Followers

Tuesday, 15 December 2015

Favourite Christmas Colours with Sparkles

Hi everyone.
I hope you're all nearly ready for Christmas.
I've still got quite a bit of shopping to do and haven't even though about wrapping yet.

Anyhow, today sees the start of a new challenge at Sparkles Monthly Challenges.
Our theme this month is Favourite Christmas Colours.

I went with red and green...


I've used a cute little Strawberry & Kisses stamp and coloured using Copics.


I've added glitter to all the dots on the backing paper to add a bit of sparkle and I've also glittered round the edge of the scalloped oval displaying the image. I added the glitter before I stuck the image down so the edges are all nice and clean. I placed some lovely red and green ribbon under the image too.
To finish I added a die cut poinsettia with a glittered leaf and stamped the sentiment using red ink and added it to a tag, placing this opposite the poinsettia for balance.

I hope you'll join us for this challenge. You could win a fabulous prize...

A bundle of digi stamps

and also
are offering this fabulous prize...

I would like to enter this card for the following:-


Thank you so much for visiting. I hope to see you again soon
Hugs Helen x

Thursday, 10 December 2015

Happy 24th Birthday Rachel

Hi everyone.

My lovely daughter is 24 today so I thought I'd show you her card...



I've used a House Mouse stamp, which I've coloured using Copics.
I've framed the image and die cut 'Daughter' using some self adhesive glitter foam.
The sentiment is a Circadesign stamp and has been mounted using a Spellbinder die and mirri card.
I've added a bow, some pearls and a couple of balloons to finish.
The overall card is 8x8.


I would like to enter this for the following:-


Thank you so much for visiting. I hope to see you again soon.
Hugs Helen x

Wednesday, 9 December 2015

Get Well Soon with Ruby's Rainbow

Hi everyone.

There's a new challenge at Ruby's Rainbow.

Our theme for the next two weeks is Get Well Soon.

Here's my little piece of inspiration...


I've used a topper and backing paper from the House Mouse triple cd, adding a doily, handmade flower and some pearls. I've used a pale blue card to do the matting.

I hope you'll join us. Hope to see you soon.


Helen x

Tuesday, 1 December 2015

Use die cuts with Sparkles Christmas Challenges

Hi everyone,
I hope you're all well.

It's time to start a new challenge at Sparkles Christmas Challenges.
The theme this month is Die Cuts.

I've used this rather cute Gingerbread man die, paper piecing all his details...

I've also used a memory box 'Merry Christmas' die, cut from red mirri board with glitter added to the right hand side.  The gingerbread man is mounted on some glitter card which actually came from some packaging from last Christmas, and has been cut using tonic dies.
The backing paper is by first edition and I used part of the larger design to make the border 'stop' as this is an easel card.

I've finished off with a tag and a handmade bow.

We have two fabulous sponsors this month...

$10 Voucher



and also this fabulous prize from Crafty Individuals.

I hope you'll join us.

I would like to enter this for the following:-

Craft-Dee BowZ - Handmade bow
CHNC Extra - December
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper challenge
Craft Your Passion - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Paper Piecing
Glitter and Sparkle - Include a bow

Thank you so much for visiting. I'm going to finish my daughter's birthday card now. She'll be 24 next week...where did those years go???

Oh I nearly forgot to mention...I got a card printed on the letter page of Simply Cards and Papercraft this month. Isn't it great seeing one of your cards in print. Certainly made me smile. Anyhow, better get on. See you soon.
Hugs Helen xx

Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Christmas with a metallic twist

Hi everyone.

There's a new challenge at Ruby's Rainbow.

Our theme is Christmas with a metallic twist.
We'd like to see a metallic element to your creations this fortnight. I chose to use silver mirri card, plus a little red and green to make my card...


I made the topper using a peel off which has been in my stash for years...can't remember the last time I bought any. I've put it on a white rectangle and added Glitter Magic glitter. It's then been mounted onto red card and then silver. The backing paper has also been mounted with silver. I've wrapped red and white twine around the base card and added a little bow with several loops, using the bowmaker. Finishing touches include a ready made sentiment and some metallic holly cut with a Spellbinder die. The card is 4 x 4.


I would like to enter this for the following:-

I hope you'll join in the fun at Ruby's. I look forward to seeing your fabulous creations.
See you again soon.

Helen x

Tuesday, 24 November 2015

A Crazy Happy Bird-day!

Hi everyone.

