Sketch Saturday Challenge!!!!

Evening All,
This will be a quick post as my friend turned up 10 minutes ago with another friend Chardonnay as in bottle of so she is in the kitchen opening it while I post this..I made this card real quick this afternoon as my cousin who has some family probs was here all morning so forgive me  if the card is not quite right..it's for the sketch saturday challenge...

I know Tilda should be picking peaches but because of the papers I wanted her picking apples so coloured them to look like apples..she is coloured with my polychromos pencils I forgot how nice these were I use them for parchment craft...again I can't tell you the name of the papers as they are scraps from my box,I'm determined to use them all up...

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the ribbons are from my stash but I brought them from a shop in Devon when we were on holiday last year..and the sentiment is from a paper mania set..right that's it from me off  for a good old girly chat with my two friends see you all tomorrow..take care..

Mandy xx

Damn Internet!!!!!

Evening Everyone,
Didn't get back yesterday with a card as my internet connection has been on and off for yesterday and today it seems other people where having probs as well but finger's crossed it seems ok now...firstly can I say thank you for the lovely comments about the new Pink Gem Designs challenge called A  gem of a Challenge and for those who have become followers.... if you haven't checked it out yet pop over and take a look...We would love you to become a follower and join us for our first challenge...now on to my card

I am entering this card into the following challenges

Sketch and Stash - Sketch

Die cut Dreams - Bears

I have used my new Pink Gem Designs stamp called Teddy with rose..I have coloured her with polychromos pencils..cut her out with my nesties and followed the lovely sketch from sketch and stash challenge..the DP's are all from my stash but don't have names on I know I got them from Bee Crafty..

The flowers are from my stash the same as the gem dew drops...I will try and get round to everyone and see your lovely creations what with being ill,the funeral and the internet I have been a bad blogger these past few days but I will catch up tomorrow promise...Take care..

Mandy xx

A New Challenge Blog!!!!

Morning Everyone,

I'm back did you miss me...no course you didn't...feeling a lot better and the funeral is over...Have some exciting news for you all...you all know how much I love Pink Gem Designs stamps... well Janet is launching a challenge blog called A Gem Of A Challenge on Monday 8th February 2010 and guess who's running it for her and I'm also on the DT yaaa along with a really talented group of girls..It will be a monthly challenge with the winner being able to choose 2 Pink Gem Stamps of their choice (subject to availability) there will also be a monthly Top 3 who will be choosen by the DT Team..Please visit  A Gem Of A Challenge blog ,become a follower and we would love you to take the badge and link it on your sidebar to help us spread the news........I'll be back later with a card so see you then...

Mandy xx

Not Well...

Hi Everyone,
Sorry for my lack of cards,but I was busy Thursday as you know and then Thursday Night I was up for a lot of it...didn't feel too good yesterday so went off to the Doc's in the afternon and it turns out I have a kidney infection soo painful..so today I've coloured some images but not really feeling like doing to much hoping that tomorrow I'll feel a bit better as I've got my lovely Mum And Dad coming for a birthday celebration lunch as it was my mum's birthday last wednesday and my dad's tomorrow..hope your all having a great weekend....normal service should resume soon...take care..
Mandy xx

An Award!!!!

Afternoon Everyone,

sorry I've not got a card today, as I had my class this morning at my local craft shop and as per usual we over ran and I had to go o the farm shop to get my veggies before I came...got home had a quick cuppa put a load of washing on..then my friend rang so had a quick chat with her,and now I need to start cooking as I'm on taxi duties tonight..pick Katy up from a friends..and come to think of it I'm on taxi duty tomorrow night katy and 6 of her friends are going into a local town to the cinema a belated birthday treat..Anyway the lovely Shirley (nannieflash) has given me this award..the conditions of this award are I need to tell you 10 things that give me pleasure and then pass it on to 10 of my lovely followers..it has been so hard to decide and I'm sorry I can't give it to everyone but it's a new award,and the people I have chosen give me such encouragment and support ,and I've not given them an award before...so the 10 things that give me pleasure are...

