Warm Hands, Warm Heart

Hello my friends I hope you are all enjoying your weekend.  We've been busy here as seems to be the norm of late.  My boy went to work with his dad for the morning and earned himself a few pounds in the process and my youngest and I ventured into town to stock up on choccie to fill the kiddies Advents and it was absolutely manic, but hey we got to have a black forest hot chocolate in Costa so my day was all good! 

 

Okay, I've popped in today to share with you a little Whimsy goodness which I've been meaning to blog for a couple of days now but not got round to it.  Anyway, what I have made is a little three draw secret gift box which I've wanted to have a go at for ages and I'm so glad I did as its so cute and really very quick and easy to do too!  I can't take credit for the idea though as I first saw it on Norma's blog and she very kindly has a tutorial HERE to follow so go check it out. 

 

So I used the Whimsy Time for Tea Stamp 'Warm Hands Warm Heart' and she's a beauty.  I've switched back to my copics for this one and took my colour inspiration from the papers.  Let me show you some piccies  - I hope you're sitting comfortably as there are quite a few!

 

Image:  'Warm Hands Warm Heart' by Time for Tea for Whimsy

Medium:  Copics

Papers:  First Edition ' Nordic Christmas'

Dies:  Whimsy 'Reindeer', Spellbinders: Labels 4 and Poinsettia

 

 

Lastly the close up of the image, gorgeous isn't she so love that hair.

Copics List

 

Face/Body:  E000, E21, E11, R20, R30

Hair/Boots:  E13, E15, E29

Dress:  B91, B93, B95, B97, B99

Hat/Muff:  YG11, YG93, YG97, W5

 

Challenges I would like to enter:-

 

Simon Says Stamp  -  anything goes

 

Crafty Ribbons Challenge  -  anything goes

 

Okay, I'm off now to fill the Advents for the kiddies ready for tomorrow and don't worry I've bought extra just in case I can't help myself and I eat too many chocolates in the process!!!

 

Take care and is it too early to be wishing Festival Jollities to you all, well I'm wishing them anyway he he!!!

 

Ann-Marie

xxx

 

 

'Lighting the Way' and some exciting news!

Hello everyone, just popping in today to share with you some more holiday inspiration and to tell you my exciting news.  I was asked by Tracy over at Dies to Die for whether I would like to join her DT team and it didn't take me long to answer that question!! 

 

So here is my Christmas card made with goodies from The Dies to Die For shop.  I decided to use Bildmalarna 'Mimosa - Lights the Way' as she is such a cutie and I took my colour inspiration from the delicious Bazzill 'Nordic Pines' 6 x 6 paper pad, just loving these papers.  So let me show you some piccies:-

 

Image:  Bildmalarna 'Mimosa - Lights the Way'

Sentiment:  Impression Obsession 'Life Sentiments'

Papers:  Bazzill 'Nordic Pines'

Charm:  Santa Sleigh

Prima 'Say it with Crystals - Black

1.5" Lace/Red Satin Centre

 

 

The close up of the image, isn't she adorable!

Copics List

 

Face:  E000, E21, E11, R81, R20

Clothes:  R12, R14, R17, R29/E31, E33, E35, E37/G20, G24, G28

Hair:  E31, E33, E35, E37

 

Challenges I would like to enter:

 

Sweet Stampin - Cause for Celebration

 

Stamping Sensations  -  Christmas

 

Okay so time for me to love you and leave you folks.  I have a couple of things already made waiting to share with you so I'll be back soon. 

 

Take care,

Ann-Marie

xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whimsy Stamps November Release Day blog hop!

 

Hello everyone and welcome to the Whimsy Stamps November Release Day Blog Hop!

 

Today, Whimsy has released 14 new stamps, 1 paper pack, 3 dies and 6 digital box templates and these gorgeous new goodies are all available to buy now from the Whimsy Stamps store.

For those of you who are new to Whimsy Stamps, we hold a 3-day new release event each month: a Sneak Peek Blog Hop on the day before the release (yesterday), a Release Day Blog Hop on release day (today), and finally a Review Day Blog Hop (tomorrow) the day after the release.

