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