My ‘Smash’ book!

Hi All

Something a little different for you now. I bought a ‘Smash’ book a little while ago and have done bits and bobs inside it but never completed a page…think I needed a bit of confidence before I went for it! Well, today was the day! I have joined a new Smash book Facebook group which have inspired me to get it started. If you are thinking, what the bloody hell is a smashbook?!? then have a look at this link.

Anyway, here is my first attempt at a double page spread. My book is going to be full of all sorts, no real theme. So I decided to do my first pages on my recent visit to Belton House, ‘Rosings Park’ to any Pride and Prejudice fans. We had a great time and I knew I wanted to scrapbook it so thought it a good place to start by ‘smashing’ it.

Here they are, my first pages…please don’t be too judgemental!

I have added quite a bit of journaling, my own photos and some from P+P 1995 version. I really, really enjoyed making these pages and don’t think I will leave it too long now before another lot are done! Will keep you posted on my progress but thought you might like to see!

Thanks for looking.

Hugs

Arline

xx

A rainy day crafting.

Hi All

Well, what a miserable day! Had a bit of a rubbish weekend. We woke up yesterday to find out that someone had stolen our petrol out of a car!! Thieving swines! They seem to have targeted a few cars on the estate…reported to the police but not holding out much hope that they will catch anyone. So, without a car at the moment, hoping we can get it sorted at the garage tomorrow. So plans went out of the window for the weekend. I had to pop into town and we had to do the food shopping but it gave me more time indoors crafting….if we are going to try and put a positive slant on it!!

Just the one card for you today….also made my card for the next Christmas Crafting challenge but I will post this on 1st May (still a day left to post you entries for this month)! My card today is for the Winter Wonderland challenge which is ‘Here come the girls’ and the Papertake Weekly challenge which is this fab sketch. I fancied making Christmas pages today, probably because of the terrible weather outside…you wouldn’t think we were nearly in summer!!

I have used a Sugar Nellie image and coloured with my Promarkers, the backing papers are from an old Hot Off The Press pad that I have and I have used a Little Claire sentiment. Hope you like it! I will be back shortly with a post of my ‘Smash’ book, so something a little different!

Thanks for popping by and I hope you have enjoyed your weekend

Hugs

Arline

xx

Half-way reminder for Christmas Crafting Challenge!

Hi All

Just a quick reminder about the challenge over on Christmas Crafting this month. We are halfway through the month so still time to get your entries in! All you need to do is make a Christmas card/project that fits our theme for this month which is:

Gingham Christmas!

The prize this month is a set of wonderful Peter Rabbit stamps!

Please pop on over and look at the DT cards for some inspiration!

Hope to see some more fabulous crafty creations.

Hugs

Arline

xx

Last couple of cards…for now!

Hi All

Well, these are my last two cards…for now…am hoping to leave Sunday free in order to do a bit of crafting but you know how it is, will keep fingers crossed!

My first card is using one of my new Christmas stamps-Mimi from Penny Black. She is so sweet…and stamps really well! I enjoyed making this card, loved the bright colours…wasn’t sure about it at first but pleased with the result. I’d like to enter this into the Sketch Saturday challenge this week and will definitely use this one again-thanks ladies!

My final card…for now…is using one of my new LOTV stamps. Such a sweet teddy! I also used some of my new Laura Ashley papers on this one. I’d like to enter this into the Allsorts challenge which is another bingo one and I have chosen ‘pink, blue and yellow’-not showing up well on picture but there is yellow on it I promise! I have coloured part of the flower yellow and the pearls are also yellow.

Thanks for stopping by once again and I hope it won’t be too long before I post again!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Only a few more days of freedom left!

Hi All

Had a work day yesterday…still don’t feel like I’ve made a dent in what needs doing but never mind! Will keep going today.

I do have a couple more cards to share with you today though. My first card is using the gorgeous little Wren from Tiddly Inks. She is so cute and great to work with. I have made this card for the Totally Papercrafts challenge this week which is a Bingo challenge-I have used ‘blue, ribbon and pearls.’ I have used some new Laura Ashley papers and another charm that I bought at the show to finish it off. Hope you like it.

My final card for today is using a Magnolia Christmas image I’ve never used before…if I was doing this again I think I’d colour her in with gold colours and do a WOW card…think she might look nice like that…mmm we will see! I was happy with the finished card though and would like to enter this into the Just Magnolia challenge which is ‘Anything Goes’ this week.

