ABC Challenge - J for Jewels and Gems

The snow is still causing havoc here in Scotland. Never thought I'd hear myself say this but I want it to go away now!! I am no longer looking at it thinking how pretty it looks i'm thinking that'll be another two hours of my time clearing snow in my drive today.
The schools are back on tomorrow after nearly 2 weeks unless I get a text in the morning to say otherwise. Speaking of texts, I actually received one from the school today asking if I would bring my own shovel and help dig at the school!!

Anyway after defrosting my fingers and my bum after coming in from the snow i can now sit down and write this post.

This is my second christmas card I have made, yes my second lol and it is also my dt card over at abc challenge. This week the theme is jewels and gems and I know you guys just love a bit of bling, right?? So pop on over and join in the fun also please if you can visit the dt's individual blogs as they would love to hear from you too.

The picture is a bit rubbish with all this snow so will try and get a better one soon.


papers-DCWV winter matt stack
flowers and gems- wild orchid crafts
ribbon-local craft shop
image- LOTV
sentiment-Hero arts
tool- ms doiley punch and nesties
glitter- stickles diamond
promarkers- pale blue,denim blue and ice grey 1

*****

challenges

sketch saturday- sketch
simon says stamp- no green or red christmas
papertake weekly- red and green must not be seen
spoonfull of sugar- christmas


take care for now and will see you again tomorrow with my dt project for sarah hurley challenges.

take care
clare x

more snow more chaos!!

Monday morning and the snow is back with avengance!! Schools off again today and hubby just back from a 40 minute walk to his work to find no-one there. Bless him,it normally only takes him 15 mins. After a quick cuppa he is heading home so might get the christmas decortations up afterall.

Anyway here is one of the cards I made for a 70th birthday. I love all of the LOTV stamps but Rosie Posie is a particular favourite of mine.


image- LOTV rosie posie
tools- doily punch and sizzix tag die
promarkers- lavender,ice grey 1,caramel,cocoa,almond,pale pink and orchid
flowers/pearls- wild orchid
papers-papermania
stash-ribbon,peel offs and scrabble stamps

hope to back soon with my abc dt card

hugs Clare x

Sarah Hurley challenges

Well thats another week whizzed by and the start of a new challenge over at Sarah Hurley challenges. This week the wonderful Brenda is hosting the challenge and has chosen gift bags as her theme. I have to admit it was a little out of my comfort zone having never made one before so I headed over to splitcoasters for inspiration. If you would like to join in pop over here

I was asked to make a couple of cards for a 70th birthday so hopefully I will get the opportunity to post over the weekend.

Hope you are all safe and warm out of the snow and if you have time leave me a comment so I know you've hopped on over!!


take care Clare x

Sarah Hurley challenges

Brrrrrrrrrr it's so so cold today but no snow as of yet!! Today is the start of a new challenge at sarah hurley challenges and it's the fabulous Amanda's turn this week to host. Amanda has chosen masking as her theme which I have to admit it's something I have never done before....can you tell?? I had so much fun and I can see it being rather addictive so please give it a try it's not as scary as you think. The dt have once again created some amazing cards so please pop over and say hi.

Here's my card and if anything it might make you laugh!!

and a wee close up of those cute little owl


I used Sarah's woodland whimsie stamps for the first time and I was extremely impressed by them. I love the cuteness and simlpicity of them which makes them so easy to colour whether your a novice like me or a pro. And they match perfectly with the woodland whimsie papers I have used.
I used sequences from my stash and promarkers are cocoa,caramel,almond,icegrey 1 and ginger.

Hope you can join in and remeber there's still time to enter my embossing theme.

that's all for now off to nursey to pick up arran

Clare's DT Card- Sarah Hurley Challenges

Hi folks just a quick post from me today as got house stuff to do this morning while Arran at nursery. Then off to gymnastics in afternoon and might squeeze in a bit of christmas shopping too.

Today is a brand new challenge over at Sarah Hurley challenges and it's my time to host. I have chosen the theme of embossing, my favourite!!

for more details and to enter pop over to the challenge blog here

I have a quick Magnolia card to make tonight so you might see that tomorrow.

As always thankyou for your lovely comments and support

hugs to you all Clare x

Back at last and a new challenge

Whoop whoop, can you tell I am excited that I have finally arrived in the land of blog. Seven weeks after move in day I have internet , you wouldn't believe how much I missed it.

