Bit of a mammoth post...apologies!

Well, I have had another evening crafting today, caught up with some challenges and played with some new bits and pieces. Not feeling very well today and think that has had an impact on my cards! Not entirely happy with them...but I thought I'd share anyway! My first card today is using the fab Crafter's Companion Humphrey CD and is for the A Spoonful of Sugar Challenge which is 'Here comes Summer.' I really love the detail in this image...there are so many little elephants in the picture...I particularly love the little superhero one! I'd love to have a birthday party in the garden like this one....my birthday is September and is always raining! Lol!
My next card I'd like to enter into the Winter Wonderland challenge which is Swirls and Pearls, the Cute Card Thursday Challenge which is Pins and Pearls (I didn't have an pins so hope just the pearls are enough!) and the Sketch Saturday Challenge which was this fab sketch. I love this little Forever Friend image. He is sooo cute and the little robin just finishes it off nicely. I have used some pearls just to finish the card off and stamped a little swirl to frame my image. I have also used one of my crocheted flowers I bought today...couldn't resist them!

I thought I'd make some simpler cards today...sometimes less is more! I have made this card for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge which is One for the Guys this week. I have used browns, greens and oranges to make this card and enjoyed using those colours together-thought they were quite manly and I have made this for a male relative so hopefully it fits the challenge! I finished it off with a little card candy.

Over at the Just Magnolia challenge this week is a fab sketch and they also want to see anything floral! I decided to do another Christmas card...not doing too badly now...hopefully will have enough by the time December comes! I have used some lace and pearls to finish the card off and a few gold gems to give it a bit of sparkle.

This next card is using a Lili of the Valley image and so I thought I'd enter into their challenge this week which is Anything Goes! I have never joined in this challenge before and I hope to join in again. I have many of their images so need to get them out of my craftbox and use them up...no doubt I will stock back up when I go to the NEC in November! I'd also like to enter it into the Papertake Weekly Challenge which is Anything Goes as well because it is the first challenge of the month!

My final card today reminds me of my best friends living room! Her living room is purple, green and brown too! Love these colours together. I had a really bad day at work the other day and thought I'd cheer myself up with a trip to Hobbycraft...and Lakeland...oops! I couldn't resist these little owls as I am owl mad! I don't really buy embellishments like this anymore so wasn't sure what to do with it so I tried to keep it simple. I'm not that keen on the finished card but I still love this owl...he is such a cutie!

Well, that is it from me...card wise anyway! As you may have read on an earlier post, it is my three year blogiversary on 7th July so watch out for some candy coming your way...just gathering some bits and pieces in order to celebrate!

I have found my love for baking again recently and am really interested in getting into cake decorating. I have bought some sugarpaste and am going to have a go at doing some simple modelling over the next week...I watched a great hour that was on Create and Craft the other day and I was glued so watch this space....little duck, penguin and teddy bear may be on their way! Lol!

I am reading a great girly book at the mo called 'Meet me in the Cupcake Cafe' so I am now off to bed to read a chapter with my cuppa and throat sweets!

Thanks for reading.

Hugs

Arline

xx

Three years of blogging...!!

After blog hopping this evening I got to wondering when my blogiversary was.....after a little digging around my settings I found out it was coming up on 7th July! Not only that, it is my third blogiversary! I have missed three of them so I think a good candy needs to be arranged....leave it with me and I will keep you updated! It is also coming up to my first wedding anniversary in August so I will think about how we could celebrate that too....perhaps some more candy....will keep you posted!xx

Two posts in one day...

Very unlike me to post twice in a day! Thought I'd share with you a quick card I made with my new Mary Poppins digi image that I won from Sassy Studio Designs. I just had to have a go with it. I think I might finish it off with a bit of doodling...mmm...not sure...don't want to overdo it. Hope you like it! I still have my other images to have a play with and some more Humphrey cards to make up but I am signing off for the night. Got to get ready to go back to work tomorrow and I never sleep well...hopefully I am prepared enough to be able to do a bit of crafting during the week this week....you never know!

Hugs
Arline
x

Think I've found it again...

