And now for something completely different...

For me, anyway. I've been drooling over the black and white designs that Faye and Delphine have created for this week's challenge at Cupcake. Really, if you haven't seen these cards, you need to hop over and take a peek. Now I know my limitations and mono and CAS are not my strong points. However,  I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone, so, armed with only black and white card, a stamp and a handful of Copics, I made this:

I've kept the card as clean and simple as possible, with the only concession to any bling whatsoever being a sprinkling of Glamour Dust on trim of her hat and scarf. I'm not totally convinced that I've got the hang of this just yet, but I enjoyed making this card and will certainly try this style again.

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Black and White



Charisma Card Challenges - Monochromatic

Stampin' for the Weekend - Monochromatic

First day back at school today and already it feels like we've never been away!

Tracey x

Super Scooter

I've got the Abba tune stuck in my head (yes, I know they don't sing "Super Scooter" but that's what I'm hearing!).  That reminds me of when the Boy Wonder was very small.  He loved singing and would sing along to pretty much anything, even when he didn't know the words.  I used to love it when he would make up words to fit the song and I remind him of this every now and then - it's one of the fun things you can do when you have a (nearly) teenager, although I'm not sure the Boy Wonder would agree.  He did laugh the other night, though, when we caught the tail-end of the Peter Kay tour show... I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it, suffice to say it's to do with the lyrics of well known songs, Peter Kay stylie.

Enough of my waffle.  Here's a card.

I'm on the last of one of my favourite pads - Pink Paislie's Queen Bee, which you can't get for love nor money now.  I matched this with some ribbon from my stash and flowers and a flat-backed pearl from Wild Orchid Crafts.  The doily was cut with a Cheery Lynn die and the green matte pearls are by Pebbles Inc.

I stamped Tilda on her scooter from one of this year's collections.  I haven't used her as much as I thought I would, so it seemed like as good a time as any to put this right.  She's been coloured with Copics and I put some Diamond Glaze on her crash helment and on the light on the bike.

I'm going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Fall
Magnolialicious Highlights - Autumn Splendour

Back to school tomorrow!

Hugs

Tracey x

How do you choose your favourite?

It's time for a new challenge at Lovely hAnglar or Sweet Magnolias and we're asking you to choose your favourite stamp!  Now that, surely, is a challenge in itself!

I chose this lovely hAnglar girlie as she was one of the very first I bought.  I do wish Marie still had her online store although it's probably better for my bank balance that the temptation is no longer there!  I coloured the image with my Distress Markers and added some Glamour Dust to her wings.

The papers are from the K&Co Watercolour pad - still one of my all-time favourites - and I stitched all of the layers (wonkily, but I stitched 'em anyway).  As for embellies, well I used some flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and I'm pretty sure the little lace butterflies came from there too.  The wee button heart has been in my stash forever as you can't get them anymore - it was in a Doodlebug pack and I wish I had more of them!

So that's my card.  Do hop over to Lovely hAnglar or Sweet Magnolias to see what my super-talented teamies have made to inspire you.  We'd love you to play along with us this fortnight if you can!  We are sponsored this time by

 

Make it Crafty are kindly giving away a $15 voucher for their online store - as if you needed another reasons to join in!

Well, it's my last weekend of the holidays and I'm trying to get myself organised for going back to school.  No doubt by Thursday I will have forgotten what it's like to be on holiday!

Hugs

Tracey x



**?!** Blogger!

Well, I'm still having problems with Blogger but at least I can now upload my photos to Picassa and get them onto the blog that way.  What a pain.  I've read a few of the queries on some of the help forums - some people have gone 3 weeks without being to upload a picture and they've all had the same error messages as me! 

Anyway, having had a couple of days crafting before I get properly back into doing schoolwork, I made some cards for challenges that caught my eye.  Thanks to **?!** Blogger I've missed these but, trying to look on the bright side, at least I've got cards "in hand" for future challenges.

I've been using more Kraft card lately and the more I use it, the more I like it! I've been inspired by the lovely Catherine who makes the most stunning cards and manages to successfully combine Kraft card with any colour or image - something I've found quite hard to do.

I found this sheet of red gingham paper in amongst the leftovers of a 6"x6" SEI Christmas pad and knew it would go well with Kraft card. I knew just the stamp to use, too; this is one of the older Magnolia Tilda stamps and I love the simplicity of it.  I coloured her with Copics and put some Crackle Glaze on the bauble to make it look old, although in the photo it looks a bit glittery.