My Husband

My Daughter

Spending precious time with my elderly parents

My friends

My Followers

My blog

My time spent crafting

My holidays

My long walks with Jack the Dog

A big bar of chocolate

The people that I would love to pass this award to are:

Lil Daffodil

Pinky

Vicki (Basement stamper)

Mina (Pinkpuds)

Kim (kim's card corner)

Linda (Linda's crafty creations)

Cheryl (Cheryl's creative ATC's & Cards)

Chris Olsen (Glowbug)

Dragonlady

Crazycraftshed

Please take this award with my love and thanks for your lovely comments,support and encouragment..

Take care see you all tomorrow...

Mandy xx

It's Snowing!!!

Evening Everyone,
It's been snowing here since about 9am this morning we have a light dusting it's not settling very much as it had been raining before the snow started..just hope it's a short burst and then that's the end of it..Hubby has been in london today and they have had nothing but he said as you get closer to Oxford it was snowing..Anyway it was a good excuse to stay in I have been having a play and have managed to make this card which fits the following challenges..

Sketch Saturday - A lovely sketch

Bah Humbug -New/Nearly New stash......Magnolia Stamp

Fussy & Fancy challenge - winter

stamp something - Blue And White Theme

Susie and Vicki's Christmas Club - Snow

Saturday Spotlight Challenge - Snowflakes

I followed the lovely sketch from the Sketch saturday challenge....The papers are from my stash they have snowflakes all over and I have used both the blue colourway and

the white...

the snowflakes have been punched out twice once with blue and then with white with a design objectives punch..layered together and a gem dew drop put into the middle..Tilda has been coloured with my distress inks..can't wait for the 12 new colours to come out..I've also used them for the background need to practise a bit more with the background I think not sure if it's right..what do you think?..the ribbon is from my stash..I cut tilda out with my labels four nesties..the sentiment is from pink petticoat....I want to get some more Magnolia stamps but I'm being very good and waiting for the new release..Anyway off now to get my stuff ready for tomorrow I'm teaching a class at my local craft shop so I'll post a card tomorrow evening..take care ..enjoy the rest of the evening..

Mandy xx

Don't forget to enter my new surprise candy go to the top of the page for details.......

I feel Like a New Woman!!!

Evening Everyone,
Thank you for all the lovely comments about my full time DT post with Janet...I'm still so excited...I had my hair cut today into a shorter style and I'm loving it..I feel like a new woman..Oh Ha Ha Hubby has just said so does he preferable younger and blonde..he can dream I suppose...On to my card I made this last week for the Cute Daisy May Challenge which has the theme ribbon and flowers but I couldn't get onto the site but I've just noticed it's back with the theme carrying on..and I've also noticed it fits The crafty Pad Challenge as well which is Animals...
Let me introduce you to Daisy she's another one of Pink Gem Designs stamps....

Isn't she cute I've stamped her out and then just stamped out her head coloured her with promarkers..  then just popped some dots behind the head and laid on top of the other one so it gives a bit of depth...I cut the image out with one of my new nestie shapes..

  

The DP's are from a smirk pad..I'm loving these colours at the moment...the ribbon is from my stash..I have a thing for ribbon where ever I go if I see ribbon I have to buy some..the flowers are from my stash with a gem dew drop from Tabby crafts in the middle of each one..the sentiment is from a papermania set...Well that's it folks off to do a bit of blog hopping..then have a nice soak in the bath and an early night with a new book..feeling a bit tired today..catch up with  all of you tomorrow..take care..Don't forget I have a new surprise candy running until 18th feb check it out at the top of the page..

Mandy xx

Pink Gem GDT Card!!!!

Evening Everyone,
How's life good... I hope...I've had a few busy day's it was katy's birthday on Saturday so that was a busy day nice but shattering....yesterday didn't go to plan but then nothing does if I try and plan it...and today has been the same...my lovely cousin's body was released from the post mortum today so we have had a family day remembering and supporting each other..we just have to get through the funeral next monday it's going to be a sad day..but hopefully each of us will  remember all the good times...