....my crafting mojo that is! I have had another afternoon crafting and still want to do more. Really enjoying it so more cards will hopefully follow!

Firstly, some very exciting news...I was lucky enough to win a prize on the Winter Wonderland Challenge Blog as they had a HUGE birthday event last week. I won four digi stamps from Sassy Studio Designs and they are fab...took me a while to choose as there were loads of fab ones...cards definitely to follow! Thanks Winter Wonderland and Sassy Studio!

Secondly, my gorgeous new Humphrey CD from Crafters Companion came on Friday and I have finally had chance to have a play today. A couple of the cards that follow are using the decoupage or pyramage on the CD and I have loads ready to mount onto other cards so hopefully more will follow in the near future. It is so cute...and there seems to be something on there for every occasion...I kind of want to print them out and frame them they are that cute! Don't think hubby would be very amused!

Finally, I have been able to enter some challenges again today! So here are my entries. I have combined a lot of them today as the cards took me a little longer than usual....think I was enjoying myself too much!

My first card is for the Crafter's Companion challenge which is 'Here comes Summer'. I chose this gorgeous little image of Humphrey looking over the garden wall. The flowers reminded me of Summer and I followed those through with some gorgeous Prima papers I bought today. I thought it was a little bit too busy at first but I was quite happy with the final result. I would also like to enter this into the Papertake Weekly challenge which was a fabulous sketch. One I will definitely use again...in fact a later card is almost identical!

My second card is for the Sketch Saturday challenge which was a fab sketch, quite complex but I was really happy with the end result. I used another image from my Humphrey CD, it reminded me of two loving sisters or friends! I really enjoyed working with the pastel colours...I rarely use them but love this combination of lilac and lemon.

My third card is for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge which was to doodle on your card. I have drawn a bit of faux stitching around my image and sentiment. I forgot how much I enjoyed doodling so you may see it on some of my future cards again! I love this little image and thought I'd try and keep ahead with my Christmas cards! Had no time to make any last year with the wedding and everything!

My final card is for three different challenges. Firstly, I'd like to enter it into the Winter Wonderland challenge which is 'Christmas food'-hoping that this card is ok. Little Tilda is carrying a heart cookie and some candy canes and my background paper has some Gingerbread Men and Christmas Puddings on them! I thought I had loads of Christmas food embellishments, images, papers in my stash....but could I find anything! Hope this is enough for my card to be entered...pretty please! Secondly, I'd like to enter this card into the Cute Card Thursday challenge which is to embellish your main image. I have added a few gems on to give it a little sparkle and have also gone over the present, candy canes and cookie with my clear Sakura pen to give it a glossy finish. Finally, I'd like to enter this into the Just Magnolia challenge which is 'Anything Goes' as it is the first challenge of the month. I love using Magnolia images for Christmas cards so really pleased I could take this opportunity to make another one.

Phew...that is it for the moment. I will hopefully be posting some more cards later this evening....off to have tea now and look after my poorly hubby. He has a chest infection but is refusing to go to the doctors! What are men like ay!

Bye for now!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Fab times with my 'niece' and 'nephew'!

Hi All
I didn't have anything planned for this week as I wanted a quiet one, but I have had anything but...in a good way! On Monday hubby and I took out our little 'niece', Steve's friends daughter and our little flowergirl, to Drayton Manor Park. Not being a fan of big rides I was a bit apprehensive before going and the pouring rain didn't help! However, we had a great time! She is only 2 and so had a fabulous time in Thomas land. She was really excited to ride on Thomas and Percy, and of course to fly in Harold the helicopter. have posted a few piccies below. We had a great time and are already planning our next day out!

Then yesterday I spent the day with my bessie mate, Becky and her son (and my little 'nephew!'), Dylan. The day didn't start well as we visited a park which used to have animals in....only to find it had closed...sad times. But we had an ice cream and a play on the park and then came back to my house. As I have said before, I have got back into my baking and Dylan said he would like to make some cakes! We had a great day baking and decorating some little sponge cakes and crispy cakes. He was such a star...a future chef I think! Next time he comes he wants to learn how to make cookies! Bless him! Have popped a few pictures below! Today I thought I'd have a day not doing much so just popped to the library. I wanted to get some books out on Cake decorating and Sugarcraft but was disappointed as most on their system were no longer available! However, I had ordered a beginners guide book which arrived whilst I was out and it is great. Loads of step by step instructions and list of equipment etc. I need. Really useful. I'm thinking of taking a class for beginners in September so would like to just know a little bit before I go! Really excited about my new hobby....will post anything that is worthwhile on my blog!!