Each blog hop has a prize of 2 new release stamps hidden somewhere along the way and you have 24hrs to enter each prize draw!

 

Okay so let me share with you my release day creation.  I decided to make an easel card using the new 'Four Calling Birds' by Crissy Armstrong.  It did make me smile when I saw the little birds with their phones what a fab play on the words!  Here are my piccies:-

 

Image:  Whimsy Stamps 'Four Calling Birds' by Crissy Armstrong

Sentiments:  Whimsy Stamps 'Tis the Season Notables 5' & 'Holiday Circle Pennants'

Medium:  Distress Markers

Papers:  Memory Box 'Mistletoe' (still using up that old stash!!)

Dies:  Whimsy Stamps 'Notables 5', Spellbinders 'Fleur de Lis' ovals

 

 

Last piccie is the close up.  Look at the little birdies with their tech adorable aren't they!  The Stickles came out to play again as did the white flock and glitter for the fur trims. 

 

Distress Markers

 

Birdies:  Frayed Burlap, Barn Door, Tea Dye, Rusty Hinge

Leaves/Branch:  Pine Needles, Forest Moss, Vintage Photo

Shading around image/phones: Pumice Stone

 

Don't forget to be entered into today's blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12.00PM EST tomorrow.  All winners will be announced on the Whimsy blog on Friday. 

 

To take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations, please click on the links below:

 

Ann-Marie (ME)

Debbie Eastman

DeNetra Bates

Ellie Stover

Heidy Blom

Janette Garcia

Jodi Amidei

Melissa Andrew

Patricia Garcia

Shanna Shands

Shannah Bartle

Simonne Clay

 

Okay folks that's all from me today; I hope you enjoy the hop and looking at my teamies creations and remember to stop by the Whimsy blog again tomorrow for the final November Release Review Day blog hop!

 

Take care and happy crafting!

 

Ann-Marie

xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

New challenge at The ABC Challenge - Black & White/Stripes

Yay! its Friday everyone and I don't know about you but I'm ready for the weekend its just been one of those weeks.  We've just started painting our hallway, stairs and landing but I don't know if I like the paint colour but we've bought the paint now and it was the stuff you have mixed and at nearly £70 for three tins I'm not changing it, but hey never mind once the carpet is up and wood flooring down I'm sure it will grow on me!

Anyway, its the 15th of the month and that means its time for another new challenge over at The ABC Challenge and I have my DT card to share with you all.  This challenge we are on the letter Z so that's Z for Zebra so a card or creation with stripes or black and white or even both its up to you.  We have two fabby sponsors this time Bugaboo Digi Stamps and Lili of the Valley so come on over and join us we'd love to have you.  My teamies as usual have been busy making beautiful creations for you to feast your eyes upon so go and take a peek at all the gorgeous inspiration.

Okay so here's what I made.  I went down the black and white route and made a Clean & Simple card using a LOTV image coloured completely with Promarkers this time.  Okay so you all know that Clean & Simple is not really my thing I just don't seem to be able to pull it off, but amazingly I actually love how this card turned out and think I may be making a few more along this theme for some quick cards I need.  Anyway, enough waffle here's the piccies:-

Image:  LOTV 'Shine a Light'

Medium:  Promarkers

 

Okay a little view from the side.  I raised the image panel up with sticky pads just for a little added dimension.  Added some old velvet ribbon, tied a double bow and then added a metal snowflake brad to finish it off.

 

A quick close up of the adorable image, its not a new one but its one of my faves.  I decided to have black fur and not white and I'm glad I did I think it sets it off better.  I used some black fake flock and glitter so its quite tactile too.  Plenty of Glamour Dust for the snow and snowflakes and I was done and it didn't really take that long either.

 Promarkers List

Ice Grey 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and black

So that's it from me today folks.  I wish you all a very happy weekend I know I'm going to savour mine and I think I may nip to Costa they have their seasonal drinks on the menu now and their black forest hot chocolate is to die for!

