Christmas Crafting Challenge # 5 - The Twelve Days of Christmas

Morning all!

 

It is time for a new challenge over at Christmas Crafting! Thanks to all of you who joined in last month and I hope you will join us again this year.....even though I know it is getting scarily close to Christmas!

 

Our challenge this month is 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' and we would like you to use this well-known Christmas song to inspire your projects! Be as creative as you like....it could be traditional but doesn't have to be! Let your imagination run wild!

 

We are very lucky to be sponsored by Robyn's Fetish this month and I have used their 'gilded dove' on my project taking the 'two turtle doves' line from the song. I hope you like it. I couldn't resist making my doves sparkly!

I hope you like it and will join in with the fun this month!

Thanks for looking.

Hugs

Arline

xx

A couple more challenges and a bit of baking!

 

Hi All

This must be a record for me…three posts in one day! Back to the blog world with a bang! Lol!

My next two cards were using a few more new stamps that I received for my birthday that I hadn’t had chance to use yet. My first card is using my new Lili of the Valley stamp…he is such a cutie sitting in his armchair with his mince pies! I have coloured him in with ProMarkers and would like to enter it into the Lili of the Valley challenge which is this fabulous sketch this week.

My last card today is using one of my new Humphrey Christmas stamps and again I have coloured it in using my ProMarkers. I would like to enter this into the Papertake challenge this week which is another great sketch. Love this little image…such a cutie…who can resist little Humphrey! Can’t wait to use all of my other fabby stamps…watch this space!

That is all my crafting for now…I am off to the NEC next weekend…on Saturday I am going to the cake and sugarcraft show and on Sunday I am going to the Hobbycraft show! Sooo excited! I am going with my friend, Becky and my Mum and we are staying in a hotel on Saturday night…a little road trip! Will hopefully update you on my purchases next week!

I really wanted to try some new things today when I started baking but I had lost my baking mojo, so I ended up making some old favourites, sausage rolls, cupcakes and a choccie cake…hadn’t tried this recipe before but it looked nice once it was done! (Haven’t got a piccie of the sausage rolls…they were eaten before I could get the camera out!)

So am going to now enjoy all of these goodies with a cuppa whilst I watch the final of The Bachelor (sad I know but I have been addicted since it began!!)

Thanks for looking!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Crafter’s Companion Challenge-Pink and Green

 

Hi All

Another post, two in one day! It has been really nice to get back into blogging today. I have had a few mad weeks at work…I was very much a stress-head for a while so now it is half-term it has given me a bit of space to really de-stress! I have loved getting back into my crafting……am also hoping to bake later on…only problem is I will then put on about a stone eating it all! Lol!

Anyway, back to my cards from today. My first card is for the Crafter’s Companion challenge this month which is to use the colours pink and green. I have used one of my new SWALK stamps that I have had for a while but never used…I know…hanging my head in shame! I have coloured her in using my Spectrum Noir pens and am continuing to practice my shading…what do you think? It is a work in progress! I have used a few pearls to finish her off as well as a fab sentiment I received in a crafty swap that I took part in.

I also used another one of my SWALK stamps to create my next card. The face didn’t go so well, she looks like she has had a spray tan! Lol! I have made another easel card and have used some tiny little flowers that I have had in my stash for ages just to finish her off! I would like to enter this into the Cute Card Thursday challenge this week which is this fabulous sketch.

That is it for now. Thanks for looking once again and I hope you have all been enjoying the unexpected sunshine today!

Hugs

Arline

xx

All About Me-Scrapbook Challenge

Hi All

Something a bit different for you today. I don’t do much scrapbooking as I never seem to find the time, so I have joined a group that the lovely Gill has started which is to create a scrapbook page each month in order to make a book ‘All About Me’.

As you know, last year I got married and have wanted to start scrapbooking it for ages so that is where I started. I absolutely love sepia colours for pictures, hubby hates them so I thought in my scrapbook I would use sepia coloured pictures! I have used just some wedding papers/cream card that I have had in my box for a long time. I then bought from my local craft shop, a sheet of card which had some lovely quotes on about marriage which I cut up and used. In order to add a little journalling, I used a little pocket from my ‘Smash’ bits and bobs that I received a little while ago. Just finished it off then with a couple of heart shaped doilies and some little pearls. I really hope you like it! I was really pleased with the end result. Please be warned-picture overload in this post!We were also asked to decide on a title for our book and what book we are going to use. My title is simply going to be ‘All About Me’! My book is a bit of a saga……I thought I had a simple beige scrapbook that I could use……but can’t find it so am looking for an alternative! Currently bidding on one that looks like the one below so I am hoping that I win this one! If not then I will see if I can find one similar! I liked the little picture slots as I thought I could put in four little pics of me from four different times in my life. Hope this is all ok and that you will enjoy following me and my scrapbook over the next few months!