Anyway here is my DT card for the new challenge over at Sarah Hurley challenges and this week its my fabulous friend Mel who is our host. Mel has chosen the easel cards as our theme which I know we all love so please join in if you can.

Here's my take on the challenge but remember you don't have to use any of Sarah's products it's all about having fun!!




papers & topper- Christmas cheer cd
snowflakes- Daisy and Dandelion ( birthday present from Mel)
pearls & flowers- wild oechid crafts
tools- CB stars embossing folder, Spellbinders nestie, corner punch
Cardstock- The Paper Mill

**********
I am so full of surprises today can't believe it's November and this is my first christmas card this year. My new year resolution to start in January went awol... maybe next year lol.
Secondly my DT card was made from scraps not through choice as can't find printer cable and didn't realise there was no ink argh!!

And finally I actually used my very neglected small corner punch and it was all thanks to my recent nestie purchase at the SEC in Glasgow.

I had a ball and it was shared with my truley scrumptious friend Susie. The morning was spent at the craftshow stopping for some lunch and finally heading into town for a couple of cocktails in TGI Fridays. It was a day of tears,laughter,food,alcohol,great friendship and of ofcourse craft shopping....a perfect day!!

Hopefully we can make it again next year but this time I will need a budget for craft goodies and coctails lol

That's all from me today but will def be back soon promise!!

hugs Clare x

moving day

Well finally I am moving tomorrow, never thought the day would come!! So far so good well except for sky who are a bunch of muppets. All I will say on the subject is I am having to get a new home phone number and no broadband for 2 whole weeks :-( Looking forward to getting back to blogging soon but you can find me on facebook if you fancy a chat!!

hugs Clare x

Sarah Hurley Challenge 6- Monochrome

Yikes forgot I hadn't scheduled this weeks post, slap on the wrists for me. It's a bit mad in the broons hoose this week so a short and sweet post today.

here's my card for this weeks monochrome challenge

This was so much fun to do, it's a luminaria and I found the tutorial over at splitcoasters.





Top tip do not use an ordinary tealight use a flameless one. Hubby was on standby with a fire extinguisher as I didn't have one but wanted one for photos.

pop over to here to see more details of Donnas challenge this week

and remember

you still have til sunday to enter Lisa's challenge anything but a card.

hope you are all well, trying to leave comments when I can and apologise if I have missed you.

lots of hugs Clare x

Sarah Hurley live on tv

Hi peeps just wanted to let you all know Sarah will be live on create and craft tv show (sky 671) tomorrow at 9.am. This time around Sarah will not be showing any cd roms but something a little different.

Sarah has been very naughty this time and kept what she will be showing a secret, even the DT don't know. So please watch and perhaps you could drop her an email, I just know she would love to hear from you.

Back to the packing now, only 3 weeks to go!!

hugs Clare x

SARAH HURLEY CHALLENGES-NO 5- ANYTHING BUT A CARD

This week Lisa has set the theme for challenge 5 and has chosen anything but a card. I have made a drawer card box to store my christmas cards which I haven't started yet yikes!!! I do recall saying I was going to be super organised this year with my Christmas cards but that went by the way side. But who knows if I manage to make one before November I will be more organised than last year!!

Well less talking and more sharing!!



I used Sarah's latest cd Christmas cheer and this is my favourite collection. This ones called retro but you can also choose from vintage and traditional.

I do apologise for the picture but hoping to update later if the rain stays off.

If you would like to join in you will find Sarah's challenges here

and

if you would like to keep up to date with the latest news from Sarah you will find her blog here

You don't have to use Sarah's products and if you would and don't have any you will find them here

Thanks for dropping by today and for leaving such encouraging comments

hugs Clare x

ABC Challenge - B for BLUE

Seems like only last week since I posted A for August over at abc challenge and now here I am posting our new challenge that started today! Our theme this fortnight is B for Blue (at least 80% of your card has to be blue) and our sponser this week is Secret Crafter. Please check out the challenge blog for more details.