Take care,
Ann-Marie
xxx

Anything Goes at Whimsy Stamps Challenge

Hello everyone, happy Wednesday to you all and what a chilly one it is too.  When I stepped outside to do the school run this morning we had frost yes that's what I said frost.  Its been very mild here for this time of year and it was a bit of a shock to the system so out came my winter boots, but it was so much nicer than walking to school in the rain. 

Anyway, I'm here today to share with you my challenge card for Whimsy Stamps Challenge.  Today its time for the rubber team to share with you their makes for the challenge over at the Whimsy Inspirations blog which as my title suggests is Anything Goes.  A real easy one folks so come on over and share with us your beautiful creations there's still plenty of time to enter and we'd love to have you.  As usual there are three fabulous prizes up for grabs and you got to be in it to win it!

Okay here is my card and again its another Christmas one but I'm not complaining I LOVE Christmas and I know some of you may groan but my Christmas Tree is a knocking on my loft hatch door so it wont be long before the house is festive - I haven't done any chrimbo shopping but hey the house will be decorated!!!!! 

Image:  'Winter Friends' by Wee Stamps for Whimsy

Sentiments:  Whimsy 'Holiday Ticket Sentiments'

Medium:  Distress Markers

Papers:  Dovecraft 'Tis the Season'

 

Okay so I'm sorry I only have one piccie to share with you today but its been one of those weeks this week and the camera battery has just died on me but at least I managed to get one shot in before it did.  Its annoyed me that I haven't got a close up as the image is gorgeous.  I've used my DM's again to colour her and I'm actually enjoying using them but at one point I was getting so frustrated I nearly got rid but so glad I didn't and just need the extra new ones now so a present idea for Santa I think.  

 

Right I think I've waffled enough don't you so I'll catch up with you all later.

 

Take care and happy crafting.

 

Ann-Marie

xxx

'Presents'

 

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

 

Our daughter had her Beavers Remembrance Day service to attend this morning and we had the usual few moans and groans about going especially on a Sunday morning.  So whilst we had breakfast we had a little chat about how we are thankful for those who have sacrificed so we may live our lives as we do.  I think a little sank in as she went off very proudly wearing her poppy with pride.

 

Okay I have a Christmas card to show you today which I made using the fabulous Time for Tea stamp 'Presents' from the latest Whimsy release.   She is so cute and lovely to colour and I used the gorgeous papers 'Frosty Night' by Michele Roos as my colour inspiration.  I used my Distress Markers again to colour her as they were already out from my last card and I need to practice with them.  So here come the piccies:-

 

 

I made an easel card this time.  I haven't made one of these in ages and I'd forgotten how nice they look even if they are a pain to photograph! 

 

Image:  Time for Tea 'Presents' for Whimsy Stamps

Sentiment:  Whimsy 'Winter Letter Seals', Whimsy 'Holiday Wish List'

Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Markers

Papers:  'Frosty Night' by Michele Roos for Whimsy

Dies: Whimsy 'Reindeer' die, Spellbinders 'Romantic Rectangles', Marianne Design Creatables: Lamp Post + Tree

 

Everything has been inked with walnut stain distress ink and lots of Stickles added.  A little close up of the cutie pie - look at those boots I want some!

 

Distress Markers list

 

Face/Body:  Tattered Rose, Vintage Photo, Worn Lipstick

Hair/Boots:  Tea Dye

Clothes:  Dusty Concorde, Tumbled Glass

Presents:  Dusty Concorde, Tumbled Glass, Peeled Paint

 

Challenges I would like to enter:-

 

Papertake Weekly  -  anything goes

 

Sweet Stampin  -  Christmas is coming

 

Stampin Sensations  -  Christmas

 

Okay so its time for me to dash I've got a few last minute things to be done ready for school tomorrow.  The weekend flew by unfortunately, but today has been a gorgeous day, real autumnal lovely and fresh and crisp, beautiful.  Anyway, I hope you've all had an enjoyable weekend and squeezed in some crafty time.

 

Take care

Ann-Marie

xxx 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

String of Hearts

Happy Wednesday everyone, half way through the week yay!!  A quick pop in from me today just to share with you my latest.