This is my last card as GDT for Janet over at Pink Gem Designs ....because I'm going to be a full time member of her fantastic team..didn't need to think about it when Janet asked.. I love all of the stamps that Janet has designed they are gorgeous and I love working with them..this one is called teddy with rose..

I've made this easel card for my friends hubby to give to her for valentine's... she loves teddies and roses are her favourite flower so it just had to be this one...I've coloured with my promarkers and layered it on two some pink card punched with a MS punch I've also used it for the pieces on the bottom...

The edges of the cream card and the corners have been punched using a new punch I had for christmas can't tell you the name of it as I don't know, it came in a clear box and there's nothing on it to say who makes it either..

The sentiment is from Pink Petticoat and the ribbon is from my stash..the little pink hearts are the bits out of the heart border stuck on ..don't like to waste anything...Anyway off now to set up Mr Linky I can feel another candy coming on to celebrate my DT with Janet and I'm also celebrating my cousins life even though it was cut short..take care

Mandy xx

EDIT: I have a new surprise candy up and running go to the top of the page to enter..

Candy Winners!!!!!

Morning Everyone,

Thank you to everyone for entering my latest candy and for making me so welcome in blogland, I appreciate each and everyone of my followers and the lovely comments that you all leave me, it's a joy to visit all of your wonderful blogs and see the gorgeous work that you all do... I hope when you visit me you find something that you like and that just might inspire you :') so because of these reasons and so many of you took the time to enter I have another little surprise, I have added another 4 little prizes, All numbers have been chosen by random.org (I can't believe how long it took to get the pictures on here :O)... so in reverse order to maintain the suspense *Laughs*

- Small Prize #1 goes to... 93-Lori

-Small Prize #2 Goes To... 12 - CrazyCraftShed

Small Prize #3 Goes To... 56 - Loz

Small Prize #4 Goes To... 125 - Melodie

3rd Prize Goes To... 91 - Kim

2nd Prize Goes To... 274 - Mandy

And Finally The Winner Is..... 3 - Lil Daffodil

Please can you e-mail me with your addresses in the next 7 days so that i can send you your prize, Take care
Mandy xx

CELEBRATION CANDY!!

THIS CANDY IS NOW CLOSED THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED 17.01.2010

This will stay at the top until 6pm 16th January 2010.

The winner will be posted the following morning (17.01.10).

All new posts are below so please scroll down.

Morning Everyone,

Another candy but this time to celebrate my guest design team place on Pink Gem Designs, Katy's 14th birthday on January 16th 2010 and to say thank you to all my followers and the lovely comments and welcome you have given me. it will run form now until 6pm January 16th 2010.

there will aslo be two runner up prizes 6 assorted 12x12 papers, ribbon and cards.

To enter you need to...

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  Put a picture of my candy with a link back to my blog in your side bar.
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  Become a follower if you're not already as it's only open to my amazing followers.
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  Leave a comment so that I know you would like to enter in the candy, don't worry if you don't have a blog just leave your e-mail address in the comment and you could still be in wih a chance of winning one of the three prizes.
  
  
  

This is open to follwers from everywhere, keep checking as a few more things may be added.

I have included a list below of everything in the candy at the moment.

2 Pink Gem stamps of your choice (subject to avaliability).

40 assorted 12x12 papers

17 TOMBOW double ended assorted coloured brush markers

5 handbag shaped cards and envelopes  

50 assorted coloured cards and envelopes

10 white cards and envelopes

2 packs of embossed embellishments

one pack of aby boy embellishments

one pack of baby girl chipboard embellishments

50 assorted coloured flowers

3 rolls of ribbon

and every crafters other pleasure a big bar of chocolate and a box of chocolates.

Remember you have to be in it to win it ...

... Enter now.

Mandy xx

THIS CANDY IS NOW CLOSED THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON 17.01.2010

Susies Sassy Challenge!!!!!

Morning everyone,
This is a quick post as I'm just off to town to get some bits and pieces as today is Katy's 14th birthday..I've made this card for susies sassy challenge which had the theme boy's card with the option of an animal...