I have also decided to get back on my Wii Fit and start to try and lose some weight. I have put a lot on since the wedding as I didn't have to fit into a wedding dress anymore! So think I might start blogging my progress as it may motivate me a little! One decision I have made is for every 3lbs I lose, I am going to reward myself with buying something for my new hobby, a tool or a book etc. I set myself a target of every 6lb before I give myself a little reward before but I never got there! Step by step I think this time. Bit more manageable!

I have done a little bit of crafting this week too as you can see in my post below. Didn't get on very well but am going to try and keep my weekend free so might try again! Work day tomorrow and I'm hoping that is the only work I need to do before Monday!

Anyway, I will stop my waffling and go back to reading my book!

Hugs

Arline xx

Some challenges if you please...

Hi All

Well it is that time again, half-term that is (!), which means another chance to do a bit of crafting. I have had a go at a few challenges but not entirely happy with what I have produced. Think I may have lost my Crafting mojo :( I wasn't feeling too well this morning though so I hopefully I have just had a bad day. I hope you enjoy looking at my cards....one question though for anyone who may happen upon my blog...if any of you use lace, how do you attach it? What adhesive do you use as I had a bit of trouble with this earlier. Answers on a virtual postcard please! Lol!

Anyway, here is my first entry into the Just Magnolia challenge which is the theme of 'Friends.' I love this image of Tilda and found this lovely little verse to go on my card...I felt it went well with the image. I would also like to enter this card into the Cute Card Thursday challenge which is a sketch this week.

My next card is for the challenge over at A Spoonful of Sugar this week which is to include a floral element somewhere on your card. I included the little flowers on the side of my image as well as having floral ribbon and a few flowers made an appearance on the stamped image. I love this cute little elephant. It is one of 'Little Claire' designs and he is just adorable! I also really like this sketch. I have used it a few times now...I think I picked it up from a challenge I did a few weeks ago...

My next card today is for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge which was to create a card/project 'For the Girlies.' I think mine is suitably girly with my colour choice! Lol! Haven't used much bling though....although sometimes less is more. I have made an easel card again for this challenge. I am really enjoying making these at the moment. They are so easy to make and give a normal card a bit of interest for the person you send it too....after they have worked out how to stand it up anyway!

Over at Sketch Saturday this week there are lots of celebrations going on. It is their third birthday! Happy birthday Sketch Saturday! There is lots of blog candy up for grabs, as well as a fab sketch to follow this week as always. Here is my entry....what better way to celebrate a birthday but with a bit of shopping? Lol!

My final card today is for the Winter Wonderland challenge and they have a birthday this week too! They were two yesterday! Happy birthday Winter Wonderland! Lots of prizes up for grabs so go over and take a look! The challenge this week was also a fab one, really enjoyed taking part. You just need to produce a card/project using the colours blue and white. My favourite colours when making Christmas cards!

That's it for now....feel like I have lost my crafting mojo but am hoping that it may come back when the post arrives tomorrow....hoping that my new Humphrey's Crafters Companion CD arrives and I can have a play! Surely I can't go wrong with such a cute character! Hope you have enjoyed visiting my little blog.

Hugs

Arline

xx

Happy Easter....and another day crafting!

Hi All

Happy Easter! Hope you are all having a lovely day and haven't eaten too many easter eggs! We had no plans for the day (apart from tea at the in-laws later) so I decided to do a bit more crafting before I get back to work. Hubby decided to re-organise his DVD collection...enough said! Lol! I hope you enjoy looking at my creations!

My first card was definitely a challenge! I would like to enter it into the Winter Wonderland challenge and this week they would like you to make a card of a Christmas silhouette! I found this really tough as I couldn't find a stamp that I could make into a silhouette at first but I am happy with the final result. It isn't my normal style of card but I might have another go at a batch of these. It was really quick to make and looks quite modern! I might have a go at using different colours (not just black) to make some really funky Christmas cards.

