Penny Black and Colour Create Challenges

I made this card following the fabulous sketch by Nat on the Penny Black Saturday Challenge
I also used the lovely colour scheme on the Colour Create Challenge
Grassy green,apple green, sunflower yellow, lemon and white, the optional extra was to decorate the inside of the card and the envelope too :-)







The grassy looking paper is a download from Summertime Designs and the yellow spotty paper is from a Bearly Mine CD. I love using downloads especially as I have just bought a fabby new HP CISS system printer ! Brilliant !! :-)

The sentiment is from Simon Says Clear Stamps SIMPLY THE BEST SENTIMENTS Exclusive Set


Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)

Lorraine x x

Saturday Sketch meets House Mouse Monday :-)

I made this card following the fabulous sketch on the Sketch Saturday Challenge

I also used a stamp that I bought from Jay Jay, it arrived yesterday and had to use it :-) Cute eh ! I don't know how she could bear to part with this one !!



The theme on the House Mouse Monday Challenge is Paper Tole, I use this technique all the time I just didn't know it had a name :-) It does make the 3D effect much nicer as the card is rounded, makes the mice look plump :-)





I am also entering this card in the C R A F T Challenge
their theme is 'Decoupage'

I used download papers from Summertime Designs Beautiful papers !!

The sentiment is from Simon Says Clear Stamps SENDING SUNSHINE Exclusive Set

Thanks for looking :-) I really appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)

Lorraine x x

Simon Says Colour Combo for you ! ! :-)

First of all a big thankyou to everyone who entered our challenge for such a good cause last week. I am sure the children will be thrilled to recieve all your cards. Don't forget the Daring Cardmakers Challene have the same 'Make a Child Smile/Post Pals theme so you still have time to make cards for their challenge. Also we hope that you will continue to make cards in the future :-) Don't forget !! :-)


With the fab weather throughout europe thoughts turn to lovely BBQ's and summer fruit salad with dollops of vanilla ice cream ,,, Yummy !! I know there are thunder storms but they'll pass and the sun will shine :-) Don't forget to use sun screens and shadebathe, not sunbathe !!! :-)

This is the inspirational picture we have used for our inspiration. The colours are watermelon pink, orange, lemon and kiwi :-) As long as you use at least 2 of these colours thats fine but you could try to get all 4 colours on your creation :-)



For my card I used the yummy Simon Says Clear Stamps SAVOR SWEET CUPCAKES Exclusive





I love to use glitter and ivory flower soft (shredded coconut) for the topping :-)



The image was coloured with copics and 3D'd onto oval nesties, I used black/lemon black magic coedination for the scalloped nestie. i also used lemon pigment ink and sparkle emboss around the edge of the inner nestie.
The lemon background paper is a download from Funky Fairy's Papercrafts 'It's so Distressing'. I also used some basic grey design paper, I think thats from the lime rickey pad and some orange whitewash cordinations that I embossed with the swirls folder. I also added some prisma flowers :-0

The sentiment is from the same cupcake set :-)

I followed the fabulous sketch on the Friday Sketchers Challenge :-)

The DT have made some very yummy creations for you and as an extra bonus we have Simon says Stamp Brand Designer Bev in our designer Spotlight this week so hop on over to the Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog to see everyone's fabby creations and please don't forget to leave everyone a comment, we really do appreciate them.

Ooh I almost forgot every week Heidi sponsors the challenge with a $25 shopping trip to the Simon Says Stamp store. :-) So what are you waiting for !! Get your colour box out !!! :-)

Lorraine x x x

Funky Fairy's Challenge :-) Life's a Beach !! :-)

We really enjoyed seeing the wonderful cards you made last week using Anesha's fab sketch :-) The new GD will be announced on the Challenge Blog. It was an extremely hard decision as all the entries were fabulous !!

