I'm Back

Hi All,

Well I'm back, and feel like I may be able to make some cards. What has to show me that I have made progress.

The story so far:

It goes back to last October, I was at my Mum's and I had a very bad ache somewhere in my side, basically I was taken to the hospital and it turned out that I had a blood clot which was blocking off the blood supply to my Spleen, and it eventually killed part of the Spleen. They sent me home and that's where my troubles began.

Basically a week later I woke up to find that I could not move and when I went to shout downstairs to my Mum (I was staying with her, after the Spleen incident) I could not communicate, all very worrying. So the only thing to do was fall off the bed, did that and Mum came running. She called the ambulance, and off I went, although I can't remember.

The Doctor said I had a Stroke, and that was it. I have been in hospital for the last 4 months, and been out for a month. Since the Stroke I have been left with the right side being very weak, my arm I not able to do anything with. And my leg I am now starting to move it. But I think I am on the mend.

Anne-Marie x x

Truly Scrumptious Challenge 43 - An Easel Card with Rememberence

Hi,

I haven't been around in ages as have not felt like making any cards (my card supply is dwindling fast!!!)

Anyway, I thought yesterday that I needed to occupy my mind and thought that making a card would be a good way of doing that.

I decided to work with a Poppy Stamp, as it would have been my Dad's Birthday, however he passed away last November and as Poppies are for rememberance I thought this would be a good idea.

I decided to use the Sketch that was provided for by Truly Scrumptious - Challenge 43 - Easel Card as I thought the Sketch was lovely. I'm not normally good at making Easel Cards as I tend to lose my way on the inside bit, but I thing this one turned out ok.

Firstly I matted some Red Mirri-card onto the base card and then layered on some Black Mirri-card. I decided that I was going to stick to black and red for this card. The DP I brought from a local Craft Shop, but they did not have a name on them, they came in a pack of 5 A4 Sheets for a reasonable price!! I layered one piece of the DP on top of the Black Mirri-card, but before I did this, I did not want just a white fold down and so stuck some of the contrasting DP on the back and so when I did the fold down in the corner you would see the other paper. I then layed the contrasting paper onto Red Mirri-card to give it a background and attached it to the card.

The Image came from Kanban, in a set that I was given from my Mum (it was meant to be for Christmas, but she had forgot that it was being delivered and let me open the package whoops!!!). I stamped the Image and coloured it in using my Pro-markers, I used the Poppy colour for the red and Moss for the Green, I thought that it would be good using the Pro-markers as they would give a deep colour for the image which I was looking for. Both the Image and the Black border are raised from the card on Shaker tape to give added interest. I used a bow, which I made from Red Organza Ribbon and also some Card Candy which I got from Craftwork Cards.

For the Inside of the card I used some Black Mirri-card as the base and layered the DP, the same as the front of the card on top. I punched some Red Mirri-card using a Martha Stewart Vintage Lace Border Punch and matted some of the contrasting DP on top which I wrapped some ribbon around. I then attached this to the card using some Shaker Tape to make it raised. Finally I punched out a Martha Stewart Heart Punch using black mirri-card and put some red paper behind it, before attaching it to the card.

I would like to enter this card into the Truly Scrumptious Challenge 43 - Easel Card

I hope you like the card.

Anne-Marie x x

Christmas Cards

Hi,

I decided yesterday that I would spend a few hours making some Christmas Cards, ready for the festive season!!!! My Mum is also thinking about having a craft stall at a local event and so I thought that she would be able to take these along with her.

This is my First Card and my second favourite out of the four that I made.



Card Recipe:

Image
Pink Gem coloured using a combination of Pro-Markers and Polychromos Pencils. I have also glittered around the fur parts of the hat, coat and gloves using Debbie Moore Glitter with a Quickie Glue Pen.
Design Papers
do Crafts Papermania - Henbury Lane 'Pointsettia' Collection
Red Card came from my Stash
Ribbon
My Stash
Gems
do Crafts Papermania - Hampstead Adhesive Gems
Snowflakes
Anita's Glitterations - Christmas Selection
___________________________________________________________________

My Second Card


Card Recipe:

Image
Pink Gem Coloured using Pro-Markers and glittered using Debbie Moore Glitter and a Quickie Glue Pen
Design Papers
Percy and Penelope Christmas Selection
The other papers and the Mirri Card came from my Stash
Snowflake Stickers
Anita's Glitterations Christmas Selection
Sentiment
Not sure where this came from as I found it at the bottom of my Stash!!

