Festive greetings

Merry Christmas everyone

I have been MIA for quite a while but I promise in 2018 I will be back crafting and posting.

May I take this opportunity to wish a very

Merry Christmas

to those who celebrate this holiday.

See you in 2018

Now off to tackle that turkey

Crafty hugs 

Lesley

May the force...........

Hello folks

Another birthday card for you today. Yes I have made some Christmas cards but haven't yet got round to photographing them.

This is a card I made for my children to give their dad - 

He is a huge Star Wars fan so when I saw this stamp I just had to buy it. The stamp is Edwin with laser sword from Magnolia which I coloured with Spectrum Noir pens and pencils, Sparkle pens and Illustrator pens - 

• skin - FS2, FS4, FS9, CR2, 089 and 009
• hair - TN7, TN8, EB8 and 103
• clothes - EB1, EB2, EB3, EB5, sand, 086 and 103
• sky - IB1
• ground - BG1, BG3 and 117
• sword - IG6, IG8, IG10, aquamarine Sparkle pen and 119

I also used - 

• brown core'dinations
• Sara's signature collection Just for men paper pad
• Sara's signature collection Just for men Happy birthday die and male sentiment dies
• hessian
• antique linen distress ink

That's all from me today. Enjoy your day.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Girlie arch

Good evening

Well it has been a while hasn't it? I do not know where the time is going at the moment; the days are racing by and the big C will be here before we know. Are you ready yet? I'm not...... Not a present bought, a card written or a pie minced. I really need to get a wriggle on.

Today's card is one I made for my god-daughter - 

I have used Jasmine selfie stamp from LOTV which I coloured with Spectrum Noir pens and pencils -

• skin - FS4, FS9, TN2, CR2, 089 and 009
• hair - EB5, EB7, GB8, GB10 and 103
• clothes - BT1, BT2, BT3, BGR1, BGR2, AP1, AP2, AP3, DG1, 043, 063 and 093
• boots and phone - IG8, IG9, IG10 and 120
• sky - IB1
• ground - BG1 and BG3

I have also used - 

• Sheena's stamping card (for the card base)
• Chalkboard paper pad from Craftwork cards
• Tattered Lace 3D arch die set
• Tattered Lace love is in the air sentiments die set
• tumbled glass distress ink
• matt black card

I am going to enter this card into the Lili of the Valley Facebbok challenge for December which is 'anything goes'.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

S for snow people

Good morning

Today is the day for a new challenge at Alphabet Challenge and this fortnight the theme is S for snow people. This is my DT card for the challenge - 

A clean and simple  DL card for which I used the following products - 

• Woodware snow buddies stamp
• Spectrum Noir pens and Sparkle pens - AG3, AG4, AG5, DR1, DR5, DR6, IG1, IG2, IG7, IG8, IG9, IG10, BGR1, BGR2, OR1, BO2, BO4, IB1 and crystal clear sparkle pen
• Hunkydory stars mirri card
• tumbled glass distress ink

Why not pop over to the Alphabet Challenge page and take a look at what my fellow teamies have made for the challenge. You could always join in the fun too.

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Teenage double diamond

Good morning folks

Well I didn't get into the garden on Sunday. My craftroom won in the end. I started to put a couple of things away and got a wee bit distracted. Before I knew it, it was dark outside so that put paid to that plan.

Today's crafty offering is the last of my teenage boy cards. I made this one for my other children to give to their brother - 

For this card I have used - 

• Tattered Lace double diamond die set (sorry I know I have used this a lot recently but I just love the finished result) folded to the back rather than to the front.
• Tonic numbers dies
• teal core'dinations
• Sheena's stamping card (for the card base)
• Sara's signature collection - Just for men on your birthday and pop dotty embossing folders

I embossed the die cuts with the embossing folders and then sanded them back to reveal the core. I was a bit rough in places but I wanted a worn effect.

I folded the card base to the back to achieve a slightly different effect.

That's all from me today. Enjoy your Wednesday however you may be spending it.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Teenage pop up box

Hello folks

What a glorious Sunday, it is beautiful sunshine, clear blue skies but freezing cold here. My garden is covered with leaves and I can't decide whether to make the most of the sunshine and head out to do some clearing up or whether to just stay warm and cosy in my craftroom. Hmmmm decisions, decisions.