I just wanted to share the birthday card which I made for my Mother-in-law...


The image is from the Tim Holtz 'Bird Crazy' stamp set with matching dies, which I bought at the NEC. My hubby Ted just fell in love with this set. I've coloured using Copics. I love the way all the wings, beaks and eyes also have dies so you can layer them up. I've used 3D glue gel for this. I'm really hoping Father Christmas will bring me the accessory set of stamps and dies to go with these.
I've been looking for a die to do the happy birthday for ages and spotted this memory box one at the NEC. You can't really see in the photo but the black and white papers are both pearlescent. 
I used a Cheery Lynn die and a tonic punch to make the flower, finished with an orange candi to pick out the beak colour of the owl.
Oh, I nearly forgot to mention the tiny bow I added to the owl's head. I tied it using my new bow maker (also from the NEC). I love this, it's so easy to use.
The whole card has been matted with mirri board and contains an orange liner with a deckle edge.

I would like to enter this for the following:-

Thank you so much for visiting. I'll see you again soon.
Helen x

Thursday, 19 November 2015

A tiny Tattered Lace side stepper

Hi everyone.
I hope you're all well.

I've been playing in my craft room recently and realised I haven't shared anything. I seem to have let blogging take a back seat recently but I think it's time to rectify that now.

I was really happy to find out that Create and Craft were going to give me a £10 voucher for each year I've been a member. Last month I bought some Centura Pearl card with it. This month I ordered the latest Tattered Lace magazine. It comes with a mini side stepper card die set...it's just so cute...and a great way to use up some scraps...


The die set includes all the dies needed to cut the papers and also some ovals and rectangles. I've also used some Tattered Lace mini dies to cut the butterflies from lemon glitter card. To finish off I added some self adhesive pearls and an organza bow tied using an Embellishment Attic Bowmaker (bought from the NEC). You can't tell the scale from the photo so here's another...



I would like to enter this for the following:-


Thanks for visiting. I hope to see you again soon.
Hugs Helen xx


Sunday, 15 November 2015

Anything but a card with Sparkles Monthly Challenges

Hi everyone.
There's a new challenge at Sparkles Monthly Challenges.

The theme for this month is Anything but a card.

Here's my little piece of inspiration...


I've decorated a hessian bag with some Christmas foliage and ribbon. It was so simple to do...just needed to tie the bow and use a bit of glue but I hope you'll agree that it looks really effective. Just need to buy a nice pressie to fill it with now.

We've got some lovely prizes...

This gorgeous prize from Marianne Designs.



7 digi stamps from Bugaboo Stamps.


and


 a goody bag from Crafty Bren.


I really hope you'll join us. Pop over to the challenge to see some more fabulous inspiration from my very talented team mates.

Thank you so much for visiting. I can't wait to see all your gorgeous creations.

Hugs Helen xx

Wednesday, 11 November 2015

Red, white and blue with Ruby

Hi everyone.

There's a new challenge at Ruby's Rainbow.

Our theme is Red, white & blue.

Here's my little piece of inspiration...


I've used the Makey Bakey Mice Christmas cd to print the topper and the backing paper.
The sentiment is by Circadesign with glitter added. I've also highlighted parts of the image with glitter. I've added a die cut to the top corner and finished off with some spotty ribbon.

Now it's your turn. I hope you'll join us and have a look at the gorgeous inspiration from my very talented team mates.

Thanks for visiting. I hope to see you again soon.
Hugs Helen x

Sunday, 1 November 2015

Christmas Decorations with Sparkles

Hi everyone.
I hope you're all well.

There's a new challenge starting over at


Our theme is Christmas Decorations. You can either make a card featuring a Christmas decoration or make a decoration. It's up to you. Here's my little piece of inspiration...


The image is from the House Mouse triple cd and has been mounted with both red and black card. The backing paper is from a pad by Craft Sensations which I recently picked up from The Range and is also mounted with red and black. I've added a red doily behind the image and some ribbon running at the same angle as the image. The sentiment is from a Daisy and Dandelion set from a few years ago and seems to be my favourite Christmas Sentiment. I've cut it out on a slightly bigger circle than the stamp allowing me to add some red glitter round it before adding green branches (Martha Stewart punch) to echo the wreath in the image. I've finished off with a tiny hand made bow.

I hope you'll join us. We have two fabulous sponsors...

£10 voucher


and


$25 voucher



Thank you so much for visiting. I hope to see you again soon.