I've made a card using the adorable Crissy Armstrong 'String of Hearts' from the latest Whimsy release.  I decided to use my Distress Markers to colour my image and am really pleased with how its turned out and yes I've jump aboard the Frantage band wagon and I love the stuff so now I need more colours.  So let me share some piccies with you:-

Image:  'String of Hearts' by Crissy Armstrong for Whimsy Stamps

Sentiment:  Whimsy Stamps 'Holiday Sliders 3'

Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Markers

Papers:  'Let it Snow' by Dovecraft (left over from last year)

Dies:  Whimsy 'Slider 3', Spellbinders 'Fleur de Lis rectangles', Joy Crafts Snowflaker border

 

 

Plenty of Stickles has been added I used it for the snow and on the snowflake border.  I also used some flock with glitter on their hats.

Distress Markers list

 

Broken China, Barn Door, Peeled Paint, Tumbled Glass, Pumice Stone, Black Soot

 

Challenges I would like to enter

 

Papertake Weekly  -  anything goes (optional extra - Christmas)

 

Crafty Ribbons Challenge  -  anything goes

 

Allsorts  -  Christmas Cheer

 

Stamping Sensations  -  Christmas

 

Bunny Zoes  -  Ribbon

 

Okay must dash now I have a few things I should be doing but its so much more fun to blog hop and craft!

 

Take care folks

Ann-Marie

xxx

 

Mellow Yellow!!!

Hi everyone and a very happy Friday to you all.  I hope your week has gone well and you're ready for your weekend.  Mine has been a bit of a blur with the kiddies home for half term its been a little busy.  My Halloween was a little different this year as my youngest went to a party and my eldest who is now 12 decided he wasn't trick or treating as he is too old and its not the done thing apparently.  Well boo I didn't get to go out so I had to be content with the candy run when the door bell went and it was fun to see all their little faces and scary costumes!  

 

Anyway, with it being the 1st of the month its time again for another new challenge over at The ABC Challenge and I have my DT card to share with you all.  This challenge we are on the letter Y so that's Y for Yellow so we would like to see yellow as the focal/main colour of your creation.  We are being sponsored this time by the fab Tildas Town so come join us and have a chance at winning the great prize.  My teamies as usual have been busy making beautiful creations for you to feast your eyes upon so go and take a peek at all the gorgeous inspiration.

Okay time to show you what I made.  If I'm honest I was a little stumped at first as yellow is not a colour I use very often.  I eventually decided to ink up Tilda's Heart Flowers which I haven't used for ages and I coloured them with my Distress Markers for a change.  I'm struggling to master these little blighters but for once I'm happy with the outcome but I shall keep on practicing with them they won't get the better of me!  I'm wondering whether I need to change my watercolour paper so I may be doing some investigating on that front but if you have any tips they'd be most welcome.  Anyway, piccie time:-

Image:  Magnolia 'Tildas Heart Flowers'

Sentiment:  Whimsy 'Postage Stamp' sentiments

Medium:  Tim Holtz Distress Markers

Papers:  Prima 'Sun Kiss'

Dies:  Spellbinders 'Fleur de Lis rectangles'

Flowers:  Wild Orchid Crafts, The Ribbon Girl

 

I didn't have the right coloured ribbon so I coloured some white with my copics and the daisy also started life as white and I coloured that in with my Distress Markers.

 

A little close up next.  I love these little flowers they're so pretty.  I got out the old stickles and added some of that to their centres and also some liquid pearls dotted around the image.  I came across a little tip a while ago for the liquid pearls.  I was finding that once I'd squeezed a blob out I was being left with a point rather than it being pearl looking.  Well I read that once you've dotted on the liquid pearls if you just flick your paper from underneath with your finger it flattens them out to look more like pearls and it really works too.  Unfortunately, I can't remember where I read this but its a pretty good tip so thank you. 

Distress Markers list

 

Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, Aged Mahogany,

Shabby Shutters, Forest Moss

 

Okay I'm off now.  I'm meeting my mum and we're going to take a trip to The Range apparently they have all their Christmas decs out and I'm sure there's something I need!

 

Take care and happy crafting.

 

Ann-Marie

xxx