Thanks for looking.

Hugs
Arline

xx

Winter Wonderland Guest Designer!

Hi All

 

I was really chuffed a few weeks ago when Suzi over at Winter Wonderland asked me to be guest designer. The challenge this week is 'Robin Redbreast' and here is my 'inspiration'! Hope you like it! It is a gorgeous little Pink Gem Designs digi image and I have used my Promarkers to colour him in....sooo sweet. I have used some really old flowers and some Christmassy paper....think it might be Papermania. I have also had a go at decorating the inside of my card....I never do this and really want to start doing it more!

 

Thanks for looking and please go and join in with the challenge this week! Thanks once again ladies for asking me to be your guest designer this week!

 

Hugs
Arline

xx

Christmas Crafting challenge # 4 – Little Robin Red Breast.

 

Hi all

Just a quick post from me this morning…..I am off to go Christmas shopping! I have to get all of mine done for my family by October half-term (three weeks away!) Eek!

Anyway, back to the purpose for this blog post! Our fourth challenge over at Christmas Crafting has been set by Debbie one of our design team members and it is ‘Little Robin Red Breast’. We want to see all of your images of robins on your Christmas cards/projects!

Here is my attempt this month. I have made another twisted easel card….think these might be my new thing at the moment! Lol!

So, please join us this month and get yourself organised for Christmas….not long to go now!!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Humphrey….Christmas Humphrey!!

 

I was so very excited to receive the new Christmas Humphrey CD and all 12 stamps from my hubby for my birthday. I couldn’t wait to get crafting with it. Today I have had a play with the CD….stamps next weekend…I promise!

Here is my first card today…this is for the Winter Wonderland challenge this week which is ‘Across the Miles’ and for the Pollycraft challenge this week which is ‘Swirls and Pearls’. I have used one of the 3D toppers from the CD, some old Christmas papers and a few pearls and swirls to finish it off! There is also a little bit of glitter but the camera hasn’t picked it up…you will just have to take my word for it! ;-)

My next card is for the Bah Humbug challenge this week which is to include a ‘Reindeer/Rudolph’ on your project….I’m hoping a dressed up Humphrey will be ok! Love this image….it is sooo sweet. This is one of the ‘Card Companions’ that are on the CD….all I added was a little bit of card candi and some pink card!

 

My next make was a paper gift bag. I used one of the gorgeous 3D toppers once again and added a little bit of ribbon, card candi and some stickles to bring it to life a little. Think I might make a few more of these….definitely makes more of a gift I think! I’d like to enter this into the Sparkles Forum Christmas challenge this week which is to include ‘Santa’ on your project….hoping again that Humphrey dressed up is ok!

I have also made a couple of cards today bit can’t share those with you as of yet….will have to keep you in suspense!

Thanks for looking and will promise to try and get a bit of blog hopping done this week!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Piccies as promised!

Hi all

Please excuse my absence from blogland for a while…work is starting to become very busy again now…should be marking right now! My sister has also been here over the weekend, we went to see Legally Blonde at the theatre….was fab…pink and girly…everything I love! So it seems that time is slipping away with me! I have been doing a little bit of crafting so will share that with you in a mo…am splitting my posts up to day as otherwise my post would go on…and on…and on…lol!

I thought I’d share with you what I was very lucky to receive on my birthday! I was spoilt rotten by family and friends! Here are the handmade cards I received…so gorgeous each and every one.

Here are some fabby crafting goodies that I received….can’t wait to have a good old play!

Here are some great baking goodies that I was bought….some fab books to get my nose into too!

Finally, here are some other bits and bobs I was given….a lovely clock, owl themed goodies and a few good girly reads!

I also had some birthday money and so I had a bit of a splurge with my sister over the weekend but I also ordered a ‘Smash’ book and accessories! Really excited to get started with it…my book should be here this week but all of the accessories have arrived! If you haven’t heard of these then YouTube them! I know you could make your own but I love that they are all done ready to scrapbook in!  