Today's card is one I made to celebrate my youngest son's birthday - 

I have used - 

• Tattered Lace pop up box card die set
• X-cut stars die set
• Tonic number dies
• Die'sire Happy birthday die
• Sheena's stamping card (to make the card base)
• Wellington paper pad (this is a very old paper pad from Docrafts)
• Crafter's Companion acetate

I love using this die set, it is such fun to decorate.

That's all from me today. I need to hurry up and make my decision otherwise it will be dark...

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Teenage birthday card

Good morning

Boy the weather has taken a turn for the colder hasn't it? I don't think I got warm at all yesterday; I've added layers today to try and combat the cold.
Today's card is another one for a teenage boy. I was inspired by several cards on Pinterest - 

For this card I have used - 

• white linen card
• scraps of blue core'dinations
• silver stars mirri
• blue mirri
• Sheena's stamping card (for the card base)
• Tonic number dies
• Die'sire essential star dies
• Sara's signature - Just for men on your birthday embossing folder

A very simple card and quite easy to put together.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Look what I've found

Hello everyone

Today's post should have been posted in September but I forgot to press publish - oops. I do hope it's worth the wait. (I have now ammended the post as it will have made no sense!)

I made this card for my parents-in-law - 

For this card I have used - 

• Tattered Lace velvet lace ruffle ovals
• Tattered Lace champagne glasses
• Sara's signature collection - Shabby chic paper pad
• Sara's signature collection - Shabby chic lace and ribbon
• pearls from my stash

I cut the champagne glasses twice and then paper pieced sections.

Thank you so much for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

White wedding

Hello folks

Monday morning again and we are in the starting blocks for another working week. I am in for another busy week but that does mean the week will fly by, soon be Christmas at this rate!!

Today's card is yet another made with my double diamond card die set. Boy do I love this die, it's so versatile and I have more examples to show you - 

I made this card for my cousin's wedding and it is all white which makes it particularly difficult to photograph. Hopefully you will be able to make out the details. For my card I have used - 

• Tattered Lace double diamond card die set
• Tattered Lace champagne glasses
• Tattered Lace love is in the air sentiments
• white centura pearl
• white linen card
• white glitter card
• pearls from my stash

Hopefully you can see the details of the die cuts.

Right then it's off to work for me. Enjoy your week.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Autumn wishes

Hello folks

Happy Saturday, Have you anything good planned for the weekend? I am knee deep in laundry and housework today which I want to get finished before Strictly starts. Half way point and things are begining to get interesting. My favourite is Aston but would love Jonnie to get to the final.

This is a card I made recently with another new die set from Tattered Lace - 

I have used - 

• Tattered Lace flourishing ferns card shape die set
• Sara's signature collection - Autumn morning paper pad
• Sheena's stamping card (for the card base)
• brown core'dinations
• brown ribbon from my stash

Well that's all from me, off to tackle that housework.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Christmas diamonds

Hello folks

I can't believe it's Wednesday again and I'm half way through my first week back at work.

Today's card is another one made with my new Tattered Lace double diamond die set - 

For this card I have used - 

• Tattered Lace double diamond die set
• tumbled glass, broken china and faded jeans distress inks
• Sheena stamping card
• white linen card
• Paris dusk Memento ink
• Festive flurry - altered snowflakes stamps and Festive traditions sentiments stamps from Creative Expressions
• Sara's sinature collection - contemporary Christmas - snowflakes of joy
• sparkles from my stash

I used the distress inks to stamp the snowflakes and then inked around the edges of the die cuts and card base with tumbled glass distress ink.

That's all from me today. I'm off  to wake up my youngest to start his birthday celebrations. He is 13 today and I do hope Kevin the teenager isn't waiting for me upstairs!!!

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Skater boy

Good Sunday morning folks

I hope this post finds you all well. I have had a lovely half term week - spent lots of time with my family, in my craftroom and getting myself fit to be seen at school next week.

This is a card I made this week for my youngest son's friend's birthday - 

Once again I sort inspiration from Pinterest and based my card on one by Jodi Clark a member of the Crafter's Companion design team. For my card I have used - 

• Sheena's stamping card
• Sara's signature collection Just for men stamps - rock star, urban graffiti and streetwise
• matt black card
• star mirri card from Hunkydory
• Danube blue and bamboo leaves Memento ink
• Expresso Adirondack ink

It was a very simple card really although I wasn't happy with the 'ink run' through the skater. If I make this style of card again I think I will mask the skater before adding the ink splodges.

