Favourite 5 from 2010.....plus bonus matieral !!!!!!

Hello All,

Well the Lovely Debby has asked to see our favourite 5 from last year......although I am so relieved that she has said that we can sneek a few extra in, as I have been trying to cut it down to 5 but have been finding it impossible..........not that I mean that to sound big headed, believe me looking through last years work there was a lot that made me think....why did I ever think that would be ok to put out there for everyone to see...LOL

So I will start with my favourite make:

I keep coming back to this one as my favourite....which I am quite surprised at as it is quite a simple card....there is just something about this I love.
I have got right into using templates this year to make shaped cards.....I love this teapot...and well I just Love tea, so this card had to be in my selection.

I think it is the bright colours and the shape of this one I love.

I think this one is one that I am surprised that I have selected for my final 5.....I think its because it was me branching out and trying a new style...I had never attempted doing my own backing paper before this....and I Love the altered art look...considering it was a first attempt at this style I was happy with it, and I think its kind of quirky.

Again quite a simple card.....I just Love Leanne Ellis images, and I like the bright colours.... Its got the distressed look but without bieng dark........which was always a problem I had in the past.

And My Bonus Matieral.....I just couldn't bring myself to cut these ones off the list:


Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

First and Latest

Hello All,

Crafty Card Makers have the most fab challenge on at the mo...they are asking to see our latest creations but also photo's of where we started.....I think the girls have been really brave putting their early work for all to see.....I personally want to hide mine....but at the same time I want to join in.......Its fab to see though that extremely talented crafters that I really admire.......and would love to reach their standard had humble beginnings.........I think there might be hope for me yet!!!



I will start of with my latest card.....this is me playing with the collage look again...I have a long way to go before I become any good at this style but I am enjoying playing and learning....and thank you for all the encouragement I have had so far regarding this style of card.

What I have loved is digging out old stamps, and falling in love with them all over again.....Like the scroll stamp I have used on this one.....Unfortunately I have not written down the names of the stamps....and I have packed everything away as the inlaws are arriving tomorrow for a few days.

I have done quite a bit of masking for this one.....and the scroll image has been coloured with copics. I have used "distress ink - shabby shutters".......and then the whole thing has been sprayed with a mica powder spray. I have added some stitching detail with green glittery thread and I have added some micro beads to the chandelier.

Now with regards to my first ever card.....I don't have a picture, and to be honest I am quite grateful, I can remember I used wet glue, wrapping paper and stuck a dried flower on it. I only started taking photos of my cards when I began blogging and I had already been crafting for a few years by then.

However my mum came to me with an old card that I had made, asking me to put an insert in it as I had made out of Black card.....well she is not getting it back....but I will make a replacement for her...

so here goes...............
I remember that the paper was wrapping paper from borders.......also check out that huge amount of glitter card.......eek!!!......I stamped and embossed the image....and it looks like I must have coloured the image with a versamark pen, and embossed it with red embossing powder.

Despite my huge embarrassment right now....this has been good for me, I have just not been happy with my cards recently and feel disappointed in myself and my creations.....but to be honest I have been able to see just how far I have come.

Well I think that has been enough waffle from me..

This is my entry for:

Crafty Cardmakers - First and Last
City Crafter - Stamp it out

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

Miss You

Hello All.....

I wanted to thank everyone for their positive comments regarding my attempt at a collage style card (In the post below)...I have had a few of you saying that I should do more like that....I have been having a play and I will show you the results over the next few days or so....for today, something that is a bit more me....

These lovey little Sassy Sweeties from "Sugar Nellie" just popped though the post, so I have to have a play.....I love this one, she is just so gorgeous...I have coloured her with copics..and added a few touches of glitter to her dress and shoes.....The little flourish is my "Kanban" stamp again, which I have inked up in "Momento - Rose Red". The Chandelier is a stamp from "inkadinkado" which has also been stamped with the "Momento - Rose Red".......I have then added some "Martha Stewart - Micro Beads" to add some texture.....I had taken a close up photo, but it turned out really blurry, so I hope you can see it ok.

That's me for today...i am sat in my craft room having a play, but making myself sick eating too many Liquorice Allsorts....even though I feel well and truly sick....I cant stop my hand from going in the box and grabbing a few more. I have still not decided if tomorrow...I will stay locked in my craft room to have a play....or whether to hit the January Sales!!! mmmmmmmmmmm decisions!!!!

Hugs to All
Juls

Pink Lips in Paris

Hello All....