Here's my blue card

recipe...

dp's- PM Henbury Lane
tools- promarkers and ms heart lace punch
stash-ribbon,flowers,pearls,card candy and rafia lace
image-LOTV rosie posie
sentiment-do crafts magazine

I will be back tomorrow with my DT card for a new challenge over at Sarah Hurley Challenges .You still have until sunday to enter our Animal theme challenge and you might be lucky enough to win a wee prize from Sarah.

Thanks for popping by

hugs Clare x

SARAH HURLEY CHALLENGES-NO 4 ANIMALS

Can you believe we are onto our 4th week already, time does really fly when your having fun.This weeks challenge is set by me and I have chosen animals, nice and easy eh!! You can enter any project you like and please remember you don't have to use any of Sarah's products.

This weeks winner will receive a little Sarah Hurley Design gift and a blinkie for you to place on your side bar.

Below is my card which I made using Sarah's new christmas cheer cd, hope you likey

I do have to apologise for the lack of posts but I have been busy packing up the house for our move in September. I have tried popping by some of your blogs to see what you all been up to but not managed to get time to leave comments. Hope you are all well and please leave me a comment just so I know you've popped by.

hugs Clare

SARAH HURLEY CHALLENGES-NO 3 - ROMANCE

This week we have a new challenge and Sue Hickey our guest designer for August has chosen the theme ROMANCE.

So if you would like to share some love then pop over here

here's my entry


1 x heart backing paper
1 x rabbit topper
1 x circle sentiment
purple cardstock- The Paper Mill
white ribbon- Wild orchid crafts
heart charm- The Works (Bargain 8 for £1)
purple gems- Thanks Mel
tools- circle punch

Remember you don't have to use any of Sarah's products to enter but if you want to you will find them here!!

Talking of which I was very lucky to receive a copy of Sarah's new Christmas cheer cd and can I just say it...is...AMAZING!!

I so want to play all day long lol

Pop over here to see Sarah's sneek peeks

Hope you all have a lovely weekend

hugs Clare x

ABC Challenge - A for AUGUST

Hi there that's another fortnight gone by and the start of a new challenge over at abc challenge.

This week the challenge is A for August

and our sponsor this week is Simon says stamp

here's my wee card....

I have kept it rather simple for a change


Dp's Papermania sweet nothings
flowers- Papermania capsule collection
ribbon- Wild Orchid Crafts
candy- craftwork cards
tools- ms heart lace punch and promarkers
sentiment- my local craft shop
image- CC designs thanks Debs

sketch- Sketch Saturday

Hope you are all well

hugs Clare x

remember there's still plenty of time to join in Sarah's challenges and it's anything goes!

SARAH HURLEY CHALLENGE S-NO 2-ANYTHING GOES

Today's the start of a new challenge over at Sarah Hurley Challenges and because the challenges run for 10 whole days, you still have until Sunday midnight to enter Challenge 1.

This week it's Debs turn to set the theme and she has chosen ANYTHING GOES and an optional sketch. I love a good sketch and Debs one is no exception!!


and here's my take on the sketch



all the elements are taken from Woodland Whimsies 2 and you can buy it here

to make this card you will need

1 x owl topper
2 x owl collection backing papers (1 made smaller)
1 x brown/orange flower embellishments
1 x greeting strips (used the orange happy birthday)
1 x owl topper from the owl collection

my stash-googly eyes pinched from Arrans craft box lol
cards candy- craftwork cards
Cuttle bug- swiss dots embossing folder

Hope you are able to join in and remember you do not have to use any of Sarah's products but you will find a freebie here and here!!

Thanks for dropping by today and if you can please leave me a comment.

hugs Clare x

BLOG HOP WINNERS

I guess i have left you waiting long enough so after throwing the numbers into mr random org he chucked out the following winner for Woodland Whimsie CD 1

drum roll please.........

It's you CRAFTY KITTEN!!

And the winner of Woodland Whimsies CD2 is......

JLJ DESIGNS!!!

congratulations to the both of you and hope to see you soon over at Sarah's challenge blog

To claim your prize please email your details to sarah at

info@sarahhurley.com

I will be back tomorrow with a new card for Challenge No 2.