My next card is for the Cute Card Thursday challenge which was 'No Text'. I had to be careful not to include any backing paper that had text on, as well as remembering not to put a sentiment on. I think this image of Tilda is so sweet. This would make a lovely festive notecard, I love the colours and the bit of sparkle with the ribbon.

My next card I would like to enter into the Penny Black Saturday Challenge which was to create a 'Happily Ever After' card (to tie in with the Royal Wedding this week!), something to do with love, a wedding or an anniversary. I struggled at first to find one of my Penny Black stamps that were suitable....I don't own any of the wedding or love sets...must put some on my wish list! I did find this gorgeous little image though and I think the little hedgehog is proposing to the bigger one using the flower in her hand. I thought it was cute anyway! I now need one of my friends to become engaged and I can send this card to them! I would also like to enter this card into the Sketch Saturday challenge. I really liked this sketch and I have used variations of it on a couple of the cards I have made. Definitely one that I will use again!

Over at Just Magnolia this week, the challenge is another great sketch. Again, one that I will definitely use again, in fact I have on another of my cards in this post! I used this opportunity to try to get ahead with some of my Christmas cards and have used this fabulous Santa Edwin image. He is a real cutie. I have also used some paper that I have had in my box for ages but haven't got a clue what make it is! The red paper contained words that you would hear Santa Claus saying himself like 'Naughty or nice' and 'Checking it Twice'. Must try and find it again as I think I have used most of it up now! I would also like to enter this card into the Papertake Weekly Challenge-this week you needed to use spots and stripes. I love this Christmas paper.....it is really festive but could be used all year round.

I absolutely love this image of Edwin and Tilda under the mistletoe. Only after I had completed this card did I realise that I'd forgotten to stick on the bench I'd stamped and coloured for them both to be sitting on! D'oh! Never mind....I'm sure noone will notice.....! I would like to enter this card into the Sparkle Creations Christmas Card Challenge. Again this was another sketch and one I will use again.

And my final card today is for the challenge over at A Spoonful of Sugar. The challenge this week was 'Let's Celebrate'. I have been itching to use my cupcake Tilda and Papermania Cupcake papers for a while now. I loved making this card, it is very pink and girly....just my kind of card!

That's it for now! I hope you enjoyed looking at my cards....I am hoping that I might be able to take part again next weekend as we have a long weekend again. Then it will probably be the Summer holidays before I can join in again....if I can join in before then I will do. I have really enjoyed getting back into my crafting this week and have loved joining in with all the challenges. Fingers crossed I can join in again really soon!

Thanks for looking.

Hugs

Arline

xx

Baking Day!

With the return to work on the horizon, I thought I would make the most of today by having a go at a couple of new recipes. I have always wanted to have a go at making a Victoria Sponge cake and braved it today! Who better to get a traditional recipe from than Mary Berry herself. I bought one of her recipe books a couple of weeks ago and have been looking forward to having a go at a few cakes in there. Victoria Sponge is one of my favourites and I was really nervous about having a go, but for my first attempt I was pleased! One of my cakes sunk a little in the middle (so that one went on the bottom layer!) and I think I put a bit too much buttercream in the middle but apart from that I thought it went well. I have popped a photo below for you to have a look at. I have had a taste and it tasted lovely, very rich though so you only need a slither!I then made a few chocolate chip cookies....ashamedly out of a packet! Lol! I have to say that in the past I have enjoyed making cakes/biscuits out of packets but now I have found my baking mojo again I found it less than fulfilling! I wish I had made a mixture myself as it wouldn't have taken very long! Nevertheless, they taste very nice and they were a quick addition for tea tonight! I then had a go at another recipe out of Mary Berry's book which was for a chocolate and vanilla marble loaf cake. I have never made a loaf cake before but thought I'd have a go! It was easy to make-same mixture as a victoria sponge cake but half of the mixture was to be mixed with some cocoa powder to make the chocolate side. I bought a silicone mould but think I need to invest in an actual loaf tin as I overdid the mixture a little and therefore it stretched the mould! Lol! Came out a bit bigger than I wanted so I cut it down to size and then 'tested' the bits I'd trimmed down...was yummy! The decoration was chocolate icing with some white chocolate to decorate but I didn't have any white chocolate so I just did without. I think the cake would be fine without any icing really. It has a lovely colour to it. Haven't had a proper slice of this yet so will let you know what it tasted like with the icing on later.