Is this a coincidence or what !! The theme this week on the Funky Fairy's Challenge is 'Beach' !! Well I watch Sky news and can see that the whole of europe is basking in a heatwave ! What better time to think about all things 'beach' !! :-) Sun, Sea, Sand !!! :-)
To enter this challenge you must use at least one paper download or image from Funky Fairy's papercrafts If you have never tried downloads before there are loads of freebies on the Blog Of Inspiration I used the free paperpack 2 on my card, I thought it looked like sand !! :-)

The DT have made some really wonderful cards for you to see so please go to see them on the challenge blog,,, don't forget to leave us all a comment as well, we really do appreciate them :-)



I used a lovely PinK Gems stamp, isn't he cute :-)



I used the free paper and also some It's so Distressing paper,, this is the kit I use the most actually,, it is so useful for backgrounds, I couldn't recommmend this one enough. Not because I am on the DT either,, it really is a good kit :-)

I distressed everything as you can see :-) I also used some whitewash coredinations, lovely !! :-)

The 'sun' was in some lovely candy I won on Nikki's Blog on the Stamptacular blog hop :-)

The ticket is from a Bearly mine CD, I also used a little stickles to add sparkle.

Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)

Lorraine x x

Magnolia meets Colour Create :-) + Anne's blog candy !! :-)

I made this card with Happy Mail in mind. Both the Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Daring Cardmakers Challenges have this theme this week so we're hoping that lots of children will benefit from this combined effort. As if that wasn't enough of an incentive Ann has a special blog candy which she is also linking to making a card for poorly child ! You only have until tomorrow to enter though so you don't have much time left !!! :-)








I made this card following Bev's fab sketch on the Just Magnolia Challenge


I also tried to use the correct colours on the Colour Create Challenge They are asking us to use pistachio green, aqua and powder pink,,,, gorgegus colours eh !! :-)

The patterned paper is from a Bearly Mine CD, I also used blue It's so Distressing download paper from Funky Fairy's Papercrafts and some whitewash coredinations,

The flowers were cut out on my cricut and the scalloped edge was made using a SU punch.The charm and the rosebud were in Jo's blog candy which I won on the Sketch Saturday Birthday challenge :-)

The sentiment is from a Simon Says Clear Stamps SIMPLY THE BEST SENTIMENTS Exclusive Set

Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)

Lorraine x x

Doodle Palace another sneak peek !! :-)

This lovely image will be released on 30th June along with a gorgeous cat set that you can see on a card I made yesterday :-)

I coloured the image with copics and 3D'd the bear. The papers are all from my scrap box except for the bit of whitewash coredinations, I must admit I cut into a new piece of that !! I sanded it and then inked the swirl cuttlebug folder with jade pearlescent ink then put the paper through to get a depression :-) I hope that still qualifies me for the Digital Tuesday Challenge
whose theme is 'Scraps'

I followed the lovely sketch on the Dare U 2 Digi Stamp Challenge

I am also entering this into the Daring Cardmakers Friday Challenge Who are also asking for cards to be made for children on the Post Pals or similar childrens charity. ( The Simon Says Stamp Challenge also has the same theme) so lets hope these children all receive at least on card if not several !! :-) So far I have made 3 this week but I do send regularly.Lets hope many of you continue to do so too :-)

The sentiment is a hero arts stamp :-)

Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)

Lorraine x x

Greta's Sketch for her challenge on StampHaven ;-)

Can you believe a 10 year old girl made this sketch !!! ( I think she's 10 !! ) :-) She is challenging you all to make a card using this sketch and upload it onto the StampHaven website




This is Greta's fabulous card, you can see it on the Welcome to My World blog she shares with her mum. :-) Domi my Simon Says Stamp Challenge team mate also made a DT card for this challenge :-)




As you can see Greta is one very talented young lady eh !! :-)Please show her your support by leaving her a comment on her blog and joining in her challenge :-) We need to support young talent eh !! :-)





I was so thrilled to be asked be to be on Greta's DT andI made my card using a neglected WOJ Willow stamp, I do love these and must ink them more often !! :-) The papers are by Funky Fairy's Papercrafts