When I saw the theme I though of this set of stamps which I've had for so long and don't use nearly enough..their from woodware..I've coloured with my promarkers used my nesties to cut out three mounts and layered them together...

the papers are Me and My big Ideas and the other is from my stash..I used my EK success punch to do the border on the blue at the botttom layered it on to some orange and tied a ribbon from my stash around it...the sentimen is from the same stamp set..and the buttons I found in a shop down in devon last year when we were on holiday...

Anyway that's all from me for now need to get into town or I'll never park ..I'll be back later with another card..Don't forget you only have untill 6pm tonight to enter my candy and the winner will be announced tomorrow..take care..

Mandy xx

Die Cut Dreams Challenge!!

Hi Everyone,
Back with my second card for today..Thank you for the lovely comments on  my first card today still not sure if it's right..on to this one I just noticed I can enter  it into the challenge over at die cut dreams as the theme is coffee and cream..are you ready this is the first man's card I have posted as I usual don't think their good enough but here goes I'm pleased with this one it's for a friends hubby...

I've made an easel card as I'm loving them at the moment..the image is from a claire curd set coloured with promarkers...the buttons and raffis are from my stash..

The papers are all from my scrap box..some of them are from Craftwork cards but can't tell you what the other's are ...

the Sentiment is also from craftwork cards..just noticed that my watermark hasn't changed to 2010 must go back and try and change it again..I did make this card today honestly...right that's it from me for today off to have a lazy night tonight as the weekend has just started..enjoy your weekend what ever your doing..take care and I'll be back sometime tomorrow with another card..

Mandy xx

Simon Says Stamp Challenge!!

Morning All,
How's  life?...Didn't get round to posting a card yesterday..had lots to do like,,washing,baking,,talking to my friend on the phone...ironing.talking to another friend on the phone...take jack the dog for a walk...have a coffe with a friend who dropped in..so as you can see a busy day...Now don't laugh at this card...oh go on then..

Now as you can see I don't usually do this style of card,but I though I'd give it a go..have you stopped laughing yet... I coloured tilda with distress inks..then I went into my scraps box as I knew I had a piece of the striped paper in there..i used my nail file to do the edge of the paper...think I might have gone a bit to mad...then I tore the edge of a piece of the lilac card and the edge of the lovely grey glitter embossed paper layered them up one on top of each other...

I cut Tilda out with my nesties and then cut one scalloped in lilac and the other in cream and layered them up...I did some faux stitching around the largest one...

the ribbon and flowers are from my stash and the sentiment I did on the computer..

Anyway that's my attempt..I will have another laugh for you later as I have a man's card for you to see..it's the first one that I have felt is near good enough for you to see..just need to take some pics but I need to do a couple of jobs first so I will be back a bit later...take care..

Mandy xx

New Stamp Release From Pink Gem Designs!!!

Afternoon all,

No card to post today, i will be back tomorrow with one. I just wanted to let you know that Janet over at pink gem designs has just released 12 new stamps they're gorgeous, i've got a soft spot for larry the lamb already :) Don't forget she's also got 15% off at the moment on all of her stamps including these (subject to availiability, and excluding gift vouchers) so pop over take a peek at the new stamps and get yourself a bargain. Hope you haven't had to much snow today, we've had quite abit, take care see you tommorow.

Mandy xx

Sketch saturday Challenge!!!

Afternoon All you lovely Ladies,
Has anyone else had problems with the cute daisy may challenge blog everytime it keeps saying this blog can't be found..don't know if I'm doing something wrong..knowing me it probably is..It seems to have got really cold here today..forecast say's we could have more snow here tonight.....on to my card....

told you I had lots of Pink Gem Designs images coloured up well here's another one this is Mrs Hoot..I've coloured it with my promarkers this time...

she's soo sweet,can't wait to see the new stamps that Janet has coming out...the paper is me and my big ideas don't know the name of it the other is all from my stash... I used my MS doiley punch for the borders love this punch but I need to get some new ones..can't spend any more pennies at the moment as it's Katy's birthday on saturday,my mums on the 20th and my dad's on the 24th so lots of pressies to buy..