Take care

hugs Clare

Sarah Hurley Challenges and blog hop

Hi peeps hope you all had a lovely weekend and the sun is shining your way. I would like to say a huge thank you to all of you that took part in the Sarah Hurley challenges blog hop over the weekend. I used good old random org this afternoon and he splilled out the winners. They are in no particular order......ooopps sorry forgot can't tell you til Wednesday. Oh I am such a tease but what I can tell you is Sarah's first challenge has started and it's a colour combo. We want to see you using the colours steel grey,petrol blue and a lovely sagey/olive green or something equivalent.

The winner will receive a special winners blinkie and a little Sarah hurley designs gift.

Two runner ups will receive a blinkie for their blog


You have until midnight Sunday 1st August and the winners will be announced Wednesday 4th.

Here's my card

and a side view


Please be gentle with your comments and no funny remarks about my giant squirrel lol!! Think he may have had one two many nuts or it could be I need more practice. My card does look better in real life but now I'm thinking I should have swapped the colours around showing more blue than green what do you think???


Here's what I used from Sarah's cd2

pine trees digi images printed onto olive green card stock, cut out and layered
Tree trunks- coloured using cocoa promarkers
squirrel digi image- coloured using ice grey one promarkers


here's what I used in my stash

flowers-punched with gems added
star gems- Flawless design shop in Stiling
tools-cuttle bug stars embossing folder
card stock- The Papermill
ribbon- rak thanks Mel

Well off to do the mass of ironing or perhaps I might do a little more blogging!!

Take care

Clare x

P.s You still have plenty of time to enter the abc challenge this week which is Z for Z card. Sounds complicated but pop over here to see some inspiration.

Win some blog hop candy today

Just wanted to say a huge thankyou to all of you that left a comment yesterday and took part in the blog hop. Hope you all enjoyed popping over the the other dt's blog and seeing their their inspiring projects. The winner will be announced Wednesday.

Today you have another chance to win a copy of Sarah's Woodland Whimsies but this time it's CD 2.


Too win you need to....

* Put one of Sarah's challenge blog blinkie on your side bar
and secondly
*post 1 comment on each of the dt's project and the challenge blog

Of course the more comments you leave the more chance of winning you have.

here's a few project I have made using Sarah's Woodland Whimsie cd1



Todays winners will be announced Wednesday

If you would like to join in the challenge please pop over here. It's a colour combo and you don't have to have any of Sarah's products. You can buy any of Sarah's products here.

Goodluck and take care

hugs Clare x

BLOG HOP CANDY- LEAVE ME A COMMENT NOW!!!

Just a quick reminder about the blog hop candy I am giving away today and tomorrow. Please scroll down to previous post to join in the fun!!

hugs Clare x

Leave a comment today and win some Sarah Hurley candy

Woo hoo, it's Saturday and we can finally celebrate Sarah Hurley's new challenge blog by having a blog hop today and tomorrow. Hop on over to all the design team members blogs to see some inspiring products made using Sarah's cd-rom. You can find a full list of the design team members over at the challenge blog here. Today you have the chance to win on every DT's blog and the challenge blog a copy of the Woodland Whimsies CD.Tomorrow you have the chance to win Woodland Whimsies 2.

Too win you need to...

* Put one of Sarah's shiny new challenge blog badges on your sidebar
*Post 1 comment on each of the DT's work and/or the challenge blog post

The more posts you comment on the more chance you have of winning!!

The winners from each blog will be announced on Wednesday.

Goodluck with the blog hop and if you can please join in our very first challenge here

*****
Below is my project for today's blog hop but be warned I have taken lots of pictures.

Recipe for box card

deer topper,
flags,
polka dot ribbon,
deer buttons,
rainbow backing paper,
clouds backing paper

ribbon and gems from stash
sentiment- computer generated
poem- from Cuddly Buddly
tag- sizzix
CS- co=ordinations and The Paper Mill


Sarah is also giving away some blog candy to the person who has the most comments on her blog so please join in today and please come back tomorrow if you can.

hugs Clare x

Sarah Hurley's new challenge blog hop, a card and some candy to be won.

Boy it's really happening over here this week. Before I show you my card I want to tell you about Sarah's new challenge blog and her blog hop this saturday and sunday.

The first challenge started today and it's a colour challenge. You don't have to use Sarah's products but she would be thrilled if you could. You have until midnight on Sunday 1st August to enter and the winner will be announced on wednesday the 4th.