The sentiment is from a Simon Says Clear Stamps SIMPLY THE BEST SENTIMENTS Exclusive Set

I am entering this card into the Charisma Cardz Challenge who have an open theme this week :-)

Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one and please try to support Greta in this fab challenge :-)

Lorraine x x

Sneak Peek at some new Doodle Palace digi downloads :-)

I had a lovely surprise today when I went to see the Polka Doodle Challenge :-) If you entered last weeks challenge Freddie Foo Foo will give you a fabby free gift !! Well !! I did !! :-) and she sent me 4 fabulous paper design downloads from the Polka Doodles shop :-) Thanks so much x x :-)

Well,, I had to print them and use them for their challenge eh !! :-)



These gorgeous digi images are going to be released on 30th June from the Doodle Palace so I thought I would let you all have a sneak peek :-)



The Polka Doodle challenge have posted a fabby sketch which you can use if you like but you can use any layout you like but it has to be a rectangular card. Also you have to use paper ribbon not fabric :-) Luckily I had just bought a pack from doodlebug :-)

I am also entering this card for the Papertake Weekly Challenge who are asking us to use downloads, well almost everything used on this is a download :-)

Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)

Lorraine x x

Where do I come from ?? :-)

While blog hopping a couple of days ago I came across a lovely challenge asking us to make something which reflects where we came from :-) The Challenge is called the Three Clovers Thursday Challenge Well I have had this stamp of The Shambles in York for ages and also a 12x12 sheet of paper with a map of Yorkshire,, well ! I had to enter this one :-)

I followed the lovely sketch on the Truly Scrumptious Challenge

I made the card 'old' looking as the paper looked aged and the City Of York is an ancient city. The image is from the famous street called The Shambles and was the film location for Diagonal Alley in the Harry Potter movies.

I love York and whenever I am back home in the UK I always go for a visit, it is about an hours drive away from my parents village.

There is a new airline just starting called Yorkshire airlines and they have made a fabulous advert on You tube :-) Please go and see it you'll be glad you took the time :-) If anyone is interested in coming to Gozo for a crafty retreat you can get cheap tickets with them !! :-)
Please go and see this clip especially if you need a laugh :-)

Yorkshire Airlines

I am also entering this for the Charisma Cardz Challenge who have an open theme this week :-0



Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)

Lorraine x x

Pink Wedding :-)

I made this card following the fab sketch on The Pink Elephant Challenge



I also made this card for A Spoonful Of Sugar Challenge whose theme is Weddings :-)




The Wedding Bells image is from Penny Black, I coloured it with copics and 3D'd the bells and flowers.

The DP is doodlebug and I sponged the edges with orchid brilliance ink. I used this ink on the swirl cuttlebug folder and put it through to make a depression. I really like the effect this made :-) The edges were also sponged.
I used silver stardream card and plain white card too :-)

The nestie circle was swiped with the same ink pad and sprinkled with sparkle embossing powder too .

The sentiment is from the Simon Says Clear Stamps SENDING SUNSHINE Exclusive Set I use this set such alot I keep it on my desk all the time ! I usually have to hunt for it still cos it tends to hide under piles of paper and ink pads and pens etc lol :-)

I am also entering this for the Charisma Cardz Challenge who have an open theme this week :-)


Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)
Lorraine x x

Chocolate and Strawberry Buns :-)

I remember a time when cupcakes were called buns ! Does that show my age lol !! :-)

I made this card following the fabulous sketch by Hazel on the brand new 'Moving Along With The Times ' Challenge




As it's now time for the Wimbledon tennis tournament they have also asked for strawberries and cream with a hint of chocolate colour scheme :-)



I made this card using the Simon Says Clear Stamps SAVOR SWEET CUPCAKES Exclusive

I coloured the cupcakes with prisma pencils and copic pens. I added glitter and ivory flower soft 'coconut' topping :-) the sentiment is in the same set.