The ribbon was a real find it was in a charity shop window there were about 10 reels of different colours for £2 so loving a bargain I had to just go in and get them..the flowers are from my stash and the little buttons either side and in the middle are from papermania their so cute..the sentiment is a papermania one out of a set cut out with one of my nesties..well that's it folks off to see how my casserole is doing need something to keep you warm...still feeling sad about the lose of my cousin apparently it was an aneurysm don't know if I've spelt it right balloning of the artery..apparently she wouldn't have known anything about it..so at least she didn't suffer..take care..enjoy the rest of the day..

Mandy xx

Winter Wonderland Challenge!!!

Afternoon Everyone,

I have some good news and some very sad news today..the good new is I won the Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge can't wait to get my prize £20 Voucher to spend at squiggly stamps..the sad news is that my 49 year old cousin unfortunatly died very suddenly on Saturday evening..we are obviously devastated as she leaves a husband and four children..but we are also so sad and sorry for her parents my uncle and aunty as she was at their house when it happened..so please say a little prayer for them all..It just goes to show that none of us know what tomorrow holds for us so enjoy each day I say..anyway on to my card..I've had this image and quite a few other Pink Gem Design images coloured ..so you will see a few more over the coming days..this one is Winter Mimi....And I made it for the Winter Wonderland Challenge where there's a lovely sketch to follow...

She was coloured with distress inks and cut out...the Dp is S.E.I winter song..I had seen some cards with the lovely paper pleating on and wanted to have a go so I popped over to the lovely Mina's where she has done a wonderful tutorial..pop over and take a look at her gorgeous cards and blog you will find loads of inspiration...

The sentiment is from Pink Petticoat I have cut it in half ....the ribbon and gem dew drops are from my stash as always..

Anyway that's it from me...house is quite today as Katy has gone back to school..seems so strange without her and her friends..don't miss the music though..off now to do some ironing and then that's the housework and everything done for today..Take care where ever you are...

Mandy xx

Forgot to say Katy has made a slideshow of jack the dog in the snow if you get a chance take a peek at it in my sidebar....

A just because card!!!

Morning Everyone,
Wow it's cold outside..we haven't had any more snow at the moment but it's sooo cold..right I need some help can anyone tell me how do I get a slide show onto my blog ..We went out for a walk yesterday afternoon and Katy managed to get some fab pics..she has made it into a slideshow but she can't get it on to my blog..any idea's anyone please...got up early this morning something woke me up so I made this card just because...

I have used one of the new images from Pink Gem Designs called Valentine hoot..don't forget that Pink Gem Designs have 15% off of their stamps until the end of January subject to availability and not including gift vouchers so pop over and bag yourself a bargain.....

I have coloured him with pencils..the hearts are cut with my new MS punch it's gorgeous I just wanted the three at the bottom so cut the other's off...again I'm sorry I can't tell you the name of the DP as I'm trying to use up some of my scraps and the name is cut off...

The flowers,ribbon and gem dew drops are from my stash the sentiment is from Pink Petticoat...Anyway off now to have another play as Hubby managed to get me to my local craft shop yesterday and I picked up lots of new goodies which I had ordered and I haven't inked some new stamps I had for christmas so will be back later...

Mandy xx

P.S Don't forget my candy we are into the last few days so still time to enter go to the top of the page..

Winter Wonderland Challenge!!!

Morning Everyone,
Hope your all well..how's the weather with you?..We haven't had anymore snow but what we have hasn't melted at all..The saga with the electricity is finally sorted new box put in yesterday..so everything is back to normal got to admit I did miss not being able to have my cuppa's all day and not being able to get on to my blog..I decided  that when hubby came home from work yesterday we would go the 8 miles into town and get some shopping all well and good until I went to get out of the car in sainsbury's car park and did a really good impression of Bambi..my legs went in all directions which was bad enough but then when I tried to get up I couldn't my feet just kept sliding again..by which time I had people offering to help and all that Katy and Myself could do was laugh...eventually hubby got me up but of course I had to walk round sainsbury's with a very wet bottom..bit stiff today and a nice bruise but nothing to bad..Anyway's enough about my sad life on to my card I made this for the Winter wonderland challenge which is a colour one of Cinnamon,Berry and Lime....