___________________________________________________________________

My Third Creation!!


Card Recipe:

Image
Pink Gem coloured using a Pro-Markers, it has also been highlighted with glitter using Debbie Moore Glitter using a Quickie Glue Pen
Design Papers
Penelope and Percy Christmas Collection
Blue card came from my Stash
Snowflake Stickers
Anita's Glitterations Christmas Selection
Sentiment
Computer Generated
Gems
do Crafts Papermania Hampstead Adhesive Gems

___________________________________________________________________

My Final Card (and my Favourite!!!)

Card Recipe:

Image

Pink Gem coloured with a combination of Pro-Markers and Polychromos Pencils, I have also glittered using Debbie Moore Glitter and a Quickie Glue Pen the fur parts of the coat etc.

Design Papers

do Crafts Papermania - Henbury Lane 'Pointsettia' Collection

Daisy and Dandelion - Christmas Collection 'A Winters Tale'

Ribbon

From my Stash

Gems

do Crafts Papermania Hampstead Adhesive Gems

I hope you like them!!

Anne-Marie x x

Mojo Monday - Challenge 154 and 'Singing in the Rain'

Hi,

Here I am again, this time I have decided to enter the Mojo Monday Challenge 154, I have never entered it before. I am also entering the card into the Charisma Cardz - Challenge 35 - Inspired by a Song. As you see it's 'Singing in the Rain'.

Card Recipe

Image

Personal Impressions, coloured with Polychromos, blended with Sansodor using Paper Stumps

Design Papers

do Crafts - Capsule Collection - Verde - Gingham

Other paper is from my Stash

Ribbon

White Ribbon from my Stash, I have pleated the Ribbon around the Image

Check Ribbon from my Stash

Gems

do Crafts Papermania - Hampstead Adhesive Gems

I would like to enter this card into the following Challanges

Mojo Monday - Challenge 154

Charisma Cardz - Challenge 35 - Inspired by a Song

Hope you like it.

Anne-Marie x x

In the Garden with Just One Colour!!!

Hi,

Back again with another card, this one I have looked at two different Challenges and combined them. The Challenges were My Time to Craft Challenge 105 - In the Garden and also Papertake Weekly - Just the One.

Card Recipe

Image

Can't remember what this image is, I know it came on a large A4 Sheet from my local craft shop, but there is nothing on the image (sorry)

Design Papers

do Crafts Papermania - Capsule Collection - Sunshine - Butterflies / Polka Dots

Orange Card is from my Stash

Sentiment

Computer Generated

Ribbon

From my Stash

Gems

do Crafts Papermania - Hampstead Adhesive Gems

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges:

My Time to Craft - Challenge 105 - In the Garden

Papertake Weekly - Just the One

Hope you like it.

Anne-Marie x x

Sketch and Stash - Challenge 43

Hi,

Haven't been blogging for ages, or making cards, not quite sure why I have been so busy. But trying to make up for it now.

I really need to get myself ready for Christmas and my Mum keeps asking if we should do somekind of Craft Fair, so I need to get started on making some Cards. So I've made this Christmas Card, I used the Sketch and Stash Challenge 43 Sketch. I love using Sketches as it takes all the guess work out of starting a card. This is quite a simple card, but good if you are making a bunch of them.

Card Recipe

Image

Pink Gem Designs coloured with Polychromos, blended with Sansodor using Paper Stumps

Design Papers

do Crafts Papermania Christmas Papers

Ribbon

From my Stash

Gems

do Crafts Papermania Hampstead Adhesive Gems

Sentiment

do Crafts Anita's Peel Offs

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenge:

Sketch and Stash - Challenge 43

Hope you like it.

Anne-Marie x x

70th Birthday Card

Hi,

I was asked by my Mum to make a 70th Birthday Card for her friends husband (I have to say I am not sure why she asked me as she is just as crafty as me and enjoys making cards too). Ayway I decided to get out the mini stamp which I used on another card, as I thought that it seemed very apt, as the gentleman in question runs his own Driving School.