Now for the blog hop and this is where I really need your support because not only can you win some candy but I can too!! To be in with a chance of winning you must do all of the following.

leave a comment on my blog. There will be a prize draw both days (sat & sun)
write a post on your blog spreading the word of the blog hop and Sarah's new challenge
place sarah's blinkie on your side bar with a link back to the main challenge blog

To increase your chances of winning you can also leave a comment on the main challenge blog and the other dt's.

Sarah is also giving away candy to the design team member who has the most comments left on their blog.

Hope you can join in and now onto my card for Lyn over at the rak club

dp's - MME bloom n grow
image-butterfly Nora CC Designs
tools- sizzix vine die,promarkers and small scallop rectangle nesties,stickles
flowers from rak
buttons- PM capsule collection

challenges this week are

Fridays Sketchers- Sketch
craftalicious-birthday
allsorts- summer days
crazy 4 challenges-buttons
by the cute and girly-summery

That's all for today and hope to see you over at Sarah's blog or here on saturday

hugs Clare x

ABC Challenge - Z for ZIZ ZAG card

That's another fortnight gone by and that only means one thing. A new challenge over at ABC and this time it's Z for ZIG ZAG card. Like me this was way out way comfort zone but once I got started it wasn't so bad and I actually had some fun, which it's all about right?? The challenge runs for a fortnight so you have loads of time to join in and if you need some inspiration why don't you pop over to the challenge blog and see the dt's amazing cards.

This week we are very lucky to be sponsered by the fabulous Lacy at STAMP and CREATE.



and here is the prize Lacy has kindly offered.



and there's more.

Lacy has also agreed that for the term of this challenge, all ABC Challenge participants/blog readers can receive 10% of your total order!! Use discount code abcjuly (all one word and lower case) at the checkout


I found a tutorial for a tri (shutter) fold card over at split coasters, a great sourse of inspiration. It did take me a couple of hours to make but I really wanted to make a special card for my wedding anniversary. I also wanted to have a wee play with Sarah's Hurley's woodland whimsie cd1. Knowing that there are so many different elements to the cd I knew it would be perfect and how could I resist those cute little deers.


I will be back soon with news regarding Sarah's blog hop to celebrate the start of her new blog challenge. So if you are not already please become a follower of my blog so you don't miss out on the chance to win some yummy candy!!

hugs Clare x

A busy bee

Finally I have managed to get a minute to post one of four cards I have made this past week. My time has mostly been taken up looking after my two boys who were poorly last week and this week I have spent most of my time stuck up my loft having a major clearout and then boxing it up. I now have one huge pile for the charity shop, another pile for toddlers. some for sil , another for the rubbish tip and 40+ boxes all boxed up. Thank god I don't have to do that again now just need to tackle the ever expanding washing , ironing, lack of food and not forgetting Andrew's anniversary and birthday card.

Below is a card I made for one of my friends over at the rak club. If you would like to join our wee club leave a comment in my comment box.

here's a close up of the tag, thought it looked cute


this close up shows my handmade bead embellishment



sketch-Whiff of joy
papers- PM summer bloom- thanks Susie
stash-flowers,beads,wire,ribbon
image- city girls-whiff of joy (cheer Mel)
tools-promarkers and friskers template

*****


I will be entering this card into the following challenges

whiff of joy- sketch and DT call (got me fingers and toes crossed for this one)
*charisma cards-pink
etsy inspired- inspired by this product
totally papercrafts- 1x image, 1x ribbon, 2x papers, 3x embellishments
the town scrapper- anything goes
totally gorjuss-thinking of you

That's all for tonight please drop by tomorrow to see my card for the new abc challenge.

hugs Clare x

I can't believe it's been a week since my last post!! I've been busy with card orders and DT samples for Sarah Hurley which hopefully I will be able to show you over the next few days. Lewis is also very poorly at the mo as he has caught a tummy bug fingers crossed we don't all get it!!

I had a fab monday night as I got the chance to meet up with my fabulous friend Susie. It was a great opportunity to have a wee crafty night which I have to say ended up in tears but they were the funny ones and not the sad kind.