Finally, I made some good old crispy cakes! You can never go wrong with these and I always make some at Easter with mini eggs like little Easter nests! I need to invite some people over I think so I don't end up eating all this myself! Will definitely need to get back on my diet when I'm back at work next week! Lol!

Hope you've enjoyed looking at my cakes. I am starting to feel more confident with my baking again and am thinking of getting into sugar craft....would love to be able to make decorations for cakes. I will keep practicing with my cakes to get them perfect and then move onto the next challenge!

Happy Easter and thanks for dropping by.

Hugs
Arline

xx

Is it too early for Christmas?

I woke up this morning in a Christmassy mood....not sure how normal that is for April! Lol! I decided that I would crack on with some Christmas cards....as I was supposed to be starting them yesterday. Whilst I was blog hopping yesterday, I found a few Christmas challenges so I thought I'd have a go! The first card I made today was using a gorgeous image of Tilda....she is so cute just waiting under the mistletoe for her Christmas kiss. I'd like to enter this into the 'Winter Wonderland' challenge which was to include some mistletoe somewhere on your card this week. I was on a roll after I made this one so I used another Tilda image of her and Edwin skating. I used some of my neglected Papermania papers that had been sitting in my craft box for a while and finished it off with a few bits of card candy! I'd like to enter this into another Christmas challenge for the Sparkle Creations Weekly Christmas card challenge where this week, anything goes! They also have a link to their shop with some gorgeous stamps....think I may be making a purchase very soon!

My final card for now is another Magnolia image....this one is where Tilda is decorating the Christmas tree. Again, I used some of my neglected papers and a little bit of ribbon to finish my card off. I'd like to enter this one into Fab's Big Christmas Cards Challenge where the challenge was to use baubles and ribbons on your card. You could make either one or four cards as it is a monthly challenge....I may try to make a few more using this theme if I get chance.

I have really enjoyed making these Christmas cards and having a go at the challenges. I am hoping that I can make a few more before I am back at work next week! Thanks for looking and I hope you have enjoyed my little creations. Hugs Arline xx

A day of crafting!

As it is the Easter holidays I decided to have a relaxing day crafting! I initially started off with the intention of starting my Christmas cards but I then had a look at some of the challenges I used to take part in, and some new ones too. I was inspired to have a go at them and really pleased I did! I might even have time to do some Christmas cards whilst cooking a roast dinner later! Lol! So here's what I've made. I started off last night making a few ATCs...haven't made any of those for ages so really enjoyed making them.

My next card is for a challenge I have never entered before, the Crafters Companion Challenge Blog. I absolutely love Crafters Companion products so really enjoyed using my Popcorn the bear stamps on this one. The challenge was to use the colours 'Aqua and Brown'. I found this really difficult at first and wasn't sure it was going to look right, but once I found some aqua and brown crafty items I was away! I was really pleased with the end result and thought the colour combination really suited a man's card. I also had a go at an easel card...think they may be my new craze!

I'd like to enter my next card into a number of challenges! Firstly, I have made this for the Cute Card Thursday challenge which is to make a card inspired by the weather. My 'Gorjuss Girl' is enjoying the rainy weather! I would also like to enter this card for the 'My Time to Craft' challenge which was to include some kind of spots or dots.....I used some embossed spotty card and dotty ribbon. The final challenge I'd like to enter this card into is the 'Papertake Weekly' which was to add some dimension to your card and so I have decoupaged my image here. So a triple challenge card! My next card is for the 'Just Magnolia' challenge. the challenge was to make a birthday card as it is their 2nd birthday, and so I used this really cute image of Tilda shopping. I really enjoyed taking part in this challenge again as I love working with Tilda and her friends! They are so cute! Happy birthday 'Just Magnolia'!