Well that#s all from me today, I am off to complete my house work before spending some time in my craft room.

Enjoy your day.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Q for quotes

Good Morning folks

And a very happy Friday to you all. My half term holiday has flown by; it's been really busy and today is no exception - I'm off to Preston to visit my son and my favourite craft shop. My hubby doesn't know that bit yet!!

As it is Friday there is a new challenge at Alphabet Challenge blog and this fortnight we have reached the letter Q for quotes. Your project must feature a quote not just a sentiment. This is my DT card for the challenge - 

My lack of mojo at the moment has not affected my ability to internet shop and this card features another such purchase. I have used - 

• Tattered Lace double diamond die set
• Tattered Lace velvet lace mini ruffle circle
• ivory, brown and taupe centura pearl
• Maya Angelou quote stamp from Clarity Stamp
• antique linen and brushed corduroy distress ink
• pearls from my stash

I love this quote and am a huge fan of the work of Maya Angelou.

Why not pop over to the Alphabet Challenge blog site to see what my fellow teamies have made for the challenge. You can visit the site here.

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Inky anniversary wishes

Hello folks

Wednesday again, they come around very quickly at the moment although I am very happy to see this one - only 2 more get ups..... I am planning to squeeze a lot into my week off so it is not going to be very restful.

This is my last anniversary card for awhile (thank goodness I hear you cry) - 

A very CAS card for me but I did have lots of messy fun making the background.

I have used - 

• watercolour card
• matt black card
• silver mirri
• pixie powders - midnight blue, pewter and aubergine dream all from Creative Expressions
• Woodware Happy Anniversary stamp
• Tattered Lace barley and butterflies die

That's all from me today, enjoy your Wednesday whatever you are doing.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

More anniversary congratulations

Good Sunday morning folks

Yes it's time for another anniversary card I'm afraid. 

A while ago I bought Tattered Lace's snowflake shaped card die but I wanted to use it for more than just Christmas so I decided to try and use it for an anniversary card and was really plaesed with the result.

I have used - 

• pink centura pearl
• Paper flowers paper pad from First Edition
• Tattered Lace snowflake shaped card die set
• Tattered Lace pop-up box die set (small squares)
• Tattered Lace love is in the air sentiment dies
• Tattered Lace twin hearts die set
• gems from my stash

Enjoy your Sunday.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Streamliner

Hello folks and a very happy Saturday to you all

I hope this post finds you all well. Life is very busy at the moment and I am looking forward to a rest during half term.

This is a card I made for my brother-in-laws birthday - 

A simple card made using lots of lovely dies. I have used - 

• Tattered Lace Art Deco paper pad
• black and old gold centura pearl
• Tattered Lace's vintage vector card shape dies
• Tattered Lace's Art Deco It's your birthday sentiment die
• Tattered Lace's streamliner die
• gems from my stash

I cut the streamliner out twice, once in black and once in gold and then paper pieced the gold.

That's all from me today, enjoy your weekend.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

GCSE congratulations

Hello folks 

Weekend again, how do they come around so quickly? We are speeding towards half term and then it will be Christmas which I am not at all prepared for. My Nana once told me that time speeds up the older you get which I thought at the time was a ridiculous idea but now I believe she maybe correct - a very wise lady my Nana....

Today's card is one I made to celebrate my daughter's GCSE success - 

I have used LOTV's You did it stamp which I coloured with Spectrum Noir pens - 

• bear - GB8, GB10, EB1, EB2 and EB5
• grass - CG2, CG3, DG2 and DG3
• sky - TB1, TB2 and blender pen
• sign - FS1, FS7, TN1 and TN3
• border - GB1, CT1, EB1, CR1, CT4 and BO4

I have also used - 

• pick n mix paper pad from First Edition
• Tattered Lace velvet lace mini ruffle circles
• ribbon, gems, bakers twine and heart charm from my stash
• ground expresso and black soot distress ink

We were extremely proud of our daughter when she got her GCSE results. She hasn't found high school easy but worked so hard to get some brilliant results which means she has been able to go to study her favourite subjects at A level.

Well that's all from me today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Paper roses

Good morning

This is another wedding anniversary card I made recently (I do seem to have a lot of this type of cards to make during August and September) - 

This a very simple card made using the following - 

• pink Adorable Scorable
• silver mirri board
• Hunkydory's Little book of flowers
• Rose garden embossing folder from Crafter's Companion
• ribbon and gem from my stash

I used 3 pages of the Little Book and decoupaged the roses for extra dimension.