The paper was inked and splodged with Antique Linen and Walnut Stain DIs.  I cut out some Cheery Lynn corners and stamped a Magnolia Christmas sentiment using Kraft cardstock.  I didn't think lots of embellies would look right with this style of card, so I simply added some jute and twine around the middle.  I had to put a flower somewhere, though, so I opted for a wee 10mm rose from Wild Orchid Crafts.
The card is a wee bit plain (for me!) but I do quite like it.  It will go with the lovely Christmas decorations I bought last year so I might try and make some gift bags along the same lines, if I get the time.
I'm going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Totally Tilda - Use Kraft
My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges - Kraft It

I'm off to get some other work done now... duty calls!

Tracey xx

Happy Ever After

Good morning! Well, I'm here with a post and it's all down to my lovely pal and Sweet Stampin' Teamie/Boss Abi!   Abi, who is a bit of a whizz when it comes to computers, came to my rescue late last night as I haven't been able to upload any of my photos to Blogger.  I have no idea why this is, what has caused this or indeed, how to fix it.  If any of you lovely Bloggers know what I can do, please could you let me know?

Anyway, we have a new challenge today at Sweet Stampin'.  This week our theme is Weddings and Anniversaries, so now is your chance to use those neglected stamps that maybe only get an airing round about Valentines Day!

Being the miserable old so and so that I am, I have very little in my stamp collection that is vaguely romantic! However, I like this Lili of the Valley image, mostly because it's cute but also because it's a decent size - sometimes I find their images too small to colour with anything other than Copics.  I masked this image with a Magnolia background stamp and painted the lot using my Distress Markers and some inks.  The DP is from a Tilda pad; it doesn't show up too well in the photo but there are a couple of different papers layered up and I cut out some Cheery Lynn butterflies and some Doohickey swirls and a tag from another contrasting design from the same pad.  The doilies are from Joanna Sheen and the flowers and pearls are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

I do hope you can join us over at Sweet Stampin' this week.  The Team Abi Sweeties have made some gorgeous DT creations to inspire you and as always, there is the chance to be in our Spotlight and to enter our weekly and monthly prize draws.  This week's sponsor is Whimsy Stamps who are giving away 5 digis and the lovely Joanna Sheen continues to provide our monthly draw winner with a £10 voucher for her online store.

Right - I'm off to give Blogger a kick up the bahookie!

Have a lovely day!

Hugs,

Tracey xx

Another Christmas Card?

I can't believe that I'm posting another Christmas card but, yes, another one has actually been made.  We've had our first really beautiful day here this summer and the Boy Wonder have been sitting in the jungle  garden eating ice cream and enjoying the sunshine.  Then I remembered that the challenge which prompted me to make this card is about to finish, so I'd better get a wiggle on!

I coloured this Tilda with Copics and stamped around her with some Weathered Wood ink.  Everything has had a good dose of Glamour Dust and Liquid Pearls.  I've used a selection of dies: Doohickeys for the tag and the swirls, Spellbinders for the fancy oval and my lovely new Lil' Inker bow. The border was created with a Martha Stewart PATP.  Papers are Magnolia and the roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts.  I stamped a Magnolia tiny holly sprig on the tag with some more Weathered Wood ink just to pick up the pattern in the paper.

I'm going to enter this card into the TOMIC challenge  which is Christmas in July using Red, Green, White and Stars and also this week's challenge at Midweek Magnolias, which is Dies and Punches (use at least 2).

Hugs

Tracey xx

Christmas... already?

I like to think that I'm a reasonably organised person, but I am not one of those who manages to get all of her Christmas cards made well in advance of the season.  I am, sadly, of the variety that has very good intentions but inevitably ends up buying a number of cards to give to colleagues and more distant relatives. 

Well, here is a Christmas card.  I'm not saying I'll manage to make all of my cards this year, but at least I've made a couple and it is only August.

I went a bit bonkers with the Distress Crackle paint and then plastered the first layer of paper with white embossing powder to give everything a worn, shabby look.  I stuck some cheesecloth over the top and then cut a square from one of my favourite Magnolia Christmas papers. The problem with this, though, is that the 12"x12" square has a white distressed edge - when you cut a square from it you are left with edges that don't match.  I tried to even things up with more Crackle paint but it didn't look right.  I then used my Picket Fence Distress marker; that was a bit better but it still didn't match the other edges.  In the end I used a white gel pen and I am a bit happier with the effect.

I inked up a Tilda which I bought last year but didn't really use - I don't know why, as I think she's really cute.  She's been coloured with Copics, cut out with a Nestie and popped onto a couple of doilies.  The poinsettias and mistletoe have been cut with Doohickey dies and I've added a 15mm rose from Wild Orchid Crafts into the centre of each of the paper flowers.

Here are the challenges that I'd like to enter

Just Magnolia and hAnglar & StAnglar - Anything Goes with optional handmade flowers

Totally Papercrafts - Monochrome (red and white)

Songbird Challenges - Anything Goes

Hugs

Tracey xx

Lovin' the Olympics

As some of you will have gathered by now, I've been totally hooked on watching the Olympics.  Normally the Boy Wonder practically has to bribe me to watch sports programmes but right now I'm reluctant to be more than a couple of paces away from the tv.

