Penny Black Christmas

It's Christmas time over at Penny Black, and I love it because I just love working with all the beautiful Penny Black Christmas designs. Here is my card using the little Angel Hedgehog. Isnt he just adorable? I used DCWV Winter mat stack papers, some lace and a flower punch with a little blue gem. I added just a touch of crystal stickles to the wings and the edges of the top layer of the flower. This little one set a precedent and I made 7 more christmas cards with the same image & papers but each one very different to the last. I'll share those another time. Thanks for looking. Enjoy your bank holiday weekend! Kel x

Cinema Saturday Challenge

Isn't Forrest Gump one of the most heart warming films of all time? It is just so lovely, with laughs and tears and of course the brilliant soundtrack and memorable quotes. Cinema Saturday Creative challenge this week is based on Forrest Gump with the added requirement of using the colour Brown. It could be a little splash of it or it could be alot. Well here is my creation. I love using Brown and pink as a colour combination and normally use more pink than brown so this time I decided to flip that and go for more brown, to tie in with that classic quote "Life is like a box of choclates. You never know what you're gonna get". I also used a quote from the film, where Forrest is talking of his "Best good friend", Bubba. I used a stamp from Inkadinkado, coloured with a splash of brush pen (brown) and Sakura pen (Pink), a mix of papers from Doodlebug and Basic Grey, and a chipboard "Sweet Friendship" by Brenda Walton fr K&Co. The swirls are freehand with some added gems for sparkle. I think tonight I will have to watch Forrest Gump once the kiddies are in bed! Sounds like a plan! x

Another random layout

I couldn't wait to scrap this photo of my Dad with my Son. When we visited my family in April The Boy would not leave my Dad alone the whole time we were there. And although I naturally got so many photo's of them together, this is the one that makes me instantly feel warm and happy. I have no idea what was going on but they both just broke into hysterics and I am so grateful to have captured it on camera. I wanted the layout pretty simple, but it was a difficult one too being that they are both male, but the inspiration came from the Laura Ashley wallpaper in the background. I had some papers to match so I just had to use them. To fill in the gap at the top I attempted to hand draw the flowers from the wallpaper in white Sakura Gelly Roll pen, sort of like a negative to the other flowers. I just wanted to share this. Everytime I see this photo I just have to smile! x

Take That and Party!!

In June this year, I was lucky enough to get to see Take That perform at Manchester's Old Trafford Cricket Ground. It was a horrible day, the heavens opened while we waited for the support acts to start (Gary Go and Lady Gaga- the later who never actually showed up!!)and we all got drenched to the bone. Being that we were standing it was difficult to find a good spot to be able to see the stage. Anyway, found a spot we did and I am so happy we stayed put! There was a runway from the main stage and the Take That boys came out from under the runway stage and did the first few songs there, starting with Greatest Day. It was amazing to be able to see them so close. The main photo in this layout is when they sang Back for good and they had big water jets going all over them - just like the video. Then after that song a huge mechanical elephant came from under the runway and took them to the main stage. It was an incredible sight. When they got to the main stage it was just like a proper circus!! There were high wire walkers, fire eaters, trapeze artists, stilt walkers and the Take That boys were the clowns. While singing a song from their new album they made up their faces just like clowns and then burst into a medley of old Take That tunes (Do what you like, Take That and party etc), they all even rode unicyles, all except Gary who couldn't quite master it and instead came out on the smallest bike ever! It was an fantastically amazing show and it will take alot to beat it. I wanted to keep this layout quite animated, hence the hand drawn stars, and as colourful as possible but without drowing out the photos. So what are your plans for the weekend? Kel x

Basic Grey challenge 2

Basic Grey challenges have another challenge up now. This fortnight is a colour combo of Brown, pink and yellow. I'm used to using pink and brown together or brown and yellow but I've not really used pink and yellow before, so it was a challenge. The card I have made was just a quick one because I totally forgot its a friends birthday and had to get it in the post this morning, so i used this challenge for inspiration. Probably the most basic card I've done for a while but I know my BGF will like it. THe paper is MME "Wild Asparagus" the Owl and the "Hoot" sentiment is from the Basic Grey Gamma limited edition stamps. I hand wrote the 'Have a' part of the sentiment and added some ribbon from Hobbycraft and a little yellow flower from stash. Thanks for looking X

Favourite Movie?