This is me experimenting with a collage style card.....I love it when people do lots of stamping, and mix lots of images together...to me it always looks fab......but I am not that great at creating the look for myself so this is me having another bash...

I started being inspired by Mona's colour combo shown above....also I wanted to include....Paris somehow, as I have still not joined in Brenda's Travel themed challenge over at sir stampalot........ (I hope this fits!)

The main image is "Stampelglede - Maribel".... I have inked around the edges with "distress ink - spun sugar" and I have coloured the lips with "Copic Marker - RV06, Cerise"

The Paris Image is "The Montage Collection - Santa Rose" and the Script detail is "Hero Arts - Manuscript Background" both have been inked with "Memento - Rose Bud"

The Envelope stamp is "All Night Media"......I suppose the idea behind using this stamp was that if you were traveling around the world you would be sending letters home, and finally the flourish is a "Kanban" stamp.

To finish off I just added a little stitching.....and a few sequins....( I bought a big bag of them today from the £1 shop) BARGAIN!!!!!....................and well that's about it!!

This is my entry for:

Cupcakes Creations - cr84fn8
Sir Stampalot - Travel The World
Anything Goes - The Letter C (I have used the colour Cerise)
Crafts and Me - Anything Goes
MAWTT - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking,
Hugs Juls

Chocolate Cake

Hello All.

A quick card from me today!....I have used the left over paper from my last post..on this card. The image is Krafting Kimmie, which I have coloured with copics....the mat has been tinted with "Distress inks - antique Linen & Spun Sugar"....and then I stamped a the foliage with my trusty Kanban stamp......use that one ALL the time!!!!!

I have hand stitched the card, and the ribbon. I have kept the layout quite simple.

This is my entry for:

Simon Says - Anything Goes
ABC - Keeping it Simple
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

Thanks for Tea.....

Hello All,

Well, we are still coping with the snowy weather here............

Popped into my local craft store today, and they are going to stop selling copic's, as most customers are asking for promarkers....... apparently everyone is asking for them as that's what they see on the tv! grrrrrr!!!! It has been really handy, for replacing colours when they run out e.c.t.......I suppose the upside is that at the mo, they are selling them 3 for 2....so I may have to pop in and get a few more colours to add to my collection.....and find some Internet stockists for when I run out!

Well onto my card... My Lovely Bloggy friend Jane, sent me this stamped image...she is just soooooooo adorable!!!...... I have coloured her with copics, then I have inked around the edge with "distress ink - antique linen and spun sugar", I then inked the whole image up with a versamark inkpad and embossed the image with a holographic embossing powder.......I then added some hand stitching.

The Tea cup stamp, is from this months craft stamper magazine, I added the sentiment... although I kind of used the sentiment stamp free hand rather than on an acrylic block, so that I could curve the lettering slightly so it looked better on the cup.

The DP is "K&Co - Cut and Paste-chocolate lover"

I have f0llowed the sketch from the LOTV challenge....have to say Love this layout, Also it has been years since I have used this embossing technique, and Dena Featured it in a recent Craft Stamper magazine.....so I have to say a huge thank you to Dena for the inspiration of this card!

This is my entry for:

Lilly Of The Vally - Sketch
Crafty Creations - Photo Inspirations ......( I liked the colours of this....also I thought the paper had a similar patchwork effect as the bedspread in the photo)
Alphabet Challenge - H for Hats
Die Cut Dreams - How Girly can you get
Cup Cake - Thank You

Thanks for looking
Hugs to you all
Julia

Just Because.......

Hello All,

I hope you have been enjoying the weekend......

For This Card I have used a fab sugar nellie stamp, which I have coloured with copics and then added 3 different Martha Stewart Glitters.

The background mat...I have used the resist technique...using a Kanban stamp, and distress ink - Tumbled Glass and Faded Jean. then I oversprayed it, and the background paper with a Mica powder.

I have actually pulled the sewing machine out to do real stitching......normally I cant be bothered with the hassle and just do faux stitching.....because the paper warped slightly with the mica spray.....I distressed all the edges to make it look like I planned it to turn out that way!!! LOL!!

Finally a little organza Ribbon and a few punched out snowflakes....and then I stamped the sentiment.

I am not completely sure about this one....not really liking anything I have made for the past wee while...anyhoo....

This is my entry for:

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me - Moody Blues
Stamptacular Sunday - Winter Wishes
Bunny Zoe Crafts - Sparkle and Shine
Simon Says - Silver, Blue, and White
Dutch Dare - Winter
Fussy and Fancy - Show us some Snow
Crafty Catz - Your Choice
Oh Alice - Winter wonderland
Allsorts - Anything Goes

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

Fancy A Cuppa???