Hugs Helen x

Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Birds of a feather with Ruby's Rainbow and a DT call

Hi everyone,
I hope you're all well.
I've just had another cortisone injection in my shoulder so I'm waiting for the agony to kick in!

Anyway, it's time for a new challenge at Ruby's Rainbow.
Our theme is Birds of a feather.
Here's my little piece of inspiration...


I've used the House Mouse triple cd adding a HOTP sentiment, which is one of my favourites, and a HOTP feather die, along with a strip of border and a little bit of ribbon. Very simple.

We're also looking for a couple of new members for our design team so if you fancy applying you'll find all the details here.

Thank you so much for visiting.
See you again soon xx

Thursday, 15 October 2015

A bit of Downton with pearls and lace

Hi everyone.

A new challenge has started at Sparkles Monthly Challenges.

The theme is Pearls and/or lace.

Here's my little piece of inspiration made using some of the new Downton Abbey products...


The topper and papers are from the triple cd. I've added some turquoise lace under the topper and also under the border which I used as a stopper. The half doily and feather brooch are new Downton dies cut from Kraft card, which I've also matted with, finishing off with some wired pearls and pink roses.

We have a couple of lovely prizes this month...

3 digis


and

$15 voucher


I hope you'll join us. I look forward to seeing your fabulous projects.

See you again soon.
Hugs Helen x

Wednesday, 14 October 2015

Autumn leaves with Ruby's Rainbow

Hi everyone, I hope you're all well.

It's time for a new challenge at Ruby's Rainbow.

Our theme for this fortnight is Autumn Leaves.

Here's my little piece of inspiration...


I've used an image and paper from the House Mouse Triple CD combined with a HOTP acrylic stamp for the sentiment for this A6 card. I've used brown card to mat, adding gold twine and self adhesive gold pearls, finishing off with a flower made by my lovely best friend Sue (she made me loads for my birthday) and a ready made bow in brown gingham.

I hope you'll join us.

Thanks for visiting.
See you again soon x

Thursday, 1 October 2015

Distress it with Sparkles Christmas Challenges

Hi everyone, I hope you're all well.

Well the golf tournament went well yesterday. It was lovely seeing Alan's friends again and really special that one of his closer friends won for the first time.

I had my cortisone injection in my shoulder yesterday so it's really painful today. Hopefully it'll start to feel better after 48 hours...really hope so. I think today's gonna be a long day! I've got 5 cards I need to make too.

Anyhow, there's a new challenge at Sparkles Christmas Challenges.
Our theme is Distress it.

Here's my little piece of inspiration...


I've used a white wash card with a blue core and embossed a snowman using an old brass stencil. I then sanded it to reveal the blue. I've also distressed the edges of the paper using a Tim Holtz tool. I've matted using black card to make the backing papers pop. I've also added some ribbon to the panel sitting under the image. The sentiment is from a Party Paws rubber stamp.

We have two lovely sponsors this month...
£10 including free P & P



and


Surprise prize

I hope you'll join us.

Hugs Helen x

Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Easel cards with Ruby's Rainbow

Hi everyone, I hope you're all well.

I've got a busy day today. I've been to the local refinery already this morning for a meeting regarding the annual event in memory of my first husband Alan. It's taking place this Sunday. I've got a doctor's appointment at noon when, hopefully, I'll be getting a cortisone injection in my shoulder. Then it's off to Normanby golf course for the annual golf tournament in memory of Alan accompanied by Al's mum and dad. They teed off at 9:30 so we'll join them at the 19th. It's always lovely to see the guys he worked with and know that they still remember him fondly. It's now 12 and a half years since his accident.

Today sees the start of a new challenge at Ruby's Rainbow.
Our theme for the fortnight is Easel Cards.

Here's mine...


I made this starting with a 6x6 card blank. I've used Woodland Folk backing papers and a LOTV topper and stamped sentiment. I've added candi as the stopper and wrapped gold twine around the brown banner, under the sentiment. This was for my nephew.

Now it's your turn. I hope you'll join us.

Thanks for visiting.
Helen xx

Wednesday, 16 September 2015

A sketch with Ruby

Hi everyone.
It's time for a new challenge at Ruby's Rainbow.

This time we have a sketch for you to follow...


Here's my little piece of inspiration...


The image is from the Bebunni Christmas Papercrafting cd and the sentiment is a rubber stamp from the Party Paws collection, both Crafter's Companion.