On to the card.

As you can see I also personalised the card with the numberplate. I thought that this was a nice touch (although, I have been told he didn't see it and had to be told about it, but guess thats men for you!!!)

Card Recipe

Design Papers

do Crafts Capsule Collection - Mini Polka / Candy Stripe / Plain Blue from the Aqua Collection

Image

Kanban Retro Cars, 18, 21

Coloured using Polychromos blended with Sansodor using Paper Stumps

Sentiment

Computer Generated

Ribbon

From my Stash

Gems

From my Stash

Hope you like it.

Anne-Marie x x

Just Cute Bears - Challenge 31 - Pink and Brown

Hi All,

Sorry didn't visit Blog land yesterday as had to sort somethings out. But I have made this card today, I used the Just Cute Bears Challenge 31 - Pink and Brown to base my card on.

Card Recipe:

Design Papers

SCI - Chocolate - Papillon

Brown and Pink Spotty Paper, I brought this from my local craft shop but it didn't have a name on it

Pink Card

Image

Beccy's Place - Ballerina Bear coloured using Polychromos, blended with Sansodor using paper stumps

Ribbon

Pink Grosgrain Ribbon

Gems

From my Stash

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenge:

Just Cute Bears - Challenge 31 - Pink and Brown

Hope you like it.

Anne-Marie x x

Quick 'n' Easy Christmas

Hi,

I'm here again, and this time I have been working on some Quick and Easy Christmas Cards, thanks to the lovely Sketch on the ABC Christmas Challenge blog. It is such a great sketch to use if you are making lots of christmas cards, as so quick and easy (exactly what it says on the tin!!)

And onto my card. So simple but so effective.

Card Recipe

Design Papers
Basic Grey - Eskimo Kisses
do Crafts Papermania - Patterned XMAS Paper - Tree / Stripe
Plain Red Paper from my stash
Image
Pink Gem - Little Gem and Snowflake coloured in using Pro-Markers
Glittered using Debbie Moore Glitter and Quickie Glue Pen
Sentiment
Computer Generated
Gems
do Crafts Papermania - Hampstead Adhesive Stones.

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenge

ABC Christmas Challenge - Q is for Quick and Easy

See you very soon.

Anne-Marie x x

Another Day, Another Card!!!!

Hi,

Back again with another creation. I have based this card on the sketch provided by Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog. I have made this card for my Godmother's Birthday and I hope she likes it.



Card Recipe:

Design Papers
Do Crafts - Capsule Collection - Red Hot - Floral / Gingham /Ornamental Flourish / Plain Pink
Image
Beccy's Place - Birthday Bear
Coloured with Polychromos and blended with Sansodor using Paper Stumps
I have also glittered the top of the cake and the bears mouth using Debbie Moore Glitter and a quicky glue pen
Ribbon
Pink Satin Ribbon from my Stash
Sentiment
Computer Generated

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenge:

Creative Inspirations - Challenge 74 - Sketch

Teddy Stampers - Challenge 17 - Teddy Bears Picnic

I hope you like it.

Anne-Marie x x

One for the Boys!!!!

Hi,

I'm back again, that makes three days in a row, wow, I must be hooked on making cards at the moment.

I am sure like the rest of you, I find it hard to make a card for the boys / men in the world (not sure why they have to be so awkward). So I was pleased to find these Kanban Stamps of Retro Cars and thought that I would have a go.

I used the Sketch provided by Stamp with Fun - Challenge 72 to base my card on.

(I can only apologise about the state of this photo, my camera would just not focus on the image, couldn't really decide if I should include it in the Blog, but you can see the idea)

Card Recipe:

Design Papers

Do Crafts Capsule Collection - Verde - Polka / Candy Stripes / Green

Stripey green paper is from my stash (which is so old, I can't remember what it is)

Image

Kanban - Retro Cars, 18, 21

Coloured with Polychromos and blended with Sansodor using paper stumps

Glitter from Debbie Moore on the ground under the wheels

Sentiment

Computer Generated

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenge:

Stamp with Fun - Challenge 72 Sketch

I hope you like it.