My final card....for now(!)....is another birthday card and I would like to enter it into two challenges. The first challenge I'd like to enter it into is 'Sketch Saturday'. I have really enjoyed taking part in this challenge again. I really struggle with the layout of my cards sometimes, so challenges like this really help me to vary my style of cards! I would also like to enter this into 'A Spoonful of Sugar' challenge which was to use animals on your cards, so I have used this really cute Penny Black cat on my card. This is another challenge I used to take part in, so it has been lovely to have a go at it again. I have really enjoyed taking part in these challenges again, and trying a few new ones too! Hopefully I will get some Christmas cards done so that I can get a head start! Hope you enjoyed looking at them and thanks for looking.

Update #1!

Had a bit of a mad week! Had lots on at work so been busy there but have also not been feeling very well since Thursday. Think I have a touch of Man Flu! Head is a bit all over the place! But here are my first lot of resolution updates!

1) Had my first weigh in today and have lost 3lbs! Really chuffed. Have started back on my Weight Watchers points diet but to be honest I think it may be due to my loss of appetite over past few days! Will try and keep it up this week though!

2) Giving myself one day off a weekend....mmm not really succeeded in this this week! As my head is all befuzzled I wasn't very productive yesterday so will need to do some work today...in fact have been marking already....will work on this for next week!

3) Have finished reading the latest Kinsella book, 'Mini-Shopaholic'. Review to follow! Was great! Am now going backwards and reading Shopaholic Abroad....is good so far! Doing well with this resolution!

4) Well this is my first blog since last week but probably will end up being once a week but if I can keep it up I will be well chuffed! Will also try to leave messages on blogs I like to read!

5) Spend more time enjoying my hobbies....well I am enjoying my reading at the moment, haven't had chance to make cards or anything yet..or bake but I will find time!!!

6) I am trying to relax a little...still think I am a control freak but not stressing out as much about work....what will be will be but I'm not going to change overnight! ;-)

So quite a positive week....apart from feeling rubbish! Book reviews to follow.....might start with some I read a while ago as the shopaholic books might be best reviewing in order so I have two to catch up on before then! Hehe!

Till next week!
Hugs
Arline
xx

Happy New Year!

Happy new year everyone! Hope you all had a nice Christmas and New Year! We had a lovely time, first one as a married couple, but it was mega busy visiting family! We had a very quiet new year, in bed just after midnight! It is going to be difficult to top 2010 due to the wedding, but you never know what the year will bring. Will have to see what life throws at me this year! I have made the standard new year's resolutions that I have popped below...need to write them down in order to keep track of them...thought my blog would be the best place to do that!

1) Lose weight (put on loads since the wedding so now need to try and shift it again!)
2) Give myself at least one day off, at the weekend, from work. (Been getting far too stressed about work so need to do this for my sanity!)
3) Continue to try and read at least one book a month-not school related! (Did quite well with this last year...think I may upload book reviews on here!)
4) Try to blog more! (Since I have been blogging again I have really enjoyed it!)
5) Spend more time enjoying my hobbies. (I love to make cards and have really got into baking again so want to make sure I spend time doing what I enjoy this year.)
6) Try to relax and not be such a control-freak! (I now realise how much I stress myself out with this!)

Think that is enough to be getting on with. I am going to try and track this throughout the year on my blog so will keep you posted! Any motivation will be greatly received!

Our first task of the year is to start decorating again. We decorated our living room in October and now need to work our way through the house. We are starting upstairs now as the kitchen just needs a lick of paint so will do that last. We are saving up for a super duper wardrobe from Ikea at the moment and on the hunt for some nice wallpaper for a feature wall! Want it to be all cosy and warm but make it look a little more spacious as it is quite a small bedroom. Will keep you posted on any decisions we make...I'm looking forward to it but I don't think hubby is very keen! He will like it when it is all done...and all paid for.

First book review will be coming soon....am in the middle of reading the shopaholic books...got the latest one for Christmas. They really let me just escape into a fun girly world for a little while and are such an easy read! Will also be starting to track weight loss....must dust the scales off!

Thanks for reading.
Arline
xx