The papers are DCWV Cupcake stack. I used some prima flowers and a doodlebug sugar coated brad.

I am also entering this for the Charisma Cardz Challenge who have an open theme this week in celebration of being awarded Rubbernecker UK shipping :-)

Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)

Lorraine x x

Funky Fairy's Sketch Challenge AND GD Call !! :-)

This week on the Funky Fairy's Challenge
our fellow DT member ANESHA made this absolutely fabulous sketch for us to follow



Isn't it fab !! :-) I can't wait to see what creations you make this week. Not only do we have a GD call but there is also the chance to win a download from Funky Fairy's Papercrafts





For my card I used a new image from Pink Gems, isn't she gorgeous ! I thought that this sketch was PERFECT for this image :-)Even though I do say so myself I love this card ! I will be sending it to a child on the Post Pals website. The link is on the top right side of my blog. Please go and have a look ,,,,,

The paper I used was from the 'It's so distressing' and a free download,the Blue xmas kit which is available on the Blog Of Insiration I also used some whitewash coredinations and silver glitter card lovely eh !!

Thanks for looking I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-) The DT have made some fabby creations for you to see so please go and see them and join in ! We NEED you !!!

Lorraine x x

Simon Says Happy Mail :-) and blog candy winner :-)

What a fabulous response to our Happy Birthday Simon says Stamp Blog last week :-) Thank you so much for all your wonderful entries. Also we had an overwhelming response to our Blog Hop !! I have never had so many comments on my blog ! It was amazing and I appreciate every one of them. I received a few emails too so thank you for taking the time to email me with your lovely comments :-0
I have had a few requests for an exploding box tutorial. I have never done a tutorial but I will have a go so watch this space !!

We have a very special challenge this week. We are sking you to make a card ( or 2 !! ) for a poorly child and send them to children on the POST PALS or MAKE A CHILD SMILE website.

POPPET is in our Designer Spotlight this week, she has made a fabulous card and has written a few words about what it means to receive cards so please go to the Simon says Stamp Challenge Blog to see them, don't forget to go to her blog too and leave her a comment :-)




As you can see I made my card using the lovely Simon Says Clear Stamps CAT and DOG ARE BEST OF FRIENDS Exclusive Set
that some lucky girl( no boys entered !! ) will be winning in a few mins !! I will be doing the random generator draw before I publish this post !! Am soo excited !! I wonder who it will be :-)



I coloured the image with copics and 3D'd parts of it. The background was made using distress inks that had been dabbed onto a non stick craft sheet, sprayed with water then the card was swirled around in it :-) I love this technique ! So easy and the effect is fabby I think !!
The papers are DCWV pets stack and the little blanket was an old bit of flannel ( face cloth to posh people !! )lol
The sentiment is from the same Simon Says Clear Stamps CAT and DOG ARE BEST OF FRIENDS Exclusive Set

I followed the fabulous sketch by Beatrix
on the Friday Sketcher's Challenge
so I will be linking this :-)

OK now for the Random Generator ,,, drum roll here ,,,,,

Here are your random numbers:

4

Timestamp: 2009-06-24 07:56:48 UTC

Congratulations IRIT SHALOM
If you email me with your address I will ask Heidi to post this stamp set and a surprise out to you :-0

Thanks to everyone for taking part and I am sorry that I couldn't give the set to you all but it would bancrupt Heidi if we did that !! :-)

Thanks for looking. I really appreciate your comments so please leave me one but more importantly don't forget to actually post the cards you make for the challenge to a child. We have no way of enforcing this but we trust you all :-)

The DT have made some gorgeous cards for you to see so please go and see them :-)

Lorraine x x x

Simon Says Blog Hop and Challenge ending in a few hours !!

I made this card following the fabulous sketch on the House Mouse Monday Challenge.
The DT have made some adorable cards for us to see,,,, soo cute !! :-) I have to get all of the stamps they used on their cards !! :-)

I bought this stamp from Simon Says Stamp this one is called SITTING IN THE RAIN I coloured the image with copics and added stickles to the rain drops. The papers are basic grey and black magic coredinations.