Hello All,

I apologise for the rather picture heavy post!!.....This is a very random project, I am not sure why It popped into my head to make it..... I Love Tea!!!!! and so I thought of the poem " I like a nice cup of Tea"...and got out all my images that included tea.... I have a nice random mix from Sugar Nellie, Krafting Kimmie, Sassy Studio Designs, Kanban and Bugaboo.......Oh and the free stamp from this months Craft Stamper magazine.

This has been made from all my Scraps...with little bits of card I have cut out various shapes with my nesties....all the papers are from that never ending scrap pile of mine!!!....

I have coloured the images with copics, and I have used distress inks - spun sugar, tumbled glass and shabby shutters, to colour tint the edges of things.

This is my entry for:

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
Fussy and Fancy - Anything But a Card
Stamp Something - something digi ( I have used a sassy studio designs, and a bugaboo digi image)
One Stitch At a Time - Anything Goes
PaperPlay - Anything but a Card.

Thank you very much for looking...I am sorry I have not been in and around blogland this week....I have so much on at the mo....as I guess most of you do!!!!...I promise I will catch up soon!

Hugs Juls

Romance In Sherwood!

Hello All,

I am still really taken with the whole castle idea, as you may have gathered!!! This time I have created an easel card! To create the Castle Wall I have used "Paper Artsy - crowns and castles 3&4" and of course the characters are "Magnolia"....They have all been coloured using copics. The paper is from my scrap pile.....the little flowers are some "prima" ones, and the large flower has been created using some scrap paper and the " Tim Holtz - tattered rose die" and the sentiment is again from the "PTI" set given to me by Stephanie.

This is my entry for:

Anything goes - congratulations
Oh Alice - make your own flowers
Cute Card Thurs - Floral Frenzy

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

I'm Here For You

Hello All,

Another Simply Sassy Card from me today....coloured with copic's. All the papers are from my scrap pile!.........I have created the embossed detail with a cuttlebug folder, and then cut round the design, it has then been glittered up with Martha Stewart glitter........I have added a little dotty ribbon, some gems...and a border sticker which was bought for me by a friend years and years ago.......I added the sentiment, using the stamps that the fab Stephanie sent me.....I am going to be using those a LOT!!!!!!!

I think that's about it, this is my entry for:

Allsorts - Light Up the Night
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
ABC - J is for Jewels and Gems

Thanks for looking,
Hugs Juls

Alice Playing in the Sugar Bowl!

Hello All...

How are you, I hope you have had a good weekend! ........Now no matter how many times I have tried I have been unable to photograph this card, without the layout looking totally squint!!!....I promise you I have measured everything, and it is all perfectly straight....but for some reason the camera like to make it look lopsided!!..............so frustrating!!!

I have been playing with my new Leanne Ellis stamps again.....I definitely think Alice will be a firm favourite, and inked time and time again, I have coloured with copics.I have used a few papers from that never ending scrap pile of mine, some I have embossed and colour tinted with "Distress ink - spun sugar". The Sentiment is from the fab Stamp set that I received from Stephanie. Finally I have punched some snowflakes and added some glitter and a few gems & a bit of ribbon........quite a C&S look to this one.

This is my entry for:

Sugarbowl - Sketch and Snowflakes
Totally Stampalicious - anything goes
Moving Along With The Times - Someone Special
One Stitch at a time - Old Stash, New Stash... (old stash...paper from my scrap pile...new stash, new stamp!)

As Always, thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

Sugar Nellie Simply Sassy Competition - Round One. WOW!

Hello All...

Have you heard about Karen's Simply Sassy competition?..... the prize is a fabulous Spellbinder Grand Caliber, and the offer of a place on the Simply Sassy DT......sooooooooooooo exciting!!!! I do love these new Simply Sassy Images, I have the first set, and I cant wait until my next trip to Elgin so a few more can fall into my basket!!

When I first heard of the competition I had planned to do something quite elaborate, a book style thing with about 4 images......however in the end I decided that White on White cards tend to have quite an impact anyway, and I always think it has quite a luxurious feel to it......so in the end I have gone for quite a simple style of card, who knows if that has been the right decision or not?

I have used some White Gloss card for the matting and layering. The rest is a sheet of white pearlised paper, I created the scallops using my craft ultimate pro, from crafters companion. The embossing is "Spellbinders impressablities - flourish"...then I have just added a little pearl detail.