I have come across a fabulous new challenge site called "These are a few of my favourite things". Challenge #3 is all about your favourite movie. This was so tough because I have so many that I just love, musicals, thrillers, horror, comedy.... But the ONE that I can watch over and over, never get bored with and it makes me laugh, cry, mad and happy is Jerry Maguire. I just love it. I just love the way all the different elements of the film come together to create such a beautiful film. And of course the one line that really sticks in my head is the bit you wait for, the whole way through is; "You Complete Me". Such a beautiful line. So here is my take on that quote. My little ones, DD and the Boy. It might sound cheesy, but they really do complete me. I was having a little crisis for turning 31, thinking what have I got and who am I now?! But here they are, the little people who make me, me and they are what I have to make my life complete. Getting a bit soppy now..... see what this film does?? LOL. This LO is made up almost exclusively of My Mind Eye "Bloom & Grow" except for the journalling spot by Autumn Leaves and the little birdy from Basic Grey. I liked the idea of using ticket stubs but didnt have any, so made them from my scraps and wrote YOU & ME on them as part of the title. This challenge is up til the 29th August, but another will be posted soon after. Go check them out. The DT creations are amazing!! Thanks for looking and putting up with my soft side.... :) Kel xx

Flowers

Morning! I just wanted to share with you the beautiful flowers I got for my birthday on Saturday. These gorgeous sunflowers are from my babies. DD picked sunflowers because she is growing some in the garden and they are her favourites! She was so excited to give these to me that I got reminded all day that she picked them herself! Then I was really suprised to get these beautiful Orchids. They are from my sister. We had a falling out about 3 months ago and hadnt spoken since, so these were a lovely suprise and I am so happy that a bridge has been built. It was really hard not speaking to her as we always got on so well. So now my home smells delicious as soon as you walk in with the whiff of blooms. x

Shrek at Scrapwhispers

This last challenge at scrapwhispers is to find inspiration from the film Shrek - namely the Karaoke special at the end of the movie. It really is hilarious and has so many songs and lyrics, along with the singing and dancing theme and of course the Ogre's swamp to get ideas from. The first thing that came to my mind is that I cannot for the life of me, sing for toffee! Seriously!! But I really didnt realise just how bad I was until I was in Denmark. Me and the girls I was with found a pub where they would not let you leave until you sang on the karaoke (we didnt know this til we got in there). So we all had to take a turn, and as I was half way through "California Dreaming" the Danish Police came in, pointed straight at me and said "YOU! Must sing NEVER!!". An absolute true story which still cracks me up 8 years later. So this was the layout I wanted to create but I couldnt find the photos, so instead I created this one for my DD's album. The title is Billy Joel's/ Barry White's "Just the way you are" Opening lyrics "Dont go changing". Of course I would love her to stay just as she is, but I fear I may be fighting a losing battle on that one, LOL. I am determind to find the photos from our Karaoke party disaster and that is a LO that is just begging to be made! The BIG REVEAL at Scrapwhispers is this weekend, and so are the sign ups for the next round I believe, so go on check it out. We really do have so much fun!!

Lazy summer days in an English Garden

This first card is for Cute Card Thursday with the theme of Lazy Summer Days. I didn't really know how to put this one together so it kind of fell together. I used Dovecraft backing paper, Sugar Nellie Daisy stamp which I cute out and attached with foam pads to make it look as though she was sat in amongst the flowers. I added a couple of papermania flowers too. I hand wrote the "for you" sentiment. This next one is for Allsorts "English Country Garden" challenge. I used Sugar Nellie "Carefree" stamp and Wild Asparagus MME papers, with papermania flowers and little gems. I also used the sketch from todays Friday Sketchers. I liked this sketch so much that I had a go at making a boys card using June Bug papers, Pink Gem "Footballer Max" and chipboard stars. Thats my lot for today. Hope you all have a great weekend and thanks for looking (let me know you've been!) Kel x

Sixteen Candles

I have come across a fantastic challenge site, Cinema Saturday Challenge. Challenges based on inspiration from the movies. The latest challenge is to find inspiration from the 80's movie "Sixteen Candles" staring Molly Ringwald. I decided to take inspiration from the 80's theme, using retro colours to make this card. I used DCWV Pocket full of Posies stack, some random flourescent buttons and ribbon I had in my stash and a sentiment by Penny Black. Challenges are set on a saturday so go and check it out!