Some of you will also know that I don't feel confident about making boy's cards.  However, the success of Team GB and, in particular, Andy Murray winning his Gold Medal at the weekend, gave me some inspiration.

I followed the sketch from this week's Magnolia Down Under challenge and inked up Edwin playing tennis.  I stamped the rosette from the same Magnolia collection and coloured everything with my Copics.  The papers are by Magnolia and the die cuts were all made using Doohickey dies.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Edwin Only

Midweek  Magnolias - Olympics

Magnolia Down Under - Sketch (turned this round, hope this is OK)

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Bunting

I've been into work to get the results for my Higher class and I'm a happy teacher.  8 As, 3 Bs and 3 Cs.  I'm so proud of my kids - they worked their socks off and I'm delighted they got the results they deserve.  Plus it means I can actually get some sleep tonight!

Hugs

Tracey xx

Put your shades on!

Just giving you a little warning - this one is a little bit bright!  I like to join in with the Basic Grey challenges andwhen I saw that the new challenge was "Bright and Bold" I knew it was time to get out the Ambrosia paper pad.  This is full of bright reds and oranges but has been sadly neglected by me of late.  Apologies, though, for the photo - I'm really struggling with the lack of light here today.

I followed Dawny P's sketch over at Papertake Weekly and paper pieced Tilda's dress as I couldn't quite match the orange with my Distress Markers. I added some ribbon from my stash, pearls from Wild Orchid Crafts and a rub on sentiment from Pebbles Inc.

Check out the paper bow - this is my latest favourite purchase! I first saw this on Caz's DT card for the Die-ing for a Challenge blog.  Caz kindly included a link to the company, Lil' Inker Designs, and once I checked out their online store I knew I had to give them a try.  Considering the company is based in the USA the die arrived very quickly and I can honestly say it's a dream to work with.  I'll be using it a lot, I think.

I'm going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Basic Grey Challenges - Bright and Bold

Papertake Weekly - Sketch

I've got another couple of cards on the go so hope to be back either later today or tomorrow when they are finished. 

Results day tomorrow for my pupils - there will be some anxious kids all over Scotland tonight, I'm sure.  I've got everything crossed for my Higher class; a couple of the girls need 5 As in one sitting to get into Uni to do Law, so the pressure is really on for them.  No matter how many years I teach, I don't think I'll ever stop being nervous for my kids and I always look forward to seeing their faces when they get the results they want. 

Right, I've got a date with the hoover before I make a start on the dinner.  Sometimes I wonder how I find the time to go to work!

Hugs

Tracey xx

A little bedtime reading...

We have a new challenge for you at Sweet Stampin' today!  Our theme this week is Books or Text.  You could use an image with a book or you could simply put some text on your design.  Here's what I did

Now this is probably as CAS as you'll ever get from me!  I just couldn't fit any flowers or ribbon onto the card, no matter how hard I tried! I didn't want to print out this lovely Tiddlyinks image any smaller, so I decided to keep things simple and concentrate on the colouring.

Our challenge sponsor this week is

who are giving away a $12 store voucher.  Once again, we are lucky to have the support of Joanna Sheen, who sponsors our monthly prize draw. 

My lovely Teamies have made the most gorgeous creations to inspire you, so do hop over here to take a look.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - Clean and Simple

Tiddlyinks Challenge - Use your favourite image

I'm off to whizz through the housework so that I can watch some more of the Olympics!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs

Tracey xx

Candy Winner!

I've been so addicted to watching the Olympics that I almost forgot to post the name of my Candy Winner!

The winner is ... drumroll please...    Number 5 ... Wedgie!!!!!!

Congratulations sweetie!  A parcel will be on its way to you next week.

Tracey xx

Sweet Little Fairy

A girlie card for a girlie girl I know.

 I used one of my last pieces of this paper from the Basic Grey Capella range and found it went quite well with the dotty paper from MME Lost & Found (Blush, I think). The papers were edged with Walnut Stain DI. The sweet LOTV fairy was coloured with Copics and liberally sprinkled with Glamour Dust.  I used the chipboard corners again (love these) and added ribbon, lace and a doily from my stash.  The roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Basic Grey Challenges - With Wings (DP is BG Capella - Crescendo)

Deep Ocean Challenges - Anything Goes

I've been glued to the Olympics and am looking forward to the swimming later today.  I've also been watching sports that normally wouldn't interest me at all.  At the moment we have a young man doing extremely well in the shooting, so fingers crossed (our fingers, not his, as this wouldn't do his medal chances much good).  Oops, he's just missed two shots - hope that's not me putting him off!

See you soon!

Tracey xx