had this particular pack of MAMBI Soft Spoken stickers which just happened to be red, have stars on and a bit of bling so all I needed to add was a bit of background paper (Scenic Route) and then stamped a couple of cupcakes from the Studio G set with the Essential Glue Pad and then brushed over the image with brilliant gold Pearl-ex.

DCM Beady eyed

My first card for the Daring Cardmakers challenges - this one is for this week's Beady eyed challenge. A shame this wasn't last week's challenge as I did a card with beads then but here's one I made today: For this I used my first piece of Bazzill Bling (no DCWV this time!) - the papers are a Rob and Bob (the blue) and a Dena's Closet retro Christmas (the green). The flower stamp was from the Cactus Pink Seeds set and stamped in pink Versamagic ink then Mill Hill seed beads (left over from my cross stitch days) sewn on. The greeting was stamped using a KI Memories blocks stamp and a Studio G one.