I also made this following the fab fruity colour theme on the Colour Create Challenge We are aked to use 3 of these colours,,, strawberry, tangerine, kiwi, blackberry or rasberry,,, yummy :-) We are also asked for the optional extra of using a fruity image !!! Sorry but I didn't join in that bit :-(

I also made it for the Creative Card Crew Challenge whose theme was chosen by Joey and is 'Whatever the Weather' ,,, apparently she's been feeling a bit under the weather with morning sickness :-)

The sentiment is Simon Says Clear Stamps SENDING SUNSHINE Exclusive Set and I think this fits this image just perfectly lol !! :-)

Thanks for looking, please leave me a comment I do love to read them :-)

Don't forget the Simon Says Stamp Blog Hop finishes in a few hours so if you haven't been hop hop hopping along you'd better get moving !! :-) Details are on the post at the top of my blog :-)

Lorraine x x x

Message from above :-)

I made this card following the fabulous sketch on the Sketch Saturday Challenge and followed the colour scheme of Pink and Green on the Secret Crafter Saturday Challeng I also made it with the Penny Black Challenge in mind and used the message from above image, they are also asking us to use embossing on our cards so I used some whitewash coredinations and used a swiss dots folder to emboss it :-)
I coloured the image with Prisma pencils and blended with odourless spirit. The hedgie, bird and flower were 3 D'd and mounted on green cardstock. The design paper is from SU, I finished it off with punched daisies and adhevive gems. The sentiment is from Simon Says Clear Stamps SENDING SUNSHINE Exclusive Set This is a fabulous sentiment set,, :-)

Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)

Lorraine x x

p.s Don't forget this is your last day to enter the Simon Says Stamp Blog hop and the Simon Says Stamp Challenge :-) Don't miss it there are wonderful prizes to be won !! x x

Papertake Weekly Challenge.

I made this card following Dawny P's fabulous sketch on the Papertake Weekly Challenge :-) They also have a GD call so if you would like to be considered you'd better hurry up !! The challenge changes tomorrow ! :-)

The papers are Laura Ashley and I won them in one of Steph's mini candy draws :-) Thanks so much Steph x x The brad is also by Laura Ashley
The text stamp is Hero Arts and the roses stamp is papermania.
All the edges of the papers have been inked with antique linen distress ink.

before you leave we have a blog hop starting at the Simon Say's Stamp Challenge blog with lots of fabulous prizes along the way so don't forget to join in !! :-)

Good Luck to all :-)
Lorraine x x

Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)

By the light,,,, of the silvery moon,,,, ( sing along :-))

I made this card using a new digi image from the Doodle Palace. It will be released tomorrow so you're having a sneak peek :-) Cute eh !!






The background sky and moon was coloured with purple and silver pearlescent chalks from Pebbles Inc Pearlescent Color Kit CHALK SET SHIMMER.I love these chalks, gorgeous !!
The fence and image was coloured with copics and the cats were then 3D'd. The sentiment is a Simon Says Clear Stamps SENDING SUNSHINE Exclusive Set


I used black magic coredinations and a little bit of doodlebug glitter card. the fancy corners were cut out on my big shot using Spellbinders Die Cut Embossing Dies DECORATIVE PHOTO CORNERS
I followed Becky's fabby sketch on the Sketch and Stash Challenge
My new stash is the image !! They also asked for an optional animal theme so I have complied with that too :-)

I made it to qualify to the Stamp Something Challenge too where the theme is Black White + 1 other colour, well I do love black/purple together :-)


Thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)

Also if you haven't joined in already don't forget to join in the Simon Says Stamp Blog Hop, you have to start on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog :-) Good Luck x x

Lorraine x x

Simon Says Stamp First Birthday Blog Hop :-)

To celebrate the first Birthday of Simon Says Stamp Blog, the Design Team members are participating in a blog hop, to inspire you with so many of the stamps that Simon Says Stamp sells! Some of us will be showcasing the EXCLUSIVE Simon Says Stamp brand of stamps – over 45 FABULOUS sets to choose from!!!