A couple of months back I bought these two Tildas and they just so happen to be my very first ones. There are so many I would love but need to keep those reins in tow as we could be moving house so eeeeeeeeeekkk!! My mum had asked if I would make a card for my sil birthday so lets hope she likes it!!

challenges I have entered are....

aud sentiments- no sentiments
The town scrapper- monochrome
one stop crafts-monochrome

Well off to do some DT work and hope to catch up with you all soon!!

hugs Clare x

p.s Sarah will be starting her new challenge blog soon which I just so happen to be a dt member. If you would like to join in the fun too you can buy her cd roms here!!

two wee farmer browns

We are now two weeks into the summer holidays and so I thought I would show you what the broons have been up to.
This picture shows our first ever trip to our local farm enjoying strawberry and raspberry picking. Andrew and the boys spent more time eating than picking but still came away with loads of fruit. We also bought a few goodies from the farm shop which were rather yummy, another trip will def be in the pipeline and soon!!


Here's a picture of Arran and his carrots which he grew from seed in our garden. They're supposed to be small and round which is quite strange to see.After picking they were quickly washed and eaten raw, nothing beats the taste of veg straight from the garden.

Hope you are all well and enjoying the summer hols

hugs Clare x

crafting in the afternoon??

There is a god afterall!! These last couple of days I have managed to get an hour of crafting done in the afternoon while the two boys were sleeping. No housework for me to do either as it's all been done due to viewings in my house fri/sat and sun. I have a viewer coming tomorrow afternoon so no crafting but will def be crafting at night.

Now before you read the next bit you may want to sit down because what I am about to tell you might shock you to the bones...are you sitting down??? good !! Well Andrew and I decided that although my craftroom is tidy it's not show home tidy so we decided to do a clear up. The idea was to take all my craft stuff off the display shelves and move them into the cupboards below. We were then going to put a few books, ornaments etc on the display shelves and voila show home office!!! But that's not what we ended up doing, no we moved my craft stuff up the loft, yes you read right!! It's only for one day and I can assure you it's temporary but Andrew did have a look of victory about him!! In fact he even suggested I tape the boxes up, his reason was to keep them safe. He felt so victorious he was actually going to mention it on facebook for all to hear. Well we see who will be laughing tomorrow night once kiddie winkles are safely tucked up in bed.

Anyway here is a card I made for my niece's 1st communion. I did make her one a few weeks back but Mr postie was very naughty and failed to deliver it.


a wee close up of Tilda


thought I would show you the butterfly I layered


dp's- smirk
tools-nesties,sizzix vine die,stickles
promarkers- fushia pink,orchid,almond,pale pink,tan,caramel,cocoa,icegrey 1,


These are the challenges I have entered

friday sketchers- sketch
dutch dare-flower inspiration
lexis creations- layers
creative card crew- to die for
craftalicious- cute
totally papercrafts-one for the girlies

hope you are all well and please pop by tomorrow to see abc new challenge.

hugs Clare x

ABC Challenge - Y for YOU and Me

By gosh, can you believe another fortnight has passed and it's time for a new challenge over at abc. The number of entries we had for our last challenge was amazing and it was great to see so many new peeps joining in alongside our trusty regulars.

This time the letter is Y for You and Me so we want to see two images on a stamp or two separate images on your card. This weeks challenge is perfect for those wedding and anniversary cards or perhaps a card for twins or you could create a scene. So many options so def no excuse not to join us and to tempt you even more we have a fabulous sponser.


Our sponsor this challenge is WILD ORCHID CRAFTS whom I am sure you are all aware of, where else are we getting all our delicious flowers from. Here is the prize that they are offering.



If you are looking for some inspiration the DT has once again come up trumps so pop over to the abc blog or their individual blogs. You could even leave a wee comment or two, even just to say hi.

Below is my card for my brothers and sister in law Alisons wedding anniversary. Now I am super organised which is a rarity for me, as they're 1st wedding anniversary isn't til August but with my niece due to be born the end of July I want to be organised.


tools- MS butterfly punch and heart x cut punch
promarkers- sunkissed pink,cocktail pink,ice grey 1,apple for bunnies and meadow for grass
rak-LOTV image,papers and ribbon thanks Mel,flowers thanks Dawn
sentiment- stamp from old docrafts magazine

challenges I have entered are....

friday sketchers- fab sketch



I will be back soon as I have my sister in laws birthday card to share with you.

Thanks for all your comments regarding my last post you all made me laugh so much my sides hurt!!

hugs Clare x