I hope you'll take a look at the lovely cards my talented team mates have created to inspire you.
Thanks for visiting.
Hugs Helen x

Tuesday, 15 September 2015

Not that old!

Hi everyone.

I thought I'd share the card I've just made for my brother. 
I've used a Bugaboo image...you can't beat Gus!


I've printed directly onto some 300gsm super smooth card and coloured using Copics. I haven't done much colouring lately as I'm having neck and shoulder problems so I'm really pleased with how this turned out. 

I would like to enter this for the following:-


Thank you for visiting. I hope to see you again soon.
Hugs Helen x

A sketch with Sparkles

Hi everyone. I hope you're all well.

Today sees the start of a new challenge at Sparkles Monthly Challenges.
This month we have a sketch for you...


Here's my little piece of inspiration...


One of our sponsors very kindly gave me the image to work with. It's called Go With The Flow from Deedee's Digis and can be found here. There are plenty of elements including backing papers, sentiments and images. I printed one of the sentiments and then fussy cut the words. The backing paper on the circle echoes the pattern on the shell. I've matted using black card and added orange candi and yellow ribbon to co-ordinate with the colours of the shell.

We have two fabulous prizes on offer this month...

$15 Voucher


and

£10 goody bag


I hope you'll join us. Thanks for visiting.
Hugs Helen xx

Thursday, 3 September 2015

Bebunni Wish upon a star

Hi everyone.

Just popped on to share the latest challenge at Sparkles Christmas Challenges.

Our theme for September is Oh Christmas Tree.

Here's my little piece of inspiration using a Bebunni cd from Crafters Companion.


I've matted both the image and the backing with both green and red card and added some pine leaves and a poinsettia to the top corner. I found the sentiment in a Crafters Companion stamp set which I think was Mulberry Wood and thought it went with the image perfectly. I stamped this directly onto the backing paper using Versafine ink. 

Now it's your turn. I hope you'll join us. You could win a fab prize...

7 digis



$10 voucher

If you click on the badges you'll be taken to the website. Go on, check them out. You won't be disappointed.


Thank you so much for visiting. I hope to see you again soon.
Hugs Helen 

Wednesday, 2 September 2015

It's a man's world at Ruby's Rainbow

Hi everyone. I hope you're all well.
I'm having a flare with my fibromyalgia at the moment which is one of the reasons I've not been around much. The other is shoulder problems involving trapped nerves. All very painful and also frustrating as it's zapped my mojo somewhat. Anyhow, enough of that...I'm here to share the latest challenge over at Ruby's Rainbow.

Our theme is It's a man's world so we'd love to see your projects for males. 

I've made a quick card using up some scraps and a few dies...


The blue square was cut using a Tattered Lace die. I used a Mini Perfect Layers ruler for the red and black matting. The red patterned square is from my scraps cut using a Tattered Lace die. I think the star die is a Spellbinder one using up a stripy piece from the scraps box. The Happy Birthday die is Spellbinder and the 2 and U are Tattered Lace. I hope this inspires you to have a go and join us. Also don't forget to checkout the fab inspiration from my very talented team mates.

Thanks for visiting me. I hope to see you again soon.
Hugs Helen x

Wednesday, 19 August 2015

Die cuts or punches with Ruby's Rainbow

Hi everyone.

It's my turn to choose the theme for this fortnight's challenge at Ruby's Rainbow.

I chose Die cuts or punches.

Here's my little piece of inspiration to use up some scraps...


I've cut two balloons using a die which was free with a recent magazine. I added a piece of silver twine and a bow together with a strip of card left over from a previous project (Tatty Twinkles cd) and a LOTV sentiment stamped straight onto the card (4x4). Simple yet effective I thought.

I hope you'll pop and have a look at my team mates awesome inspiration. They've done a fantastic job and you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for visiting. See you soon.
Helen x

Saturday, 15 August 2015

More than one fold with Sparkles Monthly Challenges

Hi everyone.

There's a new challenge starting today at Sparkles Monthly Challenges.

Our theme for this month is More than one fold.

Here's my little piece of inspiration...


This is an anniversary card which I made for my parents. I chose to use the folds to make a rosette to display the sentiment.


I used a hougie board to crease at 1cm intervals.



The image and papers are from the House Mouse triple cd.
I hope you'll join us. We have 3 fabulous prizes on offer.

$10





7 digis


Please take a look at the awesome inspiration from my very talented team mates. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for visiting. I hope to see you again soon.
Hugs Helen x