I decided to use Meg in hat and coat from Pink Gem designs I didn't want to make a christmas card just yet so I went with a winter wishes one....

I have coloured it with my distress inks and cut it out with my nesties.....all of the card and paper is from my scraps box so I can't tell you the name as i have cut them off sorry...

The ribbon and gem dew drops are from my stash..and the sentiment is from Pink Petticoat....Katy and me are off now for a walk in the snow with Jack the dog going to try and get some piccs to show you that's if I can stay upright keep your fingers crossed for me..Not sure when Katy is going back to school we have to check first thing Monday morning..it's lovely having her home but I'll be glad when the house is not full of her friends all of the time..can't this teenagers eat...Take care and stay safe..Forgot to say my country counter has come back think he went for walk abouts..

Mandy xx

Oh What a couple of days!!!!

Afternoon everyone,
What a couple of days these have been good and bad....I have been lucky to be asked to supply a local shop with cards so off Katy and myself went yesterday to take some samples left the house perfectly alright when we went...the lady we saw was lovely and I can put as many cards as I can make per week into the shop so I came away really happy..got back home and Katy had some homework to print off of the computer ready to go back to school today,but when we went to put the computer and printer on it wouldn't work after scratching my head and alot of saying that's it more expense we came to the conclusion that the microwave clock wasn't on either so there must be a power cut..oh no not so simple we didn't have any power to any sockets in the house...anyway to cut a long story short the electrian has been had the covers off of every socket in the house and he eventually found it was a junction box that takes the cables into the garage..so I haven't been able to do any card making today as he was in every room as was katy who's school is closed due to the snow which is really bad here about 9"..hubby is also at home as he couldn't get to work so I thought it couldn't get any worse...wrong have just noticed that my country counter on my blog which was up to nearly 6000 has somehow wiped clear and is starting again...so I've not had a good couple of days and it's snowing really hard here again...just found out katy won't be going to school again tomorrow  I have some images coloured and ready to go on to my cards so I should get some made tomorrow fingers crossed...will catch up with my blog hopping tomorrow must go and do some cooking now as we haven't been able to even have a cuppa today..hope your all tucked up safe and warm at home the snow looks lovely here I know we didn't have any these last few weeks and I so wanted some but this is taking it to the extreme...good job I've got plenty of food in as the nearest shop is 8 miles away..Anyway thanks for listening to my moan..Take care and stay safe..
Mandy xx

Creative card crew challenge!!!

Hi Everyone,
 I'm back....Happy New Year to you all hope you all had a wonderful time..I decided to take a few days rest for myself as some of you may know I have a little problem with my thyroid and with all the fun of christmas and new year,all the family,friends and rushing about it took it's toll on me and I wasn't too good so needed to recharge my batteries..Well come on tell what New Year resolutions have you all made... and if your anything like me broken already..mine was to be more confident not to eat so much chocolate and to try and lose some weight don't hold much hope of achieving any of those oh well..on to my card I have made this for the creative card crew challenge.......

I've used one of my new greeting farm stamps that I had for crimbo...I decided to keep the card quite simple so have only used the two colours..I used distress inks to colour the image...

I used my fiskars threading water punch to make the edge of the pink card on both pieces..laid pink ribbon on top of the piece on the bottom and cut a thin piece of the black card and laid that in the middle of the other pink..the image and the outer two circles I used my nesties to cut them out and then layered them up

 

the sentiment ws free with a magazine and I cut a small pink circle for it to sit on the picture doesn't show it very well but it is covered with glossy accents to make it like a tile..the gem dew drops are from my stash as was the ribbon...I'm so glad everything is back to normal and I can get back into my crafting again..don't forget spill the beans on those new year resolutions then I can see how many of you are as bad as me..

CHECK OUT MY CANDY AT THE TOP NOT LONG TO GO NOW BEFORE THE DRAW!!!

Take care and thank you for making me so welcome into blogland I'm so looking forward to this year..

Mandy xx