Anne-Marie x x

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 126 - Sketch by Fran

Hi All,

Back again, with yet another card, feels a bit like a production line, but I love it.

For this card I used the Sketch from Cute Card Thursday - Sketch by Fran, love using Sketches.



Card Recipe:

Design Papers
Do Crafts - Capsule Collection - Heather - Gingham / Candy Stripe / Floral / Plain Heather
Image
Beccy's Place - Bear and Mouse
Ribbon
White Organza Ribbon and White RicRac from my Stash
Flowers
These are lovely flowers and I got them from a discount Book Store, beautiful.
Gems
Purple Gems from my Stash

I would like to enter this card in the following Challenge

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 126 - Sketch by Fran

Take care and see you again soon

Anne-Marie x x

Chloe's 11th Birthday Card

Hi All,

Back again this morning, this is a card for my Niece's Birthday, she is 11 today and going to big school in September (although she is not looking forward to it!!!).

Card Recipe:

Design Papers

Best Creation Inc - Once Upon a Time

Do Crafts - Capsule Collection - Verde

Image

Sliekje Digi Stamps - Little Fairy

Coloured in using Polychromos and blended with Sansodor

Wings and under the Fairies Feet has been glittered using Debbie Moore Glitter

Ribbon

Pale Green Grosgrain Ribbon

Pink Satin Ribbon

Sentiment

Computer Generated

Flowers

From my Stash

Gems

From my Stash

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges:

Sketch n Stash - Challenge 42

Peartree Designs - Challenge 13 - Best Wishes

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Challenge 104 - Happy 2nd Birthday Cupcake

I hope you like the card, more to the point I hope Chloe likes it!!!

Anne-Marie x x

Christmas Again!!!!

Hi All,

I'm back again, you will be pleased to know that I passed my Lifeguard Qualification (I have to admit this time, it was a bit of touch and go as to whether I would, with the dreaded timed swims but I did!!!).

Anyway onto my card, another Christmas today.

Card Recipe:

Design Papers

Do Crafts - Capsule Collection - Mini Polka - Aqua

Grey Pearlised from my Stash, which was then punched using a Martha Stewart Snowflake Border Punch

Blue Snowflake Paper (sorry can't remember the name!!)

Image

Pink Gem Designs - Reindeer & Robin (a fantastic freebie, thank you)

Sentiment

Papermania

Ribbon & Bow

Pale Blue Organza Spotty Ribbon

Gems

From my stash

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge - 7

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Challenge 117 - Christmas in August

My Time to Craft - Challenge 103 - Glitter & Glitz

I hope you like it.

Anne-Marie x x

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 125 - Tree-mondous

Hi All,

I'm back again, this week has been a tough one. I have been taking my Lifeguard Qualification again and so there has been lots of swimming and also learning rescue techniques. Although I have been a lifeguard for 10 years, this is a re-take as we have to re-train every 2 years. This one has been extremely tough for me as I was meant to re-take in February but was rushed into hospital with a life threatening illness and so therefore I missed my re-take. So I have had to sit through another course. The exam is tomorrow and I am a little scared about it, but I guess if I don't pass then it is an achievement to get to where I am after what happened in February.

Anyway onto the card, I have to admit this was a joint effort with my Mum as she stamped the crackle effect at a card class and then brought it home (however, I did all the rest!!!!). We had recently brought some new stamps which could be used for men, why are they so hard to design cards for and I thought that it would look good on the background. Cute Card Thursday's Challenge this week is for a card with a tree on it so I thought that I would enter this one.

How I made the card:

As mentioned before my Mum stamped the crackle effect onto a piece of cream card, I then stamped the Tree Image over the top using a brown ink pad. I then used an old piece of cloth which I bunched up and dipped it into the brown ink pad and then shaded into the edges of the cream card. I then matted and layered different coloured brown, taupe and cream card onto a cream 6 x 6 card. I attached some ribbon and gems and also a sentiment which again was stamped in brown to match the tree.

Very simple but I like it.

Hopefully be back soon after the lifeguard course and exam!!!

Anne-Marie x x