The simply Sassy image is one of my favourite ones, and I have coloured with copics.

Thanks for looking!!
Hugs Juls

Craft Stamper Inspiration.

Hello All,

I was so delighted when My Craft Stamper magazine arrived.....normally a highlight of every month! There is so much in this months mag that I just Love. I was particularly taken with Kim Costello's article on page 43....I just Loved how she had cut out the shape on the castle to create interest to the card......and I really wanted to give it a try......I hope you don't mind Kim!

I didn't have the same castle stamp, so I tried to create the same effect using what I had. "Paper Artsy - Crowns and Castles 4" I stamped the image 5 times and cut out various sections to create a continuous castle wall.

I have also used some " Krafting Kimmie" Images as the main figures. and a "Kanban" stamp to create the floral background...I have stamped that in "Memento - Rose Red"

All the images have been coloured with copics, and then blinged up a little using "Martha Stewart glitters"

Thanks for Looking
Hugs Juls

Guest Designer for Sugar Nellie

OH MY GOODNESS WOW!!!!!!!

I still cant quite believe I am putting this post together! I Visited The House of Sugar a few weeks ago, and a moment that I have to admit I have fantasized about actually happened......I walked into the shop and Karen asked me to be a guest designer!!!!! Not only that I got to play with a set of stamps from my ultimate Favourite designer, Leanne Ellis!!! well I could hardly contain my excitement!! Unfortunately the rubber arrived while I was away on holiday.....as soon as I got back I sat down and got all inky!!!! I am so excited, and incredibly nervous, I really want to do these fab images justice.....I have tried my best, and I guess that is all I can ask of myself...so here goes.......


I think of all the things I have made this is my favourite....I love Leanne's interpretation of Alice..isn't she gorgeous!!! The background paper, I have printed from "Debbie Moore - Venetian masks" cd...the little clocks are from a set of stamps that I bought from QVC forever ago....and I have used my new cuttlebug corner...which is one of my holiday purchases.



This card started as the mad hatters tea party, and I was going to have all the characters on it, however in the end, I preferred it with just Alice. The Template is "Craftwork Cards" as are all the scalloped cards I have used! The tea pots and cups, are from the same stamp set of my previous card & the papers are K&Co. I have inked all the edges with "distress ink - shabby shutters" I have added another layer of lace to her dress using a Martha Stewart punch, the edges have been inked with "distress ink - Tumbled Glass"


Now I have to be honest...I love this image, But I do not like this card.....I made this the after travelling all day, unpacking e.c.t, and I was desperate to make a start. I made my first Alice card, and then this one just did not really go to plan, I was too tired and should have really gone to bed...the idea in my head was that the queen of hearts is an over the top character and I decided to bling her all up, but I don't like the results....


As I said I did not feel I had done this image justice, and so I had to have another go. I have kept this one very simple. The sentiment is a "basic Grey" stamp.


This is one card I had no idea of what I was doing when I started, but actually by the time I finished I really liked it. All the papers are from my scrap pile. I have again coloured with my copics and I have used some flocking to create some texture.


I suddenly noticed all my samples were with scalloped cards...they just go so perfectly with these images, I was naturally drawn to them. So I had to challenge myself to so something different, I did not want all the samples to be samey, but to have different styles.......the one thing about the mad hatter, you can go crazy with the colour!!!! I have used some "Bo Bunny" paper, and more papers from my scrap pile!


This is my first attempt at a gift bag...so its not the best sample in the world. I used this template
The paper is from my scrap pile...yes it was a big scrap!!!! Again I have used fun Flock to add a bit of texture. The sentiment is a "Dawn Bibby" stamp.


and finally we have this little chap!...I have had these notpads in for ages, you get a pack of 10 from the pound shop...I used the left over paper from my first card....and I have made a little shrinkie charm...I am not very good with shrinkys...I always think people do such creative things with them, I always think mine look a bit armatureish. the colouring is a bit dodgy and the finish is wobbly!.....but I guess I should keep trying, practice makes perfect! and that's it!!!

I hope I have managed to make something you all like.....you definitely have to get these stamps, for more details, check out the Sugar Nellie Blog they are just so much fun to play with, and I can see me using them time and time again!!!

Finally I do have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to the lovely Karen, for this amazing opportunity, I have absolutely loved it, and it is such an honour for my first ever guest designer spot to be for my favourite stamp company!! Thank you!!!!!!