So I was a very very spoilt girl on my birthday, and apart from having to go work, I had a lovely day! Lol!

That is it for now….will share my crafting projects in my next post!

Thanks for looking.

Hugs

Arline

xx 

Woohoo....it's my birthday!

Hi All

Just a quickie! It is my birthday today....how exciting, 28 years young! I have had some wonderful cards and gifts....promise I will post some piccies when I get chance! Have been at work all day, kids have been monsters (didn't even give me chance to bribe them with sweets!!) and then a 2 hour meeting when school had finished! Phew....am just now relaxing at home with my hubby absolutely shattered! Promise I will get back blogging, crafting and posting very soon!! I am still here....have still been wrestling with this cold but think it may be on the way out which is very good news :)

Thanks to all of you who have sent me birthday wishes on facebook...really kind of you, I was a bit overwhelmed!

Hugs
Arline
xx

To craft or not to craft....

Hi All

Just a quick post today! Started back at work this week...had an OK week meeting all of my new classes etc. but now am feeling lousy! Was losing my voice over the last couple of days (thought it was down to being back and not used to using it so much!) but have got a horrible cold! Had to go bed last night to watch Big Brother as I was all achy and horrible! Can cope with a sniffly nose and sore throat but head is all over the place today :( So still sitting here in my PJs! Wondering whether to attempt some crafting and do work tomorrow or vice versa...or I may end up just sitting mooching! Lol! So apologies if I am not 'hopping' much, will try to put something worth looking at on my blog over the weekend! At least it isn't next weekend....tis 9 days till my birthday! Something to look forward to when I feel bit better anyway!

Sorry for a post having a winge but wanted to let you know I hadn't got lost in the blogging world! Lol!

Hugs to you all
Arline
xx

New Humphrey's Corner Christmas Collection!

Crafter's Companion are launching the Humphrey's Corner Christmas Collection on Tuesday 13th September...can't wait! Over on their news blog they are giving you the chance to win the new CD and the new Christmas Humphrey stamps...you must go and check it out...just click on the picture above! Also, look out for some fab sneaky peeks from the Design Team...they are so gorgeous! Thanks for the chance to win CC!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Last day of the holidays…

 

Well, it is the last day of the holidays today! I shouldn’t really complain after having 6 weeks off ;) I thought I would have a day crafting and chilling before the madness begins again tomorrow!

On Thursday I bought the ‘Papercraft Essentials’ magazine and I couldn’t wait to have a go at crafting with the free Humphrey stamp! So here are my attempts…hope I have done him justice! He is such a sweetie!

My first card today is a twisted easel card, I’ve never had a go at these before and thought it was ok for my first attempt! I have used some Papermania papers, a Cuddly Buddly sentiment, a small doily and a little bit of card candi just to finish it off! I have coloured Humphrey in with my Speccies and ProMarkers. I’d like to enter this card into the Crafter’s Companion challenge this month which is ‘Christmas Wishes’ and the Christmas Stamping All Year Long challenge which is ‘Fancy Schmancy-try a different fold’.

My next card, again using little Humphrey, is a Christmas card ‘For a Special Friend’ and this is for the Winter Wonderland challenge this month. I would also like to enter this into the Sketch Saturday challenge this week…I really loved playing with this sketch…I have wanted to have a go at bunting on my cards for a while so this gave me the push I needed! I have coloured Humphrey in with my Speccies and ProMarkers again and have used ‘Autumnal Colours’ which is the challenge over at the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge this week. On all of my cards today I have also stamped Humphrey with brown ink…this is the first time I have had a go at doing this and it does give him a softer edge which I really like…it doesn’t show up very well on the photo but I promise you it does! Lol!

My final project this week is a decorated notebook, using Humphrey yet again! I am going to use this little notebook to plan my Christmas cards and projects I think…Humphrey is so cute! I coloured him in again with my Speccies and ProMarkers, used some gems and stickles to glitz up the background paper I have used and used a little bit of ribbon and card candi to finish this project off. (Sorry for the amount of pictures for this one!) I would like to enter this into the Allsorts challenge this week which is to use ‘Blue and Green’ and the Totally Papercrafts challenge which is to make ‘Anything but a Card’.