If you didn't start the blog hop at the beginning, then you want to head back to Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog so you do not miss anything. At each blog, there will be a MYSTERY LETTER – collect all of the letters, unscramble them, and post your answer at the end. Be sure to follow the blog hop all the way to the end, for a chance to win. When you get to the Simon Says Challenge Blog, leave a comment that you hopped to all blogs, and the mystery phrase and you will be entered to win some FABBY blog candy! Blog candy is $100 shopping spree at Simon Says Stamp store. You will get 1 entry for the mystery phrase and 1 entry for becoming a follower of both Simon Says Blogs (if you already are a follower, you automatically get an entry).

The hop will officially end at 5am CET Wednesday morning ( 4am GMT 12 MN( Tues) EST)

The MYSTERY Letter for my blog is ________ naaa not telling you yet :-) You have to see what I made first !! :-)

I used this fabulous Simon Says Clear Stamps CAT and DOG ARE BEST OF FRIENDS Exclusive Set



Heidi have very kindly said that I can offer this set as blog candy ( not mine !! a brand new one !! ) :-) AND she will add an extra surprise in the parcel !! How fabby is that !! :-) To win my candy you have to become a follower, if you're not already and leave a comment on this post and on every other blog hop blog !! :-)

I decided to make an exploding box :-) I have never made one before but I found this fabulous template in the May edition of the Craft Stamper Magazine :-)Alix Waterhouse made a fabulous tutorial and it was so easy to follow :-)

The box is pentagon shaped like THE Pentagon !! I thought it was quite fitting with Simon says Stamp being a US based company !! :-) ( corny I know lol ) :-)




















Now the inside :-)









The images were all coloured using copics. I used almost a whole ink pad of antique linen distress ink, loads of brown/green coredinations. The patterned paper is from a Bearly mine CD that is available in Simon Says Stamp store :-) I love using printable papers especially for projects that you need a few sheets of as you never run out !! :-)


OK now down to the nitty gritty The letter you are looking for here is 'R'

Now pop over to RACH'S blog to see the wonderful creation she made :-)


Thanks for taking the time to join in Heidi's Birthday Blog Hop :-)

Good luck with the candy :-)

Lorraine x x

Sneak Peek of new Doodle Palace Digi Image :-)

I made this card using a soon to be released digital image from the Doodle Palace this one is called 'Wild Mermaid'





I coloured her with copics and 3D'd her onto the oval nestie that I had coloured with pearlescent chalks. The scalloped nestie was made using whitewash coredinations,cuttlebugged and sanded.
The paper is from magenta and that was layered onto brown/blue coredinations. I LOVE coredinations !! fabby :-)
The flowers were white and I sprayed them with glimmer mist. and secured with doodlebug brads.
The sea shells and star shape were RAKS from Nikki and Dorothy :-) Thanks girls x x
I used a heart shaped charm with 'love' instead of a sentiment, this was after spending ages trying to find something to 'fit' in with the card ! The chain is sterling silver so it fits in with 'Davy Crockets treasure ' !!

The sketch I used is from the Polka Doodles challenge the DT have made some truly fabulous creations you should go and see them !! Fantastic !! Most of them made very cute gift bags :-) I decided to make a card ! just to be different !!! lol

I also made this card to fit in with the Digital Tuesday Challenge whose theme is Brown, Blue, Bling :-) Well I did use those colours and a few extra and I put loads of bling in there !! :-) The challenge this week is also being sponsored by the Doodle Palace so you could win one of their fabulous digital images ! :-)

I am also entering this for the Our Creative Corner Challenge whose theme is stars and the Charisma Cardz Challenge which is 'Diamonds are a girls best friend' :-)


thanks for looking, I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)
Lorraine x x x