Colour Combo Penny Black

Penny Black Saturday challenge have a colour combo challenge of Blue, Tan and Cream this week. A lovely soft combination that can be used for any occasion I think. For this challenge I used blue polka dot paper from DCWV Nana's Kids stack, little mouse on the cork is from the Penny Black Bubbly clear stamp collection and just some cream coloured lace from my stash. I've made this one with a friend in mind who has just landed her dream job, she doesnt know of this blog so I can share it with you. Thanks for looking X

Tuesday Night at the Movies

Butterfly crafts had a brill online crop at the weekend all based on Movies. There are so many challenges, they are all really fab and really get the creative juices flowing. I decided to start with 2 of my favourite movies, Grease and The Wedding Singer. The challenge for The Wedding Singer is to create a layout based on the decade you grew up in. I am an 80's child and I just love 80's music. Even now it just makes me feel like dancing and singing. I can often be seen dancing around my kitchen to Erasure or if I want to get really cheesy, some of Pete Watermans Hit Factory (Kylie, Jason and Rick). This layout is basically about my love for 80's music. I just had to use the title to Rick Astley's hit "Never gonna give you up". He has to be my all time fave from the 80's.

My next layout is for the Grease challenge where you are challenged to use a song title from the film. I chose to do this LO on Tina Turner who I saw in concert in April this year. She was just fantastic (especially for her age) and I am really so lucky to have been able to see this Legend at work. The photos are a bit blurry but I dont care. I was there, so I know who it was! LOL. I used the song title "Rock and Roll Party Queen". It just seemed to fit. The layout is based on a sketch from Scrapsketch.

You still have until friday to join in the challenges and win some gorgeous prizes. I've done a few more but I'll share them another time.

At the Beach!!

Happy Monday! The weather this weekend has been a bit hit and miss, so taking part in this weeks Cute Card Thursday challenge really lifted my mood. The challenge being to create a card with a beach theme. This card kind of just fell together. I had no real plan, just knew I would use this penguin stamp from Imaginisce and the palm tree from Mindy's Zoo Stamp set by Autumn Leaves.

On saturday I was a bit naughty and purchased some Cosmo Cricket Snorkel papers (I'm meant to be saving). So the backing paper of this card is the Boardwalk paper from that line. I then decided to make a little scene by adding some clouds and watercolouring some blue hues for sky and sea, drew some random White lines with a sakura pen to add some dimension for the sea, and then, in a lightbulb moment, I added some doublesided tape to the bottom of the scene, sneaked out to DD's sand box and dipped it in. So my beach scene now has real sand. Just dont tell DD or I will never hear the end of it!

An Amazing Giveaway!

Would you just look at this giveway!! Oh my goodness. This is being given away by Stacy on her blog as a blogversary pressie. To be in with a chance to win this fab candy go on over to her fabulous blog and leave her some love!

A sprinkling of sugar

Over at A spoon full of Sugar there is a sketch to follow which is awesome! I needed to create a card for my sisters birthday and so I thought this would be perfect. My sis is very girly so this would suit her down to the ground DCWV All dressed up pp, petaloo flower, Sister woven label- Junkitz, sugar Nellie- A gift for you stamp, ribbon and roses from stash. Thanks for looking. Kel x

Sketch Saturday with a cute card Thursday

Cute Card Thursday challenge was to use the colours teal and red. Not normally a colour combo I would use but I actually quite like it. The backing paper I used has teal in it but its not very clear, so I used a bit of Teal organza ribbon and 2 teal pearl brads from papermania. The red paper I used is from Basic Grey June Bug collection and I used Hamish with teddy on a sleigh from Sugar Nellie. I combined this challenge with the sketch from sketch saturday. Absolutely love this one because its so versatile and I know I will use it again.

Something got me started

There are a couple of Blue Crew challenges going on over at SJ this month. One of them is a fab Alphabet challenge. For this challenge you have to choose a word beginnning with A for your title, with the exception of Art!! and then once you have chosen your word you have to use something beginning with B to accent your page, Butterflies, brads, Buttons etc.. Now, I dont know if I have mentioned before but I Just LOVE Simply Red and all their music. I have followed them since 1990 and this year I saw them in London and Liverpool and I will hopefully be going again, this time to Belfast, as they are no longer going to be Simply Red and they end this final tour on my birthday. (Keep your fingers crossed for me please?!!!!!) Sounds a bit obsessive I know but I really do just love them. So what does this have to do with the challenge? Well I just so happen to have their Autographs! I have had them since 1992 and I have just been waiting to scrap them and now seemed like the right time. The Autographs do look a bit battered but as a teenager I kept them on my bedroom pinboard and then bragged them around (not that anyone was all that bothered! lol ) so over the years they have been a bit damaged but you can still see Mick Hucknall and crews signatures. I am even more proud to own these as they belong to the original members of the band! I have added the concert ticket and I even used the front cover of their "A new Flame" album. The album of the time was actually "Stars" but it didnt fit the page. I hand drew all the flourishes with Sakura Gelly Roll pen and added some Black Buttons. The title is from Papermania foam alphas, papers are DCWV All Dressed Up and Rock Star. Thanks for looking and dont forget all those good thoughts to get me to Belfast :) x