That is it for me for now. I am going to continue to try and join in with challenges even though I am back to school tomorrow! Want to try and make sure my work/life balance is right this year…think I burnt myself out last year! So hopefully my blog will still be updated regularly! Thanks to all of you who are kind enough to comment on my creations, I really do appreciate it.

Don’t forget to join in with the Christmas Crafting challenge this month which is ‘Christmas Sparkle’ and we are also holding a Christmas ATC swap if you are interested…all of the details are here. Would be great to see you all joining in!

Thanks for looking!

Hugs

Arline

xx

Christmas Crafting Challenge #3-Christmas Sparkle!

Hi All

How are you this morning? Hope you are well! I am off out to get my new 'school uniform' today! Groan....hate shopping for work clothes! I would imagine some naughty shoes, bags, jewellery etc. might fall into my bags....!

Anyway, onto this months challenge over at Christmas Crafting. This month the challenge is 'Christmas Sparkle!' So get your glitters, gems, bling etc. out and start getting sparkly! This month we are sponsored by the fabulous Sassy Studio Designs and the prize is four of their fabulous digital stamps! Definitely worth joining in!

Here are my two DT cards...we were very kindly given these two images to play with from SSD and they are great! Hope you like them....I have kept them quite simple, using some Papermania pink and aqua paper. The first one is using an image called 'First Snow' and is great for a teenage girl I think.

My sparkle is stickles for snow and some little gems on each corner of the image!

My next card is using this fabulous sexy Santa image....definitely one for the man in your life! I have coloured her in using ProMarkers Crimosn, Cardinal Red, Pastel Yellow, Blush, Tan and Sandstone. I would like to also enter her into the I Love ProMarkers challenge this week which is anything goes!

My sparkle on this card is the stickles on her suit and some more adhesive gems!

That is it for me today! We have had a blog makeover so please go and take a look and hope you can join in this month. We also have an Christmas ATC Swap going on....details are here if you would like to join in!

Thanks for looking and hope you have a good day!

Hugs

Arline

xx

A bit of sauciness and some ATCs!

Hi All

Hope you are enjoying the weekend, despite the weather. Haven't really felt like doing much today but did a little bit of crafting. Had a go at the challenge over at Cupcake Crafts this week which is to make a 'gift card' so I have made a money wallet for a man. This saucy Santa from Sassy Studio is fab for a gift for a man....don't know about you, but I always struggle with buying gifts for men, so often need a money wallet for cash or vouchers! Lol! I have added a little bit of stickles just because it needed something, even if it is for a man! Inside I have just made a little pocket so a gift card, voucher or notes will easily fit into it.

The rest of my time today was spent making ATCs! I haven't made these for a while but over on my Christmas Challenge blog I am shortly going to be holding a Christmas ATC swap so let me know if you would like to take part. Used to love swapping ATCs so looking forward to holding a swap and Christmas themed is even better! I made 8 ATCs so have just picked out four to show you up close and one photo of all 8 so as to not bore you with loads of photies! Lol! My first ATC I would also like to enter into the challenge over at Bah Humbug which is ‘Here come the girls!’-make something girly! Not that I need a reason, but I have used pink papers, pink speccies, pink gems and glittery ribbon to make this ATC super girly!

My next ATC is using another image from Sassy Studio. I have used some old Papermania papers and coloured her in using Promarkers. I have also added a little snowflake that I cut on my friend's Cricut machine!! I think I fell in love with her Cricut when I had a play the other day...has gone on my Christmas list ;)

My third ATC is using a gorgeous Penny Black Mimi stamp. She is such a sweetie and looks so angelic with blonde hair! I tried to just keep to blue and silver for this ATC, using a little lace and gems as finishing touches.

And finally, my last close up of an ATC I have made is one using one of my penguins I made using my friend's Cricut machine on Tuesday. We had loads of fun playing around with it and I have lots of penguins and owls...you know they are my guilty pleasure....to make up so watch this space! I have used some Papermania papers and ripped a little to attempt to make a little bit of snow!

And here is my piccie of all 8 ATCs that I made today. Hope you like them and if you would like to be involved in the Christmas ATC swap then please get in touch and I will add you to the list. All of the details will be posted on my challenge blog and this blog on Thursday 1st September!

That is it from me today. I am back to work in a week so not sure how much crafting I am going to get done this week.....hoping to take part in a few more challenges before my holiday ends! Enjoy the bank holiday everyone!

Hugs

Arline

xx