Celebrations

Testing out another of my crafty birthday presents- this time from Clare- some amazing MS background stamps.  I really need to start  to branch out my stamping and crafting after seeing all the new techniques people are using.  These stamps are a fab way to make a start.  I did discover though that I didn't have the inks that I wanted (I only really have black, which is a bit boring) and hence eBay here we come...!

As a first attempt and using watercolour pens to ink up the stamps, I'm not too unhappy.  I stamped the background and then cut it up to make the flag.  I will enter the card into this weeks WSC (red, white and blue) and MAWTT (celebrations not birthdays- the Queen's Diamond Jubilee!).

Happy Birthday

I was a very lucky girl this week and received two LOTV kitten stamps from Lauren for my birthday.  They are absolutely gorgeous and I LOVE them.  I just had to get them inky despite the sunny weather drawing me to be outside.  This is the first of many creations I think.  I will give the card to my office mate on her birthday, who tends to bake a cake for everyone else in the office when it is their birthday.

I will enter this card into this weeks Sweet Sketch Wednesday (sketch), Passion for Promarkers (birthday) and I love Promarkers (diescuts- flowers) challenges.

Pink and green

Wow hasn't the weather been lovely this week?  I was stuck inside all week and so have made the most of the sunshine this weekend- hence less productive on the card front- lol!  I stuck this card out the window to take the photo and it's come out really well- much better than my normal photography.  I'm thinking I should do it every week.  Not something to do if it is very windy though as I can see the card falling off the window sill and sailing into the pond in the garden below...

Anyway, I made this card with a stamped image that Rosie sent me for my birthday- thanks Rosie!  I will enter it into this week Cute Card Thursday (pink and green), Willow Sketchie (sketch) and I love Promarkers (diecuts- the flower) challenges.

J is for Jingle Bells

After buying (while I still had money!) the 20 digi bundle from Pollycraft yesterday morning I thought that I'd get to work today and use one of the images straight away.  It fits perfectly with this weeks ABC Christmas challenge (J is for Jingle Bells).  I have followed the sketch for this weeks Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  I will also enter the card into this weeks I Love Promarkers (anything goes), MAWTT (keep it real) and Willow Sketchie (3 different papers) challenges and this months CCAYR challenge (inspired by a song- Jingle bells).

Thanks a bunch

Well, in the end today I just had to do some crafting to unwind.  Also I couldn't miss this weeks Pollycraft challenge (colour inspiration- pinks), knowing that it is likely to be one of the last.  Hence I made this card using a Pollycraft Swings and Slides image.  I have teamed it with Pink Petticoat big spots papers in pinks.  The card follows this weeks Willow Sketchie sketch.  I will also enter the card into this weeks Di's Digi downloads (bling), I love Promarkers (anything goes) and MAWTT (no fantasy images- keep it real) challenges.

End of an era

I was so sad this week to hear that Paula has decided to close Pollycraft.  Of course I fully understand her decision and it is the right one to make- family MUST come first.  Plus if crafting has lost its pleasure and has become a chore then it is time to give it a break.  I will really miss both the challenges and shopping in the store.  Pollycraft images are some of my favourites (as regular readers will know!).  

Anyway, before the 8th June pop over and grab a bargin.  I have (before I lost my banking access).

While, you are at it, another of my favourite shops, CES, is also closing.  Have a look there for more great deals.

Scams

I got caught by a scam yesterday- people posing to be from Microsoft saying that my laptop was sending them error messages and that I had to let them correct it else it was going to die.  It was all very convincing at the time, but looking back on it I can't believe I was so stupid as to fall for it.  They took over my laptop remotely and then wanted money.  Gave all my bank details....  God how stupid am I?
Bank account stopped, no cards or internet bank access...  Laptop checked by a professional and Norton...  Still hoping nothing sinister put on it and that all they were after was my money (which they didn't get).  How silly, they didn't know I'm a student and have NO money!
Anyway, after spending all of yesterday in a stress over fixing the mess I got myself in no time for crafting and so my blog is going to be empty this week... :-( unless I get a little time this afternoon.  Heaps of work to do though and I really need to sleep, so I'm not sure.
Pop back next week and hopefully normal service will be resumed.  And don't fall into the same trap as me!

Fairy Tales

I bought this Kiki image from Pollycraft the other day and this is its first outing.  Isn't it adorable?   I will enter the card into this weeks CES (anything goes) and Willow Sketchie (handmade flowers) challenges and this months Ready Teddy Go (bingo- flower, ribbon, embossing) challenge.  Its a sad farewell this week to the CES challenge blog, after Emma has decided to close her store.  I have really enjoyed joining in their challenges over the last year and a bit and of course have frequented the store a number of times.  It is sad to see it close, but everyone has to move on to pastures new at some point I guess, and of course Emma has her hands full mow with little Olivia so it is totally understandable.  Big thankyou to the CES DT.

Nautical

This weeks MAWTT challenge is the theme 'nautical'.  I have had this digi stamp for a while and not used it and so thought I'd make a card with it.  I have also embossed one of the layers with sailing boats (might be a little difficult to see though).  I will also enter the card into this weeks CES (anything goes) and Willow Sketchie (sketch) challenges.

I is for Icy Inspiration

I made a card last week for the ABC Christmas I is for Icy Inspiration challenge, but I have to admit, when I made it I hadn't looked at the inspirational photos.  Hence I thought I'd make another card, this time taking both the colours and the subject (penguins) from the photos.  I have followed the sketch from this weeks Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge and will also enter the card into this weeks CES (anything goes) and Cute Card Thursday (food or drink) challenges.