That’s your lot for today! More to follow tomorrow…am hoping to go along to our new Range store that is opening tomorrow!! So will post when I get home, I may even have goodies to share ;)

Thanks for visiting!

Hugs

Arline

xx

A few more for you…

Hi All

Having a work day today so just thought I’d quickly update my blog before I get started. A couple more makes for you today, again using new stash I bought from the NEC! My first card is using one of my new LOTV ballerina stamps-have been eyeing this stamp up for a while. I decided to just keep it simple with a touch of pink and white. I’m not sure I like it as much as I did in my head but nice to try different things sometimes. I also added a little ballet charm I bought at the show too. I’d like to enter this into the Lili’s Little Fairies challenge this week which is ‘Ribbons, buttons and bows’.

I have also been getting back into my Christmas card making this week. Here is another cute Humphrey image…have loved playing along with him again this week. Can’t believe I have neglected him for so long! I’d like to enter this into the Winter Wonderland challenge this week which is ‘Robin Redbreast’.

Think that is it from me today…will be back tomorrow and will try and do some blog hopping later on!

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Arline

xx

Two posts in two days!

Hi All

Look at me…two posts in two consecutive days! Lol! Hope you have all had a lovely day. I have been to see my Great Aunty who is housebound in Nottingham today. Always nice to see her and also came home with millions of Lever Arch files that her son has passed on to me…will definitely get some use at school!

Anyway, my offerings today are two more cards for a few more challenges. My first card is another Humphrey’s Corner card and I absolutely love this image…so adorable! Think he is my fave (excluding the Christmas ones of course ;) ) I would like to enter this into the I Love Promarkers challenge this week which is ‘Springtime’. The Promarkers I have used are ice grey 1, cool grey 2, pear green and buttercup.

My second card today is my very first House Mouse Wooden Backed stamp! I couldn’t resist a stand that were selling them at the NEC a few weeks ago…so cute! I have tried to keep to shades of browns but not too happy with the edging of the ribbon…a little too dark I think…will have to keep playing! I decided it would look best as an easel card as it is quite a big stamp! Hope you like it :) I’d like to enter this into the Cute Card Thursday challenge this week which is ‘I want candy’, and for the first time entering the House Mouse challenge (don’t think I’ve entered before but hoping to enter again soon!) which is ‘So sweet’. Hope my box of chocolates on my image fits both challenges!

Thanks for looking everyone! Hope to be back tomorrow to share some more craftiness! Thanks so much for all of your lovely comments, I really do appreciate them and will try to get round and see you all to repay the favour :)

Hugs

Arline

xx

A lovely Easter weekend…despite the weather!

 

Hi All

Hope you have all had a wonderful Easter and haven’t overdone it too much on the choccy eggs?! I’ve had a lovely few days. My Mum has been to visit and we had a day out to Belton House on Saturday…for those of you who do not know, this is where they filmed the Rosings Park scenes in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice. Was a lovely day out, even though it was a little drizzly. We have then spent a couple of days inside crafting as the weather has been vile!

Anyway, I have made quite a few cards but am going to tease you and only show you one or two at a time…try and spread my blog posts out during the week!

My first card today is for the Papertake Weekly Challenge which is ‘Anything Goes’. I have been dying to use some of the stamps I bought at the show a few weeks ago so jumped at the chance to use one of my new Lili of the Valley ones!

  Such a sweet image! I am hoping to do a bit of baking this week…lost my baking mojo at the moment…maybe it will return before I go back to work!

My next card is a Christmas card. Been in a bit of a festive mood this week…not long to go you know ;) This one I would like to enter into the Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge and the Christmas Stampin’ All Year Round challenge which both ask you to craft using your favourite colour combination. I love making blue Christmas cards so here is my attempt!

I love this little Humphrey stamp…such a cutie. I have also used one of my new Little Claire sentiment stamps I bought at the show.

That’s it for now…will share some more with you tomorrow :)

Thanks for looking.

Hugs

Arline

xx

Beatrix Potter and finally a card made using my Cricut!

 

Hi All

A few cards to show you today. My Mum is also visiting for a few days so we are hoping to have a few crafty sessions too….so hopefully I won’t be so absent!

My first card to share with you today is using the Beatrix Potter Tom Kitten CD Rom. I love Beatrix Potter and went a bit mad at the NEC a few weeks ago! Just getting round to having a play now. This is one of the pyrimage sheets and I have used a little charm that I also bought at the NEC from Mei Flower. I would like to enter this into the Crafter’s Companion challenge this month which is ‘Four Legged Friends’. Tis a bit of a dodgy picture so apologies! It looks all curly at the edges but I promise you it isn’t! Lol!

