Just Magnolia

This is the first time I've managed Just Magnolia since before Christmas and boy have I missed it, actually I've missed doing challenges altogether.

This week we had to follow Mina's tutorial on paper pleating. I have done paper pleating before (and ribbon pleating also), but thought I'd have a change this time and tried it with vellum, NOT a success, possibly because the vellum was embossed and wouldn't fold very well - another one for the bin. I reverted to paper and although patterned I thought it looked a little flat so I distressed the edges and curled them slightly for a little relief and edged it with lace. I love this Tilda (coloured with distress inks) but can't see me using it very often as she has to be hanging from something. The heart and the paper is also Magnolia (don't ask which - I've managed to cut the name off again). Lace, flowers, leaves, pearls, ribbon and pearl string are all from stash. I decided to do my first Valentine card of the season but couldn't for the life in me decide what sentiment or where to put it. Suggestions will be gratefully received.

Basic Grey DT

We have a fabulous photograph as inspiration for you this week at Basic Grey.
Just look at those beautiful colours. The prize this week is from the gorgeous Nook and Pantry range.

My card turned out nothing like I'd intended - yet again,  I'm really struggling to get into any sort of routine and crafting mood. I intended to keep this card very clean and simple - failed!!

I stamped a background to match the wallpaper on the photograph using stamps from the Basic Grey Boxer set, then I proceeded to cover the larger part of it up with a multitude for details which I intended NOT to. The papers are from Basic Grey's Lime Rickey and Offbeat pads. the frame cut with curved rectanges and the WOJ image coloured with Copics and anchored with the Shapeabilities fancy tags. I cut the corners with the EK Success corner punch, the leaves with the Sizzix leaf and branch die, the border with the MS punch and finished it with flowers, brads and pearls from stash.

MDU and Double Dutch

Whoohoo - my Mojo's returning slowly and I managed two challenges with one card - not a record but pretty good for me at the moment. Magnolia Down Under ask that we find an alternative use for a stamp. I use Christmas Eve (or is it Christmas morning - I can never remember which is which) as an open card. I hardly ever do red and green Christmas cards, now I've used a Christmas Tilda and red and green BG papers, which are Figgy Pudding, Dasher and Fruitcake.  I used the fabulous sketch from the Double Dutch challenge, coloured Tilda with distress inks, and cut her out using the oval nesties (should have been round, but Tilda was too big).

Being indecisive I couldn't make my my up whether to stamp or use distress inks around the image so I didn't do either I pierced and threaded some small rose around the edge. Can't make my mind up whether I like it or not!! I used the MS punch for the two strips - top right and added some pearl thread. The sentiment is Lily of the Valley and cut out with the heart nesties.

Hope you're all keeping warm and dry, the weather here has got a little warmer, but appently we're going to have snow this weekend - well surprise, surprise - we've had snow every day since two weeks before Christmas. I have to admit though  it's not like English snow, it's dry and powdery and doesn't feel anywhere near as cold even though the temperatures are lower. I'm off to the local craft shop (25k away if  that's local) before it snows, to see if I can pick up any goodies, though I don't hold out much hope. Might even get to build a snowman this weekend.

Truly Scrumptious DT

We have another of Mina's fabulous sketches to follow this week at Truly Scumptious with the optional extra of using pink, green and black.

Our sponsor for this challenge is the lovely Sandra Dry who has designed her own range of digi stamps. Sandra is very kindly offering our winner the choice of six individual images from her online store.

This card is being very silly - I've uploaded it to the challenge site three times now but it keeps disappearing - where to - who knows, fingers crossed  it's third time lucky.  I've visions of people coming on to my blog to comment on a card that has disappeared and  'run off'  yet again.

I've used one of the Manga girls from Funky Kits as my image and coloured her with Copics. I stamped around the edgle of the image with my tapesty peg stamps. I really should do some experimenting and use these more often, they are such fun. I followed the fab sketch by Mina to the letter using Basic Grey's Porcelain papers. The leaves are cut from the Leone Em Ash branch punch and flowers from stash, which sadly have not photographed well as I decided to have them as my black element.

House Mouse DT - On the Beach

Firstly I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas and I'd like to wish you all the Happiest of New Years - may it be filled with plenty of love, joy and laughter.

Last year, for me was extremely difficult but now 'the party's over' all visiting done, all visitors gone, the major work on my apartment done and I really hope to settle into a peaceful, tranquil time with lots of crafting and blogging. Apart from two boxes all my crafting stuff is now sorted and I'm really looking forward to entering lot's of challenges - something I've not been able to do since the beginning of December. I've spent today washing, ironing, cleaning, re-organising and making a snagging list of jobs still to be done - (all minor and hopefully tackling steadily one by one) now the rest of the week should be clear - whoohoo!!

My first DT card of the year is for House Mouse (oh how I love my mousies) and a theme that was chosen my the lovely Mary who also sent me the image. Although it is a beach scene, it still doesn't look like a hot summer's day - a result of being born and brought up in Britain I think - we are not familiar with hot steamy summer days on the beach (lol).

I just love this image and colouring it (in Copics) was an absolute joy. The backing paper is from my 'bit box' - label cut off as usual (doh!!) and I used the MS punch at both top and bottom and the white is embossed with the divine swirls folder, the corners are cut with the EK Success corner punch and the ribbon  and star pearls are from stash. That middle pearl would not do as it was supposed to and as you can see kept sliding off center, due I think to the fact I had it sat on an uneven embossed bit  - it is now firmly attached in the right position.  This is such a lousy photograph - apologies - the charm, partially hidden by the bow is a gorgeous little umbrella and beach chair.

It still snowing here - although not today - too cold (apparently the temperature is going to drop to minus 14 again for most of this week - eeek!!!) so I'm now going to have a hot bath, get into my snugglies and curl up and watch a little TV. German TV - I have a box and a dish and can get Russia, Kurdistan, Poland, Tunisia, Spain, Denmark to name but a few - practically every country in the world actually except - yes you've got it British - still my German is improving quicker than it would have done.