Whiff of Joy Sketch

This weeks challenge for Whiff Of Joy is a gorgeous sketch to follow. The rules as always are to use at least one Whiff of Joy image The two I used for this card are both from the Summer stamp Kit, but can you believe I haven't used them before!? I know!!! (preparing for a shake up/slap). How could I not? So thats how I have come to use both at the same time. The papers I used are from Dovecraft by a British designer called Kate Knight. These papers just scream summer to me and just look so fresh. The flowers and foam letters both from Papermania. Thanks for looking Kel x

Welcome back!

YAY!! Basic Grey Challenges are back!! Its official and they have kick started the challenges with a sketch. I havent done a Boy's card for sooooo long I cant even remember when it was, so I thought I would have a change from Girly florals .... (not for too long mind!) I used Basic Grey Ambrosia Papers and Gamma Collection Robot stamps. These little guys are so cute aren't they? I exchanged the flowers on the sketch for buttons and I found a little bright orange brad with an "R" on it (for Robot of course) so used that to attach the Beep sentiment. So glad these challenges are back. I just love using my Basic Grey stash, once I have found the guts to cut into it!! LOL. Go over and have a look at the old brand new site. Thanks for looking! Kel x

Charmed somethings

This little card is one I made for Stamp Something. The challenge is to use a stamp something on your card/project and to use a charm. So I did this one for my sis who is about to drop any minute now and still doesnt know what she is having although I'm convinced she is having a boy... We'll see. Any way, I found a cute little nappy pin charm and added it on the ribbon. The patterned paper is My Minds Eye Wild Asparagus and the image is from penny black. Thanks for looking Kel x

Recipe cards

For St Georges Day this year, DD and I made some gorgeous mini victoria sponge cupcakes. They went down a storm, and I have since been asked for the recipe. So for the person who asked I made this recipe card.

The concertina style of card I saw on Franmade blogspot and knew it would be ideal for recipe cards, as they way it stands up makes it easy to read while you make. You take a piece of cardstock measuring 5.5 x 12 inches, then score at 1.25, 2.5, 4.25, 6 and 8.25, then simply fold like a concertina and decorate however you like.

My whiff of Joy stamps were perfect for this project. I think these make for cute little presents and cards for all occasions. And it wouldn't be right to go without giving you the recipe for the cupcakes, would it?!

Victoria Cupcakes Ingredients: 115g unsalted butter

1 tsp vanilla extract 115g Caster sugar

2tbs strawberry jam 2 eggs

180ml double cream 115g Self raising flour

225g strawberries ½ tsp baking powder

Icing sugar for dusting

Method: 1) Pre heat oven to 180c, gas mark 4. Beat sugar & butter together in a bowl, until light and fluffy. Work in the eggs one at a time. Combine flour, baking powder and sift into the mixture. Fold then stir in vanilla extract. 2) Spoon the mixture into paper cases then bake for approx 17 minutes until risen, golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. 3) When cooled, use a serrated to knife to carefully remove the top of each cake to the level of the paper case. Spread with jam, whipped cream and sliced strawberries. Place cake tops back on top of each cake and dust with icing sugar.

Enjoy!!

Kel x

A knitty Nora

A nickname given to me by my Mum when I would have my knitting needles clacking away with the speed of light. I've not knitted for a while and I am so much slower now, I'm also finding that I am dropping more and more stitches, which is just so frustrating. I was detemind to finish this super cute little bag though.

For no reason whatsoever, more of a challenge to self. I saw this pattern a loooong time ago in a magazine and have finally had a go. Its my first try at cable knit and moss stitch, so my head has swelled with pride and now I have no idea what to use it for! What do you reckon?

Florals

Happy 1st of August! It should be all warm and sunny, instead we have nothing but rain! The sun is trying to break through though. But the Challenge over at Whiff of Joy is to create a card using a whiff of Joy image with lots of flowers. Doing this card made me forget all about the rain. Its so summery and I couldnt resist putting the sentiment "Hi Sunshine" (wishful thinking me thinks!). The image I used was from the Summer stamp kit, backing paper is Basic Grey June Bug, foam letters from papermania and the flowers were something I picked up at Costco. Thanks for looking and I really would appreciate a prayer or two for the sun to come out! :) Enjoy your weekend, Kel x