I also had a little play with a Tom Kitten stamp that I bought….the card isn’t finished yet but here is a sneaky peek of what I have done so far!

I also went to help my friend move into her new flat last week so made her a new home card using my Cricut. Just something a little bit fun!

I never really make Easter cards but have ended up making a couple today using some Forever Friends decoupage that I found in my stash! Just a couple of easel cards and actually really love the images….might make a few more and get ready for next year!! Lol! (Apologies once again about the piccies-don’t know what is wrong with my camera! Think I need to mess around with the settings again!)

   That’s it for now! Hoping to have a go at some challenges and play with my new stash over the next few days-feeling a little Christmassy so will probably see some festive cheer appearing on the blog!

Hugs

Arline

xx

A lonesome visit to the NEC!

Hi All

Apologies for the lack of posting at the moment. Work has well and truly taken over. Five days left and then off for two weeks…awaiting Ofsted though so really hoping we don’t get a call this week for the first week back…otherwise that’s my hols gone! Lol!

Anyway, I decided to take a day off today and go to the NEC for the craft show. Have managed to catch a cold over the past couple of days…yet again!…but was determined to go. Unfortunately, my partners in crime, Becky, Mum and family friend Jill, weren’t able to come so it was just me on my own…was pretty lonely. I managed to cheer myself up with a bit of crafty retail therapy though! I have popped a piccie below of what I bought:

I got some lovely goodies, lots of Beatrix Potter stuff, some Little Claire Christmas sentiment stamps, LOTV stamps (couple of new ones), various bits of card and bits and bobs and one thing I absolutely love is a wooden mounted House Mouse stamp…couldn’t choose which one I wanted but went for this chocolate box one. Really looking forward to Easter so that I can have a good old play! Also won a fiver at Crafty Bob’s stall and got myself a gold bag…that was a nice start to the day!

It was also the Fashion and Sewing show too and they had the Downton Abbey costumes…I am a big fan so thought I’d show you a piccy!

 

That’s it for me for now. I have been very kindly nominated for a few awards and promise I will accept them when I break up. Thank you so much for my nominations :)

Hope to be back in the blogging world from the weekend onwards!!

Thanks for looking as always!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Yay….a crafternoon!

Hi All

Managed to finally do a bit of crafting today! Has been nice, determined not to spend all weekend working this weekend!

My first card is my fave…this is my very first Mo Manning image and I love it! I used some old Papermania black and white papers in the background and used my Spectrum Noir pens to colour him in. I’d like to enter this into the Papertake Weekly challenge which is ‘Anything Goes’ this month. Hope you like it!

My next card is using a new stamp I couldn’t resist! This is a new Penny Black stamp and I want to use it in my scrapbooking but couldn’t wait to test it out on a card…went perfectly with my ‘Keep calm…’ stamps. I’d like to enter this into the Totally Papercrafts challenge this week which is ‘My Favourite Things’. I am entering this as it is my favourite stamp at the moment and it is also of a place that is probably my favourite place to visit as it means lots to me-Steve proposed at the top of the London Eye!

I am really trying to be good and avoid crafty spends, hoping to go to the NEC at the end of the month, but couldn’t resist buying some more Bella stamps from someone who was selling them on ebay! Here are a few of my makes-the blue one hasn’t yet got a sentiment on (might leave it as a notecard…) and have stamped some other images waiting to go onto cards but what do you think? I love the style of image-I can think of loads of people that would enjoy getting a ‘Bella’ card. I have kept them quite simple but am liking this kind of card at the moment!

My next card is for my mother-in-law for Mother’s Day. I have also made one for my Mum which I really enjoyed making but can’t share it yet….just in case she looks on my blog! This card is using a Lili of the Valley image which is sooo cute! I have also used a little bit of seam binding to finish it off. I’d like to enter this into the I Love Promarkers challenge which is ‘Ribbons and Bows’ (I have used tan, sandstone, blush, blossom, rose pink and buttercup) and the Allsorts challenge which is ‘Say it with flowers’.

There is more…hope you’re not getting bored yet! My next card is using one of the gorgeous Strawberry Kisses stamps-so sweet and this image is particularly mischievous-look at her opening her eye to see if anyone has realised she’s eaten some of the cupcake!! Lol! Not keen on the backing paper I have used…mmm…tis growing on me! I am going to enter this into the Facebook Crafter’s Companion challenge which is ‘Animals’.