That's all from me today. 

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Hearts and flowers

Happy Sunday folks

I am firmly ensconced inside today - the weather has taken an autumnal turn. Today's card is one I made a while ago and haven't yet blogged - 

I have used - 

• Tattered Lace paisley parade interlocking heart
• Sara's signature collection - shabby chic paper pad
• Woodware's happy anniversary stamp

A quick post from me today.

Enjoy your Sunday

Crafty hugs

Lesley

O for ..... ovals

Good morning folks

It's been a while hasn't it. I do apologise - life has been extremely busy, a combination of home and work, and sadly my little blog has been the one to suffer. Hopefully things will be starting to calm down a little so I'll be able to give my blog the attention it deserves.

With it being Friday there is a new challenge at Alphabet Challenge blog and it is my turn to host..... So I have chosen O for ovals, your card must feature an oval in some shape or form, whether it be an oval shaped card, using an oval die cut or even an oval stamp. This is my DT card -

Sorry the photo is a little fuzzy, I'm back to taking photos in the dark.

For my card I have used Squidgy witchy trick or treat stamp from Stamping Bella which I have coloured with Spectrum Noir pens and pencils - 

• hat - EB3, EB7, EB8, GB4, GB7, BO2, BO3, BO4, 109, 089 and 085
• skin - FS2, FS4, FS9, TN2, 089 and 009
• hair - GB8, GB10, EB5 and 104
• dress - BO2, BO3, BO4 and 089
• tights - GB4, GB7 and 085
• pumpkin - OR1, OR3, EB3, EB8, 095 and 022
• ground - BG1, BG3 and 117
• sky - IB1, VB1, VB3 and 067

I have also used - 

• Sara's signature collection - Autumn morning paper pad
• brown core'dinations
• Tattered Lace velvet lace ruffle ovals die set
• Sara's signature collection - Autumn morning scattered leaves die set
• ribbon from my stash
• tumbled glass distress ink

I do hope you are able to join our challenge this fortnight; you can visit the Alphabet Challenge website here. Why not stop there now to see what inspitaion my fellow teamies have made.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Forever yours

Good Sunday morning folks

Today is my last day of the summer holidays, off back to work tomorrow. I have promised myself that I am going to spend some time in my craftroom today, my Christmas card box is looking very empty.

This is a card I made for my daughter's 16th birthday - 

I have used Forever yours stamp from Sheena's Day of the Dead collection which I coloured with Spectrum Noir pens - 

• hair - BGR2, BGR3, BGR4, TB7, TB9 and true black
• skin - FS2, FS4, FS9, TN2 and CR2
• lips - DR1, DR5, DR7 and blender pen
• dress - DR1, DR5 and DR7
• tattoos - JG4 and JG6
• sky - VB1
• necklace - DR1, DR5, DR7, IG1 and IG2

I have also used - 

• Sheena's stamping card
• heath, macaroon and biscuit Spectrum Noir Sparkle pens (to colourwash the background card)
• Day of the Dead musical madness embossing folder
• Renaissance gold gilding wax
• copper mirricard
• matt black card
• red core'dinations
• copper embossing powder
• black pearls from my stash

I heat embossed the sentiment from the stamp set.

Right I am off to complete all my chores then into my craftroom I go.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

M is for Make your mark

Hello folks

Friday again and the last Friday of my holidays, back to work on Monday. As it is Friday it is also time for a new challenge at Alphabet Challenge and this fortnight we have reached the letter M. The challenge is "make your mark" which means we would like to see your inking and colouring expertise. This is my DT card for the challenge - 

I have used my gorgeous unicorn stamp from Woodware which I heat embossed with black embossing powder and then coloured with Spectrum Noir Sparkle pens - 

• moonstone, aquamarine, sterling silver and crystal clear

I have also used - 

• Sheena's stamping card
• salty ocean and peacock feathers distress inks
• pewter pixie powder
• Woodware fantasyland sentiments stamp set
• teal core'dinations
• starry mirriboard from Hunkydory

I used pixie powder, distress inks and water to create the background. When dry I stamp silver stars.

I do hope you will be able to join in the fun this fortnight; why not pop over to the Alphabet Challenge blog and take a look at my teamies crafty makes.

Crafty hugs

Lesley