Now I am sure after such a long post you will all be gasping for a coffee!! hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Hugs Juls

A Night To Remember

Hello All,

I hope you have all enjoyed your weekend....In all honesty I feel really fed up today, I had booked in to go to a craft class in Elgin at the House of Sugar......however because of the snow I was unable to go, the other thing is I was also treating a friend who is going through a lot at the mo, her mum has had a dense stroke and it doesn't look like she will ever come home, also her brother who has downs syndrome and lives with his mum has had to move in with her & her family. She loves crafting and I thought it would give her a break for one afternoon and allow her to enjoy it again for a bit.........never mind, grumble over ( I normally don't mind the snow)

My poor hubby has tried to cheer me up, made me some mulled wine, and I have done a little crafting. Now I really am a stamp and ink girl, However when I saw the "Debbie Moore - Venetian collection" on Create and Craft I just fell in love with it and had to get it!!!!!

In fact I plan on using some of the images as art work for my bedroom....but I can tell you more about that in another post!! For this card..most of the paper and the image was on the cd, I have blinged up her dress with 3 colours of glitter, I am getting right back into using glitter rather than glitter glue...I have also used some "DCWV" paper and the sentiment is "Bo Bunny". My mum and dad are celebrating their wedding anniversary next week, so this card is for them.

Well that's me for today.......I will be back tomorrow with a really exciting post!!!!.....I am bursting to tell you all but I cant!....but I will see you then!

Hugs Juls

Thank You Stephanie

Hello All,

I want to say a huge Thank you to the Lovely Stephanie who sent me these gorgeous stamps. They arrived just before I went on holiday, so I have been itching to have a play with them....Its such a beautiful set, I have to say I love all the sentiments, they are in such a gorgeous font!!!

As you can see, I am still in a mini card phase! I have coloured all the images with copics. My Auntie treated me to some Martha Stewart Micro Beads, I have to say when she suggested it as a pressie I was on the fence a bit, now I have them I LOVE them, cant stop using them!!!...I have also added a little stickles and some pearls.

This is my entry for:

Stamp Something - Something with Thanks
Oh Alice - Use a Butterfly
Paper Cutz - Anything goes.

Thanks for looking
Hugs Juls

Holiday Makes & Spends

Hello All,

Well that's me back from our hols, we traveled back up the road today, the last part of the journey was through blizzards!!! Lots of fun!!!!

I had sooooooo much fun!!!! Crafting with my Auntie was fun, I made a few card, but because I was using someone else's stash they didn't seem to be my usual style!

This card I used some "Kanban" stamps, the flamenco lady and the blossom detail around the edge of the mat & the large rose and leaf detail. I have coloured the image with my copics and I have glittered it up within an inch of its life!! with gorgeous "Martha Stewart Glitters!! I had to do a close up as I used "Martha Stewart- Micro beads" and I just LOVE the effect they give. the ribbon and vellum was from my Aunties craft stash!

This is my entry for:

Spoonful of Sugar - Anything Goes
Fab&Funky - Go with the Flow
Creative Belli - R ( I have gone for Red and Ribbon)

My Auntie and I were such a bad influence on each other, we spent a fortune on the Internet, on crafting goodies. I bought a few bits and pieces from Dawn Bibbys shop,......But I have to tell you about my most exciting purchase....................I bought a WRMK Cinch!!!!......

I have been drooling over the Cinch for months! On holiday I went to the QVC shop, this is where all returned goods are sent, they reduce everything by 50% and then each section had a further reduction, the craft section has a further 25% off it. I went as I was needing winter coats...which I did get one cost me £11 the other £12! Anyway as I was saying I have been watching the cinch for ages, in fact I was upset as the last time it was on air it was on 4 easy pay and I missed it! however when I walked in the shop and saw a a returned one just sitting there.....rather bruised and battered I have to say (not sure how the previous owners managed to do that in just 30 days!!!) anyway it now has a loving home, and I cant wait to have a play!

I must head off to bed now I am just exhausted! I hope to catch up with you all as soon as possible, and also I hope to be back soon with a very exciting post!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs all round
Juls

Belle

Hello All,

Well I have to pack all my crafting stuff up...but to go on holiday so its not too bad, plus I do plan on doing some crafting with my Auntie when I am away, I just have loads off things to do before we head off, however last night I suddenly realised that I needed an anniversary card for today......I for some reason had coloured this fab Sassy Studio Designs image, but had not got round to using yet......I created the background paper using "distress ink - mustard seed" and the little flourish is from "Kanban - peacock" , and I very quickly matted and layered it up, and added a couple of gems.

As always thanks so much for looking
Hugs Juls