Finally just one more Lili of the Valley card! Love this gorgeous image and have made it into a simple card just using some Papermania backing paper and card candi!

Thanks for looking-a marathon day! You should see the state of my dining room table! Will tidy it up in the morning! Off to watch Take Me Out now and have some tea :)

Night all, hope you have all had a lovely Saturday and enjoy Sunday just as much!

Hugs

Arline

xx

An award!

Hi All

Apologies for not being around much at the moment…I am determined that I will get some cards made today so watch this space! Work is a little bit crazy at the mo  and seems to have taken over once again!

I was really chuffed that a blogging friend of mine, Meg, has nominated my little blog for an award! Thank you so much hun, really made my day! Here it is:

 

The Liebster Blog Award is used to show appreciation of smaller blogs (under 200 followers) and to help spread readership and joy. As part of the tradition the award is passed along to five other blogs that have motivated and inspired me. It comes from the German meaning dearest or beloved but can also mean favourite. To accept the award you must:

1. Link back to the person's blog who gave it to you and thank them.
2. Post the award to your blog
3. Give the award to 5 bloggers (less than 200 followers) that you appreciate and value
4. Leave a comment on the five blogs you chose to let them know

It is always hard to choose just 5. I have chosen these ladies because their work is fabulous and I often don’t get chance to visit them as much as I’d like. Please take some time to visit them, all so different with such gorgeous creations!

1. Amanda http://ajecreations.blogspot.com/
2. Keeley http://havingameday.blogspot.com/#axzz1oi56CD89
3. Ali http://simplystylishstamping.blogspot.com/
4. Angela http://www.tintinheart.com/
5. Clair http://valentines-sharni-clair.blogspot.com/

Hopefully will be back later today with some makes!

Hugs
Arline

xx

Last afternoon of freedom!

Hi All

Hope you are all well this evening. I have enjoyed my last afternoon of half-term by doing a little bit of crafting! Probably my last, until the weekend at least, although I have applied for a new job so fingers crossed I get an interview….if so, it might mean giving up a crafty weekend! Lol!

I have had a go at a few challenges today but also used a few stamps that I haven’t used before. I have also coloured in lots of different images so they are waiting in the wings to be made into cards ;)

My first card today is a gorgeous Penny Black image. Love these little hedgehogs…they are so sweet. I have used some Papermania fairytale papers on this card…think I have fallen in love with them. I have also used my ProMarkers to colour them in. I used: tan, sandstone, blush, buttercup and pear green if you are interested. I would like to enter this card into a number of challenges today: Penny Black Saturday Challenge this week which is ‘Pearls and Lace’, Cute Card Thursday which this week is ‘Flower Power’ (have flowers in the image and backing paper), I Love ProMarkers challenge which is the theme of ‘Nature’ and finally the Sketch Saturday challenge which is this fab sketch.

My next card today is another Bella one. These are definitely my new thing! Love the images and I can give these cards out to so many of my friends…they will love them! Hoping to purchase some more at the end of the month…although I need to save as am thinking of going to the NEC in March! This Bella image is her having a brew or latte depending on preference! Lol! Again I used some of the Papermania Fairytale papers and coloured her in with my ProMarkers. Wish I had her skinny arms…hehe! I’d like to enter this into the Allsorts Challenge this week which is ‘Anything Goes.’

Another new stamp next (I haven’t had a shopping spree by the way…they are just ones I have had for a while and not used!) is a gorgeous little Christmas Sugar Nellie. This is such a cute image and I have used my favourite Christmas colour scheme which is blue and white! I have also used some of my seam binding to make a bow…another favourite embellishment of mine at the moment! I would like to enter this into the Winter Wonderland challenge this week which is to create a ‘Christmas card’ to start off their Christmas card challenges again and I’d also like to enter it into the Totally Papercrafts challenge this week which is ‘Ribbons and Bows’.

My final project for you today is a tag that I have made for the Just Magnolia challenge this week….which is to ‘Make a Tag’. I have used my lovely Princess Tilda and couple it with some gorgeous girly papers out of my stash. I have used a doily and some pearls/gems to add a little sparkle.

Hope you enjoyed looking. Am trying to get round to a big blog hop, update my blog and also thinking about some blog candy so will keep you all posted! If I get chance this week then I might be able to sort it then…so keep a look out ;)

Hope you all have a lovely week and thanks for the lovely comments you leave, they are really appreciated